bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concept for Assessment of Manual-Assembly Technologies
Authors: Herder Christoph Felix , Aurich Jan Christian
Published: October 2015

The global competitive situation and change to customer market results in shorter product life cycles and high variant diversity as a consequence of customization. Especially in assembly systems the increasing complexity forces manufacturing companies to enhance their flexibility. In manual assembly systems the worker and the use of his cognitive skills provide the required flexibility and knowledge to perform the assembly process efficiently. The presented approach deals with an integrated technology management concept for manual assembly. Thereby, a special focus is set on support technologies which are aimed to support the cognitive skills of the worker. In the first step useful technologies have to be identified on the base of a specific search strategy. As soon as a potential technology is identified, the technology investigation starts. Core element in the concept is an impact analysis to assess the benefit of new support technologies in a specific manual assembly system.
Hybrid Clamping Technology for Flexible Micro Machining
Authors: Pasternak Sergii , Maier Walther , Stehle Thomas , Heisel Uwe
Published: October 2015

The paper deals with the development and investigation of a novel, hybrid clamping technology for micro machining. This new technology was developed through a combination of the freezing and mechanical clamping. Then, its technical and economic characteristics, including achievable holding forces, clamping time, stiffness, accuracy, flexibility in terms of different workpiece and process parameters, etc. were determined by experiments. After that, they were compared with the corresponding characteristics of the conventional technologies. The results of this comparison allowed to draw a conclusion about the advantages and disadvantages of the developed hybrid clamping technology.
Aggregation of Production Data for the Strategic Planning of Global Production Networks
Authors: Reuter Christina , Prote Jan Philipp , Stöwer Margarete
Published: October 2015

In the last two decades a large amount of companies decided to establish productions sites all over the world in order to profit from cost benefits and to gain access to new markets and know-how. This internationalisation trend leads to more and more complex production networks. According to this development managers are confronted with growing intransparencies within their companies due to increasing information asymmetries, growing amount of interfaces and a growing effort for coordination. Nowadays a lot of strategic decisions, e.g. location decisions are made according to someone’s instinct. The usage of a valid data base within decision making processes can improve the quality of taken decisions. There are two ways to establish a sound data base: Manual data gathering, which is always associated with great effort or the usage of “big data”. Technologies from the era “Industrie 4.0” enable companies to gather and store a large amount of data. This data amount can establish transparency to support an objective assessment. Therefore the aim of this paper is the development of a method to aggregate production data systematically to support the strategic planning of global production networks.
Concept for the Analysis of Disruption Consequences in a Complex Job Shop Manufacturing
Authors: Reuter Christina , Hauptvogel Annika , Brambring Felix , Hansen Jochen
Published: October 2015

In this paper, an approach to quantify the effects of disruptions in a complex job shop manufacturing is introduced. Key figures within this approach are the effects of disruptions on logistic targets. With the help of discrete event simulation, the consequences of several disruptions are quantified and visualized.
Continuous Production Requirements Management
Authors: Meis Jan Fabian , Reinhart Gunther
Published: October 2015

Concurrent Engineering has been accepted as an integrated development concept offering significant benefits regarding to cost and development time. Despite of this agreement and the fact that shortened product lifecycles increase the necessity for stronger interaction between all stakeholders involved in product development, benefits are not achieved to the predicted extend. While reasons are manifold, a lack in structured and efficient communication between different departments can be identified as a key obstacle. Recent research activities had addressed requirements management processes outside the limited domain of software and product development and allowed for an integration of production requirements. This paper presents an approach which allows for a continuous requirements process within the production departments. Thus ensuring the integration of up-to-date requirements in all development activities.
A Concept for the Dynamic Adjustment of Maintenance Intervals by Analysing Heterogeneous Data
Authors: Freitag Michael , Oelker Stephan , Lewandowski Marco , Murali Rajesh
Published: October 2015

Efficient operation and maintenance processes are important factors to reduce the operating costs of industrial facilities and components. Therefore, both research and industry developed maintenance strategies ranging from fixed time intervals to condition-based activities. However, due to unpredictable events, disturbances and unknown processing times for maintenance activities, many strategies do not meet the requirements of real-world industrial systems. In this paper, a new data-driven concept is presented where data analysis is used to support the dynamic adjustments of maintenance intervals. An overall strategy is developed in which the analysis of data is an integral part for standard maintenance processes, considering their particular workflow and their constraints. The analysed data come from different systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning, Condition Monitoring Systems, and internal service logs of the components or from maintenance activities. The concept encompasses the aligned application of different methods for aggregating these data and for predicting the component’s condition and its remaining useful life. In particular, it is exemplarily shown how the Weibull distribution, the Wiener process, and neural networks are combined to support decisions regarding the dynamic adjustment of the maintenance intervals in industrial facilities. This leads to a better utilisation of components, avoids failures and breakdowns and saves cost. The capability and applicability of these methods is illustrated by applying them to generators of an offshore wind farm.
Operational Controlling Method for the Assembly of Large-Scale Products in Timed Assembly Cycles
Authors: Reuter Christina , Nuyken Timo , Walendzik Pia
Published: October 2015

This paper presents an approach for the operational controlling of the assembly in timed assembly cycles focussing on large-scale products. In order to handle the assembly of small quantities and long assembly times a controlling method based on predefined actions initiated according to the deviation of four KPIs (key performance indicator) can be implemented. The selected KPIs are missing parts, disturbances, resources and overdue work on the critical path of the assembly process to focus on the early fault detection during the assembly. Therefore the predefined actions in the operational controlling are taskforces, escalation, people shift between stations and overtime.
Validation of the FEA of a Sheet Metal Forming Process of Composite Material and Steel Foil in Sandwich Design
Authors: Grbic Nenad , Bouguecha Anas , Vucetic Milan , Neumann A. , Osiecki Tomasz , Behrens Bernd-Arno
Published: October 2015

A multi-material concept in sandwich design using two steel foils and continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastics represents a promising structural approach to the production of hybrid parts. This contribution deals with the experimental and numerical analysis of a conventional sheet metal forming process using a composite material based on Polyamide 6 (PA6) with unidirectional endless glass fiber reinforcement and HC220Y+ZE steel foil. A unidirectional composite plate is positioned between two steel foils in sandwich design and formed into the hybrid part under appropriate temperature conditions. Afterwards, the forming process is analysed numerically with the software LS-DYNA and for verification of the FEA the geometry of the hybrid part is measured optically with ATOS system of the company GOM.
Analysis of Effectiveness of Locally Adapted Tribological Conditions for Improving Product Quality in Sheet-Bulk Metal Forming
Authors: Löffler Maria , Groebel Daniel , Engel Ulf , Andreas Kolja , Merklein Marion
Published: October 2015

Due to current ecological and economic developments there is a growing demand for functional components with complex and closely tolerated geometrical features. Conventional sheet and bulk metal forming operations leads to products which are often limited in their geometrical and functional variety. A promising approach is the process-class sheet-bulk metal forming (SBMF). SBMF is characterised by the application of bulk and sheet forming operations on sheet metals [1]. This combination leads to locally and temporally varying load conditions regarding stress as well as strain states. In order to get high quality parts, controlling the material flow is of major importance. Modified Surfaces, so-called tailored surfaces represent an innovative approach to control the material flow. The objective of the current study is the experimental investigation of the effectiveness of locally adapted tribological conditions using workpiece-and tool-sided tailored surfaces within SBMF processes. The study has shown that the local adaption of workpiece and tool surface increased the heights of functional elements. Thus, using locally adapted tribological conditions leads to an improvement of the quality of the produced gearing components. In a further step the influence of surface modifications on the surface properties of the manufactured components are analysed. Additionally, investigations regarding the wear behaviour of tool-sided surface adaptions lead to the assumption, that the effectiveness of tailored surfaces is reduced during the operating time of the tools.
Analysis of Business Intelligence Solutions in the SME Sectors
Authors: Kiełtyka Leszek , Smoląg Klaudia
Published: October 2015

Business intelligence (BI) solutions are aimed to help managers make decisions in enterprises. Through complex analysis, decision-makers are supported in building strategies of operation. Managers in small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) are also becoming more aware of the fact that conventional methodology of analysis of current events is insufficient. Therefore, the need arises for using the solutions that support the processes of data analysis, finding relationships between each other or pointing to important tendencies and anomalies. These systems were primarily oriented at larger enterprises. However, BI solutions are more and more often adjusted to SME enterprises, offering a complex tool to support decision-making processes. This paper presents key stages in evolution of BI systems and characterizes selected BI systems dedicated to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Substantial barriers to implementation of BI systems in SMEs were also indicated.
Computer Support for Technological Process Management with the Use of the Stability Map - Results Visualization
Authors: Noga Agnieszka , Ptak Aleksandra
Published: October 2015

To meet the requirements of efficient management, organizations increasingly use computer systems supporting management. The main function of an information system is to provide the data needed to solve all sorts of problems. To be able to solve the problems of decision-making, it is necessary to transform the information and input data in the resulting information. The content of cognitive processes is growth through the use of graphical forms involving the preparation of charts. Thanks to information technologies, appropriate diagrams, their proper design and presentation are chosen. The results are more clear than in the general tables. The subject of this article is to emphasize the need for visualization of the results of the technological process analysis on the example of the stability map study.
An Operational View in Computational Construction of Information
Authors: Smarandache Florentin , Vlăduțescu Ștefan , Dima Ioan Constantin , Voinea Dan Valeriu
Published: October 2015

The paper aims to explain the technology of emergence of information. Our research proves that information as communicational product is the result of processing within some operations, actions, mechanisms and strategies of informational material meanings. Are determined eight computational-communicative operations of building information.Information occurs in two communication phases, syncretic and the segregation-synthetic. The syncretic phase consists of four operations: referral of significant field, primary delimitation of information, detection-looking information and an anticipative-draft constitution (feedforward). The segregation-synthetic phase also includes four operations: discrimination, identification, interpretation and confrontation (feedback).In the future we will investigate informational actions, mechanisms and strategies.
Selected Aspects of Use IT in Waste Management
Authors: Stefko Robert , Nowak Stefan , Ulfik Agnieszka
Published: October 2015

Information systems MRP, ERP or ERP II and is now the standard used in many enterprises. Many of these companies also has a statutory obligation to monitor and report information about the waste. For this purpose, they become extremely useful environmental information systems in the enterprise. These systems can lead to a measurable positive economic impact in the enterprise. In addition, legislation in Poland forced by the municipalities need to organize collection system and waste disposal. The introduction of the so-called junk reform enabled municipalities to enable the use of information systems to inform about the dates of the waste collection, including mobile technologies. The article presents the use of IT systems in managing the economy of municipal waste.
Information Technology and Firm Internationalization
Authors: Tomski Piotr
Published: October 2015

In the reality of the New Economy the impact of social media (SM) on business activities is often examined. The rise of SM and online communities enable individuals to easily share and access information. With the rise of social networks, there has emerged a new era of content creation where individuals can easily share experiences and information with other users. At the same time, the recently emerging focus of entrepreneurship scholars’ attention is the domain of international entrepreneurship which is the discovery, enactment, evaluation, and exploitation of opportunities - across national borders - to create future goods and services. The process of internationalization is of vital importance when considering both new ventures and established enterprises. As the Internet has revolutionized the way individuals access and gain information, also the information on the possibilities of internationalization is available via this kind of communication. In the light of the above statements, the aim of the paper is to explore the influence of the utilization of SM by the entrepreneur at the stage of the process of firm internationalization. The information derived from social network sites from international contacts of the entrepreneur may be useful and may support the internationalization process. In this context, the aim of the paper is to present and emphasize the role of the use of IT systems in the process of firm internationalization.
Performance Evaluation of the Production Control Systems of Push and Pull Type
Authors: Ulewicz Robert , Nowakowska-Grunt Joanna , Jelonek Dorota
Published: October 2015

In the article there was undertaken an attempt to assess the functioning of the production control systems based on the analysis of selected companies of widely understood metal industry. Based on the literature as well as own research there was carried out comparative analysis of selected pull and push systems. There were described conditions, which must be met by production system, that a given method bring expected results and guarantee the achievement of measurable benefits resulting from improving the organization of the flow of materials and information. Carried out analysis indicates differences in key areas and draws attention to the conditions, which should be met by production environment that a given system can function properly.
Computing Cloud as the Tool Supporting Human Resources Management in Transnational Transport Corporation
Authors: Brzeziński Stanisław , Bąk Aleksandra
Published: October 2015

In this article authors focused on problems, which transnational corporations come across in the area of resource management human, in particular in managing the development of employees and pointed, in what way application of cloud computing lets them reduce these problems and make the whole process more transparent. First two sections presented theoretical dissertations about problems of human resources management in transnational corporations and the application of cloud computing as the tool for increasing the flexibility and better employers management. A next part of the text is an analysis made on the basis of observation and documentation of causes and effectiveness of application of the cloud as a toll supportinghuman resources management in the international corporation.
Speech Intelligibility in Various Noise Conditions with the Nucleus® 5 Cp810 Sound Processor
Authors: Dillier Norbert , Lai Wai Kong
Published: October 2015

The Nucleus® 5 System Sound Processor (CP810, Cochlear™, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia) contains two omnidirectional microphones. They can be configured as a fixed directional microphone combination (called Zoom) or as an adaptive beamformer (called Beam), which adjusts the directivity continuously to maximally reduce the interfering noise. Initial evaluation studies with the CP810 had compared performance and usability of the new processor in comparison with the Freedom™ Sound Processor (Cochlear™) for speech in quiet and noise for a subset of the processing options. This study compares the two processing options suggested to be used in noisy environments, Zoom and Beam, for various sound field conditions using a standardized speech in noise matrix test (Oldenburg sentences test). Nine German-speaking subjects who previously had been using the Freedom speech processor and subsequently were upgraded to the CP810 device participated in this series of additional evaluation tests. The speech reception threshold (SRT for 50% speech intelligibility in noise) was determined using sentences presented via loudspeaker at 65 dB SPL in front of the listener and noise presented either via the same loudspeaker (S0N0) or at 90 degrees at either the ear with the sound processor (S0NCI+) or the opposite unaided ear (S0NCI-). The fourth noise condition consisted of three uncorrelated noise sources placed at 90, 180 and 270 degrees. The noise level was adjusted through an adaptive procedure to yield a signal to noise ratio where 50% of the words in the sentences were correctly understood. In spatially separated speech and noise conditions both Zoom and Beam could improve the SRT significantly. For single noise sources, either ipsilateral or contralateral to the cochlear implant sound processor, average improvements with Beam of 12.9 and 7.9 dB in SRT were found. The average SRT of –8 dB for Beam in the diffuse noise condition (uncorrelated noise from both sides and back) is truly remarkable and comparable to the performance of normal hearing listeners in the same test environment. The static directivity (Zoom) option in the diffuse noise condition still provides a significant benefit of 5.9 dB in comparison with the standard omnidirectional microphone setting. These results indicate that CI recipients may improve their speech recognition in noisy environments significantly using these directional microphone-processing options.
I Coleotteri Carabidi della Valpelline (Valle d’Aosta) (Coleoptera Carabidae)
Authors: Bisio Luigi
Published: October 2015

L’autore espone una sintesi della storia delle ricerche entomologiche in Valpelline (Valle d’Aosta, Alpi Pennine) con particolare attenzione ai precursori. Le prime indagini in questo territorio furono svolte da alcuni coleotterologi svizzeri (Bischoff-Ehinger, stierlin, Born e Gaud) tra la fine dell’Ottocento e l’inizio del secolo scorso. Poi, durante la prima metà del Novecento, le conoscenze sulla coleotterofauna che occupa questa valle furono notevolmente incrementate dall’Abate Henry (Abbé Henry), parroco del paese di Valpelline. Formidabile scalatore e infaticabile escursionista, egli raccolse Coleotteri nei luoghi più inaccessibili della valle contribuendo così a formare un primo gruppo consistente di dati corologici relativi a quest’area. Dopo aver brevemente illustrato i principali caratteri geologici, climatici e vegetazionali della valle, l’autore presenta un catalogo topografico delle 141 specie di Carabidi (Cicindelinae incluse) segnalate in questo territorio sino a oggi, con note riguardanti l’ecologia e la corologia di quelle più interessanti. Infine, sono descritte le principali carabidocenosi osservate.
Factors contributing to incivility amongst students at a South African nursing school
Authors: Vink Hildeguard , Adejumo Oluyinka
Published: October 2015

Background: This study determined the experiences of nurse educators of the factors contributing to the uncivil classroom behaviours of nursing students at a South African school of nursing.Objective: To describe what nurse educators consider to be factors contributing to incivility among nursing students in a South African nursing school.Method: A qualitative descriptive design was used. Eleven nurse educators were purposively sampled for their experiences on the factors contributing to incivility. Individual face-to-face interviews were conducted until data saturation.Results: The data analysed indicated that the educators had varying but often similar perspectives on which factors contribute to incivility among nursing students. The three themes that emerged from the data were academic, psycho-pathological and social factors.The themes were discussed on the basis of their reported impact on classroom behaviour and the implications for the teaching and learning environment.Conclusion: Conclusions were made that an educational screening system to identify committed students before admission into nursing education should be explored; that a support system should be explored for nurse educators to deal with incidents of uncivil behaviour, perhaps within policy frameworks in the nursing institution; that emotional support should be provided for students who may be experiencing difficulties adjusting to the rigours of post-secondary education; and that a forum should be set up for nurse educators to compare notes and share ideas on what works best in reducing the incidence of uncivil behaviours in the classroom setting.
Organophosphate Hydrolase in Conductometric Biosensor for the Detection of Organophosphate Pesticides
Authors: Mulyasuryani Ani , Prasetyawan Sasangka
Published: October 2015

The research has developed an enzyme biosensor for the detection organophosphate pesticide residues. The biosensor consists of a pair of screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCEs). One of electrodes contains immobilized organophosphate hydrolase (OPH) on a chitosan membrane by cross-linking it with glutaraldehyde. The area of the electrodes was optimized to 3, 5, and 7 mm2. The OPH was isolated from Pseudomonas putida, and was purified by the ammonium sulfate precipitation method, with 6444 ppm (A) and 7865 ppm (B). The organophosphate pesticide samples were 0-100 ppb in tris-acetate buffer 0.05 M, pH 8.5. The results showed that the best performance of the biosensor was achieved by the enzyme A with an electrode area of 5 mm2. The sensitivity of the biosensor was between 3 and 32 µS/ppb, and the detection limit for the organophosphate pesticides was 40 ppb (diazinon), 30 ppb (malathion), 20 ppb (chlorpyrifos), and 40 ppm (profenofos).
Birth and Neonatal Outcomes following Opioid Use in Pregnancy: A Danish Population-Based Study
Authors: Nørgaard Mette , Nielsson Malene Schou , Heide-Jørgensen Uffe
Published: October 2015

Background

Few population-based data exist on birth outcomes in women who received opioid maintenance treatment during pregnancy. We therefore examined adverse birth outcomes in women exposed to methadone or buprenorphine during pregnancy and the risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) among neonates exposed to buprenorphine, methadone, and/or heroin in utero.

Patients and Methods

This study included all female Danish residents with a live birth or a stillbirth from 1997 to 211. We identified the study population, use of opioids and opioid substitution treatment, birth outcomes, and NAS through medical registers. Birth outcomes included preterm birth (born before 38th gestational week), low-birth weight (LBW) (<2,500 g, restricted to term births), small for gestational age (SGA) (weight <2 standard deviations from the sex- and gestational-week-specific mean), congenital malformations, and stillbirths. We used log-binomial regression to estimate the prevalence ratio (PR) for birth outcomes.

Results

Among 95,172 pregnancies in a total of 571,823 women, we identified 557 pregnancies exposed to buprenorphine, methadone, and/or heroin (167 to buprenorphine, 197 to methadone, 28 to self-reported heroin, and 165 to combinations). Compared with nonexposed pregnancies, prenatal opioid use was associated with greater prevalence of preterm birth (PR of 2.8 (95% confidence interval (CI), 2.3–3.4)), LBW among infants born at term (PR of 4.3 (95% CI, 3.0–6.1)), and being SGA (PR of 2.7 (95% CI, 1.9–4.3)). Restricting the analyses to women who smoked slightly lowered these estimates. The prevalence of congenital malformations was 8.3% in opioid-exposed women compared with 4.2% in nonexposed women (PR of 2.0 (95% CI, 1.5–2.6)). The risk of NAS ranged from 7% in neonates exposed to buprenorphine only to 55% in neonates exposed to methadone only or to opioid combinations.

Conclusion

The maternal use of buprenorphine and methadone during pregnancy was associated with increased prevalence of adverse birth outcomes, and this increase could only be explained to a smaller extent by increased prevalence of smoking. The risk of NAS was eight-fold higher in methadone-exposed neonates than that in buprenorphine-exposed neonates, but this difference may at least partly be explained by differences in underlying indications (analgesic versus opioid maintenance treatment) between the two groups.
A Peer Support Scale for Adults Treated for Psychoactive Substance–Use Disorder: A Rasch Analysis
Authors: Mazurek Kathryn D. , Ciesla James R.
Published: October 2015

The literature suggests that peer support is protective of relapse for adults treated for substance-use disorder. However, to our knowledge there is no standard measure of peer support. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to use Rasch analysis to assess a 13-item peer support scale used in a group of adults treated for primary psychoactive substance–abuse disorder. The participants ( n = 408) are adults who were discharged from an inpatient substance-abuse treatment program from five successive years, 2004–2009. Overall, it is acceptable to surmise that items 1–12 are part of the same dimension for the 13-item scale. Given the prominence of therapeutic communities as a mode of primary treatment and the importance of peer support, it is important to both the academic and treatment communities to have a standard way to measure peer support. The scale presented here can be useful for this purpose.

Highlights

• We asses a peer support scale for those treated for substance abuse. • We examine characteristics of the peer support scale. • We provide an option to measure peer support for those treated for substance abuse.
On the Uniqueness of Jordan Canonical Form Decompositions of Operators by K-theoretical Data
Authors: Jiang Chunlan , Shi Rui
Published: October 2015

In this paper, we develop a generalized Jordan canonical form theorem for a certain class of operators in ℒ(Η). A complete criterion for similarity for this class of operators in terms of K-theory for Banach algebras is given.
Quality Outcomes in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit after Electronic Health Record Implementation
Authors: Flatow V. H. , Ibragimova N. , Divino C. M. , Eshak D. S. A. , Twohig B. C. , Bassily-Marcus A. M. , Kohli-Seth R.
Published: October 2015

Background: The electronic health record (EHR) is increasingly viewed as a means to provide more coordinated, patient-centered care. Few studies consider the impact of EHRs on quality of care in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting.

Objectives: To evaluate key quality measures of a surgical intensive care unit (SICU) following implementation of the Epic EHR system in a tertiary hospital.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was undertaken to record quality indicators for all patients admitted to the SICU two years before and two years after EHR implementation. Data from the twelve-month period of transition to EHR was excluded. We collected length of stay, mortality, central line associated blood stream infection (CLABSI) rates, Clostridium difficile (C. diff.) colitis rates, readmission rates, and number of coded diagnoses. To control for variation in the patient population over time, the case mix indexes (CMIs) and APACHE II scores were also analyzed.

Results: There was no significant difference in length of stay, C. diff. colitis, readmission rates, or case mix index before and after EHR. After EHR implementation, the rate of central line blood stream infection (CLABSI) per 1 000 catheter days was 85% lower (2.16 vs 0.39; RR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.61, p < .005), and SICU mortality was 28% lower (12.2 vs 8.8; RR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.71, p < .01). Moreover, after EHR there was a significant increase in the average number of coded diagnoses from 17.8 to 20.8 (p < .000).

Conclusions: EHR implementation was statistically associated with reductions in CLABSI rates and SICU mortality. The EHR had an integral role in ongoing quality improvement endeavors which may explain the changes in CLABSI and mortality, and this invites further study of the impact of EHRs on quality of care in the ICU.
Corneal Hydrops in Keratoconus
Authors: Sharma Namrata , Nagpal Ritu , Maharana Prafulla K
Published: October 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this review is to outline the etiology, clinical features, and management of acute corneal hydrops (CH) in cases of keratoconus (KC).

Recent findings

The advent of newer investigative modalities like ultra biomicroscopy, anterior segment optical coherence tomography and confocal microscopy has contributed toward the diagnosis, treatment planning and following the course of therapy in cases of acute hydrops.

Corneal hydrops is an acute complication of keratoconus which in most instances resolves spontaneously. However, prolonged corneal edema can lead to complications, such as corneal neovascularization which can jeopardise a future corneal graft. Hence, timely intervention is required in most cases to prevent such complications as well as for early visual rehabilitation. Intracameral gas injection is the most commonly performed surgical procedure for hydrops. Modifications in surgical technique can help to tackle difficult situations.

How to cite this article

Maharana PK, Nagpal R, Sharma N. Corneal Hydrops in Keratoconus. Int J Kerat Ect Cor Dis 2015;4(2):52-55.
Corneal Collagen Cross-linking in a Prepubescent 10-Year-Old Girl with Aggressive Keratoconus
Authors: Abbondanza Marco , Guidobaldi Margherita
Published: October 2015

Keratoconus (KC) is a corneal ectatic disease that results in bilateral and asymmetrical corneal distortion, altered refractive powers and reduced vision. In 20 to 25% of cases, corneal transplantation may be required, although a number of conservative procedures are available. We report a case of an aggressive stage II keratoconus in a prepubescent 10-year-old girl, successfully treated with corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) with epithelium removal.

How to cite this article

Abbondanza M, Guidobaldi M. Corneal Collagen Cross-linking in a Prepubescent 10-Year- Old Girl with Aggressive Keratoconus. Int J Kerat Ect Cor Dis 2015;4(2):63-65.
The Symbiotic Bond Questionnaire – theoretical background and psychometric qualities
Authors: Lewandowska-Walter Aleksandra , Błażek Magdalena , Kaźmierczak Maria
Published: October 2015

Background

The article describes the Symbiotic Bond Questionnaire (SBQ) – the theoretical background as well as its psychometric characteristics and psychological correlates. The items were created on the basis of the definition of symbiotic personality (Johnson, 1994a).

Participants and procedure

For these initial survey development and cross-validation studies, the factor structure and psychometric properties of the SBQ were examined. To assess the SBQ’s reliability, the researchers conducted an exploratory factor analysis using a sample of 568 people. The analysis indicated that the Symbiotic Bond Questionnaire consists of 28 items that form four factors: Suppressing, Merging, Cognitive oversensitiveness, and Emotional sensitiveness.

Results

The symbiotic bond is associated with attachment styles (Suppressing and Cognitive oversensitiveness positively with insecure attachment, and Merging and Emotional sensitiveness positively with secure attachment), empathy (Suppressing and Cognitive oversensitiveness positively with personal distress, and Emotional sensitiveness positively with taking care of others and taking their point of view), differentiation of self (correlations indicate poor functioning of a person in terms of emotional and cognitive autonomy), interdependent-relational self (more relational people are more inclined to merging and emotional sensitiveness) and goal-oriented activity (suppressing is negatively associated with strategic and with life enrichment orientation, and positively with avoidant orientation, while Cognitive oversensitiveness is associated with avoidant orientation and emotional sensitiveness with life enrichment orientation).

Conclusions

The measure is sufficiently reliable and valid. Implications and directions for future research on the measurement are considered.
Coffee consumption and propensity to experience aggressive feelings in provoking and frustrating situations
Authors: Zajenkowska Anna , Jankowski Konrad S. , Mylonas Kostas , Rajchert Joanna
Published: October 2015

The present study focused on examining whether coffee intake is related to the intensity of aggressive feelings in reaction to various provoking or frustrating situations, along with consideration of sex and culture. Previous studies focused mainly on the dose of caffeine (not the habit of coffee drinking) and aggressive behavior. Many of these studies showed a positive relation between the amount of caffeine consumed and aggression, so it was expected that also habitual coffee consumption would be positively related to propensity for aggressive feelings in situations of provocation and frustration. Participants from Greece (n = 299) and Poland (n = 300) declared whether they were coffee drinkers (at least 1 mug of coffee per day) and completed the Situational Triggers of Aggressive Responses questionnaire. The results showed that in females, coffee drinkers had higher scores in Sensitivity to Provocation (SP) and Frustration (SF) than nondrinkers, while no differences between drinkers and nondrinkers appeared in males. Moreover, amongst coffee drinkers, females had higher scores in SP and SF than males, while no sex differences were found in nondrinkers. Furthermore, in Poland coffee drinkers had higher SP scores than nondrinkers. Poles also had higher SP scores than Greeks, but only when coffee drinkers were compared.
Validation of the Polish version of the Collective Self-Esteem Scale
Authors: Bazińska Róża
Published: October 2015

Background

The aim of this article is to present research on the validity and reliability of the Collective Self-Esteem Scale (CSES) for the Polish population. The CSES is a measure of individual differences in collective self-esteem, understood as the global evaluation of one’s own social (collective) identity.

Participants and procedure

Participants from two samples (n = 466 and n = 1,009) completed a paper-pencil set of questionnaires which contained the CSES and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and subsets of participants completed scales related to a sense of belonging, well-being and psychological distress (anxiety and depression).

Results

Like the original version, the Polish version of the CSES comprises 16 items which form the four dimensions of collective self-esteem: Public collective self-esteem, Private collective self-esteem, Membership esteem and Importance of Identity. The results confirm the four-factor structure of the Polish version of the CSES, support the whole Polish version of the CSES as well as its subscales, which represent satisfactory reliability and stability, and provide initial evidence of construct validity.

Conclusions

As the results of the study indicate, the Polish version of the CSES is a valid and reliable self-report measure for assessing the global self-esteem derived from membership of a group and has proved to be useful in the Polish context.
Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery in assessment of cognitive parameters in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in relation to autoantibody profile
Authors: Bogaczewicz Anna , Sobow Tomasz , Kowalski Jan , Ząbek Jakub , Woźniacka Anna , Bogaczewicz Jaroslaw
Published: October 2015

Objectives:  To relate the cognitive parameters of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients in remission to their profile of autoantibodies.

Material and methods: The study included 32 patients with SLE in remission, with mild disease activity as indicated by SELENA-SLEDAI < 6. For neuropsychological assessment, the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) was applied, using motor screening (MOT), big little circle (BLC), paired associated learning (PAL), stockings of Cambridge (SOC), and graded naming tests (GNT). Detection of autoantibodies against dsDNA, nucleosome (aNuc), Sm, and anticardiolipin (aCL: IgG and IgM) was performed with immunoassays.

Results:  The SLE patients demonstrated standard scores below norms, matched according to age and gender, in the following tests: GNT (–0.87 ±0.85), SOC PSMM (–0.47 ±0.97), PAL (–1.88 ±3.58), and BLC (–0.31 ±1.90). GNT scores under –0.5 were found significantly more frequently in SLE patients, seen in roughly 66% of test subjects. Values for PAL and mean subsequent thinking time of stockings of Cambridge (SOC MSTT) were found to be lower than –0.5 in approximately half of the patients. Mean error of motor screening (MOT ME) was found to negatively correlate with mean latency of motor screening (MOT ML) (r = –0.55). PAL significantly correlated with SOC MSTT (r = 0.38) and with GNT (r = 0.36). Anti-dsDNA antibody level correlated negatively with MOT ME (r = –0.46). Anti-Nuc antibodies correlated with MOT ML (r = 0.41) but negatively correlated with MOT ME

(r = –0.58). The levels of anti-Sm, anti-CL IgM and IgG did not correlate significantly with the outcomes of CANTAB. The age of the patients correlated negatively with MOT ME (r = –0.36), positively with BLC (r = 0.53) and negatively with SOC MSTT (r = –0.43). The level of anti-Nuc antibodies correlated with anti-dsDNA level (r = 0.62) and of anti-CL IgM with anti-Sm (r = 0.39) and anti-CL IgG (r = 0.87).

Conclusions: CANTAB reveals a decrease in selected cognitive functions in patients with SLE. ACL IgG and anti-dsDNA antibodies indicated SLE patients prone to develop a decrease in cognitive functions.
U1-RNP and Toll-like receptors in the pathogenesis of mixed connective tissue disease

Part II. Endosomal TLRs and their biological significance in the pathogenesis of mixed connective tissue disease
Authors: Paradowska-Gorycka Agnieszka
Published: October 2015

Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a chronic autoimmune immunopathological disease of unknown etiology, which is characterized by the presence of various clinical symptoms and the presence of autoantibodies against U1-RNP particles. The U1-RNP component engages immune cells and their receptors in a complex network of interactions that ultimately lead to autoimmunity, inflammation, and tissue injury. The anti-U1-RNP autoantibodies form an immune complex with self-RNA, present in MCTD serum, which can act as endosomal Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands. Inhibition of TLRs by nucleic acids is a promising area of research for the development of novel therapeutic strategies against pathogenic infection, tumorigenesis and autoimmunity. In this review we summarize current knowledge of endogenous TLRs and discuss their biological significance in the pathogenesis of MCTD. In part I we described the structure, biological function and significance of the U1-RNP complex in MCTD.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis complicated by amyloidosis with secondary nephrotic syndrome – effective treatment with tocilizumab
Authors: Kwiatkowska Małgorzata , Jednacz Ewa , Rutkowska-Sak Lidia
Published: October 2015

A case report of a boy with juvenile idiopathic arthritis since the age of 2 years, generalized onset, complicated by nephrotic syndrome due to secondary type A amyloidosis is presented.

In the patient the disease had an especially severe course, complicated by frequent infections, making routine treatment difficult. Amyloidosis was diagnosed in the 5th year of the disease based on a rectal biopsy. Since the disease onset the boy has been taking prednisolone and sequentially cyclosporine A, methotrexate, chlorambucil, etanercept, and cyclophosphamide. Clinical and laboratory remission was observed after treatment with tocilizumab. After 42 months of treatment with tocilizumab the boy’s condition is good. There is no pain or joint edema, and no signs of nephrotic syndrome.
DAS28 score vs. ultrasound examination for assessment of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity: comparison and discussion of pros and cons
Authors: Barczyńska Tacjana Anna , Dura Marta , Blumfield Einat , Węgierska Małgorzata , Żuchowski Pawel , Wilińska-Jankowska Arnika , Jeka Sławomir
Published: October 2015

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic connective tissue disease which is characterized by symetrical multiple joints involvement and extra-articular symptoms. Current EULAR diagnostic criteria for RA include disease activity parameters, such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), which are used to calculate disease activity scores, including DAS and DAS28. Recently attempts have been made to assess disease activity using imaging diagnostic modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US). Due to significant progress in therapy effectiveness and early RA diagnosis possibility, imaging modalities become increasingly meaningful and many clinical trials confirm their usefulness. However, there are no consistent criteria for objective assessment of therapy effectiveness based on US. Moreover, it is not US availability that limits its common use, but rather significant variability between operators. This is why US remains only an additional tool to assess therapy efficacy with regard to DAS/DAS28 index.
The CarboCount CH sites: characterization of a dense greenhouse gas observation network
Authors: Oney B. , Henne S. , Gruber N. , Leuenberger M. , Bamberger I. , Eugster W. , Brunner D.
Published: October 2015

Abstract. We describe a new rural network of four densely placed (< 100 km apart), continuous atmospheric carbon (CO2, CH4, and CO) measurement sites in north-central Switzerland and analyze its suitability for regional-scale (~ 100–500 km) carbon flux studies. We characterize each site for the period from March 2013 to February 2014 by analyzing surrounding land cover, observed local meteorology, and sensitivity to surface fluxes, as simulated with the Lagrangian particle dispersion model FLEXPART-COSMO (FLEXible PARTicle dispersion model-Consortium for Small-Scale Modeling). The Beromünster measurements are made on a tall tower (212 m) located on a gentle hill. At Beromünster, regional CO2 signals (measurement minus background) vary diurnally from −4 to +4 ppmv, on average, and are simulated to come from nearly the entire Swiss Plateau, where 50 % of surface influence is simulated to be within 130–260 km distance. The Früebüel site measurements are made 4 m above ground on the flank of a gently sloping mountain. Nearby (< 50 km) pasture and forest fluxes exert the most simulated surface influence, except during convective summertime days when the site is mainly influenced by the eastern Swiss Plateau, which results in summertime regional CO2 signals varying diurnally from −5 to +12 ppmv and elevated summer daytime CH4 signals (+30 ppbv above other sites). The Gimmiz site measurements are made on a small tower (32 m) in flat terrain. Here, strong summertime regional signals (−5 to +60 ppmv CO2) stem from large, nearby (< 50 km) crop and anthropogenic fluxes of the Seeland region, except during warm or windy days when simulated surface influence is of regional scale (< 250 km). The Lägern-Hochwacht measurements are made on a small tower (32 m) on top of the steep Lägern crest, where simulated surface influence is typically of regional scale (130–300 km) causing summertime regional signals to vary from −5 to +8 ppmv CO2. Here, considerable anthropogenic influence from the nearby industrialized region near Zurich causes the average wintertime regional CO2 signals to be 5 ppmv above the regional signals simultaneously measured at the Früebüel site. We find that the suitability of the data sets from our current observation network for regional carbon budgeting studies largely depends on the ability of the high-resolution (2 km) atmospheric transport model to correctly capture the temporal dynamics of the stratification of the lower atmosphere at the different sites. The current version of the atmospheric transport model captures these dynamics well, but it clearly reaches its limits at the sites in steep topography and at the sites that generally remain in the surface layer. Trace gas transport and inverse modeling studies will be necessary to determine the impact of these limitations on our ability to derive reliable regional-scale carbon flux estimates in the complex Swiss landscape.