Impact of Abandoned Land on Environmental Protection, Landscape and Economic Benefit in Lithuania

Abstract. Human economic activity is defined as an anthropogenic process that has a negative impact on natural envi-ronment. The urbanisation and agricultural development influence the environment mostly. In order to receive economic benefit to the above-mentioned activities, the landscape is changed, the soil is affected and pollutants are released into the environment. In the light of the fact that the identified processes and problems caused by them are global, the variety of international directives are designed to minimise the impact of anthropogenic activities on the environment. The territory of the Republic of Lithuania has a considerable amount of areas, where the economic activity is sus-pended, i.e. the land is abandoned. This is due to a variety of social, natural and economic reasons. This process can be perceived as opposite to the anthropogenic activity, however it is important to examine how it affects the environment, landscape or economic needs. These processes are relevant on the local and international level, therefore, the scientific results of this article may be useful for the professionals in various areas and further research. The research investigates the territory of abandoned agricultural land, which is to be urbanised in the future. Land cadastre data, spatial planning documents are analysed, a questionnaire-based survey is conducted, and the actual inspec-tion in the area is carried out. The research results identify the causes for non-use of the land, and the impact of no eco-nomic activity on the environment, the landscape and the economic performance. To reach the set objectives, the data analysis, synthesis, induction methods have been used

European training requirements in vascular surgery

The Union Europénne des Médecins Spécialistes (UEMS) is a non-governmental organization representing national associations of medical specialists (over 1.6 million) at the European level. It has strong links and relations with European institutions (Commission and Parliament), the other independent European medical or-ganizations and the European medical/scientific societies. With a current membership of 40 national associations and 43 specialist sections and European boards, the UEMS promotes the free movement of medical specialists across Europe while ensuring the highest level of training which will pave the way to the improvement of quality of care for the benefit of all European citizens. The UEMS areas of expertise notably encompass Continuing Medical Education, Post-Graduate Training and Quality Assurance. It is the UEMS conviction that the quality of medical care and expertise is directly linked to the quality of train-ing provided to the medical professionals. Therefore, the UEMS committed itself to contribute to the improvement of medical training at the European level through the de-velopment of European standards in the different medical disciplines. One of the added values of the UEMS is the development of new harmonized models for the training of the next generation of medical specialists, and of high standards of clinical practice, hence improved care for pa-tients throughout Europe. It is not important where doc-tors are trained, they should have at least the same core competencies.peer-reviewe

Root morphology and seed and leaf ionomic traits in a Brassica napus L. diversity panel show wide phenotypic variation and are characteristic of crop habit

Background: Mineral nutrient uptake and utilisation by plants are controlled by many traits relating to root morphology, ion transport, sequestration and translocation. The aims of this study were to determine the phenotypic diversity in root morphology and leaf and seed mineral composition of a polyploid crop species, Brassica napus L., and how these traits relate to crop habit. Traits were quantified in a diversity panel of up to 387 genotypes: 163 winter, 127 spring, and seven semiwinter oilseed rape (OSR) habits, 35 swede, 15 winter fodder, and 40 exotic/unspecified habits. Root traits of 14 d old seedlings were measured in a ‘pouch and wick’ system (n = ~24 replicates per genotype). The mineral composition of 3–6 rosette-stage leaves, and mature seeds, was determined on compost-grown plants from a designed experiment (n = 5) by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: Seed size explained a large proportion of the variation in root length. Winter OSR and fodder habits had longer primary and lateral roots than spring OSR habits, with generally lower mineral concentrations. A comparison of the ratios of elements in leaf and seed parts revealed differences in translocation processes between crop habits, including those likely to be associated with crop-selection for OSR seeds with lower sulphur-containing glucosinolates. Combining root, leaf and seed traits in a discriminant analysis provided the most accurate characterisation of crop habit, illustrating the interdependence of plant tissues. Conclusions: High-throughput morphological and composition phenotyping reveals complex interrelationships between mineral acquisition and accumulation linked to genetic control within and between crop types (habits) in B. napus. Despite its recent genetic ancestry (<10 ky), root morphology, and leaf and seed composition traits could potentially be used in crop improvement, if suitable markers can be identified and if these correspond with suitable agronomy and quality traits

Hoeveel wiskunde zwemt er achter de eendjes?

Afgelopen jaar kwam in de nationale wetenschapsquiz de volgende vraag voor: Vraag 13: Een eend zwemt met haar jongen in een diepe sloot. Een van de kuikens dwaalt af. Moeder eend haalt het kuiken snel in. Wat is het verschil in de hoeken van de V-vormige boeggolven van moeder en jong? A. De hoek die de moedereend maakt is scherper. B. De hoek die de moedereend maakt is stomper. C. Er is geen verschil. Op het eerste gezicht een makkelijke vraag, maar er zit een hoop wiskunde achter. Het belangrijkste feit is hier dat, de eend golven met zulke kleine golflengte maakt, dat we de sloot als oneindig diep kunnen beschouwen. Een zwaan zou bijvoorbeeld al te groot zijn en golven met een grote golflengte maken, zodat we de theorie over de golven in oneindig diep water niet meer kunnen gebruiken. In dit stuk gaan we wat verder dan antwoorden op deze vraag. Op het moment dat we er achter komen of de hoek van de golven van de snelheid afhangt, gaan we dierect kijken naar hoe groot deze hoek eigenlijk is. Dit doen we aan de hand van verschillende methoden, zoals die door verschillende mensen gebruikt zijn. Eerst kijken we naar het algemen idee van Lord Kelvin, beschreven door James Lighthill. Deze gebruikte veel natuurkundige aspecten van verplaatsen van golven. Maar er ontbreekt een bewijs waarom de golven zich voortplanten met de golfsnelheid. Bewijs hiervan geven A.R. Paterson, G.B. Whitham en J.N. Newman door verschillende theorieën toe te passen. Het bewijs van A.R. Paterson geven we direct bij de theorie van Lord Kelvin. G.B. Whitham en J.N. Newman hebben zelf ook een ander bewijs gegeven voor de grootte van de hoek. Deze bewijzen hangen meer van de wiskundige aspecten van de golven af. De laatste methode van J.J. Stoker beschrijft de golven met behulp van de stationary phase. Deze methode heeft Lord Kelvin speciaal voor dit probleem bedacht en aan het eind wordt ze uitgelegd en bewezen zover het noodzakelijk is.

Wpływ jesiennego terminu siewu na przezimowanie mieszańcowej i konwencjonalnej odmiany rzepaku ozimego

Field experiment on different sowing dates of two winter rapeseed cultivars (Brassica napus L. spp. and oleifera biennis Metzg.) was carried out in years 2009-2010 at the Experimental Station of the Aleksandras Stulginskis University (54°53’ N; 23°50’ E). The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of winter rapeseed sowing date on the biometric parameters of rapeseed rosette: number of leaves, root collar diameter, height of apical bud, and its chemical composition: N:K ratio, amount of dry matter, total sugar in autumn before wintering, changes of chemical composition during the autumnwinter period, and overwintering. Sowing date significantly influenced all the examined indexes. According to the biometric parameters, the chemical composition of leaves, and the apical bud, winter rapeseed sown between August 30th and September 5th was best prepared for wintering and overwintered. Growth during the period of preparation for overwintering was more intensive. Changes in the chemical composition during the overwintering period were more favourable and the overwintering of winter rapeseed was better in the hybrid cultivar Kronos compared with cultivar Sunday.Doświadczenie polowe przeprowadzono w latach 2009-2010 w Stacji Doświadczalnej Litewskiego Uniwersytetu Rolniczego (54°53’ N; 23°50’ E). Zastosowano różne terminy siewu dla dwóch odmian rzepaku ozimego (Brassica napus L. spp. oleifera biennis Metzg.). Celem badań była ocena wpływu terminu siewu dwóch odmian rzepaku ozimego na wartość parametrów biometrycznych w stadium rozety, skład chemiczny jesienią przed przezimowaniem, zmiany składu chemicznego w okresie jesienno-zimowym i przezimowanie. Termin siewu znacząco wpłynął na wszystkie badane cechy. Według parametrów biometrycznych, składu chemicznego liści i pąków wierzchoł-kowych, rzepak ozimy zasiany w terminie od 30 sierpnia do 5 września był lepiej przygotowany do przezimowania i w konsekwencji przezimował najlepiej. Wzrost w okresie przygotowania do przezimowania był bardziej intensywny, zmiany składu chemicznego w ciągu zimowania były korzystniejsze oraz przezimowanie mieszańcowej odmiany rzepaku ozimego Kronos było lepsze niż tradycyjnej odmiany rzepaku ozimego Sunday

Assessment of Crystals in the Synovial Fluid of Psoriatic Arthritis Patients in Relation to Disease Activity

Background: This study examines the relationship between the presence of crystals in the synovial fluid of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and disease activity. Methods: The synovial fluid of 156 PsA patients was analyzed and compared to 50 patients with gonarthrosis (GoA). The Leica DM4500P polarization microscope was used for crystal detection. Results: The presence of crystals was observed in 23.71% of PsA patients and none of the GoA patients, p < 0.001. Monosodium urate crystals (67.58%) and calcium pyrophosphate crystals (21.62%) were prevalent. The presence of crystals in the synovial fluid of PsA patients was associated with high disease activity according to the Composite Psoriatic Disease Activity Index (OR = 18.75, 95%; CI: 7.13 to 49.25) and the Disease Activity for Psoriatic Arthritis (OR = 15.96, 95%; CI: 5.76 to 44.23), with severe disability according to the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (OR = 13.60, 95%; CI: 5.09 to 36.31), and with severe pain on the Visual Analog Scale (OR = 157.25, 95%; CI: 39.50 to 625.94). Conclusion: Our results suggest that synovial fluid examination should be included in the treatment pathway for PsA patients with active disease, to aid in determining whether urate-lowering therapy is required

A mathematical model of calculating the temperature field in the ingot mould

18.00; Translated from Czech (Hutn. Listy 1987 v. 42(8) p. 565-569)SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:9023.19(VR--3507)T / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo