bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved clinical and laboratory skills after team-based, malaria case management training of health care professionals in Uganda
Authors: Namagembe Allen , Ssekabira Umaru , Weaver Marcia R , Blum Nancy , Burnett Sarah , Dorsey Grant , Sebuyira Lydia Mpanga , Ojaku Alex , Schneider Gisela , Willis Kelly , Yeka Adoke 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
Deployment of highly effective artemisinin-based combination therapy for treating uncomplicated malaria calls for better targeting of malaria treatment to improve case management and minimize drug pressure for selecting resistant parasites. The Integrated Management of Malaria curriculum was developed to train multi-disciplinary teams of clinical, laboratory and health information assistants.

Methods
Evaluation of training was conducted in nine health facilities that were Uganda Malaria Surveillance Programme (UMSP) sites. From December 2006 to June 2007, 194 health professionals attended a six-day course. One-hundred and one of 118 (86%) clinicians were observed during patient encounters by expert clinicians at baseline and during three follow-up visits approximately six weeks, 12 weeks and one year after the course. Experts used a standardized tool for children less than five years of age and similar tool for patients five or more years of age. Seventeen of 30 laboratory professionals (57%) were assessed for preparation of malaria blood smears and ability to interpret smear results of 30 quality control slides.

Results
Percentage of patients at baseline and first follow-up, respectively, with proper history-taking was 21% and 43%, thorough physical examination 18% and 56%, correct diagnosis 51% and 98%, treatment in compliance with national policy 42% and 86%, and appropriate patient education 17% and 83%. In estimates that adjusted for individual effects and a matched sample, relative risks were 1.86 (95% CI: 1.20,2.88) for history-taking, 2.66 (95%CI: 1.60,4.41) for physical examination, 1.77 (95%CI: 1.41,2.23) for diagnosis, 1.96 (95%CI: 1.46,2.63) for treatment, and 4.47 (95%CI: 2.68,7.46) for patient education. Results were similar for subsequent follow-up and in sub-samples stratified by patient age. Quality of malaria blood smear preparation improved from 21.6% at baseline to 67.3% at first follow-up (p < 0.008); sensitivity of interpretation of quality control slides increased from 48.6% to 70.6% (p < 0.199) and specificity increased from 72.1% to 77.2% (p < 0.736). Results were similar for subsequent follow-up, with the exception of a significant increase in specificity (94.2%, p < 0.036) at one year.

Conclusion
A multi-disciplinary team training resulted in statistically significant improvements in clinical and laboratory skills. As a joint programme, the effects cannot be distinguished from UMSP activities, but lend support to long-term, on-going capacity-building and surveillance interventions.
Traumatic neuroma in a patient with breast cancer after mastectomy: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Li Quan , Gao Er-li , Yang Yin-long , Hu Hong-ye , Hu Xiao-qu 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
The incidence of traumatic neuroma is extremely low, especially in those patients with breast cancer after mastectomy. There are only 10 cases reported in the literature. We report a patient who developed a palpable nodular mass near the mastectomy scar. The result of excisional biopsy was traumatic neuroma. Review of the literature reveal 10 cases with breast cancer of traumatic neuromas after mastectomy. Traumatic neuroma is a benign lesion and a reparative response of the nerve to injury, either direct/indirect trauma or chronic inflammation. Benign lesions as traumatic neuromas are more rarely seen after mastectomy. However, in order to manage patients' treatment, the most critical problem is to distinguish it from recurrent breast carcinoma. Although assistant examination methods such as ultrasound and computed tomography are valuable to a certain extent, the final diagnosis can only be confirmed on pathologic examination.
Indium tin oxide exhibiting high poly-crystallinity on oxygen plasma-treated polyethylene terephthalate surface
Authors: Son Phil Kook , Choi Suk-Won , Kim Sung Soo 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Low-resistivity indium tin oxide [ITO] film was successfully deposited on oxygen plasma-treated polyethylene terephthalate [PET] surfaces at room temperature. X-ray diffraction [XRD] measurements demonstrated that the film deposited on the PET surface that had not been treated with oxygen plasma had an amorphous structure. In contrast, after the low-power oxygen plasma treatment of the PET surface, the ITO film deposited on the PET surface had a poly-crystalline structure due to interactions between electric dipoles on the PET surface and electric dipoles in the ITO film. The minimum resistivity of the poly-crystalline ITO was about 3.6 times lower than that of the amorphous ITO film. In addition, we found that the resistivity of ITO film is proportional to the intensity of the (400) line in the film's XRD spectra.
Biohydrogen production from arabinose and glucose using extreme thermophilic anaerobic mixed cultures
Authors: Abreu Angela A , Karakashev Dimitar , Angelidaki Irini , Sousa Diana Z , Alves M Madalena 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

Background
Second generation hydrogen fermentation technologies using organic agricultural and forestry wastes are emerging. The efficient microbial fermentation of hexoses and pentoses resulting from the pretreatment of lingocellulosic materials is essential for the success of these processes.

Results
Conversion of arabinose and glucose to hydrogen, by extreme thermophilic, anaerobic, mixed cultures was studied in continuous (70°C, pH 5.5) and batch (70°C, pH 5.5 and pH 7) assays. Two expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactors, Rarab and Rgluc, were continuously fed with arabinose and glucose, respectively. No significant differences in reactor performance were observed for arabinose and glucose organic loading rates (OLR) ranging from 4.3 to 7.1 kgCOD m-3 d-1. However, for an OLR of 14.2 kgCOD m-3 d-1, hydrogen production rate and hydrogen yield were higher in Rarab than in Rgluc (average hydrogen production rate of 3.2 and 2.0 LH2 L-1 d-1 and hydrogen yield of 1.10 and 0.75 molH2 mol-1
substrate for Rarab and Rgluc, respectively). Lower hydrogen production in Rgluc was associated with higher lactate production. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) results revealed no significant difference on the bacterial community composition between operational periods and between the reactors. Increased hydrogen production was observed in batch experiments when hydrogen partial pressure was kept low, both with arabinose and glucose as substrate. Sugars were completely consumed and hydrogen production stimulated (62% higher) when pH 7 was used instead of pH 5.5.

Conclusions
Continuous hydrogen production rate from arabinose was significantly higher than from glucose, when higher organic loading rate was used. The effect of hydrogen partial pressure on hydrogen production from glucose in batch mode was related to the extent of sugar utilization and not to the efficiency of substrate conversion to hydrogen. Furthermore, at pH 7.0, sugars uptake, hydrogen production and yield were higher than at pH 5.5, with both arabinose and glucose as substrates.
Anisotropic finite-difference algorithm for modeling elastic wave propagation in fractured coalbeds
Authors: Pei Zhenglin , Fu Li-Yun , Sun Weijia , Jiang Tao , Zhou Binzhong 
Published: February 2012

The simulation of wave propagations in coalbeds is challenged by two major issues: (1) strong anisotropy resulting from high-density cracks/fractures in coalbeds and (2) numerical dispersion resulting from high-frequency content (the dominant frequency can be higher than 100 Hz). We present a staggered-grid high-order finite-difference (FD) method with arbitrary even-order ([Formula: see text]) accuracy to overcome the two difficulties stated above. First, we derive the formulae based on the standard Taylor series expansion but given in a neat and explicit form. We also provide an alternative way to calculate the FD coefficients. The detailed implementations are shown and the stability condition for anisotropic FD modeling is examined by the eigenvalue analysis method. Then, we apply the staggered-grid FD method to 2D and 3D coalbed models with dry and water-saturated fractures to study the characteristics of the 2D/3C elastic wave propagation in anisotropic media. Several factors, like density and direction of vertical cracks, are investigated. Several phenomena, like S-wave splitting and waveguides, are observed and are consistent with those observed in a real data set. Numerical results show that our formulae can correlate the amplitude and traveltime anisotropies with the coal seam fractures.
A shallow geothermal experiment in a sandy aquifer monitored using electric resistivity tomography
Authors: Hermans Thomas , Vandenbohede Alexander , Lebbe Luc , Nguyen Frédéric 
Published: February 2012

Groundwater resources are increasingly used around the world for geothermal exploitation systems. To monitor such systems and to estimate their governing parameters, we rely mainly on borehole observations of the temperature field at a few locations. Bulk electric resistivity variations can bring important information on temperature changes in aquifers. We have used surface electric resistivity tomography to monitor spatially temperature variations in a sandy aquifer during a thermal injection test. Heated water (48°C) was injected for 70 hours at the rate of [Formula: see text] in a 10.5°C aquifer. Temperature changes derived from time-lapse electric images were in agreement with laboratory water electric conductivity-temperature measurements. In parallel, a coupled hydrogeologic saturated flow and heat transport model was calibrated on geophysical data for the conceptual model, and on hydrogeologic and temperature data for the parameters. The resistivity images showed an upper flow of heated water along the well above the injection screens and led to a new conceptualization of the hydrogeologic source term. The comparison between the temperature models derived from resistivity images and from the simulations was satisfactory. Quantitatively, resistivity changes allowed estimating temperature changes within the aquifer, and qualitatively, the heated plume evolution was successfully monitored. This work demonstrates the ability of electric resistivity tomography to study heat and storage experiments in shallow aquifers. These results could potentially lead to a number of practical applications, such as the monitoring or the design of shallow geothermal systems.
Development of a Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric generator with high-aspect ratio, free-standing legs
Authors: Wesolowski D.E. , Goeke R.S. , Morales A.M. , Goods S.H. , Sharma P.A. , Saavedra M.P. , Reyes-Gil K.R. , Neel W.C.G. , Yang N.Y.C. , Apblett C.A. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract
Effect of Chemistry on the Performance of Calcium Disilicide Primers
Authors: Anderson Paul , Csernica Chris , Hash Mark C. , Hartvigsen Joseph , Cutler Raymond A. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTRotary atomization was used to synthesize spheres of CaSi2-based compositions in order to understand issues relative to primer performance for military applications. Elemental silicon and calcium were used to synthesize the line compound CaSi2or the eutectic composition between CaSi2and Si. Fe was added to form FeSi2as a secondary phase in selected compositions. Rietveld analysis showed that CaSi2polytypes in the synthesized materials consisted primarily of 6R, with less 3R and some hexagonal material. Synthesized materials had low surface areas (≈0.1 m2/g), but short milling times increased the surface area by an order of magnitude. Peak pressures, pressure rise time, and ignition voltage showed no significant differences between experimentally prepared samples and existing commercial samples. Stoichiometric CaSi2performed as well as CaSi2-Si or CaSi2-FeSi2-Si mixtures. The military specification for calcium disilicide should be changed to reflect the broad chemistry which can be used for primer performance.
Study on Work Function of Modified Indium Tin Oxide and Performance of Organic Electroluminescent Devices.
Authors: Munkhbat Battulga , Gendensuren Bolormaa , Tumenulzii Ganbaatar , Dashzeveg Rentsenmyadag , Davaasambuu Sarangerel , Dyckes Douglas F. , Chimed Ganzorig 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTThe work function of the indium tin oxide electrode (ITO) modified by a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), which is used as an electrode in organic electroluminescent (EL) devices, was investigated in this study. It is revealed that chemical modification of ITO with p-substituted with different terminal groups (NH2−, Cl−, and CF3−) benzoic acids as a SAMs material with carboxyl binding group is caused to increase the work function of the ITO electrode. Through a self-assembly process, the transmittance of the ITO with a SAM was not changed. The work function change of ITO with various SAM was measured by using cyclic voltammetry. Characteristics of EL devices were increased because the energy barrier was decreased in an interface between the ITO and an organic layer in the EL devices. The correlation of the work function change and the performance of the chemically modified EL devices was estimated.
Mathematical and numerical modeling of liquid crystal elastomer phase transition and deformation
Authors: de Luca Mariarita , DeSimone A. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTLiquid crystal (in particular, nematic) elastomers consist of cross-linked flexible polymer chains with embedded stiff rod molecules that allow them to behave as a rubber and a liquid crystal. Nematic elastomers are characterized by a phase transition from isotropic to nematic past a temperature threshold. They behave as rubber at high temperature and show nematic behavior below the temperature threshold. Such transition is reversible. While in the nematic phase, the rod molecules are aligned along the direction of the ’’nematic director’’. This molecular rearrangement induces a stretch in the polymer chains and hence macroscopic spontaneous deformations. The coupling between nematic order parameter and deformation gives rise to interesting phenomena with a potential for new interesting applications. In the biological field, the ability to considerably change their length makes them very promising as artificial muscles actuators. Their tunable optical properties make them suitable, for example, as lenses for new imaging systems.We present a mathematical model able to describe the behavior of nematic elastomers and numerical simulations reproducing such peculiar behavior. We use a geometrically linear version of the Warner and Terentjev model [1] and consider cooling experiments and stretching experiments in the direction perpendicular to the one of the director at cross-linking.
Gender Imbalance in Policy Making Level in Science and Ethical Issue
Authors: Lasker Shamima Parvin 
Published: February 2012

When the achievement of women leadership in Science and technology (S&T) is heighten in developed nations in comparison to women in developing countries, it is unfortunate that women are invariably left below, rarely reaching decision-making positions in S&T in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, Prime Minister and Leader of Opposition are female but when it comes to leadership in science, it is difficult to find a Marie Curie in Bangladesh. Men are twenty times more likely than women to reach the top level positions in research. Women are underrepresented in almost in all scientific boards. The scarcity of women in senior positions in such bodies inevitably means that their opinions are less likely to be voiced in policy and decisionmaking processes, which may lead to bias decision-making and priority setting in scientific research. The causes of lower representation of women in S&T are discussed. All the causes raise ethical questions and violate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDTH). Millennium development goals can never be accomplished without the active participation of women who represent 50 percent of the population, particularly their involvement in science education. Based on this analysis, a change of culture is required to improve gender imbalance in decision-making level in science.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v2i1.9812 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2011; 2(1): 13-17
Biomedical Consideration in the Manufacture, Clinical Trial and Bioequivalence Studies of Pharmaceuticals
Authors: Faroque ABM 
Published: February 2012

Bangladesh pharmaceutical sector has been growing at a remarkable speed since 1982. From the meager 30% national market share, now it is supplying 97% of our annual demand. Around 1,100 generics are now available in a total of around 12,000 trade name products. The national market size has crossed 6,000 crore taka per annum, where the local multinational share is only 7%. Our industries are now exporting drugs to 72 countries. But just because our pharmaceutical sector has developed its own backbone does not meant that our pharmaceutical industries have solved the relevant bioethical questions. There are complaints that some companies do not pursue necessary bioethical norm as at various levels of its manufacturing processes. Still a good number of small companies sell sub-standard and counterfeit drugs, and yet some are not following accepted GMP standards. Moreover, for capturing foreign markets we need clinical trials and bioequivalence study results. These study needs human subjects as volunteers. In a poverty-stricken country like us, if we do not establish these clinical trial and bioequivalence norms, everything becomes irrelevant. If we can establish theses norms, this could be the beginning of a new era for further growth of our pharmaceutical industries vis-à-vis our public health national economy.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v2i1.9813 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2011; 2(1): 18-21
An Assessment of Ocular Morbidities of Children Born Prematurely in Early Childhood
Authors: Goktas Altan , Sener Emin Cumhur , Sanac Ali Sefik 
Published: February 2012

Purpose:
To assess the ocular morbidities of premature children in early childhood.

Methods:
One hundred seventeen children with a history of gestational age of less than 37 weeks at birth underwent ophthalmic examination including visual acuity testing with Lea symbols, anterior and posterior segment examination, refraction, orthoptic examination for strabismus, and ocular biometry. They were subdivided into three groups according to gestational age (28 or less, 29 to 32, and 33 to 36 weeks). The prevalence of ocular morbidities and mean value of refractive errors were studied.

Results:

The mean age of the subjects at examination was 37.6 ± 1.1 months (range: 20 to 65 months). Only 62.4% of the eyes had visual acuity better than 20/32. The prevalence of high myopia (above −5.0 diopters [D]), myopia (below −5.0 D), and strabismus was 12.5%, 22.5% and 33.3% in the 28 weeks or less group and 3.6%, 18.9%, and 24.1% in the 29 to 32 weeks group, respectively, whereas 7.9% of the 33 to 36 weeks group had myopia and 13.2% had strabismus. Spherical equivalent in eyes that received cryotherapy and with macular heterotopia was −2.7 ± 3.9 and - 4.4 ± 3.4 D, respectively. Biometric measurements showed that high myopic eyes had statistically significantly thicker lenses compared to myopic and hyperopic eyes (
P
= .01).

Conclusion:
This study confirms that children born prematurely are at increased risk of ocular morbidities such as defective visual acuity, myopia, and strabismus. High myopic eyes have thicker lenses compared to myopic and hyperopic eyes, and eyes with macular heterotropia and treated with cryotherapy are more prone to development of high myopia.
Outcomes of Strabismus Surgery for Esotropia in Children With Down Syndrome Compared With Matched Controls
Authors: Motley W. Walker , Melson Andrew T. , Gray Michael E. , Salisbury Shelia R. 
Published: February 2012

Purpose:
Strabismus surgery dosages used in children with various neurodevelopmental disorders have been the subject of controversy. Few data have been reported regarding surgical results in individuals with Down syndrome (DS).

Methods:
A retrospective, case–control study was performed in which children with DS and previous bilateral medial rectus recession surgery were matched with similar control patients without DS. Surgical results were compared using a random coefficients model for repeated measurements for each group.

Results:

Sixteen patients with DS were matched with 16 control patients. Mean preoperative esotropia was 28.4 prism diopters (PD) in the DS group and 27.9 PD in the control group. No significant difference was found in surgical dosages between the two groups (
P
= .2402). Median surgical dosage was 4.4 mm in the DS group and 4.5 mm in the control group. Preoperative and 4-month and 24-month postoperative mean angles of esotropia were not different between groups (
P
= .8050). The 4-month postoperative mean angles of esotropia for the DS and control groups were 3.15 and 2.66 PD, respectively. The 24-month mean angles of esotropia for the DS and control groups were 7.09 and 6.60 PD, respectively.

Conclusion:
Standard bilateral medial rectus recession surgical dosages need not be modified for individuals with DS.
In Vivo Confocal Microscopic Evaluation of Corneal Wound Healing After Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Keratoplasty
Authors: Shtein Roni M. , Kelley Kurt H. , Musch David C. , Sugar Alan , Mian Shahzad I. 
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate corneal wound healing after femtosecond laser-assisted keratoplasty (FLAK) using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Prospective, interventional, consecutive case series of 17 eyes after mushroom-shaped FLAK. IVCM was performed preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively to assess wound healing.

RESULTS:
Mean keratocyte activation grade increased from preoperative levels to 1 month postoperatively in both the central (0.41 ± 0.62 to 1.73 ± 1.03) and peripheral (0.47 ± 0.52 to 1.57 ± 1.09) cornea, then gradually decreased through 12 months. Dendritic cells increased from preoperatively to 1 month postoperatively in both the central (0.71 ± 0.83 to 1.33 ± 0.98) and peripheral (0.79 ± 0.70 to 1.42 ± 0.90) cornea, then gradually decreased until 6 months postoperatively. Stromal reinnervation was 1 month postoperatively in 8 patients (50%). By 12 months, sub-epithelial nerves were observed centrally in 5 patients (45.5%).

CONCLUSION:
IVCM after FLAK shows an initial increase in keratocyte activation and dendritic cells that decrease over time. Corneal reinnervation is seen as early as 1 month postoperatively.