bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laser adhesion test for thermal sprayed coatings on textured surface by laser
Authors: Courapied D. , Kromer R. , Berthe L. , Peyre P. , Costil S. , Cormier J. , Boustie M. , Milhet X.
Published: April 2016

The laser shock adhesion test (LASAT) is a technique allowing the generation of high tensile stresses in materials. The LASAT consists in focusing a pulsed laser beam on a water-confined target. The laser pulse crosses the water transparent layer and is absorbed by the target. High energetic plasma is created at the surface of the sample. As a response to the expansion of the plasma, a shock wave is generated and propagates through the sample. This shock wave leads to the generation of high tensile stresses in the sample. These stresses allow the interface solicitation in order to evaluate the dynamic adhesive bond strength of coated systems. In order to determine interface strengths, this technique has already proven its feasibility. In this paper, the adhesion strength of coated system was evaluated using LASAT for two surface pretreatments of substrates obtained by grit-blasting and laser surface texturing techniques. The generation of the high-intensity shock wave by laser plasma in the water-confinement regime has been performed at 7.1 ns at 532 nm with the new Nd:YAG laser facility HEPHAISTOS. This paper shows that surface treatments have a great influence on the adherence results of the coated systems obtained with laser adhesion test. However, the LASAT is efficient on thin coating. In that sense, thicker industrial coatings are not adapted for the conventional LASAT anymore. Therefore, a new technique was designed to improve and extend the conventional technique. This technique consists of varying the delay Δt between two incident pulses to adjust the location of the maximum tensile stresses near the interface. Some preliminary results on the improved configuration are presented in this paper and the problematic of the laser-matter interaction with two time-delayed laser pulses which has arisen is discussed.
Process strategy for drilling of chemically strengthened glass with picosecond laser radiation
Authors: Plat Kristin , von Witzendorff Philipp , Suttmann Oliver , Overmeyer Ludger
Published: April 2016

Strengthened glass is used for display applications because of its high resistance to scratch damage. The high strength is the result of an ion exchange, which leads to a change of the glass structure and therefore the range of compressive stresses in the glass surface increases. These stresses make laser processing of this type of glass more difficult, where chipping and cracking are more likely to occur in comparison to nonstrengthened glass. In this study, laser ablation of chemically strengthened glass (Gorilla® Glass 3) is investigated with a picosecond laser. The aim of this investigation is to find process parameters which allow drilling through a 1.1 mm thick glass substrate. The study starts with laser ablation experiments on the glass surface. In this context, the laser fluence, the repetition rate, and the pulse overlap are varied to realize high material removal and to minimize chipping. The ablation efficiency was investigated as a function of the laser fluence, whereas chipping and cracking were strongly dependent on the pulse overlap. The best parameters were accepted to generate a drill hole with 5 mm diameter. In order to realize a reliable drilling process, it was necessary to remove the ion exchanged areas on both glass surfaces before drilling through the bulk material. After removing the strengthened glass areas, laser processing was possible at higher average laser power without decreasing the drill hole quality.
Evaluating femtosecond laser ablation of graphene on SiO2/Si substrate
Authors: Dong Tianqi , Sparkes Martin , Durkan Colm , O'Neill William
Published: April 2016

We demonstrate a uniform single layer micropattern of graphene on 300 nm thick SiO2 on a Si substrate using a 1030 nm, 280 fs laser. The cutting process was conducted in air, the pattern defined through the motion of a high-precision translation stage. Approximately 1.6 μm wide graphene microchannels were cut with uniform widths and well defined edges. The ablation threshold of graphene was determined to be 66–120 mJ/cm2, at which the selective removal of graphene was achieved without damage to the SiO2/Si substrate. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed high quality cuts (standard deviation 40 nm) with little damage or re-deposition. Raman maps showed no discernible laser induced damage in the graphene within the ablation zone. Atomic force microscopy revealed an edge step height ranging from less than 2 to 10 nm, suggesting little removal of SiO2 and no damage to the silicon (the central path showed sub ablation threshold swelling). The effect of the ultrafast laser on the surface potential at the cut edge has been measured and it showed a distinguishable boundary.
Ultrafast laser ablation of transparent conductive silver nanowire thin film on polyethylene terephthalate substrate
Authors: Wipliez Laurie , Lebrun Leo , Kling Rainer , Fortunier Peroline , Fries Laetitia
Published: April 2016

In printed electronics, such as organic photovoltaic or organic light-emitting diode display and lighting, a transparent conductive oxide layer has to be designed to delimit the size and shape of the final device. The most commonly used material is indium tin oxide (ITO). ITO has however many downsides such as resource scarcity, expensive processing, and brittleness (especially on flexible substrates). Silver nanowires are a promising alternative to overcome these issues, although optimization is still needed to reach ITO performance in terms of transparency and conductivity. In this study, the laser process has to remove the silver nanowire layer in order to obtain an electrical isolation: no remaining bridges in the scribe due to recast material or incomplete removal can be tolerated. Laser ablation of this transparent conductive thin film deposited on polyethylene terephthalate has been investigated using an ultrafast laser source. Pulse energy and scan speed were varied to determine their influence on depth selectivity and process window. The profiles of the selectively ablated area were studied with optical, confocal, and scanning electron microscopy. Compared to irradiation through the substrate, it was shown that front side irradiation allows a much larger process window. In the latter configuration, a fluence ranging from 0.22 to 15.8 J/cm2 and a scanning speed from 200 to 3000 mm/s, at a fixed frequency of 200 kHz, allowed a clean removal of silver nanowires. Using these parameters, isolated squares were scribed and electrical resistance was measured between the inside and the outside of the squares. A good electrical isolation (>20 MΩ) proved the successful removal of the silver nanowire layer using picosecond laser pulses, at a wavelength of 532 nm.
Balance and Gait Represent Independent Domains of Mobility in Parkinson Disease
Authors: Horak Fay B. , Mancini Martina , Carlson-Kuhta Patricia , Nutt John G. , Salarian Arash
Published: April 2016

Background

The Instrumented Stand and Walk (ISAW) test, which includes 30 seconds of stance, step initiation, gait, and turning, results in many objective balance and gait metrics from body-worn inertial sensors. However, it is not clear which metrics provide independent information about mobility.

Objective

It was hypothesized that balance and gait represent several independent domains of mobility and that not all domains would be abnormal in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD) or would change with levodopa therapy.

Design

This was a cross-sectional study.

Methods

A factor analysis approach was used to identify independent measures of mobility extracted from the ISAW in 100 participants with PD and 21 control participants. First, a covariance analysis showed that postural sway measures were independent of gait measures. Then, the factor analysis revealed 6 independent factors (mobility domains: sway area, sway frequency, arm swing asymmetry, trunk motion during gait, gait speed, and cadence) that accounted for 87% of the variance of performance across participants.

Results

Sway area, gait speed, and trunk motion differed between the PD group in the off-levodopa state and the control group, but sway frequency (but not sway area) differed between the PD group in the off-levodopa state and the control group. Four of the 6 factors changed significantly with levodopa (off to on): sway area, sway frequency, trunk motion during gait, and cadence. When participants were on levodopa, the sway area increased compared with off levodopa, becoming more abnormal, whereas the other 3 significant metrics moved toward, but did not reach, the healthy control values.

Limitations

Exploratory factor analysis was limited to the PD population.

Conclusions

The different sensitivity various balance and gait domains to PD and to levodopa also support neural control of at least 6 independent mobility domains, each of which warrants clinical assessment for impairments in mobility.
Presentation with gastrointestinal symptoms and high case fatality associated with group W meningococcal disease (MenW) in teenagers, England, July 2015 to January 2016
Authors: Campbell Helen , Parikh Sydel R , Borrow Ray , Kaczmarski Ed , Ramsay Mary E , Ladhani Shamez N
Published: April 2016

Atypical clinical presentations associated with group W meningococcal disease (MenW) are well-described and include pneumonia, septic arthritis, endocarditis and epiglottitis/supraglottitis. Following anecdotal reports of teenagers presenting with predominantly gastrointestinal symptoms, we undertook a case review of MenW cases in 15 to 19 year-olds diagnosed in England between July 2015 and January 2016. Of the 15 cases, seven presented with a short history of nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea; five of these seven cases died within 24 hours of presentation to hospital.
Meta-analysis and systematic review of risk factors for shunt dependency after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Wilson Christopher D. , Safavi-Abbasi Sam , Sun Hai , Kalani M. Yashar S. , Zhao Yan D. , Levitt Michael R. , Hanel Ricardo A. , Sauvageau Eric , Mapstone Timothy B. , Albuquerque Felipe C. , McDougall Cameron G. , Nakaji Peter , Spetzler Robert F.
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) may be complicated by hydrocephalus in 6.5%–67% of cases. Some patients with aSAH develop shunt dependency, which is often managed by ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. The objectives of this study were to review published risk factors for shunt dependency in patients with aSAH, determine the level of evidence for each factor, and calculate the magnitude of each risk factor to better guide patient management.

METHODS

The authors searched PubMed and MEDLINE databases for Level A and Level B articles published through December 31, 2014, that describe factors affecting shunt dependency after aSAH and performed a systematic review and meta-analysis, stratifying the existing data according to level of evidence.

RESULTS

On the basis of the results of the meta-analysis, risk factors for shunt dependency included high Fisher grade (OR 7.74, 95% CI 4.47–13.41), acute hydrocephalus (OR 5.67, 95% CI 3.96–8.12), in-hospital complications (OR 4.91, 95% CI 2.79–8.64), presence of intraventricular blood (OR 3.93, 95% CI 2.80–5.52), high Hunt and Hess Scale score (OR 3.25, 95% CI 2.51–4.21), rehemorrhage (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.24–3.95), posterior circulation location of the aneurysm (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.35–2.53), and age ≥ 60 years (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.50–2.19). The only risk factor included in the meta-analysis that did not reach statistical significance was female sex (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.77–1.65).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors identified several risk factors for shunt dependency in aSAH patients that help predict which patients are likely to require a permanent shunt. Although some of these risk factors are not independent of each other, this information assists clinicians in identifying at-risk patients and managing their treatment.
The effect of vancomycin powder on bone healing in a rat spinal rhBMP-2 model
Authors: Mendoza Marco C. , Sonn Kevin A. , Kannan Abhishek S. , Bellary Sharath S. , Mitchell Sean M. , Singh Gurmit , Park Christian , Yun Chawon , Stock Stuart R. , Hsu Erin L. , Hsu Wellington K.
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to quantify the impact of vancomycin powder application on new bone formation and spine fusion rates in a rat posterolateral arthrodesis model.

METHODS

Thirty-six female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a posterolateral lumbar spinal fusion (PLF) at the L-4 and L-5 vertebrae. Fusion was elicited via implantation of an absorbable collagen sponge containing 3 µg rhBMP-2. Rats were divided into 3 groups: no vancomycin (control), standard-dose vancomycin, and high-dose vancomycin, based on what was applied to the fusion bed. Clinical studies typically describe the application of 1 g vancomycin into the surgical wound. Presuming an average individual patient weight of 70 kg, a weight-based equivalent dose of vancomycin powder was applied subfascially in the PLF model constituting a “standard-dose” treatment group (14.3 mg/kg, n = 12). To determine whether there is a critical threshold beyond which vancomycin increases the risk of pseudarthrosis, a 10-fold higher dose was administered to a “high-dose” treatment group (143 mg/kg, n = 12). No vancomycin powder was applied to the surgical site in the control group (n = 12). Fusion was evaluated with plain radiographs at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. The spines were harvested after the 8-week radiographs were obtained and evaluated using manual palpation, microCT analysis, and histological analysis.

RESULTS

Radiographs demonstrated equivalent bridging bone formation in all groups. No significant differences in fusion scores were seen in the standard-dose (mean 2.25) or high-dose (2.13) treatment groups relative to untreated control animals (1.78). Similarly, fusion rates did not differ significantly different between vancomycin-treated animals (100% for both groups) and control animals (92%). Quantification of new bone formation via microCT imaging revealed no significant between-groups differences in the volume of newly regenerated bone (control vs standard-dose vancomycin, p = 0.57; control vs high-dose vancomycin, p = 0.53).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first in vivo study to specifically address the development of pseudarthrosis after intrawound application of vancomycin during fusion surgery. Our results demonstrate that vancomycin powder does not inhibit fusion rates at a dose that is the weight-percentage equivalent of what is routinely used by surgeons. Moreover, bone formation and fusion rates were not reduced even after administration of a vancomycin dose that is 10-fold higher than that which is typically administered clinically. Our findings suggest that if there is a critical threshold above which vancomycin inhibits bone healing, such a dose is out of the range which might be considered reasonable for clinical use.
Is jugular bulb stenosis in vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation associated with bony remodeling of the jugular foramina?
Authors: Saliou Guillaume , Dirks Peter , Slater Lee-Anne , Krings Timo
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE

The etiology of jugular bulb stenosis (JBS) or occlusion in the context of vein of Galen aneurysmal malformations (VGAMs) is unknown. It can lead to decompensation of a lesion that was previously clinically stable. The aim of this study was to describe the natural history of JBS or occlusion in VGAM and to determine whether there is an association with bony remodeling of the jugular foramina.

METHODS

The authors identified all cases of JBS greater than 70% bilaterally involving patients seen at The Hospital for Sick Children between January 2007 and June 2014. The foramen diameters were measured on sagittal CT imaging, on a slice passing at the level of the jugular vein. The jugular foramen diameters were also compared to measurements obtained in a matched population of the same age group who had no VGAM and had undergone cerebral CT for a reason other than vascular disease.

RESULTS

Eight patients (6 male and 2 female) with bilateral JBS were included in this series. The median duration of clinical follow-up was 2.5 years (IQR 1.7–4.2 years). JBS was associated with bony narrowing the jugular foramina in 7 of the 8 patients over time. Between 1 and 2 years of age, patients with a VGAM demonstrated jugular foramen narrowing in comparison with a matched population (p = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

Jugular bulb stenosis or occlusion in VGAM may be associated with narrowing of the jugular foramina. These conditions seem to have a male predominance. If treatment is required, bony narrowing of the jugular foramina should be taken into account when deciding whether angioplasty and stent placement or surgical bypass might be appropriate therapeutic options.
Clinical evaluation of concussion: the evolving role of oculomotor assessments
Authors: Sussman Eric S. , Ho Allen L. , Pendharkar Arjun V. , Ghajar Jamshid
Published: April 2016

Sports-related concussion is a change in brain function following a direct or an indirect force to the head, identified in awake individuals and accounting for a considerable proportion of mild traumatic brain injury. Although the neurological signs and symptoms of concussion can be subtle and transient, there can be persistent sequelae, such as impaired attention and balance, that make affected patients particularly vulnerable to further injury. Currently, there is no accepted definition or diagnostic criteria for concussion, and there is no single assessment that is accepted as capable of identifying all patients with concussion. In this paper, the authors review the available screening tools for concussion, with particular emphasis on the role of visual function testing. In particular, they discuss the oculomotor assessment tools that are being investigated in the setting of concussion screening.
Rugby headgear and concussion prevention: misconceptions could increase aggressive play
Authors: Menger Richard , Menger Austin , Nanda Anil
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE

Multiple studies have illustrated that rugby headgear offers no statistically significant protection against concussions. However, there remains concern that many players believe rugby headgear in fact does prevent concussions. Further investigation was undertaken to illustrate that misconceptions about concussion prevention and rugby headgear may lead to an increase in aggressive play.

METHODS

Data were constructed by Internet survey solicitation among United States collegiate rugby players across 19 teams. Initial information given was related to club, age, experience, use of headgear, playing time, whether the rugger played football or wrestling in high school, and whether the player believed headgear prevented concussion. Data were then constructed as to whether wearing headgear would increase aggressive playing style secondary to a false sense of protection.

RESULTS

A total of 122 players responded. All players were male. The average player was 19.5 years old and had 2.7 years of experience. Twenty-three of 122 players (18.9%) wore protective headgear; 55.4% of players listed forward as their primary position. Overall, 45.8% (55/120) of players played 70–80 minutes per game, 44.6% (54/121) played football or wrestled in high school, 38.1% (45/118) believed headgear prevented concussions, and 42.2% (51/121) stated that if they were using headgear they would be more aggressive with their play in terms of running or tackling. Regression analysis illustrated that those who believed headgear prevented concussions were or would be more likely to engage in aggressive play (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly 40% of collegiate rugby players surveyed believed headgear helped to prevent concussions despite no scientific evidence that it does. This misconception about rugby headgear could increase aggressive play. Those who believed headgear prevented concussion were, on average, 4 times more likely to play with increased aggressive form than those who believed headgear did not prevent concussions (p = 0.001). This can place all players at increased risk without providing additional protection. Further investigation is warranted to determine if headgear increases the actual measured incidence of concussion among rugby players in the United States.
Convection-enhanced delivery in glioblastoma: a review of preclinical and clinical studies
Authors: Jahangiri Arman , Chin Aaron T. , Flanigan Patrick M. , Chen Rebecca , Bankiewicz Krystof , Aghi Manish K.
Published: April 2016

Glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor, and it carries an extremely poor prognosis. Attempts to develop targeted therapies have been hindered because the blood-brain barrier prevents many drugs from reaching tumors cells. Furthermore, systemic toxicity of drugs often limits their therapeutic potential. A number of alternative methods of delivery have been developed, one of which is convection-enhanced delivery (CED), the focus of this review. The authors describe CED as a therapeutic measure and review preclinical studies and the most prominent clinical trials of CED in the treatment of glioblastoma. The utilization of this technique for the delivery of a variety of agents is covered, and its shortcomings and challenges are discussed in detail.
Interhemispheric connectivity revealed by diffusion tensor imaging fiber tracking derived from navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation maps as a sign of language function at risk in patients with brain tumors
Authors: Sollmann Nico , Negwer Chiara , Tussis Lorena , Hauck Theresa , Ille Sebastian , Maurer Stefanie , Giglhuber Katrin , Bauer Jan S. , Ringel Florian , Meyer Bernhard , Krieg Sandro M.
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE

Resection of brain tumors in language-eloquent areas entails the risk of postoperative aphasia. It has been demonstrated via navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) that language function can partially shift to the unaffected hemisphere due to tumor-induced plasticity. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate whether interhemispheric connectivity (IC) detected by nTMS-based diffusion tensor imaging–fiber tracking (DTI-FT) can be used to predict surgery-related aphasia in patients with brain tumors.

METHODS

Thirty-eight patients with left-sided perisylvian brain lesions underwent cortical language mapping of both hemispheres by nTMS prior to awake surgery. Then, nTMS-based DTI-FT was conducted with a fractional anisotropy (FA) of 0.01 and 0.2 to visualize nTMS-based IC. Receiver operating characteristics were calculated for the prediction of a postoperative (irrespective of the preoperative state) and a new surgery-related aphasia by the presence of detectable IC.

RESULTS

Language mapping by nTMS was possible in all patients. Seventeen patients (44.7%) suffered from surgery-related worsening of language performance (transient aphasia according to 3-month follow-up in 16 subjects [42.1%]; new permanent aphasia according to 3-month follow-up in 1 patient [2.6%]). Regarding the correlation of aphasia to nTMS-based IC, statistically significant differences were revealed for both evaluated FA values. However, better results were observed for tractography with an FA of 0.2, which led to a specificity of 93% (postoperative aphasia) and 90% (surgery-related aphasia). For postoperative aphasia, the corresponding OR was 0.1282 (95% CI 0.0143–1.1520), and for surgery-related aphasia the OR was 0.1184 (95% CI 0.0208–0.6754).

CONCLUSIONS

According to these results, IC detected by preoperative nTMS-based DTI-FT might be regarded as a risk factor for surgery-related aphasia, with a specificity of up to 93%. However, because the majority of enrolled patients suffered from transient aphasia postoperatively, it has to be evaluated whether this approach distinctly leads to similar results among patients with permanent language deficits. Despite this restriction, this approach might contribute to individualized patient consultation prior to tumor resection in clinical practice.
Anterior spinal and bulbar artery supply to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery revealed by a ruptured aneurysm: case report
Authors: Gabrieli Joseph , Sourour Nader-Antoine , Chauvet Dorian , Di Maria Federico , Chiras Jacques , Clarençon Frédéric
Published: April 2016

The posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) is a vessel located between the intra- and extracranial circulation. The artery is characterized by a complex embryological development and numerous anatomical variants. The authors present a case of the PICA supplied by both a hypertrophic anterior spinal artery and a hypoplastic bulbar artery. This unusual arrangement somehow completes the list of previously published variants, and the spontaneous rupture of a related aneurysm confirmed the fragility of this network. The authors discuss anatomical and treatment considerations.
Prediction of outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage: timing of clinical assessment
Authors: van Donkelaar Carlina E. , Bakker Nicolaas A. , Veeger Nic J. G. M. , Uyttenboogaart Maarten , Metzemaekers Jan D. M. , Eshghi Omid , Mazuri Aryan , Foumani Mahrouz , Luijckx Gert-Jan , Groen Rob J. M. , van Dijk J. Marc C.
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE

Currently, early prediction of outcome after spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) lacks accuracy despite multiple studies addressing this issue. The clinical condition of the patient on admission as assessed using the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) grading scale is currently considered the gold standard. However, the timing of the clinical assessment is subject to debate, as is the contribution of additional predictors. The aim of this study was to identify either the conventional WFNS grade on admission or the WFNS grade after neurological resuscitation (rWFNS) as the most accurate predictor of outcome after SAH.

METHODS

This prospective observational cohort study included 1620 consecutive patients with SAH admitted between January 1998 and December 2014 at our university neurovascular center. The primary outcome measure was a poor modified Rankin Scale score at the 2-month follow-up. Clinical predictors were identified using multivariate logistic regression analyses. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis was used to test discriminative performance of the final model. An AUC of > 0.8 was regarded as indicative of a model with good prognostic value.

RESULTS

Poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale Score 4–6) was observed in 25% of the patients. The rWFNS grade was a significantly stronger predictor of outcome than the admission WFNS grade. The rWFNS grade was significantly associated with poor outcome (p < 0.001) as well as increasing age (p < 0.001), higher modified Fisher grade (p < 0.001), larger aneurysm size (p < 0.001), and the presence of an intracerebral hematoma (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2–2.8; p = 0.002). The final model had an AUC of 0.87 (95% CI 0.85–0.89), which indicates excellent prognostic value regarding the discrimination between poor and good outcome after SAH.

CONCLUSIONS

In clinical practice and future research, neurological assessment and grading of patients should be performed using the rWFNS to obtain the best representation of their clinical condition.
Impact of Glasgow Coma Scale score and pupil parameters on mortality rate and outcome in pediatric and adult severe traumatic brain injury: a retrospective, multicenter cohort study
Authors: Emami Pedram , Czorlich Patrick , Fritzsche Friederike S. , Westphal Manfred , Rueger Johannes M. , Lefering Rolf , Hoffmann Michael
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE

Prediction of death and functional outcome is essential for determining treatment strategies and allocation of resources for patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The aim of this study was to evaluate, by using pupillary status and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, if patients with severe TBI who are ≤ 15 years old have a lower mortality rate and better outcome than adults with severe TBI.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort analysis of patients suffering from severe TBI registered in the Trauma Registry of the German Society for Trauma Surgery between 2002 and 2013 was undertaken. Severe TBI was defined as an Abbreviated Injury Scale of the head (AIShead) score of ≥ 3 and an AIS score for any other part of the body that does not exceed the AIShead score. Only patients with complete data (GCS score, age, and pupil parameters) were included. To assess the impact of GCS score and pupil parameters, the authors also used the recently introduced Eppendorf-Cologne Scale and divided the study population into 2 groups: children (0–15 years old) and adults (16–55 years old). Each patient's outcome was measured at discharge from the trauma center by using the Glasgow Outcome Scale.

RESULTS

A total of 9959 patients fulfilled the study inclusion criteria; 888 (8.9%) patients were ≤ 15 years old (median 10 years). The overall mortality rate and the mortality rate for patients with a GCS of 3 and bilaterally fixed and dilated pupils (19.9% and 16.3%, respectively) were higher for the adults than for the pediatric patients (85% vs 80.9%, respectively), although cardiopulmonary resuscitation rates were significantly higher in the pediatric patients (5.6% vs 8.8%, respectively). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, no motor response (OR 3.490, 95% CI 2.240–5.435) and fixed pupils (OR 4.197, 95% CI 3.271–5.386) and bilateral dilated pupils (OR 2.848, 95% CI 2.282–3.556) were associated with a higher mortality rate. Patients ≤ 15 years old had a statistically lower mortality rate (OR 0.536, 95% CI 0.421–0.814; p = 0.001). The rate of good functional outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale Score 4 or 5) was higher in pediatric patients than in the adults (72.2% vs 63.1%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that severe TBI in children aged ≤ 15 years is associated with a lower mortality rate and superior functional outcome than in adults. Also, children admitted with a missing motor response or fixed and bilaterally dilated pupils also have a lower mortality rate and higher functional outcome than adults with the same initial presentation. Therefore, patients suffering from severe TBI, especially pediatric patients, could benefit from early and aggressive treatment.
Childhood hydrocephalus secondary to posterior fossa tumor is both an intra- and extraaxial process
Authors: Bateman Grant A. , Fiorentino Mark
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE

Ventricular dilation secondary to tumor obstruction of the posterior fossa CSF outflow in childhood is an intraaxial process. However, third ventriculostomy or complete tumor removal often fails to reduce the pressure in some children, and in others there is a delayed reduction in intracranial pressure; this is termed the adaptation period. The cause of this adaptation period has not been studied. Venous sinus compression is highly correlated with other forms of childhood hydrocephalus, and this study seeks to follow the changes that occur in sinus cross-sectional area after surgery.

METHODS

Twelve children with posterior fossa tumors underwent MRI examination that included standard T2-weighted and 3D contrast-enhanced images obtained preoperatively, in the immediate postoperative period, and after several months. The volumes of the lateral and third ventricles and the minimum cross-sectional area of the transverse and sigmoid sinuses were measured. Patients were categorized by 1) shunt status (those who required a shunt vs those who did not) and 2) by age (those younger than 3 years vs those older than 3 years at diagnosis).

RESULTS

There was a significant reduction in ventricular volume in both the immediate and secondary follow-up periods for all patients. There was preoperative venous sinus compression in all groups, which did not change significantly in the immediate postoperative period but did improve in the secondary follow-up period. The younger children had larger ventricles and smaller sinuses before surgery compared with the older children.

CONCLUSIONS

In children with obstructed hydrocephalus caused by tumor, there is secondary compression of venous outflow, indicating both an intra- and extraaxial process. The expansion of the sinuses following decompression of the posterior fossa is delayed and may correlate with the adaptation period. Younger children have greater sinus compression than older ones.
Toward a better understanding of the cellular basis for cerebrospinal fluid shunt obstruction: report on the construction of a bank of explanted hydrocephalus devices
Authors: Hanak Brian W. , Ross Emily F. , Harris Carolyn A. , Browd Samuel R. , Shain William
Published: April 2016

OBJECTIVE

Shunt obstruction by cells and/or tissue is the most common cause of shunt failure. Ventricular catheter obstruction alone accounts for more than 50% of shunt failures in pediatric patients. The authors sought to systematically collect explanted ventricular catheters from the Seattle Children's Hospital with a focus on elucidating the cellular mechanisms underlying obstruction.

METHODS

In the operating room, explanted hardware was placed in 4% paraformaldehyde. Weekly, samples were transferred to buffer solution and stored at 4°C. After consent was obtained for their use, catheters were labeled using cell-specific markers for astrocytes (glial fibrillary acidic protein), microglia (ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1), and choroid plexus (transthyretin) in conjunction with a nuclear stain (Hoechst). Catheters were mounted in custom polycarbonate imaging chambers. Three-dimensional, multispectral, spinning-disk confocal microscopy was used to image catheter cerebrospinal fluid–intake holes (10× objective, 499.2-μm-thick z-stack, 2.4-μm step size, Olympus IX81 inverted microscope with motorized stage and charge-coupled device camera). Values are reported as the mean ± standard error of the mean and were compared using a 2-tailed Mann-Whitney U-test. Significance was defined at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Thirty-six ventricular catheters have been imaged to date, resulting in the following observations: 1) Astrocytes and microglia are the dominant cell types bound directly to catheter surfaces; 2) cellular binding to catheters is ubiquitous even if no grossly visible tissue is apparent; and 3) immunohistochemical techniques are of limited utility when a catheter has been exposed to Bugbee wire electrocautery. Statistical analysis of 24 catheters was performed, after excluding 7 catheters exposed to Bugbee wire cautery, 3 that were poorly fixed, and 2 that demonstrated pronounced autofluorescence. This analysis revealed that catheters with a microglia-dominant cellular response tended to be implanted for shorter durations (24.7 ± 6.7 days) than those with an astrocyte-dominant response (1183 ± 642 days; p = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONS

Ventricular catheter occlusion remains a significant source of shunt morbidity in the pediatric population, and given their ability to intimately associate with catheter surfaces, astrocytes and microglia appear to be critical to this pathophysiology. Microglia tend to be the dominant cell type on catheters implanted for less than 2 months, while astrocytes tend to be the most prevalent cell type on catheters implanted for longer time courses and are noted to serve as an interface for the secondary attachment of ependymal cells and choroid plexus.
Registration of ‘Joppa’ Durum Wheat
Authors: Elias Elias M. , Manthey F. A.
Published: April 2016

‘Joppa’ (Reg. No. CV‐1115, PI 673106), spring durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.] was developed by the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station in cooperation with USDA‐ARS and released on 1 July 2013. The original cross ‘Maier’/D97643 was made in fall 2000. Joppa was developed using the pedigree breeding method and was bulked as an F4:5 line in summer 2004. Joppa was tested as D04581 in the Uniform Regional Durum Nursery and the North Dakota Durum State Variety Trials from 2008 to 2014. Joppa was released on the basis of its high grain yield potential, disease resistance, and excellent end‐use qualities. Joppa had higher yield than the predominant North Dakota cultivar Divide. Joppa has very strong dough mixing characteristics and a high gluten index. Joppa has improved Fusarium head blight {caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe [teleomorph Gibberella zeae (Schwein.) Petch]} tolerance compared with Divide and is resistant to predominant races of stem rust (caused by Puccinia graminis Pers.:Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. & E. Henn) and leaf rust (caused by P. tritici Eriks.).
A lost collection (1989–1994) of reptiles, birds and mammals of the Syrian Jazira (Syrian Arab Republic)
Authors: Masseti Marco
Published: April 2016

Basmafasal is a suburb of the town of Deir ez-Zor, located in that part of northern Syrian Mesopotamia known as the Jazira (al-Jazīrah), which lies in between the Euphrates and Khabur rivers. During the second half of the 1980s, a collection of mounted mammals, birds and reptiles was made by a local man, Abu Rabic, with the aim of representing the animal life of the region. The collection comprised many species of mammals, including several specimens of Taphozous nudiventris (naked-bellied tomb bat), Felis chaus, Lutra lutra, Hyaena hyaena, Sciurus anomalus (Persian squirrel), Hystrix indica (Indian crested porcupine), and Gazella subgutturosa marica, while birds were represented by about 200 taxa. With hundreds of exhibits, the Abu Rabiccollection was representative of the biodiversity of the Jazira. It was destroyed in 1994.
A great auk for the Sun King
Authors: De Lozoya Arturo Valledor , García David González , Parish Jolyon
Published: April 2016

This paper describes two watercolours and one engraving of the great auk (Pinguinus impennis) executed by the French painter Nicolas Robert probably between 1666 and 1670. Despite their interest as early images of this extinct species and the first ones rendered in colour, they have not been mentioned in the literature. The images suggest that the bird was kept alive in the menagerie at the palace in Versailles, where Robert portrayed it for Louis XIV; Robert's paintings are collectively known as “Les vélins du Roi”.
Charles and Emile Parzudaki: natural history dealers in nineteenth-century Paris
Authors: Gouraud Christophe , Chevrier Laurent , Mearns Richard
Published: April 2016

Although Charles and Emile Parzudaki were important natural history dealers during the nineteenth century, little is known about them, their collections or their archives. We present here the first biographical account of Charles and his stepson Emile Parzudaki. The status of both Charles and Emile Parzudaki as travellers and collectors is discussed and analysed.
Angelo Sismonda (1807–1878), pioneer of geological mapping in the Alps of Savoy and the Piedmont: a bibliography
Authors: Hollier John , Blardone Virgilio , Basaglia Tullio , Hollier Anita
Published: April 2016

Angelo Sismonda (Ange Sismonda) was an Italian mineralogist and geologist based in Turin during the Risorgimento who produced pioneering maps of the Alps in the Kingdom of Sardinia. Well known during his lifetime, he is now mentioned only in passing by historians and no comprehensive bibliography of his work exists. To render his work more accessible, we present a short biography and a bibliography.
Book review: Working and learning in times of uncertainty-challenges to adult, professional and vocational education
Authors: Baert Herman
Published: April 2016

By Sandra Bohlinger, Ulrika Haake, Christian Helms Jørgensen, Hanna Toiviainen and Andreas Wallo. (Eds.) (Rotterdam: Sense Publishers, 2015). 244 pp. ISBN open access e-book: 9789463002448
Book review: Researching and transforming adult learning and communities - the local/global context
Authors: Jelenc Krašovec Sabina
Published: April 2016

By Rob Evans, Ewa Kurantowicz and Emilio Lucio-Villegas (Eds.). (Rotterdam, the Netherlands: Sense Publishers, 2016). 197 pp., ISBN 978-946300-357-5
An Improved Fireworks Algorithm Based on Grouping Strategy of the Shuffled Frog Leaping Algorithm to Solve Function Optimization Problems
Authors: Sun Yu-Feng , Wang Jie-Sheng , Song Jiang-Di
Published: April 2016

The fireworks algorithm (FA) is a new parallel diffuse optimization algorithm to simulate the fireworks explosion phenomenon, which realizes the balance between global exploration and local searching by means of adjusting the explosion mode of fireworks bombs. By introducing the grouping strategy of the shuffled frog leaping algorithm (SFLA), an improved FA-SFLA hybrid algorithm is put forward, which can effectively make the FA jump out of the local optimum and accelerate the global search ability. The simulation results show that the hybrid algorithm greatly improves the accuracy and convergence velocity for solving the function optimization problems.
Computed Tomography Demonstration of the Production and Distribution of Oxygen Gas Following Intratumoral Injection of a New Radiosensitizer (KORTUC) for Patients with Breast Cancer—Is Intratumoral Injection Not an Ideal Approach to Solve the Major Problem of Tumor Hypoxia in Radiotherapy?
Authors: Hayashi Naoya , Ogawa Yasuhiro , Kubota Kei , Okino Kazuhiro , Akima Ryo , Morita-Tokuhiro Shiho , Tsuzuki Akira , Yaogawa Shin , Nishioka Akihito , Miyamura Mitsuhiko
Published: April 2016

We previously developed a new enzyme-targeting radiosensitization treatment named Kochi Oxydol-Radiation Therapy for Unresectable Carcinomas, Type II (KORTUC II), which contains hydrogen peroxide and sodium hyaluronate for injection into various types of tumors. For breast cancer treatment, the radiosensitization agent was injected into the tumor tissue twice a week under ultrasonographic guidance, immediately prior to each administration of radiation therapy. At approximately three hours after the second or third injection, computed tomography (CT) was performed to confirm the production and distribution of oxygen gas generated from the KORTUC radiosensitization agent by catalysis of peroxidases contained mainly in tumor tissue. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that tumor hypoxia could be overcome by such a procedure and to evaluate the method of intratumoral injection in terms of confirming oxygen distribution in the target tumor tissue and around the tumor to be visualized on dedicated CT imaging. Three-dimensional reconstructed maximum intensity projection imaging of contrast-enhanced breast magnetic resonance imaging was used to compare the position of the tumor and that of the generated oxygen. Distributed oxygen gas was confirmed in the tumor tissue and around it in all 10 patients examined in the study. A region of oxygen gas was measured as an average value of −457.2 Hounsfield units (HU) as a region of interest. A slightly increased HU value compared to the density of air or oxygen was considered due to the presence of tumor tissue in the low-density area on 5-mm-thick reconstructed CT imaging. The results of this study showed that intratumoral oxygen was successfully produced by intratumoral KORTUC injection under ultrasonographic guidance, and that tumor hypoxia, which is considered a main cause of radioresistance in currently used Linac (linear accelerator) radiation therapy for malignant neoplasms, could be resolved by this method.
Integrated Membrane Desalination Systems with Membrane Crystallization Units for Resource Recovery: A New Approach for Mining from the Sea
Authors: Quist-Jensen Cejna , Macedonio Francesca , Drioli Enrico
Published: April 2016

The mining industry is facing problems of clean production in terms of mineral processing, pollution, water consumption, and renewable energy. An interesting outlook can be to combine the mining industry with membrane-based desalination in the logic of mining from the sea. In fact, several of the drawbacks found in both mining and desalination can be minimized or overcome, which includes hindering mineral depletion, water production instead of water consumption, smart usage of brine instead of disposal, and low energy consumption, etc. Recently, membrane crystallization (MCr) has been developed to recover minerals from highly concentrated solutions. This study suggests MCr for the treatment of nanofiltration (NF) retentate and reverse osmosis (RO) brine leaving membrane-based desalination system. Thermodynamic modeling has been carried out to predict at which water recovery factor and which amount of minerals can be recovered. Theoretical results deviate only 2.09% from experimental results. Multivalent components such as barium, strontium, and magnesium are easier to recover from NF retentate with respect to RO brine. KCl and NiCl2 might be recovered from both NF retentate and RO brine, whereas lithium can only be recovered from RO brine. Moreover, copper and manganese compounds might also be recovered from desalination brine in perspectives.
A Hybrid EEMD-Based SampEn and SVD for Acoustic Signal Processing and Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Yang Zhi-Xin , Zhong Jian-Hua
Published: April 2016

Acoustic signals are an ideal source of diagnosis data thanks to their intrinsic non-directional coverage, sensitivity to incipient defects, and insensitivity to structural resonance characteristics. However this makes prevailing signal de-nosing and feature extraction methods suffer from high computational cost, low signal to noise ratio (S/N), and difficulty to extract the compound acoustic emissions for various failure types. To address these challenges, we propose a hybrid signal processing technique to depict the embedded signal using generally effective features. The ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) is adopted as the fundamental pre-processor, which is integrated with the sample entropy (SampEn), singular value decomposition (SVD), and statistic feature processing (SFP) methods. The SampEn and SVD are identified as the condition indicators for periodical and irregular signals, respectively. Moreover, such a hybrid module is self-adaptive and robust to different signals, which ensures the generality of its performance. The hybrid signal processor is further integrated with a probabilistic classifier, pairwise-coupled relevance vector machine (PCRVM), to construct a new fault diagnosis system. Experimental verifications for industrial equipment show that the proposed diagnostic system is superior to prior methods in computational efficiency and the capability of simultaneously processing non-stationary and nonlinear condition monitoring signals.
Entropy Generation on MHD Blood Flow of Nanofluid Due to Peristaltic Waves
Authors: Rashidi Mohammad , Bhatti Muhammad , Abbas Munawwar , Ali Mohamed
Published: April 2016

This present study describes the entropy generation on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) blood flow of a nanofluid induced by peristaltic waves. The governing equation of continuity, equation of motion, nano-particle and entropy equations are solved by neglecting the inertial forces and taking long wavelength approximation. The resulting highly non-linear coupled partial differential equation has been solved analytically with the help of perturbation method. Mathematical and graphical results of all the physical parameters for velocity, concentration, temperature, and entropy are also presented. Numerical computation has been used to evaluate the expression for the pressure rise and friction forces. Currently, magnetohydrodynamics is applicable in pumping the fluids for pulsating and non-pulsating continuous flows in different microchannel designs and it also very helpful to control the flow.