bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regiões metropolitanas e autonomia dos municípios
Authors: Henriques Filho Tarcísio
Published: February 2016

O artigo, apresentando os conceitos atribuídos doutrinariamente à região administrativa, discute os argumentos das Ações Diretas de Constitucionalidade números 1841-9/RJ e 796-3/ES, em que foram estruturados os precedentes que balizaram as interpretações posteriores para o tema. Criticando tais decisões, aborda a questão da autonomia constitucionalmente reconhecida aos municípios brasileiros, construindo uma nova vertente de análise para o tema.   The article presents the concepts doctrinally assigned to the administrative region or area, discusses the arguments of the Actions of Constitutionality numbers 1841-9/RJ 796-3/ES, which structured the legal precedents that led to the later interpretations of the subject. Criticizing such decisions, addresses the issue of autonomy constitutionally accorded to municipalities, building a new strand of analysis for the subject.
A verdadeira mudança de paradigmas do direito administrativo brasileiro: do estilo tradicional ao novo estilo
Authors: De Mendonça José Vicente Santos
Published: February 2016

O ensaio defende que a verdadeira mudança de paradigmas do direito administrativo não ocorreu com a ascensão, teórica e prática, de ideias como a relativização da noção de supremacia do interesse público, mas com uma mudança na abordagem metodológica e conceitual da disciplina. O novo estilo de direito administrativo é pragmatista, empiricista, assistematizador e assistemático, e cético em relação à centralidade do discurso jurídico. Após descrever os estilos, o texto relata os impactos metodológicos, pedagógicos e profissionais causados pelo novo paradigma. Ao final, o artigo adianta algumas das possíveis críticas ao novo estilo.   This essay argues that the real paradigm shift in Brazilian Administrative Law did not come neither from substantive changes in core doctrinal concepts such as “public interest” nor from the widespread acceptance and use of the balancing technique into the field. Instead the real new paradigm of Brazilian Administrative Law arises out of radical recent changes in methodological and conceptual approaches to the field. New Brazilian Administrative Law is thus pragmatic, prone to the use of empirical methods, not as systemic as the old view, and skeptic to Law-based narratives of life, politics, and economics. The text describes the styles, and then summarizes methodological, pedagogical, and professional effects that arose thanks to this new view of the field. The article concludes taking on some possible critique of the new approach.
Inconstitucionalidade da “cassação” de aposentadoria no Brasil: considerações gerais e modulação sobre o tema em face da realidade nacional
Authors: Figueiredo Marcelo
Published: February 2016

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Contrato de aquisição entre OGX e Petrobras para explorar petróleo
Authors: Frazão Conselheira Ana
Published: February 2016

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Proibição da capitalização de juros e o Poder Judiciário: equívocos na aplicação de teorias econômicas sobre juros simples e compostos
Authors: Faro Clovis de , Guerra Sérgio
Published: February 2016

O presente artigo tem por objetivo apontar deficiências no regime de juros simples e reflexões acerca desses efeitos negativos sobre os contratos financeiros. Parte-se da premissa, contrariamente ao senso comum, de que o tomador de um empréstimo pode ter que pagar mais se houver a adoção do regime de juros simples do que pagaria no emprego do regime de juros compostos. Isso, mesmo quando se consideram a mesma taxa de juros e o mesmo prazo de aplicação. Em resumo, busca-se apontar incongruências e consequências dessas situações, especialmente comentando o debate constante da ADI nº 2.316, que contesta o art. 5º da Medida Provisória nº 2.170-36/2001.   This article aims to point out the shortcomings in ordinary interests’ regime and reflections about these negative effects on financial contracts. The premise, different of the common sense, is that the borrower of a loan may have to pay more if occur the adoption of the ordinary interests system instead of the adoption of employment scheme for compound interests. This, even when considering the same interest rate and the same application deadline. In short, intend to point out inconsistencies and consequences of these situations, particularly commenting on the ongoing debate of the ADI 2.316, that contests the Article 5o of the Provisional Measure 2.170-36/2001.
Cluster Analysis in the Study of the Level of Human Capital Development in the Russian Regions
Authors: Комарова  , Komarova Anna
Published: February 2016

This paper proposes a set of indicators to assess the level of human capital

development of Russian regions. the results of cluster analysis of regions

of Russia are determined in terms of human capital development.
Research Note—When Do Consumers Value Positive vs. Negative Reviews? An Empirical Investigation of Confirmation Bias in Online Word of Mouth
Authors: Yin Dezhi , Mitra Sabyasachi , Zhang Han
Published: February 2016

In the online word-of-mouth literature, research has consistently shown that negative reviews have a greater impact on product sales than positive reviews. Although this negativity effect is well documented at the product level, there is less consensus on whether negative or positive reviews are perceived to be more helpful by consumers. A limited number of studies document a higher perceived helpfulness for negative reviews under certain conditions, but accumulating empirical evidence suggests the opposite. To reconcile these contradictory findings, we propose that consumers can form initial beliefs about a product on the basis of the product’s summary rating statistics (such as the average and dispersion of the product’s ratings) and that these initial beliefs play a vital role in their subsequent evaluation of individual reviews. Using a unique panel data set collected from Apple’s App Store, we empirically demonstrate confirmation bias—that consumers have a tendency to perceive reviews that confirm (versus disconfirm) their initial beliefs as more helpful, and that this tendency is moderated by their confidence in their initial beliefs. Furthermore, we show that confirmation bias can lead to greater perceived helpfulness for positive reviews (positivity effect) when the average product rating is high, and for negative reviews (negativity effect) when the average product rating is low. Thus, the mixed findings in the literature can be a consequence of confirmation bias. This paper is among the first to incorporate the important role of consumers’ initial beliefs and confidence in such beliefs (a fundamental dimension of metacognition) into their evaluation of online reviews, and our findings have significant implications for researchers, retailers, and review websites.
When Micro Prudence Increases Macro Risk: The Destabilizing Effects of Financial Innovation, Leverage, and Diversification
Authors: Corsi Fulvio , Marmi Stefano , Lillo Fabrizio
Published: February 2016

By exploiting basic common practice accounting and risk-management rules, we propose a simple analytical dynamical model to investigate the effects of microprudential changes on macroprudential outcomes. Specifically, we study the consequence of the introduction of a financial innovation that allows reducing the cost of portfolio diversification in a financial system populated by financial institutions having capital requirements in the form of Value at Risk (VaR) constraint and following standard mark-to-market and risk-management rules. We provide a full analytical quantification of the multivariate feedback effects between investment prices and bank behavior induced by portfolio rebalancing in presence of asset illiquidity and show how changes in the constraints of the bank portfolio optimization endogenously drive the dynamics of the balance sheet aggregate of financial institutions and, thereby, the availability of bank liquidity to the economic system and systemic risk. The model shows that when financial innovation reduces the cost of diversification below a given threshold, the strength (because of higher leverage) and coordination (because of similarity of bank portfolios) of feedback effects increase, triggering a transition from a stationary dynamics of price returns to a nonstationary one characterized by steep growths (bubbles) and plunges (bursts) of market prices.
Latest clinical research
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: February 2016

Mark Greener presents key studies published in healthcare journals
NICE guidance on type 2 diabetes in adults – what's new?
Authors: Morris David
Published: February 2016

As diabetes is one of the costliest long-term conditions, management is vital, writes David Morris
Influence of Water Injection on Performance and Emissions of A Direct Injection Jet Ignition Engine
Authors: Boretti Albert , Scalzo Joseph
Published: February 2016

A computational model is used to describe the operation of a four cylinder, turbocharged, ignition controlled by spark, direct injection engine fuelled with different fuels, including hydrocarbons, oxygenates and hydrogen. The intercooled engine features port and direct water injection plus jet ignition. The direct water injection permits a further enhanced control of the conditions within the cylinder prior, during and after combustion. Thanks to water injection, a much higher compression ratio is adopted. The port injection of water drastically reduces the temperature of the inlet air, thus permitting more air to enter the cylinder. This translates in more fuel being introduced, for an increased torque and power output. The lower temperature of the air coupled to the direct injection during the compression stroke also improves the resistance to knock, and reduces the heat loss at the walls of the combustion chamber, further improving the fuel conversion efficiency that is already boosted by the use of an higher compression ratio. The enhanced control of the injection of water in the port and the direct injection of fuel in the cylinder is aimed to achieve near to knocking conditions in a stoichiometric mixture about top dead centre that is then ignited almost instantaneously by the jet ignition device. This permits very high fuel conversion efficiencies and high power density during the full load operation. The direct water injection further improves the in-cylinder conditions especially after combustion. Further investigations are needed to better optimise the port and direct water injections.
Tissue Factor: A Conventional or Alternative Target in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Eisenreich Andreas , Bolbrinker Juliane , Leppert Ulrike
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUND

Tissue factor (TF) is an evolutionary conserved glycoprotein that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cancer. TF is expressed in 2 naturally occurring protein isoforms, membrane-bound full-length (fl)TF and soluble alternatively spliced (as)TF. Both isoforms have been shown to affect a variety of pathophysiologically relevant functions, such as tumor-associated angiogenesis, thrombogenicity, tumor growth, and metastasis. Therefore, targeting TF either by direct inhibition or indirectly, i.e., on a posttranscriptional level, offers a novel therapeutic option for cancer treatment.

CONTENT

In this review we summarize the latest findings regarding the role of TF and its isoforms in cancer biology. Moreover, we briefly depict and discuss the therapeutic potential of direct and/or indirect inhibition of TF activity and expression for the treatment of cancer.

asTF and flTF play important and often distinct roles in cancer biology, i.e., in thrombogenicity and angiogenesis, which is mediated by isoform-specific signal transduction pathways. Therefore, both TF isoforms and downstream signaling are promising novel therapeutic targets in malignant diseases.
Una confrontación político-retórica: los discursos de Filipo, Perseo y Demetrio en Tito Livio (40, 5-16)
Authors: Lorenzo Lorenzo Juan
Published: February 2016

En los múltiples trabajos acerca de la relación entre retórica e historiografía son objeto de especial atención las alocuciones pronunciadas por destacados personajes políticos y las arengas militares, clasificadas entre los discursos de naturaleza deliberativa. Sin embargo, apenas han despertado el interés de los investigadores los escasos discursos pertenecientes al género judicial. En este trabajo estudio, desde el punto de vista de la preceptiva retórica, los discursos de acusación y defensa pronunciados por Perseo y Demetrio, única muestra de oratoria forense en la monumental obra del historiador latino Tito Livio.
Fidem tene, verba seqVentVr. Rhetoric and Oratory in the Historia Ecclesiastica of Socrates Scholasticus and Sozomen
Authors: Quiroga Puertas Alberto J.
Published: February 2016

Este trabajo se centra en las interpretaciones de las apreciaciones estilísticas y de crítica literaria realizadas por los historiadores eclesiásticos Sócrates y Sozomeno en sus descripciones de figuras relevantes de la Iglesia post-Constantiniana. Su valoración del impacto y del papel de la oratoria y la literatura trascendió el campo de la crítica literaria, constituyendo parte del entramado ideológico con el que se juzgaron las creencias religiosas y filiaciones doctrinales de tales figuras en la Iglesia de los siglos iv y v.
Una nueva dedicación a Marte en Bembibre (León)
Authors: González Rodríguez M.ª Cruz , Ramírez Sánchez Manuel
Published: February 2016

Se da a conocer una inscripción inédita procedente de San Román de Bem-bibre (León), que se conserva reutilizada en la Iglesia de San Román Mártir. El texto es muy breve, pero incluye un epíteto inédito,Propitius,en las inscripciones hispánicas dedicadas a esta divinidad.
The Role of Income Uncertainty in the Corruption–Growth Nexus
Authors: Dzhumashev Ratbek
Published: February 2016

This paper analyses how corruption-induced income uncertainty affects the relationship between corruption and economic growth. The analysis reveals both the growth-enhancing and deteriorating effects of corruption that transmit through the income and productivity channels, and shows how income uncertainty caused by corruption interacts with both of these effects. In particular, it is found that an increase in bribe rates and the probability of corruption that reduces the burden of regulations generate counteracting effects on income and productivity, where both effects are further aggravated by corruption-induced income uncertainty. On the other hand, a higher burden of bribes imposed by extortive bureaucrats hampers growth unambiguously. However, in a highly corrupt environment, an increase in the incidence of extortive behaviour can be growth enhancing as it reduces income uncertainty, while if corruption levels are relatively low, then a further increase in the incidence of such behaviour deteriorates growth. These findings give us a new insight into why the overall growth effect of corruption is ambiguous.
Market Imperfections and Income Distribution
Authors: Yılmaz Ensar
Published: February 2016

This paper aims to search links between market imperfections and functional income distribution. For this purpose we construct a two-sector model – wage goods and luxury goods producing sectors – incorporating imperfections of the product and labor markets under income inequality. In a structure with interdependent and partially monopolistic and competitive markets, we analytically trace up the effects of the changes in power relations proxied by the degree of mark-ups in the product and labor market. The model shows that price and wage mark-ups in two sectors have crucial income distribution implications for the agents in the economy to varying extents. It also demonstrates the effect of the existence of the differentiated consumption patterns arising from income inequality on income distribution. Furthermore, it seems that unemployment level creates externalities on wage rate and on corporate taxes of firms.
Ethanol production by Pichia stipitis immobilized on sugarcane bagasse
Authors: Yñiguez-Balderas BS , Ortiz-Muñiz B , Gómez-Rodríguez J , Gutierrez-Rivera B , Aguilar-Uscanga MG
Published: February 2016

The search for new ethanol production technologies is due to this biofuel being a renewable and environmentally friendly option. Immobilized cell systems for ethanol production have been studied; however, the phenomenon involved in cell sorption on raw materials has been poorly explored. Therefore, this work evaluates P. stipitis immobilization on sugarcane bagasse pretreated with sulphuric acid, as well as ethanol production in batch culture. The results obtained showed that the Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) model explained the sorption phenomenon. The selected inoculum size for immobilization was the same as the monolayer sorption capability (1.17 gl-1). Using 1:100 g ml- 1 solid-liquid ratio, at 250 rpm, ethanol yield and productivity of 0.404 gg-1 glucose and 0.41 gl-1h-1 were obtained, respectively. The immobilized systems were stable for up to twenty-five repeated batches (36 h each). Ethanol production was increased from the first to the twenty-fifth batch (18.1 and 24.7 gl-1 ethanol). The use of complex media, such as molasses “B” or sugarcane hydrolyzates, caused an increase in process efficiency 2.4 and 1.8-fold respectively, compared with free cells systems. Biotechnological ethanol production from lignocellulosic hydrolyzates could be improved by the use of the immobilization cell sorption on pre-treated raw materials.
Bioethanol production from extracted olive pomace: dilute acid hydrolysis
Authors: Fernandes Maria C. , Torrado Ivone , Carvalheiro Florbela , Dores Vânia , Guerra Vera , Lourenço Pedro M. L. , Duarte Luís C.
Published: February 2016

Residues from olive oil industry such as Extracted Olive Pomace (EOP) are potential substrates for bioethanol production. In this work, enzymatic hydrolysis of EOP pretreated by dilute acid hydrolysis (DAH) was assessed, and the enzymatic hydrolysis and bioconversion were carried out both by separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) and pre-saccharification followed by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (PSSF). DAH led to a significant removal hemicellulose, but the subsequent enzymatic treatments showed that the resulting residue was still partially recalcitrant to cellulase hydrolysis. Size reduction and further treatment of EOP-DAH with an alkaline solution were also tested. Alkaline post-treatment allowed a decrease in lignin content, but had little effect on enzymatic saccharification comparing to size reduction. Hence fermentation study was performed with ground EOP-DAH. The PSSF process showed a relatively higher bioethanol fermentation yield (0.46 gg-1) when compared to the SHF process.
Online public reactions to frequency of diagnostic errors in US outpatient care
Authors: Giardina Traber Davis , Sarkar Urmimala , Gourley Gato , Modi Varsha , Meyer Ashley N.D. , Singh Hardeep
Published: February 2016

Background: Diagnostic errors pose a significant threat to patient safety but little is known about public perceptions of diagnostic errors. A study published in BMJ Quality & Safety in 2014 estimated that diagnostic errors affect at least 5% of US adults (or 12 million) per year. We sought to explore online public reactions to media reports on the reported frequency of diagnostic errors in the US adult population.

Methods: We searched the World Wide Web for any news article reporting findings from the study. We then gathered all the online comments made in response to the news articles to evaluate public reaction to the newly reported diagnostic error frequency (n=241). Two coders conducted content analyses of the comments and an experienced qualitative researcher resolved differences.

Results: Overall, there were few comments made regarding the frequency of diagnostic errors. However, in response to the media coverage, 44 commenters shared personal experiences of diagnostic errors. Additionally, commentary centered on diagnosis-related quality of care as affected by two emergent categories: (1) US health care providers (n=79; 63 commenters) and (2) US health care reform-related policies, most commonly the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and insurance/reimbursement issues (n=62; 47 commenters).

Conclusion: The public appears to have substantial concerns about the impact of the ACA and other reform initiatives on the diagnosis-related quality of care. However, policy discussions on diagnostic errors are largely absent from the current national conversation on improving quality and safety. Because outpatient diagnostic errors have emerged as a major safety concern, researchers and policymakers should consider evaluating the effects of policy and practice changes on diagnostic accuracy.
Factorial design study to access the “green” iodocyclization reaction of 2-allylphenols
Authors: Corrêa Michelle Fidelis , Ramos Barbosa Álefe Jhonatas , Sato Rie , Junqueira Luis Otávio , Politi Mário José , Rando Daniela Gonçales , dos Santos Fernandes João Paulo
Published: February 2016

Iodocyclization of 2-allylphenols is a suitable method to access furans and dihydrofurans with adequate yields. Several methodologies to iodocyclization are reported in the literature; however, since some data about the conditions are conflicting, a more systematic approach is needed to define the best conditions. In this work, we performed a full 2
Neuroprotective effect of Decalepis hamiltonii on cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress in the mouse brain
Authors: Zarei Mahsa , Shivanandappa T.
Published: February 2016

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CP), one of the most widely used antineoplastic drugs, causes toxic side effects on vital organs including brain. In this study, we have investigated neuroprotective potential of the aqueous extract of the roots of Decalepis hamiltonii (DHA) against CP-induced oxidative stress in the mouse brain.

Methods: Swiss albino male mice were pre-treated with DHA (50 and 100 mg/kg b.w.) for 10 consecutive days followed by an injection with CP intraperitoneally (25 mg/kg b.w.) for 10 days 1 h after DHA treatment; 16 h later, they were euthanized, their brains were immediately removed, and biochemical and molecular analyses were conducted.

Results: The results indicated that injection of CP induced oxidative stress in the mouse brain as evident from the increased lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species, depletion of glutathione and reduced activities of the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase. Treatment with DHA significantly mitigated the CP-induced oxidative stress. Moreover, expression of genes for the antioxidant enzymes was downregulated by CP treatment which was reversed by DHA.

Conclusions: In conclusion, DHA protected the brain from oxidative stress induced by CP, and therefore, it could be a promising nutraceutical as a supplement in cancer chemotherapy in order to ameliorate the toxic side effects of cancer drugs.
The Long March towards an International Legal Framework for Sovereign Debt Restructuring
Authors: Li Yuefen
Published: February 2016

The lack of a formal sovereign debt restructuring legal framework has been considered by many as a serious deficit or missing link in the international financial architecture. However, even though the international debates on the topic have been going on for decades, heating up each time with the onset of a debt crisis and cooling down when the crises was contained, up to now such debates have not yet come to final fruition. Nevertheless the topic has never been put to sleep because of frequent and severe debt crises. These crises have never failed to demonstrate the need of a legal framework, even more so this time around. Yet, the international community chose to work on improvement of debt contracts even though it cannot redress the systemic and technical problems facing debt restructurings. In 2014, the United Nations started to work on a legal framework on debt restructuring facing political resistance and misconstrued fears of a legal framework. After more than a year’s hard work, the United Nations passed through vote a resolution on basic principles on debt restructuring processes. This is an important milestone, yet the march towards a formal legal framework is going to be long.
A reliable algorithm for KdV equations arising in warm plasma
Authors: Goswami Amit , Singh Jagdev , Kumar Devendra
Published: February 2016

The aim of the present work is to propose a simple and reliable algorithm namely homotopy perturbation transform method (HPTM) for KdV equations in warm plasma. The homotopy perturbation transform method is a combined form of the Laplace transform method with the homotopy perturbation method. In this method, the solution is calculated in the form of a convergent series with an easily computable compact. To illustrate the simplicity and reliability of the method, several examples are provided. In this paper, the homotopy perturbation transform method has been applied to obtain the solution of the KdV, mKdV, K(2, 2) and K(3,3) equations. We compared our solutions with the exact solutions. Results illustrate the applicability, efficiency and accuracy of HPTM to solve nonlinear equations despite needlessness to any linearization or perturbation. It is predicted that the proposed algorithm can be widely applied to other nonlinear problems in science and engineering.
A Comparison of the Economic Growth of the Baltic States between the Two World Wars
Authors: Norkus Zenonas
Published: February 2016

This paper contributes to cliometric research on the economic output of Finland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia between 1913 and 1938. For Finland, gross domestic product (GDP) values from Maddison project dataset are accepted. For Estonia, Arno Köörna’s and Jaak Valge’s estimates are endorsed with reservations for 1923–1924. According to an optimistic estimate, Lithuania’s GDP per capita was below all-Russian mean in 1913, but was not less than USSR level in 1938, while Gediminas Vaskela’s pessimistic estimate of the 1938 Lithuanian GDP implies its GDP growth underperformance. Using new sources, the first estimates of Latvia’s output for the 1913–1938 period in cross-country and cross-temporally comparable measurement units (1990 Geary Khamis international $) are substantiated. Under optimistic estimates of Lithuanian GDP growth, this country was on par with Finland in terms of annual growth rates, with Latvia following next and Estonia displaying the weakest growth performance.
Completed Optimised Structure of Threonine Molecule by Fuzzy Logic Modelling
Authors: Sahiner Ahmet , Ucun Fatih , Kapusuz Gulden , Yilmaz Nurullah
Published: February 2016

In this study we applied the fuzzy logic approach in order to model the energy depending on the two torsion angles for the threonine (C4H9NO3) molecule. The model is set up according to theoretical results obtained by the density functional theory (B3LYP) with a 6-31 G(d) basic set on a Gausian program. We aimed to determine the best torsion angle values providing the energy of the molecule minimum by a fuzzy logic approach and to compare them with the density functional theory results. It was concluded that the fuzzy logic approach gives information about the untested data and its best value which are expensive and time-consuming to obtain by other methods and experimentation.
Prolongation Structure of a Generalised Inhomogeneous Gardner Equation in Plasmas and Fluids
Authors: Xie Xi-Yang , Tian Bo , Sun Wen-Rong , Wang Yun-Po
Published: February 2016

In this article, the prolongation structure technique is applied to a generalised inhomogeneous Gardner equation, which can be used to describe certain physical situations, such as the stratified shear flows in ocean and atmosphere, ion acoustic waves in plasmas with a negative ion, interfacial solitary waves over slowly varying topographies, and wave motion in a non-linear elastic structural element with large deflection. The Lax pairs, which are derived via the prolongation structure, are more general than the Lax pairs published before. Under the Painlevé conditions, the linear-damping coefficient equals to zero, the quadratic non-linear coefficient is proportional to the dispersive coefficient c(t), the cubic non-linear coefficient is proportional to c(t), leaving no constraints on c(t) and the dissipative coefficient d(t). We establish the prolongation structure through constructing the exterior differential system. We introduce two methods to obtain the Lax pairs: (a) based on the prolongation structure, the Lax pairs are obtained, and (b) via the Lie algebra, we can derive the Pfaffian forms and Lax pairs when certain parameters are chosen. We set d(t) as a constant to discuss the influence of c(t) on the Pfaffian forms and Lax pairs, and to discuss the influence of d(t) on the Pfaffian forms and Lax pairs, we set c(t) as another constant. Then, we get different prolongation structure, Pfaffian forms and Lax pairs.
Positional proteomics reveals differences in N‐terminal proteoform stability
Authors: Gawron Daria , Ndah Elvis , Gevaert Kris , Van Damme Petra
Published: February 2016

To understand the impact of alternative translation initiation on a proteome, we performed a proteome‐wide study on protein turnover using positional proteomics and ribosome profiling to distinguish between N‐terminal proteoforms of individual genes. By combining pulsed SILAC with N‐terminal COFRADIC, we monitored the stability of 1,941 human N‐terminal proteoforms, including 147 N‐terminal proteoform pairs that originate from alternative translation initiation, alternative splicing or incomplete processing of the initiator methionine. N‐terminally truncated proteoforms were less abundant than canonical proteoforms and often displayed altered stabilities, likely attributed to individual protein characteristics, including intrinsic disorder, but independent of N‐terminal amino acid identity or truncation length. We discovered that the removal of initiator methionine by methionine aminopeptidases reduced the stability of processed proteoforms, while susceptibility for N‐terminal acetylation did not seem to influence protein turnover rates. Taken together, our findings reveal differences in protein stability between N‐terminal proteoforms and point to a role for alternative translation initiation and co‐translational initiator methionine removal, next to alternative splicing, in the overall regulation of proteome homeostasis.
Reversal of severe cognitive impairment following medical treatment of cystic invasive giant prolactinoma
Authors: Bukowczan J , Lois K , Mathiopoulou M , Grossman A B , James R A
Published: February 2016

Giant prolactinomas are rare tumours of the pituitary, which typically exceed 40 mm in their largest dimension. Impairment of higher cognitive function has been noted post-operatively after transcranial surgery and as a long-term consequence of the radiotherapy treatment. However, there has been little that is reported on such disturbances in relation to the tumour per se, and to our knowledge, there has been none in terms of responsivity to dopamine agonist therapy and shrinkage in these tumours. We present a case of successful restoration of severely impaired cognitive functions achieved safely after significant adenoma involution with medical treatment alone.

Learning points

Giant prolactinomas can be present with profound cognitive defects.

Dopamine agonists remain in the mainstay first-line treatment of giant prolactinomas.

Mechanisms of the reversible cognitive impairment associated with giant prolactinoma treatment appear to be complex and remain open to further studies.

Young patients with giant prolactinomas mandate genetic testing towards familial predisposition.
Neonatal Ear Molding: Timing and Technique
Authors: Anstadt Erin Elizabeth , Johns Dana Nicole , Kwok Alvin Chi-Ming , Siddiqi Faizi , Gociman Barbu
Published: February 2016

The incidence of auricular deformities is believed to be ∼11.5 per 10 000 births, excluding children with microtia. Although not life-threatening, auricular deformities can cause undue distress for patients and their families. Although surgical procedures have traditionally been used to reconstruct congenital auricular deformities, ear molding has been gaining acceptance as an efficacious, noninvasive alternative for the treatment of newborns with ear deformations. We present the successful correction of bilateral Stahl’s ear deformity in a newborn through a straightforward, nonsurgical method implemented on the first day of life. The aim of this report is to make pediatric practitioners aware of an effective and simple molding technique appropriate for correction of congenital auricular anomalies. In addition, it stresses the importance of very early initiation of ear cartilage molding for achieving the desired outcome.
THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT BLOODINESS LEVEL ON LATVIAN BROWN COW PRODUCTIVITY
Authors: CIELAVA Lāsma , PETROVSKA Solvita , JONKUS Daina , PAURA Līga
Published: February 2016

Latvian brown (LB) cow breed is economically most important livestock breed in Latvia. In last 5 years in Latvian farms rapidly increases Holstain black and white cow population, however LB breed cows is more resistant against environment and climate changes than relatively new Holstain breed cows. More resistant is genetic resource LB cows. In study was observed data from Latvian Agriculture data center about Latvian brown (LB) cows with different breed blood admixture. Cows, included in data base was born in time period from 2003–2007 year and closed at least 1 full lactation. The aim of the study was to determine how different amount of Latvian brown cow bloodiness affects cow productivity and longevity. Latvian brown cow milk yield significantly lower (p<0.05) was in first lactation (4826.1 kg), but it increased until fifth lactation (5891.8 kg). Opposite situation was occurred with milk dry matter content, milk fat content significantly higher was in first lactation, but until 5th lactation it decreased by 0.84%, similar situation was occurred with milk protein content. Significantly highest milk yield grouped by dominant breed bloodines was observed in group with Brown Swiss bloodiness (4887.3 ± 26.3 kg; p<0.05), but highest protein content in genetic resources group (4.31 ± 0.02 %). Average lifespan in LB cow population was 2463.0 days (in average 6.7 years or about 5 lactations.
THE CHANGE OF LAND USERS IN LITHUANIA DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN 1920 AND 2014
Authors: ATKOCEVIČIENĖ Virginija , VALČIUKIENĖ Jolanta
Published: February 2016

The paper presents the Lithuanian agricultural land users change analysis in almost a century period. The reasons leading to agricultural land users change trends were analysed. The main factors affecting the relationship of land use and the way of the land use are political changes in the country, economic and social aspects have less impact. Therefore, taking into account the political situation in Lithuania of this long analysed period, the agricultural land users change was analysed in three stages, which took place at the time of the conversion of reforms: land use between 1920 and 1940, land use during the Soviet period between 1940 and1990, and land use after the restoration of Lithuania's independence between 1990 and 2014. After the analysis of the land use of these periods land use characteristics of appropriate epochs as well as the land users’ change trends (of the entire period) and their causes are presented in the paper.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SPATIAL EFFECTS OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF OLSZTYN SOUTHERN BYPASS ROAD
Authors: KIL Jacek , SIEMIŃSKI Marek
Published: February 2016

This paper is an attempt to show what environmental and spatial consequences will be brought by the construction of the southern ring-road of Olsztyn, which is a linear investment. It also justifies the choice of the location from among four variants that were taken into consideration at the planning stage. The area in which the ring-road is located is characterised by particularly precious natural values due to the occurrence of rivers, lakes, diversified relief, rich flora and fauna or bird refuges. Many of these elements are covered by legal forms of natural protection. As a result of numerous discussions between planners, ecologists and the local community, the best variant of the course of the ring-road was chosen, which is the subject – matter of the analysis presented below.
COMPARISON OF OPERATION OF KAUNAS AND KLAIPĖDA WWTPS DIGESTERS
Authors: DAPKIENĖ Midona , ČESONIENĖ Laima , PILIPAUSKAS, Tomas
Published: February 2016

The article provides comparison of operation of digesters for 2014, installed in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) of two Lithuanian cities Kaunas and Klaipėda. It was established that the temperature and decomposition degree of organic materials had impact on biogas discharge in digesters of both wastewater treatment plants. Increase of these technological parameters resulted in increase of biogas output. Actual output of biogas of Kaunas wastewater treatment plant digester was by 5.8 % less than theoretical output, in Klaipėda WWTP anaerobic reactor – by 4.2 %. After comparison of biogas discharge generated from 1 m3 of sludge in Kaunas and Klaipėda WWTPs it was established that the efficiency of Klaipėda WWTP digester exceeded the efficiency of Kaunas WWTP reactor by 7 %.
FOREST SITE INFLUENCE ON BIRCH GROWTH AND HEALTH: LITHUANIAN CASE STUDY
Authors: ARAMINIENĖ Valda , VARNAGIRYTĖ-KABAŠINSKIENĖ Iveta , STAKĖNAS Vidas
Published: February 2016

The study aims to determine the growth and health response of Betula pendula and Betula pubescens growing in the forest sites of different soil fertility and humidity in Lithuania. The analysed data was collected under the Forest Monitoring Level I of ICP-Forests program. Lithuanian forest sites classification described by Vaičys et al. (2006) was used for the data analyses. The obtained results show that better condition of B.pendula was recorded for the birch trees growing in more humid sites and for B. pubescens – growing in the dryer sites. Also it was found that the lowest defoliation was typical for dominant and codominant trees and it did not depend on site humidity. The highest data variation of B. pendula stem diameter between forest sites of different humidity were found in the birch stands up to 50 years old. For younger B. pendula trees, higher diameter was recorded in more humid sites compared to the less humid sites. The stem diameter of B.pubescens trees was higher in the sites with normal moisture and temporary overmoistured soils compared to those growing in the permanently overmoistured and peatland soils.
LAND USE IN ŽUVINTAS BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Authors: GURSKIENĖ Virginija , JATUŽYTĖ Justina
Published: February 2016

The aim of the study – to assess the current land use and sustainable farming possibilities in the area of the Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve. Mathematical statistical analysis, graphing, interviews, induction and other methods were used during the research. Agricultural censuses, agricultural land and crop declaration (that had been carried out between the years 2012 and 2014) and some other data were analyzed. Intensive farming was established in the group of agrarian areas landscape management zones: conventional industrial farming in the landscape management zone. In the analyzed Simnas, Krosna and Igliauka subdistricts land is used quite extensively, therefore restructuring, in order to improve the ecological conditions, is possible not reducing the volume of production, but in accordance with the guidelines. In the territory of the Žuvintas Biosphere Reserve the declared crop area increased by 0.4 per cent from 2012 to 2014, perennial grass area increased by 4.01 per cent. Sustainable farming was set in the Amalvas polder and peat soils as well as in areas sensitive to surface and groundwater pollution. In the major part of the polder extensive agriculture is developed, it is mainly natural grasslands and pastures as well as cultivated grasslands. SWOT analysis was performed.
THE USE AND EVALUATION OF RIPARIAN FOREST ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN LATVIA
Authors: SAKLAURS Mārcis
Published: February 2016

The use and evaluation of riparian forest ecosystem services is a topical issue in Latvia involving interests of different target groups. Research work on proper management methods, their impact on biological values and production function has been started in 2014, while information on social values was missing. Particular methodology was designed and three different approaches of opinion polls were used to obtain information on use of riparian forest services and their evaluation by public in spring, 2015. In total there were 1024 questionnaires distributed out of which 418 were analysed for the research purposes along with 224 filled on the Internet. Different services of riparian forest ecosystems were used by 88 % of respondents, mostly walking along rivers and swimming were mentioned. Respondents evaluated three different scenarios of forest management and 96% of them gave preference to the scenario which required implementation of sustainability criteria resulted in high diversity of species and an increase of esthetical values. Large part (61 %) of respondents accepted the idea of voluntary work to improve the condition of rivers and riparian forests and in average there were ready to work 3.8 days per year. Willingness to pay (WTP) to improve the situation of riparian forests and rivers close to a residence place of a respondents was expressed by 62 % of respondents, in the average 28.50 Euro per year was mentioned. The current research is a starting point for evaluation of riparian forest ecosystems and provides valuable information for further analyses. Research data are used to identify factors influencing the use and evaluation of different services provided by riparian forest ecosystem. Results will be used in decision making processes related to legislation and management changes, as well as in valuation of ecosystem services and planning of public use of riparian forests.
NITROGEN COMPOUND‘S ALTERNATION IN GROUNDWATER BY FIELDS MANURING IN LARGE LIVESTOCK ENTERPRISES
Authors: MISEVIČIENĖ Stefanija , GUŽYS Saulius
Published: February 2016

Livestock enterprises are the biggest source of point pollution, whose effect on groundwater quality has not been researched enough, so it is not enough to make sound conclusions about their effect on the groundwater quality. The aim of this research was to determine what effect annually manure fertilised fields of large livestock enterprises have on groundwater quality. The experiment was carried out in the Middle Lithuanian Lowland in Kėdainiai district. The groundwater quality research was conducted during 2008–2012 in a manure fertilised field of a livestock enterprise. There were higher Ntotal and NO3-N concentrations (2.4 and 2.8 times respectively) determined in the borehole, which was situated in a manure fertilised field. As groundwater level rises in the boreholes, the Ntotal and NO3-N concentrations increase: in the manure fertilised field – r=0.46 and r=0.53, and in the sheds territory – r=0.41 and r=0.48, respectively. NH4-N concentrations in the boreholes have a tendency to fall as the water level rises – r=0.10 and r=0.28 respectively. Air temperature, rather than the precipitation level and Nmin reserves in the soil, had a bigger impact on the increase of NO3-N and NH4-N concentrations in the borehole, while the mentioned factors had no effect on Ntotal and NO2 - N concentrations. Ntotal, NO3-N, NO2-N and NH4-N concentrations (r=-0.31) in borehole, installed in the sheds territory had a tendency to increase when air temperature was low.
STATE AND CONDITIONS OF THE AMATEUR GARDEN TERRITORIES: LAND USAGE AND MANAGEMENT TENDENCIES IN LITHUANIA
Authors: KRIAUČIŪNAITĖ-NEKLEJONOVIENĖ Vilma , REKUS Donatas , DAUKŠYS Mindaugas , KURTINAITYTĖ Aistė
Published: February 2016

The article presents the analysis of the Associations of Gardeners of Lithuania, the undergoing changes in their territories. Since the establishment of the amateur gardening comprising 56 associations, there has been a tendency of privatizing a great number of agricultural land parcels owned by the amateur gardeners; the traditional gardening tends to be substituted for a single family housing. The objective of the article is to discuss the current situation in the territories allocated for the amateur gardens, to point out the tendencies of their future development taking into consideration different regions of the country and to assess the problems concerning land usage and management. The associations of gardeners comprise 216932 individual gardeners; they manage 228673 land parcels owned by them, which totally occupy 20714 ha. The major part of the land allocated for the associations of gardeners is the privatized land by the members of the associations, i.e. the territory makes 70.4 %. The survey of the experts of the municipalities on the current state of the territories of the amateur gardens and the assessment of the particular locations of gardens, presented the results, which confirm that the majority of the associations of gardeners failed their main purpose and new development tendencies appeared depending on their geographical location. The associations of gardeners has come across with a great number of problems on territorial planning, engineering communication services, and services maintaining the needs of the associations, the expansion as well as development of these areas.
DISTRIBUTION AND DYNAMICS OF THE GROUND BEETLE (COLEOPTERA, CARABIDAE) AND THE CLICK BEETLE (COLEOPTERA, ELATERIDAE) SPECIES ABUNDANCE IN ORGANIC AND INTENSIVELY CULTIVATED CEREAL CROPS
Authors: KAZLAUSKAITĖ Sonata , MULERČIKAS Povilas , TAMUTIS Vytautas , ŽEBRAUSKIENĖ Audronė , SURVILIENĖ Elena
Published: February 2016

The research has been carried out in 2013–2014 in an organic farm located in Medsėdžiai village, Klaipėda district, and intensive farm located in Laiviai village, Kretinga district. Four agrocenoses have been investigated: wheat, triticale, oat, and multiannual grassland. Five pitfall traps were set out in each of agrocenosis and the traps were active from the last decade of April until the last decade of August. Ground beetle adults that were detected during the study belonged to 27 species and 15 genera. The most abundant ground beetle species were Poecilus cupreus L., Pterostichus melаnаrius Ill, Аmаrа аeneа Deg, Cаrаbus cаncellаtus Ill., Hаrpаlus rufipes Deg., Аnchomenus dorsаlis Pontop. and Bembidion properаns Steph., representatives of which were detected in large numbers in all without an exception investigated agrocenoses and in both types of farming. Two seasonal activity peaks of P. cupreus L. abundance were distinguished in the organic farm: first in the beginning of June and the second in the mid-July. Meanwhile, in the intensive farm it was observed in late May. Click beetle adults, identified in the study, were prescribed to 6 species and 4 genera. The most abundant click beetle species were Agriotes obscurus L., Agriotes lineatus L. and Agriotes sputator L. which occurred without an exception in all the agrocenoses and both types of farms. It was determined that the highest click beetle adults’ activity in the intensive farm was observed in the end of July while the maximum of click beetle adults’ activity in the organic farm was defined in June.