bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Could k-NN Classifier be Useful in Tree Leaves Recognition?
Authors: Horaisová Kateřina , Kukal Jaromir 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
This paper presents a method for affine invariant recognition of two-dimensional binary objects based on 2D Fourier power spectrum. Such function is translation invariant and their moments of second order enable construction of affine invariant spectrum except of the rotation effect. Harmonic analysis of samples on circular paths generates Fourier coefficients whose absolute values are affine invariant descriptors. Affine invariancy is approximately saved also for large digital binary images as demonstrated in the experimental part. The proposed method is tested on artificial data set first and consequently on a large set of 2D binary digital images of tree leaves. High dimensionality of feature vectors is reduced via the kernel PCA technique with Gaussian kernel and the k-NN classifier is used for image classification. The results are summarized as k-NN classifier sensitivity after dimensionality reduction. The resulting descriptors after dimensionality reduction are able to distinguish real contours of tree leaves with acceptable classification error. The general methodology is directly applicable to any set of large binary images. All calculations were performed in the MATLAB environment
Query-condition-aware V-optimal histogram in range query selectivity estimation
Authors: Augustyn D.R. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Obtaining the optimal query execution plan requires a selectivity estimation. The selectivity value allows to predict the size of a query result. This lets choose the best method of query execution. There are many selectivity obtaining methods that are based on different types of estimators of attribute values distribution (commonly they are based on histograms). The adaptive method, proposed in this paper, uses either attribute values distribution or range query condition boundaries one. The new type of histogram - the Query-Conditional-Aware V-optimal one (QCA-V-optimal) - is proposed as a non-parametric estimator of a probability density function of attribute values distribution. This histogram also takes into account information about already processed queries. This information is represented by the 1-dimensional Query Condition Distribution histogram (HQCD) which is an estimator of the include function PI which is also introduced in this paper. PI describes so-called regions of user interest, i.e. it shows how often regions of attribute values domain were used by processed queries. Advantages of the proposed method based on QCA-V-optimal are presented. Conducted experiments reveal small values of a mean relative selectivity estimation error comparing to the error values obtained by methods based on the relevant classical V-optimal histogram and Equi-height one.
Embedded control system development for the solution of self-adjusted regulator design problem and its robustness properties estimation
Authors: Zamyatin S.V. , Kurgankin V.V. , Rudnicki V.A. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The possibility of the embedded automatic-control system construction for a self-adjusted regulator design on the basis of dynamic compensation principle is observed. The description of mathematical and algorithmic apparatus of Control Object identification in a digital form resulted in a design of the regulator. Results of natural experiments are given. An analysis of the regulator robustness properties is carried out.
Selected aspects of Modular Multilevel Converter operation
Authors: Zygmanowski M. , Grzesik B. , Fulczyk M. , Nalepa R. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The operation of the Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) is the main subject of this paper. Selected operation aspects are discussed on the basis of the averaged model, with a special focus on power section parameters and control. The direct modulation method has been chosen for the control of the MMC.
Evaluation of the usefulness of laboratory diagnostic methods in RHD outbreak
Authors: Fitzner Andrzej 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The field outbreak of RHD that occurred late summer 2012 on a small-scale rabbit-rearing operation in Poland and the usefulness of techniques for RHD virus diagnosis are described. During the epizootic, the overall mortality rate of rabbits older than two months was 77%. Eight liver specimens collected from dead unvaccinated rabbits (aged 3-5 months) underwent virological examinations. RHDV specific antigen was detected in two out of eight liver homogenates by haemagglutination (HA) test and ELISA, one of the two being negative in HA assay. However the presence of genetic material of RHD virus was confirmed by RT-PCR and real-time RT-PCR in all liver samples tested. Based on antigen reactivity in ELISA and sequencing of PCR amplicons of the VP60 gene, the RHDVa subtype strain was identified as the cause of infection. The partial genome sequence of a field isolate (STR 2012), comprising the C-terminus of the polymerase gene and the full capsid protein gene, revealed 91% nucleotide homology to reference FRG89 RHDV isolate and 97% to strain Triptis representing the RHDVa variant. Serological evidence of an RHD outbreak in the STR rabbit-rearing operation was confirmed in a serum sample collected from an unvaccinated surviving rabbit. A cross-reactivity examination of RHDV positive serum revealed a decrease in HI titre against the STR 2012 field antigen, and a decrease in the RHDVa control antigen as compared to classic RHDV.
Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of antibiotic resistance of commensal Escherichia coli isolates from healthy pigs
Authors: Mazurek Justyna , Bok Ewa , Pusz Paweł , Stosik Michał , Baldy-Chudzik Katarzyna 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The objective of the study was to examine the characteristics of the resistance profiles of Escherichia coli isolated from healthy pigs from three farms in Western Poland. The sensitivity to 13 antimicrobial agents was tested by a disk diffusion method, and the presence of 13 resistance genes was determined by PCR. The majority of the isolates were multi-resistant. The most common multi-resistance patterns were streptomycin, trimethoprim, sulfisoxazole, ampicillin, tetracycline. Although some resistance genes, such as strA/strB, blaTEM, sul1, sul2, and tetA, were equally represented in isolates from each farm, differences in the distribution of tetB and tetC, hfrV, dhfrXII, and sul1 resistance genes were observed among the isolates from different farms. Approximately one-third (35.9%) of the isolates possessed a class 1 integron. The four major different variable regions of the class 1 integron contained streptomycin (aadA1, aadA2, and aadA5) and/or trimethoprim (dhfrI, dhfrV and dhfrXVII), and/or sulphonamides (sul1) resistance genes. The results of this study emphasise that uncontrolled use of antibiotics causes the development of resistance and provides the evidence of frequent occurrence of more than one gene encoding the resistance to the same antimicrobial agent in the multi-resistant strains.
Cytological evaluation of inflammation of the uterus and influence of endometritis on selected reproductive parameters in dairy cows
Authors: Brodzki Piotr , Niemczuk Krzysztof , Kostro Krzysztof , Brodzki Adam , Kurek Łukasz , Marczuk Jan 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
There were two aims of this study. One was to evaluate the postpartum state of the reproductive system in cows based on ultrasonography, bacterial culture, and cytological examination of the uterus. The other was to determine whether postpartum endometritis affects the subsequent state of the endometrium, and, in consequence, selected reproductive parameters in cows. The study was conducted on 60 cows: the experimental group of 30 cows with endometritis, and 30 cows free of uterine inflammation (control). The percentage of leukocytes in both groups was similar only on day 5 of postpartum. In all subsequent tests (26, 40, 61 d postpartum), the percentage of leukocytes in the experimental group was statistically significantly higher than in the control (P < 0.001), both in samples collected with a brush and in lavage samples. Involution of the uterus in the experimental group was also slower (P < 0.001). The analysed reproductive parameters were markedly less favourable in the experimental group than in the control. The study showed that postpartum inflammation of the uterus can persist for a long time in the form of endometritis, causing substantial deterioration of reproductive parameters in cows. The authors suggest that cytological evaluation of the uterus, preferably using a brush, should be performed as soon as possible after parturition, even before day 21, up to which time puerperal metritis may still persist. Evaluation of the inflammatory process based on the number of leukocytes and the quality of endometrial cells is important.
Vascular endothelial growth factor in prognosis of splenic malignant tumours in dogs
Authors: Sobczyńska-Rak Aleksandra , Polkowska Izabela , Brodzki Adam 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the levels of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the serum of dogs suffering from splenic malignant tumours, prior to splenectomy, as well as three and six months after the surgery. Tumours and blood samples were collected from 10 dogs of various breeds, aged between 7 and 13 years, and from 10 control animals. Tumour sections were fixed in 10% buffered formalin for 24 h. The type of tumour was determined according to the WHO classification. Blood samples were centrifuged and the obtained sera were subjected to immunoenzymatic assays to determine the VEGF levels. The median of VEGF levels in the serum of dogs suffering from splenic malignant tumours was 37.85 pg/mL (15.40-107.18 pg/mL). The highest values were observed in dogs with confirmed metastases (107.18 pg/mL and 65.43 pg/mL). The VEGF values in control group were between 0.1 pg/mL and 13.04 pg/mL. A comparative analysis of the VEGF levels against the animals' survival time indicated that VEGF overexpression may serve as a prognostic factor in cases of malignant tumours of the spleen.
Usefulness of measuring the concentration of thyroglobulin antibodies in serum of dogs for the assessment of thyroid functioning
Authors: Popiel Jarosław , Cekiera Agnieszka 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The aim of the study was to estimate the usefulness of measuring the thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAbs) concentration in dogs’ serum in order to assess thyroid functioning. The study was performed on 383 dogs. The animals were divided into two groups: group A (n = 308) consisted of dogs with hypothyroidism and group B (n = 75) consisted of dogs with euthyreosis. TgAbs was determined in both groups. The reaction to the TgAbs in group A was strongly positive in 32% of dogs, weakly positive in 33% of dogs, and negative in 35% of dogs. The TgAbs were observed in 32% of the dogs from group B, in which 8% of the animals had strongly positive reaction (++) and 24% - slightly positive (+). The correlation between the concentration of total and free fraction of the thyroxin and the level of the TgAbs were observed in group A. The tendency to positive reaction to the antibodies (++) in dogs with lower concentrations of total thyroxine and free thyroxine was observed. It was noted that the presence of the TgAbs was common in dogs with hypothyroidism. However, it could be also found in the animals with euthyreosis.
Predictive Control of a Laboratory Time Delay Process Experiment
Authors: Enev S. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The paper presents the design and implementation of a Model Predictive Control (MPC) scheme of a laboratory heatexchange process with a significant time delay in the input-output path. The optimization problem formulation is given and an MPC control algorithm is designed, achieving integral properties. Details, related to the practical implementation of the control law are discussed and the first experimental results are presented.
Temperamental Determinants of Social Competencies
Authors: Martowska Katarzyna 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The research concerned the determinants of social competencies, which are significant indicators of the quality of interpersonal relations. The aim of the study was to verify the connection between social competencies and temperamental traits. The respondent group included 220 university students of different faculties aged 19-24. Social competencies were measured with the use of a Social Competencies Questionnaire (SCQ) by Anna Matczak, while temperamental traits were measured with The Formal Characteristics of Behaviour-Temperament Inventory (FCB-TI), by Bogdan Zawadzki and Jan Strelau. The research proved that activity, emotional reactivity and sensory sensitivity are significant predictors of social competencies. The predictive value of these traits differs depending on the kind of measured competency.
Does self-improvement explain well-being in life and at workplace? Analysis based on selected measures of well-being
Authors: Zawadzka Anna Maria , Szabowska-Walaszczyk Anna 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Two studies were performed to test the relationship between readiness for self-improvement (consisting of two components: readiness to improve oneself and readiness to take care of one’s health) and selected measures of well-being. The first study investigated whether readiness for self-improvement is related to the selected measures of overall subjective well-being (or life satisfaction). The second one investigated in what way readiness for self-improvement is related to subjective well-being at workplace (or work engagement). The results obtained in both cases showed that readiness for self-improvement is indeed related to and does account for well-being. In the first study, readiness for self-improvement (i.e. readiness to improve oneself) accounted for overall life satisfaction within important human life domains and satisfaction with the present and future life. In the second study, work engagement, was significantly linked to readiness to improve oneself but was not with readiness to take care of one’s health.
Secular score gains on Raven’s Progressive Matrices in a population of Polish adolescents
Authors: Witkowska Ewa 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The paper presents findings on secular score gains in Raven’s Progressive Matrices during six decades (1948- 2009) in Polish adolescents. Seven groups are being compared, comprising of 20, 490 subjects in total. The representative groups examined in 2000 (N=1,331) and 2009 (N=3,650) are those of special interest as they are the most numerous and allowing formal means comparison using standard test for comparison of means and Welch’s test. Possible causes for the noted effect are being discussed, with special emphasis on the economic growth and its implications - such as improved nutrition, education changes, growth of adolescent’s well-being and child upbringing practices.
Subjective well-being as a mediator for curiosity and depression
Authors: Kaczmarek Łukasz D. , Bączkowski Błażej , Enko Jolanta , Baran Barbara , Theuns Peter 
Published: June 2014

AbstractCuriosity is a personality trait that is inversely related to depression and positively related to subjective wellbeing. However, the relationship between curiosity and these two outcomes is still unclear which hampers our general understanding of well-being. Based on research within positive psychology that showed character strengths such as curiosity can indirectly decrease depression, we hypothesized that the inverse relationship between curiosity and depression would be mediated by subjective well-being. Two hundred and fifty seven participants, between 18 and 64 years old (M = 24.50, SD = 8.33) completed a web-based survey comprising: The Curiosity and Exploration Inventory - II, Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression and the Steen Happiness Index. We found that well-being mediated the relationship between curiosity and depression. The results indicate that curious individuals tend to report higher levels of subjective well-being which, in turn, is associated with lower levels of depression. Our findings contribute to the understanding of positive results obtained from clinical samples that underwent positive psychotherapy of depression.
The Structure of Workaholism and Types of Workaholic
Authors: Malinowska Diana , Tokarz Aleksandra 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The aim of the study presented was to verify empirically a conception of workaholism as a multidimensional syndrome. The study also investigated the notion of ‘functional’ and ‘dysfunctional’ types of workaholic, on the basis of the participants’ cognitive evaluations of their quality of life. The research group comprised Polish managers who had graduated with, or were studying to attain, a Master’s degree in Business Administration. The 137 participants completed a set of questionnaires that were based on five different research tools. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the theory that workaholism has a three-dimensional structure that includes behavioural, cognitive, and affective dimensions. Using cluster analysis, three types of worker were identified, two of which represented types of workaholic with different scores for the dimensions of workaholism and for aspects of quality of life. The research demonstrated that workaholism is a three-dimensional construct. It enabled the integration of different perspectives and also confirmed that dysfunctional and functional types of workaholic exist. Furthermore, this paper provides practical insights about workaholism for practitioners of human resources that can be used in the selection and evaluation of employees.
Emotion understanding, interpersonal competencies and loneliness among students
Authors: Moroń Marcin 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
The study examines the associations of emotion understanding, interpersonal competencies, loneliness and correlated variables (perceived social support, quality of social networks). Two conceptual models of relations were tested. In the first model it was hypothesized that interpersonal competencies mediate relations between emotion understanding and loneliness, perceived social support and quality of social networks. In the second model emotion understanding was tested as a moderator of relationships between interpersonal competencies and loneliness, perceived social support and quality of social networks. Study 1 (n = 221) provided only a weak confirmation of the mediatory model, restricted to men. Study 2 (n = 206), employing different measures of emotion understanding and loneliness, confirmed weakly both the mediatory and moderatory models. In both studies a direct negative correlation between emotion understanding and loneliness was not confirmed.
Improvement of passive shielding to reduce background components to determinate radioactivity at low energy gamma rays
Authors: Thanh T. T. , Loan T. T. H. , Nhon M. V. , Tao C. V. 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
This paper describes a new system that has the ability to reduce background components to apply for environmental studies. This system uses gamma spectrometry with semi-empirical self–absorption correction and practical method for routine measurements of the mass activity radionuclides at low energy such as 210Pb (46.5 keV), 234Th (63.3 keV) and 226Ra (186.2 keV). The reliability and precision of proficiency test must pass for final scores all the analytical determinations of received “acceptable” for all radionuclides. Our work shows an experiment developed for the calculation of self-absorption correction in that case that the sample's chemical composition is unknown.
Differentiation of IL-17–Producing Effector and Regulatory Human T Cells from Lineage-Committed Naive Precursors
Authors: Mercer Frances , Khaitan Alka , Kozhaya Lina , Aberg Judith A. , Unutmaz Derya 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
A subset of human regulatory T cells (Tregs) secretes IL-17 and thus resembles Th17 effector cells. How IL-17+ Tregs differentiate from naive precursors remains unclear. In this study, we show that IL-17–producing T cells can differentiate from CCR6+ naive T cell precursors in the presence of IL-2, IL-1β, TGF-β, and IL-23. CCR6+ naive T cells are present in adult peripheral and umbilical cord blood and in both conventional T naive and FOXP3+ naive Treg subsets. IL-17+ cells derived from CCR6+ naive Tregs (referred to as IL-17+ Tregs) express FOXP3 but not HELIOS, another Treg-associated transcription factor, and these cells display suppressor capacity and a surface phenotype resembling memory Tregs. Remarkably, the IL-17+ Treg compartment was preferentially reduced relative to the canonical Th17 and Treg compartments in a subset of HIV+ subjects, suggesting a specific perturbation of this subset during the course of disease. Our findings that CCR6+ naive precursors contain a predetermined reservoir to replenish IL-17–secreting cells may have implications in balancing the Th17 and IL-17+ Treg compartments that are perturbed during HIV infection and potentially in other inflammatory diseases.
Artesunate versus Chloroquine Infection–Treatment–Vaccination Defines Stage-Specific Immune Responses Associated with Prolonged Sterile Protection against Both Pre-erythrocytic and Erythrocytic Plasmodium yoelii Infection
Authors: Peng Xiaohong , Keitany Gladys J. , Vignali Marissa , Chen Lin , Gibson Claire , Choi Kimberly , Huang Fusheng , Wang Ruobing 
Published: June 2014

Abstract
Sterile protection against malaria infection can be achieved through vaccination of mice and humans with whole Plasmodium spp. parasites. One such method, known as infection–treatment–vaccination (ITV), involves immunization with wild type sporozoites (spz) under drug coverage. In this work, we used the different effects of antimalarial drugs chloroquine (CQ) and artesunate (AS) on blood stage (BS) parasites to dissect the stage-specific immune responses in mice immunized with Plasmodium yoelii spz under either drug, as well as their ability to protect mice against challenge with spz or infected RBCs (iRBCs). Whereas CQ-ITV induced sterile protection against challenge with both spz and iRBCs, AS-ITV only induced sterile protection against spz challenge. Importantly, AS-ITV delayed the onset of BS infection, indicating that both regimens induced cross-stage immunity. Moreover, both CQ- and AS-ITV induced CD8+ T cells in the liver that eliminated malaria-infected hepatocytes in vitro, as well as Abs that recognized pre-erythrocytic parasites. Sera from both groups of mice inhibited spz invasion of hepatocytes in vitro, but only CQ-ITV induced high levels of anti-BS Abs. Finally, passive transfer of sera from CQ-ITV–treated mice delayed the onset of erythrocytic infection in the majority of mice challenged with P. yoelii iRBCs. Besides constituting the first characterization, to our knowledge, of AS-ITV as a vaccination strategy, our data show that ITV strategies that lead to subtle differences in the persistence of parasites in the blood enable the characterization of the resulting immune responses, which will contribute to future research in vaccine design and malaria interventions.