bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of visceral fat volume and fat density on biochemical outcome after radical prostatectomy and postoperative radiotherapy
Authors: Zimmermann Michel , Delouya Guila , Barkati Maroie , Campeau Shanie , Rompotinos Denis , Taussky Daniel
Published: March 2016

Background: To assess the predictive value of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and adipose tissue density after both radical prostatectomy (RP) and adjuvant or salvage external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).

Materials and methods: We randomly selected 201 patients treated with RP and EBRT between 2005 and 2015. Visceral adipose tissue and subcutaneous adipose tissue volumes were manually contoured and corresponding tissue densities in Hounsfield units (HU) calculated. Time to biochemical recurrence (BCR) was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and comparisons were made using the log-rank test. Cox regression analysis was done for multivariate analysis.

Results: Median time to BCR or last follow-up was 32 months. In univariate analysis for BCR, VAT volume and fat density were both associated with a better outcome (p=0.025 and p=0.024, respectively) as well as seminal vesicle involvement (p=0.024). Body mass index (BMI) was not predictive of BCR (p=0.32). In a multivariate model including seminal vesicle involvement, both a VAT volume above the median (HR2.5, 95%CI 1.1–5.7, p=0.03) and a VAT density (HR 2.4, 95%CI 1.1–5.1, p=0.028) above the median remained predictive for a better biochemical outcome. Adjusting for BMI did not significantly change the model.

Conclusions: In both univariate and multivariate analysis, patients with both a larger VAT volume and density had a better biochemical outcome. The interaction between prostate cancer aggressiveness and visceral fat volume and density needs to be further evaluated to provide a better understanding of this disease.
60 YEARS OF POMC: Regulation of feeding and energy homeostasis by α-MSH
Authors: Anderson Erica J P , Çakir Isin , Carrington Sheridan J , Cone Roger D , Ghamari-Langroudi Masoud , Gillyard Taneisha , Gimenez Luis E , Litt Michael J
Published: March 2016

The melanocortin peptides derived from pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) were originally understood in terms of the biological actions of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) on pigmentation and adrenocorticotrophic hormone on adrenocortical glucocorticoid production. However, the discovery of POMC mRNA and melanocortin peptides in the CNS generated activities directed at understanding the direct biological actions of melanocortins in the brain. Ultimately, discovery of unique melanocortin receptors expressed in the CNS, the melanocortin-3 (MC3R) and melanocortin-4 (MC4R) receptors, led to the development of pharmacological tools and genetic models leading to the demonstration that the central melanocortin system plays a critical role in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Indeed, mutations in MC4R are now known to be the most common cause of early onset syndromic obesity, accounting for 2–5% of all cases. This review discusses the history of these discoveries, as well as the latest work attempting to understand the molecular and cellular basis of regulation of feeding and energy homeostasis by the predominant melanocortin peptide in the CNS, α-MSH.
Metformin improves hepatic IRS2/PI3K/Akt signaling in insulin-resistant rats of NASH and cirrhosis
Authors: Xu Hong , Zhou Yang , Liu Yongxia , Ping Jian , Shou Qiyang , Chen Fangming , Ruo Ru
Published: March 2016

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and cirrhosis are strongly associated with insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. To date, the influence of metformin on glycogen synthesis in the liver is controversial. Limited studies have evaluated the effect of metformin on hepatic insulin signaling pathwayin vivo. In this study, an insulin-resistant rat model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis was developed by high-fat and high-sucrose diet feeding in combination with subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride. Liver tissues of the model rats were featured with severe steatosis and cirrhosis, accompanied by impaired liver function and antioxidant capacity. The glucose tolerance was impaired, and the index of insulin resistance was increased significantly compared with the control. The content of hepatic glycogen was dramatically decreased. The expression of insulin receptor β (IRβ); phosphorylations of IRβ, insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS2), and Akt; and activities of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and glycogen synthase (GS) in the liver were significantly decreased, whereas the activities of glycogen synthase kinase 3α (GSK3α) and glycogen phosphorylase a (GPa) were increased. Metformin treatment remarkably improved liver function, alleviated lipid peroxidation and histological damages of the liver, and ameliorated glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Metfromin also significantly upregulated the expression of IRβ; increased the phosphorylations of IRβ, IRS2, and Akt; increased the activities of PI3K and GS; and decreased GSK3α and GPa activities. In conclusion, our study suggests that metformin upregulates IRβ expression and the downstream IRS2/PI3K/Akt signaling transduction, therefore, to increase hepatic glycogen storage and improve insulin resistance. These actions may be attributed to the improved liver histological alterations by metformin.
Double-Balloon Enteroscopy-detected Lipid Islets in the Small Bowel are Strong Predictors of Cardiovascular Disease when associated with Angiectasia and Bleeding
Authors: Albrecht Heinz , Hagel Wolfgang H. , Hagel Alexander F. , Neurath Markus F. , Raithel Martin
Published: March 2016

Background & Aims: Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is a sensitive and safe procedure for the detection and treatment of mid-gastrointestinal bleeding (MGIB). It combines the possibility of a panenteroscopy with the immediate chance for intervention. This study evaluates the yield of DBE for the detection and treatment of MGIB in an unselected patient cohort.

Methods: In a five-year period a total of 119 DBEs were carried out on 62 patients due to MGIB. Inclusion criteria were hematochezia, melena, anemia, positive hemoccult-test and iron deficiency. All pre-existing diseases or comorbidities were evaluated. Two main statistical methodologies were used in data analysis: descriptive statistics to describe the basic features of our data and Fisher’s exact test for comparisons of proportions.

Results: The diagnostic yield was 69% (pathological findings in 43/62 patients) and the main diagnoses in all DBE-procedures were angiodysplasia (22%, 26/119 DBE), followed by lipid islets (18%, 21/119 DBE). In all patients with lipid islets this diagnosis was significantly connected with cardiovascular diseases. The combination of lipid islets and a relevant bleeding source appeared in 79% of the 19 patients with these findings. Of these, 53% had to be treated due to the bleeding event. The overall therapeutic intervention rate was 58%. Serious complications such as perforation or pancreatitis did not occur.

Conclusion: Double-balloon enteroscopy as the gold standard for small bowel investigation in MGIB confirmed its high diagnostic yield in an unselected cohort of patients. A new strong combination of lipid islets with cardiovascular disease was revealed, with a high incidence of angiectasia bleeding. This combination should be evaluated in more detail as a new risk factor for MGIB, and should be regarded in this population when therapeutic anticoagulation is needed.

Abbreviations: APC: argon plasma coagulation; CE: capsule endoscopy; DBE: double-balloon enteroscopy; EGD: esophagogastroduodenoscopy; ERCP: endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography; MGIB: mid-gastrointestinal bleeding; OGIB: obscure gastrointestinal bleeding; PE: push enteroscopy.
Enteroscopic Tattooing for Better Intraoperative Localization of a Bleeding Jejunal GIST Facilitates Minimally Invasive Laparoscopically-assisted Surgery
Authors: Iacob Razvan , Dimitriu Anca , Stanciulea Oana , Herlea Vlad , Popescu Irinel , Gheorghe Cristian
Published: March 2016

We present the case of a 63-year-old man that was admitted for melena and severe anemia. Upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy failed to identify the lesion responsible for bleeding, and enteroCT scan was also non-contributive to the diagnosis. Capsule endoscopy indicated possible jejunal bleeding but could not indicate the source of bleeding, recommending anterograde enteroscopy. Single balloon enteroscopy identified a 2 cm submucosal tumour in the distal part of the jejunum, with a macroscopic appearance suggesting a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST). The tumor location was marked using SPOT tattoo and subsequently easily identified by the surgeon and resected via minimally invasive laparoscopic-assisted approach. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis indicated a low risk GIST.The unusual small size of the GIST as a modality of presentation, with digestive bleeding and anemia and the ability to use VCE/enteroscopy to identify and mark the lesion prior to minimally invasive surgery, represent the particularities of the presented case.

Abbreviations: CA19-9: cancer antigen 19-9; CEA: carcinoembryonic antigen; GI: gastrointestinal; GIST: gastrointestinal stromal tumor; Hb: hemoglobin; HPF: high power field; MCH: mean corpuscular hemoglobin; MCV: mean corpuscular volume; VCE: videocapsule endoscopy.
Macronodular Finding of Small Bowel as a Sign of Common Variable Immunodeficiency
Authors: Tursi Antonio , Inchingolo Cosimo Damiano
Published: March 2016

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Ako vníma materinský jazyk slovenská mládež v Maďarsku a na Slovensku? (Etnolingvistická reflexia)
Authors: Homišinová Mária
Published: March 2016

The intention of this paper is to present the empirical research results of the Slovak youth lingual-communication behaviour in Slovakia and Hungary, whereas this research work was performed in both countries in the year 2010. Expressions of a spoken form of the Slovak language were investigated in surroundings which are typical for the application of the written language as a form of a social contact in school: with friends, peers, and in the family. The referential framework of this paper consists of three levels of analysis: 1. the analysis of communication skills in Slovak and Hungarian; 2. the analysis of the evaluation of life values; 3. the correlation of these parameters: language communication skills versus the perception of ethnic values (mother tongue).
Проблема преображения героев в Мертвых душах Гоголя и жанровые модификации плутовского романа (аспект исторической поэтики)
Authors: Шульц Сергей
Published: March 2016

From the point of view of historical poetics, the genre model of Gogol’s Dead Souls can be connected to variations of a picaresque novel (Aleman, Grimmelshausen, Sorel, Lesage, Narezhny, etc.). The author demonstrates the proximity of Dead Souls to picaresque novels presuming the possibility of change and transformation of the protagonist.
Sargon of Akkade and his god
Authors: Nowicki Stefan
Published: March 2016

The expression “god of the father(s)” is mentioned in textual sources from the whole area of the Fertile Crescent, between the third and first millennium B.C. The god of the fathers — aside from assumptions of the tutelary deity as a god of ancestors or a god who is a deified ancestor — was situated in the centre and the very core of religious life among all peoples that lived in the ancient Near East. This paper is focused on the importance of the cult of Ilaba in the royal families of the ancient Near East. It also investigates the possible source and route of spreading of the cult of Ilaba, which could have been created in southern Mesopotamia, then brought to other areas. Hypothetically, it might have come to the Near East from the upper Euphrates.
A descriptive study of the phonology of Gurezi Shina
Authors: Ahmed Musavir
Published: March 2016

Gurezi Shina is a lesser known variety of Shina language being spoken by the inhabitants of Gurez, a remote northern valley in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The paper reports a part of the findings of a major research study, undertaken for the description and documentation of this language with an aim to substantiate efforts for its preservation. The paper is a first attempt to present the sound system of Gurezi Shina in detail; the vowels and consonants of the language have been identified through minimal pair of words. Distribution of sounds in words are given in detail. An introduction to the linguistic classification of the language has also been presented. The data for the study have been collected during several field visits to Gurez valley.
Seasonal variation and community structure of fishes in the Mahananda River with special reference to conservation issues
Authors: Galib Shams Muhammad , Rashid Md Abdur , Chaki Nipa , Mohsin ABM , Joadder Md Abdur Razzaq
Published: March 2016

This study was carried out in the Mahananda River from January to December 2013 with a view to determining the seasonal variation and community structure of fishes along with some conservation issues. Monthly sampling was carried out using traditional fishing gears and fishes were identified based on morphometric and meristic characters. A total of 4082 individuals of native fish species were captured, analyzed and classified into 62 species belonging to 46 genera, 25 families and 9 orders. Cypriniformes and Siluriformes were the dominant fish orders represented by 19 species each and the most abundant family was Cyprinidae (14 species). In addition to indigenous individuals, 9 individuals of 2 exotic fish species (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Pangasius hypophthalmus) were also recorded. Among three sampling sites, S-1 was the most diversified in terms of not only the number of individual fish but also the number of species present represented by mean (±SE) individuals of 151.50±25.22 and species of 25.58±3.91. Three distinct fish groups of fish families were revealed from the cluster analysis of similarity. To improve the situation, control of illegal fishing gears, establishment of sanctuaries and legal protection for threatened species are recommended.
Bulk gDNA extraction from coral samples v1
Authors: Baker Andrew , Ross Cunning not provided
Published: March 2016

This is a modified version of the DNA extraction methods published in: Rowan, R., & Powers, D.A. (1991) Molecular genetic identification of symbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae). Marine Ecology Progress Series, 71(1), 65–73. Baker, A.C., Rowan, R., & Knowlton, N. (1997) Symbiosis ecology of two Caribbean acroporid corals. Proceedings of the 8th International Coral Reef Symposium, Panama 2: 1295-1300 This protocol is used to extract and purify genomic DNA from coralsamples (tissue and skeleton)that is suitable for PCR, qPCR, sequencing, and other downstream applications. DNA is recovered from the coral host, Symbiodinium, and other members of the holobiont.
A területi tőke koncepciója és a városi vállalkozáskutatás
Authors: Czakó Katalin , Dőry Tibor
Published: March 2016

A tanulmány kiinduló témaköre a Camagni-féle területitőke-koncepció által értelmezett endogén jellegű regionális potenciálok. Átfogó célja az innovatív keresztben felsorolt tőkeértékek szemléltetése a városi környezetben tevékenykedő vállalkozói rétegben. A területi tőke a területi versenyképességet leíró fogalom, amellyel a regionális kutatások elmúlt időszakában több nemzetközi és hazai szerző is foglalkozott. A területi tőkével kapcsolatos elemzések egy lehatárolt terület speciális értékeit értelmezik. A tanulmány gyakorlati részében a győri járműipari körzetben működő vállalkozásokat érintő felmérés eredményeit mutatjuk be. A mérés módszere egy pilot jellegű kérdőíves felmérés volt. Ennek során Győr fejlődése szempontjából olyan következtetések bontakoztak ki, amelyek további kutatása támpontokat adhat a jövőben tervezett városfejlesztési akciókhoz. Ezek az eredmények a tulajdonosi hálózatokról, a tudásteremtésről és az innovációt célzó együttműködésekről számolnak be. A tanulmány azt vizsgálja, hogy ezekben – a sok esetben immateriális jegyeket hordozó – témakörökben miként jelennek meg a Camagni által értelmezett tőkeértékek. A tanulmány három fő részre bontható. Az elméleti háttér foglalkozik a területi tőke komponenseinek elméleti osztályozásával és összegyűjti az ezzel kapcsolatos főbb megállapításokat, kritikákat. A második részben a területitőke-mátrix innovatív keresztjében elhelyezkedő tőkecsoportokat értelmezzük, és ezen belül azon komponenseket emeljük ki, amelyeket a gyakorlati kutatás keretében tovább lehet vizsgálni. A harmadik rész a győri kutatás kapcsolódó eredményeit dolgozza fel.
„Megfogyva bár…” Egy tanyafelmérés tanulságai Békés megyében
Authors: Nagy Gábor , Dudás Gábor , Bodnár Gábor
Published: March 2016

A Vidékfejlesztési Minisztérium tanyapályázatának keretében, 2013-ban nagy léptékű külterületi felmérés elkészítésére nyílt lehetőség, melynek során csaknem teljes adatfelvételt készíthettünk Békés megye külterületi népességéről és épületeiről. Bár az adatlapok tematikája rögzített volt, a pótlólagos kérdések, illetve a tanyasi interjúk alapján olyan – térben rendezett – információtömeghez jutottunk, melyre még nem volt példa a megye történetében. A jelen tanulmány célja az eredmények elsődleges bemutatása, az eltérő térségi vagy települési fejlődési pályák felvillantása, illetve a megye tanyatípusainak leírása egy generációval a rendszerváltást követően.A Békés megyei tanyavilágban 1990 után nem indult el külterületi kitelepülési hullám, de nem beszélhetünk a tanyafelszámolódás folytatódásáról sem a szocialista periódust követően. A túlélés záloga már csak részben az agrárium, egyre erősebb a hétvégi, rekreációs célú külterületi építkezés, tanyamegújítás. Nem bizonyult valósnak az a „városi legenda” sem, hogy a tanyákon kizárólag az idősek és a szociálisan leszakadó rétegek „torlódtak fel”, mint ahogy nem létezik összetartó, egymást segítő tanyasi közösség sem. Valójában a tanyahálózat erőteljes térbeli differenciálódása zajlik, egy-egy település eltérő határrészei között is. A tanyák számának csökkenése a nem túl távoli jövőben aligha elkerülhető, erre utal a romos és láthatóan nem lakott, nem használt épületek magas száma. Ez a folyamat azonban szintén differenciáltan fog végbemenni, amelyben a választóvonal az alapvető infrastrukturális elemek megléte vagy hiánya lesz.
PRODUÇÃO CIENTÍFICA SOBRE O PROCESSO DE LIDERANÇA
Authors: Oliveira Francieuda Pessoa de , Delfino Islania Andrade de Lira
Published: March 2016

RESUMO

A liderança constitui um dos mais complexos fenômenos que permeiam os estudos organizacionais, apesar de muito explorado e discutido. Este estudo tem como objetivo analisar como está configurada a pesquisa acadêmica sobre o processo de liderança no período correspondente aos anos de 1981 a 2010. Os estudos dos traços pessoais do líder, dos estilos de liderança, da liderança contingencial, da nova liderança e da liderança de equipes são identificados como as principais abordagens. Surge a importância de fornecer subsídios científicos por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica ao estudo do processo de liderança, partindo do pressuposto defendido pelo enfoque contingencial de que a liderança efetiva abrange o líder, os liderados e a situação. A metodologia adotada envolve uma extensiva revisão bibliográfica com a busca sistemática nos artigos de eventos e periódicos classificados pela CAPES com o conceito Qualis A e B, além de obras dos principais autores da área de Comportamento Organizacional e Liderança, publicados entre 1981 e 2010. Para o tratamento dos dados encontrados foi utilizada a análise bibliométrica, selecionando os que apresentam a expressão processo de liderança ou palavras relacionadas. Este trabalho procura contribuir com o desenvolvimento do construto de liderança por meio do aprofundamento do tema e da identificação de outras variáveis que compõem o processo, além de identificar os avanços e limitações na área.

 
A era do controle tributário eletrônico e o direito fundamental à privacidade
Authors: Ribeiro Marcelo Miranda
Published: March 2016

O artigo analisa as influências da revolução tecnológica no relacionamento entre Fisco e contribuintes. Atualmente, o Estado tem instituído inúmeros mecanismos de controle digital, como, por exemplo, a obrigatoriedade de entrega de declarações eletrônicas. Esses controles impõem, entretanto, grandes desafios à ciência jurídica, pois se incrementam as possibilidades de interferência na privacidade e liberdade das pessoas. Há, portanto, a necessidade de se repensar o sistema tributário sob o prisma ético, para que ele possa suportar os novos conflitos que surgem. Analisam-se, nesse cenário, os limites à utilização de instrumentos eletrônicos de controle tributário frente ao direito fundamental à privacidade.
Współczesne wyzwania stojące przed planowaniem przestrzennym w świetle pardygmatu zrównoważonego rozwoju
Authors: Drzazga Dominik
Published: March 2016

Niniejszy artykuł stanowi próbę wskazania autorskiej koncepcji zmian w systemie planowania przestrzennego i planowania rozwoju w Polsce.We wprowadzeniu do pracy scharakteryzowano krótko ewolucję planowania od narzędzia urbanistycznego służącego głównie porządkowaniu fizycznej przestrzeni do instrumentu służącego pobudzaniu procesów rozwoju i optymalizacji wykorzystania różnych zasobów. Wskazano na potrzebę integracji i stosowania podejścia funkcjonalnego w planowaniu. W dalszej części artykułu przybliżono wybrane, najistotniejsze słabości instytucjonalne obniżające skuteczność systemu planowania przestrzennego w Polsce. Mając je na względzie, w drugiej części artykułu zarysowano autorską koncepcję zmian na poziomie lokalnego i regionalnego planowania. Tekst kończy krótkie podsumowanie odnoszące się do warunków jakie muszą być spełnione dla wprowadzenia proponowanych zmian w systemie planowania rozwoju.
Síndrome Nefrótico y Linfoma de Hodgkin. Reporte de dos casos.
Authors: Vásquez Luciola , Loza Reyner , Chaparro Eduardo , Noriega Katiuska , Mayo Nancy
Published: March 2016

Se presentan dos pacientes con síndrome nefrótico sensibles a corticoides y lesiones compatibles con Linfoma de Hodgkin. En uno se encontró una masa mediastinal en la evolución y en el otro un nódulo pulmonar. En ambos casos la biopsia mostró, a la microscopia óptica, hallazgos compatibles con linfoma de Hodgkin Luego de la quimioterapia presentaron remisión de la enfermedad renal.(Rev Med Hered 2011;22:182-185).
El problema de la nomenclatura de la enfermedad no es la falta de ella, sino la falta de aplicación
Authors: Giovannini-Sanguineti Giancarlo
Published: March 2016

Respecto al artículo publicado por León-Barúa en el volumen 22, número 2, 2011 de la Revista Médica Herediana, en el que se propone una nueva alternativa para mejorar la nomenclatura, la clasificación y el diagnóstico de las enfermedades tomando en cuenta los síntomas, signos y síndromes, es necesario realizar algunas reflexiones: en primer lugar, cabe recalcar que es necesaria una nomenclatura de la enfermedad que sea reconocida universalmente y no, nomenclaturas con nombres propios o comunes de cada país o región; de modo que se pueda organizar el gran número de problemas de salud en base a un mismo criterio, en las diferentes especialidades.
Características clínicas y demográficas del paciente amputado.
Authors: Farro Luis , Tapia Raquel , Bautista Luz , Montalvo Rosa , Iriarte Hermelinda
Published: March 2016

Objetivo: Determinar las características clínicas y demográficas del paciente amputado atendidos en un instituto de rehabilitación Lima-Callao, Perú. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo. Se revisaron 570 Historias Clínicas de pacientes atendidos en el Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación “Adriana Rebaza Flores” del 2002 al 2007. Resultados: La edad promedio fue 43,11 ± 21,55 años (rango: 1 a 93), 74% fueron hombres. El 82,5% eran de condición socioeconómica pobre y pobreza extrema y 46,8% procedía de Lima o Callao. La extremidad más afectada fue el miembro inferior (78,1%) y su nivel de amputación más frecuente fue arriba de rodilla (53,9%). La causa no traumática fue 54,7% y la angiopatía diabética fue la más frecuente (42,3%). Se encontró asociación significativa entre amputación no traumática y nivel de amputación arriba de rodilla, edad > 40 años y procedencia de Lima-Callao (p < 0,01). La causa traumática fue más frecuente en ≤ 40 años (p < 0,001). Conclusión: La gran mayoría tiene una amputación mayor del miembro inferior, causada frecuentemente por la angiopatía diabética, la causa no traumática fue más frecuente en mayores de 40 años, mientras que la amputación traumática en < 40 años.
An Improved Complex Image Theory for Fast Resistivity Modeling and Its Application to Geosteering
Authors: Chen Jiefu , Wang Jing , Yu Yao
Published: March 2016

azimuthal resistivity logging-while-drilling (LWD) tools with tilted antennas (Bittar 2002; Li et al. 2005) are widely used in geosteering because of their azimuthal sensitivity and the relatively large depth of investigation compared with other LWD tools such as nuclear, acoustic, or gamma ray measurements. Compared with conventional resistivity tools, azimuthal-resistivity LWD measurements can provide additional information including distance-to-boundary, relative dip angle, and resistivity anisotropy (Li et al. 2014). Because of the computing efficiency requirement, modeling and inversion of azimuthal-resistivity LWD measurements are usually based on a 1D parallel-layer model in practice (Zhong et al. 2008). Clearly, this 1D model assumption is not applicable to some realistic situations such as when the tool is navigating in unparallel-layer formation, or approaching a fault.

The 3D full-wave simulations such as finite-difference or finite-element methods can handle the complex cases, but they are generally too slow for real jobs, not to mention the inversion that is based on iterative calls of forward modeling. An approximation method called complex image theory was proposed for geophysical prospecting (Wait 1969; Bannister 1986), and recently was introduced to well logging (Dong and Wang 2011; Wang and Liu 2014). This theory approximates electromagnetic-wave reflection by an interface between local and adjacent beds as signal radiated from a virtual source with a complex distance from the observation point. The complex image theory can be several orders of magnitude more efficient than 3D simulations. However, it also has several limitations: This method only works in resistive beds with conductive shoulders, and the measurement cannot be too close to bed interfaces. Those shortcomings greatly limit this method to more extensive applications.

An improved complex image theory is proposed here to tackle the aforementioned difficulties. This improved theory can handle a very short distance from the tool to a bed interface as well as the scenarios in which the source is in a conductive bed instead of a resistive one. One can implement robust inversion schemes on the basis of this method. The effectiveness and efficiency of this method are verified by several numerical examples as well as laboratory tests and field jobs.
Application of modified Manning formula in the determination of vertical profile velocity in natural rivers
Authors: Song S. , Schmalz B. , Zhang J. X. , Li G. , Fohrer N.
Published: March 2016

Seldom studied before, the vertical profile velocity is indicative of the flood process and nutrient transportation process. In this paper, a substitution of cross section hydraulic radius with vertical depth was made to the Manning formula, which was then applied in the vertical profile velocity determination. Simultaneously, the determination accuracy and its relationship with hydraulic conditions were discussed, based on the 1050 vertical profiles sampled from 140 cross sections in flood and moderate level seasons. The observations show the following. (1) The modified Manning formula provides a simplified approach for vertical profile velocity determination with acceptable accuracy. (2) The fitting quality of the profile velocity from the middle region of the cross section and the flood season were higher than that from near the bank or the moderate level season. The coefficient of determination (R2) of the regression for the moderate level season and the flood season were 0.55 and 0.58, while the Nash–Sutcliffe coefficients were 0.64 and 0.82, respectively. (3) Analysis of the determination error and the coefficient of variation showed a positive correlation with the river aspect ratio. This seems to suggest that the modified Manning formula tends to be more applicable in narrow and deep rivers. More measurements from rivers or channels with a high aspect ratio would be meaningful for future research.
Impact of food animal trade on the spread of mcr-1-mediated colistin resistance, Tunisia, July 2015
Authors: Grami Raoudha , Mansour Wejdene , Mehri Wahib , Bouallègue Olfa , Boujaâfar Noureddine , Madec Jean-Yves , Haenni Marisa
Published: March 2016

We report a high prevalence of MCR-1 and CTX-M-1-producing Escherichia coli in three Tunisian chicken farms. Chickens were imported from France or derived from French imported chicks. The same IncHI2-type plasmid reported to carry those genes in cattle in France and in a food sample in Portugal was found in Tunisian chickens of French origin. This suggests a significant impact of food animal trade on the spread of mcr-1-mediated colistin resistance in Europe.
The influence of depth of anesthesia on motor evoked potential response during awake craniotomy
Authors: Ohtaki Shunya , Akiyama Yukinori , Kanno Aya , Noshiro Shouhei , Hayase Tomo , Yamakage Michiaki , Mikuni Nobuhiro
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVE

Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) are a critical indicator for monitoring motor function during neurological surgery. In this study, the influence of depth of anesthesia on MEP response was assessed.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients with brain tumors who underwent awake craniotomy were included in this study. From a state of deep anesthesia until the awake state, MEP amplitude and latency were measured using 5-train electrical bipolar stimulations on the same site of the precentral gyrus each minute during the surgery. The depth of anesthesia was evaluated using the bispectral index (BIS). BIS levels were classified into 7 stages: < 40, and from 40 to 100 in groups of 10 each. MEP amplitude and latency of each stage were compared. The deviation of the MEP measurements, which was defined as a fluctuation from the average in every BIS stage, was also considered.

RESULTS

A total of 865 MEP waves in 28 cases were evaluated in this study. MEP amplitude was increased and latency was decreased in accordance with the increases in BIS level. The average MEP amplitudes in the > 90 BIS level was approximately 10 times higher than those in the < 40 BIS level. Furthermore, the average MEP latencies in the > 90 BIS level were 1.5–3.1 msec shorter than those in the < 60 BIS level. The deviation of measured MEP amplitudes in the > 90 BIS level was significantly stabilized in comparison with that in the < 60 BIS level.

CONCLUSIONS

MEP amplitude and latency were closely correlated with depth of anesthesia. In addition, the deviation in MEP amplitude was also correlated with depth of anesthesia, which was smaller during awake surgery (high BIS level) than during deep anesthesia. Therefore, MEP measurement would be more reliable in the awake state than under deep anesthesia.
Overutilization of bracing in the management of penetrating spinal cord injury from gunshot wounds
Authors: Eftekhary Nima , Nwosu Kenneth , McCoy Eric , Fukunaga Dudley , Rolfe Kevin
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVE

Penetrating gunshot wounds (GSWs) to the spinal column are stable injuries and do not require spinal orthoses or bracing postinjury. Nonetheless, a high number of GSW-related spinal cord injury (SCI) patients are referred with a brace to national rehabilitation centers. Unnecessary bracing may encumber rehabilitation, create skin breakdown or pressure ulcers, and add excessive costs. The aim of this study was to confirm the stability of spinal column injuries from GSWs and quantify the overutilization rate of bracing based on long-term follow-up.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study was performed at a nationally renowned rehabilitation center. In total, 487 GSW-related SCI patients were transferred for rehabilitation and identified over the last 14 years. Retrospective chart review and telephone interviews were conducted to identify patients who were braced at the initial treating institution and determine if late instability, deformity, or neurological deterioration resulted in secondary surgery or intervention. In addition, 396 unoperated patients were available for analysis after 91 patients were excluded for undergoing an initial destabilizing surgical dissection or laminectomy, thereby altering the natural history of the injury. All of these 396 patients who presented with a brace had bracing discontinued upon reaching the facility.

RESULTS

In total, 203 of 396 patients were transferred with a spinal brace, demonstrating an overutilization rate of 51%. No patients deteriorated neurologically or needed later surgery for spinal column deformity or instability attributable to the injury. All patients had stable injuries. The patterns of injury and severity of neurological injury did not vary between patients who were initially braced or unbraced. The average follow-up was 7.8 years (range 1–14 years) and the average age was 25 years (range 10–62 years).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of brace overutilization for penetrating GSW-related SCI was 51%. Long-term follow-up in this study confirmed that these injuries were stable and thus did not require bracing. No patients deteriorated neurologically, whether or not they were initially braced. The unnecessary use of spinal orthoses increases costs and patient morbidity. Reeducation and dissemination of this information is warranted.
Uremic tumoral calcinosis in the cervical spine: case report
Authors: Fatehi Mostafa , Ahuja Christopher S. , Wang Shelly , Ginsberg Howard J.
Published: March 2016

Tumoral calcinosis is an uncommon condition characterized by the calcification of periarticular soft tissue. In uremic patients the disease is secondary to metabolic disturbances in predisposed patients. The authors report the case of a 73-year-old woman who presented with a new painful cervical mass while undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for long-standing end-stage renal disease (ESRD). A CT scan of the neck showed a lobulated, calcified mass in the left paraspinal soft tissue at C2–3. This mass affected the facet joint and also extended into the neural foramen but did not cause any neurological compromise. Due to the patient's significant medical comorbidities, resection was deferred and the patient was followed in the clinic. Subsequent repeat imaging has shown a significant decrease in the size of the mass. In the context of ESRD, a diagnosis of uremic tumoral calcinosis (UTC) was made. The authors conducted a search of the PubMed and EMBASE databases and identified 7 previously reported cases of UTC of the cervical spine. They present a summary of these cases and discuss the etiology, diagnosis, and management of the condition.

Although the metabolic disturbances seen in patients undergoing dialysis can lead to tumoral calcinosis, most reported cases involve large joints such as the shoulder or the hip; however, the spine can also be affected and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with uremia as it can mimic aggressive bone-forming neoplasms.
Growing hungry: The politics of food distribution and the shifting boundaries between urban and rural in Dar es Salaam
Authors: Brownell Emily
Published: March 2016

'Growing Hungry' considers the continued relevance of Raymond Williams's seminal text, The Country and the City, through the case study of socialist era Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This article juxtaposes state and international rhetoric that sought to administer African development through fixity of populations while the livelihood of many of Tanzanians relied on travelling and living between city and country. Julius Nyerere, Tanzania's first president, was particularly driven to avoid the migration of urban Tanzanians to the city and developed a staunch anti-urban GE 273 policy. This policy was accompanied by a moralising rhetoric that portrayed urbanites as slothful and obstacles to rural nation-building. And yet, as state channels for food distribution began to fail, as did attempts to depopulate the city, the state's new approach sought to turn as much of Dar es Salaam into agricultural space as possible and in the process make workers out of 'parasites'. Urban agriculture and family networks becomes key bulwarks against hunger in the city by the early 1980s and, somewhat ironically considering the state's anti-urban stance, this very act of ruralising the city expanded the city into its hinterland.
Abstract Interpretations in the Framework of Invariant Sets
Authors: Alexandru Andrei , Ciobanu Gabriel
Published: March 2016

We present a theory of abstract interpretations in the framework of invariant sets by translating the notions of lattices and Galois connections into this framework, and presenting their properties in terms of finitely supported objects. We introduce the notions of invariant correctness relation and invariant representation function, emphasize an equivalence between them, and establish the relationship between these notions and invariant Galois connections. Finally, we provide some widening and narrowing techniques in order to approximate the least fixed points of finitely supported transition functions.
Pattern-based Rewriting through Abstraction
Authors: Bottoni Paolo , Guerra Esther , de Lara Juan
Published: March 2016

Model-based development relies on models in different phases for different purposes, with modelling patterns being used to document and gather knowledge about good practices in specific domains, to analyse the quality of existing designs, and to guide the construction and refactoring of models. Providing a formal basis for the use of patterns would also support their integration with existing approaches to model transformation. To this end, we turn to the commonly used, in this context, machinery of graph transformations and provide an algebraic-categorical formalization of modelling patterns, which can express variability and required/forbidden application contexts. This allows the definition of transformation rules having patterns in left and right-hand sides, which can be used to express refactorings towards patterns, change the use of one pattern by a different one, or switch between pattern variants. A key element in our proposal is the use of operations to abstract models into patterns, so that they can be manipulated by pattern rules, thus leading to a rewriting mechanism for classes of graphs described by patterns and not just individual graphs. The proposal is illustrated with examples in object-oriented software design patterns and enterprise architecture patterns, but can be applied to any other domain where patterns are used for modelling.
Secure multi-execution: Fine-grained, declassification-aware, and transparent
Authors: Rafnsson Willard , Sabelfeld Andrei
Published: March 2016

Recently, much progress has been made on achieving information-flow security via secure multi-execution. Secure multi-execution ([Formula: see text]) is an elegant way to enforce security by executing a given program multiple times, once for each security level, while carefully dispatching inputs and ensuring that an execution at a given level is responsible for producing outputs for information sinks at that level. Secure multi-execution guarantees noninterference, in the sense of no dependencies from secret inputs to public outputs, and transparency, in the sense that if a program is secure then its secure multi-execution does not disable any of its original behavior.

This paper pushes the boundary of what can be achieved with secure multi-execution. First, we lift the assumption from the original secure multi-execution work on the totality of the input environment (that there is always assumed to be input) and on cooperative scheduling. Second, we generalize secure multi-execution to distinguish between security levels of presence and content of messages. Third, we introduce a declassification model for secure multi-execution that allows expressing what information can be released and where it can be released. Fourth, we establish a full transparency result showing how secure multi-execution can preserve the original order of messages in secure programs. We demonstrate that full transparency is a key enabler for discovering attacks with secure multi-execution.
Intranuclear Aggregates Precede Clinical Onset in Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: van der Sluijs B.M. , Raz V. , Lammens M. , van den Heuvel L.P. , Voermans N.C. , van Engelen B.G.M.
Published: March 2016

Background: Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) has long been characterized by a combination of bilateral ptosis and dysphagia and subsequent limb girdle weakness. The role of the typical intranuclear inclusion in the pathophysiology is unresolved.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and histopathological features of oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD). We examined this in a Dutch cohort including presymptomatic Ala-expanded- PABPN1 carriers and late symptomatic patients.

Methods: We performed a prospective, observational study in OPMD patients and adult children of genetically confirmed OPMD patients. The study includes a structured history, a detailed neurological examination, muscle histology and biochemical analysis. Forty patients and 18 adult children participated in this study, among whom were six presymptomatic mutation carriers. One patient died during the study and had given permission to autopsy.

Results: In addition to the characteristic OPMD symptoms including ptosis and dysphagia, other symptoms such as limb girdle and axial weakness, and external ophthalmoplegia were frequently observed. Intranuclear aggregates were observed in the biopsies of presymptomatic carriers. Biochemical analysis of the biopsies of the presymptomatic carriers showed no mitochondrial dysfunction. The autopsy showed that muscle weakness correlated with histopathological findings in five different muscles in an individual patient.

Conclusions: The main findings of this nationwide study are the presence of intranuclear aggregates before clinical onset and the absence of mitochondrial changes in Ala-expanded- PABPN1 carriers. This indicates that the expression of Ala-expanded- PABPN1 causes the formation of nuclear aggregates before the onset of muscle weakness. Normal results of biochemical analysis in presymptomatic carriers suggest that possible mitochondrial dysfunction occurs later. Furthermore we confirmed that limb girdle weakness occurs frequently in Dutch OPMD patients. This study thus expands the OPMD research towards characterization of presymptomatic carriers.
Skeletal Muscle Quantitative Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy as an Outcome Measure for Clinical Trials
Authors: Carlier Pierre G. , Marty Benjamin , Scheidegger Olivier , Loureiro de Sousa Paulo , Baudin Pierre-Yves , Snezhko Eduard , Vlodavets Dmitry
Published: March 2016

Recent years have seen tremendous progress towards therapy of many previously incurable neuromuscular diseases. This new context has acted as a driving force for the development of novel non-invasive outcome measures. These can be organized in three main categories: functional tools, fluid biomarkers and imagery. In the latest category, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) offers a considerable range of possibilities for the characterization of skeletal muscle composition, function and metabolism. Nowadays, three NMR outcome measures are frequently integrated in clinical research protocols. They are: 1/ the muscle cross sectional area or volume, 2/ the percentage of intramuscular fat and 3/ the muscle water T2, which quantity muscle trophicity, chronic fatty degenerative changes and oedema (or more broadly, “disease activity”), respectively. A fourth biomarker, the contractile tissue volume is easily derived from the first two ones. The fat fraction maps most often acquired with Dixon sequences have proven their capability to detect small changes in muscle composition and have repeatedly shown superior sensitivity over standard functional evaluation. This outcome measure will more than likely be the first of the series to be validated as an endpoint by regulatory agencies. The versatility of contrast generated by NMR has opened many additional possibilities for characterization of the skeletal muscle and will result in the proposal of more NMR biomarkers. Ultra-short TE (UTE) sequences, late gadolinium enhancement and NMR elastography are being investigated as candidates to evaluate skeletal muscle interstitial fibrosis. Many options exist to measure muscle perfusion and oxygenation by NMR. Diffusion NMR as well as texture analysis algorithms could generate complementary information on muscle organization at microscopic and mesoscopic scales, respectively. 31P NMR spectroscopy is the reference technique to assess muscle energetics non-invasively during and after exercise. In dystrophic muscle, 31P NMR spectrum at rest is profoundly perturbed, and several resonances inform on cell membrane integrity. Considerable efforts are being directed towards acceleration of image acquisitions using a variety of approaches, from the extraction of fat content and water T2 maps from one single acquisition to partial matrices acquisition schemes. Spectacular decreases in examination time are expected in the near future. They will reinforce the attractiveness of NMR outcome measures and will further facilitate their integration in clinical research trials.
Non-destructive evaluation of teeth restored with different composite resins using synchrotron based micro-imaging
Authors: Fatima A. , Kulkarni V.K. , Banda N.R. , Agrawal A.K. , Singh B. , Sarkar P.S. , Tripathi S. , Shripathi T. , Kashyap Y. , Sinha A.
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND:

Application of high resolution synchrotron micro-imaging in microdefects studies of restored dental samples.

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the defects in restorations done by two different resin systems on teeth samples using synchrotron based micro-imaging techniques namely Phase Contrast Imaging (PCI) and micro-computed tomography (MCT). With this aim acquired image quality was also compared with routinely used RVG (Radiovisiograph).

METHODS:

Crowns of human teeth samples were fractured mechanically involving only enamel and dentin, without exposure of pulp chamber and were divided into two groups depending on the restorative composite materials used. Group A samples were restored using a submicron Hybrid composite material and Group B samples were restored using a Nano-Hybrid restorative composite material. Synchrotron based PCI and MCT was performed with the aim of visualization of tooth structure, composite resin and their interface.

RESULTS:

The quantitative and qualitative comparison of phase contrast and absorption contrast images along with MCT on the restored teeth samples shows comparatively large number of voids in Group A samples.

CONCLUSIONS:

Quality assessment of dental restorations using synchrotron based micro-imaging suggests Nano-Hybrid resin restorations (Group B) are better than Group A.