bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficiency of Linear and Non-Linear Classifiers for Gas Identification from Electrocatalytic Gas Sensor
Authors: Kalinowski Paweł , Woźniak Łukasz , Strzelczyk Anna , Jasinski Piotr , Jasinski Grzegorz
Published: September 2013

Electrocatalytic gas sensors belong to the family of electrochemical solid state sensors. Their responses are acquired in the form of I-V plots as a result of application of cyclic voltammetry technique. In order to obtain information about the type of measured gas the multivariate data analysis and pattern classification techniques can be employed. However, there is a lack of information in literature about application of such techniques in case of standalone chemical sensors which are able to recognize more than one volatile compound. In this article we present the results of application of these techniques to the determination from a single electrocatalytic gas sensor of single concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Two types of classifiers were evaluated, i.e. linear Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) and nonlinear Support Vector Machine (SVM). The efficiency of using PLS-DA and SVM methods are shown on both the raw voltammetric sensor responses and pre-processed responses using normalization and auto-scaling
Application of Isotopic Dilution and Single-Step Extractions for Labile Soil Zinc Determination
Authors: Frišták Vladimír , Pipíška Martin , Gablovičová Tatiana , Lesný Juraj
Published: September 2013

Concentration of available zinc from soils is the primary concern in assessment of its toxicity or essentiality for plants. This study evaluates the changes in chemical extractable Zn from three Slovak typical soils with simultaneous extractions as tools of zinc bioavailability. We found out that extractability of binding zinc decreased in order Na2EDTA, Mehlich 3, Mehlich 2, NH4NO3 and CaCl2 for all soil samples. Using flow-through stripping chronopotentiometry (SCP) and atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) we found out that maximum of soil zinc was removed by organic ligands. Lability of Zn determined by isotopic dilution method using 65Zn and γ-spectrometry showed the significant decrease of isotopic exchangeable zinc fraction (E-value) with decrease of soil reaction. Obtained E-values of uppermost soil horizons showed the zinc lability ranged from 20 to 39%. Our research confirmed the effect of soil reaction, composition and physico-chemical characteristics to Zn lability. For further assessment of zinc bioavailability is needed to find the correlation and effects of structural changes and aging in studied soils
Graphene oxide-assisted synthesis of LiMn2O4 nanopowder
Authors: Majchrzycki Łukasz , Michalska Monika , Walkowiak Mariusz , Wiliński Zbigniew , Lipińska Ludwika
Published: September 2013

The article reports sol-gel synthesis of nanosized spinel-type lithium manganese oxide LiMn2O4 (LMO) carried out in the presence of graphene oxide (GO) and its electrochemical lithium insertion ability. The synthesis was performed in an aqueous environment with lithium acetate and manganese acetate used as precursors and citric acid as a chelating agent. The material was characterized by X-ray diffraction, SEM microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The calcination step totally eliminated graphene from the final product, nevertheless its presence during the synthesis was found to affect the resulting LiMn2O4 morphology by markedly reducing the size of grains. Moreover, potentials of electrochemical lithium insertion/deinsertion reactions have been shifted, as observed in the cyclic voltammetry measurements. Along with the diminished grain size the voltammetric curves of the graphene oxide-modified material exhibit higher oxidation and lower reduction peak currents. The study demonstrates that GO mediation/assistance during the sol-gel synthesis fosters more nanostructured powder and changes the electrochemical characteristics of the product
Adsorption of Zn(II) ions from aqueous environment by surface modified Strychnos potatorum seeds, a low cost adsorbent
Authors: Kumar P. Senthil
Published: September 2013

The surface modified Strychnos potatorum seeds (SMSP), an agricultural waste has been developed into an effective adsorbent for the removal of Zn(II) ions from aqueous environment. The Freundlich model provided a better fit with the experimental data than the Langmuir model as revealed by a high coefficient of determination values and low error values. The kinetics data fitted well into the pseudo-second order model with the coefficient of determination values greater than 0.99. The influence of particle diffusion and film diffusion in the adsorption process was tested by fitting the experimental data with intraparticle diffusion, Boyd kinetic and Shrinking core models. Desorption experiments were conducted to explore the feasibility of regenerating the spent adsorbent and the adsorbed Zn(II) ions from spent SMSP was desorbed using 0.3 M HCl with the efficiency of 93.58%. The results of the present study indicates that the SMSP can be successfully employed for the removal of Zn(II) ions from aqueous environment.
Effect of combustion wastes and sewage sludge compost on the chemical properties of soil
Authors: Krzywy-Gawrońska Ewa
Published: September 2013

A field experiment was conducted univariate in 2008-2010 in the Variety Assessment Station in Szczecin - Dąbie. The soil on which the experience was based is made of light loamy sand (pgl). In terms of granulometric composition it includes it into the category of light soils, agricultural suitability complex IV b, good (5). The experiment included, inter alia, waste compost produced with municipal sewage sludge produced by *GWDA and ash from brown coal (waste grate). No normal ranges for heavy metals being specified in the ministerial regulations were used for environmental purposes, which are maximum 20, 500, 750, 300, 1000 and 16 mg per 1 kg dry matter for cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, copper and mercury, respectively16 were exceeded in the sewage sludge being used to produce the compost. The field experiment design consisted of 6 fertilisation objects. A test plant was Virginia fanpetals (Sida hermaphodrita Rusby). The content of available phosphorus, potassium and magnesium in the soil, being fertilised with municipal SSC with and without an addition of high-calcium BCA, changed after three years. There was an increase in the content of available phosphorus, potassium and magnesium forms, on average by 8.5%, 16.0% and 9.0%, respectively. When analysing the chemical properties of soil before and after this study, it may be stated that respective systems of municipal sewage sludge compost and high-calcium brown coal ash application differently affected most soil richness indices. The best fertilisation effects were obtained in the system with municipal sewage sludge compost being applied at a dose corresponding to 250 kg N ∙ ha-1 as well as with high-calcium brown coal ash at a dose corresponding to 1.5 Mg CaO ∙ ha-1 being introduced into soil in the first year of study and at a dose corresponding to 0.75 Mg CaO ∙ ha-1 in successive years. Fertilisation with municipal sewage sludge compost without and with addition of high-calcium brown coal ash favourably affected the preservation of soil environment stability and improvement of soil chemical composition
Irony as a Means of Perception Through Communication Channels. Emotions, Attitude and IQ Related to Irony Across Gender
Authors: Milanowicz Anna
Published: September 2013

The paper explores why certain adults are, or at least consider themselves to be, more ironic than others. The study looked at comprehension and application of irony compared to subjective affective evaluation of irony reported by Polish-speaking adults and with relation to nonverbal intelligence measured with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised-Polish versions (WAIS-R(PL), 2004). Fifty-four subjects aged 20-66 years (28 females and 26 males) participated in Study 1 on subjective perception of irony. The comprehension, emotional valence and social functions of ironic meanings as well as the degree to which subjects perceived themselves as ironic were assessed through a self-report questionnaire. Inter-correlations were performed and related to the performance quotient (IQ) which was measured in Study 2, where 45 (24 females and 21 males) out of the 54 participants were tested with performance subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised-Polish versions (WAIS-R(PL), 2004). The nonverbal intelligence scale was administered. Performance on nonverbal intelligence tests is not limited by language abilities and its analysis and can be considered important for future cultural comparative studies. Subjects who perceived themselves as ironic showed a higher nonverbal IQ in comparison to subjects who described themselves as non-ironic or barely ironic. The pragmatic qualities of irony were analyzed for their affective valuation and balanced for gender. Individual differences and gender effects in the perception of the social functions of ironic utterances were found. The paper describes the implicit emotional layer conveyed in irony and its importance in irony processing and comprehension.
Measuring and Modelling Farm Level Sustainability
Authors: Majewski Edward
Published: September 2013

In the paper, an approach to measure farm level sustainability with the Synthetic Farm Sustainability Index (SFSI) is presented. SFSI is composed of five partial sustainability indexes based on 56 parameters describing different aspects of farms organization and functioning. The index, calculated for the sample of 120 Polish farms, was used to measure the state (static sustainability) and effects of possible improvements (dynamic sustainability) in the farming system. The results of the analyses show significant differences in the sustainability level between the farms in the sample, as well as the potential for increasing SFS. The increase of the synthetic sustainability index can be achieved by means of farm investments, but also low-cost activities that improve environmental performance and generate positive social effects without undermining economic viability. It was also found out, that larger size, intensive farms can achieve high economic and environmental sustainability level if properly managed.
Difficulties in Sustainability and Land Utilisation
Authors: Magda Róbert
Published: September 2013

The aim of this paper is to show the economic importance of the land sustainability. This topic is very complex because it is relevant universally - the land utilisation has an industrial, agricultural production, energy and environmental security aspect. The focus of the analysis is the relationship between land usage, scarcity and sustainability.
Food Resources as the Basis of the Sustainable Development and National Security in the Age of Economic Globalization
Authors: Savkin Vladimir I. , Pervykh Nina A.
Published: September 2013

Development of society is based on the existence of food resources. During the modern technogenic era, mankind needs to find a compromise between growing needs for the food and limitation of resources. Many countries still cannot use the world experience which effectively ensures food safety. Development of strategically important branches of agriculture and formation of laws according to which the basic food has to be made within the country by forces of its own producers has to become the condition of the problem solution. In Russia, a certain reserve in achievement of threshold values ensuring food safety of the state is already created. At the same time, the problem direction is the production of meat and milk. Among priorities there has to be a creation of modern infrastructure in order to decrease the storage expenses, transportation, and production realization. The agrarian policy of the Russian Federation has to be focused on the system management, including scientific, staffing and financial support, institutional modernization, the application of global experience, and also super-compliance of the economic agents’ rights.
Current State and Post-Crisis Develo Pments of EU-CIS Trade: Perspective Tools to Ensure Sustainability
Authors: Ivolga Anna , Erokhin Vasily
Published: September 2013

Global financial and economic recession had negatively influenced the dynamic of the international trade in 2008-2012. The post-crisis period of global market development can be described by the tendency of growing international trade flows. However, according to many experts, to ensure this tendency, the international trade policy within the frame of the WTO should be changed. The paper includes the analysis of current market of the EU-CIS trade, describes the main tendencies of its post-crisis development and major approaches and tools to ensure sustainability of such development. The analysis involved main exporting and importing countries for each analyzed product group. Sub-goals include an overview of the WTO threats and opportunities for Russian agriculture and trade with agricultural products globally, as well as comparison of main consequences of the WTO accession for the CIS countries, such as Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia and Moldova. This is also related to the state support of agricultural production in Russia and CIS and its influence on volumes, directions, structure and effectiveness of international trade with agricultural products.
Qualitative approach in mental health research
Authors: Editor The
Published: September 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpan.v2i1.8566 J Psychiatrists’ Association of Nepal Vol .2, No.1, 2013 1
Behavioral Problems in School Children: Assessment of Stress in Schools
Authors: Sharma N , Singh F , Regmi MP , Shrestha R
Published: September 2013

Introduction: Adolescence is the period in human development during which several dramatic changes at biological, social, psychological and cognitive levels take place. Hardly any research has been done in the area of adolescent’s mental health in Nepal, especially in the area of adolescent stress. In the study, an effort has been made to find the level of stress in the school students in Kathmandu. Method: Study sample was 250 students drawn from government and private schools of the valley. Self-report measures were used for the child. Student Stress Scale was used for the research. Results: This study showed that the male students of government school faced highest level of stress (413.99) in comparison to any other group of adolescents. In the same way the female students from government schools were facing lesser level of stress (307.98), than female students from Private schools (318.78). Children of the second birth order of the broken families were facing maximum level of stress (518.67). Children of the joint families were facing more stress (424.67) than children living in other types of family. Conclusion: Stress level was higher in both male and female children of mothers who were housewives and lower in the female children of working mothers. Stress level was below the cutoff range in female children of working mothers (258.09). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpan.v2i1.8570 J Psychiatrists’ Association of Nepal Vol .2, No.1, 2013 20-25
Colonial Visions
Authors: Riggs Christina
Published: September 2013

During the Egyptian revolution in January 2011, the antiquities museum in Tahrir Square became the focus of press attention amid claims of looting and theft, leading Western organizations and media outlets to call for the protection of Egypt’s ‘global cultural heritage’. What passed without remark, however, was the colonial history of the Cairo museum and its collections, which has shaped their postcolonial trajectory. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Cairo museum was a pivotal site for demonstrating control of Egypt on the world stage through its antiquities. More than a century later, these colonial visions of ancient Egypt, and its place in museums, continue to exert their legacy, not only in the challenges faced by the Egyptian Antiquities Museum at a crucial stage of redevelopment, but also in terms of museological practice in the West.
Piazzas or Stadiums
Authors: Gibson Lisanne
Published: September 2013

Over the last twenty-five years or so there has been a ‘cultural turn’ in urban development strategies. An analysis of the academic literature over this period reveals that the role of new museums in such developments has oft en been viewed reductively as brands of cultural distinction with economic pump priming objectives. Over the same twenty-five year period there has also been what is termed here a ‘libertarian turn’ in museum studies and museology. Counterposing discussions of the museum’s role within urban development with discussions from within the museum studies literature on the ‘post-museum’ reveals the dichotomous nature of these approaches to the museum. This article proposes instead a consideration of the phenomenotechnics of new museum developments. This approach presents a way of taking account of both technical and symbolic conditions and characteristics and in doing so, it is hoped, provides a way of analyzing the ‘realpolitik’ of the role of museums in urban development.
Museums in a Global World
Authors: McCarthy Conal , Walklate Jennifer , Mason Rhiannon , Whitehead Christopher , Ingemann Parby Jakob , Cicalo André , Schorch Philipp , Witz Leslie , Gonzalez Pablo Alonso , Roux Naomi , Ambos Eva , Rassool Ciraj
Published: September 2013

The following conversation took place during the Critical Heritage Studies conference in Gothenburg, Sweden, on 6 June 2012. The initial idea and topic was suggested by Kylie Message, the session was chaired by Conal McCarthy, and the recording was transcribed by Jennifer Walklate and edited by Conal McCarthy and Jennifer Walklate.
Percutaneous pedicle screw placement with computer-navigated mapping in place of Kirschner wires
Authors: Gianaris Thomas J. , Helbig Gregory M. , Horn Eric M.
Published: September 2013

Object

Percutaneous pedicle screw insertion techniques are commonly used to treat a variety of spinal disorders. Typically, Kirschner (K)-wires are used to guide the insertion of taps and screws during placement since the normal anatomical landmarks are not visualized. The use of K-wires adds risks, such as vascular and nerve injuries as well as increased radiation exposure given the use of fluoroscopy. The authors describe a series of patients who had percutaneous pedicle screws placed using a new computer-assisted navigation technique without the need for K-wires.

Methods

Minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screw placement in the thoracic and lumbar spine was performed in a consecutive series of 15 patients for a variety of spinal pathologies. Intraoperative 3D CT images were obtained and used with a computer-assisted navigation system to insert an awl-tap into each pedicle. The tap location in the pedicle was marked with the navigation software, and the awl-tap was then removed. The navigation system was used to identify each landmark to insert the pedicle screw. Connecting rods were then inserted percutaneously under fluoroscopic guidance. Postoperative CT scans were obtained in each patient to evaluate screw placement.

Results

On postprocedure scanning, only 1 screw had a minor lateral and superior breach that was asymptomatic. To date, there have been no hardware failures.

Conclusions

Percutaneous pedicle screws can be placed effectively and safely without the use of K-wires.
The efficacy of lumbar discectomy and single-level fusion for spondylolisthesis: results from the NeuroPoint-SD registry
Authors: Ghogawala Zoher , Shaffrey Christopher I. , Asher Anthony L. , Heary Robert F. , Logvinenko Tanya , Malhotra Neil R. , Dante Stephen J. , Hurlbert R. John , Douglas Andrea F. , Magge Subu N. , Mummaneni Praveen V. , Cheng Joseph S. , Smith Justin S. , Kaiser Michael G. , Abbed Khalid M. , Sciubba Daniel M. , Resnick Daniel K.
Published: September 2013

Object

There is significant practice variation and considerable uncertainty among payers and other major stakeholders as to whether many surgical treatments are effective in actual US spine practice. The aim of this study was to establish a multicenter cooperative research group and demonstrate the feasibility of developing a registry to assess the efficacy of common lumbar spinal procedures using prospectively collected patient-reported outcome measures.

Methods

An observational prospective cohort study was conducted at 13 US academic and community sites. Unselected patients undergoing lumbar discectomy or single-level fusion for spondylolisthesis were included. Patients completed the 36-item Short-Form Survey Instrument (SF-36), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaires preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Power analysis estimated a sample size of 160 patients: 125 patients with lumbar disc herniation, and 35 with lumbar spondylolisthesis. All patient data were entered into a secure Internet-based data management platform.

Results

Of 249 patients screened, there were 198 enrolled over 1 year. The median age of the patients was 45.0 years (49% female) for lumbar discectomy (n = 148), and 58.0 years (58% female) for lumbar spondylolisthesis (n = 50). At 30 days, 12 complications (6.1% of study population) were identified. Ten patients (6.8%) with disc herniation and 1 (2%) with spondylolisthesis required reoperation. The overall follow-up rate for the collection of patient-reported outcome data over 1 year was 88.3%. At 30 days, both lumbar discectomy and single-level fusion procedures were associated with significant improvements in ODI, VAS, and SF-36 scores (p ≤ 0.0002), which persisted over the 1-year follow-up period (p < 0.0001). By the 1-year follow-up evaluation, more than 80% of patients in each cohort who were working preoperatively had returned to work.

Conclusions

It is feasible to build a national spine registry for the collection of high-quality prospective data to demonstrate the effectiveness of spinal procedures in actual practice. Clinical trial registration no.: 01220921 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
Nonthermal ablation with microbubble-enhanced focused ultrasound close to the optic tract without affecting nerve function
Authors: McDannold Nathan , Zhang Yong-Zhi , Power Chanikarn , Jolesz Ferenc , Vykhodtseva Natalia
Published: September 2013

Object

Tumors at the skull base are challenging for both resection and radiosurgery given the presence of critical adjacent structures, such as cranial nerves, blood vessels, and brainstem. Magnetic resonance imaging–guided thermal ablation via laser or other methods has been evaluated as a minimally invasive alternative to these techniques in the brain. Focused ultrasound (FUS) offers a noninvasive method of thermal ablation; however, skull heating limits currently available technology to ablation at regions distant from the skull bone. Here, the authors evaluated a method that circumvents this problem by combining the FUS exposures with injected microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agent. These microbubbles concentrate the ultrasound-induced effects on the vasculature, enabling an ablation method that does not cause significant heating of the brain or skull.

Methods

In 29 rats, a 525-kHz FUS transducer was used to ablate tissue structures at the skull base that were centered on or adjacent to the optic tract or chiasm. Low-intensity, low-duty-cycle ultrasound exposures (sonications) were applied for 5 minutes after intravenous injection of an ultrasound contrast agent (Definity, Lantheus Medical Imaging Inc.). Using histological analysis and visual evoked potential (VEP) measurements, the authors determined whether structural or functional damage was induced in the optic tract or chiasm.

Results

Overall, while the sonications produced a well-defined lesion in the gray matter targets, the adjacent tract and chiasm had comparatively little or no damage. No significant changes (p > 0.05) were found in the magnitude or latency of the VEP recordings, either immediately after sonication or at later times up to 4 weeks after sonication, and no delayed effects were evident in the histological features of the optic nerve and retina.

Conclusions

This technique, which selectively targets the intravascular microbubbles, appears to be a promising method of noninvasively producing sharply demarcated lesions in deep brain structures while preserving function in adjacent nerves. Because of low vascularity—and thus a low microbubble concentration—some large white matter tracts appear to have some natural resistance to this type of ablation compared with gray matter. While future work is needed to develop methods of monitoring the procedure and establishing its safety at deep brain targets, the technique does appear to be a potential solution that allows FUS ablation of deep brain targets while sparing adjacent nerve structures.
Assessment of intracranial dynamics in hydrocephalus: effects of viscoelasticity on the outcome of infusion tests
Authors: Bottan Simone , Schmid Daners Marianne , de Zelicourt Diane , Fellner Norina , Poulikakos Dimos , Kurtcuoglu Vartan
Published: September 2013

Object

The treatment of hydrocephalus requires insight into the intracranial dynamics in the patient. Resistance to CSF outflow (R0) is a clinically obtainable parameter of intracranial fluid dynamics that quantifies the apparent resistance to CSF absorption. It is used as a criterion for the selection of shunt candidates and serves as an indicator of shunt performance. The R0 is obtained clinically by performing 1 of 3 infusion tests: constant flow, constant pressure, or bolus infusion. Among these, the bolus infusion method has the shortest examination times and provides the shortest time of exposure of patients to artificially increased intracranial pressure (ICP) levels. However, for unknown reasons, the bolus infusion method systematically underestimates the R0. Here, the authors have tested and verified the hypothesis that this underestimation is due to lack of accounting for viscoelasticity of the craniospinal space in the calculation of the R0.

Methods

The authors developed a phantom model of the human craniospinal space in order to reproduce in vivo pressure-volume (PV) relationships during infusion testing. The phantom model followed the Marmarou exponential PV equation and also included a viscoelastic response to volume changes. Parameters of intracranial fluid dynamics, such as the R0, could be controlled and set independently. In addition to the phantom model, the authors designed a computational framework for virtual infusion testing in which viscoelasticity can be turned on or off in a controlled manner.

Constant flow, constant pressure, and bolus infusion tests were performed on the phantom model, as well as on the virtual computational platform, using standard clinical protocols. Values for the R0 were derived from each infusion test by using both a standard method based on the Marmarou PV equation and a novel method based on a system identification approach that takes into account viscoelastic behavior.

Results

Experiments with the phantom model confirmed clinical observations that both the constant flow and constant pressure infusion tests, but not the bolus infusion test, yield correct R0 values when they are determined with the standard method according to Marmarou. Equivalent results were obtained using the computational framework. When the novel system identification approach was used to determine the R0, all of the 3 infusion tests yielded correct values for the R0.

Conclusions

The authors' investigations demonstrate that intracranial dynamics have a substantial viscoelastic component. When this viscoelastic component is taken into account in calculations, the R0, is no longer underestimated in the bolus infusion test.
Minimally invasive technique for insertion of ventriculopleural shunt catheters
Authors: Richardson Marlin Dustin , Handler Michael H.
Published: September 2013

Object

Cerebrospinal fluid diversion to the pleural space has employed various methods to insert the distal catheter into the pleural space. The authors report on a minimally invasive method of pleural catheter insertion that they have developed and have used safely in a small series of patients.

Methods

Pleural shunt catheters were inserted using a split trochar into the pleural space (technique described in further detail in the article). All cases over the previous 10 years in which this technique was employed were reviewed from the existing electronic medical records. Patient age at insertion, sex, reason for hydrocephalus, early and late complications, valve type, and follow-up were recorded.

Results

Fourteen shunt procedures performed in 10 patients were identified. Two small pneumothoraces were detected on routine postoperative imaging and required no intervention. There were 3 late mechanical complications, including migration of a catheter out of the pleural space, catheter fracture at the insertion point, and the need for a longer catheter due to the patient's growth.

Conclusions

The authors describe a safe, minimally invasive method for insertion of pleural shunt catheters along with a series of patients who have undergone placement of a pleural shunt catheter using this method without complication directly attributable to the use of this technique.
Etiology associated with developing posthemispherectomy hydrocephalus after resection-disconnection procedures
Authors: Phung Jennifer , Krogstad Paul , Mathern Gary W.
Published: September 2013

Object

The authors sought to determine if clinical epilepsy variables, maximum daily temperature (Tmax), and blood and CSF findings were associated with the risk of developing hydrocephalus after first-time resection-disconnection hemispherectomy.

Methods

Patients who underwent cerebral hemispherectomy in whom a standardized perioperative protocol was used, including the use of ventriculostomies (n = 79), were classified into those who developed and those who did not develop hydrocephalus requiring CSF shunts. The authors compared these 2 groups for clinical variables, Tmax, and blood and CSF studies through postoperative Day 12.

Results

In this cohort, 30% of the patients required CSF shunts, of which 8% developed late hydrocephalus up to 3 years posthemispherectomy. Multivariate analysis found that etiology was associated with developing posthemispherectomy hydrocephalus. Higher shunt rates were observed for patients with hemimegalencephaly (40%; n = 15) and a history of CNS infection (100%; n = 4) compared with cortical dysplasia (17%; n = 23) and Rasmussen encephalitis (17%; n = 12). In univariate analysis, other factors associated with developing hydrocephalus were elevated maximum daily temperatures, elevated white blood cell counts, decreased CSF protein, and increased CSF red blood cell counts.

Conclusions

The findings of the study indicate that etiology was the factor most strongly associated with developing posthemispherectomy hydrocephalus. These findings suggest that there are variable mechanisms for developing hydrocephalus after cerebral hemispherectomy depending on the procedure, and in resection-disconnection operations the mechanism may involve changes in CSF bulk flow that varies by histopathology.
Studies of DNA-Binding and DNA-Cutting Mechanism of an Azamacrocyclic Cerium Complex with Carboxyl Branch
Authors: Feng Fa-mei , Cai Shulan , Liu Fu-an , Xie Jia-qing
Published: September 2013

An azamacrocyclic compound with a carboxyl branch, 5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclo-tetradecane- N/-acetic acid (L), and its cerium complex were synthesised and characterised. The mode of combination of the cerium complex with DNA was investigated by fluorescence and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. The cutting function of the cerium complex towards supercoiled DNA was studied by the gel electrophoresis method. The results show that metal complex can bind to the phosphate group of DNA double helix and promote the hydrolysis of the phosphodiester bond of supercoiled DNA (Form I); under certain conditions, supercoiled form DNA (Form I) was transformed into the nicked form DNA (Form II) under the strong cutting effect of the macrocyclic cerium complex; the cutting is completed by a hydrolysis mechanism.
Erfolg der Jungwaldpflege im Schweizer Mittelland? Analyse und Folgerungen (Essay)
Authors: Ammann Peter
Published: September 2013

Is young growth tending successful in the Swiss Plateau region? Analysis and implications (essay)

The effect of the cost-intensive young growth tending used up to the present in the region of the Swiss Plateau is analysed using different approaches. It is evident that young growth tending is not only ineffective with respect to diameter growth but even hinders stand development. Negative effects on quality from young growth tending are also recognised. This is often due to premature interventions in the natural processes of self-differentiation and subsequent systematic errors in the thinning. Furthermore, the effect of tending measures on the tree species composition is often overestimated because in the first 10 to 20 years of stand development, it is primarily the rejuvenation strategy and the site which are decisive. As an alternative course of action, tending concepts are proposed which rely on biological rationalisation and future tree thinning, to achieve future trees which are as vigorous as possible. These are not only more effective, but are also significantly less expensive.
Analyse der Motive österreichischer Kleinwaldeigentümer als Schlüssel für die Holzmobilisierung
Authors: Huber Wolfgang , Schwarzbauer Peter , Stern Tobias
Published: September 2013

Analysis of Austrian small forest owners′ motivation as a key to wood mobilisation

The largest potential to mobilise unused wood reserves in Austria is from small private forest owners (holdings under 200 ha). Small forest owners who participate in wood markets have shown high supply elasticity with respect to the sawlog price. Due to the ongoing structural change in agriculture the share of owners whose forest management is economically motivated is expected to fall. However, many of the small forest owners are very concerned to look after their forest well, although the understanding of what constitutes a clean and healthy forest can differ widely. Their objectives and motives were investigated by qualitative social research methods. Among respondents that did not have any forest related education or background the phenomenon known as “forest gardening” was observed. These people looked at and managed their forest with objectives and motives usually associated with private gardens. Overall, five different action patterns related to forest management were distinguished. Understanding the goals and motivation of small forest owners gives insight into the potential effectiveness of different wood mobilisation measures. Especially among inexperienced small forest owners, the offer of information, motivation and service is welcome. “Dialogue marketing” is an appropriate communication tool. New information channels, such as Facebook, should be used more to motivate small forest owners to manage their forests sustainably and produce more wood.
Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Activities of the Extracts of Glochidion multiloculare
Authors: Kabir Selina , Chowdhury AM Sarwaruddin , Rashid Mohammad A , Hasan Choudhury M
Published: September 2013

The current study was designed to investigate the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of methanol extract (MEGM), petroleum ether fraction (PEFGM), carbontetrachloride fraction (CTFGM), chloroform fraction (CFFGM) and aquous fraction (AQFGM) of stem bark of Glochidion multiloculare (Euphorbiaceae). Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion method and cytotoxic activity by brine shrimp lethality bioassay. In case of antimicrobial screening the CFFGM showed moderate inhibitory activity against B. subtilis having the zone size 12 mm and against Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli were 11 mm, while in the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the petroleum ether soluble fraction revealed the highest cytotoxicity having LC50 of 3.11 g/ml. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jsf.v10i1.16273 J Sci Foundation, January-June 2012;10(1):1-11
Environmental and Socio-economic Impacts of Salinity Intrusion in the Coastal Area: A Case Study on Munshigong Union, Shymnagor, Satkhira
Authors: Hoque Md. Al-Amin , Saika Ummeh , Sarder Bidhan Chandra , Biswas Kowshik Kumar
Published: September 2013

Jahangirnagar University Environmental Bulletin, Vol.2, 41-49, 2013 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jueb.v2i0.16329
Assessment of Practices of Sanitation and Hygiene in Rural Bangladesh: A Comparison of a Declared Sanitation Area to a Non-declared Sanitation Area of Sirajganj District, Bangladesh
Authors: Shammi Mashura , Morshed Mahedi
Published: September 2013

Jahangirnagar University Environmental Bulletin, Vol.2, 50-60, 2013 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jueb.v2i0.16330
Assessment of Some Engineering Geological Aspects of the Sub-soil of Ganakbari, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Haque Md. Emdadul , Sayem Hossain Md. , Kamal Mostafa
Published: September 2013

The Madhupur Clay soil of the studied area is composed predominantly of silt size particles with small amount sand and clay. Three stratigraphic units have been identified namely unit A, unit B, and unit C. The lowermost unit (unit A) is mainly a sandy non cohesive unit. This unit is light reddish yellow or pale reddish yellow in colour, dense to very dense in nature. Unit B is mainly a silty sand unit which is mottled, light reddish yellow or pale reddish yellow in colour and medium dense to dense. The topmost unit (unit C) is mainly a clay unit which is pale grayish to light reddish yellow in colour, mainly medium to stiff in nature and show medium plasticity. The SPT value of study area ranges from 4 to 60 in the area and increases with increasing depth in all the bore holes. The layer of the cohesive clay soil (Unit C), extending to the depth of 0-28 feet, usually has the consistency that varies from medium to stiff. Further below, the non cohesive silty and sandy layers (Unit B & A respectively), extending to the depth of about 28-65 ft, usually have been found in a medium dense to very dense state. The sand percentages are increasing with increasing depth whereas the silt and clay percentages are decreasing with increasing depth. The obtained values of the Cu and Cg suggest that the studied samples are uniformly graded to well graded soil. The upper soil is suitable for light and moderate load bearing structures (up to 35 feet) whereas the lower soil is very much suitable for heavy structures (below 35 feet depth). Jahangirnagar University Environmental Bulletin, Vol.2, 61-70, 2013 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jueb.v2i0.16331
Seasonal Variations in Water Quality of the Ganges and Brahmaputra River, Bangladesh
Authors: Tareq Shafi M , Rahaman MS , Rikta SY , Islam SM Nazrul , Sultana Mahfuza S
Published: September 2013

Jahangirnagar University Environmental Bulletin, Vol.2, 71-82, 2013 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jueb.v2i0.16332
Dynamic Distance Measure on Spaces of Isospectral Mixed Quantum States
Authors: Andersson Ole , Heydari Hoshang
Published: September 2013

Distance measures are used to quantify the extent to which information is preserved or altered by quantum processes, and thus are indispensable tools in quantum information and quantum computing. In this paper we propose a new distance measure for mixed quantum states, which we call the dynamic distance measure, and we show that it is a proper distance measure. The dynamic distance measure is defined in terms of a measurable quantity, which makes it suitable for applications. In a final section we compare the dynamic distance measure with the well-known Bures distance measure.
Chemical Composition of Salmon Ovary Outer Membrane and Its Protein Increases Fecal Mucins Content in C57BL/6J and Type 2 Diabetic/Obese KK-Ay Mice
Authors: Maeda Hayato , Hosomi Ryota , Chiba Utako , Fukunaga Kenji
Published: September 2013

Salmon ovary outer membrane (SOM) is a byproduct of the salmon industry; however, the effective utilization of SOM for food materials and supplements is anticipated as the demand for fish and seafood increases worldwide. The purposes of the present study were to assess the chemical composition of SOM, the characteristics of SOM protein (SOMP), and its effects on serum and fecal biochemical parameters in mice. SOM contained high levels of crude protein (61.9 g/100 g) and crude lipid (18.9 g/100 g). The protein pattern of SOMP was different from those of fish muscle protein and roe; it was abundant in collagen, as calculated from the hydroxyproline content. In addition, SOMP exhibited lower protein digestibility during in vitro digestion analyses compared with casein. Male C57BL/6J and KK-Ay mice were fed a casein-based semi-purified diet or a diet with replacement of part of the dietary protein (50%) by SOMP for four weeks. Mice fed the diet containing SOMP showed elevated fecal nitrogen and mucins contents and reduced levels of serum liver injury markers and fecal ammonia. These results show for the first time that chemical composition of SOM, and SOMP, contain a resistant protein fraction and a large amount of collagen. Therefore, SOM is a potential source of marine collagen and functional food material for promoting the health of the liver and colon.
Mapping Disease at an Approximated Individual Level Using Aggregate Data: A Case Study of Mapping New Hampshire Birth Defects
Authors: Shi Xun , Miller Stephanie , Mwenda Kevin , Onda Akikazu , Rees Judy , Onega Tracy , Gui Jiang , Karagas Margaret , Demidenko Eugene , Moeschler John
Published: September 2013

Background: Limited by data availability, most disease maps in the literature are for relatively large and subjectively-defined areal units, which are subject to problems associated with polygon maps. High resolution maps based on objective spatial units are needed to more precisely detect associations between disease and environmental factors. Method: We propose to use a Restricted and Controlled Monte Carlo (RCMC) process to disaggregate polygon-level location data to achieve mapping aggregate data at an approximated individual level. RCMC assigns a random point location to a polygon-level location, in which the randomization is restricted by the polygon and controlled by the background (e.g., population at risk). RCMC allows analytical processes designed for individual data to be applied, and generates high-resolution raster maps. Results: We applied RCMC to the town-level birth defect data for New Hampshire and generated raster maps at the resolution of 100 m. Besides the map of significance of birth defect risk represented by p-value, the output also includes a map of spatial uncertainty and a map of hot spots. Conclusions: RCMC is an effective method to disaggregate aggregate data. An RCMC-based disease mapping maximizes the use of available spatial information, and explicitly estimates the spatial uncertainty resulting from aggregation.
Racial Differences in Survival among Hemodialysis Patients after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Efird Jimmy , O'Neal Wesley , Bolin Paul , Davies Stephen , O'Neal Jason , Anderson Curtis , Ferguson T. , Chitwood W. , Kypson Alan
Published: September 2013

The aim of this study was to examine racial differences in long-term survival among hemodialysis patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). To our knowledge this has not been previously addressed in the literature. Black and white hemodialysis patients undergoing first-time, isolated CABG procedures between 1992 and 2011 were compared. Survival probabilities were computed using the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method and stratified by race. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed using a Cox regression model. A total of 207 (2%) patients were on hemodialysis at the time of CABG. White (n = 80) hemodialysis patients had significantly decreased 5-year survival compared with black (n = 127) patients (adjusted HR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.2–2.8). Our finding provides useful outcome information for surgeons, primary care providers, and their patients.
CREG Promotes the Proliferation of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells through the ERK/Cyclin E Signaling Pathway
Authors: Tao Jie , Yan Chenghui , Tian Xiaoxiang , Liu Shaowei , Li Yang , Zhang Jian , Sun Mingyu , Ma Xinliang , Han Yaling
Published: September 2013

Cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes (CREG) is a recently discovered secreted glycoprotein involved in homeostatic modulation. We previously reported that CREG is abundantly expressed in the adult vascular endothelium and dramatically downregulated in atherosclerotic lesions. In addition, CREG participates in the regulation of apoptosis, inflammation and wound healing of vascular endothelial cells. In the present study, we attempted to investigate the effect of CREG on the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells and to decipher the underlying molecular mechanisms. Overexpression of CREG in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was obtained by infection with adenovirus carrying CREG. HUVEC proliferation was investigated by flow cytometry and 5-bromo-2'-deoxy-uridine (BrdU) incorporation assays. The expressions of cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases and signaling molecules were also examined. In CREG-overexpressing cells, we observed a marked increase in the proportion of the S and G2 population and a decrease in the G0/G1 phase population. The number of BrdU positively-stained cells also increased, obviously. Furthermore, silencing of CREG expression by specific short hairpin RNA effectively inhibited the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). CREG overexpression induced the expression of cyclin E in both protein and mRNA levels to regulate cell cycle progression. Further investigation using inhibitor blocking analysis identified that ERK activation mediated the CREG modulation of the proliferation and cyclin E expression in HUVEC. In addition, blocking vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in CREG-overexpressed HUVEC and supplementation of VEGF in CREG knocked-down HUVEC identified that the pro-proliferative effect of CREG was partially mediated by VEGF-induced ERK/cyclin E activation. These results suggest a novel role of CREG to promote HUVEC proliferation through the ERK/cyclin E signaling pathway.
Ibuprofen Rescues Abnormalities in Periodontal Tissues in Conditional Presenilin 1 and Presenilin 2 Double Knockout Mice
Authors: Su Jiansheng , Gu Jiamei , Dong Zhuo , Mei Bing
Published: September 2013

We used forebrain-specific conditional presenilin 1 (PS1) and presenilin 2 (PS2) double knockout mice (dKO mice) that exhibit symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer’s disease, to investigate whether ibuprofen can rescue brain and periodontal tissue abnormalities by attenuating the inflammatory response. Mandibles were dissected for alveolar bone-height analysis. Maxillae were fixed and decalcified for histological observation and osteoclast detection. ELISA measurements from the hippocampus, cortex, and gingiva of the mandibular incisor teeth were used to assay inflammatory mediators. We confirmed periodontal tissue abnormalities and inflammatory responses in brain and periodontal tissues in naive nine- and 12-month-old dKO mice. The other two groups of age-matched dKO mice that received 375-ppm ibuprofen treatment for six consecutive months exhibited significantly attenuated damage in periodontal tissues and reduction in several inflammation-related factors in brain and periodontal tissues. Our findings showed that the anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen significantly decreased inflammation through the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway in brain and periodontal tissues in dKO mice, and then attenuated abnormalities in periodontal tissues. This suggests that ibuprofen could be an ideal drug for preventing both nervous system and periodontal tissue damage caused by inflammatory responses.