bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-invasive prenatal testing for Down syndrome in general maternity services
Authors: Bills Victoria , Ford Jenny , Duffner Anne , Soothill Peter
Published: August 2016

Since its discovery in 1997, the presence of cell-free fetal DNA in the maternal bloodstream has been put to clinical use to detect variety of fetal conditions, in the antenatal period. The use of fetal DNA can offer a highly accurate screen for the presence of Down syndrome (trisomy 21). This has numerous advantages over standard first trimester combined screening for Down syndrome; for example, a reduction in miscarriages due to its non-invasive nature. This article considers a number of issues that need to be resolved before widespread implication of this type of screening into standard NHS practice.
Creating and maintaining compassionate relationships with bereaved parents after perinatal death
Authors: Quinn Cathy
Published: August 2016

Compassionate relational care has the potential to nurture bereaved parents in a meaningful way and positively shape their grieving journey, as well as being fulfilling for midwives who offer such quality care. Enabling a quality relationship to develop with bereaved parents ensures a safe relational space is created, where parents can experience an emotional connection with their midwife when they most need it. The quality of this unique relationship created by the midwife and experienced by the parents will forever become part of their deceased baby's narrative and will continue to influence, either positively or negatively, their onward grieving journey.
Potentially eventually positive star sign patterns
Authors: Ber-Lin Yu , Ting-Zhu Huang , Cui Jie , Chunhua Deng
Published: August 2016

An $n$-by-$n$ real matrix $A$ is eventually positive if there exists a positive integer $k_{0}$ such that $A^{k}>0$ for all $k\geq k_{0}$. An $n$-by-$n$ sign pattern $\mathcal{A}$ is potentially eventually positive (PEP) if there exists an eventually positive real matrix $A$ with the same sign pattern as $\mathcal{A}$. An $n$-by-$n$ sign pattern $\mathcal{A}$ is a minimal potentially eventually positive sign pattern (MPEP sign pattern) if $\mathcal{A}$ is PEP and no proper subpattern of $\mathcal{A}$ is PEP. Berman, Catral, Dealba, et al. [Sign patterns that allow eventual positivity, {\it ELA}, 19(2010): 108-120] established some sufficient and some necessary conditions for an $n$-by-$n$ sign pattern to allow eventual positivity and classified the potentially eventually positive sign patterns of order $n\leq 3$. However, the identification and classification of PEP signpatterns of order $n\geq 4$ remain open. In this paper, all the $n$-by-$n$ PEP star sign patterns are classified by identifying all the MPEP star sign patterns.
Mechanisms, patterns and outcomes of paediatric polytrauma in a UK major trauma centre
Authors: Naqvi G , Johansson G , Yip G , Rehm A , Carrothers A , Stöhr K
Published: August 2016

Introduction

Paediatric trauma is a significant burden to healthcare worldwide and accounts for a large proportion of deaths in the UK.

Methods

This retrospective study examined the epidemiological data from a major trauma centre in the UK between January 2012 and December 2014, reviewing all cases of moderate to severe trauma in children. Patients were included if aged ≤16 years and if they had an abbreviated injury scale score of ≥2 in one or more body region.

Results

A total of 213 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 7.8 years (standard deviation [SD]: 5.2 years). The most common cause of injury was vehicle related incidents (46%). The median length of hospital stay was 5 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 4–10 days). Approximately half (52%) of the patients had to stay in the intensive care unit, for a median of 1 day (IQR: 0–2 days). The mortality rate was 6.6%. The mean injury severity score was 19 (SD: 10). Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed a positive correlation for injury severity score with length of stay in hospital (p<0.001).

Conclusions

There is significant variation in mechanism of injury, severity and pattern of paediatric trauma across age groups. A multidisciplinary team approach is imperative, and patients should be managed in specialist centres to optimise their care and eventual functional recovery. Head injury remained the most common, with significant mortality in all age groups. Rib fractures and pelvic fractures should be considered a marker for the severity of injury, and should alert doctors to look for other associated injuries.
Contemporary characteristics of blunt abdominal trauma in a regional series from the UK
Authors: Pande R , Saratzis A , Winter Beatty J , Doran C , Kirby R , Harmston C
Published: August 2016

INTRODUCTION

Blunt abdominal trauma (BAT) is a common injury in recent trauma series. The characteristics of patients with BAT have changed following the reconfiguration of UK trauma services. The aim of this study was to build a new profile for BAT patients undergoing immediate or delayed laparotomy.

METHODS

All 5,401 consecutive adults presenting with major trauma between April 2012 and April 2014 in the 3 major trauma centres in the West Midlands were analysed to identify all patients with BAT. A total of 2,793 patients with a mechanism of injury or symptomatology consistent with BAT were identified (52%). Outcomes were analysed using local electronic clinical results systems and notes.

RESULTS

Of the 2,793 patients, 179 (6.4%) had a mesenteric or hollow viscus injury, 168 (6.0%) had a hepatobiliary injury, 149 (5.4%) had a splenic injury and 46 (1.6%) had a vascular injury. Overall, 103 patients (3.7%) underwent an early (<12 hours) laparotomy while 30 (1.1%) underwent a delayed (>12 hours) laparotomy. Twenty (66.7%) of those undergoing a delayed laparotomy had a hollow viscus injury. In total, 170 deaths occurred among the BAT patients (6.1%). In the early laparotomy group, 53 patients died (51.5%) whereas in the delayed laparotomy group, 6 patients died (20.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

This series has attempted to provide the characteristics of patients with BAT in a large contemporary UK cohort. BAT was found to be a common type of injury. Early and delayed laparotomy occurred in 3.7% and 1.1% of these patients respectively, mostly because of hollow viscus injury in both cases. Outcomes were comparable with those in the international literature from regions with mature trauma services.
Estrutura trófica e relações ecológicas na ictiofauna associada ao naufrágio Gonçalo Coelho, Serrambi – PE
Authors: Marins Yuri de Oliveira , Oliveira Paulo Guilherme , Ribas Caio Anunciação
Published: August 2016

Estruturas artificiais são instaladas nos ambientes aquáticos com diversos objetivos, desde reverter os impactos da ação antrópica em ambientes recifais naturais até o aumento da produtividade de organismos marinhos. Espera-se que essas estruturas tenham a capacidade de se tornarem similares ou até de desempenhar funções iguais aos ambientes recifais naturais. Essa capacidade afeta diretamente no comportamento, nas relações ecológicas e na distribuição das espécies associadas. O presente estudo teve como objetivo observar e descrever o hábito alimentar e as relações ecológicas realizadas entre as espécies identificadas. Foi predominante a ocorrência de espécies planctívoras. Esse fator pode estar relacionado ao fato do naufrágio funcionar como uma barreira para as correntes, proporcionando a ressuspensão dos nutrientes em contato com o substrato. Importantes relações ecológicas ligadas a alimentação também foram observadas, principalmente a de limpeza, relação essa de fundamental importância na manuntenção da saúde das espécies encontradas. Foram observados exemplares de Elacatinus figaro e Bodianus rufus realizando a limpeza em Cephalopholis fulva, Chromis multilineata, Anisotremus surinamensis e Haemulon aurolineatum. Comportamento seguidor, formação de cardume misto e predação também foram comportamentos importantes observados, destacando-se a observação de oofagia, onde um indivíduo de Mulloidichthys martinicus foi visto predando ovos de Abudefduf saxatilis.
Efficacy of sputum induction from lower respiratory tract in children
Authors: Jasin Madeleine Ramdhani , Setyanto Darmawan Budi , Hadinegoro Sri Rezeki , Lisnawati Lisnawati , Gayatri Pramita , Kurniati Nia
Published: August 2016

Background Although sputum is a good specimen for variousexaminations, such as cytology and microbiological culture,sputum induction (SI) is not a routine procedure in children.Objective To identify the efficacy of SI to obtain specimen fromlower respiratory tract in children, identify side effects of SI, andthe results of microbiological examination.Methods A cross sectional study was performed in children (aged1 month to 18 years) who underwent SI. Sputum induction wasperformed by inhalation with hypertonic solution, consisted ofsalbutamol for 15 minutes continued with NaCl 3% solutionfor another 15 minutes. Sputum specimens were examined fornumber of alveolar macrophage cell, surfactant protein A (SP-A)concentration, also acid-fast bacili smear, and M. tuberculosisculture, or aerobic microbial culture.Results Forty subjects with lower respiratory tract infectionparticipated in this study, and SI was succesfully performed inall subjects. Youngest subject was 2 month old, the eldest was 16year 7 month old. Median duration of SI was 45 minutes, andmajority of volume was 3 or 4 mL. Side effects were nosebleeds(40%) and vomiting (2.5%). Macrophage alveolar more than 5cells in one specimen was found in 97.5% subjects. Surfactantprotein A examination was performed in 30 specimens, and SP-Awas detected in all specimens (median concentration 264.528 pg/mL). Culture for M. tuberculosis was positive in 1 of 27 subjects,while acid fast bacili smear was negative in all examined subjects.Aerobic microbial culture was positive in 5 of 13 subjects.Conclusions Sputum induction has good efficacy in obtaininglower respiratory tract specimen and it is safe to perform inchildren. Specimen from sputum induction yields good positiveresult for aerobic microbial cultures.
Relationship between childhood blood pressure and birth weight
Authors: Rahayu Sri , Rusdidjas Rusdidjas , Ramayati Rafita , Ramayani Oke Rina , Siregar Rosmayanti
Published: August 2016

cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Some studies havereported a significant relationship between elevated blood pressurein children with low birth weight.Objective To assess blood pressure differences in primary schoolstudents who had low and normal birth weights.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in 170children aged 6 to 12 years in March 2011 at a Medan primaryschool, North Sumatera. Blood pressure was measured with astandard mercury sphygmomanometer. A parental questionnairewas used to collect information on birth weight. Data wereanalyzed by student’s T-test for numerical data and Spearman’scorrelation test for a relationship between blood pressure andbirth weight.Results The subjects consisted of 85 children with low birth weightand 85 children with normal birth weight. The mean systolic (SBP)and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) were significantly higherin children with low birth weight than those with normal birthweight [SBP: 106.7 vs. 99.8 mmHg, respectively, (P=0.0001); andDBP: 69.2 vs. 63.5 mmHg, respectively, (P=0.0001)]. There wererelationships between elevated SBP and DBP and low birth weight,as indicated by correlation coefficient [r=-0.365 and r=-0.425,respectively, (P=0.0001)].Conclusion Blood pressure is significantly higher in children withlow birth weight than in those with normal birth weight. Birthweight was inversely related both to systolic and diastolic bloodpressure.
Early initiation of breastfeeding at Dustira Hospital
Authors: Ayukarningsih Yoke , Dwinanda Arief
Published: August 2016

Background The infant mortality rate (IMR) in Indonesia is higher than that in other ASEAN countries. The highest rate of mortality occurs in the first 24 hours of life. Suboptimal breastfeeding initiation is a cause of high IMR. In an effort to decrease infant mortality, implementing early initiation of breastfeeding (EIB) has been encouraged.Objective To assess the success rate and time needed for latching on in EIB implementation.Methods We reviewed medical records of vaginal deliveries at Dustira Hospital, Cimahi, West Java, from June–November 2011.Results From 305 vaginal deliveries, 174 infants received EIB, though only 159 medical records could be assessed. The results showed that 52 % did EIB with a 91.8% success rate (defined as good implementation by WHO) and a 8.2% fail rate. In terms of subjects’ birth weights, the success rate of EIB implementation was 62.5% in the low birth weight (LBW) group, 94.9% in the normal birth weight (NBW) group, and 100% in the large birth weight or macrosomic group. The success rate of EIB implementation was 69.2% in the preterm group and 93.8% in the full term group. The success rate of EIB implementation was 71.4% in the LBW/fullterm group and 55.6% in the LBW/preterm group. The amount of time for infants to latch on was highest within the 30–44 minute group (52.7%).Conclusion The EIB implementation at Dustira Hospital was classified as good and the amount of time to latch on was 30-44 minutes.
Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in Indonesia: a qualitative and quantitative study
Authors: Yohmi Elizabeth , Marzuki Nanis Sacharina , Nainggolan Eveline , Partiwi I Gusti Ayu Nyoman , Sjarif Badriul Hegar , Oswari Hanifah
Published: August 2016

Background Breast milk is the best and most ideal food for babies because it contains all nutrition needed for their optimal growth and development. Babies who receive breast milk will have strong immune system, good brain development, and closer emotional bonding with their mothers. Considering the importance of breast milk, Indonesian government has been campaigning to endorse exclusive breastfeeding up to six months in the last four years. To date, there is no national data available to evaluate the exclusive breastfeeding program. Therefore, Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) conducted a national survey on breastfeeding to investigate exclusive breastfeeding rate in Indonesia.Objective To find out the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding in Indonesia.Methods This study included 22 provinces in Indonesia and targeted on mothers with infants aged 0-11 months. For the quantitative portion of the study we used simple random sampling design to get the prevalence from the population. For the qualitative interview data we used a stratified random sampling design to ensure that each infant age group was well represented. Survey location in each province was selected based on defining the capital city to be urban area and its sub-urban areas to be rural. This study was performed between October – November 2010.Results We found that the prevalences of breastfeeding among baby 0-11 months was quite high which were 91%, 86%, and 72% in infants aged 0-3 months, 0-6 months, and 6-11 months, respectively. Interestingly, the prevalence of breastfeeding in urban area was higher than in rural area for infants aged 6-11 months. However, despite the high prevalence of giving breast milk, less than half of mothers gave breast milk exclusively, to babies aged 0-3 months and to those aged 0-6 months. The awareness to exclusively breastfeed was greater for urban mothers than for rural ones in those with infants aged 0-6 months. Mothers with high socioeconomic status had the highest prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding. The prevalence of breastfeeding without formula was still the highest up to 12 months but the role of giving formula was increasing especially in rural area. The prevalence of breast milk introduced as the first milk was around 60%. Java and Sumatra had lower prevalence of breast milk introduced as the first milk compared to Kalimantan and Sulawesi. We also found that mothers started giving solid food from an early age, especially in rural areas. With increasing age, the frequency of giving breast milk declined in both urban and rural areas.Conclusion The overall prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months of age in Indonesia was 49.8%. Maternal unemployment and high family socioeconomic status were associated with longer duration of breastfeeding.
Dossier: La ley de accidentes del trabajo y los debates promovidos para la creación de un fuero laboral (Argentina, 1904-1946)
Authors: STAGNARO ANDRÉS
Published: August 2016

La posibilidad de sancionar una ley que protegieseal trabajador ante un eventual accidentefue un debate central en el desarrollo de la legislaciónlaboral. Ninguna de las leyes previassobre derecho del trabajo implicó un cambiotan importante en la doctrina jurídica como laley n° 9688 de 1915. La inclusión en una leyde la inversión de la carga de la prueba fue unduro examen para las posibilidades del fuero civilde responder a las problemáticas devenidasde la relación entre el trabajador y su patrón yabrió las puertas para un debate sobre la posibilidadde constituir un nuevo fuero dedicado alos conflictos emergentes de la relación laboral.El artículo se propone explorar los límites de lajusticia civil y las derivaciones doctrinarias de laasunción de la doctrina del riesgo profesional.Estos límites se abordan conjuntamente con losdebates generados entre los especialistas de laépoca y, las propuestas de conformación de unnuevo fuero cuyas características procedimentalesfuesen solidarias con las nuevas doctrinas.
Dermatoglyphics: A prediction tool for dental caries
Authors: Shetty Smitha Sammith , Johnli Abigail Renee , Mohd Nur Fatihah Binti , Md Nor Siti Nabila Adilah Binti , Haron Amirah Binti , A/p Gunasegaram Lavinia , Bin Mustafa Muhammad Nur Taufiq , Mohd Zakaria Nor Hafizah Ain Binti
Published: July 2016

Background: Dermatoglyphics has been used as a powerful tool in diagnosis of physiological, medical or genetic conditions. Hence its role in predicting the dental caries which is a multifactorial disease with genetic influence has to be investigated.Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the role of dermatoglyphics in predicting the susceptibility of individuals to develop dental caries.Material and methods: The study included 200 students of MMMC Manipal. Dental caries pattern was recorded using the DMFT index. The impression of thumb ridge pattern was recorded using duplicating inkpads.Results: The male subjects showed maximum of loop pattern with 53.6% and 71% in right and left thumb respectively. The female subjects also showed the maximum of loop pattern with 54.2% both in right and left thumb. Subjects who had arch type of pattern on right thumb (66.7%) and left thumb (57.1%) were found to be caries free compared to loop and whorl pattern. Subjects with whorl pattern on the left thumb (34.2%) and right (34.9%) had DMFT > 3 compared to loop and arch.Conclusion: Dermatoglyphics serve to strengthen the diagnostic impression of the disease from an early age and hence preventive oral health measures can be considered.
Zkoumání struktur ve výukové komunikaci: historie a současnost
Authors: Mareš Jiří
Published: August 2016

Abstrakt: Metodologicko-přehledová studie se zajímá o strukturní pohled na komunikaci ve škole. Nejde primárně o studium komunikačních sítí mezi účastníky komunikace, nýbrž o strukturní složky verbální komunikace samotné. Klíčová pozornost je věnována struktuře IRF (iniciace-replika-zpětná vazba) a struktuře IRE (iniciace-replika-evaluace). Výklad postupně odpovídá na tyto otázky: Kteří badatelé strukturu IRF/IRE poprvé identifikovali a v jakém kontextu? Za jakých podmínek a z jaké perspektivy byla tato struktura identifikována? Přišli jiní badatelé s úpravami této struktury? Jaké jsou názory odborné komunity na výzkumné využití této struktury? Které další komunikační struktury byly později ve výukové komunikaci identifikovány? Závěru studie nabízí doporučení, jak nově koncipovat zkoumání průběhu a výsledků výukové komunikace na českých základních a středních školách.Klíčová slova: výuka, výuková komunikace, interakce učitel-žáci, pedagogický výzkum, komunikační struktury, struktura IRF/IRE
A Strategic Knowledge Map for the Research and Development Department in a Manufacturing Company
Authors: Śliwa Małgorzata , Patalas-Maliszewska Justyna
Published: August 2016

Knowledge is a corporate resource, being grounds for initiating activities, which is important in a dynamic economy. The difficulties related to obtaining tacit knowledge, related primarily to experience and observation of the knowledge employee (Mendryk, 2011), encourage the companies to use tools supporting knowledge management and location. This article attempts at designing a dedicated, strategic knowledge map for a research and development department in a manufacturing company. Based on the reference works, the detailed characteristics of specific sources of knowledge in a manufacturing company and tools supporting the process of converting the tacit knowledge into explicit one, for example, the knowledge maps, were devised. Then, a strategic knowledge map model was designed for the research and development department (hereinafter abbreviated as SKM – R&D) in the manufacturing company, comprising the following components: (1) fields of knowledge, (2) internal and external processes in the R&D department, and (3) sources of knowledge. Then, a practical implementation of the SKM – R&D model was presented.
Composite Indexes Economic and Social Performance: Do they Provide Valuable Information?
Authors: Nasierowski Wojciech
Published: August 2016

This paper examines the information content of the selected composite indexes, namely the Global Competitiveness Report Index, the Human Development Index, the Knowledge Economy Index, the Innovation Union Scoreboard, and the like. These indexes are examined from the viewpoint of country rankings. It is argued that these indexes provide highly similar information, which brings to question the usefulness of such a variety of approaches. This paper also explores the drawbacks of composite indexes, and questions whether these indexes can adequately serve as policy-setting mechanisms.
Tree-ring based record of intra-eruptive lahar activity: Axaltzintle valley, Malinche volcano, Mexico
Authors: Franco-Ramos Osvaldo , Stoffel Markus , Vázquez-Selem Lorenzo
Published: August 2016

Lahars are a widespread phenomenon in volcanic environments and good knowledge generally exists on contemporary, syn-eruptive lahar activity. Much less data is, by contrast, available on post-eruptive lahars and/or hydrogeomorphic processes out of extinct volcanic complexes. In this study we present a reconstruction of intra-eruptive lahar activity in Axaltzintle valley (Malinche volcano) using growth-ring records of 86 Abies religiosa trees. Based on the identification of 217 growth disturbances, field evidence and hydrological records we reconstruct a total of 19 lahars for the period 1945–2011. The reconstructed lahars were mostly triggered by moderate intensity, but persistent rainfalls with sums of at least ~100 mm. By contrast, the 1998 and 2005 lahars were presumably triggered by hurricane-induced torrential rainfalls with >100 mm in three days.
Trends and Challenges in Intelligence Education and Training
Authors: Martin Iulian , Dan-Şuteu Antonio
Published: July 2016

The education and lifelong learning of the intelligence analysts will provide the right ingredients to evolve into incredible and increasingly operational environment characterized by uncertainty and complex challenges. Based on diagnosis of the current ways of education and training in the field of intelligence analysis, there seems to be only a few higher education programs that focuses exclusively on law enforcement intelligence community. Most education and training programs are based on intelligence courses that incorporate multidisciplinary topics and a broad theoretical approach to intelligence issues. An efficient program should not only educate students by enabling them to learn how to perform an intellectual process for having analytical products, but it should also train them by teaching them the structures, techniques, and procedures associated with the intelligence process.
Countering Hybrid Threats by Integrating Civilian-Military Capabilities
Authors: Raţiu Aurelian
Published: July 2016

Proliferation of risks and of asymmetric, especially hybrid threats requires to generate integrating, comprehensive security solutions at national and international level. The beginning of the millennium highlights new ideas of conducting military conflicts. Thus, given the future combat, characterized by a high degree of complexity, when the military forces become joint multinational bodies, becoming aware of the importance of human terrain and of the necessity to develop new mechanisms to integrate capabilities and the effects of all the actions of military and civilian power instruments, represents, in my opinion, highly significant priorities.

Taking this into consideration, the following article presents some doctrinal concepts, mechanisms, principles and methods through which this desired purpose could be achieved.
Knowledge Cycles and Knowledge Management
Authors: Ceptureanu Sebastian Ion
Published: July 2016

The increasing importance of knowledge for companies come along with the increasing concerns about the way organizations cope with the exponential growth of available knowledge and the increasingly more complex products and processes that incorporate knowledge. Given the importance and impact of knowledge activities on the knowledge-based management, various models, approaches or frameworks require a more analytical approach, centred on how knowledge can be effectively managed. This paper analyses several knowledge cycle models and discusses their importance in relation with the knowledge management, even though it seems to be few models that bring something truly new in understanding knowledge and knowledge cycle activities. That is the reason we chose to address some of these, starting with the first most influential one, the Wiig model, and finishing with a less structured but very comprehensive approach, the Heisig model.
Security and Human Rights: Contradictory or Reconcilable Paradigms? State of Affairs in Bulgaria
Authors: Chankova Dobrinka , Georgieva Gergana
Published: July 2016

This paper explores some recent changes in the structure of Bulgarian society and the corresponding challenges, related to human rights and security in general and in relation to different societal segments. Specifically, lately Bulgaria has been becoming a more and more multicultural country. Due to demographic, economic and other reasons, the number of ethnic Bulgarians is continuously decreasing. Reciprocally, the number of Roma population is increasing. Moreover, Bulgaria is a country recently flooded by refugees and illegal immigrants from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Arab world, etc. Different religious groups, sometimes imported, started pretending more rights and space in Bulgarian realm. The paper pays attention to the evolution of the attitude of Bulgarian citizens with regard to the protection of their human rights and the rights of the others. The sensitive issue of security and safety at the current stage of development is discussed. This study also presents the results from an inquiry of a specialized audience - law students. Their attitude towards the mentioned problems of the day is explored. Respondents' suggestions for more efficient, non-traditional tools for resolving the “hot” issues and securing safety are offered.
Counterproductive Behaviors and Work Performance in Military Organization
Authors: Macovei Crenguţa Mihaela
Published: July 2016

Counterproductive behavior is an important part of work performance, and a risk for both the individual and the organization. We were interested to identify a valid measure of counterproductive work behavior for the military domain and we chose the CWB scale, which is a part of the Individual Work Performance Questionnaire (IWPQ). Cronbach's coefficient indicates a good internal consistency of the CWB scale. Analysis of the correlations shows the following: the high frequency of counterproductive behaviors correlates with (1) the decrease in the quality of the work done by the employee and with (2) the increase in the frequency of the moments in which the amount of his/her work is lower than expected. In addition, the high frequency of counterproductive behaviors correlates positively with difficulties in concentrating, remembering and decision-making.
The Benefits of Cooperative Learning
Authors: Pateşan Marioara , Balagiu Alina , Zechia Dana
Published: July 2016

Teaching English is a challenging profession not only because English is not our mother tongue but mainly because the students we teach are more advanced and skilled than some decades ago and the new methods and techniques we use at class have to be more integrative and interactive to arouse and maintain their interest. Teaching English in vocational universities also asks for specialized knowledge obtained through both academic study and practical experience, where our students passed certain requirements and met certain standards. Their level of proficiency in English is also assessed by a further linguistic certification as our students will be professionals with shared goals, values and practices. In order to get a professional development of English language we need to have a comprehensive understanding of what competences and expertise in language our students need. What essential skills, knowledge, values, attitudes and goals do they need in order to become skilled professionals and how can these be acquired? This paper tries to explore cooperative learning as a means of maximizing students’ learning.
Noise and Electromagnetic Field Measurements for the Merchant Ship Albatros
Authors: Samoilescu Gheorghe , Bordianu Adelina , Radu Serghei , Barbu Alina
Published: July 2016

The paper analyses the results of performed measurements regarding the density of electromagnetic power at various points on board a ship, the noise level determined by the operation of certain broadcasting stations and the intensity of the radiated electric field by a station of 250 MHz. We have presented thereby the sources triggering natural and artificial electromagnetic disturbances with their pertaining components.
Threat Analysis in the Network-Centric Environment
Authors: Smolarek Mirosław , Witkowski Marek
Published: July 2016

The paper presents an analysis of the threats that one can face in the cyberspace and dangers affect the safety of a state and its citizens. The authors compare definitions of terrorism, particularly focusing on issues related to cyber terrorism. They explain concepts associated to terrorist activities in the network-centric environment. Next, the evolution of the threats awaiting in the Internet has been presented. Moreover, classification of cyber-attacks and current dangers that may occur in ICT systems has been analysed.
Δ-Σ Modulators in Frequency Synthsizers
Authors: Teodoru Emil
Published: July 2016

Frequency synthesizers are indispensable systems in the wireless communications area. In fractional-N frequency synthesizers ΔΣ modulators allows performances like larger bandwidth, faster lock times, reduced output phase-noise, with the price of some circuitry complexity. These specifications and others are based on the modulation accuracy. The main problem in ΔΣ fractional-N synthesizers is the specific quantization noise of the ΔΣ modulator and the solutions try to suppress it. MASH (Multi-stAge noise SHapping) digital ΔΣ modulator are also performance stages used in fractional-N frequency synthesizers. This paper will present solutions for ΔΣ modulators and their implementation.
Fast Meteorological Forecasting Method for Chemical Spill in Black Sea
Authors: Atodiresei Dinu , Scurtu Ionuţ-Cristian , Nicolae Florin , Şerban Petru Sergiu
Published: July 2016

The Romanian Navy missions and actions in Black Sea can lead to ecological risks and the forecast of spill direction based on real data from NOOA. There is an increase in strategic importance of the Black Sea region and the protection of Romanian coastline is a very important task. Chemical spill can now be analyzed with a fast method, called Gnome and predictions can be used with higher accuracy. Forecasts can be used in port protection against offshore spill and as military source of high value information related to Black Sea.
Solvatochromic Study of Two Pyridazinium Ylids Binary Solutions
Authors: Babuşca Daniela , Moroşanu Cezarina Ana , Dorohoi Dana Ortansa
Published: July 2016

The wavenumbers in the maximum of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) visibile band of two pyridazinium ylids binary solutions were analized using Kamlet and Taft empirical parameters and the Hildebrand’s solubility parameter. The Hildebrand’s solubility parameter values, δH
2, measures the energy needed to separate the solvent molecules. A linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) allows separating the contributions of different types of interactions to the total spectral shift. The supply of universal and specific interactions as well as the supply of solvent-solvent interactions to the total spectral shifts was calculated.
Mobile Deployable Laboratory – Chemical Module
Authors: Toader Constantin , Epure Gabriel , Moşteanu Dănuţ , Epure Cristiana , Iorga Ovidiu , Florin Ilie
Published: July 2016

Changes in the layout of today's security medium, in which NATO and its member states evolve, in accordance to the new types of risks and threats, caused the reconsideration of the concept of security and modified priorities regarding civilian protection, territory and combatant forces.

The amplitude of the specific phenomenon associated with the proliferation of mass destruction weapons put the highest level of international political and military decisions into debate. In the given conditions, the field of CBRN defense becomes a strategic priority for the Alliance which decided (through the declaration of the general secretary of NATO at the summit in Prague) to adopt a set of engagements regarding the improvement of the defense capabilities against new threats through modernization and adaptation of specific structures. This paper presents the results of research conducted in the field of CBRN defense regarding the introduction of a “DEPLOYABLE Mobile CBRN Laboratory” within specific structures, product that will have the capability to be easily deployed in a combat theater, detect and identify (automatically or through instrumental analysis) CBRN agents within a real or suspect CBRN contaminated medium and provide Intel that will help in real time decision processes that can evaluate the consequences of a CBRN event.
Marketing via Micro-film in Chinese Academic Libraries
Authors: Li Lirui , Deng Zhonghua
Published: July 2016

Micro-film is the short and essential version of ordinary film or movie, including the complete story. Thus, different from the interaction way of traditional promotion, micro-film marketing is the synthesis of mobile social media and film art, and it becomes the popular advertising solution of library because of its terseness, forcefulness and fashion. This study identifies 39 top academic university libraries as survey samples and investigates the overall application status of these libraries. The results indicate that the micro-film marketing is not very frequently adopted by libraries to promote their services, resources and culture, however, these micro-films have gained the positive feedback and more micro-films are in the planning stages. These distinguishing features of micro-films can be fully reflected by the specific properties, plots and formats of released micro-films in academic libraries. Characteristic concept and culture of library are still the emphasis of marketing themes, and it is more common for students rather than librarians to act as the actors and producers in micro-films based on the real campus or library life. Furthermore, librarians need more opportunities to proactively play an interactive and cooperative role in creating and advertising micro-films.
Ontological and Epistemological Discourse(s) on Sustainable Development: Perspective on Sierra Leone in The Aftermath of a Decade of Civil Unrest
Authors: Abraham Emerson
Published: August 2016

This article addresses philosophical discourses (ontology and epistemology), framing researchers’ position on topical issues relating to sustainable development, particularly in relation to Sierra Leone. The country is a nation full of memories; that which has brought lasting pain in the minds of people and the use of philosophical concepts has helped to throw light on areas pertaining to the country’s scope for achieving its SDGs, while at the same time, engaging with the reality of issues through open discourses. Relevant methodologies have also been addressed with the hope of bringing to the fore ontological discourses required to foster epistemic dialogue for the sustained development of the country as a whole (more so in areas like health calamities and civil crisis the country have battled itself with in the past decade). Relevant recommended points have been proposed as a way of supporting forward thinking discourses in ensuring the country is able to progress well with its planned SDGs targets.
Przyczyny stresu u pacjentów dializowanych / The reasons of stress in dialyzed patients
Authors: Mianowana Violetta , Sałgut Anna , Mianowana Kinga , Czekirda Marta , Bednarek Anna , Nalepa Dorota , Czekirda Noemi
Published: August 2016

Introduction. Patient with chronic renal failure and in need of renal replacement therapy is exposed to stress. The chronic disease reduces or even prevents meeting the psychosocial needs. There are also many other factors which intensify the stress. Their identification is an important element of finding remedies and giving effective support to patients.

Aim. The aim of an article is to find causes of dialyzed patients’ stress.

Material and methods. There were examined 100 patients suffering from renal failures, using a questionnaire survey designed by the authors. The findings were analyzed statistically. A homogeneity test looking at unrelated quality characteristics was used for checking whether there were any differences between compared groups of patients.

Results. Seventy-four percent of patients pointed to the fact that they were stressed by the new situation. The necessity of altering their lifestyle was mentioned by 84% of respondents. Almost a half of patients (41%) had to quit their jobs. Almost one out of three felt discriminated by the society against their renal replacement therapy.

Conclusions. The findings of this research suggest that renal replacement therapy can become a direct source of stress among patients. Moreover, patients feel stressed because of necessity of changing their lifestyles and giving up their jobs. There is a relationship between the attitude of the closest people and patients’ needs for support.
Thyrocytes as the Target Cells for Hhv-6 Infection in Patients with Autoimmune Thyroiditis / Tireocīti Kā Cilvēka Herpesvīrusa-6 Infekcijas Mēríšūnas Pacientiem Ar Autoimūno Tireoidītu
Authors: Sultanova Alina , Èistjakovs Maksims , Cunskis Egils , Todorova Katerina , Russev Russy , Murovska Modra
Published: August 2016

Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) is a ubiquitous betaherpesvirus with immunomodulating properties that have been suggested to play an important role in the development of several autoimmune disorders. Although the primary targets for HHV-6 replication, both in vitro and in vivo, are CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, some studies have reported the presence of HHV-6 sequences in different solid organs, including in the thyroid gland, showing possible involvement of this herpesvirus in development of autoimmune thyroid disease. The aim of this study was to determine loads of HHV-6 in thyroid gland tissue in comparison to those in peripheral blood of patients with autoimmune thyroiditis. Seven patients [women mean age 45 (28-65)] with histologically confirmed autoimmune thyroiditis were enrolled in this study. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting was used to distinguish and sort lymphocyte populations from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients. HHV-6 load was determined by real-time PCR for peripheral blood and thyroid gland tissue samples. Additionally, all results from molecular analyses were compared with histological results obtained by light microscopy. Viral load was detected only in one (46 viral copies/ 1×106cells) blood sample; others were under the detection limit of the used kit. However, in all HHV-6 positive tissue samples viral load was detected in the range of 132-1620 viral copies/106 cells. Substantial HHV-6 load in lymphocyte subpopulations was detected in two of seven patients. HHV-6 load was detected in NK and CD95+ cells of two patients. The obtained results show that thyroid gland cells (tyrocytes) act as target cells for HHV-6.
Effect of Human Herpesviruses 6 and 7 Infection on the Clinical Course of Rheumatoid Arthritis / Cilvēka Herpesvīrusa 6 Un 7 Infekcijas Ietekme Uz Reimatoīdā Artrīta Klīnisko Gaitu
Authors: Kadiša Anda , Nora-Krūkle Zaiga , Kozireva Svetlana , Svirskis Simons , Studers Pēteris , Groma Valērija , Lejnieks Aivars , Murovska Modra
Published: August 2016

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting joints and causing symmetrical chronic progressive aseptic synovitis and erosive-destructive changes. Viruses and viral infections are considered to be the main risk factors for autoimmune disease development (especially for individuals with genetic predisposition). The goal of this study was to evaluate the frequency of HHV-6 and HHV-7 persistent infection and its activity phase in RA and osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and healthy persons. We examined also the influence of HHV-6 and -7 infections on RA activity, aggressiveness, radiographical stage, and frequency of complications as well as the presence of HHV-6 infection markers in synovial fluid and synovial tissues of RA joints of affected patients. Despite the lack of significant correlation between frequency of persistent single HHV-6, single HHV-7, and concurrent HHV-6 and HHV-7 infection and RA clinical course, we found that both active and latent HHV-6 and/or HHV-7 infection increased RA activity and progression in several clinical and laboratory parameters. Regarding the severity of the course of RA, we observed also a high prevalence of RA complications in the patient group with active single HHV-6 infection and also a more severe radiographical stage in RA patients with active concurrent HHV-6 and HHV-7 infection. Moreover, viral infection markers were found in synovial fluid and synovial tissues of affected joints of RA patients. This suggests that HHV-6 and/or HHV-7 infection has effect on the disease clinical course, but virus reactivation may be a consequence of immunosuppressive treatment.
What does żeby introduce? Old and new research questions about the Polish żeby complementizer
Authors: Orszulak Marcin
Published: August 2016

The article explores the status of żeby-clauses in the Polish mood system. Clauses introduced by the complex complementizer żeby defy a unified description and traditional Polish grammars classify them either as indicative or conditional/subjunctive. The paper provides evidence that żeby-clauses can be classified as irrealis on the basis of their temporal properties. Furthermore, żeby-clauses introduced by non-veridical verbs share affinities with the subjunctive structures in other languages; specifically, they exhibit subjunctive-related phenomena, such as obviation effects. The present discussion also gives more general insights into the traditional mood classification in Polish and its problems.
Importance of arterial stiffness in predicting cardiovascular events
Authors: Ecobici Monica , Voiculescu M.
Published: August 2016

Introduction. Cardiovascular events represent an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the entire population. Arterial stiffness is currently considered one of the most important risk factors for the development of cardiovascular events. The gold-standard for evaluating arterial stiffness is pulse wave velocity (PWV). Recent studies have demonstrated that PWV is an independent risk factor regarding the development of cardiovascular events, especially in certain categories of patients.

Material and Methods. The development of cardiovascular events was assessed in 174 patients admitted in the Center of Internal Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, between January 2011 – May 2012. Arterial stiffness was evaluated by measuring PWV using the Sphygmocor system (AtCor, Australia), which is based on the principle of applanation tonometry. The patients were monitored for the development of cardiovascular events (ischemic heart disease, heart failure, stroke, acute myocardial infarction) and for death of cardiovascular cause, over a median period of 51.5 months (43-60 months).

Results. Of the 174 patients, 81 (46.6%) were women and 93 (53.4%) were men. Mean age was 55.96 years. 93 of the 174 patients had chronic kidney failure in different stages (47.3% in stage V). Regarding PWV in the patient group, we obtained a mean score of 9.382. We observed a significant difference regarding the PWV level only for acute myocardial infarction and death between patients who developed these events and those who did not.

Conclusions. Our study demonstrates that PWV increase can be positively associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular events, particularly in certain groups of patients
Classification of total nasal obstruction in 10,033 cases by 4-phase –rhinomanometry
Authors: Vogt Klaus , Wernecke Klaus-Dieter , Argale Mara , Kaulina Krista
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND. The measurement of the total nasal resistance by rhinomanometry is of special interest in the functional diagnosis of the nasopharynx and retropalatal space. It can be measured by posterior rhinomanometry or estimated by calculating the total resistance from measurements of both sides. Because the standard parameters of the classic rhinomanometry have to be considered as obsolete, Vertex Resistance and Effective Resistance and their logarithmic derivations have been introduced with 4-phase-rhinomanometry.

MATERIAL AND METHODS. In the first part, posterior and anterior rhinomanometry have been compared in a study of 32 volunteers. The disadvantages of posterior rhinomanometry have been apparent because of inconsistent statistic results. To compare both methods is useful in cooperative patients for the diagnosis of postnasal pathological alterations. By analyzing the rhinomanometric databases of 5 hospitals in 10,033 untreated patients and in 8,246 patients after decongestion, the total nasal resistance could be determined.

RESULTS. Because only the logarithmic values for effective and vertex resistances are correlated with the sensing of obstruction, these values have been used to classify the total obstruction in 5 classes. The descriptive data of every class are given. The here-described classes are valid for Caucasian noses. The calculated data can be delivered on request by the authors.

CONCLUSION. The here-presented parameters for measuring the resistance of the nasal airway and the classification of the obstruction from a statistically representative material can be recommended for the daily practice in rhinology and rhinosurgery.
COGNITIVE THEORIES AND THE CONCEPT OF JOURNALISM
Authors: Zhytaryuk Marian
Published: August 2016

The general aim of cognitivists – the attempt to compare logical and illogical, rational and irrational in the human behavior - can be considered as one of the main object not only in the psychology, but also in the journalism. If you don’t take into account assumed problems, the truth can be treated as a lie, an importance as an irrationality, an advantage as defects. In practice the ignorance of balancing, consonance and knowledge for the benefit of “must” turned round for tendentiousness, propaganda, manipulation, rationing of authoritarian and totalitarian models of journalism or for passing from journalistic standards in total. Therefore the article describes the spectrum of cognition in the context of modern Journalism and problems of Media practices, including the balance in journalism in terms of theories of consistency.