bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spring migration of waterbirds and raptors at Medvedce reservoir (Dravsko polje, NE Slovenia)/ Spomladanska selitev vodnih ptic in ujed na zadrževalniku Medvedce (Dravsko polje, SV Slovenija)
Authors: Bordjan Dejan 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Spring migration of birds, particularly waterbirds and raptors, was monitored from dawn till dusk from an observation point located on the levee on the northern side of the Medvedce reservoir (Dravsko polje, NE Slovenia) in three separate years (1-17 Mar 2009; 25 Mar-10 Apr 2011; 28 Feb-12 Apr 2012). In all three years, 42,045 individuals of 89 species (66 waterbirds, 23 raptors) migrated over the site. 38,238 of these were waterbirds. The most numerous species was Lapwing Vanellus vanellus (11,813 individuals), followed by Blackheaded Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus (10,515 individuals). In total, 3807 migratory storks, raptors and Cranes Grus grus were counted. Harriers (2303 individuals) were by far the most numerous group. The prevailing direction of migration was SW-NE. Half of all migrating birds were observed in the altitudinal belt between 10 and 100 m above ground level. Harriers were mostly observed up to 100 m above ground level, whereas storks, other raptors and Cranes were observed most often in the altitudinal belt between 100 and 500 m above ground level. The highest numbers of waterbirds were observed between 10 and 100 m above ground level. In the first five hours after sunrise, 61.3% of all waterbirds, 44.0% of all storks and raptors and only 20.5% of Cranes were observed. Although other parts of Dravsko polje have never been studied in such detail, it is possible that a significant portion of migrating birds from a larger area gathers at this site. This study confirms the importance of the area for migrating and staging birds, especially for Great Egret Ardea alba, Marsh Circus aeruginosus and Hen Harriers C. cyaneus, Osprey Pandion haliaetus, Crane, Ruff Calidris pugnax and Black-headed Gull that all reached at least 0.1% of their respective biogeographic populations. Internationally significant are particularly the numbers of migrating Marsh (1079 individuals in 2012) and Hen Harriers (408 individuals in 2012), as there are only few sites where these species migrate in such high numbers in spring.
Effect of Nanofiller Dispersion on Morphology, Mechanical and Conducting Properties of Electroactive Shape Memory Poly(Urethane-Urea)/Functional Nanodiamond Composite
Authors: Kausar A. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
In this attempt, segmented poly(urethane urea) was prepared from polycaprolactone triol (soft segment), 1,3- bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane (hard segment) and 4,5-diaminophthalonitrile (chain extender). Acidfunctionalized nano-diamond was used as nano-filler. The nanocomposites were processed using solution casting and melt blending. Unique morphology was observed by SEM due to generation of crosslinked polyurethane and ND network. The s-PUU/ND 10 depicted 6 % increase in tensile strength compared with m-PUU/ND 10. 10 wt. % ND loading via solution route increased conductivity to 0.089 Scm-1 relative to m-PUU/ND 10 (0.057 Scm-1). Electrical conductivity of nanocomposites was enough to show electroactive shape recovery of 95 % (40 V).
The Influence of Nanoadditives on the Biological Properties and Chemical Composition of Process Fluids
Authors: Borůvková K. , Bakalova T. , Voleský L. , Louda P. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
In this study process fluids were tested after the addition of nanoparticles. Cooling and lubricating process fluids are used in machining to reduce wear on tools, to increase machine performance and to improve product quality. The use of process fluids leads to their pollution and contamination. Nanoparticles were added to the process fluids in order to increase their antibacterial activity. The selected nanoparticles were nanoparticles of metallic silver. The process fluids were modified by the addition of silver nitrate and ascorbic acid. Reduction of silver nanoparticles in the volume of the fluid was achieved using UV. The modified fluids were tested for their cytotoxicity and changes in chemical composition. The cytotoxicity of process fluids was tested for the purpose of verifying whether the process fluids, which are in direct contact with the skin of the operator, affect the health of the operator. The cytotoxicity of the process fluids was tested on human fibroblast cells. Fibroblasts are the basic cells of fibrous tissue. The cytotoxicity was tested by measuring the cell viability and using XTT. Analysis of chemical composition was performed for the purpose of determining the individual substances in the process fluids and their chemical stability. Qualitative analysis of the process fluids was performed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC - MS).
Presence of Senecio sylvaticus L. (Asteraceae) in Turkey
Authors: Tunçkol Bilge , Yaşayacak Hasan , Aksoy Necmi 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
The annual plant Senecio sylvaticus L. (Asteraceae) is regarded as a doubtfully recorded in Turkey. It has not been collected in the country since the first report of its occurrence in the north eastern Black Sea Region in 1875. This paper reconfirms the occurrence of Senecio sylvaticus in Turkey. New specimens were collected from the Ereğli and Alaplı regions (Zonguldak province, NW Turkey) in 2014. The species description, distribution maps and photographs are given.
Anthropophytes in the flora of different spatial units within old rural settlements of the Lubuskie Lakeland, western Poland
Authors: Jasińska Katarzyna , Brzeg Andrzej , Wojterska Maria 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Studies of the ﬂora of villages in a connection with the surrounding landscape are rare and mostly limited to the built-up area and its general location in a geographical region. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the diversity patterns of flora against the background of local landscape units in the rural areas and to analyse them in the context of village transformation. The study comprised 30 villages of medieval origin representing the oval-shape type, with differently preserved structure of built-up area and cultivated fields, located in the Lubuskie Lakeland. The terrain within a buffer zone of 200 m in width, located outside of the built-up area, was divided into spatial complexes. In each of these complexes, floristic lists were compiled. The structure of surrounding landscape within the buffer zone of 1 km in width, measuring from the village centroid, was analysed using ArcGIS.
The recorded flora comprised 767 taxa of spontaneously occurring vascular plants. Extremely rare and common species were the most numerous. Native species distinctly prevailed over alien in all types of spatial complexes and the majority of them occurred in the habitats transformed by man. There were noted altogether 244 species of anthropophytes.
The index of anthropophytization of flora (WAnt) showed that both types of built-up areas (transformed and non-transformed) reached the highest values, slightly higher than fields and central green. Index of flora modernization (WM) showed the same pattern. Only water bodies were strikingly different from other complexes in respect to both indices (WAnt - significantly lower values, while WM - much higher). Differences in the floristic composition of transformed and non-transformed villages were not significant at the level of whole village. The villages were still harbouring rare species from the group of relics of former cultivation and archaeophytes, but observations conducted since 2007 confirmed that they have been decreasing in number. The percentage of groups of species with different affinity toward urban areas have shown that in the studied rural areas, the share of urbanophilic species is still very low as compared to the dominant group of urbanoneutral and moderately urbanophobic species.
The occurrence of alien species in the settlement areas of the Kampinos National Park and its vicinity (Central Poland)
Authors: Kirpluk Izabella , Bomanowska Anna 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Studies aimed at the identification of the range and method of spread of alien plant species in settlement areas in Kampinos National Park (KNP) and its immediate vicinity were carried out in years 2012-2014. Special emphasis was put on surveying the sites of invasive alien species (IAS), and diagnosing potential threats posed to the natural and semi-natural vegetation of the national park by the IAS present in rural areas. We found 53 alien vascular plant species, including 40 invasive taxa which may potentially pose a threat to the ecosystems of KNP. Species encroaching from settlement areas to semi-natural and natural communities included: Bidens frondosa, Echinocystis lobata, Impatiens glandulifera, I. parviflora, Juncus tenuis, Lupinus polyphyllus, Reunoutria japonica and Solidago gigantea. Most of them were species from the highest invasiveness (IV and III) classes in Poland. Similarity analysis carried out for all investigated localities with regard to all alien species, and only for invasive ones showed a clear division into separate groups: villages within the boundaries of the national park and villages outside the park.
Prevalence of Chromosomal Abnormalities in Infertile Couples in Romania
Authors: Mierla Dana , Malageanu M. , Tulin R. , Albu D. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to establish a correlation between the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in one of the partners and infertility. This retrospective study was performed at the Department of Reproductive Medicine, Life Memorial Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, between August 2007 to December 2011. Two thousand, one hundred and ninety-five patients with reproductive problems were investigated, and the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities was calculated. The control group consisting of 87 fertile persons who had two or more children, was investigated in this retrospective study. All the patients of this study were investigated by cytogenetic techniques and the results of the two groups were compared by a two-tailed Fisher’s exact test. In this study, 94.99% patients had a normal karyotype and 5.01% had chromosomal abnormalities (numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities). In the study group, numerical chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 1.14% of infertile men and 0.62% of infertile women, and structural chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 1.38% of infertile men and 1.87% of infertile women, respectively. The correlation between the incidence of chromosomal anomalies in the two sexes in couple with reproductive problems was not statistically significant. Recently, a possible association between infertility and chromosomal abnormalities with a significant statistical association has been reported. Our study shows that there is no association between chromosomal abnormalities and infertility, but this study needs to be confirmed with further investigations and a larger control group to establish the role of chromosomal abnormalities in the etiology of infertility.
Three Novel Mutations of CHD7 Gene in Two Turkish Patients with Charge Syndrome; A Double Point Mutation and an Insertion
Authors: Giray Bozkaya Ozlem , Ataman E. , Randa C. , Onur Cura D. , Gürsoy S. , Aksel O. , Ulgenalp A. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
The CHARGE (coloboma, heart defects, atresia, retardation, genital, ear) syndrome is a genetic disease characterized by ocular coloboma, choanal atresia or stenosis and semicircular canal abnormalities. Most of the patients clinically diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome have mutations in chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 7 (CHD7) gene. The CHD7 gene is located on chromosome 8q12.1, and up to now, there are more than 500 pathogenic mutations identified in the literature. We report two patients diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome with two novel mutations in the CHD7 gene: the first patient has double consecutive novel mutations in three adjacent codons, and the other has a novel insertion.
Hyperammonemia, an under-recognized complication and adverse prognostic marker in Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Chojecki Aleksander L. , Gharibo Mecide , Styler Michael J. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractHyperammonemia, a well-known complication of liver failure causing encephalopathy, has rarely been reported as a complication of multiple myeloma. We report four additional cases of hyperammonemia in patients with treatment refractory multiple myeloma. In these cases, we found that hyperammonemia remains a morbid complication of resistant disease without directed myeloma therapy. Our brief review has reaffirmed that hyperammonemia is a poor prognostic marker in myeloma with an undetermined mechanism. This complication’s poor response to traditional therapies, including rifaximin and lactulose, prompts our discussion urging early recognition and myeloma directed therapy. Clinical observations may support that proteasome inhibitors may be most effective in the treatment of these patients.
On the distribution of Jacobi sums
Authors: Lu Qing , Zheng Weizhe , Zheng Zhiyong 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Let

𝐅
q

\mathbf{F}_{q}

be a finite field of q elements. For multiplicative
characters

χ
1

,
…
,

χ
m

\chi_{1},\ldots,\chi_{m}

of

𝐅
q
×

\mathbf{F}_{q}^{\times}

, we let

J
⁢

(

χ
1

,
…
,

χ
m

)

J(\chi_{1},\ldots,\chi_{m})

denote the Jacobi sum. Nicholas Katz and Zhiyong
Zheng showed that for

m
=
2

m=2

, the normalized Jacobi sum

q

-

1
/
2

⁢
J
⁢

(

χ
1

,

χ
2

)

q^{-1/2}J(\chi_{1},\chi_{2})

(

χ
1

⁢

χ
2

\chi_{1}\chi_{2}

nontrivial) is asymptotically
equidistributed on the unit circle as

q
→
∞

q\to\infty

, when

χ
1

\chi_{1}

and

χ
2

\chi_{2}

run through all nontrivial multiplicative characters of

𝐅
q
×

\mathbf{F}_{q}^{\times}

. In this paper, we show a similar property for

m
≥
2

m\geq 2

.
More generally, we show that the normalized Jacobi sum

q

-

(

m
-
1

)

/
2

⁢
J
⁢

(

χ
1

,
…
,

χ
m

)

q^{-(m-1)/2}J(\chi_{1},\ldots,\chi_{m})

(

χ
1

⁢
⋯
⁢

χ
m

\chi_{1}\cdots\chi_{m}

nontrivial) is
asymptotically equidistributed on the unit circle, when

χ
1

,
…
,

χ
m

\chi_{1},\ldots,\chi_{m}

run through arbitrary sets of nontrivial multiplicative characters
of

𝐅
q
×

\mathbf{F}_{q}^{\times}

with two of the sets being sufficiently large. The case

m
=
2

m=2

answers a question of Shparlinski.
Passive Radar Parallel Processing Using General-Purpose Computing on Graphics Processing Units
Authors: Szczepankiewicz Karolina , Malanowski Mateusz , Szczepankiewicz Michał 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
In the paper an implementation of signal processing chain for a passive radar is presented. The passive radar which was developed at the Warsaw University of Technology, uses FM radio and DVB-T television transmitters as ”illuminators of opportunity”. As the computational load associated with passive radar processing is very high, NVIDIA CUDA technology has been employed for effective implementation using parallel processing. The paper contains the description of the algorithms implementation and the performance results analysis.
Eu Agrarian Policy Legal Framework as a Part of the Eu Development Practice / Právny Rámec Agrárnej Politiky Eú Ako Súčasť Eú Rozvojovej Praxe
Authors: Malatinec Tomáš 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
EU agrarian policy is one of the most extensive policies of the EU. The aim of this paper is to analyse the EU agrarian policy legal framework from the point of view of law & development concept. Final remarks are based on an analysis of three topics: (1st) law & development concept, (2nd) agrarian policies and development, and (3rd) EU concept of development. Results show position of the EU agrarian policy legal framework in the EU development practice. The EU agrarian policy legal framework might be labelled as “law in development”. Several instruments have been implemented, but their impact on development is not unequivocal. There is no doubt about role of law in development as well as that the EU agricultural policy is core policy for development of the EU regions. Based on interconnections and justification we can argue that the EU agrarian policy legal framework is a substantial part of internal EU development concept and practice.
Extended Continuous Block Backward Differentiation Formula for Stiff Systems
Authors: Akinfenwa O. A. , Jator S. N. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
We present an Extended Continuous Block Backward Differentiation Formula (ECBBDF) of order k+1 for the numerical solution of stiff ordinary differential equations. This is achieved by constructing an Extended Continuous Backward Differentiation formula (ECBDF) together with the additional methods from its first derivative and are combined to form a single block of methods that simultaneously provide the approximate solutions for the stiff Initial Value Problems (IVPs). The error constant and stability property of the (ECBBDF) is discussed. We use the specific cases k = 4 and k = 5 to illustrate the process. The performance of the method is demonstrated on some numerical examples to show the accuracy and efficiency advantages of the method.
Ideologies of Supreme Court Justices: Quantitative Thematic Analysis of Multiple Opinions of “Bush v. Gore 2000”
Authors: Chen Ruina , Liu Haitao 
Published: January 2016

AbstractJudicial ideology is a latent trait that cannot be directly observed; its measurement must rely upon inferences drawn from observable traits or properties. In this paper, we assume that judicial ideologies of Supreme Court Justices may be inferred from the contents or themes of their authorial opinion texts, which embody their jurisprudential interpretation and reasoning on particular disputes of hard cases. The contents or themes of six opinion texts of “Bush v. Gore 2000” are analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively, with the latter as the focus. An indicator is borrowed from quantitative linguistics (QL) to quantify individual thematic words which contribute to the contents or themes of the text, that is, “thematic concentration” (TC). Our research yields the following results: First, both the highest and lowest TC value are found in the dissenting opinions, which may indicate the dynamism of thematic concentration of this type of opinion; Second, the common “thematic words” distilled from six opinions help to lexically profile the key “content domain” of this case; Third, the only thematic word “state” which appears in almost all opinion texts can be regarded as representing the most fundamental characteristic of the genre of appellate court opinions; Fourth, there exists a significant difference of TC in texts between the majority opinion and the dissenting opinion but not within the majority opinion, indicating that TC can reflect in a correct direction of the ideological stances of Supreme Court Justices; Fifth, TC in texts of three opinions get together, and qualitative analysis of these three opinions also shows that they concentrate on similar themes. The application of TC still have some challenges, but at least it offers an alternative path to measure ideologies of Supreme Court Justices, which contributes to the progress and development of forensic linguistics.
Dydrogesterone and the immunology of pregnancy
Authors: Raghupathy Raj , Szekeres-Bartho Julia 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Progesterone is indispensable for the maintenance of pregnancy, both via its endocrine effects and its role in creating a favorable immunological environment for the fetus. This review focuses on the immunological effects of progesterone. Progestogens have been shown to have very interesting effects on cytokine production and decidual natural killer (NK) cell activity. The orally-administered progestogen, dydrogesterone, has the ability to modulate cytokine production patterns in a manner that could be conducive to successful pregnancy. The adverse effects of progesterone deficiency and the beneficial effects of progesterone supplementation in pregnancy pathologies will be discussed.
New Imaging Methods of Coronary Arteries in Acute Coronary Syndromes
Authors: Hlinomaz Ota , Groch Ladislav , Sitar Jan , Rezek Michal , Seménka Jiří , Novák Martin , Penkov Nikolay 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Coronary angiography is still the most widely used method for the assessment of lumen of coronary arteries and for diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease. New imaging modalities of coronary arteries play an increasing role in interventional cardiology. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is the oldest technology, however due to its high tissue penetration remains very important for imaging of left main coronary artery and saphenous vein grafts. IVUS was used in many clinical trials and clinical experience with it is huge. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new, very fast developing method. It has ten times higher axial resolution than IVUS. It gives us the opportunity to assess the inner structures of coronary artery wall, to evaluate the characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques, quality of stent implantation and its healing. It helps us to find the culprit lesion of acute coronary syndrome in some cases, to diagnose the cause of stent thrombosis, and to evaluate stent apposition which has a direct relation to prognosis. We use it to perform complex percutaneous coronary interventions and after heart transplantation to diagnose the vascular graft disease. We strongly believe that OCT is important for the assessment of plaque instability and patient´s prognosis. Near infrared spectroscopy combined with IVUS can distinguish fibrous from lipid core plaques. Lipid core burden index is in relation to a risk of periprocedural myocardial infarction and to prognosis. It is the only method which can sufficiently detect the amount of lipids in coronary wall.