bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implant Survival and Marginal Bone Loss at Turned and Oxidized Implants in Periodontitis‐Susceptible Smokers and Never‐Smokers: A Retrospective, Clinical, Radiographic Case‐Control Study
Authors: Sayardoust Shariel , Gröndahl Kerstin , Johansson Eva , Thomsen Peter , Slotte Christer
Published: February 2013

Background:Little is known about the long‐term outcome of oxidized surface oral implants, especially in periodontitis‐susceptible smokers. The aim of this study is to determine implant survival and marginal bone loss at turned and oxidized implants in smokers and never‐smokers with periodontitis.

Methods:Forty smokers and 40 never‐smokers with experience of advanced periodontal disease, treated with implants 5 years previously, are included in this study. Groups were matched for sex, oral hygiene, and implant distribution, and patients were subgrouped by implant surface type (turned or oxidized).

Results:The overall implant survival rate was 96.9% in never‐smokers and 89.6% in smokers. Compared with oxidized implants, turned implants failed more frequently in smokers. In smokers, mean (standard error of the mean) marginal bone loss at 5 years was 1.54 (0.21) mm at turned and 1.16 (0.24) mm at oxidized implants. In never‐smokers, significantly greater bone loss was found at oxidized implants, 1.26 (0.15) mm, than at turned implants, 0.84 (0.14) mm. Oxidized implants demonstrated similar bone loss for both groups. Turned implants lost significantly more bone in smokers. Compared with never‐smokers, the smokers’ likelihood ratio for implant failure was 4.68, 6.40 for turned and 0.00 for oxidized implants.

Conclusions:The results of the study underscore the need for prevention and cessation of smoking. Turned implants failed more frequently and lost more marginal bone in smokers. In contrast, oxidized implants showed similar failure rates and bone loss in smokers and never‐smokers. Turned implants displayed less bone loss than oxidized implants in never‐smokers. Oxidized surface implants are more suitable for patients susceptible to periodontitis who smoke.
Maximizing BHA Durability/Reliability: Turbodrill/Impregnated Bit Significantly Reduces Drilling Time in Granite Wash Laterals
Authors: Bone Glenn , Jamerson Christopher , Klassen Jay , Gray Jordan , Valliyappan Somasundaram , Baker Ryan , Turner Kerry , Parra Miguel
Published: February 2013

Inconsistent roller cone/PDC bit performance drilling horizontally through the hard/abrasive Granite Wash reservoir in western Oklahoma has resulted in low ROP, increased operating days, and escalating drilling costs. The difficult Marmaton age wash formation is encountered at 11,000-13,000ft TVD and has unconfined compressive strength (UCS) in excess of 30,000 psi. The typical well requires drilling a curve to horizontal, then 4,000 ft of 6-1/8-in lateral borehole. Offsets analysis revealed that 1-4 RC/PDC bits are required to drill the curve in addition to 1-13 bits to finish the lateral. The operator required a technological solution to minimize bit consumption/trips to lower well construction costs while achieving directional requirements.

An analysis of the most troublesome wells was conducted and a mathematical-based predictive analysis software identified the changes required to efficiently deliver the directional objectives. The study indicated that using a 4¾-in high-power steerable turbodrill, with two bends and a specific stabilization setup coupled with an application-specific 6 1/8-in diamond impregnated bit would significantly increase BHA performance and enhance section economics. The operator's drilling team studied the recommendation and concluded the BHA had the potential to increase reliability and reduce operating costs drilling the difficult Marmaton Wash.

This new turbodrill/impregnated bit BHA was run in several Washita and Beckham County wells with outstanding results. In one well the BHA drilled 4,040ft of 6 1/8-in lateral hole section in a single-run saving the operator eight drilling days and $348,000USD vs plan. The assembly required steering only 17% of the time. The borehole was completed in 589hrs at an average ROP of 6.9ft/hr. This performance set several new world drilling records. The authors will present case histories that illustrate performance achievements in the horizontal section and provide details that contributed to the success of the unique BHA.
Pollution of the Ecosystem of the Rusalka City Lake with Heavy Metals / Zanieczyszczenie Ekosystemu Śródmiejskiego Jeziora Rusałka Metalami Ciężkimi
Authors: Poleszczuk Gorzysław , Bucior Anna , Miller Tymoteusz , Tokarz Małgorzata
Published: February 2013

In the vegetation season April-October 2010, the value of and the changes in Zntot., Cutot., Cdtot. and Pbtot. concentrations in the water of the Rusalka flow-through lake (with average water retention of ca 30 days) situated in the city centre of Szczecin were determined. Water temperature, pH, concentration of dissolved oxygen (with calculation of water saturation with O2), COD-Cr and BOD5, total hardness, - 3 HCO concentration (as total alkalinity), Cl-, - 24 SO , Mntot and Fetot were also determined. The data collected may be used to evaluate the ecological and chemical status of the surface waters under investigation. As far as the ecological status of the Rusalka Lake is concerned, the investigated waters were found, based on the official criteria being in force in Poland in evaluation of the ecological and chemical status of surface waters, to conform to water quality classes I and II considering total zinc and copper concentrations, temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration (except water inflow to the lake in August) as well as BOD5, - 24 SO and Cl- concentrations and pH value; however, they were always worse than water quality class II while taking the COD-Cr values into account. Regarding the chemical status of the investigated waters, total cadmium and lead concentrations were the levels exceeding the admissible values according to the official criteria in Poland. Changes in the values of indices being investigated along water flow path allowed stating that the equilibriums between the sedimentation and the resuspension and the dissolution processes during the research period were shifted towards sedimentation in case of Zn and Cd only, as well as of the organic matter sedimenting in the form of divalent cation- and divalent anion-sorbing gels. Although three phytoplankton blooms occurred in the body of water, unfortunately weak ones, the dissimilation processes prevailed over assimilation.
Strategies for Expressing Power Relationships in the Slovenian Translation of Amitav Ghosh's Novel the Hungry Tide
Authors: Karče Tina
Published: February 2013

The paper explores various narrative and rhetorical strategies for expressing power relationships in the Slovenian translation of Amitav Ghosh’s novel “The Hungry Tide”. Based on critical discourse analysis and the model of micro- and macrostructural shifts developed by van Leuven-Zwart, the paper provides a classification of the aforementioned strategies based on a pilot study of the source text and its translation into Slovenian. Illustrating the strategies with chosen examples, the paper then discusses the solutions adopted by the translator, focusing on general issues concerning the cultural transfer of relationships characterized by inequality in terms of social power.
Application of newtonian nudging data assimilation method in hydrodynamic model of flood flow in the lower Biebrza basin
Authors: Mirosław-Świątek Dorota
Published: February 2013

The paper presents a 1D hydrodynamic flood flow model employing a data assimilation procedure based on Newtonian nudging. Data assimilation was used to determine correctly the upstream boundary condition defined as a discharge hydrograph. In the model developed, “nudging to individual observations” method was used. The data chosen for assimilation were water table levels recorded by a D-Diver automatic sensor installed in the river channel c. 1.5 km below a computational cross-section opening the analysed stretch of the river and the adjacent valley. This hydrological model of flood flow containing the data assimilation procedure is based on a one-dimensional Saint-Venant system of equations (dynamic wave model). The calculations were performed for the 2010 spring flood event at a 20-km stretch of the river and the floodplain in the upper part of the Lower Biebrza Basin. Modifying the boundary condition by using data assimilation has dramatically improved the accuracy of water table predictions during floods in the area of the Lower Biebrza Basin.
Contribution to the collaborative work in virtual organization - a case study
Authors: Crespo Fernando A. , Pedamallu Chandra Sekhar , Özdamar Linet , Weber Gerhard Wilhelm
Published: February 2013

A virtual organization is a community of people who interact together socially on a technical platform. These kinds of communities are built on a common interest, a common problem or a common task of its members that is pursued on the basis of implicit and explicit codes of behavior. The six dimensions that are normally used to analyze virtual organizations are the use of technologies, sense of belonging, success factors, level of trust from members, virtual community management, and contents of the virtual community. The virtual organizations defined in the literature are not defined separately for non-profit research virtual organization. Here we present analysis of non-profit research virtual organization, European Working Group on Operational Research for Development (EGW ORD). This paper provides a summary of achievements and challenges faced in building a virtual organization. This kind of analysis plays a vital role in establishing new non-profit virtual organizations to serve the research community in their field of interest. It is also helpful to the group in broadening its presence and involving more researchers, practitioners and students in the field of operational research.
Trichinosis in Lublin Province in 2003-2010 on a Background of Wild Boar`S Population Dynamics
Authors: Flis Marian
Published: February 2013

The research aimed at evaluating the epizootic and epidemiological situation of trichinosis during the last 8 years in Lublin province on a background of progressing increase in wild boar population within the region and in the whole country. Data for the study were taken from the report on the results of the official examination of slaughter animals and meat, poultry, game, lagomorphs and aquaculture animals and six reports on the number of trichinosis cases found at wild boars and domestic swine. In order to evaluate the trichinosis epidemiological situation within the region, reports of the National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene on the number of identified trichinosis cases in people, as well as the number of hospitalised patients were presented. In addition, information on the population and hunting achievement of wild boars in hunting circuits of Lublin province during the last 8 years was enclosed. The number of identified trichinosis cases in meat of wild boars from Lublin region increased 9 times, while the percentage of trichinosis occurrence in reference to the number of examined carcasses almost 3-fold. At the same period, the number of porcine carcasses, in which trichinosis was found, decreased by over 4 times. Over double increase in wild boar population on the studied area was observed during the evaluation. Dynamic increase in the population size - in an aspect of the species population interaction with the living habitat, and in the form of the increase in the number of damages of crops and cultivation fields - contributed to intensified hunting pressure towards the species expressed as almost 3-fold increase of wild boar hunting. Analysis of epizootic and epidemiological situation of Poland indicates that wild boar meat was the principal source of trichinosis during the studied period. Considering Lublin province, the number of identified trichinosis cases is still high as compared to eastern and central provinces. Meanwhile, when compared to western and northern Poland, the level of trichinosis invasion can be considered as low. Furthermore, the trichinosis morbidity among people, that does not exceed 0.18/100 thousand inhabitants, can be regarded as low. Nevertheless, the fact of underestimating the necessity of both wild boar’s and swine’s meat examination seems to be alarming
Embolic-Thrombotic Complications in Dogs in The Course of Endotoxaemia
Authors: Noszczyk-Nowak Agnieszka , Nowak Marcin , Pasławska Urszula , Nicpoń Józef
Published: February 2013

Results of supravital and post-mortem observation of embolic-thrombotic complications in dogs, in the course of endotoxaemia induced by pyometra and phlegmonous pneumonia due to infection with Pseudomons aeruginosa, or endomyocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus infection were described. Multiorgan embolic-thrombotic complications were diagnosed in all presented cases. Most probably, the complications developed due to thrombocytopoenia secondary to platelet activation and exacerbation of endotoxin-induced DIC syndrome. In all the dogs, a disturbed cardiac rhythm was diagnosed supravitally. The rhythm disturbances might reflect myocardial injury due to presence of bacterial endotoxins in blood. The myocardial injury was confirmed by histopathological examination.
Effects of Cla and Camelina Sativa Seed Oil on Bone Properties in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Puzio Iwona , Jaśkiewicz Teresa , Sagan Agnieszka , Bieńko Marek , Graboś Dorota
Published: February 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and false flax (Camelina
sativa) seed oil (CS) on bone quality in broiler chickens. Experiment was carried out on 96 chickens randomly divided into four groups: control group fed diet with sunflower oil (SO) and three experimental groups fed diet with addition of CLA (2.86% starter, 4.32% grower) and diet with addition of CLA (1.43% starter, 2.16% grower) and SO or CS (1.43% starter, 2.16% grower). On the 35th d of life eight birds per treatment were slaughtered and the femur, humerus, and tibia were isolated for further analysis. Using DXA method, bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured. Furthermore, weight and length of bones were assessed. The weight, BMD, and BMC in chickens from CS+CLA group were significantly higher when compared with CLA group. The significant differences were noted for BMC between control and CS+CLA birds. No marked differences of bone parameters were observed between control group and CLA, and SO+CLA groups. In conclusion, the results indicate that false flax oil and CLA can replace sunflower oil in chickens feeding, and demonstrate the effectiveness of false flax oil on the enhancement of bone properties in broiler chickens.
Determination of Zeranol and its Metabolites in Bovine Muscle Tissue with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Matraszek-Żuchowska Iwona , Woźniak Barbara , Żmudzki Jan
Published: February 2013

This paper describes the quantitative method of determination of chosen substances from resorcylic acid lactones group: zeranol, taleranol, α-zearalenol, β-zearalenol, and zearalanone in bovine muscle tissue. The presented method is based on double diethyl ether liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), solid phase extraction (SPE) clean up, and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The residues were derivatised with a mixture of N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyltrifluoroacetamide, ammonium iodide, and DL-dithiothreitol (1,000:2:5, v/w/w). The GC-MS apparatus was operated in positive electron ionisation mode. The method was validated according to the European Union performance criteria pointed in Decision Commission 2002/657/EC. The average recoveries of all analytes at 1 μg kg-1 level were located between 83.7% and 94.5% values with the coefficients of variation values <25%. The decision limits (CCα) and detection capabilities (CCβ) for all analytes ranged from 0.58 to 0.82 μg kg-1 and from 0.64 to 0.94 μg kg-1, respectively. The procedure has been accredited and is used as a screening and confirmatory method in control of hormone residues in animal tissues.
Evaluation of Rubidium Contents in Organs of Bitches (Canis Lupus F. Familiaris)
Authors: Skibniewska Ewa M. , Kośla Tadeusz , Skibniewski Michał
Published: February 2013

The objective of the presented study was to compare rubidium concentration in different organs of bitches, depending on their health state. Samples of muscles, liver, and kidneys collected post mortem from 45 animals, at the age of 1-8 years, were examined. Chemical analysis was conducted using the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy method. The contents of rubidium in particular organs varied from 2.07 to 4.52, from 1.25 to 3.81, and from 1.32 to 3.78 mg·kg-1 of wet weight for muscle, kidney, and liver samples, respectively. The highest values were observed in animals with neoplastic disease and the lowest in healthy animals. These differences were highly statistically significant.
Phylogenetic Analysis of the First Isolate of Polish H1N2 Swine Influenza Virus
Authors: Kowalczyk Andrzej , Urbaniak Kinga , Markowska-Daniel Iwona
Published: February 2013

Phylogenetic analysis of the genes determining influenza virus subtype - haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), was performed. The results showed that the Polish H1N2 isolate (A/Swine/Poland15817/2011) was reassortant of human-like swine H1N1 and human-like swine H3N2 origin. The novel isolate was presented to have a close phylogenic relationship with one of the latest European isolates of H1N2 (A/SW/Gent/102/2007 and A/SW/Hungary/13509/2007). Our evolutionary analyses also suggested that the HA and NA genes evolved in a significantly higher rate of synonymous substitutions after they were introduced from human to swine and established the European H1N2 swine lineage.
Influence of Magnesium on the Deposition of Cadmium in Rats
Authors: Grosicki Andrzej
Published: February 2013

Magnesium chloride was given via drinking water (500 mg Mg/L) to rats exposed intragastrically to cadmium (cadmium 109) at a dose corresponding to 10 mg/kg diet for 7, 14, 21, and 28 d. The results provided the evidence that magnesium decreased cadmium retention in the duodenum, kidneys, and liver after 7 d. Significant reduction in cadmium retention was also found on days 14 d and 21 in kidneys. No significant decreases in cadmium retention in the organs examined were noted after 28 d. The results suggest that beneficial action of magnesium on body cadmium accumulation ceased with time after the two metal administration.
Erythrocyte Antioxidative Enzymes in Experimentally Induced Osteopenia in Rats
Authors: Radzki Radosław P. , Bieńko Marek , Albera Edyta , Kankofer Marta
Published: February 2013

The study aimed at the determination of dynamic relationship between mineralisation processes and antioxidative/oxidative status during the development of osteopenia. One hundred and two healthy female Wistar rats at the age of 2 months and initial body weight of 200 g were used in the experiment. The rats were divided into control (CON, n=6), sham operated (SHO, n=48), and ovariectomised (OVX, n=48) groups. Animals from SHO (n=6) and OVX (n=6) groups were sacrificed every week during 8 weeks of the experiment in order to detect dynamic changes in examined parameters. The samples were collected weekly from day 7 to day 56. The femora were examined with the use of DXA (bone mineral density) and pQCT (area, mineral content, volumetric density of trabecular and cortical part of distal femora). The pQCT scans were performed 5 mm from distal end of the tibia. The determination of activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in haemolysates of erythrocytes were performed spectrophotometrically. Obtained data showed wave like changes in both enzyme activities and bone parameters and indicated the importance of the 2nd-3rd and 5th-6th week after surgery as a key moment for bone metabolism and activity of enzymatic antioxidative defence during the development of osteopenia induced by bilateral ovariectomy. The obtained results proved that alterations in activity of GSH-Px and SOD, and pQCT ahead the changes registered by DXA by 7 d.
Prepubic Minilaparotomy as the Surgical Approach in Treatment of Prostate Disorders in Dogs. A Cadaver Study
Authors: Trębacz Piotr , Galanty Marek
Published: February 2013

The aim of the study was to assess the prepubic minilaparotomy approach in the surgical treatment of prostatic disorders in dogs. The technique of a limited approach to the prostate was developed on the fresh cadavers of 14 intact adult male dogs, diversified in regard to size and body weight. The abdominal cavity was opened in midline, from the right-sided prepubic parapenile incision. The cut was limited to 7 cm. Afterwards, it was expanded by self-retaining retractors: Gelpi, Weislander, Finnochetto Baby, and Adson. Finnochetto Baby and Gelpi retractors used in pairs enabled an adequate exposition of the prostate in small dogs. The Finnochetto Baby retractor enabled an adequate exposition of the prostate in medium dogs and the Adson retractor - in large and giant dogs. The Weislander and Gelpi retractors used individually did not allow for sufficient access to the prostate in any group of the cadavers. Prepubic minilaparotomy can be a useful surgical approach in the treatment of prostate disorders in dogs. It can be used especially for minor surgical procedures, e.g. sampling of large tissue specimens for histopathological examination, partial prostatectomy, or treatment of intraparenchymal cavitary lesions.
The role of histopathology in the diagnosis of dermatophytoses / Značaj patohistološkog nalaza u dijagnostici dermatofitoza
Authors: Gocev Đorđi , Damevska Katerina
Published: February 2013

Histopathological analysis is not a routine procedure for diagnosing fungal skin infections. In the histopathological specimens, fungi are visible only when using special stain such as periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). However, histopathological analysis may not be performed in small laboratories. Histopathological characteristics of fungal skin infections are not specific. In all skin biopsy cases, obtained without clinical suspicion of fungal infection, the knowledge of certain, most frequent histopathological reaction patterns, as well as specific histopathological indicators (a diagnostic histopathological “clue”), of certain superficial mycoses e.g., dermatophytoses, may raise a suspicion of fungal infection and warrant a fungal-specific staining. A retrospective analysis of all PAS-stained sections was carried out. All PAS-positive biopsy specimens were assessed for clinical features, histopathological patterns of skin reactions, and presence of histopathological indicators. Our results have shown that out of the total of 361 PAS-stained sections, fungal hyphae were identified in 12 (3.3%) specimens. In 5 (1.4%) cases, the diagnosis of fungal infection was suspected on clinical grounds, while in 7 (1.9%) cases detection of fungi was an unexpected finding. The most frequent type of histopathological pattern was spongiotic, and the most frequent histopathological indicator was the presence of neutrophils within the epidermis. Our results confirm that dermatophytoses may present with clinical and histological non-specific findings. PAS staining represents a relatively cheap and simple fungal-specific staining. It has been suggested that it not only confirms that the selected material is actually invaded, but also reduces the number of false-negative direct reports, where fungi are cultured from a microscopically negative specimen. Apart from a small percentage of positive findings, our results justify the need for routine PAS staining of all clinically and histologically non-specific inflammatory skin conditions.
Hydroa Vacciniforme - A Case Report / Hydroa vacciniforme - prikaz slučaja
Authors: Maširević Iva , Marenović Biljana , Popadić Svetlana , Nikolić Miloš
Published: February 2013

Hydroa vacciniforme is a rare, idiopathic, chronic photodermatosis that usually begins in childhood and resolves spontaneously in early adulthood. It is characterized by appearance of vesicles on sun-exposed areas. The vesicles crust and heal within one to six weeks, leaving vacciniform/varioliform scars. We report an 11-year-old boy with a 5-year history of recurrent blisters on sun-exposed areas that deteriorated each summer. He was treated with antimalarials, topical photoprotective agents, sun avoidance, dietary fish oil and supplementary doses of vitamin D3. Strict adherence to the regimen resulted in remission.
Summary of raptor and owl ringing in Slovakia in 2011
Authors: Slobodník Vladimír , Slobodník Roman
Published: February 2013

The article provides basic information about the number, species and recoveries of ringed birds of prey and owl species in Slovakia in 2011 . The report follows similar papers from the following periods: 2002-2004, 2005-2006, 2007-2008, 2009 and 201 0. In 2011 a total of 61 0 individuals were ringed in Slovakia, of which 509 individuals were birds of prey (1 6 species) and 1 01 individuals were owls (9 species). From the total number, 426 raptor nestlings and 46 owl nestlings were ringed. In comparison with the previous year 201 0 the number of ringed birds of prey and owls increased by 11%.
Application of neural networks for the prediction of rock fragmentation in Chadormalu iron mine / Zastosowanie sieci neuronowych do prognozowania stopnia rozdrobnienia skał w kopalni rud żelaza w Chadormalu
Authors: Monjezi Masoud , Ahmadi Zabiholla , Khandelwal Manoj
Published: February 2013

Most open-pit mining operations employ blasting for primary breakage of the in-situ rock mass. Inappropriate blasting techniques can result in excessive damage to the wall rock, decreasing stability and increasing water influx. In addition, it will result in either over and/or under breakage of rocks. The presence of over broken rocks can result in decreased wall stability and require additional excavation. In contrast, the presence of under broken rocks may require secondary blasting and additional crushing. Since blasting is a major cost factor, both cases (under and over breakage) create additional costs reflected in the increase of the operation and maintenance of the machinery. Quick and accurate measurements of fragment size distribution are essential for managing fragmented rock and other materials. Various fragmentation measurement techniques are available and are being used by industry/researchers but most of the methods are time consuming and not precise. An ideally performed blasting operation enormously influences the overall mining cost. This aim can be achieved by proper prediction and attenuation of fragmentation. Prediction of fragmentation is essential for optimizing blasting operation. Poor performance of the empirical models for predicting fragmentation has urged the application of new approaches. In this paper, artificial neural network (ANN) method is implemented to develop a model to predict rock fragmentation size distribution due to blasting in Chadormalu iron mine, Iran. In the development of the proposed ANN model, ten parameters such as UCS, drilling rate, water content, burden, spacing, stemming, hole diameter, bench height, powder factor and charge per delay were incorporated. Training and testing of the model was performed by the back-propagation algorithm using 97 datasets. A four-layer ANN was found to be optimum with architecture of 10-7-5-1. A comparison has made between measured results of fragmentation with predicted results of fragmentation by ANN and multiple regression model. Sensitivity analysis was also performed to understand the effect of each influencing parameters on rock fragmentation.
Aero-Aquatic Fungi Colonizing Decaying Leaves in Woodland Swampy Pools of Aukštadvaris Regional Park (Lithuania)
Authors: Svetlana Markovskaja
Published: February 2013

Markovskaja S., 2012: Aero-aquatic fungi colonizing decaying leaves in woodland swampy pools of Aukštadvaris Regional Park (Lithuania) (Oro-vandens grybai kolonizuojantys pūvančius lapus užpelkėjusiose miško balose Aukštadvario regioniniame parke) - Bot. Lith., 18(2): 123-132.

Comparatively high diversity of fungi (26 species) decomposing leaf litter were found in small lentic habitats (swampy pools) in mixed Gubiškiai Forest of Aukštadvaris Regional Park. Together with widespread aquatic and terrestrial fungi, 14 species of aero-aquatic hyphomycetes were found colonizing freshly fallen leaves of Quercus robur, Tilia cordata and Alnus glutinosa in autumn 2011. Of these, six species, Ardhachandra cristaspora,Candelabrum spinulosum, C. clathrosphaeroides, Dactylaria fusiformis, Helicodendron tubulosum and Xylomyces giganteus were recorded for the first time in Lithuania. In addition, a noteworthy new aero-aquatic fungus, preliminary placed in the genus Pseudospiropes by morphological characterization, was found on decaying leaves of Quercus robur. New records to the country and rare species are illustrated, their morphological and ecological peculiarities are discussed herein.
Absconditella Lignicola (Stictidaceae) – Lichen Species New to Belarus
Authors: Bely Pavel
Published: February 2013

Bely P., 2012: Absconditella lignicola (Stictidaceae) - lichen species new to Belarus [Absconditella lignicola (Stictidaceae) - nauja kerpių rūšis Baltarusijoje]. - Bot. Lith., 18(2): 164-165.

Absconditella lignicola Vězda et Pišút is reported for the first time in Belarus. It was recorded in one locality, growing on decaying pinewood on the opencast peatland in Brest region, the south of Belarus.
The upper cervical spine tumor pathology C1-C2 - therapeutic attitude
Authors: Serban D. , Calina N.A. , Exergian Fl. , Podea M. , Zamfir C. , Morosanu E. , Giovani A. , Checiu Gh.
Published: February 2013

Surgical treatment of upper cervical spine tumors, whether they are vertebral, epidural, subdural or intramedullary, raises technical and decisional difficulties regarding the approach of the region as well as in maintaining its stability.

The authors performed a retrospective study on C1, C2 spinal tumor pathology, managed surgically in the Spinal Surgery Department of Bagdasar Arseni Clinical Hospital, between January 2007 and December 2011.

We included in the study 44 patients, operated for C1, C2 cervical spine tumors, 23 men and 21 women with ages between 13 and 71 years. The pathology included 24 C1-C2 vertebral tumors, 11 subdural tumors, 2 epidural tumors and 7 intramedullary tumors.

Presenting symptoms were cervical pain, occipital neuralgia, medullary compression syndrome, and/or cranio-spinal junction instability.

The purpose of surgery was to establish a histopathologic diagnosis and to decompress the neural elements by attempting a total tumor removal as well as to stabilize the cranio - cervical junction in order to improve the patient's quality of life. The approach was chosen based on tumor location, prognosis and the need for fixation. For 6 patients an anterior approach was used, for 31 pacients we used a posterior approach and 7 patients required a combined anterior and posterior approach.

Neurological improvement was observed in 17 patients, with a mean increase of 8 points on ASIA scale, 7 patients worsened immediately postoperatively with a mean decrease of 10 points on ASIA scale, (2 patients died), and 20 patients without neurological deficits preoperatively remained unchanged. In all cases where the craniospinal junction instability was the cause of occipito-cervical pain we noted the disappearence of pain after surgery.

The development of new surgical techniques and fixation systems paved the way to a successful treatment for these difficult tumors, some of them considered inoperable in the past.
The Child as Other in Shakespeare’s Plays
Authors: Radmila Nastić
Published: February 2013

Although there are not many children in Shakespeare’s plays, his treatment of them is quite unique, both for his own time and today. Shakespeare’s children are authentic selves who frequently possess extraordinary intellect and vision. Shakespeare’s introduction of child characters as victims highlights his implicit condemnation of violence as embodied in people in power.
Captive Bodies: Victorian Construction of Femininity in Wuthering Heights and the Crimson Petal and the White
Authors: Petković Danijela
Published: February 2013

This paper argues that both Wuthering Heights (1847) and The Crimson Petal and the White (2002) investigate, expose and condemn the multifaceted inscription of a specific culture on the female body (via the construction of femininity)-the defleshing of female bodies, which in turn makes them docile (at least temporarily). With different degrees of explicitness, the two novels demonstrate how this specific--capitalist, imperialist, patriarchal--culture forces itself onto the bodies of girls/women: the legalized, scientifically justified process whereby female bodies, regardless of class, are defleshed, skinned alive and made to emit signs of subjugation to the patriarchal will--this being their assigned role, without exception, in various male-dominated economies.
Conceptualising Time and Space in Winterson’s the Passion and Written on the Body
Authors: Kriston Andrea
Published: February 2013

Time and space are major themes in Winterson’s novels. My goal in this paper is to focus on the way these concepts are analysed from the perspective of two of her novels, The Passion and Written on the Body. Winterson succeeds in creating and conferring new values on these concepts in her novels, thus allowing them a different interpretation.
Ecofeminist Study of Margaret Fuller’s Summer on the Lakes in 1843
Authors: Palwekar Sanjay D.
Published: February 2013

The present paper concerns itself with a great American feminist-writer Margaret Fuller. It is a critique of patriarchal industrial society. It is an expression of ecofeminist’s concern for environmental degradation triggered by rapid industrial and technological growth. It deals with her encounter with the external world, and her responses to the rapid material development in America. The article unfolds her concerns for humanity in general by endorsing a simple way of life, the idea which she shared with her friends Emerson and Thoreau, the great figures in American transcendentalism. This article is primarily about her delicate, feminine love for nature that she considered the only sustenance in her life.
“Look at Me!” Performing the Body and Self on Stage
Authors: Tóth Gabriella
Published: February 2013

The paper aims to explore some exemplary pieces of dramatic literature from antiquity and the Renaissance and especially from modern and postmodern works such as The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams, ‘Night Mother by Marsha Norman and A Movie Star Has to Star in Black and White by Adrienne Kennedy through the lens of body, disability and gender studies. While the paper mainly focuses on these three plays, it is not restricted to them. The pieces illustrate how the stage representation of physically or mentally challenged characters has changed and the process through which disabled performance has transferred into performative acts.
Public and Private Imperatives
Authors: Sima Remina
Published: February 2013

The paper deals with the concepts of public and private spheres as defined from Plato and Aristotle to more recent sources. The two issues are considered as being distinct from each other. The link between them is mediated by education.
Maritime Fantasies and Gender Space in Three Shakespearean Comedies
Authors: Cheang Wai Fong
Published: February 2013

Laden with sea images, Shakespeare‘s plays dramatise the maritime fantasies of his time. This paper discusses the representation of maritime elements in Twelfth Night, The Tempest and The Merchant of Venice by relating them to gender and space issues. It focuses on Shakespeare‘s creation of maritime space as space of liberty for his female characters.
Patterns and Representations of Shakespearean Love: Hubris, Infatuation, Agape in Hamlet
Authors: Foghel Bianca
Published: February 2013

The more conceptually elusive love has proven to be, the more it has whetted humanity’s appetite to try to narrow it down. Could one say that Shakespeare is one of the few personalities that managed not only to exemplify almost all recurrent patterns of love, but also to recreate them, in his case, within his plays? Is love weak, or is it so strong that it gives life to a character, only to overwhelm and destroy him/her later? Are there any archetypal emotional stages, or is it a fiery combustion? These are all questions which this paper will attempt to discuss with regard to Hamlet.
“In the Head of the Worthiest Women”: Amazon Queens and Performing Heroines in Jacobean Court Masques
Authors: De Benedictis Michele
Published: February 2013

Queen Anne of Denmark’s role - as actress and patroness - in emancipating womanliness onstage by direct performance is strictly connected to the emerging trend of fashioning masques in the early Jacobean court. My paper will focus on the connection/contamination of this dramatic phenomenon with the current imagery of acting warlike heroines, conflicting Anne’s policy for entertainments with masculine and royal anxieties
Different Horrors, Same Hell: The Gendered Nature of Holocaust Suffering
Authors: Ghiţă Roxana
Published: February 2013

While most Holocaust memoirs and stories considered canonical present mostly the male viewpoint on loss and traumatic experiences, a shade is cast over women’s representations of the horrors of the Shoah. Although the suffering and horror experienced by both men and women cannot be quantified, women were subject to different traumatic experiences, as they were objects of hatred not only for belonging to an “impure race”, but also for being mothers and “sexual beings.”
The Innocent American Girl in Henry James’s International Novel
Authors: Lupu Diana-Gabriela
Published: February 2013

In his international novels, Henry James used the idea of innocence and loss of innocence in connection to his American characters, especially American girls, as opposed to the personality of the Europeans. He explored the differences between the two civilizations and the effect that these have on the identity of the innocent coming from the New World. Being presented by the author as childlike, unaware human beings, Henry James’s heroines come to Europe to learn something of ‘life’, but they can’t preserve their innocence as they are forced to recognize that the world is ambiguous, divided. Their drama is a result of their resistance to acknowledging the foreignness of the Other.
Visions of the Female Subject in the Borderlands
Authors: Ghiban Mocanu Maria-Cristina
Published: February 2013

Drawing on distinctions among concepts regarding the female experience, as well as on postcolonial theory, the proposed paper aims at identifying a series of specific features of the Chicano/a vision of the female subject. It also focuses on apparently irreconcilable differences between Chicano and Chicana literary strategies in dealing with feminine imagery, as well as on a taxonomy of female instances that could be configured in both literary and social spaces.
Measuring Evidence-Based Practice in Physical Therapy: Translation, Adaptation, Further Development, Validation, and Reliability Test of a Questionnaire
Authors: Bernhardsson Susanne , Larsson Maria E.H.
Published: February 2013

Background

Evidence-based practice (EBP) and evidence-based clinical practice guidelines are becoming increasingly important in physical therapy. For the purpose of meeting the goals of designing, implementing, and evaluating strategies to facilitate the development of more EBP in primary care physical therapy, a valid and reliable questionnaire for measuring attitudes, knowledge, behavior, prerequisites, and barriers related to EBP and guidelines is needed.

Objective

The 3 objectives of this study were: (1) to translate and cross-culturally adapt a questionnaire to a Swedish primary care context for the purpose of measuring various aspects of EBP and guidelines in physical therapy, (2) to further develop the questionnaire to examine more aspects of guidelines, and (3) to test the validity and reliability of the adapted Swedish questionnaire.

Design

This was an instrument development study with validity and reliability testing.

Methods

A previously used questionnaire about EBP was translated and cross-culturally adapted to a Swedish primary care physical therapy context. Additional items were constructed. A draft version was pilot tested for content validity (n=10), and a revised version was tested for test-retest reliability (n=42). The percentage of agreement between the 2 tests was analyzed.

Results

The development process resulted in a first questionnaire draft containing 48 items. The validation process resulted in a second draft with acceptable content validity and consisting of 38 items. The test-retest analysis showed that the median percentage of agreement was 67% (range=41%–81%). After removal or revision of items with poor agreement, the final questionnaire included 31 items.

Limitations

Only face validity and content validity were tested.

Conclusions

The final translated and adapted questionnaire was determined to have good face and content validity and acceptable reliability for measuring self-reported attitudes, knowledge, behavior, prerequisites, and barriers related to EBP and guidelines among physical therapists in primary care settings.
Developing a Theory of Ambitious Early-Career Teacher Practice
Authors: Thompson Jessica , Windschitl Mark , Braaten Melissa
Published: February 2013

Current theories of novice teacher learning have not accounted for the varied influences of pedagogical training, subject matter knowledge, tools, identity, and institutional context(s) on the development of classroom practice. We examined how 26 beginning secondary science teachers developed instructional repertoires as they participated in two types of communities, one infused with discourses and tools supportive of ambitious teaching and another that reinforced traditional practices. We found three trajectories of practice—each with distinctive signatures for how novices engaged students intellectually. Differences were explained by: the communities with which teachers most closely identified, the degree to which teachers’ discourses about student thinking were developed within these communities, and how teachers used tools from the communities to shape their practice.
Predicting Understory Species Richness from Stand and Management Characteristics Using Regression Trees
Authors: Timilsina Nilesh , Cropper Wendell , Escobedo Francisco , Lima Joanna
Published: February 2013

Managing forests for multiple ecosystem services such as timber, carbon, and biodiversity requires information on ecosystem structure and management characteristics. National forest inventory data are increasingly being used to quantify ecosystem services, but they mostly provide timber management and overstory data, while data on understory shrub and herbaceous diversity are limited. We obtained species richness and stand management data from relevant literature to develop a regression tree model that can be used to predict understory species richness from forest inventory data. Our model explained 57% of the variation in herbaceous species richness in the coastal plain pine forests of the southeastern USA. Results were verified using field data, and important predictors of herbaceous richness included stand age, forest type, time since fire, and time since herbicide-fertilizer application. This approach can make use of available forest inventories to rapidly and cost-effectively estimate understory species richness for subtropical pine forests.
Structural and Electrochemical Investigation during the First Charging Cycles of Silicon Microwire Array Anodes for High Capacity Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Quiroga-González Enrique , Carstensen Jürgen , Föll Helmut
Published: February 2013

Silicon microwire arrays embedded in Cu present exceptional performance as anode material in Li ion batteries. The processes occurring during the first charging cycles of batteries with this anode are essential for good performance. This paper sheds light on the electrochemical and structural properties of the anodes during the first charging cycles. Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-ray diffractommetry, and fast Fourier transformation impedance spectroscopy are used for the characterization. It was found that crystalline phases with high Li content are obtained after the first lithiation cycle, while for the second lithiation just crystalline phases with less Li are observable, indicating that the lithiated wires become amorphous upon cycling. The formation of a solid electrolyte interface of around 250 nm during the first lithiation cycle is evidenced, and is considered a necessary component for the good cycling performance of the wires. Analog to voltammetric techniques, impedance spectroscopy is confirmed as a powerful tool to identify the formation of the different Si-Li phases.
Advances in Remote Sensing of Agriculture: Context Description, Existing Operational Monitoring Systems and Major Information Needs
Authors: Atzberger Clement
Published: February 2013

Many remote sensing applications are devoted to the agricultural sector. Representative case studies are presented in the special issue “Advances in Remote Sensing of Agriculture”. To complement the examples published within the special issue, a few main applications with regional to global focus were selected for this review, where remote sensing contributions are traditionally strong. The selected applications are put in the context of the global challenges the agricultural sector is facing: minimizing the environmental impact, while increasing production and productivity. Five different applications have been selected, which are illustrated and described: (1) biomass and yield estimation, (2) vegetation vigor and drought stress monitoring, (3) assessment of crop phenological development, (4) crop acreage estimation and cropland mapping and (5) mapping of disturbances and land use/land cover (LULC) changes. Many other applications exist, such as precision agriculture and irrigation management (see other special issues of this journal), but were not included to keep the paper concise. The paper starts with an overview of the main agricultural challenges. This section is followed by a brief overview of existing operational monitoring systems. Finally, in the main part of the paper, the mentioned applications are described and illustrated. The review concludes with some key recommendations.
Effect of Gating Modifier Toxins on Membrane Thickness: Implications for Toxin Effect on Gramicidin and Mechanosensitive Channels
Authors: Chen Rong , Chung Shin-Ho
Published: February 2013

Various gating modifier toxins partition into membranes and interfere with the gating mechanisms of biological ion channels. For example, GsMTx4 potentiates gramicidin and several bacterial mechanosensitive channels whose gating kinetics are sensitive to mechanical properties of the membrane, whereas binding of HpTx2 shifts the voltage-activity curve of the voltage-gated potassium channel Kv4.2 to the right. The detailed process by which the toxin partitions into membranes has been difficult to probe using molecular dynamics due to the limited time scale accessible. Here we develop a protocol that allows the spontaneous assembly of a polypeptide toxin into membranes in atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of tens of nanoseconds. The protocol is applied to GsMTx4 and HpTx2. Both toxins, released in water at the start of the simulation, spontaneously bind into the lipid bilayer within 50 ns, with their hydrophobic patch penetrated into the bilayer beyond the phosphate groups of the lipids. It is found that the bilayer is about 2 Å thinner upon the binding of a GsMTx4 monomer. Such a thinning effect of GsMTx4 on membranes may explain its potentiation effect on gramicidin and mechanosensitive channels.