bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementing a Harm Reduction Approach to Substance Use in an Intimate Partner Violence Agency: Practice Issues in an Irish Setting
Authors: Morton Sarah , Hohman Melinda , Middleton Amanda
Published: July 2015

There has been growing recognition of the co-occurrence of substance use and intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization in women’s and men’s lives, yet many IPV service providers have not developed an integrated response to these issues. Fewer still have implemented substance use services from a harm reduction approach. This article outlines the approach, policy changes, initial outcomes, and learning points for an IPV agency in Ireland, which implemented a harm reduction response to female IPV survivors who were also using substances problematically. Barriers and challenges for staff and management seeking to coordinate and integrate service delivery on the dual issues are also presented.
Neurotransmitter and Neurochemical Factors in Domestic Violence Perpetration: Implications for Theory Development
Authors: Corvo Kenneth , Dutton Donald
Published: July 2015

Research on neurotransmitters and behavior is a vital and expanding area of study. As in other areas of empirical study of domestic violence, this remains an underdeveloped field of inquiry. Although a rigorous literature exists indicating a much broader range of neuropsychological risk factors for violence in general, policies regarding the study and treatment of domestic violence perpetration often disregard or forbid considerations of those factors. This current effort at theory development is a continuation of several prior works where the conceptual and empirical rationale for a broader explanatory theoretical framework for domestic violence perpetration is put forth. In this review, links between neurochemical anomalies, dysfunctional coping, and domestic violence perpetration are reviewed in light of their contribution to a biopsychosocial theory of domestic violence perpetration.
Is There a Need for New Surgical Procedures for Glaucoma? Yes!
Authors: Spaeth George L , Cvintal Victor , Figueiredo Ana
Published: July 2015

The only method to slow or stop progressive damage caused by glaucoma, the leading cause of irreversible blindness, definitively shown to be effective, is lowering intraocular pressure, though there is also evidence that stabilizing the pressure may be beneficial. Performing surgery on the eye has proven effective in some cases, using various techniques, though with variable frequencies of success (stabilization of the disease) and various frequencies and severities of complications. Surgery offers the great advantage of longer duration of action than medicinal treatments presently available, and, also, of lessening the need of the patient to be faithful using suggested medications. There is a need to develop surgical procedures which will be effective in 1) lowering or stabilizing intraocular pressure in a way most likely to prevent glaucomatous deterioration, 2) causing the fewest and least severe problems, and 3) being the most economical. Recent efforts in this regard are promising, but not yet proven superior to well-performed trabeculectomy, itself an evolving procedure.
Cervical Interfacial Bonding Effectiveness of Class II Bulk Versus Incremental Fill Resin Composite Restorations
Authors: Al-Harbi F , Kaisarly D , Michna A , ArRejaie A , Bader D , El Gezawi M
Published: July 2015

Cervical interfacial bonding quality has been a matter of deep concern. The purpose of this study was to analyze microtensile bond strength (MTBS) and cervical interfacial gap distance (IGD) of bulk-fill vs incremental-fill Class II composite restorations. Box-only Class II cavities were prepared in 91 maxillary premolars (n = 7) with gingival margin placement 1 mm above the cementoenamel junction at one side and 1 mm below it on the other side. Eighty-four maxillary premolars were divided into self-etch and total-etch groups and further subdivided into six restorative material subgroups used incrementally and with an open-sandwich technique: group 1, Tetric Ceram HB (TC) as a control; group 2, Tetric EvoFlow (EF); group 3, SDR Smart Dentin Replacement (SDR); group 4, SonicFill (SF); group 5, Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill (TN); and group 6, Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill (TE). Groups 2-6 were bulk-fill restoratives. Tetric N-Bond Self-Etch (se) and Tetric N-Bond total-etch (te) adhesive were used in subgroups 1–5, whereas AdheSE (se) and ExciTE F (te) were used in subgroup 6. In an additional group, Filtek P90 Low Shrink Restorative (P90) was used only with its corresponding self-etch bond. The materials were manipulated, light-cured (1600 mW/cm2), artificially aged (thermal and occlusal load-cycling), and sectioned. Two microrods/restoration (n = 14/group) were tested for MTBS at a crosshead-speed of 0.5 mm/min (Instron testing machine). Fracture loads were recorded (Newtons), and MTSBs were calculated (Megapascals). Means were statistically analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test, Conover-Inman post hoc analysis for MTBS (multiple comparisons), and Mann-Whitney U test for IGD. The ends of the fractures were examined for failure mode. One microrod/restoration (n = 7/group) was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (×1200) for IGD.

MTBS values for SF/te, P90 in enamel, and TC+SDR/te in enamel and cementum were significantly higher compared with those for the control TC/te and TC/se in cementum. Most of the failures were mixed. IGDs were generally smaller at enamel margins, and the smallest IGDs were found in P90 at both enamel and cementum margins. Bulk-fill and silorane-based composites might provide better cervical interfacial quality than incremental-fill restorations.
Spectrophotometric Evaluation of Potassium Nitrate Penetration Into the Pulp Cavity
Authors: Kwon SR , Dawson DV , Schenck DM , Fiegel J , Wertz PW
Published: July 2015

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the penetration level of potassium nitrate–containing desensitizers or whitening materials into the pulp cavity with regard to the concentration and viscosity of the formulation.

Methods and Materials

Fifty extracted human molar teeth were prepared and randomized into five groups of 10 specimens each. The control received a 30-minute treatment without any treatment material; the other four groups corresponded to treatment with DayWhite, a 14% hydrogen peroxide whitening material containing potassium nitrate; PreviDent 5000 Sensitive, a desensitizing toothpaste; Relief ACP, a desensitizing gel; or UltraEZ, a desensitizing gel. Potassium nitrate penetration levels were measured spectrophotometrically based on the Griess assay method. Treatment materials were measured for viscosity as a function of shear rate through the use of a cone-and-plate rheometer.

Results

Nitrate penetration levels were significantly different among the five groups (p<0.0001, Kruskal-Wallis test). After adjustment for multiple comparisons using an overall 0.05 level of type I error, the distribution of nitrate penetration values was found to differ significantly among all groups with the exception of DayWhite (median: 10.72 μM) and UltraEZ (median: 9.22 μM), which differed significantly from other groups but not from each other. The highest levels of nitrate penetration value were observed for PreviDent (median: 27.61 μM) followed by Relief ACP (median: 19.64 μM). The lowest penetration level was observed for the control group (median: 3.41 μM). Stable end-point viscosities of 11.43 ± 0.67 Pa/s, 1.33 ± 0.06 Pa/s, 0.85 ± 0.09 Pa/s, and 0.40 ± 0.01 Pa/s were observed for UltraEZ, ReliefACP, DayWhite, and PreviDent, respectively.

Conclusion

Potassium nitrate included in different formulations can penetrate the enamel and dentin within 30 minutes. The level of potassium nitrate penetration is influenced by concentration and may also be partly affected by the viscosity of the material as well as other constituents of proprietary preparations.
Can Silanization Increase the Retention of Glass-fiber posts? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of In Vitro Studies
Authors: Moraes AP , Sarkis-Onofre R , Moraes RR , Cenci MS , Soares CJ , Pereira-Cenci T
Published: July 2015

The role of silanes in the bonding of resin luting agents to glass-fiber posts (GFPs) is a controversial topic, and the question still remains whether post silanization is able to improve the retention of GFPs luted into root canals. Thus, this study was designed to determine whether evidence exists to justify silanization of GFPs before cementation to increase their retention into root canals. In vitro studies that evaluated the retention of GFPs cemented into root canals or artificial substrates and that used silane coupling agents for pretreatment of the post were selected. Searches were carried out in PubMed and Scopus databases with no publication year or language limits. The last search was carried out in August 2014. Two distinct data analyses were carried out: 1) control group (no post pretreatment) vs silane only and 2) post pretreatment + silane vs silane only. Pooled-effect estimates were obtained by comparing the difference between each bond strength mean value and were expressed as the weighted mean difference between groups (p≤0.05). A total of 178 articles were found, and 23 were included in the review. The results were affected by the substrate into which the GFPs were luted (teeth or artificial devices). The analysis between control group and silane only for studies that used artificial devices favored the use of silane (p<0.0001), but considering studies that used teeth as substrate, no significant difference was observed (p=0.35). The analysis between silane only and pretreatment + silane did not show a significant difference between groups when artificial devices were used (p=0.71), whereas the analysis favored the use of post pretreatment + silane over silane (p<0.00001) only when the GFPs were luted into teeth. In conclusion, this review indicates that silanization improves the retention of GFPs luted into root canals provided that selective surface pretreatments are applied to the post before silanization.
Moral Custom Exploration Facing Transhuman Stage of Evolution
Authors: Klyszcz Jolanta
Published: July 2015

We have transited far from an ancient culture of hunters to the world of today when our conditions as human beings are changing. We recognize that our biological-cultural co-evolution has privileged reason. Even if it takes a tiny part of our mind; first memory and then reason have become protagonists in our relation with the landscape. It also means that pain control became a social custom for developing morality: this is the central thesis of this essay. This conclusion derives from our experimental research on the symbolic image of the world, that was guided mainly by Jung’s psychology and by Aristotle’s Poetics and Ethics
Programmable shunts and headphones: Are they safe together?
Authors: Spader Heather S. , Ratanaprasatporn Linda , Morrison John F. , Grossberg Jonathan A. , Cosgrove G. Rees
Published: July 2015

OBJECT

Programmable shunts have a valuable role in the treatment of patients with hydrocephalus, but because a magnet is used to change valve settings, interactions with external magnets may reprogram these shunts. Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of magnetic toys and iPads to erroneously reprogram shunts. Headphones are even more ubiquitous, and they contain an electromagnet for sound projection that sits on the head very close to the shunt valve. This study is the first to look at the magnetic field emissions of headphones and their effect on reprogrammable shunt valves to ascertain whether headphones are safe for patients with these shunts to wear.

METHODS

In this in vitro study of the magnetic properties of headphones and their interactions with 3 different programmable shunts, the authors evaluated Apple earbuds, Beats by Dr. Dre, and Bose QuietComfort Acoustic Noise Cancelling headphones. Each headphone was tested for electromagnetic field emissions using a direct current gaussmeter. The following valves were evaluated: Codman Hakim programmable valve, Medtronic Strata II valve, and Aesculap proGAV. Each valve was tested at distances of 0 to 50 mm (in 5-mm increments) from each headphone. The exposure time at each distance was 1 minute, and 3 trials were performed to confirm results at each valve setting and distance.

RESULTS

All 3 headphones generated magnetic fields greater than the respective shunt manufacturer's recommended strength of exposure, but these fields did not persist beyond 5 mm. By 2 cm, the fields levels were below 20 G, well below the Medtronic recommendation of 90 G and the Codman recommendation of 80 G. Because the mechanism for the proGAV is different, there is no recommended gauss level. There was no change in gauss-level emissions by the headphones with changes in frequency and amplitude. Both the Strata and Codman-Hakim valves were reprogrammed by direct contact (distance 0 mm) with the Bose headphones. When a rotation component was added, all 3 headphones reprogrammed the Strata and Codman-Hakim valves at 0 mm. At all distances above 0 mm, the headphones did not affect the shunts. The proGAV valve was not affected by headphones at any distance.

CONCLUSIONS

Although all the headphones studied generated significant gauss fields at distances less than 5 mm, the programmable valve settings only changed at a distance of 0 mm (i.e., with direct contact). Given the subcutaneous location of the valve, the authors conclude that is highly unlikely that commercially available or customary headphones can contribute to the reprogramming of shunts.
Synthesis of Polysubstituted Pyrroles Derivatives by PPh3-Promoted Condensation Reaction between Ninhydrin, 2-Amino Pyridine Derivatives and Acetylenes
Authors: Shams Nasim , Mosslemin Mohammad Hossein , Anaraki-Ardakani Hossein
Published: July 2015

An efficient route for the synthesis of polysubstituted pyrrole derivatives through a three-component intermolecular Wittig reaction is described. This simple fragment assembly strategy uses mild conditions and affords a broad range of polysubstituted pyrroles in moderate to good yield from simple and readily available starting materials.
A Stereospecific One-Pot Synthesis of β-Chloro Esters via the Bicl3 Catalysed O-Acylative Cleavage of Crowded Epoxides
Authors: Costello James F , Lam Joseph , Ratcliffe Norman M , Repetto Sonia L
Published: July 2015

A simple, one-pot procedure is described for the stereospecific preparation of β-chloro esters from the corresponding crowded epoxide.
Deep Eutectic Mixture Catalysed the Synthesis of Disulfides Using Bunte Salts as Thiol Surrogates
Authors: Zhou Yongsheng
Published: July 2015

Bunte salts, easily prepared from odourless sodium thiosulfates and various alkyl and aryl halides, acted as thiol surrogates for preparation of disulfides in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and a Brønsted-acidic deep eutectic mixture. The reaction proceeded smoothly to give the corresponding disulfide products in moderate to good yields, leaving odourless sodium bisulfite and water as the by-products. Moreover, this catalytic system could be readily recovered and reused several times without significant loss in activity.
Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Novel N-Acyl-2,3-Dimethyl-3,4-2H-1,4-Benzoxazine
Authors: Ye Fei , Yang Fei , Zhao Li-Xia , Gao Shuang , Fu Ying
Published: July 2015

Novel cis-N-acyl-2,3-dimethyl-3,4-2H-1,4-benzoxazine derivatives were synthesised by acylation of 2,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazine derivatives, which were prepared via the reduction and cyclisation of 3-(o-nitrophenoxy)butan-2-one. The configuration was determined by X-ray crystallography.
Microwave-Assisted Efficient Synthesis of New Dihydropyrimidinone and Tetrahydro-2-Thioxopyrimidinone Derivatives
Authors: Mehrabi Hossein , Alizadeh-bami Farzaneh , Zadeh Ashrafosadat Beheshti
Published: July 2015

One-pot synthesis of new dihydropyrimidinone and tetrahydro-2-thioxopyrimidinone derivatives by a three-component reaction between appropriate amines, phenyl isocyanate or phenyl isothiocyanate with ethyl bromopyruvate in DMF under ultrasound irradiation without using bases and catalysts.
Kinetic and Mechanistic Studies on the Oxidative Decolourisation of Orange-II Dye with Alkaline Chloramine-T
Authors: Vaz Nirmala , Manjunatha A. S. , Puttaswamy
Published: July 2015

The mono-azo dye, Orange-II (acid orange 7), is mainly used to dye materials like textiles, paper, leather and cosmetics. It is important to understand the kinetic and mechanistic aspects of the oxidative decolourisation of Orange-II dye. A simple, efficient and cost-effective oxidation method is developed for the reaction. A detailed kinetic study of the oxidative decolourisation of orange-II dye with chloramine-T (CAT) in alkaline medium at 308 K has been carried out spectrophotometrically at 486 nm. The reaction shows a first-order dependence of rate both on [CAT]o and [Orange-II]o and an inverse-fractional- order on [OH−]. The reaction was studied at different temperatures and the thermodynamic parameters have been evaluated. The reaction was subjected to change in (i) ionic strength, (ii) p-toluenesulfonamide and (iii) chloride ions, and the effects of these on the reaction rate were determined. Oxidation products of Orange-II were characterised as 1,2-naphthaquinone and benzenesulfonic acid by GC-MS analysis. The observed kinetic results have been explained by a general mechanism to understand the elementary pathways of this redox system. The relevant kinetic modelling has been worked out.
Water Consumption Patterns in Greater Kuala Lumpur: Potential for Reduction
Authors: Bari Md. Azizul , Begum Rawshan Ara , Nesadurai Nithiyananthan , Pereira Joy Jacqueline
Published: July 2015

This study analyses residential water consumption data from Greater Kuala Lumpur obtained through a questionnaire-based survey. The data was analyzed by simple statistical analysis and Pearson Correlation Coefficient Analysis to find out the relationship between water consumption and socio-economic variables. The study found that per capita water consumption in the Greater Kuala Lumpur was 288 litres per day with a standard deviation of 73.9. The results indicated water consumption strongly varied by using different water equipments (such as low shower head, dual flush etc.) among the surveyed households. There was a positive significant relationship between water consumption and household size. The study also found a huge potential for water consumption reduction with the use of efficient water consuming equipment which specify 33%, 29% and 36% reduction by using low shower head, dual flush toilet and stopping a running tap respectively. The study provides an insight option for decision makers and civil society into the patterns of residential water consumption and the potential to reduce it.
The Garden Foggara of Timimoun (Algeria): The Decline of Hydraulic Heritage
Authors: Boualem Remini , Jean Albergel , Bachir Achour
Published: July 2015

The foggara has been used for centuries for irrigating gardens of the Timimoun oasis. The most famous foggara in the region is one that collects water from the Continental Intercalary aquifer (classic foggara). We conducted five missions (2007, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014) in the Timimoun oasis to another foggara that is less studied. It is a small foggara that collects water seepage and leakage of water from the classic foggara. Not exceeding the 1500 metres in length, this foggara is located in the gardens. We call it the garden foggara. In 2010, of the seven foggaras (operating) recorded, the Zahzaa foggara is the only one remaining and is operating at a low discharge. But in 2012, this foggara has dried.
Causes of Sedimentation Problem in Bakkhali River Estuary, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Sumaya
Published: July 2015

Sedimentation problems generally occur at locations where the sediment transporting capacity of the hydraulic system is reduced and it is most often associated with human interference in the physical system. The natural sediment load in Bakkhali estuary is comparatively higher and changes drastically. In the monsoon after a heavy rain large amount of sediment, locally called “charis”, is transported and a great amount of sand is carried through its water flash whole round the year. But the construction of the rubber dam in Bakkhali River due to the conservation of fresh water from upstream and to prevent saline water intrusion from the downstream causes the siltation in the upper region of the Bakkhali River. Again the river is getting narrower day by day due to the dumping of garbage by local people and the encroachment on both sides of the river by erecting illegal structures by land grabbers. So, these entire human interference factors restrict the normal flow velocity as well as the natural transportation of sediment load through the estuary. As a result the deposition intensity in the Bakkhali estuary decreases which may affect the process and characteristics of estuary evolution.
Biodegradation of Chlorothalonil, Fenobucarb and Methidathion in Nakdong River, South Korea
Authors: Bae Hun-Kyun , Cha Chun-Geun
Published: July 2015

The study was to evaluate the biodegradability of three pesticides in river water, Korea. The biodegradation tests for three pesticides, chlorothalonil, fenobucarb and methidathion, were performed on two rivers, Nakdong River and Kumho River, in Korea according to the modified river die-away method. The biodegradations for fenobucarb and methidathion were rapid in polluted river (Kumho River) and slow in clean river (Nakdong River). The reason for the difference might be due to the acclimatization of microbial community to chemical contaminants in the river for a long time. Biodegradation of chlorothalonil exhibited the highest rate compared to those of fenobucarb and methidathion. Chlorothalonil, fenobucarb and methidathion are unlikely to persist in aquatic environment long enough to be a serious groundwater or drinking water problem. Further studies are needed to clarify biodegradation of these pesticides by bacterial specie.
A Green Route for Copper Ions Removal from Textile Industry Effluent
Authors: Singhal Shailey , Agarwal Shilpi , Sharma Rajan , Singhal Naveen , Kumar Amit
Published: July 2015

The adsorption of copper(II) on tea waste has been studied in batch mode using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy for metal estimation. Important process parameters like adsorbent dose, pH, contact time, reaction temperature, shaking speed and particle size were investigated. Adsorption was found to be in accordance with Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. The maximum amount of copper(II) adsorbed (qm), as evaluated by Langmuir isotherm, was approximately 1.33 mg per gram of powder of tea waste per litre of solution. The optimized process parameters were observed to be 3 g adsorbent, pH 5, 40°C temperature, 120 rpm shaking speed and 150 μm particle size.

The effectiveness of tea waste for copper removal from industrial effluent was observed to be around 95.345%. The used tea waste after adsorption produced 51.76% methane as biofuel.
Groundwater Quality Assessment around Ash Pond of Parichha Thermal Power Plant, Jhansi, India
Authors: Chanchal  , Hussain Athar
Published: July 2015

Groundwater contamination around the ash pond of a thermal power plant is the major problem related to groundwater contamination by wet method of ash disposal. The influence of ash disposal from thermal power plant on groundwater quality was assessed in terms of physicochemical properties (pH, EC, TDS, Cl−, Hardness, Ca2+, Mg2+ and SO42−) and trace elements (Fe and Pb). The study area was selected around the ash disposal site of Parichha Thermal Power Plant, Jhansi. The obtained results were compared with the BIS guidelines for drinking water quality. All the parameters were found to be exceeding the permissible limits prescribed by BIS at site 1 while on other sites only few parameters were exceeding the limit. Lead and iron concentration in all groundwater samples was higher than permissible limits prescribed by BIS for groundwater.
A test for selection in matched administrative earnings data
Authors: Bricker Jesse , Engelhardt Gary V.
Published: July 2015

The matching of administrative records to labor-market surveys is both commonly done and represents an important innovation in the measurement of earnings. However, a potential problem is that this process might introduce sample-selection bias. Individuals typically must give informed consent to have their earnings matched, and consenters may display systematically different labor-market behavior than non-consenters. In this paper, we use the differential timing of the consent process to test whether individuals in the Health and Retirement Study who consented represent a non-random, thus biased sample. In particular, we find that for both men and women there is a general pattern of negative selection across three measures of pre-entry labor-market behavior: labor-force participation, self-employment, and earnings.
The degree and impact of differences in house price index measurement
Authors: Silver Mick
Published: July 2015

House price indexes (HPIs) while particularly important to the analysis of recessions, are prone to methodological and coverage differences which can undermine both within-country and cross-country economic analysis. The paper first uses a panel data set of 157 quarterly HPIs from 24 countries, along with associated measurement variables, to report on whether and how differences in HPI measurement matter. Second, revisits the modeling of the determinants of house price inflation using HPIs adjusted for differences in measurement practice.
Is the 2010 Affordable Care Act minimum standard to identify disability in all national datasets good enough for policy purposes?
Authors: Burkhauser Richard V. , Fisher T. Lynn , Houtenville Andrew J. , Tennant Jennifer R.
Published: July 2015

We provide a face validity test of the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) approved minimum six-question sequence (6QS) to capture the population with disabilities. Using linked 2009 Current Population Survey/Social Security Administration records data we find that the 6QS captures 66.3% of those whom administrative records confirm are receiving disability-based Social Security benefits. Adding a work-activity question increases our capture rate to 89.3%.

We find little difference in the distribution of conditions of those reporting only a 6QS-based disability and those only reporting a work activity-based disability. The four function-related questions do a relatively good job of capturing beneficiaries based on these conditions. But the work-activity question does a far better job of capturing beneficiaries than do the two activity-related questions. We conclude that the 6QS is fundamentally flawed and that any minimum standard for capturing the population with disabilities must include a work-activity question.
Mechanical design and performance evaluation for plane grating monochromator in a soft X-ray microscopy beamline at SSRF
Authors: Gong Xuepeng , Lu Qipeng
Published: July 2015

A new monochromator is designed to develop a high performance soft X-ray microscopy beamline at Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF). But owing to its high resolving power and high accurate spectrum output, there exist many technical difficulties. In the paper presented, as two primary design targets for the monochromator, theoretical energy resolution and photon flux of the beamline are calculated. For wavelength scanning mechanism, primary factors affecting the rotary angle errors are presented, and the measuring results are 0.15'' and 0.17'' for plane mirror and plane grating, which means that it is possible to provide sufficient scanning precision to specific wavelength. For plane grating switching mechanism, the repeatabilities of roll, yaw and pitch angles are 0.08'', 0.12'' and 0.05'', which can guarantee the high accurate switch of the plane grating effectively. After debugging, the repeatability of light spot drift reaches to 0.7'', which further improves the performance of the monochromator. The commissioning results show that the energy resolving power is higher than 10000 at Ar L-edge, the photon flux is higher than 1 × 108 photons/sec/200 mA, and the spatial resolution is better than 30 nm, demonstrating that the monochromator performs very well and reaches theoretical predictions.
Evaluation of varying physical acquisition parameters in gamma camera gated cardiac SPECT
Authors: Elgebaly Reem H. , Rageh Monira M. , Adel Mahmoud
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND: There are various physical factors that limit the quality of the Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) images such as number of frames per projection, number of projections per scan and time per projection in gated myocardial SPECT scan.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present work was to evaluate physical acquisition parameters affecting the cardiac imaging to optimize the patient's examination time and image quality that are acquired with the gamma camera and workers radiation protection (through reducing time of radiation exposure) in cardiac SPECT facility. Cardiac functional parameters like ejection fraction (EF), end diastole volume (EDV), end systole volume (ESV) and total perfusion defect (TPD) were evaluated.

METHODS: Thirty patients were divided into three groups as follows: 1- Group (1): contains two sub-groups, one scanned with 8 frames per projection, the other with 16 frames per projection. 2- Group (2): contains two sub-groups, one scanned with 32 projections per scan, the other with 16 projections per scan. 3- Group (3): contains two sub-groups, one scanned at a time per projection of 20 s and the other scanned at 10 s per projection. Parameters such as the Ejection Fraction (EF), End Diastole Volume (EDV), End Systole Volume (ESV) and Total Perfusion Defect (TPD) in SPECT were compared for each group.

RESULTS: There was insignificant difference in the EF, EDV, ESV and TPD between the different groups concerning the number of frames per projection, number of projections per scan and time per projection.

CONCLUSION: The reduction of scan time to half or the number of projections per scan to half or increasing the number of frames per scan from 8 to 16 at the same duration has insignificant effect in the cardiac functional parameters used with gated SPECT scan.
Diagnosis of bladder diverticulum: Retrograde cystography CT more valuable
Authors: Li Xiaozhong , Liu Taiyun , Wang Lin
Published: July 2015

OBJECTIVES: To study CT finding and the value of retrograde cystography CT scan in the diagnosis of bladder diverticulum.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed in accordance with the regulations of the local institutional review board and ethics committee. Written, informed consent was obtained from all patients before the examination and enrolment into the study. 70 patients with bladder diverticulum (mean age 62 years; range 43-78 years, 39 males and 31 females) were examined, including ultrasound, X-ray cystogram, plain scan CT, contrast enhanced CT, the retrograde cystogram CT, compared the accuracy of these examination in diagnosis of bladder diverticulum and observed size, location, shape, opening of bladder diverticulum. Selection and diagnosis of all patients of enrolled into the study were confirmed by cystoscopy. But, this result was double-blind to the resident doctors for them examined and diagnosed. Three examination were selected for each patient, the first examination was random, the second was the plain scan CT, the third was the retrograde cystogram CT, all patients were must examined by the plain scan CT and retrograde cystogram CT.

RESULTS: In 70 patients, 22 case were examined by ultrasonic, 15 cases were accurate diagnosed, 4 cases were examined by X-ray cystography, 3 cases were accurate diagnosed, 70 cases were examined by plain scan CT, 48 cases were accurate diagnosed, 17 cases were examined by contrast enhanced CT, 12 cases were accurate diagnosed, 70 cases were examined by retrograde cystography CT, 70 cases were accurate diagnosed, retrograde cystography CT well showed the size, location, shape, opening of the bladder diverticulum, while others examination showed these were poor.

CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde cystography CT could accurately diagnose bladder diverticulum, clearly showed the size, location, shape and opening of bladder diverticulum, could provide accurate and detailed information for clinical, thus it is a simple, effective and economical method of the diagnosis of bladder diverticulum.
Improving the accuracy of MTF measurement at low frequencies based on oversampled edge spread function deconvolution
Authors: Zhou Zhongxing , Gao Feng , Zhao Huijuan , Zhang Lixin , Ren Liqiang , Li Zheng , Ghani Muhammad U. , Hao Ting , Liu Hong
Published: July 2015

The modulation transfer function (MTF) of a radiographic system is often evaluated by measuring the system's edge spread function (ESF) using edge device. However, the numerical differentiation procedure of the traditional slanted edge method amplifies noises in the line spread function (LSF) and limits the accuracy of the MTF measurement at low frequencies. The purpose of this study is to improve the accuracy of low-frequency MTF measurement for digital x-ray imaging systems. An edge spread function (ESF) deconvolution technique was developed for MTF measurement based on the degradation model of slanted edge images. Specifically, symmetric oversampled ESFs were constructed by subtracting a shifted version of the ESF from the original one. For validation, the proposed MTF technique was compared with conventional slanted edge method through computer simulations as well as experiments on two digital radiography systems. The simulation results show that the average errors of the proposed ESF deconvolution technique were 0.11% ± 0.09% and 0.23% ± 0.14%, and they outperformed the conventional edge method (0.64% ± 0.57% and 1.04% ± 0.82% respectively) at low-frequencies. On the experimental edge images, the proposed technique achieved better uncertainty performance than the conventional method. As a result, both computer simulation and experiments have demonstrated that the accuracy of MTF measurement at low frequencies can be improved by using the proposed ESF deconvolution technique.
Restraint Harness Performance During Flight Maneuvers: A Parametric Study
Authors: Du Cheng-Fei , Liu Xiao-Yu , Wang Li-Zhen , Liu Song-Yang , Fan Yu-Bo
Published: July 2015

INTRODUCTION: Modern super agile fighter aircraft are capable of producing an increasing multiaxial acceleration environment which can adversely affect the pilot. An evaluation of the performance of the restraint system during flight maneuvers will benefit restraint designs and,
thus, the safety of pilots.METHODS: A finite element model of a mannequin with PCU-15/P harness restraint was used in this study to investigate how the factors, such as strap material stiffness, friction, and belt tension, affect the performance of restraint systems during impact
along the −Gx, −Gy, and −Gz directions. The corresponding maximum displacement of the mannequin's torso was computed.RESULTS: The mannequin moved beyond 74 mm sideways. The change in friction coefficient (FC) from 0.1 to 0.4 decreased
the displacement of the lower torso by less than 6.7%. The displacement of the torso decreased as the stiffness of the strap or tension increased. Displacement decreased by 9.3%, 6.0%, and 2.7% for the lower torso under the Gx impact, as the tightening force increased from 20 N
to 80 N gradually. However, this changed slightly when the stiffness arrived at 1 E or the tension increased to 60 N.DISCUSSION: PCU-15/P harness has the poorest performance during side impact and friction plays an unimportant role in affecting its performance. The stiffness of
the webbing used in the PCU-15/P harness is sufficiently high. The lap belt has more effect on limiting the movement of the pilot than the shoulder straps, and a tension of 60 N during the adjustment may be enough for conventional flight maneuvers.Du C-F, Liu X-Y, Wang L-Z, Liu S-Y, Fan
Y-B. Restraint harness performance during flight maneuvers: a parametric study. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2015; 86(5):466–471.
A 6-Month Assessment of Sleep During Naval Deployment: A Case Study of a Commanding Officer
Authors: Shattuck Nita Lewis , Matsangas Panagiotis
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND: Sleep deprivation is known to be a common problem in the U.S. Navy and has been documented using wrist-worn actigraphy in various operational studies that typically span 2 to 4 wk in duration. However, sleep patterns over an extended period of time have not been objectively
measured.CASE REPORT: This 6-mo study used actigraphy and the Fatigue Avoidance Scheduling Tool (FAST) to quantify the sleep patterns of a 39-yr-old Commanding Officer (CO) of an Arleigh Burke class destroyer while the ship was forward-deployed. On average, the CO received 5.2 h
of sleep daily and averaged 6 h time in bed each day. The participant received more than 8 h of sleep for only 2% (N = 3) of the study days; for 17% (N = 27) of the days, he received less than 4 h of daily sleep. For 15% of waking time, the CO had a predicted effectiveness of
less than 70% on the FAST scale, equating to a blood alcohol equivalent of 0.08%—or legally drunk. The CO’s predicted effectiveness was below 65% approximately 10% of waking time.DISCUSSION: Results from this study are aligned with earlier research showing that crewmembers
on U.S. Navy ships suffer from chronic sleep restriction. During a typical deployment, personnel accrue a considerable sleep debt even during normal operations. Should critical events with additional sleep restriction occur, the ship has limited reserve capacity, potentially placing her crew
and their mission in grave jeopardy.Shattuck NL, Matsangas P. A 6-month assessment of sleep during naval deployment: a case study of a commanding officer. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2015; 86(5):481–485.
An Incidental Suprasellar Mass in a Military Flying Cadet: Implications for Aircrew
Authors: Doron Omer , Carmon Erez
Published: July 2015

BACKGROUND: Incidental findings pose a dilemma in aviation medicine, where every finding must be carefully considered in order to ensure the well-being of the aircrew for flight and mission safety. Since suprasellar masses are not uncommon, their possible effects should be addressed.CASE
REPORT: We present an incidental finding of 11.5 mm × 14.4 mm, hyper-intense on T2 and iso-intense on T1-weighted images, of a suprasellar mass in a 19-yr-old man. This finding led to the re-evaluation of his position as a military flight cadet, followed by his later disqualification.DISCUSSION:
No medical waiver regarding asymptomatic suprasellar mass exists. We have carefully examined the differential diagnosis and generated a profile for each possible diagnosis consisting of risks for sudden incapacitation, progression likelihood, and the effect of an aerial environment on a brain
lesion. We were able to draw up a medical waiver for some of the possible diagnoses (namely, Rathke’s cyst or craniopharyngioma) for nonhigh performance aircraft.Doron O, Carmon E. An incidental suprasellar mass in a military flying cadet: implications for aircrew. Aerosp
Med Hum Perform. 2015; 86(5):477–480.
Les débuts de l'économie cyclique et de ses crises dans les bassins scaldien et mosan. Fin du XIIe et début du XIIIe siècle.
Authors: Sivéry Gérard
Published: July 2015

De zo talrijke crisissen van het einde van de Middeleeuwen zijn niet het gevolg van een economis- che depressie en gelijken niet op de crisissen na een hongersnood. De économie is een veel com- plexer verschijnsel geworden en de grotere crisissen vallen samen met de breuken tussen lange cycli. Als getuigen van een zeer gevoelige en cyclische économie, zijn deze grotere en kleinere crisissen niet in de xive en xve eeuw en zelfs niet in het Schelde-en Maasbekken ontstaan, in de landbouweco- nomie (graangewassen) of in het linnen. Van het begin van de lange xinde eeuw af, die zeker geen regelmatige groei kent, proberen producenten en handelaars de tijdelijke moeilijkheden van de cyclische économie met crisissen en daaropvolgende depressies te boven te komen.
Une marque sur « pelve » à Seclin (Nord)
Authors: Révillion Stéphane
Published: July 2015

Tijdens de opgravingscampagne van 1981 op de vindplaats « Clauwiers » te Seclin, op de plaats van een Gallo-Romeinse villa, vond men een fragmenten van een melkteil (tèle) met de stempel brariatus. Producten van deze pottenbakker, waarvan men de ateliers kan situeren in Bavay of Pont-sur-Sambre, werden vooral aangetroffen ten noorden en oosten van Bavay, langs de Romeinse wegen Bavay-Tongeren-Keulen en Bavay- Doornik.

Het merkteken op de « tèle » van Seclin toont aan, met die van Tourcoing (adivtorf) en van Fiers (brariatus) dat de producten van Bavay in de eerste helft van de 11e eeuw ook in de onmiddellijke omgeving van Rijsel te vinden zijn.
Highly polymorphic microsatellite markers in Pulsatilla vulgaris (Ranunculaceae) using next‐generation sequencing
Authors: DiLeo Michelle F. , Graf René , Holderegger Rolf , Rico Yessica , Wagner Helene H.
Published: July 2015

Premise of the study:

We developed novel microsatellite markers for the perennial plant Pulsatilla vulgaris (Ranunculaceae) to investigate the effects of fragmentation on gene flow in this imperiled species.

Methods and Results:

We identified microsatellites and developed primers based on 454 shotgun sequences. We identified 14 markers that were polymorphic and produced clean bands. Of these, eight could be analyzed as diploids. Genotyping of 97 individuals across two populations revealed these markers to be highly polymorphic with seven to 17 alleles per locus and observed heterozygosity from 0.41 to 0.83.

Conclusions:

The markers are highly informative and will be used to test if the reintroduction of shepherding in southern Germany improves genetic connectivity among fragmented populations of P. vulgaris. The combination of diploid and tetraploid markers presented here will be useful in resolving the polyploidization history of this and related species.
Another Typology of Relatives
Authors: Nichols Johanna
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 524-541
Control and Command in Tzotzil Purpose Clauses
Authors: Aissen Judith L.
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 559-571
Control in Some Sentential Adjuncts of Malayalam
Authors: Jayaseelan K. A.
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 623-633
Creating Complex Sentence Structure
Authors: Wiegand Nancy
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 674-687
From Verb-Medial Analytic Language to Verb-Final Synthetic Language: A Case of Typological Change
Authors: Li Charles N.
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 307-323
Glides and Vowels in Romanian
Authors: Steriade Donca
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 47-64
How People Use Adverbial Clauses
Authors: Chafe Wallace
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 437-449
Language Convergence Between Closely Related Languages: A Case Study in Yuman
Authors: Hinton Leanne
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 285-295
Subject and Object Control: Syntax, Semantics, Pragmatics
Authors: Comrie Bernard
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 450-464
Subordinate Tones of Voice
Authors: Woodall Carol
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 414-424
Subordination and Relativization in Early Indo-European
Authors: Holland Gary B.
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 609-622
That COMP-fusions
Authors: Van der Auwera Johan
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 660-673
The Characterization of Clause-Types: Scope, Obviation and Independent Tense
Authors: Zaring Laurie
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 688-698
The Linguistics of Particularity: Interpreting Subordination in a Javanese Text
Authors: Becker A. L.
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 425-436
The Pragmatics of Subordination
Authors: Lakoff Robin
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 481-492
The Role of Verb Serialization in Word-Order Change
Authors: Wheatley Julian K.
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 350-359
The ‘Rung’ Languages: A Major New Tibeto-Burman Subgroup
Authors: Thurgood Graham
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 338-349
Why Morphological Metathesis Rules Are Rare: On the Possibility of Historical Explanation in Linguistics
Authors: Janda Richard D.
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 87-103
A Typology of Syntactic Relations in Clause Linkage
Authors: Van Valin, Jr. Robert D.
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 542-558
Transitivity and Ergative Case in Lhasa Tibetan
Authors: DeLancey Scott
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 131-140
Transitivity in Toba Batak and Tagalog
Authors: Wouk Fay
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1984), pp. 274-284
en- Prefixation and the Syntactic Domain of Zero Derivation
Authors: Walkinska de Hackbeil Hanna
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1985), pp. 337-357
Ergativity, Number, and Agreement
Authors: Frajzyngier Zygmunt
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1985), pp. 96-106
Iambic and Trochaic Rhythm in Stress Rules
Authors: Hayes Bruce
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1985), pp. 429-446
Latin Word-Medial Consonants Lost in Portuguese: Early and Delayed Conjugational Reverberations
Authors: Malkiel Yacov , Alessandri Teixeira Raquel F.
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1985), pp. 226-244
Lhasa Tibetan Evidentials and the Semantics of Causation
Authors: DeLancey Scott
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1985), pp. 65-72
Linguistic Variation as a Function of Ritual Structure in the Afro-Baptist Church
Authors: Pitts Walter
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1985), pp. 294-304
Main Stress and Parallel Metrical Planes
Authors: Hammond Michael
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1985), pp. 417-428
Objects in Serbo-Croatian
Authors: Zec Draga
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1985), pp. 358-371
Syntactic Constraints on Noun Incorporation in Southern Tiwa
Authors: Frantz Donald G.
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1985), pp. 107-116
The Development of Narrative by Warlpiri Children
Authors: Bavin Edith L. , Shopen Tim
Published: July 2015

Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (1985), pp. 1-13