bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paternal Depression in the Postnatal Period and Child Development: Mediators and Moderators
Authors: Gutierrez-Galve Leticia , Stein Alan , Hanington Lucy , Heron Jon , Ramchandani Paul
Published: January 2015

OBJECTIVE:

To explore potential mediating and moderating factors that influence the association between paternal depression in the postnatal period and subsequent child behavioral and emotional problems.

METHODS:

A population-based cohort (N = 13 822) from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) was recruited during pregnancy. Paternal and maternal depressive symptoms were assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at 8 weeks after the birth of the child. Child outcomes were assessed at 3.5 years by using the Rutter revised preschool scales and at 7 years by using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Path analysis was used to assess hypothesized mediators (ie, depression in the other parent, couple conflict, and paternal noninvolvement) of the associations between both paternal and maternal depression and child outcomes. We also tested for hypothesized moderators (ie, paternal education and antisocial traits).

RESULTS:

Family factors (maternal depression and couple conflict) mediated two-thirds of the overall association between paternal depression and child outcomes at 3.5 years. Similar findings were seen when children were 7 years old. In contrast, family factors mediated less than one-quarter of the association between maternal depression and child outcomes. There was no evidence of moderating effects of either parental education or antisocial traits.

CONCLUSIONS:

The majority of the association between depression in fathers postnatally and subsequent child behavior is explained by the mediating role of family environment, whereas the association between depression in mothers and child outcomes appears to be better explained by other factors, perhaps including direct mother-infant interaction.
Genomic Classifier ColoPrint Predicts Recurrence in Stage II Colorectal Cancer Patients More Accurately Than Clinical Factors
Authors: Kopetz Scott , Tabernero Josep , Rosenberg Robert , Jiang Zhi-Qin , Moreno Víctor , Bachleitner-Hofmann Thomas , Lanza Giovanni , Stork-Sloots Lisette , Maru Dipen , Simon Iris , Capellà Gabriel , Salazar Ramon
Published: January 2015

Background.

Approximately 20% of patients with stage II colorectal cancer will experience a relapse. Current clinical-pathologic stratification factors do not allow clear identification of these high-risk patients. ColoPrint (Agendia, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, http://www.agendia.com) is a gene expression classifier that distinguishes patients with low or high risk of disease relapse.

Methods.

ColoPrint was developed using whole-genome expression data and validated in several independent validation cohorts. Stage II patients from these studies were pooled (n = 416), and ColoPrint was compared with clinical risk factors described in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) 2013 Guidelines for Colon Cancer. Median follow-up was 81 months. Most patients (70%) did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy. Risk of relapse (ROR) was defined as survival until first event of recurrence or death from cancer.

Results.

In the pooled stage II data set, ColoPrint identified 63% of patients as low risk with a 5-year ROR of 10%, whereas high-risk patients (37%) had a 5-year ROR of 21%, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.16 (p = .004). This remained significant in a multivariate model that included number of lymph nodes retrieved and microsatellite instability. In the T3 microsatellite-stable subgroup (n = 301), ColoPrint classified 59% of patients as low risk with a 5-year ROR of 9.9%. High-risk patients (31%) had a 22.4% ROR (HR: 2.41; p = .005). In contrast, the NCCN clinical high-risk factors were unable to distinguish high- and low-risk patients (15% vs. 13% ROR; p = .55).

Conclusion.

ColoPrint significantly improved prognostic accuracy independent of microsatellite status or clinical variables, facilitating the identification of patients at higher risk who might be considered for additional treatment.
Role of Positron Emission Tomography for the Monitoring of Response to Therapy in Breast Cancer
Authors: Humbert Olivier , Cochet Alexandre , Coudert Bruno , Berriolo-Riedinger Alina , Kanoun Salim , Brunotte François , Fumoleau Pierre
Published: January 2015

This review considers the potential utility of positron emission tomography (PET) tracers in the setting of response monitoring in breast cancer, with a special emphasis on glucose metabolic changes assessed with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). In the neoadjuvant setting of breast cancer, the metabolic response can predict the final complete pathologic response after the first cycles of chemotherapy. Because tumor metabolic behavior highly depends on cancer subtype, studies are ongoing to define the optimal metabolic criteria of tumor response in each subtype. The recent multicentric randomized AVATAXHER trial has suggested, in the human epidermal growth factor 2-positive subtype, a clinical benefit of early tailoring the neoadjuvant treatment in women with poor metabolic response after the first course of treatment. In the bone-dominant metastatic setting, there is increasing clinical evidence that FDG-PET/computed tomography (CT) is the most accurate imaging modality for assessment of the tumor response to treatment when both metabolic information and morphologic information are considered. Nevertheless, there is a need to define standardized metabolic criteria of response, including the heterogeneity of response among metastases, and to evaluate the costs and health outcome of FDG-PET/CT compared with conventional imaging. New non-FDG radiotracers highlighting specific molecular hallmarks of breast cancer cells have recently emerged in preclinical and clinical studies. These biomarkers can take into account the heterogeneity of tumor biology in metastatic lesions. They may provide valuable clinical information for physicians to select and monitor the effectiveness of novel therapeutics targeting the same molecular pathways of breast tumor.
Locally Advanced Gastroesophageal Junction Tumor: A Treatment Dilemma
Authors: Ashraf Noman , Hoffe Sarah , Kim Richard
Published: January 2015

Over the last several decades, the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) has been increasing in developed countries. Although complete surgical resection remains the cornerstone of treatment for resectable disease, long-term outcomes are poor and recurrence rates are high with surgery alone in patients presenting with locally advanced disease. Multimodal therapy has been shown to improve survival; however, the optimal therapeutic approach remains controversial, and practices vary across the world. Preoperative chemoradiotherapy is generally used in the U.S., whereas perioperative chemotherapy without radiation is favored in most European countries. In this review, we discuss why the treatment of locally advanced GEJ tumors remains controversial, examine the evidence for various multimodal approaches, discuss their respective pros and cons, evaluate the role of radiation therapy, highlight some ongoing and planned clinical trials, and suggest areas that need further research.
Impact of climate on multi-wythe stone masonry walls
Authors: Isfeld Andrea , Shrive Nigel
Published: January 2015

The Hudson Bay Trading Company constructed the Prince of Wales Fort in the early eighteenth century with the goal of securing the fur trade in northern Canada. As a result of the fort's northern latitude the walls remained partially frozen throughout much of each year until recently. Warming in the climate has raised the average yearly temperature so freeze–thaw cycles have caused a breakdown of the mortar within the stone masonry, enabling washout from melting snow and rain. This has led to lateral deformation in some sections of the walls and collapse in others. Two-dimensional finite-element models have been formulated to represent the in situ conditions of a damaged wall section with varying strength mortar and bond conditions. The models were created in Abaqus and focus on the case of self-weight. Micro-modelling techniques were employed to model the stones and grout individually. Results indicate a significant reduction in either the strength or bonding capacity of the mortar will lead to instability in the wall sections studied. The research identifies a new general mechanism of failure for multi-wythe masonry walls and their susceptibility to environmental conditions, of which practising engineers should be aware when assessing heritage masonry structures.
Hints and pitfalls: the successful expert witness
Authors: Wassermann Daphne
Published: January 2015

This paper considers the process of instruction of an expert engineer and what information should be provided to her/him. Early and full information from an instructing solicitor helps enormously when planning a forensic investigation. The role of the expert at different stages in the proceedings is described. The paper also considers some of the things to look for during a desktop investigation or site visit. These include: what to do when the evidence is no longer there; second guessing what you might need for a site visit; and looking beyond the obvious solution. Photographic evidence can be misleading. To prove causation it may be necessary to demonstrate a chain of events and one missing link will invalidate the argument. Many issues are technical but there are often contractual matters and questions of wording in specifications. The solicitor may expect the engineer to be familiar with current good practice in the field. Case studies and examples are used to demonstrate some of the pitfalls and provide hints for a successful forensic investigation.
Multiaxial mechanical properties of plain recycled aggregate concrete
Authors: He Zhen-jun , Cao Wan-lin , Zhang Jia-xing , Wang Lu
Published: January 2015

Multiaxial tests were performed on 150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm cubic specimens of three strength grades of plain structural recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) at different stress ratios using a large static–dynamic true triaxial machine. Friction-reducing pads (two layers of plastic membrane with lubricants) were placed between the compressive loading plate and the specimens. The tensile loading planes of the concrete samples were processed by an attrition machine and then the samples were glued to the loading plate. The characteristic failure modes of the specimens and the crack directions were observed. The three principal static strengths in the corresponding stress state were measured. The influence of the stress ratios, stress states and strength grade on the triaxial strengths of RAC was also analysed. The experimental results showed that ratio of triaxial failure strength σ3f to the corresponding uniaxial compressive strength fc for the three strength grades of RAC was higher than that of conventional concrete (CC), especially under triaxial compression; moreover, it is dependent on the strength grade of RAC, the stress states and stress ratios; however, the differences of tensile–compressive ratios between the RAC and CC are not significant. On this basis, a new failure criterion with the six parameters is proposed for plain RAC under multiaxial stress states. It provides the experimental foundations for strength analysis of RAC structures subject to complex loads.
The Role of Water-Soluble Species in Bitumen Recovery From Oil Sands
Authors: Guindon Leah
Published: January 2015

Bitumen recovery is affected by the water-soluble acid species located in the working area, and this paper takes a look at those interactions and the outcomes each may have on oil-sands recovery. Varying parameters on recovery (e.g., oil-sands components, physicochemical and dielectric properties, and organic compounds found in water) are studied to determine the effects of adsorbed species and their interactions between the water-soluble compounds and bitumen present in oil sands. This research allows the industry to better determine both plans for heavy-oil recovery and water treatment.
A New Approach To Estimate Invasion Radius of Water-Based-Drilling-Fluid Filtrate To Evaluate Formation Damage Caused by Overbalanced Drilling
Authors: Ling Kegang , Zhang He , Shen Zheng , Ghalambor Ali , Han Guoqing , He Jun , Pei Peng
Published: January 2015

Formation damage caused by overbalanced drilling with water-based mud (WBM) is inevitable as a result of mud filtrate invading the near-wellbore formation. The invasion radius is critical to the multiphase flow when the well is put on production. It contributes to the total skin that hinders the hydrocarbon production. Furthermore, the response of the logging tools may be affected as a result of such invasion, rendering many inaccurate calculations in formation evaluation. To evaluate the skin caused by mud-filtrate invasion, it is important to determine the radius of invasion. A thorough literature review indicated that no practical and reliable method with solid theoretical basis to quantify formation damage is available. Former studies assumed that single-phase drilling fluid displaces reservoir fluid during the invasion. The neglecting of residual reservoir fluid in the invaded zone will introduce error to invasion-radius estimation. This work takes the residual reservoir fluid into account; thus, the estimation of invasion radius is more accurate.

This work proposes a practical model to determine the depth of mud-filtrate invasion near the wellbore drilled by WBM. The distribution of mud-filtrate saturation in the near-wellbore region is also calculated by using drilling-operation parameters, mud-filtration-test data, relative permeability, and drilling time. With the accurately determined invasion radius and known wellbore radius, reservoir permeability, and damaged-reservoir permeability, one can evaluate skin factor more accurately. With the knowledge of invasion volume and radius, one can design the wellbore-cleanup procedure appropriately. The proposed model allows engineers to predict the well performance and to diagnose wellbore problems by checking any deviation from the predicted production. This study also can assist with the correction of parameters inferred from log measurements, thereby reducing the over- and/or underestimation of log-derived parameters used in various formation-evaluation calculations.
The Opportunity Cost of Exploration for Unconventional Gas in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Casey Meaghan , Rajan Surya , Adejumo Adebola , Kugler Imre
Published: January 2015

Estimates place unconventional natural gas reserves in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at over 600 trillion cubic feet, more than double its proven conventional gas reserves. Domestic consumption fuels the economy as well as social spending, and the leadership is heavily invested in global research and development centers to become leading innovators in the industry. There is evidence of current commitment to develop natural gas projects in 3 offshore fields and construction of a 1, 000 MW gas-fired power plant. Despite political will for resource diversification in Saudi Arabia, there are hurdles in the form of processing capacity, logistics, water supplies and desert terrain, which could adversely affect project economics. Lifecycle economic analysis indicates that under current market conditions, development of unconventional gas projects could be challenging.

A breakeven economic analysis of the country's gas supply sources tests this supposition by assessing unconventional field development lifecycle costs and off-take pipeline infrastructure costs. Our analysis reveals that a breakeven price for domestic unconventional gas in Saudi Arabia ranges from roughly $5/Mcf to $8/Mcf depending on a range of pipeline scenarios. The study further explores several gas supply scenarios incorporating the commercialization of Saudi Arabia's unconventional resource assets, LNG imports, and pipeline imports from Qatar. In lieu of short-term unconventional gas supply, overall findings suggest pipeline gas from Qatar offers the lowest cost option, although LNG from Yemen or Nigeria ranks as a competitive resource alternative for additional near-term supply.
A Fractal Model for the Stress-Dependent Permeability and Relative Permeability in Tight Sandstones
Authors: Lei Gang , Dong Pingchuan , Wu Zishen , Mo Shaoyuan , Gai Shaohua , Zhao Chao , Liu Z.K.
Published: January 2015

Stress-dependent permeability and relative permeability in porous media are important in petroleum-engineering fields. It has been shown that stress-dependent permeability and relative permeability play important roles in determination of flow characteristics for tight-sandstone porous media. In this work, novel predictive models for stress-dependent permeability and relative permeability in microporous media with lower permeability are developed on the basis of fractal theory. The predictions of irreducible water saturation, normalized porosity, normalized permeability, and the ratio Krw/Krg by the proposed model show a variation trend similar to that of the available experimental data. On the basis of the proposed normalized porosity and normalized permeability model, it is found that the normalized porosity and permeability decrease with effective stress, thus predicted results are in good agreement with former experiments. The proposed normalized porosity and normalized permeability are expressed as a function of the effective stress, rock elastic modulus, microstructural parameters, and initial irreducible water saturation. The theoretical study of relative permeability under stress demonstrates that wetting phase relative permeability is related to the effective stress, microstructural parameters, and initial irreducible water saturation.
Grundprobleme einer hermeneutik der leiblichkeit in zeiten der transformation des menschlichen Körpers
Authors: Wiegerling Klaus
Published: January 2015

Die Transformation des menschlichen K?rpers durch bio- und
informationstechnologische Aufr?stungen stellt die Auslegung unseres Leibes
vor eine Herausforderung. Der Leib als Vermittlungskategorie zwischen Natur
und Kultur kann nicht in der Dritten-Person-Perspektive erfasst werden, da
er nur in einer Teilhabe-Perspektive, allerdings als historische Entit?t
gegeben ist. Mit der Aufr?stung des menschlichen K?rpers und der
Transformation des Menschen zu einem posthumanen Wesen geht eine
Entindividualisierung einher. Hermeneutik fordert vom Auslegenden die
Positionierung zur zu verstehenden Sache und vermittelt zwischen
Allgemeinheit und Besonderheit. Sie steht damit immer ein St?ck neben der
Wissenschaft (De singularibus non est scientia), gewinnt dadurch aber auch
Lebensbedeutsamkeit. Hermeneutik als Teilhabehandlung zeichnet sich durch
Positionierung, Vorgriff und Verweisung aus, hat als eine das Gegenw?rtige
in die Zukunft ?berschreitende T?tigkeit eine Orientierungsfunktion und
benennt Grenzen wissenschaftlicher Weltauffassung. Solange der Leib noch
Gegenstand von Verstehensprozessen ist, ist das posthumane Wesen noch nicht
realisiert.
On some problems of meaning - polysemy between sense enumeration and core meaning paradigms
Authors: Dobric Nikola
Published: January 2015

Polysemy is a semantic phenomenon which occurs when one lexical item has more
meanings which can be seen as related to each other. It is to be
distinguished from the other extreme pole of ambiguity, homonymy, which
occurs when two or more unrelated meanings are by means of an etymological
accident tied to the same orthographic and/or phonological form. Even though
polysemy can be considered as a non-issue, since discourse easily solves all
of the problems of possible ambiguity for use in everyday language use,
accounting for it (in an systematic manner) in terms of how polysemy is
represented in the mental lexicon and how to account for the criteria
governing the meaning distinctions and the interaction of meanings, for
example, is a challenge still not fully met. The paper first gives an
overview of the existing theoretical accounts of polysemy which arose over
the course of the last two centuries to meet one of the said challenges,
namely how polysemy is represented in our minds. The discussion is followed
up by a conclusion of the predominant and most plausible theoretical view on
multiple meanings stemming from the presented philosophical, semantic, and
cognitive frameworks and models.
Vocal therapy of hyperkinetic dysphonia
Authors: Mumovic Gordana , Veselinovic Mila , Arbutina Tanja , Skrbic Renata
Published: January 2015

Introduction. Hyperkinetic (hyperfunctional) dysphonia is a common pathology.
The disorder is often found in vocal professionals faced with high vocal
requirements. Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the
effects of vocal therapy on voice condition characterized by hyperkinetic
dysphonia with prenodular lesions and soft nodules. Methods. The study
included 100 adult patients and 27 children aged 4-16 years with prenodular
lesions and soft nodules. A subjective acoustic analysis using the GIRBAS
scale was performed prior to and after vocal therapy. Twenty adult patients
and 10 children underwent objective acoustic analysis including several
acoustic parameters. Pathological vocal qualities (hoarse, harsh and breathy
voice) were also obtained by computer analysis. Results. The subjective
acoustic analysis revealed a significant (p<0.01) reduction in all dysphonia
parameters after vocal treatment in adults and children. After treatment, all
levels of dysphonia were lowered in 85% (85/100) of adult patients and 29%
(29/100) had a normal voice. Before vocal therapy 9 children had severe, 13
had moderate and 8 slight dysphonia. After vocal therapy only 1 child had
severe dysphonia, 7 had moderate, 10 had slight levels of dysphonia and 9
were without voice disorder. The objective acoustic analysis in adults
revealed a significant improvement (p?0.025) in all dysphonia parameters
except SD F0 and jitter %. In children, the acoustic parameters SD F0, jitter
% and NNE (normal noise energy) were significantly improved (p=0.003-0.03).
Pathological voice qualities were also improved in adults and children
(p<0.05). Conclusion. Vocal therapy effectively improves the voice in
hyperkinetic dysphonia with prenodular lesions and soft nodules in both
adults and children, affecting diverse acoustic parameters.
Surgical treatment results of carpal tunnel syndrome in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Malkoc Melih , Korkmaz Özgür , Oltulu Ismail , Seker Ali , Say Ferhat , Bulbul Ahmet
Published: January 2015

Introduction. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most commonly seen
peripheral nerve compression syndrome and CTS surgery is the most common
surgery done for peripheral nerve compression syndromes. Type 2 diabetes
mellitus (DM) is a systemic disease with a component of peripheral
neuropathy. Objective. We aimed to investigate the effects of type 2 DM on
functional results in type 2 DM patients who underwent carpal tunnel surgery.
Methods. The study included 39 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome which was
confirmed by electromyography. Twenty-one patients did not have DM, 18
patients had type 2 DM that were treated for DM and had regulated blood
glucose levels. Assessments were done with the Boston scale. All operations
were done by the same surgical team using the same surgical technique.
Functional and symptomatic scores between the two groups were compared with
the Mann-Whitney U test which is the non-parametric version of the Student?s
t test, and 95% confidence interval p<0.05, which is considered as
statistically significant. Results. In patients with type 2 DM, preoperative
mean Symptom Severity Score was 3.6?0.35 (2.9 to 4.2) in the last control
mean Symptom Severity Score was 1.2?0.16 (1.0-1.7), and preoperative mean
functional status score was 3.3?0.56 (2.3 to 4.5) and in the last control
mean functional status score was 1.3?0.36 (1.0 to 2.4). The patients without
DM, preoperative mean Symptom Severity Score was 3.5?0.45 (2.8 to 4.2) in the
last control mean Symptom Severity Score was 1.2?0.19 (1.0 to 1.6), and
preoperative functional status score was 3.2?0.47 (2.4 to 4.6) in the last
control mean functional status score was 1.3?0.35 (1.0 to 2.5). There was no
statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion. Type
2 DM patients with regulated blood glucose levels can be operated without
additional procedure during and after surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome like
in carpal tunnel syndrome patients without DM.
Adequate weight gain in pregnancy: An analysis of its determinants in a cross-sectional study
Authors: Popa Alina , Popescu Raluca , Botnariu Gina
Published: January 2015

Introduction. Prenatal care is considered an important tool for promoting a
healthy lifestyle, but has not been studied as a predictor for maternal
weight gain during pregnancy, especially in Romania, where evidence about
pregnancy and nutrition is scarce. Objective. This study has aimed to explore
the relationship between pre-gestational body mass index (BMI), adequacy of
prenatal care and weight gain during pregnancy. Methods. We carried a
cross-sectional study on a sample of 400 pregnant women admitted at the ?Cuza
Voda? Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in Iasi. Information regarding
demographic characteristics, number of prenatal visits, date of the initial
hospital record, nutritional education during pregnancy were registered
throughout a questionnaire filled out by means of a direct interview. The
anthropometric indicators analyzed were the pre-gestational BMI and the
pregnancy weight gain. Data on caloric intake were obtained using a food
frequency questionnaire. Results. Weight gain within the limits of the
Institute of Medicine recommendations was noticed at 44.35% of the women who
declared that they received nutritional advice compared to 40.7% of those who
did not receive advice regarding diet during pregnancy. Overweight (53.1%)
and obese women (66.7%) had a larger weight gain than those with a normal
pre-pregnancy BMI (29.8%) (p<0.001). The variables that were identified with
an effect on weight gain in this sample of pregnant women were: inadequate
prenatal care, pre-gestational BMI and energy intake. Conclusion. Identifying
the pre-gestational BMI and diet changes as predictors of weight gain
underline the importance of an individualized prenatal care.
Experience with lamivudine treatment for severe acute hepatitis B
Authors: Verhaz Antonija
Published: January 2015

Introduction. Experience with lamivudine treatment for acute severe hepatitis
B is limited. Fulminant hepatitis develops in 1% of immunocompetent patients
with acute hepatitis B. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
efficacy of lamivudine in the treatment of severe acute hepatitis B (SAHB) in
immunocompetent adult patients. Methods. Between January 2006 and May 2013 at
the Clinic for Infectious Diseases Banja Luka, 13 patients with SAHB were
treated with lamivudine at a dose of 100 mg per day. All 13 patients
fulfilled at least two of three default criteria: 1. hepatic encephalopathy;
2. total bilirubin greater than 210 ?mol/L; and 3. severe coagulopathy
(international normalized ratio - INR ?1.5 or prothrombin time - PT <40%).
The criteria were defined according to the experiences reported in the study
of Schmilovitz-Weiss et al. ?Lamivudine treatment for severe acute hepatitis
B?. Nine patients had a rapid rise in the total bilirubin and decrease of
alanine aminotransferase level, which escalated risk for development of
fulminant hepatitis. Results. Within 1-6 months, HBsAg was undetectable in 12
of 13 examined patients. Protective anti-HBsAg developed in 10 of them during
2-14 months. Two patients did not develop protective antibodies, but the
result of the analysis of PCR HBV DNA was repeatedly negative.
Corticosteroids were shortly used in two patients. One patient died four days
after starting the therapy. Lamivudine treatment was well tolerated by all
patients. Conclusion. Early treatment with lamivudine can reduce the risk of
progression to fulminant hepatitis in patients with SAHB.
Pedunculated obstructive lipoma of the ileocecal valve: A case report
Authors: Vekic Berislav , Zivic Rastko
Published: January 2015

Introduction. Colonic lipomas are relatively common but they rarely progress
to complete acute obstruction. Case Outline. We report a case of a
67-year-old woman with acute intestinal obstruction caused by a large
pedunculated lipoma of the ileocecal valve. Preoperatively, the patient
presented acutely with clinical and radiographic signs of small intestine
ileus. A right hemicolectomy with subsequent terminolateral ileocolostomy was
performed. The histopathological examination revealed a benign lipoma of the
ileocecal valve which telescoped into the cecum and caused ileocolonic
intussusception. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was
free of symptoms during a 12-month follow-up period. Conclusion. Since these
benign tumors are frequently revealed by laparotomy and the definitive
diagnosis is made on the basis of histopathological examination, we can
conclude that extensive resections of the large intestine are justified in
cases with acute clinical presentation.
Congestive heart failure in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Poskurica Mileta , Petrovic Dejan
Published: January 2015

Cardiovascular disorders are the most frequent cause of death (46-60%) among
patients with advanced chronic renal failure (CRF), and on dialysis
treatment. Uremic cardiomyopathy is the basic pathophysiologic substrate,
whereas ischemic heart disease (IHD) and anemia are the most important
contributing factors. Associated with well-know risk factors and specific
disorders for terminal kidney failure and dialysis, the aforementioned
factors instigate congestive heart failure (CHF). Suspected CHF is based on
the anamnesis, clinical examination and ECG, while it is confirmed and
defined more precisely on the basis of echocardiography and radiology
examination. Biohumoral data (BNP, NT-proBNP) are not sufficiently reliable
because of specific volemic fluctuation and reduced natural clearance.
Therapy approach is similar to the one for the general population: ACEI,
ARBs, ?-blockers, inotropic drugs and diuretics. Hypervolemia and most of the
related symptoms can be kept under control effectively by the isolated or
ultrafiltation, in conjunction with dialysis, during the standard bicarbonate
hemodialysis or hemodiafiltration. In the same respect peritoneal dialysis is
efficient for the control of hypervolemia symptoms, mainly during the first
years of its application and in case of the lower NYHA class (II?/III?). In
general, heart support therapy, surgical interventions of the myocardium and
valve replacement are rarely used in patients on dialysis, whereas
revascularization procedures are beneficial for associated IHD. In selected
cases the application of cardiac resynchronization and/or implantation of a
cardioverter defibrillator are advisable.
Inadequate burials as an important factor in plague epidemic amongst Serbs in the Habsburg Monarchy by the end of the 18th century: A historical analysis
Authors: Vasin Goran , Bozanic Snezana , Kisic-Bozic Milica
Published: January 2015

Analysis of the archaic customs of burying the deceased in Srem, primarily
amongst Serbs, in the second half of the 18th century is the essential part
of the paper that aims at clarifying the consequences of this negative habit
onto the spreading of plague epidemic. The Austrian Empire tried to stop and
prevent the epidemic with an array of legal norms, but in practice, these
orders were often not upheld. Serbian Metropolitans Pavle Nenadovic and
Stefan Stratimirovic insisted on eradicating superstition and retrograde,
often uncivilized actions in burial rituals, and they partially succeeded.
The example of plague in Irig and the surroundings in 1795-1796 explicitly
shows the hazardous effects of the inadequate attitude towards the deceased
as one of the factors in spreading the epidemic. Using primary archives, and
published sources, with adequate literature, authors depict this complex
historical process.
Initial magnetic field distribution around high rectangular bus bars
Authors: Cividjian Grigore
Published: January 2015

The one-dimensional transient electromagnetic field in and around a system of
two nonmagnetic homogenous rectangular high thin bars can be analytically
evaluated if the ratio of average initial magnetic field on the two sides of
thin bar, or of the ratio of initial magnetic fields in middle of the bar
height is known. In this paper, using appropriate conformal mappings, an
exact analytical solution for these ratios are proposed in the case of very
thin bars. Obtained values are compared with FEM results for relatively thick
bars.
Input data preprocessing method for exchange rate forecasting via neural network
Authors: Antic Dragan , Milovanovic Miroslav , Peric Stanisa , Nikolic Sasa , Milojkovic Marko
Published: January 2015

The aim of this paper is to present a method for neural network input
parameters selection and preprocessing. The purpose of this network is to
forecast foreign exchange rates using artificial intelligence. Two data sets
are formed for two different economic systems. Each system is represented by
six categories with 70 economic parameters which are used in the analysis.
Reduction of these parameters within each category was performed by using the
principal component analysis method. Component interdependencies are
established and relations between them are formed. Newly formed relations
were used to create input vectors of a neural network. The multilayer feed
forward neural network is formed and trained using batch training. Finally,
simulation results are presented and it is concluded that input data
preparation method is an effective way for preprocessing neural network data.
Flash density maps of Serbia for 2008-2013
Authors: Javor Vesna , Betz Hans-Dieter
Published: January 2015

Two sensors of the European lightning detection network (LINET) were
installed in Serbia and included into this system in 2008. Besides getting
various LINET results for lightning discharge characteristics over the
six-years? period, the first accurate flash density maps of Serbia are
obtained and given in this paper. Such maps are nowadays preferable for the
design of lightning protection system. Principles of LINET system and its
possibilities are also presented in this paper. Current amplitude
distributions, stroke rates for 24-hours and lightning strokes maps for some
lightning days in Europe are given, so as flash density maps of Serbia for
each year from 2008 to 2013, along with the map of accumulated data for that
period.
Axial force calculation of passive magnetic bearing
Authors: Vuckovic Ana , Raicevic Nebojsa , Ilic Sasa , Aleksic Slavoljub , Peric Mirjana
Published: January 2015

Axial magnetic force calculation between two ring permanent magnets is
presented in the paper. One magnet is magnetized in radial direction while
the other one is magnetized in axial direction. Configuration like this one
resembles the one passive magnetic bearing has. Force calculation is
performed using semi analytical approach based on fictitious magnetization
charges and discretization technique. For comparison purposes, and in order
to check preciseness of the method applied, Finite Element Method (FEM)
results were used.
New approach to far field analysis for radiation pattern estimation using FDTD method
Authors: Nikolic Bojana , Dimitrijevic Bojan , Aleksic Slavoljub , Raicevic Nebojsa , Milosevic Nenad
Published: January 2015

In this paper an approach to efficient computation of radiation pattern in
FDTD simulation environment is presented. A necessary large distance from the
radiating object is achieved by multigrid space discretization with
unilaterally connected subdomains. A numerical dispersion is reduced using
more general complex-envelope finite difference time domain (CE-FDTD)
formulation and high order accuracy FDTD schemes where possible. In order to
examine how much the introduced algorithm complexity and increased demands
concerning computational power and memory are justified by the gain in
accuracy, several different scenarios were considered.
Transformation of parenthood: The semiperipheral perspective
Authors: Blagojevic-Hjuson Marina
Published: January 2015

This paper builts on a body of empirical research done by the author, from
the late 80iess on, related to parenthood and gender, in the region of the
Western Balkans. Throughout years the author developes holistic approach to
parenthood, where individual practices and discourses are connected to the
macro social changes on a global scale. The author gives a short overview of
three empirical reasearch projects to show how the process of de-development
of the semiperiphery has blocked the process of modernization of parenthood
which was taking place in the 80-is, and how instead, a hybrid model of
parenthood and partnership emerged. The major characteristic of this new
hybrid model is that practices of equality are developing faster than the
discourses on equality, which can be explained only by taking into the
consideration deeper structural characteristics of the gender regimes at the
semi-periphery. Discourses on gender are still highly captured by the
rhetoric of ?woman as a mother of a Nation? and her role in an overall
national project. However, from the perspective of the newest complex
empirical research, dealing with gender equality on everyday life level
(Gender Barometer in Serbia, UN Women, 2013) it could be concluded, twenty
years afterwards, that ?self/sacrificing micro-matriarchy? (Blagojevic, 1994)
is only a transitional phase in establishment of egalitarian model in a
private sphere, and in fact a specific emancipatory strategy. Trends which
were empirically recorded at the end of 80-ies are being continued,
regardless of the transitional hardships. The semiperipheral perspective
enables theoretization of this ?twist?, where the emancipation in the private
sphere is strengthening the emancipation in the public sphere, which is in
many ways opposite process in comparison to the modernization process,
including socialist project as modernization project. The semiperipheral
perspective offers understanding of the ?twist?, as a consequence of the
process of de-development, while at the same time exists continuous, deep,
structural change towards equality on a micro level and in a family.
The process of family transformation and couples’ self reflection - dyadic perspective
Authors: Bobic Mirjana , Stanojevic Milena
Published: January 2015

This paper discloses second part of the interpretation of the findings of
grounded theory of 30 couples from Belgrade (60 women and men), carried out
under the auspices of the Institute for sociological research, Faculty of
Philosophy, as a part of a field work on the theme ?Policies of parenthood?
from 2013/2014. Applied methodological individualism hereafter as well as in
the previous paper aimed at description of various and specific social change
occurring at a critical, turning point of family life (birth of a child).
Both authors have undergone scrupulous and independent analysis of the entire
empirical evidence gathered from 60 interviewees in order to come to a
consensus as to the selection of three couples. They are selected because of
their particular coping with social stress (family crisis due to an arrival
of a newcomer), then value profiles and behavioral modes inherited from
families of origin and finally, based on their divergent ways of adaptation
and consolidation as a family group. They were assigned names, which serve to
concisely outline dominant action types: ?conformists?, ?strategists? and
?defeatists?. In all three cases both objective features and subjective
definitions of situations are overlapping: they all belong to middle (or
lower middle) social strata. In order to lay foundation for interpreting of
the results we have constructed units of analysis - semantic schemes (nodes)
and their subordinated sub-dimensions (codes). In the course of the analysis
they were filled in with the concrete definitions of life situations of
couples. Interpreting of each and every selected couple is followed by
comparative insights into the similarities and divergences among them as to
the sentiments, actions and potentials. Alike in our previous paper main idea
here was also to demonstrate to which extent couples critically examine
themselves, their partnerships, how do they perceive themselves today as well
as in a future, do they have clear goals in terms of individual and social
advancing and which strategies do they intend to put in place. The aim was
also to get to understand whether couples succeed in establishing a control
over their social biographies and social environment, do they replicate or
make shifts when it comes to previous family models of their parents and what
meanings do they attach in case of their break with these prior practices.
Out guiding idea was that this might be a way by which partners disclose
their personal and group capacities for change, active and responsible
participation in ever changing social setting.
The social relations of power and women’s reproductive self-determination: The research of attitudes of female students at the University of Zagreb
Authors: Galic Branka , Klasnic Ksenija , Jurkovic-Kuruc Ivana
Published: January 2015

Women?s reproductive self-determination is shaped by different social
interests in reproduction as well as by the cultural context: political,
religious, corporate, medical, etc. interests of social actors and
institutions usually limit the autonomy of women and couples in their
reproductive decisions. For many women access to and attitude towards
reproductive methods and techniques, as well as different approaches to
birth, fundamentally influence the course of their lives. In a similar way
the reproductive strategies and techniques deeply affect the cultural ideas
of femininity, motherhood and family. The way women experience control over
their reproductive abilities largely depends on their socio-economic and
cultural circumstances. Socio-cultural norms that define when to become
pregnant and how, what is preferred family size, attitudes towards
infertility, adoption and abortion, what is the appropriate childbearing age
or preferred baby?s gender as well as what constitutes a healthy pregnancy,
fetus and baby mutually shape and are shaped by ideologies of reproduction
and institutional power relations which are in themselves supported by
fundamentally patriarchal social norms. Women?s reproductive activities
(conception, pregnancy and birth) are ranked in accordance to the ?quality
control? of children they may produce. As a consequence, women are being
perceived as either ?good? or ?bad? producer while stigmatizing reproductive
morality is supported by stigmatizing social dimensions of reproductive
technologies. Pregnant women are being observed through the discourse of
?good? and ?bad? women due to their ?good? or ?bad? reproductive bodies in
accordance to the traditional female reproductive social roles. Development
of reproductive technologies coupled with increased role of experts,
different policy-makers and other stake-holders? in women?s reproductive
decision-making opened the space for building a new kind of ?women?s
solidarity? although the female body is still controlled, usurped and
?politically? shaped by different types of power relations and ideologies of
reproductive technologies. This paper has two main goals: 1) to establish a
theoretical template of a conceptual scheme for future empirical studies of
women?s reproductive self-determination in the context of social power
relations, and 2) to present preliminary questionnaire and the results of its
application on the convenience sample of female students at the University of
Zagreb.
Culture and Rural Development: Voices from Poland
Authors: Gorlach Krzysztof , Klekotko Marta , Nowak Piotr
Published: January 2015

The paper is focused on the issue of culture and its connections to rural developments. It was based on the assumption that the culture has various impacts on rural communities` life, as well as, it has been present in various ways in functioning and changes that might be observed in rural areas. In our opinion, such a perspective should be presented in a more detailed way in order to stress the multiple and various impact of cultural issues on economic and social transformations in rural areas. Therefore, we divided our paper into three consecutive parts. In the first one, we discussed the multi-dimensional image of culture, and its role in human development. In the second one, we discussed some changes in the mechanisms of rural development, perceived as moving from the traditional to the contemporary one. We wanted to stress that culture seems to be an important part of the latter one. The last part of our considerations brought some empirical evidence from Poland focused on the role of culture in rural developments showing, at the same type, some examples of this new mechanism of rural development.
Politics in the Balkan countryside: case study in Serbia
Authors: Lukić Tamara , Penjišević Ivana , Đerčan Bojan , Đurđev Branislav , Živković Milka Bubalo , Armenski Tanja
Published: January 2015

Thanks to the field observations conducted on the territory of central Serbia, it was noticed that people in rural environment, beside the optional conversations about weather conditions, most often talk about the politics. The aim of this work was to find out how many people who live in the countryside have the contact with the politics. Hypothesis were made within the communication with several examinees, but they were verified by the poll in which more than 100 persons took part. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, using T-test, one-factor analysis of ANOVA variance, and also they were checked by Post-hoc Tukey test. The work task was to find out if gender, age, as well as, professional and regional differences exist in relation to the countryside inhabitants considerations about certain political issues they have been talking about. The importance of this work is to discover whether the distance from urban environments and, life in nature can make a man less interested in and indifferent to the politics.
Low-cost resonant cavity Raman gas probe for multi-gas detection
Authors: Thorstensen J. , Haugholt K. H. , Ferber A. , Bakke K. A. H. , Tschudi J.
Published: January 2015

Raman based gas sensing can be attractive in several industrial applications, due to its multi-gas sensing capabilities and its ability to detect O2 and N2. In this article, we have built a Raman gas probe, based on low-cost components, which has shown an estimated detection limit of 0.5 % for 30 second measurements of N2 and O2. While this detection limit is higher than that of commercially available equipment, our estimated component cost is approximately one tenth of the price of commercially available equipment. The use of a resonant Fabry-Pérot cavity increases the scattered signal, and hence the sensitivity, by a factor of 50. The cavity is kept in resonance using a piezo-actuated mirror and a photodiode in a feedback loop.

The system described in this article was made with minimum-cost components to demonstrate the low-cost principle. However, it is possible to decrease the detection limit using a higher-powered (but still low-cost) laser and improving the collection optics. By applying these improvements, the detection limit and estimated measurement precision will be sufficient for e.g. the monitoring of input gases in combustion processes, such as e.g. (bio-)gas power plants. In these processes, knowledge about gas compositions with 0.1 % (absolute) precision can help regulate and optimize process conditions.

The system has the potential to provide a low-cost, industrial Raman sensor that is optimized for specific gas-detection applications.