bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perspektywa neoinstytucjonalna w badaniach nad przemianami szkolnictwa wyższego w Polsce
Authors: Antonowicz Dominik
Published: February 2016

Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie neoinstytucjonalnej perspektywy analiz procesów zachodzących w polskim szkolnictwie wyższym. Pod wpływem działania społeczeństwa światowego (Meyer i in., 1997) narodowe systemy (w tym polski) stopniowo zmierzają w kierunku konwergencji. Jest to szczególnie widoczne w takich krajach, jak Polska, które po dłuższym okresie izolacji zostały wystawione na działanie procesów globalnych, przez dekady kształtujących systemy krajów Europy Zachodniej. W artykule starano się pokazać, że: a) polskie przemiany w szkolnictwie wyższym stwarzają okazję do przetestowania, a nawet rozbudowania neoinstytucjonalnej teorii w warunkach głębokich i dynamicznych przeobrażeń, które miały miejsce w kraju o bogatej tradycji akademickiej i silnej pozycji społeczności naukowej; b) badania nad współczesnymi przemianami w polskim szkolnictwie wyższym nie mogą dokonywać się w oderwaniu od jego historycznego dziedzictwa, a także politycznych warunków jego funkcjonowania przez niemal cały XX wiek. Istotnie zwiększyły one znaczenie nieformalnych, akademickich czy uczelnianych zwyczajów i obyczajów, które w trudnym okresie niedemokratycznych rządów pozwalały uczelniom w miarę normalnie funkcjonować.
Leczenie gorsze od choroby? Diagnoza kondycji polskiego szkolnictwa wyższego na podstawie badań elit polskich uczelni publicznych
Authors: Shaw Marta
Published: February 2016

Finansowany z publicznych pieniedzy system szkolnictwa wyższego w Polsce jest szeroko postrzegany jako „chory” – niesprzyjający celom, jakie stawiają mu różne grupy społeczne. Istnieje zgoda co do istnienia tego problemu, nie ma natomiast zgody co do diagnozy i metod leczenia. Diagnoza przedstawiona w artykule oparta jest na dwuletnich badaniach elit szkolnictwa wyższego – władz uczelni i przedstawicieli rządu. Według autorki jedną z możliwych przyczyn „choroby” jest polipragmazja – jak w medycynie określa się sytuację, gdy chory konsultuje się jednocześnie z kilkoma lekarzami, którzy stawiają różne diagnozy i przepisują różne leki, mogące wchodzić ze sobą w niepożądane interakcje. Uniwersytet „choruje”, ponieważ ministerstwo i władze akademickie aplikują mu odmienne „lekarstwa”. Podczas gdy władze akademickie podkreślają rolę uniwersytetu w dochodzeniu do prawdy, twórcy polityki naukowej widzą go przede wszystkim jako koło zamachowe gospodarki. Presja ze strony rządu wywołuje zachowania kompensacyjne środowisk akademickich polegające na obchodzeniu przepisów i tworzeniu pozorów. W efekcie cele realizowane przez władze uczelni odbiegają od tych zakładanych w najnowszym polskim prawodawstwie, a bodźce płynące z instytucji politycznych zachęcają do zachowań sprzecznych z etosem akademickim. Z badań wynika jednak, że istnieją trzy obszary potencjalnej synergii, które mogą stać się punktami zwrotnymi w transformacji polskiego szkolnictwa wyższego: kształcenie elitarne,merytoryczne finansowanie badań naukowych oraz kompetencje „miękkie”.
Dialog z interesariuszami środowiskowymi w projektowaniu wizji i reformy szkolnictwa wyższego w Polsce (2013-2015)
Authors: Dziedziczak-Foltyn Agnieszka
Published: February 2016

W relacji pomiędzy państwem a interesariuszami interesujące jest zwłaszcza to, z jakim przyjęciem spotyka się projektowana i wdrażana reforma, jakie grupy ją popierają, a jakie się jej sprzeciwiają, zaś w przypadku sprzeciwu – co jest osią owej niezgody. Przedmiotem prezentowanych w artykule rozważań w odniesieniu do reformowania szkolnictwa wyższego w Polsce jest niezgodność wartości przyjmowanych przez interesariuszy wewnętrznych – część kadry akademickiej z wartościami preferowanymi przez interesariuszy zewnętrznych, czyli państwo. Artykuł dotyczy przede wszystkim stanowisk i działań grup interesariuszy środowiskowych sprzeciwiających się forsowanemu przez Ministerstwo Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego nurtowi reformowania szkolnictwa wyższego w Polsce i/lub proponujących własną wizję zmian w szkolnictwie wyższym i nauce w latach 2013-2015, tj. Konferencji Rektorów Akademickich Szkół Polskich, Obywateli Nauki oraz Komitetu Kryzysowego Humanistyki Polskiej. Odniesienie się w tekście do reakcji ministerstwa na te działania pozwala również wyciągnąć wnioski na temat natury społecznego dialogu interesariuszy środowiskowych z ministerstwem i stopnia partycypacji środowiska w procesie reformowania szkolnictwa wyższego w Polsce.W relacji pomiędzy państwem a interesariuszami interesujące jest zwłaszcza to, z jakim przyjęciem spotyka się projektowana i wdrażana reforma, jakie grupy ją popierają, a jakie się jej sprzeciwiają, zaś w przypadku sprzeciwu – co jest osią owej niezgody. Przedmiotem prezentowanych w artykule rozważań w odniesieniu do reformowania szkolnictwa wyższego w Polsce jest niezgodność wartości przyjmowanych przez interesariuszy wewnętrznych – część kadry akademickiej z wartościami preferowanymi przez interesariuszy zewnętrznych, czyli państwo. Artykuł dotyczy przede wszystkim stanowisk i działań grup interesariuszy środowiskowych sprzeciwiających się forsowanemu przez Ministerstwo Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyższego nurtowi reformowania szkolnictwa wyższego w Polsce i/lub proponujących własną wizję zmian w szkolnictwie wyższym i nauce w latach 2013-2015, tj. Konferencji Rektorów Akademickich Szkół Polskich, Obywateli Nauki oraz Komitetu Kryzysowego Humanistyki Polskiej. Odniesienie się w tekście do reakcji ministerstwa na te działania pozwala również wyciągnąć wnioski na temat natury społecznego dialogu interesariuszy środowiskowych z ministerstwem i stopnia partycypacji środowiska w procesie reformowania szkolnictwa wyższego w Polsce.
Pułapka umasowienia – o sprawczości jednostek w umasowionym systemie szkolnictwa wyższego
Authors: Stankiewicz Łukasz
Published: February 2016

Powszechna potrzeba studiowania i zdobywania wykształcenia wyższego jest w ostatnich latach zarówno w dyskursie akademickim, jak i publicznym uznawana za wynik studenckiej irracjonalności. Studenci mają poddawać się kulturowemu „mitowi wykształcenia wyższego” czy marketingowym zabiegom uczelni, podejmując decyzję, która z ekonomicznego punktu widzenia jest – według krytyków umasowienia – nie do obrony. Celem tego artykułu jest przedstawienie alternatywy wobec opisanego powyżej sposobu myślenia o jednostkowej sprawczości, racjonalności i edukacyjnym przymusie. Staram się pokazać, że negatywne konsekwencje umasowionego wykształcenia są wynikiem ekonomicznie racjonalnych decyzji zdobywających je jednostek. Umasowienie ma bowiem wiele cech społecznej pułapki, tzn. procesu społecznego, w którym indywidualna racjonalność generuje stany suboptymalne z perspektywy wspólnoty. Teoria społecznych pułapek pozwala mi również wyjaśnić, w jaki sposób rozproszone decyzje jednostek generują nieformalny „przymus szkolny” dotyczący szkolnictwa wyższego i w jaki sposób przymus ten negatywnie wpływa na perspektywy reformy systemu.
Studencki ruch naukowy w polskich uniwersytetach z perspektywy zmian zachodzących we współczesnym szkolnictwie wyższym
Authors: Smużewska Marcelina
Published: February 2016

Mimo umasowienia kształcenia niewielki odsetek studentów podejmuje działania wykraczające poza oficjalny program kształcenia. Zrzeszają się oni w niewielkich organizacjach i podejmują pierwsze samodzielne badania naukowe. Studencki ruch naukowy podlega takim samym procesom, jak cały system szkolnictwa wyższego. W tekście przeanalizowano wpływ umasowienia, mobilności, umiędzynarodowienia i utowarowienia edukacji na działalność kół naukowych – najpopularniejszych form w obrębie studenckiego ruchu naukowego. Materiał badawczy pochodzi z indywidualnych wywiadów pogłębionych i materiałów dostarczanych przez administracje uniwersytetów. W toku badań wyodrębniono dwa typy organizacji: tradycyjne koła naukowe i mikroorganizacje eksperckie. Są one egzemplifikacją dwóch sposobów adaptacji do zmian zachodzących w szkolnictwie wyższym. W artykule podjęto także próbę rozstrzygnięcia, która ze strategii jest bardziej adekwatna do realiów. Podobnie jak idea uniwersytetu, także studencki ruch naukowy potrzebuje refleksji oraz zmian, które powinny nastąpić możliwie szybko.
In vitro Degradability, Gas Production, and Energy Value of Different Hybrids of Sorghum after Storage in Mini-Silos
Authors: Cattani Mirko , Sartori Alberto , Bondesan Valerio , Bailoni Lucia
Published: February 2016

This experiment compared silages obtained from 3 hybrids of sorghum grown on 2 farms of the Po Valley (one irrigated and one not), in terms of in vitro degradability, gas production (GP), and energy value. Hybrids (forage, sweet or grain genotypes) were sown in experimental plots (3 plots × 3 hybrids), harvested at late-milk stage of maturity, and ensiled into mini-silos (3 silos × 3 hybrids) for 60 d. After ensiling, silages were analyzed for composition and fermentation profile. Two incubations (at 48 h) were carried out to measure NDF degradability (NDFd), GP, and the metabolizable energy (ME) content of silages. Data of silage composition were submitted to ANOVA, considering farm (F), hybrid (H), and F × H interaction as variation sources. Incubation (run) was also considered as a fixed effect in the statistical model for the parameters obtained by in vitro incubation (NDFd, GP, and energy content). On the irrigated farm (Farm 2), the DM contents of silages were higher than those of the non-irrigated one (P<0.001) and the fermentation profile was more favorable. Values of GP at 24 and 48 h and ME content were higher (P<0.05) for silages of Farm 2 in comparison with Farm 1. Within hybrids, the grain sorghum revealed the greatest DM content whereas the forage sorghum, as expected, was the richest in fibrous fraction content, followed by the sweet and grain genotypes (P<0.001). Consequently, values of GP were significantly (P<0.01) influenced by hybrid (167, 200, 215 ml/g DM and 229, 257, 267 ml/g DM for forage, sweet and grain genotypes after 24 and 48 h of incubation, respectively). The F × H interaction was significant for all considered parameters excluding DM, lignin, ash, pH, and in vitro parameters. On the two farms, in general, forage and grain genotypes were largely different, whereas the sweet sorghum was quite similar to the forage in one case or grain in the other. Results of this experiment highlight the large variability of the nutritional values of sorghum hybrids grown in different conditions.
21. Effect of Vacuum Ageing on Instrumental and Sensory Textural Properties of Meat from Uhruska Lambs
Authors: Florek Mariusz , Junkuszew Andrzej , Bojar Wiktor , Skałecki Piotr , Greguła-Kania Monika , Litwińczuk Anna , Gruszecki Tomasz M.
Published: February 2016

The objective of the present research was to assess the instrumental and sensory textural attributes of lamb meat depending on the cold storage ageing under vacuum. The research material included two skeletal muscles, i.e. semimembranosus (SM) and rectus femoris (RF) from carcasses of Uhruska lambs. The age of animals ranged from 120 to 135 days. The ageing and muscle influenced significantly shear force and shear energy. However, significantly lower shear force and higher score of tenderness were observed on 7 vs. 2 days of ageing only for SM. The evaluated factors (ageing and muscle) affected slightly and not significantly the parameters of texture profile analysis. The muscle samples after the 7-day ageing showed higher hardness and chewiness. Significant correlation of sensory tenderness with instrumental shear and energy force and springiness was confirmed. The obtained results indicated that vacuum-packed lamb meat during cold storage for 7 days following slaughter develops the sensory attributes, especially tenderness.
Length of Life and Milk Production Efficiency in Cows with Varying Lactation Persistency
Authors: Litwińczuk Zygmunt , Żółkiewski Paweł , Chabuz Witold , Jankowski Przemysław
Published: February 2016

A total of 2,484 lactations in 760 Polish Holstein-Friesian cows were analysed. Calculations were made of length of life, length of productive life, total number of days in milk, number of calvings, ratio of days in milk to length of productive life, lifetime milk yield (kg), daily yield at the peak of lactation (kg) and lactation persistency as the percentage difference between daily milk production in the 2nd and 10th month in milk. The cows were divided into three groups according to lactation persistency (decrease in production): group I – up to 30%, group II – 30.1–50% and group III – over 50%. Lactation persistency significantly influenced (P≤0.01) length of life and efficiency of milk production in the analysed cow population. Cows with yield over 30 kg at the peak of lactation followed by a moderate decrease (40%) lived longest (over 6 years) and produced the most milk (nearly 28,000 kg). Yield of primiparous cows at the peak of lactation and its course were found to have a significant effect on length of life and lifetime milk production. The long period of high peak yield (over 30 kg of milk) in the primiparous cows in group I (with the best lactation persistency) in the long term proved to be detrimental, as these cows had the shortest productive life (2.3 lactations on average) and lifetime milk yield about 4,000 kg lower than in the cows in groups II and II (with the poorer lactation persistency).
Legal Impediments in the EU to New Technologies in the Example of E-Residency
Authors: Tanel Kerikmäe , Sandra Särav
Published: February 2016

Estonia has created of itself the image of an e-state that is being supported with novel ICT-solutions, the perhaps most renowned of which is e-residency. However, created as a governmental start-up in the national best interest, e-residency could be of marginal relevance in light of global digital identity management. Purely national digital identity or an e-residency grants its holder several rights unknown to, or at least unapplied in a majority of the EU Member States and in the world more generally. But currently it lies on a vacillating legal pedestal which has resulted in copious administrative issues and proposed legal amendments already during its first year of implementation. Concerns, such as the administrative capacity of Estonia to handle potentially 10 million customers of national e-services, arise due to contingent legal footing. On this basis, efficiency of e-residency is critically analysed from the perspective of an autoschediastic regulatory framework presuming high-level administrative competence yet leaving the scope and limits of the functions of the public authorities legally unfurnished and isolated from the EU legal space.
Discrepancy in climatic zoning of the current soil productivity evaluation system
Authors: Chuchma Filip , Středová Hana
Published: February 2016

Pedologic-ecological estimation in the Czech Republic (Central Europe) means determination of land agronomic productivity and its economical pricing and is expressed as a five position numeral code and mapped as iso-lines. The first position of the code is the climatic region representing approximately the same conditions for agricultural plant growth and development. This climatic regionalization was based on the climatic data from 1901–1950. Currently, there is the need to update their existing zoning due to the technological progress of measurement and development of climate models including estimation of future climate. The aim of the paper is (i) to apply actual climatic data to climatic regionalization and (ii) to estimate what climatic conditions are relevant for actually valid climatic regions. The original methodology currently enables us to unequivocally classify only 17% of the entire territory of the Czech Republic (and 18% of Czech agricultural land). A substantial part of the territory does not fit neatly into individual climatic regions. Subsequently the actually valid ranges of climatic characteristics of individual climatic regions were determined. The GIS layers of individual climatic variables computed with data from 1961–2010 were one by one covered by GIS layers of individual climatic regions based on data from 1901–1950. Interval ranges of climatic region variables determined in this way are valid for the period 1961–2010. The upper limit of air temperature sum above 10 °C and annual air temperature in most of the climatic regions was significantly shifted up in 1961–2010. An increase in precipitation is noticeable in wet climatic regions. Moisture certainty in vegetation season and probability of dry vegetation are the most problematic in terms of Estimated Pedologic-Ecological Units (EPEU) climatic zoning. This should be taken into account when fixing the official soil price.
The effects of hydro- and osmopriming on the germination, vigour and hydrolytic enzymes activity of common zinnia (Zinnia elegans Jacq.) seeds
Authors: Szopińska Dorota , Politycka Barbara
Published: February 2016

Priming is one of the most common methods of improving seed quality. The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of hydro- and osmopriming on the germination, vigour and hydrolytic enzymes (α-amylase, β-glucosidase, exopeptidase and lipases) activity of zinnia (Zinnia elegans Jacq.) seeds. Seeds of three cultivars: Jowita, Kirke and Orys, and Z. elegans fl.pl., a mixture of cultivars (Mix), were tested. The seeds were hydroprimed in a restricted volume of water (200 μl H2O g−1 seed, 24 h at 15°C) and osmoprimed in a polyethylene glycol solution (−1.0 MPa PEG 8000, 5 days at 20°C). Untreated seeds served as the control. The cultivars differed significantly in terms of seed quality as well as response to priming. On average, ‘Jowita’ seeds were characterised by the highest quality, expressed by the total number of germinating seeds (Gmax) and germination at the 1st and 2nd counts. Mix seeds showed the lowest quality, expressed by germination at the 1st and 2nd counts and vigour. Generally, an increase in α-amylase activity and a decrease in lipase activity was found in hydroprimed and osmoprimed seeds, and α-amylase activity was significantly higher in ‘Jowita’ seeds than Mix seeds. The applied treatments did not affect β-glucosidase and exopeptidase activity in the tested seeds. Osmopriming accelerated seed germination and influenced α-amylase and lipase activity to a greater extent than hydropriming. Among the assayed enzymes, only the activity of α-amylase may be potentially useful for the seed industry as a physiological marker of zinnia seed vigour and the effectiveness of osmopriming.
Equilibrium and Kinetics of Methane and Ethane Adsorption in Carbon Molecular Sieve
Authors: Shirani Babak , Eic Mladen
Published: February 2016

The comprehensive study involving uptake and kinetics behaviour of methane and ethane was carried out on a commercial carbon molecular sieve. The gravimetric technique was applied to measure the adsorption isotherms at different temperatures. The kinetic behaviours of methane and ethane were investigated by extracting the uptake data from isotherms at different pressure steps. Considering CMS as a homogenous microporous adsorbent, only two main resistances: surface barrier (at the pore mouth) and diffusion resistance (inside the pores) were considered in analysing the kinetic data. The kinetic analysis showed dominance of surface barrier resistance at all temperatures and pressures investigated in this study. Modified Darken equation was used to calculate the sorbates’ activation energies for adsorption in CMS pores. Compared to Darken equation, the modified Darken model predicted the concentration dependency of the surface rate constants more accurately, especially at higher sorbates’ concentrations. The activation energy of methane and ethane was greater than the heat of adsorption demonstrating a large impedance and barrier at the pore surface to the methane and ethane molecules. The kinetic selectivity of methane over ethane was calculated from the combined surface barrier/diffusion model parametric analysis. The results generally showed a greater selectivity to methane over ethane, i. e., the higher mass transfer rates.
Mitigation of Power Quality Problems in Grid-Interactive Distributed Generation System
Authors: Bhende C. N. , Kalam A. , Malla S. G.
Published: February 2016

Having an inter-tie between low/medium voltage grid and distributed generation (DG), both exposes to power quality (PQ) problems created by each other. This paper addresses various PQ problems arise due to integration of DG with grid. The major PQ problems are due to unbalanced and non-linear load connected at DG, unbalanced voltage variations on transmission line and unbalanced grid voltages which severely affect the performance of the system. To mitigate the above mentioned PQ problems, a novel integrated control of distribution static shunt compensator (DSTATCOM) is presented in this paper. DSTATCOM control helps in reducing the unbalance factor of PCC voltage. It also eliminates harmonics from line currents and makes them balanced. Moreover, DSTATCOM supplies the reactive power required by the load locally and hence, grid need not to supply the reactive power. To show the efficacy of the proposed controller, several operating conditions are considered and verified through simulation using MATLAB/SIMULINK.
Mechanical touch responses of Arabidopsis TCH1-3 mutant roots on inclined hard-agar surface
Authors: Zha Guodong , Wang Bochu , Liu Junyu , Yan Jie , Zhu Liqing , Yang Xingyan
Published: February 2016

The gravity-induced mechanical touch stimulus can affect plant root architecture. Mechanical touch responses of plant roots are an important aspect of plant root growth and development. Previous studies have reported that Arabidopsis TCH1-3 genes are involved in mechano-related events, how-ever, the physiological functions of TCH1-3 genes in Arabidopsis root mechanoresponses remain unclear. In the present study, we applied an inclined hard agar plate method to produce mechanical touch stimulus, and provided evidence that altered mechanical environment could influence root growth. Furthermore, tch1-3 Arabidopsis mutants were investigated on inclined agar surfaces to explore the functions of TCH1-3 genes on Arabidopsis root mechanoresponses. The results showed that two tch2 mutants, cml24-2 and cml24-4, exhibited significantly reduced root length, biased skewing, and decreased density of lateral root. In addition, primary root length and density of lateral root of tch3 (cml12-2) was significantly decreased on inclined agar surfaces. This study indicates that the tch2 and tch3 mutants are hypersensitive to mechanical touch stimulus, and TCH2 (CML24-2 and CML24-4) and TCH3 (CML12-2) genes may participate in the mechanical touch response of Arabidopsis roots.
Effect of the aerated structure on selected properties of freeze-dried hydrocolloid gels
Authors: Ciurzyńska Agnieszka , Lenart Andrzej
Published: February 2016

The ability to create diverse structures and studies on the effect of the aerated structure on selected properties with the use of freeze-dried gels may provide knowledge about the properties of dried foods. Such gels can be a basis for obtaining innovative food products. For the gel preparation, 3 types of hydrocolloids were used: low-methoxyl pectin, a mixture of xanthan gum and locust-bean gum, and a mixture of xanthan gum and guar gum. Gels were aerated for 3 and 7 min, frozen at a temperature of −45°C 2 h−1, and freeze-dried at a temperature of 30°C. For the samples obtained, structure, porosity, shrinkage, rehydration, and colour were investigated. It was shown that the type of the hydrocolloid and aeration time influence the structure of freeze-dried gels, which determines such properties of samples as porosity, shrinkage, density, rehydration, and colour. The bigger pores of low-methoxyl pectin gels undergo rehydration in the highest degree. The delicate and aerated structure of gels with the mixture of xanthan gum and locust-bean gum was damaged during freeze-drying and shrinkage exhibited the highest value. Small pores of samples with the mixture of xanthan gum and guar gum were responsible for the lower rehydration properties, but the highest porosity value contributed to the highest lightness value.
Estimation of the density of the clay-organic complex in soil
Authors: Czyż Ewa A. , Dexter Anthony R.
Published: February 2016

Soil bulk density was investigated as a function of soil contents of clay and organic matter in arable agricultural soils at a range of locations. The contents of clay and organic matter were used in an algorithmic procedure to calculate the amounts of clay-organic complex in the soils. Values of soil bulk density as a function of soil organic matter content were used to estimate the amount of pore space occupied by unit amount of complex. These estimations show that the effective density of the clay-organic matter complex is very low with a mean value of 0.17 ± 0.04 g ml−1 in arable soils. This value is much smaller than the soil bulk density and smaller than any of the other components of the soil considered separately (with the exception of the gas content). This low value suggests that the clay-soil complex has an extremely porous and open structure. When the complex is considered as a separate phase in soil, it can account for the observed reduction of bulk density with increasing content of organic matter.
Ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from lemon balm and peppermint leaves
Authors: Šic Žlabur Jana , Voća Sandra , Dobričević Nadica , Pliestić Stjepan , Galić Ante , Boričević Ana , Borić Nataša
Published: February 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of conventional and ultrasound-assisted extraction (frequency, time, temperature) on the content of bioactive compounds as well as on the antioxidant activity of aqueous extracts from fresh lemon balm and peppermint leaves. Total phenols, flavonoids, non-flavonoids, total chlorophylls, total carotenoids, and radical scavenging capacity were determined. Moreover, the relationship between bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity was studied by linear regression. A significant increase in all studied bioactive compounds during ultrasonic extraction for 5 to 20 min was found. With the classical extraction method, the highest amounts of total phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were determined, and the maximum amounts of total chlorophylls and carotenoids were determined during 20 min ultrasonic extraction. The correlation analysis revealed a strong, positive relationship between antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds.
Characterising root density of peach trees in a semi-arid Chernozem to increase plant density
Authors: Paltineanu Cristian , Septar Leinar , Gavat Corina , Chitu Emil , Oprita Alexandru , Moale Cristina , Calciu Irina , Vizitiu Olga , Lamureanu Gheorghe
Published: February 2016

The available information on root system in fully mature peach orchards in semi-arid regions is insufficient. This paper presents a study on the root system density in an irrigated peach orchard from Dobrogea, Romania, using the trench technique. The old orchard has clean cultivation in inter-row and in-row. The objectives of the study were to: test the hypothesis that the roots of fully mature peach trees occupy the whole soil volume; find out if root repulsive effect of adjacent plants occurred for the rootstocks and soil conditions; find relationships between root system and soil properties and analyse soil state trend. Some soil physical properties were significantly deteriorated in inter-row versus in-row, mainly due to soil compaction induced by technological traffic. Density of total roots was higher in-row than inter-row, but the differences were not significant. Root density decreased more intensely with soil depth than with distance from tree trunks. Root density correlated with some soil properties. No repulsive effect of the roots of adjacent peach trees was noted. The decrease of root density with distance from trunk can be used in optimising tree arrangement. The conclusions could also be used in countries with similar growth conditions.
The R
∞ and S
∞ properties for linear algebraic groups
Authors: Fel’shtyn Alexander , Nasybullov Timur
Published: February 2016

In this paper we study twisted conjugacy classes and isogredience classes for automorphisms of reductive linear algebraic groups. We show that reductive linear algebraic groups over some fields of zero characteristic possess the

R
∞

${R_{\infty}}$

and

S
∞

${S_{\infty}}$

properties.
The Relationship of Myocardial Collagen Metabolism and Reverse Remodeling after Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: Petrovic Ivana , Stankovic Ivan , Milasinovic Goran , Nikcevic Gabrijela , Kircanski Bratislav , Jovanovic Velibor , Raspopovic Srdjan , Radovanovic Nikola , Pavlovic Sinisa U.
Published: February 2016

Background:In the majority of patients with a wide QRS complex and heart failure resistant to optimal medical therapy, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) leads to rever se ventricular remodeling and possibly to changes in cardiac collagen synthesis and degradation. We investigated the relationship of biomarkers of myocardial collagen meta bolism and volumetric response to CRT.

Methods:We prospectively studied 46 heart failure patients (mean age 61±9 years, 87% male) who underwent CRT im plantation. Plasma concentrations of amino-terminal pro peptide type I (PINP), a marker of collagen synthesis, and carboxy-terminal collagen telopeptide (CITP), a marker of collagen degradation, were measured before and 6 months after CRT. Response to CRT was defined as 15% or greater reduction in left ventricular end-systolic volume at 6-month follow-up.

Results:Baseline PINP levels showed a negative correlation with both left ventricular end-diastolic volume (r=−0.51; p=0.032), and end-systolic diameter (r=−0.47; p=0.049). After 6 months of device implantation, 28 patients (61%) responded to CRT. No significant differences in the base-line levels of PINP and CITP between responders and nonresponders were observed (p>0.05 for both). During follow-up, responders demonstrated a significant increase in serum PINP level from 31.37±18.40 to 39.2±19.19 μg/L (p=0.049), whereas in non-responders serum PINP levels did not significantly change (from 28.12±21.55 to 34.47±18.64 μg/L; p=0.125). There were no significant changes in CITP levels in both responders and non-responders (p>0.05).

Conclusions:Left ventricular reverse remodeling induced by CRT is associated with an increased collagen synthesis in the first 6 months of CRT implantation.
Decrease of small dense LDL and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 due to human growth hormone treatment in short children with growth hormone deficiency and small for gestational age status
Authors: Krebs Andreas , Kratzin Thomas , Doerfer Jürgen , Winkler Karl , Wurm Michael , von der Werf-Grohmann Natascha , Krause Alexandra , Schwab Karl Otfried
Published: February 2016

Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and small for gestational age (SGA) status are associated with cardiovascular risks. We therefore, investigated antiatherogenic effects of growth hormone (GH).

Subfractions of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A

The overall group showed post-treatment reductions of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) (p=0.016), small-dense LDL cholesterol (sdLDL-C, p<0.001), Lp-PLA2 (p<0.001), and hsCRP (p=0.005), but increase of HDL2a cholesterol (HDL2a-C, p=0.025). SGA children revealed significant correlations between Lp-PLA2 and LDL-C and sdLDL-C both before and after GH, significant reductions of sdLDL-C, Lp-PLA2, hsCRP, and an increase of HDL2a-C. GHD children showed the same lipid responses, though not significantly.

Children with GHD or born SGA may benefit from GH by growth acceleration and reduction of cardiovascular long-term risks.
Analysis of the PAX8 gene in 32 children with thyroid dysgenesis and functional characterization of a promoter variant
Authors: Perone Denise , Medeiros-Neto Geraldo , Nogueira Célia Regina , Chagas Antonio José , Alves Dias Vera Maria , Viana Maria Fátima , Kopp Peter
Published: February 2016

The molecular basis underlying the development of thyroid dysgenesis remains largely unknown. The objective of this study was to analyze the

The 5′-untranslated region and the entire coding region of the

Thirty children did not have any sequence alterations. Two individuals had a previously identified monoallelic cytosine to thymine transition at position -983 in the promoter (-983C>T; mutant P. A of the ATG of the initiator codon is designated as +1), and a novel guanine to cytosine transversion in the non-coding exon 1 (-465G>C; mutant E). Functional analysis revealed that the basal transcriptional activity of the mutants is decreased compared to the wild type. Gel mobility shift assays indicated that mutant P does not interact with a transacting factor whose nature remains to be elucidated. The DNA binding property of mutant E were similar compared to the wild type.

These results suggest that mutations in
Kultürlichkeit statt Natürlichkeit: Ein vernachlässigtes Argument in der bioethischen Debatte um Enhancement und Anthropotechnik
Authors: Hübner Dietmar
Published: February 2016

Natürlichkeitsargumente haben allgemein in der Bioethik und speziell in der Debatte um Enhancement und Anthropotechnik keinen guten Ruf. Neben dem formalen Vorwurf, einen naturalistischen Fehlschluss zu begehen, werden sie mit dem inhaltlichen Einwand konfrontiert, eine falsche Auffassung von menschlicher Natur zugrunde zu legen: Recht verstanden definiere sich diese menschliche Natur nicht durch eine biologische Substanz, die durch biotechnische Eingriffe korrumpiert werden könnte, sondern durch kulturelle Vollzüge, zu denen gerade auch der Einsatz biotechnischer Verfahren zähle und die daher durch biotechnische Manipulationen am Menschen keineswegs beeinträchtigt, sondern eher noch bestätigt würden. Der vorliegende Beitrag unterzieht diese Argumentation einer kritischen Prüfung. Dabei zeigt sich, dass der Ansatz, den Menschen von seiner ‚Kultürlichkeit‘ statt von seiner ‚Natürlichkeit‘ her zu begreifen, tatsächlich keine glaubhafte Rechtfertigung von Anthropotechniken liefert, sondern im Gegenteil ein neues Argument gegen sie begründet: Anthropotechniken untergraben bei genauerem Hinsehen auch und gerade den Status des Menschen als Kulturwesen
Leisure-time Physical Activity Among Different Social Groups of Estonia: Results of the National Physical Activity Survey
Authors: Lusmägi Peeter , Einasto Mart , Roosmaa Eve-Liis
Published: February 2016

According to the Eurobarometer (European Commission, 2010), 39% of the Estonian adult population is not physically active at all. This percentage is relatively high compared to other countries that are culturally close to Estonia; the corresponding figure of close neighbors Finland and Sweden is below 10%. The article aims to present the results of a survey of physical activity (n=1,009) conducted in Estonia in 2013 and analyzes physical activity levels across various social groups. The results of the article show that employment, age, education, and ethnicity are important factors for engaging in leisure-time physical activity in Estonia. Non-ethnic Estonians, the less educated, the elderly, the unemployed, and those on maternity leave are less engaged in regular leisure exercise than people in other social groups. The results of the article were used to develop Estonia’s Sports 2030 strategy.
The Physical Development, Eating Habits, and Physical Activity of Children Attending Music School
Authors: Forjasz Justyna , Nowak Maria
Published: February 2016

Introduction.
Obesity is a multifactorial disorder affecting the energy balance in the body, in which the energy ingested exceeds the energy used by the body over a certain period of time. Some of the key causes of obesity in children include inappropriate eating habits and an insufficient amount of physical activity. The aim of the study presented in this article was to describe the level of physical development, nutritional status, and physical activity of children attending music school, whose free time is more limited than that of their peers.

Material and methods.
The materials used in the study were anthropometric data and data concerning the body composition of children aged 11-13 years who attended music school and those of their peers who attended regular state school. For the purposes of the study, several nutritional status indicators were established and a questionnaire concerning the eating habits and physical activity of the children was designed. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The statistical significance of the differences between the values obtained for the two groups was then measured using a t-test.

Results.
The children who attended music school were found to be more corpulent and to have more body fat than their peers. It was also determined that the former had irregular meals and an unbalanced diet, and they did not participate in organised out-of-school sports activities.

Conclusion.
The high amount of body fat found in students of music school was most likely due to their unhealthy eating habits and limited physical activity.
Phonological Factors Affecting L1 Phonetic Realization of Proficient Polish Users of English
Authors: Schwartz Geoffrey , Balas Anna , Rojczyk Arkadiusz
Published: February 2016

Acoustic phonetic studies examine the L1 of Polish speakers with professional level proficiency in English. The studies include two tasks, a production task carried out entirely in Polish and a phonetic code-switching task in which speakers insert target Polish words or phrases into an English carrier. Additionally, two phonetic parameters are studied: the oft-investigated VOT, as well as glottalization vs. sandhi linking of wordinitial vowels. In monolingual Polish mode, L2 interference was observed for the VOT parameter, but not for sandhi linking. It is suggested that this discrepancy may be related to the differing phonological status of the two phonetic parameters. In the code-switching tasks, VOTs were on the whole more English-like than in monolingual mode, but this appeared to be a matter of individual performance. An increase in the rate of sandhi linking in the code-switches, except for the case of one speaker, appeared to be a function of accelerated production of L1 target items.
Determinants of Club Head Speed in PGA Professional Golfers
Authors: Lewis Adam L. , Ward Nick , Bishop Chris , Maloney Sean , Turner Anthony N.
Published: February 2016

Turner, AN. Determinants of club head speed in PGA professional golfers. J Strength Cond Res 30(8): 2266–2270, 2016—Club head speed (CHS) has been significantly correlated with golf performance, but only in amateurs. The purpose of this study therefore, was to investigate the relationship between field-based measures of strength and power with CHS in Professional Golfers Association (PGA) professional golfers, and further determine differences between age groups. A correlation design was used to test relationships between squat jump (SJ), seated medicine ball throw (SMBT), rotational medicine ball throw (RMBT), and CHS. Twenty participants volunteered to take part in the study (age, 31.95 ± 8.7 years; height, 182.75 ± 6.88 cm; mass, 90.47 ± 15.6 kg). Intraclass correlation coefficients reported high reliability for performance variables (r = 0.85–0.95). Significant correlations (p < 0.01) were found between CHS and SJ (r = 0.817) and SMBT (r = 0.706), but not RMBT (r = 0.572). A stepwise linear regression analysis identified that SJ and SMBT explained 74% of the variance in CHS. When dividing the sample based on age, professionals <30 years (n = 10; 25.6 ± 2.9 years) displayed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher CHS and SJ height compared with professionals >30 (n = 10; 39.7 ± 5.5 years). Correlations to CHS for <30 were significant for SJ (r = 0.801) and SMBT (r = 0.643), but nonsignificant for RMBT. Those >30 had significant correlations to CHS not only in SMBT (r = 0.881) and SJ (r = 0.729), but also in RMBT (r = 0.642). The results of this study suggest that SJ and SMBT have the largest contribution to CHS in PGA professional golfers. When comparing age groups, it appears that younger golfers (<30 years) utilize more leg strength whereas older golfers (>30 years) utilize more upper body strength. Results suggest that strength-based leg exercises and power-based chest exercises may improve CHS in professional golfers.
Five Weeks of Sprint and High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Paddling Performance in Adolescent Surfers
Authors: Farley Oliver R. L. , Secomb Josh L. , Parsonage Joanna R. , Lundgren Lina E. , Abbiss Chris R. , Sheppard Jeremy M.
Published: February 2016

Farley, ORL, Secomb, JL, Parsonage, JR, Lundgren, LE, Abbiss, CR, and Sheppard, JM. Five weeks of sprint and high-intensity interval training improves paddling performance in adolescent surfers. J Strength Cond Res 30(9): 2446–2452, 2016—The purpose of our study was to examine the effects of sprint interval training (SIT; 10 seconds) and high-intensity interval training (HIT; 30 seconds) on surfing athletes paddling performance (400-m time trial and repeat-sprint paddle performance). Twenty-four competitive adolescent surfers (19 male, 5 female; age = 14.4 ± 1.3 years, mass: 50.1 ± 10.7 kg, and stature: 159.9 ± 10.3 cm) were assigned to perform either 5 weeks of SIT and HIT. Participants completed a repeated-sprint paddle ability test (RSPT, 15-m surfboard sprint paddle initiated every 40 seconds × 10 bouts) and 400-m endurance surfboard paddle time trial before and after training. High-intensity interval training decreased the total time to complete the 400 m by 15.8 ± 16.1 seconds (p = 0.03), and SIT decreased the total time to complete the RSPT by 6.5 ± 4.3 seconds (p = 0.02). Fatigue index during the RSPT (first—slowest effort) was lower after HIT and SIT (p ≤ 0.001 and p = 0.02, respectively). There were no significant differences in performance changes in the 400 m (total time) and RSPT (total time, fastest 15 m time, and peak velocity) between HIT and SIT. Our study indicates that HIT and SIT may be implemented to the training program of surfers to improve aerobic and repeat-sprint paddle ability, both of which are identified as key aspects of the sport. In addition, these findings indicate that 400-m paddle and RSPT can discriminate between aerobic and anaerobic training adaptations, with aerobic gains likely from HIT and anaerobic gains from SIT.
Assisted Reproductive Technology and Early Intervention Program Enrollment
Authors: Diop Hafsatou , Gopal Daksha , Cabral Howard , Belanoff Candice , Declercq Eugene R. , Kotelchuck Milton , Luke Barbara , Stern Judy E.
Published: February 2016

OBJECTIVES:

We examined the prevalence of Early Intervention (EI) enrollment in Massachusetts comparing singleton children conceived via assisted reproductive technology (ART), children born to mothers with indicators of subfertility but no ART (Subfertile), and children born to mothers who had no indicators of subfertility and conceived naturally (Fertile). We assessed the natural direct effect (NDE), the natural indirect effect (NIE) through preterm birth, and the total effect of ART and subfertility on EI enrollment.

METHODS:

We examined maternal and infant characteristics among singleton ART (n = 6447), Subfertile (n = 5515), and Fertile (n = 306 343) groups and characteristics associated with EI enrollment includingpreterm birth using χ2 statistics (α = 0.05). We estimated the NDE and NIE of the ART–EI enrollment relationship by fitting a model for enrollment, conditional on ART, preterm and the ART-preterm delivery interaction, and covariates. Similar analyses were conducted by using Subfertile as the exposure.

RESULTS:

The NDE indicated that the odds of EI enrollment were 27% higher among the ART group (odds ratioNDE = 1.27; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19 ̶ 1.36) and 20% higher among the Subfertilegroup (odds ratioNDE = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.12 ̶ 1.29) compared with the Fertile group, even if the rate of preterm birth is held constant.

CONCLUSIONS:

Singleton children conceived through ART and children of subfertile mothers both have elevated risks of EI enrollment. These findings have implications for clinical providers as they counsel women about child health outcomes associated with ART or subfertility.
Patterns of urban development in Budapest after 1989
Authors: Kocsis János B.
Published: February 2016

This paper will focus on various interrelated, intermingled but often divergent processes and phenomena condensed around the fall of communism in Budapest regarding the spatial structure and development of society and economy. It will demonstrate and analyze major tendencies, such as urban decay, gentrification, suburbanization, emergence of polycentric spatial patterns, effects of globalization, and economic proceedings that have fundamentally altered the position and picture of Budapest and its metropolitan area. It will point out local characteristics as well as the effects of general trends of socio-spatial development on Budapest and its surroundings.
László Ravasz et les conceptions du Protestantisme Hongrois au tournans du XXe siecle
Authors: Hatos Pál
Published: February 2016

Le rôle historique du facteur religieux est actuellement un problème majeur dans la réflexion historiographique en Hongrie. Le positivisme et le romantisme, dont la Réforme avait été la matrice dans tous les pays européens, ont procuré une stimulation mentale décisive aux historiens hongrois du milieu du XIXe siècle, en particulier Mihály Horváth et László Szalay, dans leur effort en vue de l’émancipation religieuse et dans leur lutte contre la dynastie Habsbourg, lutte dont le coeur était justement la principauté calviniste de Transylvanie. La lutte des ordres transylvains au XVIe et XVIIe siècle fut ainsi considérée comme les prémisses de la lutte pour l’indépendance, principal moteur de la société hongroise au XIXe siècle avec le développement du libéralisme. Ces idées s’imposèrent dans le savoir historique dont, jusqu’alors, les plus prestigieux épisodes étaient la conquête du Bassin des Carpates, l’âge d’or du royaume médiéval et la défense contre les Turcs (le « bastion de l’Europe »). D’ailleurs, l’image que la Réforme se faisait d’elle-même, c’est-à-dire le progressisme libéral, convenait tout aussi bien en tant que contre-image aux catholiques conservateurs (ultramontains), qui, depuis les Lumières jusqu’aux progrès de la pensée scientifique moderne en passant par la Révolution, tenaient la Réforme pour responsable de tous les phénomènes préjudiciables au catholicisme1. En s’efforçant de s’approprier les outils symboliques de la pensée nationale hongroise, le protestantisme, en voie de sécularisation, mettait en place une stratégie qui allait finalement s’avérer dommageable à la formation d’un discours national unitaire.
Les auteurs Français de la revue Chretienne Sociale (Juin 1931—Décembre 1938)
Authors: De Montety Henri
Published: February 2016

La revue Korunk Szava, publiée entre 1931 et 1938, était politiquement légitimiste et d’orientation sociale. Ayant des positions religieuses assez progressistes, ses rédacteurs se sentaient proches du milieu français dit des convertis, dont l’objectif était de réaliser une nouvelle alliance avec la tradition. Korunk Szava ouvrit ses pages en particulier à des auteurs comme Jacques Maritain, François Mauriac, Paul Claudel ou Charles Péguy. Confrontés plus tôt que les Français aux périls du nazisme, les Hongrois développèrent leurs propres conceptions de la nation, tout en offrant une tribune à leurs confrères français sur la question.
La sensibilité social et national de Sándor Giesswein. Les dilemmes politiques d’un prêtre catholique
Authors: Szilágyi Csaba
Published: February 2016

Qui était Sándor Giesswein ? Son nom figure à côté de ceux d’Ottokár Prohászka (1858–1927) et Béla Bangha SJ (1880–1940), lorsqu’il s’agit de nommer les principales figures de la renaissance catholique en Hongrie au début du XXe siècle. Ajoutons aussitôt : ce sont trois noms pour trois routes bien différentes, qui ont par la suite été appréciées comme telles. Ce qui les rapproche, c’est qu’ils ont tout trois cherché des solutions aux problèmes sociaux-politiques apparus dans les années 1900.2