bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Replantation and revascularization of amputated upper limb appendages outcome and predicting the factors influencing the success rates of these procedures in a tertiary hospital: An 8-year retrospective, cross-sectional study
Authors: Kamarul Tunku , Mansor Azura , Robson Noorzurani , Albusaidi Salim HH , Suhaeb Abdulrazzaq M , Samsudin Ely Z
Published: January 2018

Purpose:

Worldwide advances in microsurgery have made salvaging of amputated hand via replantation and revascularization common procedures. The present study examines the outcome of these procedures in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia.

Methods:

Patients with hand amputation who underwent replantation or revascularization from 2005 to 2012 were identified and reviewed for patient characteristics, amputation characteristics and survival rates. Successfully treated patients were interviewed to assess the functional outcome using Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Quick-DASH) questionnaire and Michigan Hand Outcome Questionnaire (MHQ). Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate outcome and elicit predictive factors.

Results:

Fifty-five patients were enrolled: 37 (67.3%) underwent replantation and 18 (32.7%) underwent revascularization. The overall success rate of 78% ( n = 43) was within the range of previously reported data (61.6% to 96.0%). Ischaemic time <6 h provided significantly better survival rates ( p < 0.05). Functional outcomes were successfully assessed in 34 patients (79%), at a mean follow-up of 40 months (range 11–93 months). The overall Quick-DASH and MHQ scores were 42.82 ± 23.69 and 60.94 ± 12.82, respectively. No previous reports of functional outcome were available for comparison. Both Quick-DASH ( p = 0.001) and MHQ scores ( p < 0.001) were significantly higher for finger injuries, followed by thumb, wrist and palm injuries.

Conclusion:

Ischaemic time and level of injury are important predictors of success rate of replantation and revascularization of amputated upper limb appendages.
Spinal Motocross Injuries in the United Kingdom
Authors: Singh Rohit , Bhalla Amit , Ockendon Matthew , Hay Stuart
Published: January 2018

Background:

Motocross is a form of motorcycle racing held on established off-road circuits and has been a recreational and competitive sport across the world for >100 years. In the United Kingdom alone, motocross has grown into a phenomenally ambitious and popular franchise. There are >200 motocross clubs across the country, permitting >900 events annually.

Purpose:

To assess the current trend of spine-related motocross injuries over the past 5 years.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

Data were prospectively collected over 5 years (August 2010–August 2015) at our regional trauma and spine unit, regardless of whether the rider was performing the sport competitively or recreationally.

Results:

During the study period, spine-related injuries were identified for 174 patients (age range, 6-75 years) who were directly referred to our department following recreational or competitive motocross, with most injuries being sustained within the early spring and summer months, representing the start of the motocross season. A significant number of injuries were in males (n = 203, 94%), with the majority of injuries occurring within the 21- to 30-year-old age group. A total of 116 (54%) injuries required operative treatment. The most common spinal injury was thoracolumbar burst fracture (n = 95), followed by chance fractures (n = 26).

Conclusion:

This data series emphasizes the prevalence and devastation of motocross-related spinal injuries in the United Kingdom and may serve in administering sanctions and guidelines to governing bodies of motocross. The spinal injuries that occur during motocross have significant capital connotations for regional spinal centers. The recent surge in motocross popularity is correlated with the number of injuries, which have increased over the past 5 years by almost 500%.
Malaysia’s Relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran: Juggling the Interests
Authors: Abu–Hussin Mohd Fauzi , Idris Asmady , Salleh Mohd Afandi
Published: January 2018

The Middle East region, especially the oil-rich Arab economies, is regarded as one of Malaysia’s important economic and trading partners. Economic and political changes at the global and regional level have simultaneously shifted Malaysia’s interests in the region. At the same time, there has also been rising interest from countries in the region to expand their economic relationships with Malaysia. Apart from the United Arab Emirates, which is Malaysia’s largest trading partner in the Middle East region, Saudi Arabia and Iran are now becoming more visible for their contributions toward the Malaysian economy. Economic interest certainly is the main driving force behind the latter’s efforts to enhance its connection with these countries. Efforts to reap economic benefit from these countries and to attract petro-dollar investments would also have negative consequences on Malaysia’s domestic, social, and religious affairs due to an influx of Arab and Iranian people coming into the country. Religious extremism and sectarianism are among the challenges that Malaysia is encountering and the authorities are quite critical of those ideologies, and over the years, the teaching of Wahhabism and Shiism have been banned in the country. Could this affect Malaysia’s connection with those countries in the Persian Gulf? How has the government engaged with these local issues without jeopardizing its economic inter-connection with Saudi Arabia and Iran? Given that they are two contrasting countries, how has Malaysia balanced its relationships with these two states?
Tumor site concordance and genetic toxicology test correlations in NTP 2-year gavage, drinking water, dermal, and intraperitoneal injection studies
Authors: Smith Carr J , Perfetti Thomas A
Published: January 2018

The National Toxicology Program has conducted 594, 2-year studies exposing various strains of rats and mice via different routes of exposure. In the current study, we analyze the results from 108 chemicals tested in 106, 2-year studies conducted by exposing F334/N rats and B6C3F1 mice via gavage. An additional 18, 2-year gavage studies have been conducted in Osborne–Mendel rats and B6C3F1 mice on 19 different chemicals. We analyze the results from 23 chemicals tested in 21, 2-year studies conducted by exposing F334/N rats and B6C3F1 mice via drinking water; 18 chemicals tested in 18, 2-year studies conducted by exposing F334/N rats and B6C3F1 mice via dermal application; and 11 chemicals tested in 11, 2-year studies conducted by exposing F334/N rats and B6C3F1 mice via intraperitoneal injection. The results from these 174 studies are analyzed and discussed separately. The neoplasticity of each chemical was analyzed for tumor incidence by species–sex category, tumor site concordance across species, and tumor site concordance across sex within species. When available the Ames Salmonella mutagenicity assay results, and any results from a test for genotoxicity other than the Ames test, were correlated with the neoplasticity results. Tumor site concordance across sex within species is generally higher than tumor site concordance across species. In addition, the high degree of variability of Ames test results suggests that historical Ames test data are less reliable than recent results conducted under good laboratory practices and employing Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development protocols relevant to the physicochemical characteristics of the test chemical.
Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Using a Self-Pressurizing Pegged Bone-Preserving Cemented Glenoid Component: A 2- to 5-Year Follow-up Study
Authors: Sanchez-Sotelo Joaquin , Nguyen Ngoc Tram V , Morrey Mark
Published: January 2018

Background:

High rates of radiographic loosening have been reported with various glenoid designs. Many available designs sacrifice most of the bone at the central portion of the glenoid vault, creating large areas of deficiency when revision becomes necessary. The purpose of this study was to report the 2- to 5-year outcome of shoulder arthroplasty using a bone-preserving all-polyethylene glenoid components with self-pressurizing pegs.

Methods:

Between August 2011 and December 2014, 202 consecutive anatomic total shoulder arthroplasties (TSAs) were performed by a single surgeon with implantation of a self-pressurizing cemented pegged glenoid component in 190 patients (12 patients had both shoulders replaced). Patients were followed up prospectively and evaluated for pain, motion, strength, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores, and radiographic changes. The mean follow-up time was 2.7 (2–5) years.

Results:

TSA improved pain and function reliably. At the most recent follow-up, 94% of the shoulders had no or mild pain. Motion included 154 ± 25° of elevation, 68 ± 18° of external rotation, and median internal rotation to T10 (range, iliac crest to T4). The most recent average ASES score was 82 ± 15 points. Early postoperative radiographs showed no radiolucent lines. No humeral or glenoid component was considered radiographically loose at the most recent follow-up. Complications requiring reoperation included subscapularis insufficiency (4), posterior instability (2), deep infection (1), stiffness (1), and a painful loose body (1). No components were revised for loosening.

Conclusions:

Anatomic TSA using a cemented bone-preserving all-polyethylene pegged self-pressurizing glenoid component provided satisfactory clinical outcomes and survival at 2 to 5 years.
Minimal/measurable residual disease in AML: a consensus document from the European LeukemiaNet MRD Working Party
Authors: Schuurhuis Gerrit J. , Heuser Michael , Freeman Sylvie , Béné Marie-Christine , Buccisano Francesco , Cloos Jacqueline , Grimwade David , Haferlach Torsten , Hills Robert K. , Hourigan Christopher S. , Jorgensen Jeffrey L. , Kern Wolfgang , Lacombe Francis , Maurillo Luca , Preudhomme Claude , van der Reijden Bert A. , Thiede Christian , Venditti Adriano , Vyas Paresh , Wood Brent L. , Walter Roland B. , Döhner Konstanze , Roboz Gail J. , Ossenkoppele Gert J.
Published: January 2018

Measurable residual disease (MRD; previously termed minimal residual disease) is an independent, postdiagnosis, prognostic indicator in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that is important for risk stratification and treatment planning, in conjunction with other well-established clinical, cytogenetic, and molecular data assessed at diagnosis. MRD can be evaluated using a variety of multiparameter flow cytometry and molecular protocols, but, to date, these approaches have not been qualitatively or quantitatively standardized, making their use in clinical practice challenging. The objective of this work was to identify key clinical and scientific issues in the measurement and application of MRD in AML, to achieve consensus on these issues, and to provide guidelines for the current and future use of MRD in clinical practice. The work was accomplished over 2 years, during 4 meetings by a specially designated MRD Working Party of the European LeukemiaNet. The group included 24 faculty with expertise in AML hematopathology, molecular diagnostics, clinical trials, and clinical medicine, from 19 institutions in Europe and the United States.
Compassion-focused therapy with children and adolescents
Authors: Carona Carlos , Rijo Daniel , Salvador Céu , Castilho Paula , Gilbert Paul
Published: January 2018

Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) is embedded in an evolutionary, functional analysis of psychopathology, with a focus on affiliative, caring and compassion processes. CFT has been applied in a number of adult settings, but its clinical applications in child and adolescent psychopathology and psychotherapy have not been systematically explored. This article describes the applications of CFT in paediatric populations. Specifically, the following developmental considerations are discussed: the unique importance of parent-child and attachment relationships for the development of self-compassion, being open to compassion from others and being compassionate to others; the potential effect of com passion training on the maturing brain (affective regulation systems); and the therapeutic targeting of shame and self-criticism to alleviate psychological distress and enhance the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural interventions.

Learning Objectives

• Understand and differentiate the three affect regulation systems and their links to different forms of child and adolescent psychopathology

• Recognise the main components of compassionate mind training with children and adolescents, and related specific therapeutic strategies and exercises

• Acknowledge the importance of adopting a parent-child approach in CFT
Environmental, population, and life stage plasticity in the visual system of Atlantic cod
Authors: Valen Ragnhild , Karlsen Rita , Helvik Jon Vidar
Published: January 2018

The visual system is for many fishes essential in guiding behaviors such as foraging, predator avoidance and mate choice. The marine environment is characterized by large spatiotemporal fluctuations in light intensity and spectral composition. However, visual capabilities are restricted by both space limitations set by eye size, and by the genomic content of light absorbing opsin genes. The rich array of visual opsins in teleosts may be used differentially to tune vision towards specific needs during ontogeny, and to changing light. Yet, to what extent visual plasticity is a pre-programmed developmental event, or is triggered by photic environment, is unclear. Our previous studies on Atlantic cod revealed an evolutionary genomic loss of UV-sensitive sws1 and red-sensitive lws opsin families, while blue-sensitive sws2 and green-sensitive rh2 opsins had duplicated. The current study have taken an opsin expression approach to characterize visual plasticity in cod towards; different spectral light during the larval stage, to maturation, and extreme seasonal changes in the Barents Sea. Our data suggest that opsin plasticity in cod larvae is controlled by developmental program rather than immediate light environment. The lack of expressional changes during maturation, suggest a less important role for visual modulation related to mate choice. Although no seasonal effects on visual opsins were detected in migratory North East Arctic cod, the expressed opsin subset differed from the more stationary Norwegian Coastal cod described in previous studies. Interestingly these data provide the first indications of a population difference in actively used visual opsins associated with cod ecotypes.
Effects of a physical and energetic challenge on male California mice (Peromyscus californicus): modulation by reproductive condition
Authors: Zhao Meng , Garland Theodore , Chappell Mark A. , Andrew Jacob R. , Harris Breanna N. , Saltzman Wendy
Published: January 2018

Reproduction strongly influences metabolism, morphology and behavior in female mammals. In species in which males provide parental care, reproduction might have similar effects on fathers. We examined effects of an environmental challenge on metabolically important physiological, morphological, and behavioral measures, and determined whether these effects differed between reproductive and non-reproductive males, in the biparental California mouse (Peromyscus californicus). Males were paired with an ovary-intact female, an ovariectomized female treated with estrogen and progesterone to induce estrus, or an untreated ovariectomized female. Within each group, half of the animals were housed under standard laboratory conditions and half in cages requiring them to climb wire towers to obtain food and water; these latter animals were also fasted for 24 hours every third day. We predicted that few differences would be observed between fathers and non-reproductive males under standard conditions, but that fathers would be in poorer condition than non-reproductive males under challenging conditions. Body and fat mass showed a housing condition x reproductive group interaction: the challenge condition increased body and fat mass in both groups of non-reproductive males, but breeding males were unaffected. Males housed under the physical and energetic challenge had higher blood lipid content, lower maximal aerobic capacity and related traits (hematocrit and relative triceps surae mass), increased pain sensitivity and increased number of fecal boli excreted during tail-suspension tests (a measure of anxiety), compared to controls. Thus, our physical and energetic challenge paradigm altered metabolism, morphology and behavior, but these effects were largely unaffected by reproductive condition.
The midwife's role in suicide prevention
Authors: Holland Cindi
Published: January 2018

Background

Suicide has been found to be the leading cause of maternal death in the UK and has since been reclassified as a ‘direct’ cause of maternal death, with rates remaining unchanged since 2003.

Aim

To examine the literature and consider what midwives can do to reduce the rates of maternal suicide.

Methods

Qualitative and quantitative research were included into this literature review. Research from 2003-2017 was accessed via a university database.

Findings

Three key themes became apparent: the characteristics associated with women dying from suicide, risk factors, and the attitudes and perceptions of midwives and effective screening.

Conclusion

Suicide has devastating consequences for the woman, her family and her community. Every step must be taken to reflect on and improve midwifery practice, to finally begin reducing rates.
Overexpression of mTOR and p(240–244)S6 in IDH1 Wild-Type Human Glioblastomas Is Predictive of Low Survival
Authors: Machado Luis Eduardo , Alvarenga Arthur William , da Silva Fernanda Ferreira , Roffé Martín , Begnami Maria Dirlei , Torres Luís Fernando Bleggi , da Cunha Isabela Werneck , Martins Vilma Regina , Hajj Glaucia Noeli Maroso
Published: January 2018

Summary

PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway activation is a hallmark of high-grade gliomas, which prompted clinical trials for the use of PI3K and mTOR inhibitors. However, the poor results in the original trials suggested that better patient profiling was needed for such drugs. Thus, accurate and reproducible monitoring of mTOR complexes can lead to improved therapeutic strategies. In this work, we evaluated the expression and phosphorylation of mTOR, RAPTOR, and rpS6 in 195 human astrocytomas and 30 normal brain tissue samples. The expression of mTOR increased in glioblastomas, whereas mTOR phosphorylation, expression of RAPTOR, and expression and phosphorylation of rpS6 were similar between grades. Interestingly, the overexpression of total and phosphorylated mTOR as well as phosphorylated rpS6 (residues 240–244) were associated with wild-type IDH1 only glioblastomas. The expression and phosphorylation of mTOR and phosphorylation of rpS6 at residues 240–244 were associated with a worse prognosis in glioblastomas. Our results suggest that mTOR and rpS6 could be used as markers of overactivation of the PI3K-mTOR pathway and are predictive factors for overall survival in glioblastomas. Our study thus suggests that patients who harbor IDH1 wild-type glioblastomas might have increased benefit from targeted therapy against mTOR.
Analisis Neraca Air Lahan untuk Tanaman Padi dan Jagung Di Kota Bengkulu
Authors: Paski Jaka A. I. , S L Faski Gita Ivana , Handoyo M. Fajar , Sekar Pertiwi Dyah Ajeng
Published: January 2018

Ketersediaan air tanah yang sebagian besar berasal dari curah hujan merupakan faktor pembatas yang penting bagi peningkatan produksi suatu tanaman. Neraca air merupakan suatu metode yang dapat digunakan untuk melihat ketersediaan air tanah bagi tanaman pada waktu tertentu. Prosedur perhitungan neraca air dibuat berdasarkan sistem tata buku Thorntwaite dan Mather (1957) dengan satuan tinggi air (mm). Analisis ketersediaan air tanah secara grafik disajikan dalam periode bulanan, mulai Januari hingga Desember secara klimatologis. Data yang digunakan dalam analisis ini adalah data rata-rata jumlah curah hujan bulanan dan suhu rata-rata bulanan tahun 1985-2011 dari Stasiun Klimatologi Pulau Baai Bengkulu yang mewakili daerah penelitian yaitu wilayah Kota Bengkulu dan data tanah Kota Bengkulu. Wilayah Kota Bengkulu memiliki ketersediaan air yang sangat cukup dengan persentase air tersedia setiap bulannya 100%, yang dibuktikan dari hasil perhitungan, oleh karena itu Kota Bengkulu memiliki nilai surplus sepanjang tahun. Pada kondisi jumlah curah hujan bulanan yang cukup tinggi berkisar 179 - 458 mm, suhu yang relatif rendah berkisar 25,9 - 26,9 ˚C, dan lahan dengan nilai surplus yang tinggi seperti ini, di wilayah Kota Bengkulu baik untuk ditanami padi, sedangkan untuk penanaman jagung kurang baik.Kata kunci: neraca air, curah hujan, kesesuaian lahan, suhu udara, klasifikasi oldemanABSTRACTThe availability of groundwater most of which comes from rainfall is an important limiting factor for increasing the production of a plant. Water balance is a method that can be used to see the availability of ground water for plants at a certain time. The water balance calculation procedure is based on the Thorntwaite and Mather book keeping system (1957) with water unit (mm). Analysis of groundwater availability graphically is presented in monthly periods, from January to December climatologically. The data used in this analysis is the average data of the amount of monthly rainfall and the average monthly temperature of 1985-2011 from Bengkulu Island Climatology Station representing the research area of Bengkulu City and Bengkulu City land data. Bengkulu City has a very good water supply with percentage of water available every month 100%, as evidenced from the calculation, therefore Bengkulu City has surplus value throughout years. While conditions of high monthly rainfall is quite high ranging from 179 - 458 mm , Relatively low temperatures ranging from 25.9 - 26.9 ˚C, and land with a high surplus value like this, in the area of Bengkulu City is suitable for planting rice, whereas for the planting of maize is less suitable.Keywords: water balance, rainfall, land suitability, air temperature, oldeman classificationCitation: Paski, J.A.I., Faski, G.I.S.L., Handoyo, M.F. dan Pertiwi, D.A.S. (2017). Analisis Neraca Air Lahan untuk Tanaman Padi dan Jagung di Kota Bengkulu. Jurnal Ilmu Lingkungan, 15(2), 83-89, doi:10.14710/jil.15.2.83-89
Novel Phenolic 1-aryl-3-arylamino-1-propanones: Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Roman Gheorghe
Published: January 2018

A small collection of 1-aryl-3-arylamino-1-propanones having a phenolic moiety in their structure has been obtained by the replacement of the tertiary amino group in ketonic Mannich bases with (hetero)aromatic amines. The installment of the phenolic moiety took place either through the N-alkylation of 4-aminophenol with ketonic Mannich base hydrochlorides, or via amine exchange in ketonic Mannich bases derived from either 2′-hydroxyacetophenone or 4′-hydroxyacetophenone.
Fabrication and characterisation of porous, calcium enriched coatings on titanium after plasma electrolytic oxidation under DC regime
Authors: Rokosz K. , Hryniewicz T. , Pietrzak K. , Sadlak P. , Valíček J.
Published: January 2018

The purpose of this work is to produce and characterize (chemical composition and roughness parameters) porous coatings enriched in calcium and phosphorus on the titanium (CP Titanium Grade 2) by plasma electrolytic oxidation. As an electrolyte, a mixture of phosphoric acid H3PO4 and calcium nitrate Ca(NO3)2·4H2O was used. Based on obtained EDS and roughness results of PEO coatings, the effect of PEO voltages on the chemical composition and surface roughness of porous coatings was determined. With voltage increasing from 450 V to 650 V, the calcium in PEO coatings obtained in freshly prepared electrolyte was also found to increase. In addition, the Ca/P ratio increased linearly with voltage increasing according to the formula Ca/P = 0.035·U+0.176 (by wt%) and Ca/P = 0.03·U+0.13 (by at%). It was also noticed that the surface roughness increases with the voltage increasing, what is related to the change in coating porosity, i.e. the higher is the surface roughness, the bigger are pores sizes obtained.
Rare earth elements and their importance for economy and safety
Authors: Gronek Sebastian , Łęczycki Krzysztof
Published: January 2018

Rare earth elements (REEs) are a group of elements of fundamental importance for the industry, including especially high-tech solutions. Lack of alternatives for this group of materials in some applications used in the armaments industry results in rare earth elements having a substantial impact on safety of highly developed countries. A complicated situation on the market of rare earth elements, arising out of the Chinese monopoly on the extraction and sale of REE-bearing minerals as well as huge price fluctuations caused by political turmoils contribute to the fact that the technology of extraction, processing and usage of rare earth elements is addressed in many scientific works. The article describes basic information regarding the rare earth elements, including technological, industrial and political conditions.
Associations between sex, age and species-specific climate sensitivity in migration
Authors: Jarjour Catherine , Frei Barbara , Elliott Kyle H.
Published: January 2018

Weather often plays a key role in migration timing, and temporal shifts over the past century have been heavily researched and linked to climate change. Much research is however limited by the use of arbitrary time periods during which weather is thought to most influence migration. Here, we compare the classic fixed window method to a novel sliding window approach created to determine periods of temperature sensitivity among organisms, in this case on the migration phenology of nineteen passerine species banded at the McGill Bird Observatory in Montréal, Québec, from 2005 to 2015. We found overall shorter temperature sensitivity windows in the spring than the fall migration and deemed the nonarbitrarily chosen periods of temperature sensitivity to be more useful than the classic fixed window method when used with caution. We also found significant variation in migration timing of 11 species, as well as more cases of male birds arriving in spring prior to females than the reverse. More males departed in fall before females as well. Similarly, on average, older birds arrived in spring ahead of younger individuals and departed prior to younger in the fall.
Seasonal variation and speciation of dissolved iron in an artificial surface water body
Authors: Birghila Semaghiul , Baronescu Georgiana , Dumbrava Anca
Published: January 2018

The aquatic chemistry of iron is an important issue since iron is a micronutrient for the growth of phytoplankton. Its concentration in surface waters involves many environmental aspects, from the quality of a particular water to the control of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Dissolved iron can exist in water as ferrous and ferric iron, and the equilibrium between these two forms, as well as the precipitation and solubilization of iron, depends on many natural and anthropic factors. We studied the variation for an year of Fe(II) and total iron concentration into Poarta Alba - Midia Navodari Canal, an artificial surface water which connects Danube River with Black Sea. The results indicate a high iron concentration in surface water and a seasonal variation of iron concentration and speciation, which can be correlated with the oxidable matter content.
Kähler-Einstein metrics: Old and New
Authors: Angella Daniele , Spotti Cristiano
Published: January 2018

We present classical and recent results on Kähler-Einstein metrics on compact complex manifolds, focusing on existence, obstructions and relations to algebraic geometric notions of stability (K-stability). These are the notes for the SMI course "Kähler-Einstein metrics" given by C.S. in Cortona (Italy), May 2017. The material is not intended to be original.
A Data Mining Approach for Cardiovascular Diagnosis
Authors: Pereira Joana , Peixoto Hugo , Machado José , Abelha António
Published: January 2018

The large amounts of data generated by healthcare transactions are too complex and voluminous to be processed and analysed by traditional methods. Data mining can improve decision-making by discovering patterns and trends in large amounts of complex data. In the healthcare industry specifically, data mining can be used to decrease costs by increasing efficiency, improve patient quality of life, and perhaps most importantly, save the lives of more patients. The main goal of this project is to apply data mining techniques in order to make possible the prediction of the degree of disability that patients will present when they leave hospitalization. The clinical data that will compose the data set was obtained from one single hospital and contains information about patients who were hospitalized in Cardio Vascular Disease’s (CVD) unit in 2016 for having suffered a cardiovascular accident. To develop this project, it will be used the Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis (WEKA) machine learning Workbench since this one allows users to quickly try out and compare different machine learning methods on new data sets
The Significance of Context: Moral Education and Religious Education Facing the Challenge of Sustainability
Authors: Kvamme Ole Andreas
Published: January 2018

Education for sustainable development as presented by UNESCO involves a value dimension which is both pivotal and problematic. Pivotal, because values concern what matters to beings, problematic because the values brought forward are formulated as universal values, with the risk of suppressing the plurality of context.

The first part of the article develops a theoretical approach for a research project on environmental ethical values in moral education which accommodates for both universality and context. While the scope is mainly theoretical, some empirical material is brought in to illustrate and exemplify. The school subject involved includes religious education, and the empirical material shows that religion is a part of the context. However, this aspect is not accentuated in the theoretical approach presented.

The second part is a mediation between this theoretical approach on moral education and the interpretive approach addressing religious education. The aim is to explore common ground, uncover factual tension and reflect on how both moral education and religious education may contribute to environmental and sustainability education.
Empathetic Design: A Sustainable Approach to School Change
Authors: Hartman Rita J. , Johnston Elizabeth , Hill Marty
Published: January 2018

A descriptive case study approach is employed using a content analysis of the blogs of 36 school leaders who took part in the 2016–2017 Shadow a Student Challenge project and follow up interviews of five of the school leaders. This research was used to explore and describe how an empathetic design approach provided a greater vantage point for school leaders. By viewing school through the eyes of students, school leaders gain a deeper insight into the school experience. School leaders play a key role in establishing the culture, climate, and educational outcomes within their school environments. An empathetic design approach to school reform provides a stronger point for initiating change than an atmosphere focused on evaluation and accountability. Taking a school-based approach, encouraging school leaders to immerse themselves in the school experience, provides an opportunity for school leaders to gain empathy and insights foundational in generating meaningful and innovative change leading to sustainable education. Three major themes emerged from the findings: 1) pace and structure of the school day, 2) student learning experience, and 3) reflective and innovative insights.
Student Improvement by Applying the Numbered Heads Together (NHT) Approach to Basic Subjects of Vocational Competence in a Vocational High School in Indonesia
Authors: Wora Veronika Marta , Hadisaputro Ranto , Pambudi Suharno Nugroho Agung
Published: January 2018

This research aims to improve the learning activity and achievement of a 10th grade class made up of 30 students in a vocational high school located in the city of Surakarta, Indonesia, by applying the Numbered Heads Together (NHT) approach. The experiment was divided into two stages of four activities each: planning, implementation, observation, and reflection. The comparative descriptive procedure was then used to analyze the data. Prior to the researach implementation, the learning activity was relatively low in the pre-stage of the experiment. However, after the NHT approach, the percentage of active students increased in stage 1 and stage 2. The result of the test also suggested a similar trend in student achievement. From this it can be concluded that the application of the NHT learning model improves engagement within the learning activity as well as the level of achievement.
Meeting the Challenges of ESD Competency – Based Curriculum in a Vocational School Setting
Authors: Iliško Dzintra , Oļehnoviča Eridiana , Ostrovska Inta , Akmene Velga , Salīte Ilga
Published: January 2018

Sustainability is becoming an integral part of vocational schools since schools are called to respond to the environmental crises and unsustainability issues in the community as well as to an unsustainable economic development. Vocational schools have to play a significant role is re-orienting students’ frames of reference towards sustainability for a well-being of the Earth.

The aim of the article is to explore teachers’ views on their gains of integrating sustainability and the use of sustainability pedagogies as a result of participation in three years long international project. The article reflects on teachers’ efforts of reorienting the curriculum of a vocational school towards sustainability within the framework of the international Erasmus+ project “Methods for ESD – competencies and curricula” (MetESD), led by Vechta University.
The mineral sequestration of CO2 with the use of fly ash from the co-combustion of coal and biomass
Authors: Uliasz-Bocheńczyk Alicja , Pawluk Aleksandra , Pyzalski Michał
Published: January 2018

As a result of energy production processes, the power industry is the largest source of CO2 emissions in Poland. Emissions from the energy sector accounted for 52.37% (162 689.57 kt) of the total emissions in 2015, which was estimated at 310.64 million tons of CO2. In recent years, the tightening of regulations on the use of renewable energy sources has resulted in an increased amount of biomass used in the professional energy industry. This is due to the fact that the CO2 emissions from biomass combustion are not included in the total emissions from the combustion of fuels, resulting in the zero- emission factor for biomass. At the same time, according to the hierarchy of waste management methods, recycling is the preferred option for the management of by-products generated during energy production. The fly ashes resulting from the biomass combustion in pulverized boilers (which, due to their chemical composition, can be classified as silicate ash) were subjected to analysis. These ashes can be classified as waste 10 01 17 - fly ash from co-firing other than mentioned in 10 01 16 according to the Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of December 9, 2014 on waste catalogues. The maximum theoretical carbon dioxide binding capacity for the analyzed fly ashes resulting from the co-combustion of biomass is 8.03%. The phase composition analysis of the fly ashes subjected to carbonation process has shown, in addition to the components identified in pure fly ash samples (SiO2, mullite), the presence of calcium carbonate − calcite − the primary product of the carbonation process, as indicated by the results of both X-ray and thermogravimetric analysis.The degree of carbonation has been determined based on the analysis of the results of the phase composition of fly ash resulting from the co-firing of biomass and bituminous coal. The calculated degree of carbonation amounted to 1.51%. The carbonation process is also confirmed by the lowered pH of the water extracts, decreasing from 11.96 for pure ashes to 8.7 for CO2 treated fly ashes. In addition, the carbonation process has reduced the leaching of pollutants, most notably chlorides, sulphates, and potassium.
Development of Efficient Estimation Technique for Population Mean in Two Phase Sampling Using Fuzzy Tools
Authors: Parichha P. , Basu K. , Bandyopadhyay A. , Mukhopadhyay P.
Published: January 2018

The present investigation deals with the problem of estimation of population mean in two-phase (double) sampling. Utilizing information on two auxiliary variables, one chain exponential ratio and regression type estimator has been proposed and its properties are studied under two different structures of twophase sampling. To make the estimator practicable, unbiased version of the proposed strategy has also been developed. The dominance of the suggested estimator over some contemporary estimators of population mean has been established through numerical illustrations carried over the data set of some natural population and artificially generated population. Categorization of the dominance ranges of the proposed estimation strategies are deployed through defuzzification tools, which are followed by suitable recommendations.
Predictors of Inadequate Mixing in Transposition of the Great Arteries — a Critical Neonatal Condition
Authors: Muntean Iolanda , Toma Daniela , Togănel Rodica
Published: January 2018

Background: Simple transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a cyanotic critical congenital heart defect representing a neonatal cardiovascular emergency, which requires surgery early after birth. In case of inadequate mixing between systemic and pulmonary circulations, creating an unrestrictive interatrial communication is mandatory. The aim of the present study was to identify the most important echocardiographic parameters that can predict the need for balloon atrial septostomy (BSA) in TGA neonates.

Material and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the echocardiographic recordings of newborns with TGA referred to our emergency room during a 6-year period. We measured the following echocardiographic parameters: atrial septal defect (ASD) size, interatrial septum (IAS) length, peak/mean inter-atrial pressure gradient, transverse diameter of the left atrium (LA), and transverse diameter of the right atrium (RA). Also, the ratio between ASD/IAS, the ratio between LA/RA, the ratio between mitral/tricuspid annulus, the ASD peak gradient/ASD diameter and the ASD diameter/(LA:RA ratio) were calculated.

Results: There were 37 neonates with simple TGA presented to the emergency room, split into two groups: those with BAS (n = 21) and those without BAS (n = 16). Besides significant differences between the two groups in ASD size, peak/mean interatrial pressure gradient, and LA:RA ratio, we found that ASD peak gradient/ASD diameter was significantly higher, but ASD diameter/(LA:RA ratio) was significantly lower in the group that required BAS compared with the group without BAS. Multivariate analysis showed that ASD diameter/(LA:RA ratio) was an independent predictor of septostomy requirement, with a cut-off value of 2.58.

Conclusion: ASD diameter/(LA/RA ratio) is a useful echocardiographic parameter that can provide supplementary information regarding inadequate mixing and the need for BAS in neonates with TGA.
Bilateral Coronary Ostial Stenosis after Bentall Procedure in a Patient with Marfan Syndrome
Authors: Vecsey-Nagy Milán , Jermendy Ádám , Szabó György , Benke Kálmán , Szabolcs Zoltán , Merkely Béla , Maurovich-Horvat Pál
Published: January 2018

Introduction: The majority of patients with Marfan syndrome undergo Bentall procedure. Several periprocedural complications may arise; cardiac complications play the most dominant role.

Case presentation: A patient with Marfan syndrome developed symptoms two years after the Bentall procedure. Coronary CT angiography revealed bilateral coronary ostial stenosis. Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed, and two drug-eluting stents were implanted.

Conclusions: Coronary CT angiography is a valuable tool for the examination of symptomatic patients following surgical aortic root replacement.
Explaining individual- and country-level variations in unregistered employment using a multi-level model: evidence from 35 Eurasian countries
Authors: Krasniqi Besnik A. , Williams Colin C.
Published: January 2018

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the individual- and country-level variations in unregistered employment. To analyse whether it is marginalised groups who are more likely to engage in unregistered employment and explain the country-level variations, a 2010 Life in Transition Survey (LiTS) involving 38,864 interviews in 35 Eurasian countries is reported. Multilevel logistic regression analysis reveals that younger age groups, the divorced, and those with fewer years in education, are more likely to be unregistered employed. On a country-level, meanwhile, the prevalence of unregistered employment is strongly associated with tax morale; the greater the asymmetry between informal and formal institutions, the greater is the prevalence of unregistered employment. It is also higher when GDP per capita as well as social distribution and state intervention (subsidies and transfers, social contribution expenditure, health expenditure) are lower. The paper concludes by discussing the theoretical and policy implications.
On tense and irrealis marking in triclausal constructions (and what distinguishes them from biclausal constructions)
Authors: Letuchiy Alexander
Published: January 2018

In this article, I consider Russian triclausal constructions (complex sentences including three clauses, one main and two dependent). More specifically, I analyze constructions where C1 (the main clause) embeds C2 (an embedded clause), while C2 in turn embeds C3. In the paper, I mainly concentrate on sentences where C2 is a clause with an unreal meaning, for instance, an argument clause hosted by the verbxotet’‘want’, and C3 is an adjunct (temporal) clause.

I pose the following questions:

How is tense assignment in C3 organized? Is it fully described by the rules of tense assignment that apply to biclausal structures?

The answer is that tense assignment in C3 varies significantly from one sentence to another: for instance, in C3 the tense can be interpreted with respect to the event in C2, which is atypical for Russian adjunct clauses. Moreover, in many cases all three of the existing variants (tense marking anchored to the moment of speech, to the event in C1, or to the event in C2) can be used.

Are there any syntactic phenomena that are typical for triclausal structures?

I claim that there is a special phenomenon, which can be called “syntactic doubling” or “copying,” whereby the verb form in C2 influences the form in C3. Importantly, the situation cannot be described in terms of classical form assignment, where the verb in C2 requires a particular form in C3: rather, the syntactic pattern of the verb in C2 allows different forms to be used in C3, the only requirement being that the forms in C3 and C2 are identical. Sometimes a version of doubling is also observed in biclausal structures, but only one of the types of doubling described here (doubling in argument clauses) can be found in biclausal constructions.

Another phenomenon specific to triclausal structures is represented by structures where C3 cannot be definitively assigned a structural position: in such cases it is unclear whether C3 is embedded under C1 or C2.

I conclude that triclausal constructions are not reducible to a combination of two biclausal constructions: C1 + C2 and C2 + C3. For the properties of C3, the properties of both C2 and C1 are relevant.
Pathways to adversity and speaker affectedness: On the emergence of unaccusative ‘give’ constructions in Chinese
Authors: Chen Weirong , Yap Foong Ha
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we examine the characteristics of unaccusative ‘give’ constructions in Chinese, and additionally identify the pathways for their emergence in some Chinese dialects, in particular Southern Min and Mandarin varieties.

In this paper, the termsdialectandvarietyare sometimes used interchangeably, with the termvarietybeing the more general term that can also include variations within dialects.

We distinguish between Type 1 and Type 2 unaccusative ‘give’ constructions, the former involving reversible ‘escape’-type intransitive predicates, and the latter irreversible ‘die’-type intransitive predicates. Type 1 constructions are attested in many Chinese varieties, such as Mandarin, Min, Wu, Hui, Hakka and Cantonese, whereas Type 2 constructions are more rare and thus far are mainly attested in Southern Min and some Mandarin varieties. Two major pathways in the development of unaccusative ‘give’ constructions are identified in this paper, namely, the causative pathway and the passive-mediated pathway. Our analysis also traces how the unaccusative ‘give’ construction develops into a marker of adversity and speaker affectedness. The findings of this study have implications for understanding the relationship between changes in valence (i.e., the number of core arguments that are profiled in a given construction) and speaker’s subjective stance.
The Europeanisation of Romanian football: What do UEFA country coefficients reveal?
Authors: Roșca Vlad I.
Published: January 2018

After the fall of communist regimes, Central and Eastern European states have been encouraged to Europeanise by aligning to Western standards. Even if politics and economy have been primarily concerned, football has often allowed easier and faster contact to occidental cultures than other facets of the civic society did. From a football club perspective, being Europeanized involves the abilities to establish a constant presence in continental cups, as well as to raise performances to higher, international standards. The game itself has strongly Europeanised over the years, with UEFA transforming its two continental inter-club competitions into iconic brands, ‘pluralizing’ fan attention between domestic leagues and international cups, with the latter ones enjoying increased awareness. While some UEFA member associations have properly mastered the process of Europeanisation, others saw their teams struggle to perform in Europe, which led to the creation of a cleavage between ‘elitist’ and ‘periphery’ countries. Results of Romanian teams in European competitions have fluctuated over the past and a half decade. The purpose of this research is to find out how far Europeanised Romanian football can be currently considered. The research question asks what is the current European dimension of Romanian club football? UEFA Country Coefficients are used as input data for computing statistical observations such as means and standard deviations, which are then compared with a three-levelled center-periphery model designed by Maguire (2001). Results indicate that Romanian football is still far away from the continental ‘center’ status it pretends to have. The Discussions section addresses some of the reasons for this distance. The article tries to fill in a research gap as most Europeanisation studies so far have focused on the hardcore concepts of economics, politics, or law, but rather few on social and cultural alignments, such as football (Pyta, 2005).