bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of Hadlock's and Shepard Formulae of Fetal Weight Estimation in Eastern Region of Nepal
Authors: Khadka Roshana
Published: September 2019

Introduction: Ultrasonography plays a pivotal role in present day obstetrics. It has been well recognized that the fetuses of extremes of the normal birth weight range are associated with increased perinatal morbidity, mortality and adverse development outcomes. Categorization of fetal weight into either the small or large for gestational age may lead to timed obstetric interventions that collectively represent significant departure from routine antenatal care.

Objective: To compare the accuracy of Hadlock's 1, 2, 3, 4 and Shepard model in estimating expected fetal weight and its comparison with actual birth weight in our population at eastern region of Nepal.

Methodology A prospective observational study was performed in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Nobel Medical college and teaching hospital, Biratnagar, over a period of 6 months dated Jan 2018 to June 2018 using systematic random sampling with sample size estimated as 160, with 5% level of significance, 80% power of test and a maximum of 200 grams differences by our predicting model from actual mean weight. Singleton, term pregnancy (37- 42 weeks gestational age) verified with antenatal USG performed prior to 20 weeks' gestation. Pregnancies complicated by congenital anomalies and deliveries after 2 days of USG examination were excluded.

Results: 159 pregnant ladies were enrolled in our study with mean age of 27.60 ± 5.633 years (range 18-43 years). The average (actual) birth weight recorded was 3450.79±438.73gms. The different formulae for estimating birth weight gave us similar results. Estimation of fetal weight by Shepard gave us a mean of 3340.80 ± 463.72. Hadlock1, Hadlock2, Hadlock3 and Hadlock4were 3546.55±429.92grams, 3491.18±439.49 grams, 3445.23 ±422.79grams, and 3446.12±418.43grams respectively.

Conclusion: All four Hadlock formulae gave comparable results for fetal weight estimation including the Shepard formula; however, Shepard formula tends to underestimate fetal weight as compared to rest of the formulae. Among the Hadlock's, Hadlock 2 seems to show betier accuracy in fetal weight prediction in our population of study. The mean birth weight recorded using Hadlock 1 formula gave the beer correlation with the actual birth weight though the difference between four Hadlock formulae was all insignificant.
Spectrum of Unnatural Deaths in Palpa, Nepal: Autopsy Based Study
Authors: Atreya Alok , Nepal Samata , Gyawali Pushpa Raj
Published: September 2019

Introduction: Analysis of unnatural death of a community reflects the cause of death and socio-economic strata of that society. Medico-legal autopsies are conducted under the ordinance of legal authority in all cases of unnatural deaths.

Objectives: The present study is aimed to determine the spectrum of unnatural deaths in Tansen Municipality of Papla district of Province 5, Nepal.

Methodology: This autopsy based study was conducted during the Nepalese fiscal calendar 2074/75 which includes all the cases autopsied in the mortuary of District Hospital Tansen, Palpa.

Results: Of total 184 medico-legal autopsies road traffic accidents (RTA) was the leading cause of death (n=53, 28.8%) followed by hanging (n=43, 23.41%) and burn (n=33, 17.9%). Of the 33 cases of burn 25 were females (13.6%) and 8 males (4.3%). There were 13 cases (7.1%) of obscure autopsy.

Conclusion: The present study reflected the spectrum of unnatural deaths in Palpa district of province 5, Nepal which revealed RTA as a leading cause of death, followed by hanging. When gender was taken into account it was revealed that more females succumbed to death due to complications of the burn injuries sustained. Unnatural death due to fatal poisoning was least common finding of the present study although poisoning is one of the leading causes of deliberate self-harm globally. Proposal/program of collaboration of District Hospital with other tertiary care centres of Palpa district is the need of the hour which would provide specific, timely and expert approach to range of medicolegal cases.
A Vitreous Cyst in an Elderly: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Khatri Anadi , Banstola Amrit , Karki Pratap
Published: September 2019

This condition has been seen to occur in younger patients. We report here a case of a 54-year - old woman with vitreous cyst.
Polymyxin B and Doxycycline for Treatment of Multidrug Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniae and Staphylococcus Aureus Pneumonia in Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Keyal Niraj Kumar , Nakarmi Manish , Adhikari Pooja
Published: September 2019

Doxycycline is a broad spectrum antibiotic. We hereby report a case report of patients that developed multidrug resistant hospital acquired pneumonia. Patients were treated with Polymyxin B and Doxycycline. From this we want to emphasize that Doxycycline can be used as alternative agent in combination with Polymyxin B for treatment of multidrug resistant pneumonia although there are no large scale studies on combination of Polymyxin B and Doxycycline.
If You Want to Get Away with Murder, Use Your Car
Authors: Magusin Heather
Published: September 2019

The persistently high rate of pedestrian and cyclist road deaths in Canada is a major public health concern and a serious impediment to encouraging active transport. Despite empirical evidence that cyclist- and pedestrian-targeted policies like helmet laws and jaywalking tickets do not decrease fatalities, popular discourse continues to put the onus on vulnerable road users, often blaming them for their deaths.  The negative effect of victim-blaming on vulnerable communities has been well established in the critical and feminist traditions, while recent studies have begun to examine the effects of negative discourse on cycling uptake and safety. To examine how public discourse reflects and affects the perception of blame in vulnerable road user deaths, this paper critically analyses news articles of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities in Edmonton in 2016. [results and analysis] Policy implications and avenues for future research are also discussed.
Identify Reformation Through Vegan Communities
Authors: Wolfer Amanda Yvette
Published: September 2019

Through content analysis of three relevant research essays, this study examines how vegan communities contribute to the reformation of the cultural identity of vegan-identifying persons. Jessica Greenebaum’s (2012) research on identity and authenticity studies the different ways in which people classify themselves, and how they negotiate and reform their cultural identities. Elizabeth Cherry’s (2006) research on veganism as a cultural movement emphasizes the importance that a strong social network has on maintaining a vegan lifestyle. Finally, Mary Jane Collier’s (2015) article on identity and communication identifies norms, symbols, and meanings unique to the vegan culture and community. I hypothesize that ethical concerns are the main force behind adopting a vegan lifestyle. I want to further understand the role that community plays in forming a vegan identity, and, overall, to affirm that community is essential to maintaining, and thriving in, a vegan lifestyle. Vegan individuals, who are able to connect with other vegans, adhere more strictly to a plant-based diet. In comparison, vegans who do not partake in any social organizations or vegan networks are more likely to adapt the definition of veganism to fit their lifestyle. Community and networks play a considerable role in accountability, and they allow people not only to define themselves as vegan, but also permit others to identify as vegan, too.
Inclusive or Exclusive: Body Positive Communication in Imagery and Clothing in Athens, Greece
Authors: Camarneiro Ashley
Published: September 2019

It is expected that 40% of adults in Greece will be obese by 2030, and more and more individuals in the country are inactive. There are many reasons for obesity and inactivity; however, factors such as societal influences and appearance-focused communication are known to have an effect. Negative body communication—in other words, size-discrimination or shaming—may cause a person to consume unhealthy or large amounts of food and avoid exercise. Likewise, a system of social marking divides one group, the “ideal” group, from another group, the “lesser” group, thereby creating a perception of abnormality towards the “lesser” group and strengthening a social divide. Moreover, labelling theory states that individuals tend to behave based on the label assigned to them. In contrast, body positive communication seeks to challenge beauty standards and encourage a healthy mindset that in turn inspires healthy consumption and activity. This study analyzes communication towards females in Athens, Greece, through imagery, by examining front-of-store signage and mannequins, and clothing, by reviewing the size range available for purchase in stores. Major findings reveal that images do not show diversified sizing and the most common sizes are medium and small. This paper shows that negative communication could potentially exacerbate the overweight and obesity rate and that Athens, Greece has inadequate body positive communication practices.
Conservation in Madasgascar
Authors: Joneson Darren
Published: September 2019

When most people hear the word Madagascar, images of animated dancing lemurs and quirky stranded penguins come to their minds. Although there is some truth in the movie’s description of that far-away, mysterious place, it fails to paint a complete picture of Madagascar as being rich in biodiversity and culture. Few places on earth rival the variety of endemic plants and animals that are found there. It is estimated that Madagascar has more genetic diversity per unit area than anywhere else on earth (Karsten, et al., 2009). This makes it “one of the world’s hottest hotspots for biodiversity conservation” (Consiglio, et al., 2006). Even though Madagascar is a biologically invaluable nation, it trails behind other ecologically notable countries, like Ecuador, in the conservation effort. Madagascar continues to suffer devastating loss to its precious habitats. The Madagascar government has the difficult task of preserving as much ecologically unique territory as it can, without depriving the already economically disadvantaged local people. Much international help is needed in providing support to the people and protection to the plants, animals, and natural resources of Madagascar.
Understanding Organics at the Grassroots Level: An analysis of Ecuadorian and Canadian perceptions
Authors: Bradshaw, Dana Dusterhoft Jason
Published: September 2019

There is a growing public concern over the genetic alteration and use of chemicals in conventionally produced agriculture. The perceived risk of such agricultural production has prompted the rising popularity of organic alternatives in both developed and developing nations. These products are defined by their reliance on traditional means that do not require the use of harmful chemicals or pesticides in their production. The organic movement in South America has been defined not only by perceived risks, but also by a desire to preserve traditional ways of life. This is accomplished through grants and funding to indigenous farmers in these regions, allowing them to continue their practice. By interviewing a number of individuals in Ecuador and Canada involved in three levels of the organic process (consumers, distributors, and producers) this study determined common cultural and intercultural conceptions of organic practices. These findings were then related to a number of recommendations for three distinct systems (small-scale farming, free trade, and certification) that are currently relevant to the organic movement.
Impacts and Assessment of the Endangered Snow Leopard: A Conservational Approach
Authors: Jones Averil
Published: September 2019

Overcoming the threats of the snow leopard with immediate action may be what will save this species from extinction. This report provides a brief overview both of the challenges faced by the snow leopard and the roles local people have taken in the decline and subsequent recovery of this apex predator. Panthera uncia lives across the high-alpine regions of Central Asia, with China containing most of their habitat. It is estimated that only 550,000 km2 of this territory is good quality habitat.These predators will adjust their territory size and range in accordance with their ungulate prey. Under the Conservation Monitoring Centre of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), they have been listed as endangered since 1996. Since 1975, all international trade has been prohibited after being listed with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES). The International Snow Leopard Trust and the Snow Leopard Survival Strategy are promoting conservation through scientifically based research. Numerous threats have been identified: decline in prey populations, habitat degradation, trophy and black market hunting, ineffective law enforcement, a lack of knowledge about conservation efforts, and climate change. It is estimated that 30% of their habitat will be subject to change along the Himalayas. The Snow Leopard Survival Strategy is promoting livestock and grazing practices that will reduce vulnerability to predation, such as the use of herding dogs to ward off predators. An underlying problem that ties the numerous issues together is the poverty in most of the countries that are part of snow leopard range, and this draws a link between biodiversity conservation and the well-being of those people. Regional conservation programs depend not only on the effective enforcement of protection laws, but also on the proof that wildlife conservation can provide new opportunities to the local people who are impacted by this species. To save this species, these areas need to be conserved and managed, and the rural communities need to be educated and supported.
Ethical Considerations in Primate Conservation
Authors: Cancelliere Emma
Published: September 2019

Due to conflicting human and primate needs in primate-source countries, conservation becomes a hotly debated issue. In an exploration of ethical frameworks and conservation approaches, flaws in current approaches become evident. An alternative, deeper understanding of the role of primates is called for in order to achieve truly sustainable primate conservation.
"‘A Peculiar Gift of Providence": The Power-Imbalance Caused by Gift-Giving in Millenium Hall
Authors: Snyder Elisia
Published: September 2019

Sarah Scott's eighteenth-century novel Millenium Hall canvasses the role of gift-giving in the dynamics heteronormative-domestic, economic, and spiritual relationships. The pharmakon of the gift plays a central role in Scott's understanding of philanthropy, and the construction of her female-inhabited, female-run utopia. This article's principle occupation is to show that all instances of gift-giving in Millenium Hall create power-imbalances between the superior giver and the inferior receiver; however, Sarah Scott's female utopia constructs the most preferable type of subservience.
The Sinful University?
Authors: Cook Daniel James
Published: September 2019

There is a difference between doing something well and doing something good. And there is a difference between failing to do something well, and failing to do something good. In this paper, I assess our contemporary University in the latter sense of failure. While the University can be ineffective, or fail to function well, there is more at stake if the University, as an institution, is in conflict with nature. That is, it is one thing for the University to be ineffective in its means, but here I will pose the question: is the contemporary University sinful? Using Josef Pieper's elucidation of moral failure and John Henry Newman's analysis of the proper ends of University education, I defend the thesis that because the aim of our contemporary University seems to come in conflict with the goal of nature as a whole, it may be understood as sinful.
Gender Differences in Clothing Worn in Current Popular Comic Books
Authors: Jossy Kyle Landon
Published: September 2019

This study looked at how males and females were portrayed, based on the amount of skin shown in the clothing worn.  A Content analysis was performed on a sample of 20 randomly selected popular comics from the last 3 years.  Both male and female characters were rated on how much skin they showed in three clothing categories; neck line, sleeve length, and lower body.  Results showed that in all 3 categories, women consistently wore more revealing clothing.  The findings demonstraetd that the comic book industry is comparable to other forms of media, in the sexualization of female characters, by having them wear more revealing clothing.
Aboriginal Women Experiencing Violence
Authors: Heavener Andrea
Published: September 2019

This paper examines the high rate of violence against Aborignal women in Canada through a socio-ecological viewpoint. It discusses various factors contributing to the high rates of violence, from personal to societal. Implications for nursing education, practice, and research are also discussed in this paper.
Apple Inc-A Marketing Analysis Case Study
Authors: Nagamia Namira Kausar A
Published: September 2019

Apple has been at the leading edge in the electronics industry ever since the launch of its first product. In addition to showing good market and financial performance the company has also demonstrated socially responsible behavior towards its employees and the environment.  This case study exemplifies how the principles of environmental scanning and market segmentation can be systematically applied to Apple’s various product lines. Specifically, the influence of economic and competitive factors on Apple’s marketing has been discussed. Further, income levels (demographic) and life stage (socio-cultural) factors in order to study consumer behavior have been applied to arrive at key market segments for the company’s products such as IPods, IPads, IPhones, and MacBook/IMac.
Relevant Restaurant Interests to Partnering with Non-Profit Organizations
Authors: Schick Tracey , Stephen Marla , Oatway William Keenan , Phillips Adam
Published: September 2019

Mealshare is a newly formed non-profit organization that partners with restaurants to feed persons in need. We conducted exploratory and quantitative research on Edmonton and area restaurants to identify those restaurant interests leading to partnerships with non-profit organizations. By performing in-depth interviews with restaurant owners and managers within Edmonton, we discovered main themes such as marketing benefits of social responsibility, preferences for charities to donate to, concerns about charity work, and influences on choosing social responsibility efforts. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to restaurant owners and managers, from which we derived tentative conclusions and recommendations to enhance the Mealshare brand and identify future opportunities. Based on the findings, we find that Mealshare should focus on configuring their marketing activities to emphasize community involvement, time constraint management, and marketing benefits, as well as tailor themselves for independently owned restaurants.
Brittle Stars: A story of success in biodiversity.
Authors: Beatty Alex
Published: September 2019

The brittle star is found in a wide range of habitats all over the world. The regenerative and adaptive capabilities have allowed them to diversify. Huge photo evidence has determined several species to be invasive as they dispurse into new habitats.
THE EFFECT OF TRADITIONAL MEDIA ON YOUNG ADULTS: RESEARCH ON THE EDMONTON VALLEY ZOO DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY
Authors: Letwin Jason D , Cuvilier James , Donnelly Tristan , Adeniken Jessicah , Chana Ghee
Published: September 2019

The Valley Zoo Development Society (VZDS) is a non-profit organization currently working with the Edmonton Valley Zoo in hopes to re-build and develop the zoo, and ultimately gain awareness from the Edmonton public. VZDS fundraises through seasonal events, in particular, The Festival Of Light. This is a ten-day event, which occurs annually in mid December and offers a variety of entertainment such as ice-skating and fire dancers on the zoo grounds. The current market VZDS is targeting consists primarily of families with young children. Although, this is a large segment, it is not currently creating enough revenue to sustain the Valley Zoo and the Valley Zoo Development Society. Therefore, the VZDS has inquired about reaching a new target demographic, specifically young adults aged 19-25. This group is a large and diverse segment and could be a very beneficial market to promote to. The Valley Zoo Development Society has questioned how one might go about reaching this demographic with a relatively inexpensive marketing campaign. With this in mind, initial exploratory research was conducted with a set of in-depth interviews with individuals within the age category. With the information gained from these interviews, along with literature review on their decision-making processes, a primary marketing problem was identified. This problem is largely based on the lack of information and awareness of this group about the activities of the Edmonton Valley Zoo. With the lack of marketing strategies directed to young adults; they remain vastly unaware of the events hosted by the zoo, or that the zoo is currently involved in major renovations. Therefore, the research conducted analyzes six key research questions involved in how the VZDS can gain this awareness, and what channels of media would yield the best result of reaching this segment. A questionnaire was developed regarding these six research questions to gain insight into how MacEwan students feel about the zoo, and how well informed these students are about the Valley Zoo. On top of this, questions also involved what avenues of media are most used within this sample (print media, social media, radio, television, etc.). Through data analysis it can be concluded that this age group would give a worthy contribution to the Valley Zoo if they were able to incorporate a social experience, such as a romantic outing. As well, these individuals can be reached with many media alternatives, however, through statistical analysis, it has been evaluated that radio advertising will have the greatest potential in reaching individuals who would be willing to attend the Edmonton Valley Zoo again.
Trend of Parental Refusal or Delay of Childhood Vaccinations
Authors: Daoust Meagan Marie
Published: September 2019

The healthcare trend of parental refusal or delay of childhood vaccinations will be investigated through a complex Cynefin Framework component in an economic and educational context, allowing patterns to emerge that suggest recommendations of change for the RN role and healthcare system. As a major contributing factor adding complexity to this trend, social media is heavily used for health related knowledge, making it is difficult to determine which information is most trustworthy. Missed opportunities for immunization can result, leading to economic and health consequences for the healthcare system and population. Through analysis of the powerful impact social media has on this evolving trend and public health, an upstream recommendation for RNs to respond with is to utilize reliable social media to the parents’ advantage within practice. The healthcare system should focus on incorporating vaccine-related education into existing programs and classes offered to parents, and implementing new vaccine classes for the public.
Pragmatic Contrastive Analysis of Greeting Strategies in Jordanian Arabic and English
Authors: Shawish Lubna Ahmad
Published: September 2019

The aim of this research paper is to find the similarities and differences that exist in the sociolinguistic dimensions of greeting forms and strategies in Arabic and English. A DCT instrument was used to collect data from a sample that consisted of 30 Second Secondary Grade Students in North Ghore Directorate of Education. The results revealed that there are varied forms and patterns of Arabic in contrast with English according to Halliday’s classification (1979) of time-free and time-bound forms. Moreover, it was found that oral speech strategies were most common in the Arabic language than the English one.
Pediatric primary spinal atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor: a case series and review of the literature
Authors: Li Daphne , Heiferman Daniel M. , Syed Hasan R. , Santos João Gustavo , Bowman Robin M. , DiPatri Arthur J. , Tomita Tadanori , Wadhwani Nitin R. , Alden Tord D.
Published: September 2019

Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRTs) are rare malignant central nervous system tumors, commonly occurring before 3 years of age. Median overall survival (OS) of patients with these tumors is about 1 year, despite aggressive multimodal therapy. Pediatric primary spinal ATRTs are even more rare, with fewer than 50 cases reported. The authors present a series of four patients who were treated at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago in the period from 1996 to 2017.

These patients, with ages 2–11 years, presented with pain and a decline in motor functions. They were found to have lesions in the lumbar, thoracic, and/or cervical spine. One patient’s tumor was intramedullary with exophytic components, while another patient’s tumor had both intra- and extradural components. All patients underwent resection followed by chemotherapy (systemic and intrathecal). Two patients had fractionated radiation therapy and one had an autologous stem cell transplant. Three patients are known to be deceased (OS 8.5–45 months). The fourth patient was in remission 19 years after her initial diagnosis. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the largest series of pediatric primary spinal ATRTs documented at a single institution. These cases illustrate a variety of presentations of spinal ATRT and add to the body of literature on this aggressive pathology.

A systematic MEDLINE search was also conducted using the keywords “atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor,” “pediatric spinal rhabdoid tumor,” and “malignant rhabdoid tumor spine.” Reports were included for patients younger than 21 years, without evidence of intracranial or systemic disease at the time of diagnosis. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of the four institutional cases were compared to those in the literature. This review yielded an additional 48 cases of primary pediatric spinal ATRTs reported in the English-language literature. Patients (ages 2 months to 19 years) presented with symptoms of pain, regression of motor function, and spinal cord compression. The majority of tumors were intradural (14 extramedullary, 8 intramedullary, 1 both). Eleven cases in the literature described tumors limited to extradural structures, while 10 tumors involved the intra- and extradural spine. Four reports did not specify tumor location. Although rare, spinal ATRT should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric patients presenting with a new spinal mass.
A Parisian spring: the debate on language localization at the Imperial Academy of Medicine, Paris, April 4–June 13, 1865
Authors: Leblanc Richard
Published: September 2019

The localization of articulate language (speech) to the posterior third of the third left frontal convolution—Broca’s area—did not occur to Broca as he reported the case of his first aphasic patient in 1861. Initially Broca localized articulate language to both frontal lobes, a position that he maintained for 4 years after publishing his first case. In the interval, the Academy of Medicine in Paris had received a copy of a paper authored in 1836 by Marc Dax, in which Dax claimed that the ability to speak resides within the left hemisphere alone. The Academy of Medicine convened in the spring of 1865 to adjudicate the issue. All of the distinguished speakers argued against Dax’s contention by citing the prevailing paradigm, that bilaterally symmetrical organs, such as the eyes and ears, and the hemispheres of the brain, must perform the same function. The lone dissenting voice was that of Jules Baillarger, the discoverer of the laminar organization of the cerebral cortex, whose argument in favor of what he called “Dax’s law” was so lucid that it carried the day. During his address to the Academy, Baillarger not only supported left-hemisphere dominance for speech, but for the first time described two forms of aphasia, fluent and nonfluent, now referred to as Wernicke’s and Broca’s aphasias, respectively, as well as the ability of aphasics to speak during emotional outbursts, to which we now refer as Baillarger-Jackson aphasia. It was 9 days after Baillarger’s address that Broca, for the first time, unequivocally localized speech to the left frontal lobe.

This paper is based on the author’s reading of Dax’s and Broca’s original texts and of the texts read before the Academy of Medicine meeting held at the National Library of France between April 4, 1865, and June 13, 1865. From these primary sources it is concluded that the Academy of Medicine’s debate was the last serious challenge to left-hemisphere dominance for speech and to the localization of articulate language to the left frontal lobe—and that Jules Baillarger played a pivotal role in what was a defining moment in neurobiology.
A brief history of cortical functional localization and its relevance to neurosurgery
Authors: Folzenlogen Zach , Ormond D. Ryan
Published: September 2019

Modern cortical mapping is a cornerstone for safe supratentorial glioma resection in eloquent brain and allows maximal resection with improved functional outcomes. The unlocking of brain functionality through close observation and eventually via cortical stimulation has a fascinating history and was made possible by contributions from early physician-philosophers and neurosurgery’s founding fathers. Without an understanding of brain function and functional localization, none of today’s modern cortical mapping would be possible.
Ipsilateral hemiparesis: the forgotten history of this paradoxical neurological sign
Authors: Carrasco-Moro Rodrigo , Castro-Dufourny Ines , Martínez-San Millán Juan S. , Cabañes-Martínez Lidia , Pascual José M.
Published: September 2019

OBJECTIVE

Establishing the neurological localization doctrine for the contralateral hemispheric control of motor functions in the second half of the 19th century, researchers faced the challenge of recognizing false localizing signs, in particular paradoxical or ipsilateral hemiparesis (IH). Despite tremendous progress in current methods of neuroradiological and electrophysiological exploration, a complete understanding of this phenomenon has yet to be attained.

METHODS

The authors researched the well-described cases of hemiparesis/hemiplegia ipsilateral to an intracranial lesion published in the scientific literature in the pre-MRI era (before 1980). A comprehensive review of the physiopathological mechanisms proposed for paradoxical hemiparesis throughout this period, as well as the pathological evidence substantiating them, is provided.

RESULTS

A collection of 75 patients with hemiparesis/hemiplegia ipsilateral to the primary intracranial lesion reported between 1858 and 1979 were eligible for analysis. Most cases occurred in adults with supratentorial, slowly developing, extraparenchymatous mass lesions, such as neoplasms (38%) or chronic subdural hematomas (36%). Physiopathological theories proposed by the neurologists who investigated IH can be grouped into 4 major concepts: 1) lack of anatomical decussation of the corticospinal tract; 2) impaired functional activation of the contralateral hemisphere by the lesioned dominant hemisphere through the callosal connections; 3) Kernohan’s notch phenomenon, or mechanical injury of the contralateral cerebral peduncle against the free edge of the tentorium; and 4) cerebrovascular dysfunction involving the contralateral hemisphere owing to kinking and mechanical flattening of the carotid artery contralateral to the primary intracranial lesion.

CONCLUSIONS

IH represents a still underdiagnosed paradoxical neurological phenomenon. With the aid of modern neuroradiological and neurophysiological methods, Kernohan’s peduncle notch mechanism has been confirmed to cause IH in many of the cases reported in recent decades. Nevertheless, alternative functional and/or vascular mechanisms must be investigated further for unexplained IH cases, in particular for transitory IH without evidence of peduncle injury. The historical theories reviewed in this paper represent a conceptual framework that may be helpful for this purpose.
The neural pathway midline crossing theory: a historical analysis of Santiago Rámon y Cajal’s contribution on cerebral localization and on contralateral forebrain organization
Authors: Mora Carla , Velásquez Carlos , Martino Juan
Published: September 2019

Throughout history, many scientists have wondered about the reason for neural pathway decussation in the CNS resulting in contralateral forebrain organization. Hitherto, one of the most accepted theories is the one described by the renowned Spanish physician, Santiago Rámon y Cajal at the end of the 19th century. This Nobel Prize winner, among his many contributions to science, gave us the answer to this question: the key lies in the optic chiasm. Based on the fact that the ocular lenses invert the image formed in the retina, Cajal explained how the decussation of the fibers in the optic chiasm is necessary to obtain a continuous image of the outside in the brain. The crossing of the tactile and motor pathways occurred posteriorly as a compensatory mechanism to allow the cortical integration of the sensory, motor, and visual functions. This theory had a great influence on the scientific community of his time, and maintains its importance today, in which none of the theories formulated to date has managed to entirely refute Cajal’s. In addition, the decussation of neural pathways plays a significant role in different diseases, especially in the recovery process after a hemispheric lesion and in several congenital pathologies. The advantages of cerebral lateralization have also recently been published, although the evolutionary connection between fiber decussation and cortical function lateralization remains a mystery to be solved. A better understanding of the molecular and genetic substrates of the midline crossing processes might result in significant clinical advances in brain plasticity and repair.
Jacques Jean Lhermitte and the syndrome of peduncular hallucinosis
Authors: Kosty Jennifer A. , Mejia-Munne Juan , Dossani Rimal , Savardekar Amey , Guthikonda Bharat
Published: September 2019

Jacques Jean Lhermitte (1877–1959) was among the most accomplished neurologists of the 20th century. In addition to working as a clinician and instructor, he authored more than 800 papers and 16 books on neurology, neuropathology, psychiatry, and mystical phenomena. In addition to the well-known “Lhermitte’s sign,” an electrical shock–like sensation caused by spinal cord irritation in demyelinating disease, Lhermitte was a pioneer in the study of the relationship between the physical substance of the brain and the experience of the mind. A fascinating example of this is the syndrome of peduncular hallucinosis, characterized by vivid visual hallucinations occurring in fully lucid patients. This syndrome, which was initially described as the result of a midbrain insult, also may occur with injury to the thalamus or pons. It has been reported as a presenting symptom of various tumors and as a complication of neurosurgical procedures. Here, the authors review the life of Lhermitte and provide a historical review of the syndrome of peduncular hallucinosis.
Roberts Bartholow: the progenitor of human cortical stimulation and his contentious experiment
Authors: Patra Devi P. , Hess Ryan A. , Abi-Aad Karl R. , Muzyka Iryna M. , Bendok Bernard R.
Published: September 2019

Roberts Bartholow, a physician, born and raised in Maryland, was a surgeon and Professor in Medicine who had previously served the Union during the Civil War. His interest in scientific research drove him to perform the first experiment that tested the excitability of the human brain cortex. His historical experiment on one of his patients, Mary Rafferty, with a cancerous ulcer on the skull, was one of his great accomplishments. His inference from this experiment and proposed scientific theory of cortical excitation and localization in humans was one of the most critically acclaimed topics in the medical community, which attracted the highest commendation for the unique discovery as well as criticism for possible ethical violations. Despite that criticism, his theory and methods of cortical localization are the cornerstone of modern brain mapping and have, in turn, led to countless medical innovations.
History of awake mapping and speech and language localization: from modules to networks
Authors: Rahimpour Shervin , Haglund Michael M. , Friedman Allan H. , Duffau Hugues
Published: September 2019

Lesion-symptom correlations shaped the early understanding of cortical localization. The classic Broca-Wernicke model of cortical speech and language organization underwent a paradigm shift in large part due to advances in brain mapping techniques. This initially started by demonstrating that the cortex was excitable. Later, advancements in neuroanesthesia led to awake surgery for epilepsy focus and tumor resection, providing neurosurgeons with a means of studying cortical and subcortical pathways to understand neural architecture and obtain maximal resection while avoiding so-called critical structures. The aim of this historical review is to highlight the essential role of direct electrical stimulation and cortical-subcortical mapping and the advancements it has made to our understanding of speech and language cortical organization. Specifically, using cortical and subcortical mapping, neurosurgeons shifted from a localist view in which the brain is composed of rigid functional modules to one of dynamic and integrative large-scale networks consisting of interconnected cortical subregions.
Trajectories of land cover transformation in zonal types of landscapes of Indochina
Authors: Alekseeva N. N. , Klimanova О. А. , Tretyachenko D. А. , Bancheva A. I.
Published: September 2019

The article deals with the study of the land cover change of Indochina based on the MODIS Land Cover database for 2001—2012. Geospatial land cover data, which are objectively recorded land surface characteristics, are widely used for small-scale mapping of landscapes and ecological systems. The case region of Indochina was selected for the analysis of land cover transformation. In recent decades it has been undergoing active transformation of land use, associated with rapid economic development, substantial population growth, and reorientation of the agricultural sector to foreign markets. The processes of land cover change were studied within the boundaries of zonal types of landscapes, altitudinal zonality spectra, and groups of intrazonal landscapes. The density of changes is uneven in different zonal types of landscapes, the greatest range of transformations is characteristic to the deciduous monsoon forests, semi-evergreen forests (in the subequatorial belt), and within river valleys. The main trajectories of land cover change for 2001—2012 are as follows: 1) expansion of arable areas due to the reduction of forests, savannas and grasslands; 2) the likely increase in the area of perennial plantations (mainly rubber trees and oil palm); 3) forest degradation and spread of savannas; 4) fluctuations of land under shifting cultivation. Since the 2000s commercial production of perennial cash crops is the main cause of deforestation in the region. Land clearing for these needs could have a greater impact on forest cover than logging. The revealed features of land cover change for Indochina made it possible to specify the regional characteristics of the transformation processes as compared to global typology of land coverchanges.
Diurnal dynamics of dissolved oxygen in the small mesotrophic lake during the under-ice heating period
Authors: Palshin N. I. , Efremova T. V. , Zdorovennova G. E. , Gavrilenko G. G. , Zdorovennov R. E. , Terzhevik A. Yu. , Volkov S. Yu. , Bogdanov S. R.
Published: September 2019

The article investigates the dynamics of the dissolved oxygen (DO) content, the water temperature, the chlorophyll «a» and the under-ice irradiation in the small mesotrophic lake during the springtime heating period. All data were obtained from long-term observations using high-precision autonomous equipment. In the convectively mixed layer (CML) were recorded the DO oscillations up to 1 mgO2/l with daily frequency. Assumedly, these fluctuations are due to the daytime intensification of the photosynthesis on the background of under-ice irradiation growth (reaching 120 W/m2 when snow melts from ice surface) and the destruction of newly formed organic matter.

The CML also exhibits the high-frequency DO fluctuations (on scales from 2—3 minutes to 3—4 hours), presumably related to convective currents and seiche activity. The involvement of oxygen-depleted water portions from underlying stratified layer to convective mixing leads to decrease of DO concentration in CML, but the total oxygen content in the water column during the under-ice convection period increases at a rate ~0.1—0.4 gO2/m2 per day due to photosynthesis enhance.
Wikipedia as a data source for studies of collective mental representations of geographical objects (examplified by the cities of the Russian Arctic zone)
Authors: Gribok M. V. , Tikunov V. S.
Published: September 2019

Articles of Wikipedia crowdsourcing encyclopedia, which is one of the most popular Internet resources in Russia and in the world, are considered as a source of data for research of mass representations about geographical objects. The article analyzes statistical data on the number of views of Wikipedia pages on the urban settlements of the Arctic zone of Russia, as well as quantitative characteristics such as the length of the article (number of characters) and the frequency of updates. These indicators for 57 articles on the largest settlements of the Russian Arctic are collected in the database, and on their basis, we have made calculations of integrated indices (separately for small towns from 4 to 25 thousand inhabitants and for larger ones), which characterize the level of provision of information about the studied settlements for readers of Wikipedia. The lower the value of the calculated indicator, the more «faceless» the urban settlement is in collective representations, and the more attention should be paid to its image policy.
DAYA TERIMA PRODUK OLAHAN REMPEYEK DAUN KERSEN (Muntingia calabura L) SEBAGAI SNACK HERBAL MASYARAKAT LOKAL
Authors: Ratnasari Anilia
Published: September 2019

The amount of food or snacks that contain preservatives or chemicals consumed by the community, therefore, requires innovation and creation in food or herbal snacks made from local raw materials as consumption of the local community. This study aims to determine the acceptability of processed leaves of kersen leaves as a herbal snack for the local community. The method used was Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three samples A (young cherry leaf chips), B (medium cherry leaf chpis), and C (old cherry leaf chips) repeated 3 times. The instruments used were organoleptic test or sensory evaluation, by means of a value-differentiation test and hedonic scale test, with parameters of the quality of crispness, taste, color, and preference. The panel used by 35 untrained panelists namely the public and students as invited guests at the exhibition of products field lecture in Cikedung Indramayu West Java District. From the results of the power test, the kersen leaf chips  which has the best percentage is medium-sized kersen leaf processed products with a crisp quality level of 51.42%, flavor (not bitter) 37, 14%, color (slightly brownish) 37.14%, and preference (somewhat like) 45.71%. Therefore, it is necessary to diversify food or snacks especially those that have nutritional value, are easy, economical, made from local resources, and can be used as entrepreneurial opportunities for the community.
Increasing Comparability and Utility of Gut Microbiome Studies in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Boertien Jeffrey M. , Pereira Pedro A.B. , Aho Velma T.E. , Scheperjans Filip
Published: September 2019

Gut microbiota have been studied in relation to the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD) due to the early gastrointestinal symptomatology and presence of alpha-synuclein pathology in the enteric nervous system, hypothesized to ascend via the vagal nerve to the central nervous system. Accordingly, sixteen human case-control studies have published gut microbiome composition changes in PD and reported over 100 differentially abundant taxa covering all taxonomic levels from phylum to genus or species, depending on methodology. While certain findings were replicated across several studies, various contradictory findings were reported. Here, differences in methodologies and the presence of possible confounders in the study populations are assessed for their potential to confound the results of gut microbiome studies in PD. Gut microbiome studies in PD exhibited considerable variability with respect to the study population, sample transport conditions, laboratory protocols and sequencing, bioinformatics pipelines, and biostatistical methods. To move from the current heterogeneous dataset towards clinically relevant biomarkers and the identification of putative therapeutic targets, recommendations are derived from the limitations of the available studies to increase the future comparability of microbiome studies in PD. In addition, integration of currently available data on the gut microbiome in PD is proposed to identify robust gut microbiome profiles in PD. Furthermore, expansion of the current dataset with atypical parkinsonism cohorts, prodromal and treatment-naïve de novo PD subjects, measurements of fecal microbial concentrations and multi-omics assessments are required to provide clinically relevant biomarkers and reveal therapeutic targets within the gut microbiome of PD.
Benchmarking of Monte Carlo model of Siemens Oncor® linear accelerator for 18MV photon beam: Determination of initial electron beam parameters
Authors: Najafzadeh Milad , Hoseini-Ghafarokhi Mojtaba , Bolagh Rezgar Shahi Mayn , Haghparast Mohammad , Zarifi Shiva , Nickfarjam Abolfazl , Farhood Bagher , Chow James C.L.
Published: September 2019

OBJECTIVE:

This study aims to benchmark a Monte Carlo (MC) model of the 18 MV photon beam produced by the Siemens Oncor® linac using the BEAMnrc and DOSXYZnrc codes.

METHODS:

By matching the percentage depth doses and beam profiles calculated by MC simulations with measurements, the initial electron beam parameters including electron energy, full width at half maximum (spatial FWHM), and mean angular spread were derived for the 10×10 cm2 and 20×20 cm2 field sizes. The MC model of the 18 MV photon beam was then validated against the measurements for different field sizes (5×5, 30×30 and 40×40 cm2) by gamma index analysis.

RESULTS:

The optimum values for electron energy, spatial FWHM and mean angular spread were 14.2 MeV, 0.08 cm and 0.8 degree, respectively. The MC simulations yielded the comparable measurement results of these optimum parameters. The gamma passing rates (with acceptance criteria of 1% /1 mm) for percentage depth doses were found to be 100% for all field sizes. For cross-line profiles, the gamma passing rates were 100%, 97%, 95%, 96% and 95% for 5×5, 10×10, 20×20, 30×30 and 40×40 cm2 field sizes, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

By validation of the MC model of Siemens Oncor® linac using various field sizes, it was found that both dose profiles of small and large field sizes were very sensitive to the changes in spatial FWHM and mean angular spread of the primary electron beam from the bending magnet. Hence, it is recommended that both small and large field sizes of the 18 MV photon beams should be considered in the Monte Carlo linac modeling.