bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of long-term stability of maxillary dental arch dimensions in patients treated with a transpalatal arch followed by fixed appliances
Authors: Raucci Gaetana , Elyasi Maryam , Pachêco-Pereira Camila , Grassia Vincenzo , d’Apuzzo Fabrizia , Flores-Mir Carlos , Perillo Letizia 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Background
The aim of this retrospective study was to identify which dental and/or cephalometric variables were predictors of long-term maxillary dental arch stability in patients treated with a transpalatal arch (TPA) during the mixed dentition phase followed by full fixed appliances in the permanent dentition.

Methods
Thirty-six patients, treated with TPA followed up by full fixed appliances, were divided into stable and relapse groups based on the long-term presence or not of relapse. Intercuspid, interpremolar and intermolar widths, arch length and perimeter, crowding, and upper incisor proclination were evaluated before treatment (T
0), post-TPA treatment (T
1), post-fixed appliance treatment (T
2), and a minimum of 3 years after full fixed appliances’ removal (T
3). A binary logistic regression was performed thereafter to evaluate the impact of the dental arch and cephalometric measurements at T
1 and the changes between T
0 and T
1 as predictive variables for relapse at T
3.

Results
The proposed model explained 42.7 % of the variance in treatment stability and correctly classified 72.2 % of the sample. Of the seven predictive variables, only upper anterior crowding (p = 0.029) was statistically significant. For every millimeter of decreased crowding at T
1 (after TPA treatment/before starting the fixed orthodontic treatment), there was an increase of 3.57 times in the odds of having stability.

Conclusions
The best predictor of relapse was maxillary crowding before treatment. The odds of relapse increase by 3.6 times for every millimeter of crowding at baseline.
Evidence-based surgery – evidence from survey and citation analysis in orthopaedic surgery
Authors: Kumar Malhar , Gopalakrishna Chethan , Swaminath Pazhayannur V , Mysore Sanjay S 
Published: July 2015

INTRODUCTION The results of a survey on evidence-based surgery (EBS) among members of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) are presented. The study also analyzes the citations earned by articles with different levels of evidence (LOE) to see if LOE have any bearing on the importance attached to the articles by authors and contributors to the journals. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The questionnaire was e-mailed to 1000 randomly chosen consultant orthopaedic surgeons who were members of either the AAOS or the BOA. Participants were provided with the option of responding through web-based entry. For citation analysis, citation data were gathered from the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American volume) between the years 2003 and 2007 (5-year period). RESULTS The survey showed that awareness and access to EBS have improved greatly over the years. At the present time, these factors are not important barriers to the implementation of EBS in clinical practice in developed countries. There was a statistically significant difference in those with and without additional qualifications with regard to the approach to EBS. However, an equal percentage of surgeons with and without additional qualifications felt that it was difficult to adhere to EBS guidelines in daily clinical practice. Citation analysis showed that readers of professional journals attach importance to LOE category of the article and tend to cite level-I evidence articles more than other articles.
The use of health related quality of life data to produce information sheets for patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Rogers SN , Hogg ES , Cheung WKA , Lai LKL , Jassal P , Lowe D 
Published: July 2015

Introduction Health related quality of life information gives patients and carers an indication of how they will be affected following treatment. Such knowledge can promote realistic expectations and help patients come to terms with their outcome. The aim of this paper is to describe the background development of patient information sheets produced at our unit. Methods The data were compiled using a common head and neck cancer specific quality of life questionnaire (University of Washington Quality of Life [UW-QOL]). There are 12 domains comprising activity, appearance, anxiety, chewing, mood, pain, recreation, saliva, shoulder, speech, swallowing and taste. The data were collected over 19 years at our unit and focus on follow-up records at around 2 years as this gives a good indication of health related quality of life in survivorship. UW-QOL questionnaires were available from 1,511 patients treated following primary diagnosis of head and neck cancer, and there were 24 subgroups based on cancer site, stage and treatment. There were 2 other subgroups: 132 having transoral laser resection and 176 having laryngectomy. Results The patient and carer research forum helped to design the information sheets, which display overall quality of life, percentages with ‘good’ outcome and ‘significant problem’ by domain, and the most important domains. Three examples are included in this paper: early stage oral cancer treated by surgery alone, early laryngeal cancer treated by surgery alone, and late stage oropharyngeal cancer treated by surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. All 26 subgroup information sheets are available in booklet form and on the internet. Conclusions How the surgical community best utilises this type of resource needs further research.
Co-Operation with Pre-Operative Cardiovascular Monitoring Amongst Children for Chair Dental General Anaesthesia
Authors: Seed Rachel , Boardman Charlotte , Davies Mark 
Published: July 2015

INTRODUCTION The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland (AAGBI) guidelines Recommendations for standards of monitoring during anaesthesia and recovery state that cardiovascular monitoring for induction of general anaesthesia should include pulse oximetry and non-invasive blood pressure measurement, but recognise that young patients may not co-operate sufficiently to allow this. The aim of this study was to look at levels of compliance possible for pulse oximetry and non-invasive blood pressure measurement, in a population known to be unco-operative with therapeutic interventions. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective review of 500 records of patients attending for chair dental general anaesthesia was carried out. It was recorded whether pre-operatively pulse oximetry and non-invasive blood pressure measurement had been allowed in addition to the child's age and sex. RESULTS Of the children, 52% were male and 48% were female. The age range was 2–15 years. Overall, 448 children co-operated with both pulse oximetry and non-invasive blood pressure measurement. Co-operation appeared to increase with increasing age. DISCUSSION Of the children, 90% were co-operative with pre-operative monitoring. It could easily be assumed that many of these children, who are referred for general anaesthesia because they are less co-operative than their peers, would not allow proper pre-operative cardiovascular monitoring. This does not appear to be the case. CONCLUSIONS The majority of children, including the very young, attending for chair dental general anaesthesia, will co-operate sufficiently to allow cardiovascular monitoring during induction of anaesthesia, even though the majority will not tolerate exodontia under local anaesthesia.
The use and abuse of abbreviations in orthopaedic literature
Authors: Kilshaw Michael J , Rooker Jemma , Harding Ian J 
Published: July 2015

INTRODUCTION Abbreviations are commonly used in medical literature. Their use has been associated with medical errors and they can be a source of irritation and misunderstanding. There are strict guidelines for their use. This study analysed the use of abbreviations in orthopaedic literature and compared adherence with guidelines in a general orthopaedic and spinal journal. It also examined orthopaedic professionals& understanding of abbreviations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The use of abbreviations in articles over a 3-month period in a general orthopaedic and spinal journal was analysed. The number of abbreviations and adherence with guidelines was recorded. A group of orthopaedic healthcare professionals were tested for their understanding of abbreviations. RESULTS Almost half of all abbreviations were not properly used and 30% of abbreviations were never defined. Abbreviations were used significantly more often in the spinal journal. Only 40% of abbreviations were correctly defined by the orthopaedic professionals tested. CONCLUSIONS Guidelines regarding the use of abbreviations are not being adhered to by authors or editors. The poor understanding of abbreviations underlines the importance of minimising their use and defining abbreviations when they are used.
Ultrasonography aids decision-making in children with abdominal pain
Authors: Scammell S , Lansdale N , Sprigg A , Campbell D , Marven S 
Published: July 2015

INTRODUCTION Although regular clinical assessment of the acute abdomen is considered best practice, ultrasonography confirming the presence of appendicitis will add to the decision-making process. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of ultrasonography and its usefulness in diagnosing acute appendicitis in a regional paediatric surgical institution. METHODS Retrospectively and in this order, radiology, theatre and histopathology databases were searched for patients who had presented with acute abdominal pain, patients who had undergone an appendicectomy and all appendix specimens over a two-year period. The databases were cross-referenced against each other. RESULTS A total of 273 non-incidental appendicectomies were performed over the study period. The negative appendicectomy rate was 16.5% and the perforation rate 23.7%. Thirty-nine per cent of children undergoing an appendicectomy had at least one pre-operative ultrasound scan. Ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool for acute appendicitis in children had a sensitivity of 83.3%, a specificity of 97.4 %, a positive predictive value of 92.1% and a negative predictive value of 94.0%. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasonography is used liberally to aid in the decision making process of equivocal and complicated cases of acute appendicitis and it achieves good measures of accuracy. As a diagnostic tool it is unique in its ability to positively predict as well as exclude. A high negative predictive value suggests that more patients could be managed on an outpatient basis following a negative scan.
Current UK practice in emergency laparotomy
Authors: Barrow E , Anderson ID , Varley S , Pichel AC , Peden CJ , Saunders DI , Murray D 
Published: July 2015

Introduction Emergency laparotomy is a common procedure, with 30,000–50,000 performed annually in the UK. This large scale study reports the current spectrum of emergency laparotomies, and the influence of the surgical procedure, underlying pathology and subspecialty of the operating surgeon on mortality. Methods Anonymised data on consecutive patients undergoing an emergency laparotomy were submitted for a three-month period. The primary outcome measure was unadjusted 30-day mortality. Appendicectomy and cholecystectomy were among the procedures excluded. Results Data from 1,708 patients from 35 National Health Service hospitals were analysed. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 14.8%. ‘True’ emergency laparotomies (ie those classified by the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death as immediate or urgent) comprised 86.5% of cases. The mortality rate rose from 8.0% among expedited cases to 14.3% among urgent cases and to 25.7% among laparotomies termed immediate. Among the most common index procedures, small bowel resection exhibited the highest 30-day mortality rate of 21.1%. The presence of abdominal sepsis was associated with raised 30-day mortality (17.5% in the presence of sepsis vs 12.6%, p=0.027). Colorectal procedures comprised 44.3% and within this group, data suggest that mortality from laparotomy may be influenced by surgical subspecialisation. Conclusions This report of a large number of patients undergoing emergency laparotomy in the UK confirms a remarkably high mortality by modern standards across the range. Very few pathologies or procedures can be considered anything other than high risk. The need for routine consultant involvement and critical care is evident, and the case distribution helps define the surgical skill set needed for a modern emergency laparotomy service. Preliminary data relating outcomes from emergency colonic surgery to surgical subspecialty require urgent further study.
Testing Biochar As a Possible Way To Ameliorate Slightly Acidic Soil At The Research Field Located In The Danubian Lowland
Authors: Horák Ján 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
One-year field experiment with spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was carried out to evaluate the effect of biochar amendment on the pH of Orthic Luvisol at the research site located in western Slovakia (lat. 48° 19′ 00″; lon. 18° 09′ 00″). Biochar with higher pH (8.8) was applied to slightly acidic soils with the initial pH at 5.6. The field experiment consisted of control, 10 and 20 t ha−1 (B0, B10, B20) of biochar application to soils combined with three levels of nitrogen fertilization (0, 40 and 80 kg N ha−1) (N0, N40, N80). The soil pH (KCl) at depth 0–10 cm was measured once a month (March – October, 2014). Application of both biochar rates (10 and 20 t ha−1) increased pH (in all months) with the magnitude of 0.13–1.09 units in all three fertilization levels (0, 40 and 80 kg N ha−1) compared to the control one. However, the significant increase (p <0.05) was found only in the treatment B10N0 (3 of 8 measurement events) and B20N0 (6 of 8 measurements) when no nitrogen was applied and in the treatment B20N80 (5 of 8 measurements) when 80 kg of nitrogen was applied. According to this, the biochar incorporation to soil can be suggested as a possible way to ameliorate soils and may be effective in increasing soil pH.
Zootechnical Index Analysis of West African Dwarf Rams in Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Popoola Moshood Abiola 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
The study was conducted to evaluate the zootechnical index analysis of West African Dwarf (WAD) rams. Twenty body measurements were taken on 100 WAD rams of average ages of 18-24 months. Data collected were subjected to PROCMEANS procedure of the SAS (2004) package. The average body weight of the animals was 39.20 ± 0.95 kg, the coefficient of variation indicated variability between 1.45% (head width) and 12.90% (body weight) which were the lowest and highest variability, respectively. Thus, a moderate variability of coefficient of variation ranging between 8% and 12.90% in all morphological measures was considered. Also the variability between the rams with respect to the zootechnical indices is indicated by their coefficient of variation which ranged between 0.11% (length) to 10.80% (cephalic). There was a positive and significant correlation between body weight and other phenotypic traits (P < 0.001) except for ear width, chest girth, neck length, neck width, and also head width. The result obtained in this study revealed that the estimated zootechnical indices reinforced classification of WAD breed as a small-sized and short-shaped body frame suitable for the sporting activities as preferred by the users.
Aerodynamic properties of lentil seeds
Authors: Shahbazi Feizollah , Valizadeh Saman , Dowlatshah Ali , Hassanzadeh Ezatollah 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Aerodynamic properties of solid materials have long been used to convey and separate seeds and grains during post-harvest operations. The objective of this study was evaluation of the aerodynamic properties of green and red lentil seeds as a function of moisture content from 10 to 25% (w.b.). The results showed that as the moisture content increased from 10 to 25%, the terminal velocity of seeds increased, following a linear relationship, from 6.90 to 9.14 and from 6.37 to 7.67 m s−1 for green and red lentil seeds, respectively. Seeds of the green variety had terminal velocities with a mean value of 7.89 m s−1, while the red variety had a mean value of 7.02 m s−1, for moisture content from 10 to 25%. The Reynolds number increased linearly from 2 310.90 to 3 269.23 and from 1 215.02 to 1 535.09 for green and red lentil seeds, respectively, with the increase of seeds moisture content from 10 to 25%. While, drag coefficient decreased from 0.69 to 0.40 and from 0.84 to 0.69 for green and red lentil seeds, respectively, with the increase of moisture content. Mathematical relationships were developed to relate the change in seeds moisture content with the values of aerodynamic properties obtained. The analysis of variance showed that the effect of moisture content on all aerodynamic properties of lentil beans was significant at the 1% probability level.
Umberto Eco and Charles Peirce: A slow and respectful convergence
Authors: Proni Giampaolo 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe aim of the essay is to link Eco’s theory of the Encyclopedia as regulative hypothesis with his theory of interpretation, by evidencing the intrinsic dynamic character of the encyclopedic model. Eco adopts Peirce’s view of semiosis as a flow of interpretants, but the notion of semantic model is not to be found in the work of the American. Eco is thus attracted by the challenge of combining the process-based model of interpretation and the formal model of semantic system. The attempt meets with some difficulties due to the difference between the two approaches. Yet, it is argued that this attempt opens a fascinating landscape to future research.
State and Mafia, Differences and Similarities
Authors: Alfano Vincenzo 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
The purpose of this article is to investigate about the differences and, if any, the similarities among the modern State and the mafia criminal organizations. In particular, starting from their definitions, I will try to find the differences between State and mafia, to then focus on the operational aspects of the functioning of these two organizations, with specific reference to the effect/impact that both these human constructs have on citizens’ existences, and especially on citizen’s economic lives. All this in order to understand whether it is possible to identify an objective difference – beside morals – between taxation by the modern State and extortion by criminal organizations. With this of course I do not want to argue that the mafia is in any way justifiable or absolvable, nor that it is better than the State. However, I want to investigate whether there is a real, logical reason why the State should be considered by the citizens more desirable than the criminal organizations oppressing Southern Italy, from a strictly logical point of view and not from the point of view of ethics and morality.
Theory of the Whole and the Part – Ontological Perspective (E. Husserl, R. Ingarden)
Authors: Barska Katarzyna 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
The purpose of the paper is demonstrate the thesis that Ingarden's ontological system allows a better understanding of the “part-whole” problem then previous theories. Especially, if we take into account the existential ontology of Ingarden, which refers to Husserl “part-whole” theory, we can see that development of terms made by Ingarden sheds new light on old problems. In this context, particularly important is to distinguish between two existential moments: contingancy/inseparatness, because thanks to them we can talk about many different types of relationships and hence many types of objects.
The Potential of Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography for the Pattern Individualization of Macromolecular Materials
Authors: De Forest PR 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
In an investigation almost any article or material may come to the attention of the forensic scientist as physical evidence. Frequently he is asked to test the existence of an association or common origin between the questioned material and some other sample to the exclusion of all (ideally) other similar samples of the same group or class. This process or operation is referred to as individualization by forensic Scientists. If the sample is an object which has certain morphological peculiarities or physical markings, these may be compared with those on an item that is thought to have been associated with the questioned one to test this hypothesis. If, however, the item or material lacks these markings, it may be necessary to consider compositional differences. The approach used to study such differences will vary depending on the general type of material being analyzed.
In-vitro effects of garlic extracts on pathogenic fungi Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium expansum and Neofabraea alba
Authors: Daniel Chanel K. , Lennox Cheryl L. , Vries Filicity A. 
Published: July 2015

The antifungal activity of garlic extracts applied directly and through volatile release was tested against the growth of postharvest pathogens Botrytis cinerea, Penicillium expansum and Neofabraea alba. Mycelial growth of B. cinerea and P. expansum was inhibited by aqueous and ethanol dilutions on garlic extract amended media (direct method) in a dose-response manner. The aqueous dilution was more effective than the ethanol dilution. Both dilutions inhibited mycelial growth of N. alba to a similar extent but no trend in data was noted across the concentration range. Calculated EC50 values indicated that 13.36% and 8.09% aqueous dilutions could be used to inhibit growth of B. cinerea and P. expansum, respectively; however, values generated for N. alba either bordered on or exceeded the concentration range. The volatile vapour application of garlic was able to inhibit mycelial growth and spore germination of all pathogens at concentrations as low as 20%. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis showed that 85.95% of compounds present in the garlic sample belonged to a sulphur or sulphur-derived group. Allicin, the active component of garlic, was not found; however, breakdown products of allicin were present in high amounts. Overall, the antifungal activity of garlic extracts for the control of B. cinerea and P. expansum was confirmed. Further investigations into the antifungal effect of garlic extracts on N. alba is required, although garlic volatiles seem to be effective. This report is the first of antifungal activity of garlic extracts against N. alba – the causal agent of bull’s eye rot, one of the major diseases of apples.