bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimising enteral nutrition in critically ill patients by reducing fasting times
Authors: Segaran Ella , Barker Ian , Hartle Andrew
Published: September 2015

Background

Enteral nutrition is currently the route of choice for feeding critically ill patients with a functioning gut but delivery is commonly associated with disruptions. Common reasons for interruptions to enteral nutrition are fasting for diagnostic procedures, surgery and airway management. These interruptions result in significant calorie deficits that are associated with increased complications. We aimed to describe the specific interruptions in our patient group and the impact they have on nutrition delivery before and after implementation of a fasting guideline.

Methods

A service improvement project was undertaken over two different time points, 1 year apart, to evaluate the effectiveness of a fasting guideline in a general/trauma ICU in a London teaching hospital.

Results

There were 62 interruptions to enteral nutrition delivery with the first data collection and 64 in the second. Prolonged fasting before and after surgery and airway procedures were initially identified as the two most important causes of delays. Implementation of the fasting guideline resulted in statistical and clinical improvements in reducing fasting for airways procedures. The calorie deficit also statistically and clinically decreased as a result of the guideline.

Conclusions

We conclude that the introduction of a simple guideline stipulating reduced fasting times before ICU procedures can result in less time lost in feed interruptions and improved enteral nutrition delivery.
Low Norton Scale Score Predicts Worse Outcomes for Parkinson’s Disease Patients Hospitalized Due to Infection
Authors: Segal Omer , Hassin-Baer Sharon , Kliers Iris , Cale’ Keren Shaked , Segal Gad
Published: September 2015

Background:Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients are prone to infections leading to hospitalization. We used the Norton Scale score (NSS) as a prognostic tool for these patients. Method: Retrospective analysis of consecutive PD patients, all had NSS appreciation upon admission. Analyses were made to establish the association between NSS upon admission, short-term, and long-term clinical outcomes. Results: Five hundred twenty-eight PD patients’ records were reviewed, of which 81 were eligible for analysis. Patients who died during hospitalization had a significantly lower NSS (10.0 vs. 13.1, p = .026). Among surviving patients, those who were discharged to more intensive care facilities relative to their original place of arrival also had a significantly lower NSS (10.38 vs. 13.63, p = .0002). Lower NSS was found to increase the risk for 1-year mortality (odds ratio = 1.3; 95% confidence interval = [1.09, 1.56], p = .003). Conclusion: Lower NSS upon admission of PD patients, suffering from infection is associated with worse clinical outcomes.
Divergence with gene flow across a speciation continuum of Heliconius butterflies
Authors: Supple Megan A. , Papa Riccardo , Hines Heather M. , McMillan W. Owen , Counterman Brian A.
Published: September 2015

Background

A key to understanding the origins of species is determining the evolutionary processes that drive the patterns of genomic divergence during speciation. New genomic technologies enable the study of high-resolution genomic patterns of divergence across natural speciation continua, where taxa pairs with different levels of reproductive isolation can be used as proxies for different stages of speciation. Empirical studies of these speciation continua can provide valuable insights into how genomes diverge during speciation.

Methods

We examine variation across a handful of genomic regions in parapatric and allopatric populations ofHeliconiusbutterflies with varying levels of reproductive isolation. Genome sequences were mapped to 2.2-Mb of theH. eratogenome, including 1-Mb across the red color pattern locus and multiple regions unlinked to color pattern variation.

Results

Phylogenetic analyses reveal a speciation continuum of pairs of hybridizing races and incipient species in theHeliconius eratoclade. Comparisons of hybridizing pairs of divergently colored races and incipient species reveal that genomic divergence increases with ecological and reproductive isolation, not only across the locus responsible for adaptive variation in red wing coloration, but also at genomic regions unlinked to color pattern.

Discussion

We observe high levels of divergence between the incipient speciesH. eratoandH. himera, suggesting that divergence may accumulate early in the speciation process. Comparisons of genomic divergence between the incipient species and allopatric races suggest that limited gene flow cannot account for the observed high levels of divergence between the incipient species.

Conclusions

Our results provide a reconstruction of the speciation continuum across theH. eratoclade and provide insights into the processes that drive genomic divergence during speciation, establishing the H. erato clade as a powerful framework for the study of speciation.
Polyphenols from marine brown algae target radiotherapy-coordinated EMT and stemness-maintenance in residual pancreatic cancer
Authors: Aravindan Sheeja , Ramraj Satish Kumar , Somasundaram Somasundaram T. , Herman Terence S. , Aravindan Natarajan
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Therapy-associated onset of stemness-maintenance in surviving tumor-cells dictates tumor relapse/recurrence. Recently, we recognized the anti-pancreatic cancer (PC) potential of seaweed polyphenol manifolds and narrowed down three superior drug-deliverables that could serve as adjuvants and benefit PC cure. Utilizing the PC- cancer stem cells (PC-CSCs) grown ex vivo and mouse model of residual-PC, we investigated the benefits of seaweed polyphenols in regulating stemness-maintenance.

Methods

ALDH+CD44+CD24+ PC-CSCs from Panc-1, Panc-3.27, MiaPaCa-2, or BxPC-3 cells-derived xenografts grown ex vivo were either mock-irradiated, exposed to fractionated irradiation (FIR, 2Gy/D for 5 days), treated with polyphenols (100 μg/ml) of Hormophysa triquerta (HT-EA), Spatoglossum asperum (SA-EA) or Padina tetrastromatica (PT-EA) with/without FIR were examined for cell viability, transcription of 93 stem-cell-related molecules (QPCR profiling). Polyphenol-dependent regulation of FIR-transactivated Oct4, Zic3, EIF4C, Nanog, and LIF (QPCR) and functional translation of Nanog, SOX2, and OCT3/4 (immunoblotting) were examined in Panc-1/Panc-3.27/MiaPaCa-2/BxPC-3-xenografts derived PC-CSCs. Effect of seaweed-polyphenols in the regulation of EMT (N-Cadherin), pluripotency- (SOX2, OCT3/4, Nanog) and stemness-maintenance (PI3KR1, LIF, CD44) in therapy (FIR, 2Gy/D for 5D/wk for 3-weeks) resistant residual tumors were examined by tissue microarray construction and automated immunohistochemistry.

Results

Ex vivo exposure of PC-CSCs to SA-EA, PT-EA and HT-EA exhibit dose-dependent inhibition of cell viability. FIR amplified the transcription of 69, 80, 74 and 77 stem-cell related genes in MiaPaCa-2-, Panc-1-, Panc-3.27- and BXPC3-established xenograft-derived ALDH+CD44+CD24+PC-CSCs. Treatment with SA-EA, PT-EA, or HT-EA completely suppressed FIR-activated stem-cell transcriptional machinery in ALDH+CD44+CD24+PC-CSCs established from MiaPaCa-2, Panc-1, Panc-3.27 and BXPC3 xenografts. QPCR validated EIF4C, OCT3/4, Nanog, LIF, and ZIC3 transcriptional profile outcomes. Nanog, Sox2, and OCT3/4 immunoblotting affirmed the PC-CSC radiosensitizing benefit of seaweed polyphenols. Residual-PC tissues microarrayed and immunostained after in vivo treatments recognized complete regulation of FIR-induced SOX2, OCT3/4, Nanog, LIF, CD44, PIK3R1, N-Cadherin, and E-Cadherin with SA-EA, PT-EA, and HT-EA.

Conclusions

These data, for the first time, documented the EMT/stemness-maintenance in therapy-resistant PC-CSCs. Further, the data suggest that seaweed polyphenols may inhibit PC relapse/recurrence by targeting therapy-orchestrated stem-cell signaling in residual cells.
Using online vacancies and web surveys to analyse the labour market: a methodological inquiry
Authors: Kureková Lucia Mýtna , Beblavý Miroslav , Thum-Thysen Anna
Published: September 2015

This paper discusses methodological issues arising from the use of online job vacancy data and voluntary web-based surveys to analyse the labour market. We highlight the advantages and possible disadvantages of using online data and suggest strategies for overcoming selected methodological issues. We underline the difficulties in adjusting for representativeness of online job vacancies, but nevertheless argue that this rich source of data should be exploited.

JEL codes:E4, J2
Long-Term Cardiac Safety Analysis of NCCTG N9831 (Alliance) Adjuvant Trastuzumab Trial
Authors: Advani Pooja P. , Ballman Karla V. , Dockter Travis J. , Colon-Otero Gerardo , Perez Edith A.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

Significant improvement in survival outcomes has been established with the addition of trastuzumab to adjuvant chemotherapy for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) –positive early breast cancer treatment. However, trastuzumab may increase the risk of cardiac toxicity, and long-term evaluation of its incidence and risk factors are warranted.

Methods

NCCTG (Alliance) N9831 trial compared adjuvant doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) followed by either weekly paclitaxel (arm A); paclitaxel then trastuzumab (arm B); or paclitaxel plus trastuzumab followed by trastuzumab alone (arm C) in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. Cumulative incidence of cardiac events (CE) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were evaluated in 1,944 women who proceeded to post-AC therapy. Risk factors for trastuzumab-induced cardiac toxicity were identified by Cox regression models.

Results

The 6-year cumulative incidence of CE was 0.6% in arm A, 2.8% in arm B, and 3.4% in arm C. At a median follow-up of 9.2 years, only two additional CHF diagnoses (of 1,046 patients) occurred beyond our previously reported follow-up time of 3.75 years. LVEF recovered in the majority of the patients who developed CHF. There were two cardiac deaths in arm A and one each in arms B and C. Age of 60 years or older, registration LVEF less than 65%, and use of antihypertensive medications were associated with an increased risk of CE in arms B and C.

Conclusion

The cumulative incidence of CE at 6 years was slightly higher with the addition of trastuzumab; however, the late development of CE is infrequent. Trastuzumab (in the context of anthracycline- and taxane-based therapy) continues to have a favorable benefit-risk ratio.
Concurrent Chemoradiation for Cancer of the Cervix: Results of a Multi-Institutional Study From the Setting of a Developing Country (India)
Authors: Nandakumar Ambakumar , Kishor Rath Goura , Chandra Kataki Amal , Poonamalle Bapsy P. , Gupta Prakash C. , Gangadharan Paleth , Mahajan Ramesh C. , Nath Bandyopadhyay Manas , Kumaraswamy  , Vallikad Elizabeth , Visweswara Rudrapatna N. , Selvaraj Roselind Francis , Sathishkumar Krishnan , Daniel Vijaykumar Dampilla , Jain Ankush , Lakshminarayana Sudarshan Kondalli
Published: September 2015

Purpose

The primary output of hospital-based cancer registries is data on cancer stage and treatment-based survival that can be used to evaluate patient care, but because there are many challenges in obtaining follow-up details, a separate study on patterns of care and patterns of survival for patients at selected sites was initiated under the National Cancer Registry Programme of India. This article presents the results for cervical cancer.

Patients and Methods

A standardized patient information form was used to record patient information, and data were entered into a central repository—the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research. The study patients were from 12 institutions and were diagnosed between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2008. Patterns of treatment were assessed for 7,336 patients, and patterns of survival were determined for 2,669 patients from six institutions, at least 70% of whom had data regarding follow-up as of December 31, 2012.

Results

Of 7,336 patients, 55.5% received optimal radiotherapy (RT). In all, 80.9% of patients had locally advanced cancers (stage IIB to IVA), 51.1% received RT alone, and 44.4% received concurrent chemoradiation (RTCT). In 1,753 patients with locally advanced cancers, significantly better survival was observed with RTCT than with RT alone (5-year cumulative survival, 70.2% v 47.3%; hazard ratio, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.56).

Conclusion

A conservative estimate indicates that, on an annual basis, 38,771 patients with cervical cancers in India alone do not get the benefit of RTCT and thus they have poorer survival. There is a need to reiterate the National Cancer Institute's alert that advised supplementing chemotherapy to radiation for locally advanced cancer of the cervix in the context of the developing world, where 84.3% of cancers of the cervix occur.
Adiponectin Levels Differentiate Metabolically Healthy vs Unhealthy Among Obese and Nonobese White Individuals
Authors: Ahl Scott , Guenther Mitchell , Zhao Shi , James Roland , Marks Jacqueline , Szabo Aniko , Kidambi Srividya
Published: September 2015

Context:

Adiponectin levels (ADPN) are lower in individuals with central obesity and cardiometabolic diseases. Conversely, studies have shown paradoxical hyperadiponectinemia (HA) in metabolically healthy obese (MHO) individuals of non-European descent. Moreover, individuals with higher sc to visceral adipose tissue (ie, higher peripheral adiposity) distribution have higher ADPNs. However, it is not known whether metabolically healthy individuals have predominantly peripheral adiposity along with higher ADPNs.

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the association of ADPN and adiposity distribution with metabolic health in white individuals.

Design and Setting:

This was a cross-sectional study of members of “Take Off Pounds Sensibly” weight loss club and their relatives.

Participants:

We recruited 2486 (72% women, 61% obese) individuals. They were defined as metabolically healthy by absence of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia; and they were further classified into metabolically healthy nonobese (MHNO), metabolically unhealthy nonobese (MUNO), metabolically healthy obese (MHO), and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUO). Waist-to-hip ratios (WHRs) were used as markers of adiposity distribution. Insulin resistance was measured using homeostasis model assessment.

Results:

Among the four groups, MHNO had the lowest WHRs (higher peripheral adiposity) and highest ADPN, and MUO had highest WHRs (higher central adiposity) and lowest ADPN (P < .001). Among both nonobese and obese, metabolically healthy individuals had higher ADPN than metabolically unhealthy individuals (P < .05) after adjustment for age, sex, and body mass index. MHNO also had lower WHRs compared with MUNO (P < .01). Although WHRs were lower among MHO compared with MUO, the difference was not significant. In addition, nonobese and obese individuals with HA (defined using sex-specific cutoffs) had lower homeostasis model assessment and dyslipidemia compared with individuals without HA.

Conclusions:

Higher ADPN and lower WHRs (higher peripheral adiposity) are associated with better metabolic health in both nonobese and obese white individuals. These results suggest that ADPN and peripheral adiposity play a key role in determining the metabolic health independent of body mass index.
A non-signaling role of Robo2 in tendons is essential for Slit processing and muscle patterning
Authors: Ordan Elly , Volk Talila
Published: September 2015

Coordinated locomotion of an organism relies on the development of proper musculoskeletal connections. In Drosophila, the Slit-Robo signaling pathway guides muscles to tendons. Here, we show that the Slit receptor Roundabout 2 (Robo2) plays a non-cell-autonomous role in directing muscles to their corresponding tendons. Robo2 is expressed by tendons, and its non signaling activity in these cells promotes Slit cleavage producing a cleaved Slit-N-terminal guiding signal, which provides short-range signaling into muscles. Consistently, robo2 mutant embryos exhibited a muscle phenotype similar to that of slit, which could not be rescued by a muscle-specific Robo2 expression but rather by an ectodermally derived Robo2. Alternatively this muscle phenotype could be induced by tendon-specific robo2RNAi. We further show that membrane immobilization of Slit, or its N-terminal cleaved form on tendons bypasses the functional requirement for Robo2 in tendons, verifying that the major role of Robo2 is to promote the association of Slit with the tendon cell membrane. Cleaved Slit (Slit-N) tends to oligomerize whereas full-length uncleavable Slit does not. It is therefore proposed that Slit-N oligomers produced at the tendon membrane by Robo2 signal to the approaching muscle by combined Robo;Robo3 activity. These findings establish a Robo2-mediated mechanism, independent of signaling essential to limiting Slit distribution, which might be relevant to the regulation of Slit-mediated short-range signaling in additional systems.
Tensile Behaviour of Galvanised Grade 8.8 Bolt Assemblies in Fire
Authors: Bull Lucy , Palmiere Eric J. , Thackray Richard P. , Burgess Ian W. , Davison Buick
Published: September 2015

In structural fire engineering, the importance of bolt assemblies is often overlooked. Connection design uses the temperature-dependent bolt strength-reduction factors prescribed in Eurocode 3, despite the existence of two distinct failure modes under tension; necking of the bolt shank, and thread-stripping. While literature exists to predict failure modes at ambient temperature, there is no method for failure mode prediction for elevated temperatures where ductility is critical to avoid collapse. Galvanised M20 structural bolt assemblies and bolt material from a single batch have been tested under tension at a range of temperatures and strain-rates typical of those experienced in fire. Turned-down bolt test data produced stress-strain curves characteristic of different microstructures at ambient temperature, despite a tempered-martensitic microstructure being specified in the standards. The failure modes of bolt assemblies were found to be dependent on the as-received microstructure at ambient temperature. At elevated temperatures, however, only thread-stripping was observed.
Design for learning – a case study of blended learning in a science unit
Authors: Gleadow Roslyn , Macfarlan Barbara
Published: September 2015

Making material available through learning management systems is standard practice in most universities, but this is generally seen as an adjunct to the ‘real’ teaching, that takes place in face-to-face classes. Lecture attendance is poor, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to engage students, both in the material being taught and campus life. This paper describes the redevelopment of a large course in scientific practice and communication that is compulsory for all science students studying at our Melbourne and Malaysian campuses, or by distance education. Working with an educational designer, a blended learning methodology was developed, converting the environment provided by the learning management system into a teaching space, rather than a filing system. To ensure focus, topics are clustered into themes with a ‘question of the week’, a pre-class stimulus and follow up activities. The content of the course did not change, but by restructuring the delivery using educationally relevant design techniques, the content was contextualised resulting in an integrated learning experience. Students are more engaged intellectually, and lecture attendance has improved. The approach we describe here is a simple and effective approach to bringing this university’s teaching and learning into the 21st century.
Understanding power and communication relationships in health settings
Authors: Formosa Cynthia
Published: September 2015

Understanding power and communication is key to any healthcare system. Political, organisational and administrative theories that ignore these two concepts are in danger of organisational failure. The great divide between policymakers and those in the frontline of healthcare provision is well recognised in healthcare. The aim of this article is to explore and theorise the concepts of power relations and communication within the healthcare setting from Foucauldian and Habermasian perspectives (the work of the philosophers Michel Foucault and Jurgen Habermas). While Foucault helps to expose current problematic practices in relation to power and power relations inside an organisation, Habermas helps in the development of alternative approaches to facilitate change. Although differences in perspectives exist between these two theorists, they are not considered to oppose each other—they endorse each other's efforts to both understand and limit rationalisation and the misuse of power. Exposing people to alternative ways of understanding their work culture may encourage a change in their current work practice.
Latest clinical research
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: September 2015

Mark Greener presents key studies published in healthcare journals
Changes to exam rules
Authors: Chima Jugjit
Published: September 2015

Jugjit Chima outlines some of the key changes to examination rules and regulations for the 2015/16 academic year
Material Agency In User-Centred Design Practices
Authors: Sauer Sabrina
Published: September 2015

This paper investigates (digital) materiality through an analysis of the “sociomaterial configuration” (Orlikowski 2009) of the participatory design project SensorLab (2010). In SensorLab, users were enrolled as designers: a group of high school students developed and tested smart pollution-sensing prototypes in a public park in Amsterdam. Concepts from science and technology studies, specifically the notion of the “dance of agency” (Pickering 1995), are used to trace how ‘smartness’ materialises in the form of the SensorLab’s prototypes. The exploratory case study draws conclusions about (1) how materiality performs its agency and invites improvisations during prototype design and (2) how the student-designers use their tacit knowledge as situated expertise to improvise with construction materials and technology. The deconstruction of the assemblage of human/material agency suggests that while the student- designers are readily accommodated to develop prototypes, the material agency of the sensor technology resists improvisation as compared with the other available materials. The extent to which the black-boxed sensor technology allows the student-designers to become ‘smart’ is therefore debatable.
Darwin's Theory of Aggression according to Freud and the Christian Love of Neighbor.
Authors: Piegsa Joachim
Published: September 2015

According to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, aggression is an indispensable factor of development, since the stronger eliminates the weaker. This behavior works on the plane of lower living beings and proceeds through environmentally conditioned selection. In the case of beings driven by instinct, human beings included, such a selection is effected by means of aggression. The theory has moral implications and they are the focus of the present paper. The author discusses the practical implementations of this theory in "the age wolves", as he calls the time of Hitler's and Stalin's dictatorships, and also in the "futuristic manifesto" - the aftermath of the French Revolution, as well as in the framework of Freud's psychoanalysis, where one of the basic thesis claims that renouncement of the sexual drive leads to aggression. According to the author such beliefs are relevant to the contemporary phenomena of robotics, genetic technology and nanotechnology. The author enters into polemics with those beliefs by referring to the basic contents of the Christian faith, mainly to the perspective of the love of neighbor.
The Objective Identification Of Hazards – The Essential Condition To A Real Evaluation Of Occupational Injuries And Illnesses’ Risks
Authors: Bernevig-Sava Mihai-Adrian , Lohan Nicoleta Monica , Baciu Constantin , Bejinariu Costică
Published: September 2015

The paper discuss about the process of hazards identification in order to evaluate occupational injuries and illnesses’ risks, a problem that has been debated in many publications by different specialists, but which has not been concretized as a framed step in a defined context, without permiting the evaluator or the evaluation team to introduce the subjectivism as an influence factor.
Integrating Risk Analysis With Safety Dyagnostic In Complex Industrial Systems: Modeling Hazard
Authors: Cioca Lucian Ionel , Moraru Roland Iosif , Băbuţ Gabriel Bujor , Ungureanu Nicolae Stelian
Published: September 2015

Admitting as known the instruments that lends itself to highlighting the causes - consequences relationships in an industrial plant, the purpose of this research is, on the one hand, to integrate these relationships in the safety diagnostic procedures and, on the other hand, to use these “consequences” to forecast future failures likely to occur within the technical system. In this context, the paper aims to study systemic hazard models to develop structural, functional and behavioural models, describing a complex industrial system
Physical Training Methods For Mine Rescuers In 2015
Authors: Costa Cristian , Lupu Lucian , Edelhauser Eduard
Published: September 2015

We have studied physical mine rescue training programs and health-related and rescue-related fitness tasks during a mine rescue competition, made in China and Australia and on these basis we have design our own pre physical training method. We have stored the heart rate measured in bites per minute (bpm) during the 2012 year periodical training for 21 mine rescuers. We have designed a physical training procedure based on six training models: Body Building, Method of isometric efforts, Method of Interval Training, Volume variation method, Structured method for basic grip and release and Specific work method. Then we measured again during the 2014 year periodical training, the heart rate for the same mine rescuer having the physical training procedure performed before. We have notice that the trained person have now lower bpm, during the tests that could represent better performances during the rescue actions. Our research were made in the Laboratory for Risk-Rescue Operations of the INCD INSEMEX Petroşani, Romania.
Tensile Test For Arboform Samples
Authors: Plavanescu (Mazurchevici) Simona , Quadrini Fabrizio , Nedelcu Dumitru
Published: September 2015

Petroleum-based plastic materials constitute a major environmental problem due to their low biodegradability and accumulation in various environments. Therefore, searching for novel biodegradable plastics is received particular attention. Our studied material, “Liquid wood” produced from lignin, natural fibres and natural additives, is completely biodegradable in natural environment, in normal conditions. This paper presents the behaviour of Arboform and Arboform reinforced with Aramidic Fibers tensile test analysis. Experimental data show that the tensile strength reached an average value of 15.8 MPa, the modulus of elasticity after tests is 3513.3MPA for Arboform and for the reinforcement the tensile strength is 23.625MPa, the modulus of elasticity after tests is 3411.5MPA, the materials present a brittle behaviour. The high mechanical properties of newly developed material, better than of other ordinary plastics, recommend it as a potential environment-friendly substituent for synthetic plastics, which are present in all fields of activity.
Neural Networks Used In The Evaluation Of Power Quality
Authors: Volosciuc Sorin Dan , Dragosin Monica
Published: September 2015

Monitoring the quality indicators at the interface nodes between the distribution operator and the industrial users is extremely important in order to provide the electric power quality standard level. The power quality has a significant effect on the economic indicators of the distribution network and represents an essential parameter in order to evaluate the performances of the network. The first part of the paper aims to identify some disruptive consumers in the system and the simultaneous measurement of the consumers in order to highlight the effects of the disturbances on the network and on the other consumers of the powers in the system. In the second part of this paper, a program for classifying the data recorded, as result of the monitoring of the power quality is developed. Final part contains conclusion a proposal for some measures in order to align all the quality indicators within the permissible values.
Aspects Of Multicriterial Mathematical Modeling And Of The Fuzzy Formalism For The Hierarchization Of Study Programs Based On Several Quality Characteristics
Authors: Bucur Amelia
Published: September 2015

The aim of this paper is to present aspects of mathematical modeling for the hierarchization of study programs from universities, based on several quality characteristics. The tools used pertain to multicriterial optimization, to the different methods of assessing importance coefficients, to the utility theory, the fuzzy formalism, and to the fuzzy simple additive weighting method. The conclusion is that multicriterial decision-making methods can be efficiently used in assessing the quality of study programs, noting that, just like other methods from the decision theory, the multicriterial decision-making methods highlight aspects of problems differently, therefore, there can be no comparison or competitiveness between them, and choosing one over the other is up to the decision-maker.
Results Regard Productivity Of Some Quince Varieties Cultivated In Northern Oltenia Area Depending Of The Arhitectural Elements Of The Trees Crown
Authors: Croitoru Dorin Cătălin , Baciu Aurelian Adrian , Pătraşcu Bianca Ionela
Published: September 2015

Experimental area is located on the third terrace of the Jiu River at the altitude of 383 m in the northern part of Targu-Jiu City on the experimental plantations established in 1987 at Targu-Jiu Fruit-Growing Research and Production Station. Considering the favourable area of the quince culture in Northern Oltenia an experience was placed under the conditions for intensive plantations for zoned varieties. The variety and crown shape are important factors in the intensive cultivation of quince. The experience was placed after the subdivided parcels method with two factors being the type 4 × 5 in three repetitions. The studied factors:- Factor - shaped crown with four graduations - late flat bowl, simple palm, shapeless hedge, bush trunk - Factor B - 5 varieties of quince graduations Aurii, Aromate, Moldoveneşti, De Constantinopol, De Portugalia Results obtained in the three years of study 2012 - 2014 emphasize the superiority of crown shape and variety Moldoveneşti vessel flattened late in terms of quantity and quality of fruit.
A Fuzzy Aproach For Facial Emotion Recognition
Authors: Gîlcă Gheorghe , Bîzdoacă Nicu-George
Published: September 2015

This article deals with an emotion recognition system based on the fuzzy sets. Human faces are detected in images with the Viola - Jones algorithm and for its tracking in video sequences we used the Camshift algorithm. The detected human faces are transferred to the decisional fuzzy system, which is based on the variable fuzzyfication measurements of the face: eyebrow, eyelid and mouth. The system can easily determine the emotional state of a person.
Yarn-Dyed Fabric Defect Detection Based On Autocorrelation Function And GLCM
Authors: Zhu Dandan , Pan Ruru , Gao Weidong , Zhang Jie
Published: September 2015

In this study, a new detection algorithm for yarn-dyed fabric defect based on autocorrelation function and grey level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) is put forward. First, autocorrelation function is used to determine the pattern period of yarn-dyed fabric and according to this, the size of detection window can be obtained. Second, GLCMs are calculated with the specified parameters to characterise the original image. Third, Euclidean distances of GLCMs between being detected images and template image, which is selected from the defect-free fabric, are computed and then the threshold value is given to realise the defect detection. Experimental results show that the algorithm proposed in this study can achieve accurate detection of common defects of yarn-dyed fabric, such as the wrong weft, weft crackiness, stretched warp, oil stain and holes.
Prediction of Drape Coefficient by Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Ghith Adel , Hamdi Thouraya , Fayala Faten
Published: September 2015

An artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed to predict the drape coefficient (DC). Hanging weight, Sample diameter and the bending rigidities in warp, weft and skew directions are selected as inputs of the ANN model. The ANN developed is a multilayer perceptron using a back-propagation algorithm with one hidden layer. The drape coefficient is measured by a Cusick drape meter. Bending rigidities in different directions were calculated according to the Cantilever method. The DC obtained results show a good correlation between the experimental and the estimated ANN values. The results prove a significant relationship between the ANN inputs and the drape coefficient. The algorithm developed can easily predict the drape coefficient of fabrics at different diameters.
Gender Differences in Competitiveness: Evidence from Educational Admission Reforms
Authors: Hopland Arnt O. , Nyhus Ole Henning
Published: September 2015

This paper studies whether increased competition has adverse consequences for students’ intrinsic motivation by studying an upper secondary admission reform in Norway. While earlier students were enrolled into their neighboring school, the new system introduces school choice, where admission is based on performance in lower secondary school. Using a difference-in-differences approach, we find that whereas the motivation for boys seems to be unaffected by the increased competition, there are adverse consequences on the motivation for girls.
Composition and herbicidal effect of Heracleum
sosnowskyi essential oil
Authors: Synowiec A. , Kalemba D.
Published: September 2015

Plants of Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden. are
rich in essential oil which might be of herbicidal potential.
In this study, we examined 1) the content and chemical
composition of H. sosnowskyi essential oil (EO) distilled
from seeds and 2) the herbicidal effect of EO in a bioassay
against germination of maize and five weed species. As
a result, a 5.1% EO yield was obtained from the seeds of
H. sosnowskyi. We identified sixty-two compounds of EO
that constituted 96% of the total oil. Aliphatic esters were
the main constituents of the EO, followed by aliphatic
alcohols. The tested seeds showed different susceptibilities
to the tested concentrations of EO (0.2 – 7.2 g L-1). The most
susceptible were Bromus secalinus and Avena fatua, and
the most resistant were Echinochloa crus-galli and maize.
Kernels of maize germinated normally up to a 0.6 g L-1 dose
of EO, and 20% of the seedlings were still germinating in
the presence of 7.2 g L-1 of EO. These findings suggest that
the EO of H. sosnowskyi and its main compounds should
be studied further in soil conditions for its herbicidal
properties against A. fatua and weeds in maize.
Use of the finite element method for parameter estimation of the circuit model of a high power synchronous generator
Authors: Berhausen S. , Paszek S.
Published: September 2015

The paper presents the two-dimensional, field-circuit model of a high power synchronous generator verified by measurements. The model enables determining the waveforms of electromagnetic quantities in steady and transient states. Verification of the model was based on comparison of the measured and calculated waveforms after a disturbance in the voltage regulation system of a TWW-200-2 generator operating in Połaniec Power Plant. There are also presented the field methods for determining electromagnetic parameters (synchronous reactances and time constants) when using the distributions of static and quasi-static, magnetic and electromagnetic fields calculated by the finite element method (FEM). The set of these parameters was used as the starting parameters of the optimization algorithm for estimation of electromagnetic parameters of the synchronous generator circuit model. The dynamic waveforms under the generator load conditions calculated by the finite element method are the basis of parameter estimation. The parameter estimation of the generator model was performed with the use of the least squares method.
An analytical method for solving the two-phase inverse Stefan problem
Authors: Hetmaniok E. , Słota D. , Wituła R. , Zielonka A.
Published: September 2015

In the paper we present an application of the homotopy analysis method for solving the two-phase inverse Stefan problem. In the proposed approach a series is created, having elements which satisfy some differential equation following from the investigated problem. We reveal, in the paper, that if this series is convergent then its sum determines the solution of the original equation. A sufficient condition for this convergence is formulated. Moreover, the estimation of the error of the approximate solution, obtained by taking the partial sum of the considered series, is given. Additionally, we present an example illustrating an application of the described method.
A problem of optimal cylindricity profile matching
Authors: Janecki D. , Zwierzchowski J. , Cedro L.
Published: September 2015

The bird-cage strategy used for measuring cylindricity is reported to be the most effective, as it provides the most detailed information about an analyzed object. The average values of profiles measured with the cross-section and the generatrix strategies may differ slightly, yet this may result from some design imperfections of the measurement instruments used. In this study, the problem of optimal profile matching is formulated and solved. As a result, the differences between the values of the registered profiles at the points of intersection of the scanning trajectories can be minimized.
Handling fuzzy systems’ accuracy-interpretability trade-off by means of multi-objective evolutionary optimization methods – selected problems
Authors: Gorzałczany M.B. , Rudziński F.
Published: September 2015

The paper addresses several open problems regarding the automatic design of fuzzy rule-based systems (FRBSs) from data using multi-objective evolutionary optimization algorithms (MOEOAs). In particular, we propose: a) new complexity-related interpretability measure, b) efficient strong-fuzzy-partition implementation for improving semantics-related interpretability, c) special-coding-free implementation of rule base and original genetic operators for its processing, and d) implementation of our ideas in the context of well-known MOEOAs such as SPEA2 and NSGA-II. The experiments demonstrate that our approach is an effective tool for handling FRBSs’ accuracy-interpretability trade-off, i.e, designing FRBSs characterized by various levels of such a trade-off (in particular, for designing highly interpretability-oriented systems of still competitive accuracy).
Who Graduates From Irish Distance University Education?
Authors: Delaney Lorraine
Published: September 2015

This paper outlines results from an online survey of recent distance graduates. The study, based in Dublin City University (DCU) addresses a gap in the research on this cohort of graduates. Findings indicate that distance graduates are primarily from lower socio economic backgrounds, a group largely under-represented in full-time university education. Significantly, 30% of survey respondents came from a skilled manual background. A large percentage (39% N = 61) of graduates had never accessed any form of higher education before. An equally large percentage (N = 62) had accessed full-time higher education previously, but at a lower level than the honours primary degree they obtained through distance learning. Implications regarding the role of distance education in improving access to university education and social mobility are discussed. Finally, this paper seeks to establish relevance between knowledge of distance graduates and doing things better for first time distance learners.
Transactional Distance And Autonomy In A Distance Learning Environment
Authors: Vasiloudis G. , Koutsouba M. , Giossos Y. , Mavroidis I.
Published: September 2015

This paper studies the transactional distance between the students and the tutor as well as the autonomy of students in a postgraduate course of the Hellenic Open University (HOU). The aim of the paper is to examine how the relation between autonomy and transactional distance evolves during an academic year and how this relation is affected by demographic parameters, such as gender, age group and student experience (year of studies). For this purpose an empirical research was conducted and a sample of postgraduate students responded to a questionnaire (which included a scale for transactional distance, a scale for autonomy and demographic questions) during two different time periods within an academic (2012-2013). The results of the statistical analysis showed that during the evolution of the learning process there was a small change in transactional distance, especially for the dimension of co-understanding, while there was also a change in one of the dimensions of autonomy, namely sensitivity to others. However, no relation was observed between transactional distance and autonomy, ether in the first or the second measurement during the academic year. This finding is also regarded in the overall framework of the different critiques and interpretations of Moore’s theory.
On the K-theory of certain extensions of free groups
Authors: Metaftsis Vassilis , Prassidis Stratos
Published: September 2015

Since

Hol
⁡

(

F
n

)

$\operatorname*{Hol}(F_{n})$

embeds into

Aut
⁡

(

F

n
+
1

)

$\operatorname*{Aut}(F_{n+1})$

, one can construct inductively the subgroups

ℋ

(
n
)

${\mathcal{H}}_{(n)}$

of

Aut
⁡

(

F

n
+
1

)

$\operatorname*{Aut}(F_{n+1})$

by setting

ℋ

(
1
)

=

Hol
⁡

(

F
2

)

${{\mathcal{H}}_{(1)}=\operatorname*{Hol}(F_{2})}$

and

ℋ

(
n
)

=

F

n
+
1

⋊

ℋ

(

n
-
1

)

${{\mathcal{H}}_{(n)}=F_{n+1}\rtimes{\mathcal{H}}_{(n-1)}}$

. We show that the FJCw holds for

ℋ

(
n
)

${\mathcal{H}}_{(n)}$

. Moreover, we calculate the lower K-theory for the groups

ℋ

(
n
)

${\mathcal{H}}_{(n)}$

.
5′-Norcarbocyclic analogues of furano[2,3-d]pyrimidine nucleosides
Authors: Matyugina Elena S. , Logashenko Evgeniya B. , Zenkova Marina A. , Kochetkov Sergey N. , Khandazhinskaya Anastasia L.
Published: September 2015

5′-Norcarbocyclic analogues of furano[2,3-d]pyrimidine nucleosides as well as 5-bromo and 5-iodouracil derivatives were synthesized to evaluate their potential antitumor activity. The halogenated derivatives display no cytotoxicity with respect to all tested cells: KB-3-1 (human epidermoid carcinoma), HeLa (human cervical epithelioid carcinoma), HuTu-80 (human duodenal cancer), B16 (mouse melanoma), and MDCK (normal epithelial). The cytotoxicity of the non-halogenated furano[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives increases with the lengthening of the alkyl chain of the substituent from 45 to 60 μm for octyl to from 3 to 10 μm for dodecyl.
Effect of gibberellic acid, stratification and salinity on seed germination of Echinacea purpurea cv. Magnus
Authors: Zadeh Shamila Yadolahi , Ramin Ali Akbar , Baninasab Bahram
Published: September 2015

This study was conducted in order to determine the appropriate treatment for breaking dormancy and the effect of salinity on seed germination of purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea cv. Magnus), in two separate experiments. In the first experiment, five levels of gibberellic acid (GA3) (0, 250, 500, 1000, and 1500 mg×L−1) with four levels of cold moist stratification period of seeds at 5°C (0, 5, 10 and 15 days) were launched. A factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications. The statistical analysis showed that concentration of 250 mg×L−1 GA3 with 10 days of cold moist chilling significantly increased the percentage of germination of normal seedlings and reduced the mean time of germination. In the second experiment, the seeds were chilled for 10 days at 5°C and half of them treated with 250 mg×L−1 GA3 for 24 hours. The seeds treated with GA3, and those non-treated were subjected to NaCl for salinity stress. The experiment was conducted using five salinity levels (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mM NaCl) in four replications in a completely randomized design. The results showed that purple coneflower is highly sensitive to salinity in the germination stage. The results also showed that by increasing salinity levels, the percentage of germination and normal seedlings significantly decreased and the mean time to germination increased, compared to the control treatment. But the seeds treated with GA3 showed higher viability and better performance under salinity stress condition.
Intraspecific variability of yarrow (Achillea millefolium L. s.l.) in respect of developmental and chemical traits
Authors: Bączek Katarzyna , Kosakowska Olga , Przybył Jarosław L. , Kuźma Paula , Ejdys Marcin , Obiedziński Mieczysław , Węglarz Zenon
Published: September 2015

The aim of study was to determine the variability of 20 yarrow populations introduced into ex situ conditions, in respect of selected developmental traits as well as content and composition of biologically active compounds (essential oil, tannins, flavonoids and phenolic acids). Field experiment was established at the Experimental Station, Department of Vegetable and Medicinal Plants. Morphological observations and harvest of raw material were carried out in the second year of plant vegetation, at the beginning of blooming. Investigated populations differed significantly in respect of developmental features as well as content and composition of identified compounds. The highest differences among the populations concerned fresh mass of herb (0.46–1.79 kg per plant), number of shoots per m2 (64–243) and length of the longest internode (42–158 mm). Total content of essential oil ranged from 0.10 to 1.00%. Among 24 identified compounds β-pinene, 1,8-cineole, terpinene-4-ol, nerolidol and chamazulene were the dominants. According to content of these compounds, three chemotypes were distinguished within investigated populations, i.e.: β-pinene, β-pinene + chamazulene and 1,8-cineole type. Content of tannins ranged from 0.38 to 0.90%. Four flavonoids were identified and apigenin 7-glucoside was present in the highest amount (from 9.87 to 475.21 mg × 100 g−1), while the highest differences between populations concerned the content of luteolin-3',7-diglucoside. Within phenolic acids, three compounds (caffeic acid derivatives) were identified. Rosmarinic acid was the dominant one (75.64–660.54 mg × 100 g−1), while cichoric acid differentiated investigated populations the most.