bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Resource Management in the Russian Gubernia Institutions of the 19th Century in the Fonds of Federal and Regional Archives
Authors:   South-West State University, Kursk, Russiаn Federation, Chub Nadezhda V.
Published: June 2018

The human resources management in state agencies based on modern technologies is an indicator of effective development of the national management system. Results of reforms in personnel policy depend on keeping track of the effectiveness of previously used methods. The article reviews historical experience of human recourses management in the Russian gubernia bodies in the 19th century drawing on documents from the national archives: the State Archive of Russian Federation and two regional archives (the Archive of the Kursk Region and the Archive of the Voronezh Region). Comparative and chronological analysis identifies features and trends of the human resources management. Official acts of gubernia workflow, central authorities’ instructions on human resources, and officials’ curriculum vitae provide scientific data. Analysis of management documents allows to identify peculiarities of gubernia officials’ careers. Participation of central authorities in the development of human resources in the gubernias is also demonstrated. The research reveals that in the 19th century human resources management activities of the Russian government aimed to retain the personnel in the gubernias. Governor influenced the manning of gubernia offices; processed and referred to the government departments those human resources documents that petitioned benefits. Authorities supervised moral character of officials by instructions on administrative ethics and regulations of on-duty behavior. The results of the work enhance our understanding of consistent patterns in operating of the national institutes, establishment of documentation of the government human resources management and also provide scientific material, which can be used to justify modernization of human recourses and workflow management.
Structural Development of Governing Bodies of the Court Department Construction Activities in the 18th Century St. Petersburg
Authors:   St. Petersburg Institute of History of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation, Efimov Andrey A.
Published: June 2018

The article addresses an important, although little-studied, issue concerning the history of the Court Department in the 18th century. Drawing on documents from the Russian State Historical Archive, the author examines the procedure of formation and restructuring of the institutions in charge of construction works carried out in St. Petersburg for the Imperial family. He insists that creation of the special bureau should be dated 1732, when Anna Ioannovna put Hofintendant Kormedon in charge of the Imperial residences repair works. The article follows the decline of the Hofintendant’s office (Gof-Intendatskaya kontora) in the hierarchy of the Court Department structures. Its first step downwards was its subordination to Oberhofmeister, baron Christian Wilhelm von M?nnich. Its subordination was later changed several more times, while continuing as a separate subdivision, until its abolishment in 1765. The article puts it into the contest of global reforms of the system of construction and repair works of the Imperial family residences. It was preceded by an inspection of the Collegium of Accounting. The reform resulted in replacement of independent Chancellery for construction of houses and gardens (Kantselyariya ot stroenii domov i sadov), Hofintendant’s Office, Office of the ‘Winter House’ (Kontora ‘Zimnemu Domu’), and Peterhof Office (Peterhofskaya kontora) by a single Office for Construction of HM Houses and Gardens (Kontora ot stroenii EV domov i sadov). The next phase did not start until after Paul I’s accession to the throne. The Emperor demanded that all administration of construction and repair works at the palaces and its outbuildings, all planning of court gardens and parks be carried out by Hofintendant’s service and eventually ordered to rename the Office for Construction of HM Houses and Gardens into the Hofintendant’s. The article notes the conformity of names from the Hofintendant’s Office of 1730s to the Hof-Intendant’s of 1797, indicating a basic continuity.
‘One Can’t Help Shuddering at the Sight of the Ruin of This Thriving Town’: The Great Fire in Yeniseisk and Its Consequences. 1869-1870
Authors:   Krasnoyarsk State Agrarian University, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation, Gonina Natalia V. , Dvoretskaya Anna P. ,   Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russian Federation
Published: June 2018

This archive draws on archival sources to study the Great Fire in Yeniseysk in 1869 and its consequences for development of this northern provincial town. The research derives its novelty from the first publication of documents of the State Archive of the Krasnoyarsk Krai and that of the Irkutsk Region, which describe measures of fire response and name benefactors. Historical approach allows to place specific patterns of local community in the context of social history of the 20th century. Anthropological approach allows to identify means and modes of surviving in a natural disaster. The fire clamed about 200 lives, destroyed all wooden buildings in the town, and disrupted daily activities of more than 7 thousand Yeniseysk citizens. At present, such disasters are considered as more than just local disasters. From the religious point of view, such natural disasters disrupt the balance and harmony of the God's world and require worldwide effort to set it to rights. The case-study of the Yeniseysk community concludes that actions of a person within the fire storm were determined not just by self-preservation, but also by responsibility for the lives of those around them. People appealed to church for help. Many Yeniseysk priests rose to the occasion as their vocation demanded. The archival documents show how rapidly the nation responded to the disaster. The case-study of Yeniseysk in 1869-1871 demonstrates an array of measures aiming to attract external resources. The activities were based on Christian principles of communal spirit and charity, community help and civic cooperation in joined efforts of state and public institutions, private and corporate donors. The article concludes that effective moneyed assistance and social support significantly decreased the severity of losses.
‘This is a Great Event in Our Church’: Bishop of Lutsk Polycarp on the Signing of the Act of Unity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Churches
Authors:   Russian State Archive of Social and Political History, Moscow, Russian Federation, Lykova Lyudmila А. , Sukhanov Alexander V. ,   Russian State Archive of Social and Political History, Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: June 2018

Analysis of the previously unknown to the scholarship documents strives to close the gaps in studying unknown facts and events of the history of Orthodoxy in Ukraine in the days of the Great Patriotic War. The article presents new archival sources in order to explore the history of Orthodoxy in Ukraine more fully and objectively. The significance of the publication of these archival documents stems from current processes and state of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, where it has exposed to persecution by the political elite of Ukraine. Certain circles of the Ukrainian clergy support the split of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and its persecution. During the Great Patriotic War religious life in the occupied Ukrainian territories was extremely ambiguous. The Nazi occupiers encouraged the split in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which resulted in emergence of the Ukrainian Autonomous Orthodox Church, which maintained canonical ties with the Russian Orthodox Church, and Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, which was non–canonical and sought to break all ties with the Moscow Patriarchate. The authors have carried out archeographic and source–studies analysis of the new documents in order to establish their authenticity, time and place of their origin and to determine their novelty and scientific and practical significance. Archival sources identified in the course of documentary project ‘Orthodoxy in Ukraine in the days the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945’ shed light on the situation, describe numerous killings of priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, speak of cooperation of the episcopate of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Church with the occupation authorities. The attempt to create a unified Ukrainian Orthodox Church failed. In spring 1943, the troops of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) opened hostilities against the Nazis, who responded by ceasing all support of their spiritual pillar, the Autocephalous Church. The Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church only recognized legitimacy of the Autonomous Orthodox Church in Ukraine. After the bishops of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church escape in the steps of the retreating German army, the Orthodox parishes on the territory of Ukraine passed into jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate of the ROC.
German Pogroms in Moscow in Summer 1915: Materials from the Central State Archive of Moscow
Authors:   Moscow State Regional University, Moscow, Russian Federation, Aksyutin Yury V.
Published: June 2018

The article analyses documents from the Central State Archive of Moscow (TsGAMo) that concern the events of the summer of 1915 when, with police inaction, if not sufferance, the patriotic demonstrations erupted into riotous disturbances and pogroms of the premises of German and Austro-Hungarian citizens and even of Russian ones bearing German names. There were fatalities. The author notes fragmentarity of data that should have been preserved in Moscow state agencies, such as offices of the Mayor, the city police, and the State Duma. He ventures a guess on who and when had the documents concealed or destroyed. Countermeasures against mob outrages and ways of reinstalling orderliness of social life in Moscow were discussed in the State Duma. Several deputies gave speeches and there was a decision ‘to concede the need for immediate investigation.’ The minutes only lists the names of speakers, when there should have been verbatim records. On the meeting on June 2, 1915, the Mayor reported that 476 industrial and commercial premises and 217 lodgings had suffered pogroms. 113 German and Austro-Hungarian citizens had been injured, as well as 485 Russian citizens bearing foreign names and even 90 bearing unexceptionable Russian names. That is all data on the anti-German disturbances in Moscow on May 27-29, 1915 (which was an event of great importance), that have been preserved in the Central State Archive of Moscow. Probably, some information may be obtained in the Russian State Military History Archive (fonds of the Moscow military district staff and its court martials and those of the military censorship). The major array of sources should have been deposited in the papers of the Senate commission headed by N. S. Krasheninnikov. It was created on June 8, 1915 in order to investigate causes and initiators of the pogroms. The investigation resulted in discharge of High Commissioner Yusupov and in committal of City Governor Adrianov and Polizeimeister Sevenard for trial.
Novgorod Governorate’s Marshal of Nobility Mikhail Nikolayevich Butkevich, a Forgotten Soviet Historian and Archivist
Authors:   Russian State University of the Humanities, S. I. Vavilov Institute for the History of Science and Technology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation, Ilizarov Simon S.
Published: June 2018

The paper reconstructs the biography of a forgotten historian archivist M. N. Butkevich (29.12.1858—23.03.1933). His pre-revolutionary life is described: his social background, studies at the St. Petersburg University and his fascination with the Narodniks’ ideas and deportation to Vologda under overt surveillance in 1879, followed by a successful and typical career of major landed gentry that culminated in his election to the State Council, achievement of the rank of Actual State Councillor, and election as Novgorod Governorate’s Marshal of the Nobility early in 1917. In 1927, after several years of despondency, deprived of his fortune and privileges, M. N. Butkevich became a staff member of the USSR Academy of Sciences’ Commission on the History of Knowledge with the help of Academician V. I. Vernadsky. In his line of duty, Butkevich had performed a number of important historical and archival studies of the documentary legacy of M. V. Lomonosov, P. S. Pallas, and others. Butkevich’s work on sorting out Lomonosov’s papers was highly valued as ‘very meticulous and helpful’ by V. I. Vernadsky, A. I. Andreev, and M. M. Soloviev. His contribution to the archeography of Lomonosov’s works is well worth exploring. Besides his participation in the re-publication of Lomonosov’s works, his description of Lomonosov’s papers in Leningrad is well worth mentioning. This description is typologically similar to description of the Pallas documents, but is probably even more detailed. Butkevich’s description in 14 folio pages offers results of his study of the materials from the Archive of the Conference of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Incunabula Department, the Library of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the State Public Library. Events of the ‘Academic case,’ which resulted in the purge of ‘old-regime’ workers from the Academy, did not affect Butkevich much. Surprisingly, even after Vernadsky had to leave his post of the Commission for the History of Knowledge director, in which he was replaced by N. I. Bukharin, little changed for Butkevich. Moreover, on March 15, 1930 deputy director of the Commission for the History of Science academician I. Yu. Krachkovsky authorized M. N. Butkevich to collect archival materials for special projects. The paper is based on the documentary sources introduced for scientific use for the first time.
Analysis of Students Open Feedback After Their Participation in a Multinational Design Project
Authors: Rodriguez Jorge , Nunez Del Prado Cortez Miguel , Esparragoza Ivan E. , Alatrista Salas Hugo
Published: June 2018

Participation by students in multinational engineering design projects is an activity that has been implemented at academic institutions with the objective of exposing the students to globalization. Such collaborations are becoming a very important practice that prepare students to be aware of the various aspects that are faced whenever work is performed in a global environment. There have been several approaches for the implementation of these activities in the curriculum, and the one presented here is an engineering design project conducted with the participation of students from six different countries. As an assessment of the students’ experience, three specific open-ended questions were asked at the end of their participation. These questions cover the basic information of like-dislike-recommendation regarding the collaborative experience. Proper interpretation of responses to open-ended questions is not an easy task, and several approaches have been reported. In this manuscript, the data analytics technique of topic modelling is utilized in order to get a more objective assessment. Based on the responses by participants to the three basic questions, together with the corresponding demographic information, the feedback is evaluated and some conclusions are drawn regarding the effect of factors like geographic location and gender. These conclusions will be utilized to improve the offering of a multinational collaboration by students in an engineering design project.
Derechos humanos y Trabajo Social: vinculaciones conceptuales y prácticas
Authors: Raya-Diez Esther , Caparrós-Civera Neus , Carbonero-Muñoz Domingo
Published: June 2018

La relación entre Derechos Humanos, el Enfoque Basado en Derechos Humanos (EBDH) y el Trabajo Social es incuestionable. Los Derechos Humanos están implícitos tanto en la teoría como en la práctica profesional del Trabajo Social. A través de los Derechos Humanos, la intervención que se desarrolla desde el Trabajo Social se orienta a reducir las situaciones de injusticia, pobreza y desigualdad y, en definitiva, a mejorar las condiciones de vida de las personas en situación de dificultad social. El presente artículo tiene por objetivo analizar la vinculación entre Derechos Humanos y Trabajo Social en la bibliografía especializada de la disciplina de Trabajo Social. Se presentan los resultados del estudio sobre estas relaciones tras la búsqueda realizada en dos bases de datos, Dialnet y SCOPUS. Se constata una baja vinculación explícita entre Derechos Humanos y Trabajo Social en la bibliografía y se aboga por avanzar tanto en la aplicación práctica del EBDH como en el conocimiento y formación de los trabajadores sociales en Derechos Humanos.
Clinical profile of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Paudyal Buddhi Prasad , Gyawalee Madhu Education
Published: June 2018

Introductions: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a heterogeneous group of disorders with different manifestations. There is lack of data locally. In this study, we describe the clinical profile and functional outcome of patients with JIA attending two rheumatology clinics in Lalitpur, Nepal.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at Patan Hospital and Aarogya Health Home, Lalitpur, Nepal. The medical records of patients with juvenile arthritis during Jan 2013 to Dec 2015 were retrospectively reviewed for clinical profile and functional outcome of the disease.Results: A total of 81 patients with arthritis, diagnosed before age 16 years, were seen during this period. Seventy-eight patients with JIA included 41 males and 37 females. Mean age of onset was 9.21 years. Polyarticular JIA was seen in 32 (42.2%), oligoarticular in 24 (30.7%), enthesitis-related in 13 (16.6%), and systemic-onset in 6 (7.7%) patients. Systemic complications were seen in 14 (17.9%) cases; five cases had uveitis; joint deformities were present in 28 (35.8%); sixty-seven (86%) children continued their education; functional limitation (Steinbrocker’s functional class III and IV) was seen in 4 (5.1%). One child with oligoarticular JIA died.Conclusions: The clinical profile of JIA in Nepalese patients is similar to studies from other parts of the world. During the short follow up, functional limitation was not a major problem.Journal of Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Vol. 3, No. 1, 2016. page: 10-14
Effects of Nitriding-Quenching and Carburizing-Quenching on Wear Properties of Industrial Pure Iron
Authors: Aramaki M. , Kozin M. , Yoshida K. , Furukimi O.
Published: June 2018

The wear properties of industrial pure iron treated by nitriding-quenching and carburizing-quenching were investigated. Both the nitrogen martensite and carbon martensite produced by each treatment exhibited the same high degree of wear resistance. The results of sliding tests showed that the nano-indentation hardness near the surfaces of both samples had increased. The surface hardening of the nitrogen martensite was more noticeable than that of the carbon martensite. EBSD analysis revealed that plastic strain had been induced on a relatively large scale (around 20 μm) after sliding in the case of the nitrogen martensite. It was found that the high wear resistance of the nitrogen martensite led to strain hardening through the effect of the load applied in the sliding test.
Bleeding risk of cerebral cavernous malformations in patients on β-blocker medication: a cohort study
Authors: Goldberg Johannes , Jaeggi Christian , Schoeni Daniel , Mordasini Pasquale , Raabe Andreas , Bervini David
Published: June 2018

OBJECTIVE

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are frequently diagnosed vascular malformations of the brain. Although most CCMs are asymptomatic, some can be responsible for intracerebral hemorrhage or seizures. In selected cases, microsurgical resection is the preferred treatment option. Treatment with the unselective β-blocker propranolol has been presumed to stabilize and eventually lead to CCM size regression in a limited number of published case series; however, the underlying mechanism and evidence for this effect remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk for CCM-related hemorrhage in patients on long-term β-blocker medication.

METHODS

A single-center database containing data on patients harboring CCMs was retrospectively interrogated for a time period of 35 years. The database included information about hemorrhage and antihypertensive medication. Descriptive and survival analyses were performed, focusing on the risk of hemorrhage at presentation and during follow-up (first or subsequent hemorrhage) in patients on long-term β-blocker medication versus those who were not. Follow-up was censored at the first occurrence of new hemorrhage, surgery, or the last clinical review. For purposes of this analysis, the β-blocker group was divided into the following main subgroups: any β-blocker, β1-selective β-blocker, and any unselective β-blocker.

RESULTS

Of 542 CCMs among 408 patients, 81 (14.9%) were under treatment with any β-blocker; 65 (12%) received β1-selective β-blocker, and 16 (3%) received any unselective β-blocker. One hundred thirty-six (25.1%) CCMs presented with hemorrhage at diagnosis. None of the β-blocker groups was associated with a lower risk of hemorrhage at the time of diagnosis in a univariate descriptive analysis (any β-blocker: p = 0.64, β1-selective: p = 0.93, any unselective β-blocker: p = 0.25). Four hundred ninety-six CCMs were followed up after diagnosis and included in the survival analysis, for a total of 1800 lesion-years. Follow-up hemorrhage occurred in 36 (7.3%) CCMs. Neither univariate descriptive nor univariate Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis showed a decreased risk for follow-up hemorrhage under treatment with β-blocker medication (any β-blocker: p = 0.70, HR 1.19, 95% CI 0.49–2.90; β1-selective: p = 0.78, HR 1.15, 95% CI 0.44–3.00; any unselective β-blocker: p = 0.76, HR 1.37, 95% CI 0.19–10.08). Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis including brainstem location, hemorrhage at diagnosis, age, and any β-blocker treatment showed no reduced risk for follow-up hemorrhage under any β-blocker treatment (p = 0.53, HR 1.36, 95% CI 0.52–3.56).

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective cohort study, β-blocker medication does not seem to be associated with a decreased risk of CCM-related hemorrhage at presentation or during follow-up.
Isolated subdural hematomas in mild traumatic brain injury. Part 1: the association between radiographic characteristics and neurosurgical intervention
Authors: Orlando Alessandro , Levy A. Stewart , Rubin Benjamin A. , Tanner Allen , Carrick Matthew M. , Lieser Mark , Hamilton David , Mains Charles W. , Bar-Or David
Published: June 2018

OBJECTIVE

Isolated subdural hematomas (iSDHs) are one of the most common intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) types in the population with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI; Glasgow Coma Scale score 13–15), account for 66%–75% of all neurosurgical procedures, and have one of the highest neurosurgical intervention rates. The objective of this study was to examine how quantitative hemorrhage characteristics of iSDHs in patients with mTBI at admission are associated with subsequent neurosurgical intervention.

METHODS

This was a 3.5-year, retrospective observational cohort study at a Level I trauma center. All adult trauma patients with mTBI and iSDHs were included in the study. Maximum length and thickness (in mm) of acute SDHs, the presence of acute-on-chronic SDH, mass effect, and other hemorrhage-related variables were double–data entered; discrepant results were adjudicated after a maximum of 4 reviews. Patients with coagulopathy, skull fractures, no acute hemorrhage, a non-SDH ICH, or who did not undergo imaging on admission were excluded. The primary outcome was neurosurgical intervention (craniotomy, burr hole, catheter drainage of SDH, placement of intracranial pressure monitor, shunt, or ventriculostomy). Multivariate stepwise logistic regression was used to identify significant covariates and to assess interactions.

RESULTS

A total of 176 patients were included in our study: 28 patients did and 148 patients did not receive a neurosurgical intervention. Increasing head Abbreviated Injury Scale score was significantly associated with neurosurgical interventions. There was a strong correlation between the first 3 reviews on maximum hemorrhage length (R2 = 0.82) and maximum hemorrhage thickness (R2 = 0.80). The neurosurgical intervention group had a mean maximum SDH length and thickness that were 61 mm longer and 13 mm thicker than those of the nonneurosurgical intervention group (p < 0.001 for both). After adjusting for the presence of an acute-on-chronic hemorrhage, for every 1-mm increase in the thickness of an iSDH, the odds of a neurosurgical intervention increase by 32% (95% CI 1.16–1.50). There were no interventions for any SDH with a maximum thickness ≤ 5 mm on initial presenting scan.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to quantify the odds of a neurosurgical intervention based on hemorrhage characteristics in patients with an iSDH and mTBI. Once validated in a second population, these data can be used to better inform patients and families of the risk of future neurosurgical intervention, and to evaluate the necessity of interhospital transfers.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound to visualize hemodynamic changes after rodent spinal cord injury
Authors: Khaing Zin Z. , Cates Lindsay N. , DeWees Dane M. , Hannah Alexander , Mourad Pierre , Bruce Matthew , Hofstetter Christoph P.
Published: June 2018

OBJECTIVE

Traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) causes an almost complete loss of blood flow at the site of injury (primary injury) as well as significant hypoperfusion in the penumbra of the injury. Hypoperfusion in the penumbra progresses after injury to the spinal cord and is likely to be a major contributor to progressive cell death of spinal cord tissue that was initially viable (secondary injury). Neuroprotective treatment strategies seek to limit secondary injury. Clinical monitoring of the temporal and spatial patterns of blood flow within the contused spinal cord is currently not feasible. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether ultrafast contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) Doppler allows for detection of local hemodynamic changes within an injured rodent spinal cord in real time.

METHODS

A novel ultrafast CEUS Doppler technique was developed utilizing a research ultrasound platform combined with a 15-MHz linear array transducer. Ultrafast plane-wave acquisitions enabled the separation of higher-velocity blood flow in macrocirculation from low-velocity flow within the microcirculation (tissue perfusion). An FDA-approved contrast agent (microbubbles) was used for visualization of local blood flow in real time. CEUS Doppler acquisition protocols were developed to characterize tissue perfusion both during contrast inflow and during the steady-state plateau. A compression injury of the thoracic spinal cord of adult rats was induced using iris forceps.

RESULTS

High-frequency ultrasound enabled visualization of spinal cord vessels such as anterior spinal arteries as well as central arteries (mean diameter [± SEM] 145.8 ± 10.0 µm; 76.2 ± 4.5 µm, respectively). In the intact spinal cord, ultrafast CEUS Doppler confirmed higher perfusion of the gray matter compared to white matter. Immediately after compression injury of the thoracic rodent spinal cord, spinal cord vessels were disrupted in an area of 1.93 ± 1.14 mm2. Ultrafast CEUS Doppler revealed a topographical map of local tissue hypoperfusion with remarkable spatial resolution. Critical loss of perfusion, defined as less than 40% perfusion compared to the surrounding spared tissue, was seen within an area of 2.21 ± 0.6 mm2.

CONCLUSIONS

In our current report, we introduce ultrafast CEUS Doppler for monitoring of spinal vascular structure and function in real time. Development and clinical implementation of this type of imaging could have a significant impact on the care of patients with tSCI.
Intraoperative angiography via the popliteal artery: a useful technique for patients in the prone position
Authors: Villelli Nicolas W. , Lewis David M. , Leipzig Thomas J. , DeNardo Andrew J. , Payner Troy D. , Kulwin Charles G.
Published: June 2018

OBJECTIVE

Intraoperative angiography can be a valuable tool in the surgical management of vascular disorders in the CNS. This is typically accomplished via femoral artery puncture; however, this can be technically difficult in patients in the prone position. The authors describe the feasibility of intraoperative angiography via the popliteal artery in the prone patient.

METHODS

Three patients underwent intraoperative spinal angiography in the prone position via vascular access through the popliteal artery. Standard angiography techniques were used, along with ultrasound and a micropuncture needle for initial vascular access. Two patients underwent intraoperative angiography to confirm the obliteration of dural arteriovenous fistulas. The third patient required unexpected intraoperative angiography when a tumor was concerning for a vascular malformation in the cervical spine.

RESULTS

All 3 patients tolerated the procedure without complication. The popliteal artery was easily accessed without any adaptation to typical patient positioning for these prone-position cases. This proved particularly beneficial when angiography was not part of the preoperative plan.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative angiography via the popliteal artery is feasible and well tolerated. It presents significant benefit when obtaining imaging studies in patients in a prone position, with the added benefit of easy access, familiar anatomy, and low concern for catheter thrombosis or kinking.
Development and validation of a predictive model for 90-day readmission following elective spine surgery
Authors: Parker Scott L. , Sivaganesan Ahilan , Chotai Silky , McGirt Matthew J. , Asher Anthony L. , Devin Clinton J.
Published: June 2018

OBJECTIVE

Hospital readmissions lead to a significant increase in the total cost of care in patients undergoing elective spine surgery. Understanding factors associated with an increased risk of postoperative readmission could facilitate a reduction in such occurrences. The aims of this study were to develop and validate a predictive model for 90-day hospital readmission following elective spine surgery.

METHODS

All patients undergoing elective spine surgery for degenerative disease were enrolled in a prospective longitudinal registry. All 90-day readmissions were prospectively recorded. For predictive modeling, all covariates were selected by choosing those variables that were significantly associated with readmission and by incorporating other relevant variables based on clinical intuition and the Akaike information criterion. Eighty percent of the sample was randomly selected for model development and 20% for model validation. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed with Bayesian model averaging (BMA) to model the odds of 90-day readmission. Goodness of fit was assessed via the C-statistic, that is, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), using the training data set. Discrimination (predictive performance) was assessed using the C-statistic, as applied to the 20% validation data set.

RESULTS

A total of 2803 consecutive patients were enrolled in the registry, and their data were analyzed for this study. Of this cohort, 227 (8.1%) patients were readmitted to the hospital (for any cause) within 90 days postoperatively. Variables significantly associated with an increased risk of readmission were as follows (OR [95% CI]): lumbar surgery 1.8 [1.1–2.8], government-issued insurance 2.0 [1.4–3.0], hypertension 2.1 [1.4–3.3], prior myocardial infarction 2.2 [1.2–3.8], diabetes 2.5 [1.7–3.7], and coagulation disorder 3.1 [1.6–5.8]. These variables, in addition to others determined a priori to be clinically relevant, comprised 32 inputs in the predictive model constructed using BMA. The AUC value for the training data set was 0.77 for model development and 0.76 for model validation.

CONCLUSIONS

Identification of high-risk patients is feasible with the novel predictive model presented herein. Appropriate allocation of resources to reduce the postoperative incidence of readmission may reduce the readmission rate and the associated health care costs.
Effects of Some Operating Parameters on Sorption and Desorption Kinetics Related to Spotted Golden Thistle Stalks and Methylene Blue; Isotherm Study at Optimal pH and Sorbent Regeneration
Authors: Bereksi Zoubida Senouci , Benaïssa Houcine
Published: June 2018

In this work, the sorptive removal assessment of methylene blue by spotted golden thistle stalks was enhanced. Sorption was positively impacted by increasing temperature, initial pH or ionic strength. The sorbent isoelectrical point is 2.6 according to zeta potential measurements. The Elovich and Avrami models best fitted the sorption kinetic data; and an original prediction of equilibrium time is proposed. At 25 °C and for optimal initial pH = 7, the experimental maximal sorption capacity is 75 mg g−1. The Langmuir, Redlich–Peterson, Sips and Tóth models led to good correlations of isothermal data. Desorption percentages are important in both mineral and organic acidic media; the highest levels up to 91% were recorded for 1 × 10−2 M HCl solutions. The pseudo second-order model fitted satisfactorily the desorption kinetics. An innovative concept of regeneration is proposed, which promises significant savings of eluent and operating time. The sorbent regeneration assessment showed constant uptake abilities after five cycles of use.
Adsorption of P-Nitrophenol Onto Partially Reduced Graphene Oxide: An Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Yang Mengzhi , Wang Meiling
Published: June 2018

This study investigated the adsorption process of p-nitrophenol ( p-NP) onto partially reduced graphene oxide (prGO) using both experiment and theoretical calculations. The maximum adsorption capacity of prGO at pH 6.0 and 293 K for p-NP was 29.94 mg g−1 which was significantly higher than previously reported using a metal-doped reduced graphene oxide composite. Systematic, comparative theoretical calculations were used to investigate the adsorption mechanism of p-NP onto graphene oxide, prGO and graphene nanosheet (GN). Calculations revealed three types of adsorption site and indicated that the adsorption force and sites were significantly affected by the quantity and type of oxygen-containing functional groups on the GN. The adsorption affinity was mainly derived from hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking which was further demonstrated by FTIR analysis. Due to its excellent adsorption performance, good recyclability and easy separation, prGO can be a promising adsorbent for the efficient elimination of p-NP from wastewater in the future.
Characterization of massive magnetic parts with a dedicated device
Authors: Borsenberger Marc , Benabou Abdelkader , Baudouin Cyrille , Bigot Régis , Faverolle Pierre , Mipo Jean-Claude
Published: June 2018

Magnetic parts are usually composed of a stack of electrical steel laminations to reduce the eddy current losses. However, for cost reasons or for specific applications the magnetic core can be made from massive steel and thus manufactured with adapted processes such as forging. Such process may lead to inhomogeneous and degraded magnetic properties. Therefore, this study proposes a specific device for characterizing magnetic properties of samples which are to be representative of a massive part.

The measure is based on the Faraday’s equation to determine the magnetic flux density and the Hall effect to estimate the magnetic field inside the sample. Practically this is realized with classical components such as Hall probes, a secondary winding and an electromagnet device. However their combination is unique to perform magnetic characterization on massive samples, which are less affected by the sampling technique and may have anisotropic properties.

The device is dimensioned thanks to FE-Simulation and validated according repeatability, sensitivity and trueness analysis. Eventually the characterization is performed on samples with different material parameters showing the effect of the grain size on the specific losses. The expected effect of the grain flow on magnetic properties is however not proven yet.
Propagation effect of the lightning electric fields along rough sea surface and the effects on ToA-based lightning location systems
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Pang Huaji , Liu Bing , Zhang Qilin , Song Lin , Lu Xue
Published: June 2018

This paper based on Barrick’s formulations and Wait’s formulations, we analyzed the lightning vertical electric field and it is derivative in the time domain along rough sea surface. Furthermore, we discussed that it effects on Time-of-Arrival (ToA)-based lightning location systems (LLS). We found that the wave-shape and time-delay of the vertical electric field can be significantly affected when propagates along rough the sea surface. The rough sea surface has a few effect on the magnitude of the vertical electric fields. With the observation distance increase, the rise time of the wave-shape becomes long with the increasing of the wind speed. The peaks of the field derivative obviously decrease with the increasing of the wind speed, and the farther observation distance is, the stronger attenuation is. The time-delay of the field derivative increases as the wind speed increases. The observed time-delay resulting from the propagation along rough sea surface might impact the location accuracy of ToA-based LLS.
Deformation behavior of tube in electromagnetic forming with an external die
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Cao Quanliang , Li Xiaoxiang , Yi Lei , Ma Jimin , Li Xinhua , Li Liang
Published: June 2018

In order to investigate the deformation behavior of tube in electromagnetic forming with external die, in this paper, a numerical model based on the equivalent circuit method and finite element method was developed to simulate the tube deforming process, which was implemented through the coupling of MATLAB 2015a and ANSYS 15.0. Results showed that the deformation behavior of tube, including deformation depth and end flowing, is influenced by the distribution of Lorentz force, and the effect of the external die, which includes the restraining of radial expansion of tube, and the friction force generated from the contact of tube and die.
Quality and Nutritional Evaluation of Regina Tomato, a Traditional Long-Storage Landrace of Puglia (Southern Italy)
Authors: Renna Massimiliano , Durante Miriana , Gonnella Maria , Buttaro Donato , D’Imperio Massimiliano , Mita Giovanni , Serio Francesco
Published: June 2018

Regina tomato, a locally cultivated Italian landrace, is listed as an item in the ‘List of Traditional Agri-Food Products’ of the Italian Department for Agriculture and itemised as ‘Slow Food presidium’ by the Slow Food Foundation. It is classified as a long-storage tomato since it can be preserved for several months after harvest thanks to its thick and coriaceous skin. Three ecotypes were investigated for main physical and chemical traits both at harvest and after three months of storage. Experimental results indicate that this tomato landrace has a qualitative profile characterized by high concentrations of tocopherols, lycopene and ascorbic acid (maximum 28.6 and 53.7 mg/kg fresh weight, FW, and 0.28 mg/g FW, respectively) even after a long storage time, together with lower average Total Soluble Solids. The initial and post-storage contents of the bioactive compounds changed at a different rate in each ecotype (i.e., in Monopoli Regina tomato the highest content of α-Tocopherol, thereafter reduced to the same level of the other two ecotypes). These results indicate unique and unmistakable features of this long-storage tomato, closely linked to the geographic origin area that include both natural (available technical inputs) and human (specific cultural practices) factors.
Comparing Deep Learning and Classical Machine Learning Approaches for Predicting Inpatient Violence Incidents from Clinical Text
Authors: Menger Vincent , Scheepers Floor , Spruit Marco
Published: June 2018

Machine learning techniques are increasingly being applied to clinical text that is already captured in the Electronic Health Record for the sake of delivering quality care. Applications for example include predicting patient outcomes, assessing risks, or performing diagnosis. In the past, good results have been obtained using classical techniques, such as bag-of-words features, in combination with statistical models. Recently however Deep Learning techniques, such as Word Embeddings and Recurrent Neural Networks, have shown to possibly have even greater potential. In this work, we apply several Deep Learning and classical machine learning techniques to the task of predicting violence incidents during psychiatric admission using clinical text that is already registered at the start of admission. For this purpose, we use a novel and previously unexplored dataset from the Psychiatry Department of the University Medical Center Utrecht in The Netherlands. Results show that predicting violence incidents with state-of-the-art performance is possible, and that using Deep Learning techniques provides a relatively small but consistent improvement in performance. We finally discuss the potential implication of our findings for the psychiatric practice.
Climate Change and Human Health—The Links to the UN Landmark Agreement on Disaster Risk Reduction
Authors: Murray Virginia , Waite Thomas David
Published: June 2018

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Emerging Cellular and Molecular Strategies for Enhancing Central Nervous System (CNS) Remyelination
Authors: Abu-Rub Mohammad , Miller Robert H.
Published: June 2018

Myelination is critical for the normal functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) in vertebrates. Conditions in which the development of myelin is perturbed result in severely compromised individuals often with shorter lifespans, while loss of myelin in the adult results in a variety of functional deficits. Although some form of spontaneous remyelination often takes place, the repair process as a whole often fails. Several lines of evidence suggest it is feasible to develop strategies that enhance the capacity of the CNS to undergo remyelination and potentially reverse functional deficits. Such strategies include cellular therapies using either neural or mesenchymal stem cells as well as molecular regulators of oligodendrocyte development and differentiation. Given the prevalence of demyelinating diseases and their effects on the quality of life for affected individuals it is imperative that effective therapies are developed. Here we discuss some of the new approaches to CNS myelin repair that hold promise for reducing the burden of diseases characterized by myelin loss.
Loss of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Alters Oncolytic Adenovirus Replication and Promotes More Efficient Virus Production
Authors: Höti Naseruddin , Johnson Tamara Jane , Chowdhury Wasim H. , Rodriguez Ronald
Published: June 2018

We elucidate the role of p21/Waf-1, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, on the oncolytic infection and replication cycle of adenovirus by studying both mRNA and adenoviral proteins expression. We found that infection in the absence of p21 causes a significant increase in adenoviral genomes and late gene expression. Similarly, the oncolytic adenoviral infected p21−/− cells have earlier formation of replication foci and robust replication kinetics that were not observed in the wild type p21/Waf-1 intact cells. These findings suggest a culmination that the presence of intact p21 in host cells causes defects in the oncolytic viral life cycle which results in the production of immature and noninfectious particles.
Expression Profiling of the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid (TRPV) Channels 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Mucosal Epithelium of Human Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Rizopoulos Theodoros , Papadaki-Petrou Helen , Assimakopoulou Martha
Published: June 2018

The Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) family of selective and non-selective ion channels is well represented throughout the mammalian gastrointestinal track. Several members of the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid (TRPV) subfamily have been identified in contributing to modulation of mobility, secretion and sensitivity of the human intestine. Previous studies have focused on the detection of TRPV mRNA levels in colon tissue of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) whereas little information exists regarding TRPV channel expression in the colonic epithelium. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression levels of TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV3 and TRPV4 in mucosa epithelial cells of colonic biopsies from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) in comparison to colonic resections from non-IBD patients (control group). Immunohistochemistry, using specific antibodies and quantitative analyses of TRPV-immunostained epithelial cells, was performed in semi-serial sections of the samples. TRPV1 expression was significantly decreased whereas TRPV4 expression was significantly increased in the colonic epithelium of UC patients compared to patients in the control group (p < 0.05). No significant difference for TRPV2 and TRPV3 expression levels between UC and control specimens was detected (p > 0.05). There was no correlation between TRPV channel expression and the clinical features of the disease (p > 0.05). Further investigation is needed to clarify the role of TRPV channels in human bowel inflammatory response.
Correction: Mahmood et al. Hard Real-Time Task Scheduling in Cloud Computing Using an Adaptive Genetic Algorithm. Computers 2017, 6, 15
Authors: Mahmood Amjad , Khan Salman A. , Bahlool Rashed A.
Published: June 2018

In article by Mahmood [1], the results for a genetic algorithm (GA), adaptive genetic algorithm (AGA), and greedy algorithm were not correctly reported in Section 5 due to a programming error[...]
Bacterial Colonization and Tissue Compatibility of Denture Base Resins
Authors: Olms Constanze , Yahiaoui-Doktor Maryam , Remmerbach Torsten W. , Stingu Catalina Suzana
Published: June 2018

Currently, there is minimal clinical data regarding biofilm composition on the surface of denture bases and the clinical tissue compatibility. Therefore, the aim of this experimental study was to compare the bacterial colonization and the tissue compatibility of a hypoallergenic polyamide with a frequently used PMMA resin tested intraorally in a randomized split-mouth design. Test specimens made of polyamide (n = 10) and PMMA (n = 10) were attached over a molar band appliance in oral cavity of 10 subjects. A cytological smear test was done from palatal mucosa at baseline and after four weeks. The monolayers were inspected for micronuclei. After four weeks in situ, the appliance was removed. The test specimens were immediately cultivated on non-selective and selective nutrient media. All growing colonies were identified using VITEK-MS. The anonymized results were analyzed descriptively. A total of 110 different bacterial species could be isolated, including putative pathogens. An average of 17.8 different bacterial species grew on the PMMA specimens, and 17.3 on the polyamide specimens. The highest number of different bacterial species was n = 24, found on a PMMA specimen. On the two specimens, a similar bacterial distribution was observed. Micronuclei, as a marker for genotoxic potential of dental materials, were not detected. This study indicates that the composition of bacterial biofilm developed on these resins after four weeks is not influenced by the type of resin itself. The two materials showed no cytological differences. This investigation suggests that polyamide and PMMA are suitable for clinical use as denture base material.