bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gene expression programming for power system static security assessment
Authors: Mekhamer S.F. , Abdelaziz A.Y. , Khattab H.M. , Badr M.A.L.
Published: December 2012

In this paper, a novel gene expression programming (GEP) algorithm is presented for power system static security assessment. The GEP algorithms as evolutionary algorithms for pattern classification have recently received attention for  classification problems because they can perform global searches and achieve high classification accuracy. The proposed methodology introduces the GEP based classifier for the first time in static security assessment problems. The proposed algorithm is examined using different IEEE standard test systems available in the literature. Different contingency case studies have been used to test the proposed methodology performance. The GEP based algorithm formulates the problem as a multi-class classification problem using the one-against-all binarization method. The algorithm classifies the static security of the power system into three classes, namely normal, alert and emergency. Performance of the algorithm is compared with other probabilistic and deterministic algorithms including different neural network based classifiers. Simulation results show the superiority of the proposed technique in static security assessment.Keywords: static security, gene expression programming, probabilistic neural network, radial basis function neural network, power system classifier.
Multi-objective unit commitment problem using Cuckoo search Lagrangian method
Authors: Chandrasekaran K. , Simon Sishaj P.
Published: December 2012

Restructuring of power system changed the mechanism of reliability management in solving the unit commitment problem (UCP). In general, operating reserve capacity is predetermined either by dispatch rules or predefined by reliability index. This paper considers that the operating reserve capacity in a power system is bendable, which is based on the cost-reliability issues. In UCP, these two competing  objectives such as fuel cost and reliability level of the system were optimized simultaneously, as a multi-objective unit commitment problem (MOUCP), using the proposed fuzzy integrated binary real coded cuckoo search Lagrangian (BCSL) algorithm. The ON/OFF status of the thermal power units is obtained by binary coded cuckoo search algorithm (CSA), where as the economic dispatch is obtained by Lagrangian multiplier method. The fuzzy set theory is used to pick up the best compromise solution. The proposed methodology is tested and validated for both the single and multi-objective UCP. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is demonstrated on IEEE RTS 24 bus system by comparing its performance with other methods reported in the literature.Keywords: binary coded cuckoo search algorithm, fuzzy set theory, reliability index, reserve scheduling, unit commitment problem.
Time Since Fire Affects Ectoparasite Prevalence on Lizards in the Florida Scrub Ecosystem
Authors: McCoy Earl D. , Styga Joseph M. , Rizkalla Carol E. , Mushinsky Henry R.
Published: December 2012

Prevalence of parasites can be an indicator of individual and population health of hosts. Populations of parasites can be affected by habitat management practices, however, which in turn can affect prevalence on hosts. We assessed the influence of varying fire histories on the prevalence of ectoparasites, primarily chiggers (mite larvae of the genus Eutrombicula), on the three most common lizard species resident in the Florida scrub ecosystem. Few individuals of the Florida sand skink (Plestiodon reynoldsi) harbored ectoparasites. The Florida scrub lizard (Sceloporus woodi) and the six-lined racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineata) had the highest prevalence of ectoparasites in recently burned (within 3 years) plots. Change in habitat structure or increased mobility of hosts following a recent burn may increase the host-parasite encounter rate.
Trends in Wildfire Severity: 1984 to 2010 in the Sierra Nevada, Modoc Plateau, and Southern Cascades, California, USA
Authors: Miller Jay D. , Safford Hugh
Published: December 2012

Data from recent assessments indicate that the annual area of wildfires burning at high severity (where most trees are killed) has increased since 1984 across much of the southwestern United States. Increasing areas of high-severity fire can occur when greater area is burned at constant proportion of high-severity fire, or when the proportion of high-severity fire within fire perimeters increases, or some combination of both. For the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (SNFPA) area, which includes forestlands in eastern California and western Nevada, Miller et al. (2009a) concluded that the proportion of area burning at high severity in mixed-conifer forests had risen over the 1984 to 2004 period. However, no statistical assessment was made of the temporal trend in high-severity fire area because the analyzed dataset was incomplete in the early years of the study period. In this update, we use satellite-derived estimates of fire severity from the three most widely distributed SNFPA forest types to examine the trend in percent high severity and high-severity fire area for all wildfires ≥80 ha that occurred during the 1984 to 2010 period. Time-series regression modeling indicates that the percentage of total high severity per year for a combination of yellow pine (ponderosa pine [Pinus ponderosa Lawson & C. Lawson] or Jeffrey pine [P. jeffreyi Balf.]) and mixed-conifer forests increased significantly over the 27-year period. The annual area of high-severity fire also increased significantly in yellow pine-mixed-conifer forests. The percentage of high severity in fires ≥400 ha burning in yellow pine-mixed-conifer forests was significantly higher than in fires ≥400 ha. Additionally, the number of fires ≥400 ha significantly increased over the 1950 to 2010 period. There were no significant trends in red fir (Abies magnifica A. Murray bis) forests. These results confirm and expand our earlier published results for a shorter 21-year period.
Monitoring Live Fuel Moisture Using Soil Moisture and Remote Sensing Proxies
Authors: Qi Yi , Dennison Philip E. , Spencer Jessica , Riaño David
Published: December 2012

Live fuel moisture (LFM) is an important fuel property controlling fuel ignition and fire propagation. LFM varies seasonally, and is controlled by precipitation, soil moisture, evapotranspiration, and plant physiology. LFM is typically sampled manually in the field, which leads to sparse measurements in space and time. Use of LFM proxies could reduce the need for field sampling while potentially improving spatial and temporal sampling density. This study compares soil moisture and remote sensing data to field-sampled LFM for Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii Nutt) and big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt) in northern Utah. Bivariate linear regression models were constructed between LFM and four independent variables. Soil moisture was more strongly correlated with LFM than remote sensing measurements, and produced the lowest mean absolute error (MAE) in predicted LFM values at most of the sites. When sites were pooled, canopy water content (CWC) had stronger correlations with LFM than normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) or normalized difference water index (NDWI). MAE values for all proxies were frequently above 20 % LFM at individual sites. Despite this relatively large error, remote sensing and soil moisture data may still be useful for improving understanding of spatial and temporal trends in LFM.
The impact of different elevation steps on simulation of snow covered area and the resulting runoff variance
Authors: Bellinger J. , Achleitner S. , Schöber J. , Schöberl F. , Kirnbauer R. , Schneider K.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. This study analyses the impact of vertical model discretisation on modelling snow covered area and the consequential effects on runoff formation of the semi-distributed water balance model HQsim. Therefore, the parameters relevant for snow modelling are varied within the frame of a uniformly distributed Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS). Since the model is based on the hydrological response unit (HRU) approach, the effect of building the HRUs with different elevation steps (250 m and 500 m) is tested for two alpine catchments. In total 5000 parameter combinations were generated for simulation. The results of modelled snow covered area were compared with thirty MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) snow cover maps for the melting periods in 2003–2011. Based on a contingency table the comparisons were evaluated by different skill measures. Finally, the pareto optimal parameter settings of each skill measure were detected. Evaluation of runoff variability within the MCS and their pareto optimal runs show reduced variances of model output resulting from an improved simulation of the snow covered area.
Controlling factors of the oxygen balance in the Arabian Sea's OMZ
Authors: Resplandy L. , Lévy M. , Bopp L. , Echevin V. , Pous S. , Sarma V. V. S. S. , Kumar D.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The expansion of OMZs (oxygen minimum zones) due to climate change and their possible evolution and impacts on the ecosystems and the atmosphere are still debated, mostly because of the unability of global climate models to adequatly reproduce the processes governing OMZs. In this study, we examine the factors controlling the oxygen budget, i.e. the equilibrium between oxygen sources and sinks in the northern Arabian Sea OMZ using an eddy-resolving biophysical model. Our model confirms that the biological consumption of oxygen is most intense below the region of highest productivity in the western Arabian Sea. The oxygen drawdown in this region is counterbalanced by the large supply of oxygenated waters originated from the south and advected horizontally by the western boundary current. Although the biological sink and the dynamical sources of oxygen compensate on annual average, we find that the seasonality of the dynamical transport of oxygen is 3 to 5 times larger than the seasonality of the biological sink. In agreement with previous findings, the resulting seasonality of oxygen concentration in the OMZ is relatively weak, with a variability of the order of 15% of the annual mean oxygen concentration in the oxycline and 5% elsewhere. This seasonality primarily arises from the vertical displacement of the OMZ forced by the monsoonal reversal of Ekman pumping across the basin. In coastal areas, the oxygen concentration is also modulated seasonally by lateral advection. Along the western coast of the Arabian Sea, the Somali Current transports oxygen-rich waters originated from the south during summer and oxygen-poor waters from the northeast during winter. Along the eastern coast of the Arabian Sea, we find that the main contributor to lateral advection in the OMZ is the Indian coastal undercurrent that advects southern oxygenated waters during summer and northern low-oxygen waters during winter. In this region, our model indicates that oxygen concentrations are modulated seasonally by coastal Kelvin waves and westward-propagating Rossby waves. Whereas on seasonal time scales the sources and sinks of oxygen are dominated by the mean vertical and lateral advection (Ekman pumping and monsoonal currents), on annual time scales we find that the biological sink is counterbalanced by the supply of oxygen sustained by mesoscale structures (eddies and filaments). Eddy-driven advection hence promotes the vertical supply of oxygen along the western coast of the Arabian Sea and the lateral transport of ventilated waters offshore the coast of Oman and southwest India.
A study of the climate change impacts on fluvial flood propagation in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta
Authors: Van P. D. T. , Popescu I. , van Griensven A. , Solomatine D. P. , Trung N. H. , Green A.
Published: December 2012

Abstract. The present paper investigated the extent of the flood propagation in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta under different projected flood hydrographs, considering the 2000 flood event (the 20-yr return period event, T. V. H. Le et al., 2007) as the basis for computation. The analysis herein was done to demonstrate the particular complexity of the flood dynamics, which was simulated by the 1-D modelling system ISIS used by the Mekong River Commission. The floods of the year 2050 are simulated using a projected sea level rise of +30 cm. The future flood hydrograph changes at Kratie, Cambodia, were also applied for the upstream boundary condition by using an adjusted regional climate model. Two future flood hydrographs were applied at the upstream part of the delta, the first one in a scenario of climate change without considering developments in the Mekong Basin,and the second one in a scenario of climate change taking into account future development of the delta. Analyses were done to identify the areas sensitive to floods, considering the uncertainty of the projection of both the upstream and downstream boundary conditions. In addition, due to the rice-dominated culture in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, possible impacts of floods on the rice-based farming systems were also analysed.
'Obwarzanek Krakowski' as a traditional food
Authors: Gałkowska Dorota , Sobolewska-Zielińska Joanna
Published: December 2012

The aim of this work was to evaluate the quality and to compare the traditional (‘obwarzanek krakowski’) with the non-traditional (‘obwarzanek’) bakery products. Four samples were analysed for chemical composition and texture and colour of crumb. The analysed products differed in the features of general appearance and chemical composition. The traditional products became much more hard during storage time than the non-traditional ones.
COMPARISON OF THE QUALITY OF VEGETABLE OILS DESIGNED FOR THE FRYING FOOD
Authors: Zeleňáková Lucia , Pastyriková Silvia , Židek Radoslav , Mura Ladislav
Published: December 2012

The object of the research was to investigate the quality of vegetable oils for cooking food. The analysis used two types of oils - oil Fritol and Promienna. Both oils were purchased commercially. Oil changes were observed at frying French fries. At the same changes were observed oil stored at room temperature and the temperature in the refrigerator. The determined parameters included the measurement of polar materials in oil with electronic device Testo 265 for measuring the quality of cooking oil. Determination of change in the texture of oil during the oil deterioration by device Texturometer TA.XT Plus and determination the peroxide value by STN EN ISO 3960:2007. The work is also evaluating the results of the studied parameters. In all compared cases based on the content of the TPM showed higher heat resistance oil Fritol and sample of oil stored in the refrigerator.https://doi.org/10.5219/210
Effect of nitrogen application on selected nutritional components of potato tubers
Authors: Hrabovská Diana , Musilová Janette , Bystrická Judita , Tomáš Ján , Bajčan Daniel
Published: December 2012

In this work the influence of graduated nitrogene fertilizers doses to the soil on starch and vitamin C formation in potato tubers grown in field conditions in locality Veľká Čalomija was studied. The investigated potato cultivar Solara is medium early potato cultivar. The determined average starch content in potato samples ranged in interval 12,426 % - 15,084 %, while the highest starch content was determined in variant 1 (without nitrogen addition to the soil). The starch content in potato tubers was decreased in order: variant 1 (15,084 %) > variant 2 (14,427 %) > variant 3 (14,378 %) > variant 4 (14,023 %) > variant 5 (12,603 %) > variant 6 (12,426 %). The content of C vitamin was increased with the graduated nitrogen doses to the soil only till variant 4 and after that the content of vitamin C was decreased. The average content of C vitamin ranged in interval 3,786 - 6,225 mg.kg-1 of fresh matter.
Development of milk consumption and marketing analysis of its demand
Authors: Kubicová Ľubica , Habánová Marta
Published: December 2012

The strategy of most households is to eliminate the negative effects of economic changes related mainly to the economic crisis by mobilizing available resources and reducing costs, but which cloud lead to a decrease in food consumption and changes in consumption patterns. Pensions and prices are factors that shape the demand for food and other estates. Both of these factors guarantee the economic viability of nutrition. Paper analyzes the development of the of milk consumption and level of its substitution by milk products. There was quantified the elasticity of demand and  estimated own price elasticity and income elasticity. For the past 17 years, consumption of milk, except cheese, cottage cheese, sour milk products and butter, decreased. Expressed by linear regression model in recent years (since 1995) in Slovakia occurred overall reduction in the consumption of milk and dairy products by an average of 0.988 kg per capita per year. This development was mainly conditioned by the annual descent of demand for milk, as its consumption with little variation in average decreased annually by up to 1.88 kg per capita. This development is largely due to the increase of milk prices and especially the increasing supply of a wide range of quality and flavored sour milk and cheese products. Acidified milk product consumption in recent observed years increased and is expressed by the average growth factor of 0.6748 kg per capita per year. Prognosis with a five percent risk of error of estimate could increase their consumption up to 13.936 kg per capita in 2014. Consumption of cheese and curd should the increase the current trend by an average of 0.0476 kg per person and would be able to achieve the level of consumption of 11.03 kg per capita in 2014.
Surface markers in stem cells and cancer from the perspective of glycomic analysis
Authors: Cho Huan-Chieh , Liao Chien- Huang , Yu Alice L , Yu John
Published: December 2012

Most cancers are detected when patients present with symptoms, and at that point the disease is usually quite advanced and often not curable. Therefore, new biomarkers are needed for detection and therapy. The recent success of using monoclonal antibodies against nonprotein gangliosides for the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma provides an incentive to search for new glycan-targeted immunotherapies for cancer using markers found through glycomic analysis as targets. Since more than 85% of cell surface components are glycosylated, glycomic analysis is useful to probe systematically the cancer cell surface, in search for novel glycoproteins and glycolipids. Furthermore, cancer cells tend to dedifferentiate and express many oncofetoproteins, since human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are derived from epiblast of embryo, representing the early stage of normal embryonic development before gastrulation. Unique ESC surface markers are likely to be found in cancer cells, but not in normal mature tissues. Moreover, stem cells and cancer cells share several common features in related regulatory mechanisms and signaling pathways. Thus, identification of the cancer stem cells in cancer and definition of the glycoproteomic changes that accompany their transformation are important for the development of strategies for early detection and treatment of cancer.
Ki-67 Labeling Index in Primary Invasive Breast Cancer from Sudanese Patients: A Pilot Study
Authors: Awadelkarim Khalid Dafaallah , Mariani-Costantini Renato , Osman Ihsan , Barberis Massimo Costanzo
Published: December 2012

Ki-67 labeling index has been linked to patient outcome in breast cancer patients. However, very few published reports have examined Ki-67 labeling index in African breast cancer patients. Sixty-two Sudanese breast cancer patients with primary invasive tumors were immunostained for Ki-67, ER, PR, Her-2/neu, CK5/6, and CK17. Ki-67 labeling index ranged from 0% to 50%, with a median of 5% (interquartile range 0–10). Low Ki-67 labeling index (immunostaining < 10%) was detected in 43/62 (69.4%) with a median of 0 (interquartile range 0–5), whereas high Ki-67 labeling index (immunostaining ≥ 10%) was revealed in 19/62 (30.6%) with a median of 20 (interquartile range 12–26). Ki-67 labeling index was significantly associated with tumor grade (P=0.022, Mann-Whitney U Test). There were no significant group differences between Ki-67 labeling index and ER (P=0.43), PR (P=0.7), Her-2/neu (P=0.45), CK5/6 (P=0.29), CK17 (P=0.55), pathologic stage (P=0.4), tumor histology (P=0.99), breast cancer subtypes (P=0.47), tumor size (P=0.16), and age at diagnosis (P=0.6). These results suggested that Ki-67 labeling index correlates with tumor differentiation and not with the tumor size or any other tested marker in Sudanese breast cancers. Thus, Ki-67 labeling index could be considered as a reliable measure of tumor proliferative fraction in Sudan.
Spectral Intrinsic Decomposition Method for Adaptive Signal Representation
Authors: Niang Oumar , Thioune Abdoulaye , Deléchelle Éric , Lemoine Jacques
Published: December 2012

We propose a new method called spectral intrinsic decomposition (SID) for the representation of nonlinear signals. This approach is based on the spectral decomposition of partial differential equation- (PDE-) based operators which interpolate the characteristic points of a signal. The SID’s components which are the eigenvectors of these PDE interpolation operators underlie the new signal decomposition-reconstruction method. The usefulness and the efficiency of this method is illustrated, in signal reconstruction or denoising aim, in some examples using artificial and pathological signals.
Spatial Ecologies
Authors: Conley Verena Andermatt
Published: December 2012

Spatial Ecologies takes a new look at the spatial turn in French cultural and critical theory since 1968. Verena Andermatt Conley examines how Henri Lefebvre, Michel de Certeau, Jean Baudrillard, Marc Augé, Paul Virilio, Bruno Latour and Etienne Balibar reconsider the experience of space in the midst of considerable political and economic turmoil. The book considers why French critical theorists turned away from questions of time and looked instead toward questions of space. It asks what writing about space can tell us about life in late capitalism. Conley links this question to the problematic of habitality, taking us back to Heidegger and showing how it informs much of French theory. Building on the author's acclaimed earlier study Ecopolitics, Spatial Ecologies argues, through the voices of the authors taken up the eight chapters, for recognition of the virtue of spatial theory and its pragmatic applications in the global milieu. It will be required reading for scholars of literary and cultural theory, and twentieth- and twenty-first century French culture.
Using Risk Models to Improve Patient Selection for High-Risk Vascular Surgery
Authors: Goodney Philip P.
Published: December 2012

Vascular surgeons frequently perform procedures aimed at limiting death, stroke, or amputation on patients who present with diseases such as aortic aneurysms, carotid atherosclerosis, and peripheral arterial occlusive disease. However, now more than ever surgeons must balance the potential benefits associated with these interventions with the risks of physiologic insult for these elderly patients, who often have significant comorbidity burdens and the potential for costly complications. In this paper, we highlight how regional and national datasets can help surgeons identify which patients are most likely to benefit from vascular operations and which patients are most likely to suffer complications in the postoperative period. By using these guidelines to improve patient selection, our risk models can help patients, physicians, and policymakers improve the clinical effectiveness of surgical and endovascular treatments for vascular disease.
A Case of Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Metastases to the Duodenum and Small Intestine
Authors: Yamada Hideki , Akahane Takuya , Horiuchi Atsushi , Shimada Ryu , Shibuya Hajime , Hayama Tamuro , Nozawa Keijirou , Ishihara Souichirou , Matsuda Keiji , Watanabe Toshiaki
Published: December 2012

Gastrointestinal metastasis of lung cancer is fairly rare, and metastasis to the duodenum is very uncommon. We report a case of duodenum and small intestine metastases of lung squamous cell carcinoma. The patient was a 66-year-old man. He was diagnosed with lung squamous cell carcinoma (T4N3M1 [mediastinum, cervical lymph node, and duodenum metastases], stage IV). He noted a sense of abdominal fullness on the evening of the day chemoradiotherapy was given, and emergency surgery was performed for suspected perforation of the digestive tract. Intraoperative findings included a tumor in the small intestine with a perforation at the tumor site; partial resection of the small intestine, including the tumor, was performed. Small intestine metastasis of lung cancer was diagnosed following histopathologic examination. When lung cancer patients complain of abdominal symptoms, it is important to consider gastrointestinal metastases in diagnosis and treatment.
Complications of Videolaparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Retrospective Analysis of 1037 Consecutive Cases
Authors: Amboldi Massimo , Amboldi Angelo , Gherardi Gherardo , Bonandrini Luigi
Published: December 2012

The authors describe some of the complications that appear more frequently with laparoscopic cholecystectomy than open cholecystectomy and the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of bile duct injuries, making reference to 0.58% of bile duct injuries in 1037 consecutive laparoscopic cases and the possibility of treatment.
Postoperative Defecatory Function of an Ileal Pouch–Anal Anastomosis After a Restorative Proctocolectomy for Ulcerative Colitis: Evaluation Using Fecoflowmetry
Authors: Kobayashi Yasuo , Iiai Tsuneo , Yagi Minoru , Okamoto Haruhiko , Tani Tatsuo , Hatakeyama Katsuyoshi
Published: December 2012

An ileal pouch is usually reconstructed as an alternative to a neorectum after a total proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the real defecatory function of an ileal pouch is uncertain. This study was designed to analyze the functional and clinical outcomes after a proctocolectomy and ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) for UC using fecoflowmetry (FFM). Sixteen patients who underwent IPAA for UC between 1990 and 2005 were studied. They were evaluated by FFM, together with Kelly's clinical score (KCS), and anorectal manometric assessments were also performed. FFM showed that the fecoflow pattern (FFP) of 14 patients (87%) was the block type and of 2 patients (13%) was the segmental type. The clinical score and tolerance volume showed no improvement 1 year or more after IPAA. However, the value of the maximum fecal stream flow rate (Fmax) improved with time. FFM shows that the defecatory function improved after IPAA, and it may therefore contribute to a good long-term outcome after the surgery.
Free Colonic Perforation in a Patient With Crohn's Disease and Loop Ileostomy: Report of a Case
Authors: Ishihara Soichiro , Watanabe Toshiaki , Nagawa Hirokazu
Published: December 2012

Free bowel perforation in Crohn's disease is a relatively rare complication. In this report, we present a case of free colonic perforation in a Crohn's disease patient with loop ileostomy previously constructed for intractable perianal abscess. Normally, fecal diversion by ileostomy results in an improvement in Crohn's colitis. However, in some cases, fecal diversion is reported to adversely affect the inflammation of the diverted bowel, and it is this unusual complication of Crohn's disease that we discuss here.
Perforation of the Small Bowel Due to Metastasis From Tongue Cancer
Authors: Aoyagi Yoshiko , Matsuda Keiji , Shimada Ryu , Horiuchi Atsushi , Shibuya Hajime , Nakamura Keisuke , Iinuma Hisae , Hayama Tamuro , Yamada Hideki , Nozawa Keijiro , Ishihara Soichiro , Watanabe Toshiaki
Published: December 2012

Distant small bowel metastases from head and neck squamous cell carcinomas are extremely rare, and tongue cancer metastasizing to the small bowel has not been previously reported. We describe a 40-year-old male patient who underwent subtotal gross laryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in February 2007 and then presented in November 2008 with severe abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and X-rays revealed free air, suggesting intestinal perforation. Emergency surgery revealed a 10-mm perforation at the ileum and a palpable hard tumor at the perforation site. The ileum was resected, and pathologic findings showed squamous cell carcinoma at the perforation site, which was consistent with metastasis from tongue cancer.
Severance of a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Catheter Implanted Between the Cerebral Ventricle and Peritoneal Cavity, Resulting in Protrusion From the Anus
Authors: Hayama Tamuro , Ishihara Soichiro , Yamazaki Norihito , Akahane Takuya , Shimada Ryu , Horiuchi Atsushi , Shibuya Hajime , Yamada Hideki , Nozawa Keijiro , Matsuda Keiji , Watanabe Toshiaki
Published: December 2012

One rare complication of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is perforation of the gastrointestinal tract by the catheter. We report a case in which the catheter severed spontaneously inside the peritoneal cavity, creating a communication between the intestinal tract and the peritoneal cavity. The patient was a 41-year-old man who presented with a VP shunt catheter protruding from the anus. Computed tomography showed that the VP shunt catheter, which had been put in place 25 years earlier, had severed spontaneously. The distal end had then perforated and entered the intestinal tract. The patient was hospitalized and emergency surgery was performed to repair the intestinal tract perforation caused by the end of the VP shunt catheter. Laparotomy revealed that the catheter had perforated the sigmoid colon. The VP shunt catheter was removed, and the perforation in the intestinal tract was closed by suturing. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 20.
Sacrococcygeal Pilonidal Disease
Authors: Majeski James , Stroud Jason
Published: December 2012

The ideal treatment for pilonidal disease remains controversial with many accepted procedures in current clinical use. This case series is focused on the results of the Bascom procedure for the treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease. The records of 127 consecutive patients treated by the authors for sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease were reviewed. The Bascom surgical procedure was performed on 127 consecutive patients in a clinical surgical practice. The series included 98 male and 29 female patients. The mean age of the patients reported in this series was 23 years, with a range of 14 to 49 years of age. The lateral incision healed in a mean of 12 days, with a range of 8 to 30 days. Recurrent disease occurred in 3 patients in this series. The Bascom surgical procedure for the treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease was found in this clinical practice series to have an excellent cure rate with a low recurrence rate. Patient satisfaction was high.
Carcinomas Associated With Lynch Syndrome: A Family History
Authors: Pinar Gul , Ayhan Ali
Published: December 2012

Lynch syndrome is a rare and inherited defect disorder. People who have Lynch syndrome are strongly predisposed to develop colorectal cancer as well as several other types of cancer. The aim of this study was to explore features of ovarian cancers arising in families with Lynch syndrome. This study was a case report based on family history examining three patients with a new diagnosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma with ovarian cancer. Family members of carriers of the mutations were counseled, and those found to be at risk were offered mutation testing. The clinical criteria of the Amsterdam II guidelines for Lynch syndrome were used in this study. This is a maternal history of a 27-year-old woman sharing the destiny of her 48-year-old mother and 45-year-old aunt, both of which were suffering from Lynch syndrome associated with ovarian cancer. The maternal grandmother and maternal uncle of this young woman also suffered from colon cancer in their forties. The medical implications for the carrier relatives were considered as the maternal branch of the family.
Complications After Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Pancreatic Cancer: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Ren Shiyan , Liu Peng , Zhou Ningxin , Dong Jiahong , Liu Rong , Ji Wenbin
Published: December 2012

Postoperative complications, such as pancreatic fistulae, after pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancers are associated with surgical outcomes of patients with pancreatic cancers. A total of 160 patients with pancreatic cancers undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were grouped into a fistulae group (n  =  34) and a nonfistulae group (n  =  126). The fistulae group had a significantly higher morbidity rate than the nonfistulae group (P < 0.0001), but hospital mortality was not different in both groups (P  =  0.481). There was a higher incidence of intra-abdominal hemorrhage in patients with pancreatic fistulae than in those without fistulae. Two patients in fistulae group underwent reoperation. Patients with pancreatic fistulae had significantly longer hospital stay than those without fistulae. Pancreatic duct diameter, smoking, years of tobaccos consumption, preoperative jaundice, and surgical hours were associated with risk of fistulae on univariate analysis. In a multivariate analysis, diameter of pancreatic duct, surgical hours, and preoperative jaundice were independent risk factors of pancreatic fistulae. Incidence of pancreatic fistulae after pancreaticoduodenectomy is significantly influenced by the size of pancreatic duct diameter, surgical time, and preoperative jaundice. Early postoperative hemorrhage could be cautiously prevented. The survival is not significantly impacted by pancreatic fistulae.
Significance of Hepatic Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients With Unresectable Synchronous Liver Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Ishida Hideyuki , Ishibashi Keiichiro , Ohsawa Tomonori , Okada Norimichi , Kumamoto Kensuke , Haga Norihiro
Published: December 2012

The frequency and significance of hepatic lymph node (HLN) metastasis were retrospectively evaluated in 43 patients with unresectable synchronous liver metastasis of colorectal cancer who underwent resection of the primary tumor and histopathologic evaluation of HLNs between March 1997 and August 2007. HLN metastasis was detected in 12 patients (27.9%). No significant correlations were observed between the presence of HLN metastasis and any of the 12 clinicopathologic factors examined. On multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model, the presence of HLN metastasis (P  =  0.002), along with a large number (≥4) of regional lymph node metastases (P  =  0.003), and nonuse of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy (P  =  0.005) were identified as independent risk factors for shorter survival. To establish a new therapeutic strategy for initially unresectable liver metastasis of colorectal cancer, HLNs should be examined histologically in patients undergoing resection of hepatic lesions when they are rendered resectable by effective chemotherapy.
Choledochal Cyst Originating from Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis in a Child
Authors: Tseng Wei-Lung , Lin Hao-Yu , Lin Wen-Hsi , Lai Hong-Shiee
Published: December 2012

Choledochal cysts are common in Asian children. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), which is characterized by inflammation and fibrosis and may lead to bile duct stricture over the intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile duct, is rare in children. Here we report a case of a 10-year-old boy who presented with a choledochal cyst originating from PSC. He had suffered from repeated abdominal pain and cholangitis for 3 years. A type IV choledochal cyst was suspected from the ultrasound and computed tomography image showing a distended gallbladder and dilatation of the bilateral intrahepatic duct at the hepatic hilar area and common bile duct (CBD). During laparotomy, a markedly distended gallbladder was noted and was shown to have no communication with the CBD by intraoperative cholangiogram. Choledochal cysts with extrahepatic and intrahepatic duct dilatation at the hilar area and marked stenosis with nearly total obstruction of the distal CBD were noted. Hepaticojejunostomy was performed. The histopathologic findings demonstrated a typical PSC picture. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful for 8 months after surgery, and he received no medication during a regular follow-up.
Laparoscopic Surgical Treatment for Patients With Short- and Long-Segment Barrett's Esophagus: Which Technique in Which Patient?
Authors: Braghetto Italo , Korn Owen , Valladares Héctor , Debandi Aníbal , Díaz Juan Carlos , Brunet Luis
Published: December 2012

Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is very successful in patients with short-segment Barrett's esophagus (BE), but in patients with long-segment BE, the results remain in discussion. In these patients, during the open era of surgery, we performed acid suppression + duodenal diversion procedures added to the antireflux procedure (fundoplication + vagotomy + antrectomy + Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy) to obtain better results at long-term follow-up. The aim of this prospective study is to present the results of 3 to 5 years' follow-up in patients with short-segment and long-segment or complicated BE (ulcer or stricture) who underwent fundoplication or the acid suppression–duodenal diversion technique, both performed by a laparoscopic approach. One hundred eight patients with histologically confirmed BE were included: 58 patients with short-segment BE, and 50 with long-segment BE, 28 of whom had complications associated with severe erosive esophagitis, ulcer, or stricture. After surgery, among patients treated with fundoplication with cardia calibration, endoscopic erosive esophagitis was observed in 6.9% of patients with short-segment BE, while 50% of patients with long-segment BE presented with positive acid reflux, persistence of endoscopic esophagitis with intestinal metaplasia, and progression to dysplasia (in 5% of cases; P  =  0.000). On the contrary, after acid suppression–duodenal diversion surgery in patients with long-segment BE, more than 95.6% presented with successful results regarding recurrent symptoms and endoscopic regression of esophagitis. Regression of intestinal metaplasia to the cardiac mucosa was observed in 56.9% of patients with short-segment BE who underwent fundoplication and in 61% of those with long-segment BE treated with the acid suppression–duodenal diversion procedure. Patients with long-segment BE who experienced fundoplication alone presented no regression of intestinal metaplasia; on the contrary, progression to dysplasia was observed in 1 case (P  =  0.049). Patients with short-segment BE can be successfully treated with fundoplication, but for patients with long-segment BE, we suggest performance of fundoplication plus an acid suppression–duodenal diversion procedure.
Current Status of Hair Restoration Surgery
Authors: Caroli Shobit , Pathomvanich Damkerng , Amonpattana Kulakarn , Kumar Anand
Published: December 2012

Hair restoration has emerged as a subspecialty of aesthetic plastic surgery practiced by a wide range of doctors including plastic surgeons, general surgeons, dermatologists, and even general practitioners. As a current trend, most doctors practice “Ultrarefined follicular unit hair transplantation” in which the entire procedure is done precisely with minimal donor scar. In selected cases, Mega or even Giga sessions are now done with natural appearance and almost undetectable scar, in a single session with good density. This article is an attempt to review the history of hair restoration surgery, describe a novel technique currently practiced in our center, and summarize possible future innovations.
Malignant Transformation of Benign Intraosseous Schwannoma in the Cervical Spine: A Case Report with an Immunohistochemical Study
Authors: Peng Xinsheng , Chen Liyan , Du Hong , Lai Yingrong , Li Fobao , Zou Xuenong
Published: December 2012

Although 3% to 30% of lesions in von Recklinghausen disease undergo malignant transformation, malignant transformation of benign solitary schwannoma is extremely rare. We reported a case of recurrence and malignant transformation in a benign intraosseous schwannoma arising in the cervical spine of a 44-year-old man. The patient presented giant tumor in the C3 vertebral body with aggressive, expansile, and osteolytic destruction and relapsed 2 years after surgical resection and spinal reconstruction. Clinical data, radiologic characteristics, surgical management, histopathologic and immunohistochemical features were noted in the duration of follow-up. The local recurrence, nuclear pleomorphism, epithelioid differentiation, a small number of positive S-100 protein-staining cells, and especially the high percentage of positive cells with p53 (80%) and Ki-67 (75%) proteins support the aggressive nature of the lesion in malignant transformation of benign intraosseous schwannoma in the cervical spine. Immunohistochemistry would be useful as an ancillary technique in diagnosis. It is our practice to suggest that such case has to be carefully resected and the patient followed up.
Crisis Communication: An Inequalities Perspective on the 2010 Boston Water Crisis
Authors: Galarce Ezequiel M. , Viswanath K.
Published: December 2012

Objective: Although the field of crisis risk communication has generated substantial research, the interaction between social determinants, communication processes, and behavioral compliance has been less well studied. With the goal of better understanding these interactions, this report examines how social determinants influenced communications and behavioral compliance during the 2010 Boston, Massachusetts, water crisis.

Methods: An online survey was conducted to assess Boston residents' knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, mass and interpersonal communication, and preventive behaviors on emergency preparedness topics dealing with the water crisis. Of a total sample of 726 respondents, approximately one-third (n = 267) reported having been affected by the water crisis. Only data from affected participants were analyzed.

Results: Following an order to boil water, 87.5% of respondents refrained from drinking unboiled tap water. These behaviors and other cognitive and attitudinal factors, however, were not uniform across population subgroups. All communication and behavioral compliance variables varied across sociodemographic factors.

Conclusions: Crisis communication, in conjunction with other public health preparedness fields, is central to reducing the negative impact of sudden hazards. Emergency scenarios such as the Boston water crisis serve as unique opportunities to understand how effectively crisis messages are conveyed to and received by different segments of the population.

(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:349-356)
Haitian Earthquake Relief: Disaster Response Aboard theUSNS Comfort
Authors: Walk Ryan M. , Donahue Timothy F. , Stockinger Zsolt , Knudson M. Margaret , Cubano Miguel , Sharpe Richard P. , Safford Shawn D.
Published: December 2012

Objective:The Haitian earthquake of January 12, 2010, was a disaster essentially unprecedented in the Western Hemisphere's recorded history. TheUSNS Comfortdeparted from Baltimore, Maryland, within 72 hours of the earthquake and arrived in Port-au-Prince harbor on January 19. During the subsequent 40 days, the ship provided one of the largest relief efforts in the US Navy's history.

Methods:The data analyzed included all patients evaluated and treated by theUSNS Comfortbetween January 19 and February 27, 2010. A medical chart with a unique identifier was created for each patient on admission. A patient database was created from these records and used for this analysis.

Results:A total of 872 patients and 185 patient escorts were processed aboard the ship. Ages ranged from younger than 1 day to 89 years: 635 were adults and 237 were children. Of those admitted, 817 of the patients were admitted for longer than 24 hours; the average length of stay was 8.0 days. The need for surgery was substantial: 454 patients went to the operating room (OR) 843 times for 927 cumulative procedures. A total of 58 patients underwent amputations.

Conclusions:Haiti was almost completely reliant on foreign medical teams for trauma care. Analysis of the data illustrates the challenges of triage and treatment in a humanitarian mass-casualty response. The remarkable coordination and cooperation among the Haitian Ministry of Health, nongovernmental humanitarian aid organizations, and the US military highlighted the responders' respective capabilities and demonstrated the importance of collaboration in future disaster response efforts.

(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:370–377)
Electrospinning of Functionalized Copolymer Nanofibers from Poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐methyl methacrylate)
Authors: El‐Aassar M. R. , Fouda Moustafa M. G. , Kenawy El‐Refaie
Published: December 2012

Electrospinning has been recognized as a feasible process for fabrication of continuous fibers with diameters ranging from several micrometers to a few nanometers. In the present study, electrospinning of acrylonitrile (AN) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) copolymer in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent has been investigated. Poly(AN‐co‐MMA) nanofiber was modified and functionalized through introducing terminal amine groups by polyethyleneimine (PEI). Factors affecting the functionalizing process such as the PEI concentration and incubation time with PEI have been studied. Its influence on the amount of the coupled amine group in the nanofibers. PEI, with the highest concentration of amino groups, has been used as a carrier in a number of industrial immobilized bio‐systems. The poly(AN‐co‐MMA) nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, thermal characterization, and FT‐IR spectroscopic analysis, before and after the functionalization process © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 2013, 32, 21329; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.21329
Improvement in Oil Absorbency by Using Modified Carbon Nanotubes in Preparation of Oil Sorbents
Authors: Pourjavadi Ali , Doulabi Malihe
Published: December 2012

This article reports the first oil‐absorbent cross‐linked copolymer consisting of modified multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and showing high oil absorbency. Also, to investigate and evaluate the effective parameters on oil absorbency, cross‐linked dodecyl methacrylate (DDMA)–diphenylacrylamide (DPAA) and DDMA–butyl acrylate (BA) copolymers were synthesized. DDMA was copolymerized with different mol% of DPAA or BA and cross‐linked using azobisisobutyronitrile as the initiator and various weight percentages of 1,4‐butandiol dimethacrylate, methylene bisacrylamide, or vinyl group–modified MWCNT cross‐linkers. The effects of monomer feed composition, cross‐linker concentration, and the hydrophobicity of the copolymer units on swelling properties of the cross‐linked copolymers were studied through the oil‐absorbency tests. It was found that in the reactions used vinyl group–modified MWCNTs act as cross‐linking agents for the free radical polymerization, carbon nanotubes (CNT) played the other roles, that is, as a comonomer and an adsorbent. The oil absorbents containing CNTs showed the highest oil absorbency (toluene, 42.6 g; crude oil, 36.0 g/g oil absorbent). Therefore, CNT‐based oil absorbent can be introduced as a promising candidate for environmental protection and oil recovery. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 2013, 32, 21332; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.21332