bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phantasie, Interaktion und Perspektivenübernahme in Als-ob-Situationen. Eine phänomenologische Analyse / Fantasy, Interaction and Perspective-Taking in Pretense Situations. A Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Summa Michela
Published: December 2017

The aim of this article is to develop a phenomenological analysis of pretense. In different forms of pretense, something we take to be fictive is somehow transposed into a context that we experience as real. Due to this ‘transposition’, the context itself, under certain respects, becomes unreal or fictional. When we ‘live’ in a pretense context, we bracket or conceal what we take for real. Departing from both meta-representational and simulationist approaches, the phenomenological interpretation of pretense is developed based, on the one hand, on the analysis of the role of perceptual and, on the other hand, on the inquiry into the central moments making up the sociality of pretense. In relation to the intersubjective/social nature of pretense and to reassessment of the relation between ‘being’ and ‘appearing’, which result from the analysis of the role of perceptual, different forms of perspectival flexibility that are actualized in pretense will be discussed.
Geschichte zwischen Erinnerung und Phantasie / History between Memory and Fantasy
Authors: Lembeck Karl-Heinz
Published: December 2017

This article refers on a recent discussion with the question of the relationship between individual memory and collective history. It is claimed a constitutive role of memory in history. This thesis is examined on the basis of the question according to the value of the autobiography as a historical source. It is shown here that a reference to the collective history is already guaranteed in the relationship between memory and narrative. Four observations shall justify the arguments, they concern (i) the role of intuition in historical narrative, (ii) the relationship between historical actor and his deeds, (iii) the transcendence of memory, and (iv) the role of fiction in the historical narrative. The last observation leads at the end on the role of fantasy in the historical memory.
Hermeneutische Implikationen im sozialphilosophischen Denken von Jósef Tischner / Hermeneutical Implications in Jósef Tischner’s Social Philosophy
Authors: Dybel Paweł
Published: December 2017

In this article, I point out the hermeneutical implications of the Philosophy of Jósef Tischner, a modern Polish philosopher. In his early writings, the author of the Ethics of Solidarity strongly criticized the claim of the historicity of understanding as developed in Heidegger’s Being and Time and Gadamer’s Truth and Method. Later, however, he dismissed his critical attitude and recognized in both, Heidegger’s and Gadamer’s concepts, an important source of inspiration for a new formulation of the question of the other. At the same time, he tried to stay true to the tradition of the Philosophy of Dialogue (M. Buber, F. Rosenzweig, E. Levinas) as well as to the transcendental method of asking for the last “conditions of possibility” elaborated by Husserl. Thus, in his late work, he took into account some aspects of the hermeneutic concepts of the historicity of understanding and at once fundamentally transformed their meaning. In the last part of my article, I compare his concept of the hierarchy of ideas and values, which determines human relationships, with Gadamer’s notion of prejudices and tradition.
Der normierte Mensch. Eine Betrachtung hinsichtlich des Verhältnisses von Normalität und Objektivität aus dem Blickpunkt der husserlschen Phänomenologie / The Normalized Man. Reflexions on the Relationship between Normality and Objectivity from the Point of View of Husserlian Phenomenology
Authors: Weber Ina Marie
Published: December 2017

The human being as a constituted objectivity is a fragile ‘figure’ who lives in through their individual and shared experience. As a constituted objectivity, it influences our experiences, actions and the constitution of our community. Nevertheless, it appears to us, who actually constitute it, as a completely independent and immutable object, as a mere fact our experience has to comply with, and as a normative representation of the human being. This paper inquires - from a phenomenological point of view - about the structure that underlies the norm at work in our experience, as well as in the high- and low-level dimensions of the intersubjective community. Indirectly, such a structure can be identified through the connection between Husserl’s understanding of normality and objectivity. My claim is that normativity can be understood as a necessary function and thus can be distinguished from objectivity and normality. Normativity appears, therefore, as a function of objectivity, which allows one to distinguish the latter from normality. As such, normativity should not be confused with an active agreement or regulation, but rather identified as a necessary constitutive structure arising from experiential intersubjective sense-borrowing performance. At the same time, due to its connection to objectivity, normativity also appears to strongly influence the social production of validity, therefore being endorsed by institutions.
In Sachen Glück. Ein genetisch-phänomenologischer Ansatz / Concerning Happiness. Reflexions from the Genetic Phenomenological Point of View
Authors: Brudzińska Jagna
Published: December 2017

Modern empirical research considers happiness to be identical with a subjective feeling of pleasure. This refers to both assessments of actual satisfactions of need and representations of possible satisfactions of need. Thereby, the aspects of cognitive representations of happiness are mainly focused, while the performing subject remains disregarded. The phenomenological approach tries to counteract such a situation. Phenomenology allows us to differentiate ‘striving towards happiness’ and the ‘experienced happiness’ as different polarities of this phenomenon. Based on this three aspects can be distinguished: (1) the present experience of happiness as an experience of satisfying actual urgent needs; (2) the temporally enduring form of (self-)satisfaction in the individual life; (3) the ethical form of happiness as felicity (Glückseligkeit) implying the teleological determination of human existence realized through socialization. In this paper, these aspects are considered phenomenological through intentional genetic analysis and taking into account some psychoanalytic results. This article aims at showing that happiness, particularly in the ethical form of felicity, cannot be considered as merely an individual issue, but is rather closely related to the sociality of human experience and to the intersubjective constitution of our shared reality.
Is Hatred a Major Factor Determining the Contemporary Social Imaginary? / Ist der Hass ein bestimmender Faktor des gegenwärtigen sozialen Imaginären?
Authors: Leder Andrzej
Published: December 2017

In my paper, I analyze hate as one of the important factors that influence and structuralize the symbolic sphere. In the first step, I define the notion of “symbolic sphere”. Then, I analyze hate from the phenomenological and psychoanalytical points of view. My next step is a historical digression, concerning the place of hate in the social order. Next, I describe some important phenomena of the contemporary societies conditioned by the influence of hatred. Finally, I investigate which notions of the social theory are adequate to describe this kind of phenomena. Hate has been most frequently apprehended as a sudden eruption of bare violence. It was supposed to transform the symbolic sphere through sharp, directly aggressive, and often unexpected actions. Nevertheless, in societies wherein the symbolic legitimization of the political and social order was established as the consequence of the Second World War, a deep change in the attitude toward the bare and direct expression of violence took place. Acts of hate in the public sphere became morally delegitimized and symbolically repressed. We should ask then: if the bare violence and the hate determining this violence disappeared from the sphere of social praxis, although they still shape the social imaginary, how are they really founded? Thus, to answer these questions, I will have to ask not about the direct impact of hatred, but about its hidden influence.
Selenium Deficiency as a Risk Factor for Development of Anemia
Authors: Petkova-Marinova Tsvetelina V. , Ruseva Boryana K. , Atanasova Bisera D.
Published: December 2017

Anemia is an important public health problem worldwide. Although iron (Fe) deficiency is considered the main factor in the pathogenesis of anemia, only 40-60% of anemia cases are responsive to Fe supplementation. Considerable data exist that other micronutrient deficiencies, such as selenium (Se), could be possible causes of anemia. The issue of Se deficiency as a risk factor for the development of anemia is of particular interest to our country since the Balkan region is known by a low Se content of soils. The aim of the study was to examine the contemporary conception of the influence of Se deficiency on the development of anemia by a review of the scientific literature. Most animal studies have shown a significant relation between Se deficiency and anemia, but one study indicates that there is no impact of Se deficiency on the hematological parameters. Associations of low serum Se with anemia have been found in a number of human studies including subjects of various age groups and pathological conditions. Three possible biological mechanisms have been suggested for the involvement of Se deficiency in the development of anemia: increased oxidative stress, modulation of inflammation through induction of interleukin-6, and increased expression of heme oxygenase-1. A more categorical clarification of the relationships between Se deficiency and development of anemia is needed with respect to appropriate trace element supplementation in cases of anemia with insufficient or absent therapeutic response to Fe treatment.
Cognitive P300 Potential in Retired Sportsmen with a Career in Contact Sports
Authors: Valkov Iliya. V. , Dimkova Rositza D.
Published: December 2017

Eleven retired sportsmen, who had a career in contact sports (three boxers, four footballers, four wrestlers) and one cyclist with a history of several falls from a bicycle and had been diagnosed with a cerebrovascular trauma, were investigated with auditory cognitive P300. The age range was aged between 26 and 63 years. Ten out of the twelve presented cognitive wave latency between 512 msec and 928 msec. This finding made us conclude that repetitive minor head injuries (mHI) that they inevitably had experienced during their carrier has led to cognitive problems in older age.
Changes of Serum Concentrations of Alkaline Phosphatase and Metalloproteinase-9 in an Ovariectomized Wistar Rat Model of Osteoporosis
Authors: Grigoryan Armine V. , Dimitrova Aneliya A. , Kostov Krasimir G. , Russeva Adelaida L. , Atanasova Milena A. , Blagev Alexander B. , Betova Tatyana M. , Trifonov Radoslav G.
Published: December 2017

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by decreased bone mass, destruction of the microarchitectonics of bone structure and a high risk for fracture. One of the criteria for altered bone homeostasis includes the changes in serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The purpose of this study was to determine the serum concentrations of calcium (Ca2+), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg2+), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and MMP-9 in ovariectomized rats. We used 35 female Wistar rats at reproductive age (2 months) divided into 2 groups: a control group (G1-SHAM) – 20 animals subjected to “false” ovariectomy and placebo-operation, and an ovariectomized group (G2-OVX) – 15 animals subjected to bilateral ovariectomy. Blood was collected from the abdominal aorta for testing levels of Ca2 +, P, Mg2+, ALP and MMP-9. No statistically significant differences in serum concentrations of Ca2+, P and Mg2+ were found between G2 and G1 (p>0.05). The values of ALP and MMP-9 in rats of G2 were statistically significantly increased, as compared to G1 (p<0.05). The serum activity of ALP, which is a marker for bone formation, was increased in OVX-induced osteoporosis. Elevated serum MMP-9 levels in G2 confirmed the hypothesis that it is a marker for osteoclast activity.
Reaction of Sera from Infertile Female Patients with Fractionated Phylogenetically Conserved Ovarian Antigens Measured by Elisa: A Pilot Study
Authors: Delimitreva Stefka M. , Zhivkova Ralitsa S. , Chakarova Irina V. , Hadzhinesheva Valentina P. , Lazarov Vladislav V. , Dimitrova-Dikanarova Dimitrina K.
Published: December 2017

The reaction of anti-sperm antibody-positive sera from infertile women with fractionated mouse ovarian antigens was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antigens were obtained by extraction for nuclear matrix and intermediate filaments (NM-IF) producing three protein fractions – soluble, cytoskeletal and NM-IF. The results showed that sera from some infertile patients, but not control sera, react with either the soluble fraction or the NM-IF fraction. The reaction with soluble proteins was most likely directed against surface antigens, possibly aggravating the fertility problems, while the anti-NM-IF antibodies could indicate release of insoluble intracellular components by tissue damage of unknown origin.
Preoperative Evaluation of Sexual Function in Patients Undergoing Bilateral Nerve-Sparing Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy
Authors: Stoykov Boyan A. , Kolev Nikolay H. , Kotsev Rumen P. , Al-Shargabi Fahd , Genov Pencho P. , Vanov Aleksandar , Atanasov Jitian A. , Sachdeva Manish , Tonchev Pencho T. , Koleva Maria I.
Published: December 2017

During the last few years, prostate cancer is more frequently diagnosed in young patients. This lays emphasis on the necessity to preoperatively evaluate the sexual function in patients undergoing bilateral nerve sparing radical retropubic prostatectomy (BNSRRP). The aim of our study was to make an objective evaluation of the basic sexual function in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer and candidates for BNSRRP, using internationally validated questionnaires. We also tried to find a correlation between these questionnaires and the individual assessment of candidates, on one hand, and between comorbidities of the patients and degree of erectile dysfunction (ED), on the other hand. From January 2014 to March 2017, at the urology clinic of University Hospital – Pleven, 64 patients opted BNSRRP and reported to have preserved erectile function (EF), wishing to maintain this function after surgery. The patients’ histories and comorbidities were recorded on the day of hospitalization. The subjective assessment of the patients’ potency was compared with International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). According to the EF domain of the IIEF, baseline EF was assessed in 28 patients. Twelve patients had mild ED, 9 patients had mild to moderate ED, seven patients had moderate, and eight had severe ED. The results showed that a significant number of patients with clinically localized prostate cancer who were candidates for BNSRRP reported to be fully potent but actually had impaired EF preoperatively. There was also a pronounced correlation between concomitant diseases and EF.
Incisional Endometriosis: Four Clinical Cases
Authors: Totev Tihomir P. , Gorchev Grigor A. , Tomov Slavcho T. , Filipova Ina D. , Hinkova Nadezhda H.
Published: December 2017

The presence of functioning endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity is defined as endometriosis. Its incidence is approximately 10-15% of women of fertile age. Incisional endometriosis following obstetric or gynecologic surgery is reported in 0.03-1.08% of women. Most of the cases reported in the literature are related to caesarean section and have required a differential diagnosis with a hernia, abscess, granuloma or lipoma. The diagnosis is based on histological findings. We describe incisional endometriosis in four patients operated on at St. Marina Hospital – Pleven for one year.
Towards a continuous inland excess water flood monitoring system based on remote sensing data
Authors: van Leeuwen Boudewijn , Tobak Zalán , Kovács Ferenc , Sipos György
Published: December 2017

Inland excess water (IEW) is a type of flood where large flat inland areas are covered with water during a period of several weeks to months. The monitoring of these floods is needed to understand the extent and direction of development of the inundations and to mitigate their damage to the agricultural sector and build up infrastructure. Since IEW affects large areas, remote sensing data and methods are promising technologies to map these floods. This study presents the first results of a system that can monitor inland excess water over a large area with sufficient detail at a high interval and in a timely matter. The methodology is developed in such a way that only freely available satellite imagery is required and a map with known water bodies is needed to train the method to identify inundations. Minimal human interference is needed to generate the IEW maps. We will present a method describing three parallel workflows, each generating separate maps. The maps are combined to one weekly IEW map. At this moment, the method is capable of generating IEW maps for a region of over 8000 km2, but it will be extended to cover the whole Great Hungarian Plain, and in the future, it can be extended to any area where a training water map can be created.
Assessment of possible uncertainties arising during the hydromorphological monitoring of a Sand-Bedded Large River
Authors: Právetz Tamás , Sipos György , Ladányi Zsuzsanna
Published: December 2017

The riverbed morphology of sand-bedded rivers is dynamically changing as a consequence of quasi continuous bedload transport. In the meantime, the dimension, size and dynamics of developing bedforms is highly depending on the regime of the river and sediment availability, both affected by natural and anthropogenic factors. Consequently, the assessment of morphological changes as well as the monitoring of riverbed balance is challenging in such a variable environment. In relation with a general research on the longer term sediment regime of River Maros, a fairly large alluvial river in the Carpathian Basin, the primary aim of the present investigation was to assess uncertainties related to morphological monitoring, i.e. testing the reproducibility of hydromorphological surveys and digital elevation model generation by performing repeated measurements among low water conditions on selected representative sites. Surveys were conducted with the combination of an ADCP sonar, GPS and total station. The most appropriate way of digital elevation modelling (DEM) was tested and 30-point Kriging was identified to be optimal for comparative analysis. Based on the results, several uncertainties may affect the reproducibility of measurements and the volumetric deviation of DEM pairs generated. The mean horizontal difference of survey tracks was 3-4 m in case of each site, however this could not explain all the DEM deviation. Significant riverbed change between measurements could also be excluded as the main factor. Finally, it was found that results might be affected greatly by systematic errors arising during motor boat ADCP measurements. Nevertheless, the observed, normalised and aggregated DEM uncertainty (600-360 m3/rkm) is significantly lower than the changes experienced between surveys with a month or longer time lag. Consequently, the developed measurement strategy is adequate to monitor long term morphological and sediment balance change on sand bedded large river.
Identifying Constraints to Increase the Resilience of Cities: A Case Study of the City of Porto Alegre
Authors: da Silva Stefano Gustavo , Lacerda Daniel Pacheco , Veit Douglas Rafael , Pantaleão Luis Henrique
Published: December 2017

This study applies the BRIC – Baseline Resilience Indicator for Communities – as a case study to the city of Porto Alegre. The purpose of quantifying resilience is to allow the identification of the constraints of that city considering its 17 participatory budgeting regions to increase resilience over time. Utilizing five TOC focusing steps is suggested so that the identified constraints may be exploited and “broken” effectively. At the end, three significant constraints were identified, which lead to the conclusion that there is room for improvement in the city and in the adequacy of the tool regarding the proposed case, enabling further research opportunities.
Bacterial flora associated with diseased freshwater ornamental fish
Authors: Walczak Natalia , Puk Krzysztof , Guz Leszek
Published: December 2017

Introduction:Ornamental fish can suffer from different bacterial diseases. Among them the most prevalent are infections caused byAeromonas, Shewanella, Citrobacter, Plesiomonas, Edwardsiella, andPseudomonas.But there is a broad spectrum of rarely identified bacteria which may be causative agents of diseases. The aim of the study was to determine the species of bacteria pathogenic for fish which are prevalent in aquariums.

Material and Methods:Bacteria were isolated from infected ornamental fish from pet shops and private aquariums in the Lublin region in 2015 and classified to species using MALDI-TOF MS.

Results:A total of 182 isolates from ornamental fish were identified. The most frequent bacteria found in diseased fish wereAeromonas veronii(30.8% of total number of strains),A. hydrophila(18.7%),Shewanella putrefaciens(7.1%),Citrobacter freundii(7.1%),Pseudomonas spp. (7.1%),Shewanella baltica(4.9%), andPlesiomonas shigelloides(3.3%).

Conclusion:Isolated bacterial species are facultative pathogens for fish and humans and may be isolated from fish without apparent symptoms of the disease.
Lichens of fruit trees in the selected locations in Podlaskie Voivodeship [North-Eastern Poland]
Authors: Matwiejuk Anna
Published: December 2017

The aim of this paper is to present the diversity of the lichen species on fruit trees (Malus sp., Pyrus sp., Prunus sp. and Cerasus sp.) growing in orchards in selected villages and towns in the Podlaskie Voivodeship. Fifty-six species of lichens were found. These were dominated by common lichens found on the bark of trees growing in built-up areas with prevailing heliophilous and nitrophilous species of the genera Physcia and Phaeophyscia. A richer lichen biota is characteristic of apple trees (52 species) and pear trees (36). Lichens of the apple trees constitute 78% of the biota of this phorophyte growing in the fruit orchards in Poland. Of the recorded species, only two (Ramalina farinacea, Usnea hirta) are covered by partial protection in Poland.
Production and environmental aspects of the application of biostimulators Asahi SL, Kelpak SL and stimulator Tytanit with limited doses of nitrogen
Authors: Murawska Barbara , Gabrowska Magdalena , Spychaj-Fabisiak Ewa , Wszelaczynska Elżbieta , Chmielewski Jarosław
Published: December 2017

An effective way to reduce nitric oxide emissions may be to reduce the level of nitrogen fertilization. Specialized formulations such as biostimulators are a good alternative to conventional mineral fertilization. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the application of biostimulation agents (Asahi SL, Kelpak SL, Tytanit) applied against the limited dose of nitrogen (75 kgN·ha−1) on winter wheat ‘Muszelka’, their effect was measured on the parameters: grain yield, protein content, amount of chlorophyll and root mass. No statistically significant changes in yields were observed, but after application of the Asahi SL and Kelpak SL, considerably higher values were found as compared to the controls. It should be emphasised that the applied formulations significantly affected the root mass and chlorophyll content of the leaves. Especially in the case of roots of the plants where the biostimulator Asahi was used in the phase BBCH 37, Kelpak in BBCH 23 and fertilizer Tytanit in BBCH 37. And in the case of chlorophyll objects, where Tytanit was applied in BBCH 37 and 69. In the study, significant correlation was found only between the chlorophyll content and the root mass (r = 0.54).
Environmental pollution as a threats to the ecology and development in Guinea Conakry
Authors: Borowski Piotr F.
Published: December 2017

The aim of the research was to investigate the relationship between environmental pollution in Guinea Conakry and the levels of development as well as the assessment of climatic conditions as they influence pollution levels. In order to explore economic, social and cultural situations in Guinea, in-depth interviews were conducted and also face-to-face interviews were recorded. There were observations made in two extreme climatic conditions (dry season and rainy season) that have allowed inference to the impact of climatic conditions on pollution levels.
Evaluation of national parks on the basis of Nature 2000 areas
Authors: Kapuściński Ryszard , Szyszko-Podgórska Katarzyna
Published: December 2017

The goal of this work is to present the valorisation of national park based on the criteria resulting from standard data forms (SDF). The analysis covered a number of areas protected under the Birds Directive and Habitats Directive with the A, B or C category. Habitats and species marked as D in the SDF are not protected in the Nature 2000 areas, which is why they were not taken into account in the analysis. The presented characteristics made it possible to determine the hierarchy of national parks amongst the most valuable natural objects that deserve protection in the first place and also to verify the views on most valuable areas.
Plastic pollutants in water environment
Authors: Mrowiec Bożena
Published: December 2017

Nowadays, wide applications of plastics result in plastic waste being present in the water environment in a wide variety of sizes. Plastic wastes are in water mainly as microplastics (the size range of 1 nm to < 5 mm). Microplastics have been recognized as an emerging threat, as well as ecotoxicological and ecological risk for water ecosystems. In this review are presented some of the physicochemical properties of plastic materials that determine their toxic effect on the aquatic environment. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are mentioned as one of main sources of microplastics introduced into fresh water, and rivers are the pathways for the transportation of the pollutants to seas and oceans. But, effluents from tertiary wastewater treatment facilities can contain only minimally microplastic loads. The issue of discharge reduction of plastic pollutants into water environment needs activities in the scope of efficient wastewater treatment, waste disposal, recycling of plastic materials, education and public involvement.
Genetically modified foods in the opinion of the second-year students of biology, biotechnology and tourism and recreation of the Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce – a preliminary study
Authors: Chmielewski Jarosław , Ochwanowska Ewa , Czarny-Działak Małgorzata , Łuszczki Jarogniew J.
Published: December 2017

The aim of this work was to assess knowledge of and to identify awareness in second-year students of biology, biotechnology and tourism and recreation, regarding the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO) in food. The analysis of obtained results shows that about 98% of respondents know the concept of GMO and highly appreciate their knowledge of this topic. The main source of knowledge about GMO for the students is the Internet and the University. It is worth noting that 59% of respondents are aware of the use of GMO in food, while more than half do not know how the GMO in food should be labeled. In particular, students of biotechnology showed a distinctive knowledge about GMO. Over half of students of the Jan Kochanowski University in the fields of biology, biotechnology, and tourism and recreation (55%) recognized that the use of GMO poses a threat to human health.
The fiftieth anniversary of the first United Nations Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names
Authors: Wolnicz-Pawłowska Ewa
Published: December 2017

On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the first United Nations Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names, the author presents the historical background of the ongoing international cooperation on the unification of toponyms on a global scale. The 1967 conference in Geneva was extremely important in defining the objectives and tasks of the cooperation, setting out the main areas of action (national standardization, geographical terms, spelling systems, international exchange of information) and, through the resolutions adopted at the time, formulating detailed guidelines for standardization procedures. In the past half-century, the global organising of geographic nomenclature – although still incomplete – has gained a universally accepted institutional framework and has produced the expected results. The UNGEGN (United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names) plays a major role in organising the cyclical conferences, sessions, regional division and working group meetings, and toponymy courses, as well as inspiring the creation of unified databases and publications.
Assessment of Cardiac Autonomic Function by Post Exercise Heart Rate Recovery in Diabetics
Authors: Takkar Nidhi , Takkar Jai Prakash , Padmakumar R , Patil Navin A , Rao Karthik N , Bhattacharje Dipanjan
Published: December 2017

Background and Aims: Autonomic dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients may translate into an increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Autonomic system regulates ‘heart rate recovery’ (HRR), an important predictor of cardiovascular mortality, which can be assessed using the exercise electrocardiogram (ECG). Hence, utilizing HRR, this study assessed the autonomic function of the cardiovascular system after one minute of exercise stress test in both, patients with and without type 2 DM.

Materials and Methods: A prospective case control study involving 50 patients with type 2 DM and 50 without type 2 DM, matched for age and sex, was carried out. Each subject underwent an exercise stress test by treadmill using the Bruce protocol. Cardiovascular parameters like heart rate was recorded using a 12 lead ECG along with blood pressure.

Results: Patients with T2DM had lesser HRR after exercise (p < 0.001). Exercise capacity was significantly reduced among patients with T2DM when compared to controls (p = 0.01). A multiple linear regression analysis (R2=0.26) revealed that duration of diabetes (β=−0.02, p=0.048) and resting systolic blood pressure (SBP) (β=−010, p=0.048) are independent predictors of HRR.

Conclusion: The study revealed HRR to be significantly reduced among patients with type 2 DM. HRR may hint at the presence of cardiac autonomic dysfunction and predict the cardiovascular mortality.
Effect of Pre-Ramadan Education on Dietary Intake and Anthropometry-Comparison Between Two Groups of Diabetic Patients
Authors: Bencharif Meriem , Boudaoud Chaima , Fenaghra Amal , Benabbas Youcef
Published: December 2017

Background and aims: Fasting of Ramadan leads to changes in dietary habits, physical activity, sleep and time of drug intake for diabetics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of pre-Ramadan education on dietary intake and anthropometry of two groups of patients.

Material and methods: The entire cohort was divided in a group (G1; n=86) which attended nutritional education sessions and group that did not attend these sessions (G2; n=72). The protocol included three visits before, during and after the month of Ramadan.

Results. Total energy intake of the G1 did not differ significantly between visits, unlike the G2. Patients in the G1 reduced their carbohydrate intake during Ramadan with 32.5g, compared to the G2 which decreased their consumption with17.2g. The intake of saturated fatty acids was significantly higher in the G2 (p=0.001) after Ramadan. The number of obese class 2 of the G1 decreased after Ramadan, however for the G2, the number increased. The waist-to-hip ratio and the body fat (%) were unchanged between the three periods.

Conclusion. The management of diabetes should be multidisciplinary to ensure better continuity of care. Specialized and individual educational actions must be concrete in diabetics wishing to fast.
Health Related Quality of Life of Patients with Diabetes in Romania
Authors: Iamandi-Cioinaru Cătălina , Corad Bogdan , Marin Monica , Trocea Andreea , Colda Anca , Rusu Emilia , Radulian Gabriela
Published: December 2017

Background and aims: This paper aims at understanding patient’s perspective in coping with diabetes in Romania. The study analyzes whether there are significant differences between health related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with diabetes, based on socio-demographic and disease-related characteristics.

Material and methods: The study included 128 patients aged ≥ 18 years, diagnosed with type 1 and 2 diabetes and was conducted in the period of November 2015 – July 2016. The project included two main research instruments – one questionnaire applied face-to-face to each patient and one questionnaire completed by the physicians including health data for each patient who agreed to participate in the study. The set of tested characteristics includes: (i) gender; (ii) place of residence; (iii) education level; (iv) marital status; (v) employment status; (vi) level of personal income; (vii) age; (viii) type of diabetes; (ix) duration of diabetes; (x) household composition (another person with diabetes); (xi) network support and (xii) patient’s access to information and communication technology (ICT).

Results: The mean age was 54.23±12.76 years, with three quarters of respondents above the age of 40 years and 68% married. More than half of participants have access to internet, either at home or at work.

Conclusions: The results indicate that gender, household’s composition, place of residence, access to ICT, employment status, type of diabetes, personal income level, the presence of a support network, age and diabetes duration differentiate between reported HRQL indicators. The study adds knowledge for understanding chronic disease patients’ self-assessment of HRQL in Romania.
Hydroxychloroquine: Looking into the Future
Authors: Chakravorty Saibal , Purkait Indranil , Pareek Anil , Talware Avinash
Published: December 2017

Hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial agent has also been found to possess antidiabetic action. Onset of type-2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease is now considered to be the outcome of systemic inflammation. Many clinical trials are targeting systemic inflammation to reduce cardiovascular risk. Anti-inflammatory drugs with cardiovascular effects may be valuable therapeutic intervention to reduce massive cardiovascular risk in T2DM. In this review, antidiabetic action and potential cardioprotective role of hydroxychloroquine has been discussed. By virtue of its antidiabetic, lipid lowering, anti-platelet, anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory properties, hydroxychloroquine can be a key therapeutic alternative to manage patients with T2DM.
Evidence of clonal propagation in Cryptomeria japonica D. Don distributed on Pacific Ocean side in Japan
Authors: Doğan Güliz , Tadama Takumi , Kohama Hiroki , Matsumoto Asako , Moriguchi Yoshinari
Published: December 2017

Cryptomeria japonica is distributed on the Pacific Ocean side and reproduces only by seedling; however, C. japonica var. radicans is distributed on the Japan Sea side and reproduces by both seedling and layering. Until now, there has been no report that C. japonica on the Pacific Ocean side regenerates by layering. In this study, the regeneration system of C. japonica in a national forest of Miyagi Prefecture Ishinomaki City was investigated using DNA analysis. C. japonica growing in the study plot was divided into seven genets and 40 single ramets, clearly suggesting that C. japonica at this site regenerates not only by seedling, but also by layering. The strong winds and low temperature appear to be key factors in layering reproduction at this site.
Application of the Current Knowledge from Research and Development of the Burial Methods and their Impact on Designing or Transforming Contemporary Cemeteries in the Czech Republic
Authors: Frolíková Palánová Klára , Juračka Ondřej , Černá Barbora , Dubovský Lukáš , Nahodilová Šárka
Published: December 2017

Considerable transformation of the burial method at the turn of the 19th and the 20th centuries is apparent from the existing results of research in the developments of burial and funeral architecture, when after centuries controlled by the church – due to social and political changes – gradual secularisation of the society and subsequent desacralisation of funeral rituals started appearing. This phenomenon, as well as other aspects (e.g. Josephine reforms in 1782) brought about a change in the approach to newly established cemeteries but also the necessity to define areas for new burial methods and constructing new building types of funeral architecture. The position of necropolis is also changing as the society understands it, and its inclusion not only in the organism of towns but also in everyday life of town and municipality citizens. Thus, not only new but mainly original cemeteries are searching for their new position in the society. Studio papers try to react to this situation written by students of the master degree of the specialisation Architecture and civil engineering at the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the VŠB - Technical University in Ostrava, led by prof. Ing. arch. Petr Hrůša, doc. Ing. Martina Peřinková, Ph.D. and Ing. arch. Klára Frolíková Palánová, Ph.D. Students try to view necropolis in an innovative way and give them a new dimension to succeed and become adequate public or semi-public space of cities and municipalities. The contribution represents starting points of possible solutions on case studies, such as transformation of a cemetery in Ostrava on the Hulváky Hill, the design of establishing a new cemetery in open space near the municipality of Velichovky, including the design of a funeral hall, situating a new urn grove in the place of a former cemetery – the current park – a part of which is the design of a new crematorium in Nový Jičín and extension of possibilities for placement of ashes and designs supporting the development of funeral tourism in the Olšany Cemeteries in Prague.
Elevated Tank Due to Earthquake Even
Authors: Kotrasová Kamila
Published: December 2017

Elevated reservoirs are mainly used for storing of variety water. During earthquake activity the fluid exerts impulsive and convective (sloshing) effects on the walls and bottom of tank. This paper provides theoretical background for analytical calculating of elevated water tank due to earthquake even and deals with simplified seismic design procedures for elevated tanks.
Inverse Response Surface Method in Reliability-Based Design
Authors: Lehký David , Šomodíková Martina
Published: December 2017

The paper introduces an inverse response surface method utilized when performing reliability-based design optimization of time-consuming problems. Proposed procedure is based on a coupling of the adaptive response surface method and the artificial neural network-based inverse reliability method. The validity and accuracy of the method is tested using examples with explicit nonlinear limit state functions. Obtained results as well as important aspects of the method are discussed.
Selection, Maintenance and Acoustic Diagnostics of Expansion Joints in Bridges Located in Areas with Ground Deformations
Authors: Salamak Marek , Żuchowski Rafał
Published: December 2017

In the paper are presented general rules of the assortment of expansion joints in bridges located in areas being under the mining impacts. The maintenance problems associated with ground deformations are also mentioned. The special attention is given to the noise emitted by expansion joint devices. A legal status in the protection from noise and factors affecting this noise are discussed.
Quantification of Influence of Epoxy Layer Between Interface Steel-Concrete on Calibration Curves for Modified Compact Tension Test
Authors: Seitl Stanislav , Miarka Petr , Sobek Jakub
Published: December 2017

The objective of this study is to investigate the use of compact tension specimen calibration curves for evaluation data of fracture properties measurement performed on modified compact tension specimen made from cement based composites. From literature, the well-known calibration curve for compact tension specimen is compared with calibration curves for Modified compact tension specimen that are obtained from numerical calculation. The obtained results are quantified and accuracy of solution is discussed. The suggested curves could be preferably used for determining of the fracture parameters.
Analytical Estimations of Strength of Two Layer Coating Loaded along a Line
Authors: Shatskyi Ivan , Makoviichuk Mykola , Ropyak Lubomyr
Published: December 2017

The engineering calculation procedure of the stress-strain state of the two-layer coating under the load localized along a line is proposed. The plane coupled problem of the plate equilibrium has been formulated. The analytical solutions of the problem have been obtained and compared with previous results for the uncoupled problem. The analytical estimations of strength of the composite coating have been given.
Shock Wave in a Pile Immersed into Viscoplastic Medium
Authors: Shatskyi Ivan , Perepichka Vasyl
Published: December 2017

The wave problem of perturbation propagation along an elastic pile interacting with the medium is investigated using the model of viscoplastic friction. An exact solution of the problem is obtained using the Laplace transforms for an arbitrary time of the loading period. The diagrams for velocity and stresses have been constructed.
Dynamic Post-Buckling Behavior
Authors: Šnirc Ľuboš , Grmanová Alžbeta , Ravinger Ján
Published: December 2017

Geometric non-linear theory has been used to describe the post-buckling behavior of slender web. Hamilton’s principle in increments has been used. Examples of dynamic post-bucking behavior of slender web loaded in compression are presented. Influence of residual stresses to frequency of slender web is a base for non-destructive method of investigation of structures.
Oscillatory Solutions for Lattice Korteweg-de Vries-Type Equations
Authors: Feng Wei , Zhao Song-Lin
Published: December 2017

By imposing some shift relations on
r
which satisfies the Sylvester equation
KM
+
MK
=
r
t
c
, oscillatory solutions are presented for some lattice Korteweg-de Vries-type equations, including the lattice potential Korteweg de-Vires equation, lattice potential modified Korteweg de-Vires equation, and lattice Schwarzian Korteweg-de Vries equation. This is done through the generalised Cauchy matrix approach.
Modification Mechanism and Performance of Qingchuan Rock Asphalt–Modified Asphalt
Authors: Li Limin , He Zhaoyi , Liu Weidong , Jiang Jianqing , Hu Cheng
Published: December 2017

Using Esso AH-70 asphalt as the base asphalt, the modification mechanism for Qingchuan rock asphalt–modified asphalt was studied using asphalt component tests, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectrometry, and fluorescence microscopy. The performance of the Qingchuan rock asphalt–modified asphalt was analyzed based on modified asphalt index tests, the dynamic shear rheometer test and the bending beam rheometer test. Performance verification of the Qingchuan rock asphalt–modified asphalt was conducted using the rutting, mechanical property, small-beam bending, freeze-thaw split, indirect tensile fatigue, and small-sized acceleration loading tests. The results indicate that rock asphalt asphaltene has a high content of heteroatom groups as well as strong aromaticity and polarity. After the base asphalt is modified with rock asphalt, its microstructure is changed. The temperature sensitivity of rock asphalt–modified asphalt is decreased, and the temperature stability and water stability are strengthened. The rock asphalt modifier can obviously improve the antifatigue performance and high-temperature stability of its asphalt mixture. The dynamic stability of AC-20 with an 8 % rock asphalt content is 4,769 times/mm, which is 3.05-fold higher than the dynamic stability of the base asphalt. Under the same experimental conditions, the fatigue life of AC-16 with an 8 % rock asphalt content is 18-fold higher than that of its base asphalt mixture. Small-sized acceleration loading tests confirm that the antifatigue performance and antirutting performance of a 10 % rock asphalt–modified asphalt mixture increase by 120 % and 233 %, respectively, over those of its base asphalt. Additionally, the antifatigue and antirutting performances exceed those of the styrene-butadiene-styrene–modified asphalt mixture. Qingchuan rock asphalt can improve the comprehensive performance of an asphalt mixture, and it can be used in nonextreme low- temperature environments.
Endophytic Actinobacteria from Rhododendron spp. as an Antibacterial Agent
Authors: Fitriandini Risa , Budiarti Sri , Lestari Yulin
Published: December 2017

Rhododendron has long been known to treat various diseases including diarrhea, but diversity and potency of its endophytic actinobacteria has not been studied. The objectives of this research were to explore the existence of endophytic actinobacteria from Rododendron spp. and assesed their antibacterial activity, as an effort to control the growth of bacterial pathogen resistant to some antibiotics. The endophytes were isolated from Rhododendron spp. using HV medium, and purified in ISP2 medium.  The antibacterial activity was assayed against Enteropathogenic Escerichia coli (EPEC) K1.1 resistant to ampicillin and Bacillus pumilus.  The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) value, macroscopic and microscopic were examined. Twenty three of endophytic actinobacteria were successfully isolated from 7 Rhododendron species. Two of them, i.e.  RJkb1 and RJkb3 isolates, had high antibacterial activity, with 17.2 mm and 14.5 mm inhibition zone against EPEC K1-1, respectively; and 12.4 mm and 16.1 mm inhibition zone against B. pumilus, respectively.  The highest antibacterial activity for both RJkb1 and RJkb3 isolates was achieved at day 15, at 28 oC. At 250 µg/mL to 1750 µg/mL either RJkb1 or RJkb3 supernatant showed no activity against EPEC K1-1. The MIC value against B. pumilus was at 1250 µg/mL for both tested isolates. Under an electron microscope observation, cell morphology of the treated B. pumilus showed elongated cells and viewer in cell number, compared with the untreated one.  From this work, the existence of endophytic actinobacteria from Rhododendron spp. and their antibacterial activity contribute to the understanding of their diversity and potency as antibacterial agent. 