bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sustainable infrastructure provision through awareness in selected medium-sized towns in Kwara State
Authors: Afolayan Ganiyu Popoola , Tunde Afolabi Monisola 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Infrastructure is a basic structure required for sustainable socio-economic and physical development of any human settlement. The issue of sustainable development has recently been linked to infrastructure sustainability. Required to achieve this is the acquisition of appropriate education. Different skills, understanding the complexities that threaten the survival of our system, critical and systematic thinking, building capacity and partnership in decision-making, which are essential tools for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), are required to provide adequate, appropriate and functional infrastructure. This study therefore examines the awareness/knowledge with reference to various skills employed in the provision of infrastructure through communal efforts in ten selected medium-sized towns in Kwara State. These towns are with a population of between 5,000 and 20,000. A total of 400 household heads were sampled systematically through the administration of a questionnaire in the ten selected medium-sized towns. Tabulations, cross tabulations, percentages and chi-square analysis were employed to analyse the gathered data. The findings revealed a significant relationship between awareness/knowledge and the provision of infrastructure with a calculated value of 219.23 greater than the tabulated value 34.41 at alpha level 0.05. Indigenous knowledge coupled with the ideas brought home by indigenes that have travelled far from their immediate communities and some professional skills acquired through community participation in infrastructure provision were employed to provide basic infrastructure required for socio-economic and physical development. Among the infrastructure provided are water, roads, health centres and electricity. The study recommends the improvement of basic education, a review and re-orientation of our educational system to address sustainability for proper collaboration of community efforts with the Community Development division of various local governments. This could be through training of the local communities and promotion of partnership zeal with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in infrastructure provision.
The heavy metal content of soil and shoots of Vaccinium myrtillus L. in the Słowiński National Park
Authors: Parzych Agnieszka 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
The research was carried out in the Słowiński National Park, in an area with 15 research stations in pine coniferous forests situated at locations (1) inaccessible to tourists, (2) most frequently visited by tourists as well as (3) in the vicinity of parking lots. The analysed samples comprised surface generic levels (Ol, Ofh, A), aboveground material (shoots; leaves and stems) and below-ground material (roots) of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). The performed analyses showed statistically significant Spearman’s correlation coefficients for Zn content in the ‘soil - stems:’ (r = -0.44, p < 0.05, n = 45) relationship and the ‘soil - roots’ relationship (r = -0.52, p < 0.05, n = 45). Accordingly, there were significant statistical differences (U Mann-Whitney test) in zinc content in the ‘stems - roots’ relationship and the ‘leaves - roots’ relationship. Furthermore, the obtained results reveal an excessive accumulation of Mn in V. myrtillus. The content of the investigated heavy metals in V. myrtillus shoots decreased in the following order: Mn > Fe > Zn > Cu
Toxicity, mechanism and health effects of some heavy metals
Authors: Jaishankar Monisha , Tseten Tenzin , Anbalagan Naresh , Mathew Blessy B. , Beeregowda Krishnamurthy N. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT
Heavy metal toxicity has proven to be a major threat and there are several health risks associated with it. The toxic effects of these metals, even though they do not have any biological role, remain present in some or the other form harmful for the human body and its proper functioning. They sometimes act as a pseudo element of the body while at certain times they may even interfere with metabolic processes. Few metals, such as aluminium, can be removed through elimination activities, while some metals get accumulated in the body and food chain, exhibiting a chronic nature. Various public health measures have been undertaken to control, prevent and treat metal toxicity occurring at various levels, such as occupational exposure, accidents and environmental factors. Metal toxicity depends upon the absorbed dose, the route of exposure and duration of exposure, i.e. acute or chronic. This can lead to various disorders and can also result in excessive damage due to oxidative stress induced by free radical formation. This review gives details about some heavy metals and their toxicity mechanisms, along with their health effects
Tensile and erosive strength of soil macro-aggregates from soils under different management system
Authors: Urbanek Emilia , Horn Rainer , Smucker Alwin J.M. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Reduced soil tillage practices are claimed to improve soil health, fertility and productivity through improved soil structure and higher soil organic matter contents. This study compares soil structure stability of soil aggregates under three different tillage practices: conventional, reduced and no tillage. The erosive strength of soil aggregates has been determined using the abrasion technique with the soil aggregate erosion chambers (SAE). During abrasion soil aggregates have been separated into the exterior, transitional and interior regions. The forces needed to remove the material from the aggregate were calculated as erosive strength and compared with the tensile strength of the aggregates derived from crushing tests. The relationship between aggregate strength and other soil properties such as organic carbon and hydrophobic groups’ content has also been identified.
The results show that erosive and tensile strength of soil aggregates is very low in topsoil under conventional and reduced tillage comparing with the subsoil horizons. Negative correlation was found between the content of organic carbon, hydrophobic compounds and erosive aggregate strength which suggests that the stabilising effect of soils organic carbon may be lost with drying. The positive relationship between the tensile strength and erosive strength for aggregates of 8-5 mm size suggests that the total strength of these aggregates is controlled by the sum of strength of all concentric layers
Thyroid lesions incidentally detected by 18F-FDG PET-CT ― a two centre retrospective study
Authors: Jamsek Jan , Zagar Ivana , Gaberscek Simona , Grmek Marko 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Background. Incidental 18F-FDG uptake in the thyroid on PET-CT examinations represents a diagnostic challenge. The maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) is one possible parameter that can help in distinguishing between benign and malignant thyroid PET lesions.
Patients and methods. We retrospectively evaluated 18F-FDG PET-CT examinations of 5,911 patients performed at two different medical centres from 2010 to 2011. If pathologically increased activity was accidentally detected in the thyroid, the SUVmax of the thyroid lesion was calculated. Patients with incidental 18F-FDG uptake in the thyroid were instructed to visit a thyroidologist, who performed further investigation including fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) if needed. Lesions deemed suspicious after FNAC were referred for surgery.
Results. Incidental 18F-FDG uptake in the thyroid was found in 3.89% ― in 230 out of 5,911 patients investigated on PET-CT. Malignant thyroid lesions (represented with focal thyroid uptake) were detected in 10 of 66 patients (in 15.2%). In the first medical centre the SUVmax of 36 benign lesions was 5.6 ± 2.8 compared to 15.8 ± 9.2 of 5 malignant lesions (p < 0.001). In the second centre the SUVmax of 20 benign lesions was 3.7 ± 2.2 compared to 5.1 ± 2.3 of 5 malignant lesions (p = 0.217). All 29 further investigated diffuse thyroid lesions were benign.
Conclusions. Incidental 18F-FDG uptake in the thyroid was found in 3.89% of patients who had a PET-CT examination. Only focal thyroid uptake represented a malignant lesion in our study ― in 15.2% of all focal thyroid lesions. SUVmax should only serve as one of several parameters that alert the clinician on the possibility of thyroid malignancy.
Réflexions sur quelques aspects de l'enluminure dans l'ouest de la France au XIIe siècle [Le manuscrit latin 5323 de la Bibliothèque nationale]
Authors: Burin Elisabeth 
Published: November 2014

Eine Handschrift aus dem Poitou und einige Aspekte der westfranzösischen Buchmalerei im 12. Jahrhundert.
Die Handschrift latin 5323 der Bibliothèque Nationale von Paris ist ein bedeutungsreiches Beispiel für die westfranzösische Buchmalerei in einer wenig bekannten Periode, der Mitte des 12. Jahrhunderts. Während die Heiligenviten des Textes Anlass geben zu meinen, dass die Handschrift aus der Gegend von Poitiers stammt und während die rubrizierten untergeordneten Initialen ebenfalls einen Ursprung in derselben Gegend nahelegen, waren die beiden Künstler, die die grossen Initialen gemalt hatten, sichtlich in zwei verschiedenen Gegenden ausgebildet worden. Sicher, sowohl der eineals auch der andere zeichnen die menschliche Figur mit Drapierungen, die den Konventionen entsprechen, die in ganz Westfrankreich verbreitet waren, wo ein enges Netz von Beziehungen eine gemeinsame Tradition, die aus dem II. Jahrhundert stammt, genährt zu haben scheint. Aber während der zweite und zugleich wichtigste Teil der Handschrift von den Traditionen des Südwestens gekennzeichnet ist und ganz besonders an die Buchmalerei von Saint-Martial in Limoges erinnert, so scheint es, dass der erste Meister seine Kunst im Norden der Loire, wahrscheinlich in Le Mans, erlernt hatte. Sein Ornamentrepertoire umfasst Themen, die der ganzen normannischen Einflusszone gemeinsam sind, ebenso wie manche Motive, die sich vielleicht in England entwickelt hatten. Indes ist dies Repertoire in erster Linie einem Stil verwandt, der sich in der Gegend von Chartres und Paris ungefähr von 1130 ab entwickelte, und vor allem Beispielen dieses Sils, die aus den Jahren um 1140 stammen. Die Motive der Gruppe von Chartres und von Paris ebenso wie die normannischen älteren Themen werden ihrerseits von dem zweiten Maler kopiert und assimiliert. Die Handschrift illustriert somit eine häufige Art von Weiterleitung künstlerischer Strömungen : mehrere andere Werke aus Westfrankreich zeigen Spuren eines analogen nördlichen Einflusses. So zeigen sich in diesem Werk neue Strömungen gleichzeitig zu Regionaltraditionen und zu dem persönlichen Beitrag des Künstlers.
La tête sculptée dite de Regnaud de Mouçon provient plus probablement du gisant de l'évêque Pierre de Celle
Authors: Villette Jean 
Published: November 2014

A Sculpted Head of the Bishop Pierre de Celle.
The Musée des Beaux Arts in Chartres owns a head sculpted in stone that was found in 1909 in the former abbey of Josaphat, located just outside the city. The mitred head was at that time identified as coming from the recumbent figure of Bishop Regnaud de Mouçon († 1217). The site where the head was found, however, is very likely the emplacement of the tomb of Pierre de Celle († 1183). Stylistically the head has often been compared with certain of those on the statues in the portais of the south façade of the cathedral of Chartres. This façade has been misdated because of a faulty translation of a charter of 1224. Furthermore, comparisons with sculpture on monuments more or less contemporary with the death of Pierre de Celle lead to the same conclusion.
La scie hydraulique de Villard de Honnecourt et sa place dans l'histoire des techniques
Authors: Adam Jean-Pierre , Varène Pierre 
Published: November 2014

The hydraulic saw of Villard de Honnecourt and Us place in the history oftechnology.
The fascinating drawings of machines in the sketch-books of Leonardo da Vinci illustrate emphatically the mechanical puriosity of the architects and engineers of the Renaissance. The lustre of this period, however, ought not eclipse the creative spirit and know-how of the preceeding centuries whose monumental constructions are proof of indispensable technological research, even if ail too often we forget to consider the phases of conception and construction. Technological research afîected not only the study of statics and stereotomy but also the development and use of machines that facilitated and accelerated the preparation of the materials. In order to improve our knowledge in this area, an attempt has been made to reconstitute one of the machines drawn by that veritable encyclopedist, Villard de Honnecourt, and to situate it in the generai history of technology.
The choice feil on a machine that seemed to be both the most complex and the most useful : the hydraulic saw. This short study shows that, underlying an apparently naïve, summary sketch, the necessary éléments of an ingenious and efficient meehanism have been fully recorded.
Divagazione sul tema del sandalo: significato e valenza tra la sfera celeste e quella ctonia
Authors: Carboni Romina 
Published: November 2014

Divagations sur le thème de la sandale : signification et valeur entre sphère céleste et sphère chthonienne
La sandale est un élément récurrent dans la mythologie grecque : elle se trouve associée à différents personnages et revêt à chaque fois des significations symboliques variées. Il est intéressant de remarquer d’un côté la valeur culturelle qu’une seule chaussure assume dans les témoignages les plus connus – dans les cas de Jason, de Persée ou encore de Lycurgue, par exemple -, de l’autre la signification différente qu’elle a par rapport à des témoignages moins connus, mais également enregistrés par les sources littéraires. Parmi ces traditions nous rappellerons celle de la sandale dorée de Déméter et des deux sandales, l’une de bronze et l’autre d’or, liées à la fi gure d’Hécate. Dans ce dernier cas, les sandales, qui symbolisent le chemin d’Hécate lunaire dans le ciel, changent leur couleur par rapport aux phases lunaires : elles sont d’or lors de la nouvelle lune, de bronze à la pleine lune. Elles représentent aussi les deux côtés de la déesse Hécate, l’un lié à son rapport avec Déméter et Coré, l’autre à sa dimension infernale. L’objectif de cette contribution est de mettre en évidence, à l’aide des sources littéraires et iconographiques, les caractères et la signification qui expliquent l’association de cet objet, la sandale, avec hommes, héros et divinités en rapport avec la sphère céleste mais aussi celle chthonienne.
« Que la Colchidienne fasse bouillir le chaudron d’airain » : rôles et fonctions du chaudron de Médée
Authors: Martin Michaël 
Published: November 2014

« May the Colchidian make the bronze cauldron boil » or The role of Medea’s cauldron
If her wand is inseparable from Circe’s powers, the cauldron is equally linked to another figure from mythology, Medea. Appearing at different moments in the myth of the Colchidian, notably during her sojourn in Iolcos, it is at once the place where the mingling of substances takes place and the passage from one state to another in initiation. And even more, the rejuvenation which seems originally to take place in her breast, Medea’s cauldron finds itself linked to the ram and to the royal function, which numerous indications tend to prove. The analysis of both literary and iconographic sources which have come down to us, such as vases and reliefs, suggests a new reading which allows us to discover different values which may reasonably be attributed to this object and which are reinforced in the light of other myths.
Objet de valeur, objet de désir et signes de pouvoir : « l’épaule » de Pélops et la marque des Pélopides
Authors: Cuvelier Pierre 
Published: November 2014

Precious object, object of desire and signs of power : the «shoulder » of Pelops and t he mark of the Pelopids
The Greek hero Pelops, ancestor of the Pelopids, is physically characterized by a distinctive mark of variable aspect, generally on the shoulder or the arm. I detail here the great variety of contexts in which this mark appears, and their infl uence on its form and connotations. Though it doesn’t exist at all in the visual arts, the mark has an existence in two very distinct domains. It is on one hand a vestige of the hero, a precious object treasured near Olympia, where Pelops received a cult. On the other hand, the mark appears in other forms in several, mainly poetical works. The choice of linking or not linking the mark with the episode of the banquet of Tantalus reveals which of two main signifi cations the authors convey through the mark : either its status of artifi cial element disappears and the authors focus on the precious gleam of ivory in order to convey a hyperbolical masculine beauty, or the mark is used as a macabre testimony of Pelops’ lost sliver of fl esh after the cannibalistic banquet of the gods. In spite of this diversity of medias and contexts, the mark generally works as a sign of power, as it is the case for the distinctive mark that the members of Pelops’ genos, the Pelopids, were rumored to wear during the last centuries of Antiquity.
Influences of Topical Cyclopentolate on Anterior Chamber Parameters With a Dual-Scheimpflug Analyzer in Healthy Children
Authors: Güler Emre , Güragaç Fatma Betül , Tenlik Aylin , Yagci Ramazan , Arslanyilmaz Zeynel , Balci Mehmet 
Published: November 2014

Purpose:
To evaluate the changes of anterior segment parameters following the topical instillation of cyclopentolate hydrochloride 1% with the Galilei dual-Scheimpflug analyzer (GSA) (Ziemer Ophthalmology Co., Port, Switzerland) in healthy children.

Methods:

Fifty children (29 boys, 21 girls) were evaluated before and 60 minutes after instillation of three drops of 1% cyclopentolate hydrochloride using the GSA. The measurements before and after cycloplegia, including anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber angle (ACA), anterior chamber volume (ACV), central corneal thickness (CCT), and pupil size, were evaluated using the paired
t
test.

Results:

The mean age of the patients was 10.27 ± 3.32 years (range: 5 to 15 years). Measurements between the two sessions were significantly different for all parameters (
P
< .05), except for CCT (
P
> .05).

Conclusions:
The GSA demonstrated a statistically significant increase in ACD, ACV, ACA, and pupil size following the topical application of cyclopentolate hydrochloride 1%. These results should be considered during biometric measurement and refractive surgery planning.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus.
2015;52(1):26–30.]
Lidocaine lozenges for pharyngeal anesthesia during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Supe Avinash , Haribhakti Sanjiv P. , Ali Mohammad , Rathnaswami A. , Ulla T. Zameer , Maroo SanjayKumar H. , Patel Ketan R. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Background and Objectives: A novel lozenge formulation with advantages of ease of drug administration, palatable taste and improved patient compliance could be the preferred mode of topical pharyngeal anesthesia during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE). This randomized, open-label, active-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lidocaine lozenges versus lidocaine spray in the diagnostic gastroduodenal endoscopy in Indian patients. Subjects and Methods: Two hundred and forty-seven patients of either sex (18-80 years) undergoing diagnostic gastroduodenal endoscopy were randomized either to; lidocaine lozenge 200 mg or lidocaine spray 200 mg to be applied as a single dose before gastroduodenal endoscopy. Ease of procedure, level of gag reflex, ease of application of the local anesthetic, and investigators global assessment were the primary efficacy endpoints. Need for rescue medication and patient’s global assessment were secondary efficacy endpoints. The incidence of any adverse event was the safety endpoint. Between groups, comparison was done by using appropriate statistical test. Results: Investigator reported significantly lesser procedural difficulty (P = 0.0007) and suppressed gag reflex (P < 0.0001) during UGE with lidocaine lozenge compared to spray. Ease of application of local anesthetic was reported easy in significantly more patients as compared with lidocaine spray (P = 0.001). Global assessment by patient and physician was favorable toward lozenge. Incidences of adverse events were similar in both the groups. Conclusions: The study suggests that lidocaine lozenges are an easier way of applying local oropharyngeal anesthesia, produces better suppression of gag reflex and makes the procedure easier when compared with lidocaine spray.
Clinical Outcomes of Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device Implantation: A Single-Institute Report from Japan
Authors: Komagamine Masahide , Nishinaka Tomohiro , Iwata Yusuke , Tsukui Hiroyuki , Ichihara Yuki , Saito Satoshi , Yamazaki Kenji 
Published: November 2014

Purpose Numerous difficulties remain associated with pediatric heart transplantation. Therefore, the development of a ventricular assist device (VAD) specific to these cases is extremely important for therapeutic effectiveness. We present 5 cases of severe heart failure that were managed by ventricular assist device implantation, as a bridge to transplantation. Methods We examined the clinical course of 5 patients (4 boys, 1 girl; mean age, 10.6 ± 1.5 years; range, 8-12 years) who underwent implantation of a pneumatic extracorporeal ventricular assist device between February 2004 and May 2009. Four patients had dilated cardiomyopathy and one had corrected transposition of the great arteries. Results The mean period between onset of heart failure and ventricular assist device implantation was 594 ± 750 days (range, 94-1702 days), and the mean duration of ventricular assist support was 112 ± 98 days (range, 44-284 days). Four patients underwent heart transplantation overseas and one died of cerebral hemorrhage. Conclusions Careful management of pediatric VAD patients and development of a device designed specifically for pediatric patients are essential for improving clinical outcomes in the future.
Endotoxin Adsorbents in Extracorporeal Blood Purification: Do they Fulfill Expectations?
Authors: Harm Stephan , Falkenhagen Dieter , Hartmann Jens 
Published: November 2014

Introduction Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are extremely strong stimulators of inflammatory reactions, act at very low concentrations, and are involved in the pathogenesis of sepsis and septic shock. Because of its toxicity, the efficient removal of endotoxin from patients’ blood is very important in clinical medicine. The purpose of this study was to determine the endotoxin adsorption capacities of commercial endotoxin adsorbers for endotoxin removal in buffer solution, protein solution, serum and heparinized plasma; some of these were also characterized in whole blood. The tested LPS adsorbers were Toraymyxin® PMX-20R, Alteco® LPS Adsorber, DEAE-Sepharose, Polymyxin B-Agarose, and EndoTrap® red. Methods The adsorber materials were tested in buffer and protein solutions spiked with fluorescently labeled LPS (100 ng/ml). Additionally, batch tests with LPS-spiked serum, heparinized plasma and whole blood were performed with an LPS concentration of 5 ng/ml. Additionally, the washing solutions of the two tested Polymyxin B (PMB)-based adsorbers were analyzed for PMB release to determine if the resulting LPS inactivation was caused by PMB leakage. Results The results show that DEAE-Sepharose was most effective in LPS adsorption. Of the other tested endotoxin removal materials, only the PMB-based adsorbers were able to reduce the LPS activity. However, we were able to show that the reduction in LPS activity was caused by desorbed PMB, which inactivates endotoxins. Conclusions None of the adsorbents that were tested in this study showed promising results for potential use in extracorporeal blood purification.