bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘I’m only dealing with the acute issues’: How medical ward ‘busyness’ constrains care of the dying
Authors: Chan Lisa S , Macdonald Mary Ellen , Carnevale Franco A , Cohen S Robin
Published: May 2017

Acute hospital units are a common location of death. Curative characteristics of the acute medical setting make it difficult to provide adequate palliative care; these characteristics include an orientation to life-prolonging treatment, an emphasis on routine or task-oriented care and a lack of priority on emotional engagement with patients. Indeed, research shows that dying patients in acute medical units often experience unmet needs at the end of life, including uncontrolled symptoms (e.g. pain, breathlessness), inadequate emotional support and poor communication. A focused ethnography was conducted on an acute medical ward in Canada to better understand how this curative/life-prolonging care environment shapes the care of dying patients. Fieldwork was conducted over a period of 10 months and included participant-observation and interviews with patients, family members and staff. On the acute medical ward, a ‘logic of care’ driven by discourses of limited resources and the demanding medical unit created a context of busyness. Staff experienced an overwhelming workload and felt compelled to create priorities, which reflected taken-for-granted values regarding the importance of curative/life-prolonging care over palliative care. This could be seen through the way staff prioritized life-prolonging practices and rationalized inconsistent and less attentive care for dying patients. These values influenced care of the dying through delaying a palliative approach to care, limiting palliative care to those with cancer and providing highly interventive end-of-life care. Awareness of these taken-for-granted values compels a reflective and critical approach to current practice and how to stimulate change.
Employing meta-ethnography in the analysis of qualitative data sets on youth activism: a new tool for transnational research projects?
Authors: Pilkington Hilary
Published: May 2017

This article outlines a novel application of meta-ethnographic synthesis in the analysis of multiple ethnographic case studies of youth activism emanating from a large transnational European research project. Although meta-ethnography is used increasingly as an alternative to systematic review for the synthesis of published qualitative studies, it is not widely applied to the synthesis of primary data. This article suggests such a use is not precluded epistemologically and potentially addresses a growing need as ethnography itself becomes increasingly ‘multi-sited’. The article outlines the practical process of adapting meta-ethnography to primary data analysis drawing on the synthesis of 44 ethnographic cases of youth activism and provides a worked example of the translation of cases and resulting ‘line of argument’. It discusses the challenges and limitations of the approach in particular the danger that, in extracting the general from the specific, the key quality of qualitative data – individual differentiation – is diminished.
Focus of attention instructions during baseball pitching training
Authors: van der Graaff Erik , Hoozemans Marco , Pasteuning Maurice , Veeger Dirkjan , Beek Peter J
Published: May 2017

It has often been shown that performance and learning in movement tasks may be improved by focusing on the effect of the movement in the environment (external focus of attention) instead of the movement itself (internal focus of attention). Nevertheless, most coaching instructions and feedback information given in sports seem to favor an internal focus of attention over an external one. In the present study, we investigated coaches’ instructions and feedback in an instrumental sports action, viz. baseball pitching, in which external targets are readily identifiable, such as the strike area or the catcher’s glove. To this end, we recorded and analyzed the pitching instructions and feedback statements of six baseball coaches given to 70 elite youth baseball pitchers (mean age 15.3 ( SD 1.67) years) during regular pitching training sessions over a training period of four weeks. All instructions and feedback statements were classified according to the type of focus of attention invoked (i.e. internal or external), and a rest category of all other statements. Of the statements promoting a specific focus of attention (717/1699), only 31% (224/717) were classified as external focus of attention statements. Correspondingly, the responses on a questionnaire filled out by the pitchers indicated that they used an internal focus of attention during practice and preferred to receive internally oriented over externally oriented instructions and feedback. The present results show that, even in sports involving clear external targets such as baseball pitching, the internal focus of attention instructions prevails, the experimental evidence in favor of external focus of attention instructions notwithstanding.
Treatment of NRAS-mutated advanced or metastatic melanoma: rationale, current trials and evidence to date
Authors: Boespflug Amélie , Caramel Julie , Dalle Stephane , Thomas Luc
Published: May 2017

The disease course of BRAF (v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1)-mutant melanoma has been drastically improved by the arrival of targeted therapies. NRAS (neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog)-mutated melanoma represents 15–25% of all metastatic melanoma patients. It currently does not have an approved targeted therapy. Metastatic patients receive immune-based therapies as first-line treatments, then cytotoxic chemotherapy like carboplatin/paclitaxel (C/P), dacarbazine (DTIC) or temozolomide (TMZ) as a second-line treatment. We will review current preclinical and clinical developments in NRAS-mutated melanoma, and analyze ongoing clinical trials that are evaluating the benefit of different targeted and immune-based therapies, either tested as single agents or in combination, in NRAS-mutant melanoma.
Diagnosing the Periphery: Using the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Drawing Test to Characterize Peripheral Visual Function
Authors: Coates Daniel R. , Wagemans Johan , Sayim Bilge
Published: May 2017

Peripheral vision is strongly limited by crowding, the deleterious influence of neighboring stimuli on target perception. Many quantitative aspects of this phenomenon have been characterized, but the specific nature of the perceptual degradation remains elusive. We utilized a drawing technique to probe the phenomenology of peripheral vision, using the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure, a standard neuropsychological clinical instrument. The figure was presented at 12° or 6° in the right visual field, with eye tracking to ensure that the figure was only presented when observers maintained stable fixation. Participants were asked to draw the figure with free viewing, capturing its peripheral appearance. A foveal condition was used to measure copying performance in direct view. To assess the drawings, two raters used standard scoring systems that evaluated feature positions, spatial distortions, and omission errors. Feature scores tended to decrease with increasing eccentricity, both within and between conditions, reflecting reduced resolution and increased crowding in peripheral vision. Based on evaluation of the drawings, we also identified new error classes unique to peripheral presentation, including number errors for adjacent similar features and distinctive spatial distortions. The multifaceted nature of the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure—containing configural elements, detached compound features, and texture-like components—coupled with the flexibility of the free-response drawing paradigm and the availability of standardized scoring systems, provides a promising method to probe peripheral perception and crowding.
In vitro evaluation of a new iterative reconstruction algorithm for dose reduction in coronary artery calcium scoring
Authors: Gassenmaier Tobias , Allmendinger Thomas , Kunz Andreas S , Veyhl-Wichmann Maike , Ergün Süleyman , Bley Thorsten A , Petritsch Bernhard
Published: May 2017

Background

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring is a widespread tool for cardiac risk assessment in asymptomatic patients and accompanying possible adverse effects, i.e. radiation exposure, should be as low as reasonably achievable.

Purpose

To evaluate a new iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithm for dose reduction of in vitro coronary artery calcium scoring at different tube currents.

Material and Methods

An anthropomorphic calcium scoring phantom was scanned in different configurations simulating slim, average-sized, and large patients. A standard calcium scoring protocol was performed on a third-generation dual-source CT at 120 kVp tube voltage. Reference tube current was 80 mAs as standard and stepwise reduced to 60, 40, 20, and 10 mAs. Images were reconstructed with weighted filtered back projection (wFBP) and a new version of an established IR kernel at different strength levels. Calcifications were quantified calculating Agatston and volume scores. Subjective image quality was visualized with scans of an ex vivo human heart.

Results

In general, Agatston and volume scores remained relatively stable between 80 and 40 mAs and increased at lower tube currents, particularly in the medium and large phantom. IR reduced this effect, as both Agatston and volume scores decreased with increasing levels of IR compared to wFBP ( P < 0.001). Depending on selected parameters, radiation dose could be lowered by up to 86% in the large size phantom when selecting a reference tube current of 10 mAs with resulting Agatston levels close to the reference settings.

Conclusion

New iterative reconstruction kernels may allow for reduction in tube current for established Agatston scoring protocols and consequently for substantial reduction in radiation exposure.
Casting an ‘Outsider’ in the ritual centre: Two decades of performances of ‘Rural Migrants’ in CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala
Authors: Yuan Yan
Published: May 2017

Recent years have seen the rise of the ‘processual approach’ in media ritual studies, which focuses on the making of media rituals through various ‘ritualised actions’ rather than assuming them as isolated events distinctive to ordinary broadcasting. This article advances this line of argument by shedding light on a previously less-discussed form of ritualised action: the ritualised casting. It examines how the character of ‘rural migrant’ has been staged in the 28-year history of China Central Television’s Spring Festival Gala and how the casting of this ‘social outsider’ served as a dynamical strategy in the process of ritualisation of the Gala. The case study demonstrates a persistently central position of the image of ‘rural migrants’ in the Gala in the past 21 years, yet the scripting of this ritual subject varied as the agendas and crises of ritualisation shifted. This ritualised casting not only delivered a self-replicating effect that made the success of the Gala as natural and desired, but also, it exhibited a power to converge the media’s categories with other social categories, which further legitimised the ritual authority of the Gala as a mediated centre in the festival space of the Chinese New Year.
Oxidation Number Estimation of Ca in Ca-N Compounds from Ca K-edge XANES Spectra
Authors: Abe Hitoshi , Niwa Yasuhiro , Kitano Masaaki , Inoue Yasunori , Yokoyama Toshiharu , Hara Michikazu , Hosono Hideo
Published: May 2017

XANES spectra were measured on Ca K-edge for Ca2N, Ca3N2, Ca2NH, CaNH, and Ca(NH2)2. Ca2N and Ca3N2 show the lowest edge positions, while Ca(NH2)2 the highest. The relationship between the edge positions and electron biasing around Ca in the compounds is discussed and the oxidation numbers are estimated.
Naphthobispyrazine as an Electron-deficient Building Unit for π-Conjugated Polymers: Efficient Synthesis and Polymer Properties
Authors: Mikie Tsubasa , Kawashima Kazuaki , Komeyama Kimihiro , Yoshida Hiroto , Osaka Itaru
Published: May 2017

Naphthobispyrazine (NPz), a family of naphthalene-based electron-deficient fused heteroaromatic rings, and its derivatives including a polymer are efficiently synthesized via the ring-opening reaction of corresponding naphthobisthiadiazole derivatives. The electrochemical and optical measurements of the NPz-based molecules and polymers revealed that NPz has relatively weak electron deficiency and thus affords medium band-gap polymers. The photovoltaic properties of the polymer, in combination with PC61BM, were also studied.
A Facile Route to 4-Polyfluoroarylquinolin-2(1H)-ones and 4-Polyfluoroarylcoumarins via C–H Bond Activation
Authors: Fang Ling , Xue Lijun , Yang Peng , Li Xiaodan , Wang Zhiyong
Published: May 2017

Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 4-trifloxyquinolin-2(1H)-ones or 4-chlorocoumarins with polyfluoroarenes has been successfully developed. Under mild conditions, the reactions afforded 4-polyfluoroarylquinolin-2(1H)-ones and 4-polyfluoroarylcoumarins, which feature a wide range of bioactive compounds, with good yields.
Phosphorylation of Isocyanates and Aldehydes Mediated by Multifunctional N-Phosphine Oxide-substituted Imidazolylidenes
Authors: Hoshimoto Yoichi , Asada Takahiro , Hazra Sunit , Ohashi Masato , Ogoshi Sensuke
Published: May 2017

The direct syntheses of imidic-phosphinic mixed anhydrides and phosphinates were accomplished via phosphorylation of isocyanates or aldehydes with N-phosphine oxide-substituted imidazolylidenes (PoxIms) that are equipped with both nucleophilic carbene and electrophilic phosphorus moieties. In addition, the catalytic cyclotrimerization of phenyl isocyanate took place by employing a PoxIm having bis-N-phosphine oxide groups. The results presented in the current study demonstrate that judiciously designed multifunctional carbenes represent a promising potential for the phosphorylation of heterocumulenes and carbonyl compounds.
Developing a Web Site Usability Scale: The validity and reliability analysis & implementation results
Authors: Kılıç Çakmak Ebru , Güneş Erhan , Çiftçi Serdar , Üstündağ Mutlu Tahsin
Published: May 2017

The aim of this research was to develop a "User perception based web site usability scale" to be used for assigning usability of web sites based on user perception. After a literature review dimensions of usability were found out. Subsequently a pool of items including a total of 53 items was collected in this context. The draft form which was developed according to 7 subject matter experts' opinions, was applied on 245 students who had been using Gazi University Distance Education Vocational College LMS (Learning Management System) web site.  Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis methods were used to determine construct validity. For reliability, Cronbach alpha internal consistency coefficient was taken into account; corrected item-total correlation and t-test were used to examine significance between item averages of top %27 and bottom %27 groups. As a result of the analysis process, the user perception based web site usability scale, with a construct of four factors including of 25 items, was developed. Finally, the scale was applied on 239 e-learners in order to determine the usability level of the LMS web site which they had been using and results were reported.
Organization communication problems and the ways of solving these problems of school administrators working at secondary schools
Authors: Durgun Serpil
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this qualitative study is to determine organizational communication problems and the ways of solving these problems from the views of school administrators working at secondary schools. The sample of this study consists of 14 school administrators in 7 secondary schools in Mersin. The data were gathered by utilizing interview technique through a semi-structured interview including 16 questions which were developed by the researcher. The data collected through interviews were content-analysed including the process of identifying, coding, and categorising the primary patterns of data. Regarding administratoradministrator communication, results indicated that there is no problem. On the other hand, the results of this study provide evidence that school administrators have a number of significant organizational communication problems regarding administrator-teacher, administratorstudent, and administrator-parent communication. In addition, analysis of data revealed that there are some differences among female and male school administrators in defining organizational communication problems and proposing solutions to these organizational communication-related problems.
The effects of parent's educational involvement, school attitudes and some family related factors on the primary school students' national level assesment test scores
Authors: İpek Cemalettin
Published: May 2017

The study aims to investigate the effects of parent's educational involment, school attitudes and some family related factors on the primary school students' National Level Assessment test scores. The study was conducted on 522 primary school students and their families in Çayeli subprovince. Two different scales, parental involvement scale and scool attitudes scale (Can, 2008), were used as data gathering instruments in the study. Study results indicated that parents' educational involvement and school attitudes levels varied based on the primary school students' National Level Assessment test scores. Moreover, it was revealed that the primary school students' National Level Assessment test scores varied significantly based on fathers' educational level and occupation. However, the study results indicated that the number of children in the family did not affect the primary school students' National Level Assessment test scores.
Order versus disorder in Thomas Hardy's ghostly poems
Authors: Öztürk A. Serdar
Published: May 2017

There are a lot of supernatural elements like spirits and ghosts in Thomas Hardy's poems. The supernatural elements have very significant roles in his poems though he has no credulous faith in supernatural elements. The ghosts that come uninvited to the mortal World realize their mistake, even if they come motivated by the most altruistic of intentions. They cannot change anything in the mortal world. The harmony and the balance between worlds can be realized only if the mortals and immortals accept their lives as they are, without probing or questioning their worlds.
Teacher views about sound based sentence method
Authors: Duran Erol , Çoban Okan
Published: May 2017

In this research aims to determine their views the teacher about "training sequence of letters", "syllable, word, sentence and text production in the first group stage of the implementation of " and the "technique to reach the open syllable" in sound based sentence method. For this purpose, working in the province of Usak semi-structured interview administered to 123 classroom teachers. In data analysis, descriptive analysis technique was used. Teachers participating in the research, education regarding the order of the letters was not a majör problem but the last groups of the p, ç, h, f and s letters, bringing the first syllable and Word derivation in the letters indicated that increase efficiency. The majority of teachers who participated in the survey make it more difficult to read fluently and should be replaced by an new technique to reach the open syllable. In addition, the first group, the syllable, word, sentence and text production practices in the administration stated that pose no problem.
Determination of the demographic characteristics of science and technology teachers: Sample of Istanbul
Authors: Adıgüzel Zafer , Ünsal Yasin , Karadağ Mustafa
Published: May 2017

In this study, it is was aimed to determine point out the demographic features Science and Technology teachers in primary educations schools. Survey model and random sample approach are used in this study. The sample of the research is composed of 204 Science and Technology teachers working in İstanbul. Educations Form of the Teacher's Personal Properties is used for collecting data. As a result, the demographic characteristics of teachers of Science and Technology working in Istanbul were revealed. As a result, the sample group of teachers have only 16.18% a master degree, 66.20% appeared rented for the house. In addition, 16.66% of teachers additional revenue for the life of a business case put down as maintenance remains.
The effect of constructivist learning environment on the academic achievement and van Hiele Geometry Thinking Level of elementary school teaching department students in basic mathematics course
Authors: Bal Ayten Pınar
Published: May 2017

This study was done to find out the effect of the geometry teaching based on constructivist approach on geometric achievement and Van Hiele geometric thinking levels of elementary school teaching department students. The research was designed according to quasiexperimental research design with a pre-test and post-test control group. The population of the study consisted of students at Çukurova University, Faculty of Education; the sample of the study consisted of 70 first grade students at the elementary school teaching department of the same faculty. "Geometry Achievement Test", "Van Hiele Geometry Thinking Test" and "Portfolio" were used as data collection tools. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and independent groups' t test. It was concluded that there was not any statistical difference between the academic achievements of experimental group and control group; however, there was a significant difference in favour of the experimental group in terms of Van Hiele geometry thinking levels.
Preschool teachers' views on usage of information techonologies
Authors: Gök Aylin , Turan Selahattin , Oyman Nidan
Published: May 2017

This study aimed at investigating effects of preschool teachers' usage of information technologies on student's level of interest and attention. The sample of the study was composed by the 10 pre-school teachers living in Istanbul and the data collection instrument was the 'focus group method'. Group meetings have been applied in three sessions with the same group members in 2010. Data assessment was realized in two sessions as data casting and content analysis. In this study, in the field of information technology at pre-schools computer, internet and smart board usage rates was approached. The most important finding of this study is that when the pre-school teachers use the information technologies under control and in enough time, this reflects the opinions of the students' attention and interest.
Extracurricular Partnerships as a Tool for Enhancing Graduate Employability
Authors: Lewis David I
Published: May 2017

The world of work is changing rapidly, with an increasing global demand for employees with higher-level skills. Employees need to have the right attitudes and aptitudes for work, possess work-relevant skills, and have relevant experience. Whilst universities are embedding employability into their curricula, partnerships outside of the taught curriculum provide additional, largely untapped, opportunities for students to develop these key skills and gain valuable work experience. Two extracurricular partnership opportunities were created for Bioscience undergraduates at the University of Leeds, UK: an educational research internships scheme, where students work in partnership with fellow students and academic staff on on-going educational projects, and Pop-Up Science, a unique, student-led public engagement volunteer scheme. Both schemes generate substantial benefits for all. They enhance student’s skills and employability, facilitate and enhance staff-student education practices and research, and engage the public with research in the Biosciences. Collectively, they demonstrate the extraordinary value and benefits accrued from developing extracurricular partnerships between students, staff, and the community.
A Systematic Literature Review of Students as Partners in Higher Education
Authors: Mercer-Mapstone Lucy , Dvorakova Sam Lucie , Matthews Kelly E , Abbot Sophia , Cheng Breagh , Felten Peter , Knorr Kris , Marquis Elizabeth , Shammas Rafaella , Swaim Kelly
Published: May 2017

“Students as Partners” (SaP) in higher education re-envisions students and staff as active collaborators in teaching and learning. Understanding what research on partnership communicates across the literature is timely and relevant as more staff and students come to embrace SaP. Through a systematic literature review of empirical research, we explored the question: How are SaP practices in higher education presented in the academic literature? Trends across results provide insights into four themes: the importance of reciprocity in partnership; the need to make space in the literature for sharing the (equal) realities of partnership; a focus on partnership activities that are small scale, at the undergraduate level, extracurricular, and focused on teaching and learning enhancement; and the need to move toward inclusive, partnered learning communities in higher education. We highlight nine implications for future research and practice.
DISTRIBUTION, DENSITY, AND BIOLOGICAL ASPECT OF Trichiurus lepturus IN THE SOUTHERN OF JAVA. INDIAN OCEAN EEZ OF INDONESIA
Authors: Satria Fayakun , Wudianto Wudianto , Awwaludin Awwaludin
Published: May 2017

Distribution, density, and biological aspect ol Trichiurus lepturus in deeper parts of southern Jawa are described based on data obtained from research cruise in May 2005. The cruise has successfully made 52 stations of trawl across southern of Java.
IDENTIFICATION OF FISHING GROUND FOR DEEP SEA DEMERSAL FISHES AND IT'S POSSIBILITY FOR FISHING DEVELOPMENT IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
Authors: Wudianto Wudianto , Satria Fayakun
Published: May 2017

The topographical surveys were conducted from September 1st to 20th 2004 at southern part of Java and from September 20th to October 30th 2004 at the western part of Sumatera. Exact isobaths were necessary to determine the size of the area in order to identify the possible fishing ground for deep sea demersal fishes.
FISH COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN RELATION TO WATER QUALITY OF THE DOWN STREAM OF MUSI RIVER, SOUTH SUMATERA, INDONESIA
Authors: Husnah Husnah , Prianto Eko , Makri Makri , Dahlan Hilda Z.
Published: May 2017

Musi River is a large riverwith its drainage area covers three provinces, South Sumatera, Lampung, and Bengkulu, and with multi uses of its resources.
ANTIBACTERIAL POTENCY OF CHITOSAN OLIGOMER PRODUCED BY Bacillus licheniformis MB-2 CHITOSANASE
Authors: Chasanah Ekowati , Meidina Meidina , Suhartono Maggy T.
Published: May 2017

Bacillus licheniformis MB-2 chitosanase isolated from hot spring water in Manado, Indonesia, was used to produce chitosan oligomers.
Preliminary Research on the Wheat Pests and on Their Integrated Control during 2015-2016, at Agricultural Research-Development Station Turda
Authors: DĂRAB Ionel Dragoş , MALASCHI Dana , VĂLEAN Ana Maria , TĂRĂU Adina Daniela , CHEŢAN Cornel , OLTEAN Ion
Published: May 2017

In Transylvania, the evolution of wheat insect pests is strongly influenced by the ecotehnological conditions, by climate change and current technology (Malschi, 2009 Malschi et al., 2015). The paper presents the dynamics and importance of the main pests of wheat (thrips, aphids, leafhoppers, wheat flies, cereals sunbugs, investigated under the integrated pest control system suitable of the area. During 2015-2016, the investigations were conducted at the Agricultural Research and Development Station Turda, from the wheat no tillage cultural system with cereal rotation of three years and applying all zonal recommendations of technology and phytosanitary complex. The pest monitoring was performed based on the samples collected with entomological net, by decadal 100 sweep-net catches/sample. The study data shows the danger of the attack of abundant populations of wheat flies (Phorbia securis, Delia coarctata, Opomyza florum, Oscinella frit etc.; wheat fleas (Chaetocnema aridula) and cereal leaf beetle (Oulema melanopa); leafhoppers (Psammotettix alienus, Javesella pellucida, Macrosteles laevis); aphids (Sitobion avenae, Schizaphis graminum, Rhopalosiphum padi); thrips (Haplothrips tritici), sunbugs (Eurygaster maura, Aelia acuminata) etc., and the necessity of applying insecticide treatments on the vegetation.Since 2015, a stronger impact of global warming on the wheat pests structure (%) are found. This change began on the last ten years. The importance of cereal sunbugs is increasing, well as the importance of the wheat flies, aphids and leafhoppers, which requires professional study on the pest dynamics and adequate integrated control of wheat pests.
Study of the Behavior of Some Spring Barley Lines with Two Rows Created at A.R.D.S Turda Regarding Production Capacity and Quality
Authors: PORUMB Ioana , RUSSU Florin
Published: May 2017

The spring barley is a variety of a superior quality for brewing compared with the feed barley due to several reasons. Research was conducted in the field of breeding of spring barley with two rows, within ARDS Turda, during 2013-2015. The trials were comparatively developed, and included 25 variants. The biological material was represented by four  autochthonous genotypes: Turdeana, Daciana Romaniţa (A.R.D.S. Turda), and Adina (A.R.D.S. Suceava). The spring barley lines created by the S.C.D.A. Turda, meet the requirements of the beer industry in terms of protein content, starch, M.M.B. and germination energy.
Investigation on the Incidence, Diagnostic, Possibilities and Design of Prophylactic Treatment in an Outbreak of Bacterial Haemorrhagic Septicemia of Carp
Authors: LADOSI Daniela , NEGREA Octavian , MARCHIS Zamfir , CHIRILA Flore , PARASCA Ana Maria Theodora
Published: May 2017

The investigations carried out on a sample of 53 breeders (31 females and 22 males), in a fishing farm of Suatu village, County of Cluj, concerning the incidence of hemorrhagic bacterial septicaemia, diagnosis and profilactico-therapeutic possibilities. Results highlights a incidence of bacteriosis differentiated according to the category of breeders, 54.8% in females and 36.3% in males. Necropsy examination carried out on 3 specimen of suspected bacteriosis, highlights the presence of hemorrhagic skin lesions, which are dotted or diffuse, respectively musculo-cutaneous necrosis and ulcers. Regarding the internal injuries, opening of the body cavity, revealed consistency changes and septicemy form in major internal organs, as well as the presence of a liquid hollow looking sanguinolent.The bacterioscopic examination of smears from the pathologic material (skin surface end internal samples) and colored with the Gram method, reveled bacterial microflora, represented by coccobacillus and straight bacilli or slightly curved, both Gram negative. Furthermore, the bacteriological (culture) exam performed on usual and selective culture mediae, distinguishes the isolation of pure culture bacteriae belonging to the genus Aeromonas. The exam of biochemical traits, with the aid of API 20 E multitest determines that the isolated strains of Aeromonas spp. belong to the species Aeromonas hydrophila, indicted in the emergence and evolution of the bacterial of haemorrhagic septicaemia. Testing strains sensitivity to antibiotics and chemotherapy (through antibiograma level), reflects the isolated bacteriaâ€™s values of sensitivity in decreasing order: amoxicillin, oxytetracycline, florfenicol and enrofloxacilin. However, reduced sensitivity was recorded to tetracycline and ampicillin and resistance to erythromycin.Â
Research on Hippotherapy Effects in Children whith Disabilities
Authors: MARCHIS Zamfir , RADUCU Camelia , LADOSI Daniela , JURCO Eugen , COROIAN Aurelia , COROIAN Cristian Ovidiu , PRATA Luciana , JURCO Simona
Published: May 2017

This paper presents a study on the interaction of children with special needs and horses, which attempts to demonstrate the effects of hipoterapy in helping children with disabilities. The research was conducted on a group of 20 children with disabilities who participated in this type of therapy for 8 months (January-August 2015) in LeorinÅ£ Leisure Center and Riding Therapy, which owns 6 horses. This study was conducted by a psychologist pre- and post-evaluation and there were followed skills and cognitive function, motor skills, spatial-temporal orientation skills, sensory-perceptual organization, examining language and personality of children. In the first stage an initial assessment of children was made representing the starting point to see to what extent children are, what special needs they have and what gaps need to be recovered or what skills and qualities may be based in therapy. After 3 months of hippotherapy, in April 2015, there was made intermediar evaluation of beneficiaries to see if the intended results were achieved and where to optimise the therapy. The final evaluation was conducted in August 2015, after four months from the intermediar evaluation. Applying hippotherapy for children with various disabilities, it was found that children moving better, move better, speak more easily, communicate and become more careful. Besides outcomes of hippotherapy and results are measurable and easily to observe such as satisfaction to participate in hippotherapy sessions and gettingÂ  into contact with the horses.
Influence of YEA-SACC 1026 Probiotic on Some Production and Consumption Indices in Chicken Broilers
Authors: TOADER Ionel , SARA Aurel , BENTEA Mihai , CIOLTEA Marius
Published: May 2017

The researches followed the effects of powderYEA-SACC 1026 probiotic on some production and consumption indices in chicken broilers. The researches were effected on 75 meat chickens of Ross-308 hybrid, which were grouped in three lots of 25 capita/lot during 42 days. In the lot L1(E), for 42 days, in the mixed fodder was added YEA-SACC 1026 probiotic in proportion of 0.1% in breeding phase I (1-14 days), of 0.1% in phase II (15-35 days) and 0.1% in phase III (36-42 days). In the lot L2(E), for 42 days, in the mixed fodder was added YEA-SACC 1026 probiotic in proportion of 0.25% in breeding phase I (1-14 days), of 0.25% in phase II (15-35 days) and 0.25% in phase III (36-42 days). The chickens of all lots were weighted at the beginning of experiment and after that weekly being calculated the average body weight, average daily gain, fodder intake and fodder conversion index. The use of y YEA-SACC 1026 probiotic in lot L1(E) determined an increase of body weight with 16.26%, of average daily gain with 15.55% and the fodder conversion index was reduced with 29.16% given to Control Lot L(M). On the second place was situated the lot L2(E), in witch was administered 0.25% of YEA-SACC 1026 probiotic, with an increase of body weight of 8.32%, of average daily gain with 7.54% and the fodder conversion index was reduced with 21.78% given to Control Lot L(M). These superior results, registered in meat chickens from lot L1(E) YEA-SACC 1026 probiotic 0.1% and lot L2(E) YEA-SACC 1026 probiotic 0.25%, confirm the favourable influence of this probiotic on chicken broilersâ€™ performances.
Influence of YEA-SACC 1026 Probiotic on Meat Quality in Chicken Broilers
Authors: TOADER Ionel , ȘARA Aurel , BENTEA Mihai , CADAR Mirela
Published: May 2017

The use of probiotics, as fodder supplement for chickens, could stimulate meat quality that is a very important criterion especially for human consumption markets. The study had in view the effects of powdery YEA-SACC 1026 probiotic on meat quality in chicken broilers. There were studied 75 meat chickens of Ross-308 hybrid grouped on three lots of 25 capita/lot during an experimental period of 42 days. In the mixed fodder of experimental lots was added powdery YEA-SACC 1026 probiotic in proportion of 0.1% in lot L1(E) and in proportion of 0.25% in lot L2(E). In the experiment end, were effected control slaughtering of 5 chickens per each lot, to establish the meat quality by trenching and meat chemical composition. After YEA-SACC 1026 probiotic administration, as fodder supplement, the chicken meat quality was improved by increasing the weight of superior quality meat in carcass. The obtained results confirm the favourable effects of probiotics on chicken meat production and its quality
Beebread from Apis mellifera and Apis dorsata. Comparative Chemical Composition and Bioactivity
Authors: BOBIS Otilia , DEZMIREAN Daniel Severus , MARGHITAS Liviu Alexandru , BONTA Victorita , MARGAOAN Rodica , PASCA Claudia , URCAN Adriana , BANDHARI Pushpendra Singh
Published: May 2017

Beebread is a valuable bee product, both for bee nutrition and for humans. The high nutritional and bioactive properties of beebread were evaluated by chemical composition analysis of beebread from Apis mellifera and Apis dorsata. Bee bread harvested from Romania and India, coming from Apis mellifera and Apis dorsata bees, were evaluated for their chemical composition. Analyses were made in APHIS Laboratory from USAMV Cluj, using validated methods for bee products. Lipids were determined by the Soxhlet extraction method, total protein content was determined by Kjehldahl method, sugar spectrum was determined by high performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detection (HPLC-IR). Water content of beebread samples were situated between 11.45 and 16.46%, total protein content between 16.84 and 19.19% and total lipids between 6.36 and 13.47%.Â  Beebread has high bioactive properties which can be expressed as antioxidant and/or antibacterial activity. Chemical composition and bioactive properties of beebread is influenced by floral origin of the pollen which the bees collect and place in combs for fermentation. Also the climatic conditions have an important role in developing different fermentation compounds, that may act as antioxidants or antibacterial agents.
Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Beebread – Review
Authors: URCAN Adriana Cristina , MARGHITAS Liviu Al , DEZMIREAN Daniel S , BOBIS Otilia , BONTA Victorita , MURESAN Carmen I , MARGAOAN Rodica
Published: May 2017

Beebread is a product of the hive obtained from pollen collected by bees, to which they add honey, digestive enzymes and subsequently is stored in the combs. The bees transform the bee pollen in beebread by an anaerobic fermentation process. A proper hive management promotes beebread collection, aimed at marketing it for human consumption since it can be considered a valuable food supplement due to its content of a wide range of nutrients. Its value is given by the content in protein, amino acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, mineral salts, polyphenols and flavonoids, which depends on the botanical source of bee pollen. The nutritional and functional composition of beebread is widely reported; nevertheless, few studies on transformation processes of the pollen to improve the availability of the compounds present in this product were found. Overall, beebread is a recent collected and consumed bee product and at this stage it can be used as a food supplement.
Research Regarding the Simultaneous Control of the Pathogens on Tomatoes Crops under High Plastic Tunnels
Authors: ŞOVĂREL Gabriela , COSTACHE Marcel , CENUŞĂ Ana Emilia
Published: May 2017

In Romania the most important pathogens on tomatoes crops are Alternaria porri f.sp. solani, Botrytis cinerea, Fulvia fulva, Phytophthora infestans and Erysiphe sp. During period of vegetation, the attack of mentioned pathogens are frequently overlapping. For simultaneously control of pathogenswere used some combination with different active substances (chlorothalonil 500g/l, iprodione 500 g/l, fenhexamid 500 g/l, thiophanate methyl 500g/l, metiram 80%, dimethomorph 9%, mancozeb 60%, difenoconazole 250 g/l , fenamidone 75g/l, propamocarb HCL 375 g/l. The best results for controlling Alternaria porri f.sp. solani, Botrytis cinerea and Fulvia fulva are metiram 80% 0.2% + thiophanate methyl 500g/l 0.14% with 93.5% efficacy. In the untreated check the degree of attack was 78.6% (44.3% A.solani, 7.0% B.cinerea and 27.3% F. Fulva). For controlling Phytophthora infestans, Erysiphe sp. and Fulvia fulva (fenamidone 75g/l + propamocarb HCL 375 g/l)Â Â Â  0.2% +Â  difenoconazole 250 g/l 0.05% with 94.5% efficacy. In the untreated check the degree of attack is 81.2% (38.4% P. infestans, 27.4% Erysiphe sp. , 15.4% F. fulva).
Influence of Temperature on Mycelial Growth of some Pleurotus eryngii and Lentinula edodes Strains in vitro
Authors: ZĂGREAN Alexandru Valentin , NEAŢĂ Gabriela , STĂNCIULESCU Bogdan
Published: May 2017

The mycelial growth rate of eight experimental strains - Pleurotus eryngii (4) and Lentinula edodes (4) - was studied on PDA medium at different incubation temperatures: 18Â°, 24Â° and 30Â°C.The aim of the investigation was to determine the optimal temperature for in vitro cultivation of each of the eight strains under study. All the experimental soushes reached their optimum growth at 24-30Â°C. P.eryngii strains showed better growth rates compared to those of L.edodes. The fastest strains were Pery-G (4,83 mm day-1/30oC), Pery-K (4,14 mm day-1/30oC) for P.eryngii and Led-S (3,35 mm day-1/30oC), LeM-51 (3,05 mm day-1/30oC) for L.edodes, respectively.Statistical interpretation shows that our experimental strains of both specia obtained very significant positive results at 30oC.
Using Bioinformatics Tools for Identification and Characterization of Transcriptome Derived EST-SSRs in Silver Fir (Abies alba Mill.)
Authors: POSTOLACHE Dragos
Published: May 2017

Bioinformatics tools have been used to evaluate silver fir de novo assembled 454 transcriptome. A total of 3500 EST-SSRs were detected in the 454 transcriptome of silver fir. Most abundant are tri-nucleotide SSRs being followed by tetra- SSRs and di- SSRs. In addition, we determined the density, frequency, average length and average repeat number of EST-SSRs in the 454 transcriptome of silver fir.
Effect of Limited Drip Irrigation Regime on Yield and Yield Components of Sesame under Mediterranean Conditions
Authors: PAPASTYLIANOU Panayiota , BILALIS Dimitrios , TRAVLOS Ilias
Published: May 2017

Sesame is one of the most important oilseed crops in the world. Irrigation is of great importance to sesame production due to its positive effect on growth parameters. Although sesame has good drought tolerance compared with many other crops, it is particularly susceptible to drought damage during the seedling, flowering and seed filling stages and this can lead to yield loss. The aim of this study was to determine the response of sesame landraces to different irrigation applications during the 2015 growing season. The experiment was set up as a split plot design with three replicates, four main plots (irrigation treatments, designated as 100%, 75% 50% and 0 of the daily crop evapotranspiration) and two sub-plots (sesame landraces, Limnos and Evros). Different characteristics such as plant height, number of seeds per capsule, and number of capsules per plant, seed yield, 1000-seed weight and % capsules without seeds, were recorded. The results indicated that all traits except 1000-seed weight were significantly affected by irrigation regimes. Plant height, shattering losses and number of capsules per plant decreased with increasing water shortage. Seed yield and number of seeds per capsule were less affected by irrigation level and showed higher values in the 50% of the daily crop evapotranspiration treatment. Limnos produced higher seed yield and number of seeds per capsule under all irrigation regimes. Evros showed higher plant height and shattering losses than Limnos. The results of this study suggest that sesame landraces can use water efficiently, are locally adapted and associated with traditional farming systems.
Effect of Organic Fertilization and AMF Inoculation on Yield and Floral Quality Parameters of Common Marigold
Authors: PAPASTYLIANOU Panayiota , STAVROPOULOS George , SAMANIDIS Iordanis , BILALIS Dimitrios
Published: May 2017

In Greece common marigold is one of the major medicinal plants widely used in cosmetics, perfumes and the pharmaceutical industry. A field experiment was conducted at Komotini, Greece, to compare the effect of organic and conventional fertilization combined with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation on yield and floral qualitative characteristics of the common marigold during the 2015 growing season. The experiment was set up as a split plot design with three replicates, three main plots (fertilization treatments, inorganic, organic and untreated) and two sub-plots (addition/non-addition of commercial mycorrhiza of the genus Glomus spp.). Floral fresh and dry weight as well as total phenolic and flavonoid content of the dried flowers were recorded. Data analysis confirmed no significant correlation between fresh/dry floral yield, total phenolic and flavonoid content of the dried flowers and type of fertilization. The results also demonstrate a tendency of increase of the fresh or dry weight of the flowers when the commercial mycorrhiza is applied but it is not statistically significant.
Inventory of Viticultural Yield and Quality Parameters in Respect of Soil Management
Authors: BUNEA Claudiu , POPESCU Daniela , HOBLE Adela , WINTER Silvia , ZALLER Johann
Published: May 2017

Abstract.  The purpose of this research was to analyse the yeld and quality of eight grapevine varieties (two Romanian autochthonous varieties: ‘Fetească regală’, ‘Traminer roz’, and six world-wide varieties: ‘Rhin Riesling’, ‘Sauvignon Blanc’, ‘Muscat Ottonel’, ‘Pinot gris’, ‘Chardonnay’and ‘Italian Riesling’ cultivated in two different types of soil management (low and high intensity).
The Development of an Automated Clean-up for Fat Extracts in the Routine Analysis of Organochlorine Compounds in Fish Meat
Authors: CIOCA Ana Andreea , HEEMKEN Olaf , MIHAIU Marian
Published: May 2017

The present work describes the development of a new, automatic High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Clean-up step, in the methodology of sample preparation and multi-residue determination of organochlorine compounds (OCs) in fish meat. 24 OCs were taken into study. In addition 7 Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), 7 chlorobenzene compounds and one 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) were investigated. The HPLC conditions were established in accordance with the validated traditional Clean-up step of the laboratory. The technique was applied on a dilution of analytes of interest in order to establish the period of time in which the compounds are eluted. Another set of experiments involved fish oil, in order to identify and separate the fat fraction from the analytes. To confirm the findings of the experiments mentioned above, extracts of fish samples obtained after Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE) were examined. The samples were spiked with the analytes of interest before HPLC clean-up step and quantified through Gas Chromatography coupled with tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). A HPLC clean-up technique lasting 38 minutes/sample was developed. The method is not suitable for OCs such as Endosulfansulfat and Endrine Ketone due to the very low recovery results.Â