bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relationship Between Diabetic Retinopathy and Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Crosby-Nwaobi Roxanne R. , Sivaprasad Sobha , Amiel Stephanie , Forbes Angus
Published: May 2013

OBJECTIVE

Recent studies have shown an increased risk for cognitive impairment and dementia in patients with diabetes. An association between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and retinal microvasculature disease and cognitive impairment has been reported as potential evidence for a microvascular component to the cognitive impairment. It was hypothesized that severity of DR would be associated with cognitive impairment in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Three hundred eighty patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited from a population-based eye screening program and grouped by severity of DR as follows: no/mild DR (n = 252) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) (n = 128). Each participant underwent psychosocial assessment; depression screening; ophthalmic and physical examination, including blood assays; and cognitive assessment with the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Mini-Cog. General linear modeling was used to examine severity of DR and cognitive impairment, adjusting for confounders.

RESULTS

Severity of DR demonstrated an inverse relationship with cognitive impairment (fully adjusted R2 = 0.415, P < 0.001). Ethnicity contributed most to the variance observed (16%) followed by education (7.3%) and retinopathy status (6.8%). The no/mild DR group had lower cognitive impairment scores on ACE-R (adjusted mean ± SE 77.0 ± 1.9) compared with the PDR group (82.5 ± 2.2, P < 0.001). The MMSE cutoff scores showed that 12% of the no/mild DR group (n = 31) had positive screening results for dementia or significant cognitive impairment compared with 5% in the PDR group (n = 6).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with minimal DR demonstrated more cognitive impairment than those with advanced DR. Therefore, the increased prevalence of cognitive impairment in diabetes may be associated with factors other than evident retinal microvascular disease.
Differences in behavioral characteristics between dogs obtained as puppies from pet stores and those obtained from noncommercial breeders
Authors: McMillan Franklin D. , Serpell James A. , Duffy Deborah L. , Masaoud Elmabrok , Dohoo Ian R.
Published: May 2013

Objective—To compare the owner-reported prevalence of behavioral characteristics in dogs obtained as puppies from pet stores with that of dogs obtained as puppies from noncommercial breeders.

Design—Cross-sectional study.

Animals—Dogs obtained as puppies from pet stores (n = 413) and breeder-obtained dogs (5,657).

Procedures—Behavioral evaluations were obtained from a large convenience sample of current dog owners with the online version of the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire, which uses ordinal scales to rate either the intensity or frequency of the dogs’ behavior. Hierarchic linear and logistic regression models were used to analyze the effects of source of acquisition on behavioral outcomes when various confounding and intervening variables were controlled for.

Results—Pet store–derived dogs received significantly less favorable scores than did breeder-obtained dogs on 12 of 14 of the behavioral variables measured; pet store dogs did not score more favorably than breeder dogs in any behavioral category. Compared with dogs obtained as puppies from noncommercial breeders, dogs obtained as puppies from pet stores had significantly greater aggression toward human family members, unfamiliar people, and other dogs; greater fear of other dogs and nonsocial stimuli; and greater separation-related problems and house soiling.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Obtaining dogs from pet stores versus noncommercial breeders represented a significant risk factor for the development of a wide range of undesirable behavioral characteristics. Until the causes of the unfavorable differences detected in this group of dogs can be specifically identified and remedied, the authors cannot recommend that puppies be obtained from pet stores.
Results of surgical excision and evaluation of factors associated with survival time in dogs with lingual neoplasia: 97 cases (1995–2008)
Authors: Culp William T. N. , Ehrhart Nicole , Withrow Stephen J. , Rebhun Robert B. , Boston Sarah , Buracco Paolo , Reiter Alexander M. , Schallberger Sandra P. , Aldridge Charles F. , Kent Michael S. , Mayhew Philipp D. , Brown Dorothy C.
Published: May 2013

Objective—To describe the clinical characteristics, treatments, outcomes, and factors associated with survival time in a cohort of dogs with lingual neoplasia that underwent surgical excision.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—97 client-owned dogs.

Procedures—Medical records of dogs with a lingual tumor examined between 1995 and 2008 were reviewed. Records were included if a lingual tumor was confirmed by histologic examination and surgical excision of the mass was attempted. Data were recorded and analyzed to identify prognostic factors.

Results—Clinical signs were mostly related to the oral cavity. For 93 dogs, marginal excision, subtotal glossectomy, and near-total glossectomy were performed in 35 (38%), 55 (59%), and 3 (3%), respectively. Surgery-related complications were rare, but 27 (28%) dogs had tumor recurrence. The most common histopathologic diagnoses for the 97 dogs were squamous cell carcinoma (31 [32%]) and malignant melanoma (29 [30%]). Eighteen (19%) dogs developed metastatic disease, and the overall median survival time was 483 days. Median survival time was 216 days for dogs with squamous cell carcinoma and 241 days for dogs with malignant melanoma. Dogs with lingual tumors ≥ 2 cm in diameter at diagnosis had a significantly shorter survival time than did dogs with tumors < 2 cm.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Similar to previous studies, results indicated that lingual tumors are most commonly malignant, and squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma predominate. A thorough physical examination to identify lingual tumors at an early stage and surgical treatment after tumor identification are recommended because tumor size significantly affected survival time.
Staphylococcus aureus shedding pattern throughout lactation in dairy cows with naturally occurring intramammary infection
Authors: Walker Jennifer B. , Walker William L. , DeGraves Fred J. , Mathews Jennifer L. , Gebreyes Wondwossen A. , Rajala-Schultz Päivi J.
Published: May 2013

Objective—To evaluate shedding patterns of Staphylococcus aureus, specifically the association between clonal relatedness and shedding patterns of S aureus for cows with naturally occurring S aureus intramammary infection.

Design—Longitudinal field study.

Sample—Milk samples from 22 lactating cows (29 mammary glands) of varied numbers of lactations on 2 dairies.

Procedures—Foremilk samples were collected weekly for 26 to 44 weeks during lactation from individual mammary glands. Milk samples were cultured bacteriologically with a 0.01-mL inoculum. Samples were considered culture positive for S aureus if ≥ 1 colony-forming units were obtained. Milk samples from known S aureus–positive mammary glands that were culture negative for S aureus or culture positive with a single colony of S aureus were cultured bacteriologically a second time with a 0.1-mL inoculum. Longitudinal shedding patterns of S aureus and the effect of strain type on ln(colony forming unit count) were examined.

Results—With the 0.01-mL inoculum, 914 of 1,070 (85%) samples were culture positive. After reculturing of negative samples with a 0.1-mL inoculum, 1,011 (95%) of the samples were culture positive. There was no significant difference in the detection of S aureus between genotypic clusters when either the 0.01- or 0.1-mL inoculum was used. There was no significant difference in the amount of shedding between mammary glands infected with isolates in genotypic cluster 1 or 2. No consistent shedding patterns were identified among or within cows. There was a significant difference in mammary gland linear score and test day (composite) linear score between mammary glands infected with isolates in genotypic clusters 1 and 2.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—S aureus was shed consistently in cows with naturally occurring intramammary infection in cows, and regardless of the pulsotype, variations in the amount of S aureus shedding had no significant effect on the ability to detect S aureus with a 0.1-mL inoculum.
Spiral colon impaction in juvenile alpacas: 12 cases (2006–2010)
Authors: Hart James C. A. , Burton Alexandra J. , Pinn Toby L. , Fubini Susan L. , Dawson Dominic R.
Published: May 2013

Objective—To describe clinical signs and treatment outcomes for juvenile alpacas with spiral colon impaction (SCI).

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—12 juvenile (< 6 months old) camelids with SCI.

Procedures—Crias with SCI were identified by searching the medical records database of the Cornell University Equine and Farm Animal Hospital. A keyword-based search method was used. Inclusion required confirmation of SCI on the basis of surgical or necropsy findings. History, signalment, examination findings, diagnostic test results, medical treatments, and surgical reports as well as short- and long-term outcomes were reviewed. Peritoneal fluid parameters were compared with those of age-matched comparison crias in which SCI was suspected but ruled out at necropsy or exploratory celiotomy.

Results—12 crias with confirmed SCI were identified. Common clinical signs included lethargy and diarrhea. Abdominal distention was observed in 9 crias. In 3 crias, a mass in the region of the spiral colon was palpated. Seven crias underwent peritoneal fluid analysis; compared with age-matched comparison crias, SCI-affected crias had higher peritoneal fluid nucleated cell counts and nucleated cell count-to-total protein concentration ratios. A ventral midline celiotomy was performed in 9 crias; 7 underwent an enterotomy, and 2 underwent transmural infusion of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution with manual breakdown of ingesta; 3 of these crias survived for at least 6 months.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Crias with SCI that were not resolved by medical management had a poor prognosis. During celiotomy, transmural infusion of saline solution with manual breakdown of ingesta provided a less invasive alternative to enterotomy.
Neurophysiological evaluation in newly diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus type 1
Authors: Matanovic Dragana , Popovic Srdjan , Parapid Biljana , Petronic Ivana , Nikolic Dejan
Published: May 2013

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of hyperglycemia on nerve conduction in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus type 1, and to investigate the significance of early electrophysiological diagnostics in these patients. The study included 85 newly disclosed patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, in the first three months after the disease. Nerve conduction velocities (NCV) of further nerves were evaluated: median, peroneal, tibial and sural nerve as well as late responses (F-wave and H-reflex). Metabolic control parameters that were evaluated included: glycemia rate on the day of investigation and HbA1c. All patients had poor metabolic control parameters. We found NCV slowing predominantly in the tibial nerve (in 82.4% of patients). Prolonged F-wave latency was disclosed in 72.9% of patients, while H-reflex was evoked in 27.1% of patients only. The most sensitive parameter in the early neurophysiologic diagnostics was the measurement of F-wave latency. Our study underline the significance of early neurophysiological diagnosis, since hyperglycemia can play an acute role in NCV slowing, despite the absence of clinical symptoms, particularly in the first three months after the diagnosis has been confirmed.
The helminth infracommunities of the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) two years after the fire in Mediterranean forests
Authors: Torre I. , Arrizabalaga A. , Feliu C. , Ribas A.
Published: May 2013

Parasites have been recognized as indicators for natural or man-induced environmental stress and perturbation. In this article, we investigated the role of two non-exclusive hypotheses on the response of helminths of wood mice to fire perturbation: 1) a reduction of the helminth infracommunity (species richness) in post-fire areas due to the temporal lack of worms with indirect (complex) life cycles linked to intermediate hosts that are more specialized than the final host, and 2) an increase of the abundance of helminths with direct (simple) life cycles as a response of increasing abundances of the final host, may be in stressful conditions linked to the post-fire recolonization process.

We studied the helminth infracommunities of 97 wood mice in two recently burned plots (two years after the fire) and two control plots in Mediterranean forests of NE Spain. Species richness of helminths found in control plots (n = 14) was twice large than in burned ones (n = 7). Six helminth species were negatively affected by fire perturbation and were mainly or only found in unburned plots. Fire increased the homogeneity of helminth infracommunities, and burned plots were characterised by higher dominance, and higher parasitation intensity. We found a gradient of frequency of occurrence of helminth species according to life cycle complexity in burned areas, being more frequent monoxenous (66.6 %), than diheteroxenous (33.3 %) and triheteroxenous (0 %), confirming the utility of helminths as bioindicators for ecosystem perturbations. Despite the short period studied, our results pointed out an increase in the abundance and prevalence of some direct life cycle helminths in early postfire stages, whereas indirect life cycle helminths were almost absent. A mismatch between the final host (that showed a fast recovery shortly after the fire), and the intermediate hosts (that showed slow recoveries shortly after the fire), was responsible for the loss of half of the helminth species.
Morphological and molecular characterization of Gordionus alpestris (Nematomorpha) from the North-West Caucasus, Russia
Authors: Spiridonov S. , Schmatko V.
Published: May 2013

During the survey of Pachyiulus krivolutskyi Golovatch, 1977 (Diplopoda) near Nickel’ in Adygei Republic (Russia) in the summer 2009 the infestation of these millipeds with nematomorphs of the species Gordionus alpestris was revealed. The morphology of naturally emerging nematomorphs was studied in SEM. The partial sequences of 18S (883 bp) and 28S (393 bp) rDNA PCR-products were obtained and analyzed. An unexpectedly high level of differences between Gordionus alpestris found in diplopods of North-West Caucasus and other molecularly studied representatives of the family Chordodidae was observed.
Reinvestigation of vitellogenesis in Caryophyllaeus laticeps (Pallas, 1781) (Cestoda, Caryophyllidea, Caryophyllaeidae), monozoic tapeworm of Abramis brama (Pisces, Teleostei)
Authors: Bruňanská M. , Drobníková P. , Mackiewicz J. , Nebesářová J.
Published: May 2013

Reinvestigation of vitellogenesis in the caryophyllidean cestode Caryophyllaeus laticeps (Pallas, 1781) has been performed using light microscope (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and cytochemical staining with periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate (PA-TSC-SP) for glycogen. Vitellogenesis is generally similar to that reported in the past, however, some new observations were made. The present study reveals the first evidence of: (i) interstitial tissue in the vitelline follicles, (ii) lipid droplets in maturing and mature vitellocytes from vitelline follicles, and (iii) lamellar bodies in vitellocytes from the vitelloduct in C. laticeps. Projections of interstitial tissue surround each vitellocyte and the follicle periphery. The perinuclear cytoplasm of the interstitial tissue contains granular endoplasmic reticulum and vesicles of various size and density. Cytoplasmic osmiophobic lipid droplets and lamellar bodies, previously believed to be absent in most caryophyllid cestodes, are readily apparent in vitellocytes of C. laticeps. The origin and presumed function of these inclusions are discussed. On the other hand, the formation and storage of massive amounts of glycogen in the nucleus and large amounts in the cytoplasm of mature vitelline cells are similar to the condition found in other caryophyllids. Results are compared and contrasted with previous studies on vitellogenesis in other monopleuroid cestodes (Amphilinidea and Gyrocotylidea) as well as polypleuroid cestodes (Spathebothriidea) and the remaining strobilated Eucestoda.
Learning a DFT-based sequence with reinforcement learning: a NAO implementation
Authors: Durán Boris , Lee Gauss , Lowe Robert
Published: May 2013

The implementation of sequence learning in robotic platforms offers several challenges. Deciding when to stop one action and continue to the next requires a balance between stability of sensory information and, of course, the knowledge about what action is required next. The work presented here proposes a starting point for the successful execution and learning of dynamic sequences. Making use of the NAO humanoid platform we propose a mathematical model based on dynamic field theory and reinforcement learning methods for obtaining and performing a sequence of elementary motor behaviors. Results from the comparison of two reinforcement learning methods applied to sequence generation, for both simulation and implementation, are provided.
What's in a Name? Using Movement System Diagnoses Versus Pathoanatomic Diagnoses
Authors: Ludewig Paula M. , Lawrence Rebekah L. , Braman Jonathan P.
Published: May 2013

In this issue of JOSPT, the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association introduces the first of its shoulder clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), titled “Shoulder Pain and Mobility Deficits: Adhesive Capsulitis.” This CPG, as well as the collection of Orthopaedic Section CPGs previously published in JOSPT, use long diagnostic labels to identify the underlying clinical conditions. Author Paula M. Ludewig discusses the merits of using these movement system diagnostic labels rather than shorter pathoanatomic labels, which create a disconnect between diagnostic and treatment processes.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2013;43(5):280–283. doi:10.2519/jospt.2013.0104
The Ottoman Age in Southern Central Europe as Represented in Secondary School History Textbooks in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia
Authors: Pirický Gabriel
Published: May 2013

Local populations in Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia, and to a lesser degree in the Czech Republic, experienced much interaction with Muslims throughout the course of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, when the Ottomans, as well as the Crimean Tatars, invaded the Kingdom of Hungary and waged wars against the Polish-Lithuanian state and the Habsburg Hereditary Lands. The Ottoman era has usually been reflected in the history textbooks of these four countries under the headings "Turkish Wars" or "Ottoman Expansion." Since the collapse of the Iron Curtain in 1989, all four ex-communist states have been involved in rewriting textbooks, although the perception of the Ottomans and Muslims has not changed in all cases. Without claiming to map the entire historical presentation of the Ottomans, this article demonstrates the polyphony found in the textbooks of this region. By analyzing secondary school educational materials in all four languages, it is possible to identify stereotypes, prejudices, and distortions within the perception of the Ottoman Turks.
(De)Colonizing Pictures?
Authors: Struck Wolfgang
Published: May 2013

Over the last decade, an increasing number of documentaries and fictional films broadcast on German television has established an image of German colonialism that claims to be informed by postcolonial criticism but, as I argue in this article, often resembles the image created by colonialism itself. Das Weltreich der Deutschen (The Global German Empire, 2010), a documentation produced by Guido Knopp, serves as an example for the close connection between practices of representation and colonial fantasies, and demonstrates how the combination of entertainment and education obscures the fact that colonialism has been not only a practice of political domination and economical exploitation, but also a practice of representation.
Rates and determinants of ventriculostomy-related infections during a hospital transition to use of antibiotic-coated external ventricular drains
Authors: Wright Kelly , Young Polly , Brickman Cristina , Sam Teena , Badjatia Neeraj , Pereira Marcus , Connolly E. Sander , Yin Michael T.
Published: May 2013

Object

The authors evaluated the rates of ventriculostomy-related infections (VRIs) after antibiotic-coated extraventricular drains (ac-EVDs) were introduced as the standard of care.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted of adult patients admitted to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital neurological intensive care unit in whom an EVD was placed between February 2007 and November 2009, excluding individuals receiving EVDs due to an infection of a primary device. Three time periods were defined depending on type of EVD in use: Period 1, conventional EVDs; Period 2, either ac-EVDs or conventional EVDs; and Period 3, ac-EVDs. Definite/probable VRIs that occurred during the 3 periods were evaluated and established as determinants of VRIs by using a Cox proportional hazards model. Prolonged systemic antibiotics were given for the duration of EVD placement in each of the 3 periods per institutional policy.

Results

Data from 141 individuals were evaluated; mean patient age was 53.8 ± 17.2 years and 54% were female. There were 2 definite and 19 probable VRIs. The incidence of definite/probable VRI (per 1000 person-catheter days) decreased from Period 1 to 3 (24.5, 16.2, and 4.4 in Periods 1, 2, and 3, respectively; p < 0.0001). Patients with VRIs were more likely to be female than male (23.7% vs 3.1%, p < 0.003) and have had an EVD in place for a longer duration, although there was no significant difference among the 3 periods (7.9 ± 6.7 [Period 1], 8.1 ± 7.1 [Period 2], and 8.6 ± 5.8 [Period 3] mean days; p = 0.87, ANOVA). Analysis of effect modification in a stepwise model showed that period, age, and age and female interaction were significant predictors of VRIs. The period was the strongest predictor of VRI (p = 0.0075). After adjustment for age and age and sex interaction, the survival rate was 53% at the end of Period 2 and 91% at the end of Period 3.

Conclusions

Rates of VRIs have decreased with the addition of ac-EVDs to the routine use of prolonged systemic antibiotics at the authors' institution.
Retrospective comparison of craniotomy and decompressive craniectomy for surgical evacuation of nontraumatic, supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Hayes Seth B. , Benveniste Ronald J. , Morcos Jacques J. , Aziz-Sultan Mohammad A. , Elhammady Mohamed Samy
Published: May 2013

Surgical evacuation of nontraumatic, supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) is uncommonly performed, and outcomes are generally poor. On the basis of published experimental data and the authors' anecdotal observations, a retrospective chart review study was performed to test the hypothesis that large decompressive craniectomies (DCs), compared with craniotomies, would improve clinical outcomes after surgical evacuation of SICH. For patients with putaminal SICH, DC was associated with a statistically significant improvement in midline shift, compared with craniotomy. Decompressive craniectomies also resulted in a strong trend toward decreased likelihood of poor neurological outcome (modified Rankin Scale score > 3). For patients with lobar SICH, no associations were found between DC or craniotomy and clinical outcomes. For patients selected to undergo surgical evacuation of putaminal SICH, a DC in addition to surgical evacuation of the hematoma might improve outcome.
Transcranial MR-guided focused ultrasound sonothrombolysis in the treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Monteith Stephen J. , Kassell Neal F. , Goren Oded , Harnof Sagi
Published: May 2013

Intracerebral hemorrhage remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Current surgical therapies aim to use a minimally invasive approach to remove as much of the clot as possible without causing undue disruption to surrounding neural structures. Transcranial MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) surgery is an emerging technology that permits a highly concentrated focal point of ultrasound energy to be deposited to a target deep within the brain without an incision or craniotomy. With appropriate ultrasound parameters it has been shown that MRgFUS can effectively liquefy large-volume blood clots through the human calvaria. In this review the authors discuss the rationale for using MRgFUS to noninvasively liquefy intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), thereby permitting minimally invasive aspiration of the liquefied clot via a small drainage tube. The mechanism of action of MRgFUS sonothrombolysis; current investigational work with in vitro, in vivo, and cadaveric models of ICH; and the potential clinical application of this disruptive technology for the treatment of ICH are discussed.
Alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists in intracerebral hemorrhage: an evaluation of the current evidence for a novel therapeutic agent
Authors: Sussman Eric S. , Kellner Christopher P. , McDowell Michael M. , Bruce Samuel S. , Heuts Simon G. , Zhuang Zong , Bruce Rachel A. , Claassen Jan , Connolly E. Sander
Published: May 2013

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most deadly and least treatable subtype of stroke, and at the present time there are no evidence-based therapeutic interventions for patients with this disease. Secondary injury mechanisms are known to cause substantial rates of morbidity and mortality following ICH, and the inflammatory cascade is a major contributor to this post-ICH secondary injury. The alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) agonists have a well-established antiinflammatory effect and have been shown to attenuate perihematomal edema volume and to improve functional outcome in experimental ICH. The authors evaluate the current evidence for the use of an α7-nAChR agonist as a novel therapeutic agent in patients with ICH.
Emerging experimental therapies for intracerebral hemorrhage: targeting mechanisms of secondary brain injury
Authors: Belur Praveen K. , Chang Jason J. , He Shuhan , Emanuel Benjamin A. , Mack William J.
Published: May 2013

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with a higher degree of morbidity and mortality than other stroke subtypes. Despite this burden, currently approved treatments have demonstrated limited efficacy. To date, therapeutic strategies have principally targeted hematoma expansion and resultant mass effect. However, secondary mechanisms of brain injury are believed to be critical effectors of cell death and neurological outcome following ICH. This article reviews the pathophysiology of secondary brain injury relevant to ICH, examines pertinent experimental models, and highlights emerging therapeutic strategies. Treatment paradigms discussed include thrombin inhibitors, deferoxamine, minocycline, statins, granulocyte-colony stimulating factors, and therapeutic hypothermia. Despite promising experimental and preliminary human data, further studies are warranted prior to effective clinical translation.
Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage and the challenge of surgical decision making: a review
Authors: Kelly Michael L. , Sulmasy Daniel P. , Weil Robert J.
Published: May 2013

Decision making for patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) poses several challenges. Outcomes in this patient population are generally poor, prognostication is often uncertain, and treatment strategies offer limited benefits. Studies demonstrate variability in the type and intensity of treatment offered, which is attributed to clinical uncertainty and habits of training. Research has focused on new techniques and more stringent evidence-based selection criteria to improve outcomes and produce consensus around treatment strategies for patients with ICH. Such focus, however, offers little description of how ICH treatment decisions are made and how such decisions reflect patient preferences regarding medical care. A growing body of literature suggests that the process of decision making in ICH is laden with bias, value assumptions, and subjective impressions. Factors such as geography, cognitive biases, patient perceptions, and physician characteristics can all shape decision making and the selection of treatment. Such factors often serve as a barrier to providing patient-centered medical care. In this article, the authors review how surgical decision making for patients with ICH is shaped by these decisional factors and suggest future research pathways to study decision making in ICH. Such research efforts are important for establishing quality guidelines and pay-for-performance measures that reflect the preferences of individual patients and the contextual nature of medical decision making.
Decompressive hemicraniectomy without clot evacuation in dominant-sided intracerebral hemorrhage with ICP crisis
Authors: Heuts Simon G. , Bruce Samuel S. , Zacharia Brad E. , Hickman Zachary L. , Kellner Christopher P. , Sussman Eric S. , McDowell Michael M. , Bruce Rachel A. , Connolly E. Sander
Published: May 2013

Object

Large intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), compounded by perihematomal edema, can produce severe elevations of intracranial pressure (ICP). Decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC) with or without clot evacuation has been considered a part of the armamentarium of treatment options for these patients. The authors sought to assess the preliminary utility of DHC without evacuation for ICH in patients with supratentorial, dominant-sided lesions.

Methods

From September 2009 to May 2012, patients with ICH who were admitted to the neurological ICU at Columbia University Medical Center were prospectively enrolled in that institution's ICH Outcomes Project (ICHOP). Five patients with spontaneous supratentorial dominant-sided ICH underwent DHC without clot evacuation for recalcitrant elevated ICP. Data pertaining to the patients' characteristics and outcomes of treatment were prospectively collected.

Results

The patients' median age was 43 years (range 30–55 years) and the ICH etiology was hypertension in 4 of 5 patients, and systemic lupus erythematosus vasculitis in 1 patient. On admission, the median Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was 7 (range 5–9). The median ICH volume was 53 cm3 (range 28–79 cm3), and the median midline shift was 7.6 mm (range 3.0–11.3 mm). One day after surgery, the median decrease in midline shift was 2.7 mm (range 1.5–4.6 mm), and the median change in GCS score was +1 (range −3 to +5). At discharge, all patients were still alive, and the median GCS score was 10 (range 9–11), the median modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was 5 (range 5–5), and the median NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) score was 22 (range 17–27). Six months after hemorrhage, 1 patient had died, 2 were functionally dependent (mRS Score 4–5), and 2 were functionally independent (mRS Score 0–3). Outcomes for the patients treated with DHC were good compared with 1) outcomes for all patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH admitted during the same period (n = 144) and 2) outcomes for matched patients (dominant ICH, GCS Score 5–9, ICH volume 28–79 cm3, age < 60 years) whose cases were managed nonoperatively (n = 5).

Conclusions

Decompressive hemicraniectomy without clot evacuation appears feasible in patients with large ICH and deserves further investigation, preferably in a randomized controlled setting.
Mortality Rate of Fish Seeds (Labeo rohita) During Traditional Transportation System in the Northwest Bangladesh
Authors: Islam M. N. , Hossain M. A.
Published: May 2013

This investigation deals with the mortality rate of fish seeds (Labeo rohita) during traditional transportation system; to evaluate the effects of loading density with time scale under different water medium; temperature effect with relation to fry size and oxygen consumption; and the effect of saline water bath before transportation. Mortality rates were significantly increased with time scale and loading density under different water medium. Higher mortality was observed at 400 g L-1 loading density (river water 82%, pond water 70% and tubewell water 67.5%) than at 200 g L-1 and 300 g L-1 loading density after 24h. Oxygen consumption rate increased signi?cantly with increasing temperature and decreased significantly with increasing fry body weight. Therefore, mortality rate could decrease (22%) if fish fry are bathed in saline water before journey and tubewell water can be use as a medium for long distance transportation.Keywords: Mortality; Fish seeds; Oxygen consumption; Transportation.© 2013 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v5i2.10572         J. Sci. Res. 5 (2), 383-392 (2013)
Semi-Image Neighborhood Block Graphs with Crossing Numbers
Authors: Niranjan K. M. , Nagaraja P. , V Lokesh
Published: May 2013

The advent of graph theory has played a prominent role in wide variety of engineering applications. Minimization of crossing numbers in graphs optimizes its use in many applications. In this paper, we establish the necessary and sufficient condition for Semi-Image neighborhood block graph to have crossing number 3. We also prove that the Semi-Image neighborhood block graph NBI(G) of a graph never has crossing numbers k, where    1 ? k ? 6.Keywords: Semi-Image; Neighborhood block; Crossing numbers.© 2013 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v5i2.11019        J. Sci. Res. 5 (2), 295-299 (2013)
Evaluation of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Juice Preserved with Chemical Preservatives at Refrigeration Temperature
Authors: Alam M. K. , Hoque M. M. , Morshed S. , Akter F. , Sharmin K. N.
Published: May 2013

This study was done to analyze the effect of chemical preservatives on watermelon juice. Ten different samples of pasteurized watermelon juices with different chemical preservatives, termed as T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10 , were made which were stored at 4 - 15°C for three months. T1 and T2 were rejected soon due to spoilage. pH decreased from 5.094 to 4.017 and minimum pH content was reduced in T10 (7.87%), while maximum in T1 (57.55%). The total soluble solids (TSS) increased from 17.460% to 18.980% with maximum in T1 (51.67%) and minimum in T7 (4.88%). Reducing sugar was increased from 15.650 to 17.500% with maximum in T10 (18.22%) and minimum in T2 (5.90%).  Minimum microbial load was observed in T10 (0.20cfu/ml) and maximum in T1 (>24 cfu/ml) in case of coliforms; minimum in T10 (78×105 cfu/ml) and maximum in T1 (258×105 cfu/ml) in case of total viable bacteria and same results (minimum in T10 and maximum in T1) were shown in case of fungal count. E.coli was found in T1, T2, T3 and T4 and some bacteria was found in SS agar (especially Salmonella) in T1, T2, T3 and T5. Among all the treated juice samples T10 was most effective in maintaining the sensory and nutritional quality during storage.Keywords: © 2013 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v5i2.12181        J. Sci. Res. 5 (2), 407-414 (2013)
Phytochemical Screening and Anti-microbial Activity Studies on Leea macrophylla Seed Extracts
Authors: Islam M. B. , Sarkar M. M. H. , Shafique M. Z. , Jalil M. A. , Haque M. Z. , Amin R.
Published: May 2013

Seed extracts of medicinal plants Leea macrophylla were investigated for phytochemical as well as antibacterial screening. Phytochemical studies of the plant extracts revealed the presence of phenolic, saponin, glycosides, carbohydrate and protein types of compounds. The antibacterial effects of the plant extracts were also tested against several human multi-drug resistant pathogens, including one gram positive and three gram negative bacterial species and one fungal species using the disc-diffusion assay. All the plant extracts showed potent anti-microbial effects against gram positive micro-organism (inhibition zone 7-19 mm) whereas none of the extracts produced any potent anti-microbial effects against gram negative bacteria. Furthermore, it has been shown that the extracts exhibit antifungal activities against candida albicans except the extract n-hexane.Keywords: Leea macrophylla; Phytochemical screening; Anti-microbial activity.© 2013 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v5i2.13213         J. Sci. Res. 5 (2), 399-405 (2013)
Genetic Variability, Correlation and Path Coefficient Studies in Elephant Foot Yam (Amorphophallus campanulatus Bl.)
Authors: Paul K. K. , Miah M. A. B.
Published: May 2013

An investigation has been made to characterize the local accessions of Elephant foot yam collected from thirteen aroid growing districts and in-depth study on genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient for plant height, petiole length, petiole breadth, leaf area index, corm length, corm breadth, corm weight, cormel number, cormel length, cormel breadth, cormel weight and yield per plant has also been carried out. Genotypic variances and coefficient of variation for most of the characters were remarkably higher than their corresponding environmental variances, which also indicate the existence of variation in genotypic origin. High heritability with high genetic advance in percentage of mean was also observed for all characters. In the correlation study plant height, leaf area index, corm length, corm breadth, corm weight, cormel number, cormel length, cormel breath showed positive correlation with yield per plant in genotypic and phenotypic level. Leaf area index, cormel number in phenotypically and cormel number in genotypic level showed relatively high positive direct effect on yield per plant.Keywords: Amorphophallus; Genetic variability; Correlation; Path coefficient.© 2013 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsr.v5i2.13853        J. Sci. Res. 5 (2), 371-381 (2013)
Of Globalatinology
Authors: Anidjar Gil
Published: May 2013

Have we ever been religious? It may seem strange to open an essay on Derrida with a Latourean question. Yet, with regard to religion, what Derrida demonstrates is quite unavoidably this: we have long been, and are still being, Christianized. Whatever else we may have been, perhaps still are, constitutes but the space or espacement offered or relinquished, however reluctantly or even grudgingly (though more often than not quite willingly) to Christianization. This is a space that goes beyond whatever is meant by the word or the concept of ‘religion’, under whatever definition. And though Derrida still refers to it, at times, in terms that have themselves become, for the most part, religious markers (Judaism, Islam, etc.), he leaves no doubt that such name calling is part of the Christianization he otherwise documents. This essay attempts to show that the question (let us call it Derrida's ‘Christian question’) is therefore: what is Christianity?
Derrida on Pornography: Putting (It) Up for Sale
Authors: Morris Christopher
Published: May 2013

Over the past thirty years, academic debate over pornography in the discourses of feminism and cultural studies has foundered on questions of the performative and of the word's definition. In the polylogue of Droit de regards, pornography is defined as la mise en vente that is taking place in the act of exegesis in progress. (Wills's idiomatic English translation includes an ‘it’ that is absent in the French original). The definition in Droit de regards alludes to the word's etymology (writing by or about prostitutes) but leaves the referent of the ‘sale’ suspended. Pornography as la mise en vente boldly restates the necessary iterability of the sign and anticipates two of Derrida's late arguments: that there is no ‘the’ body and that performatives may be powerless. Deriving a definition of pornography from a truncated etymology exemplifies the prosthesis of origin and challenges other critical discourses to explain how pornography can be understood as anything more than ‘putting (it) up for sale’.
Suprathreshold Auditory Processing and Speech Perception in Noise: Hearing-Impaired and Normal-Hearing Listeners
Authors: Summers Van , Makashay Matthew J. , Theodoroff Sarah M. , Leek Marjorie R.
Published: May 2013

Background:It is widely believed that suprathreshold distortions in auditory processing contribute to the speech recognition deficits experienced by hearing-impaired (HI) listeners in noise. Damage to outer hair cells and attendant reductions in peripheral compression and frequency
selectivity may contribute to these deficits. In addition, reduced access to temporal fine structure (TFS) information in the speech waveform may play a role.Purpose:To examine how measures of peripheral compression, frequency selectivity, and TFS sensitivity relate to speech recognition
performance by HI listeners. To determine whether distortions in processing reflected by these psychoacoustic measures are more closely associated with speech deficits in steady-state or modulated noise.Research Design:Normal-hearing (NH) and HI listeners were tested on tasks examining
frequency selectivity (notched-noise task), peripheral compression (temporal masking curve task), and sensitivity to TFS information (frequency modulation [FM] detection task) in the presence of random amplitude modulation. Performance was tested at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz at several
presentation levels. The same listeners were tested on sentence recognition in steady-state and modulated noise at several signal-to-noise ratios.Study Sample:Ten NH and 18 HI listeners were tested. NH listeners ranged in age from 36 to 80 yr (M = 57.6). For HI listeners, ages
ranged from 58 to 87 yr (M = 71.8).Results:Scores on the FM detection task at 1 and 2 kHz were significantly correlated with speech scores in both noise conditions. Frequency selectivity and compression measures were not as clearly associated with speech performance. Speech Intelligibility
Index (SII) analyses indicated only small differences in speech audibility across subjects for each signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) condition that would predict differences in speech scores no greater than 10% at a given SNR. Actual speech scores varied by as much as 80% across subjects.Conclusions:The
results suggest that distorted processing of audible speech cues was a primary factor accounting for differences in speech scores across subjects and that reduced ability to use TFS cues may be an important component of this distortion. The influence of TFS cues on speech scores was comparable
in steady-state and modulated noise. Speech recognition was not related to audibility, represented by the SII, once high-frequency sensitivity differences across subjects (beginning at 5 kHz) were removed statistically. This might indicate that high-frequency hearing loss is associated with
distortions in processing in lower-frequency regions.
Random Walks in Degenerate Random Environments
Authors: Holmes Mark , Salisbury Thomas S.
Published: May 2013

We study the asymptotic behaviour of random walks in i.i.d. random environments on . The environments need not be elliptic, so some steps may not be available to the random walker. We prove a monotonicity result for the velocity (when it exists) for any 2-valued environment, and show that this does not hold for 3-valued environments without additional assumptions. We give a proof of directional transience and the existence of positive speeds under strong but non-trivial conditions on the distribution of the environment. Our results include generalisations (to the non-elliptic setting) of 0-1 laws for directional transience and, in 2-dimensions, the existence of a deterministic limiting velocity.
Camina Triples
Authors: Mlaiki Nabil M.
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we study Camina triples. Camina triples are a generalization of Camina pairs, first introduced in 1978 by A. R. Camina. Camina’s work was inspired by the study of Frobenius groups. We show that if (G, N, M) is a Camina triple, then either G/N is a p-group, or M is abelian, or M has a non-trivial nilpotent or Frobenius quotient.
Campus Food and Beverage Purchases are Associated with Indicators of Diet Quality in College Students Living off Campus
Authors: Pelletier Jennifer E. , Laska Melissa N.
Published: May 2013

Purpose.

To examine the association between college students' dietary patterns and frequency of purchasing food/beverages from campus area venues, purchasing fast food, and bringing food from home.

Design.

Cross-sectional Student Health and Wellness Study.

Setting.

One community college and one public university in the Twin Cities, Minnesota.

Subjects.

Diverse college students living off campus (n = 1059; 59% nonwhite; mean [SD] age, 22 [5] years).

Measures.

Participants self-reported sociodemographic characteristics and frequency of purchasing food/beverages around campus, purchasing fast food, and bringing food from home. Campus area purchases included à la carte facilities, vending machines, beverages, and nearby restaurants/stores. Dietary outcomes included breakfast and evening meal consumption (d/wk) and summary variables of fruit and vegetable, dairy, calcium, fiber, added sugar, and fat intake calculated from food frequency screeners.

Analysis.

The associations between each purchasing behavior and dietary outcomes were examined using t-tests and linear regression.

Results.

Approximately 45% of students purchased food/beverages from at least one campus area venue ≥ 3 times per week. Frequent food/beverage purchasing around campus was associated with less frequent breakfast consumption and higher fat and added sugar intake, similar to fast-food purchasing. Bringing food from home was associated with healthier dietary patterns.

Conclusion.

Increasing the healthfulness of campus food environments and promoting healthy food and beverage purchasing around campuses may be an important target for nutrition promotion among college students.
Using Social Media to Promote International Collaboration
Authors: Sun Hua , Puterbaugh Mark Douglas
Published: May 2013

This paper explores the use of social media or Web 2.0 services for an international collaborative project. Participants in this collaboration used free and inexpensive social media tools to communicate and work together. This case study presents a model for using inexpensive social media tools to forge new partnerships among academic libraries. Academic libraries can now tap the expertise of fellow librarians in other countries and explore new cultures to improve and extend their services without the huge financial cost once attributed to international collaboration.
Smart Home Technology for the Elderly and the Need for Regulation
Authors: Cocco Jessica
Published: May 2013

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