bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation of compound muscle action potential generated by donor nerves with the recovery of elbow flexion in Oberlin transfer in brachial plexus injury
Authors: Thatte Mukund Ramchandra , Raut Binita Bharat , Hiremath Amita Shivyogi , Nehete Sushil Ramesh , Nayak Nayana Somala 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the correlation of compound muscle action potential of donor nerves with the recovery of elbow flexion in Oberlin transfer in brachial plexus injury. Introduction: Distal nerve transfer using motor fascicle of ulnar or median nerve to restore elbow flexion is a part of reconstructive surgery after upper brachial plexus injury, first described by Oberlin et al. However, one of the most critical influences on functional outcome is number of functioning motor axons in donor fascicle which is reflected by its compound muscle action potential. We studied whether nerve transfers with donor nerves showing higher amplitudes will yield better reinnervation of muscle and therefore better function as estimated by clinical examination. Methods: We prospectively studied 30 cases of upper brachial plexus injury, of which were treated with Oberlin transfer using ulnar or median or both nerves. The prerequisites were no elbow flexion and hand and wrist flexors showing the power of more than Medical research Council MRC Grade 4. Donor nerves selected either ulnar or median having CMAP >4 mv in our electrophysiology laboratory during nerve conduction study. Patients were followed up for 1 year and assessed clinically for restoration of elbow flexion, weight tolerance. Results: A total of 30 patients of Oberlin transfer were evaluated for improvement power of biceps and elbow flexion. (MRC) grading was done at 1 year. Twenty-seven patients had a good result (MRC grade ≥3), i.e., 90% of patients. Based on the MRC grades, we categorised the patients into two groups as follows: Group A and Group B. Group A included patients with MRC Grade 4–5 and Group B included Grades 3–3.5. We tried to establish a correlation between CMAP and MRC scores by comparison of MRC grade patients for their pre CMAPs which revealed a statistically significant higher CMAPs between the groups. (Mann–Whitney U-test, P = 0.028). This indicates the association of higher pre-CMAPs with higher MRC grades. Conclusion: We conclude that higher the compound muscle action potential of donor nerves, better the recovery of elbow flexion in Oberlin transfer in brachial plexus injury.
Birth palsy in congenital varicella syndrome: A lesson in anatomy
Authors: Sankaran Ajeesh , Bhardwaj Praveen , Venkatramani Hari , Sabapathy Shanmuganathan Raja 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTWhile brachial plexus palsy sustained due to birth trauma is well known, congenital palsies are decidedly rare. We report such a case caused by congenital varicella syndrome, with associated congenital Horner's syndrome and heterochromia iridis. The surprising juxtaposition of a classic upper plexus palsy and a Horner's syndrome raises points of interest. Similar reports in literature are reviewed, and the genesis of a very characteristic group of findings is discussed.
The African struggle to abandon westernity: African philosophy at Eshuean crossroads
Authors: Asante Molefi Kete 
Published: October 2018

This essay deals with the ideas of Ifeanyi Menkiti and Kwame Gyekye on the individual-community relationship. I begin with a provocative statement: most African intellectuals struggle with abandoning Westernity and consequently remain at the Eshuean crossroads seeking to please both sides of the abyss. It is my argument that both Menkiti and Gyekye understood that teasing out our philosophical problems might lead us to an intellectual clarity about the concepts of community and individual in African cultures. I am making no attempt to solve this problem of Eshuean crossroads in this essay; I simply want to establish the grounds upon which the combatants of philosophical ideas like Menkiti and Gyekye are fighting.Keywords: Westernity, Ifeanyi Menkiti, Kwame Gyekye, Eshuean Crossroads, Africa
Objetos de hormigón. La influencia wrightiana en la obra de Donald Judd
Authors: Llamazares Blanco Pablo , Zaparaín Hernández Fernando , Ramos Jular Jorge 
Published: October 2018

<em><span>Las creaciones escultóricas en hormigón que Donald Judd realizara desde principios de los setenta hasta su fallecimiento en 1994, suponen un intenso encuentro de materia y espacio, que sintetiza los valores del lugar en el que se integran y el profundo arraigo en la cultura americana. De esa manera, el presente artículo analiza, desde la revisión de esos </span></em><span>objetos específicos<em>, el origen e implicaciones de algunas de sus propuestas de hormigón, a través del estudio del planteamiento original del propio artista y de la documentación gráfica que posibilita su interpretación. A partir de ello, la reflexión se aborda desde una perspectiva que aúna arte y arquitectura de forma simultánea, y que conduce al descubrimiento de los mecanismos con los que Judd se impone en el territorio. Unos mecanismos que nacen del descubrimiento de una nueva espacialidad, desarrollada anteriormente por Frank Lloyd Wright con los proyectos residenciales realizados a partir de los años treinta. Así, podrá comprobarse cómo los objetos analizados de Donald Judd reproducen las geometrías y las disposiciones alternativas que emplea Wright en sus viviendas, expresando una misma identidad americana que, en su caso, se materializa a través de la utilización del hormigón.</em></span>
Dos- Del dibujo al proyecto: la cristalización de la idea.
Authors: Aranea Grupo , Calduch Cervera Juan 
Published: October 2018

<p><em><span>De la invención a la obra. Diálogos de arquitectura con Francisco Leiva / grupo aranea.</span></em></p><p>Siete ejemplos / Seven examples</p><p> .- Parque natural antrópico (Anthropic natural park), Saline Joniche<em>, </em>Reggio Calabria, 2012</p><p> .-<em>La Salamandra</em>, Centro de Talasoterapia (Thalassotherapy Center), Gijón, 2002 </p><p> .- Observatorio del Medio Ambiente (Observatory of the Environment), Alicante, 2009-2019</p><p> .-<em>El Valle Trenzado</em>, Parque del Cauce del Vinalopó (Vinalopó´s Riverbed Park), Elche, 2009- </p><p> .- Instituto de Educación Secundaria (Secondary Education Institute), Rafal, 2003-2009 </p><p> .-<em>Casa Lude</em>, Cehegín, 2007-2011</p><p> .-<em>Casa Toto</em>, l’Alacantí, 2015-2018</p><p>La concreción de la idea: los planos / The concretion of the idea (the plans)</p>
Mecanismos informais de normatização internacional e as licitações públicas brasileiras.
Authors: Araujo Fabiano De Figueiredo , Cavichioli Carmona Paulo Afonso 
Published: October 2018

RESUMO: O objetivo do presente trabalho é tratar da influência dos mecanismos informais de normatização internacional nas licitações públicas brasileiras. Inicialmente, far-se-á um exame das abordagens da temática de normatização informal na seara internacional, falando-se inclusive sobre o Direito Administração Global, Autoridade Pública Internacional e In-Law. No segundo capítulo, haverá análise dessa temática no processo de contratação governamental em nosso país, lembrando-se das diretrizes de aquisições públicas do Banco Mundial, o modelo de licitações públicas do UNCITRAL e a incidência da Lex Petrolea nas licitações do setor petrolífero.
Palavras-Chave: Direito Internacional; Direito Administrativo Global; Licitações; UNCITRAL; Lex Petrolea.
Understanding and Perception of Overlapping Surgery in an Orthopaedic Trauma Population: A Survey Study
Authors: Evans Cody L. , Kahler David M. , Weiss David B. , Yarboro Seth R. 
Published: October 2018

Introduction:
Recently, overlapping surgery has received attention on the national scale. This study quantifies orthopaedic trauma patients' familiarity and concern with overlapping surgery as it relates to their care.

Methods:
A 15-question survey was voluntarily completed by 200 orthopaedic trauma patients in the outpatient setting of a level I trauma center. Three domains were evaluated in the survey: demographic data, familiarity with overlapping surgery, and the degree of concern with overlapping surgery. Patients read a position statement explaining the practice of overlapping surgery, and their changes in level of concern were evaluated. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the data.

Results:
A total of 200 patients completed the survey, of which 98 (49%) were male. The age range was broadly distributed. After surgery, 124 patients (62%) were seen for follow up. The remaining 76 patients (38%) did not undergo surgery. Regarding the practice of overlapping surgery, 116 respondents (58%) had no knowledge. There were 127 patients (63%) who reported their concern level as a 1 on an ordinal scale from 1 to 5, corresponding to the lowest possible level. Overall, 182 patients (91%) reported a level of concern of 3 (the median) or less with an average score of 1.7, indicating a low average level of concern. Six patients (3%) reported the maximum level of concern. On the whole, 160 patients (80%) reported either a decreased level of concern or no change after reading our department's position statement on overlapping surgery. Of the 124 patients, 81 (65%) postoperatively reported that they perceived no effect by overlapping surgery. The most common factors cited as areas of concern by patients were the absence of attending physician in the operating room (26%), risk of error by the resident (34%), and risk of a missed step in the surgical procedure (31%).

Conclusion:
These data indicate that most respondents had no previous knowledge of overlapping surgery and had a generally low level of concern with its use as practiced at our institution. Disclosing the use of overlapping surgery and its purpose to patients is an important component of preoperative counseling.

Level of Evidence:
Level V
Scale and quality in Nordic hospitals
Authors: Kittelsen Sverre A.C. , Anthun Kjartan Sarheim , Häkkinen Unto , Kruse Marie , Rehnberg Clas 
Published: October 2018

Empirical analysis of hospitals in production economics often find little or no evidence of scale economies and quite small optimal sizes. Medical literature on the other hand provides evidence of better results for hospitals with a large volume of similar procedures. Based on a sample of Nordic hospitals and patients, we have examined whether the inclusion of quality variables in the production models changes estimates of scale elasticity. A sample of 58 million patient records from 2008 and 2009 in 149 hospitals in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden were collected. Patient data DRG-points were aggregated into 3 outputs (medical inpatients, surgical inpatients and outpatients) and linked to operating costs for 292 observations. The patient data were used to calculate quality indicators on emergency readmissions and mortality within 30 days, adjusted for age, gender, comorbidities, hospital transfers and DRG using DRG-specific logistic regressions.The hypothesis that the elasticity of scale increases when quality variables are included was tested against the null hypothesis of no change in the scale elasticity. The observations were used to estimate a cost function using Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA). Country dummies as well as dummies for University hospitals, capital city hospitals and the average travelling time for the patients were included as environmental variables. The estimated scale elasticities did not change with the inclusion of quality indicators in any of the tested models. This may be because medical volume effects are confined to few patient groups or possibly even offset by effects on other groups, where quality is reduced by volume. In one model, the scale elasticity was significantly larger than 1.0, a result that contradicts previous studies which have found decreasing returns. Published: Online October 2018. In print Janury 2019.
Prvo rojstvo otroka bolnici po zdravljenju raka materničnega vratu stadija IB1 z ohranitvijo rodne funkcije v UKC-LJ
Authors: Cvjetićanin Branko , Čavić Milan , Kobal Borut , Tomaževič Tomaž , Ranc Ana 
Published: October 2018

Rak materničnega vratu lahko prizadene ženske v rodnem obdobju. V stadiju IB1 je mogoče pri zdravljenju rakave bolezni ohraniti rodno funkcijo ženske z radikalno trahelektomijo in odstranitvijo medeničnih bezgavk.To je operacija, pri kateri se odstrani maternični vrat in paracervikalno tkivo (parametriji) v kombinaciji z odstranitvijo medeničnih bezgavk, telo maternice pa se ohrani. Predstavljamo primer 32-letne nulipare z rakom materničnega vratu stadija 1B1. Bolnica je bila zdravljena radikalno z ohranitvijo rodne funkcije in je po zdravljenju rodila donošenega otroka.
Egg perivitelline fluid of the invasive snailPomacea canaliculataaffects mice gastrointestinal function and morphology
Authors: Giglio Matías , Garro Cintia , Caviedes-Vidal Enrique , Heras Horacio 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundSpecies beloging to the genusPomacea(Ampullariidae), often referred as apple snails, are freshwater, amphibious snails native to South, Central and North America. Some species such asP. canaliculatahave become a driver of ecosystem changes in wetlands and an important rice and taro pest after its introduction to Asia and other parts of the world. Females deposit colored egg clutches above the waterline, a reproductive strategy that exposes the eggs to harsh conditions and terrestrial predation. However, eggs have no reported predators in their native range, probably because of the acquisition of unparalleled biochemical defenses provided by a set of proteins (perivitellins) that nourish embryos and protect them from predators and abiotic factors. Notably, ingestion of egg perivitelline fluid (PVF) decreases rat growth rate and alters their gastrointestinal morphology. The aim of the study is to determine the effect of apple snail egg PVF on mice gut digestive activity, morphology and nutrient absorption.MethodsCarbohydrate digestion by intestinal disaccharidases (sucrase-isomaltase and maltase-glucoamylase) was evaluatedex vivoin mice gavaged with 1 or 4 doses of PVF. Changes in gut morphological and absorptive surface were measured. In addition, alteration on nutrient absorption rates, transport pathways and intestinal permeability was evaluated by luminal perfusions of small intestine with radiolabeled L-proline (absorbed by paracellular and transcellular pathways) and L-arabinose (absorbed exclusively by paracellular pathway).ResultsPerivitelline fluid affected mice displayed significant morphological changes in the small intestine epithelium inducing the appearance of shorter and wider villi as well as fused villi. This resulted in a diminished absorptive surface, notably in the proximal portion.Likewise, the activity of disaccharidases diminished in the proximal portion of the intestine. Total absorption of L-proline increased in treated mice in a dose-dependent manner. There were no differences neither in the ratio of paracellular-to-transcellular absorption of L-proline nor in gut permeability as revealed by the clearance of L-arabinose.DiscussionOral administration of apple snail PVF to mice adversely alters gut morphophysiology by reducing the intestinal absorptive surface, affecting enzymes of sugar metabolism and increasing the absorption rate of nutrients without affecting the relative contribution of the absorption pathways or gut permeability. These resultsfurther support the role of PVF in passive anti-predator defenses inPomaceasnail eggs that target the digestive system.
Body size and temperature effects on standard metabolic rate for determining metabolic scope for activity of the polychaete Hediste (Nereis) diversicolor
Authors: Galasso Helena Lopes , Richard Marion , Lefebvre Sébastien , Aliaume Catherine , Callier Myriam D. 
Published: October 2018

Considering the ecological importance and potential value of Hediste diversicolor, a better understanding of its metabolic rate and potential growth rates is required. The aims of this study are: (i) to describe key biometric relationships; (ii) to test the effects of temperature and body size on standard metabolic rate (as measure by oxygen consumption) to determine critical parameters, namely Arrhenius temperature (TA), allometric coefficient (b) and reaction rate; and (iii) to determine the metabolic scope for activity (MSA) of H. diversicolor for further comparison with published specific growth rates. Individuals were collected in a Mediterranean lagoon (France). After 10 days of acclimatization, 7 days at a fixed temperature and 24 h of fasting, resting oxygen consumption rates (VO2) were individually measured in the dark at four different temperatures (11, 17, 22 and 27 °C) in worms weighing from 4 to 94 mgDW (n = 27 per temperature). Results showed that DW and L3 were the most accurate measurements of weight and length, respectively, among all the metrics tested. Conversion of WW (mg), DW (mg) and L3 (mm) were quantified with the following equations: DW = 0.15 × WW, L3 = 0.025 × TL(mm) + 1.44 and DW = 0.8 × L33.68. Using an equation based on temperature and allometric effects, the allometric coefficient (b) was estimated at 0.8 for DW and at 2.83 for L3. The reaction rate (VO2) equaled to 12.33 µmol gDW−1 h−1 and 0.05 µmol mm L3−1 h−1 at the reference temperature (20 °C, 293.15 K). Arrhenius temperature (TA) was 5,707 and 5,664 K (for DW and L3, respectively). Metabolic scope for activity ranged from 120.1 to 627.6 J gDW−1 d−1. Predicted maximum growth rate increased with temperature, with expected values of 7–10% in the range of 15–20 °C. MSA was then used to evaluate specific growth rates (SGR) in several experiments. This paper may be used as a reference and could have interesting applications in the fields of aquaculture, ecology and biogeochemical processes.
Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Quasi‐Pyramidal CuInS2–ZnS Nanocrystals for Enhanced Near‐Infrared Targeted Fluorescent Imaging of Subcutaneous Melanoma
Authors: Chetty S. Shashank , Praneetha S. , Vadivel Murugan A. , Govarthanan Kavitha , Verma Rama S. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractNear‐infrared (NIR) fluorescent CuInS2–ZnS nanocrystals (CIZS NCs) are synthesized via an ultra‐fast, non‐injection microwave (MW)‐assisted nanoalloying process at 230 ºC within 5 min using 1‐dodecanethiol (DDT) as both the sulfur source and solvent under solvothermal (ST) condition. The structural and surface analyses reveal that DDT‐functionalized CIZS NCs exhibit quasi‐pyramids of tetragonal‐phase with well‐defined facets. The DDT‐functionalized CIZS NCs present a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 76% and a long‐lived fluorescence lifetime of ≈0.6 µs in organic‐phase. Subsequently, DDT‐functionalized CIZS NCs are phase‐transferred via ligand‐exchange using 11‐mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) into water‐soluble MUA–CIZS NCs that exhibit a substantial PLQY of 55%. In addition, the NIR‐fluorescent MUA‐functionalized CIZS NCs in conjugation with folic acid (FA), as a tumor‐targeting ligand, demonstrates enhanced tumor‐targeted imaging ability. The FA–MUA–CIZS NC conjugates exhibit a cell viability of ≈75% even at the highest concentration of 1 mg mL–1 and a labeling efficiency of 95.4%. The in vivo imaging results corroborate that FA–MUA–CIZS NCs conjugates are actively targeted to folate receptor‐positive B16F10 tumor‐bearing C57BL/6 mice in 2 h. The histopathological and hematological studies confirm no significant changes in tissue architecture and blood biochemical parameters. The confocal microscopy studies reveal deep penetration and uniform distribution of FA–MUA–CIZS NCs conjugates in subcutaneous melanoma.
Ultrafast Spin‐to‐Charge Conversion at the Surface of Topological Insulator Thin Films
Authors: Wang Xinbo , Cheng Liang , Zhu Dapeng , Wu Yang , Chen Mengji , Wang Yi , Zhao Daming , Boothroyd Chris B. , Lam Yeng Ming , Zhu Jian‐Xin , Battiato Marco , Song Justin C. W. , Yang Hyunsoo , Chia Elbert E. M. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractStrong spin–orbit coupling, resulting in the formation of spin‐momentum‐locked surface states, endows topological insulators with superior spin‐to‐charge conversion characteristics, though the dynamics that govern it have remained elusive. Here, an all‐optical method is presented, which enables unprecedented tracking of the ultrafast dynamics of spin‐to‐charge conversion in a prototypical topological insulator Bi2Se3/ferromagnetic Co heterostructure, down to the sub‐picosecond timescale. Compared to pure Bi2Se3 or Co, a giant terahertz emission is observed in the heterostructure that originates from spin‐to‐charge conversion, in which the topological surface states play a crucial role. A 0.12 ps timescale is identified that sets a technological speed limit of spin‐to‐charge conversion processes in topological insulators. In addition, it is shown that the spin‐to‐charge conversion efficiency is temperature independent in Bi2Se3 as expected from the nature of the surface states, paving the way for designing next‐generation high‐speed optospintronic devices based on topological insulators at room temperature.
Direct Bandgap Behavior in Rashba‐Type Metal Halide Perovskites
Authors: Richter Johannes M. , Chen Kai , Sadhanala Aditya , Butkus Justinas , Rivett Jasmine P. H. , Friend Richard H. , Monserrat Bartomeu , Hodgkiss Justin M. , Deschler Felix 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe generation and recombination of charge carriers in semiconductors through photons controls photovoltaic and light‐emitting diode operation. Understanding of these processes in hybrid perovskites has advanced, but remains incomplete. Using femtosecond transient absorption and photoluminescence, it is observed that the luminescence signal shows a rise over 2 ps, while initially hot photogenerated carriers cool to the band edge. This indicates that the luminescence from hot carriers is weaker than that of cold carriers, as expected from strongly radiative transitions in direct gap semiconductors. It is concluded that the electrons and holes show a strong overlap in momentum space, despite recent proposals that Rashba splitting leads to a band offset suppressing such an overlap. A number of possible resolutions to this, including lattice dynamics that remove the Rashba splitting at room temperature, and localization of luminescence events to length scales below 10 nm are considered.
Revealing the Role of Epithelial Mechanics and Macrophage Clearance during Pulmonary Epithelial Injury Recovery in the Presence of Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Septiadi Dedy , Abdussalam Wildan , Rodriguez‐Lorenzo Laura , Spuch‐Calvar Miguel , Bourquin Joël , Petri‐Fink Alke , Rothen‐Rutishauser Barbara 
Published: October 2018

AbstractWound healing assays are extensively used to study tissue repair mechanisms; they are typically performed by means of physical (i.e., mechanical, electrical, or optical) detachment of the cells in order to create an open space in which live cells can lodge. Herein, an advanced system based on extensive photobleaching‐induced apoptosis; providing a powerful tool to understand the repair response of lung epithelial tissue, consisting of a small injury area where apoptotic cells are still intact, is developed. Notably, the importance of epithelial mechanics and the presence of macrophages during the repair can be understood. The findings reveal that individual epithelial cells are able to clear the apoptotic cells by applying a pushing force, whilst macrophages actively phagocytose the dead cells to create an empty space. It is further shown that this repair mechanism is hampered when carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are introduced: formation of aberrant (i.e., thickening) F‐actins, maturation of focal adhesion, and increase in traction force leading to retardation in cell migration are observed. The results provide a mechanistic view of how CNTs can interfere with lung repair.