bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Healthy Checkout and Impulse Purchases
Authors: Grandi Benedetta , Cardinali Maria Grazia
Published: March 2018

The present work aims to implement and test a ‘healthy checkout’ in a real retailing environment in order to explore the effectiveness of this kind of intervention in terms of helping customers making healthy choices on impulse, contrary to the claim of the extant literature. By developing this research, we want to enrich the extant literature by analyzing the nature of the behaviour in front of the checkout and the effect of in-store stimuli (specifically, assortment and communication) on that nature. For the purpose of the present work, all candies and chocolate at the checkout were replaced by a selection of healthy products. The assortment included a mix of fresh fruit, dried fruit, dried fruit bars, nuts and smoothies. A structured questionnaire was submitted at the end of the shopping trip to the sample considered in different stores in the north of Italy. Participants were asked to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention (assortment and communication) and the effect of these levers on the nature of the behaviour was assessed. Our findings show that by placing healthy snacks at the checkout and by communicating them at a category level in an easy processable way it is possible to trigger healthy choices on impulse.
Hybrid POI Recommendation System for Tourism
Authors: Barathan Monishkanna , Sharifahmadian Ershad
Published: March 2018

Due to the increase in amount of available information, finding places and planning of the activities to be done during a tour can be strenuous. Tourists are looking for information about a place in which they have not been before, which worsen the selection of places that fit better with user’s preferences. Recommendation systems have been fundamentally applicable in tourism, suggest suitable places, and effectively prune large information from different locations, so tourists are directed toward those places where are matched with their needs and preferences. Several techniques have been studied for point-of-interest (POI) recommendation, including content-based which builds based on user preferences, collaborative filtering which exploits the behavior of other users, and different places, knowledge-based method, and several other techniques. These methods are vulnerable to some limitations and shortcomings related to recommendation environment such as scalability, sparsity, first-rater or gray sheep problems. This paper tries to identify the drawbacks that prevent wide spread use of these methodologies in recommendation. To improve performance of recommendation systems, these methods are combined to form hybrid recommenders. This paper proposes a novel hybrid recommender system which suggests tourism destinations to a user with minimal user interaction. Furthermore, we use sentiment analysis of user’s comments to enhance the efficiency of the proposed system.
Algebraic Verification Algorithm
Authors: Abduldaim Areej M
Published: March 2018

Authentication over insecure public networks or with untrusted servers raises more concerns in privacy and security.Modern algebra is one of the significantfields of mathematics. It is a combination of techniques used for a variety of applications including the process of the manipulation of the mathematical categories. In addition,modern algebra deals in depth with the study of abstractions such as groups, rings and fields,the main objective of this article is to provide a novel algebraic verification protocol using ring theory. The protocol is blind, meaning that it detects only the identity, and no additional information will be known anything about the prover (the biometric) to the authenticating server or vice-versa. More officially a blind authentication scheme is a cryptographic protocol that comprises of two parties, a user (the prover) that wants to achieve having signs on her messages, and a signer (the verifier) that is in ownership of his secret signing key. In this paper, we employ the algebraic structure called central Armendariz rings to design a neoteric algorithm for zero knowledge proof. The proposed protocol is established and illustrated through numerical example, and its soundness and completeness are proved.This method gave two important properties for the central Armendariz zero knowledge protocol compared with other known protocols.
Transient effectiveness of dapsone for skin lesions in a patient with discoid lupus erythematosus
Authors: Mikita Naoya , Furukawa Fukumi
Published: March 2018

Dapsone is a synthetic sulfone preparation and is second-line treatment for cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) including discoid LE (DLE). This report describes a patient with DLE, which was improved by dapsone quickly but the recurrence was noted.  Oral administration of prednisolone (5 mg / day) was required but the complete healing was very difficult. In this report, we will discuss the effectiveness and limitation of dapsone   for patients with DLE and the mechanisms of action.
Occupational exposure to blood and bodily fluids among healthcare workers in Serbian general hospitals
Authors: Mandić Bojana , Mandić-Rajčević Stefan , Marković-Denić Ljiljana , Bulat Petar
Published: March 2018

The risk of occupational bloodborne infections (HBV, HCV, and HIV) among healthcare workers remains a serious issue in developing countries. The aim of this study was to estimate occupational exposure to bloodborne infections among general hospital workers in Serbia. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the spring of 2013 and included 5,247 healthcare workers from 17 general hospitals. The questionnaire was anonymous, self-completed, and included sociodemographic information with details of blood and bodily fluid exposure over the career and in the previous year (2012). Significant predictors of sharps injuries were determined with multiple logistic regressions. The distribution of accidents in 2012 was equal between the genders (39 %), but in entire career it was more prevalent in women (67 %). The most vulnerable group were nurses. Most medical doctors, nurses, and laboratory technicians reported stabs or skin contact with patients’ blood/other bodily fluid/tissue as their last accident. Healthcare workers from the north/west part of the country reported a significantly lower number of accidents over the entire career than the rest of the country (p<0.001). The south of Serbia stood out as the most accident-prone in 2012 (p=0.042).
The efficiency of lactic acid bacteria against pathogenic fungi and mycotoxins
Authors: Perczak Adam , Goliński Piotr , Bryła Marcin , Waśkiewicz Agnieszka
Published: March 2018

Mycotoxins are produced by some fungal species of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium and are common contaminants of a wide range of food commodities. Numerous strategies are used to minimise fungal growth and mycotoxin contamination throughout the food chain. This review addresses the use of lactic acid bacteria, which can inhibit fungal growth and participate in mycotoxin degradation and/or removal from contaminated food. Being beneficial for human and animal health, lactic acid bacteria have established themselves as an excellent solution to the problem of mycotoxin contamination, yet in practice their application in removing mycotoxins remains a challenge to be addressed by future research.
Canned sea fish marketed in Serbia: their zinc, copper, and iron levels and contribution to the dietary intake
Authors: Popović Aleksandar R. , Relić Dubravka J. , Vranić Danijela V. , Babić-Milijašević Jelena A. , Pezo Lato L. , Đinović-Stojanović Jasna M.
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the levels of Zn, Cu, and Fe in three canned fish species marketed Serbia to see if they meet recommended daily intake requirements or exceed safety limits. We collected a total of 207 samples of canned tuna, sardine, and mackerel, in oil or tomato sauce and analysed them with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after acid digestion. The highest levels were obtained for Zn (15.1 mg kg-1) and Cu (1.37 mg kg-1) in sardine in oil and tomato sauce, respectively, and for Fe (18.98 mg kg-1) in mackerel in tomato sauce. Our results keep within the ranges reported by several national food databases and available literature data, with a few exceptions. Our findings also single out canned sardines as the richest source of the three essential elements combined. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of the three essential elements, however, was subpar, and ranged between 0.14 % and 0.72 % of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for Zn, Cu, and Fe.
Discrepancies in the evaluation of incapacity for work in a patient with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita between public pension fund and occupational medicine expert raise the issue of competencies
Authors: Lalić Hrvoje
Published: March 2018

Abstrat

A 50-year-old female patient suffering from a severe form of epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) took legal action against the Croatian Pension Insurance Institute (CPII) in an attempt to overturn their assessment that she was no longer capable of working as a seamstress but still capable of doing administrative jobs. Her claim was that she was not capable of doing any job at all. She was first diagnosed EBA in 2000, and the disease progressed slowly with intermittent remissions. In 2012, skin erosions appeared on her feet, followed by the loss of all toenails and lesions and infiltrations on the tongue and oral mucosa. Her whole body was covered in oozing wounds, she was in pain, and parts of her skin would stick to fabric while changing clothes or bandages. The most recent findings showed oesophageal stricture. She can consume only liquid food and is on the waiting list for receiving a feeding tube. The occupational health expert witness confirmed that the patient was generally incapable of work and was fighting her life. The judge and CPII lawyers fully accepted this report and the earlier assessment was overturned. To avoid incompetent assessments of working (in)capacity in the future, CPII and similar institutions should engage occupational medicine specialists to work in their assessment teams.
Antimycobacterial potential of the juniper berry essential oil in tap water
Authors: Peruč Dolores , Gobin Ivana , Abram Maja , Broznić Dalibor , Svalina Tomislav , Štifter Sanja , Staver Mladenka Malenica , Tićac Brigita
Published: March 2018

Mycobacterium avium complex-related diseases are often associated with poorly maintained hot water systems. This calls for the development of new control strategies. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of essential oils (EOs) from the Mediterranean plants, common juniper, immortelle, sage, lavandin, laurel, and white cedar against Mycobacterium avium ssp. avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare, and Mycobacterium gordonae in culturing broth and freshwater as their most common habitat. To do that, we developed a new method of water microdilution to determine their minimal effective concentrations (MEC). The most active EO was the one from the common juniper with the MEC of 1.6 mg mL-1. Gas chromatography / mass spectrometry the juniper EO identified monoterpenes (70.54 %) and sesquiterpenes (25.9 %) as dominant component groups. The main monoterpene hydrocarbons were α-pinene, sabinene, and β-pinene. The juniper EO significantly reduced the cell viability of M. intracellulare and M. gordonae at MEC, and of M. avium at 2xMEC. Microscopic analysis confirmed its inhibitory effect by revealing significant morphological changes in the cell membrane and cytoplasm of all three bacteria. The mode of action of the juniper EO on the cell membrane was confirmed by a marked leakage of intracellular material. Juniper EO has a great practical potential as a complementary or alternative water disinfectant in hot water systems such as baths, swimming pools, spa pools, hot tubs, or even foot baths/whirlpools.
The Intelligence Process and the Information Management
Authors: Vilasi Antonella Colonna
Published: March 2018

The Intelligence cycle is a procedure framework for the development of mission-focused Intelligence support. It is not an end in itself, nor should it be viewed as a rigid set of procedures that must be carried out in an identical manner on all occasions. The commander and the Intelligence officer must consider each IR (Intelligence requirement) individually and apply the Intelligence cycle in a manner that develops the required Intelligence in the most effective way (U.S. MARINE CORPS, 2007).
Corrective Feedback in Writing Essay in the L2 Classrooms
Authors: Xhama Leandro
Published: March 2018

Learning a foreign language is a complex and satisfying activity which encompasses a variety of skills used and learnt. It involves a sum of tools being used by the teacher to help and motivate students to study and remember and later use this knowledge to improve their performance in either writing or speaking English. My study has tackled one of the elements used by the teachers to motivate students and help their writing skills get better and last longer. In this observation of corrective feedback i have studied and questioned opinions of both students and teachers with regard to this process. The data was gathered by means of questionnaires and face to face interviews with students and teachers. I have addressed two main issues: First, what is the effectiveness of corrective feedback in learning writing in English and second how long do the skills learnt by corrective learning last.
Impact of Artisanal Gold Mining on Human Health and the Environment in the Batouri Gold District, East Cameroon
Authors: Ralph Obase , Gilles Ngoran , Fon Nde , Luma Henry , Greg Ngwane
Published: March 2018

There is no Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) system for the mining sector in Cameroon, and miners are exposed to numerous health and safety risks inherent from Artisanal Gold Mining (AGM) activity. Also very few studies have addressed the health problems in AGM in Cameroon. This study seeks to create an awareness of the health and environmental issues surrounding the mining sector in Cameroon so as to foster its development. It was a cross-sectional, observational, and communitybased study involving 273 respondents from three different communities. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data. OHS risk assessment was conducted through direct observation and inspection of five different workplaces. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for the presence of mercury and lead. Gold miners in Batouri are exposed to the risk of physical injuries, respiratory conditions, diarrheal conditions, psychotic disorders, dermatophyte infections, helminthic infestations, malaria and musculoskeletal problems. The most common health problems among miners are musculoskeletal disorders (35.6%), malaria (26.4%) and hernias (14.9%), while malaria (18.7%) and musculoskeletal disorders (15.4%) are common among stakeholders. The mean blood mercury and lead levels among miners is 2.27 ± 8.85 μg/L and 12.73 ± 32.73 μg/L respectively, and 9.1% of them are chronically intoxicated with mercury, reporting ≥ 4 symptoms possibly related to mercury intoxication. The major environmental problems are deforestation, land degradation, water pollution, air pollution and water-logged pits. AGM in Batouri, therefore, has a negative impact on human health and environmental sustainability.
Historical Events in Korça Region after the Declaration of Independence until the end of World War I
Authors: Begolli Eduart
Published: March 2018

The paper reflects political, economic, social activities and aspects of Korça during the period of the study.This period is special and important in the history of the Korça region and the Albanian state. During this period were launched the institutions of public life, founded in the form of governance, which included a series of economic activities for Korça based on creating new contemporary legislation increasing the institutions’ role in relation to the previous tradition; building up a modern national educational institution in order to change the mentality of the people, basically oriented to the western countries’ policy. There are described the key moments of political, economic, social and cultural life of the Prefecture’ people of Korça.The main aim and objective of the study has to familiarize the reader with the Korça region people role in the political, social, economic, during 1912-1920 ‘s, and the efforts of this population for freedom and independence and national unity.The most outstanding personalities in the different fields of the life in Korça region in local and national level are recorded, showing their role in certain moments of these developments.The important place has taken the attempts of Greeks for annexation of Korça region using the different political, diplomatic and military means, but there were also the wishes of the population of Korça to be part of Albania. The ability of Korça citizens for selfgovernance is clearly expressed during WWI when the “Autonomous Republic of Korça” government was founded.
Public Perception of the Role of the Nigeria Police Force in Curbing the Menace of Kidnapping in Benin Metropolis, Southern Nigeria: A Criminological Study
Authors: Obarisiagbon Barr. Emmanuel Imuetinyan , Omagie Mannie
Published: March 2018

Kidnapping for ransom has been on the increase in the last ten years in Nigeria and there appears to be no end in sight despite the existence of a police force whose statutory function of crime detection and prevention has come under fire for its abysmal performance. This study therefore examined the public perception of the role of the Nigeria police force in curbing the menace of kidnapping in Benin Metropolis, Southern Nigeria. This study adopted the problem-oriented policing theory in its explanation of the topic under investigation. It also employed the survey and cross-sectional design. The quantitative technique was utilized to collect data from the respondents while a total of 960 respondents were quantitatively sampled. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data collected from the field. Findings from this investigation showed that there is a very poor public perception of the police and that there are a multiplicity of obstacles hindering the efforts of the police at curbing the activities of kidnappers in Nigeria. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that government should improve the funding of the police to boost the morale of the rank and file while the police on its part should get rid of the bad elements within its system in order for public confidence to be restored in its ability.
Relationship between Selected Personal Determinants and Examination Cheating among Kenyan Secondary School Students
Authors: Owenga John Timon Odhiambo , Aloka Peter J. O. , Raburu Pamela A.
Published: March 2018

The present study investigated the relationship between selected personal determinants and examination cheating among Kenyan secondary school students. This study used a Sequential Explanatory design. The target population was 51,900 students in Kisumu County within 153 public secondary schools categorized as 2 National secondary schools, 21 extra county schools, and 130 county and sub-county schools. A simple random sampling technique was used to determine sample size which comprised of 380 respondents since the study was confined within specific ecological boundary which was public secondary schools. Data collection instruments included questionnaires, for general data collection from the respondents and in-depth interview schedules for one to one interview of respondents. The finding of the study shows that there was statistically significant positive correlation (r=.592, n=360, p<.05) between Personal determinants and overall perceived level of exams cheating. It is evident from the model that student personal characteristics accounted for 35.1%, as signified by coefficient R2= .351, of the variation in perceived level of examinations cheating among students in secondary schools. it is evident that gender made the highest (Beta=.467) contribution as personal determinant on explaining the dependent variable, when the variance explained by all other variables in the model was controlled for. Student self-esteem had the least effect (Beta=.048) on examinations cheating. However, all the personal determinants had statistically significant influence on examinations cheating among the secondary schools students. The calculated effect size (eta squared=.3514) indicate that there was quite a substantial amount of variance in level of examinations cheating caused by variability in the personal determinants of the students. This suggests that 35.1% of the variance in the perceived exams cheating was accounted for by the personal determinants of the secondary school students, when other variables were controlled. Teacher counselors to assess and identify those students at risk and change their perception on examination cheating due to low self-efficacy.
Gender Differences in Motivation and Teacher Performance in Core Functions in Kenyan Secondary Schools
Authors: Wanakacha Catherine K. , Aloka Peter J. O. , Nyaswa Philip
Published: March 2018

This study investigated gender differences in teacher motivation and performance of the core functions. A mixed method research approach was adopted and within it the concurrent triangulation design was used. The target population was 223 teachers, 45 Principals, 45 DOS’s, and 1 DQASO. The sample size comprised of 100 teachers, 14 Principals, 14 HOD’s Co-curricular, 14 DOS’s and 1 DQASO. Validity was ensured by expert judgment by University supervisors at CUEA and their input were incorporated in the final document while reliability of the instruments was ensured and determined by piloting the instruments in four secondary schools of different categories which constituted 10% of the population. A Cronbach reliability coefficient of 0.7134 was reported. Data collected from questionnaire was analyzed using descriptive statistics in form of percentages, means and frequency counts as well as independent samples t-test. The study reported that gender difference did not have an effect on both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation of teachers to perform their core functions. The study also found that gender difference did not have an effect on teachers to perform their core functions. The Kenyan Teachers Service Commission should work out incentive packages to increase teachers’ motivation to perform their core functions effectively.
Relationship between Emotional Engagement and Academic Achievement among Kenyan Secondary School Students
Authors: Wara Erick , Aloka Peter J. O. , Odongo Benson Charles
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between emotional engagement and academic achievement among secondary school students of Manga Sub County, Nyamira County, Kenya. The study was hinged on the Self Determination theoretical perspective. The concurrent triangulation design of the mixed methods approach was employed. From the target population of 1750 form four students, 35 Principals and 35 Guidance and Counselling teachers, 316 students, 11 Principals and 11 Guidance and counselling teachers, and 11 student leaders were randomly sampled for the study. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the students, while interview schedules were used to collect data from Principals, Guidance and Counselling teachers and student leaders. The face validity of the research instruments was determined by experts from the department of Psychology and Educational Foundations of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology. Reliability was ascertained by the internal consistency method using Cronbach’s alpha, and a reliability coefficient of 0.849 was obtained for the questionnaire. Inferential statistics from quantitative data were analyzed using Pearson’s Product correlation and regression analysis with the aid of the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22. Qualitative data from interviews were analyzed thematically. The study revealed that there was a statistically significant moderate positive correlation(r=.354, N=312, p<.05) between emotional engagement and academic achievement among the students, with an increase in emotional engagement occasioning an improvement in academic achievement. The study recommended that teacher counsellors should adopt appropriate therapy techniques geared towards the enhancement of emotional engagement of all students in the schools of their jurisdiction in order to boost their chances of doing better in their studies.
How some Seemingly Moderate Political Elections Results may Redirect a State’s Historical Course, from the Top Down to the Transformation of National Growth and Socio-Cultural Development Patterns: Turkey’s Political Reforms over the Last Decades as an Ideal Paradigm of Multi- Faceted National Re-Orientation
Authors: Karkazis John , Baltos Georgios C. , Balodis Janis
Published: March 2018

This paper discusses a model for identifying and evaluating how the critical changes in the politics of a state impact its socio-economic life. Political transitions of this magnitude may stem out of elections results, but they are not limited to governmental reforms, since they further create a historical rift between the former and the latter status. They definitely initiate regime turnovers, geostrategic reorientation and shifts of geopolitical axes, but they also transform the national growth and socio-cultural development structures and features.The case study chosen refers to Turkey’s political transformation over the last decades; it is considered an ideal paradigm for testing the relevant research questions due to the extent and depth of the revolutionary changes triggered by the Islamic or the so called neoottoman political parties taking over power and overthrowing the long-lasting status quo of kemalism. The consequences of the before mentioned political shift are being examined in correlation with certain statistical indicators like students’ enrolment in the education system. The statistics are projected over a time series covering previous and current status. Then they are mapped via a Geographic Information System on a regional spatial context towards more comprehensive visual representation and further interpretation of the structural changes indicated.
Identifying Motivational Factors of Pre-service EFL Teachers
Authors: Damar Ebru A.
Published: March 2018

For over sixty years what motivates individuals to become teachers and how they perceive teaching as a career have been investigated through a growing body of research. The underlying reasons for the research are mostly the problems of teacher shortages and teacher quality. To maintain informed and intelligent generations, teacher quality and teaching cover an important ground in the development of many countries all around the world. The issue of teacher shortages and teacher quality not only differs from one country to another but also from one field to another. In this regard, English language teaching (ELT) is one of the fields that experience teacher shortage and teacher quality issues in Turkey than other teaching fields. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the motivations of pre-service EFL teachers for choosing ‘teaching as a profession and their perceptions about teaching career’. A total of 210 preservice EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teachers voluntarily participated in the study. The data was gathered by utilizing a motivation scale. The results revealed that prior experiences as a learner, social utility values were the most significant motivation factors for teacher trainees. The findings were discussed in relation to language teacher education.
Fiscal Decentralisation, Public Expenditure Management and Human Capital Development in Nigeria
Authors: Ocheni Stephen I. , Agba Michael Sunday
Published: March 2018

The paper focuses on fiscal decentralization, public expenditure management and human capital development in Nigeria. It presents a synergical relationship/nexus between fiscal decentralization, public expenditure management and human capital development and sees fiscal decentralization as an imperative necessity of empowering levels of government with financial resources to bring government closer to the people by the rendition of social services to people within their jurisdictions. The paper further argues that assigned fiscal responsibilities of governmental agencies must be backed up with prudent management of public expenditure (recurrent and capital) which should be aptly targeted at developing the human resources considered as the kingpin of true developmental efforts in any society. Nigeria, a social formation with an estimated population of 180 million persons and the largest economy in Africa has consistently failed in fostering the development of its human capital through budgetary allocations and implementation, fiscal decentralization and public expenditure management. To arrest the trend, the paper calls for a sustained commitment on the part of government in the development of the nation’s resources through sustained budgetary allocations in education, health, agriculture, infrastructural development, training and retraining of workers, power, science and technology and execution of people oriented public programmes/projects.
Relationship between Paternalistic Leadership and Organizational Commitment in Hospitality Industry: Case of Antalya, Turkey
Authors: Yüzbaşioğlu Nedim , Doğan Oğuz
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between paternalistic leadership and organizational commitment in hotel enterprises. For this purpose, the data obtained from 243 employees at randomly selected hotel enterprises operating in Antalya region. The findings indicated that there is a relationship between paternalistic leadership and organizational commitment. Furthermore, a moderating relationship was found between benevolent leadership and affective commitment, continuance commitment, normative commitment. The findings also indicated that there is a low-level relationship between authoritarian leadership and continuance commitment
A Quest into Recasts as a Type of Corrective Feedback in Foreign Language Classrooms
Authors: Sali Pinar
Published: March 2018

The present study was undertaken to investigate how EFL teachers utilise corrective feedback in their classrooms. To this end, an analytic model consisting of various corrective feedback moves was applied to a small amount of data consisting of 12 lesson-hour classroom interaction with a purpose of documenting the frequencies and distribution of corrective feedback, in particular, of recasts in relation to other corrective feedback types and of specific types of recasts. Data were gathered from first-year speaking classes at an ELT department in a large state university in Turkey. The findings indicated that recasts were the most frequently employed corrective feedback strategy by the teachers. A closer examination of those recasts further revealed incorporative declarative recasts as the most preferred type of recasting. Overall, what these findings suggest is that recasts might serve important communicative functions by helping EFL teachers provide input in an authentic and supportive manner and by building on learner output.
EU Paediatric Investigation Plans (Pips) Might Harm Children
Authors: Rose K. , Benisheva-Dimitrova Tatyana
Published: March 2018

Aim/objective: Since 2007, companies in the EU must submit paediatric investigation plans (PIPs) for new drugs, unless the PIP is waived and the review article investigated if that improve the child healthcare. Methods: We analysed the EU Paediatric Regulation (EUPR), PIP decisions, PIP decision patterns, EU key documents on "better medicines for children" and examined PIP studies versus the epidemiology described in the reference literature. We examined how PIPs translate into studies by checking www. clinicaltrials.gov and www.clinicaltrialsregister.org. We also investigated the medical sense of PIP-demanded clinical studies in adolescents. Results: The EUPR in Art. 2 (1) defines “paediatric population” as those between birth and 18 years. It lists challenges in dosing and safety of drugs in neonates and infants as if these challenges apply to anybody < 18 years. PIPs demand studies in adolescents although this group needs separate dose finding and efficacy studies only in exceptional cases, if at all. Most PIP studies in rare diseases are unfeasible: too many studies for too few patients in general. Two questionable PIP studies were discontinued in 2016, in one of them several patients died. Conclusions: Neonates and infants have immature organs, with resulting potential for drug over/underdosing. PIPs equalize the legal definition of childhood with a biological limit. The resulting automatism leads to a worldwide threat to children. Most PIP-demanded studies are medically senseless, some even worse. Ethics committees should reject questionable PIP studies and suspend such ongoing studies immediately.
Extraintestinal Manifestations and Intestinal Complications in Patients with Crohn's Disease: Associations with Some Clinico-Laboratory Findings, Immunological Markers and Therapy
Authors: Velikova Tsvetelina , Miladinova R. , Ivanova-Todorova E. , Kyurkchiev D. , Spasova Z.
Published: March 2018

Crohn's disease (CD) may have some severe complications that pose an increasing health burden and negatively impact the quality of life. There are two major types - intestinal and extraintestinal complications, in which immune and non-immune mechanisms take place. We aimed to search for some associations between specific extraintestinal manifestation and intestinal complications in CD patients with some clinicallaboratory findings, immunological markers, and the therapy administered. We examined retrospectively medical files of 26 patients with CD at mean age 42 ± 13 years, including the laboratory results. The immunological markers fecal calprotectin (FC) and fecal lactoferrin (FL) were assessed in frozen fecal samples of the chosen patients. Seventy-three percent of the investigated CD patients had some extraintestinal manifestation and/or intestinal complications, at least 13/26 had intestinal complications. All three patients with extraintestinal signs were positive for FC and 2/3 were positive for FL. We observed a higher serum level of CRP (24.49 mg/l vs. 3.13 mg/l, p = 0.010), slightly lowered serum level of hemoglobin (120 g/l vs. 145 g/l, p = 0.044) and about 2-fold lower iron level (7.23 μmol/l vs. 14.0 μmol/l, p = 0.019) in patients with intestinal complications compared to patients without complications, respectively. Four out of thirteen patients with intestinal complications were without immunosuppressive therapy at the time of our study, and nine out of thirteen - on immunosuppressive drugs. Routine laboratory and immunology testing could be beneficial for gastroenterologists in identifying patients at high risk for the development of complications and in the decision making for more aggressive therapy early after diagnosis.
Comparing Exercise Prescription Methods in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients in Malaysia
Authors: D’Gasper Dineesha , Bains B. S. , Sadeghi H. , Kumar P.
Published: March 2018

Aim: This study was a qualitative study that investigated the exercise prescription method in knee osteoarthritis patients in Malaysia. It purposed to find out the most common and effective method used by physiotherapist in prescribing exercises for knee osteoarthritis patients in Malaysia. Method: This study used a self-administered survey questionnaire. The subjects recruited for this study were diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis, age range of between 50 to 80 years old.The methods of delivery were divided into three categories, which include only verbal instructions, verbal instruction together with demonstration and lastly a combination of all three methods including verbal instruction, demonstration and handouts with diagrams. Results: The results showed that 52% received their exercise prescription with verbal instruction and together with demonstration, about 43% of them received all three types of methods which included the verbal instruction, demonstration and take home handouts and 5% of them only received verbal instruction. Out of 5% who received verbal instruction alone, only 1% understood the exercises and the remaining 4% did not and 45% out of 52% who received verbal and demonstration method understood the exercises and the remaining 7% did not. 5% who received only verbal instruction did not seem to continue the exercises at home. 52% received verbal instruction together with demonstration, with about 44% of them having continued their exercises but the remaining 8% did not. 43% who received all three methods reported to continue. Conclusion: The best method of delivering exercises to knee osteoarthritis patients was proven to be the method with a combination of verbal instruction, demonstration together with a take home handout. This method showed very positive outcome and should be implemented and emphasized more in both the government and private sectors of physiotherapy departments.
Ethical Dimensions of the Patients’ Attitude Towards the GP, Prophylactic and the New Methods of Treatment
Authors: Peycheva Kalina
Published: March 2018

The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) data shows that only a small portion of the health insurance holders in the country have visited their GP for the mandatory prophylactic check-up. This fact is rather disturbing. The study aims at investigating the ethical dimensions and the patients’ opinions towards the GPs, prophylactics and the new methods for early diagnostics and treatment. Material and Methods: A questionnaire was prepared for the purposes of the study. The methods utilized were a direct individual anonymous questionnaire, statistical - descriptive, analytical (Chi-square). The answers were examined and statistically processed according to age, gender and education level of the participants. Results: 1. A large percentage of the participants, 88.8% has a GP, however, the situation with the personal dental practitioner is rather different - 66% does not have one. 2. A large percentage of the participants believe in prophylactics, but do not attend regular prophylactic checks which is related to the prevailing mistrust towards the GP, as well as to the education level of the patients - those with higher education believe in and attend prophylactic checks more regularly. 3. The percentage of those who believe in the new methods and means for treatment is high, over 80%, while no difference is found in relation to the patients’ education level. 4. There is no difference in the answers regarding the regular prophylactic checks depending on gender. Conclusion: The strict regulation of the practice of GP and sanctions to the nonregular to prophylaxis patients are needed.
Horseshoe Kidney with Hydronephrosis – Tales of the Unexpected
Authors: Nikolova Milena , Krasteva R. , Bogov B. , Tsocheva T. , Milenova Vi. , Petkov K. , Chernev N.
Published: March 2018

Horseshoe kidney is an inborn renal fusion anomaly. It is frequently associated with renal stones and infections. The diagnosis is made using imaging methods - ultrasound, X-ray of the abdomen and intravenous pyelography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radionuclide investigations. The diagnosis sometimes is hard, especially when other abnormalities are present, i.e. hydronephrosis, nephrolithiasis, stenosis of the ureteropelvic junction, etc. The authors present a male patient with horseshoe kidney and unilateral hydronephrosis due to obstruction of the ureteropelvic junction and discuss the diagnosis of horseshoe kidney and the diagnostic approach in such patients.
Trace Elements and Vitamin D in Gestational Diabetes
Authors: Genova Mariana , Atanasova B. , Ivanova I. , Todorova K. , Svinarov D.
Published: March 2018

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), one of the most common pregnancy complications, is defined as glucose intolerance with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. Its prevalence varies worldwide in dependence on characteristics of the underlying population and applied diagnostic criteria. The etiology is multifactorial and not sufficiently elucidated. Available evidence suggests that the base of pathogenesis is relatively diminished insulin secretion coupled with pregnancy-induced insulin resistance. Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for development have been identified. Trace elements and vitamin D could be contributed to modifiable factors for prediction the risk in a large population. Essential trace elements in pregnancy are necessary to overcome systemic oxidative, metabolic and inflammatory stress. Evidence, still inconclusive, has been accumulated about the relation between higher incidence of vitamin D failure/deficiency during pregnancy and GDM. The lower level of 25-OH vitamin D could be associated with increased risk for anemia development, also including pregnant women. This review intends to provide an overview of the possible link between both vitamin D and trace elements as risk factors for GDM development.
Methods for Ultrasound Screening of Cardiovascular Diseases in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Kundurdzhiev A. , Markova Alexandra
Published: March 2018

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder that affects predominantly the carbohydrate metabolism, but also the biotransformation of proteins and fat. Many intra- and extracellular metabolic mechanisms are impaired which leads to structural changes in the vascular wall and the heart muscle. This eventually causes their functional deterioration and the end result is clinical manifestation of macrovascular incidents or heart failure. People with perturbations of the glucose metabolism (impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance) are also with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, even before the diagnosis of diabetes. Nowadays we have a cheap, easy and non-invasive method for early diagnosis of cardiovascular disorders, way before their clinical manifestation, and that is the ultrasound methodology. The echocardiography is a valuable technique for the detection of changes in the myocardial structure and its contractility. The tissue Doppler ultrasound is a more precise method that can detect the slightest aberrations in the heart muscle function, that could not be seen with the conventional echocardiography. Subclinical atherosclerotic changes can be determined with a Doppler scan of the big arteries (carotids, renal arteries), and the subsequent calculation of their resistive index and of the intima-media thickness. There are a lot of studies in this field which show that the structural and functional impairment could be diagnosed in diabetic patients without any complaints and with otherwise healthy hearts. This means that these diagnostic methods should be used in the routine clinical examination of every diabetic individual in order to predict and possibly prevent major cardiovascular events and severe heart failure.
Non-Invasive and Minimum Invasive Concepts in Prevention, Cariology and Endodontics – from Research and Science to Practice
Authors: Boteva Ekaterina
Published: March 2018

The minimum invasive dental concept is based on practical experience of more than 30 years negative trends from the use of resin materials in distal teeth and early metal-ceramic “aesthetic” crowns and bridges. The scientific dental research includes all aspects of the conservative dentistry treatment which are scientifically and clinically proved with most up to date methods and tests: anthropometric, epidemiological, biochemical, immunohistochemical, electron microscopy, polarized light microscopy, light induced fluorescence, microradiography, microbiology, genetic tests, etc. Experiments in vitro, animal tests, clinical research in the last 34 years are focused in the field of prevention of dental caries, treatment of precavitated precarious lesions with nanotechnologies, preparation of hard dental tissues with most conservative techniques, adhesive restoration methods with amalgam and resins, backup in endodontics in root canals preparation methods and in pins and posts fixations. The conclusions can be focused on basic principles and refocused in the 21st century like: Dental caries is not only predictable and controlled disease but is also a polyetiological disease on a community and population levels and uni- or bi-etiological on an individual level. The minimum invasive dental concept in cariology and endodontics leads to prevention of early extractions, early prosthetic medical procedures and to lifetime dental health. This plays a key role in prevention of metabolic disorders and gastrointestinal diseases.
A geometric approach to structural model matching by output feedback in linear impulsive systems
Authors: Zattoni Elena
Published: March 2018

This paper provides a complete characterization of solvability of the problem of structural model matching by output feedback in linear impulsive systems with nonuniformly spaced state jumps. Namely, given a linear impulsive plant and a linear impulsive model, both subject to sequences of state jumps which are assumed to be simultaneous and measurable, the problem consists in finding a linear impulsive compensator that achieves exact matching between the respective forced responses of the linear impulsive plant and of the linear impulsive model, by means of a dynamic feedback of the plant output, for all the admissible input functions and for all the admissible sequences of jump times. The solution of the stated problem is achieved by reducing it to an equivalent problem of structural disturbance decoupling by dynamic feedforward. Indeed, this latter problem is formulated for the so-called extended linear impulsive system, which consists of a suitable connection between the given plant and a modified model. A necessary and sufficient condition for the solution of the structural disturbance decoupling problem is first shown. The proof of sufficiency is constructive, since it is based on the synthesis of the compensator that solves the problem. The proof of necessity is based on the definition and the geometric properties of the unobservable subspace of a linear impulsive system subject to unequally spaced state jumps. Finally, the equivalence between the two structural problems is formally established and proven.
Distributed scheduling of measurements in a sensor network for parameter estimation of spatio-temporal systems
Authors: Patan Maciej , Kowalów Damian
Published: March 2018

The main aim of the paper is to develop a distributed algorithm for optimal node activation in a sensor network whose measurements are used for parameter estimation of the underlying distributed parameter system. Given a fixed partition of the observation horizon into a finite number of consecutive intervals, the problem under consideration is to optimize the percentage of the total number of observations spent at given sensor nodes in such a way as to maximize the accuracy of system parameter estimates. To achieve this, the determinant of the Fisher information matrix related to the covariance matrix of the parameter estimates is used as the qualitative design criterion (the so-called D-optimality). The proposed approach converts the measurement scheduling problem to a convex optimization one, in which the sensor locations are given a priori and the aim is to determine the associated weights, which quantify the contributions of individual gaged sites to the total measurement plan. Then, adopting a pairwise communication scheme, a fully distributed procedure for calculating the percentage of observations spent at given sensor locations is developed, which is a major novelty here. Another significant contribution of this work consists in derivation of necessary and sufficient conditions for the optimality of solutions. As a result, a simple and effective computational scheme is obtained which can be implemented without resorting to sophisticated numerical software. The delineated approach is illustrated by simulation examples of a sensor network design for a two-dimensional convective diffusion process.