bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of proteins in serum, synovial fluid, synovial membrane, and articular cartilage samples obtained from dogs with stifle joint osteoarthritis secondary to cranial cruciate ligament disease and dogs without stifle joint arthritis
Authors: Garner Bridget C. , Kuroki Keiichi , Stoker Aaron M. , Cook Cristi R. , Cook James L.
Published: February 2013

Objective—To identify proteins with differential expression between healthy dogs and dogs with stifle joint osteoarthritis secondary to cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease.

Sample—Serum and synovial fluid samples obtained from dogs with stifle joint osteoarthritis before (n = 10) and after (8) surgery and control dogs without osteoarthritis (9) and archived synovial membrane and articular cartilage samples obtained from dogs with stifle joint osteoarthritis (5) and dogs without arthritis (5).

Procedures—Serum and synovial fluid samples were analyzed via liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry; results were compared against a nonredundant protein database. Expression of complement component 3 in archived tissue samples was determined via immunohistochemical methods.

Results—No proteins had significantly different expression between serum samples of control dogs versus those of dogs with stifle joint osteoarthritis. Eleven proteins (complement component 3 precursor, complement factor I precursor, apolipoprotein B-100 precursor, serum paraoxonase and arylesterase 1, zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein precursor, serum amyloid A, transthyretin precursor, retinol-binding protein 4 precursor, alpha-2-macroglobulin precursor, angiotensinogen precursor, and fibronectin 1 isoform 1 preproprotein) had significantly different expression (> 2.0-fold) between synovial fluid samples obtained before surgery from dogs with stifle joint osteoarthritis versus those obtained from control dogs. Complement component 3 was strongly expressed in all (5/5) synovial membrane samples of dogs with stifle joint osteoarthritis and weakly expressed in 3 of 5 synovial membrane samples of dogs without stifle joint arthritis.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Findings suggested that the complement system and proteins involved in lipid and cholesterol metabolism may have a role in stifle joint osteoarthritis, CCL disease, or both.
Comparison of efficacy and duration of effect on corneal sensitivity among anesthetic agents following ocular administration in clinically normal horses
Authors: Pucket Jonathan D. , Allbaugh Rachel A. , Rankin Amy J. , Ou Zhining , Bello Nora M.
Published: February 2013

Objective—To compare efficacy and duration of effect on corneal sensitivity of 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride, 0.5% bupivacaine hydrochloride, 2% lidocaine hydrochloride, and 2% mepivacaine hydrochloride solutions following ocular administration in clinically normal horses.

Animals—68 clinically normal horses.

Procedures—60 horses were assigned to receive 1 anesthetic agent in 1 eye. For each of another 8 horses, 1 eye was treated with each of the anesthetic agents in random order with a 1-week washout period between treatments. Corneal sensitivity was assessed via corneal touch threshold (CTT) measurements obtained with a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer before and at 1 minute, at 5-minute intervals from 5 to 60 minutes, and at 10-minute intervals from 60 to 90 minutes after application of 0.2 mL of anesthetic agent. General linear mixed models were fitted to the CTT data from each of the 2 experimental groups to assess the effects of the anesthetic agents over time, accounting for repeated observations within individual horses.

Results—Corneal sensitivity decreased immediately following topical application of each anesthetic agent; effects persisted for 35 minutes for proparacaine and mepivacaine treatments, 45 minutes for lidocaine treatment, and 60 minutes for bupivacaine treatment. Maximal CTT reduction was achieved following application of bupivacaine or proparacaine solution, whereas mepivacaine solution was least effective.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Ocular application of each evaluated anesthetic agent reduced corneal sensitivity in horses; although 0.5% proparacaine or 2% lidocaine solution appeared to induce adequate short-duration corneal anesthesia, use of 0.5% bupivacaine solution may be more appropriate for procedures requiring longer periods of corneal anesthesia.
Metal Nanoparticles and Plants / Nanocząstki Metaliczne I Rośliny
Authors: Masarovičová Elena , Kráľová Katarína
Published: February 2013

Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) belong mostly to the engineered type of nanoparticles and have not only unique physical and chemical properties but also different biological actions. In recent years, noble MNPs and their nano-sized agglomerates (collectively referred to as nanoparticles or particles in the subsequent sections) have been the subjects of much focused research due to their unique electronic, optical, mechanical, magnetic and chemical properties that can be significantly different from those of bulk materials. To enhance their use, it is important to understand the generation, transport, deposition, and interaction of such particles. Synthesis of MNPs is based on chemical or physical synthetic procedures and by use of biological material (“green synthesis” as an environmentally benign process) including bacteria, algae and vascular plants (mainly metallophytes). In biological methods for preparation of metal nanoparticles mainly leaf reductants occurring in leaf extracts are used. MNPs can be formed also directly in living plants by reduction of the metal ions absorbed as a soluble salt, indicating that plants are a suitable vehicle for production of MNPs. These methods used for preparation of MNPs are aimed to control their size and shape. Moreover, physicochemical properties of MNPs determine their interaction with living organisms. In general, inside the cells nanoparticles might directly provoke either alterations of membranes and other cell structures or activity of protective mechanisms. Indirect effects of MNPs depend on their physical and chemical properties and may include physical restraints, solubilization of toxic nanoparticle compounds or production of reactive oxygen species. Toxic impacts of MNPs on plants is connected with chemical toxicity based on their chemical composition (eg release of toxic metal ions) and with stress or stimuli caused by the surface, size and shape of these nanoparticles. Positive effects of MNPs were observed on the following plant features: seed germination, growth of plant seedlings, stimulation of oxygen evolution rate in chloroplasts, protection of chloroplasts from aging for long-time illumination, increase of the electron transfer and photophosphorylation, biomass accumulation, activity of Rubisco, increase of quantum yield of photosystem II, root elongation, increase of chlorophyll as well as nucleic acid level and increase in the shoot/root ratio. However, it should be stressed that MNPs impact on human and environmental health remains still unclear.
Chemical Denudation in a Geoecosystem in Acid Immision Conditions / Denudacja Chemiczna W Geoekosystemie W Warunkach Kwaśnej Imisji
Authors: Kozłowski Rafał , Jóźwiak Marek
Published: February 2013

There is an analysis of the physico-chemical properties and the chemical composition of precipitation in a forest geoecosystem in acid immision conditions. The data used in the analysis was collected between 2000 and 2010. In that period, a drop in the immision scale of S-SO2 in the atmospheric air had been observed, which consequently was one of the reasons for a drop in the precipitation acidity. The conclusion was that rainwater, after penetrating treetops and trunks, undergoes a significant transformation whose intensity depends on species composition of the forest stand. Statistically relevant differences were found in coniferous stands, in which a substantial drop in pH was noted, in addition to an increase in the load of components accumulated in the soil in relation to atmospheric precipitation. The calculated indicators of the eco-chemical state of waters (Ma%) have revealed that throughfall waters in coniferous stands and fir and beech stemflow contain significant amounts of aluminium, manganese, iron and hydrogen ions in the sum of cations. Also the indicator of acid-neutralizing capacity (ANCaq) shows that these waters are more enriched with sulfate, nitrate and chloride ions than bulk precipitation. The recorded variation eventuates from processes related to dry and humid deposition, as well as ion-exchange processes occurring within the stand. The obtained results point to an intensification of chemical denudation within the trunks, triggering disadvantageous changes in both biotic and abiotic part of the ecosystem. The effects of the increased inflow of souring agents to the soil through stemflow are significant acidification of the top mineral soil horizon and an increase in the hydrolytic acidity.
Water Effect on Oxidative Desulphurization Process of Straight-Run Kerosene Fraction / Wpływ Wody Na Utleniający Proces Odsiarczania Frakcji Nafty
Authors: Pyshyev Serhiy , Bratychak Michael , Hayvanovych Vasyl , Paniv Pavlo , Wacławek Witold
Published: February 2013

Sulphur dioxide obtained during fuels burning in combustion engines is one of the main pollutants. In diesel oils and gasolines the sulphur content must be 5-10 ppm and in jet fuels - 300-3000 ppm. However the production of hydrofined jet fuel is problematic. The reason is deterioration of fuel stability and antioxygenic properties. The oxidative desulphurization of straight-run kerosene was investigated. This method combines oxidation by atmospheric oxygen of sulphur compounds under increased temperature and pressure in the presence of water in the reaction medium, and removal of oxidized sulphur compounds from the oxidation-treated fuel via rectification. It was showed that water partially extracts from the hydrocarbon medium acidic compounds, formed in the beginning stage of oxidation, dissociation of which leads to the formation in water acidic medium. As a result, a pathway of the hydroperoxides decomposition partially changes from the formation of carbonic acids and oxyacids to the formation of alcohols, phenols and alkylphenols, which displayed an inhibitory effect in hydrocarbon oxidation. It was assumed that an inhibitory effect of water, in addition to the creation reverse micelles with peroxides and complexes with free radicals, caused by oxidation products created in the beginning stage of oxidation. The effect of water/kerosene ratio on the oxidative desulphurization of straight-run kerosene fraction has been examined. It was found that water improves process selectivity with insignificant influence on the degree of sulphur recovery. The optimum value of water/kerosene ratio for the fuel containing 0.15% mass of sulphuric compounds has been determined.
Pyrolysis Process of Whole Waste Tires as A Biomass Energy Recycling / Piroliza Opon Samochodowych Jako Energetyczny Recykling Biomasy
Authors: Ryms Michał , Januszewicz Katarzyna , Lewandowski Witold M. , Klugmann-Radziemska Ewa
Published: February 2013

The article is devoted to the description of material recycling of whole waste tires, including a new method of pyrolysis process, resulting in the final products: technically oil fractions (rubber plasticizer of rubber compounds) or diesel fuels (light, medium and heavy), activated carbon, gas fuel and steel scrap. Operational and performance tests of the first version of the pilot plant, consisting of three contributions cooperating with one pyrolytic reactor confirmed that this technology is applicable but has still some flaws and errors, both structural and technological. Usually such errors in the first test of technology development cannot be avoided. This paper describes: pyrolysis processes which occurs in the pilot plant, protected by a patent application design of continuously working prototype installation for recycling of tire and identifies future directions of research in this field
Utilization of Ends From Pvc Production With Application of Fe-Cr Catalyst - Dioxins Hazard / Utylizacja Odpadu Z Produkcji Pcw Z Udziałem Katalizatora Fe-Cr W Aspekcie Zagrożenia Dioksynami
Authors: Żarczyński Andrzej , Zaborowski Marcin , Gorzka Zbigniew , Kaźmierczak Marek
Published: February 2013

The subject of the investigation was the model solution containing 50 g/dm³ waste light ends from PVC production, dissolved in the ethanol-water (1:1) mixture. The main components of light ends were as follows: trichloromethane, tetrachloromethane, and chloroderivatives of ethane. Granular ferric-chromic catalyst (TZC 3/1) was used in the investigation. The temperature range applied in experiments was 400-600ºC and the contact time was 0.27 s. Gaseous products of the reaction were analysed in order to determine among others concentration of chlorine, formaldehyde, oxygen, carbon monoxide and dioxins. The content of total organic carbon (TOC), chloride ions and formaldehyde was determined in a condensate. Oxidation of the mixture proceeded in the all temperature range with high efficiency in regard to initial TOC value of the solution. The concentration of dioxins in the combustion gases obtained in the process carried out in temperature 450ºC amounted to 0.021-0.027 ng TEQ/m3, and was significantly lower than the admissible value of 0.1 ng TEQ/m3. Congeners of polychlorinated dibenzofuranes (PCDFs) predominated in the combustion gases. Tested catalyst did not undergo deactivation during 150 h substrate oxidation.
Community Composition and Abundance of Protozoa Under Different Concentration Of Nitrogen Compounds at “Hajdow” Wastewater Treatment Plant / Zbiorowiska Pierwotniaków I Ich Liczebność W Oczyszczalni Ścieków „Hajdów” Przy Różnych Stężeniach Związków Azotu
Authors: Jaromin-Gleń Katarzyna , Babko Roman , Łagód Grzegorz , Sobczuk Henryk
Published: February 2013

The protists notably ciliates and testate amoebas in the conditions of modernized wastewater treatment plants “Hajdow” (Lublin, Poland) and the nitrogen removal efficiency were studied. Sampling took place every week during the period of August-September 2010. The total of 31 taxa of ciliates and 3 taxa of testate amoebas were identified. Most of the species were registered during the whole research period. Significant abundance reached the following species: Acineria uncinata, Aspidisca cicada, Aspidisca lynceus, Vorticella aquadulcis, Vorticella infusionum, Arcella vulgaris, Euglypha acanthophora and Pyxidicula operculata. In September increase in efficiency of nitrogen removal process was registered. The research shows that the increase of nitrogen reduction efficiency was accompanied by increase of ciliates quantity, mainly due to peritrichid ciliates.
Heavy Metals Baseline Concentrations in Soft Tissues of Patella Sp. From the Stratoni Coastal Environment, Ne Greece / Bazowy Poziom Zanieczyszczeń Metalami Ciężkimi W Tkankach Miękkich Patella Sp. Występujących W Przybrzeżnych Obszarach Stratoni, Grecja
Authors: Kelepertzis Efstratios
Published: February 2013

Species of the limpet Patella sp. were collected from a typical control coastal site (Artemida) and a metal contaminated marine environment (Stratoni), situated in Greece. The soft tissues were analyzed for their heavy metal (Pb, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ni, Cr) content by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. High Pb, Zn and Cu concentrations were determined in limpet samples from Stratoni, which can be attributed to geological-mineralogical factors due to the natural heavy metal elevated substrate of the broader mineralized area. In contrast, concentrations of Mn, Ni and Cr in both areas are comparable to those reported for other non-polluted geographical regions of the Mediterranean area. Considering the refurbishment of the Stratoni port that will accompany the new large scale mining operations, these results provide a preliminary baseline metal level in these organisms, by which future local changes could be assessed. It is suggested that the species of Pattella sp. are appropriate to be used for biomonitoring research and should be included in routine monitoring programs regarding the Stratoni marine ecosystem. Further studies of metal levels in limpets of Patella sp. from the Stratoni area including the investigation of the possible effects of seasonal changes on metal concentrations and distribution are required.
Assessment of Airborne Actinomycetes in Subterranean and Earth Sanatoriums / Występowanie Promieniowców W Pomieszczeniu Sanatoriów Podziemnym Oraz Naziemnym
Authors: Frączek Krzysztof , Kozdrój Jacek
Published: February 2013

Actinomycetes are common soil microorganisms; however, they have also been detected in air samples, becoming important air contaminants in occupational and residential habitats. Concentrations of airborne actinomycetes and their distribution among different fractions of bioaerosol were determined in selected sites of two sanatorium types, ie a subterranean located in the former salt-mine of Bochnia and standard earth spa of Szczawnica. The average concentrations of actinomycetes ranged from 0 to almost 40 cfu m-3, for the sanatorium of Bochnia, and from 7 to 125 cfu m-3, for Szczawnica spa, throughout the year. The respiratory fraction of the bioaerosol ranged from 25 to 51% and from 78 to 81% in the subterranean sites and rooms of Szczawnica spa, respectively. For both sanatoriums, among isolated actinomycetes dominated species belonging to Rhodococcus, Streptomyces and Nocardia. The results indicate that patients can be differentially exposed to airborne actinomycetes in compared sanatoriums. The air of underground spa reveals to be of better quality, regarding the bacteria characteristics.
Analysis of Solar Energy Resources in Southern Poland for Photovoltaic Applications / Analiza Struktury Zasobów Energii Słonecznej Obszaru Polski Południowej Do Zastosowań Fotowoltaicznych
Authors: Rodziewicz Tadeusz , Teneta Janusz , Zaremba Aleksander , Wacławek Maria
Published: February 2013

The article presents an analysis of the resources and the structure of the solar energy in the area of Southern Poland on the basis of complete meteorological data from the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow in 2009. An analysis attempt of its use for photovoltaic conversion using different modules with different spectral characteristics of absorbers was made. These latest methods for characterizing the structure of solar energy resources such as: distributions throughout the year: sky clearness or cloudiness indexes, the average values of photon energy (APE) and the contents of the useful fraction (UF) of the solar spectrum, are not yet widely known and used as in Poland and in other EU countries, despite the fact that most accurately determine the spectral matching factor for the chosen photovoltaic module. Due to the need for a very expensive measuring equipment, are used only by a few laboratories in the European Union, such as CREST (Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology) in the UK. The article presents - developed and used in the Opole University - a new low-cost method for determining of the spectrum with the use of above-mentioned indexes, including APE and UF, without buying an expensive spectroradiometer, which gives comparable results.
Initiating Biodegradation of Polyvinylpyrrolidone in an Aqueous Aerobic Environment: Technical Note / Zainicjowanie Biodegradacji Poliwinylopirolidonu W Środowisku Wodno-Tlenowym: Notatki Techniczne
Authors: Julinova Marketa , Kupec Jan , Slavik Roman , Vaskova Maria
Published: February 2013

A synthetic polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP - E 1201) primarily finds applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries due to its resistance and zero toxicity to organisms. After ingestion, the substance passes through the organism unchanged. Consequently, it enters the systems of municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) without decomposing biologically during the waste treatment process, nor does it attach (through sorption) to particles of activated sludge to any significant extent, therefore, it passes through the system of a WWTP, which may cause the substance to accumulate in the natural environment. For this reason the paper investigates the potential to initiate aerobic biodegradation of PVP in the presence of activated sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. The following agents were selected as the initiators of the biodegradation process - co-substrates: acrylamide, N-acethylphenylalanine and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, a substance with a similar structure to PVP monomer. The biodegradability of PVP in the presence of co-substrates was evaluated on the basis of biological oxygen demand (BOD) as determined via a MicroOxymax O2/CO2/CH4 respirometer. The total substrate concentration in the suspension equaled 400 mg·dm-3, with the ratio between PVP and the cosubstrate being 1:1, while the concentration of the dry activated sludge was 500 mg·dm-3. Even though there was no occurrence of a significant increase in the biodegradation of PVP alone in the presence of a co-substrate, acrylamide appeared to be the most effective type of co-substrate. Nevertheless, a recorded decrease in the slope of biodegradation curves over time may indicate that a process of primary decomposition was underway, which involves the production of metabolites that inhibit activated sludge microorganisms. The resulting products are not identified at this stage of experimentation.
Molecular Detection of Prostate Cancer by Methylation-Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction from Urine Specimens
Authors: Dumache Raluca , Popescu Sorina , Minciu Radu , Negru Serban , Puiu Maria
Published: February 2013

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) represents the second most prevalent malignancy among males, which is characterized by a high mortality rate. The aim of our study was to evaluate the methylation status of glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) in urine specimens from males with PCa and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its usefulness in distinguishing between males with PCa and BPH by noninvasive methods.

Methods: Voided urine specimens were collected from 65 patients with PCa and 45 patients with BPH. Genomic DNA was isolated and subjected to bisulfite modification. Methylation status of the GSTP1 gene was determined by conventional methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) analysis.

Results: Promoter hypermethylation of the GSTP1 gene in voided urine samples was found in 63 of 65 (97%) males with PCa and in 5 of 45 (11%) males with BPH. The sensitivity and specificity of GSTP1 in discriminating between PCa and BPH males were 98% and 89%, respectively.

Conclusions: Gene analysis of GSTP1 using conventional MSP in urine specimens can be used as a noninvasive biomarker to distinguish between men with malignant and benign prostatic diseases.
Determination of Prooxidant–Antioxidant Balance during Uncomplicated Pregnancy Using a Rapid Assay
Authors: Boskabadi Hassan , Moeini Mahdieh , Tara Fatemeh , Tavallaie Shima , Saber Hamidreza , Nejati Raheleh , Hosseini Golkoo , Mostafavi-Toroghi Hesam , Ferns Gordon A. A. , Ghayour-Mobarhan Majid
Published: February 2013

Background: Oxidative stress is thought to be a major contributor to complications during pregnancy, for example preeclampsia. However, reports regarding prooxidant-antioxidant balance in uncomplicated pregnancy are inconsistent. In this study, we aimed to compare the levels of oxidative stress in non-pregnant women with apparently normal pregnant women during the first trimester and at delivery.

Methods: An assay for the determination of prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) was used in this study, in which the prooxidant burden and the antioxidant capacity were measured simultaneously in a single assay. The levels of oxidative stress were determined in 85 non-pregnant and 64 primigravid pregnant women.

Results: Demographic data and biochemical indices did not differ significantly between the groups. Differences between PAB values were significant based on one-way ANOVA analysis (P<0.001). Using a post hoc test, we observed a statistically significant increase in PAB values during the first trimester and last trimester (P<0.001).

Conclusions: Normal pregnancy is associated with a change in the measure of redox status, as assessed by the PAB assay.
Changes of Agricultural Landscape Pattern – Non-Natural Driving Forces Analyzing Based on the North-Western Region Of Poland
Authors: Markuszewska Iwona
Published: February 2013

In this paper, preceding changes and current situation in agricultural landscape pattern were elaborated as well as future transition was discussed. The North-Western Region of Poland was chosen as a study area, however, the research was conducted at the regional level, in provinces of this region including: Lubuskie, Wielkopolskie and Zachodniomomorskie. For analysis statistical data from Common Agricultural Census, containing the last two decades, between 1990-2010, were extracted. Based on established knowledge and proposed approach driving forces of landscape changes were identified. The research deals with the following aspects: 1) identification of underlying trends of landscape changes that took place over the study period, 2) finding driving forces responsible for cause-effect relationships in landscape alteration, 3) recognition of farmers’ reasons for what they took actions leading to landscape changes, and 4) identification of major current and foreseeable future tendencies of modification of landscape pattern. Political, economic and social driving forces, as the most affecting, were recognized and their influence on agricultural landscape structure was analyzed
18Th Century Vistula River Geography in View of Franciszek Florian Czaki’s Maps
Authors: Strzelecki Krzysztof
Published: February 2013

Old maps are proven to be very useful when it comes to solution of the modern research problems and are widely used in various science disciplines connected with specification of mutual relations between elements of the geographical environment. This fact stems from the increased consciousness of unique information recorded on old maps, which at their time constituted a basis for subsequent cartographical studies. The geographical characteristics of the Vistula river were depicted in a handwritten 12-sheet map made the first half of the 18th century by Franciszek Florian Czaki, a military cartographer. On the basis of his own terrain mapping, Franciszek Florian Czaki succeeded in creation of his work, which was intended to provide an example for the designed, detailed map of Poland, ordered by Józef Aleksander Jabłonowski, the Nowogród voivode, and later by the king Stanisław August Poniatowski. The map was fully based on terrain mapping, which included such details as: settlement, road and water networks, forests, land relief as well as main types of ownership: crown-, church-, and nobility-owned.
Uncertainty of Flow Regime Characteristics of Rivers in Europe
Authors: Wrzesiński Dariusz
Published: February 2013

The aim of the paper is to describe spatial differences in the uncertainty of features of the flow regimes of rivers in Europe on the basis of measures whose methodological assumptions derive from Shannon’s information entropy theory (1948). They included: the entropy of monthly flow volumes, the entropy of the flow distribution over time, and the entropy of maximum and minimum monthly flows. An analysis was made of monthly flow series for the years 1951-1990 from 510 gauging stations located on 369 rivers in Europe. It allowed a quantitative determination of the degree of uncertainty of the four regime characteristics, indirectly establishing the predictability, regularity and stability of their appearance and their spatial variability. In the procedure of identification of spatial differences among rivers concerning the uncertainty of their flow regime features, use was made of local indices of spatial dependence. On application of LISA (Local Indicators of Spatial Association) based on Moran’s local Ii statistic, a typology of rivers was obtained in terms of the kind and statistical significance of spatial associations involving the uncertainty of the flow regime variables in question.
The structure of the teacher Machiavellianism model in social interactions in a school environment
Authors: Bańka Augustyn , Orłowski Karol
Published: February 2013

The aim of this article is to present study results concerning the structure of teacher Machiavellianism.
Machiavellianism was researched extensively throughout the last 40 years as a personality feature comprising traits
related to leadership manipulation tactics. Psychology describes Machiavellianism as a part of the universal model
called “the dark triad of personality” alongside with subclinical narcissism, subclinical psychopathy and low empathy.
The teacher Machiavellianism model presented in this article, as opposed to the universal models, strongly accentuates
the context-specific variables related to the organization of life in a school, alongside with personality variables. To
achieve a new insight into the mechanism of how teacher Machiavellianism is generated, structural equation modeling
(SEM) was used, which incorporates personality variables such as: self-effi cacy, disposition for gratitude, values, one’s
personal resources, professional burnout, alongside context-specific variables like: organizational culture, work attitude,
tenure and specialization in the tasks performed. Results of two studies are shown, discussing the empirical structure of
teacher Machiavellianism components in relation to the initial theoretical model.
Cognitive effects of attentional training depend on attentional control
Authors: Paulewicz Borysław , Blaut Agata , Kłosowska Joanna
Published: February 2013

Attentional bias is assumed to be partly responsible for the onset and maintenance of anxiety by major cognitive
theories of emotional disorders. Although much is already known about the therapeutic effects of attentional bias training,
only a few studies have examined the mechanism responsible for these effects. In order to test if low-level, cognitive
effects of attentional bias training depend on attentional control, 73 participants, who completed the STAI-x2 and the
ACS questionnaires, were randomly assigned to a control (n = 37) or attentional training group (n = 36). The attentional
manipulation was followed by a search task, during which novel neutral or negative faces could be presented within an
array of all-neutral, all-negative or all-positive faces. It was found that individuals with higher ACS score displayed
stronger attentional training effects, i.e., they were less accurate in detecting distinctive negative faces, and this effect was
not found to be associated with STAI-x2 score. These results show that there is individual variability even in immediate,
cognitive effects of attentional bias modification and that special abilities, such as attentional control, might be required
for attentional training to be efficient.
Burial rituals and cultural changes in the polish community – a qualitative study
Authors: Pietkiewicz Igor
Published: February 2013

The aim of this study was to explore cultural factors affecting burial rituals in Poland. Thirty-four university
students collected data from their relatives and created written narratives about deaths in their families or community.
Ten additional interviews were conducted with community members, a priest, and medical personnel as part of theoretical
sampling and verification of emerging theories. The qualitative material was administered with NVivo and analysed using
the Grounded Theory techniques to produce a complex description of folk beliefs, superstitions, as well as symbolic and
psychological meaning ascribed to traditional customs. Some of the practices were found susceptible to extinction due to
industrialisation, globalisation, and cultural development
The Comparison of the Trends in Services Provided Worldwide with the Trends in Slovakia
Authors: Karičková Marianna
Published: February 2013

The author highlights the services from the perspective of the service providers and clients. Furthermore, the author discusses the issues raised to the centers of support services and the criteria according to which a multinational corporation makes a decision about destinations where their centers should be located. The author deals with the current trends of the international service providers, who established shared services centers in Slovakia. The benefits that Slovakia offers, such as convenient location, low labor costs or low tax burden in recent years are the main criteria that attract foreign companies to establish their services support centers in Slovakia. Multinational corporations, mainly focus on the outsourcing of accounting and financial services, customer service covering the entire region as well as IT services.
The Analysis of Natural Gas and Crude Oil Market from the Global and EU Perspective
Authors: Obadi Saleh Mothana , Korček Matej
Published: February 2013

This paper deals with the development of the crude oil and natural gas market in the world and especially in the EU. The analysis of the mentioned energy commodities are based on time serious statistical data and legislative documents and treaties adjusting the energy market. In this paper we analyze how the natural gas and crude oil as the two energy sources that are on the one hand most important in the energy mix and on the other hand least available within the very territory of EU itself therefore meaning the largest threat to the energy security of EU countries. We focus on analyzing of development of the worlds crude oil and natural gas development as the economic environment developed during last 20 year. Then we characterize what has EU done as the reaction on this development and finally we analyze the impact on EU in terms of supply and demand for natural gas and crude oil in first decade of 21st century. We found that, in 2009, the 66 % of EU natural gas imports were from four countries (Russia, Algeria, Norway and Nigeria) and the EU crude oil imports reached about 87 %.
The Measurement of Impacts and Effects of Knowledge Management in an Enterprise
Authors: Hvizdová Eva , Miklošík Andrej , Mečiar Radoslava
Published: February 2013

The question of competitive advantage comes forward in today’s globalized markets. The managers are looking for the means of sustainable competitive advantage by implementing methods of managing knowledge in company. Several modern tools and approaches use knowledge as core of the company orientation as it has the potential for creating innovations in the innovative culture. This article is dedicated to identify and describe these methods, which can help the company to measure the impacts and effects of knowledge management. These include above all Balance Scorecard, Corporate Performance Management, Kaizen, Re-engineering, Knowledge Based Benchmarking and Goal Based Management. The authors illustrate the process leading to knowledge management effects measurement as well consisting of four basic steps: analysis of the environment, defining the responsibility for knowledge management, preparation, creation and implementation of knowledge strategy and finally monitoring of effects of knowledge management strategy deployment. Implementing this evaluation should promote the effort of the company to determine the extent of positive and negative changes which were influenced by applying knowledge management principles in the company.
Historical Overview of the Economic Sociology
Authors: Jurkovičová Lujza , Riškova Viktória
Published: February 2013

There exists a rich and colorful tradition of economic sociology, which roughly began around the turn of the twentieth century and continues till today. This tradition has generated a number of helpful concepts and ideas as well as interesting research results, which this article seek to briefly present and set in perspective. Economic sociology has peaked twice since its birth: in 1890-1920, with the founders of sociology (who were all interested in and wrote on the economy), and today, from the early 1980s and onward. A small number of important works in economic sociology - by economists as well as sociologists - was produced during the time between these two periods, from 1920 to the mid-1980s.
The Commercialization of the Knowledge as the Supposition of the Economic Growth
Authors: Kubičková Viera , Bažó Ladislav , Staňo Roman
Published: February 2013

The Endogenous growth theory assumes that the economy automatically benefits from its investments in to the knowledge. The knowledge is the public ware that can be used by the Entire economy. It leads to the innovation and the economic growth. The entrepreneurship has the main role in the successful process of the commercialization of the knowledge. The aim of this article is to present the situation of this process in the enterprises in the Slovak Republic.
The Specifics of the Services Sector Determining the Introduction and Utilisation of Information and Communication Technologies
Authors: Benešová Dana , Némethová Ildikó
Published: February 2013

The services sector is characterised by a number of specifics. Their identification in ICT implementation in businesses facilitates the decision-making of services industries for such information technologies which allow businesses to differentiate their services from competitors and increase productivity. Therefore is important to identify the core activities of companies in relation to the nature of the production of services sectors, corporate strategies and services specifics.
The Complementary Currency as an Element of the Social Innovation in the Entrepreneurship
Authors: Kubičková Viera , Bažó Ladislav , Staňo Roman
Published: February 2013

The article presents the complementary currency systems as an element of the social innovation in the entrepreneurship. It offers solution for the present economic problems created by the influence of the economic crisis. The important factors are high unemployment rate and exclusion of the marginalized social groups. The evaluation of the complementary currency systems and confrontation with the empirical studies of foreign and domestic authors presents the knowledge that the local currency systems especially in the time of economic crisis have an important contribution for all interested groups - entrepreneurship sector, public sector and private sector in the local economy.
Theoretical Studies of Nonlinear Generation Efficiency in a Bubble Layer
Authors: Baranowska Anna
Published: February 2013

The aim of the paper is a theoretical analysis of propagation of high-intensity acoustic waves throughout a bubble layer. A simple model in the form of a layer with uniformly distributed mono-size spherical bubbles is considered. The mathematical model of the pressure wave’s propagation in a bubbly liquid layer is constructed using the linear non-dissipative wave equation and assuming that oscillations of a single bubble satisfy the Rayleigh-Plesset equation. The models of the phase sound speed, changes of resonant frequency of bubbles and damping coefficients in a bubbly liquid are compared and discussed. The relations between transmitted and reflected waves and their second harmonic amplitudes are analyzed. A numerical analysis is carried out for different environmental parameters such as layer thicknesses and values of the volume fraction as well as for different parameters of generated signals. Examples of results of the numerical modeling are presented.
Correction of Acoustics in Historic Opera Theatres with the Use of Schroeder Diffuser
Authors: Kamisiński Tadeusz
Published: February 2013

The paper deals with the problem of acoustic correction in historic opera theatres with the auditorium layout in the form of a horseshoe with deep underbalcony cavities limited with a semicircular wall surface. Both geometry of the cavities and excessive sound absorption determine acoustic phenomena registered in this area of the hall. The problem has been observed in the Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Lviv, Ukraine, where acoustic tests were carried out, simulation calculations performed, and finally a diffusion panel worked out designed for the rear wall of the underbalcony space. Acoustic measurements carried out after installation of the diffusers revealed favourable changes in the sound strength factor G within the range of medium and high frequencies in the underbalcony and auditorium centre area. By replacing textile tapestry with diffusion panels, a significant reduction of sound absorption was achieved for the frequency range above 1 kHz and an increase of uniformity of acoustic parameters registered in the hall. The method presented in the paper can be applied in historic halls of the similar type as well as contemporary rooms where there is a need for correction of acoustic flaws related to sound focusing or the echo effect.
A Perceptionist’s View on Psychoacoustics
Authors: Blauert Jens
Published: February 2013

Psychoacoustics is traditionally based on a world model that assumes a physical world existing independently of any observer - the so-called objective world. Being exposed to this world, an observer is impinged upon by a variety of stimuli reaching his/her sensory organs. These stimuli, if physiologically adequate, may cause biological transduction and signal processing in the sensory organs and its afferent pathways in such a way that finally a specific excitation of the cortex takes place, which results in sen-sations to appear in the observer’s perceptual world. The sensations are understood as being subjective, since they require an observer to exist. This world model - also known as (objectivistic) realism - reaches its limits when it comes to explaining more complex phenomena of perception. Thereupon, in this paper, an alternative world model is emphasized and applied to psychoacoustics, namely the perceptionist’s model. Like realism, perceptionism has a long tradition in epistemology. It appears to be suitable to improve our understanding of perceptual organization.
A Double Synthetic Index to Evaluate the Acoustics of Churches
Authors: Berardi Umberto
Published: February 2013

Several authors have proposed indices to synthesize the acoustics of a space, especially of concert halls. Meanwhile, a few studies have focused on the acoustics of worship spaces. The peculiarities of these last ones have shown distinctive characteristics. The increasing interest for the acoustics of worship spaces justifies the formulation of indices to synthesize the results of acoustic studies in these buildings too. This paper proposes a double synthetic index to evaluate the acoustics of a church. The index is obtained combining the average values of seven parameters generally considered in studies of architectural acoustics. The differences between requirements for music and speech in churches suggest to consider different optimal values of the selected parameters for different kinds of sound. A double synthetic index has been defined to synthesize the acoustical properties related to the music and to the speech separately. The validity of this double index is then assessed, comparing its values with subjective preferences captured through listening tests. The index, which is proposed and validated in this paper, aims to be an instrument to show synthetically the acoustical characteristics of a church to people with low knowledge in acoustics.
The Acoustic Impedance of a Vibrating Annular Piston Located on a Flat Rigid Baffle Around a Semi-Infinite Circular Rigid Cylinder
Authors: Rdzanek Wojciech P. , Rdzanek Witold J. , Pieczonka Dawid
Published: February 2013

The axisymmetric problem of acoustic impedance of a vibrating annular piston embedded into a flat rigid baffle concentrically around a semi-infinite rigid cylindrical circular baffle has been undertaken in this study. The Helmholtz equation has been solved. The Green’s function valid for the zone considered has been used for this purpose. The influence of the semi-infinite cylindrical baffle on the piston’s acoustic impedance has been investigated. The acoustic impedance has been presented in both forms: integral and asymptotic, both valid for the steady harmonic vibrations. Additionally, the acoustic impedances of the piston with and without the cylindrical baffle have been compared to one another. In the case without the cylindrical baffle some earlier results have been used.
Acoustic Rehabilitation of the Church of Santa Ana in Moratalaz, Madrid
Authors: Bueno Ana María , León Ángel Luis , Galindo Miguel
Published: February 2013

The church of Santa Ana in Moratalaz, Madrid, Spain (1965-1971), is an emblematic work of the architect Miguel Fisac. In his long career include interventions in the religious field, constituting one of the most important contributions to Spanish religious architecture of the last century. This church is a singular place of worship and architecturally significant, in which the acoustics played an important role in the configuration of the spatiality of the church. This paper studies the acoustic behaviour of the church and its relationship with its unique structural, spatial and coating material characteristics. The analysis of the current acoustic conditions, with high reverberation times (up to 6 seconds) and poor intelligibility on the audience, serve as the basis for making an acoustic rehabilitation proposal that contributes to improving the sound conditions of the building for the intended use, without distorting the spatial, formal and material aspects with which the architect conceived the project.
Measurements of the Sound Absorption Coefficient of Auditorium Seats for Various Geometries of the Samples
Authors: Rubacha Jarosław , Pilch Adam , Zastawnik Marcin
Published: February 2013

This paper presents the results of measurements of the sound absorption coefficient of auditorium seats carried out in the laboratory using two methods. In the first one, small blocks of seats in various arrangements were studied in a reverberation chamber to determine the absorption coefficient of an auditorium of infinite dimensions. The results were compared to the values of the absorption coefficient measured using the second method, which involved samples enclosed within a frame screening the side surfaces of other auditorium blocks. The results of both methods allowed for the assessment of the sound absorption coefficient of an auditorium of any dimensions while taking into account the sound absorption by the side surfaces. The method developed by the authors will simplify the currently known measurement procedures.