bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance imaging study of water absorption in thermally modified pine wood
Authors: Javed Muhammad Asadullah , Kekkonen Päivi M. , Ahola Susanna , Telkki Ville-Veikko
Published: December 2014

Thermal modification is an environmentally friendly process that enhances the lifetime and properties of timber. In this work, the absorption of water in pine wood (Pinus sylvestris) samples, which were modified by the ThermoWood process, was studied by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and gravimetric analysis. The modification temperatures were varied between 180°C and 240°C. The data shows that the modification at 240°C and at 230°C decreases the water absorption rate significantly and slightly, respectively, while lower temperatures do not have a noticeable effect. MR images reveal that free water absorption in latewood (LW) is faster than in earlywood (EW), but in the saturated sample, the amount of water is greater in EW. Individual resin channels can be resolved in the high-resolution images, especially in LW regions of the modified samples, and their density was estimated to be (2.7±0.6) mm-2. TheT2relaxation time of water is longer in the modified wood than in the reference samples due to the removal of resin and extractives in the course of the modification process.
Influence of exposure time, wood species and dimension on the remaining copper and chromium content in CC-treated wood after field and laboratory leaching tests
Authors: Bahmani Mohsen , Melcher Eckhard , Schmidt Olaf , Fromm Jörg
Published: December 2014

Most studies on preservative depletion from treated wood are performed with small samples on a laboratory scale. Although these studies provided repeatable and constant test parameters, the results have little applicability to real conditions. Therefore, a series of laboratory tests were carried out according to CEN/TS 15119 part 1 and part 2 by means of EN 252 and non-standard sized Scots pine sapwood as well as spruce stakes. The stakes were impregnated by vacuum pressure with chromium (Cr)-copper(Cu)-containing wood preservative. For comparison, a set of 18 stakes per test parameter was installed at a test site (in ground use), whereby, every 4 months, three stakes from each series were removed for analysis. Both the time depending losses of metal as well as the remaining element contents were determined for samples exposed under lab conditions, whereas distribution and remaining element contents were measured for samples exposed in the field. The obtained data were evaluated regarding factors influencing the metal leaching, such as exposure time, wood species, or dimension. The results showed that wood species had a significant effect on the Cu depletion, while it had less influence on the Cr loss. Cr and Cu distribution in the standard and non-standard sized pine sapwood significantly changed as compared to spruce. In addition, comparison of the laboratory and field test results indicated that metal depletion is greater in field exposure compared to both laboratory tests.
An inexact Newton regularization in Banach
spaces based on the nonstationary iterated Tikhonov method
Authors: Margotti Fábio , Rieder Andreas
Published: December 2014

A version of the nonstationary iterated Tikhonov method was recently
introduced to regularize linear inverse problems in Banach spaces
[Inverse Problems 28 (2012), Article ID 104011]. In the present work we employ
this method as inner iteration of the inexact Newton regularization method
REGINN [Inverse Problems 15 (1999), 309–327] which stably
solves nonlinear ill-posed problems. Further, we propose and analyze
a Kaczmarz version of the new scheme which allows fast solution of problems
which can be split into smaller subproblems. As special cases we prove strong
convergence of Kaczmarz variants of the Levenberg–Marquardt and the iterated
Tikhonov methods in Banach spaces.
Gottes Gerechtigkeit
Authors: Welker Michael
Published: December 2014

Der Beitrag thematisiert angesichts evidenter Unrechtsverhältnisse in aller Welt zunächst zahlreiche Vorbehalte gegenüber jeder Rede von Gottes Gerechtigkeit. Er zeigt dann die Schwierigkeiten auf, unter dem Titel »Naturrecht« normative Zusammenhänge zu behaupten zwischen Gottes Gerechtigkeit, Regularitäten und Ordnungen in Natur und Kosmos und politischen, rechtlichen und moralischen Bemühungen um die Errichtung zwischenmenschlicher Wohlordnung. Die Annahme eines »Naturrechts« muss sich über die intrinsisch räuberische Verfassung von Natur und Leben hinwegsetzen. Nicht die Kräfte natürlichen Lebens, das auf Kosten von anderem Leben leben muss, sondern die gegenläufigen Kräfte der Liebe und der Barmherzigkeit, der freien, schöpferischen Selbstzurücknahme zugunsten anderen Lebens, die uns ebenso umgeben wie die Kräfte der Natur, verweisen auf Gottes Gerechtigkeit, die durch Gottes Wort und Gottes Geist den Menschen zuteil wird.
Bone Mineral Content and Density Among Female NCAA Division I Athletes Across the Competitive Season and Over a Multi-Year Time Frame
Authors: Stanforth Dixie , Lu Tao , Stults-Kolehmainen Matthew A. , Crim Brittany N. , Stanforth Philip R.
Published: December 2014

Stanforth, D, Lu, T, Stults-Kolehmainen, MA, Crim, BN, and Stanforth, PR. Bone mineral content and density among female NCAA Division I athletes across the competitive season and over a multi-year time frame. J Strength Cond Res 30(10): 2828–2838, 2016—Longitudinal and cross-sectional bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) comparisons were made among impact and nonimpact sports. Female collegiate athletes, 18–23 years of age, from basketball (BB; n = 38), soccer (SOC; n = 47), swimming (SW; n = 52), track sprinters and jumpers (TR; n = 49), and volleyball (VB; n = 26) had BMC/BMD measures preseason and postseason over 3 years. Control groups of 85 college females, 18–24 years of age, who completed 2 tests 1–3 years apart and of 170 college females, 18–20 years of age, were used for the longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses, respectively. A restricted maximum likelihood linear mixed model regression analysis with a compound symmetric heterogeneous variance-covariance matrix structure was used for all analyses (p ≤ 0.05). Increases from year-1 preseason to year-3 postseason included the following: total BMC (3.3%), total BMD (1.4%), and spine BMD (4.5%) for BB; total BMC (1.5%) and leg BMD (1.2%) for SOC; arm (1.8%), leg (1.9%), and total BMD (5.7%) for SW; total BMC (2.0%), arm (1.7%), leg (2.3%), pelvis (3.4%), spine (6.0%), and total BMD (2.3%) for TR; and arm (4.1%), leg (2.0%), pelvis (2.0%), spine (2.0%), and total BMD (2.7%) for VB. Comparisons among sports determined that BB had higher BMC and BMD values than all other sports for all variables except spine and total BMD; BB, SOC, TR, and VB had higher total BMC (11–29%), leg BMD (13–20%), and total BMD (9–15%) than SW and CON, and there were few differences among SOC, TR, and VB. In conclusion, small, significant increases in many BMC and BMD measures occur during female athlete's collegiate careers. The BMC and BMD differences between impact and nonimpact sports are large compared with smaller differences within impact sports.
What Works and What Does Not: an Analysis of Application Frameworks Technology
Authors: Zhang Wusheng , Kim Mik
Published: December 2014

Advocates of application frameworks claim that this technology is one of the most promising, supporting large-scale reuse, increased productivity and quality, and reduced cost of software development. A number of its advocates suggest that the next decade will be a major challenge for the development and deployment of this technology. This study investigates the theory and practice of application frameworks technology to evaluate what works and what does not in systems development. The evaluation is based on quality criteria developed by the authors. The result of the study suggests that application frameworks technology does support large-scale reuse by incorporating other existing reuse techniques such as design patterns, class libraries and components. It also shows that the methodological support pertaining to building and implementing application frameworks is inadequate. Furthermore, it indicates that application frameworks technology may increase the quality of software in terms of correctness and reusability with some penalty factors but there is no guarantee of increasing the extendability and interoperability of software systems. There are still obstacles that restrict the potential benefits claimed by the proponents of application frameworks.
Organisational Justice: Migrant Worker Perceptions in Organisations in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Randeree Kasim
Published: December 2014

A justice framework can be used to understand how individuals within organisations respond to a varietyof human resource practices and also can be used prescriptively in designing the procedures andenactment of human resource practices. The principles of justice can be applied in order to understand theconsequences of any human resource practice. This paper examines the impact of the perception oforganisational justice on job satisfaction of unskilled workers in the city of Dubai in the United ArabEmirates (UAE). The key findings of the research revealed Dubai as having the largest proportion ofexpatriate workers globally and that these employees present a high level of grievance towards theiremployers. Major issues highlighted by the survey include pay, workload, job responsibilities, bias, andemployer injustice.
Religious Affiliation and Ethics: Patterns Regarding Beliefs for Workplace Behaviours
Authors: Fogel Joshua , McSween Nadine , Dutt Osman
Published: December 2014

Ethical decisions are made regarding day-to-day workplace behaviours. We surveyed 315 college students from 9 different religious categories: Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Agnostic, Atheist, and Other. Individuals were asked whether “in the workplace, it is acceptable to do so” for 27 different behaviours. Those who were Hindu or Catholic consistently had scores indicating beliefs in performing more ethical behaviour. Those who were Buddhist or Atheist consistently had scores indicating beliefs in performing less ethical behaviour. In the analysis relating to 5 items regarding computer and Internet behaviours, those who were Jewish had scores indicating beliefs in performing less ethical behaviour. Managers who supervise young adults who recently graduated from college can be aware of possible ethical concerns facing those of different religions. They can mentor these individuals beginning their careers to adapt appropriate ethical behaviours for their job.
Managing Organisational Ethics: Professionalism, Duty and HR Practitioners
Authors: Segon Michael
Published: December 2014

After almost 20 years of researching, teaching and consulting in business and organisational ethics, this emerging field seems to be facing an organisational dilemma. Who should manage the ethics and integrity systems that are slowly being adopted by Australian firms?During consulting engagements with numerous Australian businesses it has become clear that the task of managing ethics and integrity systems, i.e. creation of codes of ethics, ethics committees, information programs, conducting of audits, etc, more often than not seems to be delegated to Human Resources Managers and their Departments. This trend appears to be unique to the Australian setting and contrary to the US where Ethics Officers and Compliance Officers assume this role.The purpose of this paper is to consider the question of who is appropriate to manage the ethics function in the Australian context. A literature review will examine the concept of professionalism and what characteristics and duties qualifies an occupation as a profession. In particular it will identify the role of knowledge and the existence of an organisation or association that regulates and licences the individual to operate as a professional. It will then identify the roles, responsibilities and characteristics of ethics officers so as to determine the knowledge required to undertake this task in an organisation setting.Given the predisposition to delegate this function to Human Resources practitioners in Australian Organisations, a review of formal Postgraduate Human Resources programs at the major Australian Universities will be undertaken. The objective of this task is to determine whether such programs contain any specific ethics content, in particular the creation of codes of ethics, codes of conduct, ethics training and the conducting of ethics audits. This will establish whether Australian Human Resource professions are sufficiently equipped with the knowledge and capabilities required to undertake this function through their formal education.
Corporate Regulation and Corporate Governance of Small Businesses in Australia
Authors: Heenetigala Kumudini , Armstrong Anona , Clarke Andrew
Published: December 2014

This paper presents the results of a study of small business owner /managers and CEOs of industry associations in relation to corporate regulation and corporate governance for small businesses in Australia. It is part of a larger project investigating regulation and small business governance supported by an Australian Research Council grant and COSBOA. A survey of the CEOs of small business associations and small business owner/managers investigated the corporate governance practices of small businesses, their understanding of their duties as directors, their approach to managing risks and accountability, the regulatory difficulties experienced by small businesses, and the factors that inhibited or promoted the performance of small business.
Corruption and misconduct: A behavioural reflection from investigative reports into local government
Authors: Purcell Aquinas J.
Published: December 2014

This paper offers a local government perspective on the behavioural factors which can be the precursors for corruption and misconduct and those factors which can prevent corruption and misconduct. The investigation centred on corruption and misconduct evidenced from local government investigation reports in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. A corruption and misconduct taxonomy was developed and the role of the audit committee in the oversight of corruption and misconduct allegations in local government was empirically tested. The empirical findings indicated low support for an audit committee managing corruption and misconduct allegations. The qualitative research found that a robust culture of zero tolerance of corruption and misconduct was one of the best ways to keep a council honest.
Relationships of Corporate Governance Mechanisms and Financial Performance in Islamic Banks: a Meta-analysis
Authors: Li Yongqiang , Armstrong Anona , Clarke Andrew
Published: December 2014

Relationships between corporate governance mechanisms and the financial performance of Islamic banks have been researched extensively in prior empirical research. However, the results are mixed, mainly due to the heterogeneity of the samples used for the empirical investigations. This paper reports the results of a meta-analysis of the existing literature on governance mechanisms from which a framework was developed to guide the constructions of governance indices. The results showed that Islamic banks banks tend to have better financial performance if there was (1) a higher proportion of independent directors on the board; (2) the Shari”ah Supervisory Board was large and consisted of top scholars; (3)numerous directors; (4) the CEO was chairman; (5) auditing was enforced and (6) ownership structure was dispersed, reducing shareholding of directors, foreigners and institutional investors, while increasing family and governments’ shareholding. Managers’ shareholding was insignificant.
Palaemonidae, Euryrhynchidae, and Sergestidae (Crustacea: Decapoda): records of native species from the states of Amapá and Pará, Brazil, with maps of geographic distribution
Authors: Pimentel Fabiana Ribeiro , Magalhães Célio
Published: December 2014

A list of the distribution records for 18 species of freshwater shrimps of the families Euryrhynchidae (3 spp.), Palaemonidae (13 spp.) and Sergestidae (2 spp.) from the states of Amapá and Pará are presented. All records are documented by voucher specimens deposited in the three main carcinological collections from northern Brazil: Instituto de Pesquisas Científicas e Tecnológicas do Amapá (Macapá), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (Manaus), and Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi (Belém). Maps of the geographic distribution of these records in the eastern Amazon region are offered, and comments on the zoogeography of the species are made.
Records of Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) of the Parque Estadual Mata São Francisco, Paraná, Brazil
Authors: Chavari João Lucas , Cipola Nikolas Gioia , Brescovit Antonio Domingos
Published: December 2014

A list of spider species recorded from the Parque Estadual Mata São Francisco, Paraná, Brazil was compiled based on 7,942 specimens, of which 2,872 are adults (36.15%) and 5,071 are juveniles (63.85%). Adults were identified as belonging to 45 families, 140 genera and 209 species and morphospecies (101 nominal species and 108 morphotypes). Forty-one species were recorded for the first time from the state of Paraná, most of them belonging to Araneidae (14), Oonopidae (4), Theridiidae (4), and Uloboridae (3). Conifaber guarani Grismado, 2004 and Oonops nigromaculatus Mello- Leitão, 1944 were recorded for the first time from Brazil. These results place Paraná as the sixth state with the highest number of records of spiders from Brazil, currently 465 species. This study increases in 10% the number of species recorded from Paraná, and the Atlantic Forest fragment becomes one of the most well sampled areas in the state, with 20% of all known species in Paraná.
A resistência à cloroquina e a busca de antimalariais entre as décadas de 1960 e 1980
Authors: Sá Ivone Manzali de
Published: December 2014

Em 1961, a Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) reconheceu a resistência de cepas de Plasmodium à cloroquina, o que estimulou programas de pesquisa e desenvolvimento de novas drogas sintéticas que pudessem substituí-la no combate à malária. Analiso o processo de pesquisa científica relativo à produção de antimalariais nos contextos nacional e internacional, em especial nos EUA e na China, entre as décadas de 1960 e 1980. Pontos de convergência e distanciamento são marcados pelas dinâmicas próprias de cada país e pelos interesses envolvidos nas relações internacionais, em relação aos quais fica evidente o papel central da OMS.
Evaluation of Weed Efficacy and Crop Safety of Fluorochloridone in China
Authors: Cong Cong , Wang Zhaozhen , Li Rongrong , Li Lingxu , Bu Dongxin , Wang Jinxin
Published: December 2014

Dinitroaniline and amide herbicides have been continually applied in garlic in China, leading to the change of weed community and dominant weed species. Catchweed bedstraw, shepherd's-purse, and flixweed have become major troublesome weeds. Crop safety of fluorochloridone to 18 crops (at rates of 500 and 1,000 g ai ha−1) and weed efficacy against 35 weeds (at rates of 125 and 250 g ha−1) were determined in greenhouse studies. Visual estimate indicated that fluorochloridone was not safe to many crops, especially cruciferous crops. Among all of the trial crops, garlic was the only crop which was not injured in both PRE and POST application at rate of 500 g ha−1, even when treated with 1,000 g ha−1. Fluorochloridone showed high efficacy against most weeds tested in this experiment when applied PRE, but could not offer a satisfactory control when applied POST. Further rate-response study of fluorochloridone to garlic and six weeds was also investigated. PRE application of fluorochloridone to garlic was safer than POST, and the rates for 10% growth reductions (GR10s) were 1,959 g ha−1for PRE and 537 g ha−1for POST. When applied PRE, GR90s of shepherd's-purse and flixweed were 19.2 and 70.3 g ha−1, respectively. Though GR90of catchweed bedstraw was 541 g ha−1, it could be totally controlled without injuring garlic. On the basis of these results, fluorochloridone has an excellent prospect for weed control in garlic fields.
Farming of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) in Bagerhat, Bangladesh
Authors: Akter Shirin , Hossain Md. Mer Mosharraf , Bappa Sanjoy Banerjee , Dey Bipul Kumar , Zaman Md. Farid Uz
Published: December 2014

The study was carried out to know the present status of Macrobrachium rosenbergii culture in Bagerhat district, Bangladesh from March 2012 to January 2013. Education levels  of farmers were found as illiterate (12.3%), primary (36.19%), secondary (20%), SSC (13.33%), HSC (12.38%) and graduate (5.71%). M. rosenbergii culture was the primary and secondary occupation of 80% and 20% farmers respectively. Average stocking density and production in extensive, improved extensive and semi-intensive culture were 9609, 11502 and 22847 per ha and 193, 284 and 488 kg/ha/year respectively; rearing period ranges from 6-10 months and survival rate varied from 55 to 60%. In improved extensive and semi-intensive culture 82.86% and 71.43% farmers applied farm-made feed instead of company feeds respectively and 11.43% and 37.14% farmers used both feeds. 91.43%, 80% and 68.57% respondents responded on normal to high mortality in extensive, improved extensive and semi-intensive culture respectively. Lack of finance and appropriate technology, scarcity of quality PL, diseases and inadequate extension work were major problems of prawn culture.
Water Enhancement Using Nanoparticles in Water Alternating Gas (WAG) Micromodel Experiments
Authors: Khezrnejad A. , James L. A. , Johansen T. E.
Published: December 2014

Nanotechnology has found widespread application in a diverse range of industries. Researchers are now investigating whether nanotechnology can be applied to enhance oil recovery (EOR). The goal of enhanced oil recovery is to manipulate the fluid-fluid properties (interfacial tension, viscosity), and fluid-rock properties (contact angle, relative permeability) between the injected fluid and the residual oil phase to improve pore scale recovery efficiency. Adding nanoparticles to the injected water has been shown to improve oil recovery.

In this study, nanoparticles were added to the water phase of water alternating gas (WAG) and injected into waterflood residual oil in two dimensional glass micromodels to study the effect of the nanoparticles qualitatively at low pressures. Silicon oxide (SiO2) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles, at different concentrations, were dispersed in the brine and injected as the water phase in WAG followed by air as the gas phase. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to investigate the effect of the factors and interactions between the factors on oil recovery. The results from the micromodel studies indicate that adding a small amount of nanoparticles to the brine can enhance residual oil recovery.
Uterine Fibroids Associated with Infertility
Authors: Van Heertum Kristin , Barmat Larry
Published: December 2014

In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on the contributory role of uterine fibroids to infertility. The prevalence of these tumors increases with age, which becomes significant as more women are delaying childbearing. Therefore, fibroids and infertility frequently occur together. Treatment varies with fibroid location and size. The various methods of treatment include open myomectomy, laparoscopic or robot-assisted myomectomy, medical treatment, uterine artery embolization and magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound surgery. While there is a general consensus on the treatment of submucosal fibroids, the management of intramural fibroids in the infertility patient remains controversial. This paper aims to review and summarize the current literature in regards to the approach to uterine fibroids in the infertile patient.
Endometriosis and Cancer
Authors: Králíčková Milena , Losan Petr , Vetvicka Vaclav
Published: December 2014

Endometriosis is manifested by the presence of both endometrial glandular and stromal cells outside the uterine cavity. It is characterized by ectopic implantation of endometrial cells with elevated proliferation and migration. Endometriosis is the leading cause of morbidity among premenopausal women and the complex pathogenesis of this disease remains controversial despite extensive research. This rather complex disease has a significant impact on quality of life of many women as none of the current treatments represent a cure. Based on the current knowledge, one can conclude that the histological and genetic alterations in endometriosis might explain why and how endometriosis can change into several types of cancer. However, the exact mechanisms of this conversion are still not fully established.
Impact of Ultrasound Probe Pressure on Uterine Positional Displacement in Gynecologic Cancer Patients
Authors: Bakerp Mariwan , Juhler-Nøttrup Trine , Behrens Claus F
Published: December 2014

Aim: The aim of this study was to quantify the uterine positional displacement induced by ultrasound probe pressure on a phantom and address the daily uterine motion in a healthy volunteer. Materials & methods: The phantom mimics the female pelvic region. The incorporated organs were subjected to displacement. A total of 42 phantom scans and 16 volunteer scans were acquired. The uterine shifts were measured in three directions. Results & discussion: The difference of uterine positional displacements, using pressure versus without pressure on the phantom, was not statistically significant. The daily uterine positional variations of the volunteer were larger than the probe pressure induced displacements. Conclusion: The larger daily uterine shifts of the volunteer outweighed the submillimeter impact of the probe pressure in all directions.
Ulipristal Acetate for Use in Moderate to Severe Symptoms of Uterine Fibroids
Authors: Talaulikar Vikram Sinai , Manyonda Isaac
Published: December 2014

Although it has been known for a long time that uterine fibroids respond to changes in sex steroid concentrations, it is the availability of selective progesterone receptor modulators such as ulipristal acetete that has provided the gynecologist with a novel option for medical management of uterine fibroids. Ulipristal acetate is presently licensed in Europe for use in women with symptomatic fibroids up to 3 months prior to surgery and has demonstrated good clinical efficacy and safety for this indication. Future trials will define the long-term safety of this drug and its role in medical management of uterine fibroids.
The Role of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Screening Breast MRI in Populations at Increased Risk for Breast Cancer
Authors: Gillman Jennifer , Toth Hildegard K , Moy Linda
Published: December 2014

Breast MRI is more sensitive than mammography in detecting breast cancer. However, MRI as a screening tool is limited to high-risk patients due to cost, low specificity and insufficient evidence for its use in intermediate-risk populations. Nonetheless, in the past decade, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of breast-screening MRI in the community setting. In this review, we set to describe the current literature on the use of screening MRI in high- and intermediate-risk populations. We will also describe novel applications of breast MRI including abbreviated breast MRI protocols, background parenchymal enhancement and diffusion-weighted imaging.
Osteogenic effect of inflammatory macrophages loaded onto mineral bone substitute in subcutaneous implants
Authors: Zivkovic Jelena , Najman Stevo , Vukelic Marija , Stojanovic Sanja , Aleksic Milena , Stanisavljevic Milica , Najdanovic Jelena
Published: December 2014

We analyzed the influence of inflammatory macrophages on the osteogenic
process in subcutaneous implants composed of mineral bone substitute.
Thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal macrophages (TEPMs) were characterized as
inflammatory. This was confirmed microscopically by the nitroblue tetrazolium
(NBT) test and the production of tumor necrosis factor ? (TNF-?). The
implants (M-type) were made of mineral bone substitute (Bio-Oss?) mixed with
TEPMs and blood clot. Implants without macrophages served as the control
(C-type). Subcutaneous implantation in the interscapular area was performed
on BALB/c mice. Implants were extracted after 2 and 8 weeks. In M-type
implants, phagocytosis and angiogenesis were more pronounced, and
osteoblast-like cells aligned onto granules of implanted material and osteoid
structures can be seen. The observed higher osteocalcin and lower osteopontin
immunoexpression in M-type implants when compared to the control after 8
weeks suggest a more advanced osteogenic process. Our results indicate that
the presence of inflammatory macrophages in the composition of an implant may
have a beneficial effect on the osteogenic process.
SOX after Ten Years: A Multidisciplinary Review
Authors: Coates John C. , Srinivasan Suraj
Published: December 2014

SYNOPSIS

We review and assess research findings from more than 120 papers in accounting, finance, and law to evaluate the impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We describe significant developments in how the Act was implemented and find that despite severe criticism, the Act and institutions it created have survived almost intact since enactment. We report survey findings from informed parties that suggest that the Act has produced financial reporting benefits. While the direct costs of the Act were substantial and fell disproportionately on smaller companies, costs have fallen over time and in response to changes in its implementation. Research about indirect costs such as loss of risk taking in the U.S. is inconclusive. The evidence for and social welfare implications of claimed effects such as fewer IPOs or loss of foreign listings are unclear. Financial reporting quality appears to have gone up after SOX but research on causal attribution is weak. On balance, research on the Act's net social welfare remains inconclusive. We end by outlining challenges facing research in this area, and propose an agenda for better modeling costs and benefits of financial regulation.
Changes in Heart Rate of Pitchers during Semi-Hard Baseball Practices and Matches
Authors: Hashimoto Yasuhiro , Inomata Kimihiro
Published: December 2014

High heart rate during competition is a response to both psychological and physiological stress, making it difficult to examine psychological stress in sport. The validity of a new method to extract psychological stress by subtracting heart rate during practice from that of competition was evaluated. The method was used in actual competition for eight pitchers. Most participants showed a “coasting phase,” “increment phase,” and “descent phase” for heart rate time-series data under both conditions. Heart rate in competitions was higher than during practice, and heart rate in both conditions showed a high correlation. Heart rate changes were significantly higher in situations in which two or three balls had already been thrown compared to zero balls thrown. Thus, psychological stress can be examined in various competition conditions using this method.
Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Psoriatic Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Crăciun Lucia , Crăciun P , Buicu F
Published: December 2014

Introduction: The psoriatic patients have an increased number of associated comorbidities. Of these, cardiovascular diseases present the highest incidence and severity. The understanding of the cardiovascular risk in patients with psoriatic arthritis was supported from the rheumatoid arthritis studies that suggested that patients with psoriatic arthritis have a risk of cardiovascular diseases similar to patients presenting rheumatoid arthritis. The presence of the metabolic syndrome further increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components in two groups of patients: those presenting psoriatic arthritis and those with rheumatoid arthritis.

Material and method: The study included two groups of patients: group one - 40 patients with psoriatic arthritis defined by Moll and Wright criteria, respectively the group two - 51 patients with rheumatoid arthritis defined by American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to the consensus definition (incorporating IDF and American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute -AHA/NHLBI definitions).

Results: We enrolled in the study 91 patients having a mean age of 57.7±10.4SD (54.7±10.2 SD psoriatic arthritis, 60.01±10.0 SD rheumatoid arthritis). The mean disease duration (years) was 4.12±4.1SD for psoriatic arthritis and 6.7±7.8SD for rheumatoid arthritis. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 67.5% in the group with psoriatic arthritis and 37.2% in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The psoriatic patients had a higher prevalence of impared fasting glucose (52.5% vs 27.4%, p=0.018), and elevated trygliceride values as compared with those presenting rheumatoid arthritis (25% vs 11% p=0.0004).

Conclusions: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increased in patients with psoriatic arthritis as compared to patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Comparison of selected theoretical models of bubble formation and experimental results
Authors: Rząsa Mariusz R.
Published: December 2014

Designers of all types of equipment applied in oxygenation and aeration need to get to know the mechanism behind the gas bubble formation. This paper presents a measurement method used for determination of parameters of bubbles forming at jet attachment from which the bubles are displaced upward. The measuring system is based on an optical tomograph containing five projections. An image from the tomograph contains shapes of the forming bubbles and determine their volumes and formation rate. Additionally, this paper presents selected theoretical models known from literature. The measurement results have been compared with simple theoretical models predictions. The paper also contains a study of the potential to apply the presented method for determination of bubble structures and observation of intermediate states.
Steady-state and transient heat transfer through fins of complex geometry
Authors: Taler Dawid , Taler Jan
Published: December 2014

Various methods for steady-state and transient analysis of temperature distribution and efficiency of continuous-plate fins are presented. For a constant heat transfer coefficient over the fin surface, the plate fin can be divided into imaginary rectangular or hexangular fins. At first approximate methods for determining the steady-state fin efficiency like the method of equivalent circular fin and the sector method are discussed. When the fin geometry is complex, thus transient temperature distribution and fin efficiency can be determined using numerical methods. A numerical method for transient analysis of fins with complex geometry is developed. Transient temperature distributions in continuous fins attached to oval tubes is computed using the finite volume - finite element methods. The developed method can be used in the transient analysis of compact heat exchangers to calculate correctly the heat flow rate transferred from the finned tubes to the fluid.
Fitness knowledge, cardiorespiratory endurance and body composition of high school students
Authors: Williams Skip M. , Phelps Dan , Laurson Kelly R. , Thomas David Q. , Brown Dale D.
Published: December 2014

Study aim: The purpose of this study was to determine if high school physical education seniors’ health-related fitness knowledge is related to their aerobic capacity and body composition.

Material and methods: The FitSmart test assessed students (n = 171) health-related fitness knowledge. Aerobic capacity was calculated based on the students PACER score. Body Composition was measured using the Tanita TBF 300A body composition analyzer.

Results: Aerobic fitness was a statistically significant predictor of exam score (β = 0.563, p < 0.001), but percent body fat was not (β = 0.185, p =0.074). Comparing the health-related fitness exam scores by the FITNESSGRAM classification system, students who were classified as Very Lean and High Risk for body composition had lower exam scores than those classified in the healthy fitness zone.

Conclusions: The results confirmed previous findings that students have inadequate health-related fitness knowledge. Furthermore, the study extends these findings by identifying some associations of percent body fat and estimated VO2max to health-related fitness knowledge.
Studies of changes in electrical resistance of zinc oxide nanostructures under the influence of variable gaseous environments
Authors: Procek M. , Pustelny T. , Stolarczyk A. , Maciak E.
Published: December 2014

The paper deals with the investigations concerning the influence of the changing gas environment on electrical resistance of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures. The investigated structures are wide-gap semiconductors with the morphology of ZnO flower-shaped agglomerates of nanostructures. The resistance changes of these nanostructures were tested under the influence of various gases such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), hydrogen (H2), ammonia (NH3) and also of humidity changes of carrier gases. To clarify the mechanisms of physicochemical processes in ZnO nanostructures during their interaction with gaseous environments, investigations were performed in two different carrier gases, viz. in synthetic air and in nitrogen. The study was carried out at a structure temperature of 200◦C.
Entropy generation minimization in steady-state and transient diffusional heat conduction processes Part I – Steady-state boundary value problem
Authors: Kolenda Z.S. , Szmyd J.S. , Huber J.
Published: December 2014

An application of the Entropy Generation Minimization principle allows new formulation of the boundary and initial boundaryvalue problems. Applying Euler-Lagrange variational formalism new mathematical form of heat conduction equation describing steady-state processes have been derived. Mathematical method presented in the paper can also be used for any diffusion heat and mass transfer process. Linear and non-linear problems with internal heat sources have been analyzed.
A Hybrid Maximum Power Point Search Method Using Temperature Measurements in Partial Shading Conditions
Authors: Mroczka Janusz , Ostrowski Mariusz
Published: December 2014

Photovoltaic panels have a non-linear current-voltage characteristics to produce the maximum power at only one point called the maximum power point. In the case of the uniform illumination a single solar panel shows only one maximum power, which is also the global maximum power point. In the case an irregularly illuminated photovoltaic panel many local maxima on the power-voltage curve can be observed and only one of them is the global maximum. The proposed algorithm detects whether a solar panel is in the uniform insolation conditions. Then an appropriate strategy of tracking the maximum power point is taken using a decision algorithm. The proposed method is simulated in the environment created by the authors, which allows to stimulate photovoltaic panels in real conditions of lighting, temperature and shading.
Phylogeny, Historical Biogeography and the Evolution of Migration in Accipitrid Birds of Prey (Aves: Accipitriformes)
Authors: Nagy Jenő , Tökölyi Jácint
Published: December 2014

Migration plays a fundamental part in the life of most temperate bird species. The regular, large-scale seasonal movements that characterize temperate migration systems appear to have originated in parallel with the postglacial northern expansion of tropical species. Migratoriness is also influenced by a number of ecological factors, such as the ability to survive harsh winters. Hence, understanding the origins and evolution of migration requires integration of the biogeographic history and ecology of birds in a phylogenetic context. We used molecular dating and ancestral state reconstruction to infer the origins and evolutionary changes in migratory behavior and ancestral area reconstruction to investigate historical patterns of range evolution in accipitrid birds of prey (Accipitriformes). Migration evolved multiple times in birds of prey, the earliest of which occurred in true hawks (Accipitrinae), during the middle Miocene period, according to our analyses. In most cases, a tropical ancestral distribution was inferred for the non-migratory ancestors of migratory lineages. Results from directional evolutionary tests indicate that migration evolved in the tropics and then increased the rate of colonization of temperate habitats, suggesting that temperate species might be descendants of tropical ones that dispersed into these seasonal habitats. Finally, we found that diet generalization predicts migratoriness in this group.
Numerical Response of the Common Buzzard Buteo Buteo to The Changes In Abundance Of Small Mammals
Authors: Tóth László
Published: December 2014

Összefoglalás

A kisemlősök denzitás változásainak az egerészölyv reprodukciójára gyakorolt hatását (un. numerikus választ) vizsgáltam a Hortobágyon, 2000-2001-ben. A fészekellenőrzések során regisztráltam a lerakott tojások, valamint a kikelt és a kirepült fiókák számát. Az egyik legfontosabb zsákmánycsoport, a kisemlősök állomány változásait élvefogó csapdázással monitoroztam. Vizsgáltam az időjárásnak az áttelelő kisemlősök túlélésére gyakorolt hatását is. Az ölyvek átlagos fészekalja a két évben szignifikánsan különbözött: 2000-ben 2,3, míg 2001-ben 3,1 tojás volt. Ez a kisemlősök - 2000-ről 2001-re bekövetkezett - jelentős mértékű állománynövekedésével magyarázható. 2000-ben nagyon alacsony volt a kisemlősök egyedszáma (9 példány/ha), míg 2001- ben ennek nyolcszorosát regisztráltam (76 példány/ha). A kisemlősök egyedszámában tapasztalt óriási eltéréseket a vizsgált két év tél végi-tavasz eleji időjárási különbségei okozhatták. 2000 február-márciusában, a napi minimum hőmérsékleteket tekintetve, 4 rövid, enyhe periódus váltakozott 4 fagypont alattival, ugyanakkor az enyhe időszakokban jelentős mennyiségű (6-8 mm) eső is hullott. Ekkor az áttelelő kisemlősök járatai ismételten beáztak, az állatok megfáztak, kihűltek, szinte kipusztultak a területről, ezért létszámuk a költési időszakban is rendkívül alacsony volt. 2001-ben a tél vége sokkal enyhébb volt, 3 héttel korábban emelkedtek fagypont fölé a napi minimum hőmérsékletek, mint 2000-ben, nem alakultak ki váltakozó hideg-meleg időszakok sem. Ez kedvezően hatott az áttelelő kisemlősökre, létszámuk gyorsan emelkedett és nyár elejére mezei pocok gradáció alakult ki.
Consimilarity and quaternion matrix equations AX −^X B = C, X − A^X B = C
Authors: Klimchuk Tatiana , Sergeichuk Vladimir V.
Published: December 2014

L. Huang [Consimilarity of quaternion matrices and complex matrices, Linear Algebra Appl. 331(2001) 21–30] gave a canonical form of a quaternion matrix with respect to consimilarity transformationsA ↦ ˜S−1AS in which S is a nonsingular quaternion matrix and h = a + bi + cj + dk ↦ ˜h := a − bi + cj − dk (a, b, c, d ∈ ℝ).We give an analogous canonical form of a quaternion matrix with respect to consimilarity transformationsA ↦^S−1AS in which h ↦ ^h is an arbitrary involutive automorphism of the skew field of quaternions. Weapply the obtained canonical form to the quaternion matrix equations AX −^X B = C and X − A^X B = C.
Developing creative activity in art amongst pupils of elementary classes (Based on the analysis of integrated teaching syllabuses)
Authors: Marek Elżbieta
Published: December 2014

The aim of the studies was to learn the possibility of developing creative activity of first-to-third grade pupils in art. The documents (the core curriculum and integrated teaching syllabuses) examined from the point of view of aims, contents, pupils’ achievements, and description of realization methods show that the curriculum suggestions are really diverse. In the curricula created by people realizing the role which is played by creative activity in the development of a child more room is devoted to it.
Salmonella serovar spectrum associated with reptiles in Poland
Authors: Piasecki Tomasz , Chrząstek Klaudia , Wieliczko Alina
Published: December 2014

This study aimed to evaluate the incidence ofSalmonellaisolates from a wide variety of reptiles in Poland. A total of 374 faecal samples from chelonians, lizards and snakes were collected between 2009 and 2012. The nested, two-step PCR and multiplex PCR were performed to access the incidence and to characterizeSalmonellaisolates.Salmonellastrains were found in 122 of 374 samples (32.6%). Among the different reptilian species,Salmonellastrains were found in 58 samples from lizards (38.9%), 31 samples from snakes (28.7%) and 33 samples from chelonians (28.2%). Of the total of 122 strains, 72 belonged to the speciesSalmonella entericasubsp.enterica, 20 to the speciesS.entericasubs.salamaeorS.entericasubs.houtanae. The incidence ofS.entericasubs.diarizonaeandS.entericasubs.indicawas low, constituting less than 3.5% of the examined population. The findings show that reptiles can be considered as a reservoir forSalmonellaand hence could pose a zoonotic hazard. In addition, multiplex PCR assay is a rapid, specific and easy-to-perform method and might be applied for rapid screening of large numbers ofSalmonellasamples.
2,6-Diaminopimelic acid as a biological marker of rumen synthesis and fermentation capacities in the transition period and early lactation of dairy cows
Authors: Maskaľová Iveta , Vajda Vladimír , Bujňák Lukáš
Published: December 2014

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different types of available nutrients of total mix rations on fermentation and synthesis capacities of the rumen in Holstein dairy cows divided into groups in the transition period (± 3 weeks after parturition) and early lactation (60–80 days in milk). The diets were fed as a total mixed ration. Results obtained with feeding Diet C (high concentration of available nutrients) to dairy cows confirmed a significant increase in 2,6-diaminopimelic acid from the initial mean 2.2 μg/ml at 21 days before calving to 6.2 μg/ml (P< 0.01) at 21 days after calving or 7.6 μg/ml (P< 0.01) at early lactation, and a parallel significant increase in the concentration of volatile fatty acids (P< 0.01). The concentration of propionic acid increased from the initial mean 25.3 to 39.3 mmol/l (P< 0.01) in the transition period, and to 43.1 mmol/l at early lactation (P< 0.01). All indicators of rumen fermentation and synthesis determined in dairy cows with Diet B (low concentration of available nutrients) of the total mix ration according to productive phases were not significant. High regression coefficients of examined indicators of 2,6-diaminopimelic acid to volatile fatty acid (r = 0.813), propionic acid (r = 0.780) and acetic acid (r = 0.635) indicate direct correlation between fermentation and synthesis activities of the rumen. Our results show that 2,6-diaminopimelic acid appears as a perspective marker for the monitoring and evaluation of the synthesis function of the rumen and production of bacterial biomass under breeding conditions.