bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La metáfora cromática en el cine de infancia: una revisión a una década largometrajes sobre niñez
Authors: Daza Orozco Carlos Eduardo
Published: August 2015

El siguiente escrito tiene como finalidad presentar algunos de los hallazgos de la investigación en curso titulada: “infancias del tercer cine: una revisión a dos décadas de narrativas sobre niñez”. Los cuales hacen referencia a la aplicación del uso de la «metáfora cromática» como instrumento de análisis social aplicado al campo de los estudios visuales.

 

El diseño teórico-metodológico del estudio se estableció a partir del desarrollo interpretativo de un corpus compuesto por quince (15) largometrajes de producción mundial que compartían elementos como: la enunciación de colores en sus títulos, la presentación actancial de historias relacionadas con niños y/o niñas, y el establecimiento en un marco temporal de estreno correspondiente a dos décadas (1993-2013). Esta composición investigativa, permitió anclar una lectura visual desde la triada compuesta por: la sociología de los cuerpos y las emocionesi, la sociología de la infanciaii y el cubismo teóricoiii que esbozó una sucinta recuperación de la noción- representación de la niñez que habita en la narratología cinematográfica.

 

Se propende entonces, a partir de este recorrido resaltar cómo los lenguajes cinematográficos acerca de infancia sufren de una especie de “alexitimia” que recurre - con frecuencia- a la enunciación titular del color como una analogía relacional- complementaria entre las políticas de los sentidos y la exégesis social.
Prácticas pedagógicas de formación política en la infancia
Authors: Avellaneda Avellaneda Yenny Tatiana
Published: August 2015

El presente artículo surge a partir de una experiencia investigativa que se plantea como pregunta problema ¿Qué prácticas pedagógicas posibilitan la formación política de la infancia en contextos de vulneración de derechos? . El proceso se desarrolló con niños y niñas de escuelas rurales de la Provincia de Ricaurte en Boyacá, bajo la dinámica de la Investigación Acción;  a partir de cuya indagación y resultados, se plantean aportes de orden conceptual, teórico y metodológico, para pensar la relación entre infancia y política.

 

Palabras claves: formación política, infancia,  escuela, derechos, prácticas pedagógicas.
“Carta a un amigo”
Authors: Quintero Bogotá Diana Carolina
Published: August 2015

Se trata de un texto narrativo escrito en forma de carta en el que se da cuenta de la experiencia de una maestra rural de primera infancia que realiza formación a familias campesinas.
The Impact of Dynamic Presentation Format on Consumer Preferences for Hedonic Products and Services
Authors: Roggeveen Anne L. , Grewal Dhruv , Townsend Claudia , Krishnan R.
Published: August 2015

Manufacturers and online retailers are readily availing themselves of new technologies to present their merchandise using a variety of formats, including static (still image) and dynamic (video) portrayal. Building on vividness theory, the authors propose and demonstrate that presenting products and services using a dynamic visual format enhances consumer preference for hedonic options and willingness to pay for those options. The dynamic presentation format increases involvement with the product/service experience in a manner presumably similar to that of the actual product experience. The result is an increased preference for and valuation of hedonic options. This holds true for experiential and search products in single and joint evaluations and carries over to subsequent choices. Across all studies, the results demonstrate that a dynamic (relative to static) presentation format enhances choice of the hedonically superior (vs. utilitarian-superior) option by more than 79%.
Parathyroid adenoma imaging-preoperative localization
Authors: Ghemigian Adina , Buruiana Andra , Olaru Maria , Dumitru Nicoleta , Goldstein A. , Hortopan D. , Ioachim D. , Ghemigian M. , Boanta Roxana , Caragheorgheopol Andra , Eugenia Petrova
Published: August 2015

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a frequent endocrine disorder that can only be cured by a surgical procedure that is parathyroidectomy. The main causes are usually solitary benign adenoma (80-85%), diffuse or nodular hyperplasia (10-15%), or parathyroid carcinoma (<1%). Out of the known localization techniques, ultrasonography, nuclear scintigraphy and computer tomography (CT scan) are most commonly used [1].

The aim of this study is to evaluate the sensibility of ultrasonography by comparison to scintigraphy and CT scan for the preoperative localization of parathyroid adenoma in patients with biochemically confirmed primary hyperparathyroidism. Localization studies were correlated with intraoperative findings, histopathological outcomes. In a retrospective study we analyzed 60 patients out of 245 patients who had undergone parathyroidectomy for PHPT between 2012-2013 in the Surgery Department of the National Institute of Endocrinology, Bucharest.

Preoperative evaluation included imaging explorations (ultrasonography, scintigraphy and cervical CT scan) and therapeutic success was confirmed by histopathological result and the evolution of hormonal and biochemical tests.

Intraoperative exploration revealed a single adenoma in 59 patients and one double adenoma.

Thyroid disease was associated in 27 (45%) patients
Thyroid screening in pregnancy - a compulsory preventive activity
Authors: Scrinic Olesea , Circo E.
Published: August 2015

Obiectives: To assess the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in a group of pregnant women, originating from Dobrogea region of southeastern Romania, considered to be an area without iodine deficiency, including the Black Sea area. Materials and methods: We enrolled 324 pregnant women in different trimesters of pregnancy. Each case was reviewed by a detailed madical history, clinical examination and by serum dosage of thyroid hormones: TSH, FT4, and the antithyroidperoxidase. They were evaluated by comparison with trimester -specific reference range for TSH recommended by American Thyroid Association, then the results were compared with those obtained using the manufacturers reference range. Abortion rate was also analysed. Results: The prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was different in all the 3 trimesters: subclinical hypothyroidism being the most frequently approx. 24% of all cases; 7% of pregnant women had overt hypothyroidism. Incidence of thyrotoxicosis in entire study cases was approx. 5.5%. The most frecvent thyroid autoimune disorders were Hashimoto thyroiditis: 42 % - I trimester, 26,6% in II trimester and about 12,5 % in III-trimester; Graves disease have an incidence of only 0,9 % (n=3).The difference between reference methods eluded a lower number of cases using manufactures reference range for TSH (P< 0,001), but higher for recommended trimester - specific TSH value, confirming the undervalueted hypothesis. The risk of misclassifying the hypothyroidism is between 3 %-8 %. Conclusion: Necessity for thyroid hormone dosage periodic/trimesterly/ in pregnancy is a preventive measure. The reference values for hormonal dosage requires trimester-specific assessment. The possibility of hormonal disorders during pregnancy is common. The need for specific therapy at diagnosis depends on the nature of hormonal disorder. Further precautions are needed in pregnant women with known autoimmune thyroid disorder or newly diagnosed
Vitamin D and thyroid autoimmunity
Authors: Petrova Eugenia , Dumitrache C. , Buruiana Andra , Olaru Maria , Popescu Irina , Dumitru Nicoleta , Ghemigian M. , Petrov B. , Ghemigian Adina
Published: August 2015

Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem, its role as an immune modulator being recently emphasized. Recent studies are increasingly suggesting that vitamin D plays a significant role in reducing the incidence and progression of autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, it was reported that patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune thyroid disease had lower vitamin D levels [1].

We initiated a prospective study, for a period of 6 months with a study group represented by 160 patients admitted to the National Institute of Endocrinology “CI Parhon” in the period 2013 -2014. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 121 patients without thyroid pathology, 22 patients diagnosed with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, who received 2000 IU cholecalciferol daily, 17 patients diagnosed with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, which did not receive cholecalciferol.

We found that patients with chronic thyroiditis have a poor vitamin D status with ATPO values negatively correlating with 25 (OH) vitamin D levels. Treatment with cholecalciferol not only improves vitamin D status but also lowers antithyroid antibodies titres. Keywords: vitamin D deficiency, chronic
“Why do I have to trust you?” The perspective from civil society on active citizenship in post–communist Albania
Authors: Dhembo Elona , Duci Veronika , Ajdini Juliana
Published: August 2015

Civil society (CS) is the main medium in which active citizenship can flourish and have an impact on good governance and democracy. The communist past has played a major role in CS underdevelopment across Eastern European countries but research primarily targeting the elites has explained little of how citizenry has developed and mapped little of the cross-country variation. This paper attempts to increase understanding, looking at the case of Albania, where low levels of active citizenships are documented1, as the main indicator of this underdevelopment. Data from in-depth interviews with key informants explain that it results from a combination of historical factors with current determinants such as the low perceived level of impact, the transparency of CS actors and the political influence believed to often dictate their agendas. These and additional explorations of gender and age differences lead to suggested new strategies to boost active citizenship in the country.
Decay Rates of The Solution to the Cauchy Problem of the Type III Timoshenko Model Without Any Mechanical Damping
Authors: Said-Houari Belkacem
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we study the asymptotic behavior of the solutions of the one-dimensional Cauchy problem in Timoshenko system with thermal effect. The heat conduction is given by the type III theory of Green and Naghdi. We prove that the dissipation induced by the heat conduction alone is strong enough to stabilize the system, but with slow decay rate. To show our result, we transform our system into a first order system and, applying the energy method in the Fourier space, we establish some pointwise estimates of the Fourier image of the solution. Using those pointwise estimates, we prove the decay estimates of the solution and show that those decay estimates are very slow and, in the case of nonequal wave speeds, are of regularity-loss type. This paper solves the open problem stated in [10] and shows that the stability of the solution holds without any additional mechanical damping term.
Translative Packing of Unit Squares Into Equilateral Triangles Some New Results On Information Transmission Over Noisy Channels
Authors: Januszewski Janusz
Published: August 2015

Every collection of n (arbitrary-oriented) unit squares can be packed translatively into any equilateral triangle of side length 2:3755· √n.
A novel construction of thermodynamically compatible models and its correspondence
with Boltzmann-equation-based moment-closure hierarchies
Authors: Hong Liu , Yang Zaibao , Zhu Yi , Yong Wen-An
Published: August 2015

In this article,
we propose a novel approach to construct macroscopic balance equations and constitutive equations describing various irreversible phenomena. It is based on the general principles of non-equilibrium thermodynamics and consists of four basic steps: picking suitable state variables, choosing a strictly concave entropy function, properly separating entropy fluxes and production rates, and determining a dissipation matrix.
Our approach takes advantage of both extended irreversible thermodynamics and GENERIC formalisms and shows a direct correspondence with Levermore's moment-closure hierarchies for the Boltzmann equation. As a direct application, a new ten-moment model beyond the classical hierarchies is constructed and is shown to recover the Euler equations in the equilibrium state. These interesting results may put various macroscopic modeling approaches, starting from the general principles of non-equilibrium thermodynamics, on a solid microscopic foundation based on the Boltzmann equation.
The Chinese-perspective of Intercultural Competence Models Revisited
Authors: Chong Yoon Huat , Grzymała-Moszczyńska Halina
Published: August 2015

Most intercultural competence models have been developed by Western experts based on Western theory and Western cultural values, and they are not culturally specific models. The lack of non-Chinese researchers to study and contribute to the construction of intercultural competence from a Chinese-perspective is a serious shortcoming, and most of the models developed by Chinese scholars are a replica of the Western models. A Chinese-perspective of intercultural competence model is indeed needed to reinterpret concepts and theories that are coined in the West, which are then widely used and generalized without any concrete-solid bases of their universality. This paper deployed empirical study methods to analyze the content of the literature to understand the construct of Chinese-perspective intercultural competence models. Eight Chinese-perspectives of intercultural competence models formulated by Chinese scholars between 1998 and 2013 have been identified, two of them are researched in English, while six others are in Chinese. As a result, there are no significant differences in the components of those eight models, as most Chinese scholars agree that cognitive ability, emotional management and communication skills are three of the major components which constitute the Chinese version of intercultural competence models. This research is timely, and is worth conducting, due to increased Chinese investments throughout the world, and the power and influence of China as the world’s largest economy. The results could be used as a guiding operational scheme to prepare business partners from both sides for successful cooperation.

However, one should recommend, in future research, that there be a comparison of Chinese-perspective models with Western-perspective models in order to delve deeper into the construct of the models to examine the degree to which the Chinese and Western-perspective of intercultural competence are complementary and compatible with each other.
Individual-Level Determinants of International Orientation of a Firm: A Study Based on Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Data
Authors: Pawęta Elena , Zbierowski Przemysław
Published: August 2015

In recent decades economic integration and globalization processes facilitate the firms’ internationalization. The main determinants of that process are divided into three categories - internal factors, external factors and personal characteristics of an entrepreneur. The latter is considered to be the most important and will be the research subject in this article. The objective of this paper is to analyze the determinants of firm internationalization on the individual level and to verify whether entrepreneurial traits of the founder are indeed important for the internationalization. The research is based on the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor data, using which we employ independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA analyses to test the hypotheses. The results show that the only variable which determines international orientation of a company is the level of education of an entrepreneur. All other characteristics of an entrepreneur do not correlate with international orientation of a firm. Results obtained make important contribution to entrepreneurship research - they show significant shift in international entrepreneurship trends - internationalization is getting more available, less risky and more natural for entrepreneurs of different ages, backgrounds and individual characteristics. Findings may be useful for further international entrepreneurship research.
Family Business to Improve Management Paradigm – Selected Cross-cultural Remarks
Authors: Gorzeń-Mitka Iwona
Published: August 2015

Complexity and changeability of modern economic processes (especially in cross-cultural context) require enterprises to continuously improve their management processes. Family enterprises, which play an important role in economic growth of economies all over the world, constitute a group that is in especially susceptible to dynamism of changeability of the economic environment, because they mostly belong to the group of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises. Improvement, which is becoming a key challenge for today’s enterprises and constitutes a paradigm of modern management of an enterprise (also in cross-cultural management view), is especially visible in an analysis of this group of entities. The aim of this paper is to confirm the thesis the characteristics distinguishing family firms from the others are determinants of improvement, which is a modern paradigm of management (also in cross-cultural context).
Risk Profiles Along the Lifecycle in Dynamic Markets
Authors: Koplyay Tamas , Mitchell Brian , Cohn Sorin , Fekete Maria , Jazouli Abdelkader
Published: August 2015

That supply chain management and logistics are a determining factor for the long term success of a company was well documented by Forrester over a half century ago [1], with the importance of the statement only growing through the intervening years.Whether consciously factored into the operating mode or not, logistics and distribution channel management plays a critical role in the life, and death, of a firm. From the rudimentary beginnings of the start-up company to the hectic world of the growth company and onto the relatively secure existence in mature markets, the value chain consisting of logistics and distribution channel linkages follows the firm, until it solidifies into immutable form of the mature value chain and begins to exert an inexorable pressure on the survival of the entire chain, and conversely the chain imposes its will on the members. The emergence of mature industry value chains is often driven by the need to monopolistically control logistics and distribution channels which provides a competitive advantage but also introduces a serious exposure to pending shock loadings of the chain.
The Median Solution of the Newsvendor Problem and Some Observations
Authors: Sinha Pritibhushan
Published: August 2015

We consider the median solution of the Newsvendor Problem. Some properties of such a solution are shown through a theoretical analysis and a numerical experiment. Sometimes, though not often, median solution may be better than solutions maximizing expected profit, or maximizing minimum possible, over distribution with the same average and standard deviation, expected profit, according to some criteria. We discuss the practical suitability of the objective function set and the solution derived, for the Newsvendor Problem, and other such random optimization problems.
Requirements Elicitation of Passengers With Reduced Mobility for the Design of High Quality, Accessible and Inclusive Public Transport Services
Authors: Starzyńska Beata , Kujawińska Agnieszka , Grabowska Marta , Diakun Jacek , Więcek-Janka Ewa , Schnieder Lars , Schlueter Nadine , Nicklas Jan-Peter
Published: August 2015

In this article the authors present the methodology adopted and the results obtained in the first stage of the research encompassing focus group interviews (FGI) about the needs of public transport users in a selected city (Poznań). The elicitation and assessment of the requirements were carried out for three groups of people with disabilities using public transport in the city of Poznań: blind and partially sighted people, deaf and hearing-impaired people, as well as people with locomotor dysfunctions. A study carried out on the basis of a scenario especially designed for the FGI purpose has made it possible to identify barriers for people with disabilities and, consequently, to formulate their pre-trip,on-trip and post-trip requirements when it comes to urban public transport services. The results will be used to construct a questionnaire to be used further on in the project.
National Images in the Media and in Travel Writing
Authors: Sâsâiac Andi
Published: August 2015

The image that Romania has abroad represents, especially from a journalistic perspective, a more and more fashionable topic, although the westerners’ interest in this ‘different’ country is not that recent. What is recent is the self-awareness that Romanians are starting to develop, with regard to the westerners’ opinions, appreciative or deprecatory as they may be. The media play a very important role in the dissemination of national images and are the main provider of clichés and stereotypes. Ethnic groups are stereotyped and ‘otherized’ on the basis of popular media images. However, travel accounts are the literary works that carry imagological messages par excellence. My intention is to illustrate how the media influence the dissemination of images in travel writing and how images in travel writing can be approached through instruments normally used in journalistic discourse analysis
Template-Guided Self-Assembly of Discrete Optoplasmonic Molecules and Extended Optoplasmonic Arrays
Authors: Reinhard Björn M. , Ahn Wonmi , Hong Yan , Boriskina Svetlana V. , Zhao Xin
Published: August 2015

The integration of metallic and dielectric building blocks into optoplasmonic
structures creates new electromagnetic systems in which plasmonic and photonic
modes can interact in the near-, intermediate- and farfield. The
morphology-dependent electromagnetic coupling between the different building
blocks in these hybrid structures provides a multitude of opportunities for
controlling electromagnetic fields in both spatial and frequency domain as well
as for engineering the phase landscape and the local density of optical states.
Control over any of these properties requires, however, rational fabrication
approaches for well-defined metal-dielectric hybrid structures. Template-guided
self-assembly is a versatile fabrication method capable of integrating metallic
and dielectric components into discrete optoplasmonic structures, arrays, or
metasurfaces. The structural flexibility provided by the approach is illustrated
by two representative implementations of optoplasmonic materials discussed in
this review. In optoplasmonic atoms or molecules optical microcavities (OMs)
serve as whispering gallery mode resonators that provide a discrete photonic
mode spectrum to interact with plasmonic nanostructures contained in the
evanescent fields of the OMs. In extended hetero-nanoparticle arrays in-plane
scattered light induces geometry-dependent photonic resonances that mix with the
localized surface plasmon resonances of the metal nanoparticles.We characterize
the fundamental electromagnetic working principles underlying both optoplasmonic
approaches and review the fabrication strategies implemented to realize
them.
A conversation and a letter. Heidegger, Derrida, and the (un)translatable East
Authors: Marinucci Lorenzo
Published: August 2015

This text was born out of a curious parallelism. Both Heidegger and Derrida happened to be, at one point of their biographical and philosophical paths, before a Japanese man. Also, they both decided to write about this “encounter” (a notion that has a degree of importance in both their philosophies). In doing this, they decided to employ and invest into this alterity and availability, although differences are readily noticeable. Their respective medium choices — for Heidegger the deep, enclosed intimity of language as Gespräch, for Derrida the travelling openness of a letter (what else?) — can be seen as a first glimpse of their final endeavors. Presenting the oncoming questions, — somehow reducible to one, “How can we communicate with the other/ Other?” — through a series of crossed chapters eventually focusing on Derrida, is justified by the impression that, as in polyphony, each of the two voices/tracks [traces] reveals something hidden in the other. Laying the one upon the other lets not only perceive their dissonances and disparities, but lets emerge from their own supplementary encounter — their playing tag — a set of subtler, flavorful questions.
Employer Organisations and Business Groups in the Czech Republic
Authors: Pinková Aneta
Published: August 2015

This article is a case study focusing on employer organisations and business organisations in the Czech Republic. In legal terms, employer organisations are a specific type of interest group with special regimes of registration and record keeping. Unlike business groups, they are endowed with certain privileges and, in particular, can participate in collective bargaining. This study analyses the relations between these two types of groups. The database originates from a questionnaire-based survey undertaken in 2010 among 91 groups representing businesses and employers. The analysis focuses on the relationship between a group’s registration as an employer organisation and its orientation towards employer and business interests. It also investigates similarities between the two organisation types in terms of secondary organisation and strategies used. The analysis suggests that the differences between these two types are minimal and that the possibility of participating in collective bargaining and in tripartite counselling bodies remains the only relevant distinction. This holds true even when we take into account these groups’ self-perceived primary role, i.e. defending their members as employer or as business organisations.
Newcomer, Normal Player or Regional Leader? Perceptions of Poland in the EU
Authors: Kratochvíl Petr , Mišík Matúš
Published: August 2015

This study analyses the status of the new EU member states and, in particular, Poland as it is perceived by the representatives of the older EU members. On a theoretical level, it argues that the transformation of the newcomers into “normal players” or even “regional leaders” is dependent on five specific conditions that each of these countries must fulfil. These range from (1) simple compliance with the EU’s basic norms and (2) a sufficient level of orientation in EU decision-making to (3) establishment of the country’s unique policy expertise, (4) the ability to create winning coalitions and finally and above all (5) a willingness to defend the interests of the Union as a whole. On an empirical level, we draw on an extensive set of interviews with diplomats belonging to the permanent representation of the old member states in Brussels. Based on these data, we conclude that (1) Poland has already established itself as a normal EU player fully comparable with the older member states. In terms of the country’s leadership status, (2) Poland has also moved to the position of frontrunner among the new member states. However, the country still fails in at least one criterion: (regional) leadership. This precludes it from becoming a fully respected and leading state in the EU.
Epistocracy and democratic epistemology
Authors: Min John B.
Published: August 2015

Epistocracy, the rule by the experts or educated, poses a significant challenge to authentic democratic rule. Epistocrats typically reason from the premise, “experts have knowledge of political truths” to the conclusion, “experts should have the authority to rule.” There may be powerful moral reasons for thinking that the inference is fallacious. Invoking a public reason standard of acceptability, David Estlund makes a powerful argument of this sort. I argue that Estlund’s argument against epistocracy overlooks democratic epistemology, which can and should be utilized to strengthen the epistemic merits of a democratic rule. I therefore examine whether democratic democracy’s epistemic value can rest on a formal epistemic model. The inadequacy of the formal epistemic model leads us to defend democratic epistemology differently. This will be defended in two ways. The first step will be to cast doubt into the epistemic merits of expert rule in two ways. First, experts sometimes do not have access to privileged information of citizens who bear the consequences of expert decisions. Second, experts themselves can be biased. I argue that democratic deliberation can offset those two disadvantages of expert rule. The second step will be to examine the epistemic values of inclusive democratic rule.
Public Attitudes towards Monetary Integration in Seven New Member States of the EU
Authors: Szőcs Csongor-Ernő
Published: August 2015

Existing work on euro support has provided insights into the dynamics of preferences, but most of these studies focus on older member states that already form an integral part of the Eurozone. This article inquires into public attitudes towards monetary integration in new member states of the EU: Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria and Lithuania. Focusing on the cross-sectional variation of preferences, it applies multilevel logit regression to test three perspectives – economic, conceptual and political – using individual-level survey data and NUTS-2 regional statistical data from seven countries for 2013. One of its novel findings is that beliefs such as the one that European Monetary Union (EMU) adherence will cause a spiral in economic inflation are powerful disincentives to euro support in these countries.
Is there a relationship between hospital care quality assessemnt and the patient’s place of residence?
Authors: Kos Marek , Dziewa Agnieszka , Drop Bartłomiej , Furtak-Niczyporuk Marzena , Warchoł-Sławińska Ewa
Published: August 2015

Introduction. Measuring the patient satisfaction with the hospital stay, as well as the knowledge of their requirements are very important in the management of health institutions. A good example of the recognition of patients’ expectations is studying the level of satisfaction with specially prepared questionnaires.

Aim. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the patients’ place of residence and their satisfaction with the medical care they received when treated in local hospitals

Material and methods. Patient satisfaction survey was carried out in the Independent Public Health Care Centre in Kraśnik in two subsequent years: at the turn of 2011/2012 and in February 2013. The survey consisted of patients hospitalized in the surgical wards of the hospital. A testing tool for this survey was a self-designed questionnaire entitles “Patient satisfaction survey” specifically developed by nursing managers and approved by the management of the hospital.

Results. Patients of the District Hospital in Kraśnik gave their complex assessment of satisfaction with the benefits provided by the health care facility, taking into account not only the quality of strictly medical services, but the entire infrastructure of the hospital, including ancillary services. The obtained results gave a positive assessment of the analyzed branches. No statistically significant differences between the assessments of rural and urban inhabitants were found. The results allow knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of medical care in the wards.

Conclusions. Residents of rural areas, who are slightly better than those who live in cities, assess the work of local hospital surgical wards. You can clearly see it by assessing the quality of nurses’ and doctors’ work and the assessment of nutrition and the appearance of patient rooms. Systematic research, measurement and evaluation of patient satisfaction with hospital care can be the basis for the improvement and ensure an appropriate level of quality
Rules, indications and documentation for applying physical coercion by emergency medical services
Authors: Kucmin Tomasz , Kucmin Adriana , Płowaś-Goral Małgorzata , Nogalski Adam
Published: August 2015

Helping people with mental disorders poses a challenge to the members of medical emergency services (EMS). Psychiatric patients are often unpredictable and applying physical coercion is necessary in some cases.

The aim of this paper was to present and comment on legal foundations of application of different forms of physical coercion by EMS members and describe how to fill out medical records required every time physical coercion was used.

According to the amendments of Polish Mental Health Act made in 2010, the EMS members were granted the right to apply physical coercion. Further amendments to the Mental Health Act and the introduction of appropriate Ministry of Health decree define forms of physical coercion, indications to apply physical coercion and include a sample of proper medical records which are required in all cases of application of physical coercion.

Application of physical coercion should always be treated as last-line treatment option while helping patients suffering from mental disturbances. Obeying the law every time a decision regarding physical coercion is made protects patients’ right to receive dignified care and treatment as well as the rights of medical professionals
Can CRP affect the blood-brain barrier during acute ischemic stroke?
Authors: Bielewicz Joanna , Kurzepa Jacek , Czekajska-Chehab Elżbieta , Kamieniak Piotr , Daniluk Beata , Bartosik-Psujek Halina
Published: August 2015

Introduction. Ischemic strokes (IS) are one of the main causes of death and disabilities around the globe. Therefore, there is a huge need for researching the pathogenesis of IS. The C-reactive protein (CRP) plays a role during inflammatory processes. Results of some studies conducted on animal models indicate that CRP affects the blood-brain barrier (BBB) stability during IS. The presence of S100BB protein can be considered as an indication of BBB injury.

Aim. The purpose of this study was to discover the relationship between CRP and S100BB protein.

Material and methods. The study looked at fifty four IS patients, with the disease confirmed by computer tomography (CT). The clinical status was evaluated on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 10th day and 3 months following the onset of IS. Neurological status was estimated using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Patients’ disability level was determined, using Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Barthel Index (BI). The volume of ischemic focus was calculated on the 10th day after the stroke, using CT. The levels of CRP and S100BB were evaluated on 1st, 3rd, 5th and 10th day after the stroke onset with usage of ELISA method.

Results. The mean level of CRP and its concentration on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 10th day directly correlates with a deteriorated clinical status, as measured with the use of NIHSS, BI and mRS on day 10 and 3 months after the onset of IS. We found a correlation with the mean CRP level and bigger volume of ischemic injury. The mean CRP level correlated with the mean level of S100BB protein. In the group of patients with low CRP (0.51-24.68 mg/mL) the level of S100BB and the volume of ischemic focus were lower than in the group with a high level of CRP (24.69-209 mg/mL).

Conclusions. CRP can be considered as a predictor of a worse clinical outcome after stroke. The relationship between CRP and S100BB protein can suggest the active role of CRP during IS
The impact of antiepileptic drugs on the condition of the oral cavity in children and youth affected with epilepsy
Authors: Mielnik-Błaszczak Maria , Skawińska Agnieszka , Michałowski Artur , Błaszczak Jerzy , Książek Katarzyna
Published: August 2015

Introduction. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders. Epileptic patients taking antiepileptic pharmaceuticals often suffer from hypertrophic changes in gums. It is well established that dental hypertrophies within the alveolar tissue appear more often in children and young people being treated for epilepsy than adults.

Aim. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of antiepileptic drug therapy on the oral cavity of both children and young people suffering from epilepsy.

Material and methods. The investigation consisted of a clinical examination and a questionnaire looking at 107 individuals of both sexes, all aged between 6 and 18. They were all residents of the Lublin region. The study looked at the individuals residing in the Social Care Center in Lublin and patients treated at the Children’s Clinical Hospital in Lublin. The oral analysis included an examination of hard tissues, the state of oral hygiene according to Green and Vermillion (OHI-S), periodontal treatment needs (CPITN), status of gums and mucosal membrane pathological assessment of the oral cavity and determination of developmental disturbances of teeth (intensity of tooth decay expressed as DMFt).

Results. The patients who took antiepileptic drugs had greater treatment needs in tissues of periodontium - determined by the value of CPITN index - (1.68±0.60), unlike those subjects who had not taken any medicine (0.96±0.29), (p=0.0001; Z=-3.20). It was stated that the value of the DMFt index had been significantly higher in those subjects who had been taking antiepileptic medicines (6.80±5.16), unlike the subjects not taking medicine (4.65±3.72), (p=0.02; Z=2.40). In subjects taking antiepileptic drugs, the OHI-S index was significantly higher (2.50) unlike those subjects who had not taken any medicine (1.53), (p=0.0001; Z=4.92).

Conclusions. The findings demonstrate that the hard dental tissues in children taking antiepileptic drugs require much more care. They have a higher simplified index of oral hygiene and higher index for periodontal treatment needs. Disturbances related to oral mucosal cavity and dental abnormalities occurred more frequently in children ingesting antiepileptic agents
Anticipated BDSDEs driven by Lévy process with non-Lipschitz coefficients
Authors: Aidara Sadibou , Sow Ahmadou Bamba
Published: August 2015

In this work we deal with a anticipated backward doubly stochastic differential equation associated
to a random Poisson measure. We establish existence and uniqueness of solution in the case of non-Lipschitz coefficients. The novelty of our result lies in the fact that
we allow the time interval to be infinite.
An Empirical Analysis of Foreign Direct Investment in Pakistan
Authors: Akbar Minhas , Akbar Ahsan
Published: August 2015

The aim of this paper is to explore the trends in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows in Pakistan and to identify the key determinants of FDI for the period of 2000-2013. The country experienced a continuous surge in FDI inflows from 2000-2008. On the contrary, the phase of 2009-2013 has been characterized by a persistent decline in FDI in Pakistan. This slump is mainly attributed to political and economic instability as wells as poor law and order situation in the country. Keeping these periods with differing results in perspective, multiple regression analysis is employed to empirically analyze the key determinants that are expected to explain variation in FDI in Pakistan. The selected variables were found significant determinants of FDI in Pakistan. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), degree of trade openness and regime of dictatorship have a significant positive effect on FDI. While, terrorism attacks foreign debt, exchange rate, political instability, and domestic capital formation are negatively significant determinants of FDI inflows in Pakistan. Considering the dynamic changes in the broad macro factors in economy, this study provides a fresh perspective on the factors that determine FDI in Pakistan. Moreover, the study findings provide important insights to policy makers to design policy measures that enhance FDI inflows in Pakistan.
Determinants of Capital Structure: A Quantile Regression Analysis
Authors: Aviral Kumar Tiwari , Raveesh Krishnankutty
Published: August 2015

In this study, we attempted to analyze the determinants of capital structure for Indian firms using a panel framework and to investigate whether the capital structure models derived from Western settings provide convincing explanations for capital structure decisions of the Indian firms. The investigation is performed using balanced panel data procedures for a sample 298 firms (from the BSE 500 firms based on the availability of data) during 2001-2010. We found that for lowest quantile LnSales and TANGIT are significant with positive sign and NDTS and PROFIT are significant with negative sign. However, in case of 0.25th quantile LnSales and LnTA are significant with positive sign and PROFIT is significant with negative sign. For median quantile PROFIT is found to be significant with negative sign and TANGIT is significant with positive sign. For 0.75th quantile, in model one, LnSales and PROFIT are significant with negative sign and TANGIT and GROWTHTA are significant with positive sign whereas, in model two, results of 0.75th quantile are similar to the median quantile of model two. For the highest quantile, in case of model one, results are similar to the case of 0.75th quantile with exception that now GROWTHTA in model one (and GROWTHSA in model two).
Tax Performance Assessment in Scandinavian Countries
Authors: Bunescu Liliana
Published: August 2015

The aim of this paper is to evaluate fiscal policy performance level in Nordic countries of Europe by quantifying the gap between their performance and an optimum benchmark value. In this study it was selected Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway. These countries occupy the first places in the ranking of countries with the highest rate of tax burden in Europe. The first part of paper contains general aspects of fiscal performance in international research and an overview of the Nordic tax systems model. The second part of paper focuses on evaluation of tax policy performance in these countries by using OptimTax scoring analysis. The research is based on a multivariate analysis instrument that uses quantitative data on various aspects of tax policy. OptimTax achieves a score for assessing the degree of optimization of fiscal policy. The results reveal high levels of tax performance in Scandinavian countries and a trend that seems to be more constant than ascending, except Norway.
Competing motivations and number variation
Authors: Gomes Camacho Roberto , Hermenegildo Salomão Mircia
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we submit data on variable plural marking in non-verbal predicates, preceded or not by a copula, to sociolinguistic treatment. The data was extracted from a corpus collected in the northwestern region of the state of São Paulo, in Brazil. The study was intended to examine whether variable plural marking in non-verbal predicates such as nouns, adjectives and past participles can be explained either by exclusively formal or exclusively functional constraints, or by the interaction between both, that is, by competing motivations. Results show that neither functional nor formal motivations alone rule these types of phenomena, which happen to be strongly constrained by a specific external factor: years of schooling.
The heritage Spanish phonetic/phonological system: Looking back and moving forward
Authors: Rao Rajiv , Ronquest Rebecca
Published: August 2015

This paper overviews what we currently know about the phonetics/phonology of heritage speakers of Spanish based on previous research on this topic, and also provides suggestions for future directions to pursue, as inspired by previous work on heritage Spanish, adult learners of Spanish, native Spanish, and other heritage languages. Specifically, we examine the past and future of heritage Spanish phonetics/phonology at both the segmental (i.e., consonants and vowels) and suprasegmental (i.e., intonation, rhythm, stress) levels in terms of how this part of heritage Spanish grammars differs from that of other Spanish-speaking populations. Finally, we discuss a series of methodological factors to consider as investigators continue to advance this area of linguistic inquiry.
Application of Disciplinary Penalties
Authors: Stoicu Mihaela Narcisa , Berlingher Remus Daniel , Creţ Daniela Cristina
Published: August 2015

Each branch of law acknowledges a specific form of liability. Therefore there are several forms of liability: disciplinary, civil, criminal, etc. These forms of legal liability are characterized by specific conditions of substance and form (way of establishment, embodiments, etc.). Therefore, the commission of an infringement determines the intervention of legal liability and the application of penalties. The penalty is a means to materialize liability and it will take its shape. In this scientific approach we intend to analyze the application of disciplinary penalties to civil servants.
Human Capital - The Effects of Education on Economic Growth Within the European Union
Authors: Pribac Loredana , Anghelina Andrei
Published: August 2015

Human capital has an impact on economic growth by several channels. This study presents a conceptual research model that we built starting from the economic increase models which explain the way in which the revenue per inhabitant was created taking into account mechanisms, channels and influence factors. I applied this model to the member states of the European Union and the results obtained confirmed the existence of some positive effects of human capital - expressed through education - on economic growth.
NMR and Impedance Spectroscopy Studies on Lithium Ion Diffusion in Microcrystallineγ-LiAlO2
Authors: Witt Elena , Nakhal Suliman , Chandran C. Vinod , Lerch Martin , Heitjans Paul
Published: August 2015

In this work nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and impedance spectroscopy (IS) studies on Li ion dynamics in microcrystallineγ-LiAlO2are presented. The sample was prepared by solid state synthesis between Li2CO3and Al2O3in air, followed by a quenching procedure. The presence of phase-pureγ-LiAlO2was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction including Rietveld refinement. Further structural characterization was done with6Li,7Li and27Al NMR. Several NMR techniques such as spin-lattice relaxation measurements, motional narrowing experiments, as well as spin-alignment echo were employed for the investigation of Li ion diffusion. The measurements were carried out at high temperatures (up to 970 K) in order to access the regime of Li ion motion being very slow. The dc conductivities measured by IS in the temperature range from 680 K to 870 K were converted to diffusion coefficients being compatible with those obtained by NMR.
Inhibition of Angiofibromas in a Tuberous Sclerosis Patient Using Topical Timolol 0.5% Gel
Authors: Krakowski Andrew C. , Nguyen Tuyet A.
Published: August 2015

Angiofibromas are the most recognized cutaneous manifestations of tuberous sclerosis complex. Angiofibromas can be associated with disfigurement, bleeding, pruritus, and erythema and may lead to significant psychosocial consequences for affected patients. Histopathologically, angiofibromas consist of a mixture of vascular and interstitial cells. Traditional treatment options include cryotherapy, electrocoagulation, radiofrequency ablation, dermabrasion, laser treatment, and topical agents such as podophyllotoxin. However, complications such as pain, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, scarring, and the frequent recurrence rate reduce the utility of these treatment options. The introduction of topical rapamycin marked a turning point for treatment of facial angiofibromas; however, the lack of a standardized formulation, limited insurance coverage, and significant financial cost restrict universal access for patients and their caregivers. Both oral and topical β-blockers have proven extremely effective treatments for superficial vascular tumors such as hemangiomas and pyogenic granulomas. Topical β-blockers may potentially be useful for treatment of angiofibromas considering these lesions also contain a vascular component. Here we present an exploratory case report of a patient with tuberous sclerosis complex who had significant clinical improvement of her facial angiofibromas utilizing a “split-face” comparison protocol of topical timolol 0.5% gel after full-field treatment with ablative fractional laser resurfacing and pulsed-dye laser.