bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Network Analysis of Cooperation in Tourism Destinations
Authors: Gajdošík Tomáš
Published: February 2016

Globalisation on the tourism market causes that the competition is not formed only between stakeholders in a destination, but more and more it is created among destinations. Therefore tourism stakeholders in a destination have to act together and cooperate. The cooperative behaviour of destination stakeholders is seen as a main prerequisite of applying the cooperative destination management, which influences the competitiveness of destination on tourism market.

The aim of the paper is to analyse and measure cooperation of stakeholders in the selected destinations in Slovakia and Switzerland and to show the contribution of the network analysis to the quantitative research in tourism destinations. The article presents the network analysis of cooperation in product development and integrated marketing communication in the High Tatras, Liptov, Davos - Klosters and Engadin St. Moritz. The measurement of the cooperative behaviour helps to better understand the problems of cooperative destination management and creates a tool for comparing the destinations.
Spatial Differentiation and Evaluation of Tourism Performance of Slovakia and Its Specificities
Authors: Kasagranda Anton
Published: February 2016

The aim of this paper is to quantify tourists (both domestic and international) of Slovakia and their chronology throughout the years. Firstly, a brief development of them is introduced (absolute number and proportion of the total traffic from 1985 to 2013). Subsequently, the structure of their nationality, spatial differentiation (at municipal level) and seasonality is discussed (respective distribution during the year). The aim of this study is to discover a spatial context in space and time. To quantify the number of tourists, the data from the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic and also from the Ministry of Transport, Construction and Regional Development, are used. These data are interpreted in analyses and confirmed by tables, graphs and pictures.
Laser Scanning Based Growth Analysis of Plants as a New Challenge for Deformation Monitoring
Authors: Dupuis Jan , Holst Christoph , Kuhlmann Heiner
Published: February 2016

Nowadays, the areal deformation analysis has become an important task in engineering geodesy. Thereby, not only manmade objects are of high interest, also natural objects, like plant organs, are focused more frequently. Thus, the analysis of leaf growth, i. e. the spatial development of the leaf surface, can be seen as a problem of deformation monitoring. In contrast to classical geodetic tasks, the absolute size of the deformation of the leaf surface is small, but usually great compared to the object size. Due to the optical characteristics of leaf surfaces, the point clouds, commonly acquired with high precision close-up laser scanners, provide a point-to-point distance that is small or equal compared to the measurement accuracy. Thus, the point clouds are usually processed and the leaf area is derived from a triangulation-based surface representation (mesh), resulting in a significant uncertainty of area calculation. In this paper, we illustrate the lacks of the mesh-based leaf area calculation. Using high precision gauge blocks as well as a number of tomato leaves, uncertainties of the area derivation are revealed and evaluated. The application of a B-spline approximation illustrates the advantages of an approximation-based approach and introduces the prospect for further research.
On CT and CSA groups and related ideas
Authors: Fine Ben , Gaglione Anthony M. , Rosenberger Gerhard , Spellman Dennis
Published: February 2016

A group is G
commutative transitive or CT if commuting is
transitive on nontrivial elements. A group G is CSA or conjugately
separated abelian if maximal abelian subgroups are malnormal. These
concepts have played a prominent role in the studies of fully residually
free groups, limit groups and discriminating groups. They also play a role
in the solution to the Tarski problems. CSA always implies CT however the
class of CSA groups is a proper subclass of the class of CT groups. For
limit groups and finitely generated elementary free groups they are
equivalent. In this paper we examine the relationship between the two
concepts. In particular, we show that a finite CSA group must be abelian. If G is CT, then we prove that G is not CSA if and only if G contains a
nonabelian subgroup

G
0

${G_{0}}$

which contains a nontrivial abelian subgroup H
that is normal in

G
0

${G_{0}}$

. For K a field the group

PSL
⁢

(
2
,
K
)

${\mathrm{PSL}(2,K)}$

is never CSA
but is CT if

char
⁡

(
K
)

=
2

${\operatorname{char}(K)=2}$

and for fields K of characteristic 0 where -1
is not a sum of two squares in K. For characteristic p, for an odd prime
p,

PSL
⁢

(
2
,
K
)

${\mathrm{PSL}(2,K)}$

is never CT. Infinite CT groups G with a composition
series and having no nontrivial normal abelian subgroup must be monolithic
with monolith a simple nonabelian CT group. Further if a group G is
monolithic with monolith N isomorphic to

PSL
⁢

(
2
,
K
)

${\mathrm{PSL}(2,K)}$

for a field K of
characteristic 2 and G is CT, then

G
≅
N

${G\cong N}$

.
Binary Mutual Diffusion Coefficients of Polymer/Solvent Systems Using Compressible Regular Solutions Theory and Free Volume Theory
Authors: Farajnezhad Arsalan , Asef Afshar Orang , Asgarpour Khansary Milad , Shirazian Saeed
Published: February 2016

The free volume theory has found practical application for prediction of diffusional behavior of polymer/solvent systems. In this paper, reviewing free volume theory, binary mutual diffusion coefficients in some polymer/solvent systems have been systematically presented through chemical thermodynamic modeling in terms of both activity coefficients and fugacity coefficients models. Here chemical thermodynamic model of compressible regular solution (CRS) was used for evaluation of diffusion coefficients calculations as the pure component properties would be required only. Four binary polymeric solutions of cyclohexane/polyisobutylene,
Schoolchildren born VLBW or VLGA show height-related changes in body composition and muscle function but no evidence of metabolic syndrome risk factors. Results from the NEOLONG study
Authors: Ranke Michael B. , Schweizer Roland , Rodemann Susanne M. , Bevot Andrea , Martin David D. , Goelz Rangmar , Wollmann Hartmut A. , Krägeloh-Mann Ingeborg , Binder Gerhard
Published: February 2016

Children born small for gestational age (SGA) are at risk for the metabolic syndrome (MetS) as adults. We examined whether indicators of MetS could be identified in pre-pubertal children born very preterm.

Parameters associated with MetS were studied in 141 pre-pubertal schoolchildren with either very low birth weight (VLBW) or GA <32 weeks (SGA: n=43).

At 8.3±0.8 years, 36 children (SGA: n=15) were classified short. There were no differences between the SGA and appropriate for age (AGA) groups; nor were dissimilarities observed between short children and those with normal height for parameters such as body mass index (BMI), serum levels of hormones, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, body composition, resting energy expenditure, grip strength and jump force.

Neither SGA at birth nor short stature at follow-up (irrespective of size at birth), could be associated with parameters that indicate an increased risk for the MetS during childhood.
Education Related to Tourism Received by Polish Tourism and Recreation Students in Childhood and Adolescence and its Impact on their Tourism Activity
Authors: Omelan Aneta , Huk-Wieliczuk Elżbieta , Podstawski Robert
Published: February 2016

Introduction.
If activity related to tourism is planned effectively and performed in a responsible way, it can satisfy many human needs. In order to make it possible for members of modern society to fully benefit from tourism, however, it is necessary to undertake action aimed at promoting tourism, fostering its development, stimulating the need to travel, and helping tourists adopt certain habits. The aim of the study was to collect information concerning the impact of family, school, and community organisations on the tourism activity of students of tourism and recreation.

Material and methods.
The study involved 289 students of an undergraduate programme in tourism and recreation offered by the Faculty of Environmental Sciences at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. The study was conducted using a specially designed diagnostic survey on “Education in tourism”.

Results.
More than 71% of the students surveyed engaged in tourism with their parents in childhood and adolescence, and those living in the city did so more frequently. Only one in four students said that during family trips visiting sights and attractions was combined with active tourism. As far as school trips are concerned, the respondents did take part in them, but these were mostly one-day sightseeing trips, aimed at developing their knowledge about the country, during which pupils do not undertake intense physical activity. More than half of the respondents participated in summer camps for children and adolescents. An overwhelming majority of the respondents stated their parents had had the greatest influence on their tourism activity, while community organisations and schools had had the smallest impact in this respect.

Conclusion.
Most of the students surveyed undertook tourism-related activities which were organised for them by different persons; thus, they received some education in tourism during childhood and adolescence. Since students of tourism and recreation will have an influence on tourism in Poland in the future, provided they work in the tourism sector, they should be prepared to promote tourism which offers a range of different benefits, not only educational ones.
Exact differentiable penalty for a problem of quadratic programming with the use of a gradient-projective method
Authors: Tret’yakov Alexey , Tyrtyshnikov Eugene
Published: February 2016

It is known that the solution obtained for a problem of quadratic programming (QP) is not exact in the case of reduction of the original problem to a sequence of problems of unconditional minimization by a method of penalty functions with a differentiable penalty. In this paper we obtain an exact solution to a QP problem for a finite penalty constant and a smooth penalty with the use of a gradient-projective method.
Berry–Esseen bounds and almost sure CLT for the quadratic variation of the bifractional Brownian motion
Authors: Aazizi Soufiane , Es-Sebaiy Khalifa
Published: February 2016

Let B be a bifractional Brownian motion with parameters H ∈ (0,1) and K ∈ (0,1]. For any n ≥ 1, set

Z
n

=

∑

i
=
0

n
-
1

[

n

2
H
K

(

B

(
i
+
1
)
/
n

-

B

i
/
n

)

2

-
𝔼

(

(

B

i
+
1

-

B
i

)

2

)

]

${Z_n = \sum _{i=0 }^{n-1} [n^{2HK}(B_{(i+1)/n}-B_{i/n})^2-\mathbb {E} ((B_{i+1}-B_{i})^2 ) ]}$

. We use Malliavin calculus and the so-called Stein's method on Wiener chaos introduced by Nourdin and Peccati [11] to derive, in the case when 0 < H
K ≤ 3/4, Berry–Esseen-type bounds for the Kolmogorov distance between the law of the correct renormalization Vn
of Zn
and the standard normal law. Finally, we study almost sure central limit theorems for the sequence Vn
.
Central and peripheral pathogenetic forms of type 2 diabetes: a proof-of-concept study
Authors: Davydov Dmitry M , Nurbekov Malik K
Published: February 2016

Hypothesis

Previous studies provide evidence that glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) should not be considered as interchangeable alternatives in the diagnosis of the same type 2 diabetes, but as indicators of its different pathogenetic subtypes. This study was conducted to determine whether a particularly high amount of glucose in either HbA1c form or in fasting plasma would be found in diabetic patients genetically predisposed for either intensive cognitive or intensive muscle metabolic activity, respectively.

Methods

HbA1c and FPG levels, polymorphisms of genes indicating the predisposition to different cognitive activity (the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2/ANKK1)), muscle activity (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, coactivator 1 alpha (PGC1A(PPARGC1A))), and vascular regulation of general metabolic activity (the angiotensin 1 converting enzyme (ACE)) were assessed in diabetic patients and nondiabetic controls.

Results

DRD2/ANKK1 polymorphism that affects baseline central arousal determined HbA1c variations uncorrelated with FPG in total and clinical groups. The mutation of PGC1A mainly affecting peripheral glucose metabolism had an effect on FPG correlated or uncorrelated with HbA1c depending on the effect assessment in the total sample or in the nondiabetic group, respectively. ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) gene polymorphism was associated with both HbA1c and FPG fluctuations, but only in diabetic patients.

Conclusion

The findings provide evidence that the HbA1c and FPG may predict the risks for different subtypes of type 2 diabetes associated with either brain or muscle metabolic activity in genetically vulnerable people.
Risk of Cancer in Children Conceived by Assisted Reproductive Technology
Authors: Reigstad Marte Myhre , Larsen Inger Kristin , Myklebust Tor Åge , Robsahm Trude Eid , Oldereid Nan Birgitte , Brinton Louise A. , Storeng Ritsa
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

An increasing number of children are born after assisted reproductive technology (ART), and monitoring their long-term health effects is of interest. This study compares cancer risk in children conceived by ART to that in children conceived without.

METHODS:

The Medical Birth Registry of Norway contains individual information on all children born in Norway (including information of ART conceptions). All children born between 1984 and 2011 constituted the study cohort, and cancer data were obtained from the Cancer Registry of Norway. Follow-up started at date of birth and ended on the date of the first cancer diagnosis, death, emigration, or December 31, 2011. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of overall cancer risk between children conceived by ART and those not. Cancer risk was also assessed separately for all childhood cancer types.

RESULTS:

The study cohort comprised 1 628 658 children, of which 25 782 were conceived by ART. Of the total 4554 cancers, 51 occurred in ART-conceived children. Risk of overall cancer was not significantly elevated (HR 1.21; 95% CI 0.90–1.63). However, increased risk of leukemia was observed for children conceived by ART compared with those who were not (HR 1.67; 95% CI 1.02–2.73). Elevated risk of Hodgkin's lymphoma was also found for ART-conceived children (HR 3.63; 95% CI 1.12–11.72), although this was based on small numbers.

CONCLUSIONS:

This population-based cohort study found elevated risks of leukemia and Hodgkin's lymphoma in children conceived by ART.
Hungarian-Croatian water-painting: The richness of nuance in the image of Hungarians in the Croatian public imagination from the 16th century to the 19th
Authors: Švoger Vlasta , Tvrtković Tamara
Published: February 2016

This paper presents the image of Hungarians in the Croatian lands from the 16th century to the 19th on the basis of examples from literary (fictional) and journalistic (non-fiction) texts in Latin, Croatian and German. The image was very complex. It varied from an extremely positive perception — in the first centuries of the period under consideration — to clearly expressed negative perceptions and intolerance — that were most prominent during the revolutionary years 1848–1849, and most frequently, one can encounter a combination of positive and negative stereotypes existing in different ratios and with numerous transitional nuances.
Margit Slachta, une réligieuse du travail social dans la vie publique
Authors: Balogh Margit
Published: February 2016

En 1958, le service des affaires intérieures du Ministère de l’intérieur hongrois a déclassé les archives liées à Margit Slachta. L’opposante politique, qui vivait encore aux Etats-Unis, n’était plus considérée comme dangereuse pour le socialisme en construction. En quelques dizaines d’années, elle était même peu à peu tombée dans l’oubli en laissant seulement l’image un peu falsifiée d’une « religieuse bigote ». Mais qui était véritablement Margit Slachta ? Il ne fait aucun doute qu’elle ne fut pas une personnalité banale. Si cela avait été le cas, elle n’aurait pas eu autant d’ennemis.
Ottokár prohászka et le Christianisme social
Authors: Szabó Ferenc
Published: February 2016

Depuis Rerum Novarum de Léon XIII (1891) et jusqu’à nos jours, avec les encycliques Centesimus Annus de Jean-Paul II (1991) et Caritas in Veritate de Benoît XVI (2009), l’enseignement social de l’Eglise catholique est essentiellement une prise de position, au nom du message du Christ, contre le monde livré au matérialisme et à l’athéisme. L’accent y est constamment mis sur la dimension spirituelle de l’homme, sur la vocation de la personne à la transcendance, sur les droits fondamentaux et la poursuite du bien commun, sur la justice et la charité. Aux tournant du XXe siècle, deux grands apôtres de l’Eglise sociale en Hongrie, le prêtre Sándor Giesswein et l’évêque Ottokár Prohászka, furent dans leurs oeuvres écrites et dans leur action les pionniers engagés de ce « christianisme social ».
Social cohesion and trust in local communities in Hungary
Authors: Janky Béla
Published: February 2016

This paper summarizes the first results of the analysis of a questionnaire survey on the determinants of social cohesion and interethnic relations in Hungarian local communities. The survey was carried out in villages and small towns in four different regions of the country in 2012. Our results show that the socioeconomic status and geo-cultural background of the local community significantly shape social cohesion and interethnic trust. Migration rate, on the other hand, plays a surprisingly minor role in shaping trust and cohesion. The effect of fractionalization is moderate, and, interestingly, mainly positive if national minorities are present in the local community.
Riga and Tallinn in the late tsarist era: Multiethnicity and social and political change
Authors: Raun Toivo U.
Published: February 2016

This article offers a comparative perspective on the impact of the rapid development of the Baltic cities of Riga and Tallinn (Ger. Reval) from the 1860s to the eve of the First World War in 1914. In many ways typical East-Central European cities, Riga and Tallinn had been dominated by a Baltic German elite for centuries until the middle of the nineteenth century. In the six-decade period until the collapse of the tsarist regime the population of the two cities mushroomed and their ethnic composition changed drastically, especially as Latvians and Estonians increasingly chose the urban option. Adapting to this growing multiethnic diversity provided a challenge for both cities in the last decades of the Russian Empire. Various forms of modernization, including industrialization, expanded trade, and new access to various options in the free professions, afforded the opportunity for upward social mobility. In the contest for hegemony between the Russian and German languages Latvian and Estonian found a niche for themselves, also buoyed by their rapidly growing numbers. Even some local political change transpired in the last years of the Russian Empire.
Turbulent history, troublesome heritage: Political change, social transformation, and the possibilities of revival in the “Old Jewish Quarter” of Budapest
Authors: Szívós Erika
Published: February 2016

This article explores the history of Belső-Erzsébetváros, the Inner 7th District of Budapest, an urban area regarded as a historic Jewish quarter in today’s discourse. The historical summary focuses on societal transformations caused by political changes and historical tragedies during the 20th century. One explicit goal is to show in which ways the Inner 7th District of Budapest is unique among similar historic districts of other Central European cities: in Central European comparison, a large proportion of its population — just like the Jewish population of Budapest in general — survived the Holocaust. Therefore Jewish heritage has been experienced differently there than elsewhere in cities of the region.

After briefly introducing the historical evolution of the Inner 7th District before World War II, the article portrays local society, and explores the social relations that characterized this area until the last years of the World War II. Patterns of ethnic and confessional intermixing will be interpreted as defining characteristics of the district in the interwar period. Then the author will show the way wartime events and political measures disrupted the social fabric of the neighborhood, and transformed the local population dramatically by the spring of 1945. At the same time, patterns of survival will be also emphasized. After discussing the impact of World War II and the Holocaust, the article will highlight the post-1945 shifts in local society, exploring the impact of migration as well as the connection between societal transformation and the area’s physical decay in the Communist period. Finally, the author will briefly touch upon the past 25 years, discussing the possibilities of revival in the area, pointing out the role of Jewish heritage in the recent rediscovery of the neighborhood.
Recent spread of the Sida Leafbeetle, Calligrapha pantherina Stål, 1859 (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Chrysomelinae) in New Caledonia
Authors: Mille Christian Gilbert , Rigault Frédéric , Cazeres Sylvie , Jourdan Hervé
Published: February 2016

We report the recent arrival and subsequent spread of the Sida Leafbeetle, Calligrapha pantherina Stål, 1859, in the archipelago of New Caledonia. The species seems to have a rapid spread as it is now recorded all along the west coast and also have spread to the Loyalty Islands. The first specimen was caught in November 2012. This is a biocontrol agent which was introduced in the Pacific Region against invasive Malvaceae (Sida spp.). This accidental arrival would help to control the alien weed, Sida acuta Burm. f., in New Caledonia. But this establishment raises some questions about potential threats on the two endemic New Caledonian Sida species. We also discuss this arrival and subsequent installation in the context of global change and biosecurity issues, particularly in such a biodiversity hotspot.
Leptophis ahaetulla (Linnaeus, 1758) (Serpentes, Colubridae): first record for the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Authors: Oliveira Roberto Baptista de , Beier Christian , Bilo Giancarlo Ribeiro , Santos Tiago Gomes dos , Pontes Gláucia Maria Funk
Published: February 2016

We present the first record of Leptophis ahaetulla for the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Between November and December 2014, and February 2015, three specimens were found, respectively: one male dead on a highway at the Parque Estadual do Espinilho, a conservation unit located at the municipality of Barra do Quaraí; and two females collected in an anthropic landscape of Salso farm at the municipality of Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Meristic data and coloration enables the identification of these specimens as Leptophis ahaetulla marginatus.
Anatomy and Pollination of Cleistogamous Flowers of Benghal Dayflower (Commelina benghalensis)
Authors: Hayden W. John , Fagan Camille
Published: February 2016

The anatomy and pollination of subterranean cleistogamous flowers of Benghal dayflower (Commelina benghalensis) is described as a contribution to understanding its reproductive biology. Subterranean stems bear one spathe per node, each enclosing a single cleistogamous flower. Only the three anterior stamens produce functional pollen; the posterior three stamens are staminodes. Tapetum is amoeboid and endothecium is present. The three-carpellate superior ovary bears five dimorphic orthotropous ovules. Nearly mature flowers have straight to somewhat curved styles; at maturity, styles elongate and coil. Our observations indicate that coiled style growth causes rupture of anthers and brings pollen into contact with stigmas. Pollen tubes were observed in styles that had previously undergone coiling, located within mucilaginous secretions of the mature stylar canal. The subterranean cleistogamous flowers of Benghal dayflower and their apparently unique mode of pollination, viewed together with reproductive capacity of its aerial chasmogamous flowers, underscore the complexity and flexibility of the reproductive biology of this noxious weed species.
Exploring one-dimensional compression of compacted clay under constant degree of saturation paths
Authors: Burton G. J. , Pineda J. A. , Sheng D. , Airey D. W. , Zhang F.
Published: February 2016

This note presents a novel approach for controlling the degree of saturation during one-dimensional compression of unsaturated soils. This technique offers a simple and versatile way to study the hydro-mechanical response of unsaturated soils as well as the unsaturated–saturated soil transition. By using a multi-stage approach, the same specimen can be used to evaluate the compressibility of unsaturated specimens at different degrees of saturation, which may reduce the long testing periods commonly required for unsaturated soil testing. The experimental results described in this paper show that the proposed technique is capable of controlling the degree of saturation within reasonable limits and provides an interesting approach to analyse the coupled hydraulic and mechanical behaviour of unsaturated soils.
Analysis of ballast tamping and stone-blowing processes on railway track behaviour: the influence of using USPs
Authors: Sol-Sánchez M. , Moreno-Navarro F. , Rubio-Gámez M. C.
Published: February 2016

Railroads have played a significant role in the development of modern society, particularly during recent decades. In order to ensure that these structures provide an adequate quality of service, maintenance works are needed. In spite of the fact that ballast tamping is the most common maintenance task carried out on railway tracks, its application causes ballast degradation while the track returns to its previous position. As a result, other techniques such as stone blowing, or the use of under-sleeper pads, have been developed as an alternative solution to reduce the frequency of maintenance works. Nevertheless, despite the potential benefits of these techniques, the efficacy of their widespread application needs to be confirmed by more in-depth study, in order to understand their effects on the mechanical performance of railway tracks. This paper therefore focuses on analysing in the laboratory the effects of tamping and stone-blowing processes on the mechanical performance of railway tracks (settlement, stiffness, capacity to dissipate energy, pressure under the ballast layer and ballast degradation); the influence of under-sleeper pads is also assessed. The results show that not only is the stone-blowing process more effective than tamping in maintaining the track geometry and reducing the frequency of maintenance tasks, but it also allows for more stable short- and long-term mechanical performance of the section, as well as obtaining lower degradation of ballast and substructure. In addition, it was found that the use of under-sleeper pads in tracks could improve the effectiveness of maintenance tasks and the behaviour of the track after these processes, particularly in the case of tamping.
Required reinforcement stiffness for vertical geosynthetic-reinforced-soil walls at strength limit state
Authors: Liu H.
Published: February 2016

In the design of geosynthetic-reinforced-soil (GRS) retaining walls for strength limit state, it is usually assumed that the soil strength is fully mobilised, but generally design guidelines do not have the specification on the required long-term reinforcement stiffness that may mobilise the design soil strength under the design load. In this study, a validated analytical method for reinforcement loads of vertical GRS walls was employed to investigate the required reinforcement stiffness at the strength limit state. The analysis was based on the compatible soil-reinforcement deformation at the potential failure surface. The study found that design of the strength limit state of GRS retaining walls should adequately take into account reinforcement stiffness, without which the targeted state cannot be obtained. The mobilised lateral soil strain and the required local reinforcement stiffness J/Sv to mobilise the lateral soil strain are both larger under higher vertical soil stress. The required local reinforcement stiffness increases with an increase in the soil stiffness, a decrease in the soil dilatancy and a decrease in the peak friction angle. A series of design tables was provided, which could be used to select proper geosynthetic reinforcements for vertical GRS walls at the strength limit state.
The Resolution of a Systemically Important Insurance Company during the Great Depression
Authors: Rose Jonathan D.
Published: February 2016

This paper explores the economic issues related to systemically important insurance companies, using an example from the Great Depression, the National Surety Company. National Surety was a large and diverse insurance company that experienced a major crisis in 1933 due to losses from its guarantees of mortgage-backed securities. A liquidity crisis ensued, as policyholders staged a massive run on the company, demanding the return of their unearned premiums. The New York State Insurance Commissioner stepped in with a reorganization plan that split the company in two, out of fear that a disorderly liquidation would have systemic consequences given the sheer number of the company's counterparties, scattered all across the United States. A key dynamic of the crisis was that policy holders at an insurance company have a dual role as holders of liabilities and as providers of income.
The 23rd Vona du Toit Memorial Lecture 2nd April 2014. Economic Occupations: The 'hidden key' to transformation
Authors: Ramukumba Tshinetise Alfred
Published: February 2016

This lecture aims to acknowledge both individual and collective professional achievements by occupational therapists in South Africa. It highlights specific work done which contributes to the development of occupational therapy nationally and internationally. In line with the Congress theme, "Rooted in Africa: diverse realities and possibilities", it acknowledges the diverse realities and contexts in which occupational therapy is practised particularly in developing countries. The transformation process that is taking place in South Africa seems to be focussing on politics rather than on the economic needs of the majority of the population which result from poverty and unemployment. The lecture proposes that occupational therapists should prioritise economic occupations which could lead to greater economic freedom and empowerment of clients and their communities. Key words: Economic occupations, transformation, diverse realities and contexts, individual and collective professional achievements
Learning styles of first year occupational therapy students studying at a university in South Africa
Authors: Rudman Elsje , de Beer Marianne , Olorundju Steve
Published: February 2016

INTRODUCTION: Occupational therapists by the very nature of their scope of practice have to apply an evolving broad spectrum of knowledge and skills to be able to fulfil their various roles as therapists. In order to understand how occupational therapy students learn, learning style studies have been conducted in various countries. Due to differing terminology used by the various measurement instruments, it is difficult to compare findings to allow for generalisation of the results. The aim of this study was to identify the learning style profiles of first year occupational therapy students at a university in South Africa. These profiles are used to broaden their self-knowledge in order to become socially and professionally well-adjusted therapists that take responsibility for their own continual learning. METHOD: A descriptive study to determine a learning style profile by means of the instrument known as the Felder-Soloman Index of Learning Styles was undertaken. A convenience sample of 114 first year occupational therapy students between 2009 and 2011 was used. FINDINGS: Results indicated sensing, visual, active and sequential learning styles as the most representative learning styles. The active learning style being the most dominant. CONCLUSION: Occupational therapy students should be encouraged and assisted to determine their own learning styles. Understanding their own learning style profiles may equip students better to fulfil the need to become lifelong learners. Further studies may identify possible changes to this learning style profile due to the changing demographics of occupational therapy students. Key words: Learning styles, occupational therapy students, teaching and learning
Specifics of allelic polymorphism of genes associated with increased therombogenesis in pregnant women with fetal loss syndrome
Authors: Nikolaeva Alla Ekhil’yevna , Kapustin Sergey Igorevich , Papayan Lyudmila Petrovna , Kutueva Flora Rafkhatovna
Published: February 2016

The Up-to-date research of perinatal mortality in Russia has shown change in its structure with increase of proportion of antenatal mortality in the first place, which may be declarative of disorders in fetal vital activities. Reproductive losses in different periods of pregnancy are increasingly frequently united under the term of fetal loss syndrome (FLS), regardless of ethiopathogenic factors. The mostly discussed issue is thrombotic disorders related to inherited and aquired thrombophilia. Research objective was to evaluate the role of adverse allelic variant genes carriage, associated with increased thrombogenesis, in development of FLS. 105 pregnant women with FLS or FLS risk factors in the past have been examined. The women have been affiliated with SPb GBUZ «Women's clininc N 22». The women have been tested for gene mutations in Factor V (FV Leiden), prothrombin, β-subunit of factor I, plasminogen activator inhibitor-I, methylenete-trahydrofolate reductase and glucoprotein IIIa. The study results have shown that 100 per cents of women in the study group with FLS or FLS risk factors in the past have been carriers of at least one allelic variant associated with increased risk of thrombogenesis. A combination of two or more adverse geetic variants (potential risk factors for FLS) have been registered in the overwhelming majority of cases. The incidence of Leiden and genotype 1565CC gene GpIIIa mutations in both study groups was significantly different as compared to the population. The study results demonstrate the necessity to determine adverse allelic variants of the known genes along with the classical deteminants of inherited thrombophilia in everyday obstetrical practice, as it allows to sportlight individual mechnisms of development of FLS and the most commonly seen complications of pregnancy.
Comparative results of treatment of children and adolescents with thyroid cancer at St. Petersburg Endocrine Surgery Centre and Mayo Clinic
Authors: Romanchishen Anatoly Filippovich , Geoffrey B Thompson
Published: February 2016

Introduction. Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most often malignant tumor in childhood and made 1.5-3.0 % of all children population or 45.3 % of pediatric endocrine epithelial cancers. A lot of questions concerning to volume of thyroid surgery, postoperative radioiodine therapy needs to be discussed. Material and methods. During 1970-2011 in the Center (1 group) were operated 105 TC children and adolescent (up to 18 yeas) and in Mayo Clinic - 188 (2 group) in period 1940-2000. Since of 80-s in those clinics were used the same perioperative examinations, like TSH, T4, T3 blood levels, USG, fine needles aspiration biopsy, CT and morphological examinations. Results and discussion. Average age of the Center and Rochester patients was the same and achieve 16.3 ± 0.3 and 16.0 ± 0.5, accordingly. In both groups has prevailed girls: in the 1 group they made 73.3 % (M : F 1 : 2.7) and in the 2 - 70.7 % (M : F 1 : 2.4). Childhood differentiated TC were associated with aggressive behavior: regional metastases were found in 53.0 % and 81.4 %, extrathyroid TC spreading - in 9.6 and 19.7 %, distant metastases - in 9.6 and 4.8 %, accordingly. In our Center we have performed hemithyroidectomies and subtotal thyroidectomies in 58.1 % with ipsilateral central neck dissection (CND). In Mayo Clinic in all TC cases were performed thyroidectomy (TE) since 1950. TC relapses we have no observed in 1 group and they have place in 6.9 % 2 group patients, recurring lymphatic metastases - in 8.4 % and 20.7 %, accordingly. Radioiodine therapy (RIT) has performed in 21.1 % and 25.5 % operated children. In 1 group 95 (96.0 %) of 99 operated were alive during 5-36 years, in the 2 - only in two cases reason of death was TC, but in 14 - other malignant tumor. Conclusion. Childhood TC is associated with more locally aggressive and more frequent distant disease than its adult counterpart. Recurrence rates tend to be higher in children, but cause-specific mortality remains low. Optimal initial treatment of childhood TC should include TE and CND. RIT in childhood has increased possibility of others malignant tumor in follow up period.
Transient erytroblastopenia of childhood: a review of 39 cases
Authors: Zhukova Larisa Yurievna , Khartchev Alexandr Vitalevich , Kolobova Oksana Leonidovna , Sokolova Natalya Evgenevna , Tarasenko Alexandra Nikolaevna
Published: February 2016

Transient erythroblastopenia of childhood is an acute form of anemia characterized by a transient red blood cell aplasia, of unknown case, in the bone marrow. 39 patients were seen in our paediatric depatment during the period 2010 to 2013. The ages varied from 11 to 66 months. 26 patients had severe anemia, the lowest mean haemoglobin values being 52 (28-69) g/l. The reticulocyte count was low in 29 patients, whereas 10 patiants had reticulocytosis. No underlying haematologic diseases were found. All patients were tested for parvovirus B 19 infection, HHV-6, CMV, EBV, HHV-1,2 infections. No child showed B 19 DNA in serum or bone marrow collected at presentation. 19 patients showed HHV-6 (n = 11), CMV (n = 4), EBV (n = 2), HHV-1,2 (n = 1) DNA in serum or bone marrow collected at presentation. Apart from transfusion of red blood cell in 23 patients. Reticulocytosis, indicating beginning recovery, was observed after a mean interval of 10 days. All patients resolved within 3 weeks, without long-term sequale.
Women and HIV infection, current status of the problem
Authors: Mel’nikov Arkadiy Sergeevich , Rukoyatkina Elena Alekseevna , Funden Roman Azizovich , Latysheva Inga Borisovna
Published: February 2016

The increase in the number of people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and increasing the share of women among them, as well as annual growth in the number of births to HIV-infected women define extraordinary relevance for the prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child. Tactics to prevent HIV transmission from mother to child is determined by a set of epidemiological, clinical and laboratory parameters and selected for each individual woman after consultation with the appropriate professionals. It is shown that the most important factor affecting the likelihood of HIV transmission from mother to fetus and child, is the concentration of virus in the blood of women (the so-called viral load - VL) during pregnancy and childbirth, so it is important to achieve it undetectable levels as early as possible in pregnancy. As the activities carried out in the framework of this prevention, the importance of timely diagnosis of HIV infection and identifying high risk of HIV infection in pregnant women, chemoprophylaxis (CP) carried out with the help of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), woman and child, the tactics of pregnancy and childbirth, and also keeping the child in the first half year of life, including avoidance of breastfeeding. Appointment ARV HIV-infected women may be necessary not only to prevent infection of the child, but also to treat the woman. In appointing ART necessary to minimize potential adverse effects of ARV drugs on the fetus, which is especially important in the I trimester of pregnancy. Therefore, the starting date of receiving ARVs in pregnant should be optimal from the point of view of the effectiveness of the treatment of women, the effectiveness of prophylaxis of infection of the child and the safety of the fetus.
Hyperandrogenism. Cases of Combination of Different Variants of Hyperandrogenism in Adolescent Girls with the Peripheral Form of Hyperandrogenism
Authors: Bogatyreva Elena Magometovna , Kutusheva Galiya Fettyakhovna , Gogotadze Irina Nikolaevna , Zernyuk Anastasia Dmitrievna
Published: February 2016

Hyperandrogenism is a pathological process associated with an excessive effect of androgens in a female organism. In addition to the appearance changes hyperandrogenism (HA) can declare itself by some disorders of reproductive system functioning (anovulation, sterility, miscarriage). The causes of hyperandrogenism can be absolutely different by their pathogenesis conditions. Such external (peripheral) manifestations of hyperandrogenism as hirsutism can be determined by the only reason - excess of 5a-reductase enzyme. There are more cases of combined (associated) forms in the clinical practice. The article considers the cases of combinations of various forms of hyperandrogenism with peripheral forms and their influence on the change of clinical and laboratory parameters. The highest frequency of the excess of 5a-reductase enzyme was found in the group of girls with congenital adrenal dysfunction - 75 %, among the girls with a polycystic ovary syndrome the frequency of this pathology was 9,5 %, and among the girls with hypothalamic syndrome of pubertal period - 14,3 %. The combination of any hyperandrogeny form with the excess of 5a-reductase enzyme was accompanied by hirsutism increase, reduction of mammary glands in adolescents, suprarenal hormones level increase - DEA-s and 17-OHPg. In the case of combination of congenital adrenal dysfunction or hypothalamic syndrome of pubertal period with the excess of 5a-reductase enzyme the laboratory parameters of hyperandrogenism (testosterone, index of free testosterone) were expressed more intensively. In the case of the combination of the excessive production of 5a-reductase enzyme with a polycystic ovary syndrome the diagnosis was more complicated because the index of free testosterone was normal. In the case of combined forms polycystic ovary syndrome is not frequently proved by the laboratory hyperandrogenism, more often these are the cases of incomplete polycystic ovary syndrome.
The problem of providing gynecological care for girls from dare migrants
Authors: Gurkin Juriy Aleksandrovich , Feoktistova Svetlana Sergeevna , Shapkayts Vladimir Aleksandrovich
Published: February 2016

Among girls who were on an outpatient appointment with a pediatric gynecologist, special attention, both from an organisational and a purely medical point of view, attract daughters of migrants aged under 17 years (218 people). Medical problems of this group of children lie in the prevalence of transient dysfunctional States such as pubertal uterine bleeding, follicular ovarian cysts, disorders of sexual development. These types of disorders are regarded as consequences of chronic stress. In addition, there were poor premorbid background. Indicators of reproductive potential migrant girls are at a lower level than girls, indigenous. Baby gynecologists have to overcome, in addition to purely medical, organizational and legal problems that often occur in children from families of migrants and internally displaced persons.
The risk of malignancies in women with long flowing hyperthyroidism in history: a retrospective randomized study
Authors: Vlaseva Olga Valerievna , Glushakov Ruslan Ivanovich , Sobolev Ivan Viktorovich , Proshin Sergei Nikolaevich , Tapil’skaya Natalya Igorevna
Published: February 2016

The syndrome of thyrotoxicosis is the second occurrence in endocrine diseases giving way to the only diabetes. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves' disease. Nodular toxic goiter is following Graves' disease. Then more rare causes are solitary toxic adenoma and thyroiditis. Epidemiological studies carried out at the turn of XX-XXI centuries in the developed countries of Europe and North America have shown that a history of hyperthyroidism episode increases the relative risk of development of ovarian cancer by 80 % and breast cancer by 45-60 %. It has been shown that hyperthyroidism including subclinical one is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality from malignant neoplasms of different localizations as breast cancer, thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer and lung cancer. In this case, drew the fact that significant differences in the risk of morbidity by specific disease forms depends on the ethnic composition of the population. In Russian Federation the similar epidemiological studies have not been carried out yet. We obtained the results of an epidemiological retrospective multicenter randomized clinical simultaneous analytical comparative study of the “case-control” among women treated for diffuse toxic goiter and nodular toxic goiter in 1999-2009. The study involved 1135 patients with hyperthyroidism in anamnesis. The comparison group included 953 patients with eu- and hyperthyroid status. The risk of malignancies in women with hyperthyroidism in anamnesis was 2.36 (95 % CI 1.63-3.42, p < 0.01). The risk of hormone-dependent tumors was 2.65 ( 95 % CI 1.7-4.13, p < 0.01). The aim: to evaluate the risk of malignancies in women with long flowing hyperthyroidism.
Normosmic hypogonadotropic failure
Authors: Boyarskiy Konstantin Yur’yevich , Reznik Vitaliy Anatol’yevich
Published: February 2016

Currently, mutations have been described in a number of genes encoding proteins that control the release of LH-RH by hypothalamus. One such protein is itself LH-RH (gene GNRH1), its receptor (GNRH1-R), the controller allocation hypothalamus LH-RH protein Kisspeptin (KISS1), receptor Kisspeptin (KISS1-R), another regulator of release of LH-RH neurokinin B gene (TAC3) and its receptor neurokinin B (TAC3-R). In infertility clinic were admitted two patients with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism form. Both patients were observed during the lifetime of low-levels of FSH and LH and primary amenorrhea. At the same time indicators of ovarian reserve, as measured by the AMH were sufficient for ovarian stimulation Patients are at lifelong hormone replacement therapy. In order to induce the growth of follicles patients received preparations containing exogenous FSH and LH. Given the presence of male factor infertility, in both patients was used intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI ) as a method of fertilization. In both patients were received 5 and 8 eggs, and 4 and 6 embryos, respectively. In each patient were transferred two embryos. In both patients were achieved clinical pregnancies. In the first patient pregnancy stopped at 8th week for an unknown reason, the other patient delivered a full-term baby girl alive. These data demonstrate the high efficiency of the treatment of infertility in women with normosmic hypogonadotropic failure. In genetic analysis revealed that the first patient is a carrier of a mutation in the gene receptor LH-RH (GNRH1-R) in both alleles, whereas the second patient is a heterozygous for this gene variant.