bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of knee angle in tribal children of Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Kumar Dhananjay , Gopichand Patnaik VV , Puri Nidhi
Published: October 2016

Background: Knee angle shifts from genu varum (bow leg) in newborn to neutral (0°) in infants and thereby, it becomes genu valgum (knock knee) in childhood as child begins to stand and walk. This sequential growth causes variation in gait and posture particularly up to 7-8 years of childhood stage.Aims and Objectives:This study establishes baseline data of knee angle in Indian tribal children of Andhra Pradesh. Despite its clinical importance and social relevance, literature is scanty in Indian population especially in tribal children.Materials and Methods: Tibiofemoral angle (TFA) was measured clinically using universal goniometer in 360 normal Indian tribal children of 2-14 years age group. Each age group comprised of 15 male and 15 female children. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), thigh length (TL), leg length (LL) and lower limb length (LLL) were noted for all subjects to establish their relationship with TFA.Results: It was found that physiological varus rarely persists after 2 years of age. Beyond 2 years there was consistent increase in knee valgus. A maximum mean knee valgus of 8° TFA was observed in girls at 6:<7 years, while 6° TFA was found in boys of 7:<8 years age group. Thereafter progressive decrease in mean knee valgus of 5-6° was seen up to 10:<11 years age group which in later ages stabilizes to 6-7° in both sexes.  The overall pattern of knee valgus was found to be higher in girls than boys. Data revealed significant positive correlation between TFA and other parameters in both sexes at p <0.05 significance level.Conclusion: Age wise knee angle values for 2-14 year age group tribal children of Andhra Pradesh provided by this study could be of potential benefit to the physicians, orthopedic surgeons, pediatricians, radiologists, and physiotherapists while evaluating growth related shift patterns.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(5) 2016 75-81
Assessment of performance of services in a tertiary care Neuropsychiatric Institute using Pabon Lasso Model
Authors: Tripathi Chandra Bhushan , Kumar Rajesh , Sharma Ramesh Chandra , Agarwal Rachna
Published: October 2016

Background: The objective of the study to assess optimal utilisation of hospital facilities &  evaluate their performance in a tertiary care hospital using Pabon Lasso Model using indicators- bed turnover (BTO), bed occupancy rate (BOR) and average length of stay (ALS).Aims and Objective: To assess optimal utilisation of hospital facilities various wards catering to psychiatric, neurological and neurosurgery services in a tertiary care hospital using Pabon Lasso model and to identify strategies for more efficient use of the existing health service resources.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in 2015 at the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, Delhi, India. This study involved various wards catering to psychiatric, neurological and neurosurgery facilities in the institute. Their performance was evaluated over 8 year period (2007- 2014) using three performance indicators (BTO, BOR & ALS) to assess optimal utilisation of hospital facilities.Results: Psychiatry department was initially located in quadrant IV in 2007 & shifted to quadrant III in 2014 which suggests department’s good quantitative performance with small proportion of unused beds. Similarly Neurosurgery department was in quadrant I at its inception in 2010, but shifted to quadrant III in 2014. However, Neurology department was located in quadrant III initially (2007), but shifted to quadrant II indicating either excess bed supply or less need for utilisation.Conclusion: Pabon Lasso model can be used by hospital management for evaluating the performance of health services in cost effective manner.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(5) 2016 69-74
A case of necrotizing fasciitis due to Klebsiella following local application of steroids
Authors: Abdul Suhaib Rehaman , George Robin
Published: October 2016

Klebsiella organisms are known to cause a wide range of clinical syndromes in human beings which include pneumonia, urinary tract infection, abdominal infection, surgical site infection, soft tissue infection and infection of intravascular devices. The incidence is higher among immunocompromised individuals and those with chronic debilitating diseases like diabetes, alcoholism etc. This case report is regarding an elderly diabetic male who developed necrotizing fasciitis of leg following local application of steroids. The causative organism was Klebsiella, which is an unusual pathogen.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(5) 2016 97-99
Cefotaxime-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Authors: Lahiry Sandeep , Mukherjee Dibyendu
Published: October 2016

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are severe cutaneous immune-complex hypersensitivity reactions. Drugs, especially sulfa drugs, antiepileptics, and antibiotics like cephalosporins, are the most common causes. Maculopapular lesions rapidly spread and coalesce, leading to epidermal blistering, necrosis, and sloughing. Diagnosis is usually obvious by appearance of initial lesions and clinical syndrome. Treatment is supportive care; cyclosporine, plasma exchange or IVIG, and early pulse corticosteroid therapy have been used. Mortality can be as high as 7.5% in children and 20 to 25% in adults but tends to be lower with early treatment.Here, we present a case of a 26year old female who presented with extensive dermal lesions and ocular findings including periorbital skin scarring, conjunctivitis with corneal erosions, as well as fever and prostration, soon after the administration of cefotaxime. Epidermal detachment was observed in <10% of her body surface. This presentation is consistent with the features of SJS. Resolution of the clinical manifestations was observed after discontinuation of the drug; all other drugs, infections, or immunologic disorders that could have caused this syndrome were carefully excluded. An objective causality assessment revealed that SJS was possibly associated with the use of cefotaxime.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(5) 2016 87-90
Myasthenia gravis: A rare presentation
Authors: Lahiry Sandeep , Bhowmik Dipak
Published: October 2016

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a relatively rare autoimmune disorder in which antibodies form against acetylcholine (Ach) nicotinic postsynaptic receptors at the neuromuscular junction of skeletal muscles. The usual initial complaint is a muscle weakness but can also present as respiratory failure, as in our case. MG is treated with medications such as Acetylcholine-esterase (AChE) inhibitors or immunosuppresants and, in selected cases, thymectomy.Here, we present a case of 32 year old women with MG, who presented with an unexplained respiratory failure. She was stabilized with mechanical ventilation and subsequently treated with immunoglobins and thymectomy.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(5) 2016 100-102
Childhood polyarteritis nodosa: A rare presentation
Authors: Lahiry Sandeep , Choudhury Shouvik , Mukherjee Ayan , Chowdhury Koustuv
Published: October 2016

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare systemic vasculitis characterized by necrotizing arteritis of small to medium-sized arteries. It manifests as skin ulceration, hypertension, abdominal pain, digital gangrene, subcutaneous nodules etc. Childhood polyarteritis nodosa (CPAN) is a rare and often fatal disease. Clinically, CPAN often is part of the spectrum of Kawasaki disease (KD). There is no specific serological marker for diagnosis and confirmation is based on histopathology.  Most common mode of pharmacological therapy includes corticosteroid or cyclophosphamide, along with antimicrobials for secondary infection prevention and plasmapheresis.Here, we present a case of a 16year old boy with multiple skin ulceration, digital gangrene with few non-specific signs and symptoms, diagnosed as a case of PAN, underwent regular therapy and follow-up. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(5) 2016 94-96
Employees’ Perception Regarding the Role of Specific HRM Practices in Knowledge Intensive Firms
Authors: Iqbal Salman
Published: October 2016

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the employees’ perceptions about association between specific HRM practices and employees’ knowledge sharing. Based on previous literature, a model is proposed for the study and hypotheses are formulated. The cross-sectional dataset comes from a sample of 390 employees of 19 Pakistani KIFs. Confirmatory factor analyses were employed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the measurement model and the research model was tested using structural equation modeling. The results suggest that specific HRM practices, for instance, recruitment and selection and reward systems show a positive relationship with knowledge sharing, as perceived by the employees of these organisations. We also found a positive relationship among individual and organisational capability in workplaces. A key finding of this study is that recruitment and selection have a much greater impact on knowledge sharing than reward systems. In this study, knowledge-sharing behaviour is examined using specific HRM practices. Findings should be confirmed using a larger sample, as well as through longitudinal study. This study will be beneficial for researchers, practitioners, scholars, organisational leaders and employees. It will also be helpful for those interested in organisational structure and relationships across organisations in knowledge context. This study makes a valuable contribution, given that there is a lack of empirical studies of this nature focusing on the South East Asian region. Our findings are more interesting given that the current study is based on employees’ perception and employees’ views are similar to than that of management’s views in KIFs. Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 3, Issue-4: 246-255
The Impact of Transformational Leadership Style on Nurse’s Self-Esteem of Public Hospitals of Lahore Pakistan
Authors: Afzal Muhammad , Waqas Ali , Farooq Amina , Hussain Muhammad
Published: October 2016

Efficient health services require the self-confident and capable medical staff. This milestone cannot be achieved without the flexible and supportive leadership. In the developing countries, health sector has been facing the critical issues like lack of staff, management focus, health facilities and other challenges. Therefore, it is the need of time that supportive and flexible environment should be provided to the nurses so that the self-esteem can be increased and efficient health services can be ensured. Moreover, leaders play a vital role to create the flexible environment that increases the nurse’s self-esteem. Thus, the current study investigates the influence of transformational leadership style on the nurse’s self-esteem of public hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. The self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 200 nurses of two major public hospitals (Mayo hospital and Jinnah hospital) of Lahore, Pakistan through simple random sampling. The results of the current study reveal that transformational leadership style has significant and positive relationship with nurse’s self-esteem. Therefore, health care sector authorities should adopt the transformational leadership style to enhance the nurse’s self-esteem in their sector to ensure the efficient health care services. Furthermore, limitations and recommendations are given in the last chapter. Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 3, Issue-4: 287-293
Possible hidden cause of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 latency and role of interferon
Authors: Ahmed Nursarat , Miura Kazuki
Published: October 2016

Latent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infected cells under antiretroviral therapy are reported to be resting memory CD4+ T cells; however, the mechanisms of HIV-1 latency is unclear. We demonstrate that long-term culture of interleukin-2-dependent CD4+ T cells with a memory phenotype mimicked latently HIV-1-infected cells in the presence of interferon-?. These cells are mostly resting and contained HIV-1 proviruses that could be re-activated by stimulation. Our findings suggest a potential role of type-1 interferon in HIV-1 latency.Mediscope Vol. 3, No. 2: July 2016, Pages 11-17
Factors influencing pregnancy induced hypertension among women treated in Khulna Medical College Hospital
Authors: Nazneen N , Laskar MS , Barua PP , Haque SD
Published: October 2016

Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) complicates approximately 6% of pregnancies globally and it is the most important cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the cross sectional descriptive type of study was to assess the socio-demographic/economic characteristics of women with PIH in a selected tertiary care hospital. Respondents were selected by purposive sampling technique and data were collected by face to face interview using a semistructured type of questionnaire. In this study, the number purposively selected respondents was 113 who came for treatment in gynecology and obstetrics related inpatient and outpatient departments of the hospital. It was found that the age of mothers was directly and significantly (p < 0.01) associated with PIH. The development of PIH was higher in the educated mothers than illiterate or less educated mothers. The relationship between PIH and educational status was significant (p < 0.01). The association between the proportion of mothers with PIH and family history of hypertension was also statistically significant (p < 0.01). Awareness regarding the associated risk factors for PIH shall be helpful in reducing the PIH related morbidity and mortality.Mediscope Vol. 3, No. 2: July 2016, Pages 31-35
Lung function test: present and future perspective in Bangladesh
Authors: Sunyal Dipok Kumar
Published: October 2016

Lung function tests are the most important determinants to assess the status of the respiratory function. Pulmonary function tests give an idea about the status of pulmonary dysfunction but no system has been developed in Bangladesh to routinely assess the respiratory function. During the last three decades lung function tests have evolved from physiological and clinical studies and these are widely used in assessing respiratory status. In addition to their use in clinical case management, they have become a part of routine health examinations in respiratory, occupational and sports medicine, public health screening, school health program and industrial health. In Bangladesh only a few works have been done but in neighboring countries, a great number of works have been performed on this aspect. For carrying out this type of research work sophisticated instruments, laboratory facilities, research grant, etc are necessary. It is necessary to expand the knowledge of lung function tests in widely different conditions.Mediscope Vol. 3, No. 2: July 2016, Pages 36-38
A New Earth: Deleuze and Guattari in the Anthropocene
Authors: Saldanha Arun , Stark Hannah
Published: October 2016

Twenty years after his death, Deleuze's thought continues to be mobilised in relation to the most timely and critical problems society faces, foremost amongst which is the Anthropocene. What might the significance of Deleuze and Guattari be in relation to the new and urgent set of concerns that the Anthropocene engenders? Deleuze's work presaged much of the concept of the Anthropocene, not only in his sustained challenges to humanism, anthropocentrism and capitalism, but also through his interest in geology and the philosophy of time. Guattari gave his work an ‘ecosophical’ and ‘cartographical’ dimension and spoke of a ‘mechanosphere’ covering the planet. Together, Deleuze and Guattari advocated a ‘geophilosophy’ which called for a ‘new earth’ along with ‘new peoples’. Not only does the work of Deleuze and Guattari offer a range of useful concepts that can be applied to contemporary global problems such as anthropogenic climate change, peak oil and the exploitation of the nonhuman, but it also models the kind of interdisciplinarity that the epoch of the Anthropocene requires. This special issue of Deleuze Studies engages the many philosophical tools provided by Deleuze and Guattari and their interlocutors in order to critically approach our particularly tense moment in terrestrial history. Simultaneously, it asks how this moment could change the ways in which Deleuze and Guattari are further developed.
Prime Zero of the Anthropocene
Authors: Jöttkandt Sigi
Published: October 2016

As philosophers from Jacques Derrida, to Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, to Alain Badiou have shown, the concept of border entails a logic of exclusion that sustains itself on an empty place. In the absence of this empty place, what does the contemporary experience of being ‘without boundaries’ imply mathematically? This paper suggests that if the Anthropocene confirms Deleuze and Guattari's insight that the older, ‘castrative’ logic of the border-cut is extinct, this does not require us to abandon the categories that traditionally inscribed us as subjects altogether. Rather, it helps us to understand how the Symbolic Law is being logically inscribed. One often talks loosely about the ‘perversity’ of the Law, but this analysis of three parables of climate change enables us to pinpoint more precisely the structure of how the Law presents today. It suggests that to try to ‘diagnose’ the contemporary experience of the Law, we should look not to perversion but to the ‘prime zero’ of a specifically ‘feminine’ psychosis.
Guattari and Planetary Computerisation
Authors: Andersen Gregers
Published: October 2016

This essay frames the Anthropocene as ‘the age of planetary computerisation’. It claims that this term bestows Guattari's thinking with a critical ability to both grasp and challenge the present as an age in which the personal computer not only further empowers Integrated World Capitalism, but also appears as a geological force, that is, as one of the main drivers of the ecological devastation that now confronts humanity. At the same time the essay points to what it takes to be an overly optimistic perspective on the subversive potential of machines in Guattari's thinking. It claims that Guattari's machinic ecology can, in the light of the present geophysical destruction empowered by the personal computer, only be salvaged if read as an appeal for a cautious Prometheanism. This reading places Guattari's ecology more in conjunction with a Latourian way of thinking than with the new post-Marxist trend of Accelerationism.
Registering Surfaces, Excavating Inheritances
Authors: Bird Terri
Published: October 2016

Through an examination of the geological, political, cultural, industrial and aesthetic aspects of work by Nicholas Mangan and Therese Keogh, this article argues for a reading of these artworks in relation to histories that are both human and nonhuman. In the case of Mangan's various artworks, exploring the mining of phosphate on Nauru, the dynamic encounter activates both the long history and material core connecting colonial legacies to contemporary political events. Works by Keogh and Mangan perform a geo-dermatology, taking up Deleuze's challenge for artists to be symptomologists in that they survey disfigurements, investigate lesions, analyse abrasions and their associated dynamics. In each case they draw on specific geological aspects of a region that connect its topography with historical and economic forces registered in subjective and social assemblages. These works connect multiple forces that make evident that the surface of the earth is not so much a limit as a membrane of exchanges. It is the capacity of this surface to register the passage of forces that these artworks call attention to, a confrontation of forces that the Anthropocene marks.
On/Beyond the Anthropocene
Authors: Holland Eugene W.
Published: October 2016

I extend the concept of nomad citizenship to individuals and groups operating within already-existing institutions. This extension is necessary because addressing ‘the Anthropocene’ will require not just social-movement war-machines but also intervention in and by states and other established institutions. I take as my point of departure Althusser's extended analysis of the ideological function of state apparatuses, expanding it beyond state apparatuses to institutions in general. Re-engineering Althusser through Deleuze and Guattari will require jettisoning his notion of ideology and rewriting his conceptions of both subjectivity and the mode of production.
The Master Trembles: Sacrifice, Hierarchy, and Ontology in Derrida's ‘Remain(s)’
Authors: Saghafi Kas
Published: October 2016

What remains? Who remains? What of the remainder? In a complex, illuminating late essay, ‘Remain(s) – the Master, or the Supplement of Infinity’ (2002), Derrida conjoins the two registers of the philosophical and the ‘cultural’ in which the remainder, remains, and leftovers operate. An ‘analogy’ is drawn between two vastly different ‘cultures’ – the Greco-European and the Brahmanic of India – and their relationship to remains.
Engineering a Combinatorial Laplacian Solver: Lessons Learned
Authors: Hoske Daniel , Lukarski Dimitar , Meyerhenke Henning , Wegner Michael
Published: October 2016

Linear system solving is a main workhorse in applied mathematics. Recently, theoretical computer scientists contributed sophisticated algorithms for solving linear systems with symmetric diagonally-dominant (SDD) matrices in provably nearly-linear time. These algorithms are very interesting from a theoretical perspective, but their practical performance was unclear. Here, we address this gap. We provide the first implementation of the combinatorial solver by Kelner et al. (STOC 2013), which is appealing for implementation due to its conceptual simplicity. The algorithm exploits that a Laplacian matrix (which is SDD) corresponds to a graph; solving symmetric Laplacian linear systems amounts to finding an electrical flow in this graph with the help of cycles induced by a spanning tree with the low-stretch property. The results of our experiments are ambivalent. While they confirm the predicted nearly-linear running time, the constant factors make the solver much slower for reasonable inputs than basic methods with higher asymptotic complexity. We were also not able to use the solver effectively as a smoother or preconditioner. Moreover, while spanning trees with lower stretch indeed reduce the solver’s running time, we experience again a discrepancy in practice: in our experiments, simple spanning tree algorithms perform better than those with a guaranteed low stretch. We expect that our results provide insights for future improvements of combinatorial linear solvers.
Improvement of Salinity Stress Tolerance in Rice: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Hoang Thi , Tran Thach , Nguyen Thuy , Williams Brett , Wurm Penelope , Bellairs Sean , Mundree Sagadevan
Published: October 2016

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important staple crop that feeds more than one half of the world’s population and is the model system for monocotyledonous plants. However, rice is very sensitive to salinity and is the most salt sensitive cereal crop with a threshold of 3 dSm−1 for most cultivated varieties. Despite many attempts using different strategies to improve salinity tolerance in rice, the achievements so far are quite modest. This review aims to discuss challenges that hinder the improvement of salinity stress tolerance in rice as well as potential opportunities for enhancing salinity stress tolerance in this important crop.
Co-Firing of Fast Pyrolysis Bio-Oil and Heavy Fuel Oil in a 300-kWth Furnace
Authors: Hou Shuhn-Shyurng , Huang Wei-Cheng , Rizal Fakhrur , Lin Ta-Hui
Published: October 2016

Combustion characteristics and pollutant emissions of burning fast pyrolysis bio-oil/heavy fuel oil (HFO) blends in a 300-kWth furnace are investigated. Lauan (shorea) wood is used as biomass feedstock for making bio-oil via a fast pyrolysis process. The bio-oil has high viscosity, high water and oxygen content, as well as a low heating value. A furnace test is conducted for pure HFO and bio-oil/HFO blends with various mixing ratios. The results show that instability occurs during the test for cases with more than 5% bio-oil in the emulsion. Notably, it is verified that burning a bio-oil/HFO blend with a 2.5% bio-oil and a 97.5% HFO exhibits similar furnace performance and has lower NO and SO2 emission levels as compared to burning pure HFO. The reductions of NO and SO2 emissions are 2.6% and 7.9% for this blend, respectively.
Glioma FMISO PET/MR Imaging Concurrent with Antiangiogenic Therapy: Molecular Imaging as a Clinical Tool in the Burgeoning Era of Personalized Medicine
Authors: Barajas Ramon , Krohn Kenneth , Link Jeanne , Hawkins Randall , Clarke Jennifer , Pampaloni Miguel , Cha Soonmee
Published: October 2016

The purpose of this article is to provide a focused overview of the current use of positron emission tomography (PET) molecular imaging in the burgeoning era of personalized medicine in the treatment of patients with glioma. Specifically, we demonstrate the utility of PET imaging as a tool for personalized diagnosis and therapy by highlighting a case series of four patients with recurrent high grade glioma who underwent 18F-fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) PET/MR (magnetic resonance) imaging through the course of antiangiogenic therapy. Three distinct features were observed from this small cohort of patients. First, the presence of pseudoprogression was retrospectively associated with the absence of hypoxia. Second, a subgroup of patients with recurrent high grade glioma undergoing bevacizumab therapy demonstrated disease progression characterized by an enlarging nonenhancing mass with newly developed reduced diffusion, lack of hypoxia, and preserved cerebral blood volume. Finally, a reduction in hypoxic volume was observed concurrent with therapy in all patients with recurrent tumor, and markedly so in two patients that developed a nonenhancing reduced diffusion mass. This case series demonstrates how medical imaging has the potential to influence personalized medicine in several key aspects, especially involving molecular PET imaging for personalized diagnosis, patient specific disease prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring.
TiO2 Nanotubes Supported Cu Nanoparticles for Improving Photocatalytic Degradation of Simazine under UV Illumination
Authors: Meriam Suhaimy Syazwan , Abd Hamid Sharifah , Lai Chin , Hasan Md. , Johan Mohd
Published: October 2016

Nano size Copper (Cu) incorporated TiO2 nanotubes was successfully synthesized via the anodic oxidation technique in ethylene glycol (EG) containing 0.5 wt % NH4F and 1.6 wt % KOH for the photocatalytic degradation of Simazine (2-chloro-4, 6-diethylamino-1,3,5-triazine) under Ultraviolet (UV) illumination. In the present study, the influence of different loading Cu concentrations on the formation of Cu-TiO2 nanotubes film towards the photocatalytic degradation of Simazine is reported. Based on our study, it was found that the optimum Cu loading concentration was about 0.45 wt % on TiO2 nanotubes film for approximately 64% photocatalytic degradation of Simazine after 4 h under UV illumination. This finding was mainly attributed to the uniform surface covering of the Cu loaded TiO2NTs which acted as electron traps, preventing the recombination of electron hole pairs, eventually leading to higher photocatalytic activity of our photocatalyst in degrading the targeted organic pollutant, Simazine. Moreover, an increased kinetic rate of the degradation to 0.0135 h−1 was observed in the presence of Cu in TiO2NTs.
Efficient Production of Enantiopure d-Lysine from l-Lysine by a Two-Enzyme Cascade System
Authors: Wang Xin , Yang Li , Cao Weijia , Ying Hanxiao , Chen Kequan , Ouyang Pingkai
Published: October 2016

The microbial production of d-lysine has been of great interest as a medicinal raw material. Here, a two-step process for d-lysine production from l-lysine by the successive microbial racemization and asymmetric degradation with lysine racemase and decarboxylase was developed. The whole-cell activities of engineered Escherichia coli expressing racemases from the strains Proteus mirabilis (LYR) and Lactobacillus paracasei (AAR) were first investigated comparatively. When the strain BL21-LYR with higher racemization activity was employed, l-lysine was rapidly racemized to give dl-lysine, and the d-lysine yield was approximately 48% after 0.5 h. Next, l-lysine was selectively catabolized to generate cadaverine by lysine decarboxylase. The comparative analysis of the decarboxylation activities of resting whole cells, permeabilized cells, and crude enzyme revealed that the crude enzyme was the best biocatalyst for enantiopure d-lysine production. The reaction temperature, pH, metal ion additive, and pyridoxal 5′-phosphate content of this two-step production process were subsequently optimized. Under optimal conditions, 750.7 mmol/L d-lysine was finally obtained from 1710 mmol/L l-lysine after 1 h of racemization reaction and 0.5 h of decarboxylation reaction. d-lysine yield could reach 48.8% with enantiomeric excess (ee) ≥ 99%.
Practical Pd(TFA)2-Catalyzed Aerobic [4+1] Annulation for the Synthesis of Pyrroles via “One-Pot” Cascade Reactions
Authors: Yu Yang , Mang Zhiguo , Yang Wei , Li Hao , Wang Wei
Published: October 2016

The Pd(TFA)2-catalyzed [4+1] annulation of chained or cyclic α-alkenyl-dicarbonyl compounds and unprotected primary amines for “one-pot” synthesis of pyrroles is reported here. Enamination and amino-alkene were involved in this practical and efficient tandem reaction. The annulation products were isolated in moderate to excellent yields with O2 as the terminal oxidant under mild conditions. In addition, this method was applied to synthesize highly regioselective aminomethylated and di(1H-pyrrol-3-yl)methane products.
Dehydrogenation of Isobutane with Carbon Dioxide over SBA-15-Supported Vanadium Oxide Catalysts
Authors: Wei Chunling , Xue Fangqi , Miao Changxi , Yue Yinghong , Yang Weimin , Hua Weiming , Gao Zi
Published: October 2016

A series of vanadia catalysts supported on SBA-15 (V/SBA) with a vanadia (V) content ranging from 1% to 11% were prepared by an incipient wetness method. Their catalytic behavior in the dehydrogenation of isobutane to isobutene with CO2 was examined. The catalysts were characterized by N2 adsorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR). It was found that these catalysts were effective for the dehydrogenation reaction, and the catalytic activity is correlated with the amount of dispersed vanadium species on the SBA-15 support. The 7% V/SBA catalyst shows the highest activity, which gives 40.8% isobutane conversion and 84.8% isobutene selectivity. The SBA-15-supported vanadia exhibits higher isobutane conversion and isobutene selectivity than the MCM-41-supported one.
Mothers’ Use of Social Media to Inform Their Practices for Pumping and Providing Pumped Human Milk to Their Infants
Authors: Yamada Rei , Rasmussen Kathleen , Felice Julia
Published: October 2016

Despite U.S. mothers’ wide adoption of pumps and bottles to provide human milk (HM) to their infants, mothers lack comprehensive, evidence-based guidelines for these practices. Thus, some women use online sources to seek information from each other. We aimed to characterize the information women sought online about pumping. We used data provided by ~25,000 women in an open cohort within a discussion forum about parenting. We examined 543 posts containing questions about providing pumped HM cross-sectionally and longitudinally in three time intervals: prenatal, 0 through 1.5 months postpartum, and 1.5 to 4.5 months postpartum. We used thematic analysis with Atlas.ti to analyze the content of posts. During pregnancy, women commonly asked questions about how and where to obtain pumps, both out-of-pocket and through insurance policies. Between 0–1.5 months postpartum, many mothers asked about how to handle pumped HM to ensure its safety as fed. Between 1.5–4.5 months postpartum, mothers sought strategies to overcome constraints to pumping both at home and at work and also asked about stopping pumping and providing their milk. Women’s questions related to ensuring the safety of pumped HM represent information women need from health professionals, while their questions related to obtaining pumps suggest that women may benefit from clearer guidelines from their insurance providers. The difficulties women face at home and at work identify avenues through which families and employers can support women to meet their goals for providing HM.
A Security Analysis of Cyber-Physical Systems Architecture for Healthcare
Authors: Seifert Darren , Reza Hassan
Published: October 2016

This paper surveys the available system architectures for cyber-physical systems. Several candidate architectures are examined using a series of essential qualities for cyber-physical systems for healthcare. Next, diagrams detailing the expected functionality of infusion pumps in two of the architectures are analyzed. The STRIDE Threat Model is then used to decompose each to determine possible security issues and how they can be addressed. Finally, a comparison of the major security issues in each architecture is presented to help determine which is most adaptable to meet the security needs of cyber-physical systems in healthcare.
Structural and Theoretical Evidence of the Depleted Proton Affinity of the N3-Atom in Acyclovir
Authors: Vílchez-Rodríguez Esther , Pérez-Toro Inmaculada , Bauzá Antonio , Matilla-Hernández Antonio
Published: October 2016

The hydronium salt (H3O)2[Cu(N7–acv)2(H2O)2(SO4)2]·2H2O (1, acv = acyclovir) has been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and spectral methods. Solvated Cu(OH)2 is a by-product of the synthesis. In the all-trans centrosymmetric complex anion, (a) the Cu(II) atom exhibits an elongated octahedral coordination; (b) the metal-binding pattern of acyclovir (acv) consists of a Cu–N7(acv) bond plus an (aqua)O–H···O6(acv) interligand interaction; and (c) trans-apical/distal sites are occupied by monodentate O-sulfate donor anions. Neutral acyclovir and aqua-proximal ligands occupy the basal positions, stabilizing the metal binding pattern of acv. Each hydronium(1+) ion builds three H-bonds with O–sulfate, O6(acv), and O–alcohol(acv) from three neighboring complex anions. No O atoms of solvent water molecules are involved as acceptors. Theoretical calculations of molecular electrostatic potential surfaces and atomic charges also support that the O-alcohol of the N9(acv) side chain is a better H-acceptor than the N3 or the O-ether atoms of acv.
Delayed Diagnosis of Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ) Associated with Bevacizumab Therapy in Colorectal Cancer Patients: Report of Two Cases
Authors: Erovigni Francesco , Gambino Alessio , Cabras Marco , Fasciolo Antonella , Bianchi Silvio , Bellini Elisa , Fusco Vittorio
Published: October 2016

Medication-induced Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) has been reported not only after use of antiresorptive agents (bisphosphonates and denosumab), but also in cancer patients receiving antiangiogenic agents, alone or combined with antiresorptive drugs. We report two cases of MRONJ observed in colorectal cancer patients after bevacizumab therapy only. MRONJ was diagnosed, respectively, two and seven months after a tooth extraction; both the patients had received two courses of bevacizumab infusions (for a total of 29 and 10 administrations, respectively). We discuss if tooth extraction during or after antiangiogenic therapy could be a potential trigger of MRONJ, but also if an underlying bone disease not evident before oral surgery might be a possible cause. A careful drug history has to be registered by dental specialists in cancer patients before oral surgery and adequate imaging might be obtained to avoid a delayed diagnosis.
Secrecy Capacity of the Extended Wiretap Channel II with Noise
Authors: He Dan , Guo Wangmei , Luo Yuan
Published: October 2016

The secrecy capacity of an extended communication model of wiretap channelII is determined. In this channel model, the source message is encoded into a digital sequence of length N and transmitted to the legitimate receiver through a discrete memoryless channel (DMC). There exists an eavesdropper who is able to observe arbitrary μ = N α digital symbols from the transmitter through a second DMC, where 0 ≤ α ≤ 1 is a constant real number. A pair of an encoder and a decoder is designed to let the receiver be able to recover the source message with a vanishing decoding error probability and keep the eavesdropper ignorant of the message. This communication model includes a variety of wiretap channels as special cases. The coding scheme is based on that designed by Ozarow and Wyner for the classic wiretap channel II.
Two-Stage Multi-Objective Collaborative Scheduling for Wind Farm and Battery Switch Station
Authors: Jiang Zhe , Han Xueshan , Li Zhimin , Li Wenbo , Wang Mengxia , Wang Mingqiang
Published: October 2016

In order to deal with the uncertainties of wind power, wind farm and electric vehicle (EV) battery switch station (BSS) were proposed to work together as an integrated system. In this paper, the collaborative scheduling problems of such a system were studied. Considering the features of the integrated system, three indices, which include battery swapping demand curtailment of BSS, wind curtailment of wind farm, and generation schedule tracking of the integrated system are proposed. In addition, a two-stage multi-objective collaborative scheduling model was designed. In the first stage, a day-ahead model was built based on the theory of dependent chance programming. With the aim of maximizing the realization probabilities of these three operating indices, random fluctuations of wind power and battery switch demand were taken into account simultaneously. In order to explore the capability of BSS as reserve, the readjustment process of the BSS within each hour was considered in this stage. In addition, the stored energy rather than the charging/discharging power of BSS during each period was optimized, which will provide basis for hour-ahead further correction of BSS. In the second stage, an hour-ahead model was established. In order to cope with the randomness of wind power and battery swapping demand, the proposed hour-ahead model utilized ultra-short term prediction of the wind power and the battery switch demand to schedule the charging/discharging power of BSS in a rolling manner. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed models was validated by case studies. The simulation results indicated that the proposed model could realize complement between wind farm and BSS, reduce the dependence on power grid, and facilitate the accommodation of wind power.
Application of a LiFePO4 Battery Energy Storage System to Primary Frequency Control: Simulations and Experimental Results
Authors: Gatta Fabio , Geri Alberto , Lamedica Regina , Lauria Stefano , Maccioni Marco , Palone Francesco , Rebolini Massimo , Ruvio Alessandro
Published: October 2016

This paper presents an experimental application of LiFePO4 battery energy storage systems (BESSs) to primary frequency control, currently being performed by Terna, the Italian transmission system operator (TSO). BESS performance in the primary frequency control role was evaluated by means of a simplified electrical-thermal circuit model, taking into account also the BESS auxiliary consumptions, coupled with a cycle-life model, in order to assess the expected life of the BESS. Numerical simulations have been carried out considering the system response to real frequency measurements taken in Italy, spanning a whole year; a parametric study taking into account different values of governor droop and of BESS charge/discharge rates (C-rates) was also performed. Simulations, fully validated by experimental results obtained thus far, evidenced a severe trade-off between expected lifetime and overall efficiency, which significantly restricts the choice of operating parameters for frequency control.
Dimensionless Maps for the Validity of Analytical Ground Heat Transfer Models for GSHP Applications
Authors: Conti Paolo
Published: October 2016

This article provides plain and handy expressions to decide the most suitable analytical model for the thermal analysis of the ground source in vertical ground-coupled heat pump applications. We perform a comprehensive dimensionless analysis of the reciprocal deviation among the classical infinite, finite, linear and cylindrical heat source models in purely conductive media. Besides, we complete the framework of possible boreholes model with the “hollow” finite cylindrical heat source solution, still lacking in the literature. Analytical expressions are effective tools for both design and performance assessment: they are able to provide practical and general indications on the thermal behavior of the ground with an advantageous tradeoff between calculation efforts and solution accuracy. This notwithstanding, their applicability to any specific case is always subjected to the coherence of the model assumptions, also in terms of length and time scales, with the specific case of interest. We propose several dimensionless criteria to evaluate when one model is practically equivalent to another one and handy maps that can be used for both design and performance analysis. Finally, we found that the finite line source represents the most suitable model for borehole heat exchangers (BHEs), as it is applicable to a wide range of space and time scales, practically providing the same results of more complex models.
Economic Growth, Electricity Consumption, Labor Force and Capital Input: A More Comprehensive Analysis on North China Using Panel Data
Authors: Zhao Huiru , Zhao Haoran , Han Xiaoyu , He Zhonghua , Guo Sen
Published: October 2016

Over the past three decades, China’s economy has witnessed remarkable growth, with an average annual growth rate over 9%. However, China also faces great challenges to balance this spectacular economic growth and continuously increasing energy use like many other economies in the world. With the aim of designing effective energy and environmental policies, policymakers are required to master the relationship between energy consumption and economic growth. Therefore, in the case of North China, a multivariate model employing panel data analysis method based on the Cobb-Douglas production function which introduces electricity consumption as a main factor was established in this paper. The equilibrium relationship and causal relationship between real GDP, electricity consumption, total investment in fixed assets, and the employment were explored using data during the period of 1995–2014 for six provinces in North China, including Beijing City, Tianjin City, Hebei Province, Shanxi Province, Shandong Province and Inner Mongolia. The results of panel co-integration tests clearly state that all variables are co-integrated in the long term. Finally, Granger causality tests were used to examine the causal relationship between economic growth, electricity consumption, labor force and capital. From the Granger causality test results, we can draw the conclusions that: (1) There exist bi-directional causal relationships between electricity consumption and real GDP in six provinces except Hebei; and (2) there is a bi-directional relationship between capital input and economic growth and between labor force input and economic growth except Beijing and Hebei. Therefore, the ways to solve the contradiction of economic growth and energy consumption in North China are to reduce fossil energy consumption, develop renewable and sustainable energy sources, improve energy efficiency, and increase the proportion of the third industry, especially the sectors which hold the characteristics of low energy consumption and high value-added.
Analytical Modeling of Static Eccentricities in Axial Flux Permanent-Magnet Machines with Concentrated Windings
Authors: Huang Yunkai , Guo Baocheng , Hemeida Ahmed , Sergeant Peter
Published: October 2016

The aim of this paper is to calculate the static eccentricity (SE) of a double rotor axial flux permanent magnet (AFPM) machine by using a general analytical model. The flux density in the air gap under healthy conditions is calculated firstly, where the axial and circumferential magnetic flux densities are obtained using a coupled solution of Maxwell’s equations and Schwarz-Christoffel (SC) mapping. The magnetic flux densities under SE conditions are calculated afterwards using a novel bilinear mapping. Some important electromagnetic parameters, e.g., back electromotive force (EMF), cogging torque and electromagnetic (EM) torque, are calculated for both SE and healthy conditions, and compared with the finite element (FE) model. As for the double rotor AFPM, SE does not contribute much effect on the back EMF and EM torque, while the cogging torque is increased. At each calculated section, FE models were built to validate the analytical model. The results show that the analytical predictions agree well with the FE results. Finally, the results of analytical model are verified via experimental results.
Assessment of the Agronomic Feasibility of Bioenergy Crop Cultivation on Marginal and Polluted Land: A GIS-Based Suitability Study from the Sulcis Area, Italy
Authors: Pulighe Giuseppe , Bonati Guido , Fabiani Stefano , Barsali Tommaso , Lupia Flavio , Vanino Silvia , Nino Pasquale , Arca Pasquale , Roggero Pier
Published: October 2016

In the context of environmental sustainability there has been an increasing interest in bioenergy production from renewable resources, and is expected that European biofuel production from energy crops will increase as a consequence of the achievement of policy targets. The aim of this paper is to assess the agronomic feasibility of biomass crop cultivation to provide profitable renewable feedstocks in a marginal and heavy-metal polluted area located in the Sulcis district, Sardinia (Italy). Results from literature review and unpublished data from field trials carried out in Sardinia were analysed to establish the main agronomic traits of crops (e.g., yield potential and input requirements). A Geographical Information System (GIS)-based procedure with remotely sensed data is also used to evaluate the land suitability and the actual land use/cover, considering a future scenario of expansion of energy crops on these marginal areas avoiding potential conflicts with food production. The results of the review suggests that giant reed, native perennial grasses and milk thistle are the most suitable energy crops for this area. The land suitability analysis shows that about 5700 ha and 1000 ha could be available for feedstock cultivation in the study area and in the most polluted area, respectively. The results obtained from land suitability process and agronomic evaluation will serve as a base to support technical and economical feasibility studies, as well as for the evaluation of environmental sustainability of the cultivation in the study area.