bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decoloniality as the Future of Africa
Authors: Ndlovu‐Gatsheni Sabelo J.
Published: October 2015

Decoloniality is not only a long‐standing political and epistemological movement aimed at liberation of (ex‐) colonized peoples from global coloniality but also a way of thinking, knowing, and doing. It is part of marginalized but persistent movements that merged from struggles against the slave trade, imperialism, colonialism, apartheid, neo‐colonialism, and underdevelopment as constitutive negative elements of Euro‐North American‐centric modernity. As an epistemological movement, it has always been overshadowed by hegemonic Euro‐North American‐centric intellectual thought and social theories. As a political movement, it has consistently been subjected to surveillance of global imperial designs and colonial matrices of power. But today, decoloniality is remerging at a time when the erstwhile hegemonic Euro‐North American‐centric modernity and its dominant epistemology are experiencing an epistemological break. This epistemic break highlights how Euro‐North American‐centric modernity has created modern problems of which it has no modern solutions and how theories/knowledges generated from a Euro‐North American‐centric context have become exhausted if not obstacles to the understanding of contemporary human issues. This essay introduces, defines, and explains the necessity for decoloniality as a liberatory language of the future for Africa.
A new breeding population of Mediterranean Gulls Larus melanocephalus in the species' main wintering area maintains independent spatial dynamics
Authors: Carboneras Carles , Dies José Ignacio
Published: October 2015

We studied a newly established breeding population of the range‐expanding Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus in eastern Spain, situated in close proximity to the species' main wintering area. By investigating the origin, population composition and wintering area of the new breeders, we found that recruitment from locally wintering birds was unlikely and that the emerging colonies were probably attracting birds from populations wintering 700–1200 km away in Portugal and southern Spain. Our findings reveal that expanding populations may follow their own dynamics, independently of other populations of the same species, and may consist of different individuals altogether.
Visfatin serum level and expression in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue in prepubertal boys
Authors: Novak S. , Divkovic D. , Drenjancevic I. , Cosic A. , Selthofer‐Relatic K.
Published: October 2015

Background

The biological role of visfatin in humans, especially in eutrophic and healthy children, is not understood yet, except for its link to obesity‐related disorders in adolescents and adults.

Objectives

To determine the physiological values of serum visfatin concentrations, and visfatin mRNA expression in subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and to correlate them with anthropometric/metabolic data in prepubertal healthy boys.

Methods

The study included 59 healthy boys, age 1–10 years, hospitalized for elective surgery, divided according to age into group I (1–3 years old), group II (3–7 years old) and group III (7–10 years old). Anthropometric and biochemical measurements, and the visfatin serum and mRNA level in SAT and VAT were determined in all patients.

Results

Visfatin mRNA expression was higher in SAT compared with VAT in all three studied groups. Highest visfatin mRNA was found in SAT of group III compared with group II (P = 0.030). VAT visfatin mRNA expression negatively correlates with body weight (P = 0.039), waist circumference (P = 0.027) and morning glucose level (P = 0.007).

Conclusion

Lack of changes in serum visfatin level despite the changes in visfatin mRNA expression of adipose tissue suggests paracrine effect of visfatin rather than endocrine. Negative correlation of visfatin VAT mRNA expression with anthropometric parameters indicates important role of VAT visfatin in maturation and in glucose metabolism.
Identification, characterization and target gene analysis of testicular microRNAs in the oriental fruit fly Bactrocera dorsalis
Authors: Tariq K. , Peng W. , Saccone G. , Zhang H.
Published: October 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate various diverse biological processes including insect spermatogenesis. The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, is one of the most destructive horticultural pests in East Asia and the Pacific region. Although developmental miRNA profiles of B. dorsalis have enriched our knowledge, specific testicular miRNAs in this dipteran species are unexplored. In this study, we identified miRNAs from B. dorsalis testes by deep sequencing, which provided an overview of miRNA expression during spermatogenesis. Small RNA libraries were constructed from the testes of fully mature (FM), immature (IM) and middle‐aged (MA) adult flies of B. dorsalis. Small RNA sequencing and data analysis revealed 172 known and 78 novel miRNAs amongst these libraries. Pairwise comparisons of libraries led to the identification of 24, 15 and 14 differentially expressed miRNAs in FM vs. IM, FM vs. MA and IM vs. MA insects, respectively. Using a bioinformatic approach, we predicted 124 target genes against the 13 most differentially expressed miRNAs. Furthermore, the expression patterns of six randomly selected miRNAs (from the 13 most differentially expressed miRNAs) and their putative target genes (from the 124 predicted target genes) were analysed in the testis of B. dorsalis by quantitative real‐time PCR, which showed that out of six, four tested miRNAs‐mRNAs had an inverse expression pattern and are probably co‐regulated. This study is the first comparative profile of the miRNA transcriptome in three developmental stages of the testis, and provides a useful resource for further studies on the role of miRNAs in spermatogenesis in B. dorsalis.
Epitope specific T‐cell responses against influenza A in a healthy population
Authors: Savic Miloje , Dembinski Jennifer L. , Kim Yohan , Tunheim Gro , Cox Rebecca J. , Oftung Fredrik , Peters Bjoern , Mjaaland Siri
Published: October 2015

Pre‐existing human CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell‐mediated immunity may be a useful correlate of protection against severe influenza disease. Identification and evaluation of common epitopes recognized by T cells with broad cross‐reactivity is therefore important to guide universal influenza vaccine development, and to monitor immunological preparedness against pandemics. We have retrieved an optimal combination of MHC class I and class II restricted epitopes from the Immune Epitope Database (www.iedb.org), by defining a fitness score function depending on prevalence, sequence conservancy and HLA super‐type coverage. Optimized libraries of CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell epitopes were selected from influenza antigens commonly present in seasonal and pandemic influenza strains from 1934 to 2009. These epitope pools were used to characterize human T‐cell responses in healthy donors using interferon‐γ ELISPOT assays. Upon stimulation, significant CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell responses were induced, primarily recognizing epitopes from the conserved viral core proteins. Furthermore, the CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were phenotypically characterized regarding functionality, cytotoxic potential and memory phenotype using flow cytometry. Optimized sets of T‐cell peptide epitopes may be a useful tool to monitor the efficacy of clinical trials, the immune status of a population to predict immunological preparedness against pandemics, as well as being candidates for universal influenza vaccines.
Tolerating Uncertainty: Perceptions of the Future for Ageing Parent Carers and Their Adult Children with Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Pryce Laura , Tweed Alison , Hilton Amanda , Priest Helena M.
Published: October 2015

Background

Improved life expectancy means that more adults with intellectual disabilities are now living with ageing parents. This study explored older families' perceptions of the future.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with nine older parents and three adults with intellectual disabilities and analysed to produce an explanatory thematic framework.

Results

‘Tolerating uncertainty’ was the major theme in participants' attempts to manage anxieties about the future, encompassing sub‐themes of ‘accepting the parenting role’, ‘facing challenges’, ‘being supported/isolated’, ‘positive meaning making’, ‘re‐evaluating as time moves on’ and ‘managing future thinking’. Some participants expressed preferences for their future which were in contrast to their parents' views, and provide a unique perspective that has often been neglected in prior research.

Conclusions

This research has found commonalities in how families tolerate the uncertainty of the future, but also unique differences that require tailored interventions and prospective action by services.
Fine mapping of a calving QTL on Bos taurus autosome 18 in Holstein cattle
Authors: Mao X. , Kadri N.K. , Thomasen J.R. , De Koning D.J. , Sahana G. , Guldbrandtsen B.
Published: October 2015

Decreased calving performance not only directly impacts the economic efficiency of dairy cattle farming but also influences public concern for animal welfare. Previous studies have revealed a QTL on Bos taurus autosome (BTA) 18 that has a large effect on calving traits in Holstein cattle. In this study, fine mapping of this QTL was performed using imputed high‐density SNP chip (HD) genotypes followed by imputed next‐generation sequencing (NGS) variants. BTA18 was scanned for seven direct calving traits in 6113 bulls with imputed HD genotypes. SNP rs136283363 (BTA18: 57 548 213) was consistently the most significantly associated SNP across all seven traits [e.g. p‐value = 2.04 × 10−59 for birth index (BI)]. To finely map the QTL region and to explore pleiotropic effects, we studied NGS variants within the targeted region (BTA18: 57 321 450–57 625 355) for associations with direct calving traits and with three conformation traits. Significant variants were prioritized, and their biological relevance to the traits was interpreted. Considering their functional relationships with direct calving traits, SIGLEC12, CD33 and CEACAM18 were proposed as candidate genes. In addition, pleiotropic effects of this QTL region on direct calving traits and conformation traits were observed. However, the extent of linkage disequilibrium combined with the lack of complete annotation and potential errors in the Bos taurus genome assembly hampered our efforts to pinpoint the causal mutation.
An Investigation into GHG and non‐GHG Impacts of Double Skin Façades in Office Refurbishments
Authors: Pomponi Francesco , Piroozfar Poorang A.E. , Farr Eric R.P.
Published: October 2015

The building sector is a major contributor to energy consumption, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and depletion of natural resources. In developed countries, existing buildings represent the majority of the stock, their low‐carbon refurbishment hence being one of the most sensible ways to mitigate GHG emissions and reduce environmental impacts of the construction sector. This article has investigated and established the GHG and non‐GHG life cycle impacts of several double skin façade (DSF) configurations for office refurbishments by means of a parametric comparative life cycle assessment against up‐to‐standard single skin façade (SSF) refurbishment solutions. Two different methods were used to assess both GHG emissions and other environmental impacts. Results show that if, on the one hand, most of the DSF configurations assessed actually reduce GHG emissions compared to SSFs over their life cycle—thus supporting a wider adoption of DSFs for low‐carbon refurbishments—on the other hand, there exist non‐negligible ecological and environmental impacts that the DSF generates, specifically in terms of some materials of the structure and their final disposal. Research attention is thus needed regarding the environmental impacts of the materials used for DSFs and not only in minimizing the energy consumption of the operational phase.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐634G/C polymorphism was associated with severe pre‐eclampsia and lower serum VEGF level
Authors: Salimi Saeedeh , Yaghmaei Minoo , Tabatabaei Ehsan , Mokhtari Mojgan , Naghavi Anoosh
Published: October 2015

Aim

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic factor whose production is increased in pre‐eclampsia (PE). Therefore, the present study was conducted aiming at assessing the possible association of VEGF polymorphisms with PE susceptibility in the southeast of Iran.

Material and Methods

Overall, 192 PE women and 186 unrelated age‐matched normotensive pregnant women were genotyped for the VEGF‐2578C/A (rs699947), ‐1154G/A (rs1570360), and ‐634G/C (rs2010963) polymorphisms using the polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Serum VEGF levels were determined by the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method.

Results

There was no significant difference in VEGF‐2578C/A, ‐1154G/A and ‐634G/C polymorphisms between PE women and controls. However, the frequency of VEGF‐634GC and CC genotypes was significantly higher in women with severe PE compared to mild PE and controls. In addition, serum VEGF levels were significantly lower in PE women. The VEGF‐634CC genotype was associated with lower serum VEGF levels compared to the VEGF‐634GG genotype. Moreover, serum VEGF levels were significantly lower in individuals with the VEGF‐634CC genotype compared to VEGF‐634GC genotype only in the control group. The mean serum VEGF levels did not differ significantly between genotypes of VEGF‐2587C/A and ‐1154G/A polymorphisms.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that the association of VEGF‐634G/C polymorphisms with severe PE and the VEGF‐634CC genotype was correlated with lower serum VEGF levels.
On the Limits of Rights and Representation
Authors: Johnson Terrence L.
Published: October 2015

This essay explores the degree to which public reason can sustain political liberalism's commitment to justice and pluralism without attending to the role of whatJeffreyStout calls “cultural inheritance” in shaping and justifying political commitments. At issue is whether public reason is the best resource for guiding conversations on political matters that are enmeshed in religious commitments and moral beliefs. Unless public reason can account for cultural inheritance, and foster a deliberative context in which political actors might grapple with the relationship between overlapping political claims and comprehensive doctrines, public reason will remain narrow and inadequate in a contemporary world where epistemic diversity is increasingly at odds with political liberalism's normative model of social cooperation and public deliberation.
Public Capital, Redistribution and Growth in A Two‐Class Economy
Authors: Tavani Daniele , Zamparelli Luca
Published: October 2015

We develop a growth model with a productive and redistributive role for the public sector in a two‐class economy. We focus on two different model closures: a Classical‐Marxian one, which produces endogenous growth, and a Post‐Keynesian one where growth is exogenous. When growth is endogenous, the policy maker fixes the long run accumulation rate and the after tax income shares. In the exogenous growth model, the government determines the after tax income shares and the unemployment compensation. In both cases, the policy choice is compared to a benchmark scenario involving no redistribution.
End‐of‐life care provision: experiences of intensive care nurses in Iraq
Authors: Rafii Forough , Nikbakht Nasrabadi Alireza , Karim Muaf Abdulla
Published: October 2015

Background

Nurses play a key role in providing care for the critically ill in the intensive care unit (ICU). The physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual intimate care given by Kurdish nurses allows them to develop a therapeutic relationship with terminally ill patients in the ICU.

Aims

This study sought to explore the meaning of caring for terminally ill patients from the perspective of Kurdish ICU nurses.

Design

Van Manen's (1990) hermeneutic phenomenological design was adopted.

Method

The data were collected through in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with a purposive sample of 10 nurses working in ICUs. Interviews were transcribed and finally analysed according to Van Manen's method.

Results

Four major themes including emotional labour, death as a positive dimension, optimistic rather than futile care and working within constraints emerged.

Conclusions

Kurdish nurses in their caring encounters with terminally ill patients experienced a range of feelings from emotional strain to being optimistic while working within limited resources in the ICU. Further research is needed to explore the experiences of nurses with other cultures of caring for terminally ill patients in ICUs.

Relevance to practice

End‐of‐life care in ICU is emotionally challenging, therefore, nurses in this setting require psychological and spiritual support to ensure optimal care provision.
Is technology the best medicine? Three practice theoretical perspectives on medication administration technologies in nursing
Authors: Boonen Marcel JMH , Vosman Frans JH , Niemeijer Alistair R
Published: October 2015

Even though it is often presumed that the use of technology like medication administration technology is both safer and more effective, the importance of nurses' know‐how is not to be underestimated. In this article, we accordingly try to argue that nurses' labor, including their different forms of knowledge, must play a crucial role in the development, implementation and use of medication administration technology. Using three different theoretical perspectives (‘heuristic lenses') and integrating this with our own ethnographic research, we will explore how nursing practices change through the use of medication technology. Ultimately, we will argue that ignoring (institutional) complexity and the various types of important knowledge that nurses have, will seriously complicate the implementation of medication administration technology.
A conserved co‐chaperone is required for virulence in fungal plant pathogens
Authors: Lo Presti Libera , López Díaz Cristina , Turrà David , Di Pietro Antonio , Hampel Martin , Heimel Kai , Kahmann Regine
Published: October 2015

The maize pathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis experiences endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress during plant colonization and relies on the unfolded protein response (UPR) to cope with this stress.

We identified the U. maydis co‐chaperone, designated Dnj1, as part of this conserved cellular response to ER stress. ∆dnj1 cells are sensitive to the ER stressor tunicamycin and display a severe virulence defect in maize infection assays.

A dnj1 mutant allele unable to stimulate the ATPase activity of chaperones phenocopies the null allele. A Dnj1‐mCherry fusion protein localizes in the ER and interacts with the luminal chaperone Bip1. The Fusarium oxysporum Dnj1 ortholog contributes to the virulence of this fungal pathogen in tomato plants. Unlike the human ortholog, F. oxysporum Dnj1 partially rescues the virulence defect of the Ustilago dnj1 mutant.

By enabling the fungus to restore ER homeostasis and maintain a high secretory activity, Dnj1 contributes to the establishment of a compatible interaction with the host. Dnj1 orthologs are present in many filamentous fungi, but are absent in budding and fission yeasts. We postulate a conserved and essential role during virulence for this class of co‐chaperones.
Phenotypic and genotypic variation in Michigan populations of Phytophthora infestans from 2008 to 2010
Authors: Rojas A. , Kirk W. W.
Published: October 2015

Severe potato and tomato late blight epidemics in Michigan since 2008 prompted characterization of Phytophthora infestans isolates from the region. From eight counties in Michigan, 124 isolates were collected from infected potato and tomato plants from 2008 to 2010 and characterized using ‘classical’ markers and microsatellites. The classical markers included mating type, Gpi allozyme, mitochondrial DNA haplotype, sensitivity to metalaxyl‐M and tuber pathogenicity. All isolates from 2008 to 2010 were A2 mating type and Ia mtDNA haplotype (124 isolates), 105 isolates had Gpi profile 100/122, 17 isolates had the profile 100/100/111 and the remaining two isolates had 100/111/122. Sensitivity to metalaxyl‐M, expressed as EC50 for mycelial growth in vitro, ranged from <0·1 to 91 μg mL−1, where 95 and 96% of isolates were classified as either sensitive or intermediate in 2008–2009 and 2010 respectively. The metalaxyl‐M sensitivity and dominant Gpi profile were typical of clonal lineage US‐22, first isolated in 2008 in North America from tomato plants. Tuber pathogenicity, characterized as severity of tuber late blight, was also variable among isolates; however, isolates were less aggressive than previous genotypes present in Michigan, such as US‐8. Microsatellites (simple sequence repeats; SSRs) revealed a shift in the population, characterized by two clusters differentiated over time. These results suggested displacement of the US‐8 genotype by US‐22 from 2008 to 2010 in Michigan. Continuous tracking of changes within P. infestans populations provides evidence of genetic shifts due to migration, prompting modification of management strategies based on the phenotypic characteristics of causal genotypes.
Establishment of tree seedlings in the understory of restoration plantations: natural regeneration and enrichment plantings
Authors: Bertacchi Maria Isabel F. , Amazonas Nino T. , Brancalion Pedro H. S. , Brondani Gilvano E. , de Oliveira Anderson C. S. , de Pascoa Marcelino A. R. , Rodrigues Ricardo R.
Published: October 2015

Little is known about the potential of restoration plantations to provide appropriate understory conditions to support the establishment of seeds arriving from neighboring native forests. In this article, we investigated how seedling establishment is affected in the understory of restoration sites of different ages and assessed some of the potential environmental factors controlling this ecological process. We first compared the density and richness of native tree seedlings among 10‐, 22‐, and 55‐year‐old restoration plantations within the Atlantic Forest region of southeastern Brazil. Then, we undertook a seed addition experiment in each study site, during the wet season, and compared seedling emergence, survival, and biomass on local versus old‐growth forest soil (transferred from a reference ecosystem), in order to test whether local substrate could hamper seedling establishment. As expected, the oldest restoration site had higher density and richness of spontaneously regenerating seedlings. However, seedling establishment was less successful both in the oldest restoration planting and using substrate transferred from a reference ecosystem, where emergence and survival were lower, but surviving seedlings grew better. We attribute these results to lower light availability for seedlings in the understory of the oldest site and speculate that higher incidence of pathogens on old‐growth forest soil may have increased seedling mortality. We conclude that the understory of young restoration plantations provides suitable microsite conditions at the early establishment phases for the spontaneous regeneration or enrichment planting of native trees.
WHICH INFRASTRUCTURE MATTERS MORE FOR GROWTH: ECONOMIC OR SOCIAL? EVIDENCE FROM INDIAN STATES DURING 2001–2010
Authors: Misra Biswa Swarup
Published: October 2015

This paper studies the relationship between infrastructure and output in 28 Indian states divided into general and special categories for the period 2001–2010. It develops a composite infrastructure index for each state in each category by considering both economic and social dimensions. We find that infrastructure only influences output in general category states. Among the different kinds of infrastructures, the social variant has a greater impact on output than the economic. Interestingly, we also find that, for both categories of states, output influences infrastructure more than infrastructure influences output. Causality analysis reveals unidirectional causality from output to infrastructure and from social infrastructure to economic infrastructure. No evidence of a statistically significant impact of infrastructure or any of its variants on output for the special category states was found. These findings question the effectiveness of additional funds provided for the development of special category states.
Climate‐modulated sequence development in a tropical rift basin during the Late Palaeocene to Early Eocene super greenhouse Earth
Authors: Samanta Arpita , Bera Melinda K. , Sarkar Anindya
Published: October 2015

Sequence developments in rift basins are considered to be influenced largely by tectonics and to a lesser extent by eustatic sea‐level and climate. Studies indicate that in passive margin basins, climate can mask the effects of tectonics and eustasy by modulating the sediment supply. It is, however, less understood how the sedimentary sequence in rift basins might respond to strong climatic fluctuations where tectonic pulses generate rapid accommodation space. Here a case study has been provided to assess the effect of climate vis à vis sea‐level and tectonics on sequence development in the Cambay rift basin, western India, during the Early Palaeogene (Late Palaeocene to Early Eocene) super greenhouse globe. Facies analysis of this shale–lignite sequence suggests deposition in a lagoon/bay, developed over the Deccan Trap basement. Detailed sequence stratigraphic analysis using basin‐wide representative composite sections, marker lignite seam, event bed and high‐resolution carbon isotope (δ13C) chemostratigraphy suggest an overall transgressive motif. Among the three prominent Early Eocene eustatic highstands, only the one at ca 53·7 Ma is expressed by the thickest coal accumulation throughout the basin. Expression of the other sequence stratigraphic surfaces is subdued and can be due to the overall finer grain size of the sediment or local variation in the subsidence rate at different fault‐controlled mini‐basins. Enigmatic presence of a maximum flooding surface coinciding with the 53·7 Ma climate event (Eocene Thermal Maximum 2), manifested by negative carbon isotope excursion, indicates possible influence of climate over and above tectonics in developing the rift sequence. Qualitative rainfall variation assessed using the magnitude of the carbon isotope excursion and pollen abundance show that a relatively dry/low precipitation climatic phase during the Eocene Thermal Maximum 2 hindered the siliclastic supply to the basin. Thus, it has been inferred that climate‐induced high siliciclastic supply possibly enhanced the autocyclic reorganization and hindered the development of the key sequence stratigraphic surfaces across the basin during climate extremes.
Mark Time: India's March to Universal Health Care Coverage
Authors: Bali Azad S. , Ramesh M.
Published: October 2015

This article evaluates the efforts underway in India to achieve universal health care coverage and the conditions that fostered its contemporary evolution. It finds that India’s health system is characterized by private provision and financing, horizontal and vertical fragmentation, and weak governance arrangements. The article argues that these defining characteristics, which have solidified over time, account for poor health outcomes and make the system impervious to reforms as they deny the government levers to intervene and shape outcomes in the sector. While the government's recent efforts of increased public funding of national programmes have helped to reduce out of pocket spending, these are unlikely to work in the long run unless the government addresses the sources of the problems. The article argues that building health care governance, strengthening regulatory architecture, and stewardship over the system, in conjunction with increased public spending, are essential if the health care system is to provide affordable care to the entire population.
An Analysis of Selected Pension and Health Care Initiatives for Informal Sector Workers in India
Authors: Asher Mukul , Vora Yutika , Maurya Dayashankar
Published: October 2015

India's demographic trends portend moderately rapid ageing of the population. This, combined with the limited coverage of pension and health care programmes in terms of population, types of risks covered, and benefit levels has led to greater urgency in extending the coverage and reform directions of the current pension and health care programmes.

This article analyses three pension and health care initiatives in India directed at the workers and their families engaged in the informal sector. The first initiative, India's National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), undertaken in 1995 provides budget‐financed transfers targeted at older persons. It is funded by the Union government but implemented by the state governments. The second initiative, called Swavalamban, was started in 2010, but has been subsumed under Atal Pension Yojana (APY), in the 2015–16 budget. Both are voluntary co‐contributory initiatives aimed at providing access to retirement income to low‐income individuals (government co‐contributing with the individual). Unlike Swavalamban, the APY initiative has provisions for minimum guaranteed pension benefits, with contributions required by the members adjusted accordingly. Effectiveness in increasing enrollment and in sustaining contributions over a longer period will impact on the extent of retirement income security obtained by the members.

The third initiative, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), is insurance‐based and aims to provide hospital care to low‐income households. The article argues that for improving outcomes of these initiatives, more effective implementation, greater fiscal resources, and an integrated and systemic approach which is aided by technology‐enabled platforms such as Aadhaar, will be needed.
Management of delivery when malposition of the fetal head complicates the second stage of labour
Authors: Tempest Nicola , Navaratnam Kate , Hapangama Dharani K
Published: October 2015

Key content

Second stage caesarean section (CS) is associated with greater maternal and neonatal morbidity and second stage CS rates are rising.

Malposition of the fetal head is the most common indication for CS in the second stage of labour.

Rotational vaginal deliveries are high risk obstetric procedures requiring advanced operator expertise and are associated with increased rates of failure.

Currently, there are no UK guidelines for performing, training and documentation of rotational vaginal deliveries.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' training matrix advises trainees to be competent at rotational ventouse before commencing specialist training year 6 and does not mention any other methods of rotational vaginal delivery.

Learning objectives

To learn how to manage fetal malposition in the second stage of labour.

To identify appropriate maternal and fetal factors for trials of rotational instrumental vaginal delivery.

To understand the requirement for national guidelines for documentation and training.

Ethical issues

Is exclusion of Kielland forceps and manual rotation in the current training matrix deskilling the future workforce?

Is 24‐hour consultant presence on the labour ward a practical solution to promote training and increase success rates in rotational vaginal deliveries?

Can the use of training mannequins replace or reduce the length of appropriately supervised hands‐on practice?
Vaccination in pregnancy
Authors: Arunakumari P S , Kalburgi Sujatha , Sahare Amita
Published: October 2015

Key content

Live attenuated viral and bacterial vaccines are generally contraindicated during pregnancy because of the theoretical risks to the fetus.

No evidence exists of fetal risks from vaccinating pregnant women with inactivated virus or bacterial vaccines or toxoids.

Inactivated, recombinant, subunit, polysaccharide, conjugate vaccines and toxoids pose no risk for breastfeeding mothers or their infants.

Learning objectives

To provide an overview of the principles of vaccination in pregnancy.

To improve confidence of healthcare professionals in discussing aspects of vaccination in pregnancy.

To provide a quick reference guide regarding the indications, contraindications and safety of vaccines in pregnancy.

Ethical issues

Is the use of a mother as a vehicle to protect her fetus ethically justified?

Is compulsory vaccination of healthcare professionals ethically debatable?
Serum concentration and skin tissue expression of insulin‐like growth factor 2 in canine generalized demodicosis
Authors: Yarim Gul F. , Yagci Bugrahan B. , Yarim Murat , Sozmen Mahmut , Pekmezci Didem , Cenesiz Sena , Pekmezci Gokmen Z. , Karaca Efe
Published: October 2015

Background

There is increasing evidence that insulin‐like growth factor‐2 (IGF‐2) levels are altered in skin injury; there are no data evaluating the serum concentration and skin tissue expression of IGF‐2 in canine generalized demodicosis.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To assess serum concentrations of IGF‐2 collected from dogs with generalized demodicosis compared to healthy dogs and to determine the location of IGF‐2 in the skin of affected dogs.

Methods

Blood and skin samples were collected from 12 dogs of differing breeds and gender at 1–2 years of age that had a confirmed diagnosis of generalized demodicosis. Age‐matched control skin and blood samples were collected from 11 normal dogs of different breeds and gender. Serum IGF‐2 concentrations were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Skin tissue expression of IGF‐2 was analysed by immunohistochemical methods.

Results

Serum concentration and skin tissue expression of IGF‐2 were increased in dogs with generalized demodicosis compared with control dogs.

Conclusions and clinical importance

These findings indicate that keratinocytes, histiocytes and fibrocytes in the dermis are positive for IGF‐2; they may be a source of the elevated serum IGF‐2 levels in dogs with generalized demodicosis.
EFFECT OF SODIUM SILICATE AS LIQUID BASED STABILIZER ON SHEAR STRENGTH OF MARINE CLAY
Authors: Pakir Faizal , Marto Aminaton , Mohd Yunus Nor Zurairahetty , Ahmad Tajudin Saiful Azhar , Tan Choy Soon
Published: October 2015

Marine clay is one of the problematic soils found in the development project due to the high compressibility and swelling, and low bearing capacity. A new liquid stabilizing agent, with a commercial brand name of “TX-85” had been introduced in the construction industry for improving the strength and reliability of soils for construction of building and road. Therefore, a laboratory study was led to assess the impacts of sodium silicate on the unconfined compression strength (UCS) and plasticity index of marine clay. The results show that the addition of the sodium silicate can reduce the plasticity and slightly increased the UCS of the soils, also the UCS increased with the duration of curing time. It can be concluded that, the stabilization using sodium silicate can be used as an alternative and economic method in the civil engineering projects.
PHYSICAL FIELD CHARACTERIZATION OF BOULDERS IN TROPICAL WEATHERING PROFILE - A CASE STUDY IN ULU TIRAM, JOHOR MALAYSIA
Authors: Md Dan @ Azlan Mohd Firdaus , Mohamad Edy Tonnizam , Mohd Akip Tan Siti Norsalkini , Komoo Ibrahim
Published: October 2015

Boulder is known as one of the weathered products that formed by the disintegration and decomposition process of jointed rock mass, forming into spherical form by the reaction of concentric spheroidal weathering process. However, the physical characteristic of boulder in weathering profile where it is formed is not well understood. This paper is aimed to investigate the physical field characterization of boulders in term of its size, shape and distance from bedrock in the weathering profile. The study has been carried out towards six panels located at a granite quarry in Ulu Tiram, Johor. The initial finding indicated that the shape and the diameter of boulder were changing by the increment of the distance from bedrock but the pattern of the shape of the boulder showed that it did not depend on its diameter. It can be concluded that there are significant pattern and correlation between shape, size and the distance of boulder in the weathering profile.
APPLICABILITY OF ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY TOMOGRAPHY IN SUBSURFACE UTILITIES ENGINEERING
Authors: Alel Mohd Nur Asmawisham , Saad Rosli , Abdullah Rini Asnida , Wei Liew Inn
Published: October 2015

This paper presents the applicability of Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) in Subsurface Utilities Engineering (SUE). The objective is to use pseudosection generated by ERT to located known subsurface utilities. For construction industry, the investigation of subsurface utility is essential to avoid unforeseen condition that may cause project delay. According to the result, performing ERT using fundamental tester in this study is not suitable to locate subsurface utilities, however it can locate the loose part of the ground which likely to indicate the location of subsurface utilities. Therefore, ERT exhibits potential to be used before the actual subsurface utilities mapping to simplify the work of gathering information to locate the subsurface utilities accurately.
ENERGY-SAVING STREET LIGHTING SYSTEM BASED ON THE WASPMOTE MOTE
Authors: Adnan L. H. , Yussoff Y. M. , Johar H. , Baki S. R. M. S.
Published: October 2015

Energy-saving street lighting (ESSL) system is one of the promising approach to support smart city in the future. The technology that evolves with the advance in low energy microcontroller and wireless communication has become the foundation in the development of ESSL system. This paper presents initial development for ESSL system focusing on the Malaysia environment. The system utilizing Waspmote as a main part of sensor node, zigbee for communication and PIR sensor for motion detection. Deployment of sensor node at real environment also been discussed in this initial develompent. The sensor node can be used to control the brightness of the street light and the developed system found to save energy through the switching method of street light.
MODELING AND SIMULATION OF A 5-AXIS RV-2AJ ROBOT USING SIMMECHANICS
Authors: Ayob Mohammad Afif , Wan Zakaria Wan Nurshazwani , Jalani Jamaludin , Md Tomari Mohd Razali
Published: October 2015

This paper presents the reliability and accuracy of the developed model of 5-axis Mitsubishi RV-2AJ robot arm. The CAD model of the robot was developed by using SolidWorks while the multi-body simulation environment was demonstrated by using SimMechanics toolbox in MATLAB. The forward and inverse kinematics simulation results proposed that the established model resembles the real robot with accuracy of 98.99%.
TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF A ELECTRO-ENCEPHALOGRAPHY BASED NEUROPROSTHETIC TERMINAL DEVICE
Authors: Johar Khairunnisa , Yee Low Cheng , Hanapiah Fazah Akhtar , Jaffar Ahmed , Idris Farhana , Abu Kasim Mohamad Amlie
Published: October 2015

Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) using Electroencephalography (EEG) enables non-invasive direct control between human brain and machine and opens up new possibilities in providing healthcare solutions for people with severe motor impairment. This paper reviews the recent trends in neuroprostheses and presents a conceptual design for the development of a cost-effective neuroprosthetic hand deploying EEG signals. Towards the development of a brain-computer interface for neuroprostheses, EEG signals are recorded from healthy subjects using the Emotiv Suite Software. The recognition phase and signal analysis are performed using the EEGLab Software. Signal processing is required until clear rhythmic waves are obtained as a command to control a prosthetic hand. A Graphical User Interface (GUI) will be developed using Matlab Software and aided with 3D Animation as a medium of interaction for basic training for the patient before using the prosthetic hand.
SYSTEM INTEGRATION OF A FRICTION STIR WELDING MACHINE WITH A CUSTOMIZED TRAVERSE CONTROLLED TABLE
Authors: Busu Nur’ Amirah , Jaffarullah Mohammad Shamil , Shaari Mohd Saiful Bahari , Yee Low Cheng , Armansyah Armansyah , Jaffar Ahmed
Published: October 2015

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a promising joining process that offers a high potential to be widely applied across industry sectors such as automotive, shipbuilding and aerospace. Nevertheless the path force can vary significantly due to the fluctuation of workpiece temperature and other process variations, thus results in inconsistency in weld microstructure. This paper describes the system integration of a FSW machine with a focus on the development of a traverse controlled table in order to produce a consistent temperature and path force along the weld path in FSW process. Aluminium alloy 6061 plate and a FSW’s tool with a flat shoulder and conical pin without thread are used. Advantages of such an approach include wormhole generation will be eliminated, a high quality of weld microstructure can be produced and the synchronization between the temperature and path force can be obtained.
QUALITY ASSURANCE IN MANUFACTURING BY WATER POLLUTION MEASUREMENT
Authors: M. Hoffmann Joerg , Trentmann Werner , Kalashnikova Elisaveta
Published: October 2015

Many products or intermediate products in industry have to be cleaned with industrial washers. For example in the metal processing industry, especially in the automotive industry, parts have to be cleaned from drilling chips and oil. For this a lot of water and chemical add ons are used. It is in the economical as well as the ecological interest of companies to use the washer liquid in an optimal way. On the one hand the washer liquid should not be changed too early, on the other hand high quality requirements in concerning the cleanness of the products have to be fulfilled. In the past, the change of the washer liquid was conducted to more or less subjective criteria. The aim of this work is the development of a sensor system, which is able to detect the optimal point in time to change the washer liquid. Depending on the application the particle pollution or oil pollution are of a higher interest. Therefore, it is necessary to measure these two kinds of pollutions independent from each other. This is realised with the help of an artificial neural network.
MECHANICAL PERFORMANCE OF MODIFIED EPOXY REINFORCED HYBRID NATURAL FIBER COMPOSITE
Authors: Abu Bakar Mimi Azlina , Ahmad Sahrim , Kasolang Salmiah , Ahmad Mohamad Ali , Nik Roseley Nik Roselina , Norazlini Siti , Kuntjoro Wahyu
Published: October 2015

Kenaf fiber that is known as Hibiscus cannabinus, L. family Malvaceae is an herbaceous plant that can be grown under a wide range of weather conditions. The usage of kenaf fibers as a reinforcement material in the polymeric matrix has been widely investigated. In this research, liquid epoxidized natural rubber (LENR) was introduced to the epoxy to increase its toughness. Hybrid kenaf/carbon fibers, with different kenaf/carbon ratio weight, were used to reinforce the epoxy resins (with and without addition of epoxidized natural rubber) as the matrices. The flexural strength, flexural modulus and fracture toughness of the rubber toughened epoxy reinforced hybrid kenaf/carbon fiber composites were investigated. The results showed that the addition of liquid epoxidized natural rubber (LENR) had improved the flexural strength, flexural modulus and fracture toughness by 9.6%, 13.7%, and less 2% respectively at the ratio of 16:4 wt% fibre loading
THERMAL DIFFUSIVITY STUDIES OF ZnO-CuO AT HIGH TEMPERATURES
Authors: Md Akhir Rabiatuladawiyah , Abd Wahab Zaidan
Published: October 2015

An n-type semiconducting oxide such as Zinc Oxide (ZnO) has been exploited for their well-known gas sensing properties. Previous studies on these applications have mainly focused on electrical properties. Only limited reports were available on thermophysical properties of ZnO-based ceramics gas sensor. Therefore in this work, we report on the thermal diffusivity of Zinc Oxide-Copper Oxide (ZnO-CuO) ceramic composites by solid-state method using a laser flash technique. Thermal diffusivity of samples was measured at temperatures between 27 °C to 400 °C. The role of CuO was observed to enhance the thermal diffusivity of ZnO system with respect to the temperatures. ZnO-CuO samples played a significant role in improvement of thermal diffusivity value at temperature of 200 °C and above. Subsequently, sample of higher thermal diffusivity will exhibit lower initialization time for gas sensor to activate. Hence, the enhanced thermal diffusivity suggested that ZnO-CuO composite samples hold a promising possibility in gas sensor application.
THE EFFECTS OF KENAF FIBER LOADING REINFORCED POLYPROPYLENE AND NANOCLAY
Authors: Kamardin Nur Kamarliah , Md Taib Yakub , Kalam Anizah
Published: October 2015

The mechanical properties of hybrid composites which consists of polypropylene (PP), nanoclay (NC) and kenaf fiber (K) have been investigated. The size of kenaf fiber used was limited to 250-160µm with constant 6phr of NC. In this research, the K, PP and NC were blended in a twin screw extruder and then injection molded with the fiber weight fraction varying between 20-40wt%. The hybrid composited denoted as KPPNC specimens were tested using tensile and izod test according to ASTM D638 and ASTM D256. The consolidation of kenaf fiber into polymer matrix reduced the tensile and impact properties of the composites. The fractured surfaces of impact KPPNC composites were observed using the scanning electron microscopic technique.
ANALYSIS ON MICROSTRUCTURE, HARDNESS AND SURFACE ROUGHNESS OF SHOT BLASTED-PASTE BORONIZED 316 AUSTENITIC STAINLESS STEEL
Authors: Mohamad Basir Muhamad Hafizuddin , Abdullah Bulan , Alias Siti Khadijah , Jumadin Muhammad Hafizuddin , Ismail Muhammad Hussain
Published: October 2015

In this research, analysis on microstructure, hardness and surface roughness of 316 austenitic stainless steel were conducted before and after boronizing process. Boronizing treatment was conducted using a paste medium at a temperature of 8500C, with and without shot blasting. Microstructures of the specimens were observed under Olympus BX60 Optical Microscope. Vickers Micro Hardness Tester was used to determine the hardness of the specimens while Optical 3D Surface Metrology Sys was used to measure the surface roughness of the specimens. The process of boronizing diffuses boron into the surface of steel which resulted in the formation of the boride layers that consist of FeB and Fe2B. Shot blasting process increased the boron diffusion which resulted in increment of the boride layer thickness and hardness value while the surface roughness was fluctuated. Increment in the hardness value of 316 stainless steel causes the steel to be able to withstand a heavy load.
CULTIVATION SYSTEM OF GREEN MICROALGAE, BOTRYOCOCCUS BRAUNII: A REVIEW
Authors: Zakariah Nor Azalina , Abd. Rahman Norazah , Hamzah Fazlena , Md Jahi Tajuddin
Published: October 2015

Renewable energy by using microalgae is another route to solve fossil fuel dependence, reduce climate change and enhance food security. The microalgae has a simple structure. Photosynthesis reaction of the microalgae converts solar energy into chemical energy which later can be used as fuel. This paper reviews microalgae as a new prospective for biofuel feedstock that is produced from non - food sources which offer a long term of sustainability and energy security. The cultivation system under open and closed system are discussed in this paper. A common weakness of the systems is low lipid production. A two stages culture also known as hybrid cultivation system that is discuseed in this paper can be used to overcome the weakness. A review on the performance of the microalgae biofuel  applying in the internal combustion engines is presented in the last section of this paper.