bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recovery of Biogas from Meat Industry Wastewater Using Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR): Modeling and Optimization
Authors: Thirugnanasambandham K. , Sivakumar V. , Sruthi B. 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
The main objective of the present study is to investigate the biogas recovery process from meat industry wastewater using continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR). Plackett–Burman design was used to screen the effective process variables among temperature, alkalinity dose, organic loading rate, agitation speed, nutrients, dilution factor and volatile fatty acid content. Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used to study the individual and interactive of process variables on the biogas recovery process. Optimum conditions for maximizing the biogas recovery was determined using derringer’s desired function methodology as follows; temperature of 45°C, organic loading rate of 8 m3/COD/day, C:N ratio of 90:10 and dilution factor of 15%. Under these optimal conditions, predicted biogas recovery and COD removal are found to be 0.08 m3/L/d and 94%, respectively. This result confirms the effectiveness of CSTR to treat meat industry wastewater in terms of biogas recovery.
Urinary myo-inositol levels in Japanese schoolchildren with normal glucose tolerance
Authors: Satake Eiichiro , Matsushita Rie , Kitsuda Kazuteru , Ohtaka Kohnosuke , Nagata Eiko , Yamaguchi Rie , Sano Shinichiro , Fujisawa Yasuko , Nakanishi Toshiki , Nakagawa Yuichi , Ohzeki Takehiko 
Published: September 2015

AbstractUrinaryIn Study 1 (328 schoolchildren), fasting and postprandial UMI were measured, with ΔUMI defined as the difference between fasting and postprandial UMI levels. In Study 2, oral glucose tolerance tests and UMI measurements were conducted in 18 children with suspected having diabetes.For Study 1, ΔUMI was observed [−0.65 (−3.9, 1.35) mg/g creatinine]. For Study 2, children with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance had a significantly higher ΔUMI than children with normal glucose tolerance.These studies demonstrated the normal range of UMI in children and possibility of a novel biomarker for early detection of glucose intolerance in children.
Sorption and preconcentration of uranium and thorium from aqueous solutions using multi-walled carbon nanotubes decorated with
magnetic nanoparticles
Authors: Zolfonoun Ehsan , Yousefi Seyed Reza 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
The presented study investigates application of MWCNTs-Fe3O4 nanocomposite as an adsorbent for solid phase extraction and
preconcentration of uranium and thorium prior to inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry determination. The magnetic
MWCNTs with adsorbed analytes can be easily separated from the aqueous solution by using an external magnet without additional
centrifugation or filtration of the sample. Due to the high surface area of MWCNTs, satisfactory concentration factor and extraction
recovery can be achieved with only 10 mg nanocomposite in 5 min. The effects of pH, sorbent amount, eluent type,
chelating reagent concentration, sample volume and time on the recovery of the analytes were investigated. Under the optimum
conditions, the detection limits for U(VI) and Th(IV) were 0.44 and 0.27 μg L
–1, respectively.
The effect of yttrium incorporation on the formation and properties of α-Al2O3 coatings
Authors: Lin Yuebin , Zhu Yufu , Zhu Weiguo 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe Al layer with α-Al2O3 seed crystals and the rare earth element Y were deposited directly onto a 316L stainless steel substrate and then oxidized at a temperature as low as 580°C using the double glow plasma technique. The complex Al target material containing 10 wt% α-Al2O3 seed crystals and 10 wt% Y was used in the experiment. The results indicated that the coatings were very dense and uniform. The field emission transmission electron microscopy observation indicated that element Y was discontinuously distributed, which was mainly concentrated at the grain boundary of the coating. After plasma oxidation, Y was oxidized to Y2O3. Under the action of coupled multiple factors (ion bombardment, α-Al2O3 seed crystals, and rare earth element Y), the AlYα oxide coatings contained large amounts of α-Al2O3 crystals. The increase of the Y content improved the adhesive force of the coatings. The corrosion current of the oxide coatings was reduced by three orders of magnitude.
Kalibrierungs- und Trainingsstrategien zur individuellen Signalgenerierung für die myoelektrische Steuerung technischer Hilfsmittel
Authors: Doneit Wolfgang , Tuga Michele René , Mikut Ralf , Liebetanz David , Rupp Rüdiger , Reischl Markus 
Published: September 2015

Zusammenfassung
Bioelektrische Signale werden oft für Steuerungsaufgaben in der
Rehabilitationstechnik eingesetzt. So stellt die antagonistische
myoelektrische Steuerung den de-facto Standard für die Ansteuerung von
Handprothesen dar. Neuerdings wird auch die Navigation eines
Elektrorollstuhls über die Kontraktionen zweier Ohrmuskeln
erforscht. Charakteristisch für diese Anwendungen sind individuelle
Amplituden und unbeabsichtigte Koaktivierungen, die eine direkte
Interpretation der Intention des Anwenders erschweren. Dieser Artikel
diskutiert Einflussgrößen auf die Qualität der
myoelektrischen Signale und stellt eine Signalverarbeitungskette zur
Bereinigung des Signals bzw. zur Intentionsschätzung vor. Zur
individuellen Anpassung der Parameter werden standardisierte
Trainingsparadigmen eingeführt. Mit Hilfe von Regressionsmodellen
sollen Fehlerquellen wie Koaktivierungen eliminiert werden. Die
Funktionalität der Verfahren wird anhand simulierter und realer Daten
von zweikanaligen myoelektrischen Messungen von Unterarm und Ohr
nachgewiesen.
Using animations to support the understanding of geometrical
tolerancing concepts
Authors: Humienny Zbigniew , Berta Marcin 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
A new concept of teaching and training the ISO GPS system fundamental
and advanced principles with use of computer simulations, as well as
animations at a very large extend is shown. The innovative application
Geometrical Tolerancing structure, main components and key
capabilities are demonstrated and discussed through a few screen
shoots. It is indicated that application is suitable for open distance
learning. The short analysis of the educational theories and other
approaches that were considered to form background of the application
are also given.
Influence of Rotor-Stator Interaction on Flow Stability in Centrifugal Pump Based on Energy Gradient Method
Authors: Zheng Lu-Lu , Dou Hua-Shu , Jiang Wei , Chen Xiaoping , Zhu Zuchao , Cui Baoling 
Published: September 2015

AbstractNumerical simulation is performed for the three-dimensional turbulent flow field in a centrifugal pump by solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and the RNG k-epsilon turbulent model. The finite volume method and the SIMPLE algorithm are employed for the solution of the system. All the parameters in the centrifugal pump at different blade angular positions are obtained by simulation. The flow structure is analyzed and the distributions of the energy gradient function
Alkaline earth-gold-aluminides: synthesis and structure of SrAu3Al2, SrAu2.83Al2.17, BaAu2.89Al2.11 and BaAu7.09Al5.91
Authors: Gerke Birgit , Pöttgen Rainer 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
New alkaline earth-gold-aluminides were synthesized from the elements in sealed tantalum or quartz ampoules in muffle furnaces at maximum annealing temperatures of 1325 K. The structures were refined from single crystal X-ray diffractometer data. SrAu3Al2 crystallizes in an ordered version of the LT-SrZn5 structure: Pnma, a = 1315.9(3), b = 549.0(1), c = 684.5(3) pm, wR2 = 0.0232, 930 F
2 values, 35 variables. SrAu2.83Al2.17 (a = 1065.0(2), b = 845.0(2), c = 548.1(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0416, 452 F
2 values, 22 variables) and BaAu2.89Al2.11 (a = 1096.1(3), b = 835.7(3), c = 554.0(1) pm, wR2 = 0.0280, 501 F
2 values, 22 variables) both adopt the BaZn5 type, space group Cmcm with Au/Al mixing on the 4c site. The gold and aluminum atoms in both types form three-dimensional networks of condensed tetrahedra with the strontium and barium atoms in large cavities. BaAu7.09Al5.91 is a new member of the NaZn13 type: Fm3̅c, a = 1257.6(2) pm, wR2 = 0.0267, 168 F
2 values, 12 variables. Both the 96i and 8b sites show Au/Al mixing. The crystal chemical details are discussed.
Donor-side morbidity after contralateral C-7 nerve transfer: results at a minimum of 6 months after surgery
Authors: Li Xiang-Ming , Yang Jian-Tao , Hou Yi , Yang Yi , Qin Ben-Gang , Fu Guo , Gu Li-Qiang 
Published: September 2015

OBJECT
Donor-side morbidity associated with contralateral C-7 (CC7) nerve transfer remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate functional deficits in the donor limb resulting from prespinal route CC7 nerve transfer.

METHODS
A total of 63 patients were included. Forty-one patients had undergone CC7 nerve transfer surgery at least 6 months previously and were assigned to one of 2 groups based on the duration of postoperative follow-up. Group 1 (n = 21) consisted of patients who had undergone surgery between 6 months and 2 years previously, and Group 2 (n = 20) consisted of patients who had undergone surgery more than 2 years previously. An additional 22 patients who underwent CC7 nerve transfer surgery later than those in Groups 1 and 2 were included as a control group (Group 3). Results of preoperative testing in these patients and postoperative testing in Groups 1 and 2 were compared. Testing included subjective assessments and objective examinations. An additional 3 patients had undergone surgery more than 6 months previously but had severe motor weakness and were therefore evaluated separately; these 3 patients were not included in any of the study groups.

RESULTS
The revised Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ-2) was the only subjective test that showed a significant difference between Group 3 and the other 2 groups, while no significant differences were found in objective sensory, motor, or dexterity outcomes. The interval from injury to surgery for patients with a normal SF-MPQ-2 score in Groups 1 and 2 was significantly less than for those with abnormal SF-MFQ-2 scores (2.4 ± 1.1 months vs 4.6 ± 2.9 months, p = 0.002). The 3 patients with obvious motor weakness showed a tendency to gradually recover.

CONCLUSIONS
Although some patients suffered from long-term sensory disturbances, resection of the C-7 nerve had little effect on the function of the donor limb. Shortening preoperative delay time can improve sensory recovery of the donor limb.
Factors associated with successful magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound treatment: efficiency of acoustic energy delivery through the skull
Authors: Chang Won Seok , Jung Hyun Ho , Zadicario Eyal , Rachmilevitch Itay , Tlusty Tal , Vitek Shuki , Chang Jin Woo 
Published: September 2015

OBJECT
Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) was recently introduced as treatment for movement disorders such as essential tremor and advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). Although deep brain target lesions are successfully generated in most patients, the target area temperature fails to increase in some cases. The skull is one of the greatest barriers to ultrasonic energy transmission. The authors analyzed the skull-related factors that may have prevented an increase in target area temperatures in patients who underwent MRgFUS.

METHODS
The authors retrospectively reviewed data from clinical trials that involved MRgFUS for essential tremor, idiopathic PD, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Data from 25 patients were included. The relationships between the maximal temperature during treatment and other factors, including sex, age, skull area of the sonication field, number of elements used, skull volume of the sonication field, and skull density ratio (SDR), were determined.

RESULTS
Among the various factors, skull volume and SDR exhibited relationships with the maximum temperature. Skull volume was negatively correlated with maximal temperature (p = 0.023, r2 = 0.206, y = 64.156 − 0.028x, whereas SDR was positively correlated with maximal temperature (p = 0.009, r2 = 0.263, y = 49.643 + 11.832x). The other factors correlate with the maximal temperature, although some factors showed a tendency to correlate.

CONCLUSIONS
Some skull-related factors correlated with the maximal target area temperature. Although the number of patients in the present study was relatively small, the results offer information that could guide the selection of MRgFUS candidates.
The cerebral isthmus: fiber tract anatomy, functional significance, and surgical considerations
Authors: Koutsarnakis Christos , Liakos Faidon , Liouta Evangelia , Themistoklis Konstantinos , Sakas Damianos , Stranjalis George 
Published: September 2015

OBJECT
The cerebral isthmus is the white matter area located between the periinsular sulcus and the lateral ventricle. Studies demonstrating the fiber tract and topographic anatomy of this entity are lacking in current neurosurgical literature. Hence, the authors’ primary aim was to describe the microsurgical white matter anatomy of the cerebral isthmus by using the fiber dissection technique, and they discuss its functional significance. In addition, they sought to investigate its possible surgical utility in approaching lesions located in or adjacent to the lateral ventricle.

METHODS
This study was divided into 2 parts and included 30 formalin-fixed cerebral hemispheres, 5 of which were injected with colored silicone. In the first part, 15 uncolored specimens underwent the Klinger’s procedure and were dissected in a lateromedial direction at the level of the superior, inferior, and anterior isthmuses, and 10 were used for coronal and axial cuts. In the second part, the injected specimens were used to investigate the surgical significance of the superior isthmus in accessing the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle.

RESULTS
The microsurgical anatomy of the anterior, superior, and inferior cerebral isthmuses was carefully studied and recorded both in terms of topographic and fiber tract anatomy. In addition, the potential role of the proximal part of the superior isthmus as an alternative safe surgical corridor to the anterior part of the lateral ventricle was investigated.

CONCLUSIONS
Using the fiber dissection technique along with coronal and axial cuts in cadaveric brain specimens remains a cornerstone in the acquisition of thorough anatomical knowledge of narrow white matter areas such as the cerebral isthmus. The surgical significance of the superior isthmus in approaching the frontal horn of the lateral ventricle is stressed, but further studies must be carried out to elucidate its role in ventricular surgery.
Incidence of microbiological contamination of local bone autograft used in posterior lumbar interbody fusion and its association with postoperative spinal infection
Authors: Lee Chong-Suh , Kang Kyung-Chung , Chung Sung-Soo , Kim Ki-Tack , Shin Seong-Kee 
Published: September 2015

OBJECT
The aim of this study was to examine the results of microbiological cultures from local bone autografts used in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and to identify their association with postoperative spinal infection.

METHODS
The authors retrospectively evaluated cases involving 328 patients who had no previous spinal surgeries and underwent PLIF for degenerative diseases with a minimum 1-year follow-up. Local bone was obtained during laminectomy, and microbiological culture was performed immediately prior to bone grafting. The associations between culture results from local bone autografts and postoperative spinal infections were evaluated.

RESULTS
The contamination rate of local bone was 4.3% (14 of 328 cases). Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (29%) was the most common contaminant isolated, followed by Streptococcus species and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Of 14 patients with positive culture results, 5 (35.7%) had postoperative spinal infections and were treated with intravenous antibiotics for a minimum of 4 weeks. One of these 5 patients also underwent reoperation for debridement during this 4-week period. Regardless of the microbiological culture results, the infection rate after PLIF with local bone autograft was 2.4% (8 of 328 cases), with 5 (62.5%) of 8 patients showing positive results on autograft culture.

CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of contamination of local bone autograft during PLIF was considerable, and positive culture results were significantly associated with postoperative spinal infection. Special attention focused on the preparation of local bone for autograft and its microbiological culture will be helpful for the control of postoperative spinal infection.
Postoperative posterior lumbar muscle changes and their relationship to segmental motion preservation or restriction: a randomized prospective study
Authors: Strube Patrick , Putzier Michael , Streitparth Florian , Hoff Eike K. , Hartwig Tony 
Published: September 2015

OBJECT
To date, it remains unclear whether the preservation of segmental motion by total disc replacement (TDR) or motion restriction by stand-alone anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) have an influence on postoperative degeneration of the posterior paraspinal muscles or the associated clinical results. Therefore, the purpose of the present prospective randomized study was to evaluate the clinical parameters and 3D quantitative radiological changes in the paraspinal muscles of the lumbar spine in surgically treated segments and superior adjacent segments after ALIF and TDR.

METHODS
A total of 50 patients with chronic low-back pain caused by single-level intervertebral disc degeneration (Pfirrmann Grade ≥ III) and/or osteochondrosis (Modic Type ≤ 2) without symptomatic facet joint degeneration (Fujiwara Grade ≤ 2, infiltration test) of the segments L4–5 or L5–S1 were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups. Twenty-five patients were treated with a stand-alone ALIF and the remaining 25 patients underwent TDR. For ALIF and TDR, a retroperitoneal approach was used. At 1 week and at 12 months after surgery, CT was used to analyze paraspinal lumbar muscle tissue volume and relative fat content. Residual muscle tissue volume at 12 months and change in the relative fat content were compared between the groups. In addition, clinical parameters (visual analog scale [VAS] for low-back pain and Oswestry Disability Index [ODI] Questionnaire Version 2 for function) were compared.

RESULTS
Compared with 1 week after surgery, the radiological analysis at 12 months revealed a small decrease in the posterior muscle volume (the mean decrease was < 2.5%), along with a small increase in the relative fat content (the mean increase was < 1.9%), in both groups at the index and superior adjacent segments. At the adjacent segment, the ALIF group presented significantly less muscle tissue volume atrophy and a smaller increase in fat content compared with the TDR group. At final follow-up, the clinical parameters related to pain and function were significantly improved in both groups compared with 1 week postsurgery, but there were no differences between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS
Motion restriction via stand-alone ALIF and motion preservation via TDR both present small changes in the posterior lumbar paraspinal muscles with regard to volume atrophy or fatty degeneration at the index and superior adjacent segments. Therefore, although the clinical outcome was not affected by the observed muscular changes, the authors concluded that the expected negative influence of motion restriction on the posterior muscles compared with motion preservation does not occur on a clinically relevant level.
What is the risk of a shunt malfunction after elective intradural surgery?
Authors: Venable Garrett T. , Green Cain S. , Smalley Zachary S. , Bedford E. Cydnie , Modica Joseph S. , Klimo Paul 
Published: September 2015

OBJECT
Surgery for CSF diversion is the most common procedure performed by pediatric neurosurgeons. The failure rates for shunts remain frustratingly high, resulting in a burden to patients, families, providers, and healthcare systems. The goal of this study was to quantify the risk of a shunt malfunction in patients with an existing shunt who undergo an elective intradural operation.

METHODS
All elective intradural surgeries (cranial and spinal) at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital from January 2010 through June 2014 were reviewed to identify those patients who had a functional ventricular shunt at the time of surgery. Patient records were reviewed to collect demographic, surgical, clinical, radiological, and pathologic data, including all details related to any subsequent shunt revision surgery. The primary outcome was all-cause shunt revision (i.e., malfunction or infection) within 90 days of elective intradural surgery.

RESULTS
One hundred and fifty elective intradural surgeries were identified in 109 patients during the study period. There were 14 patients (12.8%, 13 male) who experienced 16 shunt malfunctions (10.7%) within 90 days of elective intradural surgery. These 14 patients underwent 13 craniotomies, 2 endoscopic fenestrations for loculated hydrocephalus, and 1 laminectomy for dorsal rhizotomy. Median time to failure was 9 days, with the shunts in half of our patients failing within 5 postoperative days. Those patients with failed shunts were younger (median 4.2 years [range 0.33–26 years] vs median 10 years [range 0.58–34 years]), had a shorter time interval from their previous shunt surgery (median 11 months [range 0–81 months] vs median 20 months [range 0–238 months]), and were more likely to have had intraventricular surgery (80.0% vs 60.3%).

CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study to quantify the risk of a shunt malfunction after elective intradural surgery. The 90-day all-cause shunt failure rate (per procedure) was 10.7%, with half of the failures occurring within the first 5 postoperative days. Possible risk factors for shunt malfunction after elective intradural surgeries are intraventricular surgical approach, shorter time since last shunt-related surgery, and young age.
Market orientation, innovativeness and performance in e-learning programme of Sri Lankan universities
Authors: Vaikunthavasan S. , Samarakoon S. M. A. K. 
Published: September 2015

The purpose of the study is to explore the market orientation, innovativeness and performance of the government Universities in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Universities were the unit of analysis. Data for this study were collected from the faculty heads or coordinators of Higher education programmes in government Universities in Sri Lanka. Convenient sampling method was adopted, structured questionnaires were issued directly and sent through the mail to collect data and one hundred and fourteen respondents were gathered in this study. The MARKOR was used to measure the Market Orientation. Correlation and regression analysis were used in order to identify the association among market Orientation, innovativeness and performance. Three market orientation measures included intelligence generation; intelligence dissemination and responsiveness to intelligence were used to investigate their relationships with Innovativeness and performance. All three measures were found to be statistically significant and positively related to the Innovativeness and performance of the course programmes Universities in Sri Lanka. Based on the studies, the Universities were suggested to follow proper market oriented strategy in higher education system, it will lead to optimum performance achievement. The Kelaniya Journal of Management, Vol. 4(1); 2015: 90-115