bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A comparison of two growing stock assessments by stratified sampling– how does accuracy of inventory affect our interpretation of the results
Authors: Jabłoński Marek 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Since 1967, when the Polish State Forests were first inventoried, a continuous increase in the volume of growing stock has been recorded. This increase in timber resources is mainly the result of sustainable forest management. However, during this time period inventory methods have been changed a few times and this may have affected the estimates of of wood resources.
Since 2011 new instructions have been in place for forest management plans in the Polish State Forests. Despite this, the method of taking forest inventories remained consistent with the previous guidelines. This should allow us to consider changes in the volume of growing stock in relation to inventory methods and their accuracy.
In this paper, the results of growing stock estimations based on two assessments made using stratified random sampling are compared. After five years of inventories made for forest management plans, 422 sample plots in two forest districts were measured within 15 strata. Predicted age classes structure at the beginning of successive management plans was used to determine new strata. Data from two inventories were compared on the basis of age class. In addition, data from the State Forests Information System i.e. updated stand level inventory data (on felling and tree growth) were analyzed.
Comparing data from the two inventories, in three of seven age classes there was a decrease in the volume of growing stock after a five year period. We found no rational explanation for this. The extent of felling in the analyzed stand was very low, as confirmed by data from State Forests database. However, the largest decrease in volume was 1.5%, whereas the accuracy of growing stock assessment of discussed age class was estimated at some 9% in 2006 and 8% in 2011. Hence, from statistical viewpoint there was no differences between the results of both inventories.
However, the differences between volume of growing stock of examined age classes, updated in the Information System of the State Forests and results of assessments by stratified sampling are less than 95% confidence intervals for means of samples. Because of that, updated information could be used in the long term management planning. The results clearly suggest that changes of growing stock, estimated as a difference between two assessments, should be interpreted in conjunction with the accuracy of these inventories. The accuracy of sampling should be also taken into account when creating management plans.
Determining the Relationship Between Homocysteinemia and Biomarkers of Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Functional Kidney Status in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Čabarkapa Velibor , Đerić Mirjana , Stošić Zoran , Sakač Vladimir , Davidović Sofija , Eremić Nevena 
Published: April 2013

Summary
Background: One of the leading causes of terminal renal failure is diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between homocysteine levels and the biomarkers of renal function, inflammation and oxidative stress, as well as the incidence of macrovascular complications in patients with diabetic nephropathy.
Methods: Sixty-four patients with diabetic nephropathy were included in this study. They were divided according to their homocysteine levels into two groups: hyperhomocysteinemic (HHcy, n=47) and normohomocysteinemic patients (NHCy, n=17). The re sults were compared to a control group (n=20) with normal renal function and without diabetes. Besides homocysteine, cystatine C, creatinine, urea, albuminuria, creatinine clearance, lipid status parameters, apolipoprotein A-I and B, lipo protein (a), CRP, fibrinogen, oxidative LDL were determined using appropriate methods. The incidence of macro vascular diabetic complications was also determined.
Results: The results indicate that the level of renal dysfunction is greater in HHcy than in NHcy patients (p<0.05). In HHcy patients levels of oxLDL were also higher compared to NHcy patients (119.3±140.4 vs. 71.4±50.8 ng/mL, disp< 0.05) as well as fibrinogen levels (4.3±1.3 vs. 3.7±0.8 g/L, p<0.05). The in cidence of macrovascular complications is more frequent in HHcy than in NHcy patients (55.3. vs. 35.3 %, p>0.05), and in patients with macroalbuminuria compared to patients with microalbuminuria (65% vs. 39%, p<0.05).
Conclusions: It can be concluded that HHcy is significantly present in patients with diabetic nephropathy, especially if there is greater reduction of renal function. Besides that, significantly higher concentrations of inflammatory (fibrinogen) and oxidative stress (oxLDL) markers were present in HHcy patients with diabetic nephropathy compared to NHcy patients.Therefore in diabetic nephropathy patients it is useful to regularly monitor the levels of homocysteine, as well as inflammatory and markers of oxidative stress.
Anemia and Anysocytosis in the Emergency Department: A Cross-Sectional Investigation
Authors: Lippi Giuseppe , Pipitone Silvia , Campana Valentina , Cervellin Gianfranco 
Published: April 2013

Summary
Background: Anemia is a public healthcare problem, which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Some studies assessed the frequency of anemia in pediatric emergency departments (EDs), but no such information is available in adult patients admitted to the ED.
Methods: The study population consisted of adult patients admitted to the ED of the Academic Hospital of Parma during the year 2010 with the five most frequent acute pathologies (i.e., acute myocardial infarction, AMI), renal colics, pneumonia, pancreatitis and major trauma). Hospital re - cords were extracted from informatics database according to ICD-9 code and related terms. Routine hematological testing was performed on the entire population with identical instrumentation.
Results: The study population consisted of 462 ED patients (cases; 262 renal colics, 62 pneumonia, 51 acute pancreatitis, 46 AMI and 41 major trauma) and 429 healthy blood donors (controls). The median hemoglobin value was significantly lower in all patients than in controls (137 versus 151 g/L; p<0.01), whereas the median RDW value was significantly higher (13.7 versus 13.4%; p<0.01). The frequency of anemia and anysocytosis was higher in patients than in controls (anemia: 23 versus 4%, p<0.01; anysocytosis: 25 versus 16%; p=0.03). Hemoglobin values of all subclasses of patients were significantly lower than those of the controls, while those of RDW were significantly increased in patients with AMI, pancreatitis and pneumonia.
Conclusions: We found a high prevalence of anemia and anysocytosis in a population of ED patients, whose identification may be vital for appropriate therapy and subsequent management.
MYELOPEROXIDASE AND GLUTAMATE-CYSTEINE LIGASE POLYMORPHISMS IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS: A PRELIMINARY STUDY / POLIMORFIZMI MIJELOPEROKSIDAZE I GLUTAMAT-CISTEIN LIGAZE U DIABETES MELLITUSU TIPA 2: PRELIMINARNA STUDIJA
Authors: Eksi Yunus Emre , Karaali Zeynep Ermig , Incekara Kutiuhan , Ergen H. Arzu 
Published: April 2013

Summary
Background: Oxidative stress can accompany the physio- pathology of diabetes mellitus. Myelopercecidase and gluta- mate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit are two important sub- stances which are connected with the maintaining of the redox balance in the body. In this study, the association be- tween diabetes, lipid levels, myeloperoxidase -463G/A, and the glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit -3506A/G gene polymorphisms have been investigated.
Methods: Frequencies of genotypes and alleles have been assessed using PCR-RFLP techniques in 90 type 2 diabetic patients and 70 healthy controls. Results: We found an association between myeloperoxidase -463 G/A genotype distributions (p=0.023) and allele distri- butions (p=0.009) in the study groups. In addition, there is a significant difference for each of the genotype (p=0.014) and allele (p=0.007) distributions for the glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit -3506A/G polymorphism.
Conclusions: Our study reveals the first data about the myeloperoxidase -463G/A and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit -3506A/G gene polymorphisms for type 2 diabetes and we believe that this work will play a pioneering role for further studies.
The Effect of Wheat, Barley, and Oat Root System Interactions, in Two-Species Mixtures
Authors: Kaczmarek Sylwia , Matysiak Kinga , Krawczyk Roman 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Pot experiments performed in the Institute of Plant Protection - National Research Institute were designed to determine the influence of the root systems of various spring cereal species sown in mixtures. The experiment used the Bryza variety of spring wheat, Antek variety of spring barley, and Cwał variety of oat, sown in two-species mixtures (8 + 8 plants per pot). In three of the six study objects, plastic sleeves were used at the time of sowing the seeds so as to separate the root systems of the cereal species under study. Cereals were harvested at full maturity. The height and number of stalks, the number of cereal spikes (panicles), dry root weight, dry stalk weight, the number of grains per spike (panicle), the 1,000-grain weight, and grain yield were established. The results have shown that the strongest competitor in the mixtures was barley. Barley also responded positively to the presence of both wheat and oat in the mixtures.
Susceptibility Level of the Pollen Beetle (Meligethes Aeneus F.) to Selected Pyrethroids in Poland, and Resistance Mechanisms of the Pest to Deltamethrin
Authors: Zamojska Joanna , Węgorek Paweł , Mrówczyński Marek 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Pollen beetle susceptibility level to different insecticides has been investigated in Poland for several years. So far, high resistance to many of the insecticides’ active substances has been found. The work presents the current status of the pollen beetle susceptibility level to deltamethrin and beta-cyfluthrin, pointing to the beetle’s medium, high or very high resistance to both active substances. Also, pollen beetle resistance mechanisms to deltamethrin were investigated. Research, conducted with the use of oxidases, esterases and glutathione transferases blockers, showed that all three enzymes groups are involved in the pollen beetle resistance mechanisms to deltamethrin. The main role was played by oxidases and to a lower degree: esterases and glutathione transferases, respectively.
Bayes Signification Tests in Linear Regression and Economic Applications
Authors: Ciuiu Daniel 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
In this paper we will use the statistical inference, in particular the Bayes tests for the signification of the parameters of linear regression. We will consider the cases of known variance, and unknown variance respectively. Because we replace the Student tests by the Z tests in practice if the involved number of degrees of freedom is at least 30 , we can replace the case of unknown variance with that of known variance in our paper, if the above number of degrees of freedom is at least 30 . Because in economics we generally know the signs of the involved parameters, in practice the one-sided parametric tests are used. However, in this paper we will refer also to the two-sided Bayes test.
The Influence of Coating Fabrication Processes on the Optical Efficiency of Replicated Moiré Diffraction Gratings
Authors: Ribeiro João Eduardo 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
One of the most important parameters in the study of diffraction gratings is their optical efficiency. This paper analyzes the different manufacturing processes to cover gratings of Moiré interferometry and their influence on the quality and absolute efficiency of replicated gratings on the surfaces of specimens. The Moiré interferometry is a field measurement technique that has been used in many different fields such as applied mechanics, microelectronics, biomechanics or micromechanics, hence the importance of this study. The applied reflected coating was done by sputtering and aluminium vaporization processes. In this work different materials and thickness layers were analyzed. The obtained coatings have a high degree of reflectivity on the replicated gratings.
Losses and energy efficiency of drive motors and systems
Authors: Paszota Zygmunt 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Losses and energy efficiency of every drive motor must be presented as functions of physical quantities independent of losses in the motor. Such quantities are speed and load required by the machine or device driven by the motor, changing in the drive operating field. Speed and load of the motor decide of the instantaneous useful power of the motor and also in a differentiated way of kinds and values of losses occurring in the motor. However, losses and energy efficiency of the hydrostatic drive motors and systems are evaluated by researchers and manufacturers as functions of parameters depending on the losses. The basic cause of such situation is the traditional, commonly accepted but erroneous, view of the power flow in the drive motors and systems represented by the Sankey diagram of power decrease in the direction of power flow. It is necessary to replace the Sankey diagram by the proposed diagram of increase of power in the motor and in the drive system in the direction opposite to the direction of power flow. The proposed view of losses and energy efficiency should be applied to all types of motor and drive systems. The aim of this paper is showing the resulting problems of the above postulates, exemplified by operation of a rotational displacement motor in a hydrostatic drive system. In order to make possible objective evaluation of the energy behaviour of different motor and system solutions and sizes, the losses and energy efficiency should be described and compared as dependent on the motor speed coefficient ωM and load coefficient M changing in the drive system operating field (0 ≤ ωM< ωMmax, 0 ≤ M< Mmax). The presented proposals open a new perspective of unavoidable research of drive motors and systems, making it possible to compare objectively the energy efficiency of different types of motors and drive systems.
Analysing the potential for application of the phase shift method in endoscopic examination of marine engines
Authors: Korczewski Zbigniew 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The article presents theoretical principles of image processing in digital endoscopy which makes use of a miniaturised spectral scanner “PhaseProbe” designed by General Inspection Technologies LP, the producer of the measuring videoendoscope Everest XLG3. The technology of optoelectronic 3D mapping of the examined surface, which consists in measuring the phase shift between the emitted and reflected light waves, is briefly described. The efficiency of the “PhaseProbe” based method of endoscope measurements is compared with the earlier developed methods, such as “ShadowProbe” and “LaserDots”, which were used by the author in real conditions of diagnostic investigations of engines in operation in marine power plants. The processed results of the endoscope analysis of the broken gas turbine engine rotor blades which were earlier dimensioned using the inspection probes of “StereoProbe”, “ShadowProbe” and “LaserDots” type and now are examined by the author with the aid of the phase shift method make a valuable complement and synthesis of the discussion presented in the article.
Determination of the Effects of the Pre-Outfitting and Pre-Piping Assembly Operations on Shipyard Productivity
Authors: Ozkok Murat , Helvacioglu I. Hakki 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The process improvement operations are very significant in shipbuilding industry as the other industries. In recent years, the shipyards attempt to improve their processes by examining their current production system and to reduce the cycle time of the interim product so that they can keep their competitive power. If the cycle time of the interim products is decrease, that may cause to increase the annual production capacity and market share of the shipyard. In order to do this, the shipyards have to analyse their own production system and carry out some improvements on it. In this study, the effects of carrying out the outfitting and piping assembly operations in earlier work stations were investigated by using a methodology presented here. The steps in the methodology were applied to a double bottom block of a container ship. It was shown that if the outfitting and the piping assembly operations are carried out in earlier stations instead of the block assembly station, this may increase the throughput by 33%. The results of the study were discussed in the final section.
Definitive radiotherapy for uterine cervix cancer: long term results for patients treated in the period from 1998 till 2002 at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana
Authors: Zobec Logar Helena Barbara , Segedin Barbara , Hudej Robert , Petric Primoz 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Background. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse results of the two-dimensional (2D) uterine cervix cancer treatment at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana from 1998 till 2002, before the three-dimensional (3D) approach was introduced in our clinical practice.
Methods. Ninety-eight patients with the following FIGO stage distribution were analysed: 10% IB, 7% IIA, 37% IIB, 4% IIIA and 42% IIIB. The influence of age, haemoglobin level, histology, grade, stage, lymph node status, cumulative point A dose, and an overall treatment time on the survival and local control (LC) were evaluated. Acute and late side effects were assessed.
Results. Five and 8-year overall survival (OS), disease specific survival (DSS) and LC rate were as follows: 47.2% and 43.0%, 54.7% and 53.4%, 74.9% and 72.5%, respectively. Point A dose and histology of the tumour influenced OS, positive lymph nodes DSS and point A dose LC rate. Probability of grade three and four late complications in the first five years was 7.1% for gastrointestinal tract and 3.3% for genitourinary system and vagina.
Conclusions. Point A dose was independent predictor of OS and LC rate, lymph node status predicted DSS, while histology of the tumour influenced OS.
The Evolution of Mortality and Death Causes in Type 2 Diabetes Patients from Timisoara Diabetes Centre Between 1970 And 1999
Authors: Hogea Corina Marcela , Timar Bogdan , Albai Alin , Timar Romulus , Şerban Viorel 
Published: April 2013

Abstract Background and Aims: Cardiovascular disease represents the principal cause of death in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the all cause mortality and the main causes of death in T2DM patients and their trend of evolution between 1970 and 1999. Material and methods: 3719 T2DM patients newly diagnosed between 1970-1979 in the Timisoara Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Centre were followed until 1999. The study group included 2084 women (56.0%) and 1635 men (44%), with a mean age at diagnosis of 58.2±11.5 years. Results: Throughout the analyzed period we noticed a tendency of decrease for all cause mortality, the main causes of death being cardiovascular diseases. Conclusions: The results of the study confirm the tendency of reduced mortality in T2DM patients and maintenance of cardiovascular diseases as the main cause of death in T2DM patients.
Sitagliptin and Vildagliptin Efficacy on Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism in Elderly Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Ionică Floriana Elvira , Nikolaos Rigas F. , Popescu Florica 
Published: April 2013

Abstract Background and Aims: For many patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) classic oral anti-diabetic treatment is not effective and patients don’t meet the currently recommended therapeutic goals. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of dipeptydil peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors as add-on therapy to oral antidiabetics in reducing HbA1c in elderly patients with poorly controlled T2DM. Material and methods: The study included 75 elderly patients with poorly controlled T2DM, treated with known oral antihyperglycemic agents. DPP-4 inhibitors were added to current oral treatment and patients were followed for 12 months, evaluating clinical and biological parameters at baseline and after 3 months, 6 months and 12 months of therapy. Results: After the first 3 months of treatment with DPP-4 inhibitors, fasting glucose (mg/dl) decreased from 148.27 ± 44.68 to 128.94 ± 22.71, and HbA1c (%) from 7.40 ± 1.39 to 6.93 ± 0.78. Values of these two parameters continued to decline until month 12 of follow-up, but to a lesser extent, up to mean fasting glucose (mg/dl) of 127.58 ± 20.91 and HbA1c (%) of 6.72 ± 0.52. Conclusion: Glycemic profile was significantly improved after 12 months of DPP-4 treatment, with a significant decrease of HbA1c.
Modelling Concept Prototype Competencies using a Developmental Memory Model
Authors: Baxter Paul , de Greeff Joachim , Wood Rachel , Belpaeme Tony 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe use of concepts is fundamental to human-level cognition, but there remain a number of open questions as to the structures supporting this competence. Specifically, it has been shown that humans use concept prototypes, a flexible means of representing concepts such that it can be used both for categorisation and for similarity judgements. In the context of autonomous robotic agents, the processes by which such concept functionality could be acquired would be particularly useful, enabling flexible knowledge representation and application. This paper seeks to explore this issue of autonomous concept acquisition. By applying a set of structural and operational principles, that support a wide range of cognitive competencies, within a developmental framework, the intention is to explicitly embed the development of concepts into a wider framework of cognitive processing. Comparison with a benchmark concept modelling system shows that the proposed approach can account for a number of features, namely concept-based classification, and its extension to prototype-like functionality.
Developments in Climate and Soil Water Storage in the Locality of Poiplie
Authors: Pásztorová Mária 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Climate change is one of the largest threats to the modern world. It is primarily experienced via changes and extreme weather events, including air temperature changes, the uneven distribution of precipitation and an increase in the alteration of torrential short-term precipitation and longer non-precipitation periods. However climate change is not only a change in the weather; it also has a much larger impact on an ecosystem. As a result of expected climate change, a lack of either surface water or groundwater could occur within wetlands; thus, the existence of wetlands and their flora and fauna could be threatened. This submitted work analyses the impact of climate change on the wetland ecosystems of Poiplie, which is situated in the south of Slovakia in the Ipeľ river basin. The area is an important wetland biotope with rare plant and animal species, which mainly live in open water areas, marshes, wet meadows and alluvial forests. To evaluate any climate change, the CGCM 3.1 model, two emission scenarios, the A2 emission scenario (pessimistic) and the B1 emission scenario (optimistic), were used within the regionalization. For simulating the soil water storage, which is one of the components of a soil water regime, the GLOBAL mathematical model was used.