bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing Five Year Out-Come in Two Cohorts of Patients with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis – A BARFOT Study
Authors: Andersson Maria L.E , Forslind Kristina , Hafström Ingiäld
Published: February 2015

The objective of the study was to compare disease characteristics over the first 5 years of disease in patients with RA, with disease onset in 1990s and 2000s, respectively.

Methods :

All 2235 patients with early RA (disease duration ≤12 months) were recruited from the BARFOT prospective observational study. These patients were divided into group 1 included 1992 to 1999 (N=1084, 66% women) and group 2 included 2000 to 2006 (N=1151, 69% women). Disease Activity Score (DAS28), VAS pain and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) were assessed during 5 years. Remission was defined as DAS28 <2.6.

Results :

At inclusion, both women and men in group 2 had higher mean DAS28 (SD) than group 1, 5.42 (1.22)vs5.26 (1.19), p=0.004 and 5.28 (1.22)vs5.00 (1.27), p=0.004, respectively, mainly dependant on pain and not on inflammatory related measures. Over time DAS28 decreased and was in both genders, from 6 months to the 5-year follow-up, significantly lower in group 2. At 5-year, both women and men in group 2 had higher rate of remission than women and men in group 1. However, despite reduction of VAS pain and HAQ there were no differences in pain and HAQ between groups at any time point.

Conclusion :

Patients included in the 2000s achieved higher frequency of remission at the 5 year follow-up compared with those included in the 1990s, suggested to reflect the more active medical treatment. Interestingly, however, improvement in pain and HAQ did not differ between the two patient cohorts.
Incidence of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Tears and Associated Risk Factors After Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration with Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Injections§
Authors: Empeslidis Theodoros , Vardarinos Athanasios , Konidaris Vasileios , Ch'ng Soon Wai , Kapoor Bharat , Deane James , Tsaousis Konstantinos T
Published: February 2015

Purpose :

To study the incidence and risk factors for retinal pigment epithelium tears following intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections.

Methods :

Retrospective longitudinal study. 4027 intravitreal anti-VEGF injections in 628 patients (676 eyes) for choroidal neovascularisation associated with age related macular degeneration in a period of 18 months were studied.

Results :

Seventeen patients (mean age 83.95±5.84) developed retinal pigment epithelium tears. The incidence rate was 0.4%. Fibrovascular pigment epithelium detachment (PED) was previously observed in all cases. In 88 % (15/17) of AMD patients that had a RPE tear, PED height was found to be less than 400 microns at presentation. In 5 of 7 patients with RPE tear grade <4, continuing of anti-VEGF treatment resulted to improvement of visual acuity.

Conclusion :

Critical risk factors for RPE tears are presence of PED as well as advanced age. Visual improvement appears to depend more on the extent and location of the RPE tear and less on the PED height.
Considering the Effect of Reservoir Water Level Lifting on the Slope Stress Analysis of Seepage Field and Stress Field Coupling
Authors: Pan Haize , Qin Rong , Mao Ting , Chen Mengjie
Published: February 2015

This paper analyzes the slope stress analysis of seepage-stress field under the condition of water lifting of reservoir
slope, taking a practical reservoir slope project for example, on the basis of investigation and study of the geological
environment, the soil geology model of the reservoir slope is established. On the basis of interaction calculation module
of the fluid structure in the software Geo-Studio and Biot theory, finite element method of seepage-stress field coupling
is applied to study the variation of stress field of the reservoir slope mainly with strong weathering argillaceous
sandstone and marl, on the condition that reservoir water level rise and fall. The maximum principal stress is mainly compressive
stress, the tensile stress just distributes near the top of the slope; the minimum principal stress is mainly compressive
stress.
Empirical Study on the Growth Model and the Division of Lifecycle Phases about the Chinese Construction Industry
Authors: Zhang Yufan , Wang Yousong , Yang Xin , Zhang Yan , Lv Han
Published: February 2015

The construction industry plays a fundamental and pillared role in the national economy. Since the reform and
opening-up, great contribution has been made to the modernization and urbanization by construction industry. This paper
collected statistics data from 1989 to 2012, analyzing the history, the present situation and the future trend of the development
of national construction industry by using the Logistic growth model and the Gompertz curve model. The results
showed that the actual data of the national construction industry were in good agreement with the two models. The average
annual growth rate of the gross product was 16.88% (according to the constant prices in 1989). However, it has entered
into the mature phase of the industry life cycle now. Although the gross product will continuously grow over a period
of time in the future, but the extent of increase is gradually taking slow (The inflection point T is in August 2011).
Faced with the existed problems of relatively saturated capacity, low-level quality, insufficient awareness of ecological
energy-saving, low technical efficiency, little contributions of science and technology, this paper suggests that the government
should further deepen the Reform of the system, optimize the industrial structure and standardize the market order.
And the enterprises should strengthen the capacity of the capital operation, upgrade the level of the management and
technology and enhance their core competitiveness. Through these measures, the national construction industry can be
prevented from falling into recession too fast and keep its maturity and stability, promoting the transformation of construction
industry from the "extensive" development mode to "intensive" mode.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in eclamptic patients: Neuroradiological manifestation, pathogenesis and management
Authors: Kutlesic Marija , Kutlesic Ranko , Koracevic Goran
Published: February 2015

Introduction. Eclampsia is one of the most serious complications of
hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, defined as the occurrence of one or more
convulsions superimposed on preeclampsia. Besides the ordinary course of the
disease, ranging from a mild to a severe form, with culmination in eclamptic
seizures, there is a significant percent of cases where eclampsia starts
unexpectedly, without typical premonitory symptoms and signs, which makes it
difficult to prevent. Neuroradiological Characteristics and Pathogenesis of
Eclampsia. Neuroradiological signs of eclampsia are described as posterior
reversible encephalopathy syndrome, and are manifested by nausea, vomiting,
headache, visual disturbances, altered mental status, convulsions and coma,
together with characteristic findings on computed tomography or magnetic
resonance imaging scan of the head, indicating the presence of vasogenic
brain edema. The topic of this article are possible mechanisms of the
development of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in pregnancy and
modalities of acute treatment of this emergency state. Management of
Eclampsia. Magnesium sulphate is nowadays the drug of choice for the
treatment and prevention of eclamptic seizures. Labetalol is considered to be
the agent of choice in the treatment of hypertensive emergencies of
pregnancy, followed by hydralazine, nifedipine, nicardipine, urapidil,
nitroglycerin and sodium nitroprusside (in most refractory cases).
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin blocking drugs are
contraindicated in pregnancy. Captopril and enalapril are allowed during
lactation. Conclusion. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in
eclamptic patients is completely reversible if adequate diagnosis is promptly
made and intensive treatment immediately administered.
History of sports medicine in east European countries
Authors: Lazovic Biljana , Mazic Sanja , Djelic Marina , Suzic-Lazic Jelena , Sparic Radmila , Stajic Zoran
Published: February 2015

The purpose of this article is to provide a historical background of
medicine, science and sports with the focus on the development of modern
sports medicine in European countries, with an accent on Eastern European
countries that have a long sports medicine tradition. The development of
modern sports medicine began at the end of 19th and the beginning of 20th
century, and it has been associated with social and cultural changes in the
world of medicine, science and sports. Advanced medical knowledge, skills and
practices, and the progress of scientific achievements enabled sports people
to improve their performance level. Increased popularisation and
commercialisation of sports have resulted from urbanization and city
lifestyle, leading to the lack of physical activity and increased
psychological pressure. In addition, the growing need and interest in sports
and successes in professional sports have become a symbol of international
recognition and prestige for the nations.
Effect of flow rate on diameter of electrospun nanoporous fibers
Authors: Tang Xiao-Peng , Si Na , Xu Lan , Liu Hong-Ying
Published: February 2015

The effect of flow rate on the diameter of the charged jet in the
electrospinning process is studied theoretically. The obtained theoretical
results offer in-depth physical understanding and mechanism of nanoporous
fibers. It also reveals that the morphology and diameter of nanoporous
microspheres can be controlled by the flow rate.
Effect of magnetic intensity on diameter of charged jets in electrospinning
Authors: Liu Hong-Ying , Xu Lan , Si Na
Published: February 2015

In the electrospinning process, the rotating charged-jet moves between the
permanent magnets, as a result Ampere force is generated. Experiment shows
that the magnetic field can decrease fiber size and enhance the uniformity
of fiber size.
Near-infraed scattering method for fabric thermal comfort
Authors: Gao Shou-Wei , Du Min-Zhen , Ye Wang , Jiang Yao-Xing , Liu Yu-Qing
Published: February 2015

Wetting behavior of a clothing assembly plays an important role in
thermophysiological body comfort. The instruments and methods utilised for
testing purposes should adequately quantify wetting parameters of fabric
thermal comfort. The surface conductivity method has been used to for
moisture management testing in fabrics, but that method cannot give the
detailed information for fiber-liquid interaction. With the new near-infrared
scattering method, the wetting mechanism is introduced and interpreted
through liquid transfer process from an infinite liquid reservoir. Wetting
results from two kinds of fabrics show the difference in fabric thermal
comfort.
Permeability evolution of unloaded coal samples at different loading rates
Authors: Zhang Ze-Tian , Ru Zhang , Liu Jian-Feng , Liu Xiao-Hui , Li Jia-Wei
Published: February 2015

As coal mass is often at unloading status during mining process, it is of
great significance to push on the research on permeability evolution of
unloaded coal samples at different loading rates. A series of triaxial
unloading experiments were conducted for initially intact coal samples using
an improved rock mechanics testing system, and the permeability was
continuously measured by the constant pressure differential method for
methane. Permeability evolution law of unloaded coal samples and the
influence mechanism of loading rates on that were studied. The results of
triaxial unloading experiments indicate that the permeability of coal samples
increases throughout the whole testing process without a descent stage, which
is different from the permeability evolution law in conventional triaxial
compression tests. The maximum permeability of unloaded coal sample, which is
4 to 18 times to its initial permeability, often appears before reaching the
peak stress and increases with the decrease of axial loading rate. Stress
state corresponding to the surge point of permeability of the unloaded coal
samples is also discussed.
Multi-scale modeling of the response of runoff to climate change
Authors: Di Chong-Li , Yang Xiao-Hua , Xia Xing-Hui , Chen Xiao-Juan , Li Jian-Qiang
Published: February 2015

With global warming, climate change has tremendously changed the hydrological
processes. To discover the non-linear trend of the natural runoff and its
response to precipitation and temperature in the Yellow River Basin, the
non-linear relationships among the runoff, precipitation and temperature are
analyzed by the wavelet decomposition and reconstruction methods, partial
correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. The main
findings of this study are: (1) The annual natural runoff, precipitation and
temperature have the similar periods (27-year, 12-year), which indicates that
the periodicity of the natural annual runoff has closely relationship with
the regional climate change. (2) The annual runoff, precipitation and
temperature exhibit five patterns non-linear variations at five time scales
(1, 2, 4, 8, 16 years), that is to say, their non-linear trends are
scale-dependent with time. (3) The annual natural runoff has a significant
positive correlation with the precipitation and has a negative correlation
with temperature. In addition, the runoff variation is more sensitive to
change in precipitation than the change in temperature at all the five time
scales. (4) Although the runoff and the climate change factors have
non-linear trends at different time scales, the runoff has linear correlation
with the temperature and the precipitation, especially at a large time scale.
A modification of level set re-initialized method for the shock waves through the air bubble
Authors: Zhang Li , Ning Jian-Guo , Zhang Tao
Published: February 2015

For the re-initialization problem of the level set method, a new
re-initialization formula of smoothing parameter based on the traditional
implicit method is proposed. The improved method is applied to describe the
process of the shock through the air bubble by means of numerical simulation.
Numerical results show that the method is superior to the traditional level
set method.
Oscillation behavior of a class of new generalized Emden-Fowler equations
Authors: Luo Hong-Ying , Liu Jun , Liu Xi , Zhu Chun-Yan
Published: February 2015

In this paper, we analyze a class of new generalized Emden-Fowler equations.
By using the generalized Riccati transformation and specific analytical
skills, new oscillation criteria are obtained which generalize and improve
some known results.
Evaluation of thermal effects and strain-rate sensitivity in frozen soil
Authors: Zhu Zhi-Wu , Ma Yue , Zhang Hai-Dong , Song Wei-Dong , Gan Yuan-Chao
Published: February 2015

Temperature variation is one important factor that affects the dynamic
mechanical properties of frozen soil under impact loading. Thermal damage is
a collective phenomenon that can be caused by temperature variation. This
paper investigates the effects of thermal damage on strain course. A split
Hopkinson pressure bar was employed to investigate the dynamic mechanical
characteristics of frozen soil at different temperatures and different strain
rates. The stress-strain curves were obtained under impact loading. The
compressive strength of frozen soil showed a negative temperature sensitivity
and positive strain-rate trend. Specifically, the strength of frozen soil
increased with decreasing temperatures and increasing strain rates.
An approximate method for solving a melting problem with periodic boundary conditions
Authors: Qu Liang-Hui , Xing Lin , Yu Zhi-Yun , Ling Feng , Xu Jian-Guo
Published: February 2015

An effective thermal diffusivity method is used to solve one-dimensional
melting problem with periodic boundary conditions in a semi-infinite domain.
An approximate analytic solution showing the functional relation between the
location of the moving boundary and time is obtained by using Laplace
transform. The evolution of the moving boundary and the temperature field in
the phase change domain are simulated numerically, and the numerical results
are compared with previous results in open literature.
Thermal treatment for nanofibrous membrane
Authors: Liu Hong-Ying , Xu Lan , Si Na , Tang Xiao-Peng
Published: February 2015

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanofibrous membranes with high porosity, large
electrolyte solution uptake, and adequate mechanical properties were prepared
by electrospinning. The physical properties of the electrospun
poly(vinylidene fluoride) membranes can be improved by thermal treatment.
Results showed after the thermal treatment, there had appeared
ever-increasing tensile strength and elongation of the poly(vinylidene
fluoride) membranes. The crystal structures of poly(vinylidene fluoride)
fibers were greatly improved.
Polymer drawing in the unsymmetrical air flow of melt blowing: Numerical simulation
Authors: Wu Li-Li , Ma Yao , Chen Hua-Jun , Chen Ting
Published: February 2015

The unsymmetrical air flow of the dual slot die in the melt blowing process
is simulated. The diameter and transverse displacement of the threadline are
obtained numerically. The result shows that the threadline diameter in the
unsymmetrical air flow is larger than that in the symmetrical one. This paper
helps to point out the research direction for producing finer melt blown
fibers.
Effect of temperature on the morphology of bubble-electrospun nanofibers
Authors: Cui Qiu-Na , Li Ya , Liu Fu-Juan
Published: February 2015

The morphology and microstructures of poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(vinyl
pyrrolidone) nanofibers produced by bubble-electrospinning are investigated
experimentally. It is shown that the temperature predominantly affect the
average diameters of the formed nanofibers. The smooth surface and
controllable diameters of nanofibers are essential for their applications in
different temperature environment.
Exact solution of fractional Nizhnik-Novikov-Veselov equation
Authors: Jia Sui-Min , Hu Ming-Sheng , Chen Qiao-Ling , Jia Zhi-Juan
Published: February 2015

The fractional Nizhnik-Novikov-Veselov equation is converted to its
differential partner, and its exact solutions are successfully established by
the exp-function method.
Electricity from nanomembrane
Authors: Chen Rou-Xi , He Ji-Huan , He Chun-Hui
Published: February 2015

Tulachan et al. found that silk cocoon membrane can generate electrical
current due to ionic conduction. We argue that the current is produced by
osmosis as that in a commercial osmotic plant.
Efficacy of a Task-Based Training Approach in the Rehabilitation of Three Children with Poor Handwriting Quality: A Pilot Study
Authors: Baldi Silvia , Nunzi Michela , Di Brina Carlo
Published: February 2015

Evidence suggests that task-based training approaches can improve the performance of children with handwriting difficulties. The present case study tests the efficacy of the Handwriting Task Program (HTP). Three male children (9-10 yr. old) with poor handwriting skills and different developmental disorders participated in the HTP, twice per week, for 13 wk. Handwriting legibility was assessed through the Concise Evaluation Scale for Children's Handwriting, and fine motor performance and handwriting speed were evaluated at pre- and post-treatment with the Visual Motor Integration Test and the Battery for the assessment of writing skills of children from 7 to 13yr. old. The results showed that motor efficiency and global handwriting quality improved in all the children, although some handwriting difficulties still persisted in one child with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Further study may confirm on a larger sample that a visual-spatially based training may improve the handwriting legibility of children with DCD.
The Music Perception Performance of Children with and without Dyslexia in Taiwan
Authors: Lee Hom-Yi , Sie Yung-Siang , Chen Sz-Chi , Cheng Man-Chen
Published: February 2015

Some Western studies have suggested a strong relation between musical discrimination abilities and reading-related skills. Music processing abilities and reading-related skills were evaluated for typically developing children and children with dyslexia. The results showed that pitch discrimination abilities of Chinese dyslexic children are not different from those of typically developing children. However, the former have poorer rhythm imitation abilities. Thus, in Chinese reading there is a strong relation between rhythm and reading acquisition, which is consistent with the research results on alphabetic languages. On the other hand, a significant correlation existed between the rhythm imitation ability and performance on the onset deletion test for all participants, which suggested that there was a close relation between the function of organizing the distinctive features in appropriate rhythmic pattern and the segmental phonological processing deficits of dyslexic children.
Gender Differences in Chinese Adolescents' Subjective Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy
Authors: Ma Ze-Wei , Zeng Wei-Nan , Ye Kai-Yin
Published: February 2015

Although gender differences in self-efficacy and subjective well-being have been reported in previous studies, little published research has investigated the interrelationships between these variables in adolescents. 648 Chinese adolescents were administered a series of questionnaires to test the hypothesis that self-efficacy mediates the relationship between gender and subjective well-being. The results indicated that adolescent girls had lower general self-efficacy than adolescent boys, which explained girls' lower subjective well-being. The theoretical and practical implications may help parents and educators to strengthen adolescents' happiness.
The Ebbinghaus Illusion: New Contextual Effects and Theoretical Considerations
Authors: Jaeger Ted , Klahs Kyle
Published: February 2015

Current accounts of the Ebbinghaus illusion emphasize either size contrast or contour interaction processes. To assess these alternatives, four variants of the Ebbinghaus figure were constructed using 1, 5, 9, or 13 small circles dispersed along the perimeter of larger contextual circles. 30 observers ranked the perceived size of the central circles and a single control circle. The rankings indicated that increasing the number of small circles reduced the perceived size of the central circle. The results parallel the effects of contextual arcs on the Ebbinghaus illusion and suggest that the mis-estimations of central circle size in Ebbinghaus figures result primarily from contour interactions.
Consideration of Drug Therapy in Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
Authors: G. Diamantis , V. Tode
Published: February 2015

Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) has become a major global health problem both in its frequency by which it determines the complications and the problems of diagnosis and treatment it requires. BPH is a heterogeneous disease. The symptoms attributed to BPH may have other coexisting causes and growth factors both androgen-dependent and independent, which promotes prostate enlargement. It is well known that prostate size correlates poorly with the symptoms so that reducing prostate using 5-alphareductase or alphablocants inhibitors may not always be sufficient. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of BPH and its interactions with other drugs will help the development of new substances with a better efficiency. This present work aims to be a modest contribution related to medical treatment in benign prostatic hyperplasia and the role that the generalist practitioner should play in managing of this urinary disease quite common in elderly men.
Achilles Tendon Ruptures: Comparison between the Clinical Results of Classical Versus Mini-Invasive or Percutaneous Surgical Treatment
Authors: B. Obada , Al. O. Serban
Published: February 2015

The aim of the study is to evaluate the surgical treatment comparing the results obtained with different techniques. We revised 68 cases with acute Achilles tendon rupture who underwent surgical correction between 2004 and 2011, with a 40 month average follow-up. 34 of these were submitted to a classical open repair using the Kessler or Krakow technique, 25 to a mini-invasive technique (Achilon) and 9 to a percutaneous technique (Tenolig). We report a 29% rate of complications when using the classical technique: the major complications were one re-rupture, two surgical wound dehiscences, one infection and one sural nerve injury. In the mini-invasive/percutaneous techniques, two re-ruptures occurred (5.9% total, one in each technique) and one fistula at the needle insertion location. In regards to the percutaneous and mini-invasive techniques, the functional results and degree of satisfaction were higher, with fewer complications, reflecting a trend that has been expressed in the international literature.
Anderson-Fabry Disease in Females
Authors: Kes Petar , Furic-Curko Vesna , Basic-Jukic Nikolina
Published: February 2015

Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) is the second most common lysosomal storage disease. This is an X-linked disorder due to lysosomal enzyme deficiency of a-galac-tosidasae A, that results in accumulation of globotriaosyl-ceramide in various tissues leading to organ damage, and resulting in a variety of cardiovascular, renal, neural, der-matological, psychological signs and symptoms. Despite being X-linked, heterozygous females can suffer from symptoms equally severe as male hemizygotes. This paper presents signs, symptoms, specific diagnostic approach and treatment possibilities of AFD in female patients.
Rethinking slum tourism: tourism in South Africa’s rural slumlands
Authors: Rogerson Christian M.
Published: February 2015

Slum tourism is an expanding domain of research focused on organized tours to poorer areas of cities in the global South, such as South Africa’s urban townships. The aim is to contribute towards a reframing of scholarship on slum tourism by directing attention to the phenomenon of tourism development occurring in rural slums or poverty areas of South Africa, namely the former rural Bantustan or Homeland areas. These rural areas are presently the focus of government attention for tourism promotion as part of economic upgrading and employment creation. The key findings are that the expanding tourism economy of these rural slumlands is dominated by domestic tourists rather than international visitors with most tourists engaged in VFR travel including trips to rural second homes. In addition, these areas are important foci for religious pilgrimage. In terms of international scholarship on slum tourism the paper offers the significant observation that the largest share of tourists originate in the country’s urban township areas which are the attractions for international slum tourists. The destinations for visits by international slum tourists are therefore the essential source regions of tourists for visits to the rural poverty areas or slumlands of South Africa. This points to an imperative for broadening the research agenda of slum tourism to incorporate research which examines the tourism mobilities of ordinary residents of townships or favelas.
‘The Mkuze River it has crossed the fence’ (1) – communities on the boundary of the Mkuze protected area
Authors: Burgoyne Christopher N. , Kelso Clare J.
Published: February 2015

Restricting access to wilderness and wildlife resources is a contested topic in a time when developing nations are seeking to increase quality of life for their citizens. A case in point is the Mkuze Game Reserve which encompasses rich biodiversity and is surrounded by under-resourced rural communities. A history of exclusion from land and resources has left local residents feeling negative about western conservation ideals. Perceptions of protected areas and conservation objectives are important if management authorities are to affect a meaningful buy-in to conservation and sustainable resource use among local residents. In this paper, part of a larger mixed-methods study, we set out to explore the perceptions three rural communities have of 1) local land-cover and livelihood change and 2) the socio-economic benefits expected and derived from living adjacent to Mkuze Game Reserve, a publicly administered protected area in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. People living around the reserve felt they receive few benefits from living near to a protected area. Management countered that they are not well funded enough to provide much development support. In addition to this, the community sees a contrast between this lack of benefit sharing and the successful benefit sharing experienced by a neighbouring community which borders a private reserve. This has added to their negative view of the way Mkuze Game Reserve management has been engaging with communities. Effective engagement with communities and understanding their expectations will be important for strengthening conservation initiatives and community engagement objectives in the area.
Community-based ecotourism: Its socio-economic impacts at Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, Ghana
Authors: Eshun Gabriel , Tonto Joycelyn Naana Pokuaa
Published: February 2015

There is a lacuna in literature from Western Africa on how issue of participation influence socio-economic impacts at ecotourism destinations. This paper investigates the socio-economic impacts of ecotourism based on Boabeng- Fiema Monkey Sanctuary in Ghana. The paper is based on primary data generated from Boabeng and Fiema communities. Seventy mainly opened-ended questionnaires were administered face-to-face to purposively selected residents from the two communities, alongside, in-depth interviews with the management of the Sanctuary and focus group with purposively selected individuals from Boabeng and Fiema. The study reveals that the residents of the communities face burgeoning challenges such as shrinking livelihood options, inadequate involvement of community in the ecotourism, poor state of the visitor centre, inadequate government support and poor roads.
The role of state- business relations in the performance of Zambia’s food processing sub-sector
Authors: Hampwaye Godfrey , Jeppesen Soeren
Published: February 2015

In ensuring growth and development collaborative State-Business relations (SBRs) matters, and with economic growth comes increasing levels of employment, options for poverty reduction and hence more equitable development. Whereas it is known that SBR matters at a macro-economic level, the concept of SBR has also been employed in a more or less all-encompassing way in the literature. Accordingly, while it is clear that SBRs work, there is lack knowledge about which dimensions of SBRs are the most important. Due to the continued importance of agriculture in many developing countries, processing of the food produced in the sector is a key manufacturing activity of high economic importance to many economies. Ensuring collaborative SBRs in the food processing industry is therefore of interest to growth and development, particularly as it is a sector about which little is known about the role of SBRs. The paper attempts to examine how and why SBRs matter to and influence the growth and performance of local owned firms in the food processing sub-sector in Zambia. In particular, the paper analyses the roles and influence of government regulations and policies compared to those of business associations for the performance of the food processing sector in Zambia. The paper draws on primary data from a survey of firms in the food processing sector which was conducted between 2013 and 2014. It is shown that while the majority of the Zambian food processing firms experienced growth over the last five years, with increased employment and in a number of cases growing earnings, this seems to have happened in spite of a business environment which is not particularly supportive. The firms’ experience is that the SBRs mainly constitute institutional barriers to the performance of firms and highlight that formal government institutions and polices are incapable of assisting the firms and in most cases government institutions formulate and enact insufficient support schemes.
Small enterprise development in South Africa: The role of business incubators
Authors: Masutha Mukhove , Rogerson Christian M.
Published: February 2015

Business incubation is a relatively new phenomenon in scholarship and policy development for small enterprise development. Business incubators offer targeted business support and technical support services to accelerate the growth of emerging and small start-up business enterprises into financially and operationally independent enterprises. South Africa has adopted business incubation as one vehicle for upgrading the SMME economy. This article examines the evolution of policy towards business incubation, current progress, institutional issues and emerging geographies of business incubators as part of the unfolding and dynamic SMME policy landscape in South Africa. Considerable differences are observed between the activities of the network of state-supported incubators as opposed to private sector operated incubators.
Water quality awareness and barriers to safe water provisioning in informal communities: A case study from Ndola, Zambia
Authors: Liddle Elisabeth S. , Mager Sarah M. , Nel Etienne
Published: February 2015

Local water providers in developing nations typically view shallow hand-dug wells as traditional and backward sources of water supply. It has long been assumed that the urban poor do not have the ability to develop these in a way that allows them to be classified as ‘improved’ in terms of the Millennium Development Goal for water, believing that users do not understand the factors that constitute safe water and the threats to these sources. Our assessment of the level of environmental knowledge held by local water-users in Ndola in Zambia demonstrates a coherent understanding of the safety of their water sources, the quality of these, the threats to them, and the fundamentals of how their local hydrology works, all of which is contrary to the perspective of key informants who are involved in water supply. Despite their environmental awareness, the majority of users did not generally protect their wells from contamination nor treat their water. The apparent paradox between awareness of risks to water and implementing protection of that water source is a function of the complex suite of socially manifested attitudes, habits and behaviours when it comes to water protection and treatment, which is exacerbated by vulnerable community and family structures and entrenched poverty. For meaningful outcomes in improved access to safe water to be realised providers need to increase their engagement with the informal communities, moving deeper into community-based participatory planning and recognise the societal and cultural factors that are entrained into these communities water supply practices. A key part of this involves the need for providers to move away from simple knowledge-based education to the more holistic form of skill-based health education.
The making of the South African timeshare industry: spatial structure and development challenges
Authors: Pandy Wayde R. , Rogerson Christian M.
Published: February 2015

Research on the accommodation sector attracts only a small fraction of contemporary tourism scholarship relating to sub-Saharan Africa. This paper contributes to this expanding literature on segmentation and the accommodation sector in South Africa. Specifically, it examines the establishment and making of the timeshare industry as a distinctive form of accommodation within the national tourism economy. The timeshare industry in South Africa is the largest and most mature in sub-Saharan Africa and among the most important in the developing world. The analysis uses a longitudinal perspective in order to interpret the emerging spatial organisation and evolving structural issues that impacted upon the development of the timeshare industry in its formative years from 1978 to 2002. The study addresses a knowledge gap around the minimal pursuit of historical research within the existing international literature about timeshare.
Planning for economic development in a secondary city? Trends, pitfalls and alternatives for Mangaung, South Africa
Authors: Marais Lochner , Van Rooyen Deidre , Lenka Molefi , Cloete Jan
Published: February 2015

This paper examines Mangaung’s economic development initiatives against the background of the latest literature on secondary cities, with a specific emphasis on the 20-year period that has elapsed since the dawn of the postapartheid era. Although some of the plans aim to reverse apartheid planning it is argued that these plans are being hampered by the fact that they tend to focus on a local “buzz” option, and run counter to historical pathways for the city. Moreover, they do not take the value of an increasing knowledge economy into account, and they fail to contextualise the city’s development and future prospects in terms of its regional role. The paper identifies a number of pathways that build on history and include options for ensuring active participation in an increasing knowledge economy. Our contention is that the regional role of the city remains one of the key assets with a view to building future economic development pathways. Finally, a number of research themes are identified.
Helianthus Grosseserratus, A New Alien Plant Species in Lithuania
Authors: Gudžinskas Zigmantas , Petrulaitis Lukas
Published: February 2015

Helianthus grosseserratus M. Martens was first recorded in Lithuania in 2014. Rather large population of this species was found in Siauliai district (northern Lithuania), in the vicinity of Bridai village, on the territory of recultivated former municipal dump. This species can be easily distinguished from other perennial Helianthus species by glabrous stem, long, serrate, alternate leaves on the upper part of the stem and spindle-shaped roots. Supposedly, H. grosseserratus was brought to the area with garden waste or soil used for dump recultivation about 30 years ago and recently it has established in the locality. In the investigated capitula, no developed seeds were found. H. grosseserratus reproduces vegetatively by rhizomes and under favourable conditions can survive for a long time.
Response of Test-Organisms to Different Na and Cu Salts
Authors: Marčiulionienė Danutė , Montvydienė Danguolė , Kazlauskienė Nijolė , Lukšienė Benedikta , Jasinevičienė Dalia , Tautkus Stasys
Published: February 2015

The scope of this research involves the evaluation of biological impact of different Na and Cu salts (nitrates, sulphates and chlorides) on test-organisms. The toxic impact of Na and Cu salts on seed germination and root growth of Lepidium sativum (garden-cress) as well as mortality, growth and physiological parameters of On-corhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout) in early development stages (embryos and larvae) were determined. Among Na salts, nitrate was the most toxic to both test-organisms. Among tested Cu salts, sulphate caused the strongest toxic impact on L. sativum and nitrate - on embryos and larvae of O. mykiss. The accumulation of all tested anions and cations from the solutions of tested salts was higher in roots than in shoots ofL. sativum. The highest transfer of Na+ and Cu2+ from roots to shoots was determined for plants cultivated in sulphate salt. The transfer of SO42” was the highest among tested anions of sodium salts and the transfer of NO3” was higher among tested anions of copper salts. The rather high correlation was found between root length and amount of Na+, NO3” and SO42” ions in plant roots and rather low correlation coefficient was calculated between root length and the amount of Na+ and Cl” ions in roots.
Mechanism of Gallstones Formation in Women During Menopause (EPR Study)
Authors: Sanikidze Tamar , Shengelia Medea , Chikvaidze Eduard , Kiparoidze Salome , Gogebashvili Nodar , Kuppusamy Periannan
Published: February 2015

The worldwide incidence of gallbladder disease is highly variable. Identification of metabolic alterations like cholesterol metabolism or free radicals may provide insight into the formation of gallstones and provide a basis for prognostic markers. The aim of the study was to identify the pathogenesis and prognostic value of metabolic disorders in gallstone formation in menopausal women. Methods: Menopause-aged women with (group I, 58 patients) and without gallstone disease (group II, 25 patients) were investigated. In each group blood lipid metabolism and blood redox parameters (free Mn2+-ions) and antioxidant system activity (ceruloplasmine/Fe3+-transferrin) were studied using micro enzymatic method and Electron Pramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Surgically removed gall bladder stones were studied by routine laboratory methods (cholesterol and bilirubin content) and EPR spectroscopy. In model experiments in vitro purified bilirubin was irradiated with visible light in different conditions (in presence and without oxygen).

Results: Intensive signal of oxidized bilirubin free radical was detected in the EPR spectra of gallstones. Reduced activity of blood antioxidant ceruloplasmin/F3+-transferrin system and increased content of prooxidants Mn2+-ions were detected in menopausal women blood with gallstone disease. In vitro experiments demonstrated, that prolonged exposure of bilirubin to visible light in the presence of oxygen induces formation of the bilirubin free radicals (EPR signal g= 2.003 AH = 1.0 mT); irradiation of bilirubin in vacuum was not associated with generation of free radicals. Correlation analysis revealed statistically significant correlation between EPR signal intensity of bilirubin free radical in gallstones, activity of ceruloplazmin/F3+-transferrin antioxidant system and content of free Mn
2+ ions in patients' blood (r=-0.5725, p=0.0324; r=0.7805, p=0.0010, respectively). The tight correlation between marker of oxidative stress, Mn
2+ ions EPR signal intensity and HDL-, LDL-cholesterol content in blood (r = 0.910629, p = 0.0324; r = 0.029477, p = 0.0010, respectively) was also revealed.

Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrated the pathophysiological significance of alterations of blood redox-homeostasis during menopause in the gallstone formation. The risk of bilirubin oxidation, which plays a crucial role in the gallstones formation, increases with intensification of oxidative stress. Crystallization of cholesterol in polymeric network of oxidized bilirubin may contribute to gallstone formation.
Rights to Designaton Focusing on Protected Designations and Geographical Indications of Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs
Authors: Ilková Zuzana
Published: February 2015

The paper deals with the issue covered by the field of industrial property, it deals with the right to designation, especially with characteristics of legal regulation of labeling of products with regard to their geographical origin at the Slovak, communitarian and international levels. Individual objects of the industrial property may be the result of intellectual creative activity of its creator/creators (e.g. inventions, utility models, designs) or they are not the result of creative activity of a particular natural person and are considered as industrial property rights to designation. The group of rights to designation includes: business names, trademarks, designation of origin for products and geographical indications for products. The rights to designation, inter alia, shall ensure uniqueness and competitive advantage for entrepreneurs and easy identification on the market of goods and services for the consumers. The paper closely analyzes the harmonized legal regulation of designations of origin and geographical indications of agricultural products, foodstuffs, spirit drinks, and wines. At the example of Tokaj wine region, it demonstrates the importance of protected designations at the EU level, in case of which demonstrable geographical origin of the product with controlled product specification by authorized national bodies brings a guarantee of quality of this product for consumers and the competitive advantage during their commercial implementation for the entrepreneurs.
Institutinal Support in the Field of Animal Husbandry Development Inštitucionálna Podpora v Oblasti Rozvoja Chovatel'stva
Authors: Malatinec Tomáš
Published: February 2015

Public institutions represent an important part of animal husbandry development policy. In terms of the Slovak Republic, production of public value in the field of animal husbandry in the field of agro-biodiversity and agrarian cultural heritage maintenance in rural areas is also entrusted to professional self-governing institutions and breeding organizations besides state institutions. Within the European perspectives, it is the ELBARN — European Livestock Breeds Ark and Rescue Net which focuses on this issue. At present, there is a need to strengthen competences of the relevant institutional network, mainly in the field of marketing and sales aid for products which are created by breeders.
Laboratory determination of potential interception of young deciduous trees during low-intense precipitation
Authors: Klamerus-Iwan Anna , Sporysz Maciej
Published: February 2015

The research issue focuses on potential interception, which is the maximum amount of water that can be stored on plant surface. Tests under controlled conditions remain the best way to enhance knowledge on interception determinants in forest communities. Such tests can provide data for identification of mathematical models based on ecological criteria.

The study presented in this paper concerned tree interception under simulated rain in a range from 2 to 11 mm/h. To perform the experiment a set of sprinklers was designed and built. The study included two deciduous species: beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and oak (Quercus robur L.).

Descriptive characteristic and nonlinear estimation were suggested for the obtained data. Interdependence of potential interception, the intensity of rain and the size of raindrops were described using exponential equation.

The intensity and drop size of simulated rainfall significantly influence the obtained values of potential interception. Data analysis shows a decrease of interception value with an increase of intensity of simulated rainfall for both analysed species. Every run of the experiment that differed in the intensity and size of raindrops reached an individual level of potential interception and time needed to realize it.

The formation of ability of plants to intercept water depends both on the dynamics and the time of spraying.