bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Venlafaxine and Impact of Age, Gender, BMI, and Diagnosis
Authors: Krivosova M. , Kertys M. , Grendar M. , Ondrejka I. , Hrtanek I. , Tonhajzerova I. , Sekaninova N. , Mokry J.
Published: October 2020

Depression is a common mental disorder affecting more than 264 million people in the world and 5.1% of the Slovak population. Although various antidepressant approaches have been used; still, about 40% of patients do not respond to a first-choice drug administration and one third of patients do not achieve total remission. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is a method used for quantification and interpreting the drug concentrations in plasma in order to optimize the pharmacotherapy. The aim of this study was to measure the plasma concentrations of venlafaxine, the fourth most prescribed antidepressant in Slovakia, as well as its active metabolite and interpret them with the relevant patients’ characteristics.

The study was of retrospective nature and 28 adult patients in total were included. The concentrations of venlafaxine and its active metabolite O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV) in plasma were quantified using the validated UHPLC-MS/MS method. The effects of potential influencing factors were evaluated by a multivariate linear regression model.

Only 39% of patients reached the venlafaxine active moiety concentrations within the recommended therapeutic range. Plasma concentrations were dependent on age, gender, and duration of the therapy. Venlafaxine metabolism expressed as a metabolite-to-parent concentrations ratio was influenced by a combination of age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). We did not observe any significant difference in plasma concentrations between the patients with a single and recurrent diagnosis of depression. Combining variables made an additive effect on plasma concentrations, for example, active moiety plasma concentrations were higher in older women. In contrast, drug metabolism was higher in older men and men with lower BMI. TDM of venlafaxine is recommended in clinical practice, especially in the elderly when beginning the pharmacotherapy.
If ageing is a disease, then life is also a disease
Authors: Chmielewski Piotr Paweł , Strzelec Bartłomiej
Published: October 2020

Ageing is distinct from a disease. Sound arguments have been adduced to explain that senescence cannot be understood as a pathological process. Nevertheless, this distinction is believed to be artificial (Holliday 1995), and other eminent researchers argue that the senescence-pathology dichotomy is also misleading. Recently, it has been suggested that ageing should be classified as a complex pathological syndrome or a ‘pre-disease’ that is treatable. Proponents of this new paradigm argue that: (i) modern evolutionary theory predicts that ‘although organismal senescence is not an adaptation, it is genetically programmed’, (ii) ‘insofar as it is genetically determined, organismal senescence is a form of genetic disease’ (Janac et al. 2017) and (iii) ‘ageing is something very much like a genetic disease: it is a set of pathologies resulting from the action of pleiotropic gene mutations’ (Gems 2015). Also new generations of researchers, free of these traditional shackles, come with the belief that it is time to classify ageing as a disease, as the distinction between normal dysfunction and abnormal dysfunction is not completely clear and should be abandoned. Although they marshal their arguments in a convincing manner, persuasive counterarguments can be mounted. Here, the senescence-pathology dichotomy is critically discussed. A deeper analysis of this subject reveals the underlying problem of undefined terminology in science.
Secular trend and social gradients in the menarcheal age of girls from eastern Poland between 1986 and 2016
Authors: Saczuk Jerzy , Wasiluk Agnieszka , Pytasz Piotr
Published: October 2020

The age at menarche is changing together with the development of society. The intensities of secular trends vary in different countries, regions or even towns and villages. Therefore, the objective of the paper was to assess the changes of the menarcheal age of girls in groups defined by different levels of parental education and the number of children in a family as well as the general index of socioeconomic status. The paper utilises the results of research conducted in the years 1985–1986, 2005–2006 and 2015–2016, covering 11 671 girls aged 10–16 from eastern provinces of Poland. Information about the date of birth, the date of the first period, place of residence, fathers’ and mothers’ education and the number of children in a family was collected. Research material was divided into groups stratified by mother’s education, father’s education, number of children in a family, size of place of residence and the general index of socioeconomic status (SES) was calculated. The results were processed statistically using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Newman-Keuls method.

In all the assessed groups of girls the acceleration of maturation has been observed. Greater socio-economic differences of the menarcheal age of the respondents were observed in the years 1986–2006, whereas in the years 2006–2016 the differences were smaller. During the assessed period of 30 years, the most intensive acceleration in menarche was observed in the lowest social strata, i.e. in the daughters of parents with primary or vocational education, in those from the largest families and in those who were included in the group with the lowest SES point values. The lowest acceleration in the described indicator of development was found in girls from families with one or two children, whose parents had higher education degrees and the highest SES values.

The assessed schoolgirls still demonstrate the existence of social gradients in the menarcheal age but the gradients are smaller than 30 years ago.
Gluten consumption may contribute to worldwide obesity prevalence
Authors: You Wenpeng , Rühli Frank , Eppenberger Patrick , Galassi Francesco Maria , Diao Pinchun , Henneberg Maciej
Published: October 2020

Gluten consumption has been controversially associated with obesity in previous studies. We sought to examine this association at the worldwide level.

Country specific data were obtained from 168 countries. Scatter plots, bivariate, partial correlation and multiple linear regression models were used to explore and compare the coincidence between obesity prevalence and consumption of gluten, non-gluten cereal protein and total cereal protein respectively. The established risk factors of obesity: caloric intake, sedentary lifestyle, urbanization, socioeconomic status, meat protein intake and sugar consumption were included in analyses as potential confounders. The 168 countries were also stratified into developing and developed country groupings for further examination of the relationships.

Worldwide, bivariate correlation analyses revealed that the strength and direction of correlations between all variables (independent, dependent and potential confounders) were at similar levels. Obesity prevalence was positively correlated to gluten consumption but was negatively correlated to consumption of non-gluten cereal protein, and was in almost nil correlation to total cereal protein consumption. These relationships were similar across all countries (n= 168), developed country grouping (N=44) and devel­oping country grouping (n=124). When caloric intake, Gross Domestic Product at Purchasing Power Parity, sedentary lifestyle and urbanization were kept statistically constant in the partial correlation analysis, obesity was significantly correlated to gluten consumption in all countries, developed country grouping and developing country grouping, and was significantly but inversely and weakly correlated to non-gluten cereal protein in all countries and developing countries, and was in almost nil correlation to total cereal protein in all country groupings. Globally, stepwise multiple regression analysis, when all the independent variables and potential confounding factors were included, selected consumption of sugar as the variable having the greatest influence on obesity with R2 = 0.510, while gluten was placed second increasing R2 to 0.596.

Gluten consumption may have been emerging as an inconspicuous, but significant cause of obesity. While Westernization has driven the diet patterns worldwide to incorporate more gluten crops, obesity prevalence projection methods may estimate future obesity rates poorly if gluten consumption is not considered.
The developmental competence of bovine oocytes matured in vitro using thymosin beta 4
Authors: Romanek Joanna , Jurkiewicz Joanna , Wierzchoś-Hilczer Agnieszka , Opiela Jolanta
Published: October 2020

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) during in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes and subsequent embryonic development after in vitro fertilization as well as to assess the quality of obtained blastocysts. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured in vitro in 4 different media: 1. control medium; 2. control media supplemented with 50 ng/mL Tβ4; 3. control media supplemented with 0.5 mg/mL Tβ4; and 4. control media supplemented with 1 mg/mL Tβ4. The quality of the developed blastocysts was analysed by the TUNEL method. The number of cleaved eggs was significantly higher (P<0.05) when gametes were matured in the presence of 50 ng/mL Tβ4 than it was using the other types of media. Additionally, the largest number of blastocysts was observed when 0.5 mg Tβ4 was added to the medium (P<0.05). No significant difference was noted in the mean number of apoptotic nuclei per blastocyst or in the mean number of nuclei per blastocyst in any of the analysed groups. In conclusion, Tβ4 supplementation (50 ng/mL) in maturation medium increased the number of cleaved oocytes, and the number of blastocysts obtained increased when 0.5 mg/mL Tβ4 was used. This positive effect was not observed when a higher concentration of Tβ4 (1 mg/mL) was used.
Probiotic microorganisms and herbs in ruminant nutrition as natural modulators of health and production efficiency – a review
Authors: Bąkowski Maciej , Kiczorowska Bożena
Published: October 2020

Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, direct-fed microbials, and herbs may improve the production efficiency in ruminants. The beneficial effect of selected specific microbes on animal health is reflected in protection against pathogens, stimulation of immunological response, increased production capacity, and mitigation of stress effects. Phytobiotic plants used in the nutrition of ruminant animals increase feed palatability. This in turn has a positive effect on feed intake and, consequently, increases production performance. Pectins, terpenes, phenols, saponins, and antibioticlike substances contained in phytobiotics prevent irritation, diarrhea, and increase the activity of digestive enzymes. Thanks to the abundance of biologically active substances such as flavonoids, glycosides, coumarins, carotenoids, polyphenols, etc., phytobiotics exhibit immunostimulatory and antioxidant properties as well. Given such a wide range of effects on health status and production parameters in animals, an attempt was made in this review to compile the current knowledge on the possible application of these natural growth stimulants in ruminant nutrition and to demonstrate their potential benefits and/or risks for breeding these animals.
Top-dressing of chelated phytogenic feed additives in the diet of lactating Friesian cows to enhance feed utilization and lactational performance
Authors: Kholif Ahmed E. , Hassan Ayman A. , Matloup Osama H. , El Ashry Ghada M.
Published: October 2020

The present experiment evaluated the inclusion of chelated phytogenic feed additives mixture in the diet of lactating cows for the first 3 months of lactation. A week before calving, thirty multiparous Friesian cows were divided into three treatments in a complete randomized design and fed a basal diet without supplementation (Control treatment), or the control diet supplemented with chelated phytogenic additives at 3 g (PHY3 treatment), or at 6 g/cow/d (PHY6 treatment). Menthol, levomenthol, β-linaloolm, anethole, hexadecanoic acid and pmenthane were the principal compounds identified in the additives mixture. Milk production, total solid, protein, fat, and lactose were increased with PHY3, but decreased by PHY6 (P<0.01). Whereas the PHY3 treatment increased (P<0.05) milk contents of Ca and Zn, PHY3 and PHY6 treatments increased (P<0.05) milk Fe and Mn concentrations. Though the PHY3 treatment increased (P<0.05) nutrient digestibility, the PHY6 treatment decreased (P<0.05) the digestibility of organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber. The PHY3 treatment increased (P<0.05) ruminal volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration and proportional acetate and propionate and decreased butyrate, while the PHY6 treatment decreased ruminal VFA concentration and proportional acetate. The PHY3 treatment increased (P<0.05) serum total protein, glucose, total antioxidant capacity, and the concentrations of Ca and Zn. Both PHY3 and PHY6 treatment decreased (P<0.05) the concentrations of serum triglycerides, and cholesterol. Daily inclusion of 3 g/cow of chelated feed additives mixture in diet of lactating cows improved milk production and ruminal fermentation, but additives dose of 6 g/cow/d had negative impact on cows’ performance.
Relationships among Macro-Minerals, Other Selected Serum Markers of Bone Profile and Milk Components of Dairy Cows During Late Lactation
Authors: Mordak Ryszard , Dobrzański Zbigniew , Kupczyński Robert
Published: October 2020

Testing blood and milk parameters as well as analysing the relationships among these markers is very useful for monitoring the internal homeostasis and health in high-yielding dairy cows during various production periods. The aim of the study was to assess the correlations (relationships) among macro-minerals, such as calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), other selected bone profile markers, such as total protein (TP), albumin, activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) measured in serum and selected milk components such as number of somatic cells (SCC), colony-forming units (CFU), milk fat (MF), milk protein (MP), milk lactose (ML), solids, solids non-fat (SNF) and milk production in late-lactation cows. Both blood and milk samples were collected from 11 clinically healthy milking cows during the late-lactation period. The cows were examined once a day for 3 consecutive days resulting in 33 sets of blood and milk samples for laboratory and statistical analysis. Significant correlations were observed between: Mg and MP, Mg and SNF, ALP and SCC, TP and SCC, TP and MP, TP and SNF, albumin and MP, albumin and SNF, P and Mg, Mg and albumin, and between TP and albumin. When monitoring macro-mineral homeostasis and mammary gland health, especially in intensively fed high-yielding dairy cows correlations between these markers should be considered. The revealed correlations can allow for deeper comparative laboratory diagnostics of homeostasis and can be especially useful for laboratory monitoring of the potential risk of subclinical macro-mineral deficiency in high-yielding dairy cows.
Relativistic Effects in the Rotation of Jupiter’s Inner Satellites
Authors: Pashkevich Vladimir V. , Vershkov Andrey N.
Published: October 2020

The most significant relativistic effects (the geodetic precession and the geodetic nutation, which consist of the effect of the geodetic rotation) in the rotation of Jupiter’s inner satellites were investigated in this research. The calculations of the most essential secular and periodic terms of the geodetic rotation were carried out by the method for studying any bodies of the solar system with long-time ephemeris. As a result, for these Jupiter’s satellites, these terms of their geodetic rotation were first determined in the rotational elements with respect to the International Celestial Reference Frame (ICRF) equator and the equinox of the J2000.0 and in the Euler angles relative to their proper coordinate systems. The study shows that in the solar system there are objects with significant geodetic rotation, due primarily to their proximity to the central body, and not to its mass.
Participatory Budgeting in Urban Regeneration: Defining the Gap Between Formal and Informal Citizen Activism
Authors: Koroļova Alisa , Treija Sandra
Published: October 2020

Urban regeneration has been an ongoing process in many cities for decades. It has experienced various changes in terms of the main driving force, with public engagement becoming more and more important. One of the ways for communities to get involved in urban transformation is through participation in urban planning. Local communities are considered as partners in urban design processes, and in many countries their role in planning and design is defined by industry regulations. Still, one question is important – is public participation a formal tool or does it have an influence on planning and how it impacts decision making. Along with community involvement in planning processes, participatory budgeting has been developed as a public participatory approach in recent years. This gives a chance for inhabitants to participate in the budgetary decision-making process. The aim of this study is to analyse whether participatory budgeting, which is mainly municipal-led urban activism, answers the real needs of inhabitants in terms of urban regeneration. The interests of formal urban activism are defined and compared to the interests of informal urban activism actions, correlation and gaps are defined.
Macroeconomic forecasting in Poland: The role of forecasting competitions
Authors: Rybacki Jakub
Published: October 2020

Macroeconomic forecasters are often believed to idealistically work on improving the accuracy of their estimates based on for example the Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE). Unfortunately, reality is far more complex. Forecasters are not awarded equally for each of their estimates. They have their targets of acquiring publicity or to earn prestige. This article aims to study the results of Parkiet's competitions of macroeconomic forecasting during 2015–2019. Based on a logit model, we analyse whether more accurate forecasting of some selected macroeconomic variables (e.g. inflation) increases the chances of winning the competition by a greater degree comparing to the others. Our research shows that among macroeconomic variables three groups have a significant impact on the final score: inflation (CPI and core inflation), the labour market (employment in the enterprise sector and unemployment rate) and financial market indicators (EUR/PLN and 10-year government bond yields). Each group is characterised by a low disagreement between forecasters. In the case of inflation, we found evidence that some forecasters put a greater effort to score the top place. There is no evidence that forecasters are trying to somehow exploit the contest.
Disturbances of extracellular protein metabolism in ceruleininduced pancreatitis
Authors: Raksha Nataliia , Halenova Tetiana , Vovk Tetiana , Savchuk Olexii , Berehovyi Serhii , Beregova Tetyana , Sukhodolia Sergii , Ostapchenko Ludmila
Published: October 2020

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is still a serious clinical problem due to the significant difficulties in its diagnosis, especially in the initial stages of development. Among the mechanisms that mediate the pathogenesis of CP and lead to pancreatitis-related disorders is unregulated activation of proteolytic enzymes, namely, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The aim of our study was to determine the disturbances of protein metabolism under the conditions of CP alone or in combination with diabetes type 1 (CP+DT1). Herein, CP was induced in the nonlinear male rats by intraperitoneal injection of cerulein (5 µg·kg−1 of body weight; five times during fives day). DT1 was modeled in the rats with CP by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg·kg−1 of the body weight). The levels of MMP-2 and -9 were determined by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay, and the level of low and middle molecular weight (LMMW) substance was measured spectrophotometrically, while the peptide fractions were analyzed by size exclusion chromatography. The present study revealed a significant increase of MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels in the serum, liver and pancreas of the rats with CP and CP+DT1. Elevated levels of MMPS may act as a factor for the initiation of subsequent cascade of events resulting in the development of pancreatitis-associated complications. Pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis alone or in combination with diabetes type 1 has been accompanied by the formation and accumulation of LMMW substance, changes in peptide composition and level of individual peptides in the tissues of the rats. Such alterations are among key triggers of amplification of metabolic disorders under chronic pancreatitis.
Correction with thiocetam of lead nanoparticles influence on morpho-functional status of rat liver
Authors: Omelchuk Sergii , Aleksiichuk Vasyl , Chaikovsky Yuri , Sokurenko Liudmyla
Published: October 2020

The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of Thiocetam on morphological changes in the liver of rats and on biochemical changes in their blood after exposure to lead nanoparticles and compounds. The liver is an organ that performs a number of functions, such as the synthesis of enzymes, hormones, plasma components and the neutralization of toxins. It is involved in many metabolic processes in the body.

In undertaking this, colloidal solutions of lead sulphide nanoparticles at dosages 10 nm and 30 nm were injected into two groups of rats, PbSnano1 and PbSnano2, respectively, while group Pb(NO3) received subcutaneously a solution of lead nitrate in ion form in a dose of 1.5 mg/kg (0.94 mg/kg lead, in lead equivalent). After 60 administrations (12 weeks) of the studied substances, the exposure was discontinued and the animals were observed for 18 weeks. Subsequently, half of each group received Thiocetam by injection (for 6 weeks at a dose of 250 mg/kg) while the other half did not. We then assessed the mean body weight, absolute and relative liver weight, blood biochemistry values (total protein, albumin, glucose, total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides levels in blood serum) and morphological changes in hepatocytes (morphological slides, nuclei cross-sectional area and cytoplasm cross-sectional area).

The outcome of this work showed that the mean body weight of animals exposed to nanoparticles with Tiocetam did not differ from that of animals exposed to nanoparticles without pharmacological correction, but relative liver weight was statistically significantly higher than the corresponding values in rats without pharmacological correction. The morphological picture in all study group animals was characterized by the normalization of microvessel blood filling, structure of hepatic plates, disappearance of infiltration with lymphocytes and histiocytes. No dystrophic changes in hepatocytes were found. All this indicates the feasibility of preventive measures during exposure to lead nanoparticles, by administering Thiocetam.

In both series of animals exposed to lead nanoparticles (PbSnano1 and PbSnano2), the cross-sectional area of the hepatocytes cytoplasm and the cross-sectional area of the hepatocytes nuclei were smaller than just after exposure, but in the series with Thiocetam adminstration, all the values did not differ from those in the control.
Theoretical and Experimental Aspects of Signal Analysis Applied to Solenoid-Type Actuators Used in Gas Valves
Authors: Kesucz Flaviu-Nicolae
Published: October 2020

The purpose of scientific research in this paper is to control the movement of solenoid actuators, by analyzing the applied signal. The actuator in a system is the execution element. The optimization of the system consists in finding new solutions for motion control for solenoid actuators, by designing and experimental realization of a static converter, also called alternating voltage inverter (VTA), which would become proposals for patents, or the realization of new experimental research stands. By analyzing the signal in this paper, it will be possible to design, experiment and test different types of VTA (with Arduino development boards, Raspberry Pi single board computers, logic gates) that will improve the reliability, future operation of thermal power plants.
Ecological Evaluation of Grassland Vegetation in Hodrušská Hornatina Highland
Authors: Klimantová Alexandra
Published: October 2020

In the submitted paper, we have analysed the results of a systematic survey of grassland communities, performed in Hodrušská hornatina highland, in Štiavnické vrchy mountains. The main aims of the research were: i) syntaxonomical classification of grassland vegetation; ii) analysis of the main ecological gradients in species composition; iii) evaluation of the influence of environmental factors on species composition of grasslands. The dataset included 153 phytosociological relevés recorded on grasslands. Grassland communities were classified within five associations: Holcetum lanati, Pastinaco sativae-Arrhenatheretum elatioris, Alchemillo-Arrhenatheretum elatioris, Anthoxantho odorati-Agrostietum tenuis, Onobrychido viciifoliae-Brometum erecti; and the successional and transitional stages belonging to alliances Arrhenatherion elatioris and Bromion erecti. The results of the Detrended Correspondence Analysis support our assumption that the main environmental gradient in species composition on grassland is related to moisture. The results of the Redundancy Analysis show that all used environmental variables explained 3.4% of the variability of the species data. The most important factors affecting the species composition were altitude, slope, distance from settlements, and management.
Venture Capital and Private Equity Funds as Source of Financing Enterprises in Poland
Authors: Janicka-Michalak Teresa
Published: October 2020

Subject and purpose of work:The main issue of the work is to present the essence of venture capital, i.e. Venture Capital funds and Private Equity funds. The aim of the article is to indicate the size of the share and the role of funds in financing enterprises located in Poland. The time horizon of the presented data covers the years 2012-2019.

Materials and methods:The material for analysis is available statistical data, reports of commercial companies and other entities researching the size of the Venture Capital and Private Equity sector in Poland. For the purposes of the study, the literature on the subject was used as well as the data of: Narodowy Centrum Badań i Rozwoju, KPMG Sp. z o.o., the State Development Fund, the Startup Poland Foundation and the European Association of Venture Capital and Private Equity Investors. The method of analysis and criticism of the literature and the method of examining documents were used.

Results:The research carried out in Poland makes it possible to assess the size of the implemented venture capital investments, i.e. VC and PE funds, over the years 2012-2019. The presented data indicate that the share of funds in financing Polish enterprises has a variable tendency. The percentage share of VC and PE investors in Europe in 2017-2018 is also variable.

Conclusions:The Polish economic market is an attractive investment area in terms of cash allocation needs by venture capital funds. Increasing awareness of enterprise managers about the benefits of using these capitals to subsidize the activities of entrepreneurs allows them to discount VC and PE funds in innovative startups and in other processes, the implementation of which takes place in further phases of the company’s operations. The studies conducted so far cover the entire territory of Poland and are of an overview nature. The VC and PE funds, which are a new financial instrument, allow Polish enterprises to implement innovative projects.
Application of Machine Learning Algorithms for Traffic Forecasting in Dynamic Optical Networks with Service Function Chains
Authors: Szostak Daniel , Walkowiak Krzysztof
Published: October 2020

Knowledge about future optical network traffic can be beneficial for network operators in terms of decreasing an operational cost due to efficient resource management. Machine Learning (ML) algorithms can be employed for forecasting traffic with high accuracy. In this paper we describe a methodology for predicting traffic in a dynamic optical network with service function chains (SFC). We assume that SFC is based on the Network Function Virtualization (NFV) paradigm. Moreover, other type of traffic, i.e. regular traffic, can also occur in the network. As a proof of effectiveness of our methodology we present and discuss numerical results of experiments run on three benchmark networks. We examine six ML classifiers. Our research shows that it is possible to predict a future traffic in an optical network, where SFC can be distinguished. However, there is no one universal classifier that can be used for each network. Choice of an ML algorithm should be done based on a network traffic characteristics analysis.
Analysis of statistical model-based optimization enhancements in Generalized Self-Adapting Particle Swarm Optimization framework
Authors: Zaborski Mateusz , Okulewicz Michał , Mańdziuk Jacek
Published: October 2020

This paper presents characteristics of model-based optimization methods utilized within the Generalized Self-Adapting Particle Swarm Optimization (GA– PSO) – a hybrid global optimization framework proposed by the authors. GAPSO has been designed as a generalization of a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm on the foundations of a large degree of independence of individual particles. GAPSO serves as a platform for studying optimization algorithms in the context of the following research hypothesis: (1) it is possible to improve the performance of an optimization algorithm through utilization of more function samples than standard PSO sample-based memory, (2) combining specialized sampling methods (i.e. PSO, Differential Evolution, model-based optimization) will result in a better algorithm performance than using each of them separately. The inclusion of model-based enhancements resulted in the necessity of extending the GAPSO framework by means of an external samples memory - this enhanced model is referred to as M-GAPSO in the paper.

We investigate the features of two model-based optimizers: one utilizing a quadratic function and the other one utilizing a polynomial function. We analyze the conditions under which those model-based approaches provide an effective sampling strategy. Proposed model-based optimizers are evaluated on the functions from the COCO BBOB benchmark set.
Not only sale of wood: diversification of sources of revenues in selected european public forest enterprises
Authors: Kaliszewski Adam , Młynarski Wojciech
Published: October 2020

Economic viability of forestry is one of the key pillars of sustainable forest management and a basis for maintaining forests and their multiple benefits for the society. It may be achieved by, inter alia, diversification of sources of income in forest management. The aim of the article is to analyse sources of revenues of state-owned forest enterprises (holdings) in selected European countries and ongoing changes in this respect in recent years. In the paper, we analyse the structure of revenues of state forest enterprises in Poland, Germany (with the examples of Bavaria and Lower Saxony) and Austria; however, particular attention is paid to the State Forests National Forest Holding in Poland, which is the largest state-owned forest holding in the European Union (EU) in terms of area of forests. The study is based on document content analysis methodology (desk research), including annual reports published by forest enterprises, statistical data and also legal regulations.

The analysis shows that while revenues from the sale of wood are the main source of income of forest enterprises, some of them are seeking to diversify their sources of revenues. The Austrian Federal Forests can serve as an example of a good development strategy based on diversified sources of income. Also, the Lower Saxony State Forest company, which is approximately 60% dependent on the sale of wood, undertakes other activities, including real estate management, hunting and recreational services. Our study shows that both the State Forests National Forest Holding and the Bavarian State Forests Enterprise are based on timber harvest and sale to a large extent. We conclude that as regards the State Forests Holding in Poland, the possibility of expanding and diversifying commercial activities should become a subject of discussion among foresters, decision makers and politicians.
A review of the Indian species of genus Polygraphus erichson, 1836 (coleoptera: curculionidae: Scolytinae) with bio-ecological notes on P. major, a pest of Pinus wallichiana A. B. Jacks (Pinaceae) in Kashmir, India
Authors: Khanday Abdul Lateef , Buhroo Abdul Ahad , Kerchev Ivan Andreevich , Singh Sudhir , Zubair R.M.
Published: October 2020

The Indian species of the genus Polygraphus Erichson, 1836 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) collected from various localities of the Western Himalayan region and the species available at the National Forest Insect Collection (NFIC), Forest Research Institute, Dehradun (India) were studied and are reviewed herewith. A key to Indian species of Polygraphus is provided. Detailed bioecological field and laboratory observations of P. major including mating behaviour, gallery pattern, life cycle and seasonal history are reported.
Application of growth traits and qualitative indices for selection of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris l.) elite trees. A case study from Volyn region, western ukraine
Authors: Voitiuk Vasyl , Andreieva Valentyna , Kychyliuk Oleksandr , Hetmanchuk Anatolii , Klisz Marcin , Mohytych Vasyl
Published: October 2020

Since the plus trees are selected based on phenotype, it is necessary to evaluate them in progeny test. The aim of this study is an indication of selecting elite mother trees based on the results from half-sib progeny test trials. As study sites, two Scots pine half-sib progeny tests were selected. During evaluation, the progenies had reached the age of 38 and 40 years, respectively. In both progeny trials, quantitative parameters and qualitative traits of Scots pine half-sib progenies were investigated. Based on these data, complex evaluation of half-sib families was carried out. We concluded that, Scots pine progenies at the age of 38 and 40 years in fresh and moist mixed forests are characterised by acceptable quality, with the survival being 25%–33% per progeny test trial. Based on a complex evaluation of 38- and 40-year-old half-sib progenies of plus trees, we proposed to select 31% of tested plus/mother trees as candidates for elite trees. Further, the list of candidates for elite trees was created with five plus trees from the Volyn region (26% of the total tested from the region) and four plus trees from the Lviv region (40% of the total tested from the region). With age, the share of the best and undesirable trees decreases, while the proportion of intermediate trees increases in both control trees and half-sib progenies. At the age of 38 and 40 years, the proportion of fast-growing offspring was from 0% to 36%, while the declining trend that was observed in previous years was being continued. Thus, due to the declining trend in the proportion of fast-growing offspring observed at the age of 38 and 40 years, we propose to select candidate trees for an elite group not early than after 40 years of test their progenies.
Detection of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) in Laughing Doves and the Risk of Spread to Backyard Poultry
Authors: Okpanachi J. U. , Umoh J. U. , Kia G. S. N. , Dzikwi A. A.
Published: October 2020

Newcastle disease (ND) is a highly infectious viral disease of birds caused by the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and doves have been incriminated in previous outbreaks of the disease that have discouraged backyard poultry productions. This survey was done to detect and characterize the NDV from 184 swabs from the cloacae and pharynxes of 67 trapped laughing doves and 25 backyard poultry birds. The study utilized haemagglutination assay (HA) followed by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests on HA positive samples to screen field samples. Conventional reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted on the HI positives to characterize the NDV. This study revealed that of 134 dove samples screened, 88 (65.7 %) were HA positive. Of these HA positives subjected to HI testing, 37 (42.1 %) were HI positive. Interestingly, 21 (56.8 %) of the HI positives were also RT-PCR positive: 8 lentogenic, 12 velogenic, while one had both lentogenic and velogenic NDV. Comparatively, of the 50 chicken samples screened, 23 (46 %) were HA positive; and of these, HA positives subjected to HI testing, 16 (69.6 %) were HI positive. Only 4 (25 %) of the HI positives were RTPCR positive: 3 lentogenic and a velogenic NDV. From this study it was concluded that laughing doves were demonstrated to be infected with either lentogenic or velogenic NDV or both. The use of red blood adsorption-de-adsorption concentration of NDV enhanced the RT-PCR detection using the fusion gene primers NDV-F 4829 and NDV-R 5031. The detection of not only lentogenic but velogenic NDV in laughing doves poses a great risk to backyard poultry production.
Canine Dirofilariasis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Adebayo O. O. , Akande F. A. , Adenubi O. T.
Published: October 2020

Dirofilariasis is a disease of clinical importance in dogs. It is to this end that a case of a seven-year-old mongrel with dirofilariasis was presented to examine the unique features and presentation in the canine patient in question. The dog had clinical signs consistent with the disease. Further diagnostic tests were performed to establish the presence and severity of the disease and make an appropriate treatment plan. The Knott’s test revealed Dirofilaria species in the circulating blood and radiography showed right ventricular hypertrophy with pulmonary arterial enlargement and increased bronchial opacification. The treatment instituted was ivermectin therapy by subcutaneous injection every two weeks for six months, cardiac glycoside and antibiotics for 14 days. The clinical signs resolved after completion of the treatment. A general overview of heartworm infection in dogs was also done to update current knowledge of the disease. Though the risk of significant propagation of Dirofilaria immitis is considered low, with the climate change and international pet travel regulations, this emerging zoonosis remains a threat.
High variability of the current mental health practices around the globe: Twenty days in the lives of psychiatrists and other mental health care professionals from all over the world
Authors: Heun Reinhard , Handuleh Jibril Ibrahim Moussa , Buitrago Juan Evangelista Tercero Gaitán , Marsh Melvin S. , Klymchuk Vitalii , Gorbunova Viktoriia , Friedmann Gillian , Munsif Ali , Gupta Rishab , Barna Emil , Agbeleye Demilade S , Kulhalli Vani , Mahasneh Wissam H , Ristic Dragana Ignjatovic , Singh Saumya , Moodliar-Rensburg Seshni , Wellington Jack , Shorthouse Naomi , Wilcha Robyn-Jenia , Bhaumik Udayan , Sharma Prerna
Published: October 2020

Introduction

The present is the future of the past, and the past of the future. This journal as well as this paper endeavour to document the lives and practices of psychiatrists and other mental health care professionals for the future mental health community and to help the clinicians of the future to understand the history and practice of psychiatry and mental health care in 2019/20. We, therefore, report the current days in the lives of psychiatrists and other mental health care professionals.

Material and Methods

To obtain reports of days in the lives of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals, we published the request on eight occasions from May 2019 to May 2020. We invited the prospective respondents/participants to send a relevant report of their psychiatric practice in a day with a maximum word count of 750 words.

Results

We received 20 reports of variable lengths from 10 countries from six continents, including from psychiatrists, psychiatrists in training, clinical psychologists and from medical students about their psychiatric training. The reports revealed a wide and highly variable range of psychiatric and mental health practices, experiences and expectations. Last but not least, the reports we received were informative and provided much information to reflect on.

Conclusions

There is a common strong commitment to support patients with mental health problems, but the ways this is achieved are so diverse that generalisations about a typical common practice seem impossible. Future studies should focus more systematically on the procedures and practices applied in helping patients with mental health problems in different countries and communities. This knowledge might eventually help identify the procedures and services that are most efficient and helpful in various clinical contexts.
ART moves MIND moves ART The Moses of Michelangelo and the ‘Gestaltkreis’ of Art Reception
Authors: Fitzek Herbert
Published: October 2020

According to Gestalt theory the impact of arts is not adequately described as a transfer of an artist’s message into a recipient’s state of mind. As a matter of fact (and effect) art represents complex fields of meaning (figurations) rooting in the specific conditions of art creation and proceeding to the concrete effects of art reception. From a psychological point of view artefacts cannot be reduced to static objects, nor are the recipients to be seen as passive spectators of the scenery. Aesthetical experience is an action field from which the material of art and its reception emerge. In my contribution the relationship of subject and object in art is modelled in terms of Victor von Weizsäcker’s Gestaltkreis of perception and action. For this purpose, I will refer to the favourite subject of art coaching: the Moses of Michelangelo in Rome.
An Automatic Approach to Extending the Consumer Health Vocabulary
Authors: Monselise Michal , Greenberg Jane , Liang Ou Stella , Pascua Sonia , Kim Heejun , Kelly Mat , Boone Joan P. , Yang Christopher C.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Given the ubiquitous presence of the internet in our lives, many individuals turn to the web for medical information. A challenge here is that many laypersons (as “consumers”) do not use professional terms found in the medical nomenclature when describing their conditions and searching the internet. The Consumer Health Vocabulary (CHV) ontology, initially developed in 2007, aimed to bridge this gap, although updates have been limited over the last decade. The purpose of this research is to implement a means of automatically creating a hierarchical consumer health vocabulary. This overall purpose is improving consumers’ ability to search for medical conditions and symptoms with an enhanced CHV and improving the search capabilities of our searching and indexing tool HIVE (Helping Interdisciplinary Vocabulary Engineering).

Design/methodology/approach

The research design uses ontological fusion, an approach for automatically extracting and integrating the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) ontology into CHV, and further convert CHV from a flat mapping to a hierarchical ontology. The additional relationships and parent terms from MeSH allow us to uncover relationships between existing terms in the CHV ontology as well. The research design also included improving the search capabilities of HIVE identifying alternate relationships and consolidating them to a single entry.

Findings

The key findings are an improved CHV with a hierarchical structure that enables consumers to search through the ontology and uncover more relationships.

Research limitations

There are some cases where the improved search results in HIVE return terms that are related but not completely synonymous. We present an example and discuss the implications of this result.

Practical implications

This research makes available an updated and richer CHV ontology using the HIVE tool. Consumers may use this tool to search consumer terminology for medical conditions and symptoms. The HIVE tool will return results about the medical term linked with the consumer term as well as the hierarchy of other medical terms connected to the term.

Originality/value

This is a first attempt in over a decade to improve and enhance the CHV ontology with current terminology and the first research effort to convert CHV's original flat ontology structure to a hierarchical structure. This research also enhances the HIVE infrastructure and provides consumers with a simple, efficient mechanism for searching the CHV ontology and providing meaningful data to consumers.
Internet of things - nonstandard data compression
Authors: Sokol Ivan , Hubinský Peter
Published: October 2020

JSON is probably one of the most popular data formats in the Internet of Things (IoT). It has gained popularity among developers due to its easy readability. The disadvantage of this format is the size of the resulting document and the associated bandwidth requirements. In order for us to be able to transfer such data securely, it is necessary to secure it before transferring it. Often, this data is compressed before it is encrypted. This article deals with a non-standard method of data compression, which reduces the computational demands on the device side. It should be noted that many of these devices are powered by batteries with limited capacity.
Pulmonary complications in patients with liver cirrhosis
Authors: Benz Fabian , Mohr Raphael , Tacke Frank , Roderburg Christoph
Published: October 2020

Patients with advanced chronic liver diseases, particularly with decompensated liver cirrhosis, can develop specific pulmonary complications independently of any pre-existing lung disease. Especially when dyspnea occurs in combination with liver cirrhosis, patients should be evaluated for hepato-pulmonary syndrome (HPS), porto-pulmonary hypertension (PPHT), hepatic hydrothorax and spontaneous bacterial empyema, which represent the clinically most relevant pulmonary complications of liver cirrhosis. Importantly, the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis and the corresponding therapeutic options differ between these entities, highlighting the role of specific diagnostics in patients with liver cirrhosis who present with dyspnea. Liver transplantation may offer a curative therapy, including selected cases of HPS and PPHT. In this review article, we summarize the pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnostic algorithms and treatment options of the 4 specific pulmonary complications in patients with liver cirrhosis.