bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Choice of Classification for Determining the Tactics of Surgical Treatment of Pancreatic Injuries
Authors: Шнейдер  , Shneyder V.
Published: June 2015

The purpose of this study was the choice of classification for objective assessment of the severity of traumatic injuries of the pancreas on the basis of a comparative analysis of the immediate results of surgical treatment. A new variant of the classification of severity traumatic injuries of the pancreas was proposed. Comparative analysis of classifications D. Smego et al. (1985) and A.K. Eramishanсev et al. (1994) with the proposed option stratification affected by severity of damage was carried out. The study is based as a retrospective analysis of 202 patients with the treatment of traumatic injuries of the pancreas, made during the period from 1990 to 2006. For each of the classifications of all the patients were divided into 4 groups depending on the severity of the damage and determined the number and severity of specific postoperative complications, mortality, and length of hospital stay of discharged patients. Directly propor-tional to a statistically significant dependence of the increase in the number of unfavorable outcomes of treatment and duration of hospital stay with increased severity of damage to the pancreas when using the proposed classification author’s scheme was revealed. Other classifications were not statistically significant differences in complications and mortality in groups of patients with different degrees of severity of injury to the pancreas.
Clinical Efficacy of Treatment of Children with Bronchial Asthma, Population in Remote Areas in Terms of Regional Respiratory Centre as Sanatorium Type: Work Results for 10 Years
Authors: Ермакова  , Ermakova I.
Published: June 2015

The purpose of this work is to improve the specialized medical care for children with bronchial asthma, people living in remote areas and villages. Materials and methods: The study involved 1,024 children with asthma (solid sample, 2003) which were observed in period of 2003 to 2013. There are 391 children-villagers as the main group; clinical examination was carried out by district pediatrician and 633 children as regional city residents (the comparison group); clinical examination was carried out by district pediatrician together with pulmonologist or allergist. The author used the methods of observation (solid documentary and selective, current, prospective) and the method of expert evaluations. Results: a significant discrepancy (p=0,03) in the evaluation by district pediatrician, practitioner or family doctor) of severity bronchial asthma and absence of bronchial asthma treatment in 28% of patients of the main group has been demonstrated in 2003. The discrepancy in the diagnosis of bronchial asthma of light degree and medium severe degree (p=0.03) were detected by a positively accepted method (examination of pulmonologist/allergist, clinical and instrumental examination, 2008). Clinical efficacy of treatment of children with bronchial asthma as residents in regional respiratory centre has been proven. For ten years the number of children with BA decreased by 25%, the number of bronchial asthma patients with moderate current (p=0.03) decreased and the number of patients with medium severe degree bronchial asthma (p=0.01) significantly increased. In 2013, the patients of the main group observations received adequate basic therapy bronchial asthma; number of children with asthma decreased in 2 times (p=0.03); the calls in the ambulance and the need for hospitalization decreased more than 2 times (p=0.03); the number of children with controlled bronchial asthma increased from 26 to 64% (p=0.05).
Evaluation of Spent Pharmacotherapy in the Patients with Coronary Heart Disease Associated with Pulmonary Tuberculosis by means of the Neural Network
Authors: Сергеева  , Sergeeva N. , Коломиец  , Kolomiets V. , Маль  , Mal G. , Алыменко  , Alymenko M.
Published: June 2015

Current, the programs of mass prevention of the cardiovascular diseases, based on preventive medicinal correction of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, such as hyperlipidemia, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, are developed and realized. Pulmonary tuberculosis influences on state of blood system, which can be considered as functional disorders of the cardiovascular system caused by tuberculosis. These violations caused by concomitant tuberculosis lung diseases, such as cardiovascular and other diseases of the respiratory system. Specific (tuberculosis) damages of the heart and blood vessels are rare and currently their influence on pathomorphosis of tuberculosis isn’t expressed. Modern schemes of treatment of coronary heart disease and hypertension are also applicable to patients with Pulmonary tuberculosis. Effective treatment of coronary heart disease and hypertension in patients with tuberculosis by means of the drugs, allows to normalize the function of the cardiovascular system and to carry out long-chemotherapy by anti-TB drugs and cures of tuberculosis. The study showed the ability to predict the degree of lipid-lowering effect in patients with coronary heart disease in combination with infiltrative tuberculosis of the lungs that can provide the right choice of drug in lipid-lowering therapy.
Non-Contact Electrodes
Authors: Тараканов  , Tarakanov S. , Подольский  , Podolskiy M. , Кузнецов  , Kuznetsov I.
Published: June 2015

This paper reviews current approaches to the registration of the electrocardiogram for a long period. A review of existing solutions based on contact adhesive and fabric electrodes and non-contact ones is carried out. The last type of electrodes is offered as an optimal solution. The fundamental principle of operation of the new electrodes is fixing the capacitance parameters, in contrast to the classical voltage registration. The ability to operate through a tissue, thereby providing a suitable level of comfort for long-term utilizing of these electrodes is advantage in comparison with the contact adhesive and the contact dry textiles ones for electrocardiogram monitoring. The main problem is that all types of the electrodes are affected with noise spoiling useful signal when the person moves. To minimize the influence of artifacts, some developers of registration systems for measuring electrical activity of heart and brain have chosen the way of manufacturing high-cost microchips, what can be an obstacle for non-contact sensors penetrating of the public market. The authors propose an approach to solving the difficulties in signal recordings in indirect way without using of specialized microchip. The results of their own research are presented.
Modeling of Acute Medicamental Hepatitis in the Rats
Authors: Ермаков  , Ermakov V. , Антоненков  , Antonenkov Yu. , Косолапов  , Kosolapov Vladimir
Published: June 2015

End of the twentieth and the beginning of the XXI century in Russia were characterized by profound political and socio-economic changes in all spheres of state and society. This is reflected in medicine, in the article on the basis of literature data and data reporting dental services in the Krasnodar Territory analyzed the state of dental care in this region of the Federation. It is shown that the study of preventive dentistry may complete scientific discovery. Number of people seeking dental care, especially through primary – health centers, and grows up to 25% of the total incidence. Even physicians dentists are among the patients, their colleagues, and the defeat of diseases of the oral cavity is close to 100% coverage among the population. Why it is so necessary preventive techniques presented in the article di-rection, contributing to the improvement of preventive measures.

Special role in the study of dental health plays information about dental education to the public, features of preventive dental techniques people of different ages. Health child and adolescent population is an integral part of public health, as by adding a set of attributes of individual health and integrating socio-economic features of a society, it takes on new features and quality. It is also important to have an idea about the features of the dental health of geriatric age, which constitute a large, all growing part of our population. Level of health of these groups in terms of dentistry not only illustrates the diversity of human exposure to natural, socio-economic and organizational health problems, but also indirectly reflects the health of the nation as a whole. Therefore, it is important to characterize the medical and social factors that influence the health, at least in a particular region of the Russian Federation.
Nationalism in the Balkan Countries and Education of Macedonians (1913-1945)
Authors: Sidorovska‑Čupovska Silvana
Published: June 2015

After Macedonia’s division following the Balkan wars between Serbia, Greece and Bulgaria, a planned action was launched to denationalise the Macedonian nation and assimilate it with Balkan states. For Macedonian children in Vardar, Aegean and Pirin Macedonia the languages of school tuition were foreign to them. During the World War I on the territories occupied by Bulgaria, children were taught in Bulgarian by teachers specially sent there or those who had come before, usually Orthodox clergymen (exarchate). Such a policy was continued and still reinforced in the interwar period, with a view to destroying the Macedonian culture and language used in daily life. All public Macedonian demonstrations were prohibited.
Senior Managers’ Sensemaking and Responses to Strategic Change
Authors: Balogun Julia , Bartunek Jean M. , Do Boram
Published: June 2015

Our longitudinal study of the sensemaking and responses to strategic change of the senior management team of a UK multinational subsidiary provides unusual data that enable us to explore the complexity of senior team change related sensemaking. We show senior teams to be distinct interpretive communities rather than one homogeneous category of change agents, as typically portrayed in change literature, who at times of center-led strategic change occupy a complex dual recipient/change agent role. By adopting a narrative approach, we show the shared sensemaking of such a team to be impacted by the locally differentiated nature of its interpretive and relational contexts, leading to context specific interpretations of center-led change and locally distinct responses, with consequences for change outcomes. We found that because of their dual role, senior managers construct two sets of interwoven and interacting change narratives which mediate the relationship between the wider organizational change and local change actions. Our analysis reveals how these evaluations of change, accompanied by affect, evolve over time and how they impact action. These findings contribute to existing theories of sensemaking and change by addressing the previously undertheorized relationship between senior management teams’ sensemaking and their responses to strategic change.
No-reflow phenomenon during PCI in acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Lam Ho Yan Angie
Published: June 2015

No-reflow phenomenon complicates percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction. It significantly affects cardiac prognosis and clinical outcome. The underlying causes of no-reflow are ischaemia/reperfusion-related injury, coronary microcirculation injury and distal embolisation. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction, myocardial blush grade and myocardial contrast echocardiography are commonly used to diagnose no-reflow phenomenon. Several pharmacological agents and mechanical devices effectively prevent and treat no-reflow. This article presents a patient with acute myocardial infarction who experienced no-reflow phenomenon during percutaneous coronary intervention. He is successfully treated with intracoronary nitroprusside, nitroglycerin (TNG), intra-arterial verapamil and intravenous abciximab.
Reducing readmissions of outpatients with LVADs
Authors: Woods Andrew , MacGowan Guy , Schueler Stephan , Wrightson Neil , Robinson-Smith Nicola
Published: June 2015

Heart failure is affecting an increasing number of people in the UK. Some patients who have severe heart failure only have heart transplant as an option, and with prolonged waiting times on the transplant list, many may die waiting. To bridge these patients until a suitable organ is available, patients are being fitted with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). These devices are mechanical pumps that assist weakened hearts in circulating blood around the body. An LVAD pump requires close monitoring of the pump's readings, exit site and anticoagulation while in hospital and once the patient has been discharged home. By creating a specialist nurse post to introduce a weekly telephone call to this caseload of patients, the authors' institute was able to reduce the amount of patients admitted by 15.5% and the amount of days spent in hospital was reduced by 20.9% over the same period.
Managing biofilm by using dressings
Authors: Hampton Sylvie
Published: June 2015

Biofilm is a thin layer containing masses of microorganisms; it has a gelatinous protective cover that is capable of attaching to virtually any surface. A wound provides the perfect medium for the growth of bacteria. In a wound, the organisms in the biofilm can obtain nutrients more easily than when they live on their own, and they are protected from many of the insults of daily life. This article will focus on these microorganisms and their ability to protect the colony against all attempts to remove it and the problems biofilm creates within a wound.
A multicentre clinical evaluation of Cuticell Contact silicone wound contact layer in daily practice
Authors: Suess-Burghart Anja , Zomer Karin , Schwanke Dorte
Published: June 2015

Objective

To evaluate clinically the performance of Cuticell Contact, a silicone-based primary contact wound dressing.

Background

Primary contact dressings that allow removal of exudate while protecting the wound bed during dressing changes are a key tool in wound management. Silicone dressings are of particular interest owing to their excellent conformability, pain-free dressing changes, and low toxicity. Cuticell Contact is a silicone-based wound dressing thought to provide these desirable benefits.

Method

In this evaluation, 38 patients with 40 wounds of a variety of aetiologies and anatomical locations managed with Cuticell Contact and secondary dressings were observed in 8 centres across Germany and the Netherlands. The observation period ranged from 2–42 days (mean 21 days, median 18 days). At the end of the observation, Cuticell Contact was evaluated for permeability to exudate, nonadherence to the wound bed, pain at dressing change, and overall performance. The condition of the wound bed, wound surface area, and levels of exudate were recorded at baseline, at each dressing change, and at the end of the evaluation, along with the condition of the wound edge and peri-wound skin.

Results

Wounds managed with Cuticell Contact showed improvement in the wound bed as evidenced by an increase in wounds with complete granulation from 12.5% (n=40) to 26.5% (n=34), and wounds with partial or complete epithelialisation from 35% to 82.4%. Cuticell Contact was assessed at the end of the evaluation as nonadherent to the wound in 91.2% of cases (n=34), and 93.3% of dressing changes (n=104) were deemed pain free. Wound surface area decreased by a mean of 19.9%. Cuticell Contact was rated satisfactory for permeability to wound exudate in 82.4% of responses and overall satisfaction with the dressing performance was also 82.4%.

Conclusion

Cuticell Contact is a soft silicone dressing that is easy to use, efficacious in supporting wound healing through protecting the wound bed, and facilitates atraumatic dressing changes.
Heart failure: not a single organ disease but a multisystem syndrome
Authors: Warriner David , Sheridan Paul , Lawford Patricia
Published: June 2015

Heart failure is not simply a single organ disease; rather it is a complex multi-system clinical syndrome, with impairment of endocrine, haematological, musculoskeletal, renal, respiratory and vascular systems, which influence morbidity and mortality.
A guide to oral ulceration for the medical physician
Authors: Goel Rishi M , Ormond Martyn , Nayee Shalini , Hullah Esther A , Sanderson Jeremy D , Escudier Michael
Published: June 2015

Oral ulceration is a common finding yet its classification, diagnosis and management remain a challenge for many hospital physicians. This article discusses the different types of oral ulceration and how to investigate and manage them.
History of Northeastern US Maple Syrup Price Trends
Authors: McConnell T. Eric , Graham Gary W.
Published: June 2015

Average annual percentage rates of change (APR) in maple syrup prices (average gallon equivalent price in the United States) in seven northeastern United States and their aggregated region were determined for the years 1916 to 2012. The price trend lines were then compared on state-by-state and region-by-state bases. Maple syrup prices across all states and the region as a whole were increasing nominally at significant average annual rates. Nominal APRs ranged from 3.42 percent for Maine to 4.13 percent for New Hampshire, with the price in the combined region increasing at a rate of 3.96 percent annually. Real prices (discussed in 2012 constant dollars) were appreciating at significant annual rates in all areas except Maine. Real APRs ranged from 0.46 percent for Maine to 1.12 percent for New Hampshire, and the regional price was increasing at 0.95 percent annually. Whereas the region's all-time high price of $40.38 was obtained nominally in 2008, the real price actually reached its highest point in 1987 ($53.89). Two other real price peaks were observed regionally: 1947 ($41.17) and 1972 ($45.31). No differences in trend line intercepts and slopes were found across the region. Obtaining price information for any one location has historically provided producers and processors a reasonable expectation of market activities occurring in the greater region.
Explotaciones agrarias de Les Valls d'Alcoi: el mas, la empresa familiar y el agricultor alternante
Authors: Costa Mas José
Published: June 2015

La comarca de Les Valls d’Alcoi, como es conocido, se inscribe en pleno conjuntomontañoso del prebético valenciano, conformando un área quebrada, con pequeños valles yescasos llanos, que sobrepasa generalmente los 500 m. de altura. Su clima se caracteriza por una pluviometría relativamente abundante, con más de 600 mm. en las montañosas y cerca de 500 mm. en Alcoi, y unas temperaturas medias anuales inferiores a 15º, como efecto de la altura y de la distancia al mar; el déficit hídrico, que se presenta en agosto, nunca dura más de dos mes
Ola de frío de febrero de 1983 en la provincia de Alicante
Authors: Santos Deltell María José
Published: June 2015

El mes de febrero es decididamente invernal, y durante este mes algunos observatorioshan registrado las temperaturas más bajas, en lo que va de siglo. No presenta la estabilidad deenero y se considera, por tanto un mes de transición. Durante el invierno, las altas presionescubren la Península y se hace difícil la penetración de los frentes.Existen ejemplos del mes de febrero como el más frío del año. Así, el mes de febrero de1924 fue extremadamente desagradable por sus rigores invernales. En esta ocasión, la irrupciónde masas del aire frío decidieron en algunos observatorios las temperaturas medias más bajas del periodo 1908-27.
Preparation and characterization of nano NC/HMX composite particles
Authors: An Chongwei , Li Hequn , Yu Binshuo , Geng Xiaoheng , Wang Jingyu
Published: June 2015

Nano nitrocellulose/cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (NC/HMX) composite particles were precipitated from their co-solutions by the spray drying method. The nano composite samples were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. Impact sensitivity and thermal decomposition properties of nano composites were also measured and analyzed. Results show that the product particles are close to spherical in shape and range from 0.5 μm to 5 μm in size. In the product particles, β-HMX particles with size ranging from 50 nm to 100 nm are uniformly and discretely dispersed in NC binders. The drop height of nano NC/HMX composite particles (66.1 cm) is more than triple as high as that of raw HMX (21.6 cm), exhibiting considerably low impact sensitivity. Moreover, nano composite particles are easier to decompose and decomposed more rapidly than do raw HMX under the thermal stimulus due to the lower peak temperature and activation energy and higher reaction rate. Therefore, nano composites are expected to be candidates filled in high burning rate propellants.
Effects of long-term vaccination against Coxiella burnetii on the fertility of high-producing dairy cows
Authors: Garcia-Ispierto Irina , López-Helguera Irene , Tutusaus Joan , Mur-Novales Ramón , López-Gatius Fernando
Published: June 2015

The impact of long-term vaccination against Coxiella burnetii on the fertility of cows was studied. Double vaccinations three weeks apart at the start of the third trimester of gestation in each of two consecutive pregnancies were applied. The final study population consisted of 410 cows after the first vaccination round. Based on the odds ratios, the likelihood of early fetal loss (pregnancy loss following a positive pregnancy diagnosis before Day 90 of gestation) was higher in control cows (OR = 1.42) than in vaccinated cows. The final study population consisted of 336 cows after the second round of vaccination. According to the odds ratios, vaccinated C. burnetii seronegative cows were less likely to be subfertile (> 3 AI) (OR = 0.4) compared to non-vaccinated seronegative animals, and the likelihood of early fetal loss was lower in vaccinated C. burnetii seropositive animals (OR = 0.3) compared to non-vaccinated seronegative cows. Seropositivity to C. burnetii was positively related to twin pregnancy after the two rounds of vaccination (OR = 2.1 and 3.5, respectively). These results indicate that two consecutive vaccination rounds against C. burnetii in advanced gestation reduce subfertility and early fetal loss in dairy cows.
A jéghegy csúcsa: multiplex faggyúmirigy-eredetű bőrtumor coloncarcinomában. Muir–Torre-szindróma
Authors: Herr Gyula , Szenes Mária , Hohl Györgyi , Vinkler Márta Erzsébet , Tüske György , Horváth János , Nagy Gyöngyi , Tihanyi Mariann , Széll Márta , Nagy Nikoletta , Gasztonyi Beáta
Published: June 2015

Muir–Torre syndrome is a rare genodermatosis with autosomal dominant inheritance. The syndrome is considered to be a subtype of the hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (or Lynch-syndrome). In two-third of the cases, it develops as the consequence of germline mutations in mismatch-repair genes – most commonly MutS Homolog-2 and MutL Homolog-1. Its diagnosis can be established if at least one sebaceous tumor (sebaceoma, sebaceous adenoma, epithelioma, carcinoma or basal-cell carcinoma with sebaceous differentiation) and/or keratoacanthoma and at least one internal neoplasm are present. Here the authors present the history of a 52-year-old man with multiple sebaceous carcinomas on his back. Immunohistochemical analysis showed the lack of MutL Homolog-1 protein expression in the tumor cells. Detailed clinical workup in order to identify internal malignancy found malignant coecum tumor. Histopathological evaluation of the sample from the right hemicolectomy revealed mid-grade adenocarcinoma with MutL Homolog-1 and postmeiotic segregation increased-2 deficiency. The detection of the cutaneous sebaceous carcinoma and the application of the modern diagnostic methods resulted in identification of the associated colorectal cancer in an early stage; hence, definitive treatment was available for the patient. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(24), 979–984.
First detection of Pasteurella multocida type B:2 in Hungary associated with systemic pasteurellosis in backyard pigs
Authors: Ujvári Barbara , Szeredi Levente , Pertl László , Tóth Gergely , Erdélyi Károly , Jánosi Szilárd , Molnár Tamás , Magyar Tibor
Published: June 2015

This is the first report of Pasteurella multocida type B in Hungarian pigs. This disease was observed in backyard-raised pigs in three households within a small area. Neither the source of the infection nor the epidemiological connection between any of the premises could be determined. The most consistent lesion was dark red discolouration of the skin of the ventral neck and brisket, with accompanying oedema and haemorrhages. The morbidity was low and lethality relatively high, with three dead (50%) and two euthanised (33%) out of six affected animals. A total of three isolates of P. multocida (P55, P56 and P57) were cultured from these cases and examined in detail. These were identified as P. multocida ssp. multocida biovar 3. All were toxA negative and belonged to serotype B:2. Multilocus sequence typing was used to assign these to a new sequence type (ST61) that is closely related to other haemorrhagic septicaemia causing strains of P. multocida regardless of the host. M13 polymerase chain reaction and virulence-associated gene typing also show that type B strains form a highly homogeneous, distinct phylogenic group within P. multocida.
Transparent, high refractive index oxides: Control of the nanostructure of titanium hafnium oxide alloys by variation of the ion energy during reactive magnetron sputtering deposition
Authors: Díaz León Juan J. , Garrett Matthew P. , Fryauf David M. , Zhang Junce , Norris Kate J. , Prokes Sharka M. , Kobayashi Nobuhiko P.
Published: June 2015

A range of optical and optoelectronic applications would benefit from high refractive index (n), dense and transparent films that guide, concentrate and couple light. However, materials with high n usually have a high optical extinction coefficient (κ) which keeps these materials from being suitable for optical components that require long optical paths. We studied titanium hafnium oxide alloy films to obtain high refractive index (n>2) with minimum optical extinction coefficients (κ < 10−5) over the visible and near IR spectrum (380-930 nm). Titanium hafnium oxide alloys were deposited using pulsed DC reactive magnetron sputtering with and without RF substrate bias on silicon dioxide. For a given deposition condition intended for a specific titanium/hafnium molar fraction ratio, the ion energy of deposition species was explicitly controlled by varying the RF substrate bias. Spectroscopic ellipsometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the films. It appears that applying RF substrate bias reduces the nanocrystalline size, changes the surface morphology and increases the refractive index while maintaining comparable titanium/hafnium cation molar fraction. Precise control of the nanostructure of ternary metal oxides can alter their macroscopic properties, resulting in improved optical films.
Formation, Optical Properties and Applications of Edge Gold-Coated Silver Nanoprisms
Authors: Shahjamali Mohammad M. , Salvador Michael , Zaraee Negin
Published: June 2015

A facile, high-yield synthesis of edge gold-coated silver nanoprisms (GSNPs) with a gold nanoframe as thin as 1.7 nm and their comprehensive characterizations by using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques is introduced. The GSNPs exhibit remarkably higher stability than silver nanoprisms (SNPs) and are therefore explored as effective optical antennae for light-harvesting applications. When embedded into a bulk heterojunctions film of P3HT:PCBM, plasmonic GSNPs with a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) around 500 nm can effectively act as optical antennae to enhance light harvesting in the active layer. As a result, we measured up to 7-fold enhancement in the polaron generation yield through photoinduced absorption spectroscopy. Owing to the high stability and strong field enhancement, the presented GSNPs feature great potential as plasmonic probes for photovoltaic applications and LSPR sensing.
Metodyczne aspekty identyfikacji procesów semiurbanizacji na obszarach wiejskich
Authors: Brańka Patrycja
Published: June 2015

Semi-urbanisation understood as the incomplete urbanisation of rural areas has a significant impact on their development. The multifacted character of semi-urbanisation processes renders their recognition and estimation difficult. The article presents a framework of semi-urbanisation processes then focuses on the main dilemmas and questions that accompany them; the answers to these questions determine the accuracy of analyses. It also describes other authors' approaches to the problems of semi-urbanisation. The final part of the paper proposes a set of indices that can function as the basis for semi-urbanisation analyses.
Ekonomiczne aspekty gospodarowania przestrzenią miasta i regionu. Zarys problemu
Authors: Kudłacz Tadeusz
Published: June 2015

This paper provides a review of the main problems connected with the economic aspects of spatial management. After looking at the key terminology, it takes up the factors of spatial value. The essential part of the article is its discussion of a methodical approach to valuing space. It presents a set of the patterns that illustrate the elements of the valuation procedure.
Procesy suburbanizacji obszarów podmiejskich Krakowa
Authors: Musiał-Malagó Monika
Published: June 2015

The processes of suburbanisation are taking place more and more intensively around Polish cities. The dynamics and range of this phenomenon carry a number of negative consequences. The aim of this paper is to present the changes that took place in the suburban areas of the city of Cracow as a result of suburbanisation in the years 2003-2012. To determine the extent of this process, the following were analysed: changes in the population, the size and directions of migrations, and the amount of agricultural land not used for farming with regard to the aim of exclusion.
Waloryzacja przestrzeni publicznych miasta. Studium przypadku Wieliczki
Authors: Serafin Piotr
Published: June 2015

This article analyses the use of selected types of local public space - a market, museum areas (mines), parks, sacred spaces, and recreational spaces. The aim of the study was to estimate the value of aesthetic, historical, emotional, and highlighted market space and to identify spatial conflicts taking place in this environment, in one of Poland's more well-known small cities - Wieliczka. This research confirms the lack of renown that small public spaces beyond the well-known mine have. Such spaces could give the city identity and serve to establish local community ties.
Surprise Questions for Survival Prediction in Patients With Advanced Cancer: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hamano Jun , Morita Tatsuya , Inoue Satoshi , Ikenaga Masayuki , Matsumoto Yoshihisa , Sekine Ryuichi , Yamaguchi Takashi , Hirohashi Takeshi , Tajima Tsukasa , Tatara Ryohei , Watanabe Hiroaki , Otani Hiroyuki , Takigawa Chizuko , Matsuda Yoshinobu , Nagaoka Hiroka , Mori Masanori , Yamamoto Naoki , Shimizu Mie , Sasara Takeshi , Kinoshita Hiroya
Published: June 2015

Background.

Predicting the short-term survival in cancer patients is an important issue for patients, family, and oncologists. Although the prognostic accuracy of the surprise question has value in 1-year mortality for cancer patients, the prognostic value for short-term survival has not been formally assessed. The primary aim of the present study was to assess the prognostic value of the surprise question for 7-day and 30-day survival in patients with advanced cancer.

Patients and Methods.

The present multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted in Japan from September 2012 through April 2014, involving 16 palliative care units, 19 hospital-based palliative care teams, and 23 home-based palliative care services.

Results.

We recruited 2,425 patients and included 2,361 for analysis: 912 from hospital-based palliative care teams, 895 from hospital palliative care units, and 554 from home-based palliative care services. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the 7-day survival surprise question were 84.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 80.7%–88.0%), 68.0% (95% CI, 67.3%–68.5%), 30.3% (95% CI, 28.9%–31.5%), and 96.4% (95% CI, 95.5%–97.2%), respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the 30-day surprise question were 95.6% (95% CI, 94.4%–96.6%), 37.0% (95% CI, 35.9%–37.9%), 57.6% (95% CI, 56.8%–58.2%), and 90.4% (95% CI, 87.7%–92.6%), respectively.

Conclusion.

Surprise questions are useful for screening patients for short survival. However, the high false-positive rates do not allow clinicians to provide definitive prognosis prediction.

Implications for Practice:

The findings of this study indicate that clinicians can screen patients for 7- or 30-day survival using surprise questions with 90% or more sensitivity. Clinicians cannot provide accurate prognosis estimation, and all patients will not always die within the defined periods. The screened patients can be regarded as the subjects to be prepared for approaching death, and proactive discussion would be useful for such patients.
Detecting cyclicity in ecological time series
Authors: Louca Stilianos , Doebeli Michael
Published: June 2015

Cyclic population dynamics are of central interest in ecology. Reliably identifying and quantifying the cyclicity of populations is valuable for the understanding of regulatory mechanisms and their variability across spatiotemporal scales. Cyclicity can be detected using periodogram analysis of time series. The statistical significance of periodogram peaks is commonly evaluated against the null hypothesis of uncorrelated fluctuations, also known as white noise. Here, we show that this null hypothesis is inadequate for cycle detection in ecosystems with non‐negligible correlation times. As an alternative null hypothesis we propose the so‐called Ornstein‐Uhlenbeck state‐space (OUSS) model, which generalizes white noise to allow for temporal correlations. We justify its use on mechanistic principles and demonstrate its advantages using numerical simulations of simple population models. We show that merely contrasting cyclicity against white noise greatly increases the false cycle detection rate and can lead to wrong conclusions even for simple systems. A comparative statistical analysis of the Global Population Dynamics Database using both null hypotheses suggests that a significant number of populations might have been misinterpreted as cyclic in the past. Our proposed methods for cycle detection are available as an R package (peacots).
Aquatic macrophytes alter productivity‐richness relationships in eutrophic stream food webs
Authors: Graham S. Elizabeth , O'Brien Jonathan M. , Burrell Teresa K. , McIntosh Angus R.
Published: June 2015

Traditional productivity‐diversity theory predicts that eutrophication will result in greater species richness due to increased resources at the bottom of the food web. However, few studies on the effects of increasing ecosystem productivity on biological communities have included responses at multiple trophic levels. We hypothesized that the effect of eutrophication on species richness would vary between different trophic levels due to shifts in community composition and trophic interactions. To investigate the mechanisms driving productivity‐richness relationships, we constructed food webs for 18 streams across a eutrophication gradient on South Island, New Zealand, and measured productivity, water quality, and habitat characteristics in each stream. A principal components analysis yielded two orthogonal axes of eutrophication: one associated with macrophytes, benthic substrate, and gross primary productivity (GPP) and the other with catchment area, temperature, and algal standing stock (chlorophyll a). Surprisingly, the majority of community response variables, especially defended primary consumer abundance and biomass, were more strongly associated with the macrophyte/habitat axis. The lack of change in abundance and declines in biomass and average mass of predatory invertebrates and fish with increasing eutrophication, despite increases in prey abundance, suggest that energy was not being passed up the food chain to higher trophic levels. The predominance of defended producers (macrophytes) and consumers (snails and microcrustacea) in eutrophic streams likely served as trophic bottlenecks; both are largely inedible by higher trophic levels. Consequently, our results suggest that managers need to focus on preserving food web linkages and energy flow, as well as biodiversity, in eutrophic systems.
Identification of Environmentally Stable Wild Soybean Genotypes with High Alpha‐Linolenic Acid Concentration
Authors: Chae Jong‐Hyun , Ha Bo‐Keun , Chung Gyuhwa , Park Ju‐Eun , Park Euiho , Ko Jong‐Min , Shannon J. Grover , Song Jong Tae , Lee Jeong‐Dong
Published: June 2015

Increasing alpha‐linolenic acid (ALA) in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] seed oil is an important breeding goal in soybean because of its beneficial effects on human health. Seed oil of wild soybeans (G. soja Sieb. & Zucc.) generally has about twice the ALA concentration than seed oil from cultivated soybeans. Therefore, identification of wild soybean genotypes with high and stable ALA concentration over various growing conditions would be useful for breeding purposes. The objective of this study was to evaluate wild soybeans with high ALA for environmental stability. Fifteen wild soybean accessions with relatively high ALA concentrations (∼170 to 200 g kg−1) and three check cultivars were evaluated across seven growing environments to determine the stability of ALA concentration. The ALA concentration of the wild soybean genotypes ranged from 169 to 191 g kg−1 with an average of 181 g kg−1. Seed of wild soybean genotypes had more than twice the amount of ALA than seed of the two cultivated soybeans, Williams 82 (72 g kg−1) and Daewonkong (78 g kg−1). CW13755 (185 g kg−1) and CW13943 (191 g kg−1) were the most stable across seven environments among all wild soybean accessions tested followed by CW13944 (191 g kg−1) and CW01022 (169 g kg−1) compared with the three checks. In conclusion, these environmentally stable wild soybean accessions with elevated ALA should be excellent germplasm sources to improve the ALA concentration in soy oil and to study the mechanism of ALA accumulation in soybean.
Multienvironment Performance of New Orange‐Fleshed Sweetpotato Cultivars in South Africa
Authors: Laurie S. M. , Booyse M. , Labuschagne M. T. , Greyling M. M.
Published: June 2015

Vitamin A deficiency is a serious health problem in South Africa, as in several parts of the world. One strategy to combat micronutrient deficiency is through biofortification, particularly through orange‐fleshed sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam]. Previously, a shortage existed in South Africa of orange‐fleshed genotypes with a combination of high dry mass, good yield, and good taste. Local cream‐fleshed parents and orange‐fleshed US introductions were used in the local polycross program. This study aimed at testing the agronomic performance, stability, and genetic diversity of newly developed orange‐fleshed genotypes. Twelve entries, nine with orange flesh color, were evaluated at four sites for two seasons in multienvironment trials and the data was subjected to ANOVA and genotype plus genotype‐by‐environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis. Simple‐sequence repeat (SSR) analysis of the 12 entries was done followed by hierarchical clustering. Two of the orange‐fleshed cultivars were recommended for production and plant breeders’ rights were registered for these. Cultivar Impilo produced stable, high root yield similar to the commercial control cultivar Beauregard; while the elite breeding line Purple Sunset (2001_5_2) had high yield and specific adaptability. Both displayed average dry mass and acceptable taste. The genetic analysis indicated relatedness of most new genotypes with the cream‐fleshed parents used in the polycross program. The improved cultivars offer considerable yield advantage above US introductions previously recommended for combating vitamin A deficiency.
Root Water Uptake by Romaine Lettuce in a Muck Soil: Linking Tip Burn to Hydric Deficit
Authors: Périard Yann , Caron Jean , Lafond Jonathan A. , Jutras Sylvain
Published: June 2015

Canadian lettuce is mostly grown in organic soils in Quebec. Lettuce is highly sensitive to tip burn, a physiological disorder that can lead to significant marketable yield losses. Tip burn losses have been linked to multiple causes, such as inadequate water and Ca fluxes during transpiration, which in turn are linked to the water fluxes in the root zone to and within the plant. The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamic relationship between water fluxes in the root zone and the occurrence of tip burn in romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown in muck soils. Water fluxes in the root zone were modeled with HYDRUS‐2D using measured soil properties and weather conditions. The model results showed that mean unsaturated hydraulic conductivity in the root zone was sufficient to meet transpiration demands down to a matric potential of −31.14 kPa at a depth of 15 cm. Simulations based on field observations revealed that as soon as a root water uptake deficit of 0.14 mm h−1 was reached, tip burn developed rapidly. Hence, the simulations confirmed that below this matric potential threshold, hydraulic conductivity <1.6 × 10−4 mm h−1 and water flow velocity in the root zone <4 × 10−3 mm h−1 became insufficient for plant needs, leading to tip burn occurrence in lettuce, consistent with field observations. Understanding the water root‐zone fluxes to anticipate water stress and reduce tip burn damage in Romaine lettuce is a major improvement for growers, giving them a longer time window to initiate irrigation.
Performance of three pilot-scale hybrid constructed wetlands for total coliforms and Escherichia coli removal from primary effluent – a 2-year study in a subtropical climate
Authors: Zurita Florentina , Carreón-Álvarez Alejandra
Published: June 2015

Three pilot-scale two-stage hybrid constructed wetlands were evaluated in order to compare their efficiency for total coliforms (TCol) and Escherichia coli removal and to analyze their performances in two 1-year periods of experimentation. System I consisted of a horizontal flow (HF) constructed wetland (CW) followed by a stabilization pond. System II was also configured with a HF CW as a first stage which was then followed by a vertical flow (VF) CW as a second stage. System III was configured with a VF CW followed by a HF CW. In the first year of evaluation, the HF–VF system was the most effective for TCol removal (p < 0.05) and achieved a reduction of 2.2 log units. With regard to E. coli removal, the HF–VF and VF–HF systems were the most effective (p < 0.05) with average reductions of 3.2 and 3.8 log units, respectively. In the second year, the most effective were those with a VF component for both TCol and E. coli which underwent average reductions of 2.34–2.44 and 3.44–3.74 log units, respectively. The reduction achieved in E. coli densities, in both years, satisfy the World Health Organization guidelines that require a 3–4 log unit pathogen reduction in wastewater treatment systems.
Microbial quality of improved drinking water sources: evidence from western Kenya and southern Vietnam
Authors: Grady Caitlin A. , Kipkorir Emmanuel C. , Nguyen Kien , Blatchley E. R.
Published: June 2015

In recent decades, more than 2 billion people have gained access to improved drinking water sources thanks to extensive effort from governments, and public and private sector entities. Despite this progress, many water sector development interventions do not provide access to safe water or fail to be sustained for long-term use. The authors examined drinking water quality of previously implemented water improvement projects in three communities in western Kenya and three communities in southern Vietnam. The cross-sectional study of 219 households included measurements of viable Escherichia coli. High rates of E. coli prevalence in these improved water sources were found in many of the samples. These findings suggest that measures above and beyond the traditional ‘improved source’ definition may be necessary to ensure truly safe water throughout these regions.
QLS-integrality of complete r-partite graphs
Authors: Pokorný Milan
Published: June 2015

A graph G is called A-integral (L-integral, Q-integral, S-integral) if the
spectrum of its adjacency (Laplacian, signless Laplacian, Seidel) matrix
consists entirely of integers. In this paper we study connections between the
Q-(L,S,A) integral complete multipartite graphs. Moreover, new sufficient
conditions for a construction of infinite families of QLS-integral complete
r''-partite graphs Kp1,p2,...,pr'' = Kb1?p1,b2?p2,...,bs?ps from given
QLS-integral r'-partite graphs Kp1,p2,...,pr' = Ka1?p1,a2?p2,...,as?ps are
given. Using these conditions new infinite classes of such graphs for s = 4,
5, 6 are constructed, which affirmatively answers to questions proposed by
Wang, Zhao and Li in [10, 14]. Finally, we propose open problems for further
study.
The additivity of polygamma functions
Authors: Guo Bai-Ni , Qi Feng , Luo Qiu-Ming
Published: June 2015

In the paper, the authors prove that the functions |?(i)(ex)| for i ? N are
subadditive on (ln?i,?) and superadditive on (-?, ln ?i), where ?i ? (0,1)
is the unique root of equation 2|?(i)(?)|= ?(i)(?2)|.
Capital accumulation, structural change and real exchange rate in a Keynesian-Structuralist growth model
Authors: Oreiro José , Missio Fabricio , Jayme Frederico
Published: June 2015

The aim of this paper is to show at theoretical level that maintaining a
competitive real exchange rate positively affects the economic growth of
developing countries by means of a Keynesian-Structuralist model that
combines elements of Kaleckian growth models with the balance of payments
constrained growth models pioneered developed by Thirlwall. In this setting,
the level of real exchange rate is capable, due to its effect over capital
accumulation, to induce a structural change in the economy, making
endogenous income elasticities of exports and imports. For reasonable
parameter values it is shown that in steady-state growth there is two
long-run equilibrium values for real exchange rate, one that corresponds to
an under-valued currency and another that corresponds to an over-valued
currency. If monetary authorities run exchange rate policy in order to
target a competitive level for real exchange rate, than under-valued
equilibrium is stable and the economy will show a high growth rate in the
long-run.