bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Impact of the EU Structural Support on the Competitiveness of Lithuanian Economics
Authors: Remeikiene Rita , Gaspareniene Ligita
Published: August 2016

The topic of competitiveness is becoming increasingly significant in the context of modern economics. Considering intensive processes of globalisation alongside with competitive pressure amongst the countries, competitiveness has become a necessary condition for successful economic and social development of any country. Only by creating, enforcing and maintaining international competitiveness of the country, rapid economic growth during the long term is achievable. Amongst the other urgent issues, the European Union (further the EU) public policies are also focused on competitiveness. After the failure to implement the Lisbon strategy and become “the most dynamic and competitive knowledge-based economy”, the EU declared its new competitiveness aims in the long-term strategy Europe 2020. Promotion of competitiveness is one of the fundamental aims and priority directions of the EU structural policy. The EU structural support is engaged as one of the public policy measures to promote the competitiveness of the member-states. In this context, it is purposeful to research whether the structural support is used efficiently and whether it actually contributes to the implementation of the defined aims. Under the order of various Lithuanian institutions, numerous studies on the efficiency of the EU structural support have been carried out. Nevertheless, by analysing the impact of the EU structural support, insufficient attention has been paid to the aspect of competitiveness. Considering the fact that Lithuania has entered the third programming period 2014-2020, evaluation of the EU structural investment in the country has become even more topical - for successful implementation of the aims raised for this new period, the analysis of the previous results is relevant. This determined formulation of the research problem: what impact does the EU structural support have on the competitiveness of Lithuanian economics? The empirical research has revealed that the EU structural support has a positive impact on Lithuanian gross domestic product growth, promotes foreign direct investment, research and development expenditure and increases the number of operating entities during 2004-2014 period.
The alternative negative constructions in spoken and written Korean: Logistic regression analysis
Authors: Kang Beom-mo
Published: August 2016

Adopting quantitative corpus-based methods, this paper focuses on the alternative negative constructions in Korean, [anV] and [Vanhda]. Logistic regression analyses for a mixed-effects model were carried out on data drawn from the Sejong Korean Corpus. Certain features of the verb or adjective in negative constructions significantly affect the use of the two negative constructions. A relevant factor is register/medium (spoken or written), among other significant interactions of factors. Furthermore, the fact that frequency is consistent with other relevant factors, together with certain diachronic facts of Korean, supports the claim that frequency of use plays an important role in linguistic changes. Another finding is that, notwithstanding noticeable differences between spoken and written language, the factors influencing the use of the two negative constructions in Korean are largely similar in the spoken and written registers.
Analysis of kinetics of multicomponent, heterogeneous granular mixtures - Laminar and turbulent flow approach
Authors: Królczyk Jolanta B.
Published: August 2016

Mixing of granular materials is unquestionably important. Mixing solids is common in industrial applications and frequently represents a critical stage of the processes. The effect of mixing determines the quality of the products. Achieving a gas or liquid mixture ideally homogeneous in terms of composition in the case of dissolving components is not that difficult, while in case of granular materials that usually differ in sizes and densities, obtaining a homogenous mixture is practically impossible. The aim of the paper is to present the kinetics of mixing of a multicomponent, nonhomogeneous granular mixture. For the first time in mixing of granular materials, a reference has been made to the terminology used in kinematics of fluid mixtures to determine the state of the mixture: turbulent or laminar. By means of statistical analysis the mixing process was divided into two stages. The initial phase of the process was called the stage of turbulent changes, due to large differences in the quality of the observed mixtures; the final step of the process was called the stage of laminar, stable changes, where further mixing did not result in a significant improvement in quality. The research was conducted in industrial conditions in a two-tonne mixer.
The influence of chitin structure on its enzymatic deacetylation
Authors: Jaworska Malgorzata M. , Roberts George A.F.
Published: August 2016

The possibility of producing chitosan by enzymatic deacetylation of chitin has been the subject of numerous investigations over the last twenty years, but to date no satisfactory method has been developed. In this paper the influence of chitin chain conformation and chitin particle crystallinity on the enzymatic deacetylation of chitin is investigated to determine the relative importance of these two factors on the process. It is shown that the high crystallinity of chitin is the main obstacle to converting chitin to chitosan by enzymatic deacetylation.
Barter Online Network
Authors: Van Ngoc Tran
Published: August 2016

Barter is the direct exchange of goods or services without using a medium of exchange, such as money. Barter faced a number of limitations, and according to Smith (1776), these limitations led to the emergence of money. However, trading with money also exposes traders to the problems of monetary economy such as inflation, deflation, currency de-valuation, and currency exchange fluctuation. According to Statista.com (2015), in 2016, global Business to Customer (B2C) e-commerce sales will reach 1.92 trillion US dollars. On the other hand, online barter solutions are rare on the market. The only attempts to tackle online barter are mobile applications, carried out by small businesses. The market gap is caused by the unsolved inefficiencies of barter. The aim of this thesis is to identify the problems of barter, propose an IT solution for the problems of barter, and finally, produce an artefact, which is the realisation of the proposed IT solution by utilising computer systems and computer algorithms.
MyETL: A Java Software Tool to Extract, Transform, and Load Your Business
Authors: Michele Nuovo
Published: August 2016

The project follows the development of a Java Software Tool that extracts data from Flat File (Fixed Length Record Type), CSV (Comma Separated Values), and XLS (Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Worksheet file), apply transformation to those sources, and finally load the data into the end target RDBMS. The software refers to a process known as ETL (Extract Transform and Load). Those kinds of systems are called ETL systems.

The analysis involved research on the theory behind the ETL process as well as the theory behind the various phases of the applied methodology. Also an in-depth look at the design and architecture of the software has been made. To create a complete design needed to be used for the implementation, different techniques and diagrams where used to visualise and refine ideas: UML class diagrams, System Architecture Diagrams, Physical Data Model, and Project Timeline.

The implementation of the project involved the translation of the system architecture into working software using the Extreme Programming Methodology and the Java programming language. A mapping algorithm module and design patterns have been used in the implementation phase. A transformation syntax has been defined to achieve data transformation.

The testing of the software was done in the form of a unit test. A formal test plan was prepared to ensure that the main features of the system worked as defined. An error handling code implementation has been developed to avoid an unexpected crash of the system and to communicate to the user problems or errors.
Ontology Translation: The Semiotic Engineering of Content Management Systems
Authors: Alejandro Villamarin M.
Published: August 2016

The present paper proposes the application of Semiotic Engineering theory to Content Management Systems (CMS) focusing on the analysis of how the use of different ontologies can affect the user’s efficiency when performing tasks in a CMS. The analysis is performed using the theoretical semiotic model Web-Semiotic Interface Design Evaluation (W-SIDE model).

The Ontology Translation concept is proposed as a practical enhancement for the W-SIDE model. The enhanced model is validated by using a proof of concept based on test cases of a fictitious scenario. The validation process is carried out modifying an open source CMS. The testing of the modified CMS if performed by a volunteer tester that fits both the Ontology Translation concept and the fictitious scenario. Finally, the results of the experiment are critically evaluated establishing limitations, conclusions, and recommendations for future studies.
Alien shades of grey: new occurrences and relevant spread of Sciurus carolinensis in Italy
Authors: Mori Emiliano , Amerini Rachele , Mazza Giuseppe , Bertolino Sandro , Battiston Roberto , Sforzi Andrea , Menchetti Mattia
Published: August 2016

The eastern grey squirrel is listed among the worst invasive species throughout the world. This species of American origin is currently replacing the native Eurasian red squirrel in most of the Great Britain, as well as in parts of Ireland and Italy. It may debark trees and exert damages to woodlands and tree plantations. Therefore, its spread may be deleterious for biodiversity and environment, emphasising the need for a rapid detection in new areas of occurrence. In this work, we reported for the first time, the presence of new populations of this invasive species in Tuscany (Central Italy) and some updates and analyses regarding the status of this species in Veneto (North-Eastern Italy). Occurrences were collected through citizen-science contributory approach supported by photos, road-kills, and/or hair-tube sampling. Field investigations ad hoc were carried out in Veneto and Tuscany to confirm the repeated reports in the surroundings of Arezzo and in the province of Siena.

Although records can be possibly related to erratic or single individuals escaped from captivity, reproductive nuclei have also been detected in both regions, with the observations of juveniles and/or lactating females. The occurrence of the species in these regions is still scarce and localised, but considering the surrounding favourable wooded habitats, a rapid removal of the animals would be required to prevent their spread.
Polylactide/polycaprolactone asymmetric membranes for guided bone regeneration
Authors: Domalik-Pyzik Patrycja , Morawska-Chochół Anna , Chłopek Jan , Rajzer Izabella , Wrona Agata , Menaszek Elżbieta , Ambroziak Maciej
Published: August 2016

The aim of this work was to develop bioresorbable, asymmetric membranes for guided bone regeneration (GBR). Two resorbable polymers – polylactide (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) were used in fabrication process. Two different manufacturing methods were applied: electrospinning in the case of PLA and freeze-drying of PCL. Mechanical properties, stability in a water environment and biocompatibility of fabricated membranes were evaluated. Microstructure [scanning electron microscopy (SEM)] of the membranes was assessed in terms of level of porosity, as well as size and shape of the pores. Study showed that combination of electrospinning and freeze-drying methods allows biocompatible PLA/PCL bi-phasic materials of appropriate mechanical properties and diverse microstructure to be produced, that should on the one hand prevent soft tissue growth, and on the other hand be a suitable scaffold for the growth of bone cells.
Subspace confinement for switched linear systems
Authors: Shang Yilun
Published: August 2016

In this note,
we introduce the asymptotic subspace confinement problem,
generalizing the usual concept of convergence in discrete-time linear systems.
Instead of precise convergence,
subspace confinement only requires the convergence of states to a certain subspace of the state space, offering useful flexibility and applicability.
We establish a criterion for deciding the asymptotic subspace confinement,
drawing upon a general finiteness result for the infinite product of matrices.
Our results indicate that the asymptotic subspace confinement problem is algorithmically decidable when an invariant subspace for the set of matrices and some polytope norms are given.
Outer automorphism groups of simple Lie algebras and symmetries of painted diagrams
Authors: Chuah Meng-Kiat , Zhang Mingjing
Published: August 2016

Let

𝔤

${{\mathfrak{g}}}$

be a simple Lie algebra.
Let

Aut
⁢

(
𝔤
)

${{\rm Aut}(\mathfrak{g})}$

be the group of all automorphisms on

𝔤

${\mathfrak{g}}$

,
and let

Int
⁢

(
𝔤
)

${{\rm Int}(\mathfrak{g})}$

be its identity component.
The outer automorphism group of

𝔤

${\mathfrak{g}}$

is defined as

Aut
⁢

(
𝔤
)

/
Int

⁢

(
𝔤
)

${{\rm Aut}(\mathfrak{g})/{\rm Int}(\mathfrak{g})}$

.
If

𝔤

${\mathfrak{g}}$

is complex and has Dynkin diagram

D

${{\rm D}}$

,
then

Aut
⁢

(
𝔤
)

/
Int

⁢

(
𝔤
)

${{\rm Aut}(\mathfrak{g})/{\rm Int}(\mathfrak{g})}$

is isomorphic to

Aut
⁢

(
D
)

${{\rm Aut}({\rm D})}$

.
We provide an analogous result for the real case.
For

𝔤

${\mathfrak{g}}$

real, we let

𝔤

${\mathfrak{g}}$

be represented by
a painted diagram

P

${{\rm P}}$

. Depending on whether
the Cartan involution of

𝔤

${\mathfrak{g}}$

belongs to

Int
⁢

(
𝔤
)

${{\rm Int}(\mathfrak{g})}$

, we show that

Aut
⁢

(
𝔤
)

/
Int

⁢

(
𝔤
)

${{\rm Aut}(\mathfrak{g})/{\rm Int}(\mathfrak{g})}$

is isomorphic to

Aut
⁢

(
P
)

${{\rm Aut}({\rm P})}$

or

Aut
⁢

(
P
)

×

ℤ
2

${{\rm Aut}({\rm P})\times\mathbb{Z}_{2}}$

.
This result extends to the outer automorphism groups
of all real semisimple
Lie algebras.
The humor of Skopje 2014: Between effects and evaluations
Authors: Takovski Aleksandar
Published: August 2016

In 2010, the Macedonian government commissioned a controversial urban project titled Skopje 2014, designed to aesthetically revamp the look of the capital’s center. The announcement gave rise to conflicting views, both supportive and critical of the idea. Part of the criticism leveled at the project was expressed through on-line humor which produced no major sociopolitical effect, public debate or counter-humor production. Yet its production and reception may be taken as emblematic of the societal tensions underlying the contradiction between its effects and its evaluations.

By outlining the political context of the humor’s emergence, analyzing the examples produced, and voicing humor creators’ and citizens’ understanding of its political role, the study reflects upon humor’s specifics and limitations in order to argue that the humor produced and its understanding reflect the political impulses, tensions, and ambiguities of a hybrid society such as Macedonia. Using input from the discussions on the role of humor across political systems, and especially relying on studies of political on-line humor in democracies and audience research, the study intends to determine the political effect of the humor produced so as to argue that faced with many challenges, the humor failed to become a democratic means of political engagement, remaining largely a tool for the expression of personal dissatisfaction. Nonetheless, there is an existing paradox in the face of citizens’ beliefs in the potential of this humor. This study tries to explain this paradox.
Effect of ion exchange substrate on grass root development and cohesion of sandy soil
Authors: Chomczyńska Mariola , Soldatov Vladimir , Wasąg Henryk , Turski Marcin
Published: August 2016

The effect of small additions of ion exchange substrate (nutrient carrier) on root development and accompanying ground cohesion (characterized by its penetration resistance) was studied. During two pot experiments Dactylis glomerata L. was grown on sand and its mixture with 1 and 2% (v/v) of ion exchange substrate, respectively. The number and total length of roots were measured during the first test. Penetration resistance was measured with a pentrologger, following the second experiment. After six weeks of growth, number and length of roots in sand mixture with 1 and 2% substrate was greater than in sand-only medium by 211-287 and 273-323%, respectively. At the same time, penetration resistance in series with substrate additions was significantly higher than in control medium at depth of 2.5-7(8) cm, whereas after 12 week of growth, penetration resistance in series with 1 and 2% substrate additions was significantly greater than in control sand at the whole analyzed depth. The highest resistance values in media with substrate additions 2-2.5 times greater than those in sand alone – were observed at depth of 3.5-4.0 cm. Higher resistance of sand-substrate mixtures results from more intensive development of root systems, forming a mesh which binds sand particles. Such media would be less susceptible to erosion.
Impact of post-infiltration soil aeration at different growth stages of sub-surface trickle-irrigated tomato plants
Authors: Li Yuan , Jia Zong-xia , Niu Wen-Quan , Wang Jing-wei
Published: August 2016

Sensitivity to low rhizosphere soil aeration may change over time and therefore plant response may also depend on different growth stages of a crop. This study quantified effects of soil aeration during 5 different periods, on growth and yield of trickle-irrigated potted single tomato plants. Irrigation levels were 0.6 to 0.7 (low level) or 0.7 to 0.8 (high level) of total water holding capacity of the pots. Soil was aerated by injecting 2.5 l of air into each pot through the drip tubing immediately after irrigation. Fresh fruit yield, above ground plant dry weight, plant height, and leaf area index response to these treatments were measured. For all these 4 response variables, means of post-infiltration aeration between 58 to 85 days after sowing were 13.4, 43.5, 13.7, and 37.7% higher than those for the non-aerated pots, respectively. The results indicated that: post-infiltration soil aeration can positively impact the yield and growth of sub-surface trickle-irrigated potted tomato plants; positive effects on plant growth can be obtained with aeration during the whole growth period or with aeration for partial periods; positive growth effects of partial periods of aeration appears to persist and result in yield benefit.
Comprehensive analysis of soil nitrogen removal by catch crops based on growth and water use
Authors: Yasutake D. , Kondo K. , Yamane S. , Kitano M. , Mori M. , Fujiwara T.
Published: August 2016

A new methodology for comprehensive analysis of the characteristics of nitrogen (N) removal from greenhouse soil by catch crop was proposed in relation to its growth and water use. The N removal is expressed as the product of five parameters: net assimilation rate, specific leaf area, shoot dry weight, water use efficiency for N removal, and water requirement for growth. This methodology was applied to the data of a greenhouse experiment where corn was cultivated under three plant densities. We analyzed the effect of plant density and examined the effectiveness of the methodology. Higher plant densities are advantageous not only for total N removal but also for water use efficiency in N removal and growth because of the large specific leaf area, shoot dry weight, and decreased soil evaporation. On the other hand, significant positive or negative linear relationships were found between all five parameters and N removal. This should improve the understanding of the N removal mechanisms and the interactions among its components. We show the effectiveness of our analytical methodology, which can contribute to identifying the optimum plant density according to the field situations (available water amount, soil N quantity to be removed) for practical catch crop cultivation.
Simulation of climate change impacts on grain sorghum production grown under free air CO2 enrichment
Authors: Fu Tongcheng , Ko Jonghan , Wall Gerard W. , Pinter Paul J. , Kimball Bruce A. , Ottman Michael J. , Kim Han-Yong
Published: August 2016

Potential impacts of climate change on grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) productivity were investigated using the CERES-sorghum model in the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer v4.5. The model was first calibrated for a sorghum cultivar grown in a free air CO2 enrichment experiment at the University of Arizona, Maricopa, Arizona, USA in 1998. The model was then validated with an independent dataset collected in 1999. The simulated grain yield, growth, and soil water of sorghum for the both years were in statistical agreement with the corresponding measurements, respectively. Neither simulated nor measured yields responded to elevated CO2, but both were sensitive to water supply. The validated model was then applied to simulate possible effects of climate change on sorghum grain yield and water use efficiency in western North America for the years 2080-2100. The projected CO2 fertilizer effect on grain yield was dominated by the adverse effect of projected temperature increases. Therefore, temperature appears to be a dominant driver of the global climate change influencing future sorghum productivity. These results suggest that an increase in water demand for sorghum production should be anticipated in a future high-CO2 world.
The Use of Social Media by Alleged Members of Mexican Cartels and Affiliated Drug Trafficking Organizations
Authors: Nix Justin , Smith Michael R. , Petrocelli Matthew , Rojek Jeff , Manjarrez Victor M.
Published: August 2016

Focusing on Mexican cartels and affiliated drug trafficking organizations, this article examines how self-proclaimed cartel members use social media to further the criminal activities of their organizations. Employing an open-source, intelligence-driven methodology, the authors identified, followed, and mapped the connections between and among 75 alleged cartel members over a period of 4 months. Results indicated that cartel members actively use Facebook to plan, organize, and communicate in real-time. These findings provide tentative validation to the utility of using open-source social media platforms to study the social structure and operations of Mexican drug cartels. Implications for law enforcement, homeland security, and the intelligence enterprise are discussed.
Micropropagation of Clerodendrum phlomidis L.F.
Authors: Kher Mafatlal M. , Soner Deepak , Srivastava Neha , Nataraj Murugan , Teixeira da Silva Jaime A.
Published: August 2016

Clerodendrum phlomidis L. f. is an important medicinal plant of the Lamiaceae family, particularly its roots, which are used for various therapeutic purposes in a pulverized form. The objective of this study was to develop a standard protocol for axillary shoot proliferation and rooting of C. phlomidis for its propagation and conservation. Nodal explants were inoculated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium that was supplemented with one of six cytokinins: 6-benzyladenine, kinetin, thidiazuron, N
6-(2-isopentenyl) adenine (2iP), trans-zeatin (Zea) and meta-topolin. Callus induction, which was prolific at all concentrations, formed at the base of nodal explants and hindered shoot multiplication and elongation. To avoid or reduce callus formation with the objective of increasing shoot formation, the same six cytokinins were combined with 4 μM 2,3,5-tri-iodobenzoic acid (TIBA) alone or in combination with 270 μM adenine sulphate (AdS). Nodal explants that were cultured on the medium supplemented with 9.12 μM Zea, 4 μM TIBA and 270 μM AdS produced significantly more and longer shoots than on medium without TIBA and AdS. Half-strength MS medium supplemented with 8.05 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid was the best medium for root formation. Most (75%) in vitro rooted plantlets were successfully acclimatized under natural conditions.
In vitro Propagation of Solanecio biafrae and Determination of Genetic Stability of Plantlets Using RAPD and ISSR Markers
Authors: Opabode Jelili , Akinyemiju Oluyemisi
Published: August 2016

An efficient and reproducible micropropagation protocol of Solanecio biafrae (Oliv. & Hiern) C. Jeffrey has been developed from nodal stem segments. Shoot development was obtained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with benzylaminopurine (BAP) alone and in combination with zeatin and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Elongated shoots were rooted in the presence of zeatin or 3-indole-butyric acid (IBA) alone or in combinations. The highest number of explants forming shoots (100%) as well as the highest number of shoots per explant (3.4) and the longest shoots (22 mm) were recorded on medium containing 4.0 mg·dm−3 BAP, 2.0 mg·dm−3 NAA, and 1.0 mg·dm−3 zeatin. About 76% of shoots formed roots on half-strength MS medium free of plant growth regulators. The best root formation (approximately 88%) was recorded on the medium containing 1.0-1.5 mg·dm−3 IBA. The micropropagated shoots with well-developed roots were efficiently acclimatized under greenhouse conditions. The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) amplification products were monomorphic in micropropagated plants and similar to those of mother plant showing their genetic uniformity. This is the first report of micropropagation of S. biafrae, which will facilitate in vitro mass propagation, conservation, and germplasm exchange of this endangered African vegetable.
Laser Light Stimulation Effects on Scorzonera hispanica L. Seeds Germination, Field Emergence and Photosynthetic Pigments Content
Authors: Dziwulska-Hunek Agata , Krawiec Marcela , Sujak Agnieszka
Published: August 2016

The study presented herein concerns the effect of pre-sowing stimulation of scorzonera seeds with He–Ne laser on germination capacity, field emergence of seedlings and the content of chlorophylls and carotenoids. Seeds of scorzonera cv. ‘Duplex’, from harvests of various years, dis-played variable quality expressed by their germination capacity. They were subjected to pre-sowing stimulation with He–Ne laser light of the power of 40 mW and wavelength of 632.8 nm, surface power density of 5 mW·cm−2 and different exposure times. Germination capacity on Petri dish test increased only in one lot of seeds after exposure for 1 and 5 min. Increase in seedling emergence in the field experiment in the result of laser treatment occurred only in one seed lot. One-min laser treatment increased contents of chlorophylls and carotenoids in 8-day cotyledons (laboratory test) and in the second true leaves (field experiment).
Data Management Techniques for Blade Vibration Analysis
Authors: Przysowa Radosław , Tuzik Aleksander
Published: August 2016

Well-designed procedures are required to handle large amounts of data, generated by complex measurement systems used in engine tests. The paper presents selected methodologies and software tools for characterisation and monitoring of blade vibration. Common file formats and data structures as well as methods to process and visualise tip-timing data are discussed. Report Generation Framework (RGF) developed in Python is demonstrated as a flexible tool for processing and publishing blade vibration results.
Verifying Sarcoidosis Activity: Chitotriosidase Versus ACE in Sarcoidosis – A Case-Control Study
Authors: Popević Spasoje , Šumarac Zorica , Jovanović Dragana , Babić Dragan , Stjepanović Mihailo , Jovičić Snežana , Šobić-Šaranović Dragana , Filipović Snežana , Gvozdenović Branko , Omčikus Maja , Milovanović Anđela , Videnović-Ivanov Jelica , Radović Ana , Žugić Vladimir , Mihailović-Vučinić Violeta
Published: August 2016

Background:Until now, a proper biomarker(s) to evaluate sarcoidosis activity has not been recognized. The aims of this study were to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the two biomarkers of sarcoidosis activity already in use (serum angiotensin converting enzyme – ACE and serum chitotriosidase) in a population of 430 sarcoidosis patients. The activities of these markers were also analyzed in a group of 264 healthy controls.

Methods:Four hundred and thirty biopsy positive sarcoidosis patients were divided into groups with active and inactive disease, and groups with acute or chronic disease. In a subgroup of 55 sarcoidosis patients, activity was also assessed by F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET) scanning. Both serum chitotriosidase and ACE levels showed non-normal distribution, so nonparametric tests were used in statistical analysis.

Results:Serum chitotriosidase activities were almost 6 times higher in patients with active sarcoidosis than in healthy controls and inactive disease. A serum chitotriosidase value of 100 nmol/mL/h had the sensitivity of 82.5% and specificity of 70.0%. A serum ACE activity cutoff value of 32.0 U/L had the sensitivity of 66.0% and the specificity of 54%. A statistically significant correlation was obtained between the focal granulomatous activity detected on18F-FDG PET/CT and serum chitotriosidase levels, but no such correlation was found with ACE. The levels of serum chitotriosidase activity significantly correlated with the disease duration (P<0.0001). Also, serum chitotriosidase significantly correlated with clinical outcome status (COS) categories (ρ=0.272,P=0.001).

Conclusions:Serum chitotriosidase proved to be a reliable biomarker of sarcoidosis activity and disease chronicity.
Hyperemesis gravidarum is associated with increased maternal serum ischemia-modified albumin
Authors: Sari Nagihan , Ede Hüseyin , Engin-Ustun Yaprak , Göçmen Ayşe Yeşim , Çağlayan Emel Kıyak
Published: August 2016

Aim:

Our objective was to measure the circulating levels of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) among pregnant with hyperemesis gravidarum (HEG) and to compare their levels with age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched control pregnant women.

Method:

The pregnant subjects were classified into the HEG group diagnosed with HEG (n=45) and age- and BMI-matched control group without a diagnosis of HEG (n=45) during their pregnancies. Serum IMA, hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cells, platelet, fasting blood glucose, creatinine, lipid profile, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) urea, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), sodium, potassium and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels of the groups were measured.

Result:

Serum hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cells, platelet, fasting blood glucose, creatinine, lipid profile, AST, urea, ALT, sodium, potassium and TSH levels of the groups were statistically similar. Serum IMA values were significantly higher in subjects with HEG compared to the subjects without HEG.

Conclusions:

We found that HEG was related to increased maternal serum IMA levels. HEG might be due to an ischemic intrauterine environment leading to elevated serum IMA concentrations.
An assessment of crop water deficits of the plants growing on the Małopolska Upland (Poland)
Authors: Kowalczyk Agnieszka , Łabędzki Leszek , Kuźniar Antoni , Kostuch Marek
Published: August 2016

The problem of water scarcity is unfavourable for the economy, with the most significant water deficits felt by agriculture. In Poland water deficits in agriculture are occurring more frequently, causing losses in yield, not only in the Lowland areas but also in the Uplands. This paper presents an assessment of the water deficits at various excedance probability levels for four varieties of field crop and for soil types with various water retention capacity, which occur in the Małopolska Upland. Calculations were performed by balancing the amount of available soil water in the root zone. The study was based on the meteorological data from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management for the years 1971–2010. Daily precipitation data from six rainfall stations: Borusowa, Igołomia, Książ Wielki, Miechów, Olewin and Sielec was utilised as well as average decadal air temperature, water vapour pressure, wind speed and sunshine hours from the meteorological station at Kraków–Balice. The water deficits at an excedance probability level of 20% fluctuated during the growing season from 5 mm (Phaeozems) to 190 mm (Leptosols). In the Małopolska Upland in soils with a medium capacity to retain water (110–160 mm), water deficits have occurred even in years of average rainfall (with probability 50%). This study confirms the considerable impact of the high variability of the soil and pluvial conditions in the region on the water deficits of the field crops.
Cleanup and valuation of waters of the aquifer of M’zab Valley (Algeria)
Authors: Ouled Belkhir Cheikh , Remini Boualem
Published: August 2016

The M’zab valley is a hyper arid region of average rainfall not exceeding 100 mm per year. However, the rare floods that occur in M’zab River drain large volumes of surface water. Thanks to the genius of the local population, traditional dams were made for artificial recharge of groundwater. Grace of traditional wells drilled in the valley, farmers irrigate their palm groves and gardens. However, since more than half a century, the contribution of deep drilling for the exploitation of the aquifer of the Continental Intercalary posed environmental problems. On the basis of investigations and surveys of the local population during the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, it appears that these modern techniques in water catchment caused harmful consequences to the region like the rising of water consumption, pollution of groundwater and soil salinity. Solutions and recommendations are outlined in this article.
Quality of shallow groundwater and manure effluents in a livestock farm
Authors: Smoroń Sylwester
Published: August 2016

The aim of the study was to assess the quality of shallow groundwater on the site pens and runoff from livestock manure heaps, in three selected farms involved in animal production and vegetable crops in the area of Plateau Proszowice. The analysis mainly included water from farm wells and effluents from manure. Additionally, water from drainage ditch running nearby farms was collected, before inflow of effluent (i.e. ditch water without manure effluent) and below inflow of effluent from heap of manure (i.e. ditch water containing manure effluent). Samples of the research material were collected from April 2012 to March 2014 at monthly intervals and analysed for the content of NO3-N, NH4-N, PO4-P, K, Na and Cl. Based on the obtained results it was found that water from the farm wells near the livestock buildings and from manure storage sites, was heavily polluted by the majority of these contaminants. The highest concentration of these pollutants, except for the NO3-N, was found in manure effluent – it exceeded a few dozen to a few hundred to any standards for water quality. There was also a significant deterioration in the quality of drainage ditch water because of the penetration of contaminants into ditch water from heaps of improperly stored manure. The water of the farm wells was characterized by excessive concentrations of NO3-N which disqualified it for drinking purposes.
Land use impact on overland flow: micro-scale field experimental analysis
Authors: Minea Gabriel , Ioana-Toroimac Gabriela
Published: August 2016

The objective of this paper was to experimentally investigate the hydrological effect of land use on overland flow at micro-scale.

The research was based on field experiments made with stationary and expeditionary measurements on runoff plots. Plots are located in the Curvature Subcarpathians, form part of the Aldeni Experimental Basin (Romania) and cover an area of 80 m2. The land is covered with perennial grass and bare soil. The experiments in this field were performed under natural and simulated rainfalls. The plots data (rainfall and discharges) obtained during the experiments conducted in the warm semester (IV–IX) and one artificial rainfall (1 mm·min−1) were used. Significant variations in hydrological responses to rainfall rates were identified for the two land uses. On average, overland flow parameters on runoff plots covered with grasses were reduced to maximum 28% for discharges and to 50% for volumes while in the case of simulated rainfalls, the runoff rates were significantly increased on the bare soil plot. Grasses have a very important function as they cover and protect the soil and slow down the overland flow.
Forecasting suspended sediment load using regularized neural network: Case study of the Isser River (Algeria)
Authors: Tachi Salah E. , Ouerdachi Lahbassi , Remaoun Mohamed , Derdous Oussama , Boutaghane Hamouda
Published: August 2016

In the management of water resources in different hydro-systems it is important to evaluate and predict the sediment load in rivers. It is difficult to obtain an effective and fast estimation of sediment load by artificial neural network without avoiding over-fitting of the training data. The present paper comprises the comparison of a multi-layer perception network once with non-regularized network and the other with regularized network using the Early Stopping technique to estimate and forecast suspended sediment load in the Isser River, upstream of Beni Amran reservoir, northern Algeria. The study was carried out on daily sediment discharge and water discharge data of 30 years (1971–2001). The results of the Back Propagation based models were evaluated in terms of the coefficient of determination (R2) and the root mean square error (RMSE). Results of the comparison indicate that the regularizing ANN using the Early Stopping technique to avoid over-fitting performs better than non-regularized networks, and show that the overtraining in the back propagation occurs because of the complexity of the data introduced to the network.
Developing Students’ Competences for the Future – Key Priority in the Economics of Universities
Authors: Ilie Livia , Bondrea Ioan
Published: August 2016

In an interdependent world, marked by deep transformations, higher education institutions must act responsibly: to foresee, anticipate changes in all sectors of society, be ready and able to adjust in accordance with them. The education system in general, higher education in particular, needs to prepare younger generations for these rapid changes and continue challenges. Higher education plays a key role in opening up new horizons through important contributions to a sustained and equitable development and in creating a culture of peace. Higher education institutions must act critically and objectively on the basis of competence and merit, actively promoting intellectual and moral solidarity, serving the intellectual needs. In this complex context, the education system must have a proactive attitude preparing young people to perform in a global context and to adapt continuously through lifelong learning. The higher education system must develop, on one hand, basic skills enabling lifelong learning and on the other hand transferable skills that enable mobility. This paper aims to identify current challenges for the higher education system and to provide an overview on what competencies universities should develop in order to respond to these challenges. An important focus will be on the “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu (LBUS) best practice in this respect.
The Governance of Collaborative Cluster Models
Authors: Mănescu Gabriel
Published: August 2016

In the past decade, studies on the concepts of governance and cluster have emphasized the interest of the international scientific community for possible changes that can be brought to collaborative models of economic/innovative development, by implementing the most appropriate models of governance. This article summarizes elements of the two main concepts, governance and clusters, and their practical materialization within a conceptual model.
Invariant Control of the Technological Plants to Compensate an Impact of Main Disturbances Preemptively
Authors: Sniders A. , Laizans A. , Komass T.
Published: August 2016

The paper considers a survey of the research procedures and results due to invariant control method application perspective for operation quality advancement in several technological plants (wastewater biological treatment tanks and water steam production boilers), which operate under influence of organised and random disturbances. A specified subject of research is the simulation model of the multi-link invariant control system for steam pressure stabilisation in a steam boiler by preemptive compensation of steam load and feed water flow impact on output parameter (steam pressure), developed in MATLAB/SIMULINK. Simulation block-diagram of the steam boiler invariant control system, containing closed loop PID control circuit and open loop DPC circuit, has been composed on the basis of the designed mathematical model of the system components, disturbance compensation algorithms, and operational equation of the invariant control system. Comparative response of the steam boiler, operating under influence of fluctuating disturbances, with conventional PID control and using PID-DPC control with disturbance compensation controller DPC, has been investigated. Simulation results of invariant PID – DPC control system show that output parameter of the steam boiler - pressure remains practically constant under fluctuating disturbances due to a high-speed response of DPC controller.
Production of ZnO and CdO-ZnO thin Films by Extraction–Pyrolytic Method
Authors: Cvetkovs A. , Kiselova O. , Rogulis U. , Serga V. , Ignatans R.
Published: August 2016

The extraction-pyrolytic method has been applied to produce the ZnO and CdO-ZnO thin films on glass and quartz glass substrates. According to X-ray diffraction measurements, the ZnO and CdO phases have been produced with an average size of crystallites about 8–42 nm in the films. The thickness of the layers measured by a profilometer has been up to 150 nm. The surface morphology measurements show that the surface of the films may be rough and non-continuous. The SEM results confirm the dependence between the preparation procedure and the quality of the thin film.
Privatization in an Adverse Institutional Context: The Case of Kosovo
Authors: Dobra Bardhyl , de Vries Michiel S
Published: August 2016

Regarding the effectiveness of privatization, two schools of thought are distinguished: a school in favor of privatization in general and a school that judges the success of privatization to be dependent on the institutional context. This article discusses the arguments of both schools and presents a case study on the privatization processes that did take place in Kosovo. The Kosovo case is a critical case as Kosovo was a post-conflict country with a deplorable institutional setting at the time it initiated the privatization processes. If privatization was successful anyway, this would make for a strong argument in favor of privatization in general.

The outcomes of the case study show, however, many unintended and negative effects of privatization in the Kosovo context. The conclusion, therefore, disputes the claim that privatization is beneficial in general, irrespective of the institutional setting. Instead, the article makes a plea for creating a favorable institutional setting before starting far-reaching transformations through large-scale privatization.

The issues arising from this article are important for policy-makers and international missions considering implementing similar programs to other post-conflict countries.
The Evaluation of the Role of the Office for Protection of Competition of the Czech Republic in Regulating Public Procurement
Authors: Plaček Michal , Ochrana František , Schmidt Martin , Půček Milan
Published: August 2016

Our study offers additional insight into the Office for Protection of Competition. It examines the Office for Protection of Competition in terms of an input-process-output model, defines the inputs needed for its activities and examines the outputs of its control activities. It also identifies external factors (in the environment) that affect the performance and behavior of the Office for Protection of Competition and have an impact on inspection activities. The theoretical background as well as assumptions are then subjected to empirical scrutiny. Theoretical conclusions and recommendations for more effective control of public contracts are drawn from the conclusions which are established.
Do We Translate the Original Author’s
Intended Meaning?
Authors: Frank David B.
Published: August 2016

Translation of the Bible or any other text unavoidably involves a determination about its
meaning. There have been different views of meaning from ancient times up to the present, and a
particularly Enlightenment and Modernist view is that the meaning of a text amounts to whatever the
original author of the text intended it to be. This article analyzes the authorial-intent view of meaning in
comparison with other models of literary and legal interpretation. Texts are anchors to interpretation but
are subject to individualized interpretations. It is texts that are translated, not intentions. The challenge
to the translator is to negotiate the meaning of a text and try to choose the most salient and appropriate
interpretation as a basis for bringing the text to a new audience through translation.
Tumor necrosis factor-α alters integrins and metalloprotease ADAM12 levels and signaling in differentiating myoblasts
Authors: Grzelkowska-Kowalczyk K. , Tokarska J. , Grabiec K. , Gajewska M. , Milewska M. , Błaszczyk M.
Published: August 2016

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is important in the regulation of myogenesis. We hypothesized that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) modifies ECM during differentiation of mouse C2C12 myoblasts. Exogenous TNF-α (1 ng/ml) stimulated myoblast fusion on the 3rdday (by 160% vs control) but not on the 5thday of myogenesis. The level of integrin α5 was significantly augmented by TNF-α during 5 day-differentiation; however, integrin β1 was higher than control only on the 3rdday of cytokine treatment. Both the abundance of integrin α5 bound to actin and the level of integrin β1 complexed with integrin α5 increased in the presence of TNF-α, especially on the 3rdday of differentiation. Similarly, the stimulatory effects of TNF-α on integrin α3, metalloprotease ADAM12 and kinases related to integrins, FAK and ILK, were limited to the 3rdday of differentiation. We concluded that TNF-α-induced changes in ECM components in differentiating myogenic cells, i.e. i) increased expression of integrin α5, β1, α3, and metalloprotease ADAM12, ii) enhanced formation of α5β1 integrin receptors and interaction of integrin α5-cytoskeleton, and iii) increased expression of kinases associated with integrin signaling, FAK and ILK, were temporarily associated with the onset of myocyte fusion.
The relationship between basal and luminal cytokeratins with histopathologic characteristics of canine mammary gland cancer
Authors: Eivani D. , Mortazavi P.
Published: August 2016

Neoplasia occurs mostly in mammary glands in female dogs and mammary gland cancer is one of the causes of death in these animals cytokeratins are one of the most important of tumor markers for identification of tumor prognosis.

In this study, 120 canine malignant tumor samples of mammary glands were studied. From each sample, a section was taken for hematoxylin-eosin staining and two sections for immunohistochemical staining of markers CK5/6 and CK7. Histopathology slides was evaluated by light microscope.

The results show that the presence of markers CK7 and CK5/6 had no significant relationship with tumor grade and type (p<0.05).

However, it seems that unlike humans, CK5/6 and CK7 is not an independent prognostic factor in canine mammary gland tumors.