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Copyright of Perspectives on Culture / Perspektywy Kultury is the property of Jesuit University Ignatianum in Krakow and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Gdansk Journal of East Asian Studies / Gdanskie Studia Azji Wschodniej is the property of Jagiellonian University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Climate change causes a more frequent occurrence of extreme events. The result of these phenomena is the occurrence of floods and flooding, and periods of drought. Particularly unfavorable is intensive rainfall over the urban catchments. To prevent the negative consequences of these phenomena, unconventional solutions should be used. The use of green roofs in urban areas will serve the sustainable development of cities and the impact on local ecological changes. The study was performed at two green roof platforms 1.2×1.2×0.1 m each. An analysis was performed at different intensities given for precipitation. 20 min for the rain to stop was observed from 68 to 100% precipitation. The study was divided into two parts. The first part of the study has been performed in the dry period. In contrast, another round of tests was repeated in other conditions after rainfall. The amount of water at two experimental green roofs platforms before the test was 11.0 dm3. The research relates to the impact of green roofs on local hydrological changes. Development of technologies for green roofs had a positive impact on mitigating the effects of climate change associated with the occurrence of flooding the city.

This paper explores one aspect in the evolution of "buddha-nature" (busshō) in Japan within the context of Buddhist teachings regarding women's salvation. "Buddha-nature", symbolised by the lotus throne where buddhas and bodhisattvas reside, was fused with the notion of menstrual impurity due to syncretism with Shintō beliefs. The introduction of the Bloody Pond Sutra (Ketsubon-kyō) solidified discussions on menstruation's origin, attributing menstrual impurity to women's "mind" poisons. Practical manifestations of this complex idea included wearing chest talismans. This research sheds light on the evolving "Buddha-nature" concept in Japan and its implications for women's spirituality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of the article is the concept of an innovative integrated construction management process connecting Building Information Modelling (BIM) and construction equipment with unique control systems. It would require developing an advanced software application allowing data exchange and keeping track of costconsumption, efficiency, use of building materials, as well as many other essential parameters, which would facilitate the improvement of quality of the technological process of construction works.

The purpose of this article is to discuss certain ritual activities and beliefs related to Awashima (Awashima shinkō) with special reference to those involving the female body. It provides the historical background of Awashima based on historical and religious sources, supplemented by some literary examples. This article shows, that the origin legend of Awashima was transmitted by twofold mediums: the official one, promoted by the Awashima Shirine (Awashima Jinja) by means of booklets (such as Kada Awashima Jinja engi, Kada Awashima Jinja ryakuryaku engi), and the folk one (such as Chirizuka monogatari, Kokkei zōdan, Zoku Asuka-gawa), promoted orally by Awashima gannin (questors of Awashima). Both strains of the tradition emphasize women's matters, such as their reproductive health, maternity, and marriage as areas in which the Awashima deities specialize. Following the analysis, the annual ritual of floating dolls (hina nagashi) on 3 March is presented as a contemporary manifestation of Awashima-related beliefs that only formally bear some similarities to purification rituals. The overall discussion is intended to shed light on a little known aspect of hina matsuri, the meaning of which exceeds that of a Girls' Festival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to analyze and characterize the influence of chia seeds (CS) addition (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8%) on wheat bread properties. Bread properties that underwent evaluation included chemical composition, fatty acid composition, total phenolics content, volume, baking losses, crumb texture, and color and sensory analysis. The addition of CS decreased baking losses and the volume of bread. The color of the crumb with CS was much darker as compared with the control sample. The texture analysis showed that the CS caused a decrease in the hardness of the crumb. Most importantly, the addition of CS increased the nutritional value of the bread. Bread with CS contained more dietary fiber and mineral components. Moreover, it has been observed that in comparison to the control product bread with CS was characterized by a rich fatty acids composition and higher level of phenolic compounds. Most importantly, the results showed that the substitution of wheat flour with chia seeds up to 6% did not negatively affect the final product acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The usefulness of musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSUS) in paediatric population is limited by lack of reference values. One of such parameters is hip joint capsule thickness, postulated as an early measure for synovitis. However, the joint capsule is hardly a distinguished structure from slit synovial cavity in patients with little or no fluid collection. Therefore, in patients without effusion, it is more convenient to measure hip joint capsule thickness together with synovial cavity. The aim of the study was to establish percentile chart for hip joint capsule and synovial cavity thickness (HJC&SCT) in apparently healthy children. Material and methods: The analysis included 816 US of hip joint in 408 children without musculoskeletal disorders, distributed equally throughout the whole developmental period in 18 one-year subgroups. Hip joints US was performed according to standard protocol including measurement of HJC&SCT in a single rheumatology centre by three investigators. Results: The 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 97th HJC&SCT percentile curves were depicted in the age and height charts for the combined group of girls and boys. The median HJC&SCT values were increasing with age from 3.7 (C10 - C90: 3.3 - 4.2) mm in the first year of life up to 6.7 (5.8 - 7.3) in 16 years old, and above. In a similar way the increase was seen with height from 3.9 (3.5 - 4.7) mm in shorter than 95 cm to 6.9 (6.2 - 7.4) mm in taller than 169 cm subjects. Intra-observer and inter-observer mean precision was less than 1.8 and 12.5%, respectively. Conclusion: The developed centile chart for hip joint capsule and synovial cavity thickness in the paediatric population is expected to improve detection of hip joint capsule disorders, including synovitis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ecological Engineering / Inżynieria Ekologiczna is the property of Polish Society of Ecological Engineering and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We report a pediatric patient with granulomatous variant of pigmented purpuric dermatitis of 8 years duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case study of a 9.5-year-old girl affected by chromosome 12 aberration with the suspicion of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). All the tests performed at the hospital and the presence of a genetic disorder ledus to search for a diagnosisother than JIA. We initially diagnosed spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda (SEDT), which is related to chromosome 12. Certain signs and symptoms of this disease were presented by our patient at the time of admission. After analysing all the tests and the general conditionof the patient, we were unable to confirm this diagnosis. However, it is possible that the symptoms may occur during subsequentyears and may allow confirmation of SEDT in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quiz concerning a skin disease is presented, in which participants have to diagnose the epidermis disease on the foot on the basis of skin biopsy results that are provided.

Objectives: Methotrexate (MTX) is one of the most frequently used, highly effective disease-modifying drugs in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) therapy. The drug can be administered orally or subcutaneously, but the efficacy and tolerance of these two routes of administration raise doubts in JIA patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate MTX efficacy and tolerability after switching from the oral to the subcutaneous route of administration in children with JIA. Material and methods: A single-centre, questionnaire-based assessment of MTX efficacy and tolerance in 126 unselected JIA patients with longer than 6 months of follow-up was performed. In all patients, MTX was initially administered orally. The response to MTX treatment was analysed according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) paediatric criteria. Results: Six-month MTX therapy was effective (ACR score ≥ 30) in 83 children (65.9%). The oral route of MTX administration was changed to subcutaneous in 32 patients after a mean period of 14 months due to intolerance (n = 20) or reluctance to take the oral formulation (n = 12). This group of children was significantly younger (p = 0.02) but did not differ from the group of children that continued oral treatment in other aspects, including MTX dose. Six months after switching from oral to subcutaneous MTX the ACR score remained unchanged. Three children (9.4%) still reported symptoms of drug intolerance. Conclusions: The switch from oral to subcutaneous MTX may increase the response rate in JIA patients with intolerance of its oral formulation. The reluctance to take oral MTX can be anticipated in early childhood, and should be considered in the individualization of therapy, having also in mind the lower risk of severe gastrointestinal adverse drug reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27) is considered as a risk factor for development of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of HLA-B27 antigen in JIA categories and its influence on disease onset and response to conventional therapy. Material and methods: The retrospective analysis included 461 unselected children with JIA hospitalized in a single reference rheumatology centre between July 2007 and June 2012. The diagnosis was based on criteria by the International League of Association for Rheumatology. HLA-B27 was determined in 387 of all patients (84%) by hybridization of the amplified, labelled product to immobilize it on the microarray probe. Results: HLA-B27 antigen was found in 104 of 383 affected children (27.2%), 48 of 206 girls (23.3%), and 56 of 177 boys (31.6%) - most frequently in patients with enthesitis-related arthritis (71%), psoriatic arthritis (50%) and unclassified cases (86.7%). The age of JIA onset was slightly (by 1 year) but significantly different in patients with and without HLA-B27 antigen [11 (8.5-14) vs. 10 (5-13.5) years.; p < 0.001]. The use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and corticosteroids was more frequently clinically ineffective in HLA-B27 positive than negative patients (23.1% vs. 15.2%; p = 0.09). Patients with polyarthritis, systemic, and psoriatic arthritis more frequently received biological therapy. HLA-B27 positive patients with enthesitis-related arthritis received biological therapy more frequently than HLA-B27 negative ones (20.4% vs. 0, respectively; p = 0.09). Conclusions: HLA-B27 antigen is a strong risk factor for the development of enthesitis-related arthritis, and to a lesser extent for psoriatic arthritis and extended course of oligoarthritis. The presence of this antigen does not affect the disease onset but seems to predict resistance to therapy with disease-modifying drugs and corticosteroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pachydermodactyly (PDD) is a rare and benign form of digital soft tissues fibromatosis, which affects the skin of the fingers. The disorder is characterized by asymptomatic, symmetric, progressive soft tissue swelling of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of the fingers. The etiology of disease remains unknown. It is usually acquired, even though there are some publications that document family cases. It affects mainly adolescent men. We report two boys with the bilateral swelling of the of the PIP joints of the fingers and skin and subcutaneous tissue thickening. Based on clinical manifestations, radiological study and histopathological examination, pachydermodactyly was diagnosed. PDD is a rare and benign disorder, although it is important to consider other diseases, especially rheumatic conditions, in the differential diagnosis in order to avoid unnecessary additional tests and treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder. It is caused by a mutation in the fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene located on chromosome 15 as a result of activation of transforming growth factor ß. Since MFS affects most organs and tissues, patients with this disease constitute a clinically heterogeneous group. Specifically, MFS affects and causes disorders of the musculoskeletal system, eyes, heart and large blood vessels. A poor prognosis is expected due to the high risk of cardiovascular and ocular complications, which are caused by progressive dilatation of the aorta and ectopia lentis. This article describes a case of MFS with typical musculoskeletal abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]