bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quando resistir não basta...
Authors: SARMENTO-PANTOJA Augusto
Published: August 2016

Neste ensaio discutimos a categoria "resistência" e suas formas de representação em narrativas sobre a ditadura civil-militar brasileira, tomando como ponto de partida o conceito desenvolvido por Alfredo Bosi (2002) e as formulações sobre o mesmo conceito em Walter Benjamin (1994), Theodor Adorno (2003), e Federico Lorenz (2013). Na revisão do conceito apontamos como algumas obras da literatura nos auxiliam a compreender outras formas de resistência. Desse modo apontamos a possibilidade de identificar a presença de uma resistência melancólica; uma resistência militante; uma resistência utópica; uma resistência distópica; uma resistência apática e uma resistência eufórica. Para isso, analisaremos dois textos da coletânea Vozes do Golpe, 1964: o conto Mãe judia, 1964, de Moacir Scliar; e A mancha, de Luiz Fernando Veríssimo, a fim de observar como o testemunho apresentará novos significados para a memória da resistência política pós-64.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Resistência. Memória. Testemunho. Apatia.
RESPONSE THRESHOLD TO AVERSIVE STIMULI IN STIMULATED EARLY PROTEIN- MALNOURISHED RATS
Authors: Rocinholi Luciene De Fátima , Almeida Sebastião De Sousa , De Oliveira Luiz Marcellino
Published: August 2016

Two animal models of pain were used to study the effects of short-term protein malnutrition and environmental stimulation on the response threshold to aversive stimuli. Eighty male Wistar rats were used. Half of the pups were submitted to malnutrition by feeding their mothers a 6% protein diet from 0 to 21 days of age while the mothers of the other half (controls) were well nourished, receiving 16% protein. From 22 to 70 days all rats were fed commercial lab chow. Half of the animals in the malnourished and control groups were maintained under stimulating conditions, including a 3-min daily handling from 0 to 70 days and an enriched living cage after weaning. The other half was reared in a standard living cage. At 70 days, independent groups of rats were exposed to the shock threshold or to the tail-flick test. The results showed lower body and brain weights in malnourished rats when compared with controls at weaning and testing. In the shock threshold test the malnourished animals were more sensitive to electric shock and environmental stimulation increased the shock threshold. No differences due to diet or environmental stimulation were found in the tail- flick procedure. These results demonstrate that protein malnutrition imposed only during the lactation period is efficient in inducing hyperreactivity to electric shock and that environmental stimulation attenuates the differences in shock threshold produced by protein malnutrition. Keywords: early protein malnutrition, enriched environment, shock threshold test, tail-flick test.
ETHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF MOTHER-PUP INTERACTIONS AND OTHER BEHAVIORAL REACTIONS IN RATS: EFFECTS OF MALNUTRITION AND TACTILE STIMULATION OF THE PUPS
Authors: Riul Tania R. , Carvalho Andréa F. , Almeida Patrícia S. , De Oliveira Luiz Marcellino , Almeida Sebastião De Sousa
Published: August 2016

Mother-pup interaction, as well as other behavioral reactions were studied during the lactation period in 24 litters of Wistar rats and their dams fed either a 16% (control - C; 12 litters) or a 6% (malnourished - M; 12 litters) protein diet. The diets were isocaloric. Throughout lactation there was a 36.4% weight loss of M dams and a 63% body weight deficit in the M pups when compared to control pups. During this period, half of the litters were exposed daily to additional tactile stimulation (CS or MS), while the other half were submitted to normal rearing conditions (CN or MN). The tactile stimulation of pups (handling) consisted of holding the animal in one hand and gently touching the dorsal part of the animal's body with the fingers for 3 min. A special camera and a time-lapse video were used to record litter behavior in their home cages. Starting at 6 p.m. and ending at 6 a.m., on days 3, 6, 12, 15, 18 and 21 of lactation, photos were taken at 4-s intervals. An increase in the frequency (154.88 ± 16.19) and duration (455.86 ± 18.05 min) of suckling was observed throughout the lactation period in all groups compared to birth day (frequency 24.88 ± 2.37 and duration 376.76 ± 21.01 min), but the frequency was higher in the C (84.96 ± 8.52) than in the M group (43.13 ± 4.37); however, the M group (470.2 ± 11.87 min) spent more time suckling as compared with the C group (393.67 ± 13.09 min). The M dams showed a decreased frequency of resting position throughout the lactation period (6.5 ± 2.48) compared to birth day (25.42 ± 7.74). Pups from the C group were more frequently observed separated (73.02 ± 4.38) and interacting (258.99 ± 20.61) more with their mothers than the M pups (separated 66.94 ± 5.5 and interacting 165.72 ± 12.05). Tactile stimulation did not interact with diet condition, showing that the kind of stimulation used in the present study did not lead to recovery from the changes induced by protein malnutrition. The changes in mother-pup interaction produced by protein malnutrition of both may represent retardation in neuromotor development and a higher dependence of the pups on their mothers. These changes may represent an important means of energy saving and heat maintenance in malnourished pups. Keywords: protein malnutrition, tactile stimulation, mother-pup interaction.
DESNUTRIÇÃO PROTEICA PRECOCE REDUZ O INTERVALO ENTRE TENTATIVAS DE RATOS EM TAREFA DE DISCRIMINAÇÃO CONDICIONAL
Authors: Da Silva Edson Mello , De Oliveira Luiz Marcellino , Almeida Sebastião De Sousa
Published: August 2016

A má nutrição precoce gera efeitos deletérios graves no crescimento, no comportamento e nas capacidades cognitivas de diferentes organismos, sendo a desnutrição proteica a principal insuficiência nutricional que pode ser examinada individualmente em estudos experimentais. O objetivo deste estudo foi testar o procedimento de correção de tentativas diretamente no treino de discriminação condicional, comparando o desempenho de animais previamente desnutridos e recuperados nutricionalmente, com o desempenho de animais controles. As curvas de desempenho dos grupos não indicaram uma melhora significativa nos acertos ao longo das sessões, mas ao final do treino os animais submetidos ao procedimento de correção de tentativas apresentaram melhor desempenho do que os animais não submetidos à correção. Os animais desnutridos apresentaram IETs médios menores do que os IETs apresentados pelos animais bem nutridos. Entre os fatores apontados como responsáveis pela não aprendizagem da discriminação condicional, destacam-se a programação da contingência e a disposição espacial aleatória dos estímulos de escolha durante o treino. Palavras-chave: desnutrição proteica; aprendizagem; discriminação condicional; correção de tentativas; IET.
Educação inclusiva na perspectiva dos professores de educação fisica do município de Santo André
Authors: Ramos Jorge Marcos , Winckler Ciro , Bucioli Servio Antonio
Published: August 2016

A educação no Brasil só foi introduzida como um assunto importante de acordo com a necessidade do momento e com a educação inclusiva não foi diferente, seu desenvolvimento começou a ser questionado a partir de movimentos insatisfeitos com a situação. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar as atitudes dos professores de educação física em relação à presença de alunos com deficiências em suas aulas regulares, para tanto foi aplicado um questionário contendo 18 questões. Para verificar se existiam diferenças entre as proporções obtidas para cada afirmação, foi utilizado o teste Qui-Quadrado e o nível de significância adotado foi p<0,05. As diferenças foram significativas em 15 questões. Participaram da pesquisa 77 professores da rede regular de ensino do Município de Santo André. Dentre os participantes observou-se que a maioria deles acreditam nas potencialidades desses alunos e que a inclusão é benéfica para todos àqueles que fazem parte da rotina escolar. Mesmo com essa consciência somente 2,6% relataram que tinham conhecimento para trabalharem com os alunos com deficiência e 3,9% se sentem preparados para trabalharem com esse grupo, contudo 74% dos professores relataram que pretendem participar de cursos e palestras relacionadas à pessoa com deficiência.
Corrida e música: uma união audaciosa
Authors: Cova Larissa Pereira , Castanho Gabriela Kaiser Fullin , Chiminazzo João Guilherme Cren , Fernandes Paula Teixeira
Published: August 2016

Considerando os estudos e as variáveis envolvidas na influência da música em diferentes esportes, o presente estudo tem o objetivo de conhecer as percepções de corredores sobre a influência da música na corrida. A pesquisa foi realizada com 250 participantes em uma prova de corrida de rua em Campinas-SP. Foi utilizado um questionário elaborado pelos próprios pesquisadores, com perguntas fechadas e uma sequência de 10 perguntas mistas e semiestruturadas. As respostas das questões fechadas foram analisadas quantitativamente com o teste qui-quadrado (p<0,05), enquanto as respostas para as questões abertas foram analisadas qualitativamente e quantitativamente, através da categorização de acordo com a afinidade entre conteúdos. Dos entrevistados, 140 (56,00%) escutam música enquanto praticam corrida; 193 (77,20%) afirmam que ouvir música faz diferença na corrida; 133 (53,20%) disseram que a música pode melhorar o rendimento esportivo; 136 (54,40%) dos participantes apontaram que músicas rápidas são capazes de melhorar o rendimento e 168 (67,20%) disseram que músicas lentas não são capazes de reduzir o desempenho na corrida. De acordo com as percepções dos corredores, a música pode ser considerada um recurso motivacional a ser utilizada como acompanhamento para a prática de corrida, além de um elemento capaz de ritmar seu desenvolvimento.
Microwave Induced Synthesis of Pyrazoline Compounds Containing Substituted Benzyloxy Phenyl Ring System
Authors: Prajapati Jyoti , Dulawat Mangalshree , Prajapat Prakash , Rathore Renu , Dulawat Shiv S.
Published: August 2016

Green chemistry uses highly efficient and environmental benign synthetic procedures to synthesize various bioactive heterocyclic frameworks which are the useful synthons for the synthesis of medicines, plastics, petrochemicals, agrochemicals, cosmetics and many more hence the green chemistry is the need of the day. In this methodology pyrazolines have been synthesized under microwave irradiation1 using ethanol /alumina. The structures of these compounds were established by elemental analysis and spectral data. The method has several advantages in comparison with conventional synthesis including clean reaction procedure, easy workup, and short reaction time giving excellent yields of product.
Use of Models as Non-destructive Method for Leaf Area Estimation in Horticultural Crops
Authors: Khan F. A. , Banday F. A. , Narayan S. , Khan F. U. , Bhat S. A.
Published: August 2016

Leaf area estimation is an important biometrical trait for evaluating leaf development and plant growth analysis in field study of horticultural as well as other species of crop plants. These measurements can be made either destructively and/or non-destructively by using a variety of sensitive instruments as well as models of leaf area estimation. Easy, accurate, cost-effective, and nondestructive methods of leaf area estimation are useful tool in physiological studies related to plant growth and development. The use of regression equations is a nondestructive, simple, quick, accurate, reliable and not expensive method of leaf area estimation. The usual procedure of this method involves measuring length (L), breadth (W) and/or dry mass (M) of a sample of leaves and then calculating the several possible regression coefficients or leaf factors to estimate the area of subsequent leaf samples. Computer programs such as Excel, SAS and SPSS may be used in this process. The paper thrashed out several leaf area estimation models of horticultural crops from the available literature and synthesized in tabular form for the use of researchers. Article also offered some advantages and disadvantages of leaf area estimation models used for analyzing the plant growth and development. 
GENESIS OF INDO PAK DISCORD
Authors: Kumar Alka
Published: August 2016

The history of Indian Subcontinent is the history of friendship and hatred, trust and suspicion and conflict and cooperation between the two communities Hindus and Muslims. The two nation states (and later three), that were carved out of this subcontinent formed the part of the single nation which was the undivided India. The two countries India and Pakistan despite being the parts of one single civilization are generally seen as the arch rivals of one another.

In many ways there are no two countries in the world which have so much in common as India and Pakistan. Parts of the same state, India and Pakistan have more common heritage and interests than probably any other two countries in the world. Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa in Pakistan are as much part of India’s history as Delhi, Agra, Ajmer and Lucknow are of Pakistan; at least four languages are spoken commonly in both the countries and the two national languages of Pakistan are two national languages of India as well; the same literary figures are held in the highest esteem – Tagore and Iqbal, Nazrul Islam and Waris Shah, Ghalib and Sarat Chandra Chatterjee; dresses are common in large parts of India and Pakistan, food habits, manners, customs and even the humor are common. Music and dancing, art and painting draw common inspirations and observe common forms1. For centuries, people of both the countries have lived on the same land mass, have faced the heat and dust, the cold and snow together have gone through the national calamities such as famine and drought and floods together. And then together they saw the rulers come from the far away land and they tasted the dust of common humiliation. And in the initial stages, they even started fighting the foreign ruler together. The bondage of history, geography and culture is too strong to be overlooked. 
Sorption of metaldehyde using granular activated carbon
Authors: Salvestrini S. , Vanore P. , Bogush A. , Mayadevi S. , Campos L. C.
Published: August 2016

In this work, the ability of granular activated carbon (GAC) to sorb metaldehyde was evaluated. The kinetic data could be described by an intra-particle diffusion model, which indicated that the porosity of the sorbent strongly influenced the rate of sorption. The analysis of the equilibrium sorption data revealed that ionic strength and temperature did not play any significant role in the metaldehyde uptake. The sorption isotherms were successfully predicted by the Freundlich model. The GAC used in this paper exhibited a higher affinity and sorption capacity for metaldehyde with respect to other GACs studied in previous works, probably as a result of its higher specific surface area and high point of zero charge.
Facile synthesis of novel hierarchically porous carbon derived from nature biomass for enhanced removal of NaCl
Authors: Quan Guixiang , Chu Lei , Han Xiangyun , Ding Cheng , Chen Tianming , Yan Jinlong
Published: August 2016

In this work, the hierarchically porous biomass carbon (HPBC) was originally prepared for desalination through a simple activation of cheap biomass carbon (BC). Such crucial activated conditions as the KOH/C ratio, the activation time and the activation temperature were deeply investigated. It is demonstrated that the activated conditions had a great influence on the structure properties and electrochemical performance. According to structure and surface analyses, the HPBC with larger surface area and hierarchical porous structure could be well obtained in suitable activation conditions. The electrochemical analyses showed that the HPBC showed increased electrosorption capacitance, lower inner resistance and good stability, which can be attributed to large accessible surface area and smooth ion transportation. In the further desalination test, the HPBC electrode exhibited enhanced desalination efficiency and capacity. Hence, HPBC can be a promising candidate electrode material for desalination with low cost and high efficiency.
OS BENS DE CONSUMO NOS RECLAMES DO PERÍODO DA BELLE ÉPOQUE EM PELOTAS, NO EXTREMO SUL DO BRASIL, DIVULGADOS PELA REVISTA ILLUSTRAÇÃO PELOTENSE
Authors: Marroni Fabiane Villela , Oliveira Ana Claudia de
Published: August 2016

A Belle Époque foi um período de mudanças políticas, econômicas e socioculturais. Teve origem na França, no final do século XIX, iluminada pelos ideais da Revolução Francesa e pela Revolução Industrial. Transformações, progresso e liberdade formam o tema central de um percurso em busca da civilidade, num discurso de modernidade. Uma visão de mundo que se enunciava com marcas de um outro, em um período eufórico, de alterações no modo de vida da sociedade. Em razão disso, propõe-se neste trabalho a análise do modo de vida da sociedade pelotense e a sua visibilidade por meio dos bens de consumo, divulgados em reclames da mídia impressa local em um período caracterizado como a sua Belle Époque. Como objeto de estudo, optou-se pela revista Illustração Pelotense, que se manteve em atividade entre os anos de 1919 e 1925. Justifica-se essa escolha pela expressiva circulação de suas edições, o que demonstra o interesse de seus leitores. Como base teórica e metodológica, utilizou-se a teoria da semiótica discursiva, a partir de Barros (1990), Landowski (1992) e Oliveira (1997).
VESTÍGIOS DO CORPO EM UM ROMANCE DE FICÇÃO CIENTÍFICA
Authors: Gomes Edison , Harkot-de-la-Taille Elizabeth
Published: August 2016

Revendo a relação entre corpo, cultura e linguagem (iniciada em Sémiotique des Passions, 1991), Jacques Fontanille procura estabelecer, na teoria semiótica francesa, um diálogo entre o sensível e o inteligível, a partir de um novo ângulo: assumindo um corpo biopsíquico como importante entidade na construção do sentido, responsável por unir expressão e conteúdo, e presente no texto como vestígio da experiência, transformado em semiótica-objeto, plano de imanência e figura. No livro Corps et Sens (2011), o semioticista entrelaça arcabouços teóricos oriundos das ciências humanas e naturais, com conceitos de ordem semiolinguística, propondo uma abordagem do sentido que relaciona a propriocepção, a enunciação, a figuração, os campos sensoriais, os vestígios materiais e a percepção de fenômenos, buscando uma relação entre corpo, discurso e práticas semióticas. Nesse artigo, pretende-se demonstrar facetas desse tipo de abordagem em relação ao texto literário. O romance escolhido, Os androides sonham com ovelhas elétricas? (1968), é um famoso texto de Philip K. Dick, autor norte-americano de ficção científica conhecido por produzir mundos distópicos e personagens que estão sempre à volta com questões sobre a identidade e os seus corpos.
Morphology control of MnO2 nanoparticles: Effect of P123 polymer in ethanol-water system
Authors: Chen Li , Luan Guoyan
Published: August 2016

A series of MnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by two-step reaction in the ethanol-water system with urea as reducing agent. During the novel routine, P123 polymer plays a crucial role in controlling the morphology. Then, characterization and systematic investigations of the samples by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the morphology of MnO2 nanoparticles changed as the raw materials ratio changed. Finally, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to confirm the crystal structure and the exact components. These results indicated the particles showed a rod-like shape without P123 and changed into sheet-like shape after the addition of P123. Therefore, this idea could be developed for the controllable synthesis of other metal oxide-based nanomaterials.
Sensitivity to Change of a Computer Adaptive Testing Instrument for Outcome Measurement After Hip and Knee Arthroplasty and Periacetabular Osteotomy
Authors: McDonough Christine M. , Stoiber Eva , Tomek Ivan M. , Ni Pengsheng , Kim Young-Jo , Tian Feng , Jette Alan M.
Published: August 2016

Study Design

Clinical measurement study.

Background

Computer adaptive testing (CAT) methods may allow detection of change across the continuum of osteoarthritis (OA) care.

Objective

To evaluate the sensitivity to change of a self-report OA CAT instrument (OA-CAT) following surgery.

Methods

Core measures consisted of the 5-item OA-CAT function, pain, and disability scales; the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC); the University of California at Los Angeles activity rating scale; and the Medical Outcomes Study 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), which were administered in 3 samples. Fifty-three patients with hip dysplasia completed the core measures, the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score physical function short form (HOOS-PS), and the Modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS) before periacetabular osteotomy, and at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after periacetabular osteotomy. The hip (n = 62) and knee (n = 66) arthroplasty samples completed core measures and the MHHS or the Knee Society's Knee Scoring System at baseline and at 3-month follow-up. Mean change, floor and ceiling effects (percent), and effect size were calculated.

Results

For osteotomy, the 6-month physical function effect sizes for the OA-CAT, WOMAC, HOOS-PS, MHHS, and SF-12 physical component summary scores were 0.66 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08, 1.61), 0.78 (95% CI: 0.56, 1.10), 0.91 (95% CI: 0.70, 1.21), 0.64 (95% CI: 0.22, 1.07), and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.53, 1.38), respectively. Effect-size trends were all increased at 1 year, and most were level at 2 years. For hip arthroplasty, the OA-CAT, WOMAC, MHHS, and SF-12 effect sizes were 1.27 (95% CI: 0.88, 1.84), 1.50 (95% CI: 1.20, 1.80), 0.68 (95% CI: 0.35, 1.04), and 0.56 (95% CI: 0.29, 0.88), respectively. For knee arthroplasty, the OA-CAT, WOMAC, Knee Society Knee Scoring System, and SF-12 effect sizes were 0.81 (95% CI: 0.56, 1.14), 0.85 (95% CI: 0.61, 1.10), 0.09 (95% CI: −0.22, 0.40), and −0.01 (95% CI: −0.39, 0.31), respectively. The OA-CAT and SF-12 demonstrated smaller ceiling effects than the HOOS-PS and other instruments, especially at 1 and 2 years. Administration time was less for the OA-CAT than for the WOMAC physical function subscale.

Conclusion

The OA-CAT shows potential for outcome measurement after hip and knee surgery. Larger studies are needed to better understand relative performance. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(9):756–767. Epub 5 Aug 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6442
Comparison of Electromyographic Activity of the Superior and Inferior Portions of the Gluteus Maximus Muscle During Common Therapeutic Exercises
Authors: Selkowitz David M. , Beneck George J. , Powers Christopher M.
Published: August 2016

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study, repeated-measures design.

Background

Previous studies have reported that the superior and inferior portions of the gluteus maximus have different functional roles. Knowledge of how the different portions of the gluteus maximus are activated during therapeutic exercise may lead to more specific exercise prescription.

Objective

To compare muscle activation of the superior and inferior portions of the gluteus maximus during commonly used therapeutic exercises.

Methods

Twenty healthy persons participated. Electromyographic (EMG) signals were obtained from the superior and inferior portions of the gluteus maximus using fine-wire electrodes. Normalized EMG signal amplitudes were compared between the superior and inferior gluteus maximus across 11 exercises using a 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance.

Results

The superior portion of the gluteus maximus had significantly greater relative EMG activity than the inferior portion of the gluteus maximus during exercises that incorporated elements of hip abduction and/or external rotation (5 of 11 exercises evaluated). There was no significant difference in activation between the superior and inferior portions of the gluteus maximus during the remaining 6 exercises.

Conclusion

The results of the present study demonstrate preferential activation of the superior portion of the gluteus maximus during exercises that incorporate elements of hip abduction and/or external rotation. In contrast, exercises that primarily involve hip extension target both portions of the gluteus maximus to a similar extent. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(9):794–799. Epub 5 Aug 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6493
Test-Retest Reliability of Rating of Perceived Exertion and Agreement With 1-Repetition Maximum in Adults
Authors: Bove Allyn M. , Lynch Andrew D. , DePaul Samantha M. , Terhorst Lauren , Irrgang James J. , Fitzgerald G. Kelley
Published: August 2016

Study Design

Clinical measurement.

Background

It has been suggested that rating of perceived exertion (RPE) may be a useful alternative to 1-repetition maximum (1RM) to determine proper resistance exercise dosage. However, the test-retest reliability of RPE for resistance exercise has not been determined. Additionally, prior research regarding the relationship between 1RM and RPE is conflicting.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to (1) determine test-retest reliability of RPE related to resistance exercise and (2) assess agreement between percentages of 1RM and RPE during quadriceps resistance exercise.

Methods

A sample of participants with and without knee pathology completed a series of knee extension exercises and rated the perceived difficulty of each exercise on a 0-to-10 RPE scale, then repeated the procedure 1 to 2 weeks later for test-retest reliability. To determine agreement between RPE and 1RM, participants completed knee extension exercises at various percentages of their 1RM (10% to 130% of predicted 1RM) and rated the perceived difficulty of each exercise on a 0-to-10 RPE scale. Percent agreement was calculated between the 1RM and RPE at each resistance interval.

Results

The intraclass correlation coefficient indicated excellent test-retest reliability of RPE for quadriceps resistance exercises (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.895; 95% confidence interval: 0.866, 0.918). Overall percent agreement between RPE and 1RM was 60%, but agreement was poor within the ranges that would typically be used for training (50% 1RM for muscle endurance, 70% 1RM and greater for strength).

Conclusion

Test-retest reliability of perceived exertion during quadriceps resistance exercise was excellent. However, agreement between the RPE and 1RM was poor, especially in common training zones for knee extensor strengthening. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(9):768–774. Epub 5 Aug 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6498
Contralateral psoas hematoma after minimally invasive, lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas lumbar interbody fusion: a multicenter review of 3950 lumbar levels
Authors: Beckman Joshua M. , Vincent Berney , Park Michael S. , Billys James B. , Isaacs Robert E. , Pimenta Luiz , Uribe Juan S.
Published: August 2016

OBJECTIVE

Minimally invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) via the retroperitoneal transpsoas approach is a technically demanding procedure with a multitude of potential complications. A relatively unknown complication is the contralateral psoas hematoma. The authors speculate that injury occurs from segmental vessel injury at the time of contralateral annulus release; however, this is not fully understood. In this multicenter retrospective review, the authors report the incidence of this contralateral complication and its neurological sequelae.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective chart review of all minimally invasive LLIF performed at participating institutions from 2008 to 2014. Exclusion criteria included an underlying diagnosis of trauma or neoplasia as well as lateral corpectomies or anterior column releases. Single-level, multilevel, and stand-alone constructs were included. All patients underwent preoperative MRI. Follow-up was at least 12 months. All complications and clinical outcomes were self-reported by each surgeon.

RESULTS

There were 3950 lumbar interbody cages placed via the retroperitoneal transpsoas approach, with 7 cases (0.18% incidence) of symptomatic contralateral psoas hematoma, 3 of which required reoperation for hematoma evacuation. Neurological outcome did not improve after reoperation. Reoperation occurred an average of 1 month after the initial operation due to a delay in diagnosis. In 1 case, segmental artery injury was confirmed at the time of surgery; in the others, segmental vessel injury was suspected, although it could not be confirmed. Neurological deficits persisted in 3 patients while the others remained neurologically intact. Two patients were receiving antiplatelet therapy prior to the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

The contralateral psoas hematoma is a rare complication suspected to occur from segmental vessel injury during contralateral annulus release. Detailed review of preoperative imaging for aberrant vessel anatomy may prevent injury and subsequent neurological deficit.
Effectiveness of minocycline in acute white matter injury after intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Zou Xiang , Wu Zehan , Zhu Wei , Chen Liang , Mao Ying , Zhao Fan
Published: August 2016

OBJECTIVE

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a fatal disease with high morbidity and mortality, which may be followed by white matter injury (WMI) due to the local oxidizing reaction induced by iron (Fe). In this study, the authors examined the effect of the tetracycline antibiotic minocycline on Fe-induced WMI and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation in rats.

METHODS

Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent an intracaudate injection of saline, Fe, or Fe + minocycline. Another 36 rats had an intracaudate injection of autologous blood and were treated with minocycline or vehicle (saline). Biomarkers of both WMI and JNK activation were examined.

RESULTS

In the Fe-injection group, minocycline suppressed WMI labeled by β-amyloid precursor protein (β-APP) and degraded myelin basic protein (dMBP)/MBP ratio. Protein levels of phosphorylated-JNK were increased after Fe injection, and could be suppressed by minocycline treatment. In the autologous blood–injection group, β-APP and dMBP/MBP levels increased in the ipsilateral site compared with the contralateral site, which could be suppressed by 7 days of minocycline intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Iron plays a critical role in WMI after ICH, which can be suppressed by minocycline through reducing the damage induced by Fe.
Operative volume and outcomes of cerebrovascular neurosurgery in children
Authors: Bekelis Kimon , Connolly Ian D. , Do Huy M. , Choudhri Omar
Published: August 2016

OBJECTIVE

The impact of procedural volume on the outcomes of cerebrovascular surgery in children has not been determined. In this study, the authors investigated the association of operative volume on the outcomes of cerebrovascular neurosurgery in pediatric patients.

METHODS

The authors performed a cohort study of all pediatric patients who underwent a cerebrovascular procedure between 2003 and 2012 and were registered in the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID). To control for confounding, the authors used multivariable regression models, propensity-score conditioning, and mixed-effects analysis to account for clustering at the hospital level.

RESULTS

During the study period, 1875 pediatric patients in the KID underwent cerebrovascular neurosurgery and met the inclusion criteria for the study; 204 patients (10.9%) underwent aneurysm clipping, 446 (23.8%) underwent coil insertion for an aneurysm, 827 (44.1%) underwent craniotomy for arteriovenous malformation resection, and 398 (21.2%) underwent bypass surgery for moyamoya disease. Mixed-effects multivariable regression analysis revealed that higher procedural volume was associated with fewer inpatient deaths (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.40–0.85), a lower rate of discharges to a facility (OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.82–0.92), and shorter length of stay (adjusted difference −0.22; 95% CI −0.32 to −0.12). The results in propensity-adjusted multivariable models were robust.

CONCLUSIONS

In a national all-payer cohort of pediatric patients who underwent a cerebrovascular procedure, the authors found that higher procedural volume was associated with fewer deaths, a lower rate of discharges to a facility, and decreased lengths of stay. Regionalization initiatives should include directing children with such rare pathologies to a center of excellence.
Conflicting calculations of pelvic incidence and pelvic tilt secondary to transitional lumbosacral anatomy (lumbarization of S-1): case report
Authors: Crawford Charles H. , Glassman Steven D. , Gum Jeffrey L. , Carreon Leah Y.
Published: August 2016

Advancements in the understanding of adult spinal deformity have led to a greater awareness of the role of the pelvis in maintaining sagittal balance and alignment. Pelvic incidence has emerged as a key radiographic measure and should closely match lumbar lordosis. As proper measurement of the pelvic incidence requires accurate identification of the S-1 endplate, lumbosacral transitional anatomy may lead to errors. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how lumbosacral transitional anatomy may lead to errors in the measurement of pelvic parameters. The current case highlights one of the potential complications that can be avoided with awareness.

The authors report the case of a 61-year-old man who had undergone prior lumbar surgeries and then presented with symptomatic lumbar stenosis and sagittal malalignment. Radiographs showed a lumbarized S-1. Prior numbering of the segments in previous surgical and radiology reports led to a pelvic incidence calculation of 61°. Corrected numbering of the segments using the lumbarized S-1 endplate led to a pelvic incidence calculation of 48°. Without recognition of the lumbosacral anatomy, overcorrection of the lumbar lordosis might have led to negative sagittal balance and the propensity to develop proximal junction failure. This case illustrates that improper identification of lumbosacral transitional anatomy may lead to errors that could affect clinical outcome. Awareness of this potential error may help improve patient outcomes.
Is Axonal Degeneration a Key Early Event in Parkinson’s Disease?
Authors: Kurowska Zuzanna , Kordower Jeffrey H. , Stoessl A. Jon , Burke Robert E. , Brundin Patrik , Yue Zhenyu , Brady Scott T. , Milbrandt Jeffrey , Trapp Bruce D. , Sherer Todd B. , Medicetty Satish
Published: August 2016

Recent research suggests that in Parkinson’s disease the long, thin and unmyelinated axons of dopaminergic neurons degenerate early in the disease process. We organized a workshop entitled ‘Axonal Pathology in Parkinson’s disease’, on March 23rd, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio with the goals of summarizing the state-of-the-art and defining key gaps in knowledge. A group of eight research leaders discussed new developments in clinical pathology, functional imaging, animal models, and mechanisms of degeneration including neuroinflammation, autophagy and axonal transport deficits. While the workshop focused on PD, comparisons were made to other neurological conditions where axonal degeneration is well recognized.
Trend Analysis for Extreme Rainfall at Sub-Daily and Daily Timescales in Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Soro Gneneyougo , Noufé Dabissi , Goula Bi Tié , Shorohou Bernard
Published: August 2016

Extreme rainfall events are meteorological hazards that cause great damage and many casualties in the world. This paper examines the trends in extreme rainfall from 10 sub-daily time series and 44 daily time series in Côte d’Ivoire. Rainfall data were converted into indices. In total, six (6) indices were used for daily extreme rainfall and one (1) index for sub-daily extreme rainfall (15 to 240 min). Two statistical tests for trend detection were used to evaluate the possible trend in these precipitation data. The first is a Mann-Kendall non-parametric trend test, used to evaluate the existence of monotonic trends. The second is a linear regression method, based on a parametric approach to trend detection. Results show that very few statistically significant decreasing trends can be detected at the sub-daily and daily timescales. Some decreasing trends in extreme rainfall events were localized in the south and southeast. These results could enhance the implementation of adaptation systems to flood risk.
Oxidative Stress and Human Skin Connective Tissue Aging
Authors: Tu Yidong , Quan Taihao
Published: August 2016

Everyone desires healthy and beautiful-looking skin. However, as we age, our skin becomes old due to physiological changes. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is an important pathogenic factor involved in human aging. Human skin is exposed to ROS generated from both extrinsic sources such as as ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, and intrinsic sources such as endogenous oxidative metabolism. ROS-mediated oxidative stress damages the collagen-rich extracellular matrix (ECM), the hallmark of skin connective tissue aging. Damage to dermal collagenous ECM weakens the skin’s structural integrity and creates an aberrant tissue microenvironment that promotes age-related skin disorders, such as impaired wound healing and skin cancer development. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of ROS/oxidative stress and skin connective tissue aging.
A Framework for Flood Risk Analysis and Benefit Assessment of Flood Control Measures in Urban Areas
Authors: Li Chaochao , Cheng Xiaotao , Li Na , Du Xiaohe , Yu Qian , Kan Guangyuan
Published: August 2016

Flood risk analysis is more complex in urban areas than that in rural areas because of their closely packed buildings, different kinds of land uses, and large number of flood control works and drainage systems. The purpose of this paper is to propose a practical framework for flood risk analysis and benefit assessment of flood control measures in urban areas. Based on the concept of disaster risk triangle (hazard, vulnerability and exposure), a comprehensive analysis method and a general procedure were proposed for urban flood risk analysis. Urban Flood Simulation Model (UFSM) and Urban Flood Damage Assessment Model (UFDAM) were integrated to estimate the flood risk in the Pudong flood protection area (Shanghai, China). S-shaped functions were adopted to represent flood return period and damage (R-D) curves. The study results show that flood control works could significantly reduce the flood risk within the 66-year flood return period and the flood risk was reduced by 15.59%. However, the flood risk was only reduced by 7.06% when the flood return period exceeded 66-years. Hence, it is difficult to meet the increasing demands for flood control solely relying on structural measures. The R-D function is suitable to describe the changes of flood control capacity. This frame work can assess the flood risk reduction due to flood control measures, and provide crucial information for strategy development and planning adaptation.
Quantifying the Effect of Macroeconomic and Social Factors on Illegal E-Waste Trade
Authors: Efthymiou Loukia , Mavragani Amaryllis , Tsagarakis Konstantinos
Published: August 2016

As illegal e-waste trade has been significantly growing over the course of the last few years, the consequences on human health and the environment demand immediate action on the part of the global community. Though it is argued that e-waste flows from developed to developing countries, this subject seems to be more complex than that, with a variety of studies suggesting that income per capita is not the only factor affecting the choice of regions that e-waste is illegally shipped to. How is a country’s economic and social development associated with illegal e-waste trade? Is legislation an important factor? This paper aims at quantifying macroeconomic (per capita income and openness of economy) and social (human development and social progress) aspects, based on qualitative data on illegal e-waste trade routes, by examining the percentage differences in scorings in selected indicators for all known and suspected routes. The results show that illegal e-waste trade occurs from economically and socially developed regions to countries with significantly lower levels of overall development, with few exceptions, which could be attributed to the fact that several countries have loose regulations on e-waste trade, thus deeming them attractive for potential illegal activities.
Sri Lanka Pilot Study to Examine Respiratory Health Effects and Personal PM2.5 Exposures from Cooking Indoors
Authors: Phillips Michael , Smith Emily , Mosquin Paul , Chartier Ryan , Nandasena Sumal , Bronstein Katherine , Elledge Myles , Thornburg Vanessa , Thornburg Jonathan , Brown Linda
Published: August 2016

A pilot study of indoor air pollution produced by biomass cookstoves was conducted in 53 homes in Sri Lanka to assess respiratory conditions associated with stove type (“Anagi” or “Traditional”), kitchen characteristics (e.g., presence of a chimney in the home, indoor cooking area), and concentrations of personal and indoor particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5). Each primary cook reported respiratory conditions for herself (cough, phlegm, wheeze, or asthma) and for children (wheeze or asthma) living in her household. For cooks, the presence of at least one respiratory condition was significantly associated with 48-h log-transformed mean personal PM2.5 concentration (PR = 1.35; p < 0.001). The prevalence ratio (PR) was significantly elevated for cooks with one or more respiratory conditions if they cooked without a chimney (PR = 1.51, p = 0.025) and non-significantly elevated if they cooked in a separate but poorly ventilated building (PR = 1.51, p = 0.093). The PRs were significantly elevated for children with wheeze or asthma if a traditional stove was used (PR = 2.08, p = 0.014) or if the cooking area was not partitioned from the rest of the home (PR = 2.46, p = 0.012). For the 13 children for whom the cooking area was not partitioned from the rest of the home, having a respiratory condition was significantly associated with log-transformed indoor PM2.5 concentration (PR = 1.51; p = 0.014).
Epigenetic Modifications of Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Saavedra Kathleen , Molina-Márquez Ana , Saavedra Nicolás , Zambrano Tomás , Salazar Luis
Published: August 2016

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a chronic disease whose neurological basis and pathophysiology remain poorly understood. Initially, it was proposed that genetic variations were responsible for the development of this disease. Nevertheless, several studies within the last decade have provided evidence suggesting that environmental factors play an important role in MDD pathophysiology. Alterations in epigenetics mechanism, such as DNA methylation, histone modification and microRNA expression could favor MDD advance in response to stressful experiences and environmental factors. The aim of this review is to describe genetic alterations, and particularly altered epigenetic mechanisms, that could be determinants for MDD progress, and how these alterations may arise as useful screening, diagnosis and treatment monitoring biomarkers of depressive disorders.
A Reduced Graphene Oxide Based Radio Frequency Glucose Sensing Device Using Multi-Dimensional Parameters
Authors: Park Byeongho , Park Hyung , Ji Jae-hoon , Cho Jinsoo , Jun Seong
Published: August 2016

A reduced graphene oxide (RGO) based glucose sensor using a radio frequency (RF) signal is demonstrated. An RGO with outstanding electrical property was employed as the interconnector material between signal electrodes in an RF electric circuit, and it was functionalized with phenylbutyric acid (PBA) as a linker molecule to bind glucoses. By adding glucose solution, the fabricated sensor with RGO and PBA showed detecting characteristics in RF signal transmission and reflection. Frequency dependent electrical parameters such as resistance, inductance, shunt conductance and shunt capacitance were extracted from the RF results under the equivalent circuit model. These parameters also provided sensing characteristics of glucose with different concentrations. Using these multi-dimensional parameters, the RF sensor device detected glucose levels in the range of 1–4 mM, which ordinarily covers the testing range for diabetes or medical examination. The RGO based RF sensor, which fits well to a linear curve with fine stability, holds considerable promise for biomaterials detection, including glucose.
Stacked Integration of MEMS on LSI
Authors: Esashi Masayoshi , Tanaka Shuji
Published: August 2016

Two stacked integration methods have been developed to enable advanced microsystems of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) on large scale integration (LSI). One is a wafer level transfer of MEMS fabricated on a carrier wafer to a LSI wafer. The other is the use of electrical interconnections using through-Si vias from the structure of a MEMS wafer on a LSI wafer. The wafer level transfer methods are categorized to film transfer, device transfer connectivity last, and immediate connectivity at device transfer. Applications of these transfer methods are film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) on LSI, lead zirconate titanate (Pb(Zr,Ti)O3) (PZT) MEMS switch on LSI, and surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators on LSI using respective methods. A selective transfer process was developed for multiple SAW filters on LSI. Tactile sensors and active matrix electron emitters for massive parallel electron beam lithography were developed using the through-Si vias.
Thesis Supervisors as Literacy Brokers in Brazil
Authors: Martinez Ron , Graf Karin
Published: August 2016

In Brazil, as in much of the academic world, there is an increasing acknowledgement among scholars that their chances of having their research noticed by a geographically diverse scientific community increase when that research is communicated in English. At the same time, much like the majority of the world, the first language of Brazil is not English, which raises one question that heretofore has not been addressed in the context of that country: How do Brazilian scholars write their research articles in English? That question drove the initial phase of the exploratory study described in the present paper, and it is one that also led the authors to discover that one key agent in the publishing process in Brazilian academia is the dissertation/thesis supervisor. Questionnaire and interview data collected from students and supervisors at a Brazilian university suggest that student and lecturer alike see the need and value of specialized writing guidance, yet neither party seems to ascribe the role of “literacy broker” (a person who contributes to the development of a text intended for publication) to the thesis supervisor in any specific way. Pedagogical implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Wavelet Based Analysis of TanDEM-X and LiDAR DEMs across a Tropical Vegetation Heterogeneity Gradient Driven by Fire Disturbance in Indonesia
Authors: De Grandi Elsa , Mitchard Edward , Hoekman Dirk
Published: August 2016

Three-dimensional information provided by TanDEM-X interferometric phase and airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) were used to detect differences in vegetation heterogeneity through a disturbance gradient in Indonesia. The range of vegetation types developed as a consequence of fires during the 1997–1998 El Niño. Two-point statistic (wavelet variance and co-variance) was used to assess the dominant spatial frequencies associated with either topographic features or canopy structure. DEMs wavelet spectra were found to be sensitive to canopy structure at short scales (up to 8 m) but increasingly influenced by topographic structures at longer scales. Analysis also indicates that, at short scale, canopy texture is driven by the distribution of heights. Thematic class separation using the Jeffries–Matusita distance (JM) was greater when using the full wavelet signature (LiDAR: 1.29 ≤ JM ≤ 1.39; TanDEM-X: 1.18 ≤ JM ≤ 1.39) compared to using each decomposition scale individually (LiDAR: 0.1 ≤ JM ≤ 1.26; TanDEM-X: 0.1 ≤ JM ≤ 1.1). In some cases, separability with TanDEM-X was similar to the higher resolution LiDAR. The study highlights the potential of 3D information from TanDEM-X and LiDAR DEMs to explore vegetation disturbance history when analyzed using two-point statistics.