bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
OBTAINING AND CHARACTERISTICS OF A PAPAIN AND MAIZE ARABINOXYLAN COMPLEX
Authors: Cherno N. , Ozolina S. , Bytka T.
Published: January 2019

The Ukrainian people’s diet lacks a number of biologically active substances. But their addition to the food is not effective enough as aggressive bodily fluids influence their activity and substantially reduce it. There are undesirable changes in the properties of biologically active substances during their storage, too. That is why it is so urgent a task to increase the effectiveness of biologically active substances by compounding them with polysaccharides in order to protect them from the unfriendly environment. It has been considered how practical it is to form a complex of papain and maize germs arabinoxylan to modify the properties of the enzyme in the intended direction. It has been proved that the complex formation taking place when biopolymer solutions are combined results in the enzyme activity increase. A number of factors (the concentrations of biopolymers solutions, their volumetric ratios, the duration of the contact, pH medium) influencing the enzyme activity in the complex have been studied. The rational conditions have been determined under which a complex can be obtained far more active than the original papain. These conditions are: a 0.25 % polysaccharide solution mixed with a 4.0 % enzyme solution, with the volumetric ratio being 1:1 and pH 6, at room temperature, for 20 minutes. Introducing papain into the complex makes it more resistant to pH and temperature changes. For the physiological pH values ranging 2 to 8, the enzyme activity in the complex composition is higher than free papain. Complex formation increases the enzyme resistance to higher temperatures, especially in the first 90 minutes. Obtaining of the complex is proved by thermogravimetric analysis.
Today’s World in The World of Yesterday
Authors: Trotter Katherine Kingsley
Published: January 2019

Recent political events across the United States and Europe have shaken the international community. A weakened European Union, the presidential election of Donald Trump, and widespread anti-immigration sentiment indicate a decrease in support and enthusiasm for international cooperation. Countries have turned their focus inward and are emphasizing border protection and national interests above all else, at the expense of broader international concerns. The geopolitical landscape is marked by anxiety and uncertainty, as the bonds of the global community seem increasingly fragile. The nature of today’s political climate led me to Stefan Zweig’s autobiography, The World of Yesterday (1964).
Legitimizing Evictions in Contemporary Europe and Apartheid South Africa
Authors: Spijkerboer Thomas
Published: January 2019

This paper undertakes to investigate parallels between evictions of irregularized persons in Apartheid South Africa and contemporary Europe. In both cases, people were denied the right to a home (or at least: to the home they were occupying at that moment) because they were considered to be illegal aliens. But how did this situation come about? How did these people become illegal aliens? And while it seems obvious that illegal aliens can be deported from the territory, how did their alien status come to justify the destruction of their homes? Pursuing the association means we will not only identify similarities, but also try to establish where the association meets it limits. The aim of pursuing a visual association across time and space is not primarily to draw exact parallels. In contemporary Europe, the use of violence of a “white” state in order to destroy the housing of “non-whites” is accepted as a normal element in the regulation of “non-white” populations. The association with Apartheid seeks to problematize this normality by pointing to the uneasy pedigree of such practices.
The Moment the Border is Crossed
Authors: Barsky Robert F.
Published: January 2019

By way of introduction to this issue, which features work by Thomas Spijkerboer that investigates parallels between evictions of irregularized persons in Apartheid South Africa and contemporary Europe, as well as a portfolio of commentaries and a set of book reviews on current work in the field, Robert Barsky offers a  reflection on a new project aimed at studying the first few minutes of an encounter between vulnerable migrants and a host country officials.
“Perception, Taxonomy, and Creation in Nabokov's Works”
Authors: Barsky Robert F.
Published: January 2019

Part of the pleasure of reading Nabokov is the confrontation with uncomfortable truths, both in a kind of raw form, but also in forms of puzzles, so that the reader is often uncertain as to what kind of questions are being posed, or which links are being made, until careful consideration of the situation at hand. Readers are quite literally seduced by luscious prose, provocative images, and fantastical juxtapositions, a kind of Barthes-like “jouissance” that begins with some level of uncertainty as to what precisely is occurring in any given scene, and follows up with titillating, provocative and sometimes shocking revelations. The puzzle-like quality of the text also leads readers into the processes described by Umberto Eco, in Lector in Fabula, whereby the careful cataloguing of detail, arranging of facts, and inquiries into meanings of particular words or events, gives the reader a task for which she is rewarded with scientific, historical or literary insights that are satisfying, both in themselves, and for the ways that they propel the narrative forward. In this respect, the science of Nabokov’s art underlies the whole project, and this new and magnificent work, Fine Lines: Vladimir Nabokov’s Scientific Art, carefully explains why this is so; in so doing, it brings readers to recognize with awe the breadth and depth of Nabokov’s genius by providing the kinds of detail that is required in order to explain and valorize his scientific accomplishments.
Alexandra Nickerson, Reimagining Suburbia
Authors: Nickerson Alexandra A
Published: January 2019

Since their origins in the post-World War II decades, American suburban communities have been battlegrounds for racial and socioeconomic conflict. Serving as enclaves for White privilege, many were purposefully designed to keep working class and minority residents out. Willow Lung-Amam's Trespassers? Asian-Americans and the Battle for Suburbia examines the bitter social and cultural tension that has plagued the affluent Silicon Valley suburbs since an influx of Asian-American immigrants in the 1970s. Her narrative illustrates how, by their very nature, suburban communities regress toward homogenity, enforcing ideas of who is welcome through their physical landscapes.  However, it also inadvertently suggests that if we can use community planning, town ordinances, and other tools and practices to deliberately exclude, we too can use them to include. As our country continues to diversify, but also stratify, it is important that we create suburban landscapes that foster diversity, welcome newcomers, give everyone a shot at achieving their version of the American dream.
Application to panels: key failings or myths at interview
Authors: Peters Anthea
Published: January 2019

This paper has been collated from feedback given by the interview panels that sit as part of the reservoir committee. It has been produced to provide further guidance to applicants and to clarify some of the myths associated with the extent of experience and academic qualification required and the application process. The committee has also provided feedback on some of the common failings in applications and interviews, to enable future applicants to prepare better for the application process.
20th Biennial BDS Conference 2018 – Tour 4: Usk Reservoir
Authors: Armour Dougie , Walker Alasdair
Published: January 2019

This paper is an account of site visit (S4) to Usk Reservoir for the 20th Biennial BDS Conference 2018. Around 50 BDS delegates attended this visit to showcase some recent major spillway upgrade works. The paper describes the general background for the project as part of this tour, supplemented by accounts by the client and designer during the tour.
Durability of impregnated carbon textiles in mortar as cathodic protection anodes
Authors: Asgharzadeh Amir , Raupach Michael
Published: January 2019

Current research focuses on the use of carbon (C) textiles as cathodic protection (CP) anodes. Carbon fibres are of particular interest due to their excellent mechanical properties. However, the influence of anodic polarisation on the durability of carbon anodes is still not sufficiently understood. In previous works, the durability of carbon anodes was examined by experimental investigations in saturated calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) solution. In this work, various anodes (carbon textiles with different impregnations, as well as mixed-metal-oxide-coated titanium (Ti)) were investigated after embedding in mortar. The type of mortar as well as the environmental conditions were varied in order to represent diverse conditions. Potentiostatic polarisation was implemented for 8 months. Results of this work show that CP with impregnated carbon textiles is, at least under the investigated conditions, possible.
Study of concrete shrinkage behaviour using the restrained squared eccentric ring test method
Authors: Shao Jianwen , Zhu Han , Rong Bin , Li Hongliang , Yang Ziheng
Published: January 2019

Four types of cement-based concrete specimens were analysed in this study – high-fluidity concrete, semi-dry concrete, high-fluidity crumb rubber concrete with a rubber content of 110 kg/m3 and semi-dry crumb rubber concrete with a rubber content of 110 kg/m3. The restrained squared eccentric ring test method was applied to measure the restrained shrinkage strains at early age (first 5 d) in the 0, 90 and 180° zone of the specimens, as well as the time when the specimens cracked. All 12 specimens cracked near the 0° zone, and the values of restrained shrinkage strains in the 0, 90 and 180° zones showed a decreasing sequence. Compared with the ordinary concretes without crumb rubber, the restrained shrinkage of the crumb rubber concretes was reduced and the cracking time was prolonged. The restrained shrinkage strains in the 0, 90 and 180° zone plotted against time showed a linear growth pattern. The ratio of shrinkage strain between the 0° zone and the 90° zone and that between the 0° zone and the 180° zone were practically invariable over time, suggesting that restrained shrinkage strains may be expressed mathematically by a product of a time-dependent function and a spatially dependent function, as postulated in a number of analytical studies.
COALITION FORMATION IN DYNAMIC MULTICRITERIA GAMES
Authors: Реттиева Анна , Rettieva Anna
Published: January 2019

In this paper new approaches to obtain optimal behavior in dynamic multicriteria games are constructed. The multicriteria Nash equilibrium is obtained via the Nash bargaining design (Nash products), and the cooperative equilibrium is determined by the Nash bargaining procedure for the entire planning horizon. Coalition formation process in dynamic multicriteria games is investegated. To construct the characteristic function the Nash bargaining scheme is applied where the multicriteria Nash equilibrium plays the role of the status-quo points. Two variants of characteristic function's determination that take into account information structure of the game are presented (models without information and with informed players). Dynamic multicriteria bioresorce management problem is considered. The players' strategies and the size of the resource are compared under cooperative and noncooperative behavior and for different variants of characteristic function determination.
Owen-stable coalition partitions in games with vector payoffs
Authors: Гусев Василий , Gusev Vasily , Мазалов Владимир , Mazalov Vladimir
Published: January 2019

The paper is devoted to the study of multicriteria cooperative games with vector payoffs and coalition partition. The imputation which is based on the concept of the Owen value is proposed. We use it for the definition of stable coalition partition for bicriteria games. In three person cooperative game with 0-1 characteristic function the conditions under which the coalition partition is stable are found.
Unusual sleep experiences, dissociation, and schizotypy
Authors: Koffel Erin , Watson David
Published: January 2019

This paper reviews studies that have examined associations between unusual sleep experiences (including nightmares, vivid dreaming, narcolepsy symptoms, and complex nighttime behaviors) and dissociation and schizotypy. Using correlational studies and structural analyses, evidence is provided that unusual sleep experiences, dissociation, and schizotypy belong to a common domain. It is demonstrated that unusual sleep experiences show specificity to dissociation and schizotypy compared to other daytime symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression, substance use) and other sleep disturbances (e.g., insomnia, lassitude/fatigue). The paper also outlines the methodological limitations of the existing evidence and makes suggestions for future research. Finally, three models for the overlap of daytime and nighttime symptoms are reviewed, including biological abnormalities, trauma, and personality traits. Although further research is needed, it is suggested that daytime and nighttime symptoms result from problems with sleep-wake state boundaries, which may be precipitated by stress or trauma. In addition, association between daytime and nighttime symptoms can be attributed to the higher order personality trait of Oddity.
Further validation of the IDAS
Authors: Stuart Scott , Chmielewski Michael , McDade-Montez Elizabeth A , Naragon Kristin , Watson David , O'Hara Michael W , Koffel Erin
Published: January 2019

We explicated the validity of the Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms (IDAS; Watson et al., 2007) in two samples (306 college students, and 605 psychiatric patients). The IDAS scales showed strong convergent validity in relation to parallel interview-based scores on the Clinician Rating version of the IDAS (IDAS-CR); the mean convergent correlations were .51 and .62 in the student and patient samples, respectively. With the exception of Well-Being, the scales also consistently demonstrated significant discriminant validity. Furthermore, the scales displayed substantial criterion validity in relation to DSM-IV mood and anxiety disorder diagnoses in the patient sample. We identified particularly clear and strong associations between (a) major depression and the IDAS General Depression, Dysphoria and Well-Being scales; (b) panic disorder and IDAS Panic; (c) posttraumatic stress disorder and IDAS Traumatic Intrusions; and (d) social phobia and IDAS Social Anxiety. Finally, in logistic regression analyses, the IDAS scales showed significant incremental validity in predicting several DSM-IV diagnoses when compared against the Beck Depression Inventory-II (Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1996) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (Beck & Steer, 1990).
Further Validation of the Iowa Sleep Disturbances Inventory
Authors: Koffel Erin
Published: January 2019

This study examined the reliability and validity of an expanded version of the Iowa Sleep Disturbances Inventory (ISDI; Koffel & Watson, 2010) in 2 samples (219 college students and 200 psychiatric patients). The expanded ISDI includes the scales of Sleep Paralysis and Sleep Hallucinations. These scales, along with the Nightmares scale, help define a higher order factor entitled Unusual Sleep Experiences. This factor was distinct from the factors of Insomnia and Lassitude that were reported previously. The expanded ISDI showed strong evidence of convergent and discriminant validity with the corresponding interview ratings on a clinician rating version of the ISDI. Mean convergent correlations were .68 in students and .70 in patients. Convergent correlations were significantly higher than discriminant correlations in 99.8% of the 624 comparisons. This study also reports the associations of higher order sleep factors with questionnaire and interview measures of pathological symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, dissociation, and schizotypy). The Lassitude factor was specific to dysphoria, whereas the Unusual Sleep Experiences factor was specific to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dissociation. Finally, several ISDI scales showed strong evidence of specificity in relation to pathological symptoms; in particular, there were strong associations between (a) ISDI Fatigue and measures of dysphoria, (b) ISDI Nightmares and measures of PTSD, and (c) ISDI Sleep Hallucinations and measures of dissociation.
Investigating the Construct Validity of the Dissociative Taxon
Authors: Watson David
Published: January 2019

Previous research has suggested the existence of a pathological dissociative taxon. However, relatively little is known about this taxon. This study examined the two-month retest stability of this taxon—together with other measures of dissociation and the Big Five—in a sample of 465 undergraduates. Contrary to expectation, taxon scores were only modestly stable and were substantially less stable than the other measures, including continuous indicators of dissociation. Furthermore, most individuals who were identified as taxon members at one assessment were classified as non-members at the other. These results challenge the existence of a pathological dissociative taxon. More generally, these data demonstrate that statistically-identified taxa need to be explicated through the normal process of construct validation.
Rethinking the mood and anxiety disorders
Authors: Watson David
Published: January 2019

The fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) groups disorders into diagnostic classes on the basis of the subjective criterion of "shared phenomenological features." There are now sufficient data to eliminate this rational system and replace it with an empirically based structure that reflects the actual similarities among disorders. The existing structural evidence establishes that the mood and anxiety disorders should be collapsed together into an overarching class of emotional disorders, which can be decomposed into 3 subclasses: the bipolar disorders (bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymia), the distress disorders (major depression, dysthymic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder), and the fear disorders (panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia, specific phobia). The optimal placement of other syndromes (e.g., obsessive-compulsive disorder) needs to be clarified in future research.
Personality Development in Emerging Adulthood
Authors: Watson David , Humrichhouse John
Published: January 2019

We examined self- and spouse-ratings in a young adult newlywed sample across a 2-year interval. Rank-order stability correlations were consistently high and did not differ across the two types of ratings. As expected, self-ratings showed significant increases in conscientiousness and agreeableness—and declines in neuroticism/negative affectivity—over time. Spouse-ratings yielded a very different pattern, however, showing significant decreases in conscientiousness, agreeableness, extraversion and openness across the study interval. Spouse-ratings also showed evidence of a “honeymoon effect”, such that they tended to be more positive than self-ratings at Time 1. This effect had dissipated by the second assessment; in fact, the spouse-ratings now tended to be more negative at Time 2. Analyses of individual-level change revealed little convergence between self- and spouse-rated change, using both raw change scores and reliable change index (RCI) scores. Finally, correlational and regression analyses indicated that changes in spouse-ratings were significantly associated with changes in marital satisfaction; in contrast, changes in self-ratings essentially were unrelated to marital satisfaction. These results highlight the value of collecting multimethod data in studies of adult personality development.
Cybertherapogy: A Conceptual Architecting of Presence for Counselling via Technology
Authors: Alvandi Ebrahim Oshni
Published: January 2019

The growing urge for mental health via telecommunication systems argues for such services to be discussed at the field of human‐computer interaction. However, in spite of the research and evidence

that express effectivity of telecounselling, details about the transition to computer‐mediated environment are still uncharted. “Cybertherapogy” was coined in this regard to build a schema for

engaging and creating meaningful therapy experiences during remote sessions. The model labels strategies that mental health providers should include in their services. Cognitive, counselling, and

emotional modules were intersected and overlapped to construct the domains of therapeutic

presence in cyberspace. This architecture of emotional agency has been synthesised for

psychotherapy by the ongoing concepts and theoretical foundations of present study and electronic

learning engagement. It is believed that the model will enable therapists to facilitate their remote,

professional engagement with clients and help design administrative tactics for adequate therapy

services.
Modification of ASTM B107 AZ31 and polypropylene surfaces with TiO2 particles using the dip-coating method
Authors: López Herrera Johan Esteban , Hernández Montes Vanessa , Betancur Henao Claudia Patricia , Santa Marín Juan Felipe , Buitrago Sierra Robison
Published: January 2019

Introduction: Magnesium alloys have been known for its biocompatible characteristics and tissue restoration properties. On the other hand, TiO2 has been found to decrease the corrosion rates of the magnesium alloys.
Objective: In this work, the dip-coating technique was used to coat the magnesium alloy with TiO2 particles in order to evaluate its corrosion resistance.
Methodology: The particles were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and visual inspection. Additionally, hydrogen evolution tests were performed to understand the effect of adding TiO2 in corrosion rates of Mg-alloys.
Results: The results showed the positive effect of TiO2 in the improvement of the ASTM B107 AZ31B Mg alloys corrosion by an indirect measurement through hydrogen evolution tests. The bare ASTM B107 AZ31B showed a corrosion 29 times faster compared to the coated alloy. The thickness of the coatings obtained using the dip-coating method is thinner than 20 nm.
Conclusions: TiO2 particles were aggregated on the surface of the ASTM B107 AZ31B alloy with a controlled speed. SEM images have shown the improvement of the coating when the H2O concentration in the sol increased. Another important parameter is the withdrawal speed during the dip-coat process which was found to be better at a speed of 3mm/min. Hydrogen evolution in the acid solution showed that coated ASTM B107 AZ31B has less hydrogen production during the corrosion test. The dip-coating technique can also be used to coat polypropylene discs entirely.
Software libre para implementar soluciones de almacenamiento privado en la nube
Authors: Quevedo Martha Liliana , Santoyo Díaz Julián Santiago , Ochoa Guevara Nancy Edith
Published: January 2019

Introducción:  En este artículo se plantea la creación de un prototipo de almacenamiento de datos sobre Cloud Computing, mediante el uso de herramientas de software libre, para pequeñas y medianas empresas (PyMes); el cual contribuirá en mejorar la capacidad de almacenamiento de información, incorporando al proceso una herramienta de Cloud Storage, que permita crear, guardar y actualizar los datos de forma sincronizada desde cualquier ubicación geográfica, reduciendo los riesgos de mantener varias versiones de un documento y perdida de información temporal o definitiva. De esta forma se propone evidenciar que las herramientas libres de código abierto son de bajo costo y colaborativas para pequeñas empresas.

Objetivo: Evaluar la pertinencia, viabilidad e impacto de las herramientas de Cloud Storage sobre software libre, a fin de implementar un prototipo de almacenamiento de datos para ser usado por las pequeñas y medianas empresas, logrando establecer esquemas de organización y toma de decisiones acorde a sus objetivos empresariales.

 Metodología: Se basa en un método espiral por etapas. En la primera etapa se aplicó el modelo de comparación de productos de software libre Qualification and Selection of Opensource Software (QSOS) para identificar la mejor herramienta Cloud Storage. Para la segunda etapa se realizó el diseño e implementación del prototipo para el almacenamiento sobre Cloud Computing, y en la última etapa se efectuaron pruebas y ajustes en la validación de dicho prototipo para su puesta en marcha.

Resultados: Estructura de un prototipo funcional terminado, para el almacenamiento de datos sobre Cloud Computing mediante

el uso de herramientas de software libre, dirigido a las pequeñas y medianas empresas; evidenciando su fácil manejo, control y toma de decisiones en la gestión de sus datos y despliegue en la organización, convirtiéndose en una herramienta que beneficia a este tipo de sector productivo.

Conclusiones: La construcción de sistemas de almacenamiento de datos sobre Cloud Computing, basados o guiados en el prototipo logrado, se constituye como una herramienta de bajo costo en su implementación y mantenimiento, lo que contribuye a la sostenibilidad de la solución, junto con la posibilidad de escalamiento de nuevas funciones y/o módulos, por parte de pequeñas y medianas empresas, que no poseen recursos financieros para la inversión en tecnología de la información y servicios de conectividad y almacenamiento.
Drug-coated balloons versus 1ry stenting for TASC C and D femoropopliteal lesions
Authors: Ghoneim Baker , Shaker Ahmed , Karmoota Ahmed , Abdelmola Hany
Published: January 2019

Background: To compare the effectiveness and outcome of Drug-Coated Balloon (DCB) versus primary nitinol stenting for the treatment of long femoropopliteal lesions (TASC II C and D).Methods: This was retrospective study along 3 years included all the cases of femeropopliteal disease TASC C and D that was treated with DEB or primary stenting. The safety endpoint was 30-day free from major limb amputation and mortality. The primary end point was primary patency and freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization at 6 and 12 months, patient genders, demographics, co-morbidities, smoking history, indications for intervention were recorded.Results: PTA and post-dilation with paclitaxel-eluting balloons was done in 32 patients (group I) and 1ry stenting was done in 30 patients (group II) with either stenosis or occlusion. The mean lesion length was 18.43±2cm in group 1 and 18.8±2.32cm in group. The technical success rate was 100% in group II and 93.7% in group I. 6 months and 12-month patency rate for group I and II were 93.3% vs. 93.3% and 83.3% vs. 86.6%, respectively. There were no 30 days related major amputations or mortalities in either group.Conclusions: DCB for long femoropopliteal lesions showed a comparable result to primary stenting and provide durable results and lower incidence of target revascularization in patients with TASC C and D lesions.
Observational study of the effects of silver-based dressing materials in 50 cases of diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Maisuria Rushabh , Manza Jawansing , Chaudhari Devendra , Dave Divyang
Published: January 2019

Background: Diabetic foot remains the most common chronic medical problem being the most common cause of the hospital visit and/or admission, amongst the diabetic patients. Topical antimicrobial dressings, including those that contain silver are used to prevent or manage infection in a wide range of wounds.Methods: This is the prospective, observational study which included 50 cases of diabetic foot ulcer patients and effects of silver-based dressing materials will be evaluated.Results: After application of silver based dressing materials for two weeks, wound was evaluated on the basis of discharge from the wound, healing rate, appearance of the granulation tissue and culture and sensitivity report which showed that out of 50 cases studied, 3 cases (6%) had purulent discharge from the wound, absent granulation tissue, culture report showed presence of micro-organism and thus poor healing rate while other 47 cases (94%) had minimal/serous discharge, presence of healthy granulation tissue, no organism on culture report and thus good healing rate.Conclusions: Silver based dressing materials are effective in terms of promoting wound healing and more patient compliance.
Low level red laser therapy using wavelength 635nm for diabetic foot ulcers: a prospective study
Authors: Pakkiriappan Madhavakumaran , Velayutham Manivannan , Karthikeyan Santhana Mariappan , Pakkiriappan Madhavakumaran
Published: January 2019

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the important complications of diabetes. After effective debridement and antibiotic therapy, lasers are used to hasten the healing process. Red laser of wavelength 635nm promotes wound healing. This study will aid us to find out the efficacy of red laser wavelength 635nm in healing of diabetic foot ulcers.Methods: After obtaining informed consent, diabetic foot ulcer patients admitted to Rajiv Gandhi government hospital were selected based on non-probability convenience sampling. Necessary history obtained, clinical examination of the ulcer done, investigations done. Cases are given 30minutes of laser therapy by non-contact method before regular ulcer dressing. Controls are given saline dressing. Ulcer area measured before initiation of therapy and measured at 1st week, 2nd week and 3rd week after initiation of therapy.Results: Wound contraction rate was 39.65% with laser and 11.26% with saline dressing alone (p<0.001). The data were statistically significant; thus, laser have wound healing property.Conclusions: Cases have more mean contraction percentage than controls (37.99% versus 11.68%, p<0.001). So LLLT is an effective therapy to heal diabetic ulcers. Need for additional surgeries can be avoided by using LLLT.
Evaluation of spinal injuries by MRI
Authors: Bollipo Johny Prasad , Rao Pasupuleti Bhimeswara
Published: January 2019

Background: Radio-imaging is one of the most important tools in the diagnosis of spinal injury and helps to start a prompt and correct treatment to patients. Compared to CT, MRI allows better visualization of various tissues, including spinal cord and ligaments, not to mention discs and vessels. This study was done to evaluate the efficacy of low tesla MRI in acute spinal injuries.Methods: Site of injury, neurological status of the patient etc., were noted from 78 patients included in the study. The neurological status was evaluated according to the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale. Within 2days of admission, MRI was done. In case of doubt, radiographs for superior and articular processes was done where necessary. CT was done in case edema was seen without a fracture line.Results: Most of the patients were males with the maximum of the patients being between the ages 21-50 years. Fall from height was the most common cause of injury and cervical region was the most common site. Osseous injury, ligament disruption and spinal cord injury were the most common MRI findings.Conclusions: Being non-invasive procedure with high specificity and sensitivity, MRI is a preferred diagnostic tool to assess the spinal cord injuries.
Do surgical patients of remote areas really need to overburden urban medical colleges: a practical survey analysis
Authors: Bose Anjana , Dastidar Agniva Ghosh
Published: January 2019

Background: Public health care delivery is inadequate and as a result the demand supply gap is large, this is specially so in rural India. Even with so many hospitals in the peripheries still there is overcrowding in the urban Medical Colleges. Overcrowding is when hospitals operate beyond a safe level of 85% bed occupancy. This leads to delay in treatment and subsequent medical complications. Furthermore, quality of the treatment is jeopardised as its effects physician’s effectiveness, causing frustration among medical staff and may even contribute to violence. The objective was to identify the elective/non-emergency operations that could have been done in rural hospitals but were done in a tertiary Medical College and to find out the cause for avoiding the local government hospitals nearer to their residence. This study suggested some remedies to correct this disparity.Methods: This was an observational and descriptive study where patient’s type of operation, distance travelled and cause for coming to an urban Medical College was noted.Results: Majority of the patients did not have any idea as to why they chose this hospital, other reasons are lack of infrastructure in their rural hospital, bad reputation, lack of cleanliness, malpractice by the hospital staff etc.Conclusions: Health care facilities in different locations should be based on utilization rates and also proper and efficient management of these established facilities should be done.
A prospective study of the bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) score in predicting severity and prognosis of acute pancreatitis
Authors: V. Haridas T. , K. Asif Iqbal I.
Published: January 2019

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of Bedside Index for Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP) score in predicting the severity and prognosis in patients admitted with acute pancreatitis.Methods: A prospective study was performed on 52 patients who presented with acute pancreatitis during the study period between January 2016 to November 2016. BISAP score was calculated for the patients. The disease was classified as mild or severe on the basis of presence of organ system failure and local/systemic complications. The accuracy of BISAP score in predicting the severity and prognosis of acute pancreatitis was evaluated.Results: Of the 52 patients studied, 11 patients had BISAP ≥2 and 41 patients had BISAP score <2. 9 of the 11 patients who had BISAP score ≥2 developed severe pancreatitis, local or systemic complications and had poor prognosis. 37 of the 41 patients who had BISAP score < 2 developed mild pancreatitis.Conclusions: BISAP score is accurate in predicting severity and prognosis of acute pancreatitis. Patients with BISAP score ≥2 developed severe pancreatitis and carried poor prognosis than patients with BISAP score <2.
Evaluation of breast lump using elastography, histopathology and its diagnostic accuracy
Authors: S. Anil Kumar M. , Tanwar Nandini Singh
Published: January 2019

Background: Current era has brought with it a dramatic climb in the incidence of malignancies especially breast carcinoma among females. It is known to be top most diagnosed life-threatening malignancy in females across the world. Thus, there is need for an imaging modality that helps in minimizing any delay in treatment initiation and avoids unnecessary biopsy. Elastography is a technique based on the concept that hardness of tissue increases proportionately with pathology developing within it compared to the tissue parenchyma surrounding it.Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out at JSS Hospital, Mysuru enrolling 90 patients who consented for the study. Patients who gave history of breast lump were admitted and evaluated with detailed history, clinical examination, followed by radiological and pathological investigation. Statistical methods were applied and sensitivity and specificity of B-Mode USG and elastography were determined. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology of the specimen.Results: Out of 90 patients, 46 lesions were benign and 44 were malignant. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of B-mode USG was calculated to be 71.74%, 90.91% and 81.11% and that for elastography was 95.65%, 68.18% and 82.22% respectively.Conclusions: In this study, elastography may complement conventional B-mode USG to improve the diagnostic performance.
A clinical study of tuberculous cervical lymphadenopathy: surgeon’s perspectives
Authors: Patel Kiran
Published: January 2019

Background: Cervical lymphadenopathy is common in this country. There are many causes of cervical lymphadenopathy like, malignancies, infections, autoimmune disorders, iatrogenic, and other miscellaneous conditions. There are more chances of wrong clinical diagnosis in case  of lymphadenopathy than any other diseases. The present study was planned with the objective to study the clinical presentation of tuberculous cervical lymphadenopathy.Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was undertaken with inclusion of all cases of cervical lymphadenopathy attending the department of general surgery. The patients with cervical lymphadenopathy irrespective of age, sex, caste, religion, socio-economic status, duration and severity of illness were included in this study. The patients with primary malignancy, patients with clinical features of suspected malignancy like obvious growth or ulcer in head and neck region and pregnant women were excluded from the study.Results: Total 130 patients presented with cervical lymphadenopathy during the study duration. Infective etiology was the commonest (55, 42.31%) cause for the cervical lymphadenopathy followed by TB (50, 38.46%). The commonest age group affected by tuberculous cervical lymphadenopathy (TCL) was 20-35 years. The females (29, 58.00%) were more affected with TCL as compared to males (21, 42.00%). A majority of the patients (45, 90.00%) had unilateral TCL. Commonly involved lymph node group was level V (26, 52.00%). Other than excision biopsy (12 patients), no other type of surgery was needed in patients.Conclusions: Though, anti-tuberculous chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for TCL, surgical treatment is more useful in selected cases. In this regard, early diagnosis and treatment are critical in lowering the overall prevalence. Therefore, it is important that surgeons are aware of tuberculosis in the head and neck region.
Recurrent petit traumatic hernia plasty: case report
Authors: Estudillo Gamaliel Vázquez , Ochoa Viveros Edwin Y. , Nicasio Delgado Amado Q. , Cervantes David Trejo , Cajica Gerardo Rodarte , Hernández Rojas Manuel A. , Salazar Ivanhoe Larracilla
Published: January 2019

Lumbar hernias are very infrequent posterior abdominal wall defects. They are usually located in the upper lumbar triangle and represent approximately 1.5-2% of all hernias of the abdominal wall. In fact, there are few cases described in the literature and most of the large hospital centers have published only 2 or 3 cases. This is a 34 year-old female, who suffered a car accident, in which bilateral femoral fracture and left humeral fracture, after recovery of said fractures has asymmetry of flanks with the appearance of volume increase in the left abdominal flank, computed tomography was performed evidencing left lower lumbar hernia (Petit's Hernia) so, it was protocolized for open lumbar hernia repair with placement of mesh by anterior approach, later one year later, it presented recurrent left lumbar hernia, therefore, a protocol and surgical procedure of open lumbar plasty was performed again with mesh placement by lumbotomy approach in 2016. After a year of the surgical procedure, a pelvic abdominal control CT scan was requested, where a proper prosthesis placement was observed without protruding tissues. This was the first case of recurrent post-traumatic Pettit hernia in this institution. There are few cases reported in the universal literature, the treatment was surgical when performing the diagnosis, either laparoscopically or openly with decision and according to the experience of the surgeon.
Typhoid fever colitis with massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Salem Yousif , Johnston Keith , Salem Amro
Published: January 2019

Authors are presenting the case of a 34year old female, with no known comorbidities, who after recent travel to Pakistan, presented with fever for 1 month and was diagnosed with typhoid fever.During her admission she developed bleeding per rectum and abdominal pain labeled as right-side colitis, confirmed by endoscopy and CT scan, which was managed surgically by extended right hemicolectomy and ileostomy.The aim of this case is to discuss a rare complication of typhoid fever which is lower gastrointestinal bleeding, and high light the importance of considering rare infectious cases if not in endemic areas.
Rare presentation of a seminoma with mixed germ cell tumor in undescended inguinal testis
Authors: Verma Siddhartha , Jakhar Heeralal
Published: January 2019

Cryptorchidism is the most common predisposing factor in the development of testicular germ cell tumors. Seminoma is the most common malignancy developing in a cryptorchid testis. A rare case of seminoma with mixed germ cell tumor in an undescended testis is reported here. A 35-year-old male patient presented with swelling in left inguinal region science 1.5year. This  was smooth, firm to hard in consistency, restricted mobility and his left scrotum was empty. Serological markers α-FP, β-HCG, LDH were raised.  Sonography and CT scan revealed a testicular tumor in undescended left inguinal testis. High inguinal orchidectomy was done. Patient had an uneventful recovery. The histopathology report of biopsy revealed a seminoma with mixed germ cell tumor. Early diagnosis and management of the undescended testicle are needed to preserve fertility and improve early detection of testicular malignancy. Therapy should begin between six months and two years of age and may consist of hormone or surgical treatment.
Interesting case discussion of a lesion over the right abdominal wall
Authors: Peter Anand Ignatius , Patra Souvik , Jaffar Samreen
Published: January 2019

A diagnosis of hepatic actinomycosis is challenging and often overlooked because of its indiscernible nature and slow rate of progression. This is further complicated with absence of any specific clinical and radiologic manifestations. In this case, a 49 years old male, farmer, with no co-morbidities or significant past medical or surgical history, reported to the department of surgery, with complains of non-healing ulcer over right upper abdomen since five months. Examination of the ulcer led to a clinical suspicion of a malignant lesion. Sonogram of abdomen and pelvic region, which revealed heterogenous lesion with central necrosis in the right lumbar region of the abdominal wall with extension into the skin surface, a heterogenous lesion noted on the liver, and right pleural effusion with the suggestion to consider the possibility of primary skin/abdominal wall tumor with hepatic metastasis with right pleural effusion. Further investigation was performed using contrast enhanced CT scan which also favoured the diagnosis of a malignancy. However, biopsy of the skin lesion was negative for malignancy and it confirmed the diagnosis of Actinomycosis. This diagnosis was further confirmed with an ultrasound guided biopsy of the liver lesion. The patient was then started on appropriate treatment for the same and he recovered well.
The role of robotics in liver surgery
Authors: Rai Sushant , Lin Rui Xin
Published: January 2019

Laparoscopic surgery has become a staple in many tertiary care centres worldwide. However, due to the inherent limitations of laparoscopic surgery, adoption of minimal access approaches in surgery of the liver has been slow and patchy. Every hepatobiliary surgeon knows the limitations of laparoscopic surgery of the liver. Advanced robotic surgical systems have been introduced to fill gaps in the technical feasibility of minimal access liver resections We try to explore the use of advanced robotic systems in hepatobiliary surgery and how the novel system could help circumvent the inherent limitations of laparoscopic liver surgery. The manuscript reviews the current data concerning laparoscopic, as well as, open versus robotic approaches in liver surgery. Authors show that although robotic surgery is in its infancy, the promising role cannot be ignored. With the increasing trend towards parenchymal saving liver resection, robotics will only positively aid in the wider adoption and growth of minimally invasive techniques. Although robotics is still evolving, the need in liver surgery is evident. Further long-term research is required, however, to confirm the huge potential of robotics in liver surgery.
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of thyroid gland with pyriform fossa extension presenting as emergency airway obstruction: a case report
Authors: Ting Wong Wannitta E. , Bin Afandi Ahmad Nordin
Published: January 2019

Primary thyroid lymphoma and laryngeal lymphoma are rare malignancies of the head and neck region. Airway obstruction caused by primary thyroid lymphoma is mainly by means of direct compression of trachea by huge thyroid mass. We present the first case report of diffuse large B cell lymphoma of thyroid gland with extension to pyriform fossa, in the absence of preexisting chronic thyroiditis. In this case, emergency airway obstruction was caused by direct extension of disease into pyriform fossa, occluding laryngeal inlet. We reviewed English literature between 1981 and 2018 for cases of primary thyroid lymphoma. There are no reported cases of primary thyroid lymphoma with direct extension into pyriform fossa. This presentation posed a great challenge in securing a patent airway by means of oral intubation and tracheostomy.

 
Primary arthroplasty as an option for surgical treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fracture femur in elderly patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Kanchan Shashank , Raj Vikash , Agarwal Dinesh , . Richa
Published: January 2019

Background: An unstable intertrochanteric fracture in osteoporotic elderly patients presents a very challenging problem to the surgeons. This category of patients if kept in bed for long tends to have many complications like deep vein thrombosis, pneumonia, bed sores, etc. Surgeon’s worldwide face difficulty in getting a good anatomical reduction and do not allow early mobility to these patients because of risk of loss of reduction and implant cut out. The purpose of our study is to study the usefulness of arthroplasty in these patients in terms of better functional outcomes and no increase in complication rates.

Methods: It was a retrospective study involving 25 patients (17 females, 8 males) with mean age of 76±2.3 years having intertrochanteric femur fractures (AO type A 2.2 and above) with osteoporosis operated upon with bipolar hemiarthroplasty at IQ City Medical College and NM Hospital between January 2015 and January 2017.

Results: All the patients were followed up for a period of 1 year. We had a mean operative time of 75 min (range 55-125 min) with an average blood loss of 450 ml. 4 of our patients required postoperative blood transfusion. All patients walked on 2nd postoperative day. We had a mean Harris hip score of 82 and mean VAS of 1 at the end of 1 year.

Conclusions: Hemiarthroplasty done in cases of unstable intertrochanteric femur fractures in elderly patients with osteoporotic bones allows early weight bearing thus improves the final functional outcomes. Further randomized trials are required before deriving any conclusions.
DETERMINATION OF AZIMUTHAL ANISOTROPIC MEDIA ELASTIC PARAMETERS FROM MULTIWAVE AVOA DATA BY NONLINEAR OPTIMIZATION METHOD
Authors: Nefedkina T. V. , Lykhin P. A. , Dugarov G. A.
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we investigate optimization algorithm of joint nonlinear AVOA inversion of PP+PS reflections in anisotropic media. Algorithm is based on the exact solution for PP and PS waves reflection coefficients in anisotropic HTI medium. The PP and PS wave’s reflections from the top of the anisotropic layer are examined. We use synthetic seismograms generated by ray method for the algorithm testing. We show that joint compressional and converted wave’s inversion allows increasing the robustness of the method and the accuracy of medium-parameter estimates. Coefficients of anisotropy are determined with better accuracy if signal-to-noise ratio is bigger than 5 for PP wave and bigger than 2 for PS wave.