bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Economic Efficiency of Rapeseed Production in Farms with Varied Fertilization Variants
Authors: Dobek Tomasz K. , Kołosowski Paweł 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
Intensive breeding is related to formation of considerable amount of manure which may be used as a natural fertilizer. Manure fertilization may cause reduction of the amount of applied mineral fertilizers and thus reduction of production costs. It may particularly relate to the species with great fertilization requirements such as winter rapeseed. The objective of the research was to compare economic efficiency of rapeseed production in two farms which use different fertilization variants. In one, only mineral fertilizers were used and in the second one – mineral fertilization was supplemented with manure organic fertilization. The use of manure caused reduction of expenditures on materials and raw materials used in production, in particular of fertilizers. At comparable yields obtained by two farms, technology based on manure fertilization proved to be more efficient.
Analysis of the Mathematical Model of the Spray Dose Applied by the Field Sprayer Nozzles
Authors: Garbiak Karol , Jurga Jan 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
The article presents analysis of the mathematical model for determination of a momentary dose of spray applied by the field sprayer nozzles which move on the curve with the forward speed the value of which may differ from the speed accepted for regulation. Regulation speed and regulation dose, real forward speed of a sprayer, angular velocity during the curve movement, and the coefficient of the nozzle location towards the axis of the sprayer turn are independent variables in the suggested model. Based on the mathematical model, plots were drawn and analyses of relation of the spray dose to particular variables were carried out including inter alia, a repeated field spray, application of a dose which considerably differs from the regulation dose and diversity of the dose on the working width of the sprayer.
Adsorption-Desorption Processes in Adsorption Chillers
Authors: Gwadera Monika 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
The aim of this paper is to present the adsorption chillers technology. The operating principle of these systems, the adsorbent-adsorbate pairs that are frequently applied and the enhancement techniques that allow improvement of their efficiency are presented. Analysis of the mass transfer and principles of mathematical modeling of such systems are also discussed. In the further part of the text, the results of experimental studies and comparison of these results with calculations based on the mathematical model of adsorption were presented.
Computer System for Temperature Diagnostics of Cows
Authors: Jędruś Aleksander 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
The objective of the paper was to draw out a functional profile of a new computer system for temperature diagnostics of cows. This device enables oestrus detection including the silent one, early pregnancy (from the 5th day of insemination), acute inflammatory conditions and subclinical mastitis in a non-invasive manner during machine milking of cows. For diagnostic purposes one type of the measurement sensor was used, which is a unique feature in comparison to diagnostic devices mass produced and available on the market. A microprocessor module of the new milking system has intelligent devices features. It is construed of modern analogue and digital subassemblies and specialised measurement interfaces. The program structure of the system enables processing of automatically registered milk temperature values during cow milking on account of requirements of cow temperature diagnostics.
Wear of Farm Buildings in Selected Farms
Authors: Kowalczyk Zbigniew , Grotkiewicz Katarzyna 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
The objective of the article was to compare the level and structure of wear and tear of various types of the most popular agricultural buildings in the selected agricultural farms. A comparative analysis of physical and functional wear as well as investment expenditures of the selected objects in 2010-2014 was carried out. The scope of the article covered agricultural buildings with which 90 farms in the southern Poland are equipped. These farms were varied on account of the surface area and the production nature. The detailed analysis covered: cowsheds, piggeries, garages, fruit and vegetable storages, greenhouses and barns. The average age of the majority of farm buildings as well as a considerable degree of physical wear in comparison to a lower functional wear was determined.
Energy Consumption during Produciton of Corn Extrudates in Relation to the Process Parameters
Authors: Kręcisz Magdalena 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
The objective of the paper was to determine the impact of the rotational screw speed and the level of moisture of raw material on the efficiency and energy consumption of the extrusion-cooking process. Measurement of the extrusion-cooking process efficiency (Q) was carried out through determination of the extrudates mass and energy consumption was determined with the use of a specific mechanical energy (SME). Based on the research results it was found out that the factor which significantly decides on the measured values was a rotational screw speed. Along with the increase of this parameter the energy consumption and extrusion-cooking process efficiency increased during processing of corn grits. Extrusion-cooking process efficiency depended also on the level of moisture of raw material. At lower moisture of raw material the efficiency decreased along with the increase of the screw speed and above 18% of the moisture level it increased. Reverse relation was reported during testing the energy consumption of the extrusion-cooking process.
Impact of Spouted-Microwave Drying on the Selected Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Zucchini
Authors: Stępień Bogdan , Pasławska Marta , Maślankowski Radosław , Surma Mariusz , Jałoszyński Klaudiusz 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
Mechanical and rheological properties of zucchini dried with spouted microwave - assisted heating was analysed. During spouted drying two levels of microwave power were applied: 100W and 250W. Tests were carried out for the raw material blanched in the temperature of 60ºC for 10 minutes and not subjected to a pretreatment. Compression resistance, cutting resistance and stresses relaxation ratios a and b were determined. A significant impact of drying conditions on the product quality within the scope of mechanical and rheological properties was reported. Raw zucchini has 5 to 7 times higher compression resistance, several times lowered cutting resistance and almost two times higher elasticity in comparison to dried material. Low-temperature blanching significantly affected the values of all investigated properties of dried zucchini. Change in microwave powers during spouted drying significantly influenced the increase of the compression work value.
Band recoveries reveal alternative migration strategies in American Robins
Authors: Brown David , Miller Gail 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMigration strategies may change in response
to climate change with consequences for conservation
efforts. We used 80 years (1934−2014) of band recovery
data (N = 1,057) to describe spatial and temporal patterns
in the migration behavior of American Robins. The
distribution of recoveries suggests strong continental scale
connectivity with distinct separation between eastern and
western North America, with a more moderate degree of
connectivity within these regions. We also found little
evidence of differential migration between males and
females. Despite previous studies that suggest the winter
distribution of robins has shifted northward, our analysis
shows no obvious change in migration distance over time.
Surprisingly, we found that a significant proportion of
across season band recoveries occurred locally (20%), in
close proximity to the original banding locations. It’s well
known that large numbers of robins linger in northern
breeding grounds well into the winter of some years, but the
proximity of these birds to breeding areas was previously
unknown. We found little evidence that the winter latitude
of migrants or local recoveries shifted over time. However,
there was a trend for increased frequency of local recoveries
in recent decades, providing an alternative hypothesis for
the northward shift in winter distribution.
Resistance to chemical attack of cement composites impregnated with a special polymer sulfur composite
Authors: Książek Mariusz 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
Specific chemical environments affect industrial objects. Portland cement composites (concrete and mortar) were impregnated with a special polymerized sulfur and technical soot as a filler (polymer sulfur composite). Sulfur and technical soot were applied as industrial waste. Portland cement composites were made of the same aggregate, cement, and water. The durability of the prepared cement composite samples was tested in 5% solution of HCl and 5% solution of H2SO4 as a function of immersion time. The changes in mechanical strength and mass of the samples were periodically measured. Cement composites impregnated with sulfur composite exhibited limited mechanical strength and mass loss, while the physico-mechanical properties of the Portland cement concrete regressed rapidly. The loss in weight of ordinary concrete impregnated with sulfur composite, kept in aqueous solutions of acids, hydroxides, salts, and in water for a year was determined using 100×100×100 mm samples. The same samples were then used in compressive strength tests. The image analysis used for surface destruction monitoring, performed by scanning microscopy for the determination of damaged surface area and the original surface area before acid resistance testing, showed similar results. Based on the image analysis results, a model for predicting the degradation of mechanical strength during durability testing was established. The fact that the calculated and experimental strength values were not vastly different proved the validity of the proposed model. A brief summary of new products related to the special sulfur composite is given as follows: impregnation, repair, overlays, and precast polymer concrete will be presented. Sulfur composite as a polymer coating impregnation, which has received little attention in recent years, currently has some very interesting applications.
Miniaturized Dual-Band Bandpass Filter Using Embedded Dual-Mode Resonator with Controllable Bandwidths
Authors: Zhu Chuanming , Xu Jin , Kang Wei , Hu Zhenxin , Wu Wen 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIn this paper, a miniaturized dual-band bandpass filter (DB-BPF) using embedded dual-mode resonator (DMR) with controllable bandwidths is proposed. Two passbands are generated by two sets of resonators operating at two different frequencies. One set of resonators is utilized not only as the resonant elements that yield the lower passband, but also as the feeding structures with source-load coupling to excite the other to produce the upper passband. Sufficient degrees of freedom are achieved to control the center frequencies and bandwidths of two passbands. Moreover, multiple transmission zeros (TZs) are created to improve the passband selectivity of the filter. The design of the filter has been demonstrated by the measurement. The filter features not only miniaturized circuit sizes, low insertion loss, independently controllable central frequencies, but also controllable bandwidths and TZs.
Pattern of menarche age (normal, early and late) and its relationship with some demographic characteristics in girls and their parents
Authors: Tayebi Naeimeh , Yazdznpanahi Zahra , Yektatalab Shahrzad , Akbarzadeh Marzieh , Zare Najaf 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBackground:Menarche age is an indicator of a girl’s puberty besides the clinical assessment of detecting deviations. This study aimed to search the pattern of menarche age (normal, early and late) and its relationship with some demographic characteristics in girls and their parents.Methods:This cross-sectional study was done on girls aged between 9 and 18 years old in Shiraz city. About 2000 students were selected through cluster sampling. Data collection was done by applying a demographic information form. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS software.Results:About 1386 students (69.3%) had the history of menarche (at least once). The mean age of menarche was 12.26±1.11 years in Shiraz. The menarche age of the girls ranged from 9 years (as the least) to 15 (as the maximum). The prevalence of late menarche was 1.1%. In addition, no early menarche was reported. There was no relationship between menarche age and economic status, birth order and number of children, but a significant relationship was found between the parents’ education, house status, and the lifestyle of parents.Conclusion:The mean menarche age has been decreasing in cities. Therefore, it seems necessary for the families to be aware about the influence of time, trend and affecting factors on menarche; this helps them to make good decisions when educating their teenagers.
Elucidating Kinetic, Adsorption and Partitioning Phenomena from a Single Well Tracer Method: Laboratory and Bench Scale Studies
Authors: Otero-López M. , González-Brambila M. , Dutta A. , Castillo-Araiza C. O. 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
This study is aimed at giving some insights on kinetics, adsorption and partitioning of ethyl acetate during a single well tracer test. Synthetic formation water, an specific crude oil and a silicate-dolomite rock were used during experiments performed in laboratory and bench scale systems. Independent sets of experiments were designed to calculate the partition coefficient of ethyl acetate between the formation water and the oil, to develop a kinetic model for the hydrolysis of ethyl acetate, and to derive isotherm and kinetic models for the adsorption of ethyl acetate on the rock. These tracer experiments were evaluated at a concentration range (100–300 mmol.L−1) similar to that supposed to be used in the single well tracer method. All parameters determined from these experiments were validated describing observations from stirred batch and column systems, in which kinetic, adsorption and partitioning phenomena occurred at the same time. Pseudo-heterogeneous models, accounting for three phases namely the formation water, the rock and the oil, were applied to elucidate the interaction of the different mechanisms involved in these set-ups. Main results are summarized as follows: (i) partition coefficients (K
EA) were apparent varying from ca. 5–8 because of thermodynamic constraints; (ii) kinetic models for the hydrolysis of ethyl acetate were developed under acid and basic conditions since at neutral ones there were negligible conversions; (iii) the combined Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm and the Langmuir kinetics were the most suitable models describing equilibrium and adsorption rate observations, respectively; (iv) the studied rock adsorbed significant amounts of ethyl acetate, leading to a maximum adsorption capacity (qEAm) of ca. 7.0 mmol.g−1 at studied operating conditions; (v) the adsorption kinetic model rather than the simplified isotherm model seems necessary to describe this phenomenon from the single well test evaluating ethyl acetate as the tracer; and (vi) partition, hydrolysis and adsorption parameters evaluated from independent experiments allowed us to describe observations from both stirred batch and column systems. These results disclose the importance of accounting for partition, hydrolysis and adsorption mechanisms in a single well method using ethyl acetate as the tracer.
Learning Styles: Impact on Knowledge and Confidence in Nursing Students in Simulation and Classroom
Authors: Brannan Jane D. , White Anne , Long Janice 
Published: August 2016

AbstractNurse Educators must develop nursing curriculum with engaging learning strategies that promote the knowledge and confidence needed for safe, effective nursing practice. Faculty should explore new methods of teaching that consider how students learn. Studies have shown mixed results regarding student learning styles, academic achievement, and development of confidence in nursing practice. An experimental study using Felder and Soloman’s (2004). Index of learning styles instrument was conducted to examine nursing student learning styles and their impact on confidence and knowledge in traditional and high fidelity simulation settings. Findings revealed students were more likely to have active, visual, sensing, and sequential learning styles. Student confidence or knowledge did not significantly differ among the learning styles in either simulation or traditional classroom methods. Awareness of learning styles may aid faculty in adapting engaging teaching strategies. Further research is needed with larger samples to identify best approaches to enhance student learning within the context of learning styles.
Nursing Students’ Perceptions of Anecdotal Notes as Formative Feedback
Authors: Quance Margaret Ann 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAnecdotal notes are a method of providing formative feedback to nursing students following clinical experiences. The extant literature on anecdotal notes is written only from the educator perspective, focusing on rationale for and methods of production, rather than on evaluation of effectiveness. A retrospective descriptive study was carried out with a cohort of 283 third year baccalaureate nursing students to explore their perceptions of anecdotal notes as effective formative feedback. The majority of students valued verbal as well as anecdotal note feedback. They preferred to receive feedback before the next learning experience. Students found the quality of feedback varied by instructor. The anecdotal note process was found to meet identified formative feedback requirements as well as the nursing program’s requirement for transparency of evaluation and due process. It is necessary to provide professional development to clinical nurse educators to assist them develop high quality formative feedback using anecdotal notes.
Valuation of a Company using Time Series Analysis
Authors: Pohl Philipp 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIn this paper we present an approach to value-based management of companies using time series analysis. We present a technique for projecting cash flows in order to calculate the company value using time series analysis. We consider a new, indirect approach and a direct approach of projecting cash flows. We analyse both models from the perspective of value-based management. Finally, company value is calculated for both models, as a point estimate and as a distribution function respectively. As shown in the article, the distribution function of corporate value is a normal distribution function. On this basis, it is possible to apply all instruments of value-at-risk analysis.
Linear and non-linear analysis of uterine contraction signals obtained with tocodynamometry in prediction of operative vaginal delivery
Authors: Gonçalves Hernâni , Morais Mariana , Pinto Paula , Ayres-de-Campos Diogo , Bernardes João 
Published: August 2016

Abstract

Objective:
The aim of this study was to explore whether linear and non-linear analysis of uterine contraction (UC) signals obtained with external tocodynamometry can predict operative vaginal delivery (OVD).

Materials and methods:
The last 2 h before delivery (H1 and H2) of 55 UC recordings acquired with external tocodynamometry in the labour ward of a tertiary care hospital were analysed. Signal processing involved the quantification of UCs/segment (UCN), and the linear and non-linear indices: Sample Entropy (SampEn) measuring signal irregularity; interval index (II) measuring signal variability, both of which may be associated with uterine muscle fatigue, and high frequency (HF), associated with maternal breathing movements. Thirty-two women had normal deliveries and 23 OVDs. Statistical inference was performed using 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the median, and areas under the receiver operating curves (auROCs), with univariate and bivariate analyses.

Results:
A significant association was found between maternal body mass index (BMI) and UC signal quality in H1, with moderate/poor signal quality being more frequent with higher maternal BMI. There was an overall increase in contraction frequency (UCN), signal regularity (SampEn), signal variability (II), and maternal breathing (HF) from H1 to H2. The OVD group exhibited significantly higher values of signal irregularity and variability (SampEn and II) in H1, and higher contraction frequency (UCN) and maternal breathing (HF) in H2. Modest auROCs were obtained with these indices in the discrimination between normal and OVDs.

Conclusions:
The results of this exploratory study suggest that analysis of UC signals obtained with tocodynamometry, using linear and non-linear indices associated with muscle fatigue and maternal breathing, identifies significant changes occurring during labour, and differences between normal and OVDs, but their discriminative capacity between the two types of delivery is modest. Further refinement of this analysis is needed before it may be clinically useful.
Thyroid dysfunction in preterm neonates exposed to iodine
Authors: Williams Fiona L.R. , Watson Jennifer , Day Chris , Soe Aung , Somisetty Sateesh K. , Jackson Lesley , Velten Elena , Boelen Anita 
Published: August 2016

Abstract

Background:
Infants <32 weeks’ gestation should not be exposed to topical iodine and its avoidance is recommended during pregnancy and breast feeding. Exposure to contrast media and topical iodine is frequently used in many preterm neonates.

Aim:
To determine whether thyrotropin levels in preterm infants are affected by exposure to intrapartum/neonatal topical iodine and/or the use of iodinated contrast media.

Design:
Infants <32 weeks’ gestation were recruited. Maternal and neonatal exposures to iodinated contrast media and topical iodine were recorded; levels of thyrotropin and thyroxine were measured from blood-spot cards on postnatal days 7, 14, 28 and the equivalent of 36 weeks’ gestation.

Results:
One hundred and twenty-five infants were exposed to topical iodine/contrast media and 48 infants were unexposed. No infants were treated for hypothyroidism; three infants (exposed group) had transient hyperthyrotropinaemia. Mean thyrotropin levels were significantly higher on postnatal days 7, 14 and 28 in infants exposed to topical iodine prior to caesarean section compared to unexposed infants, a relationship which persisted after adjustment.

Conclusions:
In the context of this study, neonatal thyroid dysfunction was seen following exposure to iodine via caesarean section but not via exposure to contrast media.
Clinical significance of a false positive glucose challenge test in patients with a high body mass index
Authors: Borja Anne , Moretti Michael , Lakhi Nisha 
Published: August 2016

AbstractObjective:To determine if there is an increased maternal or neonatal morbidity in overweight and obese patients with a false positive glucose challenge test (GCT).Methods:Patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥25.0 at registration were included in this prospective 36-month study. The study cohort consisted of patients with a false positive (FP) GCT, with two comparison cohorts: those with a (1) screen negative (SN) GCT result and (2) true positive (TP) GCT result. Risks were reported as odd ratios with 95% confidence intervals, with a P<0.05 considered as significant.Results:There were 60 patients in the FP cohort, 106 in the SN cohort, and 64 in the TP cohort. When the BMI of the FP cohort was compared with either the SN cohort or TP cohort, differences were non-significant (SN 32.3 vs. FP 33.3 kg/mConclusions:Overweight and obese patients with a FP glucose challenge screen are more likely to have adverse maternal outcomes. Neonatal morbidity was not increased.