bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
(Un)Holy Alliances
Authors: Edwin Shirin
Published: April 2013

This article examines the tenor of Islamic spirituality in Leila Aboulela’s The Translator (1999). By contrasting my analysis with those studies that lay excessive emphasis on the novel as symbolic of an East versus West theory, as well as a conflict between colonial and postcolonial societies, religions, and cultures, I argue that the novel is equally, if not more, about the spiritual faith of an ordinary Muslim woman grappling with emotional and psychological grief. Using several recent theories on Islamic feminism, including Saba Mahmood’s conceptualization of feminism beyond the predictable rubric of politics and activism, this paper emphasizes an appreciation of those aspects of Islam that translate into a Muslim’s daily life on a spiritual level. Typically divested of political activism or cultural conflicts, these aspects facilitate a genuine acknowledgement of the religion as a spiritual yet usable presence in the organization of quotidian issues, as seen in Aboulela’s novel.
Quality Assurance of Dose Distribution of Photon Beam Planning by Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm (AAA)
Authors: Alam M Jahangir , Hussain Syed Md Akram , Afroj Kamila , Shrivastava Shyam Kishore
Published: April 2013

A three dimensional treatment planning system has been installed in the Oncology Center, Bangladesh. This system is based on the Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm (AAA). The aim of this study is to verify the validity of photon dose distribution which is calculated by this treatment planning system by comparing it with measured photon beam data in real water phantom. To do this verification, a quality assurance program, consisting of six tests, was performed. In this program, both the calculated output factors and dose at different conditions were compared with the measurement. As a result of that comparison, we found that the calculated output factor was in excellent agreement with the measured factors. Doses at depths beyond the depth of maximum dose calculated on-axis or off-axis in both the fields or penumbra region were found in good agreement with the measured dose under all conditions of energy, SSD and field size, for open and wedged fields. In the build up region, calculated and measured doses only agree (with a difference 2.0%) for field sizes > 5 × 5 cm2 up to 25 × 25 cm2. For smaller fields, the difference was higher than 2.0% because of the difficulty in dosimetry in that region. Dose calculation using treatment planning system based on the Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm (AAA) is accurate enough for clinical use except when calculating dose at depths above maximum dose for small field size.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v4i1.14686 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.4 No.1 2011 43-49
An Innovative Low Cost Bone Densitometer Based on Conventional X-Ray Facility
Authors: Qayyum Jubaid Abdul , Howlader Md Masum , Tamzeed-Al-Alam Md , Islam Md Saiful , Latif Tahmid , Rabbani K Siddique-e
Published: April 2013

Osteoporosis or bone loss affects many people, particularly the aged women, and leads to disabling bone fractures. An early diagnosis could provide preventive management. However, available bone densitometry equipment are very expensive and not available widely in the Third World. The present work presents the design & development of an innovative low cost bone densitometer based on conventional X-ray equipment available widely. The main innovation is the incorporation of a stack of aluminium with varying thickness placed beside the limb of a patient while taking an X-ray image. Then the optical density of the bone area in the developed film is compared to that from the aluminium stack, which eliminates variations due to all other processing factors, and gives a measure of the bone density. A low cost device has been developed to measure the optical density of the X-ray film over a circular area of about 1cm to give an average reading, which is more appropriate than spot metering in this application. Preliminary measurements of a few human subjects using this equipment clearly indicate the differences obtained due to expected osteoporosis. Calibration with standard bone densitometry equipment could provide values in standard units. This low cost innovative method and equipment appears to provide a low cost alternative to the diagnosis of osteoporosis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v4i1.14693 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.4 No.1 2011 95-100
Recombination Parameters of some Fabricated Ionization Chambers
Authors: Begum Afia , Takata Nobuhisa
Published: April 2013

Some pancake and spherical type ionization chambers of various size have been designed and fabricated for absolute air kerma measurement in 60Co and 137Cs ?-ray fields at the Primary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory (PSDL), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan. Values of recombination parameters A and m2g of these ionization chambers are obtained using a method proposed by De Almeida and Niatel and adopted by Boutillon. For absolute air kerma measurement, it is important to obtain accurate signal currents by correcting it for ion losses using the values of A and m2g of each of the ionization chambers. It has been observed from the measurements that the recombination parameters for pancake ionization chamber are smaller than spherical ionization chambers and for spherical type ionization chamber recombination parameter values depend on the dimensions of the electrodes and also the size of the chambers. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v4i1.14694 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.4 No.1 2011 101-106
Design and Development of an EMG Driven Microcontroller Based Prosthetic Leg
Authors: Islam Md Rokibul , Haque ANM Mushfiqul , Amin SN , Rabbani KS
Published: April 2013

Over the past years prosthetic legs have become much improved although complex. However their costs are high and are not within the reach of most people in the Third World. Low-cost fixed prostheses are available in the Third world countries of Asia and Africa, but these offer very basic movement with unnatural gait; climbing stairs gets quite difficult. The prosthesis being worked upon in the present work are for amputees with legs removed above the knee, and would offer a limited rotational movement of the knee joint under voluntary control of the wearer, driven by the EMG signals extracted from thigh muscles. The aim is to make it at a low cost, may be at a cost slightly higher than the passive ones, but allowing a better gait in walking, and in climbing stairs. An initial work was done in this direction by our extended group earlier; the present work gives further improvements. This involves redesigning of the motor and the gear system and that of the electronic circuitry for processing the EMG signals extracted from thigh muscles, interfacing the output to the microcontroller, rotating the motor in two directions thereby accomplishing the movement of the knee joint. The motor, geared down, is mounted horizontally and a pulley system drives the artificial knee joint. When complete, this will benefit a large number of handicapped people in the Third World. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v4i1.14695 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.4 No.1 2011 107-114
Design and Development of a Low Cost Personal Computer Based ECG Monitor
Authors: Rabbani K Siddique-e , Abir A Raihan , Bodiuzzaman AKM
Published: April 2013

ECG equipment is vital for diagnosis of cardiac problems. However, such equipment come from the rich Western countries at a huge cost in both procurement and maintenance, and therefore cannot offer services to a large population in the Third World countries. The only solution is to design and develop such equipment in individual countries by developing local expertise. With three decades of experience, the Dhaka University group has taken a step towards developing prototypes of ECG equipment for dissemination to the healthcare service providers. This paper presents the detailed design of an PC based ECG equipment where optimized choice of components and of the design have been made keeping the cost and maintenance in view, but not sacrificing the quality, and incorporating necessary safety features to protect the patient from known hazards. Both the hardware and the software have been developed locally and are detailed in this paper. Outputs obtained from human subjects are shown which are of reasonable good quality, and have been verified using standard ECG equipment. The PC based ECG system will allow digital post processing of signals for improved diagnosis through software. Besides, this can also become part of a nationwide telemedicine system. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v4i1.14701 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.4 No.1 2011 115-125
Internal Radiation Dose Assessment using IRDA Software for Bangladeshi Subjects due to Ingestion of CO-60
Authors: Quddus AHMR , Ali M Moksed , Zaman MMA , Mollah AS
Published: April 2013

Retention, absorbed dose, committed equivalent dose and committed effective doses have been assessed due to acute ingestion of 1 Bq of 60Co in human body. Calculations are done using Internal Radiation Dose Assessment (IRDA) software which has been developed based on the biokinetic model. Due to ingestion maximum radiation dose is deposited in the gastro intestinal (GI) tract, assumed to consist of four tissue compartments, e.g. stomach (ST), small intestine (SI), upper large intestine (ULI) and lower large intestine (LLI). In this work actual tissue masses of GI Tract of Bangladeshi people have been considered to calculate the above mentioned quantities for different age groups, such as 1 yr, 10 yrs and adult (female and male). One hour after the ingestion, the retention and absorbed dose show the trend ST > SI > ULI > LLI. Regarding tissue compartments the variation of the committed equivalent dose pattern is LLI > ULI > ST > SI for the radionuclide. The variation of absorbed dose, committed equivalent dose and committed effective dose with respect to age follow the pattern: 1 yr > 10yrs > adult female > adult male. The highest committed effective dose for ingestion of 1 Bq of the radionuclide under the study is found in the GI tract of 1 yr old child. This value is 6.56 x 10-6 mSv. For other age groups these values are slightly less. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v4i1.14703 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.4 No.1 2011 135-143
Effective Dose to Children during Cardiac Catheterization
Authors: Begum Aleya , Khan RK , Alam Kamrul , Hoque A , Begum Amena
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this study was to assess the effective dose received by children during cardiac procedures. 6 children from 3 to 14 years old who underwent coronary angiogram, cardiac catheterization and pulmonary valvuloplasty treatment were included in the present study. Measurement of effective doses of the paediatric cardiac patients was performed in four catheterization laboratories in three hospitals. Harshaw TLD badges (TLD-100, LiF: Mg, Ti) were used on patients to measure effective dose in the catheterization laboratory. The TLD badges were calibrated from Secondary Standard Dosimetery Laboratory. It is found that the highest dose was 2.01 mSv in 5.4 minute fluoroscopic time during peripheral angiogram and primary pace maker procedure and the lowest effective dose was 0.044 mSv in 1.2 minute fluoroscopic time during coronary angiography performed in the same hospital. The highest fluoroscopic time (18:14 min) was taken to perform a cardiac catheterization and pulmonary valvuloplasty procedure and the dose was 0.781 mSv. During cardiac catheterization children were exposed to high levels of radiation but there was a variant in dosage. Careful consideration should be given to minimize dosage by practicing ALARA principle. This type of study may lead cardiologist and scientist to improve necessary safety measures to be taken to reduce the exposure to patients and occupational worker. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v4i1.14704 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.4 No.1 2011 145-147
Neuro-Physiological Measurements for Diagnosis using Evoked Responses
Authors: Rabbani K Siddique-e
Published: April 2013

No Abstract.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v5i1.14662 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.5 No.1 2012 1-24
Design of an Enhanced Temperature Control System for Neonatal Incubator
Authors: Tisa Tamanna Afrin , Nisha Zinat Ara , Kiber Md Adnan
Published: April 2013

Worldwide every year over 4 million infants die within a month of birth. Of this number, 3.9 million belong to the developing world. Some (25%) of this deaths are caused due to complications of prematurity, most often due to improper heat regulation, water loss and neonatal jaundice. An infant incubator provides stable levels of temperature, relative humidity and oxygen concentration. Temperature control system is the most important part of a baby incubator which has to be maintained around 37°C. In the present work we have designed and developed an enhanced temperature control system incorporating a combination of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and simple ON-OFF control system, where thermistors have been used as temperature sensors. The range of variation of temperature against the set temperature (37°C) has been found to be 1°C which is satisfactory. A temperature monitor has been designed through a circuit network incorporating a thermistor so that the voltage output is linearly related to the temperature. This allowed the use of a simple millivoltmeter to display the temperature directly through appropriate scaling. To ensure the safety of the baby an alarm circuit was designed which provides sound alarms for personnel attention if the temperature goes beyond a specified safe range, chosen here as 26°C  38°C. In developing countries, like Bangladesh frequent power cuts demand an uninterrupted operation of incubator and a battery back up system, which could also be powered by a solar panel, has been suggested for this purpose. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v5i1.14668 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.5 No.1 2012 53-61
Improvement of Hot Laboratory Facilities in Nuclear Medicine
Authors: Quadir Kamila Afroj , Khatun Nurjahan , Hoque Md Ashraful , Begum Aleya
Published: April 2013

A Hot-Lab is the major source of radiation exposure by medical technicians in a nuclear medicine set up. A table top bench shield is used to reduce this exposure which consists of a lead base and a lead wall in the bottom part while a viewing window is provided in the top part through the use of thick glass or leaded glass. In our laboratory, a home-made shield was used earlier which incorporated a 254mm ordinary glass window in the top and a thick lead wall at the bottom part. Recently a commercial bench shield was procured that uses a lighter lead glass window for better viewing. This lead glass gives an equivalent lead thickness of 2.2 mm. The present work was taken up to study the changes in the radiation exposure to nuclear medicine technicians due to this change in the bench shield. The effective doses received by two technicians were 0.937 mSv and 1.098 mSv respectively when they worked for two months using the old table top bench shield. This dose came down substantially to 0.292 mSv and 0.187 mSv respectively, when they used the new table top bench shield for the same period of time. Side by side, the radiation reaching the outer surfaces of the glass shield and the lead wall were measured due to a radiation source placed at 0mm, 10mm and 20mm from the respective inner surfaces. For the lead shield the dose rates were not much different between the two models, but for the glass window, the commercial one gave much reduced dose rate. Although the dosage was higher in the indigenously made device, the duty schedules of the technicians were rotated so that none received dosage greater than safe limits over a full year. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v5i1.14669 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.5 No.1 2012 37-40
Internal Radiation Monitoring of Occupational Staff in Nuclear Medicine Facility
Authors: Ferdous MJ , Alam Z , Khan RK , Iqubal SM , Islam A , Rahman MA , Begum Aleya
Published: April 2013

Unsealed radioactive sources used in Nuclear Medicine Centers, to diagnose and treat patients, pose significant risks of internal exposure to the occupational staff. This work intends to evaluate the potential risks of internal contamination of occupational staff in Nuclear Medicine facilities. 49 urine samples of 19 occupational staff working in the two busiest nuclear medicine centres, namely Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound (INMU) and Centre of Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound (CNMU) Dhaka, were collected to perform this study. The concentrations of 99mTc and 131I in urine samples were measured using a High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. The radioactivity of 99mTc and 131I were found to be 8.58±0.03 Bql-1 to 314±1.92 Bql-1 and from 6.47±0.03 Bql-1 to 283±0.27 Bql-1 respectively. The effective doses of occupational staff have also been calculated using the radioactivity concentration and the dose coefficients. Due to the highest (314 Bql-1) and the lowest (8.58Bql-1) concentration of 99mTc, the effective doses were 14.7 ?Sv and 0.402?Sv, on the other hand for the highest (283 Bql-1) and the lowest (6.47 Bql-1) concentration of 131I, the effective doses were 5.58 ?Sv and 0.12 ?Sv. These values are within limits, however to avoid inhalation and contamination of 131I and 99mTc proper working environment should be established with suitable ventilation system, fume hood, mask, etc. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v5i1.14670 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.5 No.1 2012 63-70
Performances of Multi-Frequency Voltage to Current Converters for Bioimpedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Islam Shekh Md Mahmudul , Reza Mohammad Anisur Rahman , Kiber Md Adnan
Published: April 2013

Breast cancer is one of the most common diseases affecting women and the mortality rate is very high in Bangladesh, mainly due to the lack of early diagnosis. X-ray mammography is not available widely in Bangladesh, besides it has an associated biological hazard. Multi-frequency bio-impedance measurement or bio-impedance spectroscopy has a great potential in many biomedical applications including breast cancer screening which involves tissue characterization. In Bio-impedance spectroscopy a range of frequencies of low level current is injected to the human body and corresponding bio-impedance is measured. In a typical bio-impedance measurement system an ac source with a constant current amplitude is an essential part in which the current amplitude should not change with frequency or load, the latter being typically of the order of a few kilo ohms in the human body. The constant current source is usually obtained from a voltage-to-current converter and several standard designs are available, for example a floating current source, a Howland current source and an enhanced Howland current source. The present work was taken up to perform a comparative study of these three types of current sources based on a commonly available low cost operational amplifier, 741. It was found that the enhanced Howland current source gave the best performance, the current being almost constant up to a frequency of about 10kHz for a load of 10k?. This work gives an understanding of this fundamental circuit segment that is essential for the development of a Bioimpedance Spectroscopy system. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmp.v5i1.14671 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.5 No.1 2012 71-76
Surgical Education in Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury Humayun Kabir
Published: April 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jss.v16i1.14440 Journal of Surgical Sciences (2012) Vol. 16 (1) : 1-2
Nutritional Indicators for Postoperative Morbidity in Elective Oncological Surgery
Authors: Bhuiyan AKMMU , Kabir MJ , Rahman MM
Published: April 2013

Objective: This study was to establish the nutritional risk factors for morbidity following cancer surgery to reduce the incidence of related postoperative complications. Therefore this study was undertaken to assess the morbidity and to identify nutritional risk factors following cancer surgery in Bangladeshi population. Method: This cross-sectional observational study included 312 patients with malignancy who were waiting for surgery or within 60 days of postoperative period were enrolled for the study from indoor of surgical oncology department, NICR&H. Then the patients were submitted for further study to evaluate the preoperative fitness in terms of nutrition assessment  both clinical and biological. All the clinical (pre & post-operative including complication, if any), investigation findings were recorded accordingly. Results: Statistical correlation was discovered between BMI and morbidity but no statistical correlation was found between WL >10% and major surgical complications of either infectious or noninfectious origin (p = NS). No statistically significant correlation was found between nutritional condition or oedema and surgical morbidity. Conversely, a substantial statistical correlation was found between skin thickness or Hb% or albumin <30 g/l and major surgical complications (either infectious or noninfectious) (p= S). Conclusion: The best nutritional factor for detecting the risk of MC is albumin levels below 30 g/l. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jss.v16i1.14441 Journal of Surgical Sciences (2012) Vol. 16 (1) : 3-10
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Acute Gallbladder Disease During Index Admission- 11 the Optimum Timing for Surgery
Authors: Siddique Md Ibrahim , Rahman Md Atiar , Sheikh Md Shahadot Hossain , Murshed Khander Manzoor , Mubin Samia , Siddiqui Muhammad Ali , Majumder Krisna Rani
Published: April 2013

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, initially considered a contraindication for the treatment of acute gallbladder disease, is now being practiced for treating acute cholecystitis worldwide. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic procedure in the management of acute gallbladder disease during the index admission in terms of safety and feasibility, hospital stay and the rates of complications and conversion to open cholecystectomy. Methods: Between January 2009 to December 2011, 174 patients (103 female, 71 male) with median age 43.5 years (range 27-73 years) with the diagnosis of acute gallbladder disease underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was made from history, physical findings and ultrasound evidence of acute inflammatory changes. Results: Median time from onset of symptoms to surgery was 70 hours. Median operative time was 76.5 minutes. Conversion rate was 1.7%. Minor post-operative complications occurred in 13.5% cases of laparoscopic procedure, which did not require further intervention. Median post-operative hospital stay was 2.5 days and total length of hospital stay was median 4.4 days. There was no mortality. Conclusion: In expert hands laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute gallbladder disease during the index admission is safe with better clinical results, shorter hospital stay and an acceptable conversion and complication rates with additional financial benefit to the patients. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jss.v16i1.14442 Journal of Surgical Sciences (2012) Vol. 16 (1) : 11-17
Tubeless & Stentless PCNL in Selected Cases  Our Experience in Bangladesh
Authors: Bhuiyan NI , Islam MF , Khan SA , Bhuiyan ZH , Towhid KMH , Ahmed NIU , Salahuddin K , Arafat MA
Published: April 2013

Introduction: PCNL is well-accepted method of management of renal stone. In PCNL post operatively usually Nephrostomy tube and JJ stent are used. But Nephrostomy tube and JJ stent has some morbidity. Tubeless and JJ stentless PCNL in selected cases reduces the morbidity. This study will evaluate the results of PCNL with and without Nephrostomy tube and JJ stent in the management of renal stone in selected cases. Methods: From July 2008 to June 2010 total 70 cases of renal stone were managed by PCNL dividing into two groups Group A -PCNL with nephrostomy tube and JJ stent, Group B- Nephrostomy tubeless and JJ stent less PCNL with only ureteric catheter for 24  48 hour post operatively. All cases were operated in Urology department of Bangladesh Medical College Hospital, and two other private hospitals located in Dhaka. In all cases initially placed a ureteric catheter and at the end of the procedure compression at renal angle about 10 min in Group B, in Group A Procedure ended with Nephrostomy tube and JJ stent. Ureteric catheter was removed 24 hour-48 hour after operation. JJ stent was removed 3 weeks after operation. Exclusion criteria for the tubeless and JJ stentless approach were more than one percutaneous access, significant perforation of the collecting system, large residual stone burden, significant postoperative bleeding, ureteral obstruction and renal anomaly. The incidence of complication, length of hospitalization, analgesics requirement and interval to return to normal activities were evaluated. Results: All 70 percutaneous procedures were performed without significant complication, none of the patients demonstrated urinoma in postoperative renal Ultrasound scan. In Group- B length of hospital stay was < 3 days, the average analgesia requirement was 98 mg of Inj.Pethedin, patient return to normal activity earlier then Group -A. Conclusion: Nephrostomy tubeless and JJ stent less Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy with ureteric catheter for 24- 48 hours post operatively is a safe and effective procedure. Hospital stay and analgesia requirements are less and returns to normal activities are faster. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jss.v16i1.14443 Journal of Surgical Sciences (2012) Vol. 16 (1) : 18-25
Open Tension Free Mesh Repair of Inguinal Hernias: The Lichtenstein Technique- 26 Our Experience for Last Ten Years
Authors: Rahman MA , Sheikh MSH , Siddique MI , Morshed KM , Ullah AKM Ahsan , Islam Md Shahidul
Published: April 2013

Objective : Recurrences following hernia repair is one of the significant problem for both patient & surgeon. Open tension free mesh techniques of inguinal hernia repair offers good results. Prosthetic materials have been increasingly used in hernia repair to prevent recurrences. Their use has been associated with several advantages, such as less postoperative pain, rapid recovery and low recurrence rates. Materials and method : In this retrospective study, 1050 tension-free inguinal hernia repairs were performed between January 2001 and December 2010 in various medical institutes including BSMMU, DMCH & some private clinics in Dhaka city, using a polypropylene mesh (Lichtenstein technique). The main outcome measure was early and late morbidity and especially recurrence. Results : Inguinal hernia was indirect in 76 % of cases (798 patients), direct in 22% (231 patients) and of the pantaloon (mixed) type in 2 % (21 patients). Mean patient age was 44.5 years (range, 18  85). Follow-up was completed in 630 patients (60 %) by clinical examination or phone call. The median follow-up period was 2.5 years (range 1  5 years). Seroma and hematoma formation requiring drainage was observed in 25 and 8 patients respectively, while transient testicular swelling occurred in15 patients. Infection was found in 9 patients. Rejection of mesh occurred in 4 patients. There was 6 recurrence of the hernia (in one of these patients with late mesh rejection) (recurrence rate = 0.57 %). Postoperative neuralgia was observed in 25 patients (2.38 %). Conclusion : Lichtenstein tension-free mesh repair of inguinal hernia is a simple, safe, comfortable, effective method. Tension free repair using synthetic meshes have been reported to result in better patient comfort and lower recurrence rates compared with the conventional procedures like Shouldices or Bassinis operation2-4. Therefore it is the preferred method for hernia repair since 1994. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jss.v16i1.14444 Journal of Surgical Sciences (2012) Vol. 16 (1) : 26-29
Management of Intrathoracic Sepsis- A Review Article
Authors: Rahman Mostafizur , Khan Omar Sadeque
Published: April 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jss.v16i1.14446 Journal of Surgical Sciences (2012) Vol. 16 (1) : 35-38
Asymtomatic Angiomyolipoma of the Right Adrenal Gland
Authors: Monowarul I , Amanullah ATM , Alam AKMK
Published: April 2013

Angiomyolipoma are commonly found in Kidney but extrarenal sites are also mentioned. It arising in adrenal is very rare entity, usually asymptomatic, diagnosed incidentally on radiological investigation of abdomen for other conditions. We report our experience with a 37-year-old man who presented with sudden feeling of jerking discomfort and generalized weakness. An USS showed adrenal mass, computerised tomography (CT) scan confirmed and outlined the adrenal mass.Adrenalectomy was performed and the histopathological features confirmed the diagnosis of adrenal angiomyolipoma. The patient recovered without any complications following surgery. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jss.v16i1.14449 Journal of Surgical Sciences (2012) Vol. 16 (1) : 47-48
Sebaceous Carcinoma of Scalp- Rare Skin Cancer - A Case Report
Authors: Khan Md Burhan Uddin , Kalam Abul , Islam Md Nazrul , Amin Farhana , Hasan ASM Qamrul
Published: April 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jss.v16i1.14450 Journal of Surgical Sciences (2012) Vol. 16 (1) : 49-51
Effect of Burnable Absorbers on Inert Matrix Fuel Performance and Transuranic Burnup in a Low Power Density Light-Water Reactor
Authors: Recktenwald Geoff , Deinert Mark
Published: April 2013

Zirconium dioxide has received particular attention as a fuel matrix because of its ability to form a solid solution with transuranic elements, natural radiation stability and desirable mechanical properties. However, zirconium dioxide has a lower coefficient of thermal conductivity than uranium dioxide and this presents an obstacle to the deployment of these fuels in commercial reactors. Here we show that axial doping of a zirconium dioxide based fuel with erbium reduces power peaking and fuel temperature. Full core simulations of a modified AP1000 core were done using MCNPX 2.7.0. The inert matrix fuel contained 15 w/o transuranics at its beginning of life and constituted 28% of the assemblies in the core. Axial doping reduced power peaking at startup by more than ~23% in the axial direction and reduced the peak to average power within the core from 1.80 to 1.44. The core was able to remain critical between refueling while running at a simulated 2000 MWth on an 18 month refueling cycle. The results show that the reactor would maintain negative core average reactivity and void coefficients during operation. This type of fuel cycle would reduce the overall production of transuranics in a pressurized water reactor by 86%.
Comparative Study of Dynamic Programming and Pontryagin’s Minimum Principle on Energy Management for a Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle
Authors: Yuan Zou , Teng Liu , Fengchun Sun , Peng Huei
Published: April 2013

This paper compares two optimal energy management methods for parallel hybrid electric vehicles using an Automatic Manual Transmission (AMT). A control-oriented model of the powertrain and vehicle dynamics is built first. The energy management is formulated as a typical optimal control problem to trade off the fuel consumption and gear shifting frequency under admissible constraints. The Dynamic Programming (DP) and Pontryagin’s Minimum Principle (PMP) are applied to obtain the optimal solutions. Tuning with the appropriate co-states, the PMP solution is found to be very close to that from DP. The solution for the gear shifting in PMP has an algebraic expression associated with the vehicular velocity and can be implemented more efficiently in the control algorithm. The computation time of PMP is significantly less than DP.
Structural Evolution of the East Sierra Valley System (Owens Valley and Vicinity), California: A Geologic and Geophysical Synthesis
Authors: Stevens Calvin , Stone Paul , Blakely Richard
Published: April 2013

The tectonically active East Sierra Valley System (ESVS), which comprises the westernmost part of the Walker Lane-Eastern California Shear Zone, marks the boundary between the highly extended Basin and Range Province and the largely coherent Sierra Nevada-Great Valley microplate (SN-GVm), which is moving relatively NW. The recent history of the ESVS is characterized by oblique extension partitioned between NNW-striking normal and strike-slip faults oriented at an angle to the more northwesterly relative motion of the SN-GVm. Spatially variable extension and right-lateral shear have resulted in a longitudinally segmented valley system composed of diverse geomorphic and structural elements, including a discontinuous series of deep basins detected through analysis of isostatic gravity anomalies. Extension in the ESVS probably began in the middle Miocene in response to initial westward movement of the SN-GVm relative to the Colorado Plateau. At ca. 3–3.5 Ma, the SN-GVm became structurally separated from blocks directly to the east, resulting in significant basin-forming deformation in the ESVS. We propose a structural model that links high-angle normal faulting in the ESVS with coeval low-angle detachment faulting in adjacent areas to the east.
MicroRNA Transcriptomes Relate Intermuscular Adipose Tissue to Metabolic Risk
Authors: Ma Jideng , Yu Shuzhen , Wang Fengjiao , Bai Lin , Xiao Jian , Jiang Yanzhi , Chen Lei , Wang Jinyong , Jiang Anan , Li Mingzhou , Li Xuewei
Published: April 2013

Intermuscular adipose tissue is located between the muscle fiber bundles in skeletal muscles, and has similar metabolic features to visceral adipose tissue, which has been found to be related to a number of obesity-related diseases. Although various miRNAs are known to play crucial roles in adipose deposition and adipogenesis, the microRNA transcriptome of intermuscular adipose tissue has not, until now, been studied. Here, we sequenced the miRNA transcriptomes of porcine intermuscular adipose tissue by small RNA-sequencing and compared it to a representative subcutaneous adipose tissue. We found that the inflammation- and diabetes-related miRNAs were significantly enriched in the intermuscular rather than in the subcutaneous adipose tissue. A functional enrichment analysis of the genes predicted to be targeted by the enriched miRNAs also indicated that intermuscular adipose tissue was associated mainly with immune and inflammation responses. Our results suggest that the intermuscular adipose tissue should be recognized as a potential metabolic risk factor of obesity.
Chemoecological Screening Reveals High Bioactivity in Diverse Culturable Portuguese Marine Cyanobacteria
Authors: Leão Pedro , Ramos Vitor , Gonçalves Patrício , Viana Flávia , Lage Olga , Gerwick William , Vasconcelos Vitor
Published: April 2013

Marine cyanobacteria, notably those from tropical regions, are a rich source of bioactive secondary metabolites. Tropical marine cyanobacteria often grow to high densities in the environment, allowing direct isolation of many secondary metabolites from field-collected material. However, in temperate environments culturing is usually required to produce enough biomass for investigations of their chemical constituents. In this work, we cultured a selection of novel and diverse cyanobacteria isolated from the Portuguese coast, and tested their organic extracts in a series of ecologically-relevant bioassays. The majority of the extracts showed activity in at least one of the bioassays, all of which were run in very small scale. Phylogenetically related isolates exhibited different activity profiles, highlighting the value of microdiversity for bioprospection studies. Furthermore, LC-MS analyses of selected active extracts suggested the presence of previously unidentified secondary metabolites. Overall, the screening strategy employed here, in which previously untapped cyanobacterial diversity was combined with multiple bioassays, proved to be a successful strategy and allowed the selection of several strains for further investigations based on their bioactivity profiles.
Chemical Constituents of the Root of Jasminum giraldii
Authors: Yue Zhenggang , Qin Hui , Li Yuhua , Sun Yang , Wang Zhipeng , Yang Tiehong , Liu Li , Wang Minchang , Feng Feng , Mei Qibing
Published: April 2013

Two new compounds, ethylconiferin (1) and (−)-lariciresinol 4-(6'''-O-cinnamyl-β-d-glucopyranoside) (2), along with the three known compounds (+)-pinoresinol (3), (+)-cycloolivil (4), nobiletin (5), were isolated from the root of Jasminum girialdii. All these compounds were isolated for the first time from this source. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. In addition, the in vitro cytotoxic activity of these compounds was evaluated. The results showed that none of the compounds had any significant inhibitory activities on the proliferation of HCT-116 and SW-620 cells.
Short Term (14 Days) Consumption of Insoluble Wheat Bran Fibre-Containing Breakfast Cereals Improves Subjective Digestive Feelings, General Wellbeing and Bowel Function in a Dose Dependent Manner
Authors: Lawton Clare , Walton Jenny , Hoyland Alexa , Howarth Elaine , Allan Peter , Chesters David , Dye Louise
Published: April 2013

This study investigated whether increasing insoluble (predominantly wheat bran) fibre over 14 days improves subjective digestive feelings, general wellbeing and bowel function. A single centre, multi-site, open, within subjects design with a 14 day non-intervention (baseline) monitoring period followed by a 14 day fibre consumption (intervention) period was performed. 153 low fibre consumers (<15 g/day AOAC 985.29) completed a daily symptom diary for 14 days after which they consumed one bowl of ready-to-eat breakfast cereal containing at least 5.4 g fibre (3.5 g from wheat bran) for 14 days and completed a daily symptom diary. Significant improvements were demonstrated in subjective perception of bowel function (e.g., ease of defecation) and digestive feelings (bloating, constipation, feeling sluggish and digestive discomfort). Significant improvements were also found in subjective perception of general wellbeing (feeling less fat, more mentally alert, slim, happy and energetic whilst experiencing less stress, mental and physical tiredness, difficulty concentrating and fewer headaches). In general, improvements in study outcomes increased with increasing cereal/fibre consumption. However, consuming an additional minimum 5.4 g of fibre (3.5 g wheat bran) per day was shown to deliver measurable and significant benefits for digestive health, comfort and wellbeing. Encouraging consumption of relatively small amounts of wheat bran could also provide an effective method of increasing overall fibre consumption.
Computational Burden Resulting from Image Recognition of High Resolution Radar Sensors
Authors: López-Rodríguez Patricia , Fernández-Recio Raúl , Bravo Ignacio , Gardel Alfredo , Lázaro José , Rufo Elena
Published: April 2013

This paper presents a methodology for high resolution radar image generation and automatic target recognition emphasizing the computational cost involved in the process. In order to obtain focused inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) images certain signal processing algorithms must be applied to the information sensed by the radar. From actual data collected by radar the stages and algorithms needed to obtain ISAR images are revised, including high resolution range profile generation, motion compensation and ISAR formation. Target recognition is achieved by comparing the generated set of actual ISAR images with a database of ISAR images generated by electromagnetic software. High resolution radar image generation and target recognition processes are burdensome and time consuming, so to determine the most suitable implementation platform the analysis of the computational complexity is of great interest. To this end and since target identification must be completed in real time, computational burden of both processes the generation and comparison with a database is explained separately. Conclusions are drawn about implementation platforms and calculation efficiency in order to reduce time consumption in a possible future implementation.
Optimal and Sustainable Plant Refurbishment in Historical Buildings: A Study of an Ancient Monastery Converted into a Showroom in Florence
Authors: Balocco Carla , Marmonti Enrico
Published: April 2013

The aim of this research is to study the possibility and sustainability of retrofit and refurbishment design solutions on historical buildings converted to different uses and often clashing with their original purpose and architectural features. The building studied is an ancient monastery located in the historical center of Florence (Italy). Today the original cloister is covered over by a single glazed pitched roof and used as a fashion showroom. Our proposed solution concerns a reversible and sustainable plant design integrated with an active transparent building casing. The existing glazed pitched roof was reconsidered and re-designed as part of the existing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) plant system, based on the functioning of an active thermal buffer to control the high heat flow rates and external thermal loads due to solar radiation. Hourly whole building energy analysis was carried out to check the effectiveness and energy sustainability of our proposed solution. Results obtained showed, from the historical-architectural, energy and environmental points of view, its sustainability due to the building-plant system integration and interaction with its location, the external climatic conditions and defined expected uses, in particular with reference to indoor thermal comfort.
Polished Stone Value Test and its relationship with petrographic parameters (hardness contrast and modal composition) and surface micro-roughness in natural and artificial aggregates
Authors: Fernández A. , Alonso M. A. , López-Moro F. J. , Moro M. C.
Published: April 2013

The goal of this work was first to establish the relationships between the PSV values and the microstructural and mineralogical features of the aggregates and surface micro-roughness, and then to establish the behavioural differences between natural and artificial aggregates. The results obtained indicate that the surface micro-roughness and the different PSV values of the natural aggregates are strongly governed by the existence of minerals with different degrees of hardness, together with the proportion of these minerals. In contrast, the different degree of porosity in artificial aggregates (a furnace slag) was seen to be responsible for its high surface micro-roughness and PSV values. Finally, the PSV and a petrographic parameter (Overall Hardness Contrast, ΔH) were seen to be related by an exponential curve (PSV=39.726ΔH0.057) with an extremely good fit, providing a good tool to estimate PSVs in natural and artificial aggregates from petrographic parameters.
Open Loop Force Control of Piezo-Actuated Stick-Slip Drives
Authors: Edeler Christoph , Fatikow Sergej
Published: April 2013

In this paper a new method to generate forces with stick-slip micro drives is described. The forces are generated if the runner of the stick-slip drive operates against an obstacle. It is shown that the generated force can be varied selectively without additional sensors and that virtually any force between zero and a limiting force given by certain parameters can be generated. For the investigated micro actuator this force is typically in the range up to hundreds of mN. For this reason, the method has the potential to expand the application fields of stick-slip positioners. After the presentation of the testbed containing the measured linear axis, measurements showing the principle and important parameters are discussed. Furthermore, it is shown that the force generation can be qualitatively simulated using state-of-the-art friction models. Finally, the results are discussed and an outlook is given.
Optimal Robot Path Planning with Cellular Neural Network
Authors: Zhong Yongmin , Shirinzadeh Bijan , Yuan Xiaobu
Published: April 2013

This paper presents a new methodology based on neural dynamics for optimal robot path planning by drawing an analogy between cellular neural network (CNN) and path planning of mobile robots. The target activity is treated as an energy source injected into the neural system and is propagated through the local connectivity of cells in the state space by neural dynamics. By formulating the local connectivity of cells as the local interaction of harmonic functions, an improved CNN model is established to propagate the target activity within the state space in the manner of physical heat conduction, which guarantees that the target and obstacles remain at the peak and the bottom of the activity landscape of the neural network. The proposed methodology cannot only generate real-time, smooth, optimal, and collision-free paths without any prior knowledge of the dynamic environment, but it can also easily respond to the real-time changes in dynamic environments. Further, the proposed methodology is parameter-independent and has an appropriate physical meaning.
Impedance Control of a Spherical Parallel Platform
Authors: Carbonari Luca , Bruzzone Luca , Callegari Massimo
Published: April 2013

This article describes the impedance control of an in-parallel actuated orientation platform. The algorithm is based on a representation of platform orientation which exploits the equivalent axis of rotation: this approach is more intuitive and easier to visualize than conventional methods based on Cardan or Euler angles. Moreover, since for small angular displacements the Mozzi’s axis lies very close to angular velocity, impedance control algorithms based on such representation provides better performances and smoother motions. Results of numerical simulations and experimental tests are shown and commented with reference to the spherical parallel machine.
Computation of the Output Torque, Power and Work of the Driving Motor for a Redundant Parallel Manipulator
Authors: Zhao Yongjie
Published: April 2013

Inverse dynamic analysis of the 8-PSS redundant parallel manipulator is carried out in the exhaustive decoupled way. The required output of the torque, the power and the work of the driving motor are achieved. The whole actuating torque is divided into four terms which are caused by the acceleration, the velocity, the gravity, and the external force. It is also decoupled into the components contributed by the moving platform, the strut, the slider, the lead screw, the motor rotor-coupler, and the external force. The required powers contributed by the component of torque caused by the acceleration term, the velocity term, the gravity term, the external force term, and the powers contributed by the moving platform, the strut, the slider, the lead screw, and the motor rotor-coupler are computed respectively. For a prescribed trajectory, the required output work generated by the ith driving motor is obtained by the presented numerical integration method. Simulation for the computation of the driving motor’s output torque, power and work is illustrated.
Random Weighting Estimation of One-Sided Confidence Intervals in Discrete Distributions
Authors: Jiao Yalin , Zhong Yongmin , Gao Shesheng , Shirinzadeh Bijan
Published: April 2013

This paper presents a new random weighting method for estimation of one-sided confidence intervals in discrete distributions. It establishes random weighting estimations for the Wald and Score intervals. Based on this, a theorem of coverage probability is rigorously proved by using the Edgeworth expansion for random weighting estimation of the Wald interval. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed random weighting method can effectively estimate one-sided confidence intervals, and the estimation accuracy is much higher than that of the bootstrap method.