bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eff ect of a single asenapine treatment on Fos expression in the brain catecholamine-synthesizing neurons: impact of a chronic mild stress preconditioning
Authors: Osacka J. , Horvathova L. , Majercikova Z. , Kiss Alexander
Published: June 2017

Objective. Fos protein expression in catecholamine-synthesizing neurons of the substantia nigra (SN) pars compacta (SNC, A8), pars reticulata (SNR, A9), and pars lateralis (SNL), the ventral tegmental area (VTA, A10), the locus coeruleus (LC, A6) and subcoeruleus (sLC), the ventrolateral pons (PON-A5), the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS-A2), the area postrema (AP), and the ventrolateral medulla (VLM-A1) was quantitatively evaluated aft er a single administration of asenapine (ASE) (designated for schizophrenia treatment) in male Wistar rats preconditioned with a chronic unpredictable variable mild stress (CMS) for 21 days. Th e aim of the present study was to reveal whether a single ASE treatment may 1) activate Fos expression in the brain areas selected; 2) activate tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-synthesizing cells displaying Fos presence; and 3) be modulated by CMS preconditioning.

Methods. Control (CON), ASE, CMS, and CMS+ASE groups were used. CMS included restraint, social isolation, crowding, swimming, and cold. Th e ASE and CMS+ASE groups received a single dose of ASE (0.3 mg/kg, s.c.) and CON and CMS saline (300 μl/rat, s.c.). The animals were sacrificed 90 min aft er the treatments. Fos protein and TH-labeled immunoreactive perikarya were analyzed on double labeled histological sections and enumerated on captured pictures using combined light and fluorescence microscope illumination.

Results. Saline or CMS alone did not promote Fos expression in any of the structures investigated. ASE alone or in combination with CMS elicited Fos expression in two parts of the SN (SNC, SNR) and the VTA. Aside from some cells in the central gray tegmental nuclei adjacent to LC, where a small number of Fos profiles occurred, none or negligible Fos occurrence was detected in the other structures investigated including the LC and sLC, PON-A5, NTS-A2, AP, and VLM-A1. CMS preconditioning did not infl uence the level of Fos induction in the SN and VTA elicited by ASE administration. Similarly, the ratio between the amount of free Fos and Fos colocalized with TH was not aff ected by stress preconditioning in the SNC, SNR, and the VTA.

Conclusions. Th e present study provides an anatomical/functional knowledge about the nature of the acute ASE treatment on the catecholamine-synthesizing neurons activity in certain brain structures and their missing interplay with the CMS preconditioning.
Quantitative analysis of litter-fall in hornbeam-oak-pine stands in the Lviv Roztoche region
Authors: Krynytska Olga , Bondarenko Taras , Capuliak Jozef , Trenčiansky Marek
Published: June 2017

The aim of the article is to find out if there is a difference between amount of litter-fall in hornbeam-oak-pine stands according to regeneration (naturally and artificially) and age of the stand (middle-aged, mature). We analysed the annual dynamics of litter-fall (litter) and its fractions (needles of Scots pine; leaves of common oak; leaves of associate species; twigs; bark; pine cones; acorns of common oak; seeds of other species; acorn cups, winged seeds; lichens, mosses) in middle-aged hornbeam-oak-pine stands which were regenerated naturally or artificially on the cutover sites following two-stage uniform shelterwood felling and clearcutting, as well as in a mature parent stand (control plot) in the Lviv Roztoche region. Two peaks of organic matter fall have been revealed on both the control plot and the experimental plots: the largest one in October and much lower in May. It was found that the annual mass of litter was 5.8 - 6.6 tons per hectare, the annual weight of litter in the middle-aged hornbeam-oak-pine stands was greater than in the mature stands. Annual dynamics of certain fractions of litter in the stands is preconditioned by the specificity of functioning of the relevant bodies of the trees.
Ethical behavior within the public cadaster in Macedonia: Is there a “light” at the end of the “Tunnel”?
Authors: Dimeski Branko , Karadzoski Mladen
Published: June 2017

Every public sector reform must promote ethics in the eyes of the citizens. One of the most notorious examples of successful modernization of public sector institutions in Macedonia is the effective reform of the Agency for Real Estate Cadaster. Thus, the main objectives are concentrated around examining ethics as very important aspect in the overall results of the implemented reforms within the Agency. The scope of the research is to clarify these objectives and depends on the knowledge that already exists in the research literature on the Macedonian Agency for Real Estate Cadaster. Therefore, the research methodology relies on observation and content analysis of various governmental documents and research papers. The research results show that the successful implementation of the E-cadaster system enabled new sophisticated dimension in the delivery of e-services to the public (notaries, geodetic companies and municipalities), but most importantly, to the citizens. The accent was on ethical issues when communicating with citizens. The role of public managers has been of tremendous help in fostering ethical behavior within and outside the Agency. However, periodical citizen surveys showed mixed results about the work of different Agency’s units located in different municipalities. As in the past, there are still cases of unethical behavior of managers and employees in the Agency. The conclusions impose valuable implications for future academic and practitioner research in the field. It seems that there is no “perfect” public organization when it comes to ethics. Moreover, it seems that human nature can not always get in line with the Weberian organizational hierarchy.
Regional Development Policy in International Context
Authors: Ciobanu Carmen Liliana
Published: June 2017

The European Union regional method is a revolutionary one, with the purpose of expanding and allocating resources for disadvantaged regions. Its progress is monitorized in order to track the efficient use of funds and the application of suitable measures at European level policy interaction as a Member State actions can bring consequences for others. Regional development targets all the subjects that are currently being discussed at national or European level, the effects of the reorganization, the greatest achievement concerning economic and social cohesion, mitigating intra- and inter regional differences.
Analysis of cervical lesions for presence of HSV-2 and HPV-16 and HPV-18 in Iranian patients by PCR
Authors: Ahmadi Mahsa , Rasi Hossien , Mostafazadeh Mostafa , Hajazimian Saba , Maroufi Nazila Fathi , Nahaei Mohammad Reza , Rahaee Shiva , Isazadeh Alireza
Published: June 2017

Objective

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the leading causes of deaths from cancer among women worldwide. Viral infections is now one of the known risk factors for CC. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), human papilloma virus types 16 (HPV-16) and human papilloma virus types 18 (HPV-18) in Iranian patients with CC using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Materials and methods

This case-control study was conducted on a total of 45 patients with CC from Khatam-Al-Anbiya Hospital, Hamadan, Iran during 2014, and 30 samples from healthy subjects as controls. The presence of HSV-2 and HPV-16/18 DNA sequences was detected by PCR.

Results

Eight of CC patients (17.77%) had HPV-16/18 DNA and only one patient (2.22%) with HSV-2 was identified. These viruses were not detected in control cases. Among HPV-16/18 positive patients, 62.5% and 37.5% biopsies were positive for HPV-16 and HPV-18, respectively. On the other hand, only one case (2.22%) was positive for HPV-16/18, but HSV-2 and this co-infection was not detected in the control group.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that there was no direct molecular evidence to support a cofactor relationship between HSV-2 and HPV-16/18 in cervical malignancies. However, the results about HPV-16/18 was in accordance with previous studies.
Oxidised protein metabolism: recent insights
Authors: Samardzic Kate , Rodgers Kenneth J.
Published: June 2017

The ‘oxygen paradox’ arises from the fact that oxygen, the molecule that aerobic life depends on, threatens its very existence. An oxygen-rich environment provided life on Earth with more efficient bioenergetics and, with it, the challenge of having to deal with a host of oxygen-derived reactive species capable of damaging proteins and other crucial cellular components. In this minireview, we explore recent insights into the metabolism of proteins that have been reversibly or irreversibly damaged by oxygen-derived species. We discuss recent data on the important roles played by the proteasomal and lysosomal systems in the proteolytic degradation of oxidatively damaged proteins and the effects of oxidative damage on the function of the proteolytic pathways themselves. Mitochondria are central to oxygen utilisation in the cell, and their ability to handle oxygen-derived radicals is an important and still emerging area of research. Current knowledge of the proteolytic machinery in the mitochondria, including the ATP-dependent AAA+ proteases and mitochondrial-derived vesicles, is also highlighted in the review. Significant progress is still being made in regard to understanding the mechanisms underlying the detection and degradation of oxidised proteins and how proteolytic pathways interact with each other. Finally, we highlight a few unanswered questions such as the possibility of oxidised amino acids released from oxidised proteins by proteolysis being re-utilised in protein synthesis thus establishing a vicious cycle of oxidation in cells.
Redefining Relevancy and Exclusionary Discretion in Sir James Fitzjames Stephen’s Indian Evidence Act of 1872: The Singapore Experiment and Lessons for Other Indian Evidence Act Jurisdictions
Authors: Chen Siyuan
Published: June 2017

In many jurisdictions, the rules of evidence can often be instrumental in determining the outcome of a dispute. But to what extent can evidence law be controlled by codification, or is it better to leave its regulation and development to the judges via common law? In an attempt to bridge the gap between the rules of an antiquated evidence statute and the modern realities of practice, Singapore’s Evidence Act was amended in 2012. Certain relevancy provisions were amended to allow greater admissibility of evidence, while new provisions were introduced to act as a check against abuse. However, it will be argued that these amendments have changed the paradigm of the admissibility of evidence under the statute and have also done little to clarify existing ambiguities in the law. This paper explains why and, given the near-complete absence of case law that has interpreted the amendments, offers a few tentative suggestions on possible ways forward. To the extent that Singapore’s Evidence Act was largely modelled after Stephen’s Indian Evidence Act of 1872, Singapore’s 2012 amendments may be of comparative interest to readers in a number of jurisdictions around the world particularly those in Asia such as Bangladesh, Brunei, Burma, Malaysia and Sri Lanka – these countries had adopted the iconic statute to varying degrees – and of course, to India itself. Many of these jurisdictions have also not made major amendments to their evidence legislation, and therefore there may be something to learn ahead of time from Singapore’s experiment.
Analytical Solution of Mixed Boundary Value Problems Using the Displacement Potential Approach for the Case of Plane Stress and Plane Strain Conditions
Authors: Nath S.K. Deb
Published: June 2017

Two elastic plate problems made of duralumin are solved analytically using the displacement potential approach for the case of plane strain and plane stress conditions. Firstly, a one end fixed plate is considered in which the rest of the edges are stiffened and a uniform load is applied to the opposite end of the fixed end. Secondly, a plate is considered in which all of the edges are stiffened and a uniform tension is applied at its both ends. Solutions to both of the problems are presented for the case of plane stress and plane strain conditions. The effects of plane stress and plane strain conditions on the solutions are explained. In the case of stiffening of the edges of the plate, the shape of the plate does not change abruptly, which is clearly observed in both of the cases. For the plane strain condition, the plates become stiffer in the loading direction as compared to the plane stress condition. For the plane strain condition, there is a significant variation of the normal stress component, σzz at different sections of the plate. The graphical results, clearly identify the critical regions of the plate for the case of the plane stress and plane strain condition.
Effect of Hall Current in Thermoelastic Materials with Double Porosity Structure
Authors: Kumar R. , Vohra R.
Published: June 2017

The present investigation is concerned with one dimensional problem in a homogeneous, isotropic thermoelastic medium with double porosity structure in the presence of Hall currents subjected to thermomechanical sources. A state space approach has been applied to investigate the problem. As an application of the approach, normal force and thermal source have been taken to illustrate the utility of the approach. The expressions for the components of normal stress, equilibrated stress and the temperature change are obtained in the frequency domain and computed numerically. A numerical simulation is prepared for these quantities. The effect of the Hartmann number is depicted graphically on the resulting quantities for a specific model. Some particular cases of interest are also deduced from the present investigation.
Mathematical Modeling of Torsional Surface Wave Propagation in a Non-Homogeneous Transverse Isotropic Elastic Solid Semi-Infinite Medium Under a Layer
Authors: Sethi M. , Sharma A. , Vasishth A.
Published: June 2017

The present paper deals with the mathematical modeling of the propagation of torsional surface waves in a non-homogeneous transverse isotropic elastic half-space under a rigid layer. Both rigidities and density of the half-space are assumed to vary inversely linearly with depth. Separation of variable method has been used to get the analytical solutions for the dispersion equation of the torsional surface waves. Also, the effects of nonhomogeneities on the phase velocity of torsional surface waves have been shown graphically. Also, dispersion equations have been derived for some particular cases, which are in complete agreement with some classical results.
Curvilinear Squeeze Film Bearing with Porous Wall Lubricated by a Rabinowitsch Fluid
Authors: Walicka A. , Walicki E. , Jurczak P. , Falicki J.
Published: June 2017

The present theoretical analysis is to investigate the effect of non-Newtonian lubricant modelled by a Rabinowitsch fluid on the performance of a curvilinear squeeze film bearing with one porous wall. The equations of motion of a Rabinowitsch fluid are used to derive the Reynolds equation. After general considerations on the flow in a bearing clearance and in a porous layer using the Morgan-Cameron approximation the modified Reynolds equation is obtained. The analytical solution of this equation for the case of a squeeze film bearing is presented. As a result one obtains the formulae expressing pressure distribution and load-carrying capacity. Thrust radial bearing and spherical bearing with a squeeze film are considered as numerical examples.
Divine-Human Relations in the Aesopic Corpus
Authors: Morgan Teresa
Published: June 2017

This paper argues that Aesopic fables are an under-used but valuable resource for the study of Graeco-Roman cognitive religiosity. The world of fables is ruled by a restricted group of divinities – an ‘oligotheon’ – dominated by Zeus, the largely benign creator who gives living beings their characteristic qualities and regulates their behaviour. Divine-human relations typically take place informally and/or in private, rather than in public and/or through cult acts. Fables present the gods as spontaneously interested in human beings and as having a tendency to interfere uninvited in their affairs; one can sometimes even detect development in a divine-human relationship in the course of a story. A few fables play with the tensions endemic in divine-human relations, such as the unequal value of what each party brings to the other, and the paradox of human stories’ power to capture in narrative what in principle is beyond the bounds of human control. Carefully handled, fables can be taken seriously as evidence of one, sometimes unexpectedly sophisticated strain in Graeco-Roman religious thinking, which persisted over a long period of time and across a wide spectrum of society.
Photocatalytic paraquat degradation over TiO2 modified by hydrothermal technique in alkaline solution
Authors: Nagaraju Pallavi , Khunphonoi Rattabal , Puttaiah Shivaraju Harikaranahalli , Suwannaruang Totsaporn , Kaewbuddee Chatkamol , Wantala Kitirote
Published: June 2017

In the present research, titanium nanotubes were synthesized via the soft hydrothermal method. A study on the effect of the synthesizing parameters such as aging temperature and time of the hydrothermal process on the photocatalytic paraquat degradation was explored. Central Composite Design (CCD) was used to determine the influence of the preparation parameter on the optimal condition, main and interaction effects on crystalline size, percent paraquat removal by adsorption and photocatalytic degradation as responses. The XRD pattern of the synthesized nanomaterial reported the anatase phase of titania nanotubes. SEM image of the prepared nanomaterial clearly indicated the agglomerated with tubular structure. Band gap energy of the nanotubes was found lower than that of the pure anatase TiO
Hidden Inequality: How Much Difference Would Adjustment for Illicit Financial Flows Make to National Income Distributions?
Authors: Cobham Alex , Davis William , Ibrahim Gamal , Sumner Andy
Published: June 2017

A recent innovation in measuring inequality is the incorporation of adjustments to top incomes using data from tax authorities, revealing higher inequality. The thesis of this paper is that the incorporation of estimates of income from illicit financial flows (IFF), reflecting untaxed capital, may be as significant to national inequality – but with greater variation across countries. We propose a method of adjusting national inequality data for illicit flows, and present preliminary results. These estimates suggest that untaxed illicit flows could be as important as (taxed) top incomes to estimates of inequality – highlighting the importance of improving estimates of underlying illicit flows.
Assessing Risk Communication in Social Media for Crisis Prevention: A Social Network Analysis of Microblog
Authors: Shi Jia , Kapucu Naim , Zhu Zhengwei , Guo Xuesong , Haupt Brittany
Published: June 2017

This article examines risk communication and perception differences via social media in the context of crisis management. Based on data from the Shifang Protest, this study constructed a relational matrix identifying how critical actors facilitated risk communication and interactions. In addition, the article identified measures of network structure and risk perception differences with Social Network Analysis (i.e. density, centralization, structure holes and subgroups) using UCINET software program along visual structures with NetDraw. Key findings of this study include: a) ranked actors controlled most of the information resources and threat diffusion; b) the level of interaction between government users and others users is extremely low; and c) divergence occurred between personal (informal) and official (formal) nodes in the context of risk perception.
Knowledge Discovery in Biological Databases for Revealing Candidate Genes Linked to Complex Phenotypes
Authors: Hassani-Pak Keywan , Rawlings Christopher
Published: June 2017

Genetics and “omics” studies designed to uncover genotype to phenotype relationships often identify large numbers of potential candidate genes, among which the causal genes are hidden. Scientists generally lack the time and technical expertise to review all relevant information available from the literature, from key model species and from a potentially wide range of related biological databases in a variety of data formats with variable quality and coverage. Computational tools are needed for the integration and evaluation of heterogeneous information in order to prioritise candidate genes and components of interaction networks that, if perturbed through potential interventions, have a positive impact on the biological outcome in the whole organism without producing negative side effects. Here we review several bioinformatics tools and databases that play an important role in biological knowledge discovery and candidate gene prioritization. We conclude with several key challenges that need to be addressed in order to facilitate biological knowledge discovery in the future.
Using Docker Compose for the Simple Deployment of an Integrated Drug Target Screening Platform
Authors: List Markus
Published: June 2017

Docker virtualization allows for software tools to be executed in an isolated and controlled environment referred to as a container. In Docker containers, dependencies are provided exactly as intended by the developer and, consequently, they simplify the distribution of scientific software and foster reproducible research. The Docker paradigm is that each container encapsulates one particular software tool. However, to analyze complex biomedical data sets, it is often necessary to combine several software tools into elaborate workflows. To address this challenge, several Docker containers need to be instantiated and properly integrated, which complicates the software deployment process unnecessarily. Here, we demonstrate how an extension to Docker, Docker compose, can be used to mitigate these problems by providing a unified setup routine that deploys several tools in an integrated fashion. We demonstrate the power of this approach by example of a Docker compose setup for a drug target screening platform consisting of five integrated web applications and shared infrastructure, deployable in just two lines of codes.
Synergies between an Observed Port and a Logistic Company: Application of the Discounted Cash–Flow Model and the Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: Dragan Dejan , Rosi Bojan , Avžner Toni
Published: June 2017

The paper addresses an analysis of potential synergies in collaboration between an observed Port in the Mediterranean Sea and Central-European logistic railway-services based company. Both companies have established a strategic partnership. The main motive was cooperation in rail transport, with a particular emphasis on potential synergies that would a rail traffic have brought to a port’s business. For the purpose of synergies valuation under uncertain conditions, a Monte Carlo simulation-based framework with integrated discounted cash flow (DCF) model is applied. The possible values of future synergies are calculated via the DCF model by simultaneously changing values of different uncertain financial parameters at each repetition of a Monte Carlo scenario-playing mechanism. In this process, predicted forecasts of future synergetic throughputs are also used for various types of observed cargo. As it turned out, the generated synergies’ values follow the approximate normal distribution. Based on statistical inference and analysis of probability intervals it was discovered that there might indeed exist certain important synergies in the collaboration between both companies. This fact has convinced us into a belief in the correctness of companies′ decision to enter into such kind of strategic cooperation.
Opportunities for the applications of FMEA Model in logistics processes in Bulgarian enterprises
Authors: Vodenicharova Maria
Published: June 2017

The article explores the use of FMEA method in the logistics processes in manufacturing plants in Bulgaria. The surveyed enterprises have a system ISO 9001 and apply different methods of analysis and assessment of logistics processes. The purpose of this study is to present a model for improving the reliability of logistics processes through the FMEA (Failure Mode and Effect Analysis) method.

An inquiry among 14 organizations in the implementation of FMEA was conducted. The results show that FMEA is not used for assessment in logistics processes and provides useful insights for decision-making to improve the reliability of supply. A framework based on the survey is presented for determining the reliability of logistics processes in manufacturing plants. The study demonstrates the applicability of the method in logistics processes and the role FMEA can play in assessing logistics processes.
Risk Management in the Pharmaceutical Industry in Slovenian Companies
Authors: Bucalo Nina , Jereb Borut
Published: June 2017

The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most competitive businesses in the world. Supply chain in this industry has been directed towards the production of large batches to avoid lack of supplies, and the achievement of regulatory requirements, at the cost of high level of inventory, higher costs and inventory write-off due to expiration or other reasons. In recent years this industry is facing major changes and challenges such as intense globalization processes, increased competition and innovations in technologies, which has broadened and deepened risks in supply chain.

The paper reports the results of the study of the risk in distribution processes of Slovenian pharmaceutical companies, which was conducted among five companies and aims to draw attention to risks that arise in supply chain, to emphasize the importance of their management and to present a model for an effective assessment of risk in companies, developed at the Faculty of Logistics.
An approximation scheme for the Kantorovich-Rubinstein problem on compact spaces
Authors: Avendaño-Garrido M. Lorena , Gabriel-Argüelles J. Rigoberto , Quintana Ligia-Torres , González-Hernández González Juan
Published: June 2017

This paper presents an approximation scheme for the Kantorovich-Rubinstein mass transshipment (KR) problem on compact spaces. A sequence of finite-dimensional linear programs, minimal cost network flow problems with bounds, are introduced and it is proven that the limit of the sequence of the optimal values of these problems is the optimal value of the KR problem. Numerical results are presented approximating the Kantorovich metric between distributions on [0,1].
PAPR Reduction in OFDM System Using Hybrid OICF and Phase Rotation Scheme
Authors: Bhatia Richa , Upadhyay Vivek
Published: June 2017

Peak to average power ratio (PAPR) is one of the major limitations of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems because the higher PAPR induces the signal to get out of linear region of high power amplifier (HPA). In this article, a hybrid PAPR reduction scheme based on the combination of optimized iterative clipping and filtering (OICF) method and phase rotation is proposed. Using phase rotation, signal’s initial PAPR has been reduced by 14.23 dB and then OICF further reduces the final PAPR by 1.37 dB. Decreased PAPR will play an important role in reducing systems power consumption.
Accreditation of Medical Laboratories – System, Process, Benefits for Labs
Authors: Zima Tomáš
Published: June 2017

One and key of the priorities in laboratory medicine is improvement of quality management system for patient safety. Quality in the health care is tightly connected to the level of excellence of the health care provided in relation to the current level of knowledge and technical development. Accreditation is an effective way to demonstrate competence of the laboratory, a tool to recognize laboratories world-wide, is linked to periodical audits, to stimulate the maintenance and improvement of the quality, which leads to high standard of services for clients (patients, health care providers, etc.). The strategic plans of IFCC and EFLM include focusing on accreditation of labs based on ISO standards and cooperation with European Accreditation and national accreditation bodies. IFCC and EFLM recognised that ISO 15189:2012 Medical laboratories – Requirements for quality and competence, encompasses all the assessment criteria specified in the policy of quality. The last version is oriented to process approach with detailed division and clearly defined requirements. The accreditation of labs improves facilitation of accurate and rapid diagnostics, efficiency of treatment and reduction of errors in the laboratory process. Accreditation is not about who the best is, but who has a system of standard procedures with aim to improve the quality and patient safety. Quality system is about people, with people and for people.
Myo-Inositol Oxygenase as a Novel Marker in the Diagnosis of Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Mertoglu Cuma , Gunay Murat , Gurel Ali , Gungor Mehmet
Published: June 2017

Background: Due to the lack of diagnostic efficiency of serum creatinine in acute kidney injury (AKI), there is a pressing need to develop novel diagnostic markers. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated myo-inositol oxygenase (MIOX), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and cystatin C in terms of their applicability in the diagnosis of AKI. Methods: We enrolled a total of 39 AKI patients and 38 healthy controls in the study. We compared the levels of serum MIOX, NGAL and cystatin C between the two groups. Results: We found that the concentrations of serum creatinine, blood-urea nitrogen, MIOX and cystatin C were higher in the AKI group. According to the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) values were 0.694 (95% CI 0.579-0.794) for MIOX and 0.976 (95% CI; 0.912-0.997) for cystatin C. For MIOX, when the cut-off concentration was set to 77.3 pg/mL, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were found to be 53.8% (95% CI; 37.2-69.9) and 81.5 (95% CI; 65.7-92.3), respectively. For cystatin C, at the cut-off value of 14 mg/L, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 94.8% (95% CI; 82.7-99.4) and 94.7 % (95% CI 82.3-99.4), respectively. Conclusion: The measurement of serum MIOX and cystatin C levels is valuable for the diagnosis of AKI. Further research is needed for the evaluation of the potential use of MIOX as a kidney-specific enzyme in the early diagnosis of AKI.
Laboratory Medicine is Faced with the Evolution of Medical Practice
Authors: Collinson Paul
Published: June 2017

Laboratory medicine and clinical medicine are co-dependent components of medicine. Laboratory medicine functions most effectively when focused through a clinical lens. Me dical practice as a whole undergoes change. New drugs, treatments and changes in management strategies are introduced. New techniques, new technologies and new tests are developed. These changes may be either clinically or laboratory initiated, and so their introduction requires dialogue and interaction between clinical and laboratory medicine specialists. Treatment monitoring is integral to laboratory medicine, varying from direct drug measurement to monitoring cholesterol levels in response to treatment. The current trend to »personalised medicine« is an extension of this process with the development of companion diagnostics. Technological innovation forms part of modern laboratory practice. Introduction of new technology both facilitates standard laboratory approaches and permits introduction of new tests and testing strategies previously confined to the research laboratory only. The revolution in cardiac biomarker testing has been largely a laboratory led change. Flexibility in service provision in response to changing clinical practice or evolving technology provides a significant laboratory management challenge in the light of increasing expectations, shifts in population demographics and constraint in resource availability. Laboratory medicine practitioners are adept at meeting these challenges. One thing remains constant, that there will be a constant need laboratory medicine to meet the challenges of novel clinical challenges from infectious diseases to medical conditions developing from lifestyle and longevity.
The Influence of an Up-Front Experiment on Respondents’ Recording Behaviour in Payment Diaries: Evidence from Germany
Authors: Schmidt Tobias , Sieber Susann
Published: June 2017

In this article, we analyse the effect of an incentive experiment on German consumers’ recording behaviour on the basis of a one-week diary of their point-of-sale expenditure. Part of the experiment, which was carried out shortly before the consumers began filling in their payment diaries, involved consumers rolling a die with a chance of winning either EUR 20 or nothing, that is, they were randomly assigned an incentive. We ask whether respondents’ recording behaviour differs depending on whether individuals win or lose. We argue that winners attach a more positive feeling to the survey than losers and therefore show a stronger commitment to the diary. As the incentive experiment is part of a larger experiment to elicit respondents’ risk preferences, we also provide evidence on the effect of conducting up-front behavioural experiments in representative surveys. Our results indicate that the outcome of the lottery (rolling of the die) has an impact on the quantity of transactions recorded, but does not affect other aspects of respondents’ recording behaviour, such as item nonresponse or rounding. It also has a negligible impact on substantive measures, such as the cash share.
Innovation of the Process of Inventorying of the Selected Transport Units: Case Study in the Automotive Industry
Authors: Chocholáč Jan , Boháčová Ladislava , Kučera Tomáš , Sommerauerová Dana
Published: June 2017

In the current situation, highly competitive time when the emphasis is on shortening delivery schedules, streamlining the production cycle and, ultimately, reducing the total cost businesses are forced to optimizations and innovations. The article deals with the inventory of the selected transport units in warehouses. The inventory is currently being carried out through manual labor of employees. This paper proposes a possible implementation of new and innovative approach to inventory control, with the help of an automated inventory realized by the drones.
Application of Specific Theory of Constraints Technique for the Identification of Main Causes of Negative Consequences within Procurement Logistics
Authors: Kapustina Larisa M. , Chovancová Mária , Klapita Vladimír
Published: June 2017

The paper presents a concrete example of the selected Theory of Constraints (TOC) technique implementation in order to identify the main causes of undesirable consequences in the context of supply logistics issues. Determining the undesirable consequences of supply logistics is primarily related to the adverse impact on costs, profitability and quality of outsourcing enterprise which provide services in supply chain field. Particularly, this implementation includes individual steps of the process related to the creation of the specific TOC technique. The outcome is to identify the main causes which have the most significant impact on the negative consequences.
Factors Affecting the Delay of Passenger Trains
Authors: Lalinská Jana , Gašparík Jozef , Šipuš Denis
Published: June 2017

Paper deals with the problematic about the information quality impact and the basic methods which can optimize the costs of low quality of using information. First of all, it is important to purify the input data from the inconsistencies and measure the quality of data. This process assures to minimize the reasons that are responsible of poor quality of processes. Targets area of this paper is to identify and minimize the main reasons of delaying the passenger train by comparing years 2012 and 2013. Target groups of passenger trains were divided in three parts responsibilities of delaying – type of train, code of delay, group responsible for the train delay.
Corporate core values and professional values of Generation Y from the perspective of the effectiveness of ethics programs
Authors: Stankiewicz Janina , Łychmus Patrycja
Published: June 2017

In order for a business activity to be ethical, one needs ethical employees. Nevertheless, the ongoing generational change leads to the situation in which the values and the resulting standards of ethical behavior that have been thus far embraced in the workplace may no longer be unacceptable or respected by young people that enter the labor market. The article sets out to answer the following questions: what place do core values occupy in ethics programs of businesses; is there any relationship between them and the professional values of employees; why take into account individual preferences of organization members in terms of value when developing the agenda of corporate values. An important point of the discussion has become the values shared by those entering the labor market (the so-called Generation Y, or millennials) and the differences in this regard between them and the employees who have been pursuing their professional careers for years now (Generation X).
Assessment of customer satisfaction with logistics service in the light of the results of the research
Authors: Kułyk Piotr , Michałowska Mariola , Kotylak Sławomir
Published: June 2017

In an era of rapidly growing competition logistic customer service is growing increasingly important and is becoming a substantial factor in the success of companies operating in the market. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the components affecting the quality of customer service. Taking appropriate action in this regard, and thus preparing and implementing an appropriate logistic customer service strategy becomes important from the point of view of both the survival and development of enterprises, and to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. The aim of this study is to identify and evaluate determinants influencing consumers′ purchasing decisions in the area of logistics customer service. In addition, the article focuses on the development of solution proposals for enterprises to enable a better match the supply to the needs and preferences of customers. It is worth noting that the effectiveness and efficiency of operations in the field of logistic customer service is highly dependent on proper identification of needs and expectations of existing and potential buyers. Therefore, there is in this respect a need for permanent monitoring of the quality of service and customer expectations.
Semilinear systems with a multi-valued nonlinear term
Authors: Kim In-Sook , Hong Suk-Joon
Published: June 2017

Introducing a topological degree theory, we first establish some existence results for the inclusion h ∈ Lu − Nu in the nonresonance and resonance cases, where L is a closed densely defined linear operator on a Hilbert space with a compact resolvent and N is a nonlinear multi-valued operator of monotone type. Using the nonresonance result, we next show that abstract semilinear system has a solution under certain conditions on N = (N1, N2), provided that L = (L1, L2) satisfies dim Ker L1 = ∞ and dim Ker L2 < ∞. As an application, periodic Dirichlet problems for the system involving the wave operator and a discontinuous nonlinear term are discussed.
Calibration and simulation of Heston model
Authors: Mrázek Milan , Pospíšil Jan
Published: June 2017

We calibrate Heston stochastic volatility model to real market data using several optimization techniques. We compare both global and local optimizers for different weights showing remarkable differences even for data (DAX options) from two consecutive days. We provide a novel calibration procedure that incorporates the usage of approximation formula and outperforms significantly other existing calibration methods.

We test and compare several simulation schemes using the parameters obtained by calibration to real market data. Next to the known schemes (log-Euler, Milstein, QE, Exact scheme, IJK) we introduce also a new method combining the Exact approach and Milstein (E+M) scheme. Test is carried out by pricing European call options by Monte Carlo method. Presented comparisons give an empirical evidence and recommendations what methods should and should not be used and why. We further improve the QE scheme by adapting the antithetic variates technique for variance reduction.
Cyclic pairs and common best proximity points in uniformly convex Banach spaces
Authors: Gabeleh Moosa , Julia Mary P. , Eldred Eldred A.Anthony , Olela Otafudu Olivier
Published: June 2017

In this article, we survey the existence, uniqueness and convergence of a common best proximity point for a cyclic pair of mappings, which is equivalent to study of a solution for a nonlinear programming problem in the setting of uniformly convex Banach spaces. Finally, we provide an extension of Edelstein’s fixed point theorem in strictly convex Banach spaces. Examples are given to illustrate our main conclusions.
Normalizers of intermediate congruence subgroups of the Hecke subgroups
Authors: Im Bo-Hae , Jeon Daeyeol , Kim Chang Heon
Published: June 2017

For a square-free positive integer N, we study the normalizer of ΓΔ(N) in PSL2(ℝ) and investigate the group structure of its quotient by ΓΔ(N) under certain conditions.
57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy investigations of iron phase composition in fluidized beds from the ELCHO power plant in Chorzów, Poland
Authors: Kądziołka-Gaweł Mariola , Smolka-Danielowska Danuta
Published: June 2017

The study investigates the physical and chemical properties of fly ash and bottom ash from a power plant ELCHO in Chorzów, Poland. Coal combustion products generated in the process of combustion in circulating fluidized beds (CFBs) are considerably different from fly and bottom ashes obtained from dust furnaces and multi-layer ones. The composition of the iron-bearing phase in the waste of circulating fluidized bed combustion was determined using Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) methods.
Hyperfine interactions and some thermomagnetic properties of amorphous FeZr(Cr)NbBCu alloys
Authors: Łukiewska Agnieszka , Olszewski Jacek
Published: June 2017

In this research, we studied the magnetic phase transition by Mössbauer spectroscopy and using vibrating sample magnetometer for amorphous Fe86-xZr7CrxNb2Cu1B4 (x = 0 or 6) alloys in the as-quenched state and after accumulative annealing in the temperature range 600-750 K. The Mössbauer investigations were carried out at room and nitrogen temperatures. The Mössbauer spectra of the investigated alloys at room temperature are characteristic of amorphous paramagnets and have a form of asymmetric doublets. However, at nitrogen temperature, the alloys behave like ferromagnetic amorphous materials. The two components are distinguished in the spectrum recorded at both room and nitrogen temperatures. The low field component in the distribution of hyperfine field induction shifts towards higher field with the annealing temperature. It is assumed that during annealing at higher temperature, due to diffusion processes, the grains of α-Fe are created in the area corresponding to this component. Both investigated alloys show the invar effect and the decrease of hyperfine field induction after annealing at 600 K for 10 min is observed. It is accompanied by the lowering of Curie temperature.
Identification of iron-bearing minerals in basalts and pillow lavas of the Kaczawa Mountains using 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy
Authors: Malczewski Dariusz , Jeleń Martyna , Żaba Jerzy , Błachowski Artur , Ruebenbauer Krzysztof , Dziurowicz Maria
Published: June 2017

The Kaczawa Mountains along with the Kaczawa foothill comprise a complicated geological unit that is called the Kaczawa metamorphic (Sudetes, SW Poland). The aim of our work was to identify the iron-bearing minerals in samples of basalts and pillow lavas from the Kaczawa metamorphic using 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Based on the preliminary results, the Fe3+/Fe2+ ratio in the samples was determined.
Metallurgical quality evaluation of the wind turbine main shaft 42CrMo4 steel: microscopic and Mössbauer studies
Authors: Siemiątkowski Zbigniew , Gzik-Szumiata Małgorzata , Szumiata Tadeusz , Rucki Mirosław , Martynowski Robert
Published: June 2017

In this paper, the results of the complex examination of the 42CrMo4 steel samples are presented. The samples were taken from the metallurgical forging prepared for the production of the wind turbine main shaft. The samples underwent Mössbauer spectroscopic analysis, as well as the measurement of its mechanical characteristics such as hardness and strength are analysed. Conversion electron Mössbauer spectrometry confirmed phase purity and isotropy of the investigated 42CrMo4 steel. The method provided accurate results, proving Mössbauer spectrometry to be an effective tool for the wind turbine main shaft analysis.
Language of Responsibility. The Influence of Linguistic Abstraction on Collective Moral Emotions
Authors: Bilewicz Michal , Stefaniak Anna , Witkowska Marta , Hansen Karolina
Published: June 2017

Two experiments investigated the effects of linguistic abstractness on the experience of collective moral emotions. In Experiment 1 participants were presented with two scenarios about ingroup misbehavior, phrased using descriptive action verbs, interpretative action verbs, adjectives or nouns. The results show that participants experienced slightly more negative moral emotions with higher levels of linguistic abstractness. In Experiment 2 we also tested for the influence of national identification on the relationship between linguistic abstractness and emotional reactions. Additionally, we expanded the number of scenarios. Experiment 2 replicated the earlier pattern, but found larger differences between conditions. The strength of national identification did not moderate the observed effects. The results of this research are discussed within the context of the linguistic category model and psychology of collective moral emotions.
Intertwined but Different. The Heterologous In Vitro Fertilization Case before the European Court of Human Rights and the Italian Constitutional Court
Authors: Baraggia Antonia , Gennusa Maria Elena
Published: June 2017

International and constitutional law, originally distinct realms with limited areas of intersection, are getting closer and closer, particularly in the European landscape within the human rights protection field, where these mere contacts between the two systems have become intersections and overlaps. The present article will try to shed light on the still unsolved and problematic issues to which overlapping human rights protection systems give rise, by focusing on an analysis of the heterologous in vitro fertilization case, where both the Strasbourg Court and the Italian Constitutional Court delivered relevant judgments on very similar matters (ECtHR’s S.H. Judgment; Judgment No. 162/2014 from the Italian CC). Such analysis revealed useful in highlighting connections and disconnections between the different levels of protection of rights, and led us to argue that the development of a multilevel protection of rights is also, at least partially, a tale of Courts, each competing to have the last word on human rights adjudication.