bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intermediate Bronze Age in Southern Levant (4200–4000 BP) – Why Did Four Cities in Transjordan Survive Urban Collapse?
Authors: Bieniada Michał E. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The first urban culture of southern Levant collapsed and the first period of urbanisation of Canaan (Early Bronze Age I-III) terminated at around 4200 yrs BP. The Canaanites abandoned their walled cities, dispersed and underwent pastoralisation. However, the urban centres of southern Canaan were not destroyed. This fact may point to responsibility of the environmental factor and makes influence influence of anthropogenic factors uncertain, along with the most popular Amorite invasion/destruction hypothesis. A tremendous climatic change occurred at that time in many regions, affecting cultures and civilisations of the Ancient Near East and resulting in abandonment of cities, migrations and great civilizational changes. In southern Levant, virtually all cities were left in ruins with a mysterious exception in Transjordan where four cities: Aroer, Ader, Khirbet Iskander and Iktanu survived and existed throughout the period. Most probably when climatic conditions in Cisjordan excluded possibility of urban life, the ones in Transjordan conditions remained unchanged or altered in a very limited scale. It is now clear that after a period with quite humid and warm climate, the precipitation greatly diminished after 4200 yrs BP in a littoral zone of eastern Mediterranean. A part of Transjordan, probably due to presence of the Dead Sea that somehow created conditions that influenced precipitation, remained a climatic niche with decent rainfall that enabled concentration of population in and around big urban centres and continuation of urban civilisation. Warming in a littoral zone changed dew point temperature preventing formations of clouds above western slopes of Judean and Samarian Hills. Moist air, prevented from condensation was transported eastwards where it could reach ascending currents appearing over the Dead Sea. Masses of air with water vapour moving upwards could form rainy clouds in Transjordan.
Preliminary Report on Engineering Properties and Environmental Resistance of Ancient Mud Bricks from Tell El-Retaba Archaeological Site in the Nile Delta
Authors: Trzciński Jerzy , Zaremba Małgorzata , Rzepka Sławomir , Welc Fabian , Szczepański Tomasz 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The archaeological site Tell el-Retaba in north-eastern Egypt, about 35 km to the west of Ismailia city, is located in the middle of Wadi Tumilat, a shallow valley running from the Nile Delta to the Bitter Lakes, along which flows the Suez Canal. In ancient times the valley was a route between Egypt and Syro-Palestine, strongly fortified in the New Kingdom times (16th–11th century BC). Mud bricks were analyzed from two parts of the Wall 1 (core of grey-brown bricks and inner extension of green bricks) in a fortress which existed during the Ramesses II times. Grain-size composition of the studied bricks was almost identical in both parts of the wall, suggesting the same source material for a production of brick. However, significant differences were observed in physical and mechanical properties (uni-axial compressive strength) in both types of bricks. Bricks from the core had lower bulk density, higher porosity and soak faster, whereas their resistance parameters were much lower than those of the bricks from the inner extension. The reason for such large differences in brick properties was a technology of their production, particularly proportion of components, water volume added during brick formation or density degree. Brick preparation and in consequence, physical-mechanical properties had direct influence on preservation of defensive structures during environmental changes related to changes of groundwater and surface water levels or of precipitation. Ancient Egyptians responsible for construction works in mud brick structures of the fortress must have had good knowledge and experience. This could be observed particularly for the heaviest and most important construction element that is the defensive wall, founded on well-densified deposits. It was also testified by higher resistance of green bricks from the inner extensions, which probably originated slightly later and were intended to reinforce a weaker core built of grey-brown bricks.
Clay-illuvial soils in the Polish and international soil classifications
Authors: Kabała Cezary , Musztyfaga Elżbieta 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSoil with a clay-illuvial subsurface horizon are the most widespread soil type in Poland and significantly differ in morphology and properties developed under variable environmental conditions. Despite the long history of investigations, the rules of classification and cartography of clay-illuvial soils have been permanently discussed and modified. The distinction of clay-illuvial soils into three soil types, introduced to the Polish soil classification in 2011, has been criticized as excessively extended, non-coherent with the other parts and rules of the classification, hard to introduce in soil cartography and poorly correlated with the international soil classifications. One type of clay-illuvial soils (“gleby płowe”) was justified and recommended to reintroduce in soil classification in Poland, as well as 10 soil subtypes listed in a hierarchical order. The subtypes may be combined if the soil has diagnostic features of more than one soil subtypes. Clear rules of soil name generalization (reduction of subtype number for one soil) were suggested for soil cartography on various scales. One of the most important among the distinguished soil sub-types are the “eroded” or “truncated” clay-illuvial soils.
Statistical measures of the central tendency for H+ activity and pH
Authors: Kuna-Broniowska Izabela , Smal Halina 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDespite the numerous papers on the statistical analyses ofpH, there is no explicit opinion on the use of arithmetic mean as a measure of the central tendency forpHandH+activity. The problem arises because the transformation of the arithmetic mean for one does not give the arithmetic mean for the other. The paper presents 1) the theoretical considerations on the distribution of pH andH+activity and relation between them, properties of these distributions, the choice of distributions which should be consistent with the distribution ofpHand the distribution ofH+activity and measures of central tendency for features of such distributions and 2) examples of calculations of measures of central tendency forpHandH+activity based on the literature data on soil and lake waterpH. These data analyses included distributions ofpHandH+activities, properties of distribution, descriptive statistics forpHand for theH+activity and comparison of arithmetic mean with the geometric mean. From the results, it could be concluded that a uniform approach to the choice of measure for the central tendency ofpHandH+activity requires the determination of the type of measure (mean) for one of them and then consistent transformation of this measure. The choice of measure of the central tendency for the variable should be preceded by determination of its distribution. Normal probability distribution ofpHand thus lognormal distribution ofH+activity indicate that the arithmetic mean, and its corresponding geometric mean should be used as proper measures of the central tendency for pH and for H+activity. Besides, the position statistic that is a median can be used for each of those variables, irrespective of their probability distributions.
Creating Probabilistic Idiographic Performance Profiles from Discrete Feelings: Combining the IZOF and IAPZ models
Authors: Flett M. Ryan 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The purpose of the study was to determine if probabilistic profiling could be used to develop probabilistic individual zones of optimal functioning (pIZOF) profiles comprised from discrete feelings aggregated into valence-function categories (Hanin, 2000a). Ten male college tennis players developed individualized profiles, and then assessed their personal profile’s items during changeovers of intrasquad matches. Support for the viability of using ordinal logistic regression (OLR; a foundation of the IAPZ method) to develop idiographic discrete performance-feeling profiles (common to the IZOF framework) is provided. Evidence of the idiosyncratic nature of the profiles and for the effectiveness of the IZOF-IAPZ integration is provided through visual assessments of figures, qualitative comparisons of feeling-items selected by each player, and statistical analyses of differences in the size (variance) and location (means) of zones - which revealed that 62 to 76 percent of zones were individually unique. The results of this study augment the IZOF model by (1) establishing that OLR can be used to develop discrete probabilistic (pIZOF) profiles, and (2) providing a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods of assessing idiosyncrasy.
Dialects Among Young Italian-Australians: A Shift in Attitude and Perception
Authors: Benatti Ruben , Tarantini Angela Tiziana 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The aim of this article is to analyse the relationship that second- and third-generation Italian migrants in Australia have with the Italian dialect of their family. We report on the survey we recently carried out among young Italian-Australians, mainly learners of Italian as a second language. First, we analyse the motivation behind learning Italian as a heritage language. We then move on to describe their self-evaluation of their competence in the dialect of their family, and their perception thereof. Surprisingly, our survey reveals that not only are Italian dialects still understood by most second- and third-generation Italians (contrary to what people may think), but Italian dialects are also perceived by young Italian-Australians as an important part of their identity. For them, dialect is the language of the family, particularly in relation to the older members. It fulfills an instrumental function, as it enables communication with some family members who master neither English nor Italian, but above all, it is functional to the construction of their self and their social identity.
Study on the financial performance of companies operating in the pharmaceutical industry in romania
Authors: Baltes Nicolae , Minculete (Piko) Georgiana Daniela 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The study aims at determining the financial performance of companies in the pharmaceutical industry between 2009 and 2014 by means of the indicator of the financial return rate, using multiple linear regressions as research method. By analysing the evolution of the share of companies in the pharmaceutical industry based on the trend of the financial rate of return, we can estimate that the number of entities that resort to supporting the financial activities from loans and liabilities is growing in the period under analysis. This is due mainly to the liquidity crisis faced by entities, as a result of the high recovery duration of debts. Also, using the multiple linear regression we can highlight that, the financial return of pharmaceutical companies is positively influenced by their economic profitability, by the equity multiplier and by inflation, and negatively, by the net profit margin.
Improving the controlling function with a structured optimization project
Authors: Laval Valerian 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The controlling function should provide decision relevant information to the top management. However, in some companies the controlling function does only deliver little or no decision support to the management and in consequence loses influence. This paper aims to solve this unfavorable situation.
The paper will outline how the controlling function is unconsciously influenced by internal and external factors. Special focus is put on the influence of the company size on the controlling function which is analyzed based on a recent survey.
To find an optimal project set up various suggestions made in the literature are analyzed and developed further. The suggested project set up is a scalable project plan which involves top management as recipient of controlling services at an early stage. As restructuring initiatives have to overcome the resiliency against changes the suggested project plan will focus to achieve quick wins on the one hand side and to prepare the organization for more strategic changes on the long run.
The introduced project plan will provide companies a blueprint how to maximize project success while minimizing complexity and possible resistance towards the adaption process. This paper is expected to have a high relevance for companies who want to improve the value contribution of their controlling department.
What Do The Youth Know About Alternative Energy Sources – Case Study From Hungary And Slovakia1
Authors: Takács-György Katalin , Domán Szilvia , Tamus Antalné , Horská Elena , Palková Zuzana 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Wider use of alternative energy sources is a real requirement of sustainable economy – not only from the point of view of limited natural resources –, and there is a question what is the knowledge, the attitude of young generation. As there is a strong connection between the use of renewable energy and sustainability, the issues must be examined together. On the other hand it can be observed that there is a tendency that people are becoming more open and inquiring towards renewable energy sources, and environment protection is considered as a very important task. The main goals of the research were to examine the knowledge of the young generation taking part in higher education on sustainability and alternative energy, and to find out their attitudes to the use of different alternative energy sources. Also, our hypotheses said that the level of knowledge of sustainability and their attitudes to the environment issues are connected. We compared the results of two surveys carried out in 2014 among the students of a Hungarian and a Slovak higher educational institute. According to the primary results it can be stated that the increasing environmental awareness of young generation is visible, although as for the concepts of sustainability and their knowledge on alternative energy sources, as well as their expectations for the future, there was no significant correlation between their opinions in the Hungarian sample. It was proved that they have open minds towards environmental consciousness, and follow the renewable energy sources with attention. A bit more than a half of the sample has real knowledge on sustainability – we mean the three-pillars model here –, more the mail interview has higher knowledge and for the future they thought the question as a very important one. Considerable majority of the respondents, compared to their capabilities, try to live environmentally-sound life, will do more than one thing to save their environment, although also some negative responses slightly appeared in the received results. Primary results of the Slovak sample are similar; respondents do similar measures for environment at their households as their Hungarian colleagues, but with different priority. Concerning the knowledge of concept of “green economy”, “blue economy” and the “non-growth”, it can be summarized that the awareness is evident but in many cases, there is just few information and weak knowledge connected with the terminology and practical consequences. We think it is an important task of education to increase the awareness of young people on sustainable energy use and to let them accustomed to the thought of green economy and non-growth theories, since the expansion of knowledge may help in the development of a more positive attitude, which will then, hopefully, encourage their actions in the future.
The Relationship Between Farm Size And Productivity In Slovakia
Authors: Ladvenicová Jana , Miklovičová Silvia 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The paper investigates the relationship between farm size and productivity on chosen sample of companies in Slovakia. The impact of farm size in hectares and credits per hectare in euro on the production per hectare are analysed. The ordinary least square (OLS) and fixed effect model (FEM) regression framework confirms the inverse relationship between farm size and productivity. Credits per hectare have positive impact on productivity of farms. The results of the models show increasing returns to scale in Slovak farms.
Sustainable Production And Consumption
Authors: Szeremlei Andrea Keszi , Magda Róbert 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The idea that builds on the recognition that the Earth is a finite world, the resources are not endless, and thus the vision of continuous growth cannot be sustained can be traced back to the 1960s. Global problems had already occurred by then, and trends calculated from the data indicated a rapid disaster for the future. Humanity is at crossroads, and even the directions are still unclear. In the mid-1980s, an increasingly ecological approach appeared in politics, development policy, and international institutions.
Key to Palaearctic Species of the Genus Stagetus (Coleoptera, Ptinidae, Dorcatominae) / Таблица для определеления палеарктических видов рода Stagetus (Coleoptera, Ptinidae, Dorcatominae)
Authors: Toskina I. N. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The key to 37 Palaearctic species and 6 subspecies of the genus Stagetus Wollaston, 1861 is composed. New morphological characters for species differences were used
Diachronic complexification and isolation
Authors: Baechler Raffaela 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
One may hear that over time languages tend to simplify their grammar and notably their morphological system. This intuition, probably based on linguists’ knowledge of the rich inflectional systems of older Indo-European languages, has been challenged, particularly by sociolinguistic typologists (e.g. Trudgill 2011; Braunmuller 1984, 2003; Nichols 1992). They hypothesise that languages spoken by small and isolated communities with a dense network may complexify their grammar (Trudgill 2011: 146-147).
The present article investigates the nominal inflection systems of 14 varieties of German in order to survey whether there is any such diachronic tendency towards simplification and whether instances of complexification can be observed, too. The varieties under analysis include present-day Standard German, Old High German and Middle High German (two older stages of German) and eleven present-day non-standard varieties which make part of the Alemannic dialect group.
First, it will be shown that there is a diachronic tendency towards simplification if we consider the total complexity of nominal inflection. Second, however, we can identify instances of diachronic complexification too if we take a closer look at single categories. Interestingly, diachronic complexification appears only in the non-standard varieties, not so in the standard variety. This may support the hypothesis that isolated varieties are more complex than non-isolated ones.
Rapid Phenotypic and Genotypic Diversification After Exposure to the Oral Host Niche in Candida albicans
Authors: Forche Anja , Cromie Gareth , Gerstein Aleeza C , Solis Norma V , Pisithkul Tippapha , Srifa Waracharee , Jeffery Eric , Abbey Darren , Filler Scott G , Dudley Aimée M , Berman Judith 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
In vitro studies suggest that stress may generate random standing variation and that different cellular and ploidy states may evolve more rapidly under stress. Yet this idea has not been tested with pathogenic fungi growing within their host niche in vivo. Here, we analyzed the generation of both genotypic and phenotypic diversity during exposure of Candida albicans to the mouse oral cavity. Ploidy, aneuploidy, loss of heterozygosity (LOH), and recombination were determined using flow cytometry and double digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing. Colony phenotypic changes in size and filamentous growth were evident without selection and were enriched among colonies selected for LOH of the GAL1 marker. Aneuploidy and LOH occurred on all chromosomes (Chrs), with aneuploidy more frequent for smaller Chrs and whole Chr LOH more frequent for larger Chrs. Large genome shifts in ploidy to haploidy often maintained one or more heterozygous disomic Chrs, consistent with random Chr missegregation events. Most isolates displayed several different types of genomic changes, suggesting that the oral environment rapidly generates diversity de novo. In sharp contrast, following in vitro propagation, isolates were not enriched for multiple LOH events, except in those that underwent haploidization and/or had high levels of Chr loss. The frequency of events was overall 100 times higher for C. albicans populations following in vivo passage compared with in vitro. These hyper-diverse in vivo isolates likely provide C. albicans with the ability to adapt rapidly to the diversity of stress environments it encounters inside the host.
Clinical Outcomes of Aspirin Interaction with Other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: A Systematic Review
Authors: Alqahtani Zuhair , Jamali Fakhreddin 
Published: May 2018

Purpose: Concomitant use of some non-Aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NANSAIDs) reduces the extent of platelet aggregation of Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). This is while many observational studies and clinical trials suggest that Aspirin reduces cardiovascular (CV) risk attributed to the use of NANSAIDs. Thus, the therapeutic outcome of the interaction needs to be assessed. Methods: We searched various databases up to October 2017 for molecular interaction studies between the drugs and long-term clinical outcomes based on randomized clinical trials and epidemiological observations that reported the effect estimates of CV risks (OR, RR or HR; 95% CI) of the interacting drugs alone or in combinations. Comparisons were made between outcomes after Aspirin alone, NANSAIDs alone and Aspirin with naproxen, ibuprofen, celecoxib, meloxicam, diclofenac or rofecoxib. Results: In total, 32 eligible studies (20 molecular interactions studies and 12 observational trials) were found. Conflicting in vitro/in vivo/ex vivo platelet aggregation data were found for ibuprofen, naproxen and celecoxib. Nevertheless, for naproxen, the interaction at the aggregation level did not amount to a loss of cardioprotective effects of Aspirin. Similarly, for ibuprofen, the results overwhelmingly suggest no negative clinical CV outcomes following the combination therapy. Meloxicam and rofecoxib neither interacted with Aspirin at the level of platelet aggregation nor altered clinical outcomes. The clinical outcomes data for celecoxib and diclofenac are in conflict. Conclusion: Aspirin appears to maintain its cardioprotective effect in the presence of naproxen, ibuprofen, meloxicam and rofecoxib. The limited available data suggest that the effect of interaction at the platelet aggregation level may dissipate shortly, or the reduced platelet aggregation yielded by the interaction may be sufficient for cardioprotection; i.e., no need for near complete aggregation. In addition, cardioprotective effect of Aspirin, despite reduced platelet aggregation caused by NANSAIDs, may be through its involvement in other mechanisms such as the renin-angiotensin system and/or metabolism of arachidonic acid to biologically active compounds mediated by cytochrome P450. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see “For Readers”) may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue’s contents page.