bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Family Members as Caregivers of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Vora Krishna Shailesh
Published: April 2016

Whenever you have an individual suffering from any disorder, whether emotional, behavioural or intellectual; the prime focus is almost always the individual experiencing it first hand. Often we tend to neglect the sacrifices or adjustments made by the family members. Caregiver stress is one of the phenomena explored here along with experiences of individual family members and the resources available to make it easier for them. Resources could be in terms of finances, emotional support, personality strengths or the society they live in. Another unlikely term explored over here is that of Caregiver Gain which is recently being given attention due to it. This chapter explores the unique experiences of parents, siblings, grandparents as well as support staff as caregivers of individuals with Intellectual Disabilites. We also have a look at traits that help cope with the caregiving process.
Mathematics Teachers' Knowledge-of-Practice with Technologies in an Online Masters' Program
Authors: Niess Margaret L. , Gillow-Wiles Henry
Published: April 2016

As teacher education leverages online instructional environments, an important research focus is how best to re-conceptualize mathematics inservice teacher classroom observations. This chapter proposes an alternative methodology to the structure of traditional observations, where the Scoop Notebook provides a window into mathematics teachers' Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK), specifically their TPACK-of-practice. In this descriptive, cross-case study, a re-designed Scoop process frames teachers' engagement in classroom practices, putting into practice their scholarly formal knowledge and developing in-depth, rich reflections from their classroom actions and artifacts. This study illustrates how embedding the Scoop process into a graduate instructional strategies course as part of a Master's degree curriculum results in engaging teachers in action research where they use artifacts as objects to think with for transforming their TPACK for integrating technologies in teaching mathematics.
Dynamic Approach to Teaching Geometry
Authors: McBroom Ewelina Suchacka , Jiang Zhonghong , Sorto M. Alejandra , White Alexander , Dickey Edwin
Published: April 2016

Secondary geometry teachers from several urban school districts participated in a two-year professional development focused on integrating dynamic geometry into teaching. The chapter documents the positive impact of the professional development for teachers' Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) development and their students' achievement in geometry through the use of the dynamic geometry approach. Instruments used to develop and assess teachers' TPACK included a Conjecturing-Proving Test, interviews and observation protocols. Participants' TPACK levels were identified using a TPACK Development Levels Assessment Rubric. Findings show that teachers' TPACK tended to remain within the three middle TPACK levels (accepting, adapting, and exploring). Recommendations and suggestions for future research are offered to those who implement school-based, mixed methods research studies involving technology.
Lean Thinking via Business Intelligence Technologies and Innovation Process
Authors: Fırat Seniye Ümit Oktay , Ağlan Canan , Kalender Zeynep Tuğçe , Ülkü İlayda , Bayram Gökçen , Erdem Mehmet
Published: April 2016

Lean Thinking aims to eliminate non-value added activities in the system. The application of Lean Thinking allows firms, enterprises and organizations to manage quality, decrease variation, reduce costs by eliminating waste. The real time data/ information are important to understand the value of the organization. In order to maintain flow, information should be accurate, up to date and available in the shortest possible time. To reveal the continuous improvement opportunities data must be processed effectively and efficiently. In this point the importance of Business Intelligence (BI) Technologies arises. The integration of Lean Thinking and BI complement each other by BI's providing useful information to lean decision making process improvements. In addition to IT integration with Lean Thinking, the utilized IT software needs to be designed in a way that supplies right information, on the right time and on the right way. The chapter organized in four subsections which are dealt with respectively, BI with Lean Thinking, Lean Thinking with BI, Lean BI, and Adaptation of Lean Tools in BI.
Organizational Intelligence Scale for Business Organizations in Chaotic Situations
Authors: Erçetin Şefika Şule , Potas Nihan , Koç İlker
Published: April 2016

One of the key roles of the present era in the management of an organization is intelligence. This influences the management of employees as well as applicability of human capital within the organization at a particular time. The significance of intelligence to both employees and organizations for the smooth operation of the organization cannot be overemphasized. It not only depicts the theoretical bases of intelligence in organizations but it also outlines the practical reflections at workplace. The purpose of this study is to develop a new scale that can be adopted in the evaluation of organizational intelligence based on management and competence in decision-making within firms in as far as trade, industry, finance and services tailored to transformation of companies operating in the business sector is concerned. Equally, a new methodology for testing the consistency of financial data of the companies in relation to this scale will also be introduced.
Complexity of Breastfeeding on Child/Maternal Health and Counseling Intervention
Authors: Olurotimi Ogunlade Joseph
Published: April 2016

This chapter is a critical review of the complexities of breastfeeding and its attending effects on the health of the Mother and Child. The researcher employs a historical research approach to gather both theoretical and empirical facts on this issue. It was discovered that in spite of the pragmatic and frantic efforts by different individuals, organizations, governments and non-governmental bodies in establishing a universal, healthy and safest method of breastfeeding through research, publications, workshops and so on, based on the unavoidable and uncompromising importance and benefits to maternal and child health, it is on record that the maternal behaviour is still obviously at variance to the acceptability of full breastfeeding as promulgated and declared by World Health Organization (WHO). A serious, dedicated, pragmatic and coordinated counseling approach is therefore recommended to be adopted to revive and strengthening a positive behaviour in women to foster positive attitude towards breastfeeding to guarantee 100% morbidity and mortality rate in Maternal and Child health.
Social Media Analytics for Intelligence and Countering Violent Extremism
Authors: Hui Jennifer Yang
Published: April 2016

Social media analytics are increasingly incorporated into security practices due to the rise in online criminal and extremist activities. Social media research, however, has not become established in either intelligence practice or academic-based approach. This chapter aims to fill the gap by discussing collection methods and analytical tools for the study of social media data for intelligence and countering violent extremism: social network analysis, sentiment analysis, multilingual analysis, geo-coding, automated entity extraction, semantic search, and multimedia analysis. While technological capabilities of social media analytics are improving rapidly, it needs to be complemented with nuanced perspectives from the social sciences. Understanding of the epistemology of social media and dynamics between the online-offline interaction as well as data access will put practitioners in a better position to reap the benefits of the social media. Attention should be given to train practitioners in relevant technological skills while also incorporating social science knowledge.
An Adjustable Interpolation-based Data Hiding Algorithm Based on LSB Substitution and Histogram Shifting
Authors: Tsai Yuan-Yu , Huang Yao-Hsien , Lin Ruo-Jhu , Chan Chi-Shiang
Published: April 2016

Data hiding can be regarded as a type of image processing techniques. Other image processing operations are usually integrated to increase the embedding capacity or decrease the visual distortion. Interpolation is an example of this type of operation. However, previous interpolation-based data hiding algorithms suffered from low and fixed embedding capacity and high visual distortion. This study proposes a more effective two-stage data hiding algorithm based on interpolation, LSB substitution, and histogram shifting. First, the authors modify the formula for embedding capacity calculation and make some adjustments on the sample pixels determination. A threshold is used to obtain the block complexity and each embeddable pixel has a different amount of message embedded. Second, an LSB substitution method and an optimal pixel adjustment process are adopted to raise the image quality. Finally, the authors' proposed algorithm can support adjustable embedding capacity. Compared to the previous algorithm, the experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method.
Swarm Intelligence Methods for Unsupervised Images Classification
Authors: Bouarara Hadj Ahmed , Bouarara Yasmin
Published: April 2016

Nowadays, Google estimates that more than 1000 billion the number of images on the internet where the classification of this type of data represents a big problem in the scientific community. Several techniques have been proposed belonging to the world of image-mining. The substance of our work is the application of swarm intelligence methods for the unsupervised image classification (UIC) problem following four steps: image digitalization by developing a new representation approach in order to transform each image into a set of term (set of pixels); image clustering using three methods: firstly a distances combination by social worker bees (DC-SWBs) based on the principle of filtering where each image must successfully pass three filters, secondly Artificial social spiders (ASS) method based on the silky structure and the principle of weaving and the third method called artificial immune system (AIS); For the authors' experiment they use the benchmark MuHavi with changing for each test the configuration (image representation, distance measures and threshold).
Differences and Similarities
Authors: Bowen Gordon , Bowen Richard
Published: April 2016

Social media is a pervasive platform, and consumers increasingly want to connect with it. The growth of mobile devices has increased connectivity to social media, but accessing social media platforms has uncovered interesting results with gender differences between males and females. Trust models have evolved to take account of website interactivity, website environment design, and brand effect on brand trust. Themes on ability, benevolence, integrity, and predictability are also influencers on brand trust. Increasing access to social media is changing attitudes and behaviour to challenge established social and behavioural norms. Brands in the online and offline environments are exposed to risks, but the sheer level of interactivity and connectedness of social media increases the consequence of negative responses. However, the use of brand communities could be a way forward to negate the risk of brand contamination.
Quantifying Reuse in OSS
Authors: Constantinou Eleni , Ampatzoglou Apostolos , Stamelos Ioannis
Published: April 2016

Reuse is an established software development practice, whose benefits have attracted the attention of researchers and practitioners. In order for software reuse to advance from an opportunistic activity to a well-defined, systematic state of practice, the reuse phenomenon should be empirically studied in a real-world environment. To this end, OSS projects consist a fitting context for this purpose. In this paper, the authors aim at assessing the: (a) strategy and intensity of reuse activities in OSS development, (b)effect of reuse activities on design quality, (c) modification of reuse decisions from a chronological viewpoint and (d) effect of these modifications on software design quality. In order to achieve these goals, the authors performed a large-scale embedded multi-case study on 1,111 Java projects, extracted from Google Code repository. The results of the case study provide a valuable insight on reuse processes in OSS development, that can be exploited by both researchers and practitioners.
Hybrid Data Mining Approach for Image Segmentation Based Classification
Authors: Panda Mrutyunjaya , Hassanien Aboul Ella , Abraham Ajith
Published: April 2016

Evolutionary harmony search algorithm is used for its capability in finding solution space both locally and globally. In contrast, Wavelet based feature selection, for its ability to provide localized frequency information about a function of a signal, makes it a promising one for efficient classification. Research in this direction states that wavelet based neural network may be trapped to fall in a local minima whereas fuzzy harmony search based algorithm effectively addresses that problem and able to get a near optimal solution. In this, a hybrid wavelet based radial basis function (RBF) neural network (WRBF) and feature subset harmony search based fuzzy discernibility classifier (HSFD) approaches are proposed as a data mining technique for image segmentation based classification. In this paper, the authors use Lena RGB image; Magnetic resonance image (MR) and Computed Tomography (CT) Image for analysis. It is observed from the obtained simulation results that Wavelet based RBF neural network outperforms the harmony search based fuzzy discernibility classifiers.
System Dynamics Modelling to Study the Effects of Investment in Information Technology on Logistics Performance
Authors: Jhawar Amrita , Garg S.K.
Published: April 2016

In this era of globalization, adoption of information technology (IT) is one of the critical contributing factors of logistics companies' competitiveness and growth. This paper investigates the investment in IT by an Indian based logistics company on the logistics performance. Technologies like RFID, EDI, GPS/GIS and ERP are chosen for improving processes like tracking and tracing, planning and forecasting, transportation automation, coordination with suppliers and customers and decision optimization. Simulations are carried out using system dynamics modelling and scenarios are generated. Through 15% investment in RFID, 30% investment in EDI, 15% investment in GPS and 40% investment in ERP of the total investment amount, the logistics cost reduced by 0.21%, delivery time reduced by 0.17%, reliability of services improved by 4.61%, flexibility improved by 5.52% and safety improved by 5.8% leading to an 0.52% improvement in LPI and 0.049% improvement in profit.
Multi-Body Integrated Vehicle-Occupant Models for Collision Mitigation and Vehicle Safety using Dynamics Control Systems
Authors: Elkady Mustafa , Elmarakbi Ahmed , MacIntyre John , Alhariri Mohamed
Published: April 2016

The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of vehicle dynamics control systems (VDCS) on both the collision of the vehicle body and the kinematic behaviour of the vehicle's occupant in case of offset frontal vehicle-to-vehicle collision. A unique 6-Degree-of-Freedom (6-DOF) vehicle dynamics/crash mathematical model and a simplified lumped mass occupant model are developed. The first model is used to define the vehicle body crash parameters and it integrates a vehicle dynamics model with a vehicle front-end structure model. The second model aims to predict the effect of VDCS on the kinematics of the occupant. It is shown from the numerical simulations that the vehicle dynamics/crash response and occupant behaviour can be captured and analysed quickly and accurately. Furthermore, it is shown that the VDCS can affect the crash characteristics positively and the occupant behaviour is improved.
Determination of FLD for Ti-6Al-4V Titanium Alloy Sheet
Authors: Lacki Piotr
Published: April 2016

Ti-6Al-4V is the most widely applied titanium alloy in technology and medicine due its good mechanical properties combined with low density and good corrosion resistance. However, poor technological and tribological properties make it very difficult to process, including the problems with sheet-metal forming. The best way to evaluate sheet drawability is to use Forming Limit Diagram (FLD), which represents a line at which failure occurs. FLD allows for determination of critical forming areas.The FLDs can be determined both theoretically and experimentally. Recently, special optical strain measurement systems have been used to determine FLDs.In this study, material deformation was measured with the Aramis system that allows for real-time observation of displacements of the stochastic points applied to the surface using a colour spray. The FLD was determined for Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy sheet with thickness of 0.8 mm. In order to obtain a complete FLD, a set of 6 samples with different geometries underwent plastic deformation in stretch forming i.e. in the Erichsen cupping test until the appearance of fracture.The real-time results obtained from the ARAMIS software for multiple measurement positions from the test specimen surface were compared with numerical simulations of the cupping tests. The numerical simulations were performed using the PamStamp 2G v2012 software dedicated for analysis of sheet-metal forming processes. PamStamp 2G is based on the Finite Element method (FEM). The major and minor strains were analysed. The effect of friction conditions on strain distribution was also taken into consideration
The Use of Incremental Technology to Produce 3D-Truss Ti6Al4V Implants which Improves the Spinal Treatment Effectiveness
Authors: Ciupik Lechoslaw , Kierzkowska Agnieszka , Cecek Jacek , Pieniazek Jerzy , Sterna Jacek , Cieslik-Gorna Monika
Published: April 2016

In the study the impact of manufacturing technology of alloy Ti6Al4V implants on the effectiveness of "fusion, treatment on the defined tissue biocompatibility and on the osseointegration with the bone” was analyzed. Models and samples made by material removal processing and electron beam technology EBT were tested in vitro biological and in vivo animals tests with histopathological assessment of tissues. The results confirmed the biocompatibility of the Ti6Al4V 3D-T alloy, and thus safety in bone surgery. On the basis of CTt examinations of preparates taken from animals after 3÷4M implantation it has been shown a very good osseointegration of truss structures with the bone. The introduction of EBT technology extends the capabilities of designing of a safe implant which is matched to the anatomy, exhibits complex spatial structure and surfaces that are conducive to the propagation of union/overgrowth of bone in accordance with the proposed hypothesis: Ivy-like mechanism.
Evaluation of Load-Bearing Capacity of Resistance Spot Welding (RSW) Joints Made of Titanium Gr 5 Sheets
Authors: Derlatka Anna , Dyner Marcin , Lacki Piotr
Published: April 2016

The paper presents an analysis of load capacity for welded specimens made of titanium Grade 5 of 0.8 mm thickness. The lap joins were made by Resistance Spot Welding (RSW). The load capacity for joints with a single spot were assessed. The joints were welded with 5 variants of welding parameters. On the basis of the capacity of the joints, the best performance were selected. The best welding parameters were used to make three types of joints with different spacing of the welds: with a single weld, the two welds arranged parallel to the shearing direction and two welds arranged perpendicular to the shearing direction. The load capacity, a plastic strains distribution and a method of cracking were assessed. An example of the feasibility of a beam construction made of titanium grade 5 sheets welded by resistance spot welding were shown.
Influence of the Supersaturating Temperature on the Microstructure and Hardness of Ti24Nb4Zr8Sn Alloy
Authors: Dąbrowski Robert , Cios Grzegorz , Krawczyk Janusz
Published: April 2016

The results of the investigation of the supersaturation temperature - in the range 800÷1050°C - influence on changes in the microstructure and hardness of the Ti24Nb4Zr8Sn alloy. The microstructure analysis was performed by means of the light microscope Axiovert 200MAT of the Zeiss Company. At the supersaturation temperature of 950°C examinations were performed by means of the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the occurring phases were identified by using X-ray phase analysis method. Tin precipitates of a high dispersion were found in the phase β matrix. Along with the decreasing cooling rate of the alloy, from a temperature of 950°C, none essential changes in the microstructure were noticed (only a small hardness decrease). Hardness measurements were carried out by means of the Vickers apparatus, type HP0 250. It was shown that within the tested supersaturation temperatures the hardness is within a narrow range 216÷246 HV, while the average diameter of a flat grain of the primary β phase increases more than twice.The obtained results will be used at elaborating ageing parameters of the Ti24Nb4Zr8Sn alloy. In future, they can be also useful at designing chemical compositions, microstructures and heat treatment technologies of new, single-phase alloys on the titanium matrix.
La familia como enemigo: imágenes que los futuros titulados en maestro de primaria de una universidad pública de Madrid poseen sobre la relación familia-escuela en un contexto multicultural
Authors: Cárcamo Vásquez Héctor
Published: April 2016

El objetivo de este artículo es reconocer las imágenes que los futuros titulados en maestro de educación primaria se forjan acerca de la relación familia-escuela, así como a los roles y las funciones que asignan a la familia en materia educativa, poniendo el acento en las familias migradas internacionalmente. Para estos efectos, se utiliza el enfoque etnográfico, para la recogida de datos se realizaron entrevistas a estudiantes que cursan su formación inicial docente y observaciones en aulas en las que dicha formación tiene lugar. Como resultados tenemos que la relación que piensan que tendrán con las familias se modela desde una perspectiva escolar, es decir que, quienes determinan el tipo, la forma, las instancias y los momentos de la relación son los maestros y los directivos de los centros escolares y que las familias, especialmente aquellas familias migradas, son agentes disruptivos en la dinámica cultural de la escuela; finalmente, se puede sostener que es la propia formación inicial la que fortalece estas imágenes
¿Éxito táctico o fracaso estratégico? High Value Target y su aplicación a la guerra contra el narcotráfico (2006-2012)
Authors: Arratia Sandoval Esteban
Published: April 2016

El reciente escape del líder del Cártel de Sinaloa, Joaquín El Chapo Guzmán, desde el penal de máxima seguridad El Altiplano representa un duro revés en relación a uno de los brazos principales de la Guerra contra el narcotráfico durante el gobierno de Felipe Calderón (2006-2012): la estrategia High Value Target —HVT, por sus siglas eninglés— cuyo objetivo es desarticular a las organizaciones narcotraficantes mediante el abatimiento o detención de sus líderes. A partir de este episodio, el presente artículo analiza el diseño e implementación de la estrategia HVT en el país. Luego, realiza un balance de los resultados obtenidos tras su ejecución. Por último, identifica las principales lecciones que se pueden extraer del caso mexicano
Modelling the presence of disease under spatial misalignment using Bayesian latent Gaussian models
Authors: Barber Xavier , Conesa David , Lladosa Silvia , López-Quílez Antonio
Published: April 2016

Modelling patterns of the spatial incidence of diseases using local environmental factors has been a growing problem in the last few years. Geostatistical models have become popular lately because they allow estimating and predicting the underlying disease risk and relating it with possible risk factors. Our approach to these models is based on the fact that the presence/absence of a disease can be expressed with a hierarchical Bayesian spatial model that incorporates the information provided by the geographical and environmental characteristics of the region of interest. Nevertheless, our main interest here is to tackle the misalignment problem arising when information about possible covariates are partially (or totally) different than those of the observed locations and those in which we want to predict. As a result, we present two different models depending on the fact that there is uncertainty on the covariates or not. In both cases, Bayesian inference on the parameters and prediction of presence/absence in new locations are made by considering the model as a latent Gaussian model, which allows the use of the integrated nested Laplace approximation. In particular, the spatial effect is implemented with the stochastic partial differential equation approach. The methodology is evaluated on the presence of the Fasciola hepatica in Galicia, a North-West region of Spain.
Epidemiology of Rifampicin Resistant Tuberculosis and Common Mutations in rpoB Gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: A Retrospective Study from Six Districts of Punjab (India) Using Xpert MTB/RIF Assay
Authors: Kaur Ramandeep , Jindal Neerja , Arora Shilpa , Kataria Shajla
Published: April 2016

Background: Xpert MTB/RIF assay has revolutionized the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) by simultaneously detecting the bacteria and resistance to rifampicin (RIF), a surrogate marker for multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) in <2 h. The RIF resistance pattern in Malwa region of Punjab, India, is not documented. Here, we report the epidemiology of RIF-resistant TB and mutations in rpoB gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB).

Materials and Methods: A total of 1612 specimens received between October 2013 and February 2015 were tested by Xpert MTB/RIF assay following manufacturer’s instructions. The results thus obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) statistical software.

Result: RIF resistance was statistically higher in previously treated patients in comparison to the new patients (P = 0.006) and in patients with acid fast-Bacilli (AFB) positive smears to AFB-negative smears (P = 0.048). RIF resistance mutations in 130 specimens revealed frequency of E 73/130 (56%), B 28/130 (21.5%), D 18/130 (13.8%), A 11/130 (8.4%), and C 1/130 (0.7%) while in one specimen, mutation combination, i.e., mutations associated with more than one probe (A and B both) was present.

Conclusion: Xpert MTB/RIF assay is a user-friendly screening tool for detection of MTB and RIF resistance from suspected TB/MDR cases in a shorter period of time. It could also serve as a useful technique to have simultaneous preliminary information regarding the mutation pattern of RIF resistance in MTB isolates.
Intractable yawning as a predominant symptom of temporal lobe ganglioglioma: Case report and review of literature
Authors: Kutty Raja , Alapatt Jacob , Govindan Aparna
Published: April 2016

Yawning, a physiologic reflex exhibited by vertebrates, is seldom noticed as a symptom of a disease. Not too often is a patient aware of it as a symptom, unless it is of such a distressing nature to seek attention. In this situation, to distinguish between normal and abnormal behavior would pose a diagnostic dilemma for the attending physician. Intractable yawning has been a presenting symptom of many pathologic states such as stroke, epilepsy, and migraine. Literature is sparse regarding intractable yawning caused by tumors of the brain. Most of the time, the etiology cited is the infratentorial location of these tumors causing compression of the brainstem and the centers responsible for yawning. Intractable yawning as a predominant symptom of supratentorial tumor is rare. We present a case of an 18-year-old girl who presented with abnormal yawning. On evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging revealed a tumor in the posterior part of the inferior temporal gyrus. There was no significant compression of the brainstem structures to suggest this as a cause for her symptom. She underwent a craniotomy and total excision of lesion. Postoperatively, her symptoms improved and her salvos of yawns ceased. The histopathological examination revealed a ganglioglioma of the temporal lobe. The present case is unique as it is the only case reported in the literature of a supratentorial tumor causing abnormal yawning.
Spinal epidural angiolipomas: Clinical characteristics, management and outcomes
Authors: Bouali Sofiene , Maatar Nidhal , Bouhoula Asma , Abderrahmen Khansa , Said Imed , Boubaker Adnen , Kallel Jalel , Jemel Hafedh
Published: April 2016

Purpose: The spinal epidural angiolipomas are rare expansive processes made of mature lipomatous and angiomatous elements. They often have a benign character. Their etiology, pathogenesis remains uncertain, and it is a cause of spinal cord compression. The magnetic resonance imaging is the most important neuroradiological examination. Histological examination is the only examination to confirm the diagnosis. Surgery is the treatment of choice.
Methods: A retrospective study of all patients operated on for a spinal epidural angiolipoma at the Department of Neurosurgery at the National Institute of Neurology of Tunis between January 2000 and December 2014 (15 years) was performed. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical, radiological, histological characteristics and the treatment of this tumor. Results: A total of nine patients were operated from January 01, 2000 to November 30, 2014. The average age of our patients was 51 years with ages that ranged from 29 to 65 with a male predominance. The period between onset of symptoms and diagnosis ranged from 24 months with an average 12 months. Posterior localization of the tumor was seen in all patients. Surgical resection was performed for all cases. The postoperative course has been satisfactory, with a complete recovery of neurological functions in all patients. Conclusions: The spinal epidural angiolipomas is rare expansive process causing spinal cord compression. Treatment is exclusively surgical resection. The functional outcome of spinal epidural angiolipomas is particularly favorable with a complete neurological recovery is if the patient was quickly operated.
Posttraumatic delayed tension pneumocephalus: Rare case with review of literature
Authors: Kankane Vivek , Jaiswal Gaurav , Gupta Tarun
Published: April 2016

Pneumocephalus is commonly seen after head and facial trauma, ear infections, and tumors of the skull base or neurosurgical interventions. In tension pneumocephalus, the continuous accumulation of intracranial air is thought to be caused by a “ball valve” mechanism. In turn, this may lead to a mass effect on the brain, with subsequent neurological deterioration and signs of herniation. Tension pneumocephalus is considered a life-threatening, neurosurgical emergency burr-hole evacuation was performed and he experienced a full recovery. However, more invasive surgery was needed to resolve the condition. Delayed tension pneumocephalus is extremely rare and considered a neurosurgical emergency. Pneumocephalus is a complication of head injury in 3.9–9.7% of the cases. The accumulation of intracranial air can be acute (<72 h) or delayed (≥72 h). When intracranial air causes intracranial hypertension and has a mass effect with neurological deterioration, it is called tension pneumocephalus. We represent a clinical case of a 30-year-old male patient with involved in a road traffic accident, complicated by tension pneumocephalus and cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea on 1 month after trauma and underwent urgent surgical intervention. Burr-hole placement in the right frontal region, evacuation of tension pneumocephalus. Tension pneumocephalus is a life-threatening neurosurgical emergency case, which needs to undergo immediate surgical intervention.
Sistemas de informação e inovação: um estudo bibliométrico
Authors: Pereira Fernanda de Carvalho , Verocai Henrique Dondeo , Cordeiro Vinícius Ribeiro , Simões Gomes Carlos Francisco
Published: April 2016

Sistemas de Informação (SI) e Inovação são dois temas discutidos atualmente. O propósito deste artigo consiste em verificar a abrangência da literatura no que diz respeito ao tratamento desses dois temas em conjunto. Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliométrica utilizando-se nas bases ISI Web of Science, Scopus e Scielo. Foram analisados 134 artigos e gerados alguns resultados, tais como: predominância de publicações do Brasil e Estados Unidos; maior recorrência na citação do Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) em comparação a outras ferramentas; e predominância de pesquisas de cunho prático, aplicando conceitos da literatura em situações reais.
Restauración de armaduras de cubierta en iglesias mudéjares granadinas
Authors: Espinar Moreno Antonio Luis , López Osorio José Manuel , Martin Peinado Beatriz
Published: April 2016

El artículo presenta los trabajos de restauración de las armaduras policromadas de las iglesias parroquiales de Santa María y San Pedro de Caniles y de Santiago de Baza, intervenciones financiadas por la Consejería de Cultura de la Junta de Andalucía y por las propias parroquias. Ambas obras se llevaron atérmino entre los años 1994 y 1997 y forman parte de la actuación global en los edificios, aunque aquí nos centraremos principalmente en la restauración de las armaduras de cubierta y sus bellas policromías, elementos de mayor interés y que justifican la intervención general.
Rehabilitación del claustro y nave de la Iglesia de San Francisco de Pontevedra
Authors: García Braña Celestino
Published: April 2016

“El 17 de Junio de 1995 un incendio destruye la techumbre de la Nave de la Iglesia de San Francisco de Pontevedra y la práctica totalidad del Claustro. El arquitecto encargado de la obra explica los criterios seguidos en la recuperación de los elementos perdidos, basada en una construcción acorde con técnicas y expresiones actuales, que encuentre sin embargo, las claves de su composición en los trazos, la geometría y los ritmos marcados por las obras históricas de cantería.
Palacio del Marqués de Dos Aguas Restauración y rehabilitación arquitectónica
Authors: Sánchez Hevia Ginés
Published: April 2016

La presente actuación de rehabilitación actúa considerando el edificio como un conjunto a pesar de los recientes añadidos de que ha sido objeto, para evitar, según el arquitecto, la habitual labor de hacer y deshacer tan frecuente en este país. Las páginas que siguen muestran unos dibujos sensibles y muy minuciosos de la fase de proyecto y una intervención de la que conviene destacar la recuperación de espléndidos acabados, colores y materiales que constituyen un aporte muy importante al conocimiento de los interiores del siglo XIX en España.
Prognosis of Patients less than 40 Years of Age with Squamous Cell Cancer of the Oral Tongue
Authors: Al-Qahtani Khalid , Islam Tahera , Brousseau Valérie
Published: April 2016

Introduction

Controversy exists about the prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue between young and older patients. Our objective was to evaluate age as a prognostic factor in oral tongue cancer.

Materials and methods

A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing charts of 61 patients. They were divided into two age groups, below 40 years and above 40 years. Data regarding epidemiology pathology report, tumor differentiation, staging, treatment and outcome were obtained. The length of survival and disease recurrence was calculated and compared in this two age group. Statistical analysis was performed using student, t-test.

Results

The result showed no significant difference in prognosis, tumor differentiation or staging related to age in oral tongue cancer.

Conclusion

Although age is not a significant prognostic factor in oral tongue cancer, the disease etiology is likely different, we recommend prompt and aggressive treatment of young patients.

How to cite this article

Al-Qahtani K, Brousseau V, Islam T. prognosis of patients less than 40 Years of Age with Squamous Cell Cancer of the Oral Tongue. Int J Head Neck Surg 2015;6(2): 53-56.
The impact of monthly variation of the Pacific–North America (PNA) teleconnection pattern on wintertime surface-layer aerosol concentrations in the United States
Authors: Feng Jin , Liao Hong , Li Jianping
Published: April 2016

Abstract. The Pacific–North America teleconnection (PNA) is the leading general circulation pattern in the troposphere over the region of North Pacific to North America during wintertime. This study examined the impacts of monthly variations of the PNA phase (positive or negative phase) on wintertime surface-layer aerosol concentrations in the United States (US) by analyzing observations during 1999–2013 from the Air Quality System of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA-AQS) and the model results for 1986–2006 from the global three-dimensional Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem). The composite analyses on the EPA-AQS observations over 1999–2013 showed that the average concentrations of PM2.5, sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, organic carbon, and black carbon aerosols over the US were higher in the PNA positive phases (25 % of the winter months examined, and this fraction of months had the highest positive PNA index values) than in the PNA negative phases (25 % of the winter months examined, and this fraction of months had the highest negative PNA index values) by 1.0 µg m−3 (8.7 %), 0.01 µg m−3 (0.5 %), 0.3 µg m−3 (29.1 %), 0.1 µg m−3 (11.9 %), 0.6 µg m−3 (13.5 %), and 0.2 µg m−3 (27.8 %), respectively. The simulated geographical patterns of the differences in concentrations of all aerosol species between the PNA positive and negative phases were similar to observations. Based on the GEOS-Chem simulation, the pattern correlation coefficients were calculated to show the impacts of PNA-induced variations in meteorological fields on aerosol concentrations. The PNA phase was found (i) to influence sulfate concentrations mainly through changes in planetary boundary layer height (PBLH), precipitation (PR), and temperature; (ii) to influence nitrate concentrations mainly through changes in temperature; and (iii) to influence concentrations of ammonium, organic carbon, and black carbon mainly through changes in PR and PBLH. Results from this work have important implications for the understanding and prediction of air quality in the US.
Dinocyst assemblage constraints oceanographic and atmospheric processes in the Eastern Equatorial Atlantic over the last 44 ka
Authors: Hardy William , Penaud Aurélie , Marret Fabienne , Bayon Germain , Marsset Tania , Droz Laurence
Published: April 2016

Abstract. A new 44 ky-long record of dinoflagellate (phytoplanktonic organisms) cysts (dinocysts) is presented from a marine sediment core collected on the Congolese margin with the aim to reconstruct past hydrological changes of the Equatorial Eastern Atlantic Ocean since Marine Isotopic Stage 3. Our high-resolution dinocyst record indicates that significant temperature and moisture variations occurred across the glacial period, the last deglaciation and the Holocene. The use of specific dinocyst taxa, indicative of fluvial, upwelling and Benguela Current past environments for instance, provides insights into the main forcing mechanisms controlling paleohydrological changes at orbital timescales. In particular, we are able, for the last 44 ky to correlate fluvial-sensitive taxa to monsoonal mechanisms related to precession minima/obliquity maxima combinations. While upwelling mechanisms appear as the main driver for dinoflagellate productivity during MIS 2, dissolved nutrient-enriched Congo River inputs to the ocean also played a significant role in promoting dinoflagellate productivity between approximately 15.5 and 5 ka BP. Finally, this high resolution dinocyst study permits to precisely investigate the sub-orbital timing of the last glacial-interglacial termination including an atypical warm and wet oceanic LGM signature, northern high latitude abrupt climate change impacts in the Equatorial Eastern Atlantic, as well as a two-steps mitigation of moisture conditions during the Holocene at around 7–6 and 4–3.5 ka BP.
Climate change and ecosystems dynamics over the last 6000 years in the Middle Atlas, Morocco
Authors: Nourelbait Majda , Rhoujjati Ali , Benkaddour Abdelfattah , Carré Matthieu , Eynaud Frederique , Martinez Philippe , Cheddadi Rachid
Published: April 2016

Abstract. The present study aims at reconstructing past climate changes and their environmental impacts on plant ecosystems during the last 6000 years in the Middle Atlas, Morocco. Mean January temperature (Tjan), annual precipitation (Pann), winter (Pw) and summer (Ps) precipitation, and a seasonal index (SI) have all been quantified from a fossil pollen record. Several bio- and geo-chemical elements have also been analysed to evaluate the links between past climate, landscape, and ecosystem changes. Over the last 6000 years, climate has changed within a low temperature and precipitation range with a trend of aridity and warming towards the present. Tjan has varied within a ca. 2 °C range, and Pann within less than 100 mm yr−1. The long-term changes reconstructed in our record between 6 ka cal BP and today are consistent with the aridity trend observed in the Mediterranean basin. Despite the overall limited range of climate fluctuation, we observe major changes in the ecosystem composition, the carbon isotopic contents of organic matter (δ13C), the total organic carbon and nitrogen amount, and the carbon to nitrogen ratio (C / N) after ca. 3750 cal BP. The main ecosystem changes correspond to a noticeable transition in the conifer forest between the Atlas cedar, which expanded after 3750 cal BP, and the pine forest. These vegetation changes impacted the sedimentation type and its composition in the lake. Between 5500 and 5000 cal BP, we observe an abrupt change in all proxies which is coherent with a decrease in Tjan without a significant change in the overall amount of precipitation.
Climate variability and long-term expansion of peatlands in Arctic Norway during the late Pliocene (ODP Site 642, Norwegian Sea)
Authors: Panitz Sina , Salzmann Ulrich , Risebrobakken Bjørg , De Schepper Stijn , Pound Matthew J.
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Little is known about the terrestrial response of high-latitude Scandinavian vegetation to the warmer-than-present climate of the late Pliocene (Piacenzian, 3.60–2.58 Ma). In order to assess Piacenzian terrestrial climate variability, we present the first high-resolution reconstruction of vegetation and climate change in northern Norway between 3.6 and 3.14 Ma. The reconstructions are derived from pollen assemblages in the marine sediments of ODP Hole 642B, Norwegian Sea (67° N). The palynological assemblages provide a unique record of latitudinal and altitudinal shifting of the forest boundaries, with vegetation alternating between cool temperate forest during warmer-than-present intervals and boreal forest similar to today during cooler intervals. The northern boundary of the nemoral to boreonemoral forest zone was displaced at least 4–8° further north, and warmest-month temperatures were 6–14.5 °C higher than at present during warm phases. Warm climatic conditions persisted during the earliest Piacenzian (ca. 3.6–3.47 Ma) with diverse cool temperate nemoral to boreonemoral forests growing in the lowlands of the Scandinavian mountains. A distinct cooling event at ca. 3.47 Ma resulted in a southward shift of vegetation zones, leading to the predominance of boreal forest and the development of open, low alpine environments. The cooling culminated around 3.3 Ma, coinciding with Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) M2. Warmer climate conditions returned after ca. 3.29 Ma, with higher climate variability indicated by the repeated expansion of forests and peatlands during warmer and cooler periods, respectively. Climate progressively cooled after 3.18 Ma, resembling climatic conditions during MIS M2. A high variability of Norwegian vegetation and climate changes during the Piacenzian is superimposed on a long-term cooling trend. This cooling was accompanied by an expansion of Sphagnum peatlands that potentially contributed to the decline in atmospheric CO2 concentrations at the end of the Piacenzian warm period and facilitated ice growth through positive vegetation–snow albedo feedbacks. Correlations with other Northern Hemisphere vegetation records suggest hemisphere-wide effects of climate cooling.
Topography-based flow-directional roughness: potential and challenges
Authors: Trevisani Sebastiano , Cavalli Marco
Published: April 2016

Abstract. Surface texture analysis applied to high-resolution digital terrain models (HRDTMs) is a promising approach for extracting useful fine-scale morphological information. Surface roughness, considered here as a synonym of surface texture, can have a discriminant role in the detection of different geomorphic processes and factors. Very often, the local morphology presents, at different scales, anisotropic characteristics that could be taken into account when calculating or measuring surface roughness. The high morphological detail of HRDTMs permits the description of different aspects of surface roughness, beyond an evaluation limited to isotropic measures of surface roughness. The generalization of the concept of roughness implies the need to refer to a family of specific roughness indices capable of capturing specific multiscale and anisotropic aspects of surface morphology. An interesting set of roughness indices is represented by directional measures of roughness that can be meaningful in the context of analyzed and modeled flow processes. Accordingly, we test the application of a flow-oriented directional measure of roughness based on the geostatistical bivariate index MAD (median of absolute directional differences), which is computed considering surface gravity-driven flow direction. MAD is derived from a modification of a variogram and is specifically designed for the geomorphometric analysis of HRDTMs. The presented approach shows the potential impact of considering directionality in the calculation of roughness indices. The results demonstrate that the use of flow-directional roughness can improve geomorphometric modeling (e.g., sediment connectivity and surface texture modeling) and the interpretation of landscape morphology.