First results from the application of ISAS and ABASI/ABUSI in a study of non-suicidal self-injury in high school students from Varna

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a growing phenomenon observed in the Western world, as well as in Bulgaria. The proper understanding and characterization of the behavior requires the use of highly informative and reliable instruments. However, at the time of the study, there are no nationally accepted standards and no available comprehensive instrument in Bulgarian for the assessment of NSSI. The current pilot study attempts to approbate the informativeness of the Bulgarian versions of two instruments new to Bulgaria, which are commonly used in other countries - Inventory of Statements About Self-injury (ISAS) and Alexian Brothers’ Assessment of Self-Injury/Alexian Brothers’ Urge to Self-Injure (ABASI/ABUSI). We studied a non-clinical population of high school students in Varna, aged between 14 and 18 years. A total of 142 correctly answered scales were analyzed. Preliminary assessment suggests that the scales provide valid information to characterize the main method of self-injury, reason for self-injury, behavior immediately prior to self-injury and risk factors. Cutting was suggested to be the predominant method of self-injury, while the most common reasons for self-injury were self-punishment and affect regulation. A correlation between experienced emotional and verbal abuse and enduring and long-lasting thoughts about self-injury was also noted

Cardiopoietic cell therapy for advanced ischemic heart failure: results at 39 weeks of the prospective, randomized, double blind, sham-controlled CHART-1 clinical trial

Cardiopoietic cells, produced through cardiogenic conditioning of patients' mesenchymal stem cells, have shown preliminary efficacy. The Congestive Heart Failure Cardiopoietic Regenerative Therapy (CHART-1) trial aimed to validate cardiopoiesis-based biotherapy in a larger heart failure cohort

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Accelerator driven system for transmutation and energy production

The significant quantities of highly radiotoxic long-lived nuclear waste necessitate the research of methods of their transmutation to short-lived ones. This can be achieved by interaction between nuclear waste and neutrons (n,xn)-reactions and radiative captive). The ADS (Accelerator Driven System) is the most promising tool for such transmutation. ADS consists of powerful high energy accelerator irradiating a target of heavy nuclei: uranium, thorium, lead and bismuth. Inside of the target is generated a high-energy neutron field. Several ADS constructions for waste transmutation and energy production are considered. The influence of the cooling system on the neutron flux and the energy production in ADS are investigated. The radiation and biological protection are also discussed

Accelerator driven system for transmutation and energy production

The significant quantities of highly radiotoxic long-lived nuclear waste necessitate the research of methods of their transmutation to short-lived ones. This can be achieved by interaction between nuclear waste and neutrons (n,xn)-reactions and radiative captive). The ADS (Accelerator Driven System) is the most promising tool for such transmutation. ADS consists of powerful high energy accelerator irradiating a target of heavy nuclei: uranium, thorium, lead and bismuth. Inside of the target is generated a high-energy neutron field. Several ADS constructions for waste transmutation and energy production are considered. The influence of the cooling system on the neutron flux and the energy production in ADS are investigated. The radiation and biological protection are also discussed

International Conference on Computer Systems and Technologies- CompSysTech’07 Some Models of a Distributed Database Management System with Data Replication

Abstract: The article suggests a formal model of Distributed Database Management Systems (DDBMS) and an approach for Distributed Database Systems (DDB) modeling. It is suggested to use general purpose system simulation (GPSS) for simulation modeling. Queuing systems models modelling the execution of two-phase locking (2PL) in DDB with Data replication are suggested: centralized 2PL, primary copy 2PL, distributed 2PL and voting 2PL. Results from the simulation of the distributed 2PL are presented

Effective aggregating of tractors for transportation

The paper discusses the importance of tractors for the technological and transportation activities in agriculture. It also presents a methodological approach and an algorithm based on the criteria for the full utilization of the tractors’ gravity and power for the successful aggregating of tractors when performing these activities. The offered mathematical model makes it possible to determine the sphere of full aggregation of tractors in transport within the broad range of change of the production conditions’ indicators with the help of board computers

Clinical case of transitional high degree mitral insufficiency

Представяме случай на 80-годишна жена с исхемична болест на сърцето, която в продължение на няколко седмици преминава от състояние на високостепенна митрална регургитация в състояние на практически липсваща такава и обратно, без ясна връзка с клиничните ѝ оплаквания. Обсъждат се възможните диференциални диагнози и избраният терапевтичен подход към пациентката. We’re presenting a case of an 80-year-old woman with ischemic heart disease, who for several weeks transitioned between a state of high-grade mitral regurgitation and a state of virtually no mitral regurgitation and vice versa, with no clear link to her clinical presentation. Possible differential diagnoses and the chosen approach to the patient will be discussed