bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mental health in Colombia
Authors: Chaskel Roberto , Gaviria Silvia L. , Espinel Zelde , Taborda Eliana , Vanegas Roland , Shultz James M.
Published: January 2018

A hallmark of Colombia is population-wide exposure to violence. To understand the realities of mental health in Colombia requires attention to the historical context of 60 years of unrelenting armed conflict overlaid upon high rates of homicide, gang activity and prevalent gender-based and intra-familial violence. The number of patients affected by trauma is extremely large, and the population burden of alcohol misuse and illicit drug use is significant. These patterns have brought the subspecialties of trauma and addiction psychiatry to the forefront, and highlight the need for novel treatments that integrate psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacological modalities.
The Nepal earthquake: use of a disaster to improve mental health literacy
Authors: Shakya D. R.
Published: January 2018

People were not well prepared for the psychological aftermath of the earthquake in Nepal in April 2015. A higher rate of mental disorder was noted in the ensuing months and there was a need to develop psychosocial interventions, especially for those with poor mental health literacy. Acceptable, affordable and accessible mental health awareness programmes were required. Through examples of strategies adopted by the author, this article asserts that the aftermath of natural disasters can give mental health professionals opportunities to improve mental health literacy.
Integration of mental health into primary care: a Chilean perspective on a global challenge
Authors: Calderon Jorge , Rojas Graciela
Published: January 2018

Chile has been successful in integrating mental health and primary care. This paper describes the Chilean mental health service in primary care and the experience of scaling up a depression treatment programme. A new mental health plan is due to be introduced in 2016.
Music therapy for mental disorder and mental health: the untapped potential of Indian classical music
Authors: Hegde Shantala
Published: January 2018

Music is a universal human trait. The healing power of music has been acknowledged in almost all traditions of music. Music therapy is moving from a social-science model focusing on overall health and well-being towards a neuroscience model focusing on specific elements of music and its effect on sensorimotor, language and cognitive functions. The handful of evidence-based music therapy studies on psychiatric conditions have shown promising results. Traditional music, such as Indian classical music, has only recently been evaluated in evidence-based research into music therapy. The need for systematic research in this area is underscored.
Child and youth mental health in post-war Sri Lanka
Authors: Chandradasa Miyuru , Kuruppuarachchi K. A. L. A.
Published: January 2018

Sri Lanka's civil war and the tsunami in 2004 had enormous psychological impacts on the country's children. Tackling these issues has been difficult due to the lack of specialists in child and adolescent psychiatry. The end of the war in 2009 opened new avenues for the development of mental health services for children and youth in Sri Lanka. The year 2016 was historic in that the first board-certified child and adolescent psychiatrists assumed services in the country, after training in Australia.
China's National Comprehensive Management Pilot Project for Mental Health
Authors: Zhang Wufang , Ma Ning
Published: January 2018

The National Continuing Management and Intervention Programme for Psychoses, also known as the 686 Programme, was launched in China in 2004, marking a shift to a hospital-and-community collaborative model of care for patients with psychoses. An updated programme, the National Comprehensive Management Pilot Project for Mental Health, was launched in 2015 with the cooperation of six government ministries and bodies, including the China Disabled Persons Federation. Mechanisms for multi-sector cooperation in mental health services are being put in place in China.
What makes nature-based interventions for mental health successful?
Authors: Bloomfield Dan
Published: January 2018

Nature-based interventions for mental health are beginning to become more common in the UK. The evidence for their usefulness is building. Taking the ‘A Dose of Nature’ project in the south-west as an example, factors for making such interventions a success are described.
Mental healthcare in Uganda: desperate challenges but real opportunities
Authors: Molodynski Andrew , Cusack Christina , Nixon Jurua
Published: January 2018

Recent reports have highlighted human rights concerns in Ugandan mental healthcare. This article describes the current situation in terms of healthcare funding and provision, concerns regarding legislation, and health inequalities. Possible reasons for the difficult situation are briefly discussed, including the economy, pervasive stigma and ongoing unrest in the region. We then describe some encouraging initiatives in Uganda that are empowering those with mental health problems to have a better quality of life and identify opportunities for change.
Transethnic Evaluation Identifies Low-Frequency Loci Associated With 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations
Authors: Hong Jaeyoung , Hatchell Kathryn E , Bradfield Jonathan P , Bjonnes Andrew , Chesi Alessandra , Lai Chao-Qiang , Langefeld Carl D , Lu Lingyi , Lu Yingchang , Lutsey Pamela L , Musani Solomon K , Nalls Mike A , Robinson-Cohen Cassianne , Roizen Jeffery D , Saxena Richa , Tucker Katherine L , Ziegler Julie T , Arking Dan E , Bis Joshua C , Boerwinkle Eric , Bottinger Erwin P , Bowden Donald W , Gilsanz Vicente , Houston Denise K , Kalkwarf Heidi J , Kelly Andrea , Lappe Joan M , Liu Yongmei , Michos Erin D , Oberfield Sharon E , Palmer Nicholette D , Rotter Jerome I , Sapkota Bishwa , Shepherd John A , Wilson James G , Basu Saonli , de Boer Ian H , Divers Jasmin , Freedman Barry I , Grant Struan F A , Hakanarson Hakon , Harris Tamara B , Kestenbaum Bryan R , Kritchevsky Stephen B , Loos Ruth J F , Norris Jill M , Norwood Arnita F , Ordovas Jose M , Pankow James S , Psaty Bruce M , Sanghera Dharambir K , Wagenknecht Lynne E , Zemel Babette S , Meigs James , Dupuis Josée , Florez Jose C , Wang Thomas , Liu Ching-Ti , Engelman Corinne D , Billings Liana K
Published: January 2018

Context

Vitamin D inadequacy is common in the adult population of the United States. Although the genetic determinants underlying vitamin D inadequacy have been studied in people of European ancestry, less is known about populations with Hispanic or African ancestry.

Objective

The Trans-Ethnic Evaluation of Vitamin D (TRANSCEN-D) genomewide association study (GWAS) consortium was assembled to replicate genetic associations with 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations from the Study of Underlying Genetic Determinants of Vitamin D and Highly Related Traits (SUNLIGHT) meta-analyses of European ancestry and to identify genetic variants related to vitamin D concentrations in African and Hispanic ancestries.

Design

Ancestry-specific (Hispanic and African) and transethnic (Hispanic, African, and European) meta-analyses were performed with Meta-Analysis Helper software (METAL).

Patients or Other Participants

In total, 8541 African American and 3485 Hispanic American (from North America) participants from 12 cohorts and 16,124 European participants from SUNLIGHT were included in the study.

Main Outcome Measures

Blood concentrations of 25(OH)D were measured for all participants.

Results

Ancestry-specific analyses in African and Hispanic Americans replicated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GC (2 and 4 SNPs, respectively). An SNP (rs79666294) near the KIF4B gene was identified in the African American cohort. Transethnic evaluation replicated GC and DHCR7 region SNPs. Additionally, the transethnic analyses revealed SNPs rs719700 and rs1410656 near the ANO6/ARID2 and HTR2A genes, respectively.

Conclusions

Ancestry-specific and transethnic GWASs of 25(OH)D confirmed findings in GC and DHCR7 for African and Hispanic American samples and revealed findings near KIF4B, ANO6/ARID2, and HTR2A. The biological mechanisms that link these regions with 25(OH)D metabolism warrant further investigation.
Perturbation of canonical and non-canonical BMP signaling affects migration, polarity and dendritogenesis of mouse cortical neurons
Authors: Saxena Monika , Agnihotri Nitin , Sen Jonaki
Published: January 2018

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling has been implicated in the regulation of patterning of the forebrain and as a regulator of neurogenesis and gliogenesis in the mammalian cortex. However, its role in other aspects of cortical development in vivo remains unexplored. We hypothesized that BMP signaling might regulate additional processes during the development of cortical neurons after observing active BMP signaling in a spatiotemporally dynamic pattern in the mouse cortex. Our investigation revealed that BMP signaling specifically regulates the migration, polarity and the dendritic morphology of upper layer cortical neurons born at E15.5. On further dissection of the role of canonical and non-canonical BMP signaling in each of these processes, we found that migration of these neurons is regulated by both pathways. Their polarity, however, appears to be affected more strongly by canonical BMP signaling, whereas dendritic branch formation appears to be somewhat more strongly affected by LIMK-mediated non-canonical BMP signaling.
A mutation in Ccdc39 causes neonatal hydrocephalus with abnormal motile cilia development in mice
Authors: Abdelhamed Zakia , Vuong Shawn M. , Hill Lauren , Shula Crystal , Timms Andrew , Beier David , Campbell Kenneth , Mangano Francesco T. , Stottmann Rolf W. , Goto June
Published: January 2018

Pediatric hydrocephalus is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and is one of the most common congenital brain abnormalities. However, little is known about the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating CSF flow in the developing brain. Through whole-genome sequencing analysis, we report that a homozygous splice site mutation in coiled-coil domain containing 39 (Ccdc39) is responsible for early postnatal hydrocephalus in the progressive hydrocephalus (prh) mouse mutant. Ccdc39 is selectively expressed in embryonic choroid plexus and ependymal cells on the medial wall of the forebrain ventricle, and the protein is localized to the axoneme of motile cilia. The Ccdc39prh/prh ependymal cells develop shorter cilia with disorganized microtubules lacking the axonemal inner arm dynein. Using high-speed video microscopy, we show that an orchestrated ependymal ciliary beating pattern controls unidirectional CSF flow on the ventricular surface, which generates bulk CSF flow in the developing brain. Collectively, our data provide the first evidence for involvement of Ccdc39 in hydrocephalus and suggest that the proper development of medial wall ependymal cilia is crucial for normal mouse brain development.
Efficacy of Tandem Gait to Identify Impaired Postural Control after Concussion
Authors: OLDHAM JESSIE R. , DIFABIO MELISSA S. , KAMINSKI THOMAS W. , DEWOLF RYAN M. , HOWELL DAVID R. , BUCKLEY THOMAS A.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose was to evaluate tandem gait (TG), Balance Error Scoring System (BESS), and modified Balance Error Scoring System (mBESS) performance acutely after concussion in collegiate student-athletes. In addition, we sought to evaluate the psychometric properties of TG, including minimal detectable change (MDC), sensitivity, and specificity.

Methods

Seventy-six National Collegiate Athletic Association student-athletes performed TG and BESS tests: 38 acutely after concussion and 38 controls. Participants were tested at baseline (time 1) and again acutely after concussion, or the following year for controls (time 2). Ten controls, tested simultaneously by two researchers, established a TG interrater minimal detectable change. A 2 × 2 mixed-design ANOVA compared each outcome variable. An receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC).

Result

There was a significant interaction (F= 8.757,P= 0.004) for TG whereby the concussion group was slower after concussion (10.59 ± 1.53 vs 11.80 ± 2.67 s), whereas there was no difference for controls (10.13 ± 1.72 vs 9.93 ± 1.85 s). There was no significant interaction for BESS (F= 0.235,P= 0.630) or mBESS (F= 0.007,P= 0.935). TG had a sensitivity of 0.632, a specificity of 0.605, and an AUC of 0.704. BESS had a sensitivity of 0.447, a specificity of 0.500, and an AUC of 0.508. mBESS had a sensitivity of 0.474, a specificity of 0.632, and an AUC of 0.535.

Conclusions

Participants completed TG significantly slower after concussion, whereas no change across time was detected for controls. In contrast, BESS and mBESS performances were similar at both testing times in both groups. Our AUC analysis was acceptable for TG, but a failure for both BESS and mBESS; thus, TG may be a useful alternative for clinicians conducting postconcussion postural control assessments.
Exercise Protects against Cancer-induced Cardiac Cachexia
Authors: PARRY TRACI L. , HAYWARD REID
Published: January 2018

Cancer has been shown to negatively stimulate autophagy, leading to a decline in cardiac function. Although exercise is cardioprotective, its influence over autophagy-mediated tumor growth and cardiac function are not well defined.

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the effect of exercise on tumor morphology and cardiac function.

Methods

Fisher 344 rats (n = 28) were assigned to one of four groups: 1) sedentary non-tumor bearing (SED), 2) sedentary tumor bearing (SED + T), 3) wheel run non-tumor bearing (WR), or 4) wheel run tumor bearing (WR + T). Rats remained sedentary or exercised for 6 wk. At week 4, rats in tumor groups were inoculated with MatBIII tumor cells. At week 6, cardiac function was measured.

Results

SED + T animals exhibited significantly lower left ventricular developed pressure when compared with SED, WR, and WR + T (P < 0.05). This coincided with a significant increase in cardiac autophagy (increased LC3-II) in SED + T animals when compared with SED, WR, and WR + T (P < 0.05). Furthermore, SED + T hearts showed a significant increase in β-myosin heavy chain expression versus nontumor groups (P < 0.05). Tumor mass was significantly larger (P < 0.001) in SED + T animals when compared with WR + T animals, which was accompanied by a significant increase in tumor LC3-II protein expression (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Nonexercised tumor-bearing rats showed severe cardiac dysfunction and excessive, maladaptive autophagy in the heart and tumors. Voluntary exercise preserved cardiac function and attenuated the autophagic response in heart and tumor tissues. This preservation may be related to the reduced tumor growth in aerobically exercised rats, to the improved regulation of autophagy by exercise, or both.
Predicting Basal Metabolic Rate in Men with Motor Complete Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: NIGHTINGALE TOM E. , GORGEY ASHRAF S.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This study aimed to assess the accuracy of existing basal metabolic rate (BMR) prediction equations in men with chronic (>1 yr) spinal cord injury (SCI). The primary aim is to develop new SCI population-specific BMR prediction models, based on anthropometric, body composition, and/or demographic variables that are strongly associated with BMR.

Methods

Thirty men with chronic SCI (paraplegic, n = 21, tetraplegic, n = 9) 35 ± 11 yr old (mean ± SD) participated in this cross-sectional study. Criterion BMR values were measured by indirect calorimetry. Body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) and anthropometric measurements (circumferences and diameters) were also taken. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to develop new SCI-specific BMR prediction models. Criterion BMR values were compared with values estimated from six existing and four developed prediction equations.

Results

Existing equations that use information on stature, weight, and/or age significantly (P < 0.001) overpredicted measured BMR by a mean of 14%–17% (187–234 kcal·d−1). Equations that used fat-free mass (FFM) accurately predicted BMR. The development of new SCI-specific prediction models demonstrated that the addition of anthropometric variables (weight, height, and calf circumference) to FFM (model 3; r
2 = 0.77), explained 8% more of the variance in BMR than FFM alone (model 1; r
2 = 0.69). Using anthropometric variables, without FFM, explained less of the variance in BMR (model 4; r
2 = 0.57). However, all the developed prediction models demonstrated acceptable mean absolute error ≤6%.

Conclusion

BMR can be more accurately estimated when dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry–derived FFM is incorporated into prediction equations. Using anthropometric measurements provides a promising alternative to improve the prediction of BMR, beyond that achieved by existing equations in persons with SCI.
Synthesis of discrete-logic control systems
Authors: Чикуров Николай , CHikurov Nikolay
Published: January 2018

The tutorial discusses the engineering methods of analysis and synthesis of discrete-logic control systems for industrial machinery based on the unit of the algebra of logic and sequences of their work; given an improved universal method, allowing fast enough to synthesize a complex control system on a variety of components. Examples of design of systems of control devices of machine electrics; given the method of programming logic controllers in an instrumental environment programming ISaGRAF.
Healthy ageing and the science of longevity in dogs. Part I: is grey the new gold?
Authors: Adams Vicki Jean , Morgan David Mark , Watson Penny
Published: January 2018

While we are all familiar with the phrase ‘ageing is not a disease’, what do we really mean by ‘healthy ageing’? In this first of a two-part article on the science of longevity we explore what ageing is, starting with some important definitions used in the field of gerontology. There are three broad factors that are thought to influence how long an individual dog lives: the genetic make-up of the individual, the environment, and the occurrence of disease. Longevity depends on an individual experiencing the ideal for these three factors. The complex interactions between a dog's genetic make-up, subsequent environmental stimuli, disease risk and longevity are considered further in the second part of this article to help us better understand how to meet the aim for a healthy, happy, old dog, not just a long lifespan. We conclude that healthy ageing is a life-long concept referring to the preservation of optimal physical, mental and social well-being in older adult dogs and is characterised by a long healthspan during which an individual is generally healthy and free from serious disease. This is most likely to be achieved through promotion of health and wellbeing via the use of veterinary services to prevent or minimise disease.
Parasite roundup 2017
Authors: Stokes Laura , Wright Ian
Published: January 2018

This article draws information from the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP) UK & Ireland Parasite Forecasts as well as other reputable sources such as the ‘Act Against Lungworm’ campaign, the ‘Big Tick Project’ and Public Health England's Tick Surveillance Scheme, to provide a roundup of companion animal parasitology in 2017. Identifying key themes and highlighting findings from recent data publications, this article provides updates on a number of parasites and associated diseases relevant to the UK.
‘The communal’ in school and indigenous radio: Evidence from the North of Argentina
Authors: Belotti Francesca , Siares Emilse
Published: January 2018

The Argentinian Law 26.522 on Audiovisual Communication Services (currently under reform) aimed at democratizing the media arena by recognizing multiple actors such as community broadcasters, school and indigenous media, among others. According to the legal classification, community broadcasters were regulated as private non-profit media, despite having specific objectives, programming, organizational logic and economic conditions. Conversely, school and indigenous media merged into the public sector, even if they may act as community media. The article compares results arising from two research projects carried out in Northern Argentina through in-depth interviews with key informants from two indigenous radio stations and two school radio stations. The theoretical framework mainly draws on literature about community, alternative and popular communication. Results show that communities participate in such media foundation or management and that media content deals with cultural and political issues related to their interests or needs. Indeed, emerging features allow considering such broadcasters as community media.
Higher order Dehn functions for horospheres in products of Hadamard spaces
Authors: Link Gabriele
Published: January 2018

Let X be a product of r locally compact and geodesically complete Hadamard spaces. We prove that the horospheres in X centered at regular boundary points of X are Lipschitz-(r − 2)-connected. If X has finite Assouad–Nagata dimension, then using the filling construction by R. Young in [10] this gives sharp bounds on higher order Dehn functions for such horospheres. Moreover, if Γ ⊂ Is(X) is a lattice acting cocompactly on X minus a union of disjoint horoballs, then we get a sharp bound on higher order Dehn functions for Γ. We deduce that apart from the Hilbert modular groups already considered by R. Young, every irreducible ℚ-rank one lattice acting on a product of r Riemannian symmetric spaces of the noncompact type is undistorted up to dimension r−1 and has k-th order Dehn function asymptotic to V
(k+1)/k
for all k ≤ r − 2.
The Method of Validity Evaluation of Hard Coal Excavation in Residual Seam Parts
Authors: Wodarski Krzysztof , Bijańska Jolanta , Gumiński Adam
Published: January 2018

The excavation of residual seam parts should be justified by positive assessment of the purposefulness, technical feasibility and economic effectiveness. The results of the profitability evaluation are crucial in a decision making process. The excavation of residual seam parts, even if it is possible from a technical point of view, should not be implemented if it is economically inefficient or when accompanied by a very high risk of non-recovery of invested capital resources. The article presents the evaluation method of possibilities of excavating hard coal from residual seam parts, and the example of its use in one of collieries in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. Working in line with the developed method, allows to indicate the variant of residual seam part exploitation, which is feasible to implement from a technical point of view, and which is characterized by the highest economic effectiveness and lowest risk.
Variability of Mercury Content in Coal Matter From Coal Seams of The Upper Silesia Coal Basin
Authors: Wierzchowski Krzysztof , Chećko Jarosław , Pyka Ireneusz
Published: January 2018

The process of identifying and documenting the quality parameters of coal, as well as the conditions of coal deposition in the seam, is multi-stage and extremely expensive. The taking and analyzing of seam samples is the method of assessment of the quality and quantity parameters of coals in deep mines. Depending on the method of sampling, it offers quite precise assessment of the quality parameters of potential commercial coals. The main kind of seam samples under consideration are so-called “documentary seam samples”, which exclude dirt bands and other seam contaminants. Mercury content in coal matter from the currently accessible and exploited coal seams of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) was assessed. It was noted that the mercury content in coal seams decreases with the age of the seam and, to a lesser extent, seam deposition depth. Maps of the variation of mercury content in selected lithostratigraphic units (layers) of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin have been created.
Lombard Effect in Polish Speech and its Comparison in English Speech
Authors: Kleczkowski Piotr , Zak Agnieszka , Król-Nowak Aleksandra
Published: January 2018

The first extensive investigation on the Lombard effect with Polish speech has been performed. Characteristic parameters of Lombard speech were measured: intensity, fundamental frequency, spectral tilt, duration of words, duration of pauses and duration of vowels. The effect was investigated in a task involving real communication - solving a Sudoku puzzle. The speakers produced speech in quiet and in three different backgrounds: competing speech, speech-shaped noise and speech-modulated noise. The experimental conditions were held as close as possible to those in the study by Cooke and Lu (2010) so that conclusions could be drawn whether differences between the Lombard effect in Polish speech and English speech existed. Most of the findings on the Lombard effect known from the literature have been confirmed with Polish speech. In three parameters, Polish speakers were more sensitive to modulated backgrounds while English speakers were more sensitive to a stationary background. In both languages, the modulated backgrounds induced speakers to extend pauses in the communication tasks.
An Experimental Study of the Gemination in Arabic Language
Authors: Ferrat Kamel , Guerti Mhania
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we report the results of an experimental study of the acoustic and articulatory features of the gemination in Modern Arabic language, pronounced by Algerian speakers. To extract the feature characteristics, we have carried out an acoustic analysis by computing the values of frequency formants, energy and durations of the consonants and subsequent vowels in the various [VCV] and [VCgV] utterances (Cg: geminate consonant). For the articulatory analysis, a range of kinematics parameters were analyzed from the phoneme productions including movement trajectories, distance, velocity, and duration of tongue movements. Among the most important results, we note a longer duration of the vowel following a geminate consonant, a decreasing in levels of F1 and F2 formants and a rising in level of F3 formant of this vowel.
Recognition of the 24-hour Noise Exposure of a Human
Authors: Korbiel Tomasz , Stepien Bartłomiej , Batko Wojciech , Baranski Robert , Mleczko Dominik , Pawlik Paweł , Blaut Jedrzej
Published: January 2018

The civilisation progress has caused noise to become one of essential pathogenic and life comfort decreasing factors. There are several legal regulations aimed at controlling the noise influence on humans. Assessment of the twenty-four-hour influence of noises in various environments constitutes an essential problem. The answer can be supplied by 24-hour monitoring of the sound pressure. This paper is an attempt to learn the real loading of humans by noises. A personal noise indicator was used in measurements. The human 24-hour activity was divided into cycles allowing to model noise hazards. The collected data, even though they did not signal exceeding of individual standards, in the 24-hour period indicated the essential noise influence. These results indicate the need of investigations to recognise the 24-hour noise load of a human, with taking into account various forms of their activity and the need of rest.
Seasonal Change and Spatial Distribution of Traffic Noise in Seferihisar, Turkey
Authors: Say Nuriye , Ökten Sinem Özyurt , Aysu Asuman , Yalçinkaya Nermin Merve
Published: January 2018

In this study, traffic noise in Seferihisar, which is a holiday resort by the Aegean Sea in the West of Turkey, was investigated. The noise occurring in summer and winter, on weekdays, and at weekends was mapped separately. Besides, land uses exposed to traffic noise were specified. In the carried out method, the land uses were primarily mapped by using the satellite images of the study area. Then, the noise was measured at 46 points during ten days in summer and winter, on weekdays and at weekends, and it was mapped by using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) method and by means of Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. The measurements were taken in the daytime (07:00-19:00), in the evening (19:00-23:00), and at night (23:00-07:00) as stated in the Turkish Regulation of Assessment and Management of Environmental Noise. Since the time interval of the daytime measurements was large, the noise was measured in three different periods for the daytime measurements. In the formation of noise maps, logarithmic averages of all measurements taken at each point were used. The noise maps were overlapped with the land use maps by the help of the GIS techniques; the land use affected by the noise was analyzed. The results showed that the road traffic noise varied from summer to winter seasons in the study area depending on heavy or light traffic. The noise occurring in summer showed an increase both on weekdays and at weekends. While the limit value was exceeded in 49 of the measurement averages taken in winter, the limit value was exceeded in 96 measurements taken in summer. The noise maps formed according to the IDW method displayed that the areas in which the limit value was exceeded in the daytime in summer took up 14.27% of the study area while this rate went down to 4.06% in winter. The study area is one of the most important destinations for summer holiday. 20.12% of the area that exceeded the limit value in summer was builtup and 10.69% of them was tourism area. The noise together with population and traffic that increase in summer season is an important environmental problem against which some precautions should be taken. The findings of the study present significant results which might guide local governments in preventing and managing the noise.
Sound Scattering by an Elastic Spherical Shell and its Cancellation using a Multi-pole Approach
Authors: Avital Eldad Jitzchak , Bholah Neeshtha Devi , Giovanelli Giuseppe Cortez , Miloh Touvia
Published: January 2018

The scattering and transmission of sound by an elastic spherical shell is considered when it is subject to an incoming monochromatic planar wave. It is aimed to cancel the sound scattering using combinations of multi-pole sources located at the centre of a shell filled with compressible fluid. Assuming linear acoustics and structural dynamics, exact solutions are derived for total elimination of the sound scattering for three cases: a free-space, near a hard ground or near a free-surface, where in the last two cases it is assumed that the incoming wave propagates normal to the interface to maximize sound reflection back unto the source of the incoming wave. An elastic spherical shell of 1 m radius embedded in water and filled with air or oil is analysed to show the dominance of low-mode numbers for frequencies of less than 10 kHz and thus demonstrate the ability of this approach to damp acoustic scattering by means of low-order multi-poles inside the shell. Contour and mode distribution plots are also given and analysed.
Analysis and Optimization of Micro Speaker-Box Using a Passive Radiator in Portable Device
Authors: Jiang Yuan-Wu , Kwon Joong-Hak , Kim Hyung-Kyu , Hwang Sang-Moon
Published: January 2018

With the rapid development of multimedia devices such as smart phones and tablet PCs, microspeakers have been recently increasingly used for audio equipment. Improving the acoustic performance of a microspeaker is always a main concern, especially in the low frequency range. To avoid sound cancelation, a microspeaker unit is usually inserted into a speaker box. A passive radiator is also used in speaker boxes to improve the sound performance in the loudspeaker system. However, passive radiators have not been applied into microspeaker system. In this study, a speaker box with a passive radiator was analyzed and optimized to achieve a higher Sound Pressure Level (SPL) in a microspeaker system. The Finite Element Method (FEM), two-degree-of-freedom (DOF) vibration theory, and a plane circular piston sound source were used to study the electromagnetic, vibration, and acoustic characteristics, respectively. Optimization was conducted by changing the mass, stiffness, and size of the passive radiator. Based on the optimized parameters, a new sample was manufactured. The experiment results show that the SPL of the optimized speaker box with a passive radiator is improved by 5 dB at 200 Hz compared with the one without a radiator. The analysis results also matched the experiment results.
Integrated Socio-Spatial Analysis of Soviet Era Modernist Urbanization and Its Consequences in Lithuanian Cities: Methodological Outline
Authors: Zaleckis Kęstutis , Gražulevičiūtė-Vileniškė Indrė , Vitkuvienė Jurga , Tranavičiūtė Brigita , Doğan Huriye Armağan , Grunskis Tomas , Sinkienė Jolita
Published: January 2018

The massive modernist urbanization of the Soviet era in Lithuania had brought new urban lifestyle models, caused the expansion of built-up areas and affected previously organically developing urban structures. Hence, its analysis and understanding are essential for further sustainable urban development. The research presents an outline of methodology for complex analysis and evaluation of modernization of Lithuanian cities during the Soviet era and its influence on Lithuanian past and present urban development as a socio-spatial phenomenon.
Labyrinthulomycota from Brazilian mangrove swamps and coastal waters
Authors: Boro Marcela Castilho , Harakava Ricardo , Pires-Zottarelli Carmen Lidia Amorim
Published: January 2018

The phylum Labyrinthulomycota is composed of three distinct groups of fungus-like organisms: the labyrinthulids, the thraustochytrids and the aplanochytrids. They are present in marine and brackish waters as saprobes and/or parasites. In recent years, there was an increased interest in studying these organisms due to the ability that some have to produce large amounts of lipids, particularly polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, in spite of their importance and diversity, in Brazil only four species were reported in the 1970s. Due to their ecological and economic importance globally and the limited knowledge of them in the country, this study aimed to evaluate the diversity of the Labyrinthulomycota in mangrove swamps and coastal waters of São Paulo State, Brazil. The specimens were isolated from water and leaf samples using different methodologies, and purified in an agar medium prepared with half-strength sterile seawater, peptone, yeast extract and glucose. After purification, they were identified by means of morphology and phylogenetic analysis of the SSU rDNA region. A total of 193 specimens representing five genera were observed, 26 specimens were incorporated into the culture collections and 29 sequences of the SSU rDNA region were deposited in GenBank. Labyrinthula sp., Aurantiochytrium sp., Parietichytrium sarkarianum and Thraustochytrium striatum are new records for Brazil, contributing to our knowledge of the diversity of fungus-like organisms in the country.
Supplemented checklist of lichens and allied fungi of Lithuania
Authors: Motiejūnaitė Jurga
Published: January 2018

A new checklist of 755 species of lichen-forming, lichenicolous and allied fungi occurring in Lithuania is presented. Of these, 620 species are lichenized, 115 lichenicolous and 20 are saprobic fungi that are usually treated in lichenological literature. Frequency of every species and infraspecific taxon in the country is indicated, except for the 12 species known from literature records only. List of synonyms is also presented.
Predictive value of serum gelsolin and Gc globulin in sepsis – a pilot study
Authors: Horváth-Szalai Zoltán , Kustán Péter , Szirmay Balázs , Lakatos Ágnes , Christensen Per Hjort , Huber Tamás , Bugyi Beáta , Mühl Diána , Ludány Andrea , Miseta Attila , Kovács Gábor L. , Kőszegi Tamás
Published: January 2018

Background:

Simultaneous determination of the two main actin scavenger proteins in sepsis has not been investigated until now. In our pilot study, we elucidated the predictive values of Gc globulin and gelsolin (GSN) in sepsis by comparing them to classic laboratory and clinical parameters.

Methods:

A 5-day follow-up was performed, including 46 septic patients, 28 non-septic patients and 35 outpatients as controls. Serum Gc globulin and GSN levels were determined by automated immune turbidimetric assay on a Cobas 8000/c502 analyzer. Patients were retrospectively categorized according to the sepsis-3 definitions, and 14-day mortality was also investigated.

Results:

First-day GSN also differentiated sepsis from non-sepsis (AUC: 0.88) similarly to C-reactive protein (AUC: 0.80) but was slightly inferior to procalcitonin (PCT) (AUC: 0.98) with a cutoff value of GSN at 22.29 mg/L (sensitivity: 83.3%; specificity: 86.2%). Only first-day SOFA scores (0.88) and GSN (0.71) distinguished septic survivors from non-survivors, whereas lactate (0.99), Gc globulin (0.76) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) (0.74) discriminated septic shock from sepsis. Logistic regression analyses revealed SOFA scores and GSN being significant factors regarding 14-day mortality. First-day GSN levels were higher (p<0.05) in septic survivors than in non-survivors. Gc globulin levels remained higher (p<0.01) in sepsis when compared with septic shock during the follow-up period.

Conclusions:

Both serum GSN and Gc globulin may have predictive values in sepsis. Considering the small sample size of our study, further measurements are needed to evaluate our results. Measurement of Gc globulin and GSN maybe useful in assessment of sepsis severity and in therapeutic decision-making.
The Determinants and the Size of International Migration in Central and Eastern Europe After 2004
Authors: Organiściak-Krzyszkowska Anna
Published: January 2018

Migration is a very important socio‑economic issue in the contemporary world. One of the interesting and pertinent research problems worth considering concerns the scale and nature of migration from countries which entered the European Union in 2004 and in the subsequent years. As a result of integration within the European Community, the citizens of member states acquired citizenship within the entire European Union (which is complementary to citizenship in the country of origin). The right of free movement led to the emergence of the migration phenomenon within the territory of the European Union. A well educated and young labour force may be an influential factor in the social and economic development of the European Union members. The enlargement of the EU led to a significant increase in the number of part‑time/temporary migrants. According to statistical data, the number of emigrants from the Central and Eastern European Countries (CEE) to the more prosperous European countries increased from 1,66 million in 2004 to 7,3 million in 2016. Within the context of the scale of economic migration from the CEE, questions should be asked about the determinants and economic consequences of this mobility. The main objective of this article is a diagnosis and evaluation of the determinants and size of migration from the CEE. The analyses are based on Eurostat data. The determinants of migration are presented from the point of view of the push and pull factors theory and related to the situation in the European labour market. An analysis of the size of migration outflow from the CEE countries made it possible to classify them into three groups: countries with a high emigration potential (Latvia, Lithuania, Romania), a moderate emigration potential (Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland, Estonia, Slovakia) and a low emigration potential (the Czech Republic, Slovenia). The economic consequences of migration are shown from the perspective of remittances received from working abroad.
How to measure the unmeasurable: Project Grey developing capacities and capabilities for tackling undeclared work
Authors: Bejaković Predrag
Published: January 2018

The term “not directly observed” or “the underground economy” refers to those economic activities that should be included in the GDP estimation but which are not recorded in the statistics business surveys or tax and administrative data used in the calculation of the estimates of national accounts because they are not directly observable. The unofficial or informal economy contains that part of the economic activity that is difficult to measure. Thus, in addition to the complex issue of defining the underground production, there is an even more demanding task of measuring it. Hitherto in the literature, various estimation methods of unofficial economy have been proposed and their results differ significantly. The goal of this article is to provide an overview of the various methods of its measurement. The unobserved economy poses estimation problems of economic aggregates that can be differentiated as the total lack of information and the distortion of available information. There is no universal optimal approach applicable to all countries or even to the same country at different periods. In the attempt to limit the underground economy, it is much better to obviate the causes than penalise the consequences. It is necessary to simplify the procedures enabling citizens to formalize their undeclared activities, to provide a tax system that is as stable as possible and a tax and regulatory burden that is as low as possible. What is crucial is the improvement of institutions, professionalization of civil service and removal of the huge impact of politics in the societies.
Conceptualising English as a global contact language
Authors: Ishikawa Tomokazu
Published: January 2018

English as a global contact language has been conceptualised as (1) geo-localised Englishes, (2) English similects, and (3) transcultural multi-lingua franca. Although taking a simplified and reified approach, the first framework of geo-localised Englishes has contributed to raising awareness of global diversity in English use and corresponding innovative classroom practices. Meanwhile, the second framework of English similects has taken a lingua franca approach between different first-language (L1) users, and provided insight into omnipresent multilingualism across interactants beyond particular speech communities. However, from a complexity theory perspective, geo-local communities and interactants’ L1s are just among many complex social systems, and thus neither the first nor the second framework is capable of fully explaining what emerges from communication through the language in question. The third framework of transcultural multi-lingua franca seeks to comprehend the full range of multilingualism, or broadly conceptualised translanguaging with multiple ‘languages’, which emerges across individuals, time and space. It also takes notice of both the border-transgressing nature of culture and the possible transience of salient cultural categories in global communication. Furthermore, this last framework suggests that English language education in the 21st century take a multilingual, transcultural and post-normative turn.
Fixed Points of Generalized (α, ψ, φ)-Rational Contractive Mappings in α-Complete Metric Spaces
Authors: Ravindranadh Babu G.V. , Dula Tolera M.
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we introduce generalized (α, ψ, φ)-rational contractive mappings in α-complete metric spaces and prove some new fixed point results for this class of mappings. We provide examples in support of our results. Our results generalize the fixed point results of Singh, Kamal, Sen and Chugh [22] and Piri and Kumam [18].
Detection of Mutations in Selected Proto-Oncogenes of Canine Lymphoma
Authors: Bóna G. , Šiviková K.
Published: January 2018

Lymphomas belong among the most frequently diagnosed tumours of the haematopoietic system in dogs. The clinical manifestations and genetic and molecular basis of canine lymphoma resembles those of human non-Hodgkin lymphoma and therefore it can serve as a suitable model for the study of this disease. Neoplastic diseases are the consequence of a number of genetic and epigenetic changes in somatic cells. One of such changes are gene mutations that can subsequently cause changes in the activity of proto-oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes. The aim of our study was to detect potential mutations in selected exons of proto-oncogenes in DNA isolated from samples of lymphoma obtained from two donors - a Bernese Mountain Dog and a female mongrel. On the basis of literary data descriptions of human and canine haematopoietic neoplastic diseases, our investigations of potential changes in DNA focused on proto- oncogenes C-KIT - exons 8, 17; NRAS - exons 1, 2;FLT3 - exons 14, 15 and 20. The investigated samples were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subjected to sequencing. The DNA sequences were compared with reference sequences in the database Ensembl. The comparison of sequences of the C-KIT gene revealed an A/G transition at the 35th nucleotide of exon 8 in the mongrel. It involved a synonymous exchange of the nucleotide in the codon that did not cause a change in the amino acid. In the same sample we recorded several point mutations in the intron regions surrounding the exons 14 and 20 of the FLT3 gene. Changes in the intron regions can affect the expression of genes and thus can play an important role in the origin and development of tumours. No genetic mutations were detected in any gene regions of the Bernese Mountain Dog. In the case of the NRAS gene, no changes were observed in any sample collected from the donors.
Thorough statistical comparison of machine learning regression models and their ensembles for sub-pixel imperviousness and imperviousness change mapping
Authors: Drzewiecki Wojciech
Published: January 2018

We evaluated the performance of nine machine learning regression algorithms and their ensembles for sub-pixel estimation of impervious areas coverages from Landsat imagery. The accuracy of imperviousness mapping in individual time points was assessed based on RMSE, MAE and R2. These measures were also used for the assessment of imperviousness change intensity estimations. The applicability for detection of relevant changes in impervious areas coverages at sub-pixel level was evaluated using overall accuracy, F-measure and ROC Area Under Curve. The results proved that Cubist algorithm may be advised for Landsat-based mapping of imperviousness for single dates. Stochastic gradient boosting of regression trees (GBM) may be also considered for this purpose. However, Random Forest algorithm is endorsed for both imperviousness change detection and mapping of its intensity. In all applications the heterogeneous model ensembles performed at least as well as the best individual models or better. They may be recommended for improving the quality of sub-pixel imperviousness and imperviousness change mapping. The study revealed also limitations of the investigated methodology for detection of subtle changes of imperviousness inside the pixel. None of the tested approaches was able to reliably classify changed and non-changed pixels if the relevant change threshold was set as one or three percent. Also for fi ve percent change threshold most of algorithms did not ensure that the accuracy of change map is higher than the accuracy of random classifi er. For the threshold of relevant change set as ten percent all approaches performed satisfactory.