bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecology of Anti-Biofilm Agents I: Antibiotics versus Bacteriophages
Authors: Abedon Stephen
Published: September 2015

Bacteriophages, the viruses that infect bacteria, have for decades been successfully used to combat antibiotic-resistant, chronic bacterial infections, many of which are likely biofilm associated. Antibiotics as anti-biofilm agents can, by contrast, be inefficacious against even genetically sensitive targets. Such deficiencies in usefulness may result from antibiotics, as naturally occurring compounds, not serving their producers, in nature, as stand-alone disruptors of mature biofilms. Anti-biofilm effectiveness by phages, by contrast, may result from a combination of inherent abilities to concentrate lytic antibacterial activity intracellularly via bacterial infection and extracellularly via localized population growth. Considered here is the anti-biofilm activity of microorganisms, with a case presented for why, ecologically, bacteriophages can be more efficacious than traditional antibiotics as medically or environmentally applied biofilm-disrupting agents. Four criteria, it can be argued, generally must be met, in combination, for microorganisms to eradicate biofilms: (1) Furnishing of sufficiently effective antibacterial factors, (2) intimate interaction with biofilm bacteria over extended periods, (3) associated ability to concentrate antibacterial factors in or around targets, and, ultimately, (4) a means of physically disrupting or displacing target bacteria. In nature, lytic predators of bacteria likely can meet these criteria whereas antibiotic production, in and of itself, largely may not.
Ecology of Anti-Biofilm Agents II: Bacteriophage Exploitation and Biocontrol of Biofilm Bacteria
Authors: Abedon Stephen
Published: September 2015

Bacteriophages are the viruses of bacteria. In the guise of phage therapy they have been used for decades to successfully treat what are probable biofilm-containing chronic bacterial infections. More recently, phage treatment or biocontrol of biofilm bacteria has been brought back to the laboratory for more rigorous assessment as well as towards the use of phages to combat environmental biofilms, ones other than those directly associated with bacterial infections. Considered in a companion article is the inherent ecological utility of bacteriophages versus antibiotics as anti-biofilm agents. Discussed here is a model for phage ecological interaction with bacteria as they may occur across biofilm-containing ecosystems. Specifically, to the extent that individual bacterial types are not highly abundant within biofilm-containing environments, then phage exploitation of those bacteria may represent a “Feast-or-famine” existence in which infection of highly localized concentrations of phage-sensitive bacteria alternate with treacherous searches by the resulting phage progeny virions for new concentrations of phage-sensitive bacteria to infect. An updated synopsis of the literature concerning laboratory testing of phage use to combat bacterial biofilms is then provided along with tips on how “Ecologically” such phage-mediated biofilm control can be modified to more reliably achieve anti-biofilm efficacy.
Effect of Crosslinking Agent Concentration on the Properties of Unmedicated Hydrogels
Authors: Wong Rachel , Ashton Mark , Dodou Kalliopi
Published: September 2015

Novel polyethylene oxide (PEO) hydrogel films were synthesized via UV crosslinking with varying concentrations of pentaerythritol tetra-acrylate (PETRA) as crosslinking agent. The aim was to study the effects of the crosslinking agent on the material properties of hydrogel films intended for dermatological applications. Fabricated film samples were characterized using swelling studies, scanning electron microscopy, tensile testing and rheometry. Films showed rapid swelling and high elasticity. The increase of PETRA concentration resulted in significant increase in the gel fraction and crosslinking density (ρc), while causing a significant decrease in the equilibrium water content (EWC), average molecular weight between crosslinks (\({\overline{M}}_{c}\)), and mesh size (ζ) of films. From the scanning electron microscopy, cross-linked PEO hydrogel network appeared as cross-linked mesh-like structure with interconnected micropores. Rheological studies showed PEO films required a minimum of 2.5% w/w PETRA to form stable viscoelastic solid gels. Preliminary studies concluded that a minimum of 2.5% w/w PETRA is required to yield films with desirable properties for skin application.
Use of A Portable Camera for Proximal Soil Sensing with Hyperspectral Image Data
Authors: Jung András , Vohland Michael , Thiele-Bruhn Sören
Published: September 2015

In soil proximal sensing with visible and near-infrared spectroscopy, the currently available hyperspectral snapshot camera technique allows a rapid image data acquisition in a portable mode. This study describes how readings of a hyperspectral camera in the 450–950 nm region could be utilised for estimating soil parameters, which were soil organic carbon (OC), hot-water extractable-C, total nitrogen and clay content; readings were performed in the lab for raw samples without any crushing. As multivariate methods, we used PLSR with full spectra (FS) and also combined with two conceptually different methods of spectral variable selection (CARS, “competitive adaptive reweighted sampling” and IRIV, “iteratively retaining informative variables”). For the accuracy of obtained estimates, it was beneficial to use segmented images instead of image mean spectra, for which we applied a regular decomposing in sub-images all of the same size and k-means clustering. Based on FS-PLSR with image mean spectra, obtained estimates were not useful with RPD values less than 1.50 and R2 values being 0.51 in the best case. With segmented images, improvements were marked for all soil properties; RPD reached values ≥ 1.68 and R2 ≥ 0.66. For all image data and variables, IRIV-PLSR slightly outperformed CARS-PLSR.
Removal of Thin Clouds in Landsat-8 OLI Data with Independent Component Analysis
Authors: Shen Yang , Wang Yong , Lv Haitao , Qian Jiang
Published: September 2015

An approach to remove clouds in Landsat-8 operational land imager (OLI) data was developed with independent component analysis (ICA). Within cloud-covered areas, histograms were derived to quantify changes of the reflectance values before and after the use of the algorithm. Referred to a cloud-free image, changes of histogram curves validated the algorithm. Scatterplots were generated and linear regression performed for the reflectance values of each band before and after the algorithm, and compared to those of the reference image. Band-by-band, results in cloud removal were acceptable. The algorithm had little effect on pixels in cloud-free areas after the analyses of histograms, scatterplots, and linear regression equations. Finally, the algorithm was applied to various land use and land cover types and cloud conditions, and to a full Landsat-8 scene yielding satisfactory results efficiently.
Common But Differentiated Governance: A Metagovernance Approach to Make the SDGs Work
Authors: Meuleman Louis , Niestroy Ingeborg
Published: September 2015

The implementation of the common and universally applicable United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires differentiated governance frameworks at all levels, as it falls short to use one governance style only—hierarchical, network or market governance—or any one style combination that is believed to be fit-for-all-purposes. The article introduces the guiding principle of “Common But Differentiated Governance” (CBDG) and illustrates how this principle can make the SDGs work. It will be shown that, after more than 15 years’ experience with the concept of “metagovernance” (how to combine different governance styles into successful governance frameworks), there seems to be some convergence towards using this as comprehensive approach to achieve situationally appropriate governance frameworks. In this article, we have elaborated how policy makers could use metagovernance, combined with key governance principles, as mechanism to support analysis, design and management of SDG governance frameworks, to make failures noticed, and to suggest mitigation measures. Metagovernance respects common principles like rule of law, but takes as starting point that there may be different pathways to achieve them. A possible step-by-step approach for SDG implementation with metagovernance is proposed, as well as establishing governance support arrangements to assist process design, review, monitoring and evaluation, at least at the national level.
Wastewater Treatment and Reuse: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Angelakis Andreas , Snyder Shane
Published: September 2015

This paper provides an overview of the Special Issue on Wastewater Treatment and Reuse: Past, Present, and Future. The papers selected for publication include advanced wastewater treatment and monitoring technologies, such as membrane bioreactors, electrochemical systems; denitrifying biofilters, and disinfection technologies. The Issue also contains articles related to best management practices of biosolids, the influence of organic matter on pathogen inactivation and nutrient removal. Collectively, the Special Issue presents an evolution of technologies, from conventional through advanced, for reliable and sustainable wastewater treatment and reuse.
Secondary Currents and Turbulence over a Non-Uniformly Roughened Open-Channel Bed
Authors: Stoesser Thorsten , McSherry Richard , Fraga Bruno
Published: September 2015

Large-eddy simulations (LES) of the flow over a non-uniformly roughened channel bed are carried out to study the effect of non-uniform bed roughness on turbulence driven secondary currents and turbulence statistics. The channel bed is comprised of alternating rough and smooth strips, the width of which corresponds to the water depth. The Reynolds number based on hydraulic radius and bulk velocity is 34,000. The LES are successfully validated using experimental data. The secondary flow and bed roughness have a significant effect on the streamwise velocity and second order turbulence statistics. Turbulence is enhanced over rough strips and suppressed over smooth strips. Significant lateral momentum transfer takes place due to both advection and turbulence. The bed shear stresses over the smooth strips are approximately four times less than over the rough strips a result of near bed low momentum fluid being transported from the rough strips to the smooth strips and high momentum fluid being convected from the surface towards the bed. The most significant terms in the streamwise momentum equation are quantified and discussed with regard to momentum transfer.
Characterization of 14 microsatellite markers for Silene acaulis (Caryophyllaceae)1
Authors: Müller Eike , Hlaváčková Iva , Svoen Mildrid Elvik , Alsos Inger Greve , Eidesen Pernille Bronken
Published: September 2015

Premise of the study:

Fifty candidate microsatellite markers, generated using 454 shotgun sequencing, were tested for the widespread arctic/alpine herb Silene acaulis (Caryophyllaceae).

Methods and Results:

Fourteen out of 50 markers resulted in polymorphic products with profiles that enabled interpretation. The numbers of alleles per locus ranged from two to six, and the expected heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.06 to 0.68. Analysis of F0 and F1 samples proved that one allele was always inherited maternally. Four multiplex mixes have been developed.

Conclusions:

Microsatellite markers for this species will be a valuable tool to study detailed small‐scale genetic patterns in an arctic/alpine herb and to relate them to demographic parameters.
Insistance et hospitalité : Marthe et Marie dans un monde postmoderne
Authors: Caputo John D.
Published: September 2015

Dans ce troisième chapitre de l’ouvrage « L’insistance de Dieu », John D. Caputo définit l’hospitalité comme la possibilité de répondre « viens » à l’appel de l’autre. Un autre non pas identique mais tout autre , un autre qui est l’hostis , l’étranger dont l’hostilité est aussi à envisager. Ainsi, avec Derrida, l’hospitalité peut devenir « l’hostipitalité ». La structure même de l’insistance de Dieu est justement cette incapacité dans laquelle elle nous met d’être dans la certitude. Cette incapacité n’est pas un échec, mais au contraire le pouvoir de supporter l’incertitude. Variations sur la « possibilité de l’impossible », cette autre façon de dire Dieu, ainsi peut se lire cette réflexion de Caputo sur l’hospitalité dont la relecture/déconstruction de Luc 10,38-42 constitue l’un des fils rouges.
Puissance de la faiblesse divine. Relire 1 Co 1,18-25 en compagnie de John D. Caputo
Authors: Cuvillier Elian
Published: September 2015

Élian Cuvillier * s’intéresse à la façon dont Caputo se situe vis-à-vis de l’apôtre Paul, à la fois dans le registre de la dette – l’idée de faiblesse de Dieu – et dans la distance critique – Paul abandonne très vite la notion d’un Dieu faible. Si Caputo a raison d’affirmer qu’après avoir soutenu l’idée radicale de la faiblesse de Dieu, Paul réinvestit la figure d’un Dieu fort et vainqueur de ses ennemis, il convient d’une part de nuancer le propos et d’autre part de tenir en tension ces deux éléments contradictoires. Ce faisant, l’auteur propose une lecture de 1 Co 1,18-25 et discute la position de Caputo sur le défi actuel que doit relever la théologie, soulignant la nécessité de poursuivre la tâche de démythologisation du langage paulinien.
Supporting Graduate Nurse Transition: Collaboration Between Practice and University
Authors: Bull Rosalind , Shearer Toniele , Phillips Michelle , Fallon Anne
Published: September 2015

Making the transition from student to RN is challenging and demanding. In Australia, where nurses commonly graduate after 3 years in a Bachelor of Nursing program, graduate transition programs have been established in the workplace to support and socialize new graduates to nursing practice. These programs vary in content, rigor, and available support mechanisms, and no nationally agreed upon standards of expected graduate performance exist. Providing a structured, evidence-based, and clinically focused education and support program specific to the needs of graduate nurses contributes to quality care and patient safety and has significant benefits for the individual graduate, the employing organizations, and health care. This article presents the development and implementation of the Bachelor of Nursing With Clinical Honors (Transition to Practice) program offered by the University of Tasmania, in collaboration with St. Vincent’s Private Hospital, Sydney, Australia.

J Contin Educ Nurs.
2015;46(9):409–415.
Effectiveness of an Online Caring Curriculum in Enhancing Nurses’ Caring Behavior
Authors: Hsu Tzu-Chuan , Chiang-Hanisko Lenny , Lee-Hsieh Jane , Lee Gin-Ying , Turton Michael A. , Tseng Yu-Ju
Published: September 2015

Background:

A hospital in Taiwan implemented a framework of caring in clinical practice. After the pilot study, the current study was conducted to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

Method:

One hundred four nurses from two hospitals were recruited for the intervention (
n
= 50) and comparison (
n
= 54) groups in a mixed-method, quasi-experimental pre- and postintervention design. Audiovisual materials based on the authentic caring and uncaring experiences of nurses and patients were created as the curriculum content. Role modeling and reflective practice were used as learning strategies. Both groups of nurses and patients completed a pre- and postintervention evaluation of nurse caring behaviors, using the SHARE (
S
ense patients’ needs before they ask,
H
elp patients out,
A
cknowledge patients’ feelings,
R
espect the dignity and privacy of patients,
E
xplain what is happening) caring behavior measurement. A focus group interview was conducted.

Results:

The intervention group exhibited higher frequency of caring behavior than the comparison group (
p
< 0.001).

Conclusion:

Authentic experiences, reflective practice, and online videos were effective teaching strategies in enhancing nurse caring behavior in an online continuing education program.

J Contin Educ Nurs.
2015;46(9):416–424.
International Perspectives in Leadership Development: Part II
Authors: Bleich Michael R.
Published: September 2015

In the second part of this two-part series, leadership development perspectives are shared from the opening of the Penn Wharton China Center in Beijing. The symposium brought national leaders from Chinese academic settings and professional organizations together with thought leaders from the United States to discuss nursing leadership across the care continuum. Highlights of demographic shifts, clinical demands, and policy decisions are presented, with an eye toward future trends in professional development.

J Contin Nurs Educ.
2015;46(9):387–389.
Visual Acuity Improvement of Amblyopia in an Adult With Levodopa/Carbidopa Treatment
Authors: Orge Faruk H. , Dar Suhail A.
Published: September 2015

Amblyopia is the leading cause of visual loss in children, affecting 2% to 3% of the population. Occlusion of the dominant eye is the primary and best treatment, although efficacy decreases after 6 years of age. As a result, levodopa/carbidopa has been explored as an adjunct to conventional therapy and has been shown to have an immediate impact on visual acuity. Several studies to date have shown mixed results on the benefit of supplementing occlusion therapy with levodopa/carbidopa, although they have primarily studied children. The authors describe the oldest patient (46 years old) documented in the literature to have shown improvement in visual acuity using levodopa/carbidopa. He was given a 16-week course at a dose in line with previous studies while being effectively occluded full time due to a glaucomatous right eye with no light perception. On 3-month follow-up, his left eye improved two lines and stabilized at 6 months.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus.
2015;52:e45–e47.]
Fellow Eye Comparison of Nerve Fiber Regeneration After SMILE and Femtosecond Laser-assisted LASIK: A Confocal Microscopy Study
Authors: Agca Alper , Cankaya Kadir I. , Yilmaz Ihsan , Yildirim Yusuf , Yasa Dilek , Olcucu Onur , Demircan Ali , Demirok Ahmet , Yilmaz Omer F.
Published: September 2015

PURPOSE:

To compare postoperative corneal nerve fiber regeneration after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK (FS-LASIK).

METHODS:

The medical records of patients who underwent SMILE were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with SMILE in one eye (the SMILE group) and FS-LASIK in the fellow eye (the FS-LASIK group) and who had undergone a confocal microscopy study were retrospectively identified. Subbasal nerve fiber density was measured and compared between the groups preoperatively and at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS:

Thirty eyes of 15 patients were included in the study. Preoperative characteristics of the eyes were similar between the groups. However, there was a statistically significant difference in subbasal nerve fiber density between the groups at 1 month (SMILE group: 1,505 ± 627
µ
m/mm
2
[range: 625 to 2,540
µ
m/mm
2
], FS-LASIK group: 1,107 ± 509
µ
m/mm
2
[range: 595 to 2,313
µ
m/mm
2
],
P
= .003) and 3 months (SMILE group: 1,534 ± 503
µ
m/mm
2
[range: 650 to 2,255
µ
m/mm
2
], FS-LASIK group: 1,194 ± 485
µ
m/mm
2
[range: 530 to 1,695
µ
m/mm
2
],
P
= .004) postoperatively. No statistically significant difference was detected at 1 week and 6 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSION:

Eyes treated with SMILE have a higher density of subbasal nerve fibers than eyes treated with FS-LASIK in the early postoperative period (1 week to 3 months) but the two procedures are equivalent by 6 months postoperatively.

[
J Refract Surg.
2015;31(9):594–598.]
THE EFFECTS OF EXTENSIONAL STRESS ON RED BLOOD CELL HEMOLYSIS
Authors: Yen Jen-Hong , Chen Sheng-Fu , Chern Ming-Kai , Lu Po-Chien
Published: September 2015

Artificial prostheses create non-physiologic flow conditions with stress forces that may induce blood cell damage, particularly hemolysis. Earlier computational fluid dynamics (CFD) prediction models based on a quantified power model showed significant discrepancies with actual hemolysis experiments. These models used the premise that shear stresses act as the primary force behind hemolysis. However, additional studies have suggested that extensional stresses play a more substantial role than previously thought and should be taken into account in hemolysis models. We compared extensional and shear stress flow fields within the contraction of a short capillary with sharp versus tapered entrances. The flow field was calculated with CFD to determine stress values, and hemolysis experiments with porcine red blood cells were performed to correlate the effects of extensional and shear stress on hemolysis. Our results support extensional stress as the primary mechanical force involved in hemolysis, with a threshold value of 1000 Pa under exposure time less than 0.060 ms.
Coupling of Gaussian Beam and Finite Difference Solvers for Semiclassical Schrödinger Equations
Authors: Kieri Emil , Kreiss Gunilla , Runborg Olof
Published: September 2015

In the semiclassical regime, solutions to the time-dependent Schrödinger equation for molecular dynamics are highly oscillatory. The number of grid points required for resolving the oscillations may become very large even for simple model problems, making solution on a grid intractable. Asymptotic methods like Gaussian beams can resolve the oscillations with little effort and yield good approximations when the atomic nuclei are heavy and the potential is smooth. However, when the potential has variations on a small length-scale, quantum phenomena become important. Then asymptotic methods are less accurate. The two classes of methods perform well in different parameter regimes. This opens for hybrid methods, using Gaussian beams where we can and finite differences where we have to. We propose a new method for treating the coupling between the finite difference method and Gaussian beams. The new method reduces the needed amount of overlap regions considerably compared to previous methods, which improves the efficiency.
Note on the Stability of a Slowly Rotating Timoshenko Beam with Damping
Authors: Woźniak J. , Firkowski M.
Published: September 2015

This paper continues the senior author’s previous investigation of the slowly rotating Timoshenko beam in a horizontal plane whose movement is controlled by the angular acceleration of the disk of the driving motor into which the beam is rigidly clamped. It was shown before that this system preserves the total energy. We consider the problem of stability of the system after introducing a particular type of damping. We show that the energy of only part of the system vanishes. We illustrate obtained solution with the critical case of the infinite value of the damping coefficient.
Implicit DG Method for Time Domain Maxwell’s Equations Involving Metamaterials
Authors: Wang Jiangxing , Xie Ziqing , Chen Chuanmiao
Published: September 2015

An implicit discontinuous Galerkin method is introduced to solve the time-domain Maxwell’s equations in metamaterials. The Maxwell’s equations in metamaterials are represented by integral-differential equations. Our scheme is based on discontinuous Galerkin method in spatial domain and Crank-Nicolson method in temporal domain. The fully discrete numerical scheme is proved to be unconditionally stable. When polynomial of degree at most p is used for spatial approximation, our scheme is verified to converge at a rate of O(τ2+hp+1/2). Numerical results in both 2D and 3D are provided to validate our theoretical prediction.
Determinants of Anemia and Hemoglobin Concentration in Haitian School-Aged Children
Authors: Iannotti Lora L. , Delnatus Jacques R. , Odom Audrey R. , Eaton Jacob C. , Griggs Jennifer J. , Brown Sarah , Wolff Patricia B.
Published: September 2015

Anemia diminishes oxygen transport in the body, resulting in potentially irreversible growth and developmental consequences for children. Limited evidence for determinants of anemia exists for school-aged children. We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial in Haiti from 2012 to 2013 to test the efficacy of a fortified school snack. Children (N = 1,047) aged 3–13 years were followed longitudinally at three time points for hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations, anthropometry, and bioelectrical impedance measures. Dietary intakes, infectious disease morbidities, and socioeconomic and demographic factors were collected at baseline and endline. Longitudinal regression modeling with generalized least squares and logit models with random effects identified anemia risk factors beyond the intervention effect. At baseline, 70.6% of children were anemic and 2.6% were severely anemic. Stunting increased the odds of developing anemia (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05–2.08) and severe anemia (adjusted OR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.30–4.71). Parent-reported vitamin A supplementation and deworming were positively associated with Hb concentrations, whereas fever and poultry ownership showed a negative relationship with Hb concentration and increased odds of severe anemia, respectively. Further research should explore the full spectrum of anemia etiologies in school children, including genetic causes.
Molecular Identification of Food Sources in Triatomines in the Brazilian Northeast: Roles of Goats and Rodents in Chagas Disease Epidemiology
Authors: Valença-Barbosa Carolina , Fernandes Fabiano Araújo , Santos Helena Lucia Carneiro , Sarquis Otília , Harry Myriam , Almeida Carlos Eduardo , Lima Marli Maria
Published: September 2015

We used the gut contents of triatomines collected from rural areas of Ceará State, northeastern Brazil, to identify their putative hosts via vertebrate cytb gene sequencing. Successful direct sequencing was obtained for 48% of insects, comprising 50 Triatoma brasiliensis, 7 Triatoma pseudomaculata, and 1 Rhodnius nasutus. Basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) procedure revealed that domestic animals, such as chickens (Gallus gallus) and goats (Capra hircus), are the main food source, including in sylvatic environment. Native hosts were also detected in peridomestic environment such as reptiles (Tropidurus sp. and Iguana iguana) and the Galea spixii (Rodentia: Caviidae). The role of goats and Galea spixii in Chagas disease epidemiology calls for further studies, because these mammals likely link the sylvatic and domestic Trypanosoma cruzi cycles.
Multilevel Surgery in Moderate to Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients
Authors: Tungkeeratichai Jumroon , Apirakkittikul Navarat , Kunachak Somyos
Published: September 2015

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the objective and subjective effectiveness of multilevel surgery, i.e. combined lingualplasty with new technique of partial posterior glossectomy (PPG) and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients.

Study design and setting

Retrospective study of 60 OSA patients undergoing multilevel surgery for the treatment of moderate to severe OSA.

Results

Preoperative mean apnea hypopnea index (AHI) was 57.5 events/h and preoperative mean lowest SpO2 was 79.1%. After multilevel surgery, postoperative mean AHI significantly decreased to 29.7 events/h (p < 0.001) and postoperative mean lowest SpO2 increased to 84.4% (p < 0.001). Patients had postoperative followup assessments for 1 to 3 years. Results of surgery was classified as curative in 35/60 (58.3%) of patients, and as effective, i.e. postoperative AHI less than preoperative AHI in 52/60 patients (86.7 %). Surgery was ineffective in 8/60 (13.3%) patients. Early postoperative complications comprised early velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) 20% (12/60), dysarthria 20% (12/60) and wound dehiscence 3.33% (2/60) but without serious complications after 1 year.

Conclusion

Combined lingualplasty (with new PPG) and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) as multilevel surgery can be an effective treatment of choice for patients with moderate to severe OSA. No mediumterm serious complication was found.

Keywords

Apnea hypopnea index, Glossectomy, Lateral pharyngoplasty, Multilevel surgery in obstructive sleep apnea, Obstructive sleep apnea, Uvulopalatoplasty.

How to cite this article

Tungkeeratichai J, Apirakkittikul N, Kunachak S. Multilevel Surgery in Moderate to Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients. Int J Otorhinolaryngol Clin 2014;6(3):8791.
Posterior Pharyngeal Wall Schwannoma
Authors: Passey JC , Arora Nikhil , Rai Varun
Published: September 2015

Case report of a posterior pharyngeal wall schwannoma in a 23-year-old female. Hypopharyngeal schwannoma is rare entities and at the time of writing we could find only 10 other cases reported worldwide and this is the eleventh. Complete excision was done intraorally and there is no recurrence after 1 year.

How to cite this article

Rai V, Arora N, Malhotra V, Passey JC. Posterior Pharyngeal Wall Schwannoma. Int J Otorhinolaryngol Clin 2014;6(3):98-100.
Giant Epidermal Inclusion Cyst of Floor of Mouth
Authors: Passey JC , Arora Nikhil
Published: September 2015

Epidermal inclusion cysts form a part of a spectrum of teratomas, and the floor of the mouth is one of the most common cervical locations. What makes our case stand out is the size of the tumor and our approach of tackling it with a minimally invasive incision.

How to cite this article

Rai V, Arora N, Malhotra V, Passey JC. Giant Epidermal Inclusion Cyst of Floor of Mouth. Int J Otorhinolaryngol Clin 2014;6(3):101102.
A Unique Case of Primary Extranodal Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the Lacrimal Sac with Extension to Ipsilateral Nasal Cavity
Authors: Mittal Himanshu Kumar
Published: September 2015

The primary lacrimal sac involvement by malignant tumors is uncommon. The most commonly seen malignant tumors of the lacrimal sac are those of epithelial origin. Primary extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (PE-NHL) of the lacrimal sac is rare. We hereby present a rare case of primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of the lacrimal sac with extension to the ipsilateral nasal cavity through the nasolacrimal duct.

How to cite this article

Mittal HK. A Unique Case of Primary Extranodal Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the Lacrimal Sac with Extension to Ipsilateral Nasal Cavity. Int J Otorhinolaryngol Clin 2014;6(3):103-105.
Maxillary Carcinosarcoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Sepúlveda Ilson , Frelinghuysen Michael , García Cesar , Spencer M Loreto , Platín Enrique , Alarcon Jaqueline , Ulloa David
Published: September 2015

We report on a patient who presented with pain and swelling to the left maxillary region of the face. A biopsy of the area was performed and subsequently diagnosed as maxillary carcinosarcoma (CCS). After reviewing the pathology results and the size of the tumor, it was decided that a radical dissection, followed by radiation therapy was the best option.

How to cite this article

Sepúlveda I, Frelinghuysen M, García C, Spencer ML, Platín E, Alarcon J, Ulloa D. Maxillary Carcinosarcoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Int J Otorhinolaryngol Clin 2014;6(3):114117.
Rosai-Dorfman Disease
Authors: Joshi Sushant
Published: September 2015

Rosai-Dorfman disease also known as sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy is a rare benign disorder of unknown etiology, which present most commonly as bilateral massive lymphadenopathy of neck associated with fever. These cases are frequently misdiagnosed as lymphoma, and thus it is important to distinguish Rosai-Dorfman disease from other causes of neck swelling because of different treatment modalities.

We report here a case of Rosai-Dorfman disease presenting with massive right cervical lymphadenopathy.

How to cite this article

Joshi S. Rosai-Dorfman Disease. Int J Otorhinolaryngol Clin 2014;6(3):121-122.
Management of Extensive Blowout Fracture of Combined Orbital Floor and Medial Wall: A Challenge in Reconstruction
Authors: Shah Pratik Dipak , Mukherjee Srijon
Published: September 2015

Orbital blowout fractures are common sequelae of blunt trauma to periocular region. Combined orbital floor and medial wall fractures are more complicated than either alone, because there may not be adequate peripheral bony support for standard implants. The transition zone between orbital floor and medial wall is difficult to visualize intraoperatively and makes even more difficult to visualize in dissection further posteriorly. In our case, patient sustained orbital blowout fracture with herniation of periorbital tissue in maxillary sinus as well as ethmoidal sinus. After undergoing successful orbital reconstruction surgery, eyeball was repositioned to its original position. There was no enophthalmos and patient had no restriction in eye movement and perception to light was similar in both the eyes. Pupillary reflex to light was brisk and similar in both the eyes.

How to cite this article

Shah PD, Mukherjee S. Management of Extensive Blowout Fracture of Combined Orbital Floor and Medial Wall: A Challenge in Reconstruction. Int J Otorhinolaryngol Clin 2014;6(3):123126.
Epidermoid Cyst of Tongue: A Case Presentation
Authors: Prusty Nilamadhab
Published: September 2015

Epidermoid cyst occurring within the tongue is rare. A 5-year- old male child was brought to outpatient department (OPD) with a tongue mass which was gradually increasing in size. There was associated difficulty in speech and mastication as the swelling increased in size. Intraoral examination revealed moderately tender, fluctuant and enlarged tongue. A diagnosis of dermoid cyst was made and the patient was booked for surgery. Excision of the cyst was done under general anesthesia. Postoperative histopathology was done. The histopathological findings confirm the diagnosis of an epidermoid cyst, characterized by the presence of: (i) a cyst cavity lined by stratified squamous epithelium with keratinization on the surface; and (ii) connective tissue with a mild inflammation. The proposed treatment was considered successful as the case was solved and there was no recurrence.

How to cite this article

Naik C, Prusty N. Epidermoid Cyst of Tongue: A Case Presentation. Int J Otorhinolaryngol Clin 2014;6(3):134-136.
Congenital Bilateral Choanal Atresia with Duodenal Atresia and Lagophthalmos
Authors: Pradhan Suryakanta
Published: September 2015

Bilateral choanal atresia is an uncommon congenital malfor mation and its association with duodenal atresia and lagophthalmos is very rare. It is a lifethreatening condition where immediate intervention is always needed. A systemic examination is required to find its association with other anomalies. Though different approaches for its treatment are described endoscopic transnasal approach is the most acceptable less traumatic approach till date. We are having a case report of a premature baby with choanal and duodenal atresia with lagophthalmos and was managed successfully with endoscopic transnasal approach.

How to cite this article

Gupta S, Pradhan S. Congenital Bilateral Choanal Atresia with Duodenal Atresia and Lagophthalmos. Int J Otorhinolaryngol Clin 2014;6(3):137139.
Two Failed Replications of the Watching Eyes Effect
Authors: Matsugasaki Keisuke , Tsukamoto Wakana , Ohtsubo Yohsuke
Published: September 2015

The watching eyes effect refers to the phenomenon that people behave more altruistically than usual when an eye-image is present in their environment. In this paper, we report two failed replications of the watching eyes effect. In both Studies 1 and 2, participants decided how many coins out of a seven coin endowment (each coin worth 100 Japanese yen) to allocate to a subsequent participant, under the assumption that the prior participant may have left them some coins. In Study 1, participants anonymously made their allocation decision while seated in front of a poster depicting either an eye-image or a geometric pattern. In Study 2, to increase the saliency of the watching eyes, participants were instructed to place the coins in envelopes (one for self and one for the subsequent participant) printed with either an eye-image or a geometric pattern. In both Studies 1 and 2, the number of coins that participants allocated to subsequent participants did not significantly differ between the eye-image and control conditions. Moreover, the proportion of participants who allocated at least one coin to subsequent participants was not significantly different across the two conditions. In our studies, altruism was not increased by watching eyes.
Black carbon concentrations and mixing state in the Finnish Arctic
Authors: Raatikainen T. , Brus D. , Hyvärinen A.-P. , Svensson J. , Asmi E. , Lihavainen H.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. Atmospheric aerosol composition was measured using a Single Particle Soot Photometer (SP2) in the Finnish Arctic during winter 2011–2012. The Sammaltunturi measurement site at the Pallas GAW (Global Atmosphere Watch) station receives air masses from different source regions including the Arctic Ocean and continental Europe. The SP2 provides detailed information about mass distributions and mixing state of refractory black carbon (rBC). The measurements showed widely varying rBC mass concentrations (0–120 ng m−3), which were related to varying contributions of different source regions and aerosol removal processes. The rBC mass was log-normally distributed showing a relatively constant rBC core mass mean diameter with an average of 194 nm (75–655 nm sizing range). On average, the number fraction of particles containing rBC was 0.24 (integrated over 350–450 nm particle diameter range) and the average particle diameter to rBC core volume equivalent diameter ratio was 2.0 (averaged over particles with 150–200 nm rBC core volume equivalent diameters). These average numbers mean that the observed rBC core mass mean diameter is similar to those of aged particles, but the observed particles seem to have unusually high particle to rBC core diameter ratios. Comparison of the measured rBC mass concentration with that of the optically detected equivalent black carbon (eBC) using an Aethalometer and a MAAP showed that eBC was larger by a factor of five. The difference could not be fully explained without assuming that only a part of the optically detected light absorbing material is refractory and absorbs light at the wavelength used by the SP2. Finally, climate implications of five different black carbon mixing state representations were compared using the Mie approximation and simple direct radiative forcing efficiency calculations. These calculations showed that the observed mixing state means significantly lower warming effect or even a net cooling effect when compared with that of a homogenous aerosol containing the same amounts of black carbon and non-absorbing material.
Monitoring compliance with sulfur content regulations of shipping fuel by in situ measurements of ship emissions
Authors: Kattner L. , Mathieu-Üffing B. , Burrows J. P. , Richter A. , Schmolke S. , Seyler A. , Wittrock F.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. In 1997 the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopted MARPOL Annex VI to prevent air pollution by shipping emissions. It regulates, among other issues, the sulfur content in shipping fuels, which is transformed into the air pollutant sulfur dioxide (SO2) during combustion. Within designated Sulfur Emission Control Areas (SECA), the sulfur content was limited to 1 %, and on 1 January 2015, this limit was further reduced to 0.1 %. Here we present the set-up and measurement results of a permanent ship emission monitoring site near Hamburg harbour in the North Sea SECA. Trace gas measurements are conducted with in situ instruments and a data set from September 2014 to January 2015 is presented. By combining measurements of carbon dioxide (CO2) and SO2 with ship position data, it is possible to deduce the sulfur fuel content of individual ships passing the measurement station, thus facilitating the monitoring of compliance of ships with the IMO regulations. While compliance is almost 100 % for the 2014 data, it decreases only very little in 2015 to 95.4 % despite the much stricter limit. We analysed more than 1400 ship plumes in total and for months with favourable conditions, up to 40 % of all ships entering and leaving Hamburg harbour could be checked for their sulfur fuel content.
Receptor modelling of both particle composition and size distribution from a background site in London, UK
Authors: Beddows D. C. S. , Harrison R. M. , Green D. C. , Fuller G. W.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. Positive matrix factorisation (PMF) analysis was applied to PM10 chemical composition and particle number size distribution (NSD) data measured at an urban background site (North Kensington) in London, UK, for the whole of 2011 and 2012. The PMF analyses for these 2 years revealed six and four factors respectively which described seven sources or aerosol types. These included nucleation, traffic, urban background, secondary, fuel oil, marine and non-exhaust/crustal sources. Urban background, secondary and traffic sources were identified by both the chemical composition and particle NSD analysis, but a nucleation source was identified only from the particle NSD data set. Analysis of the PM10 chemical composition data set revealed fuel oil, marine, non-exhaust traffic/crustal sources which were not identified from the NSD data. The two methods appear to be complementary, as the analysis of the PM10 chemical composition data is able to distinguish components contributing largely to particle mass, whereas the number particle size distribution data set – although limited to detecting sources of particles below the diameter upper limit of the SMPS (604 nm) – is more effective for identifying components making an appreciable contribution to particle number. Analysis was also conducted on the combined chemical composition and NSD data set, revealing five factors representing urban background, nucleation, secondary, aged marine and traffic sources. However, the combined analysis appears not to offer any additional power to discriminate sources above that of the aggregate of the two separate PMF analyses. Day-of-the-week and month-of-the-year associations of the factors proved consistent with their assignment to source categories, and bivariate polar plots which examined the wind directional and wind speed association of the different factors also proved highly consistent with their inferred sources. Source attribution according to the air mass back trajectory showed, as expected, higher concentrations from a number of source types in air with continental origins. However, when these were weighted according to their frequency of occurrence, air with maritime origins made a greater contribution to annual mean concentrations.
Aerosol properties, source identification, and cloud processing in orographic clouds measured by single particle mass spectrometry on a Central European mountain site during HCCT-2010
Authors: Roth A. , Schneider J. , Klimach T. , Mertes S. , van Pinxteren D. , Herrmann H. , Borrmann S.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. Cloud residues and out-of-cloud aerosol particles with diameters between 150 and 900 nm have been analysed by on-line single particle aerosol mass spectrometry during the six-week study HCCT-2010 in September/October 2010. The measurement location was the mountain Schmücke (937 m a.s.l.) in Central Germany. More than 170 000 bipolar mass spectra from out-of-cloud aerosol particles and more than 14 000 bipolar mass spectra from cloud residual particles were obtained and were classified using a fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm. Analysis of the uncertainty of the sorting algorithm was conducted on a subset of the data by comparing the clustering output with particle-by-particle inspection and classification by the operator. This analysis yielded a false classification probability between 13 and 48 %. Additionally, particle types were identified by specific marker ions. The results from the ambient aerosol analysis show that 63 % of the analysed particles belong to clusters indicating a diurnal variation, suggesting that local or regional sources dominate the aerosol, especially for particles containing soot and biomass burning particles. In the cloud residues the relative percentage of large soot-containing particles and particles containing amines was found to be increased compared to the out-of-cloud aerosol, while in general organic particles were less abundant in the cloud residues. In the case of amines this can be explained by the high solubility of the amines, while the large soot-containing particles were found to be internally mixed with inorganics, which explains their activation as cloud condensation nuclei. Furthermore, the results show that during cloud processing, both sulphate and nitrate are added to the residual particles, thereby changing the mixing state and increasing the fraction of particles with nitrate and/or sulphate. This is expected to lead to higher hygroscopicity after cloud evaporation, and therefore to an increase of the particles' ability to act as cloud condensation nuclei after their cloud passage.
Use of the CALIOP vertical feature mask for evaluating global aerosol models
Authors: Nowottnick E. P. , Colarco P. R. , Welton E. J. , da Silva A.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. We use observations from the space-based Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) to evaluate global aerosol distributions simulated in the NASA Modern Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications aerosol reanalysis (MERRAero). We focus particularly on an evaluation of aerosol types, using the CALIOP vertical feature mask (VFM) algorithm, and look especially at Saharan dust distributions during July 2009. MERRAero consists of an aerosol simulation produced in the Goddard Earth Observing System version 5 (GEOS-5) Earth system model and incorporates assimilation of MODIS-derived aerosol optical thickness (AOT) to constrain column aerosol loadings. For comparison to the CALIOP VFM we construct two synthetic VFMs using the MERRAero aerosol distributions: a CALIOP-like VFM in which we simulate the total attenuated backscatter and particle depolarization ratio from the MERRAero output and pass those into the CALIOP VFM typing algorithm (MERRAero-CALIOP), and an extinction-based VFM in which we use the MERRAero-simulated species-resolved extinction to map the MERRAero species to the CALIOP VFM types (MERRAero-Extinction). By comparing the MERRAero-CALIOP VFM to CALIOP VFM, we can diagnose the aerosol transport and speciation in MERRAero. By comparing the MERRAero-CALIOP and MERRAero-Extinction-simulated VFM, we perform a simple observing system experiment (OSE), which is useful for identifying limitations of the CALIOP VFM algorithm itself. We find that, despite having our column AOT constrained by MODIS, comparison to the CALIOP VFM reveals a greater occurrence of dusty aerosol layers in our MERRAero-CALIOP VFM due to errors in MERRAero aerosol speciation. Additionally, we find that the CALIOP VFM algorithm is challenged when classifying aerosol features when multiple aerosol types are present, as our application of the CALIOP VFM algorithm to MERRAero aerosol distributions classified marine-dominated aerosol layers with low aerosol loadings as polluted dust when the contribution of dust to the total extinction was low.