bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetic analysis of the king cobra, Ophiophagus hannah in Thailand based on mitochondrial DNA sequences
Authors: Suntrarachun Sunutcha , Chanhome Lawan , Sumontha Montri
Published: August 2015

Background: Snakes possess adaptive characteristics of morphology that may result in incorrect reconstruction of phylogeny. Molecular approaches have become the major source of new information for advancing our understanding of evolutionary, genetic relationships, and species identification.

Objective: We studied DNA sequences of Ophiophagus hannah in different parts of Thailand and compared them with those of O. hannah from other countries.

Materials and Methods: We studied the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) and control region (CR) sequences of 12 individuals O. hannah from different localities across Thailand. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences were compared to the published sequences of O. hannah deposited in NCBI GenBank database from other countries.

Results: O. hannah could be categorized into 2 Clades, 5 haplotypes, and 4 localities based on 43 different nucleotide positions from the 736 bp of ND2 and 673 bp of CR. Clade A was haplotype A from southern Thailand. Clade B consisted of haplotypes B, C, D, and E. Haplotype B and C came from northern Thailand. Haplotype D came from western Thailand, while haplotype E was O. hannah from central Thailand. The DNA sequences of Clade B were similar to the sequences of O. hannah in Myanmar and southern China that are already deposited in NCBI GenBank database.

Conclusion: We found a different genotype of O. hannah from southern Thailand and suggest that this may be a new species of O. hannah.
Original article. Nurse-controlled analgesia for postoperative pain in pediatric patients: effects on nurses’ attitudes and patient care
Authors: Suraseranivongse Suwannee , Wattanaamornkiet Parichart , Sanansilp Vimolluck , Srikwan Napamas , Termtor Somluck , Kaewchinda Umaporn , Chianvichai Saovanee
Published: August 2015

Background: Because of the limited number of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps in our developing country, we proposed a technique of modified nurse-controlled analgesia (NCA) to relieve postoperative pain in pediatric patients.

Objective: We assessed efficacy, safety, compliance by nurses, and satisfaction including parent satisfaction of a modified NCA protocol compared with fixed-dose analgesia conventionally used for postoperative pain relief in pediatric patients.

Methods: A prospective study design was conducted in pediatric patients who underwent major surgery in a university hospital. In the pre-NCA phase, patients received a conventional fixed-dose opioid after surgery. In the NCA phase, nurses could initiate two additional small doses autonomously, as prescribed, if the initial bolus was inadequate. Outcome measures were the number of moderate to severe pain scores, respiratory depression, compliance by nurses, and parent satisfaction.

Results: There were 117 and 113 patients in the pre-NCA and NCA phases, respectively. Detection of moderate to severe pain ≥2 episodes in 24 h after surgery was significantly higher in the NCA phase especially in moderate to severe pain procedures. Respiratory depression was not found in either phase. The majority of nurses showed positive attitudes to routine use of a modified NCA protocol. Parent satisfaction was high in both groups.

Conclusion: The attitude of nurses toward the modified NCA protocol was positive and it significantly increased detection of episodes of moderate to severe postoperative pain, which accordingly increased patient care and pain relief without severe untoward effects.
Original article. Biting behavior of Malaysian mosquitoes, Aedes albopictus Skuse, Armigeres kesseli Ramalingam, Culex quinquefasciatus Say, and Culex vishnui Theobald obtained from urban residential areas in Kuala Lumpur
Authors: Chen Chee Dhang , Lee Han Lim , Lau Koon Weng , Abdullah Abdul Ghani , Tan Swee Beng , Sa’diyah Ibrahim , Norma-Rashid Yusoff , Oh Pei Fen , Chan Chi Kian , Sofian-Azirun Mohd
Published: August 2015

Background: There are several species of mosquitoes that readily attack people, and some are capable of transmitting microbial organisms that cause human diseases including dengue, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis. The mosquitoes of major concern in Malaysia belong to the genera Culex, Aedes, and Armigeres.

Objective: To study the host-seeking behavior of four Malaysian mosquitoes commonly found in urban residential areas in Kuala Lumpur.

Methods: The host-seeking behavior of Aedes albopictus, Armigeres kesseli, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Culex vishnui was conducted in four urban residential areas in Fletcher Road, Kampung Baru, Taman Melati, and University of Malaya student hostel. The mosquito biting frequency was determined by using a bare leg catch (BLC) technique throughout the day (24 hours). The study was triplicated for each site.

Results: Biting activity of Ae. albopictus in urban residential areas in Kuala Lumpur was detected throughout the day, but the biting peaked between 0600-0900 and 1500-2000, and had low biting activity from late night until the next morning (2000-0500) with biting rate ≤1 mosquito/man/hour. Biting behavior of Ar. kesseli was distinctly crepuscular, which exhibited two peaks of activity at 0600-0700 and 1900-2000, while Culex quinquefasciatus and Cx. vishnui were nocturnal feeders with multiple biting peaks throughout the night.

Conclusion: This study recommends optimal time for fogging to be conducted in Malaysia and neighboring countries according to the peak biting peak obtained.
Original article. Repeatability assessment of the New Numbers Contrast Sensitivity Chart
Authors: Khambhiphant Bharkbhum , Chansangpetch Sunee , Tulvatana Wasee , Busayarat Mathu
Published: August 2015

Background: The validity and agreement of the New Numbers Contrast Sensitivity Chart with the original Mars chart have been found to be good. The two charts can be used interchangeably; however, evidence of the repeatability of the new chart remains to be sought. This study was to assess the repeatability of the New Numbers Contrast Sensitivity Chart.

Objectives: We assessed the repeatability of the Numbers Contrast Sensitivity Chart.

Methods: Two hundred subjects from the ophthalmic clinic of the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, who were able to communicate and read Arabic numerals were recruited. The contrast sensitivity (CS) scores were collected by reading the same Numbers Contrast Sensitivity Chart in the same environment with each eye and both eyes ten minutes apart. The repeatability of the CS score was assessed by Bland-Altman plot analysis.

Results: The visual acuity of subjects with variety in diagnoses ranged from 20/480 to 20/20. The mean differences were -0.006, -0.008, -0.002 log CS and the coefficients of repeatability were 0.155, 0.141, and 0.093 for the right eye, left eye, and both eyes, respectively. The plots showed a narrow range of 95% limit of agreement, which were (+0.146, -0.159) in the right eye, (+0.130, -0.147) in the left eye, and (+0.089, -0.093) in both eyes.

Conclusions: The New Numbers Contrast Sensitivity Chart has good repeatability. With proven good validity and repeatability, this easy and convenient numbers chart is beneficial for practical use in a clinical setting where English is not used as the primary language.
Original article. Cost-effectiveness of annual microalbuminuria screening in Thai diabetics
Authors: Srisubat Attasit , Sriratanaban Jiruth , Ngamkiatphaisan Sureerat , Tungsanga Kriang
Published: August 2015

Background: Diabetes is a leading cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD), which impacts on treatment costs and patients’ quality of life. Microalbuminuria screening in patients with diabetes as an early intervention is beneficial in slowing the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of annual microalbuminuria screening in type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods: We compared screening by urine dipsticks with a “do nothing” scenario. To replicate the natural history of diabetic nephropathy, a Markov model based on a simulated cohort of 10,000 45-year-old normotensive diabetic patients was utilized. We calculated the cost and quality of life gathered from a cross-sectional survey. The costs of dialysis were derived from The National Health Security Office (NHSO). We also calculated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for lifetime with a future discount rate of 3%.

Results: The ICER was 3,035 THB per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses showed that all ICERs were less than the Thai Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita (150,000 THB in 2011) based on World Health Organization’s suggested criteria.

Conclusions: Annual microalbuminuria screening using urine dipsticks in type 2 diabetic patients is very costeffective in Thailand based on World Health Organization’s recommendations. This finding has corroborated the benefit of this screening in the public health benefit package.
Brief communication (Original). Rabies postexposure vaccination in Thailand: is it performed according to international guidelines?
Authors: Sittichanbuncha Yuwares , Chairat Chalermpon , Sawanyawisuth Kittisak
Published: August 2015

Background: Animal bites are one of the leading causes of visits to an emergency room (ER) in Thailand. Rabies is an almost invariably fatal disease.

Objectives: We evaluated the appropriateness of rabies vaccination in clinical practice following the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

Methods: All patients who visited the ER at Ramathibodi Hospital of Mahidol University because of mammal bites and received rabies vaccination by the WHO rabies postexposure regimen were enrolled. Data were retrieved from medical records. Wound categories were classified by WHO guidelines both in real practice and by the investigators on subsequent investigation.

Results: The agreement between clinical practice and the WHO guidelines was calculated and reported as kappa statistics. There were 372 eligible patients. The mean age was 36 years and 172 patients were male. The agreement between clinical practice and the WHO guidelines was a disturbing 26.9% with a kappa statistic of -0.02, P = 0.56.

Conclusion: Even in a referral and teaching hospital, rabies postexposure vaccination in Thailand was not appropriate according to WHO guidelines.
Brief communication (Original). Effectiveness of influenza control using nonpharmaceutical interventions at primary schools in Nakhon Phanom Province, Northeast Thailand
Authors: Mangklakeree Nutcharat , Pinitsoontorn Somdej , Srisaenpang Sompong
Published: August 2015

Background: The world is entering the post-outbreak period of the 2009 A H1N1 strain of the influenza virus. The strain is expected to continue spreading, as seasonal influenza viruses do each year. The majority of children have relatively low immunity and engage in activities at school where opportunities abound for exposure to and spreading of diseases.

Objectives: We compared the effectiveness of influenza prevention by using non-pharmaceutical measures in primary schools.

Methods: This study was conducted at two medium-sized primary schools in Nakhon Phanom province, Thailand. Multistage sampling was used to select students from Grades 4 to 6. The study group consisted of 230 students from the 2 schools and the control group 224 students from the 2 schools. The research included (a) 8 h of instruction on influenza-like illnesses and their prevention integrated into health promotion and physical education classes and (b) building understanding among parents and in the community. Data were analyzed for frequencies, percentages, and multiple logistic regression.

Results: Non-pharmaceutical influenza interventions reduced the rate of influenza-like illnesses by 77% (AOR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.15"0.36). Students who did not receive the influenza-like prevention and control training had a morbidity of 54.9%; whereas those who received the training had a morbidity of 23.5%. Overall, the group receiving the educational model saw a 57% reduction in its morbidity compared with the control group. The students in the intervention group who washed their hands for 20 seconds three or more times per day had a morbidity of 38.9%, which resulted in an overall reduction in morbidity of 36.4%. The morbidity rate of students who missed school because they were ill was 39.5%. When comparing training methods, the hand-washing group saw morbidity reduced by 34.7%, while simply receiving news and information from public health officials resulted in only a 29.2% reduction in morbidity. Overall, the group receiving the disease prevention and control training was able to reduce morbidity by 58.7%.

Conclusion: Influenza prevention education among students was integrated into the health education curriculum. Children were taught hand-washing and respiratory etiquette (i.e., covering the nose and face when sneezing, coughing, and nose-blowing). Cartoon media were used as visual teaching aids. The results from this program helped to decrease the number of cases of influenza-like illness and morbidity among students and families.
History of Asian Biomedicine. Sir Wilfrid Le Gros Clark: the Sarawak years
Authors: Strkalj Goran
Published: August 2015

British scientist Sir Wilfrid Le Gros Clark was one of the most distinguished anatomists, neuroscientists and physical anthropologists of the twentieth century. He spent most of his career at the University of Oxford as the Chair of the Anatomy Department. This paper focuses on Le Gros Clark’s early career and provides a historical account of the three years he spent as a Principal Medical Officer in Sarawak, which was then a British controlled state on the island of Borneo. At Sarawak he carried out numerous medical, administrative, and educational duties, making significant improvements to the local health system. His success as the Principal Medical Officer came not only as a result of his medical knowledge and organizational skills, but also because of his extensive knowledge and understanding of the local cultures. Interested in the natural history of the country, Le Gros Clark also collected specimens of the local fauna. These would provide material for some of his most significant research carried out when he took an academic position in England. Years in Sarawak enriched Le Gros Clark not only as a scientist and medical practitioner, but also had a deep influence on his general outlook on life and personal development.
Noninvasive measurements to evaluate the effects of military training on the human autonomic nervous system
Authors: Chen Ji-Hong , Zhang Qian , Liu Xin , Li Zhixin , Zhang Cuizhen , Li Kongling , Paul Jonathan , Ouyang Jingming , Yu Yuanjie , Yu Baoping , Huizinga Jan D. , Chen Jiande D.Z. , Luo Hesheng
Published: August 2015

Background: Chinese university freshmen receive 4-weeks military training that involved moderate to intense physical exercise. Studies have demonstrated heterogeneous effects of exercise on the autonomic nervous system.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of training on the autonomic nervous system noninvasively using electrogastrograms, heart rate variability (HRV), pulse rate, and the sympathetic skin response (SSR).

Methods: Twenty freshmen received all assessments in the fasting state and after a standard meal: (1) one week before the training, (2) at the end of the second week of the training, and (3) one week after the training.

Results: (1) The training had a significant effect on meal-induced gastric pacemaker activity. Before the training, a standard meal did not increase the dominant frequency of gastric slow waves, but the frequency increased during and after the training; (2) The preprandial high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF), and very low frequency (VLF) components of heart rate variability decreased significantly after the training. The ratio of the LF and HF (LF/HF) of the heart rate variability (HRV) did not significantly change after a meal or training condition. The basal pulse rate did not change. The latencies of the sympathetic skin response (SSR), as measured in the arm muscle, increased in response to the training.

Conclusion: Military training affects meal-induced changes in gastric pacemaker activity, causes a marked reduction of the vagal tone to the heart with maintenance of the vagal-sympathetic balance, and its effects on SSR may reflect a reduction in sympathetic tone.
Rate of sentinel lymph node identification using isosulfan blue dye in breast cancer patients at Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital, Thailand
Authors: Ratchaworapong Kampol , Thanawut Sarawut , Yodavudh Sirisanpang , Chottanapund Suthat
Published: August 2015

Background: The sentinel lymph node (SLN) is the first lymph node to receive lymphatic drainage from a primary breast tumor. If the SLN contains no metastatic tumor, then it is unlikely other lymph nodes will contain breast cancer metastasis. When the SLN does contains metastasis, an axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) is recommended to further stage the axilla and to maintain locoregional control. SLNs can be identified by using a dye, radioisotope, or combined techniques.

Objective: To determine the rate of SLN identification using isosulfan blue dye in breast cancer patients at Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital, Thailand, and factors that affect it.

Methods: This prospective study of 106 consecutive cases breast cancer enrolled 105 women (1 bilateral breast cancer case) between October 2011 and October 2013 at Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital. Clinical and pathological features were analyzed for the effectiveness of SLN identification using isosulfan blue dye.

Results: The rate of SLN identification using isosulfan blue dye in breast cancer patients at Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital was 92%. The method was safe and well tolerated in early-stage breast cancer patients.

Conclusion: The effectiveness of sentinel node identification using isosulfan blue dye in breast cancer patients at Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital is consistent with that shown in studies from other countries.
Medication nonadherence in elderly patients in a Thai geriatric clinic
Authors: Muangpaisan Weerasak , Pisalsalakij Dujpratana , Intalapaporn Somboon , Chatthanawaree Wichai
Published: August 2015

Background: Medication nonadherence is common in elderly patients and is a major cause of morbidity. However, it is not well-described in the literature and to our knowledge has never been studied in Thais.

Objective: To investigate the extent, causes, and contributing factors of medication nonadherence in older patients in a geriatric clinic.

Material and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at Siriraj Hospital, a university teaching hospital in Bangkok. We assessed baseline demographic data, comorbid diseases, Thai Mental State Examination (TMSE), functional status (basic and basic activities of daily living), type and number of medications used, and medication adherence.

Results: There were 153 participants in this study. Medication nonadherence, in the administration of prescribed drugs only, was found in 34% of the participants. Nonadherence to administration of prescribed drugs and to the advice regarding over-the-counter drugs was 42.5%. Nonadherence to the administration of prescribed drugs and to the advice regarding over-the-counter drugs, and herbal and dietary supplements was 54.9%. Three most common causes of medication nonadherence were misunderstanding or lack of the knowledge (25.6%), the development of adverse drug events (18.9%), and because of a suggestion by a friend or family member (16.2%).

Conclusion: Medication nonadherence is common in elderly Thais attending geriatric clinics. We recommend clinicians be aware of this problem and develop a system to improve medication adherence. The clarification of reasons for prescribing is crucial. We recommend emphasis on educating patients, family members, and the public about the risk of nonadherence and of using nonprescribed medications.
Adipokines, insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, and necroinflammation in patients with chronic viral hepatitis
Authors: Treeprasertsuk Sombat , Komolmit Piyawat , Tanyaowalak Wiriya
Published: August 2015

Background: Hypoadiponectinemia and hyperleptinemia, and reductions in the ratio of adiponectin to leptin (A/L ratio) are associated with the development of hepatic necroinflammation in nonalcoholic fatty liver, but the association of the adipokines with hepatic steatosis in chronic viral hepatitis is unclear.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum A/L ratio, insulin resistance, degree of hepatic steatosis, and necroinflammation in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Methods: We measured serum adiponectin, leptin, and resistin levels, insulin resistance, and analyzed the association between liver histopathology and the level of the adipokines in 44 patients with chronic viral hepatitis before they started treatment.

Results: We found that insulin resistance, leptin, and resistin levels tended to increase in the group with a greater degree of hepatic steatosis and necroinflammation, but that the increase was not significant. The adiponectin/leptin ratio (A/L ratio) in a group with a low degree of hepatic steatosis was significantly higher than it was in the group with a high degree of hepatic steatosis (3.1 ± 3.1 vs 1.2 ± 0.8; P = 0.008). The A/L ratio in a group with low histological activity index (HAI) scores was significantly higher than in the group with high HAI scores (3.7 ± 3.4 vs 1.1 ± 1.1; P = 0.006). Abdominal obesity was the only variable that showed a significant association with the HAI score (P = 0.03).

Conclusion: The serum A/L ratio in patients with chronic viral hepatitis showed a significant inverse association with their degree of hepatic steatosis and necroinflammation.
Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Ochratoxin A Producing Black Aspergilli from Grape Pomace
Authors: Karlton-Senaye Bernice , Yu Jianmei , Williams Leonard
Published: August 2015

Grape pomace (GP), a winery by-product is increasingly being explored as food ingredients. Ochratoxin A (OTA), a natural toxigenic metabolite frequently found in wine and its by-products. Black Aspergilli are mainly responsible for OTA build-up and contamination of grapes and winery by-products. The fungal population in GP of five grape cultivars were enumerated and characterized. Fungal population ranged from 4.27±0.05 to 5.35±0.04 Log CFU/mL with GP from Chardonnay being the most contaminated. Aspergillus niger (81.1%) was found to be the major source of contamination and most frequently isolated fungal species. Other fungal isolates were A. carbonarius (13.51%) and A fumigatus (5.39%). Fungal contamination of GP correlated with the type of grape cultivars used for the pomace. Fourteen identified mold isolates were confirmed by PCR using primer pairs ITS1/NIG, ITS1/CAR and ITS1/FUM. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis with eight primers OPC-04, OPC-06, OPC-08, OPC-10, OPC-11, OPC-12, OPC-13 and OPC-14 revealed similarity in band patterns between the isolates and the control. Clustering of banding patterns generated from amplification with primer OPC-12 using Pearson’s coefficient detected similarity at 99.10%, 97.60%, 86.30% and 99.40%, 99.10%, 87.60%, 78.50% among Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus carbonarious strains, respectively, confirming the identification of potential ochratoxigenic black Aspergillus strains in the GP. The findings from this study suggest that GP obtained from some grape cultivars could be unsafe as food ingredients due to contamination by ochratoxigenic-producing molds, which is an indicative factor for the presence of ochratoxin A and other mycotoxins.
Micromycetes on climbing roses leaves (Rosa L.) in the Botanic Garden of the Jagiellonian University in Cracow
Authors: Kowalik Maria , Duda-Franiak Klaudia
Published: August 2015

Micromycetes inhabiting the leaves of 20 cultivars of climbing roses (Rosa L.), grown in Botanic Garden of the Jagiellonian University in Cracow was investigated in the three successive years of research. Sixty-five taxa of of micromycetes was recorded with a few species dominating: Alternaria alternata, Epicoccum nigrum, Pestalotia rosae, Penicillium brevicompactum and Sordaria fimicola, accompanied by various other microfungi. A high abundance of rose black spot caused by Diplocarpon rosae was also observed. The affected leaves revealed advancing necrosis, substantially enhancing at the end of the growing season. Defoliation took place from June to October. Micromycetes inhabiting the leaves of climbing roses in Botanic Garden of the Jagiellonian University in Cracow considerably deteriorated the decorative aspect of the plants.
Verrucaria species and other rare amphibious lichens in the Beskid Sądecki Mts
Authors: Matura Natalia , Krzewicka Beata
Published: August 2015

Ten freshwater lichen species from the Beskid Sądecki Mts are presented. Seven of them: Hydropunctaria rheitrophila, Thelidium aquaticum, T. minutulum, T. zwackhii, Verrucaria dolosa, V. elaeomelaena and V. submersella, are new to the region. Three species: Verrucaria elaeina, V. hydrophila and V. latebrosa, were previously known from single localities.
Armillaria ectypa, a rare fungus of mire in Poland
Authors: Stasińska Małgorzata
Published: August 2015

Armillaria ectypa is a saprotroph that occurs on active raised bogs and alkaline fens, as well as Aapa mires and transitional bogs. It is a very rare and threatened Eurasian species and one of the 33 fungal species proposed for inclusion into the Bern Convention. Its distribution in Poland, ecological notes and morphology of basidiocarp based on Polish specimens are presented.
Serbia 1914, Poland 1939… A comparison
Authors: Šćepanjski Vojćeh
Published: August 2015

The circumstances of implicating Serbia (in 1914) and Poland (in 1939) into world wars by the forces provoking these conflicts, as well as the history of the heroic resistance of both mentioned organisms against the aggressors having numerous advantages, deserve to be constantly reminded as great lessons for the next generations of Europeans. The anniversaries of the break out of both world wars constitute a great opportunity for this type of reminder. In the presented text, compiling the Serbian experiences of the war started in 1914 with the Polish experience of the war which broke out a quarter of century later, the author stresses the follow­ing issues: - the reaction of Serbia/Poland on declaring the wars 1914/1939 (in detail), and also (in general): - the situation of war seclusion of Serbia/Poland in 1914/1939 experienced despite having the allies, - huge discrepancies of the aggressors' and the defenders' forces, as well as the resistance, exceeding the estimated opportunities, of the attacked countries towards the enemies, - the scale of the Serbian martyrdom in the 1st and Polish in the 2nd world wars, - the appearance of the war success, redeemed with extremely great sacrifice, and the presence of the threat for the Serbian/ Polish nation in the order shaped as a result 1st/2nd world war. The fragments of sources quoted in the article as well as the authors' considerations, are exhibited as key terms and simultane­ously as the common features of the Serbs and the Poles, enhanced at the moments of threat for both the nations and their countries: faith (in victory, in the help of Providence), honour, the spirit of fight and being ready for uncompromising resistance to aggressors. These val­ues constitute an essential element of comparison in the search of understanding the Serbian and Polish history and attitudes as well as the choices made by the Serbs and the Poles.
The European Union and the Kosovo issue: An international ethical perspective
Authors: Radojičić Mirjana
Published: August 2015

The subject of this paper is the stand taken by the European Union towards the complex and decades-long Kosovo issue viewed from an international ethical perspective. The author is trying to prove that the issue, such as it is, represents a continuity of an inconsistent attitude of most European states towards the Serbian state territorial issue, which attitude has been persisting for two decades. The stand taken by the author is that by acquiescing to the formation and stabilization of a newly-created state in the Serbian territory, the European Union has actually assumed the role of a medium of overseas attempts at attaining as painlessly as possible the goal of the secession of Kosovo, which territory has been proclaimed of special American national interest and hence, of a legitimate influence. During the process, it was also the unreserved choice of Serbia for a 'European future' after October 5, 2000 that was taken into account. In the conclusion of this paper, the author points to possible consequences that the method of resolving this important state territorial issue could have on the stability of the Western Balkans in near or remote future.
The works of Aleksandar Petrov and the reception of his opus, with a special reference about Poland
Authors: Ratković Dragana
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we present and analyze the creativity of Aleksandar Petrov, and the reception of his work in the country and abroad. In the first part, Petrov's literary and scientific work and its reception in Serbia and the world are described, and in the second-we give Petrov's view on poetry and prose, and we write about its reception in Poland. The subject of the analysis in the second part consists of the following: the poetry published in the January issue of the maga­zine Creativity (Twórczosc) in 1987, the collection of peoms Gold in fire (Ztoto w ogniu) from 2005, Alexandria with Ithaca in mind (Aleksandria z Itakq wpamiqci) from 2013, and an excerpt from Turkish Vienna (2000) called 'October again' (Znów pazdziernik), published in the no. 1-3 of the magazine Tygiel kultury of tódž in 2007.
Notes on the road station and settlement Vindenis on the route Naisus-Lisus (an example from the first half of the 4th century)
Authors: Samardžić Gligor
Published: August 2015

The paper discusses the data on the issues of ubication of the road station Vindenis on the route Naisus (Niš) Lisus (Lješ). The opinion of the researchers on the ubication of the settlement and station are quite different. The various directions of the route implied the differ­ences in ubication of the road station Vindenis. The bigger strikink building was discovered on the mentioned route Naisus-Lisus near the village Glavnik (locality Poljanice). It is a villa in which the rooms were heated by the warm air. The rooms were luxurious with the floor mosaic representations. The movable archaeological findings (ceramic vessels, glass, nails, jewellery, money of the Constantine I and Constantine II) date from the first half of the 4th century. However, we believe that the past claims on the ubication of the station Vendenis in Vidin (a part of the village Marevice, near Novo Brdo) are not well founded. It was believed so because of the similar­ity of name, on the basis of the medieval sources. According to the insight into the terrain, the distances noted in Tabula Peutingeriana Ptolemy's Geographia, and to the preserved seg­ments of the road and milestones without inscriptions it can be said that the road station Vindenis was situated near Podujevo (five kilo­metres southwest from Podujevo, and north from Priština), near the village Glavnik (locality Poljanice) behind the left bank of the river Laba. Although the significant number of findings indicates the hypoth­esis that Vindenis station was in locality Poljanice (Glavnik) near Podujevo, it requires the systematic archaeological researches which would prove it or not.
Love of Marko Kraljević in epic folk poems from Kosovo and Metohija (motive for conflict and resolving key)
Authors: Miljković Marija
Published: August 2015

Love of Marko Kraljević in heroic poems from Kosovo and Metohija has a significant place. Whether she is directly involved or her role is veiled, it is evident that without her epic biography of hero would not be complete. Faithfull love proves loyalty in crucial moments and with that justifies trust of her master. Often, she is direct motive for conflict and in the specific situation she is described like indirect problem initiator as well as the key for its resolving.
Universalization and virtualization of the market economy, financial and real economy and the concept of global sustainable development
Authors: Marković Danilo
Published: August 2015

Progress of knowledge has never occurred as quickly as in the twentieth century which has also led to changes in human civilization itself, the trans­formation of civilization in its informatization and virtualization. These two processes, closely connected and mutually dependent, have given human society special features so that the society, on the basis of these very features, has begun to identify with a special phase in its development just as it has begun to denote itself as an information and virtual society. The Author points to the developing nature of this type of society and thus to the realization of its basic traits. It as a society whose social-economic matrix is made up of neoliberal capitalism while its theoretical-cognitive matrix is made up of the postmodern. That is why it comprises in itself an affinity for efficiency and maximization of profit which is decisive for all the forms of social organization it embraces, while Truth, Goodness, Beauty and Justice do not function in it as understandable per se.
The class teacher in the system of pedagogical work of schools
Authors: Jovanović Branko , Đurić Igor
Published: August 2015

By the method of theoretical analysis and modeling, this paper explains the meaning, role, status and duties of the class teacher in the system of educational work of contemporary schools. The class teacher represents the fundamental, irreplaceable and the most important factor in the system of educational work of contemporary schools. The class teacher is simultaneously a teacher, educator, planner, organizer, implementer and evaluator of teaching and educational work with the students, but also an associate and coordi­nator in working with other teachers, support staff, parents and other subjects, professional authorities and institutions involved in the realization of educational work with the collective of class students. Educational work of class teachers is often characterized by authoritarian and elemental style of work, formalistic approach in implementation of pedagogical work, pedagogical inconsistency, lack of pedagogical enthusiasm, empathy, creativity and responsibil­ity. There are numerous reasons that affect the insufficient quality work of class teachers. It is objectively difficult to realize the goals of educational work in the conditions of crisis, students' value disorien­tation and disturbed system of values in which our society is nowadays. Class teachers are not sufficiently motivated and peda­gogically trained to implement numerous and complex tasks. Without proper support, control and assistance of the school management, they usually resort to the application of traditional methods and procedures of educational work based on the concept of authoritarian upbringing and insufficiently studious and responsi­ble realization of their teaching duties. To successfully perform very complex, responsible and demand­ing pedagogical duties of class teachers , it is necessary to undertake a series of systematic measures in: intensifying the educational work of schools; training of teachers future class teachers during their preparation for the teaching profession; the design and implementa­tion of programs of permanent education and self-improvement of class teachers; and improving the position of the status the teaching profession.
The Transition by Uroš Šuvaković: An arrow into the heart of platitudes
Authors: Bratina Boris
Published: August 2015

The Transition by Uroš Šuvaković brings a serious and yet refreshing analysis of the transition, primarly in Serbia and Eastern Europe, but the author's focus also includes the Third World and, moreover, Western Europe, thus providing a complex and comprehensive analysis of the mentioned political and sociological phaenomenon. Unlike others, Šuvaković exposes the true nature of the process of transition, indicating its ultimate cause (the interests, primarely economic, of the U.S.), as well as its final aim: the poverty of the states undergone such a process. Likewise, the author investigates the role of media in transition and brings new, until now unpublished data on Albanian crimes on Kosovo and Metohija in the period 1991-2013 into light.
Disfunção sexual: Avaliação de mulheres durante o terceiro trimestre gestacional
Authors: Mathias Ana Eliza Rios de Araújo , Pitangui Ana Carolina Rodarti , Arantes Vanessa Alves , Freitas Halana Gabriela Vasconcelos e , Vilela Francynne Maryanne Ferreira , Dias Thaís Guimarães
Published: August 2015

Introdução: Disfunção sexual (DS) é caracterizada pela falta, excesso, desconforto e/ou dor no desenvolvimento do ciclo da resposta sexual, se manifestando de forma persistente ou recorrente. Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência das disfunções sexuais femininas em gestantes de baixo risco no terceiro trimestre e verificar sua associação com fatores de risco. Métodos: É um estudo transversal composto por 102 gestantes de baixo risco durante o terceiro trimestre gestacional e com vida sexual ativa, que estiveram em acompanhamento nos postos de saúde das cidades de Petrolina (PE) e Juazeiro (BA) entre setembro de 2013 e março de 2014. Para isso, utilizou-se uma ficha de dados pessoais, com características sociodemográficas e clínicas e o questionário Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Foram calculadas prevalências e possíveis associações por meio do teste do χ2. Em todas as análises foi adotado o nível de significância de p˂0,05. Intervalos de confiança (IC95%), quando determinados, foram exatos. Resultados: Do total da amostra, 45,1% apresentaram disfunção sexual com taxa média de função sexual feminina de 26,15. Os menores escores de domínios foram em desejo e excitação. Ocorreu ainda associação de disfunção sexual com paridade. Conclusão: O presente estudo evidenciou uma taxa moderada de mulheres com disfunção sexual no terceiro trimestre gestacional, mostrando uma diminuição significativa em todos os domínios do FSFI. Além disso, constatou-se diferença estatisticamente significativa na associação de disfunção sexual com a variável paridade. Contudo, não foi encontrada diferença significativa na disfunção sexual com a variável idade, índice de massa corpórea, escolaridade e renda familiar.
‘For Your Eyes Only’: How Museum Walltexts Communicate East and West. The Case of the Peggy Guggenheim Foundation
Authors: Stefania Maria Maci
Published: August 2015

The artworks normally preserved in museums, both in permanent collections or in temporary exhibitions, can be accompanied by a particular type of scripts which specialists call extended labels or walltexts, i.e. brief descriptive and interpretative texts, meant to provide a context for the work of art, displayed for the visitors’ benefit. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the extent to which, if any, walltexts communicate different cultures to museum visitors, who are all tourists in a museum route. In particular, the aim of this contribution is to describe the way in which (1) the West is communicated to a Western audience and (2) the East is mediated to a Western audience. From the quantitative perspective the results of this study seem to indicate that there is a different way in which walltexts are elaborated when Western art and Asian art are presented to a Western audience: what is unknown to the Western audience has to be recreated in the short text of the extended label to allow the museum visitors to appreciate and understand the value of the artwork they are observing and at the same time to virtually touring Asian Art.
HIV sexual transmission risks in the context of clinical care: a prospective study of behavioural correlates of HIV suppression in a community sample, Atlanta, GA, USA
Authors: Kalichman Seth C , Cherry Chauncey , Kalichman Moira O , Washington Christopher , Grebler Tamar , Merely Cindy , Welles Brandi , Pellowski Jennifer , Kegler Christopher
Published: August 2015

Introduction

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves the health of people living with HIV and has the potential to reduce HIV infectiousness, thereby preventing HIV transmission. However, the success of ART for HIV prevention hinges on sustained ART adherence and avoiding sexually transmitted infections (STI).

Objectives

To determine the sexual behaviours and HIV transmission risks of individuals with suppressed and unsuppressed HIV replication (i.e., viral load).

Methods

Assessed HIV sexual transmission risks among individuals with clinically determined suppressed and unsuppressed HIV. Participants were 760 men and 280 women living with HIV in Atlanta, GA, USA, who completed behavioural assessments, 28‐daily prospective sexual behaviour diaries, one‐month prospective unannounced pill counts for ART adherence, urine screening for illicit drug use and medical record chart abstraction for HIV viral load.

Results

Individuals with unsuppressed HIV demonstrated a constellation of behavioural risks for transmitting HIV to uninfected sex partners that included symptoms of STI and substance use. In addition, 15% of participants with suppressed HIV had recent STI symptoms/diagnoses, indicating significant risks for sexual infectiousness despite their HIV suppression in blood plasma. Overall, 38% of participants were at risk for elevated sexual infectiousness and just as many engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse with non‐HIV‐infected partners.

Conclusions

Implementation strategies for using HIV treatments as HIV prevention requires enhanced behavioural interventions that extend beyond ART to address substance use and sexual health that will otherwise undermine the potential preventive impact of early ART.
Hybrid [5]Radialenes with Bispyrroloheteroles: New Electron‐Donating Units
Authors: Higashino Tomohiro , Imahori Hiroshi
Published: August 2015

Bispyrroloheteroles have been synthesized to address their intrinsic structural, optical, and electrochemical properties. The X‐ray crystal structures and calculated natural bond orbital (NBO) bond orders unambiguously demonstrated the existence of a two pyrrole‐fused five‐membered ring with short exocyclic CC double bonds and long endocyclic CC single bonds, supporting that the bispyrroloheteroles are rare examples of structurally characterized hybrid [5]radialenes. The bispyrroloheteroles were found to act as an electron‐donating unit, which would be fascinating for the rational design of new charge‐transporting and donor–acceptor photovoltaic materials as well as versatile charge‐transfer complexes.
The Influence of the Chain Length of Polycations on their Complexation with Anionic Liposomes
Authors: Ivashkov Oleg V. , Sybachin Andrey V. , Efimova Anna A. , Pergushov Dmitry V. , Orlov Viktor N. , Schmalz Holger , Yaroslavov Alexander A.
Published: August 2015

A series of strong polycations is synthesized through the anionic polymerization of 2‐vinylpyridine, followed by subsequent quaternization of the resulting polymer. Polycations based on quaternized 2‐vinylpyridine (PVPQs) with degrees of polymerization (DP) from 20 to 440 are adsorbed on the surface of small anionic liposomes. Liposome/PVPQ complexes are characterized by using a number of physicochemical methods. All PVPQs are totally adsorbed onto the liposome surface up to a certain concentration at which saturation is reached (which is specific for each PVPQ). The integrity of the adsorbed liposomes remains intact. Short PVPQs interact with anionic lipids localized on the outer membrane leaflet, whereas long PVPQs extract anionic lipids from the inner to outer leaflet. Complexes tend to aggregate, and the largest aggregates are formed when the initial charge of the liposomes is fully neutralized by the charge of the PVPQ. PVPQs with intermediate DPs demonstrate behavioral features of both short and long PVPQs. These results are important for the interpretation of the biological effects of cationic polymers and the selection of cationic polymers for biomedical applications.
Parameter estimation in Cox models with missing failure indicators and the OPPERA study
Authors: Brownstein Naomi C. , Cai Jianwen , Slade Gary D. , Bair Eric
Published: August 2015

In a prospective cohort study, examining all participants for incidence of the condition of interest may be prohibitively expensive. For example, the “gold standard” for diagnosing temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a physical examination by a trained clinician. In large studies, examining all participants in this manner is infeasible. Instead, it is common to use questionnaires to screen for incidence of TMD and perform the “gold standard” examination only on participants who screen positively. Unfortunately, some participants may leave the study before receiving the “gold standard” examination. Within the framework of survival analysis, this results in missing failure indicators. Motivated by the Orofacial Pain: Prospective Evaluation and Risk Assessment (OPPERA) study, a large cohort study of TMD, we propose a method for parameter estimation in survival models with missing failure indicators. We estimate the probability of being an incident case for those lacking a “gold standard” examination using logistic regression. These estimated probabilities are used to generate multiple imputations of case status for each missing examination that are combined with observed data in appropriate regression models. The variance introduced by the procedure is estimated using multiple imputation. The method can be used to estimate both regression coefficients in Cox proportional hazard models as well as incidence rates using Poisson regression. We simulate data with missing failure indicators and show that our method performs as well as or better than competing methods. Finally, we apply the proposed method to data from the OPPERA study. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contrast between Lagrangian and Eulerian analytic regularity properties of Euler equations
Authors: Constantin Peter , Kukavica Igor , Vicol Vlad
Published: August 2015

We consider the incompressible Euler equations on

\mathbb{R}^{d}

or

\mathbb{T}^{d}

, where

d \in \{2,3\}

. We prove that:

(a) In Lagrangian coordinates the equations are locally well-posed in spaces with
fixed real-analyticity radius
(more generally, a fixed Gevrey-class radius).

(b) In Lagrangian coordinates the equations are locally well-posed in
highly anisotropic spaces
, e.g. Gevrey-class regularity in the label

a_{1}

and Sobolev regularity in the labels

a_{2},…,a_{d}

.

(c) In Eulerian coordinates both results (a) and (b) above are false.