bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Centripetal Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A 6-year Experience
Authors: de Moreta Guillermo Sanjuan , Cardoso-López Isabel , Poletti-Serafini Daniel 
Published: May 2014

Background Despite technical advances in the tools designed to facilitate endoscopic nasosinusal surgery, the approach used, functional endoscopic sinus surgery, has not undergone major modifications since it was first described in the late 1980s. Centripetal endoscopic sinus surgery (CESS) is a new approach based on taking the medial wall of the orbit and the anterior cranial base as constant dissection landmarks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of CESS in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) by measuring clinical and objective improvement, the need for revision surgery, and the complication rate. Methods We reviewed 114 patients with CRS with or without polyps who underwent CESS at our center between May 2006 and December 2011. CRS was assessed using the Lund-Mackay staging system. The follow-up period ranged from 18 to 84 months (May 2013). Results Of 114 patients, 83 presented CRS with nasal polyposis, 12 had CRS without nasal polyposis, 17 had Samter's triad, and 2 had antrochoanal polyps. Postoperative evaluation of nasal obstruction and olfaction showed a significant and lasting improvement in these symptoms. Only four patients (3.5%) have required revision surgery, to date. Conclusion CESS provided a lasting improvement in patients with CRS, by dramatically reducing the number of reinterventions. This approach is especially indicated in difficult cases, such as recurrent nasal polyposis and massive polyposis, because the dissection is based on constant borders and not influenced by previous surgery or disease extension.
The Effect of Borax on the Friction Performance of an Automotive Brake Lining
Authors: Sugozu Ilker , Can Ibrahim , Onerc Cengiz 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIn this study the effect of refined boron product borax on friction and wear performance of various brake friction couples were investigated. Different amounts of borax were used in the mix with other regular ingredients in the respective brake pad. Newly formulated brake pad material with nine different ingredients was tested using friction assessment and screening test (FAST). Among such specimens, only half of the samples (shown with H indices) were heat treated for 4 h at 180 °C. The friction coefficient as well as the wear rate were determined and the friction surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) to assess the performance of these samples. The heat treated sample that was reinforced with 12 % borax exhibited the optimum friction and wear behaviour. With increasing friction surface temperature, a reduction of the friction coefficient of the samples was observed. The lowest reduction of the friction coefficient was observed the 8 % and 12 % borax reinforced and heat treated samples.
Prediction of Surface Roughness in Longitudinal Turning Process by a Genetic Learning Algorithm
Authors: Aldaş Kemal , Özkul İskender , Eskil Murat 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe surface roughness is one of the major parameters for determining the level of machining quality. The cutting parameters and conditions have great importance to achieve the desired values during the turning process. In the present work, a new approach was considered for modelling the effect of various turning process parameters and conditions on surface roughness. The experimental studies about the surface roughness after the turning process documented in the literature were collected and compiled into a model based on a genetic learning algorithm. As input parameters for modeling the work piece alloy type, tool type, tool tip radius, tool coating type, cooling conditions, cutting speed, feed rate, and cut depth were used in the study and were comprehensivly compiled.
Detection of defects in metallic specimens supported by ultrasound propagation simulations
Authors: Rodriguez Cristina , Fernández Mónica , Domíngue Javier , Biezma M. Victoria 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe main aim of non-destructive testing (NDT) with ultrasounds (US) is the materials defect detection with respect to their main data, i. e. size, shape, and position. Inspectors carry out this task by attention to the reflected signal in the material and by comparison of the signals obtained at a specific defect with those of the defect-free material. In this way, the existence or absence of heterogeneities to be attributed to a specific defect can be determined. Inspectors are trained using specimens of the same material in which artificial defects are created, in order to establish a hypothetical appearance as natural defects. Such to be tested material specimens can be really expensive, and the total cost is particularly increased by the defect incorporation with the main scope to create the ideal size defects. The main purpose of this study is the detection of defects in metallic specimens by simulation of ultrasonic propagation in order to reduce the high cost of ultrasound protocol tests by comparing simulated and experimental results. It turned out that the good correlation between both methods allows using ultrasonic simulation as training method.
Structure Optimization of the 2D Angular Rotation of a Micro/Nano Table Using the Interface between Matlab and ANSYS
Authors: Helal Mahmoud , Rong Weibin , Wang Lefeng , Helal Waseem 
Published: May 2014

AbstractResearch and development of nano/micro-sized objects and systems have received considerable interest in the last few decades and were accelerated in the last decade due to the emergence of nanotechnology. Compliant mechanisms have made an enormous contribution in the design process of various fields such as for adaptive structures, hand-held tools, components in transportations, electronics, and surgical tools, respectively. The use of compliant mechanisms will help reducing the number of components, which therefore decrease manufacturing cost and additionally increase the performance. Topology optimization has proven to be a powerful method for the conceptual design of structures and mechanisms. Topology optimization is the technique that finds the optimal layout of the structure within a specified design domain. This paper presents the angular compliant mechanism of a micro/nano table which can realize a planer angular movement of the objects. The topology optimization is applied for designing two-dimensional micro/nano table angular compliant mechanism. The optimization algorithm is implemented using interface between Matlab and ANSYS. The final optimal topology configuration of the micro/nano angular table is shown and discussed.
Investigation of the mechanochemical behavior of the Mg – TiO2 – H3BO3 system
Authors: Torabi Omid , Golabgir Mohammad Hossein , Tajizadegan Hamid , Naghibi Sanaz , Jamshidi Amin 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
MgO – TiB2 nanocomposite was synthesized using mixtures of TiO2, H3BO3 and Mg as raw materials via a mechanochemical process. The phase transformation and structural evaluation were investigated by means of X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and differential thermal analysis techniques. Thermodynamics evaluations indicated the reaction was highly exothermic and should be a mechanically induced self-sustaining reaction. According to X-ray analysis, MgO – TiB2 nanocomposite was formed after 4 h of ball milling. Thermal analysis results revealed that after 3 h milling, the temperature of combustion reaction decreased and all the reactions happened simultaneously. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy observations confirmed the range of particle size was within 100 nm.
Structural Development and Properties of Melt Spun Poly(butylene succinate) and Poly(butylene terephthalate-co-succinate-co-adipate) Biodegradable Fibers
Authors: Shi X. Q. , Takasaki M. , Ito H. , Kikutani T. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
High-speed melt spinning of biodegradable aliphatic polyester poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), and aliphatic-aromatic copolyester poly(butylene terephthalate-co-succinate-co-adipate) (PBTSA) was carried out. The effects of spinning conditions on the structural development of PBS and PBTSA fibers were investigated through the measurements on on-line velocity profile, birefringence, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry, and tensile test. Both PBS and PBTSA fibers showed well-developed crystal structure in WAXD patterns, though the deformation of the spinline continued down to the position of winding suggesting that substantial orientation induced crystallization did not occur in spinline of both cases. Increasing take-up velocity or decreasing extrusion temperature led to the enhancement of molecular orientation, crystal structure and mechanical property of both PBS and PBTSA fibers, but no distinct effect on the thermal property of those fibers. The melting temperature of PBTSA fibers was at ca.115°C, same as that of PBS fibers. Elastomeric property of hard-soft units consisting PBTSA fibers leads to its good recoverability; however, this behavior lowers the initial modulus and tensile strength compared with those of the corresponding aliphatic PBS fibers.
Melt Compounding of Polymeric Nanocomposites
Authors: Utracki L. A. , Sepehr M. , Li J. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
The clay-containing polymeric nanocomposites (CPNC) can be visualized as binary mixtures of strongly interacting, inorganic, plate-like molecules dispersed in a polymeric matrix. To be successful, one must ascertain the thermodynamics, which controls CPNC structure on the molecular level. In this work dispersion of organoclay (Cloisite 15A, C15A) in polyamide 6 (PA6) or in polypropylene (PP) is discussed. The PA-based CPNC's contained two components: polymer and organoclay, whereas those based on PP in addition contained a mixture of two maleated polypropylene's (PP-MA), as a compatibilizer. The melt compounding was carried out either in a single-screw extruder (SSE), or a twin-screw extruder (TSE). Both compounding lines were used with or without the extensional flow mixer (EFM). Furthermore, two versions of EFM were evaluated – one commercial, designed for polymer homogenization and blending, and the other designed for dispersing nano-particles. It was found that addition of EFM significantly improved clay dispersion. Better dispersion was found compounding the CPNC's in a SSE+EFM than in TSE with or without EFM. The best results were obtained using SSE with the new EFM having a relatively small gap between the convergent-divergent plates. C15A was fully exfoliated in PA6 matrix. The results in PP/PP-MA matrix were less spectacular, but again the highest degree of dispersion was obtained using SSE+new EFM with a small gap. Tensile, flexural and impact properties were measured and evaluated.
STAT-1 expression is regulated by IGFBP-3 in malignant glioma cells and is a strong predictor of poor survival in patients with glioblastoma
Authors: Thota Balaram , Arimappamagan Arivazhagan , Kandavel Thennarasu , Shastry Arun H. , Pandey Paritosh , Chandramouli Bangalore Ashwathnarayanarao , Hegde Alangar Sathyaranjandas , Kondaiah Paturu , Santosh Vani 
Published: May 2014

Object
Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of glioma. In a previous study the authors demonstrated that IGFBP-3 is a novel glioblastoma biomarker associated with poor survival. Since signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT-1) has been shown to be regulated by IGFBP-3 during chondrogenesis and is a prosurvival and radioresistant molecule in different tumors, the aim in the present study was to explore the functional significance of IGFBP-3 in malignant glioma cells, to determine if STAT-1 is indeed regulated by IGFBP-3, and to study the potential of STAT-1 as a biomarker in glioblastoma.

Methods
The functional significance of IGFBP-3 was investigated using the short hairpin (sh)RNA gene knockdown approach on U251MG cells. STAT-1 regulation by IGFBP-3 was tested on U251MG and U87MG cells by shRNA gene knockdown and exogenous treatment with recombinant IGFBP-3 protein. Subsequently, the expression of STAT-1 was analyzed with real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in glioblastoma and control brain tissues. Survival analyses were done on a uniformly treated prospective cohort of adults with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (136 patients) using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression models.

Results
IGFBP-3 knockdown significantly impaired proliferation, motility, migration, and invasive capacity of U251MG cells in vitro (p < 0.005). Exogenous overexpression of IGFBP-3 in U251MG and U87MG cells demonstrated STAT-1 regulation. The mean transcript levels (by real-time RT-PCR) and the mean labeling index of STAT-1 (by IHC) were significantly higher in glioblastoma than in control brain tissues (p = 0.0239 and p < 0.001, respectively). Multivariate survival analysis revealed that STAT-1 protein expression (HR 1.015, p = 0.033, 95% CI 1.001–1.029) along with patient age (HR 1.025, p = 0.005, 95% CI 1.008–1.042) were significant predictors of shorter survival in patients with glioblastoma.

Conclusions
IGFBP-3 influences tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and regulates STAT-1 expression in malignant glioma cells. STAT-1 is overexpressed in human glioblastoma tissues and emerges as a novel prognostic biomarker.
Gamma Knife surgery for arteriovenous malformations within or adjacent to the ventricles
Authors: Bowden Greg , Kano Hideyuki , Yang Huai-che , Niranjan Ajay , Flickinger John , Lunsford L. Dade 
Published: May 2014

Object
The outcomes of stereotactic radiosurgery for arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) within or adjacent to the ventricular system are largely unknown. This study assessed the long-term outcomes and hemorrhage risks for patients with AVMs within this region who underwent Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) at the University of Pittsburgh.

Methods
The authors retrospectively identified 188 patients with ventricular-region AVMs who underwent a single-stage GKS procedure during a 22-year interval. The median patient age was 32 years (range 3–80 years), the median target volume was 4.6 cm3 (range 0.1–22 cm3), and the median marginal dose was 20 Gy (range 13–27 Gy).

Results
Arteriovenous malformation obliteration was confirmed by MRI or angiography in 89 patients during a median follow-up of 65 months (range 2–265 months). The actuarial rates of total obliteration were 32% at 3 years, 55% at 4 years, 60% at 5 years, and 64% at 10 years. Higher rates of AVM obliteration were obtained in the 26 patients with intraventricular AVMs. Twenty-five patients (13%) sustained a hemorrhage during the initial latency interval after GKS, indicating an annual hemorrhage rate of 3.4% prior to AVM obliteration. No patient experienced a hemorrhage after AVM obliteration was confirmed by imaging. Permanent neurological deficits due to adverse radiation effects developed in 7 patients (4%).

Conclusions
Although patients in this study demonstrated an elevated hemorrhage risk that remained until complete obliteration, GKS still proved to be a generally safe and effective treatment for patients with these high-risk intraventricular and periventriclar AVMs.
Predictors of the need for cerebrospinal fluid diversion in patients with myelomeningocele
Authors: Phillips Blake C. , Gelsomino Michael , Pownall Ambre' L. , Ocal Eylem , Spencer Horace J. , O'Brien Mark S. , Albert Gregory W. 
Published: May 2014

Object
Many patients with myelomeningocele (MMC) develop hydrocephalus, and most will undergo CSF diversion. The goal of this retrospective study was to determine whether there was a change in the shunt rate over the 7 consecutive years of the study. The authors will also identify the criteria used to determine the need for shunt placement.

Methods
During a 7-year period, 73 patients underwent MMC closure at Arkansas Children's Hospital. The shunt rate for each year was calculated. Clinical characteristics were evaluated, including apneic and bradycardic spells, CSF leak, level of the MMC, head circumference, and rate of head growth. In addition, radiological images were reviewed, and the frontooccipital horn ratio (FOHR), ventricular index (VI), and thalamooccipital distance (TOD) were calculated. Comparisons were made between those patients who underwent shunt placement and those who did not.

Results
One patient was excluded due to death in the perinatal period. Of the 72 remaining patients, 54 (75%) underwent placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. This rate did not change significantly over time. Between the cohorts with and without a shunt there was no significant difference in age, sex, or race. There was no significant difference in apneic episodes or bradycardic episodes. There was a statistically significant difference in fontanelle characteristics, head circumference at birth, and rate of head growth. Patients who required CSF diversion had a mean head growth of 0.32 cm/day compared with those who did not receive a shunt (0.13 cm/day; p < 0.05). All radiological parameters were found to be statistically significant.

Conclusions
In this study, several classic indicators of hydrocephalus in the neonate were not found to be significantly associated with the need for CSF diversion. Fontanelle characteristics, head circumference at birth, and head growth velocity were associated with the need for shunt placement. Imaging information including the VI, TOD, and FOHR are statistically significant measures to evaluate prior to placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The optimal patient with MMC for CSF diversion will have full to tense fontanelle, increasing head circumference of more than 3 mm/day, and radiological evidence of an elevated VI, TOD, and/or FOHR.
Ganglioneuroblastoma of filum terminale
Authors: Okudera Yoshihiko , Miyakoshi Naohisa , Sugawara Taku , Hongo Michio , Kasukawa Yuji , Ishikawa Yoshinori , Shimada Yoichi 
Published: May 2014

Object
Neuroblastic tumors can be classified as neuroblastoma, ganglioneuroblastoma (GNB), or ganglioneuroma. Ganglioneuroblastomas consist of small, round, immature neuroblast cells and matured ganglion cells. They are most commonly found in the mediastinum and retroperitoneum; intraspinal GNBs are extremely rare. There are only 5 cases of intraspinal GNB reported in the English literature. The authors report a case of GNB of the filum terminale. The duration of follow-up after the initial treatment is longer than in any other published reports.

Methods
A 36-year-old woman underwent resection of an intradural extramedullary tumor at L1–2 in 1993. Pathological diagnosis was GNB. After surgery, her symptoms resolved and she recovered to a normal condition. In 2009, when she was 53 years old, she presented to the hospital with paralysis of both legs. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested recurrence of spinal tumor. She underwent subtotal resection of the tumors, followed by 4 weeks of radiation therapy.

Results
Neurological symptoms improved, and, after radiation therapy, the patient was able to walk with a crutch. Histological investigation of the excised tumor indicated that it was a nodular type GNB, which was consistent with the diagnosis from the time of the initial surgery in 1993. Follow-up MRI studies showed no growth of residual tumors in the 3 years following the surgery.

Conclusions
The authors present a rare case of spinal GNB. The duration of follow-up after the initial surgery in 1993 represents the longest description of clinical course after treatment for spinal GNB.
Clinical outcome of microscopic lumbar spinous process–splitting laminectomy
Authors: Nomura Hiroshi , Yanagisawa Yoshikazu , Arima Junichi , Oga Masayoshi 
Published: May 2014

Object
The authors sought to quantify the clinical outcome of microscopic lumbar spinous process–splitting laminectomy in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). They performed a microscopic laminectomy in which the spinous process is split longitudinally into 2 halves. For single-level decompression, they inserted a tubular retractor between the split process.

Methods
Data obtained in a total of 124 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the “slip” group, comprising patients with spondylolisthesis-type LSS with vertebral body slippage (Group 1), and the “nonslip” group, comprising patients with spondylosis-type LSS without vertebral body slippage or with LSS due to central protrusion of lumbar disc herniation. Clinical outcome in all patients was evaluated by using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score. In the slip group, slippage and instability rates were evaluated by using pre- and postoperative dynamic radiographs in the sagittal plane. Postoperative CT images were used to evaluate bony union at 2 sites: a region between the left and right portions of the halved spinous process and a region between the base of the halved process and vertebral arch. Signal intensity of the multifidus muscle at individual decompression levels was evaluated on pre- and postoperative T1- and T2-weighted MR images.

Results
Preoperative clinical symptoms improved significantly after surgery in all patients. Slippage and instability rates in the slip group showed no significant differences when pre- and postoperative conditions were compared. Union rates at the region between the left and right portions of the halved process and the region between the base of the halved process and vertebral arch were 97.1% and 82.5%, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging showed only a small amount of fat infiltration in the multifidus muscle after surgery in 12.2% of cases.

Conclusions
The authors recommend microscopic lumbar spinous process–splitting laminectomy as a promising minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of LSS.
Parenting, Play and the Work-Family Interaction
Authors: Ba Stefano 
Published: May 2014

This article explores the recreational time of parents with young children and the ways it can influence practices reconciling work and family. The aim is to examine the internal dynamics and the emotional side of family life vis-à-vis parents’ time structures. Children's organised and spontaneous activities have received scant attention in work-family studies and this lack of conceptual development around the quality of time use is unfortunate, if we take the work-family interaction to be more than the sum of strategies aiming at balancing both domains. In this analytical framework special attention is then placed on play and on the activities parents set up with children during their recreational time. We find that especially play and loosely structured recreational time becomes important for parents because this time strongly characterises their home experience and through it they construct emotional bonds with their children. In this research, the concepts of ‘parent-initiated play’ will be introduced and used to find that play and activities with children are linked to asymmetric gender practices of care and bonding. The dual nature of parents’ time with children is considered crucial in understanding the construction of family life and the strains around the work-family interaction.