bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Periodontal Therapy on Systemic Markers of Inflammation in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome: A Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: López Néstor J. , Quintero Antonio , Casanova Patricia A. , Ibieta Carola I. , Baelum Vibeke , López Rodrigo
Published: July 2011

Background: The systemic inflammation in both metabolic syndrome (MetS) and periodontitis is a common denominator of the association of these conditions with higher risk of atherosclerosis. The current study investigates whether periodontal therapy may reduce systemic inflammation in patients with MetS and reduce cardiovascular risk.

Methods: A parallel‐arm, double‐blind, randomized clinical trial of 1‐year duration in patients with MetS and periodontitis was conducted. Participants were randomized to an experimental treatment group (ETG) (n = 82) that received plaque control and root planing plus amoxicillin and metronidazole or to a control treatment group (CTG) (n = 83) that received plaque control instructions, supragingival scaling, and two placebos. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease were recorded; serum lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, body mass index (BMI), C‐reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen concentrations, and clinical periodontal parameters were assessed at baseline and every 3 months until 12 months after therapy. The primary and secondary outcomes were changes in CRP and fibrinogen levels, respectively.

Results: The baseline patients’ characteristics of both groups were similar. No significant changes in lifestyle factors, frequency of hypertension, BMI, serum lipoprotein cholesterol, and glucose levels were observed during the study period. The periodontal parameters significantly improved in both groups 3 months after therapy (P = 0.0001) and remained lower than baseline up to 12 months. The improvement of periodontal status was significantly greater in the ETG (P = 0.0001). A multiple linear regression analysis, controlled for sex, smoking, hypertension, and extent of periodontitis, demonstrated that CRP levels decreased with time and that this reduction was significant at 9 (P = 0.024) and 12 (P = 0.001) months in both groups, without difference between the groups. Fibrinogen levels significantly decreased in the ETG at 6 and 12 months but not in the CTG.

Conclusion: Reduction of periodontal inflammation either with root planing and systemic antibiotics or with plaque control and subgingival scaling significantly reduces CRP levels after 9 months in patients with MetS.
Soil Microbial Response to Nitrogen Rate and Placement and Barley Seeding Rate under No Till
Authors: Lupwayi Newton Z. , Clayton George W. , O'Donovan John T. , Grant Cynthia A.
Published: July 2011

Urea [(NH2)2CO] applied in the seed row can damage seedlings and affect soil microorganisms. A field study was conducted in five site‐years to compare the effects of seed‐placed and side‐banded N applied to barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) at 0 to120 kg ha−1 on rhizosphere and bulk‐soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and functional diversity (Hʹ), and to investigate if increasing barley seeding rate (200–400 seeds m−2) would modify the N effects. Nitrogen rate affected MBC in four and one site‐years in barley rhizosphere and bulk soil, respectively. Two of the four responses in the rhizosphere were quadratic, and the other two were a linear decrease and a cubic response. The response in bulk soil was a linear decrease. One of the two responses in the rhizosphere depended on N placement. Responses of Hʹ to N rate, which were mostly cubic and depended on N placement, were observed in three and four site‐years in the rhizosphere and bulk soil, respectively. Increasing barley seeding rate increased MBC in one and three site‐years in the rhizosphere and bulk soil, respectively, and increased Hʹ in one and two site‐years, respectively. In two of the three cases in bulk soil, seeding rate increased MBC only when N was banded. Banded N up to 60 kg ha−1 had minimal adverse effects on soil microorganisms, but only 30 kg N ha−1 or less of seed‐placed N was relatively harmless. Increasing seeding rate did not usually alleviate the negative effects of seed‐placed N applied at high rates.
Tillage and Crop Establishment Affects Sustainability of South Asian Rice–Wheat System
Authors: Gathala Mahesh K. , Ladha J. K. , Kumar Vivak , Saharawat Yashpal S. , Kumar Virender , Sharma Paradeep Kumar , Sharma Sheetal , Pathak Himanshu
Published: July 2011

Rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the major cropping system occupying 13.5 million ha in the Indo‐Gangetic Plains of South Asia. Conventional‐tillage practices are resource and cost intensive. A 7‐yr study evaluated six treatments (T) involving three tillage methods and two rice establishment methods on crop yield, water productivity, and economic profitability in a rice–wheat rotation. Average rice yields in the conventional practice of puddling and transplanting without (T1) and with (T2) mid‐season alternate wetting‐drying were highest (7.81–8.10 Mg ha−1) and increased with time (0.26 Mg ha−1 yr−1) in T2. Compared to T1, rice yields in direct drill‐seeding with zero‐tillage averaged 16% lower on flat (T5) and 43% lower in raised beds (T3). Rice yield in raised beds (T3 and T4) decreased with time (0.14–0.45 Mg ha−1 yr−1). Conversely, wheat yielded 18% higher after zero compared to conventional‐tillage. Treatment 2, despite low soil matric potential during vegetative development, had higher water productivity with 25% less water use compared with T1 and 19% less compared with other treatments. Conventional‐tillage and crop establishment practices had higher net cash return in rice but in wheat it was higher with zero‐tillage. Overall, T2 and T5 had the highest net returns (∼1225US$) and T3 and T4 had the lowest (747–846 US$) in the rice–wheat system. Zero‐tillage on flat beds (T5), however, would conceivably be more sustainable than the conventional T2 in the long‐run. Yields of zero‐tillage with direct‐seeding of rice on flat beds (T5) must improve before adoption occurs.
Sowing Date and Tillage Effects on Fall‐Seeded Camelina in the Northern Corn Belt
Authors: Gesch R. W. , Cermak S. C.
Published: July 2011

Camelina (Camelina sativa L.), a member of the Brassicaceae family, can potentially serve as a low‐input alternative oil source for advanced biofuels as well as food and other industrial uses. Winter annual camelina genotypes may be economically and environmentally advantageous for the northern Corn Belt, but little is known about their agronomic potential for this region. A 2‐yr field study was conducted in western Minnesota to determine optimum fall sowing time for yield and oil content of two winter camelina cultivars in a no‐tillage (NT) and chisel‐plowed (CP) system. Seeding dates ranged from early September to mid‐October. Plants reached 50% flowering as much as 7 d earlier in the NT than the CP system. Plant stands were generally greatest in the NT system, but yields were only greater than those in the CP system during the second year of the study, possibly due to differences in water logging of soil between tillage systems. Seed yield and oil content increased with sowing date up to early October. When sown in October, seed yield and oil content ranged from 419 to 1317 kg ha−1 and 282 to 420 g kg−1, respectively. Results indicate that camelina is a viable winter crop for the northern Corn Belt and that seed yields and oil content tended to be greatest when sown in early to mid‐October. Moreover, fall‐seeded camelina offered good weed suppression without the use of herbicide, supporting the contention that it can be successfully produced with low agricultural inputs.
Yield and Composition of Sweet Pearl Millet as Affected by Row Spacing and Seeding Rate
Authors: Bouchard Audrey , Vanasse Anne , Seguin Philippe , Bélanger Gilles
Published: July 2011

Sweet pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. BR.] seems promising for ethanol production, but optimal cropping practices are unknown for the cool and humid conditions of eastern Canada. We evaluated the effects of two row spacings (18 and 36 cm) and four seeding rates (5, 10, 15, and 20 kg ha−1) on biomass dry matter (DM) yield, water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentration and yield, and nutritive value of sweet pearl millet at two sites in Québec, Canada. Increasing seeding rates decreased biomass DM and WSC yields at Sainte‐Anne‐de‐Bellevue but had a limited effect at Saint‐Augustin‐de‐Desmaures. Hence, a seeding rate of 5 kg ha−1 resulted in maximum biomass DM (12.4–19.1 Mg ha−1) and WSC (1.56–2.64 Mg ha−1) yields. Row spacing did not affect biomass DM and WSC yields at Saint‐Augustin‐de‐Desmaures but biomass DM yield was greater at a row spacing of 18 cm at Sainte‐Anne‐de‐Bellevue. The WSC concentrations in leaves and stems were inconsistently affected by seeding rate but were not affected by row spacing. The WSC concentrations were greater in stems (140.7–162.4 g kg−1 DM) than in leaves (35.7–48.1 g kg−1 DM). Increasing the seeding rate generally decreased N concentrations of leaves and stems and digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) but increased concentrations of acid detergent fiber and NDF. Row spacing did not affect any nutritive value attributes. Seeding at 5 kg ha−1 with a row spacing of 18 cm maximize biomass and WSC yield with minimal effect on forage nutritive value of sweet pearl millet.
Maize–Bean Intercrop Weed Suppression and Profitability in Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Workayehu T. , Wortmann C. S.
Published: July 2011

Cereal–legume intercropping often results in increased productivity, weed suppression, and N supply. The agronomic and economic benefits of maize–bean (Zea mays L. –Phaseolus vulgaris L.) intercropping were studied for 5 yr in a complete factorial with: 0, 1, and 2 weedings (W0, W1, W2); and single (MB) and double (MBB) rows of bean alternated with one row of maize. Sole crop maize and bean were included. Weed infestation in intercrop was 30% less compared with sole crop bean but with inconsistent differences across years. Weed biomass was 13% less with MBB compared with sole‐cropped maize. Ears m−2 were 55% more in seasons with better rainfall compared with 1999 and 16% more with W1 or W2 compared W0. Mean maize grain yield was 3.74 Mg ha−1. Weeding frequency (WF) effect on maize grain yield was inconsistent across years but yield was 75% more with W2 compared with W0. Overall, maize grain yield was 19% more with MB compared with MBB but the effect was significant in 1997 only. Mean bean yield was 1.07 Mg ha−1 and was inconsistently affected by treatments across years. Bean yield was on average 52 and 67% more with W1 and W2, respectively, compared with W0, and 35% more with MB compared with MBB. Intercropping resulted in land equivalent ratios (LER) of 1.0 to 2.4 with a WF effect. Mean net income (NI) was greatest with MB and W1. Overall, intercropping suppressed weeds and was more productive and economical than sole crop production.
Divergent Alfalfa Root System Architecture is Maintained across Environment and Nutrient Supply
Authors: Russelle Michael P. , Lamb JoAnn F. S.
Published: July 2011

Plant root system architecture can alter, and be altered by, soil fertility and other environmental conditions. We developed alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) populations selected for tap‐ or branch‐rooted architectures and determined responses to P supply and K placement in field experiments. In Exp. 1, populations representing the parental composite and progeny from first and second cycles of divergent selection were seeded on soils testing low to medium for available P and K, a sandy loam (Becker, MN) and a silt loam (Rosemount, MN). Experiment 2 was conducted at Becker and included only second cycle progeny. Phosphorus was added to one‐half of the plots by injection of KH2PO4 (224 kg P ha−1) into the upper 40 cm of soil. On the other plots, equal K rates (270 kg K ha−1) as KCl were topdressed. Added P did not affect herbage dry mass in the first and second years following stand establishment, but increased herbage P concentration and uptake at Becker. There was no effect of K placement, but the tap‐rooted germplasm had lower K concentration in herbage than the parent. Although progeny did not differ in total root mass, the ratio of thickened‐to‐total root mass was larger below 30 cm for the tap‐rooted selection, which also produced more fine roots. Selected germplasms did not differ in P or K uptake. Selected root system architecture characteristics were expressed under, and apparently not modified by, growing conditions that covered three site‐years on two contrasting soils with differential P supply and K placement.
Lack of Hybrid by Seeding Rate Interactions for Corn Growth, Silage Yield, and Quality
Authors: Cox William J. , Cherney Jerome H.
Published: July 2011

Transgenic Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids may require higher but brown midrib (BMR) and leafy hybrids may require lower seeding rates than currently recommended for silage in the northeastern United States. We planted dual‐purpose (three Bt and one non‐Bt) two silage‐specific and two BMR hybrids to evaluate growth, dry matter (DM) yield, and quality responses to four seeding rates (61,750–98,800 kernels ha−1). Hybrid × seeding rate interactions were not observed. At silking (R1), BMR hybrids averaged 6% lower leaf area index (LAI, 4.58) compared with dual‐purpose hybrids and 7% lower biomass (1050 g m−2) compared with two dual‐purpose hybrids. Crop growth rates were similar from the 14th leaf (V14) to R1 stage between BMR and dual‐purpose hybrids (34.3–35.8 g m−2 d−1) so less BMR vegetative growth was associated with 10% lower LAI (3.46) and biomass (480 g m−2) at V14. Biomass and LAI had linear responses to seeding rates. The BMR compared with two dual‐purpose hybrids averaged 8% lower DM yield (20.7 Mg ha−1) but similar predicted milk yield (37.6 Mg ha−1) because of 8% higher milk Mg−1 values (1823 kg Mg−1). Silage‐specific compared with two dual‐purpose hybrids averaged about 7.5% lower DM and milk yields because of similar milk Mg−1 (1685 kg Mg−1). Milk and DM yields showed quadratic, and milk Mg−1 showed negative linear responses to seeding rates. Results indicate that Bt, BMR, and silage‐specific hybrids should be seeded at about 89,000 kernels ha−1 for silage in New York.
Minimizing Interspecific Competition in Soybean by Optimizing Cover Crop Self‐Seeding
Authors: Singer Jeremy W. , Kohler Keith A. , Meek David W.
Published: July 2011

Developing self‐seeding cover crop systems that minimize interspecific competition with soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] are possible if cover crop growth is restricted to optimize cover crop seed production and dispersal. The objectives of this research were to quantify cover crop seed production, viability, and self‐seeding when growing concurrently with soybean. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack), and rye (Secale cereale L.) were seeded at two target rates (99 and 198 seeds m−2). Three seed dispersal methods (natural seed rain, simulated combine, and mechanical preharvest) were also tested to disperse mature cover crop seed. Wheat combined with mechanical seed dispersal before soybean harvest exhibited the greatest consistency in self‐seeding (171 and 123 plants m−2 in 2007 and 2008) regardless of establishment seeding rate. Additionally, wheat averaged 51 and 32% green groundcover in the fall of 2007 and 2008. Wheat seed viability (>82%) exceeded rye and triticale at soybean harvest, approximately 60 to 80 d after seed maturity. Cover crop species or establishment seeding rate did not affect soybean seed yield either year. Averaged across seeding rate and seed dispersal treatments, wheat self‐seeding systems exhibit the greatest potential for adoption, although soybean yield was 27% lower in 1 of 2 yr compared with a no cover crop control.
Forage, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Yield Dynamics of Cool‐Season Annual Forages Overseeded onto Tifton 85 Bermudagrass
Authors: Muir James , Bow John
Published: July 2011

‘Tifton 85’ bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon L. (Pers.) X C. transvaalensis Burt Davy] is a warm‐season forage used on southeastern U.S. dairy concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO). Cool‐season annual forages need to be identified that can be overseeded into Tifton 85 and remove the greatest quantity of P or N while minimizing suppression of bermudagrass spring regrowth. During 3 yr we overseeded six grass, five legume, and two Brassica spp. on a dairy CAFO Tifton 85 field on a Windthorst fine sandy loam (fine, mixed, active, thermic Udic Paleustalf) containing 83 mg plant‐available P kg−1 soil. Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth.), barley (Hordium vulgare L.), oat (Avena sativa L.), and rye (Secale cereale L.) yielded the most (entry × year interaction P < 0.05) dry matter (DM) during at least 2 of the 3 yr, with the grasses and some legumes reducing (entry × year interaction P < 0.05) spring first‐harvest Tifton 85 DM yields by 41 to 80%. Cumulative cool‐season and first‐harvest Tifton 85 P yields increased (entry × year interaction P < 0.05) in some combinations and years compared to Tifton 85 alone, while N yields rose up to 173% when legumes were overseeded, depending on year and combination (entry × year interaction P < 0.05). Results indicate that overseeding some cool‐season winter annual forage species onto dormant Tifton 85 can increase N for CAFO feed but only occasionally will it improve P removal.
Soybean Cultivar Response to Planting Date and Seeding Rate under Organic Management
Authors: Coulter Jeffrey A. , Sheaffer Craig C. , Haar Milton J. , Wyse Donald L. , Orf James H.
Published: July 2011

Delayed planting is a common strategy for enhancing weed control in organic soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production, but it has the potential to reduce yield. Increasing soybean seeding rate may be a way to enhance weed control with early planting, and to mitigate potential yield losses due to delayed planting. From 2006 to 2008, experiments were conducted in southern and central Minnesota in organically managed systems with tillage for weed control to determine agronomic responses of soybean and weed density to planting date and seeding rate for feed‐ and food‐grade soybean cultivars. Increasing seeding rate from 395,400 to 543,600 seeds ha−1 did not enhance weed control or soybean yield, and this was consistent across planting dates and cultivars. Total weed density at harvest and soybean yield were greatest when planting occurred in mid‐ or late May, and were reduced by 51 and 21% when planting was delayed until mid‐June, respectively. Yield of feed‐grade cultivars was 21% higher than food‐grade cultivars, which was consistent across planting dates. Total weed density at harvest differed among cultivars, and was lowest with two of the three highest‐yielding cultivars. These results demonstrate that in organic cropping systems with tillage for weed control in the Upper Midwest, planting in mid‐ to late May rather than mid‐June is critical for maximizing yield, while high seeding rates are not likely to improve yield or weed control.
Methods for determination of pesticide adsorption properties and examination of their mobility in soil
Authors: Djurovic Rada
Published: July 2011

Pesticide destiny in soil depends on a number of factors, as well as on
presence and intensity of the processes such as adsorption, degradation,
evaporation, rinsing and leaching. Since adsorption processes govern
concentration of the free fraction of pesticide molecules, researches in this
area are primarily focused on examination of this process, more precisely on
determination of adsorption constants and adsorption/desorption isotherms
which provide determination of the most responsible soil properties for the
retention of the tested pesticides in the soil. Since rinsing across the soil
profile is the most frequent and its intensity is indirectly determined by
intensity of adsorption processes, determination of adsorption constants of
pesticides provides determination of rinsing potential for these substances
across the soil profile. Methods for determination of pesticides adsorption
properties and examination of their mobility in soil, primarily across the
soil profile, are presented in the paper. Special emphasis is placed on the
?batch? method, which is currently the most common, and which was actually
proposed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Sensitivity of Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary isolates to fluazinam, fosetyl-Al and propamocarb-hydrochloride
Authors: Rekanovic Emil , Potocnik Ivana , Milijasevic-Marcic Svetlana , Stepanovic Milos , Todorovic Biljana , Mihajlovic Milica
Published: July 2011

A survey of in vitro sensitivity of twelve isolates of the Phytophthora
infestans to the fluazinam, fosetyl-Al and propamocarb-hydrochloride was
conducted. The isolates were isolated from infeceted potato leaves collected
from eight different localities in Serbia during 2005-2007. All P. infestans
isolates were sensitive to tested fungicides. The obtained values of
resistance factor were in the range from 1.0 to 2.8. The EC50 values of
fluazinam were from 0.14 to 0.27 mg l-1, fosetyl-Al from 30.2 to 85.8 mg l-1,
propamocarb-hydrochloride between 12.1 and 31.1 mg l-1, respectively.
Presence and distribution of economically important potato viruses in Montenegro
Authors: Zindovic Jelena
Published: July 2011

The research was carried out, in the period 2002-2004 in order to determine
the presence and distribution of potato viruses at 12 different locations and
on 9 different potato varieties grown in Montenegro. The research included
collecting of samples in seed potato crops and testing of six economically
important potato viruses: Potato leaf roll virus (PLRV), Potato virus Y
(PVY), Potato virus X (PVX), Potato virus S (PVS), Potato virus A (PVA) i
Potato virus M (PVM). Using the direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
(DAS-ELISA) and commercial antisera specific for six potato viruses, it was
found that PVY was the most frequent virus during the three-year research
period. The second frequent virus was PVS, followed by PVA, PLRV, PVM and
PVX. Single and mixed infections were detected, and the most prevalent were
the single infections of PVY. Also, in the period 2002-2004, PVY had the
highest distribution and the number of present viruses was different at
different localities and on different potato varieties. Further
investigations were related to detailed characterization of the most
prevalent virus (PVY), which is at the same time economically the most
important one. Serological characterization of PVY was performed utilizing
DAS-ELISA kit with commercial monoclonal antibodies specific for detection of
the three strain groups of PVY, and the two strain groups - necrotic
(PVYN/PVYNTN) and common (PVYO), were identified. Necrotic strains were
prevalent in 2002 and 2004, while in 2003 PVYO was the most frequent strain
in virus population. The presence of stipple streak strain (PVYC) was not
detected in any of the tested samples.
Effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria on Ambrosia rtemisiifolia L. seed germination
Authors: Vrbnicanin Sava , Bozic Dragana , Saric Marija , Pavlovic Danijela , Raicevic Vera
Published: July 2011

Soil bacteria are able either to stimulate or inhibit seed germination. If
seed germination is stimulated, the seedlings of weed species emerge more
uniformly, so that they could be killed in the next step of weed control.
This investigation focused on testing the germination of Ambrosia
artemisiifolia L. on several media: Pseudomonas fluorescens (B1), Azotobacter
chroococcum (B2), Bacillus licheniformis (B3), B. pumilus (B4), B.
amyloliquefaciens (B5). In control, seeds germinated in water. Seed
germination varied depending on bacterial media. Germination was inhibited by
bacterial treatments B1 and B3, treatments B2 and B4 stimulated germination,
while germination in treatment B5 was similar to control.
Psychological characteristics of future helping professionals: Empathy and attachment of psychology students
Authors: Dimitrijevic Aleksandar , Hanak Natasa , Milojevic Sonja
Published: July 2011

In this study we investigated whether psychology students differ than
students who have chosen non-helping professions in psychological features
important for helping activities: attachment and empathy. The sample
consisted of psychology students from Belgrade and Novi Sad (N=452) and
students from several Belgrade University faculties for non-helping
professions. The revised version of Attachment Questionnaire was used for
assessment of attachment, while empathy was assessed by Empathy Quotient. The
results confirmed hypotheses about the greater prevalence of secure
attachment pattern, higher empathic capacity, better mentalizing, and more
positive model of the other among the future helpers. These differences
between student groups are present at the enrolment, with gender controlled.
Finally, the prevalence of the secure attachment pattern and high empathy
scores rises with the years spent at studying psychology. We concluded that
psychology studies are chosen by persons with higher motivation and
capacities for helping professions. Although women outnumber men, differences
between the future helping professionals and others cannot be explained by
the gender structure of the sample, since men in the helping professions have
better results than women in the nonhelping ones.
Evaluation of effects of program for improving skills and motivation for employment
Authors: Maric Zorica , Dzamonja-Ignjatovic Tamara
Published: July 2011

Contemporary programs that have been implemented in order to help unemployed
reduce time for finding a job are based on clear theoretical background and
empirical evidence. In addition to providing opportunities to learn necessary
skills, these programs also incorporate important psychological components
which will be addressed in this paper. The goal of these interventions is to
reduce time for finding a job, prevent long-term unemployment and negative
effects of unemployment on individuals? mental health. The paper presents
evaluation of the effects of these psychological interventions. The program
was based on Ajzen?s theory of planned behavior (2005), Bandura?s
social-cognitive theory (1997) and cognitive-behavior theory of behavioral
change (Meichenbaum, 1993). The goal of this program was to help unemployed
individuals take an active role in finding a job, reduce time for finding a
job and prevent negative effects of unemployment on their mental health. The
target group of the program were young unemployed individuals ages 19 - 30,
with at least high school level of education. Evaluation study was conducted
on a sample of 92 male and female individuals who attended 3-day
psychological program. Participants filled out five short scales specifically
designed to assess variables that were targeted for change, such as, active
approach to finding a job, attitudes toward process of employment,
self-efficacy and resilience to frustrations and obstacles. Scales were
administered before and after the training. Evaluation results, based on
these pre and post measures, showed significant positive effects of this
program on all five variables.
Cognitive and affective reactions to success and failure: The quality of feedback as the determinant of self-verifying and self-enhancing motivation
Authors: Bodroza Bojana
Published: July 2011

A study was conducted to ascertain what the dominant self motivation is like
- selfverifying or self-enhancing? - in a situation when a person is faced
with a negative evaluation of a central personality characteristic. Previous
research suggested that affective reactions should follow the pattern
predicted by self-enhancement theory by which all individuals would react
with positive affect to positive evaluation and with negative affect to
negative evaluation. On the other side, cognitive reactions are expected to
follow the pattern predicted by self-verification theory which suggests that
information consistent with the self-concept should be the most convincing
(i.e. cognitive reactions should be influenced by interaction of feedback and
self-esteem). Ninety female respondents were given a false favorable or
extremely unfavorable feedback about their achievement on an intelligence
test, after which their cognitive and affective reactions were measured. The
results revealed that the respondents demonstrated a self-enhancing
motivation both in the affective and the cognitive domain, i.e., regardless
of their level of self-esteem, those who had failed experienced more negative
affect, rated test more unfavorably, assessed it as less accurate, and
claimed they had invested less effort to solve the test, than those who were
successful. The research imposes conclusion that cognitive reactions to
failure are not conditioned only by the degree of negativity or positivity of
global self-views, but also by the quality/intensity of unfavorable feedback.
This conclusion provides important methodological implications for future
research in this area.
Some individual psychological characteristics as protective or risk factors for occurrence of conduct disorder
Authors: Markovic Jasminka , Srdanovic-Maras Jelena , Sobot Valentina , Ivanovic-Kovacevic Svetlana , Martinovic-Mitrovic Sladjana
Published: July 2011

Our study included 30 pairs of siblings aged 12-18 years; one sibling with
and one without conduct disorder in each pair. The aim of the study was to
assess individual characteristics of those siblings, i.e. to determine
differences in psychological characteristics of the siblings with regard to
locus of control, stress coping strategies and frequency and structure of
behavioral problems and emotions. The results suggested significant
differences in individual characteristics of children with conduct disorder
and their healthy siblings. These results mainly confirm previous results of
foreign research on a sample of our population. Exception of findings was
related to strategies for coping with stress: religious behavior that didn?t
turn out as a protective factor and avoiding confrontation and withdrawal
which are shown as a protective factor. These results suggest the importance
of individual psychological characteristics for the occurrence of conduct
disorders and have implications in therapy and in preventive work with
adolescents.
Restorative justice and the active victim: Exploring the concept of empowerment
Authors: Aertsen Ivo , Bolívar Daniela , de Mesmaecker , Lauwers Nathalie
Published: July 2011

This paper departs from the observation that the victim image leading public
discourse has transformed in recent years: increasingly victims reject the
traditional victim label implying helplessness and dependency to adopt the
image of the emancipated victim that wishes to participate in the criminal
proceedings. Restorative justice at first sight provides an answer to these
emancipated victims? wishes, offering them participation in criminal
proceedings. Yet, using the concept of empowerment as an example and the
community psychology perspective as a theoretical reference, our analysis
suggests that restorative justice uses a restricted definition of
empowerment: it reduces empowerment to developing self-confidence and new
understandings of the offence, neglecting the behavioural component of
empowerment. This characteristic of restorative justice seems to deny
victims? capacities to promote social change and inhibit them from reaching
true empowerment.
Settlement between the offender and the victim according to the criminal code of Serbia
Authors: Corovic Emir
Published: July 2011

The Criminal Code of the Republic of Serbia from 2005 (which went into effect
on January 1st, 2006) has envisaged a particular basis for remittance of
punishment which had been unknown in our criminal law. It is about settlement
between the offender and the victim, an institution reflecting ideas of
restorative justice. Although the settlement between the offender and the
victim offers great possibilities, it has not received enough attention in
our criminal law literature. We usually come across perfunctory elaboration
of the matter, which is justified by insufficient regulations. Thus numerous
questions and dilemmas related to the implementation of this institution are
being opened, so we will try to give answers to these questions in this
paper, that is, to give some solutions for the dilemmas, relying on the
positive law of the Republic of Serbia.
Dangerous liaisons?: A feminist and restorative approach to sexual assault
Authors: Pali Brunilda , Sten Madsen
Published: July 2011

The appropriateness of restorative justice (RJ) for gendered violence
offences such as domestic violence and sexual assault has always been and
still is highly contested. This paper focuses on the appropriateness of RJ
measures in addressing sexual assault, primarily with reference to experience
of restorative dialogues as practiced at the Centre for Victims of Sexual
Assault in Copenhagen, and it takes a feminist approach to the application of
RJ measures to sexual assault. Within this framework, the paper tackles two
issues in particular: the privacy element of RJ versus the public aspect of
the criminal justice system (CJS), and the intersection of the CJS and RJ in
cases of sexual assault. In relation to the relationship between CJS and RJ,
the authors argue that RJ could be used for victims of sexual assault, not
primarily as part of diversion programmes, but when offered apart from and/or
parallel to the CJS. In relation to the private/public debate, the authors
argue that while RJ encounters, by taking place in highly confidential
settings, might have a negative impact on efforts by women?s movements to
move violence against women out of the private and into the public realm,
creating high standard alternatives for individual women who are in need of
support and constantly generating public debate about gendered violence is a
good feminist response to this complex issue.
Toward optimal feature selection using ranking methods and classification algorithms
Authors: Novakovic Jasmina , Strbac Perica , Bulatovic Dusan
Published: July 2011

We presented a comparison between several feature ranking methods used on two
real datasets. We considered six ranking methods that can be divided into two
broad categories: statistical and entropy-based. Four supervised learning
algorithms are adopted to build models, namely, IB1, Naive Bayes, C4.5
decision tree and the RBF network. We showed that the selection of ranking
methods could be important for classification accuracy. In our experiments,
ranking methods with different supervised learning algorithms give quite
different results for balanced accuracy. Our cases confirm that, in order to
be sure that a subset of features giving the highest accuracy has been
selected, the use of many different indices is recommended.
In vitro evaluation of physical vapor deposition coated beta titanium orthodontic archwires
Authors: Krishnan Vinod , Ravikumar K. K. , Sukumaran K. , Jyothindra Kumar K.
Published: July 2011

Objective:

To determine in vitro the frictional properties, surface morphology, and load deflection rate with looped designs of two newly developed titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN) and tungsten carbide/carbon (WC/C) physical vapor deposition (PVD) coated beta titanium orthodontic archwires coated with PVD.

Materials and Methods:

Frictional properties with Tidy's protocol, surface evaluation before and after friction testing with the help of scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), and load deflection rate with different orthodontic loops on Instron universal testing machine were evaluated.

Results:

The results clearly indicate reduced frictional properties for WC/C coated archwires when compared with uncoated and TiAlN coated archwires. There were no significant surface alterations upon ESEM evaluation of friction tested archwires. Low load deflection rate was exhibited by both coated archwires, the difference in load deflection rate between the coated and uncoated archwires was statistically significant.

Conclusion:

WC/C coated wires can be recommended for even sliding mechanics due to reduced frictional properties, better surface characteristics, and low load deflection rate compared with TiAlN coated and uncoated archwires.
Genetic relationships between some of Malva species as determined with ISSR and ISJ markers
Authors: Celka Zbigniew , Szczecińska Monika , Sawicki Jakub
Published: July 2011

Genetic relationships between some of Malva species as determined with ISSR and ISJ markers

Two categories of DNA markers were used to determine genetic relationships among eight Malva taxa. A maximum parsimony analysis validated the division of the genus Malva into the sections Bismalva and Malva. The species classified into those sections formed separate clusters. M. moschata was a distinctive species in the section Bismalva, as confirmed by previous genetic research based on ITS and cpDNA sequence analyses. The applied markers revealed a very high level of genetic identity between M. alcea and M. excisa and enabled molecular identification of M. alcea var. fastigiata. Speciesspecific markers were determined for the majority of the analyzed species, permitting their molecular identification. A specific marker supporting the differentiation of M. alcea and M. excisa was not found.
Tentative list of endemic vascular plants of the Zeravshan Mts in Tajikistan: distribution, habitat preferences and conservation status of species
Authors: Nowak Arkadiusz , Nobis Marcin
Published: July 2011

Tentative list of endemic vascular plants of the Zeravshan Mts in Tajikistan: distribution, habitat preferences and conservation status of species

Based on literature data and own fieldwork in the Zeravshan Mts in Tajikistan (Middle Asia), the taxonomic structure, distribution, habitat preferences as well as conservation status of a group of 86 species of vascular plants of endemic character are presented. The tentative list of exclusive endemic plants for the Zeravshan Mts was compiled. They belong to 25 families. The richest is the genus Astragalus with 11 species followed by Cousinia (8), Allium (5) and Scutellaria (3). The study has shown that the eastern subregions of the range are richest in endemics, especially, the Mogien-Daria, Seven Lakes, Pastrud-Daria, Ksztut and Yagnob valleys and Kuli-Kalon Plateau. The endemics studied are stenochoric species with very small number of known locations, mainly between one and two. The mean value of the range of the studied endemics is ca. 1140 km2. The most numerous endemic groups have been recorded at altitudes of around 1,800-2,100 and 2,700-3000 m a. s. l. The habitats harboring the richest group of endemics are rock screes, alpine forests, steppes and semi-savannas, alpine meadows, solid rocks, xerothermophilous shrubs and pastures. Almost half of the endemics have narrow ecological amplitude occurring in only one habitat type. The most important threats to Tajik endemics are intensive grazing and erosion of soils, as well as denudation. Most vulnerable types of vegetation to the human impact are forest and scrub communities. For effective protection of endemics in the Zeravshan Mts, a national park and a net of nature reserves has to be funded.
"Red Data Book of Ukraine. Vegetable Kingdom" Afterword
Authors: Didukh Yakiv
Published: July 2011

"Red Data Book of Ukraine. Vegetable Kingdom" Afterword

The results of the third edition of the Red Data Book of Ukraine (2009) are summed up. This edition includes 826 species (611 vascular plants, 46 bryophytes, 60 algae, 52 lichens, 57 mosses). The approaches to species selection and category comparing assessment, which are accepted by Ukraine and IUCN, are highlighted as well as species distribution according to phytoceonological and political regions. Approaches to the selection of species for inclusion in the lists of the Red Data Books of Ukraine and Poland are analyzed.
Protreptikos - the Exhortation for Scientific Tourism
Authors: Kosiewicz Jerzy
Published: July 2011

Protreptikos - the Exhortation for Scientific Tourism

The presented paper focuses primarily on the tourism activities of teaching staff at universities and other research institutions. This applies in particular to travel during which the principal purpose is, inter alia, various exploratory internships, conferences, trips as a guest professor or a visiting professor under the auspices of the Erasmus and Erasmus Mundus programs. These peregrinations require extra effort, not only with regards to teaching and research duties, but also present opportunities to confront, test and evaluate one's own research results and outlook with new listeners in new locations in different environments. This travel especially applies to the foreign environment, a situation that presents high degrees of professional, scientific and linguistic challenges, resulting in increased contributions and activity to the specific field of science. Regardless of the workload and the difficulties of the discussed travel, such travel can also bring about much personal satisfaction: a) due to a sense of a well done job as a result of meeting expectations of the employer and the host placed on the ‘messenger of science’ and b) due to the pleasure associated with those tourist experiences having autotelic and pragmatic (instrumental) overtones.
Increasing time-scheduling efficiency in the building process
Authors: Chamulová B.
Published: July 2011

Increasing time-scheduling efficiency in the building process

The submitted paper deals with time scheduling. It concentrates on scheduling the building process and extends it by providing a way to set priorities. The priorities are evaluated from two points of view: the point of view of the building owner or investor and the point of view of the building contractor. These priorities are next used in the initiation of the relations among the scheduled activities. The utilization of priorities can contribute to preventing mistakes in creating the schedule. It could also facilitate schedule updates with changes. The contribution only contains the most important ideas for the exploitation of prioritization in the scheduling. A detailed description is included.
Reducing the impact of a vertical refraction by a two-regime model
Authors: Lipták M. , Sokol Š.
Published: July 2011

Reducing the impact of a vertical refraction by a two-regime model

This paper deals with the creation of a mathematical model to eliminate or reduce the impact of a vertical refraction from the results of repeated trigonometric measurements of elevations. A multiple regression model with air temperature and pressure as the explanatory variables is proposed and subsequently modified into the form of a two-regime model. The threshold parameter is given by the threshold function, which represents an approximation of the relationship between the atmospheric pressure and temperature. An investigation of the quality of the proposed models and the application of the selected model on the experimental measurement results is also performed.
Slender reinforced concrete columns strengthened with fibre reinforced polymers
Authors: Gajdošová K. , Bilčík J.
Published: July 2011

Slender reinforced concrete columns strengthened with fibre reinforced polymers

The requirement for a long life with relatively low maintenance costs relates to the use of building structures. Even though the structure is correctly designed, constructed and maintained, the need for extensions of its lifetime can appear. The preservation of the original structure with a higher level of resistance or reliability is enabled by strengthening. Conventional materials are replaced by progressive composites - mainly carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP). They are used for strengthening reinforced concrete columns in two ways: added reinforcement in the form of CFRP strips in grooves or CFRP sheet confinement and eventually their combination. This paper presents the effect of the mentioned strengthening methods on slender reinforced concrete columns.
Building erosion control measures in land consolidation projects
Authors: Ščepita O.
Published: July 2011

Building erosion control measures in land consolidation projects

Anti-erosion protection is understood as a set of measures serving as process management to prevent soil loss and degradation of its productive and environmental potential. Anti-erosion protection is generally based on the influence of the subject of the erosion (soil) and erosion conditions, so in order to decrease the intensity of the erosion, it consists of a diverse set of measures, which are classified according to how they affect erosion. Soil erosion measures on agricultural land are divided as follows:

- Organizational measures: delimitation of land resources, cultural erosion and crop distribution, the size, shape and arrangement of land, the communication network, organization of grazing.

- Agrotechnical measures: Contour agrotechnics.

- Soil-protecting agrotechnics.

- Biological measures: crop belt, belt stabilizers, erosion crop rotations, conservation gins, protective afforestation.

.

- Technical measures: erosion channels, ditches, terraces.
The redescription of the species Leptochelia bispinosa Guţu and L. corsica Dollfus, and the first description of the female of L. tenuicula Makkaveeva (Crustacea: Tanaidacea)
Authors: Guţu Modest
Published: July 2011

The redescription of the species Leptochelia bispinosa Guţu and L. corsica Dollfus, and the first description of the female of L. tenuicula Makkaveeva (Crustacea: Tanaidacea)

Leptochelia bispinosa Guţu, 2010 (from Réunion Island, Indian Ocean) and L. corsica Dollfus, 1898 (from Adriatic Sea) are redescribed and illustrated. The number of antennule articles in the specimens with female features belonging to the species L. bispinosa is commented. The female of L. tenuicula Makkaveeva, 1968 (from Martinique Island, Lesser Antilles) is recorded and described for the first time. At the same time, the diagnosis of the genus Leptochelia, as it is accepted now, is amended.
Infestation of the pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) by the copepod Lernaea Cyprinacea (Crustacea) - some ecological aspects
Authors: Stavrescu-Bedivan Mala-Maria , Popa Oana , Aioanei Florin , Popa Luis
Published: July 2011

Infestation of the pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) by the copepod Lernaea Cyprinacea (Crustacea) - some ecological aspects

The copepod Lernaea cyprinacea Linnaeus, 1758 is known by the large spectrum of fish hosts which it infests, and to which it can cause haemorrhages and ulcerations. The paper focuses on some aspects of the relation between the Pumpkinseed sunfish and this copepod: infestation parameters, preferred attaching situs, relationship between the host size and parasitisation degree, as well as the visible effects of this parasite left on the fish body, in the Moara Domnească Lake, Romania.
Diving beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) from the Transylvanian society collection of the Natural History Museum of Sibiu (Romania)
Authors: Cuzepan Gabriela
Published: July 2011

Diving beetles (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) from the Transylvanian society collection of the Natural History Museum of Sibiu (Romania)

The present study, which deals with the Dytiscidae specimens preserved in the Transylvanian Society Collection of the Natural History Museum of Sibiu, represents a faunistic list of the genera and species present in this collection. The 851 specimens identified from the family Dytiscidae are Palaearctic species, belong to 125 species following the classification system proposed by Nilsson in 2010: 6 subfamilies, 14 tribes, 30 genera and 10 subgenera. This study is also a recall for researchers regarding the museum entomological collection, which was realized through the great effort of the Transylvanian Society members.