bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gas Hydrates in Makran: Identifying the Possible Analogies with the Reservoirs Around the World for Future Development and Exploitation
Authors: Ishaq Samana , Khan Asif , Hashim Muhammad , Ansari Mubashir , Khan Safiullah
Published: December 2012

Gas hydrates may be seen as a panacea for the world's current energy woes. The possibilities of developing effective and economical methods of producing gas hydrates at an economically feasible rate have quadrupled due to the latest developments in technology.

The Makran coast in Pakistan provides significant geological evidence of the possible presence of oceanic hydrates (some 200m thick hydrate bearing zone along the entire offshore Makran belt have been identified through BSR surveys). This paper aims at identifying and correlating the propitious geological settings and palpable similarities of the hydrates around the world with those of Makran coast. The resulting study will help us in providing the possible methods of production and to solve those problems that may in future hinder the productive potential of the gas from these reservoirs. The correlation would help in identifying the possible future potential of producing gas, as it is being produced through hydrate dissociation in the Messoyakha gas field, Siberia. Possible challenges associated with the production from gas hydrates include environmental safety as well as drilling challenges. The correlation understudy in this paper will aim at identifying the possible solutions to these problems and will also show that many of the doubts propounded about the practicality of gas hydrate projects are mere hypothetical and literary conjectures.

The exploitation of gas hydrates in Makran would not only help the country at producing cheap energy locally, but would also lead to the development of better ways of exploiting these reserves all around the world. Pakistan could also catch-up with the Hydrate Research and Development Programs of the likes of India and Japan if serious cognizance is taken of these untapped frozen gas reserves off the coast of Makran.
Exceptional Longevity: An Introduction to the IOWA Centenarian Study
Authors: Martin Peter , Deshpande-Kamat Neha , Margrett Jennifer A. , Franke Warren , Garasky Steven
Published: December 2012

The primary objective of the Iowa Centenarian Study is to further our understanding of determinants of exceptional longevity above and beyond health outcomes, particularly in rural environments. This introductory article provides a general overview of the study, its methodology and basic descriptive results. One hundred and fifty-two centenarians from a rural state participated in the study (average age was 101.6 years). Baseline data collection included questions on demographics, cognitive representation of being a centenarian, mental status, past family history, life events, activities of daily living, coping, physical health and health history, nutrition, exercise, personality, social support, mental health, economic status and perceptions, and fatigue. A subset of the baseline sample (n = 28) participated in a short-term longitudinal study that assessed stability and change in mental status, mental health, and activity. Four additional papers in this issue (Franke, Margrett, Heinz, & Martin, 2012; Garasky, Martin, Margrett, & Cho, 2012; Margrett, Hsieh, Heinz, & Martin, 2012; Martin, da Rosa, Margrett, Garasky, & Franke, 2012) will highlight substantive findings, including longitudinal analyses, in activities of daily living, economic status, mental status, and positive and negative affect.
Kinetic modeling of heavy metal sorption by vinyl pyridine based copolymer
Authors: Maksin Danijela , Kljajevic Sladjana , Djolic Maja , Markovic Jelena , Ekmescic Bojana , Onjia Antonije , Nastasovic Aleksandra
Published: December 2012

Commercial macroporous poly(4-vinylpyridine-co-divinylbenzene) [P4VPD], known
as REILLEX-425 was characterized by mercury porosimetry, nitrogen
physisorption, Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and elemental
analysis. Sorption rates of P4VPD for Cu(II), Co(II) and Cr(VI) ions were
determined in static non-competitive experiments, at room temperature (298
K). Rapid sorption was observed, especially for Co(II), with half time, t1/2,
of 1.5 min and high experimental maximal capacity, Qmax, of 3.08 mmol g-1.
Four kinetic models (pseudo-first and pseudo-second order model,
intraparticle diffusion and Boyd model) were used for analyzing metal
sorption by P4VPD. Metal ions sorption is well represented by the
pseudo-second-order model, with definite influence of pore and film diffusion
on sorption rates.
Plasma electrolytic oxidation of metals
Authors: Stojadinovic Stevan
Published: December 2012

In this lecture results of the investigation of plasma electrolytic oxidation
(PEO) process on some metals (aluminum, titanium, tantalum, magnesium, and
zirconium) were presented. Whole process involves anodizing metals above the
dielectric breakdown voltage where numerous micro-discharges are generated
continuously over the coating surface. For the characterization of PEO
process optical emission spectroscopy and real-time imaging were used. These
investigations enabled the determination of electron temperature, electron
number density, spatial density of micro-discharges, the active surface
covered by micro-discharges, and dimensional distribution of micro-discharges
at various stages of PEO process. Special attention was focused on the
results of the study of the morphology, chemical, and phase composition of
oxide layers obtained by PEO process on aluminum, tantalum, and titanium in
electrolytes containing tungsten. Physicochemical methodes: atomic force
microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), x-ray diffraction
(XRD), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy served
as tools for examining obtained oxide coatings. Also, the application of the
obtained oxide coatings, especially the application of TiO2/WO3 coatings in
photocatalysis, were discussed.
Cutting-Edge Life Sciences in Swiss Gymnasia – Success is not a Secret
Authors: Werner Thomas P. , Ginsburg Samuel S.
Published: December 2012

What can be done to achieve a high-quality education in Life Sciences at gymnasia level that arouses the interest of most students and motivates them to accomplish high performances? The recipe for success is simple: Employ excellent natural scientists who combine the passion for their
subject with strong pedagogic skills as teachers to your school. The challenge is to create an environment that makes teaching attractive for scientists and that has a positive and lasting effect on the motivation of the teachers. We consider the following criteria especially significant:
The social structure/arrangement is likely to be the key aspect. Ideally it consists of a constructive relation between the teachers, the school administrators, the staff and most importantly the students. The work must be challenging, but the workload should be in a good proportion to the
resources of the teachers. To communicate a realistic impression of Life Sciences an adequate infrastructure and facilities are necessary that allow an education based on experiments and practica. The curriculum should consider the interests of the students and should contain topics which
are relevant for society. Finally it should grant enough educational latitude for the teachers so they can use their specialized skills. Contacts to other gymnasia, universities and industry are important for orientation, the exchange of knowledge and to enable extracurricular projects.
The Longitudinal Effects of Residential Mobility on the Academic Achievement of Urban Elementary and Middle School Students
Authors: Voight Adam , Shinn Marybeth , Nation Maury
Published: December 2012

Residential stability matters to a young person’s educational development, and the present housing crisis has disrupted the residential stability of many families. This study uses latent growth-curve modeling to examine how changing residences affects math and reading achievement from third through eighth grade among a sample of urban elementary and middle-school students. Results show that residential moves in the early elementary years have a negative effect on math and reading achievement in third grade and a negative effect on the trajectory of reading scores thereafter. Further, there is a negative contemporaneous effect of mobility on math scores in third through eighth grade but no such contemporaneous effect on reading scores. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Are Minority Children Disproportionately Represented in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education?
Authors: Morgan Paul L. , Farkas George , Hillemeier Marianne M. , Maczuga Steve
Published: December 2012

We investigated whether and to what extent children who are racial-ethnic minorities are disproportionately represented in early intervention and/or early childhood special education (EI/ECSE). We did so by analyzing a large sample of 48-month-olds ( N = 7,950) participating in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Birth Cohort (ECLS-B), a nationally representative data set of children born in the United States in 2001. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicate that boys (odds ratio [OR] = 1.66), children born at very low birth weight (OR = 3.98) or with congenital anomalies (OR = 2.17), and children engaging in externalizing problem behaviors (OR = 1.10) are more likely to be represented in EI/ECSE. Children from low-socioeconomic-status households (OR = .48), those displaying greater numeracy or receptive language knowledge (ORs = .96 and .76, respectively), and children being raised in households where a language other than English is primarily spoken (OR = .39) are less likely to be represented in EI/ECSE. Statistical control for these and an extensive set of additional factors related to cognitive and behavioral functioning indicated that 48-month-old children who are Black (OR = .24) or Asian (OR = .32) are disproportionately underrepresented in EI/ECSE in the United States.
Design Approach for Sub-surface Flow Constructed Wetlands
Authors: Ghimire Anish , KC Ajay Kumar , Thapa Bijay
Published: December 2012

Constructed Wetlands are an engineered wastewater treatment system that tries to mimic the natural biological, physical and chemical processes to treat wastewater. It is emerging as a cost-effective decentralized wastewater treatment solution in the communities where there is availability of inexpensive lands and lack of skilled operators. Different design approaches have been followed and design parameters based on different literatures have been chosen to design a Sub-surface Flow Constructed Wetlands. A simplified design approach well suited to climatic needs to be developed to maintain the cost effectiveness of the system. The kinetic parameters involved in the treatment should be selected properly in order to get the effective design of the system.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hn.v10i0.7102 Hydro Nepal Vol.10 January 2012 42-47
Increasing and Sustaining Agricultural Productivity through Land Improvement Approach: A Mitigation Measure to Climate Change
Authors: Neupane Rishi R.S.
Published: December 2012

Due to greenhouse gas effect temperature around the world will increase (0.06ºC/yr.) resulting in increased evapo-transpiration and increased need of crop irrigation pressurizing ground water resources and its judicious use. An experiment in a deep tubewell area with improved land and irrigation management undertaken in early 1980’s has shown that doubling of agricultural productivity is possible. This system can be taken as mitigative/adaptive measure of climate change.This paper involves experiences of managing tubewell irrigation schemes through improving basically these development parameters in the irrigation command area: Land improvement (land consolidation, rectangular shaping and leveling), Irrigation canal efficiency improvement,Introduction of crop water management, and Evolving Farmers Group into a Co-operative Organization- for managing land collectively. The evaluation has shown that through this intervention approach yields of paddy, wheat, maize and pulse can be doubled in the irrigated areas. This concept might be useful to modify the present policy and program vision of irrigated agriculture development in Nepal through enhancing water productivity a mitigation measure of the effects of climate change. Also, this approach is applicable to surface irrigation schemes of Terai and hills of Nepal.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hn.v10i0.7117 Hydro Nepal Vol.10 January 2012 66-72
An Interview with Mr. Balananda Paudel
Authors: Editor The
Published: December 2012

No AbstractDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hn.v10i0.7120 Hydro Nepal Vol.10 January 2012 83-85
Glacier mass balance of Norway 1961-2010 calculated by a temperature-index model
Authors: Engelhardt Markus , Schuler Thomas V. , Andreassen Liss M.
Published: December 2012

Glacier mass balance in Norway is only observed over a small portion (<15%) of the glacierized surface and only for short time periods (<10 years) for most sites. To provide a comprehensive overview of the temporal mass-balance evolution, we modeled surface mass balance for the glacierized area of mainland Norway from 1961 to 2010. The model is forced by operationally gridded daily temperature and precipitation fields which are available at 1 km horizontal resolution from 1957 until the present. The applied mass-balance model accounts for melting of snow and ice by using a distributed temperature-index approach. The precipitation input is corrected to obtain agreement between modeled and observed winter mass balance, and a melt factor and two radiation coefficients are optimized to the corresponding summer balance. The model results show positive trends of winter balance between 1961 and 2000 followed by a remarkable decrease in both summer and winter balances which resulted in an average annual balance of –0.86 ± 0.15 m w.e. a-1 between 2000 and 2010 after four decades of zero to slightly positive annual mass balances.
La Fin de Paris, ou La Révolte des statues de Marcel Sauvage: enquête sur un nouveau modèle pour le roman d'art
Authors: Gheerardyn Claire
Published: December 2012

La Fin de Paris (1932), roman d'anticipation de Marcel Sauvage illustré de photomontages signés Constantinesco, raconte la guerre opposant aux hommes les statues de Paris. Cet article étudie comment Sauvage rompt résolument avec le modèle traditionnel du roman d'art légué par le dix-neuvième siècle, et comment il cannibalise les textes des surréalistes afin de dépasser ces derniers sur leur propre terrain. D'une part, Sauvage évacue la figure de l'artiste, il ne s'intéresse en rien aux affres de la création, il se refuse à l'exercice de l'ekphrasis; d'autre part, il imite la formule iconographique trouvée par Breton avec Nadja et s'inspire avec humour de petits genres dévalués (journalisme, livres illustrés pour enfants, romans pornographiques). Ce faisant, Sauvage pose au centre de la fiction les œuvres elles-mêmes et leur rencontre avec leurs spectateurs. C'est désormais le rapport intense et violent à l’œuvre qui constitue la trame du roman d'art.
An Institutional Retrospective Analysis of 93 Patients with Brain Metastases from Breast Cancer: Treatment Outcomes, Diagnosis-Specific Prognostic Factors
Authors: Antoni Delphine , Clavier Jean-Baptiste , Pop Marius , Benoît Céline , Lefebvre François , Noël Georges
Published: December 2012

To evaluate the prognostic factors and indexes of a series of 93 patients with breast cancer and brain metastases (BM) in a single institution. Treatment outcomes were evaluated according to the major prognostic indexes (RPA, BSBM, GPA scores) and breast cancer subtypes. Independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) were identified. The median OS values according to GPA 0–1, 1.5–2, 2.5–3 and 3.5–4, were 4.5, 9.5, 14.2 and 19.1 months, respectively (p < 0.0001) and according to genetic subtypes, they were 5, 14.2, 16.5 and 17.1 months for basal-like, luminal A and B and HER, respectively (p = 0.04). Using multivariate analysis, we established a new grading system using the six factors that were identified as indicators of longer survival: age under 60 (p = 0.001), high KPS (p = 0.007), primary tumor control (p = 0.05), low number of extracranial metastases and BM (p = 0.01 and 0.0002, respectively) and triple negative subtype (p = 0.002). Three groups with significantly different median survival times were identified: 4.1, 9.5 and 26.3 months, respectively (p < 0.0001). Our new grading system shows that prognostic indexes could be improved by using more levels of classification and confirms the strength of biological prognostic factors.
Phenolics and Antioxidant Activity of Mulberry Leaves Depend on Cultivar and Harvest Month in Southern China
Authors: Zou Yuxiao , Liao Shentai , Shen Weizhi , Liu Fan , Tang Cuiming , Chen Chung-Yen , Sun Yuanming
Published: December 2012

To elucidate the effects of cultivar and harvest month on the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of mulberry leaves, four major phenolics, including chlorogenic acid (ChA), benzoic acid (BeA), rutin (Rut) and astragalin (Ast), were quantified using an HPLC-UV method. Leaves from six mulberry cultivars, collected from April to October, were analyzed. The antioxidant activity of mulberry leaves was assessed by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (HSA) and superoxide radical scavenging activity (SSA) assays. The results showed that the total values of the four phenolic compounds ranged from 2.3 dry weight (DW) to 4.2 mg/g DW, with ChA being the major compound. The mean total phenol (TP) content of the six cultivars ranged from 30.4 equivalents (GAE) mg/g DW to 44.7 GAE mg/g DW. Mulberry leaves harvested in May had the highest TP content. Moreover, the antioxidant activities of mulberry leaves harvested from April to October differed noticeably. In general, Kq 10 and May were considered to be a better cultivar and harvest month concerning phenolic content and antioxidant activity, respectively.
Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of the Essential Oils from Three Melaleuca Species Grown in Tunisia
Authors: Amri Ismail , Mancini Emilia , De Martino Laura , Marandino Aurelio , Lamia Hamrouni , Mohsen Hanana , Bassem Jamoussi , Scognamiglio Mariarosa , Reverchon Ernesto , De Feo Vincenzo
Published: December 2012

The chemical composition of the essential oils of Melaleuca armillaris Sm., Melaleuca styphelioides Sm. and Melaleuca acuminata F. Muell., collected in Tunisia, was studied by means of GC and GC-MS analysis. In all, 46 compounds were identified, 38 for M. armillaris, 20 for M. acuminata and eight for M. styphelioides, respectively. The presence of a sesquiterpenic fraction (52.2%) characterized the oil from M. armillaris; M. sthypheliodes oil was rich in methyl eugenol, a phenolic compound (91.1%), while M. acuminata oil is mainly constituted by oxygenated monoterpenoids (95.6%). The essential oils were evaluated for their in vitro potentially phytotoxic activity against germination and initial radicle growth of Raphanus sativus L., Lepidium sativum L., Sinapis arvensis L., Triticum durum L. and Phalaris canariensis L. seeds. The radicle elongation of five seeds was inhibited at the highest doses tested, while germination of all seeds was not affected. Moreover, the essential oils showed low antimicrobial activity against eight selected microorganisms.
Modulation of MDR1 and MRP3 Gene Expression in Lung Cancer Cells after Paclitaxel and Carboplatin Exposure
Authors: Melguizo Consolación , Prados Jose , Luque Raquel , Ortiz Raúl , Caba Octavio , Álvarez Pablo , Gonzalez Beatriz , Aranega Antonia
Published: December 2012

Carboplatin-paclitaxel is a reference regimen in the treatment of locally advanced or disseminated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This paper discusses the multidrug resistance developed with this drug combination, which is one of the major obstacles to successful treatment. In order to understand and overcome the drug resistance pattern of NSCLC after carboplatin plus paclitaxel exposure, levels of mRNA expression of multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (MRP3) were investigated in primary NSCLC cell lines (A-549 and A-427) and a metastasis-derived NSCLC cell line (NODO). Our results showed that exposure of the three NSCLC lines to plasma concentrations of paclitaxel (5 μM) produced an increase in MDR1 expression, while MRP3 showed no alteration in expression. By contrast, the same cells exposed to carboplatin plasma concentrations (30 μM) showed overexpression of MRP3. In these cells, MDR1 showed no expression changes. Interestingly, the combination of both paclitaxel and carboplatin caused increased expression of the MDR1 drug resistance gene rather than the individual treatments. These results suggest that carboplatin and paclitaxel may induce drug resistance mediated by MDR1 and MRP3, which may be enhanced by the simultaneous use of both drugs.
Biocompatibility of Bacterial Cellulose Based Biomaterials
Authors: Torres Fernando , Commeaux Solene , Troncoso Omar
Published: December 2012

Some bacteria can synthesize cellulose when they are cultivated under adequate conditions. These bacteria produce a mat of cellulose on the top of the culture medium, which is formed by a three-dimensional coherent network of pure cellulose nanofibers. Bacterial cellulose (BC) has been widely used in different fields, such as the paper industry, electronics and tissue engineering due to its remarkable mechanical properties, conformability and porosity. Nanocomposites based on BC have received much attention, because of the possibility of combining the good properties of BC with other materials for specific applications. BC nanocomposites can be processed either in a static or an agitated medium. The fabrication of BC nanocomposites in static media can be carried out while keeping the original mat structure obtained after the synthesis to form the final nanocomposite or by altering the culture media with other components. The present article reviews the issue of biocompatibility of BC and BC nanocomposites. Biomedical aspects, such as surface modification for improving cell adhesion, in vitro and in vivo studies are given along with details concerning the physics of network formation and the changes that occur in the cellulose networks due to the presence of a second phase. The relevance of biocompatibility studies for the development of BC-based materials in bone, skin and cardiovascular tissue engineering is also discussed.
Oxime-Based Carbonates as Useful Reagents for Both N-Protection and Peptide Coupling
Authors: Jad Yahya , Khattab Sherine , El-Faham Ayman , Albericio Fernando
Published: December 2012

We have demonstrated that oxime-based mixed carbonates are very effective reagents for both N-protection and peptide coupling.
Estimating the Maximal Light Use Efficiency for Different Vegetation through the CASA Model Combined with Time-Series Remote Sensing Data and Ground Measurements
Authors: Li Ainong , Bian Jinhu , Lei Guangbin , Huang Chengquan
Published: December 2012

Maximal light use efficiency (LUE) is an important ecological index of a vegetation essential attribute, and a key parameter of the LUE-based model for estimating large-scale vegetation productivity by remote sensing technology. However, although currently used in different models there still exists extensive controversy. This paper takes the Zoige Plateau in China as a case area to develop a new approach for estimating the maximal LUEs for different vegetation. Based on an existing land cover map and MODIS NDVI product, the linear unmixing method with a moving window was adopted to estimate the time-series NDVI for different end members in a MODIS NDVI pixel; then Particle Swarm Optimizer (PSO) was applied to search for the optimization of LUE retrievals through the CASA (Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach) model combined with time-series NDVI and ground measurements. The derived maximal LUEs present significant differences among various vegetation types. These are 0.669 gC·MJ−1, 0.450 gC·MJ−1 and 0.126 gC·MJ−1 for the xerophilous grasslands with high, moderate and low vegetation fraction respectively, 0.192 gC·MJ−1 for the hygrophilous grasslands, and 0.125 gC·MJ−1 for the helobious grasslands. The field validation shows that the estimated net primary productivity (NPP) by the derived maximal LUE is closely related to the ground references, with R2 of 0.8698 and root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 59.37 gC·m−2·a−1. This indicates that the default set in the CASA model is not suitable for NPP estimation for the regional mountain area. The derived maximal LUEs can significantly improve the capability of NPP mapping, and open up the perspective for long-term monitoring of vegetation ecological health and ecosystem productivity by combining the LUE-based model with remote sensing observations.
Wearable and Implantable Sensors: The Patient’s Perspective
Authors: Bergmann Jeroen , Chandaria Vikesh , McGregor Alison
Published: December 2012

There has been a rising interest in wearable and implantable biomedical sensors over the last decade. However, many technologies have not been integrated into clinical care, due to a limited understanding of user-centered design issues. Little information is available about these issues and there is a need to adopt more rigorous evidence standards for design features to allow important medical sensors to progress quicker into clinical care. Current trends in patient preferences need to be incorporated at an early stage into the design process of prospective clinical sensors. The first comprehensive patient data set, discussing mobile biomedical sensor technology, is presented in this paper. The study population mainly consisted of individuals suffering from arthritis. It was found that sensor systems needed to be small, discreet, unobtrusive and preferably incorporated into everyday objects. The upper extremity was seen as the favored position on the body for placement, while invasive placement yielded high levels of acceptance. Under these conditions most users were willing to wear the body-worn sensor for more than 20 h a day. This study is a first step to generate research based user-orientated design criteria’s for biomedical sensors.
Les mécanismes psychologiques de la violence
Authors: Le Run Jean-Louis
Published: December 2012

Résumé Le trouble dans l’école prend souvent la forme de la violence. Après avoir défini celle-ci et décrit les formes qu’elle peut prendre dans le contexte scolaire (passage à l’acte, style relationnel, troubles du comportement, jeux violents, harcèlement), l’auteur souligne le fait que la violence prend sa source dans les premières relations de l’enfance, et se transforme au fil du développement psychoaffectif de l’enfant, jusqu’à l’adolescence. Les aspects familiaux sont abordés, et la conclusion insiste sur les enjeux de l’entrée à l’école maternelle en soulignant le rôle des rased et des médecins scolaires, ainsi que celui des structures de soin médicopsychologiques.
Correlative Analysis of MRI-evident Abductor Hip Muscle Degeneration and Power After Minimally Invasive Versus Conventional Unilateral Cementless THA
Authors: Vasilakis Ioannis , Solomou Ekaterini , Vitsas Vasilis , Fennema Peter , Korovessis Panagiotis , Siamblis Dimitrios K.
Published: December 2012

The 2 main null hypotheses of this study were: (1) the 4-year surgical trauma–related degeneration within the hip abductor muscles after a minimally invasive approach to total hip arthroplasty would be similar to that following a conventional approach; and (2) no differences in perioperative blood loss or postoperative hip pain would be observed between the minimally invasive and conventional approaches.

In 40 consecutive randomly selected adult patients with unilateral primary hip osteoarthritis, a cementless Zweymüller-Plus THA (Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics, Baar, Switzerland) was implanted by a single surgeon in 1 institution during the same period. Twenty patients underwent a minimally invasive approach (group A), and 20 patients underwent a conventional anterolateral approach (group B). Four years postoperatively, the operated and contralateral nonoperated hips of 37 available patients from both groups were examined with magnetic resonance imaging to show any changes in the gluteus medius and tensor fascia latae. Simultaneously, hip abductor power was measured bilaterally in both groups. Anthropometric data, blood loss, Short Form 36 self-assessment questionnaire, visual analog pain score, and walking distance were also analyzed.

The reliability of magnetic resonance imaging and hip abductor power measurements was high. No difference was found in hip abductor power on the operated side between the 2 groups, whereas hip abductor power on the nonoperated side was significantly higher in both groups. This study revealed no mechanical and functional benefits in favor of patients undergoing minimally invasive vs conventional total hip arthroplasty.
Novel Image-matching Software for Postoperative Evaluation After TKA
Authors: Tei Katsumasa , Ishida Kazunari , Matsumoto Tomoyuki , Kubo Seiji , Sasaki Hiroshi , Shibanuma Nao , Akisue Toshihiro , Nishida Kotaro , Kurosaka Masahiro , Kuroda Ryosuke
Published: December 2012

Although 2-dimensional assessments using postoperative plain radiographs have been used after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in previous studies, a strong possibility exists that deviation can occur when assessing 3-dimensional (3-D) objects. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that novel 3-D image-matching software could accurately assess the positioning of implants and could be a useful tool in postoperative evaluation after TKA.

Total knee arthroplasty was performed in 30 consecutive patients. Intraoperatively, the thickness of each bone cut was measured. Postoperatively, the thickness of each part of the bone cut was measured using Athena Knee (SoftCube Co, Ltd, Osaka, Japan) 3-D image-matching software. The results revealed no significant differences in the medial compartment and significant differences of approximately 1 mm in the lateral compartment. The difference was possibly caused by the remaining cartilage in the lateral compartment. Linear regression analysis revealed a statistically excellent correlation between intra- and postoperative values in all parts of the bone cuts. Although the 3-D image-matching software used in this study was originally developed for preoperative planning in TKA, it is considered accurate enough to assess the positioning of implants with respect to the bone after TKA.
Subvastus Versus Medial Parapatellar Approach in Total Knee Arthroplasty: Meta-analysis
Authors: Teng Yuanjun , Du Wenjia , Jiang Jin , Gao Xuren , Pan Shumei , Wang Jing , An Liping , Ma Jinglin , Xia Yayi
Published: December 2012

The subvastus and medial parapatellar approaches are 2 commonly performed techniques in total knee arthroplasty, but the optimal approach for total knee arthroplasty remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of the subvastus vs medial parapatellar approach.

The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Inter-Services Intelligence Web of Knowledge, and Chinese Biomedical Literature databases were searched for eligible quasi-randomized, controlled and randomized, controlled trials. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies according to the Cochrane handbook version 5.1.0. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager version 5.1 software. Eight randomized, controlled trials and 1 quasi-randomized, controlled trial involving 940 primary total knee arthroplasties were included for meta-analysis. Meta-analysis revealed significant differences favoring the subvastus group in Knee Society Score in terms of function at 4 to 6 weeks (weighted mean difference [WMD]=5.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.08 to 7.09;
P
<.01) and knee score at 12 months (WMD=2.17; 95% CI, 0.01 to 4.34;
P
=.05) and lateral retinacular release (odds ratio=0.34; 95% CI, 0.14 to 0.79;
P
=.01) when compared with the medial parapatellar approach. However, both groups showed similar results in range of motion (
P
>.05), operative time (WMD=2.15; 95% CI, −3.61 to 7.35;
P
=.42), blood loss (WMD= −31.07; 95% CI, −91.89 to 29.75;
P
=.32), hospital stay (WMD= −0.18; 95% CI, −0.67 to 0.31;
P
=.47), and postoperative complications (
P
>.05).
Staged Protocol for the Treatment of Chronic Tibial Shaft Osteomyelitis With Ilizarov’s Technique Followed by the Application of Intramedullary Locked Nail
Authors: Lin Chun-Cheng , Chen Chuan-Mu , Chiu Fang-Yao , Su Yu-Pin , Liu Chien-Lin , Chen Tain-Hsiung
Published: December 2012

Open tibial shaft fractures are the most common open fractures, and many complications can occur. During the treatment period, infection leading to osteomyelitis was the most common complication. However, no consensus exists regarding the ideal management for such cases in the literature.

The purposes of this retrospective study were to review the treatment of patients with chronic tibial shaft osteomyelitis over the past 14 years who were referred to the authors’ institution and to provide a staged protocol for spontaneous wound healing. The staged protocol included: (1) radical debridement for infected bone and soft tissue; (2) immediate application of Ilizarov’s apparatus for all patients except those needing delayed application; (3) osteotomy in healthy bone; (4) simultaneous distraction–compression osteogenesis and histogenesis; (5) additional docking-site bone grafting; and (6) shifting the external fixator to a locked nail when callus formation was visible at the distraction site. Union was achieved in 15 of 16 patients, with an average external fixation time of 4.5 months (range, 3–6 months). No deformity or leg-length discrepancy greater than 1 cm occurred.

In the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis, this staged protocol was safe and successful and allowed for union, realignment, reorientation, and leg-length restoration. Regarding the soft tissues, this technique provides a unique type of reconstructive closure for infected wounds. It is suggested that the staged protocol is reliable in providing successful simultaneous reconstruction for bone and soft tissue defects without flap coverage.
Anterior Decompression in the Management of Unilateral Cervical Spondylotic Amyotrophy
Authors: Zhang Jing Tao , Yang Da Long , Shen Yong , Zhang Ying Ze , Wang Lin Feng , Ding Wen Yuan
Published: December 2012

Cervical spondylotic amyotrophy is a rare clinical condition. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of anterior decompression in patients with unilateral upper-extremity amyotrophy caused by cervical spondylosis. The authors retrospectively analyzed the records of 31 patients (23 men and 8 women) who underwent anterior decompressive surgery for cervical spondylotic amyotrophy at the authors’ institution between 2000 and 2011. Demographic characteristics, pre- and postoperative results of imaging studies, and postoperative muscle power improvement were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 22.2 months (range, 14–36 months). Patients were divided into proximal (n=21) and distal (n=10) types according to the most severely atrophic muscle, and the 2 groups were compared statistically. The most commonly affected intervertebral level in proximal-type patients was C4–C5, whereas that in distal-type patients was C5–C6. Impingements against the ventral nerve root and anterior horn were observed in 22 and 25 cases, respectively, with 16 cases having both impingements. Eighty-one percent of proximal-type patients gained 1 or more grades of muscle power improvement on manual muscle testing, whereas 40% of distal-type patients improved. Within 15 postoperative days, 57% of proximal-type patients attained subjective or objective improvement of muscle power, whereas all distal-type patients failed to improve. Anterior decompression was effective for most patients with unilateral cervical spondylotic amyotrophy, although postoperative muscle power improvement in distal-type patients was inferior to that in proximal-type patients. Furthermore, compared with the proximal type, the distal type showed a slower postoperative recovery.
Disparity in Preoperative Patient Factors Between Insurance Types in Total Joint Arthroplasty
Authors: Martin Christopher T. , Callaghan John J. , Liu Steve S. , Gao Yubo , Johnston Richard C.
Published: December 2012

Equity in health care has become a focal point of debate. However, the disparity between insurance payer types in total joint arthroplasty is poorly defined. The authors identified 1312 consecutive patients who underwent elective primary total hip or knee arthroplasty with available preoperative Short Form 36 and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index surveys and stratified them into groups based on insurance type (Iowa Care [a state-run insurance program for patients who are indigent], Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance) to compare demographics, access to care, and functional data. Significance was a
P
value less than .05 after a Turkey-Kramer adjustment for multiple comparisons. A multivariate analysis identified independent predictors of Short Form 36 and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index preoperative functional status. Few differences existed between patients with Iowa Care and Medicaid, but both groups had significantly lower Short Form 36 and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index scores across every category compared with patients with Medicare or private insurance (
P
<.05 for each comparison). In addition, patients with Iowa Care and Medicaid had a higher incidence of current smoking and higher mean body mass index and traveled an average of 29 to 30 miles farther for access to care (
P
<.05 for each comparison). Payer type was an independent predictor of preoperative Short Form 36 and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index functional scores in the multivariate analysis (
P
<.02). Significant differences exist between payer types in total joint arthroplasty. Further research is necessary to better inform health policy decisions.
De nuevo sobre el Carmen in laudem Raimundi Berengarii IV del manuscrito 31 de Roda (olim 8)
Authors: Alturo i Perucho Jesús
Published: December 2012

Nueva edición crítica del Carmen in laudem Raimundi Berengarii IV, con nuevas hipótesis sobre la fecha y lugar de su composición (Lérida, inmediatamente después de su reconquista en 1149) y posible atribución de su autoría al canónigo de la catedral de Barcelona y notario de la cancillería condal Poncio.
Superar la frontera: mecanismos de integración territorial entre el Cea y el Pisuerga en el siglo X
Authors: Carvajal Castro Álvaro
Published: December 2012

Las diferentes estructuras territoriales que se desarrollaron entre el Cea y el Pisuerga en el siglo X fueron fruto de procesos de producción del espacio particulares. El estudio de su formalización en el marco institucional asturleonés nos ayudará a analizar los recursos y mecanismos políticos empleados por la monarquía y los poderes territoriales principales para consolidar su poder. En último término, nos permitirá comprender mejor los procesos de integración territorial que tuvieron lugar como consecuencia de la expansión de la monarquía asturleonesa sobre la Meseta del Duero en la Alta Edad Media.
La traducció catalana (c. 1351) de les Grandes Chroniques de France
Authors: Ferrer Montserrat , Cabré Lluís
Published: December 2012

Aquest treball reexamina la documentació (1339-1380) de Pere III i l’infant Joan referent a les Grandes Chroniques de France i la relaciona amb la traducció catalana, conservada fragmentàriament al registre 894 de l’ACA. La traducció es va executar poc abans de 1351 a la cancelleria reial; el foli conservat correspon a l’inici d’un exemplar de qualitat que no es devia acabar mai (vegeu-ne la reproducció i l’edició). És probable que l’original francès fos el que tenia Pere III el 1339 i havia extraviat el 1361. En aquest cas, es tractaria del Roman des rois de Primat amb una continuació fi ns a Felip l’Ardit (com la del ms. nouv. acq. fr. 10043 de la BnF); l’infant Joan ja podia demanar a Carles V l’actualització de Pierre d’Orgemont.
Documentos legales en fuentes andalusíes
Authors: Fierro Maribel
Published: December 2012

No disponible
El proceso de Ibn al-Jaṭīb. Apéndice: Epístola de al-Bunnāhī a Lisān al-dīn
Authors: Calero Secall M. Isabel , Roser Nebot Nicolás
Published: December 2012

El proceso de Ibn al- Jaṭīb ha pasado a la historia debido a la personalidad del inculpado. La mayoría de las opiniones coinciden en declarar la acusación y el proceso como un simulacro para conseguir su muerte, pues la acusación de alta traición, por las circunstancias que incidieron en el caso, no iba a conseguir el objetivo propuesto. Por esta razón se buscaron otros motivos con que inculparle y que permitieran perseguirlo y condenarlo en cualquier parte del Islam, por eso estas acusaciones sólo podían responder a delitos de lesa religión. Y se encontraron. Las acusaciones que se analizan en este trabajo figuran en varios textos, en al-Marqaba al-'ulyà y en las obras de al-Maqqarī, algunos de ellos no traducidos hasta ahora. En el desarrollo de las actuaciones se observan irregularidades procesales, pero tanto en Granada como en Fez, la condena se centra en la figura del zindīq cuya sentencia final fue la pena de muerte.
Some remarks on Conversion to Islam in al-Andalus
Authors: Penelas Mayte
Published: December 2012

No disponible
La madre de Abū l-Barakāt al-Balafīqī
Authors: Marín Manuela
Published: December 2012

No disponible
Anécdota muqtabisiana: sobre un hapax legomenon contenido en el Muqtabis V de Ibn Ḥayyān
Authors: Monferrer Sala Juan Pedro
Published: December 2012

No disponible
Diego de Urrea y algún traductor más: en torno a las versiones de los "plomos"
Authors: Rodríguez Mediano Fernando , García-Arenal Mercedes
Published: December 2012

En este artículo tratamos de reconstruir la vida de Diego de Urrea, uno de los traductores e intérpretes de árabe más importantes de finales del s. XVI y principios del XVII en España. Sus actividades como catedrático en Alcalá de Henares, traductor de los Plomos del Sacromonte, catalogador de los manuscritos árabes de El Escorial, negociador, intermediario y espía en asuntos marroquíes, hacen de él una figura paradigmática de lo que significó en su época el conocimiento y la utilización del árabe, como instrumento para cuestiones de importancia política y estratégica inmediata y también en su dimensión humanística y académica.
De nouvelles pages du Mucrib can bacḍ cağā'ib al-Maġrib d'Abū Ḥāmid al-Ġarnāṭī
Authors: Ducène Jean-Charles
Published: December 2012

El relato de los viajes y la compilación de mirabilia de d'Abū Ḥāmid al- Ġarnāṭī —al-Mucrib can bacḍ cağā'ib al-Maġrib— se conocen hasta ahora por la edición, en dos partes (C. Dubler, 1953 y I. Bejarano, 1991), del manuscrito de Madrid. Sin embargo, el texto editado contiene blancos y rupturas en la narración, lo que demuestra que el manuscrito de base era defectuoso. Hemos encontrado cuatro manuscritos que permiten llenar estos blancos. Este artículo presenta la edición de estos pasajes, que hablan principalmente de los peces del Mediterráneo y del viaje del autor entre Egipto y Azerbaiyan.
Las genealogías de cAbd al-Mu'min, primer califa almohade
Authors: Fierro Maribel
Published: December 2012

Los califas almohades afirmaron pertenecer a la tribu árabe de Qays cAylān por descendencia agnática. Qays cAylān no incluye a la tribu de Qurayš, con la que los mu'miníes afirmaban estar emparentados por línea materna. Según la doctrina clásica del califato, recogida por ejemplo por Ibn Hazm, los califas deben ser qurayšíes por línea paterna. En este artículo se analizan las ventajas que ofrecía a los califas mu'miníes esa ascendencia qaysí, de larga tradición entre las poblaciones beréberes del Norte de África. Entre esas ventajas se cuentan la vinculación de parentesco con las tribus árabes de Sulaym y Hilāl, elementos fundamentales del ejército mu'miní, y con el profeta árabe pre-islámico Jālid b. Sinān al-cAbsī (descendientes de este último aparecen en estrecha relación con el episodio de la rebelión beréber de la Kāhina).
De cadí a alcalde mayor. La élite judicial mudéjar en el siglo XV (II)
Authors: Echevarría Arsuaga Ana
Published: December 2012

Este artículo trata de estudiar la evolución de la figura del alcalde mayor de las aljamas de Castilla a partir de la institución del cadiazgo de la comunidad islámica (qāḍī al-quḍāt) modificada por el paso del tiempo y la intervención de las autoridades cristianas. Para ello se analizan las familias que desempeñaron este oficio en Castilla, todos ellos pertenecientes a la élite político-militar, comercial y jurídica de las aljamas mudéjares. La institución de la alcaldía mayor de las aljamas del reino, estudiada como algo excepcional por Torres Fontes, no lo es tanto, y encaja perfectamente en la estructura organizativa de las aljamas y en las luchas internas por el poder que se gestan en ellas. A partir de ahí nos concentramos en el estudio de los elementos de continuidad y ruptura que se manifiestan en la institución de la alcaldía mayor de los moros respecto al cadiazgo islámico.
El título de la crónica almohade de Ibn Ṣāḥib al-ṣalāt
Authors: Fierro Maribel
Published: December 2012

No disponible
Juan Bautista Pérez and the Plomos de Granada: Spanish Humanism in the Late Sixteenth Century
Authors: Ehlers Benjamin
Published: December 2012

Este trabajo examina el parecer del obispo y humanista Juan Bautista Pérez (ca. 1534-1597), uno de los primeros críticos de las reliquias desenterradas en Granada a partir de 1588. Dada su política morisca bastante progresista en la diócesis de Segorbe, bien habría podido Pérez aprobar la aparición de los plomos, que creaban una historia común para cristianos y musulmanes. Su erudición, por el contrario, le hizo concluir que los plomos fueron una fabricación moderna, y que su veneración pondría en peligro de desviación religiosa al pueblo español. El parecer de Pérez (1595) es un ejemplo de rigor, creatividad, y devoción religiosa entre los humanistas de finales del siglo XVI.
Bernardo de Aldrete, humanist and laminario
Authors: Woolard Kathryn A.
Published: December 2012

La relación de Bernardo de Aldrete, humanista y filólogo, con el caso del Sacromonte fue ambigua. Su primer libro, publicado en 1606, fue una historia innovadora de la lengua española. Notable por sus métodos rigurosos de investigación lingüística, la obra mostró los orígenes latinos del español y rechazó su existencia antes de la época de los godos. La tesis de Aldrete fue atacada por impugnar la autenticidad del pergamino de la Torre Turpiana. En otro libro, Aldrete defendió su obra anterior y también los hallazgos del Sacromonte. Aldrete ayudó al Arzobispo de Castro en la defensa de los libros plúmbeos, un papel que ha llamado poco la atención de historiadores del Sacromonte. Este artículo compagina la obra publicada de Aldrete y su correspondencia con la casa del Arzobispo, para enfocar su papel en el caso del Sacromonte. Pretende identificar tanto las continuidades como las contradicciones entre el trabajo de Aldrete como laminario y como humanista.
Las falsificaciones granadinas del siglo XVIII. Nacionalismo y arqueología
Authors: Mora Gloria , Álvarez Barrientos Joaquín
Published: December 2012

En el contexto de la reforma de los métodos de investigación histórica en época ilustrada, se estudia en este trabajo el uso de la arqueología con fines políticos y nacionalistas. Para ello nos basamos en el caso de las falsificaciones granadinas de mediados del siglo XVIII.
La nisba al-Anṣārī en al-Andalus y el cadí Munḏir b. Sacīd
Authors: Fierro Maribel
Published: December 2012

No disponible