bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduction in high-frequency hearing loss following technical modifications to microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm
Authors: Thirumala Parthasarathy , Frederickson Andrew M. , Balzer Jeffrey , Crammond Donald , Habeych Miguel E. , Chang Yue-Fang , Sekula Raymond F. 
Published: July 2015

OBJECT
Microvascular decompression is a safe and effective procedure to treat hemifacial spasm, but the operation poses some risk to the patient’s hearing. While severe sensorineural hearing loss across all frequencies occurs at a low rate in experienced hands, a recent study suggests that as many as one-half of patients who undergo this procedure may experience ipsilateral high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL), and as many as one-quarter may experience contralateral HFHL. While it has been suggested that drill-related noise may account for this finding, this study was designed to examine the effect of a number of techniques designed to protect the vestibulocochlear nerve from operative manipulation on the incidence of HFHL.

METHODS
Pure-tone audiometry was performed both preoperatively and postoperatively on 67 patients who underwent microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm during the study period. A change of greater than 10 dB at either 4 kHz or 8 kHz was considered to be HFHL. Additionally, the authors analyzed intraoperative brainstem auditory evoked potentials from this patient cohort.

RESULTS
The incidence of ipsilateral HFHL in this cohort was 7.4%, while the incidence of contralateral HFHL was 4.5%. One patient (1.5%; also included in the HFHL group) experienced an ipsilateral nonserviceable hearing loss.

CONCLUSIONS
The reduced incidence of HFHL in this study suggests that technical modifications including performing the procedure without the use of fixed retraction may greatly reduce, but not eliminate, the occurrence of HFHL following microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm.
Genetic characterization of skull base chondrosarcomas
Authors: Kanamori Hiroki , Kitamura Yohei , Kimura Tokuhiro , Yoshida Kazunari , Sasaki Hikaru 
Published: July 2015

OBJECT
Although chondrosarcomas rarely arise in the skull base, chondrosarcomas and chordomas are the 2 major malignant bone neoplasms occurring at this location. The distinction of these 2 tumors is important, but this distinction is occasionally problematic because of radiological and histological overlap. Unlike chordoma and extracranial chondrosarcoma, no case series presenting a whole-genome analysis of skull base chondrosarcomas (SBCSs) has been reported. The goal of this study is to clarify the genetic characteristics of SBCSs and contrast them with those of chordomas.

METHODS
The authors analyzed 7 SBCS specimens for chromosomal copy number alterations (CNAs) using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). They also examined IDH1 and IDH2 mutations and brachyury expression.

RESULTS
In CGH analyses, the authors detected CNAs in 6 of the 7 cases, including chromosomal gains of 8q21.1, 19, 2q22-q32, 5qcen-q14, 8q21-q22, and 15qcen-q14. Mutation of IDH1 was found with a high frequency (5 of 7 cases, 71.4%), of which R132S was most frequently mutated. No IDH2 mutations were found, and immunohistochemical staining for brachyury was negative in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS
To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first whole-genome study of an SBSC case series. Their findings suggest that these tumors are molecularly consistent with a subset of conventional central chondrosarcomas and different from skull base chordomas.
Minimizing bone gaps when using custom pediatric cranial implants is associated with implant success
Authors: Bowers Christian A. , McMullin Jaron H. , Brimley Cameron , Etherington Linsey , Siddiqi Faizi A. , Riva-Cambrin Jay 
Published: July 2015

OBJECT
Occasionally after a craniotomy, the bone flap is discarded (as in the case of osteomyelitis) or is resorbed (especially after trauma), and an artificial implant must be inserted in a delayed fashion. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) implants and hard-tissue replacement patient-matched implants (HTR-PMI) are both commonly used in such cases. This study sought to compare the failure rate of these 2 implants and identify risk factors of artificial implant failure in pediatric patients.

METHODS
This was a retrospective cohort study examining all pediatric patients who received PEEK or HTR-PMI cranioplasty implants from 2000 to 2013 at a single institution. The authors examined the following variables: age, sex, race, mechanism, surgeon, posttraumatic hydrocephalus, time to cranioplasty, bone gap width, and implant type. The primary outcome of interest was implant failure, defined as subsequent removal and replacement of the implant. These variables were analyzed in a bivariate statistical fashion and in a multivariate logistic regression model for the significant variables.

RESULTS
The authors found that 78.3% (54/69) of implants were successful. The mean patient age was 8.2 years, and a majority of patients were male (73%, 50/69); the mean follow-up for the cohort was 33.3 months. The success rate of the 41 HTR-PMI implants was 78.1%, and the success rate of the 28 PEEK implants was 78.6% (p = 0.96). Implants with a bone gap of > 6 mm were successful in 33.3% of cases, whereas implants with a gap of < 6 mm had a success rate of 82.5% (p = 0.02). In a multivariate model with custom-type implants, previous failed custom cranial implants, time elapsed from previous cranioplasty attempt, and bone gap size, the only independent risk factor for implant failure was a bone gap > 6 mm (odds ratio 8.3, 95% confidence interval 1.2–55.9).

CONCLUSIONS
PEEK and HTR-PMI implants appear to be equally successful when custom implantation is required. A bone gap of > 6 mm with a custom implant in children results in significantly higher artificial implant failure.
Seasonal changes in the infestation parameters of the sucking louse, Linognathoides laeviusculus (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Polyplacidae), infesting Richardson’s ground squirrel (Rodentia: Sciuridae) in Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Yunik Matthew E.M. , Waterman Jane M. , Galloway Terry D. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractLinognathoides laeviusculus (Grube) (Phthiraptera: Anoplura: Polyplacidae) is a louse found on holarctic ground squirrels but little is known about how the life history, physiology, and hibernation of the host influence its population dynamics. Two hundred and fourteen Richardson’s ground squirrels (Urocitellus richardsonii (Sabine); Rodentia: Sciuridae) were trapped over the summer of 2010, and the age, sex, and mass of all euthanised squirrels were recorded. Squirrels were hand-washed to remove lice, which were then identified to species, stage of development, and sex. Linognathoides laeviusculus was the only louse collected. In total, 5057 lice were collected with 63.6% of the squirrels infested at a mean intensity of 37.2 (90% confidence interval=29.98–48.66). Two peaks in prevalence of L. laeviusculus infestations occurred (April and mid-June), and one peak in intensity (June). Juvenile squirrels had higher prevalence and mean intensity when compared to adults. Adult male squirrels had higher mean intensity compared to adult females. Adult lice comprised most of the population infesting emerging adult squirrels in the spring but nymphs predominated for most of the active season of the host. Infestations were highly aggregated with k=0.203 and index of discrepancy D=0.813. The seasonal dynamics of L. laeviusculus appear to be strongly correlated with the annual cycle of the squirrel host.
Total Quality Management implementation in Greek businesses: Comparative assessment 2009-2013
Authors: Vranaki Martha , Vranakis Stergios , Sarigiannidis Lazaros 
Published: July 2015

The competition in the Greek manufacturing sector has become very intense and the need for businesses to survive, under these very difficult conditions, forces them to find new ways to increase their profits, but also to attract new customers and to retain old. A necessary condition for long-term business survival is to maintain a high product quality level. The implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) approach is a key factor to achieve this goal.The main objective of this research is to identify the current situation as far as the implementation of TQM by Greek manufacturing firms, and finally to compare the results between the current research and the previous research of 2009 (Vranaki et al., 2010). The research model that has been developed incorporates nine factors which are found in literature to influence Total Quality Management. A structured questionnaire has been developed and distributed to executives of 61 companies. Descriptive statistics as well as Structure Equation Modeling (SEM) techniques were used to analyze the data.
A robust evaluation of sustainability initiatives with analytic network process (ANP)
Authors: Ocampo Lanndon , Ocampo Christine Omela 
Published: July 2015

<p>This paper presents a methodology on evaluating sustainable manufacturing initiatives using analytic network process (ANP) as its base.The evaluation method is anchored on the comprehensive sustainable manufacturing framework proposed recently in literature. A numerical example that involves an evaluation of five sustainable manufacturing initiatives is shown in this work. Results show that sustainable manufacturing implies enhancing customer and community well-being by means of addressing environmental issues related to pollution due to toxic substances, greenhouse gas emissions and air emissions. To test the robustness of the results, two approaches are introduced in this work: (1) using Monte Carlo simulation and (2) introducing structural changes on the evaluation model. It suggests that the results are robust to random variations and to marginal changes of the network structure. The contribution of this work lies on presenting a sustainable manufacturing evaluation approach that addresses complexity and robustness in decision-making. </p>
Frontex en de grenzen van zijn mandaat
Authors: Strik M.H.A. 
Published: July 2015

Frontex and the limits of its mandate
As an EU agency operating at the external borders of the EU, Frontex is actively involved in combating illegal migration. Since a rising number of migrants drown in the Mediterranean Sea or are pushed back to unsafe third countries, Frontex is being accused by human rights organizations for violating the fundamental rights of the EU. The Agency however maintains that it can’t be held accountable for human rights violations, as it is only assisting Member States, and not taking over their responsibility. This article analyses if this position is correct in the light of the growing tasks and mandate Frontex is granted by the EU.
De dynamiek van een migratiereis van Afrika naar Europa
Authors: Schapendonk J. 
Published: July 2015

The infinite dynamics of a migrant’s journey
In the context of the most recent European policy initiatives towards putting a halt on illegal immigration from Africa, this article discusses the transnational environment of West African migrants and the dynamics of their migration routes. By following one migration story more closely and by relating this route with the experiences of other migrants the article gives a clear insight into the aspirations of migrants, the often intangible way their journeys are facilitated, as well as into the various results of asylum procedures in Europe. The author argues that a European migration policy should go beyond the securitizing of migration through strategies aiming at immobilizing African migrants. This policy will prove to be ineffective since the aspirations of African migrants are constantly fed by political instability and the transnational reality of globalization.
Dublin: blind interstatelijk vertrouwen is een fictie
Authors: Bruin R. , Kok S.G. , Terlouw A. 
Published: July 2015

Dublin: blind faith between states is fictional. On granting percentages and allocations
In light of the high numbers of persons entering the EU via the southern borders and the current uneven distribution of asylum seekers (five Member States of the EU currently received in 2014 more than 70% of the total amount of refugees), there is a clear and urgent need for the EU ministers to ensure a fairer distribution of asylum seekers within the EU. The Dublin Regulation’s system of allocating the responsibility for an asylum request does not offer a solution for this challenge, also because Member States cannot have a blind faith in the standards of a number of states for processing asylum requests. There are significant differences in the application of the law and the procedures.
De Arabische Lente en artikel 1F Vluchtelingenverdrag
Authors: Bolhuis M. , van Wijk J. 
Published: July 2015

The Arabic Spring and Article 1F Refugee Convention
In this article, the authors discuss in general terms the relevance of Article 1F Refugee Convention in relation to the recent increased asylum influx and the ‘Arab Spring’. More specifically, they answer the question to what extent it can be expected that the application of Article 1F is an appropriate means for identifying potential IS sympathizers and thus possibly for removing the threat of future terrorist attacks. With regard to countries like Syria it is more likely that relatively low-level persons who have been employed as a soldier or officer in a repressive state apparatus are excluded on the basis of Article 1F, than IS sympathizers with future terrorist plans. When the situation in Syria does not improve, it is likely that those 1F-excluded individuals will end up in a limbo situation for a prolonged period of time. This not only has significant negative consequences for the individuals involved, but also means that every 1F-exclusion today creates a political problem for the future.
Improving Quality and Potency Testing for Umbilical Cord Blood: A New Perspective
Authors: Rich Ivan N. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSummaryThis article critically reviews current methods to test and characterize umbilical cord blood (UCB) for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These tests include total nucleated cell (TNC) count, viability, viable CD34-positive content, and the colony-forming unit assay. It is assumed that the data obtained are sufficient to perform a UCB stem cell transplant without actually determining the quality and potency of the stem cells responsible for engraftment. This assumption has led not only to a high graft failure rate attributed to low or lack of potency, but also to noncompliance with present statutes that require UCB stem cells to be of high quality and, indeed, potency for a transplant to be successful. New evidence now calls into question the quality of the data, based on the UCB processed TNC fraction because using this impure fraction masks and significantly underestimates the functionality of the stem cells in both the segment and the unit. It is proposed that UCB units should be processed to the mononuclear cell fraction and that new cost-effective technology that measures the quality and potency of UCB stem cells be implemented to achieve better practices in UCB testing. These changes would provide the transplant physician with the assurance that the stem cells will perform as intended and would reduce risk and increase safety and efficacy for the patient.SignificanceCurrent stem cell transplantation of umbilical cord blood cells requires testing that includes four basic parameters that do not determine whether the stem cells are of high quality, as required by the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Act of 2005. No cord blood units collected or transplanted so far have been tested for stem cell quality or potency. New scientific evidence calls into question cord blood processing and testing practices required by regulatory agencies and standards organizations. A new perspective is described that includes stem cell quality and potency testing that could reduce graft failure rates.
Mental Health Utilization Among Diverse Parenting Young Couples
Authors: Albritton Tashuna , Angley Meghan , Gibson Crystal , Sipsma Heather , Kershaw Trace 
Published: July 2015

AbstractMental health issues often become apparent as adolescents emerge into young adulthood. The use of mental health services is low among adolescents and young adults, and use is particularly low among minorities. In this study, we examine mental health utilization among diverse young parenting couples. The sample consisted of 296 couples. We used the social–personal framework to examine personal, family, partner relationship, and environmental predictors for using mental health services. We used the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model to assess actor and partner effects on mental health utilization. We also examined moderator effects for gender and internalizing and externalizing behaviors. We found that being female, being White, higher income, more conduct problems, and less anxious romantic attachment predicted mental health utilization. Significant moderator effects included depression × gender, depression × medical insurance, and stress × Latino. Implications for community mental health practice include conducting mental health assessments during medical visits and systematic mental health follow‐up for individuals and couples with identified mental health and support needs. Future research should include married couples and the spouse’s influence on mental health use and examine relevant parenting factors that may also predict mental health utilization among couples.
Phase I study of TAS-102 and irinotecan combination therapy in Japanese patients with advanced colorectal cancer
Authors: Doi Toshihiko , Yoshino Takayuki , Fuse Nozomu , Boku Narikazu , Yamazaki Kentaro , Koizumi Wasaburo , Shimada Ken , Takinishi Yasutaka , Ohtsu Atsushi 
Published: July 2015

SummaryBackground TAS-102 is a nucleoside antitumor agent consisting of trifluridine (FTD) and tipiracil hydrochloride (TPI). We investigated the recommended dose (RD) of TAS-102 plus irinotecan for metastatic colorectal cancer refractory to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and oxaliplatin. Methods This study was used a escalated dose of TAS-102 (40–70 mg/m2/day, for 5 days a week with 2 days rest for 2 weeks, followed by a 14-day rest) with a fixed dose of irinotecan (150 mg/m2 on Days 1 and 15 of a 28-day schedule). The primary endpoints were determination of RD and assessment of safety. Results Ten patients were enrolled; 7 at the Level 1 (50 mg/m2/day) and 3 at the Level 2 (60 mg/m2/day). One patient at Level 1 was excluded from the analysis of dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) and efficacy. Five DLTs occurred in 3 patients; 1 patient at Level 1 (Grade 3 febrile neutropenia and Grade 4 neutropenia), and 2 patients at Level 2 (Grade 3 febrile neutropenia in two patients and Grade 4 neutropenia in one). Grade 3 or higher treatment-related adverse events were neutropenia (100 %), leukopenia (70 %), febrile neutropenia (30 %) and lymphopenia, anaemia (20 % each). 2 patients (22 %) achieved partial response with the duration of response were 112 and 799 days. Conclusion The RD was determined to be 50 mg/m2/day of TAS-102 combined with 150 mg/m2 of irinotecan although further investigation to explore optimal regimen is warranted.
Estimation of automotive brake drum-shoe interface friction coefficient under varying conditions of longitudinal forces using Simulink
Authors: Khairnar H. P. , Phalle V. M. , Mantha S. S. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
The suitable brake torque at the shoe-drum interface is the prerequisite of the active safety control. Estimation of accurate brake torque under varying conditions is predominantly the function of friction coefficient at the shoe-drum interface. The extracted friction coefficient has been used in the antilock braking system (ABS) algorithm to plot the μ-slip curve. The longitudinal forces like Coulomb friction force, contact force and actuating forces at the shoe ends are resolved under the equilibrium condition. The computation of the friction coefficient is presented for the symmetric and asymmetric length of the drum shoes to track the variations in the longitudinal forces. The classical mechanics formulae considering friction are simulated using virtual environment in Matlab/Simulink for the distribution of the Coulomb force. The dual air braking system set up operated at the 8 bar pressure is used to acquire data for the input parameters like distance of Coulomb friction force, distance of pivot point, and contact force applied. The evolved estimation algorithm extracted the maximum friction coefficient of 0.7 for the normal force arrangement of the contact force at the symmetric shoe length, while friction coefficient in the range of 0.3–0.7 is obtained at the asymmetric shoe length.
Traumatic laceration of the portal vein
Authors: Kama Ahmet , Coskun Savas , Yuksel Melih , Yildirim Ali Cihat , Gunal Elnare , Cıgsar Gulsen 
Published: July 2015

AbstractDespite its relatively protected position, the liver is the most frequently injured solid intra-abdominal organ.1 Most liver injuries can be managed conservatively, but about 5% to 10% require urgent laparotomy, usually when the mechanism of injury involves a vehicle accident and hemodynamic instability persists, in spite of 40 mL/kg of blood transfusion.2,3 In particular, grades IV and V liver injuries may pose a challenge to the surgeon trying to control hemorrhage, the leading cause of mortality.4 Traumatic injuries to the portal vein are rare but devastating. The mortality rate for portal vein injury ranges from 50% to 70%. A recent study of portal triad injuries has highighted the higher mortality rates associated with combination injuries involving multiple portal triad components, especially those that include portal vein injury.5 This case study describes a unique case of relatively minor trauma in a child resulting in portal triad injury, sudden demise, and surgical repair.
Mixing by bubble-induced turbulence
Authors: Alméras Elise , Risso Frédéric , Roig Véronique , Cazin Sébastien , Plais Cécile , Augier Frédéric 
Published: July 2015

This work reports an experimental investigation of the dispersion of a low-diffusive dye within a homogeneous swarm of high-Reynolds-number rising bubbles at gas volume fractions${\it\alpha}$ranging from 1 % to 13 %. The capture and transport of dye within bubble wakes is found to be negligible and the mixing turns out to result from the bubble-induced turbulence. It is described well by a regular diffusion process. The diffusion coefficient corresponding to the vertical direction is larger than that corresponding to the horizontal direction, owing to the larger intensity of the liquid fluctuations in the vertical direction. Two regimes of diffusion have been identified. At low gas volume fraction, the diffusion time scale is given by the correlation time of the bubble-induced turbulence and the diffusion coefficients increase roughly as${\it\alpha}^{0.4}$. At large gas volume fraction, the diffusion time scale is imposed by the time interval between two bubbles and the diffusion coefficients become almost independent of ${\it\alpha}$. The transition between the two regimes occurs sooner in the horizontal direction ($1\,\%\leqslant {\it\alpha}\leqslant 3\,\%$) than in the vertical direction ($3\,\%\leqslant {\it\alpha}\leqslant 6\,\%$). Physical models based on the hydrodynamic properties of the bubble swarm are introduced and guidelines for practical applications are suggested.