Measuring the Social Impact of Infrastructure Projects: The Case of Gdańsk International Fair Co.

Efficient infrastructure is a prerequisite of, and critical to, development. Only some projects generate a positive rate of return, but all of them should generate positive non-economic impacts and contribute social gains. Social impact is considered as a consequence or effect of decisions or interventions which lead to development. It can also be considered as a social consequence of development. The main problem of social costs and benefits is that the impact is difficult to predict and quantify and can be taken into account differently by authorities, decision makers and project developers. The main purpose of the paper is to identify and demonstrate a concept of the social impact of infrastructure projects. The principal methods used are a review of existing social science literature and surveys based on focus group interviews, devoted stakeholders of infrastructure projects, and their involvement at different stages of the project. The expected result is a set of outputs and outcomes which demonstrates social impacts (costs and benefits) related to stakeholders’ groups of the analyzed project

The height and type of the main septum in the sphenoid sinuses : evaluation before the fess

The purpose of this study was to examine the height of the main septum (MS) in the sphenoid sinuses and its type, depending on the percentage prevalence of its tissue composition (osseous and membranous) in the adult population. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 296 computed tomography (CT) scans (147 females, 149 males) of the paranasal sinuses was conducted. The patients did not present any pathology in the sphenoid sinuses. The CT scans of the paranasal sinuses were carried out with a spiral CT scanner (Siemens Somatom Sensation 16) in a standard procedure, in the option Siemens CARE Dose 4D. No contrast medium was used. Having obtained the transversal planes, a secondary reconstruction tool (multiplans reconstruction - MPR) was used in furtherance of gleaning sagittal and frontal planes. Results: In all cases, the height of the MS was measured by using a straight line running parallel to the course of the septum (when the MS was regarded as straight) or curved (when the MS was regarded as irregularly shaped). The average height of the MS was 2.1 ± 0.41 cm in the whole research group. Completely osseous MS was found in 32.77% of the patients. In 63.85% of them, the MS was partially membranous. The rarest was the MS which was not even partially ossified - a membranous type, that was observed in 3.38% of the patients. Conclusions: Variant anatomy of the paranasal sinuses may lead to complications encountered during a surgery, hence a CT scan is advised before the planned treatment

Prevalence of the Onodi cell in the Polish adult population: an anatomical computed tomography study

Background: Onodi cell is a posterior ethmoid air cell with the optic canal bulging into it; the common position of the bulge is into the sphenoid sinus, usually immediately posterior to the posterior ethmoid air cells. Variable pneumatization patterns lead to various structures of lamellae and sinuses occasionally exposing important nerves and vessels, such as the optic and vidian nerves, internal carotid artery and cavernous sinus. In clinical practice, special imaging techniques are used to navigate through the paranasal sinuses and hence avoid injury to these structures. This study is aimed to determine the prevalence of the Onodi cell in the Polish population and compare it with other reported occurrences. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of 296 computed tomography (CT) scans of patients treated in Cracow, Poland, using a Siemens Somatom Sensation 16 spiral CT scanner. No contrast medium was administered. Results: The Onodi cell was found in 31 out of the 296 patients, or approximately 10.5%, consistent with the majority of research reporting on Onodi variants. Additionally, there was one presentation of a bilateral Onodi cell in a male patient. No statistically significant difference was found between the male and female populations with a positive identification of the variant (p = 0.095, Chi2 test). Conclusions: This study helped approximate the Onodi variant prevalence of 10.47%, falling within a commonly reported range 8-14%. This gives clinicians and surgeons a better understanding of this variant's structure and significance, and therefore an opportunity to improve treatment outcomes and research