bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-Esteem, Coping Styles, and Quality of Life in Polish Adolescents and Young Adults with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Pisula Ewa , Lukowska Ewa , Fudalej Piotr S.
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To evaluate self-esteem, coping styles, and health-related quality of life and their relationships in Polish adolescents and young adults with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate and related sex differences.

Design and Participants

Self-report questionnaires measuring self-esteem (Multidimensional Self-Esteem Inventory), coping styles (Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations), and health-related quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) were completed by 48 participants with cleft lip and palate (age, 16 to 23 years; 31 males, 17 females) and 48 controls without cleft lip and palate (age, 16 to 23 years; 28 males, 20 females) matched for age, place of residence, and socioeconomic status.

Results

Regarding self-esteem, individuals with cleft lip and palate scored higher on body functioning ( P < .01) and defensive self-enhancement ( P < .05). Self-control showed an interaction effect: Females with cleft lip and palate scored higher than controls, but males did not differ between groups ( P < .05). Males with cleft lip and palate scored lower than controls in personal power but higher in body functioning ( P < .05); females showed no differences between groups. The groups did not differ with regard to coping styles or quality of life, but several correlations were found between self-esteem and coping styles, and quality of life ( P < .01).

Conclusions

Late adolescents and young adults with and without cleft lip and palate differed little in terms of psychological adjustment measures. The higher scores in defensive self-enhancement of individuals with cleft lip and palate suggest the need for instruments measuring social approval in psychosocial adjustment research involving this group.
Three-Dimensional Simulation of the Nasoalveolar Cleft Defect
Authors: Pálházi Péter , Nemes Bálint , Swennen Gwen , Nagy Krisztián
Published: July 2013

This study describes the planning process for a three-dimensional (3D) model of a nasoalveolar bone graft in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate. A 3D reconstruction of the alveolar cleft based on cone-beam computed tomography was performed in 10 patients. Graft models were planned using a 3D planning software (iPlan ENT 3.0, Brainlab, Feldkirchen, Germany) and printed using a 3D printer (Objet30 Pro, Objet Ltd., Rehovot, Israel). A reproducible, step-by-step planning method was established, which is manual rather than automatic. Still, the 3D visualization and a life-size graft template could be useful during secondary alveolar osteoplasty.
Piezoelectric Technology for Pediatric Autologous Cranioplasty
Authors: Phillips Benjamin Z. , Taylor Helena O. , Klinge Petra M. , Sullivan Stephen R.
Published: July 2013

Objective

Pediatric patients with skull defects larger than available sources for splitting bicortical bone have limited options for autogenous cortical bone cranioplasty. Piezoelectric instruments allow donor bone to be chosen based on the best possible contour rather than the presence of bicortical bone. We present the use of piezoelectric technology to split thin unicortical calvarium for autogenous cranioplasty in a series of pediatric patients.

Design

Retrospective review of a series of pediatric patients requiring reconstruction for skull defects.

Patients/Intervention

Our series included a 2-year-old with a parietal skull tumor and resultant 3 × 3-cm defect after craniectomy, a 2-year-old with a 3 × 3-cm defect after excision of an occipital skull tumor, a 10-year-old with a 4 × 5-cm skull defect after excision of an occipital skull tumor, and a 13-year-old who suffered a gunshot to the forehead with a 12 × 7-cm frontal skull defect. We used a piezoelectric saw to precisely and safely split unicortical and bicortical cranium that ranged from 1 to 3 mm in thickness. The inner layer was used to reconstruct the donor site; whereas, the outer layer was used for the craniectomy defect.

Conclusion

The piezoelectric saw allows unicortical bone to be split and used for cortical bone cranioplasty. This technology allows choice of donor site based on the best contour rather than the presence of bicortical bone. This technique expands the possibilities of autogenous cranioplasty and enables primary repair of cranial defects that would otherwise require secondary cranioplasty with remote donor sites, foreign materials, or unstable particulate cranioplasty.
Choice? Factors That Influence Women’s Decision Making for Childbirth
Authors: Regan Mary , McElroy Katie G. , Moore Kristin
Published: July 2013

This article reports the findings from a mixed-methods study on factors that influence women’s decisions about birth, with the view that women’s decision making about birth can affect the use of cesarean surgery. Data was collected from focus groups and structured postpartum interviews and was analyzed using the Consensual Qualitative Research method. The findings relate specifically to the factors reported as influential in making decisions about birth including how the women categorized, prioritized, and/or favored certain types of knowledge about modes of birth. Four major information categories were identified but only stories about birth and/or attending a birth appeared to have a lasting effect on birth choices. These findings have implications for prenatal and perinatal education and nursing practice.
In-Situ Upgrading of Heavy Oil/Bitumen During Steam Injection by Use of Metal Nanoparticles: A Study on In-Situ Catalysis and Catalyst Transportation
Authors: Hamedi Shokrlu Y.. , Babadagli T..
Published: July 2013

Studies on the application of transition-metal catalysts for heavy-oil or bitumen in-situ upgrading were conducted in the absence of a porous medium, mainly measuring the characteristics of heavy oil in reaction with metal ions at static conditions with the help of a magnetic stirrer. Metal species in ionic form are not soluble in oil phase. Therefore, metal particles, as inhomogeneous catalysts, are considered in this paper. Furthermore, dynamic tests in porous media are needed to clarify the injection possibility of the metal particles and their effect on in-situ upgrading of heavy oil. Injection of metal particles may deteriorate the recovery process by damaging porous media because of attractive forces such as van der Waals and electrostatic forces between particles and porous rock. A better understanding of these forces and their importance in the retention of particles is required.

In this paper, the catalysis effect of pure nanometer-sized nickel during steam-injection application was compared with that of an industrial catalyst such as micron-sized Raney nickel. The changes in the viscosity, refractive index, and asphaltene content were measured after each test to analyze the catalysis effects. Nickel nanoparticles showed a better catalysis compared with Raney nickel. The approximate optimum concentration of the catalysts was determined. Then, the catalysis effect of nickel nanoparticles was studied in the presence of sandpack as a porous medium. The results showed accelerated catalysis in presence of the sands. Also, nickel nanoparticles improved the oil recovery factor.

The next phase of this paper studies the injectivity and transport of nickel particles. The injected suspension was stabilized by use of xanthan gum polymer and ultrasonication. The effect of solution pH, which controls the magnitude of the repulsive electrostatic forces, was clarified. Stabilization of the metal particles’ suspension was studied at different pH values through zeta-potential measurements. Also, the zeta potential of the recovered suspensions was studied to confirm the stability of the suspension during travel through the porous medium. Depending on the size, particles carry different charges and have different settling velocities. Therefore, the stabilization pH and dispersant concentration were different from one sample to another. The results of the injectivity tests confirmed the lower retention and better injectivity of nanoparticles in comparison with micron-sized particles.
Optimization of Injection/Extraction Rates for Surface-Dissolution Process
Authors: Tao Qing , Bryant Steven L.
Published: July 2013

Implementing geological carbon sequestration at a large scale to mitigate anthropogenic emissions involves the injection of carbon dioxide (CO2) into deep brine-filled structures. An alternative to injecting CO2 as a buoyant phase is to dissolve it into brine extracted from the storage formation, then inject the CO2-saturated brine into the storage formation. The CO2-concentration front shape, when it reaches the saturation-pressure contour, defines the maximal areal extent of CO2-saturated brine and thus the aquifer-utilization efficiency.

The heterogeneity of the aquifer reduces the utilization efficiency significantly. We illustrate by comparing the utilization efficiency in a homogeneous-permeability field with that in uncorrelated and correlated heterogeneous fields under the same well control. The example cases yield significant reductions of the utilization efficiency.

We develop an optimal-control strategy of the injection/extraction rates to maximize the utilization efficiency for heterogeneous aquifers. We propose two objective functions: One seeks to improve the areal sweep by minimizing the mismatch between the CO2-concentration front and the saturation-pressure contour; the other directly formulates the utilization efficiency while penalizing zones that contain gas-phase CO2. Both approaches have improved the aquifer-utilization efficiency by delaying the arrival of the dissolved CO2 front at the contour of saturation pressure.

Heterogeneity plays an important role in determining the location of the saturation-pressure contour within the storage formation. For a simple example domain, we propose a well-pattern orientation strategy by placing line-drive injectors in a high-permeability zone and extractors in a low-permeability zone, so that the saturation-pressure contour is closer to the extractors and thus increases the aquifer utilization efficiency. Illustration of this concept in the correlated heterogeneous field shows an improvement of the utilization efficiency. When combined with the optimal control of injection/extraction rates, the increase in the utilization efficiency almost compensates the reduction because of the heterogeneity.
Solution behavior of iron(III)-N,N'-ethylene-bis-(salicylideneiminato)-chloride in aqueous methanol at 298.15, 303.15 and 313.15K
Authors: Brahman Dhiraj , Sinha Biswajit
Published: July 2013

In this study partial molar volumes (?V0) and viscosity B-coefficients of
iron(III)-N, N'-ethylene-bis(salicylideneiminato)-chloride, abbreviated as
FeIII(salen)Cl, in different aqueous methanol solutions were determined from
solution density and viscosity measurements at temperatures 298.15, 303.15,
and 313.15 K under ambient pressure. Apparent molar volumes (?V) and
densities (?) were used to calculate the apparent molar expansibilities (?E),
the partial molar expansibilities (?E0) and the temperature dependence of the
partial molar expansibilities (?E0) at constant pressure, (??E0/?T)P of
FeIII(salen)Cl solutions to reveal the nature of different interactions in
the ternary solutions. The transition state theory was applied to analyze the
viscosity B-coefficients on the basis of the activation parameters of viscous
flow. The overall results indicated strong solute-solvent interactions
between FeIII(salen)Cl and the solvent molecules, preferentially with water
molecules and that FeIII(salen)Cl acts as a net structure promoter in the
ternary solutions. UV-VIS absorption spectra of the ternary solutions also
stand in support of the results obtained.
Use of an Insulin Bolus Advisor Improves Glycemic Control in Multiple Daily Insulin Injection (MDI) Therapy Patients With Suboptimal Glycemic Control
Authors: Ziegler Ralph , Cavan David A. , Cranston Iain , Barnard Katharine , Ryder Jacqueline , Vogel Claudia , Parkin Christopher G. , Koehler Walter , Vesper Iris , Petersen Bettina , Schweitzer Matthias A. , Wagner Robin S.
Published: July 2013

OBJECTIVE

Use of automated bolus advisors is associated with improved glycemic control in patients treated with insulin pump therapy. We conducted a study to assess the impact of using an insulin bolus advisor embedded in a blood glucose (BG) meter on glycemic control and treatment satisfaction in patients treated with multiple daily insulin injection (MDI) therapy. The study goal was to achieve >0.5% A1C reduction in most patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This was a 26-week, prospective, randomized, controlled, multinational study that enrolled 218 MDI-treated patients with poorly controlled diabetes (202 with type 1 diabetes, 16 with type 2 diabetes) who were 18 years of age or older. Participants had mean baseline A1C of 8.9% (SD, 1.2 [74 mmol/mol]), mean age of 42.4 years (SD, 14.0), mean BMI of 26.5 kg/m2 (SD, 4.2), and mean diabetes duration of 17.7 years (SD, 11.1). Control group (CNL) patients used a standard BG meter and manual bolus calculation; intervention group (EXP) patients used the Accu-Chek Aviva Expert meter with an integrated bolus advisor to calculate insulin dosages. Glucose data were downloaded and used for therapy parameter adjustments in both groups.

RESULTS

A total of 193 patients (CNL, n = 93; EXP, n = 100) completed the study. Significantly more EXP than CNL patients achieved >0.5% A1C reduction (56.0% vs. 34.4%; P < 0.01). Improvement in treatment satisfaction (Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire scale) was significantly greater in EXP patients (11.4 [SD, 6.0] vs. 9.0 [SD, 6.3]; P < 0.01). Percentage of BG values <50 mg/dL was <2% in both groups during the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of an automated bolus advisor resulted in improved glycemic control and treatment satisfaction without increasing severe hypoglycemia.
Assessment Method of Overheating Degree of a Spent Moulding Sand with Organic Binder, After the Casting Process
Authors: Dańko R.
Published: July 2013

A proper management of sand grains of moulding sands requires knowing basic properties of the spent matrix after casting knocking out. This information is essential from the point of view of the proper performing the matrix recycling process and preparing moulding sands with reclaimed materials. The most important parameter informing on the matrix quality - in case of moulding sands with organic binders after casting knocking out - is their ignition loss. The methodology of estimating ignition loss of spent moulding sands with organic binder - after casting knocking out - developed in AGH, is presented in the paper. This method applies the simulation MAGMA software, allowing to determine this moulding sand parameter already at the stage of the production preparation.
Mould Components Impact on Structure and Quality of Elektron 21 Alloy
Authors: Dybowski B. , Kiełbus A. , Jarosz R.
Published: July 2013

Magnesium alloys due to their low density and high strength-to-weight ratio are promising material for the automotive and aerospace industries. Many elements made from magnesium alloys are produced by means of sand casting. It is essential to investigate impact of the applied mould components on the microstructure and the quality of the castings. For the research, six identical, 100x50x20mm plates has been sand cast from the Elektron 21 magnesium casting alloy. Each casting was fed and cooled in a different way: one, surrounded by mould sand, two with cast iron chills 20mm and 40mm thick applied, another two with the same chills as well as feeders applied and one with only the feeder applied. Solid solution grain size and eutectics volume fraction were evaluated quantitatively in Met-Ilo program, casting defects were observed on the scanning electron microscope Hitachi S3400N. The finest solid solution grain was observed in the castings with only the chills applied. Non metallic inclusions were observed in each plate. The smallest shrinkage porosity was observed in the castings with the feeders applied.
Influence of the Training Set Value on the Quality of the Neural Network to Identify Selected Moulding Sand Properties
Authors: Jakubski J. , Dobosz St. M. , Major-Gabryś K.
Published: July 2013

Artificial neural networks are one of the modern methods of the production optimisation. An attempt to apply neural networks for controlling the quality of bentonite moulding sands is presented in this paper. This is the assessment method of sands suitability by means of detecting correlations between their individual parameters. This paper presents the next part of the study on usefulness of artificial neural networks to support rebonding of green moulding sand, using chosen properties of moulding sands, which can be determined fast. The effect of changes in the training set quantity on the quality of the network is presented in this article. It has been shown that a small change in the data set would change the quality of the network, and may also make it necessary to change the type of network in order to obtain good results.
Effect of Nickel Equivalent on Austenite Transition Ratio in Ni-Mn-Cu Cast Iron
Authors: Janus A. , Kurzawa A.
Published: July 2013

Determined was quantitative effect of nickel equivalent value on austenite decomposition degree during cooling-down castings of Ni-Mn- Cu cast iron. Chemical composition of the alloy was 1.8 to 5.0 % C, 1.3 to 3.0 % Si, 3.1 to 7.7 % Ni, 0.4 to 6.3 % Mn, 0.1 to 4.9 % Cu, 0.14 to 0.16 % P and 0.03 to 0.04 % S. Analysed were castings with representative wall thickness 10, 15 and 20 mm. Scope of the examination comprised chemical analysis (including WDS), microscopic observations (optical and scanning microscopy, image analyser), as well as Brinell hardness and HV microhardness measurements of structural components.
Geometry of Remeltings and Efficiency of the Surface Remelting Process Applied to Cobalt Alloy Castings
Authors: Mróz M. , Orłowicz W. , Tupaj M.
Published: July 2013

The paper summarises results of measurements of remelting area geometry, thermal efficiency and melting efficiency characterising the surface remelting process applied to castings of MAR-M-509 cobalt alloy. The remelting process was carried out with the use of GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) method in protective atmosphere of helium, at the electric current intensity in the range from 100 A to 300 A, and the electric arc scanning velocity vs in the range from 200 mm/min to 800 mm/min. The effect of current intensity and electric arc scanning velocity on geometrical parameters of remeltings, thermal efficiency, and melting efficiency characterising the remelting process has been determined.
Effect of Salinity Stress on Yield, Component Characters and Nutrient Compositions in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Genotypes
Authors: Valiollah Rameeh
Published: July 2013

Crops growing in salt-affected soils may suffer from physiological drought stress, ion toxicity, and mineral deficiency which then lead to reduced growth and productivity. Eight rapeseed genotypes were evaluated at control and two salinity levels of irrigation, i.e. ECe=0 dS m-1 (control), 6 and 12 dS m-1. A factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with 4 replications was considered for evaluation of 24 treatments. Significant mean square of the salinity levels and genotypes were exhibited for 1000-seed weight, pod length, seed yield, Mg, K and Cl, indicating significant differences of genotypes for the traits at three salinity levels. Pods per plant and Mg had lowest variations among the genotypes at the high salinity levels. Hyola401, LRT1 and KRN1 with seed yield of 3.09, 2.78 and 2.30 g/plot, respectively were considered as salt tolerant genotypes. Stress (12dsm-1 ) to control ratio (S/C) which is indicating of salinity tolerance was high for seed yield of DSM12 and Hyola401.Significant positive correlation of seed yield with K and Cl, indicated that these shoot ions can be considered as good indicators for seed yield improving at saline environment.
Physicochemical Parameters of Probiotic Yoghurt with Bioactive Natural Products from Sea Buckthorn
Authors: Tifrea Anca , Tiţa Ovidiu , Máthé Endre , Ketney Otto
Published: July 2013

Probiotic dairy products are part of functional foods, which are made from fermented milk selected from a culture or a concentrate of bacteria that improve the microbial balance in the gut. These products have positive and beneficial influence on health and integrity of the human body. In the present study regarding the fortification with oil and pulp of sea buckthorn, was to obtained product similar to the conventional yoghurt, consistency and texture aimed at reducing heat treatments and stages technology in order to preserve nutritional quality. This research focused on optimizing the technology for obtaining yoghurt and selecting the best options regarding the addition of sea buckthorn pulp or oil, based on the following parameters : acidity, pH and lactic acid. At the same time we aimed to obtain probiotic yoghurt ,to make comparative studies on major parameters and to select the optimal probiotic yoghurt with sea bucktorn that give a good stabilization.
Modulation of rabbit muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase activity by novel quercetin derivatives
Authors: Blaškovič Dušan , Žižková Petronela , Držík Filip , Viskupičová Jana , Veverka Miroslav , Horáková Ľubica
Published: July 2013

Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) is the pump crucial for calcium homeostasis and its impairment results in pathologies such as myopathy, heart failure or diabetes. Modulation of SERCA activity may represent an approach to the therapy of diseases with SERCA impairment involvment. Quercetin is flavonoid known to modulate SERCA activity. We examined the effect of nine novel quercetin derivatives on the activity of the pump. We found that 5-morpholinohydroxypoxyquercetin, di(prenylferuoyl)quercetin, di(diacetylcaffeoyl)-mono-(monoacetylcaffeoyl)quercetin and monoacetylferuloylquercetin stimulated the activity of SERCA. On the contrary, monochloropivaloylquercetin, tri(chloropivaloyl)quercetin, pentaacetylquercetin, tri(trimethylgalloyl)quercetin and diquercetin inhibited the activity of the pump. To identify compounds with a potential to protect SERCA against free radicals, we assessed the free radical scavenging activity of quercetin derivatives. We also related lipophilicity, an index of the ability to incorporate into the membrane of sarcoplasmic reticulum, to the modulatury effect of quercetin derivatives on SERCA activity. In addition to its ability to stimulate SERCA, di(prenylferuloyl)quercetin showed excellent radical scavenging activity.
Efficacy of quercetin derivatives in prevention of ulcerative colitis in rats
Authors: Sotnikova Ruzena , Nosalova Viera , Navarova Jana
Published: July 2013

Reactive oxygen species has been implicated to contribute significantly to tissue injury associated with ulcerative colitis. Thus compounds with antioxidant properties could be potential therapeutic agents in this disease. Flavonoid compounds are known to possess antioxidative and antiinflammatory properties. Two derivatives of the flavonoid quercetin (Q), chloronaphthoquinone quercetin (CNC) and monochloropivaloyl quercetin (MCP), showed improved antioxidant properties and moreover, they efficiently inhibited aldose reductase activity in vitro. The aim of the work was to test the potential efficacy of quercetin and these synthetic derivatives in vivo in prevention of intestinal inflammation during ulcerative colitis in rats. Colitis was induced by intracolonic administration of acetic acid (4% solution). The control group received the same volume of saline. The vehicle dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and the drugs Q, CNC or MCP were administered orally two hours and then one hour before the acetic acid or saline instillation. After 48 hours, the animals were sacrificed and the colon was weighed, measured and scored for visible damage. Acetic acid triggered an intense inflammatory response of the colon, characterised by haemorrhage, ulceration and bowel wall thickening. From the drugs tested, only CNC (2 × 50 mg/kg) effectively depressed inflammatory damage of the colon. The mechanism of this beneficial effect remains to be elucidated.
The Occurrence of the Viruses in Tulip Crops in Poland
Authors: Sochacki Dariusz
Published: July 2013

The viruses infecting tulips have a big influence on the yield and the quality of bulbs and forced flowers. Commercial bulb production is based on clonal propagation, which leads to the accumulation of viruses. Among 22 viruses occurring in tulips, the most common and the most dangerous are Tulip breaking virus, TBV; Tobacco necrosis virus, TNV; Lily symptomless virus, LSV; Cucumber mosaic virus, CMV and Tobacco rattle virus, TRV. The aim of the research was to check which viruses occur most often on Polish tulip plantations. The research was done on two tulip (Tulipa L.) cultivars ‘Strong Gold’ and ‘Leen van der Mark’ grown at 3 farms situated in different parts of Poland (Warsaw Region, Pomerania and Podlasie) during 2006-2007, and then at 2 farms located in Warsaw Region during 2008-2011. Five of the most important viruses infecting tulips (TBV, TNV, LSV, CMV, and TRV) were detected by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) in leaves and in bulbs during the period 2006-2010. In the last year of the research two different strains of TRV were detected (TRV-J and TRV-F) and Tulip virus X (TVX) as well. Search for viruses showed that most often TBV virus was detected both in the leaves and the bulbs regardless of the year and plantations. Yellow flowering cultivar ‘Strong Gold’ was infected by viruses more often than in bi-coloured (with red) ‘Leen van der Mark’, because of the difficulties with effective roguing of infected plants due to inconspicuous symptoms of virus infections on yellow coloured flowers. Other viruses were detected sporadically, however increasing occurrence of LSV and TRV was noticed from year to year. In 2011, TVX virus was detected in a few plants of ‘Strong Gold’ and it was the first case of detection of this virus in tulip in Poland.
Detection of Narcissus Latent Virus Isolates Using One-Step Rt-Pcr Assay
Authors: Berniak Hanna , Komorowska Beata , Sochacki Dariusz
Published: July 2013

A one-step RT-PCR procedure was developed for specific detection of Narcissus latent virus (NLV) isolates. Following alignment of RNA sequences of three NLV isolates, the conserved sequence fragments were identified in viral polyprotein gene and 3’UTR region. Based on those fragments, a forward NLs1 and two reverse: NLa1 and NLSCPR2 primers were designed. Primer pairs NLs1-NLa1 and NLs1- NLSCPR2 proved to be effective in amplification of a 669 bp and 1295 bp products, respectively. Sequence analysis of amplified products confirmed their specificity.
Estimation of Interstock and Intermediate Stock Usefulness for Summer Pear Cvs. Budded on Two Rootstocks
Authors: Sosna Ireneusz , Kortylewska Daria
Published: July 2013

In order to increase the profitability of pear production, a greater density of weak growing trees per area unit should be planted. In Poland, the most frequently used pear dwarfing rootstocks are quince clones. The main disadvantage of them is a physiological incompatibility with some cultivars. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the rootstock, interstock, and intermediate stock on growth and productivity of two summer pear cultivars, which are not compatible with the quince rootstock. Twoyear- old pear trees of ‘Radana’ and ‘Clapp’s Favourite’ cvs of different compositions were planted in the spring 2006. The following combinations were evaluated: ‘Radana’ and ‘Clapp’s Favourite’ on Caucasian pear seedlings, ‘Radana’ and ‘Clapp’s Favourite’ on quince SI with an intermediate stem piece of ’Doyenne du Comice’ and ‘Radana’ on Caucasian pear with ‘Pyrodwarf’ interstock. Up to the 6th year after planting, trees of ‘Radana’ grafted on Caucasian pear seedlings and on quince with intermediate stock yielded better than ‘Radana’ trees composed of Caucasian pear seedling and ‘Pyrodwarf’ interstock. ‘Clapp’s Favourite’ in all combinations had significantly heavier fruits. The highest crop efficiency index had ‘Radana’ on quince with ’Doyenne du Comice’ intermediate stock.
Assessment of Genetic Diversity in Cultivated Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) Genotypes Using Rapd Primers
Authors: Sharifova Saida , Mehdiyeva Sabina , Theodorikas Konstantinos , Roubos Konstantinos
Published: July 2013

Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was carried out on 19 Azerbaijan tomato genotypes, both cultivars and local populations. A total of 26 amplified products were revealed by 6 primers. The genetic similarity among evaluated genotypes ranged from 0.188 to 1.000. The lowest similarity was observed between cultivars ‘Azerbaijan’ and ‘Shakar’ (0.188), while the highest between ‘Elnur’ and ‘Garatag’ (1.000). The Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) cluster analysis based on Jaccard’s similarity coefficient divided genotypes into four main groups. The first group was the largest and consisted of 12 genotypes, while the fourth group was the smallest consisted of 1 genotype only. The most polymorphic primer was OPB-18 that presented a genetic diversity index of 0.823, while the least informative was primer OPG-17 with an index of 0.349. The average genetic diversity calculated from RAPD data was 0.665.
Impact of river current on the uniformity of littoral communities of Rotifera
Authors: Ejsmont-Karabin Jolanta , Zieliński Piotr
Published: July 2013

Studies were carried out in September 2007 at a set of stations called RIVERS located on two tributaries of the Narew River, and six stations on the tributaries of the Supraśl River. Concurrently, rotifers were sampled at nine stations of the River Rudnia (called RUDNIA). The aim of the research was the verification of the hypothesis on the uniforming effect of the river drift on rotifer communities inhabiting aquatic vegetation. The total numbers of all monogonont species inhabiting aquatic vegetation of RUDNIA and RIVERS were 83 and 107, respectively. The percentage similarity of rotifer communities from aquatic vegetation and river current at the same stations was relatively low and only slightly higher in RIVERS (21.7%) than RUDNIA (17.1%), which suggests that species composition of communities of epiphytic rotifer fauna has a rather low impact on species structure of rotifer communities in water drift. The set of individuals of different species carried with the water current was random and various at different stations. Although the percentage similarity of rotifer communities in the river drift calculated for all possible pairs of the stations was relatively lower in RIVERS than in RUDNIA, it was not reflected in the similarity of epiphytic rotifer communities, which were similar in both sets of stations. Thus, the hypothesis cannot be confirmed by the results of this research.
Summer phytoplankton in selected lakes of the East Suwałki Lakeland in relation to the chemical water parameters
Authors: Grabowska Magdalena , Górniak Andrzej , Krawczuk Małgorzata
Published: July 2013

The study covered a complex of 16 lakes of the East Suwałki Lakeland, distinguished by high differentiation of morphometric parameters determining their polymictic or dimictic character. In half of the lakes studied, the occurrence of summer water thermal stratification was observed. It strongly influenced the vertical qualitative and quantitative diversification of phytoplankton. The majority of the lakes studied were classified as eutrophic waters. Only lakes Szelment Wielki and Pejcze had the Carlson chlorophyll index at the boundary of mesoeutrophy. In the case of the majority of the lakes, the concordance of all the trophy indices was recorded. In 6 mesoeutrophic lakes, the character of water was only suggested by phytoplankton parameters
Optimization of Flood Protection by Semi-Natural Means and Retention in the Catchment Area: A Case Study of Litavka River (Czech Republic)
Authors: Roub Radek , Novák Pavel , Hejduk Tomáš
Published: July 2013

Of all natural disasters, floods represent the most serious threat to the territory of the Czech Republic. This is given by the situation of the Czech Republic at the continental as well as the worldwide scale. At present, the design of anti-flood measures is mostly based on technical measures, without considering improvements in the hydromorphological status according to the Framework Directive on Water Management and without considering the natural transformation of flood discharge in the alluvial plains of water courses. This report presents a design for the optimization of anti-flood measures in the pilot catchment of the Litavka River, in which we propose particular measures for the catchment for its entire surface while providing a good hydromorphological status. We also wanted to quantify the proposed measures leading to the increased retention and accumulation capacities of the catchment area.
Location Matters! Exploring Brownfields Regeneration in a Spatial Context (A Case Study of the South Moravian Region, Czech Republic)
Authors: Frantál Bohumil , Kunc Josef , Nováková Eva , Klusáček Petr , Martinát Stanislav , Osman Robert
Published: July 2013

In this paper the authors attempt to answer the question of which location and site-specific factors have a decisive influence on the successful regeneration of brownfields. Using data from the South Moravian Region (Czech Republic), we analyze the spatial and functional distribution of brownfields, and test the correlation between the development potential of municipalities and the distribution of the brownfields that have already been regenerated. We then compare the structure and characteristics of existing and regenerated brownfields to identify significant drivers and barriers in the regeneration process. The findings indicate that regenerated brownfields are more likely located in municipalities with a higher local development potential (represented by the rate of local business activities, spatial peripherality - proximity to the regional centre and the main road network, and the quality of local infrastructure). It is also demonstrated that the large size of brownfields, their previous industrial use and the existence of contamination are not determinative barriers for regeneration if the brownfields are located in attractive areas and their ownership relations are not complicated.
Determination of Pressure Drop in Horizontal Pipes for Air – Water Two Phase Flow
Authors: Filip Alina
Published: July 2013

The gas-liquid two-phase flow is characterized by continuous and local change of surface separation of phases and by their mutual interactions. Due to the instability of the flow, heat transfer and mass, a precise analytical approach is difficult to achieve. Despite these difficulties, efforts are underway to progress from the more frequent empirical studies to reliable analytical models. This requires an accurate research of the processes involved in the two phase flow and how they interact with one another. This paper aims to determine the pressure drop for a two-phase flow in a horizontal pipe of a heating plant. The author compares the results obtained by numerical simulation with existing results in the domain. The mixture is air-water, at an environmental temperature of 25°C.
Energy Performance Analysis of Insulating Windows
Authors: Iordache Florin , Clita Iulian , Klepş Arthur-Sebastian
Published: July 2013

The present paper thematically fits in the current concern for reducing energy consumption to ensure normal thermal comfort in residential and tertiary building heated spaces. Windows are an important area of the building envelope through which heat dissipates from the interior space to the exterior. As it is known the new insulating window types significantly reduce energy dissipation by both transmission and infiltration. This paper aims to establish the theoretical correlations that exist between different constructive functional parameters of insulating windows, such as gas or gases located between two or three window sheets and low-ε films to be applied on interior faces of the transparent elements. The theoretical work procedures as well as the tabulated and graphical results regarding the thermal resistances for various insulated window structures are presented. The results are analyzed in comparison with the values contained in the C107 regulation for building heat calculations.
Modernity and Tradition in Shakespeare’s Asianization
Authors: Yang Lingui
Published: July 2013

Do Marjorie Garber’s premises that Shakespeare makes modern culture and that modern culture makes Shakespeare apply to his reception in Asian contexts? Shakespeare’s Asianization, namely adaptation of certain Shakespeare elements into traditional forms of local cultures, seems to testify to his timelessness in timeliness. However, his statuses in modern Asia are much more complicated. The complexity lies not only in such a cross-cultural phenomenon as the Asianizing practice, but in the Shakespearization of Asia—the idealization of him as a modern cultural icon in a universalizing celebration of his authority in many sectors of modern Asian cultures. Yet, the very entities of Asia, Shakespeare, modernity, and tradition must be problematized before we approach such complexities. I ask questions about Shakespeare’s roles in Asian conceptions of modernity and about the relationship between his literary heritage and Asian traditions. To address these questions, I will discuss this timeliness in Asian cultures with a focus on Shakespeare adaptations in Asian forms, which showcase various indigenous approaches to his text—from the elitist legacy maintaining to the popularist re-imagining. Asian practices of doing Shakespeare have involved other issues. For instance, whether or not the colonial legacies and postcolonial re-inventions in the dissemination of his works in Asian cultures confirm or subvert the various myths about both the Bard and modernity in most time of the 20th century; in what ways Shakespeare has been used as at once a negotiating agent and negotiated subject in the processes of the prince’s translations and adaptations into Asian languages, costumes, landscapes, cultures and traditions.
"Macbeth" in Nineteenth-Century Bengal: A Case of Conflicted Indigenization
Authors: Chaudhury Sarbani , Sengupta Bhaskar
Published: July 2013

Adaptation, a complex bilingual and bicultural process, is further problematised in a colonial scenario inflected by burgeoning nationalism and imperialist counter-oppression. Nagendranath Bose’s Karnabir (1884/85), the second extant Bengali translation of Macbeth was written after the First War of Indian Independence in 1857 and its aftermath – the formation of predominantly upper and middle class nationalist organisations that spearheaded the freedom movement. To curb anti-colonial activities in the cultural sphere, the British introduced repressive measures like the Theatre Censorship Act and the Vernacular Press Act. Bengal experienced a revival of Hinduism paradoxically augmented by the nationalist ethos and the divisive tactics of British rule that fostered communalism. This article investigates the contingencies and implications of domesticating and othering Macbeth at this juncture and the collaborative/oppositional strategies of the vernacular text vis-à-vis colonial discourse. The generic problems of negotiating tragedy in a literary tradition marked by its absence are compounded by the socio-linguistic limitations of a Sanskritised adaptation. The conflicted nature of the cultural indigenisation evidenced in Karnabir is explored with special focus on the nature of generic, linguistic and religious acculturation, issues of nomenclature and epistemology, as well as the political and ideological negotiations that the target text engages in with the source text and the intended audience.
Is it Possible to Generate Development Starting from Communication?
Authors: Alfaro Moreno Rosa María
Published: July 2013

Communication, both intra-sector and among sectors, can generate dialogues and reciprocity and render development a public matter, i.e. a matter that pertains to all, including the media sector. However, it is still the case that we are faced with scattered social forces, unclear about their role in promoting inclusive, equitable and plural development. Those forces sometimes lack in democratic convictions or in significant social bonds among similarly minded groups. This article condenses years of reflection on our work at the Association of Social Communicators “Calandria”, a Peruvian civil society institution created in 1983 as the point of departure to argue that citizens should be the protagonists of development in a relationship with other key players, from government, the business community and organized civil society.
The Growing Pains of Community Radio in Africa
Authors: Costa Peter da
Published: July 2013

Community radio is considered as an intervention strategy of choice for deepening participation and community ownership. Donors have funded a proliferation of community radio projects in the Global South, prompted by stories attesting to the power of radio as a tool for social change. The evidence suggests that beyond empowering communities, community radio can catalyse behaviour change and impact positively on wider development outcomes. In practice, the record has been mixed, with sustainability a critical challenge. A recent evaluation found that radio stations created through top-down initiatives tend not to survive when external funding dries up. Where such stations do survive, their purpose often becomes different from what was originally intended. Only in a handful of cases have previously aid-dependent radio stations become sustainable. Informed by insights from practitioners, and evaluation reports and scholarly literature, this article draws some emerging lessons.
ComDev in the Mediatized World
Authors: Hemer Oscar , Tufte Thomas
Published: July 2013

In late 2011 we are in the beginning of a revolution that may or may not turn out to be more far-reaching than the one unleashed in 1989. A common denominator in this resurging revolution is the mobilizing power of the so-called social media. Even if labels such as the Twitter or Facebook revolution are rightfully refuted, the on-going Arab Spring is a clear-cut example of an unprecedented communication power, largely out of the authorities’ control.

While the crucial role of media and communication in processes of social change at last becomes evident, it is however not associated with the field of communication for development and social change. While that field historically has been about developing prescriptive recipes of communication for some development, it is time attention is refocused to the deliberative, non-institutional change processes that are emerging from a citizens’ profound and often desperate reaction to the global now.
Successful Images of Successful Ageing?
Authors: Wallander Kristina
Published: July 2013

The dominant discourse concerning older people used to be one of decline and loss. Lately, however, representations of old age have tended to be more diverse and two paradigms have been introduced - one framing enfeeblement and one framing new, positive roles for older people, conceptualized as successful ageing. The present article demonstrates how representations of vigorous elderly people are construed in the programme VeteranTV, produced by UR, Swedish educational television. Part of the aim of VeteranTV was to enhance the image of life after 65 in an anti-ageist spirit. The article discusses the images of vigorous elderly people with respect to their emphasis on sameness or difference, their age-coding, the discourses and subject positions emphasized in them, and not least, their possible ageism.
Ubiquitous Absence
Authors: Pötzsch Holger
Published: July 2013

The present article provides an analysis of the narrative and technical devices through which contemporary war films frame audience engagement with characters. It compiles and systematizes a wide set of empirical findings and exemplifies these through brief, illustrative readings of a selection of films. Combining Smith’s approach to film reception with insights from Laclau and Mouffe’s theory of discourse, the article argues for the significance of the identified audio-visual rhetoric for political discourse and practice.
Peripheral challenge by Small and Medium Sized Ports (SMPs) in Multi-Port Gateway Regions: the case study of northeast of China
Authors: Feng Lin , Notteboom Theo
Published: July 2013

This paper focuses on the role of small and medium-sized ports (SMPs) in enhancing the competitiveness and logistics performance of multi-port gateway regions and associated inland logistics systems. The concepts developed will be applied to the ports in the northeast of China, a multi-port gateway region around the Bohai Sea Economic Rim (BER). Port competition is analyzed by multi-variable methodology and generalized common characteristics of SMPs compared to gateway ports, and the similarities of SMPs and SMEs are also compared. Later in this paper, we analyze the role of a SMP in such region in different variables: (a) cargo volume and market share; (b) international connectivity; (c) relative cluster position; (d) port city and hinterland connection; and (e) logistics and distribution function. The five-dimension analysis combined with in-depth cases study of typical Yingkou port describes a profile of SMPs in the BER and provides future study possibility for more SMPs cases worldwide.
Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy of superior mesenteric artery embolism
Authors: Kuhelj Dimitrij , Kavcic Pavel , Popovic Peter
Published: July 2013

Background. The present series present three consecutive cases of successful percutaneous mechanical embolectomy in acute superior mesenteric artery ischemia. Superior mesenteric artery embolism is a rare abdominal emergency that commonly leads to bowel infarction and has a very high mortality rate. Prompt recognition and treatment are crucial for successful outcome. Endovascular therapeutic approach in patients with acute SMA embolism in median portion of its stem is proposed.

Case reports. Three male patients had experienced a sudden abdominal pain and acute superior mesenteric artery embolism in median portion of its stem was revealed on computed tomography angiography. No signs of intestinal infarction were present. The decision for endovascular treatment was made in concordance with the surgeons. In one patient 6 French gauge Rotarex® device was used while in others 6 French gauge Aspirex® device were used. All patients experienced sudden relief of pain after the procedure with no signs of intestinal infarction. Minor procedural complication - rupture of a smaller branch of SMA during Aspirex® treatment was successfully managed by coiling while transient paralytic ileus presented in one patient resolved spontaneously. All three patients remained symptom-free with patent superior mesenteric artery during the follow-up period.

Conclusions. Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy seems to be a rapid and effective treatment of acute superior mesenteric artery embolism in median portion of its stem in absence of bowel necrosis. Follow-up of our patients showed excellent short- and long-term results.