bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of activity interruptions by pain on pattern of activity performance – an experimental investigation
Authors: Gatzounis Rena , Schrooten Martien G.S. , Crombez Geert , Vlaeyen Johan W.S. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Background and aims:
Suspending an ongoing activity with the intention to resume it again later is a natural response to pain. This response facilitates coping with the pain, but it may also have negative consequences for the resumption and performance of the activity. For example, people with pain problems are often forced to take a break from doing their household chores because of their pain. They might delay resuming their chore, eventually needing longer time to finish it. We investigated how activity interruptions by pain influence the pattern of subsequent activity performance. We expected that when an activity is interrupted by pain (compared to non-pain), people spend longer time away from the activity, need longer time to complete it, and are less motivated to perform it.

Methods:
Sixty healthy volunteers performed an ongoing task that required them to make joystick movements in different directions according to a specific rule. Occasionally, participants received either a painful electrocutaneous stimulus or a non-painful and non-aversive auditory stimulus (between-subjects) as an interruption cue. The interruption cue was followed by the temporary suspension of the ongoing task and the initiation of a different activity (interruption task). The latter required the categorization of cards and had a maximum duration, but participants could also stop it earlier by pressing a button. We measured time away from the (interrupted) ongoing task, total time to complete the ongoing task (including the interruptions) and self-reported motivation to perform both the ongoing as well as the interruption task.

Results:
Groups did not differ in the time away from the ongoing task, total time to complete the ongoing task, or self-reported motivation to perform the two tasks.

Conclusions:
Activity interruptions by pain did not impair the pattern of activity performance more than activity interruptions by non-pain. Potential explanations and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Implications:
Interrupting ongoing activities is a common response to pain. However, activity interruptions by pain do not appear to influence the pattern of activity performance in a different way than activity interruptions by pain-irrelevant external stimuli.
Evaluating the impact of the labor market conditions index on labor market forecasts
Authors: Connolly Laura , Sheehan Alice 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
This paper examines the usefulness of the labor market conditions index (LMCI) in forecasting key labor market variables, particularly unemployment rates. Using a number of models, we compare out-of-sample forecasts of the unemployment rate with the LMCI to those without the LMCI. We also estimate models of the disaggregated unemployment rates by gender, race, and race by gender, with and without the LMCI, to identify disparities in the predictive power of the LMCI for different subgroups. Last, to determine how the LMCI performs in the presence of labor market shocks, we compare the forecasting performance of the LMCI during recessionary periods and expansionary periods. Our results confirm the potential usefulness of the LMCI as a parsimonious forecasting tool; we find that the LMCI generally improves unemployment forecasts. But, disparities exist in the predictive power of the index across subpopulations and the index forecasts slightly better during recessionary periods than expansionary periods.
Explaining Turnout Decline in Post-Communist Countries: The Impact of Migration
Authors: Comşa Mircea 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTurnout decline in former communist countries has attracted a great deal of scholarly attention. In this paper, I re-test some of the previous hypotheses on new data and I propose a new hypothesis that considers the impact of external migration. Using multivariate regression models on a dataset of 272 presidential and parliamentary elections held in 30 post-communist countries between 1989 and 2012, I have found strong support for the “migration hypothesis”: other things being equal, an increase of migration rate by 1 percentage point reduces voter turnout by around 0.4 percentage points. Most of the previous hypotheses related to causes of turnout decline are supported too.
Determinig the Shape Coefficient A of Groove on the Pen for the Shaft
Authors: Křístek Ivo , Havlík Jiří , Mosler Václav , Daniš Igor 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
This article focuses on creating a diagram for determining the shape coefficient α for a tongue groove on the shaft. Experimental determination of curve diagrams by comparing diagrams and monograms used using FEM calculations.
The Influence of the Size Styles for the Touching Probe for the Roundness of the Deviation
Authors: Mizera Ondrej , Cepova Lenka 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
The article deals with the influence of the sensing touch on the deviation of circularity on the WENZEL LH 65 X3M on 3D machining and using the Metrosoft QUARTIZ R6 software at the VŠB-TU Ostrava Laboratory, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Machining, Assembly and engineering metrology. The aim was to analyze the influence of individual sensors on the different lengths of the pin and the diameter of the sensing metod on the accuracy of the measurement of the variance of the circularity.
Aspects of Habitat Use by Birds during Spring in Natural Forests and Non-Native Plantation Forests in the Lower Siret Meadow (Eastern Romania)
Authors: Dragomir Matei-Ionuț , Dragomir Alina , Murariu Dumitru 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
The Lower Siret Meadow forest habitats have been altered from natural structure because of commercial forestry operations, activities that are defining the forest management from previous decades. Afforestation programs aimed to test the introduction of exotic tree species in order to increase wood production and to reduce harvest time intervals. These commercial influences reflect in the decrease of natural forest areas, aspect that could influence the birds presence. Studies on the ecological impact of plantations on birds are scarce, and no studies were found regarding this aspect in the region. Using six different sample areas both in native and non-native tree plantations, we investigated how bird presence is influenced by the support capacity offered by both natural or non-native plantations and which vegetation variables are related to our results. We compared the data from the surveyed areas to relate birds presence and dependence on certain characteristics of the habitats. Our results pointed out that species diversity is higher in natural forests with local tree species and vegetation characteristics like forest canopy density, shrub coverage, and herbaceous layer.
Update on the Geographic Distribution of Lutra lutra at the Romanian Black Sea Coast
Authors: Memedemin Daniyar , Tudor Marian , Cogălniceanu Dan , Skolka Marius , Bănică Gabriel , Rozylowicz Laurențiu 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe report the occurrence of the European otter (Lutra lutraLinnaeus, 1758) along the entire Romanian Black Sea coast, for the first time. Several sightings were within the harbor and the city of Constanţa, indicating that the otter can accommodate to and tolerate high human impact. The report is based on observations made between 2012 and 2015. The species has been previously reported from all Romanian regions but not from the Black Sea coast. The occurrences reported within this article confirm an extension of the range of this Near Threatened species on the Romanian Black Sea coast, most probably due to the increasing of population size from other sources such as the Danube floodplain.
Biochar Modification, Thermal Stability and Toxicity of Products Modification
Authors: Roupcová Petra , Friedrichová Romana , Klouda Karel , Weisheitelová Markéta , Perďochová Michaela 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Biochar is a product obtained from processing of waste biomass. The main application of biochar is in soil and environment remediation. Some new applications of this carbonaceous material take advantage of its adsorption capacity use it as a heterogeneous catalyst for energy storage and conversion etc. This contribution describes thermal stability of the original biochar. It discusses biochar modified by chemical and physical methods including a new compound of biochar-graphene oxide. The purpose of the modifications is to increase its active surface to introduce active functional groups into the carbon structure of biochar in relation to fire safety and toxicity of those products.
Individual Differences in Reading Skill Are Related to Trial-by-Trial Neural Activation Variability in the Reading Network
Authors: Malins Jeffrey G. , Pugh Kenneth R. , Buis Bonnie , Frost Stephen J. , Hoeft Fumiko , Landi Nicole , Mencl W. Einar , Kurian Anish , Staples Ryan , Molfese Peter J. , Sevcik Rose , Morris Robin 
Published: February 2018

Recent work has suggested that variability in levels of neural activation may be related to behavioral and cognitive performance across a number of domains and may offer information that is not captured by more traditional measures that use the average level of brain activation. We examined the relationship between reading skill in school-aged children and neural activation variability during a functional MRI reading task after taking into account average levels of activity. The reading task involved matching printed and spoken words to pictures of items. Single trial activation estimates were used to calculate the mean and standard deviation of children's responses to print and speech stimuli; multiple regression analyses evaluated the relationship between reading skill and trial-by-trial activation variability. The reliability of observed findings from the discovery sample (n= 44; ages 8–11; 18 female) was then confirmed in an independent sample of children (n= 32; ages 8–11; 14 female). Across the two samples, reading skill was positively related to trial-by-trial variability in the activation response to print in the left inferior frontal gyrus pars triangularis. This relationship held even when accounting for mean levels of activation. This finding suggests that intrasubject variability in trial-by-trial fMRI activation responses to printed words accounts for individual differences in human reading ability that are not fully captured by traditional mean levels of brain activity. Furthermore, this positive relationship between trial-by-trial activation variability and reading skill may provide evidence that neural variability plays a beneficial role during early reading development.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTRecent work has suggested that neural activation variability, or moment-to-moment changes in the engagement of brain regions, is related to individual differences in behavioral and cognitive performance across multiple domains. However, differences in neural activation variability have not yet been evaluated in relation to reading skill. In the current study, we analyzed data from two independent groups of children who performed an fMRI task involving reading and listening to words. Across both samples, reading skill was positively related to trial-by-trial variability in activation to print stimuli in the left inferior frontal gyrus pars triangularis, even when accounting for the more conventional measure of mean levels of brain activity. This finding suggests that neural variability could be beneficial in developing readers.
Association between Social-Cultural and the Utilization of Elderly Integrated Health Services (Posyandu Lansia) in Hamparan Perak Health Center
Authors: Simbolon Pomarida , Simbolon Nagoklan 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Elderly Integrated Health Service (Posyandu Lansia) is an integrated service post for elderly in certain areas that have been agreed upon, which are community driven. A significant elderly population will be accompanied by various problems and will affect various aspects of life especially health. Based on preliminary data, the number of elderly population of 930 people, but only about 230 people or about 24.7% who came to Elderly Integrated Health Services. The purpose of this research was to analyze the association between socio-cultural and the utilization of Elderly Integrated Health Services. The type of this research is the explanatory survey with research population of 160 people and research sample of 60 respondents. Data collection used questionnaire. The results of this study were there was a correlation between tradition (p = 0.000), belief (0.001) with the utilization of Elderly Integrated Health Services.

Abstrak
Posyandu Lansia adalah pos pelayanan terpadu untuk orang tua di daerah tertentu yang telah disepakati, yang digerakkan oleh masyarakat. Populasi lansia yang signifikan akan disertai dengan berbagai masalah dan akan mempengaruhi berbagai aspek kehidupan khususnya kesehatan. Berdasarkan data awal jumlah populasi lansia sebanyak 930 orang tetapi yang datang ke posyandu lansia hanya berkisar 230 orang atau sekitar 24,7%. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis hubungan social budaya dengan pemanfaatan posyandu. Jenis penelitian ini adalah survey explanatory dengan populasi penelitian 160 orang dan sampel penelitian 60 responden. Pengumpulan data dengan menggunakan kuesioner. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan ada hubungan antara tradisi (p=0,000), kepercayaan (0,001) dengan dengan pemanfaatan Posyandu.
The Influence of Organizational Culture on Inpatient Staff Performance of QIM Hospital
Authors: Atmojo Agung , Purnomo Imam Purnomo , Muljono Slamet 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACT

Organizational culture plays an important role in stimulating the human resources work spirit. The organizational environment affects staff behavior and appearance, as well as staff performance. QIM Hospital is a new hospital. Therefore, it is needed to know the influence of organizational culture on staff performance in the inpatient staffs of QIM Batang Hospital. Using a quantitative research with the survey method. The population in this research was all in-patient staffs of QIM Batang Hospital. A 51 people as a sample and choosen using simple random sampling. Data taken with questionnaire instrument, then analyzed using simple linear regression. The results showed that organizational culture has a positive and significant effect on staff performance. The influence of organizational culture on staff performance is 64.4% (the coefficient of determination of 0.644).

ABSTRAK

Budaya organisasi berperan penting dalam merangsang semangat kerja sumber daya manusia. Lingkungan organisasi mempengaruhi perilaku dan penampilan pegawai serta kinerja pegawai. RS QIM merupakan rumah sakit yang tergolong baru. Sehingga perlu diketahui pengaruh budaya organisasi terhadap kinerja pegawai rawat inap Rumah Sakit QIM Batang. Melalui penelitian kuantitatif menggunakan metode survei. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh pegawai rawat inap Rumah Sakit QIM Batang. Sampel sebanyak 51 orang menggunakan simple random sampling, instrumen kuesioner, dan data dianalisis menggunakan regresi linier sederhana. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa budaya organisasi memiliki pengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kinerja pegawai. Pengaruh budaya organisasi terhadap kinerja pegawai sebesar 64,4% (koefisien determinasi sebesar 0,644).
Genetic Suppression of Basement Membrane Defects inCaenorhabditis elegansby Gain of Function in Extracellular Matrix and Cell-Matrix Attachment Genes
Authors: Gotenstein Jennifer R , Koo Cassidy C , Ho Tiffany W , Chisholm Andrew D 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBasement membranes are extracellular matrices essential for embryonic development in animals. Peroxidasins are extracellular peroxidases implicated in the unique sulfilimine cross-links between type IV basement membrane collagens. Loss of function in the Caenorhabditis elegans peroxidasin PXN-2 results in fully penetrant embryonic or larval lethality. Using genetic suppressor screening, we find that the requirement for PXN-2 in development can be bypassed by gain of function in multiple genes encoding other basement membrane components, or proteins implicated in cell-matrix attachment. We identify multiple alleles of let-805, encoding the transmembrane protein myotactin, which suppress phenotypes of pxn-2 null mutants and of other basement membrane mutants such as F-spondin/spon-1. These let-805 suppressor alleles cause missense alterations in two pairs of FNIII repeats in the extracellular domain; they act dominantly and have no detectable phenotypes alone, suggesting they cause gain of function. We also identify suppressor missense mutations affecting basement membrane components type IV collagen (emb-9, let-2) and perlecan (unc-52), as well as a mutation affecting spectraplakin (vab-10), a component of the epidermal cytoskeleton. These suppressor alleles do not bypass the developmental requirement for core structural proteins of the basement membrane such as laminin or type IV collagen. In conclusion, putative gain-of-function alterations in matrix proteins or in cell-matrix receptors can overcome the requirement for certain basement membrane proteins in embryonic development, revealing previously unknown plasticity in the genetic requirements for the extracellular matrix.
Improved synchronization analysis of competitive neural networks with time-varying delays
Authors: Arbi Adnène , Cao Jinde , Alsaedi Ahmed 
Published: February 2018

Synchronization and control are two very important aspects of any dynamical systems. Among various kinds of nonlinear systems, competitive neural network holds a very important place due to its application in diverse fields. The model is general enough to include, as subclass, the most famous neural network models such as competitive neural networks, cellular neural networks and Hopfield neural networks. In this paper, the problem of feedback controller design to guarantee synchronization for competitive neural networks with time-varying delays is investigated. The goal of this work is to derive an existent criterion of the controller for the exponential synchronization between drive and response neutral-type competitive neural networks with time-varying delays. The method used in this brief is based on feedback control gain matrix by using the Lyapunov stability theory. The synchronization conditions are given in terms of LMIs. To the best of our knowledge, the results presented here are novel and generalize some previous results. Some numerical simulations are also represented graphically to validate the effectiveness and advantages of our theoretical results.
Reaction of photosynthetic apparatus of a representative of extrazonal steppe plants Quercus robur to air pollution by motor vehicle emissions
Authors: Shupranova L. V. , Lykholat Y. V. , Khromikh N. O. , Grytzaj Z. V. , Alexeyeva A. A. , Bilchuk V. S. 
Published: February 2018

We examined the vital condition of the common oak (Quercus robur L.) in plantations of different categories in Dnipro-city. In the investigated plantations, differences in the individual resistance of plants were recorded. The patterns of changes in the pigmented complex of leaves exposed to atmospheric pollution from motor vehicle emissions were studied in connection with the life state of oak trees. The content of chlorophyll a had, in all variants of the experiment, significantly higher values than chlorophyll b. Chlorophyll a accounted for 52.4–75.0% of the total content of chlorophylls, and chlorophyll b (25.0–47.6%). Regardless of the level of air pollution, relatively healthy oak plants were characterized by a high content of pigments activity in the photosynthetic apparatus of the leaves. A chronic moderate influence of motor vehicle emissions had a positive effect on the content of green pigments and carotenoids. Increase in the intensity of transport emissions resulted in a significant reduction in the accumulation of chlorophylls and to an increase in carotenoids. The stability of the chlorophyll a / chlorophyll b ratio under the influence of motor vehicle emissions was been registered. Only severely damaged common oak trees showed a decrease of this parameter by 29.3% compared with healthy and moderately weakened specimens of oak. The values of the coefficients of variation in the content of chlorophylls, their amounts and ratios, as well as carotenoids were low and represent less than 19.0%, while the amplitude of the variability of the studied parameters of the pigment complex, depending on the life state of plants and the intensity of transport emissions, was quite significant: the highest fluctuations in the сontent indexes were recorded for chlorophyll a, the sum of chlorophylls a + b in trees from the park area and the area with a medium level of pollution, chlorophyll b only in oaks from the street with an average level of air pollution by transport emissions. The smallest variability was a characteristic of the ratio of chlorophylls a / b and the content of carotenoids. Low values of the ratio of the sum of chlorophylls a + b to carotenoids (4.3–5.2) indicate the stress state of oak plants in urban environments.
Species-specific morphological characteristics of adult and embryonic Capillariа obsignata roundworms (Nematoda, Capillariidae)
Authors: Yevstafyeva V. A. , Stybel V. V. , Sharavara T. A. , Melnychuk V. V. , Yasnolob I. О. , Antipov А. А. 
Published: February 2018

The abundance of Capillaria obsignata Madsen, 1945, the causative agent of chicken capillariasis, was studied in the central region of Ukraine. Differential morphometric characters are determined for adult males and females of C. obsignata. The species-specific variability of its morphological parameters is characterized. New data is received on the meristic characters of C. obsignata eggs extracted from different substrates. The stages of embryonic development are determined in laboratory cultures of these nematodes, taking into account their meristic and morphological changes. Capillaria obsignata parasites are very common at the poultry farms of Poltava and Kyiv regions of Ukraine. Their abundance index is 3.4, and the intensity of infection varies from 3 to 317 specimens. Differential morphometric species-specific characters of adult C. obsignata males are the shape and size of the pseudobursa, spicule, spicule sheath. Adult females of the species can be identified by the shape and size of the vulva, the distance from the esophagus end to the vulva, and the length of the vagina. The meristic characters of nematode eggs, though typical for the species, may change depending on the sampled substrate. The parasite’s embryonic development involves five morphologically and meristically different stages. The invasive larvae of this species developed in the eggs before the 12th day of culturing in laboratory conditions at 25 °С. The invasive larvae’s viability was 90.3 ± 1.5%.