bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Cell Phone Radiation on the Human Body: An Overview
Authors: Om Jai
Published: April 2019

In this research article, an overview is provided of all the plausible effects that cell phone radiation might have on a human body. The number of cell of regular cell phone users has exploded around the world, and cell phones have become an integral part of our lives in the recent past. Therefore, this paper strives to answers public questions regarding the safety of using cell phones. It analyses previous research that has been done in the field to provide concise answers. The article also supports the motion that cell phones can be harmful in the long run; however, there is no conclusive evidence. The future research should be made more streamlined, and focus on human body systems.
Application of a Fuzzy Logic Controller for Hydropower Generator Speed Regulation
Authors: Egoigwe Sochima Vincent , Chukwudozie Chukwudi , Nwobi Chukwudumebi , Araoye Timothy Oluwaseun , Arize Chukwuemeka Igwe , Anoliefo Edward C.
Published: April 2019

The hydroelectric plants flow rate always varies with time due to the speed rotation of turbines which affect the amplitude and frequency of electrical energy generated.  Hydro plants are being utilized for the purpose of peaking as well as base load, pumped storage and spinning reserve power operation etc. Especially in a system consisting of large industries, where frequency and voltage fluctuations are required to be kept minimum, their stability determines the quality of power. For efficient use of plant, complex control techniques are employed in the station automation and these involve the turbine governor in control features for which a flexible governor design is essential. MATLAB 2007 Software was used to carry out simulations analysis to develop fuzzy logic controller for hydropower Generator speed regulation with aims of stabilizing output power supply in order to increase the water flows rate through the hydropower penstock. The result of the research shows the hydropower generator speed model which can be used to stabilized power output as a result of increase in turbine speed rotation when fuzzy logic controller is applied. The result showed that hydropower Generation speed regulation with and without fuzzy logic controller were 319.8m/s and 65m/s respectively. The speed increased by 254.8m/s. the result shows that application of  fuzzy logic controller gives better result and increase the rotational speed of hydropower.
Heating System for the use of Bio-Oils for Marine Engines
Authors: Nam Cao Dao , Nguyen Danh Chan , Dong Van Huong
Published: April 2019

Biofuel is a fuel made directly or indirectly from organic materials - biomass, consisting of two main sources from plants and animal waste, not from fossil sources such as oil, coal. At present, biofuels account for about 20% of global energy consumption. Particularly there are some countries, the use of biofuels is even bigger, such as Germany, Brazil, India ..., these are the leading countries in proving the availability and superiority of biofuels. Because fossil energy reserves are declining rapidly, as well as their use which has many consequences for habitat, bioenergy is an inevitable development for the future. Some typical types of biofuels that are widely known today include: bioethanol (bioetanol), biodiesel (biodiesel), green diesel (diesel), biological kerosene (biokerosen-or reactive fuel). biological forces), other biological alcohols (methanol, butanol), bio ether, biogas, syngas, solid biomass fuels. In fact, the two most important biofuels are bioetanol and biodiesel, because of the many properties they have: use for the two most common types of transport (gasoline and motor vehicles). Diesel engine has many properties similar to fossil fuels, but cleaner and cleaner; produced from abundant and renewable materials such as sugar, starch, animal and vegetable fats and oils. The paper presents the heating methods for the use of high-viscosity fuels for diesel engines.
TRIP Steel for Automobile Industry in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Phuoc Quy Phong , Tran Cong Tri
Published: April 2019

When Vietnam joined the World Trade Organization (WTO), we made a non-discriminatory commitment between home-made goods and imported goods, so the great protection of domestic manufacturing enterprises is not can exist. Special consumption tax is only a historical period and will have to be adjusted, as this time transport infrastructure is still poor, people's living standards are not high. Particularly for domestically produced cars, it is not much affected by import tax, but still subject to SCT by the number of seats and cylinder capacity in accordance with the Law on Special Consumption Tax. As for value added tax (VAT), we should not mention much because most consumer products in Vietnam apply a VAT rate of 10%. The application of tariffs aims to encourage businesses to increase localization rates, and at the same time develop the automobile industry, aiming at export. Therefore, businesses need to try to save production and business costs, properly account market price. Vietnamese consumers are still "expecting" after 2018 to buy cheap cars because the import tax on complete cars will be reduced to 0%. However, in contrast, some comments also suggest that at that time most of the domestic car manufacturers and assemblers will turn into importers.
Some Main Causes of Marine Pollution in Vietnam
Authors: Tran Cong Tri , Nguyen Phuoc Quy Phong
Published: April 2019

Vietnam is a coastal country located in the central region of Southeast Asia, Vietnam has a sea area connecting the important sea transport route between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, especially the East Vietnam Sea are oil and container shipping routes from other countries to Japan, South Korea and China, which are consuming huge amounts of energy. Vietnam is in a position to have a potential for marine economic development such as shipbuilding, sea transport, port development, and waterworks, marine product exploitation, marine and oil and gas resource exploitation, marine tourism and islands, sea services, and other related industries. With such a potential position, the exploitation of the sea and the protection of the marine environment is an extremely important issue.
Humoral response to Epstein-Barr viral infection in patients with allergies
Authors: Svirshchevskaya E. V. , Simonova M. A. , Matushevskaya E. V. , Fattakhova G. V. , Khlgatian S. V. , Ryazantsev D. Yu. , Chudakov D. B. , Zavriev S. K.
Published: April 2019

Type I hypersensitivity is mediated by the production of IgE antibodies in response to normally harmless substances. Debate still continues about the mechanisms underlying allergic reactions. Reduced barrier tissue function can be one of the risk factors for allergies. The aim of the present work was to compare the humoral immune response to Epstein-Barr virus in patients allergic to the A. alternata fungus or D. farinae house dust mites and healthy donors. It is known that up to 90% of the world population are infected with EBV. This infection occurs at early age when a child develops allergy. The antibodies were analyzed using immuno-PCR and the recombinant EBV protein rEBNA. We were able to demonstrate that infection occurs at early age in both allergic patients and healthy donors. The proportion of EBP-seropositive individuals was comparable between the groups (75% and 74%). The proportion of patients with high IgG1 titers among patients with allergies was lower (7%) than in healthy donors (18%), suggesting a lower viral load. In patients with allergies (but not in healthy donors) IgG1 titers declined as children grew older (р = 0.037). Besides, IgA1 titers were increased in patients with allergies in comparison with healthy donors, but differed between patients allergic to A. alternata and house dust mites. In allergic individuals, production of IgM against EBV was triggered earlier than in healthy donors. We conclude that IgM production and the IgA1-mediated humoral response occur earlier in patients with allergies, causing a decline in IgG1 titers over time.
Glycoprotein GP as a basis for the universal vaccine against Ebola virus disease
Authors: Dolzhikova IV , Tukhvatulin AI , Gromova AS , Grousova DM , Tukhvatulina NM , Tokarskaya EA , Logunov DYu , Naroditskiy BS , Gintsburg AL
Published: April 2019

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is one of the deadliest viral infections affecting humans and nonhuman primates. Of 6 known representatives of the Ebolavirus genus responsible for the disease, 3 can infect humans, causing acute highly contagious fever characterized by up to 90% fatality. These include Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV), Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV) and Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV). The majority of the reported EVD cases are caused by ZEBOV. Vaccine development against the virus started in 1976, immediately after the causative agent of the infection was identified. So far, 4 vaccines have been approved. All of them are based on the protective epitope of the ZEBOV glycoprotein GP. Because SUDV and BDBV can also cause outbreaks and epidemics, it is vital to design a vaccine capable of conferring protection against all known ebolaviruses posing a threat to the human population. This article presents systematized data on the structure, immunogenicity and protective properties of ebolavirus glycoprotein GP, looks closely at the immunodominant epitopes of ZEBOV, SUDV and BDBV glycoprotein GP required to elicit a protective immune response, and offers a rational perspective on the development of a universal vaccine against EVD that relies on the use of vectors expressing two variants of GP represented by ZEBOV and SUDV.
A correlation between the fluctuations of cytokine concentrations measured in the morning and evening and the circadian blood pressure rhythm in patients with stage II essential hypertension
Authors: Radaeva OA , Simbirtsev AS , Khovryakov AV
Published: April 2019

Today, increasing attention is being paid to the role of circadian rhythms in pathology. There are time-of-day-dependent immune markers that provide valuable information about disease progression. The aim of this study was to measure evening and morning concentrations of a few cytokines (interleukins, adhesion molecules, tumor necrosis/growth factors, etc.) in the peripheral blood of patients with stage II essential hypertension and to investigate how they correlate with a nocturnal blood pressure decline. Blood samples were collected from 90 patients with stage II EH at 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Cytokine concentrations were measured using immunoassays. Based on 24-h blood pressure monitoring, the patients were distributed into 3 groups: dippers, non-dippers and night-peakers. The morning to evening ratios of cytokine concentrations in patients with EH differed from those in healthy controls due to an increase in the evening concentrations of somnogenic cytokines (IL1β, IL1α) and LIF, sLIFr, and M-CSF whose daily fluctuations patterns remain understudied. On the whole, the fluctuation patterns of the measured cytokines in patients with stage II EH who had had the condition for 10 to 14 years and were receiving no antihypertensive treatment at the time of our study differed from those displayed by healthy controls. A twenty percent rise in the evening concentrations of IL1α, LIF, sLIFr, M-CSF, and erythropoietin contributes significantly to pathological blood pressure rhythms (as demonstrated by the groups of non-dippers and night-peakers) in patients with stage II EH receiving no antihypertensive therapy. Understanding the pathophysiological role of cytokine levels and their fluctuations over a 24-h cycle could inspire new methods for EH prevention and reduce end-organ damage.
Consideraciones sobre la especificidad de las Ciencias de la Comunicación
Authors: Giulianelli Santiago Luis
Published: April 2019

En el presente trabajo nos proponemos reflexionar acerca de la especificidad de la ciencia de la comunicación, las peculiaridades de su objeto de estudio, y los aportes que esta disciplina en particular puede realizar a las ciencias sociales, en general. Para ello proponemos, en primera instancia, abordar la idea misma de “comunicación”, y pensar de qué manera este fenómeno puede ser afrontado desde la investigación científica. En segundo lugar, nos ocuparemos de caracterizar la ciencia de la comunicación, repasando brevemente las principales corrientes de estudios que conforman este campo específico de investigación, para dilucidar qué disciplinas han servido en el estudio del fenómeno. Finalmente, intentaremos rescatar y aportar ideas que puedan enriquecer la discusión.
Ajuste fino: Nueva versión del mito del Dios-relojero para tapar agujeros en el conocimiento científico
Authors: López Corredoira Martín
Published: April 2019

El tema del ajuste fino para justificar la existencia de un diseñador inteligente es un caso particular de argumentación de Dios de los vacíos, al apelar a lo trascendente para resolver los misterios que no entendemos a través de la ciencia, algo que se ha dado en nuestras sociedades desde tiempos inmemoriales. La idea del ajuste fino se basa en una suposición de carácter bastante pitagórico: que el Universo es la materia ordenada según unas leyes físicas con sus constantes hechas a la carta. Esta suposición es falaz: realmente no sabemos si las constantes de la física pueden tomar otro valor distinto del que poseen, por lo que no tiene sentido hablar de la baja probabilida.
¿Es el ajuste fino del universo una falacia? Apuntes sobre el debate entre Victor Stenger y Luke Barnes
Authors: Soler Gil Francisco
Published: April 2019

Este artículo distingue en primer lugar entre el dato del ajuste fino del universo y sus posibles interpretaciones. Mientras que el tema de las posibles interpretaciones sigue siendo muy controvertido, el dato en sí es ampliamente aceptado. El autor más destacado entre los que rechazan el dato del ajuste fino del universo es Victor Stenger. El artículo resume la discusión entre Stenger y Barnes sobre el tema del ajuste fino y apunta varias conclusiones derivables de dicha discusión.
Kant y Darwin. Crisis Metafísica
Authors: Colón Rodríguez Ilia
Published: April 2019

En la contienda entre neo-darwinistas y creacionistas son las ideas de razón, la idea de alma o sujeto pensante, la idea de mundo (libertad) y en especial la idea de Dios, las que hacen crisis y las que forman el ámbito de la metaphysica specialis kantiana. El principio reflexivo y regulativo de una finalidad de la naturaleza que Kant introduce en la tercera Crítica no solo permite intervenir en la anterior contienda, sino que enlaza con la ciencia moderna y constituy
The absorption of oral morroniside in rats: In vivo, in situ and in vitro studies
Authors: Xiong Shan , Li Jinglai , Mu Yanling , Zhang Zhenqing
Published: April 2019

Morroniside is one of the most important iridoid glycosides from Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. In the present study, the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability studies of morroniside were conducted on Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. A rat in situ intestinal perfusion model was used to characterize the absorption of morroniside. Caco-2 cells were used to examine the transport mechanisms of morroniside. The pharmacokinetic study of morroniside exhibited linear dose-proportional pharmacokinetic characteristics and low bioavailability (4.3 %) in SD rats. Its average P
eff value for transport across the small intestinal segments changed from (3.09 ± 2.03) × 10−6 to (4.53 ± 0.94) × 10−6 cm s−1. In Caco-2 cells, the P
app values ranged from (1.61 ± 0.53) × 10−9 to (1.19 ± 0.22) × 10−7 cm s−1 for the apical to basolateral side and the P
ratio values at three concentrations were all lower than 1.2. Morroniside showed poor absorption and it might not be a specific substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp).
Stability-indicating HPLC-PDA assay for simultaneous determination of paracetamol, thiamine and pyridoxal phosphate in tablet formulations
Authors: Ali Amir , Athar Muhammad Makshoof , Ahmed Mahmood , Nadeem Kashif , Murtaza Ghulam , Farooq Umar , Salman Muhammad
Published: April 2019

With the increased number of multi-drug formulations, there is a need to develop new methods for simultaneous determinations of drugs. A precise, accurate and reliable liquid chromatographic method was developed for simultaneous determination of paracetamol, thiamine, and pyridoxal phosphate in pharmaceutical formulations. Separation of analytes was carried out with an Agilent Poroshell C18 column. A mixture of ammonium phosphate buffer (pH = 3.0), acetonitrile and methanol in the ratio of 86:7:7 (V/V/V) was used as the mobile phase pumped at a flow rate of 1.8 mL min−1. Detection of all three components, impurities and degradation products was performed at the selected wavelength of 270 nm. The developed method was validated in terms of linearity, specificity, precision, accuracy, LOD and LOQ as per ICH guidelines. Linearity of the developed method was found in the range 17.5–30 µg mL−1 for thiamine, 35–60 µg mL−1 for pyridoxal phosphate and 87.5–150 µg mL−1 for paracetamol. The coefficient of determination was ≥ 0.9981 for all three analytes. The proposed HPLC method was found to be simple and reliable for the routine simultaneous analysis of paracetamol, thiamine and pyridoxal phosphate in tablet formulations. Complete separation of analytes in the presence of degradation products indicated selectivity of the method.
How to assess orodispersible film quality? A review of applied methods and their modifications
Authors: Wasilewska Katarzyna , Winnicka Katarzyna
Published: April 2019

In recent years, there has been a tendency toward creating innovative, easy to use and patient-friendly drug delivery systems suitable for every consumer profile, which would ensure safety, stability and acceptability of a drug. One of the relatively novel and promising approaches is the manufacture of orodispersible films (ODFs), which is an upcoming area of interest in drug delivery. They are defined as polymer thin films that disintegrate in the oral cavity within seconds, without drinking water or chewing, and eliminate the risk of choking. Gaining special usefulness in therapies of children and the elderly, ODFs seem to fill the gap in the range of preparations available for these groups of patients. As no detailed monography of ODFs including testing methods and uniform requirements has been presented in any of the pharmacopoeias to date, the aim of this article is to give an overview of the applied testing methods, their modifications and innovative approaches related to ODF quality assessment.
Occurrence of aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A and zearalenone in maize silage in the region of Vojvodina, Serbia
Authors: Glamočić Dragan , Polovinski Horvatović Miroslava , Jajić Igor , Krstović Saša , Guljaš Darko
Published: April 2019

Silage made from the whole-plant maize is one of the most popular forages in Serbia. Consumption of maize silage by cows can be up to 30-35 kg/day. In Serbia in the few last years in the focus of the public and agriculture community were two mycotoxins, aflatoxin B1 and its metabolite aflatoxin M1 due to the outbreak of contaminated maize which affected the Balkans in 2012. Maize is regularly checked on the occurrence of aflatoxin B1, however forages are often neglected as a potential source of mycotoxins in the nutrition of dairy cattle.

In this work, 48 samples of maize silage were analyzed for the occurrence of aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A and zearalenone. Samples were collected from three regions (Bačka, Banat and Srem) in Vojvodina. In all samples, at least one mycotoxin above the limit of quantification was measured. Aflatoxin B1 was detected in 36 (75%) samples. In two samples from Banat, the concentration of aflatoxin B1 exceeded the maximum level (ML) set by Serbian regulation (30 µg/kg at moisture content of 12%). In seven samples, the concentration of aflatoxin B1 was above 20 µg/kg which is the EU regulated ML. Average concentration of ochratoxin A was 10.4 µg/kg, while the maximum measured value was 34.3 µg/kg. Maximum zearalenone content in all samples was 538 µg/kg while the average zearalenone concentration was 138 µg/kg.

The results from this research point out that mycotoxin contaminated silage in the region of Vojvodina, Serbia can significantly contribute to daily intake of aflatoxin B1 in dairy cattle.
The prognostic value of microalbuminuria in puppies with canine parvoviral enteritis
Authors: Oikonomidis Ioannis L. , Soubasis Nectarios , Ceron Jose Joaquin , Theodorou Konstantina , Rallis Timoleon , Polizopoulou Zoe
Published: April 2019

Increased urine albumin concentration (UALB) or urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) at admission has been associated with systemic disease and increased morbidity and mortality in critically ill canine patients. The objective of this study was to assess the prognostic value of UALB and UACR for the survival, as well as for the development and duration of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in puppies with canine parvoviral enteritis (CPVE). Unvaccinated puppies, aged 1-12 months with confirmed CPVE, hospitalized for ≥5 days were included. Urine was collected at admission via cystocentesis; albumin was measured immunoturbidimetrically and creatinine spectrophotometrically. The presence of SIRS was daily evaluated. Statistical analysis was conducted using R language. Twenty-six dogs were enrolled; 12/26 (46%) developed SIRS during hospitalization, while 5/26 (19%) died. A significant correlation was found between UALB and UACR (ϱ=0.868, p<0.001). The dogs with SIRS had higher median UALB [0.5 (0-12.7) mg/dL] and UACR [4.2 (0-2,093) mg/g] compared to dogs without SIRS [UALB= 0.1 (0-0.8) mg/dL, UACR= 1.6 (0-5.6) mg/g], but the differences were non-significant (p>0.05). SIRS duration was significantly correlated with UACR (ϱ=0.427, p=0.030), but not with UALB (ϱ=0.386, p=0.052). The non-survivors had higher median UALB [0.6 (0.1-12.7) mg/dL] and UACR [19.6 (0.7-2,093) mg/g] compared to survivors [UALB= 0.2 (0-1.5) mg/dL, UACR= 2.3 (0-16.9) mg/g], but the differences were non-significant (p>0.05). UACR appears to be a prognostic indicator of SIRS duration in puppies with CPVE. However, a large-scale study is warranted to confirm the usefulness of UALB and UACR for clinical risk assessment in puppies with CPVE.
An Integral Systems Theory Perspective of Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The Example of CATCH, a Capture-Based Aquaculture Research Project for Quality Norwegian Cod Products
Authors: Cordeiro Cheryl Marie , Sogn-Grundvåg Geir
Published: April 2019

Due to the increasing complexity of the global development challenges that need solving, the past thirty years have seen interdisciplinary research (IDR) and university-industry collaboration developing into its own subject of research. While there have been numerous studies on defining and evaluating IDR, what remains under-researched is a unifying or integral perspective in IDR theoretical framing and conceptualisation much due to the nature of the multiple disciplines that constitute IDR. This study takes an integral systems theory perspective in address of the knowledge-gap in IDR, using the example of the project CATCH, a capture-based aquaculture research project funded by the Research Council of Norway and industry partners, for improved Norwegian cod products to local and global markets. The purpose of this study is to investigate and uncover the management strategies of the project CATCH, with the goal of illustrating how elements of such a management strategy can be mapped unto a four-quadrant integral systems theory model towards a unified perspective of an IDR project. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has projected a 20% growth in global fish production and consumption by 2030. CATCH, which is situated in the field of fisheries and aquaculture research, makes for a timely and interesting example of how an inherently IDR project is managed and executed by multiple stakeholders from academic institutions as well as industry partners. The contribution of this study is twofold, (i) working towards the consolidation of the theoretical foundations of IDR, and (ii) developing empirical insights into the management processes and strategy of an IDR project.
Identification of Quality of VAT Data: The Case of Albania
Authors: Dhuli Elsa
Published: April 2019

The increasing demand of users for quick and qualitative statistics, have increased the focus of statisticians from different countries to develop strategies, produce systems, compile statistical methods for the use of administrative sources as primary source. An important issue of official statistics is the reduction of the response burden from enterprises. Administrative sources are frequent in time, have wide scope coverage, are fast in terms of deadlines, but in content they carry suspicious values. In the case of Quarterly Survey these suspicious values affect the quarterly growth rate analysis. In Short Term Statistics cases where the value between the quarters is not accurate give a wrong picture of the development. In the Structural Survey, an annual net sale gives a wrong picture of the structure of the economy. Sources used for this paper are Value Added Tax and Quarterly Survey of Enterprises. The paper tries to identify the different patterns of the VAT in Albania by analysing two years VAT data, 2016-2017 and propose the editing method for correcting them. As the focus is the use of VAT in Short Term Statistics, the patterns are identified in the panel data created by linking with the same ID code the businesses on both sources. Various methods have been used from other countries’ statistics for the editing of these suspicions values. The experience of these countries is studied in orded to be used in Albania as well. This process will reduce the time for processing VAT file, will be used in effective way for quarterly business survey or structure business survey purposes and will increase the quality of statistical procces and product by using effectively the VAT file.
Introducing narratives in Europeana: A case study
Authors: Meghini Carlo , Bartalesi Valentina , Metilli Daniele , Benedetti Filippo
Published: April 2019

We present a preliminary study to introduce narratives as a first-class functionality in digital libraries. The general idea is to enrich those libraries with semantic networks of events providing a meaningful contextualisation of the digital libraries’ objects. More specific motivations are presented through a set of use cases by different actors who would benefit from using narratives for different purposes. Then, we consider a specific digital library, Europeana, the largest European digital library in the cultural heritage domain. We discuss how the Europeana Data Model could be extended for representing narratives, and we introduce an ontology for narratives. We also present a semi-automatic tool, which, on the basis of the ontology, supports the creation and visualisation of narratives, and we show how the tool has been employed to create a narrative of the life of the painter Gustav Klimt as a case study. In particular, we focus our attention on the functionality of the tool that allows extracting and proposing to the user specific digital objects for each event of the narrative.
An algorithm for arbitrary–order cumulant tensor calculation in a sliding window of data streams
Authors: Domino Krzysztof , Gawron Piotr
Published: April 2019

High-order cumulant tensors carry information about statistics of non-normally distributed multivariate data. In this work we present a new efficient algorithm for calculation of cumulants of arbitrary orders in a sliding window for data streams. We show that this algorithm offers substantial speedups of cumulant updates compared with the current solutions. The proposed algorithm can be used for processing on-line high-frequency multivariate data and can find applications, e.g., in on-line signal filtering and classification of data streams. To present an application of this algorithm, we propose an estimator of non-Gaussianity of a data stream based on the norms of high order cumulant tensors. We show how to detect the transition from Gaussian distributed data to non-Gaussian ones in a data stream. In order to achieve high implementation efficiency of operations on super-symmetric tensors, such as cumulant tensors, we employ a block structure to store and calculate only one hyper-pyramid part of such tensors.
Congestive Heart Failure and Upper Digestive Endoscopic Lesions
Authors: Cosma Adriana-Stela , Bănescu Claudia , Mocan Simona , Balla Beáta , Negovan Anca
Published: April 2019

Objective: To evaluate the impact of congestive heart failure and the most important clinical and pathological factors on severe upper digestive mucosal lesions.

Methods: The study included 749 patients referred for upper digestive endoscopy, divided into two groups: 140 subjects with congestive heart failure (study group) and 609 subjects without heart failure (control group).

Results: Severe endoscopic lesions quantified according to Lanza score (OR = 3.84, 95% IC: 2.62-5.62), active/inactive gastritis (OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.36-3.14), intestinal metaplasia and/or gastric atrophy (OR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.67-3.52) were significant more frequent among patients with heart failure. Anemia (OR = 3.65, 95% IC: 2.48-5.37) and all investigated comorbidities, as well as alcohol consumption (OR = 1.60, 95% IC: 1.10-2.34) and smoking (OR = 1.76, 95% IC: 1.17-2.64) were more frequent in the study-group. Dividing the patients with cardiac insufficiency according to the severity of their endoscopic lesions, the male gender (OR = 2.76, 95% IC: 1.35–5.61) and daily low-dose aspirin consumption were found to be more frequent among patients with severe endoscopic lesions (OR = 7.71, 95% IC: 3.62–16.40), while anticoagulant therapy and alcohol consumption were borderline associated with mucosal lesions (p=0.08).

Conclusions: Male patients and aspirin consumers with heart failure, but not those with H. pylori infection seem to be more prone to develop upper digestive endoscopic lesions, while alcohol consumption or anticoagulant therapy could be other modifiable factors associated with severe endoscopic lesions in a congestive gastro-duodenal mucosa.
Interferon Beta-1b for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis – More than 10 Years of Experience
Authors: Barcutean Laura Iulia , Maier Smaranda , Bajko Zoltan , Motataianu Anca , Romaniuc Andreea , Andone Sebastian Razvan , Balasa Rodica Ioana
Published: April 2019

Objective: Interferon beta-1b (IFNβ-1b) was the first disease-modifying agent (DMT) used for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to evaluate the first patients with MS that started treatment in our clinic.

Methods: An observational, retrospective study was performed on 78 patients that had continuous treatment with IFNβ-1b for more than 10 years. The collection of the demographical data and periodical clinical evaluation was performed on all patients. The disability was quantified using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), creating two groups of patients, G1: EDSS < 4.0 and G2: EDSS ≥ 4.0. The hallmarks of the disability evolution were gathered by direct patient interview, such as the symptoms at onset and relapse frequency.

Results: After more than 17 years of disease evolution, more than half (65.38%) of the patients present a mild disability score. The majority (54.90%) started treatment in the first three years after the onset, while the patients in G2 started treatment after more than 3 years from the onset. The initiation of IFNβ-1b lead to a significant reduction of the relapse rates. A reduced number of patients (<25%) transitioned from RRMS to SPMS.

Discussion: Continuous evaluation of MS patients allows us to assess the possibility of prolonged treatment with IFNβ-1b and to differentiate the responders from non-responders. The clear reduction in relapse rates and disability progression, notably in patients that started treatment early ensure us into continuing administering this medication. Compared to historical cohorts, our lot had a slower disability evolution and a significant proportion hadn’t reach an important disability score.
Choosing a Proper Maintenance and Repair Strategy for Tractors (in Urmia)
Authors: Pourdarbani Razieh
Published: April 2019

Maintenance plays an important role in reliability, availability, production quality, risk reduction, efficiency increasing, equipment security, etc. Therefore, maintenance strategies have a special position in industry. Simultaneously, effect of tractor power is considerable in agriculture; therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the probability of failure, repair time and causes of malfunctioning. Many variables, including cost, depreciation, breakdowns, annual performance, etc., have major impact on tselection of a maintenance strategy. Therefore, these variables were determined with the help of experts. Subsequently, these were clustered into several main criteria groups on the basis of factor analysis using SPSS software. Obtained results were used in a hierarchical structure to suggest the most appropriate maintenance strategy based on pair-wise comparison. According to the regional conditions and available facilities, results showed that the proactive maintenance strategy proved to be the best suggested option from four maintain strategies, namely emergency maintenance, proactive maintenance, preventive maintenance, predictive maintenance.
Mortality of Broiler Chickens During Summer Fattening Periods Affected by Microclimatic Conditions
Authors: Šranková Veronika , Lendelová Jana , Mihina Štefan , Žitňák Miroslav , Nawalany Gregorz
Published: April 2019

Mortality of chickens during two summer fattening periods L1 and L2 in commonly used halls for chicken fattening in Slovakia have been evaluated in this paper. Effect of microclimatic conditions in housing area on recorded mortality has been analysed. Mortality was assessed in six halls, microclimate parameters and surface temperatures were continually measured only in one of the middle halls. It was documented that high mortality occurred during summer in the last phase (P3) of fattening period due to sudden hot weather waves. Daily mortality rate varied up to 447 birds in evaluated hall 3. During the last third of both fattening periods, it was significantly higher than during the first two phases (P

L1 = 0.0036; P

L2 = 1.4·10−6). Differences among halls were insignificant (P

L1 = 0.614; P

L2 = 0.413). In L1, average daily temperatures went beyond the recommended temperatures from 21st to 31st day. During L2, it was from 29th to 31st day and from 36th to 38th. The extra high mortality occurred in L1 on 31st day (447 birds) and during L2 on 36th day (88 birds), 37th day (96 birds) and 38th day (155 birds). High differential temperatures have been recorded and uninterrupted time periods (6 hours or more) with temperature higher than 30 °C and/or the relative humidity (RH) exceeding 70% were occurred during these days. In order to eliminate effect of sudden hot weather waves, modern digitally controlled microclimate regulation technologies (heat pumps, floor cooling, etc.) can be used, supported by data obtained from detailed microclimate analysis documented in this paper.
Prenatal diagnosis of a new case: De novo balanced non-Robertsonian translocation involving t(15;22)(p11.2;q11.2)
Authors: Atli Eİ , Gurkan H , Atli E , Tozkir H , Varol GF , İnan C
Published: April 2019

The balanced non-Robertsonian translocation (ROB) associated with acrocentric chromosomes is an unusual phenomenon. We report the case of rare non-ROB involving chromosomes 15 and 22 with cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic findings of 46,XY,t(15;22)(p11.2;q11.2). To the best of our knowledge, t(15;22) is the first report of this breakpoint that is not the usual non-ROB. The karyotype of the chorionic villus cell was 46,XY,t(15;22)(p11.2; q11.2) from two different initial cultures. This is different from the usual non-ROB of acrocentric chromosomes. Comparative genomic hybridization has been performed to determine the chromosomal origin. Non-Robertsonian translocation associated with acrocentric chromosomes is an unusual event and only a few cases have been reported. In this study, we observed acrocentric chromosomes 15 and 22 as a rarely balanced non-ROB, where satellites of chromosome 15 translocated to chromosome 22 and part of chromosome 22 were translocated to chromosome 15. To the best of our knowledge, our patient is the first case reported in the literature for this translocation in prenatal and postnatal periods.
Economic Cooperation of ASEM Countries and the Trade in Textiles between the European Union and Asian Countries
Authors: Drzymała Agnieszka
Published: April 2019

The paper covers the issues of dialogue and cooperation between ASEM countries in the conditions of growing mutual international interdependencies and changing conditions of cooperation at the global level. It presents the ASEM countries which are taking steps aimed at deepening mutual relations. The paper shows one of the many aspects of mutual cooperation. The total trade between the parties is discussed, with a particular focus on the trade in textiles under ASEM. The time range includes the latest available statistics for the period 2013–2016. The data analysis provides the basis for verifying the thesis that the European Union countries import more textiles and clothing than they export to Asian ASEM countries.
Review on the role of geoelectrical surveys in characterizing and deriving the constraints and hydrogeological conditions in semi arid Khanasser Valley region in Syria
Authors: Asfahani Jamal
Published: April 2019

This paper is a general review which basically focuses on the role of geoelectrical surveys in characterizing and deriving the constraints and hydrogeological conditions in semi arid Khanasser valley region and its surroundings in Northern Syria. Schlumberger configuration has been used to carry out ninety six vertical electrical soundings VES, distributed on nine transverse and three longitudinal profiles. Their quantitative 1D interpretations with different techniques yield to develop several alternative approaches, that enable us to derive and determine the hydrological parameters of the structures controlled by the groundwater distributions. Two different northern and southern geological structures separated by Hobs-Serdah water divided line were electrically characterized. Both of them are of very conductive zones of a resistivity less than 4 Ωm, and related to the intrusion of salty water in Quaternary and Paleogene aquifers. The qualitative interpretation of the iso-apparent resistivity maps for different AB/2 spacings has allowed the delineation of those two structures. Those two identified structures have their evident influences on the distributions of thicknesses, resistivity, salinity, hydraulic conductivity, and transmissivity of both Quaternary and Paleogene aquifers. The high resistivity exceeding 300 Ωm on the measured VES is a very good signal of the presence of basalt formation of upper Miocene age in Jebel Al Hass in the west and Jebel Shbith in the east. The geometry and the electrical characteristics of Quaternary and Paleogene aquifers and the top of Maestrichtian have been well recognized. Quaternary paleosabkhas, fractured zones and tectonic features of the subsurface of Khanasser valley have been delineated through analyzing VES distributions along the executed longitudinal and transverse profiles. Different empirical relationships have been already established through coupling geoelectrical resistivity and hydrochemical data, which allows to derive and establish different salinity maps for different AB/2 spacings, and to outline the boundaries between fresh, brackish and saline waters. Two different alternative approaches have been also developed for geophysically computing and estimating the hydraulic conductivity and the transmissivity of the aquifers in the study region. The different hydrogeophysical approaches developed in this integrated geophysical research project for water resource management have been successfully applied in Khanasser valley, and can be recommended to be practiced in similar worldwide areas.
Autobiographies or Portraits? Methodological Differences in Qualitative Social Research
Authors: Giordano Christian
Published: April 2019

The author considers methodological differences in the use of autobiographies. However, while doing so, he does not focus on technical differences in the application of the method but asks about cognitive possibilities that come (or not) with certain methodological tools. It is through this perspective (epistemological capacity of theory and empirical knowledge) that the author discusses the difference between two very close and yet so separate methods of research: sociological autobiography and anthropological portrait. He refers to Florian Znaniecki’s methodological guidelines and juxtaposes them with other important sociological works. Analysing Znaniecki’s method, he finds elements that make it seem closer to anthropological portrait. This approach is to encourage the readers to look at the method in a different way – as something secondary to the accurate definition of the socio-cultural context for the studied phenomena.
After a Long March: the Results of Two Decades of Rural Restructuring in Hungary
Authors: Csurgó Bernadett , Kovách Imre , Megyesi Boldizsár
Published: April 2019

This paper aims to show the main processes of rural restructuring of Hungary after the change of political system and EU integration. It describes the changes of agricultural land-use, new dynamics of urban rural relations and rural development of the last 25 years. In the paper, we argue that the most dynamic changes happened in the era of post-communism, ended by EU-accession and the era of consolidation.

A characteristic phenomenon of these changes was the urban demand for providing facilities related to rural landscape and culture. Therefore, permanent and temporary migrations into rural areas have become the most important element of development for rural places in the last decades. The introduction of a new Europeanised rural development system has shaped these processes and reconfigured local power relations, economic and social networks. These turbulent changes occurred at the same time with the collapse of the socialist-type co-operative and state farm system, along with the restitution and reprivatisation of land, resulting in the concentration of land use and agricultural production.

The paper aims at analysing these processes by discussing the dynamics of urban-rural relationships and the new rural development system, while the final part focuses on land-use changes and its impacts on rural society.
Think Locally and Act Globally: Understanding Human Development in the Era of Globalisation
Authors: Klekotko Marta , Jastrzębiec-Witowska Anna , Gorlach Krzysztof , Nowak Piotr
Published: April 2019

For well over two decades the phrase “Think Global, Act Local” shaped the rhetoric used by social movements, environmental activists and intellectuals critical of the neoliberal narrative of globalisation. The intention was to obtains ideas and solutions elaborated in various parts of the world implemented in local communities and to give special meaning to progressive proposals of international social movement contesting globalisation. This approach could certainly be beneficial in terms of the diffusion of good environmental practices or spreading civil society ideas in developing countries.

However, when global ideas reach local ground, they remain global ideas, and sometimes very foreign ones, which may take over or eclipse local concepts in unintended or less-than-ideal ways. Occasionally, this approach could even lead to overpowering what is local instead of empowering it. Therefore, having the empowerment of local communities in mind, we propose that those who really contest globalisation of the neoliberal narrative should turn the tables and work to “Think Locally, Act Globally.”

Thinking locally and acting globally helps to ensure that adequate attention will be paid to local needs and local ideas. Presently, no local community exists outside of the global context and its influences, which affects the writings of contemporary sociologists who tend to emphasise the concept of “place” when analysing local communities. The nature of bonds on the local level changes in the globalised world, as local communities become more goal-oriented, utilising the functional proximity of people and other assets of the community. These new types of communities emerge even in places previously recognised as being shaped by local customs and traditions.

These changes can be seen in the rural, semi-rural and small-town communities of Zalipie and Dąbrowa Tarnowska in Małopolska, as well as Radzionków in Silesia and in the nationwide study of rural communities in Poland. Their potential as the communities of the new type can be recognised as matching with neo-endogenous and sustainable development concepts.
The Palace Architecture of the Roma Population in Romania
Authors: Preda Mihaela-Daniela , Vijulie Iuliana , Lequeux-Dincă Ana Irina
Published: April 2019

Contrasting the local specific architecture through an obvious opulent style, “palaces” of Roma population in Romania generate controversial debates. The present study analyses this phenomenon from a socio-geographic perspective in its attempt to draw attention to the new constructions appearing in the post-communist period after 1990. The Roma palaces are a choice of a showy non-constrained way to manifest an ethnic socio-economic status at the local level are perceived differently in Romanian society by the Roma community and by the Romanian population respectively. Our research methodology was correlated with the particularities of this topic and has been very infrequently approached until the present moment. It has hence used as its main tools direct observation, a social survey based on semi-structured interviews and media monitoring. The results of the study have mainly showed that the appearance of the new type of residences is a consequence of the change in the socio-economic statute of the Roma population, the size of the house being directly proportional to the status of the privileged within a community. Moreover, we have already witnessed architectural trends in the aesthetics of these constructions, which were mainly perceived in a negative way by the Romanian respondents and in a positive way by Roma respondents.
Leadership versus customer orientation in an innovative enterprise — a contribution to further exploration
Authors: Widelska Urszula , Jeseviciute-Ufartiene Laima , Tuncikiene Zivile
Published: April 2019

The consideration of the multidimensionality and multidirectionality of management science within the research process is currently a very important challenge. The search for dependencies and connections between leadership and customer orientation falls fully into the desired research trend. Both leadership and customer orientation are widely described within management science; however, the connections and dependencies which occur between them still require further, in-depth exploration and knowledge concerning leadership and customer orientation needs to be systematised. This article aims to identify further directions of study into leadership and customer orientation in an innovative company. Additional goals include the systematisation of knowledge regarding customer-oriented leadership and the formulation of research hypotheses which will become the starting point for future studies. The conclusions are supported by the results of a quantitative study which applied the CAWI method to a group of 204 business leaders from North-East Poland. The article presents the results of the preliminary research realized as part of a research grant from the National Science Centre entitled “Leadership and customer orientation in an innovative enterprise”. The results of the conducted research show that customer orientation among business leaders is not uniform and depends on the size of their company, the style of management and the type of innovation implemented by their enterprise.