bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does initial 45Gy of pelvic intensity-modulated radiotherapy reduce late complications in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer? A cohort control study using definitive chemoradiotherapy with high-dose rate brachytherapy
Authors: Chen Shang-Wen , Liang Ji-An , Yeh Lian-Shung , Chang Wei-Chun , Lin Wu-Chou , Chien Chun-Ru 
Published: April 2013

Background. Comparing initial 45 Gy of pelvic intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and non-IMRT in terms of the late toxicities associated with advanced cervical cancer that has also been treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy and high-dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDRICB).
Patients and methods. This retrospective study included 320 stage IB2-IIIB cervical cancer patients treated with CCRT (83 IMRT and 237 non-IMRT). The two groups had similar stage and HDRICB ratings. Following 45 Gy to the pelvis, HDRICB of 24 Gy in four courses was prescribed. Late toxicities, including rectal complications (RC), bladder complications (BC) and non-rectal intestinal injury (NRRII), were scored by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. A logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of the complications.
Results. With a median follow-up duration of 33 and 77 months for IMRT and non-IMRT, 33 patients had Grade 2 or higher late RC (7.2% IMRT, 11.4% non-IMRT), whereas that for BC was 40 (9.6% IMRT, 13.5% non-IMRT) and for NRRII was 48 (12.0% IMRT, 16.0% non-IMRT). The cumulative rate for total grade 3 or higher gastrointestinal or genitourinary toxicities was 8.4% and 11.8% (p = 0.33). IMRT did not reduce the OR for all endpoints; however, the ORs for rectum and bladder reference doses to Point A were associated with RC and BC.
Conclusions. Locally advanced cervical cancer patients treated with initial 45Gy of pelvic IMRT and HDRICB have similar treatment-related late toxicities as those treated with non-IMRT. Optimization of the brachytherapy scheme is essential to minimize late toxicities.
An incidental case of biliary fascioliasis with subtle clinical findings: US and MRCP findings
Authors: Önder Hakan , Ekici Faysal , Adin Emin , Kuday Suzan , Gümüş Hatice , Bilici Aslan 
Published: April 2013

Background. Fascioliasis is a disease caused by the trematode Fasciola hepatica. Cholangitis is a common clinical manifestation. Although fascioliasis may show various radiological and clinical features, cases without biliary dilatation are rare.
Case report. We present unique ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) findings of a biliary fascioliasis case which doesn’t have biliary obstruction or cholestasis. Radiologically, curvilinear parasites compatible with juvenile and mature Fasciola hepatica within the gallbladder and common bile duct were found. The parasites appear as bright echogenic structures with no acoustic shadow on US and hypo-intense curvilinear lesions on T2 weighted MRCP images.
Conclusions. Imaging studies may significantly contribute to the diagnosis of patients with subtle clinical and laboratory findings, particularly in endemic regions.
Pancreatic involvement in small cell lung cancer
Authors: Gonlugur Ugur , Mirici Arzu , Karaayvaz Muammer 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Background. Few data are available concerning incidence, clinical picture, and prognosis for pancreatic metastases of small cell lung carcinoma. In this paper we review the related literature available in English language.
Conclusions. Although pancreatic metastases are generally asymptomatic, they can rarely produce clinical symptoms or functional abnormalities. The widespread use of multi-detector computerised tomography (CT) in contemporary medical practice has led to an increased detection of pancreatic metastases in oncology patients. Tissue diagnosis is imperative because radiological techniques alone are incapable of differentiating them from primary pancreatic tumours. Pancreatic metastases occur in the relative end stage of small cell lung cancer. The main complications of these lesions, although rare, are acute pancreatitis and obstructive jaundice. Early chemotherapy can provide a survival benefit even in patients with mild acute pancreatitis or extrahepatic biliary obstruction.
Glucose Homeostasis in Patients with Pheochromocytoma
Authors: Dănciulescu Miulescu Rucsandra , Margină Denisa , Culman Mirela , Păun Sorin , Poiană Cătălina 
Published: April 2013

Abstract Background and Aims. Previous studies have shown that impaired glucose tolerance is present in patients with pheochromocytoma with a prevalence of 25- 75%. The aim of this study was to examine glucose tolerance in 12 patients with pheochromocytoma, before and after medical and surgical treatment. Material and Methods. We evaluated 12 patients aged between 44 and 60 years with confirmed pheochromocytoma. Plasma insulin, fasting blood glucose and 2h glucose levels during the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were measured before and three months after surgical removal of the tumor. Results. Surgical removal of the tumor generated significant changes in plasma and urinary metanephrines (plasma normetanephrine 191.15±13.22 pg/ml after treatment vs. 792.54±86.74 pg/ml at baseline, p<0.0001, plasma metanephrine 86.69±4.48 pg/ml vs. 363.62.±21.69 pg/ml, p<0.0001, urinary normetanephrine 718.54±37.59 μg/day after treatment vs. 1855.77±116.54 μg/day at baseline and urinary metanephrine of 258.31±34.00 μg/day vs. 745.38±65.14 μg/day, p<0.0001) but not in insulin, fasting and 2h glucose levels during OGTT. Conclusion. In our study, the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance in patients with confirmed pheochromocytoma was 8.33% (1 patient with a previous family history of diabetes). After surgical removal of the tumor, normalization of mean glucose levels of OGTT was not achieved.
Performance Testing of Web Map Services tn three Dimensions – X, Y, Scale
Authors: Cibulka Dušan 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The paper deals with the performance testing of web mapping services. The paper describes map service tests in which it is possible to determine the performance characteristics of a map service, depending on the location and scale of the map. The implementation of the test is tailored to the Web Map Service specifications provided by the Open Geospatial Consortium. The practical experiment consists of testing the map composition acquired from OpenStreetMap data for the area of southwestern Slovakia. These tests permit checking the performance of services in different positions, verifying the configuration of services, the composition of a map, and the visualization of geodata.
The task of this paper is to also highlight the fact that it is not sufficient to only interpret a map service performance with conventional indicators. A map service’s performance should be linked to information about the map’s scale and location.
How ISO-15189 laboratory accreditation assures patient safety? / Kako ISO-15189 akreditacija laboratorija osigurava bezbednost pacijenta?
Authors: Serteser Mustafa , Coskun Abdurrahman , Inal Tamer C. , Unsal Ibrahim 
Published: April 2013

Summary
Healthcare is a complex profession involving the state-of-art technology and sometimes leading to unintentional harm. Many factors contribute to the occurrence of medical errors. Patient safety is one of the most serious global health issues and defined as the absence of preventable harm to a patient during any process of medical care. The frequency of medical errors is higher than expected. It has been concluded that the majority of medical errors are not because of the individual attitudes but mainly caused by faulty systems or processes leading the staff to make mistakes or fail to prevent them. Patient safety is a shared responsibility comprised of many stakeholders such as society, patients, nurses, educators, administrators, researchers, physicians, government and legislative bodies, professional associations and accrediting agencies. Medical laboratory services are essential to patient care and need to be available to meet the needs of both patients and caregivers. ISO- 15189:2007 Medical Laboratories-Particular requirements for quality and competence, an internationally recognized standard containing requirements necessary for diagnostic laboratories to demonstrate their competence to deliver reliable laboratory services. It applies quality system requirements to the clinical laboratories with a strong focus on responsiveness to the needs of patients and clinicians. Applying the performance improvement strategies focusing on different phases in total testing process will significantly reduce the errors and therefore will improve the patient safety. In this way, laboratory professionals contribute to improvement of safety and outcomes of care by working in interdisciplinary approach manner.
Evaluation of Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors in Female Students
Authors: Mežiņa-Mamajeva Ina , Grigāns Arvīds , Kučāns Pēteris , Kriķis Juris , Raibarts Jānis , Ligere Renāte 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Many studies have shown that systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure changes due tohigher weight in both school-age children and in adolescents. Abnormalities of thyroid functionmight be no less important factor in relation to metabolic syndrome. The objective of the studywas to determine the relationship of arterial blood pressure, glucose, adiponectin and thyroidfunction parameters to major risk factors of metabolic syndrome. The risk factors tested werebody mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in female students aged 18 to 25 years. Westudied 105 RSU Red Cross college students aged 18 to 25 years. We calculated their BMI, lungvital capacity (ml), thyroid changes by ultrasound (USG) (27 students) and ECG (79 students). Inaddition, we measured their waist and chest circumferences, and systolic and diastolic bloodpressure in both arms. We determined concentration of glucose, adiponectin, thyroid stimulatinghormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) in blood. Statistical analyses were performed using theSPSS 15.01 package software. There was a statistically significant positive correlation betweenthe arterial blood pressure, BMI and increase of the waist circumference in students (average age20.7 years). The average arterial blood pressure in students was normal. The age at the onset ofmenarche had a significant positive effect on diastolic arterial blood pressure (P = 0.009-0,017).An increase in blood glucose concentration was closely associated with BMI (P = 0.03) and waistcircumference (P = 0.045). However, adiponectin concentration was correlated with systolic (P =0.007-0.048) and diastolic (P = 0.002-0.003) blood pressure. Significant ECG changes werefound in 10% of the subjects, indicating cardiovascular changes in these young women. Thehigher the FT4 and TSH concentrations, the more frequently were observed changes in the ECGST-segment (P = 0.01-0,008). A significant relationship between diastolic blood pressure and theage at onset of menarche (P = 0.009-0.017) was found. Increased arterial blood pressure wasassociated with an increase in BMI, waist circumference and adiponectin concentration, while anincrease in blood glucose concentration was associated with increased BMI and waist circumference,but not with the adiponectin level. Changes in ECG and increased diastolic arterial bloodpressure in relation to menarche indicate a possible role of the endocrine system and genetic factorsin regulation of the main parameters of metabolic syndrome
Novel Foods: Regulation, Health and Safety Considerations
Authors: Sarkadi Livia Simon , Gál Veronika 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Under the Novel Food Regulation (258/97/EC), a novel food is defined as a food or food ingredientthat does not have a significant history of consumption within the European Union prior to 15May 1997. Novel foods are required to undergo a pre-market safety assessment and must beauthorised before they can legally be marketed in the EU. A proposal to revise and update the EUNovel Food Regulation was published in 2008. This proposed a definition for nanomaterials, acentralised and faster authorisation procedure and specific measures for traditional foods fromthird countries. As a result of disagreement on the inclusion of foods from cloned animals, theEuropean Parliament and Council were unable to reach agreement on the new regulation beforethe deadline of 30 March 2011. New discussions on the updated Regulation are expected to takeplace in 2012. So far 66 novel foods and food ingredients have been authorised for use in the EU.The most popular products are Noni juice (juice of the fruits of Morinda citrifolia) and phytosterolsin a number of foodstuffs
Sustainable School Indicators: Approaching the Vision Through the Sustainable School Award
Authors: Kalaitzidis Dimitrios 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The Sustainable School Award is a project for schools that aims to integrate a sustainability perspective into all aspects of school life through sustainable school indicators. It complies with the implementation strategy of the International Plan of Action of the Decade for Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) and the Strategy of United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). In this paper, we present the vision of a sustainable school and an attempt to connect theory and practice of education for sustainable development in order to approach this vision. A brief report on the first year of the implementation of the project in Greece is also presented.
Ptyctimous mites (Acari, Oribatida) in the fauna of North Africa, against the background of the Palaearctic fauna
Authors: Niedbała Wojciech 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The ptyctimous mite fauna of each zoogeographical region of the world is highly specific and includes many endemic or native species. In Palaearctic Region it comprises 295 known species. The number of widespread species is very low: 14 semicosmopolitan, 16 Holarctic, and 15 pan-Palaearctic. Out of the relatively narrowly distributed species, over half (114) have also been noted as endemic to the Palaearctic Region. Twenty-seven species are known to originate from other zoogeographical regions and have been introduced to the Palaearctic in prooriental and East-Asiatic parts. The fauna of North Africa has a much lower number of endemic species than the neighbouring subregions, but a high number of Palaearctic species and a relatively high number of widespread species. This fauna is completely different from the Afrotropical fauna on the same continent. The majority of common species are West Palaearctic. The fauna of North Africa is much poorer in species than that of North Mediterranean subregion, but both these faunas share a lot of common species, especially many of West Palaearctic origin. Moreover, in North Africa the regional faunas show poor similarity, e.g. the fauna of the western islands (Canary Island and Madeira) is very different from that of Maghreb (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia).
Arab Efl Learners’ Acquisition of Verbs of Senses
Authors: Saeed Aziz Thabit , Fareh Shehdeh 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
This study attempts to explore the difficulties that Arab EFL learners of English encounter in the use of five verbs of senses when used as copulas, main verbs, main verbs with a metaphorical use, and as parts of idioms. A questionnaire consisting of three parts was specially designed to elicit the necessary data for this study at the levels of recognition and production. The subjects of the study were 30 randomly selected senior English major university students. The results of the study show that the students encountered tangible difficulties in using the five target verbs. A hierarchy of difficulty was established and the main causes of the problem were identified.
Long Lexical Bundles and Standardisation in Historical Legal Texts
Authors: Kopaczyk Joanna 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Standardisation on the level of text is visible in the employment of stable and fixed expressions for a specific textual purpose. When gauging the extent of standardisation in texts, one of the parameters which should be taken into consideration is the length of such stable patterns. Since it is more difficult, and therefore rarer, to reproduce long chunks of text in an unchanged form, such a practice points towards greater standardisation. To explore the textual behaviour of long fixed strings in legal texts, this paper concentrates on long lexical bundles built out of eight consecutive elements (8-grams) and their frequency and function in historical legal texts. The database for this pilot paper comprises two collections of legal and administrative texts written in Scots between the fourteenth and the sixteenth century. The research results point to a considerable degree of textual standardisation throughout the corpus and to the most prominent functions of long repetitive chunks in historical legal discourse.
Authority in Lowth’S and Priestley’S Prefaces to Their English Grammars
Authors: Fernández Martínez Dolores 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The eighteenth century was a crucial period in the process of codification of the English language and in the history of English grammar writing (Tieken-Boon van Ostade 2008b). The need for grammars to provide linguistic guidance to the upper social classes, and to those who aspired to belong to them, led to an important increase in the output of English grammars. Since most of the grammar writers were clearly in competition with one another for a share of the market, they turned the prefaces to their grammars into highly persuasive instruments that tried to justify the need for that specific grammar. Priestley’s and Lowth’s grammars epitomized, respectively, the two main trends of grammatical tradition, namely descriptivism and prescriptivism. Taking a critical discourse analysis approach, this paper aims to examine how both writers claimed their authority through the presentation of the different individuals involved in the text, specifically, the author and any potential readers. We will examine how individuals are depicted both as a centre of structure and action through Martin’s (1992) identification systems and Halliday’s (2004 [1985]) transitivity structures. Such an approach fits in with Wicker’s (2006: 79) assessment of prefaces as textual networks of authority in which it is essential to interrogate how the readers who support and influence the texts are represented and addressed.
The God of the Middle English Cleanness and His Erotic Exhortations of Purity
Authors: Spyra Piotr 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
The Middle English Cleanness is a poem unique in the medieval context in that it couples its homophobic discourse with a powerful vindication of sexual pleasure and its role in relationships without referring to the procreative telos of marriage. In fact, Cleanness does not even stress that the only proper arena for erotic desire is the marriage bed, with the narrator emphasising the mutuality of pleasure instead. The article investigates the text’s rhetorical interplay between the vilification of homosexuals and the divine endorsement of heterosexual lovemaking. Going beyond the established critical consensus on the issue, it argues that the contrast between the two serves not only to allow the author to vent his homophobic prejudice but also connects with the epistemological concerns of Pearl, the text that precedes Cleanness in the Cotton Nero A.x manuscript.
On the oscillation of the solutions to delay and difference equations
Authors: Niri Khadija , Stavroulakis Ioannis P. 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Consider the first-order linear delay differential equation xʹ(t) + p(t)x(τ(t)) = 0, t≥ t<sub>0</sub>, (1) where p, τ ∈ C ([t<sub>0</sub>,∞, ℝ<sup>+</sup>, τ(t) is nondecreasing, τ(t) < t for t ≥ t<sup>0</sup> and lim<sub>t→∞</sub> τ(t) = ∞, and the (discrete analogue) difference equation Δx(n) + p(n)x(τ(n)) = 0, n= 0, 1, 2,…, (1)ʹ where Δx(n) = x(n + 1) − x(n), p(n) is a sequence of nonnegative real numbers and τ(n) is a nondecreasing sequence of integers such that τ(n) ≤ n − 1 for all n ≥ 0 and lim<sub>n→∞</sub> τ(n) = ∞. Optimal conditions for the oscillation of all solutions to the above equations are presented.
Image-based jpeg steganography
Authors: Jókay Matúš , Moravćík Tomáš 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT
This paper deals with the steganographic algorithm LSB (modification of the Least Significant Bits) in JPEG images. The focus is on minimizing of the number of modified DCT coefficients using (2k − 1, 2k − k − 1) Hamming codes. Experimental part of the paper examines the dependencies between the coding, efficiency and saturation.
Impulsive Cohen-Grossberg neural networks with s-type distributed delays
Authors: Akça Haydar , Covachev Valéry 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
We study impulsive Cohen-Grossberg neural networks with S-type distributed delays. This type of delays in the presence of impulses is more general than the usual types of delays studied in the literature. Using analysis techniques we prove the existence of a unique equilibrium point. By means of simple and efficient Lyapunov functions we present some sufficient conditions for the exponential stability of the equilibrium.
An optimal design with respect to a variable thickness of a viscoelastic beam in a dynamic boundary contact
Authors: Bock Igor , Kečkemétyová Mária 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
We deal with the optimal control problem governed by a hyperbolic variational inequality describing the perpendicular vibrations of a beam clamped on the left end with a rigid obstacle at the right end. A variable thickness of a beam plays the role of a control parameter.
Kernel-resolvent relations for an integral equation
Authors: Burton Theodore A. 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
We consider a scalar integral equation where |G(t,z)| ≤ ϕ(t)|z|, C is convex, and . Related to this is the linear equation and the resolvent equation . A Liapunov functional is constructed which gives qualitative results about all three equations. We have two goals. First, we are interested in conditions under which properties of C are transferred into properties of the resolvent R which is used in the variation-of-parameters formula. We establish conditions on C and functions b so that as t→∞ and is in L2[0, ∞] implies that as t→∞ and is in L2[0, ∞]. Such results are fundamental in proving that the solution z satisfies z(t) →a(t) as t→∞ and that .
This is in final form and no other version will be submitted.
Linear and differential cryptanalysis of reduced-round AES
Authors: Lacko-Bartošová Lucia 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT
The subject of this paper is linear and differential cryptanalysis of two rounds of the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with estimation of com- plexity for three-round AES attack. Presented linear attack is based on finding highly probable linear expressions and presented differential attack is based on finding specific bitwise differences. Data complexity of described linear and diffe- rential attack is 228 and 227, respectively, where 8 bits of subkey are recovered. Minimal complexity of linear attack on three-round AES is bigger than d × 260, where d is a small constant.
The inclusion-exclusion principle without distributivity
Authors: Kelemenová Jana 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT
Inspired by the article of P. Grzegorzewski [The inclusion-exclusion principle for IF-events, Inform. Sci. 181 (2011), 536-546], who has worked two generalizations of the inclusion-exclusion principle for IF-events, a generalization of the inclusion-exclusion principle for mappings with values in semigroups is presented here. The main idea is in replacing the distributivity and idempotency laws, by one new axiom.