bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Fustik Stojka
Published: January 2014

Introduction. As the expected survival improves in individuals with the
cystic fibrosis (CF), so they may be faced with a number of medical
complications. Objective. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence
of liver cirrhosis in our CF population as well as the clinical and genetic
characteristics of these patients. Methods. All patients older than 2 years
(n=96) were screened for liver disease. Liver cirrhosis was defined by
ultrasonographic findings of distinct heterogeneity of liver parenchyma and
nodular liver surface and/or by liver biopsy findings. Enlarged spleen,
distended portal vein and abnormal portal venous flow indicated portal
hypertension. Clinical and genotype data were analyzed. Results. Sixteen
patients were found to have liver cirrhosis, three of them with portal
hypertension. All patients had pancreatic insufficiency. Nutritional status
expressed as standard deviation score (Z score) for weight, height, and body
mass index was as follows: zW=-0.40?1.24, zH=-0.83?1.02, and BMI=20.1?2.3. CF
patients with liver cirrhosis generally had mild-to-moderate lung disease,
with average FVC and FEV1 values of 97.1?16.5% of predicted and 87.9?23.5% of
predicted, respectively. Genetic analysis showed high frequency of F508del
mutation in the group with cirrhosis (90.6%). Conclusion. The prevalence of
liver cirrhosis in our CF population older than 2 years was 16.6%. Patients
with pancreatic insufficiency and severe CFTR mutations, especially F508del,
were exposed to higher risk of developing liver cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis
has no significant impact on the pulmonary function and the nutritional
status, until the end-stage liver disease.
Transcatheter stenting of arterial duct in duct-dependent congenital heart disease
Authors: Djukic Milan , Ilisic Tamara , Stefanovic Igor , Gradinac Marija , Vulicevic Irena , Parezanovic Vojislav , Jovanovic Ida
Published: January 2014

Introduction. Critical congenital heart diseases (CHD) are mostly
duct-dependent and require stable systemic-pulmonary communication. In order
to maintain patency of the ductus arteriosus (DA), the first line treatment
is Prostaglandin E1 and the second step is the surgical creation of
aortic-pulmonary shunt. To reduce surgical risk in neonates with the critical
CHD, transcatheter stenting of DA can be performed in selected cases. Case
Outline. A four-month old infant was diagnosed with the pulmonary artery
atresia with ventricular septal defect (PAA/VSD). The left pulmonary artery
was perfused from DA, and the right lung through three major aortopulmonary
collaterals (MAPCAs). A coronary stent was placed in the long and critically
stenotic DA, with final arterial duct diameter of 3.5 mm, and significantly
increased blood supply to the left lung. After the procedure, the infant?s
status was improved with regard to arterial oxygen saturation, feeding and
weight gain. During the follow-up, one year later, aortography revealed
in-stent stenosis. The left pulmonary artery, as well as the branches, was
well-developed and the decision was made to proceed with further surgical
correction. Conclusion. Stenting of DA can be an effective alternative to
primary surgical correction in selected patients with duct-dependent CHD.
Presentation of an infant with nutritional deficiency dermatitis as the initial manifestation of cystic fibrosis
Authors: Stojkovic Andjelka , Radlovic Nedeljko , Vuletic Biljana , Nestorovic Branimir , Lekovic Zoran , Obradovic Slobodan , Vujic Ana
Published: January 2014

Introduction. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystemic autosomal recessive
disease most frequently recognized by characteristic respiratory and/or
digestive manifestations. Exceptionally rare, as is the case with the infant
we are presenting, the initial sign of the disease can be nutritional
deficiency dermatitis (NDD). Case Outline. A three-month-old male infant of
young and healthy non-consanguineous parents, born at term after the first
uneventful pregnancy, was hospitalized due to atopic dermatitis (AD)-like
skin changes, failure to thrive and normochromic anemia (Hb 60 g/L). As
exclusively breast-fed, failure to thrive was attributed to hypogalactia and
skin changes to nutritional allergy, so that, besides exclusion of cow?s milk
protein and other highly allergenic foods in mother?s diet, hypoallergenic
milk formula was added to the child?s diet. However, dietetic measures were
without effect, and the child was re-hospitalized at age 4.5 months, this
time in the condition of severe malnutrition with hypoproteinemic edemas,
extensive dermatitis, moderate hepatosplenomegaly and recurrent normochromic
anemia (Hb 57 g/L). After plasma-free erythrocyte transfusion, correction of
hypoalbuminemia and two-week parenteral and semi-elementary nutrition
resulted in gradual recovery of the child, also including the resolution of
skin changes. Having in mind the clinical course of the disease, as well as
the response to applied therapeutic measures, CF was suspected as the cause
of the child?s problems, which was also confirmed by a high level of sweat
chlorine (92 mmol/L) and DNA analysis (?F508/?F508). Conclusion. Our
experience indicates that NDD, as the initial manifestation of CF, should be
also kept in mind in differential diagnosis of the infant?s AD-like changes.
The role and contribution of transvaginal endoscopy to diagnostics and treatment of infertility
Authors: Kopitovic Vesna , Trninic-Pjevic Aleksandra , Milatovic Stevan
Published: January 2014

Transvaginal endoscopy (TVE) presents minimal invasive endoscopic method that
involves hysteroscopy, transvaginal laparoscopy and salpingoscopy. It gives a
new approach to both basic evaluation of marital infertility and its
treatment. The role of TVE is a subject of controversies regarding its
justification as standard infertility treatment. Another aspect is a role of
TVE prior to methods of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). The aim of
this paper was to try, through the analysis of the available literature, to
clarify the role of TVE in reproductive medicine, as well as to show our
experience. The concept of one?day diagnostics, which is so?called one stop
fertility clinic, is performed in the Clinical Center of Vojvodina,
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics on a daily basis. It consists of
history, gynecology and ultrasound exam, spermiogram, hormone tests, and TVE.
Patients are informed about results on the very same day and advised on the
proper infertility treatment. By forming the infertility diagnostics
protocols, which use the methods of TVE, we consider it possible to evaluate
adequately and accurately the fertility within the shortest possible time. It
replaced standard laparoscopy in certain indication fields; it eventually
confirmed the necessity of its use in recurrent IVF implantation failure,
raising the question of its routine use prior to the first IVF cycle that is
a topic requiring further randomized trials.
Street children
Authors: Roncevic Nevenka , Stojadinovic Aleksandra , Batrnek­antonic Daliborka
Published: January 2014

According to UNICEF, street child is any child under the age of 18 for whom
the street has become home and/or source of income and which is not
adequately protected or supervised by adult, responsible person. It has been
estimated that there are between 100 and 150 million street children
worldwide. Life and work on the street have long term and far-reaching
consequences for development and health of these children. By living and
working in the street, these children face the highest level of risk. Street
children more often suffer from the acute illness, injuries, infection,
especially gastrointestinal, acute respiratory infections and sexually
transmitted diseases, inadequate nutrition, mental disorders, and drug abuse.
They are more often victims of abuse, sexual exploitation, trafficking; they
have higher rate of adolescent pregnancy than their peers from poor families.
Street children and youth have higher rates of hospitalization and longer
hospital stay due to seriousness of illness and delayed health care. Street
children/youth are reluctant to seek health care, and when they try, they
face many barriers. Street children are invisible to the state and their
number in Serbia is unknown. Recently, some non?governmental organizations
from Belgrade, Novi Sad and Nis have recognized this problem and tried to
offer some help to street children, by opening drop?in centers, but this is
not enough. To solve this problem, an engagement of the state and the whole
community is necessary, and primary responsibility lies in health, social and
educational sector. The best interests of the child must serve as a basic
guideline in all activities aimed at improving health, quality of life and
rights of children involved in the life and work in the street.
A comparative study of protaper and twisted file nickel titanium instruments in curved canals preparation
Authors: De Lima , Nevares Giselle , Xavier Felipe , Gominho Ferraz , de Albuquerque
Published: January 2014

Introduction. Root canal instrumentation is performed to achieve cleaning and
shaping with maximum preservation of its original anatomy. However, in curved
canals this approach may cause excessive damage or canal transportation. The
present study aimed to evaluate changes in dentin wall caused by
instrumentation of curved canals using two nickel titanium rotary systems,
ProTaper and Twisted File. Material and Methods. Twenty five extracted human
mandibular first molars with two separated mesial root canals were selected.
Distal roots were amputated and 50 canals (25 mesiobuccal and 25
mesiolingual) were randomly assigned into two groups: group 1 - ProTaper, and
group 2 - Twisted File. All files were used with torque control engine,
following the manufacturer instructions. The final instruments were F3 (group
1) and #30/.06 (group 2). Pre and postoperative cross sections were obtained
from coronal, middle, and apical portions. Changes in dentin wall were
measured and evaluated using Bramante method and digital image software.
Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann Whitney U test (p<0.05).
Results. The ammount of dentin removed by ProTaper in cervical and middle
canal thirds was significantly greater than with Twisted File (p=0.040 and
p=0.043). ProTaper eliminated significantly greater ammount of dentin than
Twisted File from mesial wall in coronal sections (p=0.039). Mean differences
in distance from the center to other walls were not statistically significant
in the middle and apical thirds of both groups (p>0.05). Conclusion. ProTaper
system produced greater changes in cross sectional area of the root canal
compared to Twisted File system.
Total polyphenol content and minimum inhibitory concentration of pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn) extracts against oral microorganisms
Authors: Janani J. , Lydia Esther
Published: January 2014

Introduction. The prevalence of dental diseases in India is increasing.
Antibiotic resistance exhibited by microbes has paved way for alternative
therapy such as phytotherapy. Pomegranate (Punica granatum Linn) has been
used as an alternative therapy in the treatment of many infections. The aim
of this study was to assess polyphenol content and minimum inhibitory
concentration (MIC) of different parts of pomegranate against oral bacteria.
Materials and Methods. Methanolic and aqueous extracts of seed, pith, rind
and crude extract of pomegranate were prepared. Total polyphenol content was
estimated by Folin-Ciocalciteu reagent using gallic acid as standard. MIC was
assessed for four bacterial species and one fungal species. Results.
Methanolic and aqueous extract of pomegranate pith showed high polyphenol
content (805.6 g/meq of gallic acid) compared to other pomegranate part
extracts. Methanolic and ethanolic seed extracts were effective against
Staphylococcus aureus, crude extract of pomegranate was effective against
Staphylococcus epidermis whereas methanolic and ethanolic rind extracts of
pomegranate were effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida
albicans. Conclusion. All parts of pomegranate contain high polyphenol
content and have antibacterial and antifungal activity. Pomegranate can be
potential substitute for synthetic antibiotics against oral microorganisms.
Highly active calcium-silicate phases for application in endodontics
Authors: Jokanovic Vukoman , Colovic Bozana , Markovic Dejan , Zivkovic Slavoljub
Published: January 2014

Introduction. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is one of the most commonly
used materials in endodontics. Given its shortcomings, there is an intensive
search for new materials. Calcium-silicate phase (CS phase) is a new material
synthesized by the method based on a combination of sol-gel process and
self-propagation synthesis which can significantly improve setting time
through accelerated hydration. The aim of this study was to explain the
mechanisms of hardening of CS phase in aqueous medium as similar mechanism is
expected in contact with body fluids. Materials and Methods. CS phases
Ca3SiO5 (C3S) and 2?-CaSiO4 (?-C2S) were synthesized from CaCl2?5H2O (Merck,
Germany). To investigate the process of hydration, CS were mixed with water
and kept at 37 ?C for 28 days in closed polyethylene containers. Analysis of
the composition of samples before and after immersion in water for 1, 3, 7
and 28 days was performed using X - ray diffractometry and IR. Results. XRD
patterns for hydrated samples during 1, 3, 7 and 28 days showed that the
amount of hydrated tobermorite phases relative to the amount of CS phase
changes with the time of hydration. After 1 day, in addition to the hydrated
phases, a significant amount of untransformed ?-C2S and C3S were found while
after 28 days hydrated CS phase was completely transformed to tobermorite
with a small amount of portlandite. Conclusion. Using combined method of
sol-gel and self-propagating waves at high temperature very active
nanostructured silicate phases were obtained. Hydration process of CS phases
was analyzed using XRD and FTIR, the mechanism of hydration was proposed and
it was pointed to the difficulties in determining the exact reaction as well
as the problem of determining the exact structure of tobermorite.
Directed laser processing of compacted powder mixtures Al2O3-TiO2-Y2O3
Authors: Vlasova M. , Kakazey M. , Aguilar Márquez , Juarez-Arellano E.A. , Tapia Guardian , Stetsenko V. , Bykov A. , Lakiza S. , Ragulya A.
Published: January 2014

The phase formation, microstructure and surface texture of laser treated
ternary powder mixtures of Al2O3-TiO2-Y2O3 had been studied. Rapid high
temperature heating and subsequent rapid cooling due to the directed movement
of the laser beam forms concave ceramic tracks. Phase composition and
microstructure of the tracks depends on the Al2O3 content and the TiO2/Y2O3
ratio of the initial mixtures. The main phases observed are Y3Al5O12,
Y2Ti2O7, Al2O3 and Al2TiO5. Due to the temperature gradient in the heating
zone, complex layered structures are formed. The tracks consist of three main
layers: a thin surface layer, a layer of crystallization products of eutectic
alloys, and a lower sintered layer. The thickness of the crystallization
layer and the shrinkage of the irradiation zone depend on the amount of
Y3Al5O12 and Al2O3 crystallized from the melt.
A novel method of sintering hybrid steels in an improved semiclosed container system
Authors: Cias A.
Published: January 2014

Conventional sintering techniques for structural steels have been developed
principally for Cu and Ni containing alloys. Applying these to Cr and Mn
steels (successful products of traditional metallurgy) encounter the problem
of the high affinity for oxygen of these elements. A solution is employing a
microatmosphere in a semiclosed container which favours reduction reactions.
This has already proved successful on a laboratory scale, especially with
nitrogen as the furnace gas. Further modifications to the system, now
described, include the use of two sintering boxes, one inside the other.
Superior mechanical properties, even using air as the furnace gas, are
attainable.
Using a Blog to Create and Support a Community of Inquiry in Secondary Education
Authors: Pifarré Manoli , Guijosa Alex , Argelagós Esther
Published: January 2014

Understanding how blogs can support collaborative learning is a vital concern for researchers and teachers. This article explores how blogs may be used to support secondary education students' collaborative interaction and how such an interaction process can promote the creation of a Community of Inquiry to enhance critical thinking and meaningful learning. A science case-based project in which 15 secondary students participated was designed, implemented and evaluated. Students worked on the science blogging project for four months. Students were asked to be collaboratively engaged in purposeful critical discourse and reflection in their blogs in order to collectively solve science challenges and construct meaning about topics related to astronomy and space sciences. Through student comments posted in the blog, the findings showed that the blog environment afforded the construction of a Community of Inquiry and therefore the creation of an effective online collaborative learning community. In student blog comments, the three presences for collaborative learning took place: cognitive, social, and teaching presence. Moreover, this research found a positive correlation among the three presences — cognitive, social and teaching — of the Community of Inquiry model with the level of learning obtained by the students. This article discusses a series of issues that instructors should consider when blogs are incorporated into teaching and learning. It is claimed that embedded scaffolds to help students to argue and reason their comments in the blog are required to foster blog-supported collaborative learning.
Professional Investor Relations within the Firm
Authors: Kirk Marcus P. , Vincent James D.
Published: January 2014

This paper investigates the effect of investments in internal investor relations (IR) departments on firm outcomes. We find that companies initiating internal professional IR experience increases in disclosure, analyst following, institutional investor ownership, liquidity, and market valuation relative to a matched sample of control firms. We also examine the differential impact the exogenous shock of Regulation Fair Disclosure (Reg FD) had on firms with an established professional IR department. We find these IR firms more than doubled their level of public disclosure post-Reg FD. Despite IR firms losing a potential communications channel following Reg FD adoption, we find they did not suffer adversely and instead show a post-Reg FD increase in analyst following, institutional investors, and liquidity relative to a control sample of similar non-IR firms. This implies that the effectiveness of professionalized internal IR increased post-Reg FD consistent with IR firms being relatively better positioned to navigate the more complicated regulatory environment.

JEL Classifications: D82; M41; G11; G12; G14; G24

Data Availability: Data are publicly available from the sources identified in the paper with the exception of the membership data from the National Investor Relations Institute, which is a proprietary dataset.
Synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanostructures obtained in mixtures of ionic liquids with organic solvents
Authors: Oprea Ovidiu , Ciocirlan Oana , Badanoiu Alina , Vasile Eugeniu
Published: January 2014

ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized in mixtures of ionic liquids based on imidazolium cation with organic solvents (dimethyl sulfoxide and ethylene glycol) by a simple, one-step solution route at low temperature. The effect of these mixtures on the morphology, size and properties of as obtained ZnO nanopowders was investigated. The obtained nanopowders have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and photoluminescence (PL). The effect of the ionic liquid mixture on the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue has been analysed. The XRD studies confirmed the hexagonal wurtzite structure of the obtained ZnO powder. The UV-Vis absorption spectra present the typical shape for ZnO, with a broad band situated in the UV region, with the maximum around 360 nm. The calculated band-gap energy is in interval 3.25–3.28 eV. The synthesized ZnO nanopowders have high photocatalytic activity against methylene blue, the best results being obtained when 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate was used as the solvent.
Synthesis, characterization, and application of a new tripodal ligand for the preparation of LSCF(6482) perovskite
Authors: Taheri Zahra , Ghanbari Bahram , Hajibabaei Hamed
Published: January 2014

The main aim of this paper was to study the effect of a new tripodal chelating agent on La1−x SrxCo1−y FeyO3−δ perovskite prepared by the complexation method. For this purpose, a phenolic derivative of glycine (L) was synthesized applying the Mannich reaction and characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopies as well as by elemental analysis. To evaluate the complexation capability of L, its formation constants with the perovskite cations were measured. Comparison of these results with those reported for the complexaion with glycine, introduced L as a good candidate for the complexation with Fe(III) and La(III) cations. Furthermore, the powder XRD observations confirmed an improvement in the perovskite formation in the presence of L.
Valorisation of bio-oil resulting from fast pyrolysis of wood
Authors: Vanderauwera Paul , Wambeke Dorine
Published: January 2014

Bio-oil resulting from the pyrolysis of lignocellulose is a complex mixture of polar low molecular mass oxygenated compounds of various functionalities and non-polar high molecular mass lignin derivatives. Several approaches to the upgrading of bio-oil are currently in progress. This study investigates the valorisation of crude bio-oil using physical and chemical methods. The effects of methanol addition on some properties of the bio-oil are investigated. Stable bio-oil/diesel oil emulsions are produced by the addition of surfactants with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value of 5–6. An alternative approach towards the upgrading of bio-oil is the hydrotreatment of the water-soluble fraction of bio-oil. Two-stage hydroprocessing with noble-metal catalysts Ru/C and Pt/C increases the intrinsic hydrogen content of the water-soluble fraction. The results show that the thermally unstable components including sugars, ketones and aldehydes are readily converted to diols and alcohols at pressures of 5 MPa. These observations can be explained by a set of reaction pathways for the compounds identified.
DSM 5 - What’s new in it??
Authors: Subedi S
Published: January 2014

No abstract available.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpan.v2i2.9716 J Psychiatrists’ Association of Nepal Vol.2, No.2, 2013 1-2
Behavioral problems in school children as recognized by untrained teachers
Authors: Sharma N , Sharma VD
Published: January 2014

Introduction: Behavior problems in a student at school interfere with his lessons and may disturb other students. In spite of teacher’s best effort, not all children rise up to the expectations. Behavioral problems are a major challenge for teachers. This study was undertaken with the aim of looking into the awareness of teachers into the existence of psychological problems in their students and to find out the type of problem present in the student. Materials and Method: This study was conducted in various districts of western region when the primary author was conducting teachers training for mental health project during the period of 2001 to 2003. Questionnaire developed during the first stage of research was used in the second part. Semi-structured interview was done with 212 teachers (from Eastern Terai, Western Terai and the mid hills) dealing with 23,320 students to find the different symptoms suggesting emotional and behavioural problem. Results:Out of the total 23320 students indirectly covered in the study, 8999 (38.58%) were found to have some sort of psychological problem. ‘Slow learners’ was reported to be present by 77.83% of teachers in 4.98% of their students, suddenly degrading school performance was reported by 75% of teachers in 3.65% of students.Conclusion: An average school teacher in Nepalese government schools can identify behavioural problems in their classroom.   DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpan.v2i2.9722 J Psychiatrists’ Association of Nepal Vol.2, No.2, 2013 26-28
Subcutaneous Organophospate Poisoning – A Case Report
Authors: Shrestha B , Shakya R
Published: January 2014

No abstract available.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpan.v2i2.9727 J Psychiatrists’ Association of Nepal Vol.2, No.2, 2013 46-48
Exploring the Dynamics in Travel Time Frontiers
Authors: Volosin Sarah E. , Paul Sanjay , Christian Keith P. , Konduri Karthik C. , Pendyala Ram M.
Published: January 2014

Understanding people's travel time expenditures and the factors contributing to such expenditures can provide valuable insights into activity travel demand under a range of policy scenarios. The role of time in activity travel behavior is therefore of great interest to researchers. While the travel time expenditure constitutes the actual time spent traveling in a day, the expenditure does not necessarily constitute the upper limit of the amount of time that people are able and willing to dedicate to travel. In this context, it may be feasible to define an unobserved travel time frontier that represents an upper bound (under usual conditions) on the amount of time that people are able to dedicate to travel. A stochastic frontier modeling approach is adopted to estimate the travel time frontier, as this is an unobserved behavioral characteristic. Models are estimated for a sample of households from 3 years of the National Household Travel Survey in the United States to explore the dynamics of the frontier over a 15-year period. The variations in frontier values—as well as trends in the ratio of expenditure to frontier values, which may be interpreted as a metric of time pressure—differ considerably across sociodemographic groups; this finding calls for the formulation of policies that consider the unique mobility needs of different market segments.
Simultaneous Analysis of Global Decisions in Activity Travel Scheduling Process
Authors: García-Garcés Pablo , Ruiz Tomás
Published: January 2014

This paper presents a global characterization of activity travel scheduling decisions that uses a new data set recently collected in Valencia, Spain. As an innovative approach, bivariate probit sample selection models are used to take into account potential self-selectivity bias in the decision process. Model 1 studies decisions to realize or not realize activity travel episodes by considering whether they have been included in the planned agenda. Model 2 analyzes decisions to perform activity travel episodes as they were planned or to modify one or more of their attributes before execution by considering whether their realization had been previously decided. Random parameters are used in both models to accommodate heterogeneity effects. Location, timing, and duration of activity travel episodes are important explanatory variables in the two scheduling processes studied. Few demographic and socioeconomic variables affect the decision processes. Significant correlations between decisions included in both models are found. Policy implications of the analysis results are highlighted.
Individual Mobility Attributes and Their Impact on Modality Style
Authors: Vovsha Peter , Vyas Gaurav , Givon Danny , Birotker Yehoshua
Published: January 2014

Mobility attributes such as driver's license, car ownership, reserved parking at work, and transit pass have a very strong impact on travel choices, in particular, mode choice. Mobility attributes are not acquired for a particular trip but rather are driven by the entire set of individual travel needs (commuting being the most basic of them). Some mobility attributes, for example, car ownership and transit pass, are substitutable; others, for example, car ownership and reserved parking at work, are complementary. For this reason, mobility attributes have to be analyzed and modeled jointly. The purpose of the current research is to analyze a wide set of mobility attributes and incorporate them in an operational activity-based model as a set of midterm choices. The approach suggested in this paper is based on an iterative application of three interlinked choice submodels: (a) joint choice of person driver's license, usual driver role (priority in using one of the household cars), car type choice, reserved or reimbursed parking at work, and transit pass; (b) household car ownership choice by type; and (c) intrahousehold car allocation by type. Model estimation results confirmed strong cross- attribute effects as well as revealed many impacts of person, household, and travel accessibility variables. In particular, historical and cultural differences between three population sectors in Jerusalem—secular Jewish, Orthodox Jewish, and Arab—manifested themselves quite strongly. Application of these models for future scenarios is discussed.
Accommodating Immigration Status and Self-Selection Effects in a Joint Model of Household Auto Ownership and Residential Location Choice
Authors: Bhat Chandra R. , Paleti Rajesh , Pendyala Ram M. , Lorenzini Karen , Konduri Karthik C.
Published: January 2014

As the proportion of immigrants in the U.S. population continues to rise, it is becoming increasingly important to understand immigrants' residential location choices and travel behavior in the travel modeling and transportation policy–making arena. This paper presents a joint model of choice of residential location and auto ownership that explicitly accounts for immigration status and length of stay in the United States as explanatory variables. Results of model estimation from the use of a San Francisco, California, Bay Area subsample of the 2009 National Household Travel Survey show that immigration and length of stay are significant explanatory variables in both choice of residential location and auto ownership, with immigrants displaying assimilation effects (i.e., they increasingly resemble nonimmigrant households as the length of stay increases). Even after immigration effects have been controlled and residential location has been included as an explanatory variable in the auto ownership model, significant self-selection effects are likely to dampen estimates of the impacts of land use changes on travel behavior in policy forecasts. The paper demonstrates the need to account for immigration variables and self-selection effects in transportation forecasting models that inform policy decisions.
Endogenous and exogenous hormone exposure and the risk of meningioma in men
Authors: Schildkraut Joellen M. , Calvocoressi Lisa , Wang Frances , Wrensch Margaret , Bondy Melissa L. , Wiemels Joseph L. , Claus Elizabeth B.
Published: January 2014

Object

Meningioma is a disease with considerable morbidity and is more commonly diagnosed in females than in males. Hormonally related risk factors have long been postulated to be associated with meningioma risk, but no examination of these factors has been undertaken in males.

Methods

Subjects were male patients with intracranial meningioma (n = 456), ranging in age from 20 to 79 years, who were diagnosed among residents of the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and North Carolina, the San Francisco Bay Area, and 8 counties in Texas and matched controls (n = 452). Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between hormonal factors and meningioma risk in men.

Results

Use of soy and tofu products was inversely associated with meningioma risk (OR 0.50 [95% CI 0.37–0.68]). Increased body mass index (BMI) appears to be associated with an approximately 2-fold increased risk of developing meningioma in men. No other single hormone–related exposure was found to be associated with meningioma risk, although the prevalence of exposure to factors such as orchiectomy and vasectomy was very low.

Conclusions

Estrogen-like exogenous exposures, such as soy and tofu, may be associated with reduced risk of meningioma in men. Endogenous estrogen–associated factors such as high BMI may increase risk. Examination of other exposures related to these factors may lead to better understanding of mechanisms and potentially to intervention.
Predicting endoscopic third ventriculostomy success in childhood hydrocephalus: an artificial neural network analysis
Authors: Azimi Parisa , Mohammadi Hasan Reza
Published: January 2014

Object

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) can be used as a measure for the clinical decision-making process. The aim of this study was to develop an ANN model to predict endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) success at 6 months and to compare the findings with those obtained using traditional predictive measures in childhood hydrocephalus.

Methods

The ANN, ETV Success Score (ETVSS), CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda (CCHU) ETV (CCHU ETV) Success Score, and logistic regression models were applied to predict outcomes. The cause of hydrocephalus, patient age, whether choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) was performed, previous shunt surgery, sex, type of hydrocephalus, and body weight were considered as input variables for an established ANN model. Data from hydrocephalic children who underwent ETV were applied, and the computer program that analyzes the data was trained to predict successful ETV by using several input variables. Successful ETV outcome was defined as the absence of ETV failure within 6 months of follow-up. Then, sensitivity analysis was performed for the established ANN model to identify the most important variables that predict outcome. The area under a receiver operating characteristic curve, accuracy rate of the prediction, and Hosmer-Lemeshow statistics were measured to test different prediction models.

Results

Data for 168 patients (80 males and 88 females; mean age 1.4 ± 2.6 years) were analyzed. Data from patients were divided into 3 groups: a training group (n = 84), a testing group (n = 42), and a validation group (n = 42). The successful ETV outcome rate, defined as the absence of ETV failure within 6 months of follow-up, was 47%. Etiology, age, CPC status, type of hydrocephalus, and previous shunt placement were the most important variables that were indicated by the ANN analysis. Compared with the ETVSS, CCHU ETV Success Score, and the logistic regression models, the ANN model showed better results, with an accuracy rate of 95.1%, a Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic of 41.2, and an area under the curve of 0.87.

Conclusions

The findings show that ANNs can predict ETV success at 6 months with a high level of accuracy in childhood hydrocephalus. The authors' results will need to be confirmed with further prospective studies.
Atlantoaxial instability in monozygotic twin sisters: degenerative or congenital disease?
Authors: de Jong Lars , Verfaillie Michiel , Pans Steven , Lauweryns Philippe , Goffin Jan , Depreitere Bart
Published: January 2014

The authors report on two 70-year-old monozygotic twin sisters who both suffered severe nontraumatic atlantoaxial instability. If either had been a solitary case, degenerative atlantoaxial instability would have been the most straightforward diagnosis. In this case report the authors attempt to answer the question of whether an underlying congenital predisposition might be involved.
Surgical treatment of double-level isthmic spondylolisthesis
Authors: Song Deyong , Chen Zhong , Song Dewei
Published: January 2014

Isthmic spondylolisthesis, which is demonstrated in 4%–6% of the general population, is one of the most common types of spondylolisthesis. However, double-level isthmic spondylolisthesis is extremely rare. Only a few reports have examined the outcomes of surgical treatment of double-level spondylolisthesis. The authors present an unusual case of double-level isthmic spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine. The patient had low-back pain for 20 years and did not respond to conservative treatment. Radiographs revealed bilateral pars defects at L-4 and L-5. Grade 2 isthmic spondylolisthesis was present, both at L4–5 and at L5–S1. The patient underwent decompression, reduction, and posterior lumbar interbody fusion with autogenous bone chips from posterior decompression. At follow-up after 12 months, the patient was free of pain, slippage was corrected, and fusion was achieved. Posterior lumbar interbody fusion with posterior instrumentation and reduction may yield good functional short-term results for double-level spondylolisthesis.
Can helmet design reduce the risk of concussion in football?
Authors: Rowson Steven , Duma Stefan M. , Greenwald Richard M. , Beckwith Jonathan G. , Chu Jeffrey J. , Guskiewicz Kevin M. , Mihalik Jason P. , Crisco Joseph J. , Wilcox Bethany J. , McAllister Thomas W. , Maerlender Arthur C. , Broglio Steven P. , Schnebel Brock , Anderson Scott , Brolinson P. Gunnar
Published: January 2014

Of all sports, football accounts for the highest incidence of concussion in the US due to the large number of athletes participating and the nature of the sport. While there is general agreement that concussion incidence can be reduced through rule changes and teaching proper tackling technique, there remains debate as to whether helmet design may also reduce the incidence of concussion. A retrospective analysis was performed of head impact data collected from 1833 collegiate football players who were instrumented with helmet-mounted accelerometer arrays for games and practices. Data were collected between 2005 and 2010 from 8 collegiate football teams: Virginia Tech, University of North Carolina, University of Oklahoma, Dartmouth College, Brown University, University of Minnesota, Indiana University, and University of Illinois. Concussion rates were compared between players wearing Riddell VSR4 and Riddell Revolution helmets while controlling for the head impact exposure of each player. A total of 1,281,444 head impacts were recorded, from which 64 concussions were diagnosed. The relative risk of sustaining a concussion in a Revolution helmet compared with a VSR4 helmet was 46.1% (95% CI 28.1%–75.8%). When controlling for each player's exposure to head impact, a significant difference was found between concussion rates for players in VSR4 and Revolution helmets (χ2 = 4.68, p = 0.0305). This study illustrates that differences in the ability to reduce concussion risk exist between helmet models in football. Although helmet design may never prevent all concussions from occurring in football, evidence illustrates that it can reduce the incidence of this injury.
Mannitol-Enhanced Delivery of Stem Cells and Their Growth Factors across the Blood–Brain Barrier
Authors: Gonzales-Portillo Gabriel S. , Sanberg Paul R. , Franzblau Max , Gonzales-Portillo Chiara , Diamandis Theo , Staples Meaghan , Sanberg Cyndy D. , Borlongan Cesar V.
Published: January 2014

Ischemic brain injury in adults and neonates is a significant clinical problem with limited therapeutic interventions. Currently, clinicians have only tPA available for stroke treatment and hypothermia for cerebral palsy. Owing to the lack of treatment options, there is a need for novel treatments such as stem cell therapy. Various stem cells including cells from embryo, fetus, perinatal, and adult tissues have proved effective in preclinical and small clinical trials. However, a limiting factor in the success of these treatments is the delivery of the cells and their by-products (neurotrophic factors) into the injured brain. We have demonstrated that mannitol, a drug with the potential to transiently open the blood–brain barrier and facilitate the entry of stem cells and trophic factors, as a solution to the delivery problem. The combination of stem cell therapy and mannitol may improve therapeutic outcomes in adult stroke and neonatal cerebral palsy.
Carbenoid-mediated nucleophilic “hydrolysis” of 2-(dichloromethylidene)-1,1,3,3-tetramethylindane with DMSO participation, affording access to one-sidedly overcrowded ketone and bromoalkene descendants§
Authors: Knorr Rudolf , Menke Thomas , Freudenreich Johannes , Pires Claudio
Published: January 2014

2-(Dichloromethylidene)-1,1,3,3-tetramethylindane was “hydrolyzed” by solid KOH in DMSO as the solvent at ≥100 °C through an initial chlorine particle transfer to give a Cl,K-carbenoid. This short-lived intermediate disclosed its occurrence through a reversible proton transfer which competed with an oxygen transfer from DMSO that created dimethyl sulfide. The presumably resultant transitory ketene incorporated KOH to afford the potassium salt of 1,1,3,3-tetramethylindan-2-carboxylic acid (the product of a formal hydrolysis). The lithium salt of this key acid is able to acylate aryllithium compounds, furnishing one-sidedly overcrowded ketones along with the corresponding tertiary alcohols. The latter side-products (ca. 10%) were formed against a substantially increasing repulsive resistance, as testified through the diminished rotational mobility of their aryl groups. As a less troublesome further side-product, the dianion of the above key acid was recognized through carboxylation which afforded 1,1,3,3-tetramethylindan-2,2-dicarboxylic acid. Brominative deoxygenation of the ketones furnished two one-sidedly overcrowded bromoalkenes. Some presently relevant properties of the above Cl,K-carbenoid are provided in Supporting Information File 1.
A Systematic Review of the Use of Atazanavir in Women Infected with HIV-1
Authors: Johnson Margaret , Walmsley Sharon , Haberl Annette
Published: January 2014

Background

Despite increasing numbers of women with HIV worldwide, females are under-represented in clinical trials of antiretrovirals and literature addressing gender differences in clinical outcomes, treatment discontinuation, adverse events and adherence are limited. Most recommendations specific to women in current guidelines relate to pregnant women or women wishing to become pregnant. The purpose of this systematic review is to provide clinicians with an overview of available literature regarding the use of ritonavir-boosted atazanavir (ATV/r) in women.

Methods

The online databases PubMed and EMBASE, HIV-related conference abstracts and reference lists of relevant articles were searched according to predefined terms and limited to items published from 1 October 2007 to 1 October 2012. Updates to conference presentations were checked for substantive journal publication up to 28 November 2013.

Results

Of the 294 initial citations retrieved, manual selection identified 19 relevant publications describing gender-based analyses of ATV/r. Publications describing gender-based differences in efficacy, safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, drug–drug interactions and adherence are critically evaluated.

Conclusions

As part of a combination antiretroviral therapy regimen, ATV/r appears to be a safe, effective and durable option for treatment-naive and early treatment-experienced patients with HIV-1 infection, including non-pregnant and pregnant women.
El trabajo de Alan Turing en morfogénesis
Authors: Herrero Miguel A.
Published: January 2014

En este artículo debatiremos la contribución hecha por Alan Turing (1912-1954) a la fundamentación matemática de la Biología del Desarrollo. Para ello, repasaremos brevemente su punto de vista en el único trabajo que publicó sobre este tema, y describiremos su impacto tanto en las Matemáticas como en la Biología.
Alan Turing y los orígenes de la complejidad
Authors: Martin-Delgado Miguel Angel
Published: January 2014

El 75 aniversario del artículo seminal de Turing y el centenario de su nacimiento ocurren en 2011 y 2012, respectivamente. Es natural revisar y valorar las contribuciones que hizo Turing en campos muy diversos a la luz de los desarrollos que sus pensamientos han producido en muchas comunidades científicas. Aquí, la idea principal es discutir como el trabajo de Turing nos permite cambiar nuestra visión sobre los fundamentos de las Matemáticas, de forma similar a como la mecánica cuántica cambió nuestra concepción de la Física. Nociones básicas como compatibilidad y universalidad se discuten en un contexto amplio, haciendo énfasis especial en como a la noción de complejidad se le puede dar un significado preciso después de Turing, es decir, no solo cualitativo sino cuantitativo. Al trabajo de Turing se le da una perspectiva histórica en relación a algunos de sus precursores, contemporáneos y matemáticos que tomaron y llevaron sus ideas aún más allá.
Alan Turing y los orígenes de la eliminación gaussiana moderna
Authors: Dopico Froilán M.
Published: January 2014

La resolución de sistemas de ecuaciones lineales es sin duda el problema más importante en Matemática Aplicada. Es importante en sí mismo y también porque es un paso intermedio en la resolución de muchos otros problemas de gran relevancia. La eliminación Gaussiana es hoy en día el método estándar para resolver este problema en un ordenador y, además, fue el primer algoritmo numérico para el que se realizó un análisis de errores de redondeo. En 1948, Alan Turing publicó un artículo de gran relevancia sobre este tema: “Rounding-off errors in matrix processes” (Quart. J. Mech. Appl. Math. 1, pp. 287-308). En este artículo, Turing formuló la eliminación Gaussiana en términos de la factorización LU de una matriz e introdujo la noción de número de condición de una matriz, que son dos de las nociones más fundamentales del Análisis Numérico moderno. Además, Turing presentó un análisis de errores de la eliminación Gaussiana para matrices generales que influyó profundamente en el espíritu del análisis de errores definitivo desarrollado por Wilkinson en 1961. El trabajo de Alan Turing sobre la eliminación Gaussiana aparece en un periodo fascinante del Análisis Numérico moderno. Otros gigantes de las matemáticas como John von Neumann, Herman Goldstine y Harold Hotelling también realizaron investigaciones sobre la eliminación Gaussiana en la década de 1940-50. El objetivo de estos investigadores era encontrar un método eficiente y fiable para resolver sistemas de ecuaciones lineales en los ordenadores modernos que estaban desarrollándose por entonces. En aquella época, no estaba claro en absoluto si utilizar la eliminación Gaussiana era una elección adecuada o no. El propósito de este artículo es revisar, a nivel básico, las contribuciones realizadas por Alan Turing y otros investigadores al análisis de errores de la eliminación Gaussiana, el contexto histórico de esas contribuciones y su influencia en el Análisis Numérico moderno.
Bisphosphonates and the field of dentistry
Authors: Tanwir Farzeen , Mirza Ali Abid , Tauseef Dania , Mahar Amber
Published: January 2014

Bisphosphonates are the drugs used to prevent loss of bone and to treat bone diseases and conditions that feature bone fragility. Bisphosphonates, according to the potency levels, are divided into three generations and potency levels have increased with successive generations and, according to mechanism of action, they are divided into Non-nitrogenous and Nitrogenous bisphosphonates. Clinically, nitrogen containing bisphosphonates are more potent. Oral bisphosphonates are safer than intravenous infusion. Oral bisphosphonates may cause recurrent ulcers with burning sensation and blisters in the oral cavity, while intravenous bisphosphonates may cause renal failure. The most serious complication of intravenous bisphosphonates is osteonecrosis of jaw bones especially after tooth extraction. Endodontic therapy is not a significant risk factor for promoting bisphosphonates-related osteonecrosis, so endodontic therapy can be an alternative to tooth extraction when possible. Regarding treatment, parathyroid hormone can be helpful because it stimulates bone formation by promoting bone turnover.