bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The utility of saliva testing in the estimation of uremic toxin levels in serum
Authors: Korytowska Natalia , Sankowski Bartłomiej , Wyczałkowska-Tomasik Aleksandra , Pączek Leszek , Wroczyński Piotr , Giebułtowicz Joanna
Published: July 2018

Background

p-Cresol sulfate (pCS) and indoxyl sulfate (IS) are uremic toxins, high concentrations of which are related to renal failure progression. Saliva could become the first-line diagnostic sample of choice, especially for monitoring purposes. Recently, a method for determination of pCS and IS in saliva was developed. Since no data exist on correlations between the levels of toxins in saliva and serum, the applicability of saliva as a diagnostic material is yet to be established. Here, we present a study on the assessment of the utility of saliva testing in the estimation of uremic toxin levels in serum.

Methods

The study material included serum and unstimulated, fasting saliva obtained from healthy volunteers (n=26) and patients at all stages of chronic kidney diseases (CKD, n=93). The concentration of pCS and IS in saliva and serum (total and unbound fractions) was determined. The daytime variation of the toxins was studied.

Results

A correlation was found between pCS and IS in saliva and biological active fractions in serum (0.74; 0.81). The variation of the serum/saliva ratio during the day was negligible, with a median of 10% for pCS and 6% for IS, making saliva a reliable material for the estimation of the uremic toxins in circulation at any time of the day. Significant correlations were observed between salivary toxin levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate (pCS: −0.61; IS: −0.70) as well as significant differences in toxin levels between the stages of CKD.

Conclusions

Saliva could be a valuable diagnostic material for the estimation of toxin levels in circulation.
Baseline elaboration and echo-sounding at the adjective adverb interface
Authors: Hummel Martin
Published: July 2018

The paper examines the semantic effects of modification in phrases combining verbs with so-called short adverbs in French, that is, adjectives (A) used as modifiers of the verb (V), as inaller direct‘to go direct’ (VA structures). For this purpose, a sample of over 3200 attested examples has been analyzed. Far from being simple verb modifiers in the sense of “manner” modification, the qualitative analysis shows that short adverbs also refer to other features of the event, e.g. participant, instrument, source, goal, result, circumstance, and the speaker’s attitude. These manifold modification scopes are then described by means of a newly created event-modification frame. The theoretical discussion of these results tackles the relationship between structure, construction, and baseline elaboration, constructions being conceived as cognitive developments of baseline VA structure. Baseline elaboration thus turns out to be a necessary complementary approach to construction grammar. However, neither construction nor baseline elaboration allows the full prediction of the meaning of a given VA structure since both ways of accessing meaning leave considerable space for inferential interpretation. The corpus also allows the quantification of the modified event features, that is, the frequency with which the slots of the frame are accessed by modification via VA structure. Quantification thereby provides the general modification profile of VA structures (as opposed to the individual modification profiling of a given VA structure in a single utterance).
Degree of Convergence of the Efficiency of the Polish Equity Investment Funds Obtained with Measures Based on the Sharpe Ratio
Authors: Kozak Sylwester
Published: July 2018

Long-term persistence of low interest rates and a decline in attractiveness of investing in low-interest bank deposits generate additional demand for investments in investment funds. In such a situation, it is expected to have widespread use of the investment efficiency measures which take into account not only return, but risk level. The study examines eight measures of efficiency based on the Sharpe ratio. The study uses monthly data for 22 active equity funds over the period 2005-2015. It was found that the majority of funds were more efficient than the market in periods of moderate economic growth and less effective in the period of strong growth on the capital market. The most efficient funds retain high efficiency in all phases of the economic cycle. The efficiency values obtained using indicators: Shape, Treynor, Jensen, Sortino, Omega, Sharpe-Israelsen and IR were strongly correlated, while values of the UPR indicator were significantly different from the other results.
Zur Bedeutung der Lexik für das literarische Lesen: Didaktische Erkenntnisse einer Textdeckungsuntersuchung
Authors: van der Knaap Ewout
Published: July 2018

Bildungserfolg hängt stark mit der Lesekompetenz zusammen. Für die Sprachdidaktik sind Lesefertigkeit und Wortschatzerwerb wesentliche Fokuspunkte. Lexikalische Häufigkeit spielt dabei eine erhebliche Rolle. Dieser Beitrag verknüpft den Fokus auf den Wortschatz mit dem literarischen Lesen in Deutsch als Fremdsprache. Es wurden 26 literarische Titel aus dem literaturdidaktischen Katalog für Deutsch auf www.lezenvoordelijst.nl ausgewählt; die Hälfte davon war auf B2-Niveau eingestuft. Textdeckungsuntersuchungen mit den Häufigkeitslisten von Nation/Tschirner (2006) und Tschirner (2008b) ergaben Einblick in die didaktische Nutzbarkeit dieser Texte. Es wurde untersucht, welchen Textdeckungsgrad die ausgewählten literarischen Werke haben, wie sich diese Textdeckung zu dem eingeschätzten GER-Niveau verhält und welche (literatur)didaktischen Maßnahmen sich aus der Ermittlung der lexikalischen Brauchbarkeit der ausgewählten literarischen Werke ableiten lassen. Im Durchschnitt lag der Textdeckungsgrad im B2-Bereich auf 87 %.
Untimely diagnosis of fetomaternal hemorrhage: what went wrong?
Authors: Piva Isabella , Iannone Piergiorgio , Morano Danila , Greco Pantaleo
Published: July 2018

Fetomaternal hemorrhage (FMH) is an obstetrical challenge. It is defined as a passage of fetal blood into the maternal circulation or vice versa, which might complicate pregnancy or delivery. Most cases of acute and chronic FMH are idiopathic in origin and involve uncomplicated near-term pregnancies. Yet, due to the lack of universal screening, heterogeneous clinical presentation and insufficient clinicians awareness, in some cases FMH may present as immediate fetal compromise or even stillbirth as the most devastating consequence. We made a review of the literature of the FMH clinical cases of fetal/neonatal death in order to focus on the available diagnostic tools and their limitations. Cardiotocography, biophysical profile, middle cerebral artery peak systolic volume and current laboratory tests were studied and evaluated as diagnostic tools for FMH. International guidelines are needed to help clinicians make a prompt identification of FMH. Moreover, a standardized management protocol is essential in order to improve fetal-neonatal outcomes.
The Superiority of Information and the Power of the Nation State
Authors: Bojor Laviniu
Published: July 2018

Access to valuable information has been, is and will continue to be the focus of all the nation states. The benefits of access to information cannot be questioned, but the volatile nature of this Power Information has shown over time that a state's inability to keep its secrets leads to the loss of this power. The present paper captures historical milestones of information gathering activity that have greatly changed the balance of power between the state actors involved
The Influence of the Geographical Environment over the Military Operations in the Bârgău Mountains
Authors: Cioanca Lia-Maria
Published: July 2018

The analysis of geographical spaces and the way in which physical-geographic elements influence the planning and conduct of military operations is related to military geography as a component of military science. From the military point of view, the parameters of the relief are of particular importance. In this respect, in the Bârgău Mountains, the mountainous landforms, with slopes leading to the lack of viability, then the high ridges and dominant points that offer wide views, the regime of the currents, the rain, the harshness of the climate in different seasons, the high temperature variations and atmospheric pressure, are elements that oppose or which, on the contrary, can be used as a real weapon against the enemy
Black Sea Region and European Security Policy
Authors: Dimitrova Sevdalina , Stoykov Stoyko , Marinov Rumen
Published: July 2018

It is obvious that the beginning of the 21st century is marked by many new challenges, problems and risks, which in addition to changing the ideas, concepts and practice of organized violence, lead to a deficit of ideas, methods and means of protection from it. The need to adapt available security systems, tools and practices is adopted in Europe as a response to a conscious public need rather than as a strategically planned action in a time of changes. This led to a spontaneous emergence of a common attempt to aggregate and structure the available security knowledge and to create a common stable conceptual basis for national security systems in countries not only in Europe. Moreover, the enlargement of the Union has opened up new horizons for the development of the countries and, at the same time, has changed the significance and scope of European security, where the demarcation line between external and internal security has become more and more difficult to be determined. The discussions about our country's contribution to strategic security in the Black Sea region as part of European security are in the context of the scientific search of ours science school
Explaining Reality by Sustaining Hobsbawm‘s Statement Regarding the Nation-State as the Failed Target of Globalization
Authors: Dinicu Anca
Published: July 2018

The international security environment is deeply affected by the complex process of globalization, as well as by the nation-state’s permanent search for redefinition of its role as a sovereign political entity. A subject of international law, able to assume international rights and obligations, particularly because of its sovereignty, the state is also an actor whose existence, this time in the field of international relations, is fundamentally conditioned by a series of elements by which precisely the great variety of this form of political and social organization is expressed. External power and internal political organization, social structure and level of economic development, as well as other characteristics, make analysis of the interaction between nation-state and globalization generate highly diverse results with particular consequences on the ability to influence each other. This article therefore aims to put on debate how, at the end of the second decade of the 21st century, the democratic and developed nation-state manages to structure its national security and to found its national interest in the very challenging environment generated by the globalization process
State Reserve and Wartime Stocks of the Republic of Bulgaria – Essence and Cost
Authors: Manlolov Daniel , Kamarashev Nikolay
Published: July 2018

This report presents the importance of the state reserve and the wartime stocks for the national security of our country. The State Reserve and Wartime Stocks State Agency is the object of our research, and the subject of the research is the agency's budget for the period 2015-2018. In this relation, the structure of the agency with its territorial directorates and the structure of costs are examined in detail. The role of the human factor in the agency and its importance for the management of the state reserve and the wartime stocks are presented. A comparative analysis of the individual costs by elements and budget programmes for the period 2015-2018 has been carried out, paying particular attention to the dynamics in their development over the period under review. Some key conclusions have been made concerning the improvement of the management of the state reserve and wartime stocks
External and Internal Security Dimensions of Early Slavic Stathoods in the Territory of Slovakia
Authors: Šimiko Juraj
Published: July 2018

The article deals with basic characteriristic of external and internal security of first slavic tribes settled in Middle Europe. It describes struggle against external enemies which were Avarian nomadic tribes in the 7th century. It also describes defense against East Francia in the 9th century, importance of fortificated settlements. It characterizes warrior groups as main element of defence. Third part focuses on basic elements of Gret Moravian´s internal security such as law codex named “Law codex for people”
Underground Facilities in Modern Conflicts
Authors: Solescu Daniel
Published: July 2018

Knowledge of the nature and location of underground facilities is of great value to both the urban attacker and defender. To exploit the advantages of underground facilities, a thorough reconnaissance is required. This papers describes the role of underground facilities in military actions in urban areas
Knowledge Management of the Esp Class Using Technology
Authors: Bocianu Irina Ioana
Published: July 2018

The present study aims at analyzing the benefits and drawbacks of knowledge management of the ESP class through the use of technology. Being in constant contact with technology, it is unavoidable to use it for teaching foreign languages. For this reason, both CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning) and mobile apps prove useful in the demarche for better teaching and learning process. Nevertheless, managing blended learning ESP class implies a different approach to technology that goes beyond the classic use of Web 2.0 tools and proposes a new generation of mobile technology that facilitates and even simplifies the acquisition of all the four competencies (for ESP): reading, writing, listening and speaking for students ranging A2 to C1 (usually few students are absolute beginners and other few have native-like English level) in compliance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages whose guidance aids instructors prepare students for the competitive labor market
Criteria for Efficient Defence Product Life Cycle Management
Authors: Dimitrova Sevdalina , Kamarashev Nikolay
Published: July 2018

The modern security environment, being dynamic and often unpredictable, hazardous and limited in resources, is a challenge itself for the member-countries of Euro-Atlantic structures. Respectively and as a consequence of our Armed Forces reforms prolonged for more than 20 years, which resulted in lack of personnel and unfulfilled modernization, there has been an intensifying discussion on the question whether the defence capabilities of our country, as part of the collective ones, are good enough to ensure the safety of the Bulgarian territory as well as our national and the international security and to reach the Capability Targets. When resolving this issue, not only the security environment factors should be considered, but also the security imperatives, one of them being the maintenance of defence products as an integral part of their life cycle management (LCM). In the search of a balance between resources and capabilities, our scientific attempts have focused on defining scientifically supported criteria for the increase of the efficiency of defence products life cycle management as part of the resource management for security and defence, which determines the goal of our scientific research and analyses in the present work
Research on the Motivation for Choosing the Military Career
Authors: Grigorov Grigor , Spirdonov Svilen
Published: July 2018

The following article examines the structure of the motivation to choose the military career as well as the satisfaction from it. It analyses the main factors influencing on the choice of this profession as well as the interrelationships between them. The article sets out the specific reasons for a career in the Army and the results of the survey would contribute to the improvement of the attractiveness of the military career and attracting motivated military staff
Study on Accounting Organization: Options and Influence Factors
Authors: Ciuhureanu Alina-Teodora
Published: July 2018

In the current economic environment that characterizes the business environment in Romania, organizing and conducting accounting is a challenge. The option of effective accounting organization is a choice of management that needs to be carefully analyzed but which is also based on a number of factors of influence. Starting from these aspects, we propose to analyze the way in which accounting is organized within the economic entities, taking into account their category and field of activity. We also sought to identify the main factors that influenced the choice of a way of organizing accounting. The study was conducted on a sample of 301 economic entities in the Development Region 7 Center - Romania
Transparency of Financial Information on Crowdfunding Platforms – A Prerequisite for Successful Funding Campaigns
Authors: Fanea-Ivanovici Mina
Published: July 2018

Crowdfunding, a relatively novel internet-based non-banking funding instrument for startups, innovative, creative or prosocial projects, implies that funders (donors or lenders) and fund seekers (project initiators) interact on a crowdfunding platform. The goal of fund seekers is to raise the necessary amount of money to finance their project, while donors are backers of business or research ideas, social causes or start-up companies. Existing research has proven that for a crowdfunding campaign to succeed, one condition is for the crowdfunding platform to provide the adequate technical functionalities that ensure sufficient financial information both during and after the campaign (such as how the money was used and how the money was returned if the project failed) but also the legal framework through a solid contract between the platform and the fund seeker that can prevent moral hazard of the latter. The purpose of this study is to perform a qualitative analysis of the active crowdfunding platforms in Romania in terms of financial information transparency and to determine whether they fulfil the necessary conditions to ensure fair use of donations by project initiators and distribution of reward to donors
Employment and Unemployment as Predictors of Economic Security on the Example of the Republic of Bulgaria
Authors: Petrova Elitsa , Filipov Stefan
Published: July 2018

The article presents employment and unemployment as predictors of economic security in the context of a social challenge facing the national security on the example of the Republic of Bulgaria. Any decline and negative trends associated with these indicators such as low employment, non-participation of full labor potential in the public production, high unemployment, low minimum and average wages, low labor quality inevitably lead to undermining economic security of the state. The article pays special attention to the level of employment in the economy of the Republic of Bulgaria; the average monthly salary of the employees under labor and employment relationship; the average number of employed persons under labor and employment relationship; the unemployed persons and unemployment coefficients of the population by age, sex, duration of unemployment, ways of looking for work, and unemployment by statistical zones and regions in the Republic of Bulgaria. An analysis is made of the average annual salary of the employees under employment and service relationship
Economic Growth and Investment Activity as Basic Elements and Indicators of Economic Security and Their Relationship with National and International Security
Authors: Petrova Elitsa
Published: July 2018

The economic potential of a country is directly related to a policy of creating new jobs, increasing labour productivity, balancing energy and materials consumption, technological innovation, refurbishing the production base, and taking action to create an environment for attracting investment and stimulating domestic consumption, as well as increasing exports of goods and services. A key feature of the economic system, that determines its ability to maintain normal living and working conditions for the population, is to guarantee and protect the sustainable development of the economy and the realisation of national economic interests. This article is addressed to two main economic security indicators - economic growth and investment activity of the state. It presents a specific comparison of real GDP per capita and growth rate in the European Union, the Eurozone and the Republic of Bulgaria and GDP per capita in purchasing power standards in the European Union, the Eurozone and the Republic of Bulgaria. The flow of foreign direct investment by economic sectors in the Republic of Bulgaria is been considered, including annual data, foreign direct investment flows by countries and the international position of the Republic of Bulgaria in this process
Empirical Research on the Stability of the National Financial System
Authors: Stanciu Leontin , Stanciu Cristian-Lucian
Published: July 2018

Safeguarding the stability of the national financial system is a strategic priority of the state's economic security. In this context, based on international practices, the authors intend to identify the main features of the efforts made by the authorities of the national financial system, as well as the central bank's endeavors to ensure its stability
Developing Customer Service Standards
Authors: Terziev Venelin , Banabakova Vanya , Georgiev Marin
Published: July 2018

Ensuring effective customer service requires targeted efforts in a number of areas, one of which is to develop service standards for each market segment. Differentiating customer service is achieved by adopting different standards according to the following criteria: availability of assortment varieties and quantities in percentage of orders placed; actually delivered quantities and assortment varieties in percent of the ordered ones; time (cycle) to execute orders in hours or days, and more. The development of service standards uses the results of its analyzes and assessments. Standards relating to customer service should be developed in the following areas: responsibilities of management; quality control system; supplier's obligations; design management; document management; purchase quality; product identification; management of the processes of providing services; customer service quality assessment; management of control, measuring and implementation equipment; corrective actions applied in the case of established discrepancies in the provided services; loading, unloading, storing, packaging, delivery and storage of the product; customer interaction; control over data related to service quality; internal audits related to service quality; personnel training; statistical methods. This paper explores the need and capability to develop customer service standards and provides an algorithm for developing standards for employee behaviour toward customers
An Analysis of the European Practices in Bulgaria to Support Start-Ups
Authors: Stoyanova Tsvetana , Angelova Miglena
Published: July 2018

The dynamics of modern business life due to a faster development of innovations and technologies is able to turn over for a very short period the logic and development of entire economic sectors. The power and traditions of well-known companies can be challenged by the fundamentally new services and products developed by the small team of a start-up. This is the reason that these companies are in the focus of the European policy. Start-ups could gain competitive advantages of the European economy through fundamentally new products and services mainly in the high technologic branches. This report presents the analysis of the European practice in Bulgaria to support start-ups as an instrument to gain competitive advantage. The analysis includes European framework policy for start-ups and its implementation and results in Bulgaria
From Sustainable to Transient Competitive Advantage
Authors: Stoyanova Tsvetana , Angelova Miglena
Published: July 2018

The concept of competitive advantage is central for the strategic management literature. The researchers` ideas in this field are broad and comprehensive - from an attempts to define and measure the advantage, through its sources, to the complex of conditions that presuppose its existence at all, and its preservation for a longer period. The activities to protect it in a highly dynamic environment are a great challenge. This makes the topic of the necessary and sufficient requirements that the sources of competitive advantage have to meet in order to ensure its sustainability. Studying the conditions needs the sustainability to be defined, and with respect to the requirements of dynamism coming from the outside environment. The purpose of this article is to study, systematize and summarize existing scientific opinions about the conditions that ensure the sustainability for the competitive advantage and to identify the reasons for moving to its flexibility. In order to achieve this objective, it is necessary to fulfil the following tasks: - to consider the prerequisites for sustainability and to derive a definition of "sustainable competitive advantage"; - to highlight the specific features of the transitional competitive advantages; - to indicate the implementation of the two concepts in business organizations
Nationalisms Versus Solidarity in Case of Eu Law and Security
Authors: Marin Nikolay
Published: July 2018

The purpose of this article is to focus on the main prerequisites for the increasing nationalism among some of the Member States in the European Union and its impact in terms of solidarity, law, and security. In recent years, a number of events and processes have unlocked the growth of nationalism and the increase of its public support as a response to the fear of replacing the values and identity of European societies. For example, the disproportionate migratory pressures "woke up" in some European societies a legitimate fear for their national identity. It is now the time to offer legal mechanisms that are flexible enough for sharing security and finding a balance between the national and European interest in order to avoid a revival of extreme nationalism
Academic Self-Efficacy in Military Higher Education: Assessment of the Psychometric Qualities of Perceived Academic Efficacy Scale
Authors: Macovei Crenguţa Mihaela
Published: July 2018

The concept of academic self-efficacy has its origins in the social cognitive theory developed by A. Bandura and it refers to the conviction of a person that he/she can successfully achieve a certain academic goal or can solve a specific task. In this research we tested the psychometric qualities of the Perceived Academic Efficacy Scale in the context of military higher education. This scale is taken from PALS - The Patterns of Adaptive Learning Scales - and it demonstrated adequate psychometric properties that make it suitable for measuring the level of academic self-efficacy of military students. All six items on the scale load a single factor; the tested model showed a good fit
Foreign Language Education in the Military
Authors: Pateşan Marioara , Zechia Dana
Published: July 2018

As teachers of English in the military, we totally believe that today’s military should have foreign language skills and cultural expertise besides military competencies, needed to face the challenges of our present security. Foreign languages and cultural awareness can be considered ‘critical capabilities’. But proficiency in a foreign language is difficult to be acquired when you are not allotted sufficient class hours or the linguistic level of your students is pretty low. The English language proficiency training is a complex process involving time as well as human and financial resources. Each army needs literate military in foreign languages that can speak and write, comprehend oral speech or written text, in the literal and figurative forms of the language. Not being able to speak the NATO prime language of communication can be considered a real barrier for any military participant in international missions. The present study is a theoretical approach presenting some priorities in language learning education at home and abroad
Military Identity
Authors: Prodanciuc Robert
Published: July 2018

This paper is aimed at exploring the process of military identity acquisition. In order to be able to do this, it is important to define the concepts of institution and organization with reference to the social subsystem represented by the army. The analysis of the aspirants to the status of member of the army was done through the systemic and action paradigms, as well as the praxiological vision. Individuals wishing to integrate into the military system are analysed from a four-dimensional perspective, that is to say, from the point of view of the four defining aspects of each individual: biological, psychological, social and cultural. We also think that it is very important to address the responsibilities of the manager, in our case the commander, regardless of the level of the commanded formation. In the unfortunate case where the results do not meet the expectations, there are competent specialists who can provide the necessary support, not only military, but also civilians, and their specialization isn’t restricted to the field of psychology
Interpolation Operators on a Triangle With all Curved Sides
Authors: Babos Alina
Published: July 2018

This paper contains a survey regarding interpolation and Cheney-Sharma type operators defined on a triangle with all curved sides; we considers as well some of the product and Boolean sum operators. We study their interpolation properties and the degree of exactness
Considerations on Cycling in the Case of Linear Programming Problem (Lpp)
Authors: Carutasu Vasile
Published: July 2018

Ever since the onset of algorithms for determining the optimal solution or solutions for a linear programming problem (LPP), the question of the possibility of occurrence of cycling when one or other of these algorithms are applied was born. Thus, the fundamental question regarding this issue is under what conditions the cyclic phenomenon appears for a problem of linear programming and how to construct examples in which to do so, and as a continuation of it, which methods can be developed to avoid this phenomenon. In this study we will present some aspects regarding this issue starting from the primal simplex algorithm, by highlighting some general aspects that occur when this phenomenon happens
Experimental Model for Data Transmission in the Underwater Environment
Authors: Cristea Ovidiu , Deliu Florențiu , Badara Nicolae , Tarabuta Octavian
Published: July 2018

Communications applications in the underwater environment have recently developed a considerable development due to the demand for underwater research with Robot Underwater Vehicle (ROV). The most important aspects addressed by researchers are related to the speed and distance of data transmissions. In most cases, this data signal may be electromagnetic, optical or acoustic. The first two cases have limitations on the distance of the communication channel due to signal attenuation. That is why the acoustic field can be considered the favorite in this choice. In this case, the limitations of use are given by the acoustic field propagation, which depends on the temperature, salinity and pressure of the underwater environment and the result is the variation of the propagation speed. The influence of frequency on attenuation and reverberation are important factors limiting the use of the acoustic field. Based on these considerations, the paper presents an experimental transceiver model of data transmission using Frequency Shift Keying (FSK), modulation with phase discontinuity for transmitting and receiving commands at the speed of 2kbits / s
A Numerical and Experimental Aproach of Stress Waves Propagation in Short Tronconical Bars Under Axial Impact
Authors: Iliescu Nicolae , Nastasescu Vasile , Barsan Ghiță
Published: July 2018

In the first part of the paper, using the numerical simulations with FEM and the results of some investigations made with different experimental techniques, a calculation methodology was developed for the study of the stress waves propagation in the short tronconical bars subjected at axial impact. Because a good agreement between data obtained from numerical analysis and experimental investigations was observed, the numerical model of calculus conceived for this study was considered validated. The calculus model established was used to investigate other aspects connected of stress wave propagation in the short tronconical bars. In the second part of the paper, using established calculus model and numerical analysis with Finite Element Method the influence of bar conicity on stress wave propagation and on stress distribution in different cross sections of the bar was analyzed
Analysis of the Relation Between Climate Changes and Security Area
Authors: Padrev Nikolay Iliyanov
Published: July 2018

Security is often used in most meaningful concepts of contemporary political vocabulary. Furthermore, it concerns interesting aspects of the survival of nations and states in the world. In the first decade of the 21st century, mankind got into a qualitatively new phase of its development, in which it should invariably use the "uncertainty" area. There are no doubts about the facts that environmental pollution can cause a variety of ecologically based diseases and this in turn leads to reduction in the average life expectancy. This paper analyzes the relations between climate changes today and their impact on the security area. Problems that have arisen worldwide and in the Republic of Bulgaria because of the climate change are pointed out. The paper discuses directions for improving the security environment in the context of climate changes
Analysis of the Evolution Factors and Requirements Imposed on Technologies and Installations of Superficial Treatment with Electromagnetic Fields
Authors: Virca Ioan , Moro Nicolae , Hategan Cornel
Published: July 2018

The article makes references and appreciations regarding the technologies of surface thermal treatments with electromagnetic fields and the specific treatment facilities. Their development has grown in recent years due to factors of an economic, technical and ecological nature. As such, the large construction diversity determines the classification of these facilities according to a large number of criteria, but a common requirement is the technological flexibility, in conditions of increased productivity and quality. The article also highlights the features of a superficial optical pulse treatment method used by one of the authors in an extensive experimental program
Vulnerability Evaluation of Personnel, Equipment and Activities as a Base for Taking of Engineer Force Protection Measures
Authors: Zálesky Jaroslav , Palasiewicz Tibor
Published: July 2018

The article describes a vulnerability of personnel, equipment and activities as a factor determining consequences caused by threats. It defines levels of vulnerability and provides a possibility to quantify its levels for all hazards affecting each resource. In conjunction with critical assessment vulnerability evaluation enables to describe severity of each threat impact on particular resource more specifically. The threat severity together with its occurrence probability creates kay factor of risk assessment being a base for appropriate engineer force protection measure development
Blindness in echolocating bats
Authors: Feijó Anderson , Nunes Hannah , Vilar Emmanuel Messias , da Rocha Patrício Adriano
Published: July 2018

Vision in echolocating bats works complementary to their echolocation signals and is especially important in long-range orientation. Contrary to previous predictions, we report here the first case of blindness and ocular anomalies in healthy adult echolocating bats. Two anomalous individuals of Carollia perspicillata, two Artibeus planirostris and one Artibeus lituratus were captured in highly human-modified areas (urban and agricultural). One C. perspicillata was totally blind exhibiting completely closed eyelids and the others presented strong corneal opacity in their right eye. Our finding brings new insights about the habitat perception in mammals and suggests an unreported ecological compensation of the sensory system in bats.
Habitat selection of the Great Bustard (Otis tarda) in Körös-Maros National Park
Authors: Szenek Zoltán , Végvári Zsolt
Published: July 2018

We investigated relationships among bustard presence data as response as well as properties of habitat patches such as shape, size, type of land use and landscape connectivity in 2015, employing bustard occurrence data in Körös-Maros National Park (KMNP hereafter). Additionally, we aimed to present a geometrical approach of habitat choice in animals, focusing on geometric properties rather than vegetation structure. Here we applied landscape metrics approach, providing landscape classification by analysing spatial patterns in potentially important landscape objects, disregarding linear constructions. Our findings show insignificant differences between shape metrics of selected and non-selected habitat patches, in line with previous studies concluding that bustards choose habitats based on habitat type classes rather than on geometric properties. Further, our results indicate that the original habitats of the study species, adapted to extensive, open steppes, became strongly fragmented, resulting in the absence of large contiguous areas. Within the study area, landscape connectivity values represent optimal habitat conditions, probably as a result of highly patchy structure of the landscape and relatively small nearest neighbour distances of habitat patches. Thus, our findings also indicate that Great Bustards adapted to modified landscape structures. Our landscape analytical approach provides a methodological framework which can be applied on habitat selection tactics in a number of species of key conservation importance.
Exploratory analyses ofmigration timing andmorphometrics of the European Robin(Erithacus rubecula)
Authors: Harnos Andrea , Ágh Nóra , Fehérvári Péter , Karcza Zsolt , Ócsai Péter , Csörgő Tibor
Published: July 2018

Ornithological studies often rely on long-term bird ringing data sets as sources of information. However, basic descriptive statistics of raw data are rarely provided. In order to fill this gap, here we present the sixth item of a series of exploratory analyses of migration timing and body size measurements of the most frequent passerine species at a ringing station located in Central Hungary (1984–2017). First, we give a concise description of foreign ring recoveries of the European Robin in relation to Hungary. We then shift focus to data of 40,128 ringed and 11,231 recaptured individuals with 24,056 recaptures (several years recaptures in 313 individuals) derived from the ringing station, where birds have been trapped, handled and ringed with standardized methodology since 1984. Timing is described through annual and daily capture and recapture frequencies and their descriptive statistics. We show annual mean arrival dates within the study period and present the cumulative distributions of first captures with stopover durations. We present the distributions of wing, third primary, tail length and body mass, and the annual means of these variables. Furthermore, we show the distributions of individual fat and muscle scores, and the distributions of body mass within each fat score category.We distinguish the spring and autumn migratory periods and age groups (i.e. juveniles and adults). Our aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the analysed variables. However, we do not aim to interpret the obtained results, merely to draw attention to interesting patterns that may be worth exploring in detail. Data used here are available upon request for further analyses.
OPCW-IUPAC Workshop on Innovative Technologies for Chemical Security
Authors: Cesa Mark C. , Ferreira Vitor Francisco , Forman Jonathan E. , Tang Cheng , Timperley Christopher M. , Tran Camly , West Bernard
Published: July 2018

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine of the USA, the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, and the Brazilian Chemical Society held a workshop: “Innovative Technologies for Chemical Security”, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 3 to 5 July 2017. This event was part of a four workshop series held to inform the report of the OPCW Scientific Advisory Board on developments in science and technology to the Fourth Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which will be held in November 2018. The workshop explored the potential of new technologies to enhance capabilities for the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. There is a continuing need for recognition that emerging scientific developments can have beneficial applications with respect to implementation of the Convention, particularly in prevention of re-emergence of chemical weapons. The objectives of this workshop were to present, discuss and critically evaluate the emergence and practical applications of new and existing technologies – as tools for detecting biochemical change in complex environments – and the applications of these technologies in support of chemical disarmament and chemical security. This issue of Pure and Applied Chemistry presents a series of papers that originate from topics discussed in the workshop. This preface describes the scientific review process for the Chemical Weapons Convention and how it was supported by the Rio de Janeiro workshop, as well as introducing the papers in the collection and their corresponding authors.
Health-related behavior patterns of cancer patients determined by socio-demographic variables
Authors: Humeniuk Ewa , Dąbska Olga , Pawlikowska-Łagód Katarzyna , Matuska Małgorzata
Published: July 2018

Introduction. Health practices have been a subject of theoretical and empirical discussions among experts from various fields of knowledge. They are analyzed more and more closely, regarding their connection with specific diseases. Because cancer is one of the main causes of death in Poland, it is very important to learn more about pro-health behaviors undertaken by cancer patients.

Aim. An attempt was made to establish if pro-health activities and their separate categories regarding cancer patients are preconditioned by socio-demographic variables.

Material and methods. The research was conducted on the group of 100 cancer patients. Diagnostic poll method, survey technique was used when conducting this study. Health Behavior Inventory (HBI) by Zygfryd Juczyński was the research tool. STATISTICA 12 and Microsoft Office Excel were used to analyze the gathered data. Statistical significance of p<0.05 was assumed which indicated statistically important differences or correlations.

Results. There was no association between sex, marital status, place of residence, education level, financial situation and prohealth activities undertaken by cancer patients. Average HBI score for the whole group amounted to 78.47±15.80 which is average. The highest level of pro-health behavior was observed in Proper Eating Habits subscale and the lowest level of pro-health behavior was observed in Health Practices category.

Conclusions. The knowledge gained on the basis of the conducted research will constitute a valuable hint regarding deficits in the observance of the principles of health culture in patients with cancer.
Selected health behaviours of type 2 diabetes patients
Authors: Samolińska Wioletta , Kiczorowska Bożena , Kowalczuk-Vasilev Edyta , Klebaniuk Renata , Jakubczak Ewelina
Published: July 2018

Introduction. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease with an epidemic character. Its prevalence is associated with lifestyle, many environmental factors, and genetic determinants. Implementation of diet therapy is the basis for treatment of the disease.

Aim. The aim of the study was to assess health behaviours and differences in these behaviours in type 2 diabetes patients taking their age into consideration.

Material and methods. The questionnaire survey was carried out among 120 subjects diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The original questionnaire comprised questions on selected pro-health behaviours, e.g. prophylactic behaviour or self-monitoring in the disease. The statistical analysis was performed on 111 properly completed surveys. The respondents were divided into three age groups: subjects under 60 (n=24), between 60 and 75 (n=64), and over 75 years old (n=23).

Results. Regardless of their age, the patients with type 2 diabetes indicated mainly arteriel hypertension as a coexisting complication. The basic element of patients’ self-monitoring was checking the blood pressure and glycaemia. Half of the patients declared body weight control, however, a majority were characterised by excessive body weight and abdominal fat deposits, irrespective of their age. Walking was the most popular form of physical activity chosen by the respondents. Regardless of their age, the type 2 diabetes patients exhibited similar readiness for self-education related to their disease.

Conclusions. The surveyed respondents exhibited similar behaviours undertaken to keep healthy. The increase in the regularity of doctor appointments and in the use of pharmacotherapy was closely related to age of the respondents. The advanced age of the respondents had an impact on the regularity of foot inspection. Respondents over 75 years of age adhered to recommendations on the schedule of food and medicine intake, but used diet therapy less frequently.
The Role of the Atmosphere on Boron-Activated Sintering of Ferrous Powder Compacts
Authors: Vassileva V. , Danninger H. , Strobl S. , Gierl-Mayer Ch. , de Oro Calderon R. , Hutter H.
Published: July 2018

Boron has been known to activate densification during sintering of ferrous powder compacts, though with risk of embrittlement. In the present study, specimens Fe-B and Fe-C-B prepared from standard atomized iron powder with addition of ferroboron Fe-21%B were sintered in different atmospheres, and the resulting microstructures and properties were studied. It showed that the activating effect of boron is observed during sintering in argon and in hydrogen while sintering in N2containing atmospheres results in rapid deactivation of boron, through formation of stable BN. In hydrogen atmosphere, surface deboronizing was observed to considerable depth. Ar is chemically inert, but Ar trapped inside closed pores tends to inhibit further densification. The impact energy data indicated that the embrittling effect of boron is enhanced significantly by presence of carbon. In the fracture surfaces, transgranular cleavage fracture can be observed both at very low and high impact energy values.
Surface Hardening Vs. Surface Embrittlement in Carburizing of Porous Steels
Authors: Mekonone S. Tesfaye , Cristofolini I. , Pahl W. , Molinari A.
Published: July 2018

Carburizing increases the contact fatigue resistance of sintered steels, but the surface hardening may result the formation of surface brittle cracks due to the combined effect of high hardness and porosity. The effect of carburizing on the embrittlement of the case of a 7.3 g/cm3 1.5%Mo - 0.25%C sintered steel was studied. The phenomenon was analyzed theoretically and verified by experiments. The resistance of the carburized steel to surface brittle cracking increases with the load bearing surface and the decrease of the maximum pore size, of the surface microhardness and the friction coefficient. The theoretical analysis was implemented in a design procedure for parts subject to contact stresses.