bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neck Shaft Angle of Non-articulated Femur Bones among Adults in Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Anusuya , Ranjit Nirju , Shrestha Rajani
Published: May 2016

Introduction: The neck-shaft (collo-diaphysial) angle of the human femur bone is an important factor for the hip stability and normal walking. It has been described that neck shaft normally ranges from the angle of 115° to 140°. The main objective of the study is to evaluate the neck shaft angle of the non-articulated adult Nepalese femur bones.Methods: Altogether 100 non-articulated adult human femur bones with 50 right and 50 left were taken from a renowned anatomy laboratory. The femora were of unknown sex, age and race. Use of simple protector was used to measure the neck-shaft angle. Both the anterior and posterior views were observed and 200 measurements were recorded.Results:The mean value of neck shaft angle was 127.71°with standard deviation of 5.78°. The mean angle of 128.46° and 126.97° with the respective standard deviation of 5.83° and 5.66° were observed with respect to the right and left adult femur bones.Conclusion: The neck shaft angle of non-articulated adult femur bone of Nepalese people had no remarkable dissimilarity with the angles observed in the studies conducted in the neighboring countries. Neither was there any significant difference between the neck-shaft angle of right and left adult femur bones of the Nepalese.
Medical writing: A Habit and Discipline We Need to Nurture
Authors: Pokhrel Rishi
Published: May 2016

Medical writing is an integral part of clinical practice and research. It is needless to say “if you haven’t written and published about it, you haven’t done it in the first place”. Each and every doctor around the world goes through the almost the same training in terms of how rigorous it is and its duration, but still we are unique in our own ways. It is this quality of being unique and innovative that develops the medical field forwards and paves the way for new research.  It is our duty and obligation to share the new knowledge and experience that we have gained during our practice.  The more we share, the more we learn and the more we learn the more we acquire new knowledge for ultimate good of mankind.
Client Satisfaction in 'Ex - servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinic': An Experience from India
Authors: Phuyal Naveen , Jindal YSM Ashok Kumar , Mukherji Sandip
Published: May 2016

Introduction: Client or patient satisfaction is considered as one of the desired outcomes of health care and it is directly related to utilization of health services. We aim to study the client satisfaction regarding services in a Health Insurance Scheme Polyclinic for Veterans.Methods: This observational and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at an Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinic, India. A structured questionnaire was used for the study for which a total of 400 clients were interviewed.Results: Overall, the respondents thought that the services provided by the polyclinic were good. None of the respondents rated the polyclinic to be poor, majority of them (68.8%) rated it to be good, 13.8% rated it to be excellent and 17.5% were just satisfied with the services at the polyclinic.Conclusion: The ultimate aim of ECHS is to ensure that the veterans, who have given their best years of life in the service of the nation in extremely hostile conditions, get the best possible preventive, promotive and curative care when they need it most. ECHS of this kind with improvements sounds relevant in context of Nepalese armed forces as well.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning with Classical Neurological Symptoms and CT Findings
Authors: Pant Chiranjibi , Karki Binod , Shrestha Biswo , Karki Parag , Paudel Raju
Published: May 2016

Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the leading causes of accidental poisonings. Mild poisoning produce symptoms like headaches, vertigo and flu like effects, whereas larger exposures can lead to significant toxicity of the central nervous system (CNS) including death. High index of suspicion is thus necessary specially while evaluating collection of such cases in winter months with a careful history taking. Here, we are reporting a case of suspected CO poisoning diagnosed on the basis of history, response to supportive treatment, exclusion of other causes, and classical computer tomographic findings.
Orbital Cellulitis with Exudative Retinal Detachment
Authors: Karki Pooja , Pandey Manish
Published: May 2016

Exudative retinal detachment occurs extremely rarely with orbital cellulitis.  TB can affect majority of the structures of the eye with marked variability of the lesions. We herein report a 40 year old male who presented with acute left eye protrusion with sudden diminution of vision. On examination there was proptosis of the left eye with restricted extraocular movements. Exudative retinal detachment with subretinal abscess was present in the same eye.  Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of brain showed right sided frontal lobe lesion suggestive of tuberculoma with positive Quantiferon - TB Gold test.
Prevalence of Aerobic Bacteria in the Hands of School-Going Children of Rural Areas of Eastern Part of Nepal
Authors: Ghimire Gyanendra , Rajbhandari Sanjeev Das , Pandeya Deependra Raj , Singh Yankpam Ibotomba , Adhikari Binita , Pradhan Manoj
Published: May 2016

Introduction: The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of bacteria in hands of school going children in a rural area of eastern part of Nepal. Contaminated hands play a major role in faeco-oral transmission of diseases. The students can expose themselves to infection if they do not properly wash their hands before taking food. Methods: The study was done in a remote school of eastern part of Nepal in 2013. A prospective study was done on 200 school children of age group 10 years to 15 years. Swab samples collected from all the children were transported to the laboratory within one to two hours of its collection. The samples were kept in nutrient broth for overnight incubation. They were then sub-cultured aerobically at 37°C on 5% defibrinated sheep blood agar and MacConkey agar plates for 24-48 hrs. Then the plates were examined to quantify the organisms present according to Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines.Results: Out of 200 dominant hand swabs of school children of age group 10 years to 15 years, 52 children (26.0%) were harboring pathogenic bacteria in their hands. The major aerobic pathogenic bacteria in hands were i.e. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp, Enterococci spp, Escherichia coli, Klebsiellaspp, Acinetobactersppand Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In most of the hands normal flora like Diphtheroids spp, Coagulase negative Staphylococci (CONS), Micrococci spp and some yeast were found.Conclusion: The finding of the study concludes that there is high incidence of aerobic bacterial flora in the hands of school going children of eastern part of Nepal. The incidence of infection was due to lack of proper hand washing before meal. The school should be told to keep soaps in the toilets for hand washing and conduct continue health education about proper hand washing and maintain cleanliness both in the schools and at the community level.
Right Anterolateral Thoracotomy an Alternative to Median Sternotomy for Closure of Atrial Septal Defect: A Cosmetic Approach in Young Females
Authors: Baral Ravi Kumar , Koirala Bhagawan
Published: May 2016

Background and Aims: Atrial septal defect operation is a safe and low-risk procedure. Cosmetic results have been an important issue, so right anterolateral thoracotomy approach has been used for repair. We present minimally invasive ASD closure via limited right anterolateral thoracotomy, as our early experience in road of minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Methods: This study was done in the Manmohan Cardiothoracic and Transplant Center in the time period of 2012 to 2013. The study included 70 patients aged 15 – 35 years old (22.1±5.5) admitted for surgical repair of their secundum atrial septal defects. The patients were randomly allocated into one of two groups according to the approach used in their operation. Right anterolateral thoracotomy(RALT) group included 35 patients operated via right anterolateral thoracotomy.and median sternotomy(MS) group included 35 patients operated via the median sternotomy. Result: Of 70 patients only 63 patients meet the criteria for analysis. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups regarding their demographic data and duration of operation. Postoperative pleural/pericardial effusion and pneumothorax occurred in 2.1% of patients in MS and 6.6% in Right anterolateral thoracotomygroup (p= 0.001). Total in hospital pain score was high in sternotomy group than thoracotomy group, but did not reach statistically significant values. There was no operative or late mortality or morbidity in the early follow-up (range, 1 m to 2 years, mean 1.34 yrs). Conclusion: RALT is a safe and effective alternative approach to MS incision for ASD closure.Nepalese Heart Journal | Jan 2015 | Volume 12 | No.1Page : 21-25
Paradoxical Essentialism: Reading Race and Origins in Jane Jeong Trenka’s Asian Adoption Memoirs
Authors: Wills Jenny Heijun
Published: May 2016

I argue that anti-essentialism assumes a neutral or default subject for whom biology and origins are both coherent and reliable. Analyzing Jane Jeong Trenka’s two adoption memoirs, The Language of Blood and Fugitive Visions, I argue that anti-essentialism is a privileged posture not afforded to everyone.
Archival Futurism in Paul Auster’s The Book of Illusions
Authors: Huebert David
Published: May 2016

Through a reading of Paul Auster’s 2002 novel The Book of Illusions, this article explores the archival impulse in the context of queer theorist Lee Edelman’s schematization of “reproductive futurism.” I argue that The Book of Illusions positions the archive, rather than the child, as the object of futurity and suggest that Auster explores what I term “archival futurism” through two competing visions of the archive: David Zimmer, the protagonist of The Book of Illusions, seeks to extend human life through the archive, exhibiting a pathological archive mania following the death of his family; Hector Mann, in contrast, exemplifies a queered vision of the traditional archive, rejecting futurity by destroying the archive of films he has been making for sixty-odd years. Mann ultimately overcomes the archive while Zimmer remains feverishly devoted to it.
Transitional Justice, Termination Policies, and the Politics of Literary Affect in Chrystos’Not Vanishing
Authors: Suzack Cheryl
Published: May 2016

This essay discusses Chrystos’ poetry, arguing that it explores the relationship between aesthetics, politics, and affect by portraying the limits of sovereign agency as a paradigm that provides an explanatory and rational account for understanding the poet’s racialized, gendered, and occupied subjectivity. It proposes that poetry represents an important genre for attuning social justice actors to experiences of injustice that do not conform to the demands placed on them by adjudicatory processes, and it suggests that cultural texts by Indigenous authors provide an important context to the ongoing experience of social injustice by redirecting our attention to political events and situations that organize and originate victims’ claims.
Combination therapy in a xenograft model of glioblastoma: enhancement of the antitumor activity of temozolomide by an MDM2 antagonist
Authors: Wang Haiyan , Cai Shanbao , Bailey Barbara J. , Reza Saadatzadeh M. , Ding Jixin , Tonsing-Carter Eva , Georgiadis Taxiarchis M. , Zachary Gunter T. , Long Eric C. , Minto Robert E. , Gordon Kevin R. , Sen Stephanie E. , Cai Wenjing , Eitel Jacob A. , Waning David L. , Bringman Lauren R. , Wells Clark D. , Murray Mary E. , Sarkaria Jann N. , Gelbert Lawrence M. , Jones David R. , Cohen-Gadol Aaron A. , Mayo Lindsey D. , Shannon Harlan E. , Pollok Karen E.
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE

Improvement in treatment outcome for patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) requires a multifaceted approach due to dysregulation of numerous signaling pathways. The murine double minute 2 (MDM2) protein may fulfill this requirement because it is involved in the regulation of growth, survival, and invasion. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of modulating MDM2 function in combination with front-line temozolomide (TMZ) therapy in GBM.

METHODS

The combination of TMZ with the MDM2 protein–protein interaction inhibitor nutlin3a was evaluated for effects on cell growth, p53 pathway activation, expression of DNA repair proteins, and invasive properties. In vivo efficacy was assessed in xenograft models of human GBM.

RESULTS

In combination, TMZ/nutlin3a was additive to synergistic in decreasing growth of wild-type p53 GBM cells. Pharmacodynamic studies demonstrated that inhibition of cell growth following exposure to TMZ/nutlin3a correlated with: 1) activation of the p53 pathway, 2) downregulation of DNA repair proteins, 3) persistence of DNA damage, and 4) decreased invasion. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated that nutlin3a was detected in human intracranial tumor xenografts. To assess therapeutic potential, efficacy studies were conducted in a xenograft model of intracranial GBM by using GBM cells derived from a recurrent wild-type p53 GBM that is highly TMZ resistant (GBM10). Three 5-day cycles of TMZ/nutlin3a resulted in a significant increase in the survival of mice with GBM10 intracranial tumors compared with single-agent therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Modulation of MDM2/p53-associated signaling pathways is a novel approach for decreasing TMZ resistance in GBM. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study in a humanized intracranial patient-derived xenograft model to demonstrate the efficacy of combining front-line TMZ therapy and an inhibitor of MDM2 protein–protein interactions.
External validation of the Practical Risk Chart for the prediction of delayed cerebral ischemia following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Foreman Paul M. , Chua Michelle H. , Harrigan Mark R. , Fisher Winfield S. , Tubbs R. Shane , Shoja Mohammadali M. , Griessenauer Christoph J.
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) occurs in approximately 30% of patients. The Practical Risk Chart was developed to predict DCI based on admission characteristics; the authors seek to externally validate and critically appraise this prediction tool.

METHODS

A prospective cohort of aSAH patients was used to externally validate the previously published Practical Risk Chart. The model consists of 4 variables: clinical condition on admission, amount of cisternal and intraventricular blood on CT, and age. External validity was assessed using logistic regression. Model discrimination was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

RESULTS

In a cohort of 125 patients with aSAH, the Practical Risk Chart adequately predicted DCI, with an AUC of 0.66 (95% CI 0.55–0.77). Clinical grade on admission and amount of intracranial blood on CT were the strongest predictors of DCI and clinical vasospasm. The best-fit model used a combination of the Hunt and Hess grade and the modified Fisher scale to yield an AUC of 0.76 (95% CI 0.675–0.85) and 0.70 (95% CI 0.602–0.8) for the prediction of DCI and clinical vasospasm, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The Practical Risk Chart adequately predicts the risk of DCI following aSAH. However, the best-fit model represents a simpler stratification scheme, using only the Hunt and Hess grade and the modified Fisher scale, and produces a comparable AUC.
White-collar sign as a predictor of outcome after endovascular treatment for cerebral aneurysms
Authors: Fukuda Kenji , Higashi Toshio , Okawa Masakazu , Iwaasa Mitsutoshi , Yoshioka Tsutomu , Inoue Tooru
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE

The white-collar sign (WCS) is known as a thick neointimal tissue formation at the aneurysm neck after endovascular coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms, which may prevent aneurysm recanalization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors involved in the appearance of WCS and to identify radiological and clinical outcomes of treated aneurysms with WCS.

METHODS

The study included 140 patients with 149 aneurysms in which it was possible to confirm the aneurysm neck between the aneurysm sac and parent artery by using conventional angiography. The WCS was defined as a radiolucent band at the aneurysm neck on the angiogram at 6 months after initial embolization. The radiological outcome was evaluated using MR angiography.

RESULTS

In 23 of 149 aneurysms (15.4%), a WCS appeared. The WCS-positive group had a significantly smaller neck size (3.3 ± 0.8 mm vs 4.2 ± 1.1 mm, p < 0.001) and smaller aneurysm size (4.3 ± 0.9 mm vs 6.0 ± 2.1 mm, p < 0.001) than the WCS-negative group. Multivariate analysis revealed that WCS appearance was associated with small neck size (OR 0.376, 95% CI 0.179–0.787; p = 0.009). In 106 of 149 aneurysms, the rate of complete occlusion was significantly higher in the WCS-positive group (18/18, 100%) than in the WCS-negative group (n = 54/88, 61.4%; p = 0.001) in the mean follow-up period of 31.0 ± 9.7 months (range 5–52 months). Neither major recanalization nor rupture of the aneurysm occurred in the WCS-positive group.

CONCLUSIONS

Appearance of the WCS was associated with complete occlusion and good clinical outcome after endovascular coil embolization. The WCS would help to determine the prognosis of cerebral aneurysms after endovascular treatment.
Biomechanical fixation properties of cortical versus transpedicular screws in the osteoporotic lumbar spine: an in vitro human cadaveric model
Authors: Sansur Charles A. , Caffes Nicholas M. , Ibrahimi David M. , Pratt Nathan L. , Lewis Evan M. , Murgatroyd Ashley A. , Cunningham Bryan W.
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE

Optimal strategies for fixation in the osteoporotic lumbar spine remain a clinical issue. Classic transpedicular fixation in the osteoporotic spine is frequently plagued with construct instability, often due to inadequate cortical screw–bone purchase. A cortical bone trajectory maximizes bony purchase and has been reported to provide increased screw pullout strength. The aim of the current investigation was to evaluate the biomechanical efficacy of cortical spinal fixation as a surgical alternative to transpedicular fixation in the osteoporotic lumbar spine under physiological loading.

METHODS

Eight fresh-frozen human spinopelvic specimens with low mean bone mineral densities (T score less than or equal to –2.5) underwent initial destabilization, consisting of laminectomy and bilateral facetectomies (L2–3 and L4–5), followed by pedicle or cortical reconstructions randomized between levels. The surgical constructs then underwent fatigue testing followed by tensile load to failure pullout testing to quantify screw pullout force.

RESULTS

When stratifying the pullout data with fixation technique and operative vertebral level, cortical screw fixation exhibited a marked increase in mean load at failure in the lower vertebral segments (p = 0.188, 625.6 ± 233.4 N vs 450.7 ± 204.3 N at L-4 and p = 0.219, 640.9 ± 207.4 N vs 519.3 ± 132.1 N at L-5) while transpedicular screw fixation demonstrated higher failure loads in the superior vertebral elements (p = 0.024, 783.0 ± 516.1 N vs 338.4 ± 168.2 N at L-2 and p = 0.220, 723.0 ± 492.9 N vs 469.8 ± 252.0 N at L-3). Although smaller in diameter and length, cortical fixation resulted in failures that were not significantly different from larger pedicle screws (p > 0.05, 449.4 ± 265.3 N and 541.2 ± 135.1 N vs 616.0 ± 384.5 N and 484.0 ± 137.1 N, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Cortical screw fixation exhibits a marked increase in mean load at failure in the lower vertebral segments and may offer a viable alternative to traditional pedicle screw fixation, particularly for stabilization of lower lumbar vertebral elements with definitive osteoporosis.
Trans sodium crocetinate with temozolomide and radiation therapy for glioblastoma multiforme
Authors: Gainer John L. , Sheehan Jason P. , Larner James M. , Jones David R.
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE

A new drug, trans sodium crocetinate (TSC), has been developed to enhance the delivery of oxygen to hypoxic tissues. Cancerous tumors, such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), are very hypoxic, and it has been suggested that radiation therapy (RT) is more beneficial if tumors are better oxygenated. A Phase I/II clinical trial was conducted to determine the effect of adding TSC to RT sessions.

METHODS

An open, single-arm clinical trial incorporating the standard of care (SOC) for GBM was conducted at 18 clinical sites. There were 6 weeks of RT consisting of 2 Gy/day for 5 days/week, beginning after an initial resection or stereotactic biopsy to confirm GBM. Temozolomide (TMZ), 75 mg/m2, was given before each RT session. The TSC, 0.25 mg/kg, was intravenously administered around 45 minutes before an RT session 3 days/week, usually on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

A Phase I run-in period included 2 cohorts. The first cohort contained 3 patients who were given a half dose of the intravenous TSC (that is, 0.25 mg/kg, 3 times per week for only the first 3 weeks of RT). After a Safety Monitoring Committee (SMC) had verified that no dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) had occurred, a second cohort of 6 patients was given the same dosage of TSC but for the full 6 weeks of RT. After the SMC verified that no DLTs had occurred, Phase II began, with the administration of the full 18 doses of TSC. Fifty additional patients were enrolled during Phase II.

Following the completion of RT, the patients rested for a month. After that, SOC TMZ chemotherapy (150–200 mg/m2) was administered for 5 days of the 1st week of 6 monthly cycles. No TSC was administered during this chemotherapy phase or later in the trial. Any other follow-up therapies were administered at the discretion of the individual investigators.

RESULTS

Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that 36% of the full-dose TSC patients were alive at 2 years, compared with historical survival values ranging from 27% to 30% for the SOC. Survival for the biopsy-only subset of patients was 40%, as compared with 42.9% for those patients having a complete resection before treatment. In addition, 2 of the 3 Phase I, Cohort 1 patients survived at 2 years. Contrast MRI data suggested that considerable pseudoprogression had occurred. Both Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scores and quality of life (QOL) questionnaires indicated that a good quality of life existed for most patients throughout the trial. No serious adverse events occurring in the trial were attributed to TSC.

CONCLUSIONS

This trial contained a single arm consisting of 59 patients. The results strongly suggested that adding TSC during RT is beneficial for the treatment of GBM. Trans sodium crocetinate offers a novel, easily implemented way to combat hypoxia in tumor tissue.

Clinical trial registration no.: NCT01465347 (clinicaltrials.gov)
Treatment of a skull-base giant cell tumor with endoscopic endonasal resection and denosumab: case report
Authors: Goto Yukihiro , Furuno Yuichi , Kawabe Takuya , Ohwada Kei , Tatsuzawa Kazunori , Sasajima Hiroyasu , Hashimoto Naoya
Published: May 2016

A 34-year-old man with a 1-week history of diplopia was referred to the authors' hospital. Neurological examination revealed left abducens nerve palsy. Computed tomography showed a lesion in the left sphenoid sinus involving the medial wall of the left internal carotid artery (ICA) and osteolytic change at the clivus bordering the lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an extensive soft-tissue mass occupying the left sphenoid sinus. Surgical intervention by the endoscopic transnasal method allowed most of the lesion to be removed. Only the portion attached to the medial wall of the ICA was not removed. Postoperatively, the lesion was diagnosed as a giant cell tumor (GCT) and the patient received 120 mg of subcutaneous denosumab every 4 weeks, with additional doses on Days 8 and 15 during the first month of therapy. MRI a week after starting denosumab revealed shrinkage of the initially fast-growing residual tumor. The patient was discharged upon completion of the third denosumab administration. GCT is an aggressive stromal tumor developing mainly in young adults. Complete resection is recommended for GCT in the literature. However, size and location of the CGT often limit this approach. Various adjuvant treatments for skull base GCTs have been reported, including radiation and chemotherapy. However, the roles of adjuvant therapies have yet to be clearly defined. Denosumab, a monoclonal antibody, was recently approved for GCT in several countries. Denosumab may permit less invasive treatments for patients with GCTs while avoiding deleterious outcomes, and may also limit disease progression and recurrence.
Survival following decompressive hemicraniectomy for hemiconvulsion-hemiplegia-epilepsy syndrome: case report
Authors: Beier Alexandra D. , Jannotta Gemi E. , Sandler E. Dayan , Abram Harry S. , Sheth Raj D. , Aldana Philipp R.
Published: May 2016

Hemiconvulsion-hemiplegia-epilepsy (HHE) is an uncommon epileptic syndrome that affects young children. Typical management includes early initiation of benzodiazepines to abate the initial seizure activity quickly. Patients in whom epilepsy develops require prolonged use of antiepileptic agents. Herniation due to diffuse cerebral edema from HHE is rare; however, decompressive craniectomy has been described as a lifesaving measure. The authors present the case of a patient in whom a decompressive craniectomy was performed. They advocate a proactive approach in the detection and management of cerebral edema in HHE causing intracranial hypertension. In HHE cases that exhibit radiographic evidence of malignant cerebral edema (although not previously described in this disease, but similar to the setting of stroke and trauma), the authors advocate early neurosurgical consultation and evaluation for insertion of an intracranial pressure monitor for those patients who do not have a reliable neurological examination (i.e., Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 8).
Mining Branching Rules from Past Survey Data with an Illustration Using a Geriatric Assessment Survey for Older Adults with Cancer
Authors: Jeske Daniel , Longmate Jeffrey , Katheria Vani , Hurria Arti
Published: May 2016

We construct a fast data mining algorithm that can be used to identify high-frequency response patterns in historical surveys. Identification of these patterns leads to the derivation of question branching rules that shorten the time required to complete a survey. The data mining algorithm allows the user to control the error rate that is incurred through the use of implied answers that go along with each branching rule. The context considered is binary response questions, which can be obtained from multi-level response questions through dichotomization. The algorithm is illustrated by the analysis of four sections of a geriatric assessment survey used by oncologists. Reductions in the number of questions that need to be asked in these four sections range from 33% to 54%.
Fixed-Wing UAV Attitude Estimation Using Single Antenna GPS Signal Strength Measurements
Authors: Gross Jason , Gu Yu , Rhudy Matthew
Published: May 2016

This article considers a novel approach to using global positioning system (GPS) signal strength readings and estimated velocity vector for estimating the attitude of a small fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This approach has the benefit being able to estimate full position, velocity and attitude states of a UAV using only the data from a single GPS receiver and antenna. Two different approaches for utilizing GPS signal strength within measurement updates for UAV attitude in a nonlinear Kalman filter are discussed and assessed using recorded UAV flight data. Comparisons of UAV pitch and roll estimates against measurements from a high-grade mechanical gyroscope are used to show that approximately 5° error with respect to both mean and standard-deviation on both axes is achievable.
Prairies Thrive Where Row Crops Drown: A Comparison of Yields in Upland and Lowland Topographies in the Upper Midwest US
Authors: Von Haden Adam , Dornbush Mathew
Published: May 2016

Cellulosic biofuel production is expected to increase in the US, and the targeted establishment of biofuel agriculture in marginal lands would reduce competition between biofuels and food crops. While poorly drained, seasonally saturated lowland landscape positions are marginal for production of row crops and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), it is unclear whether species-diverse tallgrass prairie yield would suffer similarly in saturated lowlands. Prairie yields typically increase as graminoids become more dominant, but it is uncertain whether this trend is due to greater aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) or higher harvest efficiency in graminoids compared to forbs. Belowground biomass, a factor that is important to ecosystem service provisioning, is reduced when switchgrass is grown in saturated lowlands, but it is not known whether the same is true in species-diverse prairie. Our objectives were to assess the effect of topography on yields and live belowground biomass in row crops and prairie, and to determine the mechanisms by which relative graminoid abundance influences tallgrass prairie yield. We measured yield, harvest efficiency, and live belowground biomass in upland and lowland landscape positions within maize silage (Zea mays L.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and restored tallgrass prairie. Maize and winter wheat yields were reduced by more than 60% in poorly drained lowlands relative to well-drained uplands, but diverse prairie yields were equivalent in both topographic settings. Prairie yields increased by approximately 45% as the relative abundance of graminoids increased from 5% to 95%. However, this trend was due to higher harvest efficiency of graminoids rather than greater ANPP compared to forbs. In both row crops and prairie, live belowground biomass was similar between upland and lowland locations, indicating consistent biomass nutrient sequestration potential and soil organic matter inputs between topographic positions. While poorly drained, lowland landscape positions are marginal lands for row crops, they appear prime for the cultivation of species-diverse tallgrass prairie for cellulosic biofuel.
A Flow SPR Immunosensor Based on a Sandwich Direct Method
Authors: Tomassetti Mauro , Conta Giorgia , Campanella Luigi , Favero Gabriele , Sanzò Gabriella , Mazzei Franco , Antiochia Riccarda
Published: May 2016

In this study, we report the development of an SPR (Surface Plasmon Resonance) immunosensor for the detection of ampicillin, operating under flow conditions. SPR sensors based on both direct (with the immobilization of the antibody) and competitive (with the immobilization of the antigen) methods did not allow the detection of ampicillin. Therefore, a sandwich-based sensor was developed which showed a good linear response towards ampicillin between 10−3 and 10−1 M, a measurement time of ≤20 min and a high selectivity both towards β-lactam antibiotics and antibiotics of different classes.
Preeclampsia-Eclampsia Adverse Outcomes Reduction: The Preeclampsia-Eclampsia Checklist
Authors: Nwanodi Oroma
Published: May 2016

Globally, preeclampsia-eclampsia (PE-E) is a major cause of puerperal intensive care unit admission, accounting for up to 10% of maternal deaths. PE-E primary prevention is possible. Antepartum low-dose aspirin prophylaxis, costing USD $10–24 can cut the incidence of PE-E in half. Antepartum low molecular weight heparin combined with low-dose aspirin prophylaxis can cut the incidence of early onset PE-E and fetuses that are small for their gestational age in half. Despite predictive antepartum models for PE-E prophylaxis, said prophylaxis is not routinely provided. Therefore, magnesium sulfate secondary prevention of eclampsia remains the globally recommended intervention. Implementation of a PE-E checklist is a continuous quality improvement (CQI) tool facilitating appropriate antepartum PE-E prophylaxis and maternal care from the first trimester through the postpartum fourth trimester inter-partum interval. A novel clinical PE-E checklist and implementation strategy are presented below. CQI PE-E checklist implementation and appropriate PE-E prophylaxis provides clinicians and healthcare systems an opportunity to achieve Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5, reducing child mortality and improving maternal health. While CQI checklist implementation may be a tedious ongoing process requiring healthcare team resiliency, improved healthcare outcomes are well worth the effort.
Fever and Pain Management in Childhood: Healthcare Providers’ and Parents’ Adherence to Current Recommendations
Authors: Raffaeli Genny , Orenti Annalisa , Gambino Monia , Peves Rios Walter , Bosis Samantha , Bianchini Sonia , Tagliabue Claudia , Esposito Susanna
Published: May 2016

In order to evaluate the adherence of healthcare providers and parents to the current recommendations concerning fever and pain management, randomized samples of 500 healthcare providers caring for children and 500 families were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire. The 378 health care providers (HCPs) responding to the survey (75.6%) included 144 primary care pediatricians (38.1%), 98 hospital pediatricians (25.9%), 62 pediatric residents (16.4%), and 71 pediatric nurses (19.6%); the 464 responding parents (92.8%) included 175 whose youngest (or only) child was ≤5 years old (37.7%), 175 whose youngest (or only) child was aged 6–10 years (37.7%), and 114 whose youngest (or only) child was aged 11–14 years (24.6%). There were gaps in the knowledge of both healthcare providers and parents. Global adherence to the guidelines was lower among the pediatric nurses than the other healthcare providers (odds ratio 0.875; 95% confidence interval 0.795–0.964). Among the parents, those of children aged 6–10 and 11–14 years old, those who were older, and those without a degree answered the questions correctly significantly less frequently than the others. These findings suggest that there is an urgent need to improve the dissemination of the current recommendations concerning fever and pain management among healthcare providers and parents in order to avoid mistaken and sometimes risky attitudes, common therapeutic errors, and the unnecessary overloading of emergency department resources. Pediatric nurses and parents with older children, those who are older, and those with a lower educational level should be the priority targets of educational programmes.
Expelling Stress for Primary School Teachers: Self-Affirmation Increases Positive Emotions in Teaching and Emotion Reappraisal
Authors: Morgan James , Atkin Lisa
Published: May 2016

The aim of the present pilot study was to assess the effect of a brief work-related self-affirming implementation intention (WS-AII) on the well-being of primary school teachers. Participants were randomly allocated to one of two conditions: one in which they were asked to create a WS-AII or one in which they were asked to create a control implementation intention (C-II). State anxiety was measured pre- and post-manipulation, self-efficacy at post-manipulation only, and emotions in teaching and emotion regulation at baseline and at a two-week follow-up. There were statistically significant differences between the WS-AII condition and the control. Teachers who created work-related self-affirming implementation intentions reported an immediate reduction in state anxiety. Positive effects extended over the two-week period, with teachers in the WS-AII condition also reporting more positive emotions in teaching and the use of reappraisal emotion regulation strategies rather than emotion suppression. Results suggest that the integration of the WS-AII into existing organisational practice may be of benefit to the well-being of teachers and other highly stressed workers.
Investigating the Feasibility of Geo-Tagged Photographs as Sources of Land Cover Input Data
Authors: Antoniou Vyron , Fonte Cidália , See Linda , Estima Jacinto , Arsanjani Jamal , Lupia Flavio , Minghini Marco , Foody Giles , Fritz Steffen
Published: May 2016

Geo-tagged photographs are used increasingly as a source of Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI), which could potentially be used for land use and land cover applications. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the feasibility of using this source of spatial information for three use cases related to land cover: Calibration, validation and verification. We first provide an inventory of the metadata that are collected with geo-tagged photographs and then consider what elements would be essential, desirable, or unnecessary for the aforementioned use cases. Geo-tagged photographs were then extracted from Flickr, Panoramio and Geograph for an area of London, UK, and classified based on their usefulness for land cover mapping including an analysis of the accompanying metadata. Finally, we discuss protocols for geo-tagged photographs for use of VGI in relation to land cover applications.
Using an Optimized Chinese Address Matching Method to Develop a Geocoding Service: A Case Study of Shenzhen, China
Authors: Tian Qin , Ren Fu , Hu Tao , Liu Jiangtao , Li Ruichang , Du Qingyun
Published: May 2016

With the coming era of big data and the rapid development and widespread applications of Geographical Information Systems (GISs), geocoding technology is playing an increasingly important role in bridging the gap between non-spatial data resources and spatial data in various fields. However, Chinese geocoding faces great challenges because of the complexity of the address string format in Chinese, which contains no delimiters between Chinese words, and the poor address management resulting from the existence of multiple address authorities spread among different governmental agencies. This paper presents a geocoding service based on an optimized Chinese address matching method, including address modeling, address standardization and address matching. The address model focuses on the spatial semantics of each address element, and the address standardization process is based on an address tree model. A geocoding service application is implemented in practice using a large quantity of data from Shenzhen Municipality. More than 1,460,000 data records were used to test the geocoding service, and good matching rates were achieved with good adaptability and intelligence.
Design of Acceptors with Suitable Frontier Molecular Orbitals to Match Donors via Substitutions on Perylene Diimide for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Lv Xiaoli , Li Zhuoxin , Li Songyang , Luan Guoyou , Liang Dadong , Tang Shanshan , Jin Ruifa
Published: May 2016

A series of perylene diimide (PDI) derivatives have been investigated at the CAM-B3LYP/6-31G(d) and the TD-B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) levels to design solar cell acceptors with high performance in areas such as suitable frontier molecular orbital (FMO) energies to match oligo(thienylenevinylene) derivatives and improved charge transfer properties. The calculated results reveal that the substituents slightly affect the distribution patterns of FMOs for PDI-BI. The electron withdrawing group substituents decrease the FMO energies of PDI-BI, and the electron donating group substituents slightly affect the FMO energies of PDI-BI. The di-electron withdrawing group substituents can tune the FMOs of PDI-BI to be more suitable for the oligo(thienylenevinylene) derivatives. The electron withdrawing group substituents result in red shifts of absorption spectra and electron donating group substituents result in blue shifts for PDI-BI. The –CN substituent can improve the electron transport properties of PDI-BI. The –CH3 group in different positions slightly affects the electron transport properties of PDI-BI.
A Comparison of Fresh Frozen vs. Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Specimens of Canine Mammary Tumors via Branched-DNA Assay
Authors: Lüder Ripoli Florenza , Mohr Annika , Conradine Hammer Susanne , Willenbrock Saskia , Hewicker-Trautwein Marion , Hennecke Silvia , Murua Escobar Hugo , Nolte Ingo
Published: May 2016

Mammary neoplasms are the tumors most affecting female dogs and women. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues are an invaluable source of archived biological material. Fresh frozen (FF) tissue is considered ideal for gene expression analysis. However, strategies based on FFPE material offer several advantages. Branched-DNA assays permit a reliable and fast workflow when analyzing gene expression. The aim of this study was to assess the comparability of the branched-DNA assay when analyzing certain gene expression patterns between FF and FFPE samples in canine mammary tumors. RNA was isolated from 109 FFPE samples and from 93 FF samples of different canine mammary tissues. Sixteen (16) target genes (Tp53; Myc; HMGA1; Pik3ca; Mcl1; MAPK3; FOXO3; PTEN; GATA4; PFDN5; HMGB1; MAPK1; BRCA2; BRCA1; HMGA2; and Her2) were analyzed via branched-DNA assay (b-DNA). ACTB, GAPDH, and HPRT1 were used as data normalizers. Overall, the relative gene expression of the two different origins of samples showed an agreement of 63%. Still, care should be taken, as FFPE specimens showed lower expression of the analyzed targets when compared to FF samples. The fact that the gene expression in FFPE proved to be lower than in FF specimens is likely to have been caused by the effect of storage time. ACTB had the best performance as a data normalizer.
Recent Advances in the Study of Marine Microbial Biofilm: From the Involvement of Quorum Sensing in Its Production up to Biotechnological Application of the Polysaccharide Fractions
Authors: Di Donato Paola , Poli Annarita , Taurisano Valentina , Abbamondi Gennaro , Nicolaus Barbara , Tommonaro Giuseppina
Published: May 2016

The present review will explore the most relevant findings on marine microbial biofilm, with particular attention towards its polysaccharide fraction, namely exopolysaccharide (EPS). EPSs of microbial origin are ubiquitous in nature, possess unique properties and can be isolated from the bacteria living in a variety of habitats, including fresh water or marine environments, extreme environments or different soil ecosystems. These biopolymers have many application in the field of biotechnology. Several studies showed that the biofilm formation is closely related to quorum sensing (QS) systems, which is a mechanism relying on the production of small molecules defined as “autoinducers” that bacteria release in the surrounding environment where they accumulate. In this review, the involvement of microbial chemical communication, by QS mechanism, in the formation of marine biofilm will also be discussed.
Oxidized Polyethylene Wax as a Potential Carbon Source for PHA Production
Authors: Radecka Iza , Irorere Victor , Jiang Guozhan , Hill David , Williams Craig , Adamus Grazyna , Kwiecień Michal , Marek Adam , Zawadiak Jan , Johnston Brian , Kowalczuk Marek
Published: May 2016

We report on the ability of bacteria to produce biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) using oxidized polyethylene wax (O-PEW) as a novel carbon source. The O-PEW was obtained in a process that used air or oxygen as an oxidizing agent. R. eutropha H16 was grown for 48 h in either tryptone soya broth (TSB) or basal salts medium (BSM) supplemented with O-PEW and monitored by viable counting. Study revealed that biomass and PHA production was higher in TSB supplemented with O-PEW compared with TSB only. The biopolymers obtained were preliminary characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The detailed structural evaluation at the molecular level was performed by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). The study revealed that, when TSB was supplemented with O-PEW, bacteria produced PHA which contained 3-hydroxybutyrate and up to 3 mol % of 3-hydroxyvalerate and 3-hydroxyhexanoate co-monomeric units. The ESI-MS/MS enabled the PHA characterization when the content of 3-hydroxybutyrate was high and the appearance of other PHA repeating units was very low.
Production of Banana Fiber Yarns for Technical Textile Reinforced Composites
Authors: Ortega Zaida , Morón Moisés , Monzón Mario , Badalló Pere , Paz Rubén
Published: May 2016

Natural fibers have been used as an alternative to synthetic ones for their greener character; banana fibers have the advantage of coming from an agricultural residue. Fibers have been extracted by mechanical means from banana tree pseudostems, as a strategy to valorize banana crops residues. To increase the mechanical properties of the composite, technical textiles can be used as reinforcement, instead of short fibers. To do so, fibers must be spun and woven. The aim of this paper is to show the viability of using banana fibers to obtain a yarn suitable to be woven, after an enzymatic treatment, which is more environmentally friendly. Extracted long fibers are cut to 50 mm length and then immersed into an enzymatic bath for their refining. Conditions of enzymatic treatment have been optimized to produce a textile grade of banana fibers, which have then been characterized. The optimum treating conditions were found with the use of Biopectinase K (100% related to fiber weight) at 45 °C, pH 4.5 for 6 h, with bath renewal after three hours. The first spinning trials show that these fibers are suitable to be used for the production of yarns. The next step is the weaving process to obtain a technical fabric for composites production.
First Evidence for the Disease-Stage, Cell-Type, and Virus Specificity of microRNAs during Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 Infection
Authors: Fowler Lauren , Conceicao Viviane , Perera Suneth , Gupta Priyanka , Chew Choo , Dyer Wayne , Saksena Nitin
Published: May 2016

The potential involvement of host microRNAs (miRNAs) in HIV infection is well documented, and evidence suggests that HIV modulates and also dysregulates host miRNAs involved in maintaining the host innate immune system. Moreover, the dysregulation of host miRNAs by HIV also effectively interferes directly with the host gene expression. In this study, we have simultaneously evaluated the expression of host miRNAs in both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells derived from HIV-positive (HIV+) individuals (viremic and aviremic individuals while receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), therapy-naïve long-term non-progressors (LTNP), and HIV-negative (HIV–) healthy controls. miRNAs were run on Affymetrix V2 chips, and the differential expression between HIV+ and HIV− samples, along with intergroup comparisons, was derived using PARTEK software, using an FDR of 5% and an adjusted p-value < 0.05. The miR-199a-5p was found to be HIV-specific and expressed in all HIV+ groups as opposed to HIV– controls. Moreover, these are the first studies to reveal clearly the highly discriminatory miRNAs at the level of the disease state, cell type, and HIV-specific miRNAs.