bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Sternal Closure Using Kryptonite Bone Adhesive
Authors: Fedak Paul W. M. , Kasatkin Aleksey
Published: July 2011

A novel approach to enhance the mechanical stability of primary sternal closure is described. An osteoconductive bone adhesive is used to augment conventional wire cerclage. More than 30 patients have undergone primary sternal closure using Kryptonite bone adhesive. All patients recovered well with no adverse side effects or adhesive-associated complications. Adhesive-enhanced sternal closure may accelerate functional recovery after sternotomy, improve early outcomes and prevent major sternal complications such as deep sternal wound infection and dehiscence. The technique is simple, safe, and expedient.
‘Just Add Facilitators and Stir’: Stimulating Policy Uptake in Schools
Authors: Abbott Rebecca , Macdonald Doune , Hay Peter , McCuaig Louise
Published: July 2011

This article presents the evaluation findings of an education policy initiative that involved the employment of facilitators to broker the policy and its implementation. An Australian state’s education authority piloted the employment of physical activity facilitators to expedite the implementation of ‘Smart Moves’ in schools, a policy mandating daily physical activity for all state school students from pre-school to Year 10. The evaluation data was collected through facilitator diaries, semi-structured interviews, reflective writing, network mapping, and a school survey. The introduction of physical activity facilitators to accelerate the uptake of a health promotion policy in schools was highly instructive in terms of the conditions of policy uptake in schools. These facilitators were able to intervene in the value-laden, mandated state activity and shift the discourses to those that were palatable for schools and teachers. Significantly, in Bernsteinian terms, they were bridging the official and pedagogic recontextualizing fields thus acting as contributors to the recontextualization of official policy knowledge despite some school resistance.
Cost-analysis of XELOX and FOLFOX4 for treatment of colorectal cancer to assist decision-making on reimbursement
Authors: Tse Vicki C , Ng Wai Tong , Lee Victor , Lee Anne WM , Chua Daniel TT , Chau June , McGhee Sarah M
Published: July 2011

Background

XELOX (capecitabine + oxaliplatin) and FOLFOX 4 (5-FU + folinic acid + oxaliplatin) have shown similar improvements in survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC). A US cost-minimization study found that the two regimens had similar costs from a healthcare provider perspective but XELOX had lower costs than FOLFOX4 from a societal perspective, while a Japanese cost-effectiveness study found XELOX had superior cost-effectiveness. This study compared the costs of XELOX and FOLFOX4 in patients with MCRC recently treated in two oncology departments in Hong Kong.

Methods

Cost data were collected from the medical records of 60 consecutive patients (30 received XELOX and 30 FOLFOX4) from two hospitals. Drug costs, outpatient visits, hospital days and investigations were recorded and expressed as cost per patient from the healthcare provider perspective. Estimated travel and time costs were included in a societal perspective analysis. All costs were classed as either scheduled (associated with planned chemotherapy and follow-up) or unscheduled (unplanned visits or admissions and associated tests and medicines). Costs were based on government and hospital sources and expressed in US dollars (US$).

Results

XELOX patients received an average of 7.3 chemotherapy cycles (of the 8 planned cycles) and FOLFOX4 patients received 9.2 cycles (of the 12 planned cycles). The scheduled cost per patient per cycle was $2,046 for XELOX and $2,152 for FOLFOX4, while the unscheduled cost was $240 and $421, respectively. Total treatment cost per patient was $16,609 for XELOX and $23,672 for FOLFOX4; the total cost for FOLFOX4 was 37% greater than that of XELOX. The addition of the societal costs increased the total treatment cost per patient to $17,836 for XELOX and $27,455 for FOLFOX4. Sensitivity analyses showed XELOX was still less costly than FOLFOX4 when using full drug regimen costs, incorporating data from a US model with costs and adverse event data from their clinical trial and with the removal of oxaliplatin from both treatment arms. Capecitabine would have to cost around four times its present price in Hong Kong for the total resource cost of treatment with XELOX to equal that of FOLFOX4.

Conclusion

XELOX costs less than FOLFOX4 for this patient group with MCRC from both the healthcare provider and societal perspectives.
Evaluating RNAlater® as a preservative for using near-infrared spectroscopy to predict Anopheles gambiae age and species
Authors: Sikulu Maggy , Dowell Kayla M , Hugo Leon E , Wirtz Robert A , Michel Kristin , Peiris Kamaranga HS , Moore Sarah , Killeen Gerry F , Dowell Floyd E
Published: July 2011

Background

Mosquito age and species identification is a crucial determinant of the efficacy of vector control programmes. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has previously been applied successfully to rapidly, non-destructively, and simultaneously determine the age and species of freshly anesthetized African malaria vectors from the Anopheles gambiae s.l. species complex: An. gambiae s. s. and Anopheles arabiensis. However, this has only been achieved on freshly-collected specimens and future applications will require samples to be preserved between field collections and scanning by NIRS. In this study, a sample preservation method (RNAlater
®) was evaluated for mosquito age and species identification by NIRS against scans of fresh samples.

Methods

Two strains of An. gambiae s.s. (CDC and G3) and two strains of An. arabiensis (Dongola, KGB) were reared in the laboratory while the third strain of An. arabiensis (Ifakara) was reared in a semi-field system. All mosquitoes were scanned when fresh and rescanned after preservation in RNAlater
® for several weeks. Age and species identification was determined using a cross-validation.

Results

The mean accuracy obtained for predicting the age of young (<7 days) or old (≥ 7 days) of all fresh (n = 633) and all preserved (n = 691) mosquito samples using the cross-validation technique was 83% and 90%, respectively. For species identification, accuracies were 82% for fresh against 80% for RNAlater
® preserved. For both analyses, preserving mosquitoes in RNAlater
® was associated with a highly significant reduction in the likelihood of a misclassification of mosquitoes as young or old using NIRS. Important to note is that the costs for preserving mosquito specimens with RNAlater
® ranges from 3-13 cents per insect depending on the size of the tube used and the number of specimens pooled in one tube.

Conclusion

RNAlater
® can be used to preserve mosquitoes for subsequent scanning and analysis by NIRS to determine their age and species with minimal costs and with accuracy similar to that achieved from fresh insects. Cold storage availability allows samples to be stored longer than a week after field collection. Further study to develop robust calibrations applicable to other strains from diverse ecological settings is recommended.
Giant secreting adrenal myelolipoma in a man: a case report
Authors: Brogna Alfio , Scalisi Giuseppe , Ferrara Rosario , Bucceri Anna M
Published: July 2011

Introduction

Adrenal myelolipoma is a rare, benign neoplasm that is usually asymptomatic, unilateral and nonsecreting. It develops within the adrenal gland and is composed of mature adipose tissue with elements of the hematopoietic series. We describe the case of what is, to the best of our knowledge, one of the largest secreting adrenal myelolipomas reported in the literature.

Case presentation

A 52-year-old Caucasian man of medium build who had had moderate hypertension for three years presented to our hospital. He had no other significant symptoms. His hypertension was pharmacologically treated. He came to our hospital to undergo abdominal ultrasonography during a clinical checkup. The ultrasound scan showed the presence of a voluminous hyperechoic mass interposed between the spleen and the left kidney. It was reported as a myelolipoma of the left kidney on the basis of its structural characteristics and position. Computed tomography confirmed our diagnosis. All preoperative biochemical tests were normal, with the exception of high serum cortisol, which was being overproduced by the lesion and was probably responsible for the patient's hypertension. He underwent successful surgery, and his postoperative course was uneventful. The pathologic examination of the lesion confirmed the diagnosis of adrenal myelolipoma. The patient's blood pressure returned to within the normal range.

Conclusions

The "incidental" discovery of an adrenal mass requires careful diagnostic study to plan adequate therapeutic management. Both of the primary investigations at our disposal, ultrasound and blood tests (adrenal hormones), helped in rendering the diagnosis and allowed us to move toward the most appropriate treatment, taking into account the size of the tumor and its probable hormonal production.
Cancer induction caused by radiation due to computed tomography: a critical note
Authors: Pauwels Ernest K J , Bourguignon Michel
Published: July 2011

The considerable rise of computed tomography (CT) procedures over the past few decades has urged responsible authorities and researchers to evaluate the risk of carcinogenesis in the population in relation to the radiation dose delivered to the patient. A single patient undergoing CT may receive a radiation equivalent dose that varies between about 2 mSv (head ) to about 20 mSv (CT-based coronary angiography). Whereas the latter represents a substantial dose delivered to one patient it is, however, population-wise far below the area of the so-called low doses, i.e. 50 mSv in children and 100 mSv in adults. While at effective doses above 50 mSv the risk of cancer induction increases linearly with dose, this dose-response relation has not been demonstrated at doses below 50 mSv. Below 50 mSv no convincing epidemiological evidence for cancer risk exists. Calculations on this risk are based on scientifically questionable, if not invalid, extrapolations of data from higher doses. However, the failure to demostrate that a risk of cancer exists does not mean that there is no risk. This paper summarizes the data mentioned in various articles from recent literature discussing cancer risks due to CT and puts the results of these studies in perspective of current scientific knowledge in the field of radiation protection. For this we follow the lead of the ICRP and UNSCEAR. Furthermore, we review the strategies and efforts of various national and international bodies and manufacturers of CT apparatus to lower the radiation dose to the patient.
Is azithromycin adequate treatment for asymptomatic rectal chlamydia?
Authors: Drummond F , Ryder N , Wand H , Guy R , Read P , McNulty A M , Wray L , Donovan B
Published: July 2011

Rectal chlamydia is a common sexually transmissible infection (STI) in men who have sex with men (MSM) that is predominantly asymptomatic. The recommended treatment of azithromycin 1 g as a single oral dose has not been subject to randomized trials and so its efficacy is unknown. We conducted a retrospective case-note review of all MSM diagnosed at the Sydney Sexual Health Centre with asymptomatic rectal chlamydia in 2009. We identified 116 MSM who received azithromycin; 85 (73%) attended for the recommended re-test at varying times (median 78 days, range 21–372 days). Of the men who returned, 11 (13%) had a persistently positive result; we reviewed behavioural data to classify these men as probable re-infections (6/11) or possible treatment failures (5/11), suggesting an efficacy of 94%. Until a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is conducted, patients with rectal chlamydia should be encouraged to attend for a re-test at 6–12 weeks.
Chemical composition-oriented receptor selectivity of L5, a naturally occurring atherogenic low-density lipoprotein
Authors: Ke Liang-Yin , Engler David A. , Lu Jonathan , Matsunami Risë K. , Chan Hua-Chen , Wang Guei-Jane , Yang Chao-Yuh , Chang Jan-Gowth , Chen Chu-Huang
Published: July 2011

Anion-exchange chromatography resolves human plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) into 5 subfractions, with increasing negative surface charge in the direction of L1 to L5. Unlike the harmless L1 to L4, the exclusively atherogenic L5 is rejected by the normal LDL receptor (LDLR) but endocytosed into vascular endothelial cells (ECs) through the lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1). Analysis with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and 2-dimensional electrophoresis showed that the protein framework of L1 was composed mainly of apolipoprotein (apo) B100, with an isoelectric point (pI) of 6.620. There was a progressively increased association of additional proteins, including apoE (pI 5.5), apoAI (pI 5.4), apoCIII (pI 5.1), and apo(a) (pI 5.5), from L1 to L5. Liquid chromatography data-independent parallel-fragmentation mass spectrometry (LC/MSE) was used to quantify protein distribution in all subfractions. On the basis of weight percentages, L1 contained 99 % apoB-100 and trace amounts of other proteins. In contrast, L5 contained 60 % apoB100 and substantially increased amounts of apo(a), apoE, apoAI, and apoCIII. The compositional characteristics contribute to L5’s electronegativity, rendering it unrecognizable by LDLR. LOX-1, which has a high affinity for negatively charged ligands, is known to mediate the signaling of proinflammatory cytokines. Thus, the chemical composition-oriented receptor selectivity hinders normal metabolism of L5, enhancing its atherogenicity through abnormal receptors, such as LOX-1.
Non-collinear magnetic order in nanostructures investigated by spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy
Authors: Pietzsch Oswald , Wiesendanger Roland
Published: July 2011

The successful conjunction of the ultimate spatial resolution capability of the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) with the sensitivity to the spin of the tunneling electrons has opened the door to investigations of magnetism at the nanoscale where the fundamental interactions responsible for magnetic order can be studied. Spin-polarized (SP) STM allows insight into a fascinating world with surprisingly rich magnetic phenomena. Ferromagnetic structures with magnetic domains are found at nanometer length scales, or 2D antiferromagnetically ordered monolayers (MLs) where the magnetization is reversed from one atom to the next. Such collinearly ordered states may be modified by the Dzyaloshinsky–Moriya (DM) interaction which can induce a small canting angle between neighboring atomic moments, thus giving rise to novel non-collinear spin spiral ground states. DM interaction is a result of electron scattering in a crystal environment with broken inversion symmetry. Spin spirals were observed in a variety of systems, like ultrathin Fe films, or MLs of Mn atoms on the (110) and (001) faces of a W crystal. Using a magnetically sensitive probe tip, individual Co atoms were assembled to form chains on top of a spin spiral. The magnetization orientation of each individual atom can be manipulated by repositioning it along the spin spiral.
The Factor Structure of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Population
Authors: Skilbeck Clive , Holm Kieran , Slatyer Mark , Thomas Matthew , Bell Tony
Published: July 2011

rimary Objectives:To examine the HADS structure in TBI, using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and investigate the effects of TBI severity, Gender, and Age on factor scores.Methods and Procedures:HADS data from 186 TBI patients in a population study in Tasmania were subjected to EFA. HADS data from a second sample of 185 TBI participants in the same study underwent CFA. One-month follow-up data were used, allowing inclusion of severe TBI patients while still being early post-injury. Factor loadings were used to investigate the effects of demographic and clinical variables at 2 weeks post-injury.Results:While EFA suggested 2-factor (anxiety, depression) and 3-factor (anxiety, psychomotor, depression) structures provided adequate descriptions, CFA strongly supported the 3-factor model. Using this model, significant effects of TBI severity were noted on Psychomotor and Depression scores at 2 weeks post-injury. Males reported significantly fewer symptoms on all 3 factors, as did younger participants.Conclusions:CFA indicates that a 3-factor model provides the best fit for HADS data in TBI. One factor, Psychomotor, has been relatively neglected in the literature, and the current findings suggest its assessment and rehabilitation should receive more attention.
Apathy After Traumatic Brain Injury: An Overview of the Current State of Play
Authors: Lane-Brown Amanda T. , Tate Robyn L.
Published: July 2011

Apathy is a decrease in behavioural, cognitive and emotional components of goal-directed behaviour. Clinically, it is characterised by diminished initiation, reduced concern, and decreased activity. Apathy is a common occurrence following traumatic brain injury (TBI), occurring in around 60% of people. Consequences are widespread, negatively impacting independence, social integration, rehabilitation outcome, vocational outcome, coping and caregiver burden. The current knowledge base on apathy following TBI is presented, with implications for clinical practice. This includes a review of clinical presentations, neuroanatomical and neurochemical substrates associated with apathy, and differential diagnoses. Instruments to measure apathy are presented, highlighting those with demonstrated reliability and validity for the TBI population. Current evidence for pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of treatment is described, with a model for non-pharmacological interventions provided and discussion of challenges faced by clinicians when treating the patient with apathy. In the TBI arena, greater understanding of apathy and methods of treatment is pivotal given the frequency of occurrence and widespread negative consequences.
Women at the Intersection of Turkish Politics, Religion, and Education: The Unexpected Path to Becoming a State- Sponsored Female Preacher
Authors: Hassan Mona
Published: July 2011

This article elucidates how increased religious educational opportunities for girls over the past few decades, sparked by Turkey’s transition from single-party rule to a multi-party political system, has fostered the development of state-sponsored female preachers (who are entrusted with giving mosque sermons and legal responsa) at the same time that contemporary Turkish politics and the vigorously contested place of Islam, Islamic education, and practicing Muslims in an assertively secular system has impinged upon and redirected their lives in surprising ways. Analyzed through the comparative lens of successive generations of female students, the continuous contestation over the appropriate place of religion – and particularly its instruction and social visibility – amid secular state apparatuses has both opened and contracted professional opportunities for Turkey’s state-sponsored female preachers.
The Hij?b at Cross-Purposes: Conflicting Models of the Erotic in Popular Islamic Advice Literature
Authors: Azam Hina
Published: July 2011

An examination of popular advice literature geared toward Muslims living in the West, such as the type commonly available in U.S. mosques and at online Islamic bookstores, indicates that there exist at least two potentially conflicting narratives regarding the ?ij?b (the veil or headcovering) as a pious practice. The first narrative presents female sexuality as a natural and positive force, as long as it is properly channeled. The ?ij?b, in this narrative, is not meant to categorically repress women’s erotic nature, but is a pragmatic social practice meant to avoid eroticism in the public sphere, where it would be a source of temptation and disorder. Often corresponding to this narrative is a notion of (female) sexuality as constant, and an ideology that deemphasizes gender differences. A second narrative presents erotic desire and fulfillment as a marker of attachment to the world and an assertion of the ego-self (nafs), and therefore negative, even in the context of marriage. In this view, the ?ij?b is an ascetic practice, a means by which a woman may discipline her self and develop a greater spiritual-moral faculty. This narrative, in many instances, considers sexuality to be malleable, and also tends to be paired with an emphasis on sexual difference. This paper seeks to tease out the conflicting models of the erotic that emerge in this genre of writing. It further suggests that deviations from a text’s core narrative and appeal to the opposing narrative betrays a lack of commitment to either a particular narrative of veiling or a particular model of eroticism. Rather, such deviations suggest an instrumental use of these narratives and models in favor of the predetermined conclusion, which is the injunction to veil, and to which end both models of eroticism and both narratives of veiling are bent. A final objective is to show, by drawing on ethnographic research, that the conflicting models of eroticism found in popular advice literature are mirrored in the thinking of the contemporary Western Muslim women who are the intended readers of this literature, and to reflect upon the possible consequences of this theoretical conflict upon Western Muslim readership.
An Exploration of the Juristic Consensus (ijm??) on Compulsion in the Marriages of Minors
Authors: Baugh Carolyn
Published: July 2011

In the Hanbal? fiqh manual the Mughn?, Ibn Qud?mah (d. 620/1223) claims consensus (ijm?’) of the scholars of Islamic Law regarding a father’s ability to compel his prepubescent daughter to marry against her will, provided it is to a suitable match. This paper explores Ibn Qud?mah’s claim by investigating the contours of consensus- writing on child marriage. It looks first to the primary transmitter of early consensus (Ibn al-Mundhir, d. 318/930)—who is cited as a source of consensus throughout al-Mughn?—then at three other writers who focused on Ijm?’ (al-Marwaz? (294/906), al-?a??w? (321/933), and Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr (463/1070).

This discussion explores the relationship between early claims of consensus and the proof texts upon which they relied. The paper highlights the influence on this topic of al-Sh?fi’?, whose arguments in support of compulsion of female minors in the Umm changed the discussion irrevocably. Finally, it illustrates how, unlike the Sh?fi‘?s, early M?lik? and ?anaf? texts did not rely upon the unit tradition regarding ‘?’ishah’s marriage to the Prophet. When jurists began relying upon the report of ‘?’ishah as a proof text for this issue, its veracity itself became a topic of consensus. In the hands of Ibn ?azm (465/1072), and with that report as his basis, child marriage shifted from an issue applying equally to both children to an issue pertaining only to girls. The larger juristic culture seems to have followed his lead, as child marriage for boys became radically under-discussed in the later legal texts, including the famed manual al-Mughn?.

Above all, this paper exposes the concept of Ijm?’ as a “lowest common denominator” of agreement on this topic. Extracting an ijm?’ic claim from its context of debate and discussion deprives the inquiring scholar of any sense of the ripples of conflict and controversy emanating from it. In these early texts, we find there was no consensus with regard to what grants agency to females (pubescence or sexual experience); no consensus on the meaning of “suitability” in marriage (a condition for the permissibility of a father’s force); no consensus on at what point a female child can tolerate sexual activity; and, of extreme importance from the legal standpoint, there was no consensus with regard to how the prepubescent is to be maintained if she is not yet able to tolerate sexual activity. Because the marriage contract predicates maintenance upon sexual availability, this point causes a crisis in the jurists’ definition of marriage.
Contextualizing Arguments about Female Ritual Leadership (Women Im?ms) in Classical Islamic Sources
Authors: Calderini Simonetta
Published: July 2011

This article focuses on legal arguments by medieval Muslim scholars concerning the permissibility of the im?ma of a woman for a mixed congregation ?al?t. In particular, the legal and theological context is discussed of three ninth century scholars who, unusually, did not consider invalid the prayer of a man when he is led by a woman. Some scholars quoted the ?ad?th of Umm Waraqa in support of women imams. It is argued that, beyond the historicity of Umm Waraqa herself, her precedent was used as a legal “case.” This, however, should be taken as evidence of legal theory rather than actual practice.
Producing the Conjugal Patriarchal Family in Maulana Thanvi’s Heavenly Ornaments: Biopolotics, ‘Shariatic Modernity’ and Managing Women
Authors: Ansari Usamah
Published: July 2011

Written in the 1930s for Muslim women in north India by Maulana Ashraf Thanvi (1864-1943), Bahishti Zewar or Heavenly Ornaments, has been influential in defining proper feminine etiquette and household management. The household type that is produced is nuclear and with a clearly defined male patriarch. The most mundane of tasks are outlined and related to religious duty. What is central to my analysis is how the meticulous details of household management, bodily comportment and etiquette articulate a regime not of repressive power but rather a (modern) productive modality of power that produce trained docile bodies (Foucault, 1975) and complementary gendered Muslim subjectivities. Thus the tropes Thanvi uses to produce a manual for the self-management of women cannot be divorced from certain logics of modernity and modernist reform; but instead of medico-scientific discourses producing women’s subjectivity, Thanvi uses shariatic principles as the vector through which a modern vision of a managed patriarchal conjugal family infiltrates the household. I am thus depending on Foucault’s notion of biopower that characterizes a modern modality of power. In order to justify my use of this concept, I will outline how Thanvi’s reformist ideas are not inherently oppositional to the logics of Bourgeois modernist production of the conjugal family and the scientific management of the private sphere (Abu-Lughod, 1998). Though I am not claiming that a European Victorian mode of modernity was synonymous with Thanvi’s reformist sentiments, I will reveal that the Bahishti Zewar can be thought of as a modern text, though one articulating an alternative modernity (Göle, 2002; Zaidi, 2006; Gaonkar, 2001) organized around Thanvi’s selective interpretation of shariatic principles. This will reveal the ability to rethink modernity’s relationship with reformist Islamic sentiment and challenge the denial of coavelesence (Fabian, 1983) between modernity’s temporality and Islam, as well as challenging the idea that Thanvi refuted modernity (Naeem, 2003: 2).
Rectangular table negotiation problem revisited
Authors: Froncek Dalibor , Kubesa Michael
Published: July 2011

We solve the last missing case of a “two delegation negotiation” version of the Oberwolfach problem, which can be stated as follows. Suppose we have two negotiating delegations with n=mk members each and we have a seating arrangement such that every day the negotiators sit at m tables with k people of the same delegation at one side of each table. Every person can effectively communicate just with three nearest persons across the table. Our goal is to guarantee that over the course of several days, every member of each delegation can communicate with every member of the other delegation exactly once. We denote by H(k, 3) the graph describing the communication at one table and by mH(k, 3) the graph consisting of m disjoint copies of H(k, 3).

We completely characterize all complete bipartite graphs K
n,n that can be factorized into factors isomorphic to G =mH(k, 3) for k ≡ 2 (mod 4) by showing that the necessary conditions n=mk and m ≡ 0 mod(3k−2)/4 are also sufficient. This results complement previous characterizations for k ≡ 0, 1, 3 (mod 4) to settle the problem in full.
The relationships between depression and life activities and well-being of multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Leonavičius Rytis , Adomaitienė Virginija , Leskauskas Darius
Published: July 2011

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most disabling neurodegenerative disorders. Depression is the most frequent psychiatric disorder accompanying MS. Although much attention is given to correlations between depression and MS clinical factors, analysis of correlations between depression and life activities (social, household, professional activities and family life) and the well-being of MS patients’ is insufficient. However, improvement of these functions could positively influence the outcomes of MS treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate relationships between depression, life activities of MS patients, and their proposals how to improve the well-being. Materials and methods. The study lasted three years with 270 adult MS patients involved in it. ICD-10 criteria were used to diagnose depression. Original questionnaire was used to measure life activities and the well-being of the patients. Results. Prevalence of depression was 20.7% with no difference regarding the gender. Almost 84% of depressed respondents indicated, that MS disturbs their family life, 71.4% recommended to assign more attention to MS in general and 64.3% — to include more medications into reimbursement list. Conclusions. MS patients diagnosed with depression significantly more often than non-depressed indicate that MS disturbs their family life; recommend to assign more attention to MS in general and to include more medications into reimbursement list.
A MULTICRITERIAL MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR CREATING VEHICLE ROUTES TO TRANSPORT GOODS / TRANSPORTO PRIEMONIŲ MARŠRUTŲ PREKĖMS VEŽTI DAUGIAKRITERINIS MATEMATINIS MODELIS / МНОГОКРИТЕРИАЛЬНАЯ МАТЕМАТИЧЕСКАЯ МОДЕЛЬ ДЛЯ ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЯ МАРШРУТОВ ТРАНСПОРТНЫХ СРЕДСТВ ДЛЯ ПЕРЕВОЗКИ ГРУЗОВ
Authors: Kleprlík Jaroslav , Bečičková Markéta , Brázdová Markéta
Published: July 2011

The article describes modelling a vehicle route to transport goods and discusses models for determining vehicle routes for a single depot and more vehicles. Above all, the paper defines a mathematical model for determining a vehicle route for more depots, more vehicles and more types of transport requirements.

Santrauka

Straipsnyje aptariamas transporto priemonių maršruto daugiakriterinis modelis prekėms vežti, pateikiami ir kiti modeliai, galintys nustatyti transporto priemonių maršrutus. Straipsnyje apibūdinamas maršrutams nustatyti naudojamas matematinis modelis, įtraukiant daugiau transporto priemonių, sandėlių ir keliant transportui daugiau reikalavimų.

Резюме

Анализируется многокритериальная математическая модель для определения маршрутов транспортных средств для перевозки грузов и другие модели. Модель описывается в контексте определения маршрута с привлечением большого количества транспортных средств, складов и с учетом больших требований к транспорту.
THE IMPROVEMENT CONCEPTION OF DRIVERS TRAINING AND EXAMINATION SYSTEM IN LITHUANIA / VAIRUOTOJŲ RENGIMO IR EGZAMINAVIMO SISTEMOS LIETUVOJE TOBULINIMO KONCEPCIJA / КОНЦЕПЦИЯ СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИЯ СИСТЕМЫ ПОДГОТОВКИ И АТТЕСТАЦИИ ВОДИТЕЛЕЙ В ЛИТВЕ
Authors: Valiūnas Valdas , Pečeliūnas Robertas , Nagurnas Saulius , Žuraulis Vidas , Kemzūraitė Kristina , Subačius Rimantas , Lazauskas Jonas
Published: July 2011

The current paper presents the structure of the drivers training and examination system existing in Lithuania and describes the interrelations between the institutions involved in the said process. In course of analysis of models of drivers training and examination systems of various countries, their advantages and imperfections are highlighted. The experience of Germany, Holland, Sweden and Great Britain in the sphere of training and examination of motor vehicles drivers is described. In the end of the paper, conclusions and recommendations for improving the quality of drivers training and examination system as well as traffic safety in Lithuania are provided. Santrauka Straipsnyje pateikiama dabartinės vairuotojų rengimo ir egzaminavimo sistemos Lietuvoje struktūra, nurodomi institucijų, dalyvaujančių šiame procese, tarpusavio ryšiai. Analizuojant įvairų šalių vairuotojų rengimo ir egzaminavimo modelius, išryškinami jų privalumai bei trūkumai. Aprašoma Vokietijos, Olandijos, Švedijos ir Didžiosios Britanijos patirtis kelių transporto priemonių vairuotojų rengimo ir egzaminavimo srityje. Pabaigoje pateikiamos išvados ir rekomendacijos, kurias įgyvendinus įmanoma pagerinti ne tik vairuotojų rengimo ir egzaminavimo kokybę, bet ir saugų eismą Lietuvoje. Резюме Представлена структура системы подготовки и аттестации (тестирования) водителей в Литве, названы организации, участвующие в данном процессе, и их взаимосвязь. На основании проведенного анализа моделей подготовки и аттестации водителей в разных странах представлены преимущества и недостатки упомянутых моделей. Рассмотрен опыт Германии, Голландии, Швеции и Великобритании в области подготовки и аттестации водителей транспортных средств. В заключении представлены выводы и рекомендации, принятие которых будет способствовать улучшению не только качества подготовки и аттестации, но и безопасности дорожного движения в Литве.
EFFICIENCY ASSESSMENT OF LISTED REAL ESTATE COMPANIES: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF CHINA / NEKILNOJAMOJO TURTO KOMPANIJŲ, KURIŲ VERTYBINIAI POPIERIAI ĮTRAUKTI Į BIRŽOS SĄRAŠUS, EFEKTYVUMO VERTINIMAS: EMPIRINIS KINIJOS TYRIMAS
Authors: Zheng Xian , Chau Kwong-Wing , Hui Eddie C. M.
Published: July 2011

This study measures performance and efficiency of the Listed Real Estate Companies (LRECs). Three types of Data envelopment analysis (DEA) approaches are employed, which are CCR-DEA, BCC-DEA and Super-Efficiency-DEA models. Based on these DEA approaches, we conduct an empirical analysis on the 94 LRECs in China stock markets according to the 2009 Annual Financial Statements. Registered Capital, Asset Value, Employee Number, and Operation Cost are adopted as the inputs factors, while the output factors are denoted by Revenue and Profit. In general, this empirical research delivers four outcomes: firstly, an integrated assessment system and a ranking of the LRECs are established, which provides useful information for investors who are seeking for indirect exposure in the Chinese real estate market. Secondly, the average Overall Efficiency (OE), Pure Technical Efficiency (PTE) and Scale Efficiency (SE) of the LRECs are 0.78, 0.84 and 0.92 respectively. Thirdly, 69% of the inefficient LRECs are classified as increasing returns to scale and could further increase operating efficiency by scale expansion. Fourthly, the employees slack is prevalent at 18.96% for the inefficient LRECs. Santrauka Straipsnyje įvertinamas nekilnojamojo turto kompanijų, kurių vertybiniai popieriai įtraukti į biržos sąrašus (angl. LRECs), veiklos efektyvumas ir rezultatyvumas. Tam taikomi trys duomenų apgaubties analizės (angl. DEA) metodai, o būtent CCR-DEA, BCC-DEA ir Super-Efficiency-DEA metodai. Pritaikius šiuos duomenų apgaubties analizės metodus ir remiantis 2009 m. metinių finansinių ataskaitų duomenimis, buvo atlikta Kinijos akcijų rinkos 94-ių nekilnojamojo turto kompanijų, kurių vertybiniai popieriai įtraukti į biržos sąrašus, empirinė analizė. Įstatinis kapitalas, nominali aktyvų vertė, darbuotojų skaičius ir eksploatacinės išlaidos laikomi įeigos veiksniais, o išeigos veiksniais imamos pajamos ir pelnas. Šiuo empiriniu tyrimu galima pasiekti keturių rezultatų: pirmiausia, sudaryta integruoto vertinimo sistema ir nustatomi nekilnojamojo turto kompanijų, kurių vertybiniai popieriai įtraukti į biržos sąrašus, reitingai. Reitingų teikiama informacija naudinga investuotojams, siekiantiems netiesioginio dalyvavimo Kinijos nekilnojamojo turto rinkoje. antra, nekilnojamojo turto kompanijų, kurių vertybiniai popieriai įtraukti į biržos sąrašus, vidutiniai dydžiai: bendras efektyvumas (angl. OE), grynasis techninis efektyvumas (angl. PTE) ir masto efektyvumas (angl. SE), atitinkamai sudaro 0,78, 0,84 ir 0,92. Trečia, 69 proc. neefektyvių nekilnojamojo turto kompanijų, kurių vertybiniai popieriai įtraukti į biržos sąrašus, priskirtos prie augančio pelno kompanijų, kurios gali kelti veiklos efektyvumą plėsdamos savo veiklą. Ketvirta, 18,96 proc. neefektyvių nekilnojamojo turto kompanių, kurių vertybiniai popieriai įtraukti į biržos sąrašus, būdinga darbuotojų neveiksnumas.
THE CREATION OF FISCAL SPACE FOR THE PROPERTY TAX: THE CASE OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE / NEKILNOJAMOJO TURTO MOKESČIO FISKALINĖS ERDVĖS SUKŪRIMAS: CENTRINĖS IR RYTŲ EUROPOS ATVEJIS
Authors: McCluskey William J. , Plimmer Frances
Published: July 2011

The case for the property tax as a significant revenue generator has been well made by many eminent scholars in public finance. It nonetheless continues to remain a tax that is under-utilised in many transition countries. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether there is the fiscal space to develop the property tax within the eight CEE1 countries that joined the EU in May 2004. Currently, property tax revenues within the selected countries represent approximately 0.5% of GDP, whilst the average for the OECD is just over 1%. This difference in relative importance would appear to suggest that, whilst there is potential for the property tax to create greater revenues, there are structural problems that are preventing this. The paper highlights a number of these problems and suggests mechanisms to address them. It is argued that properly designed, the property tax could crowd out many of the ‘nuisance’ taxes and fees that already exist within local government. Santrauka Nekilnojamojo turto mokestis, kaip neišsenkamas pajamų šaltinis, formuojantis valstybės biudžetą, yra įvairiai ištirtas įžymių mokslininkų. Vis dėlto dauguma pereinamojo laikotarpio valstybių šio mokesčio netaiko. Šio straipsnio tikslas – išsiaiškinti, ar aštuoniose Centrinės ir Rytų Europos valstybėse, įstojusiose į Europos Sąjungą 2004 m. gegužės mėnesį, yra pakankamai fiskalinės erdvės nekilnojamojo turto mokesčiui taikyti. Šiuo metu pajamos, gaunamos dėl nekilnojamojo turto mokesčio pasirinktose valstybėse, sudaro 0,5% BVP, kai EBPO vidurkis viršija 1%. Sąlyginė šio skirtumo svarba gali reikšti tai, kad kol yra galimybė gauti didesnes pajamas taikant nekilnojamojo turto mokestį, tol egzistuos ir struktūrinių problemų, neleidžiančių pasinaudoti šia galimybe. Darbe nurodomos tokios problemos ir siūlomi jų sprendimo mechanizmai. Pateikiami argumentai, kaip tinkamai apskaičiuotas nekilnojamojo turto mokestis gali pakeisti daugumą ,,atsibodusių“ mokesčių ir rinkliavų, kurias vis dar taiko vietiniai valdžios organai.
RESIDENTIAL AREAS WITH APARTMENT HOUSES: ANALYSIS OF THE CONDITION OF BUILDINGS, PLANNING ISSUES, RETROFIT STRATEGIES AND SCENARIOS / DAUGIABUČIŲ NAMŲ GYVENAMUOSIUOSE RAJONUOSE BŪKLĖS, PLANAVIMO PROBLEMŲ IR ATNAUJINIMO STRATEGIJŲ BEI SCENARIJŲ ANALIZĖ
Authors: Raslanas Saulius , Alchimovienė Jurgita , Banaitienė Nerija
Published: July 2011

Modernisation of apartment houses is a particularly relevant issue both in Lithuania and many other countries. To make it more efficient, the modernisation of apartment houses must be integrated–an entire block or residential area must be renovated and the principles of sustainable development must be followed. This article dwells on the issues related to retrofit planning in residential blocks/areas and analyses the condition of apartment houses and their environment. The article also proposes strategies for retrofit of residential areas with apartment houses. The strategies aim to improve the living standards and the quality of environment, to cut energy consumption and Co2 emissions, to maintain mixed social structure, to integrate new buildings into the existing environment in a sustainable manner, to develop an urban centre of a residential area as a functioning part of the city, to develop democratic planning and to seek close cooperation of modernisation partners. The scenarios based on relevant strategies must define the measures of retrofit, their priority and their potential effect. Santrauka Daugiabučių gyvenamųjų namų modernizavimas šiuo metu yra ypač aktuali problema ne tik Lietuvoje, betir daugelyje kitų šalių. Kad modernizavimas būtų efektyvesnis, daugiabučius reikia atnaujinti kompleksiškai, modernizuojant visą kvartalą, rajoną, vadovaujantis darniosios plėtros principais. Šiame straipsnyje aptariamos gyvenamųjų kvartalų, rajonų atnaujinimo planavimo problemos, analizuojama daugiabučių ir jų aplinkos būklė. Siūlomos daugiabučių rajonų atnaujinimo strategijos, kuriomis siekiama: gerinti gyvenimo standartus ir aplinkos kokybę, mažinti energijos suvartojimą ir CO2 emisiją, išlaikyti mišrią socialinę struktūrą, darnų naujų pastatų integravimą į jau egzistuojančią aplinką, plėtoti miesto centro kaip funkcionalios miesto dalies daugiabučių namų rajone sukūrimą, demokratinį planavimą bei prie modernizavimo prisidedančių partnerių glaudų bendradarbiavimą. Scenarijai, grindžiami atitinkamomis strategijomis, privalo apibrėžti renovacijos darbų priemones, jų įgyvendinimo prioretiškumą ir būsimus poveikius.
INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF SPECIFIC SOLAR STORMING EVENTS ON GNSS NAVIGATION SYSTEMS / CHARAKTERINGŲ SAULĖS AUDRŲ POVEIKIO GLOBALINEI NAVIGACINEI PALYDOVINEI SISTEMAI TYRIMAS
Authors: Zubinaitė Vilma , Preiss George
Published: July 2011

Global positioning system (GPS) satellites operate at 1.2 and 1.5 GHz. The GPS signals travel through the atmosphere and are affected by space weather in the same way as other technological systems in space and on the ground. Space weather has been defined as the condition where the sun influences solar wind, the magnetosphere, and the ionosphere and thus can upset the performance and reliability of space borne and ground based technological systems. Adverse conditions in the space environment can cause disruption of satellite operations, communications, and navigation. Solar storms can add small delays to the GPS satellite signals and therefore impact accuracy. The purpose of this article is to investigate and to determine the effects of specific solar events on GNSS navigation systems. In parts of the Nordic countries, GPS is available with a precision of 1 centimetre through an auxiliary system of permanent tracking stations called position accuracy on the centimetre level (CPOS). This paper discusses the possible effects of space weather activity and uses these tracked data to investigate the effect of specific solar storms on single point positioning. Comparisons are made between the effects in northern and southern Norway.

Santrauka

Pasaulinės padėties nustatymo sistemos palydovų signalai transliuojami 1,2 ir 1,5 GHz dažniu. Juos veikia kosmoso oras, kartu daroma įtaka ir kitai techninei sistemai tiek erdvėje, tiek ant žemės paviršiaus. Kosminis oras apibrėžiamas kaip būsena. Jo sąlygos daugiausia priklauso nuo tokių Saulės reiškinių, kaip Saulės vėjas ir Saulės vainiko masės čiurkšlės. Dėl šių priežasčių gali būti sutrikdytas antžeminių technologijų sistemų našumas ir patikimumas. Neigiamos sąlygos kosminėje erdvėje gali sukelti palydovų darbo, ryšių ir navigacijos sutrikimų. Šio straipsnio tikslas – ištirti ir nustatyti charakteringų Saulės audrų poveikį globalinei navigacinei palydovinei sistemai. Kai kuriose Skandinavijos šalyse (Norvegijoje, Danijoje, Suomijoje, Švedijoje) globalinės navigacinės palydovinės sistemos paslaugos suteikia galimybių nustatyti padėtis vieno centimetro tikslumu, taikant pagalbinių nuolatinių stebėjimo stočių tinklus. Šiame straipsnyje aptariama galima kosminio oro sąlygų įtaka antžeminio taško padėties nustatymo tikslumui. Pateikiami tyrimo rezultatai ir lyginimai analizuojant Šiaurės Norvegijos ir Pietų Norvegijos nuolatinių stebėjimo stočių matavimų rezultatus.
Scylla l'ambivalente
Authors: Stilp Florian
Published: July 2011

Résumé L’iconographie de Scylla commence vers 600 av. J-C. avec la seule et unique image qui corresponde à la description homérique du monstre. C’est vers 470 qu’apparaissent les premières attestations du nouveau type de Scylla, anthropomorphisée, qui va finir par devenir le type canonique. La reprise du mythe de Scylla au début du v e  s. av. J.-C. a complètement modifié la nature du monstre et le message qu’il véhicule : issue d’une transformation tragique, Scylla sera accompagnée jusqu’à la fin de l’Antiquité d’une ambivalence inconnue du monstre d’Homère. À l’époque classique, les images d’une Scylla calme et pensive surprennent, mais à partir du ii e  s. av. J.-C. Scylla anthropomorphisée prend définitivement la place du monstre odysséen, tout en gardant un rôle ambivalent, qui oscille entre protection et désir d’anéantissement.
Les apports des entretiens collectifs a l'analyse des raisonnements politiques
Authors: Lefébure Pierre
Published: July 2011

Résumé Les entretiens collectifs sont peu utilisés en France. Afin d’établir leur intérêt scientifique, cet article présente les groupes de discussion auprès desquels ils sont menés comme des contextes d’interactions constituant un niveau d’analyse meso entre individu et monde social. L’exploration de la littérature internationale présente ensuite comment cette configuration d’enquête peut se décliner. Enfin, leur utilité pour l’analyse des raisonnements politiques est discutée à partir de deux enquêtes (rapport au politique, suivi de la campagne présidentielle de 2007). Les résultats portent sur les dynamiques d’explicitation des raisonnements et de raisonnement par implication liée aux conditions de vie plutôt qu’au niveau de compétence.
Classer et juger les transgressions politiques
Authors: Lecrique Jean-Michel , Lascoumes Pierre , Bezes Philippe
Published: July 2011

Résumé Les enjeux de probité publique se prêtent bien aux recherches qualitatives menées par focus group , habituellement utilisées dans l’exploration des conflits moraux et normatifs. La démarche est ici mobilisée pour explorer l’ambiguïté des jugements portés par les citoyens sur les pratiques et transgressions des élus. Elle repose sur huit groupes socio-culturellement différenciés et sur une exploitation originale à partir d’une méthode de quantification du contenu des discours recueillis. L’article montre l’existence d’une échelle homogène de qualification et de classification des pratiques politiques qui graduent les jugements de réprobation. La discussion collective favorise l’expression de formes de modération dans les jugements. L’exploitation pointe des différences liées aux caractéristiques sociales des groupes. Elle identifie des « répertoires argumentatifs », mobilisant des principes de jugement divergents.
La méthode de l'intervention sociologique
Authors: Cousin Olivier , Rui Sandrine
Published: July 2011

Résumé La méthode de l’intervention sociologique, élaborée et mise en œuvre par Alain Touraine, est à l’origine d’enquêtes et d’ouvrages importants en sociologie. Toutefois, elle est restée dans l’ombre et demeure utilisée par un cercle plutôt étroit de chercheurs. Cet article lie donc deux aspects : il rappelle les grands principes de la méthode, tout en précisant les évolutions qu’elle a connues en passant de la problématique du mouvement social à la compréhension des problèmes sociaux ; il interroge ensuite la singularité de la méthode au regard des différentes modalités d’entretiens collectifs. Il apparaît alors que, originale et exigeante, l’intervention sociologique est aussi par certains aspects proche d’autres méthodes réflexives de groupe.