bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteins and amino acids are fundamental to optimal nutrition support in critically ill patients
Authors: Weijs Peter JM , Cynober Luc , DeLegge Mark , Kreymann Georg , Wernerman Jan , Wolfe Robert R
Published: November 2014

Proteins and amino acids are widely considered to be subcomponents in nutritional support. However, proteins and amino acids are fundamental to recovery and survival, not only for their ability to preserve active tissue (protein) mass but also for a variety of other functions. Understanding the optimal amount of protein intake during nutritional support is therefore fundamental to appropriate clinical care. Although the body adapts in some ways to starvation, metabolic stress in patients causes increased protein turnover and loss of lean body mass. In this review, we present the growing scientific evidence showing the importance of protein and amino acid provision in nutritional support and their impact on preservation of muscle mass and patient outcomes. Studies identifying optimal dosing for proteins and amino acids are not currently available. We discuss the challenges physicians face in administering the optimal amount of protein and amino acids. We present protein-related nutrition concepts, including adaptation to starvation and stress, anabolic resistance, and potential adverse effects of amino acid provision. We describe the methods for assessment of protein status, and outcomes related to protein nutritional support for critically ill patients. The identification of a protein target for individual critically ill patients is crucial for outcomes, particularly for specific subpopulations, such as obese and older patients. Additional research is urgently needed to address these issues.
5-Iodo-4-thio-2′-deoxyuridine: Synthesis, Structure, and Cytotoxic Activity
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Hui , Yin Hong-Yan , Trigiante Giuseppe , Brem Reto , Karran Peter , Pitak Mateusz B , Coles Simon J , Xu Yao-Zhong
Published: November 2014

The novel nucleoside 5-iodo-4-thio-2′-deoxyuridine (4) was synthesized and fully characterized by IR, NMR, and MS. Its structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 4 absorbs strongly at 346 nm and is minimally toxic to human tumour cells, but its cytotoxicity is substantially enhanced by low dose UVA radiation. The combined use of 4 and UVA offers a promising route to selectively and effectively kill proliferating cells.
Infrastructuring Work: Building a State-Wide Hospital Information Infrastructure in India
Authors: Aanestad Margunn , Jolliffe Bob , Mukherjee Arunima , Sahay Sundeep
Published: November 2014

Information and communication technologies that strengthen knowledge-based governance in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) will affect work processes and organizations on a massive scale. This paper draws attention to demands on public sector organizations in resource-constrained contexts that face different challenges than in high-income societies. This paper from the Indian public healthcare sector reports on design, development, implementation, and scaling of a free and open-source software-based hospital information system for district hospitals. The paper focuses on the implications for work, competencies, and organization, building on and extending the concepts of “automate” and “informate.” The paper focuses on the emerging and recursive interplay between information infrastructure and work within the context of organizational realities of a district hospital in an LMIC context, captured by the concepts of “infrastructuring of work” and “work of infrastructuring.”
Everything is working together
Authors: Harries Judith
Published: November 2014

In this extract from Planning for Learning Through the Senses [Practical Pre-School Books] we explore activities based on the areas of learning: this month, a multi-sensory approach.
Young mothers' virtual companion: An evidence-based addition to the health visitor's toolkit
Authors: Mendes Aysha
Published: November 2014

Parenting charity Best Beginnings has launched a new smartphone app to support new mothers during pregnancy and the first 6 months of their baby's life.
The impact of specialist health visitors for homeless and vulnerable families
Authors: Parker-Radford David
Published: November 2014

As part of the Public Health England week of action celebrating the work of health professionals in protecting the health of families, children and young people, David Parker-Radford discusses how health visitors can support homeless families.
How health visitors can support parents in managing a child's atopic eczema
Authors: Lawton Sandra
Published: November 2014

Atopic eczema is a common condition in children and has a significant impact on the lives of the affected child and family. A stepped approach to eczema management is recommended, based on the use of emollients even when skin is clear, and topical treatments used in accordance with the severity of a flare-up. Non-adherence to a management plan may result from the difficulties parents face in caring for a child with eczema, or their beliefs about treatments. Health visitors have an important role, not only in identifying eczema and referring children for advice or treatment, but in supporting parents with eczema management. For treatment to be effective, it is necessary for health professionals to have a breadth of knowledge in all aspects of eczema and keep up to date with current research and best practice.
Finding my way upstream
Authors: Forbes Lisa
Published: November 2014

A career in child and adolescent mental health services seemed ideal to Lisa Forbes, whose interests lay in health promotion and early intervention. But her desire to provide a truly preventive service eventually led her to train as a health visitor.
Society for Reproductive and Infant Psychology annual conference
Authors: Jarrett Patricia , Borg Rita
Published: November 2014

Professionals from all over the world gathered in Malta in September to share research and knowledge in the field of reproductive and infant psychology. Patricia Jarrett and Rita Borg Xuereb report on some of the key presentations and take-home messages.
How to…develop a person-centred plan of care for older people
Authors: Ashurst Adrian
Published: November 2014

Adrian Ashurst provides some tips into developing a ‘plan of care’ which always addresses the person's individual complex needs.
Lymphoedema and chronic oedema: what's the difference?
Authors: Jones Joanne
Published: November 2014

Lymphoedema and chronic oedema often affect those requiring residential and nursing care. In the first part of a series on lymphoedema, Joanne Jones sets out to define both lymphoedema and chronic oedema
CQC report on State of Care: an update for 2014
Authors: Frankova Helena
Published: November 2014

With the Care Quality Commission's (CQC) annual State of Care Report being published in October, Helena Frankova summaries the key findings and what these mean for the coming year in relation to residential care
A commonly overlooked motor neuron disease mimicker
Authors: Ghosh Manas , Bhattacharya Ambarish , Ghosh Kaushik , Chatterjee Atri , Chakraborty Sisir , Jatua Sanat Kumar
Published: November 2014

Motor neuron disease (MND) is a progressive devastating neurodegenerative disease, which universally progresses towards death. Hence, every attempt should be made to find out if there are any treatable conditions, which can mimic MND. Herein, we describe a case of hypercalcaemia due to primary hyperparathyroidism confused as MND and subsequently cured with parathyroid surgery.

Learning points

Any patient with neurological disorder should have a screening of all the common electrolytes including calcium as electrolyte imbalance can present with paralysis (e.g. hypokalaemia) to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (e.g. hypercalcaemia).

No patient should be stamped as having MND without having a proper work-up of all its differentials as there might be a treatable condition masquerading as MND.
An extension of the distribution of Selar crumenophthalmus (Bloch, 1793) (Teleostei: Carangidae) in southern Brazil
Authors: Lameiro Fábio Lameiro , Moraes Leonardo Evangelista
Published: November 2014

In this study, we document an extension of the distribution of the Bigeye scad Selar crumenophthalmus to the coast of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. This finding increases the range of S. crumenophthalmus by approximately 650 km and represents the southernmost record for the species on the western coast of the Atlantic. Additionally, as this region has been relatively well sampled both during past decades and currently, we discuss possible reasons why this range extension has been observed only recently.
Ischnura ultima Ris, 1908 (Odonata: Coenagrionidae): new records from southern South America
Authors: Muzón Javier , Del Palacio Alejandro , Ramos Lía
Published: November 2014

Ischnura ultima Ris, 1908 is recorded for the first time from Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, 750 km southeast from the southernmost previous known localities (Córdoba Province). This finding supports a stronger biogeographical relationship between the southern hills of Buenos Aires (surrounded by the Pampas lowlands) and the Monte province. In addition, this record supports the odonate endemic areas scheme previously proposed for Argentina.
Recent records of endangered birds in the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil
Authors: Jesus Shayana de , Buzzato Adriano César , Bianco Alexandre , Legal Evair , Chimentão Fábio Gaio , Pelissari Márcio Coutinho , Cadorin Tiago Jaão
Published: November 2014

Here we report records of endangered birds in the state of São Paulo, based on the state list of Endangered Fauna. Our results were obtained during two field trips to survey and monitor the avifauna in eight farms in the southeastern, southwestern, and Midwestern regions of the state. Field work was conducted from October 25th to November 25th 2010 and from March 28th to April 28th 2011.
Lizards from central Jatapú River, Amazonas, Brazil
Authors: Oliveira Deyla Paula de , Souza Sergio Marques , Frazão Luciana , Almeida Alexandre Pinheiro de , Hrbek Tomas
Published: November 2014

The present study reports an inventory of lizard species from a region at the central Jatapú River located in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. The lizard fauna was surveyed using three sampling methods: diurnal and nocturnal visual search, pitfall traps with drift fences, and incidental collections. We recorded 24 lizard species belonging to 18 genera and eight families. Non-parametric estimators of richness (Bootstrap, Chao 2, Jackknife 1, Ace) were used to estimate the percentage of total richness sampled. Expected species richness varied from 27 species estimated via Bootstrap to 30 species with Jackknife 1. The composition of the lizard fauna encountered in the rio Jatapú plot was compared with seven other published surveys carried out in the region of the Brazilian Guiana Shield. The composition of the Jatapú lizard fauna was most similar to FLOTA Faro (84%) and least similar to ESEC Grão-Pará Center (66%). There was no association between faunal similarity and geographic distance. The present species list contributes to our knowledge of lizards of the southern portion of the Guiana Shield in Brazil.
Pleurodema bibroni Tschudi, 1838 (Anura: Leiuperidae): Distribution extension and first record for the state of Paraná, Brazil
Authors: Trein Fabrício Locatelli , Lima Leôncio Pedroso , Ulandowski Letícia Karmann de Almeida , Morato Sérgio Augusto Abrahão
Published: November 2014

Pleurodema bibroni is a leiuperid frog known from open habitats in Uruguay and Southern Brazil. This paper provides the first record from state of Paraná, Brazil, and extends the distribution of the species approximately 250 km northwest from the nearest record. The specimen was found in Refúgio de Vida Silvestre dos Campos de Palmas, a federal reserve in southwestern Paraná state created to protect the grasslands, and represents an important record, since the species is considered to be Near Threatened according to IUCN criteria.
Recollection of endemic species Barleria stocksii T. Anderson (Acanthaceae) in Karnataka State, India, after 140 years
Authors: Kambhar Sidanand Vitthal , Harihar Nagabhushan Siddappa , Katrahalli Kotresha Shekharppa
Published: November 2014

Barleria stocksii T. Anderson (Acanthaceae) is recollected from Kappat hills, Gadag district, Karnataka, after a gap of more than 140 year. A detailed description and photographs are provided.
First record of Rhinella ocellata (Günther, 1858) (Bufonidae) for the state of Maranhão, northeastern Brazil
Authors: Matavelli Rodrigo , Campos Aldenise Martins , Da Silva Guilherme Ramos , Andrade Gilda Vasconcellos de
Published: November 2014

In this study, we present the first record of Rhinella ocellata (Günther, 1858) for the state of Maranhão and for coastal ecosystems “restinga environments” in Brazil. This note also expands the known geographic distribution of this species by approximately 895 km to the north from the closest record located in the Parque Estadual do Jalapão (10°32′59″ S, 46°45′38″ W), state of Tocantins, contributing to the knowledge of the anurofauna in the state of Maranhão.
Aechmea muricata (Arruda) L.B. Sm. (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae): A new record of a threatened species for Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil
Authors: Magalhães Raissa , Versieux Leonardo M. , Calvente Alice
Published: November 2014

This paper records the first occurrence of Aechmea muricata (Bromeliaceae, Bromelioideae) in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil. The taxon was found inside the Mata Estrela Private Reserve, Baía Formosa municipality, southern Rio Grande do Norte. This finding is important to increase the data about the Flora of Rio Grande do Norte, one of the poorest sampled states in Brazil so far, as well as to increase the knowledge about A. muricata distribution, since it is officially included in the Brazilian threatened species plant red list.
Rediscovery of Marmosops juninensis Tate, 1931 (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) in the Yungas of Peru
Authors: Peralta María del Carmen , Pacheco Víctor
Published: November 2014

Marmosops juninensis is an endemic marsupial of the forests of Junín Department, central Peru. It is known by four specimens but has not been recorded in almost 50 years. We report two new specimens collected in 2011 that extend the range distribution of the species by 83 km eastward of the type locality. In addition, we describe some morphological characteristics of the species and provide description of its microhabitats: primary growth forest and cultivated fields of coffee and banana. Finally, we propose that M. juninensis qualifies for Endangered status according to IUCN criteria.
‘We’ve got a gig in Poland!’
Authors: Studdert Will
Published: November 2014

This article explores the role of jazz music in Britain in World War II, and examines the demand for jazz in the forces and among the civilian population. It considers the fractious Melody Maker–BBC relationship, the hedonistic underworld of so-called ‘Harlem in London’, and the creation of an entertainment-oriented BBC Forces’ Programme, which provided an outlet for Charles Chilton’s pioneering ‘Radio Rhythm Club’. It argues that the British public was in fact far more receptive to Nazi propaganda themes than is commonly considered to be the case, and that the success (and potential for success) of William Joyce’s ‘Lord Haw-Haw’ broadcasts gave added impetus to the need to provide acceptable entertainment on the BBC. In questioning the ‘People’s War’ discourse regarding national unity, issues of race and alleged British exceptionalism through the prism of jazz culture, the article intends to advance understanding of the complex wartime conditions which accelerated the progress of authentic jazz into mainstream British culture and broadcasting.
‘They’ve really gone to town with all that bunting’
Authors: Eales Alison Caroline
Published: November 2014

Glasgow International Jazz Festival has run every year since 1987, making it the city’s longest-running music festival. This article, part of an ongoing study into the Festival’s history, identifies the circumstances in which the Festival emerged and some of the organizations and individuals involved with bringing it into existence. Drawing on company records, publicity materials and press coverage, the article then argues that the Festival’s existence is dependent on an unpredictable relationship with the city of Glasgow (in terms of both its physical environment and its authorities). Glasgow’s post-industrial regeneration has been based in part on investment in cultural tourism and the infrastructure necessary to accommodate it, a strategy which the Festival has both benefited from and contributed to. In more recent years, however, weakening commitment from local authorities has seen the Festival’s influence in the city diminish and its role in the cultural life of the city become less secure.
Percepção dos formandos de Ciências Contábeis 2007/2 das universidades da Grande Florianópolis sobre governança corporativa
Authors: Martins Francini , Gasparetto Valdirene , Gallon Alessandra Vasconcelos , Pfitdcher Elisete Dahmer
Published: November 2014

A governança corporativa (GC) é um tema recente e relevante à gestão das organizações – à medida que tem auxiliado as que a adotam a aumentar o seu valor – e os futuros profissionais da área contábil devem ser preparados para auxiliá-las na implementação de seus princípios. Do exposto, questiona-se o conhecimento dos acadêmicos da última fase de graduação em Ciências Contábeis da Grande Florianópolis a respeito da GC, um assunto atual e importante para o futuro contador. Assim, este trabalho objetiva mostrar a percepção dos formandos em Ciências Contábeis 2007/2 das universidades da Grande Florianópolis sobre a governança corporativa. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, do tipo levantamento ou survey, em que se buscou, a partir da avaliação do nível deconhecimento sobre GC e da relevância que lhe é atribuída pelos formandos, estabelecer relações entre os alunos pesquisados na UFSC, Unisul e Univali, no número de 52, 12 e 21 acadêmicos, respectivamente. Pesquisados os 85 estudantes, constatou-se que, em linhas gerais, apesar de afirmar em já ter ouvido falar sobre GC, o conhecimento da maior parte sobre o assunto é superficial. Dos alunos que realmente entendem do que se trata, predominam os que consideram o tema importante para a Contabilidade e os que acreditam que sua adesão pelas organizações traz muitas vantagens, agregando valor e elevando a transparência. Por fim, constatou-se que os acadêmicos do ensino universitário público apresentam conhecimento superior em relação ao tema, uma vez que tiveram maior quantidade de disciplinas que abordaram o assunto pesquisado, do que os formandos das universidades privadas.
Gestão dos Aspectos e Impactos Ambientais em um Condomínio com o Envolvimento da Contabilidade Ambiental
Authors: Pfitscher Elisete Dahmer , Araújo Ana Paula Linhares de , Vicente Ernesto Fernando Rodrigues , Nunes João Paulo de Oliveira
Published: November 2014

Com o crescimento da população e das necessidades de consumo, crescem também as agressões ao meio ambiente. Com isso, se deve procurar novas formas de um crescimento sustentável. Esta pesquisa discute como a contabilidade, por meio de seus controles, pode auxiliar no processo de gestão do meio ambiente em um condomínio residencial. A metodologia adotada é a pesquisa exploratória e descritiva. Está dividida em quatro fases, em que a primeira se refere à apresentação do tema e problema, e dos objetivos, seguida pela fundamentação teórica e a metodologia aplicada ao estudo. Já a terceira fase, envolve um estudo sobre o sistema de gestão ambiental e o condomínio. Por último, na quarta fase, são mostrados os resultados da pesquisa e proposto um plano resumido de gestão ambiental, o 5W2H (What?Why?When?Where?Who?How? e How much?), evidenciado por meio do método SICOGEA – Sistema Contábil Gerencial Ambiental. Ao final, concluiu-se que os prédios buscam cada vez mais atender aos padrões exigidos de qualidade ambiental. Entre os pontos levantados, notou-se a preocupação com a reutilização da água. A sustentabilidade deste condomínio encontra-se com um grau de 46,67%, considerado “deficitário”, demonstrando o quanto ainda deve evoluir nesse sentido.
Terceiro setor e imunidade
Authors: Cardoso Tiago
Published: November 2014

O Terceiro setor tem o objetivo de prestar serviços de caráter público, onde o Estado é ineficaz. Portando, essas entidades são parceiras do poder público e tem grande importância para a população que dependem desses serviços. São amparadas pela imunidade tributária que na sua essência é a proibição do poder de tributar, pois as mesmas não têm capacidade contributiva. Muitas dessas entidades criam receitas não operacionais fora da atividade fim, para custear a atividade principal que são as receitas operacionais. Entretanto, essas receitas não operacionais não sofrem tributação e normalmente são contabilizadas com receitas operacionais, com essa situação pode haver a concorrência desleal e informações erronias nas demonstrações contábeis. Durante realização, foram feitos estudos mais aprofundados sobre a temática analisada e a fundamentação teórica foi realizada através de diversos autores.
Individual and collaborative Performance and Level of Certainty in MetaVals
Authors: Usart Mireia , Romero Margarida
Published: November 2014

In the context of Higher Education (HE) in general, and management education in particular, the use of Serious Games (SG) is spreading, and solutions are increasingly developing. Nevertheless, the implementation of this learning methodology deserves further study, in particular concerning pedagogical and psychological aspects such game performance and players’ metacognitive processes. This paper aims to study the relation among these two variables, based on the review of the results of MetaVals SG during the last 3 years. MetaVals is a collaborative, computer-based SG designed to facilitate collaboration and metacognitive awareness among HE students. It has been played by 250 students in 16 different experiences since its first version, in 2011. Overall results show a higher performance for collaborative than individual phases of the game, furthermore, students’ elicitation of their Level of Certainty (LC), although not significantly, could be related to a better performance. These results can be a basis for further studies focused on the implementation of collaborative GBL in formal and informal adult learning contexts. However, some challenges are also identified and discussed on the present version of MetaVals game, and solutions are proposed in order to continue with the design of SGs for wider application and learners’ needs in the current contexts.
Investigating the Potential market of a Serious Game for Training of Alzheimer’s Caregivers in a Northern Spain region
Authors: Arambarri Jon , De La Torre-Díez Isabel , Lopez Coronado Miguel , Alvarez Itziar
Published: November 2014

Gamification can help training people with Alzheimer and their caregivers. In this paper are shown the benefits of gamification for this group of people and the technical and social feasibility of launching a game on the market. A Use Case in the north of Spain has been selected.A deep study about the state of the art in gamification and dementia aimed at training caregivers and families has been made but no available game have been reached out. For early states of analysing the technical and social feasibility of launching the serious game a group of highly skill both technicians and psychologists have been selected. To develop and launch products that fit Alzheimer patients and their family’s needs the learning by doing methodology has been selected - a mix of learning in everyday practices, learning from other people involved, learning from experience and learning from the affected person. In addition the following agents are involved: People with dementia, families, and professionals carers and expert people.
First-order systems of linear partial differential equations: normal forms, canonical systems, transform methods
Authors: Toparkus Heinz
Published: November 2014

In this paper we consider first-order systems with constant coefficients for two real-valued functions of two real variables. This is both a problem in itself, as well as an alternative view of the classical linear partial differential equations of second order with constant coefficients. The classification of the systems is done using elementary methods of linear algebra. Each type presents its special canonical form in the associated characteristic coordinate system. Then you can formulate initial value problems in appropriate basic areas, and you can try to achieve a solution of these problems by means of transform methods.
Association of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism in Polish rowers
Authors: Jastrzebski Zbigniew , Leonska-Duniec Agata , Kolbowicz Marek , Tomiak Tomasz
Published: November 2014

The ACTN3 R577X polymorphism has been associated with an elite athlete status. Several studies have determined that the R allele is connected with power-oriented athletic performance, whereas the nonfunctional XX genotype may give some beneficial effect for endurance performance. The main aim of the study was to determine the possible interaction between the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and an endurance athlete status in a group of Polish rowers in comparison with sedentary individuals.

121 male Polish rowers, members of academic sports clubs, and 115 unrelated volunteers were recruited for the study. Genotyping for the R577X variant was performed by PCR-RFLP.

The genotype distribution amongst the rowers (52.06% RR, 38.85% RX, 9.09% XX) was significantly different from that amongst sedentary individuals (RR-33.5%; RX- 49.60%; XX-17,35%; P = 0.024). A significant excess of the R allele was noted in the rowers (71.48%, P = 0.008) when comparing with the controls (60.0%).

The obtained results show that the ACTN3 X allele and XX genotype are underrepresented in Polish rowers and they are not advantageous for the endurance-type athletes in the studied population. On the contrary, the R allele seems to be useful for a top-level rower. However, additional studies are needed to clarify this problem.
Investment strategy of sovereign wealth funds from emerging markets: the case of China
Authors: Cieślik Ewa
Published: November 2014

Chinese sovereign wealth funds SWFs continue to expand rapidly and have become increasingly active in real-time strategic transactions recently. They have focused not only on financial markets in developed countries, but they also concentrate on commodity investment in emerging markets (mainly in African or Central Asian markets). The main goal of this paper is to examine investment patterns and performance of two large Chinese sovereign wealth funds: the State Administration of Foreign Exchange Investment Company (SAFE IC) and the China Investment Corporation (CIC). In the absence of official data on the activities of the funds, the article is based largely on press releases relating to the operation of funds and corporate reports of the companies invested in by the Chinese SWFs. The paper presents sectoral and geographical directions of China’s SWFs investment and tries to describe how the investment strategy of the aforementioned vehicles changed until mid-2013. The main limitation of the adopted methodology derives from the lack of information and poor transparency of the analysed vehicles. Moreover to obtain the correct information on the details of fund investments (size, value, date) each press release requires extensive verification.
Geographical context of energy prices in the European Union Member States with special emphasis on the Slovak Republic
Authors: Mačanga Martin , Plešivčák Martin
Published: November 2014

The issue of energy prices presents an extremely topical subject with a major impact on human society. Energy demand is constantly increasing and most regions of the world are facing serious difficulties in ensuring sufficient energy supplies. However, not only global events affect energy prices in the particular country. National energy markets are highly specific and some local factors may also prove significant. In our contribution we focus on the Slovak Republic and try to analyze the major political and economic factors affecting the final price of energy, particularly of gas and electricity. We pay attention to the period from the accession of the country to the European Union in 2004 until 2011 characterised by ‘third liberalisation package’ that is associated with a wide range of major changes. Largely monopolized energy market has been gradually opening up to competition and the countries with regulated prices have been facing the increasing pressure to let the free market decide. Progressive liberalisation of energy markets enables consumers to use the energy services offered by various private companies. This new element operating in the energy sector is largely reflected in final energy prices. Thus, the main goal of this study is to highlight the price disparities between different energy commodities in European Union member states since we are at present witnesses to of significant regional disparities in energy prices. We try to analyze current energy prices with respect to GDP (regarding purchasing power parity as well) to ensure that resulting comparison would reflect the financial potential of the population. Demonstrating the effects of the economic crisis on energy prices in different countries will be another important aspect of this contribution.
Telecommunication traffic: global disparities and international flows
Authors: Nagirnaya Anastasia
Published: November 2014

New information and communication technologies (ICTs) have shrunk geographical space and time more than ever. But do people fully use the opportunities provided by the newest ICTs? How intensively do they communicate with each other on the international level? And what are the global disparities in the level of telecommunicativeness and international communicative openness? To answer these questions a study of global telecommunication traffic and the specificity of its spatial organisation has been undertaken based on the official statistics on different types of ICT traffic (postal service, fixed telephone, mobile phone and the Internet) over the last two decades. Indicators in the sphere of telecommunicativeness and international communicative openness are presented. This study expands the understanding of international integration and globalisation processes in their communication aspects.
Transformations of traditional land use and settlement patterns of Kosarysche Ridge (Chornohora, Western Ukraine)
Authors: Nowak Agnieszka , Tokarczyk Natalia
Published: November 2014

The traditional character of Hutsul villages and their spatial development has been changing slowly but inevitably over the course of time. Historically, single farmsteads were built separately and were mostly self-sufficient, the distance between them being considerable. Nowadays, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the economic transformation brought along many changes, among these the fact that depopulation is taking place and alterations in spatial development are occurring again. The localisation of secluded farmsteads, situated far away from each other is no longer as important as it used to be. Reasons for the abandonment of farmsteads were examined, and factors such as altitude, distance from the village centre and the administration affiliation were taken into account. Land use changes were analysed in relation to the slope inclination. Some of the most important factors influencing the intensity and direction of these processes are high prices of land, improvement in living conditions, better access to services and the general ‘westernisation’ of lifestyles. The depopulation rate has been seen to increase in correlation with the rising altitude and distance from the village centre. On the other hand, there was no unambiguous link between the abandonment of farmsteads and administration affiliation. Mowed areas were localised on the slopes with the smallest inclination. Animal breeding has become unprofitable due to a lack in demand and low product prices, which has led to an increasing number of meadows and pastures lying fallow.
The role of geography in the analysis of industrial development strategies within the spatial organisation of a region
Authors: Wali Ayad Ayid
Published: November 2014

Through presenting the main axes in this study, it is clear that identifying a precise concept of industrial development is related to a wider idea of development. Despite that, the geographical view gives a wider and more comprehensive concept of the industrial development. Moreover, balanced spatial development is closely related to industrial and agricultural development within the space of a geographical region. Industry and agriculture represent productive activities which form the economic basis for a region. Industrial development is the most important tool which is used in developing rural areas. Moreover, industrial development has a great role in developing other activities, especially services in a region. This is done through the capability of industry to provide requirements of other activities and absorb labour force surplus from other economic sectors. In addition, the industry sector increases economic revenues for the region and raises the individuals’ incomes.

Strategies of achieving industrial development spatially differ from region to region. This relates to a group of variables, such as political and economic conditions in a region, its development, as well as size of industrial investments. However, accomplishing industrial development spatially requires putting appropriate developmental strategies which conform with a region’s development level and available industrial investments, particularly, in underdeveloped regions with limited financial resources. These regions need to be identified as the most underdeveloped ones in order to attract industrial investments according to the unparalleled spatial development model. What should be taken into consideration is focus on adopting the modern technological development of industry in the field of spatially achieved industrial development through providing appropriate spatial elements. This should be followed by the distribution of modern industrial projects of large production capacity which exploit ideally the available geographical qualifications to attain big economic revenues that supports and develop other economic activities. This is reflected positively in the balanced spatial development of a geographical region
Airports as a factor of regional development on the example of the Szymany Airport
Authors: Bogdański Marcin
Published: November 2014

The Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodship is a NUTS II region, which belongs to the least developed regions of Poland and the EU. One of the reasons of its underdevelopment is poor transport accessibility, which limits the level of competitiveness and investment attractiveness. For this reason the voivodship authorities made a decision to build a regional airport by modernising the military airport in Szymany near Szczytno. The investment, which is co-financed by the European Funds, is aimed to reduce the level of peripherality of the region, increase its competitiveness and, as a consequence, raise the socio-economic development level.

This paper aims to answer three questions. The first one concerns the extent to which the existence of a regional airport is a factor stimulating socio-economic development of regions, including peripheral ones. The second one is related to the question whether the location of the planned airport is justified by economic factors, or, to put in another way, whether the airport will bring profits in the long run. The last question, related to the previous ones, is whether the realisation of the investment in the planned form will help to reduce the degree of peripherality of the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodship and thus accelerate its socio-economic development.
A historical overview and critical analysis of town centre delimitation methodologies
Authors: Pissourios Ioannis A.
Published: November 2014

The article aims at exploring the literature on town centre delimitation methods over the last sixty years. Specifically, the first section explores the content of the term town centre, while the second one proposes an organisation of town centre delimitation research in three main periods. The third section comprises the main corpus of the article, as several town centre delimitation methodologies of the last sixty years are presented and discussed. For their presentation, a three tiered analysis is introduced. In the first stage the decisions of researchers regarding centrality estimators are discussed, in the second stage the study focuses on the choices of the spatial units, in which the chosen variables will be studied, and in the third stage the study discusses the methods that are used to characterise each of the studied spatial units as central versus non-central. Based on the analysis, the article concludes that town centre delimitation is an issue which transcends various scientific disciplines and that each of these disciplines comprehends the centre of a town in a unique way. Thus, future methods of town centre delimitation should take into account the choices made in each of the three stages presented above, and should also link the above choices to the objectives and the theoretical context of the study.
Switchable multicomponent heterocyclizations for diversity oriented synthesis
Authors: Chebanov Valentin A. , Desenko Sergey M.
Published: November 2014

The present comprehensive review1 contains the analysis of literature data concerning switchable multicomponent heterocyclizations and demonstrates the application of these types of reactions to solve the matters of Diversity Oriented Synthesis.
A comparison of methods to estimate harvest-induced damage to the soil using the example of a beech timber stand
Authors: Kulak Dariusz
Published: November 2014

The study determines the extent of soil disturbances occurring during mechanised harvesting operations in a beech timber stand and investigates whether applying different research methods can be used to classify, in a comparable way, forest areas with different levels of soil damage. In the analysed stand, felling and on-side processing were conducted with chainsaws, while extraction - using an farm tractor. After the completion of logging operations, visible soil disturbances on each sample plot were measured, including surface area, volume and depth, and the value of five most common indicators of soil damage was calculated. The share of disturbed surface area, the volume of soil disturbances and different soil damage indicators allowed sample plots to be arranged in the same way according to increasing levels of soil damage occurring during harvesting. A different order was observed only in relation to the depth of the ruts formed. The similarity of the applied measures and classifications of soil disturbances indicates that all of the methods can be applied to make simple comparisons of the degree of soil damage. Because field trials are easy to perform, soil damage indicators based on a visual assessment of soil condition, without the need to take measurements, are worth recommending at first. A fuller picture of the level and nature of detected soil damage, however, can be obtained by taking into account the depth of the disturbance.
The main costs of natural disasters in the Forest District of Węgierska Górka
Authors: Sikora Adam Tomasz , Ukalska Joanna
Published: November 2014

The aim of the study was to determine the impact of increased forest management due to natural disasters on particular core unit costs. We analysed the direct costs for the Forest District of Węgierska Górka in the years 2004-2010 based on information from the State Forests lnformation System (SFIS) database compared with selected forest districts within the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Cracow (RDSF). The forest districts were divided into two groups with two and six forest districts and confidence intervals around the mean were determined and the significance of linear regressions of the considered characteristics was tested. Additionally, the growth rate (decrease) of the unit cost was calculated. Our studies showed that natural disasters affect only certain unit costs regardless of the intensity of the forest management. The increase in unit costs resulted in economic losses in forest management. A full long-term analysis of the economic impact of natural disasters should be done, taking into account the cost of reforestation of destroyed areas which may become apparent only some years later.
Transpiration and biomass production of the bioenergy crop Giant Knotweed Igniscum under various supplies of water and nutrients
Authors: Mantovani Dario , Veste Maik , Gypser Stella , Halke Christian , Koning Laurie , Freese Dirk , Lebzien Stefan
Published: November 2014

Soil water availability, nutrient supply and climatic conditions are key factors for plant production. For a sustainable integration of bioenergy plants into agricultural systems, detailed studies on their water uses and growth performances are needed. The new bioenergy plant Igniscum Candy is a cultivar of the Sakhalin Knotweed (Fallopia sachalinensis), which is characterized by a high annual biomass production. For the determination of transpiration-yield relations at the whole plant level we used wicked lysimeters at multiple irrigation levels associated with the soil water availability (25, 35, 70, 100%) and nitrogen fertilization (0, 50, 100, 150 kg N ha-1). Leaf transpiration and net photosynthesis were determined with a portable minicuvette system. The maximum mean transpiration rate was 10.6 mmol m-2 s-1 for well-watered plants, while the mean net photosynthesis was 9.1 μmol m-2 s-1. The cumulative transpiration of the plants during the growing seasons varied between 49 l (drought stressed) and 141 l (well-watered) per plant. The calculated transpiration coefficient for Fallopia over all of the treatments applied was 485.6 l kg-1. The transpiration-yield relation of Igniscum is comparable to rye and barley. Its growth performance making Fallopia a potentially good second generation bioenergy crop.
Sink plot for runoff measurements on semi-flat terrains: preliminary data and their potential hydrological and ecological implications
Authors: Kidron Giora J.
Published: November 2014

In arid and semiarid regions where water is the main limiting factor, water redistribution is regarded as an important hydrological process of great ecological value. By providing additional water to certain loci, moist pockets of great productivity are formed, characterized by high plant biomass and biological activity. These moist pockets are often a result of runon. Yet, although runoff may take place on semi-flat undulating surfaces, runoff measurements are thus far confined to slopes, where a sufficient gradient facilitates downslope water harvesting. On undulating surfaces of mounds and depressions, such as in interdunes, no quantification of the amount of water reaching depressions is feasible due to the fact that no reliable method for measuring the runoff amounts in semi-flat terrains is available. The current paper describes specific runoff plots, designed to measure runoff in depressions (sinks). These plots, termed sink plots (SPs), were operative in the Hallamish dunefield (Negev Desert, Israel). The paper presents measurements of runoff yield that were carried out between January 2013 and January 2014 on SPs and compared them to runoff obtained from crusted slope plots and fine-grained (playa) surfaces. The potential hydrological and ecological implications of water redistribution within semi-flat terrains for this and other arid ecosystems are discussed.
Evaluation Of Massive Parallel Sequencing As A Diagnostic Tool For Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Radoviča Ilze , Bērziņs Rūdolfs , Latkovskis Gustavs , Fridmanis Dāvids , Ņikitina-Zaķe Liene , Ventiņš Kārlis , Ozola Guna , Ērglis Andrejs , Kloviņš Jānis
Published: November 2014

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is one of the most common single gene disorders, which is mostly inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. The physical signs of FH are elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), elevated total cholesterol (TC) levels and tendon xantomas. Identification and early treatment of affected individuals is desirable and in lack of physical symptoms DNA-based diagnosis provides confirmation of diagnosis and enables early patient management. The majority of FH cases are caused by mutations in four genes (APOB, LADLR, PCSK9, and LDLRAP1). There are commercial kits available for testing of the 20 most common FH causing mutations, but the spectrum of disease-causing mutations is quite diverse in various populations and these tests cover only a minority of disease-causing genetic variants. There is therefore a need to determine the full spectrum of mutations in LDLR, APOB, PCSK9, and LDLRAP1 genes in each population. Here we report mutations found in 16 patients with suspected FH in a sample from the Genome Database of the Latvian population enrolled at the Latvian Centre of Cardiology. We used the next generation sequencing approach to determine the full spectrum of mutations in coding regions of LDLR, APOB, PCSK9, and LDLRAP1. In total we found 22 missense mutations, from which only rs5742904 (Arg3527Gln) in APOB gene had been previously described as a FH-causing mutation confirming FH in one patient. Possible FH-causing mutations however, were identified in the majority of patients. The conclusion is that the most commonly employed commercial mutation panel is not sufficient for diagnosis of FH patients and NGS can help to identify FH-causing mutations in the Latvian population.
Combined Medical Treatment Of Chronic Pancreatitis
Authors: Umnova Larisa , Orļikovs Grigorijs , Voicehovska Jūlija , Voicehovskis Vladimirs , Krustiņš Eduards
Published: November 2014

The aim of the study was to determine the most effective medical treatment of patients with chronic pancreatitis, by using either pancreatin alone or in combination with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) or PPI and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Patients with chronic pancreatitis, who did not require a surgical treatment, received medical treatment for a one–month period: 20 patients received pancreatin monotherapy; 48 patients were given a combination of pancreatin and PPI; 38 patients were treated with a combination of pancreatin, PPI and NSAID (PNP therapy group). In comparison with other groups, patients in the PNP therapy group showed improvement in body mass index, abdominal pain, bowel movements, chronic pancreatitis severity, as well as their quality of life assessment (p < 0.05). The combination of pancreatin, PPI and NSAID was the most effective among those applied in chronic pancreatitis patient treatment. A one–month long course of this therapy was safe and did not cause any significant adverse effects. The combination of pancreatin, PPI and NSAID for treatment of chronic pancreatitis can be recommended, as it is based on pathogenesis of the disease, effective, safe and economically advantageous.