bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fundamental Aspects for E-Government
Authors: Burkhardt Dirk , Nazemi Kawa , Zilke Jan Ruben , Kohlhammer Jörn , Kuijper Arjan
Published: June 2015

The upcoming initiatives using ICT in the government process should strengthen the benefit of e-government in most countries. Since e-government among other e-related terms is a widely (interpreted) term, it is sometimes challenging to understand the objective and goals of an initiative. Therefore, in this chapter, the authors introduce and explain most e-government related terms. Even more, they outline some interesting initiatives and implementations to explain the benefits of using ICT in the government domain. Concrete activities are aligned to the terms to explain their practical use in a better way. The authors conclude with several challenges that arise when thinking of the implementation of e-government services. Overall, this chapter should give a good overall view of e-government and the related issues.
Policy Modeling Methodologies
Authors: Burkhardt Dirk , Nazemi Kawa , Kohlhammer Jörn
Published: June 2015

The process to develop sustainable public policies is done by public authorities ensuring the involvement of all stakeholders. ICT is rarely included in most of the today's applied policymaking processes. Other process definitions with a focus on ICT inclusion in policy modeling still exist, but they are not well defined. This chapter gives an overview of the existing policy modeling process types and explains their major foci and how they consider ICT and the practical process in public authorities. Afterwards, based on these descriptions, the general requirements on a new ICT-oriented policy modeling process that allows the inclusion of ICT into a valid and useful process for public authorities is given.
A Review of the Application of Fuzzy Cognitive Maps in the Policy Decision-Making Life Cycle
Authors: Andreou Andreas S. , Neophytou Haris , Stylianou Constantinos
Published: June 2015

Fuzzy cognitive maps are a qualitative modeling technique that uses expert knowledge to attempt to represent the interactions between problem-specific factors aiming to simulate how these interactions alter the factors and drive the current state of a problem to a different state. Recent years have seen an increase in the number of research attempts that propose the adoption of Fuzzy cognitive maps (FCMs) as a means to forecast the effect of a policy in a number of interesting domains, including land use, urban (re)development, and other social, political, or economic issues or to simulate the current state of affairs to pinpoint possible hotspots for creating a policy. This chapter presents an overview of these research attempts where fuzzy cognitive maps have been employed as a simulation tool in order to support decision makers in their assessment of the impact of policies and help them adopt the most suitable policy to implement.
Visual Process Support to Assist Users in Policy Making
Authors: Burkhardt Dirk , Nazemi Kawa , Kohlhammer Jörn
Published: June 2015

The policy making process requires the involvement of various stakeholders, who bring in very heterogeneous experiences and skills concerning the policymaking domain, as well as experiences of ICT solutions. Current solutions are primarily designed to provide “one-solution-fits-all” answers, which in most cases fail the needs of all stakeholders. In this chapter, the authors introduce a new approach to assist users based on their tasks. Therefore, the system observes the interaction of the user and recognizes the current phase of the policymaking process and the profile of the user to assist him more sufficiently in solving his task. For this purpose, the system automatically enables or disables supporting features such as visualization, tools, and supporting techniques.
A Living Roadmap for Policymaking 2.0
Authors: Mureddu Francesco , Osimo David , Misuraca Gianluca , Onori Riccardo , Armenia Stefano
Published: June 2015

The chapter is based on current research conducted by the authors as part of the “CROSSOVER Project – Bridging Communities for Next Generation Policy Making,” an FP7-funded support action of the European Commission, whose main goal is to reach out to and raise the awareness of users, particularly public government practitioners and policymakers, while developing a research roadmap for establishing the scientific and political basis for long-lasting interest and commitment to next generation policymaking. In particular, the chapter identifies the opportunities and benefits resulting from applications of ICT tools for collaborative governance and policy modeling and provides an outline of what technologies are and will be available to meet the needs of policymakers. The project builds on the CROSSROAD model and roadmap with the aim to reach a stronger focus on policy modeling.
User-Generated-Content
Authors: Martí-Parreño José , Scribner Lisa L. , Ruiz-Mafé Carla
Published: June 2015

User-generated-content, also called user-generated-media, user-created-content, and consumer-generated-content, refers to all types of content, like pictures, videos, or posts, created by consumers and delivered through online platforms like social media. User-generated content is gaining momentum as a marketing communication tool in the form of contests (e.g., create-your-own advertisements, branded storytelling, or branded interactive applications). By allowing consumers to become prosumers and creating or co-creating brand messages, advertisers increase consumers´ exposure to and involvement with brand communications, which results in a greater level of brand engagement. This chapter analyzes the effects of prosumers' actions on marketing communications using the uses and gratifications theory approach. Two main types of advertising content created by prosumers, spontaneous content and marketing-oriented content, are identified. Five marketing communication outcomes of user-generated-content (credibility, message distortion, loss of control on the message valence, involvement with the message, and virality) are also examined. Implications for practitioners are also discussed.
Mathematical Models Used for Hydrological Floodplain Modeling
Authors: Maftei Carmen , Papatheodorou Konstantinos
Published: June 2015

There are several methodological approaches to model floodplains. The selection of the appropriate methodology is a matter of the required results and is very dependent on data availability. In fact, data availability is the crucial parameter especially when working in ungauged basins or ephemeral streams. The goal of this chapter is to evaluate methodologies used to floodplain modeling in small watersheds. An overview of the principal models used in floodplain modeling is presented here in terms of their relative advantages as compared to each other. The chapter provides the results obtained with different models applied to a small watershed situated in the Romania and concludes with a discussion about the various recommendations and solutions on flood modeling methodology.
Management of Drought and Floods in Romania
Authors: Roşu Lucica , Zăgan Remus
Published: June 2015

This chapter presents concepts of drought and flood management, information on the steps taken and on the national policies applied in Romania in this field. The Romanian institutional framework for the management of droughts and floods is detailed, as well as the planning phase, the plans, the strategies and the programs that establish Romania's national priorities on climate change and the management of droughts and floods, in line with the EU directives and international conventions and treaties Romania is part of. Information is also given about preventive, operative measures of intervention and rehabilitation, as part of the operational and emergency situations response management, as well as the guidelines, trends and future actions of prevention and control for this category of disasters in Romania.
Role of Entrepreneurship in Networked Indian Economy
Authors: Baporikar Neeta
Published: June 2015

Historically, all societies may have a constant supply of entrepreneurial activity, but that activity is distributed unevenly. Urban areas are favourable for innovative entrepreneurship, as a result of economies of density and the opportunities created by the city as a nucleus of a broader network. Thus, a modem entrepreneur tends to become increasingly a network operator and manager. The purpose of this chapter is to contribute to our understanding on entrepreneurship in networked economy of India; thereto the literature is summarized from the perspective of geographical seedbed conditions and network constellations. It focuses on the role played by small firms and entrepreneurship. The constraints are identified, and the areas that need action are highlighted. It is also suggested that in the age of liberalization and globalization, any attempt at creation of a competitive environment in the country would need to explicitly note the emerging global production and knowledge networks.
Sustainable Community Enterprises in Thailand
Authors: Sawasduang Prapeeporn
Published: June 2015

In this chapter, a method is described that has been developed working with local village communities in Thailand to create sustainable community enterprises principally based on local knowledge and resources. Characteristics of local communities in Thailand are described, before research methodology and the approach used is discussed. The importance of incorporating local intellectual capital is noted. A community enterprise learning model developed and validated using case study work carried out in the Central Region of Thailand is described. The community learning process has been evaluated and refined. The work may be more generically applicable, and can form the basis for a broader co-operation with similar groups conducting studies in other countries. The success of this work relies on personal contact, however new technologies can be employed to support and upgrade the entire activity.
Effect of Necessary Factors for Deploying E-Business Models on Business Performance and Supply Chain Performance in Auto Industry
Authors: Nikabadi Mohsen Shafiei , Jafarian Ahmad
Published: June 2015

The main goal of this article is to survey effects of necessary factors for deploying e-business models on business performance and supply chain performance in automotive industry. Recognition of different aspects in the field of study is based on confirmatory factor analysis and then type of each determined aspects with business and supply chain performance is surveyed using correlation analysis. Findings of this study shows positive relationship between necessary aspects of implementing e-business on both aspects of operational and general indexes of business performance evaluation. Also, we will study the relation of every identified aspect with the performance of the supply chain in the auto industry. Also, Findings show that the necessary factors for implementing the e-business shall have the highest degree of correlation with the operational aspects of supply chain performance evaluation criteria.
Does Institutional Diversity Affect Firms' Innovative Activities in Asian Economies?
Authors: Tohyama Hironori , Harada Yuji
Published: June 2015

This chapter looks to contribute to the recent literature on institutional comparative analyses of Asian economies; it makes three distinct contributions. First, we investigate the institutional diversity of Asian economies by using multivariate methods, and show five different groups within Asian economies that can be distinguished from advanced economies. Second, based on firm-level data, we determine whether institutional environments have a favorable effect on the innovation activities of firms; concurrently, we discuss whether or not joining a global supply chain induces firms to engage in innovation activities. Our analytical results show that institutional characteristics have a positive effect on firms' decisions to engage in those activities, and that institutional configurations provide the foundation for a global supply chain built in East Asian economies. Third, we emphasize that the current institutional diversity can persist, given the positive interaction between the institutional diversity of Asian economies and the innovation activities of Asian firms.
Technology and Innovation
Authors: Berger Ron
Published: June 2015

This chapter deals with the speed to market as one of the most important competitive advantages in nowadays' markets. Responsiveness requires information sharing among all members across the supply chain and thus how to facilitate channel coordination is a major problem to address. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems have been employed to deal with this issue by re-engineering the supply chain. This Chapter addresses the issue of guanxi creation that is inherently based on an individual's knowledge and social networks to the technological implementation in the Chinese firm. An ERP system, that is based on access to technological networks based on Western business culture leading to potential conflict if implemented without cultural sensitivity as China is based on social business networks. There is a need to balance these two networks if harmony and business success is to be achieved.
The Effects of Organizational Socialization and Leadership Behavior on Burnout
Authors: Gao Jennifer H.
Published: June 2015

The relationship between organizational socialization (Training, Understanding, Coworker Support, and Future Prospects) and leadership behavior (Monitor, Producer, Consideration for Others, and Trust in Others) and burnout (Emotional Exhaustion and Personal Accomplishment) were explored and discussed in this chapter. Data were collected from 341 Chinese manufacturing workers in Southern China. Results revealed that organizational socialization was highly and negatively correlated with Emotional Exhaustion, but highly and positively with Personal Accomplishment. Monitor, Consideration, and Trust were highly and negatively correlated with Emotional Exhaustion, but all the four leadership behaviors were highly and positively correlated with Personal Accomplishment. Regression revealed Training and Monitor to be significant predictors of Emotional Exhaustion, and Understanding, Coworker Support, and Trust explained significant variance of Personal Accomplishment. Management implications are discussed, and future research is indicated.
Business Sustainability from the Perspective and Management of Malaysian Retrenchment Laws
Authors: Muniapan Balakrishnan
Published: June 2015

The chapter is based on the analysis of the relevant statues on retrenchment in Malaysia and criterion based sampling of the Court awards to analyze the cases and to provide recommendations to practitioners. Findings from these cases analyses reveal that many of the retrenchment awards were made against the employers due to the handling of the retrenchment exercise itself which violated the relevant statutes and the established procedures. The author suggests that retrenchment should not be viewed as a reactive but a proactive exercise aligned with the organizational strategic plan. The retrenchment exercise should be seen as a last resort when other measures have been exhausted. The author hopes with many proactive measures, the number of unfair retrenchment claims made to the Industrial Relations Department will be reduced. This will eventually improve or maintain the harmonious employment relations.
Algorithms versus Hive Minds and the Fate of Democracy
Authors: Searle Rick
Published: June 2015

For nearly two decades the Internet has been thought to presage two radically different political destinies. A dystopian outcome where that architecture becomes a sort of global panopticon used to monitor and manipulate its occupants and a utopian one where politics takes on anarchic and democratic which the heightened interconnection of the Internet makes possible. This essay uses these dichotomous possibilities as a way to understand how the Internet has evolved over the past generation, and how this development has been interpreted in the hopes of providing a clarified intellectual framework through which choices regarding its regulation and shaping in the public interest can be made.
Semantic Analysis of Bloggers Experiences as a Knowledge Source of Average Human Morality
Authors: Rzepka Rafal , Araki Kenji
Published: June 2015

This chapter introduces an approach and methods for creating a system that refers to human experiences and thoughts about these experiences in order to ethically evaluate other parties', and in a long run, its own actions. It is shown how applying text mining techniques can enrich machine's knowledge about the real world and how this knowledge could be helpful in the difficult realm of moral relativity. Possibilities of simulating empathy and applying proposed methods to various approaches are introduced together with discussion on the possibility of applying growing knowledge base to artificial agents for particular purposes, from simple housework robots to moral advisors, which could refer to millions of different experiences had by people in various cultures. The experimental results show efficiency improvements when compared to previous research and also discuss the problems with fair evaluation of moral and immoral acts.
Robots in Warfare and the Occultation of the Existential Nature of Violence
Authors: Searle Rick
Published: June 2015

We are at the cusp of a revolution in the development of autonomous weapons, yet current arguments both for and against such weapons are insufficient to the task at hand. In the context of Just war theory, arguments for and against the use of autonomous weapons focus on Jus in bello and in doing so miss addressing the implications of these weapons for the two other aspects of that theory- Jus ad bellum and Jus post bellum. This paper argues that fully autonomous weapons would likely undermine adherence to the Jus ad bellum and Jus post bellum prescriptions of Just war theory, but remote controlled weapons, if designed with ethical concerns in mind, might improve adherence to all of the theory's prescriptions compared to war as currently waged from a distance, as well as help to undo the occlusion of violence which has been a fundamental characteristic of all forms of modern war.
Cutting Edge: Induction of Inflammatory Disease by Adoptive Transfer of an Atypical NK Cell Subset
Authors: Voynova Elisaveta , Qi Chen-Feng , Scott Bethany , Bolland Silvia
Published: June 2015

Several mouse models of systemic lupus erythematosus, including FcγRIIB-KO and TLR7tg mice, develop an expansion of an atypical NK cell subset with functional similarity to cells referred as IFN-producing killer DCs or pre-mature NKs in other systems. In this study, we show that atypical NKs purified from spleens of systemic lupus erythematosus–prone mice, and identified as NK1.1+CD11c+CD122+MHC-II+, induce persistent autoimmune disease in an IFN-I– and CD40L-dependent manner when transferred to wild-type mice. A single transfer of 4 × 106 NK1.1+ cells from TLR7tg into wild-type induces a 2-wk–long wave of inflammatory cytokines in the serum; a sustained increase in T cell activation and follicular helper cells for the following months; and a progressive expansion of dendritic cells, monocytes, and granulocytes. Furthermore, IL-15 deficiency, which impedes development of NK cells, ameliorates the autoimmune pathology of TLR7tg mice. These results suggest that cells of the NK lineage can develop into cytokine-producing/APCs that affect the priming and progression of systemic autoimmune disease.
CD10 Positive Recurrent Undifferentiated Mammary Sarcoma in a Young Female: A Rare Case Report with Brief Review of Literature
Authors: Varma Kachnar , Gupta Pooja , Das Payel , Singh Pallavi , Misra Vatsala
Published: June 2015

Undifferentiated mammary sarcoma is extremely rare and the diagnosis is made only after exclusion of metaplastic carcinomas and malignant phyllodes tumor. Mammary sarcomas mostly display specified entities like liposarcomas or angiosarcomas. A 18-year-old female presented in 2010 with a right breast lump for which lumpectomy was done and on histopathological examination benign phyllodes tumor was diagnosed. In 2011, there was a recurrence at site of excised margin and on fine needle aspiration (FNA) the diagnosis of benign breast disease was made; a small biopsy was received for which diagnosis of myoepithelial lesion was given. Then, the whole mass was excised, but histopathological examination report could not be followed up. In 2013, she again presented with a mass arising from the previously excised margin; on FNA, it was diagnosed as malignant sarcomatous lesion. Microscopy showed spindle shaped cells in diffuse and fascicular pattern with plump ovoid nuclei; coarse chromatin and eosinophilic cytoplasm were seen. Few round to ovoid cells with eccentric nuclei and showing bi- or multi-nucleation were present. Large area of necrosis and hemorrhage was present, too. No breast glands were found. Later on, diagnosis was confirmed on immunohistochemical examination. The case was considered worth due to the young age of the patient and lack of differentiation of the lesion in any specific type of sarcoma and CD10 positivity.
Digital Papillary Adenocarcinoma: Presentation, Natural History and Management
Authors: Carter Kristen , Yao Jie J. , Melton Shelby D. , Lopez Jorge , Huerta Sergio
Published: June 2015

Digital papillary adenocarcinoma (DPA) is a rare malignant tumor of the sweat glands that often presents as a solitary painless mass on the digits of the hands or feet. We present a rare case of DPA on the ankle in a 54 year-old African American man. Although the most common location for digital papillary adenocarcinoma is on the hands and feet, it can present in other locations. Treatment modalities and concerns such as the level of margin resection, degree of negative margins, and the need for a sentinel lymph node biopsy might be different if the tumor is encountered in locations other than the digits. In the following manuscript, we discuss the natural history of this rare tumor including a review of the current literature with emphasis on documented treatment strategies as well as the approach in treating patients with a unique presentation.
Regional characterization of mafic-ultramafic intrusions in the Oxford-Stull and Uchi domains, Superior Province, Ontario
Authors: Sappin A -A , Houlé M G , Lesher C M , Metsaranta R T , McNicoll V J
Published: June 2015

The mafic-dominated Big Mac, Fishtrap Lake, Highbank Lake, and Oxtoby Lake, the ultramafic-dominated Max, and the mafic-ultramafic Wabassi Main intrusions in the Oxford-Stull and Uchi domains of the Superior Province show significant potential for Fe-Ti-V-(P),
Ni-Cu-(PGE), and/or Cr-(PGE) mineralization. The broadly layered Big Mac intrusion appears to have crystallized from an evolved high Fe-Ti basaltic parental magma that was injected from a feeder conduit below the northern part of the intrusion. The Fishtrap Lake and Highbank Lake intrusions
represent parts of a large layered mafic-dominated igneous complex that formed from the injection of several pulses of basaltic magma. The genetically associated Max and Wabassi Main intrusions have crystallized from more primitive, basaltic parental magmas that were injected from a feeder conduit
below the northwestern part of the Wabassi Main layered intrusion. In this magmatic system, the Max intrusion represents a magmatic conduit. The Oxtoby Lake intrusion appears to have crystallized from a differentiated basaltic parental magma and may represent an isolated
intrusion.
Regional characterization of ultramafic to mafic intrusions in the La Grande Rivière and Eastmain domains, Superior Province, Quebec
Authors: Houlé M G , Goutier J , Sappin A -A , McNicoll V J
Published: June 2015

The Eeyou Istchee Baie-James region is dominantly underlain by Archean rocks belonging to the Superior Province, which is mainly composed of juxtaposed sequences of predominantly sedimentary, volcano-plutonic and plutonic rocks. The distribution of mafic to
ultramafic intrusions and ultramafic volcanism reveals a general abundance at the regional scale, with the greatest volume in the La Grande Riviere and Eastmain domains of the La Grande Subprovince in the central-eastern part of the Superior Province flanked by the Opinaca Subprovince to the south,
the Ashuanipi Subprovince to the east, and the Minto Subprovince to the north.
Preliminary geochronological results in the Eeyou Istchee Baie-James region indicate that the ultramafic-mafic magmatism extended over a period of more than 200 Ma, from ca. 2.88 Ga to 2.63 Ga. Various types of ultramafic to mafic magmatism have been documented in the La Grande Riviere and Eastmain
domains and their vicinity: 1) ultramafic lavas and ultramafic intrusions of komatiitic affinity; 2) dominantly ultramafic intrusions; 3) dominantly mafic intrusions; 4) ultramafic to mafic intrusions of alkaline affinity; and 5) lesser volumes of ultramafic lamprophyres. Several of these ultramafic
to mafic intrusion types also contain Cr-(PGE), Ni-Cu-(PGE), and Fe-Ti-(V) mineralization. The most important examples of these types of mineralization include the Menarik Complex (Cr?(PGE)), the Lac des Montagnes intrusions Cr-(PGE),
the Lac Gayot intrusions (Ni-Cu-(PGE)), the Nisk intrusion (Ni-Cu-(PGE)), and the baie Chapus Pyroxenite (Fe-Ti-(V)).
As part of the Targeted Geoscience Initiative Phase 4 (TGI-4), the Geological Survey of Canada and the Ministere de lmp;gt;'Energie et des Ressources naturelles (MERN) have undertaken reconnaissance work to better characterize these types of intrusions in terms of their distribution, geochemical
and mineralogical characteristics, and prospectivity for the above-mentioned mineralization types. Studies are ongoing for intrusions in the Lac Yasinski, Lac Pelletan, Lac Gayot, Lac des Montagnes, and Lac Fed areas, in addition to a more regional study underway in the area south of the La Grande 4
Reservoir (Lac Richardie). New geochronological work is also in progress, which will allow us to better understand the temporal distribution of the ultramafic to mafic magmatism in this portion of the Superior Province. A better understanding
of these ultramafic and mafic intrusions will also reveal whether they demonstrate similar characteristics to ultramafic to mafic intrusions recently discovered in the McFaulds Lake area of Ontario (a.k.a. "Ring of Fire"), which contains major Cr-(PGE) and Ni-Cu-(PGE)
deposits.
Gravity gradiometer data analysis in mineral exploration
Authors: Pilkington M , Keating P
Published: June 2015

Gravity gradiometer surveys are becoming increasingly important in the search for and characterization of mineral deposits. Measurement of the full gravity gradient tensor provides the opportunity for processing and interpretation of single tensor components or
combinations of components. To effectively use these components and combinations thereof, it is necessary to characterize the information content in order to interpret the gradiometer data correctly. We use linear inverse theory to evaluate different components and their combinations and find that
which concatenated components produce the smallest modelling errors. Of the single tensor components, the Tzz component was found to provide the best performance overall. Since airborne gradiometer data are collected in a highly dynamic environment, noise is ever-present and must be compensated for
to produce a clean signal for interpretation. Two approaches were investigated for removing noise: kriging and directional filtering. The kriging and directional filtering results show a similar level of smoothness, the main difference being the increased smoothing along strike of the directionally
filtered data. Since kriging is a data-driven procedure, it provides an objective estimate of the data noise level and degree of smoothness. Based on the kriging results, processing parameters can be chosen to give a similar level of smoothness and noise suppression for directional filtering, that
more effectively delineates geological trends in the data.
‘Cut in two’, Part 2: Reconsidering the redaction of Q 12:42−46
Authors: Howes Llewellyn
Published: June 2015

In his influential 1987 monograph, Kloppenborg identified three layers in the Sayings Gospel Q: the ‘formative stratum’ (or Q¹), the ‘main redaction’ (or Q²), and the ‘final recension’ (or Q³). He ascribed the cluster of sayings in Q 12:39–59 to the main redaction. Within this cluster appears the parable of the loyal and wise slave (Q 12:42–46). In my view, some portions of this parable actually originate with the formative stratum. The aim of the current article is to reconsider the redactional make-up of this parable by appealing to Kloppenborg’s own criteria for distinguishing between Q1 and Q2, including those of ‘characteristic forms’, ‘characteristic motifs’ and ‘implied audience’.
Neurociencias aplicadas al análisis de la percepción: Corazón y emoción ante el Himno de Ecuador
Authors: Rúas-Araujo José , Punin Larrea María Isabel , Gómez Alvarado Héctor Fernando , Cuesta Morales Pedro , Ratté Sylvie
Published: June 2015

El uso de métodos, técnicas y herramientas de las neurociencias se está generalizando durante las últimas décadas y el prefijo “neuro” abarca distintas disciplinas, entre ellas, las ciencias sociales y la comunicación, como consecuencia del entendimiento de que la salud y la medicina son socialmente construidas. Metodología: Este artículo analiza el impacto provocado por la audición de versiones en distintas lenguas del himno oficial de Ecuador, entre un grupo de estudiantes ecuatorianos, a través del registro de las alteraciones físicas (estudio de Variabilidad de la Frecuencia Cardíaca, VFC) y emocionales (programa de reconocimiento facial de emociones) de los participantes. Resultados y conclusiones: El resultado de la VFC de los participantes no resultó estadísticamente significativo y tan solo se observaron diferencias en la percepción por sexo. En el análisis de reconocimiento facial de emociones, los resultados mostraron, mayoritariamente, un patrón secuencial emocional evolutivo de “sorprendido y alegre”, es decir, de complacencia.
Total ankle replacement – surgical treatment and rehabilitation
Authors: Prusinowska Agnieszka , Krogulec Zbigniew , Turski Piotr , Przepiórski Emil , Małdyk Paweł , Księżopolska-Orłowska Krystyna
Published: June 2015

Functions of the ankle joint are closely connected with the gait and ability to maintain an upright position. Degenerative lesions of the joint directly contribute to postural disorders and greatly restrict propulsion of the foot, thus leading to abnormal gait.

Development of total ankle replacement is connected with the use of the method as an efficient treatment of joint injuries and continuation of achievements in hip and knee surgery. The total ankle replacement technique was introduced as an alternative to arthrodesis, i.e. surgical fixation, which made it possible to preserve joint mobility and to improve gait. Total ankle replacement is indicated in post-traumatic degenerative joint disease and joint destruction secondary to rheumatoid arthritis.

In this paper, total ankle replacement and various types of currently used endoprostheses are discussed. The authors also describe principles of early postoperative rehabilitation as well as rehabilitation in the outpatient setting.
Post-Lyme disease syndrome
Authors: Ścieszka Joanna , Dąbek Józefa , Cieślik Paweł
Published: June 2015

About 10% of patients with Lyme disease continue to experience musculoskeletal pain and cognitive dysfunction after recommended antibiotic treatment. This condition is called post-Lyme disease syndrome (PLDS) or post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. These two terms are used interchangeably. The pathogenesis of PLDS has been controversial. The hypothesis that patients with PLDS may harbor hidden reservoirs of Borrelia burgdorferi after their initial antibiotic treatment is difficult to accept. The prospective, double-blind studies contradict this point of view. Also, recently published research applying xenodiagnosis to PLDS supports the opinion that PLDS most likely has an autoimmune background. Lengthy courses of antibiotics are not justified in patients with PLDS because of the lack of benefit, and they are fraught with hazards. Most patients with PLDS recover from persistent symptoms with time. However, it can take months before they feel completely well.
Heart failure with complete recovery in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Lampropoulos Konstantinos , Kotsas Dimitrios , Iliopoulos Themistoklis
Published: June 2015

We report the case of a 43-year-old female patient who was admitted to the Cardiology Department from the Rheumatology Clinic where she was being treated for multi-organ serositis, fatigue and mild dyspnoea on exertion. The patient had a known medical history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Following extensive evaluation with blood tests for immunological and viral culprits, cardiac ultrasound, chest and abdominal computed tomography (CT) and heart magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the diagnosis of effusive constrictive pericarditis secondary to her SLE was made. Treatment with β-blockers, diuretics and corticosteroids was given with excellent results, and one year post discharge the patient remains asymptomatic. Systemic lupus erythematosus patients often manifest cardiac complications such as pericarditis. The practising physician should always bear in mind this possibility when treating such patients.
Incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in patients with reactive arthritis
Authors: Ostaszewska-Puchalska Iwona , Zdrodowska-Stefanow Bożena , Kuryliszyn-Moskal Anna , Bułhak-Kozioł Violetta , Sokołowska Marianna
Published: June 2015

Objectives:  The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis in patients with reactive arthritis (ReA) within the area of the Podlaskie province (north eastern Poland).

Material and methods:  The study concerned 323 patients including 132 women and 191 men diagnosed with ReA. The material for C. trachomatis was collected from the urethra in men and the cervical canal in women. Also, every patient was tested for the presence of anti-C. trachomatis IgG class antibodies, while 121 individuals were additionally tested for IgA class antibodies. In the direct studies, the direct immunofluorescence (DIF) method or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used. The immunoenzymatic method was used to detect anti-C. trachomatis antibodies. The control group in the case of direct studies comprised 125 individuals, while in the case of serology research it included 127 (IgG) and 109 (IgA) persons.

Results: Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the urethral and cervical smears was found in 42 patients (13.0%) including 20 women (15.2%) and 22 men (11.5%). In the control group chlamydia was detected in 3 patients (2.4%) including 4% of women and 2% of men. IgA class antibodies were present in 10/121 (8.3%) patients, similarly in women and in men (8.2% and 8.3% respectively). In the control group the specific IgA class antibodies were found in 3/85 patients (3.5%). Anti-C. trachomatis IgG antibodies were found in 70/323 patients (21.7%), similarly in men and women.

Conclusions:

1. Chlamydia trachomatis is a common bacterial factor observed in the genitourinary system of patients with ReA. The outcomes of studies within the Podlaskie province indicate less frequent presence of chlamydial infection compared with Dolnośląskie province.

2. No correlations between detecting the presence of C. trachomatis in the urogenital tract and the presence of specific antibodies in the serum of ReA patients were observed.

3. Concurrent direct studies of the urogenital tract and a serological blood test increase the chance of detecting C. trachomatis infection.
Changes in the morbidity and costs of systemic lupus erythematosus in Poland in the years 2008–2012
Authors: Śliwczyński Andrzej , Brzozowska Melania , Iltchev Petre , Czeleko Tomasz , Teter Zbigniew , Tłustochowicz Witold , Marczak Michał , Tłustochowicz Małgorzata
Published: June 2015

Objectives: The goal of the article is to present the changes in morbidity and costs of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Poland in the 2008–2012 period, depending on the province of residence of the patients based on data reported to the public payer – the National Health Fund.

Material and methods: Based on the ICD-10 code and the patient’s personal identity number, the number of patients and medical costs (cost of hospitalization, pharmaceutical, medical procedures, dialysis and specialist consultations) were calculated by province (voivodeship) and urban or rural residence.

Results: Annually on average in the assessed period in Poland approximately 20 000 patients were diagnosed with SLE. The studied group was dominated by women (they were 5.2 times more numerous). The morbidity rate was 52.183 patients per 100 thousand inhabitants. Most patients were in the age range of 48–56 years. Average annual expenses for this group of patients over the examined period were USD 16,327 million. Two times more was expended on patients inhabiting cities, approximately 4 times more on women. Calculated per patient, the average cost of therapy was USD 810.63.

Conclusions: The population of SLE patients in Poland is highly stable. The results of analysis indicate 1.64 times more frequent occurrence in urban areas, which may be connected with availability of doctors. The SLE treatment costs in Poland are much lower than in other countries, which is related mainly to the fact that therapy with biological drugs is not financed.
U1-RNP and TLR receptors in the pathogenesis of mixed connective tissue disease. Part I. The U1-RNP complex and its biological significance in the pathogenesis of mixed connective tissue disease
Authors: Paradowska-Gorycka Agnieszka
Published: June 2015

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rare autoimmune syndrome, signified by complex interactions between disease-related phenomena, including inflammation, proliferative vascular arteriopathy, thrombotic events and humoral autoimmune processes. It is still controversial whether MCTD is a distinct clinical entity among systemic connective tissue diseases, although several authors consider that it is distinct and underline characteristic, distinct clinical, serological and immunogenetic features. The putative target of autoimmunity in MCTD is U1-RNP, which is a complex of U1-RNA and small nuclear RNP. Both the U1-RNA component and the specific proteins, particularly U1-70K, engage immune cells and their receptors in a complex network of interactions that ultimately lead to autoimmunity, inflammation, and tissue injury. U1-RNA is capable of inducing manifestations consistent with TLR activation. Stimulation of innate immunity by native RNA molecules with a double-stranded secondary structure may help explain the high prevalence of autoimmunity to RNA binding proteins.
Nonlinear response of modelled stratospheric ozone to changes in greenhouse gases and ozone depleting substances in the recent past
Authors: Meul S. , Oberländer-Hayn S. , Abalichin J. , Langematz U.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. In the recent past, the evolution of stratospheric ozone (O3) was affected by both increasing ozone depleting substances (ODSs) and greenhouse gases (GHGs). The impact of the single forcings on O3 is well known. Interactions between the simultaneously increased GHG and ODS concentrations, however, can occur and lead to nonlinear O3 changes. In this study, we investigate if nonlinear processes have affected O3 changes between 1960 and 2000. This is done with an idealised set of time slice simulations with the chemistry-climate model EMAC. Due to nonlinearity the past ozone loss is diminished throughout the stratosphere, with a maximum reduction of 1.2 % at 3 hPa. The total ozone column loss between 1960 and 2000 that is mainly attributed to the ODS increase is mitigated in the extra-polar regions by up to 1.1 % due to nonlinear processes. A separation of the O3 changes into the contribution from chemistry and transport shows that nonlinear interactions occur in both. In the upper stratosphere a reduced efficiency of the ClOx-catalysed O3 loss chiefly causes the nonlinear O3 increase. An enhanced formation of halogen reservoir species through the reaction with methane (CH4) reduces the abundance of halogen radicals significantly. The temperature-induced deceleration of the O3 loss reaction rate in the Chapman cycle is reduced, which leads to a nonlinear O3 decrease and counteracts the increase due to ClOx. Nonlinear effects on the NOx abundance cause hemispheric asymmetric nonlinear changes of the O3 loss. Nonlinear changes in O3 transport occur in particular in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) during the months September to November. Here, the residual circulation is weakened in the lower stratosphere, which goes along with a reduced O3 transport from the tropics to high latitudes. Thus, O3 decreases in the SH polar region but increases in the SH midlatitudes. The existence of nonlinearities implies that future ozone change due to ODS decline slightly depends on the prevailing GHG concentrations. Therefore the future ozone evolution will not simply be a reversal of the past.
Correction of water vapor absorption for aerosol remote sensing with ceilometers
Authors: Wiegner M. , Gasteiger J.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. In recent years attention was increasingly paid to backscatter profiles of ceilometers as a new source of aerosol information. Several case studies have shown that – although originally intended for cloud detection only – ceilometers can provide the planetary boundary layer height and even quantitative information such as the aerosol backscatter coefficient βp, provided that the signals have been calibrated. It is expected that the retrieval of aerosol parameters will become widespread as the number of ceilometers is steadily increasing, and continuous and unattended operation is provided. In this context however one should be aware of the fact that the majority of ceilometers emit wavelengths that are influenced by atmospheric water vapor. As a consequence, profiles of aerosol parameters can only be retrieved if water vapor absorption is taken into account. In this paper we describe the influence of water vapor absorption on ceilometer signals at wavelengths in the range around λ = 910 nm. Spectrally high resolved absorption coefficients are calculated from HITRAN on the basis of realistic emission spectra of ceilometers. These results are used as reference to develop a methodology ("WAPL") for routine and near real time corrections of the water vapor influence. Comparison of WAPL with the reference demonstrates its very high accuracy. Extensive studies with simulations based on measurements reveal that the error when water vapor absorption is ignored in the βp retrieval can be in the order of 20 % for mid-latitudes and more than 50 % for the tropics. It is concluded that the emission spectrum of the laser source should be provided by the manufacturer to increase the accuracy of WAPL, and that 910 nm is better suited than 905 nm. With WAPL systematic errors can be avoided, that would exceed the inherent random errors of the Klett solutions by far.
Impacts of AMSU-A/MHS and IASI data assimilation on temperature and humidity forecasts with GSI/WRF over the Western United States
Authors: Bao Y. , Xu J. , Powell Jr. A. M. , Shao M.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Using NOAA's Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI) data assimilation system and NCAR's Advanced Research WRF (ARW-WRF) regional model, six experiments are designed by (1) control experiment (CTRL) and five data assimilation (DA) experiments with different data sets including (2) conventional data only (CON), (3) microwave data (AMSU-A + MHS) only (MW), (4) infrared data (IASI) only (IR), (5) combination of microwave and infrared data (MWIR), (6) combination of conventional, microwave and infrared observation data (ALL). One month experiments in July 2012 and impacts of the DA on temperature and moisture forecasts at the surface and four vertical layers, which over the western United States have been investigated. The four layers include lower troposphere (LT) from 800 to 1000 hPa}, middle troposphere (MT) from 400 to 800 hPa, upper troposphere (UT) from 200 to 400 hPa and lower stratosphere (LS) from 50 to 200 hPa. The results show that the regional GSI/WRF system is underestimating the observed temperature in the LT and overestimating in the UT and LS. The MW DA reduced the forecast bias from the MT to the LS within 30 h forecasts, and the CON DA kept a smaller forecast bias in the LT for 2-day forecasts. The largest RMS error is observed in the LT and at the surface (SFC). Compared to the CTRL, the MW DA made the most positive contribution in the UT and LS, and the CON DA mainly improved the temperature forecasts at the SFC. However, the IR DA made a negative contribution in the LT. Most of the observed humidity in the different vertical layers is overestimated in the humidity forecasts except in the UT. The smallest bias in the humidity forecast occurred at the SFC and UT. The DA experiments apparently reduced the bias from the LT to UT, especially for the IR DA experiment, but the RMS errors are not reduced in the humidity forecasts. Compared to the CTRL, the IR DA experiment has a larger RMS error in the moisture forecast although the smallest bias is found in the LT and MT.
Reconciling reconstructed and simulated features of the winter Pacific/North American pattern in the early 19th century
Authors: Zanchettin D. , Bothe O. , Lehner F. , Ortega P. , Raible C. C. , Swingedouw D.
Published: June 2015

Abstract. Reconstructions of past climate behavior often describe prominent anomalous periods that are not necessarily captured in climate simulations. Here, we illustrate the contrast between an interdecadal strong positive phase of the winter Pacific/North American pattern (PNA) in the early 19th century that is described by a PNA reconstruction based on tree rings from northwestern North America, and a slight tendency towards negative winter PNA anomalies during the same period in an ensemble of state-of-the-art coupled climate simulations. Additionally, a pseudo-proxy investigation with the same simulation ensemble allows for assessing the robustness of PNA reconstructions using solely geophysical predictors from northwestern North America for the last millennium. The reconstructed early 19th-century positive PNA anomaly emerges as a potentially reliable feature, although the pseudo-reconstructions are subject to a number of sources of uncertainty and deficiencies highlighted especially at multidecadal and centennial timescales. The pseudo-reconstructions demonstrate that the early 19th-century discrepancy between reconstructed and simulated PNA does not stem from the reconstruction process. Instead, reconstructed and simulated features of the early 19th-century PNA can be reconciled by interpreting the reconstructed evolution during this time as an expression of internal climate variability, which is unlikely to be reproduced in its exact temporal occurrence by a small ensemble of climate simulations. However, firm attribution of the reconstructed PNA anomaly is hampered by known limitations and deficiencies of coupled climate models and uncertainties in the early 19th-century external forcing and background climate state.