Dogs are final hosts of Sarcocystis morae (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae): First report of this species in Hungary and its region – Short communication

In this study, faecal samples of four American Staffordshire terrier dogs (used for illegal fighting) were analysed by DNA extraction, molecular-phylogenetic and parasitological methods, in order to examine the occurrence of protozoan, apicomplexan parasites. In one sample, the DNA of Sarcocystis morae was shown to be present. This species was identified based on 100% identity with already reported sequences of S. morae from cervids in Lithuania and Spain. The result was also confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. The sporocysts of the canine S. morae isolate measured 14.95 × 9.75 μm on average. This is the first molecular evidence in support of the final host role of domestic dogs in the life cycle of S. morae. The most likely source of the infection was raw meat given to the examined dog to increase its physical achievement. In conclusion, under similar circumstances dogs may participate in the life cycle of S. morae in a ‘natural way’, shedding sporocysts/oocysts when used for hunting or taken to walks in forested areas.

A Kinect-Based Interactive System for Home-Assisted Active Aging

Virtually every country in the world is facing an unprecedented challenge: society is aging. Assistive technologies are expected to play a key role in promoting healthy lifestyles in the elderly. This paper presents a Kinect-based interactive system for home-assisted healthy aging, which guides, supervises, and corrects older users when they perform scheduled physical exercises. Interactions take place in gamified environments with augmented reality. Many graphical user interface elements and workflows have been designed considering the sensory, physical and technological shortcomings of the elderly, adapting accordingly the interaction methods, graphics, exercises, tolerance margins, physical goals, and scoring criteria. Experiments involved 57 participants aged between 65 and 80 who performed the same physical routine six times during 15 days. After each session, participants completed a usability survey. Results provided significant evidence that support (1) the effectiveness of the system in assisting older users of different age ranges, (2) the accuracy of the system in measuring progress in physical achievement of the elderly, and (3) a progressive acceptance of the system as it was used. As a main conclusion, the experiments verified that despite their poor technological skills, older people can adapt positively to the use of an interactive assistance tool for active aging if they experience clear benefits.

3D Object Digitization Devices in Manufacturing Engineering Applications and Services

The rapid development of CAD 3D systems has led to the development of solutions enabling the physical achievement of the designed object, already at the design stage. Such a solution is the rapid prototyping method, intended for fast, precise and repeatable production thanks to additive technology. The first basic step of this method is a 3D scan. It is a technique that analyzes a real object in order to collect data about its basic (geometric) and additional (e.g. color) features. The collected data is used to generate three-dimensional, virtual models. Scanning can be performed in various ways using different devices. The aim of the article is to review the available technologies for digitizing 3D objects and to compare them in the context of individual application areas. It presents selected tools and software that will economically and efficiently increase the range of applications of digitization methods in the production process and offering various services on the market.

Poverty Alleviation Program in Agricultural Sector: Lessons Learned and Issues

<p><strong>English<br /></strong>Poverty alleviation program in agricultural sector was initiated by an income generating program for small farmers and fishers/P4K project in 1979, and subsequently followed by various sub sectoral projects. A series of studies conducted by the Center for Agro-Socio-Economic Research on the performance and achievement level of poverty alleviation projects within agricultural sector indicated the following common features: (1) Except for the P4K and the Food and Nutrition projects, a strong sub sectoral and top-down approach was common in the project implementation. This project approach neither adequately accommodate needs and aspirations of project participants nor an effective coordination within agricultural sector and inter-sectoral coordination; (2) A too short project duration that did not accommodate community empowerment process. Community empowerment and program sustainability, which are supposed to be the main goals of a poverty alleviation program, were not adequately addressed. In the project implementation, the objective was emphasized in achieving physical project targets set in the Project Budgetary System (Daftar Isian Proyek); (3) In general, the project preparation and technical field supervision were not adequate; (4) The provision and distribution of project package were not carried out in professional manners that had resulted of the low quality of package; 5) The low capability of project participants to evolve the project package. In term of the physical achievement, the sub-sectoral poverty alleviation projects had relatively resulted of economic multiplier effects in the project areas.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Indonesian<br /></strong>Program penanggulangan kemiskinan pada sektor pertanian dimulai pada tahun 1979 melalui proyek pengembangan penigkatan pendapatan petani-Nelayan Kecil ( proyek P4K ) yang kemudian disusul oleh berbagai proyek penanggulangan kemiskinan oleh keempat subsektor lingkup pertanian. Serangkaian penelitian yang dilakukan oleh Pusat Penelitian Sosial Ekonomi Pertanian mengenai kinerja dan tingkat pencapaian tujuan berbagai proyek penanggulangan kemiskinan di lingkup sektor pertanian mendapatkan beberapa kesamaan dalam kinerja proyek, antara lain: (1) kecuali proyek P4K dan Diversifikasi Pangan dan Gizi, sebagian besar proyek berorientasi subsektoral dengan pendekatan dari atas ke bawah. pendekatan ini kurang mengakomodasi berjalannya koordinasi yang efektif antar subsektor dan lintas sektoral,serta kurang tersalurnya aspirasi dan kebutuhan partisipan proyek; (2) Jangka waktu proyek yang terlalu singkat tidak memungkinkan diakomodasinya proses pemberdayaan masyarakat. Selain itu, pemberdayaan masyarakat dan kesinambungan program yang seharusnya merupakan tujuan utama proyek penanggulangan kemiskinan kurang memperoleh perhatian. Pencapaian tujuan proyek lebih ditekankan pada target fisik yang ditetapkan dalam Daftar Isian Proyek (DIP). (3) Persiapan proyek dan pembinaan peserta proyek kurang memadai; (4) Pengadaan serta distribusi paket proyek belum ditangani secara profesional sehingga sering dijumpai rendahnya kualitas paket proyek; (5) Kurangnya kemampuan peserta proyek dalam pengembangan peket bantuan</p>

Community Peer-Led Exercise Groups: Reasons for Success

Purpose: This paper considers reasons for the successful maintenance of community based, falls-prevention programs. While the physical achievement of such programs has been demonstrated through randomized trials, other features influential in ongoing membership have received less attention. This study examined the sustainability of a specific model of a community-based program in a New Zealand city: SAYGO, the strength and balance classes for older adults lead by older volunteer leaders recruited from local communities. Method: A qualitative, descriptive approach was used and first-hand knowledge of the experiences of those involved in the groups gathered. Data collection methods included individual interviews of two group organizers and seven focus groups: six with the members of the exercise groups (57 participants) and one with the peer leaders from these same groups (6 participants). Results: Three major themes emerged from the interviews. Two were related to the outcomes of the groups (ie. physical and social benefits). The third was concerned with the support needs of the groups to ensure their on-going maintenance. The aspect that most invigorated the participants was the social value of the group. Conclusions: A major feature that contributed to the sustainability of the peer led exercise groups was the positive social connectedness created by the modeling of a caring culture by the peer-leaders. This caring culture involves support and inclusion of every member and acting as a resource and confidant for individual issues. Because group leaders are similar in age and physical problems, it is expected that they will empathize with participants, and because of their community and agency links, it is expected that they will be able to act as a resource for information on issues related to the participants, therefore, stand between the formal and informal domains and are perceived to have knowledge and connections in both. This, we suggest, is a major, previously unconsidered feature in the sustainability of these groups.

Research on the Mathematic Model of Air Valve

Air valve is an important measure of water hammer protection in long water distribution system. Volume of air inflow and outflow, the maximum volume of air inflow, and air mass flow rate are not only relate to prefer choose of air valve type, but effect on the safety of water distribution engineering. So it is important to make a theoretical calculation of air valve precisely. Traditional mathematic model of valve assumes that air inflows and outflows the pipeline by isentropic process, then isothermal variation will occur. Though this model is simple in theory and its programming is easy, its two thermodynamic processes are not incongruous obviously which results in its physical achievement unexplainable theoretically. Because the isentropic process is reversible adiabatic and no heat exchange occurs, but achievement of isotherm process need heat exchange sufficiently. This paper raises a new mathematic model of air valve based on those models reported so far. The new model gives up the hypothesis of isotherm, and proves rationality of this model by mathematical induction. Calculation results of two mathematic models are compared by numerical analysis. This provides scientific basis for precise simulation of air behavior through air valve and prefer choose of air valve type in long distribution system.

A Social-Cognitive Investigation into the Mechanisms of Affect Generation in Children’s Physical Activity

This study examined how achievement goal orientations, perceived sport competence, perceptions of success, and perceived outcome attributions affect children’s exercise-induced feeling states following physical exercise. The construct validity of the Exercise-Induced Feeling Inventory and a modification of the Causal Dimension Scale II for children was also investigated. Children (N = 304) responded to measures on the above scales. Task orientation, perceived success, and an ego orientation, combined with high perceptions of sport competence, were positive predictors of states of positive engagement, revitalization, and tranquillity; only task orientation was a negative predictor of physical exhaustion. The locus of causality dimension appeared to mediate the impact of perceptions of success on positive engagement, but with a negligible effect. The results were consistent with previous findings highlighting the motivational advantage of adopting a task orientation in physical achievement situations and demonstrated the role of task orientation as a determinant of affect in exercise testing in children.