bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parcial Nephrectomies - results of 12 years from an Oncology Institution
Authors: Freitas Rui , Cruz Ricardo , Antunes Luís , Araújo Paulo , Silva Pedro , Saraiva Luis , Magalhães Sanches , Silva Vitor Moreira , Morais António , Lobo Francisco , Oliveira Jorge 
Published: April 2016

<p><strong>Introduction:</strong> The diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma has been increasing in recent years, especially due to incidental cases, and thus indication for nephron-preserving surgery has also risen.<br /><strong>Objectives:</strong> To review a series of partial nephrectomies from an oncology institution namely technique features, survival and change in renal function.<br /><strong>Material and Methods:</strong> A retrospective analysis of all patients with renal tumors that were submitted to partial nephrectomy at our institution between January 2000 and December 2012.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> A total 156 partial nephrectomies were performed, 85 in men and 71 in women, with mean overall age of 62 ± 15 years. Surgical approach was transperitoneal laparoscopic in 23 cases with the remainder 133 through lumbotomy. Mean ischemic time was &lt; 25 min in all patients and complication rate was 10.9 %, mostly corresponding grade 2 and 3 of the Clavien-Dindo scale. Mean tumor size was 2.9 ± 1.4 cm and the surgical margin was focally affected by tumor in 9.6% of cases. Histologically, 26.2% of cases corresponded to clear cell renal cell carcinoma, with oncocytomas being the most common benign neoplasm with 14.7% of the total. There were 4 cases of recurrence and one case death at follow-up. The mean change in estimated glomerular filtration rate was -5.3 mL/min per 1.73 m2 (p &lt; 0.001). There was no association between warm ischemia time, body mass index, age, ASA score, presence of complications with this decrease in glomerular filtration rate.<br /><strong>Discussion:</strong> Our positive surgical margins cases were slightly above what is described in literature, however we didn’t find any predictive factor for such finding and ultimately there was no evidence of tumor recurrence or influence in survival in all these cases. Even though there was a significant decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate, warm ischemia time was very low and only five patients presented with de novo eGFR &lt; 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2, and two patients started hemodialysis. A high volume center seems to be critical for technique optimization and complication management.<br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Our series of partial nephrectomies presents oncological results and preservation of renal function similar to those published in literature. This is a safe technique with good results, justifying its growth.</p><p> </p>
Impact of Compliance with a Sepsis Resuscitation Bundle in a Portuguese Emergency Department.
Authors: Carvas Joao Miguel , Canelas Cátia , Montanha Gustavo , Silva Carlos , Esteves Francisco 
Published: April 2016

<p><strong>Introduction:</strong> Severe sepsis and septic shock are common conditions with high levels of morbi-mortality surpassing those of coronary heart disease or stroke. The reality of hospital treated sepsis is largely unknown outside of the intensive care unit. We therefore aimed to evaluate the level of compliance with the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 6-hour bundle in a Portuguese emergency department and to relate it to the patient clinical outcomes. </p><p><strong>Material and Methods:</strong> We conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study with 178 severe sepsis/septic shock patients admitted to the intensive and intermediate care unit between January 1st 2012 and December 31st 2012.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> In the study, period septic shock was diagnosed in 100 patients (56.2%) and severe sepsis in 78 patients (43.8%). Compliance with the sepsis bundle was: (1) 62.9% for lactate measurement; (2) 62.9% for blood cultures before antibiotics; (3) 41.6% for antibiotics in the first 3 hours; (4) 76.4% for fluid administration; (5) 25% for vasopressor administration; (6) 37% for central venous pressure measurement and (7) 39% for central venous oxygen saturation measurement. Full compliance was observed in 22% of the patients. The individual bundle measure - Blood cultures before antibiotics - was significantly associated with a decreased risk of both intensive care unit mortality and 28-day mortality. There was also a trend for an inverse correlation between increased compliance with the full bundle and the intensive care unit and 28-days hospital mortality.</p><p><strong>Discussion:</strong> There was a low compliance with the Surviving Sepsis Campaign 6-hour bundle, a result that replicates the findings in similar international studies. The explanation is complex but it may include the lack of institutional quality monitoring in the emergency department.<br /><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The compliance with a sepsis resuscitation bundle starting in the emergency department was positively associated with the outcomes of the septic patients. Nonetheless the bundle was unreliably performed.</p><p> </p>
X‐ray CT‐Derived Soil Characteristics Explain Varying Air, Water, and Solute Transport Properties across a Loamy Field
Authors: Paradelo Marcos , Katuwal Sheela , Moldrup Per , Norgaard Trine , Herath Lasantha , de Jonge Lis W. 
Published: April 2016

Core Ideas
We used CT‐derived parameters to explain solute, water, and air transport at field scale.
CTmatrix was found to be the best parameter to explain solute transport.
Limiting macroporosity gave the highest correlations with water and air transport.
Combining macroporosity and CTmatrix improved the relationships of water and air flow.
The characterization of soil pore space geometry is important for explaining fluxes of air, water, and solutes through soil and understanding soil hydrogeochemical functions. X‐ray computed tomography (CT) can be applied for this characterization, and in this study CT‐derived parameters were used to explain water, air, and solute transport through soil. Forty‐five soil columns (20 by 20 cm) were collected from an agricultural field in Estrup, Denmark, and subsequently scanned using a medical CT scanner. Nonreactive tracer leaching experiments were performed in the laboratory along with measurements of air permeability (Ka) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat). The CT number of the matrix (CTmatrix), which represents the moist bulk density of the soil matrix, was obtained from the CT scans as the average CT number of the voxels in the grayscale image excluding macropores and stones. The CTmatrix showed the best relationships with the solute transport characteristics, especially the time by which 5% of the applied mass of tritium was leached, known as the 5% arrival time (t0.05). The CT‐derived macroporosity (pores >1.2 mm) was correlated with Ka and log10(Ksat). The correlation improved when the limiting macroporosity (the minimum macroporosity for every 0.6‐mm layer along the soil column) was used, suggesting that soil layers with the narrowest macropore section restricted the flow through the whole soil column. Water, air, and solute transport were related with the CT‐derived parameters by using a best subsets regression analysis. The regression coefficients improved using CTmatrix, limiting macroporosity, and genus density, while the best model for t0.05 used CTmatrix only. The scanning resolution and the time for soil structure development after mechanical activities could be factors that increased the uncertainty of the relationships. Nevertheless, the results confirmed the potential of X‐ray CT visualization techniques for estimating fluxes through soil at the field scale.
Combined Effect of Sodicity and Organic Matter on Soil Properties under Long‐Term Irrigation with Treated Wastewater
Authors: Assouline Shmuel , Narkis Kfir , Gherabli Rivka , Sposito Garrison 
Published: April 2016

Core Ideas
We observed increasing sodicity hazard and a decreasing saturated soil hydraulic conductivity from treated wastewater irrigation.
All of the data on sodicity hazard could be incorporated into a single Gapon constant for calcium‐sodium exchange that depends on the ratio of soil DOC concentration to calcite content.
All the data on Ks could be incorporated in a single power‐law relationship involving the ratio of ESP to soil DOC concentration.
The increasing reuse of treated wastewater (WW) for irrigation brings with it a need to reconsider irrigation water quality criteria because of the expected lower quality of WW. In particular, the impacts of higher sodium and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations on soil permeability must be evaluated in practical field settings over long periods of WW reuse. Here we report the long‐term impact of WW reuse for irrigation on soils at three different semiarid‐zone field sites under row crop or orchard agriculture. The soils contain about 60% clay, dominated by smectite, and present an order of magnitude variation in calcite content (1–11%). In two of the sites, parcels irrigated with freshwater (FW) are available for comparison. Our results show an increasing sodicity hazard and a decreasing saturated soil hydraulic conductivity (Ks) from WW irrigation, although the depth profiles of soil chemical and physical properties were highly site‐specific. Despite this spatial variability, all of the data on sodicity hazard, represented by the relationship between exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and the soil sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), could be incorporated into a single Gapon constant for calcium–sodium exchange whose values depended uniformly on the ratio of soil DOC concentration to calcite content. Moreover, all of the data on Ks, for both FW and WW irrigation, could be incorporated into a single power‐law relationship involving the ratio of ESP to soil DOC. These two relationships unify complex interactions between sodicity and organic matter (OM) that influence soil permeability to yield simple correlations with predictive power. The main detrimental effect of WW application was related to sodicity hazard. Therefore, effort should be invested in reducing the SAR of WW for irrigation. This could be achieved, for example, by mixing WW with FW, including desalinized water, when and if available.
Physical Therapists' Role in Health Promotion as Perceived by the Patient: Descriptive Survey
Authors: Black Beth , Ingman MarySue , Janes Jamie 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe importance of health professionals discussing health behaviors with patients is emphasized in Healthy People 2020, the national health objectives established by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Many physical therapists do not routinely discuss health behaviors with their patients. One reason may be uncertainty about how these discussions might be perceived by patients.ObjectiveThe primary purpose of this study was to determine patients' opinions regarding physical therapists discussing the topics of physical activity, smoking, fruit and vegetable consumption, and maintaining a healthy weight during clinical visits. A secondary purpose was to determine whether patients believe that physical therapists should be role models for these behaviors.DesignThis was a descriptive cross-sectional survey.MethodsPatients were surveyed at 8 outpatient clinics in Michigan and Minnesota. A written questionnaire collected information about the participants' health behaviors, their opinions about physical therapists discussing their health behaviors during clinical visits, and their opinions about physical therapists role-modeling healthy behaviors.ResultsThe survey response rate was 45.6%. A total of 230 patients participated. Most participants agreed that physical therapists should speak to them about physical activity (91.3%), maintaining a healthy weight (73%), and abstaining from smoking (51.3%). Fewer participants agreed that physical therapists should advise them about fruit and vegetable consumption (32.1%). The majority of participants agreed that physical therapists should be role models for engaging in regular physical activity (83.4%), maintaining a healthy weight (71.7%), and abstaining from smoking (63.9%).LimitationsLimitations of this study include the potential for response bias and limited generalizability.ConclusionsMost participants believed it is appropriate for physical therapists to speak with them about and be role models for the behaviors of physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and abstaining from smoking. Physical therapists have the opportunity to support the goals of Healthy People 2020 by discussing health behaviors with their patients.
Client Perspectives on Reclaiming Participation After a Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in South Africa
Authors: Joseph Conran , Wahman Kerstin , Phillips Julie , Nilsson Wikmar Lena 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe development of rehabilitation services promoting participation in people living with a traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) is of major concern for physical therapists. What the client sees as effective participation, barriers, and facilitators might be different due to their particular context. This study was conducted to gain insight into the experiences of attaining an important outcome in a developing context.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the experiences of reclaiming participation in community-dwelling people with TSCI in South Africa.DesignThis was an explorative, qualitative study with inductive content analysis.MethodsIndividual semistructured interviews were conducted with 17 adults living with a TSCI in order to explore their experience of participation. The verbatim transcripts were analyzed, and the end result was an overall theme that included 4 emerging categories.ResultsThe theme “participation possibility” denotes the eventual involvement in life situations. Within this theme, there were 4 categories that emerged as a representation of essential aspects along the continuum of reclaiming participation: (1) dealing with the new self, (2) a journey dominated by obstacles, (3) the catalyst of participation, and (4) becoming an agent. Dealing with and recognizing these intervening conditions seem critical for clients to reconstruct the meaning that is necessary for a broader conception of participation.LimitationsThe transferability of these findings to dissimilar contexts may be limited.ConclusionClient perspectives on reclaiming participation after injury affirm the notion of eventual participation, with each person finding strategies to succeed. In order to help clients reclaim participation, health professionals should develop contextually sensitive programs that include peer mentoring and reduce the influence of hindering factors.
Validity, Reliability, and Ability to Identify Fall Status of the Berg Balance Scale, BESTest, Mini-BESTest, and Brief-BESTest in Patients With COPD
Authors: Jácome Cristina , Cruz Joana , Oliveira Ana , Marques Alda 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), Mini-BESTest, and Brief-BESTest are useful in the assessment of balance. Their psychometric properties, however, have not been tested in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the validity, reliability, and ability to identify fall status of the BBS, BESTest, Mini-BESTest, and the Brief-BESTest in patients with COPD.DesignA cross-sectional study was conducted.MethodsForty-six patients (24 men, 22 women; mean age=75.9 years, SD=7.1) were included. Participants were asked to report their falls during the previous 12 months and to fill in the Activity-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. The BBS and the BESTest were administered. Mini-BESTest and Brief-BESTest scores were computed based on the participants' BESTest performance. Validity was assessed by correlating balance tests with each other and with the ABC Scale. Interrater reliability (2 raters), intrarater reliability (48–72 hours), and minimal detectable changes (MDCs) were established. Receiver operating characteristics assessed the ability of each balance test to differentiate between participants with and without a history of falls.ResultsBalance test scores were significantly correlated with each other (Spearman correlation rho=.73–.90) and with the ABC Scale (rho=.53–.75). Balance tests presented high interrater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]=.85–.97) and intrarater reliability (ICC=.52–.88) and acceptable MDCs (MDC=3.3–6.3 points). Although all balance tests were able to identify fall status (area under the curve=0.74–0.84), the BBS (sensitivity=73%, specificity=77%) and the Brief-BESTest (sensitivity=81%, specificity=73%) had the higher ability to identify fall status.LimitationsFindings are generalizable mainly to older patients with moderate COPD.ConclusionsThe 4 balance tests are valid, reliable, and valuable in identifying fall status in patients with COPD. The Brief-BESTest presented slightly higher interrater reliability and ability to differentiate participants' fall status.
Use of Rasch Analysis to Evaluate and Refine the Community Balance and Mobility Scale for Use in Ambulatory Community-Dwelling Adults Following Stroke
Authors: Miller Kimberly J. , Pollock Courtney L. , Brouwer Brenda , Garland S. Jayne 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CB&M) is increasingly used to evaluate walking balance following stroke.ObjectiveThis study applied Rasch analysis to evaluate and refine the CB&M for use in ambulatory community-dwelling adults following stroke.MethodsThe CB&M content was linked to task demands and motor skill classifications. Rasch analysis was used to evaluate internal construct validity (structural validity) and refine the CB&M for use with ambulatory community-dwelling adults following stroke. The CB&M data were collected at 3 time points: at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and at 6 and 12 months postdischarge (N=238). Rasch analysis evaluated scale dimensionality, item and person fit, item response bias, scoring hierarchy, and targeting. Disordered scoring hierarchy was resolved by collapsing scoring categories. Highly correlated and “misfitting” items were removed. Sensitivity to change was evaluated with standardized response means (SRMs) and one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance.ResultsThe CB&M was primarily linked to closed body transport task demands. Significant item-trait interaction, disordered scoring hierarchies, and multidimensionality were found. Scoring categories were collapsed in 15/19 items, and 5 misfitting items were removed. The resulting stroke-specific 14-item unidimensional CB&M (CB&MStroke) fit Rasch model expectations, with no item response bias, acceptable targeting (13% floor effects and 0% ceiling effects), and moderate-to-strong sensitivity to change at 6 months postdischarge (SRM=0.63; 95% confidence interval=−1.523, −0.142) and 12 months postdischarge (SRM=0.73; 95% confidence interval=−2.318, −0.760).LimitationsFindings are limited to a modest-sized sample of individuals with mild-to-moderate balance impairment following stroke.ConclusionsThe CB&MStroke shows promise as a clinical scale for measuring change in walking balance in ambulatory community-dwelling adults poststroke. Future studies are recommended in a larger sample to validate and further refine the scale for use in this clinical population.
Consequences of Bend Straightening Processes on Residual Stresses and Strength of Quenched and Tempered Steels
Authors: Schott C. , Ellermann A. , Zinn W. , Scholtes B. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBend straightening is a typical process step applied after heat treatment of e. g. axles and shafts. From a materials science perspective it is an elastic-plastic bending operation with a characteristic inhomogeneous deformation over the cross section of the component. Due to the local amount and distribution of plastic deformation alterations of residual stress fields result and phase transformations are possible. Consequently, bend-straightened components have inhomogeneous materials properties. In particular an anisotropy of strength exists which can be attributed to the position-dependent microstructure and sign of the residual stress state. In addition, a Bauschingereffect is possible which also has considerable impact on the deformation characteristic of the considered component. In the present paper the above mentioned aspects are demonstrated for quenched and tempered steel bars and shafts. Typical examples of residual stress states before and after straightening are presented as well as alterations of retained austenite distributions. Finally, the deformation behavior and strength of bend-straightened components is outlined and discussed.
Distortion of Gears and Sliding Sleeves for Truck Gear Boxes – a Systematical Analysis of Different Heat Treatment Concepts
Authors: Schüler A. , Kleff J. , Heuer V. , Schmitt G. , Leist T. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA systematical approach regardingdifferent distortion potentials in the process chain describes the influence on dimensional and shape changes of gears and sliding sleeves after case-hardening, like part geometry, cold and hot forming of blanks, carburizing concept and temperature profile, oil and gas quenching, as well as individual press and batch hardening. The results show an excellent potential of the new SyncroTherm® concept compared to the conventional case-hardening process for gears and sliding sleeves. Stable distortion characteristics even at elevated temperatures and without decreasing to hardening temperature as well as a good performance after two-dimensional batch quenching instead of the much more expensive individual press quenching were found in this study. Very sensitive part geometries are still a challenge. A clear limitation was found when processing cold formed blanks without annealing before soft machining.
From steward to leader: a decade of shifting roles for the PhD student
Authors: Balaban Corina 
Published: April 2016

Works on doctoral education reviewed:Golde, C. and Walker, M. (eds) (2006) Envisioning the Future of Doctoral Education: Preparing Stewards of the Discipline, Carnegie Essays on the Doctorate, Jossey-Bass.Walker, G.E., Golde, C.M., Jones, L., Bueschel, A.C. and Hutchings, P. (2008) The Formation of Scholars: Rethinking Doctoral Education for the Twenty-first Century, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, San Francisco: Wiley Imprint.Nerad, M. and Evans, B. (eds) (2014) Globalization and Its Impacts on the Quality of PhD Education: Forces and Forms in Doctoral Education Worldwide, Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.
Microscope-assisted endoscopic interlaminar ligation of spinal arteriovenous fistulas: technical note
Authors: Wang Chen , Chen Chien-Min , Shen Fang , Fang Xiao-Dong , Ying Guang-Yu , Ren Yu-Cheng , Yu Dan-Feng , Zhu Liang-Liang , Zhu Yong-Jian , Zhang Jian-Min 
Published: April 2016

Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs) are the most common type of spinal arteriovenous malformations, and microsurgical ligation is the treatment modality most frequently used for these lesions. Developments in endoscopic techniques have made endoscopy an even less invasive alternative to routine microsurgical approaches in spine surgery, but endoscopic management of SDAVF or other intradural spinal lesions has not been reported to date.
The authors describe the use of a microscope-assisted endoscopic interlaminar approach for the ligation of the proximal draining vein of an L-1 SDAVF in a 58-year-old man. A complete cure was confirmed by postoperative angiography. The postoperative course was uneventful, and short-term follow-up showed improvements in the patient's neurological function. The authors conclude that the endoscopic interlaminar approach with microscope assistance is a safe, minimally invasive, innovative technique for the surgical management of SDAVFs in selected patients.