bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inferring phytoplankton community composition with a fatty acid mixing model
Authors: Strandberg U. , Taipale S. J. , Hiltunen M. , Galloway A. W. E. , Brett M. T. , Kankaala P.
Published: January 2015

The taxon specificity of fatty acid composition in algal classes suggests that fatty acids could be used as chemotaxonomic markers for phytoplankton composition. The applicability of phospholipid‐derived fatty acids as chemotaxonomic markers for phytoplankton composition was evaluated by using a Bayesian fatty acid‐based mixing model. Fatty acid profiles from monocultures of chlorophytes, cyanobacteria, diatoms, euglenoids, dinoflagellates, raphidophyte, cryptophytes and chrysophytes were used as a reference library to infer phytoplankton community composition in five moderately humic, large boreal lakes in three different seasons (spring, summer and fall). The phytoplankton community composition was also estimated from microscopic counts. Both methods identified diatoms and cryptophytes as the major phytoplankton groups in the study lakes throughout the sampling period, together accounting for 54–63% of the phytoplankton. In addition, both methods revealed that the proportion of chlorophytes and cyanobacteria was lowest in the spring and increased towards the summer and fall, while dinoflagellates peaked in the spring. The proportion of euglenoids and raphidophytes was less than 8% of the phytoplankton biomass throughout the sampling period. The model estimated significantly lower proportions of chrysophytes in the seston than indicated by microscopic analyses. This is probably because the reference library for chrysophytes included too few taxa. Our results show that a fatty acid‐based mixing model approach is a promising tool for estimating the phytoplankton community composition, while also providing information on the nutritional quality of the seston for consumers. Both the quantity and the quality of seston as a food source for zooplankton were high in the spring; total phytoplankton biomass was ~56 μg C L−1, and the physiologically important polyunsaturated fatty acids 20:5n‐3 and 22:6n‐3 comprised ~22% of fatty acids.
Injuries of the pancreas
Authors: Stefanovic Branislav , Stefanovic Branislava , Karamarkovic Aleksandar , Doklestic Krstina , Bumbasirevic Vesna , Loncar Zlatibor
Published: January 2015

Background: In spite of significant progress in diagnostics and surgery for
pancreatic injuries in the last few decades, there have still been
professional controversies about its management. Aim: Retrospective analysis
of patients with pancreatic injuries, treated at the Clinic for Urgent
Surgery of the Emergency Center, Clinical Center of Serbia (2003-2013),
highlighting the relevant diagnostic and therapeutical aspects of the
pancreatic injuries, present dilemmas, as well as review of post-operative
complications and mortality. Methods: Statistical analysis. Results: In the
abovementioned period, 60 patients with pancreatic injuries were treated.
More than 50% of patients were managed by lesion suture and drainage. A total
percentage of complications was 32.6% and an overall mortality was 18%.
Conclusion: Management of pancreatic injuries might present a serious
professional problem, even if managed by qualified and experienced teams in
highly specialized (?high volume?) centers.
Quality of life of the patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease in Serbia
Authors: Dragicevic Igor , Babic Tamara , Trajkovic Goran , Corac Aleksandar , Bjelovic Milos
Published: January 2015

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (ERD) was often considered as a minor public
health problem and its potential severity was not fully recognized by the
general public, patients, the health care system, and in some cases health
care providers. Data about GERD related HRQoL in eastern European population
are scare. The aim of the study was to evaluate the burden of GERD on
patients treated in Serbian primary health care. The study included 1091
patients with diagnosed GERD, treated in Serbian primary health care. All
patients completed Serbian version of generic self-administered Center for
Disease Control and Prevention questionnaire, CDC-HRQoL-4.In our study, 463
(42%) GERD patients self-rated their current health status as fair or poor,
584 (53%) had poor physical health one or more days during the past 30 days,
460 (42%) had poor mental health one or more days for the same time period.
Due to disease symptoms 492 (46%) GERD patients felt depressed one or more
days during the past 30 days, 581 (54%) felt tired or sleepy during the same
time period. In addition, GERD patients had lower scores regarding number of
healthy and unhealthy days. The obtained results had demonstrated that in
large proportion, GERD impaired patient everyday lives. A better
understanding of the relationships between GERD and impaired HRQoL may allow
the physicians in primary health care to manage these patients more
effectively in the future.
Radio-guided parathyroidectomy for recurrent renal hyperparathyroidism caused by graft hyperplasia
Authors: Loncar Z. , Tausanovic K. , Kozarevic N. , Zivaljevic V. , Oluic B. , Paunovic I.
Published: January 2015

Radio-guided surgery offers several advantages in treatment of primary
hyperparathyroidism. It is considered less helpful in renal
hyperparathyroidism, but it could be of great advantage in the treatment of
persistent or recurrent secondary hyperparathyroidism. One of the surgical
options for symptomatic renal hyperparathyroidism is total parathyroidectomy
with autotransplantation of hyperplastic parathyroid tissue in forearm
muscles or sternocleidomastoid muscle. Recurrence can occur and is most
likely caused by graft hyperplasia. In this report we present the case of
54-year-old woman with recurrent renal hyperparathyroidism caused by
hyperplasia of the graft in sternocleidomastoid muscle. Unfortunately no
sutures or clips were placed at initial surgery to identify the location of
the parathyroid tissue. The preoperative assessment consisting of
99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy identified a parathyroid tissue in the in the
middle third of sternocleidomastoid muscle. The patient underwent a
radio-guided neck re-exploration that allowed a rapid localization and
excision of the hyperplastic graft.
Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the spleen
Authors: Sipovac Dragana
Published: January 2015

Introduction. Since the first description of primary splenic malignant
fibrous histiocytoma given by Govoni et al. in 1982, there have been only 18
reported cases by the end of 2013. We herein reported a case of rare primary
malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the spleen with liver metastases and
unspecific general symptoms. Case Report. A 62-year-old cachectic female
complained of sharp strong abdominal pain (on the pain scale 8/10) and
distaste for food on admission at Primary Care Service on March 29, 2014. On
physical examination, palpable painful 2 cm long tumefact in the left
hypochondriac segment was found. Laboratory findings showed leukocytosis 17.9
x 109/l, erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 55 mm/h, C reactive protein 25.8.
Magnetic resonance of abdomen proved secondary deposits in the right liver
segment and lower pole of spleen. Positron emission tomography-computed
tomography recorded a cold necrosis field in the right liver part and
lobulated cystic formation of spleen. After radiological examination,
splenectomy and resection of the pancreas cauda were performed. Primary
malignant splenic fibrous histiocytoma with liver metastases was proved
histopathologically. The patient was given three chemotherapeutic series
until October 2, 2014 and she is now in good general condition. Conclusion.
The possibility of primary malignant splenic fibrous histiocytoma should be
considered in every case with proved intra-abdominal masses of unknown
origin. Clinical and laboratory findings are unspecific. Surgical resection
with histopathological evaluation is the most effective diagnostic and
therapeutic procedure.
Hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis C: Experience gained at Clinical Center of Vojvodina
Authors: Ruzic Maja , Fabri Milotka , Preveden Tomislav , Stojanovic Sanja , Milosevic Zoran , Matovina-Brko Gorana
Published: January 2015

Introduction. The incidence of chronic hepatitis C and its consequences,
liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma is growing rapidly. The aim of
this study was to evaluate clinical characteristics of patients with
hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic hepatitis C treated at the Clinical
Centre of Vojvodina and therapy options. Material and Methods. This
retrospective study included 51 patients (52.9% male and 47.1% female) with
chronic hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma treated between 2000 and
2014. The average age of patients was 61.6 years (SD=10.8) and the average
duration of hepatitis C virus infection was 30.2 years (SD=11.7). All
patients had liver cirrhosis and 43.1% had previously been treated with
pegylated interferon and ribavirin. According to the Barcelona Clinic Liver
Cancer criteria, stadium A, B, C and D were found in 15.7%, 52.3%, 19.6% and
11.8% of the patients, respectively. The average value of alpha fetoprotein
at the moment of making diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was 397.56
ng/ml and the level of alpha fetoprotein was below 20mg/ml in 26% of
patients. Tumor resection, radiofrequency ablation, chemoembolization,
systemic chemotherapy and liver transplantation were performed in 13.7%,
3.9%, 1.9%, 1.9% and 5.9% of patients, respectively. Average survival time
after the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma among patients included in
the study was 1.39 (SD=1.61) years. Conclusion. Ultrasound examinations of
the patients with liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C virus infection are
obligatory every 3 months. Etiology of every focal lesion in the liver must
be clarified, which could increase the possibility of administration of
available therapeutic methods.
Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in elderly patients
Authors: Preveden Tomislav , Vujanovic Milos , Ruzic Maja , Kovacevic Nadica , Doder Radoslava , Tomic Slavica
Published: January 2015

Introduction. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection in elderly people has not
been widely studied although an increase in the prevalence of this disease in
the older population is expected. Material and Methods. This work presents
the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of chronic hepatitis C in
153 patients aged 65 years and older who were treated at the Department of
Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center of Vojvodina in Novi Sad. Results.
Hepatitis C virus infection is slightly more prevalent in women - 55.55%; it
is usually discovered accidentally during other examinations and is usually
acquired after blood transfusion - 42.48% of cases. The average duration of
infection was 28.48 years, the most common infection was caused by genotype 1
of the hepatitis C virus and histopathological examinations of liver biopsy
usually revealed severe fibrosis and cirrhosis - 72.22% of cases. The success
of the antiviral therapy applied in 16 patients was 62.50%. Conclusion.
Antiviral therapy in elderly people is rarely used, but the success of 62.50%
in our sample justifies the treatment of patients despite their age and
comorbidities.
Costs of conservative treatment of patients with cholangitis and cholesystitis
Authors: Mikic Sandra , Sevic Sinisa , Petric Vedrana , Preveden Tomislav , Kalember Jelena , Stankovic-Baricak Danijela
Published: January 2015

Introduction. There are no guidelines for treating bacterial infections in
our country. Antibacterial drugs are selected empirically, which is not
always in accordance with the recommended therapy coming from the countries
that have their own pharmacotherapy protocols. This study reviews the
differences between the standard conservative treatment of
cholangitis/cholecystitis and treatment implemented in accordance with
current pharmacotherapy guidelines of other countries. The assessment of the
therapeutic efficacy of antibacterial drugs implemented in the treatment of
cholangitis/cholecystitis and economic viability of that implementation was
one of the aims of this study, and another one was comparison of the
efficiency and cost of medical treatment using physician?s therapy of choice
and treatment according to pharmacotherapy guidelines. Material and Methods.
The study was carried out over a threeyear period at the Department of
Infectious Diseases of the Clinical Center of Vojvodina. It included 72
patients with the diagnosis of cholangitis/cholecystitis who were divided
into two groups. The control group was treated according to the physician?s
therapy of choice, while the test group was treated in accordance with
pharmacotherapy guidelines. The efficiency and cost of medical treatment were
determined for both groups. Results. The comparison of the efficiency and
costs of medical treatment of cholangitis/cholecystitis before and after
introducing pharmacotherapy guidelines showed no significant differences in
the efficiency of administered therapies. However, the cost of medical
treatment carried out in accordance with pharmacotherapy guidelines showed a
decrease of 17.24%. Conclusion. Medical treatment using physician?s
antibacterial therapy of choice and the one which is in accordance with
pharmacotherapy guidelines for treating cholangitis/cholecystitis show no
differences in terms of efficiency. However, medical treatment proved to be
more affordable in the group of patients treated in accordance with
pharmacotherapy guidelines of other countries.
Optimisation and evaluation of restriction fragment length polimorfism method for apolipoprotein E
Authors: Drljevic Nevena
Published: January 2015

Introduction. Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism is characterized by the
presence of three common alleles, e2, e3 and e4, which encode three isoforms
of apolipoprotein E in plasma E2, E3 and E4. Genetic polymorphisms of
apolipoprotein E gene are predictive markers for the development of numerous
disorders of lipid metabolism, already proven in a large number of clinical
trials. This study was aimed at assessing the success rate of restriction
fragment length polymorphism method for the detections of genes coding for
isoenzymes E2, E3 and E4. Material and Methods. Deoxyribonucleic acid, used
in this study, was extracted from blood by standard procedure using
chloroform and phenol. The polymerase chain reaction method was used to
amplify the coding sequence of fourth exon of the apolipoprotein E gene.
Amplification products were digested with HhaI. The fragments obtained were
separated by electrophoresis and visualized with ultraviolet light. Results.
Our results showed that the restriction fragment length polymorphism method
is optimal for detection of apolipoprotein E polymorphisms. The restriction
enzyme HhaI achieved the cleavage of the gene on the specific loci, directly
depend of presence or absence of mutations at positions 112 and 158, of
different alleles. Conclusion. This method enables simple, rapid and
efficient analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms, directly
determining the patient?s genotype.
Possibility of determining relations between translatory movement and inclination of agonist teeth after extraction of first permanent molars
Authors: Vukic-Culafic Branka , Petrovic Djordje
Published: January 2015

Introduction. Tooth extractions, particularly of the permanent teeth, lead to
different and numerous consequences. It is known that the incidence of caries
and the incidence of premature extractions are the highest with the first
permanent molars. The aims of this study were to examine the possibility of
determining the relations between the translatory movement and the agonist
teeth inclination depending on the time of the performed extraction, as well
as on the temporal distance from the moment of extracting the first permanent
molar to the moment of analyzing the changes. Material and Methods. The study
was performed on the sample of 185 subjects, their age ranging from 11 to 26
years (X=14) with early (by the age of 11 years) and late performed
extraction of the first permanent molars in the maxilla and mandible and
determined class I of occlusal relationship. Results. The relation, expressed
by the mathematical expression, between the translatory movement and tooth
inclination has been confirmed, but only in case of late extractions. As for
early extractions, the obtained results of the correlation coefficient value
showed no relations between translatory movement and tooth inclination.
Conclusion. The relation between translatory movement and teeth inclination
(the second premolars and the second permanent molars) expressed by the
mathematical expression has been confirmed by the given values of the
correlation coefficient, but only in case of late performed extractions. The
biggest changes of the analyzed teeth position (the second premolars and the
second permanent molars) occur in the first year after late extractions of
the first permanent molars.
Testicle size as indicator of fertility in bulls
Authors: Prka Igor , Djordjevic Branislava
Published: January 2015

Male calves from the high value parents, bull fathers and bull dams, enter
the selection for artificial insemination. After laboratory tests, the
calves are taken to the center for artificial insemination, and after a stay
in quarantine the are moved to a test station. At the age of twelve months
they are measured for assessing the value of each calf exterior. One of the
measures recorded was the testicle scope. On the basis of testicle size, it
is possible to predict sperm production potential. For the determination of
testicle size (testicular biometry), tapes or rulers were used. The aim of
this work was to investigate the possible effect of testicle size on sperm
production in young bulls used for artificial insemination. For that purpose
there were used the data on circumference of testicles of one year old bulls
just starting production of sperm, and then compared with certain semen
quality parameters such as: volume of ejaculate and concentration and
percentage of alive and progressively mobile spermatozoa. The investigation
included all young bulls that started production in the period from 2010. to
2012., that is 36 bulls of various breeds (Simmental, Holstein Friesian,
Montafon). After the testicle scope measuring in these bulls, there were
observed the parameters of the sperm quality during the following one year
period. The obtained results showed that the increased testicle size was
followed by the increased average ejaculate quantity, in other words: 3.7 ml
in group of bulls with testicle circumference below 30 cm, to 6.7 ml in
bulls whose testicle circumference was over 40 cm. Also, the results showed
that there was a correlation between the increased testicle size and the
increased spermatozoa concentration. The values grow to testicle scope of 36
cm, and above that they were still high but with some oscillations. When it
came to relation between testicle scope and the percentage of alive and
progressively mobile spermatozoa, the trend line showed their positive
correlation. The percentage of rejected ejaculates varied from 72% in bulls
wit testicle scope below 30 cm to 10% in bulls with testicle scope above 35
cm. On the basis of the results obtained in this work, the conclusion is that
testicle size is an indicator of bull fertility; that there is a significant
correlation between testicle size and ejaculate volume, and that there is a
need to explore a genetic link between testicle size and the fertility of
their daughters.
Manifestations of joint disease of domestic carnivores in X-ray view
Authors: Lazarevic-Macanovic Mirjana , Mitrovic Marko , Krstic Nikola , Vasic Jugoslav , Francuski Jelena , Mitrovic Branislava
Published: January 2015

Changes caused by joint diseases that are manifested in X-ray are very
diverse. Some of them are present in all arthroparthies while some are
specific to certain diseases. For all the arthropathies it is specific that
the duration of a disease significantly influences the presence and intensity
of radiological changes. In this paper there analyzed in detail some basic
radiological joint diseases manifestations such as: distension of the joint
capsule, change of size (width) of the joint space, change of position of
corresponding bones within the joint, change in quality of subchondral bone,
the appearance of intra-articular mineralization and calcified structures, as
well as the presence of perichondral and periarticular bone proliferations.
Beside that, there are described in detail arthropathies of different
etiology.
Tropilaelaps of bees - epizootiological picture with special emphasis on the first description of the parasite in bumblebees and bees in Serbia
Authors: Manic Marija , Djuricic Bosiljka , Raicevic Z.
Published: January 2015

Honey bees are the most significant pollinators of plants worlwide.
Importance of plant pollination widely exceeds all other economic benefits of
modern beekeeping such as production of honey, Royal jelly, propolis,
beeswax, honeybee venom etc. The issues concerning bees diseases are of
extreme importance in modern commercial beekeeping. That especially regards
to the fact that the number of disease agents in bees has considerably
increased in recent decades. Using international transport, export or import
of bees and their products, the possibility of entering various agents
(parasites, bacterias, viruses and fungi) into bee colonies. In recent years
one of the biggest problems in beekeeping in Asia has become tropilaelaps -
ectoparasitic bee disease caused by mites of the genus Tropilaelaps. But
because of prevalent interest in parasites Varroa destructor and Acarapis
woodi, the threat of mites from Tropileaps family has not been familiar for a
long period of time. Today, Tropilaelaps is on the list of diseases
endangering the whole world, made by OIE. There is a real risk of its
spreading, mostly through trade, that is import of bees, swarms, queen bees,
bee products and equipment. In the Republic of Serbia, this disease was
described for the first time in April-May 1981 in bumblebees and bees in
which a mass infestation with until then unknown parasites was detected. By
additional analysis there was found out that the parasite in question was
from Laelapidae (Mesostigmata) family, Tropilaelaps.
Effects of fentanyl on isoflurane minimum alveolar concentration in New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Authors: Barter Linda S. , Hawkins Michelle G. , Pypendop Bruno H.
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVE To determine effects of increasing plasma fentanyl concentrations on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane in rabbits.

ANIMALS 6 adult female New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

PROCEDURES Rabbits were anesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen; ventilation was controlled and body temperature maintained between 38.5° and 39.5°C. Fentanyl was administered IV by use of a computer-controlled infusion system to achieve 6 target plasma concentrations. Isoflurane MAC was determined in duplicate by use of the bracketing technique with a supramaximal electrical stimulus. Blood samples were collected for measurement of plasma fentanyl concentration at each MAC determination. The MAC values were analyzed with a repeated-measures ANOVA followed by Holm-Sidak pairwise comparisons.

RESULTS Mean ± SD plasma fentanyl concentrations were 0 ± 0 ng/mL (baseline), 1.2 ± 0.1 ng/mL, 2.2 ± 0.3 ng/mL, 4.4 ± 0.4 ng/mL, 9.2 ± 0.4 ng/mL, 17.5 ± 2.6 ng/mL, and 36.8 ± 2.4 ng/mL. Corresponding mean values for isoflurane MAC were 1.92 ± 0.16%, 1.80 ± 0.16%, 1.60 ± 0.23%, 1.46 ± 0.22%, 1.12 ± 0.19%, 0.89 ± 0.14%, and 0.70 ± 0.15%, respectively. Isoflurane MAC for plasma fentanyl concentrations ≥ 2.2 ng/mL differed significantly from the baseline value. In 3 rabbits, excessive spontaneous movement prevented MAC determination at the highest plasma fentanyl concentration.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Fentanyl reduced isoflurane MAC by approximately 60% in New Zealand White rabbits. Further studies will be needed to investigate the cardiorespiratory effects of isoflurane and fentanyl combinations in rabbits; however, fentanyl may prove to be a useful adjunct to inhalation anesthesia in this species.
Regional metabolite concentrations in the brain of healthy dogs measured by use of short echo time, single voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 3.0 Tesla
Authors: Carrera Inés , Richter Henning , Meier Dieter , Kircher Patrick R. , Dennler Matthias
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVE To investigate regional differences of relative metabolite concentrations in the brain of healthy dogs with short echo time, single voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) at 3.0 T.

ANIMALS 10 Beagles.

PROCEDURES Short echo time, single voxel 1H MRS was performed at the level of the right and left basal ganglia, right and left thalamus, right and left parietal lobes, occipital lobe, and cerebellum. Data were analyzed with an automated fitting method (linear combination model). Metabolite concentrations relative to water content were obtained, including N-acetyl aspartate, total choline, creatine, myoinositol, the sum of glutamine and glutamate (glutamine-glutamate complex), and glutathione. Metabolite ratios with creatine as the reference metabolite were calculated. Concentration differences between right and left hemispheres and sexes were evaluated with a Wilcoxon signed rank test and among various regions of the brain with an independent t test and 1-way ANOVA.

RESULTS No significant differences were detected between sexes and right and left hemispheres. All metabolites, except the glutamine-glutamate complex and glutathione, had regional concentrations that differed significantly. The creatine concentration was highest in the basal ganglia and cerebellum and lowest in the parietal lobes. The N-acetyl aspartate concentration was highest in the parietal lobes and lowest in the cerebellum. Total choline concentration was highest in the basal ganglia and lowest in the occipital lobe.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Metabolite concentrations differed among brain parenchymal regions in healthy dogs. This study may provide reference values for clinical and research studies involving 1H MRS performed at 3.0 T.
Intraocular pressure in clinically normal dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius)
Authors: Marzok Mohamed A. , El-khodery Sabry A.
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVE To determine the intraocular pressure (IOP) in healthy dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius).

ANIMALS 24 clinically normal dromedary camels.

PROCEDURES For each camel, the IOP of both eyes was measured with applanation tonometry. Three measurements with < 5% variance were obtained for each eye on the same day of the week for 3 consecutive weeks. Mean IOP was calculated for each eye on each day for comparison purposes.

RESULTS Mean ± SD IOPs for the right (31.1 ± 2.1 mm Hg) and left (30.8 ± 1.9 mm Hg) eyes of immature camels were significantly higher than those for the right (27.1 ± 1.2 mm Hg) and left (28.2 ± 1.2 mm Hg) eyes of mature camels. Intra-assay and interassay coefficients of variation (CVs) for IOP measurements of the right and left eyes did not differ significantly between immature and mature camels. Interassay CVs of IOP measurements for the right and left eyes ranged from 1.5% to 12.1% and 1.2% to 10.3%, respectively, for immature camels and from 1.2% to 17.2% and 1.7% to 18.8%, respectively, for mature camels. Intra-assay CVs of IOP measurements for the right and left eyes ranged from 1.5% to 10.6% and 1.9% to 9.6%, respectively, for immature camels and from 2.8% to 16.9% and 2.7% to 12.4%, respectively, for mature camels. Age was negatively correlated (r = −0.403) with IOP.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results provided a reference and might aid in the diagnosis of glaucoma and uveitis during complete ophthalmic examinations of dromedary camels.
Evaluation of mean corpuscular volume difference as a marker for serum hypertonicity during water deprivation in dogs
Authors: Reinhart Jennifer M. , Yancey Misty R. , Pohlman Lisa M. , Schermerhorn Thomas
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVE To evaluate mean corpuscular volume difference (dMCV) as a marker for hypertonicity induced by water deprivation in dogs.

ANIMALS 5 healthy Greyhounds maintained in a research colony.

PROCEDURES Water was withheld for 24 hours. Blood and urine samples were collected before (time 0) and every 6 hours during water deprivation. Serum and urine osmolality were measured on the basis of freezing point depression, and dMCV was calculated from routine hematologic variables.

RESULTS Serum and urine osmolality significantly increased and body weight decreased over time in healthy Greyhounds during water deprivation, although most dogs developed only a slight increase in serum osmolality. The dMCV also increased over time, but the value at 24 hours did not differ significantly from the value at time 0. However, a significant correlation was found between serum osmolality and dMCV. A dMCV ≥ 5 fL yielded 100% specificity for predicting hypertonicity when hypertonicity was defined as serum osmolality ≥ 310 mOsM.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE dMCV may be a useful marker for detection of mild hypertonicity in dogs and may have clinical and research applications for use in screening canine populations for hypertonicity.
Negative Emotion or Problem Content? Testing Explanations of the Peanuts Effect
Authors: Suzuki Shuji
Published: January 2015

342 participants made decisions between a larger payout but riskier gamble and a smaller payout but less risky gamble on three response modes: a choice, a rejection and an exchange mode. When the probability ratio between the gambles was large, they preferred the larger payout but riskier gamble more, as amounts of the payout decreased. Their preference for the larger payout but riskier gamble on the rejection mode was weaker than that on the choice mode. On the other hand, there was no difference in extent of the preference between the exchange mode and the choice mode. The results support the hypothesis that preference for a risky option depends on negative emotion.
Detection of Tactile Change on a Bodily Location Where Pain is Expected
Authors: Van Hulle Lore , Durnez Wouter , Crombez Geert , Van Damme Stefaan
Published: January 2015

As it is adaptive to accurately detect and localize bodily threats, it has been proposed that the brain prioritizes somatosensory input at body locations where pain is expected. To test this proposition, the detection of tactile changes on a body location was investigated to assess whether detection was facilitated by threat of pain. Healthy participants ( N = 47) indicated whether two consecutive patterns of three tactile stimuli were the same or not. Stimuli could be administered at eight possible locations. In half of the trials, the same pattern was presented twice. In the other half, one stimulus location was different between the two displays. To induce bodily threat, a painful stimulus was occasionally administered to the non-dominant lower arm. Mean accuracy of tactile change detection as a function of location was analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Tactile changes on the threatened arm (i.e., when a tactile stimulus emerged at or disappeared from that arm), both at the exact pain location (lower arm) and at the other location (upper arm), were better detected than tactile changes on other limbs.
Vision Analysis System for Autonomous Landing of Micro Drone
Authors: Skoczylas Marcin
Published: January 2015

This article describes a concept of an autonomous landing system of UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). This type of device is equipped with the functionality of FPV observation (First Person View) and radio broadcasting of video or image data. The problem is performance of a system of autonomous drone landing in an area with dimensions of 1m × 1m, based on CCD camera coupled with an image transmission system connected to a base station. Captured images are scanned and landing marker is detected. For this purpose, image features detectors (such as SIFT, SURF or BRISK) are utilized to create a database of keypoints of the landing marker and in a new image keypoints are found using the same feature detector. In this paper results of a framework that allows detection of defined marker for the purpose of drone landing field positioning will be presented.
PID Controllers Design Applied to Positioning of Ball on the Stewart Platform
Authors: Koszewnik Andrzej , Troc Kamil , Słowik Maciej
Published: January 2015

The paper presents the design and practical implementation of PID controllers for a Stewart platform. The platform uses a resistance touch panel as a sensor and servo motors as actuators. The complete control system stabilizing the ball on the platform is realized with the Arduino microcontroller and the Matlab/Simulink software. Two processes required to acquire measurement signals from the touch panel in two perpendicular directions X and Y, are discussed. The first process includes the calibration of the touch panel, and the second process - the filtering of measurement signals with the low pass Butterworth filter. The obtained signals are used to design the algorithm of the ball stabilization by decoupling the global system into two local subsystems. The algorithm is implemented in a soft real time system. The parameters of both PID controllers (PIDx and PIDy) are tuned by the trial-error method and implemented in the microcontroller. Finally, the complete control system is tested at the laboratory stand.
Regime Mixing Ratio in Vacuum Dilute Phase Pneumatic Conveying Systems
Authors: Tanase Tanase
Published: January 2015

This paper analyses some aspects of regime mixing ratio (RMR) in Vacuum Dilute Phase Pneumatic Conveying Systems in order to measure the energy efficiency of these systems. RMR variation curve profile is determined and the proportionality between Theoretical Mixing Ratio (TMR) and RMR is evaluated. The equation of the Characteristic Curve of the Ventilator type APRG-902/C is given. The profile of the RMR variation curve by specific load of the pipe is determined.
Optimizing the Operation of Maceration to Obtain Quality White Wines
Authors: Stegărus Diana , Lengyel Ecaterina , Sandru Daniela , Mutu Dan , Iancu Ramona , Tiţa Ovidiu
Published: January 2015

This study monitors the physico-chemical properties of wines from Dragasani under the influence of pectolytic enzymes in various temperature conditions. during maceration contact is made between the grape skins and selected the optimal time leads to wines with more pronounced floral character. The physico-chemical extraction maceration leads to a more pronounced specific compounds, the time of maceration is very important in this case. The curing time is of great importance in producing varieties Muscat Ottonel and Tămâioasă Românească primarily for successful extraction of aromatic components from grape. As noted in the literature flavored grapes contain large amounts of terpene compounds are in free form or bound. To optimize the technological process is able to extract these compounds and to achieve a harmonious and balanced wine. The variants considered in the study presents the results of physico-chemical and aromatic wines obtained from the Muscat Ottonel and Tămâioasă Românească, which took into consideration both during maceration and the use of selected yeasts and enzymes, which form the basis for the selection of the optimal procedure for obtaining aromatic white wines in Dragasani Vineyard.
q-Completely monotonic and q-Bernstein functions
Authors: Kokologiannaki Chrysi G. , Krasniqi Valmir
Published: January 2015

We introduce the q-Bernstein functions, for 0<q<1 , and give sufficient and necessary conditions for a function to belong to the class of q -Bernstein functions. For some classes of functions we give results concerning q - completely monotonic and q -Bernstein functions. The obtained results are q -analogue of known results.
The Number of Monotone and Self-Dual Boolean Functions
Authors: Haviarova L. , Toman E.
Published: January 2015

In the present paper we study properties of pre-complete class of Boolean functions - monotone Boolean functions. We discuss interval graph, the abbreviated d.n.f., a minimal d.n.f. and a shortest d.n.f. of this function. Then we present a d.n.f. with the highest number of conjunctionsand we determinate the exact number of them. We count the number of monotone Boolean functions with some special properties. In the end we estimate the number of Boolean functionthat are monotone and self-dual at the same time.
The Eucharistic Sacrifice in Dumitru Stăniloae’s Theology with a Referential Point at the Mysterienlehre of Odo Casel
Authors: Crăciun Florentin Adrian
Published: January 2015

In the last century both Orthodox and Catholic theologians have improved their reflection on the Eucharistic sacrifice in a critical manner in regard to the Latin medieval or scholastic theology. They have also developed their thinking in a theological dialogue involving the Eastern and Western mentalities, which could show different approaches but also lots of similarities. The relation between the Eucharistic sacrifice and Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, the connection with the Church’s sacrifice, the mystic sacrifice, the boundary existing in the liturgical cult between sacrifice and sacrament are equally treated in the Orthodox and the Catholic theologies. Odo Casel and Dumitru Stăniloae are among the most creative theologians in their conceptions of the sacrifice. The mystery of Christian worship in Casel’s doctrine and Stăniloae’s teaching on the permanent state of sacrifice of Christ are original reflections in modern theology.
Communio und Eucharistie. Ekklesiologische Parallelen bei Dumitru Stăniloae und Joseph Ratzinger
Authors: Prihoancă Constantin
Published: January 2015

This article is a critical engagement with D. Stăniloae’s and J. Ratzinger’s ecclesiological thought as shaped by the description of church as the body of Christ and the Trinitarian roots of this ecclesiology. Starting from practical problems of prayer and living a Christian life, the authors argue that God’s relationship to the Christian community has primacy over God’s relationship to individual believers. When one conceives of the Christian community as being the body of Christ, one can uphold the elevated Christian ideal of Eucharist Communio without making it unattainable. The authors show that the being of the church is given to the Christian community not as a possession or property, but as a task to be fulfilled through the power of Christ and of the Holy Spirit. One can discover that in becoming the church, the Christian community is elevated to the Trinitarian life in communion. Communion ecclesiology has the potential to bridge the divide between the Orthodox and Catholic churches.
Marian Devotion as a Form of Legitimization of the Imperial Authority
Authors: Boicu Dragoș
Published: January 2015

The present research addresses matters concerning the relationship between Church and state during the reign of Theodosius II of Rome, analyzing especially the case of legitimization of the imperial authority found in the first half of the fifth century when the Empress Pulcheria tried to identify herself with the Virgin Mary before her subjects in order to further maintain control of the state alongside her brother, Theodosius II. This paper also attempts to connect the problem of the political experiment with the development of a Marian devotion in Constantinople as a solution for pagan cults’ inculturation, reassessing Nestorius’ reaction in parallel with the position of Epiphanius of Salamina.
Images of Chalices in Transylvanian Panel Paintings
Authors: Stoia Adrian
Published: January 2015

The study of the items illustrated on mural and panel painting, in connection with still existing items, can document medieval material culture. The representation of chalices on almost half of such paintings from Transylvania is a proof of its important symbolist value in religious rituals. These representations also certify the high level of the goldsmiths’ art from Transylvania. The present study is intended both as a repertory and an analysis of these sacral objects illustrated in mural and panel paintings.
Euthanasia, Ethics and Theology: A Dutch Perspective
Authors: Boer Theo A.
Published: January 2015

In 2002, the Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize euthanasia and physician- assisted suicide. What does the Dutch euthanasia practice look like? What are the insights gained from twelve years of experience in regulating and reviewing euthanasia cases? In this article, some observations about the practice and the backgrounds of euthanasia are made from the perspective of a theological ethicist.
„Das ist das Leben? Ich will sterben!“
Authors: Grimm Michael Alban
Published: January 2015

Using the method of narrative bioethics, this article analyzes Julian Schnabel’s film “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” (USA/France 2007), the story of the French journalist Jean-Dominique Bauby, who was trapped in his body as the result of a cerebral infarction (Locked-in-syndrome). The ethical themes of the film are identified and evaluated as part of a public ethical discourse: euthanasia, search for identity in the disturbing experience of desease, care and compassion, spirituality and religion as dimensions of an illness narration. The results are connected with experiences of health care chaplaincy in a neurological clinic. Working with “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” in an ethical training could help doctors, nurses and therapists to reflect their care interactions and sensitize them to the dignity of neurological patients. Thereby the call for euthanasia can be reduced.
Ars necandi und ars moriendi in den Samuelbüchern
Authors: Dietrich Walter
Published: January 2015

The paper examines the Books of Samuel from two perspectives by posing two sets of questions: when is it legitimate (or, when is it perceived to be legitimate) to kill people, and when is this strictly forbidden? And how come to terms with one’s own mortality? The ‘ars necandi’ refers to four distinct areas: killing in war, suicide, murder and execution. Murder is absolutely prohibited, executions are best avoided, killing in war should be limited as much as possible, whilst suicide is not evaluated. The ‘ars morendi’ distinguishes between premature death, which hits hard and is difficult to process, and death in old age, which is desirable, but needs to be carefully prepared for nonetheless. David himself is threatened by a thousand deaths; his survival is a miracle, his eventual death a soberly noted fact.
Die Auferweckung des Lazarus in den gottesdienstlichen Hymnen der Orthodoxen Kirche
Authors: Hofius Otfried
Published: January 2015

This essay investigates the liturgical hymns of the Orthodox Church referring to the Johannine story of the Raising of Lazarus (Jn. 11:1-44). These hymns are especially sung at the Services of the Saturday before Palm Sunday known as the Saturday of the holy and righteous Lazarus. The relevant hymns are deep theological interpretations of the Johannine story and therefore an important contribution to the history of exegesis of the Gospel according to St John.
Saving the “Undoomed Man” In Beowulf (572b-573)
Authors: Anderson Salena Sampson
Published: January 2015

The maxim Wyrd oft nereð // unfӕgne eorl, / þonne his ellen deah “Fate often spares an undoomed man when his courage avails” (Beowulf 572b-573) has been likened to “Fortune favors the brave,” with little attention to the word unfӕgne, which is often translated “undoomed”. This comparison between proverbs emphasizes personal agency and suggests a contrast between the proverb in 572b-573 and the maxim Gӕð a wyrd swa hio scel “Goes always fate as it must” (Beowulf 455b), which depicts an inexorable wyrd. This paper presents the history of this view and argues that linguistic analysis and further attention to Germanic cognates of (un)fӕge reveal a proverb that harmonizes with 455b. (Un)fӕge and its cognates have meanings related to being brave or cowardly, blessed or accursed, and doomed or undoomed. A similar Old Norse proverb also speaks to the significance of the status of unfӕge men. Furthermore, the prenominal position of unfӕgne is argued to represent a characterizing property of the man. The word unfӕgne is essential to the meaning of this proverb as it indicates not the simple absence of being doomed but the presence of a more complex quality. This interpretive point is significant in that it provides more information about the portrayal of wyrd in Beowulf by clarifying a well-known proverb in the text; it also has implications for future translations of these verses.
Study regarding the health coefficients for the citizens who practice free time sport activities for the increase of life quality
Authors: Dacica Liliana
Published: January 2015

The paper presents the results of a determinative study regarding the health profits obtained by the citizens of Caras-Severin County involved in the practice of leisure sport through the program sport for all offered. The aspect highlighted is that sport, for all, has beneficial effects on health being contained by all the components of life quality. The aim of the paper is to prove that issuing leisure time sports programs according to the needs of the client population increases the number of practitioners of sport and implicitly it contributes to the maintenance and improvement of the health state. In order to pursue health profits, the physical and psychic wellbeing of the participants in the sports programs, the observation method, the tests method and the method of recording the health coefficients on a protocol basis were used. The observation was achieved on a sample of 217 subjects which were initially tested, at the beginning of the programs and at the end of the research period. The conclusion was that the main component elements of life quality which can be ameliorated by free time sport activities are: health state; the biologic potential through the evaluation of the anthropometric, functional and physiological coefficients; motor skills; psycho-social relations and social integration. The health state, the biologic potential, motor skills, socialization can be considered dependent variables and through sports activities for all and through the implemented programs a strategic project of continuous development can be elaborated. Leisure sports activities ameliorate life quality of different categories of citizens and social groups.