bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sonoelastography in Orthopaedics
Authors: Kuyucu Ersin , Erdil Mehmet , Koçyiğit Figen , Kocabey Yavuz
Published: March 2017

Tissues are exposed to various forces. They change in shape and deform as a result of these forces. The tendency of the tissue to deform when opposing forces are applied is defined as elastic modulus. Different tissues have different elastic modulus. Elastic modulus also changes in time because of changes in tissue components in response to inflammation, injury and degeneration. Evaluation of elasticity of tissues by ultrasonography has started in the 1990s and gained popularity in time. 83 patients (51 female,32 male) with different muscıuloskeletal diseases (34 lateral epicondylitis, 20 plantar fasciitis, 25 shoulder impingement syndrome, four gastrocnemius sprain) were evaluated by sonoelastography (Logiq E9; GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA) both for diagnosis and treatment follow-up. Sonoelastographic evaluations were performed by the same radiologist (AK) who was experienced in ultrasonography. Color scaling and strain ratio were used for analysis of sonoelastography images. Three orthopedists (YK, ME, EK) evaluated the patients. Appropriate conservative treatment was recommended for management in all of the patients. The sonoelastographic findings of the involved extremity were significantly different from the health side in all patients. Sonoelastography can evaluate dynamic properties of tissues. Orthopedics is interested in different tissues like cartilage, muscle, and bone. Therefore, the use of sonoelastography in orthopaedic science seems to increase. Availability, repeatability, and low financial cost are the other important advantages of sonoelastography in clinical practice. [Figure: see text][Figure: see text]
Comparison of histological effects of polydeoxyribonucleic acid and hyaluronic acid in experimentally induced osteoarthritis of the knee joints of rats
Authors: Karahan Nazım , Arslan İlyas , Orak Müfit , Midi Ahmet , Yücel İstemi
Published: March 2017

Aim:

The histological effects of intra-articular polydeoxyribonucleic acid and hyaluronic acid in experimentally induced osteoarthritis of the knee joints of rats were investigated.

Methods:

Thirty rats were divided into three groups, i.e. polydeoxyribonucleic acid group, hyaluronic acid group and saline group. Osteoarthritis of the knee joints of the rats were induced by acl- transection. The polydeoxyribonucleic group was injected with 100 µg (0.05 cc) polydeoxyribonucleic acid. The hyaluronic acid group was injected with 100 µg (0.05 cc) hyaluronic acid, and the saline group was injected with 50 µl (0.05 cc) of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. All of the rats were sacrificed on day 29 and the right knee joints were prepared, and evaluated histologically by Mankin classification.

Findings:

The differences in total Mankin scores between the three groups were statistically significant (P < 0.01). The differences in total Mankin scores between the polydeoxyribonucleic acid group and the hyaluronic acid group were statistically significant (P < 0.01). The differences in total Mankin scores between hyaluronic acid group and saline group were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Tidemark continuity in all the specimens of the polydeoxyribonucleic acid group was noteworthy.

Conclusion:

The present study shows that more chondroprotective effect and less degeneration was observed with intra-articularly delivered polydeoxyribonucleic acid compared to hyaluronic acid and saline solution in the experimentally induced osteoarthritis of the knee joints of rats.
Incidence of accompanying intraarticular lesions in patients treated with arthtroscopic surgery for acromioclavicular degeneration
Authors: Ataoğlu Muhammet Baybars , Özer Mustafa , Çetinkaya Mehmet , Ayanoğlu Tacettin , Tepedelenlioğlu Hüseyin Emre , Kanatlı Ulunay
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

Acromioclavicular joint degeneration is a common disease that causes antero-superior shoulder pain. İn physical examination regional pain at acromioclavicular joint can occur with cross-body adduction or internal rotation. Surgery should be planned if the patient has not relieved with minimum 6 months of nonoperative treatment, and has no infection or instability. In this study, we aimed the incidence of accompanying intraarticular conditions in patients applied arthroscopic distal clavicula resection.

Method:

Documents and intraoperative videos of 128 patients undergone artroscopic distal clavicula resection between 2005-2014 has been analyzed restospectively. The incidence of other intraarticular conditions accompanying acromioclavicular arthritis.

Results:

The average of the age of the 128 patients was 56,9(18-70). 43 of them were male (%33,6) and 85 were female (66,4). 3 (%2,3) patients had anterior instability and treated with Bankart repairment. 50 patients had Superior Labrum Anterior Posterior (SLAP) lesion (39,1) (SLAP1:12, SLAP2:36, SLAP4:1, SLAP5:2). 37 of the were treated with SLAP repairment. Bufford complex had been spotted in one patient. 19 (%14,8) patients had accompanying biceps lesions. 2 patients had biceps brachii long head rupture. 10 patients had been treated with biceps tenotomy, 3 atients had been treated with biceps tenodesis. 7 (%5,5) patients had accompanying subscapularis lesion and treated with repairment. 58(%45,3) patients had accompanying rotator cuff tears (12 partial, 45 total, 1 massive) and48 treated with repairment. In conclusion; 100 (%78,1) 128 patients had accompanying intraarticular lesions needed surgical intervention

Outcomes:

The most common complication of distal clavicle resection is pain as a result of insufficient resection and instability due to aggressive resection. İndications sould be chosen carefully to avoid complications and for patient satisfaction. After evaluation of the accompanying lesions that require operative treatment, acromioclavicular lesion should be evaluated again. In our study accompanying lesions can be unnoticed using open surgery, as a consequence incomplete treatment and low patien satisfaction. In radographic imaging, if acromioclavicular arthritis is not compatible with clinical symptoms it is essential to evaluate accompanying lesions, on the other hand it should not be forgotten that acromioclavicular arthritis can imitate other lesions
Three-Dimensional Reconstruction Computed Tomography Evaluation of the Tunnel Location and Angle during Anatomic Single-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Lee Sang Hak , Yoon Kyung Hk , Bae Chan Il
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

Tibial tunnel-independent drilling has attracted increased interest in recent years for anatomic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to compare the geometry and position of the femoral tunnel between the anteromedial portal (AMP) and outside-in (OI) techniques after anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction.

Methods:

We prospectively evaluated 82 patients undergoing single-bundle ACL reconstruction with hamstring tendon autografts using either the AMP (n=40) or OI (n=42) technique. The locations of the tibial and femoral tunnel apertures were assessed by immediate postoperative 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) imaging with OsiriX imaging software. The femoral graft bending angle, femoral tunnel aperture shape (height/width ratio), femoral tunnel length, and posterior wall breakage were also measured.

Results:

The two techniques did not differ significantly in the femoral tunnel position perpendicular to the Blumensaat line. However, the mean femoral tunnel position parallel to the Blumensaat line was more caudally positioned in the AMP group than in the OI group (P=0.025) The two groups did not differ significantly in tibial tunnel position. The mean femoral tunnel length did not differ between the AMP (36.1±0.33 mm) and OI groups (35.6±0.37 mm; P=0.548) The mean femoral graft angle in the OI group (99.6°±7.1°) was significantly more acute than that of the AMP group (108.9°±10.2°) (p < 0.0001). The mean height/width ratio of the AMP group (1.21±0.20) was significantly more ellipsoidal than that of the OI group (1.07±0.09) (p < 0.0001). Posterior wall breakage was detected in 3 cases (7.5%), all in the AMP group.

Conclusions:

After single-bundle anatomic ACL reconstruction, 3D CT showed a significantly shallower femoral tunnel in the AMP group than in the OI group. The AMP group had a more ellipsoidal femoral tunnel with a risk of posterior wall breakage than the OI group. The OI group showed a more acute bending angle of the femoral tunnel than the AMP group. [Figure: see text][Figure: see text]
Changes of ankle inclinations after total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Sözbilen Murat Celal , Biçer Elcil Kaya , Aydoğdu Semih , Sur Hakkı
Published: March 2017

Aim:

To evaluate the changes in ankle joint line inclination in patients who had total knee arthroplasty due to degenerative osteoarthritis.

Material/Method:

Sixty-two knees (with a mean age of 71,66±6,78 years, follow-up 52,34±27,42 months) which had undergone total knee arthroplasty between November 1996 and May 2014 were included in this retrospective study. The knee joint line orientations (KJLO) of the prosthesis and ankle joint line inclination (AJLI) relative to the floor were evaluated on postoperative standard standing long-leg X-rays. The AJLI relative to the floor was defined as the angle between the tangent to the subchondral plate of the talus and the horizontal grid line on radiographs. In order to determine the effects of KJLO and high varus on AJLI, patients were divided into two each groups that were pre-operative mechanical axes (MA) as <20° (n=35, group1) and >=20° (n=27, group2) and post-operative MA <3° (n=32, group a) and >=3° (n=30, group b). In addition, the changes in AJLI were compared between each group. The patients were regrouped as either <=3° (n=28, group i) or >3° (n=34, group ii), in terms of the postoperative KJLO. Inclination angles of the prosthesis were compared between each groups. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS v18.

Results:

Mean MA of pre-operative and post-operative were 16,35±6,56° and 3,92±3,35°, respectively. All ankle inclinations were lateralized. AJLI, were significantly decreased from pre-operative mean 7,37°±3,19° to post-operative mean 3,71°±2,22° (p<0,0001). The mean of change was 3,65°±3,03°. However, pre-operative AJLIs were significantly increased in high varus group (group1: 6,34°±2,54°, group2: 8,70°±3,48°, p=0,003); post-operative AJLIs did not differ significantly (group1: 3,55°±2,36°, group2: 3,92°±2,05°, p=0,516) with respect to the MA. The changes in preop-postop AJLI’s were significantly higher in high varus group again (p=0,009). When the KJLO groups were compared, pre-operative AJLIs were significantly different (group i: 6,25°±2,33°, group ii: 8,29°±3,53°, p=0,004) while post-operative AJLIs did not differ significantly (group i: 3,46°±2,38°, group ii: 3,92°±2,08°, p=0,489).

Conclusion:

Pre-operatively high varus knees also had high ankle varus, hence ankle deformity was corrected by the restoration of the optimal lower limb aligment. Obtaining parallel orientation of the components relative to the ground, restored the AJLI. Pre-operative planning and convenient implantation of the components lead to achieve optimum knee orientation which restored the ankle joint line orientation independent from mechanical axes. Not only the goal of optimum mechanical axes but also optimum knee joint line orientation’s importance was demonsrated.
Teaching Strategies Adopted by Teachers at Higher Education Level in Kerala
Authors: Jesa M. , V. Nisha E.
Published: March 2017

In the special context of entrepreneurship, employability skill development, Higher Education 2.0 and the Kovalam Declaration 2016, the present article presents a brief review of genres of teaching strategies at higher education level and attempts to bring to the attention of the readers an account of the teaching strategies adopted by teachers at higher education level in Kerala. The findings of the study highlight the need for popularizing technology-based teaching strategies. The investigation was carried out among a stratified random sample of 47 teachers from Arts and Science Colleges affiliated to University of Calicut in Kerala. The study followed the survey method and interview technique.
Faculty Best Practices to Support Students in the ‘Virtual Doctoral Land’
Authors: Deshpande Anant
Published: March 2017

Online students face numerous challenges in successfully completing doctoral programmes. The aim of this article is to explore the best practices that can be employed by faculty to support students in achieving this. It also seeks to categorize and identify the best practices emerging from literature into themes. An exploratory research method was used involving a two-stage process, which had both broad and specific levels. Literature on online learning and doctoral education from the past 22 years (1993–2015) was reviewed. Eleven major journal databases were searched to identify articles for this review. In addition, a list of key journals that published studies on online doctoral pedagogies was also used to source relevant literature. This article reported five major themes that have emerged from the literature review, including the provision of timely and good-quality feedback, providing continuous support and promoting peer-to-peer facilitation, the pairing of new and experienced faculties, providing supportive mentoring to students and developing sensitivity to cultural issues, that could influence successful online doctoral study. This research is unique because there has not been any systematic review of literature that explores faculty best practices within a unified framework in an online doctoral programme context. A comprehensive understanding of existing literature can help establish important areas with regard to supporting the study of online doctoral students. Conclusion and directions of future research are also presented.
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in African Americans with Localized Aggressive Periodontitis
Authors: Burgess D. , Huang H. , Harrison P. , Aukhil I. , Shaddox L.
Published: March 2017

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of the highly leukotoxic JP2 sequence versus the minimally leukotoxic non-JP2 sequence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans within a cohort of 180 young African Americans, with and without localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP), in north Florida. The study included patients aged 5 to 25 y: 60 LAP patients, 60 healthy siblings (HS), and 60 unrelated healthy controls (HC). Subgingival plaque was collected from LAP sites—diseased (PD ≥5 mm with bleeding on probing) and healthy (PD ≤3 mm with no bleeding on probing)—and from healthy sites of HS and HC. Plaque DNA was extracted and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction for the detection of the JP2 and non-JP2 sequences of A. actinomycetemcomitans. Overall, 90 (50%) subjects tested positive for the JP2 sequence. Fifty (83.33%) LAP subjects were carriers of the highly leukotoxic JP2 sequence, detected in 45 (75%) diseased sites and 34 (56.67%) healthy sites. Additionally, JP2 carriage was found in 16 HS (26.67%) and 24 HC (40%; P < 0.0001, among groups). The non-JP2 sequence was detected in 26 (14.44%) total subjects: 17 (28.33%) LAP patients detected in equal amounts of diseased and healthy sites ( n = 11, 18.33%), 6 (10%) HS sites, and 3 (5%) HC sites ( P < 0.05, among groups). The JP2 sequence was strongly associated with LAP-diseased sites in young African Americans, significantly more so than the non-JP2 ( ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01330719).

Knowledge Transfer Statement: Clinicians may use the results of this study to identify susceptible individuals to aggressive periodontitis, potentially leading to more appropriate selection of therapeutic choices.
Structure refinement and crystal chemistry of tokkoite and tinaksite from the Murun massif (Russia)
Authors: Lacalamita M. , Mesto E. , Kaneva E. , Scordari F. , Pedrazzi G. , Vladykin N. , Schingaro E.
Published: March 2017

The structures of tokkoite, K2Ca4[Si7O18OH](OH,F) and tinaksite, K2Ca2NaTi[Si7O18OH]O from the Murun massif (Russia) were refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data in the triclinic space groupP1̄. Average crystallographic data area≈ 10.423,b≈ 12.477,c≈ 7.112 Å, α ≈ 89.92°, β ≈ 99.68°, γ ≈ 92.97°,V≈ 910.5 Å3for tokkoite;a≈ 10.373,b≈ 12.176,c≈ 7.057 Å, α ≈ 90.82°, β ≈ 99.22°, γ ≈ 92.80°,V≈ 878.5 Å3for tinaksite. The substantial similarities between the geometrical parameters of the tokkoite and tinaksite structures led us to conclude that the two minerals are isostructural. However, major differences of tokkoite with respect to tinaksite are larger lattice constants, especially concerning thebparameter, longer  distances, especially ; larger values of the M1–M3 and O20–O2 bond lengths, and a stronger distortion of the M1 polyhedron. Mössbauer analysis showed that significant trivalent iron is present,VIFe3+40.0(7)% in tokkoite and 12.8(3)% in tinaksite. It is confirmed that 2Ca(M1+M2)2++ (F,OH)(O20)–↔ Ti(M1)4++ Na(M2)++ O(O20)–is the exchange reaction that describes the relation between tokkoite and tinaksite. In addition, this exchange reaction causes local stress involving mainly the M1 site and its interaction with the M2 and M3 sites.
Wilhelmgümbelite, [ZnFe2+Fe33+(PO4)3(OH)4(H2O)5]·2H2O, a new schoonerite-related mineral from the Hagendorf Süd pegmatite, Bavaria
Authors: Grey I. E. , Keck E. , Kampf A. R. , Macrae C. M. , Glenn A. M. , Price J. R.
Published: March 2017

Wilhelmgümbelite, ideally [ZnFe2+Fe33+(PO4)3(OH)4(H2O)5]·2H2O, is a new secondary phosphate mineral related closely to schoonerite, [ZnMnFe22+Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2(H2O)7]·2H2O, from oxidized zones of the Hagendorf-Süd pegmatite, Hagendorf, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany. Wilhelmgümbelite occurs as radiating sprays of needle-like rectangular laths, up to 0.2 mm long and with colour varying from light yellow brown to orange red. Cleavage is perfect parallel to {010}. The mineral is associated closely with an oxidized pseudomorph of phosphophyllite, recently named steinmetzite. Other associated minerals are albite, apatite, chalcophanite, jahnsite, mitridatite, muscovite and quartz. The calculated density of wilhelmgümbelite is 2.82 g cm–3. It is optically biaxial (+) with α = 1.560(2), β = 1.669(2), γ = 1.718(2), 2V(meas) = 63(1)° and 2V(calc.) = 65°. Dispersion is weak with r > v, orientation X = b, Y = c, Z = a. Pleochroism is weak, with coloursZ = orange brown, Y = yellow brown, X = light yellow brown, Z >> Y > X. Electron microprobe analyses (average of seven analyses, seven crystals) with H2O and FeO/Fe2O3 calculated on structural grounds, gave FeO 5.8, Fe2O3 25.0, MnO 2.6, ZnO 16.4, P2O5 28.7, H2O 23.4, total 101.9 wt.%. The empirical formula, scaled to 3 P and OH– adjusted for charge balance is Zn1.50Mn0.272+Fe0.602+Fe2.333+(PO4)3·(OH)2.73(H2O)8.27. The structural formula is [Zn(Mn0.27Fe0.733+)∑1.0(Zn0.25Fe0.152+Fe0.603+)∑1.0(Zn0.25Fe0.452+)∑0.7Fe3+(PO4)3(OH,H2O)9]·2H2O.Wilhelmgümbelite has orthorhombic symmetry, Pmab, Z = 4, with the unit-cell parameters of a = 10.987(7) Å, b = 25.378(13) Å, c = 6.387(6) Å and V = 1781(2) Å3. The strongest lines in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are [dobs in Å(Iobs) (hkl)] 12.65 (100) (020); 8.339 (5) (120); 6.421 (14) (001); 6.228 (8) (011); 4.223 (30) (120) and 2.111 (7) (0 12 0). Wilhelmgümbelite is an oxidized form of schoonerite, with the Mn2+ replaced principally by Fe3+. Its structure differs from that of schoonerite in having the Zn partitioned between two different sites, one five-coordinated as in schoonerite and the other tetrahedrally coordinated. Wilhelmgümbelite also differs structurally from schoonerite in having partial occupation of one of the Fe sites, which appears to be correlated with the Zn partitioning.
Elevated hematocrit enhances platelet accumulation following vascular injury
Authors: Walton Bethany L. , Lehmann Marcus , Skorczewski Tyler , Holle Lori A. , Beckman Joan D. , Cribb Jeremy A. , Mooberry Micah J. , Wufsus Adam R. , Cooley Brian C. , Homeister Jonathan W. , Pawlinski Rafal , Falvo Michael R. , Key Nigel S. , Fogelson Aaron L. , Neeves Keith B. , Wolberg Alisa S.
Published: March 2017

Key Points

Elevated hematocrit promotes arterial thrombus formation. During arterial thrombosis, elevated hematocrit enhances platelet accumulation at the site of vessel injury.
Tumor-to-tumor metastases: Papillary thyroid carcinoma into a clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Song Jin Soo Andy , Taylor S. Mark , Trites Jonathan , Rigby Matthew H. , Bullock Martin Joseph , Merrimen Jennifer , Rendon Ricardo , Hart Robert D.
Published: March 2017

Background

Thyroid metastases to distant sites are uncommon incidents, most often metastasizing to the lungs and bones. Rates of metastasis to the kidney are particularly low, ranging from 2.8–3.8% for papillary and 6–20% for follicular variants of well-differentiated thyroid cancers (WDTCs). In rare instances, tumor-to-tumor metastasis between two true primary neoplasms can occurs. This medical phenomenon has previously occurred as a clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) spreading to a WDTC. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a tumor-to-tumor metastasis of a thyroid cancer metastasizing to a primary renal neoplasm.

Case presentation

A 72 year old male presented to the urology clinic with complaints of flank pain. Computed tomography (CT) imaging of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a 5.7 cm solid enhancing mass from the lateral aspect of the right kidney, suspicious for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The patient subsequently underwent a right laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, and immunohistochemical staining of the 5.5 cm lesion revealed a positive RCC marker to establish a diagnosis of a pT1b ISUP Grade 2 CCRCC. The tumor contained a 3 mm focus of a lesion staining positive for TTF1 and Thyroglobulin, and negative for RCC marker. This finding established a diagnosis of a tumor-to-tumor metastasis of PTC to CCRCC. Subsequent ultrasound and CT of the head and neck revealed a heterogeneously hypodense 3.3 cm mass in the right thyroid lobe, prompting a total thyroidectomy and level VI neck dissection. Pathology revealed a classic variant multifocal PTC and two ipsilateral lymph nodes positive for metastatic PTC. Ultimately, the thyroid specimen was positive for lymphatic vascular invasion, extrathyroidal extension with invasion of the tracheal cartilage, staging as T4aN1aM1. On follow up examination the patient was recovering well, without signs of dysphagia or dysphonia, and showed bilateral mobile vocal cords on laryngoscope examination.

Conclusions

Tumor-to-tumor metastasis between the thyroid and kidney is an extremely rare occurrence, reports of RCC metastases from a WDTC has not yet been reported in the literature. Corroboration of diagnostic imaging findings with immunohistochemistry staining can consolidate a diagnosis of thyroid neoplasm tumor-to-tumor metastasis to a RCC, thereby prompting surgical excision.
Abnormality tracking during video capsule endoscopy using an affine triangular constraint based on surrounding features
Authors: Yanagawa Yukiko , Echigo Tomio , Vu Hai , Okazaki Hirotoshi , Fujiwara Yasuhiro , Arakawa Tetsuo , Yagi Yasushi
Published: March 2017

The precise tracking of an abnormality in the gastrointestinal tract is useful for medical training purposes. However, the gastrointestinal wall deforms continuously in an unpredictable manner, while abnormalities lack distinctive features, making them difficult to track over continuous frames. To address this problem, we propose a tracking method for capsule endoscopy using the surrounding features of abnormalities. By applying triangular constraints using an affine transformation, we are able to track abnormalities that do not have distinctive features over consecutive image frames. We demonstrate the efficacy of our approach using eight common types of gastrointestinal abnormalities.
Kaleidoscope
Authors: Tracy Derek K. , Joyce Dan W. , Shergill Sukhwinder S.
Published: March 2017

We open with some major and significant randomised controlled trials exploring interventions in resource-poor societies. Two papers by the same team writing in the Lancet explore the use of non-specialist ‘lay counsellor’ health workers to deliver brief psychological interventions for excessive alcohol consumption and depression in India. Male harmful drinkers in ten primary health centres were randomised to receive either enhanced usual care (EUC), or EUC and Counselling for Alcohol Problems (CAP). The active intervention produced significantly greater remission and abstinence rates, with an incremental cost per additional remission of $217. A Healthy Activity Program (HAP) for moderately to severely depressed men and women was evaluated in a different cohort, with a parallel design of EUC compared with EUC plus therapy. Once again, the active intervention produced significant improvements, with reductions in depression symptomatology and remission, as well as decreased illness consequences such as days out of work and intimate partner violence. Both interventions were reported to be acceptable to patients and practical for delivery in primary care settings.
A Framework and Case Study for Earthquake Vulnerability Assessment of Incrementally Expanding Buildings
Authors: Lallemant David , Burton Henry , Ceferino Luis , Bullock Zach , Kiremidjian Anne
Published: March 2017

This study proposes a framework for incorporating time-dependent fragility into large-scale risk assessment models, focusing on incremental building expansion as a significant driver of changes in vulnerability. In rapidly urbanizing areas in developing countries, the pay-as-you-go process of informal building construction and staged expansion is the de facto pattern of growth. While there is a common understanding that such expansions increase the earthquake vulnerability of buildings, this study proposes a framework to model and quantify this increase. Vulnerability curves are developed through incremental dynamic structural analysis for common building expansion typologies. Building expansions are modeled as Markov chain processes and used to simulate stochastic expansion sequences over a building's lifetime. The model is then used to simulate a hypothetical neighborhood in the Kathmandu valley area to understand neighborhood-level risk over time. The study provides a new methodology to analyze changing seismic risk over time, driven by any building modification that impacts the building's vulnerability (incremental expansion, deterioration, retrofit, etc.).
Hazard Disaggregation and Record Selection for Fragility Analysis and Earthquake Loss Estimation
Authors: Sousa Luis , Marques Mário , Silva Vitor , Varum Humberto
Published: March 2017

Economic losses and collapse probability are critical measures for evaluating the earthquake risk of existing buildings. In this context, this study sheds light on several problems and limitations in current practice of hazard-consistent ground-motion selection and fragility analysis, focusing on the impact that (commonly assumed) approximations in disaggregation outputs have on the aforementioned risk metrics, as opposed to an exact solution. These issues are investigated for several building classes, seismicity models and ground motion prediction equations (GMPE), for a site in the city of Lisbon (Portugal). It is observed that only an exact (i.e., rupture-by-rupture) disaggregation can lead to satisfactory results in terms of accuracy, when limit state criteria are not structure-specific. On the other hand, an approximate method is proposed, which still leads to statistically valid results regardless of the chosen structural class, seismicity model or GMPE.
Norepinephrine Intermittent Intravenous Boluses to Prevent Hypotension During Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery: A Sequential Allocation Dose-Finding Study
Authors: Onwochei Desire N. , Ngan Kee Warwick D. , Fung Lillia , Downey Kristi , Ye Xiang Y. , Carvalho Jose C. A.
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND:

The use of phenylephrine as the first-line agent for prevention and treatment of maternal hypotension during cesarean delivery (CD) may reduce cardiac output, posing a theoretical risk to mother and fetus. Norepinephrine has been suggested as a potential alternative, because its β-adrenergic effects might result in greater heart rate and cardiac output than phenylephrine. The use of norepinephrine to prevent and treat hypotension during CD is new, and its use as a bolus has not been fully determined in this context. The purpose of this study was to determine the effective norepinephrine dose, when given as intermittent intravenous (IV) boluses, to prevent postspinal hypotension in 90% of women undergoing elective CD (ED90).

METHODS:

This was a prospective, double-blind sequential allocation dose-finding study, using the biased coin up-and-down design. Forty-term pregnant women undergoing elective CD under spinal anesthesia received a set intermittent norepinephrine bolus of either 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 µg every time their systolic blood pressure (SBP) fell to below 100% of baseline. The primary outcome was the success of the norepinephrine regimen to maintain SBP at or above 80% of baseline, from induction of spinal anesthesia to delivery of the fetus. Secondary outcomes included nausea, vomiting, hypertension (SBP > 120% of baseline), bradycardia (<50 bpm), upper sensory level of anesthesia to ice cold and umbilical artery and vein blood gases. The ED90 and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using both truncated Dixon and Mood and isotonic regression methods.

RESULTS:

The estimated ED90 of norepinephrine was 5.49 µg (95% CI, 5.15–5.83) using the truncated Dixon and Mood method and 5.80 µg (95% CI, 5.01–6.59) using the isotonic regression method.

CONCLUSIONS:

The use of intermittent IV norepinephrine boluses to prevent spinal-induced hypotension in elective CD seems feasible and was not observed to be associated with adverse outcomes. Practically, we suggest an ED90 dose of 6 µg. Further work is warranted to elucidate the comparative effects of intermittent IV bolus doses of phenylephrine and norepinephrine, in terms of efficacy and safety.
Gold, the Brains Trust, and Roosevelt
Authors: Edwards Sebastian
Published: March 2017

In this article I revisit the period leading to the abandonment of the gold standard by the US government in 1933, and I investigate whether there was a preconceived plan to take the country off gold. My conclusion is that in 1932, during the primary and presidential campaigns, neither Roosevelt nor his influential inner circle, a group known as the Brains Trust, had very strong views on gold or the dollar. They did believe in the need to experiment, and tinkering with the currency was a possible area for experimentation, but it was an option with a low priority.
Life on the edge: O2 binding in Atlantic cod red blood cells near their southern distribution limit is not sensitive to temperature or haemoglobin genotype
Authors: Barlow Samantha L. , Metcalfe Julian , Righton David A. , Berenbrink Michael
Published: March 2017

Atlantic cod are a commercially important species believed to be threatened by warming seas near their southern, equatorward upper thermal edge of distribution. Limitations to circulatory O2 transport, in particular cardiac output, and the geographic distribution of functionally different haemoglobin (Hb) genotypes have separately been suggested to play a role in setting thermal tolerance in this species. The present study assessed the thermal sensitivity of O2 binding in Atlantic cod red blood cells with different Hb genotypes near their upper thermal distribution limit and modelled its consequences for the arterio-venous O2 saturation difference, Sa–vO2, another major determinant of circulatory O2 supply rate. The results showed statistically indistinguishable red blood cell O2 binding between the three HbI genotypes in wild-caught Atlantic cod from the Irish Sea (53° N). Red blood cells had an unusually low O2 affinity, with reduced or even reversed thermal sensitivity between pH 7.4 and 7.9, and 5.0 and 20.0°C. This was paired with strongly pH-dependent affinity and cooperativity of red blood cell O2 binding (Bohr and Root effects). Modelling of Sa–vO2 at physiological pH, temperature and O2 partial pressures revealed a substantial capacity for increases in Sa–vO2 to meet rising tissue O2 demands at 5.0 and 12.5°C, but not at 20°C. Furthermore, there was no evidence for an increase of maximal Sa–vO2 with temperature. It is suggested that Atlantic cod at such high temperatures may solely depend on increases in cardiac output and blood O2 capacity, or thermal acclimatisation of metabolic rate, for matching circulatory O2 supply to tissue demand.
Daily energy expenditure in the face of predation: hedgehog energetics in rural landscapes
Authors: Pettett Carly E. , Johnson Paul J. , Moorhouse Tom P. , Hambly Catherine , Speakman John R. , Macdonald David W.
Published: March 2017

Failure to balance daily energy expenditure (DEE) with energy intake can have an impact on survival and reproduction, and therefore on the persistence of populations. Here we study the DEE of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), which is declining in the UK. We hypothesise that there is a gradient of suitable habitat for hedgehogs in rural areas, which is a result of fewer food resources, a higher risk from predation by badgers (Meles meles) and colder ambient temperatures, as distance to the nearest building increases. We used the doubly labelled water method to obtain 44 measurements of DEE from hedgehogs on four predominately arable sites, to determine the energetic costs associated with proximity to buildings, on sites with and without badgers. The mean±s.e.m. DEE was 508.9±34.8 kJ day−1. DEE increased the further a hedgehog was from buildings during the study, possibly as they ranged larger distances on arable land, supporting the hypothesis that hedgehogs select villages owing to the lower energy demands in comparison to arable farmland. Hedgehogs had an approximately 30% lower DEE on sites with badgers. We speculate that on badger-occupied sites, hedgehogs may restrict movement and foraging in response to a threat from predation and thus have reduced DEE. Therefore, hedgehogs may also seek refuge in villages where the perceived threat of predation is lower and foraging is unrestricted. In a broader context, we demonstrate that individual differences in DEE can aid in understanding habitat selection in a patchily distributed species.
Disseminated Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasm (NEN) with an Uncommon Localisation in the Central Nervous System. A Case Report
Authors: Białkowska Joanna , Kolasińska-Ćwikła Agnieszka , Mroczkowska Dorota , Sowa Mariusz , Grabarczyk Łukasz , Maksymowicz Wojciech , Cichocki Andrzej , Ćwikła Jarosław B.
Published: March 2017

Background: Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) are rare neoplasms that originate from neuroendocrine cells and are characterized by the potential of hormonal activity. Approximately 70% of these tumours are located in the gastrointestinal system (GI), followed by the bronchi, endocrine glands-like C cells of the thyroid (medullary carcinoma), the parasympathetic and sympathetic system (paragangliomas, pheochromocytoma) and other very rare locations. The prevalence of cerebral metastases in neuroendocrine tumours is estimated by various authors to be approximately 1.5–5%. When the primary tumour is located in the pancreas, it is associated with a risk of cerebral metastases lower than 2%.

Case Report: We describe a patient with a disseminated pancreatic NEN that presented with an isolated lesion in the brain. We gathered the important data via medical history,, observation, analysis of medical records, imaging and others diagnostic tests. Despite the fairly rare prevalence of cerebral metastases in NENs, a neurological work-up should be performed. This should include neuroimaging of the brain, preferably with MR, together with the somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS), in each clinically suspicious case. A histopathological examination of the CNS tumour can confirm a dedifferentiation of NEN in the direction of a neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC – neuroednocrine carcinoma) with a poor prognosis.

Conclusions: Cerebral metastases are diagnosed in 1.5–5% of patients with a neuroendocrine neoplasm. In each case suggestive of a dissemination into the central nervous system, MRI of the brain should be performed.
Spring wheat productivity forecasting in the forest steppe zone of Volga by least squares method
Authors: Аввакумов  , Avvakumov Oleg
Published: March 2017

The efficient use of arable land is based on the prediction of crop yields. In extensive farming system the productivity forecasting was carried out by scores of soil fertility, where the level of soil fertility was associated with soil type, and crop yields depended on the leading basic and sustained properties - humus content, cation-exchange capacity, particle size distribution. The system of intensive farming is based on the use of mineral and organic fertilizers. The leading factor in the formation of crop yield is the soil security by mobile soil nutrients on the background of optimal soil parameters. Nowadays, crop yield forecasting is made with the use of the available to plants macro nutrition content. The article presents the results of spring wheat yield prognosis in the Laishevo municipal district with the use of MatLab (matrix operations). The matrix was made according to the data over the last 43 years, it’s moving averages with steps of 11 and 22 years, the content of mobile phosphorus and potassium, determined by the method of Kirsanov. The predictive ability is confirmed by correlation analysis, for the actual number of crop coefficients of correlation with phosphorus and potassium are 0.52 and 0.61, respectively, for the moving average yields are equal to 0.94 and 0.95. A comparison of the actual spring wheat yield (УФ) with the calculated data (the model 1 and the model 2) shows the average deviation of 30%. Similar calculations for the derived series of the moving average of crop yield for the step length of 11 years gives a marked decrease in the deviation of 5-6 %. This convergence of data with the calculated У11 (the model 1 and the model 2, in the left part of the table) indicates for the elimination of weather factor for У11, which influences the overall level of productivity of spring wheat in the forest-steppe zone. The conclusion of the article is the inclusion of agro-climatic conditions (precipitation and temperature) for further calculation of crop yields forecasting.
Aftereffect crop rotation links with winter rye and lupin on yield of barley and potatoes
Authors: Ласкин  , Laskin Pavel , Кузнецов  , Kuznetsov Aleksandr , Яковлева  , Yakovleva Marina
Published: March 2017

The article shows in 4 links of field rotation on the light-gray medium loamy soil effects of winter rye and lupine on the yield and quality of potato crop, spring wheat and aftereffects on the yield of third crops - barley and fifth crops - potatoes. Narrow-leaved lupine on gray forest soils of the Chuvash Republic in comparison with winter rye is the best precursor for spring wheat and potatoes. This provides not only the reliable increase of productivity of these crops, but also improve the quality of products. The starch fees per unit area also rises. It should be noted an increase of gluten content in grain of spring wheat from 20.2 % to 29.2 %. An aftereffect of narrow-leaved lupine was manifested at the third level cultures-barley and fifth-potato.
Formation of potato generative system in the mountain zone of Tajikistan
Authors: Наимов  , Naimov Alisher , Меликов  , Melikov Kurbonali , Партоев  , Partoev Kurbonali , Каримов  , Karimov Izomddin
Published: March 2017

The article presents the results of a study on the features on the formation of generative organs of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in mountainous areas of Tajikistan at a height of over 2700 meters above sea level. There is a difference in formation character of generative system of potato plants, depending on the genotype accessions. It was noted that the formation of flower buds on the total amount of from 5 to 95%, and the number of berries formed 1to 10 units /plant or from 7.7 to 20.6 % of the total number of flowers. Formation of berries of potato varieties in a little due to the amount of viable pollen grains per flower. The number of seeds in a berry varies from 51 to 150 units, and it is associated with the viability of the pollen grains of potato flower. One berry of potatoes in average contains about 96 pieces of seeds. It was determined that 16 % of potato accessions form less than 10 % have viable pollen grains, which is probably due to a partial cytoplasmic sterile pollen.
Agricultural land management accounting and internal reporting on their use
Authors: Закирова  , Zakirova Alsu , Клычова  , Klychova Guzaliya , Клычова  , Klychova Augul
Published: March 2017

The article discusses the concept of management accounting as a system, that provides information on agricultural lands and the effectiveness of their usage of different users groups. An approach to management accounting organization of agricultural land, based on processes, is outlined. The authors shows a universal model of the internal management reporting on agricultural lands. The key indicators of the form must be: the quantity and evaluation of lands for agricultural purposes, owned by organization; the quantity and evaluation of leased land with the right of redemption, including the beginning of the period, at the end of the period, partially redeemed; the quantity and evaluation of land, received in rent up to 5 years; the quantity and evaluation of agricultural land by type, depending on the appointment of the target and use; the costs by type of land and its relationship to the main business processes; the performance indicators of individual types of lands; the refractive efficiency of land usage. Thus, an internal reporting is the main source of information for management decision-making on evaluation and optimization of the structural units, business processes and other segments of the agricultural organization.
Problems of economic development of small business in agrarian sector of economy of the Volgograd region
Authors: Лата  , Lata Mariya
Published: March 2017

In article the main problems of economic development, feature and prospect of small business in agrarian sector of economy of the Volgograd region are revealed, organizational bases of their activity are generalized, and also the main directions of support of subjects of small business are presented to agrarian and industrial complex of the Volgograd region.
Determination of the optimal position of grain crusher boot screen of the impulse-reflective action
Authors: Булатов  , Bulatov Sergey , Савиных  , Savinykh Petr , Миронов  , Mironov Konstantin
Published: March 2017

We have developed an experimental setup of corn crusher of shock-reflective action. The experimental data on the impact of the loading windows location of corn crusher of shock-reflective effect on its activity were obtained. Their analyses were carried out and we identified the optimal location of the loading window, from the point of view of the of energy consumption reduction of grain refinement process. The authors studied the influence of feed delivery through the lower, upper and both loading windows simultaneously. According to the results of the experiments, we constructed graphs of energy consumption change, depending on the capacity of the crusher, during the loading the crushed feed through the top, bottom and both windows. As a result of this work it was founded that: the lowest cost crusher throughput 90 kg per hour are observed, while loading the feed through both windows; increasing the capacity over 90 kg per hour implies a sharp increase in power consumption, when applying the feed through both windows, and minimal consumption - when filing through the upper window; minimum energy fall is when feeding the feed through the top of window and hitting speed of n=2900 ... 5100 min-1. Thus revealed, that in order to reduce the energy consumption for a finished product, we must conduct further studies at loading the feed through the top window, and the rotor speed must be within n=2900 ... 5100 min-1.
Productivity of Кazanskaya 560 winter wheat variety, depending on fertilizers and soil nutrient
Authors: Сабирова  , Sabirova Razina , Шакиров  , Shakirov Rafil
Published: March 2017

The article discusses the influence of the main fertilizer in combination with additional fertilizing on the feeding regime of soil and productivity of “Kazanskaya 560” winter wheat variety. The provision of soil with available nutrients is achieved through the rational use of fertilizers in crop rotations. In 2010-2012 an additional fertilizing by Humate “Bioplant Flora” at a rate of 2 litre per hectare in autumn increased yield to 4.6-5.5 centner per hectare, depending on the background of the basic fertilizer. Additional spring fertilizing in early plant growth by Bioplant Flora on the background of autumn feeding practically does not increase the yield of winter wheat. Fertilizing with ammonium nitrate at a rate of 1.5 center in share weight per hectare increased the average yield to 2.1-2.4 tons per hectare for the period 2010-2012, depending on the background of the main treatment. In favorable 2011 it increased the yield to 1.5-3.5 centner per hectare. Adding NPK at sowing in rows at 1 centner per hectare in share weight increases yields to 3.5 centner per hectare without feeding, to 7.5 centner per hectare with the autumn fertilizing by Bioplant Flora, to 5.6 centner per hectare with the spring fertilizing with ammonium nitrate, comparing with the background without fertilizers. Thus, the differential application of the basic fertilizer, combined with fertilizing, improves the soil nutrient status and facilitates the formation of a predetermined amount of yield.
The Results of a Marketing and Belles-and-Design Analysis of Outer Maternity Wear
Authors: Крюкова Наталья , Kryukova Natalya , Левцова Наталья , Levtsova Natalya
Published: March 2017

The article presents the results of a STEP-analysis of the Russian maternity wear market, outlines the target audience characteristics, and provides the data obtained through the belles-and-design analysis of outer maternity wear. The authors dwell on the results of the empirical research carried out to substantiate the priority of the loose-fitting design in maternity overcoat stock.
Modern Approaches to Convertibles Design
Authors: Сильчева Людмила , Silcheva Lyudmila
Published: March 2017

The article deals with designing convertible garments. The author considers the peculiarities of designing the fit and individual elements of convertible garments for various applications: workwear, tourism and sportswear, maternity wear, school uniforms, and other kinds of special-purpose clothes. The author outlines the ecology and economy-driven tasks and objectives of modern convertibles design, and claims that the market potential of convertible garments is enormous.
Developing a Technology of In-Service Energy Efficiency Improvement of Commercial-Grade Hermetic-Compressor-Equipped Items Utilized in the Sphere of Service
Authors: Голубев Олег , Golubev Oleg , Голубев Андрей , Golubev Andrey
Published: March 2017

Cooling loop devices account for the biggest part of energy consumption in the sphere of consumer goods and services. The results of an analysis of the current status of the refrigerating device pool reveal its deficiency in terms of modern requirements. The article presents the results of research into the impact of the working pattern and voltage of the electric network on the output performance of compressors. The researchers develop and substantiate a technology of in-service energy efficiency improvement of commercial-grade hermetic-compressor-equipped items.