bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Statistical and Econometric Tools in The Analysis of Air Pollution Level on The Example of Czestochowa
Authors: Zawada Marcin , Szajt Marek
Published: January 2019

One of the key elements of environmental protection is taking care of air quality. This is a difficult task as the quality of air is influenced by numerous factors connected with man’s activity. Usually more developed economies have a stronger influence on the environment, including the level of pollution, and at the same time they have at their disposal a number of tools that make it possible to stop the emission of harmful substances. An important aspect in the struggle with air pollution in a given area is the constant monitoring of its quality.

The aim of the article is the statistical and econometric analysis of the basic parameters of air pollution in Czestochowa in 2012–2017. This objective was achieved by calculating the basic descriptive statistics of the distinguished types of pollutants, determining the correlation between them, and building models of fluctuations in time for each of them based on the data observed and corrected (standardized) relative to air temperature. Based on the obtained models – assessing their prognostic properties – the prediction of the level of the selected types of pollutants was made.
Singular Value Decomposition Approaches in A Correspondence Analysis with The Use of R
Authors: Brzezińska Justyna
Published: January 2019

The aim of a correspondence analysis is the graphical representation of the categories of variables in one frame of reference. This visualization is possible due to the decomposition of the basic matrix with the use of Singular Value Decomposition (SVD). There are three matrices used in the process of decomposition: right singular vectors, left singular vectors, and a singular value diagonal matrix. The aim of this paper is to compare four different approaches and algorithms of SVD methods used in a correspondence analysis. In the literature, four approaches are known to singular value decomposition, defined by: R.A. Fisher (1940), M.J. Greenacre (1984), E.B. Anderson (1991), and J.D. Jobson (1992). Those computational procedures will be presented and compared in this paper. Also, methods of determining the coordinates of the category column and line matrix, as well as the values of inertia will be defined for these approaches. A key problem is to compare the well-known approaches, since in the literature only one approach ‒ proposed by Greenacre ‒ is used for singular value decomposition. The reason of the superiority of this algorithm over the others may be the simplicity and ease of the mathematical calculations. Greenacre’s algorithm is also used in R statistical software, making its availability and popularity growing, however, other algorithms are worth presenting and focusing on.
Convergence of Housing Markets: European Perspective
Authors: Żelazowski Konrad
Published: January 2019

The housing market is not only an important component of the national economy; it is also a place of meeting the basic and fundamental needs for the functioning of households. The structure of housing markets and their performance are primarily driven by local and national factors. This results mainly from the specificity of real estate (primarily from its immobility), historical factors, economic conditions, as well as from institutional environment. However, in the process of integration of the European economies, one can see a growing trend towards the unification of the housing markets.

The aim of the paper is to assess the scope and scale of convergence processes in the European housing markets. The study covers the main characteristics of the markets, including: the size of the national housing stock and its ownership structure, the importance of residential properties in households’ assets, and the share of housing expenditure in households’ total consumption expenditure. The occurrence of three most popular types of convergence was investigated: beta, sigma, and gamma convergence.
Exopolysaccharides May Increase Gastrointestinal Stress Tolerance of Lactobacillus reuteri
Authors: Fedorová M. , Nemcová R. , Mudroňová D. , Styková E. , Brudňáková M. , Reiffová K.
Published: January 2019

This study investigated a possible relationship between exopolysaccharides (EPS) production and the resistance to bile salts and low pH in intestinal strains of Lactobacillus reuteri. The strains displayed a mucoid phenotype, when grown in the presence of 10 % sucrose. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed strands of exopolysaccharide linking neighbouring cells. The strains (except L. reuteri B1/1) produced EPS in the range from 15.80 to 650.70 mg.l−1. The strains were tested for tolerance to bile salts (0.15; 0.3 %) and low pH (1.5—2.0—2.5—3.0). The survival rate, after the treatment with artificial gastric and intestinal juices, was determined by flow cytometric analysis. The strains of L. reuteri that produced 121—650 mg.l−1 of EPS showed a significantly higher tolerance (P < 0.001) to the gastric juice at pH 3 and 2.5, throughout the entire exposure time, in comparison to the strains that produced less than 20 mg.l−1 of EPS. L. reuteri L26, with the highest production of EPS, exhibited the highest survival rate (60 %) at pH 2 after the 120 minutes of in-cubation and was able to tolerate pH 1.5 for 30 minutes. Higher production of EPS significantly (P < 0.001) increased the strains’ tolerance against the intestinal juice in the presence of 0.15 and 0.3 % bile salts and was time dependent. L. reuteri L26 showed the highest tolerance (P < 0.001) against 0.3 % bile salts. This investigation revealed a positive correlation between the EPS production and the resistance of intestinal L. reuteri to the stress conditions of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
The Difference in the Mucus Organization Between the Small and Large Intestine and Its Protection of Selected Natural Substances. A Review
Authors: Szabóová R. , Faixová Z. , Maková Z. , Piešová E.
Published: January 2019

The mucus layer of the intestinal tract plays an important role of forming the front line of innate host defense. Recent studies have suggested that the involvement of feeding natural additives on protection/prevention/promotion of mucus production in the intestinal environment is beneficial. The goblet cells continually produce mucins for the retention of the mucus barrier under physiological conditions, but different factors (e. g. microorganisms, microbial toxins, viruses, cytokines, and enzymes) can have profound effects on the integrity of the intestinal epithelium covered by a protective mucus. The intestinal mucus forms enterocytes covered by transmembrane mucins and goblet cells produce by the secreted gel-forming mucins (MUC2). The mucus is organized in a single unattached mucus layer in the small intestine and in two mucus layers (inner, outer) in the colon. The main part of the review evaluates the effects of natural additives/substances supplementation to stimulate increased expression of MUC2 mucin in the intestine of animals.
Mojave Yucca (Yucca Schidigera Roezl) Effects on Female Reproduction a Review
Authors: Vlčková R. , Sopková D.
Published: January 2019

Yucca is an important source of biologically active substances such as steroidal saponins and stilbenes providing many beneficial effects when administered to humans and other animals. These substances offer a great potential in the prevention and treatment of current civilized diseases as well as to their: antioxidant, hypocholesterolaemic, anti-inflammatory, phytoestrogenic, pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative, and anti-carcinogenic properties. This review focuses on the roles of two main yucca constituent groups and their ability to modulate ovarian functions and female reproductive performance. Both the biological activity of yucca substances and the mechanisms of their actions on ovaries are still incompletely understood. Thus, the direct effects of yucca extract on ovarian cells in animal models under in vitro conditions, as well as actions after yucca consumption will be discussed.
Evaluation of Radiographic Coxofemoral Measurements in Boerboel Dogs
Authors: Ajadi R. A. , Sanni J. L. , Sobayo E. L.
Published: January 2019

This study compares the coxofemoral parameters used for the detection of hip dysplasia in humans with Norberg angles in Boerboel dogs. Twenty adult Boerboel dogs of both sexes (mean weight: 54.0 ± 7.54 kg) were used. They were premedicated with Xylazine (0.5 mg.kg−1) and induced with a propofol (4 mg.kg−1) injection. Extended antero-posterior radiographs of the hip were obtained with a digital X-ray machine. Linear Femoral Overlap (LFO), Norberg Angle (NA), Sourcil Sector Angle (SSA), Center Edge Angle (CEA) and Acetabular Index Angle (AIA) were determined. The inter- and intra-observer variability were calculated from inter- and intra- class correlation coefficient using the analysis of variance (ANOVA). Fischer’s exact test was used to define the statistically significant difference in measurements between sexes and hip dysplasia status. A significant difference was set at P < 0.05. The intra-observer agreement was high for NA and CEA, moderate for AIA, but low for SSA and LFO, while inter-observer agreement was high for NA and CEA, moderate for LFO and AIA, but very low for SSA. There was no significant (P < 0.05) difference in the measured parameters between male and female Boerboels, however, NA and CEA were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in Boerboels with hip dysplasia than those with normal hips. The CEA does not have advantage over NA for radiographic screening of dogs with hip dysplasia.
The spatial distribution of largest firms in the Czech Republic and its managerial implications
Authors: Sucháček Jan , Urminský Jaroslav , Škapa Stanislav
Published: January 2019

Corporate headquarters, which occupy the top of enterprise organizational hierarchies became the subject of an increased interest in last three decades. Until now, posttransformation economies suffer from a distinct cognitive gap in this respect. The main objective of this paper is to analyse and interpret the development of the spatial pattern of top 100 biggest companies in the Czech Republic. Both quantitative and qualitative dimension of this issue will be investigated in the frame of this article. The basic territorial level we examine is constituted by self-governing regions. Finally, particular managerial and regionally-orientated recommendations for both largest enterprises and public administration will be formulated.
The influence of wealth on philanthropy: A cross-regional study
Authors: Fuchsová Eva , Laštovková Jitka , Jánská Michaela
Published: January 2019

Even in situations when welfare state budgets can be considered generous, many socially responsible, beneficial activities remain that cannot survive without the financial support of private individual or corporate donors. The article seeks an answer to questions of to what extent the willingness to donate one’s own money depends on wealth and income, and what the role of other socio-cultural factors is. The data about the amount of private and corporate donations in particular regions of the Czech Republic in the period of the years 2011–2015 is compared with data about the regional economic prosperity and income. The regression analysis results show that it was only possible to explain to certain level the amount of donations by the rate of the wealth of firms and individuals in particular regions. In case of the companies, it is a medium-strong correlation, while the correlation is strong in terms of individuals. Particularly in terms of the corporate donation, the willingness to donate is significantly related also with other, non-economic factors in the region.
Rest vs. Rust: The Effect of Disproportionate Time Between Rounds of a Playoff Series
Authors: Urban T. L.
Published: January 2019

This study analyzed the effect of a disproportionate amount of time between rounds of a playoff series—known as the “rest vs. rust” debate in the popular sports media—on the likelihood of winning each game of the subsequent round of the tournament. We utilized NBA Finals data from 1984 – 2018, and analyzed this phenomenon using ordered logistic regression with a categorical dependent variable representing the margin of victory of each game. In addition to several control variables, variables reflecting the difference in the time between series for the two teams were used to measure this effect. The results indicate that having additional time between rounds of the series provides a statistically significant advantage; interestingly, though, it has more of an impact on the second game of the subsequent round than it does for the first game. Teams may utilize the results of this study when deciding on how to schedule and intensify their practice sessions, by providing appropriate rest and maintaining rhythm to increase the likelihood of winning each game.
Probabilistic models comparing Fast4 and traditional tennis
Authors: Simmonds E. , O’Donoghue P.
Published: January 2019

Tennis matches are hierarchies made up of sets containing games which, in turn, contain points. Traditional tennis games and tiebreakers could theoretically be infinite in length because a player needs to be at least 2 points ahead of the opponent to win. Fast4 tennis is a newer format of tennis that has been used at a number of levels of the sport including professional tennis where it has been used in Next Generation Finals events since 2017. The purpose of the current investigation is to compare the traditional tennis format to Fast4 tennis in terms of the probability of different players winning matches and the duration of matches. Probabilistic models of Fast4 tennis games and tiebreakers were developed. These models allowed the probability of winning games and tiebreakers to be compared between the two formats of tennis for a range of probabilities of players winning points. The models were then used within a series of simulations to determine the probability of winning sets and matches as well as the durations of games, tiebreakers, sets and matches in the two formats. Each component of the two formats of tennis was simulated 100,000 times revealing a reduced impact of serve, greater chance of upsets and shorter matches in Fast 4 tennis than in traditional tennis. The probability of players of differing abilities winning matches as well as the duration of tennis matches should be considered by those making decisions on the format of matches to be applied in tennis tournaments as well as by those preparing to compete in such tournaments.
Comprehensive Technology-Based Learning (CTBL): A Comparison Between Various Types of Quantitative Courses
Authors: Ghilay Yaron
Published: January 2019

Learning quantitative courses in higher education is difficult because students need to understand complex principles and solve complicated questions. In these courses, new knowledge depends on prior knowledge and when gaps in students’ understanding occur, they are difficult to overcome. The study examines a new model called comprehensive technology-based learning (CTBL) designed to overcome these difficulties.

The problem is addressed by full coverage of the curriculum in a variety of textual and video learning tools, as well as an ongoing process of diagnosis and prognosis, designed to overcome students’ difficulties and knowledge gaps. The study examined the students’ attitudes towards CTBL model relating to three quantitative courses (n
1=39, n
2=25, n
3=18, ntotal
). It points out that a quantitative course based on CTBL significantly nurtures students’ learning. Improving learning and overcoming knowledge gaps are influenced by several characteristics: Full coverage of the curriculum, excellent learning experience, repetition of the material without limitations, flexibility to learn outside the classroom, a variety of means to choose which ones are more appropriate, and making learning much easier. Beyond that, the diagnosis and prognosis done by the lecturer cause the instructor to intervene in real time, to solve the students’ difficulties on an ongoing basis.
Social Behavior of Schoolteachers of Latvia and Russia in the Structure of Teacher Professional Identity
Authors: Jermolajeva Jelena , Bogdanova Tatiana , Silchenkova Svetlana
Published: January 2019

The article presents the results of the international study of the professional identity of schoolteachers of Russia and Latvia. In the study, the six component model of the content of the teacher professional identity (TPI) is used. According to this model, in 2017, the questionnaire “School Teacher Professional Identity” was created and international survey organized, in which 437 schoolteachers from Latvia and the Smolensk region of Russia participated. The aim of this article is to analyze the data of the two national samples for the 6th component of TPI: “Professionally Determined Social Behavior”. This behavior is not connected with the implementation of direct professional duties, but corresponds to the philosophy of the profession: taking up the mission of educating community, active involvement in social life, participation in formulation and solution of social problems having pedagogical aspects and unselfish professional help to those who need it. To process the data, statistical methods were used. On the whole, items of the component received relatively high scores in both national samples. Certain differences in the data of Latvian and Russian teachers as well as urban and rural subgroups of both countries are observed. High dispersion of data shown in this component indicates that the professionally determined social behavior is the most acute and controversial aspect of TPI; therefore, the elaboration of optimal ways and tools to strengthen TPI should be based on an in-depth study of social behavior of schoolteachers.
The Effect of Service Clusters on the Sustainable Economic Development
Authors: Lezgovko Michail , Lezgovko Aleksandra
Published: January 2019

Clusterization has been named as one of the priorities of the development strategy of many European Union countries. Clusterization experts have already hypothesized that clusters of various economic activities are important not only in the formation of regional policy, but they also in a complex way stimulate the whole country’s economic growth from job creation to the development of intellectual property to new innovative industries. These realities show that cluster activity and its results are important not only for cluster participants, but also for the economy of the country in which clusters operate. However, there are currently no reliable and effective tools to validate this hypothesis. In the analysis of the problem and in order to deepen the theoretical knowledge of the object under study, this paper analyses and summarizes systematic, logical and comparative scientific literature, scientific studies, strategic documents and legal acts. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical overview of the currently available knowledge on service clusterization and sustainable economic development, to demonstrate the acute absence of relevant theoretical foundations and linkages that would allow to analyse these phenomena, and propose a methodological approach that would allow to expand this field of study.
Stress vector magnetic property measurement system
Authors: Kai Yuichiro , Enokizono Masato
Published: January 2019

The development of high-efficiency, low-loss motors is required for industrial and automotive applications. We propose that motors with high efficiency and low loss can be developed by controlling the vector magnetic properties of non-oriented electrical steel sheets by applying stress. Therefore, it is necessary to examine not only the magnitude of the magnetic field strength but also the spatial phase difference between the B and H vectors under stress. In this paper, we present a measurement system that we developed to clarify the relationship between stress and vector magnetic properties.
Demagnetization of instrument transformers before calibration
Authors: Draxler Karel , Styblíková Renata
Published: January 2019

This paper describes the influence of magnetization of an instrument current transformer (ICT) core on ICT errors, and presents a procedure for demagnetizing an ICT. The dependence of ICT errors on the magnetization of the ICT core for different magnetic materials is given in the paper, together with a detailed procedure for ICT demagnetization. The results of experiments are summarized, and conclusions are drawn on when ICT demagnetization is necessary, and on how to prevent the destruction of an ICT due to its winding being punctured.
Electromagnetic image of small UAV in very low frequency range
Authors: Blažek Josef , Lipovský Pavol , Heško František , Repčík Dušan
Published: January 2019

The article deals with the measurement, visualization and analysis of the magnetic field in the 3D space around a small quadcopter. The measurements were realized in the very low frequency (VLF) range, since this range is interesting because of the possible detection of the drone also in the fully automated flight mode (without telemetry transmission). A measurement equipment/device that allows mapping of the magnetic field of the multirotor drone based on the sensor elevation and the copters azimuth was realized. The magnetic field was measured with a small inductive sensor – the air coil. Frequency analysis (signal spectrum) and the spatial 3D analysis of the selected frequency components that brought interesting results were carried out on the recorded data.
Magnetoelastic effect in axial stressed Ni-Zn ferrite material in Rayleigh region
Authors: Kachniarz Maciej , Salach Jacek
Published: January 2019

The paper presents new and original results of investigation on magnetoelastic effect in Ni-Zn ferrite formed into ring core and subjected to the axial stress up to 20 MPa. The core was magnetized with relatively low magnetizing field, corresponding to the so-called Rayleigh region. The obtained results indicate, that there is a significant correlation between applied stress and magnetic properties of the material and the Ni-Zn ferrite can be utilized in development of magnetoelastic sensor of force and stress.
Analysis of magnetic losses in Fe-polymer composites
Authors: Najgebauer Mariusz , Jakubas Adam , Szczygłowski Jan
Published: January 2019

The most important properties of soft magnetic materials are peak induction and magnetic losses, determining the size and efficiency of electric devices. Conventional soft magnetic materials are not suitable for the construction of miniaturized magnetic cores. Soft magnetic composites meet miniaturization requirements of electric and electronic devices. In this paper, magnetic losses in self-developed Fe-polymer composites are analyzed. The frequency dependencies of magnetic losses are measured at different level of maximum induction. The influence of Fe-grain size on magnetic losses is also discussed.
The effect of material structure on the formalism of the Bertotti energy losses model
Authors: Szczyglowski Jan
Published: January 2019

The high requirements for magnetic circuits used in electrical equipment particularly concern the possibility of reducing energy losses. In the presented paper, the influence of the material structure on the formalism of the energy losses model is considered. It has been shown that the structure has a significant effect on the dependence between the number of magnetic domains involved in the material demagnetization and the excess magnetic field. This dependence is the basic concept of the considered model. The results presented in the paper can be used for prediction of losses in magnetic materials of different structures with satisfactory predictive errors at the design stage of magnetic circuits by means of CAD tools.
Extra low frequency magnetic fields of welding machines and personal safety
Authors: Pačaiová Hana , Oravec Milan , Šmelko Miroslav , Lipovský Pavol , Forraj Filip
Published: January 2019

The article is focused on the determination of the amplitude and the frequency parameters of the extra low frequency (ELF) field, created by the use of electro-technical devices.
On the application of magnetoelastic properties measurements for plastic level determination in martensitic steels
Authors: Piotrowski Leszek , Chmielewski Marek , Kowalewski Zbigniew
Published: January 2019

The change in the dislocation density, induced by plastic deformation, influences strongly the magnetic domain structure inside the material. Being so, classic parameters, like the coercivity or magnetic permeability, can be a good measure of the deformation level, yet their reliable determination in a non-destructive way in industrial environment is problematic. The magnetoacoustic emission (MAE) which results from the non-180° domain walls (DW) movement in materials with non-zero magnetostriction can be used as an alternative. The intensity of the MAE signal changes strongly as a result of plastic deformation for both tensile and compressive deformation. It is however possible to discern those cases by analysing the changes in the shape of the MAE signal envelopes. The set of the martensitic steel samples (P91) deformed up to 10% (for both tension and compression) was investigated. Due to geometrical limitations imposed by the special mounting system, enabling compression without buckling, the sample had the shape resulting in low signal to noise (S/N) ratio. Being so the optimization of FFT filtering and wavelet analysis was performed in order to improve sensitivity of the proposed method of deformation level determination.
Agglomeration effect of medical education: Based on the web of science database
Authors: Men Weili , Xiao Haijuan , Yang Zhiping , Fan Daiming
Published: January 2019

By retrieving the 1900–2016 medical education-related essays from the web of science database, UCINET software was used to build the national cooperation network and its nested visualization software, and NetDraw was used to visualize the country cooperation networks in different time windows. We found that international medical education papers began to show exponential growth until 1945 and international cooperation did not begin to become dense until 1961. With the increasing number of participating countries in international medical education, the cooperation factions formed more complicated. The intensity of international cooperation between the United States, Britain and other major international medical education powers has been declining from 1991 to 2016. Between Brazil and China, during 1996–2016, the center of cooperation network has been on the rise for a long time, and the intensity of Canada's cooperation in medical education research has been on the rise for nearly 25 years. The center of international medical education is gradually being transferred from the United States to Canada.
The progress of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of aplastic anemia
Authors: Zhu Ningning , Wu Dijiong , Ye Baodong
Published: January 2019

Aplastic anemia (AA) is a common hematologic disease that is characterized by hematopoietic failure of the bone marrow and pancytopenia of the peripheral blood, which can be divided into severe and non-severe aplastic ane-mia, or acute and chronic aplastic anemia according to the severity of the disease and the progress of the clinical course. During the past years, the advantages of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) on the treatment of AA have been well clarified and its theory system has been improved as well. This review is mainly on representing the pathogenesis, therapeutic principle and method, research progression, and advantages of TCM on AA.
Successful pharmacotherapy for multiple acute decompensation events in a cirrhotic patient with acute-on-chronic liver failure: A case report
Authors: Xu Xiangbo , Bai Zhaohui , Zhao Qingchun , Li Hongyu , Shi Qiang , Deng Jiao , Zhang Jingqiao , Guo Xiaozhong , Qi Xingshun
Published: January 2019

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a potentially lethal syndrome, which is characterized by an acute deterioration of liver function in patients with chronic liver diseases. The present paper reported that an alcoholic cirrhotic patient with ACLF developed septic shock, hydrothorax, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, acute kidney injury, and acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding at the same hospitalization and was successfully rescued by pharmacotherapy alone without any invasive intervention.
Study on Toxoplasma gondii, Leptospira spp., Coxiella burnetii, and Echinococcus granulosus infection in veterinarians from Poland
Authors: Wójcik-Fatla Angelina , Sroka Jacek , Zając Violetta , Zwoliński Jacek , Sawczyn-Domańska Anna , Kloc Anna , Bilska-Zając Ewa , Chmura Robert , Dutkiewicz Jacek
Published: January 2019

Introduction: Exposure to zoonotic factors in veterinary practice is closely related to the nature of the work. The main aim of the study was to determine the risk of selected zoonotic infections among the occupational group of veterinarians in Poland.

Material and Methods: Blood samples of 373 veterinarians (162 males and 211 females) from 12 provinces of Poland were collected by the venipuncture of a forearm for serological tests. Commercial immunoenzymatic tests (ELISA) were used for detection of specific IgG antibodies to Echinococcus granulosus, IgM and IgG to Leptospira spp., and IgM, IgA, and I and II phase IgG to Coxiella burnetii. Enzyme-linked fluorescence assays (ELFA) were used to detect IgM and IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii.

Results: Positive results were found in 209 (56.0%) veterinarians for at least one of the examined diseases. The overall proportion of participants found to have specific Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in the IgM and/or IgG assays amounted to 44.5%. The presence of Coxiella burnetii antibodies was found in 16 (4.3%) subjects, while Leptospira spp. antibodies were detected in 63 (16.9%) veterinarians. Among the 373 veterinarians examined, no Echinococcus granulosus antibodies were found.

Conclusion: Results of the study seem to indicate a slightly elevated risk of Toxoplasma gondii infection and a moderate risk of infection with Leptospira spp. and Coxiella burnetii in veterinarians.
Applicability of the protein-lipid profile and activity of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes for diagnosing nutritional muscular dystrophy in calves
Authors: Żarczyńska Katarzyna , Sobiech Przemysław , Snarska Anna , Tobolski Dawid , Pareek Chandra Shekhar , Bednarek Dariusz
Published: January 2019

Introduction: In calves, hyposelenosis degenerates skeletal muscles in different parts of the body. The extent of damage to muscle cells can be diagnosed by determining the activity of creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The aim of this study was to analyse variations in the serum levels of LDH isoenzymes in calves with nutritional muscular dystrophy (NMD), to determine the applicability of this parameter for diagnosing NMD, and to describe the influence of hyposelenosis on total protein (TP), triglyceride (TG), and cholesterol (CHOL) levels.

Material and Methods: Two groups of calves (n = six animals per group) were used. After birth, control group calves (SC) were intramuscularly administered 10 ml of a preparation containing selenium (Se) and vitamin E, and experimental group animals (SE) that were not injected. Blood was collected after 5, 15, and 25 days, and the concentrations of Se, vitamin E, TP, TG, and CHOL and the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), CK, and LDH fractions were determined.

Results: Hypocholesterolaemia and elevated TG levels were found in SE group calves whose LDH fractions revealed a significant increase in LDH4 and LDH5 activity and a decrease in LDH1 activity when electrophoretically separated.

Conclusions: Nutritional muscular dystrophy is accompanied by hypocholesterolaemia and elevated TG levels caused by muscle lipolysis. LDH4 and LDH5 activity parameters assist early diagnosis of NMD in calves.
New insight of apparently healthy animals as a potential reservoir for Clostridium perfringens: a public health implication
Authors: Hamza Dalia , Dorgham Sohad M. , Elhariri Mahmoud , Elhelw Rehab , Ismael Elshaimaa
Published: January 2019

Introduction:
Clostridium perfringens is commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of animals and humans and continues to cause one of the most prevalent foodborne diseases in man.

Material and Methods: A total of 355 samples were examined for the occurrence of C. perfringens: rectal swabs from cattle, sheep, and goats, fresh stool samples from diarrhoea sufferers having been in contact with these animals, irrigation water and soil samples from the husbandry sites, and preharvesting fresh produce from farms irrigated with the sampled water. All samples were collected from Cairo and Giza governorates, Egypt. PCR analysis was carried out with positive isolates using the α-toxin gene. Sequence analysis of the gene of C. perfringens isolates was performed using the neighbour-joining approach. Bootstrap analysis was executed with 1,000 resamplings.

Results: 174 C. perfringens strains were isolated with a 49.01% prevalence. The highest prevalence of C. perfringens in apparently healthy animals was found in sheep (65.45%) followed by goats (58%), buffaloes (55%), and cattle (47.1%). Its prevalence in humans being in contact with these animals was 47.5%. The bacterium’s isolation from the soil and irrigation water was achieved in 40% and 31.7% of samples, respectively, posing a risk, particularly when the water and soil contact food in the field, shown by the fresh produce isolation of 40%. A significant relationship between the prevalence of C. perfringens in animal and environmental samples was identified (P < 0.05). A significant relationship was identified neither between animal species and C. perfringens prevalence, nor between the environmental source and C. perfringens prevalence (P > 0.05). All isolates were positive for the α-toxin gene by PCR. The sequence analysis and the phylogenetic relationship of the α-toxin genes from different samples revealed that C. perfringens from faeces of apparently healthy cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats is a significant threat in places where it can contaminate the soil and water. In addition, the sequence of C. perfringens from humans suffering from diarrhoea was found in the same cluster with the sequence from cows, goats, and sheep.

Conclusion: The role of apparently healthy animals in transmitting C. perfringens to humans, either through being in direct or indirect contact via water or soil in the cultivation of vegetables and fruits, was demonstrated.
Control of residues of thyreostats in slaughter animals in Poland in 2011–2017
Authors: Woźniak Barbara , Matraszek-Żuchowska Iwona , Sielska Katarzyna , Witek Sebastian , Posyniak Andrzej , Niemczuk Krzysztof , Żmudzki Jan
Published: January 2019

Introduction: In the European Union, the use of thyreostatic drugs for fattening slaughter animals has been banned since 1981 under Council Directive 81/602/EEC. For protection of consumer health against unwanted residues and in compliance with Directive 96/23, each EU country must monitor thyreostats in samples of animal origin. This paper presents the results of research on thyreostatic residues carried out in Poland in 2011–2017.

Material and Methods: The material for testing was urine (n = 3,491), drinking water (n = 127), and muscle samples (n = 349) officially collected by Veterinary Sanitary Inspectors in slaughterhouses and farms throughout the country in accordance with the national residue control plan. The samples were examined for the presence of tapazole, thiouracil, methylthiouracil, propylthiouracil, and phenylthiouracil using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry through an accredited method.

Results: In four bovine and three porcine urine samples, the permissible thiouracil concentration was exceeded. In one sample of porcine urine, methyl- and propylthiouracil were found. The presence of thiouracil and its derivatives in urine samples is most likely due to feeding animals diet containing cruciferous plants.

Conclusions: The results of research indicate that thyreostats are not used for anabolic purposes in slaughter animals in Poland.
Inactivated H5 antigens of H5N8 protect chickens from lethal infections by the highly pathogenic H5N8 and H5N6 avian influenza viruses
Authors: Jin Myongha , Jang Yunyueng , Seo Taehyun , Seo Sang Heui
Published: January 2019

Introduction: Highly pathogenic Asian H5-subtype avian influenza viruses have been found in poultry and wild birds worldwide since they were first detected in southern China in 1996. Extensive control efforts have not eradicated them. Vaccination prevents such viruses infecting poultry and reduces the number lost to compulsory slaughter. The study showed the efficacy of inactivated H5 vaccine from the H5N8 virus against highly pathogenic H5N8 and H5N6 avian influenza viruses in chickens.

Material and Methods: Reverse genetics constructed an H5 vaccine virus using the HA gene of the 2014 H5N8 avian influenza virus and the rest of the genes from A/PR/8/34 (H1N1). The vaccine viruses were grown in fertilised eggs, partially purified through a sucrose gradient, and inactivated with formalin. Chickens were immunised i.m. with 1 µg of oil-adjuvanted inactivated H5 antigens.

Results: Single dose H5 vaccine recipients were completely protected from lethal infections by homologous H5N8 avian influenza virus and shed no virus from the respiratory or intestinal tracts but were not protected from lethal infections by heterologous H5N6. When chickens were immunised with two doses and challenged with homologous H5N8 or heterologous H5N6, all survived and shed no virus.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that two-dose immunisations of chickens with H5 antigens with oil adjuvant are needed to provide broad protection against different highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza viruses.
Occurrence of reovirus (ARV) infections in poultry flocks in Poland in 2010–2017
Authors: Czekaj Hanna , Kozdruń Wojciech , Styś-Fijoł Natalia , Niczyporuk Jowita Samanta , Piekarska Karolina
Published: January 2019

Introduction: Avian reovirus (ARV) infections in poultry populations are reported worldwide. The reovirus belongs to the genus Orthoreovirus, family Reoviridae. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of ARV infections in the poultry population based on diagnostic tests performed in 2010–2017.

Material and Methods: Samples of the liver and spleen were collected from sick birds suspected of ARV infection and sent for diagnostics. Isolation was performed in 5–7-day-old SPF chicken embryos infected into the yolk sac with homogenates of internal organs of sick birds. Four primer pairs were used to detect the σNS, σC, σA, and µA ARV RNA gene fragments. A nested PCR was used for the detection of the σNS and σC genes.

Results: In 2010–2017, ARV infection was found in birds from 81 flocks of broiler chickens and/or layers, 8 flocks of slaughter turkeys, and in 4 hatchery embryos at 17–20 days of incubation. The primers used in RT-PCR and nested PCR did not allow effective detection of ARV RNA in all virus-positive samples.

Conclusion: The problem of ARV infections in the poultry population in Poland still persist. The primers used for various ARV segments in RT-PCR and nested PCR did not allow effective detection of RNA in the visceral organs of sick birds. The presented results confirm the necessity of using classical diagnostic methods (isolation in chicken embryos, AGID).
Monitoring vaginal electrical resistance, follicular waves, and hormonal profile during oestrous cycle in the transition period in Bangladeshi sheep
Authors: Talukder Mohammad Rafiqul Islam , Hasan Moinul , Rosy Tasmia Akter , Bari Farida Yeasmin , Juyena Nasrin Sultana
Published: January 2019

Introduction: The ovarian follicular dynamics, vaginal electrical resistance (VER), progesterone (P4) and oestrogen (E2) profiles were investigated during the oestrous cycle in four indigenous ewes.

Material and Methods: Daily VER values were recorded with a heat detector. The follicles were observed and measured by trans-rectal ultrasonography. Blood was collected daily for hormonal profiles.

Results: A significant variation in VER values (P < 0.05) in oestrus by ewes and position in the sequence of cycles was observed. Trans-rectal ultrasonography of ovaries revealed the presence of 2–4 waves of follicular growth. Study of hormonal profiles by ELISA revealed a positive correlation between E2 concentration and development of follicles and a negative correlation between P4 concentration and their development. The concentrations of oestradiol increased in oestrus and then decreased to a basal level. Follicular growth was accompanied by a rise in the concentration of serum oestradiol. Inversely, when follicles received the stimulation for ovulation, concentration of progesterone started to fall, but after ovulation, it climbed back to its peak and remained at this state until next ovulatory follicle reached its maximum diameter.

Conclusion: This study could help to set up a manipulative reproductive technique for improving genetic values in indigenous sheep.
Early Age Autogenous Shrinkage of Fibre Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Ullah Farid , Al-Neshawy Fahim , Punkki Jouni
Published: January 2019

Concrete is often sensitive to cracking during the hardening process, and these cracks could be the result of early-age shrinkage. One method to reduce shrinkage is to add different types of fibres to concrete. The aim of this study was to study the effects of different types of fibres on the early-age autogenous shrinkage of concrete. Three different types of fibre materials were used in the research. A “Schleibinger Bending-drain” test setup was used to record early-age autogenous shrinkage of fresh concrete immediately after mixing. The results show that, a fibre dosage of 0.38% by volume was found to be effective in reducing the effects of early-age autogenous shrinkage of concrete.
Modeling of Cash Flows from Nonperforming Loans in a Commercial Bank
Authors: Devjak Srečko
Published: January 2019

The purpose of this paper is to derive a model for calculation of maturities and volumes of repayments that a bank may expect from nonretail nonperforming loans (hereafter NPLs). Expected inflows from nonretail NPLs follow a probability distribution, defined by size and timing of historic repayments of NPLs. Empirical analysis has shown that probability distribution of expected inflows from nonretail NPLs considerably deviates from symmetric distribution and is asymmetric to the right. Accuracy of derived model depends upon available data in banks about NPLs by corporate sectors and recovery rates by time intervals. The model in this paper is in interest of any bank and in particular of banks with a higher fraction of NPLs in their loan portfolio. Contribution of this paper to the added value in the area of liquidity risk management in banks is high because the remaining literature does not deliver other models for the same purpose.
Conceptual Research Model for Studying Students’ Entrepreneurial Competencies
Authors: Draksler Tanja Zdolšek , Širec Karin
Published: January 2019

The literature review shows a lack of research on the impact of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial competencies in relation to entrepreneurial intentions. Further development of the field is needed, but, because of the shortage of suitable research models or because they only partially cover the complex area of entrepreneurial competencies, the purpose of this article is the formulation of a new, updated research model (based on the existing models). Thus, theoretical research of entrepreneurial competencies based on the competence study has been performed. Through in-depth analysis of existing entrepreneurial competencies research models, a congregated hybrid research model is proposed. A new conceptual research model for studying the impact of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial competencies in relation to entrepreneurial intentions has been developed. The model will serve for empirical testing of investigated phenomena. The original contribution is in the formulation of a unique research model and the construction of a customized measuring instrument for studying the phenomena of entrepreneurship education impact on entrepreneurial competencies and entrepreneurial intentions.
Social Entrepreneurship and Corporate Social Responsibility in the Context of a Moral Economy: Dilemma for Developing Countries (Case of Georgia)
Authors: Natsvlishvili Ia
Published: January 2019

This research discusses the role of social entrepreneurship as an important feature of the moral economy, i.e., a socially responsible business practice. Developing countries, e.g., Georgia, a post-Soviet country, differ from those in the West in this aspect. The author aims to identify peculiarities of social entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility of Georgian businesses. Desk research provides conceptual analysis of the existing quantitative and qualitative studies, based on prominent scientists’ works in economics and entrepreneurship. A “moral economy” understands business activities as “social services.” Social responsibility is a business’s moral framework, suggesting a company’s obligation to generate social benefit. Social entrepreneurship combines the best practices from the nonprofit and for-profit activities to tackle social needs poorly addressed by businesses and governments. Social entrepreneurship is a relatively new phenomenon in post-Soviet countries, where nongovernmental organizations help in solving many social problems, but their efforts are typically insufficient. Entrepreneurs must find a balance between a company’s success, employees’ needs, and environmental and social stability. These three priorities form the foundations of corporate social responsibility. Economic history provides many examples of moral standards driving the stability of a socio-economic system and profitability of companies with macroeconomic and microeconomic positive impacts. Companies operating in Georgia spend their funds on social projects and charity; moreover, such socially oriented activities are sometimes chaotic. Companies need to implement social responsibility projects as part of their business plans. Strengthening corporate social responsibility could thus support development of social entrepreneurship.