bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Using Linked Survey Paradata to Improve Sampling Strategies in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey
Authors: Mirel Lisa B. , Chowdhury Sadeq R. 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Using paradata from a prior survey that is linked to a new survey can help a survey organization develop more effective sampling strategies. One example of this type of linkage or subsampling is between the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). MEPS is a nationally representative sample of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population based on a complex multi-stage sample design. Each year a new sample is drawn as a subsample of households from the prior year’s NHIS. The main objective of this article is to examine how paradata from a prior survey can be used in developing a sampling scheme in a subsequent survey. A framework for optimal allocation of the sample in substrata formed for this purpose is presented and evaluated for the relative effectiveness of alternative substratification schemes. The framework is applied, using real MEPS data, to illustrate how utilizing paradata from the linked survey offers the possibility of making improvements to the sampling scheme for the subsequent survey. The improvements aim to reduce the data collection costs while maintaining or increasing effective responding sample sizes and response rates for a harder to reach population.
Web-Face-to-Face Mixed-Mode Design in a Longitudinal Survey: Effects on Participation Rates, Sample Composition, and Costs
Authors: Bianchi Annamaria , Biffignandi Silvia , Lynn Peter 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Sequential mixed-mode designs are increasingly considered as an alternative to interviewer-administered data collection, allowing researchers to take advantage of the benefits of each mode. We assess the effects of the introduction of a sequential web-face-to-face mixed-mode design over three waves of a longitudinal survey in which members were previously interviewed face-to-face. Findings are reported from a large-scale randomised experiment carried out on the UK Household Longitudinal Study. No differences are found between the mixed-mode design and face-to-face design in terms of cumulative response rates and only minimal differences in terms of sample composition. On the other hand, potential cost savings are evident.
Interviewer Effects on Non-Differentiation and Straightlining in the European Social Survey
Authors: Loosveldt Geert , Beullens Koen 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
In this article we examine the interviewer effects on different aspects of response styles, namely non-differentiation and straightlining, which in general refers to the tendency to provide the same answers to questions in a block of questions. According to research about response styles, the impact of the interviewer on this kind of response behavior is rare. Five blocks of items in the questionnaire in the sixth round of the European Social Survey (2012) are used in the analysis. These data also allow for an evaluation of the differences between countries in terms of non-differentiation and straightlining. Five different measurements of these aspects of response style are used in the analysis. To disentangle the impact of respondents and interviewers on these aspects of response style, a three-level random intercept model is specified. The results clearly show interviewer effects on the respondent’s tendency to select a response category that is the same as the response category for the previous item. In some countries the proportion of explained variance due to differences between interviewers is larger than the proportion of variance explained by the differences between respondents.
Extending TSE to Administrative Data: A Quality Framework and Case Studies from Stats NZ
Authors: Reid Giles , Zabala Felipa , Holmberg Anders 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Many national statistics offices acknowledge that making better use of existing administrative data can reduce the cost of meeting ongoing statistical needs. Stats NZ has developed a framework to help facilitate this reuse. The framework is an adapted Total Survey Error (TSE) paradigm for understanding how the strengths and limitations of different data sets flow through a statistical design to affect final output quality. Our framework includes three phases: 1) a single source assessment, 2) an integrated data set assessment, and 3) an estimation and output assessment. We developed a process and guidelines for applying this conceptual framework to practical decisions about statistical design, and used these in recent redevelopment projects. We discuss how we used the framework with data sources that have a non-statistical primary purpose, and how it has helped us spread total survey error ideas to non-methodologists.
Comparing Two Inferential Approaches to Handling Measurement Error in Mixed-Mode Surveys
Authors: Buelens Bart , Van den Brakel Jan A. 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Nowadays sample survey data collection strategies combine web, telephone, face-to-face, or other modes of interviewing in a sequential fashion. Measurement bias of survey estimates of means and totals are composed of different mode-dependent measurement errors as each data collection mode has its own associated measurement error. This article contains an appraisal of two recently proposed methods of inference in this setting. The first is a calibration adjustment to the survey weights so as to balance the survey response to a prespecified distribution of the respondents over the modes. The second is a prediction method that seeks to correct measurements towards a benchmark mode. The two methods are motivated differently but at the same time coincide in some circumstances and agree in terms of required assumptions. The methods are applied to the Labour Force Survey in the Netherlands and are found to provide almost identical estimates of the number of unemployed. Each method has its own specific merits. Both can be applied easily in practice as they do not require additional data collection beyond the regular sequential mixed-mode survey, an attractive element for national statistical institutes and other survey organisations.
Adjusting for Measurement Error and Nonresponse in Physical Activity Surveys: A Simulation Study
Authors: Beyler Nicholas , Beyler Amy 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Adult Americans are encouraged to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) each week. National surveys that collect physical activity data to assess whether or not adults adhere to this guideline use self-report questionnaires that are prone to measurement error and nonresponse. Studies have examined the individual effects of each of these error sources on estimators of physical activity, but little is known about the consequences of not adjusting for both error sources. We conducted a simulation study to determine how estimators of adherence to the guideline for adults to engage in 150 minutes of MVPA each week respond to different magnitudes of measurement and nonresponse errors in self-reported physical activity survey data. Estimators that adjust for both measurement and nonresponse errors provide the least amount of bias regardless of the magnitudes of measurement error and nonresponse. In some scenarios, the naïve estimator, which does not adjust for either error source, results in less bias than estimators that adjust for only one error source. To avoid biased physical activity estimates using data collected from self-report questionnaires, researchers should adjust for both measurement error and nonresponse.
Biological parameters of onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman on onion cultivars
Authors: Moraiet Maher Ahmed , Ansari Mohammad Shafiq , Basri Rabiya 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Biological parameters of the onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman were studied on the following onion (Allium cepa L.) cultivars: Nasik Red Plus N-53, Onion Dr-301 (Krishna), Onion White, and Nasik Red, at 25±1°C and 65±5% RH. Significant (p < 0.05) differences were found in the life stages and fertility life tables on different cultivars except in the pupal stages. More information about the biological parameters of T. tabaci on onion cultivars can help in designing Integrated Pest Management programs for onion thrips.
Roles of African swine fever virus structural proteins in viral infection
Authors: Jia Ning , Ou Yunwen , Pejsak Zygmunt , Zhang Yongguang , Zhang Jie 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a large, double-stranded DNA virus and the sole member of the Asfarviridae family. ASFV infects domestic pigs, wild boars, warthogs, and bush pigs, as well as soft ticks (Ornithodoros erraticus), which likely act as a vector. The major target is swine monocyte-macrophage cells. The virus can cause high fever, haemorrhagic lesions, cyanosis, anorexia, and even fatalities in domestic pigs. Currently, there is no vaccine and effective disease control strategies against its spread are culling infected pigs and maintaining high biosecurity standards. African swine fever (ASF) spread to Europe from Africa in the middle of the 20th century, and later also to South America and the Caribbean. Since then, ASF has spread more widely and thus is still a great challenge for swine breeding. The genome of ASFV ranges in length from about 170 to 193 kbp depending on the isolate and contains between 150 and 167 open reading frames (ORFs). The ASFV genome encodes 150 to 200 proteins, around 50 of them structural. The roles of virus structural proteins in viral infection have been described. These proteins, such as pp220, pp62, p72, p54, p30, and CD2v, serve as the major component of virus particles and have roles in attachment, entry, and replication. All studies on ASFV proteins lay a good foundation upon which to clarify the infection mechanism and develop vaccines and diagnosis methods. In this paper, the roles of ASFV structural proteins in viral infection are reviewed.
Were Polish wild boars exposed to Schmallenberg virus?
Authors: Kęsik-Maliszewska Julia , Jabłoński Artur , Larska Magdalena 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Introduction: A novel to Europe Schmallenberg virus (SBV) causes clinical disease manifested by reproduction disorders in farm ruminants. In free-living ruminants, SBV antibodies as well as the virus were detected. Recent studies also revealed SBV antibodies in wild boars. The study investigates SBV antibodies occurring in wild boars in Poland at the peak of recent virus epidemics in the country.

Material and Methods: Samples collected from 203 wild boars culled during the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 hunting season were serologically tested using multi-species cELISA. Attempted neutralisation tests failed due to poor serum quality. RT-PCR was implemented in seropositive and doubtful animals.

Results: Two samples collected from wild boar in the winter of 2013 gave a positive result in ELISA, while another two from the 2012/2013 hunting season were doubtful. No SBV RNA was detected in spleen and liver tissues.

Conclusion: Low SBV seroprevalence in wild boars, despite high incidence of SBV infections occurring simultaneously in wild ruminants, suggests that boars are unlikely to be a significant reservoir of the virus in the sylvatic environment in Poland.
Detection of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae ApxIV toxin antibody in serum and oral fluid specimens from pigs inoculated under experimental conditions
Authors: González Wendy , Giménez-Lirola Luis G. , Holmes Ashley , Lizano Sergio , Goodell Christa , Poonsuk Korakrit , Sitthicharoenchai Panchan , Sun Yaxuan , Zimmerman Jeffrey 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Introduction: The prevention and control of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in commercial production settings is based on serological monitoring. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) have been developed to detect specific antibodies against a variety of A. pleuropneumoniae antigens, including long-chain lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and the ApxIV toxin, a repeats-in-toxin (RTX) exotoxin unique to A. pleuropneumoniae and produced by all serovars. The objective of this study was to describe ApxIV antibody responses in serum and oral fluid of pigs.

Material and Methods: Four groups of pigs (six pigs per group) were inoculated with A. pleuropneumoniae serovars 1, 5, 7, or 12. Weekly serum samples and daily oral fluid samples were collected from individual pigs for 56 days post inoculation (DPI) and tested by LPS and ApxIV ELISAs. The ApxIV ELISA was run in three formats to detect immunlgobulins M, G, and A (IgM, IgG and IgA) while the LPS ELISA detected only IgG.

Results: All pigs inoculated with A. pleuropneumoniae serovars 1 and 7 were LPS ELISA serum antibody positive from DPI 14 to 56. A transient and weak LPS ELISA antibody response was observed in pigs inoculated with serovar 5 and a single antibody positive pig was observed in serovar 12 at ≥35 DPI. Notably, ApxIV serum and oral fluid antibody responses in pig inoculated with serovars 1 and 7 reflected the patterns observed for LPS antibody, albeit with a 14 to 21 day delay.

Conclusion: This work suggests that ELISAs based on ApxIV antibody detection in oral fluid samples could be effective in population monitoring for A. pleuropneumoniae.
Distribution of Salmonella serovars along the food chain in Poland, 2010–2015
Authors: Skarżyńska Magdalena , Hoszowski Andrzej , Zając Magdalena , Lalak Anna , Samcik Ilona , Kwit Renata , Wasyl Dariusz 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Introduction: Data collection on the Salmonella occurrence is crucial in effective implementation of different actions or control programmes aiming to protect consumers’ health and to reduce the level of Salmonella prevalence in farm animals. The goal was to describe Salmonella serovar distribution along the food chain in Poland during 2010–2015 and to identify their epidemiological importance.

Material and Methods: Slide agglutination according to White-Kauffmann-Le Minor scheme was used to identify Salmonella serovars of 6,928 isolates originating from animals, food, feeds, and fertilisers.

Results: In total, 160 Salmonella serovars were identified. Differences in serovar distribution were observed depending on animal species. Among isolates from hens, S. Enteritidis and S. Infantis were the most prevalent. Serovar pattern in turkeys differed from those in hens, with S. Kentucky, S. Newport, S. Saintpaul being the most prevalent. Monophasic S. Typhimurium was predominant in pigs. Serovars found in food reflected those observed among livestock animals. Nine out of the ten most prevalent serovars in animals and humans were also found in organic fertilisers.

Conclusion: Serotyping of large number of isolates from different sources is essential for insight on emerging serovars and trends of Salmonella occurrence. This may increase the value of epidemiological data and result in updating of Salmonella control programmes to target further epidemiologically important serovars in animals and better protection of consumers’ health.
Epizootic and epidemiological situation of Trichinella sp. infection in Poland in 2006–2015 in view of wild boar population dynamics
Authors: Flis Marian , Grela Eugeniusz R. , Gugała Dariusz 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Introduction: The objective was to evaluate the epizootic and epidemiological situation of Trichinella sp. infection in Poland between 2006 and 2015 against the dynamics of the wild boar population and its primary reservoir host.

Material and Methods: Boar and porcine trichinosis epizootic analysis was based on General Veterinary Inspectorate data from RRW-6 bulletins. The epidemiological situation was evaluated on the basis of the data supplied by the Department of Epidemiology of the National Institute of Hygiene - National Institute of Public Health. The wild boar hunting harvest and population dynamics were estimated, as these animals remain the basic infection source for humans. Population size and harvest data were obtained from hunting statistics.

Results: The study timeframe showed an almost 2.5-fold increase in Trichinella infection cases in wild boars but a significant decline in human cases. In the domestic pig, the incidence rate did not exceed 0.00037%. The highest infection risk exists in West Pomerania, Greater Poland, and Kuyavian-Pomeranian Provinces. Over the study period, the wild boar population increased more than 1.5-fold, while the hunting harvest more than tripled. During the last two seasons the total hunt surpassed 100% of the spring population.

Conclusion: Wild boar management by increasing the hunting take of the annual population growth should limit that growth and decrease the take in the future. Thereby, over some years intra-species trichinosis spread should reduce, for a substantial safety gain for wild boar meat.
Changes in blood lymphocyte subpopulations and expression of MHC-II molecules in wild mares before and after parturition
Authors: Krakowski Leszek , Bartoszek Przemysław , Krakowska Izabela , Stachurska Anna , Piech Tomasz , Brodzki Piotr , Wrona Zygmunt 
Published: June 2017

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnancy is a physiological state in which the immune system undergoes certain changes. On the one hand, by depleting cell defence mechanisms, it favours development and maintenance of the pregnancy. At the same time cells of the immune system ensure resistance to many risk factors, including infectious agents.

Material and Methods: The study was carried out on 24 Polish Konik breed mares which were divided into two equal groups. The first group (group I) included mares living in the reserve. The second group (group II) comprised mares maintained under conventional conditions in the stables. The blood samples were collected for the first time in the perinatal period, i.e. 2 weeks before parturition (trial 0), then within the first 24 h after delivery, and then on 7th and 21st day after foaling. Flow cytometric analysis of lymphocyte expressing TCD4+, TCD8+, CD2+, and MHC class II antigens was performed.

Results: Before the delivery, in group I there was a significantly higher CD4:CD8 ratio compared to group II (P ≤0.05). Similarly, significantly increased CD4:CD8 ratio in group I was noted within 24 h after parturition (P ≤0.001) and it was also observed on 7th day (P ≤0.03) and 21st day after foaling (P ≤0.02). In the first 24 h after parturition, a significant decline of lymphocytes CD8+ (P ≤0.02) was noted. No significant differences in terms of lymphocytes CD2+ and CD3+ were observed. Expression of MHC-II molecules before and after the parturition was higher in group I compared to group II; however, the difference between the groups was not significant.

Conclusion: The results obtained indicate that mares living in the reserve display higher activity of cell defence mechanisms.
Draft Methodology to Specify the Railway Sections Capacity
Authors: Abramovic Borna , Zitricky Vladislav , Mesko Pavol 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
This paper presents the individual parameters of the selected railway corridors in the selected country. Particularly, it describes the specific features of selected corridors in this country, summarizes their capacity, as well as proposes the methodology in order to specify the capacity of given railway section. The outcome is represented by the calculation of the appropriate railway section capacity implemented on the particular railway corridor in the selected EU country.
Stress Analysis of the Framework of a Device Designed for Scales Calibrating
Authors: Blatnický Miroslav , Kravchenko Kateryna O. , Dižo Ján 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis article is focused on the stress analyses of the welded structure of the device designed to the scales calibrating with maximum loading capacity up to ten tons. The article includes basic knowledges of the theory of elasticity and stress analysis and numerical method called Finite Element Method that were used for the task solution. Cores of the work were stress analyses of selected parts of the designed structure of the device. For stress analyses the ADINA numerical software was used. Results of analyses of the primary design device showed that strength in same locations did not respond to the required maximal load. The structure in critical locations was modified and subsequently reanalyses confirmed the sufficient strength with prescribed safety factor.
Experimental Data in Vehicle Modeling
Authors: Tomasikova Maria , Sojcak Dusan , Nieoczym Aleksander , Brumercik Frantisek 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis article is about a vehicle model which is created in software Matlab Simscape Driveline. In this model the motor is created like a subsystem by Simulink blocks and input data were measured by single roller dynamometer for cars (SRD). Measured data are the input into the model by Lookup Table block. The vehicle model is made by gear, differential, tire and vehicle body blocks. We studied the forces on tires, the vehicle velocity and the slip.
Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for in vitro diagnostic testing at the point of care
Authors: Marks Haley , Schechinger Monika , Garza Javier , Locke Andrea , Coté Gerard 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPoint-of-care (POC) device development is a growing field that aims to develop low-cost, rapid, sensitivein-vitrodiagnostic testing platforms that are portable, self-contained, and can be used anywhere – from modern clinics to remote and low resource areas. In this review, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is discussed as a solution to facilitating the translation of bioanalytical sensing to the POC. The potential for SERS to meet the widely accepted “ASSURED” (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid, Equipment-free, and Deliverable) criterion provided by the World Health Organization is discussed based on recent advances in SERSin vitroassay development. As SERS provides attractive characteristics for multiplexed sensing at low concentration limits with a high degree of specificity, it holds great promise for enhancing current efforts in rapid diagnostic testing. In outlining the progression of SERS techniques over the past years combined with recent developments in smart nanomaterials, high-throughput microfluidics, and low-cost paper diagnostics, an extensive number of new possibilities show potential for translating SERS biosensors to the POC.
Tocharian and Historical Sociolinguistics: Evidence from a Fragmentary Corpus
Authors: Malzahn Melanie 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe two extinct languages Tocharian A and Tocharian B comprise a small text corpus that consists almost exclusively of fragments. Nevertheless, the corpus shows linguistic variation. This paper will argue that there are three reasons for genuine linguistic variation in the Tocharian corpus: diachronic variation, dialectal variation and sociolectal variation. Accordingly, it is not only possible to apply sociolinguistic methods to a fragmentary corpus, but it is even essential. Furthermore, the Tocharian material confirms patterns of sound change known from other sources and can therefore offer insights for the principles of language change.