bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review of Clinical Efficacy of Adjunctive Antibiotics in the Treatment of Smokers With Periodontitis
Authors: Angaji Mahdi , Gelskey Shirley , Nogueira‐Filho Getulio , Brothwell Doug
Published: June 2010

Background: The aim of this study is to systematically review the evidence of the efficacy of adjunctive antibiotic therapy to periodontal therapy in smokers with periodontitis.

Methods: A search was conducted for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with durations ≥6 months that compared periodontal therapy with and without adjunctive antibiotics for the treatment of periodontitis in smokers. Data sources primarily included PubMed with MeSH terms and free text as well as EMBASE, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials. In addition, a hand search of selected periodontal journals, bibliographies, and review articles was conducted. Independent reviewers were assigned to make independent searches and quality assessments (MA and DB) of the included studies, and disagreements were resolved by discussion.

Results: Five RCTs were selected for quantitative and qualitative assessments. Little evidence was found that supported the use of antibiotic therapy in conjunction with surgical periodontal therapy in smokers. With respect to non‐surgical therapy, consistent improvements in clinical attachment level (CAL) gain and probing depth (PD) reduction was reported after the use of a 250‐mg azithromycin tablet in one study. Adjunctive doxycycline gel and minocycline microspheres statistically improved CAL gain (in one RCT) and PD reduction (in one RCT), respectively. However, the risk of bias in all studies was estimated as high. Also, inadequate and inconsistent data precluded performing meta‐analyses.

Conclusions: The present systematic review concludes that the evidence for an additional benefit of adjunctive antibiotic therapy in smokers with chronic periodontitis is insufficient and inconclusive. Additional well‐designed RCTs are required to assess the effect of antibiotics in conjunction with periodontal treatments in smokers.
Characteristics of Electric and Magnetic Fields in the Vicinity of a Quadruple Electric Power Line
Authors: Salam M. A. , Ahmad Hussein B , Ahmad Noor Azlinda , Sien Ngai Jien
Published: June 2010

The relationship between the electric and magnetic fields along with soil resistivity is very important for direct lightning stroke. In this paper, the electric and magnetic fields produced by a parallel quadruple high voltage power lines (PQHVPL) have been measured. The measured fields are substantially high compared to the fields coming from conventional 132 kV and 275 kV power lines. The correlation between electric and magnetic fields emitted from PQHVPL and soil resistivity in the ground below the lines has also been investigated. The electric and magnetic field digital exposure system (EMDEX) hardware and software are used to measure and analyze the results. It is found that the electric field is higher at high soil resistivity and is lower at low soil resistivity.
The PHEV Charging Infrastructure Planning (PCIP) Problem
Authors: Dashora Yogesh , Barnes John W , Pillai Rekha S , Combs Todd E , Hilliard Michael , Chinthavali Madhu S
Published: June 2010

Increasing debates over a gasoline independent future and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has led to a surge in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) being developed around the world. The majority of PHEV related research has been directed at improving engine and battery operations, studying future PHEV impacts on the grid, and projecting future PHEV charging infrastructure requirements. Due to the limited all-electric range of PHEVs, a daytime PHEV charging infrastructure will be required for most PHEV daily usage. In this paper, for the first time, we present a mixed integer mathematical programming model to solve the PHEV charging infrastructure planning (PCIP) problem for organizations with thousands of people working within a defined geographic location and parking lots well suited to charging station installations. Our case study, based on the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) campus, produced encouraging results, indicates the viability of the modeling approach and substantiates the importance of considering both employee convenience and appropriate grid connections in the PCIP problem.
Simultaneous measurement of optical and dynamic mechanical properties of plastic optical fibers
Authors: Musbah Salah , Brajovic Ljiljana
Published: June 2010

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) is one of the most powerful tools to study the behavior of plastic and polymer composite materials and it is potentially very useful tool to simulate behavior of plastic optic fibers (POF) in real applications. Possibility of simultaneous measurements of some optical properties during DMA would significantly upgrade investigations of POF alone or embedded in some materials. In this work, single cantilever DMA of the POFs that was done simultaneously with measuring the transmitted optical signal intensity is described and discussed. In order to compare mechanical results of the same material for cylindrical and rectangular specimens, rectangular plates were prepared by melting POFs and the same kind of tests were performed. It is shown that changing the optical signal intensity corresponds to the changes of storage modulus of the POF during DMA, and the maximums in optical signals intensity indicate the beginning of glass transition processes in the POF material.
The selection of aptamers specific for membrane molecular targets
Authors: Janas Teresa , Janas Tadeusz
Published: June 2010

A growing number of RNA aptamers have been selected experimentally using the SELEX combinatorial approach, and these aptamers have several advantages over monoclonal protein antibodies or peptides with respect to their applications in medicine and nanobiotechnology. Relatively few successful selections have been reported for membrane molecular targets, in contrast to the situation with non-membrane molecular targets. This review compares the procedures and techniques used in selections against membrane proteins and membrane lipids. In the case of membrane proteins, the selections were performed against soluble protein fragments, detergent-membrane protein mixed micelles, whole cells, vesicles derived from cellular membranes, and enveloped viruses. Liposomes were used as an experimental system for the selection of aptamers against membrane lipids. RNA structure-dependent aptamer binding for rafts in lipid vesicles was reported. Based on the selected aptamers against DOPC and the amino acid tryptophan, a specific passive membrane transporter composed of RNA was constructed. The determination of the selectivity of aptamers appears to be a crucial step in a selection, but has rarely been fully investigated. The selections, which use whole cells or vesicles derived from membranes, can yield aptamers not only against proteins but also against membrane lipids.
R proteins as fundamentals of plant innate immunity
Authors: Głowacki Sylwester , Macioszek Violetta , Kononowicz Andrzej
Published: June 2010

Plants are attacked by a wide spectrum of pathogens, being the targets of viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes and insects. Over the course of their evolution, plants have developed numerous defense mechanisms including the chemical and physical barriers that are constitutive elements of plant cell responses locally and/or systemically. However, the modern approach in plant sciences focuses on the evolution and role of plant protein receptors corresponding to specific pathogen effectors. The recognition of an invader’s molecules could be in most cases a prerequisite sine qua non for plant survival. Although the predicted three-dimensional structure of plant resistance proteins (R) is based on research on their animal homologs, advanced technologies in molecular biology and bioinformatics tools enable the investigation or prediction of interaction mechanisms for specific receptors with pathogen effectors. Most of the identified R proteins belong to the NBS-LRR family. The presence of other domains (including the TIR domain) apart from NBS and LRR is fundamental for the classification of R proteins into subclasses. Recently discovered additional domains (e.g. WRKY) of R proteins allowed the examination of their localization in plant cells and the role they play in signal transduction during the plant resistance response to biotic stress factors. This review focuses on the current state of knowledge about the NBS-LRR family of plant R proteins: their structure, function and evolution, and the role they play in plant innate immunity.
The proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts in co-culture with human umbilical vein endothelial cells: An improved analysis using fluorescence-activated cell sorting
Authors: Zhang Yu , Schedle Andreas , Matejka Michael , Rausch-Fan Xiaohui , Andrukhov Oleh
Published: June 2010

The interaction of osteoblasts and endothelial cells plays a pivotal role in osteogenesis. This interaction has been extensively studied using their direct co-culture in vitro. However, co-culture experiments require clear discrimination between the two different cell types in the mixture, but this was rarely achieved. This study is the first to use fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for the separation and quantitative analysis of the proliferation and differentiation of MG-63 cells grown in direct co-culture with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The cells of the MG-63 cell line have properties consistent with the characteristics of normal osteoblasts. We labeled HUVECs with fluorescent antibody against CD31 and used FACS to measure the proportions of each cell type and to separate them based on their different fluorescence intensities. The rate of proliferation of the MG-63 cells was estimated based on a count of the total viable cells and the proportion of MG-63 cells in the mixture. The mRNA expression levels of the osteoblast differentiation markers alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen type 1 (Coll-1) and osteocalcin (OC) in the MG-63 cells were measured via real-time PCR after the separation via FACS. We found that HUVECs stimulated the proliferation of the MG-63 cells after 72 h of co-culture, and inhibited it after 120 h of co-culture. The mRNA expression levels of ALP and Coll-1 significantly increased, whereas that of OC significantly decreased in MG-63 after co-culture with HUVECs. Using FACS for the quantitative analysis of the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts directly interacting with endothelial cells could have merit for further co-culture research.
"Als wär' es ein Stück von uns …"; German Politics and Society Traverses Twenty Years of United Germany
Authors: Maier Charles S.
Published: June 2010

This essay looks at postunification Germany through the pages of German Politics and Society. The articles published during this period reveal the evolution of intellectuals' understanding of the unified country—concerns that mirrored changes in social, political, and cultural reality. Of course, academics are beholden to their own histories and Weltanschauung, a fact that produced, at times, prescient, sometimes fragmentary, and sometimes alarmist interpretations and analyses of the country in an attempt to provide orientation. Nevertheless, this review shows how German watchers have slowly up-dated their paradigms and are now not worrying as much about a mellowed, less German country that has fascinated them over the decades.
The Importance of Nature in the Well-Being of Rural Elders
Authors: Butler Sandra S. , Cohen Adrienne L.
Published: June 2010

This article presents two independent studies examining the experiences of older adults aging in rural environments in the United States. In face-to-face interviews, study participants (n = 66 in study 1 and n = 8 in study 2) were asked what they like about aging in a rural area and what they found challenging. Interview transcripts were analyzed for recurring themes in each study and striking similarities were found with regard to the importance of nature or “aesthetic capital” to the well-being of the study participants. Primary themes emerging from study 1 data included peace, safety, beauty, space, and interacting with nature. The themes emerging from the second study included the world outside the window, traveling around by car, and longing for natural beauty. A negative theme that emerged from both studies related to the dearth of health and social services in rural areas. Implications of the studies' findings with regard to the value of nature in the lives of elders are discussed in relation to practice, policy, and planning.
Effect of Carboxymethyl Cellulose on the Properties of Ordinary Portland Cement
Authors: Farooque KN , Yeasmin Z , Halim ME , Mahmood AJ , Mollah MYA
Published: June 2010

Organic Polymer carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (0.25, 0.50 and 1.5% solution) was incorporated in Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and its effect on compressive strength, setting time, porosity, corrosive resistance, density and water absorbance have been studied. Organic polymer retards the setting time and a small increase in compressive strength was observed after 90 days for 0.5% CMC. Addition of polymer has been found to be effective in improving the acid resistance of OPC. Interaction of CMC with OPC causes decrease in water absorption, porosity and chemically bound water. X-ray diffraction of OPC-CMC pastes after 4 months and 1 year display some new peaks as well as disappearance of few peaks showing interaction of CMC with hydrated cementitious pastes. Examination of microstructure reveals that fibre types of matters were formed in hardened cement paste. Key words: Ordinary portland cement; Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC); Compresssive strength; Porosity; XRD; SEM. DOI: 10.3329/bjsir.v45i1.5171 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 45(1), 1-8, 2010
Sorption of Reactive and Acid Dyes from Aqueous Solutions onto Sawdust
Authors: Khan S Rehman , Inayat Asma , Rana Amjad
Published: June 2010

The capability of sawdust for removal of Reactive Yellow (RY 1) and Acid Orange (AO2), from aqueous solutions was studied. The effect of various experimental parameters such as different treatments of sawdust, sorbent dose and pH of solution were studied. The saw dust a relatively abundant and inexpensive material was found to be effective absorbent for the removal of reactive and acid dyes from their aqueous solutions. It was found that the sawdust activated with acid have higher adsorption capacity. It has been found that at initial pH of 2 and at higher sorbent dose reactive and acid dyes were removed more effectively. Key words: Sawdust; Adsorption; Dye removal; Sorbent dose. DOI: 10.3329/bjsir.v45i1.5181 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 45(1), 35-38, 2010
Supercritical Fluid Extraction as a Successful Technique for Pesticides Estimation
Authors: Mahmood Samsuddin Faisal , Sultana Tamanna , Rahman Mohammad Arifur
Published: June 2010

Recently Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) has been focused as successful sample preparation step for pesticide multiresidue analysis due to its numerous advantages over classical solvent extractions (mainly rapidity, selectivity, low solvent volume requirement). However, developing SFE for pesticides is linked to numerous factors like pressure, temperature inside the cell, static time, flow rate and dynamic time (or fluid volume), volume of modifier added etc. Therefore, adequate knowledge is required for a new user to optimize the extraction performance for every new class of pesticides or new matrix to be analysed. Consequently, extraction parameters need to be carefully chosen. For instance, SFE of polar pesticides is enhanced by modifiers added to the matrix or the supercritical fluid. So this article discusses detail the principal strategies for efficient extractions of pesticides from several matrices. Key words: Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE); Pesticides; Pressure; Temperature; Matrix; Soxhlet extraction. DOI: 10.3329/bjsir.v45i1.5183 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 45(1), 47-56, 2010
In Vitro Mass Propagation of Heliotropium indicum L., using Apical and Axillary Bud Explants
Authors: Hassan AKM Sayeed , Begum Nadira , Jahan Miskat Ara Akhter , Khatun Rahima
Published: June 2010

A consequency was obtained for mass propagation of a valuable ayurvedic medicinal herb, Heliotropium indicum Linn. (Boraginaceae) through in vitro culture. Apical and axillary buds of young sprouts from selected plants were used as explants. Best shoot induction was observed on MS basal medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l BAP + 0.1 mg/l GA3, in which 92% of the axillary buds explants produced 12 shoots per culture. Repeated subcultures in the same medium, resulted rapid shoot multiplication with 18 shoots per culture. In vitro raised shoots rooted on half strength MS medium with 0.5 mg/l IBA. For acclimatization and transplantation, the plantlets in the rooting culture tubes were kept in normal room temperature for 7 days before transplanting in pots where plantlets were reared for three weeks. The survival rate of regenerated plantlets was 85%. Key words: Heliotropium indicum; Medicinal plant; Shoot proliferation; Micropropagation; Acclimatization. DOI: 10.3329/bjsir.v45i1.5185 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 45(1), 69-74, 2010
Maternal Anthropometry and Intrauterine Growth Retardation (IUGR) - A Hospital Based Study
Authors: Dhar Bishnupada , Hossain Kazi Jahangir , Bhadra Subrata K , Mowlah Aleya , Mowlah Golam
Published: June 2010

This was a prospective observational study conducted on374 pregnant women who remained in the study beginningfrom first trimester until gave birth to singleton newbornbabies selected from five maternity hospitals located atdifferent regions in the country over a period of thirtymonths from July 2002 to December 2004. Objectives ofthe study were: (1) To find out the incidence of IUGR in thehospital based study, (2) To observe the impact of prepregnancyweight and pregnancy weight gain on IUGR,(3) To select appropriate cut off points of pre-pregnancyweight and pregnancy weight gain to identify women at riskfor delivering IUGR babies and (4) To observe theassociation between socio-demographic factors andmaternal anthropometry.Twenty one percent women delivered IUGR babies. Motherswho gained <4 kg in second trimester and <5kg in thirdtrimester gave birth to significantly higher incidence ofIUGR babies (29.1% and 35.3% respectively) in comparisonto mothers gained e” 4 kg and e” 5 kg who gave birth to14.4% and 9.3% IUGR babies (p<.001) . Maternal weightfor height in the lower range of normalcy at early pregnancywas associated with an increased risk of IUGR whencompare to normal or over weight for height group ofmothers (30.6% vs. 9.5%; p=<.001). The study revealedthat combination of <90 percent of standard weight forheight and net weight gain per week <125gm have strongnegative influence on foetal growth (39.5% IUGR babies).On the contrary, combination of e” 110 percent of weightfor height and weekly weight gain of e” 150 gm havesignificant positive impact on foetal growth (6.7% IUGR) .For total weight gain, best cut off point for identifying riskwomen of delivering IUGR babies was recommended 8.5kg and that for prepregnancy or first trimester weight was47.5 kg.Key words: Low birth weight; intrauterine growthretardation; AnthropometryDOI: 10.3329/jbcps.v28i2.5366J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2010; 28: 73-80
Efficacy of Intravenous Immunoglobulin in the Management of Guillain Barre Syndrome
Authors: Rahman Md Mahbubur , Ahmed Kafiluddin
Published: June 2010

A total number of 40 respondents consisting of 20 subjectsof Guillain barre syndrome in each group treated withintravenous immunoglobulin (case) and without IVIg wereselected during the study period. Out of 20 cases, 12 (60%)were male and 8 (40%) were females, ratio 1.5:1. Majorityof the cases were presented at second or third decade oflife. In control group, 11 (55%) were male and 9 (45%)female, ratio 1.22:1. Majority of the patients had history ofupper respiratory tract infection or acute gastroenteritis 14 weeks preceding illness. All the patients had flaccidparalysis in all four limbs with some sensory features withoutbowel and bladder involvement. Thirteen patients from thecase and control groups developed respiratory failure requiring ICU support. Cerebrospinal fluid study showedalbumin cytological dissociation. Nerve conduction studyshowed features of demyelination, axonal loss or both.There was significant improvement of GBS patientstreated with IVIg in respect of respiratory function,muscle tone, muscle power, jerks and autonomicfunction. ICU stay of patients treated with IVIg wassignificantly shorter. Final outcome of patients treatedwith IVIg showed one death. There was no death incontrol group. The patient died probably due to severityof disease and/or comorbid disease.Key words: Intravenous Ig; Guillain barre syndromeDOI: 10.3329/jbcps.v28i2.5368J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2010; 28: 81-85
A Child with Ulcerative Colitis - A Case Report
Authors: Hassan Tariq , Afroze Farzana , Mollah Md Abid Hossain , Saha Narayan , Parveen Rubaiya , Rahman Anisur , Parveen Shahana
Published: June 2010

Ulcerative colitis in children has not been reported previouslyin Bangladesh. This case report is of a 7 year old girl whopresented with frequent passage of slimy stool mixed with bloodfor 4 months. She also had fever, weight loss, abdominal painand urgency at defecation. Barium enema showed pancolitiswith multiple pseudopolyps and collar button appearance.Colonoscopy revealed a friable and granular mucosa withdiffuse ulceration and multiple pseudopolyps. There was bloodyexudate and the lumen was narrow. Histopathology findingsshowed necrosed tissue probably representing a base of ulcerand inflammatory cell infiltrate in the lamina propria. Thecrypt architecture was distorted with cryptitis and goblet celldepletion. There was no granuloma. She was diagnosed as acase of ulcerative colitis & treated with Sulfasalazine and oralcorticosteroid. Her response to treatment was very well andnow she is on regular follow up.DOI: 10.3329/jbcps.v28i2.5372J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2010; 28: 117-120
Series of Cases with Iatrogenic Nerve Injury
Authors: Daisy Selina , Mohammad Quazi Deen , Hoque Azharul , Alam Badrul , Haque Badrul , Rahman Kazi Mohibur , Khan Sharif Uddin
Published: June 2010

After introduction of EMG at Dhaka Medical Collage onJanuary 01, 2006, a total of 415 cases referred to EMGlaboratory for electrophysiological evaluation over a periodof two years(January 01, 2006 to December 31, 2007). Among these, 7cases diagnosed as iatrogenic nerve injuries. The subtypesof iatrogenic nerve injuries were:1. Accessory nerve injury: three, 2. Femoral nerve injury:one, 3. Sciatic nerve injury: one,4. Lumbar sacral plexus injury: one, 5. Combined sciaticand femoral nerve injury: oneIn order to investigate the causes, diagnosis & preventionof iatrogenic nerve injuries; we have reviewed 7 cases ofiatrogenic nerve injuries. The peripheral nerve injuriesoccurred due to lack of proper awareness of medicalpersonals. These injuries are iatrogenic injuries so it isuseful to review the mode of injuries and means ofprevention.DOI: 10.3329/jbcps.v28i2.5373J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2010; 28: 121-124
Images in Medical Practice
Authors: Siddiqui Md Mahmudur Rahman , Hossain Ahmed , Rahman Md Yousuf Ur , Islam Quazi Tarikul
Published: June 2010

DOI: 10.3329/jbcps.v28i2.5375J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2010; 28: 128
Are Oral Hypoglycemic Agents Contraindicated in Pregnancy!
Authors: Amin Md Robed , Hossain Mohammad Zaid , Miah Md Titu , Yasmin Rubina , Chowdhury Md Faizul Islam , Hoque Md Aminul
Published: June 2010

The incidence of gestational diabetes is increasing. Therehas been a traditional reluctance to recommend oralantidiabetic drugs for the management of hyperglycaemiain gestational diabetes mellitus The medical managementof gestational diabetes is still evolving, and recentrandomized controlled trials have given a glimse of hopefor woman who likes to avoid insulin and prefer oral agents..As insulin therapy is considered the gold standard ofpharmacotherapy for gestational diabetes, it becomes ausual recommendation to use it in pregnanacy. The currentshort acting insulin analogs lispro and aspart are safe, butthere are only limited data to support the use of long actinginsulin analogs. There are randomized controlled trialswhich have demonstrated efficacy of the oral agentsglyburide and metformin. Whilst short-term data have notdemonstrated adverse effects of glyburide and metforminon the fetus, and they are increasingly being used inpregnancy, there remain long-term concerns regarding theirpotential for harm. This controversy related article givesan overview of the rationale for use of oral antidiabeticagents in the treatment of gestational diabetes.DOI: 10.3329/jbcps.v28i2.5376J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2010; 28: 129-131
Yellow Nail Syndrome
Authors: Parvin Rukhsana
Published: June 2010

DOI: 10.3329/jbcps.v28i2.5377J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2010; 28: 132
STUDY OF PRISTINE CARBON NANOTUBE UNDER TENSILE AND COMPRESSIVE LOADS USING MOLECULAR DYNAMICS SIMULATION
Authors: Rubaiyat S. N. Hossain , Chowdhury Sanjib Chandra
Published: June 2010

After the discovery, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have received tremendous scientific and industrial interests. This is due to their exceptional mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. CNTs having pristine structure (i.e., structure without any defect) hold very high mechanical properties. In this article, mechanical properties of CNTs are studied under both tensile and compressive loads using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Four armchair single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) having indexes of (3,3), (4,4), (5,5) and (6,6) with pristine structure are simulated with MD. Molecular simulations are carried out using the classical MD method, in which the Newtonian equations of motion are solved numerically for a set of atoms. The velocity- Verlet algorithm is used for solving the Newtonian equations of motion. The Brenner potential is used for carbon-carbon interaction in the CNT and temperature of the system is controlled by velocity scaling. Simulation results show that modulus of elasticity of CNTs varies significantly with CNT diameter. The results obtained from the compressive test by MD simulations are in well agreement with the results obtained from theoretical Euler equation and parabolic equation for long and short column respectively.Keywords: Carbon nanotubes; Molecular dynamics; Young’s modulus; Failure strength; Failure strain.DOI: 10.3329/jme.v40i2.5346Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. ME 40, No. 2, December 2009 72-78
MULTI-ITEM CAPACITY CONSTRAINED DYNAMIC LOT-SIZING AND SEQUENCING WITH SETUP TIME
Authors: Parveen Sultana , Hasin Md. Ahsan Akthar
Published: June 2010

Production lot-sizing has a special significance in supply chain taking into account the fact that majority of the lot-sizing problems are associated with NP-hard scheduling and sequencing problems. The complexity increases exponentially when multi-item capacitated dynamic lot-sizing is considered. The basic economic production quantity (EPQ) model minimizes the sum of setup and holding cost under certain favorable assumptions. However, when assumptions are removed by introducing more complex constraints, the solution procedure becomes extremely difficult to solve. As a result NP-hardness arises which necessitates the use of heuristics. The objective of this paper is to minimize the sum of setup and inventory holding costs over a time horizon subject to constraints of capacity limitations and elimination of backlogging. As reports reveal, algorithm for an optimal solution exists in case of a single item production. But for multi-item problems, no algorithm exists which can provide global optimality. This paper develops a model for multi-item problem with setup time. Based on the model a program has been executed and feasible solutions have been obtained for the bench-mark data.Keywords: Capacitated scheduling; heuristics; multi-item; production lot-sizing.DOI: 10.3329/jme.v40i2.5352Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. ME 40, No. 2, December 2009 110-118
SINGULARITY ANALYSIS OF A 3-PRRR KINEMATICALLY REDUNDANT PLANAR PARALLEL MANIPULATOR
Authors: Zarkandi Soheil
Published: June 2010

Finding Singular configurations (singularities) is one of the mandatory steps during the design and control of mechanisms. Because, in these configurations, the instantaneous kinematics is locally undetermined that causes serious problems both to static behavior and to motion control of the mechanism. This paper addresses the problem of determining singularities of a 3-PRRR kinematically redundant planar parallel manipulator by use of an analytic technique. The technique leads to an input –output relationship that can be used to find all types of singularities occurring in this type of manipulators.Key Words: Planar parallel manipulators; Redundant manipulators; Singularity analysis; Jacobian matrices.DOI: 10.3329/jme.v41i1.5356Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. ME 41, No. 1, June 2010 1-6
AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF STATIC PRESSURE DISTRIBUTIONS ON A GROUP OF SQUARE OR RECTANGULAR CYLINDERS WITH ROUNDED CORNERS
Authors: Mandal A.C. , Faruk G. M. G.
Published: June 2010

The static pressure distributions on a group of cylinders with either square or rectangular cross-section having rounded corners are presented. The test is conducted at the exit end of an open circuit wind tunnel with uniform velocity of 14.2 m/s across the cylinder with Reynolds number of 2.87 x 104 and 4.20 x 104 based on the side dimension of the cylinder normal to the direction of the approach flow. The experiment is performed for a group consisting of two cylinders one behind the other along the flow direction with different side dimensions at zero angle of attack for various interspacing between the cylinders. It is observed from the experimental results that there is appreciable effect of the side dimension and interspacing on the drag coefficient of the cylinders. The results are applicable to a group consisting of two tall buildings one behind the other along the wind velocity direction and each building of either square or rectangular cross-section having rounded corners. The wind load on the downstream cylinder decreases remarkably due to the presence of the cylinder in the upstream side.Keywords: Wind load; Group of buildings.DOI: 10.3329/jme.v41i1.5361Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. ME 41, No. 1, June 2010 42-49
APPLICATION OF MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE AND INSTANT CENTERS ON SINGULARITY ANALYSIS OF SINGLE-DOF PLANAR MECHANISMS
Authors: Zarkandi Soheil
Published: June 2010

Instantaneous kinematics of a mechanism becomes undetermined when it is in a singular configuration; this indeterminacy has undesirable effects on static and motional behavior of the mechanism. So these configurations must be found and avoided during the design, trajectory planning and control stages of the mechanism. This paper presents a new geometrical method to find singularities of single-dof planar mechanisms using the concepts of mechanical advantage and instant centers.Key Words: Planar mechanisms; Singularity; Instant center; Angular velocity; Mechanical advantage.DOI: 10.3329/jme.v41i1.5362Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. ME 41, No. 1, June 2010 50-57
INCREASING FORECASTING ACCURACY OF TREND DEMAND BY NON-LINEAR OPTIMIZATION OF THE SMOOTHING CONSTANT
Authors: Sarker Sudipa , Hossain Mahbub
Published: June 2010

Linear Regression is often used for predicting the initial parameters of the forecasting models. But if the underlying demand model is not linear, linear regression does not produce optimal values of these parameters. Again for a novice user predicting the smoothing constants for level and trend demand forecast is not easy and recommended values of these constants may result in larger forecast errors. In this paper real life data of a pharmaceutical company is used to show that forecasting accuracy greatly improves with the non linear optimization of the smoothing constant. It is done using an EXCEL solver where the solver tries to optimize and find the values of the smoothing constants by minimizing the mean square error (MSE).Key Words: Non-Linear Optimization; Smoothing Constant; Trend Demand.DOI: 10.3329/jme.v41i1.5363Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. ME 41, No. 1, June 2010 58-64
HEALTH AND OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY FOR FEMALE WORKFORCE OF GARMENT INDUSTRIES IN BANGLADESH
Authors: Akhter S. , Salahuddin A.F.M. , Iqbal M. , Malek ABMA , Jahan N.
Published: June 2010

It is the advantage to outsourcing of supply chains that opened up a new door of economic emancipation for Bangladesh. The readymade garments (RMG) of Bangladesh emerge as value chain member of European, USA cloth merchants and retails. Many of them are found economic justification in outsourcing production function to Bangladesh. RMG sector of Bangladesh responded to this outsourcing demand quite successfully. The overwhelming success of the RMG sector of Bangladesh has moved its status in the global context in terms of economic and social development indicators. Despite the challenge that lies ahead, Bangladesh performed well in terms of realizing benefit of economic globalization, particularly its RMG sector. This paper discusses in brief the problem of health and safety issues of female workforce of garment industries in Bangladesh based upon the industry environment, their residential environment, working condition, age, problem of health, causes of diseases, causes of fire accident and their medical facilities.Key Words: Female Workers; Health; Disease; Fire and Safety.DOI: 10.3329/jme.v41i1.5364Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. ME 41, No. 1, June 2010 65-70
From Hypochondria to Convalescence: Health as Chronic Critique in Nietzsche, Deleuze and Guattari
Authors: Mann-O'Donnell Sarah
Published: June 2010

In 1886, Nietzsche wrote: ‘I am still waiting for a philosophical doctor in the extraordinary sense of the term’: a doctor who pursues not truth, but an exceptional kind of health. Nietzsche's will to health, his theory of drive organisation, and his insistence that the philosopher put himself at risk, all work together in his overall project, which consists of taking up the very role of the highly revalued physician for whom he is waiting. Deleuze and Guattari engage this same task of a revalued doctoring in the Capitalisme et Schizophrénie books, attacking the disease of oedipality and providing instructions for the deorganisation of the organism as self-cure. Offering tips on this radical treatment, they employ the figure of the hypochondriac to show how it can fail. Both Nietzsche and Deleuze and Guattari perform a revaluation of health as a condition of chronic critique, a condition that wraps itself around illness to keep itself critical.
Stuttering in Beckett as Liminal Expression within the Deleuzian Critical-Clinical Hypothesis
Authors: Gaudlitz Erika
Published: June 2010

This paper inquires into the nexus between the Deleuzian critical-clinical hypothesis and its literary instantiation in Beckett, with a focus on How It Is (1964) and Worstward Ho (1983b). I propose to read the interruptions in style symptomatically, and stuttering language in Beckett as liminal expression, thus tracing the flows and breaks of desire which Deleuze theorises in the sense of a symptomatological unconscious. The schizoid style as liminal expression exemplified in Beckett's work will be read as marking transit stages in the process of becoming which invites taking it as a proper language of the body without organs.
Symptoms of a New Politics: Networks, Minoritarianism and the Social Symptom in Žižek, Deleuze and Guattari
Authors: Robinson Andrew
Published: June 2010

This article explores the contemporary ‘symptomatic’ position of radically excluded social groups through a critical engagement with the work of Žižek, Deleuze and Guattari. It begins with a presentation and critique of Žižek's theorisation, arguing that while he correctly perceives the symptomatic status of certain social groups and issues, his approach is insufficiently radical because of its reliance on inappropriate structuralist assumptions and metaphysical negativity. It then compares this theory to Deleuze and Guattari's theory of minoritarianism, viewed as a similar attempt to engage with the symptomatic effects of exclusion. A political trajectory is derived from Deleuze and Guattari's theory which reconceives the politics of the excluded in terms of emancipatory lines of flight rather than gestures of identification. The article then explores social movements arising from the growing phenomenon of global exclusion in neoliberalism, looking at examples such as Somalia and Bolivia, and proposing autonomy and networked approaches to social life as responses to exclusion which reconfigure social space in affirmative ways.
Making Restorative Sense with Deleuzian Morality, Art Brut and the Schizophrenic
Authors: Collins Lorna
Published: June 2010

The essay consists of three parts: the first argues that Deleuze's moral philosophy in The Logic of Sense provides an ethical model of counter-actualisation; the second shows how three different practices of art therapy offer a means to effect this counter-actualisation and thereby demonstrate the restorative power of art; the third explores how such a power might form part of what Guattari calls the ‘ethico-aesthetic paradigm’ ( Guattari 1995 ).
Guattari's Aesthetic Paradigm: From the Folding of the Finite/Infinite Relation to Schizoanalytic Metamodelisation
Authors: O'Sullivan Simon
Published: June 2010

This article offers two commentaries on two of Félix Guattari's essays from Chaosmosis: ‘The New Aesthetic Paradigm’ and ‘Schizoanalytic Metamodelisation’. The first commentary attends specifically to how Guattari figures the infinite/finite relation in relation to what he calls the three Assemblages (pre-, extant, and post-capitalism) and then even more specifically to the mechanics of this relation – or folding – within the third ‘processual’ Assemblage or new aesthetic paradigm of the essay's title. The second commentary looks at what Guattari has to say about this paradigm in relation to subjectivity, that is, the schizoanalytic programme or practice of metamodelling. Here the focus is on the turn to asignifying semiotics – but also the importance of signifying material and indeed the actual material scene of encounter – in any programme for the production of subjectivity (it is here also that the symptom makes its appearance).
Detection Algorithm for Single Motor Unit Firing in Surface EMG of the Trapezius Muscle
Authors: Deburchgraeve W. , Van Damme K. , Adriaensen T. , Spaepen A. , Van Huffel S. , Taelman J.
Published: June 2010

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) of the neck and the shoulders are a growing problem in society. An interesting pattern of spontaneous muscle activity, the firing of a single motor unit, in the trapezius muscle is observed during a laboratory study in a rest state or a state with a mental load.

Objective: In this study, we report on the finding of the single motor unit firing and we present a detection algorithm to localize these single motor unit firings.

Methods: A spike train detection algorithm, using a nonlinear energy operator and correlation, is presented to detect burst of highly correlated, high energetic spike-like segments.

Results: This single motor unit was visible in 65% of the test subjects on one or both trapezius muscles although there was no change in posture of the test subjects. All the segments in the data that were determined as single motor unit firings were detected by the algorithm.

Discussion: The physiological meaning of this firing pattern is a very low and subconscious contraction of the muscle. A long-term contraction could lead to the exhaustion of the muscle fibers, thus resulting in musculoskeletal disorders. The detection algorithm is able to localize this phenomenon in a sEMG measurement. The ability of detecting these firings is helpful in the research of its origin.

Conclusion: The detection algorithm can be used to gain insight in the physiological origin of this phenomenon. In addition, the algorithm can also be used in a biofeedback system to warn the user for this undesired contraction to prevent MSD.
Interferences between Baroreflex and Respiration
Authors: Vallais F. , Porta A. , Lucini D. , Pagani M. , Aletti F. , Baselli G.
Published: June 2010

Background: The baroreflex is one of the most important short-term cardiovascular autonomic control mechanisms. Its interactions with other reflexes, mainly cardio-pulmonary reflexes, are of paramount importance in controlling heart rate.

Objectives: This study assesses the coupling between baroreflex and respiration during a progressive bicycle mild dynamical exercise.

Methods: The coupling was assessed by symbolic analysis and conditional entropy.

Results: Findings suggested the close relationship between the baroreflex sequences and the phase of respiratory signal and, thus, the interference between baroreflex and cardiopulmonary reflexes.

Conclusions: Indexes describing baroreflex based on spontaneous variability are strongly affected by cardiopulmonary influences.
A Virtual Reality Simulator for Teaching and Evaluating Dental Procedures
Authors: Haddawy P. , Khanal P. , Suebnukarn S. , Dailey M. N. , Rhienmora P.
Published: June 2010

Objectives: We present a dental training system with a haptic interface that allows dental students or experts to practice dental procedures in a virtual environment. The simulator is able to monitor and classify the performance of an operator into novice or expert categories. The intelligent training module allows a student to simultaneously and proactively follow the correct dental procedures demonstrated by an intelligent tutor.

Methods: The virtual reality (VR) simulator simulates the tooth preparation procedure both graphically and haptically, using a video display and haptic device. We evaluated the performance of users using hidden Markov models (HMMs) incorporating various data collected by the simulator. We implemented an intelligent training module which is able to record and replay the procedure that was performed by an expert and allows students to follow the correct steps and apply force proactively by themselves while reproducing the procedure.

Results: We find that the level of graphics and haptics fidelity is acceptable as evaluated by dentists. The accuracy of the objective performance assessment using HMMs is encouraging with 100 percent accuracy.

Conclusions: The simulator can simulate realistic tooth surface exploration and cutting. The accuracy of automatic performance assessment system using HMMs is also acceptable on relatively small data sets. The intelligent training allows skill transfer in a proactive manner which is an advantage over the passive method in a traditional training. We will soon conduct experiments with more participants and implement a variety of training strategies.
Extra- and intra-articular synovial chondromatosis and malignant transformation to chondrosarcoma
Authors: Díaz-Bertrana C. , Rial M.Rial. , Franch J. , Fontecha P. , Ramis A. , Durall I.
Published: June 2010

Intra- and extra-articular primary synovial chondromatosis (SC) was observed in a five-year-old, entire male German Shepherd. Thousands of small cartilaginous nodules were removed from the stifle joint as well as from several adjacent muscles. Diagnosis of SC was established based on clinical, radio-graphic and biopsy results. The owner declined to have a new surgery performed for complete nodule removal and partial synovectomy. Nine months after the initial presentation, a proximal pathological intraarticular tibial fracture was observed and malignant transformation to chondrosarcoma was diagnosed after limb amputation. No metastasis was observed after 1.5 years of follow-up.
Effect of bandaging on postoperative swelling after tibial plateau levelling osteotomy
Authors: Roush J.K. , Bilicki K. L. , Baker G.Baker. , Unis M.D.
Published: June 2010

Objective: To compare the effects of bandaging on immediate postoperative swelling using a modified Robert-Jones bandage after tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) in dogs.

Study design: Prospective case series.

Methods: Dogs undergoing a TPLO were randomly placed into two groups. Group 1 received a modified Robert-Jones bandage postoperatively for a 24 hour period and Group 2 was not bandaged. Hindlimb circumference was measured at the level of the mid-patella, the distal aspect of the tibial crest, the midpoint of the tibial diaphysis and the hock. Measurements were recorded and compared in each group preoperatively and at 24 hours and 48 hours post-operatively. Interobserver variability was compared between the two observers.

Results: There was no significant difference in postoperative swelling, as measured by the percentage change in circumference, between bandaged and unbandaged operated limbs after the TPLO at 24 and 48 hours at any site. Some significant differences in measurement at particular sites were observed between the two different observers, but there was a significant linear correlation at all sites between observers. The observer with the least experience consistently had slightly higher measurements at these sites.

Clinical relevance: The use of a modified Robert-Jones bandage after TPLO did not prevent statistically significant postoperative swelling, and thus may not be indicated for this purpose. Postoperative bandages placed to control swelling after other small animal orthopaedic procedures should be evaluated individually for efficacy.
Torsion of the urinary bladder after pelvic trauma and surgical fixation
Authors: Pozzi A. , Thieman K. M.
Published: June 2010

Urinary bladder torsion in a dog was successfully treated with reduction of the torsion and cystopexy. Urinary bladder torsion is a rare occurrence in dogs and has only been reported once previously. In the previous report, the bladder torsion was iatrogenic. This Brief Communication describes a case of bladder torsion and subtotal necrosis following reduction and stabilisation of pelvic fractures sustained during a road traffic accident. Proposed aetiology, diagnosis, treatment and postoperative management are discussed.
Chondrosarcoma in the humerus of a goat
Authors: Hilbe M. , Ohlert S. , Nuss K. , Schmid T.
Published: June 2010

The clinical, radiographical and histo-pathological findings of a chondrosarcoma in the humerus of a goat are discussed. An 11-year-old female Saanen goat was admitted for evaluation of chronic, progressive left forelimb lameness. Clinical examination revealed signs of pain in the shoulder region. Radiographs of the scapulohumeral joint showed a large lytic lesion of the proximal third of the humerus with cortical destruction, intralesional calcification and marked periosteal reactions. Differential diagnoses included aggressive bone lesions as seen with osteomyelitis or a primary bone tumour, such as osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma or fibrosarcoma. The goat was euthanatized for humane reasons because of the poor prognosis. On the basis of the histopathological findings, the lesion was diagnosed as grade II chondrosarcoma. The tumour had already spread to the lungs and the left prescapular lymph node at the time of diagnosis.
Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of 1-aryltriazenes with arylboronic acids catalyzed by a recyclable polymer-supported N-heterocyclic carbene–palladium complex catalyst
Authors: Nan Guangming , Ren Fang , Luo Meiming
Published: June 2010

The Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of 1-aryltriazenes with arylboronic acids catalyzed by a recyclable polymer-supported Pd–NHC complex catalyst has been realized for the first time. The polymer-supported catalyst can be re-used several times still retaining high activity for this transformation. Various aryltriazenes were investigated as electrophilic substrates at room temperature to give biaryls in good to excellent yields and showed good chemoselectivity over aryl halides in the reactions.