bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of a low FODMAP diet and specific carbohydrate diet on symptoms and nutritional adequacy of patients with irritable bowel syndrome: Preliminary results of a single-blinded randomized trial
Authors: Vincenzi Massimo , Del Ciondolo Irene , Pasquini Elisa , Gennai Katia , Paolini Barbara
Published: July 2017

Background and Objectives

IBS is the most common functional disease of the low gastrointestinal tract. Recently, the interest towards a diet approach has increased, for example, a diet with low content of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs). The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of a low FODMAP diet and a specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) conducted for 3 months on symptoms and to evaluate the deficiencies of vitamin D and folic acid in patients affected by IBS, matching the Rome IV criteria.

Methods

We evaluated 73 patients divided into 2 groups: one submitted to low FODMAP diet and one to SCD, for 3 months. Patients were assigned to one of the 2 groups randomly and blinded. All the patients filled a visual analogue scale (VAS) to evaluate the severity of symptoms and a diary to evaluate the number of days with symptoms, and this was repeated after 3 months. Final evaluation was made by a blinded investigator.

Results

In the end, the patients with low FODMAP diet had a significant improvement in bloating and distension (P = 0.000); the group with SCD instead had a low but not a significant improvement. One way ANOVA showed comparable severity of symptoms in the 2 groups pre-diet (P = 0.215), but a difference in the same symptoms after 12 days (P = 0.000). Tukey test showed a significant improvement in the low FODMAP diet group and only a trend of improvement in the second group of SCD. The vitamin D mean value in both groups at the time of enrollment was 38 ng/mL; in the end, the mean value in the low FODMAP diet group was 32 ng/mL and in the SCD group was 22 ng/mL, with a statistically significant difference. The folic acid mean value at the time of enrollment was 18 mg/dL; in the end, the mean value in the low FODMAP diet group was 15 mg/dL and in the SCD group was 8 mg/dL, with a statistically significant difference.

Conclusion

Patients affected by IBS seem to have benefitted from a low FODMAP diet but not from an SCD, and a low FODMAP diet doesn’t seem to cause vitamin D and folic acid deficiencies.
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with end stage renal disease: causes, characteristics and factors associated with need for endoscopic therapeutic intervention
Authors: Laeeq Syed Mudassir , Tasneem Abbas Ali , Hanif Farina M. , Luck Nasir Hassan , Mandhwani Rajesh , Wadhva Rajesh
Published: July 2017

Background and Objectives

The risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is increased among the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The aim of the current study was to describe the causes and characteristics of UGIB in ESRD patients at our center and to assess the need for endoscopic therapeutic intervention (ETI) using Rockall (RS) and Glasgow Blatchford scores (GBS).

Material and Methods

All patients with ESRD and UGIB with age ≥14 years were included. Frequencies and percentages were computed for categorical variables. Chi square test or Fischer’s exact test was used for statistical analysis.

Results

A total of 59 subjects had a mean age of 47.25 ± 15 years.The most common endoscopic findings seen were erosions in 33 (55.9%) patients, followed by ulcers in 18 (30.3%) patients. ETI was required in 33 (55.9%) patients, which included adrenaline injection in 19 (32.3%), hemoclip in 9 (15.2%) and argon plasma coagulation in 5 (8.4%) patients. Factors associated with the need of ETI were identified as: a combined presentation of hematemesis and melena (P=0.033), ulcer (P=0.002) and associated chronic liver disease (P=0.015). Six (10.1%) patients died. Death was more common if ETI was not performed (P=0.018).

Conclusion

ETI was more commonly required in patients on maintenance hemodialysis with UGIB, who had presence of combined hematemesis and melena, ulcers and associated chronic liver disease. A Glasgow Blatchford score of >14 was helpful in assessing the need for ETI in these patients.
Costs of lactation to body condition and future reproduction of free-ranging mule deer Odocoileus hemionus (Cervidae)
Authors: Bender Louis C. , Hoenes Brock D.
Published: July 2017

We compared indices of nutritional condition and size between lactating and dry ≥2.5-year-old mule deer Odocoileus hemionus from three free-ranging populations in the Southwestern USA to quantify the energetic costs of lactation on endogenous energy reserves, determine whether differences persisted over winter, and assess carryover effects on future reproduction. In autumn, dry and lactating females differed in 77% of comparisons of condition and 20% of comparisons of size among population-years. In all significant comparisons, dry females were in better condition than lactating, and were smaller. Accrual of fat reserves was affected by lactation more than were protein reserves or size, but of those variables in which dry females differed from lactating in autumn, differences were lost by spring in 100% of cases. Accrual of some indices of condition was negatively affected by consecutive years of full lactations, but this effect was small compared to the overall magnitude of the lactation effect. Neither pregnancy, litter size, birth mass, nor survival of fawns to 30 days or to weaning were affected by previous successful reproduction, while birth date showed a weak positive effect. Likely because of convergence in condition overwinter, the negative influence of lactation on condition did not have a significant carryover effect on future reproduction. Because our study populations experienced moderate to severe nutritional stress, lack of a carryover effect is likely valid for most mule deer populations.
Objekte des Mittelalters im kompetenzorientierten Kunstunterricht
Authors: Bell Hannah
Published: July 2017

The core curriculums for art education in junior and senior grades in high schools
Effect of ADC Resolution on Low-Frequency Electrical Time-Domain Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Namin Reyhaneh L. , Ashtiani Shahin J.
Published: July 2017

In this paper, the effect of the resolution of an analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) on the accuracy of timedomain low-frequency electrical impedance spectroscopy is examined. For the first time, we demonstrated that different wideband stimuli signals used for impedance spectroscopy have different sensitivities to the resolution of ADC used in impedance spectroscopy systems. We also proposed Ramp and Half-Gaussian signals as new wideband stimulating signals for EIS. The effect of ADC resolution was studied for Sinc, Gaussian, Half-Gaussian, and Ramp excitation signals using both simulation and experiments. We found that Ramp and Half-Gaussian signals have the best performance, especially at low frequencies. Based on the results, a wideband electrical impedance spectroscopy circuit was implemented with a high accuracy at frequencies bellow 10 Hz.
Verification of a Novel Method of Detecting Faults in Medium-Voltage Systems with Covered Conductors
Authors: Mišák Stanislav , Hamacek Štefan , Bartłomiejczyk Mikołaj
Published: July 2017

This paper describes the use of new methods of detecting faults in medium-voltage overhead lines built of covered conductors. The methods mainly address such faults as falling of a conductor, contacting a conductor with a tree branch, or falling a tree branch across three phases of a medium-voltage conductor. These faults cannot be detected by current digital relay protection systems. Therefore, a new system that can detect the above mentioned faults was developed. After having tested its operation, the system has already been implemented to protect mediumvoltage overhead lines built of covered conductors.
Modelling of Mechanical Behaviour of High-Frequency Piezoelectric Actuators Using Bouc-Wen Model
Authors: Kędra Rafał , Rucka Magdalena
Published: July 2017

The paper presents application of a modified, symmetrical Bouc-Wen model to simulate the mechanical behaviour of high-frequency piezoelectric actuators (PAs). In order to identify parameters of the model, a two-step algorithm was developed. In its first stage, the mechanical parameters were identified by taking into account their bilinear variability and using a square input voltage waveform. In the second step, the hysteresis parameters were determined based on a periodic excitation. Additionally, in order to reduce the influence of measurement errors in determination of selected derivatives the continuum wavelet transform (CWT) and translation-rotation transformation (TRT) methods were applied. The results proved that the modified symmetrical Bouc-Wen model is able to describe the mechanical behaviour of PAs across a wide frequency range.
Modelling of Influence of Hypersonic Conditions on Gyroscopic Inertial Navigation Sensor Suspension
Authors: Korobiichuk Igor , Karachun Volodimir , Mel’nick Viktorij , Kachniarz Maciej
Published: July 2017

The upcoming hypersonic technologies pose a difficult task for air navigation systems. The article presents a designed model of elastic interaction of penetrating acoustic radiation with flat isotropic suspension elements of an inertial navigation sensor in the operational conditions of hypersonic flight. It has been shown that the acoustic transparency effect in the form of a spatial-frequency resonance becomes possible with simultaneous manifestation of the wave coincidence condition in the acoustic field and equality of the natural oscillation frequency of a finite-size plate and a forced oscillation frequency of an infinite plate. The effect can lead to additional measurement errors of the navigation system. Using the model, the worst and best case suspension oscillation frequencies can be determined, which will help during the design of a navigation system.
Novel Variable Structure Measurement System with Intelligent Components for Flight Vehicles
Authors: Shen Kai , Selezneva Maria S. , Neusypin Konstantin A. , Proletarsky Andrey V.
Published: July 2017

The paper presents a method of developing a variable structure measurement system with intelligent components for flight vehicles. In order to find a distinguishing feature of a variable structure, a numerical criterion for selecting measuring sensors is proposed by quantifying the observability of different states of the system. Based on the Peter K. Anokhin’s theory of functional systems, a mechanism of “action acceptor” is built with intelligent components, e.g. self-organization algorithms. In this mechanism, firstly, prediction models of system states are constructed using self-organization algorithms; secondly, the predicted and measured values are compared; thirdly, an optimal structure of the measurement system is finally determined based on the results of comparison. According to the results of simulation with practical data and experiments obtained during field tests, the novel developed measurement system has the properties of high-accuracy, reliable operation and fault tolerance.
Impedance Sensors Made in PCB and LTCC Technologies for Monitoring Growth and Degradation of Pseudomonal Biofilm
Authors: Chabowski Konrad , Junka Adam F. , Piasecki Tomasz , Nowak Damian , Nitsch Karol , Smutnicka Danuta , Bartoszewicz Marzenna , Moczała Magdalena , Szymczyk Patrycja
Published: July 2017

The suitability of low-cost impedance sensors for microbiological purposes and biofilm growth monitoring was evaluated. The sensors with interdigitated electrodes were fabricated in PCB and LTCC technologies. The electrodes were golden (LTCC) or gold-plated (PCB) to provide surface stability. The sensors were used for monitoring growth and degradation of the reference ATCC 15442 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain biofilm in invitro setting. During the experiment, the impedance spectra of the sensors were measured and analysed using electrical equivalent circuit (EEC) modelling. Additionally, the process of adhesion and growth of bacteria on a sensor’s surface was assessed by means of the optical and SEM microscopy. EEC and SEM microscopic analysis revealed that the gold layer on copper electrodes was not tight, making the PCB sensors susceptible to corrosion while the LTCC sensors had good surface stability. It turned out that the LTCC sensors are suitable for monitoring pseudomonal biofilm and the PCB sensors are good detectors of ongoing stages of biofilm formation.
Leakage Current Degradation Due to Ion Drift and Diffusion in Tantalum and Niobium Oxide Capacitors
Authors: Kuparowitz Martin , Sedlakova Vlasta , Grmela Lubomir
Published: July 2017

High temperature and high electric field applications in tantalum and niobium capacitors are limited by the mechanism of ion migration and field crystallization in a tantalum or niobium pentoxide insulating layer. The study of leakage current (DCL) variation in time as a result of increasing temperature and electric field might provide information about the physical mechanism of degradation. The experiments were performed on tantalum and niobium oxide capacitors at temperatures of about 125°C and applied voltages ranging up to rated voltages of 35 V and 16 V for tantalum and niobium oxide capacitors, respectively. Homogeneous distribution of oxygen vacancies acting as positive ions within the pentoxide layer was assumed before the experiments. DCL vs. time characteristics at a fixed temperature have several phases. At the beginning of ageing the DCL increases exponentially with time. In this period ions in the insulating layer are being moved in the electric field by drift only. Due to that the concentration of ions near the cathode increases producing a positively charged region near the cathode. The electric field near the cathode increases and the potential barrier between the cathode and insulating layer decreases which results in increasing DCL. However, redistribution of positive ions in the insulator layer leads to creation of a ion concentration gradient which results in a gradual increase of the ion diffusion current in the direction opposite to the ion drift current component. The equilibrium between the two for a given temperature and electric field results in saturation of the leakage current value. DCL vs. time characteristics are described by the exponential stretched law. We found that during the initial part of ageing an exponent n = 1 applies. That corresponds to the ion drift motion only. After long-time application of the electric field at a high temperature the DCL vs. time characteristics are described by the exponential stretched law with an exponent n = 0.5. Here, the equilibrium between the ion drift and diffusion is achieved. The process of leakage current degradation is therefore partially reversible. When the external electric field is lowered, or the samples are shortened, the leakage current for a given voltage decreases with time and the DCL vs. time characteristics are described by the exponential stretched law with an exponent n = 0.5, thus the ion redistribution by diffusion becomes dominant.
Controllability of the Strongly Damped Wave Equation with Impulses and Delay
Authors: Leiva Hugo
Published: July 2017

Evading fixed point theorems we prove the interior approximate controllability of the following semilinear strongly damped wave equation with impulses and delay in the space Z1/2 = D((−Δ)1/2)×L2(Ω),where r > 0 is the delay, Γ = (0, τ)×Ω, ∂Γ = (0, τ) × ∂Ω, Γr = [−r, 0] × Ω, (ϕ,ψ) ∈ C([−r, 0]; Z1/2), k = 1, 2, . . . , p, Ω is a bounded domain in ℝℕ(ℕ ≥ 1), ω is an open nonempty subset of , 1 ω denotes the characteristic function of the set ω, the distributed control u ∈ L2(0, τ; U), with U = L2(Ω),η,γ, are positive numbers and f , Ik ∈ C([0, τ] × ℝ × ℝ; ℝ), k = 1, 2, 3, . . . , p. Under some conditions we prove the following statement: For all open nonempty subsets Ω of the system is approximately controllable on [0,τ]. Moreover, we exhibit a sequence of controls steering the nonlinear system from an initial state (ϕ (0), ψ(0)) to an ε-neighborhood of the final state z1 at time τ > 0.
Playing the game and speaking the right language: Language policy and materiality in a bilingual preschool activity
Authors: Martín-Bylund Anna
Published: July 2017

What are the material-semiotic relationships between a language policy and a table game activity in a bilingual preschool? Using Actor-Network Theory (ANT), the aim of this article is to explore this question, working with both human and nonhuman aspects of the activity, symmetrically, at the same level. The game playing activity takes place at a bilingual, Spanish-Swedish preschool in Sweden, which adopts a 50-50 approach in daily interaction. In interplay with video recordings, field notes and Actor-Network Theory, four different actor-network scenes of the activity are produced. Children, teacher, game pieces, die, cards, linguistic and other elements are described in the same language, as well as symmetrically drawn together in material-semiotic relations. The results indicate that the activity revolves mainly around two different, multilayered, and sometimes conflicting interests: to play the game and to speak the right language. The article describes the interrelatedness between these interests and how bilingualism emerges, transforms and becomes temporarily different in the relations of the actor-network. The approach opens up new avenues for understanding different constructions of bilingualism not in terms of a flexible-separate dichotomy but as entangled with one another in material-semiotic relations, which may illuminate creative potentials in the relations of policy and practice rather than implementation.
Rare earth based nanostructured materials: synthesis, functionalization, properties and bioimaging and biosensing applications
Authors: Escudero Alberto , Becerro Ana I. , Carrillo-Carrión Carolina , Núñez Nuria O. , Zyuzin Mikhail V. , Laguna Mariano , González-Mancebo Daniel , Ocaña Manuel , Parak Wolfgang J.
Published: July 2017

Rare earth based nanostructures constitute a type of functional materials widely used and studied in the recent literature. The purpose of this review is to provide a general and comprehensive overview of the current state of the art, with special focus on the commonly employed synthesis methods and functionalization strategies of rare earth based nanoparticles and on their different bioimaging and biosensing applications. The luminescent (including downconversion, upconversion and permanent luminescence) and magnetic properties of rare earth based nanoparticles, as well as their ability to absorb X-rays, will also be explained and connected with their luminescent, magnetic resonance and X-ray computed tomography bioimaging applications, respectively. This review is not only restricted to nanoparticles, and recent advances reported for in other nanostructures containing rare earths, such as metal organic frameworks and lanthanide complexes conjugated with biological structures, will also be commented on.
Bevin’s Boys Abroad: British Labor Diplomacy in the Cold War Era
Authors: Van Goethem Geert
Published: July 2017

In this article the rise and fall of the position of the labor attaché in British diplomacy during the Cold War is analysed. Experts from outside the diplomatic corps worked, and continue to work, in British embassies alongside diplomats. Labor was a prominent domain of expertise during the entire Cold War era, but this has almost disappeared today. It could therefore be claimed that British diplomacy was able to adapt to changing political circumstances. However, this is a story with multiple layers and contains not only elements of change but also continuity over the longer term of the diplomatic enterprise that, despite flexibility and increasing openness, remains a world apart.
A Processual Concept of Media Generation
Authors: Hepp Andreas , Berg Matthias , Roitsch Cindy
Published: July 2017

With a focus on elderly people this article puts forward a concept of media generation as athickeningof one or more age groups of people who in their media appropriation share a specific experience space of mediatization and subsequently, based on their personal media biographies, develop a shared self-image as a media generation. Such a conceptualisation grasps media generation as a process. It operates with the central aspects of media relatedness, media-generational specifics of appropriation, and self-positioning. This offers an understanding of elderly people after retirement as members of a mass-media media generation. As the qualitative empirical analysis presented in this article demonstrates, members of this mass-media media generation define themselves in contrast to younger media generations.
‘Generation Conviviality’
Authors: Petersen Line Nybro
Published: July 2017

This article is a production study of two talk shows for the Danish television channel, TV2 Charlie: Meyerheim’s Talk Show (2006-) and Cecilie’s Book Show (2015-). TV2 Charlie is a niche channel (part of the TV2 network) that set out to target a mature and elderly audience when it started in 2004. The aim is to bring together mediatization research with production studies and cultural gerontology, and I argue that media logic is a useful analy tical concept that allows us to describe production processes in concrete ways and, at the same time, understand the context-specific ways in which media play a role in societal changes. Thus, through a logic of operationalising conviviality at the channel level, the production level and the programme level, the programmes contribute to perceptions of ageing and old age that emphasise an increased need for stability and safety, on one hand, and a desire for feel-good moments, on the other. Furthermore, the programmes promote positive and active ageing in some instances while keeping old age invisible in other instances.
The Community-Based Information Infrastructure of Older Adult Digital Learning
Authors: Lenstra Noah
Published: July 2017

In the United States of America, senior centers and public libraries are ubiquitous social institutions found in virtually every municipality. This article analyses these institutions as community-based information infrastructure in the digital learning practices of older adults. Older adults turn to these institutions to learn technology in retirement. How learning takes place in these spaces is shaped both by the institutions, and by the older adults. Negotiations between institutions and older adults shape digital learning. These negotiations are shaped by societal ageism. This article shows that older adults are not passive participants in technology learning, using services provided for them by others, but instead actively shape both how learning services are proffered and the institutional contexts in which these services exist. By learning to embrace the agency of older adults, these under-funded public institutions could powerfully reconfigure themselves for an information society that is also ageing.
Healthy Ageing and Mediated Health Expertise
Authors: Christensen Christa Lykke
Published: July 2017

The media are, for many older people, one of the most important sources of information about health. In this article, I examine older people’s experiences and use of media to acquire knowledge about health issues relating to their own life. Key questions concern how media influence older people’s perceptions of health and to what extent they trust the media in relation to health issues. The study demonstrates that the media do not have a uniform influence among older people. For some, the media function as a guide to maintaining and experimenting with an active lifestyle in late life; for others, the media are met with a skeptical attitude as they are not trusted as a source of reliable and unequivocal information on health issues. The study is based on a qualitative interview study with men and women between 65 and 86 years.
Diversifying Macau’s Economic Development: The Role of the Logistics Industry
Authors: Peng Lei , Mou Kuong Hoi , Pun Philip , Lee Jimmy , Lao Rebecca
Published: July 2017

The gaming industry occupies the leading position in Macau’s industrial structure and government revenue. Such a dominant position presents dangers, and so from the economic, political, and strategic points of view it is vital for Macau to diversify its economic development. In this paper, we analyze the development of Macau's logistics industry using a SWOT analysis. Results of the analysis are presented. Conclusions are drawn and recommendations are made for developing the role of Macau’s logistics industry.
Functionality of openair package in air pollution assessment and modeling — a case study of Krakow
Authors: Szulecka Adriana , Oleniacz Robert , Rzeszutek Mateusz
Published: July 2017

The paper presents the possibilities of selected functions from openair package for R programming environment in urban air pollution assessment. Examples of data analysis were based on the measurements from continuous air quality monitoring stations in Krakow (Poland). In order to present additional functionality of this software, modeling results of back trajectories and air pollution dispersion were used. Functions and visualization methods included in openair package make scrutiny of large data sets easier and less time consuming. They allow for analysis of measurement data with the determination of general relationships between parameters, additional complex spatial analyses for back trajectories, and validation of air pollution dispersion models. Openair package is, therefore, a valuable and functional tool that can be successfully used as a support in the air quality management system.
Environmental and technological carrot safety conditions. Part II. Changes in nitrites contents determined by the environment and processing
Authors: Pobereżny Jarosław , Wszelaczyńska Elżbieta , Gościnna Katarzyna , Chmielewski Jarosław
Published: July 2017

The aim of the present research was to determine the effect of environmental conditions (biofortification with Mg) and technological processes (freezing, preserving in jars and drying) on the content of nitrates (III) in carrot. Besides this, the amount of human intake of nitrates (III) found in the carrot products analysed was assayed. The effect on environment resulting from the changes in carrot growing technology was not so unambiguous as for nitrates (V) since most NO2¯ was contained in, for example, processed foods from non-biofortified Mg material. The consumption of products was not hazardous to the consumer since it did not exceed Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) NO2¯. Most nitrates (III) are consumed with dried carrot and least - with carrot preserved in jars. For this reason, one should run a thorough monitoring of the contents of nitrates (III), toxic to humans since new products based on dried carrot material, such as crisps, are launched in the consumer market.
Electroflotation extraction of sparingly soluble compounds of non-ferrous and rare-earth metals from liquid technological waste
Authors: Kolesnikov Vladimir A. , Brodsky Vladimir A. , Perfil’eva Anna V. , Kolesnikov Artem V.
Published: July 2017

The experimental results describing electroflotation extraction process are presented and analyzed for sparingly soluble compounds of non-ferrous and rare-earth metals, the influence of the disperse phase particle size and particle surface charge on the efficiency and electroflotation rate having been determined.
Testing of a sag of a dosimetry system rotating with a gantry using the interplay effect between detector motion and MLC motion
Authors: Morawska-Kaczyńska Marzena , Dąbrowski Ryszard , Drozdyk Izabela , Kukołowicz Paweł
Published: July 2017

Purpose: An interplay between detector motion and MLC motion is a source of measurement error, when dose for dynamic arc is measured using a dosimetry system moving relative to the beam central axis during its rotation with a gantry. The purpose of this study is to develop and to evaluate a method of quantitative testing of a sag/flex of such dosimetry systems. Methods: The method is based on evaluation of relative differences between signals measured for two single arc beams, where a narrow slit field is sliding during gantry movement in opposite directions. The component of a measurement error related to the interplay effect was first assessed based on theoretical computer simulations and then on measurements for four dosimetry systems. The sag pattern of EPID and 2D array was extracted from the measurement results. Results: The simulations showed a 4 mm difference in field width and 3.3% difference in relative signals at beam axis between test beams where the slit field swept over 19 cm in opposite directions ( sinusoidal sag pattern with amplitude of 1 mm was assumed). The signal differences exceeding 4% and 5% were measured for EPID and 2D array, respectively. Conclusions: Even relatively small detector sag (less than 1 mm) can produce significant measurement error; therefore, the detector sag test should be an obligatory component of a validation of rotating dosimetry systems used for QA of dynamic arcs.
Automatic segmentation of lesion from breast DCE-MR image using artificial fish swarm optimization algorithm
Authors: Janaki Sathya D. , Geetha K.
Published: July 2017

Interpreting Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced (DCE) MR images for signs of breast cancer is time consuming and complex, since the amount of data that needs to be examined by a radiologist in breast DCE-MRI to locate suspicious lesions is huge. Misclassifications can arise from either overlooking a suspicious region or from incorrectly interpreting a suspicious region. The segmentation of breast DCE-MRI for suspicious lesions in detection is thus attractive, because it drastically decreases the amount of data that needs to be examined. The new segmentation method for detection of suspicious lesions in DCE-MRI of the breast tissues is based on artificial fishes swarm clustering algorithm is presented in this paper. Artificial fish swarm optimization algorithm is a swarm intelligence algorithm, which performs a search based on population and neighborhood search combined with random search. The major criteria for segmentation are based on the image voxel values and the parameters of an empirical parametric model of segmentation algorithms. The experimental results show considerable impact on the performance of the segmentation algorithm, which can assist the physician with the task of locating suspicious regions at minimal time.
Optimization of image quality in pulmonary CT angiography with low dose of contrast material
Authors: Assi Abed Al Nasser , Abu Arra Ali
Published: July 2017

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare objective image quality data for patient pulmonary embolism between a conventional pulmonary CTA protocol with respect to a novel acquisition protocol performed with optimize radiation dose and less amount of iodinated contrast medium injected to the patients during PE scanning. Materials and Methods: Sixty- four patients with Pulmonary Embolism (PE) possibility, were examined using angio-CT protocol. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: A (16 women and 16 men, with age ranging from 19-89 years) mean age, 62 years with standard deviation 16; range, 19-89 years) - injected contrast agent: 35-40 ml. B (16 women and 16 men, with age ranging from 28-86 years) - injected contrast agent: 70-80 ml. Other scanning parameters were kept constant. Pulmonary vessel enhancement and image noise were quantified; signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated. Subjective vessel contrast was assessed by two radiologists in consensus. Result: A total of 14 cases of PE (22 %) were found in the evaluated of subjects (nine in group A, and five in group B). All PE cases were detected by the two readers. There was no significant difference in the size or location of the PEs between the two groups, the average image noise was 14 HU for group A and 19 HU for group B. The difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.09). Overall, the SNR and CNR were slightly higher on group B (24.4 and 22.5 respectively) compared with group A (19.4 and 16.4 respectively), but those differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.71 and p = 0.35, respectively). Conclusion and Discussion: Both groups that had been evaluated by pulmonary CTA protocol allow similar image quality to be achieved as compared with each other’s, with optimize care dose for both protocol and contrast volume were reduced by 50 % in new protocol comparing to the conventional protocol.
Preparation of oriented bacterial cellulose nanofibers by flowing medium-assisted biosynthesis and influence of flowing velocity
Authors: Luo Honglin , Li Wei , Yang Zhiwei , Ao Haiyong , Xiong Guangyao , Zhu Yong , Tu Junpin , Wan Yizao
Published: July 2017

Nanofiber alignment in tissue engineering scaffolds is a crucial factor controlling the cell behavior. In this work, we report a facile approach to obtain aligned nanofibers of bacterial cellulose (BC) by forcing the culture medium of bacteria to flow along a fixed direction. The emphasis of this work was placed on the effect of flowing velocity on the alignment of the as-prepared oriented BC (OBC). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses indicated that the velocity affected the crystallinity and thermal stability of BC while the chemical structure did not change with the velocity. The controllable alignment of BC nanofibers makes them a promising material for the construction of biomimetic scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Spatial distribution of macroalgae along the shores of Kongsfjorden (West Spitsbergen) using acoustic imaging
Authors: Kruss Aleksandra , Tęgowski Jarosław , Tatarek Agnieszka , Wiktor Józef , Blondel Philippe
Published: July 2017

The identification of macroalgal beds is a crucial component for the description of fjord ecosystems. Direct, biological sampling is still the most popular investigation technique but acoustic methods are becoming increasingly recognized as a very efficient tool for the assessment of benthic communities. In 2007 we carried out the first acoustic survey of the littoral areas in Kongsfjorden. A 2.68 km2area comprised within a 12.40 km2euphotic zone was mapped along the fjord’s coast using single- and multi-beam echosounders. The singlebeam echosounder (SBES) proved to be a very efficient and reliable tool for macroalgae detection in Arctic conditions. The multibeam echosounder (MBES) was very useful in extending the SBES survey range, even though it’s ability in discriminating benthic communities was limited. The final result of our investigation is a map of the macroalgae distribution around the fjord, showing 39% macroalgae coverage (1.09 km2) of investigated area between isobaths -0.70 m and -30 m. Zonation analysis showed that most of the studied macroalgae areas occur up to 15 m depth (93%). These results were confirmed by biological sampling and observation in key areas. The potential of acoustic imaging of macrophytes, and a proposed methodology for the processing of acoustic data, are presented in this paper along with preliminary studies on the acoustic reflectivity of macroalgae, also highlighting differences among species. These results can be applied to future monitoring of the evolution of kelp beds in different areas of the Arctic, and in the rest of the world.
First records of Lacydonia eliasoni Hartmann-Schröder, 1996 (Polychaeta: Phyllodocida) in the European Arctic
Authors: Mazurkiewicz Mikołaj , Gromisz Sławomira , Legeżyńska Joanna , Włodarska-Kowalczuk Maria
Published: July 2017

Lacydonia (Polychaeta: Phyllodocida) is a poorly known genus containing 16 species that are sporadically collected in low densities all over the world oceans. During three cruises (in June 2014 in Ullsfjorden, northern Norway, in January 2015 in Kongsfjorden, and in June 2012 in Smeerenburg, Svalbard) nine specimens of Lacydonia eliasoni were found on sandy and muddy sediments at depths from 180 to 350 m. All specimens were incomplete and consisted of 10 to 29 chaetigers. This study presents the first record of the Lacydonia genus in the waters of Svalbard as well as the first record of L. eliasoni in coastal waters off northern Norway. This species has been reported previously in the Skagerrak and Trondheimsfjorden (southern Norway), our findings therefore may indicate a northward extension of its range, possibly due to climate changes.
Psychometric Properties of the Polish Version of the Short Grit Scale
Authors: Wyszyńska Patrycja , Ponikiewska Klaudia , Karaś Dominika , Najderska Małgorzata , Rogoza Radosław
Published: July 2017

This study aimed to verify the psychometric properties of the Polish version of the Grit-S questionnaire. Grit is understood here as the perseverance and passion for long-term goals, and it encompasses two dimensions: Consistency of Interest and Perseverance of Effort. The sample comprised N = 270 participants aged 18-34 (Mage = 20.79). We performed confirmatory factor analyses to verify the dimensional structure of grit, multi-group confirmatory factor analysis to compare the structure across gender, and correlation analysis to examine external validity (exploring the correlations between grit, procrastination, and well-being). Findings showed satisfactory parameters for Grit-S including: reliability, structural and external validity, and measurement invariance across gender groups. The results support the possibility of using the Grit-S questionnaire in research exploring the predictors of success.
A Seven Nations Study of Leadership Attributes
Authors: Mączyński Jerzy , Sułkowski Łukasz
Published: July 2017

The overall purpose of this paper was to compare a representative sample of Polish middle managers with a representative sample of chief executive officers (CEOs) from six chosen countries, in regard to selected leadership traits and behaviors. We present a small portion of data collected under the GLOBE project, Phase 3, and longitudinal research findings concerning subordinates′ assessments of Polish middle managers in relation to their attributes from 2008 to 2012. The GLOBE, Phase 3 research is the first study to investigate several thousands of CEOs and senior management teams in 24 countries, to empirically and directly assess the relationship between culture and leadership traits and behaviors. We provide research evidence that the investigated CEOs from the United States, Austria, Germany, China, and Taiwan (with the exception of Russian CEOs and Polish middle managers) were generally positively evaluated by their direct staff in regard to: inspirational, visionary, integrity, and performance-oriented leadership behaviors (constituents of charismatic leadership), team-oriented behavior, and participative leadership style. Empirical findings under the GLOBE project, Phase 3 revealed that the charismatic leadership behavior of CEOs has a huge influence on top management teams′ (TMTs) dedication to organizational goals, and is the most predictive of all leadership behaviors for TMT commitment to organizations. The analyzed research findings indicate that CEOs in Russia and Polish middle managers display strong similarities. They tend to behave in less charismatic, team-oriented, and participative ways than CEOs in the remaining countries.
Serum neopterin concentrations and tryptophan degradation pattern in patients with late stage larynx carcinoma
Authors: Engin Ayse Basak , Gunaydin Riza Onder , Kesikli Sacit Altug , Fuchs Dietmar , Hosal Ali Sefik
Published: July 2017

As the disease-free 5-year-survival of late stage laryngeal carcinoma patients is extremely low, indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO)-induced tryptophan degradation may represent an immune escape mechanism which plays an important role in cancer spreading in advanced stage laryngeal cancers. We examined whether the late stage laryngeal cancer enhances tumor immune evasion by the expression of systemic IDO activities and chronic cellular immune activation. Twenty-two of 42 male laryngeal cancer patients were classified as late stage cancer according to American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) criteria. Their serum neopterin, tryptophan and kynurenine concentrations were compared with 30 cancer-free individuals. IDO activity was approved by correlation between serum neopterin and kynurenine/tryptophan. Late stage cancer patients preoperatively showed a significantly higher IDO activity compared to controls and early stage cancer cases. Six months after tumor removal, late stage cancer patients although having higher serum neopterin concentration compared to early stage patients or controls, they showed a significant decrease in IDO activity and tryptophan consumption. Increased systemic IDO activity may provoke the escape of tumor cells from the immune surveillance of the host. High IDO activity is due to the presence of tumor mass. Persistence of high serum neopterin levels despite tumor removal may indicate poor prognosis.
Study of filling material of dental composites: an analytical approach using radio-activation
Authors: Eke Canel , Er Kursat , Segebade Christian , Boztosun Ismail
Published: July 2017

The aim of this study is to carry out elemental analyses of dental composites acquired from different producers using photoactivation analysis (PAA). High energy electrons produced by an electron linear accelerator are absorbed by a tungsten disk (Bremsstrahlung converter) thereby producing high energy X-rays (bremsstrahlung). The dental composite materials under study were exposed to the bremsstrahlung radiation whereby radionuclides were produced through photonuclear reactions. Their radioactivities were measured using high resolution semiconductor spectrometers equipped with high purity germanium detectors (HPGe). The spectra were analysed using appropriate computer software. As a result, photonuclear reactions of 12 stable elements were detected in different dental composite species, and the elemental concentrations were calculated. For comparison, the dental composites were also investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF). Various sizes and shapes of dental composites were observed using SEM. However, contents of dental composites, e.g. Mg, Ni, Ba and Sr were obtained by PAA whilst C, O, Al, S, Ba and Sr were detected by EDXRF spectrometry. The results for Ba and Sr obtained using the two techniques show considerable difference.
Status of essential elements in autism spectrum disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Saghazadeh Amene , Ahangari Narges , Hendi Kasra , Saleh Fatemeh , Rezaei Nima
Published: July 2017

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that imposes heavy financial burden on governments and families of affected children. It is considered a multifactorial condition, where trace elements are among environmental factors that may contribute to ASD. Meanwhile, the between-study variance is high. The present systematic review was designed to investigate the difference in trace element measures between patients with ASD and control subjects. Meta-analyses showed that the hair concentrations of chromium (p=0.024), cobalt (p=0.012), iodine (p=0.000), iron (p=0.017), and magnesium (p=0.007) in ASD patients were significantly lower than those of control subjects, while there were higher magnesium levels in the hair of ASD patients compared to that of controls (p=0.010). Patients with ASD had higher blood levels of copper (p=0.000) and lower levels of zinc compared to controls (p=0.021). Further urinary iodine levels in patients with ASD were decreased in comparison with controls (p=0.026). Sensitivity analyses showed that ASD patients in non-Asian but not in Asian countries had lower hair concentrations of chromium compared to controls. Also, such analyses indicated that ASD patients in Asian countries had lower hair zinc concentrations, whereas ASD patients in non-Asian countries had higher hair zinc concentrations in comparison with control subjects. This study found significant differences in the content of trace elements between patients with ASD compared to controls. The findings help highlighting the role of trace elements as environmental factors in the etiology of ASD.
Body Mass Index and Glycaemic Control in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Mut-Vitcu Gabriela , Hudrea Iuliana-Claudia , Moşteoru Svetlana , Gaiţă Laura , Gaiţă Dan
Published: July 2017

Background and Aims: Recent studies have brought evidence on the connection between excess weight and suboptimal glycemic control for Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between increased Body Mass Index (BMI) and the likelihood of having suboptimal glycemic control in patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 662 patients suffering from Diabetes Mellitus and statistical analysis was performed in order obtain evidence associating BMI and poor glycaemic control. We defined as increased BMI, values >25 kg/m2 and a hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) value >7% reflected suboptimal glycemic control. Results: 559 (84%) patients had HbA1c >7%. 550 (83 %) patients had a BMI >25 kg/m2. In case of HbA1c >7%, a BMI >25 kg/m2 was found in a number of 457 patients (82 %), whereas a normal BMI was present in 102 (18%) patients. For the HbA1c<7% cases, the number of patients associating BMI >25 kg/m2 was 93 (90%) and a normal BMI was present in 10 (10%) patients. BMI >25 kg/m2 was not associated with a higher probability of having above-target HbA1c values compared to patients with target HbA1c (OR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.95), with a statistically significant p <0.05. Conclusions: The findings revealed that although in case of suboptimal glycemic control, the number of patients who had a BMI >25 kg/m2 was significantly higher than the number of patients with a BMI < 25 kg/m2, a BMI above target was not associated with greater odds of having HbA1c higher than the standard 7% level, compared to individuals with normal HbA1c levels. The results emphasize that a multitude of factors are involved in the process of achieving a targeted glycemic control and a stepped-care approach should be considered for optimum management of Diabetes Mellitus.
The Role of Neuroticism and Psychological Flexibility in Chronic Fatigue and Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Momeniarbat Farzaneh , Karimi Javad , Erfani Nosrolah , Kiani Javad
Published: July 2017

Background and Aims: The purpose of this study was to identify the role of neuroticism and psychological flexibility (PF) in quality of life (QOL) and chronic fatigue (CF) in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Materials and Methods: We considered the all of the patients with T2DM over aged 30 years and living in the province of Hamadan, Iran in 2014 that were referred to the Hamadan Diabetes Center. A sample size of 170 patients was selected by the simple random sampling method. The measuring tools were completed by the patients. To test assumptions, the Pearson correlation and structural equation modeling were used. Results: The results showed that the correlation coefficient between neuroticism, with CF (r=0.579; p<0.001) and QOL (r=-0.242; p<0.001), and also correlation between PF and CF (r=0.287; p<0.001) are significant. There is no significant relationship between QOL and PF (r= -0.098; p=0.203). Structural equation modeling showed that neuroticism has a direct positive effect in CF (p<0.001) and a negative effect on QOL (p<0.001), and the PF has a significant direct effect on CF (p=0.014) and an indirect effect on QOL. The CF affects negatively on the QOL (p<0.001). Conclusion: It could be concluded that neuroticism and PF play important roles in QOL and CF and with effective intervention can help patients with diabetes to improve them QOL.