bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance evaluation of polysulfone/graphene nanocomposites
Authors: Jose Ajith James , Alagar Muthukaruppan , John Sam , Wilson Runcy
Published: December 2016

The present work focuses on the performance and properties of organomodified graphene nanoplatelet filled polysulfone nanocomposites prepared by solution casting. Morphology of the nanocomposites was investigated using atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Contact angle measurements showed significantly increased hydrophobicity of the nanocomposites relative to the neat polymer. Mechanical properties of the nanocomposites showed marked improvement at low graphene loadings. Thermal properties measured using thermogravimetric analysis showed that the incorporation of graphene increased the thermal stability and the char yield of the nanocomposites. After immersing the samples in various solvents, the changes in weight and mechanical property were evaluated and the aging performance was found to be improved. The prepared polysulfone nanocomposites with desired hydrophobic, thermal, mechanical and barrier properties are usable for high performance applications.
Comparative Efficacy of Low-Dose Oral Corticosteroids and Oral Mini Pulse Dexamethasone in Patients of Vitiligo
Authors: Khan Md Shirajul Islam
Published: December 2016

Introduction: Vitiligo is a common, acquired, discoloration of the skin with unknown etiology. There are numerous treatment options available for vitiligo, but none is universally effective. Systemic corticosteroids suppress immunity and lead to repigmentation but produce unacceptable side effects. Oral corticosteroid low dose treatment may be associated with fewer side effects than usual dose-treatment. Several data also showed that oral dexamethasone pulse treatment was effective in arresting progression of vitiligo yet fails to induce satisfactory repigmentation in the great majority of their patients.Objectives: A clinical trial was carried out to compare the efficacy of low-dose oral corticosteroids and oral mini pulse dexamethasone in patients of vitiligo.Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka, Bangladesh during January 2013 to December 2013. Total sixty patients of vitiligo were enrolled and divided into group A and group B. Thirty of group A patients were treated with oral prednisolone daily and thirty of group B patients were treated with oral dexamethasone pulse therapy weekly.Results: Out of sixty patients of vitiligo, maximum patients of both groups had progressive type of vitiligo. In Group-A, the duration of illness was an average of 10 months and in group-B, it was an average of 8.20 months. Single lesion was 15 (50%) for Group-A and 14 (46.7%) for Group-B. Multiple lesions were 15 (50%) & 16 (53.6%) for Group-A and Group-B respectively. The study showed that improvement rate was highest for the lesions on the extremities, which was 18 (34.6%) and lowest for back 03 (5.8%). Out of all patients from Group-A, the mean size of the lesions were 8.17cm, 5.90 cm, 4.32 cm and 3.57 cm at 1st visit, 2nd visit, 3rd visit and 4th visit respectively. In Group-B, the mean sizes of the lesions were 7.50 cm, 4.92 cm, 3.00 cm, and 4.75 cm at 1st visit, 2nd visit, 3rd visit and 4th visit respectively. Among the patients 27 (90%) of group-A and 25 (83.3%) of group B were improved after 16th week of treatment, slight response 4(13.3%) and 6(20%), moderate response 22(63.2%) and 18(59.4%) and marked response was 1(3.3%) and 1(3.3%) in group A and group B respectively.Conclusion: The study concluded that both the drugs, oral prednisolone and dexamethasone when used individually, were found to be equally effective in the treatment of vitiligo.Journal of Armed Forces Medical College Bangladesh Vol.11(1) 2015: 54-58
Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) Using Clinical Prediction Model Based on Maternal Characteristics
Authors: Jahan Sharmin , Ali Mohammad
Published: December 2016

Introduction: The healthcare delivery challenges in Bangladesh are phenomenal. Improving maternal and child health, reducing the high maternal and infant mortality & morbidity are challenging. Arrangement of additional expenditure for GDM screening is again challenging. The efficiency of screening could be enhanced by considering womens risks of gestational diabetes on the basis of their clinical characteristics.Objectives: To find out the use of the clinical prediction model of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is valid for Bangladeshi pregnant women and to assess the risk of gestational diabetes by using clinical prediction model based on maternal characteristics.Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out from July 2011 to June 2012 among purposively selected 217 pregnant women of ?24 weeks of gestation in the Gynae and Obstetric outpatient department of Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka. Data were collected by face to face interview, anthropometric measurement and record review. Two step oral glucose tests were done for diagnosis of GDM.Results: According to Chadakaran clinical prediction model 84 (38.7%) respondents were at high risk, 92 (42.4%) were at intermediate risk and 41(18.9%) found at low risk of gestational diabetes but only 24(11.05%) developed gestational diabetes. Highest occurrence of gestational diabetes was found in high risk group 17 (20.2%) with zero occurrence in low risk group. Risk score performance at the level of ?380, sensitivity was 100% and specificity 21.8%, 13.6% positive predictive value, 100% negative predictive value and area under curve was 0.385. At the level of 460 score the sensitivity and specificity was found closest (70.8% and 65.3%, respectively) and area under curve was highest 0.657. The receiver operating characteristics curve of the risk score in the study sample for predicting women with glucose tolerance test demonstrated an area 0.763 (95%, 0.682  0.845).Conclusion: The use of clinical prediction model is a simple, non invasive, cost effective useful method to identify women at increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus and could be short listed for further testing.Journal of Armed Forces Medical College Bangladesh Vol.11(1) 2015: 64-68
Project Management for a Wind Turbine Construction by Applying Fuzzy Multiple Objective Linear Programming Models
Authors: Kang He-Yau , Lee Amy , Huang Tzu-Ting
Published: December 2016

Meeting the demand of energy is a challenge for many countries these days, and generating electricity from renewable resources has become a main trend for future economic development. The construction of a renewable energy plant is costly and timely; therefore, a good project management model is essential. In this paper, a fuzzy multiple objective linear programming (FMOLP) model is constructed based on program evaluation and review technique (PERT) first. With the consideration of the different degrees of importance of the multiple objectives, a fuzzy multiple weighted-objective linear programming (FMWOLP) model is constructed next. Through each proposed model, a compromise solution can be devised to maximize the total degree of satisfaction while considering multiple objectives. The results can provide references for the management on what activities and how long these activities should be crashed, how much the total project cost should be, and how long the total project duration time should be. Finally, the proposed models are applied to a case study of a wind turbine construction in Taiwan.
Numerical Simulation of a Vortex Combustor Based on Aluminum and Steam
Authors: Chen Xianhe , Xia Zhixun , Huang Liya , Ma Likun
Published: December 2016

In this paper we report a new development in the numerical model for aluminum-steam combustion. This model is based on the diffusion flame of the continuum regime and the thermal equilibrium between the particle and the flow field, which can be used to calculate the aluminum particle combustion model for two phase calculation conditions. The model prediction is in agreement with the experimental data. A new type of vortex combustor is proposed to increase the efficiency of the combustion of aluminum and steam, and the mathematical model of the two phase reacting flow in this combustor is established. The turbulence effects are modeled using the Reynolds Stress Model (RSM) with Linear Pressure-Strain approach, and the Eddy-Dissipation model is used to simulate the gas phase combustion. Aluminum particles are injected into the vortex combustor, forming a swirling flow around the chamber, whose trajectories are traced using the Discrete Phase Model (DPM). The simulation results show that the vortex combustor can achieve highly efficient combustion of aluminum and steam. The influencing factors, such as the eccentric distance of the inlet of aluminum particles, particle size and steam inlet diameter, etc., are studied.
Additive Interaction of MTHFR C677T and MTRR A66G Polymorphisms with Being Overweight/Obesity on the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Zhi Xueyuan , Yang Boyi , Fan Shujun , Li Yongfang , He Miao , Wang Da , Wang Yanxun , Wei Jian , Zheng Quanmei , Sun Guifan
Published: December 2016

Although both methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) A66G polymorphisms have been associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D), their interactions with being overweight/obesity on T2D risk remain unclear. To evaluate the associations of the two polymorphisms with T2D and their interactions with being overweight/obesity on T2D risk, a case-control study of 180 T2D patients and 350 healthy controls was conducted in northern China. Additive interaction was estimated using relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion due to interaction (AP) and synergy index (S). After adjustments for age and gender, borderline significant associations of the MTHFR C677T and MTRR A66G polymorphisms with T2D were observed under recessive (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 0.98–2.10) and dominant (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.00–2.06) models, respectively. There was a significant interaction between the MTHFR 677TT genotype and being overweight/obesity on T2D risk (AP = 0.404, 95% CI: 0.047–0.761), in addition to the MTRR 66AG/GG genotypes (RERI = 1.703, 95% CI: 0.401–3.004; AP = 0.528, 95% CI: 0.223–0.834). Our findings suggest that individuals with the MTHFR 677TT or MTRR 66AG/GG genotypes are more susceptible to the detrimental effect of being overweight/obesity on T2D. Further large-scale studies are still needed to confirm our findings.
Increased Urinary Phthalate Levels in Women with Uterine Leiomyoma: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Kim Young , Kho Younglim , Chun Kyoung , Koh Jae , Park Jeong , Bunderson-Schelvan Melisa , Cho Yoon
Published: December 2016

We assessed the urinary concentration of 16 phthalate metabolites in 57 women with and without uterine leiomyoma (n = 30 and 27; respectively) to determine the association between phthalate exposure and uterine leiomyoma. To evaluate exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP); we calculated the molar sum of DEHP metabolites; ∑3-DEHP (combining mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP); mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP); and mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate); ∑4-DEHP (∑3-DEHP plus mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate); and ∑5-DEHP (∑4-DEHP plus mono (2-(carboxylmethyl)hexyl) phthalate (2cx-MMHP)). The log transformed urinary levels of MEHP; MEHHP; 2cx-MMHP; ∑3-DEHP; ∑4-DEHP; and ∑5-DEHP in the leiomyoma group were significantly higher than those of controls. When we adjusted for age; waist circumference; and parity using multiple logistic regression analyses; we found log ∑3-DEHP (OR = 10.82; 95% CI = 1.25; 93.46) and ∑4-DEHP (OR = 8.78; 95% CI = 1.03; 75.29) were significantly associated with uterine leiomyoma. Our findings suggest an association between phthalate exposure and uterine leiomyoma. However; larger studies are needed to investigate potential interactions between phthalate exposure and uterine leiomyoma.
α-Tocopherol and Hippocampal Neural Plasticity in Physiological and Pathological Conditions
Authors: Ambrogini Patrizia , Betti Michele , Galati Claudia , Di Palma Michael , Lattanzi Davide , Savelli David , Galli Francesco , Cuppini Riccardo , Minelli Andrea
Published: December 2016

Neuroplasticity is an “umbrella term” referring to the complex, multifaceted physiological processes that mediate the ongoing structural and functional modifications occurring, at various time- and size-scales, in the ever-changing immature and adult brain, and that represent the basis for fundamental neurocognitive behavioral functions; in addition, maladaptive neuroplasticity plays a role in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric dysfunctions. Experiential cues and several endogenous and exogenous factors can regulate neuroplasticity; among these, vitamin E, and in particular α-tocopherol (α-T), the isoform with highest bioactivity, exerts potent effects on many plasticity-related events in both the physiological and pathological brain. In this review, the role of vitamin E/α-T in regulating diverse aspects of neuroplasticity is analyzed and discussed, focusing on the hippocampus, a brain structure that remains highly plastic throughout the lifespan and is involved in cognitive functions. Vitamin E-mediated influences on hippocampal synaptic plasticity and related cognitive behavior, on post-natal development and adult hippocampal neurogenesis, as well as on cellular and molecular disruptions in kainate-induced temporal seizures are described. Besides underscoring the relevance of its antioxidant properties, non-antioxidant functions of vitamin E/α-T, mainly involving regulation of cell signaling molecules and their target proteins, have been highlighted to help interpret the possible mechanisms underlying the effects on neuroplasticity.
Lung Involvement in Children with Hereditary Autoinflammatory Disorders
Authors: Tarantino Giusyda , Esposito Susanna , Andreozzi Laura , Bracci Benedetta , D’Errico Francesca , Rigante Donato
Published: December 2016

Short-lived systemic inflammatory reactions arising from disrupted rules in the innate immune system are the operating platforms of hereditary autoinflammatory disorders (HAIDs). Multiple organs may be involved and aseptic inflammation leading to disease-specific phenotypes defines most HAIDs. Lungs are infrequently involved in children with HAIDs: the most common pulmonary manifestation is pleuritis in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS), respectively caused by mutations in the MEFV and TNFRSF1A genes, while interstitial lung disease can be observed in STING-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy (SAVI), caused by mutations in the TMEM173 gene. The specific pleuropulmonary diseases may range from sub-clinical abnormalities during inflammatory flares of FMF and TRAPS to a severe life-threatening disorder in children with SAVI.
Study on the Kinematic Performances and Optimization for Three Types of Parallel Manipulators
Authors: Zhang Dan , Wei Bin
Published: December 2016

The modelling, optimization issues and stiffness for several types of three degrees-of-freedom parallel robotic manipulators, i.e., 3-DOF pure translational, 3-DOF pure rotational and 3-DOF mixed motion types, are studied in this paper. First of all, the kinematics and Jacobian for the robotic manipulators are determined through different approaches; secondly, objective functions modelling are presented, and the associated optimization issues and the geometric parameters’ effect on the objective functions for the robotic mechanisms are illustrated and analyzed in detail. Through employing several multi-objective optimization approaches, we manifest an overall process and approach for multi-objective optimization of robotic systems. The correlation among different stiffness models is finally presented. The results indicate that the kinetostatic compliance model is the closest one to the traditional stiffness model.
Using miRNA-Analyzer for the Analysis of miRNA Data
Authors: Guzzi Pietro , Tradigo Giuseppe , Veltri Pierangelo
Published: December 2016

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small biological molecules that play an important role during the mechanisms of protein formation. Recent findings have demonstrated that they act as both positive and negative regulators of protein formation. Thus, the investigation of miRNAs, i.e., the determination of their level of expression, has developed a huge interest in the scientific community. One of the leading technologies for extracting miRNA data from biological samples is the miRNA Affymetrix platform. It provides the quantification of the level of expression of the miRNA in a sample, thus enabling the accumulation of data and allowing the determination of relationships among miRNA, genes, and diseases. Unfortunately, there is a lack of a comprehensive platform able to provide all the functions needed for the extraction of information from miRNA data. We here present miRNA-Analyzer, a complete software tool providing primary functionalities for miRNA data analysis. The current version of miRNA-Analyzer wraps the Affymetrix QCTool for the preprocessing of binary data files, and then provides feature selection (the filtering by species and by the associated p-value of preprocessed files). Finally, preprocessed and filtered data are analyzed by the Multiple Experiment Viewer (T-MEV) and Short Time Series Expression Miner (STEM) tools, which are also wrapped into miRNA-Analyzer, thus providing a unique environment for miRNA data analysis. The tool offers a plug-in interface so it is easily extensible by adding other algorithms as plug-ins. Users may download the tool freely for academic use at https://sites.google.com/site/mirnaanalyserproject/d.
GridiLoc: A Backtracking Grid Filter for Fusing the Grid Model with PDR Using Smartphone Sensors
Authors: Shang Jianga , Hu Xuke , Cheng Wen , Fan Hongchao
Published: December 2016

Although map filtering-aided Pedestrian Dead Reckoning (PDR) is capable of largely improving indoor localization accuracy, it becomes less efficient when coping with highly complex indoor spaces. For instance, indoor spaces with a few close corners or neighboring passages can lead to particles entering erroneous passages, which can further cause the failure of subsequent tracking. To address this problem, we propose GridiLoc, a reliable and accurate pedestrian indoor localization method through the fusion of smartphone sensors and a grid model. The key novelty of GridiLoc is the utilization of a backtracking grid filter for improving localization accuracy and for handling dead ending issues. In order to reduce the time consumption of backtracking, a topological graph is introduced for representing candidate backtracking points, which are the expected locations at the starting time of the dead ending. Furthermore, when the dead ending is caused by the erroneous step length model of PDR, our solution can automatically calibrate the model by using the historical tracking data. Our experimental results show that GridiLoc achieves a higher localization accuracy and reliability compared with the commonly-used map filtering approach. Meanwhile, it maintains an acceptable computational complexity.
Estimation of Full-Body Poses Using Only Five Inertial Sensors: An Eager or Lazy Learning Approach?
Authors: Wouda Frank , Giuberti Matteo , Bellusci Giovanni , Veltink Peter
Published: December 2016

Human movement analysis has become easier with the wide availability of motion capture systems. Inertial sensing has made it possible to capture human motion without external infrastructure, therefore allowing measurements in any environment. As high-quality motion capture data is available in large quantities, this creates possibilities to further simplify hardware setups, by use of data-driven methods to decrease the number of body-worn sensors. In this work, we contribute to this field by analyzing the capabilities of using either artificial neural networks (eager learning) or nearest neighbor search (lazy learning) for such a problem. Sparse orientation features, resulting from sensor fusion of only five inertial measurement units with magnetometers, are mapped to full-body poses. Both eager and lazy learning algorithms are shown to be capable of constructing this mapping. The full-body output poses are visually plausible with an average joint position error of approximately 7 cm, and average joint angle error of 7 ∘ . Additionally, the effects of magnetic disturbances typical in orientation tracking on the estimation of full-body poses was also investigated, where nearest neighbor search showed better performance for such disturbances.
Deriving an Indoor Environmental Index for Portuguese Office Buildings
Authors: Gomes João , Esteves Hélder
Published: December 2016

In 2002, the European Commission (EU) issued a Directive aiming to reduce the energy consumption of buildings, which was adopted by the EU member states and came into force in 2006. Portugal adopted it by issuing law decrees in 2006 which considered not only the energy saving aspects but also additional specific measures aiming to protect indoor air quality (IAQ). This new legislation is now being enforced, and it will be necessary to define compliance acceptance levels for the prescribed indoor air limits. The use of comfort or environmental indexes could be of considerable help to ameliorate the evaluation of IAQ. This paper presents a proposal of an index regarding IAQ which considers both the aspects of thermal comfort and non-toxicity. The proposed index was calculated for offices of several European countries, available from previous studies and for Portugal as well. Bearing in mind there is few existing data, this study is consistent with the proposed index, as the obtained values are similar to Greece, which has several similarities with the Portuguese situation.
The International Society for Extracellular Vesicles launches the first massive open online course on extracellular vesicles
Authors: Lässer Cecilia , Théry Clotilde , Buzás Edit I. , Mathivanan Suresh , Zhao Weian , Gho Yong Song , Lötvall Jan
Published: December 2016

The International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) has organised its first educational online course for students and beginners in the field of extracellular vesicles (EVs). This course, “Basics of Extracellular Vesicles,” uses recorded lectures from experts in the field and will be open for an unlimited number of participants. The course is divided into 5 modules and can be accessed at www.coursera.org/learn/extracellular‐vesicles. The first module is an introduction to the field covering the nomenclature and history of EVs. Module 2 focuses on the biogenesis and uptake mechanisms of EVs, as well as their RNA, protein and lipid cargo. Module 3 covers the collection and processing of cell culture media and body fluids such as blood, breast milk, cerebrospinal fluid and urine prior to isolation of EVs. Modules 4 and 5 present different isolation methods and characterisation techniques utilised in the EV field. Here, differential ultracentrifugation, size‐exclusion chromatography, density gradient centrifugation, kit‐based precipitation, electron microscopy, cryo‐electron microscopy, flow cytometry, atomic‐force microscopy and nanoparticle‐tracking analysis are covered. This first massive open online course (MOOC) on EVs was launched on 15 August 2016 at the platform “Coursera” and is free of charge.
Effect of Anderson localization on light emission from gold nanoparticle aggregates
Authors: Abdellatif Mohamed H , Salerno Marco , Abdelrasoul Gaser N , Liakos Ioannis , Scarpellini Alice , Marras Sergio , Diaspro Alberto
Published: December 2016

The localization of light known as Anderson localization is a common phenomenon characterizing aggregates of metallic nanostructures. The electromagnetic energy of visible light can be localized inside nanostructures below the diffraction limit by converting the optical modes into nonradiative surface plasmon resonances. The energy of the confined photons is correlated to the size and shape of the nanostructured system. In this work, we studied the photoluminescence dependence of aggregates of 14 nm diameter gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) synthesized by drop-casting a liquid suspension on two different substrates of glass and quartz. The AuNP aggregates were characterized by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The dielectric constant of the surrounding medium plays a crucial role in determining the aggregate geometry, which affects the Anderson localization of light in the aggregates and hence causes a red-shift in the plasmonic resonance and in the photoluminescence emission. The geometry of the gold nanoparticle aggregates determine the strength of the Anderson localization, and hence, the light emission from the aggregates. The photoluminescence lifetime was found to be dependent on the AuNP aggregate geometry and the dielectric constant of the medium.
Auditory and Cognitive Factors Associated with Speech-in-Noise Complaints following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Hoover Eric C. , Souza Pamela E. , Gallun Frederick J.
Published: December 2016

Background:Auditory complaints following mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) are common, but few studies have addressed the role of auditory temporal processing in speech recognition complaints.Purpose:In this study, deficits understanding speech in a background of speech
noise following MTBI were evaluated with the goal of comparing the relative contributions of auditory and nonauditory factors.Research Design:A matched-groups design was used in which a group of listeners with a history of MTBI were compared to a group matched in age and pure-tone thresholds,
as well as a control group of young listeners with normal hearing (YNH).Study Sample:Of the 33 listeners who participated in the study, 13 were included in the MTBI group (mean age = 46.7 yr), 11 in the Matched group (mean age = 49 yr), and 9 in the YNH group (mean age = 20.8 yr).Data
Collection and Analysis:Speech-in-noise deficits were evaluated using subjective measures as well as monaural word (Words-in-Noise test) and sentence (Quick Speech-in-Noise test) tasks, and a binaural spatial release task. Performance on these measures was compared to psychophysical tasks
that evaluate monaural and binaural temporal fine-structure tasks and spectral resolution. Cognitive measures of attention, processing speed, and working memory were evaluated as possible causes of differences between MTBI and Matched groups that might contribute to speech-in-noise perception
deficits.Results:A high proportion of listeners in the MTBI group reported difficulty understanding speech in noise (84%) compared to the Matched group (9.1%), and listeners who reported difficulty were more likely to have abnormal results on objective measures of speech in noise. No
significant group differences were found between the MTBI and Matched listeners on any of the measures reported, but the number of abnormal tests differed across groups. Regression analysis revealed that a combination of auditory and auditory processing factors contributed to monaural speech-in-noise
scores, but the benefit of spatial separation was related to a combination of working memory and peripheral auditory factors across all listeners in the study.Conclusions:The results of this study are consistent with previous findings that a subset of listeners with MTBI has objective
auditory deficits. Speech-in-noise performance was related to a combination of auditory and nonauditory factors, confirming the important role of audiology in MTBI rehabilitation. Further research is needed to evaluate the prevalence and causal relationship of auditory deficits following MTBI.
Primary Ankle Arthrodesis for Severely Comminuted Tibial Pilon Fractures
Authors: Al-Ashhab Mohamed E.
Published: December 2016

Management of severely comminuted, complete articular tibial pilon fractures (Rüedi and Allgöwer type III) remains a challenge, with few treatment options providing good clinical outcomes. Twenty patients with severely comminuted tibial pilon fractures underwent primary ankle arthrodesis with a retrograde calcaneal nail and autogenous fibular bone graft. The fusion rate was 100% and the varus malunion rate was 10%. Fracture union occurred at a mean of 16 weeks (range, 13–18 weeks) postoperatively. Primary ankle arthrodesis is a successful method for treating highly comminuted tibial pilon fractures, having a low complication rate and a high satisfaction score. [
Orthopedics.
2017; 40(2):e378–e381.]
Anterior Approach in Total Hip Replacement
Authors: Cadossi Matteo , Sambri Andrea , Tedesco Giuseppe , Mazzotti Antonio , Terrando Silvio , Faldini Cesare
Published: December 2016

In total hip replacement, the anterior approach is intermuscular and internervous and allows the surgeon to reach the capsule without muscle detachment. Advantages include faster recovery and excellent functional outcome as well as reduced postoperative pain and hospital stay. Experienced surgeons currently performing total hip replacement should be aware of all of the difficulties associated with this procedure as well as all of the tricks to overcome the most challenging steps in order to reduce complications during the learning curve. The authors present the most crucial steps in total hip replacement through the anterior approach and describe the potential pitfalls and solutions. [
Orthopedics.
2017; 40(3):e553–e556.]
Clinical Presentation and Outcomes of Stage III or Stage IV Retinoblastoma in 80 Asian Indian Patients
Authors: Kaliki Swathi , Patel Anamika , Iram Sadiya , Palkonda Vijay Anand Reddy
Published: December 2016

Purpose:

To describe the clinical features and outcomes of patients with stage III or IV retinoblastoma.

Methods:

This was a retrospective study of 80 patients.

Results:

Based on the International Retinoblastoma Staging System (IRSS), the tumors (n = 81) belonged to stage IIIa (n = 38, 47%), IIIb (n = 1, 1%), IVa2 (n = 10, 12%), IVb1 (n = 14, 17%), and IVb3 (n = 18, 22%). Of 80 patients, 42 (53%) were compliant to treatment and 38 (47%) were non-compliant. All 38 patients who were non-compliant to treatment died of the disease at a mean duration of 13 months from diagnosis. Of the 42 patients compliant to treatment, 22 (52%) died before completion of treatment. Twenty patients with stage III disease (25%) could complete the multimodal treatment and 17 (71%) were alive and well at a median follow-up duration of 77 months.

Conclusions:

Compliant multimodality treatment is beneficial in patients with IRSS stage III disease. IRSS stage IV retinoblastoma has poor prognosis despite treatment.

[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2017;54(3):177–184.]
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in a Normal Iris
Authors: Allegrini Davide , Montesano Giovanni , Pece Alfredo
Published: December 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a new imaging technique for examining the macular region in many retinal diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the applicability of OCTA to detect iris vascularization.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

The irises of 28 eyes of 14 patients were examined with AngioVue OCT (Optovue, Fremont, CA). The usual technique was modified using the AngioRetina mode, but with the anterior segment optical adaptor lens, and without autofocus, while making manual adjustments. OCTA scans were captured in both eyes, always by the same operator. The images were acquired in 3 × 3 and 6 × 6 volume cubes. Raw data were then exported and split using an external tool provided by Optovue to obtain three-dimensional (3-D) iris reconstruction.

RESULTS:

In all eyes, OCTA showed the arterial system more superficially and the venous system more deeply in 3-D reconstruction.

CONCLUSION:

This is the first report of a study of the vascularization and 3-D reconstruction of the normal iris with OCTA. The method detects iris vascular network and indirectly provides information on the retinal circulation in situations where this is not visible without injecting sodium fluorescein.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2016;47:1138–1142.]
Códices medievais de ius commune em Portugal: status quaestionis
Authors: Domingues José
Published: December 2016

[pt] Portugal herdou do reino mater de Leão as fontes jurídicas e os seus primeiros códices de Direito. Com o renascimento jurídico do Direito romano, os textos de Ius commune –que chegam muito cedo, logo no século XII– passam a preencher o quotidiano jurídico do reino, desde a media aetas até ao movimento iluminista de finais do século XVIII. Ingentes esforços de investigação se tem feito para localizar cronológica e espacialmente os restos indiciários desses medievos textos jurídicos. Este trabalho pretende fazer uma súmula, com vista a uma perspectiva integral e actualizada, do status quaestionis desta temática.
Justicia eclesiástica y control social en Burgos durante el siglo XV: el castigo de las faltas y los delitos del clero en la Castilla bajomedieval
Authors: Guijarro González Susana
Published: December 2016

El presente artículo estudia la relación entre la intensa reglamentación sobre las conductas y actos, establecida por el cabildo catedralicio y los obispos de Burgos, y su reflejo en la práctica penal durante el siglo XV. Para ello se analizan las penas que fueron aplicadas a 282 casos de delitos y faltas extraídos de las actas capitulares burgalesas. Primeramente, se establece una tipología de los delitos y las faltas de clérigos y laicos documentados, así como la terminología empleada por la fuente para definirlos. Seguidamente, se clasifican las penas aplicadas a los diferentes delitos y faltas, teniendo en cuenta su frecuencia y variabilidad. Finalmente, se analiza el grado de implicación de clérigos y laicos en los delitos penalizados. Todo ello tiene como objetivo final determinar si puede hablarse de la existencia de un cierto desfase entre la norma y su aplicación.
La producción de carbón en el reino de Córdoba a fines de la Edad Media: un ejemplo de aprovechamiento del monte mediterráneo
Authors: López Rider Javier
Published: December 2016

El objeto de este estudio es indagar y explicar qué supone la práctica del carboneo y el carbón en el reino de Córdoba durante el periodo bajomedieval. Ante la carencia de estudios antracológicos, las fuentes documentales plasman la tipología de carbones existentes, cómo se obtenía esta materia prima, a qué usos se destinaba, cómo era transportado hasta la ciudad, y en último lugar, su comercialización. Gracias a esta información se puede comprender el significado que tenía el carboneo para nuestros antepasados, pues nos han dejado un legado carbonífero que seguimos utilizando en la actualidad.
Le Péloponnèse du ive au viiie siècle
Authors: Avraméa Anna
Published: December 2016

Étudier le Péloponnèse entre le ive et le viiie siècle : le renouvellement de la documentation et de la problématique historique a dicté cette entreprise. Examinant l’évolution interne qui caractérise cette période, l’auteur a mis l’accent autant sur les changements que sur les continuités, dans une région de la Grèce méridionale souvent laissée dans l’ombre, particulièrement durant la fin du vie, le viieet le viiiesiècle.

L’auteur souligne la complexité des modifications pour montrer qu’elles ne revêtent pas l’aspect d’une opposition païen-chrétien ou urbain-rural : l’on passe de l’un à l’autre, non par une brusque interruption mais par un processus graduel. Elle étudie sous cet aspect la forme et la fonction de l’habitat, la société, l’économie et la culture. A côté de persistances notables dans le domaine de l’administration civile et ecclésiastique, l’ouvrage aborde largement les changements provoqués par la nature et par l’homme, notamment l’impact de la présence slave, étudiée à l’aide d’une documentation nouvelle ou renouvelée.
Aux marges du royaume
Authors: Paresys Isabelle
Published: December 2016

Comment la justice fonctionne-t-elle aux marges frontalières d'un royaume, et plus largement comment s'y construit l'obéissance au souverain ? En ces territoires, le lien avec le souverain n'est peut-être pas le même qu'ailleurs. Voici une piste de recherche que se propose de suivre cet ouvrage en prenant pour terrain d'étude la Picardie, marge septentrionale du royaume de France sous François Ier , particulièrement menacée par le conflit franco-anglo-impérial en cette première partie du xvie siècle. On conserve pour cette zone frontalière des archives du pardon royal aux criminels et, dans le domaine de la répression, celles d'Amiens, ville où l'échevinage exerce alors la justice. Il apparaît en ces temps troublés que la violence des Picards est tolérée par le souverain qui pardonne de très nombreux homicides en octroyant des lettres de rémission. De leur côté, les autorités amiénoises essaient de contrôler, par l'exercice d'une justice active, un ordre urbain de plus en plus ébranlé dans une conjoncture qui se dégrade.

Mais par-delà le rapport entre la justice et le territoire, l'ouvrage aborde des thèmes que les sources judiciaires mettent particulièrement en valeur et qui permettent de reconstituer les comportements des hommes de la Renaissance au quotidien. Il s'agit par exemple du rapport à l'espace : aires de déplacement, lieux de sociabilité, habitat mais aussi espace-temps. A travers les manifestations de la violence homicide, on voit apparaître le thème de l'image de soi. Il s'agit tout d'abord de l'honneur, qui y tient une place importante et touche autant les vilains que les gentilshommes. On voit aussi se dessiner l'image que donnent d'eux-mêmes les Picards justiciables, celle de frontaliers en état d'alerte permanent, attachés au « pays de Picardie » et au roi de France. L'image de soi renvoie en outre à celle des autres, celle de la parenté par exemple, à la fois solidaire et conflictuelle, celle des justiciers et celle de redoutables hommes de guerre qui sillonnent alors ces marges du royaume.
Le Tocititlan et les fouilles du métro Pino Suárez à Mexico
Authors: Mazzetto Elena
Published: December 2016

Cet article est consacré aux fouilles archéologiques d’une aire cultuelle découverte près du centre historique de la ville de Mexico. Sa localisation a poussé les spécialistes à l’identifier comme étant le Tocititlan, le sanctuaire voué au culte de Toci-Teteo Innan, un des aspects de la déesse mère vénérée par les Mexicas. Les sources ethno-historiques du xvie siècle, où ce lieu de culte est décrit en détail, ont représenté les bases bibliographiques utilisées par les archéologues afin d’en entamer une identification. Néanmoins, cet article met en évidence les limites d’une approche exclusivement archéologique ou historique. L’objectif de cette étude est de souligner les doutes tout à fait pertinents nés d’un croisement significatif des données disponibles ainsi que d’une comparaison systématique des données de terrain avec les données issues des documents coloniaux. Le résultat de cette démarche permet de bouleverser l’interprétation originelle proposée par les spécialistes, ainsi que de suggérer de nouvelles pistes d’analyse.
La présence d’un mobilier funéraire de type mérovingien dans le Kent au vie siècle : reflet d’une position privilégiée ?
Authors: Soulat Jean
Published: December 2016

The inventory of 6th century Frankish artifacts found in Kent raises several questions concerning the presence of continental, foreign objects in south-eastern Anglo-Saxon England. Often deposited as grave-goods, these objects quite often belong to a Frankish material culture. Hence, their deposition is the consequence of a cross-Channel relation between Frankish and Anglo-Saxon aristocratic networks in Kent and northern Gaul. According to C. Haith (2006), the material culture mixing Frankish and Anglo-Saxon artifacts in graves in Kent, is probably due to the adoption of Frankish dress in women’s élite. With this hypothesis, the presence of Frankish artifacts shows the high status of the dead and is not to be interpreted as a sign of ethnic affinity. However, the presence of Frankish groups is testified in second half of the 5th century in south-eastern England with the use of Merovingian burial practices like weapons inhumations (Evison, 1965, 1981; Hawkes, 1982). It is possible that the Franks did play a major role in the formation of the early Anglo-Saxon successor kingdoms but also in the subsequent cross-Channel trade relations during the 6th and the 7th century (Wood, 1983; Fischer et al., 2008).
La différenciation sociale dans les cités-états du Levant Sud au IIIe millénaire avant notre ère
Authors: Sebag Deborah
Published: December 2016

This article will study the architectural data in order to search indications concerning the existence of markers of power and the existence of social hierarchies during the 3rd millennium B.C. in Southern Levant. Indeed if the materials, their availability and the evolution of technical knowledge are clearly a major influence on architecture, economic and social conditions are also decisive. In addition, ethnographic studies of domestic architecture tend to show a positive correlation between the size of a house and the status and wealth of the population.The situation is seen even better during Early Bronze age because the period marks the first urbanization of the region, including the construction of powerful ramparts. Thus, it is to understand through the study of architectural remains and forms-building techniques which are social phenomena that produced them.
Temples et marques du pouvoir romain en Arabie romaine
Authors: Seigneuret Delphine
Published: December 2016

The Roman Emperor Trajan annexed the Nabataean Kingdom in 106 A.D. apparently in a peaceful way. He thus created the new province of Arabia with the city of Bosra succeeding Petra as capital. The area remains prosperous: the Nabateans continue to build temples and villages. In A.D. 111, the Romans set up in the province a road connecting Damascus and Bosra to the Red Sea, passing by Petra: the Via nova traiana. We then observe the coexistence of two traditions: roman sanctuaries are established in the Decapolis cities (like in Amman, ancient Philadelphia, and in Jerash) because of the installation of imperial legionaries. In parallel, we can observe the construction or the embellishment of sanctuaries devoted to local cults (as in Khirbet edh-Dharih, Khirbet At-Tannur, Wadi Ramm and Qasr Rabbah) and a continuity of worship in Petra, which obtains the new statute of metropolis. The Nabataeans seem to have developed an authentic style by integrating into their art a Graeco-Roman imagery while preserving a Semitic worship within their temples. Are these constructions a mean of preserving autonomy and freedom of worship in the middle of a romanized province?The aim of this study is to analyze how Nabataeans reacted at the architectural level as well at the religious level to the political power dominating over their former territory.
Les tendances à l’abstraction dans la représentation du divin en Mésopotamie antique
Authors: Le Maillot Aurélien
Published: December 2016

Les sociétés proches-orientales ont connu différentes formes de représentations divines. Celles de la Mésopotamie ancienne sont polythéistes et leurs divinités supérieures sont la plupart du temps représentées sous une forme anthropomorphe. Néanmoins, certaines images s’éloignent de ce mode de figuration pour évoquer la présence divine par la représentation d’attributs ayant valeur de symboles, notamment à la période kassite. Ce phénomène iconographique marque une tendance à l’abstraction dont nous proposons ici d’étudier les différents aspects tout en replaçant ce processus dans l’évolution de l’art en Mésopotamie antique.
Une façade à images pour un culte sans image
Authors: Seigneuret Delphine
Published: December 2016

Edh-Dharih est un site nabatéen situé à environ 70 km au nord de Pétra, en Jordanie. Au sanctuaire est associée une petite agglomération rurale ainsi qu’une nécropole. Considéré lieu d’étape et de pèlerinage, edh-Dharih nous livre un temple d’une grande richesse iconographique et architecturale qui autorise une bonne compréhension de la religion nabatéenne. En partant de l’analyse iconographique de la façade du temple, restituée, nous pouvons effectuer un parallèle entre les informations que nous livrent les images de cette façade et la conception ainsi que l’architecture du temple. Le décor mêle en effet des éléments issus des traditions gréco-romaines. Mais, à les regarder de plus près, ces représentations sont traitées dans un style nabatéen à la fois quant à la technique artistique et quant au rendu de l’expression des visages. La façade d’un temple étant ce qui est perçu en premier lieu, le programme décoratif pourrait suggérer l’intégration du royaume nabatéen à l’empire romain, qui eut lieu en 106 de notre ère, et cela à la vue de tous et notamment des pèlerins. Cependant, si la façade dénote un style syncrétique mêlant thèmes gréco-romains dans un traitement sémitique, le cas est similaire pour le plan du temple qui présente, au-delà du plan typique avec vestibule et cella, une plate-forme cultuelle sur laquelle on plaçait des bétyles pour effectuer des offrandes aux divinités. Ces éléments, décoratifs et conceptuels, liant tradition provinciale nabatéenne et « images » gréco-romaines, sont-ils un moyen de légitimer l’adhésion des Nabatéens à l’Empire romain, tout en conservant volontairement une part d’autonomie ? Cette problématique permet de se questionner sur le syncrétisme culturel et religieux au sein de ce même temple.
Les structures de stockage du massif du Barajas
Authors: Bortot Séverine
Published: December 2016

Doctoral research was undertaken from 2002 to 2007 on underground storage features found in the Cerro Barajas. This study was part of the Barajas project, examining Prehispanic sites dating to the Epiclassic period (AD 650-950) in a mountain range located in north-central Mexico. The remains on these sites include dozens of underground cells which were used to store the goods of the local populations.Storage facilities are rare in first millennium contexts in central Mexico, and the Barajas features thus offer an excellent opportunity to investigate various aspects of the economy of these populations. Analysis of the contents of the features shows that, apart from some valuable objects, they were mostly used to store food products, including maize and amaranth.As a result of this analysis, stocks can be reconstructed, leading to formulation of various hypotheses on the subsistence strategies of these populations.
Impacts de l’expansion territoriale mexica sur l’économie des cités soumises
Authors: Sergheraert Maëlle
Published: December 2016

From 1430 to 1520 A.D, the Mexica (or Aztecs) extended their empire through conquest of numerous cities in central Mexico. In this article, we highlight two major consequences of Mexica expansion : the obligation for conquered people to pay tribute and the empire’s reorganisation in tributary provinces. First, we examine the impact on the economy of subjected cities, in terms of production, impoverishment or enrichment of the population. Changes in production observed in data from three archaeological sites in the state of Morelos show that there were various degrees of implication in the production of tribute. Second, the creation of the Tepequacuilco and Tepeaca provinces is examined in order to observe the effects of changing the pre-existing regional organization.