bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous laser disc decompression: A minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of intervertebral disc prolapse – the Bangladesh perspective/Perkutane Laser-Diskusdekompression: Ein minimal-invasives Verfahren zur Behandlung von Bandscheibenvorfall – Ein Erfahrungsbericht aus Bangladesch
Authors: Ali Yakub M. , Sarwar Jahangir M. , Hossain Mohammad S. , Sarker Manash C. , Kayes Mohammad N. , Rahman Muhammed M. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe purpose of this paper is to assess the clinical effectiveness of percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) for patients with radicular pain due to intervertebral disc hernia and to describe our experience in this field in Bangladesh.PLDD is a procedure in which herniated intervertebral discs are treated by the reduction of intradiscal pressure by laser energy. This is introduced by a needle inserted into the nucleus pulposus under local anesthesia and fluoroscopic monitoring. Small volume nucleus vaporization results in a sharp fall in intradiscal pressure, with the consequent migration of herniation away from the nerve root. PLDD has been reported to be a safe, effective, minimally invasive treatment option for patients with a herniated disc.This observational random prospective analysis was carried out during the period from November 2007 to December 2011. PLDD was performed on 4622 herniated discs of 2580 patients (1420, male; 1160, female), whose age ranged between 18 and 85 years. A total of 47 cases were failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). All patients were followed up (ranging from 1 month to 36 months, with a median of 12 months) and were evaluated according to MacNab criteria.Amongst the 2580 patients, 2296 (89.0%) reported immediate pain relief, 230 (8.9%) patients were uncertain and the remaining 54 (2.1%) did not have immediate pain relief. In the subsequent follow up, according to MacNab criteria a good response was seen in 1935 (75.0%) cases and a fair response in 335 (13.0%) cases. The response to the treatment was poor in 310 patients (12.0%). A second session of PLDD was performed on 292 (11.3%) patients made up of 162 patients (6.3%) due to multi-level (>2 discs) prolapse, 102 patients (3.9%) due to an extensive prolapse of one or two discs and 28 patients (1.0%) because of a relapse. In two cases of a prolapsed dorsal spine (TPLDD is an effective and minimally invasive procedure which has almost no side effects or complications, can be performed under local anesthesia, results in no scarring or spinal instability, and still does not hinder the scope of open surgery in failed cases. PLDD is also effective in cases of FBSS.
A comparison of two metamodel-based methodologies for multiple criteria simulation optimization using an injection molding case study
Authors: Villarreal-Marroquín María G. , Svenson Joshua D. , Sun Fangfang , Santner Thomas J. , Dean Angela , Castro José M. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
This paper compares two metamodel-based methodologies for multi-criteria simulation optimization (SO), using the injection molding of a disposable camera front housing as a case study. The first methodology uses linear regression metamodels and data envelopment analysis (DEA) to iteratively identify potential Pareto solutions, while the second one uses a Gaussian process metamodel and calculates an expected improvement to determine the new input runs sequentially. A one-to-one comparison of the approaches is presented using two optimization examples. The first example involves two process outputs and the second involves three. The approaches are evaluated using the same number of simulations, and are compared in terms of the quality of the obtained Pareto front, based on the hypervolume indicator. Advantages and disadvantages of both methods are discussed.
Experimental, modeling and optimization study on the mechanical properties of epoxy/high-impact polystyrene/multi-walled carbon nanotube ternary nanocomposite using artificial neural network and genetic algorithm
Authors: Fereidoon Abdolhosein , Mashhadzadeh Amin Hamed , Rostamiyan Yasser 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIn spite of Epoxy resin’s good tensile strength, are brittle in nature and have poor resistance at the front of crack propagation. In enhancing simultaneously the mechanical strength and fracture toughness of epoxy-based nanocomposites, high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) as thermoplastic phase and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) as nanofiller phases are used incorporately to obtain ternary epoxy-based nanocomposites. Tensile, flexural, compression and impact are the four different mechanical properties. Artificial neural network was used to present models for predicting the mechanical behavior of epoxy/HIPS/MWCNT nanocomposites. Also, this model used as a fitness function of genetic algorithm as a powerful optimization method to find the optimum value of the above-mentioned mechanical properties. The effective parameters investigated were HIPS, MWCNT and hardener. From the result, it was found that the combination of HIPS and MWCNT nanofillers significantly increases tensile, compression and impact strength of neat resin by up to 52%, 43% and 334%, respectively, but flexural strength did not change positively. Also, elongation at break for tensile, flexural and compression rose to 223%, 36% and 26% of neat epoxy, respectively. The morphology of fracture surface was studied by scanning electron microscopy.
Antico or Moderno? Reception of Gesualdo’s Madrigals in the Early Seventeenth Century
Authors: Deutsch Catherine 
Published: March 2013

In recent decades scholars have tended to gauge Gesualdo’s “modernity” or “conservatism” according to the relation in which his music stands to contrapuntal rules and their transgression. It is striking, however, that no consensus has ever existed on this issue. Interestingly, the same types of judgments proposed by modern critics (notably Lowinsky and Dahlhaus) can also be found also in the writings of such contemporaries of Gesualdo as Vincenzo Giustiniani, Pietro Della Valle, Giovanni Battista Doni, and Severo Bonini. In the first half of the seventeenth century Gesualdo’s music, though almost always presented as “modern” or “new,” was depicted as both a model of good counterpoint and an example of compositional rule breaking. Severo Bonini’s Discorsi e regole (ca. 1650)—a text that Gesualdo scholars have not taken into account until now—is particularly enlightening for the study of this apparent contradiction. This article analyzes the various phases of the reception of Gesualdo’s madrigals during the first half of the seventeenth century, as well as the way that the modernity of his music—often regarded as an alternative to early baroque accompanied monody—has been continually redefined.
Pollen Longevity and Dispersion Models for Switchgrass
Authors: Ecker Geoffrey , Meyer Thomas , Auer Carol 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTSwitchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a North American grass that is being improved through conventional breeding and genetic engineering to create a biofuel feedstock. However, the introduction of novel traits has created concerns about pollen‐mediated gene flow and negative environmental impacts. The objective of this study was to model switchgrass pollen dispersal using a Lagrangian approach informed by data on pollen longevity and size. With outdoor exposure, the viability of pollen from three cultivars declined over 60 min, but rare events showed pollen longevity of up to 100 min. To model pollen dispersal, wind fields were measured in two locations and on two dates to create case studies representing light wind conditions with buoyant turbulence or stronger winds with pressure‐driven, nonturbulent conditions. In the first case study, switchgrass pollen entrained in light wind conditions with buoyancy‐driven turbulence moved up to approximately 3.5 km from the source with a maximum flight time of 6000 s. In the second case study, pollen released in stronger winds with pressure‐driven conditions moved up to approximately 6.5 km with a maximum flight time of approximately 1300 s. In both cases, the majority of pollen grains were deposited closer to the source. These case studies provide information helpful for predicting pollen‐mediated transgene flow, isolating field trials, creating containment and coexistence strategies, and conserving valued switchgrass populations in coastal areas and prairies.
Capturing the Heterogeneity of the Error Variances of a Group of Genotypes in Crop Cultivar Trials
Authors: Singh Murari , Tadesse Wuletaw , Sarker Ashutosh , Maalouf Fouad , Imtiaz Muhammad , Capettini Flavio , Nachit Miloudi 
Published: March 2013

ABSTRACTAppropriate experimental designs provide an efficient estimate of cultivar performance by allowing better control of experimental error. The standard approach assumes homogeneity of experimental error variances across plots. However, a given trial may involve genotypes having different scales of response and/or associated with plots with different error variances. This study on cereal and legume trials detected the heterogeneity of the error variances associated with genotypes or groups of genotypes. A hierarchical clustering method, using absolute plot residuals, was used to group the genotypes. The heterogeneity of the error variances was determined using the difference in the deviances resulting from models based on an assumed homogeneity and heterogeneity of the error variances and on an adjusted level of significance for the chosen threshold for cluster formation. The efficiency of pairwise genotype comparisons, based on heterogeneous error variances, ranged from 105 to 116% for the cereals and from 124 to 254% for the legumes. Variations in the estimates of heritability and genetic gain resulting from selection were substantial. Accounting for the heterogeneous error variances, on average, led to higher estimates of heritability and genetic gain in each of the crop trials examined. This study found that heterogeneous variance, varying with the groups of genotypes, was frequent. The approach presented here is recommended for the analysis of cultivar trials.
Efficacy of hCG and GnRH with Respect to Follicular Size and Presence of the Corpus Luteum in Cosynch Protocol Integrated with Norgestomet in Lactating Cows
Authors: Metіn Pancarci Şükrü , Lehіmcіoğlu Necdet Cankat , Ari Umut Çağin , Güngör Örsan , Akbulut Özay 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Efficacies of hCG and GnRH with respect to follicular diameter in Cosynch protocol were investigated. Lactating cows (n=119) received injections of GnRH and PGF2 7 d apart. Norgestomet ear implant was inserted at GnRH administration and removed prior to PGF2 injections. Presence of the corpus luteum (CL) at GnRH and PGF2 injections, and diameter of preovulatory follicle [small (SPF) <8 mm or large (LPF) ≥8 mm] at PGF2 were determined with transrectal ultrasonography (USG). The animals were randomly treated with GnRH (0.01 mg; GPG, n=62) or hCG (1,500 IU; GPH, n=57) at timed artificial insemination (TAI) 56 h after injection of PGF2α. Pregnancies were diagnosed with USG 32-35 d after TAI. Pregnancies per TAI (P/TAI) were significantly (P<0.05) lower in GPH cows (28.1%; 16/57) compared to those in GPG animals (46.8%; 29/62). P/TAI with respect to follicular size did not differ between GPG and GPH cows, although P/TAI was numerically higher in LPF (30.0%; 15/50) than in SPF (14.3%; 1/7) in GPH cows. P/TAI in cows without CL at PGF2 was 2.5 (1.0-6.7) times higher (P<0.01) in GPG (20.0%; 3/15) compared to GPH (10.5%; 2/19). In conclusion, use of hCG in milieu of the second GnRH in Cosynch+progesterone insert protocol did not have any advantage in lactating cows.
Effect of Lysozyme Treatment on Quality and Bacterial Contamination of Chilled Chicken Legs
Authors: Kijowski Jacek , Marciszewska Celina , Cegielska-Radziejewska Renata , Popiół Anna 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
The effect of spraying lysozyme solutions of varying activity on microbiological stability and organoleptic features of chicken legs with skin was investigated. Lysozyme was applied at concentrations ranging from 3,000 to 48,000 U/mL. The effect of storage time at 4oC on the total aerobic bacterial count, coli titre, occurrence of enterococci, anaerobic spore forming bacilli, and pathogenic staphylococci was analysed along with the examination of sensory quality attributes. The investigations showed that the addition of lysozyme resulted in a considerable inhibition of growth of the initial aerobic bacterial counts and a limitation of disadvantageous organoleptic changes during cold storage of the legs. The lysozyme solution with the activity of 48,000 U/mL caused a 20-fold reduction in the initial aerobic bacterial count. Sensory examination showed that samples subjected to the action of lysozyme and stored for 120 h under cold storage conditions did not differ qualitatively from fresh legs. The obtained results revealed that lysozyme might be an effective agent extending shelf-life of portioned poultry meat.
Use of Calcium Sulfate as a Biomaterial in the Treatment of Bone Fractures in Rabbits – Preliminary Studies
Authors: Szponder Tomasz , Mytnik Ewa , Jaegermann Zbigniew 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
The paper presents preliminary results of the implantation of calcium sulfate type Hartform HF1 developed at the Institute of Glass and Ceramics in Warsaw. The study was conducted on 10 New Zealand White rabbits, in which after tibial osteotomy the biomaterial was implanted directly into the fracture site. The animals were divided into two groups based on the method of fracture stabilisation: intramedullary pinning using Kirschner wires in one group and acrylic external fixator in the other. After 12 weeks, bone union was observed in all animals as estimated by clinical and radiological findings. Histological tests revealed resorption of the biomaterial into the bone fracture area. It was concluded that type Hartform 1 calcium sulfate can be used as a biomaterial in veterinary orthopedics. Due to the lack of observable side effects during implantation and resorption, the material can be considered as a valuable ingredient in composite biomaterials containing calcium sulfate.
Evaluating the bio-hydrological impact of a cloud forest in Central America using a semi-distributed water balance model
Authors: Caballero Luis A. , Easton Zachary M. , Richards Brian K. , Steenhuis Tammo S. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Water scarcity poses a major threat to food security and human health in Central America and is increasingly recognized as a pressing regional issues caused primarily by deforestation and population pressure. Tools that can reliably simulate the major components of the water balance with the limited data available and needed to drive management decision and protect water supplies in this region. Four adjacent forested headwater catchments in La Tigra National Park, Honduras, ranging in size from 70 to 635 ha were instrumented and discharge measured over a one year period. A semi-distributed water balance model was developed to characterize the bio-hydrology of the four catchments, one of which is primarily cloud forest cover. The water balance model simulated daily stream discharges well, with Nash Sutcliffe model efficiency (E) values ranging from 0.67 to 0.90. Analysis of calibrated model parameters showed that despite all watersheds having similar geologic substrata, the bio-hydrological response the cloud forest indicated less plantavailable water in the root zone and greater groundwater recharge than the non cloud forest cover catchments. This resulted in watershed discharge on a per area basis four times greater from the cloud forest than the other watersheds despite only relatively minor differences in annual rainfall. These results highlight the importance of biological factors (cloud forests in this case) for sustained provision of clean, potable water, and the need to protect the cloud forest areas from destruction, particularly in the populated areas of Central America.
Small-scale contact angle mapping on undisturbed soil surfaces
Authors: Bachmann Joerg , Goebel Marc-O. , Woche Susanne K. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Research of the last years pointed out that most soils are neither completely hydrophilic nor hydrophobic, but exhibit a subcritical level of water repellency (i.e. contact angle, CA > 0° and < 90°). Soil water repellency (SWR) is mainly caused by organic compounds of different origin and structure, showing the relevance of biofilms and organic coatings present at many particle surfaces. Despite the importance of SWR for hydraulic processes like preferential flow phenomena, generation of heterogeneous moisture patterns, or surface run-off generation, detailed investigations on the spatial variability of SWR at various scales have rarely been carried out. We introduce a new and easy-to-apply operation for measuring the spatial distribution of SWR using a modified sessile drop method for direct optical assessment of CA at a small scale. The specific objectives of this paper are to apply a sampling and preparation technique that preserves the original spatial arrangement of soil particles and to characterize soil wettability in terms of CA at a high spatial resolution. Results revealed that the sampling and preparation technique allows determination of CA at the millimeter scale using droplets of 1 μL volume. Direct measurement on grain surfaces of the sand fraction is possible for grain sizes > 300 μm using drop volumes down to 0.1 μL. Geostatistical evaluation showed that the measurement grid scale is below the range of spatial dependency for droplets of 1 μL volume, but not for measurements on single grains (pure nugget effect). Results show further that the small-scale differences in wettability, especially for CA < 90°, cannot be detected by the conventional WDPT test. From these findings it can be concluded that the proposed technique allows the identification of small-scale variations in wettability that may promote the formation of heterogeneous flow fields and moisture patterns in soil under unsaturated conditions.
Combined proton NMR wideline and NMR relaxometry to study SOM-water interactions of cation-treated soils
Authors: Schaumann Gabriele E. , Diehl Dörte , Bertmer Marko , Jaeger Alexander , Conte Pellegrino , Alonzo Giuseppe , Bachmann Jörg 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Focusing on the idea that multivalent cations affect SOM matrix and surface, we treated peat and soil samples by solutions of NaCl, CaCl2 or AlCl3. Water binding was characterized with low field 1H-NMR-relaxometry (20 MHz) and 1H wideline NMR spectroscopy (400 MHz) and compared to contact angles.
From 1H wideline, we distinguished mobile water and water involved in water molecule bridges (WaMB). Large part of cation bridges (CaB) between SOM functional groups are associated with WaMB. Unexpectedly, 1H NMRrelaxometry relaxation rates suggest that cross-linking in the Al-containing peat is not stronger than that by Ca.
The relation between percentage of mobile water and WaMB water in the context of wettability and 1H NMR relaxation times confirms that wettability controls the water film surrounding soil particles. Wettability is controlled by WaMB-CaB associations fixing hydrophilic functional groups in the SOM interior. This can lead to severe water repellency. Wettability decreases with increasing involvement of functional groups in CaB-WaMB associations. The results demonstrate the relevance of CaB and WaMB for the dynamics of biogeochemical and hydrological processes under field conditions, as only a few percent of organic matter can affect the physical, chemical, and biological functioning of the entire 3-phase ecosystem.
Tolerance of canola to drought and salinity stresses in terms of root water uptake model parameters
Authors: Yanagawa Aki , Fujimaki Haruyuki 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Canola (Brassica napus) is cultivated for oil as a biofuel crop. Few quantitative data concerning its tolerance to abiotic stresses has been presented. We evaluated the tolerances of canola to drought and salinity stresses in terms of parameter values in a macroscopic root water uptake model. We conducted an experiment using nine columns with two plants in each: three columns were under drought stresses, another three were under saline stress and others provided potential transpiration. Two soil moisture and salinity probes were inserted into each of the six columns under stress to monitor water content and electrical conductivity. Weight of the columns was manually measured to obtain daily transpiration. Water uptake at each depth and time was calculated by substituting linearly interpolated matric and osmotic potentials into the stress response function. Determined stress response functions indicated that canola is more sensitive to drought compared to Jatropha. While, it was found to be as tolerant as Jatropha to salinity stress in terms of transpiration. Matric potential was more determining than osmotic potential to root water uptake of canola.
Influence of temperature on the biological parameters of the anholocyclic species Cinara tujafilina (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea)
Authors: Durak Roma , Borowiak-Sobkowiak Beata 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Aphids are a good model to study insect reaction to habitat change. Temperature is one of the main factors that influences insects. This paper examines the influence of temperature on developmental stages, fecundity, survival rate and demographic parameters of Cinara tujafilina (Hemiptera: Aphidoidea, Lachnidae), connected with decorative plants of the Cupressaceae family. C. tujafilina was reared in a laboratory on T. orientalis at five constant temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 28°C, 70% humidity and 14L:10D. The pre-reproduction stage varied from 7 at 25°C to 19 days at 10°C. Developmental threshold was assigned at 3.5°C. The longest reproduction stage for the aphids developing was recorded at 25°C, namely 33 days, while the shortest, at the temperature of 10°C, lasted 8 days. At 25°C this species is characterised by the shortest pre-reproduction stage, the highest fecundity, the highest survival rate and the highest demographic parameters, particularly rm (0.17). The results suggest that the optimal temperature for the species is 25°C, and indicate that climatic change will favourably influence its development and increase its role as a pest of decorative plants.
Determination of ecological significance based on geostatistical assessment: a case study from the Slovak Natura 2000 protected area
Authors: Klaučo Michal , Gregorová Bohuslava , Stankov Uglješa , Marković Vladimir , Lemenkova Polina 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe Sitno Natura 2000 Site covers an area of 935,56 hectares. The Sitno region is significant due to the number of rare and endangered species of plants, and as a result is considered a location of great importance to the maintenance of floral gene pools. The study area suffers human impacts in the form of tourism. The main purpose of this study is to the measure landscape elements, determine the ecological significance of habitats within the Sitno area, and from this data, organize the study area into conservation zones. The results of this landscape quantification are numerical values that can be used to interpret the quality of ongoing ecological processes within individual landscape types. Interpretation of this quantified data can be used to determine the ecological significance of landscapes in other study areas. This research examines the habitats of Natura 2000 Sites by a set of landscape metrics for habitat area, size, density, and shape, such as Number of patches (NP), Patch density (PD), Mean patch size (MPS), Patch size standard deviation (PSSD) and Mean shape index (MSI). The classification of land cover patches is based on the Annex Code system.