bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A study on an exit interview process, influencing the withdrawal of a turnover decision
Authors: Jeon HyangSook , Wang EunJa
Published: November 2019

This study aims to explore the reasons why employees of semiconductor manufacturing plants make a turnover decision, and their experiences on the factors that influence the withdrawal of a turnover decision during an exit interview with one’s superior and a human resources department staff in charge. The total number of participants was twelve, and the data was collected by conducting an in-depth interview and analyzed by Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) method. The study results showed that there were three determinants of making a turnover decision: personal reasons irrelevant to an organization, conflicts with one’s superior, colleagues and subordinates, and a stress due to uncontrollable tasks. Four major factors that influence one’s withdrawal of a turnover decision during an exit interview with one’s superior and a human resources staff in charge were found: the interviewer him or herself, interviewer’s interview skills and attitude, participants’s cognitive and emotional changes, and the problem solving. Following the making of a turnover decision and a withdrawal, the participants experienced the weakening of a self-concept and the changes to their perspectives on an organization. This study is meaningful in the following respects. The research aimed at the members of an organization who actually had a turnover decision, and examined the factors that influenced the withdrawal of a turnover decision through an exit interview process for the first time. This study could serve as the basis when introducing a workplace counseling system or a training program for counseling techniques within an organization or a company, whilst also contributing significantly to the development of interview, leadership and communication training programs for the managers carrying out employee interviews within an organization.
The Removal of Reactive Red 141 From Wastewater: A Study of Dye Adsorption Capability of Water-Stable Electrospun Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofibers
Authors: Akduman Çigdem , Morsümbül Seniha , Kumbasar Emriye Perrin Akçakoca
Published: November 2019

The dye production and its use in textile and related industries resulted in discharge of dye to wastewater. Adsorption for color removal is known as equilibrium separation process, and the resultant decolorization is influenced by physicochemical factors such as adsorbent surface area. The nanofiber membranes prepared by the electrospinning method have controllable nanofiber diameter and pore size distribution (PSD) with a high surface area to volume or mass ratio. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibrous membranes were prepared by the electrospinning method at different collection times such as 3, 5 and 10 h and heat fixated at 130, 150 and 170°C for 10 min, and then, the adsorption capability of PVA nanofiber membranes for Reactive Red 141 from aqueous solution was investigated. In order to make PVA nanofibers stable to water, the nanofibrous membranes were chemically cross-linked by a polycarboxylic acid (1,2,3,4 butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA)). PVA nanofibrous membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, swelling tests and pore size analysis. The results indicated that BTCA crosslinking improved the thermal and water stability of the nanofibrous structure but has no significant effect on the pore sizes of the membranes. Adsorption of Reactive Red 141 was studied by the batch technique, and it was observed that PVA nanofibers removed approximately >80% of the dye.
How do differences of dental implants' internal connection systems affect stress distribution?: A 3-dimensional finite element analysis
Authors: Zincir Özge , Karapinar Gökay , Ünür Meral , Katiboğlu Ahmet
Published: November 2019

Background/Aim: A factor affecting the success rate of dental implants, which has been used successfully for many years, is the implant-abutment connection system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stress distribution of different implant-abutment connection systems under different forces. Material and Methods: This in vitro study included a finite element analysis. In the study, the cylindrical and screwed dental implants available in 3 different diameters from 4 different companies were categorized into 12 different models. Two different scenarios of force application were conducted on each model in this study. In the first scenario, 100 N force and 100 N moment were applied in a vertical direction onto a point considered as the center of each tooth. In the second scenario, a 100 N force and moment were applied at a 45˚ angle in an oblique direction. Results: As a result of the forces applied to dental implants of different diameters from different companies, octagon implant-abutment connection systems had less stress accumulation than hexagon implant-abutment connection systems. In addition, when stress accumulation ratios were evaluated according to the diameter of the implants used, it was observed that 3 mm diameter implants accumulated more stress in bone than 4 mm diameter implants; there was no significant difference between 4 mm diameter implants and 5 mm diameter implants. Conclusions: Implant-abutment connection system is important for the longevity of implants under the forces. Therefore, this factor should be considered during implant selection.
Analysis of bone density in a group of patients with dental inclusion
Authors: Abazi Yllka , Guglielmo Maria , Cenko Fabian , Harka Elona , Cozza Paola
Published: November 2019

Background/Aim: Genetic and environmental etiologic factors have been described for maxillary canine impaction, except for the trabecular bone characteristics in the impacted area. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface area and bone density using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of patients with maxillary impacted canines. Material and Methods: The sample comprised preorthodontic treatment, CBCT images of 24 participants with unilateral maxillary impacted canines, using the impacted side as study group and the non-impacted side as control group. CBCT images were acquired in portrait mode (17 x 23 cm high field of view) at 120 kV, 5 mA, 8.9 seconds exposure time, and 0.3 mm voxel size. Each root was divided into three levels (cervical, intermediate, and apical) to determine whether the bone density change varied with the tooth level. Moreover, each level was divided into four regions (palatal, distal, mesial, and buccal sides). Bone density was measured using Hounsfield Units. Comparisons were made using paired t tests and linear regression. Repeated measurements were obtained randomly from about 20% of the sample. Results: In subjects with unilateral impactions, the maxillary bone density was higher in the impacted side, with a mean difference of 350 HU. Bone density increases in the corono-apical direction of about 100 HU in the impaction site and about 50 HU in the site of the erupted canine. The repeated measurements showed similar results. Conclusions: The maxillary alveolar bone area and bone density are increased in the impacted side compared with the nonimpacted side.
Assessment of the pain, stress and emotional factor related to the occurrence of bruxism
Authors: Pejkovska-Shahpaska Budima
Published: November 2019

Background/Aim: Bruxism is a parafunctional habit that has multiple etiology. Globally it is a widespread problem. The purpose of this study was to assess the presence of pain, stress and to understand the emotional factor and their relations to the occurrence of bruxism. Material and Methods: For the purpose of this paper, 40 patients with partial edentuloissness and bruxism were treated prosthetically and with night dentures. They were assessed for the degree of the pain they feel and were given questionnaires for the level of stress they feel and for their psychological situation. The control group consisted of 40 patients who were not treated but were diagnosed with the same methods like the previous group. Results: Patient feel pain from the consequences of bruxism, disregarding the statistical significance related to gender. Stress pays a major role as we live in a dynamic and demanding society. The more competitive and ambitious the person is the more there are possibilities for occurrence of bruxism. Emotions are a very complex matter that unconsciously can be connected to the presence of bruxism. Conclusions: Besides prosthetic rehabilitation, sometimes a multidisciplinary approach is needed. Dentists should be aware of their role as psychiatrist and need to be educated of the principles of a patient's analysis and of the cognitive behavioral therapy.
Aesthetic treatment of dental fluorosis in a 9-year-old girl: Case report
Authors: Daskalaki Zoi , Alifakioti Evgenia , Arhakis Aristidis
Published: November 2019

Background/Aim: Dental fluorosis is a specific disturbance of tooth formation caused by excessive intake of fluoride. The discoloration of teeth is the most common reason for parents to seek treatment. The purpose of this paper is to describe the therapeutic management performed in a 9-year-old girl with fluorosis. Case report: A clinical case of a 9-year-old girl diagnosed with fluorosis is reported. The treatment of this clinical case was achieved using microabrasion, which is a minimally invasive method. This technique improves the aesthetics of the teeth without causing significant loss of dental tissue; a characteristic making microabrasion applicable to children as well. Its implementation involved the combined use of 18% hydrochloric acid and pumice on the enamel surface of upper incisors. The improved appearance of the teeth was aesthetically pleasing and, consequently, the patient gained in self-confidence. Conclusions: In the literature, several treatment choices are proposed, depending on the severity of the fluorosis. In our case, microabrasion was applied and the aesthetic outcome satisfied both the patient and the dentist.
Ultrasonographic evaluation of maxillofacial swelling in a pediatric patient with Xeroderma pigmentosum
Authors: Görürgöz Cansu , Sakalli Nilsu , Mutlu Kul , Uslu Özalp
Published: November 2019

Background/Aim: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is an autosomal recessive skin disease. Affected patients have skin problems, oral mucosa and neurologic symptoms. In these patients, erythematous, hyperpigmented or malignant skin lesions may occur in the sun-exposed areas. Leukoplakia, erythroplakia, and squamous cell carcinoma of the tip of the tongue and lips are common oral lesions associated with XP. Case report: Treatment of the disease included protection from ultraviolet radiation, topical application to treat actinic keratitis, and multidisciplinary approaches by physicians. Conclusions: Even though USG in dentistry is not very common, it is a non-invasive, cost-effective, readily available and repeatable diagnostic imaging method. Thus, USG should take place as a routine diagnostic tool in dentistry, especially for patients who are medically compromised.
Integration of digital technologies in the field of construction in the Russian Federation
Authors: Aleksandrova Elena , Vinogradova Victoria , Tokunova Galina
Published: November 2019

The article presents the study that mainly focused on the changes made as a result of collaborative innovations in business relationships developed during the period of digitalisation in the construction field of the Russian Federation. It is a conceptual piece of work based on the systematic approach to the analysis, literature review and comparative analysis. The digitalisation of investment and construction projects is technologically based on the integration of solutions, such as the building information model (BIM), high-performance IT-systems, cloud platforms and the Internet-of-Things, resulting in unified and constant connectivity, specialised mobile applications, robotic equipment, unmanned vehicles, additive technologies, AR/VR services for the analysis of Big-Data, and blockchain technologies. The integration of digital technologies is a radical innovation, which highlights collaborative innovations in business relationships and makes it possible to form a united digital ecosystem that allows firms to manage, control and regulate the full lifecycle of a construction project, and then, the property in real-time. The contribution of this work to the construction field is the offered model for the creation of a digital ecosystem and the described role of the government in the model. Also, this work can be used for the integration of BIM technologies in construction companies.
Internet-based consumer co-creation experience of the new product development process
Authors: Khrystoforova Viktoria , Siemeniako Dariusz
Published: November 2019

The paper aims to explore consumer co-creation experience of new product development processes. Specifically, it is an attempt to determine the level of consumer engagement in an online co-creation process, identifying motives and reasons for the participation in new product development as well as understanding the types of Internet-based co-creation that are mostly preferred by consumers. The study used an online questionnaire and the CAWI method. The results of the research showed that consumers were interested in being involved in the co-creation of new product development. However, some consumers clearly expressed their reservations regarding participation because they felt lacking required knowledge.
Early postnatal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and reduced insulin sensitivity in adult rats
Authors: Sadeghimahalli Forouzan , Zardooz Homeira , Golchoobian Ravieh
Published: November 2019

Objective. Early life stress influences the development of metabolic disorders, including functional changes in the developing of pancreas mediated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In the present study, the role of an early postnatal stress on corticosterone, glucose, and insulin levels was investigated during young adulthood.

Methods. Two groups of pups were studied, including control group (pups not receiving foot shock by communication box), and early stress group (pups receiving foot shock by communication box 2 times/day for 5 consecutive days). In rats, concentration of plasma corticosterone, glucose, and insulin was detected before and after placing them into the communication box at 2 weeks of age. At 8–10 weeks of age, concentrations of plasma corticosterone, glucose, and insulin and glucose tolerance were measured in young adult rats.

Results. Our results showed that early postnatal foot shock stress increased the corticosterone, insulin, and glucose levels in the postnatal age (p<0.01) that did not last until young adult age, but it caused a significant increase in plasma glucose and insulin levels (p<0.05) following the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) in young adult rats.

Conclusions. These results suggest that impaired IPGTT in young adult rats who experienced early postnatal stress can indicate insulin resistance or reduced insulin sensitivity that make it at risk of the type 2 diabetes later in life.
Comparing the preventive effect of sodium hydrosulfide, leptin, and curcumin against L-arginine induced acute pancreatitis in rats: role of corticosterone and inducible nitric oxide synthase
Authors: Ragy Merhan M. , Ali Fatma F. , Toni Nisreen D. M.
Published: November 2019

Objectives. Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a life-threatening condition. Using antioxidants in AP is insufficient and conflicting. Therefore, this study compared the effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), leptin or curcumin pretreatment on AP induced by L-arginine.

Methods. Forty adult male rats were used and classified into: 1) control; 2) AP group [each rat was intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with 2 doses of L-arginine of 250 mg/100 g body weight (b.w.) with an interval of 1 h]; 3) NaHS+AP group (each rat was i.p. injected with 10 mg/kg b.w. of NaHS 1 h before induction of AP); 4) leptin+AP group (each rat was pretreated with 10 μg/kg b.w. of leptin 30 min before induction of AP; and 5) curcumin+AP group (in which rats were i.p. injected with 150 mg/kg b.w. of curcumin 30 min before induction of AP). Serum amylase, lipase, nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and corticosterone (CORT) levels were assayed. In addition, pancreatic tissues were obtained for histopathological examination and malondialde-hyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels were measured.

Results. All AP treated groups showed significant decrease in serum levels of pancreatic enzymes, NO, and TNF-α, and pancreatic MDA and iNOS levels, while TAC levels were significantly increased. NaHS caused more limitation of inflammation than leptin and curcumin by affecting iNOS. Leptin was more potent than curcumin due to the stimulatory effect of leptin on glucocorticoid release to counteract inflammation.

Conclusions. NaHS was more effective in AP amelioration than the leptin and curcumin.
Effect of letrozole on spermogram parameters and hormonal profile in infertile men: A clinical trial study
Authors: Peivandi Sepideh , Jafarpour Hamed , Abbaspour Mina , Ebadi Aghdas
Published: November 2019

Objective. There is no reliable treatment for men with idiopathic infertility, but the relationship between severe sperm production and the ratio of estrogen to testosterone levels has been shown. Aromatase is an enzyme that plays an important role in converting testosterone to estradiol and androstenedione to estrogen. Aromatase inhibitors can increase testosterone and androgen production without increasing the amount of estrogen in circulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aromatase inhibitor letrozole on the male infertility.

Method. This pre- and post-quasi-experimental clinical trial was carried out on 41 men with an infertility diagnosis. The basic hormonal profile included FSH, LH, testosterone, and estradiol. The ratio of testosterone to serum estradiol was also calculated and recorded. The sperm analysis was performed before the treatment and the seminal parameters were evaluated and recorded. Patients were then treated with letrozole 2.5 mg daily for 4 months. At the end of 4th months, the hormonal profile was studied and seminal analysis performed and recorded.

Results. The levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, and estradiol, and the ratio of testosterone to estradiol increased significantly after letrozole treatment. The sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm forward motion significantly increased after letrozole treatment. Sperm morphology only lightly altered.

Conclusion. The ratio of testosterone to estradiol levels in infertile men treated with aromatase inhibitor improved and caused changes in sperm parameters. Letrozole may be used to improve sperm parameters in infertile men with low serum testosterone to estradiol ratio.
Hypoxic regulation of EDN1, EDNRA, EDNRB, and ECE1 gene expressions in ERN1 knockdown U87 glioma cells
Authors: Minchenko Dmytro O. , Tsymbal Daria O. , Riabovol Olena O. , Viletska Yuliia M. , Lahanovska Yuliia O. , Sliusar Myroslava Y. , Bezrodnyi Borys H. , Minchenko Oleksandr H.
Published: November 2019

Objective. The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of hypoxia on the expression of genes encoding endothelin-1 (EDN1) and its cognate receptors (EDNRA and EDNRB) as well as endothelin converting enzyme 1 (ECE1) in U87 glioma cells in response to inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling mediated by ERN1/IRE1 (endoplasmic reticulum to nucleus signaling 1) for evaluation of their possible significance in the control of glioma growth through ERN1 and hypoxia.

Methods. The expression level of EDN1, EDNRA, EDNRB, and ECE1 genes as well as micro-RNA miR-19, miR-96, and miR-206 was studied in control and ERN1 knockdown U87 glioma cells under hypoxia by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results. It was shown that the expression level of EDN1, EDNRA, EDNRB, and ECE1 genes was up-regulated in ERN1 knockdown glioma cells in comparison with the control glioma cells, being more significant for endothelin-1. We also observed down-regulation of microRNA miR-206, miR-96, and miR-19a, which have specific binding sites in mRNA EDN1, EDNRA, and EDNRB, correspondingly, and can participate in posttranscriptional regulation of these mRNA expressions. Furthermore, inhibition of ERN1 endoribonuclease lead to up-regulation of EDNRA and ECE1 gene expressions and down-regulation of the expression level of EDN1 and EDNRB genes in glioma cells. Thus, the expression of EDNRA and ECE1 genes is regulated by ERN1 endoribonuclease, but EDN1 and EDNRB genes preferentially by ERN1 protein kinase. We have also shown that hypoxia enhanced the expression of EDN1, EDNRA, and ECE1 genes and that knockdown of ERN1 signaling enzyme function significantly modified the response of all studied gene expressions to hypoxia. Thus, effect of hypoxia on the expression level of EDN1 and ECE1 genes was significantly or completely reduced in ERN1 knockdown glioma cells since the expression of EDNRA gene was down-regulated under hypoxia. Moreover, hypoxia is induced the expression of EDNRB gene in ERN1 knockdown glioma cells.

Conclusions. Results of this investigation demonstrate that ERN1 knockdown significantly increased the expression of endothelin-1 and its receptors as well as ECE1 genes by different mechanisms and that all studied gene expressions were sensitive to hypoxia. It is possible that hypoxic regulation of the expression of these genes is a result of complex interaction of variable ERN1 related transcription and regulatory factors with HIF1A and possibly contributed to the control of glioma growth.
Seasonality and habitat preferences of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae) attracted to moose Alces alces L. dung in the Kampinos National Park
Authors: Marczak Dawid , Mroczyński Radosław
Published: November 2019

Dung beetles (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae) are an extremely important element of many ecosystems. Their activity allows the incorporation of mineral compounds trapped in faeces into the nutrient cycle. Seasonality and habitat preferences are the most important factors shaping the beetle communities inhabiting dung. The present study compares beetle communities inhabiting moose dung Alces alces L. in various forest ecosystems quantitatively and qualitatively. Due to the beetle seasonality, field work was performed from the beginning of March until the end of October 2017 in three habitats: coniferous forest, oak-hornbeam forest and alder forest. The dung beetles were collected using three Barber traps on each site baited with moose dung (80 g ± 10 g) and the traps were emptied as well as rebaited every 15 days. Altogether, 2330 specimen of dung beetles representing three species were collected: Anoplotrupes stercorosus (2088), Trypocopris vernalis (154) and Geotrupes stercorarius (88). These three species were found in all of the studied habitats. The largest total number of individuals was captured in the alder forest (1132 individuals), followed by the broadleaved forest (712) and the smallest number was captured in the coniferous forest (486). In terms of individuals caught, each species was statistically significantly different between the habitats. The largest number of A. stercorosus was captured in the alder forest, followed by the broadleaved forest and the smallest number was caught in the coniferous forest. however, the reverse was observed in the case of T. vernalis and G. stercorarius, where the most individuals were caught in the coniferous forest, and fewer in the broadleaved and alder forests. This is most likely due to the various habitat preferences of each individual species. Furthermore, the seasonal dynamics of this beetle family showed some differences between habitats. These differences most probably resulted from different microclimatic and humidity conditions.
Visualization and quantification of peat substrate moisture by fully automated moisture controlling system (SMCS) in forest container nursery
Authors: Durło Grzegorz , Kormanek Mariusz , Małek Stanisław , Banach Jacek
Published: November 2019

This study explores the use of fully automatic monitoring system of peat moss substrate moisture under pine seedlings at Rudy Raciborskie forest nursery in the Silesian Upland. A brand new multipoint system for this study was created. The multichannel electronic recorder MPI-DN Metronic was the main part of the project. Twelve HD3910.2 probes (three electrodes) for volumetric water content measurement were used in a distributed configuration. Modbus RTU protocols were used for data transmission and the results were archived into an internal memory. One probe delivers 1440 measurements a day. Based on the average substrate moisture data from the field, the recorder controls the watering system according to the precisely defined parameters. Proper placement of sensors in the field allows for accurate analysis of the temporal and spatial variability of peat moss substrate moisture. Results of the statistical analysis have confirmed that the peat moss moisture is significantly differentiated within the homogeneous production field of the forest seedlings. The study findings suggest that irrigation systems should be adapted to specific situation of substrate moisture at the nursery surfaces aimed at optimised water management.
Denoting the intensity of soil biochemical transition according to stand species composition
Authors: Olszowska Grażyna
Published: November 2019

The aim of this study was to denote biochemical soil activity in pure Scots pine, Norway spruce, silver fir, European larch, European beech and oak stands as well as in mixed fir-pine, beech-pine and fir-beech forests growing on a fertile fresh mixed deciduous site. The field work was carried out in the following Forest Districts: Nowe Ramuki (Mazursko-Podlaska forest region), Płońsk, Jabłonna, Brzeziny Siedlce, Grójec (Mazowiecko-Podlaska forest region) and Skarżysko, Ostrowiec and Marcule (Małopolska forest region). In 2015–2017, sample plots were assigned and chemical as well as soil enzyme activity measurements were made in each forest stand. Samples were taken from the organic (O) and humus (A) layers and for both the acidity (in 1M KCl), content of nitrogen, carbon, sum of exchangeable alkaline cations and hydrolytic acidity were determined. The investigation of soil enzymes included the measurements of urease, asparginase, acid phosphatase and dehydrogenase activity. Coniferous trees, especially fir, spruce or larch, and mixed fir-beech and pine-beech stands were observed to have a very positive influence on the biochemical soil properties. The highest activity of dehydrogenase was observed in soils of spruce and mixed fir-beech stands, whereas it was lower in soils of beech and pine stands, and the lowest in oak stands. Oak stands were furthermore characterized by the lowest soil acidity, lowest concentration of alkaline cations, the lowest nitrogen and carbon content as well as the smallest C/N ratio. In overall, soil enzyme activity showed a significant correlation with chemical soil parameters.
Forest policy goals in Poland in light of the current forestry aims in Europe Part 5. Towards a new forestry development strategy in Poland
Authors: Kaliszewski Adam
Published: November 2019

The aim of this paper was to review and evaluate drafts of forest policy documents that have been developed for the purpose of updating the Polish “National Forest Policy” of 1997, but never entered into force. A total of 14 documents were covered in this analysis including 13 Regional Operational Programmes of the National Forest Policy and the draft of the National Forest Programme (NFP) developed in 2000–2005, as well as nearly 300 recommendations for the “second” NFP, elaborated in 2012–2016.

Very soon after the “National Forest Policy” came into force, it turned out that it needed to be adjusted to changing legal, social and economic conditions. The first attempts to revise and amend the document were made already in 2000. As a result, until 2004, 17 Regional Operational Programmes of the National Forestry Policy were developed and, on that basis, until mid-2005 a draft for a new NFP was worked out. However, the draft was neither adopted nor did it ever enter into force. The second attempt to work out the NFP was made in 2012 and resulted in the development of nearly 300 recommendations to the programme. However, to date, the NFP itself has not been finished.

Most of the documents examined here refer to the current priorities of the European forest policy, and thus they would close gaps in the Polish “National Forest Policy”. In this context, the recommendations to the “second” NFP are of great importance, because they were prepared through a wide participation of various stakeholders and they refer to a wide range of problems, propose specific legal regulations, as well as indicate directions for further development of the Polish forest sector. However, the completion of the NFP is a matter of political decision that rests with the Council of Ministers.
Current possibilities of mechanized logging in mountain areas
Authors: Jodłowski Krzysztof , Kalinowski Michał
Published: November 2019

Modern technologies allow wood harvest in almost all terrains, including hard-to-reach mountain areas. Each of the technical measures used, however, has limitations due to its construction and the nature of the work. The present study discusses issues related to the selection of machinery and technology as well as planning work in mountainous terrain, taking into account factors such as accessibility of the stand and terrain properties (slope, ground bearing capacity). Adaptive changes of forest machinery for work in mountain stands are also presented. This article furthermore discusses possibilities of applying machinery and technologies already used in other countries to harvest wood in mountainous forests in Poland.
Forests and forestry in the current kindergarten and primary school core curriculum in Poland
Authors: Referowska-Chodak Ewa
Published: November 2019

The aim of this work was to present topics related to forest and forestry in the current core curriculum of pre-school and general primary school education in Poland. For this analysis, teaching content related to forests and forestry was selected from the first three annexes of the Regulation (2017). This content is intended for children starting from the kindergarten age all the way to 8th grade as well as pupils with intellectual disabilities.

In the current core curriculum, there are more topics devoted to forests and forestry than in previous analogous documents. This applies in particular to themes related to forest management, sustainable development and forest functions. Nevertheless, many topics related to biology and forest ecology remained in the curriculum, while little of the teaching content is related to threats and protection of the forest, hunting or harvesting of wood. In recent years, these have been issues that caused a number of social conflicts and controversies. Therefore, the content of forest education, which is not included in the core curriculum, should be thoroughly discussed in particular in non-formal education, because students most often have not previously been exposed to these issues.

The broadened scope of themes related to forests and forestry in the current core curriculum for kindergartens and primary schools is the result of good cooperation between the State Forests and the Ministry of National Education. It would be worthwhile to continue this cooperation to implement coming changes of the above-mentioned document, supplementing the missing content as well as possible.
The Social Evolving: Sociogenomics on the Wings of Social Insects
Authors: Suryanarayanan Sainath
Published: November 2019

This paper excavates the epistemological and ontological foundations of a rapidly emerging field called sociogenomics in relation to the development of social insects as models of social behavior. Its center-stage is “the genome,” where social and environmental information and genetic variation interact to influence social behavior through dynamic shifts in gene expression across multiple bodies and time-scales. With the advent of whole-genome sequencing technology, comparative genomics, and computational tools for mining patterns of association across widely disparate datasets, social insects are being experimented with to identify genetic networks underlying autism, novelty-seeking and aggression evolutionarily shared with humans. Drawing on the writings of key social insect biologists, and historians and philosophers of science, I investigate how the historical development of social insect research on wasps, ants and bees shape central approaches in sociogenomics today, in particular, with regards to shifting understandings of “the individual” in relation to “the social.”
Biopolitics and Becoming in Animal-Technology Assemblages
Authors: Nimmo Richie
Published: November 2019

This article critically explores Foucauldian approaches to the human-animal-technology nexus central to modern industrialised agriculture, in particular those which draw upon Foucault’s conception of power as productive to posit the reconstitution of animal subjectivities in relation to changing agricultural technologies. This is situated in the context of key recent literature addressing animals and biopolitics, and worked through a historical case study of an emergent dairy technology. On this basis it is argued that such approaches contain important insights but also involve risks for the analyses of human-animal-technology relations, especially the risk of subsuming what is irreducible in animal subjectivity and agency under the shaping power of technologies conceived as disciplinary or biopolitical apparatuses. It is argued that this can be avoided by bringing biopolitical analysis into dialogue with currents from actor-network theory in order to trace the formation of biopolitical collectives as heterogeneous assemblages. Drawing upon documentary archive sources, the article explores this by working these different framings of biopolitics through a historical case study of the development of the first mechanical milking machines for use on dairy farms.
Double Jeopardy: How Refugees Fare in One European Labor Market
Authors: Lens Dries , Marx Ive , Vujić Sunčica
Published: November 2019

This paper examines the labor market trajectories of refugees who arrived in Belgium between 1999 and 2009. Belgium offers a relatively easy formal labor market access to refugees and other types of migrants but they face many other barriers in this strongly regulated and institutionalized labor market. Based on a longitudinal dataset that links respondents’ information from the Belgian Labor Force Survey with comprehensive social security data on their work histories, we estimate discrete-time hazard models to analyze refugees’ entry into and exit out of the first employment spell, contrasting their outcomes with family and labor migrants of the same arrival cohort. The analysis shows that refugees take significantly longer to enter their first employment spell as compared with other migrant groups. They also run a greater risk of exiting out of their first employment spell (back) into social assistance and into unemployment. The low employment rates of refugees are thus not only due to a slow integration process upon arrival, but also reflect a disproportional risk of exiting the labor market after a period in work. Our findings indicate that helping refugees into a first job is not sufficient to ensure labor market participation in the long run, because these jobs may be short-lived. Instead, our results provide clear arguments in favor of policies that support sustainable labor market integration.
Performance of a shallow-water model for simulating flow over trapezoidal broad-crested weirs
Authors: Říha Jaromír , Duchan David , Zachoval Zbyněk , Erpicum Sébastien , Archambeau Pierre , Pirotton Michel , Dewals Benjamin
Published: November 2019

Shallow-water models are standard for simulating flow in river systems during floods, including in the near-field of sudden changes in the topography, where vertical flow contraction occurs such as in case of channel overbanking, side spillways or levee overtopping. In the case of stagnant inundation and for frontal flow, the flow configurations are close to the flow over a broad-crested weir with the trapezoidal profile in the flow direction (i.e. inclined upstream and downstream slopes). In this study, results of shallow-water numerical modelling were compared with seven sets of previous experimental observations of flow over a frontal broad-crested weir, to assess the effect of vertical contraction and surface roughness on the accuracy of the computational results. Three different upstream slopes of the broad-crested weir (V:H = 1:Z
1 = 1:1, 1:2, 1:3) and three roughness scenarios were tested. The results indicate that, for smooth surface, numerical simulations overestimate by about 2 to 5% the weir discharge coefficient. In case of a rough surface, the difference between computations and observations reach up to 10%, for high relative roughness. When taking into account mentioned the differences, the shallow-water model may be applied for a range of engineering purposes.
The seepage transport of heavy metal Pb2+ through sand column in the presence of silicon powders
Authors: Bai Bing , Zhai Zhenqian , Rao Dengyu
Published: November 2019

The coupled transport of heavy metals with suspended particles has been a topic of growing interest. The main purpose of this study is to experimentally investigate the seepage transport of heavy metal Pb2+ in the presence of silicon powders (SPs) through a sand column under different seepage velocities (v = 0.087–0.260 cm/s), injection Pb2+ concentrations (C
P = 0–800 μg/ml) and SP sizes (D
50 = 2.8–25.5 μm), which were likely to be encountered in practical engineering. The sand column was installed in a cylindrical chamber of 300 mm in length and 80 mm in internal diameter. The results clearly show that the increase in acidity results in a reduction of the repulsive interactions between SPs and the matrix, and consequently a decrease in the peak values in breakthrough curves (BTCs), especially for larger-sized SPs. The peak values and recovery rate of Pb2+ are obviously increased and an earlier breakthrough can be observed, due to the higher capacity of SPs with negative charge to adsorb heavy metal pollutants such as Pb2+ with positive charge. The adsorption of Pb2+ on SPs can reduce the repulsive forces between SPs and the matrix, thus resulting in the increase of the deposition possibility of SPs and the decrease of peak value and recovery rate.
Predicting impacts of climate change on evapotranspiration and soil moisture for a site with subhumid climate
Authors: Herceg András , Nolz Reinhard , Kalicz Péter , Gribovszki Zoltán
Published: November 2019

The current and ongoing climate change over Europe can be characterized by statistically significant warming trend in all seasons. Warming has also an effect on the hydrological cycle through the precipitation intensity. Consequently, the supposed changes in the distribution and amount of precipitation with the continuously increasing temperature may induce a higher rate in water consumption of the plants, thus the adaptation of the plants to the climate change can be critical. The hydrological impact of climate change was studied based on typical environmental conditions of a specific agricultural area in Austria. For this purpose, (1) a monthly step, Thornthwaite-type water balance model was established and (2) the components of the water balance were projected for the 21st century, both (a) with a basic rooting depth condition (present state) and (b) with a (hypothetically) extended rooting depth (in order to evaluate potential adaption strategies of the plants to the warming). To achieve the main objectives, focus was set on calibrating and validating the model using local reference data. A key parameter of the applied model was the water storage capacity of the soil (SOILMAX), represented in terms of a maximum rooting depth. The latter was assessed and modified considering available data of evapotranspiration and soil physical properties. The adapted model was utilized for projections on the basis of four bias corrected Regional Climate Models. An extended rooting depth as a potential adaptation strategy for effects of climate change was also simulated by increasing SOILMAX. The basic simulation results indicated increasing evapotranspiration and soil moisture annual mean values, but decreasing minimum soil moisture for the 21st century. Seasonal examination, however, revealed that a decrease in soil moisture may occur in the growing season towards to the end of the 21st century. The simulations suggest that the vegetation of the chosen agricultural field may successfully adapt to the water scarcity by growing their roots to the possibly maximum.
The dominant runoff processes on grassland versus bare soil hillslopes in a temperate environment - An experimental study
Authors: Minea Gabriel , Ioana-Toroimac Gabriela , Moroşanu Gabriela
Published: November 2019

This paper aimed to investigate the dominant runoff processes (DRP’s) at plot-scale in the Curvature Subcarpathians under natural rainfall conditions characteristic for Romania’s temperate environment.

The study was based on 32 selected rainfall-runoff events produced during the interval April–September (2014–2017). By comparing water balance on the analyzed Luvisol plots for two types of land use (grassland vs. bare soil), we showed that DRP’s are mostly formed by Hortonian Overland Flow (HOF), 47% vs. 59% respectively. On grassland, HOF is followed by Deep Percolation (DP, 31%) and Fast Subsurface Flow (SSF, 22%), whereas, on bare soil, DP shows a higher percentage (38%) and SSF a lower one (3%), which suggests that the soil-root interface controls the runoff generation.

Concerning the relationship between antecedent precipitation and runoff, the study indicated the nonlinearity of the two processes, more obvious on grassland and in drought conditions than on bare soil and in wet conditions (as demonstrated by the higher runoff coefficients). Moreover, the HOF appeared to respond differently to rainfall events on the two plots - slightly longer lag-time, lower discharge and lower volume on grassland - which suggests the hydrologic key role of vegetation in runoff generation processes.
Long term variations of river temperature and the influence of air temperature and river discharge: case study of Kupa River watershed in Croatia
Authors: Zhu Senlin , Bonacci Ognjen , Oskoruš Dijana , Hadzima-Nyarko Marijana , Wu Shiqiang
Published: November 2019

The bio-chemical and physical characteristics of a river are directly affected by water temperature, which therefore affects the overall health of aquatic ecosystems. In this study, long term variations of river water temperatures (RWT) in Kupa River watershed, Croatia were investigated. It is shown that the RWT in the studied river stations increased about 0.0232–0.0796ºC per year, which are comparable with long term observations reported for rivers in other regions, indicating an apparent warming trend. RWT rises during the past 20 years have not been constant for different periods of the year, and the contrasts between stations regarding RWT increases vary seasonally. Additionally, multilayer perceptron neural network models (MLPNN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS) models were implemented to simulate daily RWT, using air temperature (Ta
), flow discharge (Q) and the day of year (DOY) as predictors. Results showed that compared to the individual variable alone with Ta
as input, combining Ta
and Q in the MLPNN and ANFIS models explained temporal variations of daily RWT more accurately. The best accuracy was achieved when the three inputs (Ta
, Q and the DOY) were included as predictors. Modeling results indicate that the developed models can well reproduce the seasonal dynamics of RWT in each river, and the models may be used for future projections of RWT by coupling with regional climate models.
Adaptive stochastic management of the storage function for a large open reservoir using an artificial intelligence method
Authors: Kozel Tomas , Stary Milos
Published: November 2019

The design and evaluation of algorithms for adaptive stochastic control of reservoir function of the water reservoir using artificial intelligence methods (learning fuzzy model and neural networks) are described in this article. This procedure was tested on an artificial reservoir. Reservoir parameters have been designed to cause critical disturbances during the control process, and therefore the influences of control algorithms can be demonstrated in the course of controlled outflow of water from the reservoir. The results of the stochastic adaptive models were compared. Further, stochastic model results were compared with a resultant course of management obtained using the method of classical optimisation (differential evolution), which used stochastic forecast data from real series (100% forecast). Finally, the results of the dispatcher graph and adaptive stochastic control were compared. Achieved results of adaptive stochastic management provide inspiration for continuing research in the field.
Submergence coefficient of full-width sharp-edged broad-crested rectangular weirs
Authors: Zachoval Zbyněk , Major Jakub , Roušar Ladislav , Rumann Ján , Šulc Jan , Jandora Jan
Published: November 2019

Full-width sharp-edged broad-crested rectangular weirs in the range 0.1 < h/L ≤ 0.3 situated in rectangular channels are frequently used in submerged flow conditions. To determine the discharge for the submerged flow, submergence coefficient and modular limit shall be known. This article deals with their determination upon a theoretic derivation and experimental research. The equation for modular limit has been determined from energy balance with simplifications. To validate it, extensive experimental research was carried out. However, the derived equation is too complicated for practical use which is why it was approximated by a simple equation applicable for the limited range. The equation for submergence coefficient was derived by modifying Villemonte’s application of the principle of superposition and its coefficients were determined using the data from experimental research of many authors. The new system of equations computes the discharge more accurately than other authors’ equations, with the error of approximately ±10% in full range of the measured data.