bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of alcohol consumption on risky behaviors among students of first and fourth year of the Medical Faculty
Authors: Książek Piotr , Dreher Piotr , Grabska Kinga , Trojanowska Dominika , Słowińska Agata , Dreher Sylwia
Published: May 2018

Introduction. The problem university students’ drinking in Poland has evoked greater interest lately. Numerous studies conducted in the recent years have indicated an increase in consumption of high-proof alcoholic beverages among students.

Aim. The aim of the study was to explore the influence of alcohol over on risky behavior among first and fourth year students of the Medical Faculty at the Medical University in Lublin during the academic year 2011/2012.

Material and methods. The study looked at 120 students, 45 men and 75 women; 60 people from the first and 60 people from the fourth year of the Medical Faculty. The method of an author’s original questionnaire, which was fully anonymous, was used. Answering 22 questions included in the questionnaire was voluntary, those completing the questionnaires could refuse to participate in the study at any time.

Results. Statistically significant correlations between students who abused alcohol and their risky behaviors were found.

Conclusions. There are some negative consequences of young people’s drinking alcohol and the most frequent symptoms They include: driving under the influence, engaging in risky sexual behaviors or starting fights. Several respondents admitted that they were passengers while the driver was intoxicated. Students being in a state of intoxication more often engaged in sexual activities. Alcohol consumption might also result in irrational decisions which could endanger health and lives e.g.: jumping from a roof. A few students of the fourth year were occasionally involved in gambling. A number of students admitted undergoing medical assistance after alcohol consumption.
Parental alcohol abuse and eating behaviors in adolescents
Authors: Cur Anna , Szymona Kinga , Domański Marek , Opolska Aneta , Jojczuk Mariusz
Published: May 2018

Introduction. Parental alcohol abuse hinders a child’s development, which means that these children are more exposed to mental health problems.

Aim. The aim of this study was to analyze the link between the intensity of eating disorders in youngsters and family alcoholism.

Material and methods. The study was conducted among adolescents in the Lubelskie province. 1766 students, aged 12 to 22 were participants in the study. The authors used a method called Eating Disorder Inventory, as well as a self-designed questionnaire that included assessing the characteristics of every family.

Results. The findings of this study show that increased symptoms of eating disorders in children and teenagers correlates with alcohol dependency in the family. Adolescent children of alcoholics have higher levels of conflict identifying feelings and emotions (hunger, security) correctly. They were more likely to deem their actions as ineffective, as well as they were more frequently prone to binge eating than individuals who were not affected by drinking parents.

Conclusions. There is a need for some future work and preventive measures to be taken in families affected by problem drinking.
Report on the first year of applying initial assessment of nutritional status in hospital inpatients
Authors: Babiarczyk Beata , Sternal Danuta
Published: May 2018

Introduction. Since 2012, Polish hospitals are recommended to implement the assessment of the nutritional status and appoint nutrition support teams.

Aim. To evaluate the application of initial assessment of inpatients’ nutritional status in the first year of its implementation in clinical practice.

Material and methods. A retrospective analysis of medical documentation of patients admitted to hospital in the year 2012 was conducted. The research sample included one in ten medical records.

Results. A total of 433 medical records was analyzed. In 5.3% medical records a lack of duly completed Subjective Global Assessment questionnaires was revealed. In 81.8% cases a calculated Body Mass Index (BMI) was not found. No instances of renewed calculation of BMI were recorded. In 49.7% cases no information on diet recommended to the inpatient was found. With the exception of the internal medicine ward, in 87% of the cases the diets were not recommended in writing by a physician or included in the medical orders documentation. The inpatients classified as undernourished were usually recommended a diet containing 2000 kcal + additional 300 kcal as second breakfast and afternoon snack. Information on cooperation with the nutrition support team and on inpatient’s nutrition was not included in the nursing documentation.

Conclusions. During the first year when the obligatory patient nutritional status assessment was introduced in Polish hospitals, the awareness of its significance, nutritional therapy planning and monitoring of the results were insufficient. The assessment of nutritional status seems to be another dead letter in patient medical documentation.
The issue of alcohol abuse among the youth – students of Lublin schools
Authors: Książek Piotr , Dreher Piotr , Dreher Sylwia , Jurek Anna , Budzyńska Agnieszka , Husarz Renata
Published: May 2018

Introduction. Alcohol abuse among the youth is a pressing social issue. It is not only related to one’s individual susceptibility to risky or harmful drinking but also the issue of one’s family living with the individual that abuses alcohol. It needs emphasizing that alcohol consumption is on the rise and the age at which young people have their first alcoholic drink is declining as well. Also, girls tend to drink as much as boys.

Aim. The aim of this work was to investigate the issue of alcohol abuse among young people of school age and the relationship between the following variables: school educational level, sex, satisfaction with home life and drinking patterns.

Material and methods. The authors interviewed some 1444 students of 32 schools (12 elementary schools, 10 junior high schools and 10 high schools) chosen at random, using an anonymous questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed statistically, taking the following factors into consideration: sex, school level, atmosphere at home.

Results and conclusions. One’s sex, school level and satisfaction with home life had influence over the respondents’ answers concerning alcohol consumption. The research study shows that students of schools at all levels drink alcohol - high school students drink vodka, junior high school students (gimnazjum in Polish) prefer beer, while elementary school students, who tend to drink the least, prefer wine. Interestingly enough, boys are drinking more than girls, yet girls are more likely to try all types of alcohol. Children who reported good atmosphere at home are less likely to drink, while in case of troubled homes, only every eighth respondent does not drink. The atmosphere at home also affects one’s drinking habits. Most of the respondents have no idea about ways of helping people addicted to alcohol.
A comparison of the levels of satisfaction with the medical services provided by primary healthcare centers in selected communes in Lubelskie Voivodeship
Authors: Przybylska Daria , Przybylski Piotr , Drop Bartłomiej , Czarnocki Krzysztof , Przybylski Wojciech , Drop Katarzyna , Quinton Magdalena
Published: May 2018

Introduction. Family medicine remains the primary type of medical services in Poland and it is supposed to treat both individual patients and the society as a whole. Due to the growing commercialization of the health service, most primary healthcare centers have transformed into non-public healthcare facilities. The public ones (called SPZOZ in Polish) account only for a small fraction of the whole number of primary healthcare facilities. The quality of medical services provided by such facilities, as patients see it, remains one of the key elements determining the development of family medicine centers.

Aim. The aim of this paper was to assess patient satisfaction levels regarding the healthcare services they received in two primary healthcare institutions, both of the NZOZ and SPZOZ type, in a small town located close to Lublin.

Material and methods. An anonymous survey was filled out by 30 patients of both a public and non-public healthcare center located in Niemce (Niemce Commune, Lublin District). The quality of services was assessed using an original questionnaire in the form of a poll.

Results. The results obtained indicate a clear relationship between one’s trust to the physician, diagnosis accuracy and visiting the particular center again, in order to continue the treatment. For older subjects, it was nurses’ kindness and politeness that was the most important. The elderly appreciated the kindness and politeness of the nurses in particular. No significant differences were found between the institutions in respect of the overall perception of satisfaction with services. In terms of infrastructure assessment, the majority of positive feedback was provided for NZOZ.

Conclusions. The findings above suggest that it is essential to conduct surveys on a regular basis, in order to check patients’ assessment of the service quality in various institutons.
Distribution of injuries among patients of Department of Trauma and Emergency Medicine of Independent Public Teaching Hospital No. 1 in 2011
Authors: Jojczuk Mariusz , Nogalski Adam , Kucmin Tomasz , Łukasiewicz Piotr , Krakowski Przemysław , Prystupa Andrzej
Published: May 2018

Introduction. Injuries are an extremely important public health problem, in both developed and developing countries. Various traumas contribute to some one third of deaths of the entire human population followed by cardiovascular diseases and cancer only. Understanding the epidemiology of trauma might improve hospitals’ ability to provide proper diagnoses and treatment.

Aim. The aim of this study was to provide epidemiological characteristics of injuries in the analyzed group of patients.

Material and methods. A retrospective analysis of patients admitted in state of emergency and hospitalized in the Department of Trauma Surgery and Emergency Medicine at the Medical University of Lublin due to injuries that occurred from January 1st 2011 till December 31st 2011 was conducted. Mechanism of injury, mortality rate, age and gender correlations were studied.

Results. Some 485 patients were looked at in the study. The mortality rate reached 4.52% and was highest among males. Falling was the leading cause of injuries among patients

Discussion. The results of this study correspond with the observations of other authors concerning the age distribution. Mortality rates noticed in this study were lower than in other studies.

Conclusions. Trauma in elderly patients is a growing problem in trauma centers. Moreover, in the analyzed material incidence of blunt and non-transport related injuries increased.
Opinion of students of Medical University of Lublin on emergency contraception
Authors: Padała Olga , Taracha Anna , Krupa Adrianna , Drwal Małgorzata , Głaszcz Katarzyna , Maciejewski Ryszard
Published: May 2018

Introduction. Many women at the reproductive age face the dilemma of choosing the best contraceptive method. Apart from the natural birth control methods, there is a large selection of barrier, hormonal or invasive procedures. Birth control also includes emergency contraception, which can be used in a short period of time after an unprotected sex. In 2015, Ella One (uliprystal acetate) has been approved as an over-the-counter drug in Poland.

Aim. The purpose of this study was to check the knowledge and survey opinions of students of various faculties of Medical University of Lublin concerning the topic of emergency contraception.

Material and methods. An anonymous online questionnaire was used in the study. It included single and multiple-choice questions. The results were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2011.

Results. 256 students, aged 19-27 took part in the study. 81.3% of the respondents declared themselves as Christians. 47% of interviewees said that using emergency contraception is ethical. In the group of Christians, 37.5% claimed that emergency contraceptives should not definitely be sold as an OTC drug while among the non-religious individuals, only 6% shared that view. 60.6% of students decided that EC is not a form of abortion, On the other hand, 29.9% opted for it being an abortion. In the group of female participants, 14.9% said that they had used emergency contraception at least once in their lives. As it comes to evaluation of students’ knowledge about the topic, only 15.23% knew the way of uliprystal acetate worked and even less (11.32%) were able to explain the way levonorgestrel works.

Discussion. According to the Catholic Church, the only acceptable forms of family planning include sexual abstinence during fertile days or calendar-based contraceptive methods. Postcoital contraception is treated as a sin punished with excommunication. Therefore, adhering by the rules imposed by the Roman Catholic Church has huge impact on the choices that believers make, also when it comes to birth control. This statement has been confirmed by many studies conducted in Poland, where 90% of population consider themselves Catholics.

Conclusions. Emergency contraception remains a controversial topic in Poland. Students of Medical University of Lublin seem to have insufficient knowledge about the effects of available drugs. There is a need to educate future healthcare providers, so they could provide reliable advice and recommendations to their patients.
Polish Students Are Feeling Better and Better. A Research Report
Authors: Przepiorka Aneta , Błachnio Agata
Published: May 2018

The study aimed to test how Polish students assess their average mood. The research was based on American and Polish studies conducted several years ago. In the U.S. study, students rated their mood as better than usual, while the Polish students in the 1990s rated theirs as worse than usual. Participants in our study were 82 people (mean age M = 20 years, SD = 1.21). For 30 consecutive days they rated their mood using a 7-point scale. It turned out that the participants tended to rate their mood on a given day as the same as the average one. These results are different from those obtained for Polish students several years ago.
Use of Quantitative Morphological Analysis Combined with a Large Sample Size for Estimating Morphological Variability in a Case Study of Armoured Mite Carabodes subarcticus Trägårdh, 1902 (Acari: Oribatida: Carabodidae) / Carabodes Subarcticus Trägårdh, 1902 (Acari: Oribatida: Carabodidae) Bruòçrèu Taksonomijâ Plaðâk Pielietoto Pazîmju Morfoloìijas Mainîbas Kvantitatîva Un Kvalitatîva Analîze Relatîvi Lielâ Paraugkopâ
Authors: Kagainis Uìis
Published: May 2018

The morphology of Oribatida and similar little-known groups of organisms varies considerably, which complicates morphological analysis (e.g. species descriptions). Qualitative analyses have been carried out mostly on a small number of individuals (n < 25). There is lack of studies dealing with mechanisms of how that variation can change in relation to sample size and insufficient discussion on whether qualitative or quantitative analysis is more appropriate for description of morphological variability. A total of 500 adult Carabodes subarcticus Trägårdh, 1902 Oribatida were collected from a local population. Six qualitative and six quantitative traits were characterised using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The relationships between the sample size of different subsamples (n < 500) and morphological variation were examined using randomised selection (10 000 replicates) and calculation of the percentage of cases in which the sizevalues were within a certain distance (less than 10%, 25%, or 50%) from the range of the reference population (n = 500). Qualitative traits were significantly less variable than quantitative due to binomial distribution of the obtained data; thus they were less comparable and interpretive to describe morphological variability. When sample size was small (n < 25), in less than 2 to 15% of cases the observed variability was within 10% distance of the range of the reference population. Larger sample sizes resulted in size-ranges that approached those of the reference population. It is possible that execution of quantitative characterisation and use of relatively larger sample sizes could improve species descriptions by characterising the morphological variability more precisely and objectively.
Amber Particles as Living Plant Cell Markers in Flow Cytometry / Dzintara Daļiņas Kā Dzīvu Augu Šūnu Marķieri Plūsmas Citometrijā
Authors: Grauda Dace , Bumbure Lada , Lyashenko Inga , Katashev Alexei , Dekhtyar Yuri , Rashal Isaak
Published: May 2018

The unique biological properties of amber are well known. Amber particles that penetrate into the cellular matrix can potentially be used as markers of plant cell biological activity by identification of living cells in flow cytometry. However, there have been no studies on effect of amber particles on plant cells. The aim of this study was to determine effect of amber nano- and micro- (5 nm-3 μm) particles on somatic and gametic cells and to assess the possibility to use amber particles as alive plant cells markers. To reach the aim, fluorescence of cells was determined in the presence of amber particles, and amber components - spirit of amber and sodium succinate dibasic hexahydrate. Cell fluorescence was measured using a BD FACSJazz® cell sorter for several plants species (Argyranthemum frutescens, Cyclamen persicum, Hordeum vulgare and Linum usitatissimum) with and without treatment of amber. Differences between a control cell group (without amber treatment) and treated cell group with amber particles depended on plant species. The presence of amber components (alcohol soluble amber fraction and sodium succinate) in cultivation media mostly had no influence on cell fluorescence. The study showed that amber particles (size 5 nm-3 μm) can be used as living plant cell markers, as the presence of amber particles in plant cell cultivation media resulted in substantially increased plant cell fluorescence in all investigated species, and there was no detrimental effect of amber particles on plant cells.
Pest Plant Score of Alien Robinia Pseudoacacia in Rīga (Latvia) and Kaunas (Lithuania) / Svešzemju Sugas Robinia Pseudoacacia Invazitātes Novērtējums Rīgā (Latvija) Un Kauņā (Lietuva)
Authors: Straigytė Lina , Čekstere Gunta , Laiviņš Māris , Marozas Vitas
Published: May 2018

Robinia pseudoacacia is an alien tree species that has wide distribution in green areas of Rīga and Kaunas. In recent years, the spread and invasion of this species was observed. The aim of this study was to determine the relative importance of invasiveness of R. pseudoacacia in Rīga and Kaunas. The degree of species invasion was estimated by applying the Pest Plant Prioritization Process, which is based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process method. The results showed that the invasive degree of R. pseudoacacia was near medium (0.4); the present compared to potential distribution rating was medium (0.57) and the social, environmental and economic impact score was very low (0.17). The Final Pest Plant Score for R. pseudoacacia was near medium (0.426). The obtained estimates indicated that black locust was medium invasive, and that well-lit conditions favour its establishment.
A Numerical Solution of Hereditary Equations with a Weakly Singular Kernel for Vibration Analysis of Viscoelastic Systems / Vienâdojumu Ar Vâjo Singulâro Kodolu Skaitliskais Risinâjums Iedzimto Viskoelastîgo Sistçmu Vibrâciju Analîzei
Authors: Usmonov Botir
Published: May 2018

Viscoelastic, or composite materials that are hereditary deformable, have been characterised by exponential and weakly singular kernels in a hereditary equation. An exponential kernel is easy to be numerically implemented, but does not well describe complex vibratory behaviour of a hereditary deformable system. On the other hand, a weakly singular kernel is known to describe the complex vibratory behaviour, but is nontrivial to be numerically implemented. This study presents a numerical formulation for solving a hereditary equation with a weakly singular kernel. Recursive algebraic equations, which are numerically solvable, are formulated by using the Galerkin method enhanced by a numerical integration and elimination of weak singularity. Numerical experiments showed that the present approach with a weakly singular kernel is well fitted into a realistic vibratory behaviour of a hereditary deformable system under dynamic loads, as compared to the same approach with an exponential kernel.
Tutoring and Mentoring: An A.R.C. Model for Future Teachers: Affective, Reflexive and Cognitive Orientation to Self-regulated Learning
Authors: Remy Philippe
Published: May 2018

With a specific focus on tutoring among future teachers this article proposes a model of self-regulated learning. The focus on different mechanisms inherent to the tutoring relationship will consider Affective impacts or motivation, Reflexive or metacognitive and Cognitive resolutions. The ARC combination proposes that personal skills will be gained and beneficial transfers into the class will be possible. This approach with a model considers explicit learning as a part of tutoring relationship successes. A prospective study on a short scale provides a few indicators in this direction and will be followed by a mentoring study. As private companies also present services in the shadow of the official educational system some recommendations will illustrate the tutoring original pedagogical relation with specific limits and the potential for new understanding.
Voluntary Activity of Polish People and its Motives in Recent Years: New Volunteering
Authors: Kosewska Bernadetta
Published: May 2018

This article covers an issue or the phenomenon of volunteering. The introduction is a recall of a definition of volunteering. Then it shows the distribution of voluntary activity in different countries of the European Union in order to look at some aspects of the phenomenon in the microscale of one country - Poland. It shows the percentage of involvement of Polish women and men in volunteering, their age, their motives to work for others. It makes the reader to think about an innovative definition of volunteering.
Adjuvant TNF-α therapy to electrochemotherapy with intravenous cisplatin in murine sarcoma exerts synergistic antitumor effectiveness
Authors: Cemazar Maja , Todorovic Vesna , Scancar Janez , Lampreht Ursa , Stimac Monika , Kamensek Urska , Kranjc Simona , Coer Andrej , Sersa Gregor
Published: May 2018

Background. Electrochemotherapy is a tumour ablation modality, based on electroporation of the cell membrane, allowing non-permeant anticancer drugs to enter the cell, thus augmenting their cytotoxicity by orders of magnitude. In preclinical studies, bleomycin and cisplatin proved to be the most suitable for clinical use. Intravenous administration of cisplatin for electrochemotherapy is still not widely accepted in the clinics, presumably due to its lower antitumor effectiveness, but adjuvant therapy by immunomodulatory or vascular-targeting agents could provide a way for its potentiation. Hence, the aim of the present study was to explore the possibility of adjuvant tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) therapy to potentiate antitumor effectiveness of electrochemotherapy with intravenous cisplatin administration in murine sarcoma.

Materials and methods. In vivo study was designed to evaluate the effect of TNF-α applied before or after the electrochemotherapy and to evaluate the effect of adjuvant TNF-α on electrochemotherapy with different cisplatin doses.

Results. A synergistic interaction between TNF-α and electrochemotherapy was observed. Administration of TNF-α before the electrochemotherapy resulted in longer tumour growth delay and increased tumour curability, and was significantly more effective than TNF-α administration after the electrochemotherapy. Tumour analysis revealed increased platinum content in tumours, TNF-α induced blood vessel damage and increased tumour necrosis after combination of TNF-α and electrochemotherapy, indicating an anti-vascular action of TNF-α. In addition, immunomodulatory effect might have contributed to curability rate of the tumours.

Conclusion. Adjuvant intratumoural TNF-α therapy synergistically contributes to electrochemotherapy with intravenous cisplatin administration. Due to its potentiation at all doses of cisplatin, the combined treatment is predicted to be effective also in tumours, where the drug concentration is suboptimal or in bigger tumours, where electrochemotherapy with intravenous cisplatin is not expected to be sufficiently effective.
Composition, diversity and foraging guilds of avifauna in a suburban area of southern West Bengal, India
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Shiladitya , Mazumdar Subhendu
Published: May 2018

Avian communities are very good indicators of any ecosystem. Despite the alarming consequences of rapid urbanization, studies of avian diversity in the human-dominated landscapes of India are very few. Therefore, we studied the avian assemblage of Bongaon in southern West Bengal, India, a suburban area whose avifauna has thus far remained undocumented. Bird surveys were carried out from June 2015 to May 2016, following the fixed-radius (25 m) point count method together with opportunistic observations. We recorded 119 avian species belonging to 53 families. Ardeidae was the most diverse avian family in the study area (RDi value = 5.882). Among the recorded avifauna, 89 species were resident, 26 species were winter visitors, three species were summer visitors, and one species was a passage migrant. Species richness of the resident and passage migrant species did not vary seasonally, while the winter and summer visitors displayed significant seasonal variation. In this suburban area, the species richness of feeding guilds varied significantly. Most birds were insectivorous (41.2%), followed by carnivorous (24.4%), omnivorous (18.5%), granivorous (7.6%), frugivorous (3.4%), nectarivorous (3.4%) and herbivorous species (1.7%). Maximum species richness was recorded in November and minimum species richness in July. Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus and Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria are two near-threatened species found in this region. Interestingly, six species having a globally declining trend are still very common in the study area. Long-term studies are required to monitor any change in the avian communities of this suburban landscape resulting from urbanization.
The chronic cough syndrome
Authors: Enache Raluca , Sarafoleanu Dorin
Published: May 2018

Cough is a common symptom encountered in medical practice and can occur throughout the life of a person. From a physiological point of view, it represents a mechanism responsible for the elimination of secretions from the airways. At the same time, cough may be the first symptom of an illness. There are many causes that may lead to the emergence of a chronic cough syndrome, the most frequent being pulmonary diseases. Besides the bronchopulmonary pathology, there are a number of extrapulmonary disorders that may manifest with coughing. The first step in evaluating the patient with chronic cough is performing a correct and complete anamnesis, followed by the physical examination of the patient. The treatment of the chronic cough syndrome must address mainly the underlying disease but, in case of failure of the established treatment, the antitussive therapy is used.
Advantages of VMAT-IMRT technique in nasopharyngeal cancer
Authors: Sanda Cristina , Sarafoleanu Codrut
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND. Radiotherapy, associated with chemotherapy, is the main method of treatment in both early and advanced stages of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) provides high doses of radiation to the primary tumor, sparing the organs at risk. Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is one of the most promising radiation methods which produces superior target coverage, improving the protection of organs at risk and reduces treatment time.

MATERIAL AND METHODS. We performed a retrospective study on 30 patients diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer and admitted in “Sfanta Maria” Clinical Hospital between October 2012 and December 2014. All patients have undergone VMAT-IMRT associated with induction or concurrent chemotherapy. At the end of the treatment, patients were followed up at one, three and six months, and then every six months for 2 years.

RESULTS. At the end of the radio-chemotherapy treatment, 27 patients (90%) had a complete tumor and lymphatic response and 3 of them (10%) presented a partial response. At the end of the follow-up period, we observed 5 patients with recurrences, including 2 deceased.

CONCLUSION. VMAT-IMRT in association with chemotherapy treatment is well tolerated by patients. The good results reflected in high rates of cured patients, the low incidence of side effects, recommend this treatment plan as an optimal indication for nasopharyngeal tumors.
The Development of Future Technology Teachers’ Artistic-Projective Abilities: Foreign Experience
Authors: Kurach Mykola
Published: May 2018

The necessity to form and develop future technology teachers’ creative abilities has been stressed in the article. The psychologic-pedagogical researches of the leading specialists from Europe, the USA and Japan in the field of creative work and creativity have been analyzed. The main problems of the creative artistic-projective abilities development have been determined based on the analysis and synthesis of foreign and native philosophic, pedagogical and psychological literature dedicated to characteristics of such notions as “creative work” and “creativity”. Approaches and conceptions providing students – future technology teachers – with creative activities have been singled out. The gist of psychological mechanism for forming teachers’ creative personality has been established and its basic features have been determined as a result of the world experience of the theory and methods of creative abilities development generalization. The main features are as follows: an independence and an inclination towards divergent behavior; flexibility of thinking and readiness for everything new; motivation for self-actualization; striving for self-expressing and ability to creative work; ability to find out how to set and solve the problems. It has been mentioned that the technology teachers’ artistic-projective activity requires their creative abilities development, which, in their turn, are formed on the ground of well-developed general and special (art, projective, technological, pedagogical) potencies. Therefore, the effectiveness of the students’ art-projective knowledge and skills forming depends upon the extent their general, special and creative abilities have been developed. That is why skillful and pedagogically correct organization of future technology teachers’ artistic-projective activities will inevitably provide the higher qualitatively new level of their creative abilities and creativity.
Kinetics of Electrons from Plasma Discharge in a Latent Track Region Induced by Swift Heavy ION Irradiation
Authors: Minárik Stanislav
Published: May 2018

While passing swift heavy ion through a material structure, it produces a region of radiation affected material which is known as a "latent track". Scattering motions of electrons interacting with a swift heavy ion are dominant in the latent track region. These phenomena include the electron impurity and phonon scattering processes modified by the interaction with the ion projectile as well as the Coulomb scattering between two electrons.

In this paper, we provide detailed derivation of a 3D Boltzmann scattering equation for the description of the relative scattering motion of such electrons. Phase-space distribution function for this non-equilibrioum system of scattering electrons can be found by the solution of mentioned equation.
Hypervisor for Virtualization in Private Cloud
Authors: Závacký Pavol , Eliáš Andrej , Stémy Maximilián
Published: May 2018

The article deals with testing and choosing right virtualization platform with management tools for building private cloud, in which methods for power control of virtual machines can be applied. Main brick in every virtualization platform is hypervisor which carries out virtualization and management tools which deliver the services such as web management, storage management and resources management from one place.
Acquired von Willebrand disease: from theory to practice. A single center experience - three case reports
Authors: Colită Andrei , Saguna Carmen , Costache Andra , Borsaru Gabriela , Manolache Raluca , Ivănescu Ana Maria , Lupu Anca Roxana
Published: May 2018

Acquired von Willebrand disease (AvWD) represents a rare, potentially severe and most likely underdiagnosed category of hemorrhagic syndromes determined by quantitative, qualitative or functional, nonhereditary, alterations of von Willebrand factor (vWF) that occur in the context of various underlying diseases. It is diagnosed mainly in adults, without any personal or familial history of bleeding. The etiopathogeny of AvWD is complex, marked by the intervention of multiple mechanisms, occuring in the evolution of neoplasia, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular diseases and other conditions. The clinical and laboratory manifestations are similar to the congenital form with mucocutaneous hemorrhage in patients without bleeding history and demonstration of quantitative and/or functional anomalies of vWF. Treatment has two major objectives: control of bleeding and therapy of the underlying condition. As a practical illustration of the theoretical aspects we present 3 clinical cases of AvWD diagnosed in the Colţea Hospital Department of Hematology during the last 10 years.
A novel evaluation of microvascular damage in critically ill polytrauma patients by using circulating microRNAs
Authors: Bedreag Ovidiu Horea , Rogobete Alexandru Florin , Cradigati Carmen Alina , Sarandan Mirela , Nartita Radu , Horhat Florin George , Popovici Sonia Elena , Sandesc Dorel , Papurica Marius
Published: May 2018

The management of the critically ill polytrauma patient is complex due to the multiple complications and biochemical and physiopathological imbalances. This happened due to the direct traumatic injury, or due to the post-traumatic events. One of the most complex physiopathology associated to the multiple traumas is represented by microvascular damage, subsequently responsible for a series of complications induced through the imbalance of the redox status, severe molecular damage, reduction of the oxygen delivery to the cell and tissues, cell and mitochondrial dead, augmentation of the inflammatory response and finally the installation of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in this type of patients. A gold goal in the intensive care units is represented by the evaluation and intense monitoring of the molecular and physiopathological dysfunctions of the critically ill patients. Recently, it was intensely researched the use of microRNAs as biomarkers for the specific physiopathological dysfunctions. In this paper we wish to present a series of microRNAs that can serve as biomarkers for the evaluation of microvascular damage, as well as for the evaluation of other specific physiopathology for the critically ill polytrauma patient.
The Healthcare Public System – Does Standardization Withhold the Bucket from Leaking?
Authors: Biţoiu Teodora , Nicolescu Cristina Elena , Rădulescu Crina
Published: May 2018

The public healthcare system is heavily influenced by the 3C trilemma - cost - coverage - choice. The paper’s argument tackles the fact that should the public decision on improving capacity be leaning towards universal coverage in would result in efficiency losses and, in an attempt to control the costs it would limit patients’ choice. Should priority be given to performance or value? The present paper deals with the compromise between the equity and efficiency, a leaky bucket that becomes more visible in the struggle to build capacity and intervene in the market by setting standards. Setting healthcare standards is a global concern, the 3rd Sustainable Development Goal is a clear proof of that the aim to emphasise and better analyse two of the most influential variables: efficiency and equity. All in all, what we argue is that the current leaky bucket is a trade-off between choice, coverage, and cost. For a complex public service like healthcare, targeting a full coverage and multiple choice would incur huge costs and, cutting costs considerably restricts both the choice and coverage. The cost is influenced by the production capacity use when the activity has large fixed costs.
Cross-Cultural Investigation of Consumers’ Generations Attitudes Towards Purchase of Environmentally Friendly Products in Apparel Retail
Authors: Dabija Dan-Cristian , Chebeň Juraj , Lančarič Drahoslav
Published: May 2018

Recent changes of the environment and in the society have altered consumers’ preferences and brought new concerns among local communities regarding environmental protection and organizations responsibility, the adoption of environmentally friendly strategies, as well as offering more sustainable products. Consumers tend to select retailers based on their focus on environmental friendly products and on various “green” strategies regarding waste disposal, package recycling, etc. This study aims to highlight Romanian and Slovak consumers’ attitudes towards purchasing of goods from retailers that strive a clear focus on environmental responsibility and environmental friendly practices in apparel, footwear and sportswear retail. By means of a quantitative research based on a questionnaire administered to consumers of international retail chains with operations in both countries, the authors highlight differences in their perceptions and attitudes for buying green apparel, footwear and sportswear. Whereas Millennials and Gen Xers consumers in Romania and Slovakia believe that international apparel, footwear and sportswear retailers are less concerned about environmentally responsible behavior and the need of selling green products, Baby Boomers are more sensitive to such aspects and carefully select retailers according to their green strategy. This research provides specific findings about attitudes of different consumers’ generations within two emerging European countries (Romania, Slovakia).
Does Capital Structure Influence Company Profitability?
Authors: Herciu Mihaela , Ogrean Claudia
Published: May 2018

Every company has a different structure of balance sheet. Some of the companies have more liabilities than equity. Considering the industry or debt-to-equity ratio, the balance sheet structure affects the company profitability measured by DuPont system. The main objective of the paper is to analyze the structure of balance sheet and to identify some optimal levels in order to increase company profitability. The DuPont returns like ROA (return on assets) and ROE (return on equity) will be used to measure the company profitability, while the debt-to-equity ratio will be used as a measure (reflection) of capital structure. The samples consist on the most profitable non-financial companies ranked in Fortune Global 500. The companies will be grouped in clusters (based on industry or debt-to-equity ratio) in order to identify the signification of the correlation between the profit and the balance sheet structure. The main results of the paper refer to the company profitability that can be increased by using an optimal structure of liabilities and equity.
Analysis of rainfall-induced shallow landslides in Jamne and Jaszcze stream valleys (Polish Carpathians) – preliminary results
Authors: Zydroń Tymoteusz , Bucała Anna , Demczuk Piotr
Published: May 2018

Analysis of rainfall-induced shallow landslides in Jamne and Jaszcze stream valleys (Polish Carpathians) - preliminary results. Preliminary shallow landslide susceptibility mapping of the Jamne and Jaszcze stream valleys, located in the Polish Flysch Carpathians, is presented in the paper. For the purpose of mapping, there were used SINMAP and Iverson’s models integrating infiltration and slope stability calculations. The calibration of the used models parameters, obtained from limited field and laboratory tests, was performed using data from 8-9 July 1997, when as a consequence of a very intense rainfall, 94 shallow landslides were observed on meadows and arable lands. A comparison of the slope stability calculation results and the localisation of the noticed shallow landslides showed satisfactory agreement between localisation of the observed and computed unstable areas. However, it was concluded that better simulation results were obtained using Iverson’s model.
Cutaneous Manifestations in HIV Infected Libyan Patients
Authors: Aljehawi Nabil A. , Bugrein Omran O. , Grew Azza , Duweb Gamal Ahmed
Published: May 2018

Cutaneous manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease may result from HIV infection itself, or from opportunistic disorders secondary to the declined immunocompetence due to the disease. A total of 220 HIV positive patients, treated in the Benghazi Center of Infectious Diseases and Immunology over a period of 14 years (January 2003 to November 2016), were included in a retrospective study. The patients' age ranged from 7 to 46 years. The study was conducted by reviewing the patients' records using the management information system (MIS). Statistical analysis of the data was carried out by the t-test and Chi square test. Among the studied patients, 119 (54.1%) were males and 101 (45.9%) were females, and most of them (78.6%) were 10 – 19 years of age. The predominant mode of transmission was parenteral transmission, in 95% of patients, and positive family history was observed in 12% of patients. Among the total number of visits to dermatologists, 93% of patients had a single disease. Of the total number of skin diseases diagnosed during the visits, parasitic infestations were seen in 92 patients (21.0%), eczematous and related disorders in 78 patients (17.8%), viral infections in 71 patients (16.2%), bacterial infections in 41 patients (9.3%), and fungal infections in 35 patients (7.9%). Dermatophyte infections were the most common fungal infections recorded in 19 patients (4.3%), followed by Candida infection in 11 patients (2.5%). Warts were found in 5.9% of viral infections, followed by herpes zoster (4.1%). HIV positive patients should be examined for skin disorders, because early diagnosis and management of such problems improves the quality of life in these patients.
Possible Role of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors in Physiology and Pathophysiology of Cardiovascular System
Authors: Srejovic Ivan , Jakovljevic Vladimir , Zivkovic Vladimir , Djuric Dragan
Published: May 2018

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors belong to ionotropic glutamate receptor family, together with α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, kainite receptors and δ-receptors. All of these receptors are tetramers composed of four subunits. NMDA receptors have several unique features in relation to other ionotropic glutamate receptors: requirement for simultaneous action of two coagonists, glutamate and glycine; dual control of receptor activation, ligand-dependent (by glutamate and glycine) and voltage-dependent (Mg2+block) control; and influx of considerable amounts of Ca2+following receptor activation. Increasing number of researches deals with physiological and pathophysiological roles of NMDA receptors outside of nerve tissues, especially in the cardiovascular system. NMDA receptors are found in all cell types represented in cardiovascular system, and their overstimulation in pathological conditions, such as hyperhomocysteinemia, is related to a range of cardiovascular disorders. On the other hand we demonstrated that blockade of NMDA receptors depresses heart function. There is a need for the intensive study of NMDA receptor in cardiovascular system as potential theraputical target both in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disorders.
Political dimension of European constitutionalism
Authors: Kaplánová Patricia , Pinterič Uroš
Published: May 2018

Author in the article tries to analyse different elements of document called European Constitution. Analysis is supported with theoretical framework of federalism, presented by Brezovšek. Authors is playing with idea of (con)federal and international organization elements of European Constitution and their mix. They are also trying to set some connections between so called common European identity as necessary condition to give legitimacy to the European Constitution. This became important question after „votes of non-confidence“ to the European Constitution in France, despite it should be addressed already before. However, European Constitution is important document on the path of European integration and lack of support to it will slow down this process of widening and deepening European ties.
Institutional partisanship
Authors: Walter Aaron T.
Published: May 2018

The balance of power between the legislative and executive branches of government in the United States has held firm despite the evolution of each branch. Moreover, as the primacy of one branch succumbed to the dominance of the other there remained a constant variable. Partisanship existed since the American founding, however, the importance of Congressional partisanship in the later half of the nineteenth century and rise of the imperial presidency in the twentieth century highlight the formidable challenges of divided government in the United States. The following paper utilizes rational choice theory in political science to explain decision making of American political leaders though inclusion of casual and descriptive examples highlight certain choices within
Architectural Innovations Influenced by Climatic Phenomena (4.2 Ka Event) in the Late Old Kingdom (Saqqara, Egypt)
Authors: Kuraszkiewicz Kamil O.
Published: May 2018

The work of the Polish-Egyptian Archaeological Mission at Saqqara revealed a cemetery of palace officials that was in use during the late Old Kingdom. The evidence found during the exploration of the tombs indicates that the tomb builders were aware of the problems resulting from torrential rains in last years of functioning of the cemetery and that architectural solutions have been invented against these problems. The discussed phenomena seem to be directly related to the 4.2 ka event.
Trace elements in arable Cambisols and Luvisols developed from boulder loam and fluvioglacial sands of the Skierniewicka Upland (central Poland)
Authors: Chojnicki Józef , Kwasowski Wojciech , Piotrowski Michał , Oktaba Lidia , Kondras Marek
Published: May 2018

The paper was focused on determining the content soluble in 20% HCl of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Co, Pb, and Ni in arable Cambisols and Luvisols, developed from boulder loams and fluvioglacial sands of the Middle-Polish (Riss) glacial period, Wartanian Stadial in the Skierniewicka Upland, and recognizing the relationships between these elements and selected soil properties. The mean content of Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Co, Pb, Ni, and Fe in the soils developed from boulder loam was: 288, 24, 5, 3, 12.4, 4, 9, and 6.8 mg·kg−1of soil, and 1.24%, respectively. The contents of the above mentioned elements in soils developed from fluvioglacial sands were lower and reached: 235, 16, 2.9, 6.5, 2.5, 7, 3.4 mg·kg−1of soil, and 0.71%, respectively. Statistical analysis has indicated a correlation between the total amounts of Zn, Cu, B, Co, Ni, and the contents of <0.02 mm and <0.002 mm particles and iron. The Fe content was correlated with the texture of soil, the Mn amount was correlated only with the iron content, whereas that of lead – with the organic carbon content. The soil-forming processes influenced the distribution of total contents of elements. The lessivage process influenced the distribution of Zn, Cu and B, the brunification process influenced the distribution of Fe, Ni, B and Co, the gleying process influenced the distribution of Mn, whereas Pb and Zn were bioaccumulated in most humus horizons of the studied soils. The studied arable soils had natural contents of trace elements.