bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of extended osteochondral lesions of the talus with a free vascularised bone graft from the medial condyle of the femur
Authors: Hintermann B. , Wagener J. , Knupp M. , Schweizer C. , J. Schaefer D.
Published: September 2015

Large osteochondral lesions (OCLs) of the shoulder of the talus cannot always be treated by traditional osteochondral autograft techniques because of their size, articular geometry and loss of an articular buttress. We hypothesised that they could be treated by transplantation of a vascularised corticoperiosteal graft from the ipsilateral medial femoral condyle.

Between 2004 and 2011, we carried out a prospective study of a consecutive series of 14 patients (five women, nine men; mean age 34.8 years, 20 to 54) who were treated for an OCL with a vascularised bone graft. Clinical outcome was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score. Radiological follow-up used plain radiographs and CT scans to assess graft incorporation and joint deterioration.

At a mean follow-up of 4.1 years (2 to 7), the mean VAS for pain had decreased from 5.8 (5 to 8) to 1.8 (0 to 4) (p = 0.001) and the mean AOFAS hindfoot score had increased from 65 (41 to 70) to 81 (54 to 92) (p = 0.003). Radiologically, the talar contour had been successfully reconstructed with stable incorporation of the vascularised corticoperiosteal graft in all patients. Joint degeneration was only seen in one ankle.

Treatment of a large OCL of the shoulder of the talus with a vascularised corticoperiosteal graft taken from the medial condyle of the femur was found to be a safe, reliable method of restoring the contour of the talus in the early to mid-term.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1242–9.
Effect of hormonal pre-treatment on sprouting and survival of different medicinal plant species
Authors: TIWARI RAJ KUMAR SINGH , MEHTA RAJENDRA , KUMAR SANJEEV
Published: September 2015

Abstract. Tiwari RKS, Mehta R, Kumar S. 2015. Effect of hormonal pre-treatment on sprouting and survival of different medicinal plant species. Nusantara Bioscience 7: 77-89. In the present study, sprouting and survival of cuttings of ethnomedicinally important shrub species i.e. Argyreia nervosa, Gardenia gummifera, Helicteres isora, Hiptage madablota, Lippia javanica, Caesalpinia bonduc, Jasminum grandiflorum, Millingtonia hortensis, Putranjiva roxburghii, Stereospermum suaveolens, Vitex negundo, Vitex leucoxylon, and Zanthoxylum armatum were recorded through propagation. In vivo, experiment was conducted comprising treatments of cutting diameters i.e. thick (D1-2.1 cm), medium (D2-1.6 cm) and thin (D3-0.8 cm) and pre-treatment of exogenous hormones viz., Rootex, α-Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) and Indole 3 Butyric Acid (IBA) maintained at 1000 ppm in talc powder formulation. Results revealed a significant effect of cutting diameter and pre-hormonal treatment on sprouting and survival of medicinal plant species under greenhouse conditions. Species i.e. L. javanica, V. negundo, V. leucoxylon, H. isora, C. bonduc, G. gummifera, and S. suaveolens had higher percent of sprouting (84.25-100.0) and survival (59.72-100.0). Effect of all three hormones on all the three diameters of plants cuttings for sprouting and survival was significant and clearly distinctive with maximum increase of 66.66 and 64.81 respectively in species C. bonduc. IBA had its more effect on sprouting and survival of most of the medicinal plant species in comparison of Rootex and NAA.
Simulation of the Glyphosate Spray Drift at the Ecuador-Colombia border
Authors: Mena Hermann , Benner Peter , Schneider Rene
Published: September 2015

Glyphosate is one of the herbicides used by the Colombian government to spray coca fields. Sprays took place for a number of years and were more frequent between 2000 and 2006. The spray drifts at the Ecuador-Colombia border became an issue for people living close to the border. We propose a mathematical model for the Glyphosate aerial spray drift at the Ecuador-Colombia border. The model takes into account the particular guidelines that aircrafts follow to perform the sprays. Numerical simulations in 2D and 3D are performed at sensitive zones along the Ecuador-Colombia border. The lack of
Zerstörte Sprache - gebrochenes Schweigen
Authors: Pröbstl Tanja
Published: September 2015

Ist Folter erzählbar? Sie führt den Gefolterten an den Rand des Abgrunds, bricht ihn buchstäblich. Kann es möglich sein, von diesem eigenen Bruch zu berichten? Die zahlreichen und nicht enden wollenden Debatten über Folter legen ein Gelingen nahe. Von Folter »ist die Rede«: in Medien, Politik, Gerichtssälen - und in der Literatur. Tanja Pröbstl widmet sich in erster Linie fiktionalen Darstellungen erlebter Folter nach 1945: Mit welchen Mitteln kann von Folter erzählt werden bzw. was erzählt das Verschweigen von Folter? Die Beantwortung dieser Frage erfolgt dabei nicht allein mit den Mitteln der Literaturwissenschaft, sondern unter Berücksichtigung zahlreicher Disziplinen wie Rechtswissenschaft, Psychologie, Soziologie und Politikwissenschaft.
Presence of Trypanosome Species and Anemic Status of Dogs in Zuru, Nigeria
Authors: Tono Rafi Rabecca , Faleke Olufemi Oladayo , Magaji Alhaji , Alayande Musbaudeen Olayinka , Fajinmi Akinyemi Olaposi , Ibitoye Emmanuel Busayo
Published: September 2015

The aim of this research is to study the presence and prevalence of trypanosome species in local dogs between January and July, 2010 in the Zuru area of Kebbi State, Nigeria.Standard trypanosome detection methods comprising of wet blood films, thin films and microhaematocrit centrifugation technique were used to detect trypanosomes; while the degree of anemia was determined through the use of FAMACHA® eye colour chart and packed cell volume values. A total of 567 dogs were enumerated in fourteen locations within the study area out of which 192 (33.7%) were randomly examined and 4 (2.08%) were positive for the presence of trypanosomes. All positive samples morphologically belong to the Trypanosoma brucei group. The obtained PCV values showed that 50 (26.04%) dogs were anemic, while the FAMACHA® detected anemia status of varying degrees in 104 (77%) sampled dogs.These findings are significant as this is the first time that the trypanosome infection will be reported in dogs from the study area. This study establishes the presence of Trypanosoma brucei group in the study area, which is of zoonotic and economic importance.
The effect of instructing critical thinking through debate on the EFL learners’ reading comprehension
Authors: Danaye Tous Maryam , Tahriri Abdorreza , Haghighi Sara
Published: September 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of instruction through debate on the male and female EFL learners’ reading comprehension, and to examine the difference between male and female EFL learners’ perception towards instructing critical thinking (CT) through debate. 88 learners, out of 120, were selected through convenience sampling method. Using a quantitative research method with experimental pre-and post-tests design, this study consisted of 44 participants in the experimental group and 44 participants in the control group. The experimental group received some treatment in the form of “the Meeting-House Debate” strategy, while the control group received no such treatment. After one month and a half treatment of experimental group, both groups participated in the post-test. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics procedures. Findings showed that the debate strategy had statistically significant effect on the students’ reading comprehension. Also, results revealed that there was no significant difference between male and female EFL learners’ perception towards instructing CT through debate. It was concluded that instructing CT skills through debate strategy resulted in better understanding of reading texts.
Análise numérica da influência de parâmetros operacionais e construtivos no funcionamento de trocadores de calor solo-ar
Authors: Marzarotto Carine , Nunes Bruna , Rodrigues Michel Kepes , Souza Jeferson Avila , Rocha Luiz Alberto Oliveira , Dos Santos Elizaldo Domingues , Isoldi Liércio André
Published: September 2015

A busca pelo conforto térmico em ambientes construídos eleva o consumo de energia elétrica, devido à necessidade de climatização para se atingir uma temperatura agradável: resfriamento no verão e aquecimento no inverno. A fim de reduzir o consumo de energia elétrica nos condicionadores de ar, surge o trocador de calor solo-ar (TCSA), que utiliza a radiação solar que incide sobre a superfície do solo como uma fonte de energia limpa e renovável. Assim, o ar que escoa no TCSA é direcionado para o interior de edificações, proporcionando uma melhoria significativa na sua condição térmica. Isso é possível devido à inércia térmica do solo, que possui temperatura mais amena se comparada à temperatura do ar ambiente. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar numericamente a influência da velocidade do ar em escoamento no duto e do espaçamento entre dois dutos em paralelo no desempenho térmico do TCSA. Para isso um modelo computacional, verificado e validado, desenvolvido no software FLUENT, que é baseado no Método dos Volumes Finitos (MVF), foi usado. Os resultados mostram que durante os períodos mais quentes a menor velocidade de escoamento do ar analisada conduz a um melhor desempenho térmico do TCSA. Também foi observado que a partir de 1 m de afastamento entre os dutos, a troca térmica entre cada duto e solo não é afetada de forma significativa.
Modelagem computacional de um trocador de calor solo-ar empregando diferentes modelagens para turbulência
Authors: Ferraz Juliane Gabina , Nunes Bruna Rodrigues , Rodrigues Michel Kepes , Brum Ruth Da S. , Souza Jeferson Avila , Rocha Luiz Alberto Oliveira , Isoldi Liércio André , Dos Santos Elizaldo Domingues
Published: September 2015

A radiação solar é uma fonte de energia renovável e sua energia térmica pode ser aproveitada através da utilização de trocadores de calor solo-ar (TCSA) em ambientes construídos, podendo ser uma alternativa para reduzir o consumo de energia elétrica. Estes dispositivos consistem em dutos enterrados no solo, onde ocorre o escoamento do ar ambiente. O ar é resfriado/aquecido pelo solo nos períodos quente/frio podendo ser utilizado para climatizar ambientes construídos. Para simular numericamente os comportamentos térmico e fluidodinâmico de um TCSA é necessário empregar alguma modelagem para turbulência. Sendo assim, este trabalho tem como objetivo estudar diferentes modelos clássicos (RANS) para a abordagem numérica da turbulência: RSM (Reynolds Stress Model), k-ε padrão, k-ω padrão e Spalart Allmaras no estudo do princípio físico de funcionamento de um TCSA com um duto retilíneo, a fim de propor uma recomendação sobre os modelos mais adequados para esse tipo de aplicação. A modelagem computacional foi realizada através do software FLUENT que é baseado no método dos volumes finitos (MVF). Os resultados numéricos obtidos com os modelos RANS foram concordantes com os da literatura. Além disso, os modelos Spalart Allmaras e k-ω padrão conduziram a uma redução de aproximadamente 40% no tempo de processamento em comparação ao RSM, sendo os mesmos recomendados para esse tipo de aplicação em TCSA com dutos retos.
Simulação numérica da formação de vórtices em tomadas de água em hidrelétricas
Authors: Neves Sérgio Leonardo , Dalla Corte Marcelo , Oliveski Rejane De Césaro
Published: September 2015

 

No Brasil, a energia hidráulica é a principal fonte de geração de energia elétrica. Apesar da tendência de aumento na utilização de outras fontes, a energia hidráulica continuará sendo a principal fonte na matriz energética. A eficiência de uma usina hidrelétrica pode ser afetada pelas condições de alimentação de água para sua tomada d’água. A formação de vórtices a montante das tomadas d’água são causas de perda de eficiência e podem causar danos nas instalações. O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar o fenômeno de formação de vórtices em tomadas d’água de hidrelétricas por meio de simulação numérica tridimensional com o software comercial ANSYS-CFX, com base nos estudos realizados em modelo experimental pelo IPH-UFRGS. Foram analisados casos com diferentes submergência e vazão volumétrica. O modelo matemático é composto pelas equações da conservação da massa e quantidade de movimento do campo médio, equação da fração volumétrica, equações do modelo de turbulência, assim como de suas respectivas condições de contorno e iniciais. Os resultados mostram que o modelo numérico é capaz de reproduzir a formação de vórtices em tomadas d’água, conforme observado no modelo experimental.
Estudo da hidrodinâmica de diferentes geometrias de sítios de conversão de energia das correntes
Authors: Pezzato Bruno De Castro , Kirinus Eduardo De Paula , Marques Wiliam Correa
Published: September 2015

O crescente aumento da população mundial acarreta em um consumo de energia elétrica cada vez maior, sendo a maior parte da energia do mundo gerada a partir de combustíveis fosseis, intensificando a busca pelo desenvolvimento de tecnologias de geração de energia por fontes alternativas. A energia das correntes marinhas é uma fonte alternativa bastante viável, mas que ainda apresenta um alto custo de implementação. Com o desenvolvimento tecnológico este custo tenderá a baixar, então devemos desde já realizar pesquisar para definir os melhores locais de instalação. Na Plataforma Continental Sul Brasileira, existem duas regiões propicias, sendo uma mais adequada. A partir da modelagem numérica utilizando o modelo hidrodinâmico, TELEMAC, com um modulo de conversão de energia, podemos determinar qual seria a melhor geometria para os sítios de turbinas de conversão de energia. Este estudo demonstrou que um sítio com 10 turbinas estando a 45° em relação à costa apresenta o melhor rendimento.
Simulação numérica do comportamento não-linear de placas planas com perfurações quadradas sob compressão uniaxial em estruturas navais e offshore
Authors: Sentano Bruna Suanez , Real Mauro De Vasconcellos , Isoldi Liércio André , Baptista Lillian Gonçalves
Published: September 2015

Placas são elementos estruturais de superfície plana, cuja espessura é pequena quando comparada com as outras dimensões. Tem imensa aplicabilidade na engenharia devido ao seu desempenho estrutural quando solicitada à flexão, elevada relação resistência-peso e facilidade de descrição do seu comportamento mecânico devido aos eficientes métodos analíticos de cálculo. Estes tipos de estruturas podem ser delimitados por enrijecedores e constituem parte integrante de estruturas de navios, plataformas de petróleo offshore, comportas e docas flutuantes, por exemplo. Em estruturas navais, perfurações são comuns para a abertura de acessos, manutenção ou mesmo redução do seu peso total. Estas perfurações influenciam na máxima resistência desses elementos, pois ocorre uma alteração no comportamento mecânico da estrutura, devido à redistribuição das tensões ao longo da placa. Para o estudo do comportamento mecânico de placas com perfurações quadradas, foram realizadas análises inelásticas para a flambagem empregando-se o método dos elementos finitos. A amostra possui 120 placas em que a largura é mantida constante e o comprimento e espessura da placa e o lado do furo quadrado centralizado foram variados.  A modelagem computacional foi realizada através do software ANSYS e foi possível determinar a carga última de resistência para cada caso, permitindo analisar a influência do tamanho do furo, da esbeltez e do comprimento da placa em sua capacidade de carga.
Estudo experimental e computacional de um compressor de refrigeração operando sob condições controladas em uma câmara calorimétrica
Authors: Junior Ivoni Carlos Acunha , Pohlmann Stephanie Dos Santos , Da Silveira Lissandra Silveira , Rahn Marco Aurélio dos Santos , Porte Anderson Favero , Santos Elizaldo Domingues dos , Isoldi Liércio André , Rodrigues Michel Kepes
Published: September 2015

A utilização de compressores com acionamento por frequência variável tem sido uma alternativa para a redução da energia elétrica em instalações de refrigeração.Neste trabalho, foram avaliados alguns parâmetros de desempenho de um compressor de refrigeração trabalhando com acionamento do motor elétrico sob frequências de 50 Hz e 60 Hz, utilizando o fluido refrigerante R-404a. Dessa forma, foram realizadas medições em uma câmara calorimétrica submetida a temperatura constante de 32,2 °C. As grandezas medidas foram: temperaturas de bulbo seco e úmido da câmara calorimétrica, velocidade do ar no evaporador, temperaturas de bulbo seco e umidade relativa do ar na área de face do evaporador e no insuflamento, pressões de sucção e descarga do compressor, tensão e corrente elétrica do motor de acionamento do compressor.Dessas medições foram obtidas a capacidade e a potência consumida pelo  motor elétrico de acionamento do compressor, as quais foram utilizadas para determinação do coeficiente de performance e da eficiência isoentrópica do compressor. Além disso, foi realizda a modelagem matemática e a simulação computacional da capacidade de refrigeração do compressor, utilizando tanto os dados de desempenho fornecidos pelo fabricante, quanto aqueles provenientes das medições. O resultados mostraram que o modelo obtido através das medições possui menores desvios do em relação ao desenvolvido através dos dados provenientes do fabricante para as condições estudadas. Além disso, os melhores desempenhos são alcançados para acionamento com frequência de 60 Hz em relação a de 50 Hz.
Steady-state flow of a shear-thinning liquid in an unbounded pipeline system
Authors: Galdi Giovanni P. , Grisanti Carlo R.
Published: September 2015

We show existence and uniqueness of steady-state solutions to the equations of generalized Newtonian liquids of shear-thinning type in an unbounded region that includes semi-infinite cylinders of constant cross-section (pipeline system). This result is established under the assumption that the datum (flow-rate) is sufficiently small. The main feature of our approach is the proof of a “global compactness” property of the sequence of approximating solutions.
Crack growth behavior of 4340 steel under corrosion and corrosion fatigue conditions
Authors: Sadananda K. , Vasudevan A.K.
Published: September 2015

Crack initiation and growth behavior in 4340 steel under static and cyclic loads in various environments are examined using the two-parameter approach developed by the authors. It is shown that environmental effects can be time dependent, stress dependent, or both, depending on the amplitude, peak stress, and aggressiveness of the environment. It is shown that the tests under vacuum are required to establish the reference state for the quantification of the chemical driving forces involved in crack initiation and growth in aggressive environments. Failure diagrams are proposed by extending the Kitagawa-Takahashi diagram for fatigue. It is shown that these can be used to quantify the mechanical and chemical internal stresses required to cause both initiation and growth of an incipient crack in a smooth as well as notched specimens. Conditions for propagating and nonpropagating incipient cracks that are initiated under stress concentrations are also discussed, taking the example of the 4340 steel data available.
Electrochemical approach to repassivation kinetics of Al alloys: gaining insight into environmentally assisted cracking
Authors: Trueba Monica , Trasatti Stefano P.
Published: September 2015

This work provides a broad overview of the systematic experimental studies conducted in our group to understand the factors governing the transition to a more occluded corrosion front during the repassivation of Al alloys, manifested by the appearance of an inflection during anodic polarization into the active region in NaCl solutions. The collected data and the derived empirical relationships enabled us to discern the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects controlling the transition to more occluded local damage. From the thermodynamic standpoint, the potential at the inflection, namely, the pit transition potential E
ptp, can be considered as the thermodynamic driving force of Al dissolution in the acidified pit-like solution in contact with a freshly created surface. The associated current density i
ptp and the steepness of the potential decrease with current below E
ptp are determined by interfacial electrochemical kinetics. More importantly, all these properties are influenced by electrochemical and metallurgical events, including residual stresses. These findings point to the electrochemical approach in combination with external mechanical load as a promising tool for investigating environmentally assisted cracking, in particular, crack nucleation and non-steady crack tip processes.
An atomistically informed energy-based theory of environmentally assisted failure
Authors: Ganesan Sriram , Sundararaghavan Veera
Published: September 2015

The critical energy release rate, defined as G

c
=2γ+γ
p (where γ is the cohesive energy and γ
p is the plastic work), is widely used as a macroscopic fracture criterion. During embrittlement of aluminum by gallium, impurity segregation is localized to a small region along the grain boundary and the bulk plastic properties are unaffected. Yet, the critical energy release rate (which is predominantly described by the plastic work [γ
p] since γ
p>>γ) significantly decreases. In this work, we recognize that as the cohesive energy (γ) decreases during corrosion due to an increase in impurity concentration, the stress needed at the notch tip to form the crack decreases, and this, in turn, decreases the plastic work by reducing dislocation emission at the notch tip. We study two different models proposed in the past that can capture this dependence of γ
p on γ during liquid metal (Ga) embrittlement of aluminum alloy (Al 7075). The parameters in these models are computed from first principles atomistic calculations and recent experiments. We compare and contrast these models on their ability to describe various aspects of embrittlement such as fracture toughness, K
IC, and subcritical value of stress intensity, K
Iscc. Extension of the approach to predict threshold fatigue crack initiation in Al7075 is suggested.
Character sums over unions of intervals
Authors: Shao Xuancheng
Published: September 2015

Let q be a cube-free positive integer and

χ

(
mod

q
)

${\chi ~(\text{mod}~q)}$

be a
non-principal Dirichlet character. Our main result is a Burgess-type
estimate for

∑

n
∈
A

χ

(
n
)

${\sum _{n\in A}\chi (n)}$

, where

A
⊂
[
1
,
q
]

${A\subset [1,q]}$

is the
union of s disjoint intervals

I
1

,
...
,

I
s

${I_1,\ldots ,I_s}$

. We obtain a
nontrivial estimate for the character sum over A whenever

|
A
|

s

-
1
/
2

>

q

1
/
4
+
ϵ

${|A|s^{-1/2}>q^{1/4+\epsilon }}$

and each interval Ij
(

1
≤
j
≤
s

${1\le j\le s}$

) has length

|

I
j

|
>

q
ϵ

${|I_j|>q^{\epsilon }}$

for any

ϵ
>
0

${\epsilon >0}$

. This
follows from an improvement of a mean value Burgess-type estimate
studied by Heath-Brown [Number Theory and Related Fields,
Springer Proc. Math. Statist. 43, New York (2013), 199–213].
A Safe Flight Approach of the UAV in the Electrical Line Inspection
Authors: Liu Changan , Liu Yang , Wu Hua , Dong Ruifang
Published: September 2015

In recent years, the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) inspection for the electrical line has received increasing attentions due to the advantages of low costs, easiness to control and flexibility. The UAV can inspect the electrical tower independently and automatically by planning the flight path. But during the inspection along the path, the UAV is easily impacted by gust wind due to its light weight and small size, which always leads to the crash into the electrical tower. Thus, in this paper, a safe flight approach (SFA) is proposed to make the flight be safer during the inspection. The main contributions include: firstly, the piecewise linear interpolation method is proposed to fit the distribution curve of the electrical towers based on the GPS coordinates of the electrical towers; secondly, the no-fly zone on the both sides of the distribution curve are created, and a security distance formula (SDF) is raised to decide the width of the no-fly zone; thirdly, a gust wind formula (GWF) is proposed to improve the artificial potential field approach, which can contribute to the path planning of the UAV; finally, a flight path of the UAV can be planned using the SFA to make the UAV avoid colliding with the electric tower. The proposed approach is tested on the experiment to demonstrate its effectiveness.
Experimental analysis on the influence of internal finning on the efficiency of a solar flat plate collector using Al
2
O
3
nanoparticles
Authors: Munuswamy Dinesh Babu , Madhavan Venkata Ramanan
Published: September 2015

Two collectors with the same area of

945
×
420

$945\times 420$

mm have been designed and
fabricated: one flat plate collector with internally grooved fins inserted
inside the riser tubes and the other one with plain riser tubes. Provisions
were made for inserting the T-type thermocouples at six different locations to
monitor temperature variations inside the riser tubes of the collector.
The two identical systems of collectors (finned and unfinned tube) were
initially run with base working fluid (water) and then with
Al
2
O
3
nanoparticles with a size of 40 nm for
different weight fractions of

0
.
2

$0.2$

% and

0
.
4

$0.4$

% in incremental order to
study the effect on the efficiency of collectors. Mixing of nanoparticles in
water thus improves the efficiency of the collector. Results show the
efficiency of finned tube collector using the nanoparticles and water is
substantially higher when compared to that of unfinned riser tubes collector.
Clinical chorioamnionitis at term VI: acute chorioamnionitis and funisitis according to the presence or absence of microorganisms and inflammation in the amniotic cavity
Authors: Romero Roberto , Chaemsaithong Piya , Docheva Nikolina , Korzeniewski Steven J. , Kusanovic Juan P. , Yoon Bo Hyun , Kim Jung-Sun , Chaiyasit Noppadol , Ahmed Ahmed I. , Qureshi Faisal , Jacques Suzanne M. , Kim Chong Jai , Hassan Sonia S. , Chaiworapongsa Tinnakorn , Yeo Lami , Kim Yeon Mee
Published: September 2015

Neonates born to mothers with clinical chorioamnionitis at term are at an increased risk of infection. Acute subchorionitis, chorioamnionitis, and funisitis are considered placental histologic features consistent with acute inflammation according to the Society for Pediatric Pathology. The objectives of this study were to examine the performance of placental histologic features in the identification of: 1) microbial-associated intra-amniotic inflammation (intra-amniotic infection); and 2) fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS).

This retrospective cohort study included women with the diagnosis of clinical chorioamnionitis at term (n=45), who underwent an amniocentesis to determine: 1) the presence of microorganisms using both cultivation and molecular biologic techniques [polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with broad range primers]; and 2) interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The diagnostic performance (sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and likelihood ratios) of placental histologic features consistent with acute inflammation was determined for the identification of microbial-associated intra-amniotic inflammation and FIRS.

1) The presence of acute histologic chorioamnionitis and funisitis was associated with the presence of proven intra-amniotic infection assessed by amniotic fluid analysis; 2) funisitis was also associated with the presence of FIRS; 3) the negative predictive value of acute funisitis ≥stage 2 for the identification of neonates born to mothers with intra-amniotic infection was <50%, and therefore, suboptimal to exclude fetal exposure to bacteria in the amniotic cavity; and 4) acute funisitis ≥stage 2 had a negative predictive value of 86.8% for the identification of FIRS in a population with a prevalence of 20%.

Acute histologic chorioamnionitis and funisitis are associated with intra-amniotic infection and the presence of FIRS. However, current pathologic methods have limitations in the identification of the fetus exposed to microorganisms present in the amniotic cavity. Further studies are thus required to determine whether molecular markers can enhance the performance of placental pathology in the identification of neonates at risk for neonatal sepsis.
Wild yak Bos mutus in Nepal: rediscovery of a flagship species
Authors: Acharya Raju , Ghimirey Yadav , Werhahn Geraldine , Kusi Naresh , Adhikary Bidhan , Kunwar Binod
Published: September 2015

Wild yak
Predicting the Cloud Patterns for the Boreal Summer Intraseasonal Oscillation Through a Low-Order Stochastic Model
Authors: Chen Nan , Majda Andrew J.
Published: September 2015

We assess the predictability limits of the large-scale cloud patterns in the boreal summer intraseasonal variability (BSISO), which are measured by the infrared brightness temperature, a proxy for convective activity. A recent developed nonlinear data analysis technique, nonlinear Laplacian spectrum analysis (NLSA), is applied to the brightness temperature data, defining two spatial modes with high intermittency associated with the BSISO time series. Then a recent developed data-driven physics-constrained low-ordermodeling strategy is applied to these time series. The result is a four dimensional system with two observed BSISO variables and two hidden variables involving correlated multiplicative noise through the nonlinear energyconserving interaction. With the optimal parameters calibrated by information theory, the non-Gaussian fat tailed probability distribution functions (PDFs), the autocorrelations and the power spectrum of the model signals almost perfectly match those of the observed data. An ensemble prediction scheme incorporating an effective on-line data assimilation algorithm for determining the initial ensemble of the hidden variables shows the useful prediction skill in the non-El Niño years is at least 30 days and even reaches 55 days in those years with regular oscillations and the skillful prediction lasts for 18 days in the strong El Niño year (year 1998). Furthermore, the ensemble spread succeeds in indicating the forecast uncertainty. Although the reduced linear model with time-periodic stable-unstable damping is able to capture the non-Gaussian fat tailed PDFs, it is less skillful in forecasting the BSISO in the years with irregular oscillations. The failure of the ensemble spread to include the truth also indicates failure in quantification of the uncertainty. In addition, without the energy-conserving nonlinear interactions, the linear model is sensitive with parameter variations. mcwfnally, the twin experiment with nonlinear stochastic model has comparable skill as the observed data, suggesting the nonlinear stochastic model has significant skill for determining the predictability limits of the large-scale cloud patterns of the BSISO.
Lessons from the development of a web portal on prevention and health promotion
Authors: Kohler Stefan , Willich Stefan N.
Published: September 2015

A modern urban lifestyle can be a risk factor for developing non-communicable diseases and mental health problems (Eckert S, Kohler S. Urbanization and health in developing countries: A systematic review. World Health Popul. 2014;15:7–20; Penkalla AM, Kohler S. Urbanicity and mental health in Europe: a systematic review. Eur J Ment Health 2014;9:163–77). Two non-commercial, state-funded web portals in the German states of Berlin and Brandenburg are attempting to support the residents in realizing a healthier lifestyle. The initial portal is named Präventionsatlas [Atlas of Prevention] and has existed since 2008. The second portal, called Stadtplan Gesundheitsförderung [Health Promotion Map], went online in 2014 and has become the successor to the former. Both web portals provide health information as well as searchable databases with locally available health promotion courses and projects. Since internet portals and knowledge management through Internet portals have become more and more frequently used as public health tools (see, e.g. Quinn E, Huckel-Schneider C, Campbell D, Seale H, Milat AJ. How can knowledge exchange portals assist in knowledge management for evidence-informed decision making in public health? BMC Public Health 2014;14:443), we share our lessons learned during the development and revision of the health portal www.praeventionsatlas.de in this article.
eHealth & mHealth: Die Rolle der Online- und Mobil-Kommunikation in der Gesundheits- und Krisenkommunikation
Authors: Rossmann Constanze , Krömer Nicola
Published: September 2015

Durch elektronisch verfügbare Gesundheitsinformationen, die zeit- und ortsunabhängig abgerufen werden können (eHealth), sowie Gesundheitsangebote auf Mobiltelefonen oder Smart Devices (mHealth) entstehen neue Möglichkeiten aber auch Herausforderungen für die Gesundheitskommunikation. Der vorliegende Beitrag zeigt diese unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Kommunikation in Gesundheitskrisen auf.
Patient im Netz – Gesundheitssystem und Digitale Kluft
Authors: Koch Christoph
Published: September 2015

Das World Wide Web hat sich in einer rasanten Entwicklung vom speziellen Kommunikationsnetz akademischer Eliten zu einem Massenmedium gewandelt. Dies geschah parallel mit einem Wandel der Patientenrolle, der den Kranken oder Gesundheit Suchenden zunehmend als Nutzer, Kunde und Konsument definiert. Beide Entwicklungen scheinen synergistisch zu wirken und eine klare Spaltung der Patienten dabei in unterschiedliche Subkulturen von Kompetenz und Handlungsfreiheit aufzutrennen.
Gesundheitsrelevante Themen auf Facebook: eine Inhaltsanalyse
Authors: Lindacher Verena , Loss Julika
Published: September 2015

Soziale Online-Netzwerke wie Facebook sind zentraler Teil im Alltag junger Menschen. Inwieweit dort stattfindende Interaktionen die Gesundheit beeinflussen, ist kaum untersucht. Eine Studie analysierte, wie Studierende auf Facebook über gesundheitsrelevantes Verhalten kommunizieren (Rauchen, Alkoholkonsum, Ernährung, Sport). Es zeigte sich, dass vorrangig Risikoverhalten auf den Facebook-Profilen berichtet wird und stets in einem erstrebenswerten Kontext dargestellt wird und dazu beiträgt, ein positives Selbstbild zu erzeugen.
Internet- und Mobilebasierte Interventionen in der Psychotherapie
Authors: Lin Jiaxi , Baumeister Harald
Published: September 2015

Strukturelle Versorgungslücken und niedrige Inanspruchnahmeraten therapiebedürftiger Menschen beschränken eine bedarfsgerechte psychotherapeutische Versorgung. Internet- und Mobilebasierte Interventionen (IMIs) können als ort- und zeitunabhängige Angebote dazu beitragen, die psychotherapeutische Versorgung zu verbessern. Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt einen Überblick zum Gegenstandsbereich, der Evidenzbasierung sowie den Implementierungsmöglichkeiten von IMIs.
Wenn ohne PC nichts mehr geht: pathologischer PC-Gebrauch und Folgen
Authors: Feindel Holger
Published: September 2015

Die Zahl der Patienten, bei denen eine psychotherapeutische Behandlungsindikation wegen pathologischen PC-/Internet-Gebrauchs besteht, steigt in den letzten Jahren im klinischen Setting kontinuierlich an. Der Beitrag hat das Ziel, einen kurzen Überblick über Erscheinungsformen und Charakteristik des medialen Angebotes zu vermitteln, sowie einen Ansatz zur diagnostischen Handhabung und therapeutischen Herangehensweise vorzustellen.
Blanchette on Frege on Analysis and Content
Authors: Rossberg Marcus
Published: September 2015

All contributions included in the present issue were originally presented at an ‘Author Meets Critics’ session organised by Richard Zach at the Pacific Meeting of the American Philosophical Association in San Diego in the Spring of 2014.
Reply to Cook, Rossberg and Wehmeier
Authors: Blanchette Patricia
Published: September 2015

All contributions included in the present issue were originally presented at an ‘Author Meets Critics’ session organised by Richard Zach at the Pacific Meeting of the American Philosophical Association in San Diego in the Spring of 2014.
Acute Effect of Biomechanical Muscle Stimulation on the Counter-Movement Vertical Jump Power and Velocity in Division I Football Players
Authors: Jacobson Bert H. , Monaghan Taylor P. , Sellers John H. , Conchola Eric C. , Pope Zach K. , Glass Rob G.
Published: September 2015

Jacobson, BH, Monaghan, TP, Sellers, JH, Conchola, EC, Pope, ZK, and Glass, RG. Acute effect of biomechanical muscle stimulation on the counter-movement vertical jump power and velocity in division I football players. J Strength Cond Res 31(5): 1259–1264, 2017—Research regarding whole body vibration (WBV) largely supports such training augmentation in attempts to increase muscle strength and power. However, localized biomechanical vibration has not received the same attention. The purpose of this study was to assess peak and average power before and after acute vibration of selected lower-body sites in division I athletes. Twenty-one subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 conditions using a cross-over design. Pretest consisted of a counter-movement vertical jump (VJ) followed by either localized vibration (30 Hz) to 4 selected lower-body areas or 4 minutes of moderately low-resistance stationary cycling (70 rpm). Vibration consisted of 1 minute bouts at each lower-leg site for a total of 4 minutes followed by an immediate post-test VJ. Repeated measures analysis of variance yielded no significant differences (p > 0.05) in either peak power or peak velocity. Similarly, no significant differences were found for average power and velocity between conditions. It should be noted that, while not significant, the vibration condition demonstrated an increase in peak power and velocity while the bike condition registered slight decreases. Comparing each of the post-VJ repetitions (1, 2, and 3) the vibration condition experienced significantly greater peak power and velocity from VJ 1 to VJ 3 compared with the bike condition which demonstrated no significant differences among the post-test VJs. These results yielded similar, although not statistically significant outcomes to previous studies using WBV. However, the novelty of selected site biomechanical vibration merits further investigation with respect to frequency, magnitude, and duration of vibration.
α‐synuclein assemblies sequester neuronal α3‐Na+/K+‐ATPase and impair Na+ gradient
Authors: Shrivastava Amulya Nidhi , Redeker Virginie , Fritz Nicolas , Pieri Laura , Almeida Leandro G , Spolidoro Maria , Liebmann Thomas , Bousset Luc , Renner Marianne , Léna Clément , Aperia Anita , Melki Ronald , Triller Antoine
Published: September 2015

Extracellular α‐synuclein (α‐syn) assemblies can be up‐taken by neurons; however, their interaction with the plasma membrane and proteins has not been studied specifically. Here we demonstrate that α‐syn assemblies form clusters within the plasma membrane of neurons. Using a proteomic‐based approach, we identify the α3‐subunit of Na+/K+‐ATPase (NKA) as a cell surface partner of α‐syn assemblies. The interaction strength depended on the state of α‐syn, fibrils being the strongest, oligomers weak, and monomers none. Mutations within the neuron‐specific α3‐subunit are linked to rapid‐onset dystonia Parkinsonism (RDP) and alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC). We show that freely diffusing α3‐NKA are trapped within α‐syn clusters resulting in α3‐NKA redistribution and formation of larger nanoclusters. This creates regions within the plasma membrane with reduced local densities of α3‐NKA, thereby decreasing the efficiency of Na+ extrusion following stimulus. Thus, interactions of α3‐NKA with extracellular α‐syn assemblies reduce its pumping activity as its mutations in RDP/AHC.
Onset of Graves' disease during long-term immunosuppressive therapy in a patient with membranous nephropathy
Authors: Iwasaki Hiroaki
Published: September 2015

A 67-year-old man was referred to our department for thyrotoxicosis with intermittent palpitation and 4-kg weight loss during the previous month. At the first visit, the patient was treated with cyclosporine A (CyA) for membranous nephropathy during the last 3 years and 8 months. Laboratory studies revealed that the serum TSH level was <0.005 μU/ml, and free thyroxine (fT4) and triiodothyronine (fT3) levels were elevated at 2.76 ng/dl and 5.96 pg/ml respectively. Anti-TSH receptor antibody (TRAb) level was increased at 26.4%. A clinical diagnosis of Graves' hyperthyroidism was given, and then thyrostatic treatment with thiamazole (MMI) at a dose of 10 mg daily was initiated after CyA withdrawal. After the initiation of MMI therapy, serum fT4 and fT3 attained the normal level within 1.5 months, with relief of symptoms followed by a remarkable decrease in urinary protein excretion from 2.0–5.2 g/day to ≤0.03 g/day. The patient maintained euthyroid with a low titre of TRAb for the succeeding 2 years and then MMI was finally stopped. Neither a relapse of hyperthyroidism nor a flare-up of nephrotic syndrome was observed for 3 years after MMI discontinuation. CyA has conflicting effects on immunologic self-tolerance by modulation of self-reactive T cells and natural CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cell (Treg) functions, and possibly becomes a triggering factor in the development of autoimmune disorders. This case may be interesting when considering the effect of each T cell subset on the development of Graves' disease.

Learning points

The balance between intrathyroidal self-reactive T cell and natural CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg functions determine self-tolerance in the thyroid.

CyA not only halts the expansion of self-reactive T cells but also impairs the function of Treg, which can provoke an unwanted immune response.

A change in thyroid autoimmunity during treatment with CyA may result in the development of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD).

Renal involvement in AITD frequently manifests as nephrotic syndrome, and thyrostatic treatment with thiamazole may be effective for excessive proteinuria.
A Quality Improvement Project to Improve Family Recognition of Medical Team Member Roles
Authors: Hayes Rebecca M. , Wickline Afton , Hensley Christina , Cowen Kelsey , Jessie Ashley , Akers Melanie , Dolan Jenna , Pritt Audra , Goodrich Shea , O’Neill Kelly , Flesher Susan L.
Published: September 2015

OBJECTIVE:

Previous studies have shown that inpatients and families in academic settings have a limited ability to recall either their medical team members or the roles of those members. This is an important issue for patient and family satisfaction as well as patient safety. The objective of this study was to increase families’ recognition of medical team members’ roles.

METHODS:

We established a multidisciplinary quality improvement leadership team, measured family recognition of medical team members and their roles, and conducted 2 PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycles. The first intervention was standardization of the content and delivery of our verbal team introductions to ensure inclusion of essential elements and family engagement. The second intervention was addition of an informational white board in each patient room. The prospective study included 105 families in the preintervention phase, 103 post-PDSA cycle 1, and 92 post-PDSA cycle 2.

RESULTS:

After conduction of 2 PDSA cycles, the recognition of the attending role increased from 49% to 87% (P = .000), the resident role from 39% to 73% (P = .000), and the medical student from 75% to 89% (P = .038).

CONCLUSIONS:

The multidisciplinary quality improvement model was effective in improving family recognition of the roles of attending physicians, resident physicians, and medical students. Consistent attention to engaging the families and explaining our roles as well as providing informational white boards are effective interventions to facilitate this process.
Educational Perspectives: The Difficult Team Debrief: Strategies for the Facilitator
Authors: Arnold Christine , Weinschreider Joanne , Dadiz Rita
Published: September 2015

Debriefing is a powerful tool used in team training and quality improvement to promote learning and improve patient safety. Reflective learning among team members during a debriefing can be jeopardized when facilitators encounter either difficult learners or complicated debriefing situations. A difficult debrief can undermine a facilitator’s credibility, discourage future learner participation, and reduce the facilitator’s confidence in the debriefing process. In this article, the authors provide guidance for instructors and facilitators who face either difficult learners or challenging situations when debriefing teams during simulation-based training or after acute patient events.
Neonatal Bacterial Meningitis
Authors: Kim Kwang Sik
Published: September 2015

Neonatal bacterial meningitis continues to be an important cause of mortality and morbidity. Contributing factors to such mortality and morbidity include our incomplete knowledge on the pathogenesis of how meningitis-causing bacteria penetrate the blood brain barrier, emergence of antimicrobial resistance, and difficulty in early diagnosis of meningitis. An early empiric antibiotic treatment is critical for the management of neonates with bacterial meningitis, but early recognition of neonatal meningitis continues to be a challenge. Bacterial nucleic acid–based detection of pathogens and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers will help in the development of early diagnosis of neonatal bacterial meningitis. Bacterial penetration of the blood brain barrier is essential for the development of meningitis, and the continued elucidation of microbial penetration of the blood brain barrier is likely to bring a new approach for prevention and therapy of neonatal bacterial meningitis.
Sensitivity of the Automated Auditory Brainstem Response in Neonatal Hearing Screening
Authors: Levit Yael , Himmelfarb Mordechai , Dollberg Shaul
Published: September 2015

BACKGROUND:

In a 2-stage neonatal hearing screening protocol, if an infant fails the first-stage screening with an otoacoustic emissions test, an automated auditory brainstem response (ABR) test is performed. The purpose of this study was to estimate the rate of hearing loss detected by first-stage otoacoustic emissions test but missed by second-stage automated ABR testing.

METHODS:

The data of 17 078 infants who were born at Lis Maternity Hospital between January 2013 and June 2014 were reviewed. Infants who failed screening with a transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) test and infants admitted to the NICU for more than 5 days underwent screening with an automated ABR test at 45 decibel hearing level (dB HL). All infants who failed screening with TEOAE were referred to a follow-up evaluation at the hearing clinic.

RESULTS:

Twenty-four percent of the infants who failed the TEOAE and passed the automated ABR hearing screening tests were eventually diagnosed with hearing loss by diagnostic ABR testing (22/90). They comprised 52% of all of the infants in the birth cohort who were diagnosed with permanent or persistent hearing loss >25 dB HL in 1 or both ears (22/42). Hearing loss >45 dB HL, which is considered to be in the range of moderate to profound severity, was diagnosed in 36% of the infants in this group (8/22), comprising 42% of the infants with hearing loss of this degree (8/19).

CONCLUSIONS:

The sensitivity of the diverse response detection methods of automated ABR devices needs to be further empirically evaluated.
La crítica de Kant al eudemonismo político en Über den Gemeinspruch das mag in der Theorie richtig sein, aber taugt nicht für die Praxis
Authors: Tomassini Fiorella
Published: September 2015

Se examina la posición de Kant con respecto a la vinculación del derecho con el impulso natural a la felicidad: si Estado se establece para satisfacer fines particulares, se termina justificando el despotismo y la rebelión popular. Se plantean dos hipótesis: a) el principio de la felicidad se debe reemplazar por la idea de una voluntad general
legisladora como único criterio normativo-evaluativo de la legitimidad de la obligación política; b) este principio jurídico a prioriobliga al soberano y también al pueblo a adoptar la perspectiva de la voluntad general para juzgar el poder político vigente.