bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of staphylococci and their role in pathology of children
Authors: Harуfulina M. A. , Voronkova O. S. , Shevchenko T. M. , Vіnnіkov A. І.
Published: December 2014

The problem of human staphylococcal infection in the world has been considered. It is known that there are 27 species of staphylococci, 14 of them colonize the skin and mucous membranes of humans, and 3 of them may cause diseases. They are Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and S. saprophyticus. Staphylococci are causative agents of the large part of community-acquired and nosocomial bacteremia, pneumonia, infections of skin and soft tissues, bones and joints. Of all cases of nosocomial infections, S. aureus accounts for 31%. During the identification of 65 strains of bacteria isolated from people with respiratory tract lesions, it was found that 58.5% of cases were connected with presence of staphylococci. 86.8% of isolates identified belong to species S. aureus and 13.2% to S. saprophyticus. Study of pathogenicity factors manifestation revealed that all strains identified as S. aureus had plasmocoagulase; lipase and lecitinase were simultaneously detected in 78.3% of them, among S. saprophyticus strains in 20%. Presence of haemolysins was determined for 82.1% of strains of staphylococci. Ability to film formation was detected in 21 (63.6%) strains of S. aureus and 2 (40%) of S. saprophyticus strains. Given high frequency of carriers of staphylococci among healthy individuals, they should be considered as potentially pathogenic microorganisms and opportunistic pathogens. Due to their pathogenicity factors (adhesins, capsule, cell wall components, enzymes and toxins), staphylococci may cause diseases such as sepsis, meningitis, peritonitis, endocarditis, pneumonia, tonsillitis, and in young children they may result in serious Ritter illness (“babies scalded syndrome”), foodstuff infection and staphylococcal enterocolitis, in lactating women – mastitis, toxic shock syndrome. To solve the problem of staphylococcal infection prevention, it is necessary to use the following prophylaxis methods: to avoid decrease in immunity, to observe the rules of hygiene, sterility, disposability, disinfection, strict control of sanitary and epidemiological profile of healthcare institutions, to ensure monitoring of pregnant women, infants and early diagnostics and treatment of the inflammatory diseases at their initial stages. Furthermore, there is a need in monitoring of these bacteria spreading.
propuesta de un mecanismo para establecer criterios de distribucon del fonde especial de la Educación Superior Universitaria Estatal
Authors: Cervantes Gamboa Flor De María
Published: December 2014

El propósito de este artículo es analizar cómo el gobierno de Costa Rica ha otorgado el financiamiento a la Educación Superior universitaria Estatal y cuáles criterios se ha utilizado para distribuir los recursos financieros entre las instituciones de Educación Superior Universitaria Estatal. Con el fin de comprender mejor la situación actual, ete artículo ofrece una breve reseña histórica de la normativa del financiamiento de las universidad des estatales costarricenses y se hace referencia también a las fuentes y mecanismos de financiamiento de las universidades públicas en varios países del mundo. Se propone un proceso para establecer criterios de distribución del Fondo Especial de la Educación Superior, conducido por la comisión de Vicerrectores de Administración de las instituciones estatales, en la cual se utilice la técnica Delphi
Mammals of medium and large size from a fragmented seasonal forest landscape in Mato Grosso do Sul state, central-western Brazil
Authors: Hannibal Wellington
Published: December 2014

The southern cone of Mato Grosso do Sul state is poorly known in terms of mammal community composition. This information is very important to propose an environmental management plan. The present study provides information on the composition of medium and large size mammals in the municipality of Batayporã, in the Ivinhema river basin, southwestern Brazil. The mammal community was sampled during 19 field sampling occasions by the identification of vestiges, such as burrows, feces, vocalization and tracks, as well as through direct observations. I recorded 24 mammal species distributed in eight taxonomic orders. Thirteen species were frequently recorded, six species were rarely recorded, and six species are considered threatened in Brazil or in global level. The area presents almost half of the medium and large-sized mammal fauna from Mato Grosso do Sul state, but fragmentation and sugarcane plantations may represent a threat to the local biodiversity conservation.
First record of Molossus molossus (Pallas, 1766) (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil
Authors: Barros Marília A. S.
Published: December 2014

Here I report the first record of the bat Molossus molossus in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil. A colony of this species was recorded in the urban area of Lagoa Salgada, in the attic of a building. In January 2014, I captured 90 individuals of M. molossus using mist nets around the roost. The present record extends the distribution of M. molossus to far-northeastern Brazil and adds a new marginal occurrence site for this species.
Leptophilypnus guatemalensis Thacker & Pezold, 2006 (Gobiiformes: Eleotridae): first record in México
Authors: Espinosa-Pérez Hector , Martínez C. Armando , Sepúlveda J. Daniel
Published: December 2014

We present the first record of the fish Leptophilypnus guatemalensis Thacker & Pezold, 2006 (Gobiiformes: Eleotridae) in the state of Chiapas, México, within the Grijalva–Usumacinta basin. Morphological and morphometrical data of 20 specimens from three localities are given.
Nymphoides grayana (Griseb.) Kuntze: first record of Menyanthaceae for the state of Tocantins
Authors: Francener Augusto , Fernandes-Júnior Aluísio José , Dantas-Queiroz Marcos Vinicius , Hall Climbiê Ferreira
Published: December 2014

Nymphoides grayana (Menyanthaceae) is a macrophyte, and its occurrence is known in Brazil only for the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. In this paper, a new record of N. grayana is presented for the state of Tocantins, representing the first record of Menyanthaceae for the state and expanding the occurrence of the species for the North Region of Brazil.
Notes on range extension and geographic variation of calls in Adenomera thomei (Anura: Leptodactylidae)
Authors: Ferrante Lucas , Angulo Ariadne , Sacramento Mario
Published: December 2014

New localities are herein reported for Adenomera thomei in Minas Gerais state, increasing its known distribution towards the Brazilian northwest and expanding knowledge on its habitat use. The advertisement calls of Adenomera thomei here reported exhibit variation in the call parameters known for this species, but also reveal a degree of overlap with the calls of a closely related undescribed species, suggesting that further research is needed to elucidate geographic call variation and population identities.
Rediscovery of the Yellow-bellied Sea Snake, Hydrophis platurus (Linnaeus, 1766) in Máncora, northern Perú
Authors: Quiñones Javier , Burneo Karla García , Barragan Claudio
Published: December 2014

The presence of the Yellow-bellied Sea Snake (Hydrophis platurus) in the Southeast Pacific is rarely reported, with only one confirmed observation from northern Perú made in the early 1950s. We present new information based on a live-stranded specimen recently found in Peruvian waters, having washed ashore at Máncora (04.1255° S, 81.0958° W) in northern Perú on 12 July 2012. This stranding was associated with a Modoki El Niño warm event, since positive sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies up to 2.5°C were registered at this time.
Suppression of phase separation in InGaN due to elastic strain
Authors: Karpov S. Yu.
Published: December 2014

The effect of elastic strain in epitaxial InGaN layers coherently grown on GaN wafers on spinodal decomposition of the ternary compound is examined. The effect results in considerable suppression of phase separation in the strained InGaN layers. To predict correctly the position of the miscibility gap in the T-x diagram it is important to take into account the compositional dependence of the elastic constants of the ternary compound. The contribution of the elastic strain to the Gibbs free energy of InGaN is calculated assuming uniform compression of the epitaxial layer with respect to the underlying GaN wafer. The interaction of binary constituents in the solid phase is accounted for on the base of regular solution model. The enthalpy of mixing is estimated using the Valence Force Field approximation. The strain effect becomes stronger with increasing In content in the InGaN. As a result the miscibility gap shifts remarkably into the area of higher InN concentration and becomes of asymmetrical shape. Various growth surface orientations and the type of crystalline structure (wurtzite or sphalerite) provide different effects of the elastic strain on phase separation in ternary compounds.
Os estudos em malária aviária e o Brasil no contexto científico internacional (1907-1945)
Authors: Sá Magali Romero
Published: December 2014

Aborda a contribuição de cientistas brasileiros aos estudos sobre o protozoário causador da malária. Ao colocar em foco os trabalhos de Henrique Aragão e Wladimir Lobato Paraense, destaca a importância da malária aviária para o entendimento da malária humana e sua terapêutica, a rede de relações científicas estabelecidas, as agendas comuns de pesquisa, as trocas de informações entre pesquisadores, assim como o papel por eles desempenhado no contexto internacional das descobertas científicas.
Change in Mandibular Position in Patients with Syndromic Craniosynostosis after Midfacial Advancement with Distraction Osteogenesis
Authors: Ali Naeem , Brustowicz Katherine , Hosomura Naoshi , Bruun Richard A. , Padwa Bonnie L.
Published: December 2014

Objective

Characterize mandibular morphology in patients with syndromic craniosynostosis and document changes in mandibular position following midfacial advancement using distraction osteogenesis (DO).

Design

Retrospective chart review and analysis of cephalometric radiographs.

Setting

Tertiary care center.

Patients

Patients with syndromic craniosynostosis who had midfacial advancement with DO at Boston Children's Hospital between 2000 and 2012. Mandibular morphology was characterized in 26 patients (15 boys and 11 girls) with a mean age of 11 years, 9 months. Pre- and postoperative analyses were performed for 17 (10 boys and 7 girls) of the 26 patients with a mean age of 11 years, 9 months.

Main Outcome Measures

Mandibular morphology and mandibular position. Data were compared to standard data from the Michigan Growth Study.

Results

Comparison of preoperative mandibular measurements to standard data showed that patients with syndromic craniosynostosis have a shorter mandibular body and length and an obtuse gonial angle. Comparison of pre- and postoperative cephalograms showed that, following midfacial advancement with DO, the maxilla moved forward and the mandible moved backward and downward.

Conclusions

Patients with syndromic craniosynostosis have a smaller mandible length and obtuse gonial angle. Correction of midfacial hypoplasia with DO results in inferior and posterior mandibular movement. Clinicians can use this information to counsel patients regarding anticipated changes in facial profile and the need for adjunct procedures.
Lack of Association between MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, and TCN2 Genes and Nonsyndromic CL±P in a Chinese Population: Case-Control Study and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jiang Chanyuan , Yin Ningbei , Zhao Zhenmin , Wu Di , Wang Yongqian , Li Haidong , Song Tao
Published: December 2014

Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCLP) is a common congenital deformity, often associated with folate deficiency. The genes MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, and TCN2 play key roles in folate metabolism. The risk of NSCLP associated with particular variants in the folic acid pathway differs among ethnic groups. The goal of this study was to explore whether genetic variations in these four genes, as well as gene-gene interactions, are associated with NSCLP. We investigated 7 tagSNPs for MTHFR, 18 tagSNPs for MTR, 15 tagSNPs for MTRR, and 7 tagSNPs for TCN2 selected from HapMap data in a Chinese population. These single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were examined for associations with NSCLP in 204 patients and 226 controls. We then performed a meta-analysis of association between rs1801133 and NSCLP. There was a significant difference in the allele frequency and haplotype analysis of rs4077829 and rs10802565 in MTR between the NSCLP and control groups but not a significant difference after correction with 10,000 times permutations. The allele frequency, haplotype analysis, and gene-gene interactions of other SNPs did not show a significant difference. The meta-analysis results showed that no significant differences were found for allele comparison, heterozygote comparison, homozygote comparison, dominant model comparison, or recessive model comparison. The alterations of folate metabolism related to these polymorphisms are not involved in NSCLP in the Chinese population.
Competitive Effects of Hybrid Corn (Zea mays) on Replanted Corn
Authors: Shauck Tye C. , Smeda Reid J.
Published: December 2014

Initial corn (IC) in a replant situation, which is surviving corn from the initial planting, as well as volunteer corn from the previous season, is a competitive weed, but little is known regarding the effect of IC density on grain yield of desirable replant corn (RC). Field trials were established in central and northeast Missouri during 2008 to 2010 to determine the impact of IC on the leaf chlorophyll, stalk diameter, and grain yield of RC. Glyphosate-resistant RC was planted in 76-cm rows, with hybrid glyphosate-resistant IC established for season-long competition between rows at densities of 0 to 8 plants m−2. At vegetative growth stages with six and eight leaf collars and at tasseling (V6, V8, VT), RC leaf nitrogen levels were reduced by 5 to 30% in the presence of IC at densities of one to eight plants m−2compared with control plants lacking competition. Stalk diameters of RC at the VT growth stage were reduced from 8 to 30% by IC as densities increased from 0.5 to 8 plants m−2. Grain yield of row corn was reduced by IC, with yield losses ranging from 7 to 81%. Growth rate and biomass accumulation of hybrid and volunteer corn from V2 to VT were compared in the greenhouse to determine if competitive potential was similar. The second filial generation (F2) of corn from hybrid (DKC ‘63-42′) corn was collected from a field in central Missouri and southeastern Nebraska. There were no statistical differences found in growth rate or biomass accumulation between hybrid and F2corn up to VT, although F2plant biomass was numerically (up to 41%) lower at numerous growth stages. Hybrid corn is likely to be equally or more competitive with RC than volunteer corn. This research documents that in areas where IC remains among replanted corn, the IC has a negative impact at all densities evaluated.
Glyphosate-Resistant Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida) Control in Glufosinate-Resistant Soybean
Authors: Kaur Simranpreet , Sandell Lowell D. , Lindquist John L. , Jhala Amit J.
Published: December 2014

Glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed is one of the most competitive weeds of agronomic crops in the United States. Early emergence and rapid growth rate makes giant ragweed a competitive weed early in the season and reduces crop yields. Therefore, early spring control of giant ragweed using a preplant herbicide is critical. Glufosinate is an alternative POST herbicide for weed control in glufosinate-resistant soybean. Field experiments were conducted at David City, NE, in 2012 and 2013 to evaluate the efficacy of preplant herbicides followed by glufosinate applied alone or in tank mixes for control of glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed in glufosinate-resistant soybean. Preplant treatments containing 2,4-D, flumioxazin, glufosinate, paraquat, saflufenacil, and sulfentrazone provided 79 to 99% control of giant ragweed 21 d after treatment (DAT), and subsequent application of glufosinate alone or in tank mixes resulted in 90 to 99% control at 21 DAT. Preplant application ofS-metolachlor plus metribuzin or chlorimuron, flumioxazin plus thifensulfuron followed by glufosinate resulted in < 40% control of giant ragweed, and soybean yields were < 870 kg ha−1. Although statistically comparable to several other treatments, preplant application of 2,4-D or saflufenacil tank mixes followed by glufosinate resulted in the highest level of control (> 97%) and soybean yield (2,624 to 3,378 kg ha−1). This study confirms that preplant herbicide options are available for control of glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed, and a follow-up application of glufosinate will provide season-long control in glufosinate-resistant soybean.
Immune Alterations in IgE and Non IgE-Associated Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Ricci Giampaolo , Calamelli Elisabetta , Cipriani Francesca
Published: December 2014

Atopic dermatitis is a complex disease in which a strong interaction between alterations of skin barrier and the
adaptive immune system coexists. In the recent years, new findings have underlined the importance of skin proteins,
especially filaggrin, which participate to the outmost layers of the skin. To strengthen this physical barrier, many factors
are available, such as antimicrobial peptides, chemokines and cytokines produced by keratinocytes. Skin disruption can
easily allow the allergen penetration and the local keratinocytes can promote the adaptive immune response toward a Th2
phenotype. On the other side, allergic Th2 cytokines may downregulate the production of skin barrier proteins, facilitating
the penetration of allergens. Moreover, data on murine models show the absolute relevance of the systemic immune
system to develop clinical skin reaction. Since the clinical aspect of patients with AD does not show different patterns
whatever is the prevalent underlying mechanism, in clinical practice it is difficult to translate the different endotypes
beside the IgE and non IgE associated forms. The aim of this review is to point out to the most recent knowledge in this
field, which makes AD more difficult to frame in a unique clinical entity.
Timely Assessment of Cardiovascular Risk after Preeclampsia
Authors: Verbeek André LM , Verbeek Anna JM
Published: December 2014

Evaluation of: Cusimano MC, Pudwell J, Roddy M, Chan-Kyung JC, Smith GN. The maternal health clinic: an initiative for cardiovascular identification in women with pregnancy-related complications. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 438, e1 (2014). Cardiovascular risk management, for men and women alike, is a preventative means to detect individuals’ running an elevated risk of myocardial disorders, stroke and metabolic syndrome. Because age is an important factor in the risk assessment, especially young women almost always are classified in the low-risk category and therefore do not qualify for preventive treatment. A history of preeclampsia identifies women who have underlying cardiovascular risk factors. Approximately 6–8% of all pregnancies are complicated by hypertensive disorders, about 2% ends in preeclampsia. For that very reason, the Maternal Health Clinic at Kingston General Hospital in Kingston, Canada, was established to provide postpartum cardiovascular risk counseling or follow-up for women with the pregnancy-related complications. The outcomes were significant: 17% of the young target population with an average age of 33 years met criteria of metabolic syndrome and 85% revealed elevated lifetime cardiovascular disease risk. These figures are to be compared with control results of women with uncomplicated pregnancies: 7% metabolic syndrome and 46% non-optimal risk. It is concluded that the clinic may serve as a prolific and effective primary prevention strategy.
Involvement of the Heme Oxygenase System in the Development of Preeclampsia and as a Possible Therapeutic Target
Authors: Venditti Carolina C , Smith Graeme N
Published: December 2014

The enzyme heme oxygenase (HO) is an important regulatory molecule present in most nucleated mammalian cells which functions to break down the pro-oxidant molecule heme into three products, carbon monoxide (CO), biliverdin and free iron. The HO system has been associated with many physiologic functions, including vascular tone, regulation of inflammation and apoptosis, angiogenesis and antioxidant capabilities. Deficiencies in HO are associated with several pregnancy disorders, including preeclampsia. With no present cure, this disorder continues to affect 5–7% of all pregnancies worldwide, leading to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Researchers continue to strive for therapeutic potentials and this review will outline the possible use of the HO/CO system as a target treatment/prevention of preeclampsia in the future.
In vivo examination of the anticoagulant effect of the Brassica oleracea methanol extract
Authors: Khan Rafeeq , Asad Tahira , Feroz Zeeshan , Ahmed Mansoor
Published: December 2014

The anticoagulant effect of the methanol extract of Brassica oleracea var.
capitata (MEB) was examined in rabbits. The animals were divided into five
groups, each comprising seven animals. Three groups were administered
increasing doses of MEB (200, 300, and 500 mg/kg, respectively); one group
received warfarin (0.54 mg/kg); animals in the control group received saline
(1 ml/day equivalent to the volume of doses applied to the treated and
standard animals). Biochemical tests were performed on the 16th and 31st days
of dosing. Animals that were administered MEB (500 mg MEB/kg) 30 days
displayed increases of 24.07 s, 28.79 s and 4.08 s in activated partial
thromboplastin (aPTT), fibrinogen (Fg) and thrombin time (TT). Compared to
the control, the increase in aPTT and Fg was highly significant and the
increase in TT was significant. The anticoagulant effect exhibited by MEB in
rabbits may be due to inactivation or inhibition of factors affecting
coagulation.
Age-Dependent Prognostic Effect by Mitosis-Karyorrhexis Index in Neuroblastoma: A Report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Teshiba Risa , Kawano Shinya , Wang Larry L. , He Lejian , Naranjo Arlene , London Wendy B. , Seeger Robert C. , Gastier-Foster Julie M. , Look A. Thomas , Hogarty Michael D. , Cohn Susan L. , Maris John M. , Park Julie R. , Shimada Hiroyuki
Published: December 2014

Prognostic effects of Mitosis-Karyorrhexis Index (MKI) used in the International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification (INPC) are age-dependent. A total of 4,282 neuroblastomas reviewed at the Children's Oncology Group Neuroblastoma Pathology Reference Laboratory (8/1/2001–3/31/2012) included 2,365 low-MKI (L-MKI), 1,068 intermediate-MKI (I-MKI), and 849 high-MKI (H-MKI) tumors. Cox proportional hazards models were fit to determine age cut-offs at which the relative risk of event/death was maximized in each MKI class. Backward-selected Cox models were fit to determine the prognostic strength of the age cut-offs for survival in the presence of other prognostic factors. The age cut-offs used in the INPC for L-MKI tumors (<60 months, n = 2,710, 84.0% ± 1.0% event-free survival [EFS], 93.8 ± 0.7% overall survival [OS] vs ≥60 months, n = 195, 49.8% ± 4.6% EFS, 71.7% ± 4.1% OS; P < 0.0001) and I-MKI tumors (<18 months, n = 568, 83.8% ± 2% EFS, 93.7% ± 1.3% OS vs ≥18 months, n = 500, 51.4% ± 2.9% EFS, 66.7% ± 2.7% OS; P < 0.0001) were within the effective range for distinguishing prognostic groups. As for H-MKI tumors (no cut-off age in the INPC, 51.0% ± 2.2% EFS, 64.4% ± 2.1% OS), a new cut-off of 3–4 months was suggested (<4 months, n = 38, 82.3% ± 8.4% EFS, 81.8% ± 8.5% OS vs ≥4 months, n = 811, 49.6% ± 2.2% EFS, 63.7% ± 2.1% OS, P = 0.0034 and 0.0437, respectively). Multivariate analyses revealed that cut-offs of 60 and 18 months for L-MKI and I-MKI tumors, respectively, were independently prognostic. However, the cut-off of 4 months for H-MKI tumors did not reach statistical significance in the presence of other factors. The age cut-offs for MKI classes (60 months for L-MKI, 18 months for I-MKI, no cut-off for H-MKI) in the current INPC are reasonable and effective for distinguishing prognostic groups with increased risk of event/death for older patients.
Romanian young people’s drinking habits
Authors: Bucur Pálma , Fülöp Ibolya , Croitoru Md
Published: December 2014

Objective: Alcohol use can cause social problems. Beside alcoholism the “binge drinking” and the “pre-drinking” could be a harmful form of alcohol use based on scientific literature data. In this study the alcohol use behaviors and associated problems were evaluated among young people aged between 14-30 years.

Methods: The study was carried out using a self reporting questionnaire, containing the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) developed by World Health Organization and 10 more questions. This questionnaire was created in two languages (Romanian, Hungarian) and uploaded to the on-line survey page (www.kwiksurveys.com). The link was shared at different Facebook groups.

Results: The questionnaire was completed by 933 young people. There was a predominance of females (66.99%) and the participant’s average age was 22.12 years (±2.78). The results show that males’ relative risk (RR) for alcoholism is 7.18 (CI95%, 3.47-14.85). Majority (539; 57.77%) of the participants had at least one time binge drinking, from this 36.66% were occasionally binge drinkers and 21.11% were regular binge drinkers. More males binge drinkers were found then females (RR: 1.72; CI95%, 1.55-1.90). The people who participate in pre-drinking have RR of 2.14 (CI95%, 1.89-2.41) for binge drinking. The binge drinkers have RR of 2.58 (CI95%, 1.78-3.37) for drunk driving.

Conclusions: Binge drinking is a really common habit among young people. Measures to reduce the risk or prevent the harmful consequences of this habit should be employed.
Spatial memory deficits in juvenile rats with pilocarpine induced temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Orbán-Kis K , Mihály I , Lukács I , Kiss Rita-Judit , Izsák Júlia , Száva Iringó , Metz Júlia , Szilágyi T
Published: December 2014

One of the most frequent forms of epilepsy in humans is temporal lobe epilepsy. Characteristic to this form of the disease is the frequent pharmacoresistance and the association with behavioural disorders and cognitive impairment. The objective of our study was to establish the degree of cognitive impairment in a rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy after an initial epileptogenic exposure but before of the onset of the effect of long-duration epilepsy.

Methods. For the experiment we used 11 rats. Status epilepticus was induced by systemic administration of a single dose of pilocarpine. The animals were continuously video-monitored to observe the occurrence of spontaneous recurrent seizures; during weeks 9-10 we performed eight-arm radial maze testing in order to assess the cognitive impairment.

Results. Animals developed spontaneous recurrent seizures after a 14-21 day latency with a daily average seizure density of 0.79±0.43 during weeks 9-10. Epileptic rats had significantly more working memory errors per session, more reference memory errors and the number of visited arms was also significantly higher. Accuracy was also lower in the pilocarpine treated group. Interestingly significant differences disappeared after six days of trials.

Conclusions. Our study shows behavioural deficits occurring after 9-10 weeks of epilepsy in the pilocarpine model of epilepsy applied to juvenile rats. In contrast to previous studies, we showed that juvenile rats with short duration of epilepsy are able to learn the behavioural task, therefore a morphopathological and/or behavioural “no-return point” regarding the development of severe cognitive impairment is not reached by status epilepticus alone.
Meyer’s Loop Anatomy Demonstrated Using Diffusion Tensor MR Imaging and Fiber Tractography at 3T
Authors: Goga Cristina , Firat Zeynep , Brinzaniuc Klara , Florian Is
Published: December 2014

Objective: The ultimate anatomy of the Meyer’s loop continues to elude us. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) may be able to demonstrate, in vivo, the anatomy of the complex network of white matter fibers surrounding the Meyer’s loop and the optic radiations. This study aims at exploring the anatomy of the Meyer’s loop by using DTI and fiber tractography.

Methods: Ten healthy subjects underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with DTI at 3 T. Using a region-of-interest (ROI) based diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tracking software (Release 2.6, Achieva, Philips), sequential ROI were placed to reconstruct visual fibers and neighboring projection fibers involved in the formation of Meyer’s loop. The 3-dimensional (3D) reconstructed fibers were visualized by superimposition on 3-planar MRI brain images to enhance their precise anatomical localization and relationship with other anatomical structures.

Results: Several projection fiber including the optic radiation, occipitopontine/parietopontine fibers and posterior thalamic peduncle participated in the formation of Meyer’s loop. Two patterns of angulation of the Meyer’s loop were found. Conclusions: DTI with DTT provides a complimentary, in vivo, method to study the details of the anatomy of the Meyer’s loop.
Pool boiling of nanofluids on rough and porous coated tubes: experimental and correlation
Authors: Cieśliński Janusz T. , Kaczmarczyk Tomasz Z.
Published: December 2014

The paper deals with pool boiling of water-Al2O3 and water- Cu nanofluids on rough and porous coated horizontal tubes. Commercially available stainless steel tubes having 10 mm outside diameter and 0.6 mm wall thickness were used to fabricate the test heater. The tube surface was roughed with emery paper 360 or polished with abrasive compound. Aluminium porous coatings of 0.15 mm thick with porosity of about 40% were produced by plasma spraying. The experiments were conducted under different absolute operating pressures, i.e., 200, 100, and 10 kPa. Nanoparticles were tested at the concentration of 0.01, 0.1, and 1% by weight. Ultrasonic vibration was used in order to stabilize the dispersion of the nanoparticles. It was observed that independent of operating pressure and roughness of the stainless steel tubes addition of even small amount of nanoparticles augments heat transfer in comparison to boiling of distilled water. Contrary to rough tubes boiling heat transfer coefficient of tested nanofluids on porous coated tubes was lower compared to that for distilled water while boiling on porous coated tubes. A correlation equation for prediction of the average heat transfer coefficient during boiling of nanofluids on smooth, rough and porous coated tubes is proposed. The correlation includes all tested variables in dimensionless form and is valid for low heat flux, i.e., below 100 kW/m2.
Radiation heat transfer model using Monte Carlo ray tracing method on hierarchical ortho-Cartesian meshes and non-uniform rational basis spline surfaces for description of boundaries
Authors: Kuczyński Paweł , Białecki Ryszard
Published: December 2014

The paper deals with a solution of radiation heat transfer problems in enclosures filled with nonparticipating medium using ray tracing on hierarchical ortho-Cartesian meshes. The idea behind the approach is that radiative heat transfer problems can be solved on much coarser grids than their counterparts from computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The resulting code is designed as an add-on to OpenFOAM, an open-source CFD program. Ortho-Cartesian mesh involving boundary elements is created based upon CFD mesh. Parametric non-uniform rational basis spline (NURBS) surfaces are used to define boundaries of the enclosure, allowing for dealing with domains of complex shapes. Algorithm for determining random, uniformly distributed locations of rays leaving NURBS surfaces is described. The paper presents results of test cases assuming gray diffusive walls. In the current version of the model the radiation is not absorbed within gases. However, the ultimate aim of the work is to upgrade the functionality of the model, to problems in absorbing, emitting and scattering medium projecting iteratively the results of radiative analysis on CFD mesh and CFD solution on radiative mesh.
Lower limb laterality versus foot structure in men and women
Authors: Ilnicka Lidia , Trzaskoma Zbigniew , Wiszomirska Ida , Wit Andrzej , Wychowański Michał
Published: December 2014

Study aim: The aim of the study was to determine connections between the functional asymmetry of limbs and the morphological asymmetry of feet.

Material and methods: The study population consisted of 56 students: 30 females (mean age 20.29 ± 0.59 years) and 26 males (mean age 20.41 ± 0.78 years). The measurements of body build were taken with classical instruments. Body build was assessed on the basis of body height, body mass, and BMI. Seven features of the foot and 8 indices of foot arches were assessed. Assessment of laterality in upper and lower limbs was conducted on the basis of data from repeated interviews, and then verified with simple motor tests that imitated characteristic functions of the limbs. Asymmetry indices were calculated in order to determine asymmetries of the features. Mollison’s index was applied to assess dimorphic differences.

Results: Features that were statistically different in the foot of the dominant limb and in the foot of the non-dominant limb were: among the group of females, the foot length without hindfoot, and the Clarke’s angle; among the group of males - the foot length without toes. Analyses of results of this study do not allow for a claim that laterality of lower extremities has a considerable impact on indices of longitudinal and transverse foot arches.

Conclusions: The following conclusions were formulated on the basis of the conducted analysis regarding the group of subjects with homogeneous right laterality:

- in females, the dominant limb’s foot is characterized by a shorter bone arm lever for dorsiflexors;

- in males, the dominant limb’s foot is characterized by a shorter bone arm lever for plantaflexors.
Technical and tactical analysis of women’s volleyball
Authors: Inkinen Virpi , Häyrinen Mikko , Linnamo Vesa
Published: December 2014

Introduction: The study aim was to construct a technical and tactical analysis of women’s volleyball based on notational analysis in top-level and junior women’s European volleyball matches, to compare these two levels, and to clarify the differences between the winners and losers of a set.

Material and Methods: Four matches from the 2010 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championships and 2010 CEV Junior Women’s European Championship 2010 were analyzed using Data Volley software. The number and performance level of different skills were recorded in total and were grouped according to the role of the players. Methods of scoring and attacking zones were also analyzed.

Results: There were only slight differences between the two levels in terms of success in different skills. When the skill executions were compared between the winning and losing teams of a set within the levels, less successful skill executions and more errors in different skills were found for the losing teams.

Conclusions: The results seem to indicate that there are only minor differences between adult and junior women’s volleyball at the highest level. Attacking seems to be the most important skill concerning winning in both levels. The efficiency of attacking seems to depend upon the quality and versatility of the setting and also from the physical abilities of the players.
Instrumentation optical fibres for wave transformation, signal processing, sensors, and photonic functional components, manufactured at Białystok University of Technology in Dorosz Fibre Optics Laboratory
Authors: Romaniuk R.S.
Published: December 2014

Tailored, specialty optical fibres, made of complex glasses, called collectively as a non-telecommunications or instrumentation family, serve for various optical wave transformations for particular functional purposes and optical signal processing, rather than for long distance lossless and dispersionless, undistorted transmission. Research work on these fibres started during the late seventies of the last century in ITME/Warsaw and in Białystok University of Technology at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering. The initiator of this research at Glass Works Białystok [39] and Białystok University of Technology [4] was, then a very young engineer, Jan Dorosz. Over 35 years of development of the technological team, under his skilful management, resulted in a top laboratory which today does research at the cutting edge of the photonics science. The Białystok Optical Fibre Technology Laboratory (OFTL) is now a pearl in the crown of his Alma Mater. The paper opens this special issue of the PAS Bulletin on Technical Sciences, devoted to professor Jan Dorosz, and shows some of the developments in the area of optical fibre photonics, which were carried out at his active laboratory.
Novel constructions of optical fibers doped with rare – earth ions
Authors: Dorosz J.
Published: December 2014

In the paper the research on rare-earth doped and co-doped optical fibre conducted in the Laboratory of Optical Fiber Technology at the Bialystok University of Technology is presented. Novel active fibre constructions like multicore, helical-core and side detecting ribbon/core optical fibers were developed with a targeted focus into application. First construction i.e. multicore RE doped optical fibers enable supermode generation due to phase - locking of laser radiation achieved in a consequence of exchanging radiation between the cores during the laser action. In the paper a far - field pattern of 19 - core optical fiber-doped with Yb3+ ions, registered in the MOFPA system, showed centrally located peak of relatively high radiation intensity together with smaller side-lobes. Another new construction presented here is helical-core optical fibers with the helix pitch from several mm and the off-set ranging from 10 μm to 200 μm. The properties of helical-core optical fiber co-doped with Nd3+/Yb3+ were also discussed. In the field of sensor applications novel construction of a sidedetecting luminescent optical fiber for an UV sensor application has been presented. The developed optical fiber with an active core/ribbon, made of phosphate glass doped with 0.5 mol% Tb3+ ions, was used as a UV sensing element.
Efficiency of maximum power point tracking in photovoltaic system under variable solar irradiance
Authors: Marańda W. , Piotrowicz M.
Published: December 2014

Field conditions decrease the energy output of photovoltaic (PV) systems, mainly due to excessive temperatures. However, in regions with moderate ambient temperatures, as in Poland, solar energy is commonly delivered with highly fluctuating irradiance. This introduces yet another source of energy losses due to the non-ideal tracking of actual position of Maximum Power Point (MPP).

Majority of PV-systems are equipped with DC/AC and grid-connected inverter. Since the solar energy flux is variable, an adequate MPP-tracking algorithm is required to handle a wide range of load levels and face rapid changes of input power. Along with the essential DC/AC conversion, the quality of MPP-tracking must also be taken into account in evaluation of inverter efficiency.

The tracking in dynamic conditions has been addressed only recently. Several algorithms has been studied theoretically, experimentally or in laboratory conditions by applying artificial input test-patterns. This work takes the opposite approach by applying the recorded real-life solar irradiance and simulating the tracking behavior to study the problem for true field conditions in Poland.

The simulation uses the unique high-quality irradiance data collected with 200 ms time resolution. The calculation of both static and dynamic MPP-tracking efficiency has been performed for representative variable-cloudy day, applying commonly used Perturb&Observe tracking algorithm.
Flexible, textronic temperature sensors, based on carbon nanostructures
Authors: Walczak S. , Sibiński M.
Published: December 2014

The paper presents a comparative analysis of two types of flexible temperature sensors, made of carbon-based nanostructures composites. These sensors were fabricated by a low-cost screen-printing method, which qualifies them to large scale, portable consumer electronic products. Results of examined measurements show the possibility of application for thick film devices, especially dedicated to wearable electronics, also known as a textronics. Apart from general characterisation, the influence of technological processes on specific sensor parameters were examined, particulary the value of the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and its stability during the device bending.
Numerical and experimental study of armour system consisted of ceramic and ceramic- elastomer composites
Authors: Chabera P. , Boczkowska A. , Morka A. , Niezgoda T. , Oziębło A. , Witek A.
Published: December 2014

The paper presents numerical and experimental results in the study of composite armour systems for ballistic protection. The modelling of protective structures and simulation methods of experiment as well as the finite elements method were implemented in LS DYNA software. Three armour systems with different thickness of layers were analyzed. Discretization for each option was built with three dimensional elements guaranteeing satisfactory accuracy of the calculations. Two selected armour configurations have been ballistically tested using the armour piercing (AP) 7.62 mm calibre. The composite armour systems were made of Al2O3 ceramics placed on the strike face and high strength steel as a backing material. In case of one ballistic structure system an intermediate ceramic- elastomer layer was applied. Ceramic- elastomer composites were obtained from porous ceramics with porosity gradient using pressure infiltration of porous ceramics by elastomer. The urea-urethane elastomer, as a reactive liquid was introduced into pores. As a result composites, in which two phases were interconnecting three-dimensionally and topologically throughout the microstructure, were obtained. Upon ballistic impact, kinetic energy was dissipated by ceramic body The residual energy was absorbed by intermediate composite layer. Effect of the composite shell application on crack propagation of ceramic body was observed.
Entropy generation minimization in transient heat conduction processes PART II – Transient heat conduction in solids
Authors: Kolenda Z.S. , Szmyd J.S.
Published: December 2014

Formulation and solution of the initial boundary-value problem of heat conduction in solids have been presented when an entropy generation minimization principle is imposed as the arbitrary constraint. Using an entropy balance equation and the Euler-Lagrange variational approach a new form of the heat conduction equation (non-linear partial difference equation) is derived.
Some New Random Effect Models for Correlated Binary Responses
Authors: Tounkara Fodé , Rivest Louis-Paul
Published: December 2014

Exchangeable copulas are used to model an extra-binomial variation in Bernoulli experiments with a variable number of trials. Maximum likelihood inference procedures for the intra-cluster correlation are constructed for several copula families. The selection of a particular model is carried out using the Akaike information criterion (AIC). Profile likelihood confidence intervals for the intra-cluster correlation are constructed and their performance are assessed in a simulation experiment. The sensitivity of the inference to the specification of the copula family is also investigated through simulations. Numerical examples are presented.
Emotion Monitoring – Verification of Physiological Characteristics Measurement Procedures
Authors: Landowska Agnieszka
Published: December 2014

This paper concerns measurement procedures on an emotion monitoring stand designed for tracking human emotions in the Human-Computer Interaction with physiological characteristics. The paper addresses the key problem of physiological measurements being disturbed by a motion typical for human-computer interaction such as keyboard typing or mouse movements. An original experiment is described, that aimed at practical evaluation of measurement procedures performed at the emotion monitoring stand constructed at GUT. Different locations of sensors were considered and evaluated for suitability and measurement precision in the Human- Computer Interaction monitoring. Alternative locations (ear lobes and forearms) for skin conductance, blood volume pulse and temperature sensors were proposed and verified. Alternative locations proved correlation with traditional locations as well as lower sensitiveness to movements like typing or mouse moving, therefore they can make a better solution for monitoring the Human-Computer Interaction.
An Unexpected Case of Heterospecific Altruistic Behaviour in a Non-Breeding Migrant Tern (Charadriformes, Sternidae)
Authors: Bruni Giacomo , Menchetti Mattia , Ricciardi Giulia , Vannini Andrea , Mori Emiliano
Published: December 2014

Observations of birds feeding chicks or fledglings of a different species have already been reported in many publications. However, the benefits of the altruistic behaviour are not easy to understand, as benefits and costs of this behaviour have been poorly identified. In May 2013, in a wetland in Central Italy (Piana Fiorentina, Tuscany), some cases of interspecific feeding of an Eurasian Coot Fulica atra chick by an adult non breeding Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida were witnessed. We suggest that the behaviour of the Tern was triggered by the begging of the chick or by its own hormonal status.
Identification of drought-induced transcription factors in Sorghum bicolor using GO term semantic similarity
Authors: Sekhwal Manoj Kumar , Swami Ajit Kumar , Sharma Vinay , Sarin Renu
Published: December 2014

Stress tolerance in plants is a coordinated action of multiple stress response genes that also cross talk with other components of the stress signal transduction pathways. The expression and regulation of stress-induced genes are largely regulated by specific transcription factors, families of which have been reported in several plant species, such as Arabidopsis, rice and Populus. In sorghum, the majority of such factors remain unexplored. We used 2DE refined with MALDI-TOF techniques to analyze drought stress-induced proteins in sorghum. A total of 176 transcription factors from the MYB, AUX_ARF, bZIP, AP2 and WRKY families of drought-induced proteins were identified. We developed a method based on semantic similarity of gene ontology terms (GO terms) to identify the transcription factors. A threshold value (≥ 90%) was applied to retrieve total 1,493 transcription factors with high semantic similarity from selected plant species. It could be concluded that the identified transcription factors regulate their target proteins with endogenous signals and environmental cues, such as light, temperature and drought stress. The regulatory network and cis-acting elements of the identified transcription factors in distinct families are involved in responsiveness to auxin, abscisic acid, defense, stress and light. These responses may be highly important in the modulation of plant growth and development.