bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epilepsy perception amongst education professionals
Authors: Lunardi Mariana dos Santos , Souza Fábio Prá da Silva de , Xikota João Carlos , Walz Roger , Lin Katia
Published: May 2013

INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy is a prevalent neurological disorder that may cause school failure due to several factors such as seizure severity, lack of information about the condition and stigma. This study aimed to evaluate the degree of perceived stigma and knowledge towards epilepsy among education professionals, and additionally, provide them correct information about epilepsy to reduce stigma through a training course. METHODS: Social and demographic data, as well as the degree of stigma were obtained through the Stigma Scale of Epilepsy. To estimate the level of educational professionals' knowledge about epilepsy we used the Questionnaire about Epilepsy. Statistical analysis consisted of Pearson's or Spearman's correlation tests for numerical parametric or non-parametric variables were used to determine potential significant associations. A p <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-five education professionals were interviewed in three different cities in Southern Brazil. Approximately 65% of subjects would attempt to open the mouth of a student during a seizure and the stigma measured by Stigma Scale of Epilepsy before the course was 45.4±16.61. CONCLUSION: The data indicate that education professionals have partial knowledge about epilepsy and a short duration course would be able to improve it and reduce its stigma in this population.
Autismo e epilepsia: modelos e mecanismos
Authors: Pereira Alessandra , Pegoraro Luiz Fernando Longuim , Cendes Fernando
Published: May 2013

O autismo está associado a epilepsia em aproximadamente 30% dos casos com evidências sugerindo a mesma neurofisiopatologia. O mecanismo comum em ambas doenças ainda não está bem definido e a heterogeneidade dos sintomas clínicos nas crianças com transtorno do espectro autista e epilepsia reforça a importância de uma abordagem que inclui a investigação de etiologias biológicas através de estudos de neuroimagem, dos processos inflamatórios, de genética e neuroquímica. Aqui, iremos revisar os principais aspectos da associação entre autismo e epilepsia.
Relationship between exercise capacity and quality of life in adolescents with asthma
Authors: Basso Renata Pedrolongo , Jamami Mauricio , Labadessa Ivana Gonçalves , Regueiro Eloisa Maria Gatti , Pessoa Bruna Varanda , Oliveira Jr Antônio Delfino de , Lorenzo Valéria Amorim Pires Di , Costa Dirceu
Published: May 2013

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the quality of life of adolescents with asthma correlates with parameters obtained prior to and after the six-minute step test (6MST); spirometric results after the 6MST; and level of physical activity. METHODS: Nineteen adolescents with asthma, ranging from 11-15 years of age, were assessed with spirometry, 6MST, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ), and the 10-point Borg category-ratio scale. RESULTS: Sensation of dyspnea correlated negatively with the total PAQLQ score (r = −0.54) and with the scores of its activity limitation (AL) and symptoms domains (r = −0.64 and r = −0.63, respectively), leg fatigue also correlating negatively with those same domains (r = −0.49 and r = −0.56, respectively). The total IPAQ score correlated with the total PAQLQ score (r = 0.47) and with the PAQLQ AL domain (r = 0.51); IPAQ time spent walking correlated with the PAQLQ symptoms domain (r = 0.45); and IPAQ time spent in vigorous activity correlated with the AL domain (r = 0.50). In the regression analysis, only sensation of dyspnea remained significantly correlated with the total PAQLQ score and the PAQLQ AL domain; leg fatigue remained significantly correlated with the symptoms domain. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of physical activity indicate better quality of life, as do lower perception of dyspnea and less leg fatigue. The 6MST proved to be a viable option for evaluating exercise capacity in adolescents with asthma, because it reflects the discomfort that asthma causes during activities of daily living.
A clinical decision support system for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis at a general hospital in a middle-income country
Authors: Fuzinatto Fernanda , Waldemar Fernando Starosta de , Wajner André , Elias Cesar Al Alam , Fernandez Juliana Fernándes , Hopf João Luiz de Souza , Barreto Sergio Saldanha Menna
Published: May 2013

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact that implementing a combination of a computer-based clinical decision support system and a program of training seminars has on the use of appropriate prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE). METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in two phases (prior to and after the implementation of the new VTE prophylaxis protocol) in order to evaluate the impact that the combined strategy had on the use of appropriate VTE prophylaxis. The study was conducted at Nossa Senhora da Conceição Hospital, a general hospital in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil. We included clinical and surgical patients over 18 years of age who were hospitalized for ≥ 48 h. The pre-implementation and post-implementation phase samples comprised 262 and 261 patients, respectively. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of the two samples were similar, including the distribution of patients by risk level. Comparing the pre-implementation and post-implementation periods, we found that the overall use of appropriate VTE prophylaxis increased from 46.2% to 57.9% (p = 0.01). Looking at specific patient populations, we observed that the use of appropriate VTE prophylaxis increased more dramatically among cancer patients (from 18.1% to 44.1%; p = 0.002) and among patients with three or more risk factors (from 25.0% to 42.9%; p = 0.008), two populations that benefit most from prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to increase the use of appropriate VTE prophylaxis in economically constrained settings through the use of a computerized protocol adhered to by trained professionals. The underutilization of prophylaxis continues to be a major problem, indicative of the need for ongoing improvement in the quality of inpatient care.
Reference values for the incremental shuttle walk test in healthy subjects: from the walk distance to physiological responses
Authors: Dourado Victor Zuniga , Guerra Ricardo Luís Fernandes , Tanni Suzana Erico , Antunes Letícia Cláudia de Oliveira , Godoy Irma
Published: May 2013

OBJECTIVE: To determine reference values for incremental shuttle walk distance (ISWD) and peak physiological responses during the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), as well as to develop a series of predictive equations for those variables in healthy adults. METHODS: We evaluated 103 healthy participants ≥ 40 years of age (54 women and 49 men). We fitted each participant with a gas analysis system for use during the ISWT. Oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production, minute ventilation, heart rate (HR), ISWD, and maximal walking velocity (MWV) were obtained as primary outcomes. We also assessed hand grip strength (HGS) and lean body mass (LBM). RESULTS: The regression analysis models, including physiological variables, ISWD, and MWV (adjusted for age, body mass, height, and sex), produced R2 values ranging from 0.40 to 0.65 (for HR and peak VO2, respectively). Using the models including LBM or HGS, we obtained no significant increase in the R2 values for predicting peak VO2, although the use of those models did result in slight increases in the R2 values for ISWD and MWV (of 8% and 12%, respectively). The variables ISWD, MWV, and ISWD × body mass, respectively, explained 76.7%, 73.3%, and 81.2% of peak VO2 variability. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide reference values for ISWD and physiological responses to the ISWT, which can be properly estimated by determining simple demographic and anthropometric characteristics in healthy adults ≥ 40 years of age. The ISWT could be used in assessing physical fitness in the general adult population and in designing individualized walking programs.
Influência do macheamento do orifício piloto nos parafusos cervicais anteriores
Authors: Silva Patrícia , Matheus João Paulo Chieregato , Rosa Rodrigo César , Porto Maximiliano Aguiar , Paula Francisco José Albuquerque de , Shimano Antonio Carlos , Defino Helton Luiz Aparecido
Published: May 2013

OBJETIVO: Analisar experimentalmente a influência do macheamento do orifício piloto nas propriedades mecânicas e na interface osso-implante do parafuso cervical anterior. MÉTODOS: Oito carneiros da raça Santa Inês deslanados foram utilizados no estudo. Nos segmentos vertebrais cervicais de C2-C7 foram realizados orifícios piloto de 2,5mm, de ambos os lados da vértebra. No lado direto da vértebra foi realizado o macheamento previamente a inserção do parafuso cortical de 3,5mm, e no lado esquerdo o implante foi colocado sem o macheamento do orifício piloto. Foram realizados ensaios mecânicos para avaliar a força de arrancamento dos implantes e estudo histomorfométrico da interface osso-implante na fase aguda e oito semanas após a colocação dos implantes. O torque de inserção foi mensurado durante a colocação dos implantes. RESULTADOS: O torque de inserção e a resistência ao arrancamento dos implantes foram maiores nos implantes colocados sem o macheamento do orifício piloto. A interface osso-implante apresentou maior área de contato ósseo e maior área óssea no interior da rosca do implante nos parafusos implantados sem o macheamento prévio. Não foi observado diferença na área óssea fora do passo de rosca do implante. CONCLUSÕES: O macheamento do orifício piloto reduz o torque de inserção e a resistência ao arrancamento do implante na fase aguda e crônica, e reduz a área de contato osso-implante e área de osso no interior do passo de rosca.
Avaliação de seis anos de fraturas cervicais subaxiais
Authors: Gaia Leonardo Franco Pinheiro , Miyahara Helder de Souza , Letaif Olavo Biraghi , Iutaka Alexandre Sadao , Cristante Alexandre Fogaça , Rocha Ivan Dias , Marcon Raphael Martus , Oliveira Reginaldo Perilo , Barros Filho Tarcísio Eloy Pessoa de
Published: May 2013

OBJETIVO: Avaliar retrospectivamente os fatores relacionados ao trauma cervical, segundo o tipo de fratura baseado na classificação AO. Levando-se em consideração aspectos etiológicos e epidemiológicos do evento. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados retrospectivamente prontuários de pacientes com fratura cervical, no período de 2004 a 2009. Estudou-se as fraturas subaxiais (C3-C7), por se enquadrarem em apenas uma classificação (AO). Usou-se radiografias frente e perfil, e tomografias para dividir as fraturas em A (compressão), B (distração) e C (rotação), de acordo com o padrão apresentado. Analisou-se os seguintes parâmetros: sexo, idade, classificação AO, mecanismo de trauma, presença de déficit neurológico, e tratamento cirúrgico ou conservador. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 264 prontuários, sendo 216 pacientes do sexo masculino e 48 femininos. A média de idade destes pacientes foi de 38,55 anos. O mecanismo de trauma mais comum das fraturas cervical subaxiais foi o acidente automobilístico com 84 casos. Quanto ao tipo de fratura pela classificação AO, a mais frequente foi do tipo B. Dos casos avaliados, 136 pacientes apresentaram déficit neurológico, parcial ou completo. O tratamento cirúrgico foi realizado em 166 casos. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados apresentados demonstram que as fraturas cervicais representam um importante problema para a saúde no Brasil, pública e privada. A prevenção das fraturas cervicais apresenta a melhor relação custo benefício na abordagem destas lesões.
Avaliação dos resultados pós-cifosectomia na mielomeningocele pela técnica de Dunn-McCarthy modificada
Authors: Santos Rafael Cantarelli dos , Cavali Paulo Tadeu Maia , Lehoczki Maurício Antonelli , Rossato Alexander Junqueira , Risso-Neto Marcelo Italo , Zuiani Guilherme Rebechi , Veiga Ivan Guidolin , Pasqualini Wagner , Landim Élcio
Published: May 2013

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados do tratamento cirúrgico da cifose lombar congênita em portadores de mielomeningocele. MÉTODOS: Realizado estudo retrospectivo incluindo 31 pacientes, com média de idade de 10 anos, tratados cirurgicamente por via posterior exclusiva pela técnica de Dunn-McCarthy. O segmento médio foi de 22 meses (5 a 60). Foram avaliados os potenciais de correção, perda de correção, percentuais de fusão e complicações. RESULTADOS: A cifose inicial média de 114º (60ºa 183º) obteve correção média para 37º (-63º a 180º) na radiografia obtida na última consulta. A taxa global de complicações foi de 46% entretanto a morbidade cirúrgica foi muito baixa. A taxa de fusão de 80%. CONCLUSÃO: A técnica descrita se mostrou eficiente, com um alto potencial de correção e fusão, e com baixo potencial de perda de correção.
Prevalencia y evolución clínica de pacientes con heridas por arma de fuego en la columna vertebral
Authors: Avila José María Jiménez , Díaz Irving Hiram Ramos
Published: May 2013

INTRODUCCIÓN: Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia, mortalidad y evolución clínica de los pacientes con heridas por arma de fuego en columna vertebral y determinar si la extracción del proyectil mejora el estado neurológico de los pacientes. MÉTODO: Se realizó un estudio de serie de casos, donde se analizaron los registros de todos los pacientes con heridas por arma de fuego en la columna vertebral ingresados en la UMAE, Hospital de Especialidades del CMNO del IMSS, de septiembre del 2010 a septiembre del 2011, que eran compatibles con los criterios de inclusión, exclusión y de no inclusión. Se midió el grado de discapacidad de los pacientes mediante la escala de Oswestry. RESULTADOS: El grupo se formo por 13 (86,7%), pacientes del sexo masculino y 2 (13,3%) del sexo femenino, con edad media de 42 años y desviación estándar de 14 años. Las regiones más afectadas fueron torácica 7 (46,7%), cervical 5 (33,3%) y por último, lumbar con 3 (20%) pacientes; la estancia intrahospitalaria observada con mayor frecuencia fue 7 (13,3%) y 10 (13.3%) días, con 2 casos cada una; la estancia hospitalaria mínima fue de 3 días, con tan solo un (6,7%) caso y la mayor fue de 94 días, en 1 (6,7%) paciente. La estancia superior a 10 días ocurrió en 11 (73,3%) pacientes y la inferior a 10 días, en 4 (26,7%) pacientes. El tratamiento quirúrgico se realizó en 4 (26,7%) pacientes y 11 (73,3%) pacientes solo recibieron tratamiento clínico; la extracción del proyectil se efectúo en 3 (20%) pacientes, de los cuales 2 tuvieron infección. Se observaron complicaciones en 14 (93,3%) pacientes y tan solo en 1 (6,7%) no hubo complicaciones. En 6 (40%) pacientes ocurrió infección en comparación con 9 (60%) en quienes no la presentaron. El estatus neurológico mediante la escala de ASIA inicial predominante fue "A" en 7 (46,7%) y el ASIA final predominante fue "B" en 6 (40%) casos. Fallecieron 3 (20%) pacientes y 12 (80%) pacientes sobrevivían durante el periodo del estudio. El grado de discapacidad medido mediante la escala de Oswestry inicial mínimo fue de 18 puntos, el máximo de 94, con media de 62 y desviación estándar de 22.2. El Oswestry final tuvo una media de 58 puntos con desviación estándar de 23.5. CONCLUSIONES: En nuestro estudio podemos concluir que las heridas por arma de fuego en la columna, ocasionan un alto grado de discapacidad y evolucionan con alta morbilidad. A esto hay que añadir que tanto el tratamiento clínico cuanto el quirúrgico, no proporcionan mejoría sustancial en el estado neurológico y funcional del paciente. Tan solo se limitan a medidas de soporte para disminuir en lo posible las complicaciones, que a final de cuenta, son las que influenciarán en la calidad y sobrevida de los afectados. La extracción del proyectil y el tiempo transcurrido desde la cirugía no alteran el estado funcional final del paciente.
Via póstero-lateral unilateral para cifoplastia percutánea con balón
Authors: Ricciardi Daniel Oscar
Published: May 2013

Esta experiencia ha sido realizada en el Hospital Alvarez de Buenos Aires, Argentina en pacientes tratados por el Equipo de Columna Vertebral. El autor ha modificado el método original de punción descrito por Valls y Ottolenghi, lo que permite ubicar al paciente en decúbito lateral y prescinde del instrumental descrito originalmente, como spider y guía que se utilizaban con equipos de rayos X convencionales. El presente trabajo pretende describir en detalle la técnica aplicada para efectuar la cifoplastía con balón en vértebras torácicas y lumbares por vía póstero-lateral extrapedicular unilateral bajo anestesia local infiltrativa.
Getting the measure of ecosystem services: a social–ecological approach
Authors: Reyers Belinda , Biggs Reinette , Cumming Graeme S , Elmqvist Thomas , Hejnowicz Adam P , Polasky Stephen
Published: May 2013

Despite growing interest and investment in ecosystem services across global science and policy arenas, it remains unclear how ecosystem services – and particularly changes in those services – should be measured. The social and ecological factors, and their interactions, that create and alter ecosystem services are inherently complex. Measuring and managing ecosystem services requires a sophisticated systems‐based approach that accounts for how these services are generated by interconnected social–ecological systems (SES), how different services interact with each other, and how changes in the total bundle of services influence human well‐being (HWB). Furthermore, there is a need to understand how changes in HWB feedback and affect the generation of ecosystem services. Here, we outline an SES‐based approach for measuring ecosystem services and explore its value for setting policy targets, developing indicators, and establishing monitoring and assessment programs.
A dual-tube direct-push method for vertical profiling of hydraulic conductivity in unconsolidated formations
Authors: McCall Wesley , Butler James J. , Healey John M. , Lanier Alyssa A. , Sellwood Stephen M. , Garnett Elizabeth J.
Published: May 2013

A new direct-push procedure has been developed for the purpose of conducting discrete-interval slug tests to define vertical variations in hydraulic conductivity (K.) This approach is an extension of existing dual-tube methods developed for soil sampling. In this procedure, nested rods (tubes) are simultaneously advanced to predetermined test intervals. The inner rods are then removed and a screen is inserted into the formation for slug testing and possible water sampling. Once testing and sampling are completed, the screen is retrieved, the inner rods reinserted, and the system is advanced to the next test interval. A series of field tests were performed in a highly permeable sand and gravel aquifer to assess the effectiveness of this new approach. Dual-tube profiling results were compared to multilevel slug tests conducted in conventional monitoring wells for intervals in which hydraulic conductivity ranged from 175 ft/day to over 800 ft/day. An initial evaluation found that the dual-tube profiling results were in good agreement (< or =12 percent difference) with K values obtained from multilevel slug tests in the closest monitoring well. Two more-detailed profiles demonstrate that the dual-tube method can effectively delineate small-scale vertical and horizontal variations in hydraulic conductivity. This field assessment shows that the dual-tube method is an accurate and efficient procedure for obtaining information about spatial variations in hydraulic conductivity. This information can be useful for selecting intervals for well installations, for assessment of various remediation alternatives, and for identifying preferential flow paths and other features that can control contaminant movement in the subsurface. The information is obtained without the need for permanent wells. Because this is a direct-push procedure, drill cuttings are eliminated and the volume of development water generated is significantly reduced.
Polymer Systems for Water Shutoff and Profile Modification: A Review Over the Last Decade
Authors: El-Karsani Khalid Saad , Al-Muntasheri Ghaithan A. , Hussein Ibnelwaleed A.
Published: May 2013

Unwanted water production is a serious issue in oil- and gas-producing wells. It causes corrosion, scale, and loss of productivity. One method of treating this problem is to chemically reduce unwanted water. This paper discusses the use of polymer systems for this purpose and presents a thorough review of available literature over the last decade. In this paper, field-application data for various polymer systems are summarized over the range of 40 to 150°C (104 to 302°F). These applications cover a wide range of permeabilities from 20 to 2,720 md in sandstone and carbonate reservoirs around the globe. Moreover, the review revealed that the last decade of developments can be categorized into two major types. The first type is polymer gels for total water shutoff in the near-wellbore region, in which a polymer is crosslinked with either an organic or an inorganic crosslinker. The second type is concerned with deep treatment of water-injection wells diverting fluids away from high-permeability zones (thief zones). These thief zones take most of the injected water, which results in a large amount of unrecovered oil. For the total-blocking gels, various systems were identified, such as polyurethane resins, chromium (Cr3+) crosslinking terpolymers, Cr3+ crosslinking foamed partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PHPA), and nanoparticle polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) sequestering Cr3+ for elongation of its gelation time with PHPA. In addition, polyethylenimine (PEI) was identified to crosslink various polyacrylamide- (PAM-) based polymers. The Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) Research and Development Center developed a PAM-based thermally stable polymer and an organic crosslinker. The system is applicable for a wide temperature range from 50 to 160°C (130 to 320°F).

For the deep modification of water-injection profiles in water-injection wells, two systems were identified: microspheres prepared from PAM monomers crosslinked with N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide and microspheres produced by crosslinking 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) with diacrylamides and methacrylamides of diamines (thermally activated microparticles known as Bright Water). This paper highlights all major developments in these areas.
The use of life cycle assessment for evaluating the sustainability of the Amsterdam water cycle
Authors: Klaversma E. , van der Helm A. W. C. , Kappelhof J. W. N. M.
Published: May 2013

Waternet, the water cycle company of Amsterdam and surrounding areas, uses the life cycle assessment (LCA) method to evaluate the environmental impact of investment decisions and to determine the potential reduction of direct and indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of different alternatives. This approach enables Waternet to fulfil its corporate objective to improve sustainability and to become climate neutral by 2020. Three example studies that give a good overview of the use of LCAs at Waternet and problems encountered are discussed: phosphate removal and recovery from wastewater, pH correction of drinking water with carbon dioxide (CO2) and materials for drinking water distribution pipes. The environmental impact assessments were performed in SimaPro 7 using the ReCiPe method and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Global Warming Potential (IPCC GWP) 100a method. The Ecoinvent 2.0 and 2.2 databases were used for the material and process data. From the examples described, it can be concluded that only the phosphate removal case had a significant effect on the climate footprint. The article discusses applications and limitations of the LCA technique. The most important limitation is that the impact of water consumption and the possible impact of effluent compounds to surface water are not considered within the used methods.
Exchange rate misalignment, capital accumulation and income distribution: Theory and evidence from the case of Brazil
Authors: Oreiro José , Araujo Eliane
Published: May 2013

This article analyzes the relationship between economic growth, income
distribution and real exchange rate within the neo-Kaleckian literature,
through the construction of a nonlinear macrodynamic model for an open
economy in which investment in fixed capital is assumed to be a quadratic
function of the real exchange rate. The model demonstrates that the
prevailing regime of accumulation in a given economy depends on the type of
currency misalignment, so if the real exchange rate is overvalued, then the
regime of accumulation will be profit-led, but if the exchange rate is
undervalued, then the accumulation regime is wage-led. Subsequently, the
adherence of the theoretical model to data is tested for Brazil in the period
1994/Q3-2008/Q4. The econometric results are consistent with the theoretical
non-linear specification of the investment function used in the model, so
that we can define the existence of a real exchange rate that maximizes the
rate of capital accumulation for the Brazilian economy. From the estimate of
this optimal rate we show that the real exchange rate is overvalued in
1994/Q3- 2001/Q1 and 2005/Q4-2008/Q4 and undervalued in the period
2001/Q2-2005/Q3. As a direct corollary of this result, it follows that the
prevailing regime of accumulation in the Brazilian economy after the last
quarter of 2005 is profit-led.
Coating stability and surface characteristics of esthetic orthodontic coated archwires
Authors: da Silva Dayanne Lopes , Mattos Claudia Trindade , Simão Renata Autoun , de Oliveira Ruellas Antônio Carlos
Published: May 2013

Objective:

To evaluate the coating thickness of four brands of as-received esthetic coated rectangular archwires and their surface characteristics and coating stability after 21 days of oral exposure compared to those of conventional stainless steel (SS) and nickel titanium (NiTi) ones.

Materials and Methods:

The labial surface of the selected archwires was observed with a stereoscope and in a scanning electron microscope, and surface roughness was assessed with an atomic force microscope. The coating thickness of as-received wires and the percentage of coating lost on the labial surface of retrieved wires were measured using Image Pro Plus 4.5 software.

Results:

All groups showed an average coating thickness of less than 0.002 inches. After oral exposure, archwires from two groups lost all coating on the labial surface. On average, 28.71% and 72.90% of the coating was lost in each of the other two groups, and the surface roughness of the remaining coating was higher than postclinical control wires.

Conclusion:

Coated archwires had a low esthetic value as they presented a nondurable coating. The remaining coating showed a severe deterioration and a greater surface roughness than postclinical control counterparts (conventional SS and NiTi wires).
Robust control of depth of anesthesia based on H∞ design
Authors: Caiado Daniela V. , Lemos João M. , Costa Bertinho A.
Published: May 2013

This paper presents a case study on the design of a robust controller for the depth of anesthesia (DoA) induced by the drug propofol. This process is represented by a linear model together with a non-parametric uncertainty description that is evaluated using a patient model bank with 20 patients undergoing sedation.

By using H∞ methods, the controller is aimed to comply with robust stability and performance specifications for the class of patient models considered. A minimization problem of sensitivity and complementary sensitivity is made to design the controller. The controller that results from this procedure is approximated by a controller with a lower order, that in turn is redesigned in discrete time for computer control application. The resulting controller is evaluated in simulations using a realistic nonlinear model of DoA.
Sentencing Neurocognitively Impaired Offenders in Canada
Authors: Verdun-Jones Simon N. , Butler Amanda
Published: May 2013

While there is general agreement that the great majority of offenders who are sentenced to prison live with a mental disorder and/or a neurocognitive impairment, there is a paucity of research that examines the impact of these conditions on sentencing decisions. This article analyses three studies that reviewed Canadian sentencing decisions obtained from legal databases. Specifically, the article examines the extent to which neurocognitive impairment was treated as a mitigating factor. The analysis indicates that psychopathy was considered to be an aggravating factor insofar as it was associated with a lengthy or indeterminate prison sentence. FASD was consistently considered a mitigating factor with respect to young offenders but, for adult offenders, the judicial approach was variable with less concern for a specific diagnosis and treatment. In a small number of adult cases, PTSD was explicitly identified as a mitigating factor in the judgments, but only if it was causally connected to the offence(s). However, in cases involving young offenders, judges were more likely to focus on the need for treatment of this condition and speedy intervention to achieve rehabilitation. ADHD was not given much weight in sentencing decisions involving either young or adult offenders.
Investigation and isolation of the active constituents of petroleum ether fraction of Medicago sativa L. sprouts
Authors: Seida Ahmed A. , El-Hefnawy Hala , Abou-Hussein Dina R. , Mokhtar Fatma Alzahraa
Published: May 2013

The unsaponifiable fraction from petroleum ether extract of Medicago sativa L. sprouts was analyzed by GLC, a series of 17 hydrocarbons and 2 phytosterols; ?-sitosterol and stigmasterol were identified. Analysis of the fatty acid fraction by GLC techniques revealed the presence of 6 saturated fatty acids and 8 unsaturated fatty acids including omega 6- fatty acid lionleic acid and 2 omega 3 fatty acids Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in a relative percent of 1.0% and 1.12%, respectively. These two types are rarely produced in plants but produced in fish, which have protective effects against heart diseases, liver functions and inflammations.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v2i6.14870 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, May 2013, 2(6): 109-111
Making Mrs Grundy's Flesh Creep: George Egerton's Assault on Late-Victorian Censorship
Authors: Patterson Anthony
Published: May 2013

In recent evaluations of mutually shaping interactions between Modernism and literary censorship, Modernism is ultimately viewed as successfully challenging the censorship of texts deemed to be of literary value. As later modernists do, Egerton produces provocative constructions of female sexuality and reflexively inscribes within her fiction the theme of censorship. As part of such an inscription, and distinct from her male contemporaries, Egerton does not gender censorship as a womanly librarian or a matronly figure such as Mrs Grundy, but figures it as very much part of a patriarchal culture which seeks to tame instinctual nature, and especially the wilder nature of women.
Lost in Translation: Ambiguity in Nerve Sheath Tumor Nomenclature and Its Resultant Treatment Effect
Authors: Bernthal Nicholas , Jones Kevin , Monument Michael , Liu Ting , Viskochil David , Randall R.
Published: May 2013

There is much ambiguity surrounding the diagnosis of nerve sheath tumors, including atypical neurofibroma and low-grade MPNST, and yet, the distinction between these entities designates either benign or malignant behavior and thus carries presumed profound prognostic importance that often guides treatment. This study reviews the diagnostic criteria used to designate atypical neurofibroma from low-grade MPNSTs and reviews existing literature the natural history of each of these tumors to see if the distinction is, in fact, of importance.
Information-Dispersion-Entropy-Based Blind Recognition of Binary BCH Codes in Soft Decision Situations
Authors: Zhou Jing , Huang Zhiping , Liu Chunwu , Su Shaojing , Zhang Yimeng
Published: May 2013

A method of blind recognition of the coding parameters for binary Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) codes is proposed in this paper. We consider an intelligent communication receiver which can blindly recognize the coding parameters of the received data stream. The only knowledge is that the stream is encoded using binary BCH codes, while the coding parameters are unknown. The problem can be addressed on the context of the non-cooperative communications or adaptive coding and modulations (ACM) for cognitive radio networks. The recognition processing includes two major procedures: code length estimation and generator polynomial reconstruction. A hard decision method has been proposed in a previous literature. In this paper we propose the recognition approach in soft decision situations with Binary-Phase-Shift-Key modulations and Additive-White-Gaussian-Noise (AWGN) channels. The code length is estimated by maximizing the root information dispersion entropy function. And then we search for the code roots to reconstruct the primitive and generator polynomials. By utilizing the soft output of the channel, the recognition performance is improved and the simulations show the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Equiangular Vectors Approach to Mutually Unbiased Bases
Authors: Kibler Maurice
Published: May 2013

Two orthonormal bases in the d-dimensional Hilbert space are said to be unbiased if the square modulus of the inner product of any vector of one basis with any vector of the other equals 1 d. The presence of a modulus in the problem of finding a set of mutually unbiased bases constitutes a source of complications from the numerical point of view. Therefore, we may ask the question: Is it possible to get rid of the modulus? After a short review of various constructions of mutually unbiased bases in Cd, we show how to transform the problem of finding d + 1 mutually unbiased bases in the d-dimensional space Cd (with a modulus for the inner product) into the one of finding d(d+1) vectors in the d2-dimensional space Cd2 (without a modulus for the inner product). The transformation from Cd to Cd2 corresponds to the passage from equiangular lines to equiangular vectors. The transformation formulas are discussed in the case where d is a prime number.
D-pinitol Inhibits Prostate Cancer Metastasis through Inhibition of αVβ3 Integrin by Modulating FAK, c-Src and NF-κB Pathways
Authors: Lin Tien-Huang , Tan Tzu-Wei , Tsai Tsung-Hsun , Chen Chi-Cheng , Hsieh Teng-Fu , Lee Shang-Sen , Liu Hsin-Ho , Chen Wen-Chi , Tang Chih-Hsin
Published: May 2013

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in men and shows a predilection for metastasis to the bone. D-pinitol, a 3-methoxy analogue of d-chiro-inositol, was identified as an active principle in soy foods and legumes, and it has been proven to induce tumor apoptosis and metastasis of cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the anti-metastasis effects of D-pinitol in human prostate cancer cells. We found that D-pinitol reduced the migration and the invasion of prostate cancer cells (PC3 and DU145) at noncytotoxic concentrations. Integrins are the major adhesive molecules in mammalian cells and have been associated with the metastasis of cancer cells. Treatment of prostate cancer cells with D-pinitol reduced mRNA and cell surface expression of αvβ3 integrin. In addition, D-pinitol exerted its inhibitory effects by reducing focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation, c-Src kinase activity and NF-kB activation. Thus, D-pinitol may be a novel anti-metastasis agent for the treatment of prostate cancer metastasis.
Two Volatile Organic Compounds Trigger Plant Self-Defense against a Bacterial Pathogen and a Sucking Insect in Cucumber under Open Field Conditions
Authors: Song Geun , Ryu Choong-Min
Published: May 2013

Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) is a plant self-defense mechanism against a broad-range of pathogens and insect pests. Among chemical SAR triggers, plant and bacterial volatiles are promising candidates for use in pest management, as these volatiles are highly effective, inexpensive, and can be employed at relatively low concentrations compared with agrochemicals. However, such volatiles have some drawbacks, including the high evaporation rate of these compounds after application in the open field, their negative effects on plant growth, and their inconsistent levels of effectiveness. Here, we demonstrate the effectiveness of volatile organic compound (VOC)-mediated induced resistance against both the bacterial angular leaf spot pathogen, Pseudononas syringae pv. lachrymans, and the sucking insect aphid, Myzus persicae, in the open field. Using the VOCs 3-pentanol and 2-butanone where fruit yields increased gave unexpectedly, a significant increase in the number of ladybird beetles, Coccinella septempunctata, a natural enemy of aphids. The defense-related gene CsLOX was induced by VOC treatment, indicating that triggering the oxylipin pathway in response to the emission of green leaf volatiles can recruit the natural enemy of aphids. These results demonstrate that VOCs may help prevent plant disease and insect damage by eliciting induced resistance, even in open fields.
Effective and Selective Recovery of Precious Metals by Thiourea Modified Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Lin Tai-Lin , Lien Hsing-Lung
Published: May 2013

Adsorption of precious metals in acidic aqueous solutions using thiourea modified magnetic magnetite nanoparticle (MNP-Tu) was examined. The MNP-Tu was synthesized, characterized and examined as a reusable adsorbent for the recovery of precious metals. The adsorption kinetics were well ﬁtted with pseudo second-order equation while the adsorption isotherms were ﬁtted with both Langmuir and Freundlich equations. The maximum adsorption capacity of precious metals for MNP-Tu determined by Langmuir model was 43.34, 118.46 and 111.58 mg/g for Pt(IV), Au(III) and Pd(II), respectively at pH 2 and 25 °C. MNP-Tu has high adsorption selectivity towards precious metals even in the presence of competing ions (Cu(II)) at high concentrations. In addition, the MNP-Tu can be regenerated using an aqueous solution containing 0.7 M thiourea and 2% HCl where precious metals can be recovered in a concentrated form. It was found that the MNP-Tu undergoing seven consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles still retained the original adsorption capacity of precious metals. A reductive adsorption resulting in the formation of elemental gold and palladium at the surface of MNP-Tu was observed.
Calcium in Red Blood Cells—A Perilous Balance
Authors: Bogdanova Anna , Makhro Asya , Wang Jue , Lipp Peter , Kaestner Lars
Published: May 2013

Ca2+ is a universal signalling molecule involved in regulating cell cycle and fate, metabolism and structural integrity, motility and volume. Like other cells, red blood cells (RBCs) rely on Ca2+ dependent signalling during differentiation from precursor cells. Intracellular Ca2+ levels in the circulating human RBCs take part not only in controlling biophysical properties such as membrane composition, volume and rheological properties, but also physiological parameters such as metabolic activity, redox state and cell clearance. Extremely low basal permeability of the human RBC membrane to Ca2+ and a powerful Ca2+ pump maintains intracellular free Ca2+ levels between 30 and 60 nM, whereas blood plasma Ca2+ is approximately 1.8 mM. Thus, activation of Ca2+ uptake has an impressive impact on multiple processes in the cells rendering Ca2+ a master regulator in RBCs. Malfunction of Ca2+ transporters in human RBCs leads to excessive accumulation of Ca2+ within the cells. This is associated with a number of pathological states including sickle cell disease, thalassemia, phosphofructokinase deficiency and other forms of hereditary anaemia. Continuous progress in unravelling the molecular nature of Ca2+ transport pathways allows harnessing Ca2+ uptake, avoiding premature RBC clearance and thrombotic complications. This review summarizes our current knowledge of Ca2+ signalling in RBCs emphasizing the importance of this inorganic cation in RBC function and survival.
Isolation of Nematicidal Triterpenoid Saponins from Pulsatilla koreana Root and Their Activities against Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Li Wei , Sun Ya , Yan Xi , Yang Seo , Lee Suk , Byun Hyo , Moon Chang , Han Byung , Kim Young
Published: May 2013

Pulsatilla koreana, a species endemic to Korea, is an important herb used in traditional medicine to treat amoebic dysentery and malaria. In the present study, 23 oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins 1–23 and eight lupane-type triterpenoid saponins 24–31 were isolated from the roots of P. koreana. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. The methanol extract and isolated compounds were next assessed for nematicidal activity against the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita). The methanol extract showed strong nematicidal activity after 48 h, with a LC50 value of 92.8 μg/mL. Compounds 2, 5, 9, 20, and 21 showed significant effects, with LC50 values ranging from 70.1 to 94.7 μg/mL after 48 h. These results suggest that triterpenoid saponins from P. koreana should be explored as potential natural nematicides for developing new agents to control root-knot nematode disease
Preclinical Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion of an Oral Amide Prodrug of Gemcitabine Designed to Deliver Prolonged Systemic Exposure
Authors: Wickremsinhe Enaksha , Bao Jingqi , Smith Richard , Burton Richard , Dow Shannon , Perkins Everett
Published: May 2013

Gemcitabine is an intravenously administered nucleoside analog chemotherapeutic agent. The ability to deliver this agent as an oral drug would allow greater flexibility of administration and patient convenience; however, attempts have been fraught with high first-pass metabolism and potential intestinal toxicity. Alternatively, an amide prodrug of gemcitabine (LY2334737) was discovered, which is able to avoid the extensive first-pass metabolism that occurs following administration of gemcitabine. Preclinical in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to evaluate the hydrolysis and pharmacokinetics of LY2334737 and its downstream metabolites. In mice, rats, and dogs, the prodrug is absorbed largely intact across the intestinal epithelium and delivers LY2334737 to systemic circulation. The hydrolysis of LY2334737 is relatively slow, resulting in sustained release of gemcitabine in vivo. In vitro experiments identified carboxylesterase 2 (CES2) as a major enzyme involved in the hydrolysis of LY2334737, but with relatively low intrinsic clearance. Following hydrolysis of the prodrug, gemcitabine is cleared predominantly via the formation of its inactive metabolite dFdU. Both biliary and renal excretion was responsible for the elimination of LY2334737 and its metabolites in both mice and dogs.
Lady Saints
Authors: Ciresi Rita
Published: May 2013

A meditation on the death of the author’s Sicilian grandmother that explores how a child copes with loss by transforming the grandmother’s vast collection of plastic and porcelain female saints into imaginary friends.
A Mobile Acoustic Subsurface Sensing (MASS) System for Rapid Roadway Assessment
Authors: Lu Yifeng , Zhang Yi , Cao Yinghong , McDaniel J. , Wang Ming
Published: May 2013

Surface waves are commonly used for vibration-based nondestructive testing for infrastructure. Spectral Analysis of Surface Waves (SASW) has been used to detect subsurface properties for geologic inspections. Recently, efforts were made to scale down these subsurface detection approaches to see how they perform on small-scale structures such as concrete slabs and pavements. Additional efforts have been made to replace the traditional surface-mounted transducers with non-contact acoustic transducers. Though some success has been achieved, most of these new approaches are inefficient because they require point-to-point measurements or off-line signal analysis. This article introduces a Mobile Acoustic Subsurface Sensing system as MASS, which is an improved surface wave based implementation for measuring the subsurface profile of roadways. The compact MASS system is a 3-wheeled cart outfitted with an electromagnetic impact source, distance register, non-contact acoustic sensors and data acquisition/ processing equipment. The key advantage of the MASS system is the capability to collect measurements continuously at walking speed in an automatic way. The fast scan and real-time analysis advantages are based upon the non-contact acoustic sensing and fast air-coupled surface wave analysis program. This integration of hardware and software makes the MASS system an efficient mobile prototype for the field test.
Towards Sustainable Cities: Extending Resilience with Insights from Vulnerability and Transition Theory
Authors: Seeliger Leanne , Turok Ivan
Published: May 2013

Cities at all stages of development need to provide jobs, food and services for their people. There is no formula that can unilaterally be applied in all urban environments to achieve this. The complex interaction of social, economic and ecological cycles within cities makes it impossible to predict outcomes. Resilience theory, with its engineering, multi-equilibria and socio-ecological approaches, provides some of the foundations for understanding the full range of the complex social and ecological interactions that underpin sustainable cities. It is proposed that these insights could be extended by a sharper focus on the social and technological innovation that has traditionally been the emphasis of vulnerability and transition theories respectively.
Hepatitis B Vaccination in Pregnancy in the United States
Authors: Stewart Robert , Sheffield Jeanne
Published: May 2013

Hepatitis B remains a significant health issue worldwide, and contributes significantly to the incidence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Widespread adoption of hepatitis B vaccination strategies has lead to significant declines in acute hepatitis B infections. Current recommendations for vaccination in the non-pregnant population include vaccinating all persons found to have risk-factors for disease acquisition. Hepatitis B virus is known to occur through vertical transmission or early childhood transmission, and strategies to decrease transmission include avoidance of exposure, avoidance of high-risk behaviors, universal screening of women during pregnancy, and active and passive immunization. It is currently recommended that all pregnant women undergo screening for hepatitis B virus at presentation for prenatal care. Those who engage in high-risk behavior should be re-screened at presentation for delivery. Studies have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the hepatitis B vaccine in pregnancy, and its use is an important component in prevention of disease acquisition. Pregnant women in the United States who are found to be at risk for disease acquisition should be specifically targeted for vaccination.
Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of novel phenotypic probes targeting the nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway
Authors: Hershberger Paul M , Peddibhotla Satyamaheshwar , Sessions E Hampton , Divlianska Daniela B , Correa Ricardo G , Pinkerton Anthony B , Reed John C , Roth Gregory P
Published: May 2013

Activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and related upstream signal transduction pathways have long been associated with the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory diseases and has recently been implicated in the onset of cancer. This report provides a synthetic and compound-based property summary of five pathway-related small-molecule chemical probes identified and optimized within the National Institutes of Health-Molecular Libraries Probe Center Network (NIH-MLPCN) initiative. The chemical probes discussed herein represent first-in-class, non-kinase-based modulators of the NF-κB signaling pathway, which were identified and optimized through either cellular phenotypic or specific protein-target-based screening strategies. Accordingly, the resulting new chemical probes may allow for better fundamental understanding of this highly complex biochemical signaling network and could advance future therapeutic translation toward the clinical setting.