bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychometric Development of Chemotherapy Side Effects Fear Scale
Authors: Vasić Ivana , Janković Slobodan , Jelić Marija
Published: March 2017

Anxiety, depression and fear in general are the most common emotional problems in people with cancer and it is necessary to recognize them. The patients’ attitude towards the side effects of chemotherapy has changed significantly in recent years and psychological effects, rather than physiological ones, are becoming increasingly important.

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a reliable questionnaire that can measure cancer patients’ fear of the chemotherapy side effects (CheSeFS).

A cross-sectional observational study involved 208 oncology and haematology patients at the Clinical Centre of Kragujevac, Serbia and the Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Vojvodina in Sremska Kamenica. The internal reliability of the questionnaire was estimated by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient, while the external reliability was calculated by the split-half method with approximately the same number of respondents. In order to test the construct validity of the CheSeFS, all participants filled out the Scale of Depression, Anxiety and Stress-21 (DASS-21) and the Short Subjective Well-being Scale (SSWS), validated in Serbian language.

Cronbach’s α coefficient reveals strong internal consistency, with a value of 0.922. The questionnaire demonstrated good structure and uniformity when randomly split into two parts. Exploratory component analysis revealed two factors with the same number of items that explain 61.691% of variance. The components are objective physiological effects of the treatment, and factor that depends on the patient’s psychological and sociological status, with approximately the same percentage of variance. The CheSeFS was positively correlated with the DASS-21 scale (ϱ = 0.595, p = 0.000).

CheSeFS is a unique, reliable and valid two-factor 14-item instrument, a clinically useful tool to assess fear of the chemotherapy side effects in cancer patients.
New Thoughts on the Prospects of Petroleum Potential in the Eger Rift (Czech Republic)
Authors: Sidorová Marina , Cizek Pavel , Galant Yuri , Pinka Ján
Published: March 2017

The present paper highlights the problem related to the source of hydrocarbons in the Eger Rift in Czech Republic. The authors discuss the existence of polygenetic deep sources of hydrocarbons. The investigations are based on direct indicators of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (abbr. PAHs). Among the diverse components of PAHs has been recognized typomorphic oil association – videlicet: phenanthrene, chrysene, pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene. On the basis of new geochemical, geological and mathematical data the oil and gas potential of Eger Rift is also discussed.
MRS2016: Rigid Moon Rotation Series in the Relativistic Approximation
Authors: Pashkevich V.V.
Published: March 2017

The rigid Moon rotation problem is studied for the relativistic (kinematical) case, in which the geodetic perturbations in the Moon rotation are taken into account. As the result of this research the high-precision Moon Rotation Series MRS2016 in the relativistic approximation was constructed for the first time and the discrepancies between the high-precision numerical and the semi-analytical solutions of the rigid Moon rotation were investigated with respect to the fixed ecliptic of epoch J2000, by the numerical and analytical methods. The residuals between the numerical solution and MRS2016 in the perturbing terms of the physical librations do not exceed 80 mas and 10 arc seconds over 2000 and 6000 years, respectively.
Hemangioma of the uvula: the most frequent vascular tumor with a rare localization - Case report with literature review
Authors: Maiorean Alexandra , Aschie Mariana , Mitroi Anca , Cozaru Georgeta Camelia , Poinareanu I. , Baltatescu Gabriela Izabela
Published: March 2017

Hemangioma is the most common tumor of the vascular origin, benign, frequently observed in children, and with preference for head and neck, but rarely having a uvular origin. In this organ, it presents potential risk of local trauma, hemorrhage and it may produce great discomfort for the patient. In this article we present the cases of two patients (34 year-old and 44-year old) with uvular hemangiomas; patient 1 was admitted for dysphagia, salivation and choking and patient 2 was admitted for the swelling of the uvula, dysphagia, salivation and difficulty in speaking. They both presented a history of this symptoms, with acute episodes of dysphagia. They did not report bleeding, pain or fever. Hemangiomas were histopathologically confirmed, thus raising the awareness that hemangiomas are included in the differential diagnosis when a patient presents an elongated, swollen uvula or uvular masses.
Differential diagnosis between occupational chronic intoxication with organic solvents and ethanol abuse by biological markers. Case report and literature review
Authors: Rascu Agripina , Naghi Eugenia , Arghir Oana Cristina , Moise Laura , Otelea Marina
Published: March 2017

Given the occupational exposure to substances contained in petroleum heated to high temperature, cholestatic liver disease, neurological signs and symptoms can occur. We present a case report of a male patient with no tobacco exposure or alcohol use, but with prolonged occupational exposure to petroleum vapours and natural gases like methane, propane butane who developed liver and neurologic disease, in the absence of protective equipment. Delayed diagnosis was established after 9 years of the first symptoms occurrence. Differential diagnosis with alcoholic etiology was considered and biological biomarkers were useful.
Schizencephaly Associated with Polymicrogirya – Cause for Late-Onset Epileptic Seizures in Adult. A Case Report.
Authors: Lungu Mihaela , Romila Aurelia , Hangan L.T. , Caraban B.M.
Published: March 2017

The article presents the case of a 61-year old female patient, with no history of neurological illness, who presents a rapid onset of two convulsive seizures, triggered by a psychological trauma. The first convulsive seizure is repeated within 24 hours.

The general, as well as the neurological clinical examination have not found any pathological signs. MRI scanning of the brain pointed to right-parietal schizencephaly, associated with polymicrogyria, the believed causes of the epileptic seizures.
Tropical Diseases Nephropathy - An Underemphasized Comorbidity
Authors: Aggarwal H.K. , Jain D. , Chhabra P.
Published: March 2017

The tropical areas are a home to a number of diseases because of the hot & humid climate, and lack of health care facilities. Tropical Nephropathies are a major health problem and a matter of great concern. The main causes of kidney injury in tropics are due to bacterial, viral or parasitic infections like malaria, dengue, leptospirosis, scrub typhus, acute gastroenteritis, tuberculosis, leprosy and toxic envenomations like snake bite. Renal injury associated with tropical infections has a wide spectrum of presentations ranging from acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease. Renal involvement in infectious diseases by one or other mechanism is a definite cause of increased morbidity and mortality. Proper understanding of these diseases, early diagnosis, patient education and improved health care facilities will lead to a better outcome and improved survival. This article reviews the various tropical infections causing kidney injury including pathophysiology and line of management.
The Role of Eosinophilic Cationic Proteins, Total IgE and Eosinophilia in Children with Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness
Authors: Ungureanu Adina , Frecus Corina Elena
Published: March 2017

Bronchial hyperreactivity (HRB), is defined as an excessive bronchial constriction that acts as an exaggerated bronchoconstrictor of the airways. This occurs as a secondary action of a nonspecific stimuli.

Taking as a starting point asthmatic patient, as the patient responds by bronchoconstriction action of various stimuli, the concept of bronchial hyperractivity gradually began to take shape. Bronchial hyperractivity (HRB) can be considered a major, heterogeneous phenomenon, depending on several conditions, in term of etiology and which gathers the features of a genuine syndrome if we consider the complexity of the mechanisms which produce and countless clinical implications.
The Effect of Erythropoietin on Testosterone Levels During Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Rats
Authors: Tsompos C. , Panoulis C. , Toutouzas K. , Aggeliki Triantafyllou , Zografos G. , Papalois A.
Published: March 2017

Objective: This experimental study examined the effect of erythropoietin (Epo) in a rat model and particularly in an adrenal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) protocol. The effect of that molecule was studied biochemically using blood mean testosterone levels (T).

Materials and methods: 40 rats of mean weight 247.7 g were used in the study. T levels were measured at 60 min (groups A and C) and at 120 min (groups B and D) of reperfusion. Erythropoietin was administered only in groups C and D.

Results: Erythropoietin administration non significantly increased the testosterone levels by 71.21%+44.19% (p=0.1080). Reperfusion time non-significantly decreased the testosterone levels by 65.17%+44.45% (p=0.0792). However, erythropoietin administration and reperfusion time together produced a non-significant combined effect in increasing the testosterone levels by 27.65%+27.21% (p= 0.3006).

Conclusions: Erythropoietin administration whether it interacted or not with reperfusion time has increasing non significant short-term effects on testosterone levels. Perhaps, a longer study time or a higher Epo dose, may reveal clearer and more significant effects.
Young children’s environmental judgement and its relationship with their understanding of the concept of living things
Authors: Villarroel José Domingo , Antón Álvaro , Zuazagoitia Daniel , Nuño Teresa
Published: March 2017

Do young children think that plants deserve morally-based respect or, on the contrary, do they feel that respect for plant life is nothing more than another behavioural norm similar to, for instance, one that states that you should not pick your nose in public? This study examines how dilemmas involving environmental, moral and socio-conventional situations are comprehended in early childhood so as to investigate the issue of whether young children attach a significant degree of severity to transgressions against plant life in comparison with disregarding socially accepted rules. Additionally, young children’s judgements are put into perspective alongside their understanding of the concept of living things in order to shed light on the role that grasping essential biological notions might play in the emergence of young children’s assessments of actions that pose a threat to the environment. The sample of the study consists of 328 children (162 girls and 166 boys) who attend Early Years Education or Primary Education and the data examined comes from the individual interviews conducted with the children. The results are discussed in connection with the current understanding of the source of ethical judgements which emphasises the importance that emotions seem to play in the construction of moral thinking.
Koine formation in context
Authors: Neteland Randi
Published: March 2017

In this paper, I argue that the koine formation process is better understood when placed in a national context of language norms and use. Researchers often state that in cases of koine formation, where a koine forms within the same speech community from which the speakers originate – for instance within the same nation – the process will be influenced by that same speech community. Yet, most research on koine formation focusses on the local level, such as the levelling between the language variants of the incomers or the negotiations of power between social classes in the new town. The empirical data presented in this paper, collected in the Norwegian industrial town of Sauda, show that the historical context of language norms and use on the national level has influenced the process on the local level. This influence can be demonstrated by the variants that go into the so-called mix, as well as by the direction on the formation and the outcome of the focussing process. The mechanistic view that the majority variant always wins does not fit the facts presented here. I also hypothesise that since the koine formation process stretches out in time, the context of language norms and use may change during that period, and this sociocultural change may cause the formation process to change direction.
Historical sociolinguistics in colonial New Guinea: The Rhenish mission society in the Astrolabe Bay
Authors: Stolberg Doris
Published: March 2017

The Rhenish Mission Society, a German Protestant mission, was active in a small part of northern New Guinea, the Astrolabe Bay, between 1887 and 1932. Up until 1914, this region was under German colonial rule. The German dominance was also reflected in rules on language use in official contexts such as schools and administration.

Missionaries were strongly affected by such rules as their most important tool in mission work was language. In addition, they were also responsible for school education as most schools in the German colonial areas in the Pacific were mission-run. Thus, mission societies had to make decisions about what languages to use, considering their own needs, their ideological convictions, and the colonial government’s requirements. These considerations were framed by the complex setting of New Guinea’s language wealth where several hundred languages were, and still are, spoken.

This paper investigates a small set of original documents from the Rhenish Mission Society to trace what steps were taken and what considerations played a major role in the process of agreeing on a suitable means of communication with the people the missionaries wanted to reach, thereby touching upon topics such as language attitudes, language policies and politics, practical considerations of language learning and language spread, and colonial actions impacting local language ecologies.
James Buchanan’s use of Anne Fisher’s A new grammar: Towards the development of an English grammar teaching method in eighteenth-century English grammar writing
Authors: Willems Vera
Published: March 2017

In light of the question how the eighteenth-century English grammar writing tradition contributed to the development of Standard English, this article attempts to answer the question to what extent the grammarian James Buchanan made use of Anne Fisher’s grammar in writing his own. While Buchanan admitted that he consulted the works of other grammarians, he did not reveal which he used. It is argued that Buchanan drew on Fisher’s grammar for his focus on English concord, and for the inclusion of example sentences of false syntax and of exercises on bad English. However, the differences in layout and the subjects discussed in the example sentences and exercises are such that the similarities can be said to fall within the remit of acceptable eighteenth-century authorship and that they do not seem evidence of an attempt to plagiarise. On the contrary, Buchanan’s reliance on Fisher’s grammar can best be understood as a concern with the didactics of English grammar rather than with the actual language norms purported by Fisher – though some features seem inspired by her. As such, Buchanan’s use of Fisher’s grammar can be seen as an attempt to further the development of an English grammar teaching method within the discourse community of the eighteenth-century grammarians.
Influence of Permanent Magnet Characteristic Variability on the Wind Generator Operation
Authors: Kudrjavtsev O. , Kallaste A. , Kilk A. , Vaimann T. , Orlova S.
Published: March 2017

The paper discusses problems concerning the influence of permanent magnet material characteristics on the low-speed permanent magnet generator losses and output characteristics. The variability of the magnet material and its effect on the output parameters of the machine has been quantified. The characteristics of six different grades of neodymium permanent magnets have been measured and compared to the supplier specification data. The simulations of the generator have been carried out using transient finite element analysis. The results show that magnet materials from different suppliers have different characteristics, which have a significant influence on the generator output parameters, such as efficiency and power factor.
Design of Low-Torque-Ripple Synchronous Reluctance Motor with External Rotor
Authors: Lavrinovicha L. , Dirba J. , Dobriyan R.
Published: March 2017

The paper presents new designs for synchronous reluctance motors that have external rotor (segment-shaped rotor, rotor with additional non-magnetic space to the quadrature axis of the rotor, and rotor with several flux barriers). Impact of the external rotor configuration on the electromagnetic torque and torque ripple is analysed. Electromagnetic torque ripple factor is calculated for each studied motor using the results of magnetic field numerical calculations.
Reshaping local borders in Europe today. A critical reflection founded on an analysis of the case of Finland
Authors: Xavier Albacete , Joan Tort
Published: March 2017

In Europe, the amalgamation of local authorities is currently used to optimize public resources. Although amalgamation involves several advantages, it needs to fulfil three conditions to be considered successful. First, address local preferences and needs; second, be fair, transparent and accessible to citizens; and third, be a compromise between central and local political elites. In the current paper the fulfilling of these three conditions is analysed using the comprehensive, bottom-up, Finnish reform introduced during the period of 2008-2013. The findings conclude that while the Finnish local reform plan has been successful in reaching a compromise between local and central governments, it has failed insofar as it has not fulfilled the condition of making the process fair, transparent and accessible to citizens. Furthermore, whether the amalgamation has allowed local government to address citizens’ preferences and needs in a meaningful and responsive way has yet to be demonstrated.
Law, Culture, and Mobilization: Legal Pluralism and Women’s Access to Divorce in Egypt
Authors: Ahmed Zaki Hind
Published: March 2017

Scholarship on personal status law systems in Muslim-majority countries stresses the challenges facing women’s rights activists seeking to reform family laws. Yet, little research is done on how Islamic family law systems, being inherently pluralistic, could enable activists to challenge hegemonic hermeneutical understandings of Islam. This article draws from a qualitative study of a decade and a half long campaign to reform divorce laws in Egypt to argue that dual legal systems, like the Egyptian one, enabled women’s rights activists to push forward novel hybrid rights claims, despite the structural and discursive constraints they faced. Grounding those claims in the context of Egypt’s pluralistic family law system and shrewdly negotiating multiple legal orders, including alternative interpretations of Islamic Shari’a and national codes, women’s rights activists successfully utilized the cultural power of legal pluralism. The success of this campaign demonstrates the ways in which the institutional and discursive dimensions of a pluralistic family law system in Egypt provided a surprising resource for reform. On a theoretical level, the case study presented in this article highlights the complex legacy and consequences of legal pluralism on women’s rights within culturally and politically constrained settings.
Funktionen der GABAergen Übertragung im unreifen Gehirn
Authors: Kirmse Knut , Holthoff Knut
Published: March 2017

Während γ-Aminobuttersäure (GABA) im adulten Gehirn synaptische Hemmung vermittelt, wirkt es auf unreife Nervenzellen zumeist depolarisierend und teilweise erregend.
Cholinerge Rückkopplungen auf den auditorischen Hirnstamm
Authors: Künzel Thomas , Wagner Hermann
Published: March 2017

Absteigende Verbindungen von höheren Hirnarealen zurück in die Peripherie sind in vielen sensorischen Bahnen vorhanden und machen adaptive Informationsverarbeitung möglich, so dass eine größere Bandbreite von Eingängen verarbeitet werden kann. Ein gut charakterisiertes absteigendes System ist die olivo-cochleäre Innervation des Innenohrs, welche eine Reduktion der Sensitivität des Innenohrs aufgrund der Wahrnehmung eines lauten Schallreizes vermittelt. Das olivo-cochleäre System unterstützt die Detektion von kurzzeitigen Schallereignissen durch Hemmung der Antworten im Innenohr auf anhaltendes Hintergrundrauschen. Olivo-cochleäre Neurone innervieren aber auch den Nukleus cochlearis durch kollaterale Axone. Hier erhöht der Transmitter Acetylcholin die Erregbarkeit von zentralen Neuronen, ohne ihre zeitliche Präzision zu verringern. So können ihre Zielneurone im superioren Olivenkomplex effektiver die binauralen Informationen verarbeiten. Dieser zentrale Effekt des olivo-cochleären Systems ergänzt die peripheren Effekte in sinnvoller Weise. Zusätzlich stehen olivo-cochleäre Neurone unter dem Einfluss kortikaler Eingänge, was weitergehende Anpassungsmöglichkeiten der Informationsverarbeitung auf der Ebene des auditorischen Hirnstamms ermöglicht.
Does Customer Loyalty Depend on Corporate Social Responsibility?
Authors: Stanisavljević Milena
Published: March 2017

This paper presents the results of a study conducted to examine the dependence of customer loyalty on corporate social responsibility (CSR). CSR is a good opportunity for a company’s differentiation, but only if customers value the company’s efforts in this field. Loyalty is a primary goal of each company, but it is influenced by numerous factors. The goal of this paper was to examine if CSR influences customer loyalty as one possible factor. Based on the presented results, management recommendations are provided concerning business strategy, mission, and vision formulation, so companies can fulfill customers’ interests and gain their loyalty.
Toward a better prescription method for external radiotherapy
Authors: Mrozowska Marzena , Kukołowicz Paweł
Published: March 2017

Aim: The aim of the study was to compare several methods of dose prescription, the mean dose, the median dose, the effective dose and the generalized Equivalent Uniform Dose (gEUD).

Background: The dose distribution in the planning target volume is never fully homogenous. Depending on the dose prescription method for the same prescribed dose different biologically equivalent doses are delivered. The latest ICRU Report 83 proposes to prescribe the dose to the median dose in the PTV. Several other methods are also in common use. It is important to know what are differences of doses actually delivered depending on the dose prescription method.

Materials and methods: The study was performed for three groups of patients treated radically with external beams in Brzozow, over the 2012-2013 period. The groups were of patients with breast, lung and prostate cancer. There were 10 patients in each group. For each patient all metrics, i.e. the mean dose, the median dose, the effective dose and the generalized Equivalent Uniform Dose, were calculated. The influence of the dose homogeneity in the PTV on the results is also evaluated. The gEUD was used as a reference dose prescription method.

Results: For all patients, an almost perfect correlation between the median dose and the gEUD was obtained. Worse correlation was obtained between other metrics and the gEUD. The median dose is almost always a little higher than the gEUD, but the ratio of these two values never exceeded 1.013.

Conclusion: The median dose seems to be a good and simple method of dose prescription.
Short same segment fixation versus short segment fixation in postoperative correction of kyphosis and pain reduction in thoracolumbar spine fractures
Authors: State Mohamed , Zaher Ahmed , Ali Nabil
Published: March 2017

Introduction: Posterior short segment pedicle screw fixation is considered the most common way for management of unstable thoracolumbar spine fracture. This study is aiming to evaluate the efficacy of both posterior short same segment and posterior short segment pedicle screw fixation on postoperative kyphotic angle and pain dense score in thoracolumbar fractures.

Methods: This is a Prospective study of 32 patients with single level thoracolumbar spine fracture between June 2011 and May 2014. Patients were divided randomly into 2 groups, one of them was submitted to short same segment posterior pedicle screw fixation with mean age 31.25+9.25ys, while the other group submitted to short segment posterior pedicle screw fixation with mean age 29.18+9.65ys. Cobb method and Denis work scale were used to assess kyphotic angle and pain score respectively on admission, during follow up period and after one year postoperatively.

Results: The short same segment type of operation showed improvement in correction in kyphotic angle deformity at the end of follow up period although this improvement was not statistically significant compared to short segment type. The short same segment patients showed statistically significant improvement as regard pain Denis score among those patients treated by short segment fixation.

Conclusion: In this study short same segment posterior pedicle screw fixation is more efficient in postoperative pain reduction than short segment posterior pedicle screw fixation.
Intradural spinal, extramedullary, T4-T5 cavernous hemangioma - case report
Authors: Iacob G. , Rotund B. , Iancu A. , Madalan A. , Marinescu Andreea , Simion G.
Published: March 2017

A very rare, purely intradural, spinal, extramedullary cavernous hemangioma was fortunately discovered in a 56 years old woman, presenting with bilateral brachial paresthesia. Using conventional spin-echo T1 proton density, T2-weighted magnetic resonance and gadolinium images an intradural spinal T4-T5, an extramedullary cavernous hemangioma was discovered. The patient underwent surgery, with laminectomy and microsurgical resection followed by an uneventful postoperative clinical course. Similar as in cerebral locations a mixed signal intensity in all sequences on magnetic resonance images might be indicative of cavernous hemangioma, rendering a presumptive preoperative diagnosis of the lesion and surgical planning for a good microsurgical resection.
A rare case of cervical epidural extramedullary plasmacytoma presenting with monoparesis
Authors: Turk Okan , Atci Ibrahim Burak , Yilmaz Hakan , Ozdemir Nuriye Guzin , Katar Salim , Antar Veysel , Baran Oguz , Sigirci Buket Bambul
Published: March 2017

Multiple myeloma and other plasma cell disorders are characterized by production of a large number of plasma cells in the bone marrow. On the other hand, plasmacytoma results from proliferation of abnormal plasma cells in the soft tissue or skeletal system. Neurological complications are frequently observed in these diseases. The most commonly known complications among those complications are spine fractures, spinal cord compressions, and peripheral neuropathies. Although neurological involvements are common in plasmacytomas, extramedullary spinal epidural localizations have been reported very rarely. In this case report, we aimed to present a plasmacytoma case that presented with acute onset of upper extremity monoparesis. A 40-year-old woman was admitted to our clinic with complaints of sudden weakness and numbness in her left arm following neck and left arm pain. Emergency cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an epidural mass and the patient underwent emergency surgery. The patient showed improvement post-operatively and the pathology was reported as plasmacytoma. Following hematology consultation, systemic chemotherapy was initiated and radiotherapy was planned after wound healing.
Epidemiological study of insular glioma – an institutional experience
Authors: Praveen Kumar , Manish Aggrawal , Deo Sinha Virendra , Anu Bhandari
Published: March 2017

Object: Insular gliomas are difficult and challenging tumors to operate and manage due to the inherent complexity and the adjacent vital structures around them. Our aim is to define the morbidity profile and the mortality associated with the maximum possible safe resection of these less common tumors.

Methods: The study was conducted on patients who were diagnosed as insular gliomas on MRI. All grades of patients treated by microsurgical techniques at our center from 2010 to 2016 were included in the study.

Results: Median age at diagnosis was 39.52 years, Mean KPS score was 92. Male patients constituted 23 of all patients. 68% patients had right sided tumors. WHO grade 2 was most common grade and constituted 64% of all cases. One patient developed expressive aphasia and five patients developed hemiparesis. There was one mortality due to unrelated causes.

Conclusion: With the use of meticulous microneurosurgical technique, safe yet aggressive resection of the insular gliomas can be accomplished with comparable morbidity and mortality rates even when the modern neurosurgical tool such as intraoperative neuromonitoring and neuronavigation systems are unavailable.
Commonly available CT characteristics and prediction of outcome in traumatic brain injury patients
Authors: Kumar Anil , Umamaheswara Reddy V. , Pratyusha Vasuki , Munivenkatappa Ashok , Pal Ranabir , Hegde Kishore V. , Jena Ranjan , Satish Kumar S. , Agrawal Amit
Published: March 2017

Background: Acute Computerized Tomography (CT) characteristics are used widely and most accepted for prediction of outcome among Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The commonly available and simple combinations of existing and unexplored CT parameters may be more useful in prediction of outcome. The present study explores commonly available CT characteristics by possible combinations based on anatomical basics.

Methods: Abnormal CT sign was considered with any cranial lesion. Based on anatomical locations of cortical lobes, nine possibilities were made that include individual and combinations of mentioned lobes. The laterality was either right or left or bilateral. The outcome was favourable or unfavourable based on discharge Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Binary logistic regression was used to predict outcome.

Results: 452 patients were recruited in the present study. There was significant risk of unfavourable outcome among patients with location of Sub Dural Haemorrhage (SDH) in Parietal + Temporal region (OR=10,p<0.001); Cerebral Contusion in Temporal region (OR=3,p=0.03), Frontal + Temporal region(OR=16,P=0.001), Frontal + Parietal + Temporal region (OR=18.7,p<0.001). Patients with four abnormal CT signs had worst outcome. Presence of SDH on right side (OR=4.5,p<0.001) and bilateral Cerebral Contusion (OR=4.5,p=0.003) was at the risk of unfavourable outcome.

Conclusion: The present study based on anatomical classification has shown that location and laterality of lesion can significantly predict TBI outcome.
Blended Learning and Innovative Technologies in Training of Future Specialists in Foreign Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Gurevych Roman , Kademiya Maya
Published: March 2017

The article characterizes one of the most promising models of blended learning in higher education institutions. The article describes the peculiarities of improving the education process, the formation of motivational and professional competency of future specialists as well as the usage of one of the models of blended learning – “flipped learning”, within which the personal-oriented approach is implemented and the interaction between teacher and student significantly increases. On the basis of the analysis of specialists’ training in higher education institutions in the USA, Germany, Austria, South Korea by means of the blended model with the usage of the “flipped” and ubiquitous learning, it has been found out that specialists’ training using these technologies will facilitate the absorption of significant amounts of information, the realization of individual and cooperative activities of students, teaching by project technologies that enables to develop communicative skills of students. All this makes it possible to train future specialists to work in the informational society in accordance with the requirements of labour market.
The Importance of British Teaching Experience (Late 20th – Early 21st Century) for Modern Training of Ukrainian Primary School Teachers in Rural Areas
Authors: Berladyn Olha
Published: March 2017

The article deals with peculiarities of primary schools teachers’ professional training in the UK (late 20th – early 21st century) in terms of European integration, analyses development priorities, substantiates the possibilities to use the ideas of the British experience in the training of local primary schools teachers in rural areas. The ideas which have been determined as leading are: development of unified system of standards and teachers training in the context of general integrated requirements for its competence; teachers’ skills to manage their teaching and training activities; modernizing the content of professional training; ensuring continuity of professional training for primary school teachers and their close cooperation with universities, schools and local education system, etc. The results of theoretical research confirm that the development of primary schools in Great Britain has always being and remains a leading factor in the modernization of teacher training. Teacher Education in UK has considerable experience in combining traditional and modern innovation in the time of reforms in that sector, updating the organizational and semantic principles taking into account the European dimension of education. The experience of Great Britain as an active member of formation processes in common European education space, with a rich history, cultural traditions and innovative achievements in terms of professional training of primary school teachers will provide an opportunity to identify and use positive ideas to upgrade the pedagogical education in Ukraine and present its achievements in the European education space. The UK has implemented its own national approach to the modernization of primary school teachers’ professional training on the basis of common European integration processes and changes.
Determinants of Profitability: Evidence from Power and Energy Sector
Authors: Fareed Zeeshan , Ali Zahid , Shahzad Farrukh , Nazir Muhammad Imran , Ullah Assad
Published: March 2017

The study examines the impact of key determinants of profitability of power and energy sector in Pakistan such as firm size, firm age, firm growth, productivity, financial leverage and electricity crisis discussed in the broader inter-disciplinary literature. For this purpose panel data of 16 firms of power and energy sector is taken for 2001 to 2012. The study considers profitability determinants at the firm as well as industry affiliation levels in examining hypotheses developed from resource-based approaches. Random effect model is used to detect the combination of variables that best estimated the impact of the explanatory variables on the dependent variable. The empirical results suggest that firm size, firm growth, and electricity crisis positively impact the profitability. However, firm age, financial leverage and productivity negatively influence the firm profitability. This study also propose that during the electricity crisis the profitability of power sector is increased even production of this sector is very low. The findings further indicate that larger and younger firms with high growth and low productivity are more likely to be profitable. This study has found that firm productivity and firm size are the strongest determinants of profitability in power and energy sector of Pakistan.
Purification and characterization of two isoforms of native α amylase from Ok-Rong mango (Mangifera indica Linn. cv. Ok-Rong)
Authors: Ubonbal Raksmont , Porsoongnoen Saijai , Daduang Jureerut , Klaynongsruang Sompong , Daduang Sakda
Published: March 2017

Introduction

The tropical plant amylases involved in the fruit ripening stage is outstanding for their high activities in converting starch to sugars within a short period at high temperatures over 40°C.

Methods

The α amylase iso-enzymes from Ok-Rong mango (Mangifera indica Linn. cv. Ok-Rong) were purified in 2 steps, using 70% ammonium sulfate precipitation and affinity chromatography on a β-cyclodextrin sepharose 6B column, and characterized for biochemical properties.

Results

The enzyme was purified 105-fold with a final specific activity of 59.27 U mg−1. SDS-PAGE revealed two bands of 60 and 64 kDa. pI were supposed to be 4.6 and 5.0. Those were resolved into isoforms I and II by a zymographic method. They were matched with α amylase Amy1 from Vigna mungo and α amylase-like isoform I from Theobroma cacao after LC-MS/MS analysis. Isoforms I and II exhibited maximum activity at pH 4, retained more than 50% of their activity after 1 h of incubation at pH 5–9. Two isoforms showed high activity over a wide range of temperatures at 30°–90°C, with the highest activity at 70°C. They retained more than 50% of their activity at 30°C–40°C after 1 h of incubation. The enzymes were confirmed to be metalloenzymes by the effect of EDTA. In addition, limit-dextrin, amylopectin and soluble starch were suggested to be good substrates.

Conclusion

Two α amylase iso-enzymes were classified as members of the low-pI group of amylases with identical structure, properties and functions. They are mesophilic with high possibilities for application for many purposes.
Implementation of a Modified WHO Pediatric Procedural Sedation Safety Checklist and Its Impact on Risk Reduction
Authors: Kahlenberg Lindsay , Harsey Lindsay , Patterson Mary , Wachsberger Don , Gothard Dave , Holder Michael , Forbes Michael , Tirodker Urmila
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Major adverse events (AEs) related to pediatric deep sedation occur at a low frequency but can be of high acuity. The high volume of deep sedations performed by 3 departments at our institution provided an opportunity to reduce variability and increase safety through implementation of a procedural sedation safety checklist. We hypothesized that implementation of a checklist would improve compliance of critical safety elements (CSEs) (primary outcome variable) and reduce the sedation-related AE rate (secondary outcome variable).

METHODS:

This process improvement project was divided into 5 phases: a retrospective analysis to assess variability in capture of CSE within 3 departments that perform deep sedation and the association between noncapture of CSE and AE occurrence (phase 1), design of the checklist and trial in simulation (phase 2), provider education (phase 3), implementation and interim analysis of checklist completion (phase 4), and final analysis of completion and impact on outcome (phase 5).

RESULTS:

We demonstrated interdepartmental variability in compliance with CSE completion prechecklist implementation, and we identified elements associated with AEs. Completion of provider education was 100% in all 3 departments. Final analysis showed a checklist completion rate of 75%, and its use significantly improved capture of several critical safety elements. Its use did not significantly reduce AEs (P = .105).

CONCLUSIONS:

This study demonstrates that the implementation of a sedation checklist improved process adherence and capture of critical safety elements; however, it failed to show a significant reduction in sedation-related AEs.
Impact on Hospital Resources of Systematic Evaluation and Management of Suspected Nonaccidental Trauma in Patients Less Than 4 Years of Age
Authors: Pflugeisen Bethann M. , Escobar Mauricio A. , Haferbecker Dustin , Duralde Yolanda , Pohlson Elizabeth
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVE:

There has been an increasing movement worldwide to create systematic screening and management procedures for atypical injury patterns in children with the hope of better detecting and evaluating nonaccidental trauma (NAT). A legitimate concern for any hospital considering implementation of a systematic evaluation process is the impact on already burdened hospital resources. We hypothesized that implementation of a guideline that uses red flags related to history, physical, or radiologic findings to trigger a standardized NAT evaluation of patients <4 years would not negatively affect resource utilization at our level II pediatric trauma center.

METHODS:

NAT cases were evaluated retrospectively before and prospectively after implementation of the NAT guideline (n = 117 cases before implementation, n = 72 cases postimplementation). Multiple linear and logistic regression, χ2, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to evaluate human, laboratory, technology, and hospital resource usage between cohorts.

RESULTS:

Human (child abuse intervention department, ophthalmology, and evaluation by a pediatric surgeon for admitted patients), laboratory (urine toxicology and liver function tests), and imaging (skeletal survey and head or abdominal computed tomography) resource use did not differ significantly between cohorts (all P > .05). Emergency department and hospital lengths of stays also did not differ between cohorts. A significant 13% decrease in the percentage of patients admitted to the hospital was observed (P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS:

Structured evaluation and management of pediatric patients with injuries atypical for their age does not confer an added burden on hospital resources and may reduce the percentage of such patients who are hospitalized.
Neonatal Presentations of Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation
Authors: Cuddapah Sanmati R. , Ganetzky Rebecca D.
Published: March 2017

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are a variable, rapidly expanding group of genetic metabolic disorders. Glycosylation is fundamental to the processing of proteins and lipids, and as such, disorders in these pathways can cause multisystemic effects. Symptoms can be evident as early as the prenatal period and should be suspected in an infant with multisystemic disease. Biochemical screening and confirmatory molecular genetic tests are available; however, their sensitivity is imperfect and some patients are now being diagnosed by whole exome sequencing. Early diagnosis is important, because treatment options are available for some subtypes.
Neonatal Hypoglycemia
Authors: Thompson-Branch Alecia , Havranek Thomas
Published: March 2017

Lower blood glucose values are common in the healthy neonate immediately after birth as compared to older infants, children, and adults. These transiently lower glucose values improve and reach normal ranges within hours after birth. Such transitional hypoglycemia is common in the healthy newborn. A minority of neonates experience a more prolonged and severe hypoglycemia, usually associated with specific risk factors and possibly a congenital hypoglycemia syndrome. Despite the lack of a specific blood glucose value that defines hypoglycemia, concern for substantial neurologic morbidity in the neonatal population has led to the generation of guidelines by both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Pediatric Endocrine Society (PES). Similarities between the 2 guidelines include recognition that the transitional form of neonatal hypoglycemia likely resolves within 48 hours after birth and that hypoglycemia that persists beyond that duration may be pathologic. One major difference between the 2 sets of guidelines is the goal blood glucose value in the neonate. This article reviews transitional and pathologic hypoglycemia in the neonate and presents a framework for understanding the nuances of the AAP and PES guidelines for neonatal hypoglycemia.
Agroclimatic zoning methodology for agricultural production systems in dry Caribbean region of Colombia
Authors: Martinez M. Fabio Ernesto , Deantonio F. Leidy Yibeth , Araujo C. Gustavo Alfonso , Rojas Edwin O. , Gómez-Latorre Douglas A. , Alzate Diego F. , Ortiz Lilia A. , Aguilera G. Elizabeth , Boshell-Villamarin José F.
Published: March 2017

The agricultural sector in Colombia and especially, small-scale agriculture subsector in the Colombian Caribbean has been very vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate variability in part due to the poor existence and lack of access to agro-climatic information. The objective was to build a methodology for agroclimatic zoning for crops growing in Colombian dry Caribbean. To achieve this goal, a case study of tomato crop growing in the municipality of Repelon (Atlantico, Colombia) was selected. The methodology was based in the combination of crop-specific soil suitability assessment and the monthly prob ability of a humidity condition occurrence in the soil for tomato production under water deficit. Probability was constructed through water balances generated from the Palmer drought severity index, calculated for each month of crop production cycle during the 1980 to 2011 series. The resulting maps show defined areas called Productive Niches with lower limitations per soil and low probabilities of soil water deficit in the growth of tomato crop in the municipality. The methodology can be used to delineate areas suitable for planting tomato or other crops in climate variability events in the dry Caribbean region of Colombia.
Study of the spatial variability of moisture and compaction in soils with different plant covers
Authors: Pinzón-Gómez Lida Paola , Alvarez Herrera Javier Giovanni , Mesa-Amezquita Andrés
Published: March 2017

Soil is a dynamic system, with physical, chemical and biological properties that have high spatial variability, making necessary to use innovative methodologies to study this variability. The aim of this study was to determine the spatial variability of moisture and compaction in soils with different plant covers. The study was conducted in the department of Boyaca (Co lombia), municipality of Sogamoso, Ombachita District. A total of 95 sampling points were measured as a rigid network in an area of 34.18 ha, which were georeferenced and taken as representative for the plant cover in the sampling area. The values of penetration resistance (PR) found in the soil ranged from 0.717 to 1.385 MPa, so that, as the depth increased, the PR increased, while the volumetric moisture presented an inversely proportional behavior for depth. The cover that prevailed in the study area was a mosaic of pastures and crops (MPC), at 30.1%. The moisture values were lower in the area planted with eucalyptus. The PR showed greater spatial dependence at a greater depth, while the moisture presented a moderate dependence at different depths.
Editorial
Authors: Fischer Gerhard
Published: March 2017

Agronomía Colombiana journal continues publishing research articles of the domestic and international agriculture from a variety of different fields, beginning with plant breeding to food sciences, including interesting topics not only about the climate change and agroecology, but also about crop physiology and crop protection. All these are essential topics for the development of agriculture and the production of food in a changing and growing world, underlining the importance of interchange scientific and technic information between  many working groups and lectors in the American Continent and the world, in general. For that, the journal is integrated in different indices and databases such as Publindex (A2), SciELO, Redalyc and Scopus, among others, and all texts are free for downloading in the internet (e.g. ResearchGate and Sinab).