bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A retrospective observational study to explore the introduction of the National Early Warning Score in NEAS
Authors: McClelland Graham
Published: November 2015

Background:

The National Early Warning Score (NEWS) is a simple, rapid assessment tool compiled from respiratory rate, oxygen saturations, supplemental oxygen, temperature, systolic blood pressure, heart rate and level of consciousness developed by the Royal College of Physicians. NEWS was introduced into practice at North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (NEAS) between April 2013 and March 2014. This paper will examine the use of NEWS in pre-hospital practice and seek to describe the patient population in terms of NEWS.

Methods:

Cross-sectional samples of patient records from NEAS attendances over two 24-hour periods were examined for NEWS usage, completeness of necessary observations and outcomes that may be linked to NEWS. A primary sample from 8 July 2013 included 100% of patients. A secondary sample of 10% of patients was taken from 1 April 2014.

Results:

Although 90% of all cases may be suitable for NEWS <1% (n=6) of patients attended had NEWS recorded. Of the NEWS elements only temperature was not consistently recorded. 95% of sets of observations included >4 NEWS elements. A consistent pattern emerged when the sample population was described according to NEWS using three methods of accounting for missing items of data. Pre-alerting based on NEWS was examined with little agreement between NEWS and current practice found, although this does not take into account practical reasons for pre-alerting such as underlying condition or local pathways.

Conclusions:

NEWS is not being documented by ambulance crews although the majority of the necessary elements are being recorded. This largely descriptive account of the use of NEWS within NEAS indicates that NEWS has not been adopted by ambulance crews.
Developing understanding and awareness of children's distress, distraction techniques and holding
Authors: Preston Christopher , Bray Lucy
Published: November 2015

Purpose:

This project aimed to evaluate the influence of an education session on ambulance clinicians' understanding and awareness of children's distress, distraction techniques and holding in the pre-hospital setting.

Methods:

An inter-professional education session that focused on raising awareness of children's distress, the use of distraction techniques and clinical holding during pre-hospital care was provided. A mixed methods approach was then used to evaluate both existing and newly acquired knowledge and opinion through the use of questionnaires (n=26) and focus group discussion (n=20).

Results:

Despite literature suggesting that ambulance clinicians may not use distraction techniques during pre-hospital care, data gained from this project indicates that use of distraction techniques is widespread (92%, n=24) and has been adapted to fit within pre-hospital care. The inter-professional education event was reported as being of value for ambulance clinicians.

Conclusions:

Ambulance clinicians endeavour to provide a positive experience for children undergoing procedures, despite reported limitations in education, exposure and equipment. By using a collaborative and consultative education event, it is possible to facilitate ambulance clinicians to challenge their practice and improve their reported knowledge of dealing with children during procedures in the pre-hospital setting. Additional work needs to be undertaken to further explore and improve pre-hospital practice in relation to children's distress and clinical procedures.
Reflective practice for paramedics: a new approach
Authors: Turner Hannah
Published: November 2015

Reflecting upon practice is an essential process by which we can question, make sense of, clarify, and develop our knowledge and performance as clinicians. Unlike people who work directly with their peers and seniors, the opportunities for paramedics to discuss at length scenarios and cases with appropriate clinicians can be scarce. Johns (2010) identifies reflective practice as a means of professional supervision, which can act as our guiding peer when we need to step back and consider our practice in a structured and organised way. Developing clinical insight using reflective models is a key aspect in the training of the modern paramedic, and a necessary duty for qualified staff to undertake in order to ensure that their practice remains current. To be effective, reflective models must encourage the questioning of what we already know and do, and facilitate the broadening of our knowledge so that we may improve our practice and create new ideas. The author aimed to create a reflective model that fulfilled those requirements in a way that was as accessible to those who are familiar to structured reflection as to those who are new to the process, but was compassionate to the unique role of the paramedic.
A critical appraisal of the pre-hospital management of cervical spine injury in children and young people
Authors: Francis Joe
Published: November 2015

Paediatric cervical spine injury (CSI) has been outlined in current literature as a research priority, where it has been included in the top 10 clinical research priorities by the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network. This article therefore aims to review the evidence base underpinning UK paramedic practice when managing children and young people at risk of CSI. In this article, particular focus shall be given to clinical practice challenges while exploring the risk over benefit debate of spinal immobilisation. Throughout this article, considerations for future research and of adopted future practice shall also be made.
Understanding the do's and dont's of social media
Authors: Carter Imogen
Published: November 2015

Social media offers paramedics a great tool for continuing professional development; however, consideration should be given if it is to be used effectively and responsibly. Imogen Carter, College of Paramedics Yorkshire Regional Group liaison, outlines recommendations for getting the most out of the technology.
In the footsteps of Dominique Larrey
Authors: Davis David
Published: November 2015

The Larrey Society is the first cross-sector ‘think tank’ established to help shape the future policy of emergency medical services. David Davis, the society's founder provides a background to the organisation and its inaugural conference being planned for early in 2016.
The postgraduate paramedic: meeting the demands of an evolving profession
Authors: Peate Ian
Published: November 2015

As the role of the paramedic continues to develop to reflect changing demands in health care provision, the number of staff undertaking postgraduate degrees is on the increase. Ian Peate considers the potential benefits of being educated to Master's level, as well as the impact it has on the individual and the profession.
Prioritising the development of paramedic students' interpersonal skills
Authors: Lucas Peter V , McCall Michael J , Eccleston Claire , Lea Emma , Stratton Brigit , Annear Michael , Crisp Elaine , Elliott Kate-Ellen , Robinson Andrew
Published: November 2015

Objective:

This paper analyses residential-aged care clinical placements undertaken by undergraduate paramedic students participating in the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre's ‘Teaching Aged Care Facilities Program’. Benefits of the placement in facilitating the development of critical interpersonal skills are identified and discussed.

Setting:

A cohort of final year undergraduate students (n=31) completed a five-day clinical placement in four participating residential-aged care facilities in Tasmania, Australia.

Method:

The research involved the collection of qualitative data during student feedback meetings at the end of students' placements. The data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Additionally, quantitative data from pre- and post-placement surveys were collected and analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics 20.0.0.

Results:

The research found that students benefited from the placement in terms of developing their interpersonal skills. Students demonstrated an increased understanding of dementia and improved communication strategies for working with people with dementia.

Conclusions:

Paramedic clinical placements in residential-aged care facilities address two key issues identified by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council, these being a lack of interpersonal skills among graduate paramedics and a shortage of alternative learning sites.
Considering the impact of an older, healthier population
Authors: Peate Ian
Published: November 2015

Population ageing is arguably one of the greatest challenges facing contemporary society, due to its various social, economic and political implications. Ian Peate looks at the effect an increasing ageing society will have on health and social care, and outlines the importance for future service provision to reflect the needs of this growing population.
A critical analysis and appraisal of the management of croup in the UK out-of-hospital environment
Authors: Francis Joe
Published: November 2015

This article aims to explore the epidemiology, aetiology and pathophysiology of laryngotracheobronchitis (croup), a commonly presenting illness faced by paramedics attending young children in the community. In this article, current evidence surrounding pharmacotherapies for croup shall be discussed with relevance to paramedic practice. Furthermore, current dosages, routes of administration, cost-effectiveness and weight-based drug calculations will be outlined and debated alongside the current evidence base.
Challenges of postpartum haemorrhage: a case study in the aeromedical retrieval environment
Authors: Proctor Jeffrey , Sinclair Neil
Published: November 2015

Postpartum haemorrhage is one of the main causes of maternal deaths worldwide. The presentation of this aetiology in the remote and rural setting presents significant challenges to both referring and retrieval clinicians. A safe, timely and robust response to transferring these patients direct to definitive care is necessary.

This article considers the case of a 36-year-old female who presented to the Emergency Medical Retrieval Service with a slow but worsening onset of abdominal pain and persistent vaginal bleeding. The patient was 16 days postpartum following the uncomplicated birth of her third child. Treatment delivered to the patient is included in the case example and discussion given to challenges faced in the areomedical retrieval environment. Considerations during treatment, such as communication, resuscitation, investigation and monitoring are also presented.
HCPC renewal for paramedics and the importance of having appropriate indemnity insurance
Authors: Berry Martin
Published: November 2015

As of 1 April 2015, the Health and Care Professions Council renewal process has required registrants to confirm that they have a professional indemnity arrangement in place if they are a practising paramedic. Martin Berry, executive officer, College of Paramedics, considers the implication this change in legislation has on staff and outlines the new medial malpractice and public liability insurance policy that is to be offered to all full members of the College.
Ambulance Service Institute celebrates excellence at annual awards ceremony
Authors: Quaile Alistair
Published: November 2015

On 25 June at the Cholmondeley Room and Terrace, House of Lords, the Ambulance Service Institute held their annual awards, recognising those in the pre-hospital sector who have performed above and beyond the call of duty.
Protecting ambulance staff against violence and aggression in the workplace
Authors: Mendes Aysha
Published: November 2015

Due to the nature of ambulance work, staff are particularly vulnerable to violence and aggression from both patients and onlookers. Aysha Mendes considers factors affecting this vulnerability, the impact it has on staff, and proposes how the issue may be addressed.
Infections of the heart and how they relate to the ambulance service
Authors: Savage Leon
Published: November 2015

Background:

In the pre-hospital environment, the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is at the forefront of most clinicians’ priorities when symptoms include non-traumatic chest pain. As ACS is a leading cause of preventable deaths, less emphasis is placed on other potentially life-changing conditions that are associated with non-traumatic chest pain.

Objectives:

This article discusses the three main groups of cardiac infections (pericarditis, myocarditis, and endocarditis). It then discusses how they can be identified in the pre-hospital setting and how the ambulance service can contribute to the subsequent diagnosis of patients presenting with these conditions.

Discussion:

Pericarditis is a relatively common cause of non-traumatic chest pain. It has symptoms that can be found in the pre-hospital environment such as specific ECG changes and symptoms that can be identified during an initial consultation. Myocarditis has a low incidence rate as well as a wide variety of symptoms that can be associated with other common ailments. It is a very hard condition to determine in the pre-hospital environment. Endocarditis in the intravenous drug user population is a significant condition and has a high mortality rate.
A pilot study exploring the accuracy of pre-hospital sepsis recognition in the North East Ambulance Service
Authors: McClelland Graham , Jones Jacqui
Published: November 2015

Background:

Over the past decade there has been a focus on improving pre-hospital recognition and treatment of patients with sepsis. This pilot study investigates pre-hospital sepsis recognition, including the use of a Sepsis Screening Tool (SST), treatment and whether timely identification influenced the time to treatment and outcome at the receiving unit.

Methods:

A cross-sectional sample of patients with a documented suspicion of sepsis by North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (NEAS) was combined and cross referenced with patients coded for sepsis at The James Cook University Hospital (JCUH) to generate a sample of sepsis patients seen within January 2014. NEAS sepsis recognition was compared with SST identification by retrospectively examining patients' medical records. Sensitivity and specificity for NEAS diagnosis were calculated by comparing NEAS identification with JCUH diagnosis using the hospital SST.

Results:

The sample included 49 patients from January 2014. NEAS correctly identified 18/42 patients with sepsis (43% sensitivity, 14% specificity). NEAS correctly identified 8/27 patients with severe sepsis (30% sensitivity, 77% specificity).

Conclusions:

It is evident that NEAS clinicians diagnose sepsis without consistently using the SST. Use of the SST would improve the ability of NEAS clinicians to identify patients with sepsis.
Effect of the Particle Size of Red-fleshed Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) on the Physical Properties of Dough and Noodle
Authors: Jung Hwabin , Pan Cheol Ho , Yoon Won Byong
Published: November 2015

The physical properties of raw and cooked dough for noodle with different sizes of red fleshed potato flour (RFPF) prepared by ball-milling and grinding were investigated. Microstructure images were taken to examine the structure of wheat flour (W) and RFPFs in dough. Thermal and texture properties were measured to investigate the effect of particle size on the physical properties of dough. Thermal properties of flours demonstrated that the highest degree of the damage in starch structure was found in ball-milled (BM) flour. Viscoelastic properties were evaluated using stress relaxation test. The addition of RFPF in dough showed a higher value of elastic components and shorter relaxation time. The increment of the lone spring modulus (Ee) for BM dough was 1346.66% whereas for the largest size of RFPF, the dough was 2543.75%. That different degree in the increment of viscoelastic properties indicates that highly damaged starch in BM showed less gelatinization compared to other RFPFs. The addition of RFPF increased the color parameter a (red-green) of dough and noodle from -3.46±0.17 to 6.08±0.13, respectively. This study suggested that very fine flour rather negatively affected the dough properties, whereas finding a suitable particle size plays an important role in controlling the quality of both dough and noodle.
Effect of Aralia elata on Apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Ryu Min Ju , Chung Ha Sook
Published: November 2015

The cytotoxic effect and mechanism of Aralia elata were investigated in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. In this study, Aralia elata inhibited significantly the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells, and some typical apoptotic characteristics, such as nuclear fragmentation and chromatin condensation, were observed. In addition, flow cytometry analysis showed that Aralia elata increased the sub-G1 (apoptosis) population and apoptosis further confirmed by Annexin V-FITC and PI double staining. With respect to the mechanism underlying the induction of apoptosis, apoptosis-related mRNA and proteins were measured using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Aralia elata reduced anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels, but pro-apoptotic Bax mRNA and protein expression were increased compared with the controls. Aralia elata also induced the cleavage of caspase-9 followed by the activation of caspase-3, resulting in the activation of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase. These results suggest that apoptotic activity of Aralia elata is probably modulated by a caspase-dependent cascade via the activation of intrinsic pathway. This is the first report to demonstrate the cytotoxic effect of Aralia elata on human breast cancer cells and to provide a possible mechanism for this activity.
BROMÉLIA FILMINHOS E AS AVENTURAS INTERNACIONAIS DA GALINHA PINTADINHA
Authors: Pinho Maria Luiza Carvalho de Aguillar , Rocha Ângela da
Published: November 2015

Este caso de ensino analisa a trajetória de uma empresa do ramo de audiovisual, fundada em 2006, proprietária da primeira série de animação de concepção artístico-autoral brasileira produzida inteiramente no Brasil, a atingir a marca de um bilhão de visualizações no YouTube. Criada em 2007, a série se transformou em fenômeno de sucesso junto ao público infantil, ao utilizar a internet como plataforma de lançamento, quebrando o paradigma tradicional de construção de personagem de animação apenas por meio de cinema e televisão. Em 18 meses a empresa dispunha de mais de 600 produtos licenciados com a marca, representando aproximadamente 50% do seu faturamento no Brasil. Em 2012, a Bromélia Filminhos iniciou o processo de internacionalização. Os sócios esperavam que as receitas internacionais em breve respondessem por 10% do faturamento da empresa. O caso se propõe a discutir a internacionalização de um pequeno estúdio de animação e o potencial de negócios de licenciamento de personagens e marcas brasileiras no plano nacional e internacional.
Sudden Cardiac Death Associated with Anomalous Origin of the Left Main Coronary Artery from the Right Sinus, with an Intramural Course
Authors: Chang Huai-Ren , Hsieh Jen-Che , Chao Shen-Feng , Wang Ji-Hung , Stephen Huang Shoei K.
Published: November 2015

Anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva is extremely rare and can lead to sudden cardiac death. We report a case in which an 18-year-old college student collapsed immediately after a long-distance run of 10 km. After cardiopulmonary resuscitation and electrical shock for ventricular fibrillation, she experienced a return of spontaneous circulation. Cardiac catheterization and cardiac computed tomographic angiography revealed an unusually long intramural course of the left main coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva. The young woman underwent a successful unroofing operation for coronary artery correction. She remained asymptomatic upon exercise during 2.5 years of follow-up.
Aortic Hemiarch Replacement through a J-Shaped Lower Partial Sternotomy
Authors: Waterford Stephen D. , Rastegar Michelle , Juan Viviana , Khoynezhad Ali
Published: November 2015

Minimally invasive cardiac surgical techniques include the use of partial sternotomy for aortic valve and mitral valve replacement. Partial sternotomy is associated with less pain, better chest and upper-sternal stability, shorter hospital stays, and faster recoveries. However, aortic arch operations are still typically performed through median sternotomies.

We describe the case of a 77-year-old woman who underwent elective hemiarch replacement because of an asymptomatic ascending aortic aneurysm. She requested a minimal incision. Our J-shaped partial lower sternotomy adequately exposed the proximal aorta and enabled all cannulations to be performed through the sternotomy. The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative course. We think that a partial sternotomy for ascending aortic and hemiarch replacement can be considered in selected patients for whom the procedure's benefits are important.
Successful Use of Surgically Placed Impella 5.0 and Central Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Circuit in a Patient with Postcardiotomy Shock
Authors: Abu Saleh Walid K. , Mason Phillip , Jabbari Odeaa Al , Samir Hany , Bruckner Brian A.
Published: November 2015

The Impella 5.0, a percutaneously inserted left ventricular assist device, has been used to support patients who have severe heart failure or who are undergoing high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention. We report our surgical placement of the Impella 5.0, through a graft sewn to the aorta, to unload the left ventricle of a 59-year-old man who was undergoing venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postcardiotomy shock. The patient underwent successful placement of a long-term left ventricular assist device before his discharge from the hospital. The versatility of the Impella 5.0 is exemplified in this patient who was successfully bridged to long-term support.
The Mesozoic megafossil genus Linguifolium Arber 1917
Authors: Pattemore Gary A. , Rigby John F. , Playford Geoffrey
Published: November 2015

The plant megafossil genus Linguifolium Arber 1917 is chiefly known from the Middle and Upper Triassic of Gondwana. The range of Linguifolium extended beyond Gondwana by the Late Triassic, persisting there through the earliest Jurassic (Hettangian). The parent plants probably grew in a well-watered, canopied environment.

Diagnoses of the genus and four of its species - Linguifolium tenison-woodsii (Shirley 1898) Retallack 1980, L. waitakiense Bell in Bell et al. 1956, L. parvum Holmes & Anderson in Holmes et al. 2010, and L. steinmannii (Solms-Laubach 1899) Arber 1917 - are emended with particular reference to venation and leaf morphology; consequently, the stratigraphic ranges of the species have been more precisely defined.

Coalescent venation has previously been reported in some species of Linguifolium and is identified in new material described herein. Although the vast majority of specimens assigned to the genus are from the Upper Triassic, none shows coalescent venation. This character is entirely restricted to the Middle Triassic, in particular to two species: L. waitakiense and L. parvum.

Linguifolium tenison-woodsii is restricted to the Carnian-lowermost Norian of Australia and South Africa and is recorded here for the first time from the Tarong Basin (upper Carnian), Queensland. Confusion regarding assignment of specimens to this species from the Middle Jurassic of Queensland is resolved.
Effectiveness of Gaalas Phototherapy According to Diagnostic Criteria for Tемрoromandibular Disorders
Authors: Nencheva-Sveshtarova Savina , Sveshtarov V. , Uzunov Ts. , Prodanova K.
Published: November 2015

The objective of this study was to test the clinical effectiveness of the combined gallium-aluminum-arsenide laser (GaAlAs; 785 nm) and superluminiscent diods (SLD; 633 nm) phototherapy (MedX 1100 device) for the treatment of 62 patients with 7 of the most common pain-related temporomandibular disorders with highest sensitivity and specificity according to diagnostic criteria DC/TMD. Using paired samples t-test a positive effect in the pain relief for all tested conditions was demonstrated. The most manifested and statistically significant reduction of pain was found in arthralgia attributed to osteoarthritis and systemic (rheumatoid) arthritis (p = 0.0000001), and disc displacement without reduction with limited opening (p = 0.0000002). Similar levels of pain reduction were found in arthralgia attributed to subluxation, myofascial pain with referral, local myalgia (p values vary between 0.000001 and 0.000284); the lowest values were recorded for myofascial pain (p = 0.001789) and hypermobility-related myalgia (p = 0.018443). The combined laser and SLD phototherapy can be defined as very effective treatment option particularly in pain reduction of internal derangement disorders as well as in some myogenic-related pain conditions affected by TMJ dysfunction.
Layered polymer GRIN lenses and their benefits to optical designs
Authors: Boyd Andrew , Ponting Michael , Fein Howard
Published: November 2015

We discuss the findings of a recent optical design study into layered polymeric gradient index lenses (known as L-GRIN). A range of GRIN singlet lenses were designed for various aperture and field-of-view configurations. Their optical performance was compared to polymer diffractive lenses and glass-cemented doublets (both spherical and aspheric) designed to the same specification. We find that diamond-turned polymer GRIN lenses offer comparable performance to achromatic doublets and polymer diffractive hybrid elements over a significant aperture and field-of-view range. We also find that the correction potential of GRIN solutions is substantially increased when the bulk GRIN Abbé value (V
10) is negative, the GRIN distribution is radial, or the index range (ΔN) of the GRIN is increased significantly.
A Generalized Multi Criteria Decision Making Method Based on Extension of ANP by Enhancing PAIR WISE Comparison Techniques
Authors: Barve Arpita , Deepa N. , Ravi Chandrasekar
Published: November 2015

A model of multi criteria decision making based on extended ANP has been provided and the existing AHP scale method is replaced by another method, in which the user has to provide fewer inputs. To check the validity of the proposed method, a sample data has been taken and an enhanced method is applied on it.
Improved Cross Entropy Measures of Single Valued Neutrosophic Sets and Interval Neutrosophic Sets and Their Multicriteria Decision Making Methods
Authors: Ye Jun
Published: November 2015

Due to some drawbacks of the cross entropy between Single Valued Neutrosophic Sets (SVNSs) in dealing with decision-making problems, the existing single valued neutrosophic cross entropy indicates an asymmetrical phenomenon or may produce an undefined (unmeaningful) phenomenon in some situations. In order to overcome these disadvantages, this paper proposes an improved cross entropy measure of SVNSs and investigates its properties, and then extends it to a cross entropy measure between interval neutrosophic sets (INSs). Furthermore, the cross entropy measures are applied to multicriteria decision making problems with single valued neutrosophic information and interval neutrosophic information. In decision making methods, through the weighted cross entropy measure between each alternative and the the ideal alternative, one can obtain the ranking order of all alternatives and the best one. The decision-making methods using the proposed cross entropy measures can efficiently deal with decision making problems with incomplete, indeterminate and inconsistent information which exist usually in real situations. Finally, two illustrative examples are provided to demonstrate the application and efficiency of the developed decision making approaches under single valued neutrosophic and interval neutrosophic environments.
Robust Stability Analysis for a Perturbed Single-Area Power System Model
Authors: Savov Svetoslav , Popchev Ivan
Published: November 2015

This research work investigates the derivation of a fixed upper matrix bound for the solution of one class of parameter-dependent Continuous Algebraic Lyapunov Equations (CALE). It is supposed that the nominal coefficient matrix is subjected to real structured parametric uncertainty belonging to a convex set. The bound is used to analyze the robust stability and the performance behavior of a load-frequency control system for a single area power system model. By means of the bound one can easily estimate the distance from instability of the uncertain system and the linear quadratic performance index associated with it. The applicability of the obtained results is illustrated by an example.
BRLO-Tree: A Data Structure Used for 3D GIS Dynamic Scene Rendering
Authors: Wang Wenju , Xuan Zhang , Sun Liujie , Jiang Zhongmin , Shang Jingjing
Published: November 2015

BRLO-Tree (Block-R-Tree-Loose-Octree) is presented in this paper based on the R-Tree and Loose-Octree. The aim of the structure is to visualize the large scale and complex dynamic scenes in a 3D (three-dimensional) GIS (Geographic Information System). A new method of clustering rectangles to construct R-tree based on an improved K-means algorithm is put forward. Landform in 3D GIS is organized by R-Tree. The block is used as the basic rendering unit. The 3D objects of each block are respectively organized by a Loose-Octree. A series of techniques, based on this data structure, such as LOD (Level of Detail), relief impostors are integrated. The results of the tests show that BRLO-Tree cannot only support the large scale 3D GIS scene exhibition with wandering and fighting, but it can also efficiently manage the models in a dynamic scene. At the same time, a set of integrated techniques based on BRLO-Tree can make the rendering pictures more fluence and the rendering time vastly improved.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis
of polyphenolic compounds in Ilex Sp.
Authors: Zwyrzykowska Anna , Kupczyński Robert , Jarosz Bogdan , Szumny Antoni , Kucharska Alicja Z.
Published: November 2015

Natural compounds are an important source of desired biological activity which help to improve nutritional status, enhance productivity and bring many health benefits. The leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis (Aquifoliaceae) are used for preparing a beverage known as yerba mate and represent a proven source of natural polyphenols which are known to foster biological activity with the emphasis on antioxidant properties. In present work we focused on the polyphenolic content of air-dried leaves of Ilex aquifolium L., Ilex aquifolium ‘Argentea Mariginata’, Ilex meserveae ‘Blue Angel’, and a commercially available mate as the reference product. Liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (HPLC and LC-MS) and thin layer chromatography (TLC), were used to establish polyphenolic substances content in aqueous methanolic extracts obtained from the biological matter. Up to 20 polyphenolic compounds were identified in the extracts, including rutin, quinic acid and its caffeoyl esters, i.e. chlorogenic acid and its isomers as well as dicaffeoyl derivatives. We took chlorogenic acid and rutin as reference compounds to quantify their levels in the extracts. It was determined that in all tested plants, high levels of these antioxidants were present. This led us to the conclusion that their leaves might serve as valuable food additives.
Treatment of wastewater from production
of meat-bone meal
Authors: Makara Agnieszka , Kowalski Zygmunt , Saeid Agnieszka
Published: November 2015

The paper presents the results of the selection of the flocculent and coagulant types as well as the evaluation of the best parameters of treatment of wastewater deriving from meat-bone meal (MBM) production. The efficiency of purification depends on the composition of the coagulant and flocculent as well as the magnitude of the applied dose. The use of ferrous sulfate PIX 113 coagulant assured the highest reduction of the contamination content in filtrate, resulting in the reduction of color of wastewater by 96.8%, turbidity by 99.2%, and the phosphorus content by 99.9% and nitrogen by 92.4%, with the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) being reduced by 62.8%. The X-ray method proved the significant presence of phosphorus salts in the content of sediment. The moisture content in the sediment varied from 45 to 78.5%. The elaborated method of pretreatment of wastewater from meat-bone meal unit was verified on an industrial scale. A very high reduction of the phosphorus content in filtrate (> 99.9%), and a significant reduction of COD as well as nitrogen and suspended solid contents (90−95%) were presented. A high reduction of contamination in filtrate increases the production capacity of the existing biological treatment plant, in the next step of treatment of filtrate in the biological treatment unit.
Carbonyl and sulfhydryl groups of chicken meat proteins after dietary modulation with selenium
Authors: Korzeniowska Małgorzata , Króliczewska Bożena , Kopeć Wiesław
Published: November 2015

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of selenium modulation on the alteration of carbonyl and sulfhydryl groups in proteins in chicken breast and leg meat. Selenium, in the form of sodium selenite and selenized yeast, was applied to broiler chicken at 0.26, 0.38 and 0.50 mg Se kg-1. The alteration of protein carbonyl and sulfhydryl groups, as well as total antioxidative potential of breast and leg meat were analyzed in fresh, chilled and frozen material. Protein reactive groups were effectively protected against oxidatively induced changes (carbonyl groups formation) by dietary selenium supplementation, during frozen storage of both types of chicken muscles, either with white fibre domination (breast) or with red fibre domination (leg). The inorganic form of selenium was effective in decreasing the loss of protein sulfhydryl groups in muscles with red fibre domination during frozen storage. In conclusion, selenium compounds can be used in broiler nutrition as a protein antioxidizing agent, especially in perspective of the long storage of meat under freezing conditions.
Differentiation of black, green, herbal and fruit bagged teas based on multi-element analysis using inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry
Authors: Veljković Jovana N. , Pavlović Aleksandra N. , Brcanović Jelena M. , Mitić Snežana S. , Tošić Snežana B. , Pecev-Marinković Emilija T. , Mitić Milan N.
Published: November 2015

In the present paper, multi-element characterisation of 26 bagged teas was carried out using inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Na, K, Ca and Mg were the metals with major contents. Among the essential elements, Fe and Zn were the most abundant, followed by Se, Cu, Mo and Cr. The tea bag samples also contained significant contents of Mn and Al. The chemometric techniques of linear correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) were used for differentiation of the tea bag samples according to their metal content. The samples analysed were classified into four groups by PCA and CA. The first group includes hibiscus, nettle, mint, rtanj tea, thyme, bearberry and sage. Green and black teas are in the second group. The third group contains strawberry, lime, pineapple, pomegranate, elder, blueberry, milfoil, apricot and chamomile. Exotic fruits, sweet cherry, forest fruits, apple, St John’s wort, rose hips, cherry and raspberry are in the fourth group.
Power consumption and gas–liquid dispersion in turbulently agitated vessels with vertical dual-array tubular coil baffles
Authors: Wan Xun , Takahata Yasuyuki , Takahashi Koji
Published: November 2015

In this work vertical dual-array tubular coil baffles arranged in groups of four, six or eight were investigated and the results compared with those from four planar baffles. The baffle coefficients for a single phase, along with the power consumption and gas hold-up in the gas–liquid phase of a system with the various baffle configurations for single and triple Rushton turbines are presented. Measurements were carried out using a dish-bottom vessel with an inner diameter of 0.29 m. Two ambient-temperature media were used as the liquid phase, namely, tap water and a 0.5 M Na
Trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium bromide as extractant for Rh(III), Ru(III) and Pt(IV) from chloride solutions‡
Authors: Rzelewska Martyna , Baczyńska Monika , Regel-Rosocka Magdalena , Wiśniewski Maciej
Published: November 2015

Ruthenium, rhodium and platinum are the most expensive of noble metals. As their natural sources are limited, it is important to develop an effective process for recovering Rh, Ru and Pt from waste sources. Their main suppliers are the following industries: chemical (spent catalysts), automotive, jewellery, dental and petrochemical. This paper presents studies on the extraction of Rh(III), Ru(III) and Pt(IV) from model aqueous chloride solutions using trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium bromide (Cyphos IL 102). The effects of different parameters such as the influence of shaking time, HCl and NaCl concentrations in the feed solutions and also Cyphos IL 102 concentration in the organic phase, on the extraction of these metal ions were investigated. Additionally, the effect of the ageing of Rh(III) and Ru(III) chloride solutions on the extraction of these metal ions was studied.
The Rate of Convergence for Linear Shape-Preserving Algorithms
Authors: Boytsov Dmitry , Sidorov Sergei
Published: November 2015

We prove some results which give explicit methods for determining an upper bound for the rate of approximation by means of operators preserving a cone. Thenwe obtain some quantitative results on the rate of convergence for some sequences of linear shape-preserving operators.
The Christian Democratic Youth of Slovakia: Christian Legacy, Post-Socialist Memory and the Present Spirit of Capitalism
Authors: Karásek Matej , Kollárová Ľubica
Published: November 2015

The subject of this case study is the youth political organisation Christian Democratic Youth of Slovakia (KDMS). The first parts of this paper are dedicated to history and the structure of organisation. Latter parts discuss the influence of historical memory on creating the collective discourses of KDMS and its civic engagements, ambitions and activities. The purpose of the paper is also to evaluate the role of religion and secularisation in KDMS agenda and also to discuss the ways how the ´christian heritage´ becames the source for arguments in political debates and opossitely how the christianity could be interpreted in the light of conservative and right oriented socio-economic and political worldview.
Youth Eco Activism in Slovakia: Case of Wolf – Forest Protection Movement
Authors: Hlúšek Radoslav
Published: November 2015

The study deals with the activism of young Slovak people on the field of ecology and conservation of Slovak nature. As an example of this kind of activism Wolf - Forest Protection Movement was selected because it is the most active and most successful environmental organization in Slovakia. The main objective of this case study is to describe and analyse organisational structure and activities of Wolf on the background of wider general and theoretical framework what enables to classify this organisation in wide spectrum of youth activism, especially youth environmental activism in Slovakia. Apart from theoretical approach, organisational structure and broad range of activities of Wolf the study presents also political and civic attitudes of its young members, financing of the organisation and attractiveness of Wolf to young people in Slovakia.
Pedagogical Intervention: The Place and the Influence of Contemporary Animated Movies on Pedagogical Process
Authors: Skawina Ireneusz , Markiewicz Elżbieta , Szczepaniak Sylwia
Published: November 2015

Nowadays, the most expansive factor which determines the various aspects of human life are social communicators. Among them there is a consistent dominance of television for decades. This social mean of messaging, being a common utility good has changed its status, in recent times. It seems that from the electronic device intended for remote receiving the moving images, it became an inalienable part of the family - often its binder. What’s more, a new feature that TV performs, fully enables parents to entrust essential pedagogical - educational process of youngest members of the family. This means, more than once, many hours of child’s mindless contact with animation movies. At that time, uncontrolled by the parents and guardians, contents of animation are received and assimilated by the child (unconditionally-E. M.) influencing the evolution or changes in the personality, attitudes, and behaviors. The phenomena that occur in the sphere of child’s personality under the influence of the assimilation of media content, just encompass the educational scope. This means that childhood is the most important period of human development and an essential part of pedagogical and educational process where our personality and character, our attitudes and behavior and action are shaped. Hence, pedagogical intervention becomes necessary to contemporary content of animation,which is easy to receiveon the one hand promotes hedonistic behaviour patterns and mass culture, on the other “(...) does not provoke to work on yourself, (...), rather adulate the recipient, confirming him to the belief that he/she has the right to do what he/she wants” [Bobrowska 1999, pp. 67-73].
Comparing Selected Levels of Communication Between Fiancée, Fiancé and Spouses
Authors: Lulek Barbara
Published: November 2015

A man, coming to the world in a family community, reaches maturity and in most cases sets a family of his own. Traditional transition from the family of origin to family of procreation combines with engagement followed by marriage as a family subsystem. These periods characterize with high dynamics of changes taking place within the marital subsystem. Bride and groom, and later married couple face the need to discuss family matters, negotiate marital roles, develop compliance and their identity, regulate marriage intimacy, solve conflicts, as well as, run their household. Undoubtedly, planning and organizing life requires developed communication skills. The author, guided by these premises, has sought to present some aspects of communication for engaged couples and spouses with many years of experience. Isolated groups were not accidental. Main reason was the ability to analyze the results in terms of convergence and divergence of views and assessments shown by brides and married couples at different stages of marriage - family life. Therefore, structure of this text was built by the following variables’ categories: frequency of conversations in the family and their themes, communication barriers between spouses and fiancés, ways of improving the flow of information between partners.
The Large Family in Contemporary Conditions
Authors: Wawro Franciszka Wanda
Published: November 2015

In the Polish cultural ethos, the family as a value seems to have an established high position. It is also confirmed by current numerous studies focused mainly on the young generation, which show that for young people the family constitutes a value of the highest priority. It could be presumed, therefore, that the present socio-cultural climate is favourable for the family and enables it to perform its various functions, including the care and cultural function. It also concerns the large family, which in the Polish tradition used to be considered as a beneficial educational environment, or even a kind of a social force. However, in the modern society, which in its definition seems to be a declaration of high quality standards, mainly in terms of developmental chances of all its subjects, the large family has found itself in a specifically difficult situation. The reason behind it is, above all, the fact that having a large number of children is socially ostracized in various ways. If the value of the large family is not only not appreciated socially, but even discredited, then the consequences of such a state of affairs will become apparent in numerous spheres of social life. Most often, it is reflected in the basic decisions in the area of social policy, unfavourable towards large families. For such families it might imply the necessity of engaging in even an extreme struggle for survival in the sphere of everyday existence; even more so when it comes to decent conditions of performing its tasks and its socio-cultural role. Therefore, it is essential to define and refer to the arguments coding in the social consciousness the fact that the large family in the Polish cultural ethos occupied a high position not only in the past, but it still constitutes a significant value which deserves recognition and support.
Distance Education in Poland, the Integrity of a student, the Pupil and Material Situation at Schools
Authors: Frankiewicz Ewa , Kucha Ryszard
Published: November 2015

The text is raising the question of teaching by Internet, which reached peculiar scale in Poland, without any deeply reflexion about positive and negative effects of its using. In the article authors emphasize difficulties connected with using remote control - education, beginning from through lack of competences of average teacher in the scope of preparing e - learning materials, through dishonesty and impunity of students/pupils, closing on the difficulties connected with financial base (rather lack financial base) in the most educational institutions.
Negative Aspects of Nonrealization of Motherhood – Opinions and Sentiments of Childless Women
Authors: Ruszkiewicz Dorota
Published: November 2015

The issues presented in this publication are situated within the framework of qualitative research. The research concerns negative aspects stemming from not experiencing motherhood present in the narrative of women aged 35-42 years old. The aim of the research is identifying the disadvantages of childlessness as perceived by mature women. The research was performed on 38 women. The criterion of the research sample selection, apart from age, was being unmarried (a woman’s marital status was “unmarried”, “divorced” or “widow”; women in cohabitational relationships were not excluded) and childless.

The surveyed women were therefore asked the question: Do you notice some losses resulting from not functioning in the role of a mother? On the basis of central topics, i.e. topics that prevailed in the interviews, 5 response categories were determined: discrimination in the workplace, social stigma, discrimination in public space, not following the road leading to happiness and fulfilment, and loneliness in old age.
The contemporary Education to the Old Age in the Context of Relations with Environment, Family and Society
Authors: Markiewicz Elżbieta , Skawina Ireneusz , Błaszczyk Jan
Published: November 2015

The contemporary education to the old age in the context of relations with the environment, the family and society constitutes the need, due to fully relevant conditions of the changing nature of reality, to open up to the problems connected with old age - their implied connotations and social consequences. That is, on one side, an attempt to more precisely define the functioning of the system of the elderly in the family and an indication of the role of the contemporary system of family and social support in relation to the living conditions and opportunities for seniors. On the other, it is an effort to underline the subject of organizing leisure activities for older people and highlighting the role of various institutions, organizations and Universities of the Third Age in the lives of these people. This bipolarity in an compact attempt to present the subject seems, in the opinion of its author, to be consistent with a contained reflection on the quality of life for seniors. Therefore, the importance of belonging to a group has been emphasized, the need for self-development and the objectives which the elder individual set itself. As a consequence of the problematic subject consistency, the effort was undertaken to present the psychological aspect of the relations with the environment and its impact on the life satisfaction of older people.