bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efeito de um programa de treinamento funcional no equilíbrio postural de idosas da comunidade
Authors: Lustosa Lygia Paccini , Oliveira Larissa Alves de , Santos Lidiane da Silva , Guedes Rita de Cássia , Parentoni Adriana Netto , Pereira Leani Souza Máximo
Published: April 2012

Programas de treino funcional podem colaborar na redução de incapacidades, quedas, problemas emocionais e sociais em idosos. O objetivo do estudo foi verificar o efeito de um programa de oito semanas de exercícios funcionais em idosas da comunidade, avaliando o impacto nas atividades instrumentais de vida diária (AIVD) e no equilíbrio unipodálico. Deste estudo quasi-experimental participaram sete idosas da comunidade (71±8,1 anos), sem distinção de raça e/ ou condição social, excluindo-se aquelas com alterações cognitivas, doenças agudizadas ou neurológicas, quadro álgico na coluna ou articulações, labirintite, distúrbios visuais não-compensados, fratura prévia no último ano e utilização de apoio para a marcha. Todas responderam ao questionário de Lawton e se submeteram ao teste de apoio unipodálico antes e depois do programa, administrado três vezes por semana. O programa consistia em exercícios de marcha em flexão plantar, dorsiflexão, permanência em alternância de apoio unipodálico, marcha lateral com flexão de quadril aumentada e marcha tandem. Os resultados indicam melhora (p=0,042) no nível funcional (índice de Lawton) após o programa e uma tendência à melhora no equilíbrio unipodálico, embora não-significante (p>0,105). O programa de exercícios proposto produziu pois melhora no desempenho das AIVD e uma tendência à melhora do equilíbrio estático, sugerindo ser relevante para aprimorar a autonomia das idosas.
O movimento funcional de alcance em uma abordagem ecológica
Authors: Lima Renata Cristina Magalhães , Nascimento Lucas Rodrigues , Teixeira-Salmela Luci Fuscaldi
Published: April 2012

Teorias de controle motor tradicionais assumiam um modelo de representação interna responsável pela organização e regulação do alcance, tendo por controlador o sistema nervoso central (SNC). Perspectivas contemporâneas questionam a habilidade de somente o SNC controlar e regular os movimentos. Ações podem não ser guiadas apenas pelo SNC, mas também por informações presentes no ambiente, estando o controle no sistema indivíduo-ambiente. A detecção da informação é um processo ativo: o indivíduo explora o ambiente, percebe possibilidades de ação fornecidas por ele e age em reposta ao que é oferecido. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o desenvolvimento e a coordenação do alcance em uma perspectiva teórica fundamentada na abordagem ecológica à percepção-ação, para promover melhor compreensão do movimento humano. Discutem-se nesta revisão de literatura o desenvolvimento do alcance desde a infância até a idade adulta, formas de operacionalização, fatores extrínsecos e intrínsecos relacionados, relações invariantes entre indivíduo e objeto a ser alcançado. Esse referencial teórico pode permitir a compreensão de como intervenções alteram a estabilidade vigente no sistema, levando à emergência de novas soluções funcionais. Em uma visão ecológica, o alcance é entendido de forma ampla: para explicar a ocorrência do movimento, devem considerar-se as informações do ambiente, além das características intrínsecas do indivíduo.
Eficácia de tratamento fisioterapêutico no equilíbrio estático e dinâmico de pacientes com doença de Parkinson
Authors: Christofoletti Gustavo , Freitas Rosana Tannus , Cândido Evandro Rocha , Cardoso Clariany Soares
Published: April 2012

Distúrbios de equilíbrio são um dos sinais mais prevalentes na doença de Parkinson (DP), que contribuem para a perda da independência funcional dos sujeitos acometidos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a eficácia de um programa de treinamento fisioterapêutico específico sobre o equilíbrio estático e dinâmico de pacientes com DP. Vinte e três pacientes com DP idiopática, divididos em dois grupos, experimental e controle, foram avaliados pela escala de equilíbrio funcional de Berg e pelo teste de levantar e caminhar cronometrado (timed up & go). O grupo experimental foi submetido a uma seqüência de exercícios fisioterapêuticos de estimulação motora e cognitiva, com freqüência de três atendimentos semanais durante seis meses. Após o tratamento, foi constatada uma melhora significativa do equilíbrio dos pacientes do grupo experimental em relação ao controle (p<0,05) em ambos os instrumentos. O protocolo fisioterapêutico proposto, de estimulação motora e cognitiva, foi pois eficaz ao promover importante melhora no equilíbrio estático e dinâmico dos sujeitos com doença de Parkinson.
Specific surface area effect on compressibility behaviour of clayey soils
Authors: Yukselen-Aksoy Yeliz , Kaya Abidin
Published: April 2012

In this study, the effect of specific surface area on compressibility and permeability characteristics of remoulded and intact clayey soils was investigated. Fifteen remoulded and 15 intact soils with a wide range of physicochemical properties were tested. The results indicate that specific surface area has a significant effect on compressibility and permeability behaviour of clayey soils. In addition to other soil index properties, specific surface area can be used for estimating these engineering properties. Significantly high correlation coefficient (r = 0·97) between compression index (Cc) and the specific surface area is observed for remoulded clayey soils with only methylene blue-spot specific surface area. There is no significant correlation between the BET-N2specific surface area and Cc. The effect of the remoulded water content on proposed specific surface area and Ccrelationship is also investigated. The results show that as specific surface area of soils increases, cvdecreases, indicating the importance of the diffuse double layer on the consolidation process. The results also reveal that permeability is controlled by the specific surface area of soils. In addition, the data obtained in this study indicate that there is a linear correlation between Cc/n0and Cc, which indicates the significance of initial void ratio on the compressibility characteristics of soils.
Briefing: Limit states design of railway concrete sleepers
Authors: Kaewunruen Sakdirat , Remennikov Alex M. , Murray Martin H.
Published: April 2012

Recently updated information has raised a concern over not only the existing cost-ineffective design method but also the unrealistic analysis mode of railroad prestressed concrete sleepers. Because of the deficient knowledge in the past, railway civil engineers have been mostly aware of the over-conservative design methods for structural components in any railway track, which rely on allowable stresses and material strength reductions. Based on a number of proven experiments and field data, it is believed that the concrete sleepers which complied with the allowable stress concept possess unduly untapped fracture toughness. A collaborative research project run by the Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Railway Engineering and Technologies (RailCRC) was initiated to ascertain the reserved capacity of Australian railway prestressed concrete sleepers designed using the existing design code. The findings have led to the development of a new limit states design concept. This briefing highlights the conventional and the new limit states design philosophies and their implication to both the railway and the public community.
Stress Superposition Explains Fracture Patterns in some Middle East Oil Fields
Authors: Ozkaya Sait Ismail
Published: April 2012

Two main structural types can be distinguished in the oil fields of the Middle East. (i) Fields transected by regional strike slip faults (type I structures). (ii) Fields with local faults that are associated with and confined to anticlinal structures (type II structures). Type II structures are either (i) growth fold, mostly bound by deep seated faults which were reactivated under transpression or (ii) product of structural inversion, during Late Cretaceous and Late Tertiary major tectonic events. The reactivated faults have usually very small lateral displacement and the structures have very gentle dips.

The characteristic fault fracture patterns of type II anticlines in the Middle East have two diagnostic aspects: (i) faults and fracture corridors have uniform strike oblique to anticlinal axis and (ii) they disappear away from the structural highs towards franks and away. These two characteristic aspects can be explained only by superposition of regional stress and local tension related to structural bending.

Stress superposition not only explains the diagnostic faults and fracture patterns of type II structures, but also account for several details such as higher degree of fracturing in doubly plunging structures and fracture density as a function of the angle between fold axis and maximum horizontal stress at the time of fracturing.

Fault reactivation and structural growth in discrete pulses seem to be prerequisite for the typical fault fracture corridor patterns of type II structures. In many of type II anticlines, the paleo-stress that generated fold-bound faults and fracture corridors is oblique to fold axes. This suggests folding and fracturing took place under transpression and is related to fold reactivation or structural inversion. In either case, existence of a pre-existing structural control is essential, such as regional wrench faults or deep seated basement weakness zones.
High Power Laser Application in Openhole Multiple Fracturing with an Overview of Laser Research; Past, Present and Future
Authors: Batarseh Sameeh I. , Abass Hazim H. , Al-Mulhem Abdulrahman A. , Habib Nabeel S.
Published: April 2012

High power laser research has been advancing in targeting several areas for downhole applications such as perforation, clay treatment and wellbore flow enhancement among others. This paper presents an overview of the laser research in well stimulation; past, current and future applications. The focus will be on the use of laser to support fracturing of horizontal wells by creating a vertical notch to help initiate the fracture in the point of interest along the horizontal section.

Hydraulic fracturing is the process used by the petroleum industry to enhance productivity from low producing wells. Unconventional reservoirs such as tight sands and shale are associated with productivity challenges due to extremely low formation permeability. The process entails high pressure injection of fluids, mostly water based, in the stimulated well such that the pressure applied on the well sand face exceeds the formation fracturing gradient. Although the process of hydraulic fracturing is mostly used to enhance productivity, there are other applications of this process such as sand production control and bypassing of formation damage caused by drilling fluid. The outcome of hydraulic fracturing is a maximized surface area that connects the reservoir to the producing well. This process also leads to activation of natural fractures thus making the stimulated reservoir volume at its maximum value.
Petrophysical Properties of a Synthetic Model Rock for Validation of Micro-CT Based Calculation
Authors: Mohammed Ismail , Adewole Steve , Olafuyi Olalekan
Published: April 2012

Direct calculations of petrophysical properties from micro-CT imaging have been reported in the literature to accurately predict single phase and multiphase flow transport properties respectively. These predictions are usually validated with experimental data available in the literature. The properties of rocks that are usually used (Berea, Benthiemer and Fontainbleau), even though have been assumed to be homogenous but vary in terms of pore pattern. Data from the literature which were obtained from different rock samples may introduce an error if the same rock sample is not used in the micro-CT imaging for direct computations or network model simulations. For proper validation of predictive capability of CT-imaging and its computational techniques with negligible variation, there is need to use porous media with same pore patterns in both CT-imaging and laboratory measurements.

This paper presents laboratory measurements made on synthetic model rock (ROBU) with uniform pore patterns. The result from these measurements will be handy for validation of micro-CT based direct computation of petrophysical properties. Petrophysical properties measured in this paper include porosity, permeability and calculated formation resisitivity factors.

Four different samples with BET surface area range 0.015m2/g to 0.5m2/g. were used. The experiments were repeated thrice for reproducibility check.

The results from the measurements show the porosity and permeability are in the range of 0.3 to 0.4 and 2.5 to 300 Darcy, respectively for all samples (0, 1, 3 and 4). Formation resistivity factors are in the range of 4.5 to 8.5 for the four samples. The porosity values of all the samples are considered moderate but the permeability values of samples 3 and 4 are comparable to some homogenous model rocks (Kirby and Briarhill sandstones). The results from the measurements show that more reliable and consistent data can be obtained from the synthetic model rocks used. In general, the samples used are said to be homogenous within the limit of experimental error and the data obtained can be used for validation of both direct computations and network model predictions. The use of this synthetic model rock for initial model calibration in studies related to multiphase flow transport properties will give a more realistic, accurate and representative results than the presently used natural occurring model rock.
Wellbore Remediation using Microemulsion Technology to Increase Hydrocarbon Productivity
Authors: Darugar Qusai A. , Quintero Lirio , Jones Thomas A. , Pietrangeli Gianna
Published: April 2012

Decreases in hydrocarbon production can be attributed to depletion in formation pressures or flow restrictions caused by formation damage. Some of the most common causes of formation damage affecting permeability include the buildup of in-situ emulsions due to crude oil interaction with drilling and completion fluids, water blockage, asphaltene and paraffin deposition and alteration of near-wellbore wettability. In new wells, near-wellbore formation damage may be caused by emulsion blockages when the whole mud, mud filtrate or completion fluids interact with the formation fluids.

Chemical treatments have been widely used to remediate damaged formations, with varying degrees of effectiveness. Single-phase microemulsion fluids provide unique properties that can effectively remove emulsion blockages, remove precipitated crude oil macromolecules, and reverse wettability to enhance hydrocarbon production. Carefully designed microemulsion systems having an ultra-low interfacial tension, high solvency and compatibility with formation fluids can be used to mobilize fluids and solids in wells.

This paper discusses the process of developing and qualifying a single-phase, temperature stable microemulsion system for field applications. Case history results are presented that demonstrate how this technology, if applied properly, can significantly enhance hydrocarbon production in poorly producing wells.
Casing Drilling Technology Application: Case Histories from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Chima Jude , Zhou Shaohua , Al-Hajji Ali , Okot Mike , Sharif Qamar J. , Clark David , Oveson Dale , Moellendick Eric , Holt Calvin , Neidhardt Dietmar
Published: April 2012

Casing-while-drilling is a relatively new well construction process or technology for simultaneously drilling and casing a wellbore, and has been utilized globally over the last 15 years or so. This technology has shown advantages of reducing overall drilling time and cost. It has demonstrated signs of reducing hole problems, such as mud losses, through plastering effect because of the rotation of the casing string against the formation. It provides assurance to case off unstable formations while drilling, resulting in significantly reduced well construction costs.

Saudi Aramco has made several field test runs of this technology beginning in early October 2008, including deployments of both simple casing drilling with drill-through casing bit (non-retrievable) system and advanced bottom hole assembly (BHA) retrievable system designed for directional casing drilling. This paper will document the lessons learned from implementation of the technology, including planning and design, rig operations, problems encountered, modifications made to reduce risk after extensive review and investigation, and finally, successful deployment of a directional casing drilling to the planned casing point with a 17" x 13-⅜" system. In addition, the paper briefly outlines the further required improvements of casing drilling tools to ensure continued success in the future.
Quality Control/Quality Assurance Assessments of Core Analysis Data from Multiple Commercial Laboratories
Authors: Amabeoku Maclean O. , BinNasser Rami H.
Published: April 2012

Hydrocarbon in place calculations and recovery predictions require data from a variety of sources. Of these sources, core data are, potentially, the most accurate because they are direct measurements. Therefore, reliable and representative core analysis data are essential to calibrate and validate tool-acquired data, especially, wireline logs. Special core analysis (SCAL) vendor laboratories are the primary sources or supplemental resources for the measurements and acquisition of core data. These laboratories are set up for more rapid throughput of large quantities of samples at costs lower than those of an oil company's internal laboratory. But very poor quality data can be generated by some vendors.

This paper discusses Quality Control/Quality Assurance analysis and assessments of SCAL data from four laboratories. The multi-vendor SCAL program was formulated to evaluate specific petrophysical properties capabilities of the selected laboratories. The tests included porosity and permeability at varying stress, formation water resistivity (Rw), electrical properties (m and n), and capillary pressure by the centrifuge and mercury intrusion methods.

Core plugs from two different formations were used in the evaluation. One set consisted of limestone plugs and the other set included sandstone samples. Baseline porosity and air permeability measurements and CT scans were used to screen the samples and divide them into subsets for the individual vendors. The only information provided to the vendors was plug designation.

Some laboratories provided very poor quality data on some of the tests. They reported wrong results for porosity at varying stress, electrical properties, and mercury capillary pressure. Probe maintenance, contamination, and calibration were given as possible reasons for erroneous brine resistivity. Wrong saturation exponent values were attributed to saturation instability.

The errors identified in this study can have significant economic impact on a field development program. Therefore, it is important that we exercise very strict supervision of the program and engage with the vendor throughout the data acquisition program. The QC/QA analysis used in this study can improve the performance of these vendors and the quality of data.
Correlations Between NMR Relaxation Response and Relative Permeability From Tomographic Reservoir Rock Images
Authors: AlGhamdi Tariq M , Arns C. H. , Eyvazzadeh R. Y.
Published: April 2012

NMR is typically used in the petroleum industry to characterize pore size and identify fluids in fully and partially saturated reservoir samples. While the NMR relaxation response can be used to estimate the permeability of the rock, it may also provide information about fluid distribution for multi-phase systems which would lead to the estimation of effective permeability of fluids at partial saturations and derivation of relative permeability to assess hydrocarbon recovery. Using a random walk method, we simulate the NMR response as function of saturation on tomographic images of Bentheimer and Berea sandstone as well as a Ferroan Dolomite samples. Fluid distributions are simulated using the capillary pressure curves of these samples via capillary drainage transform (CDT) allowing the calculations of the saturations directly on the images. The magnetic susceptibility of minerals and fluids is used to calculate the internal magnetic fields from the material distributions of solids and fluids. We show that the logarithmic mean of the NMR T2 distribution is a robust measure of permeability and results in strong correlations between NMR response and relative permeability of both fluids. The observed relative permeability from NMR in our work is in excellent agreement with relative permeability calculations on direct image based using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). We have also compared our NMR results for the wetting phase to published experimental results on Bentheimer and Berea sandstone samples and observed strong agreement. Using NMR numerical calculations, we demonstrate that internal gradients aid the establishment of relative permeability correlations for the non-wetting phase.
Laboratory Scale Control of Drilling Parameters to Enhance Rate of Penetration and Reduce Drill String Vibration
Authors: Esmaeili Abdolali , Elahifar Behzad , Fruhwirth Rudolf K. , Thonhauser Gerhard
Published: April 2012

Drill string vibration and shock loads are known as destructive loads while drilling and are the reason for tool failure, lost time and reduction in rate of penetration. Vibrations of drill strings can be effected by bit and bottom hole assembly design, interaction of bit/formation and drilling parameters. To manage vibration, however, weight on bit and rotary speed are the only means that can be changed by the driller while making a hole. Therefore it has been always tried to define an optimum range for drilling parameters as key components of the vibration reduction and the rate of penetration management process.

A fully automated laboratory scale drilling rig (CDC miniRig) and vibration sensor sub are used to monitor and record drilling parameters such as weight on bit, rotary speed and vibration of drill string among others.

Based on different ranges of weight on bit and rotary speed, drilling data and vibration readings are analyzed and the effects of drilling parameters due to vibrations are better understood.

Parameter ranges based on the experimental results leading to minimum vibration and optimum rate of penetration are presented.
Carbon Dioxide Sequestration: Modeling the Diffusive and Convective Transport under a CO2 Cap
Authors: Allen Rebecca , Sun Shuyu
Published: April 2012

A rise in carbon dioxide levels from industial emissions is contributing to the greenhouse effect and global warming. CO2 sequestration in saline aquifers is a strategy to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels. Scientists and researchers rely on numerical simulators to predict CO2 storage by modeling the fluid transport behaviour.

Studies have shown that after CO2 is injected into a saline aquifer, undissolved CO2 rises due to buoyant forces and will spread laterally away from the injection site under an area of low permeability. CO2 from this ‘capped’ region diffuses into the fluid underlying it, and the resulting CO2-fluid mixture increases in density. This increase in density leads to gravity-driven convection. Accordingly, diffusive-convective transport is important to model since it predicts an enhanced storage capacity of the saline aquifer.

This work incorporates the diffusive and convective transport processes into the transport modeling equation, and uses a self-generated code. Discretization of the domain is done with a cell-centered finite difference method. Cases are set up using similar parameters from published literature in order to compare results. Enhanced storage capacity is predicted in this work, similar to work done by others. A difference in the onset of convective transport between this work and published results is noticed and discussed in this paper.

A sensitivity analysis is performed on the density model used in this work, and on the diffusivity value assumed. The analysis shows that the density model and diffusivity value is a key component on simulation results. Also, perturbations are added to porosity and permeability in order to see the effect of perturbations on the onset of convection, and results agree with similar findings by others.

This work provides a basis for studying other cases, such as the impact of heterogeneity on the diffusion-convective transport. An extension of this work may involve the use of an equation of state to predict CO2 solubility at thermodynamic conditions, and studying the impact of salinity on CO2 solubility.
The Association of Mental Health over Time with Cardiac Outcomes in HEMO Study Patients
Authors: Kang Ea Wha , Pike Francis , Ramer Sarah , Abdel-Kader Khaled , Myaskovsky Larissa , Dew Mary Amanda , Unruh Mark
Published: April 2012

Background and objectives

Poor mental health over time is significantly associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the general population, which is the leading cause of death in dialysis patients. Most studies of dialysis patients, however, have investigated the relationship between baseline mental health measurements and all-cause mortality and not mental health measured longitudinally throughout a study and cause-specific mortality.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

This study examined the association of changes in mental health over time with all-cause and cause-specific deaths and cardiac hospitalizations in the Hemodialysis study patients. Mental health was assessed at baseline and annually during the study with short form 36 mental health index scores. Poorer mental health was defined by a mental health index score≤60.

Results

Patients with poorer mental health at baseline were more likely to have less than a high school education and be unmarried, have significantly higher index of coexistent disease scores, and report taking β-blockers and sleep medications. Low mental health scores over time were independently associated with a decrease in survival time from all-cause mortality by −0.06 (−0.10, −0.03; P<0.001), and they also significantly hastened time to first cardiac hospitalization by −0.08 (−0.13, −0.02; P=0.01) and composite of first cardiac hospitalization or cardiac death by −0.04 (−0.07, −0.02; P<0.001).

Conclusions

This study found an independent association between poor mental health over time and all-cause mortality, cardiac hospitalization, and the composite of cardiac death or cardiac hospitalization in hemodialysis patients. The results underscore the importance of attention to mental health related to cardiac complications and even death in dialysis patients.
Oligodendrorhynchus hesperides gen. et sp. n. (Heteronemertea) from the Bellingshausen Sea
Authors: Fernández-Alvarez Fernando , Anadón Nuria
Published: April 2012

Oligodendrorhynchus hesperides gen. et sp. n. (Heteronemertea) from the Bellingshausen Sea

A new genus and species of heteronemertean from the Antarctic (Bellingshausen Sea), Oligodendrorhynchus hesperides, is described and illustrated. Some morphological features with major systematic significance are following: the mode of branching of the proboscis and its low number of terminal branches; the lack of horizontal lateral cephalic slits but in their place a pair of shallow epidermal depressions; a gelatinous amorphous connective stratum between the outer longitudinal and circular muscle layers; the presence of a rhynchocoelic nerve; isolated fibres of the rhynchocoel circular muscle layer interwoven with bundles of the adjacent body-wall inner longitudinal muscle fibres in the intestinal region. Other anatomical characters which can also be used to distinguish the new taxon from existing heteronemertean species that have a branched proboscis are also discussed.
Methodological problems of Assessing Spatial and Temporal Changes in the quality of Mine Water / Metodologické Problémy Hodnocení Prostorových A Časových Změn Kvality Důlních Vod
Authors: Rapantová Naďa , Grmela Arnošt
Published: April 2012

An important, but largely neglected hydrogeological issue is the timing of mine water sampling during mining and after mine closure. Significant temporal and spatial changes in the “ageing“ of information, neglected effects of dynamic changes in the quality of mine water and its resources are causing severe degradation of information from mine water analyses and their possible misleading interpretation. Hydrogeological data are typical examples of multi-parametric information and if any hydrogeochemical data bases and their further processing are to be undertaken it is advisable to use methods of multi-parametric analyses followed by hydrogeochemical reaction models. Another limiting factor affecting the validity of results is the assessment of the issue of the representativeness of samples. The methodology applied on various mining sites is widely discussed in the paper.
Application of Gpr During Investigation Concerning Causes of Failure of Railway Station Platform in Jilešovice / Využití Gpr Při Zjišťování Příčin Porušení Nástupiště Nádraží V Jilešovicích
Authors: Pospíšil Pavel , Poláček Aleš , Kovář Luděk
Published: April 2012

Civil engineering works carried out as the renovation of existing buildings can be difficult to predict in terms of their behaviour over time. The heterogeneity of materials of a natural and anthropogenic origin can subsequently lead to either deformations, or breach threatening the existence of building structure in terms of statics. The platform of the station in Jilešovice underwent structural modifications within the reconstruction of the railway track from Ostrava to Opava. The largest building intervention was the reconstruction of an old bridge and adjacent embankment bodies now in addition secured due to stability by gabion baskets instead of the original natural grading. After a short time of its use, significant deformations appeared on the renovated object, whose causes and further evolution over time was not known. Within the design of investigation techniques, allowing uncovering the causes of violation quickly and efficiently, the survey with a georadar -GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) was included, which as an indirect, non-destructive method of survey very quickly helped to clarify the causes of violations of the building structures
Prevention of intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks by lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage during surgery for pituitary macroadenomas
Authors: Mehta Gautam U. , Oldfield Edward H.
Published: April 2012

Object

Cerebrospinal fluid leakage is a major complication of transsphenoidal surgery. An intraoperative CSF leak, which occurs in up to 50% of pituitary tumor cases, is the only modifiable risk factor for postoperative leaks. Although several techniques have been described for surgical repair when an intraoperative leak is noted, none has been proposed to prevent an intraoperative CSF leak. The authors postulated that intraoperative CSF drainage would diminish tension on the arachnoid, decrease the rate of intraoperative CSF leakage during surgery for larger tumors, and reduce the need for surgical repair of CSF leaks.

Methods

The results of 114 transsphenoidal operations for pituitary macroadenoma performed without intraoperative CSF drainage were compared with the findings from 44 cases in which a lumbar subarachnoid catheter was placed before surgery to drain CSF at the time of dural exposure and tumor removal.

Results

Cerebrospinal fluid drainage reduced the rate of intraoperative CSF leakage from 41% to 5% (p < 0.001). This reduction occurred in macroadenomas with (from 57% to 5%, p < 0.001) and those without suprasellar extension (from 29% to 0%, p = 0.31). The rate of postoperative CSF leakage was similar (5% vs 5%), despite the fact that intraoperative CSF drainage reduced the need for operative repair (from 32% to 5%, p < 0.001). There were no significant catheter-related complications.

Conclusions

Cerebrospinal fluid drainage during transsphenoidal surgery for macroadenomas reduces the rate of intraoperative CSF leaks. This preventative measure obviated the need for surgical repair of intraoperative CSF leaks using autologous fat graft placement, other operative techniques, postoperative lumbar drainage, and/or reoperation in most patients and is associated with minimal risks.
Risk Factor for Relapse in Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome - A Hospital Based Retrospective Study
Authors: Sarker MN , Islam MMSU , Saad T , Shoma FN , Sharmin LS , Khan HA , Afrooz F , Fatmi LE , Alam A , Salimullah ASM , Uddin MR , Saha T
Published: April 2012

Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) is a common childhood illness characterized by massive proteinuria, hyperlipidemia, hypoalbuminemia & edema. NS is a disease of relapse and it is a major problem to manage the cases with frequent relapse. So it is very important to find out such children who are prone to develop frequent relapse. This retrospective study was conducted in the paediatric department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) from January to December 2005.Total 100 children with relapsed NS of them 50 had Frequent Relapse NS (FRNS) and 50 had Infrequent Relapse NS (IFRNS) were included in the study with a view to find out the risk factors for relapse. Data were collected from previous medical and hospital records. Data were analyzed by using SPSS program. Chi-squared test and Student's t-Test were used as statistical test and p value < 0.05 was taken as significant. NS was more common among 2-6 years of age (67%) with male to female ratio roughly 2:1. Most of patient with frequent relapse had age <5 years, came from rural area and belongs to poor social class compared to that of infrequent relapse. The mean age at first onset was significantly less in frequent relapse group than that of infrequent relapse group. Majority of atopic child belongs to frequent relapse cases. Low serum albumin level, low serum total protein level, culture positive Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) at initial attack were observed to be statistically significant in case of frequent relapse group.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v7i1.10292Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2012;7(1): 18-22
Effects of Methanol Extract of Piper chaba Stem Bark on Acute Inflammation in rats
Authors: Begum F , Begum ZA , Uddin MR , Haider AHMZ , Barman RC
Published: April 2012

The plant Piper chaba Hunter (Piperaceae), a climbing glabrous shrub grows in plenty in southern Bangladesh. Popularly known as 'Choi' it is used as spices and believed to have medicinal value in a wide variety of disease conditions including arthritis, asthma, bronchitis and piles. In the present study, effect of methanol extract of Piper chaba stem bark on acute inflammation has been reported. The anti-inflammatory effect was studied in rats by injecting 0.1ml of 1% carrageenan suspension into the planter surface, where oedema of the rat's hind paw was used as an index of acute inflammation. Methanol extract of Piper chaba stem bark given orally 1 hour before injection at doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg body weight, produced significant (p< 0.05) anti inflammatory effect compared to control and the percentage of inhibition of oedema formation was 33% and 35% respectively, which however was less compared to aspirin (46%) and hydrocortisone (56%). The result suggest that in case of acute inflammation, Piper chaba stem bark possess mild to moderate anti inflammatory effect compared to that of aspirin and hydrocortisone.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v7i1.10294Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2012;7(1): 26-28
Giant Juvenile Fibroadenoma of the Breast: Report of 2 Cases
Authors: Biswas SK , Rahman ASM Tanjihur , Paul AC , Mollah MSI , Chowdhury V
Published: April 2012

Giant fibroadenomas are benign tumors, but their rapid growth and large size together with their rarity may determine difficulties in the clinical approach. The authors present 2 cases of giant juvenile fibroadenoma of the breast in girls aged 14 and 16 years, and the respective diagnostic workup and conservative surgical treatment. The diagnosis was made on fine needle aspiration cytology which was confirmed on histopathology. These tumours are almost always benign and should be treated with breast conserving surgery.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v7i1.10298Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2012;7(1): 42-45
Floating drug delivery systems: A better approach
Authors: Chandel Abhishek , Chauhan Kapil , Parashar Bharat , Kumar Hitesh , Arora Sonia
Published: April 2012

The purpose of writing this review on floating drug delivery systems (FDDS) was to compile the recent literature with special focus on the principal mechanism of floatation to achieve gastric retention. It is known that differences in gastric physiology (such as, gastric pH, motility) exhibit both intra- as well as inter-subject variability demonstrating significant impact on gastric retention time and drug delivery behaviour. The recent developments of FDDS including the physiological and formulation variables affecting gastric retention, approaches to design single-unit and multiple-unit floating systems, and their classification and formulation aspects are covered in detail. This review also summarizes the studies to evaluate the performance and application of floating systems, and applications of these systems.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v1i5.10283International Current Pharmaceutical Journal 2012, 1(5): 110-118
Intégrer les Tice à une approche cognitive de la grammaire du discours
Authors: Barbazan Muriel
Published: April 2012

Si l'on a pour objectif de favoriser un apprentissage de la grammaire évaluable à l'aune des performances communicatives réelles des apprenants, il est utile d'identifier préalablement un cadre de travail qui respecte les processus cognitifs de production et de compréhension. Dans ce cadre, cet article envisage la question de la reformulation des contenus grammaticaux pour cibler l'apprentissage guidé de la langue telle qu'elle est mise en œuvre dans le "discours". Pour ce faire, on illustrera l'intérêt d'une démarche descriptive associant les deux pistes suivantes : a) intégrer à la description grammaticale des prototypes de situations d'interactions verbales en relation avec les significations données aux outils grammaticaux. Parallèlement, b) mettre en relation les fonctions des outils grammaticaux avec des types de plans textuels tout en insistant sur leur rôle de marqueurs de la macrostructure (repérage des unités textuelles). L'objet de cet article sera ensuite d'explorer les possibilités qu'offrent les Tice pour un apprentissage guidé ciblant l'acquisition de routines grammaticales adaptées à la production / réception du discours en situation. L'accent sera mis sur les activités de compréhension et de réorganisation unifiée des connaissances et savoir-faire grammaticaux, tout en soulignant l'intérêt des Tice pour favoriser en FLE la mise en œuvre effective et interactive de la L2. À partir d'exemples d'activités ou de possibilités d'exploitation de divers outils, cette seconde partie servira ainsi d'illustration aux axes descriptifs et aux orientations didactiques préalablement définis.
PACKET TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN UBIQUITOUS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
Authors: Chung Wan-Young , Koay Su-Lin , Jung Sang-Joong , Kwon Tae-Ha
Published: April 2012

Recent advances in wireless sensor network (WSN) envisaging ubiquitous healthcare system that simplifies the monitoring and treatment of patients. WSN also pose several challenges to ubiquitous healthcare applications. As healthcare application commonly handle two different types of data such as wave-like data of ECG and linear waveform-independent data of body temperature, blood pressure and oxygen content. As wave-like data requires a higher sampling rate than waveform-independent data, the transmission of wave-like data in WSN causes traffic congestion and, consequently, loss of vital signal in transmission. With the increasing number of sensor nodes involved in the WSN field, network congestion issue is rapidly coming known as a tangible issue in healthcare system that must be addressed in order to maintain data reliability. Sensor nodes have very limited computational resources due to its energy consumption. To reduce traffics in WSN communication, the biomedical data are sent when they had very serious problems. The collaboration among sensors through task mapping based in-network processing is adapted to achieve higher processing power and reduce traffics in WSN. System analysis shows that the data packet loss in the ubiquitous healthcare system is dramatically reduced after the implementation of this process. By adapting fall detection, not only the numbers of packets received by the base station are greatly reduced but also the traffic overload problems in WSN are also resolved.
The Comic Nature of Ecce Homo
Authors: Meyer Matthew
Published: April 2012

This article argues that Nietzsche's 1888 writings should be understood as a Dionysian comedy that parallels important formal structures of Aristophanes' early plays. Whereas works such as The Twilight of the Idols and The Case of Wagner contain features that resemble the agonal elements of Dionysian comedy, Ecce Homo should be understood as a comic parabasis of self-definition.
The Kantian Background to Nietzsche's Views on Causality
Authors: Doyle Tsarina
Published: April 2012

This article addresses the Kantian background to Nietzsche's metaphysics. Focusing on the issues of causality and force, I argue that Nietzsche's will to power thesis emerges in response to Kant's approach to the question of causality. I contend that Nietzsche sides with Kant, contrary to Schopenhauer, in his identification of force with efficient causality, indicating his approval of Kant's restriction of the objective applicability of the concept of causality to the phenomenal sphere. However, Nietzsche contends that Kant fails to fully execute his project due to his retention of the thing-in-itself as the realm in which the inner determinations of things reside. I argue that Nietzsche makes it his task to complete the Kantian project by reconciling force with its disinherited inner determinations at the level of phenomena rather than things-in-themselves.
Replies to My Critics
Authors: Reginster Bernard
Published: April 2012

I offer replies to my critics: I discuss Hussain's objections to my attribution of a form of normative subjectivism to Nietzsche, Clark's reservations about the importance I grant the problem of suffering, and Clark's and Soll's criticisms of my account of the will to power.
Continuation Criterion for the 2D Liquid Crystal Flows
Authors: Fan Jishan , Ozawa Tohru
Published: April 2012

We consider the 2D liquid crystal systems, which consists of Navier-Stokes system coupled with wave maps or biharmonic wave maps, respectively. By logarithmic Sobolev inequalities, we obtain a blow-up criterion ∇d,∂td∈L1(0,T;B˙∞,∞0(ℝ2)) for the case with wave maps, and we prove the existence of a global-in-time strong
solutions for the case with biharmonic wave maps.
Characteristics and Prevalence of Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA)
Authors: Brahmkshatriya Priyanka P. , Mehta Anita A. , Saboo Banshi D. , Goyal Ramesh K.
Published: April 2012

Diabetes, one of the most commonly seen metabolic disorders, is affecting a major area of population in many developing as well as most of the developed countries and is becoming an alarming concern for the rising cost of the healthcare system. Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) is a form of diabetes which is less recognized and underdiagnosed type of diabetes which appears to have characteristics of bothtype 1(autoimmune in nature) andtype 2 diabetes(adult age at onset and initial response to oral hypoglycemic agents). An epidemiological study was carried out on 500 patients in the western region of India. Various parameters such as age at onset, duration of diabetes, gender, basal metabolic index (BMI), type of diabetes, family history, HbA1c levels, cholesterol levels, and current treatment regimen were evaluated and correlated withtype 1andtype 2 diabetes.Moreover, diagnostic markers for LADA, namely, GAD autoantibodies and C-peptide levels, were determined for 80 patients selected from the epidemiological study. Some of the results obtained were found to be consistent with the literature whereas some results were found to be contradictory to the existing data.
Apoptosis of oligodendrocytes in the central nervous system results in rapid focal demyelination
Authors: Caprariello Andrew V. , Mangla Saisho , Miller Robert H. , Selkirk Stephen M.
Published: April 2012

Objective:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that presents with variable pathologies that may reflect different disease‐causing mechanisms. Existing animal models of MS induce pathology using either local injection of gliotoxins or stimulation of the immune system with myelin‐related peptides. In none of these models is the primary cellular target well characterized, and although demyelination is a hallmark pathological feature in MS, it is unclear to what extent this reflects local oligodendrocyte loss. To unambiguously identify the effects of oligodendrocyte death in the absence of inflammatory stimulation, we developed a method for experimentally inducing programmed cell death selectively in mature oligodendrocytes and assessed the effects on demyelination, immunological stimulation, and gliosis. The resulting pathology is discussed relative to observed MS pathologies.

Methods:

Oligodendrocyte apoptosis was induced in the adult rat brain using a lentivirus to express experimentally inducible caspase 9 (iCP9) cDNA under transcriptional control of the promoter for myelin basic protein, which is oligodendrocyte‐specific. Activation of iCP9 was achieved by distal injection of a small molecule dimerizer into the lateral ventricle resulting in localized, acute oligodendrocyte apoptosis.

Results:

Induced oligodendrocyte apoptosis resulted in rapid demyelination and robust, localized microglial activation in the absence of peripheral immune cell infiltration. Lesion borders showed layers of preserved and degraded myelin, whereas lesion cores were demyelinated but only partially cleared of myelin debris. This resulted in local proliferation and mobilization of the oligodendrocyte progenitor pool.

Interpretation:

This approach provides a novel model to understand the pathological changes that follow from localized apoptosis of myelinating oligodendrocytes. It provides the first direct proof that initiation of apoptosis in oligodendrocytes is sufficient to cause rapid demyelination, gliosis, and a microglial response that result in lesions sharing some pathological characteristics with a subset of MS lesions. ANN NEUROL 2012;72:395–405
Percutaneous retrieval of fractured bird's nest IVC filter penetrating into aorta
Authors: Touchan Jean , Levy Michael S. , Laham Roger J.
Published: April 2012

Inferior vena cava filters can provide lifesaving protections in patients with recurrent venous thromboembolic disease that are not candidates for anticoagulation. They are, however, associated with short‐ and long‐term complications necessitating frequent follow‐up. The authors report, in this article, a case of migration of Bird's Nest filter strut into the descending aorta and its percutaneous retrieval by snaring and capture. This case also underscores the trend to use retrievable filters to avoid longer‐term complications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.