bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Online Social Networks for Increasing Health Literacy on Oral Health
Authors: Ahmed Ziauddin , Sarbadhikari Suptendra Nath , Nesha Karimon , Haque Karishma Sharmin , Khanom Khurshida , Ahmed Kazi Rumana
Published: September 2013

A descriptive study was conducted among the members of Oral Health group on a social media network (Facebook) through the Internet. The objective of this study was to explore online interactions on oral health among the Internet users. The study was divided into two parts. First part included content analysis of Oral Health group interactions during the period of July 2011 to April 2012 and second part included online survey findings. All the postings and their discussions in “Oral Health” group were collected and analyzed by using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Total 427 group members were included, 65.84% members were recruited by administrator (admin) and 34.16% by other members of Oral Health group. Among the group members 110 (23%) members were actively participating in group interactions. A total 384 interactive messages were exchanged between the members on 194 discrete topics were discussed (in average 2 messages exchanged per topic). The flow of group interactions mostly occurred between dental professional to dental professional 78%, followed by general to general 3%, dental professional to general 9%, general to dental professional 10%. Opinion of survey respondents about the oral health group online interactions were found as appreciative (52%), “modern technology of learning is useful”(34%), “improves clinical knowledge of professionals”(26%), “improves oral hygiene knowledge and practice”(22%), and “helps to solve oral health problems”(38%). Online oral health group appears to be an effective platform for sharing information, experiences and advice on oral health among the Internet users.
Cloud Computing
Authors: Trivedi Mayank , Suthar Vishnu
Published: September 2013

Libraries are increasingly adopting cloud computing, a new technology model for Information Technology (IT) services. Cloud computing is of interest to health care professionals as well as health consumers. Health Science libraries maintain more control over the applications and data repositories that contain sensitive, private information about patrons. Provision and maintenance of infrastructure for web-based digital library presents several challenges. It allows them to avoid locally hosting multiple servers, housing massive equipment and constantly dealing with hardware failure, software installs, upgrades and compatibility issues. This paper describes the concept, current status of cloud computing and its application in health science libraries. Then it proposed to improve current user service via cloud computing.
An Agent-Based Wellness Indicator
Authors: Soomlek Chitsutha , Benedicenti Luigi
Published: September 2013

A personal wellness indicator is a software system that can give people a better understanding of their wellness conditions and can help them improve their wellness levels. The personal wellness indicator is a decision-support system for healthcare professionals. An agent-based wellness visualization system was developed as the proof concept. The agent-based system is constructed from the operational wellness model, the authors developed. The agent-based wellness visualization system is simple, expandable, modular, and its results are appropriate for two types of users with different requirements and backgrounds. This research also developed a framework for evaluating a wellness visualization system. The framework contains both technical evaluations and user studies. The proof of concept obtained positive feedbacks in various aspects. However, there are limitations found during the evaluations. This paper presents the analyzed results obtained from the proof of concept, recommended solutions to the limitations found, and future directions.
Wheelchairs Embedded Control System Design for Secure Navigation with RF Signal Triangulation
Authors: Flávio de Melo Leonimer , Borges Felipe Andrade Allemand , Rosário João Maurício
Published: September 2013

In the mobile robotic systems a precise estimate of the robot pose (Cartesian [x y] position plus orientation angle ?) with the intention of the path planning optimization is essential for the correct performance, on the part of the robots, for tasks that are destined to it, especially when intention is for mobile robot autonomous navigation. This work uses a ToF (Time-of-Flight) of the RF digital signal interacting with beacons for computational triangulation in the way to provide a pose estimative at bi-dimensional indoor environment, where GPS system is out of range. It's a new technology utilization making good use of old ultrasonic ToF methodology that takes advantage of high performance multicore DSP processors to calculate ToF of the order about ns. A mobile robot platform with differential drive and nonholonomic constraints is used as base for state space, plants and measurements models that are used in the simulations and for validation the experiments. After being tested and validated in the simulator, the control system is programmed in the control board memory of the mobile robot or wheelchair. Thus, the use of material is optimized, firstly validating the entire model virtually and afterwards operating the physical implementation of the navigation system.
Automatic Semantic Generation and Arabic Translation of Mathematical Expressions on the Web
Authors: Abu Doush Iyad , Al-Bdarneh Sondos
Published: September 2013

Automatic processing of mathematical information on the web imposes some difficulties. This paper presents a novel technique for automatic generation of mathematical equations semantic and Arabic translation on the web. The proposed system facilitates unambiguous representation of mathematical equations by correlating equations to their known names. The ability to extract the equation meaning from its structure is vital when searching for mathematical equations. The general structure of the equation is recognized to identify the equation meaning. On the other hand, people who cannot understand Latin script notation of mathematical expressions have difficulty when they try to read them on the web as it is available mostly in Latin. Arabic mathematical expressions flow from right to left and they use specific symbols. The proposed system automatically translates the mathematical equations from Latin to Arabic. This translation can be combined with the text translation of mathematical web contents (generated by online tools) to be recognized by the people who understand only Arabic text. The proposed system is implemented using Java and it is evaluated using a set of web pages with MathML contents which is rendered in Mozilla web browser.
A Social-Aware Service Recommendation Approach for Mashup Creation
Authors: Cao Jian , Xu Wenxing , Hu Liang , Wang Jie , Li Minglu
Published: September 2013

Mashup is a user-centric approach to create value-added new services by utilizing and recombining existing service components. However, as services become increasingly more spontaneous and prevalent on the Internet, finding suitable services from which to develop a mashup based on users’ explicit and implicit requirements remains a daunting task. Several approaches already exist for recommending specific services for users but they are limited to proposing only services with similar functionality. In order to recommend a set of suitable services for a general mashup based on users’ functional specifications, a novel social-aware service recommendation approach, where multi-dimensional social relationships among potential users, topics, mashups, and services are described by a coupled matrices model, is proposed in this paper. Accordingly, a factorization algorithm is designed to predict unobserved relationships, and we use a genetic algorithm to learn some specific parameters, and then construct a comprehensive service recommendation model. Experimental results for a realistic mashup data set indicate that the proposed approach outperforms other state-of-the-art methods.
Plant Hormone Signalling: Current Perspectives on Perception and Mechanisms of Action
Authors: Dharmasiri Sunethra , Jayaweera Thilanka , Dharmasiri Nihal
Published: September 2013

Plant growth and development are regulated by a chemically and structurally diverse group of hormones. During the last few decades many advances have been made in understanding the perception and mechanisms of action of these plant hormones. While certain hormone responses are not necessarily related to gene regulation, all these hormones are involved in modulating gene expression by controlling either the abundance of transcriptional factors or repressors, or their activities through post-translational modifications. In this regard, ubiquitin mediated protein degradation has become a central theme in many plant hormone signalling pathways. Additionally, a multitude of novel signalling mechanisms have been uncovered for several other plant hormones during the past decade. This review discusses the recent findings related to these hormonal signalling pathways highlighting the mechanisms of hormone perception and subsequent signalling pathways leading to the regulation of gene expression.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v42i1.5895 Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 42 (1): 1-17, 2013
Development of Rapid Propagation Methods and a Miniature Plant for Export-oriented Foliage, Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Authors: Seneviratne KACN , Daundasekera WAM , Kulasooriya SA , Wijesundara DSA
Published: September 2013

Zamioculcas zamiifolia is an ornamental potted foliage plant and a relatively new introduction to the world of interior plants. However, its low growth rate in conventional solid media is a constraint in mass propagation. The present study aimed at developing improved culture techniques that would enhance the growth and rapid propagation of the plant. Three experiments were conducted to find out the best type of vegetative cuttings, the effect of light on plant growth in a liquid (distilled water) medium, and to develop a new solid medium with nutrients to increase the growth rate. Basal leaflets without rachis were found to be the best cutting type for rapid propagation. Solid substrate was better than liquid medium for rapid rooting. Compost + sand + 0.75 g l-1 fertilizer nutrients can be recommended for rapid propagation of the plant. Plant growth was high in the light-exposed liquid medium compared to dark treatment. Interestingly, the liquid medium led to development of a miniature plant which could be introduced as a novel table-top ornament. The results of the present study would contribute immensely to the export industry of Z. zamiifolia.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v42i1.5899 Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 42 (1): 55-62, 2013
A Preliminary Survey of Bryophytes in the Central Province of Sri Lanka
Authors: Ruklani NCS , Rubasinghe SCK
Published: September 2013

Bryophytes possess a key position in land plant evolution and hold the link between green algal ancestors and vascular plants. Bryophytes comprise the most diverse and species rich group of land plants after flowering plants. The most recent classification includes bryophytes in three phyla: Marchantiophyta (liverworts), Bryophyta (mosses) and Anthocerotophyta (hornworts). Bryophyte flora of Sri Lanka is poorly researched and does not contribute much to its biodiversity figures. Therefore, a preliminary survey was carried out in the Central Province of Sri Lanka to aid future bryological research in the country. This on-going survey has identified 15 liverworts, 27 mosses and 2 hornworts, with 12 new species records in Sri Lanka.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v42i1.5901 Ceylon Journal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 42 (1): 67-72, 2013
IL-21–Producing Th Cells in Immunity and Autoimmunity
Authors: Liu Sue M. , King Cecile
Published: September 2013

IL-21 is a member of the common γ-chain signaling family of cytokines. Analyses of the behavior of immune cells in response to IL-21 in vitro and studies of mice deficient in IL-21 or its receptor indicate that IL-21 has a role in lymphocyte activation, proliferation, differentiation, and survival. IL-21–producing CD4+ Th cells constitute a broad array of helper subtypes including T follicular helper cells and Th17 cells. Both autocrine and paracrine utilization of IL-21 contributes to the overall signal transduction pathways of the Ag receptor to influence the growth and survival of lymphocytes. The redundancy that IL-21 exhibits in lymphoid organs during immune responses is in stark contrast to the evidence that pharmacological neutralization of this cytokine can halt inflammation in nonlymphoid organs where IL-21 becomes the dominant voice.
Use of procalcitonin for the differential diagnosis of fever in cancer patients: an observational study
Authors: Macchioni Daria , Chesi Giuseppe , Cottafavi Luca , Loria Paola , Lonardo Amedeo , Maurantonio Mauro
Published: September 2013

Fever often occurs in cancer patients and the possibility of having a reliable marker for the differential etiological diagnosis is desirable. The aim of this study was to investigate the eligibility of the use of procalcitonin (PCT) in hemato-oncological patients for the differential diagnosis of fever. We prospectively enrolled 98 cancer patients and divided them into two groups: those with active disease and those with non-active disease. Procalcitonin was dosed at Time 0 (recruitment) and at the onset of fever. On enrollment, PCT values were 0.1 ng/mL in 83% patients with active disease, and lower than 0.5 ng/mL in 23%, which is usually considered not suggestive of bacterial infection. Four percent of patients had values over 0.5 ng/mL and these were mainly patients with neuroendocrine tumors or affiliates. On enrollment, there were also no statistically significant differences in PCT values between the two groups of patients. This showed that active cancer is unable by itself to change PCT levels. In the active disease group, 21 episodes of fever due to bacterial infection were registered, and in all of them an increase in PCT values was observed. This demonstrates the ability of PCT to detect an infection-induced fever in cancer patients. Procalcitonin concentrations are not significantly altered by active neoplastic disease. On the contrary, in the course of fever due to a bacterial infection, PCT values increase and can, therefore, be considered a useful tool in the differential diagnosis between infection-induced fever and drug-related or tumor associated-fever. Procalcitonin may be a useful marker of bacterial infection even in cancer patients.
Institutionalized elderly people and malnutrition: research on the patients of a nursing home
Authors: Rondoni Francesco , Simonelli Giorgio , Lunghi Pietro Maria , Rossetti Francesco , Bondi Luciano
Published: September 2013

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is a common finding in hospitalized or institutionalized elderly people. In the literature, PEM is not mentioned as being related to individual ability of the patient to feed him or herself correctly. This study analyzed the 56 patients of a nursing home divided into two groups: self-sufficient and non self-sufficient regarding feeding. Levels of serum albumin, transferrin, prealbumin and hemoglobin (Hb) were examined and compared to body mass index (BMI) calculated with bioelectrical impedance analysis. Fifty-three percent of patients were self-sufficient, while 47% were not self-sufficient for feeding of which 83.3% were women and 16.7% men. Levels below the average range were 49.1% for lymphocyte count, 52.9% for serum albumin, 13.7% for serum transferrin and 52.9% for serum prealbumin. No significant differences were found in terms of patient age, while the mean values of the parameters examined in the two groups, self-sufficient and not, were lower in the patients who were not self-sufficient, even if statistical significance was not reached. Serum albumin was in inverse proportion to age (P<0.05) and 46.1% of individuals with low levels of transferrin also showed low levels of Hb. Anemia was in direct proportion (P<0.05) to age. Measurement of BMI showed values below 22.5 (cut off for risk for malnutrition) in 33.4% of the subjects examined. Of the three hematochemical parameters, analysis of a possible relationship with BMI showed only a significant and directly proportional correlation with prealbumin (P<0.05%). These data should be considered in the context of an epidemiological research study carried out in a conditioned and limited environment, where PEM, detected using hematochemical parameters, amounted to 50% of the patients, whereas BMI identified only approximately one-third of patients at risk of malnutrition. There were no statistically significant differences between men and women. Mean values of the surrogate hematochemical parameters were lower in patients non-self-sufficient for feeding, but the comparison does not reach significance due to the small sample size.
Airway and feeding problems in infants with Fairbairn-Robin triad deformities
Authors: Du Plessis Susanna M. , Van den Berg Hester J.S. , Bütow Kurt W. , Hoogendijk Christiaan F.
Published: September 2013

Background: The majority of patients with Pierre Robin sequence in the subdivision Fairbairn-Robin triad (FRT), are born with glossoptosis, retro-/micrognathia and cleft or agenesis of the palate leading to feeding difficulties and airway obstruction. There is limited literature on these problems, and on methods used to address them.Objectives: Community nurses in the Facial Cleft Deformity Clinic evaluate associated airway obstruction and feeding problems and devise nursing interactions to address these. This retrospective study examined the incidence of airway and feeding difficulties in the neonatal, pre-surgical period, as well as the surgical and nutritional management of these infants.Method: Retrospective records of 215 infants with FRT were examined and data on incidence, airway and feeding difficulties and surgical and nutritional management was collected. Descriptive statistics, including average and percentage values, were compiled.Results: The incidence of FRT amongst the cleft palate patients was 6.0%, with 37.7% of these having feeding difficulties. However, surgical interventions such as glossopexy (5.6%), distraction osteogenesis (0.9%) and tracheotomy (2.3%) for airway management were seldom required. Most of the infants who had upper airway obstruction and feeding problems were handled by means of suction and drinking plates, along with additional specific feeding aids. This reduced airway obstruction in 70.6%, and feeding problems in 62.4% of these infants.Conclusion: Based on this study’s finding the introduction of the suction and drinking plate and the use of specific types of feeding devices and surgical management can improve growth and development in infants with FRT.
The influence of dwelling in the Word within the Southern African Partnership of Missional Churches
Authors: Nel Marius J.
Published: September 2013

�All of creation dwells within the Word of God, the Word who created us, the Word who redeems us� (Ellison 2009:91). The article evaluated the influence that the communal spiritual practice of dwelling in the Word had in the missional transformation of congregations that formed part of the Southern African Partnership of Missional Churches. It investigated the background, hermeneutic and methodology of dwelling in the Word on the participating congregations. The article concluded that the practice had a profound effect on the theology and missional practice of most of the participating congregations as it had a positive influence on the attitudes and beliefs, minimum knowledge base, and skills of a number of churches leading to spontaneous missional activity, the discernment of a specific missionary calling, and the integration of theory and practice. However, it had not always led to the formation of new faith communities.
Sobolev Theorems for Cusp Manifolds
Authors: Eichhorn Jürgen , Wang Chunpeng
Published: September 2013

In the past, we established a module structure theorem for Sobolev spaces on open manifolds with bounded curvature and positive injectivity radius

r_{\rm inj}(M)= \inf_{x\in M}r_{\rm inj}(x)>0

. The assumption

r_{\rm inj}(M)>0

was essential in the proof. But, manifolds

(M^n,g)

with

{\rm vol}(M^n,g)<\infty

have been excluded. An extension of our former results to the case

{\rm vol}(M^n,g)<\infty

seems to be hopeless. In this paper, we show that certain Sobolev embedding theorems and a (generalized) module structure theorem are valid in weighted spaces with the weight

\xi(x)=r_{\rm inj}(x)^{-n}

or

\xi(x)={\rm vol}(B_1(x))^{-1}

.
A Resonance Problem for Non-Local Elliptic Operators
Authors: Fiscella Alessio , Servadei Raffaella , Valdinoci Enrico
Published: September 2013

In this paper we consider a resonance problem driven by a non-local integrodifferential operator

\mathcal L_K

with homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions. This problem has a variational structure and we find a solution for it using the Saddle Point Theorem. We prove this result for a general integrodifferential operator of fractional type and from this, as a particular case, we derive an existence theorem for the following fractional Laplacian equation

\left\{ \begin{alignedat}{2}
(-\Delta)^s u&=\lambda a(x)u+f(x,u)& \quad&{\text{in }} \Omega\\
u&=0& &{\text{in }} \mathbb{R}^n\setminus \Omega,
\end{alignedat} \right.

when

\lambda

is an eigenvalue of the related non-homogenous linear problem with homogeneous Dirichlet boundary data. Here the parameter

s\in (0,1)

is fixed,

\Omega

is an open bounded set of

\mathbb R^n

,

n>2s

, with Lipschitz boundary,

a

is a Lipschitz continuous function, while

f

is a sufficiently smooth function. This existence theorem extends to the non-local setting some results, already known in the literature in the case of the Laplace operator

-\Delta

.
Matrix-Valued $L^1$-Optimal Controls in the Coefficients of Linear Elliptic Problems
Authors: Kogut Peter I. , Leugering Günter
Published: September 2013

We consider optimal control problems for linear degenerate elliptic equations with mixed boundary conditions. In particular, we take the \vspace{-.6mm} matrix-valued coefficients

A(x)

of such systems as controls in

L^1(\Omega;\mathbb{R}^{\frac{N(N+1)}{2}})

. One of the important features of the admissible controls is the fact that eigenvalues of the coefficient matrices may vanish in

\Omega

. Equations of this type may exhibit non-uniqueness of weak solutions. Using the concept of convergence in variable spaces and following the direct method in the Calculus of variations, we establish the solvability of this optimal control problem in the class of weak admissible solutions.
The Role of Sulfide Inclusions in Hydrogen Entry During the Exposure of Steels to Acids
Authors: PUMPHREY P. H.
Published: September 2013

Measurements of hydrogen permeation rates through mild steels containing elongated (FeMn)S inclusions, cathodically charged at 20 μA mm−2 in 1N H2SO4 at 2 and 50 C, show that H2S produced at the metal surface by dissolution of the inclusions promotes hydrogen entry into the steels. Permeation rates increase with S content of the steel in the range 0.002 to 0.24% but only where the H2S supply can be maintained by inclusion dissolution. At 2 C, the corrosive attack is confined essentially to the inclusions. Hence, the H2S supply is reduced as initially exposed inclusions are dissolved. Permeation rates are lower through specimens oriented with the inclusions parallel to the surface as these are removed much more rapidly than inclusions oriented perpendicular to the surface. At 50 C, there is less anisotropy because matrix dissolution is faster and fresh inclusions not originally exposed by metallographic preparation are revealed and contribute to the H2S supply.
The Corrosion Behavior of Niobium in Hydrochloric Acid Solutions
Authors: COVINO B. S. , CARTER J. P. , CRAMER S. D.
Published: September 2013

Studies to better understand the corrosion behavior of niobium in hydrochloric acid solutions have been conducted as part of the Bureau of Mines’ effort to conserve the United States’ mineral resources. A study of the general corrosion behavior of niobium as a function of acid concentration, time, oxygen, and added ferric ion is reported. Weight loss (corrosion) tests were performed in air saturated (agitated and static) and helium saturated (agitated) hydrochloric acid solutions ranging from 1N to 10N at temperatures from 35 to 100 C and exposures up to 60 days. The 30 day corrosion rates ranged from 0.0 μm/y in 35 C air saturated (agitated) 1N HCl to 230 μm/y in air saturated (static) 9.8N HCl at 85 C. Although the corrosion rates decreased rapidly for times up to 30 days, the rates for 30 and 60 days were essentially identical. The presence of air did not affect the corrosion rate of niobium, while the presence of only 70 ppm of ferric ion reduced the corrosion rate in most air saturated 5N and 10N HCl solutions.
Characterization of High Temperature Gaseous Environments
Authors: Kane R. H.
Published: September 2013

The characterization of complex industrial atmospheres, both with respect to composition and to the oxidation, carburization, and sulfidation potentials, is important in the design and operation of laboratory tests for materials evaluation. In this paper, atmospheres found in ethylene furnaces, steam reformers, high temperature helium cooled nuclear reactors, coal gasification reactors, and combustion systems have been analyzed by the Brinkley method. Plausible environments for laboratory simulation of these industrial process streams are proposed, and experimental techniques for synthesis, flow control, and equilibration that have proved reliable are presented.
Ion Beam Analysis Investigation of Pit Nucleation on Titanium in Bromide Media
Authors: PETIT J. A. , KONDRO B. , DABOSI F.
Published: September 2013

Corrosion pit nucleation on titanium in bromide solutions was studied using ion beam analysis. At potentials lower than the potential of pit nucleation (Enp), Br− rich sites observed appear as repassivated metastable micropits. Clusters of Ti Br4 molecules should be the real pit nuclei. Stabilization, i.e., activation of micropits can only be obtained at higher potentials than Enp, as shown by the topographical agreement between the micropits and macropits grown afterwards. On titanium covered with stable passive film, blisters full of occluded gas are formed and the amorphous oxide passive film may break in preferential directions induced from areas enriched with crystallized bromide compounds.
Effects of the Sea Water Carbon Dioxide System on the Corrosion of Aluminum
Authors: ROWLAND HELENA T. , DEXTER STEPHEN C.
Published: September 2013

The corrosion behavior of alloy 5052 and 99.99% aluminum in 3% NaCl is compared with that in natural and synthetic sea waters at pH 7.2 and 8.2. The differences in behavior observed with variations in pH, electrolyte, or temperature are reconciled in terms of the sea water carbonic acid system. It is suggested that a similar mechanism accounts for the variability of stored or recirculated sea water.
Pit Formation in the Cathodic Polarization of Passive Iron I. Dissolution of Passive Film and Pit Initiation
Authors: OGURA KOTARO , TAKESUE NORIYUKI
Published: September 2013

It has been found that passive iron undergoes pitting in potentiodynamic reduction, and the pit formation is a function of scan rate, pH, chloride ion concentration, and formation potential of the passive film. Pitting potential was concluded to be a mixed potential being determined by the coupling of the cathodic reduction of the passive film and the anodic dissolution of metallic iron. However, pitting did not occur for iron without passive film on its surface. It was, therefore, established that the passive film on iron should be thinning without dissolving completely prior to pit initiation.
Chronic Compressive Myelopathy and Progressive Neurologic Signs Associated with Melarsomine Dihydrochloride Administration in a Dog
Authors: Moore Sarah A. , Mariani Christopher L. , Van Wettere Arnaud , Borst Luke B.
Published: September 2013

A 7 yr old castrated male Great Dane presented with a history of progressive myelopathy following the intramuscular injection of melarsomine dihydrochloride 8 wk previously. MRI revealed paraspinal and epidural abscesses at the 13th thoracic (T13) and first lumbar (L1) disc space. The dog’s condition worsened despite medical management, necessitating surgical decompression. Surgical decompression resulted in rapid improvement of the patient’s clinical signs. Histopathologic evaluation of the lesions revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation. Cultures of fluid and tissue within the lesions were negative for bacterial growth, and no infectious organisms were visualized histologically. Melarsomine-associated neurologic signs can be chronic and progressive in nature, presumably secondary to ongoing sterile inflammation that may result in spinal cord compression.
Cardiac MRI Findings in a Dog with a Diffuse Pericardial Mesothelioma and Pericardial Effusion
Authors: Gallach Ricardo Guillem , Mai Wilfried
Published: September 2013

Veterinary cardiac MRI (cMRI) is a relatively new technique. A dog with recurrent pericardial effusion and a questionable right atrial mass lesion on echocardiography underwent cMRI. cMRI provided excellent anatomic information about the heart and surrounding structures and helped to rule out the presence of a focal mass. A diffuse thickening and enhancement of the pericardium was detected. Pericardiectomy was performed and histopathology revealed a diffuse pericardial mesothelioma. This case illustrates the potential of cMRI in the management of patients with pericardial effusion when echocardiographic findings are equivocal and illustrates cMRI findings in a case of diffuse pericardial mesothelioma.
Pituitary Metastasis of Pancreatic Origin in a Dog Presenting with Acute-Onset Blindness
Authors: Gutierrez-Quintana Rodrigo , Carrera Inés , Dobromylskyj Melanie , Patterson-Kane Janet , Ortega Maria , Wessmann Annette
Published: September 2013

Pituitary metastases have rarely been recorded in dogs, and to date, none of those reported have been of pancreatic origin. MRI findings are available for only one of those cases. Herein the authors present an 11 yr old English springer spaniel diagnosed with pituitary metastasis of pancreatic origin with a 24 hr history of blindness and only a single lesion on MRI. Neurologic and ophthalmologic examinations localized the lesion to the optic nerves, optic tracts, or optic chiasm. MRI showed a single lesion characterized by a well-circumscribed pituitary mass with extrasellar extension, causing compression of the optic chiasm. Signal intensity was unusual as enhancement could not be appreciated after contrast administration. The dog was euthanized without further diagnostic tests. Histopathologic examination revealed a poorly differentiated exocrine pancreatic carcinoma with widespread metastasis involving the pituitary gland. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first such case reported in a dog. Pituitary metastases should be included as a differential diagnosis for dogs presenting with acute-onset blindness and for single brain masses affecting the pituitary gland.
Intermittent Single-Agent Doxorubicin for the Treatment of Canine B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Higginbotham Mary Lynn , McCaw Dudley L. , Roush James K. , Nietfeld Jerome C. , Wilkerson Melinda J. , Reeds Kimberly , Burr Diana
Published: September 2013

Canine B-cell lymphoma is a highly treatable disease, but cost and logistical factors may hamper an owner’s ability to pursue treatment of their pet with this disease. The authors evaluated the use of single-agent doxorubicin in an intermittent fashion for efficacy in the treatment of this disease. Morphologic and clinical data were analyzed for prognostic significance. Eighteen dogs with B-cell lymphoma, all with multicentric disease, were enrolled. The overall complete response (CR) rate was 78%, median total doxorubicin remission time (TDR) was 80.5 days, and median overall survival (OS) was 169.5 days. The median number of doxorubicin doses administered was 4.5. First remission times were significantly affected by clinical stage and substage of disease. Outcome for the dogs in this study were similar to those previously reported for single-agent doxorubicin treatment. Additionally, the intermittent nature of the treatments made the described protocol more feasible for the owners who enrolled their pets in this study. Intermittent single-agent doxorubicin is not a substitute for multiagent chemotherapy protocols in the treatment of canine lymphoma; however, it is a reasonable alternative if the cost and time commitments are limiting factors for an owner.
Retroperitoneal Abscesses in Seven Dogs
Authors: Marvel Sarah J. , MacPhail Catriona M.
Published: September 2013

Retroperitoneal abscesses, although uncommon, are clinically important. Medical records of seven dogs with naturally occurring retroperitoneal infections from 1999 to 2011 were reviewed to document historical, examination, clinicopathologic, imaging, and surgical findings; etiologic agents; and outcome. Middle-aged sporting dogs were most commonly affected. Dogs were febrile with evidence of either abdominal or lumbar pain. Although traditional radiography can aid in diagnosis, ultrasound appeared to be a more sensitive indicator of disease within the retroperitoneal space. Numerous bacteria were isolated from the abscesses, with anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria being the most commonly isolated. Etiology was largely unknown, but migrating plant material was often suspected. Resolution of the infection required surgical intervention as well as prolonged antibiotic therapy. Although recurrence is possible, outcome can be favorable with no long-term sequela.
A Prospective Evaluation of CT in Acutely Paraparetic Chondrodystrophic Dogs
Authors: Bibevski Jennifer Deck , Daye R. Mark , Henrickson Todd D. , Axlund Todd W.
Published: September 2013

The clinical usefulness of computed tomography (CT) as a sole diagnostic modality in identifying disc lesion(s) in chondrodystrophic breeds presenting with acute signs of intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is incompletely characterized. CT was used prospectively to determine the validity of this tool. Neurologic examinations and CT scans were performed on all dogs at presentation. Surgical decompression was based on those findings. Clinical follow-up examinations were performed on days 1 and 14 postsurgically. CT detected a lesion consistent with clinical findings in 63 of 69 cases (91%). All 63 dogs with Hansen type I IVDD lesions were identified on CT alone. The surgeon and radiologist agreed on lesion level in 72 of 78 lesions (92%) and lateralization in 71 of 78 lesions (91%). Improvement in neurologic grade was documented in 60 of 69 dogs (87%) by 14 days. CT imaging can be used as a single imaging modality in chondrodystrophic dogs presenting with acute paresis. CT used in this manner is a reliable and noninvasive tool for detecting spinal compression secondary to IVDD in chondrodystrophic dogs.
No Evidence of Human Papillomavirus in Patients with Breast Cancer in Hong Kong, Southern China
Authors: Kwong Ava , Leung Candy P. , Shin Vivian Y. , Ng Enders K. O.
Published: September 2013

Several studies have suggested that viral oncogenesis is one of the etiologic factors of breast cancer, while others are provocative, however, their association remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA is present in the blood and tissue samples of breast cancer patients in Hong Kong. A total of 102 patients with breast tumour tissues and adjacent normal tissues were available and recruited unselectively. Both DNA and RNA were extracted from those samples, and real-time quantitative PCR was performed to detect HPV-16, with 18 sequences targeting the E6 and L1 regions. Results showed that HPV DNA sequences were absent in all the blood and breast tissues. These data argue against the role of oncogenic HPV in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Additional lines of evidence need to be obtained in order to assess the possibility of breast cancer prevention using HPV vaccines.
Distance Computation Between Non-Holonomic Motions with Constant Accelerations
Authors: Bernabeu Enrique J. , Valera Angel , Gomez-Moreno Javier
Published: September 2013

A method for computing the distance between two moving robots or between a mobile robot and a dynamic obstacle with linear or arc-like motions and with constant accelerations is presented in this paper. This distance is obtained without stepping or discretizing the motions of the robots or obstacles. The robots and obstacles are modelled by convex hulls. This technique obtains the future instant in time when two moving objects will be at their minimum translational distance - i.e., at their minimum separation or maximum penetration (if they will collide). This distance and the future instant in time are computed in parallel. This method is intended to be run each time new information from the world is received and, consequently, it can be used for generating collision-free trajectories for non-holonomic mobile robots.
Dynamic Modelling and Trajectory Tracking of Parallel Manipulator with Flexible Link
Authors: Zhengsheng Chen , Minxiu Kong , Ming Liu , Wei You
Published: September 2013

This paper mainly focuses on dynamic modelling and real-time control for a parallel manipulator with flexible link. The Lagrange principle and assumed modes method (AMM) substructure technique is presented to formulate the dynamic modelling of a two-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) parallel manipulator with flexible links. Then, the singular perturbation technique (SPT) is used to decompose the nonlinear dynamic system into slow time-scale and fast time-scale subsystems. Furthermore, the SPT is employed to transform the differential algebraic equations (DAEs) for kinematic constraints into explicit ordinary differential equations (ODEs), which makes real-time control possible. In addition, a novel composite control scheme is presented; the computed torque control is applied for a slow subsystem and the H∞ technique for the fast subsystem, taking account of the model uncertainty and outside disturbance. The simulation results show the composite control can effectively achieve fast and accurate tracking control.
Quality of life in rural and urban patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Valeikienė Vaineta , Juozulynas Algirdas , Savičiūtė Rasa , Venalis Algirdas , Jurgelėnas Antanas
Published: September 2013

Parkinson’s disease (PD) belongs to a group of neurodegenerative diseases. PD diagnosis is clinical, based on these signs: tremor, rigidity, bradykinesis, akinesis or hypokinesis. In the case of patients with chronic illnesses and impaired mobility function, impact on QOL and QOL considerations are of special importance for the consequences in everyday life.
Aim of the work was to determine and compare the quality of life in rural and urban patients with Parkinson’s disease. Respondents were randomly selected from the register of community-based health maintenance organizations. PD patients were identified as having clinical diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
Persons who satisfied the following criteria were eligible to participate in this study:
• Parkinson’s disease or Parkinson’s syndrome was diagnosed from 1 January 1978 to 1 January 2009.
• Patients with PD were alive until 1 January 2009.
• The diagnosis of PD or Parkinson’s syndrome and treatment with antiparkinsonic medicines were marked in the ambulatoric history of the patients.
Results. Quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease is determined by motor, mental and emotional disorders. It impedes daily routine, sometimes makes a person totally disabled, effects inter­personal relationships, increases risk of self-inflicted wound. Patient’s self-sufficiency decreases as illness makes progress and the patient becomes more dependent on other people and the quality of life is decreasing.
Conclusions. Parkinson’s patients often feel pain. Both rural and urban people feel negative feelings that are hard to fight. All studied patients with dominative rigidity and slow movements had poor ability to move from the beginning of this disease. Tremor did not disabled patients so severely: patients with tremor could move easier.
Fundus Autofluorescence
Authors: Dave Vivek Pravin , Pappuru Rajeev R.
Published: September 2013

Fundus Autofluorescence (FAF) is a unique in vivo method of fundus imaging. Although it has been an area of active research over the last half a century, its only in the past decade that major advances have been made in its clinical application. The imaging has its basis in the mapping of normal and abnormal fluorophores in various retinal conditions mainly lipofuschin. Recording of FAF is relatively easily accomplished, requires little time and is non-invasive. FAF signals are emitted across a broad wavelength spectrum. FAF imaging aids in identification and early detection of many retinal conditions often before changes can be picked up on other investigative modalities. FAF can assist in tracking temporal changes in fundus lipofuschin accumulation; detect pre clinical stage of fundus disorders related to lipofuschin, aid differential diagnoses based on different lipofuschin accumulation patterns and also in assessing risk factors that determine lipofuschin accumulation. FAF can also predict progression in various degenerative and age related retinal disorders before actual functional deficit occurs. In this review we shall discuss the principle and techniques of acquiring an FAF image. We shall describe a normal FAF picture with its basis and review various FAF features of various fundus pathologies. Many vitreo retinal diseases like age related macular degeneration, idiopathic macular telangiectasia, choroidal neovascular membranes, central serous chorioretinopathy among others have different autofluorescence patterns which will be discussed in this review.
A Case of Odontogenic Orbital Cellulitis Causing Blindness: A Case Report
Authors: Sharma Vimlesh , Chhangte Laltanpuia , Joshi Vijay , Gupta Swati , Kalpana
Published: September 2013

Aim:

To report a case of odontogenic orbital cellulitis causing blindness in young male

Methods:

We report a rare case of odontogenic orbital cellulitis secondary to periodontal abscess, due to which a young male lost his sight.

Results:

After extensive clinical examination and investigations diagnosis of odontogenic orbital cellulitis. Patient took incomplete treatment and showed negligence while taking treatment for recurrent periodontal abscess. As a result he developed orbital cellulitis and temporal fossa abscess, which ultimately caused blindness in his right eye.

Discussion:

Orbital Cellulitis is the infection of the soft tissues behind the orbital septum. Orbital cellulitis is a life threatening infection. It is an ocular emergency that not only threatens vision but also can lead to life-threatening complications such as cavernous sinus thrombosis, meningitis, and brain abscess. The major causes of orbital cellulitis are sinusitis (58%), lid or face infection (28%), foreign body (11%), and hematogenous (4%), odontogenic 2-5%. Odontogenic i.e tooth related causes of orbital cellulitis are very less.
Newer Intraocular Lenses in Present Day Cataract Surgery
Authors: Shekhar Himanshu , Sinha Rajesh
Published: September 2013

Intraocular lens (IOL) technology has evolved dramatically in recent years with various premium IOLs improving the visual outcome. Toric IOLs with toricity on their posterior surface are able to correct astigmatism but the results depend on the correct axis of placement. Multifocal IOLs have specialized optical properties that can divide light to bring it into focus at more than one point at the same time and are currently the most reliable lenses for attaining both distance and near vision. Accommodating IOLs uses the optic shift principle and depend on the strength of ciliary body for their action. Microincisional IOLs acts by minimizing the surgeon induced astigmatism. Light adjustable lenses allow non-invasive post-operative adjustment of the IOL's refractive power. Aspheric IOLs reduce the spherical aberrations and provides better image quality and contrast. This is a rapidly evolving field and the future looks promising.
Piperales
Authors: Marquis Robert J
Published: September 2013

The Piperales are herbs, epiphytes, shrubs, small trees, vines, and lianas, as well as achlorophyllous parasites in one family. Based on molecular and morphological data, the Piperales belong to the basal clade of angiosperms known as the magnoliids, part of the early diversification of flowering plants. The order is scattered across the globe, again attesting to its great age. Traditional medicinal practices use various species of Piperales to treat a variety of ailments, whereas species of
Piper
have provided spices and hallucinogens since the ancient times and continue to do so. Many species are grown as ornamentals. Species of
Aristolochia
and
Piper
produce distinctive secondary compounds associated with feeding by specialised herbivorous insect species. Future studies of
Aristolochia
,
Piper
and
Peperomia
are likely to provide insight into the evolution of hyperdiverse tropical plant families and as a result the great diversity of the angiosperms themselves.

Key Concepts:

Early diversification of angiosperms took place during the early Cretaceous and occurred in both clades of trees (the Laurales) as well as those including herbs and shrubs (the Piperales).

The Piperales consist of five families and 16 genera, some of which contain only 1–2 extant species, whereas in others, species numbers are 100+ (
Asarum
and
Aristolochia
) and 1000+ (
Peperomia
and
Piper
).

The broad geographic distribution of the Piperales and the diverse growth forms and life styles represented (epiphytes, shrubs, vines, lianas, small trees and parasites) lend further support for a long history of diversification.

Many members of this order are of medicinal, cultural and horticultural importance.

Interactions between
Aristolochia
and their pollinators show a high degree of specialisation as do interactions between
Aristolochia
and
Piper
and their insect herbivores do.

Future studies of the more diverse genera of the Piperales (
Aristolochia
,
Piper
and
Peperomia
) are likely to improve our understanding of the processes that have led to the hyperdiversification of certain angiosperm tropical clades and thus diversification of the angiosperms themselves.