bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of calcitonin response to experimentally induced hypercalcemia in cats
Authors: Pineda Carmen , Aguilera-Tejero Escolastico , Raya Ana I. , Guerrero Fatima , Rodriguez Mariano , Lopez Ignacio 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Objective—To characterize the dynamics of calcitonin secretion in response to experimentally induced hypercalcemia in cats.
Animals—13 healthy adult European Shorthair cats.
Procedures—For each cat, the calcitonin response to hypercalcemia (defined as an increase in ionized calcium concentration > 0.3mM) was investigated by infusing calcium chloride solution and measuring circulating calcitonin concentrations before infusion (baseline) and at various ionized calcium concentrations. Calcitonin expression in the thyroid glands of 10 of the cats was investigated by immunohistochemical analysis.
Results—Preinfusion baseline plasma calcitonin concentrations were very low in many cats, sometimes less than the limit of detection of the assay. Cats had a heterogeneous calcitonin response to hypercalcemia. Calcitonin concentrations only increased in response to hypercalcemia in 6 of 13 cats; in those cats, the increase in calcitonin concentration was quite variable. In cats that responded to hypercalcemia, calcitonin concentration increased from 1.3 ± 0.3 pg/mL at baseline ionized calcium concentration to a maximum of 21.2 ± 8.4 pg/mL at an ionized calcium concentration of 1.60mM. Cats that did not respond to hypercalcemia had a flat calcitonin-to-ionized calcium concentration curve that was not modified by changes in ionized calcium concentration. A significant strong correlation (r = 0.813) was found between the number of calcitonin-positive cells in the thyroid gland and plasma calcitonin concentrations during hypercalcemia.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Healthy cats had very low baseline plasma calcitonin concentrations. A heterogeneous increase in plasma calcitonin concentration in response to hypercalcemia, which correlated with the expression of calcitonin-producing cells in the thyroid, was identified in cats.
Effects of quaternary benzo(c)phenanthridine alkaloids on growth performance, shedding of organisms, and gastrointestinal tract integrity in pigs inoculated with multidrug-resistant Salmonella spp
Authors: Robbins Rebecca C. , Artuso-Ponte Valeria C. , Moeser Adam J. , Morrow W. E. Morgan , Spears Jerry W. , Gebreyes Wondwossen A. 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Objective—To evaluate effects of quaternary benzo(c)phenanthridine alkaloids (QBAs) against Salmonella spp and determine effects on growth performance, organism shedding, and gastrointestinal tract integrity in pigs inoculated with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.
Sample—36 Salmonella isolates and twenty 5-week-old pigs.
Procedures—Minimum inhibitory concentration of QBAs against the Salmonella isolates was determined. Pigs were allocated to 4 groups and inoculated with Salmonella organisms. Pigs received diets supplemented with 1.5 g of QBAs/1,000 kg of feed, 0.75 g of QBAs/1,000 kg of feed, or 59.4 g of chlortetracycline/1,000 kg of feed or a nonsupplemented (control) diet. Pigs were weighed on day 0 and then weekly for 40 days. Fecal samples were collected to quantify Salmonella organisms. Gastrointestinal tract integrity was evaluated by measuring transepithelial resistance.
Results—In vitro, 9 of 36 (25%) Salmonella isolates were inhibited at 90 μg of QBAs/mL; all 36 were inhibited at 179 μg of QBAs/mL. Diets containing QBAs significantly decreased Salmonella spp shedding; shedding was lower 40 days after inoculation for pigs fed diets containing QBAs or chlortetracycline than for pigs fed the control diet. Growth performance was similar for pigs fed diets containing QBA or chlortetracycline. Gastrointestinal tract integrity was improved in pigs fed the diet containing 1.5 g of QBAs/1,000 kg of feed.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—QBAs and chlortetracycline decreased Salmonella spp shedding but did not differ with regard to growth performance. Gastrointestinal tract integrity was better, albeit not significantly, in pigs fed diets containing QBAs. Further investigation into the role of QBAs and their mechanism as an immunomodulator is necessary.
Corrosion resistance of tungsten and nickel in molten eutectic mixture LiF-NaF
Authors: Ambrová Marta , Danielik Vladimír 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Corrosion resistance of tungsten and nickel in molten eutectic LiF-NaF was investigated by measurement of polarization resistance and chronopotentiometry. Results obtained by both methods were compared by digital simulation of diffusion of corrosion products. All measurements were carried out at the temperature of 680 °C in two types of atmospheres; in inert argon and oxidation air atmosphere. It was found that presence of air (oxygen) significantly decreases corrosion resistance of used metals. From tested materials, tungsten was more corrosion resistant material than nickel in both types of atmospheres. Obtained results were also compared with those measured in the molten eutectic LiF-NaF-KF earlier.
Ab initio study of the structure and energetic of pyridine dimers
Authors: Sladek Vladimir , Ilčin Michal 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Strong correlation of stabilization energies of π-stacked pyridine and fluorinated pyridine dimers with various relative orientations is presented. Four possible orientations of the monomers were considered. A SAPT decomposition of the interaction energies is presented and briefly discussed. The dominant electrostatic contribution to the stabilization energy is found in some dimers and its possible origin is addressed in the discussion. An outline of possible future studies is introduced.
Robust control of a chemical reactor with uncertainties
Authors: Vasičkaninová Anna , Bakošová Monika 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
This work deals with the design and the application of a robust control to a chemical reactor. The reactor is exothermic one. There are two parameters with only approximately known values in the reactor. These parameters are the reaction enthalpies. Because of the presence of uncertainty, the robust output feedback is designed. Two robust controllers are designed, the first one is based on the small gain theorem and the second one uses the H2/H∞ control techniques. The presented experimental results confirm applicability of mentioned approaches to safe control of nonlinear processes.
Fuel additives production: ethyl-t-butyl ether, a case study
Authors: Mikuš Vladimír , Ridzoňová Martina , Steltenpohl Pavol 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
The students frequenting the program Chemical Engineering at the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology of the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava are taught to be able to combine and develop their knowledge acquired in the area of chemical, energetic, environmental, and safety engineering. Prior to completing their study, they are obliged to develop a report regarding engineering, economic, and safety analysis of important chemical technology. This paper presents the most valuable outputs of the student’s Technology project aimed on simulation and optimization of the fuel additives production technology. 2-Ethoxy-2-methylpropane (ethyl-t-butyl ether, ETBE) production based on liquid-phase etherification of 2-methylpropene with ethanol in the presence of heterogeneous catalyst was studied. Different patented technologies were investigated in terms of their profitability and safeness. The first technology was an isothermal reactor with the product separation via distillation (Kochar & Marcell, 1981). The next ETBE production design assumed was a modification of the previous one; the product separation was carried out using liquid-phase extraction (Pucci et al., 1992). The last design considered in this study was a reactive distillation column with a pre-reactor (Bakshi et al., 1992). In all three technologies, etherification reaction was carried out using Amberlyst ion-exchange resin in its H+ form as the catalyst. Selected ETBE production designs were simulated using Aspen+ program. Their profitability was compared on basis of the investment and operation costs assessment taking into account both the produced ETBE yield and purity. Further, basic safety analysis of all chosen technologies was performed in order to identify possible hazards. Finally, individual and social risk connected with the plant operation was computed. Taking into account these economic and safety criteria, the best alternative for ETBE production was the reactive distillation.
Design of Robust PI Controller for Counter-Current Tubular Heat Exchangers
Authors: Závacká Jana , Bakošová Monika 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
The paper presents an approach for robust PI controller design for a system affected by parametric uncertainty. The method is based on plotting the stability boundary locus in the plane of controller parameters that is called (kp, ki)-plane. Designed robust PI controller is implemented for control of two counter-current tubular heat exchangers in series with uncertain parameters, in which kerosene as a product of distillation in a refinery has to be cooled by water. The controlled variable is the temperature of the outlet stream of the kerosene from the second heat exchanger and the control input is the volumetric flow rate of the inlet stream of the cold water in the second heat exchanger. Simulation results of robust PI control of heat exchangers are also presented.
Effectiveness of photodecomposition of rhodamine B and malachite green upon coupled tricomponent TiO2(Anatase-Rutile)/ZnO nanocomposite
Authors: Zhang Dongfang 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
In this study, mixed phase ZnO-TiO2 nanocomposite consisting of hexagonal ZnO and anatase/rutile TiO2 has been synthesized via sol-gel process.The physical and photochemical properties of samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), photoluminscience spectra (PL) and and photocurrent action spectra techniques. In the case of minerlization of rhodamine B (RhB) and malachite green (MG) dyes, the coupled ZnO-TiO2 nanocomposite with the suitable band structure and the lowest photoluminescence intensity showed the best photodecolorization activity. Synergistic effects between the two oxides for photocatalytic decomposition of RhB and MG are proposed to elucidate the decolorization mechanism. The lifetime of electrons and holes was prolonged in the ZnO-anatase/rutile multiple-component system, which can enhance the light harvest and the ability of generating photo-induced electron-hole pairs of active sites, and the favorable electron-transfer properties in the coupled ZnO-TiO2 nanocomposite. Therefore, the as-prepared ZnO-TiO2 nanocomposite showed an excellent efficiency towards the removal of aqueous organic dyes and it is of certain significance for environmental photocatalysis.
Regulatory Patterns of the Internet Development: Expanding the Role of Private Stakeholders through Mediatized “Self-regulation”
Authors: Solarte-Vasquez Maria Claudia 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
This article studies the Internet from an evolutionary point of view, based on historic analysis, to confirm institutional change predictions suggested by Utterback’s innovation development theory. It explores the appearance of rules and the consolidation of public and private initiatives that could enhance the capacity of the private sector to coregulate in the digital sphere, which is especially relevant to the field of electronic commerce-related transactions. This institutional review distinguishes between two distinct layers of the Internet. Also, formal and informal regulatory patterns are identified in their evolutionary stages, revealing the prevailing models: unregulated, self-regulated, co-regulated, or regulated. These conceptual associations aim to provide a framework scheme to further study specific topics in the fields of Internet governance, digital economy, and the information society. This primer should also induce interdisciplinary research, for better understanding on how rules influence digital innovation and behaviour, in practice. Implicit in this account is that most of the credit for the efficient development of these technologies, in their two layers, during their first stages, might be attributed to the availability of collective, collaborating, or independent self-regulatory capacity. The most immediate observations show a growing tendency towards over-prescriptive regulatory systems, promoted to control its use and content; incompatible with the needs and interests of the majority of stakeholders. A concluding claim is that the Internet and telecommunication technologies in general, considered as enabling mediums, would benefit from dynamic and mixed regulatory solutions, according to and depending on whether their object is their infrastructure or the surface layer of its applications.
Innovative Financial Instruments in EU Funding Schemes
Authors: Branten Eva , Purju Alari 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Innovative financial instruments, in the context of the funding schemes of the European Union, are different from funding by way of direct subsidies. These financial instruments can be divided in two large groups: instruments offering risk capital and equity capital and debt instruments. The instruments help to engage resources from the private sector in projects which might be considered too risky without the said instruments and the implementation of which would be impossible or related to significantly higher expenses for the promoter of the project. As seen from Estonia’s perspective, up until now the use and impact of innovative financial instruments have generally met the expectations. In view of the diversity of areas and target groups of the innovative financial instruments planned within the framework of European Union’s Financial Framework 2014-2020, it may be presumed that several new instruments will be successfully implemented in Estonia.
The European Union in the Estonian Public Discourse
Authors: Vaaks Katri 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Debates about the democratic legitimacy of the European Union (EU) have been prevalent amongst scholars since its beginning. Students have analysed the legitimacy of the EU in terms of various normative criteria. But how is the EU legitimated in individual Member States and more so in an economic and sovereignty crisis when loyalties are particularly tested? The current study sheds light on it, scrutinising the conceptions associated with the EU in a country case of Estonia. Discourse analysis is used as a methodological tool to analyse the political discourse in printed media. The results indicate that the legitimation of the EU is derived from its output-oriented strategies, seeing the EU largely in instrumental terms.
Inland Excess Water Projection Based on Meteorological and Pedological Monitoring Data on a Study Area Located in the Southern Part of the Great Hungarian Plain
Authors: Barta Károly 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
The research investigated the process of excess water formation. Complex measurement stations were developed in order to determine the most important hydro-meteorological and soil factors contributing to the formation of excess water. The stations measure the amount of precipitation, evapotranspiration, evaporation from water surface, soil moisture in 3 different depths; soil temperature in 5 different depths; furthermore, soil water level. The study area is located in the southeastern part of Hungary, near Szeged, in the flood plain of Tisza and Maros with extremely clayey soils. The former soil data were completed by new soil survey to determine several soil parameters (e.g. bulk density, porosity, field capacity, saturated hydraulic conductivity). Infiltration was calculated from the measured parameters and water budget elements of bigger rainfall event were analyzed between March 2010 and August 2011. Genetic types of excess water can be separated based on the data.
The Advantages of Using Sequential Stochastic Simulations when Mapping Small-Scale Heterogeneities of the Groundwater Level
Authors: Mucsi László , Geiger János , Malvic Tomislav 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
In the environmental risk assessment of oil fields, a detailed knowledge of the heterogeneity of groundwater surfaces is absolutely indispensable. Based on theoretical considerations, in order to analyse small-scale heterogeneities, we decided that the Sequential Gaussian Simulation (SGS) approach seemed to be the most appropriate one. This method gives preference to the reproduction of small-scale heterogeneities at the expense of local accuracy. To test whether this kind of heterogeneity of the groundwater level corresponds to sedimentological variability, a point bar of the River Tisza (South-Hungary) was chosen. In variograms, the longest range was derived from the large-scale sedimentological heterogeneity of the point-bar, the medium range was in accordance with the radius of the meander and its direction coincided with the depositional strike of the meander, while the shortest range corresponded to the lateral heterogeneity of the deposits where the ground water level was measured. The similarities and differences of the realizations of SGS express the uncertainty of the map representation of the ground water surface. The E-type estimates of 100 equiprobable realizations resulted in a very detailed surface. The hydraulic gradient map obtained from the E-type estimates can provide us with a better understanding of the local flow characteristics.
Comparison of Pipette and Laser Diffraction Methods in Determining the Granulometric Content of Fluvial Sediment Samples
Authors: Kun Ágnes , Katona Orsolya , Sipos György , Barta Károly 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Nowadays there is a growing demand for rapid and accurate determination of grain size distribution. The conventional pipette method is time-consuming and provides less detailed data compared to recently introduced methods. However, in Hungarian practice the pipette method is still considered to be the standard one, as there are a long series of measurements, and grain size thresholds used in sedimentology and soil sciences are based on this approach. The aim of our research was to determine the comparability of the laser diffraction method (LDM) with the conventional pipette method (PM), in order to investigate the controversial question on the interchangeability of the two methods. Based on our measurements on some representative fluvial sediment samples, we found that the largest difference in results can be expected in the silty grain size range. However if the main fractions (clay, silt, sand) are considered the methods provided similar very results, and correlation factors were above 0.92. In all, the LDM has a clear advantage because of its speed, reproducibility and fewer possibilities for operator failure.
Comparison of coagulation behaviour and floc characteristics of polyaluminium chloride (PAX 18, PAX XL19H, ALCAT) with surface water treatment
Authors: Bigaj Izabela M. , Brzozowska Renata , Łopata Michał , Wiśniewski Grzegorz , Dunalska Julita A. , Szymański Daniel , Zieliński Rafał A. 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Coagulation behaviour of polyaluminium chloride (PACl) was comparatively investigated in terms of the removal of turbidity and colour with surface water. The growth of flocs was also compared. The results show that the decrease in saturation and values of dissolved oxygen was ca. 20% for ALCAT and PAX 18 at both dosages and 15% for PAX XL 19H, respectively. The floc formation growth indicated that PACl coagulation occurred not only by charge neutralization but also by a form of sweep flocculation. Besides, flocs formed by ALCAT had better sizes than the flocs formed by PAX 18 and PAX XL19H. The rate of sedimentation was stable during coagulation with higher doses, and it was dependent on the substance used.
Boron and manganese fractions in dystrophic lake waters (Wigry National Park, NE Poland)
Authors: Cudowski Adam , Górniak Andrzej Stefan , Hryniewicka Marta 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Physicochemical studies in four dystrophic lakes (Suchar Wielki, Suchar II, Suchar IV, and Wądołek) were carried out in Wigry National Park, NE Poland. Total manganese concentrations oscillated within the range of 386.6-647.5 μg Mn dm-3, while those of soluble reactive manganese, 112.5-328.2 μg Mn dm-3. Fairly high boron contents were recorded in the studied lakes, which amounted to 0.09-2.20 mg B dm-3. The increase in dissolved reactive manganese (DRMn) and decrease in dissolved boron concentration with the lake depth were observed. Almost half (47%) of the total manganese pool was composed of dissolved reactive soluble fraction (DRMn), then dissolved organic form (DOMn, 41%), whereas the particulate fraction (PMn) made up the smallest share (12%). Microbial decomposition of lake organic matter disappears and requirements of authotrophic plankton for Mn2+ decreases when the water temperature drops, thus the fraction prevails. The following regularity was recorded in all analysed dystrophic lakes: iron concentration decreases along with the depth, hence boron content can also be observed due to precipitated borates to bottom sediments, where they are accumulated.
Plankton communities in oxbow lakes of the River Vistula (Oświęcim Basin) with bottom sediments heterogeneously contaminated with heavy metals
Authors: Gadzinowska Joanna 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
This study presents plankton communities (phytoplankton and zooplankton) in the three reservoirs of the River Vistula’s oxbow lake near Zator (Oświęcim Basin). Selected physicochemical parameters of the oxbow lake waters and the bottom sediments were analysed. Aquatic ecosystems in the investigated area have been heterogeneously contaminated with heavy metals (mostly by zinc, cadmium, lead and chromium), because of contaminated waters of the Vistula, and with manganese and iron. The highest differences were observed between Krajskie and Miejsce oxbow lakes among chlorides and the conductivity of the water and among Cr and Fe in the bottom sediments. This indicates a strong influence of the River Vistula. The plankton structure was different in each of the oxbow lakes. The index of taxa similarity showed also differences in the structure of plankton in oxbow lakes, which was convergent with the chemical parameters of oxbow lakes. The index of taxa similarity was similar for all three oxbow lakes only for one group of algae (Chlorophyta) and one group of plankton animals (Rotatoria). Lower similarity was shown between one oxbow lake impacted by the River Vistula (Krajskie) and another oxbow lake completely separated from the River Vistula (Oko).
The Soil Temperature Regime in the Urban and Suburban Landscapes of Olomouc, Czech Republic
Authors: Lehnert Michal 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
The soil temperature regime is a relevant part of comprehensive topoclimatic research. Soil temperature data series measured at selected stations of the metropolitan station system of Olomouc in 2010-2011 were analysed. The focus was on the identification of geofactors influencing the soil temperature regime in the area of interest. The possibility of soil temperature simulation using knowledge of local specifics of the soil temperature regime was verified. The results indicate that the variability of the soil temperature regime was, apart from physical and chemical properties of soil, determined predominately by the character of the relief and the occurrence of related atmospheric inversions. The impact of the urban landscape on the soil temperature regime was not demonstrated. Average daily soil temperature was simulated with satisfying results, based on a model adjusted for a period without snow cover. The results represent a basis for further research on geofactors influencing the soil temperature regime in Olomouc and its surroundings.