bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current concepts in the primary management of irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears without arthritis
Authors: Lädermann Alexandre , Collin Philippe , Athwal George S. , Scheibel Markus , Zumstein Matthias A. , Nourissat Geoffroy
Published: May 2018

Various procedures exist for patients with irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears (IRCT). At present, no single surgical option has demonstrated clinical superiority. There is no panacea for treatment and patients must be aware, in cases of palliative or non-prosthetic options, of an alarming rate of structural failure (around 50%) in the short term. The current review does not support the initial use of complex and expensive techniques in the management of posterosuperior IRCT. Further prospective and comparative studies with large cohort populations and long-term follow-up are necessary to establish effectiveness of expensive or complicated procedures such as superior capsular reconstruction (SCR), subacromial spacers or biological augmentation as reliable and useful alternative treatments for IRCT.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2018;3 DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.180002
Evaluation outcomes of a knowledge translation platform: a structure for support and exchange in prevention
Authors: Lee Pettman Tahna , Armstrong Rebecca , Johnson Shae , Love Penelope , Gill Timothy , Coveney John , Swinburn Boyd , Allender Steven
Published: May 2018

Obesity prevention is an urgent public health priority that requires action at multiple levels. Collaboration between academics, policy and practice is necessary to ensure best-practice implementation. A national knowledge translation and exchange (KT) platform, the Collaboration of Community-based Obesity Prevention Sites (CO-OPS), was delivered and evaluated over three years (2013–15). A mixed-methods evaluation used communications and website data, knowledge-brokering data, event evaluations, interviews and tracer searches to assess process (reach, delivery, quality, cost, uptake) and impact (use of tools/resources, networking, improvements in practice). Results included: 1) average 27% yearly membership growth (330 new members per year) in response to KT activities including tailored communications, stakeholder engagement, knowledge brokering and networking opportunities; 2) sustained website use with approximately 1200 visits/month and 73% unique visitors; and high access to networking and professional development information (120 hits/month), and best practice guidelines (60 hits/month); 3) higher uptake of face-to-face interactive strategies (for example, workshops) than online interactive strategies (for example, knowledge broker service) and higher uptake of passive KT (for example, website resources) than interactive KT strategies (for example, workshops); 4) the KT function of CO-OPS was clearly valued, and appeared to address a gap in implementation. A central coordinating KT platform provided support for best practice and exchange opportunities to a broad network of practice, policy and academic professionals. Simple KT strategies such as tailored, targeted online resources were useful for practice, whilst more intensive KT strategies were important for network engagement. Findings are applicable to other information-sharing networks where professionals address complex public health problems.
Choice and Control Within Family Relationships: The Lived Experience of Adults With Intellectual Disability
Authors: Curryer Bernadette , Stancliffe Roger J. , Dew Angela , Wiese Michele Y.
Published: May 2018

Increased choice and control is a driving force of current disability policy in Australia for people with disability and their families. Yet little is known of how adults with intellectual disability (ID) actually experience choice and control within their family relationships. We used interpretative phenomenological analysis of individual, semistructured interviews conducted with 8 Australian adults with ID to understand the meaning given to their experience of family support received around choice and decision making. Three themes were identified: (1) centrality of family, (2) experience of self-determination, and (3) limitations to choice and control. The participants identified trusted family members from whom guidance around choice and decision making was both sought and received, often involving mutual decision making and limitations to control.
Design of Fixture for Pitch Circle Diameter Run-out Check
Authors: Patil Ganesh , Patil Saurabh , Patil Rohit
Published: May 2018

The design of fixture is an exceptionally mind boggling and natural process, which require learning and knowledge.
Fixture configuration assumes an imperative part at the setup arranging stage. Appropriate fixture configuration is
urgent for creating item quality in various terms of exactness, surface complete and accuracy of the machined parts.
In existing plan the installation set up is done physically, so the point of this undertaking is to supplant with
installation to spare time for stacking and emptying of segment. Apparatuses are ordinarily grouped by the kind of
machine on which they are utilized. Installations can likewise be recognized by a sub arrangement. For instance, if an
installation is intended to be utilized for examination called as inspection apparatus. By using the new designed
fixture, run-out checking become easier and process becomes simpler.
Robust Performance of PID Controller by using Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Tiwary Shachi , Jafri Ashraf , Tiwari Kushal , Tiwari Richa , Yadav Chaman
Published: May 2018

This paper is meant to design method for determining the optimal proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller
parameters of plant system using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm and bacterial Foraging
Optimization (BFO). There are several methods which are used to tune the controller parameters. They are
categorized into two types known as classical methods and modern methods. In this paper the use of PSO method
tuned the PID parameter to make them more general and to achieve the steady state error limit, also to improve the
dynamic behaviour of the system. The performance and design criteria of automatic selection of controller constants
are discussed below.
Experimental investigation of Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) Process Parameters on SS304 using Taguchi method
Authors: Babu T Vijaya , Subbaratnam B
Published: May 2018

WEDM (Wire Electrical discharge machining) is a nonconventional machining processes used in complicated shapes
with high accuracy which are not possible with other conventional methods .Stainless steel 304 is used in present
experimental work. Experiments are completed using Taguchi’s method with L9 orthogonal array .The aim of this
work is to optimize the WEDM process parameters by considering input parameters are pulse on time , pulse off time
,peak current and wire feed and experiments are conducted with help of input parameters at three levels and
response output parameters are MRR (Material removal Rate) and Surface Roughness (SR).Setting of parameters
using by Taguchi’s method.
To study and analyze a production line of steering
Authors: . Ankush , Kumar Amit
Published: May 2018

Project has been completed in the practical environment of an auto ancillary company. There is always a room for
improvement in any process; the approach for study and further improvement of process is used for the fulfilment of
this project. Main purpose of this project is to scrutinize every aspect of a frame line. Main focus is to study its cycle
time and various wastes which can be removed from the process in order to optimize the process.
Line balancing concept is used for balancing the line to get single piece flow.
CNC Machine parameter optimisation by BFO-PSO
Authors: . Nitin , Kumar Amit
Published: May 2018

This work talks about decreasing the surface harshness of employments utilized on CNC processing machine. For this
reason streamlining calculations are a decision which gives ideal arrangement of estimations of CNC machine
parameters which influence the surface harshness amid processing task. The machining of aluminum metal network
composites in CNC fast conditions is huge on the grounds that such composites have various applications in the air
transportation industry. Since that industry requires amazing results, the expectation of surface harshness, which
relies upon input process parameters, accept hugeness in the keeping up nature of items. Frame the writing study it is
uncovered that most recent work on this is finished by utilizing gravitational inquiry calculation (GSA) and is
contrasted and TLBO, SA and GA (arranged by their execution). The estimations of surface harshness acquired with
these are very great however there is dependably extent of change. To get the ideal arrangements of information
parameters of CNC machine, a test work done in the paper by Pare V. et.al. is considered as a source of perspective.
Their analysis gives a reasonable scope of speed of cutting, profundity of cut, bolster and advance over proportion in
which ideal estimations of these can be sought out by our proposed improvement calculation. In this work, we have
proposed a half and half calculation by falling bio motivated streamlining calculations: bacterial rummaging
enhancement (BFO) and molecule swarm improvement (PSO). For this we have built up the MATLAB content and
contrasted the outcomes and the paper. A correlation of results got by BFO-PSO, GSA and TLBO is appeared in our
work and half and half calculation enhanced the surface harshness by 13.07% for direct investigation. The entire
examination is directed on the Al2O3 + SiC metal lattice composite.
Effect of Injection timing on diesel engine performance, combustion and emission characteristics operated with Dairy Scum Biodiesel
Authors: Channappagoudra Manjunath , Ramesh K , G Manavendra
Published: May 2018

Treating of dairy waste scum into fuel will be the very beneficial for milk dairies in terms of energy savings, reduction
of hazardous emissions and independency on foreign fuels. This new approach of developing and utilization of dairy
scum oil methyl ester is highly pronounced in the field of alternative fuels for diesel engines. In the present study
experimental work attempts to unfold the influence of DSOME blends and injection timing (IT) on the performance,
emission and combustion characteristics of diesel engine. In the first phase of experimental work effect of different
blends namely DSOME-B10, DSOME-B20, DSOME-B30 and DSOME-B100 are studied and compared with petroleum
diesel. In second phase of experimental work different injection timings namely 20.deg.bTDC, 23.deg.bTDC,
26.deg.bTDC and 29.deg.bTDC are studied and compared with standard engine. From first phase of experimental
works its revealed that significant improvement of brake thermal efficiency, brake specific fuel consumption and
reduced HC, CO emissions are observed for DSOME-B20 blend hence it is optimized and carried to the second phase of
the work to optimize the injection timing. From second phase of experimental results it is concluded that 26.deg.bTDC
IT for DSOME-B20 operation shown the improved performance, combustion and emission characteristics among
other ITs hence it is optimized for DSOME-B20 fuel blend.
Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Wastewater by Chemically Modified Agricultural Waste Material as Potential Adsorbent-A Review
Authors: Acharya Jyotikusum , Kumar Upendra , Rafi P. Mahammed
Published: May 2018

Heavy metal remediation of aqueous streams is of special concern due to recalcitrant and persistency of heavy metals
in environment. Conventional treatment technologies for the removal of these toxic heavy metals are not economical
and further generate huge quantity of toxic chemical sludge. Agricultural waste materials being economic and ecofriendly
due to their unique biochemical composition, availability in abundance, renewable, low in cost and more
efficient are seem to be viable option for heavy metal remediation. The major advantages of biosorption over
conventional treatment methods include: low cost, high efficiency, minimization of chemical or biological sludge,
regeneration of biosorbents and possibility of metal recovery. It is well known that cellulosic waste materials can be
obtained and employed as cheap adsorbents and their performance to remove heavy metal ions can be affected upon
chemical treatment. In general, chemically modified plant wastes exhibit higher adsorption capacities than
unmodified forms. The functional groups present in agricultural waste biomass viz. acetamido, alcoholic, carbonyl,
phenolic, amido, amino, sulphydryl groups etc. Have affinity for heavy metal ions to form metal complexes or chelates.
Some of the treated adsorbents show good adsorption capacities for Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Ni. Rice husk as a low-value
agricultural by-product can be made into sorbent materials which are used in heavy metal removal. The mechanism
of biosorption process includes chemisorptions, complexation, adsorption on surface, diffusion through pores and ion
exchange etc. Agricultural residues are lignocelluloses substances which contain three main structural components:
hemicelluloses, cellulose and lignin. Lignocellulosic materials also contain extractives. Generally, three main
components have high molecular weights and contribute much mass, while the extractives is of small molecular size,
and available in little quantity, which announce in heavy metal removal.
Prediction of Monsoon Rain for the Year 2018 for Marathawada India
Authors: Sharan Anand M.
Published: May 2018

In this work the rainfall in Marathawada, an area with extremely small amount of rain has been calculated based on
rainfall data of last 32 years going back to 1986. The calculations have been performed using the Time Series method
and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) method. In the first method, statistical regression analysis has been carried out
whereas in the second method, the rain pattern is fitted with Fourier periodic analysis. The results of these two
methods are averaged for better reliability. The rainfall data is further analyzed using rainfall spectrum analysis.
Thermodynamic Analysis and Multi-Objective Optimizations of a Combined Recompression SCO2 Brayton Cycle-TCO2 Rankine Cycles for Waste Heat Recovery
Authors: Alsagri Ali  S. , Chiasson Andrew D.
Published: May 2018

A thermodynamic analysis and optimization of a newly-conceived combined power cycle were conducted in this
paper for the purpose of improving overall thermal efficiency of power cycles by attempting to minimize
thermodynamic irreversibilities and waste heat as a consequence of the Second Law. The power cycle concept
comprises a topping advanced recompression supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) Brayton cycle and a bottoming
transcritical carbon dioxide (tCO2) Rankine cycle. The bottoming cycle configurations included a simple tCO2
Rankine cycle and a split tCO2 Rankine cycle. The topping sCO2 recompression Brayton cycle used a combustion
chamber as a heat source, and waste heat from a topping cycle was recovered by the tCO2 Rankine cycle due to an
added high efficiency recuperator for generating electricity. The combined cycle configurations were
thermodynamically modeled and optimized using an Engineering Equation Solver (EES) software. Simple bottoming
tCO2 Rankine cycle cannot fully recover the waste heat due to the high exhaust temperature from the top cycle, and
therefore an advance split tCO2 Rankine cycle was employed in order to recover most of the waste heat. Results show
that the highest thermal efficiency was obtained with recompression sCO2 Brayton cycle – split flow tCO2 Rankine
cycle. Also, the results show that the combined CO2 cycles is a promising technology compared to conventional cycles.
Mathematical Models for Dynamics of Molecular Processes in Living Biological Cells. A Single Particle Tracking Approach
Authors: Weron Aleksander
Published: May 2018

In this survey paper we present a systematic methodology of how to identify origins of fractional dynamics. We consider three models leading to it, namely fractional Brownian motion (FBM), fractional Lévy stable motion (FLSM) and autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average (ARFIMA) process. The discrete-time ARFIMA process is stationary, and when aggregated, in the limit, it converges to either FBM or FLSM. In this sense it generalizes both models. We discuss three experimental data sets related to some molecular biology problems described by single particle tracking. They are successfully resolved by means of the universal ARFIMA time series model with various noises. Even if the finer details of the estimation procedures are case specific, we hope that the suggested checklist will still have been of great use as a practical guide. In Appendices A-F we describe useful fractional dynamics identification and validation methods.
Optimization of Price, Default Ratio and Capital under Regulatory Criterion of Maximizing Social Benefit
Authors: Mao Hong , Wen Zhongkai
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we explore the optimal price, default ratio, and capital for insurance companies under social welfare maximization from regulators' perspective. From comparisons of cases under symmetric and asymmetric information in the insurance market, we find that an optimal regulatory objective should be set to maximize social benefit and induce fair benefit distribution in a transparent insurance market, and direct regulation on capital constraint can increase insurance demand and shareholders' benefits in a non-transparent market.
Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance and Firm Performance: Evidence from Taiwan
Authors: Yi Bingsheng , Chen Chia-wei , Lin Barry
Published: May 2018

Using a sample of 5,752 Taiwanese firm-year observations over the 2008 to 2012 period, we examine whether and how the existence of D&O insurance may affect firm performance. Our results suggest that whether to purchase D&O insurance is an endogenous corporate behavior, D&O insurance is not significantly related to firm performance. In addition, we find that firms with higher cash ratio, larger and more independent board are more likely to purchase the D&O insurance, while older firms are less likely to buy the D&O insurance. Our study implies that the government should not require firms to buy the D&O insurance. Instead, government should allow firms themselves to decide whether they optimally should purchase D&O insurance or not based on each firm’s particular circumstances. Firms should also not just simply follow their peers to buy the D&O insurance. They should carefully compare the benefits and costs of the D&O insurance based on their own situations, and only buy the insurance when the benefits exceed the costs.
Non-Congruent Views about Signal Precision in Collective Decisions
Authors: Pan Addison , Fabrizi Simona , Lippert Steffen
Published: May 2018

We relax the standard assumptions in collective decision-making models that voters can not only derive a perfect view about the accuracy of the information at their disposal before casting their votes, but can, in addition, also correctly assess other voters’ views about it. We assume that decision-makers hold potentially differing views, while remaining ignorant about such differences, if any. In this setting, we find that information aggregation works well with voting rules other than simple majority: as voters vote less often against their information than in conventional models, they can deliver higher-quality decisions, including in the canonical 12 jurors case. We obtain voting equilibria with many instances, in which other voting rules, including unanimity, clearly outperform simple majority.
Direct Effects on Seed Germination of 17 Tree Species under Elevated Temperature and CO2 Conditions
Authors: Kim Du Hyun , Han Sim Hee
Published: May 2018

Effects on seed germination characteristics of 17 tree species were investigated under elevated temperature and CO2. Seeds of 5 needle-leaf and 12 broad-leaf species were germinated under four conditions: 24°C + 400 μmol CO2mol air–1, 24°C + 750 μmol CO2mol air–1, 27°C + 400 μmol CO2mol air–1, and 27°C + 750 μmol CO2mol air–1. The elevated temperature and CO2affected germination percent (GP) of 7 tree species seeds.GPs ofPinus densiflora,P.thunbergii,Betula ermanii, andMaackia amurensisseeds were affected by the elevated temperature, while only that ofP.jezoensisseed was influenced by the elevated CO2. GPs ofMalus baccataandZelkova serrataseeds were influenced by both the elevated temperature and CO2. In addition, the elevated temperature and CO2also affected mean germination time (MGT) of 12 tree species seeds. Particularly, MGTs ofP.thunbergiiandRhododendron tschonoskiiseeds were influenced by both factors. In conclusion, elevated temperature and CO2affected seed germination characteristics, which were reflected by significant differences among tree species. Specifically, these two factors exerted stronger influence on germination pattern such as MGT rather than seed germination percent.
Mechanisms of salt tolerance in halophytes: current understanding and recent advances
Authors: Meng Xiaoqian , Zhou Jun , Sui Na
Published: May 2018

Halophytes are plants that exhibit high salt tolerance, allowing them to survive and thrive under extremely saline conditions. The study of halophytes advances our understanding about the important adaptations that are required for survival in high salinity conditions, including secretion of salt through the salt glands, regulation of cellular ion homeostasis and osmotic pressure, detoxification of reactive oxygen species, and alterations in membrane composition. To explore the mechanisms that contribute to tolerance to salt stress, salt-responsive genes have been isolated from halophytes and expressed in non-salt tolerant plants using targeted transgenic technologies. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms that underpin salt tolerance in different halophytes.
Evaluation of the quality of CT images acquired with smart metal artifact reduction software
Authors: Zhou Peng , Zhang Chunling , Gao Zhen , Cai Wangshu , Yan Deyue , Wei Zhaolong
Published: May 2018

Objective

To evaluate the practical effectiveness of smart metal artifact reduction (SMAR) in reducing artifacts caused by metallic implants.

Methods

Patients with metal implants underwent computed tomography (CT) examinations on high definition CT scanner, and the data were reconstructed with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR) with value weighted to 40% and smart metal artifact reduction (SMAR) technology. The comparison was assessed by both subjective and objective assessment between the two groups of images. In terms of subjective assessment, three radiologists evaluated image quality and assigned a score for visualization of anatomic structures in the critical areas of interest. Objectively, the absolute CT value of the difference (ΔCT) and artifacts index (AI) were adopted in this study for the quantitative assessment of metal artifacts.

Results

In subjective image quality assessment, three radiologists scored SMAR images higher than 40% ASiR images (P<0.01) and the result suggested that visualization of critical anatomic structures around the region of the metal object was significantly improved by using SMAR compared with 40% ASiR. The ΔCT and AI for quantitative assessment of metal artifacts showed that SMAR appeared to be superior for reducing metal artifacts (P<0.05) and indicated that this technical approach was more effective in improving the quality of CT images.

Conclusion

A variety of hardware (dental filling, embolization coil, instrumented spine, hip implant, knee implant) are processed with the SMAR algorithm to demonstrate good recovery of soft tissue around the metal. This artifact reduction allows for the clearer visualization of structures hidden underneath.
Role of water soluble vitamins in the reduction diet of an amateur sportsman
Authors: Szczuko Małgorza , Migrała Rafał , Drozd Arleta , Banaszczak Marcin , Maciejewska Dominika , Chlubek Dariusz , Stachowska Ewa
Published: May 2018

This study is aimed at determining the content of water soluble vitamins in amateur sportsmen before and after the use of reduction diet. Twenty adult male amateur sportsmen aged between 20 and 43 qualified for this study. The participants adhered to individually adjusted reduction diets for 3 months. Diet supplements were excluded from the diet during that time. Vitamins were analyzed before and after the reduction diet using HPLC. The following vitamins were analyzed: B1, B2, B3, PP, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12 and vitamin C. Statistically significant increase of riboflavin in blood plasma (p=0.0254) and statistically significant (p=0.048) decrease in the concentration of niacin was found when compared to the period before the diet. Appropriate level of riboflavin can be obtained by the consumption of proper amount of diary in the diet. Supplementation with PP is advised and, in case of improper diet, the supplementation of B1, B7 and B12 may also be considered.
Salivary protein roles in oral health and as predictors of caries risk
Authors: Laputková Galina , Schwartzová Vladimíra , Bánovčin Juraj , Alexovič Michal , Sabo Ján
Published: May 2018

This work describes the current state of research on the potential relationship between protein content in human saliva and dental caries, which remains among the most common oral diseases and causes irreversible damage in the oral cavity. An understanding the whole saliva proteome in the oral cavity could serve as a prerequisite to obtaining insight into the etiology of tooth decay at early stages. To date, however, there is no comprehensive evidence showing that salivary proteins could serve as potential indicators for the early diagnosis of the risk factors causing dental caries. Therefore, proteomics indicates the promising direction of future investigations of such factors, including diagnosis and thus prevention in dental therapy.
Optimizing charge state distribution is a prerequisite for accurate protein biomarker quantification with LC-MS/MS, as illustrated by hepcidin measurement
Authors: Schmitz Ellen M.H. , Leijten Niels M. , van Dongen Joost L.J. , Broeren Maarten A.C. , Milroy Lech G. , Brunsveld Luc , Scharnhorst Volkher , van de Kerkhof Daan
Published: May 2018

Background:

Targeted quantification of protein biomarkers with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has great potential, but is still in its infancy. Therefore, we elucidated the influence of charge state distribution and matrix effects on accurate quantification, illustrated by the peptide hormone hepcidin.

Methods:

An LC-MS/MS assay for hepcidin, developed based on existing literature, was improved by using 5 mM ammonium formate buffer as mobile phase A and as an elution solution for solid phase extraction (SPE) to optimize the charge state distribution. After extensive analytical validation, focusing on interference and matrix effects, the clinical consequence of this method adjustment was studied by performing receiving operating characteristic (ROC)-curve analysis in patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA, n=44), anemia of chronic disease (ACD, n=42) and non-anemic patients (n=93).

Results:

By using a buffered solution during sample preparation and chromatography, the most abundant charge state was shifted from 4+ to 3+ and the charge state distribution was strongly stabilized. The matrix effects which occurred in the 4+ state were therefore avoided, eliminating bias in the low concentration range of hepcidin. Consequently, sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) for detection of IDA patients with the optimized assay (96%, 97%, 91%, respectively) were much better than for the original assay (73%, 70%, 44%, respectively).

Conclusions:

Fundamental improvements in LC-MS/MS assays greatly impact the accuracy of protein quantification. This is urgently required for improved diagnostic accuracy and clinical value, as illustrated by the validation of our hepcidin assay.
Osteocalcin value to identify subclinical atherosclerosis over atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score in middle-aged and elderly Chinese asymptomatic men
Authors: Xu Yiting , Ma Xiaojing , Xiong Qin , Zhang Xueli , Shen Yun , Bao Yuqian
Published: May 2018

Background:

Our study examined whether osteocalcin contributed to identifying carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) over the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score.

Methods:

We recruited 618 middle-aged and elderly men from communities in Shanghai. Serum osteocalcin levels were determined using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. C-IMT was measured by ultrasonography.

Results:

The study included 245 men with low ASCVD risk and 373 men with moderate-to-high ASCVD risk. Serum osteocalcin levels were lower in the moderate-to-high risk vs. low risk men (p=0.042). Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that body mass index (BMI) and glycated hemoglobin were predictors for reduced osteocalcin levels (both p<0.001). Among all subjects, the proportion with an elevated C-IMT was higher in the low-osteocalcin group than in the high-osteocalcin group (p=0.042), and the significance of this result was greater when considering only subjects with a moderate-to-high ASCVD risk (p=0.011). The recognition rate of elevated C-IMT was superior with both low osteocalcin and moderate-to-high ASCVD risk vs. either parameter alone (p<0.001 and p=0.015, respectively). Osteocalcin was independently and inversely associated with elevated C-IMT after adjusting for the 10-year ASCVD risk score (p=0.004). The negative relationship remained statistically significant in subjects with a moderate-to-high ASCVD risk in particular (standardized β=−0.104, p=0.044).

Conclusions:

In middle-aged and elderly men, serum osteocalcin levels strengthen identifying subclinical atherosclerosis over ASCVD risk score, especially among subjects with a moderate-to-high ASCVD risk.
Time usage and efficiency of machinery during stump crushing
Authors: Gałęzia Tomasz
Published: May 2018

This study was carried out at a roadside landing of the Augustów Forest District in order to determine the structure of a typical working day for machines involved in stump crushing as well as the overall efficiency of the process and the machinery's fuel consumption. The machines involved in the entire process were a front-loader, a shredder, a screen and a truck-tractor unit.

Machinery activity was recorded using a sampling method with a three-minute interval. During 16 hours of observation, 533 stumps were crushed to produce 362 m3 lv of timber particles in total and the average operational productivity reached 28 m3 lv h−1. Based on the amount of consumed fuel and its energy content, the energy input of the process was calculated to be 103.33 MJ m−3 lv which is 3640.53 MJ m−3 lv less than the output of energy gained at the power plant. Total CO2 emissions of the processing machinery and transport off the forest site were estimated using previously published data and amounted to 7.58 kg m−3 lv.
The effect of natural disasters on the timber market
Authors: Sikora Adam Tomasz
Published: May 2018

The aim of the study was to determine the impact an increased wood supply from the Beskid forests after natural disasters on the timber economy of the Węgierska Górka Forest District and its surroundings in the years 2004–2010. The analysis was based on the wood raw material sales recorded in the database of the State Forestry Information System (SILP). Information on the buyers'location and their main use for the raw material were obtained through the Central Statistical Office. Furthermore, wood material buyers were classified according to the Polish Classification of Activities (PCA) based on the year 2007, using only a subjective analysis designed for enterprises and other economic units in the national economy.

Changes in sales of wood material to the selected buyer groups were investigated using statistical analyses of linear trends. A Pearson's correlation analysis verified the relationships between the buyer groups and the supply of timber assortments by the Węgierska Górka Forest District. Other studies have also shown that an increased supply of raw material in the context of natural disasters affects the types of wood buyers and their location. In addition, they have shown an increase in interest towards the purchase of raw materials among buyers engaged in the wholesale trade of wood and other non-wood producers which in turn decrease the share purchased by sawmills.
Continuum of floristic composition between two plant communities – Carici elongatae-Alnetum and Fraxino-Alnetum
Authors: Czapiewska Natalia , Paź Sonia , Dyderski Marcin K. , Jagodziński Andrzej M.
Published: May 2018

One of the crucial debates in vegetation ecology is whether plant communities are discontinuous, distinguishable units or whether they change continuously. Phytosociology assumes discontinuity and its methodology requires subjective sampling during vegetation inventories. For that reason, some researchers argue that phytosociology artificially creates discontinuity among plant communities. Our aim was to assess the continuity between ash-alder riparian forest (Fraxino-Alnetum), and alder swamp forest (Carici elongatae-Alnetum), and to check whether discontinuity observed between these two plant associations is an effect of subjective sample plot choice. We conducted 57 phytosociological relevés within a regular grid covering potential sites of both plant communities. All relevés were arranged in order of decreasing relative cover of the diagnostic species for each plant association resulting in a gentle gradient, indicating a continuous transition from Fraxino-Alnetum to Carici elongatae-Alnetum. Similar results were obtained by detrended correspondence analysis. The proportion of species from the Querco-Fagetea class, typical to Fraxino-Alnetum, was decreasing with increasing proportion of species from the Alnetea glutinosae class, typical to Carici elongatae-Alnetum. This shift followed a gradient of ecological light-moisture indicator values. Our results confirmed continuous transition between two plant communities and led us to the conclusion that discontinuity resulted from the standard sampling protocol used in classical phytosociology. This protocol, however, is useful in searching for typological patterns, required for classification of plant communities, which is the main aim of phytosociology. Nevertheless, it does not provide full insight into the variability of vegetation and introduces uncertainty when trying to understand ecosystem dynamics. This uncertainty should be taken into account when phytosociological data are used for nature conservation recommendations and to draw conclusion about vegetation dynamics.
Mammals in the diet of tawny owlStrix alucoin western part of Skierniewice Forest District (central Poland)
Authors: Gryz Jakub , Krauze-Gryz Dagny
Published: May 2018

The aim of the study was to describe the species diversity of small mammals in the western part of the Skierniewice Forest District (Central Poland) using tawny owl (Strix aluco) pellets. The landscape itself is a field and forest mosaic with small forest complexes. Four forest complexes with an area between 70 and 750 ha and surrounded by arable lands as well as loosely scattered buildings were chosen to carry out our work in. Owl pellets were collected in the years 2014–2016 and examined for small mammal remains employing standard protocols.

Altogether, we identified 963 items belonging to 17 different mammalian prey species. The most numerous was the yellow-necked mouse,Apodemus flavicollis, which accounted for 33.5% of all identified items. As the second most important group, voles (Microtusspp.) accounted for 12.8% of all identified mammals. Unfortunately, we were unable to find species considered rare in central Poland, i.e. hazel dormouse,Muscardinus avellanarius, European water vole,Arvicola amphibiusand field vole,Microtus agrestis.

In overall, the species composition of small mammal assemblages in the studied area was similar to adjacent regions.
Comparing natural regeneration of Norway spruce Picea abies (L.) Karst. in the Kaszuby Lake District and in the other regions of northern Poland
Authors: Szydlarski Marcin , Modrzyński Jerzy , Stopiński Mateusz , Majewski Michał , Maras Krzysztof
Published: May 2018

The paper investigates the biometric characteristics natural Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) regeneration in the Kaszuby Lake District, which is beyond the acknowledged Norway spruce range, with the natural regeneration in the Augustów Forest situated deep within the natural range, Warmia, at the edge of the natural range and in the West-Pomerania Lake District far beyond the natural range.

For each region, four tree stands with similar light conditions on the forest floor were selected, including two cambisols and two brunic arenosols. All sites contained naturally regenerating spruces 16–17 years of age.

The features of the forest stand and the biometric features of the saplings were determined for the selected stands on circular research plots. Altogether, the characteristicts of 400 saplings (100 in each region) were measured and analyzed using basic descriptive statistics. ANOVA with the Tukey’s multiple comparison test was performed to compare the features of forest stands and the natural regeneration of spruce in each region. The degree of interrelation between regeneration features was described by Pearson’s, ‘r’ factor or Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. A discriminatory analysis was carried out to determine the set of regeneration features differentiating regions from each other.

The features of regeneration that differed between regions the most were: height of regeneration, basal diameter, mean height increment, and mean basal diameter increment of the saplings. The parameters for Warmia and the West-Pomerania Lake District were similar. The Augustów Forest showed the lowest values for the regeneration parameters, while the Kaszuby Lake District produced the highest values. The regeneration in the Kaszuby Lake District was markedly different from all other regions as indicated by more dynamic growth. Additionally, this population shows a great distinctness, indicating adaptation to local environmental conditions, which may be proof for the insular presence hypothesis of spruce in this region.

Due to their good quality, spontaneously developing natural regenerations in the Kaszuby Lake District should be supported by appropriate cutting and silvicultural measures.
Cost analysis of artificial and natural oak regeneration in selected forest districts
Authors: Kaliszewski Adam
Published: May 2018

The aim of the paper is to present the results of a cost analysis for artificial and natural oak regeneration in selected forest districts in Poland. This research was conducted in six forest districts with a high share of natural oak regeneration, located in south-western and central Poland. Altogether 65 plots with artificial and 35 plots with natural regeneration were analysed based on the extent of silvicultural (weeding, blank-filling and pre-commercial thinning) and protective measures (chemical and mechanical wildlife damage control, fencing) performed on the regenerated areas for the six years following forest regeneration. An intensity ratio (i.e., a proportion of the area of measures to the area of forest regeneration) as well as the mean unit costs of the measures and mean costs of the measures per hectare of forest regeneration were calculated.

The results show that the total costs of silvicultural and protective measures in natural oak regeneration were considerably lower as compared to artificial regeneration. The cumulative average costs during 6 years (without costs of fencing) amounted to 1216 PLN/ ha and 6543 PLN/ha for natural and artificial regeneration respectively. Lower costs of natural oak regeneration resulted from the complete lack of expenditures on seedlings and planting, a considerably lower weeding intensity, scarce blank-filling, and the absence of mechanical wildlife damage control measures. Nonetheless, natural regeneration generated higher costs for pre-commercial thinning due to its higher intensity, earlier initiation, and higher unit costs compared to artificial regeneration, as well as chemical wildlife damage control measures, for which the unit costs were higher by over 50%. However, the higher costs of pre-commercial thinning and chemical control measures did not significantly affect the measurable financial benefits of natural regeneration.

In conclusion, the matter of financial viability of natural oak regeneration should be explored in more detail over longer time spans.
Assessment of tree vitality, biomass and morphology of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) root systems growing on reclaimed landfill waste after zinc and lead flotation
Authors: Pietrzykowski Marcin , Woś Bartłomiej , Pająk Marek , Likus-Cieślik Justyna
Published: May 2018

The stability of introduced stands depends not only on aboveground but also on the belowground biomass. Results from reclaimed sites often indicate good growth of the aboveground part of stands, but data on the development of root systems are still lacking. Our aim was to assess the vitality of trees, their biomass and the morphology of the root systems of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) introduced on reclaimed landfill waste after zinc and lead flotation in Bukowno (southern Poland). The landfill site was reclaimed 20 years ago and reclamation treatments involved isolation and covering with mineral substrate layers (110–150 cm thickness) which formed a technogenic soil profile. Four research plots (10 m × 10 m) were set up in pure pine stands where soil profiles consisted entirely of flotation waste. Trees on the plots were assayed according to the Kraft and IUFRO classification system. In total, 15 trees of average growth parameters and bio-sociological position (I and II Kraft class) were selected for biomass and root system analyses and the root systems were excavated, washed, measured, weighed and photographed.

Our results support pine as a useful species in reforestation of post-mining areas. However, although pine trees were characterised by good vitality, their root systems were shallow and their depth reduced by up to 60 cm due to strong skeletal loamy substrate. Individual root biomass ranged from 1.2 to 9.1 kg and was comparable to pine root biomass on other reclaimed mining sites. This indicates that during restoration, the thickness of the substrate covering the flotation waste should be increased or the amount of skeletal substrate in the top layers of technosol reduced.
Observation of a Western Barbastelle Barbastella barbastellus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in new ‘crevice’ boxes for bats
Authors: Rachwald Alek , Gottfried Iwona , Tołkacz Katarzyna
Published: May 2018

A Western Barbastelle, Barbastella barbastellus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae, Schreber, 1774), was observed to inhabit ‘crevice’ bat boxes very late in the year. In November 2016, in two out of three study areas, a small number of Western Barbastelle specimens, five individuals and one individual respectively, were observed inhabiting bat boxes at night temperatures below zero and with snow cover. The occurrence of this species in summer-type hiding places during winter weather conditions has not been reported previously in Poland.
Insects mining leaves of English oak Quercus robur L. in Bydgoszcz and its vicinity
Authors: Wrzesińska Danuta
Published: May 2018

This research on the occurrence of insects mining leaves of the English oak Quercus robur was performed between 2011–2012 in Bydgoszcz and in nine neighbouring sites: seven in forest areas and two in an urbanized environment. The analysis of the gathered material revealed the occurrence of insects from three different orders, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera, and 10 families: Curculionidae, Tenthredinidae, Bucculatricidae, Coleophoridae, Eriocraniidae, Gracillariidae, Heliozelidae, Incurvariidae, Nepticulidae and Tischeriidae. In total, 21 insect species were collected from Q. robur; most of them at forest sites. A slightly lower number of species was recorded at Janowo, where oaks were growing on the edge of the forest in the vicinity of a transport route with heavy traffic. Even fewer taxa were observed in the vicinity of urbanised areas; in the city park on the Bydgoszcz Canal and in Fordon.

The most abundant species on the English oak were Tischeria ekebladella (Bjerk.) and Phyllonorycter heegeriella (Zell.).
The Białowieża Forest controversy in the light of the world dispute in conservation biology
Authors: Witkowski Zbigniew
Published: May 2018

The controversy between naturalists and foresters on the management of the Białowieża Forest is one of numerous disputes in conservation biology. Cause of the dispute is a difference in stand-point on the purpose of nature conservation. Biocentrists (Soulé 1985) argue that the only goal should be to preserve natural processes as well as endangered ecosystems and species. Anthropocentrists on the other hand (Kareiva, Marvier 2012) support conservation as a need of mankind, that is, the sustainable support of ecosystem services with the protection of species and ecosystems simply being a side effect. Another important factor in the dispute is the management of bark beetle mass outbreaks. Foresters try to control this by removing the infested trees, but naturalists protest against this practice. However, in 2013, the European Commission clearly presented its statement in this regard (EU Guidelines on Wilderness in Natura 2000); and thus, the dispute has only shown that none of the debating parties are familiar with the EU guidelines.

According to the author, the more serious problem of messy organization of the Białowieża Forest conservation is rarely raised in the dispute. Multiple protected areas were established in the forest based on six different law forms for nature conservation and two forms of international origin. Such surplus of forms and areas leads to chaos and hinders the management of this valuable area.
Evaluation of the Clinical Learning Experience of Nursing Students: a Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study
Authors: Gurková Elena , Žiaková Katarína
Published: May 2018

The purpose of the cross-sectional descriptive study was to explore and compare the students’ experiences of the clinical environment and supervision in Slovakia. Students’ clinical learning experience were measured by the valid and reliable clinical learning instrument. A higher frequency of successful supervisory experience was found in the universities which provided accredited mentor preparation programmes or courses and individualised supervisory approaches. Frequency of supervision meetings, the occupational title of a supervisor and mainly the supervision model have an association with students ‘perceptions of different domains of clinical learning environment. The duration of the placement was not related to students’ experience and perceptions of the learning environment. Slovak students reported higher score regarding the quality of nursing care or ward culture than in the supervisory relationships between students, clinical and school staff. Further studies in this field, extended to different Eastern European countries and clinical settings, may help us to understand factors affecting workplace training.