bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Job Satisfaction of Veterinary Officers in Rajasthan: An Empirical Study
Authors: Agrawal Vinita , Agrawal Vinod Kumar
Published: June 2017

The job satisfaction of an employee is a topic that has received significant attention by managers and researchers. The effective achievement of organisational goals and objectives largely depends upon satisfied employees. Job satisfaction is one of the several dimensions of the employee satisfaction. In the present day organisation scenario, it has a vital importance. As the scenario stands, not much work has been undertaken by the scholars in the past to study the job satisfaction of veterinary officers in India in general and Rajasthan in particular. Hence, the researchers became curious to study the level of job satisfaction among the veterinary officers in Rajasthan. The population of the study is finite and consists of heterogeneous veterinary officers in terms of caste, length of service, level of education, working place, etc. The study is a sample type enquiry, mainly focusing on the analysis of descriptive characteristics of job-satisfaction/dissatisfaction of veterinary officers. The sampled veterinary officers have been identified by using a stratified random sampling technique so as to ensure that the sample is representative of the population. The analytical design includes preparation of univariate tables and calculation of summary figures like averages and percentages. Non-parametric tests like Chi-Square test, Sign test and Kruskal Wallis test were applied at 5 per cent level of significance for testing the hypotheses. The results revealed that the parameters influencing job satisfaction of veterinary officers in Rajasthan did not have equal popularity. The veterinary officers did feel just satisfied irrespective of caste, length of service, areas of working, education and economic status. However, the major factors in achieving higher level of job satisfaction hover around stressful job work, adverse work conditions, inadequate promotional opportunities, etc., which should be duly taken care of by the management to ensure higher level of job satisfaction.
Black-Scholes Options Pricing Formula: Confluence of Financial Economics, Mathematics and Computational Science
Authors: Singh Vipul K.
Published: June 2017

This research article aims to describe how the confluence of financial economics, mathematics and computational technologies can prove to be so effective in the practice of financial engineering. As per modern demands, financial derivatives constitute a vast and rapidly growing portion of the global financial markets. The tool is being used exponentially in portfolio management and for hedging purposes and thus, strong efforts have been projected on modelling of derivative products. In addition, this research article also addresses one of the major problems of pricing European plain vanilla options namely the constant volatility assumption of the Black-Scholes model concentrating the volatility of the underlying assets. Since pricing bias emerges as the most dominant feature of Black-Scholes whenever applied with options and this is the main cause why Black-Scholes model is not widely operated upon in pricing of complex non-vanilla options. However, despite the pricing bias problem, amid its simplicity the Black-Scholes framework dominates the pricing of European style options traded on exchanges, since its inception. The issue of eliminating the price bias has already occupied a huge space in previous published literature of this stream, thus instead of focusing on the price bias of Black-Scholes this work is an attempt to resolve and suggest some of the finest solutions of the financial mathematics to overcome this complex problem of option pricing.
Understanding Pro-environmental Behaviours at Workplace: Proposal of a Model
Authors: Ture Rameshwar Shivadas , Ganesh M.P.
Published: June 2017

Majority of the research on pro-environmental behaviours is concerned with household setting. Growing importance of pro-environmental behaviours has made it imperative to study the same in organisational settings. The purpose of the present article is to present a framework to explain pro-environmental behaviours at workplace. Authors reviewed employee-centric sustainability literature in the management discipline and pro-environmental behaviours related literature from psychology and social psychology. Based on the Value-Belief-Norm (VBN) theory, corporate environmentalism framework and literature on norm theory, a conceptual framework for explaining pro-environmental behaviours at workplace was proposed. Authors argue that individual characteristics such as values and environmental belief, and organisational environmentalism will influence the employees’ pro-environmental behaviours through personal and social norm, respectively.
Upfront combination therapy reduces right ventricular volumes in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: van de Veerdonk Mariëlle C. , Huis in t Veld Anna E. , Marcus J. Tim , Westerhof Nico , Heymans Martijn W. , Bogaard Harm-Jan , Vonk-Noordegraaf Anton
Published: June 2017

In pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), upfront combination therapy is associated with better clinical outcomes and a greater reduction in N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) than monotherapy. NT-proBNP levels reflect right ventricular (RV) wall stress, which increases when the right ventricle dilates. This study explored the impact of upfront combination therapy on RV volumes compared with monotherapy in PAH patients.

This retrospective study involved 80 incident PAH patients (New York Heart Association class II and III) who were treated with upfront combination therapy (n=35) (i.e.endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) plus phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitors (PDE5Is)) or monotherapy (n=45) (i.e.either ERAs or PDE5Is). All patients underwent right-sided heart catheterisation and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and after 1-year follow-up.

Combination therapy resulted in more significant reductions in pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary pressures than monotherapy. NT-proBNP was decreased by ∼77% in the combination therapy group compared with a ∼51% reduction after monotherapy (p<0.001). RV volumes and calculated RV wall stress improved after combination therapy (both p<0.001) but remained unchanged after monotherapy (both p=NS). RV ejection fraction improved more in the combination therapy group than in the monotherapy group (p<0.001).

In PAH patients, upfront combination therapy was associated with improved RV volumes.
A sputum gene expression signature predicts oral corticosteroid response in asthma
Authors: Berthon Bronwyn S. , Gibson Peter G. , Wood Lisa G. , MacDonald-Wicks Lesley K. , Baines Katherine J.
Published: June 2017

Biomarkers that predict responses to oral corticosteroids (OCS) facilitate patient selection for asthma treatment. We hypothesised that asthma patients would respond differently to OCS therapy, with biomarkers and inflammometry predicting response.

Adults with stable asthma underwent a randomised controlled cross-over trial of 50 mg prednisolone daily for 10 days (n=55). A six-gene expression biomarker signature (CLC,CPA3,DNASE1L3,IL1B,ALPLandCXCR2) in induced sputum, and eosinophils in blood and sputum were assessed and predictors of response were investigated (changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (ΔFEV1), six-item Asthma Control Questionnaire score (ΔACQ6) or exhaled nitric oxide fraction (ΔFeNO)).

At baseline, responders to OCS (n=25) had upregulated mast cellCPA3gene expression, poorer lung function, and higher sputum and blood eosinophils. Following treatment,CLCandCPA3gene expression was reduced, whereasDNASE1L3, IL1B, ALPLandCXCR2expression remained unchanged. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed the six-gene expression biomarker signature as a better predictor of clinically significant responses to OCS than blood and sputum eosinophils.

The six-gene expression signature including eosinophil and Th2 related mast cell biomarkers showed greater precision in predicting OCS response in stable asthma. Thus, a novel sputum gene expression signature highlights an additional role of mast cells in asthma, and could be a useful measurement to guide OCS therapy in asthma.
Management of incidental pulmonary embolism
Authors: Klok Frederikus A. , Huisman Menno V.
Published: June 2017

Incidental pulmonary embolism (PE) is a frequent finding on routine computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest, occurring in 1.1% of coronary CT scans and 3.6% of oncological CT scans. Despite this high frequency, optimal management of incidental PE has not been addressed in clinical trials and remains the subject of debate. Although these CT scans have not been performed with a dedicated PE protocol and have suboptimal contrast enhancement, diagnosis of incidental PE has been shown to be accurate up to the segmental and subsegmental arteries. The embolic load in incidental PE is lower than that in symptomatic PE. Even so, observational studies suggest that the natural course of incidental PE is similar to that of symptomatic PE with regard to the risk of recurrent venous thrombotic disease and mortality. Interestingly, the increased use of more advanced CT technology has coincided with an increase in the rate of incidental subsegmental PE, as is the case for symptomatic subsegmental PE. Although clinical trials are lacking, and observational data are limited to cancer-associated incidental PE, the consensus is that the management of incidental PE is identical to that of symptomatic PE, including the choice of optimal drug class, outpatient treatment and total duration of treatment.
The asbestos fibre burden in human lungs: new insights into the chrysotile debate
Authors: Feder Inke Sabine , Tischoff Iris , Theile Anja , Schmitz Inge , Merget Rolf , Tannapfel Andrea
Published: June 2017

The traceability of asbestos fibres in human lungs is a matter of discussion especially for chrysotile. This issue is of high significance for differential diagnosis, risk assessment and occupational compensation. At present no intra-individual longitudinal information is available. This study addresses the question whether the asbestos fibre burden in human lungs decreases with time after exposure cessation.

The database of the German Mesothelioma Register was screened for patients with asbestos body counts of at least 500 fibres per gram of wet lung, which had been analysed twice from different tissue excisions at minimum intervals of 4 years.

Twelve datasets with individual longitudinal information were discovered with a median interval of about 8 years (range 4–21 years). Both examinations were performed after exposure cessation (median: surgery, 9.5 years; autopsy, 22 years). Pulmonary asbestos fibre burden was stable between both examinations (median 1623/4269 asbestos bodies per gram wet lung). Electron microscopy demonstrated a preponderance of chrysotile (median 80%).

This study is the first to present longitudinal intra-individual data about the asbestos fibre burden in living human lungs. The high biopersistence of amphiboles, but also of chrysotile, offers mechanistic explanations for fibre toxicity, especially the long latency period of asbestos-related diseases.
Contracts as a Barrier to Entry in Markets with Nonpivotal Buyers
Authors: Bedre-Defolie Özlem , Biglaiser Gary
Published: June 2017

Considering markets with nonpivotal buyers, we analyze the anticompetitive effects of breakup fees used by an incumbent facing a more efficient entrant in the future. Buyers differ in their intrinsic switching costs. Breakup fees are profitably used to foreclose entry, regardless of the entrant's efficiency advantage or level of switching costs. Banning breakup fees is beneficial to consumers. The ban enhances the total welfare unless the entrant's efficiency is close to the incumbent's. Inefficient foreclosure arises not because of rent shifting from the entrant, but because the incumbent uses a long-term contract to manipulate consumers' expected surplus from not signing it. (JEL D11, D21, D43, D86, L13, L51)
Avaliação do autocuidado para a prevenção do pé diabético e exame clínico dos pés em um centro de referência em diabetes mellitus
Authors: Oliveira Neto Moacyr , Pereira Márcio da Silva , Pinto Mariana Aquino Holanda , Agostinho Luciana Menezes , Reinaldo Júnior Francisco Emídio , Hissa Miguel Nasser
Published: June 2017

Introdução: As úlceras em membros inferiores representam uma das complicações mais devastadoras do Diabetes Mellitus (DM), devido à elevada mortalidade, alterações na qualidade de vida e prolongamento do tratamento hospitalar ou ambulatorial. Objetivo: Avaliar o conhecimento e as atitudes de portadores de DM tipo II com relação aos autocuidados com os pés. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal descritivo realizado em pacientes diabéticos frequentadores do Centro Integrado de Diabetes e Hipertensão (CIDH). Avaliou-se a condição dermatológica, estrutural, circulatória, neuropática motora e neuropático-sensitiva mediante a realização do exame físico dos pés e posterior anamnese clínica. Resultados: Dos 235 pacientes entrevistados, 83,8% tiveram a sensibilidade vibratória dorsal presente e 58,3% tiveram a sensibilidade protetora plantar preservada. Quanto à estratificação do risco para desenvolvimento do pé diabético, verificou-se predominância do grau 0 (57,9%), seguido pelo grau 1 (23%) e 3 (10,6%). Observou-se um número expressivo de pacientes com conhecimento insuficiente (49,8%) em relação aos autocuidados para prevenção do pé diabético. No momento da aplicação do instrumento, constatou-se um significativo índice de desconhecimento dos diabéticos com relação ao tipo, formato e material dos calçados adequados, bem como em relação à maneira correta de cortar as unhas. Conclusão: Este estudo permitiu avaliar o conhecimento, as atitudes e a prática do paciente diabético em relação à execução de medidas de autocuidado com os pés, considerando-se os parâmetros essenciais para a ponderação do diagnóstico educacional da amostra estudada.
Uso de técnicas gastronômicas: uma estratégia para melhorar a aceitabilidade da alimentação de pré-escolares do interior de Minas Gerais
Authors: Santos Virgínia Souza , Silva Diana Elen da , Almeida Martha Elisa Ferreira de , Abranches Monise Viana
Published: June 2017

Introdução: As estratégias de educação nutricional nas escolas são fatores importantes para propiciar a melhora da aceitabilidade das refeições oferecidas, minimizar os efeitos de hábitos alimentares não saudáveis e estimular a prática alimentar adequada entre as crianças. Objetivo: Avaliar a aceitação da alimentação escolar, antes e após o emprego de técnicas gastronômicas, por crianças em idade pré-escolar. Métodos: Aplicou-se um teste afetivo, composto de uma escala hedônica facial de cinco pontos, após o consumo da alimentação escolar durante cinco dias consecutivos, em duas fases, para o cálculo do índice de aceitabilidade. Considerou-se aceita a refeição cujo índice foi ≥ 85%. Utilizou-se o teste Wilcoxon, a 5% de significância, para a comparação dos valores atribuídos pelas crianças antes e após a aplicação das técnicas gastronômicas. Na fase 1, as crianças ingeriram a alimentação tradicional oferecida pela escola; na fase 2, foram realizadas modificações no cardápio, por meio do emprego de técnicas gastronômicas que permitissem uma melhor apresentação dos pratos servidos às crianças, com a utilização de aros de formatação de alimentos e o uso de condimentos. Resultado: Mediante a utilização das técnicas gastronômicas, observou-se que as pontuações atribuídas às refeições, bem como seus respectivos índices de aceitação, aumentaram. Conclusão: As notas atribuídas pelos estudantes aumentaram após a utilização de técnicas gastronômicas, o que permite inferir que essa estratégia possibilitou a melhoria da aceitabilidade da alimentação escolar.
A teoria das representações sociais sob a ótica das pesquisas de enfermagem no Brasil
Authors: Da Silva Silvio Eder Dias , Dos Santos Arielle Lima , Da Costa Joel Lobato , Da Cunha Natacha Mariana Farias , Araújo Jeferson Santos , Moura Adriana Alaíde Alves
Published: June 2017

Introdução: O campo de estudos da Psicologia Social relacionado à Enfermagem vem ocupando espaço a cada vez maior em termos de qualidade e quantidade em sua investigação científica, em que as representações sociais são uma modalidade de conhecimento particular os entre indivíduos, cuja teoria trabalha com o cognitivo do indivíduo e sua interação no meio social atuando em sua transformação; é reconhecida como um grupo que reapresenta e constrói uma realidade. Objetivo: Analisar a produção científica da Enfermagem brasileira à luz da teoria das representações sociais de Serge Moscovici. Método: Trata-se de um estudo bibliométrico cujo principal objetivo é entender o campo de determinados estudos, finalizando com a análise dos dados realizada de forma descritiva, utilizando como aporte o programa Microsoft Excel com material de análise extraído do banco de dados do Centro de Estudos e pesquisa em Enfermagem(CEPEn), em que foram identificadas 94 dissertações e 39 teses entre os anos de 2010 a 2015. Resultados: O desenvolvimento da teoria é apresentado segundo seu idealisador teórico. Após a análise dos resumos dispostos no banco de dados evidenciaram-se como principais os resultados relacionados aos cuidados de enfermagem e aos cuidados em saúde, de forma crescente. São temas que apresentam relevância na área da saúde, com um efeito particular na enfermagem, uma vez que o enfermeiro é tido como o profissional que entra em contato direto com o ser que necessita de cuidados. Conclusão: O crescimento dos estudos que empregam a TRS sobre a investigação de enfermeiros vem evoluindo e apresentando significativa melhora no decorrer dos anos.
Te Waka Kuaka, Rasch analysis of a cultural assessment tool in traumatic brain injury in Māori
Authors: Elder Hinemoa , Czuba Karol , Kersten Paula , Caracuel Alfonso , McPherson Kathryn
Published: June 2017

Background: The aim was to examine the validity of a new measure, Te Waka Kuaka, in assessing the cultural needs of Māori with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods: Māori from around Aotearoa, New Zealand were recruited. 319 people with a history of TBI, their whānau (extended family members), friends, work associates, and interested community members participated.  All completed the 46-item measure.  Rasch analysis of the data was undertaken.

Results: All four subscales; Wā (time), Wāhi (place), Tangata (people) and Wairua practices (activities that strengthen spiritual connection) were unidimensional. Ten items were deleted because they did not fit the model, due to statistically significant disordered thresholds, non-uniform differential item functioning (DIF) and local dependence. Five items were re-scored in the fourth subscale resulting in ordered thresholds.

Conclusions: Rasch analysis facilitated a robust validation process of Te Waka Kuaka.
РЕГИОНАЛЬНЫЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ МОЛОДЕЖНОГО РЫНКА ТРУДА (НА МАТЕРИАЛАХ ЗАБАЙКАЛЬСКОГО КРАЯ)
Authors: Lavrikova Victoria Nikolaevna
Published: June 2017

Цель. Статья посвящена актуальной для современного российского общества теме – молодежному рынку труда. Отмечается, что молодые люди испытывают значительные затруднения, попадая на рынок труда в силу своих возрастных, социально-психологических и профессиональных особенностей. Автор дает понятие рынка труда, рассматривает степень изученности заявленной проблемы, определяет основные особенности и факторы российского молодежного рынка труда. Целью исследования выступает анализ молодежного рынка труда применительно к условиям Забайкальского края.Материалы и/или методы исследования. В качестве метода исследования выступает анализ статистической информации, представленной Территориальным органом федеральной службы государственной статистики по Забайкальскому краю и Министерством труда и социальной защиты населения Забайкальского края.Результаты. Результаты работы заключаются в том, что автором последовательно приводятся основные характеристики и показатели рынка труда молодежи в Забайкальском крае (уровень экономической активности молодежи, численность занятой молодежи по уровню образования, уровень занятости, уровень безработицы). Проанализированы основные причины не трудоустройства молодежи, наиболее распространенные профессии среди молодежи.Заключение. В заключение работы отмечается необходимость более комплексного использования основных показателей рынка труда молодежи на уровне региона, рекомендованных Международной организацией труда.
ПРОБЛЕМА РЕГУЛИРОВАНИЯ СОЦИАЛЬНЫХ КОНФЛИКТОВВ РЕГИОНЕ: ДИСПОЗИЦИЯ ИСТЕБЛИШМЕНТА
Authors: Ushamirskiy Aleksei Eduardovich
Published: June 2017

В статье на основании результатов социологического исследования, проведенного в Волгоградской области в 2014 году методом анкетного опроса по многоступенчатой, квотной выборке (500 респондентов) анализируется специфика восприятия представителями регионального истеблишмента проблемы регулирования социальных конфликтов.Обосновывается вывод о том, что, главные причины социальных конфликтов представители элиты связывают с низкой политической культурой населения, взаимным отчуждением власти и населения, коррупцией, социальным расслоением и дефицитом толерантности. При этом они оказываются недостаточно готовыми к их разрешению в технологическом отношении. Несмотря на субъективно высокую самооценку, представители истеблишмента, как правило, испытывают дефицит знаний и опыта.Анализ дает основание утверждать, что истеблишменту в регионах пока не удалось сформировать систему регулирования конфликтов. Решение данной задачи требует организационного оформления конфликтного медиаторинга в государственных и муниципальных органах; разработки и внедрения механизма привлечения к участию в конфликтном медиаторинге институтов гражданского общества, прежде всего, общественных палат регионов; организации подготовки специалистов-конфликтологов в вузах.
STUDY OF PRECIPITATION KINETICS OF AN Al-Mg-Si ALLOY USING DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETRY
Authors: Hamdi Ines , Boumerzoug Zakaria , Chabane Foued
Published: June 2017

This work has been carried out by differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) to study the precipitation kinetics in quenched and natural aging Al-Mg-Si alloy. DSC curves showed exothermic and endothermic peaks corresponding to the precipitation and the dissolution processes. The activation energy of the precipitation process has been calculated using Kissinger model. The results obtained showed a change in the activation energy values, the activation energy for the β″ and β determined for natural aging alloy were higher than that in the quenched alloy.
Parent involvement in planning health visiting services
Authors: Bailey Beverley
Published: June 2017

Beverley Bailey outlines some of the challenges and benefits of a collaborative approach to service delivery based on what works in the community.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome after Heart Transplantation: Diagnosis and Immunosuppressive Therapy
Authors: Kapoor Aniruddh , Birks Emma , Lenneman Andrew , McCants Kelly
Published: June 2017

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, an infrequent neurotoxicity associated with the use of tacrolimus, was first described in 1996, as a reversible syndrome manifested by headache, altered mental function, seizures, and visual disturbances. We describe the case of a 37-year-old woman who developed neurologic symptoms consistent with encephalopathy after treatment with tacrolimus, which was prescribed to maintain immunosuppression after orthotopic heart transplantation.

This report also discusses the imaging methods used in the diagnosis of posterior reversible encephalopathy and highlights the difficulty of maintaining immunosuppression and managing medication-related adverse effects, while taking into account the risk of acute rejection after transplantation.
A new method for macrolide antibiotics determination in wastewater from three different wastewater treatment plants
Authors: Landová Pavlína , Vávrová Milada
Published: June 2017

An effective and practical method for the determination of macrolide antibiotics azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin and roxithromycin in wastewater samples has been developed. The analytical method combines solid phase extraction followed by a chromatographic separation by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) coupled with an ion trap mass spectrometer utilizing the electrospray ionization technique. Detection of positively charged ions was performed in full scan mode from 500 to 900 m/z. The method detection limits and method quantification limits obtained were in the range of 2.03-7.59 ng L-1 and 6.08-23.84 ng L-1, respectively. Recoveries of solid phase extraction were obtained using SupelTM-Select HLB cartridges ranging from 85.76 % to 92.54 %. All target antibiotics were detected in 100 % of the collected raw influent samples with concentrations varying from 15 ng L-1 to 1849 ng L-1. Azithromycin, clarithromycin and erythromycin were also detected in 100 % of the treated water samples and roxithromycin was present in 96 % of the samples. The highest determined concentration in the treated water samples was 1404 ng L-1 of azithromycin. Based on the determined macrolide concentrations, removal efficiencies of individual wastewater treatment plants were calculated to range from 13 % to 100 %.
Information management in passenger traffic supporting system design as a multi-criteria discrete optimization task
Authors: Galuszka Adam , Krystek Jolanta , Swierniak Andrzej , Lungoci Carmen , Grzejszczak Tomasz
Published: June 2017

This paper presents a concept of an Integrated System of Supporting Information Management in Passenger Traffic (ISSIMPT). The novelty of the system is an integration of six modules: video monitoring, counting passenger flows, dynamic information for passengers, the central processing unit, surveillance center and vehicle diagnostics into one coherent solution. Basing on expert evaluations, we propose to present configuration design problem of the system as a multi-objectives discrete static optimization problem. Then, hybrid method joining properties of weighted sum and ε-constraint methods is applied to solve the problem. Solution selections based on hybrid method, using set of exemplary cases, are shown.
Vibration control in semi-active suspension of the experimental off-road vehicle using information about suspension deflection
Authors: Kasprzyk Jerzy , Krauze Piotr , Budzan Sebastian , Rzepecki Jaroslaw
Published: June 2017

The efficiency of vibration control in an automotive semi-active suspension system depends on the quality of information from sensors installed in the vehicle, including information about deflection of the suspension system. The control algorithm for vibration attenuation of the body takes into account its velocity as well as the relative velocity of the suspension. In this paper it is proposed to use the Linear Variable Differential Transformer (LVDT) unit to measure the suspension deflection and then to estimate its relative velocity. This approach is compared with a typical solution implemented in such applications, where the relative velocity is calculated by processing signals acquired from accelerometers placed on the body and on the chassis. The experiments performed for an experimental All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) confirm that using LVDT units allows for improving ride comfort by better vibration attenuation of the body.
Effects of high molecular weight poly-γ-glutamic acid on PIGS with porcine preproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection
Authors: Seo Byoung-Joo , Lee Jee-Hoon , Kang Ick-Jae , Shabir Nadeem , Khatun Amina , Yang Myeon-Sik , Park Chul , Kim Bumseok , Kim Won-Il
Published: June 2017

Bacillus subtilis sups. chungkookjang produces a higher molecular mass poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA). Recently, previous studies have demonstrated immune stimulation and an antitumor effect of the high molecular mass γ-PGA using various mouse models although these effects have not been shown in other species of animals. Therefore, the current study was conducted to determine the effect of γ-PGA in pigs with and without PRRSV infection. PRRS-negative pigs were intramuscularly injected with 1, 3, or 5 ml of 20 mg/mll γ-PGA, and one group of pigs served as a non-treatment (NT) group. All groups treated with γ-PGA had significantly higher weight gains, and pigs treated with 5 ml of γ-PGA exhibited higher tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-α and IFN-β expression levels compared with the NT group. According to the preliminary results, an animal challenge study was conducted with a highly virulent PRRSV strain, MN184, along with γ-PGA treatment at different time points. Pigs treated with γ-PGA had lower levels of viral loads in the sera and in lungs and gained significantly more weight (p<0.05) compared with the NT group after being challenged with MN184. Moreover, γ-PGA-treatment groups had higher levels of neutralizing antibodies and cytokines related to proinflammatory, humoral and cell-mediated responses than the control group after the PRRSV challenge. Therefore, it was concluded that γ-PGA induces higher levels of immune responses and increases resistance to PRRSV infection in pigs.
Impact of Organic Fertilisation and Subsequent Grassland Abandonment on Floristic Composition
Authors: Štýbnarová Marie , Dufek Aleš , Delagarde Rémy
Published: June 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in floristic composition of permanent grasslands after the cessation of their regular utilisation and organic fertilisation. A long-term small plot trial was established in 2004 in locality Rapotín. During 2004-2012, the experiment was fertilised with compost and slurry, both with the range of stocking rates 0.9, 1.4 and 2.0 livestock units (LU)/ha (corresponding to 54, 84, and 120 kg N/ha). The plots were cut 2-4 times per year depending on given dose of fertiliser. During 2013‒2016, the regular management was ceased and the grasslands were completely abandoned. Before the grassland abandonment, the highest total number of species (24 species) was found in the treatments regularly fertilised with compost. The dominance of grasses was influenced by the grassland management, with decreasing intensity of utilisation, the dominance of grasses increased. Four years after the grassland abandonment, the species diversity in almost all treatments decreased and the dominance of grasses increased in all treatments, up to the value 67-80%. Based on the data about the soil chemical parameters from two investigated years, our results suggested not only the effect of grassland management and its subsequent abandonment, but also a residual effect of the both organic fertilisers. These findings indicated the importance of the maintenance of regular grassland management for sustainable conservation of grassland communities.
The Influence of Natural and Industrial Factors on the Efficiency of the Dairy Industry
Authors: Kitikov Vadim , Romaniuk Wacław
Published: June 2017

A comparative analysis of milk production in Poland and Belarus was carried out. The basic tendencies of modern development of the dairy industry and offered upcoming trends of innovative modernization of milk production processes were analyzed. On the basis of the analysis of trends in the global production of milk and new scientific knowledge on the biosynthesis of milk, a conceptual approach to the design of equipment for machine milking, is provided, considered the relationship of technical and physiological parameters.
Some new oscillation theorems for second-order Euler-type differential equations with mixed neutral terms
Authors: Selvarangam Srinivasan , Rani Bose , Thandapani Ethiraju
Published: June 2017

In this paper, some new sufficient conditions are established for the oscillation of all solutions of the second-order neutral differential equation with mixed neutral terms of the form

for all
Content-Based Image Retrieval for Multiple Objects Search
Authors: Szűcs Gábor , Papp Dávid
Published: June 2017

The progress of image search engines still proceeds, but there are some challenges yet in complex queries. In this paper, we present a new semantic image search system, which is capable of multiple object retrieval using only visual content of the images. We have used the state-of-the-art image processing methods prior to the search, such as Fisher-vector and C-SVC classifier, in order to semantically classify images containing multiple objects. The results of this offline classification are stored for the latter search task. We have elaborated more search methods for combining the results of binary classifiers of objects in images. Our search methods use confidence values of object classifiers and after the evaluation, the best method is selected for thorough analysis. Our solution is compared with the famous web images search engines (Google, Bing and Flickr), and there is a comparison of their Mean Average Precision (MAP) values. It can be concluded that our system reaches the benchmark; moreover, in most cases our method outperforms the others, especially in the cases of queries with many objects.
Significant Secret Image Sharing Scheme Based on Boolean Operation
Authors: Verma Monu , Rani Rajneesh
Published: June 2017

Traditionally, (k, n) secret image sharing is an approach of breaking down a secret image into n number of shadow images to assign them to n number of users, so that any k or more then k users can bring back the secret image. But in case of less than k, users cannot reveal any partial information about the original image. We have proposed a significant secret image sharing technique based on XOR with arithmetic operations that upgrade the performance of traditional secret image sharing approaches by serving importance to shadow images according to user’s significance. This scheme also conserves the fault tolerance property which plays a vital role in image sharing field.
Determination of the Airborne Sound Insulation of a Straw Bale Partition Wall
Authors: Teslík Jiří , Fabian Radek , Hrubá Barbora
Published: June 2017

This paper describes the results of a scientific project focused on determining of the Airborne Sound Insulation of a peripheral non-load bearing wall made of straw bales expressed by Weighted Sound Reduction Index. Weighted Sound Reduction Index was determined by measuring in the certified acoustic laboratory at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Brno University of Technology. The measured structure of the straw wall was modified in combinations with various materials, so the results include a wide range of possible compositions of the wall. The key modification was application of plaster on both sides of the straw bale wall. This construction as is frequently done in actual straw houses. The additional measurements were performed on the straw wall with several variants of additional wall of slab materials. The airborne sound insulation value has been also measured in separate stages of the construction. Thus it is possible to compare and determinate the effect of the single layers on the airborne sound insulation.
Intention, Principle, Outputs and Aims of the Experimental Pavilion Research of Building Envelopes Including Windows for Wooden Buildings
Authors: Štaffenová Daniela , Rybárik Ján , Jakubčík Miroslav
Published: June 2017

The aim of experimental research in the area of exterior walls and windows suitable for wooden buildings was to build special pavilion laboratories. These laboratories are ideally isolated from the surrounding environment, airtight and controlled by the constant internal climate. The principle of experimental research is measuring and recording of required physical parameters (e.g. temperature or relative humidity). This is done in layers of experimental fragment sections in the direction from exterior to interior, as well as in critical places by stable interior and real exterior climatic conditions. The outputs are evaluations of experimental structures behaviour during the specified time period, possibly during the whole year by stable interior and real exterior boundary conditions. The main aim of this experimental research is processing of long-term measurements of experimental structures and the subsequent analysis. The next part of the research consists of collecting measurements obtained with assistance of the experimental detached weather station, analysis, evaluation for later setting up of reference data set for the research locality, from the point of view of its comparison to the data sets from Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) and to localities with similar climate conditions. Later on, the data sets could lead to recommendations for design of wooden buildings.
Influence of ecological and botanical factors on the culture of black pine (Pinus nigra) and proposed future management in Šumadija region (Central Serbia)
Authors: Šikanja Severin
Published: June 2017

All ecological aspects have been analysed and studied: botanical factors at black pine cultures in the area of Šumadija. Cultures of black pine of age 33 and 55−60 years within five experimental fields can be found in (1) good habitats, (2) medium habitats and (3) bad habitats were analysed in order to see how the same aged cultures act in different habitats. We analysed all the plants that appear as terrestrial flora, all the plants that occur as a shrub vegetation and, finally, floor trees. We analysed all the biotic and abiotic factors. The measures for most appropriate care for the cultures of black pine. Black pine in Serbia reaches its highest elevation amplitude in Europe and covers most diverse habitats and soil, mainly because of its visibly pronounced ecological modesty. For this reason, the black pine is one of the most usable kinds of artificial afforestation in the Republic of Serbia at all devastated, treeless terrain in the oak belt, where there is a danger that through the action of erosion, soil degradation occurs. That in the management unit, Gružansko Lepeničke, Jaseničke forests, to answer all the questions, the pine, when it comes to artificially established black lines on the same or on different sites and the same and the various soils, as when it comes to tending these crops. It should be noted that of the 125,000 ha conifer cultures in the Republic of Serbia, 86 000 ha of trees were all pines, roughly 70% of all conifer cultures. Of the 86 000 ha pine, 65,200 ha was occupied by black pine, which is about 70%. In the above,Management Unit separate the five sample plots of 25 acres in size.
The Issues of Healthcare-Associated Infections — The Economic and Social Perspective
Authors: Twardowska Klaudia , Jewczak Maciej
Published: June 2017

The aim of the paper was to diagnose and analyse the rates of infections in Polish voivodships, and possible consequences from both economic and social perspectives of the changes in the levels of cases reported. For the analyses, data banks of Central Statistical Office in Warsaw were used, in particular, information on the incidence of infectious diseases and poisonings. The rates of changes and spatial concentration of the phenomena were investigated in the period between 2005 and 2015. For estimates of regional trends, the Shift-Share Analysis was adopted, and the pattern of spatial distribution was defined on the basis of location quotients. Extreme values of location quotients were observed in Warmińsko-Mazurskie for shigellosis, in Lubuskie for trichinellosis, and for AIDS in Dolnośląskie. Location quotient values allowed identifying regions with a higher spatial concentration of infectious diseases incidences, which in turn could indicate areas and cases where preventive actions should be improved or modified. The Shift-Share Analysis resulted in pointing out regions that recorded a positive change in infection rates. The obtained results also demonstrated that in some cases, the impact of structural changes influences the net rates of infections more than the local components. The obtained results directly indicated objects (regions) where attention should be paid to prevention. Especially, the results of spatial distribution and concentration allowed a reliable analysis of the state of population incidence rates, as well as answered questions concerning the origin of rates whether the change derived from structural, local or overall tendencies. Results could be adopted, for instance, in preventive strategies of local governments. The estimates might be beneficial from the perspective of the healthcare system, due to easier predictive scenarios of future infection and possible centres with the increase in incidence.
Physician Appraisals: Key Challenges
Authors: Klich Jacek
Published: June 2017

The main purpose of the article is to identify key criteria being used for physician appraisals and to find how communication skills of physicians are valued in those appraisals. ScienceDirect and EBSCOhost databases were used for this search. The results show that a physician appraisal is underestimated both theoretically and empirically. The particular gap exists with respect to the communication skills of physicians, which are rarely present in medical training syllabi and physician assessments. The article contributes to the theoretical discourse on physician appraisals and points out at the inconsistency between the high status of physicians as a key hospital resource on the one hand and, on the other hand, at inadequate and poorly researched assessment of their performance with a special emphasis on communication skills. The article may inspire health managers to develop and implement up-to-date assessment forms for physicians and good managerial practices in this respect in hospitals and other health care units.
Visible-light mediated regioselective (phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethylation of fused imidazoles with iododifluoromethyl phenyl sulfone
Authors: Yin Guojie , Zhu Mei , Fu Weijun
Published: June 2017

A visible-light catalyzed direct and regioselective (phenylsulfonyl)difluoromethylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and benzo[d]-imidazo [2,1-b]thiazoles with readily available PhSO2CF2I under mild conditions was developed. This synthetic methodology enables the introduction of a CF2SO2Ph group in an efficient and regioselective reaction through C-H bond functionalization with a broad substrate scope in good to excellent yields.
Effect of volatile organic compounds from Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium
Authors: Vainio-Kaila Tiina , Hänninen Tuomas , Kyyhkynen Aino , Ohlmeyer Martin , Siitonen Anja , Rautkari Lauri
Published: June 2017

Pine and spruce heartwood and sapwood were milled to wood particles and the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of the wood particles were tested against four bacterial strains. To study the influence of relative humidity on the antibacterial effect, both dry and wet wood particles were tested. Twenty microliters of the bacterial dilution with a concentration of 1.5×107CFU ml−1was cultured on glass surfaces in the presence of VOCs and the amount of viable bacteria was studied after 2, 4, and 24 h. The volatile emissions were evaluated by GC/MS and the results were compared with the results from the bacterial trial. VOCs had an antibacterial effect onEscherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniaeand slightly onSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium. But the effect onStaphylococcus aureuswas minute even after 3 days’ incubation. The dry wood particles generally had a stronger antibacterial effect, though the amount of VOCs from the wet wood was higher. Pine heartwood had the strongest antibacterial effect and also the highest emissions of VOCs. However, the interaction between different bacterial strains and wood species shows some variations.
Home Advantage in Judo: Analysis by the Combat Phase, Penalties and the Type of Attack
Authors: Brito Ciro José , Miarka Bianca , de Durana Alfonso López Díaz , Fukuda David H.
Published: June 2017

Previous studies indicate positive home advantage in judo; however, the factors that influence home advantage have yet to be fully explored. This study investigated the potential differences in technical-tactical variables between home and visiting athletes. A total of 1411 video recorded matches were analyzed (123 home, 1288 away) from 36 international judo competitions contested in 2011-12. The matches were analyzed by the following criteria: combat phases (approach, gripping, attack, defense, groundwork and pause), penalties (by the athlete or the opponent) and the types of attacks (with or without a score). Elite judo athletes competing in their home country attacked more frequently using trunk/leg couple techniques (p < 0.011) and scored more frequently with arm/leg couple techniques (p < 0.001), while visiting judo athletes received fewer scores from penalties (p < 0.001) and engaged in more frequent pauses during competition (p < 0.01). The results of this study provide an outline of technical-tactical differences that may contribute to home advantage in judo.
Sonographic prediction of small and large for gestational age in breech-presenting fetuses
Authors: Shmueli Anat , Aviram Amir , Bardin Ron , Tenenbaum-Gavish Kinneret , Wiznitzer Arnon , Chen Rony , Gabbay-Benziv Rinat
Published: June 2017

Introduction:

To evaluate various sonographic estimated fetal weight (sEFW) formulas’ accuracy for small- and large-for-gestational age (SGA/LGA) prediction in breech-presenting fetuses.

Materials and methods:

A retrospective analysis of all ultrasound-based fetal biometrical measurements performed within 3 days of delivery in term pregnancies, in one medical center (2007–2014). Overall, 274 breech-presenting fetuses (study group) were compared to 274 vertex-presenting fetuses (control group) matched by gender, gestational age and birth weight. sEFW was calculated by six previously published formulas. Accuracy was compared utilizing systematic error and random error for every formula. Prediction precision of SGA and LGA was evaluated by calculating each formula’s sensitivity, specificity, +/− predictive value, and the area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC).

Results:

Systematic error and random error varied greatly between formulas, ranging from −7.4% to 3.1%, 7.3% to 8.3% for the vertex-presenting fetuses and −8.9% to 1.9%, 7.9% to 8.6% for the breech-presenting fetuses, respectively. There was no statistical difference in small- or large-for-gestational age prediction parameters between the groups. The highest sensitivity and specificity for prediction was achieved by same formula regardless of presentation.

Conclusion:

In our cohort, overall accuracy was slightly superior among vertex-presenting fetuses without difference in prediction accuracy for small- and large-for-gestational age neonates.