bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HRM Analysis of Spermathecal Contents to Determine the Origin of Drones that Inseminated Honey Bee Queens
Authors: Kahya Yasin 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Europe, Africa and the Middle East have several original subspecies of the western honey bee (Apis mellifera L.), each with distinctive characteristics. These subspecies are the product of natural selection in their native range. Nevertheless, anthropogenic impacts such as migratory beekeeping and use of non-native queens result in an admixture of these subspecies and their ecotypes. I aimed to develop a SNP-based method to detect whether queen honey bees were mated with drones from foreign subspecies. For this purpose, Caucasian and Italian queens and drones were reared. Each queen was instrumentally inseminated with mixed semen collected from Caucasian (4 μl) and Italian drones (4 μl). The spermathecae of queens were dissected out after the onset of oviposition. The DNA was extracted from each spermatheca and from the thoraces of Caucasian and Italian drones. Seven regions on mtDNA that were isolated from drones were sequenced to determine the SNPs, enabling the discrimination of Caucasian sperm from Italian in spermathecal contents. Based on one SNP (11606. bp, T/C) residing on the Cytb gene, a specific primer was designed to be used in High Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis. HRM analysis indicated that heteroduplex peak profiles were present in all spermathecal contents of instrumentally inseminated queens. The results provide proof of the concept that the presence of likely non-native mitochondrial lineages can be detected by HRM analysis based on the SNP genotyping of spermathecal contents.
Evolution mechanism of ultraviolet and electrical phenomena induced by protrusion discharge in GIS
Authors: Du Fei , Chang Wenzhi , Bi Jiangang , Yuan Shuai , Zhang Xinghui , Gong Yanpeng 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
To improve the sensitive and reliability of condition monitoring in gas insulated switchgear (GIS), discharge perception system applied to GIS insulators protrusion discharge based on single ultraviolet photon is built. Step method is used to inspire the discharges of different severity, based on which, the regression relationship of ultraviolet (UV) signal and electrical signal are studied, and the perception mechanism of UV signal in different severity of discharges is analyzed. The study indicates that, the development of protrusion discharge in GIS can be divided into four stages, and there is no positive correlation between the number of ultraviolet photons caused by discharge radiation and insulation deterioration level, but related to the diffusion, migration and recombination of charged particles, then UV optical method for quantitative monitoring of discharge in each stage is provided, which provide a new method for quantitative measurement of GIS insulator discharge.
Environmental variables and macrophytes of lakes of the Chitwan National Park, Central Nepal
Authors: Bhusal Ashika , Devkota Anjana 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Wetlands are areas where water is the primary factor controlling the environment, associated plant and animal life. The present study has been conducted to investigate the environmental variables of water and to make a quantitative analysis of aquatic macrophytes. Five lakes, i.e. Tamor, Beeshazar, Kingfisher, Athaieshazar and Chepang of the Chitwan National Park were studied during the post-monsoon season. Four different sites were studied for each lake. 12 replica of water samples were collected from each site of the lakes and environmental variables of water i.e. pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, conductivity, total hardness, nitrate, inorganic phosphorus, total solid matter and free CO2 were analyzed. Macrophyte floras were collected during field sampling with the help of a 1m×1m light wooden quadrat and herbaria were prepared following the standard technique. Altogether 10 quadrats (five paired quadrats) were plotted in each site of the study area. Data obtained from water analysis and macrophytes were analyzed by SPSS statistics 20 and CANACO version 4.5. Higher values of nitrate and inorganic phosphorus were found in Beeshazar Lake and Tamor Lake, i.e. 4.41 ±0.52 mg dm–3 and 2.93 ±0.29 mg dm–3, respectively. In most of the lakes, macrophyte species, mostly Eichhornia crassipes was found to be dominant in terms of the importance value index (IVI), whereas in Tamor Lake, Spirodela polyrhiza was dominant. All the studied lakes were in the hypereutrophic category on the basis of nitrate and phosphorus concentration. Runoff of polluted water with agricultural fertilizers, pesticides and untreated industrial discharge as well as domestic wastes from the Khageri canal and excessive growth of invasive macrophytes are major threats to the studied lakes. The luxuriant growth of invasive macrophytes like Eichhornia crassipes also revealed the productive nature of the lakes and they can be taken as ecological indicators of organic pollution.
Heat reserves of lakes of Belarus
Authors: Kirvel Pavel 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The article concerns changes in the heat reserves of the lakes of Belarus in connection with the emerging trends of global warming. When calculating the heat reserves of lakes the method proposed by the Hydromet service was adopted. This technique allows the heat reserves of lakes to be determined with greater accuracy for subsequent comparison and discovery of spatio-temporal connections. The heat reserves were calculated for five lakes whose temperature regime has been constantly monitored. A quantitative assessment of changes in heat reserves for the period of instrumental observations was obtained. It was found that the average range of fluctuations in the gradients of heat reserves of lakes for the Belarusian Lake District ranges from 2.71×1015 J in May to 54.56×1015 J in August; for Belarusian Polesie – from 2.78 to 4.17×1015 J, respectively. The cyclicity of fluctuations in the heat reserves of lakes of Belarus was revealed and found to be short-period (3-5 years) and long-period (10-11 years) cycles.
Features of Electricity Distribution Using Energy Storage in Solar Photovoltaic Structure
Authors: Veremiichuk Y. , Yarmoliuk O. , Pustovyi A. , Mahnitko A. , Zicmane I. , Lomane T. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The intensive development of renewable energy, especially solar power and wind power plants, poses risks of disrupting the balance reliability of the grid. There is the need to develop electricity storage system area, first of all, due to the global tendency to increase the demand for electricity and the number of electricity generation from renewable sources. The issue of guaranteeing electricity supply to the consumer operating in the autonomous renewable source – energy storage device – consumer system is the main criterion when selecting the installed capacity of the generator on the basis of renewable sources and energy storage device capacity. Also, the application does not allow reducing voltage fluctuations in the renewable sources – the consumer system.
The Comparison of the Efficiency of Small Wind Turbine Generators with Horizontal and Vertical Axis Under Low Wind Conditions
Authors: Bezrukovs D. , Bezrukovs V. , Bezrukovs Vl. , Konuhova M. , Aniskevich S. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The authors perform a comparative analysis of the efficiency of two types of low-power wind energy conversion systems with horizontal and vertical axis in the meteorological conditions of Latvia. The analysis is based on long-term wind speed measurements over the period of two years conducted by a network of 22 observation stations at the height of 10 m above the ground. The study shows that in the conditions of Latvia wind turbines with a horizontal axis are expected to work with greater efficiency than similar installations with a vertical axis. The paper presents the models of the spatial distribution of average wind speed, Weibull wind speed frequency distribution parameters and the values of the expected operational efficiency for small wind turbine generators. The modelling results are presented in the form of colour contour maps. Overall, the results of the study can serve as a tool for forecasting annual energy production and for estimating the feasibility of commercial use of wind energy at the height of 10 m in the territory of Latvia.
Local food policies – their constraints and drivers: Insights from Portuguese Urban Agriculture initiatives
Authors: Delgado Cecília 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Two interconnected questions are addressed in this paper: (i) why urban agriculture (UA) and food-related initiatives take usually years to materialise in Portugal; and (ii) why resilient initiatives do not scale up and shift from practices to local food policies. We argue that existing initiatives are viewed as single events and therefore garner quite limited long-term political commitment and support. Based on interviews with food champions and a literature review, four Portuguese UA initiatives are analysed and these highlight the constraints that hinder their scaling-up. We conclude that drivers to lead to scaling-up are a combination of factors, with an enabling environment the most relevant one. On the other hand, constraints are related to limited democratic governance and poor policies, insufficient funding and weak participatory processes. Such findings are quite in line with existing literature. The limited integration of Portugal within the international UA and food debates might partially explain why UA is still struggling to find its proper place in Portuguese cities and their peripheries. Raising awareness among decision makers is critical to scaling-up UA initiatives and turning them an integral component of local food systems. A national observatory able to gather relevant data and produce knowledge, assess and monitor on-going initiatives may be the key step to gather different stakeholders together, that can then better advocate and then lead to higher political support, not only in Portugal but in any country where UA and food issues are emerging.
Consistency of the presentation of forests on topographic maps
Authors: Cebrykow Paweł , Petrzak Piotr 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
This article analyses the accuracy of the presentation of forests on Polish topographic maps. Four test polygons were selected, differing in forest coverage and spatial distribution of forest areas in order to improve the objectivity of the study. All the polygons were located in Roztocze. Four maps were tested: System 1965 (1:50 000), GUGIK80 (1:100 000), PUWG92 (1:10 000), and VMap L2 (1:50 000). The forest areas from the maps and aerial photographs were vectorised; then the photographs were converted into an orthophotomap that constituted the reference material. All materials were coherent in terms of content validity. After vectorising the range of the forests, sampling was conducted within the hexagonal fields. A comparison of the obtained values provided the basis for maps that presented the errors. The analysis permitted several conclusions to be drawn, generally stating that the credibility of maps within the scope of presenting forest areas depends on the scale and purpose of the map, and that any analyses based on these maps should assume that the results should have higher tolerance levels.
Integrating the non-EU immigrants into the EU labour market. An econometric analysis of some of the specific factors
Authors: Nicolescu Andreea Florentina , Drăgan Gabriela 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The article explores the impact of some specific barriers to the integration of non-EU immigrants on the European Union labour market, measuring the influence of age, level of education and investments on the employment rate of non-EU immigrants. The study is based on a mixed approach, combining a statistically descriptive analysis of the 2008-2018 European labour market trends (in terms of the non-EU immigrants’ employment rate) with an econometric evaluation, aiming to measure the influence of investments (in terms of % of Gross fixed capital formation in Gross Domestic Product), age of asylum seekers (in terms of % of total asylum seekers) and level of education of non – EU immigrants (in terms of % of total non – EU immigrants). The analysis highlights the fact that the highest impact of non-EU immigrants on the employment rate is found in the case of non-EU immigrants with age between 18-34 and 35-64 years and with a tertiary level of education. For the other categories of non-EU immigrants, with ages outside the aforementioned range and with a lower level of education, the challenges are even much greater, which indicates the importance of specific educational integration policies, focusing mainly on continuous education and training.
Multi-level Governance and Energy Specifics of the V4 Countries within the Context of European Integration
Authors: Bauerová Helena , Vošta Milan 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The topic of energy is still one of the most sensitive policy areas. The aim of this article is to examine the multi-level governance and energy specifics of the V4 countries within the context of European integration by analyzing selected the specifics of the energy mix of the V4 group countries. This will be carried out within the context of applying the theory of multilevel governance. The paper shows how energy policy is formed at state, and/or non-state level, as well as how these levels are influenced by the EU. The article also looks at the efforts taken to shape a common energy policy. A closer examination of the individual countries‘ levels lies outside the scope of this article. Therefore, the framework was chosen with regard to the particular features within the context of the functioning of the V4 group of countries. Using multi-level governance as a theoretical concept, the authors considered the limits arising from the determination of levels and the subjects of the survey, as well as having distinguished three levels of analysis. The first is the supranational level. This is represented by the EU. The second level is represented by the V4 states. The third level is the state as the actor that formulates energy policy, sets the energy mix and subsequently manifests itself in relation to the EU and the V4 group. Energy policy is significantly influenced by states, especially in the area of energy security of fuel supplies, or that of setting the energy mix. With the gradual communitarization of energy policy, the EU’s influence is growing and it is debatable how the evaluation of existing strategic plans, presented by individual states, will be done. The role of the V4 group is the weakest of the three levels of analysis which were examined. However, its increasing influence can be predicted mainly in the case of coal depletion and the perception of nuclear energy as a renewable source.
Knowledge and skills in chest auscultation among nurses
Authors: Majder Klaudia , Więch Paweł , Wojniak Agnieszka , Bazaliński Dariusz 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Introduction. Medical history and physical examination are basic elements allowing nurses to assess patients’ health. The ability to auscultate the chest in combination with anatomical and physiological knowledge constitute a quick and reliable method of differentiation and diagnosis of many diseases.

Aim. The aim of the study was to assess knowledge and skills in the field of chest auscultation among nursing staff .

Material and method. A prospective, pilot observational study was conducted on a group of 51 nurses. The level of knowledge and skills in the field of chest auscultation and independence in undertaking this activity in professional work were assessed. The knowledge test developed by the author, survey questionnaire and SimScope 360-3400 trainer were used. P<0.05 value was considered statistically significant.

Results. Lack of chest auscultation skills was observed in 10% of the respondents, although none of them revealed lack of knowledge in this respect (p<0.001). Higher level of knowledge correlated with higher level of skills of the respondents, while a lower level of knowledge conditioned a lower level of skills (p=0.049). In the respondents’ opinion, auscultation of the lungs and heart are activities performed only by a doctor.

Conclusions. Despite a moderate level of knowledge and skills in the field of chest auscultation, nursing staff do not use physical examination techniques in their daily work.
Practical Guidelines for Nursing and Midwifery Diabetes care – 2020 A position of the Polish Federation for Education in Diabetology
Authors: Szewczyk Alicja , Tobiasz-Kałkun Natasza , Stefanowicz-Bielska Anna , Kobos Ewa , Młynarczuk Mirosława , Kapuściok Justyna , Michałowska Jolanta 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Introduction. The history of recommendations by the Polish Federation for Education in Diabetology dates back to 2006, when guidelines for nurses/midwifes working with diabetic patients were first drawn up. However, the development of nurses and midwifes? competences requires stronger actions that foster a transition from experience-based towards evidence-based practice.

Aim. The aim of this publication is to present a set of procedures describing nursing interventions in diabetes care, including currently available scientific evidence and clinical experience of specialists involved in the care of diabetic patients.

Material and methods. The study involved a literature review of selected areas of nursing practice in diabetes care. When compiling the material, the priority was to use data from (in order of significance): randomized controlled clinical trials and their meta-analyses, observational studies and other studies with an adequate scientific status.

Results. This joint study yielded 11 procedures describing selected aspects of nursing interventions in diabetic patients. Each of the procedures details key recommendations on diabetes care, arranged in accordance of the significance ascribed to the scientific evidence analyzed.

Conclusions. The 2020 PFED guidelines on nursing and midwifery diabetes care are the effect of the evaluation of the previous versions and comprise a considerably more extensive, comprehensive and evidence-based set of practices. The major asset of these guidelines is their interdisciplinarity, reflected in the fact that the final version of the publication was approved by consultants in numerous nursing fields, a consultant in diabetology, and the President of the Polish Federation for Education in Diabetology, who all represent the medical community. The authors experience gained during work on international recommendations (New Insulin Delivery Recommendations) played an important role when formulating the present guidelines.
Study of thermal degradation behavior and kinetics of ABS/PC blend
Authors: Bano Saira , Ramzan Naveed , Iqbal Tanveer , Mahmood Hamayoun , Saeed Farhan 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
This work investigated kinetics and thermal degradation of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polycarbonate (ABS/PC) blend using thermogravimetric analysis in the range of 25 to 520°C. For thermal degradation of blend, activation energy (E

a
) and pre-exponential factor (A) were calculated under various heating rates as 5, 10, 15 and 20°C/min using iso-conversional model-free methods (Kissinger, Flynn-Wall- Ozawa and Friedman). Mass loss of the blend as a function of temperature was plotted as thermogravimetric curve (TG) while derivative values of mass loss were drawn as derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) curve. Using Kissinger method, E

a
was 51.4 kJ/mol, while values calculated from FWO and Friedman method were 86–161 and 30–251 kJ/mol respectively. Results showed increasing trend of E

a
with higher conversion values indicating different degradation mechanisms at the initial and final stages of the experiment. Thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy change (ΔH), Gibbs free energy (ΔG) and entropy change (ΔS) were also calculated.
Effect of gender and occupations on uranium concentration in human blood and soil samples collected from Babylon, Iraq
Authors: Showard Ansam F. , Aswood Murtadha SH. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Uranium concentrations of human blood and soil samples have been studied at different ages and occupations in Babylon, Iraq. The technique of nuclear track detectors CR 39 with nuclear fission track analysis has been used to determine the uranium concentrations in this study. Results have shown that the concentrations of uranium ranged from 0.56 ± 0.06 to 1.24 ± 0.29 ppb with an average of 0.83 ± 0.18 ppb in blood samples. On the other hand, the concentrations of uranium in soil samples ranged from 0.93 ± 0.20 to 2.59 ± 0.15 ppm with an average of 1.72 ± 0.19 ppm. Moreover, the highest averages of concentration have been found in the city center of Babylon, reaching 1.09 ± 0.22 ppb and 2.10 ± 0.23 ppm in blood and soil samples, respectively. The results have further proved that gender and occupations have an effect in increasing the concentrations of uranium. In addition, the concentrations in blood samples are generally lower than the concentration in soil samples.
Alcohol addiction diagnosis on the basis of the polysomnographic parameters
Authors: Lewenstein Krzysztof , Ślubowska Elżbieta , Hawłas Hubert Jan 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Alcoholism is one of the most widely occurring addiction in the world. In this paper, we proposed the method of addiction detection based on polysomnography. We have got the sleep records which were described by numerical parameters calculated from standard processed records of polysomnography signals. The database used in the experiments consisted of 172 examinations: 50% of healthy and alcohol-addicted patients, and 50% males and females, with normal-like age distribution. For the diagnosis, we have used the decision system built on an artificial neural network.
In our investigations, we have optimised the input set of parameters and the network structure. To verify the correctness of the diagnosis we have used the “leave one out” validation method.
Finally, we have obtained over 97% correctness of alcohol addiction diagnoses for different, optimised sets of data for men and women. we got the 8 parameters described men and 11 for women where only 5 has been common. What must be underlined such a positive result was obtained by dividing the data base. For the whole base, we have got only about 89% correct diagnoses.
Neurofeedback – A Method Which Trains the Brain to Obtain Changes in Behaviour
Authors: Pop-Jordanova Nada , Pop-Jordanov Jordan 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
EEG can determine changes in brain activity that might be useful in diagnosing different brain disorders as well as some mental states. Many advantages of this record have been the reason for resurrect the EEG in current clinical practice and research. More sophisticated form, the Q-EEG comprises a procedure that processes the recorded EEG activity from a multi-electrode recording using a computer, where data is processed with various algorithms, such as the Fourier or Wavelet analysis. Q-EEG data are important as a marker for many psychophysiological disorders.
Neurofeedback (NF) is a form of behavioural training aimed at developing skills for self-regulation of brain activity. It is a treatment method for altering brain functioning by the use of signals provided to a patient that reflect the moment-to-moment changes in the patient’s electroencephalogram.
This article summarizes some of our large experience with neurofeedback training in different groups of disorders in children and adolescents. Positive outcome is promising for more expansive use of this non-pharmacological, cost-benefit methodology in paediatric and general population.