bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leaders And Followers In The Effectiveness Of Public Safety Services In European States – A Spatial Frontier Approach
Authors: Żółtaszek Agata
Published: January 2015

Public safety is an important factor in both public and private life. Simultaneously it is one of the most regionally diverse sectors, due to historical, cultural, social, legal, and financial differences.Therefore, it is very difficult to compare public safety policies and facilities directly. However, assessment and comparison are crucial factors for defining the best practices and implementing the “learning-from-the-best” policy, which is important in the process of regional development and globalization. Fortunately some quantitative methods, such as DEA (Data Envelopment Analysis) enable this kind of research. DEA allows for analyzing relative effectiveness based on inputs and outputs, without incorporating procedural specifics of public safety. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to perform a regional analysis of the technical effectiveness of public safety systems in European states in 2003 and 2012 by utilizing an optimization method of DEA. Based on the results of this research countries are divided into two groups – effective and ineffective. Countries with effective systems are considered leaders. They present best practices which should be treated as benchmarks for the countries with ineffective systems, i.e. followers. In the research, inputs of the Data Envelopment Analysis consist of human and financial resources, as these are crucial for the functioning of public safety systems. The outputs are transformations of major crime categories. The analysis has been carried out for selected European countries in 2003 and 2012. This analysis indicates that among the countries with effective public safety systems are Finland, Norway, Romania and Poland.The worst technical efficiency could be observed in Belgium, the UK, Estonia, and Italy, which are underperforming and wasting a large proportion of their resources. This research indicates that despite many differences among states’ public safety policies, improvement and regional development can be stimulated and achieved by implementing the “learning-from-the-best” policy.
Back to Local Food in Urban Environment
Authors: Turiničová Zuzana
Published: January 2015

Post is focused on problems of activities aimed at local food in urban environment. The theme is studied in the view of cultural changes in nutrition in Slovakia after 1989, affecting of global phenomena, incoming of giant international companies and importing foreign food. On the other side, there is also globalizations and glolocation view as an impulse for return to local food. Post is focused on different organizations, civic associations, activities and shops, through wich people in urban environment can gain local food.
A Territorial Perspective On Eu´S Leader Approach In Denmark: The Added Value Of Community-Led Local Development Of Rural And Coastal Areas In A Multi-Level Governance Settings
Authors: Thuessen Annette Aagaard , Nielsen Niels Christian
Published: January 2015

This paper investigates the added value of the territorial governance approach LEADER in the multi-level governance setting of rural and coastal development. Using focus group interviews in five Danish rural and fisheries local action groups (LAGs) from the 2007-2013 programming period, the paper demonstrates that pursuing the LEADER method at the LAG level enhances rural development in the form of leverage, democratisation and bottom-up decision making that none of the other levels in the multi-level governance setup of LEADER would be able to provide. However, some of the method’s seven concepts are not fully used. Maintaining a focus on all of the method’s concepts could allow for even greater rural development.
Using forage litter to improve soil degradation of pure Betula platyphylla forest in the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Trung Luc Nhu , Liu Zengwen , Zhang Xiaoxi , Bing Yuanhao , Zhu Bochao
Published: January 2015

The long-term growth of pure forest is an important issue that affects stability and sustainable development of ecosystem, while using forage litter as fertilizer or directly establishing tree-grass complex vegetation may be the most effective prevention way. This study took the artificial pure forests of Betula platyphylla, which were widely distributed in the Loess Plateau of China, as the object and conducted a 120-day decomposition incubation experiment of forest humus soil mixed with seven common leguminous forage litters to study the effects of forage litters in controlling the degradation of soil biological and chemical properties of pure forests. The results showed that: by adding forage litter to the soil of pure B. platyphylla forest, litters of Lespedeza bicolor and Onobrychis viciaefolia improved the soil quality obviously, followed by Astragalus adsurgens and Melilotus officinalis, while Medicago sativa lead to obvious deterioration, followed by Vicia villosa and Coronilla varia.
An Attempt of Formalizing the Selection Parameters for Settlements Generalization in Small-Scales
Authors: Karsznia Izabela
Published: January 2015

The paper covers one of the most important problems concerning context-sensitive settlement selection for the purpose of the small-scale maps. So far, no formal parameters for small-scale settlements generalization have been specified, hence the problem seems to be an important and innovative challenge. It is also crucial from the practical point of view as it is necessary to develop appropriate generalization algorithms for the purpose of the General Geographic Objects Database generalization which is the essential Spatial Data Infrastructure component in Poland.

The author proposes and verifies quantitative generalization parameters for the purpose of the settlement selection process in small-scale maps. The selection of settlements was carried out in two research areas - in Lower Silesia and Łódź Province. Based on the conducted analysis appropriate contextual-sensitive settlements selection parameters have been defined. Particular effort has been made to develop a methodology of quantitative settlements selection which would be useful in the automation processes and that would make it possible to keep specifics of generalized objects unchanged.
Geophysical Surveys and Modelling for Recognizing of Gypsum Karst
Authors: Łój Monika , Gołębiowski Tomisław , Porzucek Sławomir
Published: January 2015

Geophysical surveys are often used for examination of karst phenomena in limestone. This paper presents the research on gypsum karst which occurrence is much rarer. Non-invasive terrain surveys were carried out over known karst cavity in order to visualize karst phenomena developed around the void. Two geophysical methods that seems to be predestined for karst examination were selected, i.e. microgravimetry and georadar. For the interpretation of measured data numerical modelling was applied. Geophysical interpenetration depicted the presence of weathered material in the near surface zone and fractures and loose zones located over the karst cavity.
Reflotation of Coal Flotation Tailings using Foam Separation / Reflotace Černouhelných Flotačních Hlušin Pomocí Pěnové Separace
Authors: Juřicová Hana , Tichánek František
Published: January 2015

Froth separation is one of the new methods of flotation process in mineral treatment. This method allows a substantial increase in the size upper limit of separated grains. The contribution deals with the verification of the possibility of using the froth separation for retreatment of flotation tailings. For laboratory research samples of flotation tailings from the Paskov Mine treatment complex were used. The results confirmed the ability of froth separation to convert coarse coal grains into a concentrate. Grains with a grain size of 0.5 mm were successfully reflotated.
Considerations Concerning the Stream of Heat Transferred from Rock Mass Into Mine Ventilation Air and the Utilization of this Heat by Means of Air Cooling Installation / Úvaha Týkající Se Přestupu Tepla Z Horninového Masívu Do Důlního Ovzduší A Použití Chladicích Zařízení K Využití Tohoto Tepla
Authors: Knechtel Józef
Published: January 2015

This paper deals with the feasibility of utilization of the heat carried away with the air stream ventilating a mine after closing down mining operations. The problem is that, although the temperature of air flowing underground is rather high (above 35°C), the air temperature at the surface level drops to about 25°C. For that reason it was proposed to cool down the hot air underground and to transport the hot water from cooling machines to the surface level. However, such a solution is not realistic in closed-down mines. So, another idea was considered consisting in exploiting the thermal energy of the exhaust air stream in functioning mines. Further the cooling potential of Polish mines was surveyed. It emerged that for the mines with an active cooling potential in the range of a couple of MW it can be economically viable to transfer the gained thermal energy released due to surface condensation and to use that energy for communal heating.
Searching for old Mine Workings Through the use of Handheld Gnss Receivers / Vyhledávání Starých Důlních Děl Pomocí Ruční Aparatury Gnss
Authors: Mučková Jitka
Published: January 2015

Old mine workings situated in a landscape pose a very serious problem from the point of view of people security and property protection. For that reason it is necessary to look for these mine workings and liquidate them. The use of handheld GNSS receivers is one of alternative methods of searching for old mine workings. The accuracy of handheld GNSS receives does not reach the level of accuracy of geodetic apparatuses, but it is sufficient for the purpose of searching for locations of old mine workings as is clear from the considerations given in this article. The test was performed at points of fundamental geodetic control.
Problems of Cooling Sealed Fire Areas in Underground Coal Mines / Vybrané Technologie Ochlazování Prostorově Uzavřených Požářišt̆ V Hlubinných Uhelných Dolech
Authors: Magnusková Jana , Matušková Simona , Bartoňová Jana , Pavelek Zdeněk
Published: January 2015

In current mining practice, the most often used methods of cooling spatially sealed fire areas are: natural cooling, cooling by nitrogen, cooling by water and inert foam and cooling by combustion product recirculation. The technology of cooling with nitrogen represents two variants - the use of liquid nitrogen or nitrogen gas in the area of closed mine workings. From a technical and safety points of view the application of liquid nitrogen is today considered unsatisfactory, while the use of nitrogen gas seams to be highly safe technology for cooling explosion-proof sealed fire areas. Another possibility for cooling fire areas in deep coal mines is so-called natural cooling, where economical costs are indeed zero, but comparing to cooling processes induced by the application of cooling technologies a longer time period necessary for the natural refrigeration of fire areas causes financial losses.
Shifts of Trigonometric Points in the area affected by Mining Activities / Posuny Trigonometrických Bodů Na Území Ovlivněném Hornickou Činností
Authors: Mikoláš Marek , Mikoláš Milan , Zápalková Petra
Published: January 2015

In the underground mining of deposits, except the subsidence of layers also a horizontal shift occurs. The shift of trigonometric points is detected by the renewal of network. Formerly, the new triangulation of the overall area of interest has been carried out and since 1991 with the onset of modern observation techniques the GNSS technology has been used in full, which is not so time-consuming and economically demanding as triangulation works.
Research of Employee Benefits in the Ostrava Region / Výzkum Zaměstnaneckých Výhod Na Ostravsku
Authors: Vaněk Michal , Krčmarská Lucie , Magnusková Jana , Kučerová Lucie , Bartošíková Michaela
Published: January 2015

The article deals with the issues of employee benefits that influence employee motivation. Thus they participate not only in creating preconditions for company competitiveness, but also in proper running the company and/or return on investments into employees. In relation to the given questions, selected motivation theories and results of some sociological surveys connected with these problems are characterised briefly in the article as well. The focus of the article is the research into employee benefits in the Ostrava region. The authors of the article paid particular attention to the kinds of benefits provided to employees most frequently at present and how these benefits are perceived by employees themselves
Coal Market of Ukraine: Analysis and Development Background / Ukrajinský Trh S Uhlím: Analýza A Pozadí Vývoje
Authors: Kochura Ilona V.
Published: January 2015

The article analyses factors influencing the Ukrainian coal market. Based on the analysis the preconditions of further development of coal industry in Ukraine are formulated.
A Brief Overview Of Development In The Use Of Indicator Gases For Coal Spontaneous Combustion And Prospects For Further Solution / Stručný Přehled Vývoje Využití Indikačních Plynů Samovznícení Uhlí A Výhled Dalšího Řešení
Authors: Snopek Lukáš , Adamus Alois
Published: January 2015

One of the most serious risks associated with mining using mainly underground methods is the risk of mine fires. Causes of these fires can be exogenous (external) or endogenous (internal). The authors of the article pay attention to endogenous fires in coal mines, especially to the timely indication of them. As already mentioned in many contributions, spontaneous combustion is a complicated process that passes, in the final stage, into a mine open fire. The localization of a place of such danger can be done by means of so-called indicator gases that are desorbed from the coal substance at a point of the originating seat of spontaneous combustion. The article deals with a development trend in the use of indicator gases for spontaneous combustion in coal mining. The objective of the authors was to arrange chronically and briefly knowledge of the use of indicator gases both abroad and in the Czech Republic and to provide input information about a research project being dealt with at present
Method of Rigid Overlying Strata Failure Assessment of Extracted Seams and its Practical Application / Metoda Hodnocení Porušování Pevného Nadloží Exploatovaných Slojí A Její Praktické Využití
Authors: Jiránková Eva
Published: January 2015

The method of rigid overlying strata failure assessment of extracted seams is based on the simultaneous assessment of surface subsidence and seismic activity considering spatio-temporal progress of mining depending on the rock mass character and previous mine activity. If no complete failure of the firm overlaying layers occurs, the surroundings of the worked-out area is considerably supercharged and a risk of anomalous geomechanical phenomena occurrence substantially increases. The paper explains the mechanism of a rigid overlying strata failure under specific condition.
Primary Research of Mine Waters from the Chrustenice Iron-Ore Deposit/ Prvotní Průzkum Důlních Vod Železorudného Ložiska Chrustenice
Authors: Bouchal Tomáš , Závada Jaroslav , Vojtková Hana , Langarová Silvie , Havelek Radim
Published: January 2015

This paper describes the primary research of mine waters in the Chrustenice Iron-ore Deposit. A particular attention is paid here to the research of microorganisms living in that environment. The goal of the research is to analyse mine waters in the area which was abandoned by people more than 45 years ago and to investigate microorganisms and representatives of species present there in the mine waters. The Chrustenice Mine ranked among the biggest and most important iron ore mines in Barrandien. This mine along with the mines in Nučice, Zdice, Nový Jáchymov and Mníšek pod Brdy contributed to the fame of the regional mining industry. Sedimentary oolitic iron ore in Chrustenice consists mostly of red iron ore based on Černín layers, siderite and, to a lesser extent, of haematite and chamosite. In exceptional cases, magnetite is present there. The Černín shale is black clay shale with sandy ingredients and many potash-mica scales. Now, the mine is flooded up to the 8th level. In the remaining area, there is a mining history museum with dozens of exhibits. In samples of the mining water taken on the site, mostly iron, manganese and sulphur microorganisms were identified. The primary study of the mine waters in the iron-ore deposit shows that, from the microbiological point of view, this site is very interesting and many chemolithotrophic species of bacteria are present there.
Assessing Relations between Water Supply and Demand in the Odra and Morava River Basins/ Posouzení Vazby Vodárenských Zdrojů A Nároků Na Vodu V Oblastech Povodí Odry A Moravy
Authors: Thomas Jan , Kyncl Miroslav , Langarová Silvie
Published: January 2015

Periods of drought represent a serious problem in the management of water resources. Currently used climatic models assume the onset of major climatic changes and periods of drought. Irrespective of whether the forecasts will be fulfilled or not, it is essential to prepare measures to ensure the supply of drinking water in dry periods. This paper deals with the preparation of water balances for the areas of the Odra and Morava River basins and the prediction of relationships between water supply and water demand in the given area.
The Issue of Income from Operating Ukraine Coal Deep Mines/ Problematika Hospodářského Výsledku Hlubinných Uhelných Dolů Ukrajiny
Authors: Dvořáček Jaroslavav , Martyaková Elena V. , Kochura Ilona V. , Sousedíková Radmila , Savič Igor
Published: January 2015

This paper focuses on looking for factors that influence the income of deep coal mining operations in Ukraine. The method of discriminate analysis was employed for assessing economic success of the operations. It could be concluded that mining-geological conditions are the most significant cause of influence; the human factor is of lesser importance.
Comparison of the Method of Least Squares and the Simplex Method for Processing Geodetic Survey Results / Porovnanie Metódy Najmenších Štvorcov A Simplexovej Metódy Pri Spracovaní Výsledkov Geodetických Meran
Authors: Gašincová Silvia , Gašinec Juraj
Published: January 2015

The present paper is devoted to the use of the simplex method in the processing of results from geodetic measurements as compared with the standard used method of least squares. Using the simplex method, a minimization problem is usually solved in a standard tabular form by rearranging lines and columns in order to find an optimal solution. The paper points out the simpler, more stable and more efficient way to solve a problem of linear programming through a matrix of relations.
Risk Assessment in Mining-Related Project Management / Stanovení Rizika V Projektovém Řízení V Podmínkách Těžebního Podniku
Authors: Vaněk Michal , Tomášková Yveta , Straková Alena , Špakovská Kateřina , Bora Petr
Published: January 2015

Risk assessment is an integral part of the assessment of an investment project. Underestimating risks may lead to erroneous conclusions with negative impacts on the economy of the project. With regard to the level of investments and the time factor under mining company conditions, the issue of risk gains importance. The evaluation of existing practical experience shows that managers of mining companies more often approach to the risk assessment based on intuition, than through exact methods. The article is devoted to the risk assessment itself whose procedure is illustrated on a model example of assessing continuous and discontinuous alternatives of exploitation of loose overburden materials during large-scale coal mining operations in progress at pit quarries.
Determination of Elevator Shaft Uprightness Applying the Terrestrial Laser Scanning Method / Určovanie Zvislosti Výťahovej Šachty Metódou Terestrického Laserového Skenovania
Authors: Kovanič Ľudovít
Published: January 2015

This paper presents the results obtained from geodetic measurements and processing the data with the objective to determine geometrical parameters of an elevator shaft applying classical as well as modern approaches for obtaining the measured data. The intention was to verify the possibility to apply the terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) method as a suitable, efficient and precise method for collecting spatial data.
Monitoring and Analysis of Surface Changes from Undermining / Monitoring a Analýza Povrchových Projevů Poddolování
Authors: Kajzar Vlastimil , Doležalová Hana
Published: January 2015

It is well known that the exploitation of mineral deposits negatively affects the environment. In the case of underground mining, there are usually the most serious effects which are associated with mining activities: movements and surface deformations lead to the creation of subsidence depressions.

The determination of the actual state of surface changes by conventional surveying methods is technically exacting, time-consuming and very expensive. With the development of geo-information technologies, new approaches arise and they can be applied to resolving this issue. These resources seem to be suitable not only for providing the necessary spatial information on ongoing processes, but also for their subsequent processing and comprehensive evaluation.

The presented paper deals with the possibilities of applying geo-information technologies for monitoring and evaluating the effects of underground mining on surface, summarizes the actual state of this research at ICT, and offers alternatives for their use in the future
Membrane Processes For Industrial Wastewater Treatment – Demineralization Station / Membránové Procesy V Technologii Úpravy Průmyslových Odpadních Vod – Demineralizační Stanice
Authors: Hajduková Jitka , Thomas Jan , Malíková Petra , Matúšková Veronika
Published: January 2015

The paper deals with treatment of wastewater produced by the energy industry using a membrane processes (electrodialysis). Prior to application of this technology, the influence of wastewater on the chosen type of membranes is solved. Specifically, it means eliminating the influence of formation soluble (insoluble) salts which could negatively affect water treatment by the chosen technology. The paper also summarizes the results of laboratory tests of electrodialysis with the aim to acquire treated wastewater of such quality meeting legislative limits for discharges to surface water (i.e. total dissolved solids below 1g.l-1)
Research on morphology and biology of germination of Salvia przewalskii Maxim
Authors: Buchwald Waldemar , Bilińska Elżbieta , Kitkowska Sława , Forycka Anna
Published: January 2015

In this paper, diaspores and seedlings of Salvia przewalskii Maxim. were described. The three-year cycle of monthly germination analyses of seeds was carried out. The best germination of seeds was observed in the turn of spring and summer (June, July). It was found that the germination of diaspores of Salvia przewalskii in laboratory analysis does not depend on the influence of light and fluctuations of temperature within the range 20-30°C. After 5 years of storage in unheated room conditions, the diaspores of Salvia przewalskii germinated about 20%.
Yield and chemical composition of essential oil from Salvia officinalis L. in third year of cultivation
Authors: Zawiślak Grażyna
Published: January 2015

The study upon sage (Salvia officinalis L.) has been carried out at the Experimental Section of Department of Vegetables and Medicinal Plants, University of Life Sciences in Lublin. The aim of present study was to evaluate the yield and chemical composition of essential oil extracted from sage leaves harvested from a three-year plantation. The sage herb harvest date in the third year of cultivation had a significant impact on the yield of plants. Higher yield of fresh and dry herb, dry leaves, and essential oil was achieved in August (the second harvest time) than in May (the first harvest time). Chromatographic examination indicated the presence of 50 chemical compounds in sage essential oil. It was a variable percentage of essential oil components depending on the raw material harvest time. The main components of the sage essential oil were: 1,8-cineole (16.08-18.04%), α-thujone (10.40-21.51%) and camphor (5.24-18.08%).
Capsaicinoid profile of soft-flesh Capsicum spp. genotypes according to the purée production method
Authors: Nowaczyk Lubosława , Banach-Szott Magdalena
Published: January 2015

Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin concentration was evaluated using the HPLC method in the whole fruit, pericarp, and purée obtained by rubbing fruit through a strainer, purée obtained by fruit expressing, and in the waste following the two above processes. The highest content of each compound was noted in purée and the lowest one in pericarp and waste. Concentration of capsaicin was higher than concentration of dihydrocapsaicin in all of the analysed material. Reciprocal relations between contents of two compounds ranged from 1.4 to 5.3. Capsaicinoid contents in purée obtained by rubbing plus in the waste of the process and in the expressed purée plus the waste of the process were highly similar. Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin contents in purée obtained as a result of mechanical separation of soft tissue from the inedible fruit parts was significantly higher than in pericarp and stable, regardless of the processing method.
Spine Buddy® Supportive Pad Impact on Single-Leg Static Balance and a Jogging Gait of Individuals Wearing a Military Backpack
Authors: Ward John , Coats Jesse , Pourmoghaddam Amir
Published: January 2015

The Spine Buddy® supportive pad was developed to be inserted underneath military backpacks to help disperse the heavy load of the backpack. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact the additional supportive pad had on static balance and a running gait while wearing a military backpack. Forty healthy subjects (age= 27.5 + 5.6 yrs, body height= 1.78 + 0.06 m, body mass= 86.5 + 14.0 kg: mean + SD) participated in a static single-leg balance test on a force plate with each lower limb while wearing a 15.9 kg military backpack for 30 s. Following this, participants were randomized to one of two interventions: 1) Intervention, which wore the Spine Buddy® supportive pad underneath their backpack or 2) Control, with no additional supportive pad. Post-intervention measurements of static single-leg balance were then recorded. Afterwards, a similar pre vs post testing schedule and randomization scheme was used to test the impact of the supportive pad on a 5 mph jogging gait using Vicon® cameras. Within-group data were analyzed with a 2-way repeated measures ANOVA. Statistically significant differences were not seen between the control and experimental group for balance and gait variables. Preliminarily, this suggests that the Spine Buddy® supportive pad causes no deleterious effect on static balance and a jogging gait in 18-45 year-old asymptomatic individuals.
The Effect of Climbing Ability and Slope Inclination on Vertical Foot Loading Using a Novel Force Sensor Instrumentation System
Authors: Baláš Jiří , Panáčková Michaela , Jandová Soňa , Martin Andrew J. , Strejcová Barbora , Vomáčko Ladislav , Charousek Jan , Cochrane Darryl J. , Hamlin Mike , Draper Nick
Published: January 2015

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of climbing ability and slope inclination on vertical loading both in terms the forces involved and physiological responses. Five novice and six intermediate female climbers completed a climbing route at three slope inclinations (85°, 90°, and 98°). The vertical loading during the climb was assessed by force-time integral using a Novel Pedar-X insole and physiological responses via oxygen uptake and heart rate. The novice climbers had a significantly lower (p < 0.05) vertical loading on foot holds and higher oxygen uptake and heart rate compared to intermediate climbers. A significant negative correlation was identified between the force-time integral and oxygen uptake (R = -0.72), and with heart rate (R = -0.64), respectively. The time-force integral decreased across the ascents with increasing slope inclination (p < 0.001). The results indicate that more advanced ability climbers make greater use of foot holds, with associated lowering in physiological response (oxygen uptake and heart rate) across all slope inclinations.
Analysis of Speed Performance In Soccer by a Playing Position and a Sports Level Using a Laser System
Authors: Ferro Amelia , Villacieros Jorge , Floría Pablo , Graupera Jose L.
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this study was to determine the kinematic variables that identify the quality of velocity in soccer players at different competitive levels and playing positions. This study had two independent variables: 1) a competitive level (competitive and non-competitive players); and 2) a playing position, with four levels (central defenders, wide defenders/midfielders, central midfielders and forwards). Forty-two soccer players took part in a 30 m sprint-test, which was measured using a laser sensor-type 1 (LDM301-Jenoptik) at 2000 Hz. Absolute and relative times, average velocities and absolute and relative maximum velocities over 10 m sections were analyzed at 200 Hz with BioLaserSport®. There were no significant differences in average velocity between competitive and non-competitive players; however, the former reached a greater maximum velocity in the 10-20 m section. Average velocity in the 0-10 m section identified specificity among playing positions in competitive players. The forwards were the fastest followed by the central midfielders, the wide defenders/midfielders and the central defenders. No differences were found among the non-competitive players. Average velocity over the 0-10 meter section may be an important indicator when assigning a playing position for competitive players. These results support the use of more accurate systems, such as a laser system, to identify soccer players’ speed qualities (including maximum velocity) during short sprints.
Strength Training Prior to Endurance Exercise: Impact on the Neuromuscular System, Endurance Performance and Cardiorespiratory Responses
Authors: Conceição Matheus , Cadore Eduardo Lusa , González-Izal Miriam , Izquierdo Mikel , Liedtke Giane Veiga , Wilhelm Eurico Nestor , Pinto Ronei Silveira , Reistenbach Goltz Fernanda , Dornelles Schneider Cláudia , Ferrari Rodrigo , Bottaro Martim , Kruel Luiz Fernando Martins
Published: January 2015

This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of two strength-training protocols on the neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory responses during endurance exercise. Thirteen young males (23.2 ± 1.6 years old) participated in this study. The hypertrophic strength-training protocol was composed of 6 sets of 8 squats at 75% of maximal dynamic strength. The plyometric strength-training protocol was composed of 6 sets of 8 jumps performed with the body weight as the workload. Endurance exercise was performed on a cycle ergometer at a power corresponding to the second ventilatory threshold until exhaustion. Before and after each protocol, a maximal voluntary contraction was performed, and the rate of force development and electromyographic parameters were assessed. After the hypertrophic strengthtraining and plyometric strength-training protocol, significant decreases were observed in the maximal voluntary contraction and rate of force development, whereas no changes were observed in the electromyographic parameters. Oxygen uptake and a heart rate during endurance exercise were not significantly different among the protocols. However, the time-to-exhaustion was significantly higher during endurance exercise alone than when performed after hypertrophic strength-training or plyometric strength-training (p <0.05). These results suggest that endurance performance may be impaired when preceded by strength-training, with no oxygen uptake or heart rate changes during the exercise.
Effectiveness of the Call in Beach Volleyball Attacking Play
Authors: Künzell Stefan , Schweikart Florian , Köhn Daniel , Schläppi-Lienhard Olivia
Published: January 2015

In beach volleyball the setter has the opportunity to give her or his hitter a “call”. The call intends that the setter suggests to her or his partner where to place the attack in the opponent’s court. The effectiveness of a call is still unknown. We investigated the women’s and men’s Swiss National Beach Volleyball Championships in 2011 and analyzed 2185 attacks. We found large differences between female and male players. While men called in only 38.4% of attacks, women used calls in 85.5% of attacks. If the male players followed a given call, 63% of the attacks were successful. The success rate of attacks without any call was 55.8% and 47.6% when the call was ignored. These differences were not significant (χ2(2) = 4.55, p = 0.103). In women’s beach volleyball, the rate of successful attacks was 61.5% when a call was followed, 35% for attacks without a call, and 42.6% when a call was ignored. The differences were highly significant (χ2(2) = 23.42, p < 0.0005). Taking into account the findings of the present study, we suggested that the call was effective in women’s beach volleyball, while its effect in men’s game was unclear. Considering the quality of calls we indicate that there is a significant potential to increase the effectiveness of a call.
Neuromuscular Responses to Simulated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Fights
Authors: Corrêa da Silva Bruno Victor , Neme Ide Bernardo , de Moura Simim Mário Antônio , Marocolo Moacir , da Mota Gustavo Ribeiro
Published: January 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the neuromuscular performance responses following successive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) fights. Twenty-three BJJ athletes (age: 26.3 ± 6.3 years; body mass: 79.4 ± 9.7 kg; body height: 1.80 ± 0.1 m) undertook 3 simulated BJJ fights (10 min duration each separated by 15 min of rest). Neuromuscular performance was measured by the bench press throw (BPT) and vertical counter movement jump (VCMJ) tests, assessed before the 1st fight (Pre) and after the last one (Post). Blood lactate (LA) was measured at Pre, 1 min Post, and 15 min Post fights. Paired t-tests were employed in order to compare the BPT and VCMJ results. One-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc tests were utilized to compare LA responses. The results revealed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in VCMJ performance (40.8 ± 5.5 cm Pre vs. 42.0 ± 5.8 cm Post), but no significant changes in the BPT (814 ± 167 W Pre vs. 835 ± 213 W Post) were observed. LA concentration increased significantly (p < 0.05) at Post, both in the 1st min

and the 15th min

of recovery. We concluded that successive simulated BJJ fights demanded considerable anaerobic contribution of ATP supply, reinforcing the high-intensity intermittent nature of the sport. Nevertheless, no negative impact on acute neuromuscular performance (power) was observed.
Co-morditities of environmental diseases: A common cause
Authors: Zeliger Harold I.
Published: January 2015

The global pandemic of non-vector borne environmental diseases may, in large part, be attributed to chronic exposures to ever increasing levels of exogenous lipophilic chemicals. These chemicals include persistent organic pollutants, semi-volatile compounds and low molecular weight hydrocarbons. Such chemicals facilitate the sequential absorption of otherwise not absorbed more toxic hydrophilic species that attack numerous body organs and systems, leading to environmental disease. Co-morbidities of noncommunicable environmental diseases are alarmingly high, with as many as half of all individuals chronically ill with two or more diseases. Co-morbidity is to be anticipated, since all of the causative chemicals identified have independently been shown to trigger the individual diseases.
Younger age at onset of sporadic Parkinson’s disease among subjects occupationally exposed to metals and pesticides
Authors: Ratner Marcia H. , Farb David H. , Ozer Josef , Feldman Robert G. , Durso Raymon
Published: January 2015

An earlier age at onset of Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been reported to be associated with occupational exposures to manganese and hydrocarbon solvents suggesting that exposure to neurotoxic chemicals may hasten the progression of idiopathic PD. In this study the role of occupational exposure to metals and pesticides in the progression of idiopathic PD was assessed by looking at age at disease onset. The effects of heritable genetic risk factors, which may also influence age at onset, was minimized by including only sporadic cases of PD with no family history of the disease (n=58). Independent samples Student t-test revealed that subjects with occupational exposure to metals and/or pesticides (n=36) were significantly (p=0.013) younger than unexposed controls (n=22). These subjects were then divided into three groups [high (n=18), low (n=18), and unexposed (n=22)] to ascertain if duration of exposure further influenced age at onset of PD. One-way ANOVA revealed that subjects in the high exposure group were significantly (p=0.0121) younger (mean age: 50.33 years) than unexposed subjects (mean age: 60.45 years). Subjects were also stratified by exposure type (metals vs. pesticides). These results suggest that chronic exposure to metals and pesticides is associated with a younger age at onset of PD among patients with no family history of the disease and that duration of exposure is a factor in the magnitude of this effect.
Postponed effect of neostigmine on oxidative homeostasis
Authors: Pohanka Miroslav
Published: January 2015

Cholinesterases are enzymes able to hydrolyze the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and thus to terminate transmission. Once the enzymes are inhibited, excitotoxicity can appear in the adjacent cells. It is well known that oxidative stress is involved in the toxicity of cholinesterase inhibitors. Commonly, stress follows inhibition of cholinesterases and disappears shortly afterwards. In the present experiment, it was decided to test the impact of an inhibitor, neostigmine, on oxidative stress in BALB/c mice after a longer interval. The animals were sacrificed three days after onset of the experiment and spleens and livers were collected. Reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), caspase-3 and activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were assayed. The tested markers were not altered with exceptions of FRAP. The FRAP values indicate accumulation of low molecular weight antioxidants in the examined organs. The role of low molecular weight antioxidants in the toxicity of AChE inhibitors is discussed.
Iron induced genotoxicity: attenuation by vitamin C and its optimization
Authors: Parveen Nuzhat , Ahmad Shoeb , Shadab G.G. Hammad A.
Published: January 2015

Vitamin C (VC) is a well-known antioxidant and strong free radical scavenger. Its antioxidant activity is useful for protection of cellular macromolecules, particularly DNA, from oxidative damage induced by different agents. This study was undertaken to evaluate the optimum level of VC in attenuating the chromosome aberrations (CAs) and DNA damage after iron sulfate (FeSO4) acute administration in Wistar rats. The results exhibited that the increase of CAs and DNA damage induced by FeSO4, 200 mg Fe/kg, could be reduced significantly by VC pretreatment at the dose of 500 mg/kg (p<0.001), but not in the 100 mg/kg group. The findings provide evidence that VC at the dose of 500 mg/kg exerted a possible protective effect against FeSO4 induced CAs and DNA damage. The possible mechanisms of VC may be attributed to its property as a free radical scavenger or to its indirect action in reducing the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Cardiovascular effects of high-fructose intake in rats with nitric oxide deficiency
Authors: Zemančíková Anna , Török Jozef
Published: January 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) system damage in the deleterious effects of high-fructose intake in rats. Fructose was administered as 10% solution in drinking water to twelve-week-old male Wistar rats for the period of 8 weeks. Blood pressure was measured by tail-cuff plethysmography. After sacrificing the rats at the end of the treatment, relative weights of heart and liver and biochemical parameters in blood plasma were determined. Reactivity of isolated conduit arteries was measured using a force-displacement transducer for recording isometric tension. Fructose drinking rats had increased blood pressure and impaired acetylcholine-induced relaxation of the thoracic aorta in comparison with control rats drinking just tap water. Relative liver weight and plasma concentrations of glucose and triglycerides were also elevated after fructose administration. In a further group of Wistar rats, inhibition of NO production by administration of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 40 mg/kg/day) was performed throughout fructose intake. L-NAME treatment itself induces increase in blood pressure and relative heart weight as well as impairment in arterial relaxation and contractility. However, in these rats, fructose administration did not cause further elevation of blood pressure and other abnormalities observed in rats receiving fructose without L-NAME. Our results showed that in the state of NO deficiency (induced by L-NAME administration) fructose does not induce cardiovascular and metabolic alterations which develop in rats with a functional NO system. This indicates that impairment of the NO system may participate in many of the adverse effects induced by high-fructose intake.
A Linear Approach for Parameters Estimation of Multivariable Models in a Parameter Matrix Form
Authors: Efremov A.
Published: January 2015

When a model output is a linear function of the model parameters, the estimation process is significantly simplified, since the optimal estimates can be determined without the usage of a numerical optimization method. Moreover, some types of nonlinear models w.r.t. their parameters can be interpreted as linear (obviously introducing a discrepancy). This is the main premise behind the linear approach for parameter estimation, where the Least Squares (LS) method is used for parameters estimation. As this assumption contradicts with the non-linear parameterized model structure, the estimation process becomes iterative. In spite of this, the linear approach is frequently preferable due to the reduced number of computations, compared with the non-linear approach, where the model is correctly considered as non-linear. Moreover, some issues with the starting point selection, stuck at a local minima, etc., natural for the non-linear approach, are avoided. In this paper estimators are presented, based on the linear approach, for both MIMO linear and non-linear parameterized models in a parameter matrix form. The representatives of the first group are LS and Weighted LS (WLS). For non-linear models, this approach is presented in terms of Extended LS (ELS). The topic regarding the efficient realizations of the estimators is also discussed
Biologically Inspired Feature Detection Using Cascaded Correlations of off and on Channels
Authors: Wiederman Steven D. , O’Carroll David C.
Published: January 2015

Flying insects are valuable animal models for elucidating computational processes underlying visual motion detection. For example, optical flow analysis by wide-field motion processing neurons in the insect visual system has been investigated from both behavioral and physiological perspectives [1]. This has resulted in useful computational models with diverse applications [2,3]. In addition, some insects must also extract the movement of their prey or conspecifics from their environment. Such insects have the ability to detect and interact with small moving targets, even amidst a swarm of others [4,5]. We use electrophysiological techniques to record from small target motion detector (STMD) neurons in the insect brain that are likely to subserve these behaviors. Inspired by such recordings, we previously proposed an ‘elementary’ small target motion detector (ESTMD) model that accounts for the spatial and temporal tuning of such neurons and even their ability to discriminate targets against cluttered surrounds [6-8]. However, other properties such as direction selectivity [9] and response facilitation for objects moving on extended trajectories [10] are not accounted for by this model. We therefore propose here two model variants that cascade an ESTMD model with a traditional motion detection model algorithm, the Hassenstein Reichardt ‘elementary motion detector’ (EMD) [11]. We show that these elaborations maintain the principal attributes of ESTMDs (i.e. spatiotemporal tuning and background clutter rejection) while also capturing the direction selectivity observed in some STMD neurons. By encapsulating the properties of biological STMD neurons we aim to develop computational models that can simulate the remarkable capabilities of insects in target discrimination and pursuit for applications in robotics and artificial vision systems.
Fast FCM with Spatial Neighborhood Information for Brain Mr Image Segmentation
Authors: Biniaz Abbas , Abbasi Ataollah
Published: January 2015

Among different segmentation approaches Fuzzy c-Means clustering (FCM) is a welldeveloped algorithm for medical image segmentation. In emergency medical applications quick convergence of FCM is necessary. On the other hand spatial information is seldom exploited in standard FCM; therefore nuisance factors can simply affect it and cause misclassification. This paper aims to introduce a Fast FCM (FFCM) technique by incorporation of spatial neighborhood information which is exploited by a linear function on fuzzy membership. Applying proposed spatial Fast FCM (sFFCM), elapsed time is decreased and neighborhood spatial information is exploited in FFCM. Moreover, iteration numbers by proposed FFCM/sFFCM techniques are decreased efficiently. The FCM/FFCM techniques are examined on both simulated and real MR images. Furthermore, to considerably decrease of convergence time and iterations number, cluster centroids are initialized by an algorithm. Accuracy of the new approach is same as standard FCM. The quantitative assessments of presented FCM/FFCM techniques are evaluated by conventional validity functions. Experimental results demonstrate that sFFCM techniques efficiently handle noise interference and significantly decrease elapsed time.
Profiling Bell’s Palsy based on House-Brackmann Score
Authors: Song Insu , Vong John , Yen Nguwi Yok , Diederich Joahchim , Yellowlees Peter
Published: January 2015

In this study, we propose to diagnose facial nerve palsy using Support Vector Machines (SVMs) and Emergent Self-Organizing Map (ESOM). This research seeks to analyze facial palsy domain using facial features and grade the degree of nerve damage based on the House-Brackmann score. Traditional diagnostic approaches involve a medical doctor recording a thorough history of a patient and determining the onset of paralysis, rate of progression and so on. The most important step is to assess the degree of voluntary movement of the facial nerves and document the grade of facial paralysis using House- Brackmann score. The significance of the work is the attempt to understand the diagnosis and grading processes using semi-supervised learning with the aim of automating the process. The value of the research is in identifying and documenting the limited literature seen in this area. The use of automated diagnosis and grading greatly reduces the duration of medical examination and increases the consistency, because many palsy images are stored to provide benchmark references for comparative purposes. The proposed automated diagnosis and grading are computationally efficient. This automated process makes it ideal for remote diagnosis and examination of facial palsy. The profiling of a large number of facial images are captured using mobile phones and digital cameras.