bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adopting Primary Plastic Trickling Filters as a Solution for Enhanced Nitrification
Authors: Wilson Simon P. , Ouki Sabeha K. , Saroj Devendra P. , Pearce Pete A. , Bancroft Louise , Germain Eve 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT: The wastewater industry is under pressure to optimize performance of sewage treatment works (STW), while simultaneously reducing energy consumption. Using a process configuration selection matrix, this paper explores the practicability of placing a hypothetical cross flow structured plastic media (CFSP) trickling filter (TF) immediately ahead of an existing conventional trickling filter process (CTFP), without intermediate clarification. The viability of this configuration is subsequently demonstrated using an empirical multi‐species TF model. This predicts the enhanced nitrification performance of the CTFP by simulating prior removals of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The model predictions propose that prior 50–80% BOD removals can allow for further reductions in effluent ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4‐N) concentrations of 40–70%, respectively. This illustrates that adopting low energy TF technologies can eliminate the requirement for more energy intensive alternatives, such as submerged aerated filters (SAF). Moreover, this configuration maximizes the potential of existing assets, while simultaneously improving nitrification robustness when compared with tertiary nitrification processes.
The Association between Sustainability Governance Characteristics and the Assurance of Corporate Sustainability Reports
Authors: Peters Gary F. , Romi Andrea M. 
Published: July 2014

SUMMARY
This study provides evidence on whether sustainability-oriented corporate governance mechanisms impact the voluntary assurance of corporate sustainability reports. Specifically, we consider the presence and characteristics of environmental committees on the Board of Directors and a Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO) among the management team. When examining assurance services, we make a distinction between those services performed by professional accountants, consultants, and internal auditors. We find that the presence of a CSO is positively associated with corporate sustainability report assurance services, and this association increases when the CSO has sustainability expertise. Supporting the position that some firms establish sustainability-related governance merely to conform to socially desired behavior, we find that only those environmental committees containing directors with related expertise influence the likelihood of adopting sustainability assurance. Presently, environmental committees with greater expertise appear to prefer the higher-quality assurance services of professional accounting firms. Expert CSOs, on the other hand, prefer assurance services from their peers with sustainability expertise, as evidenced by their choice to employ consultants. When analyzing firms' environmental contextual characteristics, we find that firms employing a CSO and exhibiting poor environmental performance, relative to other firms in their industry, prefer to report sustainability results without assurance. While we do find that larger firms in the U.S. are significantly less likely to employ assurance, this result decreases over time. Further, we provide initial evidence that the value-relevance of sustainability assurance is increasing with time.
Communication Apprehension of South African Accounting Students: The Effect of Culture and Language
Authors: Coetzee Stephen A. , Schmulian Astrid , Kotze Lizette 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT
Developing communication skills is an objective of many accounting education programs. Students' communication apprehension may hamper this. This study explores South African accounting students' communication apprehension and the association thereof with culture and home and instruction language. Data were collected using the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA-24) and Written Communication Apprehension (WCA) self-report questionnaires. South Africa provides an example of the salience of race, given past racial segregation. Culture is, however, more complex than physical appearance. Significant differences were identified in communication apprehension between students from previously disadvantaged African communities attending poorly resourced schools, and African and White students attending well-resourced, Westernized schools. Further, this study suggests that students who receive instruction in the business language in which they are to function as graduates exhibit less communication apprehension in that language, regardless of their home language. While this study considers South African students, the results may be of interest in other multicultural or multilingual environments, particularly where socio-economic differences pervade. The adoption of pedagogy to remedy the communication apprehension of a student may aggravate the apprehension of another. To limit such unintended consequence, instructors need to look beyond appearance in anticipating a student's predisposition to communication apprehension.
Bluffing computer? Computer strategies to the Perudo game
Authors: Boros Norbert , Kallós Gábor 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
In this paper we present the elaborated computer strategies which we developed to a less-known dice game, Perudo. Moreover, the related analysis is presented, with the results of our machine players against human players. The main contribution of our paper is a strategy which involves bluffing. An important goal of this work is the remembrance to John v. Neumann; with our means we pay a tribute to the activity of the ”founding father”; on the occasion of his 110th birthday.
A computational model of outguessing in two-player non-cooperative games
Authors: Balogh Tamás László , Kormos János 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Several behavioral game theory models aim at explaining why “smarter“ people win more frequently in simultaneous zero-sum games, a phanomenon, which is not explained by the Nash equilibrium concept. We use a computational model and a numerical simulation based on Markov chains to describe player behavior and predict payoffs.
Coloring the nodes of a directed graph
Authors: Szabó Sándor , Zaválnij Bogdán 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
It is an empirical fact that coloring the nodes of a graph can be used to speed up clique search algorithms. In directed graphs transitive subtournaments can play the role of cliques. In order to speed up algorithms to locate large transitive tournaments we propose a scheme for coloring the nodes of a directed graph. The main result of the paper is that in practically interesting situations determining the optimal number of colors in the proposed coloring is an NP-hard problem. A possible conclusion to draw from this result is that for practical transitive tournament search algorithms we have to develop approximate greedy coloring algorithms.
On vertex independence number of uniform hypergraphs
Authors: Chishti Tariq A. , Zhou Guofei , Pirzada Shariefuddin , Iványi Antal 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Let H be an r-uniform hypergraph with r ≥ 2 and let α(H) be its vertex independence number. In the paper bounds of α(H) are given for different uniform hypergraphs: if H has no isolated vertex, then in terms of the degrees, and for triangle-free linear H in terms of the order and average degree.
Seasonal Differences in Growth, Photosynthetic Pigments and Gas Exchange Properties in Two Greenhouse Grown Maize (Zea Mays L.) Cultivars
Authors: Hussain Iqbal , Wahid Abdul , Rasheed Rizwan , Muhammad Akram Hafiz 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
The greenhouse (GH) effect has emerged as a major factor in changing cropping patterns and limiting crop yields. This study was conducted to determine the comparative growth and photosynthetic responses of selected heat-resistant (cv. Sadaf) and heat-susceptible (cv. Agatti-2002) cultivars of maize to simulated GH conditions during spring and autumn seasons at seedling, silking and grain filling stages in 2007. Fifteen day old plants were shifted to plexiglass-fitted canopies to create GH conditions and data were recorded at each growth stage. The results revealed that the seasons, GH conditions and cultivars had large effects on plant growth and photosynthetic attributes. Simulated GH conditions increased the canopy temperature 4-7 °C in spring and 3-5 °C in autumn, but increased relative humidity by 2-3% in spring and 5-9% in autumn season. Although GH reduced the growth of both cultivars, shoot dry mass was reduced more in spring grown heat-susceptible maize at all growth stages. Although the cultivars showed a decrease in growth and photosynthesis, GH conditions resulted in less damage to cv. Sadaf than cv. Agatti-2002 in both seasons. Major indicators of sensitivity to GH effect were loss of chlorophyll b and carotenoids, reductions in net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance, and possibly reduced ability of Rubisco to fix CO2 in sensitive maize.
Plant Diversity and Chemical Soil Composition of Rocky Pastures in Relation to the Sheep Grazing Intensity on the Northern Adriatic Islands (Croatia)
Authors: Ljubičić Ivica , Britvec Mihaela , D. Jelaska Sven , Husnjak Stjepan 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Optimal grazing pressure on rocky pastures is beneficial to the development of plant species and maintenance of plant diversity. Both abandonment of grazing and overgrazing gradually reduce plant diversity. This paper correlated abundance patterns of the flora on rocky pastures with the values of the chemical composition of the soil resulting from the degree of sheep grazing intensity. The study was carried out in the period from 2008 to 2010 on the islands of Pag, Krk and Cres. At 30 sites, 310 taxa of vascular plants were found. The highest plant diversity and 220 plant taxa were found on moderately grazed pastures. Abandoned pastures with a total of 93 plant taxa observed show the dominance of phanerophytes (35.5%) and the highest proportion of the Mediterranean floral element when compared to pastures of moderate and heavy grazing intensity. The highest concentration of total nitrogen in the soil (0.71%) was recorded on plots of heavy grazing intensity. The results of the study indicate that moderate grazing intensity, from 1 to 1.5 sheep ha−1, can be recommended on the northern Adriatic islands. This should contribute not only to the preservation of plant diversity, but also to the improvement of ecological sheep farming.
Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Fibigia Triquetra (DC.) Boiss. to Osmotic Stress
Authors: Vujčić Valerija , Radić Brkanac Sandra 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Water deficit in the soil leads to osmotic stress in plants. The type of stress affects plant water relations, osmolyte accumulation and oxidative stress balance. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of osmotic stress on the Croatian perennial species Fibigia triquetra (DC.) Boiss, adapted to a hot and dry habitat. Plants grown in culture conditions were subjected to isoosmotic concentrations of mannitol and polyethylene glycol (PEG) and certain physiological and oxidative stress parameters were analyzed during a period of 14 days. Dry weight and proline content in Fibigia triquetra shoots increased in response to osmotic stress while the relative water content decreased. After an initial rise, chlorophyll and carotenoid levels in treated plants dropped to untreated plant levels. Oxidative damage to proteins and especially to lipids was evident upon PEG-induced osmotic stress. Superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase appear to play an essential protective role in stressed plants. Regardless of the osmotic agent, accumulation of heat-shock proteins of 70 kDa was noticed under osmotic stress. The tolerance of the plant species to osmotic stress seems to be associated with increased capacity of the antioxidative system and efficient photoprotective system.
lmpact of aluminium sulphate fertiliser on selected soil properties and the efficiency and quality of pine seedlings in the forest ground tree nursery
Authors: Januszek Kazimierz , Stępniewska Hanna , Błońska Ewa , Molicka Joanna , Kozieł Krzysztof , Gdula Anna , Wójs Anna 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
The alkalisation of soil is a common phenomenon in forest ground nurseries. Liming, inadequate fertilisation and the use of hard water for irrigation are the main reasons for this alkalisation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fertilisation with aluminium sulphate on soil pH, the activity of selected soil enzymes, efficiency as well as the growth parameters of pine seedlings.
The study was conducted in a forest nursery, on a plot with soil pH 6.4 in water and 5.9 in 1M KCl. Such a pH is not conducive to the production of conifer seedlings, particularly pines. Two different doses of aluminium sulphate fertiliser were applied: 740 kg ha-1 and 1110 kg ha-1.
Both doses significantly reduced the soil pH, whereas soil enzyme activity did not change. The lower dose had a positive impact on the growth parameters of pine seedlings, while the higher dose led to their deterioration. We observed statistically significant differences in average primary and lateral root lengths, number of short roots, and thickness of the neck root of seedlings. One- and 2-year-old seedlings did not show symptoms of nutrient deficiency and neither did concentrations of the investigated macronutrients and selected micronutrients in needles indicate such. After applying the higher fertiliser dose, we observed a favourable change in the composition of mycorrhizae. Out of the potential seedling pathogens we found Cylindrocarpon spp., Fusarium spp.,Phytophthora spp., Pythium spp. and Rhizoctonia solani of which the most frequent were Fusarium oxysporom, Pythium spp. and R. solani. Their occurrence frequency differed between the treatments used in this experiment.
This study confirms the positive effects of a low aluminium dose on the performance and growth parameters of pine seedlings. However, on the basis of the conducted experiments, it is difficult to say, whether this positive effect is due to a direct action of aluminium on the seedlings or rather an indirect effect caused by lowering the soil pH, which in tum impacts on mycorrhizae composition and hence pathogen development.
Do natural processes at the juvenile stage of stand development differentiate the spatial structure of trees in artificially established forest stands?
Authors: Szmyt Janusz , Korzeniewicz Robert 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Structural diversity is one of the most interesting phenomena that have been studied by forest ecologists and practitioners. Amongst the different characteristics of forest structure, spatial diversity of trees and their attributes seem to be very important The more spatially structured a population is, the higher its diversity in terms of size and species richness. Because most forests in Europe are managed and were artificially established, they are subjected to conversion processes turning them into more complex systems. The approach presented here aims at elucidating whether natural processes, such as self-thinning, can cause the self-differentiation of spatial structure in artificially planted stands.
Our analyses focused on untended Scots pine and pedunculate oak stands in the juvenile phase of development and were based on spatially explicit structural indices for positioning and size differentiation (diameter, total height and crown length). The obtained results indicate that live trees were dispersed more or less regularly. Unlike the anglebased index, which mostly indicated randomness in tree location, a distance-based index showed clear regularity. We also found that the distribution of tree attributes auto-correlates to tree location as indicated by significantly tower index values compared to values resulting from random reassignment of the examined attributes. This low degree of spatial differentiation is further confirmed by the distribution of indices in differentiation classes. Our results allow us to conclude that, in the case of light demanding species (pine and oak.), natural processes do not increase spatial diversity of the stand, although, both species showed a certain degree of deviation in this respect.
1 Corinthians 14:26-40 in the Theological Rhetoric of the Admonition Controversy
Authors: Graves Daniel F. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT
This paper discusses competing notions of the concept of ‘order’ in the Admonition Controversy with respect to the interpretation of the decorum of 1 Corinthians 14:26-30, a text principally concerned with order in worship. As the controversy ensued the understanding of ‘order’ broadened to include church discipline and polity, both Puritan and Conformist alike constructed their polemic with a rhetorical appeal to the Pauline text in question-interpretations at odds with each other. Furthermore, both sides understood their interpretation as standing faithfully in the tradition of Calvin. This paper follows the appeals to 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 by Advanced Protestants and Conformists from its use in the treatise ‘Of Ceremonies’ found in the Book of Common Prayer, through the Admonition to the Parliament, the responses of John Whitgift and Thomas Cartwright, and finally Richard Hooker’s Preface to the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie.
Late Holocene Changes in Vegetation of the Mrągowo Lakeland (Ne Poland) as Registered in the Pollen Record From Lake Salęt
Authors: Szal Marta , Kupryjanowicz Mirosława , Wyczółkowski Mariusz 
Published: July 2014

AbstractPollen analysis of sediments from the upper part of bottom deposits from Lake Salęt allowed reconstruction of main stages of the Late Holocene vegetation transformation in the Mrągowo Lake District (from ca. 3600 cal. years BC) and to correlate some of these changes with immigration and economic activity of local human groups. Significant spreading of secondary semi-natural birch forest, development of horn beam forest and increasing importance of anthropogenic open communities were the most characteristic features of vegetation evolution. A definite break down of elm took place between 2900 and 2500 cal. years BC, slightly after increased contribution of birch in wood lands. Disappearance of hazel around 1200 cal. years BC, accompanied by expansion of horn beam has been observed and should be linked with activity of the Ząbie-Szestno type culture and the Lusatian culture tribes during the Bronze Age, but not with a climate change. Considerable intensification of settlement processes recorded in the younger part of the Subatlantic chronozone was one of the important reasons that were responsible for quick changes in forest structure. Strong and continued deforestation started as early as the end of the 10thcentury AD and was substantially intensified in the first half of the 13thcentury.
The potential effects of percolating snowmelt on palynological records from firn and glacier ice
Authors: Ewing Michael E. , Reese Carl A. , Nolan Matthew A. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThe effects of meltwater percolation on pollen in snow, firn and glacial ice are not fully understood and currently hamper the use of pollen in ice-core studies of paleoclimate. Several studies have suggested that, due to grain size, pollen is not mobilized by meltwater transport. However, these findings contradict many ice-core pollen studies that show pollen concentrations in snow and firn are much higher than concentrations found in the ice layers they eventually form. This study addresses one aspect of this question by investigating whether meltwater percolation can effectively transport pollen within a snowpack. We used nine Styrofoam coolers filled by natural snow accumulation. The coolers were tested in three groups of three replicates each to simulate different glacier snowpack conditions, and spiked at the surface with a known amount of Lycopodium marker spores. The snow was melted to two-thirds the original volume, sampled stratigraphically and tested for spore concentrations. Meltwater effluent was also collected and examined. Results show substantial vertical and horizontal spore transport during the experiment. Peak spore concentrations were found in the bottommost snow layer or in the meltwater effluent in eight of nine coolers, indicating that the majority of surface spores were transported through the snowpack via meltwater percolation and/or runoff.
Reliability of Clinical Symptoms in Diagnosing Temporomandibular Joint Arthritis in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Koos Bernd , Twilt Marinka , Kyank Ullrike , Fischer-Brandies Helge , Gassling Volker , Tzaribachev Nikolay 
Published: July 2014

Objective.Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis, commonly considered oligoarthritic/asymptomatic, occurs frequently in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (Gd-MRI) has proved to be a sensitive diagnostic tool in this context. We compared the reliability of clinical examinations to Gd-MRI results in diagnosing the condition.Methods.Patients with JIA (134 consecutive) underwent routine clinical and Gd-MRI examinations. The clinical items examined were clicking, tenderness (TMJ/adjacent muscles), and mouth-opening capacity. Blinded MRI reading focused on inflammation (synovitis/hypertrophy). After statistical power analysis, the clinical findings for 134 healthy controls were included. Contingency analysis was used to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and frequency of clinical symptoms (JIA/healthy controls); Cohen’s κ was used to establish the interrater reliability.Results.Statistically significant differences were observed between JIA and healthy control groups with regard to the concise screening items (power analysis > 0.95), whereas no differences in mouth-opening capacity were noted. In 80% of the patients with JIA, Gd-MRI revealed signs of TMJ arthritis, with positive correlations between concise screening items and Gd-MRI results. The average specificity was 0.81, but the sensitivity was low, at 0.42. Combining items led to a marked increase in the sensitivity (0.73). There was a high rate of both false-negative and false-positive results (corresponding to clinical underdiagnosis or overdiagnosis of TMJ arthritis).Conclusion.Despite a relatively high specificity, clinical examination alone does not seem sufficiently sensitive to adequately detect TMJ arthritis. Thus, a relatively high number of cases will be missed or overdiagnosed, potentially leading to undertreatment or overtreatment. Gd-MRI may support correct diagnosis, thereby helping to prevent undertreatment or overtreatment.
Patient Navigation in Oncology Nursing: An Innovative Blended Learning Model
Authors: Crawford Joanne , Brudnoy Liat , Soong Tracy , Graham Thomas 
Published: July 2014

Nurses are ideally suited to assume professional patient navigation roles in cancer care. Continuing education and staff development are essential for nurses to implement their roles to the fullest potential. This article describes an innovative patient navigation course that was developed to meet the educational needs of nurses who work with patients who have been diagnosed with cancer or are undergoing evaluation for cancer. Adult learning principles and interactive teaching strategies facilitated learning that was relevant and applicable to all nurses. Of the 200 participants, 77.5% completed questionnaires before and after the course. The questionnaire administered after the course showed a statistically significant increase in average total confidence scores on knowledge and skills in the seven domains examined (p< .00 to .03). This change reflected improvements in overall confidence in key principles and role functions of patient navigation. The course provided an opportunity for nurses to enhance their individual practice in patient navigation in the following areas: meeting patient needs for emotional and supportive care; providing information and education; and facilitating coordination and continuity of care.J Contin Educ Nurs2013;44(10):461–469.