bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imaging of Tuberculosis — Experience from 503 Patients
Authors: Nyman R. S. , Brismar J. , Hugosson C. , Larsson S.-G. , Lundstedt C.
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

To give an overview of 503 patients with tuberculosis (TB) and to describe the radiologic findings of chest TB.

Material and Methods:

A total of 503 patients with proven TB were reviewed; 266 had chest involvement.

Results:

Lung lesions were demonstrated in 214 patients. Infiltrates in the basal parts of the lungs or pleural effusion were often primarily mistaken for viral or bacterial infections. Consolidations within the lungs and pleural thickening were sometimes indistinguishable from malignancy. Positive culture of the sputum without lung lesions was encountered in 12 cases. Enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes were demonstrated in 67 cases, 35 without lesions in the lungs. The lymphadenopathy could be extensive, and both clinically and radiologically indistinguishable from lymphoma.

Conclusion:

Due to the present increase in incidence of TB and the fact that TB can mimic many other conditions, it is important that both clinicians and radiologists have TB high on the list for differential diagnoses.
Mr Evaluation of Mediopatellar Plica
Authors: Nakanishi K. , Inoue M. , Ishida T. , Murakami T. , Tsuda K. , Ikezoe J. , Nakamura H.
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

Evaluation of the usefulness of MR imaging for diagnosing mediopatellar plica (MP) of the knee joint.

Material and Methods:

We prospectively examined MR images of 40 knee joints in 30 patients with symptoms. The pulse sequences were SE T1-weighted images (600/26 ms), T2-weighted images (1800/70), and FLASH images (320/15/flip angle 90°). When a low-intensity band was found above the medial condyle of the femur on T1-weighted and T2-weighted MR images, we defined it as MP. We compared these MR findings with arthroscopic findings, including the Sakakibara classification of MP.

Results:

In 29 of the 40 knee joints in which MP was arthroscopically found, 27 were correctly diagnosed as having MP on MR. In the remaining 11 without MP, 9 were correctly diagnosed by MR.

Conclusion:

MR images are useful not only for detecting MP but also for evaluating its extension. Our results suggest that MR imaging is useful as a screening method for detecting MP before arthroscopy.
Brain Penetration of Intrathecal Iomeprol in Dogs
Authors: La Noce A. , Lorenzon P. , Pugliese F. , Pellecchi G. , Orlandini I. , Tirone P.
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

Iomeprol, a new nonionic iodinated compound for intravascular use, is being evaluated as a myelographic contrast agent because of its low neurotoxicity. This study aimed to assess the degree of brain penetration of iomeprol after intrathecal administration.

Material and Methods:

Brain penetration in dogs was investigated by CT and compared with that of iopamidol, iohexol, and ioversol, currently used as myelographic contrast media (CM). Nervous tissue density was determined in different brain structures by recording Hounsfield values.

Results:

The experiments revealed that CM diffused from the cisternae into the parenchyma, reaching a maximum at 5–24 h after injection. The density of the examined brain regions was still higher than the preinjection levels 24 h later. No differences in brain penetration were observed among the CM investigated.

Conclusion:

The study has shown that iomeprol penetrates into the brain to the same extent as the most widely used myelographic CM.
Effects of Isosmolar Contrast Media on the Renal Cortical Blood Flow in Mice
Authors: Högström B. , Hietala S.-O. , Rooth P.
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

In vivo fluorescence microscopy was used in experimental studies of renal cortical microcirculation in mice. The effects of i.v. infusion of a nonionic monomeric contrast medium (iohexol), a nonionic dimeric contrast medium (iodixanol), and mannitol of corresponding osmolalities were studied.

Results:

All infusions produced marked effects on the distribution and velocity of renal cortical blood flow. Renal cortical blood flow was inhomogeneous as regards the different capillaries. There was an initial rapid rise in the blood flow in some capillaries after all infusions, while decreased flow was seen in other capillaries. The initial increase in renal cortical blood flow (RCBF) was significantly (p<0.05) more pronounced after infusion of iohexol than after infusion of mannitol 0.69 mol/l. In all other respects, the effects of contrast media on RCBF were the same as the effects of mannitol solutions with a corresponding osmolality. The effects of each contrast medium were the same as those of mannitol of corresponding osmolality. In the capillaries showing increased blood flow, the peak value was encountered slightly later after the infusion of iodixanol than after the infusion of iohexol. This was considered to be related to differences in viscosity rather than osmolality.

Conclusion:

The difference in osmolality between iodixanol and iohexol is of no significance with regard to their effects on RCBF.
Rathke's Cleft Cyst
Authors: Skjødt K. , Edal A. Loft , Nepper-Rasmussen H. J.
Published: June 2015

Two patients with Rathke's cleft cyst with uncommon MR signals, hyperintensity on T1-weighted, and hypointensity on T2-weighted 3-D fast field echo (FFE) imaging are reported.

We suggest that this is due to high content of cholesterol or mucopolysaccharide, possibly combined with cell debris from the cyst wall.
Mr Imaging before Arthroscopy in Knee Joint Disorders?
Authors: Rappeport E. D. , Mehta S. , Wieslander S. B. , Lausten G. Schwarz , Thomsen H. S.
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

To review the current literature examining the relative merits of arthroscopy and MR imaging of the knee.

Material and Methods:

All papers comparing MR imaging with arthroscopy published within the last 10 years according to Medline were collected and read.

Results:

Technology has improved considerably during recent years allowing detailed non-invasive visualization of the knee. In particular, the development of cheaper whole-body and dedicated low-field MR units has opened up for non-invasive inspection of the knee at reasonable cost. Meniscal tears can be detected with accuracy rates of around 90% and rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament with accuracy rates of around 93% compared to arthroscopy. However, arthroscopy is not the ideal gold standard, since it has weak points, e.g. peripheral meniscal tears or osteochondritis without apparent damage to the cartilage.

Conclusion:

Based on the overwhelming literature it seems safe to conclude that MR examinations of the knee should be performed before arthroscopy is undertaken.
Portal Vein Thrombosis Mimicking Tumour and Causing Obstructive Jaundice
Authors: Nyman R. , Al-Suhaibani H. , Kagevi I.
Published: June 2015

The case of a 28-year-old female patient with portal vein thrombosis mimicking tumour and causing obstructive jaundice is presented. The cavernous-transformed enlarged portal vein, explaining the mass-like lesion in the hepatic hilum on ultrasonography, compressed the extrahepatic bile ducts and caused obstructive jaundice. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography demonstrated multiple nodular extrinsic indentations of the extrahepatic bile ducts with moderately dilated intrahepatic bile ducts.
Elimination of Ioversol by Hemodialysis
Authors: Ueda J. , Furukawa T. , Takahashi S. , Sakaguchi K.
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

The dialysability of ioversol was investigated in 12 patients with chronic renal failure, on 4-h hemodialysis.

Material and Methods:

One hundred ml of ioversol (320 mg I/ml) was injected in less than 10 min during CT. Hemodialysis was commenced within 30 min of starting the contrast medium injection and was continued for 4 h. Blood was sampled before and at 15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, and 4 h after the start of hemodialysis. Mean dialysance of ioversol was 114 to 129 ml/min and the elimination rate was 82.5±5.1% 4 h after starting hemodialysis. The half-life of ioversol during hemodialysis was 1.80±0.38 h. The only side effects of the ioversol injection were heat sensations, which were experienced by 3 patients.

Results:

As ioversol was effectively removed from the body during the 4 h of hemodialysis and no severe adverse reactions were observed, we conclude that ioversol is suitable for use in hemodialyzed patients.
Software Upgrading in a CT Scanner
Authors: Kalef-Ezra J. A. , Karantanas A. H.
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

In an attempt to improve field uniformity and CT number stability, the software in a CT scanner was replaced with a new version. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of the software upgrading on density measurements.

Material and Methods:

The upgrading influence was investigated by means of a torso phantom (European spinal). The phantom simulates a torso which contains 3 vertebrae of different densities.

Results:

Despite the use of a reference standard under the phantom, the software change resulted in: a) improved short-term precision; b) increased density values at 80 and 100 kVp, decreased at 130 kVp; and c) increased influence of the kVp on the values.

Conclusion:

The results of the present study suggest that conversion factors have to be used in density values for reference populations as well as in the values of patients undergoing follow-up studies.
Mr Imaging in Recurrent Pain after Back Surgery
Authors: Åkeson P. , Annertz M. , Kristoffersen D. T. , Jonsson E. , Holtås S.
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

To compare the diagnostic results following injection of (a) a high dose (0.3 mmol/kg b.w.) of gadodiamide injection and (b) the standard dose (0.1 mmol/kg b.w.) of Gd-DTPA, in patients with recurrent symptoms after surgery for lumbar disc herniation.

Material and Methods:

Twenty patients with recurrent or sustained symptoms after surgery for lumbar disc herniations were examined. MR imaging (0.3 T) was first performed before and after Gd-DTPA at 0.1 mmol/kg b.w., and then within one month (17 patients) or within 3 months (3 patients) before and after gadodiamide injection at 0.3 mmol/kg b.w. The examinations were first evaluated by 2 neuroradiologists blinded to dose but not to patient as the images were presented in pairs. Six months later the same investigators evaluated the examinations again, this time blinded to both dose and patient.

Results:

At the evaluation in pairs (with the investigators blinded to dose only) the high-dose examinations were considered the most informative (p=0.05). However, at the later evaluation (with the investigators blinded both to dose and patient) no significant difference between high and standard dose was found regarding diagnosis or diagnostic certainty.

Conclusion:

In this study the high-dose contrast enhancement of MR imaging at 0.3 T did not increase the diagnostic information for differentiating between scar and recurrent hernia. The high-dose images were considered more informative when evaluated in pairs, but gave no additional or different information when evaluated separately. The study also indicated that comparisons in pairs should be interpreted with caution.
Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology of Non-Palpable Supraclavicular Lymph Nodes in Sarcoidosis
Authors: Lohela P. , Tikkakoski T. , Strengell L. , Mikkola S. , Koskinen S. , Suramo I.
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

The aim of this prospective study was to determine the incidence of enlarged supraclavicular lymph nodes by US and the diagnostic yield of US-guided aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

Methods:

During a 54-month period, all consecutive patients with a clinical suspicion of sarcoidosis underwent supraclavicular US at the Kiljava Hospital, Finland. All patients with enlarged supraclavicular lymph nodes underwent US-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the lymph node.

Results:

Of a total of 250 patients, 27 (10.8%) had enlarged supraclavicular lymph nodes at US. All these were non-palpable at clinical examination. The cytological specimen was quantitatively sufficient in 25 of the 27 cases (93%). In 22 (88%) of these, the cytological diagnosis was granulomatous inflammation suggestive of sarcoidosis. Three aspirates yielded reactive hyperplasia and 2 specimens were insufficient. No complications occurred. The patients were followed for 2–42 months (mean 19 months), and the diagnosis of sarcoidosis was confirmed clinically in all cases.

Conclusion:

Supraclavicular US detects non-palpable enlarged lymph nodes in 1/10 of the patients with suspected sarcoidosis. In this subgroup of patients, US combined with aspiration cytology may give cytological evidence of granulomatous disease similar to sarcoidosis and more invasive diagnostic methods can be avoided.
What Makes Them More Vulnerable Than Others? Obesity, Negative Emotions, and Peer Bullying Victimization
Authors: Jeong Seokjin , Davis Jaya , Rodriguez John , Han Youngsun
Published: June 2015

Negative impacts resulting from peer bullying victimization include psychological stress, emotional and academic maladjustment, decreased self-esteem, relational problems with peers, and may also lead to suicidal ideation and behavior. Therefore, efforts have been concentrated toward identifying characteristics of victims and perpetrators of bullying to allocate resources for preventive strategies. The current study adds to this ongoing research by using a nationally representative sample of adolescents to identify health-related correlates (obesity and negative emotions) of students vulnerable to peer bullying victimization, as well as exploring individual and school-related characteristics. Findings suggest that negative emotions are related to peer bully victimization, but a relationship between obesity and victimization is not clear. In addition, students attending schools with bullying prevention programs were more likely to report physical victimization. Discussion is offered regarding these findings and suggestions for future research in this area.
Characterizing Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault Subtypes and Treatment Engagement of Victims at a Hospital-Based Rape Treatment Center
Authors: Richer Laurie A. , Fields Laurie , Bell Shannon , Heppner Jennifer , Dodge Jessica , Boccellari Alicia , Shumway Martha
Published: June 2015

Variation among existing studies in labeling, defining, identifying, and subtyping cases of suspected drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) poses challenges to integrating research findings for public health purposes. This descriptive study addressed methodological issues of nomenclature and DFSA operational definitions to improve case identification and was designed to distinguish assault subtypes. We studied a 2-year ethnically diverse cohort of 390 patients who presented acutely to an urban rape treatment center (RTC). We abstracted data from RTC medical and mental health records via chart review. Assault incidence rates; engagement into medical, forensic, and mental health services; injury sustained; and weapon use were calculated separately for assault subtypes and compared. DFSA accounted for over half of the total sexual assault (SA) cases. Involuntary DFSA (in which an incapacitating substance was administered to victims without their knowledge or against their will) increased from 25% to 33% of cases over the 2-year period. DFSA victims presented sooner, and more often attended medical follow-up and psychotherapy than non-DFSA victims. Incidence rates indicated increasing risk for young males. These findings indicate that DFSA continues to be a growing and complex phenomenon and suggest that DFSA victims have greater service needs. The field would benefit from innovations to address symptomatology arising from this novel type of trauma and the unique risks and needs of male victims, as well as underscoring the ongoing need for DFSA-specific prevention efforts for both victims and perpetrators.
Direct start of a gasoline direct-injection engine without a starter
Authors: Xie Fangxi , Hong Wei , Su Yan , Wang Qingnian , Zhu Hang , Gu Chunshan
Published: June 2015

When start–stop system technology is employed, the direct-start method without requiring a starter is considered to be a viable and low-cost solution for a gasoline direct-injection engine in a good thermal state to guarantee that the engine starts frequently and quickly. In this experimental work, the effects of the initial start conditions on successful realization of the direct-start method were investigated by using a four-cylinder gasoline direct-injection engine without considering the effect of the residual gas. Moreover, the changes in the combustion pressure and the rotational speed of the engine with different control parameters of the cylinders which were stopped on the compression and expansion strokes were examined, and the reliability and the stability of the direct-start method were analysed. Some control parameters have significant influences on the combustion pressure and the rotational characteristics of the crankshaft. The initial position of the piston stopped on the compression stroke and located between 60° crank angle before top dead centre and 70° crank angle before top dead centre is optimal to the direct-start method. The raised fuel pressure is beneficial for accomplishing a direct start, resulting in a lower fuel consumption and a shorter response time during the start. When the initial position of the piston is between 50° crank angle before top dead centre and 85° crank angle before top dead centre, the direct start method can still be realized successfully at an injection pressure of 0.5–2.3 MPa. From 50 tests, it was demonstrated that the direct-start method has a better reliability and a better stability at the initial piston position of 50°–85° crank angle before top dead centre, which acquired a nearly 100% probability that the gasoline direct-injection engine is successfully started with a variation in the rotational speed of less than 7%. The engine can almost reach the idle speed after the initial five working cycles. In comparison with the conventional start mode with a starter, the direct-start mode also has a better start response.
Prediction of hip joint load and translation using musculoskeletal modelling with force-dependent kinematics and experimental validation
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Chen Zhenxian , Wang Ling , Yang Wenjian , Li Dichen , Jin Zhongmin
Published: June 2015

Musculoskeletal lower limb models are widely used to predict the resultant contact force in the hip joint as a non-invasive alternative to instrumented implants. Previous musculoskeletal models based on rigid body assumptions treated the hip joint as an ideal sphere with only three rotational degrees of freedom. An musculoskeletal model that considered force-dependent kinematics with three additional translational degrees of freedom was developed and validated in this study by comparing it with a previous experimental measurement. A 32-mm femoral head against a polyethylene cup was considered in the musculoskeletal model for calculating the contact forces. The changes in the main modelling parameters were found to have little influence on the hip joint forces (relative deviation of peak value < 10 BW%, mean trial deviation < 20 BW%). The centre of the hip joint translation was more sensitive to the changes in the main modelling parameters, especially muscle recruitment type (relative deviation of peak value < 20%, mean trial deviation < 0.02 mm). The predicted hip contact forces showed consistent profiles, compared with the experimental measurements, except in the lateral–medial direction. The ratio-average analysis, based on the Bland–Altman’s plots, showed better limits of agreement in climbing stairs (mean limits of agreement: −2.0 to 6.3 in walking, mean limits of agreement: −0.5 to 3.1 in climbing stairs). Better agreement of the predicted hip contact forces was also found during the stance phase. The force-dependent kinematics approach underestimated the maximum hip contact force by a mean value of 6.68 ± 1.75% BW compared with the experimental measurements. The predicted maximum translations of the hip joint centres were 0.125 ± 0.03 mm in level walking and 0.123 ± 0.005 mm in climbing stairs.
What Eye Movements Reveal About Deaf Readers
Authors: Bélanger Nathalie N. , Rayner Keith
Published: June 2015

Levels of illiteracy in deaf populations around the world have been extremely high for decades and much higher than the illiteracy levels found in the general population. Research has mostly focused on deaf readers’ difficulties rather than on their strengths, but having a better grasp of deaf readers’ strengths could inform reading education. Deaf readers are a unique population. They process language and the world surrounding them mostly via the visual channel, and this greatly affects how they read or might learn to read. The study of eye movements in reading provides highly sophisticated information about how words and sentences are processed, and our research with deaf readers reveals the importance of their uniqueness.
Emotional Distress, Alcohol Use, and Bidirectional Partner Violence Among Lesbian Women
Authors: Lewis Robin J. , Padilla Miguel A. , Milletich Robert J. , Kelley Michelle L. , Winstead Barbara A. , Lau-Barraco Cathy , Mason Tyler B.
Published: June 2015

This study examined the relationship between emotional distress (defined as depression, brooding, and negative affect), alcohol outcomes, and bidirectional intimate partner violence among lesbian women. Results lend support to the self-medication hypothesis, which predicts that lesbian women who experience more emotional distress are more likely to drink to cope, and in turn report more alcohol use, problem drinking, and alcohol-related problems. These alcohol outcomes were, in turn, associated with bidirectional partner violence (BPV). These results offer preliminary evidence that, similar to findings for heterosexual women, emotional distress, alcohol use, and particularly, alcohol-related problems are risk factors for BPV among lesbian women.
Housing and Household Instability
Authors: Desmond Matthew , Perkins Kristin L.
Published: June 2015

Previous research attempting to estimate the effects of residential instability typically overlooks other consequential changes within households that may be coincident with moving. Drawing on novel data of renting households in Milwaukee that recently relocated ( N = 569), this article establishes the frequency at which residential or housing instability is accompanied by household instability: changes in the composition of adults living under the same roof. We find that most moves are accompanied by household instability and that households with young children are significantly more likely to experience household instability. These findings imply that researchers attempting to isolate the effects of residential instability, especially for children, should account for the possible influence of household change.
Caring for people with severe myalgic encephalomyelitis: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of parents’ experiences
Authors: Mihelicova Martina , Siegel Zachary , Evans Meredyth , Brown Abigail , Jason Leonard
Published: June 2015

Experiences of parents who care for sons or daughters with severe myalgic encephalomyelitis are rarely discussed within the literature. Narratives of parent–carers in Lost Voices from a Hidden Illness were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. This study aimed to give voices to those who care for individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis and are often stigmatized and inform future research supporting parent–carers. Results included themes of identity change, guilt, feeling like outsiders, uncertainty, changing perceptions of time, coping mechanisms, and improvement/symptom management. Findings could inform the development of carer-focused interventions and provide vital information to health professionals about parent–carers’ lived experience.
Who does not get screened? A simple model of the complex relationships in mammogram non-attendance
Authors: Sen Celia KN , Kumkale G Tarcan
Published: June 2015

With increasing mammogram rates, identifying attributes of non-attending women entails going beyond differences in demographic groups to reveal complex interactions among personality attributes. In this study, we analyzed survey data from 474 women aged 41 years and older using decision trees. By incorporating personality, religiousness, and age, we were able to correctly classify 42.9 percent of non-attenders compared to 4.4 percent with logistic regression analysis. Our findings suggest that incorporating personality and religiousness attributes may increase non-attender identification. Furthermore, the simple profile generated by decision trees provides a clear map useful for intervention planning.
Cryoamputation: An old surgical technique to be kept on ice?
Authors: Wordsworth Matthew , McGuire Carina , Khan Mansoor
Published: June 2015

Cryoamputation is a little known method of delaying a surgical amputation by rapid freezing of the affected limb to prevent further derangement of systemic physiology – hence its historical name of ‘physiologic amputation’. Rapid cryoamputation allows for a period of optimisation before surgical amputation in unstable patients. There is limited published literature on the technique and a systematic review was undertaken to identify the techniques, potential indications, complications and potential relevance to current practice and related novel developments. A literature review produced 15 relevant papers that were reviewed; all were either case reports or case series. Cryoamputation can be a lifesaving procedure in a cohort of patients at a high risk of mortality. It is a historical damage control technique and whilst it is unlikely to be used regularly, it is an effective, rapid and simple technique that should not yet be forgotten.
Toward broader perspectives of young children’s mathematics: Recognizing and comparing Olivia’s beliefs and activity
Authors: Wernet Jamie L , Nurnberger-Haag Julie
Published: June 2015

Little research exists on young children’s beliefs about mathematics, and current research perspectives on early mathematical activity may overlook a great deal of young children’s sophisticated mathematical thinking. We argue this is attributable, in part, to a need for a broader view of what mathematics is, including cultural practices that are mathematical. Thus, this study investigated a young child’s mathematical activity and beliefs prior to school using a framework reflecting a view of mathematics as cultural activity. Through the case study of Olivia, aged 3 and 9 months, we found that her early beliefs about mathematics did not reflect her rich mathematical activity. Although Olivia engaged in a diverse range of mathematical activity (counting, measuring, designing, playing, locating, and explaining), what she believed mathematics to be was constrained to writing numbers and letters. To help young children perceive their own activity as mathematical, we argue there is a need: (a) for researchers, parents, teachers, and teacher educators to recognize the range of mathematics in children’s everyday activities; (b) to explicitly tell children when their activity includes mathematics; and (c) for teacher educators to emphasize the cultural nature of early mathematical experiences and how to capitalize on these experiences.
Digital literacy practices and pedagogical moments: Human and non-human intertwining in early childhood education
Authors: Lafton Tove
Published: June 2015

Various forms of digital devices have established themselves as resources within constructions of professional practices in early childhood education. This article is centred on the question of how we might rethink an example of digital practice based on a Foucauldian understanding of discourse and a rhizomatic understanding of digital practice through the actor network theory. The article puts forth several theoretical arguments to examine data illustrating recurring situations from an ethnographically inspired fieldwork in Norwegian kindergartens. Acknowledging how material agency destabilises human knowledge, the final section of the paper presents the Deleuzian concept of ‘event’ to examine some elements that evoke forces and actions in the network. The article argues that the potential of these forces can both open up pedagogy in relation to digital practices and challenge notions of agency when non-humans are understood as actors.
Experimental investigation on noise radiation characteristics of pulse detonation engine–driven ejector
Authors: Huang Xi-qiao , Li Moqi , Yuan Yuan-yuan , Xiong Yue-fei , Zheng Longxi
Published: June 2015

The noise radiation characteristics of multi-cycle pulse detonation engine with and without ejector were investigated under different operating frequencies utilizing gasoline as fuel and air as oxidizer. The straight cylindrical ejector with convergent inlet geometry was coaxially installed at different axial locations relative to the exit of the detonation tube. In all the experiments, the equivalence ratios of gasoline–air mixture and the fill fraction were 1.2 and 1.0, respectively. The experimental results implied that the addition of ejector could drastically change the far-field acoustic performance of pulse detonation engine exit and the peak sound pressure level of noise radiation was a strong function of the ejector axial position. But the peak sound pressure level was not sensitive to the operating frequencies which varied from 10 to 25 Hz. The pulse sound pressure level, however, increased with the increase in operating frequencies. The far-field jet-noise measurements of the pulse detonation engine-ejector system also showed that ejector could decrease the peak sound pressure level of pulse detonation engine. The maximum reduction was approximately 8.5 dB. For the current pulse detonation engine test conditions, an optimum ejector position was found to be a downstream axial placement of x/ DPDE = 0.5.
QoS guarantee protocol based on combination of opportunistic dynamic cloud service and cooperative multimedia stream for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Jin Yong , Li Ruigang , Dai Huan , Zhang Junchao
Published: June 2015

In real-time multimedia applications, the most problems are how to store, process, and transport the multimedia data with cloud, how to optimize the cloud platform to satisfy the user demand, as well as how to provide the quality of service (QoS) guarantees by combining cloud platform and wireless sensor networks (WSNs). To overcome these issues, the multimedia cloud was designed according to the characteristics of group of pictures (GOP), determining degree, and video frame density. The opportunistic dynamic multimedia cloud platform was proposed on the basis of the variation of packet error rate, decodable frame ratio and peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) with channel quality. Then, the optimal multi-relay hierarchical cooperative multimedia transmission scheme was designed and implemented by reconstructing the cooperative multimedia stream based on the framing of GOP. For enhancing the multimedia cloud computing efficiency and decreasing the complexity of encoding and decoding of multimedia stream, we combined the opportunistic dynamic multimedia cloud platform and cooperative multimedia stream, which can also enhance the resources utilization of WSNs. Finally, the QoS guarantee protocol with the combination of opportunistic dynamic multimedia cloud platform and cooperative multimedia stream for WSNs (ODM-CM-WSN) was presented. Especially, the layered architectural model for multimedia applications and the opportunistic cooperative multimedia cloud service model were developed. The mathematical and simulation results demonstrate that the proposed QoS guarantee protocol can satisfy the various requirements of multimedia applications and provide reliable and efficient cloud services with WSNs.
A productivity analysis considering environmental pollution and diseases in China
Authors: Cao Huijuan , Fujii Hidemichi , Managi Shunsuke
Published: June 2015

Environmental pollution and human health problems are becoming serious issues in China. This research focuses on regional differences in productive inefficiencies and attempts to clarify the determinants of inefficiency, accounting economic, environmental and health-related factors. Our dataset includes information of 29 areas in China from 2003 to 2009. We find that after accounting for environmental pollution and health impacts, the productive inefficiency of the examined areas reduced; this result holds for both the national and provincial levels. Our results imply that government efforts to improve social welfare should emphasize increases in foreign direct investment and private medical expenditures.

JEL codes: I15, O44, O47, R11
Early Modern Audiences and the Pleasures of Cross-Dressed Characters
Authors: Low Jennifer A.
Published: June 2015

This essay constructs a genealogy for early modern audience studies, showing how this subcategory of scholarship on early modern drama responds to some of the questions raised by early New Historicist criticism. The foundation of audience studies is theater history; its methodology often derives from phenomenology-inflected theater studies, which examines perceptions of experience onstage and off. However, the assumption in New Historicist criticism that early modern drama actively participates in its culture, not merely reflecting the public sphere but actively shaping it, leads naturally to an investigation of the interactions among theater audiences and the various parts of the theater industry. To demonstrate the possibilities of audience studies, this essay includes an analysis of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher's play Love's Cure; or, The Martial Maid (1647), a comic drama with a cross-dressed brother and sister. The analysis examines the construction of the play and its production history to understand the potential pleasures it offered to early modern spectators. This adds a new dimension to the gender studies that formerly dominated the scholarship on this play. The combination of several factors suggests that it was the element of femininity, both artificial and somewhat exaggerated, in performance, that made watching boy actors in the roles of young maidens so pleasurable for spectators. Among the factors involved are the playwright's decision to foreground the characters' study of appropriate gender performance; the creation of this play for the King's Men, a company whose repertoire frequently featured multiple female characters; and the peculiar acoustics of the Globe, which made alto voices particularly resonant.
Collective Minds in Fact and Fiction: Intermental Thought and Group Consciousness in Early Modern Narrative
Authors: Fludernik Monika
Published: June 2015

Taking its inspiration from cognitive narratology and particularly the work of Alan Palmer on the Victorian novel, this essay examines to what extent collective minds can be traced in early modern narratives. One of the typical sites of intermental thought is the representation of crowds. The essay discusses how collectivity and intermentality are textualized in depictions of riots. It first analyzes Sir Philip Sidney's The Old Arcadia (1580) as a case study of rebellion in early modern fiction. The results of the analysis are then compared with selected passages from Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles and their representation of crowds and revolts. In contrast to the focus on the festive crowd and the Bakhtinian carnivalesque prevalent in previous studies of early modern riots, the emphasis will be directed here to the emergence of a collective mind, how it is represented, and to what extent it allows an insight into counterhegemonic or subversive thought. The essay accordingly tries to marry the formal analysis of narratology with the New Historicist focus on the dialectics of discourse and power.
Medical Technologies for Recovery Treatment of Children Operated on Cerebral Palsy, in the Conditions of the Balneologic Resort
Authors: Бабина  , Babina L. , Кривобоков  , Krivobokov Vladislav
Published: June 2015

The problem of infantile cerebral palsy one of the urgent problems of child neuropathology and orthopedics. 60% of children with disabilities have associated disturbances of abilities to move, to make precise movements, i.e., to control their own actions. Movement disorders cause abnormal muscle synergies, resulting in relatively quickly formed fixed contractures, which prevent the movement. As a result, these children need for surgical correction and long-term rehabilitative treatment in the postoperative pe-riod. However, natural curative factors become more important. These factors in adequate dosages increase functional reserve capacities of the child´s body systems and contribute to the improvement of adaptive responses. Most physiological and adequate method in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy is a spa-treatment. The authors’ purpose of this study is to develop and scientifically justify a system of restorative treatment of children operated on cerebral palsy, in the conditions of the balneologic resort. In the children´s psycho-neurological department of the Pyatigorsk clinic five randomized groups of children after surgical treatment for cerebral palsy were observed. Detailed clinical psycho-neurological examination, electromyography, electroencephalography, rheoencephalography, rheovasography were performed in all patients. The studies in the immediate and long-term follow allow to recommending the medical technologies for complex therapy of children after surgery for cerebral palsy. Continued improvement in a small number of children with cerebral palsy is the criterion of having to re-resort treatment.
Mathematical Simulation of Biotechnical Scanner to Determine Hydration Degrees a Biological Tissue in Norme and at Different Pathologies
Authors: Смолин  , Smolin V.
Published: June 2015

The organs and tissues of the living body depending on the structure and functional states can contain from 50 to 90% of water. Water in a living organism can be in two forms: free water and structured water. Structured water forms strong links with organic molecules. Free water is movable, its quantity can vary considerably depending on the functional state of the body and determines a hydration degree of a tissues.

In clinical practice, the existing technical possibilities of determining hydration degree of biological objects are li-mited and hardly used. Any conclusions about the cause of death due to swelling are not sufficiently and quantified justified.

This paper is devoted to the development of a mathematical model of biotechnical scanner to determine the degree of hydration of biological tissues, based on the physic-chemical effect caused by additive volume of the system in the interaction of the sample of biological tissue with ethanol.

The mathematical model demonstrated that the violations of additivity volume are observed even with the addition of small water volume to large alcohol volume. A probabilistic model was developed and shown that the effects of the exothermic reaction, mixing water and ethanol, have a strong effect on the dates of the process. But this fixing process of a biological object is extended during times, the studied system by the end of fixation will go down in the stationary regime, which will determine the degree of hydration.

Registration changes of the system volume during the interaction of a biological object with ethanol allows to studying the dynamics of physical and chemical processes in the reactor of biotechnical scanner.
Acupuncture and Neurostimulation Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction in the Patients with the Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Долаев  , Dolaev R.
Published: June 2015

There were 40 patients with a metabolic syndrome with erectile dysfunction under observation. All patients received physiotherapy exercises, psychotherapeutic correction of a sex disadaptation, epicutaneous electrical stimulation of cavernous bodies of a penis and muscles of a pelvic bottom, and acupuncture according to specially developed scheme. It is proved that the combination of medical methods provides duration of therapeutic effect after course of treat-ment. Normalization of integrated indicators of the International index of erectile function came at 72,5% of patients. Vegetative indicators reached values of norm at 72,5% of patients, normalization of volume of a prostate came at 72,5% of patients, a prostate hemodynamic – at 70% of patients. The penil hemodynamic was normalized at 72,5% of patients. Normalization of functional activity hypothalamic – adrenal and testicular system came at 70% of patients. Components of a copulative cycle reached values of norm at 70% of patients. Carbohydrate metabolism was normalized at 75%, lipide – at 72,5%, biochemical markers of endothelial dysfunction – at 72,5% of patients, the index of exacerbations of a metabolic syndrome decreased by 1,9 times. The remote results of therapeutic effect in 1 year after treatment showed that appreciable improvement was observed at 55%, improvement – at 25%, without improvement – at 20% of patients.
Effect of ibandronate on bending strength and toughness of rodent cortical bone
Authors: Savaridas T. , Wallace R. J. , Dawson S. , Simpson A. H. R. W.
Published: June 2015

Objectives

There remains conflicting evidence regarding cortical bone strength following bisphosphonate therapy. As part of a study to assess the effects of bisphosphonate treatment on the healing of rat tibial fractures, the mechanical properties and radiological density of the uninjured contralateral tibia was assessed.

Methods

Skeletally mature aged rats were used. A total of 14 rats received 1µg/kg ibandronate (iban) daily and 17 rats received 1 ml 0.9% sodium chloride (control) daily. Stress at failure and toughness of the tibial diaphysis were calculated following four-point bending tests.

Results

Uninjured cortical bone in the iban group had a significantly greater mean (standard deviation (sd)), p < 0.001, stress at failure of 219.2 MPa (sd 45.99) compared with the control group (169.46 MPa (sd 43.32)) following only nine weeks of therapy. Despite this, the cortical bone toughness and work to failure was similar. There was no significant difference in radiological density or physical dimensions of the cortical bone.

Conclusions

Iban therapy increases the stress at failure of uninjured cortical bone. This has relevance when normalising the strength of repair in a limb when comparing it with the unfractured limb. However, the 20% increase in stress at failure with iban therapy needs to be interpreted with caution as there was no corresponding increase in toughness or work to failure. Further research is required in this area, especially with the increasing clinical burden of low-energy diaphyseal femoral fractures following prolonged use of bisphosphonates. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2015;4:99–104
Aplicación de un Sistema de Información Geográfica en un estudio de capacidad de acogida del territorio
Authors: Sánchez Pardo Ángel , Ramón Morte Alfredo
Published: June 2015

Hace aproximadamente 25 años, un grupo de geógrafos elaboró un sistema de organización espacial de información mediante un ordenador. Este adelanto tecnológico se denominó Sistemas de Información Geográfica (S.I.G.). Paralelamente los avances tecnológicos, posibilitaron el aumento de sus aplicaciones. Este artículo constituye un ejemplo del uso de PC ARC/INFO G.I.S. en un estudio ecológico de capacidad de uso del suelo en el triángulo formado por las ciudades de Alicante, Elche y Santa Pola.
Una desconstrucción histórica y social de la noción de centro histórico
Authors: Martínez López Miguel
Published: June 2015

En este trabajo se revisan distintas concepciones sobre los centros históricos y su doble utilidad: tanto para hacer de ellos un objeto de investigación de una o más disciplinas académicas; como para fundamentar las intervenciones urbanísticas y sociales que sobre ellos se vienen realizando en las últimas décadas. El análisis parte de un punto de vista sociológico para preguntarse en qué medida las concepciones sobre los centros históricos de las ciudades de tamaño medio y de metrópolis están eludiendo los problemas sociales que en ellos se alojan. En líneas generales se puede distinguir una evolución en los discursos dominantes sobre el centro histórico que abarca desde posturas demoledoras e higienistas de renovación urbana, hasta una concepción conservacionista, primero, estigmatizadora socialmente después y, finalmente, «estratégica» o mercantil, en coherencia con la reestructuración económica que se le impone últimamente a las ciudades. En el caso que he podido investigar a fondo —el Casco Vello de Vigo (Martínez, 1995, 1996)— y en la comparación con otros cascos antiguos, he podido verificar estos desplazamientos. Pero también, el proceso de desconstrucción y duda metódica sobre los sentidos y connotaciones que adquieren los centros históricos, puede revelar que entre unas experiencias de unas ciudades a otras no existe una nítida transacción o copia de modelos —especialmente de aquellos más progresistas— y que debajo de las distintas nociones dominantes queda toda una heterogeneidad oculta que no se suele considerar dentro de las políticas rehabilitadoras: problemas sociales de vivienda y agrupamientos, segregaciones espaciales, la historia de la participación ciudadana, etc.
Eine Poetik des Dazwischen
Authors: Sombroek Andreas
Published: June 2015

Der Schriftsteller und Filmemacher Alexander Kluge setzt der Komplexität der Wirklichkeit eine Film- und Textpoetik entgegen, die das Dazwischen, den Schnitt, die Lücke als wesentliche Ausdrucksform des Erzählens wählt. Seine Arbeitsweise ist geprägt durch den Gestus permanenter medialer und textueller Grenzüberschreitung. Der Band geht der Frage nach, in welchen Ausdrucksformen sich die für Kluge so zentrale Kategorie des Dazwischen manifestiert. Er untersucht - gestützt auf materialreiche Analysen - Kluges intermediale Theorie und Praxis des Erzählens und bietet gleichzeitig eine Einführung in die gegenwärtigen Debatten zur Intermedialität und Intertextualität.
Soziale Grundsicherung in der Weltgesellschaft
Authors: Leisering Lutz , Buhr Petra , Traiser-Diop Ute
Published: June 2015

Auch Sozialpolitik globalisiert sich. Das Buch zeigt, dass sozialhilfe- und rentenartige Grundsicherungssysteme nicht nur in entwickelten, sondern auch in Entwicklungs- und Übergangsgesellschaften wirksame Instrumente der Armutsbekämpfung sein können. Direkte Geldleistungen etwa an von AIDS betroffene Familien, alleinerziehende Frauen und Alte können auch entwicklungspolitisch produktiv sein. Das Buch gibt erstmals einen weltweiten Überblick über monetäre Grundsicherungssysteme. Die Grundsicherungsstrategie markiert einen Paradigmenwechsel in der Entwicklungspolitik und stützt die These John W. Meyers einer sich verbreitenden universalistischen Weltkultur.
SignaTM – Towards Electronic Document Cross-Border Interoperability
Authors: Besson Jeremy , Birstunas Adomas , Mitasiunas Antanas , Stockus Arunas
Published: June 2015

Transfer of information-based services to an electronic environment is the accomplished fact. Some of such services lead to creation of electronic documents that are signed by qualified e-signature and have legal value equal to hand-signed documents. In fact, the documents are created not for private use but for an exchange with the others. The main challenge of the electronic document usage is their interoperability. An electronic document is a dual technical and legal artefact that depends on a national legislation system and “lives” within a national platform of electronic documents. Therefore, an electronic document is not a subject of technical standardization only. The paper introduces a new concept for an electronic document cross-border interoperability solution based on creation of original copies for each national electronic document platform of the document signatories.