bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EVALUASI JALUR PEJALAN KAKI DI KOTA SEMARANG MENURUT PERMEN PU 03/PRT/M/2014
Authors: Wibawa Baju Arie , Saraswati Ratri Septina
Published: December 2017

Jalur pejalan kaki sebagai salah satu infrastruktur transportasi lokal kota memiliki peran dan fungsi penting untuk memberikan layanan dan kenyamanan bagi warga kota. Pembangunan jalur pejalan kaki di Kota Semarang sudah mulai dilakukan sejak tahun 2010 sampai sekarang. Kondisi yang ada saat ini masih banyak permasalahan terkait kualitas sarana dan prasarana pejalan kaki ini seperti jalur yang naik-turun, licin, ram terlalu tinggi, banyak halangan/gangguan, fungsi lain yang mengganggu dan lain-lain. Permasalahan ini adalah berbeda-beda untuk tiap ruas jalur pejalan kaki. Penelitian ini akan mengevaluasi berbagai aspek pada kualitas jalur pejalan kaki berdasarkan ketentuan perencanaan sarana dan prasarana yang tertuang dalam Peremn PU 03/PRT/M/2014. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah kualitatif dengan penggalian data di lapangan melalui teknik survey, pengukuran, pengamatan visual dan wawancara, analisis yang dilakukan merupakan analisis evaluasi melalui komparasi kondisi eksisting tiap sample ruas terhadap standar yang berlaku.Hasil evaluasi menunjukkan bahwa sebagian besar jalur pejalan kakik telah memiliki dimensi lebar jalur pejalan kaki yang telah memenuhi standar (kecuali sedikit segmen Jl. Soegijapranata) , namun pada beberapa bagian banyak yang menyempit karena bukaan pintu masuk ke persil bangunan (uptarade) harus lebih panjang sehingga banyak mengurangi dimensi pejalan kaki. Hal ini disebabkan oleh hampir semua tinggi jalur pejalan kaki yang dibangun awal/lama adalah di atas 30 cm (standar maksimal 20 cm), kecuali di Jl. Imam Bonjol (pembangunan paling baru). Dari aspek tinggi bebas 2,5 meter sebagian besar telah memenuhi syarat, kecuali di Jl. Soegijaprata yang memiliki beberapa ruko yang masih memiliki tritisan menjorok ke jalur penajaln kaki. Dari aspek kemiringan permukaan memanjang, hampir semua jalur pejalan kaki adalah datar, kecuali di dua jalur pejalan kaki terbaru (Jl. Imam Bonjol dan Jl. Soegijapranata) yang harus naik turun pada setiap bukaan pintu masuk. Dari aspek kemiringan permukaan dalam arah melintang, maka sebagian besar belum memnuhi syarat kemiringan 20-40, kecuali di 3 ruas jalur pejalan kakik terbaru (Jl. MH. Thamrin, jl. Soegiyopranoto dan jl. Imam Bonjol).
ANALISIS PENGARUH IRADIASI MICROWAVE TERHADAP GUGUS FUNGSIONAL PADA ZEOLITE SINTESIS
Authors: Suryani Puput Eka , Candra Arya Dwi
Published: December 2017

Zeolit merupakan material multifungsi yang sering digunakan dalam bidang industri sebagai katalis, ion exchange, adsorber, dll. Dewasa ini telah banyak peneliti yang mempelajari dan mengembangkan teknik sintesis zeolit menggunakan energi baru seperti microwave. Iradiasi microwave terbukti lebih efisien jika diterapkan pada proses kimia maupun fisika. Pada penelitian ini akan dipelajari pengaruh penggunaan microwave terhadap sifat zeolit yang dihasilkan yaitu gugus fungsional pada zeolit. Berdasarkan analisa FTIR pada sampel zeolit sintetis dari abu sekam padi menggunakan modifikasi iradiasi microwave, dapat disimpulkan bahwa kenaikan absorbansi terjadi pada sampel-sampel dengan modifikasi. Hal ini terlihat jelas pada beberapa gugus fungsional seperti Si-OH dan Si-O-Al pada panjang gelombang 3450 cm-1   dan 1000,35 cm-1. Sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa iradiasi microwave dapat meningkatkan proses reaksi pada preparasi zeolit sintetis.
Unicystic ameloblastoma of the mandible clinical case presentation and literature review
Authors: De la Paz López Almallely , Recendez Santillán Norith , Varela Ibáñez Eduardo , Escamilla-Acosta Marco A. , Romo-Hernández Georgina
Published: December 2017

Ameloblastoma is a neoplastic lesion that in its early stages does not present signs or symptoms; ages more common in which occurs this lesion are between 20 to 30 years of age, it has no predilection by any gender; their formation can be derived epithelial involved with the formation of teeth. The objective of this review is to present a clinical case of a 14-year-old male patient referral to the Hospital del Niño DIF Hidalgo, which presented volume increased in right hemiarch, diagnostic studies were conducted in which the result was an Unicystic Ameloblastoma of the Mandible, which was addressed through conservative treatment. It is intended that this review will update the knowledge and therapeutic approaches to this disease, assessing tumor location and patient age.
Profile of antimicrobial resistance in oncologic pediatric patients
Authors: García-Luna Mauricio , Madrid Gómez-Tagle José Antonio , O’Brien Jessica P.
Published: December 2017

The development of resistance to antibiotics is due to the widespread use of a wide variety of antimicrobials, coupled with the ability of bacteria to acquire and spread resistance and the ability of humans to disseminate them. The possible consequences of antimicrobial resistance leads to greater chances of hospitalization, prolongation of hospital stay and increased mortality. Furthermore, treatment of drug resistant bacteria requires the use of more toxic drugs and more expense for the patient and hospitals. The main objective of the present study was to determine the frequency and nature of antimicrobial resistance of microorganisms in oncologic and hematologic patients at a Mexican Pediatric Hospital. A retrospective, observational, and analytical study was realized, where we reviewed the clinical records of 20 cases. Blood cultures were obtained from the Laboratory of our institution from 2010 to 2011. The data obtained were organized and analyzed. We observed that the E. coli and S. aureus were the bacteria most resistant, showing the same percentage between gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The cancer diagnosis most common in our study was acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It may be concluded that multidrug-resistant bacteria in these patients are of a nosocomial origin, without a specific group of germ (gram positive vs. gram negative).
Comparison of body fat in athletes after an L-Carnitine supplementation
Authors: Domínguez Shared Alejandro Maldonado , Tlatoa Ramírez Héctor Manuel , Ortiz Mario I.
Published: December 2017

It has been shown that L-Carnitine is required to carry long chain fatty acids from the cytosol to the cell mitochondria in order to generate energy. Hypothetically, high levels of L-Carnitine in the cells may improve lipid transport on mitochondria and may increase the lipid metabolism. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of L-Carnitine in reducing body fat in Mexican soccer players. Firstly, we determined participants' body composition by bioimpedance. Participants were divided into two groups, one group was given L-Carnitine (3 g/day) and the other group was given placebo for 30 days. The teams had the same workout routine and a balanced and adequate diet. Finally, participants returned to be assessed about their body compositions. Twenty-one players were included, middle aged, weight and height of 20.9 years, 70.4 kg and 175.5 m, respectively. We did not find changes in the percentages of body fat in both groups after the treatments (p>0.05). Data leads us to conclude that supplementation with L-Carnitine for 30 days (3g/day) does not reduce the fat percentage in soccer players.
Rejection of a contraceptive method during the immediate postpartum period in adolescent patients
Authors: Paredes María Guadalupe Torres , Ramírez Guillermo Barragán
Published: December 2017

Adolescents generally have little information on the correct use of contraception and fertility, increasing the risk of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine why adolescents do not accept contraception during the immediate postpartum period. Adolescent patients included presented 12 to 19 years old, who signed the letter of informed consent, they were in immediate postpartum, post-abortion (implemented curettage, manual vacuum aspiration) or pot-cesarean section and who did not accept the use of a contraceptive method. A total of 148 patients with a mean ± SEM age of 17.3 ± 1.3 years were included. Only 107 (90.7%) of the patients had prenatal care, and only 77 (72%) of the patients were guided about the contraceptive methods that could be used in the immediate postpartum period. The 3 main reasons to reject contraception were: ignorance about contraception that she can use (n = 26; 22%), the couple will use birth control (n = 16; 13.6%) and she has no partner (n = 12; 10.2%). In conclusion, we observed that most teens do not use contraception, mainly due to lack of information or by leaving the responsibility to their partner.
Oral Route as a Mechanism of Transmission of Chagas Disease
Authors: Castro Tenorio Oliva
Published: December 2017

Chagas disease or American trypanosomiasis is considered a neglected disease, and a public health problem, due to the high prevalence of the disease, as well as the high economic and social costs that it entails. There are different routes of transmission, the vector route being the main mechanism, although it can also be transmitted vertically, by transfusional transmission, by organ transplantation, laboratory accidents, and relatively new in its study, the oral route. This route is considered the oldest route of transmission, responsible for the preservation of the infection in a sylvatic way. Due partly to the decrease in the incidence of vector cases, and human activities, the oral route has been the mechanism that explains the acute outbreaks of Chagas' disease in different Latin American countries; together with its greater lethality, is that this via has become important. Early recognition of the disease is crucial in order to establish antiparasitic treatment as soon as possible, because it limits the evolution of the disease in most cases, so this research work has the objective of carrying out a bibliographic review of the oral route as a mechanism of transmission of Chagas' disease.
Teenage pregnancy: a public health problem extensively studied but with no effective responses
Authors: González Espíndola José Alejandro , Paz Bautista Juan Carlos
Published: December 2017

Teenage pregnancy has become one of the most important topics for population policies from different perspectives: talking about the volume of adolescent population, its growth and reproduction, as well as the biopsychosocial risk involved in teenage motherhood. Adolescent population in Mexico represents almost a fifth of the country’s population. It is an opportunity for social and economic development to ensure the sustainable growth of the nation. However, to achieve this growth, it is essential that the population is prepared both in an academic and humanist way.[1] However, several researches and policies created to improve the reproductive health of adolescents, forget that early motherhood in our country is the result of a complex economic, social and cultural context. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of primary prevention interventions in the prevention of unwanted pregnancies in adolescents. Conclusion. Strategies must be real, not only on paper and in speeches. Results should be directly reflected in the adolescent population. Strategies should be inclusive with adolescents and wide in context. Mexico does have a document which serves as basis to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies in adolescents, but it is crucial that people participate, together with governmental institutions, in the implementation of this strategy; otherwise it is just going to stay as another good treaty.
Patient’s dilemma for doctors to ponder over
Authors: Dixit Sanjaya Mani
Published: December 2017

Not available.Journal of Kathmandu Medical College, Vol. 5, No. 4, Issue 18, Oct.-Dec. 2016, Page: 101-103
An assessment of frailty as a tool for risk stratification in adult spinal deformity surgery
Authors: Miller Emily K. , Neuman Brian J. , Jain Amit , Daniels Alan H. , Ailon Tamir , Sciubba Daniel M. , Kebaish Khaled M. , Lafage Virginie , Scheer Justin K. , Smith Justin S. , Bess Shay , Shaffrey Christopher I. , Ames Christopher P. , _ _
Published: December 2017

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to analyze the value of an adult spinal deformity frailty index (ASD-FI) in preoperative risk stratification. Preoperative risk assessment is imperative before procedures known to have high complication rates, such as ASD surgery. Frailty has been associated with risk of complications in trauma surgery, and preoperative frailty assessments could improve the accuracy of risk stratification by providing a comprehensive analysis of patient factors that contribute to an increased risk of complications.

METHODS

Using 40 variables, the authors calculated frailty scores with a validated method for 417 patients (enrolled between 2010 and 2014) with a minimum 2-year follow-up in an ASD database. On the basis of these scores, the authors categorized patients as not frail (NF) (< 0.3 points), frail (0.3–0.5 points), or severely frail (SF) (> 0.5 points). The correlation between frailty category and incidence of complications was analyzed.

RESULTS

The overall mean ASD-FI score was 0.33 (range 0.0–0.8). Compared with NF patients (n = 183), frail patients (n = 158) and SF patients (n = 109) had longer mean hospital stays (1.2 and 1.6 times longer, respectively; p < 0.001). The adjusted odds of experiencing a major intraoperative or postoperative complication were higher for frail patients (OR 2.8) and SF patients ( 4.1) compared with NF patients (p < 0.01). For frail and SF patients, respectively, the adjusted odds of developing proximal junctional kyphosis (OR 2.8 and 3.1) were higher than those for NF patients. The SF patients had higher odds of developing pseudarthrosis (OR 13.0), deep wound infection (OR 8.0), and wound dehiscence (OR 13.4) than NF patients (p < 0.05), and they had 2.1 times greater odds of reoperation (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Greater patient frailty, as measured by the ASD-FI, was associated with worse outcome in many common quality and value metrics, including greater risk of major complications, proximal junctional kyphosis, pseudarthrosis, deep wound infection, wound dehiscence, reoperation, and longer hospital stay.
Head-up display may facilitate safe keyhole surgery for cerebral aneurysm clipping
Authors: Toyooka Terushige , Otani Naoki , Wada Kojiro , Tomiyama Arata , Takeuchi Satoru , Fujii Kazuya , Kumagai Kosuke , Fujii Takashi , Mori Kentaro
Published: December 2017

OBJECTIVE

The head-up display (HUD) is a modern technology that projects images or numeric information directly into the observer’s sight line. Surgeons will no longer need to look away from the surgical view using the HUD system to confirm the preoperative or navigation image. The present study investigated the usefulness of the HUD system for performing cerebral aneurysm clipping surgeries.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients underwent clipping surgery, including 20 keyhole surgeries for unruptured cerebral aneurysm, using the HUD system. Image information of structures such as the skull, cerebral vasculature, and aneurysm was integrated by the navigation software and linked with the positional coordinates of the microscope field of view. “Image injection” allowed visualization of the main structures that were concurrently tracked by the navigation image, and “closed shutter” switched the microscope field of view and the pointer image of the 3D brain image.

RESULTS

The HUD system was effective for estimating the location and 3D anatomy of the aneurysm before craniotomy or dural opening in most patients. Scheduled keyhole minicraniotomy and opening of the sylvian fissure or partial rectal gyrus resection were performed on the optimized location with a minimum size in 20 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The HUD images superimposed on the microscope field of view were remarkably useful for less invasive and more safe aneurysm clipping and, in particular, keyhole clipping.
Clinicoradiological features of intraneural perineuriomas obviate the need for tissue diagnosis
Authors: Wilson Thomas J. , Howe B. Matthew , Stewart Shelby A. , Spinner Robert J. , Amrami Kimberly K.
Published: December 2017

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to define a set of clinicoradiological parameters with a high specificity for the diagnosis of intraneural perineurioma, obviating the need for operative tissue diagnosis.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed MR images obtained in a large cohort of patients who underwent targeted fascicular biopsy and included only those patients for whom the biopsy yielded a diagnosis. Clinical and radiological findings were then tested for their ability to predict a tissue diagnosis of intraneural perineurioma. The authors propose a new set of diagnostic criteria, referred to as the Perineurioma Diagnostic Criteria. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of several clinicoradiological methods of diagnosis were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 195 patients who underwent targeted fascicular biopsy were included in the cohort, of whom 51 had a tissue diagnosis of intraneural perineurioma. When the clinicoradiological methods used in this study were compared, the highest sensitivity (0.86), negative predictive value (0.95), and F1 score (0.88) were observed for the decision trees generated in C5.0 and rPart, whereas the highest specificity (1.0) and positive predictive value (1.0) were observed for the Perineurioma Diagnostic Criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified clinical and radiological features that are associated with a diagnosis of perineurioma. The Perineurioma Diagnostic Criteria were determined to be the following: 1) no cancer history, 2) unifocal disease, 3) moderate to severe hyperintensity on T2-weighted MR images, 4) moderate to severe contrast enhancement, 5) homogeneous contrast enhancement, 6) fusiform shape, 7) enlargement of the involved nerves, and 8) age ≤ 40 years. Use of the Perineurioma Diagnostic Criteria obviates the need for tissue diagnosis when all of the criteria are satisfied.
Negative-pressure dressing management of recurrent postoperative epidural hematoma and uncontrollable intraoperative hemorrhage in posterior spine surgery: report of 4 cases
Authors: Foxx Kenneth C. , Mesfin Addisu , Molinari Robert
Published: December 2017

There is a paucity of literature describing the management of recurrent symptomatic postoperative epidural hematoma or uncontrollable intraoperative hemorrhage in posterior spine surgery. Traditional management with hematoma evacuation and wound closure over suction drains may not be effective in certain cases, and it can lead to recurrence and neurological injury. The authors report 3 cases of recurrent symptomatic postoperative epidural hematoma successfully managed with novel open-wound negative-pressure dressing therapy (NPDT), as well as 1 case of uncontrollable intraoperative hemorrhage that was primarily managed with the same technique.

The 3 patients who developed a postoperative epidural hematoma became symptomatic 2–17 days after the initial operation. All 3 patients underwent at least 1 hematoma evacuation and wound closure over suction drains prior to recurrence with severe neurological deficit and definitive management with NPDT. One patient was managed primarily with NPDT for uncontrollable intraoperative hemorrhage during posterior cervical laminectomy.

All 4 patients had significant risk factors for postoperative epidural hematoma. NPDT for 3–9 days with delayed wound closure was successful in all patients. The 3 patients with recurrent symptomatic postoperative epidural hematoma had significant improvement in their severe neurological deficit. None of the patients developed a postoperative wound infection, and none of the patients required transfusion due to NPDT.

NPDT with delayed wound closure may be an option in certain patients, when wound closure over suction drains is unlikely to prevent further neurological injury.
Complication rates associated with open versus percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation among patients undergoing minimally invasive interbody fusion for adult spinal deformity
Authors: Than Khoi D. , Mummaneni Praveen V. , Bridges Kelly J. , Tran Stacie , Park Paul , Chou Dean , La Marca Frank , Uribe Juan S. , Vogel Todd D. , Nunley Pierce D. , Eastlack Robert K. , Anand Neel , Okonkwo David O. , Kanter Adam S. , Mundis Gregory M.
Published: December 2017

OBJECTIVE

High-quality studies that compare outcomes of open and minimally invasively placed pedicle screws for adult spinal deformity are needed. Therefore, the authors compared differences in complications from a circumferential minimally invasive spine (MIS) surgery and those from a hybrid surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective review of a multicenter database of patients with spinal deformity who were treated with an MIS surgery was performed. Database inclusion criteria included an age of ≥ 18 years and at least 1 of the following: a coronal Cobb angle of > 20°, a sagittal vertical axis of > 5 cm, a pelvic incidence–lumbar lordosis angle of > 10°, and/or a pelvic tilt of > 20°. Patients were propensity matched according to the levels instrumented.

RESULTS

In this database, a complete data set was available for 165 patients, and after those who underwent 3-column osteotomy were excluded, 137 patients were available for analysis; 76 patients remained after propensity matching (MIS surgery group 38 patients, hybrid surgery group 38 patients). The authors found no difference in demographics, number of levels instrumented, or preoperative and postoperative radiographic results. At least 1 complication was suffered by 55.3% of patients in the hybrid surgery group and 44.7% of those in the MIS surgery group (p = 0.359). Patients in the MIS surgery group had significantly fewer neurological, operative, and minor complications than those in the hybrid surgery group. The reoperation rates in both groups were similar. The most common complication category for the MIS surgery group was radiographic and for the hybrid surgery group was neurological. Patients in both groups experienced postoperative improvement in their Oswestry Disability Index and visual analog scale (VAS) back and leg pain scores (all p < 0.05); however, MIS surgery provided a greater reduction in leg pain according to VAS scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall complication rates in the MIS and hybrid surgery groups were similar. MIS surgery resulted in significantly fewer neurological, operative, and minor complications. Reoperation rates in the 2 groups were similar, and despite complications, the patients reported significant improvement in their pain and function.
Male sex may not be associated with worse outcomes in primary all-posterior adult spinal deformity surgery: a multicenter analysis
Authors: Bumpass David B. , Lenke Lawrence G. , Gum Jeffrey L. , Shaffrey Christopher I. , Smith Justin S. , Ames Christopher P. , Bess Shay , Neuman Brian J. , Klineberg Eric , Mundis Gregory M. , Schwab Frank , Lafage Virginie , Kim Han Jo , Burton Douglas C. , Kebaish Khaled M. , Hostin Richard , Lafage Renaud , Kelly Michael P. , _ _
Published: December 2017

OBJECTIVE

Adolescent spine deformity studies have shown that male patients require longer surgery and have greater estimated blood loss (EBL) and complications compared with female patients. No studies exist to support this relationship in adult spinal deformity (ASD). The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between sex and complications, deformity correction, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with ASD. It was hypothesized that male ASD patients would have greater EBL, longer surgery, and more complications than female ASD patients.

METHODS

A multicenter ASD cohort was retrospectively queried for patients who underwent primary posterior-only instrumented fusions with a minimum of 5 levels fused. The minimum follow-up was 2 years. Primary outcomes were EBL, operative time, intra-, peri-, and postoperative complications, radiographic correction, and HRQOL outcomes (Oswestry Disability Index, SF-36, and Scoliosis Research Society-22r Questionnaire). Poisson multivariate regression was used to control for age, comorbidities, and levels fused.

RESULTS

Ninety male and 319 female patients met the inclusion criteria. Male patients had significantly greater mean EBL (2373 ml vs 1829 ml, p = 0.01). The mean operative time, transfusion requirements, and final radiographic measurements did not differ between sexes. Similarly, changes in HRQOL showed no significant differences. Finally, there were no sex differences in the incidence of complications (total, major, or minor) at any time point after controlling for age, body mass index, comorbidities, and levels fused.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite higher EBL, male ASD patients did not experience more complications or require less deformity correction at the 2-year follow-up. HRQOL scores similarly showed no sex differences. These findings differ from adolescent deformity studies, and surgeons can counsel patients that sex is unlikely to influence the outcomes and complication rates of primary all-posterior ASD surgery.
Lumbar computed tomography scans are not appropriate surrogates for bone mineral density scans in primary adult spinal deformity
Authors: Kohan Eitan M. , Nemani Venu M. , Hershman Stuart , Kang Daniel G. , Kelly Michael P.
Published: December 2017

OBJECTIVE

The authors examined the correlation between lumbar spine CT Hounsfield unit (HU) measurements and bone mineral density measurements in an adult spinal deformity (ASD) population.

METHODS

Patients with ASD were identified in the records of a single institution. Lumbar CT scans were reviewed, and the mean HU measurements from L1–4 were recorded. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed using femoral neck and lumbar spine dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The number of patients who met criteria for osteoporosis was determined for each imaging modality.

RESULTS

Forty-eight patients underwent both preoperative DEXA and CT scanning. Forty-three patients were female and 5 were male. Forty-seven patients were Caucasian and one was African American. The mean age of the patients was 62.1 years. Femoral neck DEXA was more likely to identify osteopenia (n = 26) than lumbar spine DEXA (n = 8) or lumbar CT HU measurements (n = 6) (p < 0.001). There was a low-moderate correlation between lumbar spine CT and lumbar spine DEXA (r = 0.463, p < 0.001), and there was poor correlation between lumbar spine CT and femoral neck DEXA (r = 0.303, p = 0.036).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the opportunistic utility of lumbar spine CT HU measurements in identifying osteoporosis in patients undergoing single-level fusion, these measurements were not useful in this cohort of ASD patients. The correlation between femoral neck DEXA and HU measurements was poor. DEXA assessment of BMD in ASD patients is essential to optimize the care of these complicated cases.
Potential of predictive computer models for preoperative patient selection to enhance overall quality-adjusted life years gained at 2-year follow-up: a simulation in 234 patients with adult spinal deformity
Authors: Oh Taemin , Scheer Justin K. , Smith Justin S. , Hostin Richard , Robinson Chessie , Gum Jeffrey L. , Schwab Frank , Hart Robert A. , Lafage Virginie , Burton Douglas C. , Bess Shay , Protopsaltis Themistocles , Klineberg Eric O. , Shaffrey Christopher I. , Ames Christopher P. , _ _
Published: December 2017

OBJECTIVE

Patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) experience significant quality of life improvements after surgery. Treatment, however, is expensive and complication rates are high. Predictive analytics has the potential to use many variables to make accurate predictions in large data sets. A validated minimum clinically important difference (MCID) model has the potential to assist in patient selection, thereby improving outcomes and, potentially, cost-effectiveness.

METHODS

The present study was a retrospective analysis of a multiinstitutional database of patients with ASD. Inclusion criteria were as follows: age ≥ 18 years, radiographic evidence of ASD, 2-year follow-up, and preoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) > 15. Forty-six variables were used for model training: demographic data, radiographic parameters, surgical variables, and results on the health-related quality of life questionnaire. Patients were grouped as reaching a 2-year ODI MCID (+MCID) or not (−MCID). An ensemble of 5 different bootstrapped decision trees was constructed using the C5.0 algorithm. Internal validation was performed via 70:30 data split for training/testing. Model accuracy and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. The mean quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and QALYs gained at 2 years were calculated and discounted at 3.5% per year. The QALYs were compared between patients in the +MCID and –MCID groups.

RESULTS

A total of 234 patients met inclusion criteria (+MCID 129, −MCID 105). Sixty-nine patients (29.5%) were included for model testing. Predicted versus actual results were 50 versus 40 for +MCID and 19 versus 29 for −MCID (i.e., 10 patients were misclassified). Model accuracy was 85.5%, with 0.96 AUC. Predicted results showed that patients in the +MCID group had significantly greater 2-year mean QALYs (p = 0.0057) and QALYs gained (p = 0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS

A successful model with 85.5% accuracy and 0.96 AUC was constructed to predict which patients would reach ODI MCID. The patients in the +MCID group had significantly higher mean 2-year QALYs and QALYs gained. This study provides proof of concept for using predictive modeling techniques to optimize patient selection in complex spine surgery.
Pastoralists are Peoples: Key issues in Advocacy and the Emergence of Pastoralists' Rights
Authors: Bassi Marco
Published: December 2017

This article deals with the rights-based approach to development that in the last decade has informed discourse on pastoralism. It focuses on the organisations that have engaged in pastoral advocacy at the global level, considering the dynamic conceptions of development, human rights and policy that provide their cultural and operative background. It outlines the convergence of indigenous rights with the core challenges of pastoralism, and the emergence of the new concept of 'pastoralists' rights', eventually considered as a separate domain. It argues that the mobility paradigm of pastoral development may not by itself provide an adequate answer to the problems of pastoral communities, unless explicit consideration is made of the collective and procedural rights recognised under the international human rights framework.
ICT and students’ performance in Pakistan
Authors: Salam Shafaq , Yang Mengke , Shaheen Aliya , Movahedipour Mahmood , Zeng Jianqiu
Published: December 2017

Traditionally, education emphasizes on the use of textbooks for the acquisition of knowledge. However, educational settings around the world are now emphasizing on digital curricula that promote competences and performance. The purpose of this article is to examine the impact of use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on students’ performance. Knowing the importance of ICT for education, the private schools of Pakistan emphasize the use of ICT; however, public schools lag behind in the ICT infrastructure, thereby producing a digital divide. This research conducted a survey with 150 public and private school students of Peshawar District, in the KP province of Pakistan. The results show that the use of ICT acts as a catalyst for improving the quality of education and the students’ performance. The study’s findings can benefit policy makers who design ICT-based curricula and provide ICT infrastructure for public schools. Moreover, the study’s results can help narrow the current digital divide, by providing a high-quality education to public school students.
FDI and ‘political’ violence in Pakistan’s telecommunications
Authors: Latif Zahid , Jianqiu Zeng , Salam Shafaq , Pathan Zulfiqar Hussain , Jan Nasir , Tunio Muhammad Zahid
Published: December 2017

A lot of research studies assess the effects of the so called ‘political’ violence on foreign direct investment (FDI). Yet the circumstances that, within reality, co-determine the FDI flows into Pakistan’s telecommunications remain tacit. This article investigates the simultaneous relation between FDI and so called ‘political’ violence, in Pakistan’s information and communications. It analyses the violence phenomenon and shows how that disrupts the smooth flows of FDI, commerce and trade. Pakistan’s telecommunications is one of its economic sectors that attract enormous foreign direct investment. After the 11 September 2001 attacks, Pakistan has become a frontline state in the so-called ‘War on Terror’, along with NATO and USA. This has resultantly disrupted Pakistan’s smooth trading activities. Namely, the demand for imports has declined, thereby drastically reducing the FDI inflow into the country. The results of the study highlight the reasons behind the decline in FDI into Pakistan and also lead to policy recommendations for improving the country’s economic self-development. The conclusion is drawn based on the literature review and analysis of data relevant to the telecom. Lastly, the study includes some suggestions for future research, to continually improve Pakistan’s economic and societal circumstances, by utilizing the resources FDI provides.
Learning, innovation and high performance in knowledge-based firms
Authors: Shahriari Mohsen , Abzari Mehdi , Nasr Isfahani Ali , Kianpour Masoud
Published: December 2017

Although employee management research has established significant relations between high performance work systems (HPWSs) and financial and market performance, few studies have considered the important role of HPWS in other organizational functions such as learning and innovation. Whereas, according to literature, both innovation and learning which are of the most important factors for firm’s survival, generally result from employees’ behavior. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore potential impacts of HPWSs on organizational learning (OL) and innovation. A set of research hypotheses are tested using sample data collected from 112 employees of electricity distribution companies of Isfahan province. The proposed HPWS consists training and development, pay for performance, career development, participation in decision making, and job security, while innovation includes product, process and administrative innovation and OL is a four dimensional construct of knowledge acquisition, knowledge distribution, knowledge interpretation, and organizational memory. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) reveals that HPWS positively affects OL and innovation. Moreover, the research results show that there is an indirect effect of HPWS on innovation through OL.
A Decade of Blood Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease Research: An Evolving Field, Improving Study Designs, and the Challenge of Replication
Authors: Shi Liu , Baird Alison L. , Westwood Sarah , Hye Abdul , Dobson Richard , Thambisetty Madhav , Lovestone Simon
Published: December 2017

Blood-based biomarkers represent a less invasive and potentially cheaper approach for aiding Alzheimer’s disease (AD) detection compared with cerebrospinal fluid and some neuroimaging biomarkers. Acknowledging that many in the field have made great progress, here we review some of the work that our group has pursued to identify and validate blood-based proteomic biomarkers through both case control and AD pathology endophenotype-based approaches. Our focus is primarily to identify a minimally invasive and hopefully cost-effective blood-based biomarker to reduce screen failure in clinical trials where participants have prodromal or even pre-clinical disease. We summarize some of the key findings and approaches taken in these biomarker studies, while addressing the main challenges, including that of limited replication in the field, and discuss opportunities for biomarker development.
An electromagnetically actuated tube type micropump with a one-way valve
Authors: Liu Bendong , Zhang Zhen , Yang Jiechao , Yang Jiahui , Li Desheng
Published: December 2017

In this paper, an electromagnetically actuated tube type micropump is proposed, conceptually designed and experimentally investigated. The micropump mainly consists of two electromagnets, a NdFeB permanent magnet, a ball-valve and a Teflon tube. The reciprocating movement of the permanent magnet is realized when the two electromagnets excitated alternatively. The liquid in the tube flows from the inlet to the outlet while the permanent magnet reciprocating in the tube regulated by a one-way valve. Maximal flow rate of 208.75 [Formula: see text]L/min and maximum backpressures of 539 Pa were achieved at a applied current of 0.5 A when the actuation frequency is 5 Hz. Compared to other micropumps with membrane structure driven by an external electromagnetic actuator, the tube type micropump is more reliable, small in volume, easy to be fabricated and has zero dead volume and less turns of coil.
Enhancement of lift-off performance and conversion efficiency using a copper backplate for a spiral coil EMAT in generating and receiving shear waves
Authors: Shi Wenze , Wu Yunxin , Gong Hai , Zhang Tao , Tan Liangchen , Han Lei
Published: December 2017

The application of Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducers (EMATs) into metal materials has been hard to implement for the technical problems of low transduction efficiency and high sensitivity of lift-off variation. The process of transmission and detection of a shear wave in a spiral coil EMAT is established based on a 2-D axisymmetric model using finite element method. A new equivalent reception circuit for an EMAT receiver is provided, and it takes the open-circuit voltage of a receiving coil, the coil equivalent impedance, impedance matching network, and the input impedance of a preamplifier into consideration. On this basis, the conversion efficiency and lift-off performance of the EMAT transmitter and receiver are investigated with respect to coil equivalent impedance, coil conductor diameter, impedance matching parameters, plate-to-coil distance and backplate thickness. Results indicate that compared with the specified EMAT without a backplate at a lift-off of 2 mm, the conversion efficiency and lift-off performance of the transmitting EMAT with a plate-to-coil distance of 1.5 mm can be respectively improved by 103.5% and 2.4 dB/mm, and the conversion efficiency and lift-off performance of the receiving EMAT with a plate-to-coil distance of 1.5 mm can be respectively enhanced by 85.5% and 1.6 dB/mm.
Proteomic investigation of resistance to chemotherapy drugs in osteosarcoma
Authors: Zhang Shuang , Qin Yu-Ping , Kuang Jiang-Ming , Liu Yi-He
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND:

Osteosarcoma, which is also termed osteogenic sarcoma or osteoma sarcomatosum, is the most common form of bone cancer. Typical osteosarcoma can occur at any age, including in infants, children, and the elderly, but more than half of cases occur in individuals who are 10–20 years old.

OBJECTIVE:

Here, the objective was to search for protein markers to indicate resistance to cisplatin in osteosarcoma and provide a theoretical basis for the early and accurate use of cisplatin to treat osteosarcoma.

METHODS:

Thirty patients with osteosarcoma were selected for the study. Experimental studies on the chemosensitivity of osteosarcoma using an in vitro kit method were performed, and cisplatin-resistant and cisplatin-sensitive osteosarcoma tissues were obtained. A representative sample was chosen to analyze and identify differentially expressed proteins in cisplatin-resistant tissues.

RESULTS:

The osteosarcoma-sensitive tissue was analyzed using 2-D electrophoresis and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Differently expressed proteins were analyzed by western blotting to identify markers. Cisplatin-resistant and cisplatin-sensitive osteosarcoma tissues were obtained. Five significantly differentially expressed proteins were identified, including ALDOA and PGK1.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results indicate that ALDOA and PGK1 might be appropriate markers that can be used when treating osteosarcoma with cisplatin.
Breeding of zebrafish in the laboratory environment for research development
Authors: Kim Sang Ho , Sharma Chanchal , Khan Imran , Kang Sun Chul
Published: December 2017

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has turn out to be an excellent vertebrate organism for analyzing developmental stages, disease modeling, and screening of drug toxicities due to their minuscule, high fecundity, optical transparency and there close parallels with the genome of human beings. Although maintenance of zebrafish is relatively easy, yet it is a complex process, greatly influenced by various factors including mating behavior, day-light cycle, age, and size of fish. This visual experiment will provide an overview of zebrafish care and maintenance in the laboratory environment. Additionally, the presentation will include information essential for improving the spawning habitat by recreating breeding settings in the lab. Collectively, this experimental memorandum of zebrafish environment can serve as a mean to understand the reproducibility, efficiency of use and its welfare for future research development.

Video Clip of Methodology:

2 min 52 sec:   Full Screen   Alternate
Neutrosophic Linear Equations and Application in Traffic Flow Problems
Authors: Ye Jun
Published: December 2017

A neutrosophic number (NN) presented by Smarandache can express determinate and/or indeterminate information in real life. NN (z = a + uI) consists of the determinate part a and the indeterminate part uI for a, u ∈ R (R is all real numbers) and indeterminacy I, and is very suitable for representing and handling problems with both determinate and indeterminate information. Based on the concept of NNs, this paper presents for first time the concepts of neutrosophic linear equations and the neutrosophic matrix, and introduces the neutrosophic matrix operations. Then, we propose some solving methods, including the substitution method, the addition method, and the inverse matrix method, for the system of neutrosophic linear equations or the neutrosophic matrix equation. Finally, an applied example about a traffic flow problem is provided to illustrate the application and effectiveness of handling the indeterminate traffic flow problem by using the system of neutrosophic linear equations.
An Effective Surrogate Tracer Technique for S. aureus Bioaerosols in a Mechanically Ventilated Hospital Room Replica Using Dilute Aqueous Lithium Chloride
Authors: King Marco-Felipe , Camargo-Valero Miller , Matamoros-Veloza Adriana , Sleigh P. , Noakes Catherine
Published: December 2017

Finding a non-pathogenic surrogate aerosol that represents the deposition of typical bioaerosols in healthcare settings is beneficial from the perspective of hospital facility testing, general infection control and outbreak analysis. This study considers aerosolization of dilute aqueous lithium chloride (LiCl) and sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions as surrogate tracers capable of representing Staphylococcus aureus bioaerosol deposition on surfaces in mechanically ventilated rooms. Tests were conducted in a biological test chamber set up as a replica hospital single patient room. Petri dishes on surfaces were used to collect the Li, Na and S. aureus aerosols separately after release. Biological samples were analyzed using cultivation techniques on solid media, and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to measure Li and Na atom concentrations. Spatial deposition distribution of Li tracer correlated well with S. aureus aerosols (96% of pairs within a 95% confidence interval). In the patient hospital room replica, results show that the most contaminated areas were on surfaces 2 m away from the source. This indicates that the room’s airflow patterns play a significant role in bioaerosol transport. NaCl proved not to be sensitive to spatial deposition patterns. LiCl as a surrogate tracer for bioaerosol deposition was most reliable as it was robust to outliers, sensitive to spatial heterogeneity and found to require less replicates than the S. aureus counterpart to be in good spatial agreement with biological results.
Enhanced Photodegradation Activity of Hydrogen-Terminated Si Nanowires Arrays with Different-Oriented Crystal Phases
Authors: Song Longfei , Luo Linqu , Song Jianjun , Zhang Hongchao , Li Xuan , Cheng Shuiling , Jin Wei , Tang Jie , Liu Lei , Wang Fengyun
Published: December 2017

Although Si nanowires (NWs) arrays are superior candidates for visible light photocatalysis, reports about the photodegradation activity of various crystal-orientated Si NWs are still insufficient. Here, light-doped hydrogen-terminated Si NWs arrays with different crystal orientations were prepared via a metal-assisted chemical etching method (MACE), which simply modulated the concentration of the oxidizer, H2O2. Their dye photodegradation activities were systematically and comprehensively investigated. When compared with Si NWs arrays with crystal orientations of (110) and (111), Si NWs arrays with (100) crystal orientation exhibit a superior photodegradation activity and stability due to the anisotropy of optical and physical properties. The n-type Si NWs arrays exhibit better photodegradation activity than the p-type Si NWs arrays of the same crystal orientation and similar length. The results provide a further understanding of the synthesis of Si NWs arrays with various orientations, and the relationships between photodegradation activity/stability and crystal orientations.
Influence of the Nanostructure of Gallium Oxide Catalysts on Conversion in the Green Synthesis of Carbamates
Authors: Shah Javishk , Ratnasamy Paul , Carreon Maria
Published: December 2017

The nanostructure of β-gallium oxide crystals influences the conversion to carbamates; specifically, for the synthesis of alkyl carbamates (like propyl N-octylcarbamate) from CO2 and n-propanol in the absence of phosgene. The nanostructures with variable aspect ratios (length (L)/width (D); from 2 to 18) were prepared by the controlled addition of neutral and cationic surfactants during gallium oxide synthesis. These catalysts displayed selectivities to the corresponding carbamates as high as ~70%, superior to non-nanostructured Ga2O3 catalysts. The conversion was found to be inversely proportional to the square of the relative crystallinity. The catalysts retained their structure and catalytic performance upon recycling.
Immobilization of Cellulase on a Functional Inorganic–Organic Hybrid Support: Stability and Kinetic Study
Authors: Zdarta Jakub , Jędrzak Artur , Klapiszewski Łukasz , Jesionowski Teofil
Published: December 2017

Cellulase from Aspergillus niger was immobilized on a synthesized TiO2–lignin hybrid support. The enzyme was effectively deposited on the inorganic–organic hybrid matrix, mainly via physical interactions. The optimal initial immobilization parameters, selected for the highest relative activity, were pH 5.0, 6 h process duration, and an enzyme solution concentration of 5 mg/mL. Moreover, the effects of pH, temperature, and number of consecutive catalytic cycles and the storage stability of free and immobilized cellulase were evaluated and compared. Thermal and chemical stability were significantly improved, while after 3 h at a temperature of 50 °C and pH 6.0, the immobilized cellulase retained over 80% of its initial activity. In addition, the half-life of the immobilized cellulase (307 min) was five times that of the free enzyme (63 min). After ten repeated catalytic cycles, the immobilized biocatalyst retained over 90% of its initial catalytic properties. This study presents a protocol for the production of highly stable and reusable biocatalytic systems for practical application in the hydrolysis of cellulose.