bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modifying effect of calcium/magnesium intake ratio and mortality: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Dai Qi , Shu Xiao-Ou , Deng Xinqing , Xiang Yong-Bing , Li Honglan , Yang Gong , Shrubsole Martha J , Ji Butian , Cai Hui , Chow Wong-Ho , Gao Yu-Tang , Zheng Wei
Published: February 2013

Objectives

Magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) antagonise each other in (re)absorption, inflammation and many other physiological activities. Based on mathematical estimation, the absorbed number of Ca or Mg depends on the dietary ratio of Ca to Mg intake. We hypothesise that the dietary Ca/Mg ratio modifies the effects of Ca and Mg on mortality due to gastrointestinal tract cancer and, perhaps, mortality due to diseases occurring in other organs or systems.

Design

Prospective studies.

Setting

Population-based cohort studies (The Shanghai Women's Health Study and the Shanghai Men's Health Study) conducted in Shanghai, China.

Participants

74 942 Chinese women aged 40–70 years and 61 500 Chinese men aged 40–74 years participated in the study.

Primary outcome measures

All-cause mortality and disease-specific mortality.

Results

In this Chinese population with a low Ca/Mg intake ratio (a median of 1.7 vs around 3.0 in US populations), intakes of Mg greater than US Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) levels (320 mg/day among women and 420 mg/day among men) were related to increased risks of total mortality for both women and men. Consistent with our hypothesis, the Ca/Mg intake ratio significantly modified the associations of intakes of Ca and Mg with mortality risk, whereas no significant interactions between Ca and Mg in relation to outcome were found. The associations differed by gender. Among men with a Ca/Mg ratio >1.7, increased intakes of Ca and Mg were associated with reduced risks of total mortality, and mortality due to coronary heart diseases. In the same group, intake of Ca was associated with a reduced risk of mortality due to cancer. Among women with a Ca/Mg ratio ≤1.7, intake of Mg was associated with increased risks of total mortality, and mortality due to cardiovascular diseases and colorectal cancer.

Conclusions

These results, if confirmed, may help to understand the optimal balance between Ca and Mg in the aetiology and prevention of these common diseases and reduction in mortality.
Effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment in neonatal intensive care units: protocol for a multicentre randomised clinical trial
Authors: Cerritelli Francesco , Pizzolorusso Gianfranco , Renzetti Cinzia , D'Incecco Carmine , Fusilli Paola , Perri Paolo Francesco , Tubaldi Lucia , Barlafante Gina
Published: February 2013

Introduction

Neonatal care has been considered as one of the first priorities for improving quality of life in children. In 2010, 10% of babies were born prematurely influencing national healthcare policies, economic action plans and political decisions. The use of complementary medicine has been applied to the care of newborns. One previous study documented the positive effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in reducing newborns’ length of stay (LOS). Aim of this multicentre randomised controlled trial is to examine the association between OMT and LOS across three neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Methods and analysis

690 preterm infants will be recruited from three secondary and tertiary NICUs from north and central Italy and allocated into two groups, using permuted-block randomisation.

The two groups will receive standard medical care and OMT will be applied, twice a week, to the experimental group only. Outcome assessors will be blinded of study design and group allocation. The primary outcome is the mean difference in days between discharge and entry. Secondary outcomes are difference in daily weight gain, number of episodes of vomit, regurgitation, stooling, use of enema, time to full enteral feeding and NICU costs. Statistical analyses will take into account the intention-to-treat method. Missing data will be handled using last observation carried forward (LOCF) imputation technique.

Ethics and dissemination

Written informed consent will be obtained from parents or legal guardians at study enrolment. The trial has been approved by the ethical committee of Macerata hospital (n°22/int./CEI/27239) and it is under review by the other regional ethics committees.

Results

Dissemination of results from this trial will be through scientific medical journals and conferences.

Trial registration

This trial has been registered athttp://www.clinicaltrials.org(identifierNCT01645137).
Computing Loops with at Most One External Support Rule
Authors: Chen Xiaoping , Ji Jianmin , Lin Fangzhen
Published: February 2013

A consequence of a logic program under answer set semantics is one that is true for all answer sets. This article considers using loop formulas to compute some of these consequences in order to increase the efficiency of answer set solvers. Since computing loop formulas are in general intractable, we consider only loops with either no external support or at most one external support, as their loop formulas are either unit or binary clauses. We show that for disjunctive logic programs, loop formulas of loops with no external support can be computed in polynomial time, and that an iterative procedure using unit propagation on these formulas and the program completion computes the well-founded models in the case of normal logic programs and the least fixed point of a simplification operator used by DLV for disjunctive logic programs. For loops with at most one external support, their loop formulas can be computed in polynomial time for normal logic programs, but are NP-hard for disjunctive programs. So for normal logic programs, we have a procedure similar to the iterative one for loops without any external support, but for disjunctive logic programs, we present a polynomial approximation algorithm. All these algorithms have been implemented, and our experiments show that for certain logic programs, the consequences computed by our algorithms can significantly speed up current ASP solvers cmodels, clasp, and DLV.
Sound and Complete Axiomatizations of Coalgebraic Language Equivalence
Authors: Bonsangue Marcello M. , Milius Stefan , Silva Alexandra
Published: February 2013

Coalgebras provide a uniform framework for studying dynamical systems, including several types of automata. In this article, we make use of the coalgebraic view on systems to investigate, in a uniform way, under which conditions calculi that are sound and complete with respect to behavioral equivalence can be extended to a coarser coalgebraic language equivalence, which arises from a generalized powerset construction that determinizes coalgebras. We show that soundness and completeness are established by proving that expressions modulo axioms of a calculus form the rational fixpoint of the given type functor. Our main result is that the rational fixpoint of the functor
FT
, where
T
is a monad describing the branching of the systems (e.g., non-determinism, weights, probability, etc.), has as a quotient the rational fixpoint of the determinized type functor
F
, a lifting of
F
to the category of
T
-algebras. We apply our framework to the concrete example of weighted automata, for which we present a new sound and complete calculus for weighted language equivalence. As a special case, we obtain nondeterministic automata in which we recover Rabinovich’s sound and complete calculus for language equivalence.
A Novel Algorithm for Fast Synthesis of DNA Probes on Microarrays
Authors: Srinivasan S. , Kamakoti V. , Bhattacharya A.
Published: February 2013

DNA microarrays are used extensively for biochemical analysis that includes genomics and drug discovery. This increased usage demands large microarrays, thus complicating their computer aided design (CAD) and manufacturing methodologies. One such time-consuming design problem is to minimize the border length of masks used during the manufacture of microarrays. From the manufacturing point of view the border length of masks is one of the crucial parameters determining the reliability of the microarray. This article presents a novel algorithm for synthesis (placement and embedding) of microarrays, which consumes significantly less time than the best algorithm reported in the literature, while maintaining the quality (border length of masks) of the result. The proposed technique uses only a part of each probe to decide on the placement and the remaining parts for deciding on the embedding sequence. This is in contrast to the earlier methods that considered the entire probe for both placement and embedding. The second novelty of the proposed technique is the preclassification (prior to placement and embedding) of probes based on their prefixes. This decreases the complexity of the problem of deciding the next probe to be placed from that involving computation of Hamming distance between all probes (as used in earlier approaches) to the one involving searching of nonempty cells on a constant size grid array. The proposed algorithm is 43× faster than the best reported in the literature for the case of synthesizing a microarray with 250,000 probes and further exhibits linear behavior in terms of computation time for larger microarrays.
Efficient Reuse Distance Analysis of Multicore Scaling for Loop-Based Parallel Programs
Authors: Wu Meng-Ju , Yeung Donald
Published: February 2013

Reuse Distance (RD) analysis is a powerful memory analysis tool that can potentially help architects study multicore processor scaling. One key obstacle, however, is that multicore RD analysis requires measuring
Concurrent Reuse Distance
(CRD) and
Private-LRU-stack Reuse Distance
(PRD) profiles across thread-interleaved memory reference streams. Sensitivity to memory interleaving makes CRD and PRD profiles architecture dependent, preventing them from analyzing different processor configurations. For loop-based parallel programs, CRD and PRD profiles
shift coherently
across RD values with core count scaling because interleaving threads are symmetric. Simple techniques can predict such shifting, making the analysis of numerous multicore configurations from a small set of CRD and PRD profiles feasible. Given the ubiquity of parallel loops, such techniques will be extremely valuable for studying future large multicore designs.

This article investigates using RD analysis to efficiently analyze multicore cache performance for loop-based parallel programs, making several contributions. First, we provide an in-depth analysis on how CRD and PRD profiles change with core count scaling. Second, we develop techniques to predict CRD and PRD profile scaling, in particular employing reference groups [Zhong et al. 2003] to predict coherent shift, demonstrating 90% or greater prediction accuracy. Third, our CRD and PRD profile analyses define two application parameters with architectural implications:
C
core
is the minimum shared cache capacity that “contains” locality degradation due to core count scaling, and
C
share
is the capacity at which shared caches begin to provide a cache-miss reduction compared to private caches. And fourth, we apply CRD and PRD profiles to analyze multicore cache performance. When combined with existing problem scaling prediction, our techniques can predict shared LLC MPKI (private L2 cache MPKI) to within 10.7% (13.9%) of simulation across 1,728 (1,440) configurations using only 36 measured CRD (PRD) profiles.
Passwords getting painful, computing still blissful
Authors: Hong Jason , Reed Daniel
Published: February 2013

The
Communications
Web site, http://cacm.acm.org, features more than a dozen bloggers in the BLOG@CACM community. In each issue of
Communications
, we'll publish selected posts or excerpts.

twitter

Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/blogCACM

http://cacm.acm.org/blogs/blog-cacm

Jason Hong wonders how anyone can follow the mounting complexity of password rules, and Daniel Reed ponders the attractions of computing.
A copyright challenge to resales of digital music
Authors: Samuelson Pamela
Published: February 2013

A currently pending case will have significant implications for secondary markets in digital goods.
Academic careers workshop for underrepresented groups
Authors: Hood Denice Ward , Hood Stafford , McBride Dominica
Published: February 2013

A longitudinal evaluation of the application of knowledge, skills, and attitudes of ACW participants.
Web Science 2013
Authors: Bernstein Mark
Published: February 2013

Web Science 2013 convenes in Paris at the start of May, joining this year's Hypertext 13 at the _Palais des Congrès_. The co-located conferences, which immediately follow CHI 13, will give Hypertext regulars a chance to branch out and explore Web Science while Web Science takes advantage of Hypertext.
POPL'11 program chair's report
Authors: Sagiv Mooly
Published: February 2013

This document summarizes my experience serving as a POPLﾒ11 program chair. It is meant to assist future program chairs. See [1] for POPLﾒ11 general chair report. I describe the process and estimate the time devoted for each phase, followed a brief conclusion.
Selective inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome by targeting to promyelocytic leukemia protein in mouse and human
Authors: Lo Yu-Hsun , Huang Yu-Wen , Wu Yung-Hsuan , Tsai Chi-Shan , Lin Yu-Chuan , Mo Shu-Ting , Kuo Wen-Chih , Chuang Ya-Ting , Jiang Si-Tse , Shih Hsiu-Ming , Lai Ming-Zong
Published: February 2013

Key Points

PML selectively activates NLRP3 inflammasome. Targeting to PML could be used to attenuate NLRP3 inflammasome–associated pathogenesis.
Promoting regulation via the inhibition of DNAM-1 after transplantation
Authors: Koyama Motoko , Kuns Rachel D. , Olver Stuart D. , Lineburg Katie E. , Lor Mary , Teal Bianca E. , Raffelt Neil C. , Leveque Lucie , Chan Christopher J. , Robb Renee J. , Markey Kate A. , Alexander Kylie A. , Varelias Antiopi , Clouston Andrew D. , Smyth Mark J. , MacDonald Kelli P. A. , Hill Geoffrey R.
Published: February 2013

Key Points

The DNAM-1 adhesion and costimulatory pathway promotes GVHD via effects on regulatory T cells. Effective GVL can still occur in the absence of DNAM-1, making the pathway an attractive therapeutic target.
Pts-Oi Complex Formation in Platinum Diffused Silicon
Authors: Vervisch Wilfried , Ventura Laurent , Pichaud Bernard , Ducreux Gérard , Lhorte André
Published: February 2013

When platinum is diffused at temperatures higher than 900°C in Cz or FZ low doped n-type silicon samples, which are then cooled slowly in the range [1-10]°C/min, a p-type doping leading to the formation of a pn junction can be observed by spreading resistance measurement. The lower the cooling rate, the deeper the junction is. This junction disappears after a second thermal treatment finishing with a quenching step. A platinum related complex formation is considered to explain this reversible doping behaviour. Different possible interactions between platinum and other impurities such as dopant atoms, intrinsic point defects, and common residual impurities (C, Oi, transition metallic atoms) are studied here. Experimental results from Pt diffusion processes in different qualities of silicon wafers, and simulation results, lead to the conclusion that the platinum related p-type doping effect is due to the formation of a Pts-Oi complex.
Trastuzumab for the Treatment of Salivary Duct Carcinoma
Authors: Limaye Sewanti A. , Posner Marshall R. , Krane Jeffrey F. , Fonfria Maria , Lorch Jochen H. , Dillon Deborah A. , Shreenivas Aditya V. , Tishler Roy B. , Haddad Robert I.
Published: February 2013

Objectives.

Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy with high mortality and poor response to treatment. A significant fraction of SDCs are HER2 positive. This retrospective review examines HER2 testing in SDC and the outcome of trastuzumab-based therapy in adjuvant and palliative settings.

Methods.

A total of 13 patients with SDC and HER2/neu expression by immunohistochemistry of 1–3+ were treated with trastuzumab in adjuvant (n = 8) or palliative (n = 5) setting. Adjuvant therapy consisted of concurrent radiation and chemotherapy with weekly paclitaxel, carboplatin, and trastuzumab (TCH) for 6 weeks followed by TCH for 12 weeks and trastuzumab alone for 1 year. Palliative treatment for metastatic disease consisted of TCH every 3 weeks for 6 cycles followed by trastuzumab for variable time periods with or without second-line chemotherapy for progression. All patients had fluorescence in situ hybridization testing for HER2/neu gene amplification.

Results.

The median duration of follow-up was 27 months (range: 8–48 months). In all, 62% of adjuvant patients (5/8) had no evidence of disease more than 2 years from completion of therapy. All patients with metastatic disease (5/5 patients) responded to treatment with TCH. One patient achieved a complete response and remains with no evidence of disease 52 months after initiation of TCH. The median duration of response was 18 months (range: 8–52 months).

Conclusion.

HER2/neu positivity and treatment with trastuzumab correlated well with long-term survival and response in our patients. Based on this data, we propose that HER2/neu status be examined routinely in all patients with SDCs and the treatment be directed accordingly.
Computerized Adaptive Testing in Poland / Komputerowe Testowanie Adaptacyjne W Polsce
Authors: Gmoch Ryszard
Published: February 2013

New trends relating to computer-based testing of learners’ achievements are presented in the paper. It describes adaptive testing methods and results of studies in this problem area. Essential questions connected with the Item Response Theory (IRT) were also discussed. The presented data indicate that computer-based adaptive testing should be popularized in Poland to its fullest extent.
African Literary Topoi in Modern African Texts and the Problematics of Europhone Forms
Authors: Chukwumah Ignatius
Published: February 2013

This article treats selected oral poems whose topoi or motifs have transcended time and space to play out themselves in modern African fictions where colonial languages and their consequent habits of thought serve as media of enunciation. Thereafter, it beams attention on African scholars and writers who have attempted, presumably, to translate the oral medium of expression into indigenous and/or colonial written form(s) while maintaining the navel-strings that linked them, through the transfer of topoi and from the local and indigenous language to the Europhone form which, though, has led to international recognition, also serves to affirm a classic consequential illustration of the zero sum game
The Perceived Role of L2 English in the Process of Learning L3 German
Authors: Balla Ágnes T.
Published: February 2013

The central aim of my research is to investigate the third language learning processes of L1 Hungarian high-school learners learning L2 English and L3 German. More specifically, I aim at revealing to what extent Hungarian learners rely on their knowledge of their L1 and L2 as well as on the learning strategies they have developed while learning their L2.
Mirror-Images, or Love As Religion in Philip Pullman’s Trilogy, His Dark Materials
Authors: Tóth Zsuzsanna
Published: February 2013

Philip Pullman retells mankind’s archetypal memories of the Fall in his fantasy trilogy, His Dark Materials. I aim to prove that the age-old religious desire for the oneness of the sacred and the profane, as well as of spirit and matter is manifested in Pullman’s fictional mythology in a way that religion and love also turn out to be one.
Statistical analysis of mineral soils in the Odra valley
Authors: Hudak Magda , Rojna Arkadiusz
Published: February 2013

The aim of this article is to present the results of statistical analyses of laboratory experiment results obtained from an ITB ZW-K2 apparatus, Kamieński tubes and grain-size distribution curves. Beside basic statistical parameters (mean, sum, minimum and maximum), correlation analysis and multivariate analysis of variance at significance levels α < 0.01 and α < 0.05 were taken into account, as well as calculations of LSD confidence half-intervals.

The research material was collected from the valley of the Odra river near the town of Słubice in Lubuskie province. The research involved mineral, non-rock fine-grained, non-cohesive soils lying at the depth of 0.3-1.5 m.
Efficiency assessment of vertical barriers on the basis of flow and transport numerical modeling
Authors: Koda Eugeniusz , Kołanka Tomasz , Osiński Piotr
Published: February 2013

The construction of cut-off walls is a common solution applied in such disciplines as land reclamation and landfill containment. Most commonly the construction of vertical barriers is based on cut-off wall mono or diphase technology with the use of bentonite-cement mixture as a filling material. The content of the paper is focused on groundwater flow and transport numerical modeling conducted on landfill areas where vertical bentonite barriers were constructed. The modeling process was conducted with the use of FEMWATER software which employs analysis based on finite element method. There are two examples of the software application presented in the paper which concern such case studies, i.e., reclamation of Radiowo and Łubna landfill sites. These examples are provided to prove that the appropriate investigation of ground conditions as well as definition of initial and boundary conditions and correct selection of material parameters to be fed into the software, are crucial for the overall modeling process. Moreover, the comparison of results obtained from the numerical modeling and the groundwater monitoring on site is presented for one of the case studies.
Telematics Business and Management in Bahrain Market
Authors: Hussain Marwan Rajeh , Zainal Abduljalil , Elmedany Wael Mohamed , Fakhr Mohamed Waleed
Published: February 2013

The aim of this paper is to present and discuss issues related to the telematics business and management in Bahrain. Telematics is a part of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), which plays a major role in the economic development of countries. Telematics applications are becoming increasingly important in modern transportation to increase reliability, safety and security of both vehicles and drivers. There are many applications for telematics; some of these applications are telematics for educations, telematics for health, and vehicle telematics. One of the most important applications of telematics is vehicle telematics, which includes vehicle tracking, fleet management, container tracking, trail tracking. In this paper we are focusing on vehicle telematics business and management in Bahrain market.
The First Record Of Platystele ximenae (Pleurothallidinae, Orchidaceae) For Colombia
Authors: Kolanowska Marta
Published: February 2013

Previously known only from the type locality in Ecuador, Platystele ximenae is reported for the first time from Colombia. This species has been described and illustrated based on the material recently collected in the department of Valle del Cauca. Information about its habitat and ecology is provided.
Nox Emissions with Application of the Atkinson and the Miller Cycles at Partial Load with Mixture Heating
Authors: Miklánek Ľubomír
Published: February 2013

Shrnuti

Obsah článku je zaměřen na výzkum emisí NOx v aplikaci obou známých nekonvenčních cyklů, tj. modifikovaného Atkinsonova pracovního cyklu s pozdním zavíráním sacího ventilu (LIVC) a Millerova pracovního cyklu s extrémně předčasným zavíráním sacího ventilu (EIVC) v porovnání s Ottovým cyklem v částečném zatížení (se škrcením v sání) s ohřevem směsi v sání motoru.

Je známé, že aplikací Atkinsonova a Millerova cyklu dochází ke snížení teploty náplně ve válci na začátku komprese. V případě konstantního kompresního poměru je snížená také teplota náplně na začátku spalování. Spalování je tak pomalejší (v porovnání s Ottovým cyklem) což může negativně ovlivnit indikovanou účinnost cyklu. Tomuto lze zabránit např. ohřevem pracovní látky v sacím traktu motoru. Tím však může docházet k zvýšení emisí NOx následkem zvýšení teploty ve válci během spalování.

Pro výpočet emisí NOx během spalování se použil rozšířený Zeldovičův mechanismus jakožto součást použitého komerčního 1-D kódu. Pomocí simulací byl zjištěn určitý pokles emisí NOx v aplikaci nekonvenčních pracovních cyklů v porovnání s Ottovým cyklem a to i s ohřevem směsi v sacím traktu.
Averaged models of pulse-modulated DC-DC power converters. Part II. Models based on the separation of variables
Authors: Janke Włodzimierz
Published: February 2013

The separation of variables approach to formulate the averaged models of DC-DC switch-mode power converters is presented in the paper. The proposed method is applied to basic converters such as BUCK, BOOST and BUCK-BOOST. The ideal converters or converters with parasitic resistances, working in CCM and in DCM mode are considered. The models are presented in the form of equation systems for large signal, steady-state and small-signal case. It is shown, that the models obtained by separation of variables approach differ in some situations from standard models based on switch averaging method.
Stomach Nematodes of Wild Ducks (Subfamily Anatinae) Wintering in the North-Western Poland
Authors: Kavetska Katarzyna M. , Pilarczyk Bogumiła , Królaczyk Katarzyna
Published: February 2013

The purpose of this study was to present the structure of nematofauna community with particular emphasis on stomach (proventriculus and gizzard) nematodes in wild ducks wintering in large numbers in the North-Western Poland. Hosts (n=152) were represented by 17 species from eight genera belonging to three different ecological tribes: Anatini, Aythyini, and Mergini. Parasitic nematodes (n=14,396) were found in the digestive tract of 813 out of 1,052 birds (77.3%), with the vast majority of nematodes (93.9%) found in the gizzard (n=7,326) and proventriculus (n=6,198). Nematodes isolated from these organs represented 21 species from six families: Amidostomatidae, Acuariidae, Tetrameridae, Dioctophymatidae, Ascarididae, and Anisakidae. The most prevalent were nematodes from the genus Amidostomoides (n=6,686 individuals; 49.4%), and the most dominant species was A. monodon (5,013 nematodes).
Analysis of IL-2 Production in Hookworm Infected Hamsters Using Generated Polyclonal Antibodies
Authors: Długosz Ewa , Cendrowski Jarosław , Bąska Piotr , Siwińska Anna , Wędrychowicz Halina , Wiśniewski Marcin
Published: February 2013

The aim of the study was cloning and analysis of the entire coding sequence of hamster IL-2 by the method of RACE-PCR, its expression in Escherichia coli cells, and production of IL-2 specific antibodies. These antibodies were used to determine in vitro IL-2 production by cells derived from the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes of Ancylostoma ceylanicum infected hamsters. The highest concentration of IL-2 was noted in supernatants from cell cultures coming from the oldest, most resistant hamsters.
Distribution of the Cocaine and Amphetamine - Regulated Transcript (Cart) and Calcium Binding Proteins Immunoreactivity in the Preoptic Area of the Ram
Authors: Bogus-Nowakowska Krystyna , Litwin Dorota , Robak Anna , Równiak Maciej , Żakowski Witold , Wasilewska Barbara , Najdzion Janusz , Milewski Stanisław
Published: February 2013

The aim of the study was to describe the distribution of cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) and calcium binding proteins (CaBPs) of EF-hand family, namely calbindin, calretinin, and parvalbumin in the preoptic area (POA) of the ram. Frozen sections were processed for a routine immunofluorescence labelling. CART, calbindin, and calretinin immunoreactivity was present in neurons and fibers of the preoptic area, whereas parvalbumin showed immunoreactivity only in the POA fibers. CART displayed from a moderate to low immunoreactivity in cells and a high immunoreactivity in fibers. The highest immunoreactivity of all studied CaBPs exhibited calbindin, whereas the lowest parvalbumin. The results of the present study suggest that among the studied CaBPs, calbindin is the most likely to be involved in the participation of the important regulatory functions in the ram’s POA and the rich CART innervation seems to be strictly related to its control of the reproduction.
Determination of Chromium in Biological Material by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Method
Authors: Nawrocka Agnieszka , Szkoda Józef
Published: February 2013

Procedure for determination of chromium in biological materials by Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry method using a Perkin-Elmer spectrometer equipped with hollow-cathode lamp at 357.9 nm was developed. The samples of animal tissues, food, and feed were digested in muffle furnace at 450ºC. The ash was dissolved in 1 N hydrochloric acid and the final solution was diluted in 0.2% nitric acid. Magnesium nitrate (1%) was used as a matrix modifier. The method was validated in terms of basic analytical parameters. The mean recoveries of chromium was 84.4% for muscle, 79.0% for canned meat, and 80.2% for feed, and analytical detection limit was 0.003 μg/g. Certified reference materials were used for analytical quality assurance. The proposed analytical procedure is well adapted for monitoring chromium content in food and feedstuffs. Content of total chromium in the tested samples (animal muscles and liver) was low and was situated in the range of 0.031-0.101 mg/kg (muscles) and 0.047-0.052 mg/kg (liver).
Morphological Differentiation of Polish Arabian Horses - Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Sobczuk Dorota , Komosa Marcin
Published: February 2013

The aim of the study was to show the variability of exterior type in Arabian horses bred in three leading stud farms in Poland. A total of 334 adult animals from the basic herd of stud farms in Bialka, Janow Podlaski, and Michalow were studied. Each horse underwent 26 exterior measurements. In the first stage, the method of exploration of multidimensional data - principal component analysis, was used, and subsequently, a stepwise canonical discriminant analysis. It was found that each stud farm breeds horses with a different metrical pattern. Horses bred in Bialka represent clearly different morphotype comparing to horses from the other stud farms. Individuals from Janow Podlaski are more similar to horses originating from Michalow but morphological variation also occurs between them. From among the 26 metric traits, 10 parameters have a meaningful discriminative power. These include in particular such parameters as the length of the metatarsus, pelvis, arm, and neck, and depth of the chest.
Terminal values and meaning in life among university students with varied levels of altruism in the present period of socio-cultural change
Authors: Głaz Stanisław
Published: February 2013

Abstract The author of this paper, interested in the issues of values preference, meaning in life and altruism among university students has attempted to show a relation between them in the present period of clearly noticeable socio-cultural change. The study was conducted in 2009-2010 in Kraków among university students. The age of the respondents ranged from 21 to 25. 200 sets of correctly completed questionnaires were used for the results analysis.

In order to show values preference among university students Rokeach’s ValueSurvey (RVS) was used. The level of a sense of meaning in life was measured by means of Crumbaugh and Maholick’s Purpose in Life Test (PLT). Moreover, Śliwak’s Questionnaire of Altruism (A-N) was applied to measure the level of altruism.

It was found that students with a high level of altruism are accompanied by a higher level of meaning in life than students with a low level thereof. Terminal values significantly correlate with meaning in life in groups of students with a high and low level of altruism. Among terminal values, values personal in character appear to be more strongly related to meaning in life than values social in character.
Antiproliferative effect of docosahexaenoic acid on adult human keratinocytes in vitro / Antiproliferativni efekat dokosaheksanoične kiseline na adultne humane keratinocite in vitro
Authors: Popadić Svetlana , Ramić Zorica , Medenica Ljiljana , Mostarica-Stojkovic Marija , Popadić Dušan
Published: February 2013

Numerous clinical studies demonstrate benefits of dietary supplementation with fish oils in autoimmune diseases and other inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematodes and so on. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid which is abundantly found in fish oil. In the present study we investigated effects of DHA on proliferation of human keratinocytes established from skin of seven adult donors, cultivated in growth medium that allows optimal cell proliferation. We found a dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation when keratinocytes were incubated with 6.25, 12.5 and 25 -μM of DHA. Inhibition of proliferative capacity considerably varied in keratinocyte cultures derived from different donors, particularly when incubated with the lowest concentration of the assessed substance. Lactate dehydrogenase-release assay excluded necrosis of cultivated keratinocytes as a cause of decreased proliferation. Our results suggest that DHA may potentially be used as a routine adjuvant therapy, with classical therapy of inflammatory hyperproliferative skin diseases.
Molluscum Contagiosum and Chronic Vulval Ulceration as the First Manifestations of HIV Infection – A Case Report / Molluscum contagiosum i hronične vulvalne ulceracije kao prve manifestacije HIV infekcije – prikaz slučaja
Authors: Mijušković Željko P. , Kandolf Sekulović Lidija , Zečević Radoš D.
Published: February 2013

Molluscum contagiosum is a very common, benign, often self-limiting skin disease caused by Molluscum contagiosum virus, member of the poxvirus family. Genital ulcers in HIV positive women are usually acute or subacute, mostly idiopathic or aphtous. Sixty percent of cases are caused by herpes simplex virus syphilis or chancroid. We present a 31-yearold woman with a 2.5 month history of vulval ulceration and a several month history of molluscum contagiosum in the pubic region, neck and face. After she was admitted to our department, the patient underwent physical examination using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and an immunoblot test for HIV 1/2. Both tests were positive. Thereafter, the patient was referred to an infectologist who recommended application of 5% imiquimod cream 3 times per week for molluscum contagiosum and acyclovir 3x400 mg/day. Considering that there are more accepted indications for HIV testing, we agree with other authors that all adults with molluscum contagiosum or chronic genital ulceration should be tested for HIV serology.
Angular oscillations of vibratory machines of independent driving systems caused by a non-central direction of the exciting force operations / Wahania kątowe dwunapędowych maszyn wibracyjnych wykorzystujących zjawisko samosynchronizacji, wywołane niecentralnym kierunkiem działania siły wymuszającej
Authors: Michalczyk Jerzy
Published: February 2013

It was proved in the paper that commonly used dependencies determining the angular oscillations of the vibratory machine bodies, caused by a non- central force application, lead to significant errors in case of machines with self-synchronising driving systems. Phase shifting of vibrators angles of rotation caused by a non-central direction of the excitation force was indicated as the reason of such situation. It was shown that the real amplitudes values of the body rocking vibrations are - in typical systems - several times smaller than the ones determined by the currently used methods.
Laboratory Method to Measure Sealing Capacity of Caprocks / Metodyka Wykonywania Pomiarów Laboratoryjnych do Określania Własności Uszczelniających Skał Nadległych
Authors: Klimkowski Łukasz , Smulski Rafał
Published: February 2013

Adoption of geological sequestration as one of the main options for reducing carbon emissions to the atmosphere resulted in the intensification of research on various aspects relating to such a solution. The choice of structures for the potential storages must be preceded by a detailed characterization process. In addition to the appropriate location, capacity and injectivity, the most important issue is the proper seal, preventing the migration of injected CO2 into overburden, and ultimately to the atmosphere. The process of granting licenses for the injection of CO2 will require to confirm the sealing capacity of caprock by means of laboratory tests.

In response to current trends and requirements in the laboratory of the Faculty of Drilling, Oil and Gas of AGH UST in Krakow the apparatus for direct examination of the sealing efficiency of poorly permeable rocks, acting as seal rocks, was created according to current standards. This article discusses the mechanism of capillary seal and basic laboratory methods for determining the capillary threshold pressure for CO2. The authors present the results of preliminary tests on shale samples with different permeabilities.
Methods for evaluating ground dislocations in mining areas / Metoda oceny przemieszczeń budowli na terenie górniczym
Authors: Kanciruk Adam
Published: February 2013

Underground exploitation of natural resources results in disturbance of the original equilibrium in the strata and leads to the emergence of the so-called subsidence troughs on the ground surface (Florkowska, 2010). Due to ground distortion, buildings located in these areas suffer damages and deformations, including angular tilts. An instrument for measuring constructions’ angles of slope is known as an inclinometer. The prototypical vibrating wire inclinometer discussed in the present paper has three wires (each of them cooperating with one electromagnet) on which a weight - attached to an arm - is suspended. Thanks to this, it comes of use in a range of procedures, such as measuring object inclines, or determining the angle between the plane of the incline and the assumed reference direction. As any other vibrating wire transducer, an inclinometer cooperates with a proper electronic device which makes it possible to measure the vibration period for each wire separately. The device is also used for the inclinometer’s calibration. Additionally, the paper provides an example of an inclinometer’s use in measuring the angular tilt of a historical church tower located in the area affected by underground mining operations connected with exploitation of hard coal.
Dynamic properties of hot-wire anemometric measurement circuits in the aspect of measurements in mine conditions / Właściwości dynamiczne termoanemometrycznych układów pomiarowych w aspekcie pomiarów w warunkach kopalnianych
Authors: Jamróz Paweł , Ligęza Paweł , Socha Katarzyna
Published: February 2013

The use of measurement apparatus under conditions which differ significantly from those under which the apparatus was adjusted carries the risk of altering the previously determined measurement characteristics. This is of special concern in the case of apparatus which is sensitive to external measurement conditions. Advanced measurement systems are equipped with algorithms which allow the negative effect of unstable environmental conditions on their static characteristics to be compensated for. Meanwhile, the problem of altered dynamic properties of such systems is often neglected. This paper presents a model study in which the effect of variable operational conditions on dynamic response of hot-wire anemometric measurement system in the case of simulated mine flows was investigated. A mathematical model of measurement system able to compensate the negative effect of changes in flow velocity and configuration of measurement apparatus itself on its dynamic properties was developed and investigated. Based on conducted experiments, we have developed an automatic regulation algorithm enabling the transmission band of measurement apparatus to be optimized for measurement conditions prevailing in mine environment.
The Role of Economic Uncertainty on the Block Economic Value – a New Valuation Approach / Rola Czynnika Niepewności Przy Obliczaniu Wskaźnika Rentowności – Nowe Podejście
Authors: Dehghani H. , Ataee-Pour M.
Published: February 2013

The block economic value (BEV) is one of the most important parameters in mine evaluation. This parameter can affect significant factors such as mining sequence, final pit limit and net present value. Nowadays, the aim of open pit mine planning is to define optimum pit limits and an optimum life of mine production scheduling that maximizes the pit value under some technical and operational constraints. Therefore, it is necessary to calculate the block economic value at the first stage of the mine planning process, correctly. Unrealistic block economic value estimation may cause the mining project managers to make the wrong decision and thus may impose inexpiable losses to the project. The effective parameters such as metal price, operating cost, grade and so forth are always assumed certain in the conventional methods of BEV calculation. While, obviously, these parameters have uncertain nature. Therefore, usually, the conventional methods results are far from reality. In order to solve this problem, a new technique is used base on an invented binomial tree which is developed in this research. This method can calculate the BEV and project NPV under economic uncertainty.

In this paper, the BEV and project NPV were initially determined using Whittle formula based on certain economic parameters and a multivariate binomial tree based on the economic uncertainties such as the metal price and cost uncertainties. Finally the results were compared. It is concluded that applying the metal price and cost uncertainties causes the calculated block economic value and net present value to be more realistic than certain conditions.
Fazy mineralne w triasowych skałach węglanowych rejonu Chorzowa
Authors: Stanienda Katarzyna , Nowak Jacek , Kukiełka Tomasz
Published: February 2013

Streszczenie

W niniejszym artykule przedstawiono wyniki badań próbek skał węglanowych pobranych z utworów triasowych w rejonie północnej części Chorzowa. Przedmiotem badań była identyfikacja faz mineralnych, obecnych w tych skałach, szczególnie faz węglanowych.

W północnej części Chorzowa występują utwory triasowe reprezentowane przez skały stropowej części profilu pstrego piaskowca oraz spągowej części profilu utworów wapienia muszlowego - warstw gogolińskich. Utwory te eksploatowane były w XIX i pierwszej połowie XX wieku.

W artykule przedstawiono wyniki analiz próbek skał węglanowych, pobranych z tych warstw. Wykonano ich opis petrograficzny, badania mikroskopowe w świetle przechodzącym, analizy dyfraktometryczne oraz badania składu chemicznego w mikroobszarach z wykorzystaniem mikroskopu skaningowego.

Na podstawie przeprowadzonych analiz stwierdzono, że w utworach pstrego piaskowca dominują dolomity. W składzie mineralnym tych skał, poza dolomitem, stwierdzono obecność sparytowego kalcytu, ponadto zidentyfikowano również kwarc, minerały ilaste, muskowit oraz związki żelaza.

Utwory wapienia muszlowego to głównie wapienie, a także zlepieńce otoczaków wapiennych scemento-wane spoiwem węglanowym. W składzie mineralnym tych skał dominuje kalcyt dwóch generacji. Kalcyt pierwszej generacji tworzy ziarna mikrytowe, natomiast kalcyt drugiej generacji występuje w postaci ziaren sparytowych, zróżnicowanych pod względem wielkości i kształtu. Miejscami w ziarnach sparytowych można zaobserwować doskonałą łupliwość romboedryczną. Ponadto w skałach zidentyfikowano również dolomit, a z minerałów niewęglanowych - kwarc, muskowit oraz minerały ilaste. Badania mikroskopowe wykazały zróżnicowanie struktur próbek wapieni od biomorficznej, przez organodetrytyczną, sparytową, mikrosparytową do mikrytowej.
Removal of magnesium from sphalerite concentrates by means of spent electrolyte deriving from the process of cathode zinc extraction
Authors: Jarosiñski Andrzej , Kozak Adam , Żelazny Sylwester , Radomski Piotr
Published: February 2013

Streszczenie

Występowanie złóż rud cynku i ołowiu w skałach dolomitowych sprawia, że otrzymane koncentraty sfa-lerytowe zawierają domieszkę dolomitu. Praktyka wskazuje, że znaczna część wprowadzanego magnezu z su­rowcami cynkowymi przechodzi do ostatniej fazy produkcji, elektrolizy cynku. Obecność magnezu w elektrolicie obniża przewodnictwo elektryczne elektrolitu i powoduje pogorszenie wskaźników techniczno-ekonomicznych. Celem opisanych w tym artykule badań było opracowanie metody usuwania magnezu z surowego koncentratu sfalerytowego na drodze chemiczno-flotacyjnej, stosując zużyty elektrolit pochodzący z elektrolizy cynku. Opracowanie ukierunkowano wokół doświadczalnego zobrazowania istniejących zależności i ustalenia opty­malnych warunków zaproponowanej procedury. Stopień wyługowania magnezu wynosił około 80%. Straty cynku wynosiły poniżej 2%, natomiast stężenie magnezu w roztworze wynosiło 20%. Z tych roztworów można odzys­kiwać magnez i cynk, co będzie przedstawione w następnej publikacji.
Lichens, Lichenicolous and Allied Fungi Found in Asveja Regional Park (Lithuania)
Authors: Motiejūnaitė Jurga , Berglund Toni , Czarnota Paweł , Himelbrant Dmitry , Högnabba Filip , Konoreva Liudmila A. , Korchikov Eugeny S. , Kubiak Dariusz , Kukwa Martin , Kuznetsova Ekaterina , Leppik Ede , Lõhmus Piret , Lukošienė Ingrida Prigodina , Juha Pykälä , Stončius Darius , Stepanchikova Irina , Suija Ave , Thell Arne , Tsurykau Andrei , Westberg Martin
Published: February 2013

Motiejūnaitė J., Berglund T., Czarnota P., Himelbrant D., Högnabba F., Konoreva L. A., Korchikov E. S., Kubiak D., Kukwa M., Kuznetsova E., Leppik E., Lõhmus P., Prigodina Lukošienė I., Pykälä J., Stončius D., Stepanchikova I., Suija A., Thell A., Tsurykau A., Westberg M., 2012: Lichens, lichenicolous and allied fungi found in Asveja Regional Park (Lithuania) [Kerpės, lichenofiliniai ir kerpėms artimi saprotrofiniai grybai Asvejos regioniniame parke]. - Bot. Lith., 18(2): 85-100. The paper reports the results of lichenological investigations in Asveja Regional Park (eastern Lithuania). A large part of the study was performed during the joint 18th Symposium of the Baltic Mycologists and Lichenologists (BMLS) and Nordic Lichen Society (Nordisk Lichenologisk Förening, NLF) meeting on 19-23 September 2011. A list of 259 species is presented. Of these, 30 species are new to Lithuania. Arthonia helvola, Bacidina sulphurella, Candelariella lutella, Catillaria croatica, Cladonia conista, Gyalecta derivata, Lecanoraquercicola, Leptosphaeria ramalinae, Strigula jamesii, Trichonectria rubefaciens, Verrucaria banatica, V. boblensis, V. christiansenii, V. illinoisensis, V. inornata, V. nigrofusca, V. trabicola, Zwackhiomyces diederichii were recorded for the first time in the Baltic countries. New lichens to Lithuania are as follows: Bacidiaincompta, Caloplaca crenulatella, C. pyracea, Catinaria atropurpurea, Lecanora populicola, L. semipallida, Mycobilimbia epixanthoides, Ramalina dilacerata, Verrucaria inaspecta, and new lichenicolous fungi are: Cladosporium licheniphilum, Stigmidium microspilum, Xenonectriella leptalea. Eighteen species included in the Lithuanian Red Data Book were recorded, which is the highest number known for any studied area in Lithuania.