bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aristotle on Necessary Principles and on Explaining X through X’s essence
Authors: Angioni Lucas
Published: July 2015

I discuss what Aristotle means when he say that scientific demonstration must proceed from necessary principles. I argue that, for Aristotle, scientific demonstration should not be reduced to sound deduction with necessary premises. Scientific demonstration ultimately depends on the fully appropriate explanatory factor for a given explanandum. This explanatory factor is what makes the explanandum what it is. Consequently, this factor is also unique. When Aristotle says that demonstration must proceed from necessary principles, he means that each demonstration requires the principle that is the necessary one for the fully appropriate explanation of its explanandum. This picture also provides a key to understand Aristotle's thesis that scientific explanation depends on essences: it is the essence of the attribute to be explained (rather then the essence of the subject-term within the explanandum) that should be stated as the fully appropriate explanatory factor.
A convivência familiar no processo socioeducativo de adolescentes em privação de liberdade
Authors: Medeiros Fernanda Cavalcanti de , Paiva Ilana Lemos de
Published: July 2015

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar os resultados de pesquisa realizada acerca da convivência familiar de adolescentes em cumprimento de medidas socioeducativas de privação de liberdade. Foram realizadas rodas de conversa com familiares, bem como levantamento de informações em torno da participação das famílias nas rotinas socioeducativas, a partir da leitura dos Planos Individuais de Atendimento (PIAs) de quinze adolescentes. O método utilizado neste estudo foi o da pesquisa-ação. De modo geral, os relatos apontaram para graves violações à convivência familiar, culpabilização da família e insuficiência nos acompanhamentos às famílias. Enfatiza-se no SINASE a necessidade de apoio e trabalho com familiares dos socioeducandos, partindo-se da compreensão que a cidadania do adolescente não pode ser efetivada se não compartilhada com sua família, bem como da necessidade de mudanças nas condições de vida dessas famílias, para que seja possível vislumbrar formas de inserção e acesso aos bens socialmente produzidos, que superem o envolvimento com atos infracionais.
The ongoing relevance of acetabular fracture classification
Authors: Hutt J. R. B. , Ortega-Briones A. , Daurka J. S. , Bircher M. D. , Rickman M. S.
Published: July 2015

The most widely used classification system for acetabular fractures was developed by Judet, Judet and Letournel over 50 years ago primarily to aid surgical planning. As population demographics and injury mechanisms have altered over time, the fracture patterns also appear to be changing. We conducted a retrospective review of the imaging of 100 patients with a mean age of 54.9 years (19 to 94) and a male to female ratio of 69:31 seen between 2010 and 2013 with acetabular fractures in order to determine whether the current spectrum of injury patterns can be reliably classified using the original system.

Three consultant pelvic and acetabular surgeons and one senior fellow analysed anonymous imaging. Inter-observer agreement for the classification of fractures that fitted into defined categories was substantial, (κ = 0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51 to 0.76) with improvement to near perfect on inclusion of CT imaging (κ = 0.80, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.91). However, a high proportion of injuries (46%) were felt to be unclassifiable by more than one surgeon; there was moderate agreement on which these were (κ = 0.42 95% CI 0.31 to 0.54).

Further review of the unclassifiable fractures in this cohort of 100 patients showed that they tended to occur in an older population (mean age 59.1 years; 22 to 94 vs 47.2 years; 19 to 94; p = 0.003) and within this group, there was a recurring pattern of anterior column and quadrilateral plate involvement, with or without an incomplete posterior element injury.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1139–43.
Revision arthroplasty for periprosthetic femoral fracture using an uncemented modular tapered conical stem
Authors: da Assunção R. E. , Pollard T. C. B. , Hrycaiczuk A. , Curry J. , Glyn-Jones S. , Taylor A.
Published: July 2015

Periprosthetic femoral fracture (PFF) is a potentially devastating complication after total hip arthroplasty, with historically high rates of complication and failure because of the technical challenges of surgery, as well as the prevalence of advanced age and comorbidity in the patients at risk.

This study describes the short-term outcome after revision arthroplasty using a modular, titanium, tapered, conical stem for PFF in a series of 38 fractures in 37 patients.

The mean age of the cohort was 77 years (47 to 96). A total of 27 patients had an American Society of Anesthesiologists grade of at least 3. At a mean follow-up of 35 months (4 to 66) the mean Oxford Hip Score (OHS) was 35 (15 to 48) and comorbidity was significantly associated with a poorer OHS. All fractures united and no stem needed to be revised. Three hips in three patients required further surgery for infection, recurrent PFF and recurrent dislocation and three other patients required closed manipulation for a single dislocation. One stem subsided more than 5 mm but then stabilised and required no further intervention.

In this series, a modular, tapered, conical stem provided a versatile reconstruction solution with a low rate of complications.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1031–7.
The functional and financial impact of isolated and recurrent dislocation after total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Abdel M. P. , Cross M. B. , Yasen A. T. , Haddad F. S.
Published: July 2015

The aims of this study were to determine the functional impact and financial burden of isolated and recurrent dislocation after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Our secondary goal was to determine whether there was a difference between patients who were treated non-operatively and those who were treated operatively.

We retrospectively reviewed 71 patients who had suffered dislocation of a primary THA. Their mean age was 67 years (41 to 92) and the mean follow-up was 3.8 years (2.1 to 8.2).

Because patients with recurrent dislocation were three times more likely to undergo operative treatment (p < 0.0001), they ultimately had a significantly higher mean Harris Hip Score (HHS) (p = 0.0001), lower mean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores (p = 0.001) and a higher mean SF-12 score (p < 0.0001) than patients with a single dislocation. Likewise, those who underwent operative treatment had a higher mean HHS (p < 0.0001), lower mean WOMAC score (p < 0.0001) and a higher mean SF-12 score (p < 0.0001) than those who were treated non-operatively.

Recurrent dislocation and operative treatment increased costs by 300% (£11 456; p < 0.0001) and 40% (£5217; p < 0.0001), respectively.

The operative treatment of recurrent dislocation results in significantly better function than non-operative management. Moreover, the increase in costs for operative treatment is modest compared with that of non-operative measures.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:1046–9.
Revisiting the ‘bag of bones’
Authors: Aitken S. A. , Jenkins P. J. , Rymaszewski L.
Published: July 2015

The best method of managing a fracture of the distal humerus in a frail low-demand patient with osteoporotic bone remains controversial. Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) has been recommended for patients in whom open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is not possible. Conservative methods of treatment, including the ‘bag of bones’ technique (acceptance of displacement of the bony fragments and early mobilisation), are now rarely considered as they are believed to give a poor functional result.

We reviewed 40 elderly and low-demand patients (aged 50 to 93 years, 72% women) with a fracture of the distal humerus who had been treated conservatively at our hospital between March 2008 and December 2013, and assessed their short- and medium-term functional outcome.

In the short-term, the mean Broberg and Morrey score improved from 42 points (poor; 23 to 80) at six weeks after injury to 67 points (fair; 40 to 88) by three months.

In the medium-term, surviving patients (n = 20) had a mean Oxford elbow score of 30 points (7 to 48) at four years and a mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score of 38 points (0 to 75): 95% reported a functional range of elbow flexion. The cumulative rate of fracture union at one year was 53%. The mortality at five years approached 40%.

Conservative management of a fracture of the distal humerus in a low-demand patient only gives a modest functional result, but avoids the substantial surgical risks associated with primary ORIF or TEA.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1132–8.
The change in position of the sciatic nerve during the posterior approach to the hip
Authors: Kanawati A. J. , Narulla R. S. , Lorentzos P. , Facchetti G. , Smith A. , Stewart F.
Published: July 2015

The aim of this cadaver study was to identify the change in position of the sciatic nerve during arthroplasty using the posterior surgical approach to the hip. We investigated the position of the nerve during this procedure by dissecting 11 formalin-treated cadavers (22 hips: 12 male, ten female). The distance between the sciatic nerve and the femoral neck was measured before and after dislocation of the hip, and in positions used during the preparation of the femur. The nerve moves closer to the femoral neck when the hip is flexed to > 30° and internally rotated to 90° (90° IR). The mean distance between the nerve and femoral neck was 43.1 mm (standard deviation (sd) 8.7) with the hip at 0° of flexion and 90° IR; this significantly decreased to a mean of 36.1 mm (sd 9.5), 28.8 mm (sd 9.8) and 19.1 mm (sd 9.7) at 30°, 60° and 90° of hip flexion respectively (p < 0.001). In two hips the nerve was in contact with the femoral neck when the hip was flexed to 90°.

This study demonstrates that the sciatic nerve becomes closer to the operative field during hip arthroplasty using the posterior approach with progressive flexion of the hip.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1056–62.
A patient’s recollection of pre-operative status is not accurate one year after arthroplasty of the hip or knee
Authors: Murphy M. T. , Vardi R. , Journeaux S. F. , Whitehouse S. L.
Published: July 2015

If patients could recall their physical status before total hip (THA) or knee arthroplasty (TKA) accurately it could have valuable applications both clinically and for research. This study evaluated the accuracy of a patient’s recollection one year after either THA or TKA using the Oxford hip or knee scores (OHS and OKS). In total, 113 patients (59 THA, 54 TKA) who had completed the appropriate score pre-operatively were asked to complete the score again at a mean of 12.4 months (standard deviation (sd) 0.8) after surgery, recalling their pre-operative state.

While there were no significant differences between the actual and recalled pre-operative scores (OHS mean difference 0.8, sd 6.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.82 to 2.42, p = 0.329; OKS mean difference -0.11, sd 7.34, 95% CI -2.11 to 1.89, p = 0.912), absolute differences were relatively large (OHS, 5.24; OKS, 5.41), correlation was weak (OHS r = 0.7, OKS r = 0.61) and agreement between actual and recalled responses for individual questions was poor in half of the OHS and two thirds of the OKS.

A patient’s recollection of pre-operative pain and function is inaccurate one year after THA or TKA.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1070–5.
Repair of Partially Embedded Metal Connector Plates
Authors: Walkup Stephanie L. , Erceg Michael , Brown Nathaniel , Brown Vicki L.
Published: July 2015

Partially embedded metal connector plates can occur in wood trusses when the plates are not properly pressed, when they “walk out” as the wood dries during service, or when there is a mismatch in member thickness. Current industry practice is to ignore the remaining strength of a partially embedded plate when making repairs. This assumption results in a large, overdesigned repair along with high material and labor costs. The project objective was to determine if a smaller clamped repair is sufficient to restore the strength of the partially embedded plate to the fully embedded connection strength. A total of 40 tension splice connections were fabricated from 2 by 6 members with 5 by 3 metal connector plates. The specimens included 10 fully embedded plates, 10 partially embedded plates, 10 partially embedded plates repaired with plywood gussets secured outside of the main 2 by 6 members (RC), and 10 partially embedded plates repaired with plywood gussets and light wood screws (RS). The average strength of the partially embedded RC specimens and partially embedded RS specimens were 87 and 108 percent of the fully embedded specimens' strength, respectively, whereas the unrepaired partially embedded plates achieved only 60 percent of the fully embedded specimens' strength. The results of the tests indicate that smaller screw-type gusset repairs are sufficient to return the strength of a tensile splice connection with a 1/16-inch partially embedded plate to its fully embedded plate capacity. Both the clamping action of the plywood gussets and the additional tensile capacity of the screwed plywood gussets were observed to contribute to the strength gains.
Human SERPINB12 Is an Abundant Intracellular Serpin Expressed in Most Surface and Glandular Epithelia
Authors: Niehaus Jason Z. , Good Misty , Jackson Laura E. , Ozolek John A. , Silverman Gary A. , Luke Cliff J.
Published: July 2015

The intracellular serine protease inhibitors (serpins) are an important family of proteins that protect cells form proteinase-mediated injury. Understanding the tissue and cellular expression pattern of this protein family can provide important insights into their physiologic roles. For example, high expression in epithelial tissues, such as lung, may suggest a biologic function in cellular defense, secretion, or selective absorption. Although the expression pattern of many of the intracellular serpins has been well described, one member of this class, SERPINB12, has not been carefully examined. We generated a mouse monoclonal antibody directed against human SERPINB12 and delineated its specificity and tissue and cell type distribution pattern through immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry, respectively. This monoclonal antibody was human specific and did not cross-react with other human intracellular serpins or mouse Serpinb12. SERPINB12 was found in nearly all the tissues investigated. In addition, this serpin was found in multiple cell types within individual tissues but primarily the epithelium. These data suggest that SERPINB12, like some other intracellular serpins, may play a vital role in barrier function by providing protection of epithelial cells.
Design Education for Local Development
Authors: Askerud Pernille , Adler Barbara
Published: July 2015

In the western part of the world, the concept of design is increasingly
perceived as a central means of how we organize the world and imbue it with
(cultural) meaning, rather than a quality attached to material objects. In
this article we are interested in what concept of design is implied in
typical design training activities in different cultural contexts (Morocco,
India, Thailand, Mexico, and Singapore).Inspired by the questions that have
arisen in connection with project experience and research done by the
authors in many countries, this survey outlines approaches and efforts to
establish design competence with a particular paradigm to the fostering of
sustainable economic and cultural development in local communities. Having
worked with development projects involving various aspects of design, we
have chosen to study projects with clear design goals as examples of how
diverse the interpretation of the concept of design can be.  These
observations may stimulate an awareness of the important impact of notions
of design in terms of innovation and cultural diversity and may even give
rise to more research into these issues.
Design as Co-Evolution of Problem, Solution, and Audience
Authors: Halstrøm Per Liljenberg , Galle Per
Published: July 2015

The meaning of ‘design’ can be captured in a general way by a good
definition, but even the best definition cannot provide an understanding
sufficiently deep to guide the professional designer or the student of
design in the intricate deliberations of doing design in practice. Therefore
we explore design beyond the level of definitions, reviewing canonical
theories about design as a professional enterprise. We find that the
well-established theoretical notion of ‘co-evolution’ of problem and
solution in design has its merits in regard to understanding design
deliberations; but also that existing theories leave the practitioner at a
loss for guidance in some respects. To remedy this situation, we propose the
notion of ‘triple co-evolution’ that also involves the ‘audience’ of a
designed artefact. Furthermore, we conjecture that the study of so-called
‘constitutive rhetoric’ offers valuable conceptual resources for conceiving
of design in terms of such triple co-evolution. For example, many design
products may be thought of as offering an audience a ‘subject position’ that
hint at whom they should become. In support of the case we make for thinking
in terms of constitutive rhetoric in design, we present a small sample of
design cases, arguably showing signs of triple co-evolution and
understandable in terms of ‘audience constitution’.
Introduction: the Design Concept - Anything, Everything, Something or
Nothing
Authors: Raahauge Kirsten Marie
Published: July 2015

This volume of Artifact explores the design concept. It is concerned
with the differences and similarities that exist in the various
interpretations of design. The effort is not to try to define the concept or
to state what is right or wrong in the confusing jungle of interpretations;
rather this is an effort to understand some of the ways in which the concept
is used, and what this means for the praxis of designers and the development
of the field of design in its widespread forms (excerpt).
The Effect of Temperature, Light and Calcium Carbonate on Seed Germination and Radicle Growth of the Polycarpic Perennial Galium cracoviense (Rubiaceae), a Narrow Endemic Species From Southern Poland
Authors: Kołodziejek Jeremi , Patykowski Jacek
Published: July 2015

Germination responses of Galium cracoviense Ehrend. (Rubiaceae), a narrow endemic species from southern Poland, were tested in light and dark conditions at three constant temperatures (5, 10, or 22°C), before and after cold-wet stratification. Additionally, seeds were germinated under different calcium carbonate (CaCO3) concentrations (1, 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 mM/L CaCO3) at 22°C in light. The high germination capacity of seeds incubated at different temperatures, shortly after collection, already suggested the absence of dormancy in this species. Thus, the seeds are ready to germinate immediately in the field when water resources are available and the temperature is adequate. Light was a significant factor for G. cracoviense; more seeds germinated in light than in darkness at all temperatures tested. Cold stratification decreased germination especially at higher temperatures. The light requirement for G. cracoviense germination ensures their successful germination on or near the soil surface, and in cracks and crevices in limestone, when temperature and edaphic conditions are favourable. Seeds of this species show temperature enforced dormancy throughout the winter. Germination was significantly affected by calcium carbonate. Non-germinated seeds germinated well after being transferred from higher CaCO3 concentrations to distilled water. The results indicate that the seeds of this species can endure CaCO3 stress without losing their viability and start germination once CaCO3 concentration is reduced. It can be concluded that the seeds of this species require lower Ca2+ ion concentration, moderate temperatures and the presence of light to germinate.
Influence Of Subsidence Fluctuation On The Determination Of Mining Area Curvatures
Authors: Kowalski Andrzej , Jędrzejec Eligiusz
Published: July 2015

The article concerns the random dispersion of deformation indicators, especially the influence of subsidence fluctuation on the distribution of inclinations and curvatures. Surface curvatures have significant influence on building objects. The article includes the probability studies of displacement fluctuation for two arbitrarily close but different points. It was determined, if the probability is dependent on each other or not.

Therefore, the separate deformation indicators can be considered to damage hazard assessment of building objects, if their standard variation of fluctuation is well determined (dependent on the fluctuation of vertical and horizontal displacements). Consequently, it is possible to determine the confidence intervals of fluctuation for all separate deformation indicators. Even in a case of low values of predicted separate curvatures, their values can be significant higher when considering their natural dispersion.
Effect of altitude on some male fertility related traits in Saudi ovine and caprine species
Authors: Awad Nabil S. , Soliman Mohamed M. , Mohamed Alaa A. , Sabry Ayman M. , Shahaby Ahmad F. , El-Tarras Adel E.
Published: July 2015

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of altitude on some male fertility related traits in Saudi sheep and goats. Testicular tissues were collected from a slaughterhouse in Taif governorate (1800 m above sea level) and Makkah governorate (sea level). Sperm characteristics (1 - individual motility, 2 - percent live sperm 3 - percent abnormal sperm) were examined. Semi-quantitative RT -PCR assay was used to evaluate the expression of IGF-II, StAR, LDLr and CYP11A genes. No significant effect of altitude on tested sperm parameters was revealed. Expression of IGF-II gene in both sheep and goats was significantly (P<0.05) higher at sea level compared to high altitude. A similar effect of altitude on StAR gene expression was only observed in goats, while in sheep the level of effect did not reach the significance threshold. Moreover, LDLr gene expression was significantly (P<0.05) higher for both sheep and goats at high altitude than at sea level. The CYP11A gene expression was significantly (P<0.05) higher in high altitude sheep than in those raised at sea level, while the opposite trend was observed for goats. In conclusion, high altitude had an effect on the expression of some studied male fertility related genes, but sperm parameters were not significantly affected.
Aeration as an effective method for pathogen elimination in pig slurry
Authors: Bauza-Kaszewska Justyna , Paluszak Zbigniew , Olszewska Halina
Published: July 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aeration on the survival of indicator and pathogenic microorganisms in pig slurry. After inoculation of the aerated biomass with target bacteria, samples for the microbiological analyses were collected in different time intervals for the period of 12 days. The MPN method was used to determine the number of the investigated microorganisms. The results of statistical analysis showed the lack of significant differences in the theoretical time of survival, elimination rate and the time needed for 90% reduction between different Salmonella serotypes. Theoretical survival of Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Senftenberg W775 and enterococci in the aerated slurry ranged from 13 to 25 days. Enterococci were the most resistant to aeration, and their survival time, compared to salmonellas, was significantly higher.
Longissimus lumborum quality of Limousin suckler beef in relation to age and postmortem vacuum ageing
Authors: Florek Mariusz , Domaradzki Piotr , Stanek Piotr , Litwińczuk Zygmunt , Skałecki Piotr
Published: July 2015

The aim of the research was to evaluate the influence of calf age on proximate composition, fatty acid composition and mineral contents, as well as postmortem ageing under vacuum on the inherent properties of musculus longissimus lumborum of Limousin suckler beef aged to 6, 7 or 8 months. The moisture, protein, fat, and ash content, fatty acid composition, mineral concentrations and intrinsic properties (pH, electrical conductivity, drip and cooking loss, shear force, and CIE colour parameters) were determined. The calf age significantly (P≤0.05) correlated with an increased protein content and energy value of meat and decreased water:protein proportion. Moreover, increased age correlated with higher concentrations of Mg (P≤0.01), Zn and Fe (P≤0.05) and reduced concentrations of Cu (P≤0.05). The fatty acid composition was similar irrespective of calf age, with the exception of CLA content, which was significantly (P≤0.01) reduced in older animals. Muscles of calves aged 6 months were significantly lighter, less red, and showed the most significant drip loss compared to the muscles of older animals. There was no significant (P>0.05) interaction between calf age and postmortem ageing for the intrinsic properties analysed. Postmortem ageing under vacuum resulted in a significant decrease (P≤0.05) in the shear force of meat (irrespective of the age of the calves). The lack of significant differences, especially with regard to the meat pH, shear force, fatty acid composition, and with the significantly higher content of protein and major elements (Fe, Mg and Zn) in relation to the slaughter age, indicates the validity of increasing the duration of fattening of the Limousin calves reared with their mothers on the pasture until the age of 8 months, which is a maximum in this category.
Role of morphometry in determining the feeding success of small freshwater fish species: Multivariate analysis of Amblypharyngodon mola, Puntius ticto, and Esomus danricus
Authors: Nandi Sudarshana , Saikia Surjya Kumar
Published: July 2015

Factor and multiple regression analysis were used to extract the morphometric variables that contributed to feeding success in three small freshwater fishes. Of the first two factors, factor 1, showed high loading of gut weight (GW), length of the upper (UJ), and lower jaws (LJ) in mola, Amblypharyngodon mola (Hamilton), and GW and vertical mouth opening (VMO) in punti, Puntius ticto (Hamilton). In darikana, Esomus danricus (Hamilton), GW, horizontal mouth opening (HMO), and VMO were highly loaded on factor 2. Gut length (GL) was closely associated withGWof all three species. Subsequently, variables with high loading on factors 1 or 2 were subjected to multiple regression analysis to observe their effect on feeding success, consideringGWas the dependent variable and the extracted variables as the independent variable. In A. mola, HMO and GL influenced GW, whereas in P. ticto, only GL determined GW in the fish. In E. danricus, GL, VMO, and HMO exerted a low effect on GW. Exceptionally, the present study suggested that feeding success in small fishes is largely determined by UJ, LJ, and GL or mouth openings.
Social Insurance Pension Schemes: Stochastic Actuarial Valuation Using an Analytical Model
Authors: Iyer Subramaniam
Published: July 2015

Actuarial valuations of social insurance pension schemes continue to be carried out almost exclusively on traditional, deterministic lines, despite certain advantages of stochastic valuations. The few instances, that there are of such valuations, have been based on the simulation methodology, which is computer-intensive and requires extensive data. It is believed that the analytical approach may provide a simpler alternative and therefore encourage the spread of stochastic valuations. This paper refines the theoretical basis of an existing analytical valuation model, and generalizes the projection formulae to accommodate several inter-correlated stochastic factors. A stochastic valuation of an on-going retirement pension scheme is illustrated. It is hoped that the paper will stimulate further theoretical and practical research, and eventually lead to the spread of stochastic valuations in social security.
Imaging evaluation of diffuse abnormalities of the cranial vault (Case report)
Authors: Deacu Cristina-Mădălina , Iordan Adriana , Baz R.
Published: July 2015

A variety of diffuse diseases affect the calvaria. They may be identified clinically as palpable masses or incidentally in radiologic examinations. The purpose of this study is to illustrate the main diffuse calvarial lesions starting from a case report of fibrous dysplasia of the cranial vault. A 68-year-old male patient who presented with a history of right otalgia and bloody otorrhea was diagnosed to have fibrous dysplasia based on the radiological features. Most diffuse diseases of the calvaria are benign non-neoplastic lesions of unknown origin. The radiologist has a long list of differential diagnosis and their true etiology may be puzzling when the medical evaluation is based only on imaging findings.
The Effect of Soil Moisture on the Reflectance Spectra Correlations in Beech and Sessile Oak Foliage/ Talajnedvesség hatása bükk és kocsánytalan tölgy lombozat reflexiós spektrumainak korrelációira.
Authors: Eredics Attila , Németh Zsolt István , Rákosa Rita , Rasztovits Ervin , Móricz Norbert , Vig Péter
Published: July 2015

Reflectance intensities of foliage are mostly due to biomaterials synthesised by plants. Adaptation to the continuously changing environment requires the regulated alteration of metabolic processes, which also influences the UV-VIS (Ultraviolet-Visible) and IR (Infra Red) spectra of leaves. For the calculation of various Vegetation Indices (VIs), e.g. NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), the common practice is to use the reflectance spectrum of the whole foliage and when individual leaves of the same plant are sampled, an average VI is derived. On the contrary, our method exploits the small differences between individual leaves of the same plant, making use of the similar distributions of measured reflectance values. Using particular wavelength pairs, linear regressions of reflectance intensities have been investigated. The parameters of these regressions (slope and intercept) have been compared to the temporal variations of the environmental factors, such as temperature, vapour pressure deficit and soil moisture. By assessing the sensitivity of the regression coefficient (slope) to the changing environment, wavelength pairs can be selected whose sensitivity change reflects the effect of soil moisture deficit on the plant. Based on the state-dependent correlations of the reflectance spectra of plant foliage, a new concept is presented that is capable of indicating the level of environmental stress, e.g. drought stress.
Post-epidemic Situation of a Previously Phytophthora alni-infected Common Alder Stand/ Egy korábban Phytophthora alni által fertőzött mézgáséger-állomány járvány utáni állapota
Authors: Sárándi-Kovács Judit , Lakatos Ferenc , Szabó Ilona
Published: July 2015

This paper reports on the current situation of the Phytophthora species occurring in a declining common alder (Alnus glutinosa) stand in North-West Hungary. The stand was affected by a severe epidemic caused by Phytophthora alni in the late 1990s. The authors evaluated the health condition of the forest stand and collected soil samples from the rhizosphere of twenty selected trees two times per year in 2011 and in 2012 in order to isolate Phytophthora species. A diverse Phytophthora community was found in the soil consisting of eight species with different aggressiveness and with different ecological demands. Pathogenicity tests confirmed the role of the collected strains in the decline of the alder stand.
Integrated reporting vs. sustainability reporting for corporate responsibility in South Africa
Authors: Clayton Alexandra F. , Rogerson Jayne M. , Rampedi Isaac
Published: July 2015

Large corporates have come under increasing pressure to conduct their business in a more transparent and responsible manner. In order for business to fulfil its obligations under the ethic of accountability stakeholders must be given relevant, timely, and understandable information about their activities through corporate reports. The conventional company reports on annual financial performance, sustainability and governance disclosures often fail to make the connection between the organisation’s strategy, its financial results and performance on environmental, social and governance issues. Recognising the inherent shortcomings of existing reporting models, there is a growing trend to move towards integrated reporting. South Africa has been one of the most innovative countries in terms of integrated corporate reporting. Since 2010 companies primarily listed on the country’s major stock exchange have been required to produce an integrated report as opposed to the former sustainability report. The aim in this study is to review the development of integrated reporting by large corporates in South Africa and assess the impact of the required transition from sustainability reporting to integrated reporting on non-financial disclosure of eight South African corporates using content analysis of annual reports.
Medical tourism by Indian-South Africans to India: an exploratory investigation
Authors: Dangor Faheem , Hoogendoorn Gijsbert , Moolla Raeesa
Published: July 2015

Medical tourism is a well-established sector in developing countries, and attracts a significant number of tourists from developed countries. Medical tourism is a strong driver of economic growth, but some argue that this kind of tourism promotes inequality in terms of access to healthcare facilities in both developing and developed countries. Whilst research has been conducted on medical tourists travelling to South Africa, no research has focused on the geography of South Africans travelling abroad for medical tourist activities. This study therefore sought to obtain first-hand information from Indian-South African citizens who have partaken in medical tourism in India. Data was gathered through personal, semi-structured interviews conducted with 54 individuals. It was ascertained that the majority of the individuals interviewed in this study travelled to India primarily for medical treatment, while tourist activities were a secondary objective. A smaller proportion of interviewees travelled to India for vacation, with medical care being a secondary motivation, or an impulse due to the low cost of treatment and convenience. Medical tourism by Indian-South Africans travelling to India highlights various shortfalls in South African medical care, including a lack of treatment availability, a poorer quality of service, medical expertise abroad, and the higher cost incurred locally.
Water supply, sanitation and hygiene education in secondary schools in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Egbinola Christiana Ndidi , Amanambu Amobichukwu Chukwudi
Published: July 2015

Access to potable water supply, sanitation and hygiene education remains relatively low both in the urban and rural areas in developing countries. The main aim of the study was to get an overview of the condition of the water and sanitary facilities in schools and of hygiene education. The method of investigation involved systematic random sampling with the use of questionnaires and interviews with the students and teachers and onsite inspection of the sanitation facilities available within the schools. The results revealed that 24% of schools used W/C while 76% of schools used pit toilets, of which 88% were ordinary pit toilets and 12% VIP. The number of toilets within the schools ranged between 0 and 14 revealing a 185:1 student to toilet ratio within the study area, but ranged widely from 83:1 to 510:1 between schools. The study, however, revealed the absence of wash hand basins in 77% of the schools and no soap in 88% of the schools with wash hand basins. Investing in clean water, sanitation and hygiene education in these public schools should become a priority for governments in developing countries and School Sanitation and Hygiene Education program (SSHE) should be adopted and implemented across schools in Nigeria.
Capillary electrophoresis based on nucleic acid detection for diagnosing human infectious disease
Authors: Lian Dong-Sheng , Zhao Shu-Jin
Published: July 2015

Rapid transmission, high morbidity, and mortality are the features of human infectious diseases caused by microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These diseases may lead within a short period of time to great personal and property losses, especially in regions where sanitation is poor. Thus, rapid diagnoses are vital for the prevention and therapeutic intervention of human infectious diseases. Several conventional methods are often used to diagnose infectious diseases, e.g. methods based on cultures or morphology, or biochemical tests based on metabonomics. Although traditional methods are considered gold standards and are used most frequently, they are laborious, time consuming, and tedious and cannot meet the demand for rapid diagnoses. Disease diagnosis using capillary electrophoresis methods has the advantages of high efficiency, high throughput, and high speed, and coupled with the different nucleic acid detection strategies overcomes the drawbacks of traditional identification methods, precluding many types of false positive and negative results. Therefore, this review focuses on the application of capillary electrophoresis based on nucleic detection to the diagnosis of human infectious diseases, and offers an introduction to the limitations, advantages, and future developments of this approach.
Neutrophil CD64 combined with PCT, CRP and WBC improves the sensitivity for the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis
Authors: Yang Ai-Ping , Liu Jun , Yue Lei-He , Wang Hong-Qi , Yang Wen-Juan , Yang Guo-Hui
Published: July 2015

The aim of this study was to determine whether neutrophil CD64 (nCD64) combined with procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell count (WBC) can increase the sensitivity and accuracy of neonatal sepsis diagnosis.

The serum levels of nCD64, CRP, PCT and WBC were detected in 60 patients with neonatal sepsis and 60 patients with non-sepsis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC), and logistic regression analysis were performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of these markers on neonatal sepsis.

Serum levels of nCD64, PCT, CRP and WBC were higher in the sepsis group than non-sepsis group (p<0.001). The sensitivities of nCD64, PCT, CRP and WBC at the recommended cut-off level for all infants were 79.5%, 68.2%, 38.6% and 52.3%, respectively. The best combination was nCD64 and PCT, which obtained sensitivity of 90.9%, largest AUC of 0.922, and a negative predictive value of 89.2%. However by using an optimal cut-off value, the sensitivities of all four biomarkers for the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis were increased to 95.5%. Except for WBC, the birth weight and gestational age had no effects on the diagnostic value of these serum biomarkers.

nCD64 and PCT are better diagnostic biomarkers for early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis as compared to CRP. With the help of optimal cut-off value based on ROC curve and logistic regression analysis, the combination of these biomarkers could improve the sensitivity for the diagnosis of suspected late-onset neonatal sepsis based on common serum biomarkers.
The understanding of risk factors for eating disorders in male adolescents
Authors: Akgül Sinem , Akdemir Devrim , Kara Mahmut , Derman Orhan , Çetin Füsun Çuhadaroğlu , Kanbur Nuray
Published: July 2015

Objective: The study aimed to describe the medical, psychiatric, and cultural features of adolescent males with an eating disorder (ED).

Materials and methods: This retrospective evaluation took place at Hacettepe University, İhsan Doğramacı Children’s Hospital, Ankara, Turkey, and covered a 4-year period between 2010 and 2013. Sixty adolescents were diagnosed with an ED during this period, 47 (78.3%) were females and 13 were males (21.7%) male. All 13 male patients who met full criteria for an ED according to the DSM criteria were included. Medical and psychiatric records of male patients treated for an ED were re-evaluated.

Results: The most striking finding of the study was that the female to male ratio became 3.6:1, with the increasing number of male adolescents with an ED. In our study, medical findings and complications of males with ED were similar to those seen in females. However, the most predominant gender difference was the co occurrence of a comorbid physical or mental illness.

Conclusion: It is imperative to raise awareness of EDs in males. Although the medical findings of the study suggest that male and female adolescents with EDs are clinically similar to each other, the understanding of certain gender-specific risk factors shown in our study, such as a medical illness and/or obesity and co-morbid psychiatric diagnosis, are essential in raising suspicion. Further studies that especially evaluate cultural and social factors that affect parenting styles for boys are important in addessing possible risk factors for the development of EDs in males within different societies.
Communication Theory in Business History
Authors: Schröter Harm G.
Published: July 2015

Several theories on communication are tested on trial to what extent they can provide additional insight in business history. All are focused on one known example, the relation between the dyestuff cartel and its Japanese competitors in the interwar period. Can theory extend the limits of our knowledge even in well known cases? While the classification of types of information transfer according to Chun Wei Choo provides only limited new insights, other theories provided interesting results. One is the creation of mutual trust, which helps to explain the - from an economic point of view - quite surprising longevity of the cartel. Another application provides reasons for the cartel’s largest strategic failure. Thus, communication theory can but need not provide deeper insights into business history.
Western European Recycling in a Long-term Perspective
Authors: Stöger Georg , Reith Reinhold
Published: July 2015

Scholarship on the history of material flows stresses the fundamental changes in the recycling of materials between the nineteenth century and the mid-twentieth century and points to different caesuras during this period. Industrialization and urban sanitation constituted a major turning point for recycling followed by another connected to the advent of the mass consumer society. Seen in a long-term perspective, however, the picture seems more complex. There were significant changes, but there are also indications of evolving and persisting recycling systems. Mainly dealing with urban settings, the article argues that pre-industrial forms persisted within the field of “modern” recycling alongside the ruptures that can be detected for material flows and recycling systems since the end of the nineteenth century.
Downstream Morphologic Characteristics of the Alluvial Section of Lower River Ogun, Nigeria
Authors: Fashae Olutoyin A. , Faniran Adetoye
Published: July 2015

Rivers constitute an important focus of attention in surface water studies because of their dynamic nature. Therefore, natural rivers develop a wide range of channel forms whose characteristics vary as a function of the position within the fluvial systems. This study examined the river channel morphologic parameters along the alluvial section of River Ogun in South western Nigeria. Data on the channel morphologic variables were collected through field measurement of the bankfull cross sectional characteristics of the river from where the longitudinal characteristics were defined. 48 cross sections were randomly established at bankfull stage along the river channel stretch of 90 km. Bankfull depth and width at each of the cross sections were determined using sonar (electronic sounding machine) that was mounted to a boat. Velocity was measured with the aid of a current meter, while other morphological parameters were estimated from the field data. Analysis of variance revealed that downstream morphological characteristics of the river varies distinctively at each cross section with bedslope as the most significantly varied among all other morphologic parameters (F=91.18; P=0.00). Pearson product moment correlation technique revealed that bankfull width had a correlation of 0.8 and 0.9 with wetted perimeter and cross sectional area respectively while bankfull depth (maximum) had correlations of 0.9, 0.8 and 0.78 with hydraulic radius, wetted perimeter and cross sectional area respectively. The research also revealed that gradient affects the discharge with a positive correlation of 0.9. The study ascertains the extent of variability in the morphologic characteristic of River Ogun which provides scientific basis for river maintenance and management.
Droughts, Dry Spells and Low Water Levels in Medieval Hungary (and Croatia) I: The Great Droughts of 1362, 1474, 1479, 1494 and 1507
Authors: Kiss Andrea , Nikolić Zrinka
Published: July 2015

In the present paper five significant late medieval drought events, occurred in Hungary (4 cases) and Croatia (1 Dalmatian case), are discussed based on contemporary documentary evidence. Information on long-term lack of precipitation, severe annual (or multiannual) water shortage, extreme low water levels of major rivers or bad harvest and severe food shortage in 1362, 1474, 1479, 1494 and 1507, often accompanied or followed by locust invasions, were documented both in narratives, account books, charters and letters. Apart from causing food shortage or difficulties in transportation (e.g. of salt), these greatest known documented drought events of medieval Hungary were blamed for weakening the country's military defence (e.g. low water levels) and providing good opportunities for Ottoman-Turkish attacks. These great drought events sometimes occurred one year later than those of the neighbouring areas in Central Europe - a fact that can be probably explained by the bi- or multi-annual nature of dry spells (e.g. in and around 1474, 1479, 1507) that does not necessarily fit the frame of a calendar year.
National and international initiatives and approaches for the establishment of reference intervals in pediatric laboratory medicine
Authors: Kohse Klaus P.
Published: July 2015

Thoroughly validated laboratory medicine reference intervals for children of all ages groups have been published increasingly during the last years. The aim of this review is to present a number of these studies and the various approaches to the generation of reference intervals. Population-based data obtained in large cohorts of healthy children in Germany, Northern Europe, North America, and selected other countries as well as patient-derived data collected in many areas of the world are discussed. Additionally, special research aspects such as reference intervals for preterm neonates, preanalytical issues, intraindividual variation of analytes, or follow-up studies that are covered in many of these studies are presented.