bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Congested Urban Areas with High Interactions Between Vehicular and Pedestrian Flows: A Cost-Benefit Analysis for a Sustainable Transport Policy in Naples, Italy
Authors: Cartenì Armando , De Guglielmo Maria Luisa , Pascale Nicola 
Published: September 2018

Introduction/Methods:A significant application of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan of Naples, in southern Italy, will be described with specific reference to design a sustainable transport scenario for one of the highest density and congested area of the city: Municipio square, in the centre of Naples, where the homonymous station of the Metro Line 1 was under construction. The particularity of this case study is that Municipio Square is a high dense population area characterized by multimodal traffic flows (vehicles and pedestrians) and a thousand of travellers who embark/disembark every day from the marina to the islands of the Naples Gulf (e.g.Capri, Ischia) and cruises around the Mediterranean Sea. Thousands of vehicles and people pass through the square every day, often slowing the vehicular flows.Starting from these considerations, a multi-scale modelling architecture (estimatedad-hocfor the specific case study) was proposed to better evaluate policy impacts (e.g., transport, social, environmental), applying both macroscopic and microscopic simulation models simultaneously to design a sustainable transport scenario in term of both geometrical and traffic solutions.Results:Six different design scenario were compared and the main results of the most significant one are described and discussed. The best project solution reduces the average travel time and the long queues thanks to a better distribution of the flows (both vehicles and pedestrians) in the broader area around of Municipio square. The simulation results also underlined the benefits for pedestrians related to the presence of different size of sidewalks and paths.Conclusion:Because of the realization of the new metro station will increase the pedestrian flows, the external layout of the square was designed, regarding infrastructures and paths, to minimize the conflicts and reduce the overall travel time. The proposed sustainable transport scenario was conceived in term of best geometrical devices and traffic solutions.Finally, a cost-benefit analysis was also proposed, according to the European guidelines, aiming in improving transport, urbanistic, artistic/cultural, aesthetic, economic and environmental aspects as well as liveability for citizens, transport users (public and private) and tourists.
Updated Indicators to Evaluate Harmful Drug Use, in Particular, Poly-Drug Use
Authors: Colasante Emanuela , Fabi Francesco , Rossi Carla , Tomba Gianpaolo S. , Molinaro Sabrina 
Published: September 2018

Background:
Drug use indicators that are capable of measuring the individual levels of
harm following drug use, and in particular, poly-drug use, have previously been proposed, based on
individual drug and frequency of use data and expert rankings of harms related to various substances.
These indicators allow the estimation of risk profiles for selected groups of individuals and
comparisons, both over time and between populations. Recent advances regarding the ranking of
drug use harms allow a refinement of these indicators, separating the effects on self and others.

Objective:
To define updated indicators and compare their performance to previous ones on datasets
related to the Italian ESPAD longitudinal data.

Methods:
Two new scores, based respectively on the Harm to self and Harm to others substance
scores, are defined. These scores follow the same logic as the previous poly-drug score (PDS), but
now using the new Harm to self and Harm to others scores as weights, both in the individual calculations
and in the calculation of the two normalizing factors.

Results:
The new harm-to-self drug use indicator is shown to correlate strongly with the previous
poly-drug use indicator; and the Harm to others indicator, is introduced and commented upon. Using
further ESPAD survey information related to personal behaviour, it is shown that high values of
poly-drug use indicators are linked to specific behaviours related to interest in school, relationship
with parents and use of leisure time. These results are consistent with previous analyses based on
surveys among high school students in Italy.
Biogenic Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticle from Mushroom Exopolysaccharides and its Potentials in Water Purification
Authors: Adeeyo Adeyemi Ojutalayo , Odiyo John Ogony 
Published: September 2018

Objective:This study reports a novel eco-friendly biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) from Exopolysaccharides (EPS) ofLentinus edodesafter an attempt to optimise the production of EPS through mutagenesis. It further describes some potential application of silver nanoparticles in water treatment.Methods:A wild strain ofL. edodeswas subjected to UV irradiation, a physical mutagen, at 254 nm. The wild and resultant irradiated strains were then assessed for the production of EPS and subsequent application of the crude EPSs for biosynthesis of AgNPs. The particles were characterised by colour pattern and UV-visible spectroscopy. Based on superior EPS production and nanoparticle attributes, nanoparticles obtained from UV irradiated process were further subjected to Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). EPS produced was quantified by the phenol-sulphuric acid method and studied by GC-MS.Results:Results obtained for EPS productivity indicated the presence of monomer sugars such as arabinose (50.65%), mannose (19.20%), mannitol (15.58%), fructose (7.96%), trehalose (6.49%), and glucuronic acid, xylose, galactose and glucose with low percentages of ≤ 0.11. EPS productivity of wild and mutant strains was obtained as 1.044 and 2.783 mg/ml, respectively, after 7 days of fermentation. The result of EPS production for UV irradiated strain corresponds to a yield improvement of 2.7 fold of the wild-type. UV Spectroscopy and SEM analysis studies on EPS nanoparticle product of the improved (UV irradiated) strain indicated the formation of AgNPs at the absorption band of 421 nm with a size range of 50-100 nm.Conclusion:This study, which aimed at eco-friendly synthesis of myco-nanoparticle has established the novel ability ofL. edodes’polysaccharide in silver nanoparticles biosynthesis. It expounded potential frontiers of silver nanoparticles application in the water industry. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this result represents the first report on the biosynthesis of AgNPs usingL. edode’sEPS.
An Implementation of Online Voting System using Okamoto-Uchiyama Encryption Scheme
Authors: Patil Sneha N. , Devmane Vidyullata 
Published: September 2018

Electronic voting (e-Voting) has totally replaced the traditional voting system. Due to the rapid growth of computer networks and cloud computing the existing e-Voting system can be replaced with online voting system.When data is on cloud,the major challenge in voting system is confidentiality, security and accuracy. The advances in cryptography can be used to a face these challenges. The presented work implements Okamoto-Uchiyama algorithm with its additive homomorphic property. This work focuses on serving voting system on large scale of voters. We have made our system more user friendly and faster but secured than existing systems.
Application of Prefabricated Concrete in Residential Buildings and its Safety Management
Authors: Jiao L. , Li X.D. 
Published: September 2018

Abstract With the development of the society in recent years, there are more and more housing construction areas. The traditional concrete has not been able to satisfy the demand of housing construction. In this study, prefabricated concrete was applied in the design of assembling style houses considering their characteristics, and its economic, environmental and social benefits were analyzed combining risk matrix evaluation method and management strategy. It was found that the use of prefabricated concrete as a building material could effectively shorten the construction period, reduce the construction cost and improve the construction safety, playing a role of energy saving and environmental protection. Therefore it was concluded that prefabricated concrete can improve the efficiency of construction, reduce environmental pollution and save energy. This work provides a reference for the application of prefabricated concrete in residential buildings and its safety management.
Assentadas no circuito do Pronaf mulher: expressões da autonomia feminina?
Authors: Izidoro Laís Túbero , Ferrante Vera Lúcia Silveira Botta , Duval Henrique Carmona , Cardozo Daiane Roncato , De Lorenzo Helena Carvalho 
Published: September 2018

O presente artigo é resultado de uma pesquisa que teve por objetivo verificar a operacionalização das políticas públicas voltadas para as mulheres, especialmente o Pronaf Mulher, buscando compreender os desafios de sua execução no assentamento Monte Alegre, Araraquara/SP. A metodologia foi composta de uma revisão bibliográfica sobre o tema, trabalho de campo a fim de se conhecer como ocorrem as relações de gênero no assentamento e a influência da política pública, aplicação de entrevistas com roteiro semiestruturado a mulheres assentadas e gestores. Procurou-se identificar os avanços e os entraves que ainda existem em relação à participação das mulheres nos espaços institucionais. Como resultados, pode-se afirmar que o Pronaf Mulher não está sendo acessado pela maioria das trabalhadoras no assentamento pesquisado em função das assimetrias de poder existentes dentro do núcleo familiar das assentadas e no campo social do assentamento como um todo. A falta de informação e de diálogo nas relações entre assentadas e agentes técnicos foi apontada como um dos principais entraves de acesso das mulheres a esta política pública.
Information Communication Technologies in Teaching English as a Foreign Language: Analysing EFL Teachers’ TPACK in Czech Elementary Schools
Authors: Paneru Dev Raj 
Published: September 2018

This qualitative study was carried out in five different elementary schools in the Czech Republic. It aimed to investigate how English as Foreign Language teachers developed teaching competence and practised information communication technology integration in classroom teaching. To this end, this study employed the idea of a Technology Pedagogy and Content Knowledge –TPACK -in-Action Model. It advocates a ‘learning by doing’ approach on (social) construction to better understand how teachers develop technological and/or computer-assisted language learning competency for teaching and practice in an English as a Foreign Language environment. Under this model, this study conducted qualitative analysis and found two different approaches in practice, which were categorised as Formal Practice and Functional Practice. The former involved a conservative mechanical practice of technology use in language teaching whereas the latter involved it in terms of (social) construction. According to analyses based on conservative practices, teachers expressed that mechanical TPACK in association with technology in classes limited the transmission of mechanical knowledge from English texts. In Functional Practice, however, teachers drawing upon alternative learning interactions expressed positive transformation results from TPACK, associated with the use of technologies integrated into class instructions as a collaborative tool for learning models. In these latter integrated practices, teachers’ perceptions, practices, and reflections in combining technologies in an English as a Foreign Language environment, as new literacy skills, identified an increase in the learner’s creative potential.
Comparison of Platelet Concentrates Prepared from Platelet Rich Plasma-Platelet Concentrate and Buffy Coat Poor-Platelet Concentrate on Storage Days 1 and 5
Authors: Buathong Darinnat , Buakaew Jarin , Nukfon Chutarat 
Published: September 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the quality of platelet concentrates on storage days 1 and 5 prepared by platelet rich plasma-platelet concentrate (PRP-PC) and buffy coat poor-platelet concentrate (BC-PC) methods comparing to the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) recommendations.Material and Method: Totally of 120 platelet concentrates (PC) units on storage days 1 and 5 (60 of PRP-PC triple blood bag and 60 of BC-PC quadruple AS-5 blood bag) were separated from whole blood donations at Songklanagarind Hospital. The prepared PC were assessed with 5 parameters such as volume, platelet count, white blood cell count per unit, pH, swirling phenomenon score and hypotonic shock response. The independent t-tests, paired Student’s t-tests and SPSS program were utilized in statistical analysis step.Results: The mean±standard deviation (S.D.) of each parameter were as follow : (1) Volume of PRP-PC and BC-PC met the standard (40-70 ml). (2) All of the platelet concentrates met the standard (≥ 5.5x1010/unit). The mean±S.D.: PRP-PC and BC-PC (day 1) were 6.820±1.480 x1010 and 7.010±1.300 x1010/unit (p-value=0.260), while PRP-PC and BC-PC (day 5) were 6.620±1.160x1010 and 6.720± 1.150x1010/unit (p-value=0.040). (3) The white blood cell in platelet concentrates met the standard (<0.2x1010/unit). The mean±S.D.: PRP-PC and BC-PC (day 1) were 0.030±0.017 x1010and 0.026±0.019x1010/unit (p-value=0.040), while PRP-PC and BC-PC (day 5) were0.033±0.013x1010 and 0.027±0.019x1010/unit (p-value= 0.580). (4) The pH of all units (PRP-PC and BC-PC) met the standard (≥6.2). The mean±S.D.: PRP-PC and BC-PC (day 1) were 7.430±0.330 and 7.750±0.160 (p-value=0.006), while PRP-PC and BC-PC (day 5) were 7.590±0.350 and 7.620±0.280 (p-value=0.710). The swirling phenomenon score and hypotonic shock response were the same as standard AABB and were not statistically difference.Conclusion: The quality of PRP-PC and BC-PC after storing on days 1 and 5 as follow (1) Volume of PRP-PC and BC-PC met the standard. (2) The platelet count per unit of PRP-PC and BC-PC (day 1), PRP-PC and BC-PC (day 5) were not statistically difference. (3) The white blood cell count per unit of PRP-PC and BC-PC (day 1) were statistically difference, while PRP-PC and BC-PC (day 5) were not statistically difference. (4) The pH of PRP-PC and BC-PC (day 1) were statistically difference, while PRP-PC and BC-PC (day 5) were not statistically difference. The swirling phenomenon score and hypotonic shock response of PRP-PC and BC-PC were not statistically difference. Platelet concentrates of both method storing on days 1 and 5 fulfilled the quality guideline of AABB.
Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Assanangkornchai Nawaporn , Aiempanakit Kumpol , Sangmala Siripan 
Published: September 2018

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a rare, vascular malformation. The major clinical presentation is an overgrowth involving the extremities. The diagnosis of KTS was based on an imaging study, which revealed vascular malformations. The author’s report is of a 36-year Thai man with; hypertrophy of the right lower extremity, whilst having suffered from two-months of bloody defecation. The magnetic resonance imaging showed venous malformations with soft tissue hypertrophy of the affected limb, genitalia and rectum. The patient was diagnosed with: KTS accompanied by gastrointestinal complications.
Placental alkaline phosphatase levels in cerebrospinal fluid can have a decisive role in the differential diagnosis of intracranial germ cell tumors
Authors: Aihara Yasuo , Watanabe Sinichiro , Amano Kosaku , Komatsu Kana , Chiba Kentaro , Imanaka Kosuke , Hori Tomokatsu , Ohba Takashi , Dairoku Hitoshi , Okada Yoshikazu , Kubo Osami , Kawamata Takakazu 
Published: September 2018

OBJECTIVEPlacental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) in CSF can provide a very high diagnostic value in cases of intracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs), especially in pure germinomas, to the level of not requiring histological confirmation. Unlike other tumor markers, reliable data analysis with respect to the diagnostic value of PLAP serum or CSF levels has not been available until now. This is the first systematic and comprehensive study examining the diagnostic value of CSF PLAP in patients with intracranial GCTs.METHODSFrom 2004 to 2014, 74 patients (average age 19.6 ± 10.6 years) with intracranial GCTs were evaluated using PLAP from their CSF and histological samples. Chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay was utilized to measure CSF PLAP in the following tumor sites: pineal (n = 32), pituitary stalk, suprasellar (n = 16), basal ganglia (n = 15), intraventricular (n = 9), and cerebellar (n = 5) regions. In addition to classifying GCT cases, all patients underwent tumor biopsy for correlation with tumor marker data.RESULTSPLAP in combination with other tumor markers resulted in extremely high sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic value of intracranial GCTs. Intracranial GCT cases were classified into 1) germinomas, both “pure” and syncytiotrophoblastic giant cell types (n = 38); 2) nongerminomatous GCTs, choriocarcinomas (n = 9) and teratomas (n = 4); and 3) nongerminomas, other kinds of tumors (n = 23). Consequently, all patients received chemoradiation therapy based on elevation of PLAP and the histopathological results. It was also speculated that the level of PLAP could show the amount of intracranial germ cell components of a GCT. PLAP was 100% upregulated in all intracranial germinoma cases. The absence of CSF PLAP proved that the tumor was not a germinoma.CONCLUSIONSThe current study is the first systematic and comprehensive examination of the diagnostic value of the tumor marker PLAP in pediatric patients with intracranial GCT. Using the level of PLAP in CSF, we were able to detect the instances of intracranial germinoma with very high reliability, equivalent to a pathological diagnosis.
Comparison of elderly and young patient populations treated with deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease: long-term outcomes with up to 7 years of follow-up
Authors: Hanna Joshua A. , Scullen Tyler , Kahn Lora , Mathkour Mansour , Gouveia Edna E. , Garces Juanita , Evans Leah M. , Lea Georgia , Houghton David J. , Biro Erin , Bui Cuong J. , Sulaiman Olawale A. , Smith Roger D. 
Published: September 2018

OBJECTIVEDeep brain stimulation (DBS) is the procedure of choice for Parkinson’s disease (PD). It has been used in PD patients younger than 70 years because of better perceived intra- and postoperative outcomes than in patients 70 years or older. However, previous studies with limited follow-up have demonstrated benefits associated with the treatment of elderly patients. This study aims to evaluate the long-term outcomes in elderly PD patients treated with DBS in comparison with a younger population.METHODSPD patients treated with DBS at the authors’ institution from 2008 to 2014 were divided into 2 groups: 1) elderly patients, defined as having an age at surgery ≥ 70 years, and 2) young patients, defined as those < 70 years at surgery. Functional and medical treatment outcomes were evaluated using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS III), levodopa-equivalent daily dose (LEDD), number of daily doses, and number of anti-PD medications. Study outcomes were compared using univariate analyses, 1-sample paired t-tests, and 2-sample t-tests.RESULTSA total of 151 patients were studied, of whom 24.5% were ≥ 70 years. The most common preoperative Hoehn and Yahr stages for both groups were 2 and 3. On average, elderly patients had more comorbidities at the time of surgery than their younger counterparts (1 vs 0, p = 0.0001) as well as a higher average LEDD (891 mg vs 665 mg, p = 0.008). Both groups experienced significant decreases in LEDD following surgery (elderly 331.38 mg, p = 0.0001; and young 108.6 mg, p = 0.0439), with a more significant decrease seen in elderly patients (young 108.6 mg vs elderly 331.38 mg, p = 0.0153). Elderly patients also experienced more significant reductions in daily doses (young 0.65 vs elderly 3.567, p = 0.0344). Both groups experienced significant improvements in motor function determined by reductions in UPDRS III scores (elderly 16.29 vs young 12.85, p < 0.0001); however, reductions in motor score between groups were not significant. Improvement in motor function was present for a mean follow-up of 3.383 years postsurgery for the young group and 3.51 years for the elderly group. The average follow-up was 40.6 months in the young group and 42.2 months in the elderly group.CONCLUSIONSThis study found long-term improvements in motor function and medication requirements in both elderly and young PD patients treated with DBS. These outcomes suggest that DBS can be successfully used in PD patients ≥ 70 years. Further studies will expand on these findings.
A clinical decision rule to predict intracranial hypertension in severe traumatic brain injury
Authors: Alali Aziz S. , Temkin Nancy , Barber Jason , Pridgeon Jim , Chaddock Kelley , Dikmen Sureyya , Hendrickson Peter , Videtta Walter , Lujan Silvia , Petroni Gustavo , Guadagnoli Nahuel , Urbina Zulma , Chesnut Randall M. 
Published: September 2018

OBJECTIVEWhile existing guidelines support the treatment of intracranial hypertension in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), it is unclear when to suspect and initiate treatment for high intracranial pressure (ICP). The objective of this study was to derive a clinical decision rule that accurately predicts intracranial hypertension.METHODSUsing Delphi methods, the authors identified a set of potential predictors of intracranial hypertension and a clinical decision rule a priori by consensus among a group of 43 neurosurgeons and intensivists who have extensive experience managing severe TBI without ICP monitoring. To validate these predictors, the authors used data from a Latin American trial (n = 150; BEST TRIP). To report on the performance of the rule, they calculated sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values with 95% confidence intervals. In a secondary analysis, the rule was validated using data from a North American trial (n = 131; COBRIT).RESULTSThe final predictors and the clinical decision rule were approved by 97% of participants in the consensus working group. The predictors are divided into major and minor criteria. High ICP would be considered suspected in the presence of 1 major or ≥ 2 minor criteria. Major criteria are: compressed cisterns (CT classification of Marshall diffuse injury [DI] III), midline shift > 5 mm (Marshall DI IV), or nonevacuated mass lesion. Minor criteria are: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) motor score ≤ 4, pupillary asymmetry, abnormal pupillary reactivity, or Marshall DI II. The area under the curve for the logistic regression model that contains all the predictors was 0.86. When high ICP was defined as > 22 mm Hg, the decision rule performed with a sensitivity of 93.9% (95% CI 85.0%–98.3%), a specificity of 42.3% (95% CI 31.7%–53.6%), a positive predictive value of 55.5% (95% CI 50.7%–60.2%), and a negative predictive value of 90% (95% CI 77.1%–96.0%). The sensitivity of the clinical decision rule improved with higher ICP cutoffs up to a sensitivity of 100% when intracranial hypertension was defined as ICP > 30 mm Hg. Similar results were found in the North American cohort.CONCLUSIONSA simple clinical decision rule based on a combination of clinical and imaging findings was found to be highly sensitive in distinguishing patients with severe TBI who would suffer intracranial hypertension. It could be used to identify patients who require ICP monitoring in high-resource settings or start ICP-lowering treatment in environments where resource limitations preclude invasive monitoring.Clinical trial registration no.: NCT02059941 (clinicaltrials.gov).