Implications of crop model ensemble size and composition for estimates of adaptation effects and agreement of recommendations.

Climate change is expected to severely affect cropping systems and food production in many parts of the world unless local adaptation can ameliorate these impacts. Ensembles of crop simulation models can be useful tools for assessing if proposed adaptation options are capable of achieving target yields, whilst also quantifying the share of uncertainty in the simulated crop impact resulting from the crop models themselves. Although some studies have analysed the influence of ensemble size on model outcomes, the effect of ensemble composition has not yet been properly appraised. Moreover, results and derived recommendations typically rely on averaged ensemble simulation results without accounting sufficiently for the spread of model outcomes. Therefore, we developed an Ensemble Outcome Agreement (EOA) index, which analyses the effect of changes in composition and size of a multi-model ensemble (MME) to evaluate the level of agreement between MME outcomes with respect to a given hypothesis (e.g. that adaptation measures result in positive crop responses). We analysed the recommendations of a previous study performed with an ensemble of 17 crop models and testing 54 adaptation options for rainfed winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at Lleida (NE Spain) under perturbed conditions of temperature, precipitation and atmospheric CO2 concentration. Our results confirmed that most adaptations recommended in the previous study have a positive effect. However, we also showed that some options did not remain recommendable in specific conditions if different ensembles were considered. Using EOA, we were able to identify the adaptation options for which there is high confidence in their effectiveness at enhancing yields, even under severe climate perturbations. These include substituting spring wheat for winter wheat combined with earlier sowing dates and standard or longer duration cultivars, or introducing supplementary irrigation, the latter increasing EOA values in all cases. There is low confidence in recovering yields to baseline levels, although this target could be attained for some adaptation options under moderate climate perturbations. Recommendations derived from such robust results may provide crucial information for stakeholders seeking to implement adaptation measures.

External barrel temperature of a small bore olympic rifle and shooting precision.

Investigations on changes in a rifle's barrel temperature during shooting in a rhythm typical for practitioners of Olympic shooting sports are presented. Walther KK300 (cal. 5.6 mm), a typical rifle often used in Olympic competitions, R50 RWS ammunition and a high speed thermographic camera were used in the study. Altair version 5 software was used to process thermal images and a stationary wavelet transform was applied to denoise signals for all the studied points. It was found that the temperature of the rifle barrel does not exceed 0.3°C after one shot whereas the total temperature increase does not exceed 5°C after taking 40 shots and does not affect the position of the hitting point on a target. In fact, contrary to popular belief, the so-called "warming shots" are not done for barrel heating but for cleaning of remnants in the barrel.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes synthesis: a direct comparison of laser ablation and carbon arc routes.

Carbon arc and chemical vapor deposition are at present the most efficient methods for mass production of single-walled carbon nanotubes. However, laser ablation is renowned for high quality nanotubes with narrow diameter distributions and hence is also of great interest. The aim of this work was to compare both the carbon arc and laser ablation techniques with respect to the quality--and relative yield of the produced SWCNTs. For this comparative study we used Fe as the catalyst, which is known not to be very active in laser ablation. However, we show this is not the case when H2 is included in the reaction. The reactions for both synthesis routes were carried out in a N2-H2 (95-5% vol.) atmosphere. The same homogenous carbon rods with different iron contents, between 1 and 5 at.% were used as the carbon feedstock and catalyst supply in both synthesis routes. Additionally, two types of carbon rods containing 1 at.% Fe with different graphitization degrees were also investigated. In the arc-discharge case, the low-graphitized electrode produced a web-like product rich in SWCNTs, while the high-graphitized carbon rods yielded soot containing carbon-encapsulated iron nanocrystallites, amorphous carbon nanoparticles, and surprisingly a small fraction of SWCNTs. With laser ablation synthesis, the Fe content and the reactor temperature significantly influenced the SWCNTs yield. Carbon arc plasma diagnostics were also performed. By using optical emission and Absorption spectroscopy the plasma temperature, C2 and CN radical content in the arc zone were determined.

Formation of SWCnts in arc plasma: effect of graphitization of Fe-doped anode and optical emission studies.

Fe-doped (ca. 1 at%) homogeneous graphite electrodes (with different graphite microcrystallites, degree of graphitization and, thereby, electrical conductivities) were used to produce single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in Ar/Kr/Xe-H2 arc plasma under pressure equal to 26 kPa. The use of electrode with the smaller primary particle size (about 5 nm) comparing to the well-graphitized electrode (25 nm) drastically increased the yield of SWCNTs in Ar-H2 arc plasma, while plasma parameters (temperature, C2 content, and namely carbon vapor pressure) remained on similar levels. However, the use of electrodes with larger grain size (25 nm) can lead to SWCNTs growth when they are arc ablated under the presence of Kr (or Xe)-H2 gas mixture. Thus, the mechanism of CNT formation seems to be more complex that the one involving only simple carbon species (e.g., C2).

Comprehensive treatment procedure in cervical spine and spinal cord injuries.

This article presents critical issues in the surgical treatment of injuries to the cervical spine and spinal cord, based on studies of 74 patients treated at the Marian Weiss Rehabilitation Center in Konstancin. The patients were given a comprehensive treatment program, including surgical treatment with the anterior approach to the cervical spine and simultaneous interior fusion. Solu-Medrol was administered during the acute phase. The Frankel scale was used to evaluate outcome. The results of preoperative and postoperative examinations indicate that the proposed treatment procedures, involving the coordinated work of a team of specialists, reduce the incidence of complete tetraplegia and leave more patients with only minor symptoms. Simultaneous interior fusion reduces complications to a minimum.

Application of the International Standards for the Neurological and Functional Classification of Spinal Cord Injuries (the ASIA scale).

His article presents the authorized translation into Polish of the International Standards of the Neurological and Functional Classification of Spinal Injuries, commonly known as the ASIA scale. The need for an objective and uniform scale for evaluating and reporting the neurological condition of SCI patients has been generally known among both researches and clinicians for some time. The ASIA scale, developed over the course of the last two decades, is now in general use around the world and acknowledges in most international publications. The author presents the authorized translation of the scale into Polish and three examples of its application to particular SCI patients. The need to train specialists in the proper application of the ASIA scale and the interpretation of its results is discussed.

An evaluation of neuropsychological rehabilitation for patients with high spinal cord injuries and brain damage.

This article describes a program of neuropsychological rehabilitation for high cervical SCI patients with psycho-organic syndrome. Traumatic injury to the cervical spine is frequently accompanied by organic damage to the brain, either caused by the same accident that injured the spine or resulting from secondary causes. The result of concomitant brain damage in cervical SCI patients is psycho-organic syndrome, which consists of both cognitive (higher level language functioning, disturbances in memory, language, attention, and thinking) and personality components (mood and behavioral disorders). Existing rehabilitation programs designed either for tetraplegic patients with no neuropsychological impairment, or for brain-damaged patients without tetraplegia, are not suitable for the problems faced by these patients. Accordingly, the authors have developed a Program of Neuropsychological Rehabilitation as a module added to comprehensive rehabilitation for SCI patients. This program was tested in a natural clinical experiment involving 35 SCI patients with tetraplegia and concomitant brain damage undergoing rehabilitation at the Cracow Rehabilitation Center and the Marian Weiss Rehabilitation Center in Konstancin, Poland. The results of the experiment demonstrate that the neuropsychological rehabilitation program is effective in reducing the symptoms of psycho-organic syndrome. The authors discuss the theoretical and clinical implications of the results for the rehabilitation of patients with cervical spine injuries and concomitant brain damage.

Posterior fixation of the cranio-cervical function.

The goal of this article is to identify the best surgical procedure in treating disorders of the cranio-cervical functions of varying etiology and in varying stages of advancement. The author discusses the methods of surgical procedure and evaluates the effects obtained in this own clinical material, encompassing 106 patients treated surgically at the M. Weiss Rehabilitation Center im. Konstancin, Poland, between 1983 and 1999, using internal fixation with bone grafts and internal stabilizers. The treatment outcome was evaluated on the basis of the author's own three-tiered scale. An analysis of the results obtained demonstrates that the use of bone grafts and internal stabilizers is the best solution in the treatment of instability of the cranio-cervical function.

Disturbances of cognitive and emotional functions in patients with whiplash injuries.

The goal of this article is to present the results of research on cognitive and emotional disturbances in patients with the "whiplash" injuries typically incurred as a result of rear-end collisions. Despite considerable controversy and discussion surrounding the whiplash syndrome the most recent literature on the subject contains several reports suggesting that many of these patients complain of specific symptoms that are not only physical, but also cognitive, emotional, and even linguistic, the existence of which can be detected by standard neuropsychological tests. In their own research involving 58 patients with late "whiplash" syndrome and an equal number of normals, the authors have confirmed the occurrence of objective symptoms in various tests. The discussion considers the etiology of these symptoms in various tests. The discussion considers the etiology of these symptoms and the significance of the results for rehabilitation.

Surgical treatment of advanced lumbar spondylosis.

The goal of this article is to evaluate the effectiveness of surgical treatment in advanced lumbar spondylosis. The research involved 100 patients, 65 men and 45 women, treated at the Marian Weiss Rehabilitation Center in Konstancin, Poland, during the years 1995-1999. The patients were divided into three groups, in each of which a different treatment method was applied: Group A - bone spondylodesis without internal stabilizers; Group B - bone spondylodesis + transpedicular fixation; Group C - bone spondylodesis + interbody cage fusion + transpedicular fixation. An analysis of the result demonstrates that the best outcome for surgical treatment was obtained in the group using interbody cage fusion and transpedicular fixation, which to a large degree reduces the duration of immobility and allows for ealier commencement of rehabilitation.

The rehabilitation of executive functions in patients with closed-head injuries.

One of the most difficult problems in the rehabilitation of patients with closed-head injuries is posed by executive function disturbances, that is, difficulty in making the transition from thinking to acting. This article presents the working hypotheses and a description of a rehabilitation program developed by the authors, oriented directly towards training executive functions, in contract to the existing standard program, based on physical therapy with the addition of neuropsychological exercises directed towards training particular cognitive functions. The program consists of exercises supporting the development of not only cognitive and emotional-motivational elements, but also mediating metaprocesses and behavioral processes. In their own research involving 24 patients the authors confirmed the existence of objective disturbances of executive functioning in all subjects. The patients were divided into two groups: a control group of 12 patients treated with the standard program, and an experimental group of 12 patients who received the new rehabilitation program. The results obtained clearly indicate the superior effectiveness of the new program, not only in terms of executive functions per se, but also in transfer to other neurosychological parameters not treated separately. The authors discuss the etiology of executive function disturbances and the significance of the results obtained for rehabilitation. The authors' Clinical Test of Executive Functions is also presented.

[The role of surgery in comprehensive treatment of spinal neoplasms]. / Rola chirurgii w kompleksowym leczeniu nowotworów kregoslupa.

Basing on clinical experience of 212 surgically treated spinal tumours the authors present the principal problems in surgical treatment of neoplasmatic disease of the spine. The essential aim of surgical treatment is the tendency to the radical removal of the tumour and, in the same time, to achieve a good stabilization of the spine. The best method of stabilization of the spine is internal stabilization, transpedicular and interbody. The removed parts of the vertebral column should be replaced with bone grafts. The surgical treatment should be combined with oncological and rehabilitation.

[Evaluation of clinical usefulness of decaldol (haloperidol decanoate) produced by WZF Polfa in Warsaw in long-term treatment of schizophrenia]. / Ocena przydatnosci klinicznej preparatu Decaldol (dekanonian haloperidolu) produkcji WZF Polfa w Warszawie w dlugotrwalym leczeniu schizofrenii.

In the study the usefulness was assessed of haloperidol depot preparation in 50 mg ampoules produced by Warsaw Pharmaceutical Works POLFA in the treatment of schizophrenia. The study group comprised 30 patients, 12 females and 18 males, aged 18-70 years. Before haloperidol administration all other drugs were withdrawn. Haloperidol depot was injected intramuscularly after 7-10 days of oral administration of haloperidol. The injections were done at 3-week intervals during 26 weeks. The mean interval between the injections was 17.8 days, and the mean dose was 77.0 mg. The effectiveness of the drug was assessed using Overall scale (BPRS) measuring the intensity of 18 psychotic symptoms in the following weeks of the trial: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 13, 17, 20, 23 and 26. The depot haloperidol preparation (Decaldol) was studied assessing its effects on productive and defect symptoms and depression. The strongest effect was exerted on productive symptoms, less pronounced effect was on psychotic defects, and lowest on depression symptoms. Improvement of the psychosis was noted in 20 cases, deterioration in 8 and no change was observed in two patients. The present trial period was not completed by 19 patients, 6 due to psychotic deterioration, 5 patients had intense extrapyramidal adverse effects and in 2 cases worsening of mental condition was associated with adverse effects. In this subgroup of 19 patients 9 were improved, 8 were worse, and 2 had no change in relation to initial status. In the remaining 11 cases who completed the study only full of considerable improvement was found.

[Clinical evaluation of Clozapol in the treatment of schizophrenia]. / Ocena kliniczna Klozapolu w leczeniu schizofrenii.

The clinical research on Klozapol included 28 patients (17 female and 11 male) diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia. The drug was tested in open trial without comparison with original medication. This research revealed a high therapeutic effectiveness of Klozapol in roughly 2/3 of the cases. The side effects which have been observed were slight, and occurred with similar frequency as Leponex. The hematological complications such as granulocytopenia and agranulocytosis were not observed. The range of the doses was quite wide between 50 and 900 mg per day.

[Medical procedure with aggressive patients: experiences of psychiatric clinic in Wroclaw]. / Postepowanie medyczne z pacjentem agresywnym--doswiadczenia Kliniki Psychiatrii we Wroclawiu.

In retrospective research--frequency of aggression among the patients admitted to the Department of Psychiatry in Wroclaw in 1992 was estimated about 8.2% from all the patients. Aggressive events were more frequent among the female patients. The most common group of drugs used in order to settle down the patients was benzodiazepines regardless of origin of aggression. In terms of type of disorder aggression was more likely to occur in schizophrenia, then Clopixol-acuphase was used as the most effective drug. Restraining was one of the unavoidable method in several cases but as the only one method it was used in 13% of cases.

[Tactics in radical operations on the spine and spinal cord]. / Taktyka radykalnych operacji w obrebie kregoslupa i rdzenia kregowego.

The authors discuss the tactics in the surgical approach in radical operations on the spinal cord, cauda and spine. The discussion is based on 1972 operations on the spine and spinal cord. The group of radical operations comprises 192 cases. The operative mortality in this material was 1%. The authors believe that the surgical tactics in these diseases should be considerate but also as radical as possible.