bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive factors for seizures accompanying intracranial meningiomas
Authors: Morsy Moamen , El-Saadany Waleed , Moussa Wael , Sultan Ahmed
Published: February 2019

Objective: Seizures represent a common manifestation of intracranial meningiomas. Their predictive factors before and after excision merit studying. Materials and Methods: Patients having intracranial meningioma were prospectively studied. There were two groups; Group “A” with seizures and Group “B” with no preoperative epilepsy. Results: This study included 40 patients. Their ages ranged from 40 to 60 years old, and female-to-male ratio was 2.3:1 in both groups. In Group A, partial seizures were the most common pattern (60%). Manifestations other than fits included headache in most patients (97.5%), symptoms of increased intracranial pressure were found in 50% in Group A and 20% in Group B patients, peritumoral edema was present in 14 (70%) patients of Group A, compared to 6 (25%) patients of Group “B.” There was a statistically significant relation between peritumoral edema and presentation with fits (P < 0.1). Complication after surgery included nonsurgical hematoma in three patients and contusion in 7 patients. Following surgery for Group “A”, 8 (40%) patients had good seizure control. While, in Group “B” 3 (15%), patients developed new-onset seizures. Good seizure control in 7 (53%) patients with frontal, frontotemporal tumors than in other locations. In addition, better control was obtained in left sided, small tumors, and no peritumoral edema. Postoperative complication was significantly associated with new-onset epilepsy and poor seizure control (P < 0.05). Neither tumor size nor location had a significant relation to either pre or postoperative epilepsy. Conclusion: Predictive factors for epilepsy accompanying intracranial meningioma included males, elderly patients and patients with small lesions, frontal and left-sided locations but were statistically insignificant predictors. Peritumoral edema and postoperative complications are the most significant predictors.
The utility of cervical spine bracing as a postoperative adjunct to single-level anterior cervical spine surgery
Authors: Caplan Ian , Sinha Saurabh , Schuster James , Piazza Matthew , Glauser Gregory , Osiemo Benjamin , McClintock Scott , Welch William , Sharma Nikhil , Ozturk Ali , Malhotra Neil
Published: February 2019

Background Context: Use of cervical bracing/collar subsequent to anterior cervical spine discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is variable. Outcomes data regarding bracing after ACDF are limited. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to study the impact of bracing on short-term outcomes related to safety, quality of care, and direct costs in single-level ACDF. Study Design/Setting: This retrospective cohort analysis of all consecutive patients (n = 578) undergoing single-level ACDF with or without bracing from 2013 to 2017 was undertaken. Methods: Patient demographics and comorbidities were analyzed. Tests of independence (Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel test), Mann–Whitney–Wilcoxon tests, and logistic regressions were used to assess differences in length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition (home, assisted rehabilitation facility-assisted rehabilitation facility, or skilled nursing facility), quality-adjusted life year (QALY), surgical site infection (SSI), direct cost, readmission within 30 days, and emergency room (ER) visits within 30 days. Results: Among the study population, 511 were braced and 67 were not braced. There was no difference in graft type (P = 1.00) or comorbidities (P = 0.06–0.73) such as obesity (P = 0.504), smoking (0.103), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease hypertension (P = 0.543), coronary artery disease (P = 0.442), congestive heart failure (P = 0.207), and problem list number (P = 0.661). LOS was extended for the unbraced group (median 34.00 + 112.15 vs. 77.00 + 209.31 h, P < 0.001). There was no difference in readmission (P = 1.000), ER visits (P = 1.000), SSI (P = 1.000), QALY gain (P = 0.437), and direct costs (P = 0.732). Conclusions: Bracing following single-level cervical fixation does not alter short-term postoperative course or reduce the risk for early adverse outcomes in a significant manner. The absence of bracing is associated with increased LOS, but cost analyses show no difference in direct costs between the two treatment approaches. Further evaluation of long-term outcomes and fusion rates will be necessary before definitive recommendations regarding bracing utility following single-level ACDF.
The role of temporal lobectomy as a part of surgical resuscitation in patients with severe traumatic brain injury
Authors: Hakan A , Daltaban Iskender , Vural Sevilay
Published: February 2019

Background: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are serious morbidity and mortality risk for especially in the young population. Primary and secondary injury mechanisms may cause cerebral edema and intracranial hypertension. The target point of the TBI treatment is lowering the intracranial pressure medically or surgically if indicated. Methods: The files of the patients with severe brain injury admitted between January 2015 and December 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients who underwent decompression surgery due to severe brain injury ([The Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score] <8) and additional temporal lobectomy were included in the study group. Results: Ten patients were included in the study during the 3 years. All the patients were suffering from blunt severe TBI. Traumatic etiology was vehicle traffic accident in six cases, nonvehicle traffic accident in two cases, and falling from height in two cases. All the cases suffered from blunt trauma. The admission GCS of the patients was 4–7 (mean = 5.5). Right-sided decompression surgery and lobectomy were performed for seven patients and left-sided in three cases. The postoperational survival was 60%. All the survivors were functionally independent with mild cognitive disturbances. Conclusion: Temporal lobectomy might be added to the surgery to apply all the interventions available in combat with progressively increasing intracerebral pressure as a part of surgical resuscitation.
White epidermoid of the sylvian fissure masquerading as a dermoid cyst: An extremely rare occurrence
Authors: Gosal Jaskaran , Joseph Jeena , Khatri Deepak , Das Kuntal , Jaiswal Awadhesh , Gupta Aviral
Published: February 2019

We report the case of a 30-year-old female with a Sylvian fissure, white epidermoid which was radiologically looking like a dermoid cyst. The female presented with a headache with no neurological deficits. On radiology, the lesion was in Sylvian fissure, T1 hyperintense, T2 hypointense, and with minimal diffusion restriction medially. Hence a preoperative impression of dermoid cyst was made, a quite uncommon location. Intraoperatively, the classical pearly-white flaky appearance of epidermoid was seen which was confirmed histopathologically. White epidermoids appearing so because of high protein content are a rarity and are more likely to cause aseptic meningitis in the event of intraoperative spillage. Differentiating between a dermoid cyst and white epidermoid preoperatively and radiologically is difficult. Dermoids show diffusion restriction and are usually midline, whereas white epidermoids do not show diffusion restriction and are usually lateral. This is the first report of a white epidermoid in Sylvian fissure to the best of our knowledge.
Surgical treatment of brainstem cavernous malformation with concomitant developmental venous anomaly
Authors: Georgieva Vania , Krastev Emil
Published: February 2019

Surgical resection of brainstem cavernous malformations (BCMs) is a high-risk procedure and can be challenging to the neurosurgeon. Lateral surgical routes are becoming increasingly used to approach ventrolaterally brainstem cavernoma. Surgical approach decision depends on the location of the cavernoma in the brainstem and a possible association with brainstem developmental venous anomalies (DVAs). DVA can affect the formation and clinical course of cavernous malformation (CM). CMs related to DVAs tend to have more aggressive behavior than isolated CM. In cases of DVAs associated with hemorrhage, CMs are most often the site of bleeding rather than DVAs themselves. In this case report, we present a 24-year-old woman with a pontomedullary CM and associated dorsally located DVA. BCM was operated through a far lateral suboccipital craniotomy. Brainstem entry point was at inferior olive with extension to the pontomedullary sulcus. This approach should be preferred as a safe surgical exposure to the central and paramedian pontomedullary cavernoma, especially in the cases with associated intraparenchymal brainstem DVA. Such surgical exposure allows preservation of the concomitant brainstem DVA.
Solving the riddle of “Idiopathic” in idiopathic intracranial hypertension and normal pressure hydrocephalus: An imaging study of the possible mechanisms – Monro–Kellie 3.0
Authors: Mangalore Sandhya , Rakshith Srinivasa , Srinivasa Rangashetty
Published: February 2019

Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) represent a cluster of typical clinical and imaging findings, with no evident etiological cause noted. In this study, we have proposed a model for IIH and NPH called Monroe–Kellie 3.0 (MK 3.0). IIH and NPH may be entities which represent opposite sides of the same coin with venous system and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as core drivers for both these entities. Materials and Methods: IIH and NPH volume data were collected, voxel-based morphometry analysis was performed without normalization, and the distribution of the individual volumes of gray matter, white matter, and CSF was statistically analyzed. Visual morphometry analyses of segmented data were performed, and the findings in routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were noted to build a model for IIH and NPH. Results: In IIH and NPH when the volumes were compared with controls, the distribution was similar. Furthermore, the morphometric changes noted in the MRI and segmented volume data were analyzed and the results were suggestive of changes in elastic property of brain causing a remodeling of brain shape and resulting in minor brain shift in the skull vault, and the resulting passive displacement of CSF which has been termed as MK 3.0. Conclusion: This model helps to put the clinical and imaging findings and complications of treatment in single perspective.
Continuous lumbar drainage for the prevention and management of perioperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage
Authors: Hussein Mohamed , Abdellatif Mostafa
Published: February 2019

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is an unfortunate, yet well-recognized complication of skull base fractures, skull base surgeries, and variety of spinal procedures. Continuous lumbar drainage (CLD) of leaking CSF has shown a high success rate with minimal morbidities in handling CSF leak in these patients. Therefore, we conducted this study to illustrate the efficacy of CLD as a prophylactic and therapeutic method for CSF leakage with the assessment of clinical outcome and early postoperative sequel. Materials and Methods: In the period from January to December 2017, patients with traumatic or postoperative CSF leak and those susceptible for postoperative CSF leak as skull base and spinal intradural surgeries at the Neurosurgery Department, Fayoum University, were included in our study. Results: A total of 20 eligible patients were included in the study. All patients showed successful cessation of CSF leakage at different durations of CLD. Fifteen patients showed excellent results; four showed good results; and one showed fair results. Besides a minimal pneumocephalus, headache was the most common presenting complication in our population, which occurred to all patients. Six patients had vomiting beside headache, whereas two patients experienced vomiting and nausea in addition to headache. There were neither mortalities nor life-threatening complications noted; however, a superficial wound infection occurred in a single case. Conclusion: CLD is a simple, safe, and efficient method in the management of CSF leakage at operative sites, CSF rhinorrhea, and CSF otorrhea of various etiologies.
Prevalence and antibiotic resistance profile of cerebrospinal fluid pathogens from neurosurgical patients from level 1 trauma center in India
Authors: Govindaswamy Aishwarya , Bajpai Vijeta , Singh Parul , Lohiya Ayush , Ayyanar Muruganantham , Gupta Deepak , Bindra Ashish , Singh Gyaninder , Mathur Purva
Published: February 2019

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Postoperative central nervous system infections (PCNSIs) and antibiotic resistance profiles of causative organisms in trauma patients following neuroinvasive procedures. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted over a period of 4 years (2013–2017). All in-patients admitted under a neurotrauma unit meeting the inclusion criteria of PCNSIs were included in the study. Surgical site infections (SSIs) were defined according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2018 (CDC) criteria. We retrospectively examined the demographic characteristics, type of neurosurgery performed, laboratory data, causative organisms, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing results of patients who had positive cerebrospinal fluid cultures following craniotomy between January 2013 and December 2017. Results: Of total 2500 patients operated during the study, 961 patients were screened for PCNSIs. The estimated prevalence (95% confidence interval) of PCNSIs which is a type of organ/space SSI was 7.2% (6.3–8.3). Males were predominantly affected (85.0%). The mean age (standard deviation) of patients was 31.9 (16.5) years. Of all the cultures sent for microbiological examination, 18.6% were positive. The proportion of Gram-negative bacteria causing PCNSIs was 91.6%. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (41%) was the most common organism isolated. Among Gram-positive bacteria, the most common organism was Staphylococcus aureus (5.5%). All the Gram-positive isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, teicoplanin, and linezolid. Conclusion: There is a high burden of PCNSI caused by MDR Acinetobacter baumannii can pose a major clinical challenge with only few antimicrobials left in the pipeline.
Hydrocephalus after gamma knife radiosurgery for schwannoma
Authors: Shimizu Yu , Miyamori Tadao , Yamano Jun
Published: February 2019

Objective: Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) has been established as an effective and safe treatment for intracranial Schwannoma. However, communicating hydrocephalus can occur after GKRS. The risk factors of this disorder are not yet fully understood. The objective of the study was to assess potential risk factors for hydrocephalus after GKRS. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical radiosurgical records of 92 patients who underwent GKRS to treat intracranial Schwannoma and developed communicating hydrocephalus. The following parameters were analyzed as potential risk factors for hydrocephalus after GKRS: age, sex, target volume, irradiation dose, prior tumor resection, treatment technique, tumor enhancement pattern, and protein level of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after GKRS. Results: Of the 92 patients, eight of them developed communicating hydrocephalus. Target volume and tumor enhancement pattern, and protein level of CSF ware associated with the development of hydrocephalus. Conclusion: In particular, patients with intracranial Schwannomas with large tumor size, ring enhancement patterns, and high protein level of CSF should be carefully observed.
Treatment outcomes of cerebral aneurysms presenting with optic neuropathy: A retrospective case series
Authors: Hirata Koji , Ito Yoshiro , Tsuruta Wataro , Takigawa Tomoji , Marushima Aiki , Sato Masayuki , Hayakawa Mikito , Nakai Yasunobu , Kato Noriyuki , Uemura Kazuya , Suzuki Kensuke , Matsumaru Yuji , Hyodo Akio , Ishikawa Eiichi , Matsumura Akira
Published: February 2019

Background: Optic neuropathy due to an aneurysm is relatively rare, with only a few small case series on this topic, and no randomized trials having been published until now. As such, the functional prognosis and treatment for aneurysm-induced optic neuropathy remain controversial. Objective: We quantified optic nerve injuries using an objective index (the visual impairment score) and evaluated prognostic factors of postoperative visual function. Materials and Methods: Of 960 patients treated for an unruptured intracranial aneurysm, 18 (1.9%) patients had optic neuropathy. Visual acuity and visual field were assessed before surgery and 6 months' postoperatively. Cases were classified on the basis of treatment modality (coil embolization or flow alteration [FA]) and prognostic factors of the two treatment groups. Results: Of the 18 patients with an intracranial aneurysm and optic neuropathy, 12 (67%) were treated using coil embolization and 6 (33%) were FA. Visual function improved after surgery in 8 patients (44%), 5 (42%) in the coil embolization group, and 3 (50%) in the FA group. The visual function remained stable after surgery in 6 (33%) patients and worsened in 4 (22%). Patients with an aneurysms <15 mm in size had a favorable outcome (P = 0.05). Conclusions: Surgical treatment improved vision in 44% of cases, with no difference in the prognosis of coil embolization and FA and no effect of the duration of symptoms on outcomes. Further, the prognosis of visual function recovery was better for aneurysms <15 mm in diameter.
Recurrence rate of chronic subdural hematoma after evacuating it by two large burr holes, irrigation, and subgaleal low-pressure suction drainage
Authors: Abdelfatah Mohamed
Published: February 2019

Background: There are no current standard operative steps for chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). The aim of this study was to detect the recurrence rate after drainage of a unilateral diffuse CSDH by combining certain operative steps. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive, retrospective cohort study that included 47 consecutive adult patients who underwent evacuation of a unilateral diffuse CSDH by two large burr holes (≥2 cm in diameter) and irrigation of the subdural space by warm saline, followed by placement of a subgaleal Redivac drain under low-pressure suction in our university hospital from August 2012 to August 2016. There were 29 men and 18 women with a mean age of 69.1 years. Results: All the operations were uneventful. All the patients had adequate drainage of their subdural hematomas, and all patients were discharged alert and oriented. No incidence of recurrence within 12 months after surgery. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that surgical management of a unilateral diffuse CSDH in adult patients by two large burr holes, irrigation, and a subgaleal Redivac low-pressure suction drainage was effective and associated with no recurrence.
Stereo Matching through Squeeze Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Caffaratti Gabriel Dario , Marchetta Martín Gonzalo , Forradellas Raymundo Quilez
Published: February 2019

Visual depth recognition through Stereo Matching is an active field of research due to the numerous applications in robotics, autonomous driving, user interfaces, etc. Multiple techniques have been developed in the last two decades to achieve accurate disparity maps in short time. With the arrival of Deep Leaning architectures, different fields of Artificial Vision, but mainly on image recognition, have achieved a great progress due to their easier training capabilities and reduction of parameters. This type of networks brought the attention of the Stereo Matching researchers who successfully applied the same concept to generate disparity maps. Even though multiple approaches have been taken towards the minimization of the execution time and errors in the results, most of the time the number of parameters of the networks is neither taken into consideration nor optimized. Inspired on the Squeeze-Nets developed for image recognition, we developed a Stereo Matching Squeeze neural network architecture capable of providing disparity maps with a highly reduced network size without a significant impact on quality and execution time compared with state of the art architectures. In addition, with the purpose of improving the quality of the solution and get solutions closer to real time, an extra refinement module is proposed and several tests are performed using different input size reductions.
Acute ecotoxicity on Daphnia magna to evaluate effluent samples of Kraft pulp mill treated by UV/H2O2 process
Authors: Micheletto Joicy , Sampaio Naiara Mariana Fiori Monteiro , Ruiz Henrique Zavattieri , Martins Lucia Regina Rocha , Liz Marcus Vinicius de , Freitas Adriane Martins de
Published: February 2019

The pulp and paper industry is one of world’s largest water consumers, generating high volumes of effluents. The Kraft process produces effluents with high BOD, COD, suspended solids, lignin and a myriad of potentially toxic compounds, which require treatment before discharge into the aquatic environment. Advanced oxidation processes, such as UV/H2O2, have been applied as treatment alternatives because they can destroy many compounds before they mineralize. However, when the oxidation process is incomplete, occurs could be produced by products with high toxicity. This study evaluated the acute toxicity on Daphnia magna of two effluent samples of Kraft pulp mill (KE1 and KE2) treated by UV/H2O2 process. The effects of the pH variation and oxidant concentration on the removal of DOC, total UV-vis spectral area and apparent color were considered to adjust the experiments’ conditions with diluted effluent KE1. Both samples were treated at pH 4.0 and 70 mg L-1 of H2O2 for 40 min, achieving removals of up to 69.4% in apparent color, 73.7% of phenolic compounds and 68.9% of lignin compounds. When the reaction was applied in undiluted effluent samples, the acute toxicity for Daphnia magna decreased for KE1 after 780 min of treatment, whereas KE2 became four times more toxic. The data showed that although the treatment had been efficient considering physics and chemicals parameters, it is necessary follow the oxidative processes with ecotoxicological bioassays to guarantee their safety, since different effluents of the Kraft pulp mill could present different levels of organic compound mineralization.
A lógica da amizade na comunidade fraterna como constituição do político-democrático: um diálogo entre Agamben e Derrida
Authors: Dezordi Wermuth Maiquel Angelo , Spengler Fabiana Marion
Published: February 2019

Partindo do filme “A excêntrica família de Antônia” o presente texto tem como tema a amizade na comunidade fraterna a partir dos textos de Jacques Derrida e Giorgio Agamben. O problema que orienta esta pesquisa é: quais são os limites e possibilidades das tentativas de se recuperar o político “dentro” e para “a” comunidade, repensando e reconstruindo-o junto com a democracia? A hipótese de resposta ao problema apresentado aponta que, por meio desse resgate, viabiliza-se um deslocamento da amizade da esfera privada, da intimidade – local para o qual foi banida especialmente pelo cristianismo que alargou a amizade e a esvaziou do político – para o mundo, o espaço público, a comunidade. Partindo do problema de pesquisa e da hipótese o objetivo do texto é apresentar, a partir da ótica dos dois filósofos contemporâneos acima indicados, as diferentes concepções de amizade, comunidade e fraternidade e sua importância para a delimitação do político e da democracia. A metodologia de abordagem utilizada foi a fenomenológico-hermenêutica de Martin Heidegger.
Chemical characterization and sources of submicron aerosols in the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: insights from high-resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Xinghua , Xu Jianzhong , Kang Shichang , Zhang Qi
Published: February 2019

Abstract. An Aerodyne high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) was deployed along with other online instruments to study the highly time-resolved chemistry and sources of submicron aerosols (PM1) at Waliguan (WLG) Baseline Observatory, a high-altitude (3816 m a.s.l.) background station located at the northeastern edge of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), during 1–31 July 2017. The average PM1 mass concentration during this study was 9.1 μg m−3 (ranging from 0.3 to 28.1 μg m−3), which was distinct higher than those (2.0–5.7 μg m−3) measured with Aerodyne AMS at other high-elevation sites in the southern or central QTP. Sulfate showed dominant contribution (38.1 %) to PM1 at WLG following by organics (34.5 %), ammonium (15.2 %), nitrate (8.1 %), BC (3.0 %) and chloride (1.1 %). Accordingly, bulk aerosols appeared to be slightly acidic throughout this study mainly related to the enhanced sulfate contribution. All chemical species peaked at the accumulation mode, indicating the well mixed and highly aged aerosol particles at WLG from long-range transport. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) on the high-resolution organic mass spectra resolved four distinct organic aerosol (OA) components, including a traffic-related hydrocarbon-like OA (HOA), a relatively fresh biomass burning OA (BBOA), an aged biomass burning OA (agBBOA) and a more-oxidized oxygenated OA (OOA). On average, the two relatively oxidized OAs, OOA and agBBOA, contributed 34.4 % and 40.4 % of organics, respectively, while the rest were 18.4 % for BBOA and 6.8 % for HOA. Source analysis for air masses displayed higher mass concentrations of PM1 and enhanced contributions of sulfate and biomass burning related OA components (agBBOA + BBOA) were from northeast of the WLG with shorter transport distance, whereas lower PM1 mass concentrations with enhanced OOA contribution were from west after long-range transport, suggesting their distinct aerosol sources and significant impacts of regional transport to aerosol mass loadings and chemistry at WLG.
Measurements of Aerosols and Charged Particles On the BEXUS18 Stratospheric Balloon
Authors: Brattich Erika , Serrano Castillo Encarnación , Giulietti Fabrizio , Renard Jean-Baptiste , Tripathi Sachi N. , Ghosh Kunal , Berthet Gwenael , Vignelles Damien , Tositti Laura
Published: February 2019

Abstract. This paper describes the aerosol measurements setup and results obtained during the BEXUS18 stratospheric balloon within the A5-Unibo (Advanced Atmospheric Aerosol Acquisition and Analysis) experiment performed on October 10th, 2014 in northern Sweden (Kiruna). The experimental setup was designed and developed by the University of Bologna with the aim of collecting and analyzing vertical profiles of atmospheric ions and particles together with atmospheric parameters (temperature, relative humidity and pressure) all along the stratospheric ascent of the BEXUS18 stratospheric balloon. Particles size distributions were measured with the MeteoModem Light Optical Aerosol Counter (LOAC) and air ion density was measured with a set of two commercial and portable ion counters. Though the experimental setup was based upon relatively low-cost and light-weight sensors, vertical profiles of all the parameters up to an altitude of about 27 km were successfully collected. The results obtained are useful for elucidating the relationships between aerosols and charged particles between ground level and the stratosphere with great potential in collecting and adding useful information in this field, also in the stratosphere where such measurements are rare. In particular, the equipment detected coherent vertical profiles for particles and ions, with a particularly strong correlation between negative ions and fine particles, possibly resulting from proposed associations between cosmic rays and ions as previously suggested. In addition, the detection of charged aerosols in the stratosphere is in agreement with the results obtained by a previous flight and with simulations conducted with a stratospheric ion-aerosol model. However, further measurements under stratospheric balloon flights equipped with a similar setup are needed to reach general conclusions on such important issues.
The Cloud_cci simulator v1.0 for the Cloud_cci climate data record and its application to a global and a regional climate model
Authors: Eliasson Salomon , Karlsson Karl Göran , van Meijgaard Erik , Meirink Jan Fokke , Stengel Martin , Willén Ulrika
Published: February 2019

Abstract. The Cloud Climate Change Initiative (Cloud_cci) satellite simulator has been
developed to enable comparisons between the Cloud_cci climate data record
(CDR) and climate models. The Cloud_cci simulator is applied here to the
EC-Earth global climate model as well as the Regional Atmospheric Climate
Model (RACMO) regional climate model. We demonstrate the importance of using
a satellite simulator that emulates the retrieval process underlying the CDR
as opposed to taking the model output directly. The impact of not sampling
the model at the local overpass time of the polar-orbiting satellites used to
make the dataset was shown to be large, yielding up to 100 % error in
liquid water path (LWP) simulations in certain regions. The simulator removes
all clouds with optical thickness smaller than 0.2 to emulate the Cloud_cci
CDR's lack of sensitivity to very thin clouds. This reduces total cloud
fraction (TCF) globally by about 10 % for EC-Earth and by a few percent
for RACMO over Europe. Globally, compared to the Cloud_cci CDR, EC-Earth is
shown to be mostly in agreement on the distribution of clouds and their
height, but it generally underestimates the high cloud fraction associated
with tropical convection regions, and overestimates the occurrence and height
of clouds over the Sahara and the Arabian subcontinent. In RACMO, TCF is
higher than retrieved over the northern Atlantic Ocean but lower than
retrieved over the European continent, where in addition the cloud top
pressure (CTP) is underestimated. The results shown here demonstrate again
that a simulator is needed to make meaningful comparisons between modeled and
retrieved cloud properties. It is promising to see that for (nearly) all
cloud properties the simulator improves the agreement of the model with the
satellite data.
Life aquatic: the amazing self-purifying properties of the Ganges River.
Authors: Rai Yeshith , Smith David
Published: February 2019

The Ganges is India’s holiest and most revered river. Often referred to as “Mother Ganges”, this river originates from the Gangotri glacier in the Himalayas, and provides a lifeline for the millions of people living along its banks, before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Today, the river is among the world’s most polluted, filled with untreated sewage, industrial waste and pesticides. Amazingly, in spite of the pressures posed by modern India, the Ganges River supports a surprising amount of biodiversity thanks to its remarkable self–purifying and regeneration properties. Studies from as far back as 1896 have shown the unique antimicrobial properties of the Ganges against Vibrio cholera–the causative agent of cholera–which died within 3 hours in Ganges water, but persisted for 48 hours in distilled water. French scientist Félix d’Herelle later attributed this mystic characteristic to the action of bacteriophages–bacteria killing viruses. Besides just being fascinating science, bacteriophages may hold important implications in modern medicine. We live in an era where antibiotic resistance could become a global crisis, owing to the liberal and widespread use of antibiotics. Studies have shown that bacteriophages can be modified to target specific bacteria and provide long-lasting treatment for a vast array of infections. Scientists are now hopeful that the Ganges might provide clues for the design and synthesis of a new class of antimicrobial drugs.
CONHECIMENTO E UTILIZAÇÃO DE ANTICONCEPÇÃO DE EMERGÊNCIA POR JOVENS NO BRASIL: REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA DA LITERATURA
Authors: Da Silva Emília Vitória , Porto Marta Soares , Areda Camila Alves , Meiners Micheline Marie M A , Galato Dayani
Published: February 2019

A pílula de anticoncepção de emergência (PAE) é um método seguro e eficaz de prevenção da gravidez não planejada e possui indicação após relação sexual desprotegida. O público jovem representa parcela importante de usuários desse método contraceptivo. Investigar o nível de conhecimento, acesso e utilização da PAE é fator fundamental para nortear políticas públicas que favoreçam o bom uso desse medicamento. Este trabalho teve como objetivo realizar revisão integrativa da literatura de estudos descritivos transversais, com aplicação de questionário, que relatam a utilização e conhecimento acerca da PAE por jovens, no Brasil. Para isso, foram levantados todos os artigos indexados nas bases de dados Lilacs, SciELO e Pubmed até o dia 30 de junho de 2015, por meio dos descritores “emergency contraception”, “emergency contraception and Brazil” e “emergency contraceptive and Brazil”. Dos artigos recuperados, foram excluídos aqueles que não se enquadraram aos critérios estabelecidos, sendo selecionados nove estudos, dos quais foram extraídas informações relativas à publicação e seus principais resultados. A análise dos estudos mostra 64% ou mais dos entrevistados tem conhecimento da PAE, adquiridos notadamente por meio de amigos. Entre 20 a 50% dos entrevistados afirmaram já ter utilizado esta alternativa anticoncepcional. Entretanto, isto, de forma isolada, não é garantia de seu uso racional, reforçando a ideia de utilizar os dados aqui sumarizados para nortear campanhas educativas dirigidas a esse público.
Poverty Alleviation Through the Program Slums in the City of Kendari, Indonesia
Authors: Brata Joko Tri , Bariun La Ode , Djauhar Asri , Tantu Andi Gusti
Published: February 2019

The long-term goal of the concept of poverty reduction is to give the same level of welfare for the Indonesian people, and in this research is the development of innovative Models of Poverty Reduction, with the subject on (1) How the application design model of the institutional prevention of poverty through interface Program Quality Improvement of Slums and (2) how the efforts in governance of slum through simulation integration with poverty alleviation. The method used is the description by sharpening the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) about the handling of the slums in the city of Kendari and intervention efforts Increase the quality of housing and slums, so that the governance model can be used in other areas in Southeast Sulawesi.
Saudi Arabian Pre-Service Special Education Teachers Knowledge of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Authors: Mohammed Al-Hwaiti
Published: February 2019

The current study aims at detecting the level of knowledge held by special education student teachers at Umm Al-Qura University with regard to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and comparing their level of knowledge of (ADHD) according to variables: Gender (male or female), track or specialty (special education ,mental disability, learning disabilities, hearing disability, behavioral disorders and Behavioral Disorders and Autism), school year or university level (first year, second year, third year, and fourth year). The sample of the study consists of (682) students who were selected randomly from the Department of Special Education at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the academic year (1437H-1438H), and SPSS was applied for data analysis. The results showed that Saudi Arabian Pre-Service Special Education Teachers’ overall knowledge is high (64.2%). The correct rate of knowledge of ADHD was (93.0 %) and (86.8) (‘high’), respectively. As for the sex differences were in favor of females, as for year and track or specialty variables, Pairwise Multiple Comparisons Post Hoc Test using LSD method. Implications of the study results are discussed, and recommendations are presented.
Effects of Occupational Noise on Blood Pressure
Authors: Otoghile Bright , Ediale Johnson , Ariyibi Nasir Olakunle , Otoru Okubokekeme Otoru , Kuni Joseph Iraskeb , Maan Nuhu D.
Published: February 2019

BACKGROUND: Noise has been found to have non auditory effects. One of the possible non auditory effects of noise is its effect on blood pressure. Available data on the effect of noise on blood pressure has been found to vary. Hence, the aim of this study was to find if there is a predictive effect of noise on blood pressure.

METHOD: Study was done among sawmill workers in Ile-Ife. The noise in each sawmill was measured with a sound meter and blood pressure of each participants were recorded. A regression analysis was done using systolic and diastolic blood pressures as dependent variables and noise as the predictor.

RESULTS: A total of 420 sawmill workers were recruited into the study with an average age of 33.53±8.59 years. The average noise level in the sawmill was 88±1.87 dB and the average systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 132 ± 21mmHg and 85 ± 13mmHg respectively. There was no significant effect of noise on systolic blood pressure {F (1, 419) = 0.958, P>0.05} but there was a significant effect of noise on diastolic pressure {F (1, 419) = 7.543, P<0.05}.

CONCLUSION: This study found that exposure to noise is a predisposing factor to increase in blood pressure.
Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviours Concerning Sustainable Development: A Study among Prospective Elementary Teachers
Authors: Borges Francisco
Published: February 2019

The aim of this study consisted in assessing knowledge, attitudes and behaviours concerning various aspects of sustainable development in a group of Portuguese university students and measure the influence of area of study for admission to higher education on this dimensions. The collection of data was undertaken via the completion of a questionnaire, which was designed to include the following dimensions: knowledge, attitudes and behaviours. This initiative took place in the 2016/2017 academic year and the focus/target group for was constituted by 168 prospective elementary teachers. The validation procedures of the questionnaire confirmed its three-dimensional structure. The results obtained showed the existence of very favourable knowledge and attitudes regarding sustainable development. Behaviours proved less favourable than the other two dimensions. In addition, the results show that respondents’ area of study for admission to higher education has no influence regarding knowledge, attitudes and behaviours concerning sustainable development. Finally some implications for teachers and students are raised and discussed.
Thinking Critically about Intellectual Liabilities: A Practice-Based Perspective
Authors: Giuliani Marco
Published: February 2019

The aim of this study is to understand ILs for a practice-based perspective. This research will try to answer the following research questions: How do companies conceive ILs? How do they measure ILs? and how do they manage ILs? Alvesson and Deetz’s (2000) critical management research framework was selected for the examination. The study is based on a field study that has involved large Italian companies.

The main findings are the following. First, there is a relevant gap between theory and practice as most of the ideas about ILs seem to have not entered into organizations. Second, the use of expressions like “intangible risk” appear to be more effective and understandable than “intellectual liabilities. as the word “intangibles” is more understandable than “intellectual capital”. Third, companies tend to focus on human capital risks, customer risks, and IP risks as they are perceived as the most relevant ones. Fourth, ILs’ measurements seem to be stand alone, ambiguous, simple and designed (or co-designed) by their direct users. Fifth, the management of ILs appear to be rather informal and fragmented.
Chinese Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Almonds as a Healthy Snack
Authors: Xu Pei , Zhou Junling , Konduru Srini
Published: February 2019

This study uses 360 choice experiment data gathered in five large Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan and Kunming during the traditional Chinese holidays of spring 2016 to analyze respondents’ acceptance of almonds as a healthy snack food. The purchasing impact of Country of origin (COO), price, organic, brand, freshness, taste and consumer specific profile of education and their food expenses were examined. Mixed logit model was applied and the results show that: 1) there existed positive purchase attitudes toward the health featured almond snacks; 2) California imported almonds were preferred to the domestic Chinese almonds and the imported almonds were valued higher; 3) when purchase almonds, Chinese respondents were found to be unlikely price sensitive; and 4) their purchase decision was found to be unlikely affected by organic, crop freshness and the decision was made without the influence of respondents’ educational background.
Stakeholders Engagement and Water Provision in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands in Kenya
Authors: Mohamed Gedi Mohamud , Ngala Michael , Wambua Leonard
Published: February 2019

With the onset of devolution in Kenya, county governments in Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASAL) which is least developed and with high poverty index in the Country had a chance to correct the situation since devolution provided an opportunity for enhanced community participation,planning and ownership of projects. The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of stakeholders’ engagement on water provision in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands in Kenya. The study used positivism research orientation. Cross- sectional survey research design was adopted. The target population entailed the 113 sub-counties in ASAL where a sample of 89 sub-counties was targeted. Questionnaire was used in collecting primary data. Secondary data collection was done via desk study. Data collected was first checked on the level of response before actual data analysis was undertaken using IBM SPSS version 24, Microsoft Excel and MS Word. Content analysis was adopted in analysing qualitative data while quantitative data analysis entailed computing descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation); and inferential statistics (correlation analysis, analysis of variance and regression analysis). Stakeholders’ engagement was found to have significantly effect on provision of water services. All the parameters of water provision were found to have improved as a result of stakeholders’ engagement.
Legal big data en wet- en regelgeving: perspectieven en uitdagingen
Authors: Leeuw F.L.
Published: February 2019

Legal big data en wet- en regelgeving: perspectieven en uitdagingen

De idee dat big data voor het recht en de rechtswetenschap belangrijk zijn is niet nieuw en is in dit artikel toegespitst op het ontwikkelen, implementeren en evalueren van wet- en regelgeving. Na een inleiding over het niet vanzelfsprekend zijn van de aandacht voor big data van juristen (zie Susskinds disruptieve technologieën-vergelijking), worden verschillende (potentiële) bijdragen van big data voor het ontwikkelen van wet- en regelgeving geschetst, waarbij ook personalized legislation aan de orde komt. Bij het implementeren van wetgeving wordt o.a. ingegaan op legal logistics. Vervolgens wordt het evalueren van wet- en regelgeving geïllustreerd met voorbeelden. Aansluitend komt de vraag aan de orde hoe big data het wetgeven kan veranderen en wat dat betekent voor wetgevers en welke uitdagingen en zorgen daarmee samenhangen.
Digitaal verkeer met de overheid; verleden, heden en toekomst
Authors: Veltkamp B.M.
Published: February 2019

Digitaal verkeer met de overheid; verleden, heden en toekomst

De digitaal werkende overheid wordt steeds belangrijker. Dit gaat gepaard met een groeiende behoefte aan het regelen ervan en met de wens tot een zekere mate van toekomstbestendigheid van die regels. Barbera Veltkamp schetst de belangrijkste ontwikkelingen rond regelgeving over de digitale overheid, en gaat in op de vraag of er, gelet op de instrumentele en de waarborgfunctie van wetgeving, voldoende instrumentarium voorhanden is om de huidige en toekomstige ontwikkelingen vorm te geven. Hierbij wijst ze erop dat de vraag in hoeverre het überhaupt nodig en nuttig is om digitalisering van de overheid in regelgeving te vatten, genuanceerd beantwoord moet worden.
Van wet naar loket: bedrijfsregels en agile werken voor een transparante wetsuitvoering
Authors: Lokin M.H.A.F. , van Kempen J.M.
Published: February 2019

Van wet naar loket: bedrijfsregels en agile werken voor een transparante wetsuitvoering

Geautomatiseerde besluitvorming is bij grote uitvoeringsorganisaties als DUO, SVB en Belastingdienst aan de orde van de dag. Om rechtmatige besluiten te nemen is een vertaalslag nodig van de relevante wetgeving naar specificaties voor de daarbij in te zetten ICT-systemen. Uitvoeringsorganisaties passen daarvoor steeds vaker bedrijfsregels toe. Die bieden een geformaliseerde, maar voor alle betrokkenen begrijpelijke weergave van de wettelijke regels en vormen de basis voor de softwarecode in de applicaties. Werken met bedrijfsregels kan een bijdrage leveren aan naleving van de transparantie-eisen die wetgeving en jurisprudentie aan geautomatiseerde besluitvorming stellen. In dit artikel wordt ingegaan op wat bedrijfsregels zijn, hoe ze transparantie kunnen dienen, en hoe een andere samenwerking tussen wetgever en uitvoerder dat nog verder zou kunnen verbeteren.
A GESTÃO DO CONHECIMENTO NA CULTURA MAKER:OS ACHADOS DE UMA PESQUISA EXPLORATÓRIA EM UM HACKERSPACE
Authors: Becker Steffi , Tenório Nelson
Published: February 2019

With the growing culture of the maker, several spaces raisein order topromotetechnological innovationthrough social interaction, such as hackerspaces. In this sense, this paperis to understand how the Knowledge Managementcan support hackerspaces so that the knowledge of its members becomes accessible to new members. To accomplish the researchgoalwe carried outbibliographic and exploratory studythrough informal conversation with three members of a hackerspace located in the state of Paraná. Finally, the findings of this research point out that the CG supports hackerspaces in the creation of knowledge bases, inthe sharing of knowledge among its members and new members, and in stimulating the creation of knowledge.
ANÁLISE DA TEMPERATURA E UMIDADE RELATIVA DO ARNO BAIRRO SANTA HELENA NA CIDADE DE OSVALDO CRUZ/SP
Authors: Roberto Caputo Carlos , Cristiane de Costa Trindade Amorim Margarete
Published: February 2019

From the urban territorial expansion, the natural environment wastransformed resulting in changes in the elements of the climate, such as the temperature and relative humidity of the air. Thus, the present study aimedto analyze the thermal and hygrometric field in the Santa Helena neighborhood in comparison to the nearby rural environment in the city of Osvaldo Cruz/SP. For this, fixed points of data collection of these two elements of the climate were used, relating them with the different use and occupation of the landand the characteristics of therelief. The results showed changes in the local atmosphere of Santa Helena, with heat islands and dry islands recorded at 15h, with intensities of up to +4,2ºC and -3,8% respectively. However, at 0h, fresh islandsand wetisland were diagnosed,with maximum values of -4,4ºC and +21,9%respectively.