bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response Burden in Official Business Surveys: Measurement and Reduction Practices of National Statistical Institutes
Authors: Bavdaž Mojca , Giesen Deirdre , Černe Simona Korenjak , Löfgren Tora , Raymond-Blaess Virginie
Published: January 2016

Response burden in business surveys has long been a concern for National Statistical Institutes (NSIs) for three types of reasons: political reasons, because response burden is part of the total administrative burden governments impose on businesses; methodological reasons, because an excessive response burden may reduce data quality and increase data-collection costs; and strategic reasons, because it affects relations between the NSIs and the business community. This article investigates NSI practices concerning business response burden measurement and reduction actions based on a survey of 41 NSIs from 39 countries. Most NSIs monitor at least some burden aspects and have implemented some actions to reduce burden, but large differences exist between NSIs’ methodologies for burden measurement and actions taken to reduce burden. Future research should find ways to deal with methodological differences in burden conceptualization, operationalization, and measurement, and provide insights into the effectiveness and efficiency of burden-reduction actions.
Statistical Estimators Using Jointly Administrative and Survey Data to Produce French Structural Business Statistics
Authors: Brion Philippe , Gros Emmanuel
Published: January 2016

Using as much administrative data as possible is a general trend among most national statistical institutes. Different kinds of administrative sources, from tax authorities or other administrative bodies, are very helpful material in the production of business statistics. However, these sources often have to be completed by information collected through statistical surveys. This article describes the way Insee has implemented such a strategy in order to produce French structural business statistics. The originality of the French procedure is that administrative and survey variables are used jointly for the same enterprises, unlike the majority of multisource systems, in which the two kinds of sources generally complement each other for different categories of units. The idea is to use, as much as possible, the richness of the administrative sources combined with the timeliness of a survey, even if the latter is conducted only on a sample of enterprises. One main issue is the classification of enterprises within the NACE nomenclature, which is a cornerstone variable in producing the breakdown of the results by industry. At a given date, two values of the corresponding code may coexist: the value of the register, not necessarily up to date, and the value resulting from the data collected via the survey, but only from a sample of enterprises. Using all this information together requires the implementation of specific statistical estimators combining some properties of the difference estimators with calibration techniques. This article presents these estimators, as well as their statistical properties, and compares them with those of other methods.
Quarterly Regional GDP Flash Estimates by Means of Benchmarking and Chain Linking
Authors: Cuevas Ángel , Quilis Enrique M. , Espasa Antoni
Published: January 2016

In this article we propose a methodology for estimating the GDP of a country’s different regions, providing quarterly profiles for the annual official observed data. Thus the article offers a new instrument for short-term monitoring that allows the analysts to quantify the degree of synchronicity among regional business cycles. Technically, we combine time-series models with benchmarking methods to process short-term quarterly indicators and to estimate quarterly regional GDPs ensuring their temporal and transversal consistency with the National Accounts data. The methodology addresses the issue of nonadditivity, explicitly taking into account the transversal constraints imposed by the chain-linked volume indexes used by the National Accounts, and provides an efficient combination of structural as well as short-term information. The methodology is illustrated by an application to the Spanish economy, providing real-time quarterly GDP estimates, that is, with a minimum compilation delay with respect to the national quarterly GDP. The estimated quarterly data are used to assess the existence of cycles shared among the Spanish regions.
Coordination of Conditional Poisson Samples
Authors: Grafström Anton , Matei Alina
Published: January 2016

Sample coordination seeks to maximize or to minimize the overlap of two or more samples. The former is known as positive coordination, and the latter as negative coordination. Positive coordination is mainly used for estimation purposes and to reduce data collection costs. Negative coordination is mainly performed to diminish the response burden of the sampled units. Poisson sampling design with permanent random numbers provides an optimum coordination degree of two or more samples. The size of a Poisson sample is, however, random. Conditional Poisson (CP) sampling is a modification of the classical Poisson sampling that produces a fixed-size πps sample. We introduce two methods to coordinate Conditional Poisson samples over time or simultaneously. The first one uses permanent random numbers and the list-sequential implementation of CP sampling. The second method uses a CP sample in the first selection and provides an approximate one in the second selection because the prescribed inclusion probabilities are not respected exactly. The methods are evaluated using the size of the expected sample overlap, and are compared with their competitors using Monte Carlo simulation. The new methods provide a good coordination degree of two samples, close to the performance of Poisson sampling with permanent random numbers.
B-Graph Sampling to Estimate the Size of a Hidden Population
Authors: Spreen Marinus , Bogaerts Stefan
Published: January 2016

Link-tracing designs are often used to estimate the size of hidden populations by utilizing the relational links between their members. A major problem in studies of hidden populations is the lack of a convenient sampling frame. The most frequently applied design in studies of hidden populations is respondent-driven sampling in which no sampling frame is used. However, in some studies multiple but incomplete sampling frames are available. In this article, we introduce the B-graph design that can be used in such situations. In this design, all available incomplete sampling frames are joined and turned into one sampling frame, from which a random sample is drawn and selected respondents are asked to mention their contacts. By considering the population as a bipartite graph of a two-mode network (those from the sampling frame and those who are not on the frame), the number of respondents who are directly linked to the sampling frame members can be estimated using Chao’s and Zelterman’s estimators for sparse data. The B-graph sampling design is illustrated using the data of a social network study from Utrecht, the Netherlands.
On Proxy Variables and Categorical Data Fusion
Authors: Zhang Li-Chun
Published: January 2016

The problem of inference about the joint distribution of two categorical variables based on knowledge or observations of their marginal distributions, to be referred to as categorical data fusion in this paper, is relevant in statistical matching, ecological inference, market research, and several other related fields. This article organizes the use of proxy variables, to be distinguished from other auxiliary variables, both in terms of their effects on the uncertainty of fusion and the techniques of fusion. A measure of the gains of efficiency is provided, which incorporates both the identification uncertainty associated with data fusion and the sampling uncertainty that arises when the theoretical bounds of the uncertainty space are unknown and need to be estimated. Several existing techniques for generating fusion distributions (or datasets) are described and some new ones proposed. Analysis of real-life data demonstrates empirically that proxy variables can make data fusion more precise and the constructed fusion distribution more plausible.
Band size, activity pattern and occupancy of the coati Nasua narica (Carnivora, Procyonidae) in the Southeastern Mexican rainforest
Authors: Pérez-Irineo Gabriela , Santos-Moreno Antonio
Published: January 2016

The White-nosed coati or tejon,
First data on the presence and diet of common genet (Genetta genetta, Linnaeus 1758) in the Ebro Delta (NE Iberian Peninsula)
Authors: Camps David , van den Broek Karin
Published: January 2016

This paper provides novel data on the recent incursion and presence of the common genet (
The world’s biggest hotel companies. Old trends and new tendencies
Authors: Kowalczyk Andrzej
Published: January 2016

Many hotels are owned by a few dozen so-called hotel chains or hotel systems. The rapid growth of big hotel companies can be regarded as proof of the entrance of hotel systems into the globalisation phase. Since 2006, companies from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) have been among the world’s top hotel systems. This year can be considered as the symbolic beginning of a new stage in the history of the largest hotel systems. This paper shows two main trends. On the one hand, the processes that could be observed in the market of the major global hotel systems from the 1990s are still discernible (for example, the position of the so-called hotel megasystems). On the other hand, new trends have come to the fore in recent years, notably the emergence of systems from the People’s Republic of China among the world’s largest hotel systems.
Development of agritourism in Poland: a critical analysis of students’ expectations of agritourism farms
Authors: Kamińska Wioletta , Mularczyk Mirosław
Published: January 2016

The aim of this paper is to determine the expectations of students from selected Polish academic centers toward facilities at agritourist farms, and identifying the socio-demographic characteristics that determined those expectations. A survey method was used in this research. Using the Likert’s five-level scale, respondents rated the significance of elements of agritourist farm facilities. It was found that academic youth expected, above all, facilities for enabling passive leisure and the independent preparation of meals. Provision of facilities for active leisure were of less significance to them. Gender, place of living, field of study and prior experience connected to leisure on the farms analyzed were not factors that differentiated students’ expectations. A weak correlation was found between students’ expectations of facilities at agritourist farms and their economic status. Students’ expectations were very similar to the expectations of the average agritourist. Research results confirmed some of the results known from the literature, stating that socio-demographic characteristics differentiated the expectations of academic youth to a small extent. However, the effects obtained did not correspond to results claiming that age, gender, place of living and income have a significant influence on tourist expectations. Additionally psychographic characteristics should be considered in the following research. A combination of demographic and psychographic characteristics may offer a wider base for analysis and give better end results, allowing market segmentation.
The evaluation of archival maps in geohistorical research
Authors: Panecki Tomasz
Published: January 2016

The array of archival maps from the 19th and 20th centuries is very large and, in order to assess their reliability for a particular analysis, some kind of evaluation form must be used. The proposed evaluation form comprises both formal and quantitative criteria, enriched with the maps’ elaboration circumstances, which may influence their reliability. These factors are also applied at both the spatial and attribute levels of information. Guidelines include: the scope of content, the map’s mathematical precision, the descriptive information correctness, the time reference of the content, and the information transfer efficiency.
Regeneration-degeneration processes in the inland dune forests in protected areas of central Poland (Kampinos National Park)
Authors: Kowalska Anna , Kołaczkowska Ewa
Published: January 2016

The aim of our study was to quantify the differences in the regeneration-degeneration processes in pine and mixed oak-pine forest habitats in the Kampinos Forest (central Poland). We investigated whether the regeneration rate depends on habitat type, whether there is a relationship between the bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) cover and the degree of community deformation, and which habitat type has been most invaded by alien plant species. Our results indicate that the constant loss of pine forest habitats, which has been observed since the 1970s, is continuing. The less deformed communities generally have more bilberry coverage, the stands in pine forest habitats are older and less deformed, and the stands in mixed oak-pine forest habitats are more susceptible to the spread of alien species, but are able to regenerate faster after a disturbance. These results are in line with observations from other parts of Poland and other European countries.
Monitoring local alcohol prevention in Sweden: Application of Alcohol Prevention Magnitude Measure (APMM)
Authors: Nilsson Tony , Leifman Håkan , Andréasson Sven
Published: January 2016

Aims

National alcohol policy in Sweden has to a certain extent grown weaker, and there has instead been an increased focus on strengthening local alcohol prevention. Swedish municipalities carry out a variety of alcohol prevention activities, but there is little knowledge of how the magnitude of all these activities has developed over time. One reason for this lack of information is the limitation of tools for monitoring prevention activities locally. The aim of this study is 1) to develop an Alcohol Prevention Magnitude Measure (APMM) based on local data and 2) to analyse the development of local alcohol prevention by using APMM.

Data

The APMM is based on 37 different indicators of local prevention. Data derives from web-based surveys comprising all Swedish municipalities and from information on licensed premises at the local level.

Results

The results reveal that local alcohol prevention in Sweden, as measured by the APMM, has increased generally between 2006 and 2010. The increase is the result of more local policies and activities.

Conclusion

The results indicate that the APMM captures real changes at the local level, as the APMM increased significantly in community intervention municipalities compared to others.
Rusmisbruk, angst og depresjon etter 10 år: En prospektiv undersøkelse av stoffmisbrukere med og uten LAR-behandling
Authors: Ravndal Edle , Lauritzen Grethe
Published: January 2016

Substance abuse, anxiety and depression after 10 years: A prospective study of drug users in and outside OMT treatment

Aims

The national Opiate Maintenance Treatment (OMT) program in Norway started officially in 1998. The same year a treatment study was initiated, including the most used treatment measures for drug users in Norway. The main aim in the present study was to investigate the prevalence of live OMT patients in the total sample after 10 years, and to compare the outcome of primarily substance abuse, anxiety and depression among OMT patients versus non-OMT patients.

Design & Methods

Four hundred and seven patients, in Oslo and the nearby regions, who started in 16 different in- and outpatients programs, were followed from intake to treatment and during ten years (1998-2009). Patients in the sample were interviewed after one, two, seven and ten years, and they were divided into three different treatment groups: inpatient residency for grown-ups, outpatient psychiatric youth teams and youths living in collectives. Data was collected through use of EuropASI and HSCL-25 at all follow-ups.

Results

After ten years 15 % were deceased. Of the 333 persons left, 73 % (n=248) were interviewed after ten years. Forty percent (n=99) were then in OMT. After ten years there were no gender differences regarding attendance to OMT, but the OMT-group was older (30 vs .28 yrs, p<0.05), and they used more benzodiazepines (p<0.000) and cannabis (p<0.01) than the others. The OMT-group reported to a larger extent more anxiety and depression throughout the total observation period than the non OMT participants. Use of heroin and criminality were significantly reduced in both groups.

Conclusions

In spite of reduced use of heroin, the OMT patients seemed to have more difficulties in reducing the use of benzodiazepines and cannabis, whereas the anxiety and depression scores were high and stable through the total observation time.
Rusmestringsenheter i norske fengsler – humane og eksepsjonelle?
Authors: Helgesen Janne Henriette Ingarsdotter
Published: January 2016

Substance treatment units in Norwegian prisons - humane and exceptional?

Background

The treatment of prison inmates in the Nordic countries has been described as humane and welfare-oriented – often referred to as ‘Nordic exceptionalism’

Aim

This study explores how key actors working in 13 substance treatment units in Norwegian prisons assess the responsibilities, working methods and goal attainment of these units, and how their descriptions fit the idea of a Nordic exceptionalism.

Data and Method

The data consists of qualitative interviews with 23 strategically selected informants of the specialist health care services and the correctional services. The interviews were analysed with the aid of systematic text condensation (STC).

Results

The results show that ‘rehabilitation’, ‘substance use treatment’ and ‘dynamic control’ are key topics for those who work in the substance treatment units. Overall, the informants describe the rehabilitation programmes in the units as intensive and as aiming to improve the inmates' living conditions and social and cognitive skills, and to promote their reintegration into society. Moreover, informants state that inmates in the substance treatment units receive treatment from specialist health care services, and that the idea of therapy permeates many aspects of these units' activities. Informants also state that they prioritise less repressive forms of control in the relationship to the inmates, and that these forms of control are favourable to rehabilitation.

Conclusions

The main pattern that emerges from this study supports that welfare orientation and ideas about therapy and rehabilitation are priorities in work with imprisoned substance users in substance treatment units. The control of inmates in these units is described as less repressive and favourable to rehabilitation. This pattern is not unambiguous, however, and the findings in this study may therefore help add nuances to the notion of Nordic exceptionalism.
Academic education in addictology (addiction science) in the Czech Republic: Analysis of the (pre-1989) historical origins
Authors: Miovsky Michal , Miller Peter , Grund Jean-Paul C. , Belackova Vendula , Gabrhelik Roman , Libra Jiri
Published: January 2016

Background

In the Czech Republic, education in addiction science consists of a distinctive and interconnected system of non-medical healthcare education on the Bachelor's (Bc) and Master's (MA) levels, followed by a doctoral study programme (PhD). Addictology (addiction science) as a new term is defined as a distinct and independent field of scientific inquiry on addictive behaviours and the risk environment of substance use, aiming at scientific and professional excellence relevant to society.

Aims

This case study seeks to identify, describe and explain important events in shaping the historical context of the Czech education and research programmes in addictology.

Design

The historical review is based on qualitative content analysis of central written documents.

Results

In the 19th century Czech territory, problematic alcohol use was addressed through self-help activities in the second half of the nineteenth century. During the 1950s and 1960s, a new generation of Czech psychiatrists emerged with an interest in alcohol treatment and in research of hallucinogenic drugs. A patient education bulletin Apolinářský zápisník [Apolinar Diary] was launched in 1951 and was later also used for education of treatment professionals in connection with other self-help and quasi-self-help activities. The monographs Alkoholism (1957) and Toxicomany (1973) conceptualised the core of abstinence-oriented historical traditions and developments. A separation of approaches to legal and illegal drugs can be observed in the 1970s. In 1967, a new and intensive training model was introduced for psychiatrists and psychotherapists, leading into specialisation in psychotherapy and addiction. Because of the Iron Curtain, Czech practitioners had to develop their own concept of addiction and ideas on training psychotherapists so they could not be labelled western or anti-state, or be subject to intense state control.

Conclusions

The final profile of the study programmes is the outcome of a long-term process that commenced in the 1950s but with roots in the interwar years, when addictology in the Czech Republic reflected traditional healthcare-oriented models of training and education. In this context the historical development in Czecholovakia and later Czech Relpublic can be characterized as a combination of early interest in self-help activities followed by the development of specialized treatment programmes both affected by a futher 40 years behind the “iron curtain” and intensively confrontated with harm and risk reducation interventions after the Velvet revolution.
Experimental analysis of resin infusion in air cushion method
Authors: Chang Chih-Yuan
Published: January 2016

A new technique of resin infusion, called the air cushion method (ACM), has been developed to improve infusion time associated with the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. The method utilizes an innovative vacuum bag consisting of a bagging film and air cushions. After the preform is sealed by the bagging film and then evacuated, distribution channels are created between air cushions for flow enhancement during infusion. Once the required volume of resin is infused, the bonding interfaces between the air cushion and the bagging film are punctured and distribution channels collapse. The ambient pressure is applied on the bagging film that entirely compacts the preform. This paper investigates the infusion process in ACM using flow visualization experiments. An approximate estimation of the equivalent permeability of the bulk distribution channel is provided. Finally, an assessment of the properties of the ACM part is performed in comparison with VARTM part.
Usefulness of Presepsin (sCD14-ST) in diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis - preliminary results of an observational study / Utilitatea presepsinului (sCD14-ST) în Endocardita Infecțioasă –rezultate preliminare ale unui studiu observațional
Authors: Topan Adriana , Carstina Dumitru , Rancea Raluca , Slavcovici Adriana , Flonta Mirela , Lupse Mihaela
Published: January 2016

Background: Soluble CD14 subtype (sCD14-ST), also named presepsin, has been proposed as a novel biomarker for the diagnosis of sepsis. We hypothesized that presepsin value might be helpful in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE).

Material and methods: In this prospective study a total of 29 patients with clinical suspicion of IE were enrolled. The plasma presepsin samples were collected at the admittance in the same time with blood cultures, CRP (C-reactive protein) and routine blood tests. Data about the antibiotic treatment prior to admittance were recorded. The diagnosis of IE was made using the Duke modified criteria. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis and binary logistic regression were performed using SPSS software, version 18. A p value less than 0.05 is considered statistically significant.

Results: Patients were divided in two subgroups: 14 patients with definite IE and 8 with IE - rejected according to the modified Duke criteria. 7 patients with final diagnosis of sepsis were excluded. Presepsin levels in patient with definite IE were significantly higher than in those with rejected IE (p<0.03). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.781 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.590 - 0.973). The threshold value of presepsin in predicting IE was determined to be 345 pg/ml, of which the clinical sensitivity and specificity were 64% and respectively, 88%. The AUC for CRP was 0.656 (95% CI 0.37-0.88).

Conclusion: Presepsin might be a useful additional diagnostic marker in patients with suspected IE. These preliminary results needs confirmation by future studies.
Staphylococcus aureus harbouring egc cluster coding for non-classical enterotoxins, involved in a food poisoning outbreak, Romania, 2012 / Staphylococcus aureus purtător de gene codante pentru enterotoxine non-clasice (cluster egc), implicat într-un focar de toxiinfecţie alimentară, România, 2012
Authors: Coldea Ileana Luminita , Zota Lavinia , Dragomirescu Cristiana Cerasella , Lixandru Brandusa Elena , Dragulescu Elena Carmina , Sorokin Marilena , Codita Irina
Published: January 2016

In March 2012, a food poisoning outbreak was reported in a Romanian county, with a total number of 30 children affected. The symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain), with onset within 1-2 hours after the ingestion of a particular food (milk), suggested a possible staphylococcal aetiology. An outbreak investigation was carried out, in accordance with the national surveillance methodology and 25 samples: stool (n=9), vomit (n=5), nasal swabs (n=9), and milk (n=2) were collected from the affected children, food handlers and suspected food. All isolated strains were sent to the Reference Centre for Staphylococci within the “Cantacuzino” National Institute of Research-Development for Microbiology and Immunology, Bucharest, Romania, for confirmation and further analysis. The aim of this study was to increase the reference laboratory capacity to confirm staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP) outbreak by defining the molecular basis of toxicity of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) isolates and assessing their genetic relatedness. PCR methods have been used to detect 14 enterotoxin genes and the expression of some of these genes was proved by using a reverse transcription real-time PCR. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and Staphylococcus protein A coding gene sequence typing (spa typing) have been used to track the origin of the S. aureus contamination and to confirm the food poisoning outbreak.

Two enterotoxigenic S. aureus strains isolated from milk, twelve isolated from patients and two from food handlers were of the same spa- type (t902) and revealed an indistinguishable SmaI macrorestriction pattern after a PFGE analysis. All these strains harboured the same toxin genes profile, namely the enterotoxin gene cluster (egc), which strongly supports the evidence that the milk was the incriminated food vehicle of the outbreak and a food-handler was the most likely source of the staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP) incident.
The significance of soluble transferrin receptors in diagnosing iron deficiency anemia
Authors: Tijanić Ivan , Vučić Miodrag , Mačukanović Golubović Lana
Published: January 2016

Introduction. In recent years, determination of soluble transferrin receptor levels has been emerging as a test that can reliably indicate iron deficiency in various states, and that is non-invasive and easy to use. The aim of this study was: to determine reference values of soluble transferrin receptor concentrations in serums in our population, to examine the reliability of this method in the diagnosis of anemia due to iron deficiency and associated iron deficiency in anemia accompanying malignant hemopathies, and to identify possible limitations of the test in certain conditions.

Material and Methods. The prospective research included 86 patients with anemia: 46 patients with iron deficiency anemia, and 40 patients with malignant hemopathies. The control group consisted of 40 healthy persons aging over 18.

Results. Ferritin values were reduced in 76.1% of patients, while higher levels of soluble transferrin receptors appeared in 100% of patients with iron deficiency anemia. In patients with reduced serum ferritin levels, the soluble transferrin receptor/log ferritin index was statistically significantly higher than in patients in whom ferritin concentration was in the normal range (p <0.001). ROC analysis of patients with iron deficiency anemia showed that the soluble transferrin receptor/log ferritin index (AUC 0.977) and levels of soluble transferrin receptors (AUC 0.931) occupied the largest area under the curve. The best diagnostic parameter for detecting iron deficiency in patients with malignant hemopathies by ROC analysis is the soluble transferrin receptor/log ferritin index (AUC 0.770).

Conclusion. Soluble transferrin receptors are useful in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, especially when ferritin values are not reduced. The calculation of soluble transferrin receptor/log ferritin index is even more reliable. In patients with malignant hemopathies, the associated iron deficiency could be best indicated by soluble transferrin receptor/log ferritin index.
Recent developments in fatty acids profile determination in biological samples - a review
Authors: Tiuca Ioana , Nagy Katalin , Oprean Radu
Published: January 2016

The present paper is a literature review of the recent years dealing with the most important separation techniques of fatty acids in biological samples. Our aim was to make a synthesis of the analytical methods used, to note the most used ones, but also to mention other methods that are less utilized, which can have important advantages (such as less time consuming, greener reagents, etc.). Gas-chromatographic separation methods were described and compared to liquid chromatographic separations of fatty acids in different types of biological samples. In the same time, the importance of determining fatty acids profiles in biological samples was revealed, pointing out the possible implications in diagnostics of different types of disorders or remarking different profiles compared to healthy states.
PCR coupled with mass-spectrometry for detection of Clostridium difficile virulence markers during the emergence of ribotype 027 in Bucharest area
Authors: Florea Dragos , Huhulescu Steliana , Indra Alexander , Badicut Ioana , Rafila Alexandru , Otelea Dan , Popescu Gabriel Adrian
Published: January 2016

In recent years Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has represented a serious public health issue, mainly due to the global spread of the hypervirulent strain NAP1/027/BI. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the utility of a PCR coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) commercial assay for the detection of C. difficile virulence markers. Non-duplicative C. difficile isolates from patients with CDI diagnosed in a tertiary level hospital from Bucharest were tested for toxin A, toxin B, binary toxin genes and deletion in tcdC gene using PCR/capillary gel electrophoresis and PCR/ESI-MS. The study analysed 45 non-duplicative isolates, 33 strains (73.3%) belonging to ribotype 027. The concordance between PCR/capillary gel electrophoresis and PCR/ESI-MS was 100% for toxin A gene, 97.8% for toxin B gene, 91.1% for binary toxin subunit A gene and 95.6% for binary toxin subunit B gene. The general concordance for the complete panel of markers was 88.9% but was 100% for ribotype 027 isolates. PCR/ESI-MS might be a valid method for the detection of C. difficile virulence markers, including binary toxin.
Bacteriological evaluation of the non-struvite nephrolithiasis and its association with urinary tract infections
Authors: Maier Adrian , Man Adrian , Chibelean Călin , Cighir Teodora , Nemes-Nagy Eniko , Maier Ioana , Todea Ciprian , Vida Oliver , Martha Orsolya
Published: January 2016

Objective: To evaluate the bacteriological features in non-struvite nephrolithiasis and in its associated urinary tract infection, and to establish the relationship between the two pathologies.

Methods: The non-struvite calculi from 132 patients were aseptically extracted by percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). The midstream urine and calculi were bacteriologically and biochemically processed.

Results: Most calculi (78%) were located to renal pelvis, associated with hydronephrosis, the biochemical composition confirming the lack of struvite and revealing the predominance of calcium oxalate. The females presented significantly more colonized calculi (50%) than males (21.9%), with higher bacteriological diversity. There is a significant relation between the presence of colonized calculi and urinary tract infections, 24.2% of calculi and 25.8% of the urine samples presenting positive cultures. In 70.4% of cases, we found the same antibiotic resistance pattern between the pathogens isolated from calculi and urine, thus considering them identical strains. The Enterobacteriaceae represented the most predominant bacteria both from calculi (62.5%) and urine (63.6%), approximatively 30% being resistant to cephalosporins and over 50% resistant to fluoroquinolones, ampicillin and tetracycline. There were 3.8% of cases in which the calculi were colonized but the urine was sterile, the bacteria being sensitive to cephalosporins that are used as prophylaxis.

Conclusions: In all the cases, the same bacterial species was found both in calculi and urine, and 70.4% of them were phenotypically identical. The resistance to the second generation cephalosporins is lower than in the case of other antibiotics, which makes them the most suitable for prophylaxis in PNL.
Effects of CO-CR Discrepancy in Daily Orthodontic Treatment Planning
Authors: Costea Carmen Maria , Badea Mîndra Eugenia , Vasilache Sorin , Mesaroș Michaela
Published: January 2016

Background and aims. Nowadays centric relation is defined as a musculoskeletal stable position, with the condyles forward, as far upward as possible, centered transversely and with the articular disc properly interposed. On the other hand, centric occlusion or maximum intercuspidation is a dental determined position. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the direction, frequency and magnitude of the discrepancy between centric occlusion and centric relation in all three axial directions, in a muscular non-deprogrammed population, before the beginning of orthodontic treatment.Methods. The study  group was represented by 40 symptomatic and asymptomatic patients seeking orthodontic treatment in a private dental office in Cluj-Napoca, Romania between 2014 and 2015. All patients had full records and articulator mounted models. All measurements were analyzed three-dimensionally.Results. 85% of the patients had vertical and 87.5% had horizontal CO-CR discrepancy for both condyles. 87.5% of the cases have had a significant condylar displacement in at least one of the three planes.Conclusions. We should be aware of the dental occlusion determined by the dental contacts and the occlusion dictated by the musculoskeletal stable position of the condyles. The bigger the discrepancy between these two positions at the level of the condyles, the greater the chances to have either a patient who will develop a form of TMD before/during or after the orthodontic or prosthetic treatment, or a patient suffering already, but poorly diagnosed.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and the Quality of Life
Authors: Coman Andreea Codruta , Borzan Cristina , Vesa Cristian Stefan , Todea Doina Adina
Published: January 2016

Background and aims. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) affects the quality of life (QOL) due to the effects on the patient’s physical and mental function. QOL in sleep apnea may improve under continuous airway positive pressure (CPAP) therapy. The purpose of this study was to assess the OSA patients QOL before and after 3 months of CPAP therapy using Calgary Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index (SAQLI).Methods. We conducted a study in 79 sleep apnea subjects diagnosed using cardiorespiratory portable monitoring, under CPAP therapy, monitored in our Sleep Laboratory from January 2011 to December 2014. This is a cross-sectional study, achieved through quantitative research (SAQLI questionnaire application) about the perception of quality of life in patients with sleep apnea in the moment of diagnosis and 3 months after CPAP therapy. Results. Of the 79 subjects, 59 (74.7%) were men and 20 (26.3%) women; mean age was 54.13 years (SD±10.87), the mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 52.46±20.83 events/h. In all 4 domains of SAQLI: daily functioning with mean pretreatment score 4.13±0.58 versus mean post treatment score 5.43±0.52; social interactions with mean pretreatment score 3.68±0.55 versus post treatment mean score 5.36±0.57; emotional functioning with mean pretreatment score 3.83±0.53 versus mean post treatment mean 5.38±0.56 and symptoms with mean pretreatment score 0.81±0.12 versus mean post treatment score 1.15±0.14, quality of life was improved after 3 months of therapy, with significantly statistical correlation (p=0.00). Also, an improvement was seen in mean total score of SAQLI after therapy as compared to baseline 3.11±0.32 versus 4.24±0.39 (p<0.01). Conclusion. The quality of life in sleep apnea was better after CPAP therapy than from baseline, according Calgary Sleep Apnea Quality of Life Index. The SAQLI is a useful toll to evaluate quality of life in sleep apnea, especially to highlight the benefits of CPAP therapy, even with short time monitoring.
TUMOR MARKERS USED IN MONITORING THE TUMOR RECURRENCE IN PATIENTS WITH COLORECTAL CANCER
Authors: Burz Claudia , Aziz Ben Youssef Mohamed , Bălăcescu Loredana , Leluţiu Luminiţa , Buiga Rareş , Samasca Gabriel , Irimie Alexandru , Lisencu Cosmin
Published: January 2016

Background and aims. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA 19-9) correlated with some tissue molecules as predictive markers for recurrence in colon cancer.Methods. A total of 30 patients diagnosed with colon cancer stage II or III who underwent optimal surgery were enrolled in study. Tumor markers CEA and CA 19-9 were determined before surgery. Tumor samples were prepared using tissue microarray kit (TMA) then stained for different cellular markers (Ki 67, HER2, BCL2, CD56, CD4, CD8) and analyzed using Inforatio programme for quantitative determination. All patients received standard adjuvant treatment, which consisted of eight cycles chemotherapy type XELOX. The patients were followed up for 3 years.Results. Upon 3 years follow-up, 67% of patients developed tumor relapse, the most common site of metastasis being the liver. No correlations were observed between either serum or tissue tumor markers and the risk of tumor relapse.Conclusion. Over 50% of patients with colon cancer who had optimal treatment developed metastasis. No statistically significant predictive value for investigated molecules was found. Future studies are needed to confirm the use of molecular markers in monitoring patients with colorectal cancer
Improper Use of a Plant-Based Vitamin C–Deficient Beverage Causes Scurvy in an Infant
Authors: Vitoria Isidro , López Berta , Gómez Jacinto , Torres Carolina , Guasp María , Calvo Inmaculada , Dalmau Jaime
Published: January 2016

Scurvy is a rare disease in developed countries. Risk groups include children with restricted diets, mainly patients who are autistic or have cerebral palsy. Furthermore, consumption of plant-based beverages has increased in recent years, especially in developed countries. When plant-based beverages are the exclusive diet in the first year of life and not consumed as a supplement to formula or breastfeeding, it can result in severe nutritional problems. We report a case of scurvy after exclusive intake of almond beverages and almond flour from 2.5 to 11.0 months of life. The patient was referred for pathologic fractures of the femur, irritability, and failure to thrive. He had typical radiologic signs of scurvy, such as osteopenia, cortical thinning, Wimberger ring, Frankel line, fracture, and periosteal reaction. Moreover, his plasmatic vitamin C level was very low. The child was diagnosed with scurvy and was started on vitamin C replacement therapy at a dose of 300 mg per day. Over the following 3 months, his general condition, the pain in the legs, and the radiologic features improved; the plasmatic vitamin C level was normalized; and the child started walking. In summary, this case demonstrates that scurvy is a new and severe complication of improper use of almond drinks in the first year of life. Manufacturers should indicate that these beverages are inappropriate for infants who consume a vitamin C–deficient diet.
Analiza i modelowanie rozwoju naukowego pracowników uczelni
Authors: Hamerska Monika , Lula Paweł
Published: January 2016

The aim of the paper is to analyse the process associated with scientific development of faculty at institutions of higher learning. The career path of a member of faculty is determined by the scientific degree and titles he or she earns or by taking up consecutive positions at university. The development is determined by the faculty member’s personal involvement, regulations and the personnel policy of the university. In this paper, survival analysis was the main tool used to create a model of scientific development. The data used for the analysis concern PhD degrees earned and professorships conferred uponfaculty members at the University of Economicsin Cracow in the years 1970–2014.
Acceptance Control Charts
Authors: Major Michał
Published: January 2016

The main goal of this article was to review and analyse basic control charts, which can be used to accept or disqualify an analysed production process. There are two kinds of acceptance control charts: Shewhart and cumulative sum (CUSUM charts). Both can be used by quality managers or financial managers in process monitoring or auditing. Only selected process control procedures are presented in this article. Other algorithms can be found in the cited literature or developed by listed schemes. The article focuses also on the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed solutions, and provides examples of their use.
Public Foreign Debt and Economic Growth in Ukraine
Authors: Shevchuk Viktor , Lynnyk Oleksandra
Published: January 2016

On the surface, a rapid accumulation of public external debt over the last few years has been motivated by the logic of stabilisation policy, following a deep recession during the 2008–2009 financial crisis and slow post-crisis recovery. However, it is exactly the excessive build-up of foreign debt that is blamed for recent macroeconomic difficulties.Based on the quarterly data for the years 2000–2013, it was found within the SVAR framework that an increase in public foreign debt is associated with a short-lived increase in output, with a decline in that indicator to follow, and nominal exchange rate depreciation, with no impact on the current account. On the other hand, either the current account deficit or the exchange rate depreciation contribute to a higher debt level, while there is no output effects on the public foreign debt. Among other results, the exchange rate depreciation brings about an improvement in the current account, but its impact upon the output is restrictionary. Also, there is a virtuous two-way causality between the output and the current account that underlines the importance of external equilibrium for Ukraine’s economy. Our results are robust to changes in the length of the data sample and the choice of industrial output as a proxy for output.
Analysis of E-learning Forms and Aids of Distance Studies in Lithuanian Colleges
Authors: Navickienė Vida , Vainorytė Brigita
Published: January 2016

The presentation focuses on a number of interrelated aspects of distance education. Firstly, the aspects of accessibility of college higher education is discussed, which is promoted by the documents of Bologna process and legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania. The development of distance education is emphasised through an expansion of variety of e-learning forms. Secondly, the activities and goals of study divisions and centres of distance education in Lithuanian colleges are presented comprehensively. The presentation examines similarities and differences of e-learning in private and state colleges. Thirdly, referring to e-learning it is necessary to discuss curriculum quality aspects. Therefore, the analysis of structure of learning materials used in distance studies is presented, which focuses on how and to what extent the presented obligatory and additional tasks develop students’ critical thinking and their ability to involve in studies consistently and self-dependently. Educological aspects of e-learning materials are also discussed. Taking into account the problem areas of the conducted analysis, suggestions regarding improvement of e-learning materials to meet requirements imposed on higher education for development of students’ generic and subject specific competences are provided. Generalising, it can be stated that accessibility of higher education is improved employing a wider variety of e-learning forms. However, the quality of curriculum should be also ensured.
E-learning multimedia applications: Towards an engineering of content creation
Authors: Suarez Maria Dolores Afonso , Artal Cayetano Guerra , Tejera Francisco Mario Hernandez
Published: January 2016

In the same manner that e-learning applications are becoming increasingly important at the university, there are still some critical questions that should be solved with the objective of making use of the potential offered by currentWeb Technologies. The creation of contents that are able of capturing the attention of interest of the students and their disposal in an appropriate way constitute the main purpose of this work. The teaching content engineering expounded shows the different stages that should form part of the process. A development team, composed of different professional profiles, will work together with the lecturers of the subject to which the contents are been created, i.e. multimedia videos and interactive applications. This process should be developed according to a methodology that assure the use of appropriate resources, all that tasks -suitable of being- should be modularized and factorized. This paper presents the acquired experience in the development and use of multimedia contents for e-learning applications, created for some of the subjects of the degree in computer science engineering. The deliveries of these contents make use of Internet and video streaming techniques. The result of the work shows the students satisfaction, including their comments.
Design of a MIMO PID Robust Controller using moments based approach
Authors: Bentayeb Abdelmadjid , Maamri Nezha , Trigeassou Jean-Claude
Published: January 2016

In this paper we present a new technique for robust MIMO controllers synthesis and reduction based on a reference model and moments approach intended to control a MIMO thermal system.
The reference model allows to specify the performances requirements for the closed loop and improve the controller robustness while the moments tool (frequency and time ones) is used to reduce the controller structure using a Non Linear Optimization. The implementation on the real system associates this methodology of MIMO PID controllers synthesis with Broïda’s identification technique in order to carry out a auto-tuning procedure [2][11].