bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Saliva leukocytes rather than saliva epithelial cells represent the main source of DNA
Authors: Cianga Corina Maria , Antohe Ion , Zlei Mihaela , Constantinescu Daniela , Cianga Petru
Published: May 2018

Introduction. Several alternative methods to peripheral blood DNA extraction have been implemented so far. Saliva seems to represent a very advantageous type of sample, easy to harvest and able to generate DNA yields comparable to those extracted from blood mononuclear cells.

Material and methods. 8 patients suspected of ankylosing spondylitis, 9 patients with various hematological malignancies, displaying post-chemotherapy leucopenia and 30 healthy volunteers were included in our study. DNA was extracted with various commercially available kits and used for HLA typing either by PCR amplification, or by PCR followed by hybridization.

Results. Our data regarding HLA typing support already published results regarding the good DNA quality that allows its use in various molecular biology techniques. However, when attempting to use saliva from immunosuppressed patients for DNA extraction we have generated very low yields, comparable again with the ones obtained from peripheral blood. Flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry investigations confirmed the low number of leukocytes present in the saliva of these patients, while the number of epithelial cells was virtually unchanged.

Conclusions. The main source of saliva DNA seems to be represented by leukocytes present in this fluid and not by the epithelial cells. Under these circumstances, for immunosuppressed patients saliva cannot represent an alternative to blood when attempting DNA extraction.
Effect of Salicylic Acid on Enzyme Activity in Wheat in Immediate Early Time after Infection with Mycosphaerella Graminicola
Authors: Gholamnezhad J. , Sanjarian F. , Goltapeh E.M. , Safaie N. , Razavi K.
Published: May 2018

The effect of salicylic acid (SA) on antioxidant enzymes activities in wheat infected with Mycosphaerella graminicola was investigated. Different concentrations of SA (0 and 2mM) were sprayed on susceptible and tolerant cultivars of wheat at a two-leaf stage. Enhanced activities of peroxidase, catalase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, and polyphenoloxidase were determined in two wheat SA-treated cultivars in the presence or absence of pathogen. The results showed that the application of SA was more effective on antioxidant activities than pathogen. However, the highest activities of all tested enzymes were detected in cultivars treated both with SA and pathogen. Although in the earliest time of infection the antioxidant enzymes activities in susceptible cultivar were weaker than in the tolerant cultivar, the enzymes activity enhancement by SA in susceptible cultivar was observable, too. These results suggest SA as plant defense inducer could be an effective agent against M. graminicola in wheat.
Use of Mobile Pipeline with Self-regulated Water Outlets for Furrow Irrigation
Authors: Vysochkina L.I. , Danilov M.V. , Grudiyev G.V.
Published: May 2018

Surface irrigation is one of the most common irrigation methods, but it has its own significant drawbacks. A mobile pipeline for furrow irrigation from closed irrigation network was designed and its parameters were proved in order to improve furrow irrigation. The mobile pipeline consists of plastic pipes based on 10 pairs of spring skis connected in the middle by a flexible connection. It is known that water flow into the furrow decreases along the pipeline due to pressure losses along the length of the pipeline. It was proposed to use water outlets ensuring uniform supply of water to each furrow by the presence of the butterfly valve in housing of the water outlet in the mobile pipeline. In order to ensure sustainable valve position, an equation was derived and values of the area of the upper and bottom parts of the valve were obtained. According to the pipeline field test results, water distribution uniformity coefficient through the outlets was 0.98, at a flow rate of 1.0-3.0 l∙s-1 and hydraulic slopes along the pipeline of 0.001−0.005.
Inconvenient and Unnecessary? Regulations in the U.S. Taxi Industry
Authors: Johnson Colton , Snyder Thomas
Published: May 2018

A Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) is a common requirement for a new business owner in services such as utilities, communications, healthcare, and transportation. However, studies have called into question the effectiveness and purpose of these laws when applied in certain industries. This study chronicles the development of and justifications provided for the enactment of CPCN laws. It then empirically tests the effectiveness of these laws in the taxi industry. This paper finds no evidence that the CPCN laws in the taxi industry are meeting their objectives. Some evidence suggests that CPCN laws achieve the opposite of their intention.
Providing high-quality measurement data in analytical system of air pollution monitoring and their key importance for smart cities residents
Authors: Czechowski Piotr O. , Badyda Artur J. , Majewski Grzegorz , Oniszczuk-Jastrząbek Aneta , Kraszewski Andrzej K. , Rogula-Kozłowska Wioletta , Owczarek Tomasz
Published: May 2018

The article presents selected, main elements of an air pollution automatic monitoring system with analytical subsystems concept in smart cities based on examples from Poland, implemented system in Pomerania, the concept of new system in Warsaw city and pilot research in Nowy Sącz city. All systems are the result of teamwork, ranging from design, development of new methodology and software to implementation in real-time air pollutants smart cities monitoring systems. Focused on the most neuralgic elements: data quality subsystems, new ideas of smart mobility measurement stations and their ability to use in future research and models. Special attention was paid to stochastic models and statistic methodology proposed and used in data diagnostics as analytical system engineering.
Identification of vegetation parameters for compound channel discharge as inverse problem
Authors: Kiczko Adam , Kozioł Adam , Kubrak Janusz , Krukowski Marcin , Kubrak Elżbieta , Brandyk Andrzej
Published: May 2018

In recent years many sophisticated models for discharge capacity of compound channels with vegetation have been developed. Despite the mature state of knowledge in this field, in a practice the simplest methods prevail and most of hydraulic models are based on the Manning formula. One of the reasons is that more complex methods require detailed characteristics on vegetation. The present study demonstrates that this issue can be solved by treating all such necessary variables as parameters to be identified in a sense of an inverse problem, using techniques of optimization. With a flume experiment as a case study, four models of a uniform flow were identified: Pasche, Mertens as complex methods, divided channel method (DCM) with Manning and Darcy–Weisbach equations as techniques used in a practice. Results showed that parameters for all methods can be found on the basis of minimization of model residuals, with the restriction that because of the larger number of parameters in complex methods, more observations are required. Methods of Pasche and Mertens with identified parameters provided a much better explanation of water depths than the Manning or Darcy–Weisbach based on the DCM. It is surprising that significant discrepancies between identified parameters and their real measured values were recorded. Even more, an almost perfect fit was obtained for different parameter sets.
Restoration of Cnidion dubii meadows on Warsaw cross-section of the Middle Vistula Valley
Authors: Pawluśkiewicz Bogumiła , Janicka Maria , Piekut Kazimierz
Published: May 2018

The studies were carried out as the part of flooded meadows’ restoration on the Warsaw cross-section of Natura 2000 site Middle Vistula Valley. They concerned determination the possibility of restoration and improvement of species composition plant communities of meadows in river valleys by limitation growth of the invasive alien species and introducing diasporas of plant species from natural meadows. Seeding material for restoration was taken from well preserved natural Cnidion dubii meadows lying in Lower Pilica Valley in the neighborhood of Warsaw. Seeding material contained 26 native species including representative species for Cnidion dubii meadows: Cnidium dubium, Allium angulosum, Sanguisorba officinalis and Galium boreale. Three levels of seedbed preparation intensity were checked: low cutting of old vegetation; ploughing on depth about 20 cm and rototilling, removing of sward and upper soil layer thick 30 cm. Two ways of seeding material placement were also tested: sowing + rolling + mulching (covering with straw); sowing + rolling (without mulching). The applied methods of seedbed preparation and used seeding material allowed introducing of 17 plant species. Removing of topsoil was the most effective in limitation of invasive alien species occurrence and favored emergence and initial growth of Sanguisorba officinalis, Allium angulosum and Galium boreale. Ploughing and rototilling of topsoil layer effectively limited of Acer negundo occurrence and favored the growth of Cnidium dubium.
The analysis of agritourism accommodation indicators for areas located in the vicinity of national parks
Authors: Podawca Konrad , Pawłat-Zawrzykraj Agata
Published: May 2018

Increasing tourism development makes it an important factor in generating economic growth and employment in the European Union. Due to high environmental attractiveness of many regions, this sector of economy plays an important role in Poland as well. The essential principle of functioning of tourism is to provide adequate accommodation. It seems that less intensive and less aggressive accommodation, based on existing housing stock, would be most appropriate in areas with high natural values. The article presents research on agritourist accommodation in 23 areas located in the vicinity of national parks. Obtained results allowed to assess an extent to which agritourism is a popular form of additional activity for inhabitants of such areas, which is also a form of activation of local communities. The analysis was done using a multivariate method. Indicators of intensity of agritourist accommodation and agritourist accommodation places, as well as their surface density were calculated. Obtained results enabled the authors to divide the analysed areas into 4 types in terms of intensity of agritourist accommodation related to other sorts of accommodation and the density of agritourist accommodation. It is generally stated that the agritourist accommodation neither prevail nor develop on a level comparable to other forms of accommodation on the analyzed areas. In this respect, it can prove that location of the area in the vicinity of a national park is not a sufficient guarantee of intensive agritourism development.
The real and expected privileges of the Security Service collaborators recruited from academic milieu in the 1980s
Authors: Franaszek Piotr
Published: May 2018

Despite the elaborated techniques of electronic surveillance, personal sources of information still remain the best possible method of infiltrating a criminal milieu. Such methods gain special importance in totalitarian states. Collaborating with the Security Service almost always had some notable benefits. For some of the TWs, collaborating was an additional, sometimes quite substantial, source of income. One of repeating motives for collaboration was a will to improve one’s professional position or to easily obtain a permission to go abroad. There were also persons, who were impressed with having contacts with the Security Service functionaries. Almost all collaborators were using different forms of help from the part of the Security Service. Most of them would obtain real financial and material profits. The spectrum of favours offered to those helping the repressive state apparatus was very extensive.
Benefits package agreement – a special privilege for employees
Authors: Kamosiński Sławomir
Published: May 2018

The article aims at analyzing a particular occupational privilege of employees, commonly referred to as a benefits package. This social privilege is considered a real social and legal phenomenon by a large number of academics. This is because no legal regulations on the privatization and commercialization of Polish companies actually imposed it. The origin of this specific privilege lies in the pragmatic attitude of employees to the process of privatization of companies and selling their stocks to strategic investors. This type of agreements was supposed to protect staff from radical restructuring which the investor could implement upon buying the company. Owing to this privilege, employees were able to establish their own space of social security in the factory. The article presents examples of such documents, discusses their content and possible sanctions for the new owner of the factory (the signatory of the document) if the provisions of the document are not complied with.
Diffuse Cutaneous Mastocytosis in a Child - a Case Report
Authors: Popadić Svetlana , Gajić-Veljić Mirjana , Marenović Biljana , Nikolić Miloš
Published: May 2018

Mastocytosis refers to a group of diseases characterized by a clonal proliferation and accumulation of mast cells in one or more tissues/organs with different clinical presentations. In children, limited cutaneous forms of mastocytosis are rather frequent, while systemic mastocytosis is rare. The diagnosis of cutaneous mastocytosis is based on clinical findings and histopathology. We present a patient who developed skin lesions at the age of 18 months. Clinical findings, confirmed by histopathology, were consistent with diffuse cutaneous mastocytosis. The follow-up period was 7 years. The treatment included oral antihistamines in combination with mast cell stabilizers, mild topical steroids and avoidance of friction. During the follow-up period, there were no signs of systemic involvement, and the quality of life was preserved, despite the large surface of affected skin. This case report should increase the awareness and knowledge of clinicians about this rare form of cutaneous mastocytosis in the pediatric population.
Test Anxiety in Pre-Exam Period and Success of Nursing Students
Authors: Stojanovic Goran , Vasiljevic-Blagojevic Milica , Stankovic Bratislav , Terzic Negra , Terzic-Markovic Dragana , Stojanovic Dusan
Published: May 2018

The aim of this study was to examine the presence of preexam anxiety in nursing students and establish relationship of pre-exam anxiety intensity in relation to the category variables (gender, age, place of birth, current place of residence, with whom they live, whether they are employed, the average family income, year of study), objective success (i.e., pass rate at exams, the average score at the end of year, possible renewal of the year of study) and the subjective perception of academic success (i.e., self-satisfaction as a student as well as the importance of ratings obtained at the exam). The sample was random and consisted of the students of High Medical College of Professional Studies in Belgrade at the Department of vocational nurse. 209 students were tested, evenly distributed on the second and third year of study. Pre-examination anxiety among students was examined using a questionnaire The Test Anxiety Inventory – TAI (Test Anxiety Inventory), which includes subscales: Test Anxiety Inventory-Total (TAI-T), Test Anxiety Inventory-Worry (TAI-W) and Test Anxiety Inventory-Emotionality (TAI-E). From the obtained results we can conclude that nursing students showed a statistically significant pre-exam anxiety on all subscales. Preexam anxiety symptoms compared to candidates’ sex showed statistically significant differences in all scores, and average values are always higher in female students compared to male. There is also a statistically significant difference between students of the second year in relation to the third year students. It can be concluded that there is a significant number of nursing students with the pre-exam anxiety problems that need professional help and support in the form of expanding and strengthening personal competencies.
The Europeanisation of Slovak Political Parties
Authors: Leška Dušan
Published: May 2018

The aim of the study is to analyse the Europeanisation of Slovak political parties in the various stages of the transition and transformation of the political system of Slovakia before and after the entry into the European Union. Methodologically, the paper is based on the concept of Ladrech, who divided five areas of research to suit the study of the impact of the Europeanisation on political parties and their politics. Visible can be changes in political programmes, organisational changes, a formula of party competition, relations between parties and government, relations beyond the national party system (a new look at transnational cooperation between political parties). Our research proved that the Europeanisation has been visible at all stages of development, with varying degrees of intensity and in various forms since the signing of the association agreement with the European Union. Its effect was important already in the stage of the society transition when it helped the return of Slovakia on the path of democratic development. In the two stages of development, Europeanisation created an individual line of cleavage of political parties, affected the rivalry of political parties, and thus a party system model. Unambiguously, it was reflected in political programmes of all parties, and an important role was played by the incorporation of political parties in the European political parties, by their cooperation and coordination of their policies. The election in the European Parliament was an important turning point in completion of programme orientations of political parties.
Voting behavior and municipal elections 2014 in Slovakia
Authors: Horváth Peter , Šebík Karol
Published: May 2018

This paper attempts to clarify the patterns of voting behavior among citizens and determinants that could explain voting behavior. In its theoretical part, it deals with the role of party affiliation across several theories of voting behavior - sociological, economic and social-psychological approaches. In section dedicated to interpretation of municipal elections 2014 in regional cities, we evaluate the party identification as the most important factor in voter decision process. We argue, that regional cities are affected by party politics more than smaller cities. Face-to-face contacts with candidates are less frequented and party support plays more and more significant role.
Slovenia from the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy until nowadays: A brief historical overview
Authors: Prijon Egon , Prijon Lea
Published: May 2018

The paper analyses the current Slovenian political and economic situation through interpretations of old socialist regime’s modernisation. Right after the Yugoslavian disintegration, namely in the beginning of transition, the Slovenian starting position was the best, compared to other Yugoslavian countries and among other transitional countries. Between 1990/1991 and 2008 Slovenia seemed to be a politically more or less stable and economically well performing country. But after 2008 a negative trend hit the whole society, causing political instabilities and economic stagnation, reflected in negative macroeconomic indicators (i.e. GDP, GDP p.c. FDIs, unemployment, government debt, etc.). Could such a situation be explained on the basis of a long lasting socialist regime? If these suppositions are to be confirming, why do other transitional countries, which were subjected to a tougher communist regime, seem to be performing better nowadays?
Foreign Policy: Public Opinion and Political Legacy
Authors: Walter Aaron T.
Published: May 2018

To the degree that public opinion, as domestic variable, influences a leaders decision-making in the area of foreign affairs is significant. Political leaders use public opinion polling to support government position or in attempts to mold policy position(s) in the affirmative. The following article investigates how public opinion affects U.S. presidential foreign policy decisions and to the degree those decisions are the base for political legacy. The theoretical argument is that domestic variables and leaders decisions often act in mutual support of each others in complementary interests and when not the case, it is the leader whose agenda setting or creating a frame impacts public opinion.
Geopolitics of the High North and its consequences
Authors: Czarny Ryszard M.
Published: May 2018

The increased interest in the Arctic by global players is generated by new economic opportunities related to commercial maritime transport, development of oil and gas deposits, mining, fisheries, and tourism. The natural results are closer economic and geopolitical relations between the Arctic and the rest of the world. Many observers perceive this development as a source of growing conflict because of competition related to control over the natural resources of the region. It seems also quite clear that the Arctic cannot follow its own original way of development which would be independent from the global power system.
Political Representation of Ethnic Minorities at Local Level: Factors, Context and Empirical Examples
Authors: Vimmr Martin Kryšpín
Published: May 2018

This qualitative comparative study examines all sorts of the factors which have influence on the political representation of ethnic minorities at a local level. Two dependent variables are analyzed on the four empirical cases: the level of proportionality of political representation and nature of political representation of ethnic minorities. Influence of three different independent variables is discussed further on. These variables are an electoral system, special measures for minority representation and electoral rights as all these variables could possibly have an effect on the level of political representation of ethnic minorities. The selected cases are the cities of Leicester, United Kingdom, the Finnish city of Espoo, Cluj-Napoca in Romania and Frankfurt am Main in Germany. All these cases have a substantial amount of citizens of different ethnic groups.
Defining the Role of Women in the Future of Political Leadership in the Middle East
Authors: Basiri Nasim
Published: May 2018

Throughout the years and more recently, dictatorial governments have often posed challenges to women in the Middle East, such as in Saudi Arabia, where woman are still not allowed to drive. Although governments have exercised their power to restrict women from doing certain activities and leadership. If we take a look back at the revolutionary Arab Spring, women were a driving force in expressing their voice through the protests and creating an unprecedented impact to shift the status quo in the Middle East. In the early phase of the Arab Spring, women played a pivotal role in supporting the protests against tyranny and ensuring they played an active part in the protests. Women in the Middle East have often been subject to discrimination regardless whether or not they are oppressed.

This paper evaluates the efforts of women and the current events that are developing a new face for Middle Eastern women and their role in the future of political leadership in the twenty-first century.

The paper also indicates that women within the Middle East have full potential to become a serious and powerful force within their society if they will fully attach on to the idea of becoming serious actors. More importantly, once they do this and they impact their role within the family, they will then gradually impact social change within their country. What is important within this process is the idea that they continue on the path of fighting for their liberation and change, because all of these spears are interconnected for women to become fully liberated within a society they have to be able to be fully liberated within all of these spears. Finally, this paper discusses obstacles to women in Middle East politics and possible recommendations that will improve the overall levels of women’s political leadership in the Middle East.
Theological Metaphors in Mathematics
Authors: Krajewski Stanisław
Published: May 2018

Examples of possible theological influences upon the development of mathematics are indicated. The best known connection can be found in the realm of infinite sets treated by us as known or graspable, which constitutes a divine-like approach. Also the move to treat infinite processes as if they were one finished object that can be identified with its limits is routine in mathematicians, but refers to seemingly super-human power. For centuries this was seen as wrong and even today some philosophers, for example Brian Rotman, talk critically about “theological mathematics”. Theological metaphors, like “God’s view”, are used even by contemporary mathematicians. While rarely appearing in official texts they are rather easily invoked in “the kitchen of mathematics”. There exist theories developing without the assumption of actual infinity the tools of classical mathematics needed for applications (For instance, Mycielski’s approach). Conclusion: mathematics could have developed in another way. Finally, several specific examples of historical situations are mentioned where, according to some authors, direct theological input into mathematics appeared: the possibility of the ritual genesis of arithmetic and geometry, the importance of the Indian religious background for the emergence of zero, the genesis of the theories of Cantor and Brouwer, the role of Name-worshipping for the research of the Moscow school of topology. Neither these examples nor the previous illustrations of theological metaphors provide a certain proof that religion or theology was directly influencing the development of mathematical ideas. They do suggest, however, common points and connections that merit further exploration.
Physarum Polycephalum Syllogistic L-Systems and Judaic Roots of Unconventional Computing
Authors: Schumann Andrew
Published: May 2018

We show that in Kabbalah, the esoteric teaching of Judaism, there were developed ideas of unconventional automata in which operations over characters of the Hebrew alphabet can simulate all real processes producing appropriate strings in accordance with some algorithms. These ideas may be used now in a syllogistic extension of Lindenmayer systems (L-systems), where we deal also with strings in the Kabbalistic-Leibnizean meaning. This extension is illustrated by the behavior of Physarum polycephalum plasmodia which can implement, first, the Aristotelian syllogistic and, second, a Talmudic syllogistic by qal wa-homer.
Climatic Influences on Appearance and Development of Neolithic Cultures in Southern Outskirts of Carpathian Basin
Authors: Botić Katarina
Published: May 2018

Southern outskirts of Carpathian basin, namely the region between Sava, Drava and Danube rivers, have specific climate conditions today partially influenced by geological structure and geographical position. In this region Neolithic Starčevo and Sopot cultures are observed. Radiocarbon dates for Neolithic cultures are used to build a time frame which is compared with climate proxies, especially with Holocene rapid climate events (8.2, 5.9 and 4.2 ka), to draw a conclusion on when and how these cultures developed in southern regions of Carpathian basin. Lacking firm geoarchaeological data the results are not conclusive but can provide some insight on how the climate may have directly and indirectly influenced development of Neolithic and beginning of Eneolithic period in the region.
Lithological discontinuity in Glossic Planosols (Albeluvisols) of Lower Silesia (SW Poland)
Authors: Musztyfaga Elżbieta , Kabała Cezary
Published: May 2018

The paper focuses on Glossic Planosols (formerly Albeluvisols) with sandy topsoil widely represented in the northeastern part of Lower Silesia (SW Poland), in the range of tills from the Odra and Warta glaciations (Riss glaciation). The aim of the study was to characterize the texture of these soils in the context of the origin of parent materials and present-day pedogenic processes. Both the sedimentological and granulometric indexes, unbalances clay (and silt) fraction, and ventifact pavement at the contact of underlying loam and topsoil sandy layer confirm, that the textural differentiation of the topsoil and subsoil horizons has not resulted from the pedogenic processes, but primarily from the lithological discontinuity of glacial and post-glacial parent materials. Particle-size distribution and granulometric indexes of albeluvic tongues in the glossic horizon also confirm that the tongues has not been formed by eluviation of the fine fractions from the loamy material, but primarily by filling the initial thin crack with the sandy material. The coarser-textured tongues foster a deep infiltration and stagnation of water, and the development of reductic conditions allows further widening and deepening of the albeluvic tongues.
Pesticide residues in soils along railway lines
Authors: Winiarek Przemysław , Kruk Aneta
Published: May 2018

The aim of the study was to examine the content of pesticide residue in soil adherent to the railway track down to the depth of 2 m below ground. The two lines selected for the examination differed in properties determining pesticide content. To assess the scale of influence of the chemical treatment applied, the selected lines were outside intensive farming areas. The examination consisted of testing the content of 2.4-D, MCPA, carbofuran and atrazine using liquid chromatography, and the content of phenol, cresols, DDT/DDE/DDD, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin and HCH using gas chromatography. The content of 2.4-D, MCPA and phenol was below 0.01 mg·kg−1, cresols – below 0.03 mg·kg−1, DDT/DDE/DDD – below 0.024 mg·kg−1, aldrin and dieldrin – below 0.004 mg·kg−1, endrin – below 0.005 mg·kg−1, carbofuran and atrazine – below 0.02 mg·kg−1, ΣHCH – below 0.017 mg·kg−1. The content of pesticide residue in soils along the examined railway lines is lower than that found in arable soils in Poland. No differences in the content of pesticide residue were found between the soils underneath the modernised railway line and the one which had been in use without major alterations to the upper layers for many years. The study found no evidence of any influence of chemical plant removal from railway lines on adjacent lands.
Trophic conditions of forest soils of the Pieniny National Park, southern Poland
Authors: Wanic Tomasz , Bodziarczyk Jan , Gąsiorek Michał , Hawryło Paweł , Józefowska Agnieszka , Kajdas Bartłomiej , Mazurek Ryszard , Szostak Marta , Usień Michał , Wężyk Piotr , ZadrożNy Paweł , Zięba-Kulawik Karolina , Zaleski Tomasz
Published: May 2018

The primary objective of this study was to characterise the edaphic conditions of forest areas in the Pieniny National Park (PNP), and to describe the dependencies between properties of forest soils and types of forest plant communities. The “Soil Trophic Index” (SIGg) for mountainous areas was applied. The evaluation of the trophism for 74 forest monitoring employed the soil trophic index for mountainous areas SIGg or SIGgo. Plant communities in the forest monitoring areas were classified according to the Braun-Blanquet’s phytosociological method. Soils of PNP present in the forest monitoring areas were mostly classified as eutrophic brown soils (72.9%), rendzinas (10.8%), brown rendzinas (5.41%), and rubble initial soils (5.41%). Pararendzinas, dystrophic brown soils, and gley soils were less common (total below 5.5%). In the forest monitoring areas of PNP, eutrophic soils predominate over mesotrophic soils. High SIGg index of the soils is caused by high values of acidity and nitrogen content. The Carpathian beech forest Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum and thermophilic beech forest Carici albae-Fagetum associations are characterised by high naturalness and compatibility of theoretical habitats. The soils of the Carpathian fir forest Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum abietetosum subcommunity is characterised by a higher share of silt and clay particles and lower acidity as compared to the Carpathian beech forest Dentario glandulosae-Fagetum typicum subcommunity. The soils of the forest monitoring areas in PNP stand out in terms of their fertility against forest soils in other mountainous areas in Poland.
Ethos in Sports: An Aristotelian Examination Focused on Source Credibility and the Modern Day Athlete
Authors: Dix Andrew
Published: May 2018

The current study analyzed source credibility in a sports related context. A review of previous literature was undertaken in order to highlight the central findings focused on the dimensions of competence, goodwill, and trustworthiness. Quantitative methods were then utilized as a means to empirically test whether unconfirmed reports of performance-enhancing drug use could negatively impact perceptions of athlete ethos. Findings revealed that athletes who were inconclusively linked to performance-enhancers were evaluated less favorably in terms of their overall competence, goodwill, and trustworthiness. The implications from this study indicate that clean athletes who are wrongfully accused should proactively communicate their innocence to the general public. Athletes who are not clean should employ various face and image restoration strategies in order to effectively manage their public credibility. Study limitations and directions for future research were appropriately addressed within the present scholarship.
The Relationship between Unilateral Dynamic Stability and Multidirectional Jump Performance in Team Sport Athletes
Authors: Lockie Robert G. , Jalilvand Farzad , Jordan Corrin A. , Callaghan Samuel J. , Jeffriess Matthew D. , Luczo Tawni M. , Schultz Adrian B.
Published: May 2018

This study investigated relationships between dynamic stability and multidirectional jumping. A modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT), incorporating unilateral lower-body reaching in posteromedial, medial, and anteromedial directions, assessed dynamic stability. Unilateral vertical (VJ), standing broad (SBJ) and lateral jumps (LJ) assessed leg power. VJ power and relative SBJ and LJ distances were calculated. Thirty-two team sport athletes completed the mSEBT when each leg was used for stance, and left- and right-leg VJ, SBJ, and LJ. Correlations were drawn between data recorded from each leg when used for mSEBT stance and for each jump. Participants were dichotomized into better and lesser dynamic stability groups according to the sum of excursions for each leg. A one-way ANOVA determined mSEBT and jump differences (p< 0.05). The left-leg posteromedial and medial excursions correlated with VJ power; the medial excursion correlated with the LJ. The right-leg posteromedial excursion correlated with the SBJ; the anteromedial excursion correlated with the SBJ, and relative SBJ and LJ (r = 0.35-0.45). There were no differences in unilateral jumping between the better and lesser groups. Although there is some relationship with dynamic stability, this study further highlighted the complex interaction between the physical and technical characteristics of multidirectional jumping.
“Next Unto the Gods My Life Shall Be Spent in Contemplation of Him”: Margaret Cavendish’s Dramatised Widowhood in Bell in Campo (I&II)
Authors: Bronk Katarzyna
Published: May 2018

Margaret Cavendish (1623–1673) is nowadays remembered as one of the most outspoken female writers and playwrights of the mid-seventeenth-century; one who openly promoted women’s right to education and public displays of creativity. Thus she paved the way for other female artists, such as her near contemporary, Aphra Behn. Although in her times seen as a harmless curiosity rather than a paragon to emulate, Cavendish managed to publish her plays along with more philosophical texts. Thanks to the re-discovery of female artists by feminist revisionism, her drama is now treated as a valuable source of knowledge on the values and norms of her class, gender, and, more generally, English society in the seventeenth century.

Cavendish’s two-partite play Bell in Campo (1662) is a fantasy on the world where women can fight united not only against misogyny but also against an actual enemy. While the two plays seem to be focused on the valiant Lady Victoria and her female “Noble Heroicks”, Bell in Campo likewise offers an odd subplot featuring two widows and their lives without their beloved husbands. In the secular discourse of the seventeenth century, widowhood has been seen as either liberating – as when the woman became the sole owner of her husband’s estate and goods, or regained her own, and thus more independent – or degrading – when she became the not-so-welcomed burden on her children’s shoulders and pockets. Other studies on widowhood likewise state its symbolic function, showing women as the bearers of memory, predominantly of the husband and his virtues, and often attending to the spouse’s site of memory. While discussing the cultural history of properly performed widowhood, seen as the final (st)age of a woman’s life, and taking into account Cavendish’s remarkable biography, the present paper offers a close study of her propositions for appropriate widowhood and its positioning in contrast to other states of womankind as presented in Bell in Campo.1 It will likewise take into account the more or less sublimated evidence for gerontophobia, particularly in relation to women, as shown in Cavendish’s play and seventeenth-century culture.
Pressure Interaction of Mixing Particulate Material Along the Blade Length
Authors: Peciar Peter , Peciar Marián , Fekete Roman , Úradníček Juraj
Published: May 2018

To assess the energy intensity of particulate materials mixing, it is necessary to know the state of stress in the particulate material in front of mixing elements. The theoretical background of this process results from the theory of the equilibrium limit of the particulate material, and this state may by described by Mohr’s circle theory and the Novosad model. Based on the above assumptions, it is possible to derive the pressure distribution along the blade height, but only for an infinitely long blade. A measuring system implemented on the homogenizer blade was constructed to examine the effects of the distribution of the mixed material on the mixing element along its length.
Behavioral consequences of customers’ satisfaction with banking products and services
Authors: Isac Florin-Lucian , Milovan-Ciuta Anca-Maria , Dobre Andrei
Published: May 2018

The premise that consumer satisfaction determines behavioral models that positively influence business results, is accepted both in the academic and business environment. This research addresses the consequences of satisfaction from the customer’s perspective, focusing on behaviors that customers of banks adopt as a result of satisfaction/dissatisfaction experienced from the performed transactions. Based on literature review, we have developed our own research model and tested the hypotheses formulated regarding the relationships formed between customer satisfaction and behavioral responses to customer satisfaction. For this purpose, we conducted a survey in which the investigated statistical population consists of customers who have completed at least one transaction with suppliers of banking products and services in the last six months. The sample gathered 511 persons using the snowball method, and respondents filled in questionnaires through online self-administration. We tested the research hypotheses using SPSS. Data analysis involved testing the reliability of the used measurement scales, score factors determination, testing the validity of constructs included in the research model, research hypotheses testing. In this article, in analyzing the relationship between customer satisfaction with banking products and services and its behavioral consequences, we take into consideration trust and supplier switching costs as moderator variables.
Applications of uniform distribution theory to the Riemann zeta-function
Authors: Özbek Selin Selen , Steuding Jörn
Published: May 2018

We give two applications of uniform distribution theory to the Riemann zeta-function. We show that the values of the argument of

are uniformly distributed modulo

, where P(n) denotes the values of a polynomial with real coefficients evaluated at the positive integers. Moreover, we study the distribution of arg

modulo π, where γn is the nth ordinate of a zeta zero in the upper half-plane (in ascending order).
New solvability conditions for congruence ax≡b (mod n)
Authors: Porubský Štefan
Published: May 2018

K. Bibak et al. [arXiv:1503.01806v1 [math.NT],March 5 2015] proved that congruence ax ≡ b (mod n) has a solution x0 with t = gcd(x0, n) if and only if gcd

thereby generalizing the result for t = 1 proved by B. Alomair et al. [J. Math. Cryptol. 4 (2010), 121-148] and O. Grošek et al. [ibid. 7 (2013), 217-224]. We show that this generalized result for arbitrary t follows from that for t = 1 proved in the later papers. Then we shall analyze this result from the point of view of a weaker condition that gcd

. We prove that given integers a, b, n ≥ 1 and t ≥ 1, congruence ax ≡ b (mod n) has a solution x0 with t dividing gcd(x0, n) if and only if gcd

divides gcd

.
Closure theories of powerset theories
Authors: Močkǒ Jiří
Published: May 2018

A notion of a closure theory of a powerset theory in a ground category is introduced as a generalization of a topology theory of a powerset theory. Using examples of powerset theories in the category Set of sets and in the category of sets with similarity relations, it is proved that these theories can be used as ground theories for closure theories of powerset theories in these two categories. Moreover, it is proved that all these closure theories of powerset theories are topological constructs. A notion of a closure operator which preserves a canonical form of fuzzy objects in these categories is introduced, and it is proved that a closure theory of a powerset theory in the ground category Set is a coreflective subcategory of the closure theory of (Zadeh’s) powerset theory, which preserves canonical forms of fuzzy sets.
Distribution functions of ratio sequences. An expository paper
Authors: Strauch Oto
Published: May 2018

This expository paper presents known results on distribution functions g(x) of the sequence of blocks

where xn is an increasing sequence of positive integers. Also presents results of the set G(Xn) of all distribution functions g(x). Specially:

- continuity of g(x);

- connectivity of G(Xn);

- singleton of G(Xn);

- one-step g(x);

- uniform distribution of Xn, n = 1, 2, . . . ;

- lower and upper bounds of g(x);

- applications to bounds of

;

- many examples, e.g.,

, where pn is the nth prime, is uniformly distributed.

The present results have been published by 25 papers of several authors between 2001-2013.
Using SAT solvers in large scale distributed algebraic attacks against low entropy keys
Authors: Hromada Viliam , Öllős Ladislav , Zajac Pavol
Published: May 2018

In this paper we study large scale distributed algebraic attacks with SAT solvers in a specific scenarios. We are interested in the complexity of finding low entropy keys with the help of SAT solvers. Moreover, we examine how to efficiently distribute this process on multiple computing nodes. Finally, we show that the average cost of the attack per key decreases, if the attacker has access to many different encryptions with different keys.
Hypothesis testing and advanced distinguishers in differential cryptanalysis of block ciphers
Authors: Mourouzis Theodosis , Courtois Nicolas
Published: May 2018

Distinguishing distributions is a major part during cryptanalysis of symmetric block ciphers. The goal of the cryptanalyst is to distinguish two distributions; one that characterizes the number of certain events which occur totally at random and another one that characterizes same type of events but due to propagation inside the cipher. This can be realized as a hypothesis testing problem, where a source is used to generate independent random samples in some given finite set with some distribution P, which is either R or W, corresponding to propagation inside the cipher or a random permutation respectively. Distinguisher’s goal is to determine which one is most likely the one which was used to generate the sample. In this paper, we study a general hypothesis-testing based approach to construct statistical distinguishers using truncated differential properties. The observable variable in our case is the expected number of pairs that follow a certain truncated differential property of the form ΔX → ΔY after a certain number of rounds. As a proof of concept, we apply this methodology to GOST and SIMON64/128 block ciphers and present distinguishers on 20 and 22 rounds respectively.
Assessment of exercise intensity during amateur running competitions in the Sudety mountains
Authors: Sarzała Tomasz , Szczepanowska Ewa
Published: May 2018

The aim of the study is to determine the intensity of exercise during amateur running competitions taking place in the Sudeten Mountains, based on results of measurements of energy expenditure. The study covered those participating in 2015-17 and included details on themselves and their preparation. Their energy consumption was measured using a CALTRACTM device. Routes are described by distance (km) and altitude (m). Average energy output values for 19.2 km and 613.8 m were calculated from measurements taken which was characterized as ‘unduly heavy’. In women this value was 11.6 kcal/1 min/55 kg and in men - 12.7 kcal/1 min/65 kg.
The evolution of programs and teaching methods for tourism and leisure ecnonomics: The University of Physical Education in Krakow
Authors: Szczechowicz Bartosz , Stelmach Paweł
Published: May 2018

The aim of the article is to answer the question: what can non-economic universities do to improve their curricula for economic modules and methods of implementation? Literature review, participant observation and descriptive statistics were used based on an original set of 430 projects from the ‘Marketing of tourism and leisure services’ course for the academic years 2014/15, 2015/16 and 2016/17. Adopting a student orientation as a long-term partner in the information exchange process, in line with the concept of relationship marketing, contributes to the intensification of the didactic process aimed at broadening knowledge of economic reality.
Seismic Response of Liquid Storage Ground Supported Tanks for Different Slenderness Ratio
Authors: Kotrasová Kamila
Published: May 2018

Ground-supported cylindrical tanks are used to store a variety of liquids. This paper provides the theoretical background for takes into account impulsive and convective (sloshing) actions of the fluid in concrete containers fixed to rigid foundations; it has been adopted in Eurocode 8. Seismic responses - base shears, the bending and overturning moments - are calculated by using the response spectra of the earthquake in Loma Prieta, California (18.10.1989). As the examples is analyzed the ground supported cylindrical concrete tanks, fluid filling is H = 2 m and R are depended from tank slenderness ratio γ = H/R. For considered tank slenderness ratios γ = 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 2, 3 R are given 6.667 m, 4 m, 2.857 m, 2 m, 1 m and 0.667 m.
Influence of High Water Contents on Pavement Layers Stiffness Caused by Flooding
Authors: Rokitowski Przemysław , Grygierek Marcin
Published: May 2018

Moisture inside the construction of road pavements is the problem for road engineers all around the world. This issue is mentioned in many European or the US papers and studies, but still it needs to be developed. From the road engineers’ point of view, very important for solving above problems are the studies on the influence of water and moisture inside the construction of road pavement during deflection measurements using Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD). The paper raises this issue by showing a short review of Polish and foreign literature and presenting the first step of research work at the test site on Voivodeship Road 933 in Poland.