bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of a novel morphometric method and body fat index system for estimation of body composition in overweight and obese dogs
Authors: Witzel Angela L. , Kirk Claudia A. , Henry George A. , Toll Philip W. , Brejda John J. , Paetau-Robinson Inke 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Objective—To develop morphometric equations for prediction of body composition and create a body fat index (BFI) to estimate body fat percentage in overweight and obese dogs.
Design—Prospective evaluation study.
Animals—83 overweight or obese dogs ≥ 1 year of age.
Procedures—Body condition score (BCS) was assessed on a 5-point scale, morphometric measurements were made, and visual and palpation-based assessments and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) were performed. Equations for predicting lean body mass, fat mass, and body fat as a percentage of total body weight (ie, body fat percentage) on the basis of morphometric measurements were generated with best-fit statistical models. Visual and palpation-based descriptors were used to develop a BFI. Predicted values for body composition components were compared with DEXA-measured values.
Results—For the study population, the developed morphometric equations accounted for 98% of the variation in lean body mass and fat mass and 82% of the variation in body fat percentage. The proportion of dogs with predicted values within 10% of the DEXA values was 66 of 83 (80%) for lean body mass, 56 of 83 (68%) for fat mass, and 56 of 83 (67%) for body fat percentage. The BFI accurately predicted body fat percentage in 25 of 47 (53%) dogs, whereas the value predicted with BCS was accurate in 6 of 47 (13%) dogs.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Morphometric measurements and the BFI appeared to be more accurate than the 5-point BCS method for estimation of body fat percentage in overweight and obese dogs. Further research is needed to assess the applicability of these findings to other populations of dogs. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2014;244:1279–1284)
Photochemical toxicity of drugs intended for ocular use
Authors: Sahu Roshan Kumar , Singh Bhupendra , Saraf Shubhini A. , Kaithwas Gaurav , Kishor Kamal 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the possible ocular phototoxicity of drugs used in ophthalmic formulations. Sulphacetamide, ketoconazole, voriconazole, diclofenac, and ketorolac were assessed in the concentrations available in the market for their ocular use. The suitable models viz Hen’s Egg Test Chorioallantoic Membrane (HET-CAM) test, Isolated Chicken Eye (ICE) test, and Red Blood Cell (RBC) haemolysis test as recommended by ECVAM, ICCVAM, and OECD guidelines were performed. Results of HET-CAM and ICE tests suggest that sulphacetamide is moderately toxic in the presence of light/UV-A and very slightly irritant without irradiation. Ketoconazole and voriconazole were found slightly irritant in presence of light/UV-A and non-irritant in dark. Diclofenac and ketorolac demonstrated slight irritancy in the light and were found to be non-irritant in dark. The results suggest that some of the drugs have potential toxic effect in the presence of light. The extent of phototoxicity might get extended when used for longer time. The recommendation is that these drugs should be stored and used in the dark for a specified time and be labelled with specific instructions for patients, especially for those working longer in the sunlight.
A year-round investigation of indoor airborne fungi in Croatia
Authors: Jakšić Despot Daniela , Šegvić Klarić Maja 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
This study assessed the composition of aeromycota at a grain mill and four dwellings (two apartments and two basements) as well as in outdoor air during one year in Zagreb, Croatia. The incidence of Aspergilli from sections Flavi, Nigri, and Versicolores was also assessed. Airborne fungi were collected using an air-sampler and DG-18 agar plates. The average concentrations of airborne fungi in the grain mill ranged from 14,310 to 40,000 cfu m-3, which was above the hazardous level (104 cfu m-3), whereas the values statistically estimated using Feller’s correction were up to six times higher. Concentrations in the apartment (163-1244 cfu m-3) were lower than in outdoor air (286-2090 cfu m-3) and lower than in the basement (697-1203 cfu m-3), except in the warmer period of the year when they were similar. The most abundant species throughout the year were Cladosporium spp. (90-100 %), Penicillium spp. (40-100 %), and Alternaria spp. (10-100 %), which are common for temperate climates. Aspergilli from the Flavi (50- 100 %) and Nigri (15-40 %) sections as well as A. ochraceus (15-60 %) and Eurotium spp. (85-100 %) were the most abundant at the grain mill and were rarely found in outdoor air. In the basement, Aspergilli (Versicolores) were more abundant than in the apartment. The excess of aeromycoparticles in the grain mill throughout the year may have represented a serious health risk to mill workers. This is the first Croatian one-year study of indoor airborne fungi in a grain mill and dwellings; however monitoring should continue over a longer period
On the Curvature and Heat Flow on Hamiltonian Systems
Authors: Ohta Shin-ichi 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
We develop the differential geometric and geometric analytic studies of Hamiltonian systems. Key ingredients are the curvature operator, the weighted Laplacian, and the associated Riccati equation.We prove appropriate generalizations of the Bochner-Weitzenböck formula and Laplacian comparison theorem, and study the heat flow.
Geodesics in Asymmetric Metric Spaces
Authors: Mennucci Andrea C. G. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
In a recent paper [17] we studied asymmetric metric spaces; in this context we studied the length of paths, introduced the class of run-continuous paths; and noted that there are different definitions of “length spaces” (also known as “path-metric spaces” or “intrinsic spaces”). In this paper we continue the analysis of asymmetric metric spaces.We propose possible definitions of completeness and (local) compactness.We define the geodesics using as admissible paths the class of run-continuous paths.We define midpoints, convexity, and quasi-midpoints, but without assuming the space be intrinsic.We distinguish all along those results that need a stronger separation hypothesis. Eventually we discuss how the newly developed theory impacts the most important results, such as the existence of geodesics, and the renowned Hopf-Rinow (or Cohn-Vossen) theorem.
Monetary Policy Transmission Mechanism in Romania Over the Period 2001 to 2012: A Bvar Analysis
Authors: Spulbăr Cristi , Niţoi Mihai 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
In this study we intend to highlight the monetary transmission mechanism and how the main economic and monetary variables react to various shocks in Romania over the period 2001 to 2012 using a BVAR model with a KoKo Minnesota/Litterman prior. BVAR models solve the overparameterization of VAR and have advantages in terms of objectivity and flexibility. The analysis reveals important conclusions. The interest rate channel is being more and more consistent in the last years, the positive aspect that emerges from this study being related to the absence of output and price puzzle. Under these circumstances, the role and the responsibilities of the central bank acquire a greater importance, given its ability to control the interest rate in accordance with its objectives. The relationship between inflation and unemployment rate is consistent with the Phillips curve in Romania.
Institutional Aspects of International Competition Policy
Authors: Martos Luis Palma , Hidalgo José Luis García 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
A global economy cannot be driven in a consistent way by national competition laws. Both the liberalization of markets and the revolution in information and communication have triggered an unprecedented degree of interrelations of national economies. This leads to the internationalization of restrictive business practices. Despite of the WTO efforts and some agreements inside it related with antitrust, global markets have no competition rules. There are a number of economic arguments addressed to take real steps in order to establish a global framework for competition policy. Currently, the international system of competition policy seems gradually ill-suited for dealing with transnational restrictive business practices. The issue is now which organizational form and what degree of decentralization would be optimal for a multilevel system of international competition policy. Depending on the goals of the project, different degrees of decentralization would be more or less desirable.
Effect of Microwave Radiation on Microorganisms in Fish Meals
Authors: Bauza-Kaszewska Justyna , Skowron Krzysztof , Paluszak Zbigniew , Dobrzański Zbigniew , Śrutek Mścisław 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
This study was aimed at testing the effect of microwave radiation on survival of E. coli, Salmonella Enteritidis, Enterococcus spp. and Clostridium spores in two kinds of fish meals. The material used in the study consisted of samples of two kinds of fish meal – salmon and cod. In the experiment samples of both kinds of fish meals were inoculated with suspensions of tested bacteria and spores of Clostridum sporogenes. After inoculation the material was exposed to microwave radiation with a frequency of 2.45 ghz and microwave energy power of 0, 100, 180, 300, 450, 600 and 700 w, respectively, for 2.5 min for bacteria and 11 minutes for spores. then the reisolated microorganisms were counted and theoretical lethal doses of radiation were determined. among the studied vegetative forms of bacteria, the largest decreases in the numbers at the same radiation dose were observed in the rods of E. coli, whereas the smallest in enterococci. spores of Clostridium sporogenes showed a considerably higher resistance to the effect of that factor. the power of dose resulting in the complete inactivation of the studied bacteria should be about 430 kJ×g–1, and in the case of spores – 1 900 kJ×g–1.
New Polymorphisms in Regulatory Regions of Porcine μ-Calpain Gene and Their Association with CAPN1 Transcript Abundance
Authors: Ropka-Molik Katarzyna , Eckert Robert , Piórkowska Katarzyna 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
The activity of calpains, in particular μ-calpain, is associated with several processes occurring in muscle tissue postmortem and influences meat quality parameters. Therefore, the CAPN1 gene coding for large subunit of μ-calpain is considered as a candidate gene associated with meat quality traits. The aim of our study was to identify new polymorphisms in regulatory regions of the porcine CAPN1 gene and to estimate their impact on CAPN1 transcript abundance. In the present study, 7 polymorphisms in the porcine CAPN1 gene were identified, of which 5 were localized in introns (g.1195_1197insCCT; g.1429G>A; g. [4479A>G; 4526A>T; 4529_4530delAG]), one in 3’ untranslated region (g.25676C>T) and one microsatellite sequence in promoter region (c.-155- AGGG [3_5]). The analysed populations (a total of 451 gilts representing three pure breeds: Pietrain, P lish Landrace, Polish Large White and one conservation breed Pu.awska) were not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium according to mutation g.25676C>T in 3’ untranslated region (all breeds), g.1429G>A (Pu.awska pigs) and g. [4479A>G; 4526A>T; 4529_4530delAG] (PLW pigs). Furthermore, the analysed SNPs in the porcine CAPN1 gene were in linkage disequilibrium (P≤0.05). The CAPN1 transcript abundance was also estimated in two important muscles (m. longissimus dorsi, m. semimembranosus). In longissimus dorsi muscle, a significant effect of c.-155- AGGG [3_5] polymorphism in promoter region on CAPN1 expression levels was determined. The c.-155AGGG [3/3] pigs showed a statistically higher (P≤0.05) expression level of the CAPN1 gene when compared to c.-155AGGG [4/4] homozygotes. The results obtained suggested that detected SNPs within regulatory regions of the CAPN1 gene could be related to transcript level and activity of μ-calpain. The selected polymorphisms areproposed to be associated with meat production traits.
The Quality Evaluation of RFN and PSE Pork Longissimus Lumborum Muscle Considering Its Microstructure
Authors: Chmiel Marta , Słowiñski Mirosław , Janakowski Sławomir 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate selected quality attributes of pork longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle characterized by Rfn and PSe occurrence considering its microstructure. The material used in the research was 100 pork meat samples of normal quality (RFN – red, firm, normal, non-exudative) and 100 pork meat samples with PSe defect. The digital images of microstructure of selected meat samples were captured and some quality attributes, including ph level, drip loss, electrical conductivity (ec), water holding capacity (Whc) and ciel*a*b* parameters, were determined. Based on the findings obtained it was concluded that PSE meat (pH24h≤5.5) was characterized by higher degradation of muscle fibre structure when compared with the normal meat (RFN). The differences in the microstructure of PSE and RFN meat influenced the colour, electrical conductivity, drip loss and WHC of the meat. The PSE meat was characterized by a signifi- cantly lighter color and significantly higher electrical conductivity, along with more intense drip loss and worsened water holding capacity in comparison with Rfn meat.
The British Position towards European Integration: A Different Economic and Political Approach
Authors: Troitiño David Ramiro 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
The United Kingdom has had an important position in Europe for centuries. Often it is seen as an anti-European country, or as being anti-integration in Europe but it is just defending its own interests, which in many cases hare differed from other members of the European Communities. The UK policy towards European cooperation has been influenced by the particular interest of the country, but there has always been a strong relation between the British and Europe. Great Britain had the biggest empire in human history spread all over the globe, and hence its interest was global rather than limited to local European states. The UK was a victorious country in the Second World War, the only Western European state that participated actively in Nazi defeat. As an important consequence, British nationalism was seen as a positive force to unite all the British against an external threat. During centuries, the British economy has been based on trade, and internationally the government supported and expanded the free trade idea in the world economy to European trade relations. This paper analyzes the main issues that explain the special relations between the EU and the UK. The paper is developed from a historical point of view with a methodology’ based on the critical review of historical facts from a global perspective of the whole traditional approach of the UK towards European integration.
Embedded Systems Development Tools: A MODUS-oriented Market Overview
Authors: Loupis Michalis 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Background: The embedded systems technology has perhaps been the most dominating technology in high-tech industries, in the past decade. The industry has correctly identified the potential of this technology and has put its efforts into exploring its full potential. Objectives: The goal of the paper is to explore the versatility of the application in the embedded system development based on one FP7-SME project. Methods/Approach: Embedded applications normally demand high resilience and quality, as well as conformity to quality standards and rigid performance. As a result embedded system developers have adopted software methods that yield high quality. The qualitative approach to examining embedded systems development tools has been applied in this work. Results: This paper presents a MODUS-oriented market analysis in the domains of Formal Verification tools, HW/SW co-simulation tools, Software Performance Optimization tools and Code Generation tools. Conclusions: The versatility of applications this technology serves is amazing. With all this performance potential, the technology has carried with itself a large number of issues which the industry essentially needs to resolve to be able to harness the full potential contained. The MODUS project toolset addressed four discrete domains of the ESD Software Market, in which corresponding open tools were developed
Stackelberg Equilibrium of the Client and the Producer of Embedded Software
Authors: Vrankić Ilko , Bach Mirjana Pejić , Krpan Mira 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Background: Our research assumes that the software quality affects the product validity. This assumption also refers to embedded software. Objectives: This paper analyses the Stackelberg equilibrium in which the consumer is the leader and the producer of embedded software is the follower. Methods/Approach: A comparative statics analysis of a producer's reaction is carried out and confirms our intuition that the product price is positively correlated to the number of employees and the software quality. Results: An increase in wage has an adverse effect on producer’s reaction. Derived results are illustrated numerically and Stackelberg and cooperative equilibrium are compared. It is shown that the welfare loss is smaller with higher quality software for any number of employees. Conclusions: Although the equilibrium involves less employed workers, the optimal software quality is higher. The optimal product price is lower, which puts the consumer and the producer in a better position
Application of Simplified Neutral Point Clamped Multilevel Converter in a Small Wind Turbine
Authors: Mlodzikowski Pawel , Milczarek Adam , Malinowski Mariusz 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
In low power distributed generation systems low cost together with the energy quality requirements are a key element. It is known that quality of voltage waveforms generated from multilevel converters is better in comparison with those from two-level. Due to advancements in power electronics and microcontrollers, multilevel converters are being built with the use of integrated power modules thus this type of converters are getting more compact in size. This paper investigates performance of a derivation from the most popular multilevel topology - a neutral point clamped converter (NPC). Applying the idea for simplifying the topology by reducing the number of switches (what came from drives) this NPC converter is capable of bidirectional AC/DC/AC operation. For the AC/DC part two schemes are tested: Direct Torque Control Space Vector Modulated and Field Oriented Control but for the DC/AC part a control scheme utilizing the proportional-resonant controller was chosen. Laboratory setup was based on a permanent magnet synchronous generator with control and acquisition completed with the help of dSpace 1005 control box. Experimental verification shows that system operates properly.
Metamodels for Optimum Design of Outer-Rotor Synchronous Reluctance Motor
Authors: Lavrinovicha Ludmila , Dobriyan Roman , Onzevs Oskars 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
A new design of synchronous reluctance motor with segment-shaped outer rotor is presented and investigated in this paper. In order to obtain correct recommendations for optimal design of the studied synchronous reluctance motor, analytical relations of motor electromagnetic parameters and geometrical dimensions (also known as metamodels) have been synthesized. Electromagnetic parameters, which have been used for metamodels synthesis, are obtained by means of magnetostatic field numerical calculations with finite element method using software QuickField.
The paper includes the analysis of the studied synchronous reluctance motor geometrical parameters (stator outer diameter, height and overlap angle of rotor’s segment-shaped packages) influence on the electromagnetic torque per unit volume. Testing of synthesized metamodels shows that relative difference between the results obtained by numerical calculations and those obtained with the help of synthesized metamodels does not exceed eight percent at experimental points and intermediate points as well. The proposed optimal design of the segment-shaped outerrotor synchronous reluctance motor obtained with the help of synthesized metamodels has been compared with a salient-pole outer-rotor synchronous reluctance motor having ferromagnetic yoke with the same value of the electromagnetic torque. The comparison results of both motors show that the highest value of electromagnetic torque per unit volume can be achieved with the proposed new design of the synchronous reluctance motor with segment-shaped outer rotor.
Design Aspects and Test of an Inductive Fault Current Limiter
Authors: Arsénio Pedro , Vilhena Nuno , Murta-Pina João , Pronto Anabela , Álvarez Alfredo 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Magnetic shielding inductive fault current limiters with high temperature superconducting tapes are considered as emerging devices that provide technology for the advent of modern power grids. The development of such limiters requires magnetic iron cores and leads to several design challenges regarding the constitutive parts of the limiter, namely the primary and secondary windings. Preliminary tests in a laboratory scale prototype have been carried out considering an assembly designed for simplicity in which the optimization of the magnetic coupling between the primary and secondary was not the main focus. This work addresses the design configuration of an inductive current limiter prototype regarding the assembly of the primary and secondary windings in the core. The prototype is based on a closed magnetic core wound by a primary, built from a normal electric conductor, and a short-circuited secondary, built from first generation superconducting tape. Four different design configurations are considered. Through experimental tests, the performance of such prototype is discussed and compared, in terms of normal and fault operation regimes. The results show that all the configurations assure effective magnetic shielding at normal operation regime, however, at fault operation regime, there are differences among configurations.
An Efficiency Analysis of Augmented Reality Marker Recognition Algorithm
Authors: Kurpytė Dovilė , Navakauskas Dalius 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
The article reports on the investigation of augmented reality system which is designed for identification and augmentation of 100 different square markers. Marker recognition efficiency was investigated by rotating markers along x and y axis directions in range from −90° to 90°. Virtual simulations of four environments were developed: a) an intense source of light, b) an intense source of light falling from the left side, c) the non-intensive light source falling from the left side, d) equally falling shadows. The graphics were created using the OpenGL graphics computer hardware interface; image processing was programmed in C++ language using OpenCV, while augmented reality was developed in Java programming language using NyARToolKit. The obtained results demonstrate that augmented reality marker recognition algorithm is accurate and reliable in the case of changing lighting conditions and rotational angles - only 4 % markers were unidentified. Assessment of marker recognition efficiency let to propose marker classification strategy in order to use it for grouping various markers into distinct markers’ groups possessing similar recognition properties.