bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
5D seismic data completion and denoising using a novel class of tensor decompositions
Authors: Ely Gregory , Aeron Shuchin , Hao Ning , Kilmer Misha E.
Published: June 2015

We have developed a novel strategy for simultaneous interpolation and denoising of prestack seismic data. Most seismic surveys fail to cover all possible source-receiver combinations, leading to missing data especially in the midpoint-offset domain. This undersampling can complicate certain data processing steps such as amplitude-variation-with-offset analysis and migration. Data interpolation can mitigate the impact of missing traces. We considered the prestack data as a 5D multidimensional array or otherwise referred to as a 5D tensor. Using synthetic data sets, we first found that prestack data can be well approximated by a low-rank tensor under a recently proposed framework for tensor singular value decomposition (tSVD). Under this low-rank assumption, we proposed a complexity-penalized algorithm for the recovery of missing traces and data denoising. In this algorithm, the complexity regularization was controlled by tuning a single regularization parameter using a statistical test. We tested the performance of the proposed algorithm on synthetic and real data to show that missing data can be reliably recovered under heavy downsampling. In addition, we demonstrated that compressibility, i.e., approximation of the data by a low-rank tensor, of seismic data under tSVD depended on the velocity model complexity and shot and receiver spacing. We further found that compressibility correlated with the recovery of missing data because high compressibility implied good recovery and vice versa.
Comparison of airborne gravity processing results by GravPRO and Newton software packages
Authors: Zhong Detang , Damiani Theresa Marie , Preaux Sandra Ann Martinka , Kingdon Robert William
Published: June 2015

Zero-length spring gravity sensors, such as the Micro-g LaCoste Turnkey Airborne Gravity System (TAGS), are widely used in airborne gravimetry applications due to their virtually drift-free characteristics. However, the quality of the final gravity product depends on the methods chosen to correct for several dynamic effects, including the Eötvös correction, the vertical acceleration correction of the moving aircraft, and the instrument platform tilt correction. For geodetic applications using regional gravity field mapping for geoid determination, the choices of correction method are extremely important because the flights are done uncommonly high and fast. For this reason, and in support of the Gravity for the Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum (GRAV-D) project, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS), and Fugro Geospatial have independently developed airborne gravity processing software packages for TAGS data — called Newton and GravPRO, respectively. We have evaluated the airborne gravity data processing methods that are used in the two software packages. We processed a GRAV-D data set collected by NGS over Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico in 2008 with both packages, we compared the results for each major data correction applied, and we evaluated unique add-on features and tools. The results determined that the two software packages were very comparable, both yielding an excellent crossover root-mean-square of 1.8 mGal without any crossover adjustment applied. For the worst 14% of survey lines, which had higher levels of aircraft dynamics during flight, GravPRO was able to retain more data due to advantages in its platform tilt correction method. Also, GravPRO’s instrument calibration function, which is based on crossover error analysis, found a 45% improvement in achievable survey precision from approximately 2 mGal to approximately 1 mGal when comparing the test data set to a global gravity model.
The Calcilytic Agent NPS 2143 Rectifies Hypocalcemia in a Mouse Model With an Activating Calcium-Sensing Receptor (CaSR) Mutation: Relevance to Autosomal Dominant Hypocalcemia Type 1 (ADH1)
Authors: Hannan Fadil M. , Walls Gerard V. , Babinsky Valerie N. , Nesbit M. Andrew , Kallay Enikö , Hough Tertius A. , Fraser William D. , Cox Roger D. , Hu Jianxin , Spiegel Allen M. , Thakker Rajesh V.
Published: June 2015

Autosomal dominant hypocalcemia type 1 (ADH1) is caused by germline gain-of-function mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and may lead to symptomatic hypocalcemia, inappropriately low serum PTH concentrations and hypercalciuria. Negative allosteric CaSR modulators, known as calcilytics, have been shown to normalize the gain-of-function associated with ADH-causing CaSR mutations in vitro and represent a potential targeted therapy for ADH1. However, the effectiveness of calcilytic drugs for the treatment of ADH1-associated hypocalcemia remains to be established. We have investigated NPS 2143, a calcilytic compound, for the treatment of ADH1 by in vitro and in vivo studies involving a mouse model, known as Nuf, which harbors a gain-of-function CaSR mutation, Leu723Gln. Wild-type (Leu723) and Nuf mutant (Gln723) CaSRs were expressed in HEK293 cells, and the effect of NPS 2143 on their intracellular calcium responses was determined by flow cytometry. NPS 2143 was also administered as a single ip bolus to wild-type and Nuf mice and plasma concentrations of calcium and PTH, and urinary calcium excretion measured. In vitro administration of NPS 2143 decreased the intracellular calcium responses of HEK293 cells expressing the mutant Gln723 CaSR in a dose-dependent manner, thereby rectifying the gain-of-function associated with the Nuf mouse CaSR mutation. Intraperitoneal injection of NPS 2143 in Nuf mice led to significant increases in plasma calcium and PTH without elevating urinary calcium excretion. These studies of a mouse model with an activating CaSR mutation demonstrate NPS 2143 to normalize the gain-of-function causing ADH1 and improve the hypocalcemia associated with this disorder.
Determinants of Receptor- and Tissue-Specific Actions in Androgen Signaling
Authors: Pihlajamaa Päivi , Sahu Biswajyoti , Jänne Olli A.
Published: June 2015

The physiological androgens testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone regulate the development and maintenance of primary and secondary male sexual characteristics through binding to the androgen receptor (AR), a ligand-dependent transcription factor. In addition, a number of nonreproductive tissues of both genders are subject to androgen regulation. AR is also a central target in the treatment of prostate cancer. A large number of studies over the last decade have characterized many regulatory aspects of the AR pathway, such as androgen-dependent transcription programs, AR cistromes, and coregulatory proteins, mostly in cultured cells of prostate cancer origin. Moreover, recent work has revealed the presence of pioneer/licensing factors and chromatin modifications that are important to guide receptor recruitment onto appropriate chromatin loci in cell lines and in tissues under physiological conditions. Despite these advances, current knowledge related to the mechanisms responsible for receptor- and tissue-specific actions of androgens is still relatively limited. Here, we review topics that pertain to these specificity issues at different levels, both in cultured cells and tissues in vivo, with a particular emphasis on the nature of the steroid, the response element sequence, the AR cistromes, pioneer/licensing factors, and coregulatory proteins. We conclude that liganded AR and its DNA-response elements are required but are not sufficient for establishment of tissue-specific transcription programs in vivo, and that AR-selective actions over other steroid receptors rely on relaxed rather than increased stringency of cis-elements on chromatin.
My Distributed TRANimalitieS@sltranimal.blogspot.com
Authors: King Katie
Published: June 2015

This essay is an exploration of “trans” among various transcodings of technicities, bodies, animalities, feminisms, media, and academies. The author positions the training of an artificial intelligence agent “dog” in the online virtual world Second Life as many practices of distributed being, cognition, and sensation in attunements across “trans” becomings.
The Tracks of My Tears
Authors: Weaver Harlan
Published: June 2015

Taking up the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and “pit bull” politics, this article explores the problems and promises of trans* spectatorship, trans* affect, new media, and animal studies. The popular Animal Planet show Pit Bulls and Parolees grounds the analysis, which is focused on the ways that race and masculinity figure in the show's politics and practices of salvation of both dogs and men, joining this discussion with an exploration of how affect as a sense of bodily movement and feeling figures in the material practices of new media spectatorship involving nonhuman animals. Working through a sense of specifically trans* affect, the article uses autoethnographic examples from the author's own transition and viewership to explore the possibilities of a broader multispecies trans*-affective politics.
The complement system in lupus nephritis
Authors: Bao Lihua , Cunningham Patrick N. , Quigg Richard J.
Published: June 2015

The complement is part of the innate immune system and can be activated through one of three pathways. To prevent injury of self-tissue, complement is tightly regulated by over 30 proteins. Complement plays dual roles in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). On one hand, hereditary homozygous deficiencies of classical pathway components, such as C1q and C4, are associated with an increased risk for SLE, suggesting that complement is protective. On the other hand, complement is systemically consumed in both experimental and human SLE, suggesting its pathogenic role.  Studies in genetically altered mice have shown that lack of complement inhibitors, such as complement factor H (CFH) or decay-accelerating factor (DAF) accelerates the development of experimental lupus nephritis; while treatment with recombinant protein inhibitors such as CR1-related protein y (Crry)-Ig, CR2-Crry, CR2-DAF and CR2-CFH ameliorates the disease development.  Complement-targeted drugs, including soluble complement receptor 1 (TP10), C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH), and a monoclonal anti-C5 antibody (Eculizumab) have been shown to inhibit complement safely, and are now being investigated in a variety of clinical conditions. These clinical developments support their therapeutic use in lupus nephritis.
Age Evolution of Human Body as a Quasi-Attractor’s Motion
Authors: Горленко  , Gorlenko N. , Гараева  , Garaeva G. , Ватамова  , Vatamova S. , Еськов  , Eskov Valeriy , Кощеев  , Koshcheev V.
Published: June 2015

Today the formalization of the description of the evolving system doesn’t exist in biology. But if a biosystem is described by a state vector x=x(t)=(x1, x2, …, xm)T in multidimensional phase space, notions of speed and acceleration for the description of quasi-attractor’s motion can be introduced. Vector x(t) moves constantly and chaotically inside the quasi-attractor, i.e. dx/dt≠0 is constant. With age these quasi-attractors show translational motion in phase space for which the model as an dx/dt=(a-bx)x is created and speed V=dx/dt and acceleration a=dV/dt are determined for evolution of biosystems. The current paper presents concrete examples of age-related changes of quasi-attractor’s parameters (two-dimensional phase space) that should be considered as an evolution of vector of cardiorespiratory system in six-dimensional phase space. Models of such dynamics are discussed according to quasi-attractor’s parameters that allow to calculating speed and acceleration of evolution in some integrative values.
The Impact of Minimally Invasive Colostomy on the Microbial Infection of the Abdominal Cavity and the Development of Intoxication Syndrome in Patients with Rectal Cancer Complicated by Acute Obstruction
Authors: Тотиков  , Totikov Z. , Тотиков  , Totikov V.
Published: June 2015

The article studies the influence of proximal colostomy formed through minimal access for microbial contamination of the abdominal cavity during the radical phase of treatment and the dynamics of the inflammatory changes and intoxication syndrome in patients with rectal cancer complicated by acute obstruction. The research on microbial contamination of the abdominal cavity was made in 32 patients, including 15 patients in whom obstruction was resolved conservatively and 17 patients in whom was made a proximal colostomy through mini-invasive access to eliminate acute obstruction. In 30 patients were investigated acute phase proteins and determined the level of toxemia available by calculation leukocyte index of intoxication. Blood sampling was carried out in patients with acute intestinal obstruction directly before applying the proximal colostomy, and before the second - a radical step treatment in 7-10 days. Found that the imposition of the proximal colostomy through minimal access does not lead to an increase in microbial contamination of the abdomen; helps reduce the level of acute phase proteins, the level of general toxemia and reduces the risk of postoperative inflammatory complications before performing radical phase of treatment.
Diagnostic Possibilities of Multislice Spiral Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography in Diseases of Coronary Arteries
Authors: Вардиков  , Vardikov D. , Яковлева  , Yakovleva E.
Published: June 2015

In the Russian Federation, the death rate from cardiovascular disease is more than 56%. The main reason is atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, which leads to the development of coronary heart disease, and myocardial infarction. In the past, the only way to accurately diagnose coronary heart disease was invasive coronary angiography. This technique is deservedly referred to as the "gold standard" due to its high information content. However, coronary angiography is associated with the necessity of hospitalization in a hospital, as well as possible complications inherent in any invasive procedure. Having been in clinical practice multislice computed tomography has opened opportunities for the study of minimally invasive coronary artery status in patients with suspected coronary heart disease. The purpose of this work is to determine the diagnostic possibilities and optimization techniques of multi-detector computed tomographic coronary angiography. The study involved 38 patients with atherosclerotic coronary arteries, anomalies of the coronary arteries, and patients after stenting. The study was performed on a 64-slice “Aquilion 64” and 320-slice “Aquilion One” Toshiba computed tomographic machines. Analysis of the results of multi detector computed tomographic coronary angiography showed high diagnostic information value of this method in the assessment of coronary disease, in determining the type of blood supply distributed by the heart, in the visualization of the peripheral regions of the coronary arteries, and in the assessment of stents. Multi detector com-puted tomographic coronary angiography with 320-slice computed tomographic machine with one volume scan, shows a significant reduction of radiation exposure on the patient.
Efect of the Metabolic Therapy on Some Cellular and Humoral Immunity Indices in the Patients with Paranoid Form of Schizophrenia
Authors: Дураева  , Duraeva A. , Кирюхина  , Kiryukhina S. , Подсеваткин  , Podsevatkin V. , Подсеваткина  , Podsevatkina S.
Published: June 2015

The purpose of this work was to examine the effect of metabolic therapy on the dynamics of the main psychopathological symptoms and some indicators of cellular and humoral immunity in the patients with paranoid schizophrenia. The study was conducted involving 25 patients. In the first stage, the patients received conventional psycho-pharmacotherapy. In the second step, the patients received immune corrector, antioxidant and hyperbaric oxygenation with the antipsychotics. Psychopathological status was assessed according to the severity of the major symptoms (maps of Avrutsky G. Y., Zaitsev S. G.).

Immune homeostasis was assessed according to 21 index characterizing the cellular and humoral defense. Indica-tors were assessed at admission, the 20th, the 40th day of treatment. On admission, hyper-activation of T-cell level and reducing T-suppressors were observed in the patients in the immune status, as well as symptoms productive prevailed in psychopathological status. The study shown that the correction of immune disorders by means of metabolic therapy allows to accelerate the reduction of psychiatric symptoms, to reduce the frequency and severity of side effects in con-ventional pharmacotherapy. Due to the results significantly expand notions of pharmacology of antipsychotic drugs, antioxidants, immune modulators, hyperbaric oxygen.
Rehabilitation of Patients with Musculoskeletal Pathology in the Pyatigorsk
Authors: Антоненков  , Antonenkov Yu. , Михаэлис  , Mikhaelis A. , Косолапов  , Kosolapov Vladimir
Published: June 2015

In the study as a model for the organization of rehabilitation of patients with diseases of the musculoskeletal system was chosen Piatigorsky resort. The presence in the Stavropol Territory, Pyatigorsk and includes resorts, sanatoriums with the necessary conditions for the organization of medical diagnostic and counseling was the reason for the decision. The arrangement of the study was based on program-target method. The complex methods were: statistical, forecasting methods morbidity, estimated, the method of a sociological survey, clinical and economic study, functional and organizational modeling. Patients were examined in sanatorium "Lenin rocks" for 2009 - 2013 years. Number of patients examined in the study, was 30 933 person. During the study, the authors carried out a study of demographic, medical, sociological, climatic, social, hygienic and other risk factors affecting the incidence of persons. To study the effects of factors on the efficiency of their treatment in a sanatorium, the authors revealed such as age, climatic, the nature of previous treatment, and others. Factor, that less affects on the effectiveness of treatment, is the age of the patients more than 70 years.
The USE Of Actigraphy for Evaluating Severity and Effects of Neurological Diseases
Authors: Шин  , Shin Kvok , Кьёоко  , Keoko Okhashi , Вэйдон  , Veydon Pkhan , Йошихару  , Yoshikharu Yamamoto
Published: June 2015

. Portable actigraph units allow to long-term of monitoring human cycles and can also be used to quantify the symp-toms of various diseases. The authors studied some applications of actigraphy as analytical methods that are sufficiently sensitive and reliable to determine the severity and consequences of neurological disorders, such as restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movements in sleep, sleep disorders, Parkinson´s disease, depression, behavioural and psychological symptoms in vascular dementia, seasonal affective disorders and acute ischemia of the brain, and the effects of clinical interventions used to treat them. Further research should develop analytical methods to assess other neurological diseases by actigraphic registration.
The Study of Free Radical Processes and Antioxidant Activity of Hybrid Composites with Hydroxyapatite on the Basis of Polystyrene In Vitro
Authors: Багровская  , Bagrovskaya N. , Алексеева  , Alekseeva O. , Назаров  , Nazarov S. , Клычева  , Klycheva Maya , Ситникова  , Sitnikova Olga , Попова  , Popova Irina
Published: June 2015

The polystyrene composites, received by application polymeric solution (polystyrene) on teflon base sheet with the following samples drying at 293 K to constant mass were studied. The hydroxiapatite particles immobilization in polysterene matrix was made by mechanical dispersion. The polimeric’s systames hydroxiapatite concentration were 0,03; 0,1; 0,5 mac.%. The authors determined sorption and structural hydroxiapatite’s characteristics such as specific surface area and pore volume. The authors studied the influence of hydroxiapatite concentration in composites on lipid free radical processes and antioxidant activity of confluent blood serum and confluent serum after contact with composite, including hydroxiapatite in vitro. It was noted that polymeric composites with 0,1 and 0,5 mac% hydroxiapatite concentration increase the hemiluminescence parameters based on hemiluminescence analysis: fast flashes Imax and lightsum S. These data argue for free radical processes activation, so curve slope ratio increased tga and parameters A and Z decreased. It’s reflects the antioxidant activity increasing. The authors performed the investigation of malonic dialdehyde content and total blood serum antioxidant activity by spectrophotometry. The antioxidant activity increasing after composites impact, including 0.5mac% hydroxiapatite in confluent blood serum was determined. These data argue for composites’ antioxidant effects in comparison with control blood serum.
The Problems of Dental Prevention in the Krasnodar Region
Authors: Миненко  , Minenko I. , Сердюков  , Serdyukov D.
Published: June 2015

This work presents the relevance of modeling drug acute toxic hepatitis as a factor leading to destabilization in human homeostasis. The liver is one of the most important internal organs of animals, including humans, performing a huge number of physiological functions, including biotransformation and elimination of many exogenous and endogenous compounds. The metabolism and utilization of xenobiotics, allergens, toxins and poisons occurs under the action of microsomal liver enzymes. Acute toxic hepatitis develops due to damage to the hepatocytes metabolites of medicinal substances and the development of reactive inflammation and necrosis of liver cells. Drug-induced hepatitis leads to a change in the structure of the liver, disorders of intrahepatic hemodynamics, the development of liver failure and liver cirrhosis.
Approximation Algorithms for Perishable Inventory Systems
Authors: Chao Xiuli , Gong Xiting , Shi Cong , Zhang Huanan
Published: June 2015

We develop the first approximation algorithms with worst-case performance guarantees for periodic-review perishable inventory systems with general product lifetime, for both backlogging and lost-sales models. The demand process can be nonstationary and correlated over time, capturing such features as demand seasonality and forecast updates. The optimal control policy for such systems is notoriously complicated, thus finding effective heuristic policies is of practical importance. In this paper, we construct a computationally efficient inventory control policy, called the proportional-balancing policy, for systems with an arbitrarily correlated demand process and show that it has a worst-case performance guarantee less than 3. In addition, when the demands are independent and stochastically nondecreasing over time, we propose another policy, called the dual-balancing policy, which admits a worst-case performance guarantee of 2. We demonstrate through an extensive numerical study that both policies perform consistently close to optimal.
Disruption Recovery for a Vessel in Liner Shipping
Authors: Li Chen , Qi Xiangtong , Lee Chung-Yee
Published: June 2015

Container vessels in liner shipping are operated on closed-loop routes following a preannounced schedule. In practice, when a vessel embarks on a voyage on the sea, there are lots of uncertain factors that may delay a vessel from its original schedule, even if some uncertainty has been considered in the tactical network design. In this paper, we propose an operational-level solution to recover the disrupted schedule caused by a delay, where we consider different operational actions such as speeding up, port skipping, and port swapping. For the case where only speeding up is allowed, we approach the problem by nonlinear programming and obtain certain structural results of the optimal recovery schedule. It shows that speeding up can effectively handle a delay that is not too large. When there is a large delay, which may be called a major disruption, we study the problem with more options such as port skipping and swapping and develop dynamic programming algorithms on the discretized time space. We also provide a method to estimate a lower bound of the problem that enables us to evaluate the relative error caused by the discretized time space in dynamic programming. Numerical studies are conducted to validate our results and derive managerial insights.
ECG of the month
Authors: Regan Martin
Published: June 2015

Martin Regan presents an ECG for you to analyse
The ECG debate continues…
Authors: Sampson Michael
Published: June 2015

In the previous issue of the British Journal of Cardiac Nursing, a reader debated the interpretation of the January edition's ‘ECG of the month’ with one of our regular ECG columnists. In this issue, another reader weighs in with his opinion.
Research Roundup
Authors: Cope Graham F
Published: June 2015

In this section, Graham Cope presents a synopsis of a selection of recently published articles of interest to nurses working in the field of cardiovascular nursing. The aim of this roundup is to provide a brief overview of the research papers selected. A full reference is provided for those who wish to take a look at the research in further detail
ICD patient information in southern Spain: a study
Authors: Sánchez-Toscano Inmaculada Paneque , Camacho Maria Reyes Carrión , Mejía Rosa Casado , Pérez José María Fernández , Jiménez Carmen Pinilla
Published: June 2015

Aim:

To identify the expectations, requirements, and opinions of patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator from the Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Unit at the Teaching hospital in southern Spain, regarding information offered by the professionals attending to them.

Methodology:

Qualitative study consisting of semi-structured interviews with 11 patients who had received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The period of data collection was May–June 2012. All interviews were recorded with the patient's previous consent and then transcribed literally. The transcription content was analysed taking into account the research aim, the analytical categories created, and those emerging during the study.

Results:

The following topics were identified: information provided before implantation and during the process; regular follow-up; experience-sharing and information from professionals other than those in the arrhythmia unit.

Conclusions:

Patients consider themselves to be well informed, trust the specialists attending to them, and feel no need to seek alternative sources of information. Health professionals should remain alert to any potential adaptation or psychological disorders in order to assist patients with the necessary interventions.
Providing cost-effective treatment of hard-to-heal wounds in the community through use of NPWT
Authors: Hampton Jane
Published: June 2015

Objective

The treatment of non-healing wounds accounts for a high proportion of wound care costs. Advanced technology treatments, such as negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), could be cost-effective if they result in faster healing. The objective of this study is to assess the effect on healing and the cost-effectiveness of a single-use NPWT (i.e PICO by Smith & Nephew) when used on hard-to-heal wounds in a community setting.

Method

This was a cohort case study in which wounds were treated with NWPT for 2 weeks. Wounds were assessed every 2–4 weeks to a healed state. The weekly cost of treatment prior to intervention, that is, the products used and nurse time, were compared with treatment costs associated with NWPT and after a return to standard treatment.

Results

The study included 9 patients with leg ulcers or pressure ulcers that had been slow healing or non-healing for at least 6 weeks. While treated with NPWT, the average weekly reduction in wound size was 21%. The wound size achieved with NPWT was reached on average 10 weeks earlier than predicted. The increased healing rate continued after PICO stopped and 5 wounds healed on average 8 weeks later. Frequency of dressing changes fell from 4 times weekly at baseline to 2 times a week with NPWT and to 1.8 after NPWT stopped. Weekly cost of treatment with NPWT was, on average, 1.6 times higher than the baseline, but fell to 3 times less when NPWT stopped owing to the reduction in dressing changes. The amount of change in healing rate was considerably higher than the increase in costs associated with NPWT.

Conclusion

NWPT is a cost-effective treatment for hard-to-heal wounds. Wounds decreased in size and healed more quickly under NWPT treatment than under standard treatment. Additional NPWT costs can be quickly offset by faster healing and a shortened treatment period.
Reviewing the benefits and harm of NPWT in the management of closed surgical incisions
Authors: Itani Hussam Eddine
Published: June 2015

The use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for the treatment of open traumatic, non-traumatic, chronic wounds and coverage over skin grafts has increased in popularity over the past decade. Although the exact mechanism of the action of NPWT on wound healing is still an active area of research, evidence propose it is achieved by removing oedema, increasing blood circulation, reducing bacterial bio-burden, providing a moist wound-healing environment, and increasing granulation tissue formation. In recent years, there has been an emerging body of literature describing a novel application of NPWT on closed surgical wounds, especially on closed orthopaedic incisional (COI) wounds. It has been suggested that applying NPWT to a COI may decrease the incidence of surgical wound-healing complications, such as hematoma, seroma, infection, or dehiscence, and hasten the healing of the incision. This review will evaluate the potential effect on the reduction of postoperative closed wound complications and examine the benefits and harm of NPWT in the management of COI.
Advances in wound debridement techniques
Authors: Nazarko Linda
Published: June 2015

Dead and devitalised tissue interferes with the process of wound healing. Debridement is a natural process that occurs in all wounds and is crucial to healing; it reduces the bacterial burden in a wound and promotes effective inflammatory responses that encourage the formation of healthy granulation tissue ( Wolcott et al, 2009 ). Wound care should be part of holistic patient care. Recent advances in debridement techniques include: biosurgery, hydrosurgery, mechanical debridement, and ultrasound. Biosurgery and mechanical debridement can be practiced by nonspecialist nurses and can be provided in a patient's home, thus increasing the patient's access to debridement therapy and accelerating wound healing.
Systemic manifestations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Warwick Eleanor , Scourfield Andrew , Quint Jennifer
Published: June 2015

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a complex multisystem disease with comorbidities and systemic manifestations that affect respiratory symptoms, exacerbation frequency and mortality. This article gives an overview of these systemic manifestations and their importance, and offers strategies for managing them.
Imaging of extremity soft tissue masses: pitfalls in diagnosis
Authors: Patel A , Davies AM , James SL
Published: June 2015

Soft tissue sarcomas are rare tumours which can be clinically difficult to differentiate from more common benign lesions. Imaging plays a fundamental role in diagnosis, but in some cases it can be difficult to differentiate benign from malignant conditions. This article reviews potential pitfalls in soft tissue sarcoma imaging.
Cassava Starch-Based Biodegradable Foam Composited with Plant Fibers and Proteins
Authors: Kaisangsri Nattapon , Kerdchoechuen Orapin , Laohakunjit Natta , Matta Frank B.
Published: June 2015

The development of starch foam trays has attracted an increasing amount of attention. However, starch foam trays exhibit poor physical and mechanical properties, and low water and oil resistance. This research aimed to improve the properties of baked composite cassava starch foam tray (CSF) by adding the leaf sheath of betel nut palm, coconut husk or kraft fibers, sunflower meal protein and gluten protein at concentrations of 0, 5 and 10%. All formulations of the CSF trays formed well-shaped trays. The addition of 10% kraft fiber and 10% gluten protein to the CSF trays exhibited the best properties for maximal flexural strength (4.8 MPa) and compressive strength (1.74 MPa). The water and oil absorptions of the trays were reduced by 43% and 72%, respectively. Moreover, composite CSF trays blended with 10% kraft fiber and 10% gluten protein were used as packaging for minimally processed durian (MPD) and kept at 4°C for 5 days. Results showed that compressive strength of the composite CSF slightly decreased from 1.74 to 1.51 MPa, while water and oil absorptions did not change during storage of MPD.
The transatlantic bloc of states and the political economy of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP)
Authors: Claude Serfati
Published: June 2015

The world space is politically built, on the one hand, dominated by large, highly concentrated, capital, with finance standing at the apex and, on the other hand, fragmented along national lines. The contemporary political economy of globalisation is the product of uneven and combined development under the domination of developed countries, defined here as the ‘hierarchical transatlantic bloc of states’. At its centre can be found the USA, supported by its long-standing political and military allies in Europe and Asia. The main objectives of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), analysed in this article, are to facilitate the expansion of its members' share of profits derived from labour and from the ‘marketisation’ of nature and the ‘commons’; to organise competition between national ruling classes and different states of the transatlantic area at the international level; and to preserve their domination through the enforcement of international rules. The article concludes that, given the strong opposition from ‘those from below’ (including trade unions and non-governmental organisations) and the persistent divergences between the negotiating sides, the TTIP should be regarded not so much as a ‘turnkey’ project to be easily wrapped but as a work in progress by the USA and the European Union (EU), constituting an overarching forum that will cement the transatlantic bloc in order to promote the broad interests of the huge concentration of capital based on their territories.
An empirical study of learning obstacles and improvement of Korean language instruction for multicultural family
Authors: Ryu Kyung-ae
Published: June 2015

An Empirical Study of the Learning Obstacles and Improvement of Korean Language Instruction for Multicultural family. This paper empirically analyzes the relationship between multicultural family’s learning variables and the obstacles in learning Korean language in Korea. Most multicultural learners of Korean language want Korean textbooks be improved and they desire to learn Korean in bilingual textbooks from bilingual teachers. In particular, they think that the Korean lectures’ enthusiasm and abilities are more important than Korean textbooks. They also want to have more Korean culture-related speaking classes as well as Korean writing and reading classes to adjust to Korean society. The more multicultural families have intercultural perspectives and the closer ties they have with Korean society, the more strongly they demand for the improvement of textbooks and education of Korean language.
Left Ventricular Assist Devices in the Management of Heart Failure
Authors: Birati Edo Y , Jessup Mariell ,   Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,   Mariell Jessup, MD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 2 East Perelman Pavilion, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, US. E: jessupm@uphs.upenn.edu
Published: June 2015

Mechanical circulatory support has emerged as an important therapy for advanced heart failure, with more than 18,000 continuous flow devices implanted worldwide to date. These devices significantly improve survival and quality of life and should be considered in every patient with end-stage heart failure with reduced ejection fraction who has no other life-limiting diseases. All candidates for device implantation should undergo a thorough evaluation in order to identify those who could benefit from device implantation. Long-term management of ventricular assist device patients is challenging and requires knowledge of the characteristic complications with their unique clinical presentations.
The Bi-directional Impact of Two Chronic Illnesses: Heart Failure and Diabetes  A review of the Epidemiology and Outcomes
Authors: Campbell Patrick , Krim Selim , Ventura Hector ,   Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute Ochsner Clinical School-University of Queensland School of Medicine New Orleans, 1514 Jefferson Highway New Orleans, LA, USA. E: pcampbell@ochsner.org,   Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute Ochsner Clinical School-University of Queensland School of Medicine New Orleans, LA,   Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute Ochsner Clinical School-University of Queensland School of Medicine New Orleans, LA
Published: June 2015

Heart failure and diabetes mellitus contribute significantly to the morbidity and mortality of the US population. The combined economic impact on the US health care system reaches nearly $300 billion. Much of this cost stems from the frequent hospital admissions and direct cost of managing the two diseases. The presence of diabetes significantly increases the risk of developing heart failure compared to the general population and diabetics with heart failure experience significantly higher mortality. Patients with heart failure have a high incidence of insulin resistance and are at increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus. Traditionally these two chronic illnesses have been managed in relative isolation. However the adverse effects of each disease has significant impact on the other. The combination of heart failure and diabetes mellitus significantly increases the morbidity and mortality compared to either in isolation. This paper reviews the epidemiology and impact of the bidirectional effects of these two chronic illnesses.
Automatizáltan mérhető biomarkerek az akut myocardialis infarctus diagnosztikájában
Authors: Kovács Ferenc , Kocsis Ibolya , Varga Marina , Sárváry Enikő , Bicsák György
Published: June 2015

Introduction: Cardiac biomarkers have a prominent role in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Aim: The aim of the authors was to study the diagnostic effectiveness of automated measurement of cardiac biomarkers. Method: Myeloperoxidase, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, myoglobin, heart-type fatty acid binding protein, creatine kinase, creatine kinase MB, high-sensitivity troponin I and T were measured. Results: The high-sensitivity troponin I was the most effective (area under curve: 0.86; 95% confidence interval: 0.77–0.95; p<0.001) for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Considering a critical value of 0.35 ng/mL, its sensitivity and specificity were 81%, and 74%, respectively. Combined evaluation of the high-sensitivity troponin T and I, chest pain, and the electrocardiogram gave the best results for separation of acute myocardial infarction from other diseases (correct classification in 62.5% and 98.9% of patients, respectively). Conclusions: Until a more sensitive and specific cardiac biomarker becomes available, the best method for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction is to evaluate electrocardiogram and biomarker concentration and to repeat them after 3–6 hours. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(24), 964–971.
Different sample types in pigs challenged with Haemophilus parasuis following two treatment schemes with tulathromycin
Authors: Palzer Andreas , Austin-Busse Rose-Leah , Ladinig Andrea , Balka Gyula , Spergser Joachim , Ritzmann Mathias
Published: June 2015

This study aimed to test the efficacy of samplings for the detection of Haemophilus parasuis after metaphylactic treatment and subsequent challenge using an established model for Glässer’s disease. In this model, 36 piglets were equally assigned to a negative control, a positive control, and two trial groups receiving tulathromycin 7 or 4 days prior to challenge. The piglets of three groups were challenged intratracheally with H. parasuis serovar 5. As a result, four pigs in each challenged group died or had to be euthanised within 10 days post challenge. The remaining 15 pigs of these challenged groups survived until termination of the experiment (days 14–15). All pigs were necropsied and collective swabs of serosal surfaces were tested by bacterial culture and PCR. Samples of tarsal synovial fluid and joint capsule, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain swabs were tested by PCR. A total of 22 out of the 27 challenged animals had macroscopically detectable polyserositis and all of them tested positive in the collective swab samples. Haemophilus parasuis was more frequently detected in pigs that died within the first 10 days compared to those surviving until days 14–15 (P < 0.001), and those that succumbed within 10 days showed higher positivity rates in the brain and CSF. All pigs which were positive in the CSF had detectable meningitis. At days 14–15, joint samples from 5 of the remaining 15 pigs tested positive for H. parasuis. Four of these five animals did not show any macroscopic or histological lesions in the joints. In conclusion, collective swabs were the best sample material in acute cases, whereas samples from the joints gave the best results in chronic cases. In this challenge model it was not possible to prove the metaphylactic effect of tulathromycin administered 4 and 7 days prior to infection with H. parasuis.
Flow cytometry follow-up analysis of peripheral blood leukocyte subpopulations in calves experimentally infected with field isolates of Mycoplasma bovis
Authors: Dudek Katarzyna , Bednarek Dariusz , Szacawa Ewelina , Rosales Ruben S. , Ayling Roger D.
Published: June 2015

Changes in peripheral blood leukocyte subpopulations were investigated in calves challenged intratracheally with three different Mycoplasma bovis isolates in Groups E1, E2, and E3. The controls received a placebo. Blood samples were collected before challenge and then at days 1 to 7, 14, 21 and 28. White blood cells (WBC), polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs), lymphocytes (LYMs), monocytes, eosinophils and basophils (mid-size cells, MID), as well as CD2+, CD4+, CD8+, WC4+ lymphocyte subsets with CD4:CD8 ratio were also analysed. A transient increase of WBC and PMNLs in all challenged calves was observed on day 1. Increased LYM counts were observed in E1 throughout the study, whereas in E2 the LYM counts were higher only between days 14 and 28, and consistently lower in E3. The MID count had broadly comparable values for all groups. Stimulation of the CD2+ response was observed in E2 and E3 in contrast with E1 which had a lower CD2+ throughout. The CD4+ response was dominant in E1 and E2, whereas in E3 a parallel CD4+ and CD8+ stimulation was observed. The B-cell response (WC4+) and an increased CD4:CD8 ratio was most apparent in E1. The main host responses to M. bovis infections are a stimulation of CD4+ cells and an enhancement of the WC4+ response.
Ekonomiczne konsekwencje przestrzennej decentralizacji i centralizacji miasta na podstawie literatury zagranicznej
Authors: Lityński Piotr
Published: June 2015

The paper looks at theory covered in the foreign literature in English on the economic costs and benefits of urban centralisation and decentralisation. A definitional approach to these two concepts is presented, as is the methodological basis for assessing their economic efficiency. The economic costs and benefits of decentralisation processes and the implementation of centralisation are catalogued. The concepts of urban sprawl and the compact city were used as examples of the determination of the costs and benefits.
Problemy i wyzwania dotyczące rozwoju obszarów metropolitalnych na przykładzie Krakowskiego Obszaru Metropolitalnego
Authors: Noworól Aleksander
Published: June 2015

The paper presents contradictions related to the process of metropolisation. They consist in the co-existence of certain phenomena, like an improved economic situation and living conditions, but also the consequences of suburbanisation. Against this background, a dilemma emerges that encourages the elaboration of tools for controlling urbanisation processes in suburban areas. Based on the insight into changing approaches to regional policy, the paper presents new instruments for managing urban functional areas. Those instruments depend on social dialogue and multi-sectorial cooperation which, due to the low level of social capital in Poland, are difficult challenges. The paper's final section presents recommendations for Cracow's government in respect of the metropolitan dimension of local development policy.
Effect of Carrier Volume on Grain Sorghum Response to Simulated Drift of Nicosulfuron
Authors: Matocha Mark A. , Jones Curtis A.
Published: June 2015

Research was conducted in 2010 and 2012 to determine the effect of simulated drift of nicosulfuron on growth and yield of grain sorghum. Herbicide rates represented 25, 12.5, and 6.3% of the use rate of nicosulfuron at 52 g ai ha−1. Nicosulfuron was applied in a constant carrier volume of 224 L ha−1where herbicide concentration decreased with reduction in rate, and in carrier volumes of 56, 28, and 14 L ha−1proportional to the 25, 12.5, and 6.3% herbicide rates, respectively. In 2010, grain sorghum injury and yield were greater when nicosulfuron was applied in constant compared to proportional carrier volume. Grain sorghum injury and plant height reduction increased with increasing nicosulfuron rate when averaged across carrier volume both years. In 2012, there was a greater reduction in grain sorghum yield from nicosulfuron applied in proportional carrier volume. These data indicate that simulated drift of nicosulfuron onto conventional grain sorghum causes significant height and yield reduction even at the lowest herbicide rate tested, and the effect of carrier volume may be influenced by seasonal rainfall.
Climate‐smart management of biodiversity
Authors: Nadeau Christopher P. , Fuller Angela K. , Rosenblatt Daniel L.
Published: June 2015

Determining where biodiversity is likely to be most vulnerable to climate change and methods to reduce that vulnerability are necessary first steps to incorporate climate change into biodiversity management plans. Here, we use a spatial climate change vulnerability assessment to (1) map the potential vulnerability of terrestrial biodiversity to climate change in the northeastern United States and (2) provide guidance on how and where management actions for biodiversity could provide long‐term benefits under climate change (i.e., climate‐smart management considerations). Our model suggests that biodiversity will be most vulnerable in Delaware, Maryland, and the District of Columbia due to the combination of high climate change velocity, high landscape resistance, and high topoclimate homogeneity. Biodiversity is predicted to be least vulnerable in Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire because large portions of these states have low landscape resistance, low climate change velocity, and low topoclimate homogeneity. Our spatial climate‐smart management considerations suggest that: (1) high topoclimate diversity could moderate the effects of climate change across 50% of the region; (2) decreasing local landscape resistance in conjunction with other management actions could increase the benefit of those actions across 17% of the region; and (3) management actions across 24% of the region could provide long‐term benefits by promoting short‐term population persistence that provides a source population capable of moving in the future. The guidance and framework we provide here should allow conservation organizations to incorporate our climate‐smart management considerations into management plans without drastically changing their approach to biodiversity conservation.