bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of the time of housing on the quality of pig meat
Authors: Imrich I. , Mlynek J. , Bobcek B. , Győrödy Z. , Mlyneková E. , Maďarová Ľ. , Moravcová Ľ. , Mrázová J.
Published: November 2011

In the experiment, 367 hybrid meat pigs were tested. Transport of all
observed pigs took 1 hour to get to a slaughterhouse. The housing period of
the observed groups in the slaughterhouse took 1, 2, 4, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17,
and 41 hours. The pH value was measured in the musculus longissimus dorsi
(MLD) as well as in musculus semimembranosus in the thigh meat (MSM) 45
minutes after slaughter. The highest average pH MLD value (6.36) was recorded
in the group of pigs that were housed in the slaughterhouse for the shortest
period of time. The average pH MLD value in pigs with the shortest period of
housing was statistically arguably higher (P<0.01) in comparison with the
groups that were housed in the slaughterhouse from 4 - 17 hours. The group of
pigs with the shortest housing period of time had also achieved the highest
average value (6.45?0.27) of the pH MSM indicator. Compared to that group, a
provably lower average of pH MSM values were recorded in groups with the
length of housing 13, 14, and 17 hours (P<0.01). It has resulted from the
experiment that after a short - lasting transport it is desirable, in terms
of pork quality, to slaughter the animals as soon as possible after their
arrival to the slaughterhouse. An animal that is slaughtered after a 12- hour
housing might mean a threat for the increased occurence of the PSE meat due
to the consequence of stress caused during the stay in the slaughterhouse.
The effect of gender on properties of belly-rib part of pigs fed diet containing soybean oil
Authors: Stanisic N. , Petrovic M. , Zivkovic D. , Zivkovic B. , Parunovic N. , Gogic M. , Novakovic M.
Published: November 2011

Total of 40 castrated fatteners of Swedish Landrace breed, divided into two
groups based on their gender (20 pigs in each group) were used in the study
to determine the effect of gender on share of tissues and chemical
composition of the fat taken from the belly carcass part. All pigs were fed
diet containing additive of 1.25% of soybean oil. Even though the weight of
belly part was similar in animals of both genders, female animals had higher
share of muscle tissue (P<0.05), whereas male animals had higher share of
intermuscular and total fat tissue (P<0.01). Addition of soybean oil, with
high share of PUFA, to pig nutrition can significantly influence the increase
of unsaturated fats. Female fatteners had more extracted fat in fat tissue
and higher content of PUFA, however, statistically significant difference was
established only in share of SFA, which was considerably lower (P<0.05) in
comparison to male animals. Consequently, PUFA:SFA ratio was significantly
higher in female animals (0.51) compared to male fatteners (0.39). Iodine
number/value determined for fat was in the range from 63.00 in males to 64.36
in female animals without statistically significant difference. Based on
obtained results it can be conlcuded that, inr egard to the nutritional
quality, belly part from female fatteners may provide a balanced fatty acid
intake for consumers (PUFA:SFA>0.4). However, in regard to the technological
quality, fat (bacon) obtained from female animals had lower sustainability,
due to more rapid fat oxidation, and it was of poorer technological quality
due to softer fat tissue and more difficult cutting.
Level of glucose, calcium and phosphorus in blood serum of the first litter sows with normal and disturbed lactation
Authors: Nitovski A. , Milenkovic M. , Jotanovic S.R. , Milanovic V.S. , Radovic B.V. , Grcak D.T. , Grcak M.
Published: November 2011

The main task in intensive pig production is animal welfare, particularly the
preservation of their physiological function, homeostasis and homeorhesis and
lactation, where the level of glucose, calcium and phosphorus in blood plays
an important role in protecting the physiological status. This research has
been carried out on a modern farm, of closed type in Zitoradja, in order to
show the level of glucose, calcium and phosphorus in the blood serum of the
first farrowing gilts and sows during pregnancy and post partum. In
investigation, 30 pregnant gilts took part from insemination to partus. Blood
was taken from the jugular vein on the thirtieth day after insemination, ten
days before farrowing, one day after farrowing, and seven days after
farrowing. The concentration of glucose in the blood serum of gilts with
normal lactation was significantly higher ten days before farrowing (4.62
mmol/l) and on the first (4.92 mmol/l) and seventh day after farrowing (4.94
mmol/l) in relation to the concentration of glucose on the thirtieth day
prior to farrowing (4.12 mmol/l), but this increase could not be found in
gilts with disorders of lactation. The concentration of calcium before of
partus (2.16 mmol/l) and post partum (2.55 mmol/l), in sows with normal
lactation, showed a significant difference compared to the calcium
concentration at the beginning of pregnancy (p <0.05) and in gilts with
disturbed lactation. Phosphorus concentration showed no significant
difference in gilts with normal and disturbed lactation (2.26 : 2.25 mmol/l).
The transmission and spreading routes of Aujeszky′s disease in swine population
Authors: Prodanov-Radulovic J. , Dosen R. , Pusic I. , Stojanov I. , Lupulovic D. , Ratajac R.
Published: November 2011

Aujeszky?s disease (MA) is an infectious viral disease, caused by suid alpha
herpes virus 1, which displays a very broad host range, except humans and
primates. Pigs are the only animal species that can survive the infection
with the MA virus, which accounts for its ability to be latently infected.
Although pigs are considered a natural host and the main reservoar of the
virus, the spreading and transmission mechanism cannot be always detected.
The aim of the paper was to evaluate the routes of transmission and spread of
MA virus in the swine population with different immunological stutus i.e.
depending on the vaccinal status. The material for this research consisted of
the samples from four swine farms, with health disorders i.e. clinical signs
suggesting MA disease. The applied research methods included: epidemiological
and clinical evaluation, pathomorphological examination, virology testing of
tissues originating from the dead animals and serological testing in order to
evaluate the specific antibodies against MA. The obtained results indicate
that purchasing breeding animals with different or unknown health status
regarding MA, represents the main route of transmission and spreading of the
infection. Besides vaccination, which represents one of the measure in MA
eradication, it is necessary to apply strict trade control and checking the
health status of herds from where breeding animals are purchased.
Epizootical characteristics of Aujeszky's disease in Vojvodina region and biosecurity concernes
Authors: Pusic I. , Prodanov-Radulovic J. , Dosen R. , Stojanov I. , Stojanovic D. , Petrovic T.
Published: November 2011

Aujeszky's disease (Morbus Aujeszky, pseudorabies) is an acute, contagious
viral disease, of wide range of domestic and wild-life species. Morbus
Aujeszky (MA) is considered as one of the most important infectious diseases,
that affect swine production and became a discriminatory factor at the
international pig market. The infection in all other animal species except
pigs is acute in course and inevitably fatal. The data for this research were
taken from several different sources: Epizootiological Reports of Ministry of
Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Statistical Year Book of Serbia.
Also, historical, clinical and epizootiological data were obtained through
questionnaire that was sent to farm owners, practicing veterinarians,
veterinary inspectors and regional epizootiologists. Significant information
were collected through direct epizootical surveillance on the field that
encompassed anamnestic, clinical and pathological investigation as well as
laboratory diagnostic by virus isolation and serological testing. The purpose
of this investigation was to estimate epizootical status of Vojvodina
Province concerning MA occurrence in different domestic and wild life
species, the possible routes of infection and spreading the disease. The role
of various biosecurity measures in prevention and control of MA outbreaks was
also studied. The results of our investigation revealed that swine population
in Vojvodina region is enzootically infected with MA, and that infection was
detected in six different animal species, sporadically or in enzootic form.
The single most important factor for MA occurrence was the localization of
the farm in the high density pig population regions. Poor biosecurity
measures to prevent entry of the virus, and lack of appropriate measures to
stop the spreading of the infection within the herd were also idenifyed. The
direct contact with pigs, or ingestion of raw and poorly cooked swine
products was the estimated route of infection for all other affected animals
except three dogs.
Chemical, technological and sensory properties of meat from different cattle genotypes
Authors: Aleksic S. , Petrovic M.M. , Pantelic V. , Novakovic Z. , Ostojic-Andric D. , Stanisic N. , Niksic D.
Published: November 2011

Possibilities for improvement of the quality of beef in population of
Domestic spotted cattle breed (D) by application of industrial crossing with
French fattening breeds Charolais (DxS) and Limousine (DxL) were
investigated. Comparative research included 25 heads of young cattle of DxS,
18 crosses of DxL and 21 crosses of D genotype. Results of the analysis of
chemical composition of longissimus muscle in young cattle show significant
statistical differences (P<0.05) in percentage of intramuscular fat, the
highest value was determined in cattle of group DxS (2.37%), and in total
pigments which was the highest in cattle of group D (101.12 ppm). Young
cattle in group D had the lowest value of the meat shear force after heat
treatment (5.43 kg/cm2), i.e. they had the tenderest meat. Data obtained in
the sensory analysis of cooked meat were very high and showed no significant
differences between groups. Statistically significant difference (P<0.05) was
established only in assessment of aroma/taste, which was somewhat higher in
young cattle of group DxS (4.87). Data obtained in this trial justify the
economic goal of crossing of domestic Simmental breed with noble cattle
breeds in production of meat of high quality, which is of great importance
both for producers (farmers) and final customer (consumer).
The impact of environmental factors on the milk ejection and stress of dairy cows
Authors: Bobic T. , Mijic P. , Knezevic I. , Speranda M. , Antunovic B. , Baban M. , Sakac M. , Frizon E. , Koturic T.
Published: November 2011

Farm breeding of cattle is organized so that the animals are kept in a
controlled environment (an closed corner, feeding time, milking time,
workers), where daily animal encounter with familiar sounds, smells,
movements and equipment. Any positive or negative change of environment
causes certain physiological reactions of cattle on it. Negative stimuli
(relocation, new technological activities, unidentified sounds and people)
disrupt the homeostasis of the animals and lead them into a state of stress.
During stress in cattle appears central inhibition of milk ejection from the
alveoli of the udder, causing its incomplete emptying which could lead to
pathological changes. In stressful situation, there is a connection between
nervous (SA system), endocrine (HPA-axis) and the immune system. Stimuli from
the outside were obtained through sight, hearing, smell and touch, leading to
nerve impulses which then activate the endocrine system (increased levels of
cortisol, ?-endorphin, adrenaline, and reducing levels of oxytocin in the
blood), whose actions over a long time lead to decline in immune response and
susceptibility to disease. Many studies suggest an association between
central inhibition of milk ejection and stressful situations (first milking
of primiparious cattle, environment changes), but the very principle of
inhibition is not fully understood. Some studies indicate an association
between endogenous opioids (?-endorphin) and catecholamines (adrenalin) in
the central inhibition of milk ejection, however, there is still no clear
evidence and there is still plenty to do in this area.
Correlations between the number of somatic cells and qualitative and quantitative parameters of milk depending on the stage of lactation of cows from the Bulgarian black and White breed
Authors: Ivanova T. , Gaidarska V. , Harizanova Ts.
Published: November 2011

The study was conducted to establish correlations between the number of
somatic cells and quantitative and qualitative parameters in the milk of cows
from the Bulgarian Black and White breed. 819 numbers of individual milk
samples were tested. The controls were conducted in spring-summer period
(April - September) of 2009. The controlled parameters were milk fat (%),
total protein (%), somatic cell count (number / ml), milk fat (kg) and milk
protein (kg). Distribution in groups: depending on the stage of lactation -
up to the 120th day of the lactation (n = 292) and after the 120th day (n =
527) and according to the level of somatic cells in milk- up to 400000
somatic cells / ml, from 400000 to 500000 somatic cells/ml and more than
500000 somatic cells/ml. Relationship between the studied parameters is
represented by the values of linear correlation. The results show that there
are from moderate to high positive correlations between the amount of milk
yield per day of quantitative parameters milk fat and milk protein per day
for the three levels of somatic cells. Correlation coefficients between the
amount of milk yield per day and quality parameters - % milk fat and % of
total protein per day for the three levels of somatic cells were negative and
moderate. The relationship between the number of somatic cells in milk and
quantitative and qualitative parameters is low.
Republicanism, apsolutism, and liberalism: Hobbes and Kant on state of war and peace
Authors: Sládecek Michal
Published: November 2011

This text reflects on the book written by Milorad Stupar, Political
Philosophy. Based on the perspectives given in Stupar?s book, the author?s
intention is to illustrate the problems regarding certain topics such as:
citizenship, the dispute about the nature of Hobbes?s philosophy, as well as
social, political and historical background of Kant?s political philosophy.
The article points at dilemmas related to the meaning of citizenship in
modern states, to the compatibility between absolutism and certain elements
of liberalism in Hobbes?s work, and to the possible reconstruction of the
context within which Kant produced his last works.
NATO aggression against FRY: “A war on the border between law and morality”
Authors: Radojicic Mirjana
Published: November 2011

The paper focuses on the ethical aspects of NATO aggression (or so-called
?humanitarian intervention?), exerted against the FRY, actually Serbia, in
the period from March to June 1999. The paper has been conceived as a
critical dialogue with J?rgen Habermas, or rather the positions presented by
him in a text entitled ?Bestialit?t und Humanit?t: Eine Krieg an der Grenze
zwischen Recht und Moral?. Following a short presentation of Habermas?s point
of view, in the introduction to her paper the author discusses the moral
implications of, as he points out, ?the surgical precision of the
air-strikes, as well as the programmatic sparing of the civilian population?,
which are, according to him, the characteristics of this aggression with ?a
highly legitimating effect?. She then focuses on the key and declaratively
moral argument that served to justify the aggression - the protection of
human rights of Kosmet Albanians and the prevention of the humanitarian
catastrophe they had been allegedly exposed to. After analyzing this argument
thoroughly, in several steps, the author concludes that the aggression was
not, as Habermas claimed, a ?war on the border between law and morality?, but
that it was actually beyond the borders of both law and morality and was
deeply situated into a domain of interest-driven armed acts of the US foreign
policy.
Human development index as a measure of human development
Authors: Radovanovic Bojana
Published: November 2011

Human development is ?a process of expanding the real freedoms that people
enjoy? (Sen 1999: 3). Therefore, widening of people?s choices should be the
goal of the public policies aiming at human development promotion. In order
to assess the level of human development, to compare it with other countries?
achievements, or to evaluate different policy proposals, decision-makers have
to rely on an accurate indicator of human development. Since gross national
product (GNP) and gross domestic product (GDP) could not serve this function,
the human development index (HDI) has been introduced as a more adequate
measure. The aim of this paper is to discuss whether human development index
reflects the basic tenets of human development. The arguments presented lead
to the conclusion that the HDI does not fully reflect the ideas of human
development. Since human development is much broader concept than any
individual indicator could capture, country?s level of development should be
assessed by the combination of different indicators.
Descartes’ idea and the representations of things
Authors: Milidrag Predrag
Published: November 2011

On the basis of the analysis of relevant passages from Descartes? writings,
the article shows that Descartes? ideas represent things in mind, but that he
is not a representationalist in a Malebranchean sense: in Descartes,
represented object is perceived, not the very representation of that object.
Hereafter, three senses of idea in Descartes were analyzed, objective, formal
and material, as well as the notions conceptus formalis and conceptus
objectivus of Francisco Su?rez who is direct historical source of Descartes?
theory of ideas. In the conclusion the centrality of the notion of idea in
formal sense in Descartes? theory of ideas is shown, and it is claimed that
the representationalism and direct realism are equivalent in Descartes. At
the end, the survey of influence and transformation of understanding of ideas
in early modern philosophy is presented.
Reoperation for Hirschsprung Disease: Pathology of the Resected Problematic Distal Pull-Through
Authors: Coe Alexander , Collins Margaret H. , Lawal Taiwo , Louden Emily , Levitt Marc A. , Peña Alberto
Published: November 2011

Hirschsprung disease, which consists of aganglionosis of the rectum and sometimes more proximal bowel, requires surgical removal of the aganglionic bowel and creation of ganglionated neorectum using proximal normally innervated bowel. The border between aganglionic and ganglionic bowel is irregular; the transition zone features variable quantities of ganglion cells and numerous large nerves. We report the histopathology of pull-through bowel segments resected because of poor postoperative outcome from 30 patients (22 boys, 8 girls). The most common indication for reoperation was severe constipation/obstruction. Transition zone (bowel with at least two nerves ≥40 μm diameter per 400× high-power field, and ganglion cells) or aganglionic bowel (bowel with at least two nerves ≥40 μm per high-power field diameter, but without ganglion cells) was found in 19/30 (63%) resections. In colons resected because of familial adenomatous polyposis, rare high-power fields showed two enlarged nerves; the mean age of those patients (135 ± 49.4 months) was significantly higher than that of the patients undergoing redo pull-through surgery (67.9 ± 42.8 months). Additional pathology included stricture and enterocolitis. Although there are multiple causes for poor outcomes following surgical therapy for Hirschsprung disease, abnormal innervation of the bowel used for pull-through is common. We recommend that intraoperative consultation at primary pull-through procedure include frozen section evaluation of the circumference of the bowel to be used for pull-through to confirm histologically the presence of both ganglion cells and normal-caliber nerves. The criteria used in this study are most suitable for infants and young children.
Cranial Fasciitis Presenting as an Intracranial Mass in a 10-Year-Old Girl
Authors: Halder Anirudha , Greene Clarence S. , Rivard Douglas C. , Shao Lei
Published: November 2011

Cranial fasciitis is a mass-forming lesion of myofibroblastic proliferation of the skull and overlying soft tissue and occurs most frequently in pediatric patients. Cranial fasciitis has the same histological features as nodular fasciitis, which appears in the subcutaneous tissue in other parts of the body. Cranial fasciitis can involve the outer table of the skull, and it occasionally extends through the skull to form a mass involving both soft tissue and the epidural space. Intracranial cranial fasciitis without a soft tissue mass is extremely rare. Here, we report a case of a 10-year-old girl who presented with a massive intracranial mass that caused midline shift of the brain. The lesion showed focal areas of osseous metaplasia and a cytogenic abnormality of t(17;18) (q25:q12.2) that have not yet been reported.
Comparison of biosensors based on gold and nanocomposite electrodes for monitoring of malic acid in wine
Authors: Monošík Rastislav , Streďanský Miroslav , Greif Gabriel , Šturdík Ernest
Published: November 2011

Amperometric biosensors based on a gold planar electrode and on two types of nanocomposite electrodes consisting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes for the determination of L-malic acid designed for wine-makers were developed. The biosensors designed for wine-makers were constructed by immobilization of L-malate dehydrogenase and diaphorase within chitosan layers on the surface of the electrodes. The coenzyme NAD+ and the electrochemical mediator ferricyanide were present in the measuring solution. The current resulting from re-oxidation of produced ferrocyanide was measured at a working potential of +300 mV against an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The biosensor based on a gold electrode showed linearity over the range 10–520 µM with a detection limit of 5.41 µM. Calibration curves for biosensors utilizing nanocomposites were obtained both with the linear range of 10 to 610 µM. The detection limits were 1.57 and 1.77 µM, respectively. The biosensors showed satisfactory operational stability (no loss of sensitivity after 30 consecutive measurements) and storage stability (90% of the initial sensitivity after one year of storage at room temperature). The results obtained from measurements of wine samples were in a good correlation with the standard HPLC method. Satisfactory biosensor sensitivity, specificity and stability allowed their successful commercialization.
Detection of NADH and ethanol at a graphite electrode modified with titania sol-gel/Meldola’s Blue/MWCNT/Nafion nanocomposite film
Authors: Kochana Jolanta , Adamski Juliusz
Published: November 2011

For electrocatalytic determination of NADH, a graphite electrode modified with titania sol-gel/Meldola’s Blue/MWCNT/Nafion nanocomposite was proposed. The composition of the matrix film was optimised in terms of the content of carbon nanotubes and Nafion. Incorporation of a redox mediator, Meldola’s Blue, into the nanocomposite film enabled electrocatalytic determination of NADH at a low potential, −50 mV. For determination of ethanol, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) was immobilized into the matrix layer. Experimental conditions affecting the biosensor response were examined, including enzyme loading, temperature of measurement and pH of background electrolyte. Assessments of the analytical characteristics of the biosensor were performed with respect to sensitivity, limit of detection, operational stability, repeatability and reproducibility. The proposed biosensor showed electrocatalytic activity toward oxidation of ethanol with sensitivity of 2.24 µA L mmol−1, linear range from 0.05 to 1.1 mmol L−1, and limit of detection of 25 µmol L−1. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant was 1.24 mmol L−1, indicating a high biological affinity of ADH/titania sol-gel/Meldola’s Blue/MWCNT/Nafion electrode for ethanol. The developed biosensor was tested in determinations of ethanol content in alcoholic beverages.
Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate From Serum Cystatin C and Creatinine in Patients with Thyroid Dysfunction
Authors: Čabarkapa Velibor , Mijović Romana , Stošić Zoran , Ćurić Nikola , Žeravica Radmila , Ilinčić Branislava
Published: November 2011

Estimation of Glomerular Filtration Rate From Serum Cystatin C and Creatinine in Patients with Thyroid Dysfunction

Given that thyroid function influences serum cystatin C and creatinine levels, the question arises as to whether it is possible to accurately estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients with thyroid dysfunction. The objective of the study was to determine serum cystatin C and creatinine levels and estimate GFR in patients with thyroid dysfunction. The study included 32 cases with newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism and 27 cases with newly diagnosed hypothyroidism, as well as 20 healthy controls matched for sex and age with the cases. Serum concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3) and free thyroxine (fT4), creatinine and cystatin C were measured in all study subjects. GFR was estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD), the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) and cystatin C-based equations. Serum cystatin C levels were significantly higher in hyperthyroid subjects compared to controls (1.32±0.31 vs. 0.89±0.15; p<0.01). Serum creatinine levels were significantly lower in hyperthyroid subjects compared to controls (60.6±10.2 vs. 76.4±8.6; p<0.01), and significantly higher in hypothyroid subjects compared to controls (94.5±13.2 vs. 76.4±8.6; p<0.01). GFR estimated with the MDRD equations was significantly higher in hyperthyroid subjects compared to hypothyroid subjects (101.6±20.7 vs. 64.1±11.6 mL/min/1.73m2; p<0.01). GFR estimated with the equation based on serum cystatin C was significantly lower in hyperthyroid subjects compared to hypothyroid subjects (59.2±22.1 vs. 92.1±16.0 mL/min/1.73m2; p<0.01). Although serum cystatin C is regarded a reliable marker of GFR and more sensitive than serum creatinine, it has limitations in patients with thyroid dysfunction, due to significant changes in its serum concentrations regardless of renal function. In patients with thyroid dysfunction GFR should therefore be estimated using the equations based on serum creatinine.
Role of Redox Metals, Oxidative Protein Products and Antioxidant Potentials of Thiols in Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Sindhu Prathima , Shetty Beena , Sudha K , Rao Gayathri
Published: November 2011

Role of Redox Metals, Oxidative Protein Products and Antioxidant Potentials of Thiols in Diabetic Retinopathy

Oxidative stress has been proved in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) not only by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) but also due to non-enzymatic protein glycosylation, auto-oxidation of glucose, impaired glutathione metabolism, alteration in the antioxidants and advanced oxidative protein product formation. The current study was undertaken to establish the relationship between iron, copper and antioxidants like reduced glutathione (GSH), total thiols, and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) as well as total protein and albumin. The study group consisted of a total of 90 subjects which included non-diabetic healthy controls (n=30), diabetes mellitus patients (n=30), and diabetic retinopathy patients (n=30). All the parameters were measured using spectrophotometric methods. AOPP levels showed a very highly significant increase in DR patients and in DM patients compared to normal controls, the AOPP levels being higher in the DR compared to the DM patients (p= 0.001). The levels of thiols showed a very highly significant decrease in DR and DM as compared to normal subjects. The total proteins level showed a very highly significant decrease (P = 0.001) in DR and DM compared to normal. There was no change in the level of albumin. A significant increase in the levels of iron was observed in DR when compared to DM and control. The levels of copper in DR showed a very highly significant increase when compared to DM and controls (p = 0.001). Our study indicates a possible increase in the copper and iron-mediated generation of ROS thereby leading to increased consumption of antioxidants in the body.
Effects of Immunotherapy on the Distribution and Clonality of TCR Vγ and Vδ Subfamily T Cells in Allergic Rhinitis Patients
Authors: Yang Qintai , Li Peng , Li Yangqiu , Wu Xiuli , Huang Xuekun , Chen Yulian , Zhang Gehua
Published: November 2011

Effects of Immunotherapy on the Distribution and Clonality of TCR Vγ and Vδ Subfamily T Cells in Allergic Rhinitis Patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the peripheral specific IgE level, distribution of TCR Vg and Vd subfamily T cells and mRNA expressions of TCR Vg I-III following specific immunotherapy (SIT) with house-dust-mite extract in allergic rhinitis (AR) patients. Ten AR patients undergoing SIT with house-dust-mite extract for 1 year were recruited. Quantitative analysis of immunofluorescence was performed to detect the serum specific IgE (sIgE) level before and after SIT; RT-PCR-genescan analysis was employed to detect the mRNA expressions of TCR Vg (I-III) and Vd (1-8) in the peripheral mononuclear cells followed by analysis of T cell clonality. Real-time quantitative PCR was applied to detect the expressions of TCR Vg I-III genes. Ten healthy volunteers served as controls. For AR patients, SIT treatment could improve the symptoms, but the serum sIgE level was not markedly decreased. Before SIT, the expressions of TCR Vg I-III gene were similar between AR patients and controls (P>0.05) but markedly decreased after SIT in AR patients (P<0.05 in TCR VgI and VgII). The expressions of TCR Vd (1-8) before and after SIT were 5.3±0.82 and 4.9±0.57, respectively, and that in healthy controls was 5.2±1.40. Vd1, 2, 3 and 6 were the most common genes found in these patients. Significant difference in the TCR Vd6 subfamily T cells was found between the two groups. Polyclonal or biclonal proliferation was found in the T cells of patients before SIT and in healthy controls, but oligoclonal proliferation in only 1 subject before SIT. After SIT, the proportion of patients with oligoclonal proliferation of T cells (6/10) was markedly increased (P<0.05). SIT for 1 year could alter the expressions of TCR Vg I-III genes, the distribution of TCR Vg and Vd T cells and the ways in which T cells proliferate. The early improvement of symptoms following immunotherapy might not be related to the serum sIgE content in AR patients, but associated with the TCR gd T cells, especially the TCR V d6 T cells.
Biodiversity of the Arctic Ocean in the Face of Climate Change
Authors: Węsławski Jan
Published: November 2011

Biodiversity of the Arctic Ocean in the Face of Climate Change

Global climate changes which has been observed over the recent years affects organisms occurring in the Arctic seas and the functioning of the whole maritime ecosystems there. The research note presents and briefly analyses the biological diversity of the Arctic Ocean and the most important factors which change the relations between organisms and the environment in the Arctic.
Michèle Roberts: Female Genius and the Theology of an English Novelist
Authors: Jasper Alison
Published: November 2011

Since Simone de Beauvoir published The Second Sex in 1949, feminist analysis has tended to assume that the conditions of male normativity—reducing woman to the merely excluded "Other" of man—holds true in the experience of all women, not the least, women in the context of Christian praxis and theology. Beauvoir's powerful analysis—showing us how problematic it is to establish a position outside patriarchy's dominance of our conceptual fields—has helped to explain the resilience of sexism and forms of male violence that continue to diminish and destroy women's lives because they cannot be seen as questionable. It has also, I would argue, had the unintended consequence of intensifying the sense of limitation, so that it becomes problematic to account for the work and lives of effective, innovative and responsible women in these contexts. In order to address this problematic issue, I use the life and work of novelist Michèle Roberts, as a case study in female genius within an interdisciplinary field, in order to acknowledge the conditions that have limited a singular woman's literary and theological aspirations but also to claim that she is able to give voice to something creative of her own.

The key concept of female genius within this project draws on Julia Kristeva's notion of being a subject without implicitly excluding embodiment and female desire as in normative male theology, or in notions of genius derived from Romanticism. Roberts' work as a writer qualifies her as female genius in so far as it challenges aspects of traditional Christianity, bringing to birth new relationships between theological themes and scriptural narratives without excluding her singular female desires and pleasures as a writer. This paper—as part of a more inclusive, historical survey of the work of women writers crossing the disciplinary boundaries between literature and Christian theology over the last several centuries also asks whether, in order to do proper justice to the real and proven limitations imposed on countless women in these fields across global and historical contexts, we need, at the same time, to reduce the Christian tradition to something that is always antithetical or for which women can take absolutely no credit or bear no responsibility.
"Of all creatures women be best, / Cuius contrarium verum est": Gendered Power in Selected Late Medieval and Early Modern Texts
Authors: Kazik Joanna
Published: November 2011

The aim of this paper is to examine images of the relationship between men and women in selected late medieval and early modern English texts. I will identify prevalent ideology of representation of women as well as typical imagery associated with them. I will in particular argue that men whose homosocial laughter performs a solidifying function of their community seek to reiterate their superiority over women through seemingly playful and inclusive humour. I will attempt to show that what appears to be good-natured entertainment is actually a weapon used against women who, often accused of no sense of humour, are ridiculed and commanded to succumb to male authority. I will also discuss the triumphant tone of both poems and dramatic writings whose cheerful tone functions to marginalize women and to reinforce the misogynistic foundations of public life.
Inner Strength of Female Characters in Loitering with Intent and The Public Image by Muriel Spark
Authors: Rogalińska Monika
Published: November 2011

Women characters in Muriel Spark's novels are diverse, some strong and powerful, some weak and unable to make decisions. And there are characters who develop throughout the novel and learn from their own mistakes. From being passive, they gradually start acting and making their own choices. Loitering with Intent and The Public Image present women characters who go through metamorphosis, from being dependent on others into living their own lives and freeing themselves from former influences. Such kaleidoscopic change enables them not only to be able to finally make their own decisions but also to overcome many difficult situations threatening their future life.

Fleur Talbot, a heroine in Loitering with Intent, finds herself at a point in which she thinks that everything she cares for is lost. Chronically passive and naïve, she cannot imagine another way of being until she understands that she is being cheated, that her life will be ruined if she does not act. Everyone around her seems to be in conspiracy against her; only taking a firm stand and opposing her surrounding world can help. Fleur's life has become totally dependent on her ability to be strong and decisive. She knows that if she remains what she is, her career and prospects for the future will be lost, so she decides to prove her determination and her will to be finally happy. Her transformation into a powerful character saves her dignity and makes her a successful writer.

Annabel, a character in The Public Image is the same type of person as Fleur, as she lacks self-confidence and has no support from anybody, even her own husband. Muriel Spark, however, presents her as another example of a heroine who develops as the action progresses, able to evoke strength in herself when her situation seems hopeless. Annabel, at first treated as a puppet in the hands of other people, who use her image for their own benefit, shows that she is capable of anything by the book's end. When her career and reputation are threatened and her privacy invaded, she decides to leave the country. This requires both effort and sacrifice, as she has to leave behind everything she has worked for all her life, but this is the necessary price for her freedom.

The ability of both female characters to show so much determination reveals an inherent inner strength, and their weakness and vulnerability as just superficial. When the situation requires it, both Annabel and Fleur are ready to fight for their rights, for their freedom and self esteem, and they discover that they are indeed capable of changing their lives.
The Artist and Religion in the Contemporary World
Authors: Jasper David
Published: November 2011

Although we begin with the words of the poet Henry Vaughan, it is the visual artists above all who know and see the mystery of the Creation of all things in light, suffering for their art in its blinding, sacrificial illumination. In modern painting this is particularly true of van Gogh and J.M.W. Turner. But God speaks the Creation into being through an unheard word, and so, too, the greatest of musicians, as most tragically in the case of Beethoven, hear their sublime music only in a profound silence. The Church then needs to see and listen in order, in the words of Heidegger, to learn to "dwell poetically on earth" before God. To dwell thus lies at the heart of its life, liturgically and in its pastoral ministry, as illustrated in the poetry of the English priest and poet, David Scott. This can also be seen as a "letting go" before God and an allowing of a space in which there might be a "letting the unsayable be unsaid" and order found even over the abyss. This is what Vladimir Nabokov has called "the marvel of consciousness" which is truly a seeing in the darkness. The poet, artist and musician can bring us close to the brink of the mystery, and thus the artist is always close to the heart of the church's worship and its ministry of care where words meet silence, and light meets darkness. Such, indeed, is the true marvel of consciousness in the ultimate risk which is the final vocation of the poet and artist, as it was of Christ himself, and all his saints. The church must be ever attentive to the deeply Christocentric ministry of art and the creative power of word and image in the letting the unsayable be unsaid. With the artist we may perhaps stand on Pisgah Height with Moses with a new imaginative perception of the divine Creation. The essay concludes on a personal note, drawing upon the author's own experience in retreat in the desert, with a reminder of the thought of Thomas Merton, a solitary in the community of the Church.
The Use of Ulster Speech by Michael Longley and Tom Paulin
Authors: Kruczkowska Joanna
Published: November 2011

The article examines the application and exploration of Ulster dialects in the work of two poets of Northern Irish Protestant background, Tom Paulin and Michael Longley. It depicts Paulin's attitude to the past and the present of their community of origin, the former positive and the latter negative, which is responsible for the ambiguities in his use of and his comments on the local speech. Both poets employ the vernacular to refer to their immediate context, i.e. the conflict in Ulster, and in this respect linguistic difference comes to be associated with violence. Yet another vital element of their exploration of the dialect is its link to their origins, home and the intimacy it evokes, which offers a contrary perspective on the issue of languages and makes their approach equivocal. This context in Paulin's poetry is further enriched with allusions to or open discussion of the United Irishmen ideal and the international Protestant experience, and with his reworking of ancient Greek myth and tragedy, while in Longley's poetry it is set in the framework of "translations" from Homer which, strangely enough, transport the reader to contemporary Ireland. While Longley in his comments (interviews and autobiographical writings) relates the dialect to his personal experience, Paulin (in his essays and in interviews) seems to situate it in a vaster network of social and political concepts that he has developed in connection with language, which in Ireland has never seemed a neutral phenomenon detached from historical and political implications. Longley's use of local speech is seldom discussed by critics; Paulin's, on the contrary, has stirred diverse reactions and controversies. The article investigates some of these critical views chiefly concerned with the alleged artificiality of his use of local words and with his politicizing the dialects. Performing the analysis of his poems and essays, the article argues for Paulin's "consistency in inconsistency," i.e. the fact that his application of dialectal words reflects his love-hate attitude to his community of origin, and that in the clash of two realities, of the conflict and of home, his stance and literary practice is not far from Longley's, which has been regarded as quite neutral as one can infer from the lack of critical controversy about it. The voices of the two poets and their use of local speech provide a crucial insight into the Northern Irish reality with all its intricacy and paradox.
Customer Experience: Are We Measuring the Right Things?
Authors: Maklan Stan , Klaus Philipp
Published: November 2011

Marketing theory and practice evolved dramatically through a series of transformations from products to services and, recently, customer experiences. Each stage has its own perspective on marketing's purpose, the nature of customer value, and measurements that calibrate performance and guide managerial decisions. The latter is of particular interest to market researchers. Measurement (research) typically lags behind changes in marketing theory due to institutional factors and the time it takes for new practices to diffuse. The authors posit that firms still measure customer experience against criteria more suited to evaluating product and service marketing. Research practice seems rooted in 1990s notions of service quality, itself an outgrowth of total quality management (TQM) originating in manufacturing during the 1980s. The authors argue that market researchers will serve their organisations and customers better if they take an active role in updating the customer experience measurement commensurate with advances in the conceptualisation of that which firms offer customers.
Service Quality Perceptions of Solely Loyal Customers
Authors: Bogomolova Swetlana
Published: November 2011

Having more solely loyal customers (those who only use one supplier) is an aspiration for most service providers. Yet, it is unclear whether, or in what way, solely loyal customers differ from customers whose loyalty is divided between more than one service provider. One loyalty indicator is a consumer's evaluation of the quality of service they receive. Using seven sets of cross-sectional data, this research reveals that solely loyal customers give, on average, approximately 10% more positive service quality evaluations than customers of the same provider who also use other providers. The implication of this finding for market researchers and practitioners is that service quality scores could be moderated by the distribution of solely loyal and multiple-provider users in a given sample. Therefore, every service quality survey should measure how many providers a customer uses and control for the proportion of solely loyal customers when tracking change using cross-sectional samples.
The Determinants of the Sports Team Sponsor's Brand Equity
Authors: Wang Michael Chih-Hung , Cheng Julian Ming-Sung , Purwanto Bernardinus M. , Erimurti Kuntari
Published: November 2011

This research attempts to investigate the determinants of a sports team sponsor's brand equity and whether the proposed structural relationships vary across countries. Field data are collected from sports team fans in two Asian economies/countries, i.e. Taiwan and Indonesia. According to the findings, in general, team identification and perceived congruence between the sponsor and the sponsored sports team affect the sponsor's credibility, which in turn has an impact on the sponsor's brand equity. ‘Country’ moderates the above structural relationships. However, the effects of team identification and perceived congruence on the sponsor's credibility do not receive supportive evidence in Taiwan and Indonesia respectively.
Wind Turbine Gearbox Condition Monitoring with AAKR and Moving Window Statistic Methods
Authors: Guo Peng , Bai Nan
Published: November 2011

Condition Monitoring (CM) of wind turbines can greatly reduce the maintenance costs for wind farms, especially for offshore wind farms. A new condition monitoring method for a wind turbine gearbox using temperature trend analysis is proposed. Autoassociative Kernel Regression (AAKR) is used to construct the normal behavior model of the gearbox temperature. With a proper construction of the memory matrix, the AAKR model can cover the normal working space for the gearbox. When the gearbox has an incipient failure, the residuals between AAKR model estimates and the measurement temperature will become significant. A moving window statistical method is used to detect the changes of the residual mean value and standard deviation in a timely manner. When one of these parameters exceeds predefined thresholds, an incipient failure is flagged. In order to simulate the gearbox fault, manual temperature drift is added to the initial Supervisory Control and Data Acquisitions (SCADA) data. Analysis of simulated gearbox failures shows that the new condition monitoring method is effective.
Ethyl 4,4''-Difluoro-5'-hydroxy-1,1':3',1''-terphenyl-4'-carboxylate
Authors: Samshuddin Seranthimata , Narayana Badiadka , Sarojini Balladka Kunhanna
Published: November 2011

A simple and novel route for the synthesis of new terphenyl derivative as well as oxidative aromatization of α,β-unsaturated cyclohexenone to the corresponding phenol derivative is developed. The present work involves the condensation of ethylacetoacetate with 4,4'-difluoro chalcone followed by the aromatization using chloramine-T in acetic acid to yield the title compound (3). The synthesized compound (3) is well characterized by IR, NMR, LCMS and elemental analysis.
Trypanocidal Activity of Oxoaporphine and Pyrimidine-β-Carboline Alkaloids from the Branches of Annona foetida Mart. (Annonaceae)
Authors: Costa Emmanoel Vilaça , Pinheiro Maria Lúcia Belém , Souza Afonso Duarte Leão de , Barison Andersson , Campos Francinete Ramos , Valdez Rodrigo Hinojosa , Ueda-Nakamura Tânia , Filho Benedito Prado Dias , Nakamura Celso Vataru
Published: November 2011

Phytochemical investigation of the branches of Annona foetida Mart. led to isolation from the CH2Cl2 extract of four alkaloids: Atherospermidine (1), described for the first time in this species, liriodenine (2), O-methylmoschatoline (3), and annomontine (4). Their chemical structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic data from IR, MS, NMR (1D and 2D), and comparison with the literature. Compounds 2–4 showed potent trypanocidal effect when evaluated against epimastigote and trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi.