bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Induced abortion in the Republic of Srpska: Characteristics and impact on mental health
Authors: Niskanovic Jelena
Published: January 2015

Induced abortion is an important aspect of sexual and reproductive health,
with potentially negative impact on physical and emotional health of women.
The aim of this paper is to investigate the presence of abortion in our
society, characteristics of women who had induced abortion and its impact on
mental health. The results presented in this paper are part of the bigger
study "Health Status, Health Needs and Utilization of Health Services", which
was carried out in Republic of Srpska during 2010. Survey covered 1042 women
age from 18 to 49. A standardized set of instruments in the field of
sexual-reproductive and mental health (NHS, EUROHIS, ECHIM) was applied.
Results indicate that 28.8 % of women had induced abortion, while nearly half
of them (48.2%) had more than one abortion in their life. Induced abortion is
more common among women over 38 years who already have children (97.1%) and
live in rural parts of country (61.7%). Abortion is mostly preferred method
of birth control among married woman (88.6%), woman with secondary school
(64.5%), but is equally present among employed or unemployed woman and
housewife's (around 1/3). There was a statistically significant but low
correlation between current life satisfaction, mental health and induced
abortion (F=8.0, p=0.000; Wilks' lambda =0.97; partial Eta-squared=0.03).
More precisely, women who have had abortions have expressed higher levels of
stress, lower levels of vitality, and were less satisfied with present life
compared to those who did not have an abortion. High rates of induced
abortion are present in Balkans countries for a long time (Rasevic, 1994: 86;
Rasevic, 2011: 3). Higher rates of abortion, compared to the European Union
and western neighbors, raises the question of presence of "abortion culture"
(Rasevic and Sedlecki, 2011: 4). Abortion culture is the conse-quence of
frequent use of traditional method of contraception (coitus interruptus) in
combination with low availability of counseling and family planning. Lot of
scientific rigorous studies indicate a specific connection between abortion
and mental health without supporting attitudes which claim that abortion has
a strong impact on mental health (Coleman, 2011: 183), as well as attitudes
that deny any effect of abortion on mental health (APA, 2008). The results
point the importance of promoting greater sexual-reproductive rights, free
and responsible family planning and greater availability of contraceptives as
safer methods of birth control.
Internal mobility in Italy: A new delay
Authors: Reynaud Cecilia , Tucci Enrico
Published: January 2015

From the second half of the 1990s, mobility appears to have changed
profoundly from the great migrations of the 1960s, for two main reasons:
firstly, the rise in short-range mobility; and secondly, the strong increase
in attraction by geographical areas in Central and above all North-eastern
Italy. In more recent years, the evolution of internal mobility has changed
again, with a further fall coupled with a loss of attractiveness for some
Central and Northern areas. The recent evolution of mobility could suggest
that the large divide between the North and South is closing. However, this
is not entirely the case, as differences in mobility by geographical area
continued to remain and in some cases even increased. In fact, this analysis
allows us to show how population loss from the South of Italy has actually
risen. This study aims to focus on the evolution of the phenomenon in
individual geographical areas and the varying levels of migration between the
different genders and age classes. While we are clearly not facing a new boom
in out-migration from the South, it is true that out-migration is continuing
and represents a serious loss of human capital in this area.
Seroprevalence of dogs to Leishmania infantum antigens in the territory of Crna Gora
Authors: Pavicevic Zorica , Lausevic Dejan , Pejovic Nikola
Published: January 2015

Due to expansion of vector borne diseases and their importance for human
health we have investigated the prevalence of antibodies to Leishmania
infantum antigens in serum samples of dogs. Leishmaniasis is a disease caused
by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. According to the World Health
Organization the disease is a constant threat to 350 million people in 88
countries, provided that most Mediterranean countries belong to the area
designated as endemic. Since Crna Gora is a country of Mediterranean basin,
it is important to present the results of the investigation on the presence
of antibodies on L. infantum antigens in blood serum of dogs, considering
that dogs can be reservoirs and source of infection for humans. In the period
from 2006. to 2010., there were tested 433 serum samples of dogs with
clinical symptoms and 68 serum samples of dogs without symptoms of the
disease. Those were dogs with visible symptoms of the disease such as
alopecia, weight loss and lymphadenomegalia. In 66% of cases, there was known
hematological profile with predominant hypochromic anemia and neutrophilic
leukocytosis. As mentioned above, the investigation included also 68
asymptomatic dogs in good condition, out of which 45 were service dogs in use
in military and police as well as 23 dogs from the asylum. By Indirect
immunofluorescence test or Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Technique (IF-AT)
and Direct Agglutination Test (DAT), there was determined the presence of
specific antibodies to L. infantum antigens. Positive findings in the serum
dilution 1:160 was deter?mined in 258 samples (59.58%) in the group of dogs
with clinical symptoms, and in 5.9% in the tested asymptomatic dogs. A part
of the territory of Crna Gora with its average annual air temperature of 14.6
- 17.8?C and mediterranean climate (long, warm and dry summer and mild, rainy
winter) has all the prerequisites for the development and maintenance of the
infection. The confirmed presence of five kinds of Phlebotomines on the
territory of Crna Gora which are essential in the cycle of developing and
maintaining of Leishmania species with dominant Phlebotomus neglectus
species, additionally proves a great risk of occur?rence and maintenance of
the disease. The obtained results of seroprevalence in dogs are in
correlation with the results of 55 cases of visceral leishmaniasis recorded
by the Institute for Public Health in people from 1992 to 2009. Taking into
consideration that seronegative findings and absence of symptoms does not
exclude the infection, as well as that seropositive finding does not
necessarily confirm it, a high level of seroprevalence (of 59.58%) in dogs in
urban regions of Crna Gora, recorded during 5 years period, is by itself an
alarming epizootiological and epidemiological fact.
Sheep fertility during induction and estrus synchronisation in the anoestrus season depending of the body weight of tested eves
Authors: Mekic Civijan , Perisic Predrag , Novakovic Zorica , Petrovic Milan , Vujic Radomir
Published: January 2015

The aim of this research was to determine if there are differences in sexual
reaction of the grown sheep II de frans breed depending on the body weight of
treated eves during induction and synchronization of estrus with
fluorogestonacetate (FGA) + PMSG in anoestrus season. Total number of 262
eves was treated and they were divided in to three groups. The first group
consisted of the sheep whose body weight was from 40 to 50kg, the second
group of the sheep whose weight was from 50-60kg and the third group of the
sheep whose weight was above 60kg. Each group received sponges of FGA. After
removal of the sponges all sheep received intramuscular injection of 500 i.u
of PMSG. The "Sugonal" prepared by Veterinary institute Subotica was used.
After two days the insemination was conducted. The results show that from
first group 43.78% sheep lambed, from second group 46.66% and from third
group 59.32%. Average sheep fertility after treatments was for the first
group 113.28%, 118.37% for the second group and 137.14% for the third group.
The ratio of singles, twins and triplets was for the first group 72:28:0 %,
for the second group 70.69:24.14:5.17%, and for the third group
47.92:45.83:6.25%. Determined differences between number of lambed sheep and
treated sheep, fertility and number of twins, as well as between
investigated groups were statistically significant (P<0,05). Conclusion is
that sheep of body weight above 60kg have had significantly better reaction
to the treatment.
Pigs leptospirosis at the territory of Belgrade
Authors: Vojinovic Dragica , Vasic Ana , Jovicic Dubravka , Djuricic Bosiljka , Ilic Zivka
Published: January 2015

Examinations of pig blood samples have been carried out at public pig farms
in three Belgrade municipalities: Palilula, Surcin and Obrenovac. The number
of tested blood serums of pigs at Palilula was 18990, in Surcin 7739 and in
Obrenovac it was 8200. The number of positive blood serums on leptospirosis
in pigs was 760, and out of that number the most positive samples (496) were
in Surcin, followed by Palilula (217), and the least were found in Obrenovac
(47). In the period from 2000 to 2009, there were tested 34929 blood serums
of pigs from farms located at the territory of Belgrade. For the
investigations there was used the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) on
seven varieties of L. interrogans: L. pomona, L. icterohaemorrhagiae, L.
grippotyphosa, L. sejroe, L. canicola, L. bataviae and L. australis.
Seropositivity in pigs was determined in 760 blood serums, or in 2.17%.
Leptospirosis prevalence was not very high, but it was constant, which
indicates that leptospirosis infection maintained at the territory of
Belgrade for ten years throughout our continual investigation.
Basic exterior characteristics of body and head in Bulgarian scent hound
Authors: Urosevic Milivoje , Drobnjak Darko , Koncenkov Delcho , Ristic Zoran , Fury Mijo , Matarugic Dragutin , Ograk Y. , Matejevic Milosava
Published: January 2015

A group of dogs known as hounds is widespread and highly appreciated among
the hunters on the Balkans. Hounds are referred to as hunting dogs that
engage in loud pursuit of game along its trail. These dogs do not need to se
the game in order to pursue it and begin to bark once they stumble upon game
trail. First serious research along with zootechnical measurement was
conducted in 1905, at which occasion three large groups of hounds that
inhabit the Balkans were described. This undertaking provided a solid
foundation for further research and standardization of certain hound breeds.
Though a lot of field work and standardization efforts were undertaken since
then, there are still groups of hounds not encompassed in previous research
work that are well-spread on the field and frequently utilized as hunting
companions. One of the variety among these non-standardized breeds are
Bulgarian scent hound, which differ from described hound breeds by certain
exterior characteristics. In this paper, processed and analyzed some of the
basic exterior features of body and head of the Bulgarian Scent Hound.
Measurements were performed in 21 males and 15 females of following
parameters, the height at withers, back height, loin height, chest
circumference, body length, head length, skull length, nozzle length, head
width and nozzle width. The average height of males is 54.60 and female
51.73 cm. Head length of males, on average, was 23.95 cm and females 23, 53
cm.
Casereport - Agalactia of mare, agammaglobulinemia and arthritis in foal
Authors: Spasojevic Jovan , Toholj Bojan , Stevancevic Milenko , Stancic Ivan , Cincovic Marko , Tikvicki Mario , Savovic Mile
Published: January 2015

Lactation is physiological state of the organism and the final process of the
female reproductive cycle. Milk in the first days after birth (colostrum), in
addition to the necessary nutrients contains antibodies, with whose ingesting
only a newborn individual receives passive immunity that protects it from
various infections over time. Mammary gland dysfunction and a lack of breast
milking is called agalactia. Due to the occurrence of agalactia in mother,
newborn animal is denied of intake of colostrum in its body. Thus prevents
ingestion of nutrients and passive immunity, which results in the occurrence
of various diseases especially infectious etiology. This paper describes the
treatment of agammaglobulinemia in foal after ascertaining the occurrence of
primary agalactia in mare. There is described the possibility of
substitution, ie. benefits of breast milk substitutes, and the procedure of
diagnosis and treatment of carpal arthritis in foal.
Examination of D. immitis presence in foxes in Serbia
Authors: Gavrilovic Pavle , Vaskovic Nikola , Zivulj Aleksandar , Jovanovic Milijan
Published: January 2015

Dirofilariosis is a parasitic disease that usually affects dogs, but it can
occur in other carnivore species. Since the disease appears endemically in
dogs in some parts of Serbia, the aim of our investigation was to determine
whether dirofilariosis exists in wild animals. The study included a total of
150 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), 30 hunted foxes per region of South Banat,
Raska, Rasina, Morava and Zlatibor were examined. After the corpses of foxes
were autopsied, the heart and blood vessels were examined macroscopically for
the evidence of adult forms of D. immitis. The presence of the agent was
found in four foxes from the territory of three municipalities of South
Banat: Kovin, Alibunar and Opovo, representing 13.33% of the total number of
examined foxes in this region. None of the 120 autopsied foxes from four
districts of central Serbia was found to have dirofilaria. The results
obtained in investigation lead to conclusion that dirofilariosis exists as a
parasitic disease in red foxes in South Banat.
Influence of differences in the hardness and calcium content of diets on the growth of craniofacial bone in rats
Authors: Goto Shota , Fujita Yuko , Hotta Maika , Sugiyama Ayako , Maki Kenshi
Published: January 2015

Objective: 

To examine the effects of a soft diet and a low-calcium diet on the craniofacial growth and bone architectures of the maxilla and mandible.

Materials and Methods: 

Male rats (n  =  20, 3 weeks old) were divided into four groups. Ten rats were given a normal-calcium diet, and the other rats were given a low-calcium diet. Each group was then divided into two subgroups, which were fed a hard or a soft diet. After 4 weeks, craniofacial growth and architecture in maxillary and mandibular bone were analyzed using cephalometry, micro-computed tomography, and histopathology.

Results: 

The low-calcium diet had no effect on serum calcium levels. The low-calcium diet had the greatest effect on craniofacial bone growth, while the soft diet affected the growth of several bone sites that are attached to the masseter muscle. A low-calcium diet resulted in the deterioration of the connectivity of the trabeculae in the furcation region of the maxillary and mandibular first molar, while a soft diet resulted in the diffuse disappearance of trabeculae in the central part of the furcation regions. In the midpalatal suture, a low-calcium diet resulted in inhibition of cartilaginous ossification, although the midpalatal suture had a normal cartilaginous structure. A soft diet resulted in narrower cartilage cell layers in the midpalatal suture.

Conclusions: 

We demonstrated that a low-calcium diet and a soft diet resulted in a deterioration of bone structures in both the maxilla and in the mandible; however, the mechanisms underlying these effects differed between diets.
Central Inhibition of IKKβ/NF-κB Signaling Attenuates High-Fat Diet–Induced Obesity and Glucose Intolerance
Authors: Benzler Jonas , Ganjam Goutham K. , Pretz Dominik , Oelkrug Rebecca , Koch Christiane E. , Legler Karen , Stöhr Sigrid , Culmsee Carsten , Williams Lynda M. , Tups Alexander
Published: January 2015

Metabolic inflammation in the central nervous system might be causative for the development of overnutrition-induced metabolic syndrome and related disorders, such as obesity, leptin and insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Here we investigated whether nutritive and genetic inhibition of the central IκB kinase β (IKKβ)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway in diet-induced obese (DIO) and leptin-deficient mice improves these metabolic impairments. A known prominent inhibitor of IKKβ/NF-κB signaling is the dietary flavonoid butein. We initially determined that oral, intraperitoneal, and intracerebroventricular administration of this flavonoid improved glucose tolerance and hypothalamic insulin signaling. The dose-dependent glucose-lowering capacity was profound regardless of whether obesity was caused by leptin deficiency or high-fat diet (HFD). To confirm the apparent central role of IKKβ/NF-κB signaling in the control of glucose and energy homeostasis, we genetically inhibited this pathway in neurons of the arcuate nucleus, one key center for control of energy homeostasis, via specific adeno-associated virus serotype 2–mediated overexpression of IκBα, which inhibits NF-κB nuclear translocation. This treatment attenuated HFD-induced body weight gain, body fat mass accumulation, increased energy expenditure, and reduced arcuate suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 expression, indicative for enhanced leptin signaling. These results reinforce a specific role of central proinflammatory IKKβ/NF-κB signaling in the development and potential treatment of DIO-induced comorbidities.
Engineered Commensal Bacteria Reprogram Intestinal Cells Into Glucose-Responsive Insulin-Secreting Cells for the Treatment of Diabetes
Authors: Duan Franklin F. , Liu Joy H. , March John C.
Published: January 2015

The inactive full-length form of GLP-1(1-37) stimulates conversion of both rat and human intestinal epithelial cells into insulin-secreting cells. We investigated whether oral administration of human commensal bacteria engineered to secrete GLP-1(1-37) could ameliorate hyperglycemia in a rat model of diabetes by reprogramming intestinal cells into glucose-responsive insulin-secreting cells. Diabetic rats were fed daily with human lactobacilli engineered to secrete GLP-1(1-37). Diabetic rats fed GLP-1–secreting bacteria showed significant increases in insulin levels and, additionally, were significantly more glucose tolerant than those fed the parent bacterial strain. These rats developed insulin-producing cells within the upper intestine in numbers sufficient to replace ∼25–33% of the insulin capacity of nondiabetic healthy rats. Intestinal tissues in rats with reprogrammed cells expressed MafA, PDX-1, and FoxA2. HNF-6 expression was observed only in crypt epithelia expressing insulin and not in epithelia located higher on the villous axis. Staining for other cell markers in rats treated with GLP-1(1-37)–secreting bacteria suggested that normal function was not inhibited by the close physical proximity of reprogrammed cells. These results provide evidence of the potential for a safe and effective nonabsorbed oral treatment for diabetes and support the concept of engineered commensal bacterial signaling to mediate enteric cell function in vivo.
Monounsaturated Fatty Acid–Enriched High-Fat Diets Impede Adipose NLRP3 Inflammasome–Mediated IL-1β Secretion and Insulin Resistance Despite Obesity
Authors: Finucane Orla M. , Lyons Claire L. , Murphy Aoife M. , Reynolds Clare M. , Klinger Rut , Healy Niamh P. , Cooke Aoife A. , Coll Rebecca C. , McAllan Liam , Nilaweera Kanishka N. , O’Reilly Marcella E. , Tierney Audrey C. , Morine Melissa J. , Alcala-Diaz Juan F. , Lopez-Miranda Jose , O’Connor Darran P. , O’Neill Luke A. , McGillicuddy Fiona C. , Roche Helen M.
Published: January 2015

Saturated fatty acid (SFA) high-fat diets (HFDs) enhance interleukin (IL)-1β–mediated adipose inflammation and insulin resistance. However, the mechanisms by which different fatty acids regulate IL-1β and the subsequent effects on adipose tissue biology and insulin sensitivity in vivo remain elusive. We hypothesized that the replacement of SFA for monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) in HFDs would reduce pro-IL-1β priming in adipose tissue and attenuate insulin resistance via MUFA-driven AMPK activation. MUFA-HFD–fed mice displayed improved insulin sensitivity coincident with reduced pro-IL-1β priming, attenuated adipose IL-1β secretion, and sustained adipose AMPK activation compared with SFA-HFD–fed mice. Furthermore, MUFA-HFD–fed mice displayed hyperplastic adipose tissue, with enhanced adipogenic potential of the stromal vascular fraction and improved insulin sensitivity. In vitro, we demonstrated that the MUFA oleic acid can impede ATP-induced IL-1β secretion from lipopolysaccharide- and SFA-primed cells in an AMPK-dependent manner. Conversely, in a regression study, switching from SFA- to MUFA-HFD failed to reverse insulin resistance but improved fasting plasma insulin levels. In humans, high-SFA consumers, but not high-MUFA consumers, displayed reduced insulin sensitivity with elevated pycard-1 and caspase-1 expression in adipose tissue. These novel findings suggest that dietary MUFA can attenuate IL-1β–mediated insulin resistance and adipose dysfunction despite obesity via the preservation of AMPK activity.
Histologic Patterns of Thymic Involvement in Langerhans Cell Proliferations: A Clinicopathologic Study and Review of the Literature
Authors: Picarsic Jennifer , Egeler R. Maarten , Chikwava Kudakwashe , Patterson Kathleen , Jaffe Ronald
Published: January 2015

Thymic involvement by Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) has been described mainly in isolated case reports. A description of the histopathologic patterns of LCH proliferations in the thymus, together with therapeutic implications, has not, to our knowledge, been previously addressed. The pathology consultation files at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC were reviewed for cases of thymic involvement by LCH. Relevant cases in the literature were also reviewed, and the histopathology and clinical course of those cases were collected. Nine consultation cases of thymic involvement were reviewed, together with 23 cases in the literature, which provided adequate pathologic description and ancillary confirmation ( n = 32), revealing 4 distinct pathologic groups. Group 1 showed microscopic collection of hyperplastic LCH-like cells in incidental thymectomies of patients without LCH disease, requiring no further treatment ( n = 7; 22%). Group 2 showed solitary and/or cystic LCH of the thymus with gland disruption, and at least 3 cases resolved without systemic therapy ( n = 10; 31%). Group 3 showed more variable thymic involvement in multi-systemic LCH disease, with either a medullary restricted pattern or more diffuse gland involvement, requiring adjuvant therapy and having a higher mortality rate ( n = 13; 41%). Group 4 showed a mixed histiocytic lesion with a concurrent LCH and juvenile xanthogranuloma-like proliferation ( n = 2; 6%). Thymic involvement in LCH is quite rare. Based on our cases and those in the literature, we propose 4 distinct pathologic groups of thymic involvement in Langerhans cell proliferations with relevance for diagnosis and treatment.
Expression of monocarboxylate transporters I and IV and the ancillary protein CD147 in the intestinal tract of healthy horses and ponies
Authors: Mykkänen Anna K. , Niku Mikael , Ilves Mika , Koho Ninna M.
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVE To characterize the expression of monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) 1 and 4 and the ancillary protein CD147 in the intestinal tract of healthy equids and determine the cellular location of CD147 in the intestinal epithelium.

ANIMALS 12 healthy horses and ponies slaughtered for meat production or euthanized for reasons unrelated to gastrointestinal tract disease.

PROCEDURES The entire gastrointestinal tract was removed from each equid within 45 minutes after slaughter or euthanasia. Tissue samples were obtained from the antimesenteric side of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, middle part of the cecum, sternal flexure of the ventral colon, pelvic flexure, sternal flexure of the dorsal colon, and descending colon (small colon). Expressions of MCT1, MCT4, and the ancillary protein CD147 were examined in tissue samples from each of the 8 intestinal locations by means of quantitative PCR assay, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemical analyses.

RESULTS Expression of MCT1 was most abundant in the cecum and colonic sites, whereas expression of MCT4 was predominantly in the proximal section of the intestine (small intestinal sites and cecum). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that MCT1 and CD147 were present in the membranes of enterocytes (in crypts and villi).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The anatomic distribution of MCT1 and MCT4 in the equine intestinal tract determined in this study together with the previous knowledge of the sites of substrate absorption indicated that MCT1 might predominantly contribute to the uptake of short-chain fatty acids in the large intestine and MCT4 might predominantly contribute to the uptake of lactate in the small intestine.
Diagnosis of Discrete-Time Singularly Perturbed Systems Based on Slow Subsystem
Authors: Tellili Adel , Abdelkrim Nouceyba , Jaouadi Bahaa , Abdelkrim Mohamed Naceur
Published: January 2015

This paper deals with the diagnosis of discrete-time singularly perturbed systems presenting two time scales property. Parity space method is considered to generate the fault detection residual. The focus is in two directions. First, we discuss the residual illconditioning caused by the singular perturbation parameter. Then, the use of the slow subsystem is considered to make the fault diagnosis easier. It is shown that the designed diagnostic algorithm based on reduced order model is close to the one synthesized using the full order system. The developed approach aims at reducing the computational load and the ill-conditioning for stiff residual generation problem. Two examples of application are used to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method.
Numerical Analysis of Temperature Field in a Disc Brake at Different Cover Angle of the Pad
Authors: Grześ Piotr
Published: January 2015

In the paper an influence of the cover angle of the pad on temperature fields of the components of the disc brake is studied. A three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of the pad-disc system was developed at the condition of equal temperatures on the contacting surfaces. Calculations were carried out for a single braking process at constant deceleration assuming that the contact pressure corresponds with the cover angle of the pad so that the moment of friction is equal in each case analysed. Evolutions and distributions of temperature both for the contact surface of the pad and the disc were computed and shown.
Non-Uniformity of the Combustor Exit Flow Temperature in Front of the Gas Turbine
Authors: Błachnio Józef , Pawlak Wojciech I.
Published: January 2015

Various types of damages to gas-turbine components, in particular to turbine blades, may occur in the course of gas turbine operation. The paper has been intended to discuss different forms of damages to the blades due to non-uniformity of the exit flow temperature. It has been shown that the overheating of blade material and thermal fatigue are the most common reasons for these damages. The paper presents results from numerical experiments with use of the computer model of the aero jet engine designed for simulations. The model has been purposefully modified to take account of the assumed non-homogeneity of the temperature field within the working agent at the turbine intake. It turned out that such non-homogeneity substantially affects dynamic and static properties of the engine considered as an object of control since it leads to a lag of the acceleration time and to increase in fuel consumption. The summarized simulation results demonstrate that the foregoing properties of a jet engine are subject to considerable deterioration in pace with gradual increase of the assumed non-homogeneity of the temperature field. The simulations made it possible to find out that variations of the temperature field nonhomogeneity within the working agent at the turbine intake lead to huge fluctuation of the turbine rpm for the idle run.
Cross-Correlation-Based Method vs. Classical Fft for Spectral Analysis of Impulse Response
Authors: Kotowski Adam
Published: January 2015

The paper presents comparison of results of impulse response spectral analysis that has been obtained using a method based on cross-correlation with results obtained using classical FFT. The presented non-Fourier method is achieved by correlating the analyzed signal and reference single-harmonic signals and using Hilbert transform to obtain an envelope of cross-correlation. The envelope of crosscorrelation makes it possible to calculate appropriate indicator and make its plot in frequency domain as a spectrum. The spectrum obtained this way has its advantage over the FFT that the spectral resolution does not depend on duration of signal. At the same time, the spectral resolution can be much greater than spectral resolution resultant from FFT. Obtained results show that presented non-Fourier method gives frequency readout more accurate in comparison to FFT when the impulse response is a short-time signal e.g. few dozen of miliseconds lasting.
The Bases of Harmonization of Regulations on Food Production and Labeling in the Customs Union within the Eurasian Economic Community
Authors: Shamtsyan Mark
Published: January 2015

The Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC) is an international economic organization created to effectively advance the process of forming a Customs Union and Common Economic Space by member states and also to implement other goals and objectives connected with the enhancement of integration in the economic and humanitarian spheres. One of the major challenges for the successful functioning of the common customs space of the members of the Customs Union, is the harmonization and unification of the legislation, including food legislation of the countries - members of the Customs Union. Unification of the legislation related to the labeling of food products will promote the trade and will ensure the awareness of the consumers.
The Nutritional Labeling of the Dairy Products in Romania, Tendencies and Perspectives
Authors: Iancu Ramona Maria , Ognean Mihai , Tita Mihaela-Adriana
Published: January 2015

The main goal of the present essay is to improve the degree of information through more efficient labeling of the alimentary products. The observation method has been used for the establishment of the offer of milk and dairy products class on the Romanian market during 2013, and the investigation stage consisted of data collection from labels and their graphical interpretation. The 3 concern groups regarding the classification of the chosen products have been: Any special storage conditions and/or conditions of use, % of Saturated fat specified on product and % of Salt specified on product. The label of the products has to offer the consumer the necessary, sufficient, veritable and easy to compare information, which will allow them to chose their alimentary product according to their exigency, financial possibilities, to know the eventual risks they may be subject to, so that they will not be mislead.
Researches on Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Characteristics of Sheep and Cow Milk from Cristian Farm, Romania
Authors: Popa Ionuţ Radu , Tiţa Mihaela , Oprean Letiţia , Iancu Ramona , Lengyel Ecaterina , Frum Adina
Published: January 2015

This study was conducted over a period of three month in the Cristian farm, Sibiu. For the physical, chemical and microbiological analyzes were taken a number of 15 samples per month. From physico-chemical point of view the content evolution of fat, not fat solid substance, density, protein, freezing point, temperature, lactose, conductivity, pH, water addition was followed. Samples were analyzed using the milk analyzer Ekomilk Total of the Research Centre in Biotechnology and Microbiology of the "Lucian Blaga" University. The microbiological contamination of milk was done by determining the total number of bacteria and coliform bacteria. From microbiological point of view it was observed that these conditions are largely met, but a more rigorous control on the cleanliness of utensils and of the staff is required.
On Characterizations of Randomly Censored Generalized Exponential Distribution
Authors: Hamedani G.G.
Published: January 2015

The problem of characterizing a distribution is an important problem which has recently attracted the attention of many researchers. Thus, various characterizations have been established in many different directions. An investigator will be vitally interested to know if their model fits the requirements of a particular distribution. To this end, one will depend on the characterizations of this distribution which provide conditions under which the underlying distribution is indeed that particular distribution. In this work, several characterizations of Randomly Censored Generalized Exponential (RCGE) distribution are presented. These characterizations are based on: ( i) conditional expectation of certain functions of the random variable , (ii ) a single function of the random variable, ( iii) the hazard function of the random variable.
Sterben in Würde
Authors: Marschütz Gerhard
Published: January 2015

To die in dignity is often understood as a personal right to independently determine the time and the way of one’s own death, assuming dignity as a quality of life that wouldn’t exist in serious illness or in the final stage of life. On the contrary and from a traditional point of view dignity belongs to a person’s being that can never get lost and hence has to be respected also at the end of life. For that reason, from a catholic point of view a voluntary euthanasia as a deliberate killing of a person is definitely rejected. However, a so-called ‘aggressive medical treatment’ must be avoided because it doesn’t accept the actual situation of death and only causes a pointless extension of life. Nevertheless, the palliative care is essential to provide people even in their final lifetime with quality of life and to help them with the personal acceptance of death.
Einander wahr-nehmen
Authors: Klein Renate Andrea
Published: January 2015

This article is a plea for a non-biblical approach to biblical texts, the so called “Rezeptionsästhetik” (aesthetics of reception). Important points of this approach are reading biblical texts as fictional (poetic) texts and the reader’s role in decoding the texts according to his “encyclopaedia”. Using aesthetics of reception in interpreting Bible texts can contribute to the better acceptance of different points of view on the same scripture passage and to more respect and understanding between the different religious traditions concerning biblical interpretation.
Alternation vs. Allomorphic Variation in Old English Word-Formation: Evidence from the Derivational Paradigm of Strong Verbs
Authors: Urraca Carmen Novo , Fernández Laura Pesquera
Published: January 2015

This article addresses the question of Old English alternations with a view to identifying instances of allomorphic variation attributable to the loss of motivation and the subsequent morphologization of alternations. The focus is on the strong verb and its derivatives, in such a way that the alternations in which the strong verb partakes can be predicted on the basis of phonological principles, whereas allomorphic variation with respect to the strong verb base is unpredictable. Out of 304 derivational paradigms based on strong verbs and comprising 4,853 derivatives, 478 instances have been found of phonologically motivated vocalic alternations. The conclusion is reached that the most frequent alternations are those that have /a/ as source and those with /y/ as target, because /a/ is the point of departure of i-mutation and /y/ its point of arrival. Sixteen instances of allomorphic variation have also been found, of which /e/ ~ /eo/, /e/ ~ /ea/ and /i/ ~ /e/ are relatively frequent.
The most important key-performance indicators at BC Timisoara management
Authors: Grădinaru Silvia
Published: January 2015

This article explores the management of objectives at BC Timisoara, motivation and performance analysis. The aim of this paper is to analyze the most important key factors involved in a basketball team performance. The basketball team analyzed is BC Timisoara, a well established club in this city of Western Romania. The article combines information gathered from BC Timisoara’s manager and management theories relevant to the topic. Goal setting is affected by financial and human resource factors as well control and regulation functions. Finally motivation plays a key role in players performance.
Comparative Analysis of the “Libero” in great Performance Volleyball
Authors: Mergheş Petru Eugen , Grădinaru Sorin
Published: January 2015

Modern volleyball is characterised by a substantial increase of the attack force and regulation changes support defence. This explains the appearance of the “libero” whose use is optional. In this paper, we aimed at establishing a somatic profile of the “libero” based on volleyball players’ parameters that have played in this position in the volleyball teams that participated in the London 2012 Summer Olympics. The subjects of our research were the “liberos” of the 12 volleyball teams that qualified for the competition. We recorded for these players the following parameters: age, height and weight. The study shows that the mean age of a libero was 31.4 years, with the oldest volleyball player in the Brazilian team (39 years) and the youngest one in the British team (24 years). The mean height of a libero was 184.8 cm, with the tallest libero in the volleyball team of the USA (190 cm) and the shortest one in the team of Great Britain (180 cm). The mean weight of a libero is 81.9 kg, with the highest weight in the volleyball of the United States (90 kg) and the lowest one in the Tunisian volleyball team (74 kg). Age - rather high in the liberos of the studied volleyball teams (above 30 years) point to the expertise accumulated in the long years of practicing volleyball.
Sex-Specific Gait Adaptations Prior to and up to 6 Months After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Di Stasi Stephanie , Hartigan Erin H. , Snyder-Mackler Lynn
Published: January 2015

Study Design

Controlled longitudinal laboratory study.

Objectives

To compare sagittal plane gait mechanics of men and women before and up to 6 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Background

Aberrant gait patterns are ubiquitous after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture and persist after ACLR despite skilled physical therapy. Sex influences postoperative function and second-ACL injury risk, but its influence on gait adaptations after injury has not been investigated.

Methods

Sagittal plane knee and hip joint excursions during midstance and internal knee and hip extension moments at peak knee flexion were collected in 12 women and 27 men using 3-D gait analysis before (screening) and after preoperative physical therapy (presurgery), and 6 months after ACLR (6 months postsurgery). Repeated-measures analysis-of-variance models were used to determine whether limb asymmetries changed differently over time in men and women.

Results

Significant time-by-limb-by-sex interactions were identified for hip and knee excursions and internal knee extension moments (P≤.007). Both sexes demonstrated smaller knee excursions on the involved limb compared to the uninvolved limb at each time point (P≤.007), but only women demonstrated a decrease in the involved knee excursion from presurgery to 6 months postsurgery (P = .03). Women also demonstrated smaller hip excursions (P<.001) and internal knee extension moments (P = .005) on the involved limb compared to the uninvolved limb at 6 months postsurgery. Men demonstrated smaller hip excursions and knee moments on the involved limb compared to the uninvolved limb (P<.001) regardless of time.

Conclusion

The persistence of limb asymmetries in men and women 6 months after ACLR indicates that current postoperative rehabilitation efforts are inadequate for some individuals following ACLR. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2015;45(3):207–214. Epub 27 Jan 2015. doi:10.2519/jospt.2015.5062
The Impact of Learning Communities for Students in Developmental Education
Authors: Weiss Michael J. , Visher Mary G. , Weissman Evan , Wathington Heather
Published: January 2015

Community colleges play a vital role in postsecondary education, enrolling more than one in every three postsecondary students. While their importance has grown over the past 50 years, their students’ success rates remain low. Consequently, community college stakeholders are searching with mounting urgency for approaches that increase students’ success rates. “Learning communities” are one popular strategy. This article describes the results of one of the largest (n ≈ 7,000) independent randomized trials in higher education history—an evaluation of the effectiveness of learning communities for students in developmental education at six community colleges throughout the United States. The estimated overall average effects of learning communities are positive, although quite modest.
A Computer Oriented Method for Solving Transportation Problem
Authors: Afroz Sharmin , Hasan M Babul
Published: January 2015

In this paper, an algorithm and its computer oriented program have been developed for solving transportation programming (TP) reducing it into a linear program (LP). After formulating it into linear programming problems the number of variables becomes large. It then, becomes more difficult and time-consuming if it is done manually with simplex method. By using the computer program the solution can be found in a shorter time. It will be shown that a TP with a large number of variables can be solved in few seconds by using this method. A number of numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the method developed in this research. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dujs.v63i1.21758 Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 63(1): 1-7, 2015 (January)
Impact of Intimate Partners Violence Against Women on Immunization Status of Children in Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan Md Mehedi , Haque M Ershadul , Hossain Md Akhtar , Bari Wasimul
Published: January 2015

Intimate partners violence has harmful effect on child immunization. There is evidence regarding a relation between intimate partners violence against women and immunization status of their children. To investigate this relation in Bangladesh, the data extracted from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) in 2007 is used and information from 1969 childrens mother selected from intimate partners violence module is utilized in this study. The analyses reveal that more than half of childrens mother experienced intimate partners violence and a considerable proportion of children aged 12-59 months are found not to be fully immunized. Intimate partners violence against women has strong significant effect on child immunization in unadjusted as well as adjusted models. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dujs.v63i1.21760 Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 63(1): 9-14, 2015 (January)
The Socio-economic Determinants of Antenatal Health Care Utilization in Bangladesh: Evidence from Multivariate Techniques
Authors: Rabbi Ahbab Mohammad Fazle , Karmaker Shamal Chandra
Published: January 2015

The results presented in this study examined factors associated with antenatal care seeking behaviour using the data of BDHS-2007. Multivariate techniques were applied to identify significant determinant of ANC utilization by women in Bangladesh. Five factors have been determined by using factor analyses and these factors are considered as underlying reasons behind ANC seeking behaviour. One of these factors is biological and the remaining ones are socio-economical. Linear discriminant analysis explained the competence of factors identified in this study. These five factors are considered accurate for approximately 70 percent of the observations. It is expected that the results presented in this study will help to formulate better policies and program interventions to enhance the ANC seeking behaviour of women in Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dujs.v63i1.21762 Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 63(1): 19-23, 2015 (January)
Electrical Optical and Structural Properties of p-type Silicon
Authors: Sharmin Mehnaz , Choudhury Shamima , Begum Tahmina
Published: January 2015

Electrical, optical and structural properties of p-type single crystal silicon were investigated in this work. Electrical conductivity of p-type silicon was measured in the temperature ranges 190 - 300 K. The acceptor ionization energy (?EA) was between 0.047 - 0.051 eV. Photoconductivity of the material was investigated by varying sample current, light intensity and temperature at a constant chopping frequency of 45.60 Hz. Absorption co-efficient (?) of the material was calculated from optical transmittance and reflectance measurements at room temperature (300 K) in the wavelength range of 300 -2500 nm. The direct optical band gap energy was found between 2.10 - 2.20 eV and the indirect optical band gap energy was found between 0.95  1.0 eV. The lattice parameter (a) was found to be 5.419Å from X-ray diffraction method (XRD). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dujs.v63i1.21766 Dhaka Univ. J. Sci. 63(1): 37-41, 2015 (January)
Measuring the Weathertight Performance of Flashings
Authors: Bassett Mark , Overton Greg
Published: January 2015

Residential buildings are now better engineered to manage rainwater following the leaking building problem in New Zealand. The next challenge is to improve the weathertightness of medium-rise buildings which often use joint details widely applied on low-rise buildings but are subject to higher wind pressures and surface runoff rates. This study begins to address this challenge by measuring the water leakage performance limits of the following common flashings with static and dynamic rain and wind loads to see how their performance might be improved: (a) Horizontal H and Z jointers between direct fixed sheet claddings; (b) The window head flashing in a cavity wall; (c) A horizontal apron flashing at the junction between a roof and wall. At this stage, water penetration resistances have been measured but the data has not yet been discussed in the context of wind pressures and rain loads on mid-rise buildings. All of the joints were found to resist water leakage to pressures equivalent to the hydrostatic head of the upstand, so long as there were no air leakage paths through the joint. When vents were added, or openings were present that might arise due to construction tolerances, then the onset pressure for leakage was found to fall by as much as 50%. Vents, of course, are essential for ventilation drying in rainscreen walls and even with vents present, the onset of leakage was at generally at least twice the 50 Pa wet wall test pressure applied in New Zealand. Opportunities were found to improve the way vented joints deal with runoff by enlarging the gap between the cladding and flashing. This prevented the outer joint volume from filling with water and occluding the vents. The apron flashing was found to cope better than a window head joint with runoff, because of the larger 35 mm vertical gap between the cladding and apron.