bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Population trends of Goričko agricultural landscape birds
Authors: Denac Katarina , Kmecl Primož , Domanjko Gregor , Denac Damijan 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Due to numerous bird surveys in the past 20 years, the avifauna of Goričko is relatively well known. For some species, the very first national ecological researches were conducted in this area. The article summarizes all bird surveys so far. It presents population trends of farmland species which is one of the most threatened bird groups in Europe. Most of the qualifying species of this habitat that are protected within the Natura 2000 network have suffered a decline at Goričko, specifically Quail Coturnix coturnix, Scops Owl Otus scops, Hoopoe Upupa epops, Woodlark Lullula arborea and White Stork Ciconia ciconia. The number of breeding pairs of the latter has not changed, but its fecundity has decreased. Furthermore, populations of other farmland bird species have decreased, for example Skylark Alauda arvensis, Stonechat Saxicola rubicola, Serin Serinus serinus and Common Linnet Linaria cannabina, as well as butterfly populations and tracts of grassland habitat types. National agricultural and nature conservation policies are evidently inefficient in protecting the biodiversity of Goričko. The most probable cause for bird population decline is agricultural intensification, which manifests itself at Goričko as disappearance and intensification of meadows, land consolidation, degradation of traditional orchards and use of pesticides. As a result of land consolidation hedges, uncultivated strips between fields, individual trees and bushes and minority habitat types are disappearing, whereas the surface of arable fields is increasing. Nature conservation measures performed by the Public Institute Goričko Nature Park with the support of DOPPS – BirdLife Slovenia volunteers seem to be efficient, but are spatially and temporally constrained. For this reason, they cannot serve as a substitute for insufficient systemic financing which could be improved by substantive and financial reform of the agri-environmental scheme. Currently, a negligible percentage (1% in 2016) of Goričko is covered by agrienvironmental scheme measures with positive influence on qualifying species and habitat types. As a consequence, only an insignificant share of subsidies from the Rural Development Plan is used for nature protection at Goričko. If the system of agricultural subsidies remains unaltered, no improvement of the conditions for bird conservation at Goričko can be expected.
Impact of Nanosilver and Nanocopper on Antifungal Properties of Plastic Elements in the Aspect of Their Use in Agri-Food Processing
Authors: Jałbrzykowski Marek , Leszczyńska Katarzyna , Obidziński Sławomir , Minarowski Łukasz , Laabs Magdalena 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
The paper presents results of microbiological research of plastic elements. Plastic elements were made of the polystyrene composition with addition of nanosilver and nanocopper with a laboratory extruder EHP 25ELine. Microbiological research was carried with regard to evaluation of antifungal impact of nanoadditives according to international standards with Cryobank (Mast Diagnostica). A positive impact of nanoadditives on antifungal properties of polystyrene elements produced by means of extrusion which is very favourable in the aspect of their use in agri-food processing.
The Use of Fabrics to Improve the Acoustic Absorption: Influence of the Woven Fabric Thread Density Over a Nonwoven
Authors: Segura-Alcaraz Pilar , Segura-Alcaraz Jorge , Montava Ignacio , Bonet-Aracil Marilés 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Noise is frequently unnoticed, but it is one of the causes of unhealth for human beings reducing people’s quality of life. There are many materials that can be considered as acoustic absorbents. Textiles can be used to both improve the acoustic quality of and to decorate the room where they have been placed. In this study, we used some fabrics with 15, 20 and 30 ends/cm and 15, 20 and 30 picks/cm. The acoustic absorption coefficient was measured when the fabric was added as a resistive layer on top of a nonwoven made of polyester fiber. Results evidence that these fabrics can be efficiently used to modify the acoustic absorption of the nonwoven. Sound absorption coefficients measured via the impedance tube method show that these modifications occur. The results show how it is possible to improve the acoustic characteristics of a simple nonwoven to obtain sound absorption coefficients close to values of 1 at different frequencies by choosing a fabric with the appropriate combination of warp and weft count.
Two Implicit Meshless Finite Point Schemes for the Two-Dimensional Distributed-Order Fractional Equation
Authors: Salehi Rezvan 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
In this paper, the distributed-order time fractional sub-diffusion equation on the bounded domains is studied by using the finite-point-type meshless method. The finite point method is a point collocation based method which is truly meshless and computationally efficient. To construct the shape functions of the finite point method, the moving least square reproducing kernel approximation is employed. Two implicit discretisation of order

O
⁢

(
τ
)

{O(\tau)}

and

O
⁢

(

τ

1
+

1
2

⁢
σ

)

{O(\tau^{1+\frac{1}{2}\sigma})}

are derived, respectively. Stability and

L
2

{L^{2}}

norm convergence of the obtained difference schemes are proved. Numerical examples are provided to confirm the theoretical results.
Characterization of Thermal Energy Harvesting Using Pyroelectric Ceramics at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Chavez Luis A. , Zayas Jimenez Fabian O. , Wilburn Bethany R. , Delfin Luis C. , Kim Hoejin , Love Norman , Lin Yirong 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Energy harvesting has drawn increasing attention due to the fast development of wireless sensors and devices. Most research has been focused on mechanical energy harvesting using piezoelectric ceramics; however, little is known on their experimental capabilities to harvest thermal energy at different temperature ranges and the impact that the temperature range has on the energy conversion efficiency. Majority of piezoelectric ceramics are pyroelectric in nature thus enabling them to couple energy between thermal and electrical domains. This paper demonstrates the use of Lithium Niobate (LNB) as a thermal energy harvesting device for high temperature applications. A custom testing setup was developed to test the LNB sample temperatures up to 225 °C. Pyroelectric coefficient of the material was characterized at different temperature ranges. Pyroelectric coefficient was found to increase with temperature, with a maximum value of −196 μC·m−2 °C−1. Power output of the sample was also characterized in different temperature ranges. A maximum value of over 20.5 μW was found when cycling the sample between 75 °C and 100 °C. Meanwhile, a maximum value of 14.8 μW was found in the 125 °C to 150 °C range. Finally, a peak value of 255 nW was found when cycling the sample in the 200 °C to 225 °C range.
A Review on DNA Repair Inhibition by PARP Inhibitors in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Shah Ashish P. , Patel Chhagan N. , Sureja Dipen K. , Sanghavi Kirtan P. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe DNA repair process protects the cells from DNA damaging agent by multiple pathways. Majority of the cancer therapy cause DNA damage which leads to apoptosis. The cell has natural ability to repair this damage which ultimately leads to development of resistance of drugs. The key enzymes involved in DNA repair process are poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP). Tumor cells repair their defective gene via defective homologues recombination (HR) in the presence of enzyme PARP. PARP inhibitors inhibit the enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) which lead to apoptosis of cancer cells. Current clinical data shows the role of PARP inhibitors is not restricted to BRCA mutations but also effective in HR dysfunctions related tumors. Therefore, investigation in this area could be very helpful for future therapy of cancer. This review gives detail information on the role of PARP in DNA damage repair, the role of PARP inhibitors and chemistry of currently available PARP inhibitors.
Lateral Cephalometric Study in Adult Bulgarians with Normal Occlusion
Authors: Todorova-Plachiyska Katya G. , Stoilova-Todorova Mariya G. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Orthodontic treatment is effective when the facial and cephalometric characteristics of the ethnic background of patients are considered because the normal measurements for one group are not necessarily normal for another group. It is important to develop individual standards for each population. Different racial groups must be treated according to their own characteristics.
The aim of this study was to establish a cephalometric standard of the cranial bases and jaw bases for Bulgarian population and to find the differences between males and females. The pilot study included 390 adult Bulgarians. Of these, 90 cases with intact dentitions, harmonious faces and Angle Class I occlusion who have not received orthodontic treatment, were purposefully selected. Lateral cephalometric radiographs of the selected subjects were taken. Six linear/angular measurements combining sagittal parameters selected form Steiner (ANB angular indicator), Schwarz (S–N, Ba–N, A1–PNS, Go– APMan linear indicators) and Jacobson (WITS–linear indicator) analysis were recorded. Student’s t-test with 5% significance level was used for data analysis (means, standard deviations, maximum and minimum values) and to assess gender differences. A gender-based cephalometric analysis of indicators found that there are statistically significant differences. Only the ANB angular parameter did not show any statistically significant difference between genders. The cephalometric variables measured in this study were significantly different between the genders except for angle ANB, and they were higher in boys. The results of our study confirm previous research on the topic presented in specialized literature.
Comorbidities of COPD in Bulgarian Patients – Prevalence and Association with Severity and Inflammation
Authors: Stratev Velin , Petkova Diana , Dimitrova Valentina , Petev Jordan 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Background:wis a disease with constantly rising economic and social burden; it is associated with multiple comorbidities which contribute to the disease severity.
Aim: To investigate the prevalence of co-morbidities in COPD patients and their association with the disease severity and CRP levels.
Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective study among 338 COPD patients (mean age 65.2±7.6 years) with assessment of comorbidities, spirometry measurements and serum levels of CRP. In 183 patients we found metabolic syndrome (MS) according to IDF criteria.
Results: We found prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) of 73.5% (hyper-tension 70.4%, CHF 47.4%, ishemic heart disease 37.5%, and cardiac arrhythmias 12.6%), with higher prevalence in patients with more severe disease. We found prevalence of type 2 diabetes of 21.1%, and 12.4% prevalence of bronchiectasis. In a subpopulation of the patients we found 48.1% prevalence of MS and the serum levels of CRP were significantly higher in patients with COPD and MS compared to those without the syndrome: 7.4 (3.14 – 11. 54) mg/ml vs 4.06 (2.64 – 6.93) mg/ml, p=0.006.
Conclusion: The present study suggests high prevalence of CVD comorbidities in COPD patients and association with the disease severity. Metabolic syndrome is a common comorbidity and is associated with increased inflammatory response.
Labour Market, Wages and Their Policies in the EU Area
Authors: Andrei Dalina , Andrei Liviu C. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Interesting and challenging is not exactly that economic thinking is divided between those who admit that labour would be a good negotiated on its specific market segment and those who don’t, but other two-three aspects. The one is that those who do admit it are classic, neoclassic and (interestingly!) Marxian schools. The last thinkers certainly see it as pejorative. Interesting is equally that those who ‘reject labour market concept’ work around the Keynesian thinking school. The author of ‘General Theory…’ rejected the idea that employer and employee could ever be economically equal to each other and that labour could keep any real market supply specific behaviour. Thirdly, Keynes was the first one who pointed to unemployment as a real modern problem, but also interestingly his view on the same unemployment wasn’t satisfactory for our present.
At present, unemployment is a problem and even an unsolved one for the European economy and for the EU Organization. The EU documents might indicate it as a problem (and not only economic) and a policy priority, together with the wages issue, but basically employment and wages cannot make any policy priority against economic targets like productivity, cost reduction and industrial efficiency.
An Investigation of the Performance of Islamic and Interest Based Banking Evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Khan Tauseef , Ahmad Waqar , Rahman Muhammad Khalil Ur , Haleem Fazal 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe main difference between Islamic and conventional banking is that Islamic banking works on profit and loss while conventional banking work is interest based. The aim of this research study is to measure and compare the financial performance of Islamic and conventional banking in Pakistan during 2006 to 2015. This study is to examine and to evaluate the performance of 5 Islamic banks (Meezan Islamic Bank, Bank Islami Limited, Al Baraka Islamic Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank Limited and Burj Bank Limited) and 5 conventional banks (Muslim Commercial Bank Limited, United Bank Limited, Askari Bank Limited, Allied Bank Limited, Habib Bank Limited) in terms of profitability, liquidity, risk, capital and efficiency. We used quantitative and qualitative data for comparison of Islamic and conventional banks. Collection of data consists on both primary as well as secondary sources. Primary data has been gathered from interviews and Secondary data has been gathered from the balance sheets and income statements of the sampled banks for the period of 2006 to 2015.Financial ratios such as profitability ratios, liquidity ratios, solvency ratios, capital ratios and efficiency ratios are used for measure of the financial performance of both banking sector. The results indicate that Islamic banks are less profitable, more liquid, less risky and less efficient. There is no significant difference in terms of capital between Islamic and conventional banks.
The progress in study of fosfomycin
Authors: Jia Yuchi 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
In recent years, heavy drug resistance in bacteria has become increasingly serious, and the progress of research and development of new antibiotics are slow. Therefore, seeking an alternative from the safe and effective “old medicine” is a strategy for clinical action against infection. Among them, fosfomycin is extremely relevant. Based on the related literature at home and abroad, this review briefly introduces fosfomycin in the context of progress in synthetic methods, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics, and antibacterial activities, to provide references for clinical rational use.
The Effect of Sn Content in a Pt/KIT-6 Catalyst Over its Performance in the Dehydrogenation of Propane
Authors: Mata-Martinez Alejandro , Jimenez-Lam Sergio A. , Talavera-López Alfonso , Gómez Sergio A. , Fuentes Gustavo A. , Picos-Corrales Lorenzo A. , Piña-Victoria Juan C. , Ruelas-Leyva Jose P. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Propylene is one of the most important commodity chemicals. Its future demand is expected to exceed its production. Alternative routes to obtain this product need to be implemented. Dehydrogenation of propane assisted with catalyst is a promising route to meet demands. The Pt and Cr supported catalysts are amongst the most effective possibilities. However, Pt catalysts are preferred over Cr due to the toxic nature of Cr species. Despite the high performance of the Pt catalysts, they deactivate during reaction, mainly due to coke deposits blocking the active site and/or pores. This effect can be reduced with a support having high connectivity and surface area, like KIT-6. In this work the mesoporous silica KIT-6 was employed as support in a series of Pt-Sn catalysts. The influence of adding or increasing the weight % of Sn to Pt catalyst was studied. There were species of SnO2 and metallic Pt in the fresh catalysts. After reaction, it was found that in the catalysts with the lowest wt % of Sn (0.5), there were metallic Pt and a Pt-Sn alloy. In the rest of the used catalysts (containing 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 wt % of Sn) the only detected specie was the Pt-Sn alloy. In the two most active catalysts (having 0.5 and 1.5 wt % of Sn), it was observed a difference of three times the quantity of coke deposited on the surface. The catalysts containing the highest coke deposits maintained its activity due to the high connectivity of the support.
Glucocorticoid-induced diabetes in patients with metastatic spinal cord compression
Authors: Schultz Helga , Engelholm Svend Aage , Harder Eva , Pedersen-Bjergaard Ulrik , Kristensen Peter Lommer 
Published: April 2018

Background
The risk of developing diabetes mellitus (DM) during treatment with high-dose glucocorticoids is unknown and monitoring of glucose is random in many settings.

Objective
To determine incidence of and risk factors for induction of DM during high-dose glucocorticoid therapy of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) in patients referred to radiotherapy. Furthermore, to describe the time course of development of DM.

Subjects and methods
140 patients were recruited (131 were included in the analysis) with MSCC receiving high-dose glucocorticoid ≥100 mg prednisolone per day were included in a prospective, observational cohort study. The primary endpoint was development of DM defined by two or more plasma glucose values ≥11.1 mmol/L. Plasma glucose was monitored on a daily basis for 12 days during radiotherapy.

Results
Fifty-six of the patients (43%; 95% CI 35–52%) were diagnosed with DM based on plasma glucose measurements during the study period. Sixteen patients, 12% (95% CI 6–18%), were treated with insulin. At multivariate analysis, only high baseline HbA1c predicted the development of insulin-treated DM. An HbA1c-value <39 mmol/mol was associated with a negative predictive value of 96% for not developing DM needing treatment with insulin. The diagnosis of diabetes with need for insulin treatment was made within 7 days in 14 of the 16 (88%; 95% CI 72–100%) patients.

Conclusion
The risk of developing DM during treatment with high-dose glucocorticoids in patients with MSCC referred to radiotherapy is high in the first treatment week. Only referral HbA1c predicts the development of DM.
Evolution of DNAase I Hypersensitive Sites in MHC Regulatory Regions of Primates
Authors: Jin Yabin , Gittelman Rachel M , Lu Yueer , Liu Xiaohui , Li Ming D , Ling Fei , Akey Joshua M 
Published: April 2018

AbstractJin et al. report thousands of DNAseI hypersensitive sites in the MHC region that have been gained or lost in primate genomes since their evolutionary divergence, identifying 24 that evolved rapidly in the human lineage...It has been challenging to determine the disease-causing variant(s) for most major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-associated diseases. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that regulatory variation is pervasive and a fundamentally important mechanism governing phenotypic diversity and disease susceptibility. We gathered DNase I data from 136 human cells to characterize the regulatory landscape of the MHC region, including 4867 DNase I hypersensitive sites (DHSs). We identified thousands of regulatory elements that have been gained or lost in the human or chimpanzee genomes since their evolutionary divergence. We compared alignments of the DHS across six primates and found 149 DHSs with convincing evidence of positive and/or purifying selection. Of these DHSs, compared to neutral sequences, 24 evolved rapidly in the human lineage. We identified 15 instances of transcription-factor-binding motif gains, such as USF, MYC, MAX, MAFK, STAT1, PBX3, etc., and observed 16 GWAS (genome-wide association study) SNPs associated with diseases within these 24 DHSs using FIMO (Find Individual Motif Occurrences) and UCSC (University of California, Santa Cruz) ChIP-seq data. Combining eQTL and Hi-C data, our results indicated that there were five SNPs located in human gains motifs affecting the corresponding gene’s expression, two of which closely matched DHS target genes. In addition, a significant SNP, rs7756521, at genome-wide significant level likely affects DDR expression and represents a causal genetic variant for HIV-1 control. These results indicated that species-specific motif gains or losses of rapidly evolving DHSs in the primate genomes might play a role during adaptation evolution and provided some new evidence for a potentially causal role for these GWAS SNPs.
A arte da Ironia e o Novo Testamento
Authors: Santos Antonio Carlos Soares 
Published: April 2018

A Ironia muitas vezes utiliza-se do eufemismo e exagero para transmitir a mensagem. É possível a Bíblia se utilizar de um recurso tão informal? Imaginar um texto dito sagrado com composições irônicas, para alguns, é inimaginável. Porém, Um dos grandes avanços na crítica literária bíblica tem sido a descoberta do uso generalizado de recursos, entre esses a ironia, como estratégia comunicativa. Douglas Colin Muecke é o referencial teórico para que possamos analisar dois textos do Novo Testamento através de seus conceitos sobre o uso da Ironia como recurso literário.
Risk factors of acute confusional syndrome in elderly hospitalized in the Hospital Reina Sofía of Murcia. Retrospective case and controls
Authors: Rodado Juan , Aragon Irine 
Published: April 2018

Background: Acute confusional syndrome is a current problem of special relevance among elderlypatients admitted to hospital medical services. The determination of its risk factors is an essential process in the development and implementation of programs to prevent this complication. Methods: With the mentioned aim we have carried out this case-control study as an analytical, observational, retrospective and transversal study, whose source population was integrated by 60 patients over age 65 according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and divided into two groups: with and without delirium. Discussion: Our analysis has confirmed the association between these factors and delirium: illness severity; previous history of Delirium (OR 10.6); mental status (OR 7.3); high risk medications (OR 6.9); renal failure (OR 6.5); medication at risk added (OR 6); physical status (OR 5.2); use of neuroleptics (OR5.1); anemia (OR 4.75); sodium alterations (OR 4.5); urinary catheter (OR 3.8); low albumin (OR 3.7); infection (OR 3.1). Conclusion: There is no relationship proved between acute confusional syndrom and the following factors: use of benzodiazepines, aggressive procedures, immobility, old age, dementia, diminished ADL skills, co-morbidity and polypharmacy, even if they have been identified as risk factors in previous studies. Hence, these results should be interpreted with caution.