bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mixed convection slip flow with temperature jump along a moving plate in presence of free stream
Authors: Singh Gurminder , Makinde Oluwole
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we examine the mixed convection flow with slip and convective
heat transfer along a continuously moving vertical plate in the presence of
uniform free stream. The plate and free stream velocity being in the same
direction. The governing equations of continuity, momentum and energy for
this boundary-layer flow are transformed into one set of coupled non-linear
ordinary differential equations using the local similarity transformation
and are then solved using the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method along with the
shooting technique. The fluid flow and heat transfer distributions are
discussed and presented graphically. Skin-friction and the Nusselt number at
the plate surface are obtained for various values of the physical parameters
and presented in tabular form and the physical aspects of these results are
discussed.
The effect of thermal radiation, heat generation and suction/injection on the mechanical properties of unsteady continuous moving cylinder in a nanofluid
Authors: El-Bashbeshy El-Sayed , Emam Tarek , Abdel-Wahed Mohamed
Published: August 2013

The effect of thermal radiation, heat generation, suction/injection,
nanoparticles type, and nanoparticle volume fraction on heat transfer
characteristics and the mechanical properties of unsteady moving cylinder
embedded into cooling medium consist of water with Cu; Ag or Al2O3 particles
are studied. The governing time dependent boundary layer equations are
transformed to ordinary differential equations containing unsteadiness
parameter, thermal radiation parameter, heat source parameter,
suction/injection parameter, curvature parameter, nanoparticle volume
fraction and Prandlt number. These equations are solved numerically. The
velocity and Temperature profiles within the boundary layer are plotted and
discussed in details for various values of the different parameters. Also the
effects of the cooling medium and the external thermal forces on the
mechanical properties of the cylinder are investigated.
An approach to the modeling of a virtual thermal manikin
Authors: Ruzic Dragan , Bikic Sinisa
Published: August 2013

The aim of the research described in this paper, is to make a virtual thermal
manikin that would be simple, but also robust and reliable. The virtual
thermal manikin was made in order to investigate thermal conditions inside
vehicle cabins. The main parameters of the presented numerical model that
were investigated in this paper are mesh characteristics and turbulence
models. Heat fluxes on the manikin's body segments obtained from the
simulations were compared with published results, from three different
experiments done on physical thermal manikins. The presented virtual thermal
manikin, meshed with surface elements of 0.035 m in nominal size (around
13,600 surface elements) and in conjunction with the two-layer RANS
Realizable k-? turbulence model, had generally good agreement with
experimental data in both forced and natural flow conditions.
Influence of an Intermediary Base on the Microleakage of Simulated Class II Composite Resin Restorations
Authors: Giorgi MCC , Hernandes NMAP , Sugii MM , Ambrosano GMB , Marchi GM , Lima DANL , Aguiar FHB
Published: August 2013

The aim of this in vitro study was to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the microleakage of Class II cavities restored with a methacrylate-based composite (Filtek Z250, 3M ESPE) or silorane-based composite (Filtek LS, 3M ESPE), varying the application of an intermediary base, using a low-viscosity composite resin (Filtek Z350 Flow, 3M ESPE) or resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) (Vitrebond, 3M ESPE) and no intermediary base (control groups). Sixty cavities were prepared on the proximal surfaces of bovine teeth and were randomly divided according to the experimental groups (n=10). Following the restorative procedures and thermocycling, the samples were immersed in methylene blue for two hours. The qualitative evaluation was made using a stereomicroscope, whereby two observers analyzed the infiltration level of the dye within the tooth/filling. Microleakage scores among the groups were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by the Mann-Whitney test (p≤0.05). The samples were then ground and the powder was prepared for quantitative analysis in an absorbance spectrophotometer. The results were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance and the Tukey test (p≤0.05). Results from the quantitative analysis showed that LS presented higher values of microleakage than did Z250. There was a significant difference between both composites concerning the intermediary materials, with the lowest values obtained using RMGIC as an intermediary base. Results from the qualitative analysis showed that there were no statistically significant differences between composites; however, there were significant differences for both composites concerning the intermediary materials, with the lowest values obtained using RMGIC as an intermediary. It is possible to conclude that using RMGIC as an intermediary base provided lower microleakage, indicating better sealing of the tooth-restoration interface.
Clinical Performance of One-step Self-etch Adhesives Applied Actively in Cervical Lesions: 24-month Clinical Trial
Authors: Zander-Grande C , Amaral R C , Loguercio AD , Barroso LP , Reis A
Published: August 2013

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical performance of two one-step self-etch adhesives in noncarious cervical lesions (NCCL) under active or passive application mode.

Methods

Thirty-one patients with four NCCL were enrolled in this study. One hundred and twenty-four restorations were placed according to one of the following conditions: 1) Adper Prompt L-Pop (AP), active application (APA); 2) AP, passive application (APP); 3) Xeno III (XE), active application (XEA), or 4) XE, passive application (XEP). The restorations were evaluated by the FDI World Dental Federation criteria at baseline and after six, 12, and 24 months of clinical service. The effects of adhesive, mode of application, and recall period were assessed via mixed generalized linear model (α=0.05).

Results

The adhesive AP and the passive application mode showed significantly higher marginal staining than did XE and active application, respectively (p<0.05). With regard to the retention rates, the active application mode yielded higher retention rates at the 24-month recall compared to the passive application, regardless of the material. The individual retention rates (95% confidence interval) of both adhesives in the active application mode were the same, 96.8% (83.8-99.4%), while in the passive application rates were 87.1% (71.2-94.9%) and 80.7% (63.7-90.8%) for XE and AP, respectively.

Conclusions

The active application improved the retention rates of both adhesives after 24 months and minimized the marginal staining at enamel margins.
Evaluation of Dental Restorations: A Comparative Study Between Clinical and Digital Photographic Assessments
Authors: Moncada G , Silva F , Angel P , Oliveira OB , Fresno MC , Cisternas P , Fernandez E , Estay J , Martin J
Published: August 2013

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of a direct clinical evaluation method with an indirect digital photographic method in assessing the quality of dental restorations. Seven parameters (color, occlusal marginal adaptation, anatomy form, roughness, occlusal marginal stain, luster, and secondary caries) were assessed in 89 Class I and Class II restorations from 36 adults using the modified US Public Health Service/Ryge criteria. Standardized photographs of the same restorations were digitally processed by Adobe Photoshop software, separated into the following four groups and assessed by two calibrated examiners: Group A: The original photograph displayed at 100%, without modifications (IMG100); Group B: Formed by images enlarged at 150% (IMG150); Group C: Formed by digital photographs displayed at 100% (mIMG100), with digital modifications (levels adjustment, shadow and highlight correction, color balance, unsharp Mask); and Group D: Formed by enlarged photographs displayed at 150% with modifications (mIMG150), with the same adjustments made to Group C. Photographs were assessed on a calibrated screen (Macbook) by two calibrated clinicians, and the results were statistically analyzed using Wilcoxon tests (SSPS 11.5) at 95% CI. Results: The photographic method produced higher reliability levels than the direct clinical method in all parameters. The evaluation of digital images is more consistent with clinical assessment when restorations present some moderate defect (Bravo) and less consistent when restorations are clinically classified as either satisfactory (Alpha) or in cases of severe defects (Charlie). Conclusion: The digital photographic method is a useful tool for assessing the quality of dental restorations, providing information that goes unnoticed with the visual-tactile clinical examination method. Additionally, when analyzing restorations using the Ryge modified criteria, the digital photographic method reveals a significant increase of defects compared to those clinically observed with the naked eye. Photography by itself, without the need for enlargement or correction, provides more information than clinical examination and can lead to unnecessary overtreatment.
A study of the phototoxic effect of Benzo[a] Pyrene on bacteria
Authors: Takáčová Alžbeta , Smolinská Miroslava , Olejníková Petra , Mackuľak Tomáš , Čík Gabriel
Published: August 2013

Although Benzo[a]Pyrene (BaP) released to soils tends to bind very strongly to soil particles, however, small amounts have been shown to leach into groundwaters. This polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon is stable and can stay (and travel) in the environment for an extended period of time. Release of BaP into the environment therefore causes concern at a global environmental level. In this paper we evaluated the effect of BaP on the cell growth of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis in aerobic conditions. Irradiation of BaP increased its antibacterial activity which suggests that this process produced a singlet oxygen. This way would be able to speed up the processes of photochemical degradation of BaP.
Landscape structure, predation of red foxes on grey partridges, and their spatial relations
Authors: Panek Marek
Published: August 2013

The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of agricultural landscape structure on the predation rate of red foxes Vulpes vulpes on grey partridges Perdix perdix during the breeding season and on their spatial relations. The number of partridge remains found around fox breeding dens (N=165) was used as an index of the predation rate in 10 study areas. Moreover, the distribution of both species and the searching intensity of partridge nesting habitat (permanent semi-natural vegetation) by foxes in relation to the landscape structure were studied using scat, track and call counts. The predation index (range 0.06–0.46 partridges/den) increased with spring partridge density and decreased with the occurrence of crop boundaries. The distribution of foxes and partridges in large fields was positively correlated with the occurrence of permanent vegetation, but no such effect was observed in small fields. The searching intensity in permanent vegetation by foxes decreased with the occurrence of these structures among small fields, but not among large fields. The study showed that in a differentiated landscape foxes and partridges had various structural elements at their disposal, which led to partial separation of the predator and its prey in the space.
Formation of nanostructured polyaniline by dopant-free oxidation of aniline in a water/isopropanol mixture
Authors: Rakić Aleksandra , Vukomanović Marija , Ćirić-Marjanović Gordana
Published: August 2013

Nanostructured polyaniline (PANI) was synthesised by the oxidation of aniline in a water/ isopropanol (propan-2-ol, IPA) (50 vol. %) mixture, without added acid, using ammonium peroxydisulfate (APS) as an oxidant. Influence of the IPA co-solvent and the reaction time on the molecular structure, morphology and properties of synthesised PANI samples was studied by FTIR, Raman, and UV-VIS spectroscopies, scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM), and conductivity measurements. The course of the reaction was followed by monitoring changes in the temperature and acidity of the reaction medium. The results were compared with those obtained for PANI prepared in water without IPA under the same reaction conditions. The importance of the solvation effects, dielectric constant of the solvent, and the enthalpy of mixing of IPA with water on the course of the polymerisation reaction and on the properties of polymeric products in the water/IPA medium in comparison with those in water was pointed out.
Locomotor Requirements for Bipedal Locomotion: A Delphi Survey
Authors: Hedman Lois Deming , Morris David M. , Graham Cecilia L. , Brown Cynthia J. , Ford Matthew P. , Ingram Debbie A. , Hilliard Marjorie J. , Salzman Alice J.
Published: August 2013

Background

Bipedal locomotor control requirements may be useful as classifications for walking dysfunction because they go beyond gait analysis to address all issues contributing to walking dysfunction.

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine whether locomotor experts could achieve consensus about the requirements for bipedal locomotion.

Design and Methods

Locomotor experts from physical therapy and other related professions participated in an electronic mail Delphi survey. Experts recommended additions, deletions, rewording, and merges for 15 proposed locomotor requirements in round 1. In rounds 2 and 3, panelists commented on and rated the validity, mutual exclusiveness, and understandability of each requirement. Consensus was defined a priori as: (1) 75% or more panelists agree or strongly agree that a requirement is valid, mutually exclusive, and understandable in round 3; (2) no difference between round 2 and 3 ratings with kappa coefficients ≥.60; and (3) a reduction in panelists who commented and convergence of comments between rounds 1 and 3. Content analysis and nonparametric statistics were used.

Results

Fifty-eight panelists reached full consensus on 5 locomotor requirements (Initiation, Termination, Anticipatory Dynamic Balance, Multi-Task Capacity, and Walking Confidence) and partial consensus for 7 other requirements. There were no significant differences in ratings between rounds 2 and 3, and there was a decrease in the percentage of panelists who commented between rounds 1 and 3.

Limitations

The study's 6-month time frame may have contributed to panelist attrition.

Conclusions

Locomotor experts achieved consensus on several bipedal locomotor requirements. With validation, these requirements can provide the framework for a clinically feasible and systematic diagnostic tool for physical therapists to categorize locomotor problems and standardize intervention for walking dysfunction.
Acute Gastric Necrosis in a Fourteen-Year Old Child
Authors: Joshi Pravin Kumar
Published: August 2013

Acute gastric necrosis is a rare entity of several possible causes. Progression of the disease is usually fulminant and diagnosis is made during surgery only. A-14 year child with acute onset abdominal pain and vomiting and with features of shock presented to the hospital. Rapid progression of surgical abdomen, hemorrhagic drainage in nasogastric tube and presence of gas in the portal vein could be a strong indicator of gastric necrosis. Recognizing the risk factors and prompt surgical intervention is the key to management. Asian Journal of Medical Science, Volume-4 (2013), Pages 44-48 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v4i4.8083
Conscious Sedation with Nitrous Oxide - A Technique with a Potential as Wide as General Anesthesia Itself.
Authors: Naithani Manish , Gami Neha , Puri Arun
Published: August 2013

Though conscious sedation is an established technique for alleviating pain and anxiety in dentistry; it has been underutilized by other medical and surgical specialties. Satisfied fully with its traditional use, and completely convinced that it has a role as wide, and as important, as general anesthesia itself, we venture to recommend its utilization for a variety of procedures.Asian Journal of Medical Science, Volume-4 (2013), Pages 3-4 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v4i4.8303
Pattern of Attentional Task Impairment in Schizophrenic Patients: A Study Report
Authors: Singh Shailja , Aich Tapas Kumar , Ranjan Sanjeev , Kumar Abhinav
Published: August 2013

The present study attempted to find out the relationship between positive and negative clinical symptoms and  various attentional task impairment in a group of schizophrenic patients. METHODS: Fifty schizophrenic patients were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale  (PANSS) by a trained psychiatrist (TKA) who was blind to attentional test measures and two groups, each of 25  positive symptom and 25 negative symptom schizophrenic patients, were formed. On these 50 patients with  schizophrenia and 15 normal control groups, various attentional test measures were applied by a clinical  psychologist (SS) who remained blind to the PANSS score. RESULTS: It was found that schizophrenic patients were deficient in performing simple auditory and visual  attentional tasks in comparison to normal subjects. The results of this study are inconsistent with the assumption  that deficits in attention are uniquely associated with negative symptoms. The findings clearly support the  hypothesis of a relationship between type of attentional processing and “dimensions” of schizophrenic  symptomatology. The positive symptoms patients seem to be associated with attentional dysfunction especially  selective attention and short term recall, whereas negative symptoms patients seem to be associated with different  types of attentional deficits, e.g., sustained attention and visual attention. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study are consistent with the existing literature that schizophrenic patients  in general perform poorly on various measures of attentional tasks. Positive and negative symptoms  schizophrenics have some correlation with distinct attentional deficits.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jucms.v1i2.8402 Journal of Universal College of Medical Sciences Vol.1(2) 2013: 1-7
Evaluation of Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential in Diabetics
Authors: Chaudhary Shatdal , Karki Prahlad , Bajaj Kumar Bhupender , Patel Sushila
Published: August 2013

BACKGROUND:  Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) have been used for electrophysiological assessment of central neuropathy in diabetes. However, the role of this test in documenting the abnormality, the site of abnormality and relation of these abnormalities with metabolic control of diabetes are not clear as yet. The present study was done to explore the presence of abnormalities, if any, in the test parameters and relation of these with diabetic status. METHODS:  It was a cross sectional study with controls. Thirty patients of diabetes mellitus (group 1) and thirty healthy controls (group 2) were included in the study. All the patients were subjected to detail clinical history, clinical and neurological examination. Detail laboratory investigation including haemogram, fasting and postprandial plasma sugar (2 hours), HbA1c, urine R/E, 24 hour urine for proteins, ECG, RFT, LFT and lipid profile were done. BAEP was done in all the subjects RESULTS:  Mean peak latency of waves I, III, V and interpeak latency of I-III, III-V, I-V were prolonged in group 1, but were not statistically significant. Abnormal BAEP response was found in 8 patients (27%) in group 1. There was no significant relation between abnormal BAEP response with age, sex, type of diabetes, duration of diabetes since detection, fasting plasma sugar level, postprandial plasma sugar level, glycosylated haemoglobin, presence of retinopathy, nephropathy and peripheral neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS:  BAEP is a useful method for obtaining an early diagnosis of central and cranial nerve abnormalities in diabetic patients.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jucms.v1i2.8403 Journal of Universal College of Medical Sciences Vol.1(2) 2013: 8-12
Counter Irritation - An Indigenous Healing Method Practiced in Nepal by Self Made Doctors: A Case Report
Authors: Mishra SD , Joshi P , Oram PB , Prakash Nairan
Published: August 2013

A rare case, wherein a brass pot adherent to the anterior abdominal wall in a 55 year old women as a result of counter irritant indigenous method of treatment for pain in rural and remote areas of Nepal is being reported. This would have led to grave consequences, if not treated timely  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jucms.v1i2.8409 Journal of Universal College of Medical Sciences Vol.1(2) 2013: 37-38
Adhesion Tendency of Polymers to Hard Coatings
Authors: Rebelo de Figueiredo M. , Bergmann C. , Ganser C. , Teichert C. , Kukla C. , Mitterer C.
Published: August 2013

The adhesion tendency of the polymers polyoxymethylene, polyamide 6.6 and polyether ether ketone against hard coatings to protect molds in polymer processing was evaluated by a combination of tribological tests, investigations of wear tracks and measurements of the coatings' surface energies. It was found that a low surface roughness and a low surface energy of the coating are beneficial to reduce friction and adhesion tendency. Among the coating materials investigated, CrN seems to be the most promising candidate for the protection of molds for polymer processing.
Efficacy of anterior cervical decompression and fusion procedures for monomelic amyotrophy treatment: a prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lu Feizhou , Wang Hongli , Jiang Jianyuan , Chen Wenjun , Ma Xin , Ma Xiaosheng , Xia Xinlei , Wang Lixun
Published: August 2013

Object

Monomelic amyotrophy (MMA) is a benign, self-limiting lower motor neuron disease. Optimal surgical strategies—discectomy decompression and fusion (DDF) or corpectomy decompression and fusion (CDF)—for patients with aggravated symptoms (within 6 months of presentation) are controversial, particularly in those who are ineligible for conventional treatment. These 2 methods of anterior cervical decompression and fusion for MMA in patients unwilling or unable to wear a conventional cervical collar long term were evaluated.

Methods

Anterior cervical decompression and fusion were performed in 48 male patients with MMA between September 2007 and September 2010. Patients were randomly treated with anterior cervical discectomy decompression with autologous iliac crest bone grafting and internal plate fixation (DDF group: 24 patients) or anterior cervical corpectomy, posterior longitudinal ligament resection, autologous iliac crest bone grafting, and internal plate fixation (CDF group: 24 patients). Subjective symptom assessments and electromyography (EMG) examinations were conducted both preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results

Subjective assessments and EMG studies (mean follow-up duration 25.9 months) indicated improvement in 64.6% and 60% of patients, respectively. No significant correlations between the effectiveness of surgery and age at symptom onset, preoperative symptom duration, or postoperative follow-up time were found.

Conclusions

The lack of a significant difference in effectiveness between DDF and CDF favors DDF as more clinically applicable because of its lower procedural risks. As a second-line alternative to cervical collar treatment, surgical anterior cervical decompression and fusion via DDF or CDF may prevent further deterioration and produce good short-term therapeutic effects in patients with MMA; however, cervical collar treatment is recommended for eligible patients because of its lower associated risks.
Right parietal cortex and calculation processing: intraoperative functional mapping of multiplication and addition in patients affected by a brain tumor
Authors: Della Puppa Alessandro , De Pellegrin Serena , d'Avella Elena , Gioffrè Giorgio , Munari Marina , Saladini Marina , Salillas Elena , Scienza Renato , Semenza Carlo
Published: August 2013

Object

The role of parietal areas in number processing is well known. The significance of intraoperative functional mapping of these areas has been only partially explored, however, and only a few discordant data are available in the surgical literature with regard to the right parietal lobe. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical impact of simple calculation in cortical electrostimulation of right-handed patients affected by a right parietal brain tumor.

Methods

Calculation mapping in awake surgery was performed in 3 right-handed patients affected by high-grade gliomas located in the right parietal lobe. Preoperatively, none of the patients presented with calculation deficits. In all 3 cases, after sensorimotor and language mapping, cortical and intraparietal sulcus areas involved in single-digit multiplication and addition calculations were mapped using bipolar electrostimulation.

Results

In all patients, different sites of the right parietal cortex, mainly in the inferior lobule, were detected as being specifically related to calculation (multiplication or addition). In 2 patients the intraparietal sulcus was functionally specific for multiplication. No functional sites for language were detected. All sites functional for calculation were spared during tumor resection, which was complete in all cases without postoperative neurological deficits.

Conclusions

These findings provide intraoperative data in support of an anatomofunctional organization for multiplication and addition within the right parietal area. Furthermore, the study shows the potential clinical relevance of intraoperative mapping of calculation in patients undergoing surgery in the right parietal area. Further and larger studies are needed to confirm these data and assess whether mapped areas are effectively essential for function.
Overdrainage shunt complications in idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus and lumbar puncture opening pressure
Authors: Khan Qurat ul Ain , Wharen Robert E. , Grewal Sanjeet S. , Thomas Colleen S. , Deen H. Gordon , Reimer Ronald , Van Gerpen Jay A. , Crook Julia E. , Graff-Radford Neill R.
Published: August 2013

Object

Management of idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is hard because the diagnosis is difficult and shunt surgery has high complication rates. An important complication is overdrainage, which often can be treated with adjustable–shunt valve manipulations but also may result in the need for subdural hematoma evacuation. The authors evaluated shunt surgery overdrainage complications in iNPH and their relationship to lumbar puncture opening pressure (LPOP).

Methods

The authors reviewed the charts of 164 consecutive patients with iNPH who underwent shunt surgery at their institution from 2005 to 2011. They noted age, sex, presenting symptoms, symptom duration, hypertension, body mass index (BMI), imaging findings of atrophy, white matter changes, entrapped sulci, LPOP, valve opening pressure (VOP) setting, number of valve adjustments, serious overdrainage (subdural hematoma requiring surgery), radiological overdrainage (subdural hematomas or hygroma seen on postoperative imaging), clinical overdrainage (sustained or postural headache), other complications, and improvements in gait, urine control, and memory.

Results

Eight patients (5%) developed subdural hematomas requiring surgery. All had an LPOP of greater than 160 mm H2O and an LPOP-VOP of greater than 40 mm H2O. Radiological overdrainage was more common in those with an LPOP of greater than 160 mm H2O than in those with an LPOP of less than 160 mm H2O (38% vs 21%, respectively; p = 0.024). The BMI was also significantly higher in those with an LPOP of greater than 160 mm H2O (median 30.2 vs 27.0, respectively; p = 0.005).

Conclusions

Serious overdrainage that caused subdural hematomas and also required surgery after shunting was related to LPOP and LPOP-VOP, which in turn were related to BMI. If this can be replicated, individuals with a high LPOP should have their VOP set close to the LPOP, or even higher. In doing this, perhaps overdrainage complications can be reduced.
Worsening or development of syringomyelia following Chiari I decompression
Authors: Naftel Robert P. , Tubbs R. Shane , Menendez Joshua Y. , Wellons John C. , Pollack Ian F. , Oakes W. Jerry
Published: August 2013

Object

The effects of posterior fossa decompression on Chiari malformation Type I–induced syringomyelia have been well described. However, treatment of worsening syringomyelia after Chiari decompression remains enigmatic. This paper defines patient and clinical characteristics as well as treatment and postoperative radiological and clinical outcomes in patients experiencing this complication.

Methods

The authors performed a retrospective review of patients at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and Children's of Alabama who developed worsening syringomyelia after Chiari decompression was performed.

Results

Fourteen children (age range 8 months to 15 years), 7 of whom had preoperative syringomyelia, underwent posterior fossa decompression. Aseptic meningitis (n = 3) and bacterial meningitis (n = 2) complicated 5 cases (4 of these patients were originally treated at outside hospitals). Worsening syringomyelia presented a median of 1.4 years (range 0.2–10.3 years) after the primary decompression. Ten children presented with new, recurrent, or persistent symptoms, and 4 were asymptomatic. Secondary Chiari decompression was performed in 11 of the 14 children. The other 3 children were advised to undergo secondary decompression. A structural cause for each failed primary Chiari decompression (for example, extensive scarring, suture in the obex, arachnoid web, residual posterior arch of C-1, and no duraplasty) was identified at the secondary operation. After secondary decompression, 8 patients' symptoms completely resolved, 1 patient's condition stabilized, and 2 patients remained asymptomatic. Radiologically, 10 of the 11 children had a decrease in the size of their syringes, and 1 child experienced no change (but improved clinically). The median follow-up from initial Chiari decompression was 3.1 years (range 0.8–14.1 years) and from secondary decompression, 1.3 years (range 0.3–4.5 years). No patient underwent syringopleural shunting or other nonposterior fossa treatment for syringomyelia.

Conclusions

Based on the authors' experience, children with worsening syringomyelia after decompression for Chiari malformation Type I generally have a surgically remediable structural etiology, and secondary exploration and decompression should be considered.
Sagittal plane correction in pedicle subtraction osteotomy using the Xia 3 SUK Direct Vertebral Rotation System
Authors: Kanayama Masahiro
Published: August 2013

The Xia 3 SUK Direct Vertebral Rotation (DVR) System was developed for performing the vertebral derotation maneuver in scoliosis surgery. The author applied this device to sagittal plane correction in pedicle subtraction osteotomy for adult spinal deformity. The surgical procedure included 1) preparing secure proximal and distal foundations for correction using mutisegmental pedicle screw-rod fixation (to avoid stress concentration to a specific screw-bone interface), 2) decancellating only the posterior two-thirds of the vertebral column, 3) providing supplemental interbody fusion above and below the osteotomy site (the anterior one-third of the vertebral column and interbody cages serve as an anterior column support and a pivot of correction), 4) closing the osteotomy by gradual approximation of SUK tubes secured to the proximal- and distal-most screw heads, and 5) connecting rods between the proximal and distal screw-rod constructs. Eight consecutive patients with fixed sagittal imbalance were treated using this surgical procedure. No patient required distal fixation points extending to the sacrum and/or pelvis. The sagittal plane correction was 43°. The mean anterior deviation of the C-7 plumb line was improved from 12.7 cm to 4.0 cm immediately after surgery, and it was 6.0 cm at the final follow-up. A pedicle subtraction osteotomy using the Xia 3 SUK DVR System ensures a safe and secure sagittal plane correction in adult spinal deformity.
Enzyme-Catalyzed Synthesis of Unsaturated Aliphatic Polyesters Based on Green Monomers from Renewable Resources
Authors: Jiang Yi , Woortman Albert , Van Ekenstein Gert , Loos Katja
Published: August 2013

Bio-based commercially available succinate, itaconate and 1,4-butanediol are enzymatically co-polymerized in solution via a two-stage method, using Candida antarctica Lipase B (CALB, in immobilized form as Novozyme® 435) as the biocatalyst. The chemical structures of the obtained products, poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(butylene succinate-co-itaconate) (PBSI), are confirmed by 1H- and 13C-NMR. The effects of the reaction conditions on the CALB-catalyzed synthesis of PBSI are fully investigated, and the optimal polymerization conditions are obtained. With the established method, PBSI with tunable compositions and satisfying reaction yields is produced. The 1H-NMR results confirm that carbon-carbon double bonds are well preserved in PBSI. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) results indicate that the amount of itaconate in the co-polyesters has no obvious effects on the glass-transition temperature and the thermal stability of PBS and PBSI, but has significant effects on the melting temperature.
The Interactions of microRNA and Epigenetic Modifications in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Singh Prashant , Campbell Moray
Published: August 2013

Epigenetic modifiers play important roles in fine-tuning the cellular transcriptome. Any imbalance in these processes may lead to abnormal transcriptional activity and thus result in disease state. Distortions of the epigenome have been reported in cancer initiation and progression. DNA methylation and histone modifications are principle components of this epigenome, but more recently it has become clear that microRNAs (miRNAs) are another major component of the epigenome. Interactions of these components are apparent in prostate cancer (CaP), which is the most common non-cutaneous cancer and second leading cause of death from cancer in the USA. Changes in DNA methylation, altered histone modifications and miRNA expression are functionally associated with CaP initiation and progression. Various aspects of the epigenome have also been investigated as biomarkers for different stages of CaP detection, though with limited success. This review aims to summarize key aspects of these mechanistic interactions within the epigenome and to highlight their translational potential as functional biomarkers. To this end, exploration of TCGA prostate cancer data revealed that expression of key CaP miRNAs inversely associate with DNA methylation. Given the importance and prevalence of these epigenetic events in CaP biology it is timely to understand further how different epigenetic components interact and influence each other.
Institutional Inertia and Institutional Change in an Expanding Normal-Form Game
Authors: Heinrich Torsten , Schwardt Henning
Published: August 2013

We investigate aspects of institutional change in an evolutionary game-theoretic framework, in principle focusing on problems of coordination in groups when new solutions to a problem become available. In an evolutionary game with an underlying dilemma structure, we let a number of new strategies become gradually available to the agents. The dilemma structure of the situation is not changed by these. Older strategies offer a lesser payoff than newly available ones. The problem that agents have to solve for realizing improved results is, therefore, to coordinate on newly available strategies. Strategies are taken to represent institutions; the coordination on a new strategy by agents, hence, represents a change in the institutional framework of a group. The simulations we run show a stable pattern regarding such institutional changes. A number of institutions are found to coexist, with the specific number depending on the relation of payoffs achievable through the coordination of different strategies. Usually, the strategies leading to the highest possible payoff are not among these. This can be taken to reflect the heterogeneity of rules in larger groups, with different subgroups showing different behavior patterns.
A Review of Programs That Targeted Environmental Determinants of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
Authors: Johnston Leah , Doyle Joyce , Morgan Bec , Atkinson-Briggs Sharon , Firebrace Bradley , Marika Mayatili , Reilly Rachel , Cargo Margaret , Riley Therese , Rowley Kevin
Published: August 2013

Objective: Effective interventions to improve population and individual health require environmental change as well as strategies that target individual behaviours and clinical factors. This is the basis of implementing an ecological approach to health programs and health promotion. For Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islanders, colonisation has made the physical and social environment particularly detrimental for health. Methods and Results: We conducted a literature review to identify Aboriginal health interventions that targeted environmental determinants of health, identifying 21 different health programs. Program activities that targeted environmental determinants of health included: Caring for Country; changes to food supply and/or policy; infrastructure for physical activity; housing construction and maintenance; anti-smoking policies; increased workforce capacity; continuous quality improvement of clinical systems; petrol substitution; and income management. Targets were categorised according to Miller’s Living Systems Theory. Researchers using an Indigenous community based perspective more often identified interpersonal and community-level targets than were identified using a Western academic perspective. Conclusions: Although there are relatively few papers describing interventions that target environmental determinants of health, many of these addressed such determinants at multiple levels, consistent to some degree with an ecological approach. Interpretation of program targets sometimes differed between academic and community-based perspectives, and was limited by the type of data reported in the journal articles, highlighting the need for local Indigenous knowledge for accurate program evaluation. Implications: While an ecological approach to Indigenous health is increasingly evident in the health research literature, the design and evaluation of such programs requires a wide breadth of expertise, including local Indigenous knowledge.
Geospatial Cyberinfrastructure and Geoprocessing Web—A Review of Commonalities and Differences of E-Science Approaches
Authors: Hofer Barbara
Published: August 2013

Online geoprocessing gains momentum through increased online data repositories, web service infrastructures, online modeling capabilities and the required online computational resources. Advantages of online geoprocessing include reuse of data and services, extended collaboration possibilities among scientists, and efficiency thanks to distributed computing facilities. In the field of Geographic Information Science (GIScience), two recent approaches exist that have the goal of supporting science in online environments: the geospatial cyberinfrastructure and the geoprocessing web. Due to its historical development, the geospatial cyberinfrastructure has strengths related to the technologies required for data storage and processing. The geoprocessing web focuses on providing components for model development and sharing. These components shall allow expert users to develop, execute and document geoprocessing workflows in online environments. Despite this difference in the emphasis of the two approaches, the objectives, concepts and technologies they use overlap. This paper provides a review of the definitions and representative implementations of the two approaches. The provided overview clarifies which aspects of e-Science are highlighted in approaches differentiated in the geographic information domain. The discussion of the two approaches leads to the conclusion that synergies in research on e-Science environments shall be extended. Full-fledged e-Science environments will require the integration of approaches with different strengths.
Diversity of Secondary Metabolites from Marine Bacillus Species: Chemistry and Biological Activity
Authors: Mondol Muhammad , Shin Hee , Islam Mohammad
Published: August 2013

Marine Bacillus species produce versatile secondary metabolites including lipopeptides, polypeptides, macrolactones, fatty acids, polyketides, and isocoumarins. These structurally diverse compounds exhibit a wide range of biological activities, such as antimicrobial, anticancer, and antialgal activities. Some marine Bacillus strains can detoxify heavy metals through reduction processes and have the ability to produce carotenoids. The present article reviews the chemistry and biological activities of secondary metabolites from marine isolates. Side by side, the potential for application of these novel natural products from marine Bacillus strains as drugs, pesticides, carotenoids, and tools for the bioremediation of heavy metal toxicity are also discussed.
Phenylpropanoid, Sapnol A, Lignan and Neolignan Sophorosides, Saposides A and B, Isolated from Canadian Sugar Maple Sap
Authors: Yoshikawa Kazuko , Tani Sakiko , Baba Chihiro , Hashimoto Toshihiro
Published: August 2013

One new phenolic compound, sapnol A (1), and two new aromatic sophorosides, named saposides A (2) and B (3) were isolated from sugar maple sap. In addition, seven known phenolic compounds 4–10 were isolated. These structures were determined on the basis of NMR experiments as well as chemical evidence. Furthermore, all the isolated compounds 1–10 were tested for antioxidative activity by the superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like assay.
Vitamin C: A Novel Regulator of Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation
Authors: Mohammed Bassem , Fisher Bernard , Kraskauskas Donatas , Farkas Daniela , Brophy Donald , Fowler Alpha , Natarajan Ramesh
Published: August 2013

Introduction: Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation was recently identified as a novel mechanism to kill pathogens. However, excessive NET formation in sepsis can injure host tissues. We have recently shown that parenteral vitamin C (VitC) is protective in sepsis. Whether VitC alters NETosis is unknown. Methods: We used Gulo−/− mice as they lack the ability to synthesize VitC. Sepsis was induced by intraperitoneal infusion of a fecal stem solution (abdominal peritonitis, FIP). Some VitC deficient Gulo−/− mice received an infusion of ascorbic acid (AscA, 200 mg/kg) 30 min after induction of FIP. NETosis was assessed histologically and by quantification for circulating free DNA (cf-DNA) in serum. Autophagy, histone citrullination, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, NFκB activation and apoptosis were investigated in peritoneal PMNs. Results: Sepsis produced significant NETs in the lungs of VitC deficient Gulo−/− mice and increased circulating cf-DNA. This was attenuated in the VitC sufficient Gulo−/− mice and in VitC deficient Gulo−/− mice infused with AscA. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) from VitC deficient Gulo−/− mice demonstrated increased activation of ER stress, autophagy, histone citrullination, and NFκB activation, while apoptosis was inhibited. VitC also significantly attenuated PMA induced NETosis in PMNs from healthy human volunteers.
Physical Reflectivity and Polarization Characteristics for Snow and Ice-Covered Surfaces Interacting with GPS Signals
Authors: Najibi Nasser , Jin Shuanggen
Published: August 2013

The Global Positioning System (GPS) reflected signal has been demonstrated to remotely sense the oceans, land surfaces and the cryosphere, including measuring snow depth, soil moisture, vegetation growth and wind direction. Since the Earth surface’s characteristics are very complex, the surface reflectivity process and interaction with GPS signals is not well understood. In this study, we investigate the surface’s reflectivity and variability of snow and ice surfaces interacting with GPS L1 and L2 signals in order to retrieve multipath signals and infer surface characteristics by using the direct and reflected polarizations of each signal. Firstly, the effects of both GPS satellite elevation angle and GPS receiver’s antenna height variations on the multipath signal variability have been investigated by numerical formulations. Secondly, the specular reflection coefficients’ features and the total surface polarization for liquid and solid surfaces are discussed. Moreover, the linear polarization and circular polarizations (co-polarized and cross-polarized) as well as their corresponding convolution functions are developed horizontally and vertically. The results show that the multipath signals are more sensitive to the satellite elevation angle variations than to changes in the GPS receiver’s antenna height. The convolution function demonstrates that the snowy surface has a minimum reflectance in circular polarization but maximum reflectance in linear polarization. GPS signals reflecting from an ice-covered surface show a maximum value in circular polarization reflectance and a minimum for linear polarization reflectance. Moreover, the values for reflection from soils are between those for snow and ice in all polarization types. The placement of soil surface reflectance values between snowy and icy surface ones may be noteworthy in new remote sensing applications.
A Comparative Analysis between GIMSS NDVIg and NDVI3g for Monitoring Vegetation Activity Change in the Northern Hemisphere during 1982–2008
Authors: Jiang Nan , Zhu Wenquan , Zheng Zhoutao , Chen Guangsheng , Fan Deqin
Published: August 2013

The long-term Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time-series data set generated from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometers (AVHRR) has been widely used to monitor vegetation activity change. The third version of NDVI (NDVI3g) produced by the Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) group was released recently. The comparisons between the new and old versions should be conducted for linking existing studies with future applications of NDVI3g in monitoring vegetation activity change. Based on simple and piecewise linear regression methods, this study made a comparative analysis between NDVIg and NDVI3g for monitoring vegetation activity change and its responses to climate change in the middle and high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere during 1982–2008. Our results indicated that there were large differences between NDVIg and NDVI3g in the spatial patterns for both the overall changing trends and the timing of Turning Points (TP) in NDVI time series, which spread over almost the entire study region. The average NDVI trend from NDVI3g was almost twice as great as that from NDVIg and the detected average timing of TP from NDVI3g was about one year later. Although the general spatial patterns were consistent between two data sets for detecting the responses of growing-season NDVI to temperature and precipitation changes, there were large differences in the response magnitude, with a higher response magnitude to temperature in NDVI3g and an opposite response to precipitation change for the two data sets. These results demonstrated that the NDVIg data set may underestimate the vegetation activity change trend and its response to climate change in the middle and high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere during the past three decades.