bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clustering Using a Combination of Particle Swarm Optimization and K-means
Authors: Patel Garvishkumar K. , Dabhi Vipul K. , Prajapati Harshadkumar B.
Published: July 2017

Clustering is an unsupervised kind of grouping of data points based on the similarity that exists between them. This paper applied a combination of particle swarm optimization and K-means for data clustering. The proposed approach tries to improve the performance of traditional partition clustering techniques such as K-means by avoiding the initial requirement of number of clusters or centroids for clustering. The proposed approach is evaluated using various primary and real-world datasets. Moreover, this paper also presents a comparison of results produced by the proposed approach and by the K-means based on clustering validity measures such as inter- and intra-cluster distances, quantization error, silhouette index, and Dunn index. The comparison of results shows that as the size of the dataset increases, the proposed approach produces significant improvement over the K-means partition clustering technique.
Particle Swarm Optimisation-Support Vector Machine Optimised by Association Rules for Detecting Factors Inducing Heart Diseases
Authors: Wei-Jia Lu , Liang Ma , Hao Chen
Published: July 2017

Existing systems for diagnosing heart diseases are time consuming, expensive, and error prone. Aiming at this, a detection algorithm for factors inducing heart diseases based on a particle swarm optimisation-support vector machine (PSO-SVM) optimised by association rules (ARs) was proposed. Firstly, AR was used to select features from a disease data set so as to train feature sets. Then, PSO-SVM was used to classify training and testing sets, and then the factors inducing heart diseases were analysed. Finally, the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed algorithm was verified by experiments on the UCI Cleveland data set with confidence as the index. The experimental results showed that females have less risk of having a heart attack than males. Irrespective of gender, once diagnosed with chest pain without symptoms and angina caused by exercise, people are more likely to suffer from heart disease. Moreover, compared with another two advanced classification algorithms, the proposed algorithm showed better classification performance and therefore can be used as a powerful tool to help doctors diagnose and treat heart diseases.
Design of Photonic Crystal-Based Demultiplexer with High-Quality Factor for DWDM Applications
Authors: Zavvari Mahdi
Published: July 2017

In this article, we proposed a four-channel optical demultiplexer based on photonic crystal resonant cavities. For performing wavelength selection task, we used four resonant cavities with different lengths in order to choose four channels with different wavelengths. The average channel spacing of the structure is about 1 nm and the minimum transmission efficiency is 90 %. The bandwidths of the channels are the same and equal to 0.8 nm.
Pediatric toxic polycystic thyroid
Authors: Belle Janeil M. , Vasilottos Nektarios , Nebesio Todd D. , James Benjamin C.
Published: July 2017

Background:

Polycystic thyroid disease (PCTD) is a rare condition and has been described in adults in the setting of subclinical and clinical hypothyroidism. We present the first known case of a pediatric patient with diffuse macrocystic degeneration of the thyroid.

Clinical presentation:

A 6-year-old previously healthy patient was evaluated after presenting with a 16-month history of an enlarging polycystic thyroid and hyperthyroidism. Markers of autoimmune thyroid disease including thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibody, thyroid peroxidase antibody and thyroglobulin antibody were negative. No family history of benign or malignant thyroid or cystic disease was present. The patient underwent a total thyroidectomy without perioperative complication. She remains euthyroid with thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

To our knowledge, this is the first report of PCTD in the pediatric population associated with hyperthyroidism without evidence of autoimmune disease. Somatic activating thyrotropin-receptor gene mutations are known to cause non-autoimmune hyperthyroidism in children, however it is unknown if similar mechanisms are responsible for pediatric PCTD.

Conclusions:

Polycystic thyroid degeneration can occur in children and may result in a hyperthyroid state.
Effects of eplerenone on resistance to antihypertensive medication in patients with primary or secondary hyperaldosteronism
Authors: Spence J. David , Bogiatzi Chrysi , Kuk Mariya , Dresser George K. , Hackam Daniel G.
Published: July 2017

Background and Objectives

Resistant hypertension is an important problem; nearly half of diagnosed hypertensives are not controlled to target blood pressure levels, and approximately 90% of strokes occur among patients with resistant hypertension. Primary aldosteronism accounts for approximately 20% of resistant hypertension, but the role of secondary hyperaldosteronism in resistant hypertension is seldom considered. We assessed the effects of eplerenone in patients with hypertension and either primary or secondary hyperaldosteronism.

Methods

Patients with a history of resistant hypertension and a supine plasma aldosterone level ≥ 360 pmol/L were randomized to eplerenone versus placebo in a fully blinded study for one year. A medication intensity score was developed to assess the resistance of hypertension to medication (blood pressure × medication intensity). We assessed the effects of eplerenone on blood pressure and on resistance to concomitant medication.

Results

Final results were available in 37 patients (19 on eplerenone and 18 on placebo). Resistance to medication, as assessed by the intensity of concomitant medication required to maintain blood pressure control, was markedly reduced by eplerenone: medication intensity scores declined by –0.50 ± 1.04 (SD) on placebo versus –2.11 ± 1.45 with eplerenone (P = 0.0001), the Systolic Resistance Score declined by –80.00 ± 122.93 on placebo versus –334.05 ± 21.73 on eplerenone (P = 0.0001), and the Diastolic Resistance Score increased by 1.28 ± 31.65 on placebo and declined by –40.74 ± 57.08 on eplerenone (P = 0.009).

Conclusions

Eplerenone significantly reduced resistance to concomitant antihypertensive medication in both primary and secondary hyperaldosteronism.
Mittelalterliche Literatur im Medienwandel von der Handschrift zum gedruckten Buch. Das Beispiel des ,Herzog Ernst‘
Authors: Goerlitz Uta
Published: July 2017

Current competence-oriented curricula for secondary education in Germany demand a level of literary, linguistic, and media competence that enables students to study the common cultural heritage and to grow into their roles as members of society. The study of the German language, literature, and culture of the Middle Ages is particularly appropriate to develop this competence. Raising the question of both the alterity and the similarity of the period in comparison with the present, it demands a high degree of critical reflection. At the same time, current research is open to questions posed by the present of the past, concerncing e. g. the increasingly visible effects of the digital revolution, which echoes developments in the change from the manuscript to the printed book in the decades around 1500. The following contribution illustrates the relevance of the transfer of research from university to school by taking today’s media revolution as an opportunity to examine changes in literature and media in the 15th and 16th centuries. To this end, ‚Herzog Ernst‘ serves as an example of a popular narrative complex, interesting not only because of its comprehensiveness, but also for its distinctive transformations from manuscript to print.
Kunstgeschichte: Brücken zwischen Mittelalter und Gegenwart
Authors: Welzel Barbara
Published: July 2017

Art education in German schools combines practical courses and art history. The curricula only give a marginal position to art history, however. This concerns the arts of the Middle Ages in particular – only a minimum of lessons, if any at all, are dedicated to medieval art. However, European cities, villages, and landscapes cannot be understood without their structures and buildings inherited from the Middle Ages. In its first section, this article describes the critical situation of art history in German schools and argues that participation in European societies in the full sense of the Human Rights charter requires the inclusion of the medieval heritage in educational programmes. The second section takes Dortmund as an example. The third section describes exemplary projects focussing on medieval objects that we include in the regular curriculum of our teacher training programme at TU Dortmund University, and in collaborative courses held at university and at partner schools.
Mittellateinische Texte in der Schule. Eine Vorbemerkung mit Beispielen zur Briefliteratur
Authors: Orth Peter
Published: July 2017

Although Latin curricula for secondary schools generally recommend medieval Latin texts as a supplement to classical authors, medieval Latin is not necessarily part of the teacher training programms at university. After giving a brief sketch of medieval Latin studies at German universities, this article explores strategies for transmitting at least a basic knowledge of medieval Latin language and literature to students of Latin philology and teachers. Latin letters of the Carolingian period and the high Middle Ages might be an appropriate theme for complementary reading and comparison with classical models and current forms of communication. Examples from the collections of Alcuin, Einhart and Hildebert of Lavardin are discussed.
Die Musik des Mittelalters in der Kursstufe
Authors: Warzok Lutz
Published: July 2017

The following article will explore the opportunities that medieval music offers in music lessons for teachers as well as for students, with reference to Thuringia's music curriculum for classes 11 and 12 (1999). This type of music should receive greater attention, because at present it only contributes to teaching specific competencies in four out of six semesters. However, medieval music is the origin of today's music reception. By studying the chants of the Middle Ages, but above all by singing medieval melodies during lessons, students can immediately perceive changes in the history of music. This conscious listening experience, although very different from the current culture of hearing, makes the changes and the continuity of medieval music come alive for the students. Furthermore, the article focusses on the history of medieval music education in the upper grade levels: in eastern Germany, only after the fall of the Berlin Wall 1989 has it been possible to study medieval music at all.
Sequential Classification of Palm Gestures Based on A* Algorithm and MLP Neural Network for Quadrocopter Control
Authors: Wodziński Marek , Krzyżanowska Aleksandra
Published: July 2017

This paper presents an alternative approach to the sequential data classification, based on traditional machine learning algorithms (neural networks, principal component analysis, multivariate Gaussian anomaly detector) and finding the shortest path in a directed acyclic graph, using A* algorithm with a regression-based heuristic. Palm gestures were used as an example of the sequential data and a quadrocopter was the controlled object. The study includes creation of a conceptual model and practical construction of a system using the GPU to ensure the realtime operation. The results present the classification accuracy of chosen gestures and comparison of the computation time between the CPU- and GPU-based solutions.
Interferometric Set-Up for Measuring Thermal Deformations of Precision Construction Elements
Authors: Dobosz Marek , Kożuchowski Mariusz , Ściuba Marek , Iwasińska-Kowalska Olga , Woźniak Adam
Published: July 2017

Many precision devices, especially measuring devices, must maintain their technical parameters in variable ambient conditions, particularly at varying temperatures. Examples of such devices may be super precise balances that must keep stability and accuracy of the readings in varying ambient temperatures. Due to that fact, there is a problem of measuring the impact of temperature changes, mainly on geometrical dimensions of fundamental constructional elements of these devices. In the paper a new system for measuring micro-displacements of chosen points of a constructional element of balance with a resolution of single nanometres and accuracy at a level of fractions of micrometres has been proposed.
Features of Employer Attractiveness on Lithuanian Business Organizations: Employees’ Perceptions
Authors: Bakanauskienė Irena , Bendaravičienė Rita , Barkauskė Laima
Published: July 2017

Elections of the most attractive employer take place both in Lithuania and worldwide. Instruments used to measure organizational attractiveness in these elections are focused on a priori features of a universal “employer of choice” and therefore neglecting a fact that people may have different perceptions and preferences. Addressing this limitation the article presents the results of an empirical study of employer attractiveness in Lithuanian business sector. Based on the responses (N = 1020) to an open-ended question, the study allowed to identify the most important features of an attractive employer, namely: attractive salary, good working atmosphere, flexibility and freedom at work, timely payment of wages.
Managing Employees’ Adaptation in Mergers: Theoretical Issues
Authors: Stravinskienė Inga
Published: July 2017

On the basis of scientific literature analysis, the article focuses on the conceptual framework of adaptation of employees and management of this adaptation in the merged organisations. The article reasons the aspect of change and transition in the post-merger context. The author discusses psychological and behavioural responses of organisation staff towards the post-merger and introduces transition phases of employees. There are also highlighted specific features of staff adaptation management in the merged organisations.
Systemic Improvement of Management: Case Analysis of a Company Evaluating Quality Costs
Authors: Šepetienė Ramunė , Čiubrinskienė Rasa , Ruževičius Juozas
Published: July 2017

The article presents analysis of scientific literature review and the example of practical calculation of quality costs. Attention is paid to the demand of structuring company’s costs through the correlation of its quality costs and maturity of quality in the context of standardisation of services.
The Influence of Color Perception on Marketing Decisions
Authors: Šliburytė Laimona , Skėrytė Ilona
Published: July 2017

The article examines colour (sight) marketing as one of the element of sensory marketing highlighting the importance of its perception and use in marketing decisions. Theoretical studies reveal that seeking to influence consumer behaviour, colour is used in setting linkages with characteristics of the product, as well as defining product packaging, advertising, point of sale, and brand communication.
Development Perspectives of the Social Group Cohesion in Reducing Social Loafing
Authors: Vveinhardt Jolita , Banikonytė Justina
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this research is to elaborate development perspectives of the social group cohesion seeking to reduce the incidence of the phenomenon. The authors analyse theoretical and empirical studies on social loafing and based on this analysis try to identify the causes of the phenomenon. In the article, analysis of the concept of social loafing is presented, distinguishing the essential demotivating factors in working groups of organisations. Moreover, the reasons of occurrence and existence of social loafing are analysed in a way of grouping them. The beliefs of employees and their behaviours conditioned by them are discussed, determining the emergence and/or suppression of social loafing.
Bilingual children as policy agents: Language policy and education policy in minority language medium Early Childhood Education and Care
Authors: Bergroth Mari , Palviainen Åsa
Published: July 2017

The current study examines bilingual children as language policy agents in the interplay between official language policy and education policy at three Swedish-medium preschools in Finland. For this purpose we monitored nine Finnish-Swedish bilingual children aged 3 to 5 years for 18 months. The preschools were located in three different parts of Finland, in milieux with varying degrees of language dominance. The children were video recorded during their normal daytime routines in early childhood education and care. Three types of communicative situations were analyzed: an educator-led small group activity, free play with friends, and an activity in which one child was playing alone. Representative dialogs were selected to illustrate the children’s agency in constructing and enacting bilingual and/or monolingual language policies. Our analysis shows, firstly, that official national language policies can be enacted in different ways depending on the wider practice structures of the site; and, secondly, that each bilingual child has a unique agency and an active role in the construction of not only the monolingual policy but also a bilingual policy within the frames of early childhood education and care.
Shortwave-infrared (SWIR) emitters for biological imaging: a review of challenges and opportunities
Authors: Thimsen Elijah , Sadtler Bryce , Berezin Mikhail Y.
Published: July 2017

Shortwave infrared radiation (SWIR) is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum from approximately 900 nm to 2500 nm. Recent advances in imaging systems have expanded the application of SWIR emitters from traditional fields in materials science to biomedical imaging, and the new detectors in SWIR opened an opportunity of deep tissue imaging. Achieving deep photon penetration while maintaining high resolution is one of the main objectives and challenges in bioimaging used for the investigation of diverse processes in living organisms. The application of SWIR emitters in biological settings is, however, hampered by low quantum efficiency. So far, photoluminescent properties in the SWIR region have not been improved by extending concepts that have been developed for the visible (400–650 nm) and near-infrared (NIR, 700–900 nm) wavelengths, which indicates that the governing behavior is fundamentally different in the SWIR. The focus of this minireview is to examine the mechanisms behind the low efficiency of SWIR emitters as well as to highlight the progress in their design for biological applications. Several common mechanisms will be considered in this review: (a) the effect of the energy gap between the excited and ground state on the quantum efficiency, (b) the coupling of the excited electronic states in SWIR emitters to vibrational states in the surrounding matrix, and (c) the role of environment in quenching the excited states. General strategies to improve the quantum yields for a diverse type of SWIR emitters will be also presented.
An Empirical Study Regarding Radical Innovation, Research and Development Management, and Leadership
Authors: Isada Fumihiko , Isada Yuriko
Published: July 2017

The objective of this research is to empirically compare the management that is most suitable for radical innovation with that needed for incremental innovation. The relationship between the results of research and development and management styles was surveyed using a questionnaire. Respondents included research and development leaders in Japanese manufacturing, with special attention given to the differences between radical innovation and incremental innovation. Results verified, in an integrated way, the management and leadership factors, taking into consideration the differences arising from the object under analysis and the environmental factors.
Introduction
Authors: Scott-Smith Giles
Published: July 2017

The need to maintain embassies as essential outposts of diplomatic recognition and representation has been questioned by many observers. Critics deem them increasingly irrelevant in a globalized context of multiple, more adaptable actors, whereas their advocates hold on to the ongoing role of the nation-state in structures of global governance. Both sides agree that change is necessary, although they disagree on its goals and how far it should go. This Introduction sets out the main arguments present in the debate, laying the foundation for the articles that follow which explore how embassies, diplomats and diplomatic representation have all been adapted and transformed by the changing political context of the global era.
In vitro screening of potato genotypes for osmotic stress tolerance
Authors: Gelmesa Dandena , Dechassa Nigussie , Mohammed Wassu , Gebre Endale , Monneveux Philippe , Bündig Christin , Winkelmann Traud
Published: July 2017

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a cool season crop which is susceptible to both drought and heat stresses. Lack of suitable varieties of the crop adapted to drought-prone areas of the lowland tropics deprives farmers living in such areas the opportunity to produce and use the crop as a source of food and income. As a step towards developing such varieties, the present research was conducted to evaluate different potato genotypes for osmotic stress tolerance under in vitro conditions and identify drought tolerant genotypes for future field evaluation. The experiment was carried out at the Leibniz University of Hannover, Germany, by inducing osmotic stress using sorbitol at two concentrations (0.1 and 0.2 M) in the culture medium. A total of 43 genotypes collected from different sources (27 advanced clones from CIP, nine improved varieties, and seven farmers’ cultivars) were used in a completely randomized design with four replications in two rounds. Data were collected on root and shoot growth. The results revealed that the main effects of genotype, sorbitol treatment, and their interactions significantly (P < 0.01) influenced root and shoot growthrelated traits. Under osmotic stress, all the measured root and shoot growth traits were significantly correlated. The dendrogram obtained from the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean allowed grouping of the genotypes into tolerant, moderately tolerant, and susceptible ones to a sorbitol concentration of 0.2 M in the culture medium. Five advanced clones (CIP304350.100, CIP304405.47, CIP392745.7, CIP388676.1, and CIP388615.22) produced shoots and rooted earlier than all other genotypes, with higher root numbers, root length, shoot and root mass under osmotic stress conditions induced by sorbitol. Some of these genotypes had been previously identified as drought-tolerant under field conditions, suggesting the capacity of the in vitro evaluation method to predict drought stress tolerant genotypes. Most of the genotypes collected from Ethiopia were found to be susceptible to osmotic stress, except one farmers’ cultivar (Dadafa) and two improved varieties (Zemen and Belete). Field evaluation of the tested materials under drought conditions would confirm the capacity of osmotic stress tolerant genotypes to perform well under drought-prone conditions and the potential interest of in vitro evaluation as a pre-screening component in potato breeding programs.
Evaluating the influence of modernization of the urban bus fleet in Krakow in the years 2010–2015 on the amount of pollutants emitted into the air
Authors: Bździuch Paulina , Bogacki Marek
Published: July 2017

Efficient and environmentally friendly public transport is a requirement of a modern city. For many years, Krakow has been building a modern multimodal transportation system, with the bus services playing a significant role. The article presents the results of the studies carried out on the fleet of urban buses operating within the Krakow agglomeration in the years 2010-2015. The influence of modernization of the urban bus fleet in the specified period on emissions of the most significant air pollutants into the air was evaluated. The studies have confirmed a total reduction in emissions from buses during the study period at levels of approximately 28 % for NOx, approximately 35 % for PM10, approximately 39 % for PM2.5 and approximately 43 % for NMVOC.
Process analysis transit of municipal waste. Part II - Domestic provisions of law
Authors: Starkowski Dariusz , Bardziński Paweł
Published: July 2017

In 2013, the Polish legal system referring to municipal waste management was restructured in a revolutionary way. The analysis of new provisions of law described in the article requires particular attention, taking into account their place in the entire system of dealing with waste and connections with the remaining elements of this system. At present, Polish regulations lay down the rules of conduct with all types of waste, diversifying a subjective area of responsibility. These assumptions are determined by the provisions of law that are in force in the Republic of Poland. At present, the system of legal provisions is quite complex; however, the provisions of law of the EU constitute its base (the first article). At the level of Polish law, the goals and tasks concerned with dealing with waste were set forth, which leads to tightening of the system. All actions in this respect - from propagating the selective accumulation and collection of municipal waste, keeping the established levels of recycling and recycling of packaging wastes, and limiting the mass of biodegradable waste directed at the storage - is only a beginning of the road to reduction of environmental risks. In this case, permanent monitoring of proper waste dealing in the commune, the province as well as the entire country is essential. Third part of the article will present characterization, division, classification and identification of waste, together with the aspects of logistic process of municipal waste collection and transport.
Are managers also ‘crafting leaders’? The link between organizational rank, autonomy, and job crafting
Authors: Roczniewska Marta Anna , Puchalska-Kamińska Malwina
Published: July 2017

Although research has examined the role leaders may play in shaping job re-design behaviors among their subordinates, little is known about the way managers craft their jobs as compared to other employees. In two crosssectional studies we tested whether organizational rank affects the frequency of job crafting (H1), and to what extent this relationship is mediated via perceived autonomy (H2). Study 1 (N = 267) demonstrated that managers craft their jobs more frequently than non-managers by increasing structural job resources and seeking challenges at work. We also showed that autonomy explains the relationship between organizational rank and the frequency of increasing structural and social job demands, as well as seeking challenges. However, managers did not craft their jobs by decreasing job demands more often than regular employees. In Study 2 (N = 262) we replicated this pattern of results, subsequently demonstrating that managers with shorter tenure use their autonomy to craft their jobs via decreasing job demands. We discuss the contributions and potential implications of these results.
Effects of self-concept differentiation on sense of identity: The divided self revisited again
Authors: Pilarska Aleksandra
Published: July 2017

This article describes research on the associations between self-concept structure and sense of personal identity. Particular emphasis was given to the feature of self-concept differentiation (SCD). Notably, it was examined whether the effects of SCD on such aspects of self-experience as sense of having inner contents, sense of uniqueness, sense of one’s own boundaries, sense of coherence, sense of continuity in time, and sense of self-worth depend on individuals’ epistemic motivation, and more specifically their joint need for cognition, reflection, and integrative self-knowledge scores. Cluster analysis revealed three distinct profiles of epistemic motivation: disengaged, engaged and struggling, and engaged and integrating group. Subsequent analysis showed, first, that the three groups differed in SCD and sense of identity, with the epistemically disengaged group having the highest levels of SCD, and the epistemically engaged and integrating group having consistently the strongest sense of identity. Second, and more importantly, it showed that SCD was negatively related to overall sense of identity, and, in particular, senses of having inner contents, coherence and continuity in time, but only among individuals in the epistemically engaged and struggling group.
Sonication assisted dissolution of post-detonation nuclear debris using ammonium bifluoride
Authors: Mason Christian A. , Hubley Nicholas T. , Robertson J. David , Wegge Dana L. , Brockman John D.
Published: July 2017

There is significant interest in reducing the timeline for post detonation nuclear debris examination. A critical need is rapid dissolution of refractory nuclear debris to facilitate measurement of key radioisotopes and isotope ratios. Field deployable, rapid dissolution and analysis methods could significantly shorten the attribution analysis timeline. The current practice uses HF in combination with other acids to attack silicates and other refractory minerals expected in debris samples. However, techniques requiring HF are not amenable to use in the field. The fluorinating agent ammonium bifluoride (ABF) is a potential field deployable substitute for HF. In this work we report on the use of in-direct sonication with ABF as a means to improve low-temperature acid digestion of seven USGS and NIST geological reference materials. Using this method, elemental recoveries for USGS reference materials DNC-1a Dolerite, QLO-1a Quartz Latite, SDC-1 Mica Schist, and BHVO-2 Hawaiian Basalt were quantitative while the recovery of elements in USGS AGV-2 Andesite and NIST SRM 278 Obsidian and 1413 High Alumina Sand were low.
Food Frequency Questionnaire to Determine the Intake of Vitamin C: A Pilot Validation Study
Authors: Santosh Holenarasipur Nagesh , David Chaya
Published: July 2017

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to validate a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) specific to diabetic population wherein the frequency of intake of vitamin C would be examined. Material and Methods: The study is registered with Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI) with CTRI number CTRI/2016/03/006764. The FFQ was validated against intakes derived from a 24 Hour Dietary Recall (24 DR). 50 subjects were chosen and a FFQ with 24-hour dietary recall was done. The FFQ had a list of commonly used food items. The vitamin C yield from each food item was precalculated. Result and conclusion: Strong correlations between the FFQ and 24 dietary recall were observed for all vitamin C containing food list (Pearson Correlation Coefficient r = 0.997). The p value was significant between the FFQ and 24Hour dietary recall (p = 0.028). Cross classification analysis showed uniform classification of the respondents and there was no misclassification into quartiles. This pilot study showed promising validation evidence for the use of this FFQ, which focuses vitamin C intake in patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, as a screening tool in clinical and research settings.
The value of peripheral blood eosinophil count in predicting in-stent restenosis in patients with stable angina pectoris undergoing drug eluting stenting
Authors: Hajizadeh Reza , Ghaffari Samad , Separham Ahmad , Shokouhi Behrouz , Kavandi Hadiseh , Pourafkari Leili , Nader Nader D.
Published: July 2017

Introduction. In-stent restenosis (ISR) remains a major limitation of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A role for peripheral blood cells as major regulators of immune and inflammatory systems has been proposed. We aim to evaluate the relationship between eosinophil count and development of restenosis after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation.

Methods. In this prospective study, all consecutive patients undergoing elective DES implantation for chronic stable angina (CSA) in a university-affiliated heart center within a 6-month period were enrolled and followed for another 6 months. Complete blood count with differentiation was performed 6 weeks after the index procedure. During the follow-up period, the cohort of patients who developed ISR was compared to the cohort of patients without ISR, descriptively and the total number of eosinophilic white cells was used to predict the occurrence of ISR.

Results. 153 men and 48 women with CSA underwent PCI with DES implantation, from which, 26 patients needed repeat coronary angiography for recurrent symptoms. There was an established ISR in 17 (8.5%) patients. The total number of eosinophils in their peripheral blood was 267 ± 132 cells/μL in patients with ISR, significantly higher than the number of eosinophils in those without ISR 174 ± 133 cells/μL (P-value < 0.010). Eosinophil count remained an independent predictor of ISR in multivariate analysis as the eosinophil count value over 242 cells/μL had sensitivity of 66.7% and specificity of 84.5% for the presence of ISR.

Conclusion. The total number of eosinophils, counted 6 weeks after DES implantation, prevails as the sole predictor of ISR occurrence in our study. This suggests an association between immune sensitivity reaction to DES material and development of ISR in patients after PCI.
Giant trigeminal schwannomas-case report and a short literature review
Authors: Ungureanu Gheorghe , Florian Ioan Stefan
Published: July 2017

Trigeminal schwannomas (TS) are rare tumors that are located in the posterior and middle cranial fossae in about a quarter of the cases. The presentation pattern is different according to the involved compartment and the goal of surgery is complete removal. We present the case of a 35-year old woman who presented a left sided TS extending from the posterior to the middle fossa and cavernous sinus. We review the relevant literature regarding diagnosis and surgical treatment of these tumors.
Ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm with spontaneous ventriculitis: An unusual case report with review of literature
Authors: Sinha Mayank , Gupta Ashok , Deora Amit Pratap Singh , Vij Mukesh
Published: July 2017

Ventriculitis is a potentially life-threatening infection, and an early diagnosis is essential for the appropriate treatment of ventriculitis. Unsuspected ventriculitis might be a source of persistent infection and therapeutic failure in the management of meningitis. We present a rare case of spontaneous ventriculitis in a patient of acomm aneurysm who was neither immunocompromised nor any intervention was done on him.
Outcome of surgically treated head injury in unattended patients at Neurosurgery Department in Tertiary Care Centre - an institutional study
Authors: Tripathi Praveen Kumar , Kulshreshtha Vardan , Jaiswal Gaurav , Gupta Tarun Kumar
Published: July 2017

This is a prospective study, carried out at our department. Many patients with history of trauma with head injury, whose identity cannot be ascertained, are admitted in our hospital. The management of these unattended patients from pre-hospital till discharge, rehabilitation or death is full of difficulties especially when surgical intervention has to be done. We conducted a prospective study by enrolling 11 consecutive unattended patients in whom neurosurgical procedures performed at our hospital. Out of 11 patients, 9 (82%) were male, most were in the age group of 21-30 years. The mean age was 30 years. Mean duration of hospital stay was 11.27 days. The cause of head injury was road traffic accident in all patients. Majority of the patients 10 (90%) had Glasgow coma scale less than 8 on admission. Two patients 2 (18%) died in hospital, 7 (63%) patients had good recovery. During the course of treatment identity of all 11 patients was established and 8 (72%) patients who survived were discharged to home. All discharged patients were followed at interval of 1 month and 3 months. Four (50%) & 5 (62%) patients showed good recovery (GOS) at 1 month & 3 month respectively
Intracranial actinomycosis: case report and review of literature
Authors: Pacheco-Hernandez Alfonso , Aquino-Matus Jorque , Calderon-Miranda Willem Guillermo , Pinto-Angarita Jean Carlos , Ramirez-Barranco Ronsangela , Gomez-Barragan Katherine , Rocha-Reyes Ernesto Jose , Blancas-Rivera Marco Antonio , Menes Zyanya Patricia Carbajal , Polanco Paulo Cesar Puac , Satyarthee Guru Dutta , Moscote-Salazar Luis Rafael
Published: July 2017

Actinomycosis infection is a slow progressing disease, in which involvment of the central nervous system by Actinomyces israelii is uncommon (less than 5%). Clinical picture is non-specific and is often misdiagnosed with neoplasia; some clinical clues my arise suspicion. The case of a 59 year-old female is reported who presented headache and focal neurologic signs and in whom a out-of the hospital diagnosis of a neuroepitelial dysembryoplastic tumor was made; nonetheless after careful interview and physical exploration, a spectroscopy magnetic resonance of the brain and hystopathological description of the lesion was made and yielded the definitive diagnosis of intracranial actinomyces infection. Treatment and progression were uneventful.
Students′ Literary Theater as an Educational Innovation in the Context of Ukrainian and Foreign Experience
Authors: Koval Taisiia
Published: July 2017

The article analyzes the process of future teachers-philologists′ training in an innovative educational environment. The novelty of educational technology which includes the implementation of innovative ideas of modern education by introducing competencybased approach has been justified. It has been stated that the purpose of the students′ theatrical, cultural and educational project is the integration of knowledge, application of updated knowledge, acquisition of new knowledge. The attention has been focused on the basic tasks and functions of the students’ literary theater as the original educational innovation in solving the problem of improving the quality of teachers-philologists; creating a favourable academic atmosphere for disclosure of intellectual and creative potential of students, self-identity through art and aesthetic, educational, organizational activities. Interactive methods of forming harmonious personality, a citizen-patriot, a professional specialist, a teacher-innovatorby means of students′ literary theater have been shown. Based on the analysis of the transformation processes in the context of education in the Ukrainian and foreign experience and the results of the pedagogical experiment, we have concluded that the use of theatrical arts and theater pedagogy in the professional training is one of the effective ways of reforming the European education. “Added value” of a modernized Ukrainian University is a students′ literary theater, which provides participants of project’s creative activity with methods of mastering education standards and learning life-giving meaning. The model of I-concept of the future teacher-philologist called “Innovation Man of the 21st Century” has been offered.
Eimeriosis Seasonal Dynamics Patterns at an Organic Sheep Farm in the Czech Republic
Authors: Kyriánová I.A. , Vadlejch J. , Langrová I.
Published: July 2017

This epidemiological study monitored the occurrence of the coccidia genus Eimeria and their species composition over a oneyear period at an organic sheep farm in the Czech Republic. Individual faecal samples were collected from thirty lambs and thirty ewes once a month throughout the whole survey. As a result, 348 and 333 samples from ewes and lambs respectively were evaluated using the faecal flotation technique. The overall prevalence of eimeriosis was 75.7% and 54.0% for lambs and ewes respectively. Four Eimeria species (E. ovinoidalis, E. crandallis/weybridgensis, E. parva, and E. intricata) were identified in both, lambs and ewes, during this survey. The most prevalent species was E. ovinoidalis, with an overall prevalence of 84% in ewes and 85% in lambs, followed by E. parva and E. crandallis/weybridgensis. The oocysts faecal output was seasonal. The highest oocysts per gram levels were detected in February (139 000) and May (250 000) in ewes and in February (1 949 900), March (326 000), and May (187 700) in lambs. The intensity of Eimeria infection differed significantly (P < 0.0001) between ewes and lambs during the monitored period.
Current plantation practices have negligible genetic effects on planted dipterocarps in the tropical rainforest
Authors: Izuno A. , Indrioko S. , Widiyatno Widiyatno , Prasetyo E. , Kasmujiono Kasmujiono , Isagi Y.
Published: July 2017

Dipterocarp trees are ecologically and commercially important in Southeast Asian tropical rainforests. For sustainable management of forest ecosystems and conservation of biodiversity, it is essential to establish plantation methods ensuring that genetic variation of the planted trees is equivalent to that in natural forests. The genetic diversity and differentiation of Shorea leprosula and Shorea parvifolia on plantations managed by a private-sector forestry company in Indonesia and those in natural populations were compared using microsatellite markers. Genetic diversity in the planted populations was as high as that in the natural populations. No clear genetic differences between each planted population and the natural forest populations were found. The genetic variation present in planted S. leprosula and S. parvifolia populations did not appear to deteriorate in the planting system implemented in Indonesia, known as Tebang Pilih Tanam Jalur (TPTJ). These results indicate that the current plantation method practiced in the region is suitable for maintaining the original genetic composition and achieving sustainable use of tropical rainforests.
Tipos de descortesía verbal y emociones en contextos de cultura hispanohablante
Authors: de Marlangeon Silvia Kaul
Published: July 2017

El presente estudio, de carácter interpretativo-descriptivo, se ocupa de la relación existente entre el lenguaje verbal, la descortesía y las emociones en contextos de cultura hispanohablante. Se investiga dicha relación para algunos tipos de actos descorteses, correspondientes a tipos de una escala de intensificación de la fuerza de descortesía (
Diatom Stratigraphy of FA-1 Core, Qarun Lake, Records of Holocene Environmental and Climatic Change in Faiyum Oasis, Egypt
Authors: Zalat Abdelfattah A. , Marks Leszek , Welc Fabian , Salem Alaa , Nitychoruk Jerzy , Chen Zhongyuan , Majecka Aleksandra , Szymanek Marcin , Chodyka Marta , Tołoczko-Pasek Anna , Sun Qianli , Zhao Xiaoshuang , Jiang Jun
Published: July 2017

This study evaluates changes in the environmental and climatic conditions in the Faiyum Oasis during the Holocene based on diatom analyses of the sediment FA-1 core from the southern seashore of the Qarun Lake. The studied FA-1 core was 26 m long and covered the time span ca. 9.000 cal. yrs BP. Diatom taxa were abundant and moderately to well-preserved throughout the core sediments. Planktonic taxa were most abundant than the benthic and epiphytic forms, which were very rare and sparsely distributed. The most dominant planktonic genera were Aulacoseira and Stephanodiscus followed by frequently distribution of Cyclostephanos and Cyclotella species. The stratigraphic distribution patterns of the recorded diatoms through the Holocene sediments explained five ecological diatom groups. These groups represent distinctive environmental conditions, which were mainly related to climatic changes through the early and middle Holocene, in addition to anthropogenic activity during the late Holocene. Comparison of diatom assemblages in the studied sediment core suggests that considerable changes occurred in water level as well as salinity. There were several high stands of the freshwater lake level during humid, warmer-wet climatic phases marked by dominance of planktonic, oligohalobous and alkaliphilous diatoms alternated with lowering of the lake level and slight increases in salinity and alkalinity during warm arid conditions evident by prevalence of brackish water diatoms.
Serum levels of growth factors in patients with urinary bladder cancer
Authors: Himmetoğlu Şölen , Tuna Mustafa Bilal , Koç Eylem Efe , Ataus Süleyman , Dincer Yildiz
Published: July 2017

Background

Altered signalling of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2/neu), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) have been shown to play important role in tumor development and progression in various cancers. Their serum levels may be reliable indicator for diagnosis and progression of cancer.

Objective

To examine the serum levels of soluble HER-2/neu (sHER-2/neu), IGF1 and EGF in patients with urinary bladder cancer (UBC).

Material and methods

Serum levels of sHER-2/neu, IGF1 and EGF were measured by enzyme-linked immune assay in newly diagnosed, untreated patients with UBC.

Results

In the patient group, sHER-2/neu level was found to be increased, IGF1 level was found to be decreased in comparison to those in the control group. Although serum level of sHER-2/neu was lower in the patients with Ta stage than that in the patients with T1 and T2 stages, this difference was not at a statistically significant level.

Conclusion

Serum level of sHER-2/neu is increased in patients with UBC. Despite the lack of a significant association between sHER-2/neu level and pathological pT stage, sHER-2/neu may be a promising marker for UBC but IGF-1 and EGF have not such a potential.
Stiefkinder der Integration
Authors: Thiemeyer Guido
Published: July 2017

Vorspann

Die europäische Integration prägte die Bundesrepublik früh: Montanunion, Europäische Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und EURATOM avancierten nicht nur rasch zu Fixpunkten im Koordinatensystem der westdeutschen Außenpolitik, sondern sie bestimmten zunehmend auch die Agrar-, Wirtschafts- oder Infrastrukturpolitik in der Bundesrepublik mit. Mit der Übertragung nationaler Kompetenzen auf supranationale Organisationen veränderte sich aber auch die Rolle der Bundesländer, die Befugnisse verloren, ohne darüber mitentscheiden zu können. Guido Thiemeyer zeichnet die früh einsetzenden Bemühungen der Länderregierungen nach, Einfluss auf die neue, schnell expandierende politische Arena zu gewinnen, und legt so eine weitgehend übersehene Wurzel des komplexen europäischen Mehrebenensystems bloß.
Increasing data completeness in synchrotron tts-microdiffraction experiments for δ-recycling phasing of low-symmetry compounds
Authors: Rius Jordi , Vallcorba Oriol , Crespi Anna , Colombo Fernando
Published: July 2017

Successful phasing of synchrotron through-the-substrate microdiffraction data by δ-recycling direct-methods largely depends on the number of missing intensities caused by the limited sample rotation range [J. Rius, Direct phasing from Patterson syntheses by δ recycling. Acta Cryst. A
2012, 68, 77–81]. Particularly, for the unfavorable triclinic system, dataset completeness resulting from a single series of consecutive ϕ-scans covering a total ϕ interval of ±35° is around 41%. This value is not enough for the routinary solution of a crystal structure by δ-recycling but can be increased by ~29% by applying the orthogonal χ strategy consisting of merging the information of two series of orthogonal ϕ-scans collected at the same microvolume of the polished thin section. Test calculations using simulated and experimental tts-data of the triclinic mineral axinite confirm that, with the help of the orthogonal χ strategy, crystal structures can be solved routinely. Since data in the ±35 ϕ-interval are normally accessible even for relatively thick glass-substrates (1–1.5 mm), a crystal structure can be determined from a single microvolume. For high-symmetry phases, due to the Laue symmetry redundancy, a single series of ϕ-scans normally suffices for the application of δ-recycling. However, when for experimental causes this series is incomplete, the orthogonal χ strategy also provides a simple way to increase the completeness which besides allowing solving the structure, is also beneficial for the subsequent refinement.