bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developmental uterine anomalies in cats and dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy
Authors: McIntyre Robin L. , Levy Julie K. , Roberts John F. , Reep Roger L. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
Objective—To describe the characteristics and frequency of gross uterine anomalies in cats and dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy.
Design—Prospective and retrospective case series.
Animals—53,258 cats and 32,660 dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy at 26 clinics in the United States and Canada during 2007.
Procedures—Clinics prospectively reported gross anomalies and submitted tissues from abnormal reproductive tracts identified during surgery. Records from a feral cat spay-neuter clinic were evaluated retrospectively.
Results—Suspected congenital anomalies of the uterus were identified in 0.09% (49/53,258) of female cats and 0.05% (15/32,660) of female dogs. Uterine anomalies identified included unicornuate uterus (33 cats and 11 dogs), segmental agenesis of 1 uterine horn (15 cats and 3 dogs), and uterine horn hypoplasia (1 cat and 1 dog). Ipsilateral renal agenesis was present in 29.4% (10/34) of cats and 50.0% (6/12) of dogs with uterine anomalies in which kidneys were evaluated. Mummified ectopic fetuses were identified in 4 cats with uterine anomalies. Both ovaries and both uterine tubes were present in most animals with uterine anomalies.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Urogenital anomalies were twice as common in cats as in dogs. Identification of uterine developmental anomalies in dogs and cats should trigger evaluation of both kidneys and both ovaries because ipsilateral renal agenesis is common, but both ovaries are likely to be present and should be removed during ovariohysterectomy.
Barium toxicosis in a dog
Authors: Adam Fiona H. , Noble Peter J. M. , Swift Simon T. , Higgins Brent M. , Sieniawska Christine E. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
Case Description—A 2-year-old 14.9-kg (32.8-lb) neutered female Shetland Sheepdog was admitted to the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital for evaluation of acute collapse.
Clinical Findings—At admission, the dog was tachypneic and had reduced limb reflexes and muscle tone in all limbs consistent with diffuse lower motor neuron dysfunction. The dog was severely hypokalemic (1.7 mEq/L; reference range, 3.5 to 5.8 mEq/L). Clinical status of the dog deteriorated; there was muscle twitching, flaccid paralysis, and respiratory failure, which was considered a result of respiratory muscle weakness. Ventricular arrhythmias and severe acidemia (pH, 7.18; reference range, 7.35 to 7.45) developed. Intoxication was suspected, and plasma and urine samples submitted for barium analysis had barium concentrations comparable with those reported in humans with barium toxicosis. Analysis of barium concentrations in 5 control dogs supported the diagnosis of barium toxicosis in the dog.
Treatment and Outcome—Fluids and potassium supplementation were administered IV. The dog recovered rapidly. Electrolyte concentrations measured after recovery were consistently unremarkable. Quantification of plasma barium concentration 56 days after the presumed episode of intoxication revealed a large decrease; however, the plasma barium concentration remained elevated, compared with that in control dogs.
Clinical Relevance—To our knowledge, this case represented the first description of barium toxicosis in the veterinary literature. Barium toxicosis can cause life-threatening hypokalemia; however, prompt supportive treatment can yield excellent outcomes. Barium toxicosis is a rare but important differential diagnosis in animals with hypokalemia and appropriate clinical signs.
Thoracoscopic subtotal pericardiectomy and right atrial mass resection in a dog
Authors: Crumbaker Denise M. , Rooney Matthew B. , Case J. Brad 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
Case Description—A 10-year-old spayed female Corgi mix was examined for a 3-week history of lethargy and weight gain.
Clinical Findings—Physical examination findings included muffled heart sounds and a distended abdomen with a fluid wave on ballottement. Thoracic radiography revealed a globoid cardiac silhouette, and thoracic ultrasonography indicated pericardial effusion and a pedunculated mass originating from the right auricle.
Treatment and Outcome—Initial treatment consisted of pericardiocentesis. One week later, thoracoscopic right atrial mass resection was performed. No surgical complications were noted, and the dog was discharged approximately 28 hours after surgery. Results of histologic examination of the mass indicated a grade 2 hemangiosarcoma with incomplete margins. Treatment with doxorubicin was initiated 35 days after surgery. The dog survived for 177 days after mass resection, when it was euthanized because of complications related to metastatic disease.
Clinical Relevance—Findings suggested that thoracoscopic right atrial mass removal combined with adjunct doxorubicin treatment may be a viable alternative to thoracotomy in dogs with right atrial masses.
Managing Inspections and Representing Safety at Industrial Parks
Authors: Bragatto Paolo , Bogliolo Maria , Pittiglio Paolo 
Published: September 2010

Managing Inspections and Representing Safety at Industrial ParksAt industrial sites, there are often problems of misperceptions of the risks by the local community and it is essential to make visible both hazards and safety activities to all stakeholders (employees, citizens, authorities). A software prototype has been developed in order to demonstrate the feasibility of a system for the presentation of safety activities within an industrial park. By means of a browser all safety activities are visible for the user. Both the activities undertaken by employers and those performed by the regulatory bodies may be monitored. At any time, the actual safety level may be demonstrated to any stakeholder. A correct perception of risks will be supported by this commitment to transparency.
A Fuzzy - Neuron Model of the Ship Propulsion Risk Prediction
Authors: Brandowski Alfred , Mielewczyk Andrzej , Nguyen Hoang , Frąckowiak Wojciech 
Published: September 2010

A Fuzzy - Neuron Model of the Ship Propulsion Risk PredictionA prediction model is presented of the ship propulsion risk, i.e. a risk of the consequences of loss of the ship propulsion capability. This is an expert model based on opinions elicited by the ship power plant operators. The risk level depends, among other things, on the reliability state of the ship propulsion system components. This state is defined by operators in a linguistic form. The formal risk model parameters are determined by means of a neural network.
Integrated Avionics Systems - Diagnostic Tools and Data Transmission Standards
Authors: Cieślik Andrzej 
Published: September 2010

Integrated Avionics Systems - Diagnostic Tools and Data Transmission Standards
The paper has been intended to present research tools used at AFIT to activate and test hardware and software implemented in the integrated avionics systems. Particular attention has been paid to the research stand (built under the R&D project of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education) intended to optimize avionics systems integrated with digital data buses employed (according to, among other things, MIL-STD-1553B and ARINC-429 standards). Specialized research equipment/test devices used to test software, including - apart from other things - test-patterns generators (within the range of display capability of the secondary head-up display (SHUD)) and information efficiency testers (for the SHUD and up-front control panel (UFCP) thereof) have also been presented.
The Operation Modes of E/E/PE System and Their Influence on Determining and Verifying the Safety Integrity Level
Authors: Barnert Tomasz , Kosmowski Kazimierz , Śliwiński Marcin 
Published: September 2010

The Operation Modes of E/E/PE System and Their Influence on Determining and Verifying the Safety Integrity Level
The standard PN-EN 61508 introduces some probabilistic criteria for the E/E/PE systems that can operate in different modes of operation, which are related to the safety integrity level (SIL). For the control and protection systems, operating in a low demand mode, the criterion is the average probability of dangerous failure on demand PFDavg. In case of systems working in a continuous mode of operation or high demand, the criterion is probability of dangerous failure per hour PFH. In practice, the E/E/PE systems implement many safety-related functions (SRFs), which have different requirements for high and low demands. Thus, there is the problem with choosing proper probabilistic criterion for determining required SIL for a safety-related function to be implemented by these systems as well as in the process of quantitative verification of SIL for considered architectures.
A Method of Aircraft Reliability Assessment as Referred to the Operational-Use Safety
Authors: Krutkow Antonina , Pigłas Mieczysław , Zieja Mariusz 
Published: September 2010

A Method of Aircraft Reliability Assessment as Referred to the Operational-Use Safety
Throughout the operational phase of aviation objects, the safety and reliability thereof are characterised with a set of a dozen or so, or even tens of indices correlated with each other. Hence, any analytical and assessment-oriented efforts as well as comparisons - for any specific feature - between both the objects themselves and the systems of manufacturing, operating, and maintaining them are usually hindered. The intended aim of this paper is to suggest some solution to this problem, one that consists in reducing the number of operational indices of safety down to several indices of significance which contain most information on the object under assessment or on a system of operating this object
Analysis of Feasibility to Assess Microstructure of Gas Turbine Blades by Means of the Thermographic Method
Authors: Kułaszka Artur , Błachnio Józef , Kornas Łukasz 
Published: September 2010

Analysis of Feasibility to Assess Microstructure of Gas Turbine Blades by Means of the Thermographic MethodOperation of avionic turbine engines is always associated with possibility of various defects that may happen to turbine components, in particular to its blades. The most frequent reason for defects is overheating of the blade material but the thermal fatigue also occurs quite often. The most efficient examination method that provides plenty of information about structure of the investigated material of turbine blades is metallography but it is a destructive testing technology, so that the turbine no longer can be used after such investigation. This paper deals with methods of non-destructive tests that are currently in use and applicability of such methods to unbiased and trustworthy computer-aided diagnostics aimed to find out how the blade microstructure status varies in time. Results of initial examination of gas turbine blades are presented whereas the tests with use of the non-invasive thermographic method were carried out in order to assess condition of the blade material after the turbines had been subjected to the effect of high temperatures. Subsequently, the obtained results were successfully validated by means of the metallographic method. Eventually the conclusion could be made that the thermographic method makes it possible to achieve comprehensive and trustworthy information how microstructure of the blade materials is altered during the aircraft operation.
Reliability analysis of the epidural spinal cord compression scale
Authors: Bilsky Mark H. , Laufer Ilya , Fourney Daryl R. , Groff Michael , Schmidt Meic H. , Varga Peter Paul , Vrionis Frank D. , Yamada Yoshiya , Gerszten Peter C. , Kuklo Timothy R. 
Published: September 2010

ObjectiveThe evolution of imaging techniques, along with highly effective radiation options has changed the way metastatic epidural tumors are treated. While high-grade epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) frequently serves as an indication for surgical decompression, no consensus exists in the literature about the precise definition of this term. The advancement of the treatment paradigms in patients with metastatic tumors for the spine requires a clear grading scheme of ESCC. The degree of ESCC often serves as a major determinant in the decision to operate or irradiate. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of a 6-point, MR imaging–based grading system for ESCC.MethodsTo determine the reliability of the grading scale, a survey was distributed to 7 spine surgeons who participate in the Spine Oncology Study Group. The MR images of 25 cervical or thoracic spinal tumors were distributed consisting of 1 sagittal image and 3 axial images at the identical level including T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and Gd-enhanced T1-weighted images. The survey was administered 3 times at 2-week intervals. The inter- and intrarater reliability was assessed.ResultsThe inter- and intrarater reliability ranged from good to excellent when surgeons were asked to rate the degree of spinal cord compression using T2-weighted axial images. The T2-weighted images were superior indicators of ESCC compared with T1-weighted images with and without Gd.ConclusionsThe ESCC scale provides a valid and reliable instrument that may be used to describe the degree of ESCC based on T2-weighted MR images. This scale accounts for recent advances in the treatment of spinal metastases and may be used to provide an ESCC classification scheme for multicenter clinical trial and outcome studies.
Progression of low back and lower extremity pain in a cohort of patients with achondroplasia
Authors: Ain Michael C. , Abdullah Madeel A. , Ting Beverlie L. , Skolasky Richard L. , Carlisle Emily Streyer , Schkrohowsky Joshua G. , Rigamonti Daniele 
Published: September 2010

Object
The aim of this study was to assess the natural history of pain associated with spinal stenosis in individuals with achondroplasia and to characterize pain patterns and associated functional and psychological effects.

Methods
The authors measured pain severity, spatial distribution of pain, functional disability, psychological distress, physical symptoms other than pain, and healthcare utilization in 181 individuals with achondroplasia. They also assessed low back and/or lower extremity pain at the initial visit and 1-year follow-up via self-rated patient questionnaires, calculated composite scores from responses via component analyses, and used repeated measures linear regression analyses for score changes (significance, p ≤ 0.05).

Results
At the follow-up, back pain severity was unchanged. Patients reported significant progression of pain toward involvement of the lower extremities and significant increases in lower extremity pain severity overall. There were also significant increases in healthcare utilization overall. Compared with patients with back pain only, those with back pain and proximal or distal leg pain had higher self-rated pain severity; higher functional disability; and more bowel and bladder dysfunction symptoms, sleep disturbances, extremity numbness, and psychological distress.

Conclusions
Individuals with achondroplasia and symptomatic spinal stenosis often experience back pain, which may progress to lower extremity pain and debilitating consequences. A more thorough understanding of the progression of spatial pain characteristics and pain severity may aid clinical decision making regarding the optimal timing for intervention.
Using the T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging signal intensity ratio and clinical manifestations to assess the prognosis of patients with cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament
Authors: Wang Lin-Feng , Zhang Ying-Ze , Shen Yong , Su Yan-Ling , Xu Jia-Xin , Ding Wen-Yuan , Zhang Ying-Hua 
Published: September 2010

ObjectThe aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of both the signal intensity ratio obtained from MR imaging and clinical manifestations on the prognosis of patients with cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.MethodsThe authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 58 patients with cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament who underwent cervical laminoplasty from February 1999 to July 2007. Magnetic resonance imaging (1.5-T) was performed in all patients before surgery. Sagittal T2-weighted images of the cervical spinal cord compressed by the ossified posterior longitudinal ligament showed increased intramedullary signal intensity, whereas the sagittal images obtained at the C7–T1 disc levels were of normal intensity. The signal intensity ratio between regions of intramedullary increased signal intensity and the normal C7–T1 disc level was calculated based on the signal intensity values generated from the MR imaging workstation. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to their signal intensity ratio (high, intermediate, and low signal intensity groups).ResultsThere were significant differences between the 3 groups regarding recovery rate (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.022), duration of disease (p = 0.001), Babinski sign (p < 0.001), ankle clonus (p < 0.001), and both pre- and postoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association score (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in sex among the 3 groups (p = 0.391).ConclusionsPatients with low signal intensity ratios that changed on T2-weighted imaging experienced a good surgical outcome. Low increased signal intensity might reflect mild neuropathological alteration in the spinal cord and greater recuperative potential. An increased signal intensity ratio with positive pyramidal signs indicates less recuperative potential of the spinal cord and a poor surgical outcome.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of symptomatic brainstem cavernous malformations
Authors: Monaco Edward A. , Khan Aftab A. , Niranjan Ajay , Kano Hideyuki , Grandhi Ramesh , Kondziolka Douglas , Flickinger John C. , Lunsford L. Dade 
Published: September 2010

Object
The authors performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data to evaluate the safety and efficacy of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for the treatment of patients harboring symptomatic solitary cavernous malformations (CMs) of the brainstem that bleed repeatedly and are high risk for resection.

Methods
Between 1988 and 2005, 68 patients (34 males and 34 females) with solitary, symptomatic CMs of the brainstem underwent Gamma Knife surgery. The mean patient age was 41.2 years, and all patients had suffered at least 2 symptomatic hemorrhages (range 2–12 events) before radiosurgery. Prior to SRS, 15 patients (22.1%) had undergone attempted resection. The mean volume of the malformation treated was 1.19 ml, and the mean prescribed marginal radiation dose was 16 Gy.

Results
The mean follow-up period was 5.2 years (range 0.6–12.4 years). The pre-SRS annual hemorrhage rate was 32.38%, or 125 hemorrhages, excluding the first hemorrhage, over a total of 386 patient-years. Following SRS, 11 hemorrhages were observed within the first 2 years of follow-up (8.22% annual hemorrhage rate) and 3 hemorrhages were observed in the period after the first 2 years of follow-up (1.37% annual hemorrhage rate). A significant reduction (p < 0.0001) in the risk of brainstem CM hemorrhages was observed following radiosurgical treatment, as well as in latency period of 2 years after SRS (p < 0.0447). Eight patients (11.8%) experienced new neurological deficits as a result of adverse radiation effects following SRS.

Conclusions
The results of this study support a role for the use of SRS for symptomatic CMs of the brainstem, as it is relatively safe and appears to reduce rebleeding rates in this high-surgical-risk location.
New Bounds on the Minimum Average Distance of Binary Codes
Authors: Basu M. , Bagchi S. 
Published: September 2010

The minimum average Hamming distance of binary codes of length n and cardinality M is denoted by b(n,M). All the known lower bounds b(n,M) are useful when M is at least of size about 2n-1/n . In this paper, for large n, we improve upper and lower bounds for b(n,M). Keywords: Binary code; Hamming distance; Minimum average Hamming distance. © 2010 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved. DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v2i3.2708 J. Sci. Res. 2 (3), 489-493 (2010)
MHD Natural Convection Flow of Fluid From a Vertical Flat Plate Considering Temperature Dependent Viscosity
Authors: Ahmmed S. F. , Sarker M. S. A. 
Published: September 2010

A two-dimensional natural convection flow of a viscous incompressible and electrically conducting fluid past a vertical impermeable flat plate is considered in presence of a uniform transverse magnetic field. Here the viscosity is taken as dependent on temperature whereas the thermal conductivity is assumed constant. We also investigate the effect of magnetic field on the natural convection flow of a viscous incompressible and electrically conducting fluid. The effect of variable viscosity and magnetic field on local skin friction, the rate of heat transfer and the profiles for velocity as well as viscosity in the entire free convection regime are presented and discussed. Keywords: Natural convection; Magnethydrodynamics (MHD); Viscosity; Prandtl number. © 2010 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved. DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v2i3.4776 J. Sci. Res. 2 (3), 453-463 (2010)
Bosentan Improves Skin Perfusion of Hands in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: ROSATO EDOARDO , MOLINARO ILENIA , BORGHESE FEDERICA , ROSSI CARMELINA , PISARRI SIMONETTA , SALSANO FELICE 
Published: September 2010

Objective.Our aim was to investigate effects of bosentan on hand perfusion in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), using laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI).Methods.We enrolled 30 SSc patients with PAH, 30 SSc patients without PAH, and 30 healthy controls. In SSc patients and healthy controls at baseline, skin blood flow of the dorsum of the hands was determined with a Lisca laser Doppler perfusion imager. The dorsal surface of the hands was divided into 3 regions of interest (ROI). ROI 1 included 3 fingers of the hand from the second to the fourth distally to the proximal interphalangeal finger joint. ROI 2 included the area between the proximal interphalangeal and the metacarpophalangeal joint. ROI 3 included only the dorsal surface of the hand without the fingers. LDPI was repeated in SSc patients and controls after 4, 8, and 16 weeks of treatment. In SSc patients, nailfold videocapillaroscopy and Raynaud Condition Score (RCS) were performed at baseline and at 4, 8, and 16 weeks.Results.SSc patients with PAH enrolled in the study received treatment with bosentan as standard care for PAH. In these patients with PAH, after 8 and 16 weeks of treatment, bosentan improved minimum, mean, and maximum perfusion and the perfusion proximal-distal gradient. Bosentan seems to be most effective in patients with the early and active capillaroscopic pattern than in patients with the late pattern. Bosentan improved skin blood flow principally in the ROI 1 compared to the ROI 2 and ROI 3. Bosentan restored the perfusion proximal-distal gradient in 57% of SSc patients with the early capillaroscopic pattern. No significant differences from baseline were observed in the RCS in SSc patients with PAH.Conclusion.Bosentan improved skin perfusion in SSc patients with PAH, although it did not ameliorate symptoms of Raynaud’s phenomenon. Skin blood perfusion increased in SSc patients with PAH, particularly in the skin region distal to the proximal interphalangeal joint, and in patients with the early/active capillaroscopic pattern. Double-blind randomized clinical trials are needed to evaluate the effects of bosentan on skin perfusion of SSc patients without PAH and with active digital ulcers.