Medium-term forecast of European economic sustainable growth using Markov chains

Gospodarski rast je s teorijskog i empirijskog stajališta često analizirani aspekt pod utjecajem faktora utjecaja, dok je pitanje gospodarskog rasta proučavano različitim metodama i s različitim rezultatima. U slučaju EU28, u svezi problema ekonomske konvergencije mora se uzeti u obzir činjenica da su države članice heterogene u pogledu razvoja i brzine rasta. U ovom radu, uz primjenu Markovljevih lanaca za gospodarstva država članica EU28 dana je prognoza razvoja BDP-a po stanovniku, počevši od poznatog vremenskog horizonta za period 1997. – 2016., s ciljem približavanja horizontu predviđanja za period 2017. – 2028. Dobiveni rezultati pokazuju da će proces konvergencije biti spor u slučaju nekih država članica, napose u zemljama Srednje i Istočne Europe. Buduća ekonomska dinamika intenzivirat će razlike u rastu, ponajprije u slučaju europske periferije, koja će pretrpjeti manje izmjene; države s najdubljim jazom ostat će Bugarska i Rumunjska.Economic growth is a frequently analyzed aspect, both from theoretical and empirical standpoint, under the impact of the influence factors, while the issue of economic growth was studied by applying different methods and obtaining different results. In the case of EU28, the problem of economic convergence has to take into consideration the fact that the Member States are heterogeneous in terms of development and rate of growth. In the present paper, by using Markov chains we have made, a forecast of the GDP per capita evolution for the economies of the EU28 members, starting from the known time horizon – 1997-2016 as to approach a forecast horizon – 2017-2028. The results obtained show that the convergence process will be a slow one in the case of some Member States, especially in the Central and Eastern Europe. The future economic dynamics will intensify growth divergences, especially in the case of the European periphery, which will suffer minor modifications; the states with the most significant gaps will remain Bulgaria and Romania

PRACTICAL APPLICATION WITH PLC IN MANIPULATION OF A ROBOTIC ARM

This paper presents the use of a robotic arm PLC Siemens in order not using CNC commands. This is done by programming the PLC ladder diagram language that makes movement on the three axes of the arm by means of stepper motors. Required command console PLC is built with the help of a touch screen HMI Weintek. In the user interface are introduced distances and displacement speeds on the three axes

A prospective survey in European Society of Cardiology member countries of atrial fibrillation management: baseline results of EURO bservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot General Registry

Aims: Given the advances in atrial fibrillation (AF) management and the availability of new European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines, there is a need for the systematic collection of contemporary data regarding the management and treatment of AF in ESC member countries. Methods and results: We conducted a registry of consecutive in- and outpatients with AF presenting to cardiologists in nine participating ESC countries. All patients with an ECG-documented diagnosis of AF confirmed in the year prior to enrolment were eligible. We enroled a total of 3119 patients from February 2012 to March 2013, with full data on clinical subtype available for 3049 patients (40.4% female; mean age 68.8 years). Common comorbidities were hypertension, coronary disease, and heart failure. Lone AF was present in only 3.9% (122 patients). Asymptomatic AF was common, particularly among those with permanent AF. Amiodarone was the most common antiarrhythmic agent used (~20%), while beta-blockers and digoxin were the most used rate control drugs. Oral anticoagulants (OACs) were used in 80% overall, most often vitamin K antagonists (71.6%), with novel OACs being used in 8.4%. Other antithrombotics (mostly antiplatelet therapy, especially aspirin) were still used in one-third of the patients, and no antithrombotic treatment in only 4.8%. Oral anticoagulants were used in 56.4% of CHA 2DS2-VASc = 0, with 26.3% having no antithrombotic therapy. A high HAS-BLED score was not used to exclude OAC use, but there was a trend towards more aspirin use in the presence of a high HAS-BLED score. Conclusion: The EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot Registry has provided systematic collection of contemporary data regarding the management and treatment of AF by cardiologists in ESC member countries. Oral anticoagulant use has increased, but novel OAC use was still low. Compliance with the treatment guidelines for patients with the lowest and higher stroke risk scores remains suboptimal. © The Author 2013

The use of environmental exposure chambers in studies related to ocular surface effects

Purpose of reviewThe potential of allergen challenges using environmental exposure facilities in allergic conjunctivitis drug development and more recently its implication on the diagnosis of the united airways concept have been emphasized in the recent literature. This study aims to present an overview of new and important data in this field.Recent findingsStandardized methodologies for ocular surface assessment during allergen challenges were described. The Total Ocular Symptom Score (TOSS) is the main validated questionnaire used for the assessment of ocular surface during allergen challenges. It combines patient and investigator assessments for more accurate conjunctival response and was extensively used in clinical research and daily practice. Environmental Exposure Chambers (EECs) studies aim to conduct tight-controlled challenges to a stable and well defined allergen airborne concentration, closer to natural exposure to evaluate the efficacy of nonpharmaceutical and antiallergic treatments. Recent studies showed a good correlation between ocular symptoms elicited by EEC and those assessed during natural exposure. These validated methods allow to investigate the efficacy of novel pharmacotherapies for allergic conjunctivitis and allergen immunotherapy (AIT) in a real-world model of allergen exposure.SummaryThis study aims to summarize novel data regarding the impact of EECs in studying pathophysiology and drug efficacy in the context of existing clinical protocols related to ocular surface effects. In this regard, studies comparing conjunctival response during natural and EEC exposures in patients with pollen-induced conjunctivitis aimed to demonstrate better outcomes in tight-controlled exposures mimicking natural exposure. Because allergen challenges are widely implemented in allergy treatment, this article will focus on the most important outcomes and the evolution of treatments for allergic conjunctivitis

Eine bunte Vielfalt an Möglichkeiten : ausgewählte Maßnahmen für armutsbetroffene Menschen zur gesellschaftlichen Teilhabe in der Steiermark

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit ausgewählten Unterstützungsleistungen, welche armutsbetroffenen Menschen die gesellschaftliche und kulturelle Teilhabe im Bundesland Steiermark ermöglichen. Der Schwerpunkt dieser Masterarbeit ist es, herauszufinden, wie armutsbetroffenen Menschen die gesellschaftliche Teilhabe in der Steiermark ermöglicht wird, und ob es durch die Inanspruchnahme der Unterstützungsangebote zu einer Verbesserung der Lebensqualität der NutzerInnen kommt. Dafür erfolgt neben der Beschreibung der aktuellen Armutssituation in Österreich und der Steiermark auch ein historischer Rückblick.Um ein besseres Verständnis für den Armutsdiskurs zu erhalten, befasst sich die Arbeit mit relevanten Begriffen, Konzepten und Dimensionen in Bezug auf Armut. Des Weiteren erfolgt die Erklärung der Begriffe ‚gesellschaftliche Teilhabe‘ und ‚kulturelle Bildung‘ sowie Ansätze der Sozialen Arbeit, insbesondere des Capability Approach. Der Fokus dieser Arbeit sind die einzelnen Leistungen der Unterstützungsangebote: -Steirischer Kulturpass -SozialCard Graz -AktivCard Kapfenberg.Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die Wichtigkeit der sozialen Hilfeleistungen in Bezug auf gesellschaftliche Teilhabe aufzuzeigen. Hierzu dient neben dem theoretischen Input eine qualitative Forschung für die insgesamt sechzehn Interviews durchgeführt wurden. Drei Expertinnen (Projektleiterinnen der Angebote) und dreizehn weitere Personen, welche die Leistungen in Anspruch nehmen, wurden befragt. Bei den Interviews stellte sich heraus, dass durch diese Leistungen Teilhabe, sowohl im gesellschaftlichen als auch im kulturellen Bereich, ermöglicht wird. Auch die Lebensqualität der Menschen hat sich dadurch merklich verbessert und das persönliche Wohlbefinden konnte gesteigert werden.The following paper takes a closer look at selected services, which allow people, effected by poverty, to participate social and cultural life in Styria. The main task of this master thesis is to find out how people, effected by poverty, are able to participate social offers. Furthermore, it will be taken a closer look at the utilization and if the use of these offers will lead to an improvement of the users quality of life.Therefore, the actual situation of poverty in Austria and Styria and a historical retrospective view will be described. In order to gain a deeper understanding of poverty, terms, concepts and dimensions will be explained. In particular, terms as ‘social participation and ‘cultural education, as well as the approach of Social Work, especially the Capability Approach, will be discussed. The focus of this paper are individual services of the following supporting offers:-Steirischer Kulturpass (Styrian Culture Pass)-SozialCard Graz (Social Card Graz)-AktivCard Kapfenberg (Active Card Kapfenberg).The aim of this paper is to point out the importance of social assistance in participating social and cultural life. Beside the theoretical input, a qualitative scientific research was made. Altogether, 16 interviews were hold; three expert interviews (project manager of the services) and thirteen interviews with people, who take advantage of the above described services. The interviews proved, that these services enable people to take part in social and cultural life. Furthermore, the quality of life improved due to an increase of the personal well-being.vorgelegt von Alina Gherasim, BA, Daniela Wolfgruber, BAAbweichender Titel laut Übersetzung des Verfassers/der VerfasserinZusammenfassungen in Deutsch und EnglischKarl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Masterarbeit, 2017(VLID)200406

Confounders of severe asthma: diagnoses to consider when asthma symptoms persist despite optimal therapy

Abstract Asthma can often be challenging to diagnose especially when patients present with atypical symptoms. Therefore, it is important to have a broad differential diagnosis for asthma to ensure that other conditions are not missed. Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for asthma mimickers, especially when patients fail to respond to conventional therapy. The purpose of this review is to briefly review some of the more common causes of asthma mimickers that clinicians should consider when the diagnosis of asthma is unclear

Composite P(3HB-3HV)-CS Spheres for Enhanced Antibiotic Efficiency

Natural-derived biopolymers are suitable candidates for developing specific and selective performance-enhanced antimicrobial formulations. Composite polymeric particles based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) and chitosan, P(3HB-3HV)-CS, are herein proposed as biocompatible and biodegradable delivery systems for bioproduced antibiotics: bacitracin (Bac), neomycin (Neo) and kanamycin (Kan). The stimuli-responsive spheres proved efficient platforms for boosting the antibiotic efficiency and antibacterial susceptibility, as evidenced against Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. Absent or reduced proinflammatory effects were evidenced on macrophages in the case of Bac-/Neo- and Kan-loaded spheres, respectively. Moreover, these systems showed superior ability to sustain and promote the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts, as well as to preserve their ultrastructure (membrane and cytoskeleton integrity) and to exhibit anti-oxidant activity. The antibiotic-loaded P(3HB-3HV)-CS spheres proved efficient alternatives for antibacterial strategies

Birch-induced allergic rhinitis: Results of exposure during nasal allergen challenge, environmental chamber, and pollen season

Background: Pollen variation can affect field study data quality. Nasal allergen challenge (NAC) is considered the gold standard for evaluating allergic rhinitis, while environmental exposure chambers (EECs) are mainly used in phase 2 drug development studies. We aimed to study birch-induced allergic rhinitis under 3 different conditions. Methods: This study included 30 participants allergic to birch pollen, based on birch skin prick test, specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), and positive NAC. Participants were exposed to placebo twice, followed by 2 consecutive 4-h birch airborne exposures, repeated on 2 occasions to evaluate reproducibility and priming effect. Nasal response was defined as total corrected nasal symptom score (ΔTNSS) ≥ 5 during NAC and EEC. The primary end-point was to measure TNSS during the last 2 h of first allergen exposure. TNSS was also analyzed during natural exposure. Results: The dose most commonly yielding positive TNSS during NAC was 175.2 ng/200 μL. Eighteen participants experienced ΔTNSS ≥5 during the last 2 h of the first exposure, whereas 21 had positive responses at all 4 exposures. Mean ΔTNSS was 1 with placebo versus 6 with birch. Exposures were reproducible, with no observed priming effect. Airborne Bet v 1 was 25 ng/m3, while the pollen measurement was 279/m3 during pollen season. TNSS reached 5 in 67.9% of participants during peak pollen season. Conclusion: EEC outcomes were similar to those obtained with NAC and natural exposure, suggesting the usefulness of EEC in allergic rhinitis studies. The primary end-point was reached, as 60% of participants experienced nasal responses

A Scoping Review of the Relationship between Intermittent Fasting and the Human Gut Microbiota: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Intermittent fasting (IF) has been promoted as an alternative to dietary caloric restriction for the treatment of obesity. IF restricts the amount of food consumed and improves the metabolic balance by synchronizing it with the circadian rhythm. Dietary changes have a rapid effect on the gut microbiota, modulating the interaction between meal timing and host circadian rhythms. Our paper aims to review the relationships between IF and human gut microbiota. In this study, the primary area of focus was the effect of IF on the diversity and composition of gut microbiota and its relationship with weight loss and metabolomic alterations, which are particularly significant for metabolic syndrome characteristics. We discussed each of these findings according to the type of IF involved, i.e., time-restricted feeding, Ramadan fasting, alternate-day fasting, and the 5:2 diet. Favorable metabolic effects regarding the reciprocity between IF and gut microbiota changes have also been highlighted. In conclusion, IF may enhance metabolic health by modifying the gut microbiota. However additional research is required to draw definitive conclusions about this outcome because of the limited number and diverse designs of existing studies