bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Lumbar Synovial Cysts with Facet Effusion
Authors: Schellinger D. , Fertikh D. , Henderson F. , Lauerman W.C. , Davis B.
Published: April 2015

To show the frequent association of synovial cysts and facet effusion.

MR studies of 26 patients with lumbar synovial cysts were reviewed for sex/age incidence, anatomic location, multiplicity of cysts and associated pathologies. All studies were reviewed for presence of facet effusion.

26 patients had 39 MRI documented synovial (17 females, 9 males). Age distribution: 41 – 79 years. Location of cysts: L4/5 = 29, L3/4 = 6, L5/S1 = 3, L1/2= −;1. 36 synovial cysts showed facet effusion. 19 patients also had facet effusions at adjoining motion segments or at contralateral joints. Synovial cysts were found in anterior (n=20), posterior (n=13), anterior-posterior (n=3) positions. 18 patients had cysts localized to one single facet joint, 8 patients showed synovial cysts at multiple facet joints.

The frequent coexistence of synovial cysts and facet effusion in our material suggests a causal relationship. External herniation of synovium from a fluid expanded joint space appears to be the most plausible pathologic mechanism.
MRI of Dynamic Cord Deformation and CSF Flow: Effects of Tethering and Compression, and Visualization with Vector Fields
Authors: Levy L.M. , Gaither C.C.
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the spatial-temporal characteristics of spinal cord motion and CSF flow in normal subjects and in cases involving cord compression or tethering and cystic diseases using MRI. MR examinations were conducted in healthy subjects as well as in patients with spinal cord compression, spinal stenosis, myelopathy, cord atrophy, syringomyelia and cystic diseases. Gradient and spin echo phase contrast sequences were used to determine pulsatile motion of the CSF and spinal cord. A new method of displaying the spatial distribution of velocities in the spinal cord and CSF as a vector field superimposed over the corresponding anatomical images was implemented to directly visualize the two dimensional spatial-temporal characteristics of cord motion and CSF flow.
A single-center experience in radioembolization as salvage therapy of hepatic metastases of uveal melanoma
Authors: Schelhorn Juliane , Richly Heike , Ruhlmann Marcus , Lauenstein Thomas C , Theysohn Jens M
Published: April 2015

Background

Overall survival (OS) of patients with hepatic metastases of uveal melanoma is strongly linked with hepatic tumor control. Due to the lack of an effective systemic chemotherapy, locoregional therapies like radioembolization should play an increasingly important role.

Purpose

To report complications and response rates of radioembolization as salvage therapy for hepatic uveal melanoma metastases.

Material and Methods

Between October 2006 and January 2014, eight patients (age, 59.1 ± 15.3 years; 5 men) with histologically proven uveal melanoma and hepatic metastases received radioembolization with glass microspheres at a single center. All patients had been heavily pretreated with multiple systemic/locoregional therapies resulting in a long median interval between diagnosis of hepatic metastases and radioembolization (17.1 months; range, 6.4–23.2 months). Follow-up consisted of clinical assessment, laboratory tests and tri-phasic computed tomography (CT) before and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after radioembolization. Response to therapy was evaluated by CT using RECIST version 1.1 and by survival time. Safety (laboratory and clinical toxicity) was rated according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 4.03. Using Kaplan-Meier analysis time to progression of hepatic metastases (hTTP) and OS were calculated.

Results

One month after radioembolization 50% of patients presented with stable and 50% with progressive disease. Median hTTP and OS after radioembolization were 4.3 weeks (range, 3.4–28.6 weeks) and 12.3 weeks (range, 3.7–62.6 weeks), respectively. Median OS after diagnosis of hepatic metastases was 19.9 months (range, 7.3–31.4 months). Radioembolization was tolerated well in all patients without toxicity higher than grade 2.

Conclusion

Radioembolization is a safe salvage therapy even in heavily pretreated hepatic metastases of uveal melanoma.
Indigenous Storytelling and Participatory Action Research
Authors: Caxaj C. Susana
Published: April 2015

Storytelling, in its various forms, has often been described as a practice with great emancipatory potential. In turn, Indigenous knowledge shows great promise in guiding a participatory action research (PAR) methodology. Yet these two approaches are rarely discussed in relation to one another, nor, has much been written in terms of how these two approaches may work synergistically toward a decolonizing research approach. In this article, I report on a community-driven knowledge translation activity, the Peoples’ International Health Tribunal, as an exemplar of how narrative and PAR approaches, guided by local Indigenous knowledge, have great potential to build methodologically and ethically robust research processes. Implications for building globally relevant research alliances and scholarship are further discussed, particularly in relation to working with Indigenous communities.
First Trimester Diagnosis of Omphalocele
Authors: Howell Heather , Fox Traci B.
Published: April 2015

Normal physiologic herniation of the fetal bowel is often seen on first trimester sonogram. An omphalocele is an abdominal wall defect that occurs as a result of herniation into the umbilical cord and is often associated with chromosomal anomalies. This case report presents an omphalocele seen in the first trimester and discusses how to differentiate this finding from normal physiologic bowel herniation.
‘The owner of one of the largest and most valuable private libraries in Scotland’: David Hay Fleming as Book Collector
Authors: Aitchison Briony , Reid Peter H.
Published: April 2015

David Hay Fleming, one in a long line of gentlemen scholars, is remembered as an historian, antiquary, and critic. Yet upon his death in 1931 he left his library of nearly 13,000 volumes (together with his personal papers, letters, and notebooks) to the town of St Andrews, to form the nucleus of a public reference library. This paper seeks to place him firmly in the context of a book collector (and reader) through examining the subjects contained within his library, his motivation for acquiring books, and how his library was used both by himself and by others. Ultimately, new light will be shed upon the book-collecting habits of a middle-class individual, contributing to our understanding of how books were owned, read, and used in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Scotland.
Emerging EPO and EPO receptor regulators and signal transducers
Authors: Kuhrt David , Wojchowski Don M.
Published: April 2015

As essential mediators of red cell production, erythropoietin (EPO) and its cell surface receptor (EPO receptor [EPOR]) have been intensely studied. Early investigations defined basic mechanisms for hypoxia-inducible factor induction of EPO expression, and within erythroid progenitors EPOR engagement of canonical Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (JAK2/STAT5), rat sarcoma/mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (RAS/MEK/ERK), and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways. Contemporary genetic, bioinformatic, and proteomic approaches continue to uncover new clinically relevant modulators of EPO and EPOR expression, and EPO’s biological effects. This Spotlight review highlights such factors and their emerging roles during erythropoiesis and anemia.
A phase 1 study of the bispecific anti-CD30/CD16A antibody construct AFM13 in patients with relapsed or refractory Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Rothe Achim , Sasse Stephanie , Topp Max S. , Eichenauer Dennis A. , Hummel Horst , Reiners Katrin S. , Dietlein Markus , Kuhnert Georg , Kessler Joerg , Buerkle Carolin , Ravic Miroslav , Knackmuss Stefan , Marschner Jens-Peter , Pogge von Strandmann Elke , Borchmann Peter , Engert Andreas
Published: April 2015

Key Points

The bispecific, tetravalent antibody AFM13 represents a new approach engaging natural killer cells via CD16A to fight CD30+ malignancies. AFM13 is well tolerated and active in Hodgkin lymphoma patients who received all standard therapies, including brentuximab vedotin.
Molecular characterization and targeted therapeutic approaches in breast cancer
Authors: Toss Angela , Cristofanilli Massimo
Published: April 2015

Despite the wide improvements in breast cancer (BC) detection and adjuvant treatment, BC is still responsible for approximately 40,000 deaths annually in the United States. Novel biomarkers are fundamental to assist clinicians in BC detection, risk stratification, disease subtyping, prediction of treatment response, and surveillance, allowing a more tailored approach to therapy in both primary and metastatic settings. In primary BC, the development of molecular profiling techniques has added prognostic and predictive information to conventional biomarkers - estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Moreover, the application of next-generation sequencing and reverse-phase protein microarray methods in the metastatic setting holds the promise to further advance toward a personalized management of cancer. The improvement in our understanding on BC biology associated with the study of the genomic aberrations characterizing the most common molecular subtypes allows us to explore new targets for drug development. Finally, the integration of cancer stem cell-targeted therapies and immune therapies in future combination regimens increases our chances to successfully treat a larger proportion of women with more aggressive and resistant metastatic disease. This article reviews the current state of novel biological markers for BC, the evidence to demonstrate their clinical validity and utility, and the implication for therapeutic targeting.
Influence of land use/land cover on the water chemistry of Wular Lake in Kashmir Himalaya (India)
Authors: Hassan Zahoor ul , Shah Javaid Ahmad , Kanth Tasawoor Ahmad , Pandit Ashok Kumar
Published: April 2015

Introduction

The impacts of land use/land cover (LULC) pattern on surface components of water are less well recognized, particularly in the Kashmir Himalaya. The paper highlights the relationship between LULC and water chemistry for Wular Lake in Kashmir Himalaya.

Methods

We used Indian Remote Sensing satellite (IRS) P6 using LISS III sensor with a spatial resolution of 23.5 m for various LULC categories. ERDAS IMAGINE 9.0 and ArcGIS 9.3 were used to generate the LULC map. Water parameters like pH and temperature were measured in the field, while parameters like dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, chloride, alkalinity nitrogen and phosphorus values were determined by APHA (Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater, 1998).

Results

The present study provides us the information about the proportion of different land cover categories and their correlation with some limnological parameters of Wular Lake. Among the various physicochemical parameters, low dissolved oxygen (DO) was observed in the LULC class which has the highest percentage of agricultural land (47.04%; r = 0.688 P < 0.05) followed by horticultural land (19.10%; r = 0.554; P < 0.01) in its catchment. The catchment area with greater percentage of agricultural fields drains maximum fertilizers in the lake, resulting in growth of microorganisms that deplete the dissolved oxygen content in the water body.

Conclusions

Pearson matrix predicts that agricultural land, built up, horticultural land and wasteland seem to be the foremost factors responsible for the deterioration of the water quality of the lake. Careful planning of land use is needed to bring significant reductions in nutrient exports from agriculture through various tributaries, in order to restore and maintain water quality of the lake. If this trend of agriculturization manifestation continues unabated, it will be difficult to restore the lake water quality and to subsequently correct ecological manifestation of eutrophication through which the lake is undergoing at present.
4-chlorophenol removal from water using graphite and graphene oxides as photocatalysts
Authors: Bustos-Ramírez Karina , Barrera-Díaz Carlos Eduardo , De Icaza-Herrera Miguel , Martínez-Hernández Ana Laura , Natividad-Rangel Reyna , Velasco-Santos Carlos
Published: April 2015

Graphite and graphene oxides have been studied amply in the last decade, due to their diverse properties and possible applications. Recently, their functionality as photocatalytic materials in water splitting was reported. Research in these materials is increasing due to their band gap values around 1.8-4 eV, and therefore, these are comparable with other photocatalysts currently used in heterogeneous photocatalytic processes. Thus, this research reports the photocatalytic effectiveness of graphite oxide (GO) and graphene oxide (GEO) in the degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) in water. Under the conditions defined for this research, 92 and 97% of 4-CP were degraded with GO and GEO respectively, also 97% of total organic carbon was removed. In addition, by-products of 4-CP that produce a yellow solution obtained only using photolysis are eliminated by photocatalyst process with GO and GEO. The degradation of 4-CP was monitored by UV-Vis spectroscopy, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). Thus, photocatalytic activity to remove 4-CP from water employing GO and GEO without doping is successfully showed, and therefore, a new gate in research for these materials is opened.
Performance of universal adhesives on bonding to leucite-reinforced ceramic
Authors: Kim Ryan Jin-Young , Woo Jung-Soo , Lee In-Bog , Yi Young-Ah , Hwang Ji-Yun , Seo Deog-Gyu
Published: April 2015

Background

This study aimed to investigate the microshear bond strength of universal bonding adhesives to leucite-reinforced glass-ceramic.

Methods

Leucite-reinforced glass-ceramic blocks were polished and etched with 9.5% hydrofluoric acid for 1 min. The specimens were assigned to one of four groups based on their surface conditioning (n = 16): 1) NC: negative control with no further treatment; 2) SBU: Single Bond Universal (3M ESPE); 3) ABU: ALL-BOND Universal (Bisco); and 4) PC: RelyX Ceramic Primer and Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Adhesive (3M ESPE) as a positive control. RelyX Ultimate resin cement (3M ESPE) was placed on the pretreated ceramic and was light cured. Eight specimens from each group were stored in water for 24 h, and the remaining eight specimens were thermocycled 10,000 times prior to microshear bond strength evaluation. The fractured surfaces were examined by stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Results

After water storage and thermocycling, the microshear bond strength values decreased in the order of PC > SBU and ABU > NC (P < 0.05). Thermocycling significantly reduced the microshear bond strength, regardless of the surface conditioning used (P < 0.05). Cohesive failure in the ceramic and mixed failure in the ceramic and resin cement were observed in the fractured specimens. The percentage of specimens with cohesive failure after 24 h of water storage was: NC (50%), SBU (75%), ABU (75%), and PC (87%). After thermocycling, the percentage of cohesive failure in NC decreased to 25%; however, yet the percentages of the other groups remained the same.

Conclusions

Although the bond strength between resin and hydrofluoric acid-etched glass ceramic was improved when universal adhesives were used, conventional surface conditioning using a separate silane and adhesive is preferable to a simplified procedure that uses only a universal adhesive for cementation of leucite-reinforced glass-ceramic.
Nota. La herencia arquitectónica de La Habana
Authors: Niell Paul
Published: April 2015

De sus plazas históricas, iglesias, fortificaciones y residencias privadas de la época colonial a su esplendor republicano del siglo XX, con sus paseos, palacios, y el edificio del Capitolio Nacional, La Habana es una ciudad extraordinaria. Su arquitectura registra un proceso de cambio sustancial que se inicia desde los tiempos en que el sistema de flotas y galeones de España empezara a convertir la ciudad en uno de los lugares cruciales del imperio. La Habana se enmarcaba dentro del sistema mercantilista y de crecimiento del comercio mundial del Atlántico, el cual establecería nuevas relaciones para la ciudad y el resto del mundo. Para los historiadores, la arquitectura de La Habana registra memorias de las formas pasadas de vida, de la formación y el mantenimiento del poder colonial a través de plazas y nobles palacios, la construcción de la identidad social en las residencias urbanas, la existencia de la esclavitud dentro de los espacios codificados de plazas y mansiones, y los muchos otros edificios dentro de su paisaje urbano.
Entrenamiento cognitivo autoinstruccional para reducir el estilo cognitivo impulsivo en niños con el Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad
Authors: Rivera Flores Gladys Wilma
Published: April 2015

Introducción. Los niños con el trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad (TDAH) presentan un estilo cognitivo impulsivo, rígido y dependiente del campo. En este estudio se examina si el entrenamiento cognitivo autoinstruccional reduce el estilo cognitivo impulsivo de los niños con este trastorno.Método. Los participantes fueron 10 niños de 6 a 8 años de edad diagnosticados con el trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad (TDAH). Se empleó el diseño cuasiexperimental con pretest-posttest. La variable independiente fue el entrenamiento cognitivo autoinstruccional que consistió en 30 sesiones grupales dirigidas a 3 grupos conformados según la edad cronológica de los participantes. La variable dependiente fue el estilo cognitivo impulsivo, el cual fue evaluado antes y después del entrenamiento mediante el Test de Emparejamiento de Figuras Conocidas.Resultados. El análisis pretest-posttest refleja una disminución estadísticamente significativa del percentil de impulsividad y el número de errores y un aumento estadísticamente significativo de la latencia después del entrenamiento.Discusión y Conclusión. Los resultados demuestran la efectividad del entrenamiento cognitivo autoinstruccional para reducir el estilo cognitivo impulsivo del TDAH. A través del entrenamiento autoinstruccional, los niños aprendieron a hablarse a sí mismos una secuencia de pensamientos organizados para resolver tareas cognitivas de forma reflexiva.
Conocimiento didáctico sobre números y operaciones: una comparación internacional
Authors: Gutiérrez-Gutiérrez Araceli , Rico Romero Luis , Gómez Pedro
Published: April 2015

Introducción. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de comparar el conocimiento didáctico sobre números y operaciones manifestado por los profesores de primaria españoles en formación en el estudio TEDS-M (Teacher Education and Development Study in Mathematics) con el conocimiento manifestado, tanto por los futuros profesores de los países de la OCDE que participaron en el estudio —Noruega, Alemania, Chile, España y Polonia—, como por los futuros profesores de los países participantes receptores de un programa de formación inicial similar al de España —China-Taipéi, Singapur, Estados Unidos, Filipinas y Suiza—.Método. Para lograr el objetivo propuesto se analizaron los datos y calcularon los parámetros, con base en categorías, que caracterizan el conocimiento didáctico requerido para responder correctamente las preguntas de este dominio conceptual y a partir de criterios de valoración de las respuestas de los futuros profesores.Resultados. Los futuros maestros presentan, en general, resultados inferiores al del resto de países de la OCDE y al de los países de su grupo de programa de formación. Los resultados españoles son inferiores en todos los aspectos considerados a los resultados de Noruega, Suiza y Singapur. Para la mayoría de las categorías, los resultados españoles son superiores a Filipinas y Chile y próximos a los de EE.UU.Discusión. Si comparamos los resultados de los países de la OCDE que han participado en los dos estudios internacionales, TEDS-M y TIMSS 2011, —España, Polonia, Estados Unidos, Noruega, Alemania y Chile— podemos comprobar que se conserva la posición relativa de los países en el ranking de rendimientos tanto de profesores en formación como de alumnos de primaria cuando se evalúa su conocimiento matemático sobre números y operaciones. Los resultados españoles en TIMSS son solo superiores a Polonia y Chile e inferiores al resto. Los resultados obtenidos en este trabajo pueden ser de utilidad en el proceso actual de diseño de las asignaturas de Grado de Maestro de Primaria.
Efectos del programa de prevención Saluda: una revisión de estudios controlados de evaluación
Authors: Espada Sánchez José P. , Hernández Serrano Olga
Published: April 2015

El objetivo del presente estudio es revisar las evidencias sobre la eficacia del programa Saluda, un protocolo de prevención escolar del consumo de drogas dirigido a adolescentes. Se describen los contenidos del programa y se revisan los resultados de nueve ensayos controlados que evaluaron los efectos del programa. Los participantes fueron estudiantes españoles con edades de 12 a 16 años. El programa fue elaborado a partir de los resultados de una revisión cuantitativa de programas españoles, donde se identificaron los componentes más eficaces. Los primeros ensayos compararon sus resultados respecto a un programa de eficacia probada y una intervención inespecífica de promoción de la salud, mostrando efectos positivos. Estudios posteriores evaluaron los efectos del programa según el tipo de aplicador, la edad de los participantes, y los efectos sobre aspectos actitudinales y cognitivos. Los estudios más recientes se han centrado en analizar la eficacia de los componentes del programa y la contribución de las tareas asignadas. En este estudio se sintetizan las evidencias empíricas sobre los efectos del programa para modificar variables de riesgo y protección y se plantean líneas de futuro para mejorar la eficacia y eficiencia del programa.
Sumario Bilingüe
Authors: Table of Contents Bilingual
Published: April 2015

.
Therapeutic efficacy of ivermectin, fenbendazole and albendazole against naturally occuring gastrointestinal nematodiasis infection in Black Bengal Goat of Bangladesh
Authors: Aktaruzzaman Md. , Mirazul Islam Md. , Mohamed Zahurin , Siddiqul Islam Md. , Matiar Rahman Howlader Md.
Published: April 2015

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin, fenbendazole and albendazole against gastrointestinal nematodes in naturally infected goats of government goat development farm, Sylhet, Bangladesh. The study included 50 black Bengal breed of which 30 were naturally infected and randomly selected 20 on the basis of their weight and egg count. Twenty black Bengal goats of 13-15 month old irrespective of sex infested with gastrointestinal nematodes were selected for this experiment and randomly divided into four equal groups (group A, B, C and D) where each group consisted of 5 goats and goats of group D were kept as control group. One injectable ivermectin (200 Âµgkg-1 body weight, S/C) preparations (Techno Drugs, Limited, Bangladesh) and two solid fenbendazole, albendazole (7.5 mgkg-1 body weight, orally) preparations (Techno Drugs, Limited and Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Bangladesh) were used for positive control of gastrointestinal nematodes as group A, B and C. Goats of group D was kept as control without giving any treatment. Before trials (day 0), total egg count, blood samples and initial body weight were recorded. During the study period the fecal and blood samples were collected directly from rectum and examined on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day using McMaster fecal egg counting method. Body weight was recorded on day 28 following the treatments. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated through determination of parasitic prevalence, body weight gain/loss and hematological findings. Pre and post-treatment EPG (eggs per gram) values were recorded, and efficacies compared. The results showed that the efficacy of ivermectin was 100%, followed by fenbendazole 95.33% and albendazole 90.11%. The observed differences in efficacy between these three brands of anthelmintics were most likely due to variations either in quality or the administered doses. The body weight of the treated animals was slightly increased, which were significant (p<0.05). After treatment with ivermectin, fenbendazole and albendazole, Total Erythrocyte Count (TEC), Hemoglobin (Hb) content and Packed Cell Volume (PCV) were increased significantly (p<0.01 and p>0.05) in goats but Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and Total Leukocyte Count (TLC) were decreased significantly (p<0.05 and p>0.01) in all treated goat and body weight was increased significantly (p<0.01) on day 28. The farm management practices along with results of the present study revealed the efficacy of multiple anthelmintics against gastrointestinal nematodiasis in goat. Additional detailed studies are required to clarify the current status of the efficacy of the anthelmintics widely used in different agro ecologies, animal species and livestock management systems in Bangladesh.
The Effect of Fitness Branding on Restrained Eaters’ Food Consumption and Postconsumption Physical Activity
Authors: Koenigstorfer Joerg , Baumgartner Hans
Published: April 2015

People who want to control their body weight often aim to regulate both energy intake (by reducing food consumption) and energy expenditure (by increasing physical activity), thus addressing both sides of the energy balance equation. Marketers have developed fitness-branded food that may lead restrained eaters (i.e., consumers who are chronically concerned about their body weight) to believe that they can achieve these two goals at the same time by consuming the food. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effects of fitness branding in food marketing (i.e., the integration of fitness into the branding of food) on consumption and physical activity in restrained (vs. unrestrained) eaters. The authors show that fitness branding increases consumption volumes for restrained eaters unless consumers view the food as dietary forbidden. Restrained eaters are also less physically active after consuming fitness-branded food, and food consumption volumes mediate this effect in restrained eaters. Fitness branding may therefore have undesirable effects on the weight-control behaviors of restrained eaters because it discourages physical activity despite an increase in consumption, which is contrary to the principle of energy balance.
Transaction Attributes and Customer Valuation
Authors: Braun Michael , Schweidel David A. , Stein Eli
Published: April 2015

Dynamic customer targeting is a common task for marketers actively managing customer relationships. Such efforts can be guided by insight into the return on investment from marketing interventions, which can be derived as the increase in the present value of a customer's expected future transactions. Using the popular latent attrition framework, one could estimate this value by manipulating the levels of a set of nonstationary covariates. The authors propose such a model that incorporates transaction-specific attributes and maintains standard assumptions of unobserved heterogeneity. They demonstrate how firms can approximate an upper bound on the appropriate amount to invest in retaining a customer and demonstrate that this amount depends on customers’ past purchase activity—namely, the recency and frequency of past customer purchases. Using data from a business-to-business service provider as their empirical application, the authors apply the model to estimate the revenue the service provider loses when it fails to deliver a customer's requested level of service. They also show that the lost revenue is larger than the corresponding expected gain that would result from exceeding a customer's requested level of service. The authors discuss the implications of their findings for marketers in terms of managing customer relationships.
Tweens feel the burn: “salt and ice challenge” burns
Authors: Roussel Lauren O. , Bell Derek E.
Published: April 2015

Purpose: To review our institution’s experience with frostbite injury secondary to “salt and ice challenge” (SIC) participation.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of intentional freezing burns from 2012 to 2014. Demographics, depth and location of burn, total body surface area of burn, treatment, time to wound healing, length of stay, complications, and motives behind participation were analyzed.

Results: Five patients were seen in the emergency department for intentional freezing burns that resulted from SIC (all females; mean age: 12.3 years; range age: 10.0–13.2 years). Mean total body surface area was 0.408%. Salt and ice was in contact with skin for >10 min for two patients, >20 min for two patients, and an unknown duration for one patient. Complications included pain and burn scar dyschromia. Four patients cited peer pressure and desire to replicate SIC as seen on the Internet as their motivation in attempting the challenge.

Conclusion: SIC has become a popular, self-harming behavior among youths. Increased public education, and provider and parent awareness of SIC are essential to address this public health concern.
Prevalence of victimization, and associated risk factors, impacting youth with disabilities in Vietnam: a population-based study
Authors: Berg Kristin L. , Shiu Cheng-Shi , Nguyen Huong
Published: April 2015

Little research exists on the victimization of youth with disabilities in Asian countries. Yet, developing Asian countries, such as Vietnam, harbor a significant number of youth with disabilities, while services to address their needs often lag behind. The objectives of this study were to: 1) identify the prevalence of reported injuries due to family violence among youth with disabilities in a nationally representative sample of Vietnamese youth, and 2) analyze the relative contribution of disability status and other factors influencing variations in the prevalence of reported injuries. This study employed the 2003 Vietnam Survey Assessment of Vietnamese Youth (VNSAVY), the first nationally representative, population-based survey of 7584 adolescents and young adults in Vietnam. Data collection included face-to-face interviews and self-administered surveys. Weighted bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were used to investigate the relationship among disability, violence, and selected covariates. Results indicated that approximately 14% of Vietnamese youth reported having a disability. Among these youth, approximately 3% reported victimization, in comparison to 2% of able-bodied youth. The odds of youth with disabilities reporting injuries due to family violence remained 50% higher than those without disabilities, controlling for all other variables. Gender and alcohol abuse among family members were also significant risk factors in family violence. Youth with disabilities in developing Asian countries, such as Vietnam, may be vulnerable to physical violence. Preventative programs and services are thus needed to address the unique vulnerabilities of youth with disabilities in developing contexts by screening for victimization experiences and adapting trauma-informed behavioral health services and supports.
Improved diagnosis of mesothelioma by a combination of soluble mesothelin-related peptide and CYFRA 21-1
Authors: Holdenrieder Stefan , Hatz Rudolf , Reinmiedl Judith , Hofmann Karin , Schalhorn Andreas , Stieber Petra
Published: April 2015

Background: Soluble mesothelin-related peptide (sMRP) has shown great potential for malignant mesothelioma detection. However, data on comparison with other cancer and benign diseases as well as with other established lung cancer biomarkers are rare.

Methods: In this study, SMRP was investigated in sera from 1506 individuals including 147 healthy donors, 285 patients with diverse benign diseases and 1074 patients with mesothelioma (n=39) and various malignant tumors (lung, gastrointestinal, gynecological, urological). For differential diagnosis of lung diseases, carcinoembryonic antigen, cytokeratin 19-fragments (CYFRA 21-1), neuron-specific enolase and squamous cell cancer antigen were determined additionally.

Results: Ninety-fifth percentiles of sMRP serum levels in healthy persons were 1.2 nM, in patients with benign diseases between 2.0 and 3.8 nM and in cancer patients between 1.5 and 44.3 nM. Highest values were observed in mesothelioma (median 2.3 nM; 95th percentile 44.3 nM). When differential diagnostic capacity of cancer detection vs. the relevant benign control group was tested, sMRP showed best results for mesothelioma and ovarian cancer with a sensitivity of 45% and 37%, respectively, at 95% specificity. At 100% specificity vs. normal controls, sensitivity for mesothelioma detection was found to be 59% for sMRP, 73% for CYFRA 21-1 and 88% for the combination of both. At 95% specificity vs. all other lung diseases, sensitivity for mesothelioma was 48% for sMRP, 15% for CYFRA 21-1 and 46% for the combination of both.

Conclusions: In summary, SMRP is a valuable serum biomarker that is specific at high concentrations for the detection of malignant mesothelioma. For screening purposes, the combination with CYFRA 21-1 improves the sensitivity at high specificity.
Modelling Plates and Shells by Means of the Rigid Finite Element Method
Authors: Adamiec-Wójcik Iwona , Nowak Andrzej , Wojciech Stanisław
Published: April 2015

The rigid finite element method (RFEM) has been used mainly for modelling systems with beam-like links. This paper deals with modelling of a single set of electrodes consisting of an upper beam with electrodes, which are shells with complicated shapes, and an anvil beam. Discretisation of the whole system, both the beams and the electrodes, is carried out by means of the rigid finite element method. The results of calculations concerned with free vibrations of the plates are compared with those obtained from a commercial package of the finite element method (FEM), while forced vibrations of the set of electrodes are compared with those obtained by means of the hybrid finite element method (HFEM) and experimental measurements obtained on a special test stand.
Crystal structure of 2-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-3-benzoylcyclopropane- 1,1-dicarbonitrile, C19H12N2O3
Authors: Yanping Yi
Published: April 2015

C19H12N2O3, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 19.7091(7) Å, b = 12.0956(7) Å, c = 15.9463(8) Å, β = 123.038(2)°, V = 3186.9 Å3, Z = 8, Rgt(F) = 0.0483, wRref(F2) = 0.1428, T = 296 K.
Half a century of research on diatoms in athalassic habitats in central Poland
Authors: Żelazna-Wieczorek Joanna , Olszyński Rafał M. , Nowicka-Krawczyk Paulina
Published: April 2015

Part of the geology in the Łódź province was formed during the Upper Permian period when rich Zechstein salt was deposited. Groundwater drains the deposits and flows out in the village of Pełczyska, creating a unique hydrogeological site in Central Poland. An inland, athalassic ecosystem can be a reference site for halophile microflora. The outflow with surrounding marshes has been an algological research site since 1964.

The research reveals changes recorded in diatom assemblages from athalassic habitats, characterized by a wide range of salinity levels, and verifies the tolerance of taxa to salinity. The comparative analysis was based on the diatom material sampled in 1964-1965, 1992-1994 and on recently collected samples.

The analysis revealed the temporal change in assemblages caused by a change in the chloride concentration, and the spatial change from one to another habitat type, characterized by varying salinity levels. The halophilic species in the studied habitats included e.g. Halamphora dominici, H. tenerrima, Navicula digitoconvergens, N. meulemansii, Staurophora salina. The analysis of changes allowed the verification of the species’ requirements and tolerance range to the salinity factor. Therefore, in the case of Fragilaria famelica and Halamphora sydowii, we propose a change in the halobion system classification.
Anthropogenic impact on river basins: temporal evolution of sediment classes and accumulation rates in the northern Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy
Authors: Scanu Sergio , Paladini de Mendoza Francesco , Piazzolla Daniele , Marcelli Marco
Published: April 2015

In this study, sedimentological and geochronological data from sections of a core (GRT50) collected in the Northern Latium coastal area were compared to data on pluviometric (rainfall) trends, river flows and the temporal evolution of human interventions in the three most important hydrographic basins (Mignone, Marta and Fiora) of this coastal area. The statistical analysis of pluviometric trends identified variations due to a decreasing trend in the Fiora river basin, whereas in the two other locations the decrease was not so significant. Data from the sedimentological analysis of the core confirmed a progressive decrease in the sandy component, which declined from about 30% to the current level of 7% over the last 36 years. There was no significant variation in the sediment mass accumulation rates (MAR), which were characterized by an almost cyclic trend that was probably determined by the most intense floods in the study area. The results revealed that the variations caused by the fluvial processes have affected the water runoff of the Fiora River, and that the consequent decrease in the sand production has been responsible for the recession of beaches in the coastal area between Tarquinia and Montalto di Castro.
Long-term changes in the dynamics and structure of cyanobacteria in Koronowo Reservoir
Authors: Wiśniewska Marzenna , Paczuska Bogna
Published: April 2015

The Koronowo Reservoir (16.6 km2) is located in the lower reaches of the Brda River, in the Kujawy-Pomerania Province, 20 km from Bydgoszcz near the town of Koronowo, hence the name of the reservoir. The reservoir was built in the 1960s and started from damming the waters of the Brda River by a ca. 20 m high earth dam in the village of Pieczyska. This reservoir is used mainly for water retention and production of electric energy in the hydroelectric power station; in addition, it plays a significant recreational function. In terms of the latter function, the spread of cyanobacteria is a serious problem. The aim of the study was to assess longterm changes in the structure of cyanobacteria in waters of the Koronowo Reservoir. The results from 1996, 2008, 2011 and 2013 were compared. As evidenced by the analysis of the phytoplankton composition in the Koronowo Reservoir in terms of functional groups, especially the occurrence of dominant and subdominant species from the groups P, H1, S1, LM, J, G and W2, the waters of the reservoir can be classified as eutrophic, potentially evolving towards the hypertrophic conditions. The HPLC analysis of cyanobacterial toxins revealed the presence of microcystins at two sites of the water body. The species structure, the distribution and the dominance of specific species of cyanobacteria is recurrent over the 17 years; the following species form algal blooms: Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (L.) Ralfs et Bornet et Flahault and Microcystis aeruginosa (Kütz.) Kützing.
Spectrum and Green’s Function of a Many-Interval Sturm–Liouville Problem
Authors: Aydemir Kadriye , Mukhtarov Oktay Sh.
Published: April 2015

This article considers a Sturm–Liouville-type problem on a finite number disjoint intervals together with transmission conditions at the points of interaction. We introduce a new operator-theoretic formulation in such a way that the problem under consideration can be interpreted as a spectral problem for a suitable self-adjoint operator. We investigate some principal properties of eigenvalues, eigenfunctions, and resolvent operator. Particularly, by applying Green’s function method, it is shown that the problem has only point spectrum, and the set of eigenfunctions form a basis of the adequate Hilbert space.
Projection-Specific Characteristics of Retinal Input to the Brain
Authors: Gauvain Gregory , Murphy Gabe J.
Published: April 2015

The brain receives information about the direction of object motion from several types of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). On-Off direction-selective (DS) RGCs respond preferentially to stimuli moving quickly in one of four directions and provide a significant (but difficult to quantify) fraction of RGC input to the SC. On DS RGCs, in comparison, respond preferentially to stimuli moving slowly in one of three directions and are thought to only target retinorecipient nuclei comprising the accessory optic system, e.g., the medial terminal nucleus (MTN).

To determine the fraction of SC-projecting RGCs that exhibit direction selectivity, and the specificity with which On-Off and On DS RGCs target retinorecipient areas, we performed optical and electrophysiological recordings from RGCs retrogradely labeled from the mouse SC and MTN. We found, surprisingly, that both On-Off and On DS RGCs innervate the SC; collectively they constitute nearly 40% of SC-projecting RGCs. In comparison, only On DS RGCs project to the MTN. Subsequent experiments revealed that individual On DS RGCs innervate either the SC or MTN and exhibit robust projection-specific differences in somatodendritic morphology, cellular excitability, and light-evoked activity; several projection-specific differences in the output of On DS RGCs correspond closely to differences in excitatory synaptic input the cells receive. Our results reveal a robust projection of On DS RGCs to the SC, projection-specific differences in the response properties of On DS RGCs, and biophysical and synaptic mechanisms that underlie these functional differences.
Comparative Effectiveness of Mitoxantrone Plus Prednisone Versus Prednisone Alone in Metastatic Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer After Docetaxel Failure
Authors: Green Angela K. , Corty Robert W. , Wood William A. , Meeneghan Mathew , Reeder-Hayes Katherine E. , Basch Ethan , Milowsky Matthew I. , Dusetzina Stacie B.
Published: April 2015

Background.

Mitoxantrone was approved for use in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) based on pain palliation without observed survival benefit in a small phase III trial in 1996. To re-evaluate for possible survival benefits in a larger contemporary sample and to demonstrate analytic uses of the newly available Project Data Sphere online resource, we used data from control arms of completed clinical trials to compare survival and toxicity among patients with postdocetaxel mCRPC treated with mitoxantrone and prednisone.

Patients and Methods.

Control arm data from two phase III randomized control trials, SUN 1120 and TROPIC, were used to examine the efficacy of mitoxantrone plus prednisone (n = 305) versus prednisone alone (n = 257) among patients with postdocetaxel mCRPC. Propensity score matching was used to balance patient characteristics between the separate trials, conditioned on age and key prognostic variables of survival. The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary endpoints evaluated safety.

Results.

Median survival was similar among patients receiving mitoxantrone plus prednisone versus prednisone alone (385 days vs. 336 days; deceleration factor = 0.04; 95% confidence interval: −0.12 to 0.22). Prevalence of several any-grade toxicity, including fatigue, back pain, and peripheral neuropathy, was increased among patients who received mitoxantrone.

Conclusion.

There was no significant survival benefit for mitoxantrone plus prednisone over prednisone alone among men with mCRPC after docetaxel therapy. This finding is consistent with prior studies showing no survival advantage with mitoxantrone in the predocetaxel setting. Furthermore, our data suggest that mitoxantrone may be associated with increased toxicity compared with prednisone alone.
Semi-rigid composite connection with a partial depth end-plate
Authors: Hejazi Mehrdad , Azadbakht Javad
Published: April 2015

The structural behaviour of semi-rigid composite connections with a partial depth end-plate and precast hollowcore slab was investigated by studying moment–rotation diagrams, rotation and bending moment capacities, and induced stresses. The variables considered were the size of the steel beam, the thickness of the lower flange of the beam, the size of column, the number of longitudinal rebars of the concrete slab, and the thickness of the partial depth end-plate. A parametric study was undertaken using the non-linear, three-dimensional, finite-element method, with monotonic loading applied to connections. The results obtained indicate that the thickness of the partial depth end-plate has a great effect on the bending moment capacity of the connection. When the beam size was varied, three failure modes were observed. The variation of beam depth had the greatest effect on the bending moment and rotation capacities. Reduction of the beam lower flange thickness considerably affected the rotation capacity and changed the failure mode in the connection. When the number of longitudinal rebars was increased, the bending moment capacity increased but the rotation capacity showed a slight decrease. For the column, the variation in web thickness had the largest effect. It was shown that it is possible to use a simplified method to predict the bending moment capacity of a semi-rigid composite connection.
Analysis of the Ecological Sensitivity of Pengyang County Based on Key Factors
Authors: Yun Shi , Sha1 Geng , Wenbao Mi , Wei Su
Published: April 2015

Through selecting key factors such as gradient, exposure, erosive channel, soil erosion and vegetation coverage, the paper establishes the factor index system for the evaluation of the ecological system of Pengyang County, determines the weight of evaluation factors, makes analysis on key ecological factors, sets up the comprehensive sensitivity evaluation model of the ecological system, and obtains the ecological sensitivity grade, area, and spatial distribution of the study area through GIS spatial analysis function, factor superposition method, and analytic hierarchy process. The findings are as follows: the zone extremely sensitive to the ecology covers 82956.47 hm, accounting for 32.98%. Landforms in the area usually include steep slopes with rich vegetation, and high ecological value, erosive channels, and zones affected by erosive channels, all of which are under the key protection; the zone moderately sensitive to the ecology cover 104613.69 hm, accounting for 41.59%. Landforms in the area usually include forestlands of gentle relief and diversified plants. A good many factors should be taken into consideration in the development of the areas; the zone slightly sensitive to the ecology covers 63965.53 hm, accounting for 25.43%. Landforms in the area are usually of low elevation and flat, mainly ordinary greenbelt with singular vegetation, sections with poor vegetation, and farmlands. The area is resistant to human disturbance and able to go through development and construction of the specific intensity. The lands can be developed for a variety of purposes, but attention should be paid to the development intensity.