bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A nonparametric boundary detection technique applied to 3D inverted surveys of the Kevitsa Ni-Cu-PGE deposit
Authors: Horrocks Tom , Holden Eun-Jung , Wedge Daniel , Wijns Chris
Published: September 2017

Geophysical inversion can produce 3D models of the subsurface’s physical properties. The smoothness of property variations in these models makes it challenging to automatically find boundaries of homogeneous regions, where these boundaries may have implications for petrophysical transition and are significant for geologic interpretation. We have developed a new boundary detection technique that nonparametrically identifies and subtracts homogeneous regions from the 3D model, leaving exposed edges. The method is based on kernel density estimation of local property variations, in which the number of modes in the kernel density estimates (i.e., the local mode cardinality [MC]) is used to identify edge voxels within the model. Two edge detection operators were developed: one using local values exclusively and the other incorporating the spatial distribution of local values into the local MC, which is more sensitive to local variations. To assist in the geologic interpretation, continuous boundary surfaces are generated from the identified edge voxels using a gradient-based 3D image morphological operation. The technique was evaluated on synthetic rock property models and effectively identified the lithologic boundaries, even with non-Gaussian noise. The proposed operators were also applied to visualize edges in density, conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, and seismic tomography models of the Kevitsa Ni-Cu-PGE deposit (Lapland, Finland) generated by geophysical inversion. The boundaries detected via the proposed technique can be used for visualization and may be useful in further geostatistical computation due to their statistical foundation.
Administration of Hypertonic Solutions for Hemorrhagic Shock: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Clinical Trials
Authors: Wu Meng-Che , Liao Tin-Yun , Lee Erica M. , Chen Yueh-Sheng , Hsu Wan-Ting , Lee Meng-tse Gabriel , Tsou Po-Yang , Chen Shyr-Chyr , Lee Chien-Chang
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND:

Several clinical trials on hypertonic fluid administration have been completed, but the results have been inconclusive. The objective of this study is to summarize current evidence for treating hypovolemic patients with hypertonic solutions by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS:

Major electronic databases were searched from inception through June 2014. We included only randomized controlled trials involving hemorrhagic shock patients treated with hypertonic solutions. After screening 570 trials, 12 were eligible for the final analysis. Pooled effect estimates were calculated with a random effect model.

RESULTS:

The 12 studies included 6 trials comparing 7.5% hypertonic saline (HS) with 0.9% saline or Ringer’s lactate solution and 11 trials comparing 7.5% hypertonic saline with dextran (HSD) with isotonic saline or Ringer’s lactate. Overall, there were no statistically significant survival benefits for patients treated with HS (relative risk [RR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82–1.12) or HSD (RR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.80–1.06). Treatment with hypertonic solutions was also not associated with increased complications (RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.78–1.36). Subgroup analysis on trauma patients in the prehospital or emergency department settings did not change these conclusions. There was no evidence of significant publication bias. Meta-regression analysis did not find any significant sources of heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS:

Current evidence does not reveal increased mortality when the administration of isotonic solutions is compared to HS or HSD in trauma patients with hemorrhagic shock. HS or HSD may be a viable alternative resuscitation fluid in the prehospital setting. Further studies are needed to determine the optimum volume and regimen of intravenous fluids for the treatment of trauma patients.
Precursor microRNA-122 inhibits synthesis of Insig1 isoform mRNA by modulating polyadenylation site usage
Authors: Norman Kara L. , Chen Tzu-Chun , Zeiner Gusti , Sarnow Peter
Published: September 2017

The insulin-induced gene 1 protein (Insig1) inhibits the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway by retaining transcription factor SREBP in the endoplasmic reticulum, and by causing the degradation of HMGCR, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis. Liver-specific microRNA miR-122, on the other hand, enhances cholesterol biosynthesis by an unknown mechanism. We have found that Insig1 mRNAs are generated by alternative cleavage and polyadenylation, resulting in specific isoform mRNA species. During high cholesterol abundance, the short 1.4-kb Insig1 mRNA was found to be preferentially translated to yield Insig1 protein. Precursor molecules of miR-122 down-regulated the translation of the 1.4-kb Insig1 isoform mRNA by interfering with the usage of the promoter-proximal cleavage–polyadenylation site that gives rise to the 1.4-kb Insig1 mRNA. These findings argue that precursor miR-122 molecules modulate polyadenylation site usage in Insig1 mRNAs, resulting in down-regulation of Insig1 protein abundance. Thus, precursor microRNAs may have hitherto undetected novel functions in nuclear gene expression.
Ketamine for pain
Authors: Jonkman Kelly , Dahan Albert , van de Donk Tine , Aarts Leon , Niesters Marieke , van Velzen Monique
Published: September 2017

The efficacy of theN-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist ketamine as an analgesic agent is still under debate, especially for indications such as chronic pain. To understand the efficacy of ketamine for relief of pain, we performed a literature search for relevant narrative and systematic reviews and meta-analyses. We retrieved 189 unique articles, of which 29 were deemed appropriate for use in this review. Ketamine treatment is most effective for relief of postoperative pain, causing reduced opioid consumption. In contrast, for most other indications (that is, acute pain in the emergency department, prevention of persistent postoperative pain, cancer pain, and chronic non-cancer pain), the efficacy of ketamine is limited. Ketamine’s lack of analgesic effect was associated with an increase in side effects, including schizotypical effects.
Assessment of injection safety in Ha Dong General Hospital, Hanoi, in 2012
Authors: Van Tuong Phan , Phuong Tran Thi Minh , Anh Bui Thi My , Nguyen Trang Huyen Thi
Published: September 2017

Background: Injection is one of the most frequently used medical methods to introduce drugs or other substances into the body for purposes of treatment or prevention. Unsafe injection can cause adverse outcomes, such as abscess and anaphylactic shock, and increases the risk of blood-borne transmission of viruses to patients and health care workers, as well as the community. Recognizing the importance of injection safety, in 2000 the Vietnamese Ministry of Health (MOH) collaborated with the Vietnam Nurses Association to launch the “Safe injection” program throughout the country, including Hanoi.

Methods: This cross-sectional study, combining quantitative and qualitative analysis, was conducted from February to August 2012 in Ha Dong General Hospital using a structured questionnaire and observation checklist. The target population of the study was 109 nurses working in clinical departments and 436 injections were observed.

Results: The percentage of nurses who are familiar with injection safety standards was found to be 82.6%. The proportion of practical injections that met the 23 standards of injection safety set by the MOH amounted to 22.2%. The factors related to safe injection practice of nurses who are younger age group (OR=3.1; p<0.05) and lower amount of working years (OR=2.8; p<0.05).

Conclusions: Despite the high level of knowledge about safety injection, a low proportion of nurses performed correct safety injection practice. Moreover, the results demonstrated that experience might not always guarantee better practice. The findings raise the need for further training about this issue, especially among older nurses.
Atopic dermatitis patients show increases in serum C-reactive protein levels, correlating with skin disease activity
Authors: Vekaria Anjali S. , Brunner Patrick M. , Aleisa Ahmad I. , Bonomo Lauren , Lebwohl Mark G. , Israel Ariel , Guttman-Yassky Emma
Published: September 2017

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD), the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease, is evolving as a systemic disease, and associated systemic inflammation is possibly linked to increases in cardiovascular disease.

Methods: We assessed levels of the inflammatory marker CRP in 59 patients with moderate-to-severe AD compared to matched healthy controls, and to determine correlation with skin disease severity. Clinical severity was measured using SCORing of Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) and body surface area (BSA). Control subjects (n=118), matched by age, gender, smoking status and ethnicity, were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES).

Results: AD patients had significantly increased serum CRP levels compared to controls (0.7±1.0 vs. 0.4±0.7mg/dl; p=0.001). CRP levels were significantly correlated with both SCORAD (r=0.427, p=0.0008) and BSA (r=0.407, p=0.0015).  IgE levels in AD were highly elevated (median 2903U/ml, IQR [234,10655]), but only weakly correlated with SCORAD (r=0.282, p=0.0427) and BSA (r=0.382, p=0.0052), but not with CRP levels. AD patients also showed increased LDH levels, but without significant correlations with disease severity (SCORAD, BSA) or CRP.

Conclusions: Our study strongly supports CRP as a marker for disease severity in moderate-to-severe AD patients, further demonstrating its chronic systemic nature.
On the interpretability and computational reliability of frequency-domain Granger causality
Authors: Faes Luca , Stramaglia Sebastiano , Marinazzo Daniele
Published: September 2017

This Correspondence article is a comment which directly relates to the paper “A study of problems encountered in Granger causality analysis from a neuroscience perspective” (Stokes and Purdon, 2017). We agree that interpretation issues of Granger causality (GC) in neuroscience exist, partially due to the historically unfortunate use of the name “causality”, as described in previous literature. On the other hand, we think that Stokes and Purdon use a formulation of GC which is outdated (albeit still used) and do not fully account for the potential of the different frequency-domain versions of GC; in doing so, their paper dismisses GC measures based on a suboptimal use of them. Furthermore, since data from simulated systems are used, the pitfalls that are found with the used formulation are intended to be general, and not limited to neuroscience. It would be a pity if this paper, even if written in good faith, became a wildcard against all possible applications of GC, regardless of the large body of work recently published which aims to address faults in methodology and interpretation. In order to provide a balanced view, we replicate the simulations of Stokes and Purdon, using an updated GC implementation and exploiting the combination of spectral and causal information, showing that in this way the pitfalls are mitigated or directly solved.
Using a Generalized Statistically Optimal Method of Solution for Minimum Weighted Cover Task
Authors: Лапшин Дмитрий , Lapshin Dmitriy , Лапшина Марина , Lapshina Marina , Юдина Надежда , Yudina Nadezhda
Published: September 2017

Statistically optimal algorithm for finding minimal cover of 0.1-matrices for the unweighted matrix has been proposed in the works of O. V. German. The algorithm is based on iterative addition of new columns (columns-resolvent)to the matrix, which are built according to the authors' formulated the principle of group resolution (PGR). They have the following property. Under the assumption that optimal cover has not been obtained yet, each such cover contains at least one row from among those that cover the column - resolvent. After adding each new column, considered as a random 0.1-vector, analytical evaluation of mathematical expectation of the number of minimal covers with a given number of rows is made. The evaluation concludes the need to continue the iterations or termination of the algorithm. After evaluation it can be concluded about the necessity to continue the iterations or termination of the algorithm.The algorithm is tested for 600 randomly generated problems with a subsequent comparison with the exact solution. It can be concluded that analytical estimates for mathematical expectation of the number of covers with specified size are stable for matrices of large dimension. On the contrary, with a decrease in the number of columns these estimates become less stable. Doubtless, in our opinion, advantage of this method is its high speed. Thus, in the vast majority of cases, the algorithm concludes by finding the exact solution, which makes to consider it statistically optimal one. The advantage of this method is its speed, but it is empirically proven that increase in the dimension of the problem leads to unpredictable failures.
Forestry Development of Sparsely Wooded Region: Experience and Perspectives
Authors: Скрынникова М. , Skrynnikova M. , Топчеев Андрей , Topcheev Andrey Nikolaevich
Published: September 2017

The article describes main directions of forestry development in sparsely wooded region. Changes in forest legislation have led to the formation of the model of forest management focused on the development of entrepreneurship in Voronezh region. It is defined, that the main form of forest use in the region is lease of forest lands. The economic mechanism of forest management in these circumstances should be based on the balance of interests of participants of forest relations (the state, society, community, business). At the regional level, the factors restricting development of forestry are high cost of sanitary and health measures and the difficulty of disposing of small merchantable wood and wood fuel after sanitary felling and thinning. It is established that difficulties in the provision of forest land are associated with existing double counting of some lands and forests in Unified state register of real estate. For the analyzed period, the region has developed a stable business trend in the field of forestry to the development of public-private partnerships. It is proved that for the implementation of the principles of sustainable forest management and creation favorable conditions for the development and implementation of economically, environmentally and socially responsible forest development, we need support of business activities, in terms of creating regional infrastructure for support of entrepreneurship in forest sector (sectoral business incubators on the basis of existing research institutes in cooperation with leading forest universities) and ensuring its activities.
Biomonitoring of Chemical Pollution of Coppice Oak Forests on The Green Area of Voronezh Using Oak Gallflies
Authors: Казбанова Ирина , Kazbanova Irina
Published: September 2017

The article is devoted to the monitoring of chemical pollution of coppice oak forests in the green area of Voronezh on the basis of use of oak gallflies as biomonitors. Object of research – the coppice oak forests of green zones along the major highways that are why they are continuously exposed to the entire complex of polluting chemicals in the environment – air and soil, atmospheric precipitation. For conservation and development, as well as the normal functioning and management of forest ecosystems it is extremely important to constantly know the current status of natural objects and parameters, polluting factors. The article investigates chemical pollution of coppice oak forests in the green area of the city of Voronezh from positions of optimized monitoring. Previously, it was found that the most potent source of chemical pollution of coppice oak forests is vehicles, which pollute the environment with combustion products of carbon, but the most important are heavy metals, since the higher plants are recognized as reservoirs for heavy metals contained in the air and soil. Biomonitoring of chemical contamination of vegetation along roads can be effective with higher plants. We investigated the possibility and feasibility of biomonitoring of chemical contamination in coppice oak forests with the help of gallflies, living on oak. We suppose that oak gallflies are promising biomonitor because they have several advantages: a lot of gallflies very sensitive to chemical air pollution and plant hosts, they are sensitive indicator of changes in environmental conditions, which is primarily manifested in the intensity and nature of galeopsifolia processes. Cecidia of gallflies are accessible to observation, they are relatively easily diagnosed in relation to the species; focusing on them, and it is easier to replace changes in the environment than to track those changes directly on the vegetation cover or in geophysical environments.
The Use of Systems of Silvicultural Activities in Forest Management
Authors: Желдак Владимир , Zheldak Vladimir , Сидоренков Виктор , Sidorenkov Viktor , Дорощенкова Эльвира , Doroshchenkova Elvira , Прока Ирина , Proka Irina
Published: September 2017

Systematic approach to implementation of activities for conservation, protection, reproduction and use of forests historically appeared in the Russian forestry science in the late XIX century – early XX century. In practice of forestry and forest management planning activities was traditionally carried out by separate types. This often leads to loss of effect, obtained at a certain stage of forest regeneration. In the eighties of the XX century methodological basis for creation of regional systems of forest management activities, and, for individual regions, practical recommendations for the use of such systems was developed. However, this also led to the transition to system planning, design and implementation of interventions in practice. In current socio-ecological-economic and legislative conditions, methodical approach of implementation at the zonal-landscape- forest typologic basis of priority and target systems of silvicultural activities (PTSSA) is developed. PTSSA are based on silvicultural developments of the 80-ies of the last century, developed taking into account increased demands of differentiation of silvicultural systems, respectively, the diversity of target purpose of forests, conservation of biodiversity, sustainable management of forests. Significant expansion of differentiation systems of silvicultural projects purpose, especially protective forests, is provided. The achievement of the goal is ensured through the preparation of guidance document on creation of PTSSA, making changes in forest management instruction, defining mandatory application of measures in accordance with the developed system in the design, and making changes in legal documents - requirements for implementation of activities in accordance with design of system. While limits for possible use of tolerance terms, regulations, and other indicators of changing conditions , but within providing target, current and final, results are set. Basic provisions can be a source for preparation of other documents that have a specific functional purpose of planning and designing activities for protection, protection, reproduction and use of forests.
Application of «Stefan Conditions» for Solving Heat Tasks in Objects of the Forest Complex
Authors: Кумицкий Б. , Kumitskiy B. , Малюков Сергей , Malyukov Sergey , Саврасова Н. , Savrasova N. , Чуйкин Сергей , Chuykin Sergey
Published: September 2017

A two-phase formulation of the problems of "thermal shock" is considered when two homogeneous half-spaces come into contact at an initial instant of time with different phases and temperatures different from the phase transition temperature. In the absence of convection and thermal sources for constant thermophysical parameters, which can be formulated as the problem of conjugation of two temperature fields on the moving solidification front with additional boundary conditions (Stefan conditions). From a practical point of view, this kind of problem can be the arrival of processes occurring in the objects of the forest complex: in the production of particle board, the processing of ponds and reservoirs, the freezing (thawing) of soils, etc. The solution was carried out using the Laplace integral transformation. The exact analytical dependence obtained in this way explicitly determines the law of interference in each phase. These functions are used for integral transformations. The resulting temperature field corresponds to the known Gaussian distribution, and the velocity of the interphase boundary movement is inversely proportional to the square root of the crystallization time. The data of the approximate numerical calculation carried out for the water-ice system corresponds to a freezing (thawing) rate of approximately 10-3 mm / s. The obtained results can be used for research work in the field of construction thermal physics, geophysics and metallurgy.
Secrecy and Patents: Theory and Evidence from the Uniform Trade Secrets Act
Authors: Png I. P. L.
Published: September 2017

How should firms use patents and secrecy as appropriability mechanisms? Consider technologies that differ in the likelihood of being invented around or reverse engineered. Here, I develop the profit-maximizing strategy: (i) on the internal margin, the marginal patent balances appropriability relative to cost of patents vis-a-vis secrecy, and (ii) on the external margin, commercialize products that yield non-negative profit. To test the theory, I exploit staggered enactment of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act (UTSA), using other uniform laws as instruments. The Act was associated with 38.6% fewer patents after one year, and smaller effects in later years. The Act was associated with larger effect on companies that earned higher margins, spent more on R&D, and faced weaker enforcement of covenants not to compete. The empirical findings are consistent with businesses actively choosing between patent and secrecy as appropriability mechanisms, and appropriability affecting the number of products commercialized.

The online supplement is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/stsc.2017.0035 .
Do homologein ao niilismo: a saga da hybris na consolidação da metafísica como métron do real
Authors: Dos Santos Fábio Candido
Published: September 2017

DOI:10.12957/ek.2017.28792O propósito deste artigo é analisar, a partir de Heidegger e Nietzsche, como um fenômeno grego específico - a hybris - possibilitou o desenvolvimento historial da metafísica enquanto discurso hegemônico do real. Destacando a transição do medievo para a modernidade sem, contudo, perder a dimensão de sua proveniência grega, a investigação parte da tese nietzschiana que afirma ser a hybris a essência do homem moderno e retroage com Heidegger até Heráclito para analisar o fenômeno em sua fonte. Tendo a origem (antiguidade) e o fim (modernidade) determinados, a discussão encaminha-se para a apropriação romano-cristã da hybris nas figuras medievais do imperium e do sacerdotium e aponta, por fim, como tais estruturas possibilitarão a morte de Deus a partir do nascimento da subjetividade e de sua degeneração em niilismo, aparições modernas da hybris e momentos capitais de desenvolvimento da metafísica enquanto métron do real.
A dynamic economic model of criminal activity in the criminal law
Authors: Chaharborj Fatemeh Seddighi , Pourghahramani Babak , Chaharborj Sarkhosh Seddighi
Published: September 2017

Poverty and crime are two major problem areas. The economic theory of crime shows a direct correlation between poverty and crime. In this study, we propose a model that shows the correlation between poverty and crime. Then we obtain the dynamic system of the proposed model. In the next step, we will compute the reproductive number by finding the maximum eigenvalue of Jacobian matrix to study of stability and un-stability of the presented model.
Big data management with machine learning inscribed by domain knowledge for health care
Authors: E.P. EPhzibah , R Sujatha
Published: September 2017

In this work, a framework that helps in the disease diagnosis process with big-data management and machine learning using rule based, instance based, statistical, neural network and support vector method is given. Concerning this, big-data that contains the details of various diseases are collected, preprocessed and managed for classification. Diagnosis is a day-to-day activity for the medical practitioners and is also a decision-making task that requires domain knowledge and expertise in the specific field. This framework suggests different machine learning methods to aid the practitioner to diagnose disease based on the best classifier that is identified in the health care system. The framework has three main segments like big-data management, machine learning and input/output details of the patient. It has been already proved in the literature that the computing methods do help in disease diagnosis, provided the data about that particular disease is available in the data center. Thus this framework will provide a source of confidence and satisfaction to the doctors, as the model generated is based on the accuracy of the classifier compared to other classifiers.
Enacting Authenticity: Peter Nichols’s Passion Play and Søren Kierkegaard’s Either/Or in Dialogue
Authors: Rokotnitz Naomi
Published: September 2017

This article expands and develops current reformulations of the term ‘authenticity’ by juxtaposing Peter Nichols’s dramatic presentation of (in)authentic behavior in Passion Play, Søren Kierkegaard’s writings on authenticity, and recent studies in psychology and affective neuroscience. Re-thinking Kierkegaard’s views on identity and autonomy in relation to Nichols’s presentation of the experiences of betrayal, despair, and self-governance, the article explores how innovative theatrical performance may cause spectators to physically simulate various modes of existential choice, and elucidates the constitutive role played by bodily responses in the shaping of self-understanding and interpersonal communication. While sharing aspects of Kierkegaard’s category of the ‘individual’, as a person who is fully conscious of him/her self and takes responsibility for that self’s conduct, the model of authentic self-becoming that emerges from this discussion is anchored in a balance between attunement to bodily cues, self-directed reflection, and decisive action.
Wallace Stevens’s Poetics of the Other
Authors: Eken Bülent
Published: September 2017

This article reveals a central yet hitherto unsuspected meditation in Wallace Stevens on the problem of the other person in relation to the concept of the other construed by Gilles Deleuze as the “expression of a possible world” (1990: 308). It demonstrates that, seen from this perspective, the figure of subjectivity appears to be a rhetorical means in the service of a poetics centered on the other. In readings of Stevens, it traces the way in which he thinks through the question of the other and detects two main forms in which this is registered in the poems: the other is either associated with ‘possibility’, an occasion of euphoric affects, or with the foreclosure of a more fundamental reality, an ‘outside’, of which the other is merely a phenomenal representative and which occasions poignant affects. The reading of Stevens’s late poem “Prologues to What Is Possible” shows that these two poles in relation to the other are juxtaposed in a paradigmatic manner.
‘Sublime Oilscapes’: Literary Depictions of Landscapes Transformed by the Oil Industry
Authors: Löschnigg Maria
Published: September 2017

Literary reactions to the transformation of landscape by modern technology foreground the fragility of the planet while at the same time suggesting notions of immensity and inspiring awe. Oil mining, in particular, threatens and destroys essential mega-biotopes, as for example two of the biggest wetlands on earth, the Athabasca Tar Sands in Canada’s northern Alberta and the Niger Delta in southern Nigeria. While we are flooded, daily, by media reports on environmental damage and by scientifically based scenarios of future catastrophes, it is literature with its specifically ambiguous and multidimensional make-up, which proves to be an ideal medium to foreground the ambivalence of twenty-first century societies regarding their attitude towards a radically modified natural environment. The double aesthetics of the sublime, in particular, proves to be a congenial creative (and critical) approach to these fear- and awe-inspiring landscapes, which have been forged and shaped by technology and industry. In my essay I want to show how twenty-first century Canadian and Nigerian writers have responded to the effects of oil mining in their respective countries by drawing on notions of the sublime as they came to be articulated by Edmund Burke in the eighteenth century and have been taken up by scholars in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Through their narrative and poetic ‘sublime oilscapes’ these authors effectively foreground the problems inherent in the split attitude of contemporary societies.
Dose-response effects of sage (Salvia officinalis) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium) essential oils on rumen fermentation in vitro
Authors: Kahvand Mina , Malecky Mostafa
Published: September 2017

This study aimed at determining the chemical composition of sage essential oil (SEO) and yarrow essential oil (YEO), and investigate in vitro their impacts on gas production kinetics, ruminal digestibility and fermentation, and rumen methanogenesis at different dosages (0, 250, 500 and 750 mg L-1 for SEO; and 0, 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg L−1 for YEO). Alpha-pinene and 1,8 cineol were two major constituents of both SEO and YEO. Both SEO and YEO had a linear and quadratic effect on asymptotic gas production (P<0.05). The gas production rate increased linearly with SEO and curve-linearly with YEO dosages (P<0.05). In vitro degradability of dry matter and organic matter decreased only by YEO. The partitioning factor (PF) and the microbial biomass (MB) decreased and increased linearly with YEO and SEO dosages, respectively (P<0.05). Total volatile fatty acids (VFA ) were not affected by SEO, but decreased in a linear and quadratic manner with YEO dosage (P<0.05). The VFA pattern was modified in a linear and quadratic manner by both SEO and YEO (P<0.05). Ammonia concentration increased linearly only with YEO increasing doses. The methane to total gas (TG) ratio decreased quadratically only by SEO with reductions of 6.7, 13 and 4.2% at the doses of 250, 500 and 750 mg L−1, respectively. These results revealed that SEO modifies the rumen fermentation positively towards producing more MB and less methane in the dose range of 0-750 mg L−1, however, YEO adversely affected the rumen fermentation at all the tested doses.
On the cyclicality of real wages and wage differentials
Authors: Otrok Christopher , Pourpourides Panayiotis M.
Published: September 2017

Previous empirical literature suggests that estimated wage cyclicality depends on the structure of the relationship between real wages and an observed indicator of the business cycle that econometric models impose prior to estimation. This paper, alleviates the problem of imposing such structure by searching directly for the largest common cycles in longitudinal microdata using a Bayesian dynamic latent factor model. We find that the comovement of real wages is related to a common factor that exhibits a significant but imperfect correlation with the national unemployment rate. Among others, our findings indicate that the common factor explains, on average, no more than 9% of wage variation, it accounts for 20% or less of the wage variability for 88% of the workers in the sample and roughly half of the wages move procyclically while half move countercyclically. These facts are inconsistent with claims of a strong systematic relationship between real wages and business cycles.
Nomenclatural notes on some annual mallows (Malvaceae)
Authors: Iamonico Duilio
Published: September 2017

A nomenclatural study concerning the annual mallows (Lavaterasect.Lavatera) is presented here. The namesLavatera africana,L. biennis,L. grandiflora,L. moschataby Miergues,L. punctata,L. punctatavar.maroccana,L. rosea,L. trimestrisvar.brachypoda,L. trimestrisvar.trimestrisf.colorata,Olbia deflexa, andStegia lavateraare investigated.Lavatera grandiflora,L. rosea,L. moschataby Miergues,Olbia deflexa, andStegia lavateraare illegitimate names according to Arts. 52.1, 52.2 or 53.1 of the ICN. The other names are valid and legitimate and are lecto- or neotypified on specimens preserved in the herbaria BM, LE, MAF, MPU, P, and TO. Three species belonging toLavaterasect.Lavateraare AcceptedL. trimestriss.lat.,L. maroccana, andL. punctata(=Olbia deflexa, nom. superfl. et illeg. =L. biennis). Three varieties are here recognized forL. trimestris: var.trimestris(≡Malva rosea, nom. superfl. et illeg.Lavatera grandiflora, nom. superfl. et illeg.Stegia lavatera, nom. superfl. et illeg. =L. africana=L. trimestrisvar.trimestrisf.colorata), var.brachypoda, and var.moschata(a new combination).
The Relationship Between Stock Market Development and Macroeconomic Fundamentals in the Visegrad Group
Authors: Pražák Tomáš , Stavárek Daniel
Published: September 2017

This study examines the effect of specific macroeconomic factors on the stock prices of selected financial sector companies listed on the Central European Exchanges (Budapest Stock Exchange, Prague Stock Exchange, Bratislava Stock Exchange, or Warsaw Stock Exchange). We investigate the nature of the causal relationships between macroeconomic factors and stock prices. The long‑term causality, tested using the Johansen cointegration test, and the short‑run dynamics between the variables, examined using the VECM model, are explored using quarterly data from the 2005–2014 period. The short‑term causality shows the possibility of time series fluctuations; however a steady state should be achieved in the long‑term. In general, we confirmed that macroeconomic fundamentals had a negative impact on stock prices. The interest rate, which also has a negative im­pact, is the most prominent predictor of the long‑run developments. We also found very rare examples of macroeconomic variables that explain changes in stock prices within the VECM framework.
Detection of avian reoviruses in wild birds in Poland
Authors: Styś-Fijoł Natalia , Kozdruń Wojciech , Czekaj Hanna
Published: September 2017

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the occurrence of avian reovirus (ARV) infections in wild birds in Poland and attempt to propagate the selected ARV strains in chicken embryo kidney (CEK) cells or chicken SPF embryos. Material and Methods: The study included 192 wild birds representing 32 species, collected between 2014 and 2016. A part of the S4 segment encoding the σNS protein of avian reoviruses (ARVs) isolated from different species of wild birds from that period was amplified. Results: The presence of ARV was demonstrated in 58 (30.2%) wild birds belonging to nine orders. The isolated strains were propagated in chicken embryos by yolk sac inoculation, and CPE was induced in the infected CEK monolayer. Agar gel precipitation showed that two ARV isolates from rock pigeon and mute swan shared a common groupspecific antigen with chicken reovirus S1133. Specific products of predicted size were found in two ARV isolates from the chicken embryo passage and 13 ARVs isolated from CEK cells. Conclusion: The study indicates the high prevalence of ARV among wild birds in Poland and its possible transmission to farmed birds.
Development of a recombinant protein-based ELISA for detection of antibodies against bovine foamy virus
Authors: Materniak-Kornas Magdalena , Osiński Zbigniew , Rudzki Marcin , Kuźmak Jacek
Published: September 2017

Introduction: Infections with bovine foamy virus (BFV) were found in many countries but there is a lack of large-scale surveys on the prevalence of BFV among dairy cattle. The aim of this study was to develop and validate the recombinant Gag protein-based ELISA and to estimate the prevalence of antibodies against BFV. Material and Methods: Gag coding region from BFV was cloned into expression vector pT7Arg-STOP, which expressed a high level of recombinant Gag protein from E.coli. The ELISA was standardised, and the cut-off value and sensitivity and specificity of the test were calculated using a receiver operating characteristic and Bayesian estimation. Results: A total of 3,051 serum samples were tested by ELISA and 939 (30.8%) sera were recognised as positive. When Bayesian approach was used, the overall true BFV prevalence was 29.7% (95% CI: 25.9-33.4%). Conclusion: Expressed Gag protein of BFV has been used successfully as an antigen for ELISA. Eventually, this study provides basic information about the epidemiological status of infection with BFV in dairy cattle in Poland, which can be used for further studies on dissemination and transmission of BFV infection.
Pathological alterations in respiratory system during co-infection with low pathogenic avian influenza virus (H9N2) and Escherichia coli in broiler chickens
Authors: Jaleel Shahid , Younus Muhammad , Idrees Asif , Arshad Muhammad , Khan Aman Ullah , Ehtisham-ul-Haque Syed , Zaheer Muhammad Irfan , Tanweer Muhammad , Towakal Farhan , Munibullah  , Tipu Muhammad Yasin , Sohail Muhammad Luqman , Umar Sajid
Published: September 2017

Introduction: Despite the advancements in the field, there is a lack of data when it comes to co-infections in poultry. Therefore, this study was designed to address this issue. Material and Methods: Broiler birds were experimentally infected with E. coli (O78) and low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) strain, alone or in combination. The experimental groups were negative control. Results: The infected birds showed most severe clinical signs in E. coli+LPAI group along with a significant decrease in weight and enhanced macroscopic and microscopic pathological lesions. The survival rate was 60%, 84%, and 100% in birds inoculated with E. coli+LPAI, E. coli, and LPAI virus alone, respectively. The results showed that experimental co-infection with E. coli and H9N2 strain of LPAI virus increased the severity of clinical signs, mortality rate, and gross lesions. The HI titre against LPAI virus infection in the co-infected group was significantly higher than the HI titre of LPAI group, which may indicate that E. coli may promote propagation of H9N2 LPAI virus by alteration of immune response. Conclusion: The present study revealed that co-infection with E. coli and H9N2 LPAI virus caused more serious synergistic pathogenic effects and indicates the role of both pathogens as complicating factors in poultry infections.
Pig lung immune cytokine response to the swine influenza virus and the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infection
Authors: Czyżewska-Dors Ewelina , Dors Arkadiusz , Kwit Krzysztof , Stasiak Ewelina , Pomorska-Mól Małgorzata
Published: September 2017

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the local innate immune response to the swine influenza virus (SIV) and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) infection in pigs. Material and Methods: The study was performed on 37 seven-week-old pigs, divided into four groups: App-infected (n=11), App+SIV-infected (n=11), SIV-infected (n=11), and control (n=4). Lung samples were collected, following euthanasia, on the 2nd and 4th dpi (three piglets per inoculated group) and on the 10th dpi (remaining inoculated and control pigs). Lung concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IL-10, IFN-α, and IFN-γ were analysed with the use of commercial porcine cytokine ELISA kits. Results: Lung concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-α, and IFN-γ were induced in SIV-infected and App+SIV-infected pigs. In the lung tissue of App-infected pigs, only concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IFN-γ were elevated. Additionally, in App+SIV-infected pigs, significantly greater concentrations of IL-1β, IL-8, and IFN-α were found when compared with pigs infected with either SIV or App alone. In each tested group, the lung concentration of IL-10 remained unchanged during the entire study. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that the experimental infection of pigs with SIV or App alone and co-infection with both pathogens induced a local lung inflammatory response. However, the local cytokine response was considerably higher in co-infected pigs compared to singleinfected pigs
Simultaneous determination of ten illegal azo dyes in feed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Piątkowska Marta , Jedziniak Piotr , Olejnik Małgorzata , Pietruk Konrad , Żmudzki Jan , Posyniak Andrzej
Published: September 2017

Introduction: The paper presents the method of simultaneous determination of 10 illegal azo dyes in feed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry technique. Material and Methods: The dyes were extracted with hexane, evaporated to dryness, and analysed. Separation was achieved in 7 min in a gradient elution using acetonitrile (A) and 0.1% formic acid (B) as a mobile phase. Results: The validation results showed the repeatability of the method, which was evaluated at three levels (50, 500, and 5,000 μg/kg). All the matrix calibration curves for the working ranges were linear (R2 0.9904 to 1.0), the repeatability was between 2.1% and 24%, and recoveries ranged from 77.9% to 120%. The LOD and LOQ were at 1-2 and 5-10 μg/kg for different dyes, respectively. Furthermore, the method was applied in the homogeneity tests of the in-house prepared feed containing Sudan I at the levels of 0.5, 5, and 50 mg/kg. Conclusions: A sensitive, selective, and fast multiresidue method was successfully developed and validated. Its robustness was confirmed by the analysis of an experimental feed containing Sudan I.
The Association Between Obesity and Visit-to-Visit Variability in Systolic Blood Pressure: A Prospective Study
Authors: Stojanovic Sanja , Ilic Marina Deljanin , Ilic Stevan , Tasic Nebojsa , Ilic Bojan , Petrovic Dejan , Dragisic Dalibor , Djukic Svetlana , Jovanovic Marina
Published: September 2017

With the prevalence of obesity and all accompanying health risks, both prevention and health education, as well as identifying predictors for the development of obesity-related diseases are primary. The pathophysiological relationship between obesity and visit-to-visit variability in systolic blood pressure (SBPV) has not been completely resolved. To investigate the association between obesity and SBPV in hypertensive patients. The prospective study comprised three visits was performed at the hypertension outpatient clinic during the follow up period of 22-months between March 2014 and January 2016. This study included 300 randomly selected hypertensive patients (average 67.76±9.84 years), who were divided in groups of obese/non-obese examinees. SBPV was defined as the standard deviation (SD) from three values of SBP. The values of SBP and SBP-SD were significantly higher in the group of obese hypertensive patients than in the group of non-obese patients (127.06±8.30 vs. 120.37±7.75; 11.29±5.67 vs. 7.37±3.94 mmHg; p<0.01). The highest SBPV was recorded in the 4th quartile in obese patients (43.13±7.50 mmHg). SBPV was strongly correlated with BMI and Waist cirumferences (WC) (ρo=0.425, ρo=0.356, p<0.01). During 22-months follow up there was a significant decrease of SBPV for 8.2 mmHg, BP for 31/5 mmHg, BMI for 3.8 kg/m2, WC for 10 cm and body weight for 8.24 kg. During 22-months follow-up, reduction of body weight was associated with reduction of blood pressure variability in hypertensive patients. Persistently decrease both body weight and long term visit-to-visit variability may explain lower cardiovascular risk in obese-related disease.
Organic optoelectronics for lab-on-chip fluorescence detection
Authors: Jahns Sabrina , Iwers Andre F.K. , Balke Jan , Gerken Martina
Published: September 2017

We present two designs of organic optoelectronics for compact lab-on-chip fluorescence detection. In the first configuration, organic light emitting diode (OLED) and organic photo diode (OPD) are fabricated
Offsetunterdrücktes AMR-Magnetometer mit 100 kHz Frequenzbandbreite
Authors: Nording Felix , Bischel W. , Ludwig F. , Schilling M.
Published: September 2017

Die Veröffentlichung stellt ein AMR-Magnetometer vor, welches den intrinsischen Sensoroffset und den Offsetdrift mit Hilfe von Modulationsverfahren unterdrückt und trotzdem eine sehr hohe Frequenzbandbreite von 100 kHz erreicht. Dieses Magnetometer wurde in ein Gehäuse integriert und besitzt zwei Achsen, welche über Sensorarme herausgeführt sind. Zur Charakterisierung werden Werte wie Empfindlichkeit, Frequenzbandbreite, Rauschen und zeitlicher Drift präsentiert und diskutiert.
Miniaturized multiaxial force/torque sensor with a rollable hexapod structure
Authors: Matich Sebastian , Hessinger Markus , Kupnik Mario , Werthschützky Roland , Hatzfeld Christian
Published: September 2017

Miniaturized force/torque sensors are relevant components for robotic interaction with humans and unknown environments. This paper presents a disruptive manufacturing process for multiaxial force/torque sensors based on a Stewart-Gough platform. The deformation element consists of a hexapod geometry with six sensing elements with a total diameter of 9 mm. The sensor manufacturing process is divided into three steps: 1. Milling a planar arrangement of sensing elements out of a 2 mm steel (1 .4301) plate, 2. applying twelve strain gauges in half-bridge configuration and 3. rolling the elements into a hexapod structure. The dimensions of the sensing elements are scalable to adjust the size and nominal measurement range of the sensor. The first prototype has a measuring range of 4 N and 66 mNm. The characterization of the sensor shows a maximal linearity and hysteresis error of 1.16% and a cross-sensitivity smaller than 2.76% .
Optische Band selektion für die verbesserte Schätzung von Materialanteilen
Authors: Krippner Wolfgang , León Fernando Puente
Published: September 2017

Die in hyperspektralen Bildern enthaltene Information erlaubt die Bestimmung von Materialanteilen. Allerdings sind dazu die zeitaufwändige Aufnahme eines vollständigen Hyperspektralbilds und die Anwendung rechenintensiver Schätzalgorithmen notwendig. Durch eine spektrale Filterung im Lichtkanal ist es möglich, aus der Aufzeichnung einiger weniger Intensitätsbilder die gesuchten Materialanteile zu ermitteln (optische Materialanteilsschätzung). Wesentlich ist dabei der Entwurf der hierfür verwendeten Spektralfilter. Um auf Grundlage des linearen Mischmodells die Spektralfilterberechnung durchführen zu können, wird in dem folgenden Beitrag eine Bandselektion durchgeführt. Die Auswahl der Wellenlängenkanäle erfolgt anhand eines neu entwickelten Maßes, dessen Größen ebenfalls durch spektrale Filterung optisch bestimmt werden können. Somit kann weiterhin die Aufnahme vollständiger Hyperspektralbilder vermieden werden. Experimentelle Auswertungen zeigen, dass die optische Materialanteilsschätzung mit voriger Bandselektion deutlich präzisere Ergebnisse liefert.