bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strategies for Assignment of HIV-HCV Genotype-1-Coinfected Patients to Either Dual-Therapy or Direct-Acting Antiviral Agent-Based Triple-Therapy
Authors: Mandorfer Mattias , Neukam Karin , Rivero Antonio , Puoti Massimo , Boesecke Christoph , Baumgarten Axel , Grzeszczuk Anna , Zangerle Robert , Ernst Diana , Rockstroh Jürgen Kurt , Trauner Michael , Pineda Juan Antonio , Peck-Radosavljevic Markus , Reiberger Thomas
Published: December 2013

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate strategies for assignment of HIV–HCV genotype-1-coinfected patients (HIV–HCV-GT1) to either dual-therapy or direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA)-based triple-therapy.

Methods

A total of 148 treatment-naive HIV–HCV-GT1 who received antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon/ ribavirin were included in this multinational, retrospective analysis. Patients with rapid virological response (RVR) were treated for 48 weeks, while patients without RVR received either 48 or 72 weeks of treatment. IL28B rs12979860 (IL28B) non-C/C, advanced liver fibrosis and high HCV RNA were considered as established risk factors for treatment failure.

Results

A trend toward higher sustained virological response (SVR) rates in patients with IL28B C/C (65% [37/57] versus 51% [40/79]; P=0.097) was observed. Higher SVR rates were observed in patients without advanced liver fibrosis (61% [47/77] versus 42% [22/52]); P=0.036) and without high HCV RNA (73% [35/48] versus 49% [49/100]; P=0.006), as well as in patients with RVR (90% [35/39] versus 45% [49/109]; P<0.001). SVR rates varied statistically significantly between the risk factors for treatment failure subgroups (86% [6/7] versus 69% [34/49] versus 48% [21/44] versus 20% [4/20] for zero, one, two and three risk factors, respectively; P<0.001). In patients without RVR, higher rates of SVR were observed in those treated for 72 weeks (62% [23/37]), when compared to patients treated for 48 weeks (36% [26/72]; P=0.01).

Conclusions

RVR had an excellent positive predictive value for the response to dual-therapy in HIV–HCV-GT1, emphasizing the utility of a lead-in phase for assigning these patients to dual-therapy or DAA-based triple-therapy. The use of an IL28B-guided approach was suboptimal, while a combination of established baseline predictors may provide guidance for individual treatment decisions prior to the initiation of antiviral therapy. However, the extension of treatment duration to 72 weeks in HIV–HCV-GT1 without RVR should be strongly considered if triple-therapy is not available.
Chronic Hepatitis B Monitoring and Treatment Patterns in Five European Countries with Different Access and Reimbursement Policies
Authors: Arama Victoria , Leblebicioglu Hakan , Simon Krzysztof , Zarski Jean Pierre , Niederau Claus , Habersetzer François , Vermehren Johannes , Bludzin Wieslawa , Jinga Mariana , Ulusoy Sercan , Klauck Isabelle , Morais Edith , Bjork Stefan , Lescrauwaet Benedicte , Kamar Driss , Zeuzem Stefan ,   the AI463-121 European Longitudinal Chronic Hepatitis B Study Group, Marcellin Patrick , Botta-Fridlund Danielle , Pol Stanislas , Maynard Marianne , Habersetzer François , Causse Xavier , Alric Laurent , Simo Noumbissie Pauline , Mauss Stefan , Gerken Guido , Goeser Tobias , Wiese Manfred , Busch Heiner , Schneider Lothar , Schubert Jens , Brenner Meike , Scheffrahn Inka , Dziambor Andrzej , Goryszewski Dariusz , Postawa-Klosinska Barbara , Sieklucki Jerzy , Pleśniak Robert , Acalovschi Monica , Tanasescu Coman , Raducan Lucian , Sporea Ioan , Voiculescu Mihai , Chira Olimpia , Stefan Arama Sorin , Andreea Radulescu Mihaela , Nicolau Adriana , Nitescu Doina , Munteanu Daniela Ioana , Nanu Andrei , Dan Isabel , Nicolita Diana , Ionescu Camelia , Ecobici Monica , Micu Gina , Irinel Parepa Raluca , Suceveanu Andra , Usluer Gaye , Baskol Mevlut , Ozaras Resat , Esen Saban , Kartal Elif Doyuk , Yamazhan Tansu
Published: December 2013

Background

In Europe, health-care policies are determined at a national level and differ between countries. This analysis from a prospective, longitudinal, non-interventional study aimed to describe patterns in the clinical monitoring and treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in five European countries.

Methods

Country-specific cohorts of adult patients with compensated CHB managed in clinics in Germany, France, Poland, Romania and Turkey were followed for up to 2 years between March 2008 and December 2010.

Results

A total of 1,267 patients were included. Baseline age and gender distribution were similar across countries for patients who were treated ( n=567) and untreated ( n=700) at baseline. Most treated patients were receiving monotherapy at baseline, most frequently with entecavir or tenofovir in Germany, France and Turkey, and with lamivudine in Poland and Romania. Use of pegylated interferon was more frequent in Poland and Romania than in other countries. In Romania monotherapy with entecavir increased after it became reimbursed in 2008. Hospitalizations during follow-up were more frequent in Romania (1.45 hospital days/patient-year) and Poland (1.81 days/patient-year) than in Turkey, France and Germany (0.00, 0.05 and 0.10 days/patient-year, respectively); clinic visits were more frequent in Poland (3.20 versus 0.30–1.78 visits/patient-year across other countries).

Conclusions

These results illustrate country-specific patterns in the management of CHB patients across Europe. Observed monitoring patterns, hospitalization rates and other health-care utilization may be related to cost and reimbursement issues; however, further study in individual countries would be required to con-firm these (post hoc) observations.
Globale, connectée ou transnationale : les échelles de l'histoire
Authors: Minard Philippe
Published: December 2013

Le décentrement de l’histoire a permis de s’éloigner du « grand récit » de la domination occidentale du monde et de prendre en compte des sujets dépassant les frontières nationales. Mais l’histoire globale tend parfois à réintroduire un biais téléologique, présentant la mondialisation comme un phénomène inévitable.
Cologne. 1973. « Terreur turque » ou grève d'usine ?
Authors: Corteel Delphine
Published: December 2013

En 1973, en Allemagne, une vague de grèves déclenchée dans les usines métallurgiques s’affranchit du cadre légal allemand qui fait de l’usine un lieu dé-conflictualisé. Ces grèves introduisent une rupture dans le schéma des relations industrielles allemandes. Celle menée dans l’usine Ford de Cologne a ceci de particulier que la critique de la mobilisation prit la forme d’attaques racistes.
Une dette écologique ?
Authors: Azam Geneviève
Published: December 2013

Parler de dette écologique pourrait sembler aller de soi. C’est pourtant un chemin parsemé d’embûches. Dans le monde libéral, la dette écologique est en effet conçue sous la forme d’une dette monétaire, contractuelle, venant compenser les dégradations écologiques et, en quelque sorte, rembourser cash les emprunts aux écosystèmes. Nous la considérons au contraire comme le symbole d’une forme de solidarité et de réciprocité entre les humains d’une part, entre les humains et la Terre d’autre part, qui ne peut ni s’éteindre ni être compensée. En ce sens, elle contient des questions d’ordre éthique et politique qu’il s’agit de lui restituer. À la manière de Marcel Mauss, qui considérait la dette comme le roc des sociétés, la dette écologique pourrait être le point d’appui pour des sociétés durables et vivables. Ainsi épurée de ses connotations techno-économistes, elle rend compte d’une habitation raisonnable et sensible du monde.
Don et nature à travers l'exemple de deux modèles de jardin
Authors: Fixot Anne-Marie
Published: December 2013

Les rapports d’appropriation des sociétés à leur territoire les conduisent à projeter dans les formes spatiales qu’elles construisent, aménagent et mettent en œuvre, leurs systèmes de valeurs, de croyances et de sens, sans établir pour autant des espaces qui seraient conçus comme stricts reflets de leurs idéologies. Il existe toujours du jeu dans la dimension symbolique des relations tissées entre les formes, les fonctions et les significations. Ainsi, les modes d’organisation des espaces peuvent être considérés comme des textes et des iconographies que les groupes humains se donnent à lire et à voir par eux-mêmes ou par d’autres. C’est dans cette perpective qu’il est possible d’analyser des jardins et leurs architectures pour comprendre les divers éléments matériels et idéels, visibles et invisibles qui ont participé à leurs raisons d’être, et notamment dans cet article, aux rapports de don entre les hommes et la nature. Cet article offre deux exemples de promenades jardinatoires, dans le jardin des lettrés chinois et dans le jardin à la française, susceptibles d’éclairer ces relations de don susceptibles d’être établies entre l’homme et la nature.
La trahison d'Edward O. Wilson
Authors: Servigne Pablo
Published: December 2013

Le père fondateur de la sociobiologie, Edward O. Wilson, vient de « retourner » la théorie en inversant l’hypothèse de base. L’origine de la socialité ne serait plus génétique mais écologique ! Le choc est rude : plusieurs générations de sociobiologistes sont furieux et ne peuvent rien contre la puissance médiatique et scientifique d’E. O. Wilson. Voici l’histoire d’un paradoxe, d’une trahison et d’un changement de paradigme.
Le cyborg : vers une mutation anthropologique ?
Authors: Borel Simon
Published: December 2013

Cet article interroge la montée en puissance des utopies posthumanistes et des technologies cyborgs. Leurs projets de performation illimitée des possibilités individuelles posent la question du dépassement de l’humanité. Faut-il l’interpréter comme la victoire positive de la culture sur la nature ou comme la réification totale de l’homme et de la nature devenant les objets de la technique ? En tout cas, l’utopie (concrète) cyborg est synonyme d’une véritable mutation anthropologique. Moins qu’à une impossible maîtrise absolue de l’homme sur la/sa nature, elle pourrait conduire l’humanité à un processus inédit de dépossession et d’aliénation.
L'homme fait-il partie de la nature ?
Authors: Flahault François
Published: December 2013

Nous reconnaissons tous qu’en tant qu’organismes vivants nous faisons partie de la nature. Et pourtant, dans la mesure où nous nous percevons comme sujets connaissants et pensants, la nature nous paraît être objet de connaissance et d’action, donc à l’extérieur de nous-mêmes. Cet article nous invite à questionner cette conception spontanée en remontant au dualisme platonicien, à sa vision de l’origine céleste de l’âme et à ses avatars plus ou moins sécularisés. Il suggère que les sciences biologiques, bien qu’ayant remplacé l’âme par le cerveau, ont encore du chemin à faire pour se dégager de l’emprise de notre tradition philosophique.
Les données sur la nature entre rationalisation et passion
Authors: Alphandéry Pierre , Fortier Agnès
Published: December 2013

La nature est aujourd’hui inséparable d’équipements qui l’auscultent, la découpent en composantes, la quantifient, la qualifient, la mettent en réseau. Au nom de la défense du vivant, se déploient des instruments et des dispositifs utilisant une grande masse d’informations issues de la multiplication des banques de données portant sur la nature. Cette dynamique marque profondément le fonctionnement des associations naturalistes, principales structures productrices des données en France. Mais quels que soient les efforts de rationalisation entrepris depuis plusieurs décennies, la production des données reste fortement marquée par les valeurs et le rapport à la nature de ceux qui en assurent la collecte. Nous montrons que cette production de données relève de deux registres de rapports à la nature : le premier se présente de manière objectiviste, privilégiant les considérations scientifiques et gestionnaires, et le second, plus subjectiviste, est fondé sur la proximité, la familiarité, les savoirs non scientifiques, etc. Ceci fait des données naturalistes un objet complexe en tension.
De la nature des « paiements pour services environnementaux »
Authors: Karsenty Alain
Published: December 2013

Les paiements pour services environnementaux (PSE) sont des instruments fondés sur l’incitation monétaire pour des objectifs de conservation de la nature. Si les services écosystémiques sont définis comme les bienfaits que la nature prodigue aux hommes, les services environnementaux – au cœur des PSE – doivent être compris comme des services que les gens se rendent entre eux à propos de la nature. Si certains veulent voir dans les PSE des « instruments de marchandisation de la nature », en pratique les PSE consistent généralement à payer des usagers pour qu’ils suspendent certains de leurs droits d’usage, légalement reconnus ou non, sans transfert de ces droits et sans recours au marché. D’autres PSE rémunèrent les propriétaires pour qu’ils améliorent la qualité environnementale de leurs terres. Le principal problème potentiel, avec les PSE, est qu’ils peuvent inciter les usagers à se comporter en créanciers menaçants et ruiner tout espoir de conservation désintéressée de la nature.
Ressource naturelle ou service écologique gratuit ? Ce que l'eau nous donne
Authors: Pierron Jean-Philippe
Published: December 2013

Qu’est-ce que l’eau ? n’est pas une question qui porte sur sa composition et demanderait : De quoi est-elle faite ? Ce n’est pas non plus une question portant sur ses seuls usages : De l’eau, que pouvons-nous faire ? Elle interroge notre disposition, à nous, qui nous étonnons d’être vivants sur la Terre, à envisager le sens d’une appartenance, et à nous demander : Qu’est-ce qu’elle nous donne ? Il ne s’agit pas de se demander si l’eau nous appartient, mais en quel sens nous nourrissons avec elle des appartenances.
Interprétation théorique de l'exhibitionnisme sur Facebook : Lipovetsky, Goffman, Beck et Maffesoli
Authors: Choi Hang-sub
Published: December 2013

Pour Goffman, la vie quotidienne montrée sur Facebook est semblable à une scène de théâtre où l’individu opère une performance devant les autres. Lipovetsky explique que cet individualisme hédoniste se manifeste sous plusieurs formes dans le comportement de l’individu sur Facebook. Beck insiste que l’individu devient obsédé de renouveler toujours cette « identité factice ». Pour Maffesoli, la saturation de l’individualité a entraîné le déclin de l’individualisme. La socialité est fondée sur la reliance émotionnelle que l’on peut souvent observer dans l’échange de messages sur Facebook
Validazione dei nuovi atti nomenclatoriali contenuti in: Bordoni A., 2013. Revisione degli Xantholinini della sottoregione polinesiana (Coleoptera Staphylinidae). 218° contributo alla conoscenza degli Staphylinidae.
Authors: Bordoni Arnaldo
Published: December 2013

Validazione dei nuovi atti nomenclatoriali contenuti in: Bordoni A., 2013. Revisione degli Xantholinini della sottoregione polinesiana (Coleoptera Staphylinidae). 218° contributo alla conoscenza degli Staphylinidae. Memorie della Società Entomologica Italiana, 90(1): 1-58.

Viene effettuata la validazione degli atti nomenclatoriali contenuti in Bordoni A., 2013 - Revisione degli Xantholinini della sottoregione polinesiana (Coleoptera Staphylinidae). 218° contributo alla conoscenza degli Staphylinidae. Memorie della Società Entomologica Italiana, 90(1): 1-58.
Indice del Vol. 90
Authors: Italiana Società Entomologica
Published: December 2013

Indice dei nuovi taxa e dei cambiamenti nomenclatoriali

Contents of Vol. 90

Indice del Vol. 90

 

 
I Coleotteri Carabidi della Val Pesio (Alpi Liguri) (Coleoptera Carabidae)
Authors: Bisio Luigi , Giuntelli Piero , Allegro Gianni
Published: December 2013

Dopo avere brevemente illustrato i principali caratteri geologici, climatici e vegetazionali della Val Pesio (Alpi Liguri, Piemonte, Cuneo, Italia), gli autori propongono una sintesi delle ricerche carabidologiche condotte sino ad oggi in questa valle. Viene presentato un catalogo topografico delle 174 specie di Carabidi (Cicindelinae incluse) segnalate in questo territorio, con note riguardanti l’ecologia e la corologia di quelle più interessanti. Infine, vengono descritte le principali carabidocenosi osservate.
Elenco sistematico-faunistico dei Curculionoidea italiani, Scolytidae e Platypodidae esclusi (Insecta, Coleoptera). 2. Addenda e corrigenda
Authors: Abbazzi Piero , Zinetti Francesca
Published: December 2013

Sono riportati i dati sui Curculionoidea italiani (Scolytidae e Platypodidae esclusi) riguardanti gli anni 2009-2013, come aggiornamento a quelli già pubblicati nel precedente catalogo di Abbazzi & Maggini (2009). Sono elencati i nuovi taxa descritti durante tale periodo, le nuove segnalazioni per l’italia, i cambiamenti nomenclaturali e sistematici, le nuove informazioni circa la biologia e la distribuzione italiana delle specie e le correzioni da apportare al precedente catalogo.
Association of B12 deficiency and clinical neuropathy with metformin use in type 2 diabetes patients
Authors: Singh AK , Kumar A , Karmakar D , Jha RK
Published: December 2013

Context:

Long-term metformin use has been hypothesized to cause B12 deficiency and neuropathy in Type 2 diabetes patients. However, there is a paucity of Indian data regarding the same. Aim: To compare the prevalence of B12 deficiency and peripheral neuropathy in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with or without metformin.

Materials and Methods:

We recruited patients with Type 2 diabetes and divided them into metformin exposed and nonmetformin exposed groups. We measured baseline demographic variables like age, sex, vegetarian status, and HbA1c levels in both groups. We compared vitamin B12 levels and severity of peripheral neuropathy (using Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS)) in both groups. Definite B12 deficiency was defined as B12 <150 pg/ml and possible B12 deficiency as <220 pg/ml. The difference in vitamin B12 levels and TCSS was calculated in both groups using independent samples t-test. Spearman's rank correlation between cumulative metformin use and B12 level was calculated. Odds ratio of vitamin B12 deficiency in metformin exposed group was also estimated.

Results:

Mean serum B12 levels was significantly lower in metformin exposed group (n=84) compared with nonmetformin exposed group (n=52) (410±230.7 versus 549.2±244.7, P=0.0011). Mean neuropathy score was significantly higher in metformin exposed group. (5.72±2.04 versus 4.62±2.12, P=0.0064). Odds ratio for possible B12 deficiency was 4.45 (95% CI 1.24-15.97). There was significant negative correlation between cumulative metformin dose and vitamin B12 level (r=−0.68, P<0.0001).

Conclusion:

Metformin use is associated with vitamin B12 deficiency and clinical neuropathy in Type 2 diabetes patients.
Does first line antiretroviral therapy increase the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in Indian patients?
Authors: Carey RAB , Rupali P , Abraham OC , Kattula D
Published: December 2013

Context:

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is associated with a myriad of metabolic complications which are potential cardiovascular risk factors. Early detection of these risk factors could help in alleviating morbidity and mortality in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients on ART.

Aims:

To study the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients on a combination of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and non-NRTIs (NNRTIs) - the standard combination first line ART regimen used in tertiary referral center.

Settings and Design:

The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in HIV infected subjects with stage 1t disease on standard first line ART for at least 1 year, HIV infected subjects with stage 1 disease and not on ART and HIV negative subjects was assessed. The study was a cross-sectional study design.

Materials and Methods:

Basic demographic data was collected and patients were examined for anthropometric data and blood was collected for analysis of blood glucose, serum lipids, and fasting insulin levels. Statistical Analysis: Chi-square test was used to calculate significance. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16.0 was used for data analysis.

Results:

The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia was higher in the patients on ART when compared to patients not on ART (P<0.001). There was no difference in the prevalence of abnormal glycemic status, obesity, abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperinsulinemia between patients on ART and those not on ART.

Conclusions:

First line ART is associated with increased prevalence of dyslipidemia. Early detection and treatment of dyslipidemia should help in reducing the cardiovascular morbidity in patients on ART.
Risk factors for delirium and inpatient mortality with delirium
Authors: Grover S , Ghormode D , Ghosh A , Avasthi A , Chakrabarti S , Mattoo SK , Malhotra S
Published: December 2013

Background:

There is limited on the risk factors and mortality in patients with delirium from India.

Aim:

This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors associated with delirium and inpatient mortality rates of patients diagnosed with delirium by psychiatry consultation liaison services.

Materials and Methods:

Three hundred and thirty-one patients diagnosed as delirium by the psychiatry consultation liaison services were examined on standardized instruments: Delirium Rating Scale Revised 98 version (DRS-R-98), amended Delirium Motor Symptom Scale (DMSS), Delirium Etiology Checklist (DEC), Charlson Comorbidity index, and a checklist for assessment of risk factors. Results: More than three medications as a risk factor and metabolic/endocrine disturbances as cause were observed to play largest role in development of delirium. The inpatient mortality rate was 12.4%. Compared to the survivor group, those who died were more likely to be young (<65 years), had significantly high rate of alcohol dependence and were more frequently restrained prior to development of delirium; of these only age <65 years and use of restraints emerged as the significant predictors of mortality in regression analysis.

Conclusion:

Age and use of restraints appears to be an important predictor mortality in patients with delirium.
Preinduction incentive spirometry versus deep breathing to improve apnea tolerance during induction of anesthesia in patients of abdominal sepsis
Authors: Tripathi M , Subedi A , Raimajhi A , Pokharel K , Pandey M
Published: December 2013

Background:

Abdominal sepsis is associated with varied degree of hypoxemia and atelactasis in the lung and can enhance the onset of desaturation of arterial blood during apnea.

Aims:

This study looked at methods to improve safety margin of apnea during induction of anesthesia in these high-risk patients. Settings and Design: It was a randomized, single blind study on adult patients presenting for emergency laparotomy due to peritonitis in a university teaching hospital setting.

Materials and Methods:

In group 1 (IS) (n = 32), three sessions of incentive spirometry (IS) were performed within one hour before induction of anesthesia. In group 2 (DB) (n = 34), patients were subjected to deep breathing sessions in a similar manner. All patients received preoxygenation (100%) by mask for 3 min, followed by rapid-sequence induction of anesthesia using fentanyl, thiopental, and suxamethonium and endotracheal intubation. Patients were subjected to a period of apnea by keeping the end of the endotracheal tube open to air till they developed 95% hemoglobin saturation (SpO2) by pulse oxymetry. Positive pressure ventilation was resumed at the end. We observed for hemodynamic changes, apnea time, and SpO2 (100%) recovery time on resuming ventilation. Arterial blood gas samples were taken before intervention, after IS or DB, after preoxygenation, and at the end of apnea. Statistical analysis used: One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), X 2 test, Kaplan-Meier graph, and log-rank tests were applied to compare the two study groups. Results: Oxygenation level in group 1 (265 ± 76.7 mmHg) patients was significantly (P < 0.001) higher than in group 2 (221 ± 61.8 mmHg)at the end of preoxygenation. The apnea time (median: lower bound - upper bound Confidence Interval apnea time) (272:240-279 s) in group 1 (IS) patients was significantly higher P < 0.05) than in group 2 (180:163-209 s) patients. Saturation recovery time (35:34-46 s) in group 1 (IS) patients was also quicker than in group 2 patients (48:44-58 s).

Conclusions:

IS in the preoperative period is superior to deep breathing sessions for improving apnea tolerance during induction of anesthesia in abdominal sepsis patients.
Utilization of operating room time in a cancer hospital
Authors: Ranganathan P , Khanapurkar P , Divatia JV
Published: December 2013

Background:

Appropriate usage of operating room (OR) time can improve efficiency of utilization of resources and help to decrease surgical waiting lists.

Aims:

This study was conducted to evaluate the pattern of usage of OR time in a tertiary referral cancer hospital. Setting and Design: This was a prospective audit carried out over 2 months in 11 major ORs in a cancer hospital.

Materials and Methods:

OR anesthesiologists filled a standard form for all patients undergoing elective surgery and documented the following times: entry into OR, start of anesthesia, handover to surgeon, incision, start of reversal, end of anesthesia, and shifting out of patient.

Statistical Analysis:

Median time utilized for various OR processes was calculated. Results: An average of two surgeries were performed per OR session (828 surgeries in 407 OR sessions). Anesthesia and surgery-related processes contributed to 17% and 79%, respectively, of total OR time, with turnover time between cases accounting for the remaining 4%. Fifteen percent (60 out of 407) OR sessions started more than 10 min later than the planned start time, and 17% (70 of 407) of OR sessions ended more than 2 h after the scheduled finish time. An anesthesia procedure room was utilized in only 15% of cases where it could potentially have been used.

Conclusion:

This audit identified patterns of OR usage in a cancer hospital and helped to detect areas of inefficient utilization. Anesthesia-related processes contributed to 17% of the total OR time.
Fatal acute pancreatitis in a patient with visceral leishmaniasis during miltefosine treatment
Authors: Pandey K , Singh D , Lal CS , Das VNR , Das P
Published: December 2013

Pancreatitis is a known side effect of the once commonly used drug, sodium stibogluconate, for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). In India, miltefosine has recently been introduced as the first-line drug. Its side effects include loose motions, vomiting, and teratogenicity. We report here a case of a 41-year-old parasitologically confirmed male case of VL, who developed acute pancreatitis during treatment with miltefosine. On the 13 th day of treatment, he presented with abdominal pain and vomiting. The biochemical, hematological, and radiological features were suggestive of acute pancreatitis. The patient was put on conservative treatment for pancreatitis at the specialized center but succumbed to renal failure and septicaemia.
Marine stingray injuries to the extremities
Authors: Srinivasan S , Bosco JIE , Lohan R
Published: December 2013

Stingray injuries are usually reported from coastal regions. The injury is caused by the tail spine of the stingray, which can penetrate deep into the soft tissues, and the venom in the tail can cause extensive tissue damage. Imaging plays a very important role in patients with stingray injuries, especially to detect the presence of retained foreign bodies and its complications. We present three cases of stingray injuries to the extremities, with a special emphasis on radiographic findings. Embedded foreign bodies that were radiographically visualized were removed in two of the patients (one patient was discharged at request and was lost to follow-up). We also discuss the types of injuries, clinical presentation, importance of imaging and management considerations in stingray injuries.
Oral paracetamol in treatment of closure of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm neonates
Authors: Jasani B , Kabra N , Nanavati RN
Published: December 2013

We herewith report a case series of six premature neonates with hemodynamically significant paten ductus successfully treated with oral paracetamol. This is a first case series describing the use of oral paracetamol treatment patent ductus in preterm neonates from India. Further prospective randomized-controlled trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral paracetamol in the treatment of patent ductus in preterm neonates.
Ruptured ectopic pregnancy associated with tubal schistosomiasis
Authors: Sahu L , Tempe A , Singh S , Khurana N
Published: December 2013

Endemic in major parts of Africa and Middle East, Schistosoma haematobium is a common cause of recurrent urogenital infections and obstetric complications such as spontaneous abortions, ectopic pregnancies, and low birth weight babies. The involvement of fallopian tubes is not rare in endemic areas and may predispose to ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Indian subcontinent is a very lowrisk region for schistosoma infection. Tubal schistosomiasis is not exceptional in endemic zones, but is rarely found in India. The species most often isolated is S. haematobium. Contamination occurs via vascular anastomoses between the bladder and the genital organs. We report a case of tubal schistosomiasis presenting as ruptured ectopic pregnancy discovered on a surgical specimen after salpingectomy.
Recurrent hypoglycemia…
Authors: Dosi RV , Bhatt NR , Patell RD , Raj RR
Published: December 2013

Sheehan's syndrome is a rare cause of recurrent hypoglycemia. We present a case of a middle aged woman who presented with recurrent life threatening hypoglycemia. Based on a past history of severe post partum hemmorhage and a clinical picture of myxedema and secondary amennorhea, laboratory and neuroimaging was undertaken to confirm a diagnosis of Sheehan's syndrome. The patient responded to treatment with thyroxine and steroids in replacement doses. The case report emphasises the importance of early suspicion and management of this easily missed and treatable condition.
Homotopical algebra for C*-algebras
Authors: Uuye Otgonbayar
Published: December 2013

The category of fibrant objects is a convenient framework to do homotopy theory, introduced and developed by Ken Brown. In this paper, we apply it to the category of C*-algebras. In particular, we get a unified treatment of (ordinary) homotopy theory for C

^*

-algebras, KK-theory and E-theory, since all of these can be expressed as the homotopy theory of a category of fibrant objects.
Quantum group $\mathrm{GL}_q(2)$ and quantum Laplace operator via semi-infinite cohomology
Authors: Frenkel Igor B. , Zeitlin Anton M.
Published: December 2013

We construct the quantum group

\mathrm{GL}_q(2)

as the semi-infinite cohomology of the tensor product of two braided vertex operator algebras based on the algebra

W_2

with complementary central charges

c+\bar{c}=28

. The conformal field theory version of the Laplace operator on the quantum group is also obtained.
Calabi-Yau pointed Hopf algebras of finite Cartan type
Authors: Yu Xiaolan , Zhang Yinhuo
Published: December 2013

We study the Calabi–Yau property of pointed Hopf algebra

U(\mathcal{D},\lambda)

of finite Cartan type. It turns out that this class of pointed Hopf algebras constructed by N. Andruskiewitsch and H.-J. Schneider contains many Calabi–Yau Hopf algebras. To give concrete examples of new Calab–Yau Hopf algebras, we classify the Calabi–Yau pointed Hopf algebras

U(\mathcal{D},\lambda)

of dimension less than 5.
The K-theory of Heegaard quantum lens spaces
Authors: Hajac Piotr M. , Rennie Adam , Zieliński Bartosz
Published: December 2013

Representing

\mathbb{Z}/N\mathbb{Z}

as roots of unity, we restrict a natural

U(1)

-action on the Heegaard quantum sphere to

\mathbb{Z}/N\mathbb{Z}

, and call the quotient spaces Heegaard quantum lens spaces. Then we use this representation of

\mathbb{Z}/N\mathbb{Z}

to construct an associated complex line bundle. This paper proves the stable non-triviality of these line bundles over any of the quantum lens spaces we consider. We use the pullback structure of the C*-algebra of the lens space to compute its K-theory via the Mayer–Vietoris sequence, and an explicit form of the odd-to-even connecting homomorphism to prove the stable non-triviality of the bundles. On the algebraic side we prove the universality of the coordinate algebra of such a lens space for a particular set of generators and relations. We also prove the non-existence of non-trivial invertibles in the coordinate algebra of a lens space. Finally, we prolongate the

\mathbb{Z}/N\mathbb{Z}

-fibres of the Heegaard quantum sphere to

U(1)

, and determine the algebraic structure of such a

U(1)

-prolongation.
Determinants and Coverage of Vaccination in Children in Western Kenya from a 2003 Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Calhoun Lisa M. , van Eijk Anna M. , Lindblade Kim A. , Odhiambo Frank O. , Wilson Mark L. , Winterbauer Elizabeth , Slutsker Laurence , Hamel Mary J.
Published: December 2013

This study assesses full and timely vaccination coverage and factors associated with full vaccination in children ages 12–23 months in Gem, Nyanza Province, Kenya in 2003. A simple random sample of 1,769 households was selected, and guardians were invited to bring children under 5 years of age to participate in a survey. Full vaccination coverage was 31.1% among 244 children. Only 2.2% received all vaccinations in the target month for each vaccination. In multivariate logistic regression, children of mothers of higher parity (odds ratio [OR] = 0.27, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.13–0.65, P ≤ 0.01), children of mothers with lower maternal education (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.13–0.97, P ≤ 0.05), or children in households with the spouse absent versus present (OR = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.17–0.91, P ≤ 0.05) were less likely to be fully vaccinated. These data serve as a baseline from which changes in vaccination coverage will be measured as interventions to improve vaccination timeliness are introduced.
Serosurveillance to Monitor Onchocerciasis Elimination: The Ugandan Experience
Authors: Oguttu David , Byamukama Edson , Katholi Charles R. , Habomugisha Peace , Nahabwe Christine , Ngabirano Monica , Hassan Hassan K. , Lakwo Thomson , Katabarwa Moses , Richards Frank O. , Unnasch Thomas R.
Published: December 2013

Uganda is the only African country whose onchocerciasis elimination program uses a two-pronged approach of vector control and mass drug distribution. The Ugandan program relies heavily upon the use of serosurveys of children to monitor progress toward elimination. The program has tested over 39,000 individuals from 11 foci for Onchocerca volvulus exposure, using the Ov16 ELISA test. The data show that the Ov16 ELISA is a useful operational tool to monitor onchocerciasis transmission interruption in Africa at the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended threshold of < 0.1% in children. The Ugandan experience has also resulted in a re-examination of the statistical methods used to estimate the boundary of the upper 95% confidence interval for the WHO prevalence threshold when all samples tested are negative. This has resulted in the development of Bayesian and hypergeometric statistical methods that reduce the number of individuals who must be tested to meet the WHO criterion.
Gestão do Conhecimento e Inteligência competitiva: delineamento de estratégias de competitividade e inovação para pequenas empresas
Authors: Corsatto Cassia Aparecida , Hoffmann Wanda Aparecida Machado
Published: December 2013

O artigo faz uma apresentação dos conceitos e definições de gestão do conhecimento e de inteligência competitiva encontrados na bibliografia e traça um paralelo de sua importância e aplicabilidade no ambiente das pequenas empresas. Aborda a importância da gestão do conhecimento e da inteligência competitiva no processo de delineamento de estratégias de competitividade e apresenta os elementos e ferramentas que apóiam a aplicação dos mesmos nas organizações, como pessoas e processos na geração do conhecimento no ambiente interno e a importância da informação organizada para adequação de empresas e instituições ao ambiente competitivo, no processo de tomada de decisão. Apresenta também ferramentas e metodologias para a implantação de estratégias de inteligência competitiva como forma de incremento à competitividade e geração de valor para os clientes e mercado.
Fluxos de informação que subsidiam o processo de inteligência competitiva
Authors: Valentim Marta Lígia Pomim , Souza Juliete Susann Ferreira de
Published: December 2013

Os fluxos de informação são responsáveis pela dinâmica e pela interação entre os diversos setores da organização e entre os indivíduos que nela atuam. Por meio do mapeamento realizado nos ambientes internos e externos da organização, é possível evidenciar as necessidades informacionais dos sujeitos organizacionais, uma vez que dependem de dados, informação e conhecimento para desempenhar suas ações no ambiente corporativo. Para atender as necessidades de informação dos sujeitos organizacionais é preciso gerenciar os fluxos informacionais existentes, de que forma se possam se estabelecer e transitar eficientemente no ambiente organizacional. Defende-se que os ambientes e os fluxos informacionais existentes em uma organização, subsidiam o processo de inteligência competitiva organizacional, uma vez que são insumos para a tomada de decisão e possibilitam o planejamento e execução de ações de curto, médio e longo prazo.
Net influence of an internally generated quasi-biennial oscillation on modelled stratospheric climate and chemistry
Authors: Hurwitz M. M. , Oman L. D. , Newman P. A. , Song I.-S.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. A Goddard Earth Observing System Chemistry-Climate Model (GEOSCCM) simulation with strong tropical non-orographic gravity wave drag (GWD) is compared to an otherwise identical simulation with near-zero tropical non-orographic GWD. The GEOSCCM generates a quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) zonal wind signal in response to a tropical peak in GWD that resembles the zonal and climatological mean precipitation field. The modelled QBO has a frequency and amplitude that closely resembles observations. As expected, the modelled QBO improves the simulation of tropical zonal winds and enhances tropical and subtropical stratospheric variability. Also, inclusion of the QBO slows the meridional overturning circulation, resulting in a generally older stratospheric mean age of air. Slowing of the overturning circulation, changes in stratospheric temperature and enhanced subtropical mixing all affect the annual mean distributions of ozone, methane and nitrous oxide. Furthermore, the modelled QBO enhances polar stratospheric variability in winter. Because tropical zonal winds are easterly in the simulation without a QBO, there is a relative increase in tropical zonal winds in the simulation with a QBO. Extratropical differences between the simulations with and without a QBO thus reflect the westerly shift in tropical zonal winds: a relative strengthening of the polar stratospheric jet, polar stratospheric cooling and a weak reduction in Arctic lower stratospheric ozone.
Satellite retrieval of aerosol microphysical and optical parameters using neural networks: a new methodology applied to the Sahara desert dust peak
Authors: Taylor M. , Kazadzis S. , Tsekeri A. , Gkikas A. , Amiridis V.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. In order to exploit the full-Earth viewing potential of satellite instruments to globally characterise aerosols, new algorithms are required to deduce key microphysical parameters like the particle size distribution and optical parameters associated with scattering and absorption from space remote sensing data. Here, a methodology based on neural networks is developed to retrieve such parameters from satellite inputs and to validate them with ground-based remote sensing data. For key combinations of input variables available from MODIS and OMI Level 3 datasets, a grid of 100 feed-forward neural network architectures is produced, each having a different number of neurons and training proportion. The networks are trained with principal components accounting for 98% of the variance of the inputs together with principal components formed from 38 AERONET Level 2.0 (Version 2) retrieved parameters as outputs. Daily-averaged, co-located and synchronous data drawn from a cluster of AERONET sites centred on the peak of dust extinction in Northern Africa is used for network training and validation, and the optimal network architecture for each input parameter combination is identified with reference to the lowest mean squared error. The trained networks are then fed with unseen data at the coastal dust site Dakar to test their simulation performance. A NN, trained with co-located and synchronous satellite inputs comprising three aerosol optical depth measurements at 470, 500 and 660 nm, plus the columnar water vapour (from MODIS) and the modelled absorption aerosol optical depth at 500 nm (from OMI), was able to simultaneously retrieve the daily-averaged size distribution, the coarse mode volume, the imaginary part of the complex refractive index, and the spectral single scattering albedo – with moderate precision: correlation coefficients in the range 0.368 ≤ R ≤ 0.514. The network failed to recover the spectral behaviour of the real part of the complex refractive index with only 39–45% of the data falling within the acceptable level of uncertainty relative to ground-truth data at the daily timescale. In the context of Saharan desert dust, this new methodological approach appears to offer some potential for moderately accurate daily retrieval of previously inaccessible aerosol parameters from space.
Aerosol optical properties during dust and biomass burning episodes retrieved from sun-photometer over Shanghai
Authors: Shi C. , Wang S. , Zhou R. , Li D. , Zhao H. , Liu R. , Li Z. , Zhou B.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. Ground-based observation over Shanghai was carried out from 28 March to 25 June 2013 in an urban site at Fudan University (31°18' N, 121°29' E). Utilizing a sun/sky radiometer (CE318), aerosol properties including thickness, scattering, asymmetry, and particle size distribution were inversed for two types (dust and biomass burning). Dust aerosol showed large optical depth (AOD at 440 nm ~ 1.06) with small value of Ångström parameter (α) around 0.74, indicating the strong optical extinction capability of large-size particles. Aerosol loading (~ 0.72 at 440 nm) was discovered to be coupled with large α (> 1.05) for biomass smoke. The particle size distribution was dominated by the coarse mode for dust with high concentration ratio between coarse and fine mode (VC/VF ~ 3.76). Biomass burning particle primarily accumulated around 0.17 μm and performed smaller VC/VF (~ 0.99). Aerosol in fine mode mainly accounted for the optical extinction process in Shanghai as its volume concentration was well-correlated with AOD (R ~ 0.88 in average condition). The value of single scattering albedo (SSA) during agricultural residue burning displayed variation from 0.902 to 0.922 with a descending trend at 670–1020 nm while SSA increased at all wavelengths for dust aerosol. The negative correlation between SSA · AOD and α was analyzed to capture the order of scattering capability: urban/industrial < biomass < dust aerosol. Higher value of asymmetry factor at 1020 nm (~ 0.652) of dust aerosol was found compared to average condition and biomass smoke (both were equaled to 0.625), imposing the enhanced forward scattering of dust particles in NIR band. The validation of AOD vs. MODIS showed errors in dust and biomass samples, which may be attributed to the variable SSA in YRD. The ascending deviation also existed in clear condition, which could be caused by the overestimation of ground reflectance in MODIS algorithm.
From maps to movies: high-resolution time-varying sensitivity analysis for spatially distributed watershed models
Authors: Herman J. D. , Kollat J. B. , Reed P. M. , Wagener T.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. Distributed watershed models are now widely used in practice to simulate runoff responses at high spatial and temporal resolutions. Counter to this purpose, diagnostic analyses of distributed models currently aggregate performance measures in space and/or time and are thus disconnected from the models' operational and scientific goals. To address this disconnect, this study contributes a novel approach for computing and visualizing time-varying global sensitivity indices for spatially distributed model parameters. The high-resolution model diagnostics employ the method of Morris to identify evolving patterns in dominant model processes at sub-daily timescales over a six-month period. The method is demonstrated on the United States National Weather Service's Hydrology Laboratory Research Distributed Hydrologic Model (HL-RDHM) in the Blue River watershed, Oklahoma, USA. Three hydrologic events are selected from within the six-month period to investigate the patterns in spatiotemporal sensitivities that emerge as a function of forcing patterns as well as wet-to-dry transitions. Events with similar magnitudes and durations exhibit significantly different performance controls in space and time, indicating that the diagnostic inferences drawn from representative events will be heavily biased by the a priori selection of those events. By contrast, this study demonstrates high-resolution time-varying sensitivity analysis, requiring no assumptions regarding representative events and allowing modelers to identify transitions between sets of dominant parameters or processes a posteriori. The proposed approach details the dynamics of parameter sensitivity in nearly continuous time, providing critical diagnostic insights into the underlying model processes driving predictions. Furthermore, the approach offers the potential to identify transition points between dominant parameters and processes in the absence of observations, such as under nonstationarity.
Assessment of numerical schemes for solving the advection–diffusion equation on unstructured grids: case study of the Guaíba River, Brazil
Authors: Pereira F. F. , Fragoso Jr. C. R. , Uvo C. B. , Collischonn W. , Motta Marques D. M. L.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. In this work, a first-order upwind and a high-order flux-limiter schemes for solving the advection–diffusion equation on unstructured grids were evaluated. The numerical schemes were implemented as a module of an unstructured two-dimensional depth-averaged circulation model for shallow lakes (IPH-UnTRIM2D), and they were applied to the Guaíba River in Brazil. Their performances were evaluated by comparing mass conservation balance errors for two scenarios of a passive tracer released into the Guaíba River. The circulation model showed good agreement with observed data collected at four water level stations along the Guaíba River, where correlation coefficients achieved values up to 0.93. In addition, volume conservation errors were lower than 1% of the total volume of the Guaíba River. For all scenarios, the higher order flux-limiter scheme has been shown to be less diffusive than a first-order upwind scheme. Accumulated conservation mass balance errors calculated for the flux limiter reached 8%, whereas for a first-order upwind scheme, they were close to 18% over a 15-day period. Although both schemes have presented mass conservation errors, these errors are assumed negligible compared with kinetic processes such as erosion, sedimentation or decay rates.