bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seashell specialties and food handling in Slovene Istria restaurants
Authors: POKLAR VATOVEC Tamara , JAKUS Tadeja , BIZJAK Mojca
Published: December 2014

The purpose of the research was to evaluate the offer of seashell specialties in Slovene Istria restaurants, and to assess food safety knowledge (gained through formal and informal education) as well as to assess the behaviour of food handlers in preparing shell dishes. A self-administered questionnaire was designed that included four sections: a demographic section, a general section, a restaurant menu offer, and a food safety section related to preparation of seashell specialties. Seashell specialties were offered in 41 restaurants, of which the employed food handlers 24 attended formal education and 17 informal education. Seashells specialties and seashell menus are commonly part of the culinary and gastronomic specialties along the Slovene coast, with the most frequently offered main dish being “Blue Mussels alla Busara”. Results the questionnaire indicated poor food safety knowledge and poor behaviour regardless of the (in)formal education of those who prepared the dishes. We propose that formal education for catering workers preparing shell dishes should be much more emphasized.
Insights into aerobic microbial community in the Kamniška Bistrica river sediment with culture-dependent and molecular biology approach
Authors: FANEDL Lijana
Published: December 2014

River systems are exposed to anthropogenic disturbances, including chemical pollution and eutrophication. They may affect a structure and diversity of microbial communities in river sediment. The aim of the study was to describe diversity and structure of a bacterial community in the Kamniška Bistrica river sediment using culture-dependent and molecular methods. Sediment samples were collected from three sampling stations along the Kamniška Bistrica river: upstream (Kamniška Bistrica), midstream (Vir) and downstream (Bišče), and physico-chemical analysis was conducted on-site. Isolates were recovered from three different agar plate media (LB, NB in R2A) and micro- as well as macromorphologically described. DNA was extracted from pure cultures and directly from sediment samples, and 16S rRNA gene segments were PCR amplified using universal bacterial primers. The PCR products were subjected to denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The results showed that the DGGE was an appropriate method for monitoring the changes in the community structure of the river sediment and allows to determine the impact of environmental factors on bacterial diversity. The comparative analysis of the DGGE profiles from isolates and sediment samples showed that the DGGE banding patterns revealed different bacterial community structures for all three sampling stations, while the DGGE profiles of isolates did not represent dominant bacterial populations of the sediment. On the bases of the DGGE profiles, 25 isolates were chosen and their 16S rRNA genes were amplified and sequenced. All partial nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA genes were preleminary taxonomically identified by using BLAST. The majority of sequenced isolates belonged to bacteria normally present in aquatic environments.
Growth and life satisfaction in the Euro zone
Authors: Wiese Thomas
Published: December 2014

Recent studies indicate a paradox: rising income has not led to increases in long-term levels of life satisfaction. Therefore, the hypothesis that citizens adapt to the growth of GDP is tested. This paper analyses empirically the relationship between a deviation in the trend of seasonally adjusted GDP growth and life satisfaction in Euro zone member countries based on data from the European Commission’s Eurobarometer report. This approach is new to the literature and it enables us to detect medium-term adaptation effects on growth rates. This adds a new way of tackling the question of why economic prosperity has had little or no influence on life satisfaction levels.We found that country-wide differences in the relationship of trend GDP growth and life satisfaction exist. Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain showed a significantly positive relationship. For other euro member countries, the hypothesis does not hold. This suggests that two different groups exist and if everything else is held constant, economic growth strategies should vary.
Muzyka sakralna w służbie tajemnic wiary
Authors: Królikowski Janusz
Published: December 2014

Sacred music acts as a service for liturgy and is in fact the service for faith mysteries. So if you want to say something reasonable from a theological point of view on the theme: sacred music, its elements and ways of manifestation you have to begin with understanding of the mystery in the faith of the Church and in the theology. This article treats therefore of the mentioned above. In this way there is emphasized that if you talk about sacred music you can speak about it only on the basis of faith in the mystery thus creating the right spiritual climate in which the music can be experienced and further creatively developed.There is paid particular attention to the issue of worship being the appropriate environment to use sacred music and the reference point for its creation. The point is the music is supposed to serve in deeper experiencing of faith mysteries in worship. The final conclusion is as follows: the mystery, whose sacred music is in fact on service, is the mystery of „spirit and truth” (Jn 4, 23). If sacred music subordinates to spirit and truth of the faith mystery and does not treat itself as another reality, the music will be always open to the mystery realizing its the most appropriate function to lead a man to joy in God, whose fullness is achieved in an attitude of adoration.
Guillaume-Gabriel Nivers (ok. 1632–1714) – ostatni z „przedklasyków” czy pierwszy z klasyków?
Authors: Ferfoglia Susi
Published: December 2014

In the French music the period 1665–1703 is the time of great changes, when the style known generally as classical organ music of the so-called Grand Siècle took its shape. Among the numerous composers active during that period was Guillaume-Gabriel Nivers, organist of Saint-Sulpice – one of the most eminent Parisian churches. His career developed in connection with the church, the convent of Benedictine nuns as well as the school for noble young ladies in Saint-Cyr-l’École. That is why Nivers composed only church music. His works, collected in three organ books and in the Thièry manuscript (ascribed to him), are representative of French music composed in the 17th–18th cent. It was the tradition associated with alternatim technique, with alternating sections in organ verses and chant. The thee organ books by Nivers constitute a large opus which includes numerous genres characteristic for the period; Nivers worked on all of them systematically, which led to their development, especially in liturgical music.On the one hand, Nivers was „pre-classical”, which can be seen in his use of Gregorian cantus firmus (Mass, Hymns, Sequences), from which his contemporaries would largely depart, as well as in the „modal thinking”, especially in the works included in the Premier and Troisième Livre d’Orgue. On the other hand, his oeuvre opened the door to welcome the new period, which can be seen primarily in the „new style” – melodious, based on meticulously chosen registers, varied according to the character of a particular piece and its place in liturgy.
Z dziejów organów w kościele parafialnym w Ryglicach (diecezja tarnowska)
Authors: Szymanowicz Maria , Gładysz Andrzej
Published: December 2014

The parish in Ryglice was created in 14th century. The currently existing church was built in the years 1928–1940. Basing on the archives it has been discovered that there were four instruments used in the churches of Ryglice:– Organs built before 1647 (14 voices);– Organs from 1721 (12 voices);Organs built by Rudolf Haase from Lwów in 1909 (12 voices), in 1957 extended to 18 voices by Stanisław Czachor from Tuchów;– Organs built by Mieczysław Gwóźdź from Nowy Sącz in 1991 (25 voices). This instrument has been still existing and being used in the parish church in Ryglice as the accompaniment during the devotions.The first and last names of the 9 organists working in Ryglice have also been identified. Kazimierz Zając (father of the Rev. Prof. Andrzej Zając), who had been on this duty for 40 years, is also among them.
Wszechświat – Boska muzyka
Authors: Maziarka Tomasz
Published: December 2014

The nature of music and the nature of the universe reveals a lot of common features. Similarity of both was perceived in mythical era; the world of music and the world of astronomy was devoted under patronage of the sisters – the divine Muses. The discovery of the mathematical nature of the musical intervals, which was made by Pythagoras ordered him to base the harmony of the universe on the numerical relations and to recognize that music accompanies the revolution of the heavenly spheres. Plato gave the „music of the spheres” geometric form, and in the Middle Ages, when the Christianity assimilated the idea of the world as a rational structure, harmonia mundi was a model for the composers as well as for ascetic struggles. Modern times and characteristic development of natural sciences, very clearly supported the argument that the world is mathematical. Metaphorical approach of the modern String Theory, which describes the evolution of the first moments of the universe, permits to assign to God the role of the Great Musician who „playing on the strings” – creates the universe.
Orthognathic Surgeries in Patients with Congenital Craniofacial Anomalies: Profile and Hospitalization Outcomes
Authors: Allareddy Veerasathpurush
Published: December 2014

Objective

To examine the occurrence of complications in patients with congenital facial anomalies who underwent orthognathic surgeries and to identify the role of patient-related factors in occurrence of complications.

Design

Retrospective analysis of hospital discharge database.

Setting

Nationwide inpatient sample for the years 2004 to 2010. All patients with a diagnosis of cleft lip and/or palate or congenital craniofacial anomalies and who had an orthognathic surgery were selected.

Interventions

Orthognathic surgery.

Main Outcome Measures

Occurrence of complications.

Results

During the study period, a total of 8340 patients with congenital craniofacial anomalies underwent orthognathic surgeries. The overall complication rate was 9.1%. Six different complications (bacterial infections, hemorrhage, postoperative pneumonia, iatrogenic-induced complications such as accidental punctures/lacerations or pneumothorax, other infections, and respiratory complications) occurred in at least 1% of all patients having orthognathic surgeries. Ninety-five percent of patients were discharged routinely after surgery. Patients with high comorbid burden are at a higher risk for developing complications ( P < .05)

Conclusions

The current study findings indicate that orthognathic surgeries can be safely performed in patients with congenital craniofacial anomalies. The present study results reflect the practice patterns and hospitalization outcomes across the country and could serve as benchmarks for future well-designed prospective controlled studies to examine risk factors associated with complications for not only orthognathic surgeries but also for a wider range of surgical procedures.
Using citizen‐reported data to predict distributions of two non‐native insect species in Sweden
Authors: Widenfalk Lina A. , Ahrné Karin , Berggren Åsa
Published: December 2014

Information on exotic species' current and potential distribution is vital for decisions on management. Species distribution models can predict where colonizations are likely; however, the collection of species' distribution data over large areas in order to parameterize the models is costly. Therefore, modelling methods that are able to use low‐cost information such as citizen‐reported data are potentially very useful. In this study, we used the species habitat modelling program Maxent to predict the potential geographical distribution of two non‐native insect species in Sweden, the butterfly Araschnia levana and the shield bug Graphosoma lineatum. For this we used citizen‐reported presence‐only open‐access data in combination with climate and land cover data from national databases. Our models showed that presence of A. levana was best predicted by winter temperature and habitats related to open grasslands. For G. lineatum, summer temperature and open green areas, in both urban and rural areas were the best predictors for species presence. These models show that large areas of non‐colonized potential habitats exist within Sweden. For A. levana these yet‐to‐be‐colonized habitats are mainly in the south, while for G. lineatum these habitats occur in the south and along the Baltic Sea coast. Comparisons of temporal patterns in species reporting for A. levana and G. lineatum to similar insects with known stable populations revealed large ‘willingness to report' effects that could potentially bias range expansion rates. Once corrected for, current distribution expansion rates were estimated as 1.9 km/yr and 1.07 km/yr respectively. The study shows the use of public reports in conservation science as a way of gathering species information over large areas. This increases the data sources available for researchers to predict the distribution of species and have the additional value of the involvement of the public in conservation efforts.
Does Use of Unbordered Plots Affect Estimation of Upland Rice Yield?
Authors: Saito Kazuki , Dieng Ibnou , Vandamme Elke , Johnson Jean‐Martial , Futakuchi Koichi
Published: December 2014

Advance in crop genomics have led to a demand for more accurate and precise phenotyping of a large number of genotypes for discovering genes and mechanisms underpinning important agronomic traits. The use of unbordered plots for field phenotyping is one approach for reducing the resources needed, but competition effects between neighboring lines may confound varietal performance. Four field experiments were conducted in Benin to examine whether grain yields of 14 diverse upland rice (Oryza sativa spp.) varieties determined in unbordered one‐row or two‐row plots differ from those measured in self‐bordered four‐row plots and to examine if statistical models including covariates based on plant characteristics (height, panicle number, and days to heading) for correcting competition effect can improve the estimation of the yield in unbordered plots. Mean grain yield across all varieties ranged from 118 to 378 g m−2 in four experiments. There was no significant variety × row number interaction effect on grain yield, except for the highest yielding experiment. In that experiment, the variety × row number interaction was significant for one‐row versus four‐row plots, but not for two‐row versus four‐row plots. In one‐row plots in this high‐yielding experiment, the neighborhood covariate model based on panicle number improved residual mean square by 20%, but relative selection intensity by 3% only. Similarly, the covariate models based on height or panicle number in both one‐ and two‐row plots in the other experiments improved just 4%. We conclude that unbordered one‐ or two‐row plots can provide reasonable estimates of grain yield of upland rice without any bias due to competition effects, except for high‐yielding one‐row plots (>350 g m−2).
Half‐Sib Matting and Genetic Analysis of Agronomic, Morphological, and Physiological Traits in Sainfoin under Nonstressed versus Water‐Deficit Conditions
Authors: Irani Sayareh , Majidi Mohammad Mahdi , Mirlohi Aghafakhr
Published: December 2014

Half‐sib matting, including polycross and openpollination, are powerful methods to obtain quantitative genetic information in breeding of forage plants. In sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop).no prior efforts have been made to estimate the genetic parameters of traits and comparing these methods. Thirty half‐sib families (16 polycross and 14 open‐pollinated families) were evaluated under two moisture environments (nonstressed and water deficit) during 2010 to 2012. Water deficit decreased plant height (20.3%), plant density (51.8%), dry matter yield (45–53%), relative water content (RWC) (18.9%) and increased carotenoid content (23.9%), proline content (65.7%), specific catalase (74.4%) and ascorbate peroxidase activity (52.7%). High genotypic variation was observed for most of the measured traits. Narrow‐sense heritability (h2PFM) estimates for agro‐morphological traits ranged from 0.42 (leaf to stem ratio) to 0.95 (flowering date). The highest and lowest h2PFM among physiological traits were estimated for carotenoid content (0.50) and RWC (0.83), respectively. Moderate to high heritability for most traits showed the contribution of additive genetic effects suggesting phenotypic selection could be successful. The best agromorphological and physiological traits (such as plant height, plant density, dry matter yield, and RWC) under water deficit belonged to families 16 and 27. Dry matter yield had significant and positive correlation with plant height and plant density indicating indirect selection would also be effective to improve forage yield. Principal component analysis separated polycross and open‐pollinated families into distinct groups. Open‐pollinated families had higher mean values and general combining ability for most of the traits while polycross families had higher heritability and genetic gain from selection. This may indicate a more effective selection and a higher genetic advance in polycross families.
Combining Ability for Phytophthora infestans Quantitative Resistance from Wild Tomato
Authors: Haggard J. Erron , St.Clair Dina A.
Published: December 2014

Alleles conferring quantitative resistance to late blight disease [Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary] were introgressed into cultivated tomato [Solanum lycopersicum (L.)] from resistant wild tomato (Solanum habrochaites Knapp and Spooner). Two sets of sub‐near‐isogenic lines (sub‐NILs) were marker‐selected so that each contained resistance QTL alleles from S. habrochaites chromosome 5 or 11. We conducted a combining ability study with the sub‐NILs to evaluate the potential utility of the resistance QTL alleles for breeding F1 hybrid cultivars and identify sub‐NILs with the highest combining ability for late blight disease resistance. The sub‐NILs were mated with inbred testers in factorial mating designs (Design II). F1 hybrid progeny from these two sets of sub‐NILs, in which each hybrid was heterozygous for one or more QTL resistance alleles on chromosome 5 or 11, were evaluated for P. infestans resistance in replicated field and growth chamber experiments. Differences in combining ability were found in growth chamber but not field experiments, suggesting that sub‐NILs contributed similar levels of resistance to their F1 hybrid progeny in the field, but different levels in the growth chamber. Significant QTL × environment interactions were detected across field and growth chamber experiments. We identified sub‐NILs that expressed P. infestans resistance in F1 hybrid combinations, suggesting that these sub‐NILs could be useful for breeding F1 hybrid varieties with enhanced resistance. The expression of quantitative resistance to P. infestans in F1 hybrids derived from each sub‐NIL parent was provided by multiple QTL alleles from S. habrochaites.
Anthracnose Disease on Annual Bluegrass as Influenced by Spring and Summer Topdressing
Authors: Hempfling James W. , Clarke Bruce B. , Murphy James A.
Published: December 2014

Sand topdressing annual bluegrass [Poa annua L. f. reptans (Hausskn) T. Koyama] (ABG) turf during the summer (SU) can reduce the severity of anthracnose disease, caused by Colletotrichum cereale Manns, but the effect of spring (SP) topdressing warrants further research. A 2‐yr field study evaluated the effect of SP and SU topdressing on anthracnose severity of ABG maintained at 3.2‐mm on a sandy loam in North Brunswick, NJ. Factors of SP (0, 1.2, and 2.4 L m−2 yr−1) and SU (0, 0.525, 1.05, 2.1, and 4.2 L m−2 yr−1) topdressing rate were arranged as a 3 × 5 factorial. Increasing SP rate reduced the area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) linearly in both years, whereas increasing SU rate reduced AUDPC linearly in 2009 but quadratically in 2010. Maximum AUDPC reduction was predicted at a lower total topdressing rate (2.4 and 2.63 L m−2 yr−1 during SP and SU, respectively) in 2010 than 2009. Unlike AUDPC data, pooled disease severity data indicated that SP interacted with SU topdressing, and by late 2010, a SU topdressing rate as low as 2.1 L m−2 yr−1 (at the greatest SP rate) maximized disease suppression. However, incorporation of sand applied at 2.1 and 4.2 L m−2 yr−1 was often delayed, resulting in excess sand on the surface, whereas lower SU rates (0.525 and 1.05 L m−2 yr−1) readily incorporated into the turf. This research indicates that SP topdressing can be used to reduce the rate of SU topdressing needed to suppress anthracnose but may not eliminate the need for SU topdressing to maximize disease suppression.
Belowground Interspecies Interaction Enhances Productivity and Water Use Efficiency in Maize–Pea Intercropping Systems
Authors: Chen Guodong , Chai Qiang , Huang Gaobao , Yu Aizhong , Feng Fuxue , Mu Yanping , Kong Xuefu , Huang Peng
Published: December 2014

Intercropping is shown to have yield advantages compared with sole cropping, but it is unknown how much yield advantage is due to belowground interspecies interactions. Here we determined grain yield, land equivalent ratio (LER), and water use efficiency (WUE) of maize (Zea mays L.)–pea (Pisum sativum L.) intercropping and quantified the magnitude of the contribution by belowground interspecies interactions. Field experiments were conducted at Wuwei (37°96′ N, 102°64′ E), northwest China, in 2009 and 2010. Treatments included sole maize, sole pea, and three maize–pea intercropping systems that, respectively, had no root‐barrier (M–P), plastic sheet barrier (PM–P), and nylon mesh barrier (NM–P). The plastic sheet and nylon mesh barriers were vertically placed to 1‐m deep between the two intercrop strips; this allowed the quantification of belowground interspecies interactions. On a per hectare basis, the maize–pea intercropping increased grain yields by an average of 31.3% and improved WUE by 21.9% compared with the corresponding sole maize and sole pea. The LER value was 1.33 for the M–P system, suggesting that the grain yield produced by the maize–pea intercrops per hectare is equivalent to the yield that sole crops would produce with 33% additional farmland. The M–P system had the yield of 11,034 kg ha−1, which was 21.9% greater compared with the PM–P system and 9.7% greater compared with the NM–P system. The comparison of the three intercropping systems revealed that belowground interspecies interactions contributed 59.3% of the increased yields and 88.9% of the improved WUE. Of the increased yield, about 40% was due to water movement between the two strips and the remaining 19% was due to root overlapping activity. We conclude that sharing resources in the rooting zones between the intercrops serve as a major mechanism responsible for the large yield and WUE advantages for the maize–pea intercropping in arid areas.
Effects of model segmentation approach on the performance and parameters of the Hydrological Simulation Program – Fortran (HSPF) models
Authors: Yan Changan , Zhang Wanchang
Published: December 2014

Although models are one of the most powerful tools for watershed management, their effectiveness is limited by prediction uncertainties resulting from not only model input data but also spatial discretization. In this paper, Hydrological Simulation Program – Fortran (HSPF) models were constructed for the Linyi watershed according to three segmentation approaches including model segments based on differences in: (1) sub-watershed, (2) meteorological station, and (3) physical characteristics. Then the static sensitivity method and dynamic sensitivity method were employed to evaluate the effect of the segmentation approach on model performance and parameters of HSPF. The main conclusions were: (1) modeling with 12 segments had the best simulation efficiency and the corresponding estimated parameters had a certain representation within the Linyi watershed; (2) HSPF model performance was significantly affected by the segmentation approach, especially by the model segmentation construction process which considering a meteorological station or not; (3) parameters INTFW (interflow inflow parameter), lower zone nominal storage, and upper zone nominal storage (UZSN) were most affected by the model segmentation approach, while parameter AGWRC (groundwater recession coefficient) changed indistinctly; (4) parameters UZSN and INTFW had the same variation tendency whenever the segmentation approach changed.
Groundwater, flooding and hydrological functioning in the Findhorn floodplain, Scotland
Authors: MacDonald A. M. , Lapworth D. J. , Hughes A. G. , Auton C. A. , Maurice L. , Finlayson A. , Gooddy D. C.
Published: December 2014

A large floodplain of the River Findhorn, northeast Scotland, was investigated using hydrogeological and hydrochemical methods (including residence time indicators) to characterise groundwater/surface-water coupling and groundwater flooding. The study demonstrated widespread stratification within the floodplain: shallow (<8 mbgl) deposits are highly permeable (100 m/d); deeper deposits have low permeability (1 m/d) and limit interaction with the underlying sandstone aquifer. Hydrochemistry and groundwater-level variations show floodplain groundwater is recharged from the river, surrounding hillslopes and direct rainfall infiltration. The river loses water to groundwater as it enters the floodplain; further downstream, groundwater response follows closely river stage giving rise to complex exchanges; near the sea, groundwater continually discharges to rivers, tributaries and ditches. Groundwater flow is largely parallel to the river and mean groundwater residence times vary from 3 years to 20 years. Groundwater at the edge of the floodplain, close to the hillslopes, has distinctive chemistry and responds rapidly to local intense rainfall (daily total >30 mm). Persistent groundwater flooding occurs within topographical lows and also in the discharge zone where it is largely managed with a series of drains constructed in the 19th century. The significant and complex role of groundwater in floodplains, demonstrated by this study, highlights the importance of fully considering groundwater in flood management schemes.
Protection of groundwater dependent ecosystems: current policies and future management options
Authors: Kløve Bjørn , Balderacchi Matteo , Gemitzi Alexandra , Hendry Sarah , Kværner Jens , Muotka Timo , Preda Elena
Published: December 2014

Groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs) include many terrestrial and aquatic systems with high biodiversity and important ecosystem services. The need for protection of these systems has recently received increasing recognition in many regions, including the European Union (EU), as pressures on groundwater are increasing due to increased consumption in agriculture and intensive land use. A key issue is to provide legislative frameworks that safeguard the ecosystem services these systems provide. This paper reviews European legislation and present methods for theoretical frameworks, and hydrological and ecological observations of GDEs. Insights into the current state of research are provided and gaps in scientific knowledge identified. Different restoration and protection measures, such as buffer zones, are presented and evaluated. Recommendations are given for the future protection of GDEs. Future research should focus on nationally important GDE sites to establish conceptual models describing the individual and interactive impacts of multiple stressors on the hydrological and ecological functioning of GDEs. Proactive management is required to protect GDEs from contamination, for example by using extended buffer zones and careful land use planning in the groundwater capture zone.
Water governance benchmarking: concepts and approach framework as applied to Middle East and North Africa countries
Authors: De Stefano Lucia , Svendsen Mark , Giordano Mark , Steel Brent S. , Brown Bridget , Wolf Aaron T.
Published: December 2014

The world water crisis is a crisis of governance, as has been aptly stated. Yet how does one solve a crisis of governance? Water governance comprises complex nested and interlocked sets of decisions about water. It is inherently political, and is ultimately the responsibility of national, regional and local governments, working with their own citizens and with each other, to make improvements. In this context, there is a critical need in nearly every country to assess whether current water governance structures and practices are suitable and are delivering the desired results and, if not, where they fall short. When such assessments are made regularly and for several countries, it is possible to compare water governance status and performance both among countries and in a single country over time. This paper presents an approach to establishing a system of benchmarking water governance from content analysis of official policy and legal documents and a stratified set of stakeholder opinion panels. The approach assesses both the functions involved in water governance and the processes employed in making decisions. Six countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region (Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Turkey and Yemen) comprise a case study to show how this approach works.
Impact of malocclusion on oral health–related quality of life in young adults
Authors: Chen Mu , Feng Zhi-Cai , Liu Xue , Li Zheng-Ming , Cai Bin , Wang Da-Wei
Published: December 2014

Objective: 

To assess oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL) in young adult patients with malocclusion and to measure the association between orthodontic treatment need and OHRQoL.

Materials and Methods: 

The study sample comprised 190 young adults aged 18 to 25 years who were attending orthodontic clinics at the Faculty of Dentistry. The Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need-Dental Health Component was used to measure orthodontic treatment need. Each participant was assessed for OHRQoL before and after treatment by using the Oral Health Impact Profile, Chinese version (OHIP-14).

Results: 

Patients who had little or no, borderline, and actual need for orthodontic treatment represented 21.6%, 50.5%, and 27.9% of the total sample, respectively. OHRQoL (total OHIP-14 score and score for each domain) improved after treatment (P < .05). Significant differences in summary OHIP-14 scores were apparent with respect to orthodontic treatment need. Participants with high treatment need reported a significantly greater negative impact on the overall OHRQoL score. The greatest impact was seen in the psychological discomfort domain and the psychological disability domain.

Conclusion: 

Malocclusion has a significant negative impact on OHRQoL. This is greatest for the psychological discomfort and psychological disability domains. The orthodontic treatment of malocclusion improves OHRQoL of patients.
Robust MPC of an unstable chemical reactor using the nominal system optimization
Authors: Bakošová Monika , Oravec Juraj
Published: December 2014

The continuous stirred-tank reactor with uncertain parameters was stabilized in the open-loop unstable steady state using the robust model predictive control. The gain matrices of the robust state-feedback controller were designed using the nominal system optimization and the quadratic parameter-dependent Lyapunov functions. The controller was verified by simulations using the non-linear model of the reactor and compared with the robust model predictive controller designed using the worst-case system optimization. The values of the quadratic cost function and the consumption of coolant were observed. Both robust model predictive controllers stabilized the reactor despite constrained control inputs and states. The robust model predictive control based on the nominal system optimization improved control responses and decreased the consumption of coolant.
Methyl- and methoxysalicylatocopper(II) complexes with 2-aminomethylpyridine
Authors: Puchoňová Miroslava , Mazúr Milan , Valigura Dušan
Published: December 2014

As a part of our systematic study of copper(II) complexes in presence of biologically active ligands, we concluded to realize experiments with methyl- or methoxysalicylatocopper(II) complexes in presence of 2-aminomethylpyridine (ampy) ligand. This has resulted in four new complexes of the formula Cu(XSal)2(ampy) (where XSal are 3-MeSal− = 3-methylsalicylate, 4-MeSal− = 4-methylsalicylate, 5-MeSal− = 5-methylsalicylate, or 4-MeOSal− = 4-methoxylsalicylate anions). The synthesis, elemental analysis and spectral properties (EPR, electronic and infrared) are reported. The Cu(II) atom in all four complexes is probably coordinated by two nitrogen atom of the bidentate chelating ampy as well as monodentate and/or highly asymmetrically chelating salicylate anions. Based on the analyses it was concluded that the structure of these new compounds could be similar to [Cu(HCOO)2(ampy)], or [Cu(CH3COO)2(ampy)] that are reported in the literature.
A night on the town: when the importance of mate acquisition overrides intrasexual competition
Authors: Buunk Abraham P. , Massar Karlijn
Published: December 2014

It is argued that, while men may be intrasexually more competitive than women, to attract potential mates, men will, more than women, associate with same-sex friends who are attractive to the opposite sex. Therefore, more than women, men will choose more physically attractive and dominant companions in a mating context than in a neutral context. In Study 1 among 262 participants a mating scenario (going to a party) and a neutral scenario (seeing a movie) were developed, and it was shown that the mating scenario did indeed induce more a mating context than the neutral scenario. In Study 2 among 167 participants the hypotheses were tested by examining the preferences for a companion in both scenarios. The findings from Study 2 supported the predictions. In response to the mating as compared to the neutral scenario, men, but not women, found the attractiveness of a companion more important, preferred a more socially dominant companion, and found the social dominance of a companion more important. Men as well as women preferred in general companions who were less attractive than themselves, but preferred a more attractive companion in a mating than in a neutral context. The effects for social dominance were in general more pronounced among individuals high in sociosexual orientation (SOI). To conclude especially mens’ attitude towards same sex others in a mating context may be driven by the desire to associate, rather than to compete, with same-sex others who are attractive to the opposite sex.
Technological Level of Machines in Production Process of Screws
Authors: Ingaldi Manuela , Lestyánszka Škůrková Katarína
Published: December 2014

The article focuses on analysing one of the elements of technological level in a company using the ABC method. The technological modernity of a machine used during the production process of screws was evaluated. In average, this machine was assigned the score 3.4, meaning that most parts of the machine were manufactured using more complex technologies requiring technical skills and knowledge, and many of them also with modern technologies. This means that the machine examined was quite modern
Biometric characteristics of interspecific hybrids in the genus Secale
Authors: Mikołajczyk Sylwia , Broda Zbigniew , Mackiewicz Danuta , Weigt Dorota , Tomkowiak Agnieszka , Bocianowski Jan
Published: December 2014

Breeding work using European rye populations has resulted in a considerable reduction of genetic variation in breeding materials of that species. Many taxa from the genus Secale may constitute a potential source of genetic variation in rye breeding. A source of new genetic variation can be found in such species as Secale montanum and Secale vavilovii, which are sources of resistance to fusarium ear blight and septoria leaf blotch, while Secale vavilovii may also be a source of sterilising cytoplasm. The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of crossing the wild species Secale vavilovii and the rye subspecies Secale cereale subsp. afghanicum, Secale cereale subsp. ancestrale, Secale cereale subsp. dighoricum, Secale cereale subsp. segetale with the crop species Secale cereale ssp. cereale, and to produce F1 hybrids and describe selected morphological traits. Observations of biometric traits indicate that the F1 crosses produced may be potential sources of variation for common rye. The greatest variation in terms of all analysed phenotypic traits combined was found for the cross combinations S. c. ssp. cereale cv. Amilo × S. c. ssp. ancestrale and S. c. ssp. cereale cv. Dańkowskie Diament × S. c. ssp. dighoricum. The hybrids showed considerable variation in the analysed biometric traits within individual cross combinations.
Genotypic virulence markers of Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 isolated from pigs and wild boars serologically positive and negative for brucellosis
Authors: Weiner Marcin , Kubajka Maria , Szulowski Krzysztof , Iwaniak Wojciech , Krajewska Monika , Lipiec Marek
Published: December 2014

The paper concerns molecular study on pathogenicity markers of fourteen Y. enterocolitica O:9 isolated from pigs in which initially positive serological reactions for brucellosis were observed (n = 41), healthy pigs, which were brucellosis-negative (n = 258), and wild boars serologically negative for brucellosis (n = 209). PCR identification proved that all isolates were ail, ystA- and myfA-positive. The plasmid encoding yadA marker was detected in nine isolates that originated from pigs serologically positive or negative for brucellosis, and from one isolate of wild boar origin. Furthermore, none of the examined isolates was ystB-positive. Results of the investigations indicate that the Y. enterocolitica O:9 isolates from pigs or wild boars, regardless of whether they were serologically positive or negative for brucellosis, may also be potentially pathogenic for humans, due to the presence of chromosomal and plasmid encoded molecular markers.
Antimicrobial resistance of ESBLand AmpC-producing Escherichia coli isolated from meat
Authors: Wasiński Bernard , Różańska Hanna , Osek Jacek
Published: December 2014

In the present study, 25 Escherichia coli strains isolated from beef, pork, and poultry meat, and producing extendedspectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) (18 strains) or AmpC- cephalosporinases (7 strains) were tested for antimicrobial resistance using the minimum inhibitory concentration method with 16 antimicrobial agents. All examined strains were resistant to ampicillin and the first-generation cephalosporins. Variable resistance to the third-generation cephalosporins (40%-100% among ESBLproducing strains and 0-72% among AmpC-producing strains) was noted. Less than 30% of examined strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin. All isolates were susceptible to the fourth-generation cephalosporins, cephalosporins connected with inhibitors of β-lactamases, carbapenems, and gentamycin
Toxic elements in free-living freshwater fish, water and sediments in Poland
Authors: Szkoda Józef , Żmudzki Jan , Nawrocka Agnieszka , Kmiecik Mirosława
Published: December 2014

Samples for analysis were collected from 10 areas, including the major Polish rivers and lakes, with different sources of environmental pollution (industrial, municipal, and farming). The materials was taken from the lakes of Mazury, located in a non-industrialised region, from the Brda River, an area impacted by pig farms, from the lakes of Lipczyno Wielkie/Pomerania, from the Wkra River, an area impacted by poultry farms, from the Dunajec River at the Roznowski Reservoir, from the Vistula River at Cracow and Warsaw, from the Odra River at Wroclaw and the Warta River estuary, and also from Rybnik Power Station Reservoir. Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Hg, and As were analysed in 397 fish muscle and 128 sediment samples using an atomic absorption spectrometry technique. The analytical procedures were covered by a quality assurance programme. It was demonstrated that the average concentrations of lead, cadmium, and arsenic in fish were in the low hundredths and thousandths of a mg/kg and never exceeded permitted limits established for food. Higher values of these elements were found in fish from bodies of water located in the zone of influence of large urban agglomerations, especially the Cracow region. High concentrations of lead and cadmium were also found in Vistula River sediments near Cracow, where the maximum values were 134.10 mg/kg and 21.24 mg/kg dry weight for lead and cadmium respectively. The average concentration of mercury in a predatory fish muscle (0.179 mg/kg) was almost twice as high as in the omnivorous fish (0.103 mg/kg). Only a single fish sample exceeded the maximum limit for this metal (0.50 mg/kg) and did not present a risk to consumers’ health.
Experimental gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in the sheep
Authors: Fartashvand Majid , Mousavi Ghafour , Hajisadeghi Yaghoub
Published: December 2014

The aim of the study was to investigate the nephrotoxic effects of gentamicin in adult male sheep, and to identify the earliest signs of toxicity and the extent of clinical and biochemical changes. Twenty clinically healthy yearling male Iranian fattailed sheep were injected with gentamicin sulfate at a daily dose of 80 mg/kg for 9-10 d when nephrotoxicosis was induced. Blood samples were collected weekly before and after induction of nephrotoxicosis. Gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity was characterised by increased creatinine and urea levels in serum, electrolyte imbalances, occurrence of albuminuria, and renal dysfunction. Significant elevation in respiratory and heart rates were observed one week after treatment (P < 0.05). There was a noticeable increase in water consumption, lethargy, and loss of appetite in treated sheep. There were significant correlations between serum creatinine and potassium (P = 0.004, r = 0.759), sodium (P = 0.017, r = 0.501), and urea (P = 0.021, r = 0.617) levels. Additionally, significant negative correlations between serum total protein and albumin and creatinine (P = 0.023, r = -0.484) and urea (P = 0.036, r = -0.381) were found. At necropsy, the kidneys were pale, swollen, and wet on the cut surface, especially perirenal tissues and ureters were oedematous. These findings confirmed the previous reports in other species.
Quality of Life Considering Patients with Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases - Natural and Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Raczkowska Aneta , Ławiński Michał , Gradowska Aleksandra , Zielińska-Borkowska Urszula
Published: December 2014

One of the elements of treatment considering inflammatory bowel diseases is nutritional therapy. The duration of the above-mentioned depends on the prevalence of such symptoms as fever, bowel move-ments, length of the functioning gastrointestinal tract, stoma and intestinal fistula presence. Nutritional therapy is an essential element of successful treatment alongside pharmacological, surgical, and biological therapy, as well as other methods. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis considered as chronic diseases, lead towards physical and biopsychosocial disability, being responsible for the reduction in the quality of life.

was to determine the quality of life after surgical procedures in case of patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, subjected to natural and parenteral nutrition.

The study group comprised 52 patients from the Department of Gastroen-terology, Military Medical Institute, and Department of Surgery and Clinical Nutrition, Clinical Hospital in Warsaw. The study was performed between October, 2011 and April, 2012. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument - Bref (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire was used to deter-mine the patients’ quality of life.

A lower quality of life was observed in case of patients subjected to parenteral nutrition, poor education, disease symptoms exacerbation, in the majority-rural inhabitants. The quality of life does not depend on gender, type of disease, family status, and additional medical care.
Results of Laparoscopic Appendectomies Performed with the Use of Titanium Clips for Closure of the Appendicular Stump
Authors: Strzałka Marcin , Matyja Maciej , Rembiasz Kazimierz
Published: December 2014

Nowadays laparoscopy is used frequently not only in elective surgery but also in abdominal emergencies, including acute appendicitis. There are several techniques used to close the appendicular stump during laparoscopic appendectomy.

was to present the results of minimally invasive appendectomies performed with the use of titanium clips.

Patients operated on laparoscopically for acute appendicitis with the application of titanium clips between October 2012 and December 2013 were included in the study. We reviewed retrospectively patients` data including: age, sex, duration of the surgical procedure and hospital stay, mortality, intraoperative and postoperative complication rates.

There were 93 patients (mean age=33.8 years, SD=15.23) in the analyzed group, including 60 men (mean age=33.5 years, SD= 15.07) and 33 women (mean age=33.9 years SD=15.26). The aver-age duration of the surgical procedure was 66 min (SD= 33.15). The average length of hospital stay was 3.38 days (SD=1.62). No intraoperative complications were observed in the analyzed group. Post-operative complication rate was low (6 cases, 6.5%). No mortality was observed.

Laparoscopic appendectomy with the application of titanium clips for closure of the appendicular stump is safe, associated with low complication rates and should be considered as a routine technique in everyday surgical practice.
Neurilemoma of the Median Nerve - Surgical Strategies Based on a Case Report
Authors: Ulatowski Łukasz , Kaniewska Anna
Published: December 2014

The study presented a case of a patient with a neurilemoma of the median nerve. It presented as a six centemeters tumor, at the level of the proximal one third of the arm with only mild paraesthesias within frst to third ray of the hand. MRI showed the relationship of the tumor and the median nerve, and allowed for the preliminary diagnose of a benign peripheral neural sheath tumor (neurilemoma or neurofibroma). During the first operation the tumor has not been excised, because nerve reconstruction technique was not available. During the second procedure excision of the tumor has been performed without resection of the median nerve trunk with no postoperative deficiencies. The paper provides a detailed description of a surgical procedure. The presented case, like current publications shows that peripheral neural sheath tumor may be usually excised without resection of the nerve trunk, although the possibility of nerve fascicles injury or the need to excise them in the case of neurofibroma clearly suggest that these type of operations should be carried out in centers with microsurgical facilities.