bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advancing Healthcare Sciences through Staff, Student and Service User Partnerships
Authors: Rolfe Vivien
Published: May 2016

The reforms to the National Health Service scientific training as part of the Modernising Scientific Careers (MSC) initiative have attempted to streamline the delivery of undergraduate-level education through a core ‘Healthcare Science’ Bachelors programme. Central to the reforms, and therefore an integral part of the curricula, is the involvement of patients and service users. Although their involvement is well-established in other medical and healthcare-related disciplines, for Healthcare Science it is new. This case study presents the approaches to integrate patient and service user views in two undergraduate programmes, namely Life Sciences and Physiological Sciences, including input into both programme governance and delivery. The study outlines the challenges and benefits perceived at these early stages of implementation and raises important questions for future research.
Preface
Authors: Russell Ellie
Published: May 2016

This article explores the ways in which partnership can foster innovation and help to bring about change in Higher Education. By looking at the outcomes which partnership activity can produce at different levels within institutions, it suggests that it is through the development and sharing of authentic practices that we shall ensure that the notion of ‘students as partners’ has meaning.
Editor's introduction
Authors: Walker Simon
Published: May 2016

Editor's introduction
Preface
Authors: Dunne Liz
Published: May 2016

Preface
Can We Manage Nonpoint‐Source Pollution Using Nutrient Concentrations during Seasonal Baseflow?
Authors: McCarty James A. , Haggard Brian E.
Published: May 2016

Core Ideas

Nutrient concentrations in streams are positively correlated during baseflow and runoff conditions.

High nutrient concentrations at baseflow suggest high nutrient loads from nonpoint sources.

Manage nonpoint sources by targeting subwatersheds with elevated nutrient concentrations during baseflow.

Focusing on baseflow conditions frees up resources to monitor water quality more broadly across watersheds.

Nationwide, a substantial amount of resources has been targeted toward improving water quality, particularly focused on nonpoint‐source pollution. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between nutrient concentrations observed during baseflow and runoff conditions from 56 sites across five watersheds in Arkansas. Baseflow and stormflow concentrations for each site were summarized using geometric mean and then evaluated for directional association. A significant, positive correlation was found for NO3–N, total N, soluble reactive P, and total P, indicating that sites with high baseflow concentrations also had elevated runoff concentrations. Those landscape factors that influence nutrient concentrations in streams also likely result in increased runoff, suggesting that high baseflow concentrations may reflect elevated loads from the watershed. The results highlight that it may be possible to collect water‐quality data during baseflow to help define where to target nonpoint‐source pollution best management practices within a watershed.
An Integrated Landscape Designed for Commodity and Bioenergy Crops for a Tile‐Drained Agricultural Watershed
Authors: Ssegane Herbert , Negri M. Cristina
Published: May 2016

Locating bioenergy crops on strategically selected subfield areas of marginal interest for commodity agriculture can increase environmental sustainability. Location and choice of bioenergy crops should improve environmental benefits with minimal disruption of current food production systems. We identified subfield soils of a tile‐drained agricultural watershed as marginal if they had areas of low crop productivity index (CPI), were susceptible to nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3–N) leaching, or were susceptible to at least two other forms of environmental degradation (marginal areas). In the test watershed (Indian Creek watershed, IL) with annual precipitation of 852 mm, 3% of soils were CPI areas and 22% were marginal areas. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool was used to forecast the impact of growing switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), willow (Salix spp.), and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi Vitman) in these subfield areas on annual grain yields, NO3–N and sediment exports, and water yield. Simulated conversion of CPI areas from current land use to bioenergy crops had no significant (p ≤ 0.05) impact on grain production and reduced NO3–N and sediment exports by 5.0 to 6.0% and 3.0%, respectively. Conversion of marginal areas from current land use to switchgrass forecasted the production of 34,000 t of biomass and reductions in NO3–N (26.0%) and sediment (33.0%) exports. Alternatively, conversion of marginal areas from current land use to willow forecasted similar reductions as switchgrass for sediment but significantly (p ≤ 0.01) lower reductions in annual NO3–N export (18.0 vs. 26.0%).

Core Ideas

We classified subproductive soils or soils vulnerable to environmental degradation as marginal.

We forecasted the biomass potential of soils and associated water quality benefits.

Conversion of soils of lowest CPI to energy crops had no impact on NO3–N export.

Targeted conversion of 22% of the watershed to energy crops reduced nutrient export.

Largest environmental benefits were from converting environmentally vulnerable land.
Influence of Organic Amendment and Compaction on Nutrient Dynamics in a Saturated Saline‐Sodic Soil from the Riparian Zone
Authors: Miller J. J. , Bremer E. , Curtis T.
Published: May 2016

Cattle grazing in wet riparian pastures may influence nutrient dynamics due to nutrient deposition in feces and urine, soil compaction, and vegetation loss. We conducted a lab incubation study with a saline‐sodic riparian soil to study nutrient (N, P, S, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn) dynamics in soil pore water using Plant Root Simulator (PRS) probes and release of nutrients into the overlying ponded water during flooding. The treatment factors were organic amendment (manure, roots, and unamended control), compaction (compacted, uncompacted), and burial time (3, 7, and 14 d). Amendment treatment had the greatest impact on nutrient dynamics, followed by burial time, whereas compaction had little impact. The findings generally supported our hypothesis that organic amendments should first increase nitrate loss, then increase Mn mobility, then Fe mobility and associated release of P, and finally increase sulfate loss. Declines in nitrate due to amendment addition were small because nitrate was at low levels in all treatments due to high denitrification potential instead of being released to soil pore water or overlying water. Addition of organic amendment strongly increased Mn and Fe concentrations in overlying water and of adsorbed Fe on PRS probes but only increased Mn on PRS probes on Day 3 due to subsequent displacement from ion exchange membranes. Transport of P to overlying water was increased by organic amendment addition but less so for manure than roots despite higher P on PRS probes. The findings showed that saline‐sodic soils in riparian zones are generally a nutrient source for P and are a nutrient sink for N as measured using PRS probes after 3 to 7 d of flooding.

Core Ideas

Saline‐sodic soils in riparian zones are generally a source for P and a sink for N.

PRS probes provided a cost‐effective and simple method to monitor nutrient mobility.

Organic amendment influenced nitrate, P, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn nutrient dynamics.
Methane and Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Cattle Excreta on an East African Grassland
Authors: Pelster D.E. , Gisore B. , Goopy J. , Korir D. , Koske J.K. , Rufino M.C. , Butterbach‐Bahl K.
Published: May 2016

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission measurements from livestock excreta in Africa are limited. We measured CH4 and N2O emissions from excreta of six Boran (Bos indicus) and six Friesian (Bos taurus) steers near Nairobi, Kenya. The steers were fed one of three diets (T1 [chaffed wheat straw], T2 [T1 + Calliandra calothyrsus Meissner – 0.2% live weight per day], and T3 [T1 + calliandra – 0.4% live weight every 2 d]). The T1 diet is similar in quality to typical diets in the region. Calliandra is a leguminous fodder tree promoted as a feed supplement. Fresh feces and urine were applied to grasslands and emissions measured using static chambers. Cumulative 28‐d fecal emissions were 302 ± 52.4 and 95 ± 13.8 mg CH4–C kg−1 dry matter for Friesen and Boran steers, respectively, and 11.5 ± 4.26 and 24.7 ± 8.32 mg N2O–N kg−1 dry matter for Friesian and Boran steers, respectively. For urine from Friesian steers, the N2O emissions were 2.8 ± 0.64 mg N2O–N 100 mL urine−1. The CH4 emission factors (EFs) (246 ± 49.5 and 87 ± 12.7 g CH4–C yr−1 animal−1 for Friesan and Boran, respectively) were lower than the International Panel on Climate Change EFs (750 g CH4–C animal−1 yr−1), whereas the N2O EFs (0.1 and 0.2% for the Friesian and Boran feces, respectively, and 1.2% for urine) were also lower than International Panel on Climate Change estimates. The low N content of the excreta likely caused the low emissions and indicates that current models probably overestimate CH4 and N2O emissions from African livestock manure.

Core Ideas

GHG emissions from African livestock excreta is lower than IPCC tier 1 emission factors.

Low‐quality feeds with low protein content result in low N content of excreta.

Supplementation of cattle diet with calliandra reduced the methane emissions from cattle feces.

The species of cattle causes differences in GHG emissions from feces.
The challenges of developing small tourism enterprises in townships: case of Umlazi, South Africa
Authors: Simon Chili Nsizwazikhona , Lindokuhle Mabaso Simiso
Published: May 2016

Township tourism in South Africa has grown in popularity since 1994 and is considered by some researchers to be an appropriate mechanism for stimulating local economic development. Opportunities for the development of black-owned enterprises in South Africa began for the first time when the country integrated into the global tourism economy after many years of international sanctions. The growth of township tourism thus can provide the context for potential economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs to enter the business, an activity that traditionally has been the domain of established white South African entrepreneurs. The main objective of the study is to present findings on the challenges that face a certain group of small tourism enterprises in townships with more attention being specifically paid to Umlazi as the second biggest township in the Southern hemisphere. The main reason for the choice of the study is due to the fact that there is only a limited literature that explores the conditions of small-scale and informal tourism entrepreneurs operating in South Africa’s black townships. The focus falls upon the challenges of developing small tourism entrepreneurs for black owners in the township, especially because South African tourism industry is highly concentrated and dominated by small elite group of large, mostly locally owned, tourism organizations which drive the tourism economy that unfortunately excludes and sidelines that of the townships
Association Between ACE Gene Polymorphism and QT Dispersion in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Karahan Zulkuf , Ugurlu Murat , Ucaman Berzal , Veysel Ulug Ali , Kaya Ilyas , Cevik Kemal , Sahin Adiyaman Mehmet , Oztürk Onder , Iyem Hikmet , Ozdemir Ferit
Published: May 2016

Background:

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism is associated with high renin-angiotensin system causing myocardial fibrosis and ventricular repolarization abnormality. Based on these findings, this study was designed to determine the association between ACE gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and QT dispersion after acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Objective and Methods:

The study included 108 patients with acute MI. Blood samples were obtained from all the patients for genomic DNA analysis. ECGs were recorded at baseline and at the end of a 6-month follow up. The OT dispersion was manually calculated.

Results:

The mean age of the patients was 57.5 ±9.9 years (ranging from 36 to 70). The
patients with DD genotype showed longer QT dispersion than patients with II or
DI genotype at the baseline, while at the end of the six-month follow up the
patients with DI genotype showed longer QT dispersion than patients with DD or
II genotypes. However, the magnitude of the QT dispersion prolongation was
higher in patients carrying the ACE D allele than patients who were not carrying
it, at baseline and at the end of six-month follow up (52.5 ±2.6 msn vs.
47.5±2.1 msn at baseline, 57±3.2 msn vs. 53±2.6 msn in months, P: 0.428 and
P: 0.613, respectively).

Conclusion:

Carriers of the D allele of ACE gene I/D polymorphism may be associated with QT dispersion prolongation in patients with MI.An interaction of QT dispersion and ACE gene polymorphism may be associated with an elevation of serum type I-C terminal pro-collagen concentration, possibly leading to myocardial fibrosis, and increased action potential duration.
Orthodontic Treatment of Malocclusion and its Impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life
Authors: Jamilian Abdolreza , Kiaee Bita , Sanayei Shabnam , Khosravi Saeed , Perillo Letizia
Published: May 2016

Objectives:

Malocclusion, though not life-threatening, has vast impact on individual’s social interactions and self-esteem. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to assess whether orthodontic treatment of adolescents with malocclusion had any association with their oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL).

Methods:

The subjects for this study were recruited at a state-funded university clinic. Data were collected from 100 participants aged 17 to 21 with moderate to severe malocclusion. Experimental group comprised of 50 subjects who were in the retention phase of their orthodontic treatment and the control group comprised of 50 untreated subjects. The shortened version of the Oral Health Impacts Profile (OHIP-14) as used to assess the subjects’ oral health-related impact. T-test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann Whitney tests were used to analyze the data andp-value was set atP< 0.05.

Results:

In general, oral health-related quality of life of all subjects significantly improved after orthodontic treatment. (p<0.001) Subjects with moderate malocclusion showed better improvement than severe malocclusion subjects. (P<0.001)

Conclusion:

This study showed that oral health-related quality of life improves with the treatment of malocclusion.
Predictors and Outcomes of Health–Related Quality of Life in Adults with CKD
Authors: Porter Anna C. , Lash James P. , Xie Dawei , Pan Qiang , DeLuca Jennifer , Kanthety Radhika , Kusek John W. , Lora Claudia M. , Nessel Lisa , Ricardo Ana C. , Wright Nunes Julie , Fischer Michael J. ,   the CRIC Study Investigators
Published: May 2016

Background and objectives

Low health–related quality of life is associated with increased mortality in patients with ESRD. However, little is known about demographic and clinical factors associated with health–related quality of life or its effect on outcomes in adults with CKD.

Design, settings, participants, & measurements

Data from 3837 adult participants with mild to severe CKD enrolled in the prospective observational Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort and Hispanic Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Studies were analyzed. Health–related quality of life was assessed at baseline with the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-36 and its five subscales: mental component summary, physical component summary, burden of kidney disease (burden), effects of kidney disease (effects), and symptoms and problems of kidney disease (symptoms). Low health–related quality of life was defined as baseline score >1 SD below the mean. Using Cox proportional hazards analysis, the relationships between low health–related quality of life and the following outcomes were examined: (1) CKD progression (50% eGFR loss or incident ESRD), (2) incident cardiovascular events, and (3) all-cause death.

Results

Younger age, women, low education, diabetes, vascular disease, congestive heart failure, obesity, and lower eGFR were associated with low baseline health–related quality of life (P<0.05). During a median follow-up of 6.2 years, there were 1055 CKD progression events, 841 cardiovascular events, and 694 deaths. Significantly higher crude rates of CKD progression, incident cardiovascular events, and all-cause death were observed among participants with low health–related quality of life in all subscales (P<0.05). In fully adjusted models, low physical component summary, effects, and symptoms subscales were independently associated with a higher risk of incident cardiovascular events and death, whereas low mental component summary was independently associated with a higher risk of death (P<0.05). Low health–related quality of life was not associated with CKD progression.

Conclusions

Low health–related quality of life across several subscales was independently associated with a higher risk of incident cardiovascular events and death but not associated with CKD progression.
Investigation of the oxidative stability of cold pressed sunflower oil of high-oleic type subjected to elevated temperature
Authors: Romanic Ranko , Kravic Snezana
Published: May 2016

In this paper the oxidative stability of cold pressed sunflower oil of high-oleic type was investigated, using Schaal?Oven test at elevated temperature (63?2?C). At the same time samples of linoleic type oils, cold pressed and refined, were tested. The extent of oxidative changes was analyzed regarding the content of primary and secondary oxidation products during the period of 14 days. To especially expressed increase in oxidative values, with very high values of the coefficient of determination occurred in samples of linoleic type of oils, cold pressed and refined, whereas these changes were much less observed in the sample of cold pressed sunflower oil of high-oleic type (R2 ? 0.99). The cold pressed oils of high-oleic and linoleic type, as well of refined sunflower oil of linoleic type were measured and the content of conjugated dienes and conjugated trienes. In the period of 14 days, the lowest increase in oxidative value and the lowest degree of conjugation into the conjugated diene and triene were determined in cold pressed sunflower oil of high-oleic type, indicating a significantly better oxidative stability of this type of oil compared to linoleic types.
Severe vaso-occlusive retinopathy associated with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Radosavljevic Aleksandra , Karadzic Jelena , Kovacevic Igor , Ljikar Jelena , Devecerski Gordana
Published: May 2016

Introduction. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic idiopathic autoimmune inflammatory disease, with multiple organ involvement. Severe vaso-occlusive retinopathy is a rare, sight threatening lupus-related manifestation of the disease, which is more common in patients with coexisting antiphospholipid syndrome. Case report. We reported a 36-year-old female with severe vaso-occlusive retinopathy that manifested in the absence of antiphospholipid syndrome. In a 4-year follow-up, despite aggressive systemic corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy and panretinal laserphotocoagulation treatment, the disease progressed to retinal neovascularisation, neovascular vitreoretinopathy, neovascular glaucoma and, consecutively, severe visual loss. As the final option for preservation of visual function, pars plana vitrectomy with laserphotocoagulation was performed and had good results. Progression of ophthalmological findings indicated the progression of the systemic disease, as well as neurolupus. Conclusion. Severe vaso-occlusive retinopathy occurred as the ophthalmological manifestation of SLE in the absence of antiphospholipid syndrome, but correlated with neurolupus and led to visual deterioration despite the treatment.
Global distribution and environmental suitability for chikungunya virus, 1952 to 2015
Authors: Nsoesie Elaine O , Kraemer Moritz UG , Golding Nick , Pigott David M , Brady Oliver J , Moyes Catherine L , Johansson Michael A , Gething Peter W , Velayudhan Raman , Khan Kamran , Hay Simon I , Brownstein John S
Published: May 2016

Chikungunya fever is an acute febrile illness caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which is transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes. Although chikungunya fever is rarely fatal, patients can experience debilitating symptoms that last from months to years. Here we comprehensively assess the global distribution of chikungunya and produce high-resolution maps, using an established modelling framework that combines a comprehensive occurrence database with bespoke environmental correlates, including up-to-date Aedes distribution maps. This enables estimation of the current total population-at-risk of CHIKV transmission and identification of areas where the virus may spread to in the future. We identified 94 countries with good evidence for current CHIKV presence and a set of countries in the New and Old World with potential for future CHIKV establishment, demonstrated by high environmental suitability for transmission and in some cases previous sporadic reports. Aedes aegypti presence was identified as one of the major contributing factors to CHIKV transmission but significant geographical heterogeneity exists. We estimated 1.3 billion people are living in areas at-risk of CHIKV transmission. These maps provide a baseline for identifying areas where prevention and control efforts should be prioritised and can be used to guide estimation of the global burden of CHIKV.
Undergraduate Medical education in Nepal: Need for Change
Authors: Shah Nabina
Published: May 2016

Not available.Journal of Kathmandu Medical College, Vol. 4, No. 1, Issue 11, Jan.-Mar., 2015
A comparison of women’s expectations of labour and birth with the experiences in primiparas and multiparas with normal vaginal delivery
Authors: Pirdil Manijeh , Pirdel Leila
Published: May 2016

Background: Maternal childbirth expectations play an important role in determining a woman’s response to her childbirth experience. Women need to be helped to develop realistic and positive expectations and identify the factors that influence these expectations.Objective: The aim of this study was to compare woman’s expectations and experiences of childbirth.Methods: This descriptive-comparative study was carried out in Tabriz Alzahra Hospital from 2006 to 2007. For this purpose, a total of 600 primiparas and multiparas women who were candidates for vaginal delivery, were randomly selected and interviewed. The data were collected by questionnaire.Results: Comparison of the means of mothers expectation and experience of labor and birth between the two groups demonstrated a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). The findings indicated a number of differences exist between primiparas and multiparas women in relation to expectations and experiences of birth when compare two groups. The majority of women had negative expectations and experiences of childbirth.Conclusion: The evaluation and understanding of birth expectations and experiences as positive and negative is priority of maternity system. Antenatal educators need to ensure that pregnant women are appropriately prepared for what might actually happen to limit this expectation-experience gap. Health-care providers should improve the quality of antenatal care which can change negative childbirth expectations and experiences of womenJournal of Kathmandu Medical College, Vol. 4(1) 2015, 16-25
Neurocutaneous melanosis presented with giant congenital melanocytic nevi and primary intracranial melanoma
Authors: Shakya Anup , Huang Jinbai
Published: May 2016

Neurocutaneous melanosis is a rare neurocutaneous syndrome defi ned by the presence of multiple and /or giant congenital cutaneous nevi and melanocytic deposits in the central nervous system with the infi ltration of leptomeninges. The major medical concern with giant congenital cutaneous nevi is high risk of developing cutaneous melanoma, leptomeningeal melanoma, and neurocutaneous melanosis. Neurological symptoms usually develop before 2 years of age, but rare in the second or third decades of life. A 24-year-old-man with giant hairy, pigmented nevus on his extremities, back, “bathing trunk” variety presented with onset of neurological symptoms only in second decade of life. Magnetic resonance imaging of brain revealed a large expansive lesion in the left parieto-occipital lobe with high intensity on T1- sequence, and was heterogeneous on T2-sequence with iso- and hyper intense areas. Post-surgical pathological diagnosis revealed characteristics of malignant melanoma. Our patient represents a rare association between neurocutaneous melanosis with giant congenital cutaneous nevi and development of primary intracranial melanoma with neurological symptoms appearing in adult life. The onset of neurological symptoms only in third decade of life in our patient illustrates the importance of recognizing the likelihood of neurocutaneous melanosis in children with giant congenital nevus with or without neurological symptoms.Journal of Kathmandu Medical College, Vol. 4(1) 2015, 29-33
Medical management of unruptured interstitial pregnancy with mifepristone and methotrexate
Authors: Karki Usha , Saha Rachana
Published: May 2016

Ectopic pregnancy is a serious complication of pregnancy in which embryo gets implanted any where other than the uterine cavity. In interstitial pregnancy, the pregnancy is located in that part of the fallopian tube that penetrates the muscular layer of the uterus. Overall incidence of ectopic pregnancy is one to two percent among which the incidence of interstitial pregnancy is only two percent. Interstitial pregnancy being the hazardous type requires immediate management. Though surgical treatment is the management of choice, its association with decreased fertility rate and increased rate of uterine rupture in future pregnancy cannot be ignored. We hereby report of medical management of interstitial ectopic pregnancy with single oral dose of Mifepristone 200mg along with single dose of Methotrexate 50miligram intramuscularly.Journal of Kathmandu Medical College, Vol. 4(1) 2015, 34-36
Computed tomography findings of focal lung lesion and their pathological correlations
Authors: Sharma Saroj , Pant Hom Prasad , Pandit Swoyam Prakash
Published: May 2016

Background: Focal lung masses are common radiological fi ndings which need to be characterized to plan management. Suspicious lesions require invasive investigations and aggressive treatment. However, likely benign lesions require no invasive investigations.Objectives: We aimed to correlate the computerized tomography fi ndings of focal lung lesions with pathological diagnoses.Methods: A total of 56 patients were enrolled in the study. Plain and contrast enhanced computerized tomography scan of chest was done in spiral computerized tomography. Radiologist’s computerized tomography reports were obtained. Pathological diagnosis were followed in all cases and recorded. Computerized tomography reports were compared with pathological reports and validity of computerized tomography in predicting the nature of lung lesion was assessed.Results: Overall, squalors cell carcinoma was the most common histological cell type (46.34%) followed by adenocarcinoma (41.46%). In 95.12% of total cases, size of the malignant lesion was more than 3cm. Squalors cell Carcinoma was the most common tumor located centrally (71.42%) and adenocarcinoma peripherally (55.55%). Spiculated margin was most commonly associated in malignant lesions. Among morphological characters, chest wall invasion and meditational invasion were statistically significant for malignancy. Contrast enhancement more than 20 hounsfield unit had more than 80% sensitivity and specificity for malignant lesions. Sensitivity of computerized tomography combining all morphological characteristics for depicting malignancy was 97.6% and specificity was 46.7%.Conclusion: The present study showed that contrast enhanced computerized tomography provides more precise tumor localization, characterization and intrathoracic extension to differentiate benign from malignant lung lesion. Enhancement of the lesion is more specific for malignancy than other morphological characteristic.Journal of Kathmandu Medical College, Vol. 4, No. 2, Issue 12, Apr.-Jun., 2015, page: 59-64
Fatigue strength of hybrid welded 22MnB5 overlap joints
Authors: Kügler Helge , Möller Felix , Goecke Sven-Frithjof , Vollertsen Frank
Published: May 2016

In order to reduce the weight of automotive parts, lightweight materials like the press hardened AlSi coated high strength steel 22MnB5 is used. This steel enables a reduction of wall thicknesses and simultaneously ensures a high stiffness of the part, e. g., the B pillar. The usage of these steels requires suitable joining technologies. Therefore, a laser GMA hybrid welding process for fillet welds in overlap configuration was designed. This process provides high welding velocities and process tolerances against gaps and misalignments. In this case a single-mode fiber laser was used in order to reduce the thermal impact. Due to the fact that the laser focus spot has only a small diameter of 25 µm, a beam oscillation was used in order to distribute the laser energy over the melt pool width. This paper is focused on the cyclic load tests which were carried out and analyzed by the staircase method. The influences of laser power and oscillation width are dominating, whereas welding velocity and wire velocity have only a minor influence. By analyzing the failure location and crack propagation of specimens after the cyclic load test, the influence of the AlSi coating can be determined. Coating agglomerations at the fusion line of the melt pool are origins of crack initiation. This is attributed to the formation of brittle intermetallic phases.
Particularities of testing structured sheet metals in 3-point bending tests
Authors: Kazak Fedor , Schleuß Leander , Ossenbrink Ralf , Michailov Vesselin , Weiß Sabine
Published: May 2016

Thin sheet metals from deep drawing steel DC04 are very often used in the production of car body and case parts. Quality improvement of sheet metal components by new constructive solutions (structuring) as well as adapted joining technology is going on. Structured sheet metals differ from each other by their high bending stiffness. At the same time, they show certain anisotropy due to the structure. Therefore a typical testing method of structured semi-finished parts (single sheet metals, sandwiches) is the bending test. The literature review revealed that in many studies no special demands on tests of structured materials were made. This concerns particularly the structure arrangement, structure direction and structure location of the specimen relative to the mandrel position during bending tests, i. e., the direction of the fixed load relative to the structure. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the test specification on flexural behavior. In the present paper, honeycomb-structured sheet metals were examined using 3-point bending tests. Bending stiffness and lightweight potential were calculated with respect to the location of load application and compared for different structure arrangements, directions and locations. The influence of the anisotropy on flexural behavior of the honeycomb-patterned sheet metals was moderate.
Investigation of glass transition kinetics in C60-doped carbazole-based photorefractive polyacrylates
Authors: Chen Shufan , Chen Baili , Huang Chuanqun , Luo Xuan , Fang Yu , Wu Weidong
Published: May 2016

This article describes the fabrication of C60-doped carbazole-based bi-functional photorefractive polyacrylates, the C60-doped concentrations are 0.0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 wt.-%, respectively. For these photorefractive polyacrylates, differential scanning calorimetric runs have been taken under nonisothermal conditions at different heating rates. The result indicates that the glass transition temperature Tg first increases and then decreases with increasing of C60 content. Tg of the same sample increases with increasing heating rate. The activation energy of glass transition (Eg) has been evaluated based on the Moynihan and Kissinger model. The results showed that both Eg values obtained from Kissinger's and Moynihan's relations are in good agreement.
Analysis of deformation induced martensite in AISI 316L stainless steel
Authors: Jagarinec Darko , Kirbiš Peter , Predan Jožef , Vuherer Tomaž , Gubeljak Nenad
Published: May 2016

Metastable austenite stainless steel AISI 316L is sensitive to cold deformation, where transformation from austenite to martensite occurred. The bending deformation as the formation process leads to tensile and compression troughout the thickness of the billet. Tensile testing of the specimen causes differences in the true stress-strain along the contraction neck prior to fracture as well. The aim of the paper is to find correlation between microhardness as brief inspection parameters and extension of martensitic transformation. The total equivalent plastic strain extend diagram obtained by numerical simulation of bending was compared with tensile true stress-strain diagram. Results show very good correlation between hardness, true strain and martesite content. Therefore, one can conclude that by hardness measurement, it is possible to measure the level of equivalent plastic strain until ultimate tensile stress as a linear correlation between hardness, true strain and martesite content.
Diffusible hydrogen content in submerged arc welds of a S960 type steel
Authors: Türker Mehmet
Published: May 2016

Hydrogen induced damage is a dangerous phenomenon affecting the weld quality with regard to construction service life even without visible indication. The determination of diffusible hydrogen in weld metal has been standardized at an international level in ISO 3690:2012. This international standard specifies the sampling and analytical procedure for the determination of diffusible hydrogen in martensitic, bainitic and ferritic steel weld metal which arises from the welding of such steels using arc welding processes with filler metal. In this study, S960QL steel is extensively used in the heavy transport, lifting and mining industry, where mobile or fixed structures have to carry high loads – often in safety critical situations. In order to sustain extreme characteristics of these high strength low alloy steels, it is a must to reduce the manufacturing defects. In the investigations presented in this paper, the influence of arc length on the weld metal hydrogen concentration was studied according to the ISO DIS 3690 in S960QL type steel with submerged arc welding. Measurement of the diffusible hydrogen was carried out by means of carrier gas hot extraction method. The weld seams with different arc length have similar chemical compositions. Maximum hardness values in the range of 410–425 HV1 were measured in the HAZ on both vertical and horizontal rows in welded structure with two mm wire diameter due to recrystallization condition. For four mm wire diameter, the hardness decreasing which is depending on the grain coarsening in the welded samples with two mm was not occurred in the weld seam-HAZ interface. The larger weld pool and the long arc length increased possibility of hydrogen pick-up and absorbing. Because of this reason, the diffusible hydrogen contents in the welded structure increased in accordance with the arc length.
Registration of BS39 Maize Germplasm
Authors: Hallauer Arnel R. , Carena Marcelo J.
Published: May 2016

BS39 (Reg. No. GP‐593, PI 674097) is a new maize (Zea mays L.) strain of Tusón germplasm for adaptation to temperate environments. BS39 serves as a new and unique source for inbred line and population development in temperate environments. After 11 cycles of stratified mass selection for earlier flowering, based primarily on silk expression, BS39 was included in experiments across six Iowa environments in 2010 and 2011. These trials included other tropical cultivars adapted to midseason temperate environments and adapted populations from recurrent selection population improvement programs. Stratified mass selection is confirmed to be a cost effective and successful method for adapting populations. Tusón was not an exception as, after selection, it was 3 to 4 wk earlier, a similar result obtained in other tropical populations adapted to temperate environments in Iowa and North Dakota. Grain yield and other agronomic traits of BS39 were similar to those for the adapted tropical cultivars and improved cultivars from recurrent selection programs. BS39 includes 100% tropical germplasm that has been adapted to midseason temperate environments. BS39 is an option for maize breeders to expand the genetic base of their current breeding programs. It has the potential to contribute useful and unique alleles to US Corn Belt breeding programs not present in current US genome sequences.
Non Random Distribution of DMD Deletion Breakpoints and Implication of Double Strand Breaks Repair and Replication Error Repair Mechanisms
Authors: Marey Isabelle , Ben Yaou Rabah , Deburgrave Nathalie , Vasson Aurélie , Nectoux Juliette , Leturcq France , Eymard Bruno , Laforet Pascal , Behin Anthony , Stojkovic Tanya , Mayer Michèle , Tiffreau Vincent , Desguerre Isabelle , Boyer François Constant , Nadaj-Pakleza Aleksandra , Ferrer Xavier , Wahbi Karim , Becane Henri-Marc , Claustres Mireille , Chelly Jamel , Cossee Mireille
Published: May 2016

Background: Dystrophinopathies are mostly caused by copy number variations, especially deletions, in the dystrophin gene ( DMD). Despite the large size of the gene, deletions do not occur randomly but mainly in two hot spots, the main one involving exons 45 to 55. The underlying mechanisms are complex and implicate two main mechanisms: Non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and micro-homology mediated replication-dependent recombination (MMRDR).

Objective: Our goals were to assess the distribution of intronic breakpoints (BPs) in the genomic sequence of the main hot spot of deletions within DMD gene and to search for specific sequences at or near to BPs that might promote BP occurrence or be associated with DNA break repair.

Methods: Using comparative genomic hybridization microarray, 57 deletions within the intron 44 to 55 region were mapped. Moreover, 21 junction fragments were sequenced to search for specific sequences.

Results: Non-randomly distributed BPs were found in introns 44, 47, 48, 49 and 53 and 50% of BPs clustered within genomic regions of less than 700bp. Repeated elements (REs), known to promote gene rearrangement via several mechanisms, were present in the vicinity of 90% of clustered BPs and less frequently (72%) close to scattered BPs, illustrating the important role of such elements in the occurrence of DMD deletions. Palindromic and TTTAAA sequences, which also promote DNA instability, were identified at fragment junctions in 20% and 5% of cases, respectively. Micro-homologies (76%) and insertions or deletions of small sequences were frequently found at BP junctions.

Conclusions: Our results illustrate, in a large series of patients, the important role of RE and other genomic features in DNA breaks, and the involvement of different mechanisms in DMD gene deletions: Mainly replication error repair mechanisms, but also NHEJ and potentially aberrant firing of replication origins. A combination of these mechanisms may also be possible.
Targeted Re-Sequencing Emulsion PCR Panel for Myopathies: Results in 94 Cases
Authors: Punetha Jaya , Kesari Akanchha , Uapinyoying Prech , Giri Mamta , Clarke Nigel F. , Waddell Leigh B. , North Kathryn N. , Ghaoui Roula , O’Grady Gina L. , Oates Emily C. , Sandaradura Sarah A. , Bönnemann Carsten G. , Donkervoort Sandra , Plotz Paul H. , Smith Edward C. , Tesi-Rocha Carolina , Bertorini Tulio E. , Tarnopolsky Mark A. , Reitter Bernd , Hausmanowa-Petrusewicz Irena , Hoffman Eric P.
Published: May 2016

Background: Molecular diagnostics in the genetic myopathies often requires testing of the largest and most complex transcript units in the human genome ( DMD, TTN, NEB). Iteratively targeting single genes for sequencing has traditionally entailed high costs and long turnaround times. Exome sequencing has begun to supplant single targeted genes, but there are concerns regarding coverage and needed depth of the very large and complex genes that frequently cause myopathies.

Objective: To evaluate efficiency of next-generation sequencing technologies to provide molecular diagnostics for patients with previously undiagnosed myopathies.

Methods: We tested a targeted re-sequencing approach, using a 45 gene emulsion PCR myopathy panel, with subsequent sequencing on the Illumina platform in 94 undiagnosed patients. We compared the targeted re-sequencing approach to exome sequencing for 10 of these patients studied.

Results: We detected likely pathogenic mutations in 33 out of 94 patients with a molecular diagnostic rate of approximately 35%. The remaining patients showed variants of unknown significance (35/94 patients) or no mutations detected in the 45 genes tested (26/94 patients). Mutation detection rates for targeted re-sequencing vs. whole exome were similar in both methods; however exome sequencing showed better distribution of reads and fewer exon dropouts.

Conclusions: Given that costs of highly parallel re-sequencing and whole exome sequencing are similar, and that exome sequencing now takes considerably less laboratory processing time than targeted re-sequencing, we recommend exome sequencing as the standard approach for molecular diagnostics of myopathies.
“Get the Balance Right”: Pathological Significance of Autophagy Perturbation in Neuromuscular Disorders
Authors: Castets Perrine , Frank Stephan , Sinnreich Michael , Rüegg Markus A.
Published: May 2016

Recent research has revealed that autophagy, a major catabolic process in cells, is dysregulated in several neuromuscular diseases and contributes to the muscle wasting caused by non-muscle disorders (e.g. cancer cachexia) or during aging (i.e. sarcopenia). From there, the idea arose to interfere with autophagy or manipulate its regulatory signalling to help restore muscle homeostasis and attenuate disease progression. The major difficulty for the development of therapeutic strategies is to restore a balanced autophagic flux, due to the dynamic nature of autophagy. Thus, it is essential to better understand the mechanisms and identify the signalling pathways at play in the control of autophagy in skeletal muscle. A comprehensive analysis of the autophagic flux and of the causes of its dysregulation is required to assess the pathogenic role of autophagy in diseased muscle. Furthermore, it is essential that experiments distinguish between primary dysregulation of autophagy (prior to disease onset) and impairments as a consequence of the pathology. Of note, in most muscle disorders, autophagy perturbation is not caused by genetic modification of an autophagy-related protein, but rather through indirect alteration of regulatory signalling or lysosomal function. In this review, we will present the mechanisms involved in autophagy, and those ensuring its tight regulation in skeletal muscle. We will then discuss as to how autophagy dysregulation contributes to the pathogenesis of neuromuscular disorders and possible ways to interfere with this process to limit disease progression.
Spinal Tuberculosis: Age Distribution of the Patients
Authors: Ghosh Jagodish Chandra , Tarafder Binoy Krishna , Hossain Ahmed Manadir , Shalike Narendra , Fattah SK Abdul
Published: May 2016

This cross sectional epidemiological study was done in National Centre for Tuberculosis and Research and 250 bed TB Hospital, Shyamoli Dhaka. In this study 107 patients of diagnosed spinal tuberculosis attending the hospital during January 2007 to December 2014 were included. The purpose of this study was to analyze the age distribution of the patients with additional information on sex distribution and economic status. The study revealed that 19.6% of the patients were below the age of 15 years, of which 42.9% were within the age range of 11-15 years. Among the paediatric patients there was slight predominance of male sex (52.4%), while of the total patients female sex dominated (57%). Children of low income family, earning less than 10,000 taka per month, suffered the most (80.9%).Faridpur Med. Coll. J. Jan 2015;10(1): 14-16
Miller Fisher variant of Guillain Barre Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Saha Radheshyam , Saha Suranjit Kumar , Islam Muhammad Nurul , Kabir Mohammad Rafiqul , Mondal Aniruddha , Mamun Abdullah Al , Saha Aloke Kumar
Published: May 2016

Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS) is characterized by acute onset of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and loss of tendon reflexes with relative sparing of strength in the extremities and trunk. Our patient Mr. Akter Sheikh, 40 years male, non diabetic, non hypertensive, presented with generalized weakness and difficulty in walking for 7 days preceded by a history of respiratory tract infection. After clinical and CSF examination, he was diagnosed as a case of Miller-Fisher syndrome. With treatment he improved significantly.Faridpur Med. Coll. J. Jan 2015;10(1): 44-45
Overpopulation and Biopolitical Frames
Authors: Alberts Paul
Published: May 2016

The issue of overpopulation should also be recognized as confronting new problems of thinking human population, which emerged as a central term in biopolitical discourses. One of the initial challenges can be understood from Jean-Luc Nancy's understanding of the biopolitical as located within ‘ecotechnology’ – technology's engulfing of the human and world in an expansionary logic without limit. Attempting to technically control overpopulation runs the risk of just reiterating ecotechnical manipulation. To avoid the pessimistic response to such globalizing biopolitics, we can, first, examine the itinerary of Foucault's history of ‘population’ as the central figure in the rise of modernity's governmentality; second, focus on a critical ‘hinge’ that connected his understanding of governmental regulation with his insistence that liberalism was essential to the rise of governmentality – the counter-conduct linking individuals to disciplinary practices. Overpopulation can be then approached as an issue framed by existing biopolitical traditions, but open to useful reconceptualization by using counter-conduct as a guide.
Is it Ecologically Just to Be? Anti-Natalism in Eco-Deconstruction
Authors: Lynes Philippe
Published: May 2016

This paper attempts to respond to the environmental difficulties faced by overpopulation by adapting a question of Levinas's, ‘is it ecologically just to be?’, of which ‘is it ecologically just to make more children?’ is an important correlate. I suggest that both an affirmative account of life as deployed in affirmative biopolitics, as well as the pessimistic thought of death in anti-natalist philosophy are insufficient to respond to these questions. An eco-deconstructive account of life:death, however, allows us both to respond to the horror inspired in thinking one's life at the expense of so many others, human and nonhuman, while thinking the affirmation of life otherwise in inventing, each time uniquely, more just responses to overpopulation.
l-Theanine as a Functional Food Additive: Its Role in Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Authors: Williams Jackson , Kellett Jane , Roach Paul , McKune Andrew , Mellor Duane , Thomas Jackson , Naumovski Nenad
Published: May 2016

Tea has been consumed for thousands of years and is an integral part of people’s daily routine, as an everyday drink and a therapeutic aid for health promotion. Consumption of tea has been linked to a sense of relaxation commonly associated with the content of the non-proteinogenic amino acid theanine, which is found within the tea leaves. The aim of this review article is to outline the current methods for synthesis, extraction and purification of theanine, as well as to examine its potential benefits related to human health. These include improvements in cognitive and immune function, cancer prevention, reduced cardiovascular risk and its potential usefulness as a functional food product.