bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bronze Jewellery from the Early Iron Age urn-field in Mała Kępa. An approach to casting technology
Authors: Garbacz-Klempka A. , Kowalski Ł. , Gackowski J. , Perek-Nowak M.
Published: October 2017

This study characterizes the bronze jewellery recovered from the Lusatian culture urn-field in Mała Kępa (Chełmno land, Poland). Among many common ornaments (e.g. necklaces, rings, pins) the ones giving evidence of a steppe-styled inspiration (nail earrings) were also identified. With the dendritic microstructures revealed, the nail earrings prove the implementing of a lost-wax casting method, whereas some of the castings were further subjected to metalworking. The elemental composition indicates the application of two main types of bronze alloys: Cu-Sn and Cu-Sn-Pb. It has been established that the Lusatian metalworkers were familiar with re-melting the scrap bronze and made themselves capable of roasting the sulphide-rich ores.

The collection from Mała Kępa has been described in terms of its structure and composition. The investigations were made by means of the energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (ED-XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with an energy dispersive X - ray analysis system (EDS) and optical microscopy (OM). In order to fingerprint an alloy profile of the castings with a special emphasis on the nail earrings, the data-set (ED-XRF, EDS) was statistically evaluated using multidimensional analyses (FA, DA).
Reconstruction of the Casting Technology in the Bronze Age on the Basis of Investigations and Visualisation of Casting Moulds
Authors: Garbacz-Klempka A. , Kwak Z. , Żak P. L. , Szucki M. , Ścibior D. , Stolarczyk T. , Nowak K.
Published: October 2017

During excavation of the cremation cemetery of urnfield culture in Legnica at Spokojna Street (Lower Silesia, Poland), dated to 1100-700 BC, the largest - so far in Poland – a collection of casting moulds from the Bronze Age was discovered: three moulds for axes casting made out of stone and five moulds for casting sickles, razors, spearhead and chisels, made out of clay. This archaeological find constituted fittings of foundrymen’s graves. In order to perform the complete analysis of moulds in respect of their application in the Bronze Age casting technology analytical methods, as well as, computer aided methods of technological processes were used. Macroscopic investigations were performed and the X-ray fluorescence spectrometry method was used to analyse the chemical composition and metal elements content in mould cavities. Moulds were subjected to three-dimensional scanning and due to the reverse engineering the geometry of castings produced in these moulds were obtained.

The gathered data was used to perform design and research works by means of the MAGMA5software. Various variants of the pouring process and alloys solidification in these archaeological moulds were simulated. The obtained results were utilised in the interpretation of the Bronze Age casting production in stone and clay moulds, with regard to their quality and possibility of casting defects occurrence being the result of these moulds construction.

The reverse engineering, modelling and computer simulation allowed the analysis of moulds and castings. Investigations of casting moulds together with their digitalisation and reconstruction of casting technology, confirm the high advancement degree of production processes in the Bronze Age.
Repair of Precision Castings Made of the Inconel 713C Alloy
Authors: Łyczkowska K. , Adamiec J.
Published: October 2017

Inconel 713C precision castings are used as aircraft engine components exposed to high temperatures and the aggressive exhaust gas environment. Industrial experience has shown that precision-cast components of such complexity contain casting defects like microshrinkage, porosity, and cracks. This necessitates the development of repair technologies for castings of this type. This paper presents the results of metallographic examinations of melted areas and clad welds on the Inconel 713C nickel-based superalloy, made by TIG, plasma arc, and laser. The cladding process was carried out on model test plates in order to determine the technological and material-related problems connected with the weldability of Inconel 713C. The studies included analyses of the macro- and microstructure of the clad welds, the base materials, and the heat-affected zones. The results of the structural analyses of the clad welds indicate that Inconel 713C should be classified as a low-weldability material. In the clad welds made by laser, cracks were identified mainly in the heat-affected zone and at the melted zone interface, crystals were formed on partially-melted grains. Cracks of this type were not identified in the clad welds made using the plasma-arc method. It has been concluded that due to the possibility of manual cladding and the absence of welding imperfections, the technology having the greatest potential for application is plasma-arc cladding.
Iron Intermetallic Phases in the Alloy Based on Al-Si-Mg by Applying Manganese
Authors: Podprocká R. , Bolibruchová D.
Published: October 2017

Manganese is an effective element used for the modification of needle intermetallic phases in Al-Si alloy. These particles seriously degrade mechanical characteristics of the alloy and promote the formation of porosity. By adding manganese the particles are being excluded in more compact shape of “Chinese script” or skeletal form, which are less initiative to cracks as Al5FeSi phase. In the present article, AlSi7Mg0.3 aluminium foundry alloy with several manganese content were studied. The alloy was controlled pollution for achieve higher iron content (about 0.7 wt. % Fe). The manganese were added in amount of 0.2 wt. %, 0.6 wt. %, 1.0 wt. % and 1.4 wt. %. The influence of the alloying element on the process of crystallization of intermetallic phases were compared to microstructural observations. The results indicate that increasing manganese content (> 0.2 wt. % Mn) lead to increase the temperature of solidification iron rich phase (TAl5FeSi) and reduction this particles. The temperature of nucleation Al-Si eutectic increase with higher manganese content also. At adding 1.4 wt. % Mn grain refinement and skeleton particles were observed.
Fuel Consumption, Work Time Expenditures and Winter Wheat Yield in Case of Non-Tillage and Strip Soil Cultivation
Authors: Piskier Tomasz
Published: October 2017

A single-factor field experiment concerned calculation of fuel consumption, time expenditure of the working time of machines, and winter wheat yield size in three technologies of soil cultivation. Fuel consumption in the tillage and non-tillage technology was comparable and amounted approximately to 31 l·ha−1, but the highest consumption was generated by basic soil cultivation (tillage or heavy cultivation cultivator). Fuel consumption in the strip cultivation technology was the lowest and it was 23.0 l·ha−1. Non-tillage cultivation allowed reduction of the time necessary to carry out the wheat cultivation technology by 28.8% (in comparison to tillage cultivation). On the other hand, strip cultivation allowed reduction of the total time of machines operation by 48.5 % (in comparison to tillage cultivation). The yield of winter wheat cultivated in the non-tillage technology was at the average by 4% better than the one cultivated in tillage cultivation. The highest yield of seed (7.63 t·ha−1) was obtained in the strip cultivation technology (by 6.7% in comparison to tillage cultivation).
A Note on the Square Subgroups of Decomposable Torsion-Free Abelian Groups of Rank Three
Authors: Woronowicz Mateusz
Published: October 2017

A hypothesis stated in [16] is confirmed for the case of associative rings. The answers to some questions posed in the mentioned paper are also given. The square subgroup of a completely decomposable torsion-free abelian group is described (in both cases of associative and general rings). It is shown that for any such a group A, the quotient group modulo the square subgroup of A is a nil-group. Some results listed in [16] are generalized and corrected. Moreover, it is proved that for a given abelian group A, the square subgroup of A considered in the class of associative rings, is a characteristic subgroup of A.
Generalizations of some Integral Inequalities for Fractional Integrals
Authors: Farid Ghulam , ur Rehman Atiq
Published: October 2017

In this paper we give generalizations of the Hadamard-type inequalities for fractional integrals. As special cases we derive several Hadamard type inequalities.
Filtering of ECG signals distorted by magnetic field gradients during MRI using non-linear filters and higher-order statistics
Authors: Schmidt Marcus , Krug Johannes W. , Rosenheimer Michael N. , Rose Georg
Published: October 2017

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is the state-of-the-art signal for patient monitoring and gating in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging applications. However, ECG signals are severely distorted during MRI scans due to the effects of static magnetic fields, radio frequency pulses and fast-switching gradient magnetic fields. Gradient-induced artifacts that cause high frequency peaks in the ECG signal especially hamper a correct and reliable QRS detection. To cope with this problem, a new median-based real-time gradient filter (M1) approach was developed. To improve the filter results, a preprocessing step based on higher-order statistics (M2) was added to this. For the evaluation of the filtering techniques, ECG signals were acquired in a 3T MRI scanner during different MR sequences. A qualitative comparison was made using the mean square error as well as the signal power before and after filtering and the results of the QRS detection. Here, reliable results were achieved (detection error rate [DER] M1: 0.23%, DER M2: 0.74%). It was shown that the two developed techniques allowed a reliable suppression of the gradient artifacts in real time.
A Review on Artificial Bee Colony Algorithms and Their Applications to Data Clustering
Authors: Kumar Ajit , Kumar Dharmender , Jarial S. K.
Published: October 2017

Data clustering is an important data mining technique being widely used in numerous applications. It is a method of creating groups (clusters) of objects, in such a way that objects in one cluster are very similar and objects in different clusters are quite distinct, i.e. intra-cluster distance is minimized and inter-cluster distance is maximized. However, the popular conventional clustering algorithms have shortcomings such as dependency on center initialization, slow convergence rate, local optima trap, etc. Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm is one of the popular swarm based algorithm inspired by intelligent foraging behaviour of honeybees that helps to minimize these shortcomings. In the past, many swarm intelligence based techniques for clustering were introduced and proved their performance. This paper provides a literature survey on ABC, its variants and its applications in data clustering.
Modules for Rapid Application Development of Web-Based Information Systems (RADWIS)
Authors: Cheresharov S. , Krushkov H. , Stoyanov S. , Popchev I.
Published: October 2017

This paper describes a model of modular system for Rapid Application Development of Web-based Information Systems (RADWIS). The existing modular systems on technology, framework and platform level does not fully solve the problems of functionality reuse, rapid application development and balance between the complexity, size and functionality. The proposed modular system addresses these problems in a new way. The current work fills the gap between the modular systems on the framework and platform level. The model uses flexible, reusable modules, which can be built with different technologies. They are installable and shareable with the standard dependency manager of the technology and can communicate using web services. The modules use NoSQL approaches in SQL databases. A workflow engine module, based on the Petri Nets theory, allows a graphical and formal mathematical solution for a wide variety of problems.
Learned Features are Better for Ethnicity Classification
Authors: Anwar Inzamam , Ul Islam Naeem
Published: October 2017

Ethnicity is a key demographic attribute of human beings and it plays a vital role in automatic facial recognition and have extensive real world applications such as Human Computer Interaction (HCI); demographic based classification; biometric based recognition; security and defense to name a few. In this paper, we present a novel approach for extracting ethnicity from the facial images. The proposed method makes use of a pre trained Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to extract the features, then Support Vector Machine (SVM) with linear kernel is used as a classifier. This technique uses translational invariant hierarchical features learned by the network, in contrast to previous works, which use hand crafted features such as Local Binary Pattern (LBP); Gabor, etc. Thorough experiments are presented on ten different facial databases, which strongly suggest that our approach is robust to different expressions and illuminations conditions. Here we consider ethnicity classification as a three class problem including Asian, African-American and Caucasian. Average classification accuracy over all databases is 98.28%, 99.66% and 99.05% for Asian, African-American and Caucasian respectively. All the codes are available for reproducing the results on request.
Does the Self-employment Policy Reduce Unemployment and Increase Employment? Empirical Evidence from the Czech Regions
Authors: Dvouletý Ondřej
Published: October 2017

Empirical evidence related to the effectivity and outcomes of the self-employment programmes in the Central and Eastern Europe is still very rare, despite the important role of entrepreneurship in the economic development of post-communist economies. The main purpose of this study was to empirically investigate the impact of self-employment subsidy for unemployed in the Czech NUTS 3 regions for the period of years 2012–2015 to provide policy makers supportive material useful for policy adjustments. The study applies quantitative research framework, which is based on the construction of econometric models. Estimated regression models with region fixed effects supported the negative association between the amount of supported self-employed and unemployment rates in the Czech regions. This finding is theoretically framed by the theory of necessity entrepreneurship. Positive spillover of the programme (‘a double dividend’), was econometrically tested on the regional employment rates. Obtained estimates found that there is a positive contemporaneous relationship (weakly significant) between the number of supported self-employed and the employment rates but not in the lag. Analysis of the costs revealed that the costs of self-employment programme are not that high, if one takes into account the alternative costs of unemployment benefits paid to the unemployed and social insurance paid back to the state by the newly established self-employed. Therefore, this tool of active labour market policy has a potential of wider usage. Nevertheless, the applied empirical strategy was based on the regional level and has its limitations. Provided results need to be interpreted cautiously, without any causal inference, because the true outcomes of the programme could be analysed only on the level of supported individuals. Future research should therefore challenge the effectiveness of the start-up subsidy programmes in the Czech Republic on the level of individuals, with focus on the survival rates of subsidized businesses and incomes of their formerly unemployed owners.
Assessment of Nicotine Exposure From Active Human Cigarette Smoking Time
Authors: Cahours Xavier , Julien Rémi , Verron Thomas , Colard Stéphane
Published: October 2017

The burning of a cigarette is a series of consecutive sequences of both passive and active burnings when a smoking cycle is applied to the cigarette. A previous study, using a smoking machine, showed that cigarette nicotine yields are dependent linearly on the difference between the time of smouldering (passive burning) and the time of smoking (active burning). It is predicted that the smoker’s nicotine yield increases when the intensity of smoking increases, i.e., when the time to smoke a cigarette (smoking time) decreases. Note that observations made on machines might not be comparable to human behaviours. The aim of this study was to determine whether nicotine mouth-level exposure could be predicted through measurement of human smoking time. A smoking behaviour study was conducted to compare human smoking nicotine yields obtained from both filter tip analysis and the cigarette burning time model. Results showed that smokers’ exposure to the smoke depends essentially on the speed at which the cigarette is smoked. An increase in human smoking intensity, resulting in a decrease in smoking time, generates an increase in smoke exposure, whatever the puff number, puff duration, puff volume and filter ventilation (open or blocked). The association of a machine smoking yield with a corresponding smoking time, and the time taken by a consumer to smoke the cigarette would provide information on the exposure to smoke constituents in a simple and effective manner.
Effect and Mechanism of High-Pressure Processing: A Case Study of Flue-Cured Tobacco
Authors: Tan Chao , Yang Dongsheng , Yu Saibo , Li Ke , Tan Haifeng , Fan Hongmei , Wang Shitai , Chen Qian , Liu Qi , Zhao Yu , Guo Xuemin , Jia Xinxin , Jin Yong
Published: October 2017

After a high-pressure processing (HPP) treatment sensory evaluation of flue-cured tobacco showed modifications. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the routine chemical components (total sugar, reducing sugar, nicotine, and total nitrogen) of flue-cured tobacco after high-pressure processing treatment (HPP sample) and that of an untreated control group (CG). An overall judgement, which can be made from the observations of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), is that HPP could compress the inner tunnel and tissue gap in a flue-cured tobacco leaf. However, the ultrastructure, such as the cellular cytoskeleton, would not be changed. Compared with CG, the apparent density of the HPP sample rose by 19.3%, while the true density only rose by 1.4%. This also explained that the main effect of high-pressure processing on flue-cured tobacco was microstructure compression rather than compression on the ultrastructure level. The differences between the lamina (leaf-shaped) sample, which were caused by high-pressure processing, were reflected in terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS), simultaneous thermal analysis (STA), and pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). When the same tests were carried out using a sample that was milled to a powder, however, these differences were nearly removed. The milling process destroyed most of the microstructure of the flue-cured tobacco lamina; therefore, the results of THz-TDS, STA, and Py-GC/MS confirmed the hypothesis: That 400 MPa high-pressure processing treatment minimally changes the ultrastructure of flue-cured tobacco and only changes its relatively larger microstructure.
Comparison of honey and phenytoin (PHT) cream effects on intensity of pain and episiotomy wound healing in nulliparous women
Authors: Lavaf Mohadesseh , Simbar Masoumeh , Mojab Faraz , Alavi Majd Hamid , Samimi Mansoureh
Published: October 2017

Background

This study investigates and compares the effect of phenytoin and honey cream on intensity of pain and episiotomy wound healing in nulliparous women.

Methods

This research was conducted by double-blinded randomized clinical trial method on 120 nulliparous women in three groups of phenytoin, honey and placebo. After delivery and episiotomy, mothers used a knuckle of the prescribed creams on their episiotomy area, every night until 10-night. Evaluation of wound healing using REEDA scale and pain intensity with numerical rating scale of pain took place within the first 24 h and after 7 and 14 days of delivery.

Results

Results showed significant differences between healing scores of the three groups for the seventh day after delivery. Healing score in the honey group was lower than that in placebo group. On the fourteenth day after delivery, the healing scores showed no significant differences between the three groups. Measuring pain intensity did not show any significant difference in the three groups after 7 and 14 days of delivery.

Conclusions

Both honey and phenytoin led to episiotomy wound healing; however, honey caused the wound healing better than the phenytoin. Honey and phenytoin did not reduce episiotomy pain.
Precursor Selection for Sol–Gel Synthesis of Titanium Carbide Nanopowders by a New Cubic Fuzzy Multi-Attribute Group Decision-Making Model
Authors: Fahmi Aliya , Abdullah Saleem , Amin Fazli , Ali Asad
Published: October 2017

In this paper, we construct an extended version of the TOPSIS method by using cubic information, and provide a numerical application to verify and demonstrate the practicality of the method. A new extension of the gray relation analysis (GRA) method is introduced by using cubic information. We also propose the cubic fuzzy multi-attribute group decision-making model, and the relation between the cubic TOPSIS method and the cubic gray relation analysis (CGRA) method is introduced. Finally, the proposed method is used for selection in sol–gel synthesis of titanium carbide nanopowders. We analyzed the proposed method by using a numerical application to sol–gel synthesis of titanium carbide nanopowders.
Knowledge and social opinions about physiotherapists
Authors: Bartocha E. , Górecka A. , Szynal M. , Knapik A.
Published: October 2017

Background: Physiotherapy is an integral part of medicine, both in terms of prevention and treatment. Despite the long history of healing with movement and other physical factors, physiotherapy is considered to be a young field of medicine, and the occupation of the physiotherapist in the social consciousness is in the building phase. The aim of the study was to investigate the interest in physiotherapist Material/Methods: The study involved 199 people, including 117 women (58.79%) and 82 men (41.21%), residents of the Silesian Voivodship. Age of respondents: 16-81 years (x = 46.22, SD = 13.45). The research tool was an original questionnaire. Closed questions concerned the interest in physiotherapist profession, self-assessment of knowledge and its sources, opinions on the availability and quality of services, and the social prestige and profitability of the physiotherapist profession. Results: Respondents most often declared that their interest in the profession is poor or average, but they evaluate their level of knowledge of the profession as high. The prevailing opinions are that the availability of physiotherapist services is large, but at patients own expense, and the cost-effectiveness of the profession is average. Women revealed greater interest and declared more knowledge of the profession than men. Differences also concerned the opinions on the profitability of the profession. Conclusions: The public interest in physiotherapist profession is on an average level, positive opinions about physiotherapists prevail, especially among older people. The profession is considered to be averagely profitable.
How speakers interpret the negative markersnoandno…pasin Catalan
Authors: Tubau Susagna , Déprez Viviane , Borràs-Comes Joan , Espinal M.Teresa
Published: October 2017

This paper reports the results of an experimental investigation designed to test the interpretation of the optional doubling of the negative markersnoandpasin Expletive Negation (EN) contexts and in preverbal Negative Concord Items (NCI) contexts in Catalan. We show that in EN contexts a negative interpretation ofnois preferred to an expletive one, with non-negative readings being less widespread than expected from what is described in traditional grammars. In NCI contexts the overt presence ofnobasically contributes to a single negation interpretation, thus confirming the status of Catalan as a Negative Concord language. We also show that, in the absence of discourse environments,pasin both EN and NCI contexts shows a variable interpretation, a characteristic of negative polarity items. Our results indicate thatpasdoes not increase the amount of negative interpretation ofnoin EN contexts, or of double negation in NCI contexts, but is an item dependent on the interpretation ofno. We conclude that the strengthening role of Catalanpas(at stage two of Jespersen’s cycle), while associated with the expression of metalinguistic negation, does not reverse the truth or falsity of a proposition.
Influence Variation of Tempe Gembus (An Indonesian Fermented Food) on Homocysteine and Malondialdehyde of Rats Fed an Atherogenic Diet
Authors: Kurniasari Ratih , Sulchan Muhammad , Afifah Diana Nur , Anjani Gemala , Rustanti Ninik
Published: October 2017

Background and Aims: Atherosclerosis has become a prominent health problem in Indonesia. Based on food as medicine concept, tempe gembus (a fermented food from Indonesia) is well known having the content of nutrient that influences atherosclerosis parameter. Research aimed to prove the influence of different variation of tempe gembus that was given without additional treatment (X1), with the steam blanching heating (X2), and was added the bromelain enzyme (X3) to the level of serum Homocysteine (Hcy) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) of rat’s blood that was given the atherogenic diet.

Material and Methods: The research of posttest randomized controlled group design on 35 Sprague dawley rats were divided into two main groups as follow; they were 2 control groups (called K− and K+) and 3 treatment groups. All of the treatment groups were given tempe gembus of 25 gram/kg rat body weight.

Results:The results showed that group variation of tempe gembus had a lower mean of Hcy and MDA levels than disease group (K+). However, a significant effect of tempe gembus was only decrease in MDA level (ANOVA test p = 0.001). Treatment X1 and X3 had meaningful differences to decrease MDA levels.

Conclusion:Tempe gembus variation can decrease the MDA level significantly and decrease the Hcy level however, without statistical significance.
Characteristics of the Lipid Profile in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Albai Oana , Timar Bogdan , Roman Deiana , Timar Romulus
Published: October 2017

Background and aimsDiabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the leading causes of end-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients with DM and CKD have a 10 or even 20 times higher cardiovascular risk (CVR) than the general population. Lipid metabolism disorders are more frequent in these patients, dyslipidemia being aggravated by the presence of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. The main purpose of our study was to identify possible correlations between lipid profile parameters and altered renal function in patients with DM. We have also analyzed the correlations between lipid parameters, CKD, quality of glycemic control and CVR.

Material and method:The study was performed on 2732 patients with DM which received medical treatment and care at the Center for Diabetes Timisoara, for a 6-month period from March to October 2016, 1508 women (55.2%) and 1224 men (44.8%), mean age 63.7 ± 9.1 (33-78) years and mean diabetes duration 12.4 ± 6.8 (6-33) years. The study group included 312 patients (11.4%) with T1DM and 2420 patients (88.6%) with T2DM.

Results:The prevalence of CKD (GFR< 60 ml/min) was 12.5%. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and LDLc were significantly higher in the case of patients with DM and CKD (p<0.0001). Patients with CKD had twice the prevalence of ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease when compared to patients without CKD. Peripheral artery disease was present in 16.9% of those with CKD and in 11% of those without CKD. Hypertension (HTN) was present in 91.8% of patients with CKD and in 67.1% of patients without CKD (GFR > 60 ml/min).

Conclusion:Analyzed data showed a strong correlation between CKD, dyslipidemia and CVR in patients with DM. Impaired renal function was strongly correlated with age, duration of DM and weight status of these patients.
Assessment of Atorvastatin Effect on Body Weight and Blood Glucose Levels Among Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients
Authors: Al-Bayyari Nahla , Saadeh Nesreen , Hailat Raed , Al-Zeidaneen Safaa
Published: October 2017

Background and aims: Atorvastatin is a member of the drug class known as statins, which used as a lipid-lowering agent. The study aim was to assess the effect of atorvastatin on body weight and blood glucose levels among diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

Material and Methods: A 359 hyperlipidemic Jordanian patients using atorvastatin at least for 1 year were divided into two groups: diabetic (DM) and non-diabetic (NDM). The changes in lipid profile, thyroid function test, blood glucose indices as well as body weight were assessed and compared between both groups.

Results: There was no statistical significant (p > 0.05) difference between means of body weight after treatment among DM (85.74 ± 3.56) and NDM (81.75 ± 1.25) groups. Descriptive statistics and mean comparisons before and after atorvastatin treatment, showed statistical significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in body weight and total cholesterol among NDM group and in total cholesterol and LDL-Ch among DM group. There was an increase in fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and a decrease in triglycerides among both groups but the difference was not statistically (p > 0.05) significant.

Conclusions: Atorvastatin may increase body weight, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c for diabetic and non-diabetic patients.
Liquidity and Stability of Agriculture in the Czech Republic
Authors: Lánský J. , Mareš D.
Published: October 2017

This article is based on empirical research and 2007–2012 statistical data from joint stock companies which were active in the agriculture sector of the Czech Republic. It deals with the wider aspects of liquidity and stability using suitable liquidity indicators and a vertical financial analysis over a sufficient period of time providing valid results for assessing liquidity and stability of agriculture in relation to cyclic fluctuations. The vertical financial analysis was performed to determine the liquidity structure at current assets and short term debts. Then convenient indicators of current ratio, quick ratio, and cash ratio were applied and interpreted in relation to cyclical deviations and agriculture specifics. From the viewpoint of liquidity measured using the current ratio, agriculture in the Czech Republic is stable and the current ratio values bear witness to solid liquidity, whereby the short-term assets exceed the short-term external funds. Research is to show whether the agriculture sector is liquid and whether the liquidity indicators provide the basis for solvency in the given field.
Gene dispersal via seeds and pollen and their effects on genetic structure in the facultative-apomictic Neotropical tree Aspidosperma polyneuron
Authors: Chaves C. L. , Sebbenn A. M. , Baranoski A. , Goez B. D. , Gaino A. P.S.C. , Ruas C. F. , Ruas E. , Ruas P. M.
Published: October 2017

Facultative apomictic trees can produce offspring with a genotype identical to the mother due to asexual propagation through the embryo derived from cells in the maternal ovule tissues. These trees can also produce offspring with a genotype different from the mother due to genetic recombination. For many trees, these reproductive processes remain largely unexplored. Herein, we use microsatellite markers to identify apomictic and sexual reproduction in samples of adult and juvenile trees of the tropical, insect pollinated and wind seed dispersed Aspidosperma polyneuron, within a conservation area in Brazil. We also investigate seed and pollen flow and dispersal patterns and compare the genetic diversity, inbreeding, and intrapopulation spatial genetic structure (SGS) between adults and juveniles in two plots. Our results show that the species present both apomictic and sexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction occurred mainly by outcrossing, but we did detect instances of self-fertilization and mating among relatives, which explains the inbreeding observed in juveniles. Seed dispersal distance was shorter than pollen dispersal distance in one of the plots, suggesting that insect vectors are more efficient in gene dispersal than wind for seed dispersal in a high density tropical forest. The patterns of pollen and seed dispersal showed isolation by distance, explaining the SGS detected for adults and juveniles. Our results show that both seed and pollen flow increase the allelic diversity in the population. The regeneration of apomictic individuals may guarantee the continuation of genotypes adapted specifically to the study site, while sexual reproduction results in new genotypes.
Testing the Engel's law in the consumption pattern of Romanian population
Authors: Neagu Mădălin-Ioan , Teodoru Mircea Constantin
Published: October 2017

The aim of the paper is to test the valability of Engel's law in the Romanian consumption dynamics after 1990. We used NIS ad EUROSTAT data to interpret the dynamics of the households' income and consumption expenditures and its structure by destinations. We explored the relationship between consumption and income through the regression analysis and found that the Engel's law applies in the Romanian economy, since 1990 to 2016, with specific evolutions and influences.
Culture and business ethics – a comparative perspective
Authors: Isac Florin Lucian , Remes Eugen Florin
Published: October 2017

Accelerating growth in business globalization places managers in an international environment with more ethical challenges.

Ethical principles that govern businesses in a particular culture may not match with the conditions, norms and customs of other cultures.

The article aims to examine comparatively the role of culture in explaining ethical issues and dilemmas in organizations.

Treating the issue of business ethics in companies nowadays offer different perspectives depending on the influence of the cultural context of countries where these companies operate.

Each cultural context shows its specificity, in addition to legal regulations, customs, habits or moral issues, which deserve to be highlighted in a paper on how to conduct business from an ethical perspective.
A Method for Directly Measuring the Hydraulic Conductivity of Unsaturated Soil
Authors: Shao Longtan , Wen Tiande , Guo Xiaoxia , Sun Xiang
Published: October 2017

Numerous methods, such as the Gardner outflow analysis method and the van Genuchten-Mualem prediction model, have been developed to estimate the hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated soil in multistep outflow experiments. In the Gardner outflow analysis method, the hydraulic conductivity is estimated based on the diffusivity calculated from the line fitted to the water outflow. In contrast, in the van Genuchten-Mualem prediction model, it is predicted via the curve-fitting parameters based on the measured soil water retention curve (SWRC). However, a major drawback of these two approaches is that variation of hydraulic conductivity during each step of the outflow process cannot be represented. In this paper, an improved pressure plate instrument with an evaporation compensation system is developed to measure the transient water content curve (TWCC) of the soil in multi-step outflow experiments. The SWRCs of silicon micro-powder (SMP) and Guangxi Guiping clay (GGC) are derived from this transient curve. Therefore, a direct measurement method is presented to describe the change of hydraulic conductivity during each step. Comparison with the Gardner outflow analysis method and the van Genuchten-Mualem prediction model indicates that our approach shows better agreement with test data for these two types of soils.
Sylvie Vartan – 50 ans de bonheur? Stationen in der Karriere eines yé-yé-Idols
Authors: Bonnermeier Andreas
Published: October 2017

About 50 years ago, Sylvie Vartan was one of the major stars of the French chanson yé-yé. Being the perfect example of promulgation through the mass media, she quickly received the status of an idol and became one of the favorite copains of French adolescents in the 1960s. As one of the few real stars of the yé-yé movement, she managed to continue her career up to the present day: first by adopting the American show model, then by engaging in projects with new authors and representatives of the new French chanson. Success was not always part of the show, but Vartan found a way to conserve parts of her public even in the new millennium. Is this the reason why she can be considered an idol unaffected by time?
Wieland Schneider (2015): Krieg gegen das Kalifat
Authors: Campbell David F. J.
Published: October 2017

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Long-Chain Polyprenols Promote Spore Wall Formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Hoffmann Reuben , Grabińska Kariona , Guan Ziqiang , Sessa William C , Neiman Aaron M
Published: October 2017

Dolichols are isoprenoid lipids of varying length that act as sugar carriers in glycosylation reactions in the endoplasmic reticulum. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, there are two cis-prenyltransferases that synthesize polyprenol—an essential precursor to dolichol. These enzymes are heterodimers composed of Nus1 and either Rer2 or Srt1. Rer2-Nus1 and Srt1-Nus1 can both generate dolichol in vegetative cells, but srt1∆ cells grow normally while rer2∆ grows very slowly, indicating that Rer2-Nus1 is the primary enzyme used in mitotically dividing cells. In contrast, SRT1 performs an important function in sporulating cells, where the haploid genomes created by meiosis are packaged into spores. The spore wall is a multilaminar structure and SRT1 is required for the generation of the outer chitosan and dityrosine layers of the spore wall. Srt1 specifically localizes to lipid droplets associated with spore walls, and, during sporulation there is an SRT1-dependent increase in long-chain polyprenols and dolichols in these lipid droplets. Synthesis of chitin by Chs3, the chitin synthase responsible for chitosan layer formation, is dependent on the cis-prenyltransferase activity of Srt1, indicating that polyprenols are necessary to coordinate assembly of the spore wall layers. This work shows that a developmentally regulated cis-prenyltransferase can produce polyprenols that function in cellular processes besides protein glycosylation.
Substrate Specificity of the FurE Transporter Is Determined by Cytoplasmic Terminal Domain Interactions
Authors: Papadaki Georgia F , Amillis Sotiris , Diallinas George
Published: October 2017

FurE, a member of the Nucleobase Cation Symporter 1 transporter family in Aspergillus nidulans, is specific for allantoin, uric acid (UA), uracil, and related analogs. Herein, we show that C- or N-terminally-truncated FurE transporters (FurE-ΔC or FurE-ΔΝ) present increased protein stability, but also an inability for UA transport. To better understand the role of cytoplasmic terminal regions, we characterized genetic suppressors that restore FurE-ΔC-mediated UA transport. Suppressors map in the periphery of the substrate-binding site [Thr133 in transmembrane segment (TMS)3 and Val343 in TMS8], an outward-facing gate (Ser296 in TMS7, Ile371 in TMS9, and Tyr392 and Leu394 in TMS10), or in flexible loops (Asp26 in LN, Gly222 in L5, and Asn308 in L7). Selected suppressors were also shown to restore the wild-type specificity of FurE-ΔΝ, suggesting that both C- and/or N-terminal domains are involved in intramolecular dynamics critical for substrate selection. A direct, substrate-sensitive interaction of C- and/or N-terminal domains was supported by bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. To our knowledge, this is the first case where not only the function, but also the specificity, of a eukaryotic transporter is regulated by its terminal cytoplasmic regions.
IDENTIFIKASI KESADARAN MASYARAKAT TERHADAP KONSERVASI DAN REHABILITASI BURUNG
Authors: Arsyad Ardi Muhamad
Published: October 2017

Abstract This study aims to determine public awareness of the conservation and rehabilitation of birds on bird traders in Pasundan Market, Sukabumi. The research method used is descriptive method with qualitative approach. Data collection techniques used observation, interviews, questionnaires, documentation, and field notes. The results found in this study is the level of public awareness of bird conservation and rehabilitation on the bird traders is very important to maintain the sustainability of birds that exist in their natural habitat. But in reality there are still many bird traders who sell protected birds obtained from consumers who entrust directly to the traders for resale. The occurrence of such phenomena is due to less supervision by the government. The lack of public awareness of bird conservation and rehabilitation is largely due to the lack of awareness of traders on the understanding of conservation and rehabilitation rules, and the lack of supervision to traders by the government. In addition, the role of the general public to assist oversight also needs to be improved to assist government oversight.   Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kesadaran masyarakat terhadap konservasi dan rehabilitasi burung pada pedagang burung di Pasar Pasundan, Sukabumi. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode deskriptif dengan pendekatan kualitatif. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan observasi, wawancara, kuisioner, dokumentasi, dan catatan lapangan. Hasil yang ditemukan dalam penelitian ini adalah tingkat kesadaran masyarakat terhadap konservasi dan rehabilitasi burung pada para pedagang burung sangat penting untuk menjaga kelestarian burung yang ada di habitat aslinya. Namun pada kenyataannya masih banyak pedagang burung yang menjual burung yang dilindungi yang didapatkan dari para konsumen yang menitipkan langsung kepada para pedagang untuk dijual kembali. Terjadinya fenomena tersebut disebabkan karena pengawasan yang kurang oleh pemerintah. Kurangnya tingkat kesadaran masyarakat terhadap konservasi dan rehabilitasi burung sangat disebabkan karena kurangnya kesadaran para pedagang terhadap pemahaman peraturan konservasi dan rehabilitasi, serta kurangnya pengawasan kepada para pedagang yang dilakukan oleh pemerintah. Selain itu, peran masyarakat umum untuk membantu pengawasan juga perlu ditingkatkan untuk membantu pengawasan yang dilakukan oleh pemerintah.  Pengutipan: Arsyad, Ardi Muhamad. (2017). Identifikasi Kesadaran Masyarakat terhadap Konservasi dan Rehabilitasi Burung. SOSIO DIDAKTIKA: Social Science Education Journal, 4(1), 2017, 81-91. doi:10.15408/sd.v4i1.4393.Permalink/DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15408/sd.v4i1.4393
KEARIFAN LOKAL DAN PENDIDIKAN IPS: STUDI PEDULI LINGKUNGAN DALAM HUTAN LARANGAN MASYARAKAT ADAT KAMPAR
Authors: Ahmal Ahmal
Published: October 2017

Abstract This paper explains environmental attitudes taken from the local wisdom of the Forest Prohibition of Kampar indigenous peoples through social science education approaches. The data is collected through literature studies in the form of newspapers, journals, papers, written texts, and others related to local wisdom and social science education. The results obtained that the local wisdom values ​​of Kampar indigenous forest prohibition can be developed in social science learning. The values ​​of customs and customs indicated through tambo (history and indigenous petitih) indicate a clear attitude about Kampar indigenous peoples consciousness in preserving its environment. In addition to the regulations made in the form of Forest Prohibition Act No. 1 of 2007, the values ​​of other local wisdom is a belief in the myth that develops in society so that environmental awareness is higher. These values ​​can be developed in social science education by conducting curriculum development based on local wisdom Forest Prohibition thick with spiritual value.  Abstrak Tulisan ini menjelaskan sikap peduli lingkungan yang diambil dari kearifan lokal Hutan Larangan masyarakat adat Kampar melalui pendekatan pendidikan IPS. Data dihimpun melalui studi pustaka berupa surat kabar, jurnal, makalah, teks-teks tertulis, dan lain-lainnya yang terkait dengan kearifan lokal dan pendidikan IPS. Hasil yang didapatkan bahwa Hutan Larangan masyarakat adat Kampar memiliki nilai-nilai yang dapat dikembangkan dalam pembelajaran IPS. Nilai adat dan norma adat yang ditunjukkan melalui tambo (sejarah dan petatah-petitih adat) menunjukan adanya sikap yang jelas tentang kesadaran masyarakat adat Kampar dalam melestarikan lingkungannya. Di samping peraturan yang dibuat dalam bentuk Undang-Undang Hutan Larangan No 1 Tahun 2007, nilai-nilai kearifan lokal lainnya adalah adanya kepercayaan terhadap mitos yang berkembang dalam masyarakat sehingga kesadaran lingkungan semakin tinggi. Nilai-nilai tersebut dapat dikembangkan dalam pendidikan IPS dengan melakukan pengembangan kurikulum berbasis kearifan lokal Hutan Larangan yang kental dengan nilai spiritual.  Pengutipan: Ahmal. (2017). Kearifan Lokal dan Pendidikan IPS: Studi Peduli Lingkungan dalam Hutan Larangan Masyarakat Adat Kampar di Provinsi Riau. SOSIO DIDAKTIKA: Social Science Education Journal, 4(1), 2017, 61-70. doi:10.15408/sd.v4i1.5918.Permalink/DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15408/sd.v4i1.5918
MENGGAGAS ULANG TRANSFORMASI PENDIDIKAN YANG BERKESADARAN HUMANIS, DIALOGIS, KRITIS, LIBERATIF DAN EKOLOGIS
Authors: Tapung Marianus Mantovanny
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT The development of today's world is a challenge for education. Obviously, the development of emerging from and in education. However, developments on the other side could have an impact on the disorientation of the meaning and practice of education. Education should ideally be a vehicle for the establishment of a human into a more humane, just disoriented meaning and praxis. The existence of facts and experience degradation, disparity, discrepancy, dehumanization, and the ecological damage suggests that the failure of education, in terms of both concept and practice. To be able to restore the sense and understanding of education as a human being human activity make the necessary efforts to restore the concept and praxis of real education. The initial step is an effort to re-define and re-orientation of transformative education. Today, initiated the re-education of character transformative become very urgent and relevant in order to reposition the image of humanity that is eroded by the effects of negative developments.  ABSTRAK Perkembangan dunia dewasa ini menjadi tantangan tersendiri bagi dunia pendidikan. Sudah jelas, perkembangan muncul dari dan dalam pendidikan. Namun perkembangan pada sisi lain bisa berdampak pada disorientasi terhadap makna dan praksis pendidikan. Pendidikan yang idealnya menjadi wahana pembentukan manusia menjadi lebih manusiawi, justru mengalami disorientasi makna dan praksisnya. Adanya fakta dan pengalaman degradasi, disparitas, diskrepansi, dehumanisasi, dan kerusakan ekologis memberi kesimpulan bahwa pendidikan  mengalami kegagalan, baik dari segi konsep maupun prakteknya. Untuk bisa mengembalikan pengertian dan pemahaman pendidikan sebagai aktivitas membuat manusia menjadi manusiawi maka perlu berbagai upaya mengembalikan konsep dan praksis pendidikan yang sebenarnya. Langkah awal adalah upaya definisi ulang dan orientasi kembali pendidikan yang transformatif. Dewasa ini, menggagas ulang pendidikan yang berkarakter transformatif menjadi sangat penting dan relevan demi memposisikan kembali citra kemanusiaan yang tergerus akibat berbagai dampak perkembangan yang negatif.  Pengutipan: Arsyad, Ardi Muhamad. (2017). Identifikasi Kesadaran Masyarakat terhadap Konservasi dan Rehabilitasi Burung. SOSIO DIDAKTIKA: Social Science Education Journal, 4(1), 2017, 92-100. doi:10.15408/sd.v4i1.5920.Permalink/DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15408/sd.v4i1.5920