bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis and Optimization of Micro Speaker-Box Using a Passive Radiator in Portable Device
Authors: Jiang Yuan-Wu , Kwon Joong-Hak , Kim Hyung-Kyu , Hwang Sang-Moon 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
With the rapid development of multimedia devices such as smart phones and tablet PCs, microspeakers have been recently increasingly used for audio equipment. Improving the acoustic performance of a microspeaker is always a main concern, especially in the low frequency range. To avoid sound cancelation, a microspeaker unit is usually inserted into a speaker box. A passive radiator is also used in speaker boxes to improve the sound performance in the loudspeaker system. However, passive radiators have not been applied into microspeaker system. In this study, a speaker box with a passive radiator was analyzed and optimized to achieve a higher Sound Pressure Level (SPL) in a microspeaker system. The Finite Element Method (FEM), two-degree-of-freedom (DOF) vibration theory, and a plane circular piston sound source were used to study the electromagnetic, vibration, and acoustic characteristics, respectively. Optimization was conducted by changing the mass, stiffness, and size of the passive radiator. Based on the optimized parameters, a new sample was manufactured. The experiment results show that the SPL of the optimized speaker box with a passive radiator is improved by 5 dB at 200 Hz compared with the one without a radiator. The analysis results also matched the experiment results.
Integrated Socio-Spatial Analysis of Soviet Era Modernist Urbanization and Its Consequences in Lithuanian Cities: Methodological Outline
Authors: Zaleckis Kęstutis , Gražulevičiūtė-Vileniškė Indrė , Vitkuvienė Jurga , Tranavičiūtė Brigita , Doğan Huriye Armağan , Grunskis Tomas , Sinkienė Jolita 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
The massive modernist urbanization of the Soviet era in Lithuania had brought new urban lifestyle models, caused the expansion of built-up areas and affected previously organically developing urban structures. Hence, its analysis and understanding are essential for further sustainable urban development. The research presents an outline of methodology for complex analysis and evaluation of modernization of Lithuanian cities during the Soviet era and its influence on Lithuanian past and present urban development as a socio-spatial phenomenon.
Labyrinthulomycota from Brazilian mangrove swamps and coastal waters
Authors: Boro Marcela Castilho , Harakava Ricardo , Pires-Zottarelli Carmen Lidia Amorim 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
The phylum Labyrinthulomycota is composed of three distinct groups of fungus-like organisms: the labyrinthulids, the thraustochytrids and the aplanochytrids. They are present in marine and brackish waters as saprobes and/or parasites. In recent years, there was an increased interest in studying these organisms due to the ability that some have to produce large amounts of lipids, particularly polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, in spite of their importance and diversity, in Brazil only four species were reported in the 1970s. Due to their ecological and economic importance globally and the limited knowledge of them in the country, this study aimed to evaluate the diversity of the Labyrinthulomycota in mangrove swamps and coastal waters of São Paulo State, Brazil. The specimens were isolated from water and leaf samples using different methodologies, and purified in an agar medium prepared with half-strength sterile seawater, peptone, yeast extract and glucose. After purification, they were identified by means of morphology and phylogenetic analysis of the SSU rDNA region. A total of 193 specimens representing five genera were observed, 26 specimens were incorporated into the culture collections and 29 sequences of the SSU rDNA region were deposited in GenBank. Labyrinthula sp., Aurantiochytrium sp., Parietichytrium sarkarianum and Thraustochytrium striatum are new records for Brazil, contributing to our knowledge of the diversity of fungus-like organisms in the country.
Supplemented checklist of lichens and allied fungi of Lithuania
Authors: Motiejūnaitė Jurga 
Published: January 2018

AbstractA new checklist of 755 species of lichen-forming, lichenicolous and allied fungi occurring in Lithuania is presented. Of these, 620 species are lichenized, 115 lichenicolous and 20 are saprobic fungi that are usually treated in lichenological literature. Frequency of every species and infraspecific taxon in the country is indicated, except for the 12 species known from literature records only. List of synonyms is also presented.
Predictive value of serum gelsolin and Gc globulin in sepsis – a pilot study
Authors: Horváth-Szalai Zoltán , Kustán Péter , Szirmay Balázs , Lakatos Ágnes , Christensen Per Hjort , Huber Tamás , Bugyi Beáta , Mühl Diána , Ludány Andrea , Miseta Attila , Kovács Gábor L. , Kőszegi Tamás 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Background:
Simultaneous determination of the two main actin scavenger proteins in sepsis has not been investigated until now. In our pilot study, we elucidated the predictive values of Gc globulin and gelsolin (GSN) in sepsis by comparing them to classic laboratory and clinical parameters.

Methods:
A 5-day follow-up was performed, including 46 septic patients, 28 non-septic patients and 35 outpatients as controls. Serum Gc globulin and GSN levels were determined by automated immune turbidimetric assay on a Cobas 8000/c502 analyzer. Patients were retrospectively categorized according to the sepsis-3 definitions, and 14-day mortality was also investigated.

Results:
First-day GSN also differentiated sepsis from non-sepsis (AUC: 0.88) similarly to C-reactive protein (AUC: 0.80) but was slightly inferior to procalcitonin (PCT) (AUC: 0.98) with a cutoff value of GSN at 22.29 mg/L (sensitivity: 83.3%; specificity: 86.2%). Only first-day SOFA scores (0.88) and GSN (0.71) distinguished septic survivors from non-survivors, whereas lactate (0.99), Gc globulin (0.76) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) (0.74) discriminated septic shock from sepsis. Logistic regression analyses revealed SOFA scores and GSN being significant factors regarding 14-day mortality. First-day GSN levels were higher (p<0.05) in septic survivors than in non-survivors. Gc globulin levels remained higher (p<0.01) in sepsis when compared with septic shock during the follow-up period.

Conclusions:
Both serum GSN and Gc globulin may have predictive values in sepsis. Considering the small sample size of our study, further measurements are needed to evaluate our results. Measurement of Gc globulin and GSN maybe useful in assessment of sepsis severity and in therapeutic decision-making.
How to measure the unmeasurable: Project Grey developing capacities and capabilities for tackling undeclared work
Authors: Bejaković Predrag 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe term “not directly observed” or “the underground economy” refers to those economic activities that should be included in the GDP estimation but which are not recorded in the statistics business surveys or tax and administrative data used in the calculation of the estimates of national accounts because they are not directly observable. The unofficial or informal economy contains that part of the economic activity that is difficult to measure. Thus, in addition to the complex issue of defining the underground production, there is an even more demanding task of measuring it. Hitherto in the literature, various estimation methods of unofficial economy have been proposed and their results differ significantly. The goal of this article is to provide an overview of the various methods of its measurement. The unobserved economy poses estimation problems of economic aggregates that can be differentiated as the total lack of information and the distortion of available information. There is no universal optimal approach applicable to all countries or even to the same country at different periods. In the attempt to limit the underground economy, it is much better to obviate the causes than penalise the consequences. It is necessary to simplify the procedures enabling citizens to formalize their undeclared activities, to provide a tax system that is as stable as possible and a tax and regulatory burden that is as low as possible. What is crucial is the improvement of institutions, professionalization of civil service and removal of the huge impact of politics in the societies.
Conceptualising English as a global contact language
Authors: Ishikawa Tomokazu 
Published: January 2018

AbstractEnglish as a global contact language has been conceptualised as (1) geo-localised Englishes, (2) English similects, and (3) transcultural multi-lingua franca. Although taking a simplified and reified approach, the first framework of geo-localised Englishes has contributed to raising awareness of global diversity in English use and corresponding innovative classroom practices. Meanwhile, the second framework of English similects has taken a lingua franca approach between different first-language (L1) users, and provided insight into omnipresent multilingualism across interactants beyond particular speech communities. However, from a complexity theory perspective, geo-local communities and interactants’ L1s are just among many complex social systems, and thus neither the first nor the second framework is capable of fully explaining what emerges from communication through the language in question. The third framework of transcultural multi-lingua franca seeks to comprehend the full range of multilingualism, or broadly conceptualised translanguaging with multiple ‘languages’, which emerges across individuals, time and space. It also takes notice of both the border-transgressing nature of culture and the possible transience of salient cultural categories in global communication. Furthermore, this last framework suggests that English language education in the 21st century take a multilingual, transcultural and post-normative turn.
Fixed Points of Generalized (α, ψ, φ)-Rational Contractive Mappings in α-Complete Metric Spaces
Authors: Ravindranadh Babu G.V. , Dula Tolera M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn this paper, we introduce generalized (α, ψ, φ)-rational contractive mappings in α-complete metric spaces and prove some new fixed point results for this class of mappings. We provide examples in support of our results. Our results generalize the fixed point results of Singh, Kamal, Sen and Chugh [22] and Piri and Kumam [18].
Detection of Mutations in Selected Proto-Oncogenes of Canine Lymphoma
Authors: Bóna G. , Šiviková K. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Lymphomas belong among the most frequently diagnosed tumours of the haematopoietic system in dogs. The clinical manifestations and genetic and molecular basis of canine lymphoma resembles those of human non-Hodgkin lymphoma and therefore it can serve as a suitable model for the study of this disease. Neoplastic diseases are the consequence of a number of genetic and epigenetic changes in somatic cells. One of such changes are gene mutations that can subsequently cause changes in the activity of proto-oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes. The aim of our study was to detect potential mutations in selected exons of proto-oncogenes in DNA isolated from samples of lymphoma obtained from two donors - a Bernese Mountain Dog and a female mongrel. On the basis of literary data descriptions of human and canine haematopoietic neoplastic diseases, our investigations of potential changes in DNA focused on proto- oncogenes C-KIT - exons 8, 17; NRAS - exons 1, 2;FLT3 - exons 14, 15 and 20. The investigated samples were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subjected to sequencing. The DNA sequences were compared with reference sequences in the database Ensembl. The comparison of sequences of the C-KIT gene revealed an A/G transition at the 35th nucleotide of exon 8 in the mongrel. It involved a synonymous exchange of the nucleotide in the codon that did not cause a change in the amino acid. In the same sample we recorded several point mutations in the intron regions surrounding the exons 14 and 20 of the FLT3 gene. Changes in the intron regions can affect the expression of genes and thus can play an important role in the origin and development of tumours. No genetic mutations were detected in any gene regions of the Bernese Mountain Dog. In the case of the NRAS gene, no changes were observed in any sample collected from the donors.
Thorough statistical comparison of machine learning regression models and their ensembles for sub-pixel imperviousness and imperviousness change mapping
Authors: Drzewiecki Wojciech 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe evaluated the performance of nine machine learning regression algorithms and their ensembles for sub-pixel estimation of impervious areas coverages from Landsat imagery. The accuracy of imperviousness mapping in individual time points was assessed based on RMSE, MAE and R2. These measures were also used for the assessment of imperviousness change intensity estimations. The applicability for detection of relevant changes in impervious areas coverages at sub-pixel level was evaluated using overall accuracy, F-measure and ROC Area Under Curve. The results proved that Cubist algorithm may be advised for Landsat-based mapping of imperviousness for single dates. Stochastic gradient boosting of regression trees (GBM) may be also considered for this purpose. However, Random Forest algorithm is endorsed for both imperviousness change detection and mapping of its intensity. In all applications the heterogeneous model ensembles performed at least as well as the best individual models or better. They may be recommended for improving the quality of sub-pixel imperviousness and imperviousness change mapping. The study revealed also limitations of the investigated methodology for detection of subtle changes of imperviousness inside the pixel. None of the tested approaches was able to reliably classify changed and non-changed pixels if the relevant change threshold was set as one or three percent. Also for fi ve percent change threshold most of algorithms did not ensure that the accuracy of change map is higher than the accuracy of random classifi er. For the threshold of relevant change set as ten percent all approaches performed satisfactory.
Multipath detection with the combination of SNR measurements – Example from urban environment
Authors: Špánik Peter , Hefty Ján 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Multipath is one of the most severe station-dependent error sources in both static and kinematic positioning. Relatively new and simple detection technique using the Signal-to-Noise (SNR) measurements on three frequencies will be presented based on idea of Strode and Groves. Exploitation of SNR measurements is benefi cial especially for their unambiguous character. Method is based on the fact that SNR values are closely linked with estimation of pseudo-ranges and phase measurements during signal correlation processing. Due to this connection, combination of SNR values can be used to detect anomalous behavior in received signal, however some kind of calibration in low multipath environment has to be done previously. In case of multipath, phase measurements on different frequencies will not be affected in the same manner. Specular multipath, e.g. from building wall introduces additional path delay which is interpreted differently on each of the used carrier, due to different wavelengths. Experimental results of multipath detection in urban environment will be presented. Originally proposed method is designed to work with three different frequencies in each epoch, thus only utilization of GPS Block II-F and Galileo satellites is possible. Simplification of detection statistics to use only two frequencies is made and results using GPS and GLONASS systems are presented along with results obtained using original formula.
Cardiometabolic effects of psychotropic medications
Authors: Abosi Oluchi , Lopes Sneha , Schmitz Samantha , Fiedorowicz Jess G. 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Background
Many psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression convey an excess burden of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The medications used to treat these conditions may further adversely affect cardiovascular risk and exacerbate health disparities for vulnerable populations. There is a clinical need to appreciate the cardiometabolic adverse effects of psychotropic medications.

Methods
This paper reviews the most relevant cardiometabolic effects of psychotropic medications, organized around the components of metabolic syndrome. When known, the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying any adverse cardiometabolic effects are detailed.

Results
Many commonly used psychotropic medications, particularly antipsychotics, mood stabilizers and some antidepressants, have been independently associated with cardiometabolic risk factors such as insulin resistance, obesity and dyslipidemia. Stimulants, antidepressants that inhibit reuptake of norepinephrine, some antipsychotics and valproic acid derivatives may also increase blood pressure.

Conclusion
Understanding, assessing and subsequently managing cardiometabolic complications of psychotropic medications are important to mitigate the excess cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the clinical populations prescribed psychotropic medications. There is considerable variability in risk between medications and individuals. Timely management of iatrogenic cardiometabolic effects is critical.
Foreign-language teaching and studying in Chilean and Finnish classrooms as seen by teachers
Authors: Harjanne Pirjo , Larenas Claudio Díaz , Tella Seppo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis article reports Chilean and Finnish foreign-language (FL) teachers’ perceptions of teaching and study realities in their own FL classrooms. Communicative language teaching (CLT) is used as the teaching–studying–learning methodological framework of an international KIELO project (= the acronym for Finnish “kieltenopetus” meaning “language teaching”), whose online survey was used to collect data for this article. We aim at answering the following research question: What are the FL teachers’ main approaches to teaching and studying in Chilean and Finnish FL classrooms and what is the FL classroom teaching and study reality like in these two countries? The data were collected from 83 Chilean and 147 Finnish FL teachers through an online survey covering 15 key themes of CLT and including 115 Likert-scale statements and 8 open-ended questions. In the descriptive data analysis, both Chilean and Finnish FL teachers claim that they encourage their students to use the target language considerably and that they use communicative oral tasks. For both groups of participants, however, teacher-centeredness and use of textbook score relatively high. The two-cluster analysis revealed a context-dependent cluster and a context-independent cluster. Context-dependent teachers tended to favor communicative oral tasks, real-life tasks and their own language tasks, whereas context-independent teachers favored more non-communicative tasks. Context-dependent teachers proved more student-centered than context-independent teachers. For Chilean and Finnish research participants, the use of mother tongue in foreign language classrooms appears to be an issue despite the growing need of foreign language communication.
Abilities of phonological awareness in the context of cognitive development in preschool age
Authors: Grofčíková Soňa , Máčajová Monika 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
Phonological awareness is considered a key phenomenon having crucial position among abilities and processes which are important and responsible for the development of reading and writing (initial literacy). The paper deals with the significance and level of development of selected cognitive functions of a child in relation to the abilities of phonological awareness. The child’s current cognitive development is a predictor for certain level of phonological awareness. The paper is focused on a description of speech perception, language, oral vocabulary and phonological memory of children in preschool age. It is an output of the research project VEGA no. 1/0637/16 Development of a Diagnostic Tool to Assess the Level of Phonemic Awareness of Children in Preschool Age.
Redundancy in the verbal communication of teachers in primary education
Authors: Horváthová Kinga 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
On a theoretical level with the support of literature, we offer some definitions of the concept of redundancy, point to the similarities and differences in the perception of this phenomenon in technical, social and pedagogical communication. We point out the positive and negative aspects of redundancy in the teacher's language. The research part is aimed at mapping the presence of redundancy in the language of primary education teachers. We were interested in which grade in the subject of mathematics is redundancy the most represented and whether it may be considered positive or unnecessary. The research was conducted at five primary schools on a sample of twenty teachers. The method of the research was the direct observation of lessons. The accuracy of the observation was ensured by audio recording and its analysis. We have found that redundancy is most often present in the third grade.
The Impact of Subsidies on Production Innovation and Sustainable Growth
Authors: Žampa Sabina , Bojnec Štefan 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
This paper investigates correlation between subsidies to invest in development projects, innovation, financial performance and sustainable growth. The focus of the study is on subsidies for co-financing purchases of new technological equipment aimed at promoting innovation and production of new products. Subsidies are distributed based on the prepared European Union (EU) and national programs for the purposes of faster economic growth in accordance with the policies and guidelines of the EU. The paper employs a combination of enterprises’ accounting data, data on subsidies and unique in-depth data obtained through a survey at the enterprise level. The results revealed a positive impact of subsidies on financial indicators, and only limited effect on innovation. While analyzing sustainable growth, we have established that the enterprises that received subsidies had a higher growth of financial indicators.