bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Workpiece Hardness on Plate Temperature during One Side Lapping
Authors: Molenda Justyna , Charchalis Adam , Barylski Adam
Published: March 2013

Lapping leads to a surface with low roughness and high precision. Because of required parts accuracy tool flatness is the key to the successful machining. To avoid its excessive thermal expansion, plate temperature research was taken. The goal was to determine the correlation between the basic lapping conditions and wheel temperature. In work [1] authors developed model to estimate the maximum and average temperature rise of the work surface in lapping. According those models temperature rise depends also on workpiece and plate hardness. Because the second is constant during process, this part of research refer only to the influence of workpieces hardness. They were conducted during lapping the samples made of steel 45. To vary the hardness, samples were divide into three groups each with different Knoop hardness value: 175, 471 and 687. The different hardness values were a result of different heat treatment methods used. Every group after grinding were lapped with the same lapping conditions. In the next step the statistical analysis was conducted. It was verified if the plate temperature is influenced by the workpieces hardness. A hypotheses testing method was use. Results were calculated for temperature rise values measured after 300 minutes of machine working. According to them the influence of workpiece hardness on plate temperature is statistically insignificant.
A New Model of the Neuron for Biological Spiking Neural Network Suitable for Parallel Data Processing Realized in Hardware
Authors: Świetlicka Aleksandra , Gugała Karol , Kolasa Marta , Pauk Jolanta , Rybarczyk Andrzej , Długosz Rafał
Published: March 2013

The paper presents a modification of the structure of a biological neural network (BNN) based on spiking neuron models. The proposed modification allows to influence the level of the stimulus response of particular neurons in the BNN. We consider an extended, three-dimensional Hodgkin-Huxley model of the neural cell. A typical BNN composed of such neural cells have been expanded by addition of resistors in each branch point. The resistors can be treated as the weights in such BNN. We demonstrate that adding these elements to the BNN significantly affects the waveform of the potential on the membrane of the neuron, causing an uncontrolled excitation. This provides a better description of processes that take place in nervous cell. Such BNN enables an easy adaptation of the learning rules used in artificial or spiking neural networks. The modified BNN has been implemented on Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) in the CUDA C language. This platform enables a parallel data processing, which is an important feature in such applications.
Analysis of Significant Prognostic Factors of Patients with Bladder Cancer Using Self-Organizing Maps
Authors: Kolasa Marta , Długosz Rafał , Jóźwicki Wojciech , Pauk Jolanta , Świetlicka Aleksandra , Farine Pierre André
Published: March 2013

This study presents a new approach to determine significant prognostic factors for patients suffering from the bladder cancer. The analysis of medical data has been performed by the use of the Kohonen self-organizing map (SOM). The SOM allows visualizing and identifying the prognostic factors indicating which of them are significant. A database comprised of ninety patients has been used in this study. Seven predictors were investigated. The cluster analysis indicates that the significant prognostic factors for the bladder cancer are: histological grade (cG) and stage (cT). The obtained results also showed that the sex and the cG variables are highly correlated and that the number of non-classic differentiation (NDNc) features in bladder cancer is somewhat correlated to surgically removed lymphnode number (LN) and metastatic positive lymphnode number (PLN).
Analysis of the Influence of Drawing Speed on the Amount of Retained Austenite in TRIP Steel Wires
Authors: Wiewiórowska Sylwia , Muskalski Zbigniew
Published: March 2013

The specific properties of TRIP steel can be obtained by the occurring the effect of additional plasticity during transformation of metastable retained austenite into martensite caused by plastic deformation process. Research carried out for highly alloyed austenitic steels with TRIP effect proved the influence of strain intensity, chemical composition and deformation temperature on efficiency marteniste transformation. In the work research concerned with the influence change of drawing speed on retained austenite amount in drawn wires structure was shown. In available literature there are no publications concerned with the influence of wire drawing process parameters on the structure evolution the medium carbon TRIP steel wires. Research shown in the work was realized with the assumption that the strain intensity is determined by scheme of single and total reductions, and the value of strain rate is a result of used in wire drawing process drawing speed.
Evolution of Microstructure in Martensitic GX12CrMoVNbN9 – 1 Cast Steel after Low Cycle Fatigue
Authors: Golański Grzegorz , Kępa Joanna
Published: March 2013

The paper presents the results of microstructural research on GX12CrMoVNbN91 cast steel in the as-received condition (after heat treatment) and after the process of low cycle fatigue at room temperature. The microstructural tests were carried out by means of transmission electron microscope and completed with quantitative study determining: the mean diameter of subgrains, density of dislocations and shape factor. Performed research has proved that in both states: the as-received one, as well as after fatigue, the investigated cast steel is characterized by lath microstructure of tempered martensite with numerous precipitations of the M23C6 and MX type. Fatigue in the low cycle scope leads to the processes of recovery and polygonization of the matrix, as a result of a decrease in the dislocation density and an increase in the subgrain width. Intensity of these processes depends not only on the temperature of testing, but also on the level of total strain amplitude εac. Stability of the substructure of the examined cast steel depends on the morphology of precipitates of M23C6, precipitated on the boundaries of grains/subgrains.
Influence of Friction Stir Welding on Hardness Distribution in Joints of AlZn5Mg1 Alloy
Authors: Dudzik Krzysztof , Charchalis Adam
Published: March 2013

The article presents the research results of hardness values distribution of friction stir welded joint (FSW) alloy AW 7020 (AlZn5Mg1). FSW is a method of welding in the solid state, mechanical properties of joints welded by that method can be higher than that for arc welding techniques (MIG, TIG). The parameters of friction stir welding (FSW) used to join 7020 alloy were presented. Metallographic analysis showed the correctly structured FSW welded 7020 alloy. The study was carried out using Vickers hardness HV5 in accordance with the requirements of the Polish Standard PN-EN 6507 using a hardness testing machine HPO-10. The location of measurement points in the butt joint was determined in accordance with PN-EN 1043-1:2000. The indenter load was 49 N. In order to determine the effect of bonding method on structure change of the material microscopic examination was performed using an optical microscope ZEISS Axiovert 25.The test specimens were polished and then etched with KELLER reagent. This enabled the precise identification of zones present in the joint, such as: weld nugget, thermo-mechanically affected zone, native material. To determine the grain size in the different zones of joints bonded by FSW AxioVision 4.8.2 software was used. Hardness testing in across researched joints showed that the highest value of hardness is in the weld and the lowest is in the native material.
Metallographic Analysis of Bimetallic Ribbed Bars Produced from Feedstock Mill of the Surfacing Method TIG and of the Method ESS LM Received
Authors: Sawicki Sylwester , Dyja Henryk , Mróz Sebastian
Published: March 2013

A considerable increase in interest in using corrosion resistant steel clad ribbed bars in the construction industry has been observed in recent years. This is owing to the particular properties of these bars, namely high durability and rigidity, good mechanical properties, and high corrosion resistance. Bimetallic ribbed bars can be manufactured in medium-size and small shape mills from previously produced bimetallic feedstock. The manufacture of ribbed bars with an outer layer of corrosion-resistant steel is a complicated process that involves numerous technological problems. The most important of which include the obtaining of bimetallic feedstock with the adequate strength of the bond in the region of junction between the core and the clad layer, and assuring the even plastic flow of both bimetallic layers during the process of rolling in the elongating and forming passes in the shape Mill. Failure to meet these conditions may result in a delamination of the bimetallic band during rolling or the formation of other defects, which will disqualify the finished bimetallic bar [1÷4]. In the paper the metallographic analysis of bimetallic ribbed bars steel-steel resistant to corrosion produced from bimetallic feedstock mill of the surfacing method TIG and of the method ESS LM received. Surfacing method TIG and ESS LM method are the affirmed processes the receipt the bars plated is characterizing the large strength of bond two different metals. Moreover, in this study, the authors present the bond strength of interface of bimetallic joint of the cross section on the test bar. The core was of the constructional carbon steel C45E and the clad layer was made of the corrosion resistant steel X2CrNi18-10. Plastometric tests were performed on a Gleeble 3800 plastometer owned by the Institute of Modelling and Automation of Plastic Working Processes, using strain rates of 0.1 s-1, 1.0 s-1 and 10 s-1 respectively [1÷3, 7].
Numerical Modelling of Ploughshares Rolling Process from Scrapped Railway Rail
Authors: Szota Piotr , Mróz Sebastian , Stefanik Andrzej , Dyja Henryk
Published: March 2013

In this work, a rolling schedule has been developed, which allows the scrapped S60 railway rail to be used for further processing into semi-finished or finished products. The main purpose of the investigations was to develop the shape and dimensions the rolling grooves and to select the strains in various passes in the ploughshare rolling process. The main problem during roll pass design was the ploughshare shape which is asymmetric and has a varying thickness along the width. The developed roll pass design consist of five passes: one open shape pass, one edging pass and three closed shape passes. The first open shape pass is characterized by an unusual shape which tends to reduce the band asymmetricality in the horizontal axis in such a manner as to prevent the formation of lapping in the sharp corner areas resulting from cutting. Based on the numerical modelling it has been found that the developed roll pass design allows the production of a ploughshare of dimensions conforming to the dimensional assumptions. For the numerical modelling of the rolling process, the Forge2008® computer program was employed.
Application of the NanoLC-MS/MS Technique for Protein Analysis of Biofilm on Surface of Mandibular Fixation with X-Ray Detection of Metallic Ions Relocation to the Osseous Tissue
Authors: Mystkowska Joanna , Suder Piotr , Silberring Jerzy , Drabik Anna , Sidun Jarosław , Grabowska Stanisława Zyta , Borys Jan , Dąbrowski Jan Ryszard
Published: March 2013

This work presents application of the methods of combined analytical techniques: high performance capillary chromatography and mass spectrometry with a nanoelectrospray ion source (nanoESI) for biochemical analysis of biological films. The layers of biofilm (identification of surface proteins) adsorbed on surfaces of metallic plate fixation and metallic screws surfaces used during treatment of the mandibular fracture were investigated. The obtained results make it possible to determine the protein composition of films found on the plates and screws used for fixation of the mandible. Second part of the work involves microscopic observations of specially prepared parts of tissues contacting directly with time-part implant. We observed changes in the osseous tissues and relocations of the metal ions from the fixations using a Hitachi S-3000N scanning microscope, equipped with an NSS type (Noran System Six) X-ray spectrometer and a freezing table for biological sections. Obtained results indicate the penetration of metal ions from the time-part implant surface into the osseous tissue.
High Pressure Nano-Destruction of a Brittle Polymeric Materials Surface
Authors: Svirydzionak Anatoli , Chizhik Sergey , Ihnatouski Mikhail
Published: March 2013

The regularity of the erosion wear of a surface of a brittle polymeric material under the conditions of high-pressure (high-velocity) water-jet impact was examined using the atomic-force microscope. Investigations results proved that the elementary mechanism of erosive failure of brittle polymers in response to pressure and cyclic loads at micro and nanolevel may have brittle character, as well as elastoplastic and plastic character under severer regimes. The process of hardening of the fine (nanolevel) superficial layers of PMMA material has been determined in conditions of high-velocity water-drop loading.
MyD88 Signaling in CD4 T Cells Promotes IFN-γ Production and Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Expansion in Response to Intracellular Bacterial Infection
Authors: Zhang Yubin , Jones Maura , McCabe Amanda , Winslow Gary M. , Avram Dorina , MacNamara Katherine C.
Published: March 2013

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) phenotype and function can change in response to infectious challenge. These changes can be mediated by cytokines, IFNs, and pathogen-associated molecules, via TLR, and are thought to promote tailored immune responses for particular pathogens. In this study, we investigated the signals that activate HSPCs during ehrlichiosis, a disease characterized by profound hematopoietic dysfunction in both humans and mice. In a mouse model of ehrlichiosis, we observed that infection-induced proliferation of bone marrow HSPCs was dependent on IFN-γ signaling and was partially dependent on MyD88. However, MyD88 was not required in HSPCs for their expansion during infection, because similar frequencies of MyD88-deficient and wild-type HSPCs proliferated in mixed bone marrow chimeric mice. MyD88-deficient mice exhibited low serum and bone marrow concentration of IFN-γ compared with wild-type mice. We next identified CD4 T cells as the primary cells producing IFN-γ in the bone marrow and demonstrated a nonredundant role for CD4-derived IFN-γ in increased HSPCs. Using mixed bone marrow chimeric mice, we identified a requirement for MyD88 in CD4 T cells for increased T-bet expression, optimal IFN-γ production, and CD4 T cell proliferation. Our data demonstrate an essential role for CD4 T cells in mediating HSPC activation in response to bacterial infection and illustrate a novel role for MyD88 signaling in CD4 T cells in this process. These findings further support the idea that IFN-γ production is essential for HSPC activation and hematopoietic responses to infection.
Restriction of HIV-1 Replication in Primary Macrophages by IL-12 and IL-18 through the Upregulation of SAMHD1
Authors: Pauls Eduardo , Jimenez Esther , Ruiz Alba , Permanyer Marc , Ballana Ester , Costa Helena , Nascimiento Rute , Parkhouse R. Michael , Peña Ruth , Riveiro-Muñoz Eva , Martinez Miguel A. , Clotet Bonaventura , Esté José A. , Bofill Margarida
Published: March 2013

Monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) can polarize into different subsets depending on the environment and the activation signal to which they are submitted. Differentiation into macrophages allows HIV-1 strains to infect cells of the monocytic lineage. In this study, we show that culture of monocytes with a combination of IL-12 and IL-18 led to macrophage differentiation that was resistant to HIV-1 infection. In contrast, M-CSF–derived MDM were readily infected by HIV-1. When monocytes were differentiated in the presence of M-CSF and then further treated with IL-12/IL-18, cells became resistant to infection. The restriction on HIV-1 replication was not dependent on virus entry or coreceptor expression, as vesicular stomatitis virus-pseudotyped HIV-1 replication was also blocked by IL-12/IL-18. The HIV-1 restriction factor sterile α motif and HD domain–containing protein-1 (SAMHD1) was significantly overexpressed in IL-12/IL-18 MDM compared with M-CSF MDM, and degradation of SAMHD1 by RNA interference or viral-like particles carrying the lentiviral protein Vpx restored HIV-1 infectivity of IL-12/IL-18 MDM. SAMHD1 overexpression induced by IL-12/IL-18 was not dependent on IFN-γ. Thus, we conclude that IL-12 and IL-18 may contribute to the response against HIV-1 infection through the induction of restriction factors such as SAMHD1.
‘Listening at the threshold’ – A reading of religion in some excerpts from three of Iris Murdoch’s novels: Henry and Cato, Nuns and soldiers and The unicorn
Authors: Prozesky Stella
Published: March 2013

This article examined the religious aspect of some excerpts from three of Iris Murdoch’s novels according to a Christian theory of reading. However, the length and scope of this article did not encompass a discussion of Murdoch’s overarching philosophy. Some justification was given for the adoption of a Christian theory of reading as opposed to a deconstructive, Marxist or psychoanalytical theory. The contention of the article was that, though Murdoch herself did not espouse orthodox Christian faith, there is in her work – when she is writing about religion in the three novels under consideration – an ‘echo of the Divine’, such as that described by Laurence Hemming, which is both authentic and strikingly compatible with orthodox Christian spirituality. The aim of the article was therefore to record some impressions, ask a pertinent question, and ponder some possible answers regarding the nature of this ‘echo of the Divine’ to be found in the extracts selected from these three novels.
Preparation of Chiral 2-chloromandelamide: Stereoselective Reduction of an Aromatic α-keto Amide with Actinomycete Strains
Authors: Ishihara Kohji , Nishimura Mai , Nakashima Ken , Machii Noriko , Miyake Fumie , Nishi Miyuki , Yoshida Momoko , Masuoka Noriyoshi , Nakajima Nobuyoshi
Published: March 2013

The stereoselective reduction of an aromatic α-keto amide with actinomycete strains was investigated. It was found that 2-chlorobenzoylformamide was reduced to the corresponding 2-chloromandelamide by mesophilic and thermophilic strains of actinomycetes. Among the strains tested, the reduction of 2-chlorobenzoylformamide by Streptomyces thermocyaneoviolaceus (one of thermophilic strains) in the presence of glycerol as an additive produced only ( S)-2-chloromandelamide in >99% conversion with >99% enantiomeric excess (e.e.). On the other hand, the reduction by Streptomyces thermocarboxydovorans NBRC16324 at 45 °C or Thermoactinomyces vulgaris NBRC15851 cultivated in a soluble starch-based medium gave the corresponding ( R)-hydroxy amide (conversion, 99%; >99% e.e.). Mesophilic and other thermophilic actinomycete strains also catalyzed the reduction to the corresponding (R)-hydroxy amide with 85%–>99% e.e. Thus, the syntheses of both enantiomers of 2-chloromandelamide was achieved though the reduction of 2-chlorobenzoylformamide with different actinomycete strains.
Televisión, clima familiar y percepción de valores en adolescentes con TDA-H y adolescentes estándar
Authors: Aierbe Barandiaran Ana , Medrano Samaniego Concepción
Published: March 2013

La cultura multimedia en la que vivimos ofrece pocas oportunidades para entrenar la atención y puede dificultar la construcción del sentido de los mensajes transmitidos, por lo que, en esta investigación el objetivo general fue determinar las semejanzas y diferencias entre adolescentes con TDAH y estándar en el perfil de consumo televisivo en relación con el clima familiar y los valores percibidos. La muestra total es de 209 adolescentes con TDAH y estándar con edades comprendidas entre los 14 y 18 años. Se utilizaron los cuestionarios CH-TV 0.2 y VAL.TV.02. Los resultados indican que, en general, los adolescentes se concentran en dos perfiles televisivos mayoritarios diferenciados por el grado de elección de géneros televisivos y la relevancia otorgada al atractivo físico del personaje relacionado con los valores de apertura al cambio y autopromoción, junto a la cohesión y expresividad familiar. Sin embargo, existen diferencias destacables entre el grupo con TDAH y estándar respecto a dichos perfiles. Estos datos tienen su interés por contribuir al estudio de las diferencias individuales en relación con el consumo mediático, y por sentar las bases para la elaboración de programas de competencia mediática que se ajusten a las características de los colectivos a los que van dirigidos.
Advantages of Tonsillectomy done under Local Anesthesia compared to General Anesthesia in Adults
Authors: Naik Sudhir , Naik Sarika S , Ravishankara S , Appaji Mohan K , Goutham MK , Devi Nonthombam Pinky , Mushannavar Annapurna S
Published: March 2013

Background/Objectives

Tonsillectomy using local anesthesia (local tonsillectomy) is a safe and effective alternative to general anesthesia in the healthy cooperative teenage or adult patients. Blood loss, morbidity, complications and patient satisfaction were better in some studies with tonsillectomies done under general anesthesia.

Design

Comparative case series analysis study of two groups of patients who underwent tonsillectomies under local and general anesthesia during the study period of 57 months from March 2007 to December 2011.

Materials and methods

Overall 1,349 cases of tonsillectomies done for chronic tonsillitis were included under the study. Three hundred and sixty-seven cases operated under general anesthesia and 982 cases operated under local anesthesia were compared. The parameters compared were duration of surgery, blood loss and the mean pain visual analog score.

Results

Significant difference in duration of surgery, blood loss during surgery and visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores were seen in the two groups with local anesthesia scoring over general anesthesia.

Conclusion

Tonsillectomy under local anesthesia is a good alternate for the procedure under general anesthesia with limited resources and in cooperative adults.

How to cite this article

Naik SM, Naik SS, Ravishankara S, Appaji MK, Goutham MK, Devi NP, Mushannavar AS. Advantages of Tonsillectomy done under Local Anesthesia compared to General Anesthesia in Adults. Int J Head Neck Surg 2013;4(1):13-18.
An Ambiguous Growth in Floor of the Mouth
Authors: Vahanwala Sonal , Khosa Sukhjinder Kaur , Pagare Sandeep S , Nayak Chaitanya D
Published: March 2013

Pathologic growths of the oral soft tissues are fairly common and include a diverse group of reactive and neoplastic conditions. Enlargement of or in relation to salivary glands have many causes, chief among them being inflammatory, neoplastic or physiological alterations. Nonspecific enlargement without any detectable cause has been classified as idiopathic and has been rarely reported. We describe a case of a 23-year-old female patient with a growth in floor of the mouth that was treated with conservative surgical excision. The histopathological features and differential diagnosis of this rare lesion are described and discussed. The awareness of this lesion is important to highlight the variations in the hyperplasias found in oral cavity for avoiding diagnosis and treatment pitfalls.

How to cite this article

Khosa SK, Nayak CD, Vahanwala S, Pagare SS. An Ambiguous Growth in Floor of the Mouth. Int J Head and Neck Surg 2013;4(1):51-54.
Cysticercosis Neck: A Rare Presentation
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Agarwal SP , Kumari Malti
Published: March 2013

Cysticercosis is a parasitic infection caused by the larvae of the tapewormTaenia solium. Neurocysticercosis is the most common form of presentation. Extraneural lesions are solitary, rare and small in size which usually involves subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscles and eyes. Human cysticercosis can occur after ingestion of pork tapeworm eggs, through feco-oral route by ingesting fecally contaminated food or by autoinfection. Solitary extraneural cysticercosis lesions may mimic other soft tissue lesions; this is the reason it is important to consider cysticercosis as a differential diagnosis during evaluating of patients with soft tissue lesions. We report a case of cysticercosis presenting as a large soft cystic swelling in the supraclavicular region of the neck. The diagnosis was suspected after ultrasonography and confirmed by microscopic examination.

How to cite this article

Kumar S, Agarwal SP, Kumari M. Cysticercosis Neck: A Rare Presentation. Int J Head and Neck Surg 2013;4(1):55-56.
Management of Postoperative, High Output Salivary Fistulas in Head and Neck Surgeries
Authors: Balasubramanian Karthikeyan , Mewa Jignesh , Tubachi Jagadish , Tubachi Jagadish Basavaraj
Published: March 2013

Management of postoperative salivary fistulas is a difficult problem both from the surgeon and the patient's perspective. Managing salivary fistula is a time consuming process. Here, we present a simple, selfcare and effective technique for postoperative salivary fistula. It is cost-effective. It also reduces the burden on nursing care.

How to cite this article

Tubachi JB, Balasubramanian K, Mewa J, Pradhan S. Management of Postoperative, High Output Salivary Fistulas in Head and Neck Surgeries. Int J Head and Neck Surg 2013;4(1):59-60.
The Correlation between Follicular Fluid Antimullerian Hormone Levels and Fertilization and Embryo Quality in ART Cycles
Authors: Dalal Rutvij Jay , Mishra Akansha
Published: March 2013

Background

Determination of oocyte and embryo quality are one of the most important goals inin vitrofertilization (IVF). Antimullerian hormone (AMH) is secreted by the ovarian granulosa cells into blood flow and follicular fluid. Follicular fluid (FF) AMH level is probably a marker of activity of granulosa cells.

Objective

To evaluate whether high level of FF AMH level is related to success of fertilization and better embryo quality.

Materials and methods

Sixty-two women, whose FF sample was obtained from a single follicle in each patient, underwent IVF with GnRH-agonist long protocol. Based on oocyte fertilization, the patients were divided into fertilized group (n = 42) and nonfertilized group (n = 20). FF AMH levels were measured in both groups and the quality of embryos was determined in fertilized group.

Results

Median of FF AMH level in fertilized group was higher than that in nonfertilized group (5.7vs2.7 ng/ml) and a statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups. There was a significant difference between FF AMH level and scores of embryos (p < 0.001). The medians levels of FF AMH were 6.7 ng/ml in good quality embryos and 3.80 ng/ml in fair quality embryos.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that FF AMH level has positive correlation with fertilization and embryo quality; therefore, it can be considered as a marker of IVF outcome.

How to cite this article

Dalal RJ, Mishra A. The Correlation between Follicular Fluid Antimullerian Hormone Levels and Fertilization and Embryo Quality in ART Cycles. Int J Infertility Fetal Med 2012;3(3):83-86.
Successful Obstetrical Management of Over 100-day Interval between the First and Second Twin Delivery in an Infertility-Treated Patient: Counseling and Management Approach to Extreme Asynchronous Twin
Authors: Singh Tejshree Anurag , Majumdar Abha
Published: March 2013

Background

This report describes a patient counseling approach, conservative and surgical management (cervical cerclage) of a dichorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancy, where delivery of the second twin followed the delivery of the first by 104 days.

Case presentation

A 35-year-old Indian lady, with 10 years of primary infertility, conceived twins, following ovulation induction with gonadotropin therapy. At 19 weeks and 4 days gestation, she aborted a female fetus of 410 gm. Tocolytic therapy was initiated; the placenta remainedin situand the umbilical cord of twin A was ligated high and McDonald's cerclage was placed and prophylactic antibiotics initiated. But since the patient's uterus continued to be irritable and the cerclage appeared to be under tension, at 20 weeks 6 days the stitch was taken out and all conservative treatment stopped for 24 hours, but reinitiated after this period, since the uterus remained quiescent. After 3 weeks of uterine inactivity, at 23 weeks 6 days gestation, McDonald's suture was reapplied following which conservative management was offered after counseling for possible risks associated with maternal sepsis, coagulopathy, need for extended hospitalization and potential for hysterectomy. Reassuring fetal status was observed for twin B without evidence of contractions or chorioamnionitis. A viable male infant (1,800 gm) was delivered vaginally at 34 weeks and 4 days gestation.

Conclusion

This report outlines a counseling approach useful for patients with premature delivery of one twin, and presents application of conservative obstetrical management principles for the aftercoming twin, even when delivery interval is extreme.

How to cite this article

Singh TA, Majumdar A. Successful Obstetrical Management of Over 100-day Interval between the First and Second Twin Delivery in an Infertility-Treated Patient: Counseling and Management Approach to Extreme Asynchronous Twin. Int J Infertility Fetal Med 2012;3(3): 97-101.
A data assimilative perspective of oceanic mesoscale eddy evolution during VOCALS-REx
Authors: Subramanian A. C. , Miller A. J. , Cornuelle B. D. , Di Lorenzo E. , Weller R. A. , Straneo F.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Oceanic observations collected during the VOCALS-REx cruise time period, 1–30 November 2008, are assimilated into a regional ocean model (ROMS) using 4DVAR and then analyzed for their dynamics. Nonlinearities in the system prevent a complete 30-day fit, so two 15-day fits for 1–15 November and 16–30 November are executed using the available observations of hydrographic temperature and salinity, along with satellite fields of SST and sea-level height anomaly. The fits converge and reduce the cost function significantly, and the results indicated that ROMS is able to successfully reproduce both large-scale and smaller-scale features of the flows observed during the VOCALS-REx cruise. Particular attention is focused on an intensively studied eddy at 76° W, 19° S. The ROMS fits capture this eddy as an isolated rotating 3-D vortex with a strong subsurface signature in velocity, temperature and anomalously low salinity. The eddy has an average temperature anomaly of approximately −0.5 °C over a depth range from 50–600 m and features a cold anomaly of approximately −1 °C near 150 m depth. The eddy moves northwestward and elongates during the second 15-day fit. It exhibits a strong signature in the Okubo-Weiss parameter, which indicates significant nonlinearity in its evolution. The heat balance for the period of the cruise from the ocean state estimate reveals that the horizontal advection and the vertical mixing processes are the dominant terms that balance the temperature tendency of the upper layer of the ocean locally in time and space. Areal averages around the eddies, for a 15-day period during the cruise, suggest that vertical mixing processes generally balance the surface heating. Although, this indicates only a small role for lateral advective processes in this region during this period, this quasi-instantaneous heat budget analysis cannot be extended to interpret the seasonal or long-term upper ocean heat budget in this region.
Diversity and abundance of n-alkane-degrading bacteria in the near-surface soils of a Chinese onshore oil and gas field
Authors: Xu K. , Tang Y. , Ren C. , Zhao K. , Sun Y.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Alkane-degrading bacteria have long been used as an important biological indicator for oil and gas prospecting, but their ecological characteristics in hydrocarbon microseep habitats are still poorly understood. In this study, the diversity and abundance of n-alkane-degrading bacterial community in the near-surface soils of a Chinese onshore oil and gas field were investigated using molecular techniques. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analyses in combination with cloning and sequencing of alkB genes revealed that Gram-negative genotypes (Alcanivorax and Acinetobacter) dominated n-alkane-degrading bacterial communities in the near-surface soils of oil and gas reservoirs, while the dominant microbial communities were Gram-positive bacteria (Mycobacterium and Rhodococcus) in background soil. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results furthermore showed that the abundance of alkB genes increased substantially in the surface soils above oil and gas reservoirs even though only low or undetectable concentrations of hydrocarbons were measured in these soils. The results of this study implicate that trace amounts of volatile hydrocarbons migrate from oil and gas reservoirs, and likely result in the changes of microbial communities in the near-surface soil.
Documentary-derived chronologies of rainfall variability in Antigua, Lesser Antilles, 1770–1890
Authors: Berland A. J. , Metcalfe S. E. , Endfield G. H.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. This paper presents the first extensive reconstruction of precipitation variability in the Lesser Antilles using historical documentary sources. Over 13 250 items of documentation pertaining to Antigua from the period 1769–1890 were consulted, including missionary, plantation and governmental papers as well as contemporary scholarly publications. Based on the predominant meteorological conditions observed throughout the island, each "rain-year" (December–November) was assigned one of five classifications (very wet, wet, "normal", dry and very dry). Local weather references relating to seven plantations in central-eastern Antigua were grouped according to dry (December–April) and wet seasons (May–November), each of which were also categorised in the aforementioned manner. Results comprise individual island-wide and central-eastern Antiguan chronologies of relative precipitation levels, spanning the rain-years 1769–1770 to 1889–1890 and 1769–1770 to 1853–1854 respectively. The former is compared with available instrumental data for 1870–1890. Significant dry phases are identified in the rain-years 1775–1780, 1788–1791, 1820–1822, 1834–1837, 1844–1845, 1859–1860, 1862–1864, 1870–1874 and 1881–1882, while wet episodes were 1771–1774, 1833–1834, 1837–1838, 1841–1844, 1845–1846 and 1878–1881. Evidence for major wet and dry spells is presented and findings evaluated within wider historical and palaeoclimatic contexts.
The Central Asian Supercourse to Increase Scientific Productivity
Authors: Linkov Faina , Guzman Robert , Soisson Sean , Freese Kyle E. , Sheikh Aamir H. , Shubnikov Eugene , LaPorte Ronald E.
Published: March 2013

None
The Results of Switching between 2 Anti-VEGF Drugs, Bevacizumab and Ranibizumab, in the Treatment of Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Aslankurt Murat , Aslan Lokman , Aksoy Adnan , Erden Burak , Çekiç Osman
Published: March 2013

Purpose

To report the results of switching from intravitreal bevacizumab to ranibizumab or vice versa in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to age-related macular degeneration.

Methods

Twenty eyes of 18 patients that underwent switch from intravitreal bevacizumab to ranibizumab and 10 eyes of 8 patients that underwent switch from ranibizumab to bevacizumab were retrospectively analyzed. The results were compared with 41 eyes of 37 patients treated with ranibizumab only. All eyes initially received 3 injections of ranibizumab or bevacizumab, which were repeated as needed (PRN dosing). Anti–vascular endothelial growth factor therapies were switched because of general health insurance applications and cost problems. The main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), injection number, and central macular thickness (CMT) obtained by optical coherence tomography.

Results

Once all patients evaluated together at the final visit, the mean BCVA improved and CMT decreased. When switching groups were taken into consideration, switching yielded improved BCVA and reduced CMT following switching. After switching, BCVA continuously improved in the bevacizumab to ranibizumab group, but stayed stable in the ranibizumab to bevacizumab group. The CMT was reduced at the switching time in both groups, but did not change after the switch. Final visual acuity improved or stabilized in all eyes in the ranibizumab-only group. The BCVA worsened in 20% of eyes in the bevacizumab to ranibizumab group and in 40% of eyes in the ranibizumab to bevacizumab group.

Conclusions

The ranibizumab-only group and the switching from bevacizumab to ranibizumab group seemed superior to the ranibizumab to bevacizumab group.
Corneal Biomechanical Properties and their Correlates with Healing Process after Descemetic versus Pre-Descemetic Lamellar Keratoplasty
Authors: Abdelkader Almamoun
Published: March 2013

Purpose

To evaluate the influence of the wound-healing process on corneal biomechanics in patients after 2 types of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty: Descemetic with total stromal resection vs pre-Descemetic with deep stromal dissection.

Methods

This prospective comparative study consisted of 32 eyes of 32 patients. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Descemetic (17 eyes) and pre-Descemetic (15 eyes). Reichert ocular response analyzer was used to measure corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured using ultrasonic pachymetry. In vivo confocal microscopy was also used to study the corneal wound-healing process and to correlate these events with the corneal biomechanics postoperatively in both groups.

Results

Both mean CH and mean CRF were significantly lower in the Descemetic than the pre-Descemetic group at 1 and 3 months postoperatively (p≤0.0001). The reflectivity of activated keratocytes at both the interface and wound edge was less in the Descemetic than the pre-Descemetic group at all times as revealed by the confocal microscopy. No statistically significant difference in mean CCT was found between both groups at 1 and 3 months. Subsequent and progressive decrease in interface reflectivity of activated keratocytes was presented in both groups.

Conclusions

Healing process at the interface is key to optimal corneal integrity. In the pre-Descemetic group, stroma-to-stroma healing stimulated more activated keratocytes and hence stronger healing response, providing superior corneal biomechanics. Significant positive correlation between the intensity of the keratocyte activation and corneal integrity was found.
The Question of the Perpetrator in Soviet History
Authors: Viola Lynne
Published: March 2013

The question of the perpetrator is largely uncharted territory in the history of the Soviet Union. The term is rarely used in the historiography of the Stalinist Soviet Union. In part, this omission is based upon a reluctance to go beyond Iosif Stalin in assigning agency or responsibility for the immense crimes of his reign. In part, the omission derives from decades-long restrictions on archival access. Lynne Viola begins with an exploration of the postwar trajectories of the historiographies of the mid-twentieth century's classically paired “totalitarian” regimes in order to understand the relative absence of “perpetrator studies” for the Stalinist 1930s. She then examines the question of the Soviet perpetrator, less to demarcate who the perpetrator was than to offer a conceptualization of the range of factors that enabled, conditioned, and shaped their violent acts. Intended to raise questions for further study, Viola's article is complemented by comments from Wendy Goldman and Peter Fritzsche.
Yugonostalgia and Yugoslav Cultural Memory: Lexicon of Yu Mythology
Authors: Bošković Aleksandar
Published: March 2013

Aleksandar Bošković argues that the Yugonostalgia in theLexicon of Yu Mythologyshould be taken, not as a regressive idealization of the Yugoslav socialist past, but as a critical intervention in both the contemporary postsocialist politics of memory and the politics of emancipation. Bošković identifies theLexiconas an exhibition catalogue of the virtual museum of all “things Yugoslav,” a self-reflective postmodern hybrid emerging from the semantic overlapping of different genres and threaded with various memories, per-Slavic Review72, no. 1 (Spring 2013) sonal and collective, nostalgic and ironic, of everyday life in Yugoslav socialism. Bošković contends that by evoking visual and textual reflections on the meaning of the past for the present, theLexiconappears to have a materiality akin to that of a ruin: it exhibits a blend of affectionate and ironic nostalgia for the Yugoslav past, while simultaneously performing and reaffirming the socialist modernity's prospective perspective as its emancipating impact on the social imagination.
Les jeunes issus de la migration dans les représentations des enseignants en école professionnelle : des stéréotypes à la reproduction des rapports sociaux
Authors: Pfister Giauque Barbara , Flamigni Elettra , Caprani Isabelle
Published: March 2013

Cette contribution porte sur les représentations que développent les enseignants des écoles professionnelles à l’égard de leurs élèves issus de la migration. Elle se fonde sur l’analyse d’entretiens semi-directifs et d’observationsin situeffectués dans deux écoles en Suisse romande, auprès des enseignants des filières de peinture en bâtiment et de coiffure. Quelques repères théoriques liés aux représentations sociales et stéréotypes permettent de cadrer la problématique. Les résultats présentés ici, ainsi que la discussion qui en découle, mettent en évidence la prégnance des stéréotypes culturels dans les représentations et le discours des personnes interrogées et soulignent la manière dont les stéréotypes influent sur l’appréhension des élèves et du quotidien dans les classes.
De près et de loin : les réseaux de parenté des couples mixtes québécois
Authors: Le Gall Josiane , Meintel Deirdre
Published: March 2013

Cet article se fonde sur les données d’une recherche menée au Québec (à Montréal et en région) auprès de 80 couples mixtes composés de partenaires d’origines ethniques différentes et ayant au moins un enfant en bas âge. Nous y examinons d’un peu plus près le rapport de ces couples avec les familles des conjoints et le rôle de celles-ci dans la socialisation des enfants. Nous montrons l’existence de contacts très denses entre le couple et les membres de leur famille, et ce, que ces derniers résident au Québec, au pays d’origine ou ailleurs dans le monde. Nous démontrons également que la lignée du conjoint issu d’une minorité ethnique demeure une partenaire privilégiée des parents dans la réalisation de leurs projets identitaires, axés sur la transmission des référents associés aux multiples origines de l’enfant. La place occupée par le pays d’origine dans les stratégies des couples mixtes est également soulignée.
Migrations internes au Sénégal. Caractéristiques socioéconomiques, démographiques et migratoires des Dakarois
Authors: Duboz Priscilla , Macia Enguerran , Gueye Lamine , Boëtsch Gilles , Chapuis-Lucciani Nicole
Published: March 2013

Les objectifs de cette étude sont de comparer les caractéristiques 1) des migrants installés à Dakar et des personnes d’origine dakaroise et 2) des migrants internes en fonction du genre et de leur période d’installation dans la capitale. Pour cela, un échantillon de 600 personnes, représentatif de la population dakaroise âgée de 20 ans et plus, a été constitué. Les résultats obtenus montrent que la migration interne vers Dakar est majoritairement d’origine urbaine. Les migrants récents ont un niveau de scolarité plus élevé et s’installent à un âge plus avancé à Dakar que les migrants anciens. Les femmes migrent plus souvent dans le cadre du mariage et les hommes, dans le but de poursuivre leurs études. Bien que Dakar reste une destination centrale de migration interne au Sénégal, le profil de ses migrants s’est largement modifié au cours des 60 dernières années.
Evaluating the Prevalence and Distribution of Quasi-formal Employment in Europe
Authors: Williams Colin C. , Padmore Jo
Published: March 2013

To show how formal and informal jobs are not always discrete, this paper uncovers how many formal employees in the European Union are paid two wages by their formal employers, an official declared salary and an additional undeclared wage, thus allowing employers to evade their full social insurance and tax liabilities. Analyzing a 2007 Eurobarometer survey involving 26,659 face-to-face interviews in the 27 member states of the European Union (EU-27), one in 18 formal employees are found to engage in such quasi-formal employment, receiving on average one-quarter of their gross salary on an undeclared basis. Multi-level logistic regression analysis reveals that quasi-formal employment is significantly more prevalent in East-Central Europe, in smaller businesses and the construction sector, and amongst men, younger persons and the lower paid. The dichotomous depiction of employment as either formal or informal therefore needs to be transcended and a finer-grained continuum of types of employment depicted from wholly formal to wholly informal with many varieties in-between. The paper then briefly reviews what might be done to tackle this illegitimate wage practice. This clearly displays that this quasi-formal form of employment needs to be more fully integrated into discussions when discussing how to tackle undeclared work, since some measures that tackle wholly undeclared work, such as reducing the minimum wage, might simply allow formal employers to pay a larger portion of their formal employees’ earnings as an additional undeclared wage, rather than facilitate the creation of fully formal employment.
Verifying stabilizing controllers for performance improvement using closed‐loop data
Authors: Cha Sung H. , Dehghani Arvin , Chen Weitian , Anderson Brian D.O.
Published: March 2013

In iterative identification and control, one needs to determine the closed‐loop performance of a new controller designed with the current model so that a decision can be made on whether a new iteration of plant identification and controller design is necessary. In multiple model adaptive control, at times, a decision to connect a different controller is made. It is desirable to check the closed‐loop performance with a new controller before it is switched in. Consider a feedback interconnection of an unknown linear plant and a known linear stabilizing controller, and assume that some knowledge of the closed‐loop system is available. We aim to develop theory and tools for experimentally verifying the closed‐loop performance with a prospective stabilizing controller in advance. The simulation results demonstrate efficacy and versatility of our results.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sliding‐window hybrid quasi‐Newton algorithm‐trained MBER equalisers
Authors: Zhu Renxiang , Wu Lenan
Published: March 2013

Nonlinear equalisers based on minimum BER are proposed for the equalisation of nonlinear time‐varying channels. To train the equalisers online, a sliding‐window‐based hybrid quasi‐Newton algorithm is proposed. Switching between sliding‐window stochastic gradient algorithm and sliding‐window quasi‐Newton algorithm makes the new algorithm significantly stabler with a fast convergence rate. Results from extensive simulation tests show that performance of nonlinear equalisers based on minimum BER is better than the equaliser based on minimum mean square error. The proposed algorithm demonstrates high efficiency as well. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.