bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generating ‘good enough’ evidenc for co-production
Authors: Durose Catherine , Needham Catherine , Mangan Catherine , Rees James
Published: October 2015

Co-production is not a new concept but it is one with renewed prominence and reach in contemporary policy discourse. It refers to joint working between people or groups who have traditionally been separated into categories of user and producer. The article focuses on the coproduction of public services, offering theory-based and knowledge-based routes to evidencing co-production. It cites a range of ‘good enough’ methodologies which community organisations and small-scale service providers experimenting with co-production can use to assess the potential contribution, including appreciative inquiry, peer-to-peer learning and data sharing. These approaches have the potential to foster innovation and scale-out experimentation.
Was macht einen Coach zum Coach? Weiterbildung und Qualifizierung
Authors: Lippmann Eric
Published: October 2015

In diesem Artikel wird der Frage nachgegangen, was denn eine gute Qualifizierung zum Coach ausmacht. Zuerst werden dazu Anforderungen an Coach und Coaching-Weiterbilder/innen beschrieben und mit den wichtigsten Wirkfaktoren im Coaching in Zusammenhang gestellt. Darauf aufbauend geht es um Anforderungen an die Coaching-Weiterbildungen, um am Schluss der Frage nachzugehen, was denn professionelle Coachs für ihre Weiterqualifizierung brauchen.
Mini Sling (Ophira) versus Pubovaginal Sling for Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Medium-term Follow-up
Authors: Sharifiaghdas Farzaneh , Nasiri Mahmoodreza , Mirzaei Mahboubeh , Narouie Behzad
Published: October 2015

To compare two different procedures, mid-urethral mini sling (Ophira) and autologous rectus fascia sling, according to their medium-term subjective and objective outcome and satisfaction rates in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women. One hundred women with the main complaint of stress urinary incontinence were randomized to be treated with either mini sling (Ophira) or autologous rectus facia pubovaginal sling. Preoperative evaluation consisted of: physical examination, blood biochemistry urine analysis and culture, urinary tract ultrasound scan, conventional multi-channel urodynamic study, cystourethroscopy, cough induced stress test and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ). The patients were objectively and subjectively re-evaluated at 1, 3, 6 and 12 postoperative months and the last visit and the collected data of more than one year follow-up were compared with preoperative assessments. Seventy two out of one hundred patients were followed for a mean time of 13.8 ± 4.4 months (12–20 months range). Objective cure rate, according to cough-induced stress test was recorded in 88.6% and 89.2% of the mini sling (Ophira) and the rectus facia sling group respectively (P=1.0). Postoperative mean IIQ score decreased to 42.7 ± 11.4 and 50.2 ± 11.1 in the mini sling (Ophira) group versus rectus facia pubovaginal sling (P=0.007). Twenty eight (80%) and 23 (67%) patients in the mini sling (Ophira) and rectus facia pubovaginal sling were satisfied with the operation (P=0.23). There is no significant difference between the mini sling (Ophira) and autologous rectus fascia sling procedure in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence at medium-term follow-up.
Acute Digital Ischemia Associated with Closed Injury
Authors: Janák David , Ručka David , Kudlička Jaroslav , Rohn Vilém , Lindner Jaroslav , Kittnar Otomar
Published: October 2015

Injury of an artery has a significantly worse prognosis for the patient than a venous injury. Blunt injuries of lower limb digital arteries with the development of acute ischemia present a very rare phenomenon. A crush mechanism with a defect of the non-wetted surface of vessel’s inner part and the development of subsequent thromboischemic lesion is essential for the development of ischemia. We report a blunt injury of the right lower limb in a patient after incorrect stepping with subsequent lesion of digital arteries and the development of acute acral ischemia of the right toes.
Crohn S Disease and Acne Fulminans as Associated Disoders (Case Report)
Authors: Pecova K , Vorcakova K. , Horakova M. , Vojarova L.
Published: October 2015

The authors are presenting a rare case of recurrent acne fulminans (AF) in man with Crohn‘s disease (CD). First attak of AF as associated disorder was observed at the age of 21 with positivity rheumatoid factor (28.0 U/ml), Creactive protein (86.7 m/l), ANA (1:160), p-ANCA (1:40) and 82 erythrocyte sedimentation rate/1 hour. The second attak of AF was observed after the 4th infliximab (5mg/kg) administration, with azathioprine (100mg/day), with positivity Epstein-Barr (EBV Real Time PCR - 1835 copies/ml). The effect of AF therapy was observed after methylprednisolone (0.5-1.0mg/kg/day) with isotretinoin (0.2-1.0mg/kg/day) administration, with continual infliximab administration.
Modeling and Analysis of Mechanical Properties in Structural Steel-DOE Approach
Authors: Bhatt A. , Parappagoudar M.B.
Published: October 2015

The present work focuses on the modeling and analysis of mechanical properties of structural steel. The effect of major alloying elements namely carbon, manganese and silicon has been investigated on mechanical properties of structural steel. Design of experiments is used to develop linear models for the responses namely Yield strength, Ultimate tensile strength and Elongation. The experiments have been conducted as per the full factorial design where all process variables are set at two levels. The main effect plots showed that the alloying elements Manganese and Silicon have positive contribution on Ultimate tensile strength and Yield strength. However, Carbon and Manganese showed more contribution as compared to Silicon. All three alloying elements are found to have negative contribution towards the response- Elongation. The present work is found to be useful to control the mechanical properties of structural steel by varying the major alloying elements. Minitab software has been used for statistical analysis. The linear regression models have been tested for the statistical adequacy by utilizing ANOVA and statistical significance test. Further, the prediction capability of the developed models is tested with the help of test cases. It is found that all linear regression models are found to be statistically adequate with good prediction capability. The work is useful to foundrymen to choose alloying elements composition to get desirable mechanical properties.
Application of Special Cause Control Charts to Green Sand Process
Authors: Perzyk M. , Rodziewicz A.
Published: October 2015

Statistical Process Control (SPC) based on the well known Shewhart control charts, is widely used in contemporary manufacturing industry, including many foundries. However, the classic SPC methods require that the measured quantities, e.g. process or product parameters, are not auto-correlated, i.e. their current values do not depend on the preceding ones. For the processes which do not obey this assumption the Special Cause Control (SCC) charts were proposed, utilizing the residual data obtained from the time-series analysis. In the present paper the results of application of SCC charts to a green sand processing system are presented. The tests, made on real industrial data collected in a big iron foundry, were aimed at the comparison of occurrences of out-of-control signals detected in the original data with those appeared in the residual data. It was found that application of the SCC charts reduces numbers of the signals in almost all cases It is concluded that it can be helpful in avoiding false signals, i.e. resulting from predictable factors.
Structure of MMCs with SiC Particles after Gas-tungsten Arc Welding
Authors: Przełożyńska E. , Braszczyńska-Malika K.N. , Mróz M.
Published: October 2015

The gas-tungsten arc (GTA) welding behaviors of a magnesium matrix composite reinforced with SiC particles were examined in terms of microstructure characteristics and process efficiencies. This study focused on the effects of the GTAW process parameters (like welding current in the range of 100/200 A) on the size of the fusion zone (FZ). The analyses revealed the strong influence of the GTA welding process on the width and depth of the fusion zone and also on the refinement of the microstructure in the fusion zone. Additionally, the results of dendrite arm size (DAS) measurements were presented.
Primary Crystallization Studies and Abrasion Analysis of Cr-Ni-Mo Cast Steel
Authors: Studnicki A. , Gromczyk M. , Kondracki M. , Suchoń J. , Szajnar J.
Published: October 2015

The article shows results of studies of primary crystallization and wear resistance of Cr-Ni-Mo cast steel intended for work in corrosive and abrasive conditions. The studies of primary crystallization were conducted with use of TDA method and modified tester allowing measurement casting cooling time influence on the cooling and crystallization curves of studied alloys. After heat treatment of examined cast steel wear tests of the samples were conducted on pin-on-disc type device.
Destruction of Moulding Sands with Chemical Binders Caused by the Thermal Radiation of Liquid Metal
Authors: Zych J. , Mocek J.
Published: October 2015

The obtained results of heating of sand moulds with binders by means of a thermal radiation of liquid metal are presented in this study. Standard samples for measuring Rg made of the tested moulding sands were suspended at the lower part of the cover which was covering the crucible with liquid metal (cast iron), placed in the induction furnace. The authors own methodology was applied in investigations. The progressing of the samples surface layers heating process was determined as the heating time function. Samples of a few kinds of moulding sands with chemical binders were tested. Samples without protective coatings as well as samples with such coatings were tested. The influence of the thermal radiation on bending resistance of samples after their cooling was estimated. The influence of several parameters such as: time of heating, distance from the metal surface, metal temperature, application of coatings, were tested. A very fast loss of strength of moulding sands with organic binders was found, especially in cases when the distance between metal and sample surfaces was small and equaled to 10÷15 mm. Then, already after app. 15 seconds of the radiation (at Tmet=1400°C), the resistance decreases by nearly 70%. Generally, moulding sands with organic binders are losing their strength very fast, while moulding sands with water glass at first increase their strength and later slightly lose. The deposition of protective coatings increases the strength of the mould surface layers, however does not allow to retain this strength after the metal thermal radiation.
Resistance to Abrasive Wear and Volume Fraction of Carbides in Cast High-manganese Austenitic Steel with Composite Structure
Authors: Tęcza G. , Głownia J.
Published: October 2015

Cast Hadfield steel is characterised by high abrasion resistance, provided, however, that it is exposed to the effect of dynamic loads. During abrasion without loading, e.g. under the impact of loose sand jet, its wear resistance drops very drastically. To increase the abrasion resistance of this alloy under the conditions where no pressure is acting, primary vanadium carbides are formed in the metallurgical process, to obtain a composite structure after the melt solidification. The primary, very hard, carbides uniformly distributed in the austenitic matrix are reported to double the wear resistance of samples subjected to the effect of a silicon carbide-water mixture.
Acute toxicity of maneb in the tadpoles of common and green toad / Akutna toksičnost maneba u punoglavaca smeđe i zelene krastače
Authors: Gürkan Mert , Hayretdağ Sibel
Published: October 2015

Pesticides used in agriculture can have hazardous effects on aquatic organisms, and amphibians are even more threatened than other aquatic vertebrates. Maneb is widely used to control fungal diseases on crops, fruits, and vegetables. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute toxic effects of maneb on the common (Bufo bufo) and green toad (Pseudepidalea viridis) tadpoles. Tadpoles at the development stage 21 were exposed to maneb (0-5 mg L-1) for 120 h. Maneb LC50 values at hour 120 were 1.966 mg L-1 for B. bufo and 0.332 mg L-1 for P. viridis. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first published LC50 findings for the two species. Visceral oedema and tail deformations were observed in both species. We also observed liver necrosis, pronephric tubule deformations, somite deteriorations, and visceral oedema at maneb concentrations ≥0.1 mg L-1 for B. bufo and ≥0.05 mg L-1 for P. viridis. Our results show that B. bufo tadpoles have a much higher resilience to maneb than P. viridis tadpoles. This resilience seems to be related to the larger size of the B. bufo tadpoles and their ability to metamorphose faster in adverse conditions. Future research should look into the mechanisms of toxic action of maneb in anurans.
Accidental discovery of asbestos-related occupational pleural disease in unemployed carpenter: a healthcare safety net that needs mending / Poklicna bolezen plevre zaradi izpostavljenosti azbestu pri mizarju
Authors: Manfredo Irena
Published: October 2015

Unemployed persons are often on the margins of the healthcare system and under the radar of safety and health organisations, as no systematic records are kept of occupational diseases caused by exposure at previous work place. Law in Slovenia requires that asbestos-related occupational diseases are verified by establishing the causal relationship between exposure at work and its effect on the worker. This report describes a case of verifying occupational pleural disease in an unemployed carpenter who was referred for consultation with occupational health specialist as part of the regular procedure for the unemployed registered at the Employment Service of Slovenia. At the consultation it turned out that the carpenter had been exposed to asbestos when he worked as a teenage apprentice. The diagnosis of the bilateral pleural disease and asbestosis was confirmed by X-ray and high-resolution computed tomography. Because he had no record of exposure in that period, we analysed his past working environment for minerals and found chrysotile in all asbestos board samples. The case was presented to an interdisciplinary committee, which verified his disease as occupational. This case points to the need of adopting guidelines for occupational health specialists providing counsel to the national employment service so that the number of unrecorded occupational diseases is minimised and their treatment is covered by the state.
Electronic Levels Of Cr2+ Ion Doped In II-VI Compounds Of ZnS – Crystal Field Treatment
Authors: Ivaşcu Simona
Published: October 2015

The aim of present paper is to report the results on the modeling of the crystal field and spin-Hamiltonian parameters of Cr2+ doped in II-VI host matrix ZnS and simulate the energy levels scheme of such system taken into account the fine interactions entered in the Hamiltonian of the system. All considered types of such interaction are expected to give information on the new peculiarities of the absorption and emission bands, as well as of non-radiative transitions between the electronic states of impurity ions. The obtained results were disscused, compared with similar obtained results in literature and with experimental data.
The Influence Of Component Alignment On The Life Of Total Knee Prostheses
Authors: Bugariu Delia , Bereteu Liviu
Published: October 2015

An arthritic knee affects the patient’s life by causing pain and limiting movement. If the cartilage and the bone surfaces are severely affected, the natural joint is replaced with an artificial joint. The procedure is called total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Lately, the numbers of implanted total knee prostheses grow steadily. An important factor in TKA is the perfect alignment of the total knee prosthesis (TKP) components. Component misalignment can lead to the prosthesis loss by producing wear particles. The paper proposes a study on mechanical behaviors of a TKP based on numerical analysis, using ANSYS software. The numerical analysis is based on both the normal and the changed angle of the components alignment.
Using Algebraic Computing To Teach General Relativity And Cosmology
Authors: Vulcanov Dumitru N. , Boată Remus-Ştefan Ş.
Published: October 2015

The article presents some new aspects and experience on the use of computer in teaching general relativity and cosmology for undergraduate students (and not only) with some experience in computer manipulation. Some years ago certain results were reported [1] using old fashioned computer algebra platforms but the growing popularity of graphical platforms as Maple and Mathematica forced us to adapt and reconsider our methods and programs. We will describe some simple algebraic programming procedures (in Maple with GrTensorII package) for obtaining and the study of some exact solutions of the Einstein equations in order to convince a dedicated student in general relativity about the utility of a computer algebra system.
Qualitative Alleviation Of War Reparations In Jus Post Bellum: Analysis Of Travaux Préparatoires Of Article 16 Of The Treaty Of Peace With Japan
Authors: Minai Keisuke
Published: October 2015

As a case study contributing to empirical and inductive specifications of the jus post bellum principle for reparations, the author conducts an analysis of a provision of the Treaty of Peace with Japan that mandates that Japan make reparations from attached Japanese assets in neutral and ex-Axis countries to compensate the Allied prisoners of war. This study’s findings elucidate the legal significance of the provision that war reparations can be qualitatively alleviated by virtue of substituting assets for pecuniary reparations, hence presenting inductive substantiation for implementing the jus post bellum principle for reparations.
Lessons From The EU-Russia Sanctions 2014-2015
Authors: Veebel Viljar , Markus Raul
Published: October 2015

This article analyzes and discusses the objectives of the sanctions implemented by the European Union against Russia and Russian countermeasures against EU member states in 2014-2015, by comparing the official aims with the options expressed in theoretical debates and experiences gained from historical lessons. In principle, the study seeks an answer to the question: what could be realistically achieved as a result of the current form of restricted sanctions and what stays beyond their reach. Methodologically, this article focuses on the evaluation of the ability of theoretical models to explain the logic of anti-Russian sanctions and debates the options of the outcomes of current formation of sanctions in light of theoretical models.
Efficient Emergency Event Tracking Using Features of Web Data
Authors: Wu Qunhui , Lv Jianghua , Wang Hao , Ma Shilong
Published: October 2015

Huge amount of information has become now available in web services due to their popularity. This web data contains user-contributed information for a variety of emergency events. However, tracking these emergency events is often limited by the lack of efficient tools to analyze the potential events or topics over time, since these events are inherently difficult to predict due to the interference of other unpredictable evolutions. In this paper we propose a two-phase approach, in which we first introduce a novel extraction algorithm to acquire relevant web data and then we utilize a limit theory to determine the periodical convergence time of a specific event, and an event tracking model is constructed using the extracted web data. Based on the significance of multiple features weights and clustering solutions, the interplay between the ordinary events and latent events is discovered to efficiently track the emergency events. Finally, we conduct extensive experiments to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of our approach.
The side effects of translational omics: overtesting, overdiagnosis, overtreatment
Authors: Diamandis Eleftherios P. , Li Michelle
Published: October 2015

High-throughput technologies such as next-generation genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics are capable of generating massive amounts of data quickly, and at relatively low costs. It is tempting to use this data for various medical applications including preclinical disease detection and for prediction of disease predisposition. Pilot projects, initiated by various research groups and Google, are currently underway, but results with not be available for a few years. We here summarize some possible difficulties with these approaches, by using examples from already tried cancer and other screening programs. Population screening, especially with multiparametric algorithms, will identify at least some false positive parameters and screening programs will identify abnormal results in otherwise healthy individuals. Whole genome sequencing will identify genetic changes of unknown significance and may not predict accurately future disease predisposition if the disease is also influenced by environmental factors. In screening programs, if the disease is rare, the positive predictive value of the test will be low, even if the test has excellent sensitivity and specificity. False positive results may require invasive procedures to delineate. Furthermore, screening programs are not effective if the cancer grows quickly, and will identify indolent forms of the disease with slow-growing tumors. It has also been recently shown that for some cancers, more intensive and radical treatments do not usually lead to better clinical outcomes. We conclude that new omics testing technologies should avoid overdiagnosis and overtreatment and need to be evaluated for overall clinical benefit before introduction to the clinic.
Omics-based approaches and their use in the assessment of microbial-influenced corrosion of metals
Authors: Beale David J. , Karpe Avinash V. , Jadhav Snehal , Muster Tim H. , Palombo Enzo A.
Published: October 2015

Microbial-influenced corrosion (MIC) has been known to have economic, environmental, and social implications to offshore oil and gas pipelines, concrete structures, and piped water assets. While corrosion itself is a relatively simple process, the localised manner of corrosion makes in situ assessments difficult. Furthermore, corrosion assessments tend to be measured as part of a forensic investigation. Compounding the issue further is the impact of microbiological/biofilm processes, where corrosion is influenced by the complex processes of different microorganisms performing different electrochemical reactions and secreting proteins and metabolites that can have secondary effects. While traditional microbiological culture-dependent techniques and electrochemical/physical assessments provide some insight into corrosion activity, the identity and role of microbial communities that are related to corrosion and corrosion inhibition in different materials and in different environments are scarce. One avenue to explore MIC and MIC inhibition is through the application of omics-based techniques, where insight into the bacterial population in terms of diversification and their metabolism can be further understood. As such, this paper discusses the recent progresses made in a number of fields that have used omics-based applications to improve the fundamental understanding of biofilms and MIC processes.
Neonatal spinal cord injury after an uncomplicated caesarean section
Authors: Fazzi Anisia , Messner Hubert , Stuefer Josef , Staffler Alex
Published: October 2015

Introduction: Spinal cord injury of the newborn is a rare and critical condition which is typically reported after difficult deliveries. The few cases of spinal cord injury after caesarean section reported in literature are usually associated with intrauterine hyperextension of the head. However, in exceptional cases the authors described intrauterine vascular insults as a possible cause for spinal cord lesions during pregnancy.

Presentation of the case: A term infant was born after an uncomplicated caesarean section following cephalic presentation. Pregnancy was reported as uneventful. Foetal ultrasounds were normal and showed no evidence of hyperextension of the head. Although the boy was in good general conditions after birth, he showed a flaccid paralysis of both upper extremities with absent deep tendon reflexes and missing pain response. Other neurologic findings like general tonus and reactivity as well as spontaneous movements of both lower extremities were adequate. A spinal MRI performed at 48 h of life showed intact brachial plexuses with evidence of spinal cord lesion compatible with an ischemic injury. Accurate anamnesis revealed that the mother had perceived reduced foetal movements in the last 2 days before birth, suggesting a possible intrauterine origin of the ischaemic event.

Conclusion: Our case reinforces the hypothesis that small ischaemic spinal cord lesions may occur during uncomplicated pregnancy. Therefore, such lesions may not always be related to a difficult delivery. Irrespective of the cause, treatment and parental counselling remain challenging due to the rarity of reported cases.
Prenatal diagnosis of holoprosencephaly with proboscis and cyclopia caused by monosomy 18p resulting from unbalanced whole-arm translocation of 18;21
Authors: Yamasaki Yui , Miyahara Yoshiya , Tanimura Kenji , Ebina Yasuhiko , Morita Hiroki , Yamada Hideto
Published: October 2015

A case of holoprosencephaly (HPE) with proboscis, fused eyes in one orbit, and cyclopia was diagnosed by fetal ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ultrasonographic examination at 28 weeks of gestation showed fusion of the frontal part of the brain and ventricular dilation. Subsequent CT and MRI examinations confirmed this anomaly as alobar HPE. Amniocentesis followed by chromosome analysis demonstrated karyotype asde novo45,XY, der (18;21)(q10;q10), with deletion of a short arm of chromosome 18. The pregnancy ended in a premature delivery of a male neonate weighing 1716 g at 34 weeks. Macroscopically, there were mid-frontal proboscis and single orbit with two eyes without normal nasal structures. He died 1 h after birth.
Etiologies of asymptomatic microscopic hematuria in children – systematic review of 1092 subjects
Authors: Clark Michelle , Aronoff Stephen , Del Vecchio Michael
Published: October 2015

Background: Asymptomatic microscopic hematuria is common in children. No systematic review providing an evidence based approach for the differential diagnosis of these children has been performed.

Contents: Multiple data bases were search. The PRISMA criteria were followed. Data regarding the etiology of the hematuria were extracted using a standardized extraction tool. Seven studies encompassing 1092 children (857 with isolated microscopic hematuria and 235 with combined microscopic hematuria and proteinuria), comprise this review. A total 42.4% of isolated microscopic and 81.3% of microscopic hematuria and proteinuria subjects had identified etiologies. Thin basement membrane nephritis (15.2%), IgA nephropathy (10.4%), and hypercalciuria without nephrolithiasis (7.7%), were the most common etiologies among children with isolated microscopic hematuria. IgA nephropathy (44.3%), thin basement membrane disease (12.8%), and mesangial proliferative glomerulosclerosis (8.9%) were the most common etiologies among children with combined microscopic hematuria and proteinuria.

Conclusion: The present study provides an evidenced based resource, based on a systematic review, for the differential diagnosis of asymptomatic hematuria in children. Additionally, these observations suggest that children with isolated microscopic hematuria should be followed for persistence of hematuria or the development of proteinuria. Children with combined microscopic hematuria and proteinuria should be comprehensively evaluated.
Application Of Nanotechnology In Agriculture And Food Industry, Its Prospects And Risks
Authors: Jampílek Josef , Kráľová Katarína
Published: October 2015

Nanoagrochemicals, such as nanopesticides, nanofertilizers or plant growth stimulating nanosystems, were primarily designed to increase solubility, enhance bioavailability, targeted delivery, controlled release and/or protection against degradation resulting in the reduced amount of applied active ingredients and finally in a decrease of dose-dependent toxicity/burden. This paper is a comprehensive up-to-date review related to the preparation and the biological activity of nanoformulations enabling gradual release of active ingredient into weeds and the body of pests and controlled release of nutrients to plants. The attention is also devoted to the decrease of direct environmental burden and economic benefits due to application of nanoformulations, where less amount of active ingredient is needed to achieve the same biological effect in comparison with bulk. The application of nanotechnology in the areas such as food packaging, food security, encapsulation of nutrients and development of new functional products is analysed. The use of nanoparticles in biosensors for detection of pathogens and contaminants as well as in DNA and gene delivery is discussed as well. Benefits and health risks of nanoagrochemicals are highlighted, and special attention is given to nanoecotoxicology and guidelines and regulatory documents related to the use of nanoformulations in agriculture and food industry.
Concentration Changes Of PM10 Under Liquid Precipitation Conditions
Authors: Olszowski Tomasz
Published: October 2015

This study reports the results of field research into variability of the scavenging coefficient (Λ) of suspended dust comprising particles with aerodynamic diameters less than 10 mm. Registration of PM10 over 7 years in conditions of the occurrence of rainfall (convective light showers, large-scale precipitation and storms) was undertaken in an undeveloped rural area. The analysis involved 806 observations taken at constant time intervals of 0.5 hour. The measurements of the concentration of PM10 were performed by means of a reference method accompanied by concurrent registration of basic meteorological parameters. It was found that, for PM10, the scavenging efficiency is considerably influenced by rainfall intensity R and the type of precipitation. In the case of convective precipitation, data on Λ are only partially related to “classical approach” of rain scavenging. Within the range of comparable values of rainfall intensity, the type of wet deposition (except for storms) does not influence the effectiveness of scavenging PM10 from the ground-level zone. The large number of observations conducted in real-time conditions yielded a proposal of simple regression model, which can be deemed suitable for the description of variability Λ (DPM10), but only to a limited extent for large-scale precipitation. The collected results can be applied in air pollution dispersion models and deposition and were found to be generally representative for areas with similar climatic characteristics.
Evaluation Of Transport Mechanism Of Contaminant Particles In Small Water Systems In Poland
Authors: Hofman Adam , Sowiński Jarosław , Dziubiński Marek
Published: October 2015

The change in water quality in small water systems is strongly affected by sediment particles. Their transport, deposition and re-suspension due to variability in water demand has a significant impact on the change in water quality. Two significant mechanism of deposit transport and deposition i.e. turbophoresis and turbulent diffusion have been described in the literature. The paper presents the mechanisms of turbophoresis and turbulent diffusion. These phenomena have an impact on the quality of water in small water systems. The aim of the study is to propose procedures of identifying areas of mechanism of particle movement and their accumulation in small water system networks. Simulation of the flow of small water-pipe network at Niewiesz was used for the study. That water pipeline is situated in the central Poland. Many rural areas in Poland have a similar architecture. Modeling of movement of contaminant in close wall areas in pipelines is presented. The article presents the discussion concerning the areas where the mechanisms of turbophoresis and turbulent diffusion occur in the transport of solid particles in water supply systems. The relations between deposition and transporting of particles in turbulent flows depend on a number of parameters, including: particle size, localization of particles in the pipe (at given time), as well as the turbulence of flow. These parameters change depending on the water demand. The type of these changes depends on pipe diameters, material from which the pipes and the fittings are made, water demand and initial quality of water.
Sewage Sludge-To-Energy Management In Eastern Europe: A Polish Perspective
Authors: Werle Sebastian
Published: October 2015

The Sewage Sludge Directive 86/278/EEC was adopted about 30 years ago with a view to encourage sewage sludge reuse in agriculture and to regulate its use. Meanwhile, some EU Member States have adopted stricter standards and management practices than those specified in the Directive. In particular, the majority of Member States has introduced more stringent standards for sludge quality, including stricter limits for most potentially toxic elements, organic contaminants and other elements. In general, untreated sludge is no longer applied and in several Member States it is prohibited. In some cases, stringent standards have resulted in an effective ban on use of sludge in agriculture. Moreover, the implementation of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive 91/271/EC should increase EU production of sewage sludge, thus enhancing problems related to sustainable sewage sludge management. Additionally, European legislation prohibits the landfill and water deposits of sewage sludge. The latest trends in the field of sludge management, ie combustion, pyrolysis, gasification and co-combustion, have generated significant scientific interest. This trend is specially strong visible in “new” EU Members countries which have to introduce strong EU Directive in their low system. Here the review the state of knowledge and technology in thermal methods for the utilization of municipal sewage sludge to obtain useful forms of energy such as pyrolysis, gasification, combustion, and co-combustion taking into consideration Poland situation is presented.
Thermotropic behavior of celecoxib-loaded beta-casein micelles: relevance to the improved bioavailability
Authors: Perlstein Hadas , Turovsky Tanya , Gimeson Peter , Cohen Rivka , Rubinstein Abraham , Danino Dganit , Barenholz Yechezkel
Published: October 2015

The physico-chemical characterization of novel celecoxib-loaded beta-casein micelles (Cx/bCN) was recently described and its superiority in enhancing celecoxib bioavailability after intraduodenal administration to pigs was demonstrated. Here, using solution differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) combined with analysis of size distribution by DLS, zeta potential and changes in composition we demonstrate that the above superiority may be related to the thermotropic behavior of these micelles under physiological conditions. DSC of Cx/bCN reveals a characteristic irreversible exotherm upon heating, having its temperature of maximal change in heat capacity (T
Information Technology in Education – Hopes and Fears
Authors: Łaszczyk Jan
Published: October 2015

Modern technologies whose development defines the beginning of the twenty-first century information civilization create entirely new possibilities for organizing and delivering educational processes. Thanks to them an opportunity for education opens up, which is a move away from the narrowly conceived encyclopaedism in education to independent work, revealing activities, and sometimes creativity. The paper will consider the benefits that can be associated with the use of IT in teaching on the one hand understood as a set of devices, on the other as education software packages. At the same time features which entails risks for the organization of teaching and learning processes as well as for themselves educated will be indicated.
Derivation of Closed-Form Design Equations for Idealized Operation of Inverse Class-E Power Amplifiers at Any Duty Ratio
Authors: Wang Yelin , Foo Suan-Kien , He Qibing
Published: October 2015

Complementary to the conventional class-E topology, inverse class-E operation has several advantages over the class-E counterpart, such as lower peak switch voltage and smaller circuit inductance, which are attractive to high power RF design and MMIC implementation. This paper derives the closed-form design equations that can be used to synthesize the idealized operation of inverse class-E power amplifiers at any switch duty ratio. Calculation of the key design parameters, such as the maximum switch voltage and circuit components values, is elaborated and compared with the case of conventional class-E operation. Further, the theoretical analysis is confirmed and verified by numerical simulations performed on a 500 mW, 2.4 GHz idealized inverse class-E power amplifier.
Salivary α-Amylase And Chromogranin A In Anxiety-Related Research
Authors: Tananska Valeria T.
Published: October 2015

Salivary α-amylase (sAA) and chromogranin A (sCgA) are at the forefront of current biochemical research on anxiety. Their use is being driven by the sudden surge of interest in “salivaomics,” a new field in medicine studying saliva’s genetic code, proteome and methabolom. Interestingly, it is not the primary functions of the enzyme and the protein, but the ingenious capture of their secondary ones (maintenance of the acid-alkaline balance and bactericidal / antifungal action) that allows for a swift, precise and pain-free measurement under physical and mental duress. Upon stimulation, sAA and sCgA are almost simultaneously released. Studying them allows a closer look at the autonomic nervous system (ANS) as opposed to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA), which involves a long cascade of complex, hard to measure and interpret bio-chemical reactions.
Clinical And Morphological Improvement Of Lupus Nephritis Treated With Rituximab
Authors: Tsanyan Maria E. , Soloviev Sergey K. , Radenska-Lopovok Stefka G. , Torgashina Anna V. , Nikolaeva Ekaterina V. , Khrennikov Yaroslav B. , Nasonov Evgeniy L.
Published: October 2015

Aim: TO assess the effects of rituximab (RTM) therapy on clinical and morphologic activity of lupus nephritis (LN).

Material and methods: The study included 45 patients with confirmed diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), unaffected by previously received standard therapy with glucocorticoids (GCs) and cytostatics. The disease activity was assessed using Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI 2K); to assess the LN activity we used the SLICC RA/RE index. Forty-five patients with LN were given puncture renal biopsy prior to prescribing RTM; 16 patients had repeated renal biopsy 1 year and more after beginning the anti-B-cell therapy. LN was graded histologically in accordance with the WHO classification (2003) with indices of activity (AI) and chronicity (CI).

Results: The predominant number of patients had class III - IV of LN. The repeated renal biopsies demonstrated that LN had undergone a transition into a more favourable morphologic class, which was associated, in most of these cases, with a positive therapeutic effect. The follow-up dynamics showed a statistically significant reduction of AI (p=0.006), and no statistically significant changes in the CI (p = 0.14).

Conclusion: The long-term follow-up in the study has showed that repeated courses of anti-B-cell therapy with RTM have a positive effect both on SLE activity and generally on the renal process. The reduction of the morphologic class of LN as assessed in the repeated renal biopsies is a convincing proof for this. Eleven out of 16 patients experienced transition of the morphologic class into a more favourable type, which in most cases was combined with lower AI (p = 0.006). We found no evidence of increase in the CI (p = 0.14).
Protection of Active Distribution Systems with DGs
Authors: Akila Abdelrahman Ahmed , Helal Ahmed , Eldesouki Hussein
Published: October 2015

Distribution systems are traditionally designed as radial passive systems fed from a single source.
Protection coordination of such systems has been easily established assuming the system radiality. Insertion of distributed generators (DGs) into distribution systems makes the distribution system to be more active which causes redistribution of fault currents magnitudes and directions. This causes negative impacts on the original protection system coordination, since the distribution system losses its radiality and passiveness. Recently protection coordination in the presence of distributed generation has been paid a great attention. Researchers proposed various solutions to solve the protection coordination problem caused by adding DG into the distribution network. In this paper, the proposed solutions for the protection coordination problem considering the DG insertion will be illustrated, classified, and criticized.
Blood Sampling Seasonality as an Important Preanalytical Factor for Assessment of Vitamin D Status
Authors: Bonelli Patrizia , Buonocore Ruggero , Aloe Rosalia , Lippi Giuseppe
Published: October 2015

Background:The measurement of vitamin D is now commonplace for preventing osteoporosis and restoring an appropriate concentration that would be effective to counteract the occurrence of other human disorders. The aim of this study was to establish whether blood sampling seasonality may influence total vitamin D concentration in a general population of Italian unselected outpatients.

Methods:We performed a retrospective search in the laboratory information system of the University Hospital of Parma (Italy, temperate climate), to identify the values of total serum vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) measured in outpatients aged 18 years and older, who were referred for routine health check-up during the entire year 2014.

Results:The study population consisted in 11,150 outpatients (median age 62 years; 8592 women and 2558 men). The concentration of vitamin D was consistently lower in samples collected in Winter than in the other three seasons. The frequency of subjects with vitamin D deficiency was approximately double in samples drawn in Winter and Spring than in Summer and Autumn. In the multivariate analysis, the concentration of total vitamin D was found to be independently associated with sex and season of blood testing, but not with the age of the patients.

Conclusions:According to these findings, blood sampling seasonality should be regarded as an important preanalytical factor in vitamin D assessment. It is also reasonable to suggest that the amount of total vitamin D synthesized during the summer should be high enough to maintain the levels > 50 nmol/L throughout the remaining part of the year.
Digital Citizenship in the Afterschool Space: Implications for Education for Sustainable Development
Authors: Howard Patrick
Published: October 2015

Education for sustainable development (ESD) challenges traditional curricula and formal schooling in important ways. ESD requires systemic thinking, interdisciplinarity and is strengthened through the contributions of all disciplines. As with any transformative societal and technological shift, new questions arise when educators are required to venture into unchartered waters. Research has led to some interesting findings concerning digital literacies in the K-12 classroom. One finding is that a great deal of digital media learning is happening outside the traditional classroom space and is taking place in the afterschool space (Prensky, 2010). Understanding the nature of learning in the afterschool space and bridging the current divide between formal schooling and the learning happening online is critical to the establishment of core ESD values and skills, namely ethical online communities and the development of respectful, tolerant global digital citizens.
Investigating the Stress Levels of Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary Pre-service Teachers during Teaching Practicum
Authors: Geng Gretchen , Midford Richard , Buckworth Jenny
Published: October 2015

This study investigated stress levels of pre-service teachers (PSTs) across three categories of teaching context: early childhood, primary and secondary. This paper focused on exploring the stressors in the completion of tasks in teaching practicum in the three categories of teaching context and an awareness of and access to support systems. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and an online questionnaire were used to measure the nature and level of stress. Significant results were found in relation to the school climate and the stress levels of PSTs across the three different teaching contexts. These findings have implications in terms of understanding different PSTs’ stress levels across the three teaching contexts and ways they could be supported to reduce their stress level and achieve better study outcomes.
State-of-the-art photodetectors for optoelectronic integration at telecommunication wavelength
Authors: Eng Png Ching , Song Sun , Ping Bai
Published: October 2015

Photodetectors hold a critical position in optoelectronic integrated circuits,
and they convert light into electricity. Over the past decades, high-performance
photodetectors (PDs) have been aggressively pursued to enable high-speed,
large-bandwidth, and low-noise communication applications. Various material
systems have been explored and different structures designed to improve
photodetection capability as well as compatibility with CMOS circuits. In this
paper, we review state-of-theart photodetection technologies in the
telecommunications spectrum based on different material systems, including
traditional semiconductors such as InGaAs, Si, Ge and HgCdTe, as well as
recently developed systems such as low-dimensional materials (e.g. graphene,
carbon nanotube, etc.) and noble metal plasmons. The corresponding material
properties, fundamental mechanisms, fabrication, theoretical modelling and
performance of the typical PDs are presented, including the emerging directions
and perspectives of the PDs for optoelectronic integration applications are
discussed.
Crystal structure of bis(ethyltriphenylphos-phonium) tetrabromidozincate(II), C40H40Br4P2Zn
Authors: Hosten Eric C. , Schalekamp Henk , Betz Richard
Published: October 2015

C40H40Br4P2Zn, monoclinic, Cc (no. 9), a = 12.2430(6) Å, b = 21.120(1) Å, c = 16.405(1) Å, β = 111.015(2)°, V = 3959.7 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0443, wRref(F2) = 0.1070, T = 200 K.
Crystal structure of 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-phenyl acetic acid hemihydrate, C9H11O3.50
Authors: Hosten Eric C. , Betz Richard
Published: October 2015

C9H11O3.50, orthorhombic, Pbcn (no. 60), a = 25.838(2) Å, b = 9.2992(7) Å, c = 7.2476(6) Å, V = 1741.4 Å3, Z = 8, R(F) = 0.0531, wRref(F2) = 0.1362, T = 200 K.
Crystal structure of 1,2-dimethylimidazolium iodide, C5H9IN2
Authors: Hosten Eric C. , Betz Richard
Published: October 2015

C5H9IN2, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 6.8704(2) Å, b = 8.6118(3) Å, c = 13.5373(5) Å, V = 801.0 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0121, wRref(F2) = 0.0304, T = 200 K.