bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Análise das resoluções do Conselho Municipal de Saúde de Belo Horizonte no período de 1991 a 2010
Authors: Machado Janine de Azevedo , Lucas Simone Dutra
Published: April 2013

O objetivo deste estudo é observar como vem se dando a relação entre a democracia participativa e representativa no Conselho Municipal de Saúde de Belo Horizonte (CMS/BH) desde a sua fundação em 1991 até 2010. A metodologia utilizada foi a análise das homologações e vetos do Executivo sobre as resoluções do conselho, com um aprofundamento no período entre 1997 e 2008. Os dados foram coletados no Arquivo de Resoluções e no site do CMS/BH. Os resultados foram relacionados ao mandato dos prefeitos e ao segmento dos presidentes do conselho. Os resultados demonstram que apenas uma resolução foi vetada pelo Executivo, mas 26% não apresentam registro de homologação, sendo que 41% destas apresentaram oposição dos gestores na votação. Espera-se que a realidade apresentada possa nos levar a reflexões quanto às práticas de poder, encorajando os conselheiros para a construção efetiva da democracia participativa neste espaço.
Partos cesáreos e a escolha da data de nascimento no Município de São Paulo
Authors: Chiavegatto Filho Alexandre Dias Porto
Published: April 2013

O Brasil tem uma das maiores taxas de partos cesáreos do mundo, e esse valor tem aumentado anualmente. O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar possíveis mudanças na data de nascimento decorrentes desse aumento. Foram obtidos os dados dos 1.933.137 nascidos vivos ocorridos no Município de São Paulo entre 2001 e 2010, divididos segundo tipo de parto e data exata de nascimento. Em 2001, a taxa de cesarianas foi de 48,9%, passando a 56,8% em 2010. O dia da semana com menor número de nascimentos (domingo) aumentou a diferença em relação aos outros dias de 111,4 (IC95%: 101,7 - 121,0) em 2001 para 143,1 (IC95%: 135,0 - 151,3) em 2010. Os dois dias com menos nascimentos (Natal e Dia de Finados), apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significativa em relação aos outros dias do ano (p < 0.05) durante praticamente todo o período (a exceção foi o Dia de Finados em 2009). A data com o maior número de nascimentos (Dia Internacional da Mulher) apresentou diferença significativa em 2005 e 2010. O aumento no número de partos cesáreos tem tido efeito significativo na data de nascimento, o que pode trazer consequências no planejamento administrativo de instituições de saúde.
Abordagem sócio-histórica sobre a evolução da assistência ao parto num município de médio porte de Minas Gerais (1960-2001)
Authors: Faria Renata Mercês Oliveira de , Sayd Jane Dutra
Published: April 2013

Trata-se de caracterizar a evolução da série histórica quanto ao tipo de parto, normal, cesárea e fórceps, no período de 1960 a 2001, nas três maternidades mais antigas e conveniadas ao Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) de Juiz de Fora. O método utilizado denomina-se história serial e permite a comparabilidade entre eventos históricos em determinado período de tempo. Foi identificado o aumento de incorporação tecnológica nesta trajetória e o crescente uso da cesariana até 1998, quando se identifica o impacto da portaria nº 2816, proposta pelo Ministério da Saúde, através de inversão dessa tendência com elevação do número de partos normais. A diferenciação constatada do tipo de parto de acordo com a categoria de internação aponta para uma discussão marcadamente política, que diz respeito às relações sociais em que se entrelaçam desigualdades de diversas ordens, entre elas as de gênero e de classe social. Conhecer as desigualdades e problematizar sua existência, traduzida em perfis de morbimortalidade e padrões desiguais de assistência, é precondição para obter o encaminhamento da solução.
Coesão familiar associada à saúde bucal, fatores socioeconômicos e comportamentos em saúde
Authors: Ferreira Luale Leão , Brandão Gustavo Antônio Martins , Garcia Gustavo , Batista Marília Jesus , Costa Ludmila da Silva Tavares , Ambrosano Gláucia Maria Bovi , Possobon Rosana de Fátima
Published: April 2013

Pesquisas sobre saúde geral têm relacionado coesão familiar a fatores socioeconômicos e comportamentais. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a associação entre coesão familiar e fatores socioeconômicos, comportamentais e de saúde bucal. Este foi um estudo transversal com amostra por conglomerados em dois estágios. A amostra randomizada de 524 adolescentes era proveniente de escolas públicas da cidade de Piracicaba-SP. As variáveis foram avaliadas por questionários autoaplicáveis e os dados de saúde bucal, pelos índices CPO e CPI. A coesão familiar percebida pelo adolescente foi avaliada por meio da escala de adaptabilidade e coesão familiar. Análise univariada e regressão logística multinominal mostraram que adolescentes com baixa coesão familiar apresentaram mais chance de terem baixa renda (OR 2,28 IC95% 1,14-4,55), presença de cárie (OR 2,23 IC95% 1,21-4,09) e baixa frequência de escovação diária (OR 1,91 IC95% 1,03-3,54). Adolescentes com alta coesão familiar apresentaram mais chance que adolescentes com média coesão de terem alta renda e fator de proteção contra o hábito de tabagismo. Desta forma, a coesão familiar percebida pelo adolescente associou-se com variáveis comportamentais, socioeconômicas e de saúde bucal, indicando a importância de uma abordagem integral da saúde do paciente.
Evaluation of continental carbon cycle simulations with North American flux tower observations
Authors: Raczka Brett M. , Davis Kenneth J. , Huntzinger Deborah , Neilson Ronald P. , Poulter Benjamin , Richardson Andrew D. , Xiao Jingfeng , Baker Ian , Ciais Philippe , Keenan Trevor F. , Law Beverly , Post Wilfred M. , Ricciuto Daniel , Schaefer Kevin , Tian Hanqin , Tomelleri Enrico , Verbeeck Hans , Viovy Nicolas
Published: April 2013

Terrestrial biosphere models can help identify physical processes that control carbon dynamics, including land–atmosphere CO2 fluxes, and have great potential to predict the terrestrial ecosystem response to changing climate. The skill of models that provide continental‐scale carbon flux estimates, however, remains largely untested. This paper evaluates the performance of continental‐scale flux estimates from 17 models against observations from 36 North American flux towers. Fluxes extracted from regional model simulations were compared with co‐located flux tower observations at monthly and annual time increments. Site‐level model simulations were used to help interpret sources of the mismatch between the regional simulations and site‐based observations. On average, the regional model runs overestimated the annual gross primary productivity (5%) and total respiration (15%), and they significantly underestimated the annual net carbon uptake (64%) during the time period 2000–2005. Comparison with site‐level simulations implicated choices specific to regional model simulations as contributors to the gross flux biases, but not the net carbon uptake bias. The models performed the best at simulating carbon exchange at deciduous broadleaf sites, likely because a number of models used prescribed phenology to simulate seasonal fluxes. The models did not perform as well for crop, grass, and evergreen sites. The regional models matched the observations most closely in terms of seasonal correlation and seasonal magnitude of variation, but they have very little skill at interannual correlation and minimal skill at interannual magnitude of variability. The comparison of site vs. regional‐level model runs demonstrated that (1) the interannual correlation is higher for site‐level model runs, but the skill remains low; and (2) the underestimation of year‐to‐year variability for all fluxes is an inherent weakness of the models. The best‐performing regional models that did not use flux tower calibration were CLM‐CN, CASA‐GFEDv2, and SIB3.1. Two flux tower calibrated, empirical models, EC‐MOD and MOD17+, performed as well as the best process‐based models. This suggests that (1) empirical, calibrated models can perform as well as complex, process‐based models and (2) combining process‐based model structure with relevant constraining data could significantly improve model performance.
Large birth size does not reduce negative latent effects of harsh environments across life stages in two coral species
Authors: Hartmann Aaron C. , Marhaver Kristen L. , Chamberland Valérie F. , Sandin Stuart A. , Vermeij Mark J. A.
Published: April 2013

When juveniles must tolerate harsh environments early in life, the disproportionate success of certain phenotypes across multiple early life stages will dramatically influence adult community composition and dynamics. In many species, large offspring have a higher tolerance for stressful environments than do smaller conspecifics (parental effects). However, we have a poor understanding of whether the benefits of increased parental investment carry over after juveniles escape harsh environments or progress to later life stages (latent effects). To investigate whether parental effects and latent effects interactively influence offspring success, we determined the degree to which latent effects of harsh abiotic conditions are mediated by offspring size in two stony coral species. Larvae of both species were sorted by size class and exposed to relatively high‐temperature or low‐salinity conditions. Survivorship was quantified for six days in these stressful environments, after which surviving larvae were placed in ambient conditions and evaluated for their ability to settle and metamorphose. We subsequently assessed long‐term post‐settlement survival of one species in its natural environment. Following existing theory, we expected that, within and between species, larger offspring would have a higher tolerance for harsh environmental conditions than smaller offspring. We found that large size did enhance offspring performance in each species. However, large offspring size within a species did not reduce the proportional, negative latent effects of harsh larval environments. Furthermore, the coral species that produces larger offspring was more, not less, prone to negative latent effects. We conclude that, within species, large offspring size does not increase resistance to latent effects. Comparing between species, we conclude that larger offspring size does not inherently confer greater robustness, and we instead propose that other life history characteristics such as larval duration better predict the tolerance of offspring to harsh and variable abiotic conditions. Additionally, when considering how stressful environments influence offspring performance, studies that only evaluate direct effects may miss crucial downstream (latent) effects on juveniles that have significant consequences for long‐term population dynamics.
Afforestation Effects on Soil Carbon Storage in the United States: A Synthesis
Authors: Nave L. E. , Swanston C. W. , Mishra U. , Nadelhoffer K. J.
Published: April 2013

Afforestation (tree establishment on nonforested land) is a management option for increasing terrestrial C sequestration and mitigating rising atmospheric carbon dioxide because, compared to nonforested land uses, afforestation increases C storage in aboveground pools. However, because terrestrial ecosystems typically store most of their C in soils, afforestation impacts on soil organic carbon (SOC) storage are critical components of ecosystem C budgets. We applied synthesis methods to identify the magnitude and drivers of afforestation impacts on SOC, and the temporal and vertical distributions of SOC change during afforestation in the United States. Meta‐analysis of 39 papers from 1957 to 2010 indicated that previous land use drives afforestation impacts on SOC in mineral soils (overall average = +21%), but mined and other industrial lands (+173%) and wildlands (+31%) were the only groups that specifically showed categorically significant increases. Temporal patterns of SOC increase were statistically significant on former industrial and agricultural lands (assessed by continuous meta‐analysis), and suggested that meaningful SOC increases require ≥15 and 30 yr of afforestation, respectively. Meta‐analysis of 13C data demonstrated the greatest SOC changes occur at the surface soil of the profile, although partial replacement of C stocks derived from previous land uses was frequently detectable below 1 m. A geospatial analysis of 409 profiles from the National Soil Carbon Network database supported 13C meta‐analysis results, indicating that transition from cultivation to forest increased A horizon SOC by 32%. In sum, our findings demonstrate that afforestation has significant, positive effects on SOC sequestration in the United States, although these effects require decades to manifest and primarily occur in the uppermost (and perhaps most vulnerable) portion of the mineral soil profile.
Nitrous Oxide and Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Aerobic and Anaerobic Incubations: Effect of Core Length
Authors: Guo Xiaobin , Drury Craig F. , Daniel Reynolds W. , Yang Xueming , Fan Ruqin
Published: April 2013

An important approach for elucidating soil respiration and denitrification processes includes laboratory incubation of uniformly repacked soil cores that are sealed at the base and maintained at constant temperature and water content; however, few studies have considered the impacts of core length on emission of the main respiration and denitrification gases, CO2 and N2O. Hence, aerobic and anaerobic incubation studies were conducted to evaluate the effect of core length (2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, and 15.0 cm) on CO2 and N2O emissions, using sieved (≤4‐mm) and uniformly repacked Brookston clay loam soil maintained at field capacity water content. The shortest core length (2.5 cm) appeared to enhance O2 diffusion unrealistically, and as a result, N2O emissions under anaerobic conditions and CO2 emissions under aerobic conditions were probably overestimated. A boundary between aerobic and anaerobic respiration apparently occurred at the 8‐ to 10‐cm length due to gravity redistribution of water within the core, and consequently, the 10.0‐ and 15.0‐cm core lengths probably created artifacts by depressing CO2 emissions under aerobic conditions and by stimulating both denitrification and N2O reduction to N2 under anaerobic conditions. Hence, core lengths of 5.0 to 7.5 cm may provide the most realistic CO2 and N2O emission results for repacked clay loam soils incubated at near field capacity water content. It was concluded that the most appropriate length for bottom‐sealed incubation cores depends on soil type and water content and that unregulated core length can induce important artifacts into incubation estimates of CO2 and N2O emissions.
Soil Organic Carbon Pools in Riparian Landscapes of Southern New England
Authors: Ricker Matthew C. , Stolt Mark H. , Donohue Sean W. , Blazejewski Gary A. , Zavada Michael S.
Published: April 2013

Riparian zones are important catchment‐scale depositional environments that receive episodic influx of sediment and C from watershed sources. The specific impacts of upland disturbances on riparian soil development and soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics are still largely unknown. The goal of our study was to understand the role of riparian soils in retaining C at the landscape and catchment scales. We quantified SOC pools to a depth of 1 m at 29 headwater riparian sites in southern New England. Riparian SOC pools ranged from 117 to 495 Mg C ha−1, with a mean pool of 246 Mg C ha−1. On average, >50% of the total SOC was stored below 30 cm. Riparian SOC pools differed significantly between soils formed in relatively fast accreting environments (those that contain buried surface horizons; 277 Mg C ha−1) and those in slow accreting environments where buried horizons were absent (188 Mg C ha−1). Catchment‐scale analysis of SOC distribution indicated that riparian zones, on average, occupy 8% of the total watershed area yet store as much as 20% of the total catchment SOC. These results suggest that even though riparian zones occupy a small percentage of the overall watershed, these areas are an important component of the landscape for storage of SOC deposited as a result of catchment‐scale disturbances.
The Effects of Long‐term Application of Organic Amendments on Soil Organic Carbon Accumulation
Authors: Li Jinling , Evanylo Gregory K.
Published: April 2013

Application of organic amendments (e.g., biosolids[BS], composts) to soil may provide an effective method for accumulating considerable amounts of C, but the long term stability of such C is not well known. We investigated study sites in Virginia to determine the amounts of C remaining in soils 7 to 27 yr following amending with biosolids and composts. The first study employed a Fauquier silty clay loam (fine, mixed, active, mesic Ultic Hapludalf) to which four treatments (control, poultry litter‐yard waste compost, biosolids compost, and poultry litter) were continuously applied during 2000–2004. The second study was conducted on a Davidson clay loam (fine, kaolinitic, thermic, Rhodic Kandiudult) to which six rates of aerobically digested biosolids (0, 42, 84, 126, 168, and 210 Mg ha–1) were applied in 1984. The third study was on a Pamunkey sandy loam (fine‐loamy, mixed, semiactive, thermic Ultic Hapludalfs) to which five rates of anaerobically digested biosolids (0, 14, 42, 70, and 98 Mg ha–1), with and without sawdust, were applied in 1996. Total soil organic C concentration and bulk density were measured to calculate C accumulation. The organic amendment‐treated soils increased C in the surface soil depth (<15 cm), ranging from 2 to 12% of C across all three sites. Soil C movement was limited to a depth of 15 cm. Evidence of C saturation was revealed in the third study site. These results demonstrate that organic amendments applied over a long time remain in soil and may contribute to C sequestration in the Mid‐Atlantic region.
Conservation Management in Cotton Production: Long‐Term Soil Biological, Chemical, and Physical Changes
Authors: Locke Martin A. , Zablotowicz Robert M. , Steinriede Robert W. , Testa Sam , Reddy Krishna N.
Published: April 2013

Conservation practices are increasingly important components of sustainable management systems, and information about their influence on soil characteristics is needed. Soil parameters were assessed in no‐till (NT) or minimum tillage (MT) cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production near Stoneville, MS, Mississippi Delta region, that included cover crop (rye [Secale cereal L.] or Balansa clover [Trifolium michelianum Savi var. balansae (Boiss.) Azn.]) vs. no cover crop. Soils (0–2, 2–5, and 5–15 cm) were sampled (2001–2006) before cotton planting. Independent of tillage, both cover crops accumulated more soil C than no cover, and N was greatest under clover. Soils (0–15 cm) under clover had greater aggregate stability than rye or no cover. The major factor influencing bulk density and infiltration was proximity to crop row bed and wheel traffic, but infiltration rates were sixfold greater under MT than NT (P < 0.01), with less effect of cover crop (P < 0.06, clover > rye or no cover). Moderate tillage slightly increased abundance of both reniform nematodes and earthworms, but neither was affected by cover crop. Fluorescein diacetate hydrolytic activity was higher in clover (50%) and rye (20%) in surface soil than with no cover. Soil microbial community structure (total fatty acid methyl ester analysis) (2005–2006) indicated a significant cover crop effect but no tillage effect. Mycorrhizal bioindicator (16:1 ω5c) was greater in soil with rye than clover or no cover; however, cotton mycorrhizal infection was 40% greater in fibrous roots from rye or clover plots than roots from plots with no cover. Collectively, cotton production with a cover crop and reduced tillage resulted in soil conditions indicative of soil quality.
Field Level Soil Moisture Variability at 6‐ and 3‐cm Sampling Depths: Implications for Microwave Sensor Validation
Authors: Adams Justin R. , Berg Aaron A. , McNairn Heather
Published: April 2013

Calibration/validation experiments are critical to developing and testing soil moisture retrieval algorithms from microwave remote sensing platforms. Ground sampling must be optimally designed to minimize sources of error or bias during data collection. An important consideration in the design of ground sampling campaigns is that the in situ measured soil moisture is representative of the retrieval depth of a microwave sensor. Because of the popularity of portable impedance probe instruments, volumetric soil moisture is usually measured at a constant depth of approximately 0 to 6 cm and aggregated over a spatial extent representative of a pixel footprint. However, the retrieval depth of microwave signals can vary, and in agricultural soils is typically representative of the top ∼5 cm (or less) of the soil surface. It is unknown whether this mismatch between the depth of ground measured soil moisture and microwave retrieved soil moisture significantly contributes to error during sensor calibration/validation. This issue is addressed based on an analysis of over 3400 impedance probe measurements collected in 72 agricultural fields over four sampling occasions. Volumetric soil moisture was measured at depths of approximately 6 and 3 cm, at 24 locations in each field. The observed soil moisture sampling distributions and statistical moments are compared between these two measurement depths. Results demonstrate that the majority of fields exhibit a near‐normal sampling distribution at both the 6‐ (60 of 72) and 3‐cm (59 of 72) depths. An average difference of 0.016 m3 m−3 exists between all field means, generally indicating that wetter measurements are observed from the samples at 6 cm than those at 3 cm. Statistically significant differences were found between the measurement depths for field means (23 of 72), distributions (21 of 72), and variances (9 of 72). These findings demonstrate the importance of recognizing near‐surface volumetric soil moisture spatial and depth variability effects during ground sampling experiments to minimize error in calibration/validation of retrieval algorithms.
The Aggregation of Brucella abortus Occurs Under Microaerobic Conditions and Promotes Desiccation Tolerance and Biofilm Formation
Authors: Almirón Marta A , Roset Mara S , Sanjuan Norberto
Published: April 2013

Brucella abortus causes brucellosis mainly in cattle. The infection is transmitted to humans by ingestion of animal products or direct contact with infected material. While the intracellular lifestyle of Brucella is well characterized, its extracellular survival is poorly understood. In nature, bacterial persistence is associated with biofilms, where aggregated cells are protected from adversity. The inability of Brucella abortus to aggregate under aerobiosis and that fact that the replicative niche of Brucella is characterized by microaerobic conditions prompted us to investigate the capacity of this pathogen to aggregate and grow in biofilms under microaerobiotic conditions. The results show that B. abortus aggregates and produces biofilms. The aggregates tolerate desiccation better than planktonic cells do, adhere and displace even in the absence of the lipopolysaccharide-O antigen, flagella, the transcriptional regulator VjbR, or the enzymes that synthesize, transport, and modify cyclic β (1,2) glucan.
Hepatitis C Virus Envelope Protein E1 Binds PERK and Represses the Unfolded Protein Response
Authors: Egan Philip A , Sobkowiak Michal , Chan Shiu-Wan
Published: April 2013

Unfolded protein response (UPR) is a cellular adaptive response which functions to reduce stress caused by misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We and others have previously shown that infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) or expression of the viral proteins can trigger the UPR. HCV is a single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus causing chronic diseases in humans. Its genome encodes two envelope proteins E1 and E2 that mature in the ER to form non-covalently bound native complex and disulphide-bonded aggregates. Apart from the ER targeting proteins, cytosolic forms have been documented. We have previously shown that the ER-targeting E1 and E2 are capable of eliciting the UPR whereas others have shown that the cytosolic-targeting E2 can bind to the ER stress kinase PERK to dampen the UPR. In this report, we further show that the other envelope protein E1, in its cytosolic form, can also bind PERK and dampen the UPR. Using GST-pulldown assay, we show that E1 binds to the cytoplasmic domain of PERK, suggesting interaction of E1 and PERK takes place in the cytoplasm. Using reporter gene assay and Western blotting, we show that cytosolic E1 can repress UPR-induced BiP and CHOP promoter activity and reduce UPR-induced CHOP expression level. Altogether these results suggest opposing functions of ER- and cytosolic forms of HCV envelope proteins depending on their subcellular localization.
HIV and HBsAg Seropositivity Amongst Patients Presenting for Ocular Surgery at a Tertiary Eye Care Hospital in Nigeria
Authors: Alhassan M B , Unung P , Adejor GO
Published: April 2013

Background:

The prevalence of HIV/AIDS and HBsAg sero-positivity is very high in sub-Saharan African. There is a risk of horizontal transmission of these diseases amongst ophthalmic patients.

Aim:

To determine the proportion patients for eye surgery who are HIV/AIDS and HBsAg sero-positive at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, Nigeria.

Methods:

Patients selected for eye surgery during a surgical camp at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna were counseled for Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) and HBsAg to determine their viral status.

Results:

A total of 650 patients who were selected were screened. The distributions of the indications for selection were as follows: cataract 483 (74.3%); glaucoma 44 (6.8%) and pterygium 123 (18.9%). Two patients (0.2%) were found to be HIV seropositive while 11 (1.5%) were HbsAg positive.

Conclusion:

Pre-operative screening of all patients going for ophthalmic surgery for HIV and HbsAg may be desirable in our environment.
On benzenoid systems with minimal number of inlets
Authors: Cruz Roberto , Gutman Ivan , Rada Juan
Published: April 2013

Inlets are features on the perimeter of a benzenoid system that determine
numerous of its electronic and topological properties. A class of large
benzenoid systems is constructed, having small number of inlets. It is shown
that the minimal number of inlets in a benzenoid system with h hexagons is
less than or equal to ?3(h-1).
A study of inflation effects on an EOQ model for Weibull deteriorating/ameliorating items with ramp type of demand and shortages
Authors: Valliathal M. , Uthayakumar R.
Published: April 2013

This paper deals with the effects of inflation and time discounting on an
inventory model with general ramp type demand rate, time dependent (Weibull)
deterioration rate and partial backlogging of unsatisfied demand. The model
is studied under the replenishment policy, starting with shortages under two
different types of backlogging rates, and their comparative study is also
provided. We then use the computer software, MATLto find the optimal
replenishment policies. Duration of positive inventory level is taken as the
decision variable to minimize the total cost of the proposed system.
Numerical examples are then taken to illustrate the solution procedure.
Finally, sensitivity of the optimal solution to changes of the values of
different system parameters is also studied.
Professional Skepticism: The Effects of a Partner's Influence and the Level of Fraud Indicators on Auditors' Fraud Judgments and Actions
Authors: Carpenter Tina D. , Reimers Jane L.
Published: April 2013

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), in its recent auditor inspections, cited a lack of professional skepticism and selection of appropriate audit procedures as serious problems for auditors, and suggested that the tone set by audit partners is critical for auditors' fraud investigations. We investigate selected components of Nelson's (2009) model of professional skepticism: the effects of the partner's emphasis on professional skepticism and the effect of the level of fraud indicators on auditors' identification of fraud risk factors, auditors' fraud risk assessments, and their selection of audit procedures. Thus, we provide an initial test of predictions of the links established in his model, and our results suggest a possible extension to his model. This study provides evidence that a partner's emphasis on professional skepticism is critical for both effective and efficient identification of relevant fraud risk factors and choice of relevant audit procedures. These results should be informative to both standard setters and academic researchers because they highlight the costs and benefits of an audit partner's attitude toward professional skepticism on the evaluation of fraud.
Rough set and teaching learning based optimization technique for optimal features selection
Authors: Satapathy Suresh , Naik Anima , Parvathi K.
Published: April 2013

Rough set theory has been one of the most successful methods used for feature selection. However, this method is still not able to find optimal subsets. But it can be made to be optimal using different optimization techniques. This paper proposes a new feature selection method based on Rough Set theory with Teaching learning based optimization (TLBO). The proposed method is experimentally compared with other hybrid Rough Set methods such as Genetic Algorithm (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Differential Evolution (DE) and the empirical results reveal that the proposed approach could be used for feature selection as this performs better in terms of finding optimal features and doing so in quick time.
A job checkpointing system for computational grids
Authors: Amoon Mohammed
Published: April 2013

Fault tolerance is an important property in computational grids since the resources are geographically distributed. Job checkpointing is one of the most common utilized techniques for providing fault tolerance in computational grids. The efficiency of checkpointing depends on the choice of the checkpoint interval. Inappropriate checkpointing interval can delay job execution. In this paper, a fault-tolerant scheduling system based on checkpointing technique is presented and evaluated. When scheduling a job, the system uses both average failure time and failure rate of grid resources combined with resources response time to generate scheduling decisions. The system uses the failure rate of the assigned resources to calculate the checkpoint interval for each job. Extensive simulation experiments are conducted to quantify the performance of the proposed system. Experiments have shown that the proposed system can considerably improve throughput, turnaround time, grid load and failure tendency of computational grids.
Imaging preictal hemodynamic changes in neocortical epilepsy
Authors: Patel Kunal S. , Zhao Mingrui , Ma Hongtao , Schwartz Theodore H.
Published: April 2013

Object

The ability to predict seizure occurrence is extremely important to trigger abortive therapies and to warn patients and their caregivers. Optical imaging of hemodynamic parameters such as blood flow, blood volume, and tissue and hemoglobin oxygenation has already been shown to successfully localize epileptic events with high spatial and temporal resolution. The ability to actually predict seizure occurrence using hemodynamic parameters is less well explored.

Methods

In this article, the authors critically review data from the literature on neocortical epilepsy and optical imaging, and they discuss the preictal hemodynamic changes and their application in neurosurgery.

Results

Recent optical mapping studies have demonstrated preictal hemodynamic changes in both human and animal neocortex.

Conclusions

Optical measurements of blood flow and oxygenation may become increasingly important for predicting and localizing epileptic events. The ability to successfully predict ictal onsets may be useful to trigger closed-loop abortive therapies.
The role of advanced neuroimaging in intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: McDowell Michael M. , Kellner Christopher P. , Barton Sunjay M. , Mikell Charles B. , Sussman Eric S. , Heuts Simon G. , Connolly E. Sander
Published: April 2013

In this report, the authors sought to summarize existing literature to provide an overview of the currently available techniques and to critically assess the evidence for or against their application in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) for management, prognostication, and research. Functional imaging in ICH represents a potential major step forward in the ability of physicians to assess patients suffering from this devastating illness due to the advantages over standing imaging modalities focused on general tissue structure alone, but its use is highly controversial due to the relative paucity of literature and the lack of consolidation of the predominantly small data sets that are currently in existence. Current data support that diffusion tensor imaging and tractography, diffusion-perfusion weighted MRI techniques, and functional MRI all possess major potential in the areas of highlighting motor deficits, motor recovery, and network reorganization. Novel clinical studies designed to objectively assess the value of each of these modalities on a wider scale in conjunction with other methods of investigation and management will allow for their rapid incorporation into standard practice.
Use of diffusion tensor imaging in glioma resection
Authors: Abdullah Kalil G. , Lubelski Daniel , Nucifora Paolo G. P. , Brem Steven
Published: April 2013

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is increasingly used in the resection of both high- and low-grade gliomas. Whereas conventional MRI techniques provide only anatomical information, DTI offers data on CNS connectivity by enabling visualization of important white matter tracts in the brain. Importantly, DTI allows neurosurgeons to better guide their surgical approach and resection. Here, the authors review basic scientific principles of DTI, include a primer on the technology and image acquisition, and outline the modality's evolution as a frequently used tool for glioma resection. Current literature supporting its use is summarized, highlighting important clinical studies on the application of DTI in preoperative planning for glioma resection, preoperative diagnosis, and postoperative outcomes. The authors conclude with a review of future directions for this technology.
Advances in myelin imaging with potential clinical application to pediatric imaging
Authors: Spader Heather S. , Ellermeier Anna , O'Muircheartaigh Jonathan , Dean Douglas C. , Dirks Holly , Boxerman Jerrold L. , Cosgrove G. Rees , Deoni Sean C. L.
Published: April 2013

White matter development and myelination are critical processes in neurodevelopment. Myelinated white matter facilitates the rapid and coordinated brain messaging required for higher-order cognitive and behavioral processing. Whereas several neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis are associated with gross white matter damage and demyelination, other disorders such as epilepsy may involve altered myelination in the efferent or afferent white matter pathways adjoining epileptic foci. Current MRI techniques including T1 weighting, T2 weighting, FLAIR, diffusion tensor imaging, and MR spectroscopy permit visualization of gross white matter abnormalities and evaluation of underlying white matter fiber architecture and integrity, but they provide only qualitative information regarding myelin content. Quantification of these myelin changes could provide new insight into disease severity and prognosis, reveal information regarding spatial location of foci or lesions and the associated affected neural systems, and create a metric to evaluate treatment efficacy. Multicomponent analysis of T1 and T2 relaxation data, or multicomponent relaxometry (MCR), is a quantitative imaging technique that is sensitive and specific to myelin content alteration. In the past, MCR has been associated with lengthy imaging times, but a new, faster MCR technique (mcDESPOT) has made quantitative analysis of myelin content more accessible for clinical research applications. The authors briefly summarize traditional white matter imaging techniques, describe MCR and mcDESPOT, and discuss current and future clinical applications of MCR, with a particular focus on pediatric epilepsy.
Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation for mapping the motor cortex in patients with rolandic brain tumors
Authors: Takahashi Satoshi , Vajkoczy Peter , Picht Thomas
Published: April 2013

Object

Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) is a novel technology in the field of neurosurgery for noninvasive delineation of cortical functional topography. This study addresses the spatial accuracy and clinical usefulness of nTMS in brain tumor surgery in or near the motor cortex based on a systematic review of observational studies.

Methods

A systematic search retrieved 11 reports published up to October 2012 in which adult patients were examined with nTMS prior to surgery. Quality criteria consisted of documentation of the influence of nTMS brain mapping on clinical decision making in a standardized prospective manner and/or performance of intraoperative direct electrical stimulation (DES) and comparison with nTMS results. Cross-observational assessment of nTMS accuracy was established by calculating a weighted mean distance between nTMS and DES.

Results

All studies reviewed in this article concluded that nTMS correlated well with the “gold standard” of DES. The mean distance between motor cortex identified on nTMS and DES by using the mean distance in 81 patients described in 6 quantitatively evaluated studies was 6.18 mm. The nTMS results changed the surgical strategy based on anatomical imaging alone in 25.3% of all patients, based on the data obtained in 87 patients in 2 studies.

Conclusions

The nTMS technique spatially correlates well with the gold standard of DES. Its functional information benefits surgical decision making and changes the treatment strategy in one-fourth of cases.
Integration of functional neuronavigation and intraoperative MRI in surgery for drug-resistant extratemporal epilepsy close to eloquent brain areas
Authors: Sommer Björn , Grummich Peter , Coras Roland , Kasper Burkhard Sebastian , Blumcke Ingmar , Hamer Hajo Martinus , Stefan Hermann , Buchfelder Michael , Roessler Karl
Published: April 2013

Object

The authors performed a retrospective study to assess the impact of functional neuronavigation and intraoperative MRI (iMRI) on surgery of extratemporal epileptogenic lesions on postsurgical morbidity and seizure control.

Methods

Twenty-five patients (14 females and 11 males) underwent extratemporal resections for drug-resistant epilepsy close to speech/motor brain areas or adjacent to white matter tracts. The mean age at surgery was 34 years (range 12–67 years). The preoperative mean disease duration was 13.2 years. To avoid awake craniotomy, cortical motor-sensory representation was mapped during preoperative evaluation in 14 patients and speech representation was mapped in 15 patients using functional MRI. In addition, visualization of the pyramidal tract was performed in 11 patients, of the arcuate fascicle in 7 patients, and of the visual tract in 6 patients using diffusion tensor imaging. The mean minimum distance of tailored resection between the eloquent brain areas was 5.6 mm. During surgery, blood oxygen level–dependent imaging and diffusion tensor imaging data were integrated into neuronavigation and displayed through the operating microscope. The postoperative mean follow-up was 44.2 months.

Results

In 20% of these patients, further intraoperative resection was performed because of intraoperatively documented residual lesions according to iMRI findings. At the end of resection, the final iMRI scans confirmed achievement of total resection of the putative epileptogenic lesion in all patients. Postoperatively, transient complications and permanent complications were observed in 20% and 12% of patients, respectively. Favorable postoperative seizure control (Engel Classes I and II) was achieved in 84% and seizure freedom in 72% of these consecutive surgical patients.

Conclusions

By using functional neuronavigation and iMRI for treatment of epileptogenic brain lesions, the authors achieved a maximum extent of resection despite the lesions' proximity to eloquent brain cortex and fiber tracts in all cases. The authors' results underline possible benefits of this technique leading to a favorable seizure outcome with acceptable neurological deficit rates in difficult-to-treat extratemporal epilepsy.
The role of secondary motor and language cortices in morbidity and mortality: a retrospective functional MRI study of surgical planning for patients with intracranial tumors
Authors: Voss Jed , Meier Timothy B. , Freidel Robert , Kundu Bornali , Nair Veena A. , Holdsworth Ryan , Kuo John S. , Prabhakaran Vivek
Published: April 2013

Object

Functional MRI (fMRI) is commonly used by neurosurgeons preoperatively to identify brain regions associated with essential behaviors, such as language and motor abilities. In this study the authors investigated the relationship between patient morbidity and mortality and the distance from the tumor border area to functional activations in secondary motor and language cortices.

Methods

Patients with primary or metastatic brain tumors who underwent preoperative fMRI motor and language mapping were selected from a large database of patients with tumors. The lesion-to-activation distance (LAD) was measured in each patient relative to the supplementary motor area (SMA) for motor tasks and the presupplementary motor area (pSMA) for language tasks. The association between LAD and the incidence of deficits was investigated using the Fisher exact tests of significance. The impact of other variables, including age, handedness, sex, and tumor grade, was also investigated. In a subset of patients, logistic regression was performed to identify the likelihood of deficits based on the LAD to primary and secondary regions. Finally, Mantel-Cox log-rank tests were performed to determine whether survival time was significantly related to the LAD to secondary motor and language areas.

Results

A significant association was observed between the LAD to the SMA and the incidence of motor deficits, with the percentage of patients with deficits dropping for those in the LAD > 2 cm group. The relationship between the LAD to the pSMA and the incidence of language deficits was not significant. Logistic regression demonstrated that the LAD to primary sensorimotor cortex does affect the incidence of motor deficits, but that the LAD to SMA does not. Finally, the authors observed no relationship between the LAD to secondary regions and patient mortality rates.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that the LAD to SMA structures does affect morbidity, although not to the extent of LAD to primary structures. In addition, motor deficits are significantly associated with LAD to secondary structures, but language deficits are not. This should be considered by neurosurgeons for patient consultation and preoperative planning.
Association of functional magnetic resonance imaging indices with postoperative language outcomes in patients with primary brain tumors
Authors: Kundu Bornali , Penwarden Amy , Wood Joel M. , Gallagher Thomas A. , Andreoli Matthew J. , Voss Jed , Meier Timothy , Nair Veena A. , Kuo John S. , Field Aaron S. , Moritz Chad , Meyerand M. Elizabeth , Prabhakaran Vivek
Published: April 2013

Object

Functional MRI (fMRI) has the potential to be a useful presurgical planning tool to treat patients with primary brain tumor. In this study the authors retrospectively explored relationships between language-related postoperative outcomes in such patients and multiple factors, including measures estimated from task fMRI maps (proximity of lesion to functional activation area, or lesion-to-activation distance [LAD], and activation-based language lateralization, or lateralization index [LI]) used in the clinical setting for presurgical planning, as well as other factors such as patient age, patient sex, tumor grade, and tumor volume.

Methods

Patient information was drawn from a database of patients with brain tumors who had undergone preoperative fMRI-based language mapping of the Broca and Wernicke areas. Patients had performed a battery of tasks, including word-generation tasks and a text-versus-symbols reading task, as part of a clinical fMRI protocol. Individually thresholded task fMRI activation maps had been provided for use in the clinical setting. These clinical imaging maps were used to retrospectively estimate LAD and LI for the Broca and Wernicke areas.

Results

There was a relationship between postoperative language deficits and the proximity between tumor and Broca area activation (the LAD estimate), where shorter LADs were related to the presence of postoperative aphasia. Stratification by tumor location further showed that for posterior tumors within the temporal and parietal lobes, more bilaterally oriented Broca area activation (LI estimate close to 0) and a shorter Wernicke area LAD were associated with increased postoperative aphasia. Furthermore, decreasing LAD was related to decreasing LI for both Broca and Wernicke areas. Preoperative deficits were related to increasing patient age and a shorter Wernicke area LAD.

Conclusions

Overall, LAD and LI, as determined using fMRI in the context of these paradigms, may be useful indicators of postsurgical outcomes. Whereas tumor location may influence postoperative deficits, the results indicated that tumor proximity to an activation area might also interact with how the language network is affected as a whole by the lesion. Although the derivation of LI must be further validated in individual patients by using spatially specific statistical methods, the current results indicated that fMRI is a useful tool for predicting postoperative outcomes in patients with a single brain tumor.