Non-conventional Approaches Research Articles

Proposal of a new radiological classification system for spinal meningiomas as a descriptive tool and surgical guide

Objectives1) To provide neurosurgeons and radiologists with a new quantitative and anatomical method to describe spinal meningiomas (SM) consistently.2) To provide a guide to the surgical approach needed and amount of bony resection required based on the proposed classification.3) To report the distribution of our 58 cases of SM over different Stages and Subtypes in correlation to the surgical treatment needed for each case.4) To briefly review the literature on the rare non-conventional surgical corridors to resect SM. Patients and methodsWe reviewed the literature to report on previously published cohorts and classifications used to describe the location of the tumor inside the spinal canal. We reviewed the cases that were published prior showing non-conventional surgical approaches to resect spinal meningiomas. We proposed our classification system composed of Staging based on maximal cross-sectional surface area of tumor inside canal, Typing based on number of quadrants occupied by tumor and Subtyping based on location of the tumor bulk to spinal cord. Extradural and extra-spinal growth were also covered by our classification. We then applied it retrospectively on our 58 cases. Results12 articles were published illustrating overlapping terms to describe spinal meningiomas. Another 7 articles were published reporting on 23 cases of anteriorly located spinal meningiomas treated with approaches other than laminectomies/laminoplasties. 4 Types, 9 Subtypes and 4 Stages were described in our Classification System. In our series of 58 patients, no midline anterior type was represented. Therefore, all our cases were treated by laminectomies or laminoplasties (with/without facetectomies) except a case with a paraspinal component where a costotransversectomy was needed. ConclusionSpinal meningiomas can be radiologically described in a precise fashion. Selection of surgical corridor depends mainly on location of tumor bulk inside canal.

Conventional and unconventional extraction methods applied to the plant, Thymus serpyllum L

This study deals with the application of two conventional and three non-conventional extraction approaches for isolation of bioactive compounds from the plant Thymus serpyllum L. The extracts obtained were tested regarding their chemical profile (content of phenolics, flavonoids, condensed tannins, gallotannins and anthocyanins) and antioxidant activities. Subcritical water extract of Thymus serpyllum L. generally had the highest concentrations of the chemical bioactive compounds examined and the best antioxidant properties.

An integrative approach for preliminary environmental engineering investigations amidst reclaiming desert-land: a case study at East Nile Delta, Egypt

Scientific interest within the desert-lands lies on mapping the near-surface clayey soils being made environmental engineering problems, e.g., water logging and cracked pavements. As a starting point used for urban rational development, boreholes, direct current resistivity (DCR) soundings and electrical resistivity tomography surveys and preliminary geotechnical studies are employed in an integrative approach for mapping and characterizing the foundation soil. This study is carried out at one of the main urban reclamation projects amidst desert fringes of East Nile Delta, Egypt, as a case study, where the in situ soil properties are variable even within a short distance and, consequently, difficult to be predicted. Conventional and non-conventional inversion approaches are applied for solving the inverse problems of DCR data. The results are calibrated with the drilled borehole lithology. Two main geoelectrical resistivity layers are distinguished: the upper medium to high-resistivity soils corresponding to surface poorly graded sand with gravels underlain by low-resistivity layer attributing to clayey sand with calcareous materials. The inversion results show the sequential joint use efficiency of the two approaches in mapping the near-surface layer boundaries providing realistic soil heterogeneities tomography. In respect of such results and from an engineering point of view, the exaggerated clayey soils are highly saturated in some places representing (1) medium plasticity, moderate-to-high swelling and (2) low compressive strength. It is conceivable that such soils can exhibit geotechnical problems, especially under wetting conditions. Consequently, the integrative approach is cost-effective and opens the way for engineers on where prioritized interventions are required to the urban expansion.

Application of conventional and non-conventional extraction approaches for extraction of Erica carnea L.: Chemical profile and biological activity of obtained extracts

Erica carnea L. or spring heath, is a perennial evergreen shrub, which belongs to the Ericaceae botanical family, which plant species are known for their biological activity and medical application. Despite the wide range of biological activity and medical application, Erica carnea L. has not been studied. This study deals with the application of conventional and non-conventional extraction approaches for isolation of bioactive compounds from the plant. Obtained extracts was tested regarding their chemical profile (total phenolics, flavonoids, condensed tannins, gallotannins and anthocyanins contents) and biological activity (antioxidant, cytotoxic and antibacterial activities). Phenolic profile of extracts was established using HPLC-DAD analysis where rosmarinic acid and rutin were dominant compounds. Results of antioxidant and cytotoxic activities demonstrated the domination of subcritical water extract, while ultrasound-assisted extract exhibited the highest total antibacterial activity. Presented results demonstrated that plant Erica carnea L. might be used as a potential source of biologically compounds.

Space – An Essential Feature of the Hybrid War

Abstract Hybrid Warfare is an unofficial intellectual construct to describe the combination or integration of conventional and non-conventional approaches used by adversaries to avoid conventional military strengths, often times occurring below the threshold that would trigger a conventional military. The word “hybrid” is used more for its descriptive value to aid concept writers and military planners in understanding the intersection, interaction, and amplification of trends and conditions that impact the scale and scope of military actions. The paper explains the role of space as an essential characteristic of hybrid warfare.

Integrative Oncology Physician Consultations at a Comprehensive Cancer Center: Analysis of Demographic, Clinical and Patient Reported Outcomes.

Background: Integrative oncology (IO) is a relatively new field that seeks to bring evidence-based, non-conventional approaches into conventional oncology care in a coordinated and safe manner. Though complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are highly utilized by cancer patients, little is known about the characteristics of patients seeking IO consultation.Methods: Patients presenting for an outpatient IO consultation completed a CAM use questionnaire, Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing (MYCaW), Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS), Quality of Life Short Form 12 (SF-12), and post-consultation satisfaction item.Results: 2,474 new patient IO consultations were conducted from 9/2009 to 12/2013 and 2367 (96%) completed at least one measure. Most were female (69%); the most frequent cancer type was breast (29%); 38% had distant/advanced disease; 75% had used a CAM approach in prior 12 months. The most common concerns were seeking an integrative/holistic approach (34%), herbs/supplements (34%), and diet/nutrition (21%). Overall symptom burden was low, with baseline symptom scores (ESAS) highest (worst) for sleep (4.2; SD 2.8), fatigue (4.0; SD 2.8), and well-being (3.8; SD 2.6). On the SF-12, the physical health scores (35.3; SD 7.5) were significantly lower than that of a healthy population (50), but mental health scores were not (46.8; SD 10.2). Satisfaction was high (9.4; SD 1.3) with the consultation.Conclusions: Patients presenting for IO consultation tended to have early stage disease, had previously used a CAM approach, had a relatively low symptom burden, and were most interested in developing an integrative approach to their care or discussing herbs/supplement use.

Integrative Oncology Outpatient Consultations: Long-Term Effects on Patient-Reported Symptoms and Quality of Life.

Background: Integrative oncology (IO) seeks to bring non-conventional approaches into conventional oncology care in an evidence-based, coordinated manner. Little is known about the effects of such consultations on patient-reported symptoms.Methods: We reviewed data from patients referred for an IO outpatient consultation between 2009 and 2013, comparing the cohort of patients with at least one follow-up to the cohort with an initial consultation only. Assessments completed at initial and follow-up encounters included: complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use questionnaire, Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing (MYCaW), Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS; 10 symptoms, scale 0-10, 10 worst), and post-consultation satisfaction. ESAS individual items and global (GDS; score 0-90), physical (PHS, 0-60) and psychological (PSS, 0-20) distress scales were analyzed.Results: 642 patients out of 2,474 (26%) new patient IO consultations had at least one follow-up encounter (mean 3.2; SD 1.8). Age, place of residence, and higher satisfaction were predictors of follow-up. Statistically significant improvement in symptoms between initial consult and follow-up were observed for depression, anxiety, well-being, and subscales of GDS and PSS (all p's > 0.01). For those with moderate to severe symptoms at their initial consult (ESAS scores ≥ 4), we observed clinical response rates (improvement) of 49-75% for all ESAS symptoms at follow-up.Conclusions: Patients presenting for IO follow-up had overall mild to moderate symptoms at baseline and stable symptom burden over time. Greatest improvements were observed for psychosocial symptoms, most pronounced for the subset of patients with moderate to severe symptoms at their initial consultation.

Variable AC transmission frequencies for offshore wind farm interconnection

Non-standard AC transmission frequencies have been suggested in literature as a potential competitor to VSC-HVDC transmission for offshore wind farms integration (>100 km). Transmitting at lower than standard 50/60 Hz frequency provides the advantage of longer transmissible range for bulk AC power transfer and potentially lower losses in associated wind farm components. A higher than nominal frequency reduces the size of the required transformers and offshore platforms, potentially reducing cost substantially. This paper examines the selection of non-standard AC transmission frequencies from 1 to 100 Hz presenting a techno-economic analysis and methodology for comparing AC to standard benchmark VSC-HVDC technology in terms of power loss, size/volume of components, CAPEX and operation/maintenance metrics. It is shown at frequencies lower than 20 Hz, cost of energy is comparable to standard VSC-HVDC; due in part to lower number of cables required to carry full load power and the removal of the offshore VSC-HVDC converter station. The key contribution of this work is exploring the potential extended range of transmission capability for non-conventional AC frequency approaches that display comparable power loss and CAPEX/OPEX to VSC-HVDC based transmission for offshore wind integration.

Early detection of biochemically occult autonomous thyroid nodules.

Autonomously functioning thyroid areas may be associated with subclinical or overt hyperthyroidism, but may exist even in the presence of normal TSH. This study was aimed at comparing the rate of autonomously functioning areas and their cardiac sequelae in patients with nodular goitre studied with the usual and a novel approach. In total 490 adult outpatients with thyroid nodular goitre, living in a mild iodine-deficient area, were selected in our referral centre for thyroid diseases from 2009 to 2014 on the basis of a suspicion of thyroid functional autonomy. They were divided in three groups according to a non-conventional approach (excessive response to thyroxine treatment: group 1) or conventional approach (low/normal TSH with clinical suspicion or low TSH: groups 2 and 3). All patients of the study with the suspicion of thyroid functional autonomy underwent thyroid scan with radioactive iodine (I131) uptake (RAIU). The percentage of confirmed thyroid functional autonomy was 319/490, being significantly higher in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2 (81.5 vs 64.7 vs 52.6%; chi-square P < 0.0001). However, the diagnosis with non-conventional approach was made at a significant earlier age (P < 0.0001). Cardiac arrhythmias as well as atrial fibrillation were similarly detected by conventional and non-conventional approaches (chi-square test: P = 0.2537; P = 0.8425). The hyper-responsiveness to thyroxine treatment should induce the suspicion of thyroid functional autonomy at an early stage, allowing to detect autonomous functioning areas in apparently euthyroid patients.

Host-Targeted TB Therapies of Limited Efficacy So Far

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is notoriously difficult to eradicate even with combinations of antibiotics, leading researchers to pursue alternate strategies, including one aimed at bolstering host defenses against this pathogen. “Our inability to effectively treat all infected individuals necessitates a deeper understanding of the host-pathogen interface to facilitate new approaches,” says Amy Barczak of the Ragon Institute and Massachusestts General Hospital in Boston, Mass. She was one of several experts who participated in the symposium “Aiming at Non-Conventional Approaches to TB Therapies,” held at the 2016 ASM Microbe Conference in Boston last June.

Regulatory Experience with In Vivo In Vitro Correlations (IVIVC) in New Drug Applications.

In the past two decades, in vitro in vivo correlation (IVIVC) has been considered an important tool for supporting biowaivers, setting dissolution acceptance criteria, and more recently in the Quality by Design (QbD) framework promoting the establishment of clinically meaningful drug product specifications using dissolution as the endpoint. Based on our review experience at the FDA, for the purposes of this article, we analyzed the current state of regulatory submissions containing IVIVC approaches and discussed the successes and failures from the perspectives of study design to methodology. In the past decade, the overall acceptance rate of the IVIVC submissions is about 40%. Moreover, the number of IVIVC studies seen in the submissions per year is not increasing. Establishing clinically meaningful drug product specifications through the linkages between the identified critical quality attributes and in vivo performance is key for developing a quality drug product. To achieve this goal, there is an imminent need for addressing the issues behind a low success rate in IVIVC development. The results from the current analysis revealed that special considerations should be taken in areas such as (1) selection of appropriate number/kind of formulations for IVIVC development/validation, (2) construction of exploratory plots to guide model building and selection, (3) investigation of the reasons of inconclusive predictability, (4) improvement on the quality and richness of the data, and (5) avoidance of over parameterization. The development and incorporation of biopredictive dissolution methods and the use of non-conventional approaches, including mechanistic/physiologically based approaches, should be explored to increase the likelihood of IVIVC success.

Alternaria blight of oilseed brassicas: A review on management strategies through conventional, non-conventional and biotechnological approaches

Oilseed Brassicas are contributing approximately 28 percent of the India’s total oilseed production. This crop is gaining wide acceptance among t he f a rme r s b e ca u s e of adaptability for both irrigated as well as rainfed areas and suitability for sole as well as mixed cropping. Besides, it offers higher return with low cost of production and low water requirement. The production and productivity of oilseed brassicas are comparatively lower as compared to the world average due to the biotic and abiotic constraints. Among the biotic constraints, alternaria blight disease caused by Alternaria spp. has been reported from all the continents of the world, causing up to 70% yield losses in India. This disease was found on leaves, stems and siliquae and dark spots on the leaves and siliquae reduce the photosynthetic capacity and induce immature ripening, which causes reduced amount of quality seed and oil content. The severity of this disease depends upon weather conditions, varieties, age of host plants and virulence of the pathogens. Efforts are being done throughout the world for the management of alternaria blight of rapeseed-mustard. This paper comprehensively reviews the research of alternaria blight of rapeseed-mustard with special reference to management strategies through conventional, non conventional and biotechnological approaches that leads to planning the future research. The present scenario demands the traditional and modern biotechnological techniques bringing together for integrated disease management according to the need and availability at farmers level for sustainable management of alternaria blight disease of oilseed brassicas.

Limitations of Western Medicine and Models of Integration Between Medical Systems.

This article analyzes two major limitations of Western medicine: maturity and incompleteness. From this viewpoint, Western medicine is considered an incomplete system for the explanation of living matter. Therefore, through appropriate integration with other medical systems, in particular nonconventional approaches, its knowledge base and interpretations may be widened. This article presents possible models of integration of Western medicine with homeopathy, the latter being viewed as representative of all complementary and alternative medicine. To compare the two, a medical system was classified into three levels through which it is possible to distinguish between different medical systems: epistemological (first level), theoretical (second level), and operational (third level). These levels are based on the characterization of any medical system according to, respectively, a reference paradigm, a theory on the functioning of living matter, and clinical practice. The three levels are consistent and closely consequential in the sense that from epistemology derives theory, and from theory derives clinical practice. Within operational integration, four models were identified: contemporary, alternative, sequential, and opportunistic. Theoretical integration involves an explanation of living systems covering simultaneously the molecular and physical mechanisms of functioning living matter. Epistemological integration provides a more thorough and comprehensive explanation of the epistemic concepts of indeterminism, holism, and vitalism to complement the reductionist approach of Western medicine; concepts much discussed by Western medicine while lacking the epistemologic basis for their emplacement. Epistemologic integration could be reached with or without a true paradigm shift and, in the latter, through a model of fusion or subsumption.

Towards a New Planning Vocabulary: Developing a Catalogue of Nonconventional Approaches to Steering and Planning Shrinking Territories

Towards a New Planning Vocabulary: Developing a Catalogue of Nonconventional Approaches to Steering and Planning Shrinking Territories

Non-Conventional Tools to Preserve and Prolong the Quality of Minimally-Processed Fruits and Vegetables

The main topic of this paper is a focus on some non-conventional tools to preserve the microbiological and physico-chemical quality of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. The quality of fresh-cut foods is the result of a complex equilibrium involving surface microbiota, storage temperature, gas in the headspace and the use of antimicrobials. This paper proposes a short overview of some non-conventional approaches able to preserve the quality of this kind of product, with a special focus on some new ways, as follows: (1) use of edible or antimicrobial-containing coatings (e.g., chitosan-based coatings) on fruits or vegetables; (2) alternative modified atmospheres (e.g., high O2-modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)) or the use of essential oils in the headspace; (3) conditioning solutions with antimicrobials or natural compounds for fruit salad; and (4) biopreservation and use of a probiotic coating.

Special Issue on Global Cancer Medicine

Special Issue on Global Cancer Medicine

Managing Scientific Hypotheses as Data with Support for Predictive Analytics

The sheer scale of high-resolution raw data generated by simulation has motivated non-conventional approaches for data exploration referred as `immersive' and `in situ' query processing of the raw simulation data. Another step towards supporting scientific progress is to enable data-driven hypothesis management and predictive analytics out of simulation results. We present a synthesis method and tool for encoding and managing competing hypotheses as uncertain data in a probabilistic database that can be conditioned in the presence of observations.

Dominate or Ally? Bargaining Power and Control in Cross-Border Acquisitions by Indian Firms

Cross-border acquisitions by firms from emerging economies have risen sharply in the present millennium and have targeted both developed and developing markets. Yet, it is not clear what structures and approaches are adopted by these acquiring firms in order to govern their foreign subsidiaries. In this paper, I propose that the firms from the emerging economies operate with weaker positions of bargaining power in international markets owing to their greater liabilities of origin, newness and foreignness. Hence, in order to accomplish their strategic objectives, the firms from the emerging economies adopt nonconventional approaches in the governance of their foreign subsidiaries. These firms are more likely to opt for a wholly owned subsidiary when the intent is to seek new markets and share ownership when the intent is to acquire strategic-assets. However, superior performance of the acquiring firm in its home market can enhance its bargaining power and moderate ownership decisions. My predictions find support in a sample of 979 cross-border acquisitions by Indian firms, over the period 2000–2010.

Mainstreaming the Third Sector Economics by Adopting the Principles of Islamic Entrepreneurship: For Development with Equity and Social Justice

The ‘private’ and ‘public’ sector economics found their own strong places to play roles in the mainstream economy. At the end, however, these two systems – the private, popularly called the first sector economy, and the public, called the second sector economy - both individually and jointly have been found seriously inadequate and incapable to ensuring wellbeing of human societies nationally and globally. Responding to such a situation a number of non-conventional approaches like cooperatives and social enterprises, waqaf, foundations, and other non-profit institutions, etc., together called third sector economy, were moved and promoted to ensure social justice and wellbeing of mankind. Initially it emerged as a make-up and defensive strategy of the market-state model to meet the minimum of unmet requirements in the sectors where the market and state have grossly failed. It, thus, played only a subordinate role. As a result, it could not help much to solve the problem of economic inequity, concentration of wealth, and social divides. However it is strongly felt that a broadly based third sector economic model with both not for-profit business like enterprises and for-profit businesses blended with social justice is necessary to play its role as a mainstream model not only for poverty alleviation but also for economic growth to bridge the economic and social divides. Mainstreaming the third sector is the urgent call of the day. Islamic entrepreneurship, which is basically a communitycentric mode of business initiative, is an antidote to the problem of intolerable economic and social dualism in the economies. It is a natural strategy against all forms of capitalist exploitations, like in the past through European colonialism and now through American led terrorism, to control resources. Accordingly it is the natural model for solving the problems of economic inequity, concentration of wealth, and social divides. Therefore, this study finds the Islamic mode of entrepreneurship as most suitable and effective for widening and mainstreaming the third sector economics, more particularly in the developing countries. Johor Corporation (JCorp) in Malaysia and Sheba Polly in Bangladesh are examples of two types of Islamic style third sector enterprises – one is staunchly business like initiative and the other is cost based charity initiative for social benefit. For the development and promotion of the community-centric third sector economics model, the paper recommends for urgently establishing a research and development centre on third sector economics preferably under an Islamic Research and Development Institute in any reputed university.IIUC Studies Vol.9 December 2012: 39-58

Effects of Out-door Activities on Students’ Attitude towards Physics in Secondary Schools

The study investigated the effects of out-door activities on students’ attitude towards learning of Physics in Senior Secondary School Physics in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The research design adopted in the study was Pretest-Posttest Quasi-experimental. The sample for the study was 150 Senior Secondary One (SSI) Physics students (this sample was divided into the experimental and control groups in ratio 1: 1 i.e. 75 in each group), selected through the multistage sampling technique from a total population of 7,852 SS I students offering Physics in all the 184 public Senior Secondary Schools in Ekiti State. The instrument used to collect relevant data from the subjects was Physics Attitudinal Scale (PAS). The reliability of the instrument was determined through the split-half method with the reliability coefficient of 0.83. Two null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The data collected were analysed using inferential statistics of t-test and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The results of the analyses showed that there was significant difference in the attitude of students to Physics in the experimental and control groups in favour of experimental group. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that non-conventional teaching approaches such as using out-door activities, should be introduced into the teaching of Physics in the nation’s secondary schools to reinforce the hitherto adopted conventional teaching method and Physics teachers should be encouraged to make use of these new teaching approaches.