bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technical and economical study of a full-scale biotrickling filter for H2S removal from biogas
Authors: Tomàs M. , Fortuny M. , Lao C. , Gabriel D. , Lafuente J. , Gamisans X.
Published: July 2016

The present study evaluates the technical and economical feasibility of the H2S elimination from an energy-rich gas using a full-scale biotrickling filter installed in a municipal waste water treatment plant. The study analyzes the continuous operation of a 4.5 months period, treating 80 m3 h-1 of biogas with an average H2S concentration of 3000 ppmv. The bioreactor was operated at a gas contact time of 180 seconds and maximum elimination capacities of 170 g H2S m-3 h-1 were obtained without any occurrence of neither biological nor mass transfer limitation. Elemental sulfur and sulfate were the main detected byproducts of the H2S treatment. The main drawback observed during the studied period was related to the air flow supply. This caused a removal efficiency decrease and an excess of sulfur production. A comparative cost-benefit analysis of the more applied chemical oxidation processes with the biological treatment was performed. Savings chemicals indicated that the payback time of the substitution treatment was about 4.5 years. Cost savings ranged between 11000€ per year, or 2.6€ per kg H2S treated. The results of this study have shown how to solve the main operational problems detected in the proposed system and the cost-benefit analysis suggests a significant benefit by replacing the current chemical treatment by the biological alternative not only from an environmental point of view, but also from an economical perspective.
Integrated Odour Management at Western Australian Wastewater Treatment Plants
Authors: Wallis I. , Oma R.
Published: July 2016

Western Australia is experiencing rapid growth and this has increased the risk of encroachment of residences into the area surrounding wastewater treatment plants. The conflict between the long term operation of a treatment plant and the desire to build residences near treatment plants must be resolved by robust land use planning. This paper describes the management of odour risks for wastewater treatment plants in Western Australia using odour modelling, community surveys, land use planning, improved plant operations and buffer zone management.
A study on filamentous bacteria in activated sludge process of sewage treatment plant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Authors: Faheem S. M. , Khan M. A.
Published: July 2016

A study was conducted on filamentous bacteria implicated in bulking and foaming problems in activated sludge process of sewage treatment plant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates over a period of six months. To determine morphological characteristics of diverse filaments, foam and mixed liquor samples were collected and studied using various simple and differential staining techniques. Fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis was carried out in mixed liquor samples with nocardioform group specific probes using VIT kit (Vermicon Identification Technology, Vermicon, Munich). The dominant filamentous bacteria identified from mixed liquor and foam samples included: A long branched form of Gram varibale nocardioform actinomycetes species, Thiothrix, Eikelboom Type 021N, Sphaerotilus natans, Beggiatoa and Nostocoida limicola type I. Occasionally attached growth forms of Eikelboom type 0041/0675 like filaments were observed in mixed liquor and foam samples especially during warm weather. All filamentous bacteria identified were found in both the samples throughout the study period. FISH analysis successfully identified filamentous and non-filamentous morphotypes of nocardioform group members. It is concluded that specific filamentous bacterial population in mixed liquor and foaming activated sludge was constant and not dependent on variable wastewater characteristics.
Optimization of operation conditions for domestic sewage treatment using a sequencing batch biofilm filter
Authors: Ji Bin , Wei Taoyuan , Chen Wei , Fan Jie , Wang Jian , Zhu Lei , Yang Kai
Published: July 2016

A sequencing batch biofilm filter (SBBF) was applied to treat domestic sewage. The bioreactor consisted of fibrous filler in the upper part and ceramsite filter media in the lower part. The impacts of the most important factors including dissolved oxygen (DO), water temperature and hydraulic retention time (HRT) were evaluated on contaminants removal during the operation of the SBBF. Changes in DO (1.5–4.0 mg/L) and water temperature (2–30 °C) had little effect on the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), but had a greater impact on the removal of total nitrogen (TN) and NH4+-N. Changes in HRT (8–14 h) had little effect on the removal of COD, but had a greater impact on the removal of TN, NH4+-N and total phosphorus. The optimal operating parameters for the SBBF were as follows: DO of 2–3 mg/L, water temperature above 10 °C, and HRT of 10–13 h. Furthermore, a simple kinetic model was developed, reflecting the relationship between COD and HRT.
Pilot Study of a New Adjustable Thermoplastic Mandibular Advancement Device for the Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea-Hypopnoea Syndrome: A Brief Research Letter
Authors: El Ibrahimi Mohammed , Laabouri Mounir
Published: July 2016

Background:

Prefabricated adjustable thermoplastic mandibular advancement devices (PAT-MADs) are a practical short-term treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) in patients who have failed or refused continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.

Objective:

To assess the effectiveness of a new professionally-fitted PAT-MAD in patients with OSAHS in Morocco.

Method:

Twenty-four adults with mild, moderate or severe OSAHS were fitted with the PAT-MAD (BluePro®; BlueSom, France). Respiratory parameters (apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI), oxygen desaturation index (ODI)) and daytime sleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness scale (ESS) were assessed before and after treatment. Adverse events were recorded.

Results:

Mean treatment duration was 106.3 ± 73.4 days. Mean AHI score decreased from 21.4 ± 7.4 to 9.3 ± 4.1 after treatment (p<0.0001) (mean reduction of 57.0 ± 12.3%). Mean ESS and ODI also decreased at EOS (from 10.4 ± 2.8 to 7.3 ± 2.3, mean reduction 30.3 ± 12.2%, p=0.0001; and 7.0 ± 6.9 to 4.7 ± 4.0, mean reduction 30.5 ± 25.0%, p=0.2, respectively). Treatment was considered to have been successful in 22 patients (91.7%) who had mild OSAHS or an AHI score of ≤5 at the end of the study. The device was well-tolerated.

Conclusion:

This new PAT-MAD appears to be effective at reducing respiratory parameters and improving daytime alertness in patients with OSAHS. Long term studies in a larger number of patients are warranted to assess the long-term efficacy, retention and side-effects of this device.
Impact of temperature on short- and long-term aging of asphalt binders
Authors: Poulikakos Lily D. , Hofko Bernhard , Porot Laurent , Lu Xiaohu , Fischer Hartmut , Kringos Nicole
Published: July 2016

Properties of asphalt concrete after aging are important parameters in determining the long-term performance of these materials. With the popularity of reduced temperature mixtures the question remains how this reduced temperature in short-term aging affects the long-term properties. This paper focuses on developing a robust and fundamental understanding of the effect of temperature on aging by connecting the chemistry of bitumen to its mechanics. To this end, round robin experiments are being currently conducted within 8 laboratories using four binders of the same grade 70/100 pen from different crude sources. In developing chemo-mechanical characterization techniques at the nano- and micro-scale, the material’s variability from crude-source to crude-source and its sensitivity to temperature needs to be taken into consideration. Furthermore, the development of uniform specimen preparation procedures for these bituminous materials at the nano- and micro-structural level is the focus. The chemical characterization is performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). For the mechanical characterization rheological data is used using the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) as well as conventional tests, e.g. needle penetration and softening point using the ring and ball method. It is shown that the short-term aging temperature affects the increase in softening point, while the consequent effect on long term aging is less pronounced.
Variability of Norway spruce morphometric characteristics in progeny tests in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Cvjetkovic Branislav , Mataruga Milan , Sijacic-Nikolic Mirjana , Dukic Vojislav , Popovic Vladan
Published: July 2016

The paper presents the results of an analysis of morphometric characteristics
of Norway spruce seedlings in the progeny tests in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
localities: Drinic and Srebrenica. Progeny tests were established by using
seedlings originating from six natural populations from Bosnia and
Herzegovina. Seedling height, root collar and whorl distance from the ground,
which represents seedling heights in 2011, 2012 and 2013 were measured. The
results indicate statistically significant differences between the analyzed
characteristics of the observed population. Especially interesting are the
populations Potoci and Olovo, which showed the highest growth during the
observed period in both progeny tests. The impact of the drought in 2013 can
be seen in the progeny test in Srebrenica where height growth in 2013 was
lower by more than 50% in comparison to 2012. The impact of drought in the
progeny test in Drinic was not observed. The research provides the baseline
when selecting the starting population, where the rapid growth of seedlings
is set as the main goal.
Key economic aspects of forestry development in the area of the Kolubara district
Authors: Keca Ljiljana , Jovanovic Nikola
Published: July 2016

The Kolubara district covers the north western part of Serbia. A total of
62,330 ha or 25.3% of the Kolubara district is forest covered. Out of the
total forest area, app. 18.7% are state owned, and 81.3% are private forests.
The average annual volume of wood that is exported from the forests of the
Kolubara district is 60,000 m? of hardwood and 670 m? of softwood. In the
total volume of harvested timber, beech as a species participates on average
with 60%. The aim of the research is to determine the amount of the purchase,
marketing/ placement and price of wood and non-wood forest products (NWFPs)
in the municipalities of Valjevo, Ub and Lajkovac. The purpose of this
research is to investigate and determine the possibilities for the
development of forestry, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises, which
are directed towards the use of wood and NWFPs in the are of Kolubara. The
subjects of research are: companies that do business in this area, the
quantities that are purchased and marketed, the prices at which the products
are implemented, as well as strategic documents of local self-government,
which are important for economic analysis. The research was conducted in the
territory of the Kolubara District, and covers 6 companies. Decreasing trends
in the placement of technical wood with an average growth rate of -20% and
stacked wood with an average growth rate of -12% of private forests as well
as the declining trend in placements of beech logs for cutting first class
with an average growth rate of -10% indicate that the wood stocks in forests
is each year less and that they must be taken appropriate steps to correct
the situation. The inadequate utilization of roe deer, as a resource, point
percentages of realized shooting plans and projected revenues. However, it is
present growth trends of shooting, with an average growth rate of 8% and
placement of roe deer meat, with an average growth rate of 9.9%.
Strategic and legal framework in forestry and related sectors: Climate change mitigation in European Union and Serbia
Authors: Rankovic Nenad , Stanisic Mirjana , Nedeljkovic Jelena , Nonic Dragan
Published: July 2016

The important role of forests in mitigating and adapting to climate changes
is recognized and widely accepted. Therefore, it becomes a subject of
universal interest and support. However, in the national strategies relating
to climate change, the importance of the forestry sector in mitigating these
changes is quite often not discussed in detail. In addition, the problem of
climate change is not fully represented and included in national forestry
policies. The aim of this research was to determine the compliance and
differences of strategic and legislative frameworks in forestry and related
sectors, relating to climate change mitigation in the EU and Serbia. At the
EU level, there are two strategies and a policy framework, and in Serbia,
eight sectoral strategies, referring and discussing the climate change
mitigation through forestry. At the same time, these issues are highlighted
as the primary objective, only in the Climate and Energy Package of the EU
and the Forestry Development Strategy in Serbia. In terms of legislative
framework in Serbia, two laws have climate change mitigation through forestry
as the primary objective, while for the analyzed relevant EU legislation,
this is a secondary objective. In Serbia, only the Forest law has a direct
impact on climate change mitigation through forestry, while at EU level,
there is no regulation, directive or communication, with the same direct
influence.
Observations and light curve solutions of the eclipsing binaries USNO-B1.0 1395-0370184 and USNO-B1.0 1395-0370731
Authors: Kjurkchieva D. , Popov V.A. , Vasileva D. , Petrov N.
Published: July 2016

We present follow-up photometric observations in Sloan filters g', i' of the
newly discovered eclipsing stars USNO-B1.0 1395-0370184 and USNO-B1.0
1395-0370731. Our data revealed that their orbital periods are considerably
bigger than the previous values. This result changed the classification of
USNO-B1.0 1395-0370184 from ultrashort-period binary (P=0.197 d) to
short-period system (P=0.251 d). The light curve solutions of our
observations revealed that USNOB1.0 1395-0370184 and USNO-B1.0 1395-0370731
are overcontact binaries in which components are K dwarfs, close in masses
and radii. The light curve distortions were reproduced by cool spots with
angular radius of around 20?.
Cooperation in teaching: The effects of implementing the “trefoil” model
Authors: Dzinovic Vladimir , Marusic Milica
Published: July 2016

The starting point of the paper is the importance of developing the skill of
cooperation and the undisputed significance of cooperative work for the
outcomes of the learning process. We examine the effects of teacher training
conducted in order to encourage the teachers to implement work methods and
forms aimed at developing cooperation. Cooperation is operationalised through
the following components: cooperative learning, exchange of opinions with the
aim of accomplishing the goal and prosocial behaviour that includes
understanding and empathy. The data were collected by repeated observation -
before and after the conducted training. The sample included 72 classes
realised by 20 teachers of one primary school. Using variance analysis, we
determined the effects on two out of four cooperation indicators: the teacher
encourages group activities with the common goal and cooperative learning and
the teacher encourages the students to talk and exchange opinions in order to
achieve a certain goal together. There were no effects on the indicators that
referred to including the teacher in the exchange process and encouraging
understanding and empathy in students. The lack of effects was ascribed to
the way in which teachers perceive their role in relation to students, as
well as to the limited number of the observed classes. Research findings
point to the efficiency and usefulness of this way of improving teaching
practice as well as to the changes that can be implemented to enhance the
presented training programme.
Analogies in physics textbooks for the final grade of primary school
Authors: Pavlovic Zlatko
Published: July 2016

The introductory part of the paper discusses some of the issues related to
use of analogies in education and provides an overview of the basic
foundations of the Structure- mapping theory - the theory that describes the
way the analogies function. The second part of the paper presents the results
of the analysis of the use of analogies in eighth-grade physics textbooks
that are used in primary schools in Serbia. The results have shown that the
frequency of using analogies is in the range usual for the textbooks of this
type. Verbal analogies are dominant compared to the image and verbal and
image analogies. Analogies are, proportionally, used most for the most
abstract contents and the contents that are farthest from everyday students?
experience. When it comes to complexity, enriched analogies prevail, while
the number of simple and extended analogies is significantly smaller.
Textbook authors are sensitive towards the demand that the field which is the
basis of analogy has to be well-known to students. In almost half of
analogies the source domain was taken from everyday life experience of
students.
Origins in the Womb: Potential Role of the Physical Therapist in Modulating
the Deleterious Effects of Obesity on Maternal and Offspring Health Through Movement
Promotion and Prescription During Pregnancy
Authors: Tinius Rachel A. , Cahill Alison G. , Cade W. Todd
Published: July 2016

Maternal obesity and associated metabolic disease contribute to adverse outcomes in women and their offspring, and many of these outcomes have significant acute and chronic implications for both mother and neonate. Targeted movement (ie, physical activity or exercise training) during pregnancy has been shown to be safe and effective for improving many of these outcomes in women at a healthy weight and women who are obese. However, movement prescription and advice during pregnancy are often not addressed by health care providers; this situation creates a unique opportunity for physical therapists to use their expertise in movement with patients who are pregnant. The objective of this article is to briefly review the adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with maternal obesity, the benefits of intentional maternal movement during pregnancy for women who are obese, the evidence-based guidelines for prescribing intentional movement during pregnancy for women who are obese, and the potential for physical therapists to become the driving force behind a necessary increase in movement levels in women who are pregnant. Physical therapists can play a significant role in encouraging movement in women who are healthy and women who have metabolic challenges during pregnancy and thus assist in combating the vicious cycle of obesity by improving maternal and offspring health.
Activity for Diabetic Polyneuropathy (ADAPT): Study Design and Protocol for a 2-Site Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kluding Patricia M. , Singleton J. Robinson , Pasnoor Mamatha , Dimachkie Mazen M. , Barohn Richard J. , Smith A. Gordon , Marcus Robin L.
Published: July 2016

Background

Half of all patients with diabetes develop diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), a complication leading to reduced mobility and quality of life. Although there are no proven pharmacologic approaches to reduce DPN risk or slow its progression, evidence suggests that physical activity may improve symptoms and enhance peripheral nerve regeneration.

Objective

The aim of the study will be to determine the impact of an intense lifestyle intervention on neuropathy progression and quality of life in individuals with DPN.

Design

The study will be a randomized controlled trial.

Setting

The study will be conducted at 2 academic medical centers.

Participants

The participants will be 140 individuals with type 2 diabetes and mild to moderate DPN.

Intervention

The intervention group will receive 18 months of supervised exercise training, actigraphy-based counseling to reduce sedentary behavior, and individualized dietary counseling. Control group participants will receive diet and activity counseling at baseline and at 9 months.

Measurements

The primary outcomes are neuropathy progression as measured by intraepidermal nerve fiber density in a distal thigh skin biopsy and the Norfolk Quality of Life–Diabetic Neuropathy score. Secondary outcomes include pain, gait, balance, and mobility measures.

Limitations

Due to the combined intervention approach, this protocol will not be able to determine which intervention components influence outcomes. There also may be difficulty with participant attrition during the 18-month study intervention.

Conclusions

The Activity for Diabetic Polyneuropathy (ADAPT) protocol resulted from a collaboration between physical therapists and neurologist researchers that includes as primary outcomes both a quality-of-life measure (NQOL-DN) and a physiologic biomarker (IENFD). It has the potential to demonstrate that an intensive lifestyle intervention may be a sustainable, clinically effective approach for people with DPN that improves patient outcomes and can have an immediate impact on patient care and future clinical trials.
Nepal Earthquake: ODOAN Experience and Initiative
Authors: Kafle Dashrath
Published: July 2016

Orthodontic Journal of Nepal, Vol. 5 No. 2, June 2015, p.5
Dental Aesthetic Index among Nepalese Orthodontic Patients
Authors: Shrestha Rabindra Man , Lamichhane Bikash , Sharma Anuj Kumar , Shrestha Sujita
Published: July 2016

Introduction: Orthodontic indices are used for the assessment of malocclusion, its severity level, and treatment need. Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) is a simple, valid and reliable index commonly used for epidemiological survey and initial screening of the orthodontic patients.Objective: To evaluate the frequency and severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need among Nepalese patients using DAI and to compare the treatment need between gender groups.Materials & Method: 150 pairs of maxillary and mandibular pre-treatment orthodontic study models of 59 male and 91 female patients with permanent dentition were randomly selected from the Department of Orthodontics, Kantipur Dental College. Ten occlusal traits of DAI were assessed on each pair of study models using graduated periodontal probe and metallic scale by a single examiner. Cumulative DAI scores were calculated according to standard DAI method to differentiate the severity of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment need.Result: About 60% of the sample presented severe or very severe (handicapping) malocclusions indicating highly desirable or mandatory treatment need. 21.3% had definite malocclusion that required elective treatment need, 19.3% had normal occlusion with no or slight treatment need. There was no statistically different mean DAI scores between male and female samples (p=0.116)Conclusion: Most of the samples were in great need of orthodontic treatment with very severe malocclusions. Male samples had greater percentage of ‘very severe’ malocclusion than female. Malocclusion was characterized with high frequency of anterior incisal irregularity, maxillary overjet, midline diastema. DAI can be used as a screening tool rather than the decision making tool.
Shear Bond Strength of Ceramic Brackets with Different Base Designs: An in-vitro Study
Authors: Chaudhary Gaurav , Chandra Pawan Kumar , Sharma Rakesh , Prasad P Narayana , Gera Sonia
Published: July 2016

Objective: To evaluate the influence of bracket base designs on shear bond strength of ceramic brackets bonded to natural teeth and to determine the common site of bond failure.Materials & Method: 120 therapeutically extracted maxillary first premolars were divided into six groups of 20 samples each and were mounted in resin blocks. Each sample was bonded with bracket of that particular group and subjected to thermocycling. The shear bond strength was measured using Universal Testing Machine. After debonding, the teeth and brackets were examined under stereo-microscope for adhesive remnant index.Result: Ceramic brackets with ball base design (Group A) yielded statistically highest shear bond strength followed by microcrystalline base (Group D), dimple base (Group E), mesh base (Group C) and dove tail base (Group B) design. Ceramic brackets yield higher bond strength than metal brackets (Group F) irrespective of base design. Insignificant difference was seen between Group A and Group D and between Group B and Group C. Bond failure between adhesive and bracket (Type 3) was seen in 80% of the brackets with ball base design and bond failure between adhesive and bracket (Type 1) was seen in 80% of brackets with dove tail base design.Conclusion: Bracket base design is an important consideration for shear bond strength. Base design with more number of undercuts offer higher shear bond strength. Ceramic brackets with more number of mechanical undercuts were less likely to bond failure at adhesive bracket base interface and vice versa
Cephalometric Hard and Soft Tissue Norms for Sudanese Adults
Authors: Salama Eman I , Abuaffan Amal H
Published: July 2016

Introduction: Cephalometric norms of various populations show differences between diverse ethnic and racial groups. Thus, numbers of cephalometric norms have been established for different ethnic groups.Objective: To assess skeletal, dental and soft tissue features in a sample of well-balanced face of Sudanese university students.Materials & method: Lateral cephalographs were taken from 18-25 years old 35 male and 38 female Sudanese university students with balanced facial profile and Class I occlusion with no previous orthodontic treatment. Fourteen angular and five linear measurements, and facial index were recorded according to Husund analysis. Male and female mean values were compared statistically using Student t-test.Result: Statistically significant differences were noted between both genders especially in skeletal variables SNA˚, SNB˚, SNPg˚, ML- NSL˚, NL-NSL˚, UFH, LFH and dental variable I -Ī. Holdaway angle showed no significant difference between the genders. Skeletally, maxilla and mandible of the Sudanese sample were more prognathic compared to Caucasians and Arabs but less prognathic than the Africans. Dentally, maxillary and mandibular incisors were more proclined compared to Arabs and Caucasians. Soft tissue analysis showed more lip protrusion in Sudanese adults.Conclusion: The study offered normative cephalometric standards for Sudanese adults, which were specific for each gender group. The normative values showed that the Sudanese sample lied between African and Arab values which might suggest that the studied sample had an Afro-Arabian mixture.
Simple Mechanics to Upright Horizontally Impacted Molars with Ramus Screws
Authors: Lin Shih-Yung , Chang Chris , Roberts W. Eugene
Published: July 2016

Simplified mechanics are reported for uprighting horizontally impacted mandibular molars with ramus bone screws. A 27-year-old male presented with a chief complaint of food impaction and problematic occlusion of his posterior teeth. The panoramic radiograph revealed multiple impacted molars: both upper third molars, and all lower second and third molars. Orthodontic treatment was indicated to improve occlusal function by aligning the posterior segments. The treatment plan was to extract the upper second molars and lower third molars, then upright the lower second molars, and allow the upper third molars to spontaneously erupt. The deeply impacted lower second molars were uprighted in only ~4 months with superiorly positioned ramus bone screws.
Efficacy of primary microvascular decompression versus subsequent microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia
Authors: Theodros Debebe , Rory Goodwin C. , Bender Matthew T. , Zhou Xin , Garzon-Muvdi Tomas , De la Garza-Ramos Rafael , Abu-Bonsrah Nancy , Mathios Dimitrios , Blitz Ari M. , Olivi Alessandro , Carson Benjamin , Bettegowda Chetan , Lim Michael
Published: July 2016

OBJECTIVE

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is characterized by intermittent, paroxysmal, and lancinating pain along the distribution of the trigeminal nerve. Microvascular decompression (MVD) directly addresses compression of the trigeminal nerve. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients undergoing MVD as their first surgical intervention experience greater pain control than patients who undergo subsequent MVD.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patient records from 1998 to 2015 identified a total of 942 patients with TN and 500 patients who underwent MVD. After excluding several cases, 306 patients underwent MVD as their first surgical intervention and 175 patients underwent subsequent MVD. Demographics and clinicopathological data and outcomes were obtained for analysis.

RESULTS

In patients who underwent subsequent MVD, surgical intervention was performed at an older age (55.22 vs 49.98 years old, p < 0.0001) and the duration of symptoms was greater (7.22 vs 4.45 years, p < 0.0001) than for patients in whom MVD was their first surgical intervention. Patients who underwent initial MVD had improved pain relief and no improvement in pain rates compared with those who had subsequent MVD (95.8% and 4.2% vs 90.3% and 9.7%, respectively, p = 0.0041).

Patients who underwent initial MVD had significantly lower rates of facial numbness in the pre- and postoperative periods compared with patients who underwent subsequent MVD (p < 0.0001). The number of complications in both groups was similar (p = 0.4572).

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that patients who underwent other procedures prior to MVD had less pain relief and a higher incidence of facial numbness despite rates of complications similar to patients who underwent MVD as their first surgical intervention.
Role of resection and adjuvant therapy in long-term disease outcomes for low-grade pediatric intramedullary spinal cord tumors
Authors: Ahmed Raheel , Menezes Arnold H. , Torner James C.
Published: July 2016

OBJECTIVE

Surgical excision is the mainstay treatment for resectable low-grade intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs) in the pediatric age group. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments are generally reserved for progressive or recurrent disease. Given the indolent nature of low-grade tumors and the potential side effects of these approaches, their long-term treatment benefits are unclear. The aim of the study was to determine long-term disease outcomes and the therapeutic roles of surgery and adjuvant therapies in pediatric patients with low-grade IMSCTs over an extended follow-up period.

METHODS

Case records for all pediatric patients (< 21 years of age) with a histopathological diagnosis of low-grade IMSCT were selected over a period from January 1975 to January 2010. Outcome variables including McCormick functional grade, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed with respect to demographic and treatment variables.

RESULTS

Case records of 37 patients with low-grade IMSCTs were identified, with a mean follow-up duration of 12.3 ± 1.4 years (range 0.5–37.2 years). Low-grade astrocytomas were the most prevalent histological subtype (n = 22, 59%). Gross-total resection (GTR) was achieved in 38% of patients (n = 14). Fusion surgery was required in 62% of patients with pre- or postoperative deformity (10 of 16). On presentation, functional improvement was observed in 87% and 46% of patients in McCormick Grades I and II, respectively, and in 100%, 100%, and 75% in Grades III, IV, and V, respectively. Kaplan-Meier PFS rates were 63% at 5 years, 57% at 10 years, and 44% at 20 years. OS rates were 92% at 5 years, 80% at 10 years, and 65% at 20 years. On multivariate analysis, shunt placement (hazard ratio [HR] 0.33, p = 0.01) correlated with disease progression. There was a trend toward improved 5-year PFS in patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy (RT; 55%) compared with those who did not (36%). Patients who underwent subtotal resection (STR) were most likely to undergo adjuvant therapy (HR 7.86, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

This extended follow-up duration in patients with low-grade IMSCTs beyond the first decade indicates favorable long-term OS up to 65% at 20 years. GTR improved PFS and was well tolerated with sustained functional improvement in the majority of patients. Adjuvant chemotherapy and RT improved PFS in patients who underwent STR. These results emphasize the role of resection as the primary treatment approach, with adjuvant therapy reserved for patients at risk for disease progression and those with residual tumor burden.
Infinite time recognizability from generic oracles and the recognizable jump operator
Authors: Carl Merlin
Published: July 2016

By a theorem of Sacks, if a real x is recursive relative to all elements of a set of positive Lebesgue measure, x is recursive. This statement, and the analogous statement for non-meagerness instead of positive Lebesgue measure, have been shown to carry over to many models of transfinite computations in: Notre Dame Journal of Formal Logic, to appear, arXiv:1307.0160 [math.LO]. Here, we start exploring another analogue concerning recognizability rather than computability. For a notion of relativized recognizability (introduced in: Annals of Pure and Applied Logic 165(9) (2014), 1353–1532, for ITRMs and generalized here to various other machine types), we show that, for Infinite Time Turing Machines (ITTMs), if a real x is recognizable relative to all elements of a non-meager Borel set Y, then x is recognizable. We also show that a relativized version of this statement holds for Infinite Time Register Machines (ITRMs). This extends our work in: Evolving Computability: 11th Conference on Computability in Europe, 2015, pp. 137–145, where we obtained the (unrelativized) result for ITRMs. We then introduce a jump operator for recognizability, examine its set-theoretical content and show that the recognizable jumps for ITRMs and ITTMs are primitive-recursively equivalent, even though these two models are otherwise of vastly different strength. Finally, we introduce degrees of recognizability by considering the transitive closure of relativized recognizability and connect it with the recognizable jump operator to obtain a solution to Post’s problem for degrees of recognizability.
On subrecursive representability of irrational numbers
Authors: Kristiansen Lars
Published: July 2016

We consider various ways to represent irrational numbers by subrecursive functions: via Cauchy sequences, Dedekind cuts, trace functions, several variants of sum approximations and continued fractions. Let [Formula: see text] be a class of subrecursive functions. The set of irrational numbers that can be obtained with functions from [Formula: see text] depends on the representation. We compare the sets obtained by the different representations.
Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Flavonoid-Rich Fraction of Bergamot Juice (BJe) in a Mouse Model of Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Impellizzeri Daniela , Cordaro Marika , Campolo Michela , Gugliandolo Enrico , Esposito Emanuela , Benedetto Filippo , Cuzzocrea Salvatore , Navarra Michele
Published: July 2016

The flavonoid-rich fraction of bergamot juice (BJe) has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The aim of work was to test the beneficial effects of BJe on the modulation of the ileum inflammation caused by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in mice. To understand the cellular mechanisms by which BJe may decrease the development of intestinal I/R injury, we have evaluated the activation of signaling transduction pathways that can be induced by reactive oxygen species production. Superior mesenteric artery and celiac trunk were occluded for 30 min and reperfused for 1 h. The animals were sacrificed after 1 h of reperfusion, for both histological and molecular examinations of the ileum tissue. The experimental results demonstrated that BJe was able to reduce histological damage, cytokines production, adhesion molecules expression, neutrophil infiltration and oxidative stress by a mechanism involved both NF-κB and MAP kinases pathways. This study indicates that BJe could represent a new treatment against inflammatory events of intestinal I/R injury.
Historical Underpinnings of Bipolar Disorder Diagnostic Criteria
Authors: Mason Brittany , Brown E. , Croarkin Paul
Published: July 2016

Mood is the changing expression of emotion and can be described as a spectrum. The outermost ends of this spectrum highlight two states, the lowest low, melancholia, and the highest high, mania. These mood extremes have been documented repeatedly in human history, being first systematically described by Hippocrates. Nineteenth century contemporaries Falret and Baillarger described two forms of an extreme mood disorder, with the validity and accuracy of both debated. Regardless, the concept of a cycling mood disease was accepted before the end of the 19th century. Kraepelin then described “manic depressive insanity” and presented his description of a full spectrum of mood dysfunction which could be exhibited through single episodes of mania or depression or a complement of many episodes of each. It was this concept which was incorporated into the first DSM and carried out until DSM-III, in which the description of episodic mood dysfunction was used to build a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Criticism of this approach is explored through discussion of the bipolar spectrum concept and some recent examinations of the clinical validity of these DSM diagnoses are presented. The concept of bipolar disorder in children is also explored.
Earliest Deadline Control of a Group of Heat Pumps with a Single Energy Source
Authors: Fink Jiří , Van Leeuwen Richard
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we develop and investigate the optimal control of a group of 104 heat pumps and a central Combined Heat and Power unit (CHP). The heat pumps supply space heating and domestic hot water to households. Each house has a buffer for domestic hot water and a floor heating system for space heating. Electricity for the heat pumps is generated by a central CHP unit, which also provides thermal energy to a district heating system. The paper reviews recent smart grid control approaches for central and distributed levels. An online algorithm is described based on the earliest deadline first theory that can be used on the aggregator level to control the CHP and to give signals to the heat pump controllers if they should start or should wait. The central controller requires only a limited amount of privacy-insensitive information from the heat pump controllers about their deadlines, which the heat pump controllers calculate for themselves by model predictions. In this way, a robust heat pump and CHP control is obtained, which is able to minimize energy demand and results in the desired thermal comfort for the households. The simulations demonstrate fast computation times due to minor computational and communication overheads.
Calcium in Gluten-Free Life: Health-Related and Nutritional Implications
Authors: Krupa-Kozak Urszula , Drabińska Natalia
Published: July 2016

Calcium deficiency and metabolic bone diseases are a frequent co-morbidity of coeliac disease (CD). Gluten-free diet (GFD) is the only effective treatment of CD. However, CD patients on the strict GFD consume less than the recommended amounts of calcium. In this review, the main etiological factors responsible for calcium deficiency in CD were presented. Additionally, the research on the application of calcium supplements in the gluten-free breadmaking was reviewed, and its effect on the technological and sensory properties of baked products was indicated. Calcium-fortified gluten-free products could increase the calcium content in the diet of CD patients, supplying the amount of calcium they need for prophylactic or therapeutic use. Apart from this, the consumption of the naturally GF products as well as functional ingredients beneficially affecting calcium absorption need to be encouraged.
Sharing the Costs of Complex Water Projects: Application to the West Delta Water Conservation and Irrigation Rehabilitation Project, Egypt
Authors: Moretti Stefano , Patrone Fioravante , Dinar Ariel , Abdel-Dayem Safwat
Published: July 2016

Effective sharing mechanisms of joint costs among beneficiaries of a project are a fundamental requirement for the sustainability of the project. Projects that are heterogeneous both in terms of the landscape of the area under development or the participants (users) lead to a more complicated set of allocation mechanisms than homogeneous projects. The analysis presented in this paper uses cooperative game theory to develop schemes for sharing costs and revenues from a project involving various beneficiaries in an equitable and fair way. The proposed approach is applied to the West Delta irrigation project. It sketches a differential two-part tariff that reproduces the allocation of total project costs using the Shapley Value, a well-known cooperative game allocation solution. The proposed differential tariff, applied to each land section in the project reflecting their landscape-related costs, contrasts the unified tariff that was proposed using the traditional methods in the project planning documents.
Effect of Genetic Diversity in Swine Leukocyte Antigen-DRA Gene on Piglet Diarrhea
Authors: Huang Xiaoyu , Yang Qiaoli , Yuan Junhu , Liu Lixia , Sun Wenyang , Jiang Yingdi , Zhao Shengguo , Zhang Shengwei , Huang Wangzhou , Gun Shuangbao
Published: July 2016

The swine leukocyte antigens (SLAs) are the multigene families related to immune responses. Little is known about the effect of the DRA gene on diarrheal disease. This study reported the genetic diversity of the DRA gene in exons 1, 3 and 4 in 290 Chinese Yantai black pigs. No variation was identified in exon 3. In exon 1, three genotypes and two alleles were identified, generated by two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In exon 4, there were eight genotypes and five alleles containing seven SNPs were detected with four SNPs being novel SNPs. The low polymorphism found in swine DRA is consistent with the concept that the DRA gene is highly conserved among all mammalian species. Statistical analyses indicated that the genotypes of exon 1 were not significantly associated with piglet diarrhea (p > 0.05); however, genotypes C4C4 (1.80 ± 0.33) and A4E4 (1.66 ± 0.25) of exon 4 were significantly susceptible to diarrhea (p < 0.01). These indicate that the particular genotypes of the DRA gene are susceptible to diarrheal disease, which provides valuable information for disease-resistance breeding in swine.
Humanistic Environmental Studies and Global Indigeneities
Authors: Thornber Karen
Published: July 2016

The Environmental Humanities constitute an emerging transdisciplinary enterprise that is becoming a key part of the liberal arts and an indispensable component of the twenty-ﬁrst-century university.[...]
Signifying Ainu Space: Reimagining Shiretoko’s Landscapes through Indigenous Ecotourism1
Authors: Lewallen ann-elise
Published: July 2016

Recognized as Japan’s indigenous peoples in 2008, the Ainu people of Hokkaido have sought to recuperate land and self-determination by physically reenacting Ainu traditional knowledge through ecotourism in Hokkaido. Colonization and assimilation have severed most contemporary Ainu from relations with nonhuman sentient beings (A. kamuy) rooted in land and waterways. Ecotourism provides a context for reenacting an ancestral ontology through engaging in wild food gathering, relearning subsistence practices for cultural transmission, and reinscribing Ainu cultural logics onto the land through stewardship and language. At the same time, the Japanese government’s campaign to have Siretok nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage site can be interpreted as an attempt to legitimate Japanese claims to Shiretoko and reinscribe the authority of Japan, as both the proper steward to ensure responsible conservation of Shiretoko but also the rightful owner and proper occupant of the promontory and its surrounding waterways. The article reveals how Ainu attempts to establish relationships and assert ancestral claims with the kamuy in the landscape are stymied by the ongoing reality of settler colonialism and erasure of Ainu presence in the landscape. Further, it explores how a capitalist-driven economy of ecotourism unleashes new dynamics in relations between local Ainu fishers and farmers in Shiretoko and outsider Ainu who seek to develop ecotourist initiatives.
Cartographies of the Voice: Storying the Land as Survivance in Native American Oral Traditions
Authors: Yi Ivanna
Published: July 2016

This article examines how Native places are made, named, and reconstructed after colonization through storytelling. Storying the land is a process whereby the land is invested with the moral and spiritual perspectives specific to Native American communities. As seen in the oral traditions and written literature of Native American storytellers and authors, the voices of indigenous people retrace and remap cartographies for the land after colonization through storytelling. This article shows that the Americas were storied by Native American communities long before colonial contact beginning in the fifteenth century and demonstrates how the land continues to be storied in the present as a method of decolonization and cultural survivance. The article examines manifestations of the oral tradition in multiple forms, including poetry, interviews, fiction, photography, and film, to demonstrate that the land itself, through storytelling, becomes a repository of the oral tradition. The article investigates oral narratives from precontact and postcolonial time periods and across numerous nations and geographical regions in the Americas, including stories from the Mayan Popol Vuh; Algonkian; Western Apache; Hopi; Haudenosaunee/Iroquois; and Laguna Pueblo stories; and the contemporary poetry and fiction of Joy Harjo (Mvskoke/Creek Nation) and Leslie Marmon Silko (Laguna Pueblo).
Treatment of Lower Back Pain—The Gap between Guideline-Based Treatment and Medical Care Reality
Authors: Werber Andreas , Schiltenwolf Marcus
Published: July 2016

Despite the fact that unspecific low back pain is of important impact in general health care, this pain condition is often treated insufficiently. Poor efficiency has led to the necessity of guidelines addressing evidence-based strategies for treatment of lower back pain (LBP). We present some statements of the German medical care reality. Self-responsible action of the patient should be supported while invasive methods in particular should be avoided due to lacking evidence in outcome efficiency. However, it has to be stated that no effective implementation strategy has been established yet. Especially, studies on the economic impact of different implementation strategies are lacking. A lack of awareness of common available guidelines and an uneven distribution of existing knowledge throughout the population can be stated: persons with higher risk suffering from LBP by higher professional demands and lower educational level are not skilled in advised management of LBP. Both diagnostic imaging and invasive treatment methods increased dramatically leading to increased costs and doctor workload without being associated with improved patient functioning, severity of pain or overall health status due to the absence of a functioning primary care gate keeping system for patient selection. Opioids are prescribed on a grand scale and over a long period. Moreover, opioid prescription is not indicated properly, when predominantly persons with psychological distress like somatoform disorders are treated with opioids.