bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microleakage and Shear Bond Strength of Composite Restorations Under Cycling Conditions
Authors: Zanatta RF , Lungova M , Borges AB , Torres CRG , Sydow H-G , Wiegand A
Published: March 2017

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate microleakage and shear bond strength of composite restorations under different cycling conditions.

Methods and Materials: Class V cavities were prepared in the buccal and lingual surfaces of 30 human molars (n=60). A further 60 molars were used to prepare flat enamel and dentin specimens (n=60 each). Cavities and specimens were divided into six groups and pretreated with an adhesive (self-etch/Clearfil SE Bond or etch-and-rinse/Optibond FL). Composite was inserted in the cavities or adhered to the specimens' surfaces, respectively, and submitted to cycling (control: no cycling; thermal cycling: 10,000 cycles, 5°C to 55°C; thermal/erosive cycling: thermal cycling plus storage in hydrochloric acid pH 2.1, 5 minutes, 6×/day, 8 days). Microleakage was quantified by stereomicroscopy in enamel and dentin margins after immersion in silver nitrate. Specimens were submitted to shear bond strength testing. Statistical analysis was done by two-way analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis tests (p<0.05).

Results: Microleakage in enamel margins was significantly lower in the control group compared with thermal cycling or thermal/erosive cycling. Erosive conditions increased microleakage compared with thermal cycling (significant only for Clearfil SE Bond). No significant differences were observed in dentin margins. Bond strength of enamel specimens was reduced by thermal cycling and thermal/erosive cycling when Clearfil SE Bond was used and only by thermal/erosive cycling when Optibond FL was used. No differences were observed among dentin specimens.

Conclusions: Thermal/erosive cycling can adversely affect microleakage and shear bond strength of composite resin bonded to enamel.
Coordination Spheres Effect On RecompositionAtoms In AB Alloys
Authors: Ali Abdulhalim Kh. , AL-Rubaiee A. A. , Abdulsttar Marwah M.
Published: March 2017

This study focused on the variation of the long-range order parameters with temperature for nine coordination spheres. The computer simulation results showed several mechanismsof atoms disordering. These mechanisms are represented in: (Substitution point defect, Clusters and Segregations, Micro domain, Antiphase order and Antiphase boundaries.  As the number of coordination spheres increase, the interatomic interaction increase with a decrease in the ordered phase stability. In the initial stages of the computer simulation two phases in the alloy is found, an ordered phase of   long-range order and ordered phase of   antiphase domain. In final stages an ordered phase of short –range order is found.
Evaluation the Level of a-L-fucose and protein Bound Fucose (PBF) in diabetic patients
Authors: Shaker Lamia
Published: March 2017

Biochemical changes occurring in two types of diabetic patients have been investigated to identify the correlations between these changes and type 1 and type 11 of diabetic patients, in comparison with that of normal healthy, sera of 68 diabetic patient with type 1 and type 11were used to estimate the L-fucose level and other related parameters. These parameters measured throughout this project are: TF, PBF, TP, TFYTP ratio and PBF\TP. As final approach, the author concluded that fucose level together with its related parameters could be a biochemical markers for early assessment of re­sponse to the therapy served.
KRITERIA SUNNAH TASYRI’IYAH YANG MESTI DIIKUTI
Authors: Bay Kaizal
Published: March 2017

Ulama sepakat bahwa Sunnah dengan sanad yang shahih memfaedahkan qath’i dan kebenarannya adalah hujjah (dalil) bagi kaum muslimin. Maka ia dipandang sebagai sumber tasyri’, dan sebagaimana halnya al-Qur’an wajib diikuti. Satu hal yang harus diyakini, pada umumnya Sunnah Rasul, baik yang berbentuk ucapan, perbuatan, dan ketetapannya mempunyai implikasi hukum yang mesti diikuti (Sunnah Tasyri’iyyah), dengan kriteria di antaranya seperti perbuatan Nabi Saw. dalam bentuk penyampaian risalah dan penjelasannya terhadap al-Qur’an tentang berbagai masalah yang masih bersifat umum dan mutlak. Beliau menjelaskan bentuk dan tata cara shalat, haji, dan lainya dalam kapasitasnya sebagai Rasul. Banyak ayat al-Qur’an yang memerintahkan untuk mengikuti Sunnah nabi Saw. itu dalam kehidupan. Adapun sebagian ulama menyepakati, ada sekian banyak Sunah yang tidak berimplikasi hukum yang tidak mesti diikuti (ghairu tasyri’iyyah), terutama yang berkaitan dengan beberapa persoalan keduniaan yang timbul dari hajat insani dalam kehidupan keseharian Nabi, seperti cara berpakaian, urusan pertanian dan lainnya, dan hukum mengikutinya hanya sebatas sunnah atau mubah. Istilah Sunnah ghairu tasyri’iyah masih diperdebatan (ada yang pro dan ada yang kontra) dan tidak dikenal pada masa salaf al-salih. Munculnya istilah Sunnah ghairu tasyri’iyah pada akhir abad 14 H, di antara pencetus Syekh Muhammad Syaltut
PENAFSIRAN LAFAZ SAMAAWAATI DALAM AL-QUR’AN (KAJIAN TAFSIR TEMATIK OLEH PARA MUFASSIR)
Authors: N Mainizar
Published: March 2017

Penelitian ini dilatar belakangi oleh pertanyaan-pertanyaan mahasiswa tentang lafaz samaawati dan keingin tahuan yang sangat besar dari peneliti untuk memahami dan mendalami makna dan tafsir ayat-ayat samaawati dalam al-Qur’an, guna memperkuat akidah peneliti khususnya dan pembaca sekalian pada umunya serta untuk menambah kecintaan kepada al-Qur’an sebagai petunjuk bagi manusia di dunia dan akhirat. Masalah yang diteliti adalah apa saja konteks ayat-ayat samaawati di dalam al-Qur’an dan apa saja tafsir dan kandungan ayat-ayat samaawati dalam berbagai konteksnya di dalam al-Qur’an. Objek penelitian ini adalah ayat-ayat yang terdapat lafaz samaawati di dalam al-Qur’an. Ayat-ayat al-Qur’an yang memiliki lafaz samaawati sebanyak 188 ayat dengan konteks yang sama dan yang berbeda. Ayat-ayat dengan konteks yang sama dikelompokkan menjadi 18 kelompok, sedangkan yang tidak sama (berbeda) sebanyak 51 ayat. Ayat-ayat yang diteliti hanya 60 ayat. Data yang terkumpul dianalisis dengan analisis konteks dan komparasi dalam kitab Tafsir al-Mishbah, Fi Zhilalil Qur’an, dan Ibnu Katsir
TOLERANSI ANTARUMAT BERAGAMA: PERSPEKTIF ISLAM
Authors: Suryan Suryan
Published: March 2017

Islam adalah agama wahyu yang diturunkan oleh Allah melalui Rasul-Nya, Muhammad SAW sebagai rahmat bagi alam semesta, rahmatan li al-‘alamin, dan berlaku secara universal sebagai petunjuk bagi manusia di seantero dunia, di Timur maupun di Barat, min masyariq al-ardhi ila magharibiha. Namun, agama wahyu yang bersifat universal ini tetap mengakui dan menerima kenyataan pluralitas agama di muka bumi, bahwa Allah memang telah memberikan kebebasan kepada manusia untuk menentukan dan memilih agama yang disukai. Selanjutnya, sebagai rahmat bagi kehidupan semesta alam, Islam sudah barang tentu memiliki komitmen untuk menciptakan suasana kerukunan dan kedamaian bagi kehidupan bani insani. Maka, di samping istiqamah berpegang teguh kepada dan ketat memelihara kemurnian akidah tauhidiah di tengahtengah interaksi antarumat beragama, Islam menjadi pelopor toleransi, demi kerukunan dan kedamaian kehidupan manusia di muka bumi. Kekayaan akhlak toleransi Islam tersebut dapat ditelusuri dan mudah ditemukan dari dasar teologis atau akidah, dari aspek syariah dan mu‘amalah, dari etika dakwah, dan dari akhlak al-ukhuwah albasyariah atau persaudaraan universal. Akhlak toleransi Islam ini tidak sekedar khazanah teoretis, melainkan telah dipraktikkan secara historis oleh Rasulullah SAW dan oleh kaum muslimin dari generasi ke generasi, baik dalam tataran kehidupan sosial sehari-hari maupun dalam politik di suatu negeri
EVIDENCES OF SCIENTIFIC MIRACLE OF AL-QUR’AN IN THE MODERN ERA
Authors: Sayska Dwi Sukmanila , Arni Jani
Published: March 2017

One of the miracles of al-Qur’an is i’jaz ilmi, it’s meant the information of al-Qur’an about science which is then able revealed and proven in accordance with the development of science. I’jaz ilmi does not present itself, but should be explored and researched, so that the evidence of i’jaz ilmi can be more and more and grow over time. Scientists gave the parable is like a spring that never runs dry. Every time always comes new discoveries and scientific provisions which already hinted at al-Qur’an for 14 centuries ago as evidence of i’jaz. I’jaz ilmi later became a effective propaganda media, especially among scientists. Many cases found confession of scientists when they were able to prove the truth of which is informed by al-Qur’an. In addition, evidence of ilmi i’jaz is able to ward off external oblique view of Islam that al-Qur’an is man work, because when they know that what is described by al- Qur’an has been proved by modern scientific discoveries, and eventually they acknowledges that al-Qur’an is really the word of God
The growing presence of Ludwik Fleck’s epistemology in science education research in Brazil
Authors: Lorenzetti Leonir , Muenchen Cristiane , Slongo Iône Inês Pinsson
Published: March 2017

This study centers on the reception of Ludwik Fleck’s epistemology by Science Education research in Brazil. Eighty-nine dissertations and theses from 1995 to 2015 have been analyzed, thirty-seven of which discuss Science Education. The data point to Fleck’s epistemology as the preferred theoretical reference for the most diverse fields of knowledge. The first studies came about in the 1990’s and there is a concentration of works on Science Education at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. A more specific investigation has been carried out on thirty-four works which discuss Science Education. These papers have been analyzed from six angles and the greater volume focuses on “the training of teachers” and “scientific fact emergence”. The significant contribution of the epistemological categories “thought style”, “thought collective”, “intracollective and intercollective circulation of ideas” are highlighted in the process of producing knowledge in the area of focus.
Evaluation of residual stresses present in spirally welded API grade pipeline steel using the hole drilling method
Authors: Baig Muneer , Khan Sohail M. A. , Rayes Magdy M. El , Seikh Asiful Hossain
Published: March 2017

The mechanical and microstructural characterization of a material prior to its installation for the desired service is imperative to avoid material or structural failures. Of the several mechanical properties affecting the performance of a material, the residual stresses (RS) constitute an integral part of the material property and arise mostly during the manufacturing processes. They can be either beneficial or detrimental to material performance depending on their nature and magnitude. In this study, the microhardness, the tensile and the nature and magnitude of RS present in the weldment zones, base material (BM), heat affected zone (HAZ) and weld nugget (WN) of spiral welded (SWP) API grade line pipe steel, were determined. The microhardness and tensile responses were observed to have significant demarcation depending on the location where examined. The RS were measured using a nondestructive X-ray diffraction (XRD) and a semidestructive hole drilling (HD) technique. The results from both measurement techniques are found to be in good agreement. The BM microstructure consisted of ferrite and pearlite phases with ferrite constituting the dominant phase. The WN comprised of multi-passes, which consisted of root (hot) and the reinforcing (filling) pass. The microstructure of the reinforcing passes can be described as columnar grains/structure.
Mechanical properties of pipeline steel welds
Authors: Tas Zakir
Published: March 2017

Pipeline systems are used as the most economical solution for the transportation of the media used in the oil and gas industry. The major fabrication process representing the period elapsed from production of the pipes to service installation is welding. The weld zone represents the most critical zone in terms of the material properties in the respective pipeline components. In addition to the chosen welding method, selection of the steel material and welding consumables appropriate for the selected material are of significant importance. Today, most of line pipes are manufactured according to API standards. Cost savings have been achieved by the reduction of the wall thickness, transportation and the welding processes. In this study, the mechanical properties of welded microalloyed X42, X52, X60, X65, and X70 steels, which are generally used in the oil and gas industry based on API standards, were examined by taking into consideration their microalloying elements and the carbon content. Then, these steels were joined by using submerged arc welding (SAW). The weld zones and changes in the post-weld mechanical properties were investigated. As expected, while tensile and hardness values were increased compared to base material, the toughness values decreased.
Reliability and sensitivity of visible liquid penetrant NDT for inspection of welded components
Authors: Zolfaghari Abolfazl , Kolahan Farhad
Published: March 2017

Welding, as an approach to join components, is used extensively by various industries. Generating several types of defects is one of the major weaknesses of the technique. Thus, inspection to detect the defects is normally considered as a stage of welding procedure. One of the main categories of the defects is surface cracks, which are found by nondestructive testing methods. However, visible liquid penetrant as a technique to reveal this kind of flaws is broadly used, the method capabilities in defect detection of welded components have not been comprehensively studied. In this paper, utilizing reliability and sensitivity concepts of nondestructive testing, its abilities in detecting of surface crack of welded joints are investigated. The results of the paper illustrate that the detection and missing rates are 52 % and 48 %. In addition, taking into account 95 % degree of confidence, probability of detection for defects with length equal to 3.73 mm is 90 %.
Stress Corrosion Cracking on a Stainless Steel Container Triggered by the Ageing of a Polyurethane Insulation
Authors: Strobl S. , Haubner R. , Partlic T. , Linhardt P.
Published: March 2017

A failure in the form of leakages caused by crack formation occurred after approximately 25 years of operationn on a type 1.4301 stainless steel container thermally insulated with polyurethane. From the appearance of the damages it was clear that the failure was caused by stress corrosion cracking. It was shown that chloride release by the ageing of the PU foam was responsible for the corrosion. The damages were documented via 3D digital microscopy and metallography. To avoid these kinds of damages, insulation materials free of halogen compounds should be used. Regular checks of old stainless steel reactors insulated with PU foam and operated at elevated temperatures are recommended.
Study on Crystal Form Transition and Non-Isothermal Crystallization of Glycidyl Methacrylate Grafted Isotactic Polybutene-1
Authors: Zhao Y.-X. , Xu W. , Zhou Y.-F. , Chen J.-Y. , Han L. , Li D.
Published: March 2017

We report the impact of grafting glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) at different degrees onto isotactic polybutene-1 (iPB-1) on the crystallization process. The study of the crystal form transition using FTIR and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) revealed that the conversion degree from form II to form I of the grafted iPB-1 (iPB-g-GMA) was higher than that of iPB-1 under the same experimental conditions and increased with increasing grafting degree. The spherulitic size of iPB-g-GMA was smaller compared to iPB-1 at the same amplification factor in Polarized Optical Microscopy (POM). The kinetic parameters of the non-isothermal crystallization process have been determined based on Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) experiments and the Ozawa and Mo equation. The results showed that the crystallization rate of iPB-g-GMA was higher than that of iPB-1. The activation energy for the non-isothermal crystallization process of iPB-g-GMA (with a grafting degree of 1.54%) was lower than that of iPB-1, which further illustrated that grafting GMA on iPB-1 accelerated the crystallization rate.
Characterization of Stereocomplex Polylactide/Nanoclay Nanocomposites
Authors: Srithep Y. , Pholharn D. , Turng L.-S.
Published: March 2017

Poly(L-lactide) (PLLA)/poly(D-lactide) (PDLA)/nanoclay nanocomposites with nanoclay contents ranging from 1% to 8% w/w were prepared by melt blending using an internal mixer. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results confirmed that complete stereocomplex polylactide (PLA) crystallites without any homocrystallites were produced when equal amounts of PLLA and PLDA were mixed. The nanoclay in the stereocomplex polylactide nanocomposites acted as a nucleating agent that significantly enhanced stereocomplex crystallization, resulting in smaller and finer spherulites. Compared to neat PLLA, the melting temperature of the stereocomplex polylactide and its nanocomposites was about 55°C higher. The crystallization temperature of the stereocomplex nanocomposites was also 16°C and 55°C higher than that of the stereocomplex PLA and neat PLLA, respectively. These significant increases in transition temperatures improved the thermal stability of the stereocomplex nanocomposites compared to regular polylactide, which was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The TGA results also showed that increasing nanoclay content increased the thermal stability of the stereocomplex nanocomposites. Finally, XRD and transmission electron microscopy showed an intercalation nanoclay basal spacing of 3.22 nm in the stereocomplex nanocomposites; a slight increase from the 1.86 nm basal spacing in the as-received nanoclay.
Effects of Full Matrix Color Changeable Message Signs on Legibility and Roadway Hazard Visibility
Authors: Chrysler Susan T. , Carlson Paul J. , Brimley Brad , Park Eun Sug
Published: March 2017

Transportation agencies are considering public–private partnerships as they struggle to fund infrastructure and operations improvements. The national Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) allows acknowledgments of private sponsors on static signs. The legibility and visibility impacts of including logos of sponsors on changeable message signs (CMSs) were examined. Thirty drivers participated in a closed-course study during daytime and nighttime conditions. Full-sized full matrix color LED signs were used to display travel time and safety reminder messages with and without sponsor acknowledgment logos. Single- and dual-phase messages were tested. The measures of effectiveness were legibility distance for target words on the signs and roadway hazard object detection distance. Legibility distances of the CMS messages were notably greater than those of retroreflective traffic signs and well above the MUTCD threshold of 30 ft/in. During the day, the median legibility index was approximately 60 ft/in. At night, the index was approximately 45 ft/in. Sponsor logos had no significant effect on the legibility distances of travel time signs. Sponsor logos had a small effect on the legibility distance of safety message signs with a blue background but not on those with a black background. The use of sponsor logos marginally affected object detection for certain object locations. The results of this study, coupled with an earlier driving simulation evaluation showing no cognitive distraction due to logos, support the use of sponsorship acknowledgment signs on CMSs. An open road evaluation is planned before statewide implementation is enabled.
Recommended Guidelines for Nighttime Overhead Sign Visibility
Authors: Carlson Paul J. , Brimley Brad , Chrysler Susan T. , Gibbons Ron , Terry Travis
Published: March 2017

Guidelines for the provision of effective nighttime performance of overhead signs were developed. Relevant policies and guidelines with regard to sign lighting currently provide little useful information to determine when sign lighting is needed, and the reference material available to practitioners is out of date. Two complementary nighttime visibility studies were conducted, which were designed to produce results useful in developing updated guidelines for overhead sign visibility. The first was conducted on a closed course and investigated the legibility distances of three sign legend and background configurations under various sign lighting treatments. The second was conducted on the open road. It investigated the effects of sign luminance and visual complexity on the distance at which a driver can read overhead signs during a recognition task. The combined findings were used to develop revised guidelines designed to provide adequate nighttime visibility of overhead signs. The proposed guidelines are based on the needs of nighttime motorists and have been formatted specifically for AASHTO’s Roadway Lighting Design Guide, which is being updated. The revised chapter on roadway sign lighting was provided to the AASHTO task force responsible for revisions. The guidelines include a list of recommended retroreflective sheeting materials that can be used to meet nighttime driver needs for specific complexity levels.
Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Noorvand Hossein , Karnati Guru , Underwood B. Shane
Published: March 2017

With ongoing technological improvements and research in the field of autonomous vehicles, it is becoming evident that the technology has the potential to substantially affect the transportation sector. Although the potential benefits with respect to productivity increases, cost decreases, and safety are evident, the potential for these vehicles to negatively or positively affect the transportation infrastructure is unclear. In this study, the influence of truck loadings positioning on the long-term performance of transportation infrastructure was estimated by carrying out performance simulations of pavement structures. Scenarios considering both full and partial use by autonomous trucks were considered. In all cases, performance was estimated with respect to rutting, fatigue cracking, and overall pavement smoothness, and the results were compiled in terms of reduced pavement thickness. It was found that if controlled appropriately, autonomous trucks could be highly beneficial for the pavement infrastructure design, and they would be most effective when they represented more than 50% of the total truck traffic. It was also found that in the absence of appropriate control, specifically by repeatedly positioning trucks in the same location, the amount of damage could be highly detrimental, and noticeable influences may occur at autonomous truck volumes as low as 10%.
Noninvasive assessment of isocitrate dehydrogenase mutation status in cerebral gliomas by magnetic resonance spectroscopy in a clinical setting
Authors: Tietze Anna , Choi Changho , Mickey Bruce , Maher Elizabeth A. , Parm Ulhøi Benedicte , Sangill Ryan , Lassen-Ramshad Yasmin , Lukacova Slavka , Østergaard Leif , von Oettingen Gorm
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVE

Mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) genes are of proven diagnostic and prognostic significance for cerebral gliomas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical feasibility of using a recently described method for determining IDH mutation status by using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to detect the presence of 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG), the metabolic product of the mutant IDH enzyme.

METHODS

By extending imaging time by 6 minutes, the authors were able to include a point-resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) MRS sequence in their routine glioma imaging protocol. In 30 of 35 patients for whom this revised protocol was used the lesions were subsequently diagnosed histologically as gliomas. Of the remaining 5 patients, 1 had a gangliocytoma, 1 had a primary CNS lymphoma, and 3 had nonneoplastic lesions. Immunohistochemistry and/or polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the presence of IDH mutations in the glioma tissue resected.

RESULTS

In vivo MRS for 2HG correctly identified the IDH mutational status in 88.6% of patients. The sensitivity and specificity was 89.5% and 81.3%, respectively, when using 2 mM 2HG as threshold to discriminate IDH-mutated from wildtype tumors. Two glioblastomas that had elevated 2HG levels did not have detectable IDH mutations, and in 2 IDH-mutated gliomas 2HG was not reliably detectable.

CONCLUSIONS

The noninvasive determination of the IDH mutation status of a presumed glioma by means of MRS may be incorporated into a routine diagnostic imaging protocol and can be used to obtain additional information for patient care.
Effect of intrathecal milrinone injection via lumbar catheter on delayed cerebral ischemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Koyanagi Masaomi , Fukuda Hitoshi , Lo Benjamin , Uezato Minami , Kurosaki Yoshitaka , Sadamasa Nobutake , Handa Akira , Chin Masaki , Yamagata Sen
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVE

Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is an important complication after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Although intrathecal milrinone injection via lumbar catheter to prevent DCI has been previously reported to be safe and feasible, its effectiveness remains unknown. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether intrathecal milrinone injection treatment after aSAH significantly reduced the incidence of DCI.

METHODS

The prospectively maintained aSAH database was used to identify patients treated between January 2010 and December 2015. The cohort included 274 patients, with group assignment based on treatment with intrathecal milrinone injection or not. A propensity score model was generated for each patient group, incorporating relevant patient variables.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching, 99 patients treated with intrathecal milrinone injection and 99 without treatment were matched on the basis of similarities in their demographic and clinical characteristics. There were significantly fewer DCI events (4% vs 14%, p = 0.024) in patients treated with intrathecal milrinone injection compared with those treated without it. However, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups with respect to their 90-day functional outcomes (46% vs 36%, p = 0.31). The likelihood of chronic secondary hydrocephalus, meningitis, and congestive heart failure as complications of intrathecal milrinone injection therapy was also similar between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In propensity score–matched groups, the intrathecal administration of milrinone via lumbar catheter showed significant reduction of DCI following aSAH, without an associated increase in complications.
A protocol for postoperative admission of elective craniotomy patients to a non-ICU or step-down setting
Authors: Florman Jeffrey E. , Cushing Deborah , Keller Lynne A. , Rughani Anand I.
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVE

Selecting the appropriate patients undergoing craniotomy who can safely forgo postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring remains a source of debate. Through a multidisciplinary work group, the authors redefined their institutional care process for postoperative monitoring of patients undergoing elective craniotomy to include transfer from the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) to the neurosurgical floor. The hypothesis was that an appropriately selected group of patients undergoing craniotomy could be safely managed outside the ICU in the postoperative period.

METHODS

The work group developed and implemented a protocol for transfer of patients to the neurosurgical floor after 4-hour recovery in the PACU following elective craniotomy for supratentorial tumor. Criteria included hemodynamically stable adults without significant new postoperative neurological impairment. Data were prospectively collected including patient demographics, clinical characteristics, surgical details, postoperative complications, and events surrounding transfer to a higher level of care.

RESULTS

Of the first 200 consecutive patients admitted to the floor, 5 underwent escalation of care in the first 48 hours. Three of these escalations were for agitation, 1 for seizure, and 1 for neurological change. Ninety-eight percent of patients meeting criteria for transfer to the floor were managed without incident. No patient experienced a major complication or any permanent morbidity or mortality following this care pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Care of patients undergoing uneventful elective supratentorial craniotomy for tumor on a neurosurgical floor after 4 hours of PACU monitoring appears to be a safe practice in this patient population. This tailored practice safely optimized hospital resources, is financially responsible, and is a strong tool for improving health care value.
Validation of the baseline severity stratification of objective functional impairment in lumbar degenerative disc disease
Authors: Stienen Martin N. , Smoll Nicolas R. , Joswig Holger , Corniola Marco V. , Schaller Karl , Hildebrandt Gerhard , Gautschi Oliver P.
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVE

The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a simple, objective, and standardized method to measure objective functional impairment (OFI) in patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD). The objective of the current work was to validate the OFI baseline severity stratification (BSS; with levels of “none,” “mild,” “moderate,” and “severe”).

METHODS

Data were collected in a prospective IRB-approved 2-center study. Patients were assessed with a comprehensive panel of scales for measuring pain (visual analog scale [VAS] for back and leg pain), functional impairment (Roland-Morris Disability Index [RMDI] and Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]), and health-related quality of life (HRQOL; EQ-5D and SF-12). OFI BSS was determined using age- and sex-adjusted cutoff values.

RESULTS

A total of 375 consecutive patients scheduled for lumbar spine surgery were included. Each 1-step increase on the OFI BSS corresponded to an increase of 0.53 in the back pain VAS score, 0.69 in the leg pain VAS score, 1.81 points in the RMDI, and 5.93 points in the ODI, as well as to a decrease in HRQOL of −0.073 in the EQ-5D, −1.99 in the SF-12 physical component summary (PCS), and −1.62 in the SF-12 mental component summary (MCS; all p < 0.001). Patients with mild, moderate, and severe OFI had increased leg pain by 0.90 (p = 0.044), 1.54 (p < 0.001), and 1.94 (p < 0.001); increased ODI by 7.99 (p = 0.004), 12.64 (p < 0.001), and 17.13 (p < 0.001); and decreased SF-12 PCS by −2.57 (p = 0.049), −3.63 (p = 0.003), and −6.23 (p < 0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The OFI BSS is a valid measure of functional impairment for use in daily clinical practice. The presence of OFI indicates the presence of significant functional impairment on subjective outcome measures.
Long-term outcomes of epilepsy surgery in 85 pediatric patients followed up for over 10 years: a retrospective survey
Authors: Hosoyama Hiroshi , Matsuda Kazumi , Mihara Tadahiro , Usui Naotaka , Baba Koichi , Inoue Yushi , Tottori Takayasu , Otsubo Toshiaki , Kashida Yumi , Iida Koji , Hirano Hirofumi , Hanaya Ryosuke , Arita Kazunori
Published: March 2017

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment outcomes and social engagement of patients who had undergone pediatric epilepsy surgery more than 10 years earlier.

METHODS

Between 1983 and 2005, 110 patients younger than 16 years underwent epilepsy surgery at the National Epilepsy Center, Shizuoka Institute of Epilepsy and Neurological Disorders. The authors sent a questionnaire to 103 patients who had undergone follow-up for more than 10 years after surgery; 85 patients (82.5%) responded. The survey contained 4 categories: seizure outcome, use of antiepileptic drugs, social participation, and general satisfaction with the surgical treatment (resection of the epileptic focus, including 4 hemispherectomies). The mean patient age at the time of surgery was 9.8 ± 4.2 (SD) years, and the mean duration of postoperative follow-up was 15.4 ± 5.0 years. Of the 85 patients, 79 (92.9%) presented with a lesional pathology, such as medial temporal sclerosis, developmental/neoplastic lesions, focal cortical dysplasia, and gliosis in a single lobe.

RESULTS

For 65 of the 85 responders (76.5%), the outcome was recorded as Engel Class I (including 15 [93.8%] of 16 patients with medial temporal sclerosis, 20 [80.0%] of 25 with developmental/neoplastic lesions, and 27 [73.0%] of 37 with focal cortical dysplasia). Of these, 29 (44.6%) were not taking antiepileptic drugs at the time of our survey, 29 (44.6%) held full-time jobs, and 33 of 59 patients (55.9%) eligible to drive had a driver's license. Among 73 patients who reported their degree of satisfaction, 58 (79.5%) were very satisfied with the treatment outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The seizure outcome in patients who underwent resective surgery in childhood and underwent followup for more than 10 years was good. Of 85 respondents, 65 (76.5%) were classified in Engel Class I. The degree of social engagement was relatively high, and the satisfaction level with the treatment outcome was also high. From the perspective of seizure control and social adaptation, resective surgery yielded longitudinal benefits in children with intractable epilepsy, especially those with a lesional pathology in a single lobe.
Surgical removal of embolic material after its unexpected migration through extracranial-intracranial anastomosis in the treatment of Barrow Type D carotid-cavernous fistula: case report
Authors: Oh Jae-Sang , Kim Dong-Sung , Shim Jai-Joon , Yoon Seok-Mann
Published: March 2017

Endovascular occlusion via the transvenous route is the favored treatment for indirect carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs). However, transarterial embolization can be used as an alternative method in patients with an inaccessible venous route. The authors present the case of a 49-year-old woman with a 2-month history of chemosis and proptosis in her right eye. Angiography demonstrated a Barrow Type D CCF. Transarterial Onyx embolization through the accessory meningeal artery was performed after an unsuccessful transvenous approach. Unexpected Onyx migrations to the cerebral arteries were detected while injecting the embolic material. Three hours after failed attempts to retrieve the Onyx cast endovascularly, it was microsurgically removed from the right middle cerebral artery. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of the surgical removal of Onyx from a normal cerebral artery.
The uncertainty principle and measurement accuracy
Authors: Belinsky A V , Lapshin V B
Published: March 2017

A gedanken experiment is proposed in which the momentum and position of a photon can be measured simultaneously in such a way that the product of their respective errors is less than the right-hand side of the appropriate Heisenberg uncertainty relation.
A New Quintic Spline Method for Integro Interpolation and Its Error Analysis
Authors: Lang Feng-Gong
Published: March 2017

In this paper, to overcome the innate drawbacks of some old methods, we present a new quintic spline method for integro interpolation. The method is free of any exact end conditions, and it can reconstruct a function and its first order to fifth order derivatives with high accuracy by only using the given integral values of the original function. The approximation properties of the obtained integro quintic spline are well studied and examined. The theoretical analysis and the numerical tests show that the new method is very effective for integro interpolation.
Multi-Temporal Remotely Sensed Data for Degradation Dynamics in Linxia Rangeland, Northwest China
Authors: Yu Xinyang , Lu Changhe , Zhao Gengxing
Published: March 2017

The importance of accurately monitoring rangeland degradation dynamics over decades is increasing in Linxia rangeland, the birthplace of the Yellow River in China. Since 2000, the Chinese government has implemented the “Grain for Green” program and enforced a grazing ban in Gansu province, one of the most degraded provinces, to mitigate the problem of rangeland degradation. The effects of these policies are controversial and have become a topic of public concern. In this study, a grading system was established for the estimation of Linxia rangeland degradation. Degrees of rangeland degradation were interpreted and the spatio-temporal dynamics of the degraded rangeland through several study periods were mapped and monitored using the Linear Spectral Mixture Analysis method on Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM)/ETM+ (Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus) images for the years of 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2011. The results demonstrated that the time around the year 2001 appeared to be a turning point of the rangeland degradation reversion course, as the rangeland degradation reversed significantly since 2001. From 1996 to 2001, the total degraded area in Linxia rangeland increased from 2922.01 km2 to 3048.48 km2 (+4.33%), and decreased by 4.54% to 2909.97 km2 in 2011; the non-degraded rangeland gradually increased from 602.74 km2 to 710.01 km2, an increase of 17.80%. Degraded rangeland vegetation was restored significantly during 2001–2011: the area of slightly degraded rangeland increased by 3.71% and 3.83% annually during 2001–2006 and 2006–2011 intervals, respectively, and the area of moderately and severely degraded rangeland decreased annually by 4.77% and 2.41% from 2001 to 2006, and 4.58% and 0.81% during 2006–2011, respectively. These results indicated that the “Grain for Green” program and grazing ban policy, together with other ecological impacting factors, helped reverse the rangeland degradation and promote the rehabilitation of rangeland vegetation.
Reconstruction to Sensor Measurements Based on a Correlation Model of Monitoring Data
Authors: Lu Wei , Teng Jun , Li Chao , Cui Yan
Published: March 2017

A sensor failure will lead to sensor measurement distortion, and may reduce the reliability of the whole structure analysis. This paper studies the method of monitoring information reconstruction based on the correlation degree. For the faulty sensor, the correlation degree of the normal response of this sensor and the measurements of the other sensors is calculated, which is also called the correlation degree of reconstructed variables and response variables. By comparing the correlation degrees, the response variables, which are needed to establish the correlation model, are determined. The correlation model between the reconstructed variables and the response variables is established by the partial least square method. The value of the correlation degrees between the reconstructed variables and the response variables, the amount of the monitoring data which is used to determine the coefficients of the correlation model, and the number of the response variables are used to discuss the influence factors of the reconstruction error. The stress measurements of structural health monitoring system of Shenzhen Bay Stadium is taken as an example, and the effectiveness of the method is verified and the practicability of the method is illustrated.
Development of a Staggered PCD End Mill for Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic
Authors: Liu Guangjun , Qian Xin , Chen Hongyuan , Gao Fei , Chen Tao
Published: March 2017

This work presents a PCD (polycrystalline diamond) end mill with a new staggered structure for the milling of CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic). The magnitude and direction of cutting force is decreased and changed by side-edge re-configuration of the structure. The flute and insert pocket of the staggered PCD end mill are designed considering the tool’s stiffness and welding process. The milling process and machining defects of the staggered PCD end mill are analyzed, and the structural parameters of the staggered PCD end mill are determined. The staggered PCD end mill is fabricated by the process of wire cutting, NC (Numerical Control) machining, high-frequency induction brazing, welding, grinding and passivation. Milling tests of multidirectional CFRP with the staggered PCD end mill is conducted on CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) milling machine. The milling force is measured by a dynamometer. A range analysis of the numerical results of milling force is conducted after milling test, and the influence of milling parameters on milling force is analyzed. A regression model of the milling force is built and verified by experiment. The effects of fiber cutting angle on milling force are obtained through milling CFRP with different fiber orientation angles.
Natural Convection Flow of Fractional Nanofluids Over an Isothermal Vertical Plate with Thermal Radiation
Authors: Fetecau Constantin , Vieru Dumitru , Azhar Waqas
Published: March 2017

The studies of classical nanofluids are restricted to models described by partial differential equations of integer order, and the memory effects are ignored. Fractional nanofluids, modeled by differential equations with Caputo time derivatives, are able to describe the influence of memory on the nanofluid behavior. In the present paper, heat and mass transfer characteristics of two water-based fractional nanofluids, containing nanoparticles of CuO and Ag, over an infinite vertical plate with a uniform temperature and thermal radiation, are analytically and graphically studied. Closed form solutions are determined for the dimensionless temperature and velocity fields, and the corresponding Nusselt number and skin friction coefficient. These solutions, presented in equivalent forms in terms of the Wright function or its fractional derivatives, have also been reduced to the known solutions of ordinary nanofluids. The influence of the fractional parameter on the temperature, velocity, Nusselt number, and skin friction coefficient, is graphically underlined and discussed. The enhancement of heat transfer in the natural convection flows is lower for fractional nanofluids, in comparison to ordinary nanofluids. In both cases, the fluid temperature increases for increasing values of the nanoparticle volume fraction.
Temperature and Heat-Related Mortality Trends in the Sonoran and Mojave Desert Region
Authors: Martinez-Austria Polioptro , Bandala Erick
Published: March 2017

Extreme temperatures and heat wave trends in five cities within the Sonoran Desert region (e.g., Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona, in the United States and Ciudad Obregon and San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora; and Mexicali, Baja California, in Mexico) and one city within the Mojave Desert region (e.g., Las Vegas, Nevada) were assessed using field data collected from 1950 to 2014. Instead of being selected by watershed, the cities were selected because they are part of the same arid climatic region. The data were analyzed for maximum temperature increases and the trends were confirmed statistically using Spearman’s nonparametric test. Temperature trends were correlated with the mortality information related with extreme heat events in the region. The results showed a clear trend of increasing maximum temperatures during the months of June, July, and August for five of the six cities and statically confirmed using Spearman’s rho values. Las Vegas was the only city where the temperature increase was not confirmed using Spearman’s test, probably because it is geographically located outside of the Sonoran Desert or because of its proximity to the Hoover Dam. The relationship between mortality and temperature was analyzed for the cities of Mexicali, Mexico and Phoenix. Arizona.
Assessing River Low-Flow Uncertainties Related to Hydrological Model Calibration and Structure under Climate Change Conditions
Authors: Trudel Mélanie , Doucet-Généreux Pierre-Louis , Leconte Robert
Published: March 2017

Low-flow is the flow of water in a river during prolonged dry weather. This paper investigated the uncertainty originating from hydrological model calibration and structure in low-flow simulations under climate change conditions. Two hydrological models of contrasting complexity, GR4J and SWAT, were applied to four sub-watersheds of the Yamaska River, Canada. The two models were calibrated using seven different objective functions including the Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient (NSEQ) and six other objective functions more related to low flows. The uncertainty in the model parameters was evaluated using a PARAmeter SOLutions procedure (PARASOL). Twelve climate projections from different combinations of General Circulation Models (GCMs) and Regional Circulation Models (RCMs) were used to simulate low-flow indices in a reference (1970–2000) and future (2040–2070) horizon. Results indicate that the NSEQ objective function does not properly represent low-flow indices for either model. The NSE objective function applied to the log of the flows shows the lowest total variance for all sub-watersheds. In addition, these hydrological models should be used with care for low-flow studies, since they both show some inconsistent results. The uncertainty is higher for SWAT than for GR4J. With GR4J, the uncertainties in the simulations for the 7Q2 index (the 7-day low-flow value with a 2-year return period) are lower for the future period than for the reference period. This can be explained by the analysis of hydrological processes. In the future horizon, a significant worsening of low-flow conditions was projected.
An Active Power Filter Based on a Three-Level Inverter and 3D-SVPWM for Selective Harmonic and Reactive Compensation
Authors: Monroy-Morales José , Campos-Gaona David , Hernández-Ángeles Máximo , Peña-Alzola Rafael , Guardado-Zavala José
Published: March 2017

Active Power Filters (APFs) have been used for reducing waveform distortion and improving power quality. However, this function can be improved by means of a selective harmonic compensation. Since an APF has rating restrictions, it is convenient to have the option of selecting an individual or a set of particular harmonics in order to compensate and apply the total APF capabilities to eliminate these harmonics, in particular those with a greater impact on the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). This paper presents the development of a new APF prototype based on a three-phase three-level Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) inverter with selective harmonic compensation capabilities and reactive power compensation. The selective harmonic compensation approach uses several Synchronous Rotating Frames (SRF), to detect and control individual or a set of harmonics using d and q variables. The APF includes a Three-Dimensional Space Vector Modulator (3D-SVPWM) in order to generate the compensation currents. Because of its multilevel topology, the proposed active power filter can be used in diverse power quality applications at sub-transmission and distribution voltage levels. Simulation and experimental results are shown to validate the proposed solution and assess the prototype performance in different scenarios.
Early REDD+ Implementation: The Journey of an Indigenous Community in Eastern Panama
Authors: Holmes Ignacia , Potvin Catherine , Coomes Oliver
Published: March 2017

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) offers developing countries an opportunity to engage in global climate change mitigation through the sale of carbon credits for reforestation, avoided deforestation and forest conservation projects. Funding for REDD+ projects has increased in recent years and REDD+ projects have proliferated, but relatively few studies have, as yet, examined their implementation. Here, we present a synthesis of the challenges and lessons learned while implementing a REDD+ project in an Emberá community in Panama. Our case study, documented in four cycles of collaborative action research over 11 years, examines how local communities sought to reduce emissions from deforestation and benefit from carbon offset trading while improving local livelihoods. Through semi-structured interviews and participatory methods, we found that success with REDD+ hinges on broader issues than those widely discussed in the literature and in policy circles. Though economic incentives for participants and the equitable distribution of benefits remain important to project participants, our study finds that, in adapting REDD+ strategies to best suit community needs, the role of a support system for implementation (“bridging institutions”) and REDD+’s potential as a conflict resolution mechanism for tenure issues deserve more attention as key factors that contribute to meaningful participation in REDD+.