bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Propriedade e controle dos setores privatizados no Brasil: uma avaliação da reestruturação societária pós-privatização
Authors: Rocha Marco Antonio M. da , Silveira José Maria Ferreira Jardim da
Published: August 2015

O trabalho apresenta uma análise sobre a reorganização societária ocorrida após o processo de privatização nos anos 1990, a partir da mensuração da concentração de ações com direito a voto nos principais setores privatizados. O artigo procura demonstrar a consolidação de certos padrões de estruturas de propriedade durante a década de 2000, que, em muitos casos, reconstituíram a participação pública. A análise foca nos setores elétrico, petroquímico, siderúrgico, de mineração, ferroviário e de telecomunicações, buscando contribuir para o entendimento das cadeias de comando formadas na reestruturação posterior à privatização sobre a infraestrutura industrial e a produção de insumos básicos no Brasil.
Avaliação de Crianças com Diparesia Espástica Segundo a Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde (CIF)
Authors: Souza Natália de Paula , Alpino Ângela Maria Sirena
Published: August 2015

As disfunções decorrentes da paralisia cerebral (PC), associadas à falta de adaptações ambientais podem resultar tanto no agravo da incapacidade e/ou das limitações da criança em desempenhar atividades funcionais, quanto em restrições à sua participação. Por isso, faz-se necessária a avaliação da funcionalidade dessa criança para melhor conhecer as atividades realizadas, bem como as condições de participação em contextos significativos ao seu desenvolvimento. Este estudo teve por objetivos avaliar a funcionalidade, classificar o desempenho e a capacidade e investigar a participação de crianças com PC do tipo diparesia espástica. O estudo envolveu três crianças com diagnóstico de PC do tipo diparesia espástica, deambuladoras, idade entre nove e treze anos, e suas mães. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas dos participantes mediante roteiro estruturado; e avaliação funcional das crianças, utilizando-se um instrumento fundamentado na Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade (CIF). Os resultados obtidos revelaram importantes limitações relacionadas principalmente às atividades de mobilidade e autocuidado das crianças com GMFCS II e III; e evidenciaram leve aumento da dificuldade no desempenho quando comparado à capacidade dos participantes. O instrumento fundamentado na CIF revelou-se útil e eficaz para investigar a funcionalidade de crianças com PC do tipo diparesia espástica em idade escolar, pois permitiu avaliar a capacidade e o desempenho e identificar tanto limitações na realização de atividades pelas crianças, como algumas restrições à sua participação.
Perfil de Habilidades Cognitivas Não-Verbais na Síndrome de Down
Authors: Mecca Tatiana Pontrelli , Morão Cindy Pereira de Almeida Barros , Silva Patrícia Botelho da , Macedo Elizeu Coutinho de
Published: August 2015

A Síndrome de Down (SD) é uma das causas mais conhecidas da deficiência intelectual e o baixo funcionamento cognitivo está associado a déficits no comportamento adaptativo. Parte do conhecimento em relação às habilidades cognitivas na SD pauta-se na comparação entre tarefas verbais e não-verbais. No entanto, dificuldades relacionadas à linguagem podem comprometer a avaliação com testes tradicionais. Este estudo objetivou verificar o desempenho de crianças com SD na Escala Internacional de Inteligência Leiter-R, comparando-as a um grupo de crianças com desenvolvimento típico, bem como os próprios desempenhos nos diferentes subtestes. Participaram 30 crianças com SD entre três e oito anos de idade (M=4,57; DP=1,40) pareadas ao grupo controle por idade, sexo e tipo de escola. Os resultados mostraram desempenho inferior ao grupo controle em tarefas que avaliam processamento visual e raciocínio fluido. Houve diferenças de gênero somente no subteste que avalia raciocínio indutivo, com melhor desempenho das meninas. Análises intragrupo mostraram maior facilidade de crianças com SD em tarefas de síntese visual, raciocínio sequencial e indutivo em relação a habilidades de discriminação visual. A partir da Leiter-R foi possível realizar uma avaliação não-verbal de distintas habilidades cognitivas, bem como compreender o perfil cognitivo a partir do desempenho nos subtestes.
Consequências da Aquisição Tardia da Língua Brasileira de Sinais na Compreensão Leitora da Língua Portuguesa, como Segunda Língua, em Sujeitos Surdos
Authors: Silva Simone Gonçalves de Lima da
Published: August 2015

Este artigo investigou sobre as consequências da aquisição da língua de sinais tardiamente na compreensão leitora em língua portuguesa como segunda língua por parte de surdos sinalizantes da língua brasileira de sinais. Para visualizar tais consequências, aplicou-se um teste de compreensão de língua de sinais, retirado do material Instrumento de Avaliação da Língua de Sinais (IALS), e um teste de compreensão leitora de língua portuguesa adaptado do Programa Internacional de Avaliação de Estudantes (PISA). Participaram deste estudo cinco surdos de nascença do sexo masculino, com idades de 19 a 41 anos e com diferentes idades de aquisição da língua de sinais. Os resultados apontaram como principal consequência a falta de estratégias para identificar a ideia principal do texto. Demonstraram também que apesar do fator idade de aquisição da língua de sinais interferir bastante na compreensão leitora da língua portuguesa, há outros fatores a considerar como: o contato com outros surdos que sejam fluentes, o apoio e motivação por parte da família no uso das duas línguas (Libras e Língua Portuguesa), a presença da língua de sinais durante a trajetória escolar, bem como metodologias de ensino de língua portuguesa que auxiliem os surdos a descobrir suas próprias estratégias de construção de sentido e ainda os fazerem detectar as diferenças de modalidade das línguas produzidas, bem como as particularidades de cada língua envolvida e ainda, o que é comum a ambas as línguas.
Educação Em Saúde Bucal Direcionada Aos Deficientes Visuais
Authors: Silveira Ethieli Rodrigues da , Schardosim Lisandrea Rocha , Goettems Marília Leão , Azevedo Marina Sousa , Torriani Dione Dias
Published: August 2015

O objetivo deste estudo foi revisar na literatura estudos que abordem formas de realização de promoção de saúde e prevenção de doenças bucais para pacientes com deficiência visual. Foi realizada revisão sistemática da literatura nas bases de dados PubMed Central, Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS) e Scopus, sem limite de data de publicação. Foram incluídos ensaios clínicos nas línguas inglesa, portuguesa e espanhola, com algum tipo de intervenção de promoção de saúde bucal voltada para deficientes visuais totais ou parciais. Os artigos foram selecionados e os dados extraídos pelos autores. A busca resultou em 688 artigos dos sites PubMed,BVS e Scopus. Foram eliminados 303 artigos repetidos e, dentre os demais, selecionados nove que abordavam o tema desta revisão. As datas de publicação dos estudos variaram de 1991 a 2013. O total de deficientes visuais participantes destes estudos foi de 431 com idades entre seis e 49 anos. Todas as intervenções educativas foram efetivas e realizadas por odontólogos. A orientação verbal foi o recurso educativo mais utilizado Os resultados encontrados nos estudos deixam clara a necessidade e importância da implantação de estratégias de educação em saúde bucal para essa população. Programas de orientação de higiene bucal envolvendo recursos adaptados e comunicação verbal são efetivos no estabelecimento de uma rotina de higiene adequada, agregando conhecimento aos pacientes e seus familiares e resultando em melhora nos índices de saúde bucal.
Comparative analysis of survival between elderly and non-elderly severe sepsis and septic shock resuscitated patients
Authors: Palomba Henrique , Corrêa Thiago Domingos , Silva Eliézer , Pardini Andreia , Assuncao Murillo Santucci Cesar de
Published: August 2015

Objective To compare outcomes between elderly (≥65 years old) and non-elderly (<65 years old) resuscitated severe sepsis and septic shock patients and determine predictors of death among elderly patients.Methods Retrospective cohort study including 848 severe sepsis and septic shock patients admitted to the intensive care unit between January 2006 and March 2012.Results Elderly patients accounted for 62.6% (531/848) and non-elderly patients for 37.4% (317/848). Elderly patients had a higher APACHE II score [22 (18-28)versus 19 (15-24); p<0.001], compared to non-elderly patients, although the number of organ dysfunctions did not differ between the groups. No significant differences were found in 28-day and in-hospital mortality rates between elderly and non-elderly patients. The length of hospital stay was higher in elderly compared to non-elderly patients admitted with severe sepsis and septic shock [18 (10-41)versus 14 (8-29) days, respectively; p=0.0001]. Predictors of death among elderly patients included age, site of diagnosis, APACHE II score, need for mechanical ventilation and vasopressors.Conclusion In this study population early resuscitation of elderly patients was not associated with increased in-hospital mortality. Prospective studies addressing the long-term impact on functional status and quality of life are necessary.
Impact of late radiation effects on cancer survivor children: an integrative review
Authors: Coura Cibeli Fernandes , Modesto Patrícia Cláudia
Published: August 2015

We aimed to identify the late effects of radiation exposure in pediatric cancer survivors. An integrated literature review was performed in the databases MEDLINE and LILACS and SciELO. Included were articles in Portuguese and English, published over the past 10 years, using the following keywords: “neoplasias/neoplasms” AND “radioterapia/radiotherapy” AND “radiação/radiation”. After analysis, 14 articles - published in nine well-known journals - met the inclusion criteria. The publications were divided into two categories: “Late endocrine effects” and “Late non-endocrine effects”. Considering the increased survival rates in children who had cancer, the impact of late effects of exposure to radiation during radiological examinations for diagnosis and treatment was analyzed. Childhood cancer survivors were exposed to several late effects and should be early and regularly followed up, even when exposed to low radiation doses.
Aggregate Consequences of Dynamic Credit Relationships
Authors: Verani Stephane
Published: August 2015

Which financial frictions matter in the aggregate? This paper presents a general equilibrium model in which entrepreneurs finance a firm with a long-term contract. The contract is constrained efficient because firm revenue is costly to monitor and entrepreneurs may default. The cost of monitoring firms and the entrepreneurs' outside options determine the significance of moral hazard relative to limited enforcement for financial contracting. Calibrating the model to the U.S. economy, I find that the relative welfare loss from financial frictions is about 5 percent in terms of aggregate consumption with moral hazard, while it is 1 percent with limited enforcement. Reforms designed to strengthen contract enforcement increase aggregate consumption in the short-run, but their long-run effects are modest when monitoring costs are high. Weak contract enforcement contributes to aggregate fluctuations by amplifying the effect of aggregate technological shocks, but moral hazard does not.
The protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation under the African human rights system
Authors: Rudman Annika
Published: August 2015

Recent legislation proposed or passed in Nigeria, Uganda and The Gambia has put the spotlight on the plights of homosexual persons living in sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, discriminatory laws prohibit same-sex marriages and ban gay clubs and organisations. In Uganda, the Prohibition of the Promotion of Unnatural Sexual Practices Bill of 2014, with contents similar to the notorious Anti-Homosexuality Act, is being considered after a ruling by the Ugandan Constitutional Court rendering the Anti-Homosexuality Act unconstitutional. In The Gambia, the Penal Code has been amended recently to add the crime of 'aggravated homosexuality' with a lifetime prison sentence for any person found guilty. The rights to dignity and equality are protected under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights; however, competing local and global values are arguably growing in Africa, challenging this right. This article explores two main problems: first, how the rights to dignity, equality and non-discrimination should generally be interpreted and applied under the regional African human rights system when related to sexual orientation. In this regard I draw on the interpretation of these rights under international human rights law as well as the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and its Inter-American counterpart. Second, it analyses the procedural or other hurdles that may stand in the way of brining a claim of discrimination based on sexual orientation to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights or the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights. In this regard, I specifically consider the general restrictions placed on individuals and NGOs in bringing complaints to the Court and the real potential of the Commission to act as a conduit to the Court in cases involving rights related to sexual orientation, bearing in mind its inconsistent approach to same-sex sexuality. The article addresses these questions by analysing some key developments by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The main objective is to utilise the approach of these institutions to explore both the legal avenues under the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Establishment of an African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights and the rights and obligations under the African Charter available to anyone who would want to challenge any domestic law criminalising same-sex consensual sexual acts and/or any of the other related prohibitions. Key words: Equality; dignity; sexual orientation; gay and lesbian rights; African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights
PANDA: Cold three axes spectrometer
Authors: Schneidewind Astrid , Čermák Petr
Published: August 2015

The cold three axes spectrometer PANDA, operated by JCNS, Forschungszentrum Jülich, offers high neutron flux over a large dynamic range keeping the instrumental background comparably low.
TOFTOF: Cold neutron time-of-flight spectrometer
Authors: Lohstroh Wiebke , Evenson Zachary
Published: August 2015

TOFTOF, operated by the Technische Universität München, is a direct geometry disc-chopper time-of-flight spectrometer located in the Neutron Guide Hall West. It offers an excellent signal-to-background ratio, high energy resolution and high neutron flux. Adaptable for a wide range of sample environments, TOFTOF is ideal for investigations of fundamental concepts and challenges in physics and materials science.
ANTARES: Cold neutron radiography and tomography facility
Authors: Schulz Michael , Schillinger Burkhard
Published: August 2015

The neutron imaging facility ANTARES, operated by the Technische Universität München, is located at the cold neutron beam port SR-4a. Based on a pinhole camera principle with a variable collimator located close to the beam port, the facility provides the possibility for flexible use in high resolution and high flux imaging.
CDBS: Coincident Doppler-broadening spectrometer
Authors: Hugenschmidt Christoph
Published: August 2015

The CDBS, operated by the Technische Universität München, located at NEPOMUC, allows the detection of open volume defects and their chemical surrounding. Defect distributions can be imaged in 3D by lateral scanning with the energy variable positron beam.
PLEPS: Pulsed low energy positron system
Authors: Egger Werner
Published: August 2015

PLEPS, operated by the Universität der Bundeswehr München, located at NEPOMUC, is a unique tool for depth profiling of defects with positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy using a pulsed positron beam of variable energy.
Flotation of algae for water reuse and biomass production: role of zeta potential and surfactant to separate algal particles
Authors: Kwak Dong-Heui , Kim Mi-Sug
Published: August 2015

The effect of chemical coagulation and biological auto-flocculation relative to zeta potential was examined to compare flotation and sedimentation separation processes for algae harvesting. Experiments revealed that microalgae separation is related to auto-flocculation of Anabaena spp. and requires chemical coagulation for the whole period of microalgae cultivation. In addition, microalgae separation characteristics which are associated with surfactants demonstrated optimal microalgae cultivation time and separation efficiency of dissolved CO2 flotation (DCF) as an alternative to dissolved air flotation (DAF). Microalgae were significantly separated in response to anionic surfactant rather than cationic surfactant as a function of bubble size and zeta potential. DAF and DCF both showed slightly efficient flotation; however, application of anionic surfactant was required when using DCF.
Decolorization and biogas production by an anaerobic consortium: effect of different azo dyes and quinoid redox mediators
Authors: Alvarez L. H. , Valdez-Espinoza R. , García-Reyes R. B. , Olivo-Alanis D. , Garza-González M. T. , Meza-Escalante E. R. , Gortáres-Moroyoqui P.
Published: August 2015

The inhibitory effect of azo dyes and quinoid compounds on an anaerobic consortium was evaluated during a decolorization process and biogas production. In addition, the impact of quinoid compounds such as lawsone (LAW) and anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQDS) on the rate of decolorization of Direct Blue 71 (DB71) was assessed. The anaerobic consortium was not completely inhibited under all tested dye concentrations (0.1–2 mmol l−1), evidenced by an active decolorization process and biogas production. The presence of quinoid compounds at different concentrations (4, 8, and 12 mmol l−1) also inhibited biogas production compared to the control incubated without the quinoid compounds. In summary, the anaerobic consortium was affected to a greater extent by increasing the quantity of azo dyes or quinoid compounds. Nevertheless, at a lower concentration (1 mmol l−1) of quinoid compounds, the anaerobic consortium effectively decolorized 2 mmol l−1 of DB71, increasing up to 5.2- and 20.4-fold the rate of decolorization with AQDS and LAW, respectively, compared to the control lacking quinoid compounds.
Timing of Femoral Shaft Fracture Fixation Affects Length of Hospital Stay in Patients with Multiple Injuries
Authors: Morshed Saam , Mikhail Christopher , Miclau III Theodore
Published: August 2015

Purpose :

Appropriate timing of definitive fracture care in the setting of polytrauma remains controversial. The aim of this study is to determine whether timing of definitive fixation of femur fractures impacts subsequent length of hospital stay, a surrogate for postoperative morbidity, in patients with multi-system trauma.

Methods :

Secondary analysis of data from the National Trauma Data Bank (January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2004) was performed. Adult patients who: (1) had an open or closed femoral shaft fracture, (2) had an injury severity score (ISS) greater than or equal to 15, (3) and underwent definitive internal fixation were included. Time to fixation was divided into 5 time periods based on commonly used cut-off points from the literature: (1) 12 hours or less, (2) between 12 and 24 hours, (3) between 24 and 48 hours, (4) between 48 and 120 hours, and (5) more than 120 hours. Because we consider length of stay a surrogate for adverse outcome causally affected by treatment time, the outcome variable was calculated as the duration of hospitalization following definitive treatment. Time to definitive fixation and its effect on post-treatment length of hospital stay was analyzed using median regression with inverse probability of treatment-weighting (IPTW) to control for confounding factors.

Results :

Compared to fixation during the first 12 hours after admission, median length of hospital stay was significantly higher (2.77 days; 95% confidence interval, 0.54 to 4.72) when fixation occurred between 48 and 120 hours from admission. Among the other time intervals, only treatment between twelve to twenty-four hours after admission was shown to reduce length of stay (-0.61 days; 95% confidence interval, -1.53 to 0.42)versusthe referent interval of the first 12 hours, though this result did not achieve statistical significance. In order to assess the impact of shorter recorded length of stay for deceased patients, sensitivity analysis was conducted excluding all patient that underwent definitive treatment and died. Results were nearly identical for the second analysis, showing a higher post-treatment length of stay estimated for the population treated between 48 and 120 hoursversushad they been treated within the first 12 hours from admission (2.53 days, 95% confidence interval, 0.27 to 4.13).

Conclusion :

Delayed fixation of femoral shaft fractures in patients with multiple injuries between 2-5 days may lead to an increase in adverse outcomes as evidenced by increased median length of hospital stay. This finding supports prior clinical reports of a perilous period where a “second hit” resulting from definitive internal fixation can occur. Whether there is an optimal window for fixation during which physiologic stress of fracture fixation does not adversely lengthen hospital stay should be the subject of future prospective study.
Periarticular Fractures of the Knee in Polytrauma Patients
Authors: Bertrand M.L. , Andrés-Cano P. , Pascual-López F.J.
Published: August 2015

Periarticular fractures around the knee are a challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon. When these fractures are presented in the context of a multiple trauma patient, they are even more difficult to manage because the treatment approach depends not only on the fracture itself, but also on the patient’s general condition. These fractures, caused by high-energy trauma, present complex fracture patterns with severe comminution and major loss of articular congruity, and are often associated with vascular and nerve complications, particularly in the proximal tibia, due to its anatomical features with poor myocutaneous coverage. They are almost always accompanied by soft tissue injury.

The management of polytrauma patients requires a multidisciplinary team and accurate systemic stabilization of the patient before undertaking orthopaedic treatment. These fractures are usually addressed sequentially, either according to the general condition of the patient or to the local characteristics of the lesions. In recent decades, various fixation methods have been proposed, but there is still no consensus as to the ideal method for stabilizing these fractures. In this paper, we describe the general characteristics of these fractures, the stabilization methods traditionally used and those that have been developed in recent years, and discuss the treatment sequences proposed as most suitable for the management of these injuries.
Low Energy Trauma in Older Persons: Where to Next?
Authors: Chehade Mellick , Gill Tiffany K , Visvanathan Renuka
Published: August 2015

The global population is increasing rapidly with older persons accounting for the greatest proportion. Associated with this rise is an increased rate of injury, including polytrauma, for which low energy falls has become the main cause. The resultant growing impact on trauma resources represents a major burden to the health system. Frailty, with its related issues of cognitive dysfunction and sarcopenia, is emerging as the unifying concept that relates both to the initial event and subsequent outcomes. Strategies to better assess and manage frailty are key to both preventing injury and improving trauma outcomes in the older population and research that links measures of frailty to trauma outcomes will be critical to informing future directions and health policy. The introduction of “Geriatric Emergency Departments” and the development of “Fracture Units” for frail older people will facilitate increased involvement of Geriatricians in trauma care and aid in the education of other health disciplines in the core principles of geriatric assessment and management. Collectively these should lead to improved care and outcomes for both survivors and those requiring end of life decisions and palliation.
Improving professional IT doctorate completion rates
Authors: Burmeister Oliver Kisalay
Published: August 2015

Professional doctorates in Information Technology (IT) have been a relatively recent phenomenon, giving IT professionals career management choices not previously available to them. However, successful completion rates are the lowest of all disciplines. Completed doctorates rate in quality equivalent to PhDs, and retention has been identified as a major obstacle to completion. This qualitative study, involving 44 semi-structured interviews with students, supervisors and institutional support personnel, investigated the obstacles. Amongst the strategies discovered to improve completion rates were retention, student engagement with supervisors, feedback on progress, student engagement in the course, and student involvement in institutional communities of practice.
Postoperative cerebral glucose metabolism in pediatric patients receiving proton therapy for craniopharyngioma
Authors: Hua Chiaho , Shulkin Barry L. , Indelicato Daniel J. , Li Yimei , Li Xingyu , Boop Frederick A. , Merchant Thomas E.
Published: August 2015

OBJECT

The aim of the study was to document postoperative cerebral glucose distribution before proton therapy using F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) in children with craniopharyngioma.

METHODS

Between August 2011 and April 2014, 50 patients (20 males, 30 females) enrolled in a prospective trial for craniopharyngioma underwent FDG PET imaging before proton therapy. Proton therapy was delivered using doublescattered beams with a total prescribed dose of 54 cobalt gray equivalent. Tracer uptake in each of 63 anatomical regions was computed after warping PET images to a 3D reference template in Talairach coordinates. Regional uptake was deemed significantly low or high if it exceeded age-corresponding 95% prediction intervals of the normal population. The reference group included 132 children with non-CNS-related diseases and normal-appearing cerebral FDG PET scans.

RESULTS

Median patient age at diagnosis was 8.5 years (range 2–18 years). Forty-eight patients underwent 1–4 tumor-related surgeries before proton therapy, including placement of an Ommaya reservoir in 14 patients. Sixteen patients had symptomatic hydrocephalus that was treated with temporary (external ventricular drain, n = 16) or permanent CSF shunting (ventriculoperitoneal shunt, n = 1). The most commonly seen PET abnormalities in patients before proton therapy were significantly reduced uptake in subregions of the frontal lobe (often involving more than 1 gyrus), medial and ventral portions of the temporal lobe, cingulate gyrus, and caudate nucleus. A significantly high uptake was frequently observed on the contralateral side, including the superior, medial, and inferior temporal gyri and a large portion of the parietal lobe. Statistically significant predictor variables identified in the multivariate analysis for the extent of hypometabolism were sex (p = 0.005), hydrocephalus (p = 0.026), and the number of tumor-related surgeries (p = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative FDG PET of patients with craniopharyngioma revealed metabolic abnormalities in specific regions of the brain. The ability to identify anatomical metabolic defects in individual patients facilitates the investigation of brain injury in children with craniopharyngioma.
Mass-balance reconstruction for Glacier No. 354, Tien Shan, from 2003 to 2014
Authors: Kronenberg Marlene , Barandun Martina , Hoelzle Martin , Huss Matthias , Farinotti Daniel , Azisov Erlan , Usubaliev Ryskul , Gafurov Abror , Petrakov Dmitry , Kääb Andreas
Published: August 2015

This study presents a reconstruction of the seasonal mass balance of Glacier No. 354, located in the Akshiirak range, Kyrgyzstan, from 2003 to 2014. We use a distributed accumulation and temperature-index melt model driven by daily air temperature and precipitation from a nearby meteorological station. The model is calibrated with in situ measurements of the annual mass balance collected from 2011 to 2014. The snow-cover depletion pattern observed using satellite imagery provides additional information on the dynamics of mass change throughout the melting season. Two digital elevation models derived from high-resolution satellite stereo images acquired in 2003 and 2012 are used to calculate glacier volume change for the corresponding period. The geodetic mass change thus derived is used to validate the modelled cumulative glacier-wide balance. For the period 2003–12 we find a cumulative mass balance of –0.40±10mw.e.a-1. This result agrees well with the geodetic balance of –0.48±0.07mw.e.a-1over the same period.
Effect of Terminalia Chebula (Haritaki) on Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase, Alanine Aminotransferase in Paracetemol induced liver damage in Wister Albino Rats
Authors: Yeasmin Tania , Akhter Qazi Shamima , Siddika Syeda Tasfia , Karim Fayeza
Published: August 2015

Background: Liver plays a major role in detoxification and excretion of many endogenous and exogenous compounds. Any injury may lead to severe liver damage and impairment of liver function. Harbal plants such as Terminalia chebula (Haritaki) may have free radical scavenging activity thereby can be used for the prevention and treatment of liver damage.Objective: To observe the effect of Terminalia chebula on paracetamol induced changes of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in Wister albino rats.Methods: This experimental study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from January to December 2013. Total 44 rats with age 90 to 120 days, weighing between 150 to 200 gm were selected. After acclimatization for 14 days, they were divided into base line control (BC, n=11), paracetamol treated control (PC, n=11),Terminalia chebula pretreated and paracetamol treated (TCP-PCT n=11) and paracetamol pretreated and Terminalia chebula treated group (PCP-TCT, n=11). All groups received basal diet for 21 consecutive days. In addition to basal diet, rats of BC received propylene glycol (2ml/kg body weight, orally) and PC received single dose of paracetamol suspension (750mg/kg body weight, orally) on 21st day. Rats of TCP-PCT received Terminalia chebula extract (200 mg/kg body weight, orally) for 21 consecutive days and paracetamol suspension (750mg/kg body weight, orally) on 21st day. Again, rats of PCP-TCT received paracetamol suspension (750mg/kg body weight, orally) on the 1st day and Terminalia chebula extract (200 mg/kg body weight orally) for 21 consecutive days. All rats were sacrificed on 22nd day and then blood samples were collected. For assessment of liver function serum AST and ALT levels were estimated by using standard laboratory kits. The statistical analysis was done by one way ANOVA and post hoc Bonferroni test as applicable.Results: The mean serum AST and ALT levels were significantly (p<0.001) higher in PC in comparison to those of BC. Serum AST and ALT levels of all experimental groups were significantly (P<0.001) lower than PC group. Conclusion: From the results of this study, it may be concluded that Terminalia chebula may have some hepatoprotective effects in paracetamol induced liver damage in rats.Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2015, June; 10(1): 1-5
EFFECT OF COMPRESSION RATIO ON PERFORMANCE OF A HYDROGEN BLENDED CNG-DIESEL DUAL FUEL ENGINE
Authors: Reddy Sridhara , Dutta Maheswar , Reddy K.Vijaya Kumar
Published: August 2015

Compression ratios of the engine considerably affect the performance and emission behavior of an engine.The paper discusses about effect of compression ratios on the operating parameters such as brake specific fuelconsumption (BSFC), brake specific energy consumption (BSEC), brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and volumetricefficiency on a stationary diesel-CNG dual fuel engine by adding hydrogen fraction as a combustion booster. Theexhaust emission behavior of the engine is also presented. Addition of hydrogen in CNG has given better resultsthan diesel-CNG dual fuel operation of the engine. The volumetric efficiency and emissions like NOx are theparameters which needed attention towards this study. The paper presents experimental results and analyzes them.
AN INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK OF APPLYING LINE BALANCING IN APPAREL MANUFACTURING ORGANIZATION: A CASE STUDY
Authors: Rahman Md. Mahbubur , Nur Farjana , Talapatra Subrata
Published: August 2015

For every manufacturing organization, price of the product primarily comprises of manufacturing cost and desired profit. If a company wishes to increase its profit, one way is to reduce the manufacturing cost with maintaining the quality of the product. Waste reduction, especially the (wait) time waste, is an important factor to shrink the manufacturing cost. The purpose of this paper is to identify and address the way to reduce idle time in the apparel manufacturing organization using various line balancing technique to improve productivity and efficiency in domestic context. Line balancing job has been done through the Largest Candidate Rule and Ranked Positional Weight Technique. Using these techniques, a software has been developed to arrange the elemental tasks in the workstation, and to show the balancing efficiencies of each method and other important information. The overall job may be very helpful in some decision making process of the organization. At last an efficient and balanced line has been proposed through the study.
SIMULATION OF A THUNDERSTORM EVENT OVER BANGLADESH USING WRF-ARW MODEL
Authors: Ahasan M. N. , Quadir D. A. , Khan K.A. , Haque M. S.
Published: August 2015

Numerical simulation of the thunderstorm event occurred over Srimangal, Bangladesh at 1200 UTCon 21 May 2011 have been carried out using Advance Research dynamic core of Weather Research andForecasting Model (WRF-ARW). The WRF model was run in a domain at 9 km horizontal resolution using sixhourly NCEP-FNL datasets from 0000UTC of 21 May to 0000UTC of 22 May 2011 as initial and boundaryconditions. Hourly outputs have been analyzed to asses and/or compare the model performance. The WRFmodel captured the studied thunderstorm event on 21 May 2011 in reasonably well with some spatial andtemporal biases in the results. But the model simulated 24-h rainfall over the country as a whole overestimatedthe rainfall by 46.72% compared to that of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) observation.
FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SUBMERGED AIR JETS
Authors: Syeda Sultana R. , Ansery Ashfaq M.
Published: August 2015

An experimental investigation on submerged air jets was carried out in a 14×14 cm2 perspex columnwith a liquid height of 25 cm. Jets were generated by flowing air at different velocities through nozzles immersedat the bottom of a stagnant liquid pool. The diameters of the nozzles used were 1, 4 and 6 mm. The jet formationwas observed in three different liquids; namely, water, ethanol and glycerol. The jet formation velocity and jetlengths at different liquids and with different nozzles were measured by video recording and image processing.Two distinct regime transitions; bubbling to jetting and jetting to bubble plume were observed. The jet lengthincreased steadily with jet velocity. The nozzle size was found to affect both jet formation and jet length. Theproperties of liquid also affect the formation of jet.
EFFECT OF HIGH PRESSURE COOLANT JET ON CUTTING TEMPERATURE, TOOL WEAR AND SURFACE FINISH IN TURNING HARDENED (HRC 48) STEEL
Authors: Mia Mozammel , Dhar Nikhil Ranjan
Published: August 2015

Hard turning of harder material differs from conventional turning because of its larger specific cutting forces requirements. The beneficial effects of hard turning can be offset by excessive temperature generation which causes rapid tool wear or premature tool failure if the brittle cutting tools required for hard turning are not used properly. Under these considerations, the concept of high-pressure coolant (HPC) presents itself as a possible solution for high speed machining in achieving slow tool wear while maintaining cutting forces at reasonable levels, if the high pressure cooling parameters can be strategically tuned. This paper deals with an experimental investigation of some aspects of the turning process applied on hardened steel (HRC48) using coated carbide tool under high-pressure coolant, comparing it with dry cut. The results indicate that the use of high-pressure coolant leads to reduced surface roughness, delayed tool flank wear, and lower cutting temperature, while also having a minimal effect on the cutting forces.
INVESTIGATIONS FOR STATISTICALLY CONTROLLED RESISTANCE SPOT WELDING SOLUTION OF STAINLESS STEEL
Authors: Singh Rupinder , Singh Sunpreet
Published: August 2015

The purpose of the present investigations is to study statistically controlled solution (from sensitization point of view) for 304 stainless steel (SS) joints using resistance spot welding process (RSWP). Starting from the parametric optimization of RSWP parameters (based upon Taguchi design), welded joints were prepared for functional checking. The output parameters selected for controlling the sensitization were hardness and tensile strength of welded joints. The results are supported by SEM analysis. Further the study suggests that the RSWP was found to be under statistical control (at optimized settings suggested by Taguchi design) as regard to sensitization of welded joint is concerned.
In vitro propagation of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) from nodal segments, shoot tips and cotyledonary nodes
Authors: Parvin S. , Kausar M. , Haque M. Enamul , Khalekuzzaman M. , Sikdar B. , Islam M. Asadul
Published: August 2015

A rapid and efficient protocol is outlined for in vitro propagation of muskmelon(Cucumis melo L.) Shoot tips, nodal segments and cotyledonary nodes from invitro grown seedlings were used as explants. The explants were inoculated on MS medium fortified with different combinations and concentrations of growthregulators viz., BAP, NAA, GA3 and IBA for multiple shoot regeneration.Effective result was found on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/l BAP, inwhich 90% and 70% cultures induced multiple shoots from nodal segments andshoot tip explants, respectively. Whereas, 70% cultures of cotyledonary nodeswere found to induced shoots on MS medium with 1.5 mg/l BAP + 0.1 mg/l GA3. In vitro regenerated shoots were subcultured on half strength MS mediumsupplemented with different concentrations of IBA and NAA for successful rootinduction and the effective result (up to 70%) was found in medium with 1 mg/lIBA. Well rooted in vitro grown plantlets were acclimatized in sandy soil, whereas 70% plantlets survived
‘A Routh O’ Auld Nick-Nackets’ – the antiquarian collection of John Rae
Authors: Taylor Paul
Published: August 2015

John Rae, a Scottish antiquarian collector and spirit merchant, played a highly prominent role in the local natural history societies and exhibitions of nineteenth-century Aberdeen. While he modestly described his collection of archaeological lithics and other artefacts, principally drawn from Aberdeenshire but including some items from as far afield as the United States, as a mere ‘routh o’ auld nick-nackets' (abundance of old knick-knacks), a contemporary singled it out as ‘the best known in private hands' (Daily Free Press 4/5/91). After Rae's death, Glasgow Museums, National Museums Scotland, the University of Aberdeen Museum and the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, as well as numerous individual private collectors, purchased items from the collection. Making use of historical and archive materials to explore the individual biography of Rae and his collection, this article examines how Rae's collecting and other antiquarian activities represent and mirror wider developments in both the ‘amateur’ antiquarianism carried out by Rae and his fellow collectors for reasons of self-improvement and moral education, and the ‘professional’ antiquarianism of the museums which purchased his artefacts. Considered in its wider nineteenth-century context, this is a representative case study of the early development of archaeology in the wider intellectual, scientific and social context of the era.
Nanoscale Alloying in Electrocatalysts
Authors: Shan Shiyao , Wu Jinfang , Kang Ning , Cronk Hannah , Zhao Yinguang , Zhao Wei , Skeete Zakiya , Joseph Pharrah , Trimm Bryan , Luo Jin , Zhong Chuan-Jian
Published: August 2015

In electrochemical energy conversion and storage, existing catalysts often contain a high percentage of noble metals such as Pt and Pd. In order to develop low-cost electrocatalysts, one of the effective strategies involves alloying noble metals with other transition metals. This strategy promises not only significant reduction of noble metals but also the tunability for enhanced catalytic activity and stability in comparison with conventional catalysts. In this report, some of the recent approaches to developing alloy catalysts for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction in fuel cells will be highlighted. Selected examples will be also discussed to highlight insights into the structural and electrocatalytic properties of nanoalloy catalysts, which have implications for the design of low-cost, active, and durable catalysts for electrochemical energy production and conversion reactions.
Pitch-Length Independent Threshold Voltage of Polymer/Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Nano-Composites
Authors: Kim Hoekyung , Kobashi Junji , Maeda Yasutaka , Yoshida Hiroyuki , Ozaki Masanori
Published: August 2015

Polymer/cholesteric liquid crystal (ChLC) nano-composites consisting of mesogenic monomers and LCs have nano-sized LC domains dispersed in an anisotropic polymer matrix. They exhibit characteristics not observed in conventional ChLCs, such as sub-millisecond and “deformation-free” electro-optic tuning of the selective reflection band; however, their driving voltage is high compared to conventional ChLCs, and is an issue that needs to be solved for the practical use. Here, we investigate the helical pitch dependence of threshold voltage in polymer/ChLC nano-composites. Five samples with different helical pitches were prepared and their electro-optic characteristics were compared before and after photopolymerization. Although the threshold voltage of the unpolymerized samples were inversely proportional to its helical pitch, the threshold voltage of the polymerized samples showed no dependence on the helical pitch. These results are explained to be a consequence of the driving mechanism of the polymer/ChLC nano-composite, in which electro-optic switching is achieved as a consequence of the nano-confined LC molecules reorienting along the electric field, instead of the helical structure becoming unwound. The threshold voltage is independent of pitch length because the pore sizes are similar in all samples.
Pregnancy in Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Retrospective Study of 83 Pregnancies at a Single Centre
Authors: Chen Shanying , Sun Xuejuan , Wu Bide , Lian Xuejian
Published: August 2015

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of 80 pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and explore the risk factors for lupus flare, obstetric complications and fetal loss. Methods: 83 pregnancies in 80 women were divided into three groups. Group A: patients in remission for > 6 months before pregnancy, proteinuria < 0.5 g per day, without renal failure and discontinuation of cytotoxic drugs for > one year; Group B: patients with SLE disease activity in the six months before pregnancy; Group C: patients with new onset SLE during pregnancy. Results: In group A, 76.47% pregnancies achieved full-term deliveries and 80.39% achieved live born infants. In group B and C, the outcome was poor. Among 62 patients (64 pregnancies) diagnosed as SLE before pregnancy, SLE flares occurred in 27 (42.19%) pregnancies. SLE disease activity in the six months before pregnancy was significantly associated with lupus flare (OR 5.00, 95% CI 1.14–21.87, p = 0.03) and fetal loss. New onset lupus during pregnancy was independently associated with obstetric complications (OR 7.22, 95% CI 2.14–24.38, p = 0.001). Conclusions: The current study confirmed the previous report that SLE should be considered a high risk of pregnancy. If pregnancy is planned after remission for > 6 months, the favorable outcome can be achieved.
E-Cigarettes: A Review of New Trends in Cannabis Use
Authors: Giroud Christian , De Cesare Mariangela , Berthet Aurélie , Varlet Vincent , Concha-Lozano Nicolas , Favrat Bernard
Published: August 2015

The emergence of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) has given cannabis smokers a new method of inhaling cannabinoids. E-cigs differ from traditional marijuana cigarettes in several respects. First, it is assumed that vaporizing cannabinoids at lower temperatures is safer because it produces smaller amounts of toxic substances than the hot combustion of a marijuana cigarette. Recreational cannabis users can discretely “vape” deodorized cannabis extracts with minimal annoyance to the people around them and less chance of detection. There are nevertheless several drawbacks worth mentioning: although manufacturing commercial (or homemade) cannabinoid-enriched electronic liquids (e-liquids) requires lengthy, complex processing, some are readily on the Internet despite their lack of quality control, expiry date, and conditions of preservation and, above all, any toxicological and clinical assessment. Besides these safety problems, the regulatory situation surrounding e-liquids is often unclear. More simply ground cannabis flowering heads or concentrated, oily THC extracts (such as butane honey oil or BHO) can be vaped in specially designed, pen-sized marijuana vaporizers. Analysis of a commercial e-liquid rich in cannabidiol showed that it contained a smaller dose of active ingredient than advertised; testing our laboratory-made, purified BHO, however, confirmed that it could be vaped in an e-cig to deliver a psychoactive dose of THC. The health consequences specific to vaping these cannabis preparations remain largely unknown and speculative due to the absence of comprehensive, robust scientific studies. The most significant health concerns involve the vaping of cannabinoids by children and teenagers. E-cigs could provide an alternative gateway to cannabis use for young people. Furthermore, vaping cannabinoids could lead to environmental and passive contamination.
A Geoweb-Based Tagging System for Borderlands Data Acquisition
Authors: Xing Hanfa , Chen Jun , Zhou Xiaoguang
Published: August 2015

Borderlands modeling and understanding depend on both spatial and non-spatial data, which were difficult to obtain in the past. This has limited the progress of borderland-related research. In recent years, data collection technologies have developed greatly, especially geospatial Web 2.0 technologies including blogs, publish/subscribe, mashups, and GeoRSS, which provide opportunities for data acquisition in borderland areas. This paper introduces the design and development of a Geoweb-based tagging system that enables users to tag and edit geographical information. We first establish the GeoBlog model, which consists of a set of geospatial components, posts, indicators, and comments, as the foundation of the tagging system. GeoBlog is implemented such that blogs are mashed up with OpenStreetMap. Moreover, we present an improvement to existing publish/subscribe systems with support for spatio-temporal events and subscriptions, called Spatial Publish/Subscribe, as well as the event agency network for routing messages from the publishers to the subscribers. A prototype system based on this approach is implemented in experiments. The results of this study provide an approach for asynchronous interaction and message-ordered transfer in the tagging system.