bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM Howaru Dophilus during storage at refrigeration temperatures
Authors: Mančušková Tatiana , Medved’ová Alžbeta , Valík Ľubomír
Published: June 2015

A strain Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM Howaru Dophilus is a probiotic bacterium available in dairy products and dietary supplements since 1970s. Its positive health effects have been proved by many studies. This work deals with the examination of NCFM strain’s viability during its storage at stable and unstable temperature in MRS broth and ultra-pasteurized milk. In nutritionally rich environment, Lb. acidophilus NCFM was able to survive and to metabolize the media. The relevant decrease of viable cells was observed in MRS broth about 30 days after inoculation, and in milk after 21 to 45 days at both stable and unstable temperatures, respectively. The average rate of decrease of viable cells was approximately two to three times higher in experiments at unstable temperature (GrMRS,unst
= −0.149 log CFU.ml−1.d−1 in MRS broth, Grmilk,unst
= 0.030 log CFU.ml−1.d−1 in milk) compared with that at stable temperature (GrMRS,st
= −0.079 log CFU.ml−1.d−1 in MRS broth, Grmilk,st
= 0.009 log CFU.ml−1.d−1 in milk). In the MRS broth exhausted by overnight cultivation of NCFM strain the decrease of viable cells started practically immediately (Grovernigh,unst
= −0.137 log CFU.ml−1.d−1). Maintenance of the culture in milk at stable temperature was proved to be the most appropriate form of its storage.
Ozone utilisation in decreasing water sources load with resistant and toxic substances
Authors: Melicher Michal , Derco Ján , Sumegová Lenka , Drtil Miloslav
Published: June 2015

Water is becoming a strategic raw material and thus, protection of water resources belongs to priorities. Toxic substances need to be removed prior to the biological treatment stage in a WWTP. Biologically resistant substances flow through the biological treatment stage in a WWTP directly to water recipients, and can travel as far as to the underground water and drinking water sources. Taking into account the large volumes of these substances, their removal from ground water and water sources would be extremely costly. It is economical therefore to remove these already at their source or in a WWTP using separation or degradation processes. This paper deals with the possibility to use ozonisation for pretreatment of wastewater prior to the WWTP biological stage. Benzothiazole removal efficiency exceeding 95 % within 60 min. of ozonation was reached when combining ozonation with zeolite addition. Partially oxidised COD portion was significant in the first 15 minutes, followed by subsequent growth of mineralised COD portion.
Save Maritime Systems Testbed
Authors: Bolles André , Hahn Axel
Published: June 2015

‘Safe voyage from berth to berth’ — this is the goal of all e-navigation strains, driven by new technologies, new infrastructures and new organizational structures on bridge, on shore as well as in the cloud. To facilitate these efforts suitable engineering and safety/risk assessment methods have to be applied. Understanding maritime transportation as a sociotechnical system allows system engineering methods to be applied. Formal and simulation based verification and validation of e-navigation technologies are important methods to obtain system safety and reliability. The modelling and simulation toolset HAGGIS provides methods for system specification and formal risk analysis. It provides a modelling framework for processes, fault trees and generic hazard specification and a physical world and maritime traffic simulation system. HAGGIS is accompanied by the physical test bed LABSKAUS which implements a reference port and waterway. Additionally, it contains an experimental Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) implementation and a mobile integrated bridge enabling in situ experiments for technology evaluation, testing, ground research and demonstration. This paper describes an integrated seamless approach for developing new e-navigation technologies starting with virtual simulation based assessment and ending in physical real world demonstrations.
Present Status And Tendencies In Docking Systems’ Development
Authors: Felski Andrzej , Naus Krzysztof , Świerczyński Sławomir , Wąż Mariusz , Zwolan Piotr
Published: June 2015

The process of the ships docking, especially very large ships, is an very risky operation in confined and busy port waters. The similar difficult is the task to pass along any channel, river, strait or similar water road. The basic difficulty causes maneuvering with the great mass of the ship in situation of small space to maneuvers, the large inertia of the object and poor maneuvering properties at small speeds occurring in such circumstances. An additional factor, which make this task more difficult is the influence of the wind and the sea current on the hull of the inert ship as well as consequences of the limited visibility. The bad weather can cause the necessity to delay the maneuver. However this joins with heavy costs. An alternative is usage of systems supporting this process.

In this paper nowadays accessible systems for augmentation the docking and harbor navigation are analysed. There are: shore based (active or passive) and ship based (active). This paper is prepared in the frame of Bonus project call 2012 ‘The Captain Assistant system for Navigation and Routing during Operations in Harbor’.
Operability Guidelines For Product Tanker In Heavy Weather In The Adriatic Sea
Authors: Mudronja Luka , Katalinić Marko , Bošnjak Rino , Vidan Pero , Parunov Joško
Published: June 2015

This paper presents operability guidelines for seafarers on a product tanker which navigates in the Adriatic Sea during heavy weather. Tanker route starts from the Otranto strait in the south to the island Krk in the north of Adriatic Sea. Heavy weather is caused by south wind called jugo (blowing from E-SE to SS-E, sirocco family). Operability guidelines are given based on an operability criteria platform for presenting ship seakeeping characteristics. Operability criteria considered in this paper are propeller emergence, deck wetness and bow acceleration of a product tanker. Limiting values of mentioned criteria determine sustainable speed. Heavy weather is described by extreme sea state of 7.5 m wave height. Wave spectrum used in this paper is Tabain spectrum which is developed specifically for Adriatic Sea. Seafarer's approach of decisions making in extreme weather is also shown and servers as a guideline for further research of the authors.
The Research On EGNOS System In Context Of The Ability To Determine The Ship’s Hull Spatial Orientation
Authors: Nowak Aleksander
Published: June 2015

The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) thanks to geostationary satellites covers an area of whole Europe, including Baltic and North Sea. It allows to fix the coordinates of object position with typical absolute accuracy of 1,5 m. Previous research have shown that relative accuracy is usually higher than absolute one [Nowak A., 2010; Nowak A., 2011], so probably it could be possible to use EGNOS to determine direction in space. The research described in the paper concerned relative accuracy of three homogeneous EGNOS receivers, in context of the ability to determine the ship’s hull spatial orientation. Theoretical basis, the process of the experiment and the results of recorded data analysis were described. The research were conducted in the summer of 2014. Three homogenous Leica Viva series receivers were used. They were configured to receive a differential messages of the EGNOS system. Recorded data were analyzed in context of fixes relative accuracy. On the basis of achieved results, a conclusion about the possibility of construction the measurement system for the automatic determination of the ship’s hull spatial orientation angles in real time was drawn. The further research directions were pointed out, too.
Reference intervals for bone turnover markers in Spanish premenopausal women
Authors: Guañabens Núria , Filella Xavier , Monegal Ana , Gómez-Vaquero Carmen , Bonet María , Buquet Dolors , Casado Enrique , Cerdá Dacia , Erra Alba , Martinez Silvia , Montalá Núria , Pitarch Concepción , Kanterewicz Eduardo , Sala Miquel , Surís Xavier , Torres Ferran , on behalf of the LabOscat Study Gro
Published: June 2015

The aims of this study were to establish robust reference intervals and to investigate the factors influencing bone turnover markers (BTMs) in healthy premenopausal Spanish women.

A total of 184 women (35–45 years) from 13 centers in Catalonia were analyzed. Blood and second void urine samples were collected between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. after an overnight fast. Serum procollagen type I amino-terminal propeptide (PINP) and serum cross-linked C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I) were measured by two automated assays (Roche and IDS), bone alkaline phosphatase (bone ALP) by ELISA, osteocalcin (OC) by IRMA and urinary NTX-I by ELISA. PTH and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels were measured. All participants completed a questionnaire on lifestyle factors.

Reference intervals were: PINP: 22.7–63.1 and 21.8–65.5 μg/L, bone ALP: 6.0–13.6 μg/L, OC: 8.0–23.0 μg/L, CTX-I: 137–484 and 109–544 ng/L and NTX-I: 19.6–68.9 nM/mM. Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) influenced PINP (p=0.007), and low body mass index (BMI) was associated with higher BTMs except for bone ALP. Women under 40 had higher median values of most BTMs. CTX-I was influenced by calcium intake (p=0.010) and PTH (p=0.007). 25OHD levels did not influence BTMs. Concordance between the two automated assays for PINP and particularly CTX-I was poor.

Robust reference intervals for BTMs in a Southern European country are provided. The effects of OCPs and BMI on their levels are significant, whilst serum 25OHD levels did not influence BTMs. Age, calcium intake, BMI and PTH influenced CTX-I. The two automated assays for measuring PINP and CTX-I are not interchangeable.
Identify Innovative Business Models: Can Innovative Business Models Enable Players to React to Ongoing or Unpredictable Trends?
Authors: Pisano Paola , Pironti Marco , Rieple Alison
Published: June 2015

Socioeconomic trends (such as makers, crowdsourcing, sharing economy, gamification) as well as technological trends (such as cloud computing, 3D printing technology, application, big data, TV on demand and the Internet of things) are changing the scenario and creating new opportunities, new businesses and, as a result, new players. The high level of uncertainty caused by the fast speed of innovation technology along with an enormous amount of information difficult to analyse and exploit are characterizing the current framework. On the other hand, businesses such as Netflix – with its 44,000 users and a long tail business model – show a new service based on TV on demand where innovation starts from the convergence between two different industries (TV and the Internet) and spreads on the need of new users. Quirky, with its innovative open business model, is manufacturing new products designed and developed by the community and finally produced with the use of 3D printing technology. While Google in a multi-sided model are giving their new glasses to different developers who build their own application on them, Kickstarter finds its business funders in the crowd, and pays them back with its future products, according to what the organization needs. Another element that adds complexity to the previous framework is the new customer. He or she is showing a social attitude in favour of transparency, openness, collaboration, and sharing. Every second more than 600 tweets are posted on Twitter and around 700 status updates are posted on Facebook. At the same time, people are receiving text messages, e-mails and skype or phone calls and simultaneously consuming TV, radio and print media. In this scenario characterized by trends where employees, funders, customers and partners do not play a stable role but work together with a sort of “platform organization” to create a product or service completely customized for different market niches, how can an organization set up an innovative business model in a defined trend? Is it possible to identify a sort of framework, able to inspire new business models, with an examination of trends? In this article we will use a mix of different approaches to inspire new business model.
Assessment of english oak (Quercus robur L.) growth in varied soil-substrate conditions of reclaimed Piaseczno sulfur mine dump
Authors: Pietrzykowski Marcin , Krzaklewski Wojciech , Likus Justyna , Woś Bartłomiej
Published: June 2015

This study presents selected tree stand features and stand productivity of the English oak (Quercus robur L.) growing in the conditions of a reclaimed external dump of Piaseczno sulfur mine in Tarnobrzeg mining area. Following 40 years of growth in the dump, the oak trees reached first and second bonitation class and good growth parameters. The oak obtained the highest stand volume and basal area on sandy soils and loamy-sand substrates. A significant negative correlation between high clay content in soil cores and tree stand parameters was observed, indicating unfavourable impact on tree growth. The results confirmed the usefulness of the English oak as the main (target) species in the conditions of sulfur dumps, and the suitability of its introduction with preliminary identification of micro-habitat differentiation.
Determination of the spatial structure of vegetation on the repository of the mine “Fryderyk” in Tarnowskie Góry, based on airborne laser scanning from the ISOK project and digital orthophotomaps
Authors: Szostak Marta , Wężyk Piotr , Pająk Marek , Haryło Paweł , Lisańczuk Marek
Published: June 2015

The purpose of this study was to determine the spatial structure of vegetation on the repository of the mine “Fryderyk” in Tarnowskie Góry. Tested area was located in the Upper Silesian Industrial Region (a large industrial region in Poland). It was a unique refuge habitat – Natura2000; PLH240008. The main aspect of this elaboration was to investigate the possible use of geotechniques and generally available geodata for mapping LULC changes and determining the spatial structure of vegetation. The presented study focuses on the analysis of a spatial structure of vegetation in the research area. This exploration was based on aerial images and orthophotomaps from 1947, 1998, 2003, 2009, 2011 and airborne laser scanning data (2011, ISOK project). Forest succession changes which occurred between 1947 and 2011 were analysed. The selected features of vegetation overgrowing spoil heap “Fryderyk” was determined.

The results demonstrated a gradual succession of greenery on soil heap. In 1947, 84% of this area was covered by low vegetation. Tree expansion was proceeding in the westerly and northwest direction. In 2011 this canopy layer covered almost 50% of the research area. Parameters such as height of vegetation, crowns length and cover density were calculated by an airborne laser scanning data. These analyses indicated significant diversity in vertical and horizontal structures of vegetation. The study presents some capacities to use airborne laser scanning for an impartial evaluation of the structure of vegetation.
Remote measurement methods for 3-D modeling purposes using BAE Systems’ Software
Authors: Walker Stewart , Pietrzak Arleta
Published: June 2015

Efficient, accurate data collection from imagery is the key to an economical generation of useful geospatial products. Incremental developments of traditional geospatial data collection and the arrival of new image data sources cause new software packages to be created and existing ones to be adjusted to enable such data to be processed. In the past, BAE Systems’ digital photogrammetric workstation, SOCET SET®, met fin de siècle expectations in data processing and feature extraction. Its successor, SOCET GXP®, addresses today’s photogrammetric requirements and new data sources. SOCET GXP is an advanced workstation for mapping and photogrammetric tasks, with automated functionality for triangulation, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) extraction, orthorectification and mosaicking, feature extraction and creation of 3-D models with texturing. BAE Systems continues to add sensor models to accommodate new image sources, in response to customer demand. New capabilities added in the latest version of SOCET GXP facilitate modeling, visualization and analysis of 3-D features.
Phonon transport characteristics across silicon thin film pair:
Presence of a gap between the films
Authors: Ali Haider , Yilbas Bekir S.
Published: June 2015

Phonon transport across silicon
thin film pair with minute gap (Casimir limit) between the films is studied.
Phonon transport characteristics across the gap are examined for various gap
sizes, and the transient solution of the frequency-dependent Boltzmann
transport equation is presented according to relevant boundary conditions
incorporating the gap between the film pair. Since the gap size is minute
(Casimir limit), the radiative energy transport between the edges of the
film pair is incorporated. In addition, phonon transmission and reflection
is introduced at the gap edges, thus satisfying energy conservation. The
thermal conductivity predicted is validated through experimental data
reported in the open literature. Predicted thermal conductivity data agree
well with the experimental data reported in the open literature. Increasing
gap size alters the phonon transport characteristics across the film pair.
Increasing gap size enhances temperature difference between the edges of the
gap; in which case, the effect of phonon transmittance is more significant
on the temperature difference than that corresponding to the radiation heat
transfer due to Casimir limit.
Measuring Syntactic Complexity in Spoken and Written Learner Language: Comparing the Incomparable?
Authors: Lintunen Pekka , Mäkilä Mari
Published: June 2015

Spoken and written language are two modes of language. When learners aim at higher skill levels, the expected outcome of successful second language learning is usually to become a fluent speaker and writer who can produce accurate and complex language in the target language. There is an axiomatic difference between speech and writing, but together they form the essential parts of learners’ L2 skills. The two modes have their own characteristics, and there are differences between native and nonnative language use. For instance, hesitations and pauses are not visible in the end result of the writing process, but they are characteristic of nonnative spoken language use. The present study is based on the analysis of L2 English spoken and written productions of 18 L1 Finnish learners with focus on syntactic complexity. As earlier spoken language segmentation units mostly come from fluency studies, we conducted an experiment with a new unit, the U-unit, and examined how using this unit as the basis of spoken language segmentation affects the results. According to the analysis, written language was more complex than spoken language. However, the difference in the level of complexity was greatest when the traditional units, T-units and AS-units, were used in segmenting the data. Using the U-unit revealed that spoken language may, in fact, be closer to written language in its syntactic complexity than earlier studies had suggested. Therefore, further research is needed to discover whether the differences in spoken and written learner language are primarily due to the nature of these modes or, rather, to the units and measures used in the analysis.
Free vibration analysis of symmetrically laminated composite circular plates with curvilinear fibers
Authors: Guenanou Ahmed , Houmat Abderrahim
Published: June 2015

The free vibration analysis of symmetrically laminated composite circular plates with curvilinear fibers is performed using the first-order shear deformation theory along with a curved hierarchical square finite element. The blending function method is used to describe accurately the geometry of the circular plate. The hierarchical shape functions are constructed from Legendre orthogonal polynomials. The element stiffness and mass matrices are integrated numerically by means of the Gauss-Legendre quadrature. The equations of motion are derived using Lagrange’s method. Results for the fundamental frequency are obtained for clamped and soft simply supported laminated composite circular plates with E-glass, graphite, and boron curvilinear fibers in epoxy matrices. The element is validated by means of the convergence test and comparison with published data for isotropic and laminated composite circular plates with rectilinear fibers. Contour plots of frequency as a function of fiber orientation angles for laminated composite circular plates with curvilinear fibers are presented. The fiber material and boundary conditions are shown to influence the distribution of frequency throughout the design space. Frequency curves as a function of fiber orientation angles for the first five modes of laminated composite circular plates with curvilinear fibers are also presented. They reveal that none of the first five modes of clamped and soft simply supported laminates is affected by crossing but modes 3 and 4 of clamped graphite/epoxy and boron/epoxy laminates are affected by veering.
Crisis communication on Facebook
Authors: Stříteský Václav , Stránská Adriana , Drábik Peter
Published: June 2015

The aim of this paper is to present the issue of crisis communication under the newly created conditions of social media and evaluate the importance of social network site Facebook for crisis communication on the Czech market. The paper presents findings from a survey of Czech Facebook users. It examines the consumer complaining behaviour in the context of social media that can serve as a new platform to voice customer negative experiences. Differences between customers using traditional communications channels and those using social media platforms are identified and discussed.
Local food, farmland, and urban development: A case of land grabbing North American style
Authors: Smythe Elizabeth Ann
Published: June 2015

This article examines emerging forms of investment and land speculation and their implications for local food movements in urban areas. These investment involve  purchases of large tracts of land in growing urban areas with a view to profiting from re-zoning and exiting the market well before development occurs.   It uses  a case study of the struggle in Edmonton, Alberta over a city food and agriculture strategy and the protection  of prime food producing land in the northeast from urban development.  The article shows how local food activists were able to mobilize citizens in support of local food and preservation of the land and were able to initiate a process of linking land use decisions to a food and agriculture strategy. However, the power of development interests and the planning process resulted in a strategy which was weak on preserving land for food and the adoption of a land development plan which preserves little land  and threatens the future of existing food producers in the area.  The article argues that new forms of land grabbing in North America pose challenges to movements seeking to preserve local food production.
“Eating isn’t just swallowing food”: Food practices in the context of social class trajectory
Authors: Beagan Brenda L. , Power Elaine M. , Chapman Gwen E.
Published: June 2015

Drawing from a qualitative study with 105 families across Canada, this paper focuses on 16 households in which one or more adults experienced significant social class trajectories in their lifetimes. Using semi-structured interviews and two photo-elicitation techniques, adults and teens articulated their perceptions of healthy eating, eating well, conflicts and struggles around food, and typical household food patterns. This analysis examines how habitus from class of origin can influence food dispositions, as well as how participants used food and talk about food to mark symbolic and moral boundaries on the basis of class. In particular, people used discourses of cosmopolitan and omnivorous eating, ethical eating, and healthy eating, as well as the moral virtue of frugality, to align or dis-identify with class of origin or current class location. Our analysis shows that food can be a powerful symbolic means of marking class boundaries.
Fenesztrált stent-graft beültetés Magyarországon
Authors: Entz László , Nemes Balázs , Szeberin Zoltán , Szabó Gábor Viktor , Sótonyi Péter , Banga Péter , Csobay-Novák Csaba , Széphelyi Katalin , Hüttl Kálmán
Published: June 2015

Absztrakt

Esetismertetések: Első beteg: A 77 éves férfi, multimorbid
anamnézissel, egy 5,6 cm legnagyobb átmérőjű juxtarenalis aneurysma megoldására
jelentkezett. A jobb vese korábban elpusztult, a mesenterica superior már nem
volt érintve. Az egyedüli működő bal arteria renalis megmentése érdekében
fenesztrált stent-graft beültetést határoztunk el. A gyártó céggel történt
egyeztetés után megtörtént a szövődménymentes beültetés. Az egy hónapos
kontroll-CT-vizsgálat korrekt keringési viszonyokat mutatott endoleak nélkül.
Négy hónap múlva a bal arteria renalis elzáródott akut uraemiát okozva. Újabb
stentbehelyezéssel a vese keringése helyreállt. Második beteg: A 71 éves
multimorbid anamnézisű férfi 80 mm-es maximális átmérőjű juxtarenalis
aneurysmával került felvételre. Kardiális ok miatt a nyitott műtét nem jött
szóba, ezért fenesztrált stent-graft beültetés (FEVAR) mellett döntöttünk. A
mesenterica superior és mindkét arteria renalis stentelésére is szükség volt. A
2014. december 4-én történt beavatkozás szövődménymentes volt, az egy hónapos
kontroll-CT-vizsgálat kielégítő keringési viszonyokat ábrázolt endoleak nélkül.
Megbeszélés: A fenesztrált stent-graft beültetés az aorta
oldalágakkal rendelkező szakaszainak aneurysmaticus elváltozása esetén
alkalmazható eljárás. Magyarországon az első fenesztrált stent-graft beültetés
2013. szeptember 24-én történt a Városmajori Szív- és Érgyógyászati Klinikán. A
mintegy 15 évre visszatekintő módszer rövid és középtávú eredményei biztatóak, a
hosszú távú eredmények azonban az eltelt idő rövidsége miatt még váratnak
magukra.
A pleura óriás fibrosus tumora légzési elégtelenséggel szövődve
Authors: Kas József , Csekeő Attila , Molnár Miklós , Vágvölgyi Attila , Markóczy Zsolt , Szabó Emese , Héjja Mária , Pénzes István , Rozgonyi Zsolt , Soltész Ibolya , Fillinger János , Vadász Pál
Published: June 2015

Absztrakt

A mellkas nagy részét tömegükkel elfoglaló, gyakran benignus jellegű óriástumorok
sebészi kezelése különös kihívást jelent. A feladat nagyságát a műtéttechnikai
nehézségek, a narkózis vezetése és a postoperativ intenzív ellátás gondjai
együttesen adják. Esetünk további sajátosságát az egyébként magától értetődőnek
vélhető műtéti javallat végletes ellentmondásossága adja. A 64 éves férfi másfél
éve fokozódó, terhelésre jelentkező fulladása ellenére más okból végzett
mellkas-röntgenvizsgálatán derült ki a mellkas jobb felének óriási térfoglaló
elváltozása. A pulmonológiai kivizsgálás során végzett vastagtű-biopszia
solitaer fibrosus pleuratumort igazolt. Az onkológiai konzílium műtéti megoldás
mérlegelését javasolta. A beteg állapota a megelőző vizsgálatok közben rohamosan
romlott, majd nyugalmi dyspnoe és pitvari fibrilláció miatt intenzív osztályra
került, ahol másnap légzési elégtelenség következett be, és respirátorkezelés
vált szükségessé. Az igen magas kockázat ellenére műtét mellett döntöttünk, mert
a daganat eltávolítása volt a beteg egyetlen esélye a túlélésre. A műtét
sikerült, a beteg szövődményekkel terhes postoperativ szak után gyógyultan
hagyta el az intézményt. Munkaképes állapotban egy évvel később
recidívamentes.
Sizing and economic analysis of stand-alone PEM fuel cell systems for residential utilization
Authors: Imam S. M. , Azmy A. M.
Published: June 2015

This study discusses the economic utilization of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) based on cost of energy (COE) to supply residential electrical and thermal loads. The fuel cell system is sized using simplified mathematical expressions considering the stack degradation and the system salvage value at the end of its life time. The study is based on a 5 kWh/day residential load with a peak load power of 1300 W. Two scenarios for economic survey are studied. The first scenario is to find the commercial price for each FC component considering that the supply fuel is hydrogen. The other scenario is for a complete FC system commercial price considering that the supply fuel is natural gas. The economic analyses are based on the actual sale prices in the market. The COE of the fuel cell system is compared with previous work by the authors for the same residential ratings but supplied from a stand-alone photo voltaic system (SAPV). The analysis results show that the COE relies heavily on the capital cost of the system.
The transformation of the Hungarian construction industry and spatial tendencies between 2000 and 2012
Authors: Kozma G. , Marincsák M. , Kulcsár B.
Published: June 2015

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the tendencies of development in the construction industry, one of the most important foundations of economic development, between 2000 and 2012. The key findings of the study may be summarized in the following:

– In the period between the 2000 and 2012, after the increasing tendency that could be observed in the first half of the first decade in the new millennium, a significant drop occurred both in terms of the value of production and the number of employees in the construction industry.

– From the three subsectors of the construction industry, it was the construction of buildings on which the economic crisis that started in 2008 had a negative impact.

– The territorial tendencies of the construction industry were influenced by large-scale infrastructural investments (motorway construction, railway network development).
Alternatives of bioenergy feedstock production based on promising new perennial rhizomatous grasses and herbaceous semishrub crops in Hungary
Authors: Antal G. , Kurucz E. , Fári M. G.
Published: June 2015

The world’s energy consumption continues to increase, which results in demographic changes, living standard increases and technical development. In the world and Hungary the interest in biomass crops also has increased considerably over the previous decades. This paper summarizes the most important biological, biotechnological and agronomical researches and results of our working group, in Department of Agricultural Botany, Plant Physiology and Plant Biotechnology, University of Debrecen. It represents our research group publications and introduces some efficient propagation possibilities of promising new perennial bioenergy crops, giant reed (Arundo donax L.) and Virginia fanpetals (Sida hermaphrodita Rushby).
The fiancée is unduly beautiful*
Authors: Kerekes A. , Zöld A.
Published: June 2015

According to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, a significant share of the energy consumption of nearly zero energy buildings is covered from renewable energy. Biomass is considered as one of the most important renewable sources. It is promising since most of the Member states apply very low primary energy conversion factors for it. Nevertheless, the primary energy need is not as favourable as the conversion factors suggest, due to the efficiency of the biomass boilers for all over the year which depends on the changing load. Heating systems supplied with biomass boilers need buffer storage tanks which further decrease the efficiency of the system.

The nearly zero energy buildings, especially those of residential use exhibit more stable load due to the lower heat loss and the overwhelming share of the net energy need of domestic hot water supply.
Mathematical modeling of cotton leaf curl virus with respect to environmental factors
Authors: Khan Jahangir , Bashir Zoobia , Ahmad Aqeel , Tariq Wajeeha , Yousaf Anam , Gohar Madiha
Published: June 2015

This study mathematically correlates incidence of cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV), environmental factors (i.e., rainfall, humidity and temperature), and silverleaf whitefly population in agricultural system of Pakistan. It has been concluded that the disease is directly linked with rainfall and humidity. The third most influential factor in defining CLCuV incidence is the vector population, which is also strictly dependent upon monthly mean temperature of Pakistan. Developed mathematical interrelation is capable of predicting disease incidence of future months. Therefore, it will help agriculturists to control disease in agricultural areas of Pakistan. It is strongly advised on the basis of current research that vector population controlling practices should be immediately applied after detecting small elevations in mean monthly temperature.
A shared view of the integrated urban water management practices in Malaysia
Authors: Foo K. Y.
Published: June 2015

Urban water management remains a complex interplay between climate change, population growth, water scarcity, and the living environment. This agenda has called for an integrated, coordinated, ecologically-oriented, and participatory approach to the reliable protection of water resources. Malaysia, endowed with its rich natural resources and diversity recognizes the need to adopt a sound developmental framework to transform the country's water management landscape to a high quality and excellent level. In parallel with this development, both government and non-governmental organizations continue to advocate national efforts to address environmental research for incorporating the sustainability of environmental literacy and conservation of ecosystems. The plan espouses the establishment of urban water recycling, bio-retention systems, and constructed wetlands to buffer the impacts of water pollution, and preserve ecosystems for the neighboring communities. The impetus is accompanied by the integration of water quality monitoring systems, and boosted by the implementation of expert analysis. The present work attempts to address the dynamic pressure, key challenges, and benefits of urban water management practices in Malaysia. The sustainable concepts of waterfronts, constructed wetlands, and implementation of water monitoring analysis are elucidated. In addition, the research breakthroughs, major obstacles, and co-operative ventures for the promotion of urban water management are outlined.
An Unusual Mimicker of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report
Authors: Aluoch Aloice O , Farbman Mathew , Gladue Heather
Published: June 2015

We present a case of a 47 year-old African American female with 15 pack-years of tobacco use and heavy alcohol use who presented with arthritis and was found to have a positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti double stranded DNA antibodies (anti-dsDNA), and anti-Sjogren’s syndrome-related antigen A and antigen B (anti-SSA and anti-SSB). She was subsequently found to have a lung adenocarcinoma associated with hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPO). This demonstrates a case of positive antinuclear antibodies and arthritis in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma, which can be falsely diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus.
Oxidative stress induced by chlorpromazine in patients treated and acutely poisoned with the drug
Authors: Dejanovic Bratislav , Vukovic-Dejanovic Vesna , Stevanovic Ivana , Stojanovic Ivana , Mandic-Gajic Gordana , Dilber Sanda
Published: June 2015

Background/Aim. Although chlorpromazine (CPZ) is an antipsychotic drug widely
used in clinical practice for a long time, its mechanism of action has not
been entirely defined. An extremely difficult managing of patients acutely
poisoned with CPZ is additional reason for detailed studying its toxicity
mechanisms. In this clinical study, we investigated whether the oxidative
stress (OS) mediates CPZ toxic effects in the exposed patients. Methods. The
patients were organized into 3 groups: the T-group - hospitalized patients
receiving therapeutic doses of 75-150 mg CPZ/day; the overdosed group,
divided into two subgroups: the group M and the group S - mildly (CPZ serum
concentration: 0.21 ? 0.05 mg/L) and severely (CPZ serum concentration: 2.66
? 0.25 mg/L) poisoned patients, respectively, and the group C (control group
of healthy volunteers). Oxidative stress parameters [total antioxidative
status (TAS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma)] and superoxide dismutase
(SOD) activity in erythrocytes were measured spectrophotometrically, and CPZ
concentrations in serum were monitored chromatographically. One set of
measurements was performed in the group C and T, whereas two sets of
measurements (after 24 hours and 48 hours) were done in the poisoned
patients, groups M and S. Results. A decrease of TAS and increase of SOD
activity were obtained in both subgroups of the poisoned patients, compared
to the controls and the group receiving therapeutic doses of CPZ. A
significant increase of MDA was achieved in severely poisoned patients,
compared to all other groups. Conclusion. Changed oxidative stress
parameters in patients poisoned with chlorpromazine indicate involvement of
oxidative stress in the toxicity mechanism(s) of chlorpromazine.
New Insulin Glargine 300 Units/mL Versus Glargine 100 Units/mL in People With Type 1 Diabetes: A Randomized, Phase 3a, Open-Label Clinical Trial (EDITION 4)
Authors: Home Philip D. , Bergenstal Richard M. , Bolli Geremia B. , Ziemen Monika , Rojeski Maria , Espinasse Melanie , Riddle Matthew C.
Published: June 2015

OBJECTIVE

Insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes still provides suboptimal outcomes. Insulin glargine 300 units/mL (Gla-300), with a flatter pharmacodynamic profile compared with insulin glargine 100 units/mL (Gla-100), is an approach to this problem.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

People with type 1 diabetes, using a mealtime and basal insulin regimen, were randomized open-label to Gla-300 or Gla-100 and to morning or evening injection, continuing the mealtime analog, and followed for 6 months.

RESULTS

Participants (n = 549) were a mean age of 47 years and had a mean duration of diabetes of 21 years and BMI of 27.6 kg/m2. The change in HbA1c (primary end point; baseline 8.1%) was equivalent in the two treatment groups (difference, 0.04% [95% CI −0.10 to 0.19]) (0.4 mmol/mol [−1.1 to 2.1]), and Gla-300 was thus noninferior. Similar results with wider 95% CIs were found for morning and evening injection times and for prebreakfast self-measured plasma glucose (SMPG) overall. Results were also similar for Gla-300 when morning and evening injection time was compared, including overlapping 8-point SMPG profiles. Hypoglycemia did not differ, except for the first 8 weeks of the study, when nocturnal confirmed or severe hypoglycemia was lower with Gla-300 (rate ratio 0.69 [95% CI 0.53–0.91]). Hypoglycemia with Gla-300 did not differ by time of injection. The basal insulin dose was somewhat higher at 6 months for Gla-300. The adverse event profile did not differ and was independent of the Gla-300 time of injection. Weight gain was lower with Gla-300.

CONCLUSIONS

In long-duration type 1 diabetes, Gla-300 provides similar glucose control to Gla-100, with a lower risk of hypoglycemia after transfer from other insulins, independent of time of injection, and less weight gain.
Detemir insulin for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in dogs
Authors: Fracassi Federico , Corradini Sara , Hafner Michaela , Boretti Felicitas S. , Sieber-Ruckstuhl Nadia S. , Reusch Claudia E.
Published: June 2015

Objective—To investigate the effects of insulin detemir in dogs with diabetes mellitus.

Design—Prospective, uncontrolled clinical trial.

Animals—10 client-owned dogs with naturally occurring diabetes mellitus.

Procedures—Dogs were treated with insulin detemir SC every 12 hours for 6 months. Follow-up evaluations were done at 1, 2, 4, 12, and 24 weeks and included evaluation of clinical signs and measurement of blood glucose concentration curves and serum fructosamine concentrations.

Results—Insulin detemir administration resulted in a significant decrease in blood glucose and serum fructosamine concentrations at 6 months, compared with pretreatment values. Median insulin dosage at the end of the study was 0.12 U/kg (0.055 U/lb; range, 0.05 to 0.34 U/kg [0.023 to 0.155 U/lb], SC, q 12 h). Hypoglycemia was identified in 22% (10/45) of the blood glucose concentration curves, and 6 episodes of clinical hypoglycemia in 4 dogs were recorded. A subjective improvement in clinical signs was observed in all dogs during the 6-month study period. On the basis of clinical signs and blood glucose concentration curves, efficacy of insulin detemir at the end of the study was considered good in 5 dogs, moderate in 3, and poor in 2.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that SC injection of insulin detemir every 12 hours may be a viable treatment for diabetes mellitus in dogs. Insulin detemir dosages were lower than reported dosages of other insulin types needed to maintain glycemic control, suggesting that insulin detemir should be used with caution, especially in small dogs.
Association of blood lactate concentration with physical perfusion variables, blood pressure, and outcome for cats treated at an emergency service
Authors: Reineke Erica L. , Rees Colleen , Drobatz Kenneth J.
Published: June 2015

Objective—To determine the association of blood lactate concentration with physically assessed perfusion variables, systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP), and outcome in cats evaluated by an emergency service.

Design—Prospective, observational study.

Animals—111 cats.

Procedures—Initial blood lactate concentration and SAP (prior to any therapeutic interventions) as well as physically assessed perfusion variables (mucous membrane color, capillary refill time, peripheral pulse quality, heart rate, and rectal temperature) were determined. Cats were categorized as having no shock, mild to moderate shock, or severe shock. Outcomes were recorded. Associations between lactate concentration and these variables were assessed.

Results—Median initial blood lactate concentration was 2.7 mmol/L (range, 0.5 to 19.3 mmol/L); cats with white mucous membranes, abnormal peripheral pulse quality, and hypothermia had significantly higher lactate concentration than did cats without these findings. Median lactate concentration for cats with SAP < 90 mm Hg (3.3 mmol/L) was significantly higher than that of cats with SAP ≥ 90 mm Hg (2.35 mmol/L). Cats with severe shock had significantly higher lactate concentration (4.3 mmol/L) than did cats in other shock categories. Median initial lactate concentration at admission did not differ between cats that did (2.45 mmol/L) and did not (3.2 mmol/L) survive to discharge from the hospital. Change in lactate concentration during hospitalization (when applicable) was not associated with outcome.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Findings indicated that blood lactate concentration, together with physical examination findings and SAP, may be a useful tool for identifying abnormalities in tissue oxygen delivery in cats. However, lactate concentrations were not associated with outcome in the present study.
Perioperative red blood cell transfusion requirement for various surgical procedures in dogs: 207 cases (2004–2013)
Authors: Haley Adrienne L. , Mann F. A. , Middleton John , Nelson Courtney A.
Published: June 2015

Objective—To compare perioperative RBC transfusion among dogs undergoing liver lobectomy, splenectomy, partial gastrectomy, rhinotomy, thyroidectomy, perineal herniorrhaphy, and intrathoracic surgery.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—207 client-owned dogs that underwent various surgeries.

Procedures—Medical records were reviewed for dogs that had undergone liver lobectomy, splenectomy, partial gastrectomy, rhinotomy, neoplastic thyroidectomy, perineal herniorrhaphy, or intrathoracic surgery. Transfusion requirement (packed RBC, whole blood, and bovine hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier) and survival rate at 2 weeks after surgery were compared among dogs undergoing the various surgeries.

Results—Patients undergoing splenectomy and liver lobectomy were significantly more likely to receive RBC transfusion when each was compared with patients undergoing all other procedures. A significant association was found between body weight and perioperative RBC transfusion, with greater odds of transfusion as body weight increased. Dogs receiving perioperative RBC transfusions were significantly less likely to survive to 2 weeks after surgery.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that dogs undergoing splenectomy and liver lobectomy may require RBC transfusion perioperatively. Veterinarians who perform these procedures should plan accordingly and have packed RBCs or whole blood donors readily available.
Immunomodulatory Effect of Tonsil-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Mouse Model of Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Samivel Ramachandran , Kim Eun Hee , Chung Young-Jun , Mo Ji-Hun
Published: June 2015

Background

Although several studies have claimed that mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) derived from human tissues can ameliorate allergic airway inflammation, the immunomodulatory mechanism of MSCs remains unclear.

Objective

We aimed to determine the effects and the underlying mechanism of tonsil-derived MSCs (T-MSC) on allergic inflammation compared with adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASC) in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis (AR).

Methods

MSCs were isolated from human palatine tonsil (T-MSC) and the surface markers were analyzed. The effect of T-MSCs was evaluated in 24 BALB/c mice that were randomly divided into four groups (negative control group, positive control group, T-MSC group, and ASC group). MSCs were administered intravenously to ovalbumin (OVA) sensitized mice (T-MSC and ASC groups) on days 18 to 23, and subsequent OVA challenge was conducted daily from days 24 to 28. Several parameters of allergic inflammation were assessed.

Results

T-MSC and ASC had similar characteristics in surface markers. Intravenous injection of T-MSC significantly reduced allergic symptoms, eosinophil infiltration, serum total, and OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), and the nasal and systemic T-helper (Th) 2 cytokine profile. Further analysis revealed that nasal innate cytokines, such as interleukin (IL) 25 and IL-33, and chemokines, such as CCL11, CCL24, induction was suppressed in T-MSCs injected groups, which explained their underlying mechanism. In addition, the T-MSC group had more inhibition of allergic inflammation than did the ASC group, which might be attributed to the more proliferative activity of T-MSC.

Conclusion

Administration of T-MSC effectively reduced allergic symptoms and inflammatory parameters in the mouse model of AR. T-MSC treatment reduced Th2 cytokines and OVA-specific IgE secretion from B cells. In addition, innate cytokine (IL-25 and IL-33) expression and eotaxin messenger RNA expression was inhibited in the nasal mucosa, which is suggestive of the mechanism of reduced allergic inflammation. Therefore, T-MSC treatment is potentially an alternative therapeutic modality in AR.