bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A caminho do Norte: cartografia dos impactos territoriais do agronegócio em Rondônia (Amazônia ocidental)
Authors: Silva Ricardo Gilson da Costa , Michalski Amanda
Published: June 2020

Analisa-se o percurso geográfico da soja, como principal produto do agronegócio brasileiro, e seus efeitos espaciais na Amazônia brasileira. Por meio da cartografia geográfica problematiza-se os impactos territoriais do agronegócio no estado de Rondônia, demonstrando que a inserção da soja produziu o deslocamento da fronteira agrícola em sub-regiões rondonienses que não tinham sido objeto de expansão agropecuária. Conclui-se que na Amazônia a fronteira se desloca em áreas protegidas, evidenciando, tanto a fragilidade governamental na gestão territorial, quanto os efeitos espaciais do agronegócio em converter florestas e áreas protegidas em espaço da agropecuária.
“Rodovírus” ou “Caronavírus”? Mapas da Distribuição do Covid-19 na Região Sul do Brasil: Indícios da contaminação por rodovias
Authors: Monteiro Ricardo R. , Angelotti Rangel , Lautert Luiz Fernando de Carli , Angelin Paulo Eduardo , Portes João
Published: June 2020

A covid-19 é uma doença infecciosa provocada por um coronavírus. No Brasil, os primeiros casos chegaram via aeroportos na cidade de São Paulo e se espalharam pelo pais inteiro. No presente trabalho, mapas da região Sul visualizam os casos de COVID-19 por município, casos acumulados, óbitos acumulados, taxa de incidência de casos por 100.000 habitantes (relação entre os casos e a população do município) e taxas de letalidade (relação entre o número de mortes e o número de infectados). Os mapas indicam que as maiores concentrações ocorrem ao longo de poucos trechos do sistema rodoviário, principalmente ao longo da Rodovia BR-386, que liga Carazinho - RS a Porto Alegre – RS, Rodovia Freeway, que liga a capital gaúcha às praias, e a BR-101, uma das mais importantes na ligação norte-sul. Apesar de não conclusivos, os padrões apresentados podem ser utilizados no planejamento de ações de contingenciamento da doença.
Fortaleza, de uma contaminação derivada dos lugares turísticos à transformação dos espaços de moradia em territórios de adoecimento e de morte
Authors: Dantas Eustogio Wanderley Correia , Costa Maria Clelia Lustosa , Silva Carlos Lucas Sousa da
Published: June 2020

A Covid-19 toma o mundo e atinge as metrópoles periféricas. De marca representativa de seus desdobramentos nos países centrais da Europa Ocidental e dos Estados Unidos, acompanhamos um processo representativo do ocorrido no Brasil, ênfase dada a seu desdobramento em Fortaleza. Pautado em dados oficiais (Plataforma Integra SUS), construímos uma base cartográfica a respaldar nossa análise e culminar, consequentemente, no entendimento dos desdobramentos associados aos quantitativos de casos confirmados e de óbitos, com rebatimento na dimensão etária e da vulnerabilidade socioeconômica. Vislumbramos, a partir dos mesmos, caracterização de movimento representativo da instituição dos lugares turísticos como territórios de disseminação e cujo rebatimento na metrópole transforma espaços de moradia em territórios de adoecimento e de morte. O último território se destaca, assim, como representativo dos desdobramentos da Covid-1 nas cidades brasileiras e a rebater predominantemente em áreas de alta vulnerabilidade socioeconômica, sito em bairros populares.
La dimension internationale de la recherche en sciences de l’éducation et de la formation : normes académiques, spécificités et paradoxes
Authors: Albero Brigitte , Barthes Angela
Published: June 2020

Un faible taux de réponses aux programmes européens et une bibliométrie peu anglophone font considérer les sciences de l’éducation et de la formation (SEF) françaises comme peu investies dans les relations internationales. Or, la constitution d’une base de données des chercheurs et des doctorants en SEF sur la période 2014-2018 contredit cette interprétation. Pourquoi une telle distorsion ? L’étude quantitative de la base permet de formuler deux constats : 1) un engagement important des équipes dans des démarches pluridisciplinaires et multiculturelles répondant à l’exigence des institutions internationales et aux enjeux contemporains en la matière ; 2) une absence de soutien et de valorisation des institutions nationales en raison d’une conception de la mesure de l’activité scientifique qui ne correspond pas aux pratiques de la discipline. Positionnements scientifiques et académiques, mais aussi sociopolitiques et professionnels diffèrent dans les deux analyses, ce qui conduit à interroger la relation que la discipline entretient avec la normalisation internationale de l’évaluation. Cet article questionne la hiérarchisation des disciplines, des cultures et des formes de la recherche au profit de la coopération internationale au XXIe siècle dans une perspective de développement humain.
Contribution de la philosophie de Nicolas Grimaldi à la réflexion éducative
Authors: Daumet Yoann
Published: June 2020

Dans un contexte d’interrogations sur l’intérêt d’introduire des spiritualités à l’école, cet article propose une réflexion philosophique sur ce que l’on pourrait nommer la spiritualité essentielle de l’école. Cette spiritualité était une dimension centrale de la pensée républicaine classique. Elle relevait d’une foi humaniste et semble avoir été emportée par la critique de cet humanisme par les sciences humaines, au point que fonder une spiritualité laïque de l’école puisse sembler aujourd’hui un défi. La philosophie de Nicolas Grimaldi, réinterprétant les rapports de l’esprit et de la nature en un monisme scissionnaire et une ontologie de la vie peut permettre de le relever. A la lumière de l’éthique que ce philosophe tire de cette ontologie, cet article définit une spiritualité de l’école et du travail de l’enseignant.
Un entre-deux entre laïcité et religions pour penser la spiritualité en éducation
Authors: Briançon Muriel , Pasquier Florent , Lamarre Jean-Marc , Hagège Hélène
Published: June 2020

Cet effort collaboratif et exploratoire a pour intention de donner une vue d’ensemble de la spiritualité en éducation et formation en posant les termes d’un débat : dans quelle mesure la spiritualité peut-elle et/ou doit-elle faire partie des références pour une éducation laïque ? En effet, la spiritualité, victime collatérale du principe de laïcité, s’est vue - en même temps que les religions - rejetée de l’École publique. Or, cette notion controversée est encore très insuffisamment conceptualisée en éducation. Nous montrerons que la spiritualité, étroitement délimitée par ses frontières laïque et religieuse, peut se concevoir justement comme une marge, un entre-deux, que différents modèles théoriques (philosophiques, psychologiques, transdisciplinaires ou comparatifs) cherchent à appréhender désormais directement en éducation et formation.
La psychagogie comme mode d’accompagnement
Authors: Laprée Raymond , Blouin Suzanne
Published: June 2020

La psychagogie des valeurs est une façon d’accompagner l’autre sur le chemin menant vers soi, par une expérience symbolique interposée. Peut-elle convenir à de jeunes enfants de 6 à 11 ans ? Quinze jeunes volontaires, dont un cas est plus intégralement documenté, ont accepté de s’y engager. Les résultats de cette expérience, discutés sous l’angle principal de l’efficacité symbolique, soulèvent finalement des questions quant à certains aspects de la définition de la « vie spirituelle » proposée par le système d’éducation du Québec pour « favoriser l’épanouissement de l’élève ».
Facing the Three Ds
Authors: Casseus Clara Rachel Eybalin
Published: June 2020

In this chapter, the author provides a unique set of insights concerning the policy of urban dynamics that is part of a complex process. The focus is on how disasters and development are understood and experienced through the lens of decolonial thinking based on a discussion of the displaced issue in a complex global socio-economic context of the city. Because the third world is associated with development needs to be reformulated in terms of dialogues from different enunciation loci, it becomes pertinent to consider the decolonial epistemic perspective in a space that constantly faces disasters that jeopardize its development in the framework of the effects on the environmental landscape and local development initiatives of Hurricane Dorian. Based on an informative discussion of an institutional level analysis, the author concludes with important insights about the case of Haitians in the Bahamas to demonstrate some interesting implications for (mis)management through NGOs.
The Impact of Gendered Lookism During Employment Stages
Authors: Sims Cynthia
Published: June 2020

Lookism is preferential treatment of those considered to be attractive and discrimination against those deemed less physically desirable. Value is attached to certain physical characteristics such as skin tone, weight, facial features, and hair color. Two of the phenomena that exist under the umbrella of lookism are colorism and weightism, both of which create social and workplace inequities. There are studies that explore physical appearance discrimination external to and within workplaces in the United States, and an emerging body of literature regarding lookism abroad exists. Some of this research focuses on women's experiences with lookism in the workplace. Since today's global workforce is composed of women from various countries and cultural backgrounds, and their cultural values impact their career aspirations and career opportunities, organizational and career development professionals must understand the implications of both U.S. and global lookism and employ strategies to address and prevent the related issues.
Re-Complicating Intersectionality Considering Differences in Language and Personality Type When Considering Strategies for African American Women's Career Development
Authors: Lewellen Chelesea , Bohonos Jeremy W. , Henderson Eboni W. , Colón Gliset
Published: June 2020

The purpose of this chapter is to use mini case studies as a method to explore how diversity in race and gender can affect the work-lives and career trajectories of African American women, and to suggest individual and organizational strategies to facilitate career growth of individuals whose identities intersect with multiple forms of diversity. This chapter will begin with a discussion of Black feminist thought and then proceed to discussions of research regarding African American women in the American workforce, personality type differences and linguistic diversity, and then proceed to a mini case study-based discussion of how these various forms of difference can dynamically interact to form highly nuanced sets of obstacles for African America women and other protected class categories whose identities intersect with one or more intersectional identities. Finally, the authors conclude with a discussion of coping and resistance strategies to improve the career trajectories of African American women.
The Inclusion of Persons With Disabilities in Engineering Education and Careers
Authors: Pearson Yvette E. , Alexander Quincy G.
Published: June 2020

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other laws have made strides towards equity and inclusion for persons with disabilities in the US. Despite this, challenges persist both in higher education and the workforce, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. While students with disabilities indicate interest in and intent to major in STEM disciplines at the same rate as their peers without disabilities, they are not retained through graduation at the same rates, and thus remain underrepresented among STEM graduates and professionals. Those who do complete STEM degrees experience higher unemployment rates and lower average salaries than their colleagues without disabilities. For engineering innovations to optimally serve society, the engineering profession must be representative of society. And this must go beyond counting the numbers; inclusion of diverse perspectives is a must. This chapter shares challenges, opportunities, and strategies for inclusion of persons with disabilities in engineering education and practice.
Veterans Should Be Included Too
Authors: Hunter-Johnson Yvonne O.
Published: June 2020

The transitioning of veterans from the military world to the civilian world and by extension the civilian workforce is a critical career transition. Despite their motivation and resilience, veterans still encounter a multiplicity of challenges when transitioning to the civilian workforce, which quite often has a rippling impact on their attainment of employment, job retention, and career development within the civilian sector. An added layer to the transitional challenge for veterans is organizational resistance to promote diversity and inclusion policies and practices, specifically regarding veterans. On this premise, this chapter aims to: 1) Discuss the transitional challenges of veterans to the civilian workforce and 2) Provide implementation strategies at an organizational level to promote diversity and inclusion, specifically regarding veterans.
Fuzzy Ontology-Based Querying User' Requests Under Uncertain Environment
Authors: Omri Mohamed Nazih
Published: June 2020

Assistance with the use of technical devices is required as soon as the tasks to be performed become complex. This assistance is also needed as soon as the authors provide assistance to users to find solutions to incidents that occur during the application of unsuitable procedures. The goal of this work is then to provide a knowledge extraction approach that can interpret user requests into valid system requests to respond appropriately to novice user requests. This approach is based on a fuzzy semantic network for the modeling of imprecise and uncertain knowledge and the automatic construction of temporary fuzzy ontology for the identification and interpretation of user requests. The proposed approach has the advantage of being able to integrate the notion of uncertain and imprecise knowledge into the representation of system objects and procedures. The experimental results show the efficiency and the effectiveness of the approach.
Project and Program Evaluation Consultancy With Terms of Reference, Challenges, Opportunities, and Recommendations
Authors: Kabeyi Moses Jeremiah Barasa
Published: June 2020

The use of consultants in evaluation comes along with desired independence and professionalism in project evaluation. A specific ToR spells out an evaluation consultant's requirements and expectations related to an evaluation, review, or similar study. The evaluator should at the end of evaluation produce an evaluation report which will facilitate accountability, lessons learnt, and improvement of the project or program being evaluated. The evaluation report should be credible, relevant, and verifiable and above all acceptable to stakeholders while respecting independence of the evaluator. The consultants' recommendations should be backed by results of evaluation. Evaluation should take care of the stakeholder interests and adequately address them. Recommendations should be supported by specific findings. Trust needed is for successful evaluation and evaluators should give action-oriented recommendations that are specific, practical, and with clear indication of.
Acceptability Evaluation of a Developed Thermal Infrared Device for Fire Risk Management
Authors: Himang Celbert M. , Beltran Harrold U. , Ocampo Lanndon , Garcia II Jose Maria S. , Ancheta Jr. Rosein A. , Himang Melanie M. , Selerio Jr. Egberto F. , Luzano Ella Joyce I.
Published: June 2020

A novel thermal infrared device was developed to measure wire temperature in application to fire risk management. Findings show that the device is as effective as the conventional thermocouple thermometer. The technology adoption of the device was also assessed using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model. From the assessment, it was found out that user age has a negative effect on the UTAUT constructs on performance expectancy (PE), the effort expectancy (EE), and facilitating condition (FC). Moreover, the user gender was found to have an adverse effect on PE. Furthermore, the construct which has the highest positive effect on the user behavioral intention (BI) is social influence (SI) with a value of 0.552. All the factors have values greater than or equal to 0.7 thresholds for Cronbach's alpha, 0.5 for composite reliability, and 0.5 for average variances.
Secure Timestamp-Based Mutual Authentication Protocol for IoT Devices Using RFID Tags
Authors: Tewari Aakanksha , Gupta Brij B.
Published: June 2020

Internet of Things (IoT) is playing more and more important roles in our daily lives in the last decade. It can be a part of traditional machine or equipment to daily household objects as well as wireless sensor networks and devices. IoT has a huge potential which is still to be unleashed. However, as the foundation of IoT is the Internet and all the data collected by these devices is over the Internet, these devices also face threats to security and privacy. At the physical or sensor layer of IoT devices the most commonly used technology is RFID. Thus, securing the RFID tag by cryptographic mechanisms can secure our data at the device as well as during communication. This article first discusses the flaws of our previous ultra-lightweight protocol due to its vulnerability to passive secret disclosure attack. Then, the authors propose a new protocol to overcome the shortcomings of our previous work. The proposed scheme uses timestamps in addition to bitwise operation to provide security against de-synchronization and disclosure. This research also presents a security and performance analysis of our approach and its comparison with other existing schemes.
Advanced Learning Analytics in Academic Education
Authors: Fayoumi Ayman G. , Hajjar Amjad Fuad
Published: June 2020

The integration of innovative data mining and decision-making techniques in the context of higher education is a bold initiative towards enhanced performance. Predictive and descriptive analytics add interesting insights for significant aspects the education. The purpose of this article is to summarize a novel approach for the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques towards forecasting of academic performance. The added value of applying AI techniques for advanced decision making in education is the realization that the scientific approach to standard problems in academia, like the enhancement of academic performance is feasible. For the purpose of this research the authors promote a research in Saudi Arabia. The vision of the Knowledge Society in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a critical milestone towards digital transformation. The human capital and the integration of industry and academia has to be based on holistic approaches to skills and competencies management. One of the main objectives of an academic decision maker is to ensure that academic resources are adequately planned and that students are properly advised. To achieve such an objective, an extensive analysis of large volumes of data may be required. This research develops a decision support system (DSS) that is based on an artificial neural network (ANN) model that can be deployed for effective academic planning and advising. The system is based on evaluating academic metrics against academic performance for students. The model integrates inputs from relevant academic data sources into an autonomous ANN. A simulation of real data on an ANN is conducted to validate the system's accuracy. Moreover, an ANN is compared with different mathematical approaches. The system enables the quality assurance of planning, advising, and the monitoring of academic decisions. The overall contribution of this work is a novel approach to the deployment of Artificial Intelligent for advanced decision making in higher education. In future work this model is integrated with big data and analytics research for advanced visualizations
Using Deming's Cycle for Improvement in a Course
Authors: Aggarwal Anil K.
Published: June 2020

The boundaries between accounting and technology is becoming fuzzier as accounting companies are becoming consulting companies. Digital economies are changing business models and companies that do not adept can become obsolete very fast. Even professional organizations are recommending using technology to modernize, automate and expedite accounting discipline. Therefore, it is necessary to train personnel to become competent in both technology and accounting. Universities are fulfilling this requirement by offering courses such as Accounting Information Systems, data analytics, big data, etc. This article uses Deming's PlanDoCheckAct (PDCA) cycle for longitudinal assessment and improvement of the AIS course. Instead of re-inventing the wheel, instructors can learn from our experience. This article would be useful for instructors trying different and emerging approaches. In addition, this article would be useful for instructors trying to engage students and to train them for future challenges.
The presence of intraductal carcinoma of the prostate is closely associated with poor prognosis
Authors: Zhang Yu-Cong , Sun Guo-Liang , Ma De-Lin , Wei Chao , Shang Hao-Jie , Liu Zhuo , Li Rui , Wang Tao , Wang Shao-Gang , Liu Ji-Hong , Liu Xia-Ming
Published: June 2020

We aimed to confirm the predictive ability of the presence of intraductal carcinoma of the prostate (IDC-P) for prognosis and the associations between IDC-P and clinicopathological parameters. Studies were identified in PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, and SCOPUS up to December 1, 2019. Hazard ratios (HRs) for survival data and odds ratios for clinicopathological data with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted. Heterogeneity was evaluated by the I
2 value, and quality was assessed by the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale criteria. A total of 4179 patients from 13 studies were included. The results showed that IDC-P presence was significantly associated with poor progression-free survival (PFS; HR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.96–2.73), cancer-specific survival (HR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.28–2.77), and overall survival (HR = 2.14; 95% CI: 1.53–3.01). In the subgroup analysis, IDC-P presence was significantly associated with poor PFS in prostate cancer treated by radical prostatectomy (HR = 2.48; 95% CI: 2.05–3.00) and treated by radiotherapy (HR = 2.83; 95% CI: 1.65–4.85). Regarding clinicopathological characteristics, patients with IDC-P presence had significantly higher tumor clinical stages, Gleason scores, probabilities of lymph node invasion, positive surgical margins, and positive extraprostatic extension. Our meta-analysis indicates that the presence of IDC-P is closely associated with poor prognosis and adverse clinicopathological characteristics. Our data support the value and clinical utility of the routine detection of IDC-P by pathological examination. These conclusions need further validation, and prospective studies are needed to find better treatment modalities other than traditional first-line therapy for patients with IDC-P.
Decrease of proliferative potential and vascular density of giant prolactinoma in patients treated with cabergoline
Authors: Astaf'eva Ludmila , Shishkina Ludmila , Kalinin Pavel , Kadashev Boris , Melnichenko Galina , Tserkovnay Dariia , Sharipov Oleg
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Currently, cabergoline therapy is the main treatment for prolactinomas. The use of the drug in most cases leads to regression of the tumor, normalization of prolactin (PRL) levels, and restoration of gonadotropic function. The mechanism of its action in tumor cells “in vivo” tracked in dynamics in the same human tumor is of considerable interest. Materials and Methods: A 30-year-old male was admitted to N.N. Burdenko National Medical Research Center of Neurosurgery. An magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a giant pituitary adenoma. The level of PRL was more than 5000 mU/l (30-360) (serum dilution was not used to determine PRL). Transcranial microsurgical removal of the tumor was performed. He was treated by cabergoline after surgery. Endoscopic transsphenoidal approach was repeated with subtotal removal of the rest of the tumor. Morphological and immunohistochemical studies of the tumor were done. Results: A morphological study revealed PRL-positive tumor with a Ki-67 LI of 8% with a distinctive expression of D2R, CD31, and CD34 markers. Control MRI in 3 months after surgery revealed remnants of a tumor of endoinfrasellar localization, the tumor remainders were found in endoinfrasellar localization. The tumor retained pronounced immunopositivity to PRL and D2R and a decrease in the Ki-67 to 2% and in the expression of CD31 and CD34. Subsequent therapy with cabergoline resulted in persistent normoprolactinemia, restoration of androgenic function, and absence of tumor recurrence during the 10-year follow-up period. Conclusions: Cabergoline is an effective treatment for prolactinoma, which leads to tumor regression. One of its mechanisms is the reduction of the proliferative index and tumor angiogenesis.
Endoscopic third ventriculostomy for hydrocephalus in infants: A single-center experience
Authors: Lodha Krishna , Jaiswal Gaurav , Gupta Tarun , Parashar Vibhushankar , Singh Yogendra
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Hydrocephalus remains one of the more common pathologies managed in pediatric neurosurgery. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) has become the procedure of choice for the treatment of hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis with high success rate. It has an advantage over ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting, as it enables patients to remain device free. Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the role of ETV in the treatment of hydrocephalus in children under 1 year of age, including preterm low birth weight infants. Materials and Methods: A prospective study of 30 infants undergoing ETV in our institution between January 2014 and December 2018 was carried out. There were 25 cases of congenital hydrocephalus with aqueductal stenosis, two cases of Dandy–Walker cyst, two cases of cerebellopontine angle arachnoid cyst, and one case of posttubercular meningitis. ETV success score was calculated preoperatively to evaluate the percentage of success of ETV. Results: The overall success rate was 76.66% (23), with highest success rate of 84% in aqueductal stenosis. The mean age was 6.75 months (range: 1.5–12 months). Five infants were born preterm, four of them required a permanent VP shunt. There were two cases of intraoperative bleeding, four cases of cerebrospinal fluid leak from the wound, and one case of meningitis. Conclusion: ETV can be considered a safe and effective modality for the initial treatment of hydrocephalus in full-term normal birth weight infants, while the success of ETV in preterm low birth weight infants need further study of maturity at birth and birth weight as the determinant factors for the success of ETV in this special group.
Morphological change of cerebral aneurysm with possible pseudoaneurysm at A2/3 of the anterior cerebral artery on three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography
Authors: Tsukiyama Atsushi , Nozaki Toshiki , Matsumoto Shutaro , Uekusa Toshimasa , Tsuchiya Atsushi , Nomura Motohiro
Published: June 2020

Intracranial pseudoaneurysm formation due to a ruptured nontraumatic aneurysm is rare. We describe a case of ruptured aneurysm, which showed morphological change on radiological examinations. An 83-year-old woman developed subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with ventricular rupture and intracerebral hematoma in the corpus callosum. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) demonstrated an aneurysm at the right A2/3 junction of the anterior cerebral artery. CE-CT repeated 17 h after the initial one showed shortening of the lesion on both three-dimensional and raw images. The aneurysm was surgically clipped. In cases of SAH with a hematoma or thick SAH, there is a possibility that a pseudoaneurysm will form at the tip of the true aneurysm in an adjacent thrombus or existence of intraluminal thrombus. The morphology may change during the period between initial radiological evaluation and the operation in these cases. We should be aware that the intraoperative findings or subsequent radiological findings might be different from those observed on preoperative radiological examinations.
The keyhole approach in anterior circulation aneurysm – Current indication and limitation with review of literature
Authors: Rathore Lavlesh , Yamada Yashiro , Kawase Tsukasa , Kato Yoko , Senapati Satya
Published: June 2020

Introduction: The keyhole approach has been an emerging technique for cerebral aneurysm surgery in the past two decades. The preoperative simulation and tailored-made approach for each patient make feasible to clip many cerebral aneurysms via keyhole approach. In our study, we reviewed the previous experiences of the keyhole approach, related specifically for anterior circulation aneurysm. Material and Methods: The comprehensive literature review was performed on PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and various neurosurgery and neurology journals. Then, each manuscript's reference list was reviewed for the potential relevant article. The data of total 17 articles, which met our inclusion criteria included for the final review. Results: It was found that the anterior communicating artery, middle cerebral artery, and internal carotid- posterior communicating aneurysms were the most common locations treated by keyhole approach. The size of an aneurysm was <10 mm in most of the studies. Many studies treated multiple aneurysms by single keyhole approach. Conclusion: The keyhole approach has shown benefit in term of satisfactory aneurysmal occlusion rate, short operative time, less blood loss, short hospital stay, and good overall surgical outcome.
Multiple lesions accompanied by postoperative spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage in a pediatric patient with pilocytic astrocytoma
Authors: Parenrengi Muhammad , Aji Yunus
Published: June 2020

Pilocytic astrocytoma is the most common primary brain tumor in the pediatric population and has a classic imaging manifestation of a solitary, cyst-like mass with a strong contrast-enhancing mural nodule. Here, we report a case of multiple lesions in pilocytic astrocytoma in a pediatric patient accompanied by postoperative spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage. We describe the case of a 14-year-old female patient with a history of surgery for right cerebellar tumor 6 years ago. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging showed cystic lesion with a mural nodule in the cerebellum and right retrothalamic area, suggesting a pilocytic astrocytoma. Emergency surgery was done. Pathology confirmed a pilocytic astrocytoma World Health Organization Grade 1. During postoperative course, clinical outcomes of the patient did not improve. Follow-up CT showed cystic remnant compressing the brain stem with spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage. The second surgery was done to evacuate the hemorrhage and to remove the cyst. Serial CT was made after the second surgery with no cyst growth nor hemorrhage present. Only three other pediatric multiple pilocytic astrocytomas have been reported previously, and there were only 11 publications about spontaneous intracystic hemorrhage in pediatric pilocytic astrocytoma. Our review of all previously reported cases found that the patients were predominantly male, and some had a history of neurofibromatosis type 1.
Morphometric analysis of the corpus callosum using cadaveric brain: An anatomical study
Authors: Patra Apurba , Singla Rajan , Chaudhary Priti , Malhotra Vishal
Published: June 2020

Purpose: The present study was conducted to measure the longitudinal and vertical lengths of the brain hemisphere, longitudinal length of the corpus callosum (CC), and distances of CC from the frontal and occipital poles, in order to define its topographic location within the brain hemispheres. Materials and Methods: Fifty formalin-fixed human brains were dissected in the midsagittal plane. The parameters measured were as follows: (i) straight distance between frontal and occipital pole (AB); (ii) vertical distance (height) between the upper and lower surface of the brain hemisphere (CD); (iii) frontal pole to anterior-most point of CC (EG); (iv) occipital pole to posterior-most point of CC (ZO); (v) anterior-most point to posterior-most point of CC (EZ); and (v) anterior edge of genu to the upper end of lamina terminalis (EF). Results: The mean value of AB, CD, EG, ZO, EZ, and EF was 15.47 ± 0.94 cm, 9.48 ± 0.83 cm, 3.31 ± 0.29 cm, 5.65 ± 0.54 cm, 6.96 ± 0.55 cm, and 2.1 ± 0.39 cm, respectively. AB had the strongest positive correlation with ZO (0.79), whereas CD (height) had it with EZ (0.59). Both AB and CD had a strong positive correlation with EZ. The ratios EZ/AB = 0.45 (P = 0.001) and EZ/CD = 0.73 (P = 0.003) illustrated a steady and significant proportions, present in all the brains studied. Although the mean values of all the parameters were greater in males than in females, only two parameters (ZO and EZ) showed statistically significant (P < 0.05) gender differences. Conclusion: The precise anatomical knowledge regarding the morphometry of CC will provide baseline data for the diagnosis and progression of disease affecting it.
Golden wires and rectangle: A cost-effective treatment for tuberculosis of the thoracic spine
Authors: Srivastava Sudhir , Marathe Nandan , Bhosale Sunil , Purohit Shaligram , Raj Aditya , Amin Ankit , Shende Chetan , Balasubramanian Sai
Published: June 2020

Study Design: This was a retrospective study. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the functional outcome and cost of surgery for tuberculosis (TB) of the thoracic spine between two commonly used fixation modalities “pedicular screws and rods” and “Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wires.” Overview of Literature: TB is a common ailment in Asia. Surgical indications have remained almost unchanged since the middle-path regimen was advocated by Tuli. Pedicle screws and Hartshill loop rectangle with sublaminar wires are the two common fixation techniques used. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study was performed at a single tertiary center. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the method of fixation (pedicle screw rod/Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wires). All patients were evaluated preoperatively by X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were assessed clinically by preoperative and postoperative neurology and Visual Analog Scale score and radiologically assessed by the K angle. These variables were separately compared in both the groups. Results: The functional outcomes of Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire fixation and that of pedicular screw fixation were comparable. Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire fixation was found to be more cost-effective. Conclusion: Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire fixation gets purchase over the posterior column structures alone when compared to pedicle screws which have a 3-column hold. However, when combined with meticulous neural decompression and skillful preparation of osteogenic bed with autologous strut grafting and additional onlay grafting, it gives overall adequate stabilization of the column with functional outcome comparable to pedicular screw and rod fixation with additional benefit of cost-effectiveness. Although Hartshill loop rectangle and sublaminar wire fixation is less commonly used now, it has a special place in the management of TB, especially in a resource-poor setting like some countries of Asia.
Fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage: A rare presentation of ruptured A2 dissecting aneurysm
Authors: Yokoya Shigeomi , Ogata Ayaka , Hino Akihiko , Nishii Sho , Goto Yukihiro , Oka Hideki , Shiomi Naoto
Published: June 2020

Anterior cerebral artery dissection (ACAD), especially simultaneously presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and cerebral infarction (CI), is rare. Only a few cases of severe SAH due to ACAD have been reported. Herein, we present an unusual case of severe SAH with simultaneous CI caused by ACAD. A 56-year-old male was brought to our hospital for severe disturbance of consciousness. Head computed tomography (CT) disclosed SAH with intracerebral hematoma. We suspected ruptured anterior communicating artery saccular aneurysm on CT angiography. Emergency craniotomy was performed to avoid cerebral herniation which confirmed the ruptured ACAD of right A2. The dissecting site was treated by wrapping with a Goretex sheet. ACAD of A2 may present with a severe hemorrhagic event.
Radiologic–Histopathologic correlation of adult spinal tumors: A retrospective study
Authors: Asilturk Murad , Abdallah Anas , Sofuoglu Erhan
Published: June 2020

Aim: Preoperatively performed magnetic resonance images (MRIs) are essential before treating spinal tumors surgically. This study aims to investigate the compatibility of MRI preliminary diagnosis and proven histopathologic diagnosis of consecutively operated 96 spinal tumors. Material and Methods: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for all spinal tumors operated at our institute during a period of 6 years. One hundred and ten spinal tumors were detected. Fourteen tumors were excluded because they were not met our study criteria. Results: Ninety-six cases of spinal tumors were detected in 46 female and 50 male patients. The mean age was 49.3 ± 22.7 years. The most common symptom was radicular pain (88.6%). Histopathologic diagnoses were metastasis (n = 26), meningioma (n = 16), schwannoma (n = 15), ependymoma (n = 9), astrocytoma (n = 6), chronic nonspecific granulomatous infection (n = 4), lymphoma (n = 3), lipoma (n = 3), epidural tuberculosis abscess (Pott's disease) (n = 3), and other pathologies in 11 cases. Cervical spine was the less spinal region affected with metastases (P < 0.05). Thoracic spine was the most affected spinal region from meningioma (P < 0.05). Preoperatively, preliminary diagnosis on MRIs was proven with histopathologic examinations in 22 metastasis, 14 meningioma, 11 schwannoma, and all epidermoid cyst and lipoma cases. Despite the fact that MRI cannot diagnose all cases of spinal tumors, MRIs had a high accurate rate to diagnose the most common spinal neoplasms (69.8%). Conclusions: Metastases rarely occurred in cervical spine, whereas meningiomas were most likely to occur in thoracic spine. MRIs can help diagnose metastases and spinal benign lesions, whereas they failed to distinguish astrocytomas and lymphomas. Further prospective studies with large size are needed to support our results.
Spinal ewing's Sarcoma presenting as an epidural collection: A rare presentation of a rare entity
Authors: Ganapathy Sibhi , Subramaniam Venugopal , Baliga Vidya
Published: June 2020

Rare entities are difficult to predict. They are considered last rightly, to expedite treatment and alleviate symptoms quickly. Rare presentations of rare diseases form a particularly difficult section of diagnoses that are not only impossible to predict but difficult to recognize, diagnose, and treat. Often the dilemma is to, investigate thoroughly saving time but financially burdening the patient and hospital, or, to investigate in gradual increments taking more time and effort, especially in rare cases where prolonged hospitalization and suffering occurs before the diagnosis is reached. This approach, however, wastes critically important time, which, especially in neurological compression, may often lead to irreversible deficits. This dilemma is admirably demonstrated in this case report of spinal Ewing's sarcoma. A young female presented to us with recurrent high cervical epidural collections presenting as compressive myelopathy. She underwent repeated decompressions, and the collection was misdiagnosed as tuberculosis, which was treated without empirical evidence, leading to significant irreversible disability. Finally, when she came to us, the histopathological assessment was done to reveal the diagnosis. Ewing's sarcomas, and indeed the whole gamut of small-round-cell malignancies, are great imitators. They are known to exist in the skull base mimicking schwannomas, chordomas, germinomas, pituitary adenomas, and even epidermoids and occasionally extend to the vertebral bodies and the cranio-vertebral Junction (CVJ) leading to instability and neurological compression. Here, they mimic vertebral tumors, discitis, infective abscesses, and even myeloma. Predictably, such an entity is diagnosed last, and diagnosed late, leading to bad consequences for the patient. Such was the fate of our patient. The report emphasizes the diagnostic dilemma and presents the need to use protocols for diagnosis and treatment, even in rare cases, to effect the best possible outcomes for patients. The use of a thorough diagnostic and management algorhythm prevents deeper and sinister disease processes from being missed.
Demystifying white matter injury in the unconscious patients with diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Balasubramanian Sneha , Talluri Srikanth , Kawase Tsukasa , Yamada Yashuhiro , Murayama Kazuhiro , Tanaka Riki , Miyatani Kyosuke , Kojima Daijiro , Kato Yoko
Published: June 2020

Background: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) provide a noninvasive window to study the neural connectivity and reconstruct the tracts. Detection of white matter injury (WMI) by DTT is a recent application being used in stroke, diffuse axonal injury, and neurodegenerative disorders. Fiber tracking in patients with brain hemorrhage can detect loss of fibers and anatomical disruption of the tracts, which can be useful in the prognostication of patient outcome. Materials and Methods: DTI and fiber tracking was done in four patients admitted at Fujita Health University Banbuntane Hospital, Japan, with decreased consciousness following brain hemorrhage (3 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and one patient with bifrontal hemorrhage), and WMI was analyzed. We also reviewed the literature on tractography in patients with brain hemorrhage and its correlation with consciousness. Results: We found significant frontal WMI in the form of thinning and anatomical disruption in all four cases. The frontal white matter tracts form an important component of the limbic system and ascending reticular activating system and frontal WMI correlated with the poor conscious level and cognitive dysfunction. Structural damage to the fiber tracts demonstrated as thinning, reduction in the volume or absence on tractography with corresponding reduction in the mean fractional anisotropy values in the frontal white matter of the affected side. Conclusion: DTI can be useful as a critical tool for revealing the anatomical basis for the cognitive dysfunction and unconsciousness and can be possibly used to prognosticate patient recovery. Early detection of WMI by DTI can also help in tailored rehabilitation. The authors believe that DTT could have a crucial role in the future for detecting structural changes which lead to cognitive dysfunction and further studies are needed to arrive at a specific protocol for detecting WMI.
Synergistic bromothymol blue dye degradation with hydrodynamic cavitation and hydrogen peroxide (HC-H2O2)
Authors: Machado Polyane Ribeiro , Soeira Thiago Vinícius Ribeiro , Pagan Fausto De Souza , Malpass Geoffroy Roger Pointer , Gonçalves Julio Cesar de Souza Inácio , Ferreira Deusmaque Carneiro
Published: June 2020

This study assessed the degradation of bromothymol blue in a Venturi device based on a hybrid process that combines hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). A Rotatable Central Composite Design (RCCD) was used to optimize the following variables: pressure, reaction time and molar ratio of hydrogen peroxide. Degradation efficiencies were evaluated based on Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and color removals before and after Venturi treatment. Maximum COD (93.42%) and color (93.28%) removals were observed at 4.0 bar inlet pressure, at a treatment time of 25 minutes and at H2O2/effluent (dye) molar ratio of 30:1. The hydrodynamic cavitation/hydrogen peroxide system has great potential to remove normally recalcitrant organic pollutants.
Malaria and Parasitic Neglected Tropical Diseases: Potential Syndemics with COVID-19?
Authors: Gutman Julie R. , Lucchi Naomi W. , Cantey Paul T. , Steinhardt Laura C. , Samuels Aaron M. , Kamb Mary L. , Kapella Bryan K. , McElroy Peter D. , Udhayakumar Venkatachalam , Lindblade Kim A.
Published: June 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, have surpassed 5 million cases globally. Current models suggest that low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) will have a similar incidence but substantially lower mortality rate than high-income countries. However, malaria and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are prevalent in LMICs, and coinfections are likely. Both malaria and parasitic NTDs can alter immunologic responses to other infectious agents. Malaria can induce a cytokine storm and pro-coagulant state similar to that seen in severe COVID-19. Consequently, coinfections with malaria parasites and SARS-CoV-2 could result in substantially worse outcomes than mono-infections with either pathogen, and could shift the age pattern of severe COVID-19 to younger age-groups. Enhancing surveillance platforms could provide signals that indicate whether malaria, NTDs, and COVID-19 are syndemics (synergistic epidemics). Based on the prevalence of malaria and NTDs in specific localities, efforts to characterize COVID-19 in LMICs could be expanded by adding testing for malaria and NTDs. Such additional testing would allow the determination of the rates of coinfection and comparison of severity of outcomes by infection status, greatly improving the understanding of the epidemiology of COVID-19 in LMICs and potentially helping to mitigate its impact.
Challenges of Project Logistics in Turkey
Authors: Zalluhoğlu Ali Erhan
Published: June 2020

Containerization in logistics enables the products to be transported quickly within the standard conditions; however, heavy cargoes with non-standard size are still a big problem in shipment processes. This problem examines within the scope of project logistics. Project logistics are defined as the realization of the transportation of non-standard bulky and heavy materials, which cannot be transported by the standard container, in specific time period and without any damage.
According to objectives of 2023, Turkey Government has committed to improve logistics infrastructure, regulations and operations in parallel with global business supply chain. Project logistics are high value-added operations in logistic sector, due to one-time logistics operation with its unique tools and methods. Turkey’ geographic advantages could be used to foster project logistics, but they are affected from external environmental factors and facing many problems as other countries. In this study, the challenges facing companies during their project logistics operations will be analyzed. In-depth interviews will be conducted with company’ executives whom are operating on project logistics in Turkey. According to field study, the main problems of project logistics operations are subtitled as physical infrastructure, legal regulations, education and economic problems. Also, in order for the sector to work effectively, main four problems must be eliminated and state-private sector coordination must be ensured.