Effectiveness Of Traditional Methods Research Articles

The State of Practicing Traditional Methods and Their Effects on Individuals With Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Turkey

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the state of traditional methods used by individuals with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) disease and the effects of traditional methods on their health. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive study. The sample for this study consisted of 232 cutaneous leishmaniasis patients. The research was conducted in the Oriental Sore Treatment Center between January 01, 2020, and March 01, 2021.The research data were collected with a survey. The descriptive statistics were eval-uated with the chi-square test and phi (Φ) and Cramer’s V parameters. A p-value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant. Results: It was observed that 96 people participating in the survey who received treatment with the diagnosis of CL were children and 136 people were adults. It was determined that one of the family members of each patient had previous CL with a rate of 44.9% and that 8.1% of the patients themselves had CL before. While the traditional method is not used in pediatric patients with CL, it was determined that 44.1% of adult patients used the traditional method for securing their disease. Patients using traditional methods mostly (48.3%) bought ready-made ointments from herbalists and applied them to the wounds. 66.7% of the patients suffered from the traditional method they applied. While 10.8% of patients aged 45 years and younger, 74.6% of patients over 45 years of age used traditional methods (p<0.05), and it was observed that there was a negative moderate relationship between age and traditional method usage (Φ =-0,64). While 89.5% of illiterate patients used tra-ditional methods, 13.6% of patients with secondary school or higher education were detected to use traditional methods (p<0,05, V=0,57). Patients with facial wounds preferred to use traditional methods more (p<0,05, V=0,25). Conclusions: This study showed that cutaneous leishmaniasis is still an important public health problem in Şanlıurfa Province in Turkey, and that traditional methods have negative effects on adult patients. Key Words: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Şark Çıbanı, Traditional Method, Health, Effect

GNSS multipath suppression technology based on postcorrelation and independent component analysis.

In urban and other complex environments, satellite navigation signals are vulnerable to multipath interference, especially medium- and short-delay multipath interference, which seriously affects the positioning accuracy. Aiming at the problem that the effect of traditional methods on medium and short multipath suppression is not obvious and it is difficult to accurately estimate the direction of arrival (DOA) when beamforming is used, a multipath suppression scheme based on a postcorrelation and independent component analysis (ICA) algorithm is proposed in this paper. First, the satellite navigation signal on each array element is despread and demodulated by postcorrelation technology to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and then the direct signal component is directly extracted by the ICA algorithm to filter the noise while suppressing the multipath interference. Simulation results show that this method can effectively suppress medium and short multipath interference when the SNR of satellite navigation signals is as low as -30 dB, significantly improve the SNR of navigation messages and reduce the bit error rate, which provides a new solution for global navigation satellite system (GNSS) multipath suppression.

Рецидивирующее цервиковагинальное кровотечение у пациентки с распространенным раком шейки матки

Clinical observation of recurrent cervical and vaginal hemorrhage from a tumor in a 55-year-old patient with locally advanced cervical cancer is presented. The use of uterine artery embolization was ineffective. Subsequently, the following surgical interventions were performed: laparoscopy, clipping of internal iliac arteries on both sides, coagulation of gonadal arteries. Symptomatic radiation therapy to the pelvic region with hemostatic purpose based on vital indications was performed. Positive dynamics against the background of radiation therapy was noted: complete hemostasis was achieved. Conclusion. Symptomatic radiation therapy to the pelvic region can be applied with hemostatic purpose for vital indications in case of insufficient effectiveness of traditional methods to stop cervical and vaginal hemorrhage in patients with advanced cervical cancer. Key words: radiation therapy, cervical cancer, surgical treatment, cervical and vaginal hemorrhage, uterine artery embolization

Doctrine «deterrence by denial» in modern diplomacy

The security environment today is more complex and demanding than at any time since the end of the cold war, which increases the need for States and their coalitions to ensure the reliability and effectiveness of deterrence and defense policies. The issue of deterrence is becoming central to the national security policies of the great Powers, and deterrence strategies are becoming a prominent component of foreign policy and diplomacy in a multipolar world. At the same time, the effectiveness of traditional methods of deterrence through punishment decreases, while the importance of the doctrines of coercion and deterrence through denial increases, which play an increasing role as tools of hybrid war as a new form of interstate confrontation and naturally complement strategic nuclear and non-nuclear deterrence with high-precision weapons in conventional equipment. In conditions of limited scale of military operations, the doctrine of deterrence by punishment quickly turns into coercion, when it is necessary not only to "dissuade" the aggressor, but also to oust him and force him to retreat from the accomplished limited, hidden conquest. Against the background of the decline in the possibilities of deterrence by punishment, the doctrine of "Deterrence by denial", designed to create physical obstacles to the enemy, to make it difficult for him to achieve his goal, is gaining more and more development in politics and diplomacy. The effectiveness of this form of deterrence depends on the fear associated with the costs that will be incurred by the enemy during the act of aggression in the place where it will occur. Deterrence by negation is designed to make aggression unprofitable, make it harder to capture a target, and make it harder to hold it. The transformation of deterrence doctrines leads to the emergence of new tasks and tactics of modern diplomacy in a rapidly changing world.

#40: Next-generation Sequencing Improves the Diagnosis of Uncommon Infection in children with Hematologic Malignancies: A Case Series Study

Abstract Background Children with hematological malignancies are at high risk of infection. Various kinds of pathogens may cause infection in these patients. The effect of traditional methods on these patients is not ideal. Methods This was a case series study. The cases of five patients with clinical symptoms of pulmonary infection. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to identify pathogens in these 5 patients. Results Uncommon pathogens were detected in five patients. Case information are shown in Table 1. Conclusion NGS may serve as a promising tool for rapid and accurate etiological diagnosis, which could greatly improve the diagnosis of uncommon infection in children with hematologic malignancies.

A Multiple-Jammer Deceptive Jamming Method Based on Particle Swarm Optimization Against Three-Channel SAR GMTI

Traditional deceptive jamming methods effectively generate false targets against three-channel synthetic aperture radar ground moving target indication (SAR GMTI). However, effectiveness of traditional methods is limited to azimuth distance between two jammers. When the distance requirement is not satisfied, the jamming amplitude coefficients will be too high to be used by jammers. To overcome this disadvantage, a novel multiple-jammer deceptive jamming method is proposed. The intercepted radar signal is retransmitted and performed by amplitude and time-delay modulation. Then, jamming signal is first modeled as a polynomial function where the polynomial order is equal to the number of jammers. The interferometric phase difference between a moving target and a false target is utilized as an objective function, the azimuth relocated position difference between a moving target and a false target is utilized as the constraint to reduce computational burden, and the optimal jamming amplitude coefficients are estimated by solving the optimization problem based on the particle swarm optimization (PSO). Hereby, the optimal jamming amplitude coefficients and gain calculated with the proposed method will be lower than those calculated with traditional methods when the distance requirement is not satisfied. By utilizing the optimal coefficients and jamming amplitude gain, a false target generated with the proposed method will be detected by displaced phase center antenna (DPCA) technique and be relocated in the desired position by along-track interferometry (ATI) technique. Experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Patient Information on Benign Colorectal Disease: An Assessment of the Value and Effectiveness of Traditional Methods.

Health literacy is the best predictor of health status, with patient information leaflets (PILs) commonly used to improve information access. However, they can often be inconsistent. Benign colorectal disease can be challenging for patients and ensuring they are accurate and understandable is important. Available PILs in a tertiary unit were assessed. The Flesch reading ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade level scores were used to calculate objective readability. Subjective assessment of readability, understandability, and patient opinion was assessed using a questionnaire. All PILs had objective readability scores at age 14 or older, above recommended advice. Three hundred sixty patient questionnaires were collected. The relationship between subjective readability and understandability was significant (P < .05); the easier a patient was able to read the information the more likely they were to understand it. There was no link between objective and subjective readability—a more difficult calculated reading score didn’t correspond to the patient finding it harder to read. Patients preferring paper information were significantly older than patients who preferred online information (P = .01). Patient information leaflets remain valued by patients, and PILs that patients find easier to read are then better understood; however, ease of reading is not related to objective readability scoring and there was no consensus that a shift to online information is merited.

First training and practical course on field surgery and trauma surgery «SMART» in Russia.

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the treatment of severe injuries and traumas. In critical situations, for the heaviest category of wounded, the outcome is largely determined in the next few minutes after admission to the hospital. The only possible tactic that gives a chance to save the lives of such victims is the tactics of multi-stage surgical treatment (damage control). The low effectiveness of traditional methods of training surgeons in the basics and techniques of this tactic makes it necessary to develop new forms of training. One of the most progressive and sought-after is training on biological material (large animals or cadaver material), but the methodology for conducting such studies has not been worked out before. For the first time in Russia in November 2018, a unique training and practical course «SMART» (Modern Methods and Algorithms for the Treatment of Wounds and Traumas) was conducted, combining training in both living tissues and cadavers. Participants were given the opportunity to see and independently work out the basic combinations of typical surgical techniques and maneuvers aimed at eliminating the life-threatening consequences of injuries and traumas.

Contraceptive method choice and spousal communication: Examining the effect of family planning method using an instrumental variable approach

ObjectivesSpousal communication is an important factor in reproductive health outcomes, including family size, contraceptive use and conflict. A purported advantage of traditional contraception is that it increases communication about family planning, since both partners need to be involved in contraceptive practice. However, there is likely to be some degree of endogeneity due to selection: couples who communicate better are more likely to select methods requiring higher degrees of communication. MethodThis paper uses an instrumental variable approach to assess the causal effect of method choice on spousal communication in 7 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Religion is used as an instrument since this is correlated with method but not communication. ResultsResults indicate that both traditional and modern methods are associated with greater discussion of family planning, and this is robust to the introduction of controls. However, when using the instrumental variable to account for selection effect, many of the significant results for traditional methods disappear although they persist for modern methods. ConclusionsThese findings indicate that the effect of traditional methods in improving communication is due to selection, rather than causation. While traditional methods still have a role to play in the contraceptive method mix, enthusiasm for side benefits such as family planning communication should be tempered.

Use of Flipped model classroom teaching on learning of Immunology in second professional medical students

Objectives: Over time medical para-clinical subject teachers have felt that undergraduate students have difficulty in understanding immunological concepts of infections. The objectives of the study were to compare the effectiveness of traditional method of teaching with the flipped classroom teaching (FCT) model in Immunology and to assess the perception of students towards the flipped classroom teaching (FCT) model using semi-structured feedback. Methodology: In the study, the flipped classroom model was employed. This is a single centre study involving 100 students of second year MBBS where the students were required to learn and understand the supplied material before coming to the class. During the class, clinically applied aspects of Immunology topic including higher levels were discussed. Ten sessions were done on FCT. Pre class and post class student’s knowledge of concept was assessed using MCQs on the given session. Also a theory test was conducted on the same topic at the end of completion of the Immunology topic and comparison was done with a topic in which teaching was done based on didactic lectures only. Feedback was taken from the students in the peer validated questionnaire provided having open ended question also. Similar feedback was taken from participating teachers. Results: The MCQ marks were categorized in three groups; students scoring 8 out of 10. In the post class assessment significantly higher proportion of students secured score between 9 -10 (P 0.10). Regarding feedback from the students; a positive attitude was seen for incorporating the flipped class teaching as assessment method showing a significant value (p=0.005). In terms of duration for the flipped class study, students disagreed that FCT takes longer time than routine lecture. Feedback from the teachers showed that this is a good method of teaching regards to some difficult topics but some preparation is required beforehand. Conclusions: There was a positive feedback by the students towards flipped classroom teaching method as understanding of the topics covered was much more. According to the assessment, Flipped teaching approach offered no additional benefits as compared to non- flipped traditional method.

THE PROSPECTS FOR APPLICATION OF LACTOFERRIN AND ITS DERIVATIVES IN THE TREATMENT OF CANCER

Annually more than 250 thousand deaths from malignant diseases are registered in Russia and 8 million - in the world. The effectiveness of traditional methods of treatment, as well as of monoclonal antibodies and gene therapy is limited in the case of resistant forms of cancer and hard to reach tumors. Lactoferrin (LF) is a universal protein with anticancer activity and cross-species biocompatibility, which modulates the immune response and the redox/antioxidant system. Due to the ability to interact not only with specific receptors, but also with signaling and endocytosis receptors, TLR on various cell types, LF can overcome tissue barriers. The therapeutic efficacy of lactoferrin, its cleavage products, and synthetic peptides against various types of malignant proliferation was demonstrated with in vivo and in vitro models. The prospects of using LF as an adjuvant before chemotherapy and radiotherapy and as a carrier for gene therapy of cancer were experimentally demonstrated. However, the results of clinical studies are few and require further study.

Interview

Xia Xu Doctor Xia Xu from Beihang University in China, talks to Electronics Letters about the paper ‘Tropical Cyclone Intensity Prediction Based on Recurrent Neural Networks', page 413. My research field is deep learning, and I am applying deep learning methods for marine disaster (such as typhoons) forecasting. In short, my aim is to predict the expected intensity and path of typhoons. Generally, the mechanisms which govern typhoon behaviour are not clear or well specified, which makes typhoon forecasting a “black box” problem. Deep learning is a new technique uniquely skilled at addressing such “black box” problems and is the method our group chose to apply. Researchers usually try to clarify the mechanisms of typhoons to improve their models and provide more accurate forecasts. However, as is mentioned above, although there are many works about typhoon mechanisms, there is no consensus on an optimal model, and this complicates the use and effectiveness of traditional methods. Typhoon intensity forecasting is a well-recognised international problem. Compared with conventional methods, this work is an entirely different approach, which provides a unique and promising perspective on the problem. In this paper, we reported a new prediction model for the typhoon intensity prediction problem. Our method, deep learning, is not novel in and of itself. However, we have created a new network structure which is able to handle the typhoon intensity prediction task. Thus, the novelty in the presented work mainly exists in the idea and its application, as opposed to the specific technology. We think that this exploratory work will provide inspiration for subsequent research efforts. If this idea is expanded and improved to its fullest extent, it may become a new way to handle the typhoon intensity prediction problem. What was previously considered a traditional challenge will disappear. Furthermore, once deep learning is verified as effective in dealing with typhoon intensity prediction problems, it can then be extended to other similar fields, such as storm surge prediction. These tasks can share the same techniques with only relatively minor model alterations. However, we must face many challenges before reaching this point. Deep learning has had great success in image classification, audio recognition, and other engineering fields, but how can deep learning be geared toward our task? This was the most serious challenge addressed in this Letter. This work has validated the feasibility of using deep learning for typhoon intensity prediction and supplied the drive to continue efforts to further improve the accuracy of this approach. In the short term, more advanced deep learning models and more powerful training tricks may appear to handle this problem. However, in a long term, it is unclear whether our idea will outperform traditional methods. Therefore, with our idea as a first attempt at this approach, future works will explore its effectiveness and validate its eventual success. This initial work is an exploratory one, where a simple RNN model is used to test the feasibility of the approach. It can be easily extended by changing to more powerful models, adding new structures and developing new tricks. In this paper, our accuracy is comparable to traditional methods. In the future, we will work to improve the accuracy, and demonstrate any emerging advantages of the prediction model. While the work presented in our Letter will not, objectively speaking, have an immediate impact in the field it sets an important precedent in the application of deep learning to typhoon forecasting. This work is not in the current mainstream of typhoon intensity prediction as there are not many researchers dedicated to using deep learning methods in this manner. However, I am confident this will change with the continued growth and relevance of deep learning in the coming years. It is a powerful tool, and future research will surely demonstrate its potential and validate its use in our chosen application.

CYTOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF EXPERIMENTAL PURULENT WOUNDS IN THE TREATMENT OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES IN ULTRASOUND CAVITATION

The treatment of purulent wounds is an important problem of modern surgery. Antibiotic resistance of bacteria dramatically reduces the effectiveness of traditional methods of treatment. Previous studies have indicated that silver nanoparticles have good antibacterial activity and do not cause bacterial resistance. Low-frequency ultrasound improves the bactericidal properties of nanoparticles, as well as plays an important role in cleaning wounds from purulent-necrotic tissue and delivering nanoparticles to the site of infection. The combination of the properties of silver nanoparticles and low-frequency ultrasound requires careful investigation in the treatment of purulent wounds. The purpose of the study was to substantiate the effectiveness of the treatment of purulent wounds with silver nanoparticles and low-frequency ultrasound by cytological examination. Materials and Methods. This study was carried out on 60 laboratory rats, which were equally divided into 3 groups. In the first group, treatment was carried out by low-frequency ultrasound; in the second group, a solution of silver nanoparticles was used together with low-frequency ultrasound; in the third, control group, a 0.05% Chlorhexidine solution was used. Silver nanoparticles with a size of 10-60 nm were synthesized by the polyol method. Results. The study showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the ultrasound, silver nanoparticles/ultrasound and Chlorhexidine groups on the first day. On the third day, a statistically significant increase in phagocytic neutrophilic leukocytes and fibroblasts was observed in the silver nanoparticles/ultrasound group compared with the first day. In comparison with the Chlorhexidine group, the number of monocytes (2.2 and 4.2 times) and macrophages (1.4 and 1.9 times) increased in the ultrasound and silver nanoparticles/ultrasound groups respectively, and the necrotic type of cytograms was not determined. On the seventh day, granulation tissue began to appear in the silver nanoparticles/ultrasound group, the percentage of leukocyte destruction decreased (by 4.5 times), microorganisms were almost not detected, regenerative types of cytograms appeared for the first time. The number of neutrophils in the control group exceeded the analogous parameter of the ultrasound group by 2.4 times and the silver nanoparticles/ultrasound group by 3.8 times. The number of fibroblasts became significantly larger in the ultrasound (2.2 times) and the silver nanoparticles/ultrasound (2.3 times) groups, compared with the group where Chlorhexidine was used. On the tenth day, the number of fibroblasts and cells of the monocytic-macrophage series increased in the control group, which indicates later regenerative processes. On the tenth day, there was a complete epithelization of wounds in the silver nanoparticles/ultrasound group, while healing occurred on day 12 in the ultrasound group, and on day 21 in the control group. Conclusions. The combined use of silver nanoparticles and low-frequency ultrasound significantly improves the cytological parameters of wound healing of purulent wounds and has clear advantages over the ultrasound monotherapy and the use of Chlorhexidine. The presented method reduces the treatment time and can be prospectively introduced into surgical practice.

Effect of Traditional Methods in Geometry and Numbers Learning Domains on Academic Achievement: A Meta-Analysis Study

Nearly all studies aiming to determine the effect of modern teaching methods on academic success using an experimental design contain control groups in which traditional methods are used. Effect of traditional methods in geometry and numbers learning domains on academic achievement has not been conclusively studied by researchers yet. On the other hand, it is claimed that almost all experimental designed studies aiming to determine the effect of “modern” teaching methods, have utilized traditional methods in their control group. While there are some review studies within the literature, for experimental groups’ effects on academic achievement, no review studies on control groups’ effect have been detected so far. Consequently, our aim is to systematically review the studies’ control group findings on traditional methods in experimental researches. The purpose of this meta-analysis study is to calculate the overall effect of traditional methods in Geometry and Numbers Learning Domains (G & N LD) on academic achievement. With this in mind, data was collected from the master and doctoral theses submitted in Turkey, to indirectly answer the following research question: “Does traditional methods in (G & N LD) effect students’ academic achievement?” A meta-analysis aims to compare and combine the findings from various independent studies on a subject and determine their overall effect. Data sources of the study are studies giving pretest and posttest values for their control groups from the studies with pretest and posttest experimental and control group designs on (G & N LD).Included studies were retrieved from Advanced Thesis Search Database of Council of Higher Education (YOK), using keywords search “geometry”, “number”, “mathematics” and “control” (both in Turkish and in English). The theses on (G & N LD) and using middle school (5th to 8th grades) as the sample were included into the meta-analysis considering the inclusion criteria. The results show that traditional methods differ by an average of 0.83 standard deviations, and it can be interpreted that traditional methods increase success in mathematics teaching. As a result of analysis, it was seen that this success was not by chance (p<0.001). As a recommendation, it is important to note that there is no loss of data since testing will not reveal whether the experienced method is different from the conventional method by testing one-sample t-test for the value obtained in their experimental study with a point increase corresponding to the 0.83 standard deviation.

INTRODUCTION OF THE NATIVE LANGUAGE PHRASEOLOGICAL DIVERSITY TO PRIMARY SCHOOL: EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION

The article reveals the peculiarities of learning phraseological units of the Ukrainian language at primary school. Theoretical aspects of leading scientists` investigations into pupils` knowledge of phraseological units are considered, specific features of the traditional system of teaching phraseological units in classes of Ukrainian are defined. The importance of learning the phraseological units as the tool of developing emotional as well as figurative writing and conversation is underlined. Ukrainian language curriculums and textbooks for primary schools are analyzed; exercises which are the basis for acquiring knowledge of the phraseological material are worked out. Verification experiment was aimed at determining the effectiveness of the exercises. As a result, lack of effectiveness of traditional methods and violation of the principle of systematic study, low level of phraseological units knowledge, habits and skills are revealed. The system of exercises for extension pupils` phraseological skills at primary school is created on the basis of progressive pedagogical synthesis, traditional methods of teaching and personal consideration. The exercises were included in the Ukrainian language curriculum for the experimental form. The system of exercises was integrated into the structure of the curriculum, systematic work based on the phraseology in the process of learning grammar and spelling of Ukrainian was carried out on the forming stage. The control experiment was conducted after the forming stage and it has shown a higher quality level of knowledge acquisition of phraseological units by pupils from experimental form. Taking into consideration the results of the investigation, the effectiveness of the elaborated system of exercises is proved and the expediency of using the new system in teaching process of Ukrainian at primary school is determined.

Calculation and simulation of transient optimal voltage output point in wireless sensor networks

For production of transient voltage output in wireless sensor network, due to the instability of the control voltage, the traditional control method needs to introduce the feedback control, through the establishment of mathematical model for periodic monitoring of the output voltage, change control strategy once the problem is found, lead to slow control time computation, cannot obtain the optimal output voltage values. A new method for calculating transient optimal voltage output points in sensor network of two-phase rotating and stationary coordinates is proposed. Through the analysis of the mathematical model of the network transient, the repetitive controller is designed on the two axes. By calculating the mean value of maximum and minimum value of the voltage, the transient energy-saving voltage output of the sensor network is monitored in real time. The control process of output voltage quality of sensor network with nonlinear load is analyzed, and the feed forward control method of parameter on line control is put forward. Under the premise to meet the control accuracy, enhance the response speed and stability of voltage output control of sensor networks. Simulation results showed that the method presented in this paper improves the poor effect of traditional methods, solves the complex problems of network energy-saving voltage control, and control effect of energy-saving voltage output is great, and the optimal voltage output values is obtained.

Conflicts, Conflict Resolution Practices and Impacts of the War in South Sudan

Despite the homogenizing effect of human civilization, Africa is as yet a continent replete with its own distinct tradition of conflict and conflict resolution mechanisms. It is, however, unfortunate that many African nations have gone through a host of armed conflicts that could possibly cast shadows on such traditions because targeting ordinary people and their way life is the modus operandi of most modern war. This research has attempted to document on the nature of conflict, their settlement, and impacts of the warin South Sudan. Data were collected from 11 counties in South Sudan through key informant interviews, FGDs, and interview with community representatives. Findings indicated that traditional methods that involved mediation by the elderly, community chiefs and spiritual leaders were employed in conflict resolutions. Negotiation, compensation, forgiveness, and reconciliation were employed as conflict resolution mechanisms and were found to be powerful and effective methods. However, it was observed that during the war the military was involved in resolving conflicts. Moreover, the roles of community chiefs and elderly people were extended to recruiting soldiers and blessing the recruits, respectively. This changed practice coupled with other war-induced threats appeared to undermine the credibility of traditional methods as healers of the wounds of people in conflict. State courts were also increasingly involved in settling disputes inmore recent years along with the traditional or local courts. Evidences suggested that the effectiveness of traditional methods was decreasing and yet state courts were only emerging. There was, therefore, a kind of power vacuum in conflict management at the moment and this could even further escalate conflict and crime rates.

Changes in the silver fir forest vegetation 50 years after cessation of active management

Knowledge of the vegetation and the monitoring of its changes in preserved areas is an essential part of effective conservation policy and management. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of traditional methods of conservation of silver fir forests. The study analyses the changes in the structure and species composition of a temperate forest excluded from the commercial silvicultural management for 50 years, and since then protected as a nature reserve. The study is based on a comparative analysis of phytosociological reléves made on permanent plots in 1961, 1982, 1994 and 2011. PCA and ecological indicator values were analyzed, as well as characteristic species based on an indicator value (IndVal) index. Results revealed significant and dynamic changes in the forest structure and composition. The mixed coniferous-broadleaved forest with &lt;em&gt;Abies alba&lt;/em&gt; and diverse ground flora, considered in the 1960s as valuable and worthy of conservation, was found to have been anthropogenically transformed and unstable. Significant reduction in the human impact was followed by spontaneous regeneration of oak–hornbeam forest. However, the directional process of changes in vegetation was modified by such silvicultural treatments as selective cutting of trees and gap creation, all intended for silver fir maintenance. The results show that &lt;em&gt;Carpinus betulus&lt;/em&gt; effectively outcompeted &lt;em&gt;Pinus sylvestris&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Picea abies&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Quercus robur&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;A. alba&lt;/em&gt;. Changes in the forest overstory and understory caused temporal changes in the habitat conditions reflected in changes in the ground vegetation composition. The proportion of light-demanding and oligotrophic species significantly decreased, while the contribution of species with a wide ecological amplitude, i.e. more shade-tolerant and nutrient-demanding – increased. The share of &lt;em&gt;A. alba&lt;/em&gt; was reduced. Species defined in this study as most valuable, should be actively protected, or selection of conservation targets should be re-evaluated.

Social Networking: Engaging Prospective and Admitted African American and Other Minority Students before They Arrive on Campus

With the effectiveness of traditional methods of connecting with incoming Wittenberg University minority students waning, Forest B. Wortham spans the virtual and physical worlds to help them find their place.

Traditional treatment and altered auditory feedback lead to intelligibility benefits in a subset of speakers with Parkinson's disease

This review provides a summary and appraisal commentary on the treatment review by Lowit, A., Dobinson, C., Timmins, C., Howell, P., & Kroeger, B. (2010). The effectiveness of traditional methods and altered auditory feedback in improving speech rate and intelligibility in speakers with Parkinson's disease. International Journal of Speech Language Pathology, 12, 426–436. Source of funding and disclosure of interest: This study was supported by a grant from Parkinson's UK; the original authors of this research report no conflicts of interest.