bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analisis Kemampuan Menyelesaikan Soal Cerita Matematika Ditinjau dari Kemampuan Verbal
Authors: Wahyuddin Wahyuddin
Published: January 2017

[Bahasa]: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat kemampuan verbal, kemampuan menyelesaikan soal cerita, dan pengaruh kemampuan verbal terhadap kemampuan menyelesaikan soal cerita matematika pada siswa kelas VII SMP Muhammadiyah Se-Kota Makassar. Jenis penelitian ini adalah ex-post facto yang bersifat kausalitas dengan populasi siswa kelas VII SMP Muhammadiyah se-kota Makassar sebanyak 1048 siswa yang tersebar di 10 sekolah. Sampel diambil sebanyak 145 siswa dengan teknik stratified cluster random sampling.  Tes digunakan sebagai instrumen penelitian. Data dianalisis menggunakan statistika deskriptif dan analisis inferensial (Analisis korelasi dan regresi). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: (1) Tingkat kemampuan verbal siswa berada pada kategori sedang dengan nilai rata-rata 51,83;  (2) Tingkat kemampuan menyelesaikan soal cerita siswa berada pada kategori sedang dengan nilai rata-rata 70,62; (3) Kemampuan verbal memiliki korelasi dengan kemampuan menyelesaikan soal cerita matematika dengan besar hubungan 67,5%; (4) Kemampuan verbal berpengaruh positif  terhadap kemampuan menyelesaikan soal cerita dengan pengaruh sebesar 42% sedangkan sisanya sebesar 58% dipengaruhi oleh variabel lain. Dengan demikian dapat diartikan bahwa semakin baik atau semakin tinggi kemampuan verbal yang dimiliki oleh siswa maka kemampuan menyelesaikan soal cerita siswa tersebut akan semakin baik atau semakin tinggi.

[English]: This study aims to determine the level of verbal ability, ability to solve word problems, and the effect of verbal ability toward the ability to solve word problem in grade 7 SMP Muhammadiyah se-Makassar. This study is causality ex-post facto with the population of 1048 grade 7 students which spread in 10 schools. The sample is 145 students selected through stratified cluster random sampling method. A test is used as the research instrument. Descriptive and inferential statistics (correlation and regression analysis) are used to analyze data. The results of this study show that: (1) the level of verbal ability is in middle category with average score 51,83; (2) the level of ability to solve word problem is in middle category with average score 70,62; (3) verbal ability relates to the ability of solving word problem with 67,5%; (4) verbal ability has positive effect toward the ability to solve word problem with influence rate 42%  while the remaining rate 58% is affected by other variables. In conclusion, the better or the higher the students have verbal ability then the better or the higher the ability of students to solve word problem.
Global Warming Needs No Utopian Science but a Dismal Science
Authors: Lane Jan-Erik
Published: January 2017

As the empirical evidence for the global warming hypothesis augments, not the least for Asia, it is time to take climate change more seriously, starting with major activities to bring down the CO2:s and guard against methane. It is no longer enough with small scale experimental activities, but a major policy push is necessary to get rid of coal, stone or wood, replacing it or constructing carbon capture facilities everywhere. Old polluting buses and trucks must be replaced urgently, diesel abandoned, and the closure of atomic plants stopped. South Asia and Eat as well as South East Asia have now to embark upon major big scale policies to stop deforestation and desertification, protect coral reefs and secure fresh water sources. Traditional renewables must be replaced by modern renewables. And the pollution from the immense car park has to be regulated somehow. What is now at stake for Asia at the most dynamic part of the globe is to fulfil Goal I and Goal II in the COP21 decarbonisation Agreement? And no government can be allowed to renege.
It Takes Two to Evolve Too. The Hypothesis on Three Primary Communication Transitions in Evolution
Authors: Kovalev Nikolay
Published: January 2017

Currently there is little doubt left on the symbiogenetic nature of eukaryotes - genomes of archaeon and bacterium participated in shaping a genome of last eukaryotic common ancestor in equal albeit asymmetric manner, while a merger event itself indicated the advent of a new domain of life. The “symbiogenetic” framework of interaction of two partners is proposed, outlining similar steps essential for three major advents: the origin of life, the origin of complex life and the origin of humans. Given the immense importance of proper energy source for the evolution of life it seems plausible that for any principal increase in complexity, a partnership with a novel energy donor is required. Moreover, a “language” elaborated in the course of communication of partners might have been a prerequisite for a subsequent increase in complexity. Transitions, which led to RNA-protein world, eukaryotes and human brain, resulted in advent of complex languages via communication onsets between two entities in close partnership. Accordingly this further facilitated formation of first cells, multicellular organisms and human society.
Single-Anesthetic Versus Staged Bilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Houdek Matthew T. , Wyles Cody C. , Watts Chad D. , Wagner Eric R. , Sierra Rafael J. , Trousdale Robert T. , Taunton Michael J.
Published: January 2017

Background:

There is debate regarding the role of single-anesthetic versus staged bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA) for patients with end-stage bilateral osteoarthritis. Studies have shown that single-anesthetic bilateral THA is associated with systemic complications, but there are limited data comparing patient outcomes in a matched setting of bilateral THA.

Methods:

We identified 94 patients (188 hips) who underwent single-anesthetic bilateral THA. Fifty-seven percent of the patients were male. Patients had a mean age of 52.2 years and body mass index of 27.1 kg/m2. They were matched 1:1 on the basis of sex, age (±1 year), and year of surgery (±3 years) to a cohort of patients undergoing staged bilateral THA. In the staged group, there was <1 year between procedures (range, 5 days to 10 months). Mean follow-up was 4 years for each group.

Results:

Patients in the single-anesthetic group experienced shorter total operating room time and length of stay. There was no difference (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.73, p = 0.50) in the overall revision-free survival in patients undergoing single-anesthetic or staged bilateral THA. The risks of reoperation (HR = 0.69, p = 0.40), complications (HR = 0.83, p = 0.48), and mortality (HR = 0.47, p = 0.10) were similar. Single-anesthetic bilateral THA reduced the total cost of care (by 27%, p = 0.0001).

Conclusions:

In this matched cohort analysis, single-anesthetic bilateral THA was not associated with an increased risk of revision, reoperation, or postoperative complications, while decreasing cost. In our experience, single-anesthetic bilateral THA is a safe procedure that, for certain patients, offers an excellent means to deal with bilateral hip osteoarthritis.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Preoperative Opioid Use Is Associated with Early Revision After Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Ben-Ari Alon , Chansky Howard , Rozet Irene
Published: January 2017

Background:

Opioid use is endemic in the U.S. and is associated with morbidity and mortality. The impact of long-term opioid use on joint-replacement outcomes remains unknown. We tested the hypothesis that use of opioids is associated with adverse outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods:

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who had had TKA within the U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA) system over a 6-year period and had been followed for 1 year postoperatively. The length of time for which an opioid had been prescribed and the morphine equivalent dose were calculated for each patient. Patients for whom opioids had been prescribed for >3 months in the year prior to the TKA were assigned to the long-term opioid group. A natural language processing-based machine-learning classifier was developed to classify revisions due to infectious and non-infectious causes on the basis of the postoperative note. Survival curves for the time to knee revision or manipulation were used to compare the long-term opioid group with the patients who did not take opioids long-term. Hazard and odds ratios for knee revision and manipulation were obtained as well.

Results:

Of 32,636 patients (94.4% male; mean age [and standard deviation], 64.45 ± 9.41 years) who underwent TKA, 12,772 (39.1%) were in the long-term opioid group and 734 (2.2%) had a revision within a year after the TKA. Chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and long-term opioid use were associated with revision within 1 year—with odds ratios (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of 1.76 (1.37 to 2.22), 1.11 (0.93 to 1.31, and 1.40 (1.19 to 1.64), respectively—and were also the leading factors associated with a revision at any time after the index TKA—with odds ratios (95% CIs) of 1.61 (1.34 to 1.92), 1.21 (1.08 to 1.36), and 1.28 (1.15 to 1.43), respectively. Long-term opioid use had a hazard ratio of 1.19 (95% CI = 1.10 to 0.24) in the analysis of its relationship with knee revision, but the hazard was not significant in the analysis of its association with knee manipulation. The accuracy of the text classifier was 0.94, with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve being 0.99. There was no association between long-term use of opioids and the specific cause for knee revision.

Conclusions:

Long-term opioid use prior to TKA was associated with an increased risk of knee revision during the first year after TKA among predominantly male patients treated in the VA system.

Level of Evidence:

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Modeling streamflow and sediment responses to climate change and human activities in the Yanhe River, China
Authors: Wu Jingwen , Miao Chiyuan , Yang Tiantian , Duan Qingyun , Zhang Xiaoming
Published: January 2017

Quantifying the impact of climate change and human activities on hydrological processes is of great importance for regional water-resource management. In this study, trend analysis and analysis of the short-term variations in annual streamflow and sediment load in the Yanhe River Basin (YRB) during the period 1972–2011 were conducted using linear regression and the Pettitt test. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was employed to simulate the hydrological processes. The results show that both annual mean streamflow and annual mean sediment load in the YRB significantly decreased (P < 0.05) during the study period. The relative contributions from climate change and human activities to YRB streamflow decline between 1996 and 2011 were estimated to be 55.8 and 44.2%, respectively. In contrast to the results for streamflow, the dominant cause of YRB sediment-load decline was human activity (which explained 64% of the decrease), rather than climate change. The study also demonstrates that topographical characteristics (watershed subdivision threshold value, digital elevation model spatial resolution) can cause uncertainties in the simulated streamflow and sediment load. The results presented in this paper will increase understanding of the mechanisms of soil loss and will enable more efficient management of water resources in the YRB.
Analgesic Benefits of Ultrasound-Guided Thoraco-Abdominal Wall Peripheral Nerve Blocks
Authors: Ortiz Jaime , Wofford Lisa Mouzi
Published: January 2017

Background and Objectives:

Peripheral nerve blocks have been associated with decreased opiate consumption along with decreased associated side effects, improved pain scores, improved patient satisfaction scores, and decreased hospital length of stay. The aim of this review is to describe the use of ultrasound-guided thoraco-abdominal wall peripheral nerve blocks for perioperative analgesia.

Content:

This review article discusses the indications, anatomy, techniques, risks, and available clinical evidence of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP), paravertebral, PECS, rectus sheath, and ilioinguinal/ iliohypogastric truncal blocks to update practitioners on the utility of these interventions in perioperative pain management.

Conclusion:

The increased use of ultrasound guidance in the performance of regional anesthesia has increased the tools available to physicians to provide analgesia in patients with thoraco-abdominal pain after surgery and trauma.
The Augustan Principate and the Emergence of Biopolitics: A Comparative Historical Perspective
Authors: Bhatt Shreyaa
Published: January 2017

This paper uses Foucault’s concepts “discipline” and “biopower” to expose the complexity of power relations in Augustan Rome and its historiography. Focusing on Augustus’ Res Gestae and Tacitus’ Annales, I argue that the absolute sovereignty of the emperor did not preclude the advancement of techniques to classify, hierarchize and normalize individuals, nor did Imperial sovereignty work against the development of a discourse about the enhancement and protection of the population. By demonstrating the conceptual and historical relevancy of Foucault’s modern power triad of “sovereignty-discipline-government” to first century CE Rome, the paper suggests that biopolitical societies have a far more extensive history than the one said to have started around the turn of the eighteenth century.
Iglesias para la diversidad sexual en México y Brasil: sus programas de modernidad y el proceso de transnacionalización religiosa.
Authors: Bárcenas Barajas Karina
Published: January 2017

Las iglesias para la diversidad sexual han conquistado un espacio en el campo religioso que, sobre todo desde el inicio del siglo XXI, se tradujo en la pluralización de la oferta religiosa para la diversidad sexual. Partiendo de la relación de la modernidad con un proyecto de autonomía en este texto se presenta una perspectiva comparada de los programas de modernidad y procesos de transnacionalización de las iglesias para la diversidad sexual en México y Brasil a través de tres casos paradigmáticos: los grupos de laicos católicos LGBT, una iglesia para la diversidad sexual activista, con presencia en el espacio público, y una iglesia evangélica inclusiva.
A Bildung como cura: a terapia biográfica na Antroposofia do Brasil.
Authors: Bastos Raquel Litterio , Gomes Pereira Pedro Paulo
Published: January 2017

O artigo expõe os resultados da etnografia dos trabalhos terapêuticos do espírito, oriundos da ciência espiritual fundada na Suíça por Rudolf Steiner no início do século XX, chamada Antroposofia. A ideia de Bildung, com sua origem religiosa e mística alicerçada no Pietismo alemão, é utilizada como mote terapêutico, por meio de uma narrativa de vida, um itinerário espiritual. No entanto, a terapia do Panorama Biográfico sugere práticas ascéticas intituladas de “processos da alma”. Estes processos estariam mais voltados para uma ascese do tipo helenística, descrita nas teorias de Michel Foucault, apesar de manter alguns traços da ascese pietista, como a utilização do tempo, do trabalho e do dinheiro.
FRANÇA, DILAINE SAMPAIO DE. ÀRÒYÉ: UM ESTUDO HISTÓRICO-ANTROPOLÓGICO DO DEBATE ENTRE DISCURSOS CATÓLICOS E DO CANDOMBLÉ NO PÓS-VATICANO II. JOÃO PESSOA: ED. UNIVERSITÁRIA UFPB, 2012, 2. VOLS. (247p. e 234p.).
Authors: Scola Jorge
Published: January 2017

Resenha do livro de Dilaine Sampaio França (2012).
Sumário
Authors: - -
Published: January 2017

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Comment
Authors: Csordas Thomas J.
Published: January 2017

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Divergence of barley and oat varieties according to their content of β-glucan
Authors: Markovic Stefan , Djukic Nevena , Knezevic Desimir , Lekovic Suzana
Published: January 2017

Barley and oat have been promoted for years as good sources of dietary fiber, especially ?-glucan. Studies have shown a positive effect of barley and oat ?-glucan on human health and as a result, there has been an increasing demand for ?-glucans in the past decade. Thus, the variability of the ?-glucan content was investigated in the grain of 10 barley and 10 oat varieties. The ?-glucan contents were determined by the ICC Standard Method No 168. The content of ?-glucan in the analyzed barley varieties were within the range 3.52?7.81% and in analyzed oat varieties, the content of ?-glucan were within the range of 3.15?7.28%. Among analyzed barley varieties, Novosadski 314 contained the highest content of ?-glucan (7.81%), while Tomba had the highest content of ?-glucan (7.28%) in the analyzed oat varieties. Based on the results, it could be concluded that there is genetic diversity of oat and barley varieties with respect to their ?-glucan content. This fact enables varieties with a high a nutritional capacity to be selected.
Assessing the Safety of Sitagliptin in Older Participants in the Trial Evaluating Cardiovascular Outcomes with Sitagliptin (TECOS)
Authors: Bethel M. Angelyn , Engel Samuel S. , Green Jennifer B. , Huang Zhen , Josse Robert G. , Kaufman Keith D. , Standl Eberhard , Suryawanshi Shailaja , Van de Werf Frans , McGuire Darren K. , Peterson Eric D. , Holman Rury R.
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE

Limited data exist regarding safety and efficacy of antihyperglycemic drugs in older patients with type 2 diabetes. The Trial Evaluating Cardiovascular Outcomes with Sitagliptin (TECOS) was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessing the impact of sitagliptin on a primary composite outcome of cardiovascular death, nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or unstable angina hospitalizations in patients with type 2 diabetes (HbA1c ≥6.5% [48 mmol/mol] and ≤8.0% [64 mmol/mol]) and cardiovascular disease. We analyzed baseline characteristics and clinical outcomes for TECOS participants aged ≥75 years.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Clinical and safety event summaries are presented for older versus younger participants and for the treatment groups within the older cohort.

RESULTS

Of 14,351 participants with age recorded, 2,004 (14%) were ≥75 years old (mean age 78.3 years [SD 3.1]), with 68% men and type 2 diabetes duration median 12.0 years (IQR 7, 21). During 2.9 years median follow-up, older participants had higher rates of the primary outcome (6.46 vs. 3.67 events per 100 person-years; hazard ratio 1.72 [95% CI 1.52–1.94]), death (2.52 [2.20–2.89]), severe hypoglycemia (1.53 [1.15–2.03]), and fractures (1.84 [1.44–2.35]). In the older cohort, sitagliptin did not significantly impact the primary composite (1.10 [0.89–1.36]), death (1.05 [0.83–1.32]), heart failure hospitalization (0.99 [0.65–1.49]), severe hypoglycemia (1.03 [0.62–1.71]), rates of acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, or serious adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Among older patients with well-controlled type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, sitagliptin had neutral effects on cardiovascular risk and raised no significant safety concerns.
Multiscale Simulation to Determine Rubber Friction on Asphalt Surfaces
Authors: Falk Korbinian , Lang Ronny , Kaliske Michael
Published: January 2017

The interaction between rubber and asphalt pavement depends on the roughness characteristics of the road surface, as well as the contact pressure, slip velocity, and temperature. A homogenization procedure of rubber friction, based on the finite element method, is presented, in order to gain surface dependent friction properties by numerical simulation. Furthermore, the method allows a deep insight into microscale phenomena, like real contact area, microscopic contact pressure, or flash temperature.

Rubber undergoes large deformations in contact with rough surfaces. Therefore, the material characteristics of rubber need to be modeled by hyperelasticity and viscoelasticity at finite deformations and dependent on temperature. Thus, hysteresis friction, originating in energy dissipation of the bulk material, i.e., the viscoelastic properties, is evaluated.

Adhesion friction is a phenomenon associated with the real contact area and is included in the proposed methodology by a physically motivated, fracture mechanical approach.

The resulting macroscopic friction features are validated by experiments based on a linear friction tester. Analytical state of the art solutions are compared with the numerical results.
Computational Aeroacoustic Analysis of a Rolling Tire
Authors: Fabrizi Carlo
Published: January 2017

Road traffic is one of the major sources of noise in modern society. Consequently, the development of new vehicles is subject to increasingly stringent guidelines in terms of noise emissions. The main noise sources of common road vehicles are the engine, the transmission, the aerodynamics, and the tire-road interaction. The latter becomes dominant between 50 and 100 km/h, speeds typical of urban and extra-urban roads. The noise that arises from the tire-road interaction is the combination of structural vibration and aeroacoustics phenomena that create and amplify or reduce the sound emitted from the tire. The aim of the numerical analysis presented in this study is to investigate the aeroacoustic noise-generation mechanisms of the tire and at the same time provide a tool to develop a low-noise tire. The work is divided into two parts: analysis of the steady aerodynamics and the unsteady aeroacoustic analysis. In the first part, the numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equation allows us to screen aerodynamic phenomena, such as separations or jet streams that can produce noise. In the second part, these aspects are analyzed in greater detail by means of aeroacoustic analogies, confirming the capability of the numerical tool to provide suggestions for the development of quieter tires.
Investigations on Temperature Effects and Germ Recovery for Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS)
Authors: Sift Michael , Wagner Sophia , Hessling Martin
Published: January 2017

In many developing countries no infrastructure for providing people with microbiological safe drinking water exists. This demands for decentralized water disinfection that is inexpensive and requires no consumables. The casualties are often recommended the application of SODIS for drinking water treatment. There are numerous scientific studies on this disinfection method, which however are still leaving questions on the mode of functioning which is often reduced to the effect caused by the UV part of the solar radiation and there is almost no discussion in the literature what happens to the disinfected water after the SODIS treatment.In this paper disinfection experiments with Escherichia coli in isotonic saline solutions and real surface water are performed for a set of realistic conditions for UVA irradiation and for heating but separated from each other. The results confirm that SODIS is based on the combined effect of UVA radiation and increased temperature. Further experiments lead to the recommendation that once disinfected water should be consumed without a large delay, otherwise the germ concentration rises again.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(4): 430-435
Isolation and Characterization of Microcystin Degrading Bacteria from Holy Ponds in India
Authors: Gandhi Vikram Pal , Kumar Anil
Published: January 2017

Microcystins (MCs) are toxic cyclic heptapeptides produced by few toxic cyanobacteria and generally form blooms in eutrophic surface fresh water bodies. They cause acute to chronic poisoning and other health related problems mainly by irreversible inhibition of protein phosphatases (PP1 and PP2A) and increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).  Due to limitation of non-biological methods of water treatments the exploration of MCs degrading bacteria is emerging at a quite pace to address, through bioremediation, the problems posed by MCs in water and water-bodies. Report and study of MCs biodegrading bacteria from India were lacking. However it was evident, from our previous study, that microcystin degradation can be achieved by indigenous microcystin degrading bacterial population in its natural place where microcystin producing blooms occur. This study has presented isolation and characterization of indigenous microcystin degrading bacteria from holy ponds in Utter Pradesh of India. Overall 20 bacterial isolates were isolated from Microcystis infested different ponds. Out of these 13 isolates were mlrA positive by PCR and were found to be distinct isolates by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA). However, ARDRA analysis revealed overall four bacterial groups. On the basis of 16S-rRNA gene sequence the Gram-positive-rod isolate PM1 was identified, with 99% identity, as Bacillus licheniformis which was shown earlier to cluster with microcystin degrading bacterium B. subtilis. Thus the present study revealed, for the first time, probable microcystin degrading bacteria in water-bodies from India. The potential and the metabolic pathway of PM1 and other mlrA positive isolates need to be further studied and validated to confirm their application in microcystin bioremediation. Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(4): 436-447
Varietal Improvement of Normal Season Irrigated Rice for Eastern Terai Region of Nepal
Authors: Prasai Hari Kumar , Bhattarai Rudra , Shrestha Jiban
Published: January 2017

Correction: On 4th June 2021 the name of the third author was changed from 'Jivan' to 'Jiban'.

The coordinated and regional varietal trial of normal season irrigated rice was carried out at Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Tarahara, Nepal in 2014 & 2015. Out of the tested genotypes, NR 2157-166-1-3-5-1, Cieharang and NR 2157-166-2-1-1-1 identified as promising with potential grain yield of 4313, 4290 and 4239 kg/ha respectively in over year analysis (2014-15) under coordinated varietal trial (CVT). These genotypes recorded 25 to 27 percent higher grain yield than national rice productivity and 4 to 6 percent more than check variety, Sabitri. The differences in grain yield among the tested genotypes and between the years were found significant, but interaction of genotypes to year was found non-significant. Similarly, KARAJAT-3 recorded the highest grain yield (4897 kg/ha) followed by NR 1190-24-4-2-2-2-3-2 (4861 kg/ha) in over year analysis (2014-15) of regional varietal trial (RVT), similarly, identified as promising genotypes. These promising genotypes recorded 43 and 8 percent higher grain yield than national rice yield and to the check variety, Sabitri, respectively in over year analysis. The differences in grain yield among genotypes and year were found significant whereas it was non-significant for interaction of genotypes and to the tested years.

Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(4): 489-497
Language outcomes after resection of dominant inferior parietal lobule gliomas
Authors: Southwell Derek G. , Riva Marco , Jordan Kesshi , Caverzasi Eduardo , Li Jing , Perry David W. , Henry Roland G. , Berger Mitchel S.
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE

The dominant inferior parietal lobule (IPL) contains cortical and subcortical regions essential for language. Although resection of IPL tumors could result in language deficits, little is known about the likelihood of postoperative language morbidity or the risk factors predisposing to this outcome.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively examined a series of patients who underwent resections of gliomas from the dominant IPL. Postoperative language outcomes were characterized across the patient population. To identify factors associated with postoperative language morbidity, the authors then compared features between those patients who experienced postoperative deficits and those who experienced no postoperative language dysfunction.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients were identified for analysis. Long-term language deficits occurred in 29.2% of patients (7 of 24): 3 of these patients had experienced preoperative language deficits, whereas new long-term language deficits occurred in 4 patients (16.7%; 4 of 24). Of those patients who exhibited preoperative language deficits, 62.5% (5 of 8) experienced long-term resolution of their language deficits with surgical treatment. All patients underwent intraoperative brain mapping by direct electrical stimulation. Awake, intraoperative cortical language mapping was performed on 17 patients (70.8%). Positive cortical language sites were identified in 23.5% of these patients (4 of 17). Awake, intraoperative subcortical language mapping was performed in 8 patients (33.3%). Positive subcortical language sites were identified in 62.5% of these patients (5 of 8). Patients with positive cortical language sites exhibited a higher rate of long-term language deficits (3 of 4, 75%), compared with those who did not (1 of 13, 7.7%; p = 0.02). Although patients with positive subcortical language sites exhibited a higher rate of long-term language deficits than those who exhibited only negative sites (40.0% vs 0.0%, respectively), this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.46). Additionally, patients with long-term language deficits were older than those without deficits (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In a small number of patients with preoperative language deficits, IPL glioma resection resulted in improved language function. However, in patients with intact preoperative language function, resection of IPL gliomas may result in new language deficits, especially if the tumors are diffuse, high-grade lesions. Thus, language-dominant IPL glioma resection is not risk-free, yet it is safe and its morbidity can be reduced by the use of cortical and subcortical stimulation mapping.
The effect of timing of stereotactic radiosurgery treatment of melanoma brain metastases treated with ipilimumab
Authors: Cohen-Inbar Or , Shih Han-Hsun , Xu Zhiyuan , Schlesinger David , Sheehan Jason P.
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE

Melanoma represents the third most common cause of CNS metastases. Immunotherapy has evolved as a treatment option for patients with Stage IV melanoma. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) also elicits an immune response within the brain and may interact with immunotherapy. The authors report on a cohort of patients treated for brain metastases with immunotherapy and evaluate the effect of SRS timing on the intracranial response.

METHODS

All consecutively treated melanoma patients receiving ipilimumab and SRS for treatment of brain metastases at the University of Virginia between 2009 and 2014 were included in this retrospective analysis; data from 46 patients harboring 232 brain metastases were reviewed. The median duration of clinical follow-up was 7.9 months (range 3–42.6 months). The median age of the patients was 63 years (range 24.3–83.6 years). Thirty-two patients received SRS before or during ipilimumab cycles (Group A), whereas 14 patients received SRS after ipilimumab treatment (Group B). Radiographic and clinical responses were assessed at approximately 3-month intervals after SRS.

RESULTS

The 2 cohorts were comparable in pertinent baseline characteristics with the exception of SRS timing relative to ipilimumab. Local recurrence–free duration (LRFD) was significantly longer in Group A (median 19.6 months, range 1.1–34.7 months) than in Group B patients (median 3 months, range 0.4–20.4 months) (p = 0.002). Post-SRS perilesional edema was more significant in Group A.

CONCLUSIONS

The effect of SRS and ipilimumab on LRFD seems greater when SRS is performed before or during ipilimumab treatments. The timing of immunotherapy and SRS may affect LRFD and postradiosurgical edema. The interactions between immunotherapy and SRS warrant further investigation so as to optimize the therapeutic benefits and mitigate the risks associated with multimodality, targeted therapy.
Simulating vasogenic brain edema using chronic VEGF infusion
Authors: Piazza Martin , Munasinghe Jeeva , Murayi Roger , Edwards Nancy , Montgomery Blake , Walbridge Stuart , Merrill Marsha , Chittiboina Prashant
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE

To study peritumoral brain edema (PTBE), it is necessary to create a model that accurately simulates vasogenic brain edema (VBE) without introducing a complicated tumor environment. PTBE associated with brain tumors is predominantly a result of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secreted by brain tumors, and VEGF infusion alone can lead to histological blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown in the absence of tumor. VBE is intimately linked to BBB breakdown. The authors sought to establish a model for VBE with chronic infusion of VEGF that can be validated by serial in-vivo MRI and histological findings.

METHODS

Male Fischer rats (n = 182) underwent stereotactic striatal implantation of MRI-safe brain cannulas for chronic infusion of VEGF (2–20 µg/ml). Following a preinfusion phase (4–6 days), the rats were exposed to VEGF or control rat serum albumin (1.5 µl/hr) for as long as 144 hours. Serial MRI was performed during infusion on a high-field (9.4-T) machine at 12–24, 24–36, 48–72, and 120–144 hours. Rat brains were then collected and histological analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Control animals and animals infused with 2 µg/ml of VEGF experienced no neurological deficits, seizure activity, or abnormal behavior. Animals treated with VEGF demonstrated a significantly larger volume (42.90 ± 3.842 mm3) of T2 hyper-attenuation at 144 hours when compared with the volume (8.585 ± 1.664 mm3) in control animals (mean difference 34.31 ± 4.187 mm3, p < 0.0001, 95% CI 25.74–42.89 mm3). Postcontrast T1 enhancement in the juxtacanalicular region indicating BBB breakdown was observed in rats undergoing infusion with VEGF. At the later time periods (120–144 hrs) the volume of T1 enhancement (34.97 ± 8.99 mm3) was significantly less compared with the region of edema (p < 0.0001). Histologically, no evidence of necrosis or inflammation was observed with VEGF or control infusion. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated astrocyte activation, vascular remodeling, and increased claudin-5 expression in juxtacanalicular regions. Aquaporin-4 expression was increased in both control and VEGF animals in the juxtacanalicular regions.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study show that chronic brain infusion of VEGF creates a reliable model of VBE. This model lacks necrosis and inflammation that are characteristic of previous models of VBE. The model allows for a precise investigation into the mechanism of VBE formation. The authors also anticipate that this model will allow for investigation into the mechanism of glucocorticoid action in abrogating VBE, and to test novel therapeutic strategies targeting PTBE.
Clinical features and surgical outcomes of patients with skull base chordoma: a retrospective analysis of 238 patients
Authors: Wang Liang , Wu Zhen , Tian Kaibing , Wang Ke , Li Da , Ma Junpeng , Jia Guijun , Zhang Liwei , Zhang Junting
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE

Skull base chordoma is relatively rare, and a limited number of reports have been published regarding its clinical features. Moreover, the factors associated with extent of resection, as well as the value of marginal resection for long-term survival, are still in question for this disease. The objective of this study was to investigate these factors by evaluating their clinical features and surgical outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 238 patients with skull base chordomas, who met the inclusion criteria, was performed. This study summarized the clinical features, selection of approaches, degree of resection, and postoperative complications by statistical description analyses; proposed modified classifications of tumor location and bone invasion; studied the contributions of the clinical and radiological factors to the extent of resection by Pearson χ2, ANOVA, rank test, and binary logistic regression analysis; and estimated the differences in overall survival and progression-free survival rates with respect to therapeutic history, classification of tumor location, extent of bone invasion, and extent of tumor resection by the Kaplan-Meier method. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The study included 140 male and 98 female patients with a mean age of 38.1 years. Headache and neck pain (33.2%) and diplopia (29%) were the most common initial symptoms. Sphenoclival type accounted for the largest proportion of tumor location (59.2%); endophytic chordoma was the more common type of bone invasion (81.5%). Lateral open approaches were performed in two-thirds of the study population (78.6%). The rate of marginal resection was 66%, composed of gross-total resection (11.8%) and near-total resection (54.2%). Meningitis (8%) and CSF leakage (3.8%) were the most frequent complications. The mean follow-up period was 43.7 months. The overall survival and progression-free survival rates at 5 years were 76% and 45%, respectively. Recurrent tumor and larger tumor volume (≥ 40 cm3) were identified as risk factors of marginal resection. Patients who presented with recurrent tumor and underwent intralesional resection had a worse long-term outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The classifications of both tumor location and bone invasion demonstrated clinical value. Marginal resection was more likely to be achieved for primary lesions with smaller volumes (< 40 cm3). The rate of CSF leakage declined due to improved dura mater repair with free fat grafts. Marginal resection, or gross-total resection when possible, should be performed in patients with primary chordomas to achieve better long-term survival.
Quantitative Comparison of Dense-Core Amyloid Plaque Accumulation in Amyloid-β Protein Precursor Transgenic Mice
Authors: Liu Peng , Reichl John H. , Rao Eshaan R. , McNellis Brittany M. , Huang Eric S. , Hemmy Laura S. , Forster Colleen L. , Kuskowski Michael A. , Borchelt David R. , Vassar Robert , Ashe Karen H. , Zahs Kathleen R.
Published: January 2017

There exist several dozen lines of transgenic mice that express human amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) with Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-linked mutations. AβPP transgenic mouse lines differ in the types and amounts of Aβ that they generate and in their spatiotemporal patterns of expression of Aβ assemblies, providing a toolkit to study Aβ amyloidosis and the influence of Aβ aggregation on brain function. More complete quantitative descriptions of the types of Aβ assemblies present in transgenic mice and in humans during disease progression should add to our understanding of how Aβ toxicity in mice relates to the pathogenesis of AD. Here, we provide a direct quantitative comparison of amyloid plaque burdens and plaque sizes in four lines of AβPP transgenic mice. We measured the fraction of cortex and hippocampus occupied by dense-core plaques, visualized by staining with Thioflavin S, in mice from young adulthood through advanced age. We found that the plaque burdens among the transgenic lines varied by an order of magnitude: at 15 months of age, the oldest age studied, the median cortical plaque burden in 5XFAD mice was already ∼4.5 times that of 21-month-old Tg2576 mice and ∼15 times that of 21–24-month-old rTg9191 mice. Plaque-size distributions changed across the lifespan in a line- and region-dependent manner. We also compared the dense-core plaque burdens in the mice to those measured in a set of pathologically-confirmed AD cases from the Nun Study. Cortical plaque burdens in Tg2576, APPSwePS1 ΔE9, and 5XFAD mice eventually far exceeded those measured in the human cohort.
Flexural Capacity of a New Composite Beam with Concrete-Infilled Tubular Lower Flange
Authors: Cho Bong-Ho , Lee Jae-Sub , Kim Young-Ho , Kim Dae-Jin
Published: January 2017

This paper proposes a new steel concrete composite beam that has a similar shape to the conventional steel wide flange beam, but whose lower flange has a tubular shape with infilled concrete. It has openings in the web for perfect integration between concrete and steel materials, and the tubular lower flange is reinforced with steel rebars to enhance its flexural strength. The bending capacity of the new composite beam was investigated by performing a two-point loading test on seven specimens, which can be categorized mainly into two types, non-composite and fully composite specimens. The load versus displacement curves were plotted for all the specimens and their failure modes were identified. Theoretical equations were proposed to estimate the flexural strength of the new composite beam members, and their accuracy was examined by comparing the predictions of the equations with the test results.
Biodegradable and Biocompatible Systems Based on Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles
Authors: Turon Pau , Del Valle Luís , Alemán Carlos , Puiggalí Jordi
Published: January 2017

Composites of hydroxyapatite (HAp) are widely employed in biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, bioactivity and osteoconductivity properties. In fact, the development of industrially scalable hybrids at low cost and high efficiency has a great impact, for example, on bone tissue engineering applications and even as drug delivery systems. New nanocomposites constituted by HAp nanoparticles and synthetic or natural polymers with biodegradable and biocompatible characteristics have constantly been developed and extensive works have been published concerning their applications. The present review is mainly focused on both the capability of HAp nanoparticles to encapsulate diverse compounds as well as the preparation methods of scaffolds incorporating HAp. Attention has also been paid to the recent developments on antimicrobial scaffolds, bioactive membranes, magnetic scaffolds, in vivo imaging systems, hydrogels and coatings that made use of HAp nanoparticles.
The Current Use of Stem Cells in Bladder Tissue Regeneration and Bioengineering
Authors: Chan Yvonne , Sandlin Samantha , Kurzrock Eric , Osborn Stephanie
Published: January 2017

Many pathological processes including neurogenic bladder and malignancy necessitate bladder reconstruction, which is currently performed using intestinal tissue. The use of intestinal tissue, however, subjects patients to metabolic abnormalities, bladder stones, and other long-term sequelae, raising the need for a source of safe and reliable bladder tissue. Advancements in stem cell biology have catapulted stem cells to the center of many current tissue regeneration and bioengineering strategies. This review presents the recent advancements in the use of stem cells in bladder tissue bioengineering.
Stabilization of Nucleosomes by Histone Tails and by FACT Revealed by spFRET Microscopy
Authors: Valieva Maria , Gerasimova Nadezhda , Kudryashova Kseniya , Kozlova Anastasia , Kirpichnikov Mikhail , Hu Qi , Botuyan Maria , Mer Georges , Feofanov Alexey , Studitsky Vasily
Published: January 2017

A correct chromatin structure is important for cell viability and is tightly regulated by numerous factors. Human protein complex FACT (facilitates chromatin transcription) is an essential factor involved in chromatin transcription and cancer development. Here FACT-dependent changes in the structure of single nucleosomes were studied with single-particle Förster resonance energy transfer (spFRET) microscopy using nucleosomes labeled with a donor-acceptor pair of fluorophores, which were attached to the adjacent gyres of DNA near the contact between H2A-H2B dimers. Human FACT and its version without the C-terminal domain (CTD) and the high mobility group (HMG) domain of the structure-specific recognition protein 1 (SSRP1) subunit did not change the structure of the nucleosomes, while FACT without the acidic C-terminal domains of the suppressor of Ty 16 (Spt16) and the SSRP1 subunits caused nucleosome aggregation. Proteolytic removal of histone tails significantly disturbed the nucleosome structure, inducing partial unwrapping of nucleosomal DNA. Human FACT reduced DNA unwrapping and stabilized the structure of tailless nucleosomes. CTD and/or HMG domains of SSRP1 are required for this FACT activity. In contrast, previously it has been shown that yeast FACT unfolds (reorganizes) nucleosomes using the CTD domain of SSRP1-like Pol I-binding protein 3 subunit (Pob3). Thus, yeast and human FACT complexes likely utilize the same domains for nucleosome reorganization and stabilization, respectively, and these processes are mechanistically similar.
Facile Sonication Synthesis of WS2 Quantum Dots for Photoelectrochemical Performance
Authors: Zhou Liyan , Yan Shancheng , Wu Han , Song Haizeng , Shi Yi
Published: January 2017

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides, such as tungsten disulfide (WS2), have been actively studied as suitable candidates for photocatalysts due to their unique structural and electronic properties. The presence of active sites at the edges and the higher specific surface area of these materials are crucial to the photocatalytic activity of the hydrogen evolution reaction. Here, WS2 quantum dots (QDs) have been successfully synthesized by using a combination of grinding and sonication techniques. The morphology of the QDs was observed, using transmission electron microscopy and an atomic force microscope, to have uniform sizes of less than 5 nm. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) measurements show that the current density of WS2 QDs under illumination is almost two times higher than that of pristine WS2. Furthermore, these high-quality WS2 QDs may have various applications in optoelectronics, solar cells, and biomedicine.
Core-Shell MnO2-SiO2 Nanorods for Catalyzing the Removal of Dyes from Water
Authors: Gong Wei , Meng Xianling , Tang Xiaohong , Ji Peijun
Published: January 2017

This work presented a novel core-shell MnO2@m-SiO2 for catalyzing the removal of dyes from wastewater. MnO2 nanorods were sequentially coated with polydopamine (PDA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) forming MnO2@PDA-PEI. By taking advantage of the positively charged amine groups, MnO2@PDA-PEI was further silicificated, forming MnO2@PDA-PEI-SiO2. After calcination, the composite MnO2@m-SiO2 was finally obtained. MnO2 nanorod is the core and mesoporous SiO2 (m-SiO2) is the shell. MnO2@m-SiO2 has been used to degrade a model dye Rhodamine B (RhB). The shell m-SiO2 functioned to adsorb/enrich and transfer RhB, and the core MnO2 nanorods oxidized RhB. Thus, MnO2@m-SiO2 combines multiple functions together. Experimental results demonstrated that MnO2@m-SiO2 exhibited a much higher efficiency for degradation of RhB than MnO2. The RhB decoloration and degradation efficiencies were 98.7% and 84.9%, respectively. Consecutive use of MnO2@m-SiO2 has demonstrated that MnO2@m-SiO2 can be used to catalyze multiple cycles of RhB degradation. After six cycles of reuse of MnO2@m-SiO2, the RhB decoloration and degradation efficiencies were 98.2% and 71.1%, respectively.
Photo-Thermal Effects in 1D Gratings of Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Palermo Giovanna , Ritacco Tiziana , Aceti Dante , Pezzi Luigia , Giocondo Michele , De Luca Antonio
Published: January 2017

This work investigates the heat delivered by a mono-layer 1D grating of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) created by photo-reduction through two-photon direct laser writing (2P-DLW) in a poly-vinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix doped with HAuCl4, under resonant laser radiation. We drop cast a film of a PVA + HAuCl4 mixture onto a glass substrate, in which we create gratings of 1 mm2 made by stripes of GNPs characterized by high polydispersivity. We demonstrate that, by controlling the pitch of the GNP stripes, we obtain different values of the photo-induced temperature variations. In the framework of thermo-plasmonics, the experimental investigation of the heat generation from a monolayer of gold nanoparticles represents a key element as a starting point to design thermo-smart platforms for sensing, solar energy harvesting and thermo-catalysis.