bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploration of building adaptations and retrofitting challenges in Ghana
Authors: Oppong R.A. , Masahudu M. 
Published: November 2014

Purpose– The Ghanaian banking industry has over the last 20 years witnessed tremendous growth to the extent that rural banks are now expanding their activities into urban centres. Hitherto, rural banks operated in rural and peri-urban areas in Ghana, but nowadays, there is an upsurge of rural banks activities in the urban centres of Ghana; and, they operate from rented premises, most of which are existing buildings in the urban areas. To meet the banking demands and the urban banking competitions such as the introduction of new technologies and regulations, the rural banks endeavour to expand (refurbish) the old/existing buildings with inherent adaptation and retrofitting challenges. Even though, adaptation and retrofit projects may not be popular in Ghana at large scales, this paper through combined methodology of constructive dialogue, case studies and condition survey approaches presents rural banks projects in Ghana as case studies of refurbishment and maintenance to “unearth” and resonate some key challenges of managing adaptation and retrofits in Ghana for future effective projects management solutions during their conception and execution. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach– Through combined methodology of constructive dialogue, case studies and condition survey approaches this paper presents rural banks projects in Ghana as case studies of refurbishment and maintenance to “unearth” and resonate some key challenges of adaptation and retrofit projects.Findings– The condition survey revealed unprecedented infrastructural drive by rural banks throughout Ghana and their desire to penetrate the urban areas as well. However, this drive unfortunately as it appeared, is not informed and carried out within the confines and dictates of existing legislations in Ghana. Again, it was found that adaptations and retrofitting will improve and integrate the rural banks in the urban economy through prudent project management practices.Research limitations/implications– Availability of local researches and literature on adaptations and retrofitting as project management practices in Ghana.Practical implications– Retrofitting and adaptation projects in Ghana is crucial for project management practices on low-impact building as Ghana faces energy challenges.Social implications– This research brings to bear realistic programme to build capacity of personnel to strategically integrate the rural banks into the central banking system of Ghana as well as project management practices through better and effective monitoring for social, ethical and equity impacts of their project managers.Originality/value– Apparently, adaptation and retrofit projects are not be popular in Ghana at large scales and this is the first time an academic paper of a kind has been written to guide and manage future adaptation and retrofit projects during their conception and execution as well as project management practices in general.
Musical Chiaroscuro in French Baroque Opera: The Case of Abbé Pellegrin's Tragédies en Musique
Authors: PINTIAUX BENJAMIN 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe libretti of Simon‐Joseph Pellegrin's tragédies en musique are a perfect example of the use and functioning of musical clair‐obscur in French opera in the eighteenth century. They illustrate the way it shapes and structures them both from a micro and macro point of view, with a rich typology of arias as well as literary and musical patterns. The need for variety and contrast and the systematic alternation between different types of arias, lyrical forms, registers, scenes and genres help structure French opera of the Enlightenment.
Critical Appraisal of Emergency Medicine Education Research: The Best Publications of 2013
Authors: Farrell Susan E. , Kuhn Gloria J. , Coates Wendy C. , Shayne Phillip H. , Fisher Jonathan , Maggio Lauren A. , Lin Michelle 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObjectivesThe objective was to critically appraise and highlight methodologically superior medical education research articles published in 2013 whose outcomes are pertinent to teaching and education in emergency medicine (EM).MethodsA search of the English‐language literature in 2013 querying Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), PsychINFO, PubMed, and Scopus identified 251 EM‐related studies using hypothesis‐testing or observational investigations of educational interventions. Two reviewers independently screened all of the publications and removed articles using established exclusion criteria. Six reviewers then independently scored the remaining 43 publications using either a qualitative a or quantitative scoring system, based on the research methodology of each article. Each scoring system consisted of nine criteria. Selected criteria were based on accepted educational review literature and chosen a priori. Both scoring systems used parallel scoring metrics and have been used previously within this annual review.ResultsForty‐three medical education research papers (37 quantitative and six qualitative studies) met the a priori criteria for inclusion and were reviewed. Six quantitative and one qualitative study were scored and ranked most highly by the reviewers as exemplary and are summarized in this article.ConclusionsThis annual critical appraisal article aims to promote superior research in EM‐related education, by reviewing and highlighting seven of 43 major education research studies, meeting a priori criteria, and published in 2013. Common methodologic pitfalls in the 2013 papers are noted, and current trends in medical education research in EM are discussed.
Effect of Intubation for Gamma‐hydroxybutyric Acid Overdose on Emergency Department Length of Stay and Hospital Admission
Authors: Dietze Paul , Horyniak Danielle , Agius Paul , Munir Venita , Smit de Villiers , Johnston Jennifer , Fry Craig L. , Degenhardt Louisa 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObjectivesThe objective was to examine the effect of endotracheal intubation on emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) and admission rates for patients with gamma‐hydroxybutyrate (GHB) overdose.MethodsA 3‐year retrospective electronic and paper audit of recreational drug presentations was carried out at two major inner‐city EDs in Melbourne, Australia. Different GHB overdose management strategies exist at the respective audit sites, namely: 1) all patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 8 or less are intubated or 2) uncomplicated patients with GCS scores of 8 or less are managed without intubation (conservative management), unless further complications arise. This difference allows for comparison of the effects of intubation. All suspected GHB‐related cases (defined as cases where GHB or its analogs gamma‐butyrolactone or 1,4‐butanediol were recorded) in which altered consciousness state was noted as a presenting symptom at triage were selected from all recreational drug‐related presentations occurring between January 2008 and December 2010. The relationship between intubation and the primary outcome, ED LOS, was examined using robust regression after adjustment for potential confounders. The relationship between intubation and admission status (admission to hospital versus discharge) was also examined using logistic regression.ResultsAfter adjustment for potential confounders such as GCS score, intubation of GHB‐related cases in the ED was associated with an increase in mean LOS of 41% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 19% to 65%) and an increase in the odds of admission to hospital of 9.95 (95% CI = 2.36 to 41.88) at one hospital site, compared to conservative airway management.ConclusionsConservative airway management (no intubation) is associated with shorter ED LOS in cases of uncomplicated GHB‐related coma in the ED and may also be associated with lower admission rates for these patients.
National Institutes of Health Support for Individual Mentored Career Development Grants in Emergency Medicine
Authors: Brown Jeremy 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObjectivesIndividual mentored career (K) awards made by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are an important way for medical researchers to develop their research skills. This study determined the number of individual mentored (K) awards awarded to emergency medicine (EM) faculty over a 6‐year period and compared it with six other specialties.MethodsThe NIH database of both submitted and funded K01, K08, and K23 applications was queried and crossed with the departmental affiliation of the principal investigator. The results were further analyzed with data from the Association of American Medical Colleges to determine the relationship between the number of awards and the size of the teaching and research faculty.ResultsFrom 2008 to 2013, there were a total of 45 career development submissions from principal investigators affiliated with departments of EM. Of these, 27 (60%) were successful. This success rate is the third lowest of the seven specialties in this analysis. Emergency physicians submit relatively few grants compared to the size of their faculty, and the funding rate, $1,959 per EM resident, was the second lowest of the six specialties examined.ConclusionsAlthough success rates are reasonable, EM investigators submit very few individual mentored career development applications. They should take greater advantage of this mechanism to further their research training.
Oscillatory haematopoiesis in adults with sickle cell disease treated with hydroxycarbamide
Authors: Baird John H. , Minniti Caterina P. , Lee Jung‐Min , Tian Xin , Wu Colin , Jackson Mary , Alam Shoaib , Taylor James G. , Kato Gregory J. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryHydroxycarbamide therapy has been associated with significant oscillations in peripheral blood counts from myeloid, lymphoid and erythroid lineages in patients with polycythaemia vera and chronic myeloid leukaemia. We retrospectively evaluated serial blood counts over an 8‐year period from 44 adult patients with sickle cell disease receiving hydroxycarbamide. Platelet counts, leucocyte counts, haemoglobin values and reticulocyte counts, apportioned by hydroxycarbamide status, were analysed using a Lomb‐Scargle periodogram algorithm. Significant periodicities were present in one or more counts in 38 patients receiving hydroxycarbamide for a mean duration of 4·81 years. Platelet and leucocyte counts oscillated in 56·8% and 52·3% of patients, respectively. These oscillations generally became detectable within days of initiating therapy. During hydroxycarbamide therapy, the predominant periods of oscillation were 27 ± 1 d for platelet counts and 15 ± 1 d for leucocyte counts. Despite an absolute decrease in leucocyte and platelet counts during hydroxycarbamide treatment, the amplitudes between nadirs and zeniths remained similar regardless of exposure. Our observations appear consistent with previously proposed models of cyclic haematopoiesis, and document that hydroxycarbamide‐induced oscillations in blood counts are innocuous phenomena not limited to myeloproliferative disorders as described previously. We speculate the known cell cycle inhibitory properties of hydroxycarbamide may accentuate otherwise latent constitutive oscillatory haematopoiesis.
Clinical issues in renal transplantation in the elderly
Authors: Hod Tammy , Goldfarb‐Rumyantzev Alexander S. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractKidney transplantation is the best renal replacement therapy option and is superior to dialysis in elderly end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Furthermore, the outcome of transplantation in the elderly is comparable to younger patients in terms of allograft survival. The exact nature of this phenomenon is not completely clear. As the elderly population continues to grow, it becomes more important to identify specific issues associated with kidney transplantation. In particular, elderly transplant recipients might have a lower chance of acute rejection as their immune systems seem to be less reactive. This might predispose elderly recipients to greater risk of post‐transplant infectious complications or malignancies. Furthermore, due to differences in pharmacokinetics, elderly recipients might require lower doses of immunosuppressive medication. As the main cause of graft failure in the elderly is death with a functioning graft and also considering the scarcity of donor organs, it might make sense to recommend transplanting elderly recipients with extended criteria donor kidneys. This approach would balance shorter patient survival compared to younger recipients. In conclusion, old age should not preclude ESRD patients from kidney transplantation. However, specific differences that have to do with immunosuppression and other aspects of managing elderly transplant recipients should be considered.
Primary subcutaneous myxoid liposarcoma: a clinicopathologic review of three cases with molecular confirmation and discussion of the differential diagnosis
Authors: Buehler Darya , Marburger Trent B. , Billings Steven D. 
Published: November 2014

BackgroundMyxoid liposarcoma typically presents as a deep‐seated mass in the lower extremity of adults. Presentation as a primary subcutaneous tumor is rare. Here we discuss clinicopathologic characteristics of three such cases and their differential diagnosis to alert dermatopathologists to this unusual clinical presentation of a potentially aggressive entity.MethodsCases of myxoid liposarcoma were retrieved from archives and consultation files. Inclusion required location above the subcutaneous fascia with no evidence of a metastatic origin. Clinicopathologic features were retrospectively reviewed. Fluorescence in situ hybridization for DDIT3 (CHOP) gene rearrangement was performed on all cases.ResultsThe tumors affected young adults (two males and one female, mean 36 years, range 32–40 years). No prior history of myxoid liposarcoma or deep soft tissue mass was identified. The tumors occurred in the foot, thigh and hand. All demonstrated multilobular architecture with abundant myxoid stroma, prominent branching capillary vascular network and lipoblastic differentiation. No dermal involvement was seen. Round cell features were identified in one case and represented <5% of the tumor. All patients remain disease‐free following local excision only at 6, 8 and 13 months.ConclusionsMyxoid liposarcoma can rarely present as a primary subcutaneous mass and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous myxoid tumors in adults.
Distinct subsynaptic localization of type 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors at glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses in the rodent cerebellar cortex
Authors: Mansouri Mahnaz , Kasugai Yu , Fukazawa Yugo , Bertaso Federica , Raynaud Fabrice , Perroy Julie , Fagni Laurent , Kaufmann Walter A. , Watanabe Masahiko , Shigemoto Ryuichi , Ferraguti Francesco 
Published: November 2014

AbstractType 1 metabotropic glutamate (mGlu1) receptors play a pivotal role in different forms of synaptic plasticity in the cerebellar cortex, e.g. long‐term depression at glutamatergic synapses and rebound potentiation at GABAergic synapses. These various forms of plasticity might depend on the subsynaptic arrangement of the receptor in Purkinje cells that can be regulated by protein–protein interactions. This study investigated, by means of the freeze‐fracture replica immunogold labelling method, the subcellular localization of mGlu1 receptors in the rodent cerebellum and whether Homer proteins regulate their subsynaptic distribution. We observed a widespread extrasynaptic localization of mGlu1 receptors and confirmed their peri‐synaptic enrichment at glutamatergic synapses. Conversely, we detected mGlu1 receptors within the main body of GABAergic synapses onto Purkinje cell dendrites. Although Homer proteins are known to interact with the mGlu1 receptor C‐terminus, we could not detect Homer3, the most abundant Homer protein in the cerebellar cortex, at GABAergic synapses by pre‐embedding and post‐embedding immunoelectron microscopy. We then hypothesized a critical role for Homer proteins in the peri‐junctional localization of mGlu1 receptors at glutamatergic synapses. To disrupt Homer‐associated protein complexes, mice were tail‐vein injected with the membrane‐permeable dominant‐negative TAT‐Homer1a. Freeze‐fracture replica immunogold labelling analysis showed no significant alteration in the mGlu1 receptor distribution pattern at parallel fibre–Purkinje cell synapses, suggesting that other scaffolding proteins are involved in the peri‐synaptic confinement. The identification of interactors that regulate the subsynaptic localization of the mGlu1 receptor at neurochemically distinct synapses may offer new insight into its trafficking and intracellular signalling.
An open‐source automated platform for three‐dimensional visualization of subdural electrodes using CT‐MRI coregistration
Authors: Azarion Allan A. , Wu Jue , Pearce Allison , Krish Veena T. , Wagenaar Joost , Chen Weixuan , Zheng Yuanjie , Wang Hongzhi , Lucas Timothy H. , Litt Brian , Gee James C. , Davis Kathryn A. 
Published: November 2014

SummaryObjectiveVisualizing implanted subdural electrodes in three‐dimensional (3D) space can greatly aid in planning, executing, and validating resection in epilepsy surgery. Coregistration software is available, but cost, complexity, insufficient accuracy, or validation limit adoption. We present a fully automated open‐source application, based on a novel method using postimplant computerized tomography (CT) and postimplant magnetic resonance (MR) images, for accurately visualizing intracranial electrodes in 3D space.MethodsCT‐MR rigid brain coregistration, MR nonrigid registration, and prior‐based segmentation were carried out on seven patients. Postimplant CT, postimplant MR, and an external labeled atlas were then aligned in the same space. The coregistration algorithm was validated by manually marking identical anatomic landmarks on the postimplant CT and postimplant MR images. Following coregistration, distances between the center of the landmark masks on the postimplant MR and the coregistered CT images were calculated for all subjects. Algorithms were implemented in open‐source software and translated into a “drag and drop” desktop application for Apple Mac OS X.ResultsDespite postoperative brain deformation, the method was able to automatically align intrasubject multimodal images and segment cortical subregions, so that all electrodes could be visualized on the parcellated brain. Manual marking of anatomic landmarks validated the coregistration algorithm with a mean misalignment distance of 2.87 mm (standard deviation 0.58 mm)between the landmarks. Software was easily used by operators without prior image processing experience.SignificanceWe demonstrate an easy to use, novel platform for accurately visualizing subdural electrodes in 3D space on a parcellated brain. We rigorously validated this method using quantitative measures. The method is unique because it involves no preprocessing, is fully automated, and freely available worldwide. A desktop application, as well as the source code, are both available for download on the International Epilepsy Electrophysiology Portal (https://www.ieeg.org) for use and interactive refinement.
Template‐Free Synthesis of Hollow Porous Strontium Titanate Particles
Authors: Tzeng Wei‐Lung , Shih Shao‐Ju 
Published: November 2014

Strontium titanate (SrTiO3) is a potential photocatalyst of H2 evolution for providing green energy. One of the main strategies for increasing the efficiency of H2 evolution is to increase the surface area of photocatalysts. In this study, spray pyrolysis was used because of its superior flexibility in morphological control. Three typical reactants, nitric acid, acetic acid, and citric acid, were added to Sr and Ti precursors to form various morphological SrTiO3 powders. The SrTiO3 powders were investigated by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, focused ion beam technique, and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method to determine the phase composition, surface morphology, geometry, inner structure, and specific surface area, respectively. Four main morphologies of SrTiO3 particles, namely, porous, concave porous, wrinkled spherical, and hollow porous structures, were obtained. Among these powders, SrTiO3 particles prepared with citric acid had the highest surface area (46.9 m2/g) because of their hollow porous structure. Finally, the formation mechanisms of these four distinct SrTiO3 morphologies are discussed.
Low‐Temperature Magnetic and Dielectric Anomalies in Rare‐Earth‐Substituted BiFeO3 Ceramics
Authors: Koval Vladimir , Skorvanek Ivan , Yan Haixue 
Published: November 2014

In this work, we report on the magnetic and dielectric anomalies observed in dense Bi1–xRExFeO3 ceramics (RE = Dy, Tb; 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) at cryogenic temperatures. For compositions with a high content of rare‐earth ions, thermomagnetic experiments revealed a distinct anomaly in the magnetization curves at temperatures below 200 K. The temperature of the magnetic anomaly along with a thermal hysteresis was found to be dependent on the rare‐earth concentration and magnetic field strength. Low‐temperature dielectric measurements showed an anomalous relaxor‐like behavior of the relative permittivity and dielectric loss in highly doped ceramic samples. The anomalies in low‐temperature magnetization and dielectric response are suggested to result from the presence of GdFeO3‐like orthoferrite phase and/or bismuth rare‐earth‐mixed iron garnet impurities.
Ozone Effect on Fungi Proliferation and Genera Susceptibility of Treated Stored Dry Paddy Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Beber‐Rodrigues Menithen , Savi Geovana D. , Scussel Vildes M. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThis work reports the ozone (O3) gas effects on stored dry paddy rice (Oryza sativa L.) mycoflora (fungi reduction/genera susceptibility/yeast) and humidity microorganism proliferation factors (moisture content [mc]/water activity [aw]. From the three O3 concentrations applied (10, 20 and 40 mg/L – groups I, II and III, respectively) on silos stored rice (n = 10), it was observed a rather high reduction on the total fungi load especially in group III from an initial count of 3.0 × 105 down to 1.4 × 102 cfu/mL. Regarding the samples naturally contaminated fungi genera isolated, they were Aspergillus, Penicillium, Acremonium, Alternaria and Aureobasidium (a yeast‐like fungi), as well as yeast, which were reduced after O3 treatment. Despite this, some strain gas susceptibility differences were observed as follows (decreasing order): Acremonium > Alternaria > Aureobasidium > Aspergillus > Penicillium. As expected, mc and aw reduced after gas treatment, which was proportional to the time of exposure and O3 gas stream flow rate applied on the rice stored samples. O3 treatment showed to be an effective green alternative tool to reduce paddy stored rice contamination and keep safety during storage.Practical ApplicationsThe O3 gas treatment showed to be an effective green alternative tool to avoid paddy stored rice fungi growth, especially toxigenic species responsible for mycotoxin formation in the paddy rice, and to keep safety during storage. Excess ozone is decomposed rapidly to O2, thus no food residue is left.