Understanding Individual Experiences of Chronic Illness with Semantic Space Models of Electronic Discussions

Electronic discussion groups provide a convenient forum for individuals to share their experiences of chronic illness. The language use of individual participants, and the way their language shifts over time, may provide implicit indications of important shifts in sense-of-self. This paper relates experience with application of the hyperspace analogue to language (HAL) model for automatic construction of a dimensional model from a corpus of text. HAL is applied to 17 months of discussion on a closed list of 20 women coping with chronic illness. The discussion group was moderated for a focus the phenomenon of "Transition' - how people can learn to incorporate the consequences of illness into their lives. The current phase of research focuses on identification of clusters of words that can represent key aspects of Transition. The HAL models for two participants have been analyzed by experts in Transition to form candidate clusters. These clusters are then used as a basis for contrasting the language usage of an individual participant over time as compared to the entire corpus. We have not yet found a reliable basis for identifying transitions in an individual based on their entries into a discussion forum, although the clusters may have some inherent value for introspection on individual experiences and Transition in general. We report challenges for interpretation of the HAL model related to the correlation of dimensions and the impact of group dynamics

LEANNESS AND CARCASS COMPOSITION OF PIGS IN CROATIA

Istraživanje je provedeno na 146 svinjskih polovica, odabranih prema debljini le!ne slanine na mjestu propisanom za metodu „dvije tocke“ kako opisuje Pravilnik o kakvoci svinjskih trupova i polovica na liniji klanja (NN. br. 119/99). Pri odabiru svinjskih polovica nije bilo stratifikacije prema tjelesnoj masi. Mesnatost svinjskih polovica utvr!ena je na tri nacina: procjenom pomocu instrumentalne metode i metode dvije tocke te utvr!ivanjem primjenom metode disekcije. Disekcija je provedena na nacin kako ga trenutno propisuje legislativa EU, takozvanom EU referentnom metodom. Rezultati su pokazali kako je procijenjeni udio mišicnog tkiva u polovicama svinja bio manji od objektivno utvr!enog udjela mišicnog tkiva EU referentnom metodom disekcije. Statisticki znacajne razlike (p<0,05) utvr!ene su izme!u mesnatosti objektivno utvr!ene disekcijom i mesnatosti procijenjene pomocu metode „Dvije tocke“. Ovo upucuje na potrebu izrade novih korekcijskih faktora u jednadžbi procjene mišicnog tkiva u svinjskim polovicama za navedenu metodu. Istraživanjem je utvr!eno da najveci udio u svinjskim polovicama cini but, slijede ga le!ni dio, plecka i rebarni dio. U cetiri se disecirana dijela polovice najveci udio mišicnog tkiva nalazi u butu, a slijede ga plecka, le!a i rebarni dio. Najveci udio ukupnog masnog tkiva nalazi se u rebarnom dijelu, dok ga je najmanje utvr!eno u butu. Udio kostiju najveci je u le!nom, najmanji u rebarnom dijelu. Tako!er su prikazani detaljni udjeli tkiva iz diseciranih dijelova svinjske polovice u njezinoj ukupnoj masi tako!er je prikazan. Razvrstavanjem svinjskih polovica u trgovacke klase (SEUROP) prema obje metode procjene kao i metodom disekcije utvr!eno je kako metode procjene svrstavaju oko 15% svinjskih polovica u klasu S, dok je EU referentna metoda svrstala u istu kasu cak 27,40% svinjskih polovica. Metoda „dvije tocke“ svrstala je oko 72% polovica u srednje kvalitetne trgovacke klase (E i U), dok je disekcijom utvr!eno da ovim klasama pripada 58% svinjskih polovica. Zakljuceno je kako u Republici Hrvatskoj treba naciniti promjene u formulama kojima se procjenjuje postotak mesa u svinjskim polovicama. Najbolje bi to bilo uciniti koristeci metodologiju propisanu u zemljama EU.This study was performed on 146 pig carcasses, selected on the basis of back fat thickness measured at the position for “Two Points” method as described by the Croatian Regulation on Quality of Pig Carcasses on Slaughterhouse- line (National Gazette, No. 119/99). There was no stratification based on carcass weight. The leanness of pig carcasses was determined in three manners: estimation by the instrumental and “Two Points” method, as well as by applying dissection method. Dissection was performed as prescribed by the current EU legislation, which enforces the so called EU reference method. The results have shown that the estimated share of muscle tissue in pig carcasses was lower than the share of muscle tissue objectively determined by the EU reference method of dissection. Statistically significant differences (p< 0.05) were determined between the leanness objectively determined by dissection and the leanness estimated by the “Two Points” method. This indicates the need for establishing new coefficients in the equation for estimating muscle tissue in pig carcasses for the mentioned method. The study has found that the greatest share of pig carcasses consists of the leg, then loin, shoulder and belly. In four dissected parts of the carcass, the highest share of muscle tissue is in the leg, followed by the shoulder, loin and belly. The highest share of total fat tissue is in the belly, whereas its lowest share is found in the leg. The highest share of bones is in the loin, and the lowest in the belly. Detailed shares of tissue from the dissected parts of pig carcass in its total mass are also shown. The classification of pig carcasses into commercial classes according to SEUROP system by both methods of estimation, as well as by the method of dissection, determined that the evaluation methods classify around 15% of all pig carcasses to S class, whereas the EU reference method classifies as much as 27,40% of pig carcasses into the same class. The method of “Two Points” classified approximately 72% of carcasses to medium- quality commercial classes (E and U), whereas the dissection method determined that 58% of pig carcasses belong to these classes. It has been concluded that the Republic of Croatia needs changes in formulae for estimation of the lean percentage in pig carcasses. The best way to do that would be to use the methodology prescribed in the EU

Anaerobic Digestion System Selection for Croatian Swine Manures

Interest in the anaerobic digestion (AD) of swine manures and slaughter waste continues to increase due to the potential to produce renewable energy in the form of biogas and due to the expanding market for carbon credits around the world. This paper provides an analysis of the anaerobic digestion types and operational schemes that are best suited to Croatian swine production. In addition, it proposes a methodology to optimize system selection and design by predicting biogas production quantity and quality based on the use of biochemical methane potential (BMP) assays followed by the use of pilot-scale reactors to make final system selections and estimate system hydraulic retention times (HRT) for the selected system design. A review of reactor configurations that are promising for swine manure and slaughter waste digestion suggests that a mesophilic, continuously fed AD system be investigated to digest a mix of Croatian large-scale swine manure and slaughter waste

3D Printing Planning Stereotactic Radiosurgery in Uveal Melanoma Patients

The aim of our work is to use a new modality for visualization of intraocular tumors in three-dimensional space for planning of stereotactic radiosurgery procedure on linear accelerator. Malignant uveal melanoma is the most common malignant tumor of the inner eye structures in adults. Stereotactic radiosurgery on linear accelerator is the method of treatment that requires precise planning. However, in some cases, it is very difficult to imagine the structures based only on fusion of two-dimensional computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. For the team of specialists planning the procedure, 3D printed models represent the way how to perceive the real shape of the tumor and its location considering the important structures of the eye globe. By using the open-source software for segmentation (3D Slicer), we created a virtual 3D model of the eye globe with a tumor that utilized tissue density information based on CT and/or MRI dataset. By creating and introducing a new imaging modality for tumor visualization, we provided real 3D model of the eye globe for the specialists that enabled them more effective planning of the stereotactic radiosurgery

CONVERSION OF ORGANIC MANURE INTO BIOGAS

Jedno od obećavajućih alternativnih energetskih rješenja je proizvodnja bioplina anaerobnom razgradnjom organskog otpada, naročito iskorištenjem organskog gnoja kod uzgoja životinja, te drugih ostataka iz poljoprivredne proizvodnje. Prema podacima o stočarskoj proizvodnji u vremenu od 2005. do 2007. godine, dnevna količina životinjskih ekskremenata u RH, na bazi broja uvjetnih grla (UG) iznosi 784 015,26 m3. Cilj rada je utvrditi mogućnost proizvodnje bioplina iz najzastupljenijih vrsta domaćih životinja u RH. Anaerobnom fermentacijom u trajanju od 40 dana pri mezofilnim uvjetima proizvedeno je iz 1 kg goveđe gnojovke 31 litra bioplina, a iz svinjske gnojovke 14,83 litre bioplina. Iz naših istraživanja slijedi da bi se u RH godišnje (na bazi broja UG) moglo proizvesti 426.995.250,00 Nm3 bioplina. S obzirom da je RH prisiljena uvoziti većinu energenata, korištenjem bioplina smanjio bi se uvoz pojedinih energenata što je naročito vidljivo kod uvoza el. energije.Production of biogas with anaerobic degradation from organic waste is one of the pledge alternative energetic solutions, especially from organic manure made from animal farming and other residuals of agricultural production. According to 2005 livestock manufacture data daily quantity of animal excrements in Croatia, based on LSU number, is 784 015.26 m3. The aim of this paper is to determine the possibility of production of biogas from the most common types of domestic animals in Croatia. Anaerobic fermentation period of 40 days in mesophilic conditions produced from 1 kg of beef, 31 litres of biogas slurry and from pig slurry 14.83 litres of biogas. From our study it follows that the Republic of Croatia (based on the number of UG) could produce 426,995,250.00 Nm3 biogas annually. Exploitation of biogas can decrease import of the referred energents, especially electric energy

SUDAN GRASS - ENERGY CROP FOR BIOGAS PRODUCTION

Zbog izrazito visokog prinosa zelene mase, sudanska trava (Sorghum sudanense L.) postaje zanimljiva kultura koja može zamijeniti silažni kukuruz u bioplinskim postrojenjima. Sudanska trava je jednogodišnja visoka trava, daje izuzetno visoke prinose kvalitetne zelene mase koju možemo koristiti kao zelenu krmu, sjenažu ili silažu. U provedenim istraživanjima ostvarena je proizvodnja sudanske trave od 82 tone po hektaru. Zbog visokog prinosa sudanske trave moguće je ostvariti istu proizvodnju silaže na samo 60% površina koje smo koristili kod proizvodnje kukuruzne silaže. Pomoću sudanske trave ostvariv je veći prinos biomase nego uzgojem kukuruza a energetski potencijal u proizvodnji bioplina je isti. Svinjskoj gnojovki dodano je 10% sudanske trave (ST) a kontrolnu skupinu (K) čini svinjska gnojovka bez dodataka. Sve skupine su postavljene u tri ponavljanja. Proces anaerobne fermentacije odvijao se u diskontinuiranom procesu pri mezofilnim uvjetima (40 °C) uz retencijsko trajanje od 60 dana. Prosječna ukupna proizvodnja bioplina kod supstrata s dodatkom ST iznosi 13.720 ml l-1 , a ostvarena proizvedena količina bioplina u kontrolnoj skupini iznosi 9.320,00 ml l-1. Proizvodnjom sudanske trave neće se ugroziti proizvodnja hrane i proizvodnja krmnih kultura jer ostvaruje veći prinos biomase nego kukuruz i dobra je kultura za postrne uvjete. Dokazano je da se dodavanjem sudanske trave, radi poboljšanja svojstava gnojovke, a u cilju proizvodnje bioplina, povećana je količina proizvedenog bioplina za 32%. Statistički značajne razlike u koncentraciji metana između skupina nisu utvrđene, tj. dodavanjem biomase ne ugrožava se energetska kakvoća bioplina.Because of its distinctly high yield, Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense L.) has become an interesting crop which can replace silage corn in biogas production plants. Sudan grass is an annual tall grass which gives distinctly high green mass yields that can be used as green fodder, hayage or silage. In conducted research, Sudan grass production amounted to 82 t/ha. Due to its high yield, it is possible to produce the same amount of silage on only 60% of land used for corn silage production. Sudan grass gives higher biomass yield than corn, and energetic potential for biogas production is the same. Pig manure was supplemented with 10% of Sudan grass (ST), and the control group (K) was pig manure without additives. All groups were set up in three repetitions. Anaerobic fermentation process proceeded discontinuously in mesophillic conditions (40 °C) with retention time lasting 60 days. Average total biogas production for substrate with addition of ST amounted to 13720 ml/l, and biogas production in the control group was 9320 ml/l. Sudan grass production will not jeopardize food production nor fodder crop production, because it gives produces higher biomass yield than corn and is suitable for stubble fields. It was determined that Sudan grass utilization for improvement of manure in biogas production increased the amount of biogas by 32%. Significant differences in methane content between groups were not determined, i.e. biomass addition did not jeopardize biogas energetic value

Povezanost koeficijenta varijacije distribucije volumena eritrocita (RDW) i ukupnog preživljenja kod pacijenata oboljelih od metastatskog karcinoma gušterače – iskustvo jednog centra

Objective: The prognostic importance of red cell distribution width (RDW) has been noted in various diseases, however, its clinical signifi cance in patients with pancreatic cancer is unknown. In this retrospective study, we aimed to reveal its prognostic value. Patients and methods: Patients diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma from Dec 14, 2017, until Dec 10, 2021, in Clinical Hospital Osijek, were evaluated retrospectively in terms of RDW and its clinical signifi cance on the outcome of the disease. Results: There were 81 patients, who were divided into normal RDW and high RDW groups. The median follow-up was 61 months. The median duration of fi rst-line treatment was 3 months (95% CI 2-8) and the median duration of secondline treatment was 3 months (95% CI 3-6). The median overall survival was 11 months (95% CI 5-18). Multivariate regression analysis (Stepwise method) along with the adjustment of disease stage shows that higher levels of RDW increase the probability of shorter overall survival (HR=1,13). Conclusion: There is a paucity of the literature on the prognostic importance of RDW on clinical outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer. Our study with bivariate-regression analysis (COX) shows that a signifi cant predictor of shorter overall survival is higher level of RDW (HR=1,16)Karcinom gušterače povezan je s mnogim etiološkim čimbenicima kao što su debljina, dijabetes, akutni i kronični pankreatitis. Oko 90 % svih tumora gušterače čini duktalni adenokarcinom s prosječnom dobi pri postavljanju dijagnoze od 65 godina te se smatra kako će uskoro postati vodeći uzrok smrti u zapadnim zemljama.U Hrvatskoj u 2020. bilo je 428 novih slučajeva kod muškaraca i 437 novih slučajeva kod žena, sama incidencija iznosila je 19,6 %, a mortalitet 17,8 %. Na Zavodu za onkologiju, KBC Osijek provedena je studija retrospektivnog karaktera na 81 pacijentu koji su se liječili zbog adenokarcinoma gušterače od 14. 12. 2017 do 10. 12. 2021. te je istražen utjecaj koefi cijenta varijacije distribucije volumena eritrocita(RDW) i njegovog kliničkog značaja za ishod bolesti. Bivarijatnom regresijskom analizom (Cox) značajni prediktori kraćeg preživljenja u našoj studiji su III (HR = 5,7) i IV (HR = 8,3) stadij bolesti, više vrijednosti RDW (HR = 1,16), prisutne metastaze (HR = 2,89), te bolesnici bez kirurškog (HR = 0,46) i bez adjuvantnog liječenja (HR = 0,45) kao i niže vrijednosti eritrocita (HR = 0,73) i hemoglobina (HR = 0,98). Multivarijatnom regresijskom analizom (Stepwise metoda) uz korekciju stadija bolesti, više vrijednosti RDW povećavaju vjerojatnost manjeg preživljenja (HR = 1,13)

Ages at peak height velocity in male soccer players 11-16 years: Relationships with skeletal age and compasrions among longitudinal studies

Objectives: The study compared two estimates of ages at take-off (TO) and at peak height velocity (PHV) n a longitudinal sample of male soccer players, and evaluated maturity status based upon ages at PHV and skeletal age (SA). It also compared estimated ages at PHV in 13 longitudinal samples of soccer players. Material and methods: Heights of 58 soccer players of European ancestry followed longitudinally across five seasons (11-16 years) were modeled with Superimposition by Translation and Rotation (SITAR) and Functional Principal Component Analysis (FPCA) to estimate ages at TO and PHV. SAs at observations 1, 3 and 5 were assessed with the Fels method. Ages at PHV in 13 longitudinal samples of soccer players (Europe 7, Japan 6) were evaluated with meta-analysis. Results: The SITAR and FPCA estimates for ages at TO were, respectively, 11.2±0.8 and 11.0±0.8 years, while corresponding estimates for age at PHV were, respectively, 13.62±0.90 and 13.66±0.88 years. An earlier age at PHV was associated with advanced skeletal maturity status. The systematic analysis indicated a north (later) - south (earlier) gradient in ages at PHV among players in Europe, which were later than ages at PHV among players in Japan. Conclusions: In summary, ages at TO and PHV were similar with SITAR and FPCA, and ages at PHV were most strongly correlated with SA at ~14 years. Ages at PHV showed a north-south geographic gradient in European studies, and were later compared to Japanese studies

Ages at peak height velocity in male soccer players 11-16 years:Relationships with skeletal age and comparisons among longitudinal studies

Objectives: The study compared two estimates of ages at take-off (TO) and at peak height velocity (PHV) n a longitudinal sample of male soccer players, and evaluated maturity status based upon ages at PHV and skeletal age (SA). It also compared estimated ages at PHV in 13 longitudinal samples of soccer players. Material and methods: Heights of 58 soccer players of European ancestry followed longitudinally across five seasons (11-16 years) were modeled with Superimposition by Translation and Rotation (SITAR) and Functional Principal Component Analysis (FPCA) to estimate ages at TO and PHV. SAs at observations 1, 3 and 5 were assessed with the Fels method. Ages at PHV in 13 longitudinal samples of soccer players (Europe 7, Japan 6) were evaluated with meta-analysis. Results: The SITAR and FPCA estimates for ages at TO were, respectively, 11.2±0.8 and 11.0±0.8 years, while corresponding estimates for age at PHV were, respectively, 13.62±0.90 and 13.66±0.88 years. An earlier age at PHV was associated with advanced skeletal maturity status. The systematic analysis indicated a north (later) - south (earlier) gradient in ages at PHV among players in Europe, which were later than ages at PHV among players in Japan. Conclusions: In summary, ages at TO and PHV were similar with SITAR and FPCA, and ages at PHV were most strongly correlated with SA at ~14 years. Ages at PHV showed a north-south geographic gradient in European studies, and were later compared to Japanese studies