bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring Network Reliability by considering Paradoxes
Authors: Szeto W. Y. , O'Brien Liam , O'Mahony Margaret
Published: July 2009

Traditionally, game theoretic approaches to measuring transport network reliability have relied on the outcome of a game played between network users seeking to minimize their travel costs and an origin-destination-specific (O-D-specific) demon that seeks the opposite by damaging links in the network. This problem assumes the presence of only one demon in each O-D pair and assumes the capacity reduction to be 50% if the link is selected for damage by one or more O-D-specific demons. The game is typically expressed as a path-based formulation, which is computationally intensive since the formulation requires path enumeration. With relaxation of the assumptions on the O-D-specific nature of the demons and the capacity reduction, a link-based multiple network demon formulation is proposed by the nonlinear complementarity problem approach, in which each demon is free to select any link to damage. Within this framework, the effects of the proposed model on total expected network cost and reliability measures are examined, and specific examples demonstrate the paradoxical phenomenon that if one adds a road to a network, then all travelers may be worse off for total expected network cost or travel time reliability. Overall, the results indicate the importance of assumptions used to total expected network cost and reliability measures and provide some insights into the problem of ignoring these paradoxical phenomena in reliable and robust network design.
Reliable System-Optimal Network Design
Authors: Ng ManWo , Waller S. Travis
Published: July 2009

It is critical to account for uncertainty in the design of transportation networks. Various models assuming both user-optimal and system-optimal behavior (as a computationally viable proxy for the more realistic user-optimal design problem) have been proposed. Most of these models do not provide any form of probabilistic guarantee for the obtained capacity expansion decisions. However, for system reliability, it is often useful to know how likely it is that the total system travel time would deviate from a certain value if the prescribed solutions from a specific model are implemented. A new mean-variance type of system-optimal network design model with probabilistic guarantees on systemwide travel time is proposed. The proposed model has several unique features. First, uncertainty in the link performance function is considered. This uncertainty is a result of capacity uncertainty as well as fundamental uncertainty about the functional form of the link performance function itself. Second, instead of imposing an explicit chance constraint–which in general would lead to nonconvexity–probabilistic guarantees on the obtained system travel time are obtained implicitly. More specific, the model yields a one-sided confidence interval for the total systemwide travel time that has an a priori specified confidence level. Finally, it is not necessary to specify an explicit probability distribution to model the uncertainty. Instead, the proposed model is distribution free in that any symmetric probability distribution suffices. Numerical results are presented and discussed.
Pareto Optimal Multiobjective Optimization for Robust Transportation Network Design Problem
Authors: Sharma Sushant , Ukkusuri Satish V. , Mathew Tom V.
Published: July 2009

A study was done to formulate and solve the multiobjective network design problem with uncertain demand. Various samples of demand are realized for optimal improvements in the network while the objectives of the expected total system travel time and the higher moment for total system travel time are minimized. A formulation is proposed for multi-objective robust network design, and a solution methodology is developed on the basis of a revised fast and elitist nondominated sorting genetic algorithm. The developed methodology has been tested on the Nguyen-Dupuis network, and various Pareto optimal solutions are compared with earlier work on the single-objective robust network design problem. A real medium-size network was solved to prove efficacy of the model. The results show better solutions for the multiobjective robust network design problem with relatively less computational effort.
Freight Transportation Network Design Problem for Maximizing throughput under Uncertainty
Authors: Unnikrishnan Avinash , Waller S. Travis
Published: July 2009

A mathematical programming formulation is developed to determine the throughput of a freight transportation network. The impact of demand and capacity uncertainty on the throughput is systematically studied. Mathematical proofs are provided to show that accounting for capacity uncertainty by using a single-point expected value can lead to systematic overestimation of network throughput. This result is also valid for other measures, such as system capacity. Two sampling-based methodologies–independent random number and common random number–are provided to determine network design decisions in the presence of demand uncertainty. The sampling-based solution methods provide an approximate estimate of optimal solution and provide probabilistic bounds on the optimality gap. The presented methodologies are generic and can be applied even if different functional forms (nonlinear, nonconvex) are used to model various aspects of the freight transportation network. The numerical tests demonstrate that not accounting for capacity uncertainty can result in overestimation of system throughput of up to 40%. A common random number-based sampling strategy was found to significantly outperform the independent random number strategy for all the scenarios tested.
Chronic epilepsy associated with temporal tumors: long-term surgical outcome
Authors: Ruban Dmitry , Byrne Richard W. , Kanner Andres , Smith Michael , Cochran Elizabeth J. , Roh David , Whisler Walter W.
Published: July 2009

Object

The authors undertook a study to review the clinical features and outcome in patients who underwent surgery for intractable chronic epilepsy caused by temporal lobe tumors.

Methods

The Rush Surgical Epilepsy Database was queried to identify patients with chronic intractable epilepsy who underwent resection of temporal lobe tumors between 1981 and 2005 at Rush University Medical Center. Medical records were reviewed for age of the patient at seizure onset, delay to referral for surgery, seizure frequency and characteristics, preoperative MR imaging results, extent of resection, pathological diagnosis, complications, duration of follow-up period, and seizure improvement.

Results

Thirty-eight patients were identified, all with low-grade tumors. Gangliogliomas were the most common (36.8%), followed in descending order by dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (26.3%) and low-grade diffuse astrocytoma (10.5%). The mean duration between seizure onset and surgery was 15.4 years. Complex partial seizures were the most common presenting symptom. Detailed operative data were available for 28 patients; of these, 89.3% underwent complete resection of the amygdala, and 82.1% underwent partial or complete resection of hippocampus, in addition to lesionectomy. The mean follow-up duration was 7.7 years (range 1.0–23.1 years), with 78.9% of patients having seizure status that improved to Engel Class I, 15.8% to Engel Class II, and 5.3% to Engel Class III. Permanent complications were noted in 2.6% of patients.

Conclusions

The authors' examination of the long-term follow-up data in patients with temporal lobe tumors causing chronic intractable epilepsy demonstrated excellent results in seizure improvement after surgery.
Gliomas of the cingulate gyrus: surgical management and functional outcome
Authors: von Lehe Marec , Schramm Johannes
Published: July 2009

Object

In this paper, the authors' goal was to summarize their experience with the surgical treatment of gliomas arising from the cingulate gyrus.

Methods

The authors analyzed preoperative data, surgical strategies, complications, and functional outcome in a series of 34 patients (mean age 42 years, range 12–69 years; 14 females) who underwent 38 operations between May 2001 and November 2008.

Results

In 7 cases (18%) the tumor was located in the posterior (parietal) part of the cingulate gyrus, and in 31 (82%) the tumor was in the anterior (frontal) part. In 10 cases (26%) the glioma was solely located in the cingulate gyrus, and in 28 cases (74%) the tumor extended to the supracingular frontal/parietal cortex. Most cases (23 [61%]) had seizures as the presenting symptom, 8 patients (24%) suffered from a hemiparesis/hemihypesthesia, and 4 patients (12%) had aphasic symptoms.

The authors chose an interhemispheric approach for tumor resection in 11 (29%) and a transcortical approach in 27 (71%) cases; intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring was applied in 23 (61%) and neuronavigation in 15 (39%) cases. A > 90% resection was achieved in 32 (84%) and > 70% in another 5 (13%) cases. Tumors were classified as low-grade gliomas in 11 cases (29%). A glioblastoma multiforme (WHO Grade IV, 10 cases [26%]) and oligoastrocytoma (WHO Grade III, 9 cases [24%]) were the most frequent histopathological results.

Postoperatively, patients in 13 cases suffered from a transient supplementary motor area syndrome (34%), all of whom had tumors in the anterior cingulate gyrus. In the early postoperative period (30 days) a new deficit occurred in 5 cases (13%, mild motor deficits or aphasic symptoms). One patient had a major bleeding episode 2 days after surgery and was in a persistent vegetative state.

Conclusions

Gliomas arising from the cingulate gyrus are rare. A gross-total resection is often possible and acceptably safe; intraoperative monitoring and neuronavigation are helpful adjuncts. In case of resection of gliomas arising from the anterior cingulate gyrus a supplementary motor area syndrome has to be considered, particularly when the tumor extends to the supracingular cortex
Risk profile associated with convexity meningioma resection in the modern neurosurgical era
Authors: Sanai Nader , Sughrue Michael E. , Shangari Gopal , Chung Kenny , Berger Mitchel S. , McDermott Michael W.
Published: July 2009

Object

Although meningiomas are commonly found along the supratentorial convexity, the risk profile associated with this subset of lesions in the modern neurosurgical era is unknown.

Methods

The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical course of patients with supratentorial convexity meningiomas treated during the past 10 years. All patients had undergone MR imaging within 72 hours after surgery and at least 1 year of clinical follow-up. Patients with multiple meningiomas, hemangiopericytomas, malignant meningiomas, or tumor-prone syndromes were excluded from analysis.

Results

Between 1997 and 2007, 141 consecutive patients (median age 48 years, range 18–95 years) underwent resection of a supratentorial convexity meningioma. The most common signs or symptoms at presentation were headache (48%), seizures (34%), and weakness (21%). The mean tumor volume was 146.3 cm3 (range 1–512 cm3). There were no intraoperative complications or deaths. Medical or neurosurgical morbidity was noted in the postoperative course of 14 patients, equating to a 10% overall complication rate. Postoperative surgical complications included hematoma requiring evacuation, CSF leakage, and operative site infection. Medical complications included pulmonary embolus and deep vein thrombosis requiring treatment. A Simpson Grade 0 or 1 resection was achieved in 122 patients (87%). One hundred six tumors (75%) were WHO Grade I, whereas 35 (25%) were WHO Grade II. The median clinical follow-up was 2.9 years (range 1–10 years), and the median radiographic follow-up was 3.7 years (range 1–10 years). Six patients (4%) had radiographic evidence of tumor recurrence, with 3 (2%) undergoing repeat resection.

Conclusions

With the conservative recommendations for surgery for asymptomatic meningiomas and the advent of radiosurgery during the past 10 years, microsurgically treated convexity meningiomas are now typically large in size. Nevertheless, the patient's clinical course following microsurgical removal of these lesions is expected to be uncomplicated. The authors' findings provide a defined risk profile associated with the resection of supratentorial convexity meningiomas in the modern neurosurgical era.
Endovascular recanalization of the completely occluded internal carotid artery using a flow reversal system at the subacute to chronic stage
Authors: Terada Tomoaki , Okada Hideo , Nanto Masataka , Shintani Aki , Yoshimura Ryo , Kakishita Koji , Masuo Osamu , Matsumoto Hiroyuki , Itakura Toru , Ohshima Kosuke , Yamaga Hiroo
Published: July 2009

Object

The efficacy and pitfalls of endovascular recanalization were evaluated in cases of internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion in the subacute to chronic stage.

Methods

Fourteen cases (15 lesions) of symptomatic ICA occlusion with hemodynamic compromise or recurrent symptoms were treated at the subacute to chronic stage using an endovascular technique. The Parodi embolic protection system was used during the recanalization procedure to prevent embolic stroke by reversing the flow from the distal ICA to the common carotid artery.

Results

Recanalization of the occluded ICA was possible in 14 of 15 lesions. The occlusion points were 10 cervical ICAs and 4 petrous/cavernous ICAs in successfully recanalized cases. Ischemic symptoms disappeared completely after the treatment, and new ischemic symptoms did not appear related to the treated lesion. Single photon emission computed tomography findings demonstrated the improvement of hemodynamic compromise in all cases. One case showed right middle cerebral artery branch occlusion during the procedure, but this patient's neurological symptoms were stable due to preexisting hemiparesis. Endovascular recanalization was possible and effective in improving hemodynamic compromise. However, there are still several problems with this technique, such as hyperperfusion syndrome after recanalization, cerebral embolism during treatment, durability after treatment, and identification of the occlusion point before treatment.

Conclusions

Endovascular recanalization using an embolic protection device can be considered as an alternative treatment for symptomatic ICA occlusion with hemodynamic compromise or refractoriness to antiplatelet therapy, even in the subacute to chronic stage of the illness.
Environmental Effects on Public Health: An Economic Perspective
Authors: Remoundou Kyriaki , Koundouri Phoebe
Published: July 2009

In this article we critically review the economic literature on the effects of environmental changes on public health, in both the developed and the developing world. We first focus on the economic methodologies that are available for the evaluation of the effects (social costs and benefits) of environmental changes (degradation/preservation) on public health. Then, we explain how the monetary valuations of these effects can feed back in the construction of economic policy for creating agent-specific incentives for more efficient public health management, which is also equitable and environmentally sustainable. Our exposition is accompanied by a synthesis of the available quantitative empirical results.
Plant Antimicrobial Agents and Their Effects on Plant and Human Pathogens
Authors: González-Lamothe Rocío , Mitchell Gabriel , Gattuso Mariza , Diarra Moussa S. , Malouin François , Bouarab Kamal
Published: July 2009

To protect themselves, plants accumulate an armoury of antimicrobial secondary metabolites. Some metabolites represent constitutive chemical barriers to microbial attack (phytoanticipins) and others inducible antimicrobials (phytoalexins). They are extensively studied as promising plant and human disease-controlling agents. This review discusses the bioactivity of several phytoalexins and phytoanticipins defending plants against fungal and bacterial aggressors and those with antibacterial activities against pathogens affecting humans such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus involved in respiratory infections of cystic fibrosis patients. The utility of plant products as “antibiotic potentiators” and “virulence attenuators” is also described as well as some biotechnological applications in phytoprotection.
Synthesis of 2-(4-Propyloxyphenyl)benzothiazole
Authors: Ha Sie-Tiong , Koh Teck-Ming , Ong Siew-Teng , Lee Teck-Leong , Sivasothy Yasodha
Published: July 2009

A new 2-(4-propyloxyphenyl)benzothiazole was synthesized and its IR, 1H and 13C NMR and MS spectroscopic data are presented.
Enantiopure Derivatives of Aza-Baylis-Hillman Adducts by Subsequent SN′-SN′ Reactions of Acylcarbamates Bearing a Chiral Auxiliary
Authors: Martelli Gianluca , Marcucci Eleonora , Orena Mario , Rinaldi Samuele
Published: July 2009

Reactions of(4S,5R)-1-(3,4-Dimethyl-2-oxo-5-phenylimidazolidine)carbonyl-isocyanate (4) with appropriate Baylis-Hillman adducts 5 gave the corresponding acyl carbamates 6,7 as equimolar diastereomeric mixtures. These mixtures were treated with DABCO, to afford with moderate diastereoselection easily separable [2-(3",4"-dimethyl-2"-oxo-5"-phenylimidazolidine-1-carboxamido)(aryl)methyl]acrylates 8 and 9.
Efficient Microwave Assisted Syntheses of 2,5-Diketopiperazines in Aqueous Media
Authors: Pérez-Picaso Lemuel , Escalante Jaime , Olivo Horacio F. , Rios María Yolanda
Published: July 2009

Aqueous in situ one-pot N-Boc-deprotection-cyclization of Nα-Boc-dipeptidyl-tert-butyl and methyl esters under microwave irradiation afforded 2,5-diketopiperazines (DKPs) in excellent yields. This protocol is rapid, safe, environmentally friendly, and highly efficient, and showed that the tert-butoxy moiety is also an excellent leaving group for these cyclizations.
(+)-N-(2-Hydroxypropyl)lindcarpine: A New Cytotoxic Aporphine Isolated from Actinodaphne pruinosa Nees
Authors: Rachmatiah Tiah , Mukhtar Mat Ropi , Nafiah Mohd Azlan , Hanafi Muhammad , Kosela Soleh , Morita Hiroshi , Litaudon Marc , Awang Khalijah , Omar Hanita , Hadi A. Hamid  A.
Published: July 2009

Onenewalkaloid; (+)-N-(2-hydroxypropyl)lindcarpine (1),together with four known aporphine alkaloids, (+)-boldine (2) (+)-norboldine (3), (+)-lindcarpine (4) and (+)-methyllindcarpine (5) were isolated from the stem bark of Actinodaphne pruinosa Nees (Lauraceae). (+)-N-(2-Hydroxypropyl)lindcarpine (1) exhibited cytotoxic activity against P-388 murine leukemia cells with an IC50 value of 3.9 μg/mL. Structural elucidation of all the compounds were performed by spectral methods such as 1D- and 2D- NMR, IR, UV, and HRESIMS.
Remote Sensing and Mapping of Tamarisk along the Colorado River, USA: A Comparative Use of Summer-Acquired Hyperion, Thematic Mapper and QuickBird Data
Authors: Carter Gregory  A. , Lucas Kelly  L. , Blossom Gabriel  A. , Lassitter Cheryl   L. , Holiday Dan  M. , Mooneyhan David  S. , Fastring Danielle  R. , Holcombe Tracy  R. , Griffith Jerry  A.
Published: July 2009

Tamarisk (Tamarix spp., saltcedar) is a well-known invasive phreatophyte introduced from Asia to North America in the 1800s. This report compares the efficacy of Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM5), QuickBird (QB) and EO-1 Hyperion data in discriminating tamarisk populations near De Beque, Colorado, USA. As a result of highly correlated reflectance among the spectral bands provided by each sensor, relatively standard image analysis methods were employed. Multispectral data at high spatial resolution (QB, 2.5 m Ground Spatial Distance or GSD) proved more effective in tamarisk delineation than either multispectral (TM5) or hyperspectral (Hyperion) data at moderate spatial resolution (30 m GSD).
Orientation of Airborne Laser Scanning Point Clouds with Multi-View, Multi-Scale Image Blocks
Authors: Rönnholm Petri , Hyyppä Hannu , Hyyppä Juha , Haggrén Henrik
Published: July 2009

Comprehensive 3D modeling of our environment requires integration of terrestrial and airborne data, which is collected, preferably, using laser scanning and photogrammetric methods. However, integration of these multi-source data requires accurate relative orientations. In this article, two methods for solving relative orientation problems are presented. The first method includes registration by minimizing the distances between of an airborne laser point cloud and a 3D model. The 3D model was derived from photogrammetric measurements and terrestrial laser scanning points. The first method was used as a reference and for validation. Having completed registration in the object space, the relative orientation between images and laser point cloud is known. The second method utilizes an interactive orientation method between a multi-scale image block and a laser point cloud. The multi-scale image block includes both aerial and terrestrial images. Experiments with the multi-scale image block revealed that the accuracy of a relative orientation increased when more images were included in the block. The orientations of the first and second methods were compared. The comparison showed that correct rotations were the most difficult to detect accurately by using the interactive method. Because the interactive method forces laser scanning data to fit with the images, inaccurate rotations cause corresponding shifts to image positions. However, in a test case, in which the orientation differences included only shifts, the interactive method could solve the relative orientation of an aerial image and airborne laser scanning data repeatedly within a couple of centimeters.
MCBT: Multi-Hop Cluster Based Stable Backbone Trees for Data Collection and Dissemination in WSNs
Authors: Shin Inyoung , Kim Moonseong , Mutka Matt W. , Choo Hyunseung , Lee Tae-Jin
Published: July 2009

We propose a stable backbone tree construction algorithm using multi-hop clusters for wireless sensor networks (WSNs). The hierarchical cluster structure has advantages in data fusion and aggregation. Energy consumption can be decreased by managing nodes with cluster heads. Backbone nodes, which are responsible for performing and managing multi-hop communication, can reduce the communication overhead such as control traffic and minimize the number of active nodes. Previous backbone construction algorithms, such as Hierarchical Cluster-based Data Dissemination (HCDD) and Multicluster, Mobile, Multimedia radio network (MMM), consume energy quickly. They are designed without regard to appropriate factors such as residual energy and degree (the number of connections or edges to other nodes) of a node for WSNs. Thus, the network is quickly disconnected or has to reconstruct a backbone. We propose a distributed algorithm to create a stable backbone by selecting the nodes with higher energy or degree as the cluster heads. This increases the overall network lifetime. Moreover, the proposed method balances energy consumption by distributing the traffic load among nodes around the cluster head. In the simulation, the proposed scheme outperforms previous clustering schemes in terms of the average and the standard deviation of residual energy or degree of backbone nodes, the average residual energy of backbone nodes after disseminating the sensed data, and the network lifetime.
Deflection, Frequency, and Stress Characteristics of Rectangular, Triangular, and Step Profile Microcantilevers for Biosensors
Authors: Ansari Mohd Zahid , Cho Chongdu
Published: July 2009

This study presents the deflection, resonant frequency and stress results of rectangular, triangular, and step profile microcantilevers subject to surface stress. These cantilevers can be used as the sensing element in microcantilever biosensors. To increase the overall sensitivity of microcantilever biosensors, both the deflection and the resonant frequency of the cantilever should be increased. The effect of the cantilever profile change and the cantilever cross-section shape change is first investigated separately and then together. A finite element code ANSYS Multiphysics is used and solid finite elements cantilever models are solved. A surface stress of 0.05 N/m was applied to the top surface of the cantilevers. The cantilevers are made of silicon with elastic modulus 130 GPa and Poisson’s ratio 0.28. To show the conformity of this study, the numerical results are compared against their analytical ones. Results show that triangular and step cantilevers have better deflection and frequency characteristics than rectangular ones.
Building Reconstruction by Target Based Graph Matching on Incomplete Laser Data: Analysis and Limitations
Authors: Elberink Sander Oude , Vosselman George
Published: July 2009

With the increasing point densities provided by airborne laser scanner (ALS) data the requirements on derived products also increase. One major application of ALS data is to provide input for 3D city models. Modeling of roof faces, (3D) road and terrain surfaces can partially be done in an automated manner, although many such approaches are still in a development stage. Problems in automatic building reconstruction lie in the dynamic area between assumptions and reality. Not every object in the data appears as the algorithm expects. Challenges are to detect areas that cannot be reconstructed automatically. This paper describes our contribution to the field of building reconstruction by proposing a target based graph matching approach that can handle both complete and incomplete laser data. Match results describe which target objects appear topologically in the data. Complete match results can be reconstructed in an automated manner. Quality parameters store information on how the model fits to the input data and which data has not been used. Areas where laser data only partly matches with target objects are detected automatically. Four datasets are analyzed in order to describe the quality of the automatically reconstructed roofs, and to point out the reasons why segments are left out from the automatic reconstruction. The reasons why these areas are left out include lack of data information and limitations of our initial target objects. Potential improvement to our approach is to include likelihood functions to the existence of topological relations.
Nursing Education Challenges: Students with English as an Additional Language
Authors: Starr Kimberly
Published: July 2009

Nurse educators are challenged by students who did not learn Standard American English as a primary language. It is not only language that makes these students stand out—cultural beliefs, values and practices need to be appreciated as well. The purpose of this article is to synthesize the current qualitative literature on challenges faced in nursing education for students with English as an additional language. Ten qualitative studies regarding educational issues of nursing students with EAL were included in the synthesis. The study was conducted using the ethnographic metasynthesis model of Noblit and Hare. Two major reciprocal translations of educational issues emerged: challenges and reinforcements. Challenges included language, academics, resources, and culture. Reinforcements included resources, academics, and culture. The results may be used by nurse educators for developing interventions to help culturally diverse students succeed. Interventions are directed toward issues surrounding language and culture.
Hispanic Nursing Students' Journey to Success: A Metasynthesis
Authors: Alicea-Planas Jessica
Published: July 2009

With the Hispanic population considered the largest and fastest growing minority population, Hispanic health care needs will continue to place significant demands on our current system. Increasing the number of Hispanic nurses has become a priority. However, Latinos continue to account for only a small percentage of those enrolled in nursing programs. High attrition rates also negatively affect the number of Hispanic graduates. A more in-depth investigation of this complex issue may lead to increased awareness and understanding of the obstacles. This meta-synthesis aims to identify facilitators and barriers for Hispanic nursing students along their journey to success.
Attitudes Toward Aging: Implications for a Caring Profession
Authors: Holroyd Ann , Dahlke Sherry , Fehr Cindy , Jung Piera , Hunter Andrea
Published: July 2009

With the predicted increase in the age of Canada's overall population, it is estimated that by 2020, up to 75% of nurses' time will be spent with older adults. It is recognized that care of older adults occurs in a cultural context in which the older members of society are poorly valued, often referred to as
ageism
. Based on the premise that attitudes affect behavior and knowledge acquisition, a comparative cross-sectional study using the Attitudes Toward Old People scale measured nursing students' attitudes at different points in a baccalaureate nursing program. Although analysis of variance revealed no significant differences in students' attitudes during the 4 years, post hoc analysis revealed a drop in positive attitudes and a rise in negative attitudes at the beginning of the second and fourth years of the baccalaureate program.
Quality Assurance for Online Nursing Courses
Authors: Little Barbara Battin
Published: July 2009

Nurse educators and students have been expressing concern about the quality of online education for more than a decade. Models, standards, benchmarks, and peer review processes now offer tools for assuring the quality of online education and provide documentation for evaluation and accreditation processes. Standards provide the basis for initial course design, thus decreasing the need for revisions to correct weaknesses. This article reviews the literature on standards and quality assurance processes for online courses. Recommendations for the use of standards, peer review, and quality assurance of online courses are discussed.
A Strategy to Address the Nursing Faculty Shortage
Authors: Ganley Barbara J. , Sheets Ingrid
Published: July 2009

This article describes one university's experience in creating a master's geriatric clinical nurse specialist-nurse educator program to address the nursing faculty shortage and the need for geriatric clinical nurse specialists. The successes and challenges are outlined, and curricular ideas that may be beneficial to other nursing programs also are presented. This program has enhanced the university's pool of clinical instructors, increased its ability to provide services to older adults, and allowed faculty to instruct and focus undergraduates in the distinctions of geriatric nursing care. The biggest challenges faced were marketing and recruitment of nurses; these challenges were addressed, and possible solutions are offered. The most immediate benefit of this program was the generation of geriatric clinical nurse specialists and nurse educators who teach in the university's undergraduate program.
Bilateral Optic Nerve Aplasia in a Child
Authors: Erdol Hidayet , Kola Mehmet , Turk Adem
Published: July 2009

An 3-month-old female infant was admitted to the authors' clinic because of abnormal gaze position. On examination, the eyes were in the down gaze position. The left eye had a partial iris and lens coloboma. On funduscopic examination, the optic nerve and retinal vessels could not be detected. Optic nerve and optic chiasm were not observed on magnetic resonance imaging.
Relapse of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia as a Conjunctival Mass in a 9-Year-Old Girl
Authors: Javadi Mohammad-Ali , Kanavi Mozhgan Rezaei , Faramarzi Amir , Naghshgar Nima , Mirbabaei Firooz , Ramyar Asghar
Published: July 2009

A 9-year-old girl with a history of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in remission presented with a right subconjunctival mass and ipsilateral preauricular lymphadenopathy despite normal findings on blood cell profile. Excisional biopsy of the lesion was performed to exclude extramedullary relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Histopathologic examination showed infiltration of leukemic cells at the conjunctival substantia propria. The patient was referred to her oncologist, and bone marrow aspiration showed medullary relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia for which systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy was administered. Leukemic infiltration of the conjunctiva in the presence of normal findings on blood cell profile can be a rare manifestation of relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Congenital Dacryocystocele With Significant Enlargement of the Nasolacrimal Duct Diagnosed With Computed Tomography Dacryocystography
Authors: Matsuno Sawako , Takagi Ikue
Published: July 2009

The authors successfully assessed the lacrimal systems of two patients with dacryocystocele based on dacryocystographic observations using computed tomographic scanning. The results showed that both the lacrimal sac and the nasolacrimal duct were largely distended, and the duct terminated in a closed cyst in the nasal cavity.
[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabimus 2010;47:183–186.]
D-Dimer Evaluation of Hemorrhagic Orbital Lymphangioma
Authors: Rizzardi Elena , Tagliaferro Thea , Snijders Deborah , Bertuola Federica , Spolaore Federica , Simioni Paolo , Maimone Pierpaolo , Pinello Luisa , Mazzarolo Monica , Barbato Angelo
Published: July 2009

An 8-year-old boy with recurrent acute bleeding of lymphangioma of the left orbit is described. D-dimer levels increased as the size of the mass became stable, showing the effect of fibrinolysis within the hemorrhagic mass after clotting. D-dimer levels confirmed the possible use of conservative management of this lymphangioma.
[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2010;47:174–177.]
Appearance and Spontaneous Resolution of Macular Pucker After Triple Freeze–Thaw Cryotherapy for Retinoblastoma
Authors: Shah Parag K. , Narendran Venkatapathy , Kalpana Narendran
Published: July 2009

This report describes a case of macular pucker after triple freeze–thaw cryotherapy for retinoblastoma. Seven months after cryotherapy, the macular pucker resolved spontaneously.
Orbital Dermoid Cyst Presenting With a Discharging Sinus Tract
Authors: Tien Alexandra M. , Tien David Robbins
Published: July 2009

This report describes a case of orbital dermoid cyst presenting with a discharging sinus tract. The embryologic basis for orbital dermoids in general is discussed, as well as their typical presentation and management. In the current case, patient presentation and management were somewhat different because of signs of infection and a communicating sinus tract, both highly unusual for orbital dermoids. However, after complete excision of the dermoid and sinus tract, the patient showed complete recovery.
Topical Anesthesia in Strabismus Surgery: A Review of 101 Cases
Authors: Seijas Olga , de Liaño Pilar Gómez , Merino Pilar , Roberts Clare J. , de Liaño Rosario Gómez
Published: July 2009

Purpose:

To analyze the results over a 10-year period with a different type of strabismus surgery performed with topical anesthesia, to describe the differences in technique compared with surgery performed with general anesthesia, and to detail current indications and technical changes made according to the experience accrued during these years.

Methods:

A total of 101 patients undergoing strabismus surgery with topical anesthesia in a single hospital were analyzed. These patients were randomly selected from a total of 567 patients who had undergone extra-ocular muscle surgery in the past 10 years.

Results:

A good result was obtained (squint angle < 10 prism diopters and absence of diplopia) in 95% of patients immediately after surgery and in 85% at final follow-up (mean follow-up: 3.1 years). The mean operating time for each muscle was 29 minutes. Surgery was well tolerated in every patient. Conversion to general anesthesia was not necessary in any case. Atropine was used in three patients (3%) because of induction of the vagal reflex.

Conclusion:

Topical anesthesia in strabismus surgery is a useful technique in the treatment of extraocular muscle pathology, with few limitations. Appropriate monitoring by an anesthetist is vital to ensure adequate control of pain and possible side effects and to enable conversion to general anesthesia. The oculocardiac reflex is infrequent. For experienced strabismus surgeons, the total surgical time is comparable with topical and general anesthesia.

[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2009;46:218–222.]
Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: Progressive Postnatal Chorioretinitis
Authors: Brubaker Jacob W. , Bale James F. , Ampofo Krow , Dries David C.
Published: July 2009

Immunocompetent children with congenital cytomegalovirus rarely have postnatal progression of chorioretinitis. Optimal treatment of this disease is not well established. The authors describe an infant who had congenital cytomegalovirus infection with postnatal progression of chorioretinitis and required an extended course of ganciclovir therapy.
[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2009;46:249–251.]
Effectiveness of Sensorimotor and Task-Oriented Handwriting Intervention in Elementary School-Aged Students with Handwriting Difficulties
Authors: Weintraub Naomi , Yinon Michael , Hirsch Idit Bar-Effrat , Parush Shula
Published: July 2009

The effects of two handwriting intervention programs for students with handwriting difficulties were compared. Students in grades 2 to 4 were randomly assigned to a sensorimotor intervention ( n = 19), a task-oriented intervention ( n = 19), or a nontreatment control group ( n = 17). Both intervention programs also included “higher-level” functions (e.g., cognitive or executive functions). Handwriting speed and legibility were measured before, immediately after (Stage 1), and 4 months after (Stage 2) intervention. At Stage 1, statistically significant gains in handwriting performance were noted in both intervention groups, but not in the control group. Additionally, the task-oriented group scored significantly higher than the control group in overall legibility. At Stage 2, statistically significant gains were noted in both intervention groups. Thus, although neither program was found to have an advantage in terms of its unique components, it appears that students with handwriting difficulties may benefit from intervention programs that include instruction in “higher-level” strategies to support and enhance their handwriting performance.
Research Participation by Older Adults at End of Life: Barriers and Solutions
Authors: Mackin Melissa Lehan , Herr Keela , Bergen-Jackson Kimberly , Fine Perry , Forcucci Chris , Sanders Sara
Published: July 2009

The purpose of this article is to elaborate on barriers to research participation by older adults at end of life. We focus on the hospice setting and classify barriers to research participation into six domains: societal attitudes toward death, research procedures, health care organizations, agency staff, patients' families and caregivers, and patient characteristics. We characterize particular participation issues, uncertainties in participation for individuals with advanced illness, and infringements on patient self-determination, as well as potential solutions to these research challenges. Our observation of the complex palliative context includes the realization that a singular change will not have large enough impact on participation. We conclude that, along with the responsibility to expand the research base addressing the needs of dying individuals, there is also a need to understand the challenges of implementing research projects with older adults at end of life.
Apoptotic Count as a Guide for Histological Grading of Carcinoma Esophagus: A Light Microscopic Study
Authors: Seth Ankit , Agarwal Asha
Published: July 2009

Background: Many studies have been done in the past on the correlation between apoptotic count and histological grading of different tumors.

Aims: The study aims to find out if a correlation between apoptotic count and histological grading exists in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, and also to review the literature on such a relationship in the context of some other tumors.

Settings and Design: Cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus who presented at a tertiary care center over a period of one year were reviewed.

Materials and Methods: The endoscopic biopsy specimens of 56 patients of squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, processed for routine paraffin sections, sections taken, stained by hematoxylin and eosin and examined under light microscope, using 40x objective and 10x eyepiece. Apoptotic bodies were counted in each high-power field (HPF).

Statistical Analysis Used: Standard error of difference in apoptotic count in different tumor groups found and P value calculated, using Student′s t test.

Results: An inverse correlation of the apoptotic count per HPF with the histological grade of the tumor was found.

Conclusions: Grading of squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus, solely on the basis of apoptotic count can be used in the first place or to corroborate conventional histological grading done on the basis of morphology.
The effects of interleaved practice
Authors: Taylor Kelli , Rohrer Doug
Published: July 2009

Previous research shows that interleaving rather than blocking practice of different skills (e.g.abcbcacabinstead ofaaabbbccc) usually improves subsequent test performance. Yet interleaving, but not blocking, ensures that practice of any particular skill is distributed, orspaced, because any two opportunities to practice the same task are not consecutive. Hence, because spaced practice typically improves test performance, the previously observed test benefits of interleaving may be due to spacing rather than interleavingper se. In the experiment reported herein, children practiced four kinds of mathematics problems in an order that was interleaved or blocked, and the degree of spacing was fixed. The interleaving of practice impaired practice session performance yet doubled scores on a test given one day later. An analysis of the errors suggested that interleaving boosted test scores by improving participants' ability to pair each problem with the appropriate procedure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A heterogeneous kinetic model of the oxidative polymerization of 2,6‐dimethylphenol with a copper‐EDTA complex in water
Authors: Liu Qun , Shentu Baoqing , Gu Cheng , Zhu Jinhua , Weng Zhixue
Published: July 2009

The heterogeneous oxidative polymerization kinetics of 2,6‐dimethylphenol (DMP) catalyzed by a copper(II)‐EDTA complex in water was studied. During the oxidative polymerization of DMP in water the oxygen uptake rate increases with an increase in DMP concentration and an increase in temperature. The Michaelis–Menten kinetic model as applied to the polymerization of DMP in organic solvents is not appropriate for the description of the full course of DMP polymerization in water. A new heterogeneous kinetic model is proposed to describe the catalyst deactivation during the oxidative polymerization as well as the difference in reactivity between the monomer, water‐soluble oligomer and water‐insoluble oligomer. The polymerization rate estimated by the new model is consistent with the measured data. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Role of bed height and amount of dust on the efficiency of sound‐assisted fluidized bed filter/afterburner
Authors: Chirone Riccardo , Urciuolo Massimo
Published: July 2009

A 40‐mm sound‐assisted fluidized bed filter/afterburner for hot gas clean‐up has been characterized in terms of bed saturation time, total amount of collected particles, fraction of fine particles permanently adhered on the coarse bed particles, and efficiency of using a regeneration strategy based on mechanical (attrition) and/or chemical (combustion) action. Experiments have been carried out at ambient temperature as well as at 850°C, with and without application of sound and varying bed height and amount of dust in the gas flow. The controversial effect of the application of sound: not only enhancement of particles interactions but also increase of fines permanently adhering on bed coarse particles is presented and discussed. A simplified model has been developed to obtain rough predictions of bed height which maximize fine particles capture, bed saturation time, total amount of particles collected in the bed, fraction of fine particles loading present as adhered particles on bed particles. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009
Retreatment with bortezomib alone or in combination for patients with multiple myeloma following an initial response to bortezomib
Authors: Sood Raman , Carloss Harry , Kerr Robert , Lopez Jose , Lee Martin , Druck Mark , Walters Ian B. , Noga Stephen J.
Published: July 2009

This clinical trial was conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of bortezomib retreatment in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who had previously responded to bortezomib. Patients with progressive MM who had previously tolerated bortezomib as a single agent or in combination with other drugs, with a minimum of partial response (PR; ≥50% M‐protein reduction) for ≥4 months, who had not received intervening MM therapy, were retreated with bortezomib (days 1, 4, 8, and 11 of a 21‐day cycle) with a starting dose being the dose at which the patient ended the initial treatment. Patients were allowed to receive bortezomib on retreatment in combination with dexamethasone, thalidomide, or doxorubicin. Thirty‐two patients received bortezomib retreatment (most with added dexamethasone). The median treatment‐free interval (last dose of initial bortezomib treatment to first dose of retreatment) was 9.9 (range 2.5–34.0) months. The median duration of retreatment was 2.8 (<1–7.9) months; median total duration of bortezomib treatment was 6.7 (2.5–19.8) months. Based on the investigators' assessment of best response, the overall response rate (complete plus PR) was 50%. The median time from start of retreatment to progressive disease (PD) was 6.6 (95% confidence interval: 5.1–9.6) months. Thirteen patients (41%) experienced PN; bortezomib‐related SAEs were reported in four patients. Retreatment with bortezomib alone or in combination is effective and well tolerated in patients with MM who have responded to their initial bortezomib treatment. Am. J. Hematol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Geometric Morphometric Methods for Bone Reconstruction: The Mandibular Condylar Process of Pico della Mirandola
Authors: Benazzi Stefano , Stansfield Ekaterina , Kullmer Ottmar , Fiorenza Luca , Gruppioni Giorgio
Published: July 2009

The issue of reconstructing lost or deformed bone presents an equal challenge in the fields of paleoanthropology, bioarchaeology, forensics, and medicine. Particularly, within the disciplines of orthodontics and surgery, the main goal of reconstruction is to restore or create ex novo the proper form and function. The reconstruction of the mandibular condyle requires restoration of articulation, occlusion, and mastication from the functional side as well as the correct shape of the mandible from the esthetic point of view. Meeting all these demands is still problematic for surgeons. It is unfortunate that the collaboration between anthropologists and medical professionals is still limited. Nowadays, geometric morphometric methods (GMM) are routinely applied in shape analysis and increasingly in the reconstruction of missing data in skeletal material in paleoanthropology. Together with methods for three‐dimensional (3D) digital model construction and reverse engineering, these methods could prove to be useful in surgical fields for virtual planning of operations and the production of customized biocompatible scaffolds. In this contribution, we have reconstructed the missing left condylar process of the mandible belonging to a famous Italian humanist of the 15th century, Pico della Mirandola (1463–1494) by means of 3D digital models and GMM, having first compared two methods (a simple reflection of the opposite side and the mathematical–statistical GMM approach) in a complete human mandible on which loss of the left condyle was virtually simulated. Finally, stereolithographic models of Pico's skull were prototyped providing the physical assembly of the bony skull structures with a high fitting accuracy. Anat Rec, 292:1088–1097, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.