bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcome and management of spinal tuberculosis according to severity at a tertiary referral center
Authors: Bodapati Prasad , Vemula Ramesh , Mohammad Ameen , Mohan Alladi
Published: April 2016

Objective: Anti-tuberculosis (TB) treatment remains the mainstay of treatment of spinal TB. There is a lack of consensus regarding the timing of interventional procedures and surgery in the patients with spinal TB. This study aims to prospectively study the clinical outcome and management in patients presenting with spinal TB at our tertiary referral center and teaching hospital. Methods: Data were collected prospectively from 48 patients treated for spinal TB presenting to us from August 2011 to December 2012. All the patients were followed-up for the duration of anti-TB treatment. Results: The categorization of patients into different management groups was based on the clinical and radiological findings at the time of diagnosis. The patients with mild disease (n = 23) were successfully managed with anti-TB treatment alone. The other 25 patients needed an intervention either in the form of pigtail catheter drainage of the paravertebral collection (n = 18) or an extensive surgical debridement followed by the fusion techniques (n = 7). All the patients responded well to the treatment, and there were no significant complications in any of the patients. It had been observed that various stages of spinal TB demand different approaches for the treatment in the form of either chemotherapy alone, chemotherapy with pigtail drainage of the paravertebral collection, or surgery in conjunction with chemotherapy. Conclusions: Judicious use of pigtail drainage and surgical intervention in addition to anti TB treatment can be rewarding in the patients with spinal TB.
Ruptured distal middle cerebral artery mycotic aneurysm: A rare, first presentation of infective endocarditis
Authors: Mankotia Dipanker , Sinha Sumit , Sharma Bhawani
Published: April 2016

Mycotic cerebral aneurysms are rare inflammatory aneurysms associated with high mortality and morbidity reaching up to 80% after rupture. We report a case of incidentally diagnosed infective endocarditis presenting with rupture of distal middle cerebral artery mycotic aneurysm and intracerebral hematoma. Aneurysmectomy with clip ligation of the terminal cortical branch and hematoma evacuation was done with good surgical outcome.
Calvarial-orbital metastasis of prostate carcinoma which was diagnosed with sixth cranial nerve palsy
Authors: Ozbek Zühtü , Özkara Emre , Arik Deniz , Ant Metin
Published: April 2016

Sixth nerve palsy is frequently due to infectious orbital lesions, trauma, elevated intracranial pressure, brainstem lesions, and vasculopathies. Here, we describe a rare cause of sixth cranial nerve (CN) palsy secondary to calvarial and orbital metastasis of prostate carcinoma. The diagnosis of the prostate carcinoma with sixth CN palsy is a very rare condition. A 66-year-old male patient presented with complaints of blurred vision, double vision, and inability to move outward in the right eye for 3 weeks. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a right orbitocalvarial mass and the mass surgically removed completely. Pathologic findings were compatible with prostate adenocarcinoma metastasis. After surgical removal, significant improvement in sixth CN palsy was observed.
Aneurysm of anterior inferior cerebellar artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery variant
Authors: Ansari Khursheed , Menon Girish , Nair Suresh , Abraham Mathew
Published: April 2016

Aneurysms arising from anterior inferior cerebellar artery-posterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA-PICA) variant are extremely rare. They usually present with subarachnoid hemorrhage. This is probably the second case report of a large thrombosed AICA-PICA variant aneurysm presenting as a cerebellopontine angle mass lesion with cranial nerve palsy, managed successfully by surgical clipping.
Sphenoid wing en plaque meningioma development following craniopharyngioma surgery and radiotherapy: Radiation-induced after three decades
Authors: Raheja Amol , Satyarthee Guru
Published: April 2016

Radiation therapy is widely used as adjuvant or primary treatment modality of neoplastic lesions. Radiation therapy may cause an acute adverse effect such as brain edema, radiation necrosis, or delayed, for example, panhypopituitarism, vasculitis, and rare de-novo neoplasm development. However, radiation-induced meningioma (RIM) occurrence is extremely rare. A detailed PubMed and Medline search yielded only three isolated Case-reports of RIM development in craniopharyngioma cases receiving radiotherapy after surgery. All cases occurred in patients < 13-year age, with male preponderance, detected after a mean interval of 23-year, the range being 2–44 years. Two had solitary while the third had multiple meningiomas. Authors report an 8-year-old female, who was operated for craniopharyngioma and received adjuvant therapy, was asymptomatic for next 30 years, met a road traffic accident and magnetic resonance imaging brain revealed incidental right sphenoid wing en plaque meningioma. She was planned for gamma-knife therapy as unwilling for surgical intervention. Management of RIM development after radiotherapy of craniopharyngioma along with pertinent literature is reviewed briefly.
Contralateral radiculopathy: A kernohan–woltman notch-like phenomenon
Authors: Safdarian Mahdi , Farzaneh Farshid , Rahimi-Movaghar Vafa
Published: April 2016

Lumbar disc herniation is the most common cause of radiculopathy. In most cases, the chief complaint is associated with radicular pain due to nerve compression on the herniated side. However, a radicular pain contralateral to the herniation side is an unusual finding rarely reported in the literature. Here, a case of right lower limb radicular pain in the presence of left extruded L4–L5 disc herniation is reported. Management of the patient is discussed in addition to a review of the literature regarding hypotheses on the mechanism of this unusual situation.
Comparison of computational fluid dynamics findings with intraoperative microscopy findings in unruptured intracranial aneurysms- An initial analysis
Authors: Talari Sandeep , Kato Yoko , Shang Hanbing , Yamada Yasuhiro , Yamashiro Kei , Suyama Daisuke , Kawase Tsukasa , Balik Vladimir , Rile Wu
Published: April 2016

Context: The increase in the detection of unruptured cerebral aneurysms has led to management dilemma. Prediction of risk based on the size of the aneurysm is not always accurate. There is no objective way of predicting rupture of aneurysm so far. Computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) was proposed as a tool to identify the rupture risk. Aims: To know the correlation of CFD findings with intraoperative microscopic findings and to know the relevance of CFD in the prediction of rupture risk and in the management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Settings and Design: A prospective study involving nine cases over a period of 6 months as an initial analysis. Subjects and Methods: Both males and females were included in the study. Preoperative analysis was performed using computed tomography angiogram, magnetic resonance imaging in all cases and digital substraction angiogram in some cases. Intraoperatively microscopic examination of the aneurysm wall was carried out and images recorded. The correlation was done between microscopic and CFD images. Results: Seven cases were found intraoperatively to have a higher risk of rupture based on the thinning of the wall. Two cases had an atherosclerotic wall. All cases had low wall shear stress (WSS).Only two cases with atherosclerotic wall had a correlation with low WSS. Conclusions: While the pressure measured with CFD technique is a good predictor of rupture risk, the WSS component is controversial. Multicentric trials involving a larger subset of population are needed before drawing any definite conclusions. On-going development in the CFD analysis may help to predict the rupture chances accurately in future.
Thoracic intramedullary lipoma in a 3-year-old child: Spontaneous decrease in the size following incomplete resection
Authors: Yilmaz Cem , Aydemir Fatih
Published: April 2016

Nondysraphic intramedullary spinal cord lipomas are even rarer. We present a thoracic intramedullary lipoma which spontaneously decreased in size following surgical debulking. A 3-year-old girl was admitted to our department with complaints of back pain since 1 year and progressive difficulty in walking since 6 months. Her magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed T8-9 intramedullary mass showing increased signal intensity in both T1- and T2-weighted images. The patient was operated with a T8-9 laminoplasty and debulking, and internal decompression of the tumor was made. Histologically, the tumor was uniformly composed of mature adipose tissue revealing a lipoma. First-month control MRI revealed the rest mass almost the half volume of the preoperative mass. The 2nd year MRI revealed the size of the lipoma was spontaneously decreased to almost half of postoperative size and 3rd year was the same as the 2nd year with a mild kyphosis. Decompression and debulking with or without duraplasty is the most appropriate treatment for symptomatic patients. Dietary measures with control of fat intake and long-term follow-up are also suggested.
Restauración urbana de la plaza de les Caseres y murallas de su entorno en Peñíscola
Authors: Balaguer Dezcallar Pepa
Published: April 2016

La singular ciudad de Peñíscola esconde en sus callejones secretos de los avatares constructivos de su historia, que esta intervención ha sabido desvelar, proteger y valorar. El Plan Director que trazó las estrategias para la restauración del recinto amurallado ha servido de marco para la recuperación urbana de las fortificaciones del sudoeste de la ciudadela. La intervención ha debido salvar las dificultades que las excavaciones arqueológicas tendían a su paso, añadiendo complejidad a un problema ya intrincado de partida. El aspecto final, sin embargo, no se resiente de este esfuerzo y posee la sencillez que revelan las obras bien resueltas.
Bit Grooming: Statistically accurate precision-preserving quantization with compression, evaluated in the netCDF Operators (NCO, v4.4.8+)
Authors: Zender Charles S.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Lossy compression schemes can help reduce the space required to store the false precision (i.e, scientifically meaningless data bits) that geoscientific models and measurements generate. We introduce, implement, and characterize a new lossy compression scheme suitable for IEEE floating-point data. Our new Bit Grooming algorithm alternately shaves (to zero) and sets (to one) the least significant bits of consecutive values to preserve a desired precision. This is a symmetric, two-sided variant of an algorithm sometimes called Bit Shaving which quantizes values solely by zeroing bits. Our variation eliminates the artificial low-bias produced by always zeroing bits, and makes Bit Grooming more suitable for arrays and multi-dimensional fields whose mean statistics are important. Bit Grooming relies on standard lossless compression schemes to achieve the actual reduction in storage space, so we tested Bit Grooming by applying the DEFLATE compression algorithm to bit-groomed and full-precision climate data stored in netCDF3, netCDF4, HDF4, and HDF5 formats. Bit Grooming reduces the storage space required by uncompressed and compressed climate data by up to 50 % and 20 %, respectively, for single-precision data (the most common case for climate data). When used aggressively (i.e., preserving only 1–3 decimal digits of precision), Bit Grooming produces storage reductions comparable to other quantization techniques such as linear packing. Unlike linear packing, Bit Grooming works on the full representable range of floating-point data. Bit Grooming reduces the volume of single-precision compressed data by roughly 10 % per decimal digit quantized (or "groomed") after the third such digit, up to a maximum reduction of about 50 %. The potential reduction is greater for double-precision datasets. Data quantization by Bit Grooming is irreversible (i.e., lossy) yet transparent, meaning that no extra processing is required by data users/readers. Hence Bit Grooming can easily reduce data storage volume without sacrificing scientific precision or imposing extra burdens on users.
Financing Small Scale Oil Palm Producers in the Western Region of Ghana-Ahanta West District
Authors: Coleman Martha , Okyere Daniel Odei
Published: April 2016

Business finance has been a major problem facing most businesses, both the small and large companies as well as the medium ones. Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) are no exceptions of the problems faced by businesses. These enterprises are mostly managed by low income earners. Some of these enterprises cannot grow into large companies because of lack of funds. The objectives of the study are to identify the various forms of funds available to SMEs in the oil palm producing sector of the Ahanta West District of the Western Region of Ghana, find out the funds that have been actually accessed by oil palm producers in the Ahanta West District, and identify some other means of financing the oil palm production. The study revealed that majority of oil palm producers in the Ahanta West District finance their operation with personal savings and have not accessed any loan from the banks.
Wyoming Big Sagebrush and Herbaceous Cover Relationships
Authors: Sowell Bok , Wambolt Carl , Paddock Jennifer , Lane Vanessa , Frisina Michael
Published: April 2016

We measured 328 sites in northern, central, and southern Montana and northern Wyoming during 2003 to test the competitive relationship of herbaceous cover in the interspaces to Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata wyomingensis) cover. Long term annual precipitation at all sites was approximately 31 cm. Sagebrush and total herbaceous cover varied from 5 to 45 percent and 3.5 to 55 percent, respectively. Simple linear regression was the best fit model for predicting herbaceous cover from sagebrush cover using the highest Ra2 values as the model selection criteria. In northern Montana, herbaceous vegetation was predicted by sagebrush cover with the following model:  Y = 37.4 – 0.61X (Ra2  = 0.16, P < 0.001, n = 87). In central Montana, the model was Y = 14.0 – 0.00X (Ra2  = 0.00, P = 1.0, n = 155). In southern Montana, the model was Y = 35.9 – 0.39X (Ra2  = 0.14, P < 0.001, n = 86). When all sites were combined, the best fit model was Y = 23.7 – 0.15X (Ra2  = 0.01, P < 0.061, n = 328). This analysis determined that only 1 percent of the variation in herbaceous vegetation cover was associated with Wyoming big sagebrush cover. Management suggestions to reduce Wyoming big sagebrush in order to increase long-term herbaceous production for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) would not be recommended.
The Importance and Necessity of Paying Attention to Law and Legalism in Social Areas from the Perspective of the Holy Quran
Authors: Alami Reza , Emamian Farzad , Karimi Seyed Nima , Mousavi Takami Seyed Sadegh , Rezaei Mahdi
Published: April 2016

Social life is an inevitable necessity for human beings and order, security and justice is required for social life. In this regard, everything that can be effective social life of for human beings should be seriously considered. Law is among these phenomena that people can benefit from social life in its light in addition to benefiting from their natural rights. Therefore, it can be said that the strength and cohesion of any society is paying attention to the law and obeying it. Obviously, this religion in order to convey its purpose should have a plan for them. Therefore, God, as the drafter of this religion sent the Quran to people which is full of solutions and values and a better life for them. In Islam and Quran, the condition of salvation and happiness of a society depends on adherence to God's laws and regulations in all facets and social arenas. The results of this study show that in the shadow of respecting law and order the possibility of planning, implementing and guiding in human society is done. A society can only be lawful by fulfilling God's commandments in Quran.
A Small Special Needs Class or a Smaller Class at the Beginning of the Educational Path?
Authors: Valli Raine , Jokinen Katja
Published: April 2016

This article is based on the case study which focuses on the small class (in this article used to describe a small special needs class) operation of one medium-sized Finnish town. In the study an attempt was made to clarify what kind of alternative the small class is to the first grade of general education at the beginning of the child's educational path, what kind of experiences the teachers had of the pupils of the small class, of multi-vocational cooperation and of pupils' integration and success in general education. The results of the study showed that a large part of the pupils who come to the small classes had learning difficulties, and attention and behavioural disorders. If the children in need of support would receive it already during pre-school education, most of them could start their school directly in the first grade in general education. 
Synthetic Pyrethroids Pesticide Residues in Soils and Drinking Water Sources from Cocoa Farms in Ghana
Authors: Fosu-Mensah Benedicta Y. , Okoffo Elvis D. , Mensah Michael
Published: April 2016

The contamination of pesticides in 32 soils and 64 drinking water samples was investigated from cocoa farms in the Dormaa West District of Ghana to assess pollution status. A total of nine synthetic pyrethroids pesticides were measured with a high resolution Varian CP-3800 Gas Chromatograph equipped with 63Ni electron capture detector (ECD). Eight synthetic pyrethroid residues namely fenvalerate, deltamethrin, cypermethrin, bifenthrin, permethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, allethrin and cyfluthrin were detected with lambda-cyhalothrin and allethrin occurring most frequently in soil and water respectively. The concentrations of synthetic pyrethroids residues in the soil samples were in the ranges of; 0.02-0.03 mg/kg for lambda-cyhalothrin, 0.010-0.02 mg/kg for allethrin, 0.010-0.04 mg/kg for cyfluthrin, <0.01-0.04 mg/kg for cypermethrin, 0.02-0.06 mg/kg for deltamethrin, and <0.01-0.03 mg/kg for bifenthrin. Similarly, the synthetic pyrethroids residues in the water samples were in the ranges of; 0.01-0.05 µg/L for allethrin, 0.01-0.04 µg/L for fenvalerate, 0.01-0.04 µg/L for cypermethrin and 0.01-0.05 µg/L for deltamethrin. The concentrations of synthetic pyrethroids pesticide residues recorded in the soil samples analysed were generally below and within their respective US MRLs for agricultural soils, except the mean concentration values recorded for pesticides such as lambda-cyhalothrin at Diabaa (S2) and Krakrom (S3), allethrin at Diabaa (S2) and deltamethrin at Kwakuanya (S4), which were above their respective US MRLs for agricultural soils. The trends of synthetic pyrethroids pesticide residues in the water samples analysed from the various distances to cocoa farms decreased with an increase of water source to cocoa farm (ranking; 0-15m>16-30m>above 30m). All synthetic pyrethroids pesticide residues recorded in the water samples were below and within their respective WHO MRLs for drinking water except for deltamethrin, which exceeded the WHO MRL at Kwakuanya (S4) at distance 0-15m from a cocoa farm. The presence of synthetic pyrethroids residues in the soil and water samples analysed is an indication of the use of the pesticide by cocoa farmers in the study area. The routine monitoring of pesticide residues in the study area is necessary for the control and reduction of environmental pollution.
Ecology and Diversity of Diatoms in Kuttanadu Paddy Fields in Relation to Soil Regions, Seasons and Paddy-Growth-Stages
Authors: Vijayan Dhanya , Ray Joseph George
Published: April 2016

This assessment of ecology and diversity of Diatoms in Kuttanadu, is continuation of the previous publications of Green-algae and Blue-green-algae of the same region; all the three investigations were carried out simultaneously. The unique Kuttanadu wetlands (90°17'N to 90°40'N; 760°19'E to 760°33'E), a well known ‘Rice bowl’ of Kerala, spread over 53,639 hectares, is located in Alapuzha District of Kerala, India. This wetland was once known for its high biodiversity, but currently severely affected by intensive green-revolution activities of past few decades. Main objective of the present report is to explain the diversity and ecological status of Diatoms in relation to the environment conditions currently existing in the region. Duration of the study was from December 2009 to October 2010. Soil samples of three different soil-types in two different crop-seasons, at two diverse crop-growth-stages are analyzed and compared. Altogether 120 composite soil samples randomly collected from the broad wetlands are analyzed. A rich community of Diatoms, of 40 species is found out. The order Naviculales is observed as the dominant Diatom (40%) in these paddy wetlands. Ecological parameters of Diatoms were found highest in the Lower Kuttanadu soil region, during Virippu season, at the seedling- stage of the crop, whereas the lowest value for most of the parameters were observed in Kayal soils during Puncha season at the seedling-stage. Apart from the specific soil factors influencing Diatom population characteristics in the region, crop seasons and soil phosphorus are found to have significant influence on Diatoms in this wetland paddy soils.
The Symbolic Review of the Concept of War in the Works of Iranian Artist: Ali Akbar Sadeghi
Authors: Rafaee Adeleh , Qazvini Parisa Shad
Published: April 2016

By examining the history of world art, it can be expressed that art was not conducted between different ethnic groups only through cultural exchanges. And sometimes common aspects can be found among the artworks which have been the same among all nations. This suggests that the human is a treasure of symbols and images in which the traces of all human races can be seen during different periods of time. Carl Gustav Jung called this belief as “archetype” which is manifested in various symbolic forms. According to this theory, we can cite the many artists not only to express their own ethnic and national values to create their work but also studied the human subjects which are at a collective unconscious. They moved beyond the boundaries of their land. Ali Akbar Sadeghi is an Iranian contemporary painter. He maintained the tradition of painting in his country and used universal symbols in his works. The most important of these symbols is the symbols of war. This article suggests the hypothesis that Ali Akbar Sadeghi knows the world as a place for interference and conflicts and used the tools and symbols of war in his works in order to express the permanent war in the world. The results of this paper states that these symbols have emerged during the periods of his art activities in different ways, shapes and forms in order to convey the concepts and individual contrast with the environment. The method of this study is descriptive- analytical and data collection method was performed through interviews with the artist and library studies.
The Value of Water in Mali
Authors: Geiger Lindsey
Published: April 2016

The value of water and how water is used in communities around the world can serve as a guide for promoting better water quality and practices globally.
Why Surveys Work and How They Can Disappoint
Authors: Goetz Melanie K.
Published: April 2016

Not only can a carefully written survey retrieve a wealth of information and customer sentiment; it is a way for a utility to control how a message is communicated.
Total Water Solutions: Integrated Water Resource Planning
Authors: Davis William Y. , Sham Chi Ho , Dumm Thomas E. , Kammereck Lara R.
Published: April 2016

Ensuring long‐term reliability and resiliency of water delivery, along with protecting public health from the source to the tap, are paramount for water utilities. However, only a limited number of communities can rely on a single water source to meet their current and future water demand. The management of water, wastewater, reuse, stormwater, and other lower‐quality water is all closely inter‐related, and each is a valuable resource. Total Water Solutions® is an approach that values each of these components of the water cycle with the adage of “one water, many solutions.”
Are domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) able to use complex humangiven cues to find a hidden reward?
Authors: Nawroth C , Ebersbach M , von Borell E
Published: April 2016

Understanding human-animal interactions in livestock production systems is crucial for improving animal welfare. It is therefore of general interest to investigate how livestock animals obtain information from humans. By using an object-choice paradigm, we investigated whether domestic pigs (Sus scrofa) (n = 4) were able to use a variety of human-given cues, such as different pointing gestures, to find a hidden food reward. In Experiment 1, an experimenter pointed towards a baited location in front of the pig while the extent of the protrusion of his hand from the upper body was varied. Pigs had problems using pointing gestures that did not protrude from the upper body of the experimenter, but were able to successfully use a long cross pointing administered with the contralateral hand of an experimenter to find a hidden reward. In Experiment 2, an experimenter indicated a baited location that was behind the pig using either a pointing gesture, his body or his head orientation. All four individuals used the pointing gesture and one pig was able to use the head orientation to find the hidden reward. The results provide additional evidence of pigs’ ability to use novel human-given cues as well as on the limits of their abilities, and will contribute to a better understanding of pigs’ perception of their stockpersons and handlers.
Empathy towards animals and belief in animal-human-continuity in Italian veterinary students
Authors: Colombo ES , Pelosi A , Prato-Previde E
Published: April 2016

Empathy towards animals and beliefs in animal-human continuity appear to play an important role in shaping the human-animal relationship and in determining the way animals are treated and cared for. Veterinary medicine plays a central role in animal welfare and has been recognised as a highly caring profession, especially in companion animal practice: however, a number of studies have indicated that veterinary students show a decline in empathy towards animals and an increasing tendency to see them in Cartesian terms as they progress through veterinary education. In the present study we used the Animal Empathy Scale and the Human-Animal Continuity Scale to investigate empathy towards animals and beliefs in animal-human continuity in a sample of first-year (n = 131) and final-year (n = 158) veterinary students of the University of Milan, Italy. Results revealed a difference in empathy towards animals, with first-year students scoring significantly higher than those at the end of their academic training. This variation in empathy over time emerged in both male and female students, however females always had higher empathy scores than males. Moreover, veterinary students at the end of their course reported a more instrumental attitude toward animals, more pronounced in males than in females. Similarly, there was a difference in the perception of continuity between humans and animals which was more evident in males, with first-year students scoring higher than fifth-year students in some items. Results are discussed in relation to previous studies carried out in other countries and, given the importance of empathy in the veterinary profession, potential reasons underlying its apparent decrease are considered.
Une belle occasion ratée : l’établissement d’un système universel et gratuit de garderies au Québec grâce à l’effet « Pig in the Python » pour les baby-boomers
Authors: Légaré Jacques
Published: April 2016

Le vieillissement des baby-boomers est le sujet de l’heure dans le monde industrialisé. C’est le cas en particulier au Québec, où le nombre de naissances est passé d’environ 80 000 au début des années 1940 à près de 145 000 en 1959, pour retomber à environ 95 000 au milieu des années 1970. Certains auteurs ont qualifié ce phénomène de « Pig in the Python », en ce sens que, tout au long de leur histoire, les baby-boomers ont été plus nombreux que leurs prédécesseurs et que leurs descendants. Cet effet a eu des répercussions importantes sur la taille des cohortes du système scolaire primaire et secondaire : on est passé d’une population de près de 1 500 000 aux environs de 1970 à environ 1 000 000 au tournant du 21e siècle. À l’aide des données de l’État civil, il est possible d’estimer la décroissance de la taille du système scolaire obligatoire cumulée à près de 550 000 élèves-années au tournant du siècle. À l’aide d’un modèle de macrosimulation « simple », comme les aimait Jacques Henripin, on montrera ici que le Québec pourrait avoir aujourd’hui un système de garderies universel et… gratuit.
Growth of silicon-doped Al0.6Ga0.4N with low carbon concentration at high growth rate using high-flow-rate metal organic vapor phase epitaxy reactor
Authors: Ikenaga Kazutada , Mishima Akira , Yano Yoshiki , Tabuchi Toshiya , Matsumoto Koh
Published: April 2016

The relationship between the carbon concentration and electrical characteristics of silicon-doped AlGaN (Al > 0.5) was investigated using a high-flow-rate metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) reactor. The carbon concentration and electrical properties of AlGaN (Al > 0.5) were measured as a function of the growth rate, V/III ratio, and growth temperature. The growth rate of Al0.6Ga0.4N was linearly controlled up to 7.2 µm/h under a constant ammonia (NH3) flow rate. However, a decrease in V/III ratio resulted in an increase in carbon concentration to 8 × 1017 cm−3. With increased growth temperature, the carbon concentration decreased to less than 2 × 1017 cm−3 without showing any reduction in growth rate. As a result, n-type Al0.6Ga0.4N with a carrier concentration of 5.4 × 1018 cm−3 and a resistivity of 2.2 × 10−2 Ω·cm was obtained.
Factors that influence the beta-diversity of spider communities in northwestern Argentinean Grasslands
Authors: Rodriguez-Artigas Sandra M. , Ballester Rodrigo , Corronca Jose A.
Published: April 2016

Beta-diversity, defined as spatial replacement in species composition, is crucial to the understanding of how local communities assemble. These changes can be driven by environmental or geographic factors (such as geographic distance), or a combination of the two. Spiders have been shown to be good indicators of environmental quality. Accordingly, spiders are used in this work as model taxa to establish whether there is a decrease in community similarity that corresponds to geographic distance in the grasslands of the Campos & Malezales ecoregion (Corrientes). Furthermore, the influence of climactic factors and local vegetation heterogeneity (environmental factors) on assemblage composition was evaluated. Finally, this study evaluated whether the differential dispersal capacity of spider families is a factor that influences their community structure at a regional scale. Spiders were collected with a G-Vac from vegetation in six grassland sites in the Campos & Malezales ecoregion that were separated by a minimum of 13 km. With this data, the impact of alpha-diversity and different environmental variables on the beta-diversity of spider communities was analysed. Likewise, the importance of species replacement and nesting on beta-diversity and their contribution to the regional diversity of spider families with different dispersion capacities was evaluated. The regional and site-specific inventories obtained were complete. The similarity between spider communities declined as the geographic distance between sites increased. Environmental variables also influenced community composition; stochastic events and abiotic forces were the principal intervening factors in assembly structure. The differential dispersal capacity of spider groups also influenced community structure at a regional scale. The regional beta-diversity, as well as species replacement, was greater in high and intermediate vagility spiders; while nesting was greater in spiders with low dispersion capacity. Geographic distance, among other factors (climate, and active and passive dispersion capacity), explains assembly structure and the decrease spider community similarity between geographically distant sites. Spiders with the highest dispersal capacity showed greater species replacement. This may be due to the discontinuity (both natural and anthropic) of the grasslands in this ecoregion, which limits the dispersal capacity of these spiders, and their close dependence on microhabitats. The dispersal capacity of the least vagile spiders is limited by geographic distance and biotic factors, such as competition, which could explain the nesting observed between their communities.
Virtual Touch Tissue Imaging for Differential Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Xu Jun-Mei , Xu Hui-Xiong , Zhang Yi-Feng , Guo Le-Hang , Liu Lin-Na , Bo Xiao-Wan , Xu Xiao-Hong
Published: April 2016

Objectives

To evaluate the additional value of the area ratio on Virtual Touch tissue imaging (VTI; Siemens Medical Solutions, Mountain View, CA) for diagnosis of thyroid nodules referred to surgery.

Methods

From April 2013 to February 2014, 205 consecutive patients with 225 histologically proven thyroid nodules were enrolled in this retrospective study. Virtual Touch tissue imaging and area ratio measurements were performed for each nodule. The area ratio was defined as the area of the nodule on VTI divided by the area on B‐mode sonography. Nodule stiffness on VTI was graded from I (soft) to VI (hard). Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses of VTI, area ratio, and the combination of VTI and area ratio were performed. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and Youden index were also evaluated.

Results

By receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, the cutoff values were VTI grade IV and area ratio of 1.09, respectively. Nodules with VTI grade IV or higher or area ratio of 1.09 or higher were more likely to be malignant. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, NPV, and Youden index were 78.6%, 92.3%, 88.0%, 82.1%, 90.5%, and 0.709 for VTI and 81.4%, 87.1%, 85.3%, 74.0%, 91.2%, and 0.685 for area ratio (all P > .05). However, when using the criterion of VTI grade IV or higher and area ratio of 1.09 or higher as a combination, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, NPV, and Youden index increased to 94.3%, 97.4%, 96.4%, 94.3%, 97.4%, and 0.917 (all P< .05 compared to VTI or area ratio alone, except for specificity between VTI and the combination).

Conclusions

The diagnostic performance of VTI grading and the area ratio for differentiation between benign and malignant thyroid nodules is equivalent. The performance is further improved with a combination of VTI grading and area ratio analysis.
Value of Multimode Sonography for Assessment of Pelvic Lipomatosis Compared With Computed Tomography
Authors: Sun Yaqin , Wang Jianhua , Chiang Mouhsun , Li Huiwen , Liu Ji-Bin , Wang Shumin
Published: April 2016

Objectives

To assess imaging features of pelvic lipomatosis with a multimode sonographic technique, including 2‐dimensional (2D) grayscale sonography, 3‐dimensional (3D) sonography, and transrectal sonography, and compare its diagnostic features with those of computed tomography (CT).

Methods

In this study, 7 patients with different clinical manifestations were incidentally discovered by 2D sonography and followed by 3D and transrectal sonography before CT was performed for comparison. The urinary tract morphologic characteristics, bladder shape, and amount and distribution of perivesical or perirectal fatty tissue in all 7 patients were evaluated by both imaging modalities. Ten healthy participants were recruited and imaged as a control group.

Results

The following sonographic features were shown in all 7 patients: (1) bilateral hydroureters and hydronephrosis on 2D sonography; (2) bladder shifting anteriorly and superiorly on 2D sonography; (3) nonvisualization of the prostate through the bladder window on transabdominal scanning and nonvisualization of the bladder when the prostate was scanned by transrectal sonography; (4) bladder elongation in the craniocaudal dimension, which appeared as a gourd or pear shape on 3D sonography; and (5) excessive fat accumulation between the prostate and rectum as well as in perivesical or perirectal regions on 2D and transrectal sonography. Computed tomography in these patients confirmed the sonographic findings, with evidence of hydronephrosis, bladder location shift and elongation, and excessive fitty tissue with extrinsic compression.

Conclusions

This preliminary study has shown that the application of a multimode sonographic technique (ie, 2D, 3D, and transrectal sonography) can provide unique evidence and imaging features of pelvic lipomatosis, which are comparable with CT for making a suggestive diagnosis of pelvic lipomatosis. Thus, multimode sonography may be the modality of choice for assessment of patients with a suspicion of lipomatosis.
Perceived Difficulty and Success Rate of Standard Versus Ultrasound‐Guided Peripheral Intravenous Cannulation in a Novice Study Group
Authors: Vitto Michael J. , Myers Melissa , Vitto Christina M. , Evans David P.
Published: April 2016

Objectives

To our knowledge, no previous studies have evaluated the perceived levels of difficulty between traditional and ultrasound (US)‐guided peripheral intravenous (IV) access in the novice provider. We attempt to show that, in a group of medical students who have limited peripheral IV experience, US‐guided peripheral IV cannulation can be achieved more effectively and with a lesser degree of difficulty than standard peripheral IV cannulation.

Methods

We performed a randomized crossover study of 61 first‐ and second‐year medical students. After a 1‐hour training session, participants were randomized to either standard cannulation on a standard peripheral IV trainer or US‐guided cannulation on a standard US IV trainer.

Results

One hundred percent (61 of 61) of the participants in the US‐guided IV group successfully achieved cannulation versus 56% (34 of 61) of the participants in the standard IV group (P < .001). The average number of attempts to obtain access in the US‐guided IV group was 1.31 versus 2.16 in the standard IV group (P < .001). The average difficulty score assigned to US‐guided cannulation was 2.81 of 10 versus 3.90 of 10 in the standard IV group (P = .003).

Conclusions

Our study shows a decrease in perceived difficulty and a concomitant increased ability to cannulate a vein using US versus traditional landmark guidance techniques, even in the novice phlebotomist.
Outcomes of an Advanced Ultrasound Elective
Authors: Prats Michael I. , Royall Nelson A. , Panchal Ashish R. , Way David P. , Bahner David P.
Published: April 2016

Objectives

Many medical specialties have adopted the use of ultrasound, creating demands for higher‐quality ultrasound training at all levels of medical education. Little is known about the long‐term benefit of integrating ultrasound training during undergraduate medical education. This study evaluated the effect of a longitudinal fourth‐year undergraduate medical education elective in ultrasound and its impact on the future use of ultrasound in clinical practice.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey of medical graduates from The Ohio State University College of Medicine (2006–2011) was done, comparing those who participated and those who did not participate in a rigorous ultrasound program for fourth‐year medical students. A 38‐item questionnaire queried graduates concerning ultrasound education in residency, their proficiency, and their current use of ultrasound in clinical practice.

Results

Surveys were completed by 116 respondents, for a return rate of 40.8% (116 of 284). The participants of the undergraduate medical education ultrasound elective (n = 61) reported more hours of ultrasound training after graduation (hands‐on training, bedside scanning, and number of scans performed; P < .001), higher ultrasound proficiency (proficiency in using ultrasound for clinical decision making, use in emergency settings, and use of novel techniques; P< .001), and higher rates of ultrasound use in clinical practice (P < .001).

Conclusions

The longitudinal undergraduate medical education ultrasound elective produced physicians who were more likely to seek additional training in residency, evaluate themselves as more proficient, and use ultrasound in their clinical practice. Early training in bedside ultrasound during undergraduate medical education yields physicians who are better prepared for integration of ultrasound into clinical practice.
Shear Wave Elastography of the Spleen for Monitoring Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Function
Authors: Gao Jing , Zheng Xiao , Zheng Yuan-Yi , Zuo Guo-Qing , Ran Hai-Tao , Auh Yong Ho , Waldron Levi , Chan Tiffany , Wang Zhi-Gang
Published: April 2016

Objectives

To assess the feasibility of splenic shear wave elastography in monitoring transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) function.

Methods

We measured splenic shear wave velocity (SWV), main portal vein velocity (PVV), and splenic vein velocity (SVV) in 33 patients 1 day before and 3 days to 12 months after TIPS placement. We also measured PVV, SVV, and SWV in 10 of 33 patients with TIPS dysfunction 1 day before and 3 to 6 days after TIPS revision. Analyses included differences in portosystemic pressure gradient (PPG), PVV, SVV, and mean SWV before and after TIPS procedures; comparison of median SWV before and after TIPS procedures; differences in PVV, SVV, and SWV before and at different times up to 12 months after TIPS placement; accuracy of PVV, SVV, and SWV in determining TIPS dysfunction; and correlation between PPG and SWV.

Results

During 12 months of follow‐up, 23 of 33 patients had functioning TIPS, and 10 had TIPS dysfunction. The median SWV was significantly different before and after primary TIPS placement (3.60 versus 3.05 m/s; P = .005), as well as before and after revision (3.73 versus 3.06 m/s; P = .003). The PPG, PVV, and SVV were also significantly different before and after TIPS placement and revision (P < .001). The PPG and SWV decreased, whereas PVV and SVV increased, after successful TIPS procedures. A positive correlation was observed between PPG and SWV (r = 0.70; P < .001), and a negative correlation was observed between PPG and PVV and SVV (r = −0.65; P < .001). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for PVV, SVV, and SWV in determining TIPS dysfunction were 0.82, 0.84, and 0.81, respectively.

Conclusions

Splenic SWV is compatible with splenoportal venous velocity in quantitatively monitoring TIPS function and determining TIPS dysfunction.
Growth Patterns of Fetal Lung Volumes in Healthy Fetuses and Fetuses With Isolated Left‐Sided Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Authors: Ruano Rodrigo , Britto Ingrid Schwach Werneck , Sananes Nicolas , Lee Wesley , Sangi-Haghpeykar Haleh , Deter Russell L.
Published: April 2016

Objectives

To evaluate fetal lung growth using 3‐dimensional sonography in healthy fetuses and those with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Methods

Right and total lung volumes were serially evaluated by 3‐dimensional sonography in 66 healthy fetuses and 52 fetuses with left‐sided CDH between 20 and 37 weeks' menstrual age. Functions fitted to these parameters were compared for 2 groups: (1) healthy versus those with CDH; and (2) fetuses with CHD who survived versus those who died.

Results

Fetal right and total lung volumes as well as fetal observed‐to‐expected right and total lung volume ratios were significantly lower in fetuses with CDH than healthy fetuses (P< .001) and in those fetuses with CDH who died (P< .001). The observed‐to‐expected right and total lung volume ratios did not vary with menstrual age in healthy fetuses or in those with CDH (independent of outcome).

Conclusions

Lung volume rates were lower in fetuses with left‐sided CDH compared to healthy fetuses, as well as in fetuses with CDH who died compared to those who survived. The observed‐to‐expected right and total lung volume ratios were relatively constant throughout menstrual age in fetuses with left‐sided CDH, suggesting that the origin of their lung growth abnormalities occurred before 20 weeks and did not progress. The observed‐to‐expected ratios may be useful in predicting the outcome in fetuses with CDH independent of menstrual age.
How to Acquire Cardiac Volumes for Sonographic Examination of the Fetal Heart
Authors: Yeo Lami , Romero Roberto
Published: April 2016

The effective performance of fetal cardiac examination using spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) technology requires 2 essential steps: volume acquisition and postprocessing. An important prerequisite is training sonologists to acquire high‐quality volume data sets so that when analyzed, such volumes are informative. This article is part 2 of a series on 4‐dimensional sonography with STIC. Part 1 focused on STIC technology and its features, the importance of operator training/experience and acquisition of high‐quality STIC volumes, factors that affect STIC volume acquisition rates, and general recommendations on performing 4D sonography with STIC. In part 2, we discuss a detailed and practical stepwise approach for STIC volume acquisition, along with methods to determine whether such volumes are appropriate for analysis.
Coseismic slip distribution of the 2015 Mw7.8 Gorkha, Nepal, earthquake from joint inversion of GPS and InSAR data for slip within a 3‐D heterogeneous Domain
Authors: Tung Sui , Masterlark Timothy
Published: April 2016

We derive a coseismic slip model of the 2015 Mw7.8 Gorkha earthquake on the basis of GPS and line‐of‐sight displacements from ALOS‐2 descending interferograms, using Green's functions calculated with a 3‐D finite element model (FEM). The FEM simulates a nonuniform distribution of elastic material properties and a precise geometric configuration of the irregular topographical surface. The rupturing fault is modeled as a low‐angle and north dipping surface within the Main Frontal Thrust along the convergent margin of the Himalayas. The optimal model that inherits heterogeneous material properties provides a significantly better solution than that in a homogenous domain at the 95% confidence interval. The best fit solution for the domain having a nonuniform distribution of material properties reveals a rhombus‐shaped slip zone of three composite asperities. Slip is primarily concentrated at a depth of 15 km with both dip‐slip (maximum 6.54 m) and strike‐slip (maximum 2.0 m) components, giving rise to a geodetic‐based moment of 1.09 × 1021 Nm in general agreement with the seismological estimate. The optimal relative weights among GPS and interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) are deduced from a new method, MC‐HVCE which combines a Monte Carlo search and a Helmert Method of Variance Components Estimation. This method determines the relative weights in a systemic approach which preserves the intrinsic solution smoothness. The joint solution is significantly better than those inverted from each individual data set. This methodology allows us to integrate multiple data sets of geodetic observations with seismic tomography, in an effort to achieve a better understanding of seismic ruptures within crustal heterogeneity.