bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The clinical features of syphilitic myelitis with longitudinally extensive myelopathy on spinal magnetic resonance imaging: a case report and literature review
Authors: Yuan Junliang , Wang Weixue , Xu Dongmei , Hu Wenli 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Background: Syphilitic myelitis as a bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum, is a very rare manifestation of neurosyphilis. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of longitudinally extensive myelopathy with syphilitic myelitis is not well documented and only a few cases have been reported about its’ clinical features.
Case presentation: Herein, we report a patient who suffered from syphilitic myelitis with symptoms of sensory disturbance, with longitudinally extensive myelopathy with "flip-flop sign" on spinal MRI. This patient performed complete clinical and radiologic recovery after treatment. We also summarized the clinical features of syphilitic myelitis with longitudinally extensive myelopathy from the reported literatures published in English language. A total of 16 articles of 20 cases between January 1987 and December 2018 were identified. Of the 20 patients with syphilitic myelitis, the age of onset varied between 17 and 63 years. Sixteen patients were males (80%). Sixteen patients presented with the onset of sensory disturbance (80%), 15 with paraparesis (75%), 9 with urinary retention (45%). Eleven patients had high risk behavior (55%). Five patients had concomitant HIV infection (25%). Serological data showed 15 patients performed with positive venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL)/ treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPHA), and 17 patients with positive VDRL/TPHA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Seventeen patients with elevated cells and protein in CSF. On MRI, 16 patients showed abnormal signal intensities involved thoracic spine, 6 involved cervical, and 3 involved both cervical and thoracic spine. There were 3 patients performed with the "flip-flop sign". All the patients were treated with penicillin, and 15 patients were performed with a better prognosis.
Conclusions: Syphilitic myelitis is a relatively rare feature of Treponema pallidum infection. Early definite diagnosis and antibiotic therapy are crucial for minimizing neurological sequelae. Our case also raises awareness of syphilitic myelitis as an important complication of neurosyphilis due to homosexuality, especially in developing countries.
A case report of spontaneously healed isolated posterior inferior cerebellar artery dissection with headache alone
Authors: Kishi Yo 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Background: Isolated posterior inferior cerebellar artery dissections can cause subarachnoid hemorrhages or infarctions. Surgical treatments for hemorrhagic stroke cases and medical treatments using antithrombotic agents for ischemic stroke cases have been done, whereas there are very few reports on non-stroke posterior inferior cerebellar artery dissections and the treatment strategy for non-stroke cases has not been established. This is the first detailed report on spontaneously healed isolated posterior inferior cerebellar artery dissection with headache alone.
Case presentation: 48 years old healthy male felt severe right-side throbbing headache and came to OIKE Clinic on the fourth day after the onset. MRI studies revealed his right posterior inferior cerebellar artery dissection and showed no infarctions or hemorrhages. He was observed carefully under continuous monitoring of blood pressure and hydrated sufficiently, given analgesic anti-inflammatory agents. Two weeks later, the dissected vessel’s diameter grew up to the maximal size, though the patient’s headache was rapidly improved around that day. Surgical treatments for prevention of subarachnoid hemorrhage were considered but careful conservative therapy continued in accordance with the patient’s strong desire. Gradually the dissection finding had been improving. Four months later, MRI study showed his right posterior inferior cerebellar artery was seen almost normal in size and shape.
Conclusions: If isolated posterior inferior cerebellar artery dissection with headache alone is detected early on, it might be one therapeutic option to undergo the careful conservative therapy with repeated MRI examinations and assessment of the patient’s headache.
Keywords: Isolated posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) dissection, Headache, Spontaneous healing
Different EPHX1 methylation levels in promoter area between carbamazepine-resistant epilepsy group and carbamazepine-sensitive epilepsy group in Chinese Population
Authors: Lv Yudan , Zheng Xiangyu , Shi Mingchao , Wang Zan , Cui Li 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
Background: Epigenetics underlying refractory epilepsy is poorly understood. DNA methylation may affect gene expression in epilepsy patients without affecting DNA sequences. Herein, we investigated the association between Carbamazepine-resistant (CBZ-resistant) epilepsy and EPHX1 methylation in a northern Han Chinese population, and conducted an analysis of clinical risk factors for CBZ-resistant epilepsy.
Methods: 75 northern Han Chinese patients participated in this research. 25 cases were CBZ-resistant epilepsy, 25 cases were CBZ-sensitive epilepsy and the remaining 25 cases were controls. Using a CpG searcher was to make a prediction of CpG islands; bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) was applied to test the methylation of EPHX1. We then did statistical analysis between clinical parameters and EPHX1 methylation.
Results: There was no difference between CBZ-resistant patients,CBZ-sensitive patients and healthy controls in matched age and gender. However, a significant difference of methylation levels located in NC_000001.11 (225806929.....225807108) of the EPHX1 promoter was found in CBZ-resistant patients, which was much higher than CBZ-sensitive and controls. Additionally, there was a significant positive correlation between seizure frequency, disease course and EPHX1 methylation in CBZ-resistant group.
Conclusion: Methylation levels in EPHX1 promoter associated with CBZ-resistant epilepsy significantly. EPHX1 methylation may be the potential marker for CBZ resistance prior to the CBZ therapy and potential target for treatments.
Glyphosate‐Resistant Soybean Response to Micro‐Rates of Three Dicamba‐Based Herbicides
Authors: Osipitan O. Adewale , Scott Jon E. , Knezevic Stevan Z. 
Published: January 2019

Core Ideas
The impact of simulated dicamba drift on growth and yield of glyphosate‐resistant soybean was similar among dicamba formulations.
The impact of dicamba drift on soybean could be influenced by moisture condition of the environmental field.
Late vegetative or early flowering stage of soybean was the most sensitive growth stage to dicamba drift.
New dicamba‐based herbicides such as Engenia (N,N‐bis‐(3‐aminopropyl) methylamine salt) and XtendiMax (diglycolamine salt) with VaporGrip technology were developed to reduce dicamba volatility and drift; however, there are claims that these products can still volatilize or drift. Field studies were conducted to evaluate glyphosate (N‐(phosphonomethyl)glycine))–resistant (GR) soybean response to micro‐rates (0, 1/1000, 1/500, 1/100, 1/50, and 1/10 of the label rate, 560 g a.e. ha−1) of the two new dicamba products compared with Clarity (diglycolamine salt) applied at three growth stages. The GR soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] was equally impacted by the micro‐rates of all three products as measured by visual injury, height reduction, delayed physiological maturity, and yield reduction. The greatest visual injury (80%), plant height reduction (65%), maturity delay (22 d), and soybean yield loss (96%) was caused by 1/10 of the dicamba label rate when applied at V7/R1 soybean growth stage. In addition, estimation of effective dose for 5, 10, or 20% yield reduction suggested that V7/R1 was the most sensitive soybean growth stage to the three dicamba products. For example, 10% yield reduction occurred when 1.83 to 1.85 g a.e. ha−1 (∼1/300 of the label rate) of Engenia was applied at V2 or R2, whereas, a lower dose of 0.32 g a.e. ha−1 (1/1750 of the label rate) of Engenia caused the same level of yield reduction when applied at V7/R1. Similar doses were estimated for Clarity and XtendiMax; therefore dicamba drift should be avoided at all costs, because GR soybean was equally sensitive to low rates of all three tested products with different formulations or technologies.
Ink Spot of Warm‐Season Golf Course Turfgrasses
Authors: Tomaso‐Peterson Maria 
Published: January 2019

Core Ideas
Ink spot is a foliar disease of bermudagrass and zoysiagrass managed as golf course turf.
Curvularia malina, a novel and sterile species, is the causal agent of ink spot.
The turfgrass symptoms of ink spot include distinct, small chocolate‐brown to black spots.
Curvularia malina is the causal agent of ink spot, a foliar disease of bermudagrass and zoysiagrasses used in golf course settings. Distinct, chocolate‐brown to black spots appear in conjunction with high amounts or frequent precipitation events in the southern United States. Foliar symptoms of ink spot consist of small, purplish‐black spots that develop into eye‐spot lesions on the leaves of zoysiagrasses but develop a round‐to‐elliptical lesion on bermudagrass leaves. Older, blighted leaves at the base of the plant cause the chocolate‐brown to black spots observed in the turfgrass sward. Crown and/or root rot has not been associated with ink spot. Isolation of C. malina is highly successful when using leaves of bermudagrass or zoysiagrass exhibiting ink spot symptoms. Curvularia malina is sterile; therefore, confirmation must be made using sequence data of ITS, GPD1, or TEF1. Curvularia malina has been isolated from bermudagrass and zoysiagrass expressing foliar symptoms of ink spot throughout the Gulf Coast region of the United States, which to date, includes Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.
Dedicated Bioenergy Crops and Water Erosion
Authors: Acharya Bharat Sharma , Blanco‐Canqui Humberto , Mitchell Robert B. , Cruse Richard , Laird David 
Published: January 2019

Information on the water quality impact of perennial warm‐season grasses (WSGs) when grown in marginal lands as dedicated energy crops is limited. We studied how WSGs affected runoff, sediment, and nutrient losses and related near‐surface soil properties to those of no‐till corn (Zea mays L.) on an eroded soil in southwestern Iowa and a center pivot corner in east‐central Nebraska. The experiment at the eroded soil was established in 2012, and treatments included ‘Liberty’ switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and no‐till continuous corn. The experiment at the pivot corner was established in 2013 with ‘Liberty’ switchgrass, ‘Shawnee’ switchgrass, low‐diversity grass mixture, and corn. We simulated rainfall at 63.5 ± 2.8 mm h−1 for 1 h to portray 5‐yr return periods and measured water erosion in spring 2017. Time to runoff start and runoff depth did not differ between WSGs and corn. On the eroded soil, sediment and nutrient losses did not differ between treatments. At the pivot corner, sediment (0.71 vs. 0.15 Mg ha−1) and PO4–P (0.037 vs. 0.006 kg ha−1) losses were five times higher in corn than in WSGs. Near‐surface soil properties did not differ on the eroded soil, but at the pivot corner, wet aggregate stability was four times higher and residue cover was 34% higher in WSGs than in corn. Water‐stable aggregates were negatively correlated with NO3–N and PO4–P losses. Overall, WSGs can improve water quality in marginally productive croplands, but their effectiveness appears to be site specific.Core Ideas
Warm‐season grasses did not reduce runoff depth compared with corn.
Warm‐season grasses on a center pivot corner reduced sediment and nutrient loss compared with corn.
Sediment loss between corn and switchgrass grown in an eroded soil did not differ.
Warm‐season grass effectiveness to reduce water erosion can be site specific.
Tipografik Bir Saldırı veya Dışavurum Olarak Graffitinin Dili
Authors: Sarıkaya Rasim 
Published: January 2019

Tarihinin oldukça büyük bir kısmında icra edenler tarafından sanat,
fakat çoğu kimse tarafından yasadışı ve
rahatsızlık verici anarşist bir eylem olarak görülegelen graffitinin, günümüzde,
bir sanat formu olduğu görüşü daha fazla dillendirilmektedir . Sosyolojik
olarak sayısız araştırmanın konusu olan Graffiti olgusunun arka planı, protest
ve yasadışı bir eylem biçiminden, sanat piyasaları tarafından kabul gören ve
pazarlanan bir sanat formu olma sürecinde geçirmiş olduğu ideolojik evrim,
biçimsel ve tipografik bağlamda da
kendini göstermiş midir? Tarihsel olarak ortaya çıkan sanat ve tasarım
akımlarından etkilenmiş midir? Temelde bir iletişim aracı olarak graffitinin,
iletişimsel etkililiği ve bu bağlamda kullandığı tipografik dilin rolü ne
olmuştur?Bu sorulara verilecek cevaplar başka bir deyişle kullandığı tipografik dil
bağlamında, Graffiti’nin, tarihsel ve ideolojik düzlemde ele alınması bu çalışmanın amacını oluşturmaktadır. Nitel araştırma
yöntemiyle derlenecek bilgiler, örnek analizleriyle desteklenerek bu sorulara
cevap aranmıştır.
Fecal sludge as a fuel: characterization, cofire limits, and evaluation of quality improvement measures
Authors: Hafford Lauren M. , Ward Barbara J. , Weimer Alan W. , Linden Karl 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
In many low-income cities, a high proportion of fecal sludge, the excreta and blackwater collected from onsite sanitation systems such as pit latrines, is not safely managed. This constitutes a major danger to environmental and human health. The water, sanitation, and hygiene sector has recognized that valorization of treated fecal sludge could offset the upfront cost of treatment by using it as a fuel source. The few quantitative studies on fecal sludge fuel published to date have focused on heating value, moisture, ash fraction, and heavy metals. However, other factors impacting fuel utility, specifically ash speciation, have not been adequately quantified for fecal sludge. This study contributes to closing that gap and shows the value of more detailed quantification. It first characterizes fecal sludge samples from Colorado and Uganda, confirms that the fuel is better if cofired with other biomass, and outlines a framework for determining safe cofire ratios. Second, the study evaluates two methods for improving fecal sludge as a fuel: carbonization and ash leaching. Carbonization of fecal sludge did not improve fuel quality, but leaching showed promise in ash reduction.
Treatment of vinegar industry wastewater by electrocoagulation with monopolar aluminum and iron electrodes and toxicity evaluation
Authors: Yılmaz Seval , Gerek Emine Esra , Yavuz Yusuf , Koparal Ali Savaş 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
We present electrocoagulation (EC) treatment results of vinegar industry wastewater (VIW) using parallel plate aluminum and iron electrodes, and analyze the toxicity of the treatment processes. Due to the chemical complexity of vinegar production wastewater, several parameters are expected to alter the treatment efficiency. Particularly, current density, initial pH, Na2SO4 as support electrolyte, polyaluminum chloride (PAC) and kerafloc are investigated for their effects on chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. Following several treatment experiments with real wastewater samples, aluminum-plate electrodes were able to reach to a removal efficiency of 90.91% at pH 4, 10 mg/L PAC and an electrical current density of 20.00 mA/cm2, whereas iron-plate electrodes reached to a removal efficiency of 93.60% at pH 9, 22.50 mA/cm2 current density. Although EC processes reduce COD, the usefulness of the system may not be assessed without considering the resultant toxicity. For this purpose, microtox toxicity tests were carried out for the highest COD removal case. It was observed that the process reduces toxicity, as well as the COD. Consequently, it is concluded that EC with aluminum and iron electrodes is COD removal-wise and toxicity reduction-wise a plausible method for treatment of VIW, which has high organic pollutants.
Experimental study on air pressure variation in a horizontal pipe of single-stack drainage system
Authors: Yu Tingchao , Ding Qiang , Wang Luwen , Zhu David Z. , Shao Yu 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
The water trap seal under the sanitary appliances is the primary defense against the ingress of foul gases and odors. However, research on air pressure variation in a horizontal pipe of a single-stack drainage system is very limited. Thus a physical model study was conducted to investigate the air pressure variation in a horizontal pipe. Four parameters were studied that affect the pressure variation; that is, water flow rate, inlet height, ventilation condition and outlet condition. When the top of the vertical drainage stack and the outlet were fully open to the atmosphere, the flow in the horizontal pipe changed from free surface flow to slug flow at certain times. The mean values and magnitudes of pressure fluctuation at measuring points on the horizontal pipe increased with Qw but decreased along the horizontal pipe. The inlet height had relatively small influence on the pressure variation. Three ventilation conditions; that is, top fully open, half open and sealed, were tested, and a choking flow was formed in the vertical drainage stack and the pressure in the horizontal pipe decreased under the top sealed condition. Three outlet conditions; that is, outlet fully open, half submerged and fully submerged, were tested. The pressure in the horizontal pipe increased significantly under the outlet fully-submerged condition, which should be avoided in the actual operation by careful designing.
‘Hot topic’ – combined energy and process modeling in thermal hydrolysis systems
Authors: Aichinger Peter , DeBarbadillo Christine , Al-Omari Ahmed , Wett Bernhard 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
The thermal hydrolysis process (THP) is applied to enhance biogas production in anaerobic digestion (AD), reduce viscosity for improved mixing and dewatering and to reduce and sterilize cake solids. Large heat demands for steam production rely on dynamic effects like sludge throughput, gas availability and THP process parameters. Here, we propose a combined energy and process model suitable to describe the dynamic behaviour of THP in a full-plant context. The process model addresses interactions of THP with operational conditions covered by the AD model obeying mass continuity. Energy conservation is considered in balancing and converting various energy species dominated by thermal heat and calorific energy. The combined energy and process model was then applied on the THP at Blue Plains advanced WWTP (DC Water) to analyse the process and assess potential energy optimizations. It was found that dynamic effects like mismatched steam production and consumption, temporary gas shortages and underloaded units are responsible for energy inefficiencies with losses in electricity-production up to 29%.
Radiation Exposure of Anaesthetists Visualised by Real-time Dosimetry
Authors: Müller Marcus Christian , Windemuth Michael , Frege Sophie , Striepens Eva Nadine 
Published: January 2019

Background:
Chronic exposure to occupational ionising radiation is seen as one reason
for elevated cancer prevalence.
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Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate radiation exposure of anaesthetists
by real-time dosimetry.

Methods:
Data of 296 patients were analyzed. Ten types of trauma operation procedures including
osteosynthesis of upper and lower extremity fractures and minimally invasive stabilisation of traumatic
and osteoporotic vertebral fractures were accomplished. Evaluation was performed by an occupational
dosimetry system, which visualises anaesthetists radiation exposure feedback compared
to surgeons in real-time.

Results:
A significantly lower radiation exposure to anaesthetists compared to surgeons was observed
in four types of operative procedures: Plate fixation of proximal humerus fractures, osteosynthesis
of proximal femoral fractures, stabilisation of traumatic and osteoporotic vertebral fractures.
In four types of operations (plate osteosynthesis of proximal humeral, distal radial and tibial
fractures and intramedullary nailing of the clavicle), anaesthetists` amount of radiation exceeded
one-third of the surgeons' exposure, especially if the C-arm tube was positioned close to the anaesthetists
work station at the patients' head.

Conclusion:
By using the occupational radiation dose monitoring system, radiation exposure to
anaesthetists was visualised in real-time during trauma operations. Radiation exposure of anaesthetists
depends on the type of operation and the position of the C-arm. The system may help to increase
anaesthetists` awareness concerning radiation exposure and to enhance compliance in using
radiation protection techniques.
Review on 2D and 3D MRI Image Segmentation Techniques
Authors: Shirly S. , Ramesh K. 
Published: January 2019

Background:
Magnetic Resonance Imaging is most widely used for early diagnosis
of abnormalities in human organs. Due to the technical advancement in digital image processing,
automatic computer aided medical image segmentation has been widely used in medical
diagnostics.
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Discussion: Image segmentation is an image processing technique which is used for extracting image
features, searching and mining the medical image records for better and accurate medical diagnostics.
Commonly used segmentation techniques are threshold based image segmentation, clustering
based image segmentation, edge based image segmentation, region based image segmentation,
atlas based image segmentation, and artificial neural network based image segmentation.

Conclusion:
This survey aims at providing an insight about different 2-Dimensional and 3-
Dimensional MRI image segmentation techniques and to facilitate better understanding to the people
who are new in this field. This comparative study summarizes the benefits and limitations of
various segmentation techniques.
Change Orders in Iraqi Construction Projects
Authors: Naji Hafeth I. , Hatem Wadhah Amer , Maula Baydaa Hussain 
Published: January 2019

Introduction:
Change orders in construction are considered to be one of the greatest controversial problems that must be handled and also considered to be difficult for project management to reasonably resolve as any variation leads to claims. Any construction contract is agreed under the concept of “good faith,” which include that the parties will have to trust each other in order to work on agreeing on a contract and that contract is considered to be reasonable when there is no purpose of taking benefit of the parties throughout the contract life. However, as soon as the contract wants to be changed by generating a change order, the parties behavior changes in relation to the initial “good faith” environment

Objective:
The aim of the paper is to find the causes of the change order and its effect on the projects and then analyze the causes using data mining techniques.

Methods:
The methodology of the paper includes the following steps. Several factors that lead to change orders were gathered from the literature review. A questionnaire was formed and then distributed to the managers, owners, contractors and engineers. A review of the project's documents was conducted to find the number of change orders in the project and analysis of the causes of the change orders was done using data mining techniques.

Results and Conclusion:
The change orders have a harmful impact on the cost and it must be minimized, the change order was analyzed using Adda Boost technique and the accuracy was about 95 which is considered a very good result.