bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clival meningocele causing bilateral hearing loss in a child due to superficial siderosis of the central nervous system: case report
Authors: Johans Stephen J. , Swong Kevin N. , Burkett Daniel J. , Wemhoff Michael P. , Lew Sean M. , Patel Chirag R. , Germanwala Anand V.
Published: February 2018

Superficial siderosis (SS) of the CNS is a rare and often unrecognized condition. Caused by hemosiderin deposition from chronic, repetitive hemorrhage in the subarachnoid space, it results in parenchymal damage in the subpial layers of the brain and spinal cord. T2-weighted MRI shows the characteristic hypointensity of hemosiderin deposition, classically occurring around the cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord. Patients present with progressive gait ataxia and sensorineural hearing impairment. Although there have been several studies, case reports, and review articles over the years, the clear pathophysiology of subarachnoid space hemorrhage remains to be elucidated. The proposed causes include prior intradural surgery, prior trauma, tumors, vascular abnormalities, nerve root avulsion, and dural abnormalities.

Surgical repair of a dural defect associated with SS has been shown to be efficacious at preventing symptomatic progression. There have been several reports of dural defects within the spinal canal treated with surgery. Here, the authors present the first known case of a dural defect of the ventral skull base, namely a clival meningocele, presumed to be causing SS. In this case report, a 10-year-old girl with a history of head trauma at the age of 3 years was found to have a clival meningocele 3 years after her original trauma. On follow-up imaging, the patient was found to have radiographic growth of the meningocele along with evidence of SS of the CNS. The patient was treated conservatively until she began to have progressive hearing loss. It was presumed that the growing meningocele was the source of her SS. An endoscopic endonasal transclival approach with a multilayer dural reconstruction was performed to fix the dural defect and repair the meningocele in hopes of mitigating the progression of her symptoms. At her 12-month postoperative follow-up, she was doing well, with audiometry showing a slightly decreased hearing threshold in the left ear but improved speech discrimination bilaterally. Postoperative MRI showed a stable level of hemosiderin deposition and meningocele repair. Long-term follow-up will be necessary to evaluate for continued clinical stabilization or possible improvement.
Efficacy of intraoperative ultrasonography in neurosurgical tumor resection
Authors: Sweeney Jared F. , Smith Heather , Taplin AmiLyn , Perloff Eric , Adamo Matthew A.
Published: February 2018

OBJECTIVE

Intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) is a widely accessible imaging modality that provides real-time surgical guidance with minimal identified risk or additional operative time. A recent study by the authors found a strong correlation between IOUS and postoperative MRI findings when evaluating the extent of tumor resection, suggesting that IOUS might have significant clinical implications. The objective of this study was to expand on results from the previous study in order to provide more evidence on the usage of IOUS in the determination of gross-total resection (GTR) in both adult and pediatric patients with brain tumors.

METHODS

This study consisted of a retrospective review of adult and pediatric neurosurgical patients who were treated at Albany Medical Center between August 2009 and March 2016 for a tumor of the brain. All patients were treated with IOUS and then underwent postoperative MRI (with and without contrast) within 1 week of surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 260 patients (55% of whom were males) met inclusion criteria for the study (age range 3 months to 84 years). IOUS results showed a strong association with postoperative MRI results (φ = 0.693, p < 0.001) and an 81% intended GTR rate. In cases in which GTR was pursued, 19% had false-negative results. IOUS was able to accurately identify residual tumor in 100% of subtotal resection cases where resection was stopped due to invasion of tumor into eloquent locations. Cases involving gliomas had a 75% intended GTR rate and a 25% false-negative rate. Cases involving metastatic tumors had an 87% intended GTR rate and a 13% false-negative rate. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value are reported for IOUS in all included tumor pathologies, glioma cases, and metastatic tumor cases, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of IOUS may allow for a reliable imaging modality to achieve a more successful GTR of brain tumors in both adult and pediatric neurosurgical patients. When attempting GTR, the authors demonstrated an 81% GTR rate. The authors also report false-negative IOUS results in 19% of attempted GTR cases. The authors support the use of IOUS in both adult and pediatric CNS tumor surgery to improve surgical outcomes. However, further studies are warranted to address existing limitations with its use to further improve its efficacy and better define its role as an intraoperative imaging tool.
Novel posterior artificial atlanto-odontoid joint for atlantoaxial instability: a biomechanical study
Authors: Shen Kai , Deng Zhongliang , Yang Junsong , Liu Chao , Zhang Ranxi
Published: February 2018

OBJECTIVE

Atlantoaxial instability is usually corrected by anterior and/or posterior C1–2 fusion. However, fusion can lead to considerable loss of movement at the C1–2 level, which can adversely impact a patient’s quality of life. In this study, the authors investigated the stability and function of a novel posterior artificial atlanto-odontoid joint (NPAAJ) by using cadaveric cervical spines.

METHODS

The Oc–C7 regions from 10 cadaveric spines were used for anteroposterior (AP) translation and range of motion (ROM) tests while intact and after destabilization, NPAAJ implantation, and double-rod fixation.

RESULTS

The mean AP C1–2 translational distances in the intact, destabilization, and double-rod groups were 6.53 ± 1.07 mm, 11.54 ± 1.59 mm, and 3.24 ± 0.99 mm, respectively, and the AP translational distance in the NPAAJ group was significantly different from that in the intact group (p < 0.05). The AP translational distance in the NPAAJ group was not significantly different from that in the double-rod group (p = 0.24). The mean flexion, extension, and axial rotation ROM values of the NPAAJ group were 9.87° ± 0.91°, 8.75° ± 0.99°, and 61.93° ± 2.93°, respectively, and these were lower than the corresponding values in the intact group (p < 0.05). The mean lateral bending ROM in the NPAAJ group (9.26° ± 0.86°) was not significantly different from that in the intact group (p = 0.23), and the flexion, extension, and rotation ranges in the NPAAJ group were 79.5%, 85.2%, and 82.3%, respectively, of those in the intact group.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of NPAAJ for correction of atlantoaxial instability disorders caused by congenital odontoid dysplasia, odontoid fracture nonunion, and C-1 transverse ligament disruption (IA, IB, and IIB) may restore the stability and preserve most of the ROM of C1–2. Additionally, the NPAAJ may prevent soft tissue from embedding within the joint. However, additional studies should be performed before the NPAAJ is used clinically.
Organizational learning, integrity and value through process-oriented innovations
Authors: Solomon Esther
Published: February 2018

In an era marked by changing business models and evolving networks, a leadership challenge entails the successful management of processes towards learning, value generation, and organizational renewal. This article applies facet theory as the means of integrating two diverse, contemporary management orientations: process-oriented innovations and organizational learning. Both approaches advocate comparable principles, organically societal structures, and mindsets that challenge existing ways of thinking and acting in business and governance. Reframing through facet theory contributes nuanced insights into the multidimensionality and dynamic complexity of interactions between organizational learning and process-oriented innovations. The essence of intersections between the two approaches helps define the facets of a mapping sentence expressing the study’s research design. Facet definitions and specifications lead to configurational hypotheses regarding profiles differentially contributing to improved practices. By testing the ensuing model, future research can provide valuable prescriptions for practice and offer new insights into how business enterprises and organizations learn through ongoing process-oriented innovations.
Investment policies that support SME self-development
Authors: Das Bandana , Hui Xiaofeng , Sha Syed Jamal
Published: February 2018

Major attention is received by investment policies that support small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) and technology-driven starts-ups. In this research, we investigate the role of the banking and finance policies that support SMEs self-development in Nepal. After joining the World Trade Organization (WTO), the country’s government has commenced numerous policies that support entrepreneurial activities. This study’s empirical-research results show that, regardless of the funds and plans supporting SME self-development, Nepal still needs a regulatory framework that backs innovative business enterprises and other societal organizations. That will help the country transition to an innovation-driven economy, by enhancing the competitiveness of its SMEs. The insights gained are applicable to other developing and emerging economies, particularly through comprehending the vital role that financial mechanism play in building an innovative economy. Moreover, SMEs often struggle to adopt new and innovative managerial practices. Besides that, also need a bank for lending the loan only to SMEs.
Knowledge sharing and personality traits moderated by transformational leadership
Authors: Lin Ku-Jun , Hsieh Yi-Hua , Lian Wey-Shyang
Published: February 2018

This study investigates the relations among knowledge sharing, transformational leadership and personality traits. An organizational perspective allows exploring the moderating effects of transformational leadership on both knowledge sharing and personality traits. Based on a survey of 1,325 valid questionnaires, the empirical findings show knowledge sharing is significantly and positively influenced by openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Knowledge sharing is also significantly and positively influenced by transformational leadership, which increases knowledge sharing motivation among extroversion and conscientiousness traits. High transformational leadership may reduce knowledge sharing reluctance among individuals with neuroticism traits. To promote knowledge sharing effectively, teachers and manager ought to provide students and employees with transformational leadership, depending on observed personality traits and variations.
How students descry entrepreneurial self-efficacy
Authors: Alsaidan Saad , Zhang Li
Published: February 2018

This research investigates the roles that entrepreneurial self-efficacy plays in the relations between students’ perception of vocational guidance and entrepreneurial intentions, as well as between vocational knowledge and entrepreneurial intentions, in the vocational colleges of Saudi Arabia. Correlation analysis and linear regression are used to assess the relations among students’ perception of vocational guidance, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, vocational knowledge and entrepreneurial intentions. Gathered from 631 students and analyzed with the SPSS software, the empirical data confirm that entrepreneurial self-efficacy moderates the relations between both students’ perception of vocational guidance and entrepreneurial intentions, and vocational knowledge and entrepreneurial Intentions.

Besides the study’s qualification, also offered are policy making recommendations for practice and implications for future research.
Sensing behavior of flower-shaped MoS2 nanoflakes: case study with methanol and xylene
Authors: Barzegar Maryam , Berahman Masoud , Iraji zad Azam
Published: February 2018

Recent research interest in two-dimensional (2D) materials has led to an emerging new group of materials known as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), which have significant electrical, optical, and transport properties. MoS2 is one of the well-known 2D materials in this group, which is a semiconductor with controllable band gap based on its structure. The hydrothermal process is known as one of the scalable methods to synthesize MoS2 nanostructures. In this study, the gas sensing properties of flower-shaped MoS2 nanoflakes, which were prepared from molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) by a facile hydrothermal method, have been studied. Material characterization was performed using X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurements, elemental analysis using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The gas sensing characteristics were evaluated under exposure to various concentrations of xylene and methanol vapors. The results reveal higher sensitivity and shorter response times for methanol at temperatures below 200 °C toward 200 to 400 ppm gas concentrations. The sensing mechanisms for both gases are discussed based on simulation results using density functional theory and charge transfer.
Short-timescale γ-Ray Variability in CTA 102
Authors: Shukla A. , Mannheim K. , Patel S. R. , Roy J. , Chitnis V. R. , Dorner D. , Rao A. R. , Anupama G. C. , Wendel C.
Published: February 2018

The flat-spectrum radio quasar CTA 102 experienced a prolonged state of enhanced activity across the entire observed electromagnetic spectrum during 2016–2017, most pronounced during a major outburst between 2016 December and 2017 May. Fermi-LAT observed a flux of (2.2 ± 0.2) × 10−5 photons cm−2 s−1 at energies above 100 MeV on 2017 April 19 during a single orbit. We report here the detection of significant (4.7σ) flux variations down to timescales of ∼5 minutes during this orbit. The measured variability timescale is much shorter than the light-travel time across the central black hole (∼70 minutes) indicating a very compact emission region within the jet, similar to that seen in IC 310, Mrk 501, or PKS 1222+21 from MAGIC observations. This short-timescale variability is unexpected since the γ-ray spectrum shows no sign of attenuation due to pair creation in interactions with photons from the broad emission line region, and therefore must be assumed to originate far from the black hole. The observed fast variability could either indicate the dissipation of magnetic islands or protons in a collimated beam from the base of the jet encountering the turbulent plasma at the end of the magnetic nozzle.
Improvements in Gravitational-wave Sky Localization with Expanded Networks of Interferometers
Authors: Pankow Chris , Chase Eve A. , Coughlin Scott , Zevin Michael , Kalogera Vassiliki
Published: February 2018

A milestone of multi-messenger astronomy has been achieved with the detection of gravitational waves from a binary neutron star merger accompanied by observations of several associated electromagnetic counterparts. Joint observations can reveal details of the engines that drive the electromagnetic and gravitational-wave emission. However, locating and identifying an electromagnetic counterpart to a gravitational-wave event is heavily reliant on localization of the source through gravitational-wave information. We explore the sky localization of a simulated set of neutron star mergers as the worldwide network of gravitational-wave detectors evolves through the next decade, performing the first such study for neutron star–black hole binary sources. Currently, three detectors are observing with additional detectors in Japan and India expected to become operational in the coming years. With three detectors, we recover a median neutron star–black hole binary sky localization of 60 deg2 at the 90% credible level. As all five detectors become operational, sources can be localized to a median of 11 deg2 on the sky.
Ionized and Molecular Gas Kinematics in a z = 1.4 Star-forming Galaxy*
Authors: Übler H. , Genzel R. , Tacconi L. J. , Schreiber N. M. Förster , Neri R. , Contursi A. , Belli S. , Nelson E. J. , Lang P. , Shimizu T. T. , Davies R. , Herrera-Camus R. , Lutz D. , Plewa P. M. , Price S. H. , Schuster K. , Sternberg A. , Tadaki K. , Wisnioski E. , Wuyts S.
Published: February 2018

We present deep observations of a z = 1.4 massive, star-forming galaxy (SFG) in molecular and ionized gas at comparable spatial resolution (CO 3–2, NOrthern Extended Millimeter Array (NOEMA); Hα, Large Binocular Telescope (LBT)). The kinematic tracers agree well, indicating that both gas phases are subject to the same gravitational potential and physical processes affecting the gas dynamics. We combine the one-dimensional velocity and velocity dispersion profiles in CO and Hα to forward-model the galaxy in a Bayesian framework, combining a thick exponential disk, a bulge, and a dark matter halo. We determine the dynamical support due to baryons and dark matter, and find a dark matter fraction within one effective radius of

f

DM

(
≤

R

e

)
=

0.18

−
0.04

+
0.06

. Our result strengthens the evidence for strong baryon-dominance on galactic scales of massive z ∼ 1–3 SFGs recently found based on ionized gas kinematics alone.
Fermi Transient J1544–0649: A Flaring Radio-weak BL Lac
Authors: Bruni Gabriele , Panessa Francesca , Ghisellini Gabriele , Chavushyan Vahram , Peña-Herazo Harold A. , Hernández-García Lorena , Bazzano Angela , Ubertini Pietro , Kraus Alex
Published: February 2018

On 2017 May 15, the FERMI/LAT gamma-ray telescope observed a transient source not present in any previous high-energy catalog: J1544–0649. It was visible for two consecutive weeks, with a flux peak on May 21. Subsequently observed by a Swift/XRT follow-up starting on May 26, the X-ray counterpart position was coincident with the optical transient ASASSN-17gs = AT2017egv, detected on May 25, with a potential host galaxy at z = 0.171. We conducted a 4-month follow-up in radio (Effelsberg-100 m) and optical (San Pedro Mártir, 2.1 m) bands, in order to build the overall Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) of this object. The radio data from 5 to 15 GHz confirmed the flat spectrum of the source, favoring a line of sight close to the jet axis, not showing significant variability in the explored post-burst time window. The Rx ratio, a common indicator of radio loudness, gives a value at the border between the radio-loud and radio-quiet active galactic nuclei (AGNs) populations. The CaII H&K break value (0.29 ± 0.05) is compatible with the range expected for the long-sought intermediate population between BL Lacs and FRI radio galaxies. An overall SED fitting from the radio to gamma-ray band shows properties typical of a low-power BL Lac. As a whole, these results suggest that this transient could be a new example of the recently discovered class of radio-weak BL Lac, showing for the first time a flare in the gamma/X-ray bands.
2MASS J13243553+6358281 Is an Early T-type Planetary-mass Object in the AB Doradus Moving Group
Authors: Gagné Jonathan , Allers Katelyn N. , Theissen Christopher A. , Faherty Jacqueline K. , Gagliuffi Daniella Bardalez , Artigau Étienne
Published: February 2018

We present new radial velocity and trigonometric distance measurements indicating that the unusually red and photometrically variable T2 dwarf 2MASS J13243553+6358281 is a member of the young (∼150 Myr) AB Doradus moving group (ABDMG) based on its space velocity. We estimate its model-dependent mass in the range 11–12 M
Jup at the age of the ABDMG, and its trigonometric distance of 12.7 ± 1.5 pc makes it one of the nearest known isolated planetary-mass objects. The unusually red continuum of 2MASS J13243553+6358281 in the near-infrared was previously suspected to be caused by an unresolved L + T brown dwarf binary, although it was never observed with high spatial resolution imaging. This new evidence of youth suggests that a low surface gravity may be sufficient to explain this peculiar feature. Using the new parallax we find that its absolute J-band magnitude is ∼0.4 mag fainter than equivalent-type field brown dwarfs, suggesting that the binary hypothesis is unlikely. The fundamental properties of 2MASS J13243553+6358281 follow the spectral type sequence of other known high-likelihood members of the ABDMG. The effective temperature of 2MASS J13243553+6358281 provides the first precise constraint on the L/T transition at a known young age and indicates that it happens at a temperature of ∼1150 K at ∼150 Myr, compared to ∼1250 K for field brown dwarfs.
PALFA Discovery of a Highly Relativistic Double Neutron Star Binary
Authors: Stovall K. , Freire P. C. C. , Chatterjee S. , Demorest P. B. , Lorimer D. R. , McLaughlin M. A. , Pol N. , van Leeuwen J. , Wharton R. S. , Allen B. , Boyce M. , Brazier A. , Caballero K. , Camilo F. , Camuccio R. , Cordes J. M. , Crawford F. , Deneva J. S. , Ferdman R. D. , Hessels J. W. T. , Jenet F. A. , Kaspi V. M. , Knispel B. , Lazarus P. , Lynch R. , Parent E. , Patel C. , Pleunis Z. , Ransom S. M. , Scholz P. , Seymour A. , Siemens X. , Stairs I. H. , Swiggum J. , Zhu W. W.
Published: February 2018

We report the discovery and initial follow-up of a double neutron star (DNS) system, PSR J1946+2052, with the Arecibo L-Band Feed Array pulsar (PALFA) survey. PSR J1946+2052 is a 17 ms pulsar in a 1.88 hr, eccentric (e = 0.06) orbit with a ≳1.2 M
⊙ companion. We have used the Jansky Very Large Array to localize PSR J1946+2052 to a precision of 0.″09 using a new phase binning mode. We have searched multiwavelength catalogs for coincident sources but did not find any counterparts. The improved position enabled a measurement of the spin period derivative of the pulsar (

P

˙

=
9
±
2
×

10

−
19

); the small inferred magnetic field strength at the surface (B

S
= 4 × 109 G) indicates that this pulsar has been recycled. This and the orbital eccentricity lead to the conclusion that PSR J1946+2052 is in a DNS system. Among all known radio pulsars in DNS systems, PSR J1946+2052 has the shortest orbital period and the shortest estimated merger timescale, 46 Myr; at that time it will display the largest spin effects on gravitational-wave waveforms of any such system discovered to date. We have measured the advance of periastron passage for this system,

ω

˙

=
25.6
±
0.3

deg

yr

−
1

, implying a total system mass of only 2.50 ± 0.04 M
⊙, so it is among the lowest-mass DNS systems. This total mass measurement combined with the minimum companion mass constrains the pulsar mass to ≲1.3 M
⊙.
Whole-body Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Axial Spondyloarthritis: Reduction of Sacroiliac, Spinal, and Entheseal Inflammation in a Placebo-controlled Trial of Adalimumab
Authors: Krabbe Simon , Østergaard Mikkel , Eshed Iris , Sørensen Inge J. , Jensen Bente , Møller Jakob M. , Balding Lone , Madsen Ole R. , Asmussen Karsten , Eng Grith , Jørgensen Niklas R. , Pedersen Susanne J.
Published: February 2018

Objective.

To investigate whether adalimumab (ADA) reduces whole-body (WB-) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indices for inflammation in the entheses, peripheral joints, sacroiliac joints, spine, and the entire body in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

Methods.

An investigator-initiated, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded 48-week followup trial included 49 patients with axSpA, who had Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) ≥ 4.0 despite treatment with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and a clinical indication for tumor necrosis factor inhibitor treatment. Patients were randomized to subcutaneous ADA 40 mg or placebo every other week for 6 weeks; thereafter, all patients received ADA. Conventional MRI and WBMRI were performed at weeks 0, 6, 24, and 48. The primary WBMRI endpoint was the proportion of patients with an improvement in WBMRI total inflammation index above the smallest detectable change (SDC) at Week 6.

Results.

The primary WBMRI endpoint (improvement of SDC > 2.3) was met in 11 (44%) patients in the ADA group and 3 (13%) patients in the placebo group (p = 0.025, Fisher’s exact test). The primary conventional MRI endpoint, the minimally important change in Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada Spine MRI Inflammation Index at Week 6, was achieved by 9 (36%) patients in the ADA group and 4 (17%) patients in the placebo group (p = 0.20). The primary clinical endpoint, BASDAI reduction > 50% or 2.0 at Week 24, was attained by 32 (65%) patients.

Conclusion.

ADA provided significant reductions in WBMRI indices of peripheral, axial, and whole-body inflammation in patients with axSpA. WBMRI is promising for objective assessment and monitoring of peripheral and axial disease activity in future clinical trials.
Evaluation of Self-reported Patient Experiences: Insights from Digital Patient Communities in Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Sunkureddi Prashanth , Doogan Stephen , Heid John , Benosman Samir , Ogdie Alexis , Martin Layne , Palmer Jacqueline B.
Published: February 2018

Objective.

To evaluate the types of experiences and treatment access challenges of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) using self-reported online narratives.

Methods.

English-language patient narratives reported between January 2010 and May 2016 were collected from 31 online sources (general health social networking sites, disease-focused patient forums, treatment reviews, general health forums, mainstream social media sites) for analysis of functional impairment and 40 online sources for assessment of barriers to treatment. Using natural language processing and manual curation, patient-reported experiences were categorized into 6 high-level concepts of functional impairment [social, physical, emotional, cognitive, role activity (SPEC-R), and general] and 6 categories to determine barriers to treatment access (coverage ineligibility, out-of-pocket cost, issues with assistance programs, clinical ineligibility, formulary placement/sequence, doctor guidance). The SPEC-R categorization was also applied to 3 validated PsA patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments to evaluate their capacity to collect lower-level subconcepts extracted from patient narratives.

Results.

Of 15,390 narratives collected from 3139 patients with PsA for exploratory analysis, physical concepts were the most common (81.5%), followed by emotional (50.7%), cognitive (20.0%), role activity (8.1%), and social (5.6%) concepts. Cognitive impairments and disease burden on family and parenting were not recorded by PsA PRO instruments. The most commonly cited barriers to treatment were coverage ineligibility (51.6%) and high out-of-pocket expenses (31.7%).

Conclusion.

Patients often discussed physical and emotional implications of PsA in online platforms; some commonly used PRO instruments in PsA may not identify cognitive issues or parenting/family burden. Nearly one-third of patients with PsA reported access barriers to treatment.
The Crescentic Implication of Renal Outcomes in Proliferative Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Cai Fanghao , Han Fei , Wang Hongya , Han Haidongqin , Le Jingyun , Lan Lan , Xu Ying , Chen Jianghua
Published: February 2018

Objective.

To determine the association between crescents and renal outcomes, and the implications on therapeutic choices.

Methods.

There were 231 patients with biopsy-proven proliferative lupus nephritis (PLN) who were divided into 4 groups: 59 patients were in the noncrescent group (NC); 59 patients exclusively with segmental crescents were in the segmental crescent group (SC); patients with circumferential crescents were categorized into 2 groups according to the crescentic ratio (C1 had 64 patients with ≤ 25%, and C2 had 49 patients with > 25%). Their baseline laboratory tests, histopathological manifestations, and outcomes were compared.

Results.

Remission rates in NC, SC, C1, and C2 groups were 92.1%, 85.4%, 95.0%, and 76.1%, respectively. Fewer patients in the C2 group achieved complete remission than the other 3 groups. For longterm outcomes evaluated by serum creatinine (SCr) doubling or endstage renal disease (ESRD), the renal survival rate was lowest in the C2 group (p = 0.003). Including clinical and pathological variables in the Cox proportional hazard regression model separately, the multivariate analysis revealed that these were independent risk factors for SCr doubling or ESRD: baseline SCr (with every 1 mg/dl increase: HR = 1.834, 95% CI 1.465–2.296; p < 0.001), hemoglobin (with every 1 g/l increase: HR = 0.970, 95% CI 0.947–0.992; p = 0.009), the proportions of cellular crescents (with every 1% increase: HR = 1.040, 95% CI 1.015–1.066; p = 0.002) and fibrocellular crescents (with every 1% increase: HR = 1.085, 95% CI 1.013–1.163; p = 0.020), and severe renal tubular atrophy (HR = 5.348, 95% CI 1.278–22.373; p = 0.022).

Conclusion.

PLN with crescents > 25% had worse renal outcomes both in short and long terms. Proportions of cellular and fibrocellular crescents were independent risk factors for poor renal survival.
Incidence of and Risk Factors for Knee Collateral Ligament Injuries With Proximal Tibia Fractures: A Study of 32,441 Patients
Authors: Samuel Andre M. , Diaz-Collado Pablo J. , Szolomayer Lauren K. , Wiznia Daniel H. , Chan Wayne W. , Lukasiewicz Adam M. , Basques Bryce A. , Bohl Daniel D. , Grauer Jonathan N.
Published: February 2018

Proximal tibia fractures are associated with concurrent collateral ligament injuries. Failure to recognize these injuries may lead to chronic knee instability. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for concurrent collateral ligament injuries with proximal tibia fractures and their association with inpatient outcomes. A total of 32,441 patients with proximal tibia fractures were identified in the 2011–2012 National Trauma Data Bank. A total of 1445 (4.5%) had collateral ligament injuries, 794 (2.4%) had injuries to both collateral ligaments, 456 (1.4%) had a medial collateral ligament injury only, and 195 (0.6%) had a lateral collateral ligament injury only. On multivariate analysis, risk factors found to be associated with collateral ligament injuries included distal femur fracture (odds ratio, 2.1), pedestrian struck by motor vehicle (odds ratio, 2.0), obesity (odds ratio, 1.6), young age (odds ratio, 1.9 for 18 to 29 years vs 40 to 49 years), motorcycle accident (odds ratio, 1.5), and Injury Severity Score of 20 or higher (odds ratio, 1.4). In addition, patients with simultaneous injuries to both collateral ligaments had higher odds of inpatient adverse events (odds ratio, 1.51) and longer hospital stay (mean, 2.27 days longer). The risk factors reported by this study can be used to identify patients with proximal tibia fractures who may warrant more careful and thorough evaluation and imaging of their knee collateral ligaments. [
Orthopedics.
2018; 41(2):e268–e276.]
Depressive Symptoms and Physical Frailty in Older Adults With Chronic Heart Failure: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Son Youn-Jung , Seo Eun Ji
Published: February 2018

Depressive symptoms and physical frailty have been reported to be predictive of adverse outcomes in individuals with heart failure (HF). Depressive symptoms could be a predisposing factor of physical frailty in older adults. Despite the high prevalence of HF, few studies on the relationship between these two factors have been performed in older adults with HF. To identify the relationship between depressive symptoms and physical frailty in HF, 190 older adults with HF were recruited from an outpatient clinic at a tertiary hospital in South Korea. The prevalence of depressive symptoms and physical frailty in older adults with HF was 30% (
n
= 57) and 61.6% (
n
= 117), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that depressive symptoms most strongly increased the risk of physical frailty after adjusting for confounding factors. Early detection of depressive symptoms might be useful to identify the status of physical frailty at the illness trajectories of HF in older adults and for judicious allocation of disease management strategies.

[Res Gerontol Nurs. 2018; 11(3):160–168.]
(Ne)omejene možnosti geografije na projektnem trgu?! // (Un)limited opportunities for geography on the project market
Authors: Urbanc Mimi
Published: February 2018

Namen tega prispevka je podati refleksijo o aktualnem dogajanju in položaju geografije v kontekstu sodobnega kompetitivnega financiranja znanosti. Sprašujem se, kako se geografija kot kompleksno in interdisciplinarno področje umešča v slovenski ter širše evropski sistem znanosti in kako v njem deluje s posebnim ozirom na projektno financiranje. Vsak raziskovalec zna na to vprašanje odgovoriti intuitivno, v prispevku pa poskušam svoja razmišljanja o položaju geografije – sicer brez ambicije po sistematičnosti in celostnosti – podkrepiti z nekaterimi podatki. Naslanjam se na prosto dostopne podatke Javne agencije za raziskovalno dejavnost Republike Slovenije in informacijskega sistema SICRIS. V želji po konkretnosti mestoma izpostavljam raziskovalno skupino Geografskega inštituta Antona Melika Znanstvenoraziskovalnega centra Slovenske akademije znanosti in umetnosti. Sklepni ugotovitvi sta, da so možnosti za geografijo zaradi njene interdisciplinarne narave številne ter da evropski projekti niso pomembni le v finančnem smislu, temveč tudi z vidika mreženja in internacionalizacije znanosti.This article offers a reflection on geography’s current activity and position in the context of today’s competitive funding of research. It asks how geography, as a complex and interdisciplinary field, fits into the Slovenian and broader European research system, and how it operates in this system with special attention to project funding. Every researcher knows how to respond to this question intuitively, and this article supports the author’s thoughts on geography’s position with certain information, without striving for systematicity or comprehensiveness. It relies on freely available information from the Slovenian Research Agency and the SICRIS information system. In an effort to provide a concrete example, the article highlights the research group at the Anton Melik Geographical Institute of Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts. The concluding findings are that there are many opportunities for geography because of its interdisciplinary nature, and that EU projects are important not only in the financial sense but also from the perspective of networking and the internationalization of research.
Les massiers dans la Maison du roi de la monarchie espagnole
Authors: Arroyo Félix Labrador
Published: February 2018

Au cours des dernières décennies, grâce à une nouvelle méthodologie, les études sur la cour et les différents départements et secteurs qui la configuraient se sont multipliées. Dans ce contexte, l’analyse de l’une des composantes fondamentales de la cour, la Maison royale, acquiert une importance particulière, car elle est le lieu de l’articulation politique dans les monarchies dynastiques européennes en général et la monarchie hispanique en particulier : elle devient l’élément intégrateur des élites des royaumes qui la composent. En ce sens, dans le cadre des études et des approches méthodologiques du professeur Martínez Millán et de son équipe, dans lequel s’insère ce travail, a été menée à bien l’étude minutieuse d’un métier qui joue un rôle important dans les cérémonies publiques du roi, celui des massiers, office d’honneur qui existe encore et participe activement aux cérémonies publiques. J’entends ainsi analyser ici son évolution, son rôle et sa participation aux cérémonies du pouvoir à travers les différentes dispositions organisationnelles et normalisatrices élaborées essentiellement à l’époque de Philippe III, grâce à la documentation conservée à l’Instituto Valencia de Don Juan, à Madrid, à l’Archivo General de Palacio de Madrid, à la Biblioteca Nacional de España et, dans une moindre mesure, à la Sección de Casas y Sitios Reales del Archivo General de Simancas. Nous étudierons les changements qui ont affecté ce métier, dépendant de l’intendant des Écuries, aussi bien dans ses fonctions que dans ses obligations et rétributions ou dans sa participation aux cérémonies publiques consignées dans les Étiquettes générales du palais. On examinera également le cursus honorum des personnes qui l’exerçaient.
Rice Straw Extracted Cellulose Biocompatible Nanofiber
Authors: Lamani Matoore
Published: February 2018

This article focuses on the electrospinning of nanofibers from rice straw as a renewable, cheap natural resource. To facilitate the formation of cellulose nanofiber, PVA was utilized as a secondary plasticizing polymer. The polymer solution contained 75% w/w cellulose and 25% w/w PVA using water/formic acid solvent resulting in 8% w/w solid content was successfully prepared as spinning solution. According to SEM images, temperature and voltage have significant impact in producing continuous cellulose nanofibers without beads. A microscopic observation reveals the formation of nanofiber with an average diameter of 177 ± 25 nm. This narrow diameter distribution is a direct outcome of temperature, voltage, volumetric flow rate and tip to collector distance adjustment respectively on 60, 25 kv, 1 µl/hr and 10 cm. The biocompatibility tests using human skin fibroblast cell culture demonstrate the nontoxicity of cellulose nanofiber scaffold compared to a control sample.
Fukui Indices as QSAR Model Descriptors
Authors: Rahmouni Ali , Touhami Moufida , Benaissa Tahar
Published: February 2018

This article describes the Quantitative structure–activity relationship models of 1-[2-hydroxyethoxy-methyl]-6-(phenylthio) thymine inhibition of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) was developed using the multi linear regressions method. These studies were performed using 60 compounds with the help of quantum descriptors as Ionization Potential, Electron Affinity, Softness, global Electrophilicity index and Fukui functions. These indices are obtained at the DFT/B3LYP level of quantum calculation. The statistical quality of the QSAR models was assessed using statistical parameters R2. Good agreements between experimental and calculated log1/EC50 values of anti-HIV activity were obtained. Four QSAR models are presented and the best one use nine molecular quantum descriptors.
Various Rate Law Orders Through Hydrolysis of Sodium Borohydride Over Co-M-Zr-B (M= Cr, Mo and W) Nano Catalyst
Authors: Loghmani Mohammad Hassan
Published: February 2018

This article describes a Group (VI) modified Co-Zr-B amorphous nano alloys were prepared in situ ultrasound-assisted reduction by sodium borohydride in an aqueous solution. Co-Cr-Zr-B, Co-Mo-Zr-B and Co-W-Zr-B powders were characterized by XRD, FESEM, BET and ICP techniques. No distinct peak could be observed in XRD patterns of the obtained catalysts indicating that all samples possessed amorphous structure. Indeed, it was not seen any metal oxide phase. Obtained powders are highly active catalysts for hydrogen generation from the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. The reported work also includes the full experimental details for the collection of a wealth of kinetic data to determine the activation energy and effects of the catalyst dosage, amount of NaBH4, and temperature on the rate of the catalytic hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. Rate law orders of all catalysts were calculated from an Arrhenius plot of each catalyst.
Meaningful Youth Engagement Through Media Usage
Authors: Iwasaki Yoshitaka
Published: February 2018

Guided by the literature on youth engagement and media studies globally, this conceptual article examines the key engagement-related notions involving youth and media usage. A central argument of the article is that meaningful youth engagement can be considered a key concept in describing youth's use of hybrid media that reflects the diversity of youth populations and their media usage. Specifically, such media-involved youth engagement can be seen as an important meaning-making activity within youth's lives that can potentially build social and cultural capital, including through social relationships and youth-led political activism. Aligned theoretically with positive youth development (PYD) and social justice youth development (SJYD) frameworks, this article suggests that youth's hybrid media usage can be seen as a meaningful youth-engagement activity that can provide opportunities to promote skills/competences leading to positive development, and to address human rights and other social justice issues in an empowered, meaningful way.
Seismic Protection of Buildings by Rubber-Soil Mixture as Foundation Isolation
Authors: Nanda Radhikesh Prasad , Dutta Sayantan , Khan Hasim Ali , Majumder Subhrasmita
Published: February 2018

This article proposes a promising seismic isolation method especially suitable for developing countries like India. This scheme includes the use of a rubber soil mixture. Here, the performance of a well-designed layer of sand mixed with shredded rubber as foundation isolation is studied numerically. The computer software ABAQUS CAE has been employed to model the dynamic response of soil structure in this study. On the other hand, the use of scrap tires as the rubber material can provide an alternative way to consume the huge stock of scrap tire all over the world. Moreover, the cost of the proposed seismic scheme can greatly benefit low-cost houses for which resources and technology are not adequate for earthquake mitigation with well-developed yet expensive techniques. The proposed method has been demonstrated through a series of numerical simulation. On an average, the proposed scheme can reduce the horizontal ground acceleration by 50%. A parametric study also has been carried out here.
The Blockchain Technology
Authors: Ben Ayed Ahmed , Belhajji Mohamed Amine
Published: February 2018

This article describes how Blockchain is a technology that has a great potential to change the way business is done in the future, exactly like the internet did in the early nineties. Blockchain offers new opportunities to develop new types of digital services to overcome business problems, and improve business practices by making transaction information a public resource. While research on the topic is still emerging, it has mostly focused on crypto-currencies instead of taking advantage of this novel concept to create new advanced services. This article discusses blockchain and the technology behind it, some of its possible applications, as well as threats targeting the new poorly understood technology.
Big Data Analysis and Implementation in Different Areas Using IoT
Authors: Rehman Aqeel ur , Fahad Muhammad , Ullah Rafi , Abdullah Faisal
Published: February 2018

This article describes how in IoT, data management is a major issue because of communication among billions of electronic devices, which generate the huge dataset. Due to the unavailability of any standard, data analysis on such a large amount of data is a complex task. There should be a definition of IoT-based data to find out what is available and its applicable solutions. Such a study also directs the need for new techniques to cope up with such challenges. Due to the heterogeneity of connected nodes, different data rates, and formats, it is a huge challenge to deal with such a variety of data. As IoT is providing processing nodes in the form of smart nodes; it is presenting a good platform to support the big data study. In this article, the characteristics of data mining requirements for data mining analysis are highlighted. The associated challenges of facts generation, as well as the plausible suitable platform of such huge data analysis is also underlined. The application of IoT to support big data analysis in healthcare applications is also presented.
A Literature Review of Indexing and Searching Techniques Implementation in Educational Search Engines
Authors: El Guemmat Kamal , Ouahabi Sara
Published: February 2018

The objective of this article is to analyze the searching and indexing techniques of educational search engine's implementation while treating future challenges. Educational search engines could greatly help in the effectiveness of e-learning if used correctly. However, these engines have several gaps which influence the performance of e-learning actors (students, teachers, administration, and other stakeholders) which requires more attention. In education environments, the implementation of e-learning systems seems to be among the important topics on the agenda of universities. Considering the arduous research, the extensive pedagogical development and the large financial support, expectations for positive results are incredibly high. However, e-learning actors step back and think about the educational search engines that are part of e-learning systems; and reflect on what the different indexing and searching techniques are used by these search engines.
Range-Based Scheme for Adjusting Transmission Power of Femtocell in Co-Channel Deployment
Authors: Alotaibi Sultan , Akl Robert
Published: February 2018

In heterogeneous networks, femtocells are introduced to improve the network capacity. However, dense deployment of femtocells leads to undesirable interference, which degrades the performance of the system. The interference can be managed and mitigated based on different approaches such as resource allocation or transmission power control. Controlling the femtocell transmission power is one of the factors that can be considered to alleviate undesirable effect of the interference. Also, it can be used to support auto-configuration conductance of the network. In this work, transmission power auto-configuration approach is proposed. The proposed approach is based on the macrocell transmission power and femtocell coverage. The simulation results depict that the capacity of the network is improved, and the interference is alleviated.
On the Time-Varying Non-Linearity Effects Over the Spectrum of MIMO-OFDM Wireless Communications Systems
Authors: Tacuri Alexander Hilario
Published: February 2018

This article presents analytical expressions that can be used in the evaluation of the effects of a non-linear mobile (multi-path) channel on the spectrum of MIMO-OFDM communications systems, such as 4G systems (LTE, WiMax) and probably the future 5G systems. The channel is modeled by a time-varying Volterra Series and the MIMO-OFDM signal by a complex, proper, wide-sense stationary Gaussian random process with zero mean. The resulting mathematical expressions are applied to a specific situation, allowing a quantitative evaluation of the out-band spectrum regrowth of MIMO-OFDM wireless communications systems produced by the use of non-linear devices in mobile channels.
EcoSAR
Authors: Sheybani Ehsan , Javidi Giti
Published: February 2018

This article contains information on EcoSAR. EcoSAR is the advanced airborne polar metric and single pass interferometric P-band SAR instruments under development at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, through NASA's instrument Incubator Program (IIP). EcoSar will provide two and three-dimensional fine scale measurements of terrestrial ecosystem structure and biomass onboard the NASA P3 aircraft. These measurements directly support science requirements for the study of the carbon cycle and its relationship to climate change. To evaluate plant growth on earth from an airborne platform, both construction of the radar and subsequent testing of the radar using advanced radar test equipment to help develop and improve the radar system was necessary. This article describes the development, testing, and deployment of the EcoSAR system.