bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infecção por Fusarium graminearum e Fusarium verticillioides em sementes de milho
Authors: Ramos Dayana Portes , Barbosa Rafael Marani , Vieira Bruno Guilherme Torres Licursi , Panizzi Rita de Cássia , Vieira Roberval Daiton
Published: April 2014

O prévio conhecimento do processo de infecção e do comportamento de patógenos, na avaliação do potencial fisiológico de sementes de milho, é essencial para a tomada de decisão sobre o destino de lotes que podem comprometer a semeadura. Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, determinar o período mínimo necessário para a contaminação de sementes de milho por Fusarium graminearum Schwabe e Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenberg, bem como avaliar a influência destes patógenos na germinação e no vigor de sementes, por meio do teste de frio. Foram utilizadas sementes de três híbridos de milho, as quais entraram em contato com os patógenos em diferentes períodos, avaliados com e sem desinfestação superficial. Após a determinação do período adequado, novas amostras foram contaminadas por F. graminearum e F. verticillioides, sob diferentes níveis de infecção, e submetidas ao teste de germinação em areia. O teste de frio foi realizado com sementes sadias e contaminadas, em diferentes períodos, em câmara fria. O período de 16 horas de contato das sementes de milho com F. graminearum e F. verticillioides foi suficiente para a ocorrência de infecção. F. graminearum e F. verticillioides não interferiram na germinação de sementes de milho, contudo, F. graminearum reduziu o desempenho dos lotes de sementes.
Farelo de biscoito na alimentação de porcas em lactação
Authors: Corassa Anderson , Prezotto Rozangela Teresinha , Komiyama Cláudia Marie , Moreira Paulo Sérgio Andrade , Araújo Cláudio Vieira de
Published: April 2014

O farelo de biscoito é uma das alternativas que podem ser utilizadas na substituição parcial ou total de ingredientes convencionais, entretanto, é necessário avaliar o impacto de sua inclusão. Assim, foi conduzido um experimento, com o objetivo de avaliar a inclusão de farelo de biscoito em dietas de porcas em lactação. Foram utilizadas 16 porcas em lactação, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos, sendo cada porca considerada uma unidade experimental. Os tratamentos foram compostos por inclusões de 0%, 10%, 20% e 30% de farelo de biscoito, composto por 50% de biscoito do tipo cream cracker e água e sal e 50% do tipo amanteigado, achocolatado e afins. A massa, perda de massa e variação de massa das porcas, ao final da lactação, não diferiram, estatisticamente, entre os diferentes níveis de inclusão do farelo de biscoito. Os tratamentos não alteraram o consumo de ração, produção de leite, espessura de toucinho das porcas e desempenho da leitegada. A análise econômica evidenciou melhores valores para as dietas contendo 20% e 30% de farelo de biscoito. Concluiu-se que a inclusão de farelo de biscoito foi viável até 30%, em dietas para porcas em lactação, não afetando o desempenho da porca e da leitegada.
Abordagem multivariada para endogamia e valor fenotípico utilizando diferentes estratégias de cruzamento
Authors: Jangarelli Marcelo
Published: April 2014

A simulação tem contribuído para o avanço do melhoramento genético. Este estudo objetivou avaliar o acasalamento seletivo, utilizando a distribuição dos extremos para maximizar o incremento fenotípico e retardar o acréscimo da endogamia, por meio de abordagem multivariada. Dados simulados foram utilizados para avaliar estratégias de acasalamento, em diferentes tamanhos de família, no decorrer de 20 gerações. A análise de agrupamento possibilitou diferenciar o acasalamento seletivo das demais estratégias, em cada tamanho de família. Combinando-se estratégia de acasalamento e tamanho de família, a análise de agrupamento assinalou superioridade do acasalamento seletivo, na capacidade de otimizar o valor fenotípico e retardar o incremento da endogamia. Os métodos de agrupamento apresentaram equivalência na formação de grupos com estratégias homogêneas, para as estimativas dos valores fenotípicos médios e endogamia média. A análise multivariada corroborou incrementos fenotípicos superiores, para o acasalamento seletivo, bem como menores níveis endogâmicos, ao longo das gerações.
Shrinkage testing of end-restrained shotcrete on granite slabs
Authors: Bryne Lars Elof , Ansell Anders , Holmgren Jonas
Published: April 2014

This study investigated the shrinkage of shotcrete (sprayed concrete), especially the case of shotcrete sprayed on drains – a part of tunnel lining not continuously bonded to the rock. A newly developed method for testing the shrinkage of end-restrained shotcrete slabs is presented and evaluated. The test setup, which is designed to capture in situ behaviour, consists of shotcrete sprayed on an instrumented granite slab partly covered with a plastic sheet. The primary goal was to practically use and evaluate the test method with shotcreted test samples. Results from restrained shrinkage tests are presented along with results for free shrinkage. It is shown that the method realistically captures the behaviour of shotcrete drains on hard rock in situ. In addition, the corresponding compressive strength and flexural crack strength as functions of shotcrete age are also reported. The test method can be used for an evaluation of different solutions for avoiding shrinkage cracks in shotcreted soft drains, or in shotcrete that is fully bonded to a rock surface, with respect to preventing cracking or distributing the shrinkage strain into several fine cracks instead of one wide crack.
The application of occupancy modeling to evaluate intraguild predation in a model carnivore system
Authors: Robinson Quinn H. , Bustos David , Roemer Gary W.
Published: April 2014

Intraguild predation (IGP) is an extreme form of competition that involves a dominant predator (IG predator), a subordinate predator that is also a superior exploitative competitor (IG prey), and their shared prey. Theory predicts three possible equilibria, which parallel increasing resource enrichment: exclusion of the IG predator, stable coexistence, and exclusion of the IG prey. Here, we report on the existence of two concurrent states in a model carnivore system dominated by IGP. Using species occurrence data obtained from randomly distributed remote cameras, we modeled the probabilities of detection and occupancy of the kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) and its IG predator, the coyote (Canis latrans), at White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, USA, using a recently developed conditional two‐species occupancy model. Kit foxes persisted in habitats of low resource abundance, which could not support coyotes. Coexistence occurred in adjacent habitats of higher resource enrichment, with coyote occupancy strongly correlated with small mammal abundance. The odds of a coyote being present vs. absent in prey‐rich habitats was 332:1 (± 0.006; SE) whereas the odds of a coyote being present vs. absent in prey‐poor habitats was 1:4 (± 0.11); thus, coyotes were much more likely to be present in prey‐rich habitats. Kit foxes were more frequently photographed in prey‐poor habitats avoided by coyotes. The odds of kit foxes being present vs. absent at a site where coyotes were absent was 7.9:1 (± 0.082), which was greater than the odds of kit foxes being present vs. absent at a site where coyotes were present (2.2:1 ± 0.081). These findings indicate that kit foxes avoid coyotes, but that their adaptations to arid conditions enable them to exploit habitats unsuitable for coyotes. Consequently, the primary driver of this spatial separation is the inability of coyotes to use prey‐poor habitats, rather than kit fox avoidance of coyotes. Our results reveal the existence of concurrent IGP states within the same ecological community, which is consistent with theoretical predictions, and highlight the power of the conditional two‐species occupancy model to illuminate how the abundance of shared prey shapes the competitive dynamic in ecological systems dominated by IGP.
Animal regeneration and microbial retention of nitrogen along coastal rocky shores
Authors: Pfister Catherine A. , Altabet Mark A. , Post David
Published: April 2014

Animal contributions to ecosystem productivity via nutrient regeneration are increasingly recognized as significant for ecosystem productivity. The paradigm in coastal upwelling systems, in contrast, remains centered around the idea that nutrient supply is extrinsic and sourced from deep water. Here we tested for both animal contributions to nitrogen regeneration and microbial retention of nitrogen along a gradient of animal abundance in Washington State, USA. Using inferences from the concentration and isotopic composition of nitrogen forms, as well as the stable nitrogen isotopic composition of particulate organic matter, and plant and animal tissue, we found increased ammonium as well as greater stable nitrogen isotope values in these organisms in areas of increased animal abundance. We further tested the effect of the nearshore biota by comparing it with an immediately adjacent offshore area, and found an enriched δ15N value for nitrate and particulate organic matter. Further, an analysis of the dual isotopes of δ15N and the δ18O of nitrate indicated increasing microbial processing in the nearshore. Isoscapes, or the spatial pattern of stable isotopes, revealed that animal and microbial processing of nitrogen leave a consistent signature and are thus a previously overlooked and essential component of nearshore productivity.
Biodiversity declines due to abandonment and intensification of agricultural lands: patterns and mechanisms
Authors: Uchida Kei , Ushimaru Atushi
Published: April 2014

Declines in plants and herbivorous insects due to land use abandonment and intensification have been studied in agricultural areas worldwide. We tested four hypotheses, which were complementary rather than mutually exclusive, to understand the mechanisms driving biodiversity declines due to abandonment and intensification. These predict that biodiversity decline is caused by a decline in resource diversity, changes in disturbance regime, surrounding landscape conversion, and a decrease in biomass production. We compared plant richness and butterfly and orthopteran richness and diversity among three land use types in seminatural grasslands: abandoned, traditional, and intensified terraces. Then, we examined effects of changes in resource (plant) richness, frequency of disturbance (mowing), and surrounding landscapes on butterfly and orthopteran diversity to understand the mechanisms driving decline after land abandonment and intensification. Plant and herbivore richness and diversity were significantly lower in abandoned and intensified grasslands than in traditional grasslands. This trend was consistent throughout the seasons in both years of the study. Changes in mowing frequency and surrounding landscape explained plant richness declines as a consequence of land abandonment and intensification. Declines in herbivorous insects were explained by plant richness declines and changes in mowing frequency, but not by landscape changes. Plant and herbivore richness were maximized at an intermediate mowing frequency (approximately twice per year), which is typical practice on traditional terraces. This is the first report demonstrating that the intermediate disturbance hypothesis explained well the biodiversity declines in agricultural ecosystems. The richness and diversity responses of herbivore functional groups to plant richness, mowing frequency, and surrounding landscapes were generally inconsistent with predictions. We found significant trends in which butterfly and orthopteran species with low abundance in traditional terraces were lost in abandoned and/or intensive terraces. This may suggest that the number of individuals of most herbivorous species decreased randomly with respect to life‐history traits following a decline in plant richness after changes in disturbance frequency. This study demonstrates that declines in herbivorous insects can be explained by multiple factors, and provides a unified explanation for biodiversity declines in both abandoned and intensified use of agricultural lands, which have often been studied separately.
Effective Stress in Unsaturated Soil: Accounting for Surface Tension and Interfacial Area
Authors: Likos William J.
Published: April 2014

A pore‐scale model for water retention and the specific air–water interfacial area is developed to quantitatively assess the contribution of interfacial forces to effective stress in coarse‐grained unsaturated soils. The simulated air–water interfacial area for several sand‐sized materials shows non‐monotonic behavior as a function of saturation, with the peak interface area between 10 and 25% saturation. Comparisons are made between suction stress characteristic curves calculated with and without accounting for interfacial forces calculated using surface tension and the simulated interfacial area. The contribution of interfacial forces to effective stress is most significant at low saturation (S< ~0.2) and for wetting processes because the air–water interface area is largest. The percent difference between suction stress for drying processes calculated with and without accounting for interfacial forces is zero at 100% saturation, negligible for saturation greater than ~70%, increases to ~10% at 50% saturation, and reaches a maximum of ~50% at 10% saturation. During wetting, the difference increases to as much as 140% at 10% saturation. While these differences can be appreciable for some geotechnical problems, the practical implications of neglecting interfacial forces in effective stress formulations for the mechanical behavior of unsaturated soil depend on the range of saturation, suction stress, and normal stress encountered in typical field environments.
Effective Stress for Saturated and Unsaturated Porous Media– A Differential Approach
Authors: Schreyer-Bennethum Lynn
Published: April 2014

Here we theoretically derive the Terzaghi stress principle for saturated and partially saturated isotropic, porous media with compressible phases. We use previously derived thermodynamic definitions of the drained and unjacketed compressibilities and total differentials to theoretically determine how the total pressure relates to isotropic strain and changes in fluid pressures. We show that under simplifying assumptions we recover the varying forms of the Biot coefficient for saturated porous media and the Bishop parameter for partially saturated porous media. We compare this approach with four modern constructions: the mixture theoretic approaches of Coussy and Borja, Wang's differential approach, and the thermodynamically constrained averaging theory approach of Gray and Schrefler. In doing so we theoretically clarify the often confused definitions of the solid compressibility coefficient, the unjacketed and drained compressibilities, and the generalized Terzaghi stress principle in differential form.
The Differential Effects of Interactive versus Didactic Pedagogy Using Computer-Assisted Instruction
Authors: Thomas Tieja , Alexander Kristopher , Jackson Renee , Abrami Philip C.
Published: April 2014

This article reports on the results of a representative sample meta-analysis that explored the effects of interactive versus didactic pedagogy using computer-assisted instruction on measures of academic achievement. A systematic literature search revealed 40 studies, from which 55 effect sizes were extracted. The random effects model of analysis of these effect sizes revealed that the overall positive mean effect size of 0.175 was significantly different from zero; indicating that, on average, students receiving computer-assisted instruction within interactive learning settings outperformed students receiving computer-assisted instruction within didactic learning settings on measures of academic achievement. The mixed effect analysis of moderator variables revealed statistical significance for the “education level” (i.e., elementary, secondary, higher education), “nature of technology” (i.e., interactive, presentation), and “technology saturation” (i.e., 100%, 50–99%, less than 50%) variables. The theoretical and practical implications of these results, as well as future research recommendations are discussed.
Paper-and-Pencil Programming Strategy toward Computational Thinking for Non-Majors: Design Your Solution
Authors: Kim Byeongsu , Kim Taehun , Kim Jonghoon
Published: April 2014

The paper-and-pencil programming strategy (PPS) is a way of representing an idea logically by any representation that can be created using paper and pencil. It was developed for non-computer majors to improve their understanding and use of computational thinking and increase interest in learning computer science. A total of 110 non-majors in their sophomore year were assigned to either a Logo or a PPS course with attendance being 2 hours per week for 15 weeks. To measure the effectiveness of PPS, the Group Assessment of Logical Thinking and a self-assessment survey pre- and post-test were used. Findings indicated that PPS not only improved students' overall logical thinking as much as did Logo programming learning, but also increased scores on one more subscale of logical thinking than did the Logo course. In addition, PPS significantly helped students understand the concept of computational thinking and increased their interest in learning computer science.
Exploring Preschool Teachers' Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Educational Games
Authors: Hsu Chung-Yuan , Liang Jyh-Chong , Chai Ching-Sing , Tsai Chin-Chung
Published: April 2014

Current technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) studies are inclined to treat technology in a general manner, an approach which may not be able to provide adequate guidelines to improve teacher preparation and professional development when teaching with games. This study developed two new questionnaires, namely the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge—Games (TPACK-G) survey to investigate 352 preschool teachers' confidence in their TPACK-G, and the Acceptance of Digital Game-Based Learning (ADGBL) survey to assess their acceptance of game-based learning. The results show that both instruments exhibit satisfactory validity and reliability. Through a path analysis, the framework of the TPACK-G proposed in this study was supported. In addition, preschool teachers' experience with games and their attitudes toward game-based learning contributed positively to their reported game knowledge. Perceived learning opportunities and attitudes toward game-based learning had direct relations with game pedagogical knowledge. Lastly, experience with games contributed to game pedagogical content knowledge.
An Investigation of Perceptional Differences between Eastern and Western Adolescents in Online Social Communication
Authors: Zheng Robert
Published: April 2014

The current study focused on an important issue pertaining to online social communication by investigating perceptional differences between eastern and western adolescents. A total of 309 participants were recruited from three countries: China, Singapore, and the United States. Significant differences were found between eastern and western adolescents in terms of their perceptions in online social networking and communication. The study has generated important findings that help understand the dynamics of online social communication for adolescents, especially for online social communication that involves global communities.
Pay-for-Performance: Toxic to Quality? Insights from Behavioral Economics
Authors: Himmelstein David U. , Ariely Dan , Woolhandler Steffie
Published: April 2014

Pay-for-performance programs aim to upgrade health care quality by tailoring financial incentives for desirable behaviors. While Medicare and many private insurers are charging ahead with pay-for-performance, researchers have been unable to show that it benefits patients. Findings from the new field of behavioral economics challenge the traditional economic view that monetary reward either is the only motivator or is simply additive to intrinsic motivators such as purpose or altruism. Studies have shown that monetary rewards can undermine motivation and worsen performance on cognitively complex and intrinsically rewarding work, suggesting that pay-for-performance may backfire.
The Widening U.S. Health Care Crisis Three Years after the Passage of ‘Obamacare’
Authors: Rao Birju , Hellander Ida
Published: April 2014

This report presents information on the state of the U.S. health system in 2012 and early 2013, specifically the period prior to the implementation of the individual mandate and full rollout of the Affordable Care Act's online health exchanges. The authors include data on the uninsured and underinsured and their access to health care, on socioeconomic inequality in health care, the rising costs of the U.S. health system, and the role of corporate money in health care, with special reference to the pharmaceutical industry. They also provide updates on Medicare health maintenance organizations, Medicaid, and a prelude to the complete implementation of the Affordable Care Act. In addition, the authors include some results from public opinion polls on health systems and international system comparisons. The article concludes with an assessment of the rapid consolidation in the delivery of health care being driven by the Affordable Care Act.
Is the Swiss Health Care System a Model for the United States?
Authors: Chaufan Claudia
Published: April 2014

Both supporters and critics of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) have argued that it is similar to Switzerland's Federal Law on Health Insurance (LAMal), which currently governs Swiss health care, and have either praised or condemned the ACA on the basis of this alleged similarity. I challenge these observers on the grounds that they overlook critical problems with the Swiss model, such as its inequities in access, and critical differences between it and the ACA, such as the roots in, and continuing commitment to, social insurance of the Swiss model. Indeed, the daunting challenge of attempting to impose the tightly regulated model of operation of the Swiss model on mega-corporations like UnitedHealth, WellPoint, or Aetna is likely to trigger no less ferocious resistance than a fully public, single-payer system would. I also conclude that the ACA might unravel in ways unintended or even opposed by its designers and supporters, as employers, confronted with ever-rising costs, retreat from sponsoring insurance, and workers react in outrage as they confront the unaffordable underinsurance mandated by the ACA. A new political and ideological landscape may then ensue that finally ushers in a truly national health program.
The Fallacies in Arguing That Current High Unemployment in Spain (27%) is a Consequence of Supposed Labor Market Rigidities
Authors: Navarro Vicente
Published: April 2014

This article refutes the argument that high unemployment in Spain is due to labor market rigidities, questioning the premises on which this theory is based. It then goes on to explain how those advancing this argument are the very same forces responsible for the macroeconomic decisions that are currently causing unemployment.
To Live and Die in America: Labor in the Time of Cholera and Cancer
Authors: Chernomas Robert , Hudson Ian
Published: April 2014

A popular explanation of the epidemiological transition is that the germs that caused infectious disease mortality were defeated by the “magic bullets” of mainstream medicine over the course of the 20th century, permitting the population to get old enough to get the chronic diseases of heart disease and cancer. This explanation is false. The most important causes of infectious disease were the political and economic structures that favored capital at the expense of labor so blatantly that it left a large portion of the working population virtually at death's door. This was remedied only when resistance by labor created a more livable workday, child labor laws, and a higher wage, resulting in improvements in nutrition and housing. Chronic disease increased as firms transformed the production process by introducing more mechanized and chemically intensive production processes. This has transformed our food, water, air, and work processes in unprecedented ways and created a historically unique chronic disease pattern.
All Part of the Job? The Contribution of the Psychosocial and Physical Work Environment to Health Inequalities in Europe and the European Health Divide
Authors: Toch Marlen , Bambra Clare , Lunau Thorsten , van der Wel Kjetil A. , Witvliet Margot I. , Dragano Nico , Eikemo Terje A.
Published: April 2014

This study is the first to examine the contribution of both psychosocial and physical risk factors to occupational inequalities in self-assessed health in Europe. Data from 27 countries were obtained from the 2010 European Working Conditions Survey for men and women aged 16 to 60 (n = 21,803). Multilevel logistic regression analyses (random intercept) were applied, estimating odds ratios of reporting less than good health. Analyses indicate that physical working conditions account for a substantial proportion of occupational inequalities in health in both Central/Eastern and Western Europe. Physical, rather than psychosocial, working conditions seem to have the largest effect on self-assessed health in manual classes. For example, controlling for physical working conditions reduced the inequalities in the prevalence of “less than good health” between the lowest (semi- and unskilled manual workers) and highest (higher controllers) occupational groups in Europe by almost 50 percent (Odds Ratio 1.87, 95% Confidence Interval 1.62–2.16 to 1.42, 1.23–1.65). Physical working conditions contribute substantially to health inequalities across “post-industrial” Europe, with women in manual occupations being particularly vulnerable, especially those living in Central/Eastern Europe. An increased political and academic focus on physical working conditions is needed to explain and potentially reduce occupational inequalities in health.
Management Commitments and Primary Care: Another Lesson from Costa Rica for the World?
Authors: Soors Werner , De Paepe Pierre , Unger Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2014

Maintained dedication to primary care has fostered a public health delivery system with exceptional outcomes in Costa Rica. For more than a decade, management commitments have been part of Costa Rican health reform. We assessed the effect of the Costa Rican management commitments on access and quality of care and on compliance with their intended objectives. We constructed seven hypotheses on opinions of primary care providers. Through a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach, we tested these hypotheses and interpreted the research findings. Management commitments consume an excessive proportion of consultation time, inflate record-keeping, reduce comprehensiveness in primary care consultations, and induce a disproportionate consumption of hospital emergency services. Their formulation relies on norms in need of optimization, their control on unreliable sources. They also affect professionalism. In Costa Rica, management commitments negatively affect access and quality of care and pose a threat to the public service delivery system. The failures of this pay-for-performance-like initiative in an otherwise well-performing health system cast doubts on the appropriateness of pay-for-performance for health systems strengthening in less advanced environments.
Community-Oriented Primary Care (COPC) in Barcelona, Spain: An Urban Copc Experience
Authors: Gervits Maria , Anderson Matthew
Published: April 2014

Community-oriented primary care (COPC) integrates comprehensive primary care with community health. Although it has had limited application in the United States, this model has been widely promoted among urban family physicians in Barcelona, Spain. This article describes the current status of COPC in four community clinics in Barcelona. Data were derived from a site visit that included direct observation and interviews with professionals involved in community health. The interviews explored how COPC has been implemented in each of the four primary care centers. We found that the degree to which COPC is practiced is quite varied and that it often coexists with other community health programs. A number of obstacles, including lack of support and funding from the government and lack of motivation and participation among health professionals, make practicing COPC in Barcelona a challenge. Despite these obstacles, COPC is flourishing in Barcelona. This experience may offer guidance for COPC implementation in the United States and other countries.
Emotional Reactions to Pain Predict Psychological Distress in Adult Patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)
Authors: Edwards Christopher L. , Killough Alvin , Wood Mary , Doyle Todd , Feliu Miriam , Barker Camela S. , Uppal Priyanka , DeCastro Laura , Wellington Chanté , Whitfield Keith E. , O'Garo Keisha-Gaye N. , Morgan Kai , Alesii Lekisha Y. Edwards , Byrd Goldie S. , McCabe Melanie , Goli Veeraindar , Keys Abigail , Hill Labarron , Collins-McNeil Janice , Trambadia Jay , Guinyard Dariene , Muhammad Malik , McDonald Patricia , Schmechel Donald E. , Robinson Elwood
Published: April 2014

Differentiating somatic from emotional influences on the experience of chronic pain has been of interest to clinicians and researchers for many years. Although prior research has not well specified these pathways at the anatomical level, some evidence, both theoretical and empirical, suggest that emotional reactions influence the experience of disease and non-disease-related pains. Other studies suggest that treatments directed at negative emotional responses reduce suffering associated with pain. The current study was conducted to explore the influence of emotional reactions to pain as a predictor of psychological distress in a sample of adult Blacks with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Using cross-sectional survey data, we evaluated whether negative emotional reactions to the experience of pain were predictive of psychological distress after controlling for the somatic dimension of pain and age in n = 67 Black patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Results showed that greater negative emotion associated with pain predicted Somatization ( p < .01), Anxiety ( p < .05), Phobic Anxiety ( p < .05), and Psychoticism ( p < .05). Increased negative emotion associated with pain was also predictive of the General Symptoms Index ( p < .05) and the Positive Symptoms Total from the SCL-90-R ( p < .01). We believe the current study demonstrates that negative emotional reactions to the experience of pain in adults with SCD are predictive of psychological distress above and beyond the influences of age and the direct nociceptive experience. We also believe these data to be valuable in conceptualizing the allocation of treatment resources toward a proactive approach with early identification of patients who are responding poorly for the purpose of potentially reducing later psychopathology. A deeper understanding of the ways that subpopulations cope with chronic disease-related pain may produce models that can be ultimately generalized to the consumers of the majority of healthcare resources.
Self-Esteem and Psychiatric Features of Turkish Adolescents with Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures: A Comparative Study with Epilepsy and Healthy Control Groups
Authors: Say Gökçe N. , Tasdemir Haydar A. , Akbas Seher , Yüce Murat , Karabekiroglu Koray
Published: April 2014

Objective:

Children and adolescents with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) and epilepsy are known to have psychosocial problems. The aim of the present study was to compare the psychosocial difficulties, history of stressful life events/abuse, psychiatric diagnosis, and self-esteem of adolescents with PNES to the ones with epilepsy and healthy controls at a tertiary care center in Turkey.

Method:

Thirty-four adolescents with PNES diagnosed by video-EEG were compared with 23 adolescents that have epilepsy and 35 healthy volunteers. Comorbid psychiatric diagnoses of participants were examined by semi-structured interviews using Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children—Present and Lifetime Version (KSADS-PL). Self-esteem of adolescents was evaluated by Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale (RSES).

Results:

No differences in sociodemographic features were observed between the groups. The PNES group showed significantly higher rates of parental conflicts, difficulties in relationship with siblings/peers, school under-achievement, and history of stressful events/abuse. The rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders were 64.7% in PNES and 47.8% in epilepsy group. The most common disorders in both groups were attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depressive disorder. The rate of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was significantly increased in the PNES group. Additionally, adolescents with PNES displayed significantly lower levels of self-esteem than the other groups.

Conclusion:

It could be concluded that both disorders involved a high risk for developing psychiatric disorders; additionally, adolescents with PNES have higher rates of stressors and lower levels of self-esteem. Findings from this investigation point to the importance of psychiatric interventions in pediatric PNES and also epilepsy.
Relationship between Extremity Fractures and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptomatology in Adults
Authors: Kömürcü Erkam , Bi̇lgi̇ç Ayhan , Hergüner Sabri̇
Published: April 2014

Objective:

Recent studies showed that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a lifelong disorder which may be seen in adults as well as children. However, information about the relationship between ADHD and general medical conditions in adulthood is limited. This case-control study aims to determine whether ADHD symptoms are associated with extremity fractures and their clinical characteristics.

Methods:

Forty patients (25 male and 15 female; aged 18–50 years) who were seen due to extremity fractures and 40 control subjects were enrolled. Childhood and present ADHD symptoms of the participants were assessed using Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) and Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), respectively. Trauma type, reason of the trauma, fracture localization, hospitalization requirement, treatment type, and history of previous fracture(s) of the patients were recorded.

Results:

Total score and all subscale scores of WURS were higher in the fracture groups compared with controls. Patients also had higher ASRS total score and ASRS hyperactivity-impulsivity subscore than the controls did. WURS irritability, inattentiveness, and behavioral problems/impulsiveness subscore and total score were positively correlated with the history of previous fracture. The patients in whom the reason for the fracture was fighting were also showed higher WURS irritability subscore.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that extremity fractures are associated with ADHD symptoms in adults. These findings may provide an insight into better understanding the lifelong negative impact of ADHD on the physical health of its sufferer.
Coping Style as a Mediator between Attachment and Mental and Physical Health in Patients Suffering from Morbid Obesity
Authors: Aarts Floor , Hinnen Chris , Gerdes Victor E. A. , Acherman Yair , Brandjes Dees P. M.
Published: April 2014

Objective:

The presence of mental health problems and limitations in physical functioning is high in patients suffering from morbid obesity. The purpose of the current study was to examine the mediating role of coping style in the relationship between attachment representations and mental health and physical functioning in a morbidly obese population.

Method:

A total of 299 morbidly obese patients who were referred to the Slotervaart bariatric surgery unit in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, completed self-report questionnaires assessing adult attachment style (Experiences in Close Relationship—Revised Questionnaire), coping style (Utrecht Coping List), and patients physical functioning and mental health (Short Form-36).

Results:

Attachment anxiety (β = –.490, p < .001) and attachment avoidance (β = –.387, p < .001) were both found to be related to mental health. In addition, attachment anxiety was also found to be related to physical functioning (β = –.188, p < .001). Coping style partly mediated these associations.

Conclusions:

Findings suggest that coping mediates the association between attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance on the one hand and mental health and physical functioning in patients with morbid obesity on the other hand.
Viral gastrointestinal syndrome in our environment
Authors: Patic A. , Milosevic V. , Hrnjakovic-Cvjetkovic I. , Petrovic V. , Seguljev Z. , Stefan-Mikic S. , Kovacevic G. , Radovanov J. , Elez I. , Jovanovic-Galovic A. , Djilas M.
Published: April 2014

Viral gastrointestinal syndrome is a cause of morbidity and death worldwide.
Infection is spread through contact with an infected person, as well as
through contaminated food and water. A lethal outcome is possible in infants
and young children due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. The study
included 141 patients with gastroenteritis from Vojvodina. Real-Time PCR
method in stool samples was used to determine the presence of rota-, noro-,
and astrovirus nucleic acid. Out of 141 patients with gastroenteritis, 60.3%
were confirmed to have one of the three viruses. Rotavirus was significantly
more common in children up to 3 years of age (43.3%). Norovirus was more
frequently detected in patients older than 20 (50%). These infections started
in collectives. Astrovirus was detected in four patients (2.8%). The results
confirm the necessity to implement PCR in routine diagnostics for the proper
treatment of patients.
Significance of molecular diagnostics in human papilloma virus (HPV) determination
Authors: Kovacevic G. , Milosevic V. , Hrnjakovic-Cvjetkovic I. , Petrovic V. , Stefan-Mikic S. , Radovanov J. , Jovanovic-Galovic A. , Patic A. , Elez I.
Published: April 2014

HPV infection is considered to be the most important etiologic factor in
cervical cancer development. In this retrospective study, which included the
period from 2000 to 2012, the results of two molecular techniques used in
the detection of HPV infection among women of the South Backa District were
analyzed. By using the technique of in situ hybridization and the rPCR
method, the proportion of high-risk HPV among women with normal cytology was
determined to be 19.8% and 32.7%, respectively, and among women with
abnormal cytology 43.1% and 61%, respectively. Among the analyzed women, HPV
type 16 was the most prevalent, followed by HPV types 31, 51 and 18.
Application of molecular HPV diagnosis is valuable because it increases the
sensitivity of the screening test, so that the application of both tests to
detect cervical cancer is a true prevention of malignancy.
Non-susceptibility trends among methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from blood cultures
Authors: Povazan Anika , Vukelic Anka , Kurucin Tatjana , Hadnadjev Mirjana , Milosevic Vesna , Gusman Vera
Published: April 2014

Coagulase-negative staphylococci are a significant cause of hospital-acquired
bacteremias. There is an increase of infections induced by
methicillin-resistant strains, with growing resistance to other antibiotics.
The aim of the study was to analyze the resistance of methicillin-resistant
coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from hemocultures in a five-year
period. The study was carried out in the microbiology laboratory of the
Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, from 2008 to 2013.
Coagulase-negative staphylococci were isolated from 196 hemocultures.
Susceptibility tests were performed using the disc diffusion method. Of 196
coagulase-negative staphylococci, 122 (62.2%) were resistant to methicillin,
of which 112 (91.8%), 105 (86.1%), 103 (84.4%), 88 (72.1%) were resistant to
erythromycin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin and clindamycin, respectively. All
strains were susceptible to vancomycin and linezolid. Multiple resistance was
registered in 100 (82%) strains. The most common resistance pattern was
gentamicin-erythromycin-clindamycinciprofloxacin. Multiple resistance was
established in a significant percentage of methicillin-resistant strains.
Phenotypes and genotypes of macrolide-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in Serbia
Authors: Hadnadjev Mirjana , Gajic Ina , Mijac Vera , Kurucin Tatjana , Povazan Anika , Vulin Aleksandra , Opavski Natasa
Published: April 2014

Although macrolides are widely used for treating pneumococcal infections, an
increase in macrolide resistance might compromise their use. The objective of
this study was to determine the prevalence of macrolide-resistant phenotypes
and genotypes in macrolide-resistant S. pneumoniae isolates in Serbia. A
total of 228 macrolide-resistant strains isolated during the period of
2009-2012, were analyzed. Macrolide resistance phenotypes were determined by
a double disk diffusion test. The presence of macrolide resistance genes was
detected by PCR. Antibiotics susceptibilities were tested using the VITEK2
system and E test. Among the examined isolates, the MLSB phenotype which is
linked to the presence of the erm(B) gene dominated (83.3%), while the mef(A)
gene which is associated with the M phenotype, was identified in 16.7%
isolates. Over 40% of isolates expressed co-resistance to penicillin. A
multiple-resistant pattern was found in 36.4% strains, more frequently in
children. However, all strains were susceptible to telithromycin, vancomycin,
linezolid, fluoroquinolones and rifampicin.
Copper tolerance of Trichoderma species
Authors: Jovicic-Petrovic Jelena , Danilovic Gordana , Curcic Natasa , Milinkovic Mira , Stosic Natasa , Pankovic Dejana , Raicevic Vera
Published: April 2014

Some Trichoderma strains can persist in ecosystems with high concentrations
of heavy metals. The aim of this research was to examine the variability of
Trichoderma strains isolated from different ecosystems, based on their
morphological properties and restriction analysis of ITS fragments. The
fungal growth was tested on potato dextrose agar, amended with Cu(II)
concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 10 mmol/l, in order to identify
copper-resistant strains. The results indicate that some isolated strains of
Trichoderma sp. show tolerance to higher copper concentrations. Further
research to examine the ability of copper bioaccumulation by tolerant
Trichoderma strains is needed.
Nasal morphological characteristics of the Serbian population
Authors: Jovanovic J. , Jeremic D. , Jovanovic B. , Vulovic Maja , Sazdanovic P. , Sazdanovic Maja , Ognjanovic Neda , Stojadinovic D. , Jeremic Katarina , Markovic N. , Zivanovic-Macuzic Ivana
Published: April 2014

The aim of this study was to determine the nasal parameters in the population
of central Serbia and to compare them with those determined in earlier
studies in different populations. The research was conducted on 496 randomly
selected persons (262 males and 234 females), aged 18-65 years. The measured
parameters were nasal height and nasal breadth and the standard spreading
caliper with scale was used for measurements. There were significant
differences in the nasal parameters between male and female subjects. The
nasal breadth was 34.72 mm in females, and in the male population it was 36.7
mm. The mean values of nasal height were 52.6 mm and 54.32 mm in females and
males, respectively. The nasal index in females and males was 66.01 and
67.56, respectively, and the mean value of the nasal index of all respondents
was 66.78. After conducting the research it was concluded that the dominant
nasal type in the population of the central part of Serbia is leptorrhine.
The present study showed the existence of sexual dimorphism in nasal
morphology. The data obtained in our study may be useful in anthropological
and forensic research, as well as in cosmetic planning and reconstructive
surgery.
Important bioindicators for health management in Romania
Authors: Barliba I. , Tita S.
Published: April 2014

Performance measurement is a coherent, robust, integrated, purposeful,
comprehensive, efficient and transparent system. The evaluation of healthcare
performance in Romania is based on four categories of bioindicators: human
resources, use of services, economic and financial aspects, as well as
quality. In this work, we were mainly interested in analyzing and describing
these parameters. In order to illustrate the applicability of the hospital
performance indicators, we considered the results obtained for these indices
from the managers of three hospitals of the same level from Romania, the
?Fili?anilor? Hospital from Filia?i, the Rovinari City Hospital and the
?egarcea City Hospital, and herein present them.
A school garden in biotechnical education
Authors: Pogacnik M. , Znidarcic D. , Strgar Jelka
Published: April 2014

This study was conducted on a sample of 360 students of biotechnical
education aged 15 to 18 with the aim of testing the effectiveness of
experiential instruction in a school garden in comparison with traditional
instruction in a classroom. The results show that experiential instruction
yielded significantly better achievement scores than traditional teaching.
The experiential instruction group scored higher in both cognitive domains
included in the test, i.e. knowing and applying. Students? knowledge in a
post-test was influenced by gender, grade and the educational program that
students were enrolled in.
Significance of survivin immunoreactivity and morphometric analysis of HPV-induced cervical dysplasia
Authors: Vukomanovic-Djurdjevic Biserka , Basta-Jovanovic Gordana , Baletic N. , Berisavac Milica , Nenadic D. , Peric A.
Published: April 2014

Genomic integration of high-risk human papilloma virus in the nucleus of
cervical epithelial mucosal cells leads to epithelial dysplasia. The aim of
this study was to determine the relevance of correlation between epithelial
survivin expression and the degree of human papilloma virus (HPV)-induced
cervical epithelial dysplasia, and to establish the significance of
morphometric analysis of the nuclear area in the assessment of the degree of
cervical dysplasia. This retrospective study included 99 women with primary,
previously untreated lesions, and colposcopic findings indicating dysplasia,
in whom a cytological test by Papanicolaou method was interpreted according
to the Bethesda criteria as lowgrade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL),
high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), and atypical squamous
cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS). We performed human papilloma
virus (HPV) typing by PCR for evidence of viruse types 16, 18, 31, 33. After
biopsy of the cervical mucosa, we performed hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) and
Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) staining, and immunohistochemical and morphometric
analysis of tissue samples. The control group consisted of 12 women without
dysplasia and without a verified infection of cervical high-risk HPV. A high
statistical correlation between the degree of dysplasia and expression of
survivin was found in patients with different types of cervical dysplasia (p
= 0.003). We observed a high statistical difference between the area of
nuclei at different degrees of cervical dysplasias (p = 0.000). The
high-grade cervical dysplasia had a more than 2-fold higher level of ranking
in comparison to low-grade dysplasia, and a more than 10-fold higher ranking
than the control group without cervical dysplasia.