bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Saneamento básico no Brasil: considerações sobre investimentos e sustentabilidade para o século XXI
Authors: Leoneti Alexandre Bevilacqua , Prado Eliana Leão do , Oliveira Sonia Valle Walter Borges de
Published: March 2012

Desde a década de 1950 até o final do século passado, o investimento em saneamento básico no Brasil ocorreu pontualmente em alguns períodos específicos, com um destaque para as décadas de 1970 e 1980. Em decorrência disso, o Brasil ainda está marcado por uma grande desigualdade e déficit ao acesso, principalmente em relação à coleta e tratamento de esgoto. Atualmente, o setor tem recebido maior atenção governamental e há uma quantidade significativa de recursos a serem investidos. Todavia, faz-se necessário que esses investimentos sejam sustentáveis. Desta forma, o presente trabalho pretendeu, por meio de uma pesquisa descritiva-exploratória, verificar como foram realizados os investimentos em saneamento básico no Brasil, com ênfase no tratamento de esgoto, e discutir como estão sendo disponibilizados os recursos para atender aos aspectos legais aos quais se submetem os municípios neste início de século. Para isto, foram utilizadas, como fontes primárias, entrevistas não estruturadas com técnicos do setor de saneamento e, como fontes secundárias, foram coletadas informações nos sites dos principais órgãos públicos e privados que têm relevância quanto ao saneamento no Brasil. Foram identificadas possíveis falhas no planejamento do setor ao longo destes últimos anos, além de terem sido encontradas evidências que apontam possíveis falhas nas avaliações dos investimentos que estão sendo realizados, não sendo considerada a sustentabilidade dos mesmos. Como contribuição, procurou-se identificar algumas novas formas de gestão em saneamento básico, o que poderá auxiliar os gestores municipais no cumprimento dos seus objetivos.
Atividade física habitual e qualidade de vida de mulheres na meia-idade
Authors: Guimarães Adriana Coutinho de Azevedo , Baptista Fátima
Published: March 2012

OBJETIVO: Analisar a relação entre a atividade física habitual (AF) e a qualidade de vida (QV) de mulheres na meia-idade. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 1.011 mulheres dos 45 aos 59 anos de idade, das quais 370 eram perimenopausadas e 641 pós-menopausadas, com índice de massa corporal (IMC) de 25 ± 4kg/m² e escolaridade entre um e 13 anos. A QV foi avaliada pelo WHOQOL-bref da WHO e a AF através do International Physical Activity Questionnaire. RESULTADOS: Após a divisão da amostra em três grupos, de acordo com a prática de AF total (A: < 30 min/dia; B: 30-60 min/dia; C: > 60 min/dia), a análise da variância ajustada para o IMC e menopausa (peri vs. pós), mostrou diferenças de QV entre os grupos A e B e o grupo C no domínio físico, e entre o grupo A e os grupos B e C nos domínios psicológico, social e ambiental (p ≤ 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: A prática de 30 min/dia de AF de intensidade pelo menos moderada parece estar associada a efeitos mais favoráveis aos níveis psicológico, social e ambiental, mas parecem ser necessários pelo menos 60 min/dia para influenciar o domínio físico. Estas associações podem, no entanto, refletir o impacto da QV na quantidade total de AF. Assim, a prática de 30 min/dia pode ser mais condicionada pelos domínios psicológico, social e ambiental, enquanto os 60 min/dia pelo domínio físico.
Aplicabilidade de testes de atividades de vida diária em indivíduos com insuficiência cardíaca
Authors: Valadares Ywia Danieli , Corrêa Krislainy de Sousa , Silva Bruna Oliveira , Araujo Cintia Laura Pereira de , Karloh Manuela , Mayer Anamaria Fleig
Published: March 2012

A limitação nas atividades de vida diária (AVD) por dispneia é um achado comum nos pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca (IC), classe funcional III e IV. A avaliação específica da limitação nas AVD poderia ser utilizada como parâmetro de evolução da doença e de resposta terapêutica. Entretanto, há uma escassez de instrumentos de avaliação das AVD nessa população. Dessa forma, o objetivo do estudo foi verificar a aplicabilidade da escala London Chest Activity of Daily Living (LCADL) e do teste de AVD-Glittre (T Glittre), na avaliação da limitação funcional de indivíduos com IC classe funcional III e IV. Participaram do estudo 10 pacientes (57 ± 9 anos; 27,5 ± 4,5kg/m²) de ambos os sexos com diagnóstico clínico de IC classe funcional III e IV e fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) 34 ± 7%, foram avaliados: espirometria, índice de massa corpórea (IMC), escala LCADL, teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6min), T Glittre, escala Medical Research Council (MRC) e questionário SF-36. Os pacientes apresentaram, em média, escore da escala LCADLtotal de 27,7 ± 12,1 (LCADL%total: 41,5 ± 16,9) e tempo do T Glittre de 6,3 ± 4,8 minutos, encontrando-se correlação positiva entre eles (r = 0,88; p < 0,05). O LCADL%total correlacionou-se com o TC6min (r = -0,83), FEVE (r = -0,64), MRC (r = 0,68) e domínio capacidade funcional (CF) do SF-36 (r = -0,63), com p < 0,05. O T Glittre correlacionou-se com o TC6min (r = -0,90), FEVE (r = -0,66) e CF do SF-36 (r = -0,69), com p < 0,05. Conclui-se com o estudo que a escala LCADL e o T Glittre têm aplicabilidade em pacientes com IC classe III e IV, apresentando associação com a FEVE, com a distância percorrida no TC6min, grau de dispneia e qualidade de vida.
Traumatic Palatal Perforation after Orotracheal Intubation: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Bartlett Erica , Mahabir Raman C. , Verheyden Charles N.
Published: March 2012

In this report, we describe an unusual case of a traumatic palatal perforation caused by orotracheal intubation. The paucity of reports of palatal perforation resulting from intubation in the literature suggests that it is a rare occurrence. However, recognizing this potential complication and managing the airway appropriately may reduce patient morbidity.
Patch size‐dependent community recovery after massive disturbance
Authors: Angelini Christine , Silliman Brian R.
Published: March 2012

Massive anthropogenic and climate‐related disturbances are now common in ecosystems worldwide, generating widespread die‐off and subsequent community recovery dominated by remnant‐patch dynamics rather than open‐gap dynamics. Whether communities can recover and, if so, which factors mediate recolonization rate and extent remain unresolved. Here we evaluate recolonization dynamics of southern U.S. salt marshes that experienced extensive, drought‐induced die‐off of the foundation species Spartina alterniflora over the previous decade. Surveys of Georgia (USA) salt marshes showed little seedling recruitment in die‐off areas but persistence of Spartina particularly in large, rather than small, remnant patches. Given this natural variation in remnant patch size, we conducted field experiments to test whether key plant‐controlling biotic (grazing, plant neighbor presence) and abiotic (water availability) factors differentially impact Spartina recolonization at small and large‐patch scales. In the small‐patch (<1 m2) experiment in 2009, removing grazers and plant neighbors prompted dramatically higher expansion and growth of Spartina relative to controls, while adding freshwater to reduce water limitation had little effect. In contrast, large‐patch (>20 m2) borders advanced significantly over the same time period regardless of grazer or neighbor removal. We continued the large‐patch experiments in 2010, a year that experienced drought, and also added freshwater or salt to borders to modify ambient drought stress; overall, borders advanced less than the previous year but significantly more where neighbors were removed or freshwater added. Thus, water availability appears to mediate Spartina recovery by fueling large‐patch expansion during wet summers and intensifying interspecific competition during drought. Combined, these findings suggest ecosystems can recover from massive disturbance if remnant foundation species' patches are large enough to overcome biotic inhibition and successfully expand during periods of relaxed abiotic stress.
Bottom‐up multitrophic effects in resprouting plants
Authors: Kersch-Becker Mônica F. , Lewinsohn Thomas M.
Published: March 2012

Severe damage often provokes compensatory resprouting of plants, which commonly modify plant morphological and phenological traits. Rapid plant growth often results in poorly defended nutrient‐rich foliage, which is more susceptible to foliar‐chewing herbivores. It is less known how other guilds of arthropods are affected by plant regrowth. We tested the hypotheses that clipping‐induced resprouting and nutrient availability, separately and in combination, would (1) influence plant traits, (2) benefit chewing herbivores, sap‐suckers, gallers, and pre‐dispersal seed predators, and (3) cascade up to the third trophic level by positively affecting herbivores. Resprouted plants were morphologically and phenologically different from undamaged plants; as a result, seed predation, infestation rate, richness, and diversity of seed predators increased, and species composition was altered. Leaf consumption by chewing herbivores was four times higher on resprouted plants. The number of galls decreased, whereas the abundance of sap‐sucking and leaf‐chewing insects was not affected. The incidence of predators and parasitoids was also higher on resprouted plants and on plants with nutrients added, but the increase was less pronounced compared to the herbivores they feed on. Thus, the effects of resprouting, contingent on nutrient availability, can propagate simultaneously through two independent tri‐trophic level pathways.
Low Glomerular Density with Glomerulomegaly in Obesity-Related Glomerulopathy
Authors: Tsuboi Nobuo , Utsunomiya Yasunori , Kanzaki Go , Koike Kentaro , Ikegami Masahiro , Kawamura Tetsuya , Hosoya Tatsuo
Published: March 2012

Background and objectives

Obesity-related glomerulopathy is a secondary form of glomerular disease that may occur in obese individuals. It is histologically characterized by marked glomerulomegaly closely related to glomerular hyperfiltration. This study examined glomerular density (nonsclerotic glomerular number per renal cortical area of biopsy specimen) in patients with obesity-related glomerulopathy to determine whether any differences in this measure is associated with disease status.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Glomerular density and glomerular volume in renal biopsy samples from patients with obesity-related glomerulopathy were compared with those of kidney transplant donors and patients with IgA nephropathy. Kidneys obtained from persons without renal diseases during autopsy were also analyzed to investigate the effects of obesity on glomerular density and glomerular volume.

Results

Glomerular density of kidneys from patients with obesity-related glomerulopathy (1.7±0.6/mm2) was significantly lower than that in biopsy samples from kidney transplant donors (3.1±1.0/mm2) and patients with IgA nephropathy (3.5±1.5/mm2). However, an analysis of autopsy cases without renal diseases showed that the glomerular density in overweight (2.9±0.7/mm2) or obese (3.1±1.1/mm2) persons was similar to that in nonobese (3.1±0.6/mm2) individuals. Biopsy specimens of patients with obesity-related glomerulopathy showed marked glomerulomegaly. However, glomerular volume was only modestly increased in the autopsy-examined kidneys from overweight or obese persons without renal diseases.

Conclusions

Low glomerular density associated with glomerulomegaly may be a characteristic histologic finding of patients with obesity-related glomerulopathy.
Grammar-Based Specification and Parsing of Binary File Formats
Authors: Underwood William
Published: March 2012

The capability to validate and view or play binary file formats, as well as to convert binary file formats to standard or current file formats, is critically important to the preservation of digital data and records. This paper describes the extension of context-free grammars from strings to binary files. Binary files are arrays of data types, such as long and short integers, floating-point numbers and pointers, as well as characters. The concept of an attribute grammar is extended to these context-free array grammars. This attribute grammar has been used to define a number of chunk-based and directory-based binary file formats. A parser generator has been used with some of these grammars to generate syntax checkers (recognizers) for validating binary file formats. Among the potential benefits of an attribute grammar-based approach to specification and parsing of binary file formats is that attribute grammars not only support format validation, but support generation of error messages during validation of format, validation of semantic constraints, attribute value extraction (characterization), generation of viewers or players for file formats, and conversion to current or standard file formats. The significance of these results is that with these extensions to core computer science concepts, traditional parser/compiler technologies can potentially be used as a part of a general, cost effective curation strategy for binary file formats.
What Your Tweets Tell Us About You: Identity, Ownership and Privacy of Twitter Data
Authors: Small Heather , Kasianovitz Kristine , Blanford Ronald , Celaya Ina
Published: March 2012

Social networking sites and other social media have enabled new forms of collaborative communication and participation for users, and created additional value as rich data sets for research. Research based on accessing, mining, and analyzing social media data has risen steadily over the last several years and is increasingly multidisciplinary; researchers from the social sciences, humanities, computer science and other domains have used social media data as the basis of their studies. The broad use of this form of data has implications for how curators address preservation, access and reuse for an audience with divergent disciplinary norms related to privacy, ownership, authenticity and reliability.In this paper, we explore how the characteristics of the Twitter platform, coupled with an ambiguous and evolving understanding of privacy in networked communication, and divergent disciplinary understandings of the resulting data, combine to create complex issues for curators trying to ensure broad-based and ethical reuse of Twitter data. We provide a case study of a specific data set to illustrate how data curators can engage with the topics and questions raised in the paper. While some initial suggestions are offered to librarians and other information professionals who are beginning to receive social media data from researchers, our larger goal is to stimulate discussion and prompt additional research on the curation and preservation of social media data.
Effects on Mood of Activating the Private Versus the Collective Self
Authors: Jin Seung-A Annie
Published: March 2012

The effect on exergamers' postgame mood of activating the private versus the collective self was investigated in 2 experiments. In Experiment 1 I found that group playing induces greater pleasure than individual playing. In Experiment 2 I used a 2 (chronic independent self-construals:
high versus low) x 2 (activated self: private versus collective) between-subjects factorial design, and found a significant interaction between chronic self-construals and the activated self. Exergamers high in independent self-construals displayed more negative affective responses to defeat
when the private self was activated than when the collective self was activated. In contrast, those low in independent self-construals showed no difference regardless of the activated self.
Loneliness and the Development of Social Relationships in Malaysian University Students
Authors: Hashim Intan H. M. , Khodarahimi Siamak
Published: March 2012

In this study we investigated loneliness and how social relationships develop in university students. Participants were 67 first-year students beginning their first semester in a university in northern Malaysia. We collected information regarding respondents' background, their descriptions
of the social network at the university, and their level of loneliness. The study was conducted in 2 parts over a 10-week period; at 4 weeks after their registration and then at 14 weeks after their registration. Findings suggest development of friendship was still in progress and loneliness
had increased at Time 2.
Adolescents and Leisure Activities: The Impact of Expectation and Experience on Service Satisfaction
Authors: Chen Cheng-Hsui , Chang Ya-Hui , Fan Feng-Chun
Published: March 2012

Although service quality has been found to be a key concept for organizations, it has rarely been applied to the leisure activities of adolescents. Therefore, in this research we examined the relationships among adolescents' expectations of quality, perceptions of quality of actual
experiences, and satisfaction with those experiences. We also examined the relationship between expectation and actual experience in terms of the adolescents' satisfaction. A privately owned theme park in the middle of Taiwan was chosen as the location for the study and 392 high school students
were recruited to take part. The results of regression analysis showed that adolescents' service expectations directly affect both their perceptions of actual experiences and their satisfaction. In addition, it was found that the adolescents' perceptions of actual experiences mediated between
their service quality expectations and their satisfaction.
The influence of hard segment content on mechanical and thermal properties of polycarbonate-based polyurethane materials
Authors: Pavlicevic Jelena , Spirková Milena , Budinski-Simendic Jaroslava , Jovicic Mirjana , Bera Oskar , Ristic Ivan
Published: March 2012

Aliphatic segmented polyurethanes were prepared by one-step procedure in
catalytic reaction between polycarbonate diol, hexamethylene-diisocyanate and
1,4-butandiol (as chain extender). The hard segment content TS was varied
(17, 24, 30 and 42 wt. %) by changing the ratio of starting compounds. The
soft segment is made from flexible aliphatic polycarbonate diol, while hard
segments consist of chain extender and diisocyanate component. In order to
study the hydrogen bonding formation and phase separation, Fourier transform
infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used. Wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS)
was performed to determine a degree of crystallinity and to investigate the
phase behavior of prepared elastomers. The effect of TS content on mechanical
properties (tensile strength, elongation at break and hardness) was tested.
Thermal behavior of prepared novel polycarbonate-based polyurethanes was
investigated using differential scanning callorimetry (DSC). It was
determined that the elastomer which contains the highest amount of urethane
groups in its structure (TS content of 42 wt. %) exhibits the most pronounced
phase separation and the highest degree of crystallinity. All prepared
polyurethanes exhibit high elongation at break (over 700%). The glass
transition temperature Tg of prepared samples was in the temperature region
from ?39 to ?36?C, and it was found to be slightly influenced by the soft
segment content. The enthalpy of chain segments relaxation in diffused region
between hard and soft domains (detected in the temperature range from 35 to
55 ?C) was decreased with the increase of hard segment content. The multiple
melting of hard segments (connected with the dissruption of physical
crosslinks) appeared above 100 ?C. It was found that the melting enthalpy
linearly increases with the increase of urethane group content. Sample with
42 wt. % of TS has the highest value of melting enthalpy (41.5 J/g).
Effects of fining on phenolic compounds and colour of red wine obtained with addition of increased amounts of grape solid phase in pomace
Authors: Puskas Vladimir , Miljic Uros
Published: March 2012

The purpose of this work is to study the effect of grape pomace enrichment in
solid phase (stems and seeds) on phenolic compounds and colour stability of
obtained red wines, before and after use of different fining agents. Results
have shown increase in total phenols and flavan-3-ols content after grape
solid phase addition. On the other hand, decrease in anthocyanins content has
generally been recorded in all wine samples except in wines obtained with
addition of 40 g/l of seeds during maceration. Stems addition caused decrease
in colour intensity while addition of seeds has increased this colour
parameter. The use of four fining agents (albumin, gelatine, bentonite and
PVPP) has been investigated and compared, especially in terms of their
influence on potential stabilization effect of grape solid phase on wine
colour. Fined wines tended to have considerably lower anthocyanin and
flavan-3-ol levels, especially in the case of gelatine and PVPP treatment
(decrease up to 60 and 70%, respectively). In the case of chromatic
parameters, used fining agents caused colour intensity decrease but it is
important to emphasize that their values, after fining, are still as high as
expected from red wine. This can be explained by the stabilization effect of
increased flavan-3-ols content.
In silico methods in stability testing of hydrocortisone, powder for injections: Multiple regression analysis versus dynamic neural network
Authors: Solomun Ljiljana , Ibric Svetlana , Pejanovic Vjera , Djuris Jelena , Jockovic Jelena , Stankovic Predrag , Vujic Zorica
Published: March 2012

This article presents the possibility of using of multiple regression
analysis (MRA) and dynamic neural network (DNN) for prediction of stability
of Hydrocortisone 100 mg (in a form of hydrocortisone sodium succinate)
freeze-dried powder for injection packed into a dual chamber container.
Degradation products of hydrocortisone sodium succinate: free hydrocortisone
and related substances (impurities A, B, C, D and E; unspecified impurities
and total impurities) were followed during stress and formal stability
studies. All data obtained during stability studies were used for in silico
modeling; multiple regression models and dynamic neural networks as well, in
order to compare predicted and observed results. High values of coefficient
of determination (0.950.99) were gained using MRA and DNN, so both methods
are powerful tools for in silico stability studies, but superiority of DNN
over mathematical modeling of degradation was also confirmed.
The use of cardboard factory sludge in the remediation of zinc contaminated sediment
Authors: Prica Miljana , Dalmacija Milena , Dalmacija Bozo , Trickovic Jelena , Maletic Snezana
Published: March 2012

Paper and cardboard factory sludges are generated by various processes during
pulp, cardboard and paper production, and the increasing quantities produced
make the disposal of this sludge a problem. This study investigates the use
of cardboard factory sludge as a stabilizing agent in the
solidification/stabilization (S/S) treatment of zinc polluted sediment.
Semidynamic and toxicity leaching tests were conducted to assess the
effectiveness of the solidification/stabilization treatment and long-term
zinc leaching behaviour. A diffusion-based model was used to elucidate the
controlling leaching mechanisms. The applied S/S treatment was effective in
immobilizing zinc, and the controlling leaching mechanism appeared to be
diffusion, which indicates that a slow leaching of zinc could be expected
when cardboard mill sludge is applied as a S/S agent.
Time trend and clinical pattern of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Serbia, 1993-2007
Authors: Pesut Dragica , Bulajic Milica , Lesic Aleksandar
Published: March 2012

Background/Aim. Increased incidence of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (XPTB) is
reported worldwide. Serbia is a country in socio-economic transition period
with lowmiddle HIV prevalence and intermediate-to-low tuberculosis (TB)
incidence rate, 100% directly observed treatment (DOT) coverage, and
mandatory BCG vaccination at birth. The aim of the study was to examine the
incidence trend and clinical features of XPTB in Serbia during a 15-year
period. Methods. This retrospective observational study included XPTB cases
diagnosed in the period between 1st January 1993 and 31st Decembre 2007,
according to the reports of the National Referral Institute of Lung Diseases
and Tuberculosis in Belgrade and Central Tuberculosis Register. Population
estimates with extrapolations were based on 1991 and 2002 census data.
Results. While the overall TB incidence rate showed a slight, not significant
decreasing trend (p = 0.535), a significant increase was found for XPTB (y =
1.7996 + 0.089x; R2 = 0.4141; p = 0.01). A total of 2,858 XPTB cases (newly
diagnosed and 10% relapses) gave an average age specific incidence rate of
2.51/100,000 population (95% confidence interval, SD = 0.6182) with 8.9%
annual increase. The male-to-female ratio was 0.54. Lymph nodes were most
frequently affected site (48.5%) followed by genitourinary (20.5%), pleural
(12%), and osseo-arthicular (10.3%) TB. Treatment outcome was successful in
88.29% of patients (cured and completed), 3.64% died, 5.18% interrupted,
0.57% displaced, and 2.3% unknown. Conclusion. Increasing trend of XPTB
incidence rate may be a result of increased morbidity due to still present
risk factors, possible higher detection rate in Serbia and better
notification. A high coverage of newborns with BCG vaccination at birth might
contribute to a decreased number and rare XPTB cases in children.
Peripheral Blood Monocyte Gene Expression Profile Clinically Stratifies Patients With Recent-Onset Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Irvine Katharine M. , Gallego Patricia , An Xiaoyu , Best Shannon E. , Thomas Gethin , Wells Christine , Harris Mark , Cotterill Andrew , Thomas Ranjeny
Published: March 2012

Novel biomarkers of disease progression after type 1 diabetes onset are needed. We profiled peripheral blood (PB) monocyte gene expression in six healthy subjects and 16 children with type 1 diabetes diagnosed ∼3 months previously and analyzed clinical features from diagnosis to 1 year. Monocyte expression profiles clustered into two distinct subgroups, representing mild and severe deviation from healthy control subjects, along the same continuum. Patients with strongly divergent monocyte gene expression had significantly higher insulin dose–adjusted HbA1c levels during the first year, compared with patients with mild deviation. The diabetes-associated expression signature identified multiple perturbations in pathways controlling cellular metabolism and survival, including endoplasmic reticulum and oxidative stress (e.g., induction of HIF1A, DDIT3, DDIT4, and GRP78). Quantitative PCR (qPCR) of a 9-gene panel correlated with glycemic control in 12 additional recent-onset patients. The qPCR signature was also detected in PB from healthy first-degree relatives. A PB gene expression signature correlates with glycemic control in the first year after diabetes diagnosis and is present in at-risk subjects. These findings implicate monocyte phenotype as a candidate biomarker for disease progression pre- and postonset and systemic stresses as contributors to innate immune function in type 1 diabetes.
Measuring Home Advantage in Spanish Handball
Authors: Aguilar Óscar Gutiérrez , García Miguel Saavedra , Romero Juan José Fernández
Published: March 2012

Since Pollard established the system for analysing home advantage in 1986, it has been demonstrated and quantified in various sports, including many team sports. This study aims to assess whether home advantage exists in handball, using a sample of more than 19,000 Spanish handball league games. Results of the games played at home and away, the sex of the players, and the levels of the competition were included as variables. In Spanish handball, there was a home advantage of 61%, which means, on average, the team playing at home wins 61% of points available. This value varies according to sex and according to competition level, increasing as competition level decreases and season rank improves.
Effects of Lavender Aroma on Sleep Quality in Healthy Japanese Students
Authors: Hirokawa Kumi , Nishimoto Takashi , Taniguchi Toshiyo
Published: March 2012

This single-blind randomized study investigated the effectiveness of lavender aroma on quality of sleep in healthy Japanese students. The data of seven participants (2 men, 5 women) in the intervention group and eight participants (3 men, 5 women) in the control group were analyzed ( M age = 19.0 yr., SD = 0.9). The total procedure comprised 3 days for pre-intervention assessment, 5 days for the intervention, and 3 days for post-intervention assessment. Lavender exposure was compared with the absence of lavender (control). Information regarding the relaxing effect of aromas was provided to examine expectancy effects. Results showed that lavender aroma improved sleepiness at awakening after the intervention. Sex differences and daily variation in quality of sleep during the intervention period were not observed. The findings suggest that nighttime exposure to lavender aroma relieves sleepiness at awakening.
Metronome Rate and Walking Foot Contact Time in Young Adults
Authors: Dickstein Ruth , Plax Michael
Published: March 2012

It is assumed that when people walk guided by an audible constant rate, they match foot contact to the external pace. The purpose of this preliminary study was to test that assumption by examining the temporal relationship between audible signals generated by a metronome and foot contact time during gait. Ten healthy young women were tested in walking repetitions guided by metronome rates of 60, 110, and 150 beats/min. Metronome beats and foot contact times were collected in real time. The findings indicated that foot contact was not fully synchronized with the auditory signals; the shortest time interval between the metronome beat and foot contact time was at the prescribed rate of 60 beats/min., while the longest interval was at the rate of 150 beats/min. The correlation between left and right foot contact times was highest with the slowest rate and lowest with the fastest rate.
Head Movements While Steering around Bends
Authors: van Erp Jan B. F. , Oving Arjen B.
Published: March 2012

In this study, the determinants of head motions (rotations) when driving around bends were investigated when drivers viewed the scene through a head-mounted display. The scene camera was either fixed or coupled to head motions along 2 or 3 axes of rotation. Eight participants drove around a triangular circuit and the range and speed of head rotations, the correlations between head rotations and lateral acceleration, and the coupling between the different axes of head rotation were calculated. Results showed that substantial head rotations were made even when head rotations had no influence on the direction of the camera, suggesting a strong motor coupling between steering actions and head motion. Head roll was determined, at least in part, by the gravito-inertial force, contradicting earlier results reported in the literature.
On the homology of the Harmonic Archipelago
Authors: Karimov Umed , Repovš Dušan
Published: March 2012

We calculate the singular homology and Čech cohomology groups of the Harmonic Archipelago. As a corollary, we prove that this space is not homotopy equivalent to the Griffiths space. This is interesting in view of Eda’s proof that the first singular homology groups of these spaces are isomorphic.
Global $\widetilde{SL(2,R)}$ representations of the Schrödinger equation with singular potential
Authors: Franco Jose
Published: March 2012

We study the representation theory of the solution space of the one-dimensional Schrödinger equation with singular potential V
λ(x) = λx
−2 as a representation of
$\widetilde{SL(2,\mathbb{R})}$
. The subspace of solutions for which the action globalizes is constructed via nonstandard induction outside the semisimple category. By studying the subspace of K-finite vectors in this space, a distinguished family of potentials, parametrized by the triangular numbers is shown to generate a global representation of
$\widetilde{SL(2,\mathbb{R})}$
⋉ H
3, where H
3 is the three-dimensional Heisenberg group.
On the order three Brauer classes for cubic surfaces
Authors: Elsenhans Andreas-Stephan , Jahnel Jörg
Published: March 2012

We describe a method to compute the Brauer-Manin obstruction for smooth cubic surfaces over ℚ such that Br(S)/Br(ℚ) is a 3-group. Our approach is to associate a Brauer class with every ordered triplet of Galois invariant pairs of Steiner trihedra. We show that all order three Brauer classes may be obtained in this way. To show the effect of the obstruction, we give explicit examples.
Application of Jacobi’s last multiplier for construction of Hamiltonians of certain biological systems
Authors: Ghose Choudhury A. , Guha Partha
Published: March 2012

The relationship between Jacobi’s last multiplier and the Lagrangian of a second-order ordinary differential equation is quite well known. In this article we demonstrate the significance of the last multiplier in Hamiltonian theory by explicitly constructing the Hamiltonians of certain well known first-order systems of differential equations arising in biology.
Magnetic properties of ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles
Authors: Guskos Niko , Glenis Spiros , Typek Janusz , Zolnierkiewicz Grzegorz , Berczynski Pawel , Wardal Kamil , Guskos Aleksander , Sibera Daniel , Moszyński Dariusz , Lojkowski Witold , Narkiewicz Urszula
Published: March 2012

Fine particles of ZnFe2O4 were synthesized by a wet chemical method in the (80 wt.% Fe2O3 + 20 wt.% ZnO) system. The morphological and structural properties of the mixed system were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The major phase was determined to be the ZnFe2O4 spinel with particle size of 11 nm. The magnetic properties of the material were investigated by ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) in the temperature range from liquid helium to room temperature. A very intense, asymmetric FMR signal from ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles was recorded, which has been analyzed in terms of two Callen-lineshape lines. Temperature dependence of the FMR parameters was obtained from fitting the experimental lines with two component lines. Analysis of the FMR spectra in terms of two separate components indicates the presence of strongly anisotropic magnetic interactions.
Occam’s razor reveals a hidden Churg-Strauss syndrome
Authors: Nenna Raffaella , Mennini Maurizio , Petrarca Laura , Mastrogiorgio Gerarda , Magliocca Fabio , Bonamico Margherita
Published: March 2012

A 28 year-old caucasian lady, with nine years of uncontrolled bronchial asthma, rhinosinusitis and mild upper limb paresthesia, came to our attention to be followed for coeliac disease (CD). She had a biopsy performed elsewhere which proved the diagnosis five years before. Since there was no clinical improvement on a strict gluten-free diet, we re-evaluated the slides of her duodenal biopsies and we found an overestimation of the duodenal lesions due to the wrong orientation of the specimens. Moreover, she had never had positive CD-related antibodies and she was negative for DQ2/DQ8 MHC Class II heterodimers. Months later, she referred she was suffering from diffuse joint pain, epistaxis and a substantial weight loss. A few days later she was hospitalized because of a sudden onset of dyspnea, peripheral edema and pleural effusion. Her echocardiogram showed global left ventricular hypokenesia with an ejection fraction of 24%. The patient was discharged with a diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy and NYHA Class II. After a large spectrum of haematological exams, the diagnosis of Churg Strauss Syndrome (CSS), a rare multisystemic small-vessel necrotizing vasculitis, was confirmed by the presence of four/five out of six diagnostic American College of Rheumatology classification criteria (Asthma, Eosinophilia >10%, Neuropathy, Non-fixed pulmonary infiltrates, Paranasal sinus abnormality and Biopsy containing a blood vessel with extravascular eosinophils). Our patient had been under-diagnosed by pulmonologist and by gastroenterologists although she presented the criteria required for CSS diagnosis. Our case report emphasizes that often seemingly unrelated symptoms can be caused by a single rare clinical complex.
Spin-Polarized Scanning Tunneling Microscopy: Breakthroughs and Highlights
Authors: Bode Matthias
Published: March 2012

The principle of scanning tunneling microscopy, an imaging method with atomic resolution capability invented by Binnig and Rohrer in 1982, can be adapted for surface magnetism studies by using magnetic probe tips. The contrast mechanism of this so-called spin-polarized scanning tunneling
microscopy, or SP-STM, relies on the tunneling magneto-resistance effect, i.e. the tip–sample distance as well as the differential conductance depend on the relative magnetic orientation of tip and sample. To illustrate the working principle and the unique capabilities of SP-STM, this
compilation presents some key experiments which have been performed on various magnetic surfaces, such as the topological antiferromagnet Cr(001), a double-layer of Fe which exhibits a stripe- domain pattern with about 50 nm periodicity, and the Mn monolayer on W(110), where the combination
of experiment and theory reveal an antiferromagnetic spin cycloid. Recent experimental results also demonstrate the suitability of SP-STM for studies of dynamic properties, such as the spin relaxation time of single magnetic nanostructures.
Long-Term Clinical Outcomes Following the Central Incision Technique for Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy
Authors: Nunley James A. , Ruskin Greg , Horst Frank
Published: March 2012

Background: The central incision technique, more than any other exposure, allows for optimal access to the diseased Achilles tendon as well as the Haglund's prominence and the retro calcaneal bursa. We hypothesized that the central incision technique would be an effective, well-tolerated surgical incision for the surgical treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy with minimal to no loss of plantarflexion strength. Methods: Retrospective review of a single surgeon's experience with 27 patients, 29 surgical procedures utilizing this central approach. Isokinetic testing of plantarflexion strength, AOFAS Foot and Ankle Survey and AOFAS hindfoot score were administered to 22 patients at a mean followup time of 4 years. An additional telephone assessment was performed at a mean followup time of 7 years. Results: Average recovery time was 5.7 (range, 2 to 16) months. There was no significant difference in plantarflexion strength between the operative and nonoperative sides. At the early (4-year) assessment, 15 patients had an AOFAS hindfoot score of 100; the average AOFAS hindfoot score was 96. The long-term assessment at a mean of 7 years; 22 patients (including the two bilateral cases) reported pain scores of 0 and they had no strength deficits. Overall, there was a 96% (22 of 23) satisfaction rate. Conclusion: Surgical debridement and resection for insertional Achilles tendinopathy using the central incision technique appears to be a technically optimal procedure affording 96% pain-free patients out 7 years with minimal to no loss of strength.

Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Case Control Study
Biomechanical Comparison of the Achillon® Tendon Repair System and the Krackow Locking Loop Technique
Authors: Heitman Donald E , Ng Kenneth , Crivello Keith M , Gallina Jessica
Published: March 2012

Background: The Achillon® Achilles tendon repair system combines the benefits of open repair and percutaneous repair and has excellent clinical results with minimal complications. The Krackow locking loop has been the standard suture technique for many surgeons in open Achilles repair. We determined to see how the Achillon® repair compared with the Krackow locking loop in a biomechanical pull-out study. Methods: Paired lower limbs of ten human cadavers were randomly split to receive repair via Krackow locking loop or via Achillon® in concordance with the manufacturer's manual. Following repair, the study groups were subjected to the same tissue processing and tensioned to failure in an Instron® 8841 device. From load-displacement curves, initial linear stiffness, load to failure, and work to failure were determined. Results: The predominant mechanism of failure for the Krackow stitch was the breakage of the sutures or knots. The predominant failure mechanism of the Achillon® repairs was the tearing of the suture loops through the tendon tissue. Repairs using the Krackow stitch possessed an average maximum load to failure of 128.3 ± 30.3 N and a work to failure of 2199.1 ± 669.7 N mm. After excluding outliers, repairs with the Achillon® technique resulted in a maximum failure load of 178 ± 35.4 N and a work to failure of 3999.8 ± 942.7 N mm that were both significantly higher than the Krackow stitch ( p < 0.05). The initial stiffness of the repairs was significantly higher using the Krackow stitch (10.4 ± 2.0 N/mm) compared to the Achillon® technique (6.6 ± 2.3 N/mm) ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate a properly performed Achillon® repair can be stronger (higher load to failure) and tougher (higher work to failure) than an open repair using the Krackow locking loop, although the Krackow repair tends to be stiffer prior to plastic deformation in this model. Clinical Relevance: Applied correctly, the Achillon® repair system offers an effective, minimally invasive alternative to traditional open repair.
Complex Primary Arthrodesis of the First Metatarsophalangeal Joint After Bone Loss
Authors: Bhosale Abhijit , Munoruth Ashveen , Blundell Chris , Flowers Mark J. , Jones Stan , Davies Mark B.
Published: March 2012

Background: Complications associated with a failed Keller procedure or joint replacement include bone loss and shortening of the first ray. We treated failed Keller resection arthroplasty and joint replacement arthroplasty cases with metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis, using an interpositional tricortical autograft from the iliac crest and a low-profile titanium plate. Methods: This was a retrospective case note review of the patients treated by four consultant surgeons in a university teaching hospital. A Keller procedure was considered to have failed when patients presented with a short, painful great toe with valgus cock-up deformity. Prosthetic joint replacements were considered to have failed based on the clinico-radiological loosening with associated pain. Metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis was carried out using an interpositional tricortical bone autograft and a titanium plate. Patients were assessed for resolution of pain, clinical and radiological evidence of fusion and complications. Ten operated feet in nine female patients, with a mean age of 55.9 (range, 37.8 to 80.2) years were followed for a mean of 12.6 (range, 6 to 26) months. Six patients presented with failed prosthetic joint replacements and four with failed Keller arthroplasty. Results: Full clinico-radiological union was achieved in nine of the ten patients as judged by an independent consultant musculo-skeletal radiologist. Four patients needed removal of implants, one for infection, two for prominent hardware and one for implant failure. Eight of the ten patients were satisfied with the relief of pain. Conclusion: Failed arthroplasty or Keller procedure is a difficult problem to manage. We recommend complex primary arthrodesis with an interpositional iliac crest autograft and a low profile plate as a salvage procedure.

Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Case Series
Comparison of Percutaneous Screw Fixation and Calcium Sulfate Cement Grafting Versus Open Treatment of Displaced Intra-Articular Calcaneal Fractures
Authors: Chen Linwei , Zhang Guoyou , Hong Jianjun , Lu Xiaolang , Yuan Wen
Published: March 2012

Background: The conventional treatment for displaced intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus (DIACF), with open reduction and internal plate fixation (ORIF), carries the risk of wound infection and delayed recovery. Alternatively percutaneous fixation techniques offer the possibility of equivalent outcomes with a reduction in soft tissue complications. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of percutaneous reduction (PR), screw fixation, and calcium sulphate cement (CSC) grafting in the treatment of DIACF. Methods: Ninety patients were randomly assigned to PR and CSC grafting or ORIF between January 2006 and August 2008. The blood loss, Böhler's angle, calcaneal width, length, height and articular congruity of the posterior facet, wound complication, range of joint motion were compared, function scores such as American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score (AOFAS) and Maryland foot score (MFS) were measured. Results: The quality of reduction was not significantly different between the two groups. There were significant differences favoring PR in blood loss ( p < 0.01), range of joint motion ( p < 0.01), AOFAS ( p < 0.01) and MFS ( p < 0.01) between the two groups. Postop infection was 12% ORIF and 3% PC ( p = 0.23). Earlier weightbearing in the PR group did not result in a greater frequency of redisplacement than in the OR group. Conclusion: Our results indicate that compared with ORIF, the percutaneous reduction, fixation and CSC grafting for treatment of DIACF might allow accelerated weightbearing activity, reduce joint stiffness and improve the patients' satisfaction.

Level of Evidence: I, Prospective Radomized Trial
Spectrum of cutaneous manifestations in lupus erythematous -a dermatologist perspective
Authors: Bhattarai S , Agrawal S , Rijal A , Sharma SK , Dhakal SS
Published: March 2012

Background: The cutaneous manifestations of lupus erythematosus (LE) specific skin disease consists of acute cutaneous LE (ACLE), Subacute cutaneous (SCLE) and Chronic cutaneous (CCLE). Objective: To evaluate the spectrum of cutaneous manifestation in patients of LE. Methods: A case series of 41 clinically diagnosed cases of LE attending the outpatient department of Dermatology, BPKIHS were evaluated for the specific and non-specific skin changes. Results: All the patients enrolled in the study were female,with the age ranging from 14-64 years. ACLE was detected in 22/41(78.04%). Malar rash was the frequent skin lesion. CCLE was seen in 6/41 (14.63%) patients with classical discoid lesions (localized and generalized) in 4/6(66.66%) and 2/6(33.33%) respectively. Non specific skin lesions were found in 30/ 41(73.17%) of patients. Mucosal ulcers were seen in 23/41(56.09%), Facial telangiectasias 20/41(48.78%), Raynaunds phenomena 22/41(53.65%), Chronic urticaria 9/41(21.95%), Nail changes 12/41(29.26%) and non scarring alopecia was seen in 6/41(14.63%) patients. Eye involvement was seen in 3/41(7.3%), cutaneous vasculitis in 5/41(12.19%) and scaring alopecia in 3/41(7.3%) patients. Conclusion: The cutaneous manifestations of patients with lupus erythematosus (LE) are very frequent, show a great variety and can occur at any stage of the disease. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hren.v10i1.5999 HREN 2012; 10(1): 8-11