bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Continuous-Review (R, nQ) Policies for Inventory Systems with Dual Delivery Modes
Authors: Zhou Sean X. , Yang Chaolin
Published: October 2016

We study a continuous-review, infinite-horizon inventory system with compound Poisson demand and dual sourcing/delivery modes. Ordering from either source/mode incurs a fixed cost and the expedited mode provides a shorter lead time than the regular mode. As the optimal ordering policy is unknown, while expected to be very complicated, we propose a class of simple policies called single-index (R, nQ) policies—when ordering from each mode, based on the inventory position, the system follows an (R, nQ)-type of policy. We provide an exact procedure to compute the expected long-run average cost. Specifically, we first analyze the steady-state distribution of the inventory position, which is found to be no longer uniform in general as in the classic (R, nQ) inventory system where only one delivery mode is available. We then develop a recursive procedure, which overcomes the order-crossing effect, to determine the steady-state distribution of the inventory level. Two simple heuristics for computing near-optimal policy parameters are provided. For a special case where ordering from the regular mode incurs no fixed cost and follows a base-stock policy, we derive closed-form solution bounds by applying normal approximation. To assess the performance of the single-index (R, nQ) policy, we further study a more complicated class of policies called dual-index (R, nQ) policies and numerically illustrate that the simpler single-index policy performs close to the dual-index policy. Finally, the performance of the single-index policy is also shown comparable to the policy computed via dynamic programming.
Fit to practise: does more need to be done to improve the health and wellbeing of paramedics?
Authors: Barrett Jack W
Published: October 2016

Paramedics are exposed to both physiological and psychological stressors that the general population does not typically face. Although there is evidence to show that paramedics can be resilient to these, cardiovascular disease, mental health problems and musculoskeletal injuries are still prevalent among paramedics. Exercise has been shown to reduce the physical demands of lifting for paramedics, but data on the effects in other areas of paramedic life are limited. In the general population, exercise is becoming a popular treatment option for mental health problems. However, the methodologies used are inconsistent and it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions from the data available. A more thorough examination of how regular exercise could positively impact the health and well-being of paramedics, who are key, front-line personnel in the medical services, is an area that requires crucial further research.
Hyperacute stroke unit training for paramedics
Authors: Haran H , Bhalla Ajay , Cluckie Gillian , Birns Jonathan
Published: October 2016

Background

The best outcomes for acute stroke treatment occur through rapid recognition and transfer of patients to hospitals with a hyperacute stroke unit (HASU). Pre-hospital ambulance paramedics are crucial to this process as first responders, but they have limited feedback on subsequent patient care and progress to improve their learning.

Methods

A dedicated stroke training course for paramedics was developed on a HASU that involved a standardised introductory educational briefing and subsequent participation in clinical activities with multidisciplinary HASU staff. On completion of the course, attendees completed a standardised semi-structured questionnaire about their learning and experience. All text was thematically analysed and themes were developed by iteratively recoding and regrouping the data.

Results

30 paramedics attended the training course over a three-month period. All candidates reported that the course was useful to their learning and training with ‘real-world’ transferability; 93% stated that they benefited from observing clinicians performing assessments on patients and 73% commented that they gained a better understanding of care pathways and treatment. These two themes encompassed 48% of 160 free-text responses with the other responses being grouped into four further themes (improved patient/family communication, increased awareness of subtle signs of stroke, localisation of intracranial pathology, and improved ‘handover’).

Discussion

This single centre experience of HASU training for paramedics demonstrated a number of key educational themes embedded within the stroke care pathway. This process may be a useful additional educational resource to develop further paramedic training in the hyperacute arena.
Involving adults who lack capacity in research: ethical and legal challenges for the pre-hospital and emergency medicine context
Authors: Woods Simon
Published: October 2016

There is an increasing number of research projects conducted that requires the recruitment of participants in the pre-hospital or emergency setting. A complicating factor in pre-hospital and emergency research (PHER) is that potential participants may lack or lose the capacity to give a valid consent. The lack or loss of capacity is ethically and legally complex for researchers and Research Ethics Committees (REC) whose approval must be gained prior to commencing a study. This paper explores those challenges by drawing upon a number of case studies of pre-hospital research in which adult participants are likely to lack the capacity to consent. The paper begins by outlining the development of the legal provisions for conducting research with participants unable to consent for themselves within the jurisdictions of England and Wales. The paper goes on to explore how researchers can meet the legal requirement for research, how to frame the issues for the purposes of ethical review, as well as offering ethical guidance for practices within the research field.
Negative pressure wound therapy: application, indications and is there more we could use it for?
Authors: Bell Samantha
Published: October 2016

Negative pressure wound therapy (NWPT) is becoming a common tool for wound management in the veterinary practice. This method of management allows a non-invasive but crucially active and closed system to manage complex wounds by exposing the wound bed to sub-atmospheric pressure. This method is also referred to as VAC or vacuum-assisted closure. NPWT works by stimulating granulation tissue formation, reducing interstitial oedema and inflammatory cytokines, and improving circulation, all while maintaining a moist wound environment. NPWT is widely used in humans to aid healing of non-healing wounds, for example debucital ulcers, burns and open fractures. This practise has been introduced into the veterinary practice to create an ideal wound healing environment for veterinary patients.
Pre surgical hand preparation: moving from tradition
Authors: Mann Alison
Published: October 2016

The theory of pre surgical hand preparation dates back centuries, and the same basic principles remain today. However, the historical methods of using a scrubbing brush with certain soap-based products has been proven to irritate the skin on hands making it somewhat counterproductive. An alternative, alcohol hand rub, has been found to be superior to traditional hand scrubs with studies showing that this is the case. This article takes the reader through the evidence that might enable for a change to the current practice of pre surgical hand preparation.
Mushroom poisoning
Authors: Bates Nicola
Published: October 2016

Mushrooms or toadstools are the fruit bodies of fungi and there are many different species. Identification is difficult without specialised knowledge. The toxic compounds in fungi can affect the gastrointestinal, neurological, renal and hepatic systems. The information required for identification of specimens and the different clinical syndromes that can occur after ingestion of toxic fungi are described. In animals that have ingested a mushroom identification should always be attempted since this may reassure the owner and prevent unnecessary treatment or allow a full assessment of the potential risks and appropriate treatment.
Age-related effects on osteoclastic activities after orthodontic tooth movement
Authors: Li X. , Li M. , Lu J. , Hu Y. , Cui L. , Zhang D. , Yang Y.
Published: October 2016

Objectives

To elucidate the effects of age on the expression levels of the receptor activator of the nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoclasts in the periodontal ligament during orthodontic mechanical loading and post-orthodontic retention.

Materials and Methods

The study included 20 male Sprague-Dawley rats, ten in the young group (aged four to five weeks) and ten in the adult group (aged 18 to 20 weeks). In each rat, the upper-left first molar was subjected to a seven-day orthodontic force loading followed by a seven-day retention period. The upper-right first molar served as a control. The amount of orthodontic tooth movement was measured after seven-day force application and seven-day post-orthodontic retention. The expression levels of RANKL and the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclasts were evaluated on day 7 (end of mechanical force loading) and day 14 (after seven days of post-orthodontic retention). Statistical analysis was performed using the t-test, and significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results

There was no significant difference between the amount of tooth movement in the young group (0.96, standard deviation (sd) 0.30mm) and that in the adult group (0.80mm, sd 0.28) (p > 0.05) after the seven-day force application. On the compression side, the expression of RANKL and TRAP-positive osteoclasts in both the young and the adult groups increased after the application of force for seven days, and then decreased at the end of the seven-day retention period. However, by the end of the period, the expression of RANKL on the compression side dropped to the control level in the young group (p > 0.05), while it was still higher than that on the control side in the adult group (p < 0.05). The expression of RANKL on the compression side did not show significant difference between the young and the adult groups after seven-day force application (p > 0.05), but it was significantly higher in the adult group than that in the young group after seven-day post-orthodontic retention (p < 0.05). Similarly, the decreasing trend of TRAP-positive osteoclasts during the retention period in the adult group was less obvious than that in the young group.

Conclusions

The bone-resorptive activity in the young rats was more dynamic than that in the adult rats. The expression of RANKL and the number of osteoclasts in adult rats did not drop to the control level during the post-orthodontic retention period while RANKL expression and the number of osteoclasts in young rats had returned to the baseline. Cite this article: X. Li, M. Li, J. Lu, Y. Hu, L. Cui, D. Zhang, Y. Yang. Age-related effects on osteoclastic activities after orthodontic tooth movement. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:492–499. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.510.BJR-2016-0004.R2.
Megalin Is Predominantly Observed in Vesicular Structures in First and Third Trimester Cytotrophoblasts of the Human Placenta
Authors: Storm Tina , Christensen Erik I. , Christensen Julie Nelly , Kjaergaard Tine , Uldbjerg Niels , Larsen Agnete , Honoré Bent , Madsen Mette
Published: October 2016

The membrane receptor megalin is crucial for normal fetal development. Besides its expression in the developing fetus, megalin is also expressed in the human placenta. Similar to its established function in the kidney proximal tubules, placental megalin has been proposed to mediate uptake of vital nutrients. However, details of megalin expression, subcellular localization, and function in the human placenta remain to be established. By immunohistochemical analyses of first trimester and term human placenta, we showed that megalin is predominantly expressed in cytotrophoblasts, the highly proliferative cells in placenta. Only limited amounts of megalin could be detected in syncytiotrophoblasts and least in term placenta syncytiotrophoblasts. Immunocytochemical analyses furthermore showed that placental megalin associates with structures of the endolysosomal apparatus. Combined, our results clearly place placental megalin in the context of endocytosis and trafficking of ligands. However, due to the limited expression of megalin in syncytiotrophoblasts, especially in term placenta, it appears that the main role for placental megalin is not to mediate uptake of nutrients from the maternal bloodstream, as previously proposed. In contrast, our results point toward novel and complex functions for megalin in the cytotrophoblasts. Thus, we propose that the perception of placental megalin localization and function should be revised.
Theatre and the reinvention of the divided city
Authors: Coutinho Marina Henriques
Published: October 2016

The city of Rio de Janeiro, stage for the 2014 World Football Cup Final and the 2016 Olympic Games, is a city that, like many others in the world’s urban centres, lays bare the deformities and contradictions of the globalized capitalist world. This article considers the situation of Rio de Janeiro as both the host to mega-sports events and a territory of struggle for equality of rights in the city. In recent years, theatrical productions by groups from popular communities, or from the periphery, have been gaining space in the cultural programming of the cultural centres. This reveals aspects of new social networks now forming in the city. Taking as its main source experiences from the extension programme Teatro em Comunidades, the article deals with the potential of art to remake the city, opening up paths of circulation for artistic productions and citizens throughout all of its environments.
Integration of culture, culture as integration: The praxis and politics of multicultural theatre and drama
Authors: Wittrock Hanna
Published: October 2016

Theatre is one of the artistic tools most often employed in Sweden to promote social integration. The aim of this article is to illustrate recurrent paradoxes concerning representation in multicultural theatre projects in the Swedish context. The productions discussed were studied ethnographically over an extended period of time, 2002 to 2007, with additional interviews undertaken in 2008–10 and 2016. The first production is a community theatre production. It was performed in a suburb of the university town of Uppsala with the explicit purpose of preventing teenage boys from falling into a criminal lifestyle. The second is a multiculturally inspired version of Hamlet (Mohamlet), produced by the Malmö city theatre, the major theatre ensemble in southern Sweden. Both productions are characterized by unresolved tensions. In particular, dialogue and representation express an intrinsic valuation of them as artistic acts while decisions about funding and production are based on notions of instrumental usefulness. Thus, even if theatre productions manifest expressive power, these manifestations are assessed in terms of their potential value relative
How an audience of scholars evaluated arts-informed communication and verbatim theatre as media through which to communicate academic research
Authors: Crimmins Gail
Published: October 2016

Despite educational research ‘steerage’ that directs funding and energy towards positivist approaches to research, the influences of twenty-first-century research and philosophy have supported the germination of narrative and arts-informed processes in educational research, both of which have increased exponentially over the last twenty years. Against this landscape, I discuss an academic audience’s evaluation of the use of non-traditional forms of communication to present academic research. In particular, I explore the audience’s preference for non-traditional discursive forms, their engagement with verbatim theatre as a medium for academic scholarship and their identification that specific elements of a mise-en-scène supported their cognitive and emotional experience of dramatized data. The findings further suggest that the form of academic communication – including theatre – should align with the focus and methodological approach adopted, and that an academic audience can be theatrically literate and sensitive to the impact of aesthetic communication. Therefore, an audience of scholars can be highly receptive to non-traditional forms of academic communication, including theatre, as long as they align with the focus and methodology of the research re-presented, and are presented with aesthetic dexterity.
Reviews
Authors: Duffy Peter
Published: October 2016

Why Theatre Matters: Urban Youth, Engagement and A Pedagogy of The Real by Kathleen Gallagher (2014) University of Toronto Press, Toronto, ISBN 9 7814 4262 6942, US$29.95.
Introducing design fiction
Authors: Lindley Joseph
Published: October 2016

In this introduction Joseph Lindley tells the story of how he came to be researching the quirky idea of design fiction. Following up the introductory summary Joseph has selected five of his favourite design fictions. These examples highlight the range of media used to create design fictions and cover a variety of contexts in which design fiction can be a useful tool.
Reviews
Authors: Mehrpouya Hadi , Mehrpouya Hadi
Published: October 2016

CONTROLLING THE MESSAGE: NEW MEDIA IN AMERICAN POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS, VICTORIA A. FARRAR-MYERS AND JUSTIN S. VAUGHN (EDS) New York: New York University Press, 316 pp., Paperback £19.99 ISBN: 9781479867592

THE SNOWDEN READER, DAVID P. FIDLER (ED.) Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 349 pp., illlustrated ed., Paperback £22.99 ISBN: 9780253017376
Interview
Authors: Smith Gillian Crampton
Published: October 2016

In many ways, the Royal College of Art M.A. in Computer Related Design (later Design Interactions) formed the framework for what we now commonly understand to be interaction design and, more recently, user experience. Gillian Crampton Smith led the course from 1990 to 2000. The following insights are from a recent interview with Gillian where she talked about what interaction design means to her, and her experiences as a pioneer in the field.
O FORMALISMO JURÍDICO DE ERNEST WEINRIB E A FUNDAMENTAÇÃO TEÓRICA DA RESPONSABILIDADE CIVIL CONTEMPORÂNEA
Authors: Barbieri Catarina H. C.
Published: October 2016

Este artigo pretende expor as teses centrais da teoria formalista do direito, desenvolvida pelo jusfilósofo canadense Ernest Weinrib e estabelecer a relação entre o formalismo e a fundamentação filosófica da responsabilidade civil contemporânea no conceito aristotélico de justiça corretiva. Inicialmente, o artigo traz o panorama do debate contemporâneo sobre os fundamentos da responsabilidade civil no mundo anglo-saxão, situando a obra de Ernest Weinrib nesse debate. Em seguida, expõe os fundamentos da teoria formalista do direito. Por fim, analisa-se como o formalismo fornece uma fundamentação para a responsabilidade civil contemporânea baseada na noção de justiça corretiva. Nessa parte, alguns desafios à teoria weinribiana são explorados, sobretudo no que diz respeito à sua conclusão de que a responsabilidade objetiva é um erro jurídico. O artigo ainda lança uma de agenda de questões teóricas relevante para pesquisas futuras.
INCLUSIÓN DE ENSILADO ÁCIDO EN DIETAS EXTRUIDAS PARA EL ENGORDE DE TILAPIA NILÓTICA (Oreochromis niloticus) EN JAULAS EN EL NORDESTE ARGENTINO
Authors: Sal Facundo , Wicki Gustavo , Merino Oscar Galli , Candarle Pablo , Luchini Laura
Published: October 2016

Se presentan los resultados de un estudio sobre fase de engordefinal de tilapia en sistema intensivo en jaulas de pequeño volumeny alta densidad (PVAD), realizado en el CENADAC (27o32’S, 58o30’W,Corrientes, Argentina). El mismo mantuvo una duración de 153 días,ensayándose dos dietas extruidas con diferentes niveles de inclusiónde ensilado ácido: 5 % (Tratamiento A) y 8 % (Tratamiento B). El en-silado ácido se elaboró con vísceras de peces de agua dulce y ácidofórmico (2,11 % p/v). Los pesos promedio iniciales de los peces fue-ron de 137,07g para los del TA y de 136,64 g para los del TB; mientrasque los pesos finales resultaron ser de 426,50g y de 408,65 g, no ha-biendo mostrado diferencias significativas (p>0,05). Los factores deconversión relativo (FCR) fueron de 1,51 y 1,66 (p>0,05) y las sobre-vivencias resultaron ser de 98,53 % y 96,80 % para los tratamientosA y B, respectivamente. Los incrementos en peso diario siguieron lamisma tendencia, alcanzando los 2,45 g/día para el tratamiento A y2,31 g/día para el B (p>0,05); mostrándose, en este cultivo intensivo,un desempeño superior de la ración alimentaria con menor porcen-taje de ensilado ácido y mayor contenido proteico.
Dossier: Fantasías de intervención
Authors: Bombini Gustavo
Published: October 2016

El presente texto realiza un recorrido autobio-gráfico referido a las relaciones que se van tra-mando desde la vuelta a la democracia en losaños 80, con la práctica de la escritura en el con-texto de la formación inicial en la carrera de Le-tras y en el desarrollo profesional posterior. Seanalizan las condiciones de producción de co-nocimiento y escritura por parte de profesorese investigadores y se discute sobre el sentido deesta producción en el campo social y político.
An improvement of H. Wang preconditioner for L-matrices
Authors: Nasabzadeh Hamideh
Published: October 2016

In this paper, we improve the preconditioner, that introduced by H. Wang et al [6]. The H. Wang preconditioner \(P\in R^{n\times n}\) has only one non-zero, non-diagonal element in \(P_{n1}\) or \(P_{1n}\) , when \(a_{1n}a_{n1}\ne 0\) . But the new preconditioner has only one non-zero, non-diagonal element in  \(P_{ij}\) or  \(P_{ji}\) if \(a_{ij}a_{ji}\ne 0\), so the H. Wang preconditioner is a spacial case of the new preconditioner for L-matrices. Also we present two models to construct a better \(I+S\) type preconditioner for the   \(AOR\) iterative method. Convergence analysis are given, numerical results are presented which show the effectiveness of the new preconditioners.
Portrait of a Teach for All (TFA) teacher: Media narratives of the universal TFA teacher in 12 countries
Authors: Gautreaux Michelle , Delgado Sandra
Published: October 2016

This article employs narrative analysis to examine how the media in 12 different countries characterize the Teach for All (TFA) teacher.  Examining mass media narratives in these 12 countries illustrates that there are some remarkable commonalities in the narratives and character portraits co-constructed and propagated by the media. At the core of these narratives is the notion of a problem in education. This problem justifies the creation and emergence of a character, commonly constructed in opposition to traditionally certified teachers, who embodies the characteristics and attributes of the contemporary neoliberal subject. This article discusses the implications of this character’s widespread representation; namely, how does the character construction influence the broader public perception about education and how is it contributing to the (re)imagination of the role of the teacher?
The impact of teacher attitudes and beliefs about large-scale assessment on the use of provincial data for instructional change
Authors: Copp Derek T.
Published: October 2016

In the quest to improve measured educational outcomes national governments across the OECD and beyond have instituted large-scale assessment (LSA) policies in their public schools. Controversy almost universally follows the implementation of such testing, related to such topics as: a) the uncertain quality of the tests themselves as psychometrics measures; b) the uses to which the data can and should be put; c) the unintended consequences of test-preparation activities and resulting score inflation; and d) the effects of high-stakes tests on students. Debates of this nature naturally involve and impact the attitudes and opinions of teachers related to their collection and use of these data. This paper examines the impact of these attitudes using both the qualitative and quantitative data from a large-scale research study on Canadian provincial assessment. Data were collected from nation-wide teacher surveys as well as interviews with teachers, administrators and district-level staff. Results show that teacher attitudes about these assessments are strongly correlated to classroom-level instructional change. Three attitudinal factors have significant effects on teaching (to) the provincial curricula, yet none significantly affects the use of less constructive instructional strategies also known as ‘teaching to the test.’ Specifically, the belief that large-scale assessment data have more appropriate uses and the belief that these data could lead to school improvement were significant factors in facilitating change. The implications of these findings are profound in that large-scale assessment policy cannot succeed even by its own standards without more buy in from teaching professionals.
Comparison of the styles of coping with stress among individual and team athletes
Takım ve bireysel sporlarda sporcuların stresle başa çıkma yöntemlerinin karşılaştırılması
Authors: Aslan Şehmus
Published: October 2016

Aim: The purposesof  the study were to evaluate and compare of the styles of coping with stress among  individual and team athletes.Method: One hundred fourteen team athletes and 89 individual athletes, in totally 203 amateur or professional athletes participated in the study. Styles of coping stress of the participants were assessed by “Ways of Coping Inventory”.Results: It was found statistically differences between individual and team athletes in terms of “Ways of Coping Inventory” subtests including optimistic  way (p = 0,003), self-confident way (p = 0,005) and helpless way (p = 0,004). Team athletes obtained higher scores than individual athletes in optimistic way and self-confident way, whether helpless way score of the team athletes were lower.Conclusion: Our results showed that be in the team or individual sport fields effects on styles of coping with stress among athletes. It was determined that team athletes use more effective way for coping with stres than individual athletes.  ÖzetBu çalışmanın amacı takım ve bireysel sporlarda, sporcuların stresle başa çıkma yöntemlerini incelemek ve karşılaştırmaktır.Çalışmamıza amatör ve profesyonel spor yapan 114 takım ve 89 bireysel olmak üzere toplam 203 sporcu katılmıştır. Sporcuların stresle başa çıkma yöntemleri Stresle Başa Çıkma Tarzları Ölçeği (SBTÖ) ile değerlendirilmiştir.Takım ve bireysel sporcuların Stresle Başa Çıkma Tarzları ölçeğinin iyimser yaklaşım (p = 0,003), kendine güvenli yaklaşım (p = 0,005) ve çaresiz yaklaşım (p = 0,004) alt ölçek puanları arasında fark bulunmuştur. Takım sporcularının iyimser yaklaşım ve kendine güvenli yaklaşım puanları bireysel sporculardan daha yüksek iken, çaresiz yaklaşım puanları daha düşük bulunmuştur.Çalışmanın sonucu takım veya bireysel spor branşlarında yer almanın sporcularda stresle başa çıkma yöntemlerini etkilediğini göstermiştir. Takım sporcularının stresle başa çıkmada, bireysel spor yapan sporculara göre daha etkili stresle baş etme yöntemlerini kullandıkları saptanmıştır.
On caustics by reflection of algebraic surfaces
Authors: Josse Alfrederic , Pène Françoise
Published: October 2016

Given a pointS(the light position) in ℙ3and an algebraic surface 𝓩 (the mirror) of ℙ3, the caustic by reflection ΣS(𝓩) of 𝓩 fromSis the Zariski closure of the envelope of the reflected lines 𝓡mobtained by reflection of (Sm) on 𝓩 atm∈𝓩. We use the ramification method to identify ΣS(𝓩) with the Zariski closure of the image, by a rational map, of an algebraic 2-covering space of 𝓩. We also give a general formula for the degree (with multiplicity) of caustics (by reflection) of algebraic surfaces of ℙ3.
Comparison theorems on smooth metric measure spaces with boundary
Authors: Feng Wang Lin , Zhang Ze Yu , Zhou Yu Jie
Published: October 2016

In this paper we study smooth metric measure spaces with boundary via the Bakry–Émery curvature and the weighted mean curvature of the boundary. We establish the weighted Laplacian comparison theorems and the upper bound estimates of the distance from any point of the manifold to its boundary. As applications, we derive lower bound estimates for the first Dirichlet eigenvalue.
Viability Changes in Leucocytes in a Critical Trauma Patient: Monocyte, Lymphocyte, Granulocyte Response to the Acute Phase: Case Report
Authors: Orsolya Benedek , Minodora Dobreanu , Leonard Azamfirei , Mihaly Veres , Sanda-Maria Copotoiu
Published: October 2016

Trauma affects the activity of the innate immune system. The objective of this case report is to present the case that prompted us to analyse all the peripheral white blood cell lines. A 19 year old male patient was admitted to the Intensive Care Clinic with severe head trauma. The final diagnosis was set to be severe cerebral trauma with subarachnoid hemorrhage, right frontal and temporal cerebral contusions, diffuse cerebral edema, left parietal and temporal fracture, sphenoid hemosinus and right sided lung contusions.

Material and Method: Whole blood was immediatly analyzed by flow cytometry for leukocytes. Apoptosis was detected with Annexin V, necrotic cells were stained with propidium iodide. Samples were drawn three consecutive days.

Results: Lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes all showed marked increase in viability and decrease in necrosis during the biological monitoring in correlation with a positive clinical outcome. The most important changes were noted in the monocyte population.

Discussion: Although we started out monitoring neutrophil viability and death, this particular case prompted us not to overlook other leucocyte populations.

Conclusion: The apparent positive relationship between this patient’s positive clinical outcome and cellular viability and death changes is promising but they warrant further study.
Prodrug Strategy in Drug Development
Authors: Hajnal Kelemen , Gabriel Hancu , Aura Rusu , Erzsébet Varga , Blanka Székely Szentmiklósi
Published: October 2016

Prodrugs are chemically modified derivatives introduced in therapy due to their advantageous physico-chemical properties (greater stability, improved solubility, increased permeability), used in inactive form. Biological effect is exerted by the active derivatives formed in organism through chemical transformation (biotransformation). Currently, 10% of pharmaceutical products are used as prodrugs, nearly half of them being converted to active form by hydrolysis, mainly by ester hydrolysis. The use of prodrugs aims to improve the bioavailability of compounds in order to resolve some unfavorable characteristics and to reduce first-pass metabolism. Other objectives are to increase drug absorption, to extend duration of action or to achieve a better tissue/organ selective transport in case of non-oral drug delivery forms. Prodrugs can be characterized by chemical structure, activation mechanism or through the presence of certain functional groups suitable for their preparation. Currently we distinguish in therapy traditional prodrugs prepared by chemical derivatisation, bioprecursors and targeted delivery systems. The present article is a review regarding the introduction and applications of prodrug design in various areas of drug development.
The Incidence and Risk Factors of Nosocomial Infections in ICU
Authors: Mihaly Veres , Orsolya Benedek , Monica Orlandea , Anna Perenyi Anett , Hajna Katona , Maria Copotoiu Sanda , Judit Kovacs
Published: October 2016

Introduction: The increased incidence of nosocomial infections in intensive care units, with frequent occurrence of multiresistant pathogens increase mortality and often raises therapeutic problems.

Objectives: to assess the incidence of nosocomial infections, and risk factors.

Methods: The study includes 125 patients hospitalized in the Clinic of Anesthesiology and Intesive Care in the Emergency County Hospital and Cardiovascular Surgery Targu Mures. The patients were divided into two groups: the control group (n = 99), patients who did not develop infections during hospitalization in the ICU and the group with infection (n = 26).

Results: The incidence of nosocomial infections in our intensive care unit was 19.1%, the most common pathogen being Acinetobacter baumanii. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding demographic data, the most important risk factor was chronic alcohol consumption. SAPS II. and SOFA scores showed higher values in the group with infection on the day of admission. This group showed lower levels of arterial blood oxygen (Horowitz index), lower sodium level, and higher number of platelets compared to the control group. The mortality in the group with infection was 47.65% compared to the control.

Conclusions: Nosocomial infections in critically ill patients are associated with hypoxemia, thrombocytopenia, hyponatremia and a bad outcome.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring – Clinical Practice Recommendations
Authors: Katalin Mako , Corina Ureche , Zsuzsanna Jeremias
Published: October 2016

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) became a subject of considerable scientific interest. Due to the increasing use of the ABPM in everyday clinical practice it is important that all the users have a correct knowledge on the clinical indications, the methodology of using the device including some technical issues and the interpretation of results. In the last years several guidelines and position papers have been published with recommendations for the monitoring process, reference values, for clinical practice and research. This paper represents a summary of the most important aspects related to the use of ABPM in daily practice, being a synthesis of recommendations from the recent published guidelines and position papers. This reference article presents the practical and technical issues of ABPM, the use of this method in special situations, the clinical interpretation of measured values including the presentation of different ABPM patterns, derived parameters, the prognostic significance and the limitations of this method.
The Value of a Simplified Lung Ultrasound Protocol in the Pre-Discharge Evaluation of Patients Hospitalized with Acute Heart Failure
Authors: Attila Frigy , Ildikó Kocsis , Lajos Fehérvári , Adorján Szabó István
Published: October 2016

Optimal timing of hospital discharge in patient with acute heart failure (AHF) is an important factor of preventing rehospitalizations.

Aim. To evaluate the value of a simplified lung ultrasound (LUS) protocol in assessing pre-discharge status of patients with AHF, correlating the US findings with the values of NT-proBNP levels.

Methods. 24 patients (18 men, 6 women, mean age 68,2 years) hospitalized with acute heart failure underwent LUS examination in the afternoon of the day before hospital discharge, applying a simplified LUS protocol, using three basal examination areas on the right side (anterior, lateral and posterior) and two basal examination areas on the left side (lateral and posterior). The LUS score was represented by the sum of B lines. In the next morning the value of NT-proBNP was also determined. The correlation between LUS findings and NT-proBNP values was analyzed using Fisher's exact test (significant if alpha<0,05).

Results. 6 patients had <15 B lines, 16 patients had >15 B lines and 2 patients had pleural effusion on LUS, while 16 patients had the value of NT-proBNP >1000pg/ml at discharge. The results of LUS examination correlated significantly (p=0.0013) with the NT-proBNP values – only one patient not having increased NT-proBNP in the group with >15 B lines.

Conclusions. Despite a relatively good clinical status, the majority of patients had high NT-proBNP values at the time of hospital discharge. LUS proved to be a useful tool in identifying patients with subclinical congestion reflected also by the high NT-proBNP levels. These patients may need a prolongation of hospitalization and/or a more careful follow-up to prevent early readmission.
Influence of General Anesthesia on Impulsivity and Learning Ability-Experimental Study
Authors: Carmen Sircuţa , Mihaly Veres , Leonard Azamfirei
Published: October 2016

Objective: To investigate the effect of anesthesia on rats’ ability of learning and over their impulsivity.

Material and Methods: We studied eight Wistar adult male rats, test and drug naive subjects. Animals were separated in two groups, group A and B with four members each. Group A included the anesthetized animals. The combination of ketamine, xylazine and piplophen in 2ml/kg body weight dosage was used and testing was done 24 hours after anesthesia. Group B was taken as control. The study was conducted using the ”Delay discounting” apparatus. Experiments assessing impulsive behavior were conducted using automated operant chambers, equipped with two nose-poke holes (holes where pellets of food were released). Rat’s answer was considered touching the nose-poke hole. One answer was rewarded with pellets of food of 45 mg each (small reward), while another hole released five pellets of 45 mg each (high reward). Both types of rewards were presented immediately after rat’s answer and were followed for a period of 25 seconds timeout. During the training phase, rats were placed in operant chambers 30 minutes per day, 5 consecutive days. The growing percent of preference for greater reward indicates learning. For the testing phase the procedure was similar, but a delay was introduced before the release of the big reward. During this phase, the preference for higher reward was indicative for non-impulsive behaviour.

Results: The results didn’t show significant statistically differences between the two groups.

Conclusions: Anesthesia had no effect on learning ability nor on impulsivity.
Indicating Vertical Deviation of Historical Buildings Using Geodetic Methods - Case Study of Brick and Wood Tower in Nowe Miasteczko
Authors: Mrówczyńska Maria , Gibowski Sławomir
Published: October 2016

The article presents the possibilities of applying geodetic methods to determine the vertical deviation of historical buildings. In particular, the results of measurements obtained for a brick and wood Town Hall Tower located in the town of Nowe Miasteczko have been presented. Geodetic measurements of vertical deviation taken before and after carrying out repairs which were aimed at stopping or eliminating the destructive processes of degradation taking place, especially in the wooden part of the tower. During the renovation works, attention was also given to improving the technical condition of the building, which was reflected by the results of the measurements and calculations.
Adaptation Problems of the Post Industrial Heritage on the Example of Selected Objects of Bydgoszcz
Authors: Pszczółkowski Michał
Published: October 2016

Post-industrial architecture was until recently regarded as devoid of value and importance due to obsolescence, but this awareness has been a clear change in recent years. The old factories become full-fledged cultural heritage, as evidenced by the inclusion of buildings and complexes of this type in the register of monuments and protected by their conservator. More and more often, therefore, one undertakes revitalization of degraded brownfield sites, and within these treatments - conversion works. Specific issues and problems related to the adaptation of industrial facilities are discussed in the article on the basis of selected examples, completed in recent years in Bydgoszcz.
Ecotoxicity Assessment of Stabilized Sewage Sludge from Municipal Sewage Treatment Plant
Authors: Włodarczyk Elżbieta , Próba Marta , Wolny Lidia
Published: October 2016

Aim of this study was to evaluate the ecotoxicity of municipal sewage sludge conditioned with polyelectrolytes, taken from selected sewage treatment plant. Using the bioindication analysis overall toxicity was assessed, which allows to know the total toxicity of all the harmful substances contained in sewage sludge, in many cases acting synergistically. To prepare a sample of sludge for the basic test, all analyses were performed with a ratio of liquid to solid of 10:1 (water extract). Daphnia pulex biological screening test was used. A dilution series of an water extract of sludge were prepared to include within its scope the lowest concentration that causes 100% effect and the highest producing less than 10% of the effect within a specified range of the assay. The results of the test were read after 24 and 48 hours. Based on the research and analysis of test results it proved that the sewage sludge conditioned with polyelectrolytes exhibit the characteristics of eco-toxic.
Impact of Adding Biopreparations on the Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Sewage Sludge with Grease Trap Waste
Authors: Worwąg Małgorzata
Published: October 2016

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of using biopreparations on efficiency of the co-fermentation process. Commercial bacterial biopreparations DBC Plus Type L, DBC Plus Type R5 and yeast biopreparations were used in the study. The process of cofermentation of sewage sludge with grease trap waste from a production plant that manufactured methyl esters of fatty acids was analysed in the laboratory environment under mesophilic conditions. The sludge in the reactor was replaced once a day, with hydraulic retention time of 10 days. Grease trap waste accounted for 35%wt. of the fermentation mixture. The stabilization process was monitored everyday based on the measurements of biogas volume. Addition of yeast biopreparation to methane fermentation of sewage sludge with grease trap waste caused an increase in mean daily biogas production from 6.9 dm3 (control mixture) to 9.21dm3 (mixture M3). No differences in biogas production were found for other cases (mixtures M1, M2). A similar relationship was observed for methane content in biogas.
Attitudes Towards Immigrants, Immigration Policies and Labour Market Outcomes: Comparing Croatia with Hungary and Slovenia
Authors: Botrić Valerija
Published: October 2016

The paper provides comparative evidence on attitudes towards immigrants, their labour market outcomes and policies in Croatia and two neighbouring countries – Slovenia and Hungary. Three different data sources have been used: the European Social Survey, an ad-hoc Labour Force Survey module for the year 2014, and the MIPEX index. Although immigrants have a disadvantaged position on the Croatian labour market, most analysed indicators do not imply that they are in a worse position than in other European economies. Migrant integration policies related to the labour market are assessed as being relatively favourable for Croatia. Judging by the comparable indicators for the native population in Croatia, immigrants’ adverse labour market outcomes seem to be more related to the unfavourable general economic situation, and particularly by the deep and long recession.
Den Finanzmarkt im Visier. Zivilgesellschaftliche Impulse für sozialen Wandel
Authors: Nagel Sebastian , Hiß Stefanie , Teufel Bernd
Published: October 2016

Die jüngste Finanzkrise hat die Einbettung der Finanzmärkte in soziale Strukturen offengelegt und damit eine Debatte über den Sinn und Zweck von Finanzmärkten ermöglicht. In diesem Beitrag zeigen wir auf, wie zivilgesellschaftliche Akteure den Finanzmarkt ins Visier nehmen, um sozialen Wandel anzustoßen. Wir beleuchten die Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede zwischen Occupy Wall Street, dem nachhaltigen Investieren und der Divestment-Bewegung. Während Occupy Wall Street die herrschende soziale Ungleichheit und den Einfluss der Finanzmärkte kritisierte, versucht das nachhaltige Investieren die Entscheidungsmöglichkeiten auf den Finanzmärkten dauerhaft zu verändern. Die Divestment-Bewegung zielt dagegen darauf ab, über zahlreiche Kampagnen die Aufmerksamkeit der Märkte sowie der Politik für den Klimawandel und dessen Folgen zu gewinnen.
Debatten über die Gestaltbarkeit des Kapitalismus 1900-1933
Authors: Plumpe Werner
Published: October 2016

Im Beitrag geht es um eine im weitesten Sinne ideenhistorische Rekonstruktion der Quellen der Kapitalismuskritik aus der Zeit vor dem Ersten Weltkrieg, die – zunächst durchaus in Außenseiterstellung – durch den Krieg und seine Folgen nach 1918 in das Zentrum der Debatten um die Gestaltbarkeit des Kapitalismus rückten. Dabei zeichneten sich schon vor 1914 vier Stränge ab, die entweder auf eine soziale Gestaltung des Kapitalismus hinausliefen, wie sie sich schließlich im „Rheinischen Kapitalismus“ der Bundesrepublik Deutschland nach 1949 durchsetzte, oder auf eine radikale Änderung kapitalistischer Strukturen durch einen starken Staat bzw. eine entsprechende Diktatur des Proletariates setzten,. Diese Positionen waren in den 1920er und 1930er Jahren überaus bedeutend, führten historisch aber nicht zu dauerhaften Gestaltungen. Bemerkenswert sind dabei nicht nur die gemeinsamen Wurzeln und vielfachen Verschränkungen der jeweiligen Positionen aus der Zeit vor 1914, sondern ebenso die Tatsache, dass alle Gestaltungsvorstellungen der Zwischenkriegszeit letztlich auf den Staat bzw. staatliches Handeln als entscheidende Größe bei der Gestaltung der Wirtschaft setzten. Die vor 1914 durchaus vorhandenen zivilgesellschaftlichen Potentiale und Strömungen hingegen verblassten in der Zwischenkriegszeit angesichts der Wucht der wirtschaftlichen Probleme und konnten erst seit den 1950er Jahren, in freilich deutlich gewandelter Form, wieder an Bedeutung gewinnen.
Große und kleine Übel / Parteistrategien vor der Bundestagswahl 2017
Authors: Tils Ralf , Raschke Joachim
Published: October 2016

Ralf Tils und Joachim Raschke fassen die wichtigsten Erkenntnisse der Debatten im diesjährigen Forum zur politischen Strategie zusammen. Anhand der drei Dimensionen Themenpriorisierung, Umgang mit der AfD und Machtperspektive zeigen sie für die verschiedenen Parteien deren Lage vor der Bundestagswahl 2017 auf. Sachthemen werden wichtiger als kulturelle Unterschiede zwischen den Parteien. Der Umgang mit der AfD stellt die Parteien vor sehr unterschiedliche Probleme. Angesichts unklarer Bündnisoptionen für alle Parteien bleibt ihnen hinsichtlich der Machtperspektive nur die Option, die eigene Position zu stärken.
Super-Wahljahr 2017 / Strategische Perspektiven der CDU in Nordrhein-Westfalen und im Bund
Authors: Laschet Armin
Published: October 2016

Armin Laschet skizziert vor dem Hintergrund der veränderten deutschen Parteienlandschaft und der gegenwärtigen politischen Situation die strategischen Optionen der CDU in Nordrhein-Westfalen und im Bund. Da die Zeit der Lagerwahlkämpfe vorbei ist, könne es nur darum gehen, stärkste Kraft zu werden. Auf Bundesebene könne dies nur gelingen, wenn CDU und CSU gemeinsam an einem Strang ziehen.
An improved method for estimating in situ stress in an elastic rock mass and its engineering application
Authors: Pei Qitao , Ding Xiuli , Lu Bo , Zhang Yuting , Huang Shuling , Dong Zhihong
Published: October 2016

The main contribution of this paper is to develop a method to determine the