bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of emerging waterborne contaminants in Ireland
Authors: Pender Jenny , Read Carolyn , Egan John , De Waal Theo
Published: December 2015

A group of potential emerging contaminants in two Irish drinking water supplies were investigated. The aim was to investigate the presence of emerging contaminants which are not currently routinely monitored or regulated as part of the European Communities Drinking Water Regulations SI 278 of 2007 but are known or anticipated to occur in drinking water supplies. A monthly sampling and analysis programme was carried out to examine the presence of seven groups of potential emerging contaminants in two Irish drinking water supplies. The seven groups selected were: herbicides, molluscides, endocrine disrupters, perfluorinated chemicals, disinfection by-products, personal care products, and heavy metals. The investigation showed that the majority of the seven selected groups of contaminants were not detected at either drinking water site. Results from the first site (water treatment plant (WTP) 1) showed elevated levels of musk xylenes, a member of the personal care products suite of tests. The specific compound detected was galaxolide, a polycyclic musk found in perfumes, soaps, cosmetics and detergents. Results from the second site (WTP 2) showed elevated levels of oestrone, a member of endocrine disrupter steroid suite of tests. Oestrone is one of three types of oestrogen made by the body and is produced by the ovaries as well as by adipose tissue and the adrenal glands. Results from both sites showed that of the seven groups of contaminants chosen for examination most were not detected. The musk xylene compound galaxolide was detected on one occasion at a level just above the guideline limit and oestrone a component of the endocrine disrupting chemicals steroid suite of tests was found on two occasions throughout the study.
Evaluation of urban water resource security under urban expansion using a system dynamics model
Authors: Chang Yu-Ting , Liu Hai-Long , Bao An-Ming , Chen Xi , Wang Ling
Published: December 2015

Because of rapid economic development and urbanization, water shortage has become a serious problem in the arid region of China. To investigate urban water resource security, the supply demand pressure of water resources and the urban expansion index were analyzed under different developing scenarios in this paper. Based on the economic data of Urumqi, a typical inland city in the arid area, under the present development scenario from 2011 to 2030, a system dynamics model was constructed to simulate the water resource security. The results show that there will be great influence of urban expansion on water resource security in Urumqi in the future. Water resources are projected to become increasingly scarce if the urban expansion is left unchanged in terms of population, economic growth and water-use efficiency. To find a sustainable method for water resource use, four scenarios of urban expansion were set up based on the sensitive variables. Based on comparison of water consumption under the different scenarios, the harmonize scheme for urban water resource security is the best choice for the development of Urumqi. If the impact of urban expansion on urban water resource security alleviates in the future, the main parameters would have to reach a new standard of water use. Reducing the sewage and increasing the reuse proportion of wastewater are also very important for relieving the stress of water shortage. This research can serve as a reference for water resource allocation and urban planning in arid areas.
Enhancing resilience in urban water systems for future cities
Authors: Mugume Seith N. , Diao Kegong , Astaraie-Imani Maryam , Fu Guangtao , Farmani Raziyeh , Butler David
Published: December 2015

In future cities, urban water systems (UWSs) should be designed not only for safe provision of services but should also be resilient to emerging or unexpected threats that lead to catastrophic system failure impacts and consequences. Resilience can potentially be built into UWSs by implementing a range of strategies, for example by embedding redundancy and flexibility in system design, or by rehabilitation to increase their ability to maintain acceptable customer service levels during unexpected system failures. In this work, a new resilience analysis is carried out to investigate the performance of a water distribution system (WDS) and an urban drainage system (UDS) during pipe failure scenarios. Using simplified synthetic networks, the effect of implementing adaptation (resilient design) strategies on minimising the loss of system functionality and cost of UWSs is investigated. Study results for the WDS case study show that the design strategy in which flexibility is enhanced ensures that all customers are served during single pipe failure scenarios. The results of the UDS case study indicate that the design strategy incorporating upstream distributed storage tanks minimises flood volume and mean duration of nodal flooding by 50.1% and 46.7%, respectively, even when system functionality is significantly degraded. When costs associated with failure are considered, resilient design strategies could prove to be more cost-effective over the design life of UWSs.
Securing safe drinking water supply under climate change conditions
Authors: Staben N. , Nahrstedt A. , Merkel W.
Published: December 2015

Water suppliers worldwide are challenged by climate variations, but so far only the qualitative change in boundary conditions has become clear but not yet the degree and impact on the water supply systems. Short-term quality changes in surface waters can, e.g. be caused by extreme rainfalls after dry periods. Longer heat periods without rain can induce middle-term quality changes in surface waters due to lacking dilution. Furthermore, unsustainable management of groundwater can lead to long-term quality changes and to water shortages, especially in times with higher water demand. Depending on the individual situation, the expected effects on the supply system differ widely, so a general adaptation strategy will not suit the individual problems. The purpose of our work is to enable water supply companies to systematically identify potential risks resulting from climate change and other external factors in a water safety plan approach, and to adapt the supply system in a most effective way by taking advantage of ongoing modernization measures and ‘no-regret’-measures. A suitable adaptation strategy should address climate change conditions as well as other external factors like changing water demand and also to take into account possible effects on every part of the supply system.
Prospective environmental and economic assessment for biotreatment of micropollutants in drinking water resources in Denmark
Authors: Muñoz Ivan , de Vries Erik , Wittebol Janneke , Aamand Jens
Published: December 2015

A prospective environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) and financial cost assessment is performed to the application of bioaugmentation to sand filters in Danish waterworks, to remove 2,6-dichlorobenzamide (BAM) from drinking water resources. Based on pilot-scale and laboratory-scale data, we compare bioaugmentation to current alternative strategies, namely granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption, and well re-location. Both assessments identified well re-location as the least preferred option, however, this result is very sensitive to the distance from the waterworks to the new well. When bioaugmentation is compared to GAC, the former has a lower impact in 13 impact categories, but if immobilized bacteria are used, the impacts are higher than for GAC in all impact categories. On the other hand, from a cost perspective bioaugmentation appears to be preferable to GAC only if immobilized bacteria are used.
Characterising the pressure-leakage response of pipe networks using the FAVAD equation
Authors: Schwaller J. , van Zyl J. E. , Kabaasha A. M.
Published: December 2015

This study investigated the feasibility of characterising the pressure-leakage response of water distribution systems using the FAVAD (Fixed and Variable Area Discharges) equation, instead of the conventional N1 power equation. The study was based on 300 network models with randomly distributed leaks and 35 networks generated through a sensitivity analysis. It was found that the leakage rate and average zone pressure head (AZP) before and after pressure reduction may be used in conjunction with the FAVAD equation to estimate the initial leakage area (A0S) and head-area slope (mS) of any system. In addition, A0S and ms were shown to provide good estimates respectively of the sum of the initial areas and head-area slopes of all the individual leaks in the system. The study found that a dimensionless leakage number may be calculated for any system and used to characterise the pressure-leakage response. Finally, the study showed that it is possible to convert between N1 and the leakage number using a simple equation.
Fate of phthalate esters in municipal wastewater treatment plant and their environmental impact
Authors: Kong Minghao , Song Yonghui , Zhang Yizhang , Liu Ruixia , Wei Jian , Zheng Lei
Published: December 2015

The fate and distribution of six phthalate esters (PAEs) in a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) employing an anaerobic/anoxic/oxic (A2/O) process were investigated. The process achieved relatively high removal efficiencies of PAEs in the range 55–97%. It illustrated that biotransformation and sludge-adsorption were major elimination pathways by analyzing the mass balance and flux of PAEs. About 83% of ∑PAEs was entirely removed by A2/O bioreactors indicating biotransformation is the dominant removal mechanism. PAEs with shorter alkyl chain length and higher water solubility were more biodegradable. Less than 6% of ∑PAEs were removed by excess sludge adsorption. The sludge-adsorption capacity of PAE depends on its hydrophobicity. The levels and fluxes of PAEs were analyzed by monitoring different sites of the receiving river of the WWTP effluent to clarify the potential impact of discharge. Daily flux of PAEs upstream and downstream of the discharging point were 113 kg·d−1 and 205 kg·d−1, respectively, which were higher than the effluent devotion value of 6.67 kg·d−1. It suggested that the emissions from the WWTP appeared to be less than those from the other possible sources, such as potential untreated discharge and surface runoff. Improvement of wastewater collection efficiencies is necessary to eliminate the PAE load in the urban river.
Postoperative Pain in Children After Dentistry Under General Anesthesia
Authors: Wong Michelle , Copp Peter E. , Haas Daniel A.
Published: December 2015

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, severity, and duration of postoperative pain in children undergoing general anesthesia for dentistry. This prospective cross-sectional study included 33 American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) Class I and II children 4–6 years old requiring multiple dental procedures, including at least 1 extraction, and/or pulpectomy, and/or pulpotomy of the primary dentition. Exclusion criteria were children who were developmentally delayed, cognitively impaired, born prematurely, taking psychotropic medications, or recorded baseline pain or analgesic use. The primary outcome of pain was measured by parents using the validated Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R) and Parents' Postoperative Pain Measure (PPPM) during the first 72 hours at home. The results showed that moderate-to-severe postoperative pain, defined as FPS-R ≥ 6, was reported in 48.5% of children. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe pain was 29.0% by FPS-R and 40.0% by PPPM at 2 hours after discharge. Pain subsided over 3 days. Postoperative pain scores increased significantly from baseline (P < .001, Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test). Moderately good correlation between the 2 pain measures existed 2 and 12 hours from discharge (Spearman rhos correlation coefficients of 0.604 and 0.603, P < .005). In conclusion, children do experience moderate-to-severe pain postoperatively. Although parents successfully used pain scales, they infrequently administered analgesics.
Tracing the Development of Typewriting Skills in an Adaptive E-Learning Environment
Authors: van den Bergh Mattis , Schmittmann Verena D. , Hofman Abe D. , van der Maas Han L. J.
Published: December 2015

Typewriting studies which compare novice and expert typists have suggested that highly trained typing skills involve cognitive process with an inner and outer loop, which regulate keystrokes and words, respectively. The present study investigates these loops longitudinally, using multi-level modeling of 1,091,707 keystroke latencies from 62 children ( M age = 12.6yr.) following an online typing course. Using finger movement repetition as indicator of the inner loop and words typed as indicator of the outer loop, practicing keystroke latencies resulted in different developmental curves for each loop. Moreover, based on plateaus in the developmental curves, the inner loop seemed to require less practice to develop than the outer loop.
Telehealth Implementation in a Skilled Nursing Facility: Case Report for Physical Therapist Practice in Washington
Authors: Lee Alan Chong W. , Billings Michael
Published: December 2015

Background and Purpose

Telehealth is defined as the delivery of health-related services and information via telecommunication technologies. The purposes of this case report are: (1) to describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of a telehealth approach for meeting physical therapist supervision requirements in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) in Washington and (2) to explore clinical and human factors of physical therapist practice in an SNF delivered via telehealth.

Case Description

In 2009, Infinity Rehab conducted a pilot program to determine whether telehealth could be used to meet physical therapist supervision requirements in an SNF. In 2011, language allowing telehealth physical therapy was approved by the Washington Board of Physical Therapy (Board). In 2014–2015, telehealth outcomes were evaluated in a 51-person sample at an Infinity Rehab SNF. Cost savings of telehealth implementation from 2011 to 2015 were estimated.

Outcomes

The Board deemed the telehealth pilot program a success and subsequently established telehealth practice language for physical therapy. Both human factors and clinical outcomes were required to implement a successful telehealth practice. Clinical outcomes and user satisfaction in telehealth and nontelehealth groups were equivalent. Cost savings were identified.

Discussion

Human factors, such as the need for provider education in appropriate bedside manner with a telehealth session, were identified. Since 2011, more than 1,000 telehealth physical therapy sessions were conducted at Infinity Rehab SNFs in Washington State. In the future, alternative payment models focused on valued-based clinical outcomes may facilitate wider telehealth adoption in physical therapy. Future research on efficacy and cost-effectiveness is needed to promote broader adoption of telehealth physical therapy in SNFs. This experience demonstrates that telehealth implementation in an SNF for the purpose of physical therapy re-evaluation is a feasible alternative to in-person encounters.
Improving Children’s Competence as Decision Makers
Authors: Zhang Xin , Anderson Richard C. , Morris Joshua , Miller Brian , Nguyen-Jahiel Kim Thi , Lin Tzu-Jung , Zhang Jie , Jadallah May , Scott Theresa , Sun Jingjing , Latawiec Beata , Ma Shufeng , Grabow Kay , Hsu Judy Yu-Li
Published: December 2015

This research examined the influence of contrasting instructional approaches on children’s decision-making competence. A total of 764 fifth graders, mostly African Americans and Hispanic Americans, from 36 classrooms in eight public schools serving children from low-income families completed a six-week unit on wolf management, using either direct instruction or collaborative groups, or were waited-listed controls. Analysis of children’s essays on a topic unrelated to wolves revealed that students who participated in collaborative groups but not students who received direct instruction acquired decision-making strategies and transferred them to the novel task. Students in collaborative group work classrooms wrote essays that were significantly better than essays of students from direct instruction classrooms in each of the three aspects of decision making that were evaluated—considering more than one side of a dilemma, comprehensiveness of reasons, and weighing the importance of reasons. In contrast, direct instruction students performed no better than uninstructed control students.
Genetic diversity of some apple cultivars in the south of Syria based on morphological characters
Authors: Al-Halabi O. , Muzher B.
Published: December 2015

This work was aimed to evaluate genetic diversity among five local and six introduced apple cultivars in the germplasm which located in the South of Syria based on 29 morphological characters of leaf and fruit. The analysis of variance showed significant differences at P < 0.05 for all measured parameters, however the mean values of Limb length and width, fruit weight, length, and width indicated to a wide range of diversity between local and introduced cultivars, that the introduced cultivars have mostly the highest mean value while the local cultivars have the lowest mean values, that clearly found in the local apple cultivar Ksairi (K) which revealed the lowest mean value of fruit weight (FW), fruit length (FL) and fruit diameter (FD) in the comparison with all studied cultivars. Likewise, principal component analysis (PCA) was used and the first 4 principal components accounted for 76.4% of the total variance, with eigen values 29.2%, 18.8%, 16.9% and 11.5% respectively. The main important characters in PC1 are correlated with the high mean value of width of stalk cavity (WP), fruit weight (FW), fruit diameter (FD), fruit length (FL), core length (CL), width of calyx cavity (WC), core width (CW), depth of stalk cavity (DP), stalk diameter (SD), seed width (SeW) and leaf margin (LM). PC2 discriminated among cultivars depending on Fruit shape (FS), leaf shape (LS), over color (OC), maturity time (MT), core shape (CS), limp length (LL) and leaf base (LB) which were able to differentiate between all studied cultivars . PC3 is correlated with the high mean value of Stalk length (SL), titratable acidity (TA), total sugar (TS), and total soluble solids (TSS). PC4 is correlated with the high mean value of depth of calyx cavity (DC), leaf apices (LA) and fruit cross section (FCS). Cluster analysis was also used that divided the studied cultivars into two clusters, the first cluster included all local apple cultivars, in addition to Leaz Golden (LG) cultivar, however AbouGhabra (AG) and Ksairi (K) cultivars revealed the highest similarity, which have the same fruit shape(FS), background color (BC), core shape (CS), fruit cross section (FCS), leaf shape (Ls) and leaf margin (LM). While the second cluster included all the other introduced cultivars.International Journal of Environment Vol.4(4) 2015: 86-99
Etiological profile, gender difference and age group patterns of 415 patients presenting with lower gastrointestinal bleeding in the western region of Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Umid Kumar
Published: December 2015

Background: Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is a common clinical condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The aims of our study were to determine the etiological profile, gender difference and age group patterns of LGIB in Nepal.Methods: A total of 415 consecutive patients presenting with LGIB from April 2011 to September 2014 underwent colonoscopy and the etiology of LGIB was determined. Each diagnosis was compared with respect to the gender and age group.Results: Among 415 LGIB patients (males 62.2%, females 37.8%), the different etiologies of LGIB were as following: hemorrhoid 35.2%, non-specific colitis 24.8%, colon polyp 18.3%, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) 10.4%, colon cancer 6.5%, diverticulosis 1.7%, unknown 1.4%, upper gastrointestinal bleeding 1.2% and radiation colitis 0.5%. The overall LGIB was more common in male; however, colon polyps were diagnosed more commonly in female (p<0.001). Among LGIB patients, the hemorrhoid was more common in the age group of 30-49 years, colon polyp in 50-69 years, colon cancer in 70-84 years, and non-specific colitis and IBD in 16-29 years (p<0.001).Conclusion: Hemorrhoid and non-specific colitis were the common causes of LGIB in Nepal; colon polyp, IBD and colon cancer were the next common causes. More males presented with LGIB than females; however, colon polyp was diagnosed more in females, which needs to be explored further. When LGIB was presented after 50 years of age, the most likely causes were colon polyp and colon cancer; hence colonoscopy is recommended in all LGIB patients after 50 years.Journal of Advances in Internal Medicine 2014;3(2):52-55
Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease in young: Alpha 1 anti trypsin deficiency
Authors: Dhakal S.S. , Agrawaal K.K. , Bhatta N.K.
Published: December 2015

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a clinically under recognized inherited disorder. The main clinical manifestations relate to three separate organs: the lung, the liver, and the skin. In the lung, severe deficiency of AAT predisposes to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We present a case of 34 years male with a history of recurrent chest infections in past and treated in the line of bronchial asthma but not relieved. He was admitted on 22nd May 2011 at BPKIHS. He presented with type 2 respiratory failure and had features of severe pulmonary arterial hypertension and left lower lobe pneumonia. The patient got improved with the treatment and is doing well on follow up. The diagnosis should be strongly suspected in patients with history suggestive of bronchial asthma and with obstructive features.Journal of Advances in Internal Medicine 2014;3(2):65-67
Metastatic nodular pneumonia due to septic embolism: a Staphylococcal infection
Authors: Shrestha Sanjeet Krishna , Srivastava Brajendra , Khunjeli Rabindra , Mousin Ushab Rana
Published: December 2015

Ill-defined lung nodules mimicking secondary metastasis caused by Staphylococcus aureus though defined, is uncommon. We report a 58 years male with chest pain, dry cough, fever and abscess over the nape of neck. Bilateral nodules in the chest x-ray resembled metastasis. Workup for malignancy was negative. Induced sputum grew Staphylococcus aureus resistant to penicillin group. The lesions cavitated and produced air-fluid levels. Computed tomography confirmed the peripheral location, right sided hydropneumothorax and loculated fissural collection. Recovery was favourable but delayed with injectable ceftriaxone and levofloxacin initially followed by oral levofloxacin. Review chest radiograph showed residual cavities with small pneumothorax. Follow-up after three months showed resolution of all cavities and pneumothorax. Literature review revealed both Methicillin sensitive and resistant staphylococcus aureus can cause metastatic nodular pneumonia. Rapidly necrosis occurs if the organisms are capable of producing the toxin: Panton-Valentine Leukocidin. But this tendency is more common with community-acquired methicillin resistant strains.Journal of Advances in Internal Medicine 2014;3(2):68-71
Synthesis Of Zincoxide Nanorods And Its Application To Humidity Sensor
Authors: Karki Indra Bahadur , Nakarmi Jeevan Jyoti , Chatterjee Suman
Published: December 2015

The present study is concerned the sensing behavior of ZnO nanorods thin films application to humidity sensors. ZnO nanorods were fabricated on a glass substrate by sol-gel spin coating technique. The crystal structure of the resulting thin films was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Minimum crystalline grain size of this film was found about 5nm. Surface morphology of the film was investigated by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). SEM image shows rods like films which are evenly distributed on the surface of the sample. The film on a glass substrate explored for humidity sensing of controlled humid environment by measuring electrical resistance. The resistance falls from M Ohms to K ohms as percentage relative humidity increases from 20 to 90 %.Journal of Institute of Science and Technology, 2015, 20(1): 36-39
Biodiversity in Agroforestry Systems: A Case Study in Homegardens of Gulmi and Palpa Districts, Western Nepal
Authors: Pokhrel Chandra P. , Timilsina Arbindra , Khanal Rajib , Ando Kazuo , Yadav Ram Kailash P.
Published: December 2015

Homegardens are important part of an agroecosystem, which has long been practiced in Nepalese farming systems but poorly studied. This study identified the diversity of plant species of 73 homegardens of Hastichaur Village Development Committee (VDC), Gulmi district and 43 homegardens of Siddheshwor VDC, Palpa district. A total of 110 different plant species were recorded within three layers i.e. top layer (3-15m), middle layer (1-3 m) and ground layer (up to 1m). Species richness in the Hastichaur was higher (90) than Siddheshwor (73) VDC; in contrast species evenness was higher in Siddheshwor than Hastichaur. The bigger sized homegardens (average size was 250 m²) belong to Brahmin and Chhetri and recorded the highest plant species diversity (1.791) and species richness (90). In contrast, smaller sized homegardens (average size was 80 m²) belong to Dalit community and recorded the lowest diversity (1.696) and species richness (60) of the plants. The presence of the vegetable species, Zingiber officinale and Capsicum annuum was highest (95%) in Siddheswor VDC and annuum (85%) was highest in Hastichaur VDC. The presence of medicinal plants was very low in both VDCs. The trend of plant species richness showed was as Brahmin/Chettri > Magar > Kumal > Dalit in Hastichaur and as Brahmin/Chettri > Kumal > Magar > Dalit in Siddheshwor VDCs.Journal of Institute of Science and Technology, 2015, 20(1): 87-96
Diurnal Characteristics of Trapped Mountain Waves over the Foothills of Western Nepal Himalaya
Authors: Regmi Ram P.
Published: December 2015

Late wintertime diurnal variation and spatial distribution of mountain wave excitations over the Mt. Devchuli range and its surrounding areas have been numerically simulated with the application of Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Modeling System. The study reveals that the region holds low-level trapped mountain waves almost all the time. The waves are confined below the stratified layer at about 3km above the mean sea level. Wave excitation over the region is highly active during the afternoon time whereas it remains at minimum level during the late morning time. These waves pose significant risk for low-level aviation and parachuting activities.Journal of Institute of Science and Technology, 2015, 20(1): 102-106
Mathematical Modelling of Robust Optimization for Integer Programming Problem
Authors: Thapa Gyan Bahadur
Published: December 2015

Dealing with data uncertainty in mathematical programming has been recognized as a central problem in optimization for a long time. There are two methods that have been proposed to address data uncertainty over the years, namely stochastic programming and robust optimization. In this short paper, we present the brief review of mathematical models of integer programming problem and robust optimization approach to solve them. Robust Binary optimization is also briefly presented.Journal of Institute of Science and Technology, 2015, 20(1): 119-122
Host Preference Vegetables of Tobacco Whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889) in Nepal
Authors: Sharma Mohan , Budha Prem Bahadur
Published: December 2015

The host preference of whitefly Bemisia tabaci was experimented in four economically important vegetable plants viz. tomato, brinjal, capsicum and cucumber in 2012-2013. It was found that preference of whitefly for feeding under both conditions free-choice and no-choice was significantly different after 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours and 96 hours. Cucumber was the most preferred host plant for oviposition while capsicum was the least.Journal of Institute of Science and Technology, 2015, 20(1): 133-137
Origin of craniopharyngiomas: implications for growth pattern, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of tumor recurrence
Authors: Bao Yun , Pan Jun , Qi Song-tao , Lu Yun-tao , Peng Jun-xiang
Published: December 2015

OBJECT

Craniopharyngiomas are associated with a high rate of recurrence. The surgical management of recurrent lesions has been among the most challenging neurosurgical procedures because of the craniopharyngioma's complex topographical relationship with surrounding structures. The aim of this study was to define the determinative role of the site of origin on the growth pattern and clinical features of recurrent craniopharyngiomas.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 52 patients who had undergone uniform treatment by a single surgeon. For each patient, data concerning symptoms and signs, imaging features, hypothalamic-pituitary function, and recurrence-free survival rate were collected.

RESULTS

For children, delayed puberty was more frequent in the group with Type I (infradiaphragmatic) craniopharyngioma than in the group with Type TS (tuberoinfundibular and suprasellar extraventricular) lesions (p < 0.05). For adults, blindness was more frequent in the Type I group than in the Type TS group (p < 0.05). Nausea or vomiting, delayed puberty, and growth retardation were more frequent in children than in adults (p < 0.05). Overall clinical outcome was good in 48.07% of the patients and poor in 51.92%. Patients with Type TS recurrent tumors had significantly worse functional outcomes and hypothalamic function than patients with the Type I recurrent tumors but better pituitary function especially in children.

CONCLUSIONS

The origin of recurrent craniopharyngiomas significantly affected the symptoms, signs, functional outcomes, and hypothalamic-pituitary functions of patients undergoing repeated surgery. Differences in tumor growth patterns and site of origin should be considered when one is comparing outcomes and survival across treatment paradigms in patients with recurrent craniopharyngiomas.
A cadaveric microanatomical study of the fascicular topography of the brachial plexus
Authors: Sinha Sumit , Prasad G. Lakshmi , Lalwani Sanjeev
Published: December 2015

OBJECT

Mapping of the fascicular anatomy of the brachial plexus could provide the nerve surgeon with knowledge of fascicular orientation in spinal nerves of the brachial plexus. This knowledge might improve the surgical outcome of nerve grafting in brachial plexus injuries by anastomosing related fascicles and avoiding possible axonal misrouting. The objective of this study was to map the fascicular topography in the spinal nerves of the brachial plexus.

METHODS

The entire right-sided brachial plexus of 25 adult male cadavers was dissected, including all 5 spinal nerves (C5–T1), from approximately 5 mm distal to their exit from the intervertebral foramina, to proximal 1 cm of distal branches. All spinal nerves were tagged on the cranial aspect of their circumference using 10-0 nylon suture for orientation. The fascicular dissection of the C5–T1 spinal nerves was performed under microscopic magnification. The area occupied by different nerve fascicles was then expressed as a percentage of the total cross-sectional area of a spinal nerve.

RESULTS

The localization of fascicular groups was fairly consistent in all spinal nerves. Overall, 4% of the plexus supplies the suprascapular nerve, 31% supplies the medial cord (comprising the ulnar nerve and medial root of the median nerve [MN]), 27.2% supplies the lateral cord (comprising the musculocutaneous nerve and lateral root of the MN), and 37.8% supplies the posterior cord (comprising the axillary and radial nerves).

CONCLUSIONS

The fascicular dissection and definitive anatomical localization of fascicular groups is feasible in plexal spinal nerves. The knowledge of exact fascicular location might be translatable to the operating room and can be used to anastomose related fascicles in brachial plexus surgery, thereby avoiding the possibility of axonal misrouting and improving the results of plexal reconstruction.
Effectiveness of 2-methoxyestradiol in alleviating angiogenesis induced by intracranial venous hypertension
Authors: Zou Xiang , Zhou Liangfu , Zhu Wei , Mao Ying , Chen Liang
Published: December 2015

OBJECT

Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are complex intracranial vascular malformations that can lead to hemorrhage. The authors recently found that chronic local hypoperfusion seems to be the main cause of angiogenesis in the dura mater, which leads to the formation of DAVFs. As a natural derivative of estradiol, 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) has an antiangiogenic effect and can be used safely in patients with advanced carcinoid tumors. This study was conducted to examine the antiangiogenic effects of 2-ME on a rat DAVF model.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 72) were used in the experiments. Intracranial venous hypertension was induced for modeling, and 2-ME was used in the early or late stage for treatment. The effects were examined by immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays.

RESULTS

2-Methoxyestradiol significantly reduced angiogenesis in the dura in early- and late-intervention treatment groups, as proven by the results of immunohistochemical staining, Western blotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction assays, and microvessel density counts. The antiangiogenic effect even lasted for up to 2 weeks after 2-ME cessation.

CONCLUSIONS

These data collectively suggest that 2-ME can reduce the angiogenic effect caused by venous hypertension in a rat DAVF model, mainly by suppressing the inhibitor of differentiation 1 (ID-1) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) pathways.
The safety of Pipeline flow diversion in fusiform vertebrobasilar aneurysms: a consecutive case series with longer-term follow-up from a single US center
Authors: Natarajan Sabareesh K. , Lin Ning , Sonig Ashish , Rai Ansaar T. , Carpenter Jeffrey S. , Levy Elad I. , Siddiqui Adnan H.
Published: December 2015

OBJECT

Pessimism exists regarding flow diversion for posterior circulation aneurysms because of reports of perforator territory infarcts and delayed ruptures. The authors report the results of patients who underwent Pipeline Embolization Device (PED) flow diversion using novel strategies for treatment of fusiform posterior circulation aneurysms, and compare these results with those from previously reported series.

METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective review of data from consecutive patients with fusiform vertebrobasilar artery aneurysms treated with the PED.

RESULTS

This review resulted in the identification of 12 such patients (mean [± SD] age 55.1 ± 14.1 years). Eleven patients had symptoms; 1 had a dissecting aneurysm identified on imaging for neck pain. The average aneurysm size was 13.25 ± 4.5 mm. None of the aneurysms were ruptured or previously treated. The average clinical follow-up duration was 22.1 ± 10.7 months and radiological follow-up was 14.5 ± 11.1 months from the index PED treatment. One patient suffered a perforator stroke and had a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 4 at last follow-up. Another patient had a retained stent pusher requiring retrieval via surgical cut-down but recovered to an mRS score of 0 at last follow-up. Eleven (91.7%) of 12 patients recovered to an mRS score of 0 or 1. Two patients had aneurysmal remnants at 7 and 10 months, respectively, after the index PED, which were retreated with PEDs. At last follow-up, all 12 aneurysms were occluded and PEDs were patent. The minimum follow-up duration was 12 months from the index PED treatment; no patient experienced delayed hemorrhage, stroke, or in-stent stenosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Flow diversion with selective adjunctive techniques is evolving to become a safer treatment option for posterior circulation aneurysms. This is the longest clinical follow-up duration reported for a single-center experience of flow-diversion treatment of these aneurysms.
Sonographic findings associated with stenosis progression and vascular complications in moyamoya disease
Authors: Lee Woo-Jin , Jung Keun-Hwa , Lee Keon-Joo , Kim Jeong-Min , Lee Soon-Tae , Chu Kon , Lee Sang Kun , Roh Jae-Kyu
Published: December 2015

OBJECT

The progression of arterial stenosis in patients with moyamoya disease (MMD) has variable courses and an unclear mechanism. The authors hypothesized that elevated wall shear stress (WSS) at the terminal internal carotid artery (ICA) and proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) may facilitate MMD progression. They indirectly evaluated the relative magnitude of WSS (WSS value [WSSV]) with MR angiography (MRA) and transcranial Doppler to determine its predictive value for stenosis progression (SP) and the development of vascular complications.

METHODS

Thirty-one medically treated patients (58 hemispheres and 95 nonoccluded vessels) were analyzed with serial MRA (median follow-up 23 months). The parameters studied were SP, SP rates (SPRs) for individual ICAs/MCAs, and their mean values from the ipsilateral hemispheres as mean SP (MSP) and MSP rates (MSPRs). Significant progression was defined as decrements of ≥ 20% for SP and MSP and ≥ 10%/year for SPR and MSPR. The development of vascular complications in relevant hemispheres was also recorded. The WSSV (dyne/cm2) was defined as the shear rate multiplied by blood viscosity.

RESULTS

After adjusting the initial stenosis degree and MRA stage of MMD, an SP of ≥ 20% and an SPR of ≥ 10%/year were associated with the highest-quartile WSSVs for all individual vessels and for MCAs and ICAs separately. For each hemisphere, an MSP of ≥ 20% and an MSPR of ≥ 10%/year were associated with the highest-quartile mean WSSVs. Furthermore, significant SP was highly correlated with vascular complications, and the highest-quartile mean WSSV was independently associated with vascular complications in relevant hemispheres.

CONCLUSIONS

An elevated WSSV is an independent predictor for SP and vascular complications in nonoccluded MMD.
Registration of Cotton Germplasm Line, MD 10‐5
Authors: Zeng Linghe , Manning Rex O. , Meredith William R.
Published: December 2015

MD 10‐5 (Reg. No. GP‐999, PI 675077) is a noncommercial breeding line of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) released by the USDA‐ARS at Stoneville, MS, in 2015. MD 10‐5 was selected in F5 progenies from a cross between MD 15 (PI 642769) and JJ 1145ne. MD 10‐5 has a desirable combination between lint yield and fiber properties, especially fiber strength. It produces lint yield higher than or comparable to the high‐yielding commercial cultivars and possesses fiber strength higher than or close to noncommercial germplasm lines known for high fiber quality. Other fiber properties including fiber length, elongation, uniformity, micronaire, and yarn tenacity were generally comparable to the high fiber quality checks. MD 10‐5 was mainly selected and evaluated in the mid‐south United States, but it was also evaluated across 14 locations in the US Cotton Belt. It displays a broad adaptation to different environments in the US cotton production regions. MD 10‐5 provides opportunities for cotton breeders to improve both lint yield and fiber quality in upland cotton.
Evaluation of lateral closed wedge high tibial osteotomy for medial compartment osteoarthritis
Authors: Yadav VedPal , Juyal Anil , Sharma Sansar
Published: December 2015

Introduction: Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common orthopaedic condition. Medial compartment osteoarthritis results from undue stress on the medial compartment of the knee joint following varus deformity. High tibial osteotomy (HTO) has been a long-standing treatment for osteoarthritis of the medial compartment of the knee. Although knee replacement has gained wide popularity for its treatment, still HTO is a good and cost effective procedure for young patients having good range of motion and uni-compartmental involvement. Objective: To evaluate the results of HTO in medial compartment osteoarthritis. Methods and Material: This study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital of North India over a period of 3 years. The patients with disabling knee pain due to medial compartment osteoarthrosis with genu varus deformity refractory to conservative treatment were treated by High Tibial Osteotomy. Results: Overall 40 patients with medial compartmental osteoarthritis were treated with HTO. Patients were evaluated for the severity of pain as per Visual Analogue Score (VAS). There was satisfactory pain reduction (up to 80%) in most of the patients. Conclusions: HTO is a good procedure for young patients with good range of motion and changes confined to one compartment only.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.14(4) 2015 p.389-392
Assessing the level of awareness and vaccination status of Hepatitis B among young female community of Pakistan
Authors: Shakeel Sadia , Iffat Wajiha , Rehman Hina , Jamil Nadia , Nazeer Faiza , Naveed Safila , Ishaq Humaira
Published: December 2015

Objectives: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health problem with about 2 billion infected persons. Pakistan is one of the endemic areas for viral hepatitis B. Prevention is merely a safe approach rather than curing against high incidence of viral hepatitis. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge and awareness of HBV infection, its prevention and transmission, perception of HBV vaccine and vaccination status among young females of Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted from Oct till Dec 2014 by adopting a pre-validated questionnaire distributed to female individuals in Karachi, Pakistan. Descriptive statistics were used to demonstrate students demographic information and their response to the questionnaire items. Kruskal Wallis H test was executed to evaluate the association of age and educational status of the respondents with their response. A p-value <0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Out of 550 survey questionnaires, only 434 were returned back in useable form. Hence the response rate was 78.9%. More than 90% had knowledge of HBV infection and 85.94% knew that HBV infection can be prevented by vaccination. However, only 17% had received HBV vaccination during childhood. 67.05% and 54.60% knew that HBV can be transmitted from mother to infant and an infected mother may transmit hepatitis B to her newborn baby through breast milk respectively. Only 24% had been tested for HBV in adulthood. General excuses for not having their HBV status tested, were lack of motivation (36.76%) and lack of time to check (21.54%). Conclusion: It indicates that majority of respondents showed some awareness of HBV and its related consequences. Yet, there are some misapprehensions regarding the attitudes that imitate a fallacy perception of the disease. It identifies a more standardized approach coupled with the well-structured health education programs pointing out such misconceptions.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.14(4) 2015 p.376-383
Newly onset: sudden & severe headache in a patient who overused analgesic
Authors: Mat Khairi Che , Husain Rohayah , Mohamad Nasir
Published: December 2015

This case report presented a rare cause of severe headache in a patient who developed episodes of acute severe headache for the first time. The earliest accurate provisional diagnosis is crucial for a new onset severe headache in adult. A good history taking and high index of suspicious are remained the most important clinical component in managing severe first time headache in adult. The differential diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage, space-occupying lesion with increased intracranial pressure, acute intoxication, meningo-encephalitis and others must be ruled out as these conditions are benefited in early management. In this patient, progressive development of headache is masked by severe intense headache, which later will be described as acute headache. The causes of newly onset severe intense headache will be discussed in the discussion.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.14(4) 2015 p.399-401
Synthesis and characterization of new bromomolybdate complex (C6H13)4N MoO3Br
Authors: Lashgari A , Ghammamy Sh
Published: December 2015

The reaction between tetrahexylammonium bromide and MoO3 produced a new bromo salt (bromotrioxomolybdate (VI)). (C6H13)4N [MoO3Br], characterized by IR, UV/Visible and 81Br-NMR techniques.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 50(4), 297-299, 2015
“Much More than a Song Contest”: Exploring Eurovision 2014 as Potlatch
Authors: Krogh Petersen Morten , Ren Carina
Published: December 2015

As economic and budgetary scandals reached Danish front pages in 2014 over the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) held that year in Copenhagen, many bystanders questioned the sense of the event, proclaiming it a massive waste of public money. In this article, we introduce the concept of “potlatch” to explore the valuation and values of this event, seeing it as a “total social phenomenon” in which more than merely economic matters are at stake. Framing Eurovision as a cross-sectoral innovation project, we show how a wide array of actors from the public and private sector collaboratively sought to turn the event into “much more than a song contest.” This “much more” is investigated by describing the partnering actors’ arduous work to create value through different project logics. Where other valuations of the event put little work into bringing forth values which transgress the realm of the economic and quantifiable, we argue that a more caring engagement enacts non-economic event outcomes usually made invisible or, at best, perceived as “intangible.”
One Worlds, Many Questions (Obama Behind of the Half of Presidency).
Authors: Rašek Antonín
Published: December 2015

In the middle of Obama's first presidency, several waves of criticism turned up. According to some analysts, Barrack Obama's first presidency introduces the beginning of new world's era, the so-called "post-ethnical society". The latest discussions prove that the United States have been no longer the only world's superpower, they will remain in the position of world's leader, but still aregoing to substantionally influence global arrangement. Unsuccessful and protracted wars, reflecting serious economic depression with successive debts, effect military budget cuts, even though the American Armed forces are still powerful, potent and mighty power, all around the world, influencing word's events as a stabilising force. The study depicts political and security layout against American domestic political background.
The Current State and Trends in Space Security
Authors: Šilhan Vladimír
Published: December 2015

Space applications and use of satellite data became an important tool for production and development of many companies and institutions, as well as indispensable part of our daily lives, when using e.g. satellite navigation or TV broadcasting. Proper functioning of those services, however, requires the security of space assets at the orbits, their ground stations and the transmition links. The basic threat for space assets is the growing number of debris at the orbits. Space Situation Awareness has a growing importance and sharing information among all main space actors becomes a pre-requisite. Efforts to agree on common guidelines to mitigate possible risks related to outer space activities are made both within the UN and the EU as well as among all space agencies.