bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Financial support for enterprising handicapped people
Authors: Czajkowska Agnieszka
Published: September 2015

The aim of the article is presentation of chosen forms of financial support of enterprising handicapped people by institutions and organizations, qualified for carrying help of this part of society. The thesis presumes, that the activity of institutions funding a beginning of economic activity and its development by handicapped people is very important, but not sufficient. One of methods of social integration can be self-dependence of handicapped people and formation their enterprising attitudes, thanks to making for them accessible financial instruments in forms of grants, loans and credits on preferential rules, tax relieves and tax exemptions or services pensions. In the article there were introduced bases of a social policy of chosen EU countries with respect to handicapped people as well as the most important institutions offering alternative forms of financial support addressed to enterprising handicapped people.
Financial crisis and changes in the international monetary system. Implications for the euro
Authors: Osińska Agata , Tchorek Grzegorz
Published: September 2015

Having an international currency brings some benefits but also important obstacles. Undoubtedly it is positive to have international money but the process of achieving the status of global money may lead to some costs connected with appreciation of the euro. The main goal of this article is to show that one of the probable scenarios of the post –crisis adjustment in the international monetary system is the risk of the euro overvaluation. It can be a result of diminishing role of the U.S. economy and growing role of the euro as an international currency. Paradoxically, thanks to its success, the euro can be exposed to the overvaluation with important implication for the euro area countries as well as candidates countries.
The Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on the Management of Banking Risks
Authors: Manta Alina , Nanu Roxana
Published: September 2015

The international macroeconomic and financial environment has undergone major negative changes since the global financial crisis. The magnitude and intensity of the economic and financial crisis have been underestimated by authorities worldwide. The uncertainties surrounding future developments remain high. In Romania, the main challenges posed by the external sector refer to the worsening perception of risks, including contagion effects from the adverse regional developments, the contraction of external markets, the less readily available external financing and the replacement of global liquidity risk by solvency risk. In spite of this, the banking sector continued to report positive financial soundness indicators, displaying and noticeable financial results. Stress testing analyses indicate a solid absorption capacity of moderate shocks. On the other hand, we proposed ourselves to quantify the degree of correlation between the European and Romanian banking systems through the solvency indicator using the trend analysis.
Payment System Competitiveness
Authors: Bartes Frantisek , Studenikova Jitka
Published: September 2015

Competitiveness is one of the key conditions of functional market system. With the time passing, people changed their understanding of economic systems, from barter to paper money. In nowadays world, when the IT becomes a big part of common life, the electronic money, e-purses, pay pall and other payment systems are more used and important. The payment systems differ one from each other and we can talk about payment instruments market. But what if this market does not work well. The aim of this article is to find out the rules, conditions on the market of payment instruments. The author tries to recognize the problems on the demand and supply side. The system of credit cards and direct debit system is involved the most, together with latest theory of Tourist Test. The Interchange Fee plays the key role.
Prospects for the Future Growth of the NewConnect Stock Market
Authors: Kaszuba Stanisław
Published: September 2015

NewConnect market was created to aim small and medium companies in gaining the capital for their growth and development. It was created especially for companies with innovative type of production, services or trade. It attracts companies with low costs and less restrictive procedures than the main stock market. NewConnect market build possibilities for small companies to gain the stock capital. The companies listed in NewConnect market concentrates over new, innovative technologies, especially in IT sector. Its operational first year gave him the first place in amount of debuts and is one of the fastest growing market in the Europe. After two years of its existence Polish alternative stock market is beginning to start the second phase of growth. The article show the comparison of NewConnect with international alternative stock exchanges. The article determines NewConnect position among other European alternative investment markets. It briefly explains the perspectives of further growth and answers the question why it will be very difficult for the market to become an international one.
The role of the European Union Support in implantation the provisions of the National Environmental Policy in years 2004-2006
Authors: Bartniczak Bartosz
Published: September 2015

Environmental protection is one of the major challenges of the modern world. Different situation can we observe in Poland. Document which sets out the aims and objectives to achieve in this area is the National Environmental Policy. The article presents what the main goals of this policy are and shows the sources of its funding. A detailed analysis of the financing of environmental policy with the aid of the European Union was carried out. Studies have shown too little spending on environmental protection so that they can be fully realized records of the National Environmental Policy.
The potential effects of personal income tax in USA in 2007
Authors: Umiński Paweł
Published: September 2015

Article presents the effects of the potential introduction of the flat tax for the United States economy in 2007. The USA is labelled as the most capitalist economy worldwide. This is confirmed through a lot of economic indicators and ideological bases which rule in the USA. Nevertheless, all over the history progressive income taxes have functioned in American economy against the views of extreme capitalist theorists. Even that hasn’t protected America from huge income inequality. Lots of inequality indicators for the USA are the worst among other developed countries. As statistic data reveal, the introduction of the flat taxation in personal taxes would result in the increase of the population income inequality. The aim of this paper is to present direct and static effects of the introduction of the flax tax on personal taxes in the Unites States in 2007. The main emphasis is on income and inequality effects of that change. The analysis is carried out with descriptive and statistical methods.
Doctrine of public good in banking versus state intervention
Authors: Masiukiewicz Piotr
Published: September 2015

This article has the following thesis: changes in banking and the role of banks in real economy in recent years give an argument for treating banks as a public good. Banks received great support from governments as a result of the subprime crisis. G-20 and European Commission recommended new regulations for this sector after the crisis. As a consequence of banking development, more than 90% of the population use banking services in many countries. New social functions of banks have appeared. Doctrines about recovery and government support for banks were changed in parallel (e.g. LoLR). Presently, there are some arguments for recognition of public good doctrine in banking such as: a very big area for state regulation, state banking supervision, state system of deposits insurance, realization of task delegated by the state, social responsibility of banks and others. These arguments confirm that banks’ activity has a particular importance for the society and the economy, and would be public good.
State aid and competitiveness of the hard coal mining industry in the European Union
Authors: Jonek-Kowalska Izabela
Published: September 2015

The hard coal mining industry in the European Union (EU) is in decline, mostly due to a lack of price competitiveness. It is maintained, to a great extent, by state aid; the key objective of the industry’s existence is to provide energy security and guarantee employment in the mining regions. In Poland, the hard coal mining industry is currently undergoing a serious crisis that threatens the two largest mining enterprises with bankruptcy. In addition, due to the European Union’s restrictions concerning the circumstances of granting state aid, these enterprises cannot count on the financial support for the repair restructuring that they used on a large scale until 2011. Therefore, in this article, the main objective is to determine the influence of state aid on the competitiveness of the hard coal mining industry in 12 countries of the EU, including Poland in specific.  In order to achieve the stated objective, the article is divided into three parts. The first part consists of a literature review, and legal regulations that are related to state aid for the hard coal mining industry in the EU are presented. The second part identifies the amount of state aid for the mining industry in the examined countries. Next, the economic effects of state aid for hard coal mining in the European Union are examined. The third assesses the financial results of 24 Polish hard coal mines.
Demographic changes in Poland – the regional dimension
Authors: Richert-Kaźmierska Anita
Published: September 2015

The progressive ageing process concerns both Poland and other Member States of the European Union. In recent years, the share of workers of non-mobile and post-productive age in the total population has been rising, and according to forecasts, in 2035 people aged 45 years and over will represent two-thirds of our society. Since the year 2012, announced the Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations by the European Commission, more and more attention has been paid in the Polish public space to the issues of an ageing society, including its impact on the health of the economy. The article notes that the ageing process does not occur uniformly across all Polish regions, i.e. at the same pace and with the same intensity. The results of studies indicating the regions being most vulnerable to the ageing of the regional community and the negative consequences of this process in the next two decades are presented.
Think Stoma Nurse: a tool to trigger referral to specialist care
Authors: Hanley Judy , Adams Jane
Published: September 2015

This article describes the initial development and subsequent evolution of a simple referral assessment tool for stoma care. The first author's personal experience identified that there was widespread inconsistency in perceptions of local multidisciplinary teams as to when it was appropriate to refer to specific specialist nursing teams. This resulted in both inappropriate and delayed referrals. A ‘Think Specialist Nurse’ initiative was developed across the author's trust, building on the traffic light template from the ‘ThinkGlucose’ tool, to facilitate referrals to clinical nurse specialists. The stoma-care specific tool, ‘Think Stoma Nurse’, has subsequently evolved beyond its initial audience, and has been adapted into materials aimed at patients and carers.
Nurse consultants: Leading the future of practice nursing
Authors: Davis Kelly
Published: September 2015

Debbie Brown has been appointed as the first practice nurse consultant in London. The role aims to provide leadership and develop training
Chronic heart failure and the supportive role of the practice nurse
Authors: Brady Louise
Published: September 2015

Nurses working in general practice have an important role to play in supporting patients with heart failure to manage their condition. Louise Brady provides examples of how practice nurses can help
Pemetaan daerah perikanan lampu (light fishing) menggunakan data viirs day-night band di perairan Pandeglang Provinsi Banten
Authors: Susanto Adi
Published: September 2015

Abstract. Light fishing in Pandeglang Banten has significantly developed in number of fishing fleet and using of lamp technology. The fishing ground of light fishing fleet dispersed from Labuan until Taman Nasional Ujung Kulon. The aim of this research is to map the fishing ground of light fishing using VIIRS-DNB data at August to November 2014. This research use descriptive analysis with case study on fishing ground of ligt fishing using VIIRS-DNB data in Pandeglang waters. The results show the fishing ground of light fishing at August to November spread from Lada Bay, Lesung Cape, Sumur District, selamat Datang Bay, until Panaitan Strait. In November, the numbers of fishing fleet have significantly decreased. The loft ofwind velocity in Sunda Strait caused big waves in Pandeglang waters. Moreover, light fishing fleet also move from coastal water to the sea to find the ideal depth.The fluctuation of fishing ground at August to November 2014 influenced by monsoon circulation that effectto current and water masses circulation there. It cause the changing of surface water fertility and influent to spreading of pelagic fish fishing ground as a main target of light fishing fleets in Pandeglang waters.Keyword: fishing ground; light fishing; Pandeglang; VIIRS-DNB Abstrak. Perikanan lampu di perairan Pandeglang Banten telah mengalami perkembangan yang signifikan baik dalam jumlah armada maupun teknologi lampu yang digunakan. Daerah penangkapan armada perikanan lampu tersebar mulai dari perairan Labuan hingga Taman Nasional Ujung Kulon. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memetakan daerah perikanan lampu di perairan Pandeglang menggunakan data VIIRS-DNB yang mampu mendeteksi radiasi yang dihasilkan oleh lampu yang digunakan untuk menarik perhatian ikan. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah deskriptif dengan studi kasus berupa sebaran daerah perikanan lampu di perairan Pandeglang menggunakan data VIIRS-DNB. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa pada Bulan Agustus hingga November, daerah perikanan lampu tersebar mulai dari perairan Teluk Lada, Tanjung Lesung, Sumur, Teluk Selamat Datang hingga Selat Panaitan. Pada Bulan November, jumlah armada perikanan lampu mengalami penurunan yang signifikan. Hal ini dipengaruhi oleh perubahan kecepatan angin di perairan Selat Sunda yang berakibat pada tingginya gelombang di perairan Pandeglang. Selain itu, armada perikanan lampu juga tersebar lebih ke arah lautan untuk mencari kedalaman yang lebih tinggi. Perubahan daerah penangkapan perikanan lampu sepanjang Bulan Agustus-November 2014 sebagian besar dipengaruhi oleh angin muson yang berdampak pada perubahan arus massa air di Selat Sunda. Hal ini menyebabkan terjadinya perubahan kesuburan perairan yang berpengaruh terhadap daerah penyebaran ikan pelagis yang menjadi sasaran utama penangkapan bagi armada perikanan lampu di peraran Pandeglang.Kata kunci: daerah penangkapan ikan; perikanan lampu; Pandeglang; VIIRS-DNB
Kajian awal granulometri pada kawasan lamun dan terumbu karang: studi kasus di gugusan Pulau Pari, Kepulauan Seribu
Authors: Purnawan Syahrul
Published: September 2015

Abstract. Granulometric study is considered as a tool to predict sediment formation process in an aquatic environment. This paper discusses brief assessment of granulometri studies on seagrass and coral reef areas in Indonesia by collecting samples at Pari Island waters. Sediment samples were taken in May 2008 near the coral reefs and seagrass area in the cluster of Pari Island waters, Seribu Islands, Jakarta. The wet sieving method was done to separate the sediment samples based on grain size. Statistical analysis i.e., mean, sorting, skewness, and kurtosis at both locations showed a considerably complex energy works on the sediment distribution in these locations.Keywords: granulometry; sediment; coral reef; seagrass Abstrak. Studi granulometri dapat menjadi alat penduga proses terbentuknya sedimen di suatu lingkungan perairan. Tulisan ini membahas kajian ringkas studi granulometri pada kawasan lamun dan terumbu karang di Indonesia dengan mengambil contoh di perairan Pulau Pari. Sampel sedimen diambil pada Mei 2008 di kawasan terumbu karang dan lamun pada perairan gugusan Pulau Pari, Kepulauan Seribu, Jakarta. Metode ayak basah dilakukan untuk memisahkan sampel sedimen berdasarkan ukuran butir. Hasil analisis statistik ukuran butiran berupa mean, sorting, skewness, dan kurtosis pada kedua lokasi mengindikasikan fungsi energi yang cukup kompleks bekerja terhadap sebaran sedimen di lokasi tersebut.Kata kunci: granulometri; sedimen; terumbu karang; padang lamun
Working it out: strategies to reconcile work and family among Swedish lone mothers
Authors: Alsarve Jenny
Published: September 2015

Drawing on 39 interviews with Swedish lone mothers, this article aims to explore the central coping strategies used by the mothers in reconciling work and family. The article also studies how working conditions and access to economic and social capital influence the coping strategies used. The findings indicate a variety of coping strategies. These were clearly influenced by position in the labour market and access to social and economic capital. While for instance working-class mothers tried to changed jobs to cope with temporary employments, middle-class mothers used flexitime to cope with work–family conflict. Access to social capital was crucial for all mothers.
The co-location of home and work in two generations of farmers: what effects on fathering practices?
Authors: Brandth Berit
Published: September 2015

The co-location of home and work could enable parents to balance work and family life, but research has given contradictory results in regard to fathers who work at home. This article explores how the co-location of home and work in family farming affects fathers’ involvement in childcare. Interviews were conducted with two generations of fathers in seven families who have lived and worked on the same farm. Results showed significant differences between the two generations. The older generation of fathers integrated childcare into work, while the current generation more often fathers in domestic spaces rather than work spaces. Moreover, father–child interaction now takes place away from the farm as well. This study demonstrates that the significance of the co-location of home and work for fathering depends on shifting cultural and social contexts, and underscores fathering practices as relational, contingent and variable.
‘You just accept’: Australian parents’ and young adults’ feelings towards returning to co-residence
Authors: Warner Elyse , Henderson-Wilson Claire , Andrews Fiona
Published: September 2015

Drawing on a qualitative study of Australian families who returned to co-residence, this article focuses on the ways young adults and their parents come to accept the change in their living arrangement after time spent apart. Findings from in-depth interviews suggest that young adults experience mixed feelings about returning home on the pathway to eventual acceptance, whereas parents appear to be more accepting of the living arrangement from the outset. The current study also revealed that, although parents and their young adult offspring may have different degrees of acceptance, family members generally appreciated how the other member of their dyad felt towards the return. This acceptance meant that the return to co-residence proceeded and, in turn, engendered mutual benefits for both young adults and their parents.
The contested field of social work in a retreating welfare state: the case of Sweden
Authors: Jönsson Jessica H.
Published: September 2015

This article critically examines the consequences of the neoliberal reorganisation of the welfare state for social work in Sweden in a time of increasing poverty, marginalisation and social problems. The retreat of the welfare state from its traditional obligations has resulted in the emergence of many voluntary and private actors in the Swedish ‘care market’, driving social work to authoritative action of social control and engagement in charitable activities. Based on a review of recent events indicating that municipal social work is in crisis, it is shown that critical voices are reacting against the increasing shortcomings of the welfare state, including municipal social work practices. It is argued that the pursuit of rights-based social work is urgent and that social work should be engaged in raising critical questions influencing public debate in order to counteract the increasing neoliberal dissolution of the Swedish welfare state and social work, which has led to increasing inequalities and injustices.
Mentona Moser (1874–1971): the battle for a more just society
Authors: Schilling Sigrid
Published: September 2015

It is both historically and currently of importance to critically reflect on the enmeshment of social work in ‘control and discipline’, while also pondering on ‘counter-movements, enlightenment and reform’. With this in mind, this contribution reflects on the biography of the Swiss communist, Mentona Moser, her social practice and approach to social policy in Switzerland as well as her international activities.
Transnacionalização religiosa: fluxos e redes
Authors: Menin Assis Felipe
Published: September 2015

O livro trata dos deslocamentos religiosos, de crenças, rituais e objetos religiosos entre fronteiras nacionais e internacionais. Na resenha são analisadas migrações, peregrinações e missões em contextos religiosos.
A representação humorística do Presidente Café Filho nas capas da Revista Careta (1955-1956).
Authors: Carvalho Leonardo Dallacqua de , Souza Breno Sabino Leite de
Published: September 2015

Este trabalho pretende traçar momentos do governo do presidente Café Filho por meio da sua presença nas capas da Revista Ilustrada Careta durante o período em que governou. Entremearemos a discussão entre as capas do semanário e alguns momentos do seu governo que nelas foram representadas como o início e final da sua gestão, a crise econômica e algumas questões sobre a participação de Café Filho nas eleições de 1955.
Anjos marcados: o batismo dos filhos do ventre livre (Porto Alegre/RS - 1871-1888).
Authors: Cardozo José Carlos da Silva , Moreira Paulo Roberto Staudt
Published: September 2015

Este artigo, à luz da História Social, analisa os registros de batismo de crianças “ingênuas” nascidas em Porto Alegre/RS, entre 1871-1888, contingente populacional ainda profundamente ligado ao cativeiro. Nesse período, Porto Alegre teve grande dinamismo econômico advindo da exportação de produtos das áreas coloniais, o que proporcionou a reformulação do espaço urbano e dos hábitos e costumes da população. Dessa forma, analisamos algumas variáveis que as fontes nos permitiram, como a frequência do batismo no período, a diferença temporal entre o registro de batismo e o nascimento da criança, bem como a condição social dos padrinhos.
Lightning fast and space efficient inequality joins
Authors: Khayyat Zuhair , Lucia William , Singh Meghna , Ouzzani Mourad , Papotti Paolo , Quiané-Ruiz Jorge-Arnulfo , Tang Nan , Kalnis Panos
Published: September 2015

Inequality joins, which join relational tables on inequality conditions, are used in various applications. While there have been a wide range of optimization methods for joins in database systems, from algorithms such as sort-merge join and band join, to various indices such as
B
+
-tree,
R
*
-tree and Bitmap, inequality joins have received little attention and queries containing such joins are usually very slow. In this paper, we introduce fast inequality join algorithms. We put columns to be joined in sorted arrays and we use permutation arrays to encode positions of tuples in one sorted array
w.r.t.
the other sorted array. In contrast to sort-merge join, we use space efficient bit-arrays that enable optimizations, such as Bloom filter indices, for fast computation of the join results. We have implemented a centralized version of these algorithms on top of PostgreSQL, and a distributed version on top of Spark SQL. We have compared against well known optimization techniques for inequality joins and show that our solution is more scalable and several orders of magnitude faster.
Multi-version range concurrency control in Deuteronomy
Authors: Levandoski Justin , Lomet David , Sengupta Sudipta , Stutsman Ryan , Wang Rui
Published: September 2015

The Deuteronomy transactional key value store executes millions of serializable transactions/second by exploiting multi-version timestamp order concurrency control. However, it has not supported range operations, only individual record operations (e.g., create, read, update, delete). In this paper, we enhance our multi-version timestamp order technique to handle range concurrency and prevent phantoms. Importantly, we maintain high performance while respecting the clean separation of duties required by Deuteronomy, where a transaction component performs
purely
logical concurrency control (including range support), while a data component performs data storage and management duties. Like the rest of the Deuteronomy stack, our range technique manages concurrency information in a latch-free manner. With our range enhancement, Deuteronomy can reach scan speeds of nearly 250 million records/s (more than 27 GB/s) on modern hardware, while providing serializable isolation complete with phantom prevention.
Dexter
Authors: Qiu Disheng , Barbosa Luciano , Dong Xin Luna , Shen Yanyan , Srivastava Divesh
Published: September 2015

The web is a rich resource of structured data. There has been an increasing interest in using web structured data for many applications such as data integration, web search and question answering. In this paper, we present Dexter, a system to find product sites on the web, and detect and extract product specifications from them. Since product specifications exist in multiple product sites, our focused crawler relies on search queries and backlinks to discover product sites. To perform the detection, and handle the high diversity of specifications in terms of content, size and format, our system uses supervised learning to classify HTML fragments (e.g., tables and lists) present in web pages as specifications or not. To perform large-scale extraction of the attribute-value pairs from the HTML fragments identified by the specification detector, D
exter
adopts two lightweight strategies: a domain-independent and unsupervised wrapper method, which relies on the observation that these HTML fragments have very similar structure; and a combination of this strategy with a previous approach, which infers extraction patterns by annotations generated by automatic but noisy annotators. The results show that our crawler strategy to locate product specification pages is effective: (1) it discovered 1:46A
M
product specification pages from 3; 005 sites and 9 different categories; (2) the specification detector obtains high values of F-measure (close to 0:9) over a heterogeneous set of product specifications; and (3) our efficient wrapper methods for attribute-value extraction get very high values of precision (0.92) and recall (0.95) and obtain better results than a state-of-the-art, supervised rule-based wrapper.
Electron beam treatment of simulated marine diesel exhaust gases
Authors: Licki Janusz , Pawelec Andrzej , Zimek Zbigniew , Witman-Zając Sylwia
Published: September 2015

The exhaust gases from marine diesel engines contain high SO2 and NOx concentration. The applicability of the electron beam flue gas treatment technology for purification of marine diesel exhaust gases containing high SO2 and NOx concentration gases was the main goal of this paper. The study was performed in the laboratory plant with NOx concentration up to 1700 ppmv and SO2 concentration up to 1000 ppmv. Such high NOx and SO2 concentrations were observed in the exhaust gases from marine high-power diesel engines fuelled with different heavy fuel oils. In the first part of study the simulated exhaust gases were irradiated by the electron beam from accelerator. The simultaneous removal of SO2 and NOx were obtained and their removal efficiencies strongly depend on irradiation dose and inlet NOx concentration. For NOx concentrations above 800 ppmv low removal efficiencies were obtained even if applied high doses. In the second part of study the irradiated gases were directed to the seawater scrubber for further purification. The scrubbing process enhances removal efficiencies of both pollutants. The SO2 removal efficiencies above 98.5% were obtained with irradiation dose greater than 5.3 kGy. For inlet NOx concentrations of 1700 ppmv the NOx removal efficiency about 51% was obtained with dose greater than 8.8 kGy. Methods for further increase of NOx removal efficiency are presented in the paper.
Review of international normatives for natural radioactivity determination in building materials
Authors: Mossini Eros , Macerata Elena , Giola Marco , Mariani Mario
Published: September 2015

Anthropogenic activities, such as high-altitude flights and living in buildings, have enhanced the public exposure to natural radiation. In particular, 40K and radionuclides belonging to 232Th and 238U decay chains are present even in building materials, and they may be considered as partially responsible for the effective dose coming from natural radioactivity. Scientists and governments have devoted great attention to the evaluation of the effects produced on the public by naturally occurring radionuclides. In this context, to evaluate the building materials acceptability, accurate and reliable methods for the measurement of the specific activity of natural radioactive isotopes in building materials have been developed. This paper aims to provide a clear and exhaustive review on natural radionuclide measurement procedures. Several standard national normatives (Dutch NEN 5697, Italian UNI 10797, Polish ITB 455), based on gamma spectrometry, have been considered and some critical issues were identified regarding the preparation and the radiometric measuring of the samples. Therefore, the direct measurement of 238U and 232Th by ICP-MS spectrometry as well as the extrapolation of the specific activities without waiting for secular equilibrium have been considered as two promising alternative approaches.
Application of the micronucleus assay performed by different scorers in case of large-scale radiation accidents
Authors: Rawojć Kamila , Tarnawska Dorota M. , Miszczyk Justyna U. , Swakoń Jan , Stolarczyk Liliana , Rydygier Marzena
Published: September 2015

Mass casualty scenarios of radiation exposure require high throughput biological dosimetry techniques for population triage, in order to rapidly identify individuals, who require clinical treatment. Accurate dose estimates can be made by biological dosimetry, to predict the acute radiation syndrome (ARS) within days after a radiation accident or a malicious act involving radiation. Timely information on dose is important for the medical management of acutely irradiated persons [1]. The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of the micronuclei (MNi) scoring procedure in an experimental mode, where 500 binucleated cells were analyzed in different exposure dose ranges. Whole-body exposure was simulated in an in vitro experiment by irradiating whole blood collected from one healthy donor with 60 MeV protons and 250 keV X-rays, in the dose range of 0.3-4.0 Gy. For achieving meaningful results, sample scoring was performed by three independent persons, who followed guidelines described in detail by Fenech et al. [2, 3]. Compared results revealed no significant differences between scorers, which has important meaning in reducing the analysis time. Moreover, presented data based on 500 cells distribution, show that there are significant differences between MNi yields after 1.0 Gy exposure of blood for both protons and X-rays, implicating this experimental mode as appropriate for the distinction between high and low dose-exposed individuals, which allows early classification of exposed victims into clinically relevant subgroups.
Application of alanine dosimetry in dose assessment for ocular melanoma patients undergoing proton radiotherapy – preliminary results
Authors: Mierzwińska Gabriela , Kłodowska Magdalena , Michalec Barbara , Pędracka Anna , Rydygier Marzena , Swakoń Jan , Waligórski Michael P. R.
Published: September 2015

Basing on alanine solid state/electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) dosimetry, a supplementary method of cumulatively recording the therapeutic dose received by ocular cancer patients undergoing fractionated proton radiotherapy is proposed. By applying alanine dosimetry during the delivery of consecutive fractions, the dose received within each fraction can be read out by EPR spectrometry and a final permanent cumulative record of the total dose delivered obtained. The dose response of the alanine detector was found to be practically independent on its position within the extended proton Bragg peak region. Dose measurements based on entrance dose recorded in proton beams individually formed for each patient are presented. The described method will be applied as a complementary Quality Assurance procedure for patients undergoing proton radiotherapy at the Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland (IFJ PAN).
Thermal-hydraulic calculations for a fuel assembly in a European Pressurized Reactor using the RELAP5 code
Authors: Skrzypek Maciej , Laskowski R.
Published: September 2015

The main object of interest was a typical fuel assembly, which constitutes a core of the nuclear reactor. The aim of the paper is to describe the phenomena and calculate thermal-hydraulic characteristic parameters in the fuel assembly for a European Pressurized Reactor (EPR). To perform thermal-hydraulic calculations, the RELAP5 code was used. This code allows to simulate steady and transient states for reactor applications. It is also an appropriate calculation tool in the event of a loss-of-coolant accident in light water reactors. The fuel assembly model with nodalization in the RELAP5 (Reactor Excursion and Leak Analysis Program) code was presented. The calculations of two steady states for the fuel assembly were performed: the nominal steady-state conditions and the coolant flow rate decreased to 60% of the nominal EPR flow rate. The calculation for one transient state for a linearly decreasing flow rate of coolant was simulated until a new level was stabilized and SCRAM occurred. To check the correctness of the obtained results, the authors compared them against the reactor technical documentation available in the bibliography. The obtained results concerning steady states nearly match the design data. The hypothetical transient showed the importance of the need for correct cooling in the reactor during occurrences exceeding normal operation. The performed analysis indicated consequences of the coolant flow rate limitations during the reactor operation.
Market Entry, Product Quality And Price Competition
Authors: Mathur Sameer , Dewani Prem Prakash
Published: September 2015

We study an entrant firm’s product quality choice and the price competition arising between the entrant and the incumbent firm. We show that the entrant firm should introduce a relatively higher (lower) quality than the incumbent firm when the consumers’ valuation for quality is sufficiently large (small). We also study how the incumbent firm modifies its price in response to the ensuing price competition. We find that the incumbent firm should decrease its price. We also profile how the incumbent firm’s price non-linearly depends on consumers’ valuation for quality.
Density topologies on the plane between ordinary and strong. II
Authors: Wagner-Bojakowska Elżbieta , Wilczyński Władysław
Published: September 2015

Let C0 denote a set of all non-decreasing continuous functions f : (0, 1] → (0, 1] such that limx→0+f(x) = 0 and f(x) ≤ x for every x ∊ (0, 1], and let A be a measurable subset of the plane. The notions of a density point of A with respect to f and the mapping defined on the family of all measurable subsets of the plane were introduced in Wagner-Bojakowska, E. Wilcziński, W.: Density topologies on the plane between ordinary and strong, Tatra Mt. Math. Publ. 44 (2009), 139 151. This mapping is a lower density, so it allowed us to introduce the topology Tf , analogously to the density topology. In this note, properties of the topology Tf and functions approximately continuous with respect to f are considered. We prove that (ℝ2, Tf) is a completely regular topological space and we study conditions under which topologies generated by two functions f and g are equal.
A generalization of the c-density topology
Authors: Wojdowski Wojciech
Published: September 2015

We present a generalization of the Tc -density topology introduced in [WO5] as a topology involving both category and measure approach to the notion of density. We construct an ascending sequence

of density topologies which leads to

-density topology including all previous topologies. We examine several basic properties of the topologies.
On separation by h-convex functions
Authors: Olbryś Andrzej
Published: September 2015

In the present paper, we establish the necessary and sufficient conditions under which two functions can be separated by h-convex function, in the case, when the function h is multiplicative. This result is related to the theorem on separation by convex functions presented in Baron, K. Matkowski, J. Nikodem, K. [A sandwich with convexity, Math. Pannon. 5 (1994), 139 144].
On differentiability of mappings with finite dilation
Authors: Turowska Małgorzata
Published: September 2015

We study mappings f : (a,b) → Y with finite dilation having Lebesgue integrable majorant, where Y is a real normed vector space. We construct Lipschitz mapping f : (a,b) → Y, dim Y = ∞ , which is nowhere differentiable but its graph has everywhere trivial contingent. We show that if the contingent of the graph of a mapping with finite dilation is a nontrivial space, then f is almost everywhere differentiable.
(B∆I,I)-saturated sets and Hamel basis
Authors: Karasińska Aleksandra , Wagner-Bojakowska Elżbieta
Published: September 2015

Let I be a proper σ-ideal of subsets of the real line. In a σ-field of Borel sets modulo sets from the σ-ideal I we introduce an analogue of the saturated non-measurability considered by Halperin. Properties of (B∆I,I)-saturated sets are investigated.

M. Kuczma considered a problem how small or large a Hamel basis can be. We try to study this problem in the context of sets from I.
Stability conditions for linear delay difference equations: a survey and perspectives
Authors: Čermák Jan
Published: September 2015

The paper presents an overview of the basic results and methods for stability investigations of higher-order linear autonomous difference equations. The presented criteria formulate several types of necessary and sufficient conditions for the asymptotic stability of the zero solution of studied equations, with a special emphasize put on delay difference equations. Various comments, comparisons, examples and illustrations are given to support theoretical results.
The factorization of the linear differential operator
Authors: Janglajew Klara , Schmeidel Ewa
Published: September 2015

In this paper, necessary and sufficient conditions for factorization of a linear differential operator are presented. As a consequence of the factorization result some criterion of polynomial factorization is obtained. As a special case of the main result we have got Polynomial Remainder Theorem.
Dynamical equivalence of impulsive quasilinear equations
Authors: Reinfelds Andrejs , Šteinberga Dzintra
Published: September 2015

Using Green type map we can find sufficient conditions under which an impulsive quasilinear equation is dynamically equivalent to its corresponding linear equation. This result extends Grobman Hartman theorem for equations without ordinary dichotomy.
Motor Cortex Activity Organizes the Developing Rubrospinal System
Authors: Williams Preston T.J.A. , Martin John H.
Published: September 2015

The corticospinal and rubrospinal systems function in skilled movement control. A key question is how do these systems develop the capacity to coordinate their motor functions and, in turn, if the red nucleus/rubrospinal tract (RN/RST) compensates for developmental corticospinal injury? We used the cat to investigate whether the developing rubrospinal system is shaped by activity-dependent interactions with the developing corticospinal system. We unilaterally inactivated M1 by muscimol microinfusion between postnatal weeks 5 and 7 to examine activity-dependent interactions and whether the RN/RST compensates for corticospinal tract (CST) developmental motor impairments and CST misprojections after M1 inactivation. We examined the RN motor map and RST cervical projections at 7 weeks of age, while the corticospinal system was inactivated, and at 14 weeks, after activity returned. During M1 inactivation, the RN on the same side showed normal RST projections and reduced motor thresholds, suggestive of precocious development. By contrast, the RN on the untreated/active M1 side showed sparse RST projections and an immature motor map. After M1 activity returned later in adolescent cat development, RN on the active M1/CST side continued to show a substantial loss of spinal terminations and an impaired motor map. RN/RST on the inactivated side regressed to a smaller map and fewer axons. Our findings suggest that the developing rubrospinal system is under activity-dependent regulation by the corticospinal system for establishing mature RST connections and RN motor map. The lack of RS compensation on the non-inactivated side can be explained by development of ipsilateral misprojections from the active M1 that outcompete the RST.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTSkilled movements reflect the activity of multiple descending motor systems and their interactions with spinal motor circuits. Currently, there is little insight into whether motor systems interact during development to coordinate their emerging functions and, if so, the mechanisms underlying this process. This study examined activity-dependent interactions between the developing corticospinal and rubrospinal systems, two key systems for skilled limb movements. We show that the developing rubrospinal system competes with the corticospinal system in establishing the red nucleus motor map and rubrospinal tract connections. This is the first demonstration of one motor system steering development, and ultimately function, of another. Knowledge of activity-dependent competition between these two systems helps predict the response of the rubrospinal system following corticospinal system developmental injury.
The Cancer Chemotherapeutic Paclitaxel Increases Human and Rodent Sensory Neuron Responses to TRPV1 by Activation of TLR4
Authors: Li Yan , Adamek Pavel , Zhang Haijun , Tatsui Claudio Esteves , Rhines Laurence D. , Mrozkova Petra , Li Qin , Kosturakis Alyssa K. , Cassidy Ryan M. , Harrison Daniel S. , Cata Juan P. , Sapire Kenneth , Zhang Hongmei , Kennamer-Chapman Ross M. , Jawad Abdul Basit , Ghetti Andre , Yan Jiusheng , Palecek Jiri , Dougherty Patrick M.
Published: September 2015

Peripheral neuropathy is dose limiting in paclitaxel cancer chemotherapy and can result in both acute pain during treatment and chronic persistent pain in cancer survivors. The hypothesis tested was that paclitaxel produces these adverse effects at least in part by sensitizing transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) through Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling. The data show that paclitaxel-induced behavioral hypersensitivity is prevented and reversed by spinal administration of a TRPV1 antagonist. The number of TRPV1+neurons is increased in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in paclitaxel-treated rats and is colocalized with TLR4 in rat and human DRG neurons. Cotreatment of rats with lipopolysaccharide from the photosynthetic bacteriumRhodobacter sphaeroides(LPS-RS), a TLR4 inhibitor, prevents the increase in numbers of TRPV1+neurons by paclitaxel treatment. Perfusion of paclitaxel or the archetypal TLR4 agonist LPS activated both rat DRG and spinal neurons directly and produced acute sensitization of TRPV1 in both groups of cells via a TLR4-mediated mechanism. Paclitaxel and LPS sensitize TRPV1 in HEK293 cells stably expressing human TLR4 and transiently expressing human TRPV1. These physiological effects also are prevented by LPS-RS. Finally, paclitaxel activates and sensitizes TRPV1 responses directly in dissociated human DRG neurons. In summary, TLR4 was activated by paclitaxel and led to sensitization of TRPV1. This mechanism could contribute to paclitaxel-induced acute pain and chronic painful neuropathy.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTIn this original work, it is shown for the first time that paclitaxel activates peripheral sensory and spinal neurons directly and sensitizes these cells to transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1)-mediated capsaicin responses via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in multiple species. A direct functional interaction between TLR4 and TRPV1 is shown in rat and human dorsal root ganglion neurons, TLR4/TRPV1-coexpressing HEK293 cells, and in both rat and mouse spinal cord slices. Moreover, this is the first study to show that this interaction plays an important role in the generation of behavioral hypersensitivity in paclitaxel-related neuropathy. The key translational implications are that TLR4 and TRPV1 antagonists may be useful in the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in humans.
Puerperal women’s perceptions regarding preparation for birth in prenatal care
Authors: Brito Carla Andrea de , Silva Antonia Silvânete Saraiva , Cruz Rachel de sá Barreto Luna Callou
Published: September 2015

To understand the perception of puerperal women regarding preparation for birth in the prenatal period.Methods: qualitative and exploratory research, undertaken in a maternity unit with 30 puerperal women. The technique of semistructured interview was applied and the discourses were analyzed using the Discourse of the Collective Subject. Results: it was evidenced that the puerperal women perceive the preparation for birth as important for experiencing labor and childbirth. At the time of labor, the fear of the pain was the most frequent feeling. It was identified that preparation for the birth is limited to the passing on of information regarding signs and symptoms which indicate labor as they occur. Conclusion: the professional who assists the pregnant woman must have a broad view regarding her needs, indicating a need for continuing education.
Compliance and knowledge of health professionals regarding airborne precautions
Authors: Galdino Hélio Júnior , Souza Moníque Lopes de , Santos Luzinéia Vieira dos , Tipple Anaclara Ferreira Veiga
Published: September 2015

To assess compliance to measures regarding airborne precautions, as well as knowledge about the application of these measures among health professionals of a service specialized in the care of patients with tuberculosis. Methods: an observational cross-sectional study, which evaluated compliance opportunities through observation (n=143) and knowledge through a questionnaire (76). Results: the door of the isolation areas remained open at 13.3%. The wards had high filtration filter, but in 60.9% of observations this was off. As for the mask, 99.3% of health professionals used it before entering the isolation area and 58.7% kept the same mask after leaving. Responses from professionals about airborne precautions characterized little knowledge about these measures. Conclusion: continuing education campaigns to raise awareness can be adopted to increase the compliance to airborne precautions and reduce the risk of occupational exposure.