bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of Life in Children with Asthma versus Healthy Children
Authors: Kouzegaran Samaneh , Samimi Parisa , Ahanchian Hamid , Khoshkhui Maryam , Behmanesh Fatemeh
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND: Asthma is the most prevalent chronic disease in the pediatric age group. The disease affects different aspects of the children's lives, such as physical, emotional, social and educational aspects. Thus, more focus has been on the quality of life in these patients rather than the duration of their illness in recent years.AIM: This study examined the different aspects of quality of life in asthmatic children for the first time in this geographic area.METHODS: The study was cross-sectional conducted in 2015-2016. The asthmatic group was 100 patients aged 8 to 12 admitted to the Asthma and Allergy Clinic of Ghaem Hospital (as) in Mashhad with the control group composed of 100 healthy children of the same age and gender. The standard questionnaire pedsQLTM was used for comparing the quality of life of children in the two groups. Statistical analysis was SPSS23 with P-value less than 0.05, which was statistically significant.RESULTS: In each group, 58 patients were boys, and 42 were girls. In a comparison of the quality of life of children, the asthma group with a mean total score of Peds QL 20.99 ± 12.54 compared to the healthy children with a mean total score of Peds QL of 8.8 ± 5.41 had a lower quality of life (P < 0.001). Moreover, regarding various aspects of quality of life asthma group had a lower quality of life in physical performance, emotional performance and performance in school (P < 0.001). Nonetheless, there was no significant difference between the two groups considering social function (P = 0.267). Examining the relationship between Peds QL score of patients with asthma with various variables was indicative of the fact that Peds QL scores were significantly correlated with the gender of the patients, showing better quality of life in the girls (P = 0.001).CONCLUSION: The results indicated that children with asthma have a significantly lower quality of life compared with healthy children of the same age. Also, in examining the different aspects of quality of life, these children had a lower quality of life in physical performance, emotional performance, and performance at school, and were at the level as that of healthy children only in social performance.
Patient Satisfaction with Orthodontic Treatment Received in Public and Private Hospitals in Dammam, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aljughaiman Abdulwahab , Alshammari Ali , Althumairi Abdullah , Alshammari Abdulaziz , Almasoud Naif , Nazir Muhammad Ashraf
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND: The demand for orthodontic treatment is on the rise, and there are high patient expectations for improved dentofacial appearance. Patient satisfaction with orthodontic treatment is associated with improving treatment outcomes.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patient satisfaction with orthodontic treatment received in public and private hospitals.MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a calculated sample of patients who received orthodontic treatment in public and private hospitals in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. A validated questionnaire (five-point Likert scale) was used to assess patient satisfaction with orthodontic treatment.RESULTS: A total of 229 out of 243 patients completed the survey (response rate = 94.2%). The mean age of the participants was 22.69 ± 6.34 years. More females (65.5%) than males (34.5%) participated in the study. The participants gave the highest satisfaction score to the doctor-patient relationship (mean score 4.33). This was followed by dentofacial improvement (mean score 4.23), dental functions (mean score 4.20), and psychosocial improvement (mean score 3.94). The participants provided significantly more positive perspective about doctor-patient relationship in public than private hospitals (P = 0.014). The patients treated in private hospitals were more satisfied with dental functions domain than those who received treatment in public hospitals (P = 0.023). The patients treated by public orthodontists were significantly more satisfied with other domains (situational aspect and residual category) than by the private orthodontists.CONCLUSION: The doctor-patient relationship was the most important factor in satisfaction with orthodontic treatment. Overall, patients treated in public hospitals were more satisfied with orthodontic treatment than those in private hospitals.
Improving Nursing Care Documentation in Emergency Department: A Participatory Action Research Study in Iran
Authors: Vafaei Seyed Majid , Manzari Zahra Sadat , Heydari Abbas , Froutan Razieh , Amiri Farahani Leila
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND: Standardization of documentation has enabled the use of medical records as a primary tool for evaluating health care functions and obtaining appropriate credit points for medical centres. However, previous studies have shown that the quality of medical records in emergency departments is unsatisfactory.AIM: The aim of this study was improving the nursing care documentation in an emergency department, in Iran.MATERIAL AND METHODS: This collaborative action research study was carried out in two phases to improve nursing care documentation in cooperation with individuals involved in the process, from February 2015 to December 2017 in an affiliated academic hospital in Iran. The first phase featured virtual training, an educational workshop, and improvements to the hospital information system. The second phase involved the recruitment of human resources, the implementation of continuous codified training, the establishment of an appropriate reward and penalty system, and the review of patient education forms.RESULTS: The interventions improved nursing documentation quality score of 73.20%, which was the highest accreditation ranking provided by Iran’s Ministry of Health and Medical Education in 2017. In other words, this study caused a 32% improvement in the quality of nursing care documentation in the hospital.CONCLUSION: The appropriate practices for improving nursing care documentation are employee participation, managerial accountability, nurses’ adherence to documentation standards, improved leadership style, and continuous monitoring and control.
Serum Apelin and Obesity-Related Complications in Egyptian Children
Authors: El Wakeel Maged A. , El-Kassas Ghada M. , Kamhawy Alyaa H. , Galal Essam M. , Nassar Maysa S. , Hammad Elsayed Mahmoud , El-Zayat Salwa Refat
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND: The rapidly increasing prevalence of childhood obesity became a major burden on health worldwide, giving an alarm to clinicians and researchers. Adipocytes act as an active endocrine organ by releasing plenty of bioactive mediators (adipokines) that play a major role in regulating metabolic processes. Apelin is a recently identified adipokine that is expressed in adipocytes.AIM: The current work aimed to uncover the relation between serum apelin and childhood obesity and its related complications as hypertension and hyperglycemiaMETHOD: A group of 50 obese and 31 non-obese; sex- and age-matched children were enrolled in our study with a mean age of (9.5 ± 2.1) and (8.7 ± 1.3) respectively. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, were assessed in all studied participants, we also determined the lipid profile, serum insulin, fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, HOMA-IR and serum apelin.RESULTS: Obese children had higher levels of HbA1c, FBG, serum insulin, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP Z-score); compared to controls (all P < 0.05). Apelin was significantly higher in obese children versus controls and correlated positively with BMI Z-Score (P = 0.008), DBP Z-Score (P = 0.02), cholesterol, TG (both P = 0.02), serum insulin (P = 0.003), FBG and HOMA-IR (both P = 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed that FBG was the most effective factor in predicting the level of serum apelin (P = 0.04).CONCLUSION: This work supports the hypothesis that apelin may have a crucial role in the pathogenesis of health hazards related to obesity in children including insulin resistance, hypertension and a higher risk of occurrence of metabolic syndrome.
Investigating of Moringa Oleifera Role on Gut Microbiota Composition and Inflammation Associated with Obesity Following High Fat Diet Feeding
Authors: Elabd Elham M. Youssef , Morsy Safaa M. , Elmalt Heba A.
Published: August 2018

AIM: The alteration in the gut microbial community has been regarded as one of the main factors related to obesity and metabolic disorders. To date, little is known about Moringa oleifera as a nutritional intervention to modulate the microbiota imbalance associated with obesity. Therefore we aim to explore the role of aqueous Moringa oleiferous leaf extract on Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in high-fat diet-induced obesity and to investigate whether any restoration in the number of caecal Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria could modulate obesity-induced inflammation.METHODS: Young Swiss albino mice were divided into three groups according to their diet. Two of them were fed on either high fat diet or high fat diet+aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaf, while the third group was fed on the control diet. Bacterial DNAs were isolated from the mice digesta samples for bacteria level estimation using Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction along with serum interleukin-6 and lipid profileRESULTS: Compared to the normal control mice, high-fat diet feeding mice showed significantly reduced intestinal levels of Bifidobacteria, and increased body weight, interleukin 6, and levels of Lactobacilli. Upon treatment with Moringa oleifera, body weight, interleukin 6, and both bacteria levels were significantly restoredCONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that Moringa oliefera aqueous leaf extract may contribute towards the pathophysiological regulation of weight gain, inflammation associated with high-fat-induced-obesity through gut bacteria modulation.
The outcome of Pregnancy with Fetal Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor
Authors: Livrinova Vesna , Petrov Igor , Stefanija Adela , Josheva Jasminka , Jovanovska Viktorija , Samardziski Igor , Komina Selim , Jovanovic Rubens , Daneva-Markova Ana , Simeonova-Krstevska Slagjana , Todorovska Irena , Shabani Ajla
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND: Fetal intracranial tumours are very rare. The overall incidence is 0.34 per one thousand live birth newborns. According to the new classification of central nervous system tumour (2016), a primitive neuroectodermal tumour of (PNETs) is an embryonal tumour group; these are tumours with high malignancy and belong to group IV (WHO). In our case, we will present a case of PNETs in 28 gestation week old fetus, diagnosed antenatally and confirmed postnatally.CASE REPORT: We present the third pregnancy in 29 years old patient, with two previous term deliveries of healthy newborn. She came to University clinic at 27+3 gestational week for fetal hydrocephalus. After an ultrasound and MRI scan, possibilities were explained to the parents. During the medico-ethical counselling, explain to the parents the need for operation and the possibility of postoperative adjuvant therapy, quality of life with potential future disabilities. They choose to terminate the pregnancy. Postmortem the diagnosis was PNETs. Summary of analysis: peripheral neuroectodermal tumour with ganglion and neuronal differentiationCONCLUSION: Antenatal management depends on the gestational week in the time of diagnosis and the decision of parents. If the lesion is before viability fetus, it should be offered termination of pregnancy. Another important factor is the mode of delivery, because of increased intracranial pressure although this aggressive combined modality of treatment, recurrence is often. Tree year of survival is between 53% and 73% when the adjuvant radiotherapy is included. For that, they should be diagnosed as soon as possible before achieving fetal viability. Only 18% of those tumours presenting in the first year of life are diagnosed before or at delivery.
Hydroxyurea Associated Cutaneous Lesions: A Case Report
Authors: Simeonovski Viktor , Breshkovska Hristina , Duma Silvija , Dohcheva-Karajovanov Ivana , Damevska Katerina , Nikolovska Suzana
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND: Hydroxyurea (HU) is an antimetabolite agent that interferes with the S-phase of cellular replication and inhibits DNA synthesis, with little or no effect on RNA or protein synthesis. It is used in the treatment of many myeloproliferative disorders (MD) and is particularly a first line treatment drug for intermediate to high-risk essential thrombocythemia. Although safe and very well tolerated by the patients suffering from MD, there have been numerous reports of a broad palette of cutaneous side effects associated with prolonged intake of the medication. These may include classical symptoms such as xerosis, diffuse hyperpigmentation, brown-nail discolouration, stomatitis and scaling of the face, hands, and feet or more serious side effects such as actinic keratosis lesions, leg ulcers and multiple skin carcinomas.CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 52-year-old man, on long-term therapy with HU for essential thrombocytosis, with several concurrent skin lesions. Despite the perennial use of HU, the cutaneous changes were neglected. The local dermatological examination revealed oval perimalleolar ulcer on the right leg, with dimensions 6 x 4 cm, clearly demarcated from the surroundings with regular margins, periulcerous erythema, with very deep and highly fibrinous bed of the ulcer, positive for bacterial infection. The ulcer was treated with topical wound therapy with alginate and parenteral antibiotics. The extended dermatological screening also showed two nummular lesions in the right brachial region, presenting as erythematous papules with sharp margins from the surrounding skin, gritty desquamation and dotted hyperpigmentations inside the lesion. Further dermoscopy and biopsy investigations confirmed a diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma. Nasal actinic keratosis was also noted. The patient was advised for discontinuing or substituting the HU therapy.CONCLUSION: We present this case to draw attention to the various cutaneous side effects that occur with perennial HU use and suggest an obligatory reference to a dermatological consult.
Role of Procalcitonin As an Inflammatory Marker in a Sample of Egyptian Children with Simple Obesity
Authors: El Kassas Ghada M. , Shehata Manal A. , El Wakeel Maged A. , Amer Ahmed F. , Elzaree Fatma A. , Darwish Marwa K. , Amer Marwa F.
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a multifactorial disease, associated with metabolic disorders and chronic low-grade inflammation. Procalcitonin (PCT) is well known as a biomarker of infection, and systemic inflammation. Recently, it has potential as a marker for chronic low-grade inflammation.AIM: This study aims to evaluate the role of serum PCT as an inflammatory biomarker in the diagnosis of obesity-related low-grade inflammation.METHOD: In this case-control study, 50 obese and 35 normal weight children and adolescents aged 5–15 years were enrolled. Anthropometric parameters were measured in all subjects. Blood samples were collected for measurement of lipid profile, blood glucose, insulin, high sensitivity-CRP (Hs-CRP) and serum procalcitonin. Serum (PCT) levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS: Obese participants had higher concentrations of serum PCT, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, glucose and Hs-CRP than control group. On correlation analysis, procalcitonin had significant positive correlation with (BMI) z-score (P = 0.02), insulin (P = 0.00), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (P = 0.006), Hs-CRP (P = 0.02), total cholesterol (P = 0.04) and triglycerides (P = 0.00) in obese group.CONCLUSION: The increased serum procalcitonin concentrations were closely related to measures of adiposity, Hs-CRP and insulin resistance, suggesting that PCT may be an excellent biomarker for obesity-related chronic low-grade inflammation in children and adolescents.
Superiority of 2-Level Total Disk Replacement Using a Cervical Disk Prosthesis Versus Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion
Authors: Yang Wen , Si Meng , Hou Yong , Nie Lin
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the superiority of total disk replacement (TDR) using a cervical disk prosthesis vs anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF). Ninety-six patients with a diagnosis of degenerative disk disease with radiculopathy or myeloradiculopathy at 2 contiguous levels from C-3 to C-7 were randomly allocated to the TDR group (n=48) or the ACDF group (n=48). Outcome measures were recorded preoperatively and 1 week and 3, 6, 12, 24, and 81 months postoperatively. A total of 80 patients completed the follow-up, including 38 in the TDR group and 42 in the ACDF group. Japanese Orthopaedic Association, visual analog scale, and Neck Disability Index scores showed statistically significant improvement from baseline in both groups. Moreover, compared with the TDR group, the ACDF group had statistically greater visual analog scale scores from 12 months and Neck Disability Index scores from 3 months. Compared with the ACDF group, the TDR group had statistically greater range of motion at both the superior and the inferior treated levels at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 81 months postoperatively. Compared with the TDR group, the ACDF group had statistically greater range of motion at the superior adjacent levels at 6, 12, 24, and 81 months and at the inferior adjacent levels at 24 and 81 months postoperatively. The occurrence of adjacent-segment degeneration at both the superior and the inferior adjacent levels was greater in the ACDF group than in the TDR group. Total disk replacement was safe and effective and a statistically superior alternative to ACDF for degenerative disk disease at 2 contiguous levels. It could reduce the occurrence of adjacent-segment degeneration at the superior and the inferior adjacent segments by reducing the range of motion. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(6):344–350.]
Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease of the Hip
Authors: Ando Wataru , Yukioka Futoshi , Yamamoto Kengo , Koyama Tsuyoshi , Hashimoto Yoshichika , Yasui Yukihiko , Ogawa Takeshi , Tsuda Takayuki , Ohzono Kenji
Published: August 2018

The authors report a case of immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) of the hip. A 60-year-old man diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the right hip was referred to the authors' outpatient clinic for surgical intervention. Laboratory test results revealed elevated C-reactive protein and serum IgG levels. A subsequent laboratory test revealed an IgG4 level of 318 mg/dL. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an abnormal mass in the right hip joint. The authors suspected IgG4-RD of the hip. The mass was resected during total hip arthroplasty. Immunohistochemical analysis for IgG revealed positive staining of many plasma cells. Most of the IgG-positive plasma cells were positive for IgG4, and the ratio of IgG4/IgG-positive cells was 51%. This case met all criteria for IgG4-RD; thus, the authors made a definitive diagnosis of IgG4-RD of the hip. The C-reactive protein level decreased to a negative value, and the IgG level decreased to a normal range at 3 weeks postoperatively. The IgG4 level gradually decreased to 152 mg/dL at 5 months postoperatively. This is the first reported case of IgG4-RD of the hip joint. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(6):e876–e879.]
Bilateral Hypoplasia of Both Medial and Lateral Menisci Partially Fused With the Cartilage Surface of the Tibial Plateau
Authors: Hasegawa Shoichi , Horie Masafumi , Katagiri Hiroki , Tsuji Kunikazu , Muneta Takeshi , Koga Hideyuki
Published: August 2018

Hypoplastic meniscus is an extremely rare abnormality. The authors present the first case of meniscal hypoplasia with a partial fusion of meniscus and tibial cartilage. A 22-year-old man underwent surgery for a chronic patellar dislocation. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and arthroscopy incidentally revealed hypoplasia of both medial and lateral menisci. Moreover, the posterior horn of the medial meniscus and middle body of the lateral meniscus were fused with the cartilage surface of the tibia. Magnetic resonance imaging of the contralateral knee showed similar meniscal anomalies. This case presents an interesting and extremely rare abnormality of the meniscus. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(6):e884–e887.]
30 anos de dinâmica espaço-temporal (1984-2015) da região de influência do Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros – Goiás
Authors: Silva Mariana Santos da , Gurgel Helen , Laques Anne-Elisabeth , Silveira Bruna Drumond , Siqueira Rogério Vidal de
Published: August 2018

Nas últimas décadas, o Cerrado, considerado um hotspot da biodiversidade, tem sofrido grandes transformações antrópicas. Um exemplo dessa dinâmica é a região da Chapada dos Veadeiros, localizada ao norte do estado de Goiás. Região do Brasil central, situada em um cenário ativo, com diversos territórios dedicados a sustentabilidade e com importantes transformações socioeconômicas ligadas a agropecuária moderna. Nesse contexto, nosso objetivo é desenvolver uma análise integrada da dinâmica espaço-temporal da região visando uma melhor caracterização do cenário regional. Para tal utilizamos dados de uso e cobertura da terra num período de 30 anos (1984-2015), além de indicadores socioeconômicos, caracterização física local e a integração da rede rodoviária, utilizando as geotecnologias para analisá-los. Estas permitiram evidenciar a relação da dinâmica do uso da terra com a acessibilidade fornecida pela infraestrutura rodoviária local, que por sua vez é fortemente influenciada pela morfologia específica da região. Ao integrar essas informações com indicadores socioeconômicos, verificou-se que a região é desigual e com dinâmicas específicas, podendo ser divididas em três regiões distintas: Cavalcante e Teresina de Goiás: um norte estigmatizado; Alto Paraíso de Goiás e Colinas do Sul: um centro diversificado; e São João d’Aliança: um sul explorado. A forma como a fronteira agrícola tem alcançado a região é emblemática, especialmente em sua porção mais ao sul. Esta utilização compromete a perda de cobertura natural e influencia diretamente a qualidade do solo e da água, bem como a dinâmica da fauna e flora e a qualidade de vida da população local. Além disso, impacta na beleza cênica natural, que é fortemente relacionada ao turismo, que é uma alternativa ao modelo de desenvolvimento econômico atual. Os achados desse artigo reforçam a ideia de que uma relação mais sustentável entre agricultura e conservação do meio natural precisa ser alcançada na região.
Quelques réflexions sur l’Accord de Paris et la souveraineté économique des États
Authors: Lavallée Sophie
Published: August 2018

L’adoption de l’Accord de Paris a mis fin à plusieurs années de négociations sous l’égide de la Convention-cadre des Nations Unies sur les changements climatiques pour arriver à un consensus autour d’un nouveau protocole qui viendrait rompre avec l’approche binaire du Protocole de Kyoto, en exigeant des engagements de tous les États du monde, qu’ils soient développés ou en développement. L’approche géopolitique de l’Accord de Paris rompt avec celle du Protocole de Kyoto, dans la mesure où les pays en développement doivent désormais soumettre aussi des contributions déterminées au niveau national (CDN). En examinant la forme et le contenu de l’Accord de Paris, peut-on affirmer que les Parties se sont engagées à limiter l’exercice de leur souveraineté économique? Le présent texte jette un regard sur l’Accord de Paris, sous l’angle de la souveraineté économique, prolongement naturel de la souveraineté nationale qu’il convient d’abord explorer, avant d’examiner l’Accord de Paris sous l’angle de cette souveraineté économique, avec, en toile de fond, la reconnaissance, dès le préambule de cet accord, que le développement est la priorité des pays en développement.
Protection internationale du climat et souveraineté étatique
Authors: Michelot Agnès
Published: August 2018

La question de la souveraineté dans l’élaboration du régime climatique international semble indépassable, car inhérente au droit international. Le droit international de l’environnement quant à lui s’appuie constamment sur le principe de souveraineté étatique pour développer ses objectifs propres. Ainsi si le droit international peut sembler insuffisant et se voir reprocher la fragilité ou même la faiblesse de ses engagements en matière de protection du climat, il n’en demeure pas moins nécessaire. Cependant, l’enjeu climatique modifie-t-il le principe de souveraineté étatique? (sa définition, ses applications, ses perspectives?) Par ailleurs, peut-on considérer que la souveraineté étatique favorise ou au contraire s’oppose à la protection du climat?
Évolution des caractéristiques pluviométriques et recrudescence des inondations dans les localités riveraines du fleuve Niger
Authors: Mahamadou Bahari Ibrahim , Bouzou Moussa Ibrahim , Faran Maiga Oumarou
Published: August 2018

Dans le moyen Niger, les inondations sont de plus en plus fréquentes et dramatiques. Ces dernières années, les principales villes riveraines du fleuve Niger ont connu des inondations historiques, avec d’importants dégâts matériels et humains. Parmi les facteurs mis en cause figurent les changements d’usage des sols ayant entrainé la modification des états de surface et l’augmentation du ruissellement. À ceux-là s’ajoute l’évolution du régime pluviométrique. Cet article propose une analyse des précipitations de la région sur la période 1950-2013. Les indices pluviométriques, calculés à travers l’application RClimdex ont permis de mettre en évidence l’évolution des caractéristiques et les tendances pluviométriques qui sont à l’origine de l’aggravation des inondations dans ces localités.
AUTOMATIC DETECTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE USING DEEP KERNEL EXTREME LEARNING MACHINE
Authors: Li Dongping
Published: August 2018

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a principal signal employed to automatically diagnose cardiovascular disease in shallow and deep learning models. However, ECG feature extraction is required and this may reduce diagnosis accuracy in traditional shallow learning models, while backward propagation (BP) algorithm used by the traditional deep learning models has the disadvantages of local minimization and slow convergence rate. To solve these problems, a new deep learning algorithm called deep kernel extreme learning machine (DKELM) is proposed by combining the extreme learning machine auto-encoder (ELM-AE) and kernel ELM (KELM). In the new DKELM architecture with [Formula: see text] hidden layers, ELM-AEs are employed by the front [Formula: see text] hidden layers for feature extraction in the unsupervised learning process, which can effectively extract abstract features from the original ECG signal. To overcome the “dimension disaster” problem, the kernel function is introduced into ELM to act as classifier by the [Formula: see text]th hidden layer in the supervised learning process. The experiments demonstrate that DKELM outperforms the BP neural network, support vector machine (SVM), extreme learning machine (ELM), deep auto-encoder (DAE), deep belief network (DBN) in classification accuracy. Though the accuracy of convolutional neural network (CNN) is almost the same as DKELM, the computing time of CNN is much longer than DKELM.
Sintering of Silver Nanoparticles at Room-Temperature for Conductive Ink Applications
Authors: Rezaga Bethel Faith Y. , Balela Mary Donnabelle L.
Published: August 2018

Silver (Ag) nanoparticles synthesized in an aqueous system was sintered at room temperature using NaCl solution. The Ag nanoparticles have an average diameter of about 24 nm. After dispersing the Ag nanoparticles in 50mM NaCl solution, a significant increase in particle size to about 206 nm was observed. On the other hand, the particle size was also increased to about 175 nm when the Ag nanoparticles were printed and then 50mM NaCl solution was dropped onto the printed Ag nanoparticles. The enlargement of particle size was accompanied by the increase in conductivity of the Ag nanoparticle ink. The resistance was reduced from 57.7 to 6.5 and 6.7 ohms for the as-prepared and sintered Ag nanoparticles using two different treatments, respectively. The sintered Ag nanoparticle ink formulation exhibit high conductivity when drawn on both cellulose acetate film and bond paper even after bending and folding of the substrates.
Electrical Properties of Nanostructure n-ZnSe/p-Si(100) Heterojunction Thin Film Diode
Authors: Wongcharoen Ngamnit , Gaewdang Thitinai
Published: August 2018

The ZnSe/Si heterojunction is of specific interest since this structure provides effective solar cell and enables the integration of wide bandgap device in silicon circuits. It is known that the quality of the diode and the current transport mechanisms across the heterojunction may be greatly influenced by the quality of the interface and depends on the crystallinity of the film layer. In this work, n-ZnSe/p-Si (100) heterojunction was fabricated by thermal evaporating ZnSe thin films on p-Si (100) substrates. The current-voltage characteristics of n-ZnSe/p-Si (100) heterojunction were investigated in temperature range 20-300 K. Some important parameters such as barrier height, ideality factor and series resistance values evaluated by using thermionic emission (TE) theory and Cheung’s method at room temperature are n = 2.910,φB0= 0.832 eV and 8.59103Ω, respectively. The temperature dependence of the saturation current and ideality factor are well described by tunneling enhanced recombination at junction interface with activation energy and characteristic energy values about 1.293 eV and E00= 95 meV, respectively. The carrier concentration of ZnSe thin films about 3.16×1013cm-3was deduced from the C-V measurements at room temperature. Admittance spectroscopy was employed for analysis of the defect energy levels situated in depletion region. The results showed that there was a single trap level whose position in the band gap was close to 0.04 eV above valence band. The results of this work may be useful for application such as heterojunction solar cells.
Effect of Frequency and Duty Cycle on Growth, Structure and Corrosion Resistance of Micro Arc Oxidation Coating on RZ5 Magnesium Alloy
Authors: Kumar V. Ram , Muthupandi V. , Sivaprasad K. , Srinivasan P. Bala
Published: August 2018

Magnesium alloys inherently possess poor corrosion resistance. One of the surface modification techniques to improve the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys is Micro Arc Oxidation (MAO). Application of RZ5 magnesium alloy in aircraft industries demands assured corrosion resistance of RZ5. The quality of the ceramic oxide coating developed by MAO is influenced by various operating parameters. In this study, oxide coatings on RZ5 Magnesium alloy were developed by MAO at two different frequency levels (100Hz and 1000Hz) and at two duty cycles (10% and 90%) at a constant current density of 0.06A/cm2 for 15 minutes in a silicate based electrolyte (10g/l Na2SiO3.9H2O + 4g/l KOH). Results showed that the coating produced with the combination of higher frequency and lower duty cycle exhibits a better corrosion resistance than the coating produced with other combinations of parameters.
Investigation of a Simultaneous Silicon-Modified Pack Aluminizing Method on Pure Nickel Using Quartz and RHA
Authors: Hengprayoon Boonyarit , Leelachao Sirichai , Patama Visuttipitukul
Published: August 2018

This research aims to study the simultaneous silicon-modified pack aluminizing method using silica (SiO2) from Rice Husk Ash (RHA) which contains 99.45% SiO2 in comparison with commercial SiO2 in the form of quartz. Samples can thus be categorized into two groups: quartz-doped and RHA-doped. Simultaneous silicon-modified pack aluminizing of pure nickel was performed at 1000°C for 4 hours under an argon atmosphere. The pack used in this research was prepared from aluminum (Al), ammonium chloride (NH4Cl), alumina (Al2O3) and silica (SiO2, i.e. quartz and RHA) powder at ratios of 29:2:60:9 by weight, respectively. Post aluminized samples were characterized by glancing incident-angle X-ray diffractometer (GIXD). Quantitative analysis of the layer was performed using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed to observe the resulting microstructure. It was found that simultaneous silicon-modified pack aluminizing can be successfully performed by doping RHA and quartz into the pack. The aluminized layer consists of Ni2Al3 and NiAl3 with a small amount of silicon. RHA was found to be more effective than quartz as a silicon source providing a higher amount of silicon in the aluminized layer. Moreover, using RHA successfully forms a silicon-rich interdiffusion layer beneath the typical aluminized layer.
Novel Amphoteric Cryogels for Cd2+ Ions Removal from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Baimenov Alzhan , Berillo Dmitriy , Abylgazina Leila , Poulopoulos Stavros G. , Inglezakis Vassilis J.
Published: August 2018

In this work, amphoteric cryogels based on N,N-dimethyl acrylamide, methacrylic acid and allylamine, crosslinked by N,N-methylenebisacrylamide were synthesized by free-radical polymerization in cryo-conditions. The synthesized cryogels were used for the removal of cadmium ions from aqueous solutions under different pH values. The chemical structure was studied by FTIR, porosity by nitrogen adsorption and morphology by scanning electron microscopy and texture analyzer. The amphoteric properties of cryogels were studied by zeta potential measurements. Adsorption tests revealed that cryogels exhibit 3 times higher adsorption capacity at pH 6.0 than at pH 4.0. The maximum adsorption capacity of the amphoteric cryogels for Cd2+ was 113 mg/g, at pH 6.0 and initial Cd2+ concentration 100 ppm. The results suggest that the predominant removal mechanism is ion exchange between sodium, which initially presents in the structure of the cryogel, and cadmium from the aqueous phase. Recovery studies suggested that the cryogels used can be regenerated and efficiently reused.
Integrating Simulation with Experiment for Recycled Metal Matrix Composite (MMC-AlR) Developed through Hot Press Forging
Authors: Ahmad Azlan , Lajis Mohd Amri , Shamsudin Shazarel , Yusuf Nur Kamilah
Published: August 2018

This study proposes of harmonizing the original approach of aluminium alloy recycling through hot press forging. By eradicating the melting phase, most of the waste generation can be significantly reduced. To cope with the technology revolution, the finite element is utilised to predict the material behaviour without practically executing the trial. By employing three-dimensional finite element analysis through DEFORM 3D, the evaluations were demonstrated by simulating the isothermal forging process. The flow stress of the material was modified to adequate with the aluminium-based metal matrix composite used in the actual experiment. To that extent, this study found out that the strain of the workpiece had gradually increased on each step. A reduction of ~10% of the flesh observed in the simulation is roughly the same as existed on the experiment workpiece. Above all, the simulation conducted abides by the standard and follows the actual practice that has been done previously. Through the finite element utilization, this study discussed the performance of the recycled based composite. The result presented here may facilitate improvement in the recycling issue and also conserved the environment for the better future.
Characteristics of Three Structural Steels at High Strain Rate
Authors: Setiawan Rachman , Agus Kariem Muhammad , Wardani Iftika Philo
Published: August 2018

Material characteristics at high strain rates are used for various applications involving high speed loading, one of which is plasticity-based impact energy absorbers. In this paper, experimental result of Split-Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SPHB) test of three common structural steels is reported and discussed. The three materials consist of JIS G3101 SS400, API5L Grade B, and S355JR. The material characteristics are presented in Johnson-Cook constitutive equations, and the corresponding parameters have been found through curve fitting. The results are comparable with those of literatures for other carbon steels, hence the acquired data may enrich the database of constitutive equations for various materials, especially carbon steels. The data can then be used for crashworthiness simulation in the future with the corresponding materials.
Testosterone Decreases House Dust Mite–Induced Type 2 and IL-17A–Mediated Airway Inflammation
Authors: Fuseini Hubaida , Yung Jeffrey A. , Cephus Jacqueline Yvonne , Zhang Jian , Goleniewska Kasia , Polosukhin Vasiliy V. , Peebles R. Stokes , Newcomb Dawn C.
Published: August 2018

As adults, women are twice as likely as men to have asthma; however, the mechanisms explaining this sexual dimorphism remain unclear. Increased type 2 cytokines and/or IL-17A, leading to increased airway eosinophils and neutrophils, respectively, are associated with asthma. Previous studies showed that testosterone, signaling through the androgen receptor (AR), decreased Th2-mediated allergic inflammation and type 2 innate immune responses during allergic inflammation. Therefore, we hypothesized that testosterone and AR signaling attenuate type 2 and IL-17A–mediated airway inflammation. To test our hypothesis, sham-operated and gonadectomized female and male mice were intranasally challenged with house dust mite (HDM) or vehicle (PBS) for 3 wk. Testosterone decreased and ovarian hormones increased HDM-induced eosinophilic and neutrophilic inflammation, IgE production, and airway hyperresponsiveness, as well as decreased the numbers of IL-13+ CD4 Th2 cells and IL-17A+ CD4 Th17 cells in the lung. Next, using wild-type male and female mice and ARtfm male mice that are unable to signal through the AR, we determined AR signaling intrinsically attenuated IL-17A+ Th17 cells but indirectly decreased IL-13+ CD4 Th2 cells in the lung by suppressing HDM-induced IL-4 production. In vitro Th2 and Th17 differentiation experiments showed AR signaling had no direct effect on Th2 cell differentiation but decreased IL-17A protein expression and IL-23R mRNA relative expression from Th17 cells. Combined, these findings show AR signaling attenuated type 2 and IL-17A inflammation through different mechanisms and provide a potential explanation for the increased prevalence of asthma in women compared with men.
Conhecimento e adesão às práticas de biossegurança em um hospital de referência materno infantil
Authors: Pereira Daniela Mara Marinho , Costa Nathália Rabelo , Andrade Marlucy Nunes , Torres Daniel da Costa , Rocha Rodrigo Santiago Barbosa , Avila Paulo Eduardo Santos
Published: August 2018

Objetivo: avaliar o nível de conhecimento e adesão das normas de Biossegurança no setor materno infantil de um hospital de referência. Método: pesquisa de campo exploratória descritiva transversal quali-quantitativa realizada na Fundação Santa Casa de Misericórdia do Pará com 54 funcionários dos setores de enfermaria clínica pediátrica e enfermaria cirúrgica pediátrica. Resultados: os dados foram coletados por meio da aplicação de questionário com perguntas acerca de assuntos gerais de Biossegurança, onde 95% dos funcionários declararam saber o que é Biossegurança, 59,26% dos funcionários declararam que já receberam algum treinamento em Biossegurança e 51,58% desconhece as Normas Regulamentadoras relacionadas a prática em Biossegurança. Conclusão: a pesquisa relatou a percepção dos trabalhadores da FSCMP sobre os conceitos de segurança associados aos serviços de saúde e constatou a necessidade de fortalecer nos trabalhadores os conceitos relacionados a Biossegurança.
Extreme levels of Canadian wildfire smoke in the stratosphere over central Europe on 21–22 August 2017
Authors: Ansmann Albert , Baars Holger , Chudnovsky Alexandra , Mattis Ina , Veselovskii Igor , Haarig Moritz , Seifert Patric , Engelmann Ronny , Wandinger Ulla
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Light extinction coefficients of 500 Mm−1, about 20 times higher than
after the Pinatubo volcanic eruptions in 1991, were observed by European
Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET) lidars in the stratosphere over
central Europe on 21–22 August 2017. Pronounced smoke layers with a 1–2 km
vertical extent were found 2–5 km above the local tropopause. Optically
dense layers of Canadian wildfire smoke reached central Europe 10 days after
their injection into the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere which was
caused by rather strong pyrocumulonimbus activity over western Canada. The
smoke-related aerosol optical thickness (AOT) identified by lidar was close
to 1.0 at 532 nm over Leipzig during the noon hours on 22 August 2017.
Smoke particles were found throughout the free troposphere (AOT
of 0.3) and in the pronounced 2 km thick stratospheric smoke layer at an
altitude of 14–16 km (AOT of 0.6). The lidar
observations indicated peak mass concentrations of
70–100 µg m−3 in the stratosphere. In addition to the lidar
profiles, we analyzed Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)
fire radiative power (FRP) over Canada, and the distribution of MODIS AOT and
Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) aerosol index across the North Atlantic.
These instruments showed a similar pattern and a clear link between the
western Canadian fires and the aerosol load over Europe. In this paper, we
also present Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) sun photometer observations,
compare photometer and lidar-derived AOT, and discuss an obvious bias (the
smoke AOT is too low) in the photometer observations. Finally, we compare the
strength of this record-breaking smoke event (in terms of the particle
extinction coefficient and AOT) with major and moderate volcanic events
observed over the northern midlatitudes.
Depolarization and lidar ratios at 355, 532, and 1064 nm and microphysical properties of aged tropospheric and stratospheric Canadian wildfire smoke
Authors: Haarig Moritz , Ansmann Albert , Baars Holger , Jimenez Cristofer , Veselovskii Igor , Engelmann Ronny , Althausen Dietrich
Published: August 2018

Abstract. We present spectrally resolved optical and microphysical properties of
western Canadian wildfire smoke observed in a tropospheric layer from
5–6.5 km height and in a stratospheric layer from 15–16 km height during
a record-breaking smoke event on 22 August 2017. Three polarization/Raman
lidars were run at the European Aerosol Research Lidar Network (EARLINET)
station of Leipzig, Germany, after sunset on 22 August. For the first time,
the linear depolarization ratio and extinction-to-backscatter ratio (lidar
ratio) of aged smoke particles were measured at all three important lidar
wavelengths of 355, 532, and 1064 nm. Very different particle depolarization
ratios were found in the troposphere and in the stratosphere. The obviously
compact and spherical tropospheric smoke particles caused almost no
depolarization of backscattered laser radiation at all three wavelengths
(<3 %), whereas the dry irregularly shaped soot particles in the
stratosphere lead to high depolarization ratios of 22 % at 355 nm and
18 % at 532 nm and a comparably low value of 4 % at 1064 nm. The lidar
ratios were 40–45 sr (355 nm), 65–80 sr (532 nm), and 80–95 sr
(1064 nm) in both the tropospheric and stratospheric smoke layers
indicating similar scattering and absorption properties. The strong
wavelength dependence of the stratospheric depolarization ratio was probably
caused by the absence of a particle coarse mode (particle mode consisting of
particles with radius >500 nm). The stratospheric smoke particles
formed a pronounced accumulation mode (in terms of particle volume or mass)
centered at a particle radius of 350–400 nm. The effective particle radius
was 0.32 µm. The tropospheric smoke particles were much smaller
(effective radius of 0.17 µm). Mass concentrations were of the
order of 5.5 µg m−3 (tropospheric layer) and
40 µg m−3 (stratospheric layer) in the night of
22 August 2017. The single scattering albedo of the stratospheric particles
was estimated to be 0.74, 0.8, and 0.83 at 355, 532, and 1064 nm,
respectively.
Heat Transport Pathways into the Arctic and their Connections to Surface Air Temperatures
Authors: Mewes Daniel , Jacobi Christoph
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Arctic Amplification causes the meridional temperature gradient between middle and high latitudes to decrease. It is assumed that through this decrease the large-scale circulation changes and therefore the meridional transport of heat and moisture increases. This in turn may increase Arctic warming even further. To investigate patterns of Arctic temperature, horizontal fluxes and their changes in time, we analyzed ERA-Interim daily winter data of vertically integrated horizontal heat transport using Self-Organizing Maps (SOM). Three general transport pathways have been identified: the North Atlantic Pathway with transport mainly over the northern Atlantic, the North Pacific Pathway with transport from the Pacific region, and the Siberian Pathway with transport towards the Arctic over the eastern Siberian region. Transports that originate from the North Pacific are connected with negative temperature anomalies over the central Arctic. These North Pacific Pathways are getting less frequent during the last decades. Patterns with origin of transport in Siberia are found to have no trend and show cold temperature anomalies north of Svalbard. It was found that transport patterns that favor transport through the North Atlantic into the central Arctic are connected with positive temperature anomalies over large regions of the Arctic. These temperature anomalies resemble the warm Arctic cold continent effect. Further, it could be shown that transports through the North Atlantic are getting significantly more frequent during the last decades.
Hygroscopic growth effect on aerosol light scattering in the urban area of Beijing: a long-term measurement by a wide-range and high-resolution humidified nephelometer system
Authors: Zhao Pusheng , Ding Jing , Du Xiang , Su Jie
Published: August 2018

Abstract. Hygroscopicity is an important feature of ambient aerosols, which is very crucial to the study of light extinction, radiation force, and formation mechanism. The light scattering hygroscopic growth factor (f(RH)) is an important parameter which is usually measured by the humidified nephelometer system and could better describe the aerosol hygroscopicity under wide particle size range and continuous relative humidity (RH). The f(RH) can be applied to the establishment of a parameterization scheme for light extinction, the calculation of hygroscopicity parameter (κ), and also the estimation of aerosol liquid water content (ALWC). However, the humidified nephelometer system in the previous studies could only observe the f(RH) below 90 % due to the larger error of the sensor under high RH (> 90 %). Furthermore, the f(RH) observations in North China Plain needs to be greatly strengthened both in the temporal resolution and the observation duration. In view of this, an improved high-resolution humidified nephelometer system was established to observe the f(RH) of PM2.5 for a wide RH range between 30 %–96 % in the urban area of Beijing over three seasons (winter, summer, and autumn) in 2017. It was found that the f(80 %) at 525 nm of PM2.5 was evidently higher under the polluted conditions and highly correlated with the fractions of all the water-soluble ions. A two-parameter fit equation was selected to fit the observed f(RH) data. For each season, the fitting curve under the very clean condition was lower than that of other conditions. And the f(RH) points of polluted conditions were more concentrated with higher fitting R2 for summer and autumn data. The hygroscopicity of aerosol under higher RH was probably enhanced when compared with the data in the previous study conducted in NCP. In summer, the fitting f(RH) showed a significant dependence on wavelength for each pollution condition. However, there was an opposite performance in the f(RH) curves of different wavelengths for the very clean condition in winter. It was showed that The simulation showed that the maximum uncertainty of f(RH) was less than 10 %.