bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A review of water quality policies in relation to public good benefits and community engagement in rural Ireland
Authors: Daly Karen , Breuil Marion , Buckley Cathal , O’ Donoghue Cathal , Ryan Mary , Seale Catherine 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
This paper examines current recreational water use in the rural landscape in Ireland and reviews current EU policies and national regulations aimed at protecting water quality and the wider environment under agri-environmental schemes. Specifically, we review policy instruments that protect water for recreational use, their impacts and the challenges they pose for rural development against current requirements to increase public awareness and participation. In Ireland, there is limited experience in public participation in water quality protection and restoration and we highlight how this can be addressed by focussing on the specific contribution of water quality in rural areas in relation to the provision of recreational ecosystem services. These services provide the infrastructure for much of Ireland’s rural tourism sector. In this context, emerging participatory approaches to policy implementation are also assessed as national and local government prioritise community engagement for the second cycle under the EU Water Framework Directive.
Evaluation of socio-economic impact of drought events: the case of Po river basin
Authors: Musolino Dario , de Carli Alessandro , Massarutto Antonio 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe paper focuses on the socioeconomic impacts of drought events. Its objective is in particular to explore and study the distributive effects of drought events in the agricultural sector, taking the Po river basin, the most important agricultural area in Italy, as case study area. Its theoretical and methodological approach makes basis on the consumer surplus theory. One of the most remarkable outcomes of this analysis is that the effects of the drought events change considerably according to the social group. As far as agriculture is concerned, it shows that farmers and consumers are affected differently. Farmers can even earn from drought, because of the “price effect” caused by the scarcity of agricultural products; consumers always loses, because of the “quantity effect” and the “price effect”. Very different impacts, in terms of sign and magnitude, were also observed among the farmers themselves, in particular when they are distinguished by crop category, and by geographical area.
Learner Attrition in an Advanced Vocational Online Training: The Role of Computer Attitude, Computer Anxiety, and Online Learning Experience
Authors: Stiller Klaus D. , Köster Annamaria 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Online learning has gained importance in education over the last 20 years, but the well-known problem of high dropout rates still persists. According to the multi-dimensional learning tasks model, the cognitive (over)load of learners is essential to attrition when dealing with five challenges (e.g. technology, user interface) of an online training (Tyler-Smith, 2006). The experienced load might depend on learner characteristics. The study explored the extent that learners dropping out from a vocational video-based online training about media design for employees of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises differ from working learners’ online learning experience, computer attitude, and computer anxiety. The data were collected from 72 of 128 registered employees who completed a questionnaire before starting the course to analyze differences between the dropout group (submitted no solutions to online training tasks; n = 19) and the active learner group (submitted at least one of 13 task solutions; n = 53). No differences were found in online learning experience, but the dropout group reported more negative attitudes towards computers and a higher level of computer anxiety than the active learner group.
Learning and Digital Environment of Dance – The Case of Greek Traditional Dance in Youtube
Authors: Gratsiouni Dimitra , Koutsouba Maria , Venetsanou Foteini , Tyrovola Vasiliki 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
The incorporation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in education has changed the educational procedures through the creation and use of new teaching and learning environments with the use of computers and network applications that afford new dimensions to distance education. In turn, these emerging and in progress technologies, render new practices in many fields including the field of dance offering a fertile quest to everyone involved in the dance. Yet, a critical evaluation of the content of YouTube dance videos has not been carried out though what is eventually learned through YouTube is a key question. Based on the above, the aim of this study was to critically examine the way YouTube network channel as Computer Based Learning-CBL functions both as a learning tool and as a teaching result concerning the field of dance having as example a Greek traditional dance named Karagouna. YouTube dance videos were gathered through observation, while the dance exemplar used was based on ethnographic research. For the dance recording of the Karagouna performances examined from YouTube, Laban’s notation system (Labanotation) was used. For the analysis of the dance performances, the dance structural-morphological and typological method was adopted. Finally, for the comparison of the Karagouna dance performances examined from YouTube with the exemplar of the dancing community, the comparative method was used. It was proved that someone with little or no relation to dance is likely to learn dance with the use of YouTube, yet it is questionable what kind of dance will actually learn since in a number of cases the dance videos do not correspond to the performance of the dancing community. In addition, the outcome is different if someone with prior knowledge on the field of dance (dancer, dance teacher, dance student etc.) uses YouTube as a teaching and learning tool as, in this case, its use is useful and interactive.
Assessment of Predictor Importance with the Example of the Real Estate Market
Authors: Kubus Mariusz 
Published: April 2017

AbstractRegression methods can be used for the valuation of real estate in the comparative approach. However, one of the problems of predictive modelling is the presence of redundant or irrelevant variables in data. Such variables can decrease the stability of models, and they can even reduce prediction accuracy. The choice of real estate’s features is largely determined by an appraiser, who is guided by his/her experience. Still, the use of statistical methods of a feature selection can lead to a more accurate valuation model. In the paper we apply regularized linear regression which belongs to embedded methods of a feature selection. For the considered data set of real estate land designated for single-family housing we obtained a model, which led to a more accurate valuation than some other popular linear models applied with or without a feature selection. To assess the model’s quality we used the leave-one-out cross-validation.
An Assessment of Wind Farm Construction Efficiency Using the Real Option Method
Authors: Łukaszewski Tomasz , Głoćko Wojciech 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
From a developer’s point of view the construction of a wind farm in Poland is an investment project assessed in terms of economic efficiency. This paper discusses the selection of methods to be used for the assessment of such investments: it proposes to consider wind farm construction as an option and price it using models developed for the financial market. The purpose of the paper is to present a practical application of the option pricing method to the assessment of wind farm construction efficiency, in particular to compare the option and discount methods. Calculations are based with the example of an actual wind farm completed by one of the authors. The values of the project are different depending on the chosen method of estimation. The pricing carried out using the options method will lend legitimacy to the DCF result or suggest the verification of its correctness and review of the assumptions made. In both cases the application of the options method will have an advantageous impact on the investment decision.
Latent Variable Modelling and Item Response Theory Analyses in Marketing Research
Authors: Brzezińska Justyna 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Item Response Theory (IRT) is a modern statistical method using latent variables designed to model the interaction between a subject’s ability and the item level stimuli (difficulty, guessing). Item responses are treated as the outcome (dependent) variables, and the examinee’s ability and the items’ characteristics are the latent predictor (independent) variables. IRT models the relationship between a respondent’s trait (ability, attitude) and the pattern of item responses. Thus, the estimation of individual latent traits can differ even for two individuals with the same total scores. IRT scores can yield additional benefits and this will be discussed in detail. In this paper theory and application with R software with the use of packages designed for modelling IRT will be presented.
Diagnostic Value of ERG in Prostate Needle Biopsies Containing Minute Cancer Foci
Authors: Bachurska Svitlana Y. , Staykov Dmitriy G. , Bakardzhiev Ivan V. , Antonov Petar A. , Belovezhdov Veselin T. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Background: Prostate carcinoma (PC) is the second most diagnosed cancer in men population worldwide. The small amount of the tissue in prostate needle biopsy is often sufficient for the correct interpretation. Novel antibodies, as ERG, could add to the diagnostic value of IHC study in analysing difficult core biopsies.
Aim: The aim of the present study was to establish a diagnostic use of ERG in a work-up of prostate needle biopsies containing minute PC, individually and in combination with AMACR/34βE12.
Materials and methods: From total number of 1710 consecutive prostate needle biopsies based on HE stain 114 biopsies containing minute PC. Selected biopsies were incubated with anti-ERG, AMACR and 34βE12 antibodies using immunohistochemical technique.
Results: Among 98 selected biopsies, 57 showed positive and 41 negative ERG staining. AMACR staining was positively expressed in 86 of the cases and completely absent in remaining 12. In 9 of the AMACR-negative cases the final diagnosis was establish by manifestation of ERG expression in the tumour foci. 95 of the biopsies demonstrated lack of 34βE12 expression and only 3 cases showed weak patchy staining. Among these cases 2 were ERG-positive.
Conclusion: ERG antibody could be especially helpful in the cases with controversial expression of AMACR and 34βE12.
Immunohistochemical Localization of Elastic System Fibres in the Canine Prostate
Authors: Marettová E. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
The elastic fibres are particularly important for the structural integrity and function of the prostate. In this study, the elastic fibres of the normal dog prostate gland were identified by immunohistochemistry. In the capsule, the elastic fibres form membranes of different thicknesses-located mainly in the intermediate and deep zones. Large trabeculae which extend from the capsule contain elastic fibres with a prevalence in the longitudinal direction. Around blood vessels, the elastic fibres are concentrated and form annular structures. In the fine septa supporting the lobules, elastic fibres form a fine elastic meshwork. Between the secretory units of the prostate gland, the fine elastic fibres are located under the secretory epithelium. An increase of elastic fibres around the ducts entering the urethra was observed. An accumulation of elastic fibres in the capsule and stromal septa may participate in the releasing of secretory products during ejaculation.
Efficiency of Enzymatic Debridement in the Healing Process of Chronic Wounds in Small Animal Practice
Authors: Hamilton L. , Kožár M. 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
Skin wounds are a common presentation in small animal practice. These wounds may be acute or chronic with a complicated healing process. An important aspect of the healing of wounds is debridement which may be carried out by surgical, autolytic, mechanical or enzymatic methods. The debridement method is chosen according to the individual skin defect and influenced by factors such as wound size and location, the age of the wound, and the presence of infection or exudate. Enzymatic debridement is a method that is not commonly used in veterinary practice, and involves the use of enzyme preparations to remove necrotic tissue from a wound. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the enzymatic ointment collagenase as a method of debridement, and its effect on the macroscopic appearance of chronic skin wounds in cats and dogs. We observed that the application of Iruxol Mono directly to the wound changes the progress of the healing process, with no obvious adverse effects. The time of healing of chronic wounds was decreased and healthy granulation tissue was developed within a couple of days after application of the ointment. Enzymatic debridement appears to be a promising method of debridement for use in chronic wounds, and should be considered in cases where more conventional methods of debridement are ineffective or unsuitable.
Mapping of tecto-lineaments and their influence on sedimentological processes in a GIS environment: a case study of the Iberian trough, Spain
Authors: Herrero-Hernández Antonio , López-Moro Francisco Javier , Valle-Feijóo María Elena , Gómez-Fernández Fernando , Rodríguez-Pérez José Ramón 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
The subsurface sedimentary succession of the Iberian Trough, Spain was examined using geophysical techniques (analogue seismic profiles) and inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation algorithm implemented in a gvGIS open source software. The results showed that the Late Cretaceous succession is divided into two depositional sequences: DS-1 (Late Albian-Middle Turonian) and DS-2 (Late Turonian-Campanian). From the analogical seismic sections, digital data and quantitative isopach maps for DS-1 and DS-2 were obtained. The new isopach maps obtained for the DS-1 sequence showed that the deeper sectors of the basin were located to the northeast and the proximal ones to the southwest. The palaeoshoreline was inferred to be situated in the N 150 direction. Across and parallel to this direction several blocks were delimited by faults, with a direction between 30 N and N 65. The thickness of the sediments in these blocks varied in direction NW-SE, with subsidence and depocentres in hangingwall and uplift in the footwall. These variations may have been related to active synsedimentary faults (e.g., Boñar and Yugueros Faults). In the DS-2 sequence, a lineament separated the smaller thicknesses to the southwest from the larger thicknesses (up to 1400 m) to the northeast. This lineament had an N170 orientation and it indicated the position of the palaeoshoreline. In the isopach map for DS-2 there were two groups of lineaments. The first showed a block structure that was limited by N100-120, they were foundering toward the S and had large thicknesses (depocentres), and rose towards the N, where there were smaller thicknesses. The second group of lineaments had a N 50-65 direction and, in this case, they had a similar interpretation as the one in DS-1. The maps obtained are of great help for geologists and permit better understanding of the geological setting and stratigraphic succession of the Late Cretaceous of the Iberian Trough.
Optimal Combiners in Pre-Amplified Optical Wireless Systems under Medium-to-Strong Atmospheric Turbulence
Authors: Sagias Nikos C. , Boucouvalas Anthony C. , Yiannopoulos Kostas , Uysal Murat , Ghassemlooy Zabih 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
In this work we analytically investigate optimal combiners for pre-amplified diversity receivers that operate under medium-to-strong atmospheric turbulence. We first demonstrate that the combiner performance is strongly affected by the existence of a signal-amplified spontaneous emission beat noise at the output of the photodetector. Due to the signal-dependent nature of noise, the optimal combiner can be classified as a hybrid one, of which performance is between the well-known equal-gain and maximal-ratio combiner architectures. Having established the optimal design, we further assess the proposed combiner performance over gamma-gamma and negative-exponential fading environments.
Forecasting the OECD Fixed Broadband Penetration with Genetic Programming Method, Diffusion Models and Macro-Economic Indicators
Authors: Salpasaranis Konstantinos , Stylianakis Vasilios 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
This paper presents the implementation of a modified Genetic Programming (GP) method in forecasting fixed broadband telecommunications penetration percentage in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. The specific GP method combines the use of known diffusion models for technological forecasting purposes, such as Logistic, Gompertz and Bass and the GP. The combination method produces both time dependant and causal models with high performance statistical indicators. Also, multiple approaches to forecasting can be implemented, mainly with no big datasets.
60 GHz Front-End Components for Broadband Wireless Communication in 130 nm CMOS Technology
Authors: Kolios Vasilis , Giannakidis Konstantinos , Kalivas Grigorios 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
The over 5 GHz available spectral space allocated worldwide around the 60 GHz band, is very promising for very high data rate wireless short-range communications. In this article we present two key components for the 60 GHz front-end of a transceiver, in 130 nm RF CMOS technology: a single-balanced mixer with high Conversion Gain (CG), reduced Noise Figure (NF) and low power consumption, and an LC cross-coupled Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) with very good linearity, with respect to Vctrl, and very low Phase Noise (PN). In both circuits, custom designed inductors and a balun structure for the mixer are employed, in order to enhance their performance. The VCO’s inductor achieves an inductance of 198 pH and a quality factor (Q) of 30, at 30 GHz. The balun shows less than 1
o
Phase Imbalance (PI) and less than 0.2 dB Amplitude Imbalance (AI), from 57 to 66 GHz. The mixer shows a CG greater than 15 dB and a NF lower than 12 dB. In addition, the VCO achieves a Phase Noise lower than -106 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset, and shows great linearity for the entire band. Both circuits are biased with a 1.2 V supply voltage and the total power consumption is about 10.6 mW for the mixer and 10.92 mW for the VCO.
Parameter Measurements of Moving Gas Bubbles Using Image Tomography Title
Authors: Rząsa Mariusz Roland 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
The paper presents an idea of a new measuring method based on image tomography. This method focuses on registration of images of bubbles moving in two perpendicular directions. Two images are used for determination of the center of mass, movement trajectory and local velocities. Volume and area of bubbles are defined by using approximation of the bubble shape with the known geometric figures. The paper also presents the algorithm of reconstruction of the bubble shapes and movement trajectories, as well as exemplary test results. The obtained results were compared with empirical correlations in the published literature.
Original Article. Prevalence of HPV16 IgG Antibody and Rt-Pcr DNAdetection in Patients with Laryngeal Carcinoma and Cervical Dysplasia
Authors: Nikolov Georgi N. , Karcheva Milena D. , Tsvetkov Chavdar A. , Valkov Alexandar V. , Rashev , Tihomir R. , Blazhev Alexandar B. 
Published: April 2017

SummaryHuman papillomaviruses (HPVs) are associated with the most common sexually transmitted infections. It is well documented that high-risk (HR)-HPVtypes are etiologically associated with some cancers. The aim of the study was to investigate HPV16-DNApositivity and prevalence of Ig Gantibody against HPV16 in patients with laryngeal carcinoma and precancerous lesions of cervix uteri in Pleven region, Bulgaria. Material/Methods: We performedacross-sectional study and investigated clinical materials. Attached is real-time PCR-analysis for detection of HPV16-DNA. HPVspecific antibody response by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for detection and quantification of specific Ig Gantibodies in serum were used. Results: For the six-month period, 30 samples were collected and tested. Fourteen of them were found in patients with carcinoma of the larynx and sixteen - in patients with various lesions of cervix uteri.We found that six patients (42.8%) in the first group and eight patients (50%) in the second group were HPV16-DNA-positive. Different age groups were affected. The sera analyzed in this study showed that seven patients (50%) with carcinoma of the larynx were seropositive of whom four (57%) were males. Fourteen of the females with dysplasia (88%) were seropositive. Matching DNApositivity and antibody response were found in 29%of the patients with laryngeal cancer. The match was found in 50%of the females with cervical dysplasia. Conclusions: Real-time PCRisarapid, cost-effective method for detection of HPVs.Ahigh level of seropositivity was found in the two groups of patients.
Original Article. Urinary Tract Desobstruction in Patients with Malignant Neoplasms of the Uterine Cervix
Authors: Kolev Nikolay H. , Vanov Alexander , Dunev Vladislav R. , Kotsev Rumen P. , Stoykov Boyan A. , Al-Shargabi Fahd , Stratev Strati S. , Atanasov Jitian A. , Sachdeva Manish , Tonchev Pencho T. , Iliev Sergey D. , Radev Vladimir R. 
Published: April 2017

Summary
Cancer of the cervix causes internal, external compression or both of the upper urinary tract in 50-60%of patients in advanced stages. Retrograde stenting is the most widely used technique for desobstruction of the upper urinary tract in urology practice. Diversion of urine flow is an alternative, achieved by nephrostomy of one or both kidneys.We studied retrospectively 33 women with upper urinary tract obstruction caused by carcinoma of the uterine cervix operated on between March 2014 and March 2015 in the urology clinic at the University Hospital in Pleven, Bulgaria. Apercutaneous nephrostomy (PNS) was placed in 17 patients, and 11 patients hadaretrograde catheterization with ureteral stent type JJ. Five patients were treated with both methods. Placement ofa JJstent was the first choice procedure for all patients since it providesabetter quality of life. PNSimproves renal function faster than retrograde JJstenting. Therefore, the first method of choice for patients with an untreated primary cervical, uterine cancer is the placement of PNS. Retrograde JJstenting is the method of choice in patients who undergo surgery and radiation therapy withoutarelapse of the disease.
Music, Rhetoric, and the Edification of the Church in the Reformation: The Humanist Reconstruction of Modulata Recitatio
Authors: Kim Hyun-Ah 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
This article elucidates the rhetorical framework within which the new culture of popular sacred music flourished in both Protestant and Catholic Reformations, focusing on modulata recitatio, the ancient manner of ecclesiastical singing reconstructed by the humanists as an embodiment of musica divina. It discusses how metrical psalmody and oratorios, originating from the modulata recitatio and aimed at edifying the laity, paved the way for modern hymnody and church cantatas respectively – the new music which facilitated the promotion of Christian spirituality and virtue by appealing to emotion. Considering the cultural development of popular sacred music the article demonstrates that in combining moral education with Christian devotion the modulata recitatio lies at the heart of lay spiritual music shaped by the Reformation.