bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Distribution and Structure of the Microvasculature of the Phallus in the Ostrich (Struthio camelus)
Authors: Elias M. Z. J. , Petrovová E. , Vdoviaková K. , Maloveská M. , Teleky J. , Krešáková L. 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
This study determined the distribution and specialized morphology (gaps and fenestrations, irregular endothelium, internalization of luminal material) of vessels in the spongy and erectile tissue of the phallus in the ostrich. Specimens from the phallus harvested from 18 sexual mature and active ostriches were utilized. General routine fixation was used for tissue blocks and then they were processed conventionally for observation under the Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM). The spongy tissue in the root of the phallus exhibited several blood vessels (mainly venules) within connective tissue strands. The capillaries displayed thick and attenuated endothelial profiles, whereas the venules were lined with an attenuated endothelium. Both vessel types displayed fenestrations and prominent gaps supported by a continuation of the basal lamina. Numerous cytoplasmic processes extended from the capillary endothelium, in places appearing to enclose and sequestrate luminal contents by phagocytosis. The internalized material appeared in the form of relatively large, pale vesicles. The endothelium was extremely irregular in profile, in some instances appearing to be composed of more than one layer of squamous cells. The erectile tissue lining the phallic sulcus presented relatively few capillaries and venules. These vessels exhibited features similar to those seen in the spongy tissue but the endothelial cells were markedly more complex and irregular in design.
Occurrence of Endoparasites in Indigenous Zambian Dogs
Authors: Bruce-Miller M. , Goldová M. 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
This study was conducted in the country of Zambia, Southern Africa, to investigate the occurrence of endo-parasites in indigenous Zambian dogs. Faecal samples were collected from 41 indigenous Zambian dogs from different areas of the Mbabala region in the Southern province of Zambia during the “hot wet” season, although at the time that the samples were collected, the country was experiencing a drought. Faecal samples were analysed using the concentration flotation method with zinc sulphate for the determination of the presence of gastrointestinal parasites. The most prevalent parasites were species from the family Ancylostomatidae (65.0 % infection rate) which followed by: Isospora canis (9.8 %), Dipylidium caninum (4.8 %), and Toxascaris leonina (2.4 %). There were in addition, two cases of co-infections with the family Ancylostomatidae and D. caninum, as well as the family Ancylostomatidae and I. canis.
Reference Values for the Ophthalmic Schirmer Tear Test and the Intraocular Pressure in Healthy Chinchillas
Authors: Richards M. , Trbolová A. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe objective of this study was to measure the intraocular pressure (IOP) and tear production before and after topical anaesthesia in healthy chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera). Thirteen healthy non-sedated chinchillas (eight males and five females) were used in this study. The tear production was measured by the novel endodontic paper point tear test (PPTT) using Roeko Colour No. 30 Paper points. Following the PPTT, one drop of 0.4 % oxybuprokainium chloride was added to the eye to anaesthetise the cornea and the IOP was measured using the Tono-Pen Avia®Vet. Excess anaesthetic was removed from the conjunctival fornix using a sterile cotton tipped applicator and the PPTT II was performed. The PPTT I and II were measured in 26 eyes, mean ± standard deviations (SD) were 7.98 ± 1.95 mm.min−1, and 9.71 ± 3.52 mm.min−1respectively. The IOP was measured in 20 eyes, and the mean ± SD was 28.52 ± 12.48 mmHg (35.50 ± 9.31 mmHg in males and 21.53 ± 11.57 mmHg in females). There was no significant difference in the PPTT results between the left and right eyes or between the male and female groups. The males were found to have a significantly higher IOP than females and the PPTT II was significantly greater than the PPTT I. The PPTT test proved to be effective, easy to use, and reliable, causing little apparent discomfort to the chinchillas and could prove to be a much more effective tool than the Schirmer tear test for the evaluation of the tear production in animals with small eyes and/or low aqueous tear production. The mean intraocular pressure proved to be much higher in this population of chinchillas than those previously studied and so further investigation is warranted before a reliable reference range may be produced.
IMF Lending and Poverty in Developing Countries
Authors: Makedonas Eleftherios , Bellos Sotirios , Turan Subasat 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAn arduous debate has developed around the question of whether the multiple IMF’s ‘stabilization’ interventions in developing countries have actually met one of the most important of its initial programmatic goals, i.e., the provision of resources to members, with a view to eliminating temporary Balance of Payments maladjustments, avoiding at the same time destroying ‘national or international prosperity’. More importantly, there have been many voices claiming that these programs have rather accentuated poverty than alleviated it. We explore this claim both theoretically and empirically. Our results show an unequivocal negative relationship between IMF lending and poverty in the developing world.
Extreme Learning Machine-Based Traffic Incidents Detection with Domain Adaptation Transfer Learning
Authors: Elhatri Chaimae , Tahifa Mohammed , Boumhidi Jaouad 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
Traffic incidents in big cities are increasing alongside economic growth, causing traffic delays and deteriorating road safety conditions. Thus, developing a universal freeway automatic incident detection (AID) algorithm is a task that took the interest of researchers. This paper presents a novel automatic traffic incident detection method based on the extreme learning machine (ELM) algorithm. Furthermore, transfer learning has recently gained popularity as it can successfully generalise information across multiple tasks. This paper aimed to develop a new approach for the traffic domain-based domain adaptation. The ELM was used as a classifier for detection, and target domain adaptation transfer ELM (TELM-TDA) was used as a tool to transfer knowledge between environments to benefit from past experiences. The detection performance was evaluated by common criteria including detection rate, false alarm rate, and others. To prove the efficiency of the proposed method, a comparison was first made between back-propagation neural network and ELM; then, another comparison was made between ELM and TELM-TDA.
Factors influencing passengers’ choice of transport mode to Warsaw Chopin Airport
Authors: Górecka Aleksandra 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
Airport accessibility is an important factor for airport choice and therefore also for airport competition. When air passengers choose an itinerary, they reflect on the transport chain from door to door. Therefore, factors affecting the traveller’s decision for a particular option go beyond the price and quality of air services from airport to airport. The decision for or against a particular air service and a particular airport is to a certain extent dependent on the accessibility of the airport.
The aim of the article is to present the preliminary research of factors which influence choice of transport mode used in order to reach Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW). The hypothesis of the paper is that the most common transport modes to WAW is private transport. The data were collected based on survey distributed within passengers in May 2015. The results show that there is a relation between flight destination from WAW and distance from the point of origin to airport and also between kind of traveller and transport mode used by his/her. There is also the conclusion that the most common transport modes from and to the airport in Europe is used very rarely in Warsaw.
Partial support for the classical ring species hypothesis in the Chaerephon pumilus species complex (Chiroptera: Molossidae) from southeastern Africa and western Indian Ocean islands
Authors: Naidoo Theshnie , Goodman Steven M. , Schoeman M. Corrie , Taylor Peter J. , Lamb Jennifer M. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractWe examined phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships (cyt
IPO in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council
Authors: Zein Aidrous Irina Ahmed , Grigorievna Sofya Glavina 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
The Arab States of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) host one of the fastest developing, yet one of the most closed groups of securities markets in the EMEA region. This study provides an analysis of the regional securities market and compares it with global securities’ market trends for the period 2000 to 2014. The study refers to regional IPO activity as a reflection of the level of maturity of the local economy. An IPO Market Ratio is introduced in this study as an instrument for measuring the national economy so as to be able to further compare it to other economies. The study provides descriptions of the financial markets of all GCC economies, outlines their developmental history, and develops a ranking of GCC countries based upon weighted normalized IPO Market Ratio data. The collected information and the results of the analysis are presented both in table and graphical formats.
Preliminary estimate for reinforcement steel quantity in residential buildings
Authors: Mahamid Ibrahim 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
The objective of this study was to develop prediction mathematical equations to compute reinforcement steel quantity in traditional residential buildings based on 158 sets of data collected in the West Bank in Palestine. The records related to the quantities were collected from consultancy firms that provide reinforced concrete design services. The data were collected for residential buildings up to four floors. Linear regression analysis was chosen to show the correlation between the included variables. The following variables were used in the regression models: quantity of reinforcement steel (dependent variable), structural element volume (independent variable) and floor area (independent variable). Fourteen models were developed; nine models were developed to compute the quantity of reinforcement steel in different structural elements: slabs, beams, columns and footings. The other five models were used to estimate the total steel quantity in a residential building. The coefficient of multiple determination (R
2) of the developed models ranged from 0.70 to 0.82. This confirms a good correlation between the dependent and the independent variables. The accuracy of the developed models was tested using the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) test. With MAPE values ranging from 21% to 36%, the results compare favourably with past research that indicated that accuracy between ±25% and ±50% at the early stages is acceptable. The results also show that the models built on structural element size have better accuracy than the models using floor area. Such types of equations are very useful, especially in their simplicity and ability to be handled by calculators or simple computer programmes.
Viscous flow and heat transfer over an unsteady stretching surface
Authors: Ene Remus-Daniel , Marinca Vasile , Marinca Valentin Bogdan 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
In this paper we have studied the flow and heat transfer of a horizontal sheet in a viscous fluid. The stretching rate and temperature of the sheet vary with time. The governing equations for momentum and thermal energy are reduced to ordinary differential equations by means of similarity transformation. These equations are solved approximately by means of the Optimal Homotopy Asymptotic Method (OHAM) which provides us with a convenient way to control the convergence of approximation solutions and adjust convergence rigorously when necessary. Some examples are given and the results obtained reveal that the proposed method is effective and easy to use.
Relevance of Molecular Changes in the ND4 Gene in German Shepherd Dog Tumours
Authors: Ślaska B. , Grzybowska-Szatkowska L. , Bugno-Poniewierska M. , Gurgul A. , Śmiech A. , Różańska D. , Dudka J. 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
The aim of the study was to identify polymorphisms and mutations in the mitochondrial ND4 gene and to analyse the associations between the occurrence of molecular changes in mtDNA and phenotypic traits in tumours in German Shepherd dogs. Fifty samples obtained from blood and tumour tissues of German Shepherd dogs with diagnosed tumours were analysed. DNA extraction, amplification, and sequencing of the mtDNA ND4 gene, and bioinformatics, statistical, and in silico protein coding SNP analyses were performed. ND4 mutations and/or polymorphisms were noted in eleven nucleotide positions in nearly half of the examined dogs. All the changes were substitution mutations. A majority of the changes identified were homoplasmic. In one dog with osteosarcoma, blood heteroplasmy was detected. In two positions of the ND4 gene, presence of non-synonymous mutations leading to amino acid changes in the ND4 protein was reported. Analyses carried out to determine the deleterious effect of mutations indicated an almost 97 and 62% probability that a single amino acid substitution (p.G239V and p.I401T, respectively) in the protein has a negative impact on its function. The results of statistical analyses indicate a significant association between the occurrence of mutations in three loci of the ND4 gene and the location of tumours. The mutations identified may be a result of cell adaptation to the changes in the environment occurring during carcinogenesis. The high frequency of mutations in the tumours may indicate genetic instability of mtDNA, which may also play a role in carcinogenesis.
Non-invasive Pregnancy Diagnosis from Urine by the Cuboni Reaction and the Barium Chloride Test in Donkeys (Equus asinus) and Alpacas (Vicugna pacos)
Authors: Kubátová A. , Fedorova T. , Skálová I. , Hyniová L. 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
The aim of the research was to evaluate two chemical tests for non-invasive pregnancy diagnosis from urine, the Cuboni reaction and the barium chloride test, in donkeys (Equus asinus) and alpacas (Vicugna pacos). The research was carried out from April 2013 to September 2014. Urine samples were collected on five private Czech farms from 18 jennies and 12 alpaca females. Urine was collected non-invasively into plastic cups fastened on a telescopic rod, at 6-9 week intervals. In total, 60 and 54 urine samples from alpacas and jennies, respectively, were collected. The Cuboni reaction was performed by the State Veterinary Institute Prague. The barium chloride test was done with 5 ml of urine mixed together with 5 ml of 1% barium chloride solution. Results of the Cuboni reaction were strongly influenced by the reproductive status of jennies; the test was 100% successful throughout the second half of pregnancy. However, no relationship was found between the real reproductive status of alpaca females and results of the Cuboni reaction. It was concluded that the barium chloride test is not suitable for pregnancy diagnosis either in donkeys, due to significant influence of season on the results, or in alpacas, because no relationship between results of the test and the reproductive status of alpaca females was found. In conclusion, the Cuboni reaction has potential to become a standard pregnancy diagnostic method in donkeys.
Reproductive Performance of Rabbit does Artificially Inseminated with Semen Supplemented with GnRH Analogue [des-Gly10, D-Ala6]-LH-RH Ethylamide
Authors: Gogol P. 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate, the ability of a GnRH synthetic analogue [des-Gly10, D-Ala6]-LH-RH ethylamide to induce ovulation in rabbit does using intravaginal administration. A total of 138 primiparous lactating does were randomly divided into 4 groups that at the time of insemination received following treatments for ovulation induction: 1 μg of buserelin administered intramuscularly (control group); 5 μg of [des-Gly10, D-Ala6]-LH-RH ethylamide added to the semen dose (D5 group); 10 μg of [des-Gly10, D-Ala6]-LH-RH ethylamide added to the semen dose (D10 group); 15 μg of [des-Gly10, D-Ala6]-LH-RH ethylamide added to the semen dose (D15 group). Kindling rates were 68.8% in D10 and 66.7% in D15 groups and were comparable to that obtained in the control group (72.2%). The kindling rate in group D5 (29.4%) was significantly lower than those recorded in the other groups. The number of live born kits was not significantly affected by the ovulation induction treatment. The results of this study show that [des-Gly10, D-Ala6]-LH-RH ethylamide added directly into the semen dose can effectively stimulate ovulation in rabbits. The dose of 10 μg of [des-Gly10, D-Ala6]-LH-RH ethylamide per doe was sufficient to produce results comparable to those obtained by intramuscular administration of buserelin.
Runoff Variability in the Scott River (SW Spitsbergen) in Summer Seasons 2012–2013 in Comparison with the Period 1986–2009
Authors: Franczak Łukasz , Kociuba Waldemar , Gajek Grzegorz 
Published: October 2016

Abstract
River runoff variability in the Scott River catchment in the summer seasons 2012 and 2013 has been presented in comparison to the multiannual river runoff in 1986–2009. Both in particular seasons and in the analysed multiannual, high variability of discharge rate was recorded. In the research periods 2012–2013, a total of 11 952 water stages and 20 flow rates were measured in the analysed cross-section for the determination of 83 daylong discharges. The mean multiannual discharge of the Scott River amounted to 0.96 m3·s−1. The value corresponds to a specific runoff of 94.6 dm3·s−1·km2, and the runoff layer 937 mm. The maximum values of daily discharge amounted to 5.07 m3·s−1, and the minimum values to 0.002 m3·s−1. The highest runoff occurs in the second and third decade of July, and in the first and second decade of August. The regime of the river is determined by a group of factors, and particularly meteorological conditions affecting the intensity of ablation, and consequently river runoff volume. We found a significant correlation (0.60 in 2012 and 0.67 in 2013) between the air temperature and the Scott River discharge related to the Scott Glacier ice melt.
Predictive Brain Mechanisms in Sound-to-Meaning Mapping during Speech Processing
Authors: Lyu Bingjiang , Ge Jianqiao , Niu Zhendong , Tan Li Hai , Gao Jia-Hong 
Published: October 2016

Spoken language comprehension relies not only on the identification of individual words, but also on the expectations arising from contextual information. A distributed frontotemporal network is known to facilitate the mapping of speech sounds onto their corresponding meanings. However, how prior expectations influence this efficient mapping at the neuroanatomical level, especially in terms of individual words, remains unclear. Using fMRI, we addressed this question in the framework of the dual-stream model by scanning native speakers of Mandarin Chinese, a language highly dependent on context. We found that, within the ventral pathway, the violated expectations elicited stronger activations in the left anterior superior temporal gyrus and the ventral inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) for the phonological–semantic prediction of spoken words. Functional connectivity analysis showed that expectations were mediated by both top-down modulation from the left ventral IFG to the anterior temporal regions and enhanced cross-stream integration through strengthened connections between different subregions of the left IFG. By further investigating the dynamic causality within the dual-stream model, we elucidated how the human brain accomplishes sound-to-meaning mapping for words in a predictive manner.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTIn daily communication via spoken language, one of the core processes is understanding the words being used. Effortless and efficient information exchange via speech relies not only on the identification of individual spoken words, but also on the contextual information giving rise to expected meanings. Despite the accumulating evidence for the bottom-up perception of auditory input, it is still not fully understood how the top-down modulation is achieved in the extensive frontotemporal cortical network. Here, we provide a comprehensive description of the neural substrates underlying sound-to-meaning mapping and demonstrate how the dual-stream model functions in the modulation of expectations, allowing for a better understanding of how the human brain accomplishes sound-to-meaning mapping in a predictive manner.
A GABAergic Projection from the Centromedial Nuclei of the Amygdala to Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex Modulates Reward Behavior
Authors: Seo Dong-oh , Funderburk Samuel C. , Bhatti Dionnet L. , Motard Laura E. , Newbold Dillan , Girven Kasey S. , McCall Jordan G. , Krashes Michael , Sparta Dennis R. , Bruchas Michael R. 
Published: October 2016

The neural circuitry underlying mammalian reward behaviors involves several distinct nuclei throughout the brain. It is widely accepted that the midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons are critical for the reward-related behaviors. Recent studies have shown that the centromedial nucleus of the amygdala (CeMA) has a distinct role in regulating reward-related behaviors. However, the CeMA and ventromedial PFC (vmPFC) interaction in reward regulation remains poorly understood. Here, we identify and dissect a GABAergic projection that originates in the CeMA and terminates in the vmPFC (VGat-CreCeMA-vmPFC) using viral-vector-mediated, cell-type-specific optogenetic techniques in mice. Pathway-specific optogenetic activation of the VGat-CreCeMA-vmPFCcircuit in awake, behaving animals produced a positive, reward-like phenotype in real-time place preference and increased locomotor activity in open-field testing. In sucrose operant conditioning, the photoactivation of these terminals increased nose-poking effort with no effect on licking behavior and robustly facilitated the extinction of operant behavior. However, photoactivation of these terminals did not induce self-stimulation in the absence of an external reward. The results described here suggest that the VGat-CreCeMA-vmPFCprojection acts to modulate existing reward-related behaviors.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTMany studies have shown that the interactions between the centromedial nucleus of the amygdala (CeMA) and ventromedial PFC (vmPFC) have critical roles for emotional regulation. However, most studies have associated this circuit with fear and anxiety behaviors and emphasized top-down processing from vmPFC to CeMA. Here, we provide new evidence for bottom-up CeMA to vmPFC influence on reward-related behaviors. Although previous work implicated the CeMA in incentive salience, our results isolate the investigation to a specific CeMA GABAergic projection to the vmPFC. This long-range GABAergic interaction between amygdala and frontal cortex adds a new dimension to the complex regulation of reward-related behaviors.