bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metal Ion Removal from Wastewaters by Sorption on Activated Carbon, Cement Kiln Dust, and Sawdust
Authors: Shaheen Sabry M. , Eissa Fawzy I. , Ghanem Khaled M. , El‐Din Hala M. Gamal , Anany Fathia S. Al 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT: This study assessed the efficiency of activated carbon, cement kiln dust (CKD), and sawdust for the removal of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) from aqueous solutions under mono‐metal and competitive sorption systems and the removal of Cd, Cu, and Zn from different industrial wastewaters. Batch equilibrium experiments were conducted in a mono‐metal and competitive sorption system. The efficiency of the sorbents in the removal of Cd, Cu, and Zn from industrial wastewaters was also investigated. Cement kiln dust expressed the highest affinity for the metals followed by activated carbon and sawdust. Competition among the metals changed their distribution coefficient (Kd) with the sorbents. Sorption of Pb and Cu was higher than Cd and Zn. The average metal removal from the wastewaters varied from 74, 61, and 60% for Cd, Cu, and Zn, respectively, to nearly 100%. The efficiencies of CKD and activated carbon in removing metals were higher than sawdust, suggesting their potential as low‐cost sorbents for the removal of toxic metals from wastewaters.
Monitoring of Nitrate and Pesticide Pollution in Mnasra, Morocco Soil and Groundwater
Authors: Marouane Bouchra , Dahchour Abdelmalek , Dousset Sylvie , El Hajjaji Souad 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT: This study evaluates the levels of nitrates and pesticides occurring in groundwater and agricultural soil in the Mnasra, Morocco area, a zone with intensive agricultural activity. A set of 108 water samples and 68 soil samples were collected from ten selected sites in the area during agricultural seasons, from May 2010 to September 2012. The results reveal that 89.7% of water samples exceeded the standard limit of nitrate concentrations for groundwater (50 mg/L). These results can be explained by the prevailing sandy nature of the soil in the area, the frequency of fertilizer usage, and the shallow level of the water table, which favors the leaching of nitrate from field to groundwater. In contrast, the selected pesticide molecules were not detected in the analysed soil and water samples; levels were below the quantification limit in all samples. This situation could be explained by the probable partial or total transformation of the molecules in soil.
Intraoperative subcortical motor evoked potential stimulation: how close is the corticospinal tract?
Authors: Shiban Ehab , Krieg Sandro M. , Haller Bernhard , Buchmann Niels , Obermueller Thomas , Boeckh-Behrens Tobias , Wostrack Maria , Meyer Bernhard , Ringel Florian 
Published: June 2015

OBJECT
Subcortical stimulation is a method used to evaluate the distance from the stimulation site to the corticospinal tract (CST) and to decide whether the resection of an adjacent lesion should be terminated to prevent damage to the CST. However, the correlation between stimulation intensity and distance to the CST has not yet been clearly assessed. The objective of this study was to investigate the appropriate correlation between the subcortical stimulation pattern and the distance to the CST.

METHODS
Monopolar subcortical motor evoked potential (MEP) mapping was performed in addition to continuous MEP monitoring in 37 consecutive patients with lesions located in motor-eloquent locations. The proximity of the resection cavity to the CST was identified by subcortical MEP mapping. At the end of resection, the point at which an MEP response was still measurable with minimal subcortical MEP intensity was marked with a titanium clip. At this location, different stimulation paradigms were executed with cathodal or anodal stimulation at 0.3-, 0.5-, and 0.7-msec pulse durations. Postoperatively, the distance between the CST as defined by postoperative diffusion tensor imaging fiber tracking and the titanium clip was measured. The correlation between this distance and the subcortical MEP electrical charge was calculated.

RESULTS
Subcortical MEP mapping was successful in all patients. There were no new permanent motor deficits. Transient new postoperative motor deficits were observed in 14% (5/36) of cases. Gross-total resection was achieved in 75% (27/36) and subtotal resection (> 80% of tumor mass) in 25% (9/36) of cases. Stimulation intensity with various pulse durations as well as current intensity was plotted against the measured distance between the CST and the titanium clip on postoperative MRI using diffusion-weighted imaging fiberitracking tractography. Correlational and regression analyses showed a nonlinear correlation between stimulation intensity and the distance to the CST. Cathodal stimulation appeared better suited for subcortical stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS
Subcortical MEP mapping is an excellent intraoperative method to determine the distance to the CST during resection of motor-eloquent lesions and is highly capable of further reducing the risk of a new neurological deficit.
Preservation of multidimensional quality of life after endoscopic pituitary adenoma resection
Authors: McCoul Edward D. , Bedrosian Jeffrey C. , Akselrod Olga , Anand Vijay K. , Schwartz Theodore H. 
Published: June 2015

OBJECT
Pituitary adenomas are well suited to resection by a minimal-access endoscopic technique. Validation of this approach requires prospective outcome studies to determine the impact on quality of life (QOL). This study aims to assess the effect of endoscopic pituitary adenoma resection on site-specific and sinonasal-related QOL before and after endoscopic surgery using validated instruments.

METHODS
Consecutive adult patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal resection of pituitary adenoma were prospectively enrolled from a single tertiary care center. All patients completed the Anterior Skull Base Questionnaire (ASBQ) and the 22-Item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) preoperatively and then at regular intervals after surgery to assess their perceived QOL with regard to hormonal, surgical, and anatomical factors.

RESULTS
Eighty-one of 114 patients were eligible for study; median follow-up was 16 months. This cohort included 24 (29.6%) nonsecreting macroadenomas and 57 (70.4%) hypersecreting tumors. There was significant improvement in the mean ASBQ score at 12 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery (p < 0.05), while postoperative SNOT-22 scores, at the same time points, showed no significant difference from preoperative scores. Both ASBQ and SNOT-22 scores showed transient worsening at 3 weeks postoperatively. Subtotal resection correlated with worse QOL, both overall and among patients with hypersecreting tumors (p < 0.05). Extrasellar tumor extension, intraoperative CSF leakage, and a reconstruction technique during surgery did not impact postoperative QOL. Visual disturbances did not significantly alter QOL. There were no postoperative CSF leaks in this series.

CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic resection of pituitary adenoma is associated with long-term improvements in site-specific QOL and stability in sinonasal QOL when assessed pre- and postoperatively with validated instruments. Subtotal resection was the only factor that negatively impacted postoperative QOL. Therefore, gross-total resection should be attempted for all patients to optimize QOL after surgery.
Longitudinal evaluation of corticospinal tract in patients with resected brainstem cavernous malformations using high-definition fiber tractography and diffusion connectometry analysis: preliminary experience
Authors: Faraji Amir H. , Abhinav Kumar , Jarbo Kevin , Yeh Fang-Cheng , Shin Samuel S. , Pathak Sudhir , Hirsch Barry E. , Schneider Walter , Fernandez-Miranda Juan C. , Friedlander Robert M. 
Published: June 2015

OBJECT
Brainstem cavernous malformations (CMs) are challenging due to a higher symptomatic hemorrhage rate and potential morbidity associated with their resection. The authors aimed to preoperatively define the relationship of CMs to the perilesional corticospinal tracts (CSTs) by obtaining qualitative and quantitative data using high-definition fiber tractography. These data were examined postoperatively by using longitudinal scans and in relation to patients’ symptomatology. The extent of involvement of the CST was further evaluated longitudinally using the automated “diffusion connectometry” analysis.

METHODS
Fiber tractography was performed with DSI Studio using a quantitative anisotropy (QA)-based generalized deterministic tracking algorithm. Qualitatively, CST was classified as being “disrupted” and/or “displaced.” Quantitative analysis involved obtaining mean QA values for the CST and its perilesional and nonperilesional segments. The contralateral CST was used for comparison. Diffusion connectometry analysis included comparison of patients’ data with a template from 90 normal subjects.

RESULTS
Three patients (mean age 22 years) with symptomatic pontomesencephalic hemorrhagic CMs and varying degrees of hemiparesis were identified. The mean follow-up period was 37.3 months. Qualitatively, CST was partially disrupted and displaced in all. Direction of the displacement was different in each case and progressively improved corresponding with the patient’s neurological status. No patient experienced neurological decline related to the resection. The perilesional mean QA percentage decreases supported tract disruption and decreased further over the follow-up period (Case 1, 26%–49%; Case 2, 35%–66%; and Case 3, 63%–78%). Diffusion connectometry demonstrated rostrocaudal involvement of the CST consistent with the quantitative data.

CONCLUSIONS
Hemorrhagic brainstem CMs can disrupt and displace perilesional white matter tracts with the latter occurring in unpredictable directions. This requires the use of tractography to accurately define their orientation to optimize surgical entry point, minimize morbidity, and enhance neurological outcomes. Observed anisotropy decreases in the perilesional segments are consistent with neural injury following hemorrhagic insults. A model using these values in different CST segments can be used to longitudinally monitor its craniocaudal integrity. Diffusion connectometry is a complementary approach providing longitudinal information on the rostrocaudal involvement of the CST.
Correlation of high delta-like ligand 4 expression with peritumoral brain edema and its prediction of poor prognosis in patients with primary high-grade gliomas
Authors: Qiu Xian-xin , Wang Chen-hong , Lin Zhi-xiong , You Na , Wang Xing-fu , Chen Yu-peng , Chen Long , Liu Shui-yuan , Kang De-zhi 
Published: June 2015

OBJECT
Peritumoral brain edema (PTBE) is a common phenomenon associated with high-grade gliomas (HGGs). In this study, the authors investigated the expression of Notch delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) and its correlation with PTBE and prognosis in patients with an HGG.

METHODS
Tumors from 99 patients with HGG were analyzed for DLL4 expression using immunohistochemistry. PTBE on preoperative MR images and the relationship between PTBE and DLL4 expression were evaluated. The effect of DLL4 on patient prognosis was assessed by using Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox proportional hazard models.

RESULTS
Immunohistochemistry results revealed that the expression of DLL4 was distributed primarily within the cytoplasm of tumor vascular endothelial cells and seldom detected in tumor cells. DLL4 expression was correlated positively with the degree of edema (r = 0.845 and p < 0.001, Spearman’s test). In addition, DLL4 was an independent predictor of prognosis in patients with HGGs (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS
DLL4 expression was correlated positively with the degree of PTBE and was an independent unfavorable prognostic indicator in patients with HGG.
Brief intraoperative heparinization and blood loss in anterior lumbar spine surgery
Authors: Sim Emma M. , Claydon Matthew H. , Parker Rhiannon M. , Malham Gregory M. 
Published: June 2015

OBJECT
The anterior approach to the lumbar spine may be associated with iliac artery thrombosis. Intraoperative heparin can be administered to prevent thrombosis; however, there is a concern that this will increase the procedural blood loss. The aim of this study was to examine whether intraoperative heparin can be administered without increasing blood loss in anterior lumbar spine surgery.

METHODS
A prospective study of consecutive anterior approaches for lumbar spine surgery was performed between January 2009 and June 2014 by a single vascular surgeon and a single spine surgeon. Patients underwent an anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) at L4–5 and/or L5–S1, a total disc replacement (TDR) at L4–5 and/or L5–S1, or a hybrid procedure with a TDR at L4–5 and an ALIF at L5–S1. Heparin was administered intravenously when arterial flow to the lower limbs was interrupted during the procedure. Heparin was usually reversed on removal of the causative retraction.

RESULTS
The cohort consisted of 188 patients with a mean age of 41.7 years; 96 (51.1%) were male. Eighty-four patients (44.7%) had an ALIF, 57 (30.3%) had a TDR, and 47 (25.0%) had a hybrid operation with a TDR at L4–5 and an ALIF at L5–S1. One hundred thirty-four patients (71.3%) underwent a single-level procedure (26.9% L4–5 and 73.1% L5–S1) and 54 (28.7%) underwent a 2-level procedure (L4–5 and L5–S1). Seventy-two patients (38.3%) received heparinization intraoperatively. Heparin was predominantly administered during hybrid operations (68.1%), 2-level procedures (70.4%), and procedures involving the L4–5 level (80.6%).
There were no intraoperative ischemic vascular complications reported in this series. There was 1 postoperative deep venous thrombosis.
The overall mean estimated blood loss (EBL) for the heparin group (389.7 ml) was significantly higher than for the nonheparin group (160.5 ml) (p < 0.0001). However, when all variables were analyzed with multiple linear regression, only the prosthesis used and level treated were found to be significant in blood loss (p < 0.05). The highest blood loss occurred in hybrid procedures (448.1 ml), followed by TDR (302.5 ml) and ALIF (99.7 ml). There were statistically significant differences between the EBL during ALIF compared with TDR and hybrid (p < 0.0001), but not between TDR and hybrid. The L4–5 level was associated with significantly higher blood loss (384.9 ml) compared with L5–S1 (111.4 ml) (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS
During an anterior exposure for lumbar spine surgery, the administration of heparin does not significantly increase blood loss. The prosthesis used and level treated were found to significantly increase blood loss, with TDR and the L4–5 level having greater blood loss compared with ALIF and L5–S1, respectively. Heparin can be administered safely to help prevent thrombotic intraoperative vascular complications without increasing blood loss.
Relationship between ventricular size, white matter injury, and neurocognition in children with stable, treated hydrocephalus
Authors: Kulkarni Abhaya V. , Donnelly Ruth , Mabbott Donald J. , Widjaja Elysa 
Published: June 2015

OBJECT
Larger-than-normal ventricles can persist in children following hydrocephalus treatment, even if they are asymptomatic and clinically well. This study aims to answer the following question: do large ventricles result in brain injuries that are detectable on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and/or in measurable neurocognitive deficits in children with stable, treated hydrocephalus that are not seen in children with small ventricles?

METHODS
For this prospective study, we recruited 23 children (age range 8–18 years) with hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis or tectal glioma who were asymptomatic following hydrocephalus treatment that had been performed at least 2 years earlier. All patients underwent detailed DTI and a full battery of neuropsychological tests. Correlation analysis was performed to assess the relationship between DTI parameters, neurocognitive tests, and ventricular size. The false-discovery rate method was used to adjust for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS
The median age of these 23 children at the time of assessment was 15.0 years (interquartile range [IQR] 12.1–17.6 years), and the median age at the first hydrocephalus treatment was 5.8 years (IQR 2.2 months–12.8 years). At the time of assessment, 17 children had undergone endoscopic third ventriculostomy and 6 children had received a shunt. After adjusting for multiple comparisons, there were no significant correlations between any neurocognitive test and ventricular volume, any DTI parameter and ventricular volume, or any DTI parameter and neurocognitive test.

CONCLUSIONS
Our data do not show an association between large ventricular size and additional white matter injury or worse neurocognitive deficits in asymptomatic children with stable, treated hydrocephalus caused by a discrete blockage of the cerebral aqueduct. Further investigations using larger patient samples are needed to validate these results.
Quantification of Uptake and Clearance of Acyclovir in Skin Layers
Authors: Nair Anroop B 
Published: June 2015

Background Quantification of drug uptake and clearance in the skin layers could provide better insight into the skin kinetics of dermatological formulations aimed for deeper skin tissues. This study assessed the skin kinetics of acyclovir in different skin layers following topical application on the abdominal region of Wistar rats. Methods In vivo skin pharmacokinetics parameters were determined by two different protocols such as post drug load assessment and subsequent drug load assessment following topical application of 500 mg of cream formulation containing 5% (w/w) of acyclovir. Results Topical application of acyclovir exhibited concentration gradient between the skin layers (stratum corneum > viable epidermis > dermis) which were inconsistent over the time-course of the study. The rate and extent of drug reaching target site (basal epidermis) was relatively low. The drug uptake and clearance pro-files were found to be distinct in all the three skin layers suggesting no drug concentration correlation ( P<0.05) between skin layers. Drug concentration in the viable epidermis continued to increase even after termination of therapy (Tmax=4 h) and then declined rapidly. The availability of acyclovir in the target was comparatively low (approximately 0.4% of the applied dose) although an order of magnitude higher percentage was determined in the stratum corneum. Conclusions The data observed in this study demonstrates low skin uptake and rapid clearance of acyclovir in the target site. Further, the methodology employed can be useful for studying other topical antiviral agents as well as for optimizing formulations for drugs (such as acyclovir) that may enhance their efficacy.
Additions to the Encyrtidae and Mymaridae (Chalcidoidea) of India with new distribution and host records for some species
Authors: Rameshkumar A. , Poorani J. , V Naveen 
Published: June 2015

Encyrtidae and Mymaridae of India have not been surveyed in depth and hosts are not known for most of the species as the methods of collections used are passive and do not yield firsthand information on the hosts. Based on our ongoing surveys on the Encyrtidae and Mymaridae of India, we report here new distribution and host records for some species.
Acmopolynema campylurum Xu and Lin, Litus cynipseus Haliday, Omyomymar glabrum Lin and Chiappini and Platystethynium Ogloblin (Mymaridae), and Rhytidothorax purpureiscutellum (Girault) (Encyrtidae) are reported for the first time from India. Anagyrus aquilonaris (Noyes and Hayat) is recorded as new to Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. Paraphaenodiscus indicus Singh and Agarwal and Paraphaenodiscus monawari Bhuiya are recorded from south India for the first time, the latter on a new host, Pulvinaria polygonata. Chorizococcus sorghi Williams (Pseudococcidae) is reported as a host for Cryptanusia ajmerensis (Fatma & Shafee), for which no hosts are hitherto known and the male of Cryptanusia is documented for the first time. Aclerda sp. is recorded as a new host for Neastymachus axillaris Singh, Agarwal and Basha.
La « qualité » des carrières des cadres français
Authors: Pralong Jean , Peretti Marie 
Published: June 2015

La diversification croissante des trajectoires des cadres est régulièrement rappelée mais jamais réellement décrite. Pour répondre à cette lacune, cet article propose la notion de « qualité de carrière. » Elle est présentée en fonction des évolutions des marchés du travail des cadres ainsi qu’en fonction des critiques adressées aux notions de succès objectif et subjectif de carrière. Une échelle de « qualité de carrière » est construite, testée et validée sur un échantillon de 784 cadres. Elle permet une perspective comparative et l’ouverture d’un débat sur l’hétérogénéisation, plutôt que la diversification, des carrières des cadres français.
Proche-Orient : géopolitique des dynamiques agraires
Authors: Blanc Pierre 
Published: June 2015

La géopolitique a depuis longtemps rompu avec ses anciennes définitions, entachées à tout le moins de mauvaise réputation. N’étant plus une discipline au service des ambitions territoriales de certains États, elle se fixe seulement d’analyser les rivalités de pouvoir sur les territoires, entretenues par des représentations antagonistes qui s’alimentent à plusieurs sources. Selon cette définition lacostienne, l’agriculture est bien une question géopolitique en ce sens que cette activité, très liée au territoire, est traversée par des rivalités d’acteurs à différentes échelles et qu’elle peut se retrouver mêlée à des ambitions de puissance et des desseins géostratégiques. Il est clair que l’agriculture endosse plusieurs fonctions géopolitiques : la fonction nourricière qui a à voir avec les questions de sécurité et d’indépendance, la fonction spatiale qui est un réel atout quand il s’agit de couvrir des espaces disputés, la fonction horogénétique qui signifie que l’agriculture et ses ressources sont parfois au cœur des dessins de frontières ou des revendications territoriales, la fonction politique qui traduit la prégnance de la question foncière dans les séquences politiques de moult États, la fonction identitaire car l’agriculture et la « paysannerie » sont un vecteur d’identité politique, et la fonction hydropolitique qui tient au fait que l’irrigation est un déterminant des « guerres de l’eau ». Eu égard à son degré de conflictualité, le Proche-Orient est exemplaire de cette géopolitique.
Géopolitique de l’agriculture indienne
Authors: Racine Jean-Luc 
Published: June 2015

Dans un pays de plus de 1,2 milliard d’habitants où 50 % des emplois sont encore agricoles, la géopolitique de l’agriculture est évidemment multiforme. Dans le cadre national, les tensions persistent entre États de l’Union indienne sur le partage des eaux fluviales indispensables aux cultures irriguées, mais de nouvelles formes de luttes opposent des communautés locales, paysannes ou tribales, aux grands projets industriels ou miniers qui entendent les déplacer sans compensation acceptable, tandis que la guérilla maoïste des naxalites persiste dans le « corridor rouge » de l’Inde centrale. La question sensible du partage des eaux complique aussi les relations de l’Inde avec ses voisins, surtout avec le Pakistan, mais aussi avec Népal, Bangladesh et Chine. Enfin, l’Inde défend avec vigueur ses intérêts au sein de l’OMC, qu’elle a bloquée plusieurs mois en 2014 sur la question des subventions liées aux stocks alimentaires nationaux. Le nouveau gouvernement de Narendra Modi, favorable à l’industrialisation et à l’agrobusiness, commence à redéfinir les politiques agricoles, forestières et environnementales dans un sens qui pourrait susciter de nouveaux conflits.