bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolving Trends in Physiotherapy Research Publications between 1995 and 2015
Authors: Jesus Tiago S. , Gianola Silvia , Castellini Greta , Colquhoun Heather , Brooks Dina
Published: August 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study was to comparatively analyze evolving trends in physiotherapy (PT) research publications (excluding case reports and epidemiological and qualitative studies) between 1995 and 2015, inclusively in terms of research design, funding support, age groups, and health conditions. Method: This was an observational study using PubMed-indexed data. Combinations of medical subject headings identified yearly research publications for PT and comparator fields: human-based health and physical rehabilitation. Yearly publications data were extracted, relative percentages were computed, and linear or exponential regressions examined the yearly growth in the proportion of research publications over these 2 decades. Results: As a percentage of human-based health research publications, PT research publications grew exponentially: from 0.54% in 1995 to 2.37% in 2015 ( r² = 0.97; p < 0.01). As a percentage of physical rehabilitation research publications, PT research grew from 38.2% in 1995 to 58.7% in 2015 ( r² = 0.89; p < 0.01). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) resulted in the majority of PT research publications (from 45.1% in 1995 to 59.4% in 2015; r² = 0.79; p < 0.01). Rates of declared funding increased (from 29.7% in 1995 to 57% in 2015; r² = 0.83; p < 0.01), but the comparator fields had similar growth. The percentage of PT research publications remained stable for most health conditions and age groups, decreased for those aged 0–18 years ( p = 0.012) and for cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions (both p < 0.01), and increased for neoplasms ( p < 0.01). Conclusions: PT research publications have become more prevalent among health and physical rehabilitation research publications; the majority of publications report on RCTs.
A new species of bristletails of the genus Trigoniophthalmus Verh. (Archaeognatha, Machilidae) from the North Ossetia-Alania
Authors: Kaplin V.G. , Alborova P.V.
Published: August 2019

A new bristletail species, Trigoniophthalmus fiagdoni sp. nov., is described from the North Ossetia-Alania. Its distinctive characters are discussed.
Studying the harmlessness of triolact in experiment on white rats
Authors: Shabunin S. V. , Vostroilova G. A. , Parshin P. A. , Korchagina A. A. , Grigorieva N. A. , Khokhlova N. A.
Published: August 2019

The aim of the research was to study the effect of the complex antimicrobial drug Triolact on blood morphological and biochemical parameters of white rats in a subacute experiment. It was established in the course of the experiment that the dose of 500.0 mg/kg is the threshold dose, and 100.0 mg/kg is the maximum no-effect dose. Triolact does not have a negative effect on the clinical status, morphological and biochemical parameters of animal blood  in case of repeated intragastric administration for 14 days in doses of 100.0 mg/kg and 250.0 mg/kg both during the application of the drug and in the recovery period. The changes caused by the dose of 500.0 mg/kg are reversible (increase of α-globulin level by 6.9%, creatinine - by 22.9% and urea - by 15.1%), as these indicators in experienced animals returned to normal within the 10 days recovery period. It can be concluded that the  determination of the toxic dose in the format of the present experiment was failed, taking into account the morphometric analysis, macro- and microscopic examination of organs, and studying the morphological picture of blood and biochemical parameters.
Difficulties in diagnosing heart base tumor in dogs (case study)
Authors: Илларионова Владислава , Illarionova Vladislava
Published: August 2019

Tumors of the heart are a rare and, until recently, poorly studied pathology in humans and animals. Currently, the frequency of intravital detection of heart tumors and their successful treatment is increasing due to the use of high-tech diagnostic methods, such as echocardiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, myocardial biopsy with histological and immunohistochemical examination of the tumor. However, in some cases, even the use of a wide range of diagnostic capabilities of intravital diagnostics does not provide sufficient data and confirmation of the diagnosis is possible only by the results of postmortem autopsy. The clinical manifestations of tumor growth in the heart are variable and depend on the type of tumor and its location. The most common primary neoplasm of the heart is hemangiosarcoma, the second most frequent tumor is the base of the heart tumor - nonchromophinous paraganglioma (chemodectoma). Our clinical case indicates possible difficulties in the diagnosing of heart base tumors, even with the use of a wide range of high-tech diagnostic methods.
Anthropological Aspects of Modern Protestant Preaching (Consequences of Content Analysis)
Authors: Zhalovaga A.S.
Published: August 2019

In the context of changing paradigms of human thinking, secularization of social consciousness, scientific and technological and information revolution, social and environmental cataclysms, Christian preaching seeks to answer the "challenge of time", seeking and offering man such spiritual foundations of life that will help him to "find himself" in the changing in the modern world.
Union Initiatives in the Life of Orthodox Church in the Rzeczpospolita at start of Counter-Reformation, Their Motivational Subtext and Public Perception
Authors: Shevchenko Vitaliy Volodymyrovych
Published: August 2019

The Council of Trent of 1545-1563, which, incidentally, was not only long lasting but also difficult to convene, reflected a completely unstable general Christian situation during a period of rapid reformation. It is known that its foundations amounted to 95 Luther abstracts, and the subsequent course of events necessitated the immediate convening of the Ecumenical Council. Pope Clement VII (1523-1534) made real attempts to do so, but did not reach the goal as a result of the war. Bulla of June 12, 1536, his successor Pope Paul III also ordered the convening of the Ecumenical Forum of Christians in May 1537, but, as in the first case, there was a war again in the event of its holding. For the same reason, the cathedral did not gather in November 1542. Only in March 1545 the cathedral was convened, and in December of the same year - officially opened in Trident.
Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky's Struggle for ZUNR Approval (1918-1923)
Authors: Bilas Ya.
Published: August 2019

Autumn 1918 p. the breakup of the war-weakened Austro-Hungarian Empire was evident. Taking into account the existing claims of the Poles on the territory of Galicia, the first task of the Ukrainian parliamentary representation was to prepare for the re-election of the authorities in the region. On his initiative October 18-19, 1918 p. a constituent was held in Lviv - "a representative assembly (about 500 people) of Ukrainian ambassadors to the parliament and regional councils of Galicia and Bukovina, bishops, delegates of Ukrainian parties ...".
The cult of St. Barbara in Kiev
Authors: Vorobyova I.
Published: August 2019

Kyiv - “Jerusalem of the land of Rus” with its shrines, miraculous icons, churches, monasteries has always attracted thousands of pilgrims. For a long time, one of the most popular saints of Kiev was the martyr Barbarian.
Editorial Report
Authors: Of the Journal Editorial board
Published: August 2019

Editorial Report
Ethno-denominational and national problems of the Greek Catholic Church (1918-1939)
Authors: Stokolos Nadiya G.
Published: August 2019

Born in 1918, Poland - the Second Commonwealth - was a multinational and multi-denominational state. In 1931, out of 32, 1 million of its Poles were 65%. The largest national minority was Ukrainians (about 16%), followed by Jews (almost 10%), Belarusians (over 6%), Germans (2%). Other national groups (Lithuanians, Czechs, Slovaks, Russians, as well as small national enclaves of the so-called Polish Tatars and Armenians) accounted for about 1% of the total population.
Ethnicization of Life and Christian Cosmopolitanism
Authors: Pavlenko Pavlo Yuriyovych
Published: August 2019

The progressive process of multiculturalism, cultural and ideological pluralism, the depreciation of traditional values ​​and semantic paradigms, in one way or another, put not only the European states, but all of humanity before the problem of returning their lost ideological and ethnocultural paradigms, and thus led to a reorientation of reorientation. cultural and semantic landmarks. This has inevitably led to the search for ways of solving these problems in the ethno-national and religious spheres as the main components of the spiritual field of culture.
Title page
Authors: Of the Journal Editorial board
Published: August 2019

Title page
The identity of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Byzantine rite in the context of its universality
Authors: Kyiak S.
Published: August 2019

The Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Byzantine rite, which secured the name of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, as the heir to the Kiev Church and as the Eastern Catholic Church, serves today and served in the past as an example of the harmonious inculturation of Christianity in Ukrainian society, which it has promoted. evangelism in communist and post-communist times.
The emergence of Latin monks and the formation of Catholic monastic orders in Ukraine (X-XV centuries.)
Authors: Yakymiv E.
Published: August 2019

The emergence of Latin monks, and then the spread of the monastic orders of the Catholic Church in Rus-Ukraine occurred in the conditions of political-religious transformations of the nineteenth century. Acceptance of baptism from Byzantium did not mean separation from Rome. The Eastern and Western churches were still in unity at that time. The Pope remained the formal head of all Christianity. In 988, as the Nikon Chronicle attests, the ambassadors from Rome and the relics of the saints were brought to the Prince of Kiev during his march to Korsun. It was about the relics of St. Clement, the Pope, found by Cyril and Methodius in the same Korsun on his return from a missionary journey to Khazaria. Two years earlier, according to a chronicle, Vladimir had received ambassadors from Rome who had invited him to adopt Christianity in Latin. There are reports that Vladimir also sent ambassadors to Rome.
Religious Conferences 2003
Authors: Of the Journal Editorial board
Published: August 2019

Religious Conferences 2003
ASSESSMENT OF THE SURGICAL PROFILE AMONG PATIENTS OF ILEAL PERFORATION
Authors: Soni Dr. B.M.
Published: August 2019

Background: In various researches it was reported that perforations of gastrointestinal tract had been surgical emergencies. Some studies also reported that the proof of gastrointestinal tract perforations in ancient mummies. Gastrointestinal tract perforation occurs when a pathology of any specific disease involves the entire depth of the gastrointestinal tract

Material & Methods: Patients who were diagnosed as perforation and peritonitis on the basis of laboratory diagnosis and clinical examination were enrolled by simple random sampling. Clearance from Institutional Ethics Committee was taken before start of study. Written informed consent was taken from each study participant.

Results:  In the present study, out of total study participants abdominal pain was the most common presenting symptom present in patients which was followed by fever, abdominal distension and vomiting. On the basis of time of perforation, 4% cases presented within 12 hour, between 12 and 24 hour was reported among in 50% cases, in the rage of 24 and 48 hour seen in 24% patients, in the range of 48 and 72 hour reported in 12% cases, in range of 72 and 96 hour reported in 8% cases, and in range of 96 and 120 hour reported in 2% case. Near about all patients were operated in the range of 12 hours of hospitalization.

Conclusion: The most common presenting symptoms present among patients were abdominal pain, abdominal distension, vomiting, fever and obstipation. We found that majority of cases had circular perforation of typhoid at antimesenteric border which was followed by tubercular elliptical perforation on the antimesenteric border and traumatic type perforation.

Key words: Ileal perforation. primary closure, loop ileostomy
Metodologías para el Desarrollo de Videojuegos Serios: Una Revisión de Literatura
Authors: Hernández Francisco A. Garita , Madriz Fulvio Lizano , Esquivel Carmen Ma. Cordero
Published: August 2019

Las metodologías para el desarrollo de videojuegos serios es un tema sumamente nuevo, como consecuencia de esto se ha dado pie a la improvisación y a una falta de estandarización a la hora en que estos son desarrollados, por esta razón se decidió elaborar una revisión de literatura de las metodologías para el desarrollo de videojuegos serios y así poder determinar su estado. Han sido pocas las publicaciones con respecto a este tópico, entre sus principales hallazgos se obtuvo información de cómo algunas compañías elaboran los videojuegos serios, entre las recomendaciones se mencionan los diseños centrados en el usuario, las metodologías ágiles, modelos holísticos, modelos basados en paradigmas y centrados en necesidades específicas. Este trabajo brinda la oportunidad de contar con una referencia cuando se pretenda desarrollar un videojuego serio y que así el equipo a cargo decida cual metodología de las ya encontradas se ajusta mejor a las necesidades.

The methodologies for the development of serious videogames is a very new subject, as a result of this, improvisation and a lack of standardization have been given at the time these videogames are developed; for this reason, it was decided to elaborate a literature review of the methodologies for the development of serious video games and determine their status. There have been few publications regarding this topic; among their main findings there is information on how some companies develop serious video games; the recommendations mentioned include user-centered designs, agile methodologies, holistic models, models based on paradigms and focused on specific needs. This work provides the opportunity to have a reference to support serious videogames development, so the team in charge can decide which methodology of those found is best suited for their needs.
TÜRKİYE’DE TARIM SEKTÖRÜ SİGORTA SİSTEMİ: PROBLEMLER ve ÇÖZÜM ÖNERİLERİ
Authors: ÖZEŞ ÖZGÜR Reyhan
Published: August 2019

Tarım sektöründe üreticiler,
üretim sürecinde çeşitli risk ve belirsizliklerle karşılaşmaktadır. Tarım
sigortaları ile ise çiftçinin üretim aşamasındaki kayıplarını karşılamak ve
üreticiyi üretime teşvik etmek amaçlanmaktadır. 
Bu çalışmanın amacı Türkiye’de çiftçilerin tarım sigortası
yaptırmalarında etkili olan faktörleri belirlemek ve karşılaştıkları sorunları
saptayarak bu sorunlara yönelik çözüm önerileri geliştirmektir. Araştırmada
konuyla ilgili amprik makale bulgularından yola çıkılarak çıkarımlar yapılmaya
çalışılmıştır. Araştırma sonucu elde edilen bulgularda Türkiye’de tarımsal
üreticinin tarım sigortası yaptırmamasındaki en önemli sorunların, sigorta
primlerinin yüksekliği ve çiftçinin konuyla ilgili bilgi eksikliği olduğu
tespit edilmiştir. Eksperlerin hasar tespitindeki davranışları, çiftçinin
eğitim durumu ve sigorta şirketlerine olan güvensizliği de önemli sorunlar
olarak tespit edilmiştir. Üreticiye sağlanacak devlet desteğinin üreticiyi
tarım sigortasına yönlendirmede en etkili faktör olacağı belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca
çeşitli eğitim programları ve kurslarla üreticinin konuyla ilgili doğru
bilgilendirilmesinin üreticiyi tarım sigortası yaptırmaya yöneltecek diğer
önemli bir etken olduğu saptanmıştır.
Jus semangka menurunkan kadar asam urat
Authors: Afridah Wiwik , Sari Catur ertika
Published: August 2019

Abstract: As the population of the elderly increases, health problems such as Gout indicated by Hyperuricemia might also appear. Hyperuricemia can be prevented by increasing the intake of Vitamin C, B5, B6, and E. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to find out the effects of watermelon juice on the change in uric acid level in the elderly living in Dupak Bangunsari RT V RW 4 Surabaya. The research used quasi- experiment design. The populations involved 16 old people with Hyperuricemia, in which half of them, 8 people, were taken as the samples done by applying the random allocation technique classified as follows: 8 people in experiment group and 8 people in control group. The watermelon juice therapy was chosen as the independent variable, where as the dependent variable was the change of uric acid level. Furthermore, the uric acid level measuring tool was used to collect the data which were then recorded on the recapitulation and watermelon juice sheet. The result of analysis done by applying Fischer’s Exact test and SPSS for Windows showed that ρ = 0.001 < α = 0.05 which meant that the research hypothesis was accepted illustrating that there were some effects of watermelon juice on the change in uric acid level in the elderly living in the above mentioned region. The research has come to a conclusion that there were some effects of watermelon juice on the change in uric acid level. Hence, the old people with Hyperuricemia should consume more Vitamin C, B5, B6, and E and change their life pattern into the healthy one.
“Nearer to the Exercises of Heaven”: Nineteenth-Century Maritime Presbyterians and The Choir (pp 49-87)
Authors: Barrett Creighton , MacDonald Bertrum
Published: August 2019

Singing, particularly psalm singing, has enjoyed a lengthy tradition among Christian churches. “Singing God’s praises brings us nearer to the exercises of Heaven than any other service we can engage on earth” proclaimed one nineteenth-century advertisement. Churches as well as singing schools frequently relied on tunes that circulated across countries and oceans through oral transmission and increasingly through printed tune books, as the capacity of printing technologies expanded in the nineteenth century and pricing of books became affordable to larger numbers of citizens. Singing instructions, tunes, and hymns were printed, reprinted, and modified to meet local demand. Music styles that lost favour in some countries continued to flourish in other settings. The first printed music in Nova Scotia, The Harmonicon, was produced in a Presbyterian context in 1838. Three decades later, demand for a new tune book prompted the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of the Lower Provinces of British North America to publish The Choir, a compilation designed to satisfy “a healthy taste for sacred music.” First published in Halifax in 1871, this volume was the mainstay of Maritime Presbyterian congregations for the remainder of the century. This paper traces the history of the production of The Choir, compiled by the church’s Committee on Psalmody. Details about the editions and reprinting of the tune book are provided. The paper concludes with an examination of the contents of the volume, where particular attention is given to elements of the book that illustrate the compilers’ attention to the local audience for which it was intended, including the use of local place names for tune titles, and the inclusion of locally composed tunes and fuging tunes, which were written for an antiquated singing style that persisted in the Maritimes long after it faded from church music in other parts of North America and the United Kingdom.
PENGARUH PEMBERIAN PUPUK KOMPOS PADA TIGA VARIETAS KEDELAI (Glycine max L. Merril) TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN HASIL TANAMAN
Authors: Tadjudin Endang , Trisnaningsih Umi , Subagja Jojo
Published: August 2019

Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui : (1) pengaruh pemberian pupuk kompos pada beberapa varietas kedelai terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman kedelai, (2) takaran pupuk kompos dan varietas kedelai yang berpengaruh baik terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman kedelai, dan (3) Korelasi antara komponen pertumbuhan dengan hasil tanaman kedelai. Penelitian  dilaksanakan di UPTD Balai Pengembangan Benih Palawija Desa Plumbon, Kecamatan Plumbon, Kabupaten Cirebon, dari bulan April sampai dengan bulan Juli 2017. Metode yang dilakukan dalam penelitian ini adalah metode eksperimen, dengan menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK). Kombinasi perlakuan yang diuji di lapangan adalah : A (6.000 kg kompos/ha, varietas Grobogan), B (7.500 kg kompos/ha, varietas Grobogan), C (9.000 kg kompos/ha, varietas Grobogan), D (6.000 kg kompos, varietas Anjasmoro), E (7.500 kg kompos, varietas Anjasmoro), F (9.000 kg kompos, varietas Anjasmoro), G (6.000 kg kompos, varietas Devon 1), H (7.500 kg kompos, varietas Devon 1), dan I (9.000 kg kompos, varietas Devon 1). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa : (1) terdapat pengaruh yang nyata antara kombinasi takaran pupuk kompos dan tiga varietas kedelai, (2) kombinasi pupuk kompos takaran 7.500 kg/ha memberikan bobot biji kering per petak tertinggi pada tanaman kedelai varietas Grobogan dan Anjasmoro yaitu 3,22 kg/petak atau setara dengan 2,15 ton/ha dan 3,25 kg/petak atau setara dengan 2,17 ton/ha, dan (3) terdapat korelasi yang nyata antara tinggi tanaman umur 21 HST dan volume akar umur 21 HST dengan bobot biji kering per petak.
Mountbatten, Auchinleck and the End of the British Indian Army: August–November 1947
Authors: Ankit Rakesh
Published: August 2019

Juxtaposing the private papers of Louis Mountbatten and Claude Auchinleck, this article seeks to shed light on the most influential factor in the reconstitution of the British Indian Army into the Indian and Pakistani armies, namely, the two men's worsening relationship between April and November 1947, in view of what each saw as the other's partisan position, and its consequences: the closure of Auchinleck's office and his departure from India. In doing so, it brings to the fore another aspect of that fraught period of transition, at the end of which the British Indian Empire was transformed into the dominions of India and Pakistan, and highlights the peculiar predicament in which the British found themselves during the transfer of power.
Images of British Material Culture in Korean Newspapers 1920–1999
Authors: Sul Heasim
Published: August 2019

Despite the prominence of Britain in the Korean diplomatic and academic traditions, the popular perception of Britain has received little scholarly attention. This article attempts to reconstruct Korean perceptions of Britain by analysing a total of 565 articles from six major daily newspapers from between 1920 and 1999 that address British materials, merchandise, brands, consumption patterns and related aspects. The image of Britain embedded in material culture as portrayed in Korean newspapers reflected aspects of Korean-British dynamics that were far more diverse and multivalent than indicated by common diplomatic concepts or textbooks. This study has shown that while Britain was largely viewed as a role model for modernisation in Korea, its image underwent a series of transformations in which its authority as an influential country was often challenged.

From the late nineteenth century onwards, British goods were circulated in Korean markets. These goods enjoyed considerable popularity among Korean consumers throughout the twentieth century. Burberry especially stands as an exceptional case as it penetrated deeply into Korean daily life. Burberry was often used as a generic pronoun, and acquired unique prestige as a royal-approved British brand, a favourite target for counterfeit manufacturers and a symbol of high social status.
Biochar or Biochar-Compost Amendment to a Peat-Based Substrate Improves Growth of Syngonium podophyllum
Authors: Zulfiqar Faisal , Younis Adnan , Chen Jianjun
Published: August 2019

Increasing demand for sustainable and low-cost alternatives to peat is a challenge in the production of container-grown plants. Biochar (BC) and compost, as eco-friendly materials, could be used to completely or partially substitute for peat. However, information regarding plant responses to the substitution is limited. This study evaluated effects of the amendment of a BC or a BC-compost mixture (BioComp) to a peat-based substrate at 20% by volume on the growth of Syngonium podophyllum. BC was pyrolyzed from wheat straw at 350 °C. Compost was made from farm green waste. BC or BioComp amendment elevated the pH and electrical conductivity of formulated substrates and improved plant growth. Concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and chlorophyll in leaves and the net photosynthetic rate of plants grown in BC or BioComp amended substrates were significantly higher than those grown in the control substrate. Total soluble protein and total phenolic contents were greater in plants grown in BC- or BioComp-amended substrates as well, but no significant difference occurred in reactive oxygen-related enzymatic activities, reducing power or proline contents across substrates. Our results show that BC or BioComp can be used to replace 20% of peat by volume, and such replacement enhanced S. podophyllum growth.
Development of a Robust Canine Welfare Assessment Protocol for Use in Dog (Canis Familiaris) Catch-Neuter-Return (CNR) Programmes
Authors: Bacon Heather , Walters Hayley , Vancia Vlad , Connelly Louise , Waran Natalie
Published: August 2019

The aim of this study was to develop a welfare assessment tool based on objective, reliable and relevant measures to be applied to individual dogs as they underwent a Catch-Neuter-Return (CNR) programme. A modified Delphi method and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) approach was used to develop the composite canine welfare assessment protocol, comprising both animal-based and resource-based measures. This draft welfare assessment protocol was then trialed and refined in existing CNR programmes to identify key control points where individual dog welfare may be moderately or significantly compromised in the CNR process. The results show that animal-based welfare indicators, e.g., pain behaviours, which provide a more direct indication of an animal’s welfare state, require training and skill to recognise, whilst resource-based indicators are simple to measure but act only as indirect measures of welfare. We concluded that whilst CNR projects can potentially improve the health and welfare of free-roaming dogs in the long-term, the risk of short-term welfare harms during the CNR process is high. Thus, it is essential for staff involved in dog population management programmes to assess the welfare state of dogs in CNR and take remedial action to safeguard individual dog welfare.
A Meta-Analysis on the Impact of the Supplementation of Rumen-Protected Choline on the Metabolic Health and Performance of Dairy Cattle
Authors: Humer Elke , Bruggeman Geert , Zebeli Qendrim
Published: August 2019

After parturition, cows undergo negative energy balance leading to fat mobilization, predisposing them to fatty liver syndrome and ketosis with major consequences for health and reproduction. Supplementation of rumen-protected choline (RPC) has attracted major research efforts during the last decade, assuming that choline improves liver function by increasing very low-density lipoprotein exportation from the liver, thereby improving metabolic profiles, milk production, and reproduction. However, the effects of RPC on production, health, and reproduction have been inconsistent. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of RPC supplementation, starting from d 20 (± 12.2) ante partum to d 53 (± 31.0) postpartum, on feed intake, milk production performance and metabolic profiles of dairy cows early postpartum. Data analyses from 27 published studies showed an increase in postpartal dry matter intake (from on average 19.1 to 19.9 kg/d; p < 0.01) and milk yield (from on average 31.8 to 32.9 kg/d; p = 0.03) in cows receiving RPC. Milk fat yield and milk protein yield were also increased (p ≤ 0.05), without changing milk protein and fat contents. However, no interactive effects between cow’s milk yield level and RPC-supplementation as well as no dose-dependent effects of RPC supplementation were observed. Supplementing the diet with RPC showed no effects on blood metabolites (non-esterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, and cholesterol), independent of the milk yield level of the cows. An effect on liver triacylglycerol contents, incidence of ketosis, and mastitis could not be confirmed across all studies included in this meta-analysis. Also, the positive effects of RPC supplementation on reproductive performance were not consistent findings. In conclusion, supplementing RPC in lactating dairy cows showed positive effects on dry matter intake which likely caused the improved milk yield. However, RPC supplementation did not improve the metabolic health status of the cows. As several factors might be related to the responses to RPC, further research is needed to explore the precise mechanisms of RPC action in lactating cows, especially with regards to feed intake improvement and its related metabolic health-promoting potential in early lactating dairy cows.
Intra- and Inter-Observer Reliability of Qualitative Behaviour Assessments of Housed Sheep in Norway
Authors: Diaz-Lundahl Sofia , Hellestveit Selina , Stubsjøen Solveig Marie , J. Phythian Clare , Oppermann Moe Randi , Muri Karianne
Published: August 2019

This study tested the reliability of a Qualitative Behavioural Assessment (QBA) protocol developed for the Norwegian Sheep House (FåreBygg) project. The aim was to verify whether QBA scores were consistent between different observers, i.e., inter-observer reliability, and between scorings of the same observers on different time points, i.e., intra-observer reliability. Six trained observers, including two veterinary students, two animal welfare inspectors and two sheep farmers observed sheep in 16 videos, and independently scored 14 pre-defined behavioural descriptors on visual analogue scales (VAS). The procedure was repeated one week after the first scoring session. QBA scores were analysed using Principal Component Analysis. Inter- and intra-observer agreement was assessed using Kendall’s coefficient of concordance (W). Principal component 1 (PC 1) and 2 (PC 2) combined explained >60% of the total variation in the QBA scores in both scoring sessions. PC 1 (44.5% in sessions 1 and 2) ranged from the positive descriptors calm, content, relaxed and friendly to the negative descriptors uneasy, vigilant and fearful, and was therefore labelled mood. PC 2 (18% in session 1, 16.6% in session 2) ranged from bright to dejected and apathetic, and was therefore labelled arousal. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance of PC 1 for all observers was high in the two scoring sessions (W = 0.87 and 0.85, respectively), indicating good inter-observer reliability. For PC 2, the agreement for all observers was moderate in both video sessions (W = 0.45 and 0.65). The intra-observer agreement was very high for all observers for PC 1 (W > 0.9) except for one, where the agreement was considered to be high (W = 0.89). For PC 2, Kendall’s coefficient was very high for the veterinary students and interpreted as moderate for the two farmers and welfare inspectors. This study indicates that the QBA approach and the terms included in the Fårebygg protocol were reliable for assessing video recordings of sheep behaviour when applied by trained observers, regardless of whether they were a veterinary student, animal welfare inspector or sheep farmer. Further work is needed to examine the reliability of the QBA protocol when tested on-farms for sheep managed under Norwegian housing systems.
Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome Reduced Heart Rate Variability and Increased Irregularity and Complexity of Short-Term RR Time Series in Rabbits
Authors: Lozano Wilson , Calvo Conrado , Arias-Mutis Oscar , Díaz Ana , Such-Miquel Luis , Zhao Jichao , Alberola Antonio , Chorro Francisco , Zarzoso Manuel
Published: August 2019

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been linked to a higher prevalence of sudden cardiac death (SCD), but the mechanisms are not well understood. One possible underlying mechanism may be an abnormal modulation of autonomic activity, which can be quantified by analyzing heart rate variability (HRV). Our aim was to investigate the modifications of short-term HRV in an experimental rabbit model during the time-course of MetS development. NZW rabbits were randomly assigned to a control (n = 10) or a MetS group (n = 13), fed 28 weeks with control or high-fat, high-sucrose diets. After anesthesia, a 15-min ECG recording was acquired before diet administration and at weeks 14 and 28. We analyzed short RR time series using time-domain, frequency-domain and nonlinear analyses. A mixed-model factorial ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Time-domain analysis showed a 52.4% decrease in the standard deviation of heart rate in animals from the MetS group at week 28, but no changes in the rest of parameters. In the frequency domain, we found a 9.7% decrease in the very low frequency and a 380.0% increase of the low frequency bands in MetS animals at week 28, whereas high frequency remained unchanged. Nonlinear analyses showed increased complexity and irregularity of the RR time series in MetS animals.
The Blood and Muscle Expression Pattern of the Equine TCAP Gene during the Race Track Training of Arabian Horses
Authors: Stefaniuk-Szmukier Monika , Szmatoła Tomasz , Łątka Joanna , Długosz Bogusława , Ropka-Molik Katarzyna
Published: August 2019

Horse musculature has been shaped through evolution by environmental and human factors, which has resulted in several extraordinary adaptations to physical effort. Skeletal muscle plasticity results from the response to mechanical stimulation causing hypertrophy, where sarcomeres increase the muscle’s cross-sectional area under the influence of contractile forces. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of transcript abundance of the telethonin (TCAP) gene, which is a part of the sarcomere macromolecular mechanosensory complex in the gluteus medius muscle, and the whole blood of Arabian horses during flat race training. The analysis, performed by quantitative PCR, showed an increase of TCAP transcripts in skeletal muscle. However, in whole blood, the transcript abundance decreased after the first stage of training and further increased after the second phase. The obtained results indicate a lack of similarity of TCAP gene expression in both tissues.
Extracellular Vesicles in the Blood of Dogs with Cancer—A Preliminary Study
Authors: Żmigrodzka Magdalena , Witkowska-Piłaszewicz Olga , Rzepecka Alicja , Cywińska Anna , Jagielski Dariusz , Winnicka Anna
Published: August 2019

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogeneous population of submicron-sized structures released during the activation, proliferation, or apoptosis of various types of cells. Due to their size, their role in cell-to-cell communication in cancer is currently being discussed. In blood, the most abundant population of EVs is platelet-derived EVs (PEVs). The aim of this study was to estimate the absolute number and the origin of EVs in the blood of healthy dogs and of dogs with various types of cancer. The EV absolute number and cellular origin were examined by flow cytometry technique. EVs were classified on the basis of surface annexin V expression (phosphatidylserine PS+) and co-expression of specific cellular markers (CD61, CD45, CD3, CD21). The number of PEVs was significantly higher in dogs with cancer (median: 409/µL, range: 42–2748/µL vs. median: 170/µL, range: 101–449/µL in controls). The numbers of EVs derived from leukocytes (control median: 86/µL, range: 40–240/µL; cancer median: 443/µL, range: 44–3 352/µL) and T cells (control median: 5/µL, range: 2–66/µL; cancer median: 108/µL, range: 3–1735/µL) were higher in dogs with neoplasia compared to healthy controls. The estimation of PEV and leukocyte-derived EV counts may provide a useful biological marker in dogs with cancer.
General Practitioners’ Attitudes toward Municipal Initiatives to Improve Antibiotic Prescribing—A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Sunde Marthe , Nygaard Marthe Marie , Høye Sigurd
Published: August 2019

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions directed at general practitioners (GPs) contribute to an improved antibiotic prescribing. However, it is challenging to implement and maintain such interventions at a national level. Involving the municipalities’ Chief Medical Officer (MCMO) in quality improvement activities may simplify the implementation and maintenance, but may also be perceived challenging for the GPs. In the ENORM (Educational intervention in NORwegian Municipalities for antibiotic treatment in line with guidelines) study, MCMOs acted as facilitators of an AMS intervention for GPs. We explored GPs’ views on their own antibiotic prescribing, and their views on MCMO involvement in improving antibiotic prescribing in general practice. This is a mixed-methods study combining quantitative and qualitative data from two data sources: e-mail interviews with 15 GPs prior to the ENORM intervention, and online-form answers to closed and open-ended questions from 132 GPs participating in the ENORM intervention. The interviews and open-ended responses were analyzed using systematic text condensation. Many GPs admitted to occasionally prescribing antibiotics without medical indication, mainly due to pressure from patients. Too liberal treatment guidelines were also seen as a reason for overtreatment. The MCMO was considered a suitable and acceptable facilitator of quality improvement activities in general practice, and their involvement was regarded as unproblematic (scale 0 (very problematic) to 10 (not problematic at all): mean 8.2, median 10). GPs acknowledge the need and possibility to improve their own antibiotic prescribing, and in doing so, they welcome engagement from the municipality. MCMOs should be involved in quality improvement and AMS in general practice.
Present and Future of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) Infections
Authors: Suay-García Beatriz , Pérez-Gracia María Teresa
Published: August 2019

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) have become a public health threat worldwide. There are three major mechanisms by which Enterobacteriaceae become resistant to carbapenems: enzyme production, efflux pumps and porin mutations. Of these, enzyme production is the main resistance mechanism. There are three main groups of enzymes responsible for most of the carbapenem resistance: KPC (Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase) (Ambler class A), MBLs (Metallo-ß-Lactamases) (Ambler class B) and OXA-48-like (Ambler class D). KPC-producing Enterobacteriaceae are endemic in the United States, Colombia, Argentina, Greece and Italy. On the other hand, the MBL NDM-1 is the main carbapenemase-producing resistance in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, while OXA-48-like enzyme-producers are endemic in Turkey, Malta, the Middle-East and North Africa. All three groups of enzymes are plasmid-mediated, which implies an easier horizontal transfer and, thus, faster spread of carbapenem resistance worldwide. As a result, there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic guidelines to treat CRE infections. Bearing in mind the different mechanisms by which Enterobacteriaceae can become resistant to carbapenems, there are different approaches to treat infections caused by these bacteria, which include the repurposing of already existing antibiotics, dual therapies with these antibiotics, and the development of new ß-lactamase inhibitors and antibiotics.
Pros and Cons of Use of Mitochondria-Targeted Antioxidants
Authors: Plotnikov Egor Y. , Zorov Dmitry B.
Published: August 2019

Mitochondrial targeting is a novel strategy, which addresses pathologies originating from mitochondrial dysfunction. Here, one of the most potent therapeutics arises from the group of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants, which specifically quench mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). They show very high efficacy in the treatment of a diverse array of pathologies encountered in this Special Issue of Antioxidants. However, despite very encouraging results in the use of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants, the mechanistic principle of delivering these agents is, to some extent, counterproductive to the goal of selectively treating a population of damaged mitochondria. The main problem that arises is that injured mitochondria may carry a lower membrane potential when compared with normal ones and as a result, injured mitochondria are capable of taking up less therapeutic antioxidants than healthy mitochondria. Another problem is that the intracellular activity of mitochondrial ROS differs from cytosolic ROS in that they carry specific intracellular functions which are maintained at a delicate equilibrium and which may be disturbed under careless use of antioxidant doses. Consequently, understanding the overall benefit of targeting dysfunctional mitochondria in pathological tissue requires furthering the development of alternative techniques to target mitochondria.
Optimizing Android Facial Expressions Using Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Hyung Hyun-Jun , Yoon Han Ul , Choi Dongwoon , Lee Duk-Yeon , Lee Dong-Wook
Published: August 2019

Because the internal structure, degree of freedom, skin control position and range of the android face are different, it is very difficult to generate facial expressions by applying existing facial expression generation methods. In addition, facial expressions differ among robots because they are designed subjectively. To address these problems, we developed a system that can automatically generate robot facial expressions by combining an android, a recognizer capable of classifying facial expressions and a genetic algorithm. We have developed two types (older men and young women) of android face robots that can simulate human skin movements. We selected 16 control positions to generate the facial expressions of these robots. The expressions were generated by combining the displacements of 16 motors. A chromosome comprising 16 genes (motor displacements) was generated by applying real-coded genetic algorithms; subsequently, it was used to generate robot facial expressions. To determine the fitness of the generated facial expressions, expression intensity was evaluated through a facial expression recognizer. The proposed system was used to generate six facial expressions (angry, disgust, fear, happy, sad, surprised); the results confirmed that they were more appropriate than manually generated facial expressions.
Reflections on the Limited Pervasiveness of Augmented Reality in Industrial Sectors
Authors: Martinetti Alberto , Marques Henrique Costa , Singh Sarbjeet , van Dongen Leo
Published: August 2019

The paper aims to investigate the reasons why Augmented Reality (AR) has not fully broken the industrial market yet, or found a wider application in industries. The main research question the paper tries to answer is: what are the factors (and to what extent) that are limiting AR? Firstly, a reflection on the state of art of AR applications in industries is proposed, to discover the sectors more commonly chosen for deploying the technology so far. Later, based on a survey conducted after that, three AR applications have been tested on manufacturing, automotive, and railway sectors, and the paper pinpoints key aspects that are conditioning its embedding in the daily working life. In order to compare whether the perception of employees from railway, automotive, and manufacturing sectors differs significantly, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) has been used. Later, suggestions are formulated in order to improve these aspects in the industry world. Finally, the paper indicates the main conclusions, highlighting possible future researches to start.
Modeling of the Snowdrift in Cold Regions: Introduction and Evaluation of a New Approach
Authors: Liu Mengmeng , Zhang Qingwen , Fan Feng , Shen Shizhao
Published: August 2019

Unbalanced, or non-uniform, snow loads caused by snow drifting or sliding in cold regions with heavy snowfalls, can be a serious problem for the building industry. However, the methods for predicting snow distribution still need to be improved. Field observation is the most direct and reliable method to study snow distribution, but because the natural environment is uncontrollable and varies dramatically, sometimes conclusions may be confused under the influence of the many variables in the investigation. This paper proposes a snowing experiment approach using an outdoor snow–wind combined experiment facility for the study of snow distribution. The facility can produce a stable and controllable wind field and snowfall environment. Experiments which focused on snowdrift around a building were conducted during the winter to make an evaluation of the repeatability and reliability of the new approach. Finally, from the analysis of results, it was demonstrated that the experimental facility was stable and that the similarity criterion adopted for the snowing pattern was reliable. Especially, the minimum value of the friction speed ratio was suggested to ensure the test accuracy.
A Systematic Experimental and Computational Analysis of Commercially Available Aliphatic Polyesters
Authors: Casalini Tommaso , Bassas-Galia Monica , Girard Hervé , Castrovinci Andrea , De Carolis Alessandro , Brianza Stefano , Zinn Manfred , Perale Giuseppe
Published: August 2019

Aliphatic polyesters, such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), and their copolymer polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) have become an established choice in the biomedical field in a wide range of applications, from nanoparticles for local drug delivery to bone fixation screws, and, hence, in a huge spectrum of uses in different medical devices currently available on the market worldwide. The reason for their popularity lies in their combination of interesting peculiarities: in situ degradation, intrinsic biocompatibility (degradation products are recognized and metabolized), processability with standard industrial technologies, and tailorable properties. The knowledge of the degradation rate is an essential requirement for optimal device design when, e.g., fast adsorption time is required, or mechanical properties must be assured over a given time span. In this regard, experimental studies can be time- and money-consuming, due to the time scales (weeks–months) involved in the hydrolysis process. This work aims at providing to both industry and academia robust guidelines for optimal material choice through a systematic experimental and computational analysis of most commonly used PLGA formulations (selected from commercially available products), evaluating the degradation kinetics and its impact on polymer properties.
Optimal Non-Integer Sliding Mode Control for Frequency Regulation in Stand-Alone Modern Power Grids
Authors: Esfahani Zahra , Roohi Majid , Gheisarnejad Meysam , Dragičević Tomislav , Khooban Mohammad-Hassan
Published: August 2019

In this paper, the concept of fractional calculus (FC) is introduced into the sliding mode control (SMC), named fractional order SMC (FOSMC), for the load frequency control (LFC) of an islanded microgrid (MG). The studied MG is constructed from different autonomous generation components such as diesel engines, renewable sources, and storage devices, which are optimally planned to benefit customers. The coefficients embedded in the FOSMC structure play a vital role in the quality of controller commands, so there is a need for a powerful heuristic methodology in the LFC study to adjust the design coefficients in such a way that better transient output may be achieved for resistance to renewable sources fluctuations. Accordingly, the Sine Cosine algorithm (SCA) is effectively combined with the harmony search (HS) for the optimal setting of the controller coefficients. The Lyapunov function based on the FOSMC is formulated to guarantee the stability of the LFC mechanism for the test MG. Finally, the hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) experiments are carried out to ensure that the suggested controller can suppress the frequency fluctuations effectively, and that it provides more robust MG responses in comparison with the prior art techniques.