bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus isolated from bloodculture: Causes or contaminants?
Authors: Stojanovic Predrag , Kocic Branislava , Randjelovic Gordana , Ciric Vojislav
Published: December 2008

Introduction According to the results of different investigations, the opinion that isolate of coagulase-negative staphylococci by bloodcultures represents the blood infection in 10-12% patient. The aim of the work was to determine the number of patients with blood infection-sepsa induced coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated by bloodcultures. Material and methods: The research was done at the Institute for Public Health in Nis. The basic group consisted of 56 patients and coagulase-negative staphylococci were segregated form their bloodcultures. The growth of microorganisms was monitored by the computerized apparatus 'Bactec 9120'. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were identified by the standard microbiologic method and Vitec AMS system. Results Eight patients (14.28%) were found to have minimum two signs of blood infection. S. epidermis was isolated in four patients. S. saprophyticus was isolated in the patients on hemodialysis with implanted urinary catheter. S. capitis was isolated in the patients with infarctus miocardi. S. auricularis was isolated in child who was administered the immunosuppressive therapy before and during hospitalization due to an acute asthmatic attack. The isolate of S. simulans was cultivated from samples of the patients hospitalized due to the febrile state. Discussion A correct interpretation of coagulase-negative staphylococci findings in bloodcultures is an overriding part of medical treatment. The best laboratory indicators of the presence of coagulase-negative staphylococci in blood would be to segregate those of the same kind from two samples at the same time but from different anatomic sites in the presence of clinical signs of blood infection. Conclusion In the investigation conducted at the Public Health Institute-Nis, we determined that bloodcultures isolated coagulase-negative staphylococci represent the blood infection on 14.28% patient.
Autoantibodies in patients treated for active pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Kasikovic-Lecic Svetlana , Kerenji Aleksandar , Pavlovic Slobodan , Kuruc Vesna , Mitic Igor , Ilic Tanja
Published: December 2008

The genesis of auto-immune antibodies directed against the own tissue antigens of a host may be due to the host's immune response to mycobacteria. The prospective study included 110 patients treated for active pulmonary tuberculosis and the control group of 60 healthy subjects, volontary blood donors. Applying the method of indirect immunofluorescence and cryostat sections of rat organs and human larynx cancer epithelial cell line (HEp-2 cells), the prescence of the following autoantibodies in the serum of the examined patients was examined: antinuclear (ANA), anticardiac (ACA), antimitochondrial (AMA), antiparietal (APA), anti smooth muscular (ASMA), antithyroidal (ATA), rheumatoid factor (RF). These autoantibodies were determined in the course of treatment and five years later. Low levels of some examined autoantibodies were detected in the serum of a number of the examined patients. No significant difference in the presence of the analysed antibodies was registered between the sexes. In the course of the treatment a reversible hyper-gammaglobulinemia developed, which was at least partially due to the presence of autoantibodies in the patients blood serum. Besides possibly involved mechanisms of molecular mimicry and polyclonal lymphocyte activation, the presence of antinuclear antibodies in the patient's serum is at least partially due to isoniazide treatment. The finding of other autoantibodies is nonspecific and not related to the mycobacterial infection or antituberculosis drug administration.
Gender as a key effect modifier of the relationship between physician work stressors and the acquired cardiovascular disorders
Authors: Nedic Olesja , Belkic Karen , Filipovic Danka , Jocic Neda
Published: December 2008

Introduction. To assess gender as an effect-modifier vis-?-vis exposure to work stressors and the acquired cardiovascular disorders (ACVD). METHOD The Occupational Stress Index for physicians was used in a case-control study (>90% participation rate) among physicians in Novi Sad (Cases: 50 males and 51 females with ACVD, Referents: 46 males and 61 females without ACVD). RESULTS. Patterns of disease manifestation, sociodemography, risk factors, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) tendency and exposure to work stressors differed in male compared to female physicians with ACVD. Accounting for these covariates, the males with ACVD had significantly higher general-level threat avoidance vigilance scores (more witnessed accidents at work and expert-witnessing in court (p<0.01)). Female physicians with ACVD had higher general-level underload (more fixed pay) and strictness (more limited decision-making concerning work-schedules and institutional policies) (p<0.05). In stratified analysis, the relationship between working conditions and ACVD was most apparent among the women physicians. Compared to those without ACVD, female physicians with ACVD showed higher extrinsic time-pressure (speed-up (p<0.01)), threat of job loss (p<0.05), and elements of high demand (heterogeneous information, complex and heterogeneous task performance) (p<0.05)), after accounting for covariates. Females in the surgical care specialties with ACVD were exposed to significantly higher demands, speed-up, and need for constant high attention than their female colleagues without ACVD, after accounting for covariates. CONCLUSION. Gender is a key effect-modifier of the relationship between exposure to work stressors and ACVD among physicians. Intervention studies should consider gender-specific work stressors, as well as those specific to physicians.
Infant biochemical and clinical parameters within the baby friendly programme
Authors: Djordjevic Momcilo , Djordjevic Gordana , Jovanovic Bozidar
Published: December 2008

Introduction Breastfeeding is the best nourishing method for the health protection, child's growth and development with greatly reduced risks for acute and chronic disorders. The first hours after the childbirth are the most important. The objective of the research. The objective of the research is to establish whether the baby friendly programme affects the infants' biochemical and clinical parameters during the first days of their lives. Materials and methods The research was conducted on 216 infants in both groups. The tests on glycaemia were done in both groups on 65 infants, tests on bilirubinemia on 75, and tests on temperature, stomatomycosis and weight loss tests during the first three days in all infants. Results Hypoglycaemia, hypothermia, significant weight loss during the first days and stomatomycosis were observed with the significantly high possibility in the infant group outside the baby friendly programme, and bilirubinemia did not depend on the programme. Discussion Frequent breastfeeding reduces the starvation periods and the need for involvement of alternative metabolic courses in the process of glucose homeostasis preservance, and the less frequent cooling of the infant as well, it can affect the prevention of hyperbilirubinemia, practically eliminate stomatomycosis and lead to less weight loss during the first days of life. Conclusion Implementation of the baby friendly programme has the positive effect on the glycaemia level and cooling, it does not affect bilirubinemia, its results can be seen in less weight loss and in elimination of stomatomycosis.
The role of holotranscobalamin in examination of vitamin B12 status
Authors: Cabarkapa Velibor , Stosic Zoran , Uzurov Vera , Sakac Vladimir , Djeric Mirjana
Published: December 2008

Introduction. Holotranscobalamin contains biologically available cobalamin because only holotranscobalamin promotes the uptake of the cobalamin therein by all cells, via specific receptors. Therefore holotranscobalamin has been proposed as a potentially useful alternative indicator of vitamin B12 status. The aim of the present study was to assess usefulness of holotranscobalamin in the evaluation of vitamin B12 status. Material and methods. We examined serum level of holotranscobalamin in 135 subjects divided in four groups according to the serum concentration of vitamin B12: 30 subjects with vitamin B12<154 pmol/l, 50 subjects with vitamin B12 154-250, 30 subjects with vitamin B12 251-350 pmol/l, 25 subjects with vitamin B12>350 pmol/l. Results The results show that in subjects with low vitamin B12 serum level there are those with normal holotranscobalamin concentration (60%) and that in subjects with normal vitamin B12 there are those with low holotranscobalamin concentration (22%). The obtained results also show positive significant correlation between levels of holotranscobalamin and vitamin B12 (r=0.62, p<0.001). Conclusion. We can conclude that biologically active cobalamin, holotranscobalamin, is a useful tool when examining vitamin B12 status especially in subjects with borderline and low vitamin B12 concentrations. Measurements of the serum holotranscobalamin may be superior to total serum cobalamin.
Keratometric measurements of cornea in first three years of life in children with congenital cataract
Authors: Marjanovic Ivan , Stefanovic Ivan , Vlajkovic Gordana
Published: December 2008

INTRODUCTION Keratometry is a measurement curvature of the central 2-3mm of the anterior cornea and main meridians (horizontal and vertical) and secondary calculation of the full optic power of the cornea. Congenital cataract is opacity of the lens that a neonate is coming to life with. OBJECTIVE To measure a real curvature of the horizontal and vertical meridians of the cornea in the babies with and without congenital cataract (mostly with diseases of the eye adnexes) in one or both eyes, and to compare it. METHOD We examined 30 patients (60 eyes) with congenital cataract in one or both eyes (48 eyes were with and 12 eyes without congenital cataract), the study group, and 15 patients (30 eyes) with diseases of the eye adnexes, the control group. All patients were hospitalized at our clinic in the period 2002- 2004, and were 2-36 months old. RESULTS Keratometric measurements of the cornea in the study group: the eyes with congenital cataract 40-45.5 D, the eyes without congenital cataract 40-42.8 D. Keratometric measurements of the cornea in the control group were 39.9- 45 D. CONCLUSION There was no statistically significant difference between the horizontal and vertical meridian measurements of the cornea's curvature neither in the study nor in the control group.
Identification of periodontopathogen microorganisms by PCR technique
Authors: Milicevic Radovan , Brajovic Gavrilo , Nikolic-Jakoba Natasa , Popovic Branka , Pavlica Dusan , Lekovic Vojislav , Milasin Jelena
Published: December 2008

INTRODUCTION Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of teeth and is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. The onset and progression of periodontal disease is attributed to the presence of elevated levels of a consortium of pathogenic bacteria. Gram negative bacteria, mainly strict anaerobes, play the major role. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to assess the presence of the main types of microorganisms involved in the aetiopathogenesis of periodontal disease: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Eikenella corrodens, Treponema denticola, Tanerella forsythia and Prevotella intermedia in different samples collected from the oral cavity of 90 patients diagnosed with periodontitis. METHOD Bacterial DNA detection was performed in diverse biological materials, namely in dental plaque, gingival tissue and saliva, by means of multiplex PCR, a technique that allows simultaneous identification of two different bacterial genomes. RESULTS In the dental plaque of the periodontitis patients, Treponema denticola dominated. In the gingival tissue, Tannerella forsythia and Treponema denticola were the microbiota most frequently detected, whilst in saliva Treponema denticola and Eikenella corrodens were found with the highest percentage. CONCLUSION The identification of microorganisms by multiplex PCR is specific and sensitive. Rapid and precise assessment of different types of periodontopathogens is extremely important for early detection of the infection and consequently for the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease. In everyday clinical practice, for routine bacterial evaluation in patients with periodontal disease, the dental plaque is the most suitable biological material, because it is the richest in periodontal bacteria.
Cardiovascular autonomous dysfunction in diabetics: The influence of disease duration, glycoregulation degree and diabetes type
Authors: Ninkovic Vladan , Ninkovic Srdjan , Zivojinovic Dragana
Published: December 2008

INTRODUCTION Cardiovascular autonomous neuropathy (CAN) in diabetes has not been still defined clinically and aetiopathogenetically. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the influence of disease duration, glycoregulation degree and diabetes type on damage of the cardiovascular part of the autonomous nervous system in our group of patients. METHOD This study included diabetics, (100 patients) the same number of patients with diabetes type I and II as well as 20 healthy individuals in the control group. Classic Ewing's cardiovascular tests were used for CAN diagnosis: 1. the cardiovascular response to Valsalva manoeuvre, 2. the cardiovascular response to deep breathing (the so-called E/I ratio), 3. the cardiovascular response to rising (the so-called 30/15 ratio), 4. the test of orthostatic hypotension and 5. the TA response to handgrip. It has been arbitrarily taken that patients, whose score of 'parasympathetic' tests (Valsalva manoeuvre, E/I ratio, 30/15) is equal or bigger than 1.5 (out of possible 3), have damage of the parasympathetic part of the autonomous nervous system while patients, whose score of 'sympathetic tests' (the test of orthostatic hypotension and TA response to hand-grip is equal or bigger than 1 (out of possible 2), have damage of the sympathetic part of the autonomous nervous system. The patients whose total score is equal or bigger than 2 have cardiovascular autonomous neuropathy. The glycoregulation degree is determined by the level of HbA1c. RESULTS There is a statistically significant, positive correlation between the values of the parasympathetic score and disease duration as well as between the total score, that is, CAN and disease duration. The connection between the sympathetic score, that is, damage of the sympathetic part of the autonomous nervous system and disease duration has not been observed. There is a positive correlation between the values of the parasympathetic score and HbA1c. The same pattern exists regarding the ratio of damage of the sympathetic part of the autonomous nervous system and the value of HbA1c, as well as the ratio of CAN, that is, the total score and HbA1c. Almost two- fold, a bigger coefficient of correlation between the sympathetic score and HbA1c in relation to the coefficient of correlation of the parasympathetic score and HbA1c, points to bigger sensitivity of the sympathetic part of the autonomous nervous system to subacute deterioration of glycoregulation. The correlation between the values of autonomous scores and diabetes type has not been noted. CONCLUSION Our results show that besides disease duration, the subacute deterioration of glycoregulation also leads to the appearance of cardiovascular autonomous dysfunction in diabetes. The sympathetic nervous tissue is functionally more sensitive than the parasympathetic one to metabolic disorders in diabetes. The cardiovascular autonomous dysfunction will occur independently of the type of diabetes.
Gaining weight and components of metabolic syndrome in the period of menopause
Authors: Simoncig-Netjasov Aleksandra , Vujovic Svetlana , Ivovic Miomira , Tancic-Gajic Milina , Drezgic Milka
Published: December 2008

INTRODUCTION Menopause induces redistribution of fat mass and development of abdominal obesity, increasing risk for metabolic syndrome (MS) by 60%. Related cardiovascular diseases become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in women after fifty years of age. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of gaining weight on components of MS in the menopause. METHOD The study included 50 obese women, BMI=31.92? 5.83 kg/m2, age 54.40?3.64, time since menopause 5.90?5.46 years, and 37 normal weight women, BMI=23.50?2.13 kg/m2, age 53.92?3.95, time since menopause 5.96?4.92 years. Both groups were divided according to the presence of MS into two subgroups. Anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure were measured. Blood was taken at 8 am for the following: fasting glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, apolipoprotein A (ApoA), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, FSH, LH, prolactin, oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone and sex hormonebinding globulin (SHBG). RESULTS 66% of obese women had MS compared with 22% normal weight women. Significant differences between groups were found for the following: weight, BMI, waist, hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, diastolic blood pressure, Lp(a), FSH, LH, prolactin (all p<0.01) and fasting glucose (p<0.05). Obese women with and without MS were significantly diverse for the following: waist/hip ratio, systolic blood pressure and fasting glucose (all p<0.01); age, BMI, waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL, Lp(a) and SHBG (all p<0.05). Normal weight women with and without MS had significantly different values of waist/hip ratio, systolic, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides (all p<0.01); HDL and testosterone (p<0.05). Significant differences were found between obese and normal weight women with MS in anthropometric characteristics, ApoA, Lp(a), fibrinogen (all p<0.01) and FSH (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Abdominal obesity significantly increases incidence of MS as a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors in the menopause.
Multifocal Abrikossoff's granular cell tumor of the oesophagus: Case report
Authors: Randjelovic Tomislav , Stojsic Zorica , Gacic Jasna , Babic Darko , Stojiljkovic Miodrag , Baralic Ivanka , Granic Miroslav , Ivanovic Nebojsa , Gacic Dragan
Published: December 2008

INTRODUCTION Granular cell tumors, relatively uncommon soft tissue tumors, have been a matter of debate among pathologists regarding histogenesis for a long time. Less common locations are in the aerodigestive tract including the oesophagus. CASE OUTLINE We have recently treated a rare case, a 37-year old male, who was admitted due to dysphagia and a painful swallow with occasional pharyngo-nasal regurgitation followed with a mild loss of weight. Standard clinical examination including X-ray chest, ECG and laboratory tests did not show pathological findings. Barium contrast oesophagography demonstrated multiple ovoid defects in the wall of the oesophagus. CT scan of the chest confirmed luminal narrowing owing to the tumor of the upper oesophagus. Upper endoscopy showed unusual multifocal nodular lesions alongside the oesophageal axis covered by smooth mucosa. A primary biopsy specimen taken from the largest nodules confirmed an unusual pathological finding of the granular cell tumor. Subtotal, transpleural oesophagectomy was performed and reconstruction was derived by long colon segment interposition through the posterior mediastinum. The postoperative course was uneventful. The operative specimen consisted of four ovoid tumors alongside the oesophagus (the greatest diameter 0.5-1.8, average 1.25). All verified tumors histologicaly consisted of a spindle-shaped or polygonal cells containing small and large eosinophilic granules and central nuclei. Most tumor cells showed strongly positive immunohistochemical staining for S-100 protein. These tumor cells were partially positive for p-53 and Ki-67. No lymph node metastases were detected histologically. CONCLUSION Multifocal granular cell tumor of the oesophagus is an unusual finding with low incidence, and rarely caused symptoms. Pathological features and multiplicity of such tumors emphasized malignant predisposition requiring surgical resection of the oesophagus.
IPEX syndrome: Case report
Authors: Radlovic Nedeljko , Janic Dragana , Sajic Silvija , Jankovic Srdja , Jesic Maja , Lekovic Zoran , Petrovic Rada
Published: December 2008

INTRODUCTION IPEX syndrome, namely, a hereditary (X-linked) immunodysregulation with autoimmune polyendocrinopathy and enteropathy, as the basic manifestations, presents a rare and exceptionally severe disease. It develops due to gene mutation responsible for the synthesis of a specific protein (FOXP3), which, by differentiation and activation of regular T-lymphocytic CD4+CD25+, has the key role in the induction and maintenance of the peripheral tolerance of one's own tissue. CASE OUTLINE We present a male infant with classic clinical features of IPEX syndrome, which manifested by the end of the first month after birth, first with type 1 diabetes mellitus and chronic diarrhoea followed by dehydration and disordered development, and then with facial eczema and laboratory signs of thyroiditis without thyroid dysfunction (antithyreoglobulin antibodies 1:5500, antimicrosomal antibodies 1:40). In addition, plasma IgE level was high (517 IU/l), while antibodies to tissue transglutaminase were mildly increased (IgA 7.5 U/ml), and anti-smooth muscle and anti-DNA antibodies were absent. Based on the typical clinical features, as well as the laboratory findings, IPEX syndrome was diagnosed, which was further confirmed by proved IVS7+5G>A mutations in the FOXP3 gene. Therapy with insulin and Pronison, combined with parenteral and semielementary nutrition resulted in the patient's clinical improvement. At the age of 9 months, despite Pronison and hypoallergenic nutrition, the child had a relapse of severe and persistent diarrhoeal disorder followed by dehydration, weight loss and deterioration of general condition. Beside the complete parenteral nutrition, as well as other measures, azathioprine was introduced into the treatment, but without the desired effect. At the age of 12.5 months, due to bacteraemia and disseminated intravascular coagulation as complications, the patient ended lethally. CONCLUSION IPEX syndrome should be kept in mind in all the cases of associated type 1 diabetes mellitus and chronic diarrhoea in male neonates or infants. Although treatment results have still been modest, it is quite certain they will be far better in the near future.
Novel glucokinase mutation in a boy with maturity-onset diabetes of the young
Authors: Milenkovic Tatjana , Zdravkovic Dragan , Mitrovic Katarina
Published: December 2008

INTRODUCTION Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) is a heterogenous group of disorders characterized by an early onset of insulin-independent diabetes mellitus, an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance and a primary defect in beta-cell. There are six subtypes of MODY. MODY2 and MODY3 are the most frequent. CASE OUTLINE We present a nine-year-old boy with intermittent hyperglycaemia. According to family history, the diagnosis of MODY2 was suspected. Molecular analysis revealed novel missense mutation R250c in exon 7 of glucokinase gene. Mutation (c.748 C>T) is the result of substitution of aminoacid cysteine by arginine (p.Arg250Cys). This is the first pediatric patient with MODY2 in Serbia whose diagnosis is established at molecular level. CONCLUSION Molecular diagnosis of MODY has important consequences in terms of prognosis, therapy and family screening of the disorder. Investigation of other patients with MODY2 in our country is important to establish prevalence and nature of mutations in glucokinase gene.
Psychotic spectrum disorders in childhood
Authors: Popovic-Deusic Smiljka , Pejovic-Milovancevic Milica , Draganic-Gajic Saveta , Aleksic-Hil Olivera , Lecic-Tosevski Dusica
Published: December 2008

For a long time, there was a strong belief of existing continuity between childhood-onset psychoses and adult psychoses. Important moment in understanding psychotic presentations during infancy and childhood is Kanner's description of early infantile autism. Later studies of Rutter and Kolvin, as well as new classification systems, have delineated pervasive developmental disorders from all other psychotic disorders in childhood. But clinical experience is showing that in spite of existence of the group of pervasive developmental disorders with subgroups within it and necessary diagnostic criteria there are children with pervasive symptoms, who are not fulfilling all necessary diagnostic criteria for pervasive developmental disorder. Therefore, in this paper we are discussing and pointing at psychotic spectrum presentations in children, which have not the right place in any existing classification system (ICD-10, DSM-IV).
Sociologija i postpozitivisticke paradigme - neke saznajne teskoce savremene sociologije
Authors: Filipovic Mileva
Published: December 2008

(francuski) Dans cet article on voudrait montrer, a partir du paradigme positiviste, quelques probl?mes ?pist?mologiques et particularit?s du champs ?pist?mologique de la sociologie contemporaine qui influent sur la formation de son dispositif dans cet espace: la langue, le sens, le temps, epistemocentrisme, constructivisme, et sur son statut scientifique. Cettesnouvelles solutions des anciens probl?mes ?pist?mologiques ont-elles ?cart? dans le post-positivisme, dans l'individualisme triomphant et dans la sociologie de libert? d' Alain Touraine, les contestations de la sociologie comme science, ou, elles nous ont amen?, apr?s la contestation de presque toute armature du savoir, jusque la contestation de l'objet de la sociologie elle-m?me, par ce que la soci?t? a tellement chang? qu'elle n'existe plus?.
Between the general and specific: Political tolerance and general support for democracy in Serbia and Europe
Authors: Todosijevic Bojan
Published: December 2008

Political tolerance is one of the basic values of a democratic society. At the same time, it is also a controversial value - political freedoms are often used to undermine democratic order. In light of the early findings of low level of political tolerance in Eastern Europe (e.g., Bahry, Boaz & Gordon, 1997; Gibson & Duch, 1993), it is important to investigate both its general level and the association with the support for general democratic norms. This paper presents results of a comparative research of political tolerance in Europe, with special focus on the situation in Serbia. The first part of the paper presents descriptive findings abut the support for general democratic norms and the degree of tolerance in approximately 30 European countries. The second part analyzes the relationships between the general acceptance of democratic norms and political tolerance, i.e., the application of the abstract norms to specific groups. The research is based on the World Values Survey data (WVS; http://www.worldvaluessurvey.org). WVS data include the so called 'the least liked group' measure of political tolerance, developed by Sullivan et al. (1979, 1982). The results, once again, indicted the gap between widespread endorsement of abstract democratic norms and readiness to grant the basic political liberties to various specific political groups. Although the level of political tolerance is low across Europe, intolerance is still more widespread in East European countries. Serbian respondents appear similar to those from neighboring countries.
Simulation of absorption refrigeration system for automobile application
Authors: Ramanathan Anand , Gunasekaran Prabhakaran
Published: December 2008

An automotive air-conditioning system based on absorption refrigeration cycle has been simulated. This waste heat driven vapor absorption refrigeration system is one alternate to the currently used vapour compression refrigeration system for automotive air-conditioning. Performance analysis of vapor absorption refrigeration system has been done by developing a steady-state simulation model to find the limitation of the proposed system. The water-lithium bromide pair is used as a working mixture for its favorable thermodynamic and transport properties compared to the conventional refrigerants utilized in vapor compression refrigeration applications. The pump power required for the proposed vapor absorption refrigeration system was found lesser than the power required to operate the compressor used in the conventional vapor compression refrigeration system. A possible arrangement of the absorption system for automobile application is proposed.
Carbon dioxide as the replacement for synthetic refrigerants in mobile air conditioning
Authors: Antonijevic Dragi
Published: December 2008

Based on Kyoto Protocol and the decisions of European Commission R134a refrigerant, currently dominantly used in mobile air conditioning systems, needs to be phased-out. At present automotive industry looks at carbon dioxide (CO2; R744) as the refrigerant of the future. Apart from the environmental benefits discussed are the technical characteristics of carbon dioxide refrigeration cycle and mobile air-conditioning systems in comparison to R134a refrigerant. Analyzed are challenges emerged from the use of CO2 as refrigerant and improvement opportunities in regards to increase of the system performance and efficiency. Particular attention is dedicated to the advantages of CO2 utilization in prospective automotive heat pump systems.
Energy savings with the effect of magnetic field using R290/600a mixture as substitute for CFC12 and HFC134a
Authors: Mani Kolandavel , Selladurai Velappan
Published: December 2008

This paper presents an experimental study on the replacement of CFC12 and HFC134a by the new R290/R600a refrigerant mixture as drop-in replacement refrigerant with and without the effect of magnetic field. Without any modification to the system components drop-in experimental tests were performed on a vapour compression refrigeration system with a reciprocating compressor, which was originally designed to operate with CFC12.The test results with no magnets showed that the refrigerant R290/R600a had 19.9-50.1% higher refrigerating capacity than R12 and 28.6-87.2% than R134a. The mixture R290/R600a consumed 6.8- -17.4% more energy than R12. The coefficient of performance of R290/R600a mixture increases from 3.9-25.1% than R12 at lower evaporating temperatures and 11.8-17.6% at higher evaporating temperatures. The effect of magnetic field force reduced the compressor energy consumption by 1.5-2.5% than with no magnets. The coefficient of performance of the system was higher in the range 1.5-2.4% with the effect of magnetic field force. The R290/600a (68/32 by wt.%) mixture can be considered as an excellent alternative refrigerant for CFC12 and HFC134a systems.
Saving energy through improving convection in a muffle furnace
Authors: Minea Adriana , Dima Adrian
Published: December 2008

Incompressible forced convection heat transfer problems normally admit an extremely important simplification: the fluid flow problem can be solved without reference to the temperature distribution in the fluid. Thus, it can first find the velocity distribution and then put it in the energy equation as known information and solve for the temperature distribution. In this paper it is intended to expand the theoretic researches concerning heat processes intensification and their use in industrial practice. In conclusion the fundamental research with concrete technical applications represents a significant contribution to the development of knowledge in domain. By centralizing the experimental results, there can be said that there has been obtained an energetic saving of approximate 20% by using radiant panels. By fitting the experimental data there has been obtained an optimum of the panels' positioning of x = 118.71 mm. In conclusion, changing the working space by introducing some radiant panels inside the furnace leads to important energy savings in the heating process, by increasing the heating rate of charge and by decreasing its residence time in the thermal equipment.
Dimensioning and efficiency evaluation of hybrid solar systems for energy production
Authors: Elia Stefano , Tiberi Vincenzo
Published: December 2008

Nowadays hybrid panels for joint production of thermal and electrical energy are available on the market. The main contribution of this work is to evaluate the performances of hybrid systems and to determine the field of application. Mathematical models of panels are considered to evaluate thermal and electrical behavior of the problem. A software produced by the authors is shown that calculates the energy production of these devices in several operating situations; a comparison to that of photovoltaic and thermal systems is performed. Moreover, the economic validity of a such investment is evaluated. Finally a simplified criterion has been developed to calculate the best subdivision of the available deployment surface among thermal, photovoltaic, and hybrid panels.
Analytical thermal modeling of double slope solar still by using inner glass cover temperature
Authors: Shukla Kumar , Rai Ajeet
Published: December 2008

In this paper, expressions for water and glass temperatures, hourly yield and instantaneous efficiency for double slope solar distillation systems have been derived analytically. The analysis is based on the basic energy balance for the systems. A thermal model has been developed to predict the performance of the still based on both, the inner and the outer glass temperatures of the solar still. In the present work two sets of values of C and n of internal heat and mass transfer coefficients, obtained from the experimental data under Indian climatic conditions, have been used. It is concluded that (1) there is a significant effect of operating temperature range on the internal heat transfer coefficients and (2) by considering the inner glass cover temperature there is reasonable agreement between the experimental and predicted theoretical results.
Productivity enhancement of stepped solar still: Performance analysis
Authors: Velmurugan V. , Kumaran Senthil , Prabhu Niranjan , Srithar K.
Published: December 2008

Maintaining minimum depth in conventional basin type solar still is difficult, as the area is large. However this can be achieved in stepped solar still in which the area of the basin is minimized by having small trays. Very few works have been carried so far in stepped solar still and constant depth trays are used in the basin plate. In this work, a stepped still with two different depth of trays are used. The basin plate contains twenty five trays with 10 mm depth and twenty five trays with 5 mm depth. To improve the productivity, experiments were carried out by integrating small fins in basin plate and adding sponges in the trays. Theoretical and experimental analyses are made for fin type, sponge type, and combination of fin and sponge type stepped solar still. When the fin and sponge type stepped solar is used, the average daily water production has been found to be 80% higher than ordinary single basin solar still. The theoretical results agree well with the experimental. Also an economic analysis was made. The payback period of this setup is 400 days.
Hydrops Fetalis Due to Agenesis of the Ductus Venosus: New Hepatic Histological Features
Authors: Takeuchi Makoto , Nakayama Masahiro , Tamura Arihiro , Kitajima Hiroyuki
Published: December 2008

We describe the clinical course and autopsy findings of a male infant with hydrops fetalis due to agenesis of the ductus venosus. Fetal echocardiography at 27 weeks in gestation demonstrated hydrops fetalis due to unknown causes. The baby was born at 28 weeks in gestation by emergency caesarean section because of preeclampsia and progressive hydrop fetalis but died immediately at birth. The umbilical vein catheter ran an unusual course: left renal vein and inferior vena cava were opacified after postmortem injection of radiopaque dye into the umbilical vein. The autopsy demonstrated agenesis of the ductus venosus without extrahepatic umbilical venous drainage. The type without extrahepatic venous drainage is rare but shows a favorable outcome in general. However, our findings illustrate that in addition to sinusoidal dilatation, some cases may induce significant medial hypertrophy of portal veins, leading to hydrops fetalis and neonatal demise.
Sclerosing Stromal Tumor: An Important Differential Diagnosis of Ovarian Neoplasms in Childhood and Adolescence
Authors: Gwin Katja , Mariño-Enríquez Adrián , Martel Maritza , Reyes-Múgica Miguel
Published: December 2008

Sclerosing stromal tumors are an uncommon type of benign ovarian sex cord-stromal tumor. Histologically, they are characterized by a cellular pseudolobular pattern, composed of fibroblasts and round cells separated by densely collagenous or markedly edematous hypocellular tissue and prominent vascularity. Although the usual age of presentation is in the 2nd and 3rd decades, sclerosing stromal tumor can occur in adolescence or premenarchal girls. Clinical symptoms include premature menarche, menstrual irregularities, abdominal discomfort, and rarely, ascites. Imaging studies frequently reveal solid or complex cystic adnexal masses with marked vascularity raising concern for germ cell tumors and, especially in the absence of elevated tumor markers, surface epithelial neoplasms. The differential diagnosis of a benign sclerosing stromal tumor is seldom entertained. We present the clinicopathological findings in 4 adolescent patients, presenting with unilateral adnexal masses, in which the preoperative clinical suspicion for malignancy was very high. We stress the importance of being familiar with sclerosing stromal tumors when evaluating ovarian neoplasms in children and adolescents in order to contribute to the appropriate clinical management preventing extensive and unnecessary surgery, and preserving fertility.
The Neighbourhood Context of Urban Aboriginal Crime
Authors: Fitzgerald Robin T. , Carrington Peter J.
Published: December 2008

This article addresses Carol La Prairie's (1992; 2002) hypothesis that the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the Canadian criminal justice system is, to a considerable extent, due to their disadvantaged urban living conditions. Specifically, it investigates the sources of the high level of police-reported Aboriginal crime in Winnipeg in 2001. Geocoded crime incident data from the incident-based Uniform Crime Reporting Survey and Census data for the City of Winnipeg are combined in a neighbourhood-level ecological analysis of urban Aboriginal crime. The results indicate that a substantial part of the elevated level of police-reported Aboriginal crime is explained by the structural characteristics of the neighbourhoods in which Aboriginal people tend to live. These results confirm La Prairie's hypothesis and point to the importance of considering community conditions in understanding and preventing crime.
Revisiting Selection and Influence: An Inquiry into the Friendship Networks of High School Students and Their Association with Delinquency
Authors: Baerveldt Chris , Völker Beate , Van Rossem Ronan
Published: December 2008

Criminologists tend to assume that friends are fairly similar in their delinquent behaviours. However, the process leading to this similarity is not fully understood. It is not clear whether similarity in delinquent behaviour among friends is the result of a selection- or of an influence process. In this article, we investigate this issue using longitudinal data on students’ friendship networks and their delinquent behaviour in 16 Dutch high schools (n = 859). For the analysis, we made use of SIENA, a technique for the simultaneous analysis of the dynamics of both networks and behaviour. A meta-analysis showed influence to be a general process without variation over the schools, while selection played a role in only 4 of the 16 schools.
Tagore and Italy: Facing History and Politics
Authors: Flora Giuseppe
Published: December 2008

The personal, cultural, and political relationships of Rabindranath Tagore with Italy make an intriguing component of the poet's complex relationships with the West. This article focuses on Tagore's two visits to Italy in the 1920s, drawing heavily upon Italian sources. It examines the tensions between liberal anti-fascists like Tommaso Gallarati Scotti and admirers of Benito Mussolini like Carlo Formichi as they strove to influence their celebrated guest, and the impact on him of testimony by wives of anti-fascists who had been tortured. It confirms that Tagore's 1930 conciliatory handwritten letter was actually sent to Mussolini. However, when Hitler and Franco rose to power, Tagore fully understood the ominous nature of fascism, and he made public appeals against it.
Claiming and Disclaiming a Cultural Icon: Tagore in East Pakistan and Bangladesh
Authors: Anisuzzaman
Published: December 2008

Repeated governmental attempts to undermine Rabindranath Tagore's influence in East Pakistan (eastern Bengal) met with vigorous resistance by those who respected him as the supreme exponent of Bengali language and culture. During the Bangladesh liberation struggle of 1971, the songs of Tagore inspired Bengalis, regardless of religio-communal diversity. Since then, those in Bangladesh committed to a secular approach to culture and politics continue to revere Tagore (though some have reservations on ideological grounds). Responses to him by those committed to a more Islamist approach to culture and politics range from cautious respect to renewed efforts to undermine his influence in the face of his continuing popularity.
Indian Modernity and Tagore's Dance
Authors: Bose Mandakranta
Published: December 2008

Rabindranath Tagore's invention of an entirely new dance style liberated dance from the formulaic choreography and narratives of classical Indian dance. Tagore advocated naturalistic rather than stylized expression, with the stated purpose of creating an aesthetic vehicle for conveying the drama of human emotional experience. This style, Rabindra-nritya, the first ‘modern dance’ of India, was and has remained entirely uncodified, relying on the creative impulse of the individual dancer interpreting poetical compositions. This flexibility, however, has tended to be accompanied by a lack of formal rigour and codification, which may help explain why Rabindranath's dance style has never gained acceptance in India as a serious art beyond the Bengali cultural domain.
Tagore's Letters: A Beacon for Biographers
Authors: Dutta Krishna
Published: December 2008

The letters of Rabindranath Tagore, like a beacon, guide us toward his beliefs, concerns, and expectations. No other genre of his work presents his range of interest in ideas, events, and situations so candidly with such spontaneous wit, humour, and irony. Through his letters this man of so many facets, for instance, expresses to W.B. Yeats his frustrations over the lack of truly intelligent appreciation of his literary works among his general readership, even in Bengal. Another time, he confides to his son Rathindranath his grief and guilt for having arranged his daughter's unhappy marriage. And yet he can poke fun at himself and a young sahib officer who arrives in a storm for a visit that neither host nor guest had intended but that neither could avoid.
Freedom, Creativity, and Leisure in Education: Tagore in Canada, 1929
Authors: O'Connell Kathleen M.
Published: December 2008

In 1929 Rabindranath Tagore came to Vancouver to address a conference of the National Council of Education of Canada. This article analyzes his reception as reported in the news media, but primarily examines the educational priorities he chose to elaborate. One major theme that he emphasized was ‘freedom’ in education: physical, mental, spiritual, and moral freedom, and freedom from racial and national prejudice. In particular he stressed the role of leisure in education and human life at large, in contrast to relentless competition for material advantage. He urged that imagination and creativity, especially artistic creativity, be nurtured, reflecting his own experience of growing up in a remarkably creative Bengali Indian family.
Tagore's Ideas of Social Action and the Sriniketan Experiment of Rural Reconstruction, 1922--41
Authors: Das Gupta Uma
Published: December 2008

Rabindranath Tagore's Institute for Rural Reconstruction based at Sriniketan was pioneering in its time and the culmination of his long period of endeavour to redeem the neglected Indian village and bridge the gap between the city and the village. He had two objectives: to educate the villagers in self-reliance and to bring back to the villages ‘life in its completeness’ with ‘music and readings from the epics,’ as in the ‘past.’ He recruited a stellar team of agronomists, rural health workers, and village-level teachers – notably Leonard Elmhirst from England and his own son, Rathindranath Tagore – who initiated many of the more successful elements basic to rural development work.
Endoscopic cystoventriculostomy for treatment of paraxial arachnoid cysts
Authors: Oertel Joachim M. K. , Baldauf Jörg , Schroeder Henry W. S. , Gaab Michael R.
Published: December 2008

Object

The optimal therapy of arachnoid cysts is controversial. In symptomatic extraventricular arachnoid cysts, fenestration into the basal cisterns is the gold standard. If this is not feasible, shunt placement is frequently performed although another endoscopic option is available.

Methods

Between March 1997 and June 2006, 12 endoscopic cystoventriculostomies were performed for the treatment of arachnoid cysts in 11 patients (4 male and 7 female patients, mean age 52 years [range 14–71 years]). All patients were prospectively followed up.

Results

In 11 cases, the arachnoid cysts were frontotemporoparietal and fenestration was performed into the lateral ventricle. In 1 case, the arachnoid cyst was located in the cerebellum and the cyst was fenestrated into the fourth ventricle. Neuronavigational guidance was used in all but 1 case. Endoscopic cystoventriculostomy was performed in all cases without complications. No stents were placed. The mean surgical time was 71 minutes (range 30–110 minutes). The mean follow-up period was 42.7 months (range 19–96 months) per surgical case and 48.8 months (range 19–127 months) per patient. Symptoms improved after 11 of the 12 procedures; 7 of the 11 patients became symptom-free and the others had only mild residual symptoms. The patient who did not experience clinical improvement suffered from depression and demonstrated a significant decrease of the cyst size on the postoperative MR imaging. After 11 of 12 procedures, a decrease in cyst size was observed. In 1 case, a subdural hematoma developed; it required surgical treatment 3 months after surgery. In another case, reclosure of the stoma required repeated endoscopic cystoventriculostomy more than 7 years after the initial procedure.

Conclusions

Overall, endoscopic cystoventriculostomy represents a useful treatment option for patients with paraxial arachnoid cysts in whom a standard cystocisternotomy is not feasible. Based on the results in this case series, stent placement appears not to be required. Despite the long mean follow-up of almost 4 years, however, a longer follow-up period seems to be required before definite conclusions can be drawn.