bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alone with our Thoughts: Supporting Autonomy as a Driver of Enjoyment during Time Spent Alone Doing Nothing
Authors: Nguyen Thuy-vy Thi , Weinstein Netta , Deci Edward L.
Published: September 2019

Sitting alone with one’s thoughts could foster a sense of rest and relaxation, yet many find this activity difficult. In two preregistered experiments (Study 1: n = 266, Study 2: n = 369), we focused on autonomy-supportive and controlling framings of solitude as drivers of motivation for solitude, positive experiences such as enjoyment and relaxation, negative experiences such as frustration and boredom, and negative thoughts like worries and rumination. In Study 1, we found support for one hypothesis that autonomy-supportive instructions to sit alone with thoughts led to greater autonomous motivation for solitude compared to controlling instructions that pressured participants to sit alone. However, the effect of instructions on autonomous motivation was trivial, with a smaller effect observed in Study 2. More importantly, we did not find evidence that our autonomy-supportive instructions meaningfully influenced self-reported measures of participants’ experiences with sitting alone with thoughts, nor both self-reported and behavioral measures intention to be in solitude again. Examination of null effects suggested that most differences between autonomy-supportive and controlling-instruction conditions were likely too small to be practically meaningful. However, some null findings in relation to excitement, relaxation, or frustration during sitting alone with thoughts were equivocal and required larger sample sizes to determine whether there was indeed an absence of effect. Consistent with findings reported by Nguyen et al. (2018), participants displayed drops in high-arousal types of affect and increases in low-arousal types of affect. Future research is needed to explore other factors that influence motivation for solitude and lead people to benefit from the regulatory effects of time spent alone.
A Schema-Activation Approach to Failure and Success in Self-Control
Authors: Bertrams Alex
Published: September 2019

Numerous studies confirm the so-called ego depletion effect (i.e., self-control is impaired after an initial unrelated self-control task). During recent years, the criticism on this limited-resource approach to willpower has increased, and alternative models have been developed. I argue that the existing models cannot explain the variety of results found in the ego depletion literature and introduce the schema model of self-control. Referring to related schema conceptions (i.e., illness schemas and emotion schemas), I posit that the processes that cause ego depletion effects occur around the activation of the fatigue/decreased vitality schema. This schema becomes activated via the registration of behavioral and physiological changes related to exercising self-control. The activation of the schema should instigate the motivation to conserve energy and, therefore, cause reduced effort and decreased performance in a subsequent self-control task. Moderator variables (e.g., energy supply) should influence the (non)activation of the fatigue/decreased vitality schema or its consequences.
Task-evoked pupil response for accurately-recognized accented speech
Authors: McLaughlin Drew Jordan , Van Engen Kristin J.
Published: September 2019

Unfamiliar second-language (L2) accents present a common challenge to speech understanding. However, the extent to which accurately-recognized unfamiliar L2-accented speech imposes a greater cognitive load than native speech remains unclear. The current study used pupillometry to assess cognitive load for native English listeners during the perception of intelligible Mandarin Chinese-accented English and American-accented English. Results showed greater pupil response (indicating greater cognitive load) for the unfamiliar L2-accented speech. These findings indicate that the mismatches between unfamiliar L2-accented speech and native listeners’ linguistic representations impose greater cognitive load even when recognition accuracy is at ceiling.
Intelligent Mechanisms for Platforms in Modern Markets
Authors: Hajaj Chen
Published: September 2019

This thesis explores the use of autonomous agents serving as mediators between different entities in modern markets to maximize an expected revenue (e.g., the agents' own profit or users' social welfare). This mediation can take many forms and serve many purposes, such as buyers and sellers at online shopping environments, men and women at dating sites, and different traders at barter markets. These agents differ from one another in terms such as the cost of their mediation services (e.g, they can offer their services for a fee or complimentary). In the first case, when the services are costly, agents must ponder the terms they set for their services. Similarly, when offering their services for free they have to be as appealing as possible in order to overcome external competition. This thesis provides theoretically-justified and empirically-validated approaches for designing and operating intelligent mechanisms for mediation agents in both electronic and barter markets. While two of the mechanisms presented within this thesis guide the platform for how to use selective information disclosure for its benefit, a different one is designed specifically in order to avoid selective information disclosure to the platform. The research is based on both theoretical analysis and online validation of suggested heuristics. Theoretical analysis is carried out using concepts from search theory, and game theory and the online validation is based on Amazon Mechanical Turk, a well-known crowdsourcing platform imitating people's behavior in real-life.The models used in this thesis consider settings of autonomous, fully-rational, and self-interested agents interacting with both fully-rational agents and bounded-rational people, and how the difference in their decision-making processes may imply differently, yet correlated, strategies for the system designer. The different model variants are applicable and can be mapped onto various different real-life applications (e.g., online shopping, car purchasing, and barter markets). The models differ primarily in the assumptions they make. In electronic markets, assumptions relating to the agents' source of income and the users' computational capabilities (fully-rational agents vs. bounded-rational people). For barter markets, this thesis focuses on fully-rational agents that differ in the number of goods they hold and can be traded on the market. Based on the common model for these markets, this thesis provides a proof of impossibility result on the ability to enforce the agents' strategy-proof behavior regardless of the means used. Still, the thesis shows that by adding a set of real-life assumptions on the model, one can circumvent this impossibility result and validate that the truthful strategy is indeed the dominant one. The analysis is accompanied by extensive simulations and online experiments, making use of various testbeds. The simulations and online experiments are used to validate the applicability of the suggested mechanisms for modern markets and to the different entities populating them.
Antibacterial Activity of Extracts of Coprinopsis Cinerea, A Coprophilous Fungus Against Multidrug Resistant Nosocomial Pathogens
Authors: Savitha J. , S Mohankumar
Published: September 2019

Our study explored Coprinopsis cinerea (C2), a coprophilous basidiomycetous fungus isolated from horse dung to combat beta-lactamase and carbapenamase producing multidrug resistant nosocomial pathogens in vitro. The isolated strain was cultivated under sub-merged fermentation (SmF) and solid-state fermentation (SSF) for 10 days at 30°C and at pH 6 in dark. After the growth period, the extracellular metabolites were extracted using polar and non-polar solvents and the extracts were subjected for antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion, microbroth dilution and time-kill kinetics assay. The methanolic extract of fruit bodies and mycelial biomass of C. cinerea (C2) grown under wheat flour agar and wheat flour broth respectively, showed significant antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and carbapenamase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae with a zone of inhibition ranging between 10 and 14 mm in diameter. On the contrary, ethyl acetate seems to be the effective solvent for extraction of antimicrobial compounds from culture filtrate of Smf and SSF grown C. cinerea (C2). Among the solid substrates (agrowaste materials), wheat bran supported maximum growth and antimicrobial metabolite production with a significant zone of inhibition ranging between 20 and 22 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ethyl acetate extract of C. cinerea (C2) culture filtrate was 3.12-12.5 mg/mL and 6.25-25 mg/mL, respectively. The time-kill kinetics assay showed the extracted metabolites of culture filtrate was bactericidal in nature.
Upregulation of HOTAIR Predicts Poor Outcome in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: EL-Khazragy Nashwa , Mohamed Magdy m. , Zaky Odett M.
Published: September 2019

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal hematopoietic malignancy, in spite of the marked improvement in the treatment of AML; Molecular biomarkers open the door to improve disease outcome. Accumulating evidence suggested that the long non-coding RNA “HOTAIR” has an oncogenic role in hemopoietic malignancies. Recently, it has been evident that knockdown of HOTAIR inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis by modulating c-Kit expression via acting as competing for endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) to sponge miR-193a at the post-transcriptional level.
Objectives: we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of HOTAIR in AML, to investigate its association with and c-Kit and miR-193a.
Subjects & Methods: we examined the expression levels of HOTAIR, miR-193a, and c-Kit in 100 de-novo AML patients using quantitative, the association of genes expressions with risk factors and patient’s outcome were statistically analyzed.
Results: the expression of HOTAIR was significantly upregulated by four folds in AML compared to healthy controls; higher expression levels were associated with high-risk factors, poorer overall survival (OS) and shorter leukemia-free survival (LFS). In addition; a negative correlation was detected between Lnc-HOTAIR and miR-193a, although significance didn’t reach.
Conclusion: The obtained results suggested that HOTAIR expression was upregulated in peripheral blood samples of de-novo AML patients and was associated with leukemic burden and disease outcome. Therefore, it may represent an effective diagnostic and poor prognostic tool for AML.
Gallbladder Mass and Diffuse Wall Thickness in an Elderly Patient: is it Definitively a Gallbladder Cancer?
Authors: Chan Kun-Ming , Liu Yu-Ling
Published: September 2019

Gallbladder masses as part of gallbladder pathology are commonly encountered at clinical scenario. However, it is important to distinguish between benign and malignant conditions in terms of clinical significance and management. While few gallbladder masses may present with unusual or nonspecific imaging appearances that is not easy to characterize gallbladder pathology. This report herein showed an elderly patient with a gallbladder mass accompanied by diffuse wall thickness of gallbladder that were similar to clinical characteristic of gallbladder cancer. Under thoughtfully surgical management, this patient was recovery very well from the operation and end up with a pleasant result of chronic cholecystitis instead of gallbladder carcinoma. Therefore, patients with a gallbladder mass are not definitively related to malignancy but should also be kept in mind the possibility of carcinoma. As long as pathological diagnosis is confirmed, surgical management with a therapeutic intent based on suitable clinical circumstances should be attempted.
The Supraclavicular Skin Temperature Response to Mild Cold Stimulation is Dependent on Ambient Temperature
Authors: Symonds Michael E. , Budge Helen , Macdonald I A , Robinson Lindsay Jane
Published: September 2019

Purpose: This study investigated the basal activity, and cold-induced thermogenic response, of supraclavicular brown adipose tissue (BAT) under warm (23˚C) and cool (18˚C) ambient conditions using supraclavicular skin temperature as a measure of BAT activity. As a highly metabolic, heat-producing tissue, it has been hypothesised that under-active/dysfunctional BAT may underlie a pathological energy imbalance leading to obesity.
Methods: Five lean, healthy participants underwent infrared thermography (IRT) of supraclavicular BAT before, and during, mild cold exposure (single-hand immersion in cool water at 20˚C), once at 18˚C and once at 23˚C. Energy expenditure (EE) was measured simultaneously using indirect calorimetry, and mean skin temperature (TMSK) was calculated at 1-minute intervals in parallel to IRT using wireless data loggers.
Results: Following 30 minutes of hand cooling, supraclavicular skin temperature (TSCR) rose significantly from baseline at an ambient temperature of 23˚C (∆TSCR: 0.17 ± 0.03˚C, P < 0.01), and EE rose by 0.22 ± 0.02 kJ/min, P < 0.001. At an ambient room temperature of 18˚C, TSCR after hand cooling was similar to baseline, and EE remained unchanged. The TMSK response was indicative of a systemic vasoconstrictive response of similar magnitude in both warm and cool ambient temperatures.
Conclusions: At 18˚C in light clothing, BAT may already be maximally stimulated at baseline, and respond minimally to additional cold exposure. Ambient temperature is recognised as a determinant of glucose uptake in BAT. In this study, we show, that it also modulates the TSCR response to further localised cold-stimulation, indicating an effect on BAT thermogenesis.
F-FDG Uptake Is Predictive of Poor Survival After Surgery for Large-CellNeuroendocrine-Carcinomas of The Lung: A Bicentric Analysis
Authors: Fournel Ludovic , Filice Angelina , Lupo Audrey , Janet-Vendroux Aurélie , Rapicetta Cristian , Lococo Filippo , Alifano Marco , Mengoli Maria Cecilia , Paci Massimiliano , Stefano Teresa Di
Published: September 2019

Introduction: Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) represents a relatively rare and poorly studied entity whose management is not clearly established. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between preoperative 18F-FDG-PET results, pathological features and long-term survival in a large surgical cohort of LCNEC.
Methods: From 06/08 to 06/17, the clinical, radiometabolic, pathological and surgical aspects of 121 LCNEC-patients surgically treated in 2 tertiary centers were retrieved. A Cox regression model was used to identify predictors of survival and Kaplan-Meier method to summarize overall survivals.
Results: Mean age and male/female ratio were 63.4±8.3 and 3:1, respectively. The main clinical, radiometabolic and surgical characteristics are reported in Tab.1. Most patients were active/former smokers and presented symptoms at diagnosis. 18FDG-PET/Scan was performed in 65 patients (53.7%) with a mean SUVmax of 10.1 (SD±4.6). Higher SUVmax values (SUVmax >10) were detected in tumors with larger size (p=0.004), advanced p-Stages (p=0.019), presenting necrosis (p=0.077) and with positive staining for CD56 (p=0.025) and TTF-1 (0.063). After surgery (R0 in 91% of cases), 52 (43%) patients had pStage-I while about 35% of patients presented with N1-2 disease. Median, 3-yrs and 5-yrs overall survival was 40 months, 52.2% and 44.6%, respectively. At univariate analysis, the survival was significantly influenced by SUVmax values (p=0.009) and by the presence of vascular invasion at pathological examination (p=0.024). Multivariate analysis showed as the FDG-SUVmax was the only independent variable affecting long-term survival (HR:2.86;C.E.: 1.09-7.47;p=0.032).
Conclusions: Patients underwent surgical resection for LCNEC of the lung experienced a poor prognosis (5-yrs survival = 44.6% in this study). High-level FDG accumulation (SUVmax >10) correlates with pathological features and results to be independently predictive of poor survival after surgery. This parameter should be taking into account when planning the best strategy of care.
A Case of Neurocysticercosis in Diyarbakir
Authors: OZTURK Pinar AYDIN , Ozturk Onder , Ozturk Unal
Published: September 2019

Neurocysticercosis is a major parasitic disease of the central nervous system, affecting endemic areas worldwide. It spreads through intermediary hosts, pigs and eventually men to his definitive host: humans. It causes lesions in the CNS which have different evolutive stages and can be asymptomatic or clinically evident. Imaging studies play an important role in the diagnosis of the disease and in its appropriate control.
Developing Local Content-Based Instructional Graded Reading Materials for Reading Level Three Students
Authors: Monica Shella , Vianty Machdalena
Published: September 2019

This research aimed at analyzing the quality of the newly developed local-content-based instructional graded reading materials for junior high school students in Lubuklinggau. The development of the instructional materials was then analyzed and evaluated in terms of their validity, practicality, and effectiveness using formative evaluation proposed, which consists of self-evaluation, experts review, one-to-one, small group, and field test. The result of expert review showed that the prototype of the product was categorized as having high validity as indicated by the average score of questionnaires on content and construct which was 3.23 (scale 1-4). Moreover, developed instructional reading materials were also considered as highly practical as indicated by the average score of one-to-one evaluation (3.39) and small group evaluation (3.18). Meanwhile, the result of field test evaluation showed that the developed reading comprehension test was highly effective to be used as reading assessment. Meanwhile, the result of field test evaluation shows that developed test could be categorized as effective because there were 20 students (74.07%) out of 27 students in reading comprehension test reached average category which was between 56 and 70. Hence, it was concluded that the developed products, either the test or the teaching materials can become alternative for teaching reading to students whose level of reading is level 3.

Keywords: reading assessment; graded reading material; local content-agriculturalproduct
Préservation rectale après radiochimiothérapie pour cancer du rectum
Authors: Vendrely V. , Frulio N. , Smith D. , Rullier A. , Rullier E. , Denost Q.
Published: September 2019

Le traitement standard des cancers du rectum, associant radiochimiothérapie suivie d’une chirurgie radicale avec exérèse totale du mésorectum, permet d’assurer le contrôle local pelvien, au prix d’une morbidité importante et de séquelles fonctionnelles. La radiochimiothérapie permet par ailleurs de stériliser les tumeurs dans 15 à 25 % des cas selon les séries, remettant en question l’utilité d’une chirurgie radicale chez les patients bons répondeurs. Deux stratégies de préservation d’organe tendent à se développer : une stratégie de surveillance attentive ou watch and wait, qui repose sur l’évaluation clinique et radiologique de la réponse complète, ou une stratégie d’exérèse locale qui permet d’inclure les patients en réponse subcomplète. Les essais actuels évaluent différentes stratégies d’optimisation de la réponse par intensification de la chimiothérapie ou escalade de dose en radiothérapie. De nombreuses questions restent néanmoins à résoudre quant à la définition de la réponse complète, la stratégie de surveillance, la morbidité de la chirurgie de rattrapage en cas de récidive ainsi que les résultats oncologiques et fonctionnels à long terme.
Essential Oil of Artemisia judaica L. (ssp. Sahariensis) from Algerian Sahara: Antimicrobial Effects and Mechanisms of Action
Authors: Halla N. , Boucherit K. , Zeragui B. , Hellal D. , Bentoumi A. , Belouafi L. , Chikhi I. , Boucherit-Otmani Z.
Published: September 2019

The aim of this work was to investigate the essential oil of Artemisia judaica L. (ssp. Sahariensis) originated from south of Algeria by evaluating its antimicrobial activity as well as its mechanisms of action against bacterial and fungal microorganisms. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against 17 microbial strains. The mechanisms of action of Artemisia judaica essential oil (AJEO) have been studied by the evaluation of the release of cellular material (260 nm), the cell viability, the activity of lipase, and the salt tolerance. The AJEO yield was 1.27 ± 0.24% (w/w). The chemical composition of AJEO was characterized by a high content of piperitone (71.1%). The most sensitive bacterium was Staphylococcus aureus with an MIC of 2.73 mg/mL. AJEO was found to be enough to kill strains tested at least 40% after thirty seconds of incubation and to induce release of cellular material. On the other hand, AJEO showed complete inhibition of lipase activity of Candida albicans cells as well as the ability of cells to form colonies on saline medium. AJEO has a powerful antimicrobial activity against different microbial organisms with different mechanisms of action. AJEO seem to be useful in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic application.
Point Dose Measurement for Verification of Treatment Planning System using an Indigenous Heterogeneous Pelvis Phantom for Clarkson, Convolution, Superposition, and Fast Superposition Algorithms
Authors: Singh S , Raina P , Gurjar O P
Published: September 2019

Background: Nowadays, advanced radiotherapy equipment includes algorithms to calculate dose. The verification of the calculated doses is important to achieve accurate results. Mostly homogeneous dosimetric phantoms are available commercially which do not mimic the actual patient anatomy; therefore, an indigenous heterogeneous pelvic phantom mimicking actual human pelvic region has been used to verify the doses calculated by different algorithms.Objective: This study aims to compare the planed dose using different algorithms with measured dose using an indigenous heterogeneous pelvic phantom.Material and Methods: Various three dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) plans were made using different dose calculated by algorithms. The plans were delivered by medical linear accelerator and doses were measured by ion chamber placed in the indigenous pelvic phantom. Planned and measured doses were compared with together and analyzed.Results: The relative electron densities of different parts in the pelvic phantom were found to be in good agreement with that of actual pelvic parts, including bladder, rectum, fats and bones. The highest percentage deviations between planned and measured dose were calculated in the single field for Superposition algorithm (3.09%) and single field with 45˚wedge for Superposition (3.04%). The least percentage deviation was calculated in the opposite field for Convolution which was - 0.08%. The results were within the range of ±5% as recommended by International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurement.Conclusion: The cost-effective indigenous heterogeneous pelvic phantom has the density pattern similar to the actual pelvic region; thus, it can be used for routine patient-specific quality assurance.
Finite Element Analysis of Different Hip Implant Designs along with Femur under Static Loading Conditions
Authors: Chethan K N , Shyamasunder Bhat N , Zuber M , Satish Shenoy B
Published: September 2019

Background: The hip joint is the largest joint after the knee, which gives stability to the whole human structure. The hip joint consists of a femoral head which articulates with the acetabulum. Due to age and wear between the joints, these joints need to be replaced with implants which can function just as a natural joint. Since the early 19th century, the hip joint arthroplasty has evolved, and many advances have been taken in the field which improved the whole procedure. Currently, there is a wide variety of implants available varying in the length of stem, shapes, and sizes.Material and Methods: Circular, oval, ellipse and trapezoidal-shaped stem designs are considered in the present study. The human femur is modeled using Mimics. CATIA V-6 is used to model the implant models. Static structural analysis is carried out using ANSYS R-19 to evaluate the best implant design.Results: All the four hip implants exhibited the von Mises stresses, lesser than its yielded strength. However, circular and trapezoidal-shaped stems have less von Mises stress compared to ellipse and oval.Conclusion: This study shows the behavior of different implant designs when their cross-sections are varied. Further, these implants can be considered for dynamic analysis considering different gait cycles. By optimizing the implant design, life expectancy of the implant can be improved, which will avoid the revision of the hip implant in active adult patients.
Gated Radiotherapy Development and its Expansion
Authors: Keikhai Farzaneh M J , Momennezhad M , Naseri Sh
Published: September 2019

One of the most important challenges in treatment of patients with cancerous tumors of chest and abdominal areas is organ movement. The delivery of treatment radiation doses to tumor tissue is a challenging matter while protecting healthy and radio sensitive tissues. Since the movement of organs due to respiration causes a discrepancy in the middle of planned and delivered dose distributions. The moderation in the fatalistic effect of intra-fractional target travel on the radiation therapy correctness is necessary for cutting-edge methods of motion remote monitoring and cancerous growth irradiancy. Tracking respiratory milling and implementation of breath-hold techniques by respiratory gating systems have been used for compensation of respiratory motion negative effects. Therefore, these systems help us to deliver precise treatments and also protect healthy and critical organs. It seems aspiration should be kept under observation all over treatment period employing tracking seed markers (e.g. fiducials), skin surface scanners (e.g. camera and laser monitoring systems) and aspiration detectors (e.g. spirometers). However, these systems are not readily available for most radiotherapy centers around the word. It is believed that providing and expanding the required equipment, gated radiotherapy will be a routine technique for treatment of chest and abdominal tumors in all clinical radiotherapy centers in the world by considering benefits of respiratory gating techniques in increasing efficiency of patient treatment in the near future.This review explains the different technologies and systems as well as some strategies available for motion management in radiotherapy centers.
RESEARCH ON GEOGRAPHICAL INDUSTRIES AND EDGE CRAFTS ASSOCIATIONS IN NORTHEAST BRAZIL AND NORTH PORTUGAL
Authors: Bianchini Ilka Maria Escaliante , Leitão Russo Suzana , Pinto dos Santos Norberto Nuno
Published: September 2019

This paper presents partial results of a survey on the profile of Geographical Indication Lace Embroidery Associations in northeastern Brazil and Portugal. Geographical Indications value and protect traditional products linked to a particular locality, while making positive contributions to the local economy. Handicraft production associations in Brazil, which have obtained the geographical indication seal, add many artisans who derive their families' livelihoods almost exclusively by selling the products. In Portugal the process is different and the certification is individual for the artisan and the pieces. This study aimed to characterize the profile of the members of the Renda Irlandesa, Renda Renascença e Bordado Filpe associations in northeastern Brazil with Geographical Indication seal and the lace of Tibaldinho, Bilro and Lenço dos Namorados in Portugal. The work started with bibliographic research that preceded the field research and Doctoral Sandwich in Portugal. In the bibliographic research were used articles, theses, dissertations available in the online bases of CAPES periods. The Sandwich Doctorate was conducted between November 2018 and March 2019 and the field research in Brazil was conducted from May to June 2019, and data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire.
Increased sensitivity to traumatic axonal injury on postconcussion diffusion tensor imaging scans in National Football League players by using premorbid baseline scans
Authors: Niogi Sumit N. , Luther Neal , Kutner Kenneth , Shetty Teena , McCrea Heather J. , Barnes Ronnie , Weiss Leigh , Warren Russell F. , Rodeo Scott A. , Zimmerman Robert D. , Moss Nelson S. , Tsiouris Apostolos John , Härtl Roger
Published: September 2019

OBJECTIVE

Statistical challenges exist when using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to assess traumatic axonal injury (TAI) in individual concussed athletes. The authors examined active professional American football players over a 6-year time period to study potential TAI after concussion and assess optimal methods to analyze DTI at the individual level.

METHODS

Active American professional football players recruited prospectively were assessed with DTI, conventional MRI, and standard clinical workup. Subjects underwent an optional preseason baseline scan and were asked to undergo a scan within 5 days of concussion during gameplay. DTI from 25 age- and sex-matched controls were obtained. Both semiautomated region-of-interest analysis and fully automated tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) were used to examine DTI at individual and group levels. Statistical differences were assessed comparing individual DTI data to baseline imaging versus a normative database. Group-level comparisons were also performed to determine if longer exposure to professional-level play or prior concussion cause white matter microstructural integrity changes.

RESULTS

Forty-nine active professional football players were recruited into the study. Of the 49 players, 7 were assessed at baseline during the preseason and after acute concussion. An additional 18 players were assessed after acute concussion only. An additional 24 players had only preseason baseline assessments. The results suggest DTI is more sensitive to suspected TAI than conventional MRI, given that 4 players demonstrated decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) in multiple tracts despite normal conventional MRI. Furthermore, the data suggest individual assessment of DTI data using baseline premorbid imaging is more sensitive than typical methods of comparing data to a normative control group. Among all subjects with baseline data, 1 reduced FA tract (± 2.5 standard deviations) was found using the typical normative database reference versus 10 statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduced FA tracts when referencing internal control baseline data. All group-level comparisons were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline premorbid DTI data for individual DTI analysis provides increased statistical sensitivity. Specificity using baseline imaging also increases because numerous potential etiologies for reduced FA may exist prior to a concussion. These data suggest that there is a high potential for false-positive and false-negative assessment of DTI data using typical methods of comparing an individual to normative groups given the variability of FA values in the normal population.
Predicting hearing outcomes before primary radiosurgery for vestibular schwannomas
Authors: Johnson Stephen , Kano Hideyuki , Faramand Andrew , Niranjan Ajay , Flickinger John C. , Lunsford L. Dade
Published: September 2019

OBJECTIVE

Optimizing outcomes in the management of patients with vestibular schwannomas (VSs) requires consideration of the patient’s goals. Earlier recognition of VS by imaging has led to an evolution in management. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has emerged as a frequently used strategy designed to reduce management risks, obtain long-term tumor control, and preserve current neurological function. The authors analyzed features that impact hearing preservation rates in patients with serviceable hearing prior to SRS.

METHODS

The study included 307 patients who had serviceable hearing (Gardner-Robertson hearing scale [GR] grade 1 or 2, speech discrimination score ≥ 50%, pure tone average ≤ 50 dB) at the time of SRS. The authors evaluated parameters that included age, tumor volume, hearing status, disequilibrium, tinnitus, Koos class, sex, and tumor margin dose. The Pittsburgh Hearing Prediction Score (PHPS) was evaluated as a method to predict long-term hearing outcomes in these cases.

RESULTS

At a median of 7.6 years after SRS (range 1–23 years), tumor control was achieved in 95% of patients. The overall serviceable hearing preservation rate was 77.8% at 3 years, 68.8% at 5 years, and 51.8% at 10 years. The PHPS assigns a total of 5 points based on patient age (1 point if < 45 years, 2 points if 45–59 years, and 3 points if ≥ 60 years), tumor volume (0 points if < 1.2 cm3, 1 point if ≥ 1.2 cm3), and GR grade (0 points if grade 1 hearing, 1 point if grade 2 hearing) The serviceable hearing preservation rate was 92.3% at 10 years in patients whose score total was 1. In contrast, none of the patients whose PHPS was 5 maintained serviceable hearing at 10 years (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

SRS resulted in a high rate of long-term tumor control and cranial nerve preservation. The PHPS helped to predict long-term hearing preservation rates in patients who underwent SRS when they still had serviceable hearing. The best long-term hearing preservation rates were found in younger patients with smaller tumor volumes.
The cut flow index revisited: utility of intraoperative blood flow measurements in extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery for ischemic cerebrovascular disease
Authors: Stapleton Christopher J. , Atwal Gursant S. , Hussein Ahmed E. , Amin-Hanjani Sepideh , Charbel Fady T.
Published: September 2019

OBJECTIVE

In extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery, the cut flow index (CFI) is the ratio of bypass flow (ml/min) to donor vessel cut flow (ml/min), and a CFI ≥ 0.5 has been shown to correlate with bypass patency. The authors sought to validate this observation in a large cohort of EC-IC bypasses for ischemic cerebrovascular disease with long-term angiographic follow-up.

METHODS

All intracranial bypass procedures performed at a single institution between 2003 and 2018 were reviewed. Demographic, clinical, angiographic, and operative data were recorded and analyzed according to bypass patency with univariate and multivariate statistical analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 278 consecutive intracranial bypasses were performed during the study period, of which 157 (56.5%) were EC-IC bypasses for ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Intraoperative blood flow measurements were available in 146 patients, and angiographic follow-up was available at a mean of 2.1 ± 2.6 years after bypass. The mean CFI was significantly higher in patients with patent bypasses (0.92 vs 0.64, p = 0.003). The bypass patency rate was 83.1% in cases with a CFI ≥ 0.5 compared with 46.4% in cases with a CFI < 0.5 (p < 0.0001). Adjusting for age, sex, diagnosis, and single versus double anastomosis, the CFI remained a significant predictor of bypass patency (p = 0.001; OR 5.8, 95% CI 2.0–19.0). A low CFI was also associated with early versus late bypass nonpatency (p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

A favorable CFI portends long-term EC-IC bypass patency, while a poor CFI predicts eventual bypass nonpatency and can alert surgeons to potential problems with the donor vessel, anastomosis, or recipient bed during surgery.
Microcatheter delivery of neurotherapeutics: compatibility with mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Srinivasan Visish M. , Gumin Joy , Camstra Kevin M. , Chen Stephen R. , Johnson Jeremiah N. , Shimizu Yuzaburo , Parker Kerrigan Brittany C. , Shpall Elizabeth J. , Lang Frederick F. , Kan Peter
Published: September 2019

OBJECTIVE

Bone marrow–derived human mesenchymal stem cells (BM-hMSCs) have been used in clinical trials for the treatment of several neurological disorders. MSCs have been explored as a delivery modality for targeted viral therapeutic agents in the treatment of intracranial pathologies. Delta-24-RGD, a tumor-selective oncolytic adenovirus designed to target malignant glioma cells, has been shown to be effective in animal models and in a recent clinical trial. However, the most efficient strategy for delivering oncolytic therapies remains unclear. BM-hMSCs have been shown to home toward glioma xenografts after intracarotid delivery. The feasibility of selective intraarterial infusion of BM-hMSCs loaded with Delta-24-RGD (BM-hMSC-Delta-24) to deliver the virus to the tumor is being investigated. To evaluate the feasibility of endovascular intraarterial delivery, the authors tested in vitro the compatibility of BM-hMSC-Delta-24 with a variety of commercially available, clinically common microcatheters.

METHODS

BM-hMSCs were cultured, transfected with Delta-24-RGD, and resuspended in 1% human serum albumin. The solution was then injected via 4 common neuroendovascular microcatheters of different inner diameters (Marathon, Echelon-14, Marksman, and SL-10). Cell count and viability after injection through the microcatheters were assessed, including tests of injection velocity and catheter configuration. Transwell assays were performed with the injected cells to test the efficacy of BM-hMSC-Delta-24 activity against U87 glioma cells. BM-hMSC-Delta-24 compatibility was also tested with common neuroendovascular medications: Omnipaque, verapamil, and heparin.

RESULTS

The preinfusion BM-hMSC-Delta-24 cell count was 1.2 × 105 cells/ml, with 98.7% viability. There was no significant difference in postinfusion cell count or viability for any of the catheters. Increasing the injection velocity from 1.0 ml/min to 73.2 ml/min, or modifying the catheter shape from straight to tortuous, did not significantly reduce cell count or viability. Cell count and viability remained stable for up to 5 hours when the cell solution was stored on ice. Mixing BM-hMSC-Delta-24 with clinical concentrations of Omnipaque, verapamil, and heparin prior to infusion did not alter cell count or viability. Transwell experiments demonstrated that the antiglioma activity of BM-hMSC-Delta-24 was maintained after infusion.

CONCLUSIONS

BM-hMSC-Delta-24 is compatible with a wide variety of microcatheters and medications commonly used in neuroendovascular therapy. Stem cell viability and viral agent activity do not appear to be affected by catheter configuration or injection velocity. Commercially available microcatheters can be used to deliver stem cell neurotherapeutics via intraarterial routes.
PENGEMBANGAN E-MODUL IPA BERBASIS PROBLEM BASED LEARNING UNTUK MENINGKATKAN LITERASI SAINS SISWA
Authors: Kimianti Febyarni , Prasetyo Zuhdan Kun
Published: September 2019

The limitations of print media such as student books in the effectiveness of their use open opportunities for the integration of supplementary teaching material with the latest information technology to support the achievement of 21st-century skills, one of which is scientific literacy through an E-module. This study aims to develop PBL based science e-modules to improve students science literacy skills. Emodule can be used as an alternative source of practical and contextual learning because it can be used anywhere and the material presented is relevant to real life. This research is research and development, adapting the ADDIE (analyze, design, development, implement and  evaluate). Based on experts judgments and limited testing, of PBL based science e-module and instrument scientific literacy are feasible to apply in science learning to improve scientific literacy. AbstrakKeterbatasan media cetak seperti buku teks pelajaran siswa dalam keefektifan penggunaannya membuka peluang bagi pengintegrasian sebuah suplemen bahan ajar dengan teknologi informasi terkini guna mendukung ketercapaian keterampilan abad 21. Salah satunya adalah literasi sains dengan melalui sebuah E-modul berbasis PBL. E-modul tersebut dapat dijadikan sebagai alternatif sumber belajar yang praktis dan kontekstual karena dapat digunakan dimana saja dan materi yang disajikan relevan dengan kehidupan nyata.  Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengembangkan e-modul IPA berbasis PBL untuk meningkatkan kemampuan literasi sains. Penelitian ini ialah penelitian pengembangan, mengadaptasi model ADDIE (analyze, design, development, implement dan  evaluate). Penelitian ini dilakukan sampai tahap development. Berdasarkan penilaian ahli dan uji coba terbatas, e-modul IPA berbasis problem-based learning dan soal literasi sains layak untuk digunakan diterapkan dalam pembelajaran IPA untuk meningkatkan kemampuan literasi sains.
Neotectonics of the Pleistocene deposits in the northeast of Taman peninsula, the southern Asov sea region
Authors: Tesakov A. S. , Guydalenok O. V. , Sokolov S. A. , Frolov P. D. , Trifonov V. G. , Simakova A. N. , Latyshev A. V. , Titov V. V. , Shchelinsky V. E.
Published: September 2019

Studies in paleomagnetism, structural geology, and paleontology (mammals, molluscs, palynology) in the coastal sections of the Taman Peninsula north-eastern part (2017–18) resulted in definition of three sedimentary members. The sandy and clayey lower member (I) formed at 2.1–1.7 Ma. It contains a normally magnetised zone within deposits of reversed polarity correlated to the Olduvai Subchron and the Matuyama Chron.

The middle member (II) is composed of the basal pebbles overlain by sands. The reversely magnetised deposits hosting the Sinyaya Balka site, the type locality of the Tamanian faunal complex, is correlated to the basal bed of the middle member II. The overlying sands are normally magnetised (Jaramillo Subchron) in the lower part and show reverse polarity (late Matuyama Chron) in the upper part. The member II is dated in the range of 1.3–0.78 Ma.

The silty upper member (III) represents Middle-Late Pleistocene. The dissimilar displacement degree of the members reflect developmental stages of the Quaternary deformation.

The member I is characterised by dip angles up to 70° is fragmented by faults into blocks. The member II filled the relief of the eroded surface of the Member I and also displaced by faults. The faulting separated the bone-bearing body of the Taman faunal complex as a rock land-slide. The attitude of the member III outline an anticline with a gentle south-western and a steeper north-eastern limbs eroded by land-slides and marine abrasion. During its entire life the anticline was affected by mud volcanism. The anticline continues its development at the present stage.
Deep structure of the Anapa flexural-rupture zone, Western Caucasus
Authors: Rogozhin E. A. , Gorbatikov A. V. , Kharazova Yu. V. , Stepanova M. Yu. , Chen J. , Ovsyuchenko A. N. , Lar’kov A. S. , Sysolin A. I.
Published: September 2019

In the period from 2007 to 2017 complex geological and geophysical studies were carried out in the three largest flexural-rupture fault zones in the North-West Caucasus (Anapa, Akhtyrka and Moldavan). The micro-seismic sounding (MSM) was used as the main geophysical method. Studies with the help of MSM allowed us to identify the features of the deep structure of the earth’s crust in the study area and to associate them with specific tectonic structures on the surface.The binding was carried out by harmonizing the results of the MSM and the parameters of the section of the sedimentary cover and crustal boundaries according to the drilling data and the work previously performed by the reflected wave method (MOVZ). It was found that the Anapa flexure and longitudinal tectonic zones have clear deep roots, and also separate the pericline of the North-Western Caucasus from the Taman Peninsula and from the lowered blocks of the Northern slope of the folded system.Faults in the study area are divided into: (1) deep faults of the Caucasian stretch, penetrating into the lower crust and even to the upper mantle, and (2) near-surface faults, do not extend to the depths beyond the thickness of the sedimentary cover. The seismogenic role of these tectonic disturbances in the studied seismically active region has been determined.
Age, HF-isotope systemantics of detritial zircons and the source of conglomerates of the mt. Southern Demerdzhy, Mountainous Crimea
Authors: Rud’ko S. V. , Kuznetsov N. B. , Belousova E. A. , Romanyuk T. V.
Published: September 2019

The U–Pb dating and Hf isotope systematics of detrital zircons from a sandstone interbed in the section of the upper conglomerate sequence of the Mt. South Demerdzhi were carried out.

The dominant populations of detrital zircons in the studied sample characterize episodes of magmatic activity within the source of the Upper Jurassic conglomerates. Magmatism was manifested in the Vendian-Cambrian, Carbon-Triassic and Late Jurassic. The åHf values of detrital zircons of these ages indicate the insignificant role of the ancient (Archean–Early Proterozoic) continental crust in the protolith of magmatic chambers. The similarity of the detrital zircons age distribution from the Middle Jurassic and Upper Jurassic conglomerate strata suggests that they are molasses of the Cimmerian orogen. The absence of products of Middle Jurassic magmatism in molasses of the Cimmerian orogen, which we fixed, limits position of the Cimmerian orogen in the southern part of the Scythian plate. It is shown that the primary source of the Precambrian detrital zircons were mobilized within the Cimmerian orogen the crustal fragments of the Peri-Gondwanan origin, rather than the basement complexes of the East European Platform, similar to the complexes of the Ukrainian shield.

The reconstruction of the main stages of the accumulation of the coarse-grained strata of the Mountaineous Crimea in the context of the tectonic evolution of the southern margin of Laurasia during the Mesozoic is presented.
Antibacterial effect of Titanium alloys with Copper Nanoparticles: In vitro study.
Authors: Silva-Arriagada Nataly , Gómez Andrés , Muñoz Marlene
Published: September 2019

Objective: To evaluate the in-vitro antimicrobial effect of Titanium alloys with Copper Nanoparticles (CuNP) against Streptococcus mutans and Phorphyromonas gingivalis . Materials and Methods: An in vitro study was carried out. The unit of analysis corresponded to 10 healing abutments. In 5 abutments Copper nanoparticles (CuNP) electrodeposition was applied. The remaining 5 abutments corresponded to control. The healing abutments were then immersed in culture medium for S. mutans and P. gingivalis for 14 days. Results: The agar plates with CuNP-coated abutments showed a lower growth, statistically significant for both bacterial strains. Conclusion: There is a statistically significant lower growth of S. mutans and P. gingivalis in healing abutments with CuNP.
Evaluation of demographic and radiological risk factors for assessment of difficulty in surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar – A prospective study.
Authors: Goel Manu R. , Shringarpure Milind D. , Shewale Vasant V. , Dehankar Tejasvini , Joshi Ajit
Published: September 2019

The extraction of impacted third molars is among the most common surgical procedures carried out in the field of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Both the patient and dentist must therefore have scientific evidence-based information concerning the estimated level of surgical difficulty of every case to consider in referring cases of impacted third molars for specialists’ handling. We have undertaken a study in which demographic and radiological variables were considered together to evaluate the risk factors for surgical difficulty in a cohort of 100 impacted mandibular third molars. There were 13 variables evaluated for surgical difficulty. Total surgical time intervention was noted at the end of each surgery. Each variable was analysed with total surgical time intervention with univariate and multiple linear regression. Out of 13 variables, 9 were found statistically significant. The most significant predictors for surgical difficulty were Body Mass Index, Depth of impacted tooth and Retromolar space. No postoperative complications were reported.