bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing contraceptive usage by immediate postpartum intra uterine contraceptive device insertion with evaluation of safety, acceptability and expulsion
Authors: Tirupati Lekhya , Shivaraju Pradeep , Lingegowda Krishna , Srinivasan Sabitha
Published: September 2018

Background: India’s population which crossed one billion in 2000 is projected to reach 1.53 billion by 2050 making India the most populous country in world. In India 65% of women have unmet need for family planning in the first post-partum year. PPIUCD is highly effective, safe, long-acting, coitus independent and rapidly reversible method of contraception with very few side effects.  Since there is tenfold increase in institutional deliveries due to maternity benefit schemes, postpartum period is potentially an ideal time to begin contraception as women are more strongly motivated and these women would leave the hospital with contraceptive in place.Methods: The present study was a prospective study to assess the acceptance rate of PPIUCD insertion and evaluation of safety of Cu T 380A when inserted within ten minutes of placental expulsion in 100 women delivering at PESIMSR, Kuppam. A specially designed proforma was used to collect the data of women attending hospital between period June 2016 to June 2017.Results: Out of 486 patients who were counselled only 100 women (20.57%) accepted for PPIUCD insertion. The acceptance rate of PPIUCD is 20.57%. Of 100 women who had PPIUCD insertion, 91 were seen at follow up, 76 (78.12%) women were continuing with no complaints and only 15 (16.4%) women developed complications. PPIUCD was found to be safe as there was no reported case of perforation or failure during usage. The complications like expulsion was found to be 1.09%, infection 5.4%, pain abdomen 5.4%, bleeding 1.09% and missing strings 5.4%.Conclusions: PPIUCD was demonstrably safe, having no reported case of uterine perforation. Expulsion rates are low implying more retention rates, thus more effective. Public awareness regarding the concept and advantages of PPIUCD insertion can be improved by mass media approach and creating strategies and training programmes under Government policies.
A comparative study of efficacy of letrozole and clomiphene citrate for ovulation induction
Authors: Jain Shaveta , Dahiya Pushpa , Yadav Jyoti , Jain Nitin
Published: September 2018

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of letrozole as an ovulation inducing agent and to compare it with clomiphene citrate (CC) in infertile women.Methods: This study includes 100 women referred to gynecology OPD of Pt. B.D Sharma, PGIMS, Rohtak with   infertility due to dysovulation. The patients were divided in two groups each comprised of 50 patients, Alternate women were enrolled in study group (Letrozole). Ultrasonic follicular monitoring was done on day 10, 12, 14, 16 of menstrual cycle to measure the number, size of mature follicles. Endometrial thickness and trilaminar pattern of endometrium was compared in between the groups. Inj. Gonadotrophin (hCG) was given as a trigger intramuscularly when follicle size was between 18 to 21mm. After 36 hours of hCG administration ovulation was confirmed on ultrasound.Results: Mean age, parity, and the duration of infertility were similar in both groups. Ovulation rate was 81.6% in letrozole group and was higher than control group(p<.01). The average number of follicles in the control group was 1.90±0.77and 1.17±0.47 in the study group(p<.001). Endometrial thickness in the study group was 7.55±1.12mm and in the control group it was 6.06±0.87(p<.01). Pregnancy rate in study group was 48 % and control group 16%(p<.05).Conclusions: Aromatase inhibitors (Letrozole) is a new group of drugs to join the arsenal of infertility treatments. The result of this preliminary study suggests that letrozole is associated with higher ovulation rate, higher endometrial thickness and trilaminar pattern thus resulting in higher pregnancy rate. Clomiphene citrate may be replaced by letrozole as primary treatment for ovulation induction in infertile patients.
Chlamydia infection as a risk factor in ectopic pregnancy: a case control study
Authors: George Angela , S. Shaila
Published: September 2018

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis has been linked to 30-50% of all ectopic pregnancies, due to irreversible tissue damage.  Hence it is pertinent to explore the risk factors pertaining to Chlamydia infection and ectopic pregnancies. The aim is to study whether Chlamydia infection is a risk factor for ectopic pregnancy in comparison with early intrauterine pregnancy, and study other risk factors in ectopic pregnancyMethods: Case-control study conducted at Sree Avittom Thirunal Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram over a period of six months taking 43 subjects in each group, i.e., cases and controls. An interview followed by collection of venous blood sample was done, which was subjected to Enzyme linked immunoassay test to detect Immunoglobulin G antibodies to Chlamydia. Comparison of qualitative variables such as age, socioeconomic status, history of infertility, history of pelvic inflammatory disease, previous history of ectopic pregnancy, use of IUCD, history of IVF, use of OCP or progesterone only pills and presence of Chlamydia IgG antibodies - between two groups was analyzed by chi-square test and the strength of association expressed in terms of Odds Rati. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Out of 86 samples 54 were positive for Chlamydia infection. Subjects with Chlamydia infection had an increased risk of developing ectopic pregnancy. Among the other risk factorshistory of pelvic inflammatory disease and history of infertility were the most significant with Odds of 3.46 and 3.98 respectively. History of oral contraceptive use also had a significant risk associated with developing ectopic pregnancy. Other factors with significant association included, age more than 25 years, Upper Socioeconomic Class, previous ectopic pregnancy and history of IUCD use for more than 5 years.Conclusions: The increased number of Chlamydia infection and its increased risk for developing irreversible sequels such as ectopic pregnancy, it is pertinent to vigilantly diagnose, treat and prevent vaginal infection and pelvic inflammatory disease.
Antibiotic resistance pattern of uropathogens in urinary tract infections in children at State Referral Hospital, Falkawn, Mizoram, India
Authors: Lalhmangaihzuali F. Elizabeth , . Zarzoliana , Varte Zorinsangi , Laldinmawii Gracy
Published: September 2018

Background: Analysing antibiotic susceptibility pattern of uropathogens help to overcome the therapeutic difficulties created by the rising anti-microbial resistant bacteria and guides in choosing appropriate antibiotics. Hence, we aimed at evaluating the uropathogens causing urinary tract infections and study their antibiograms.Methods: Midstream urine samples were collected, cultured and appropriate biochemical tests were performed for proper identification of urinary tract pathogens in State Referral Hospital Falkawn, Mizoram, India from 1st January to 30th June 2018.Results: The most common isolated gram-negative uropathogens were Escherichia coli (40.9%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (17.6%), Proteus spp. (10.7%) and Pseudomonas spp. (3.1%). Among gram-positive organisms Enterococcus spp. (20.1%) and Staphylococcus spp. (7.6%) were grown. Urinary tract infections were more prevalent in girls (64.8%) than boys (35.2%). High level of resistance was found to amoxycillin/ampicillin by all the organisms isolated.Conclusions: Almost all the test organisms exhibited multiple antibiotic resistance. The study identified multiple antibiotics resistance by uropathogens which were earlier used as first line of treatment of UTI in children.
Analisis Historis terhadap Corak Kesenian Islam Nusantara
Authors: Nurrohim Nurrohim , Setyorini Fitri Sari
Published: September 2018

The history of Islamic development in Indonesia has different characteristics compared to other Islamic regions such as Turkey, India, Egypt, Syria, and Morocco. The journey of Islam in Indonesia brings different colors and patterns that distinguish it from other Islamic regions. This happens because Islam is spreaded in the archipelago peacefully and in a gradual long time, unlike the other Islamic regions islamization which is not infrequently through the power of the armed forces. This article will explain the results of Islamic interaction with society who previously embraced Hinduism, Buddhism and animist beliefs dynamism in the form of Islamic Nusantara arts. The analytical method used in this paper is a combination of theories of acculturation and assimilation of Nusantara culture and Islamic culture. The combination of Nusantara culture and Islamic culture produces an Islamic art with the uniqueness of Nusantara without eliminating the elements of the old culture. The form of pre-Islamic Nusantara cultural heritage with the Islamic culture can be found in the architecture of mosques, Arabic Malay script, literary arts, painting and sculpture.
Low Cost Radiation Hardened Software and Hardware Implementation for CubeSats
Authors: Yuen Brosnan , Sima Mihai
Published: September 2018

CubeSats are small satellites used for scientific experiments because they cost less than full sized satellites. Each CubeSat uses an on-board computer. The on-board computer performs sensor measurements, data processing, and CubeSat control. The challenges of designing an on-board computer are costs, radiation, thermal stresses, and vibrations. An on-board computer was designed and implemented to solve these challenges. The on-board computer used special components to mitigate radiation effects. Software was also used to provide redundancies in cases of faults. This paper may aid future spacecraft design as it improves the reliability of spacecraft, while keeping costs low.
PRÁTICAS TEATRAIS: UM ELEMENTO LÚDICO NO PROCESSO DE ENSINO-APRENDIZAGEM DE LÍNGUA ESTRANGEIRA
Authors: Couto Aldenice De Andrade , Magalhães dos Reis Maria da Glória
Published: September 2018

Este artigo apresenta algumas reflexões sobre as práticas teatrais no processo de ensino-aprendizagem de uma língua estrangeira, e como a referida prática pode ser um elemento lúdico para ensinar-aprender uma língua estrangeira.  O arcabouço teórico utilizado para dar suporte a esta investigação contempla autores que abordam os conceitos de atividades teatrais e atividades lúdicas. Desta forma, a partir dos resultados deste estudo, ressalta-se que o teatro pode ser um real suporte pedagógico para um professor de Língua Estrangeira (LE) que busca desenvolver a expressão oral de seus alunos. Pode-se dizer, ainda, Payet (2010), que o teatro pode não somente auxiliar no que concerne à expressão oral, mas todas as competências que o professor deseja trabalhar nas aulas de LE. Além disso, o teatro pode se mostrar como um verdadeiro meio para favorecer a fala dos sujeitos que aprendem uma língua estrangeira, graças ao seu lado lúdico, que desmistifica o esforço da aprendizagem e determina a motivação e a atitude dos alunos rumo ao objeto da aprendizagem, e que acelera o processo de aquisição. 
Childhood Steroid Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome: Characteristics and Predictors of Relapses; A study at a Single Center in Khartoum
Authors: Ali Eltigani M A , Elhadi Nahla Mohamed , Abdelraheem Mohamed B , Ellidir Rashid A , Osman Gada
Published: September 2018

Background: Childhood steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) usually has a favorable outcome in spite of its relapsing course. The objective of the authors was to study the demographic and clinical characteristics, outcome and risk factors for relapses in children with SSNS at a single center in Khartoum, Sudan.
Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional, facility-based study, the authors retrospectively reviewed all the records of children with SSNS, followed at the Pediatric Renal Unit, Soba University Hospital, Khartoum between 2001 and 2014. SSRNS was defined as the remission of proteinuria within 4–6 weeks of corticosteroids. Relapse is therecurrence of proteinuria after remission; frequent if ≥ 2 within initial six months or ≥ 4 within one year, and steroid dependence if 2 during therapy or within 14 days after stopping it.
Results: 330 children (males 220; 66.7%) with SSNS were studied with a mean age of 5.2 ± 3.5 years of whom 42.4% aged 1–5 years. At the presentation, hypertension was detected in 31.8% and hematuria in 19.1%. Serum cholesterol was elevated in all patients (mean 347.34 ± 117.87 mg/dl) and serum creatinine in 7.27% (mean 1.4 ± 0.35 mg/dl). Renal histology showed mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis (MesPGN) in 57.5%, minimal change disease (MCD) in 35.5%, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and IgM nephropathy in 3.5% each. During the course of the illness, 10.3% achieved long-term remission, 89.7% relapsed— of whom 52.3% had frequent relapsing/steroid-dependent (FR/SD) course and 37.7% had infrequent relapses. Risk of frequent relapses were age of onset and low/moderate socioeconomic status (P = 0.015 and 0.019, respectively). Infectionswere recorded in 71.8%, but not significantly associated with the risk of frequent relapses (P > 0.05).
Conclusions: The majority children with SSNS at this single center in Khartoum had a relapsing course with the majority being FR or SD. Predictors of frequent relapses were young age at onset and low socioeconomic status.
Frequency of Erectile Dysfunction Following Pelvic Fracture Among Patients Admitted to Two Wits Teaching Hospitals, South Africa
Authors: Gdeh Daou , Haffejee Mohamed , Nel Marietha
Published: September 2018

Background: Erectile dysfunction that can range from weak to severe is one of the most important sequelae of pelvic fractures and may be transient or permanent. Importantly, erectile dysfunction is more prevalent when the pelvic fracture is associated with urethral injury. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of erectile dysfunction post pelvic fracture and determine the frequency of spontaneous recovery of erectile function within the first six months from the time of injury in a South African sample population.
Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study of records of patients who were admitted to the Orthopedic Department at Helen Joseph Academic Hospital and the Male Sexual Dysfunction Clinic at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, in Johannesburg, South Africa, with a pelvic fracture between July 1, 2011 and April 30, 2015.
Results: A total of 53 patients aged between 18 and 80 years (mean: 7.57 ± SD3.45) meeting the study-inclusion criteria participated in the study, of which 50.9% had a B2 type pelvic fracture and 20% had a C type fracture. Of the 53 patients, 43.4% reported erectile dysfunction. The majority (88%) of patients indicated a recovery of erectile function between 2 and 8 months after the injury. However, 86% of those patients were stillsuffering from other forms of sexual impairment like orgasmic dysfunction and lack of sexual satisfaction. Interestingly, sexual desire seemed to be preserved. Patients with sexual dysfunction were more likely to have had a urethral injury as well as a more severe fracture.
Conclusions: In our sample of 53 patients, almost half (43.4%) reported sexual dysfunction after a pelvic fracture. Importantly, patients with a severe pelvic fracture and urethral damage should be followed-up after surgery, as the risk of long-term sexual dysfunction is increased in these particular patients.
Identification of Proteus Mirabilis on Banknotes Using 16s rRNA gene in Khartoum State
Authors: Mukhtar Alaa Abdalla , Alfadil Noha Ahmed Abd , Mohamed Malik Suliman , Altayb Hisham N , Elzaki Salaheldein G , Hassan Mohamed Salih
Published: September 2018

Background: The presence of pathogenic bacteria in circulated currency was recorded as a public health hazard. In this study, all examined Sudanese banknotes (100%) were found to be contaminated by gram-negative bacteria. Proteus mirabilis were recovered from 10 examined notes (22.2%, f = 10), E. coli (13.3%, f = 6) and Klebsiella spp. (8.9%, f = 4) were also identified. Only the most resistant P. mirabilis isolate was identified using culture-based and 16S rRNA gene sequencing techniques.
Methods: Proteus isolates were identified phenotypically and tested for their susceptibility to 16 of commonly used antibiotics, then most resistant isolate was confirmed genotypically via 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis using BLAST for sequence similarity search, Clustal W program for multiple sequence alignment, MEGA7 software for phylogenetic analysis. Tree was constructed to show the evolutionary relationships of the obtained sequencewith similar sequences in the databases using.
Results: The obtained sequence was found to be 100% identical to P. mirabilis 16S rRNA gene using BLAST. The phylogenetic tree was constructed to show the evolutionary relationships of the obtained sequence with similar sequences in the databases using MEGA7 software, and the closest strain was found to be P. mirabilis strain from India (EU411047)
Conclusion: This study has shown that some currency notes circulated at Khartoum transportation are carriers of antimicrobial-resistant P. mirabilis that could be potential source for their transmission in public.
Letterer Siwe Disease (LSD): A Case Report
Authors: H H Suad , Elamin Mona Mohamed , Modawe Gad Allah , Elseed Khalid AbdElmohsin Awad
Published: September 2018

Background: Letterer–Siwe Disease (LSD) is one of the variants of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), which is considered as a rare disease that affects many systems in the body; it is characterized by monoclonal migration and proliferation of specific dendritic cells. The disease affects the bones and skin primarily, but can involveother organs as well, or appear as a multi-system disease leading to different clinical manifestations and eventually death.
Summary: The authors present a case report of LSD in a two-year-old child from western Sudan, Messeria tribe, who is presented with one and a half-month history of fever, cutaneous ulcers, purprae,scaly crusted scalp, and pallor. His full blood count showed very low Hb with marked reduction of platelets. TWBC was normal. US showed hepatosplenomegaly with lymphadenopathy. A suspicion of sickle cell anemia and leukemia was suggested. He received treatment in his area in the form of antibiotics, skin care, blood transfusion and platelets aggregate without improvement. Patient was referred to Khartoum for further investigations and management. On presentation, a diagnosis of histiocytosis x was suggested depending on the clinical presentation of a general ill health in a child with purpurae, skin ulcers, and a scaly crusted scalp. A skin biopsy, bone marrow aspirate, and a skull x-ray were requested. Bone marrow aspiration showed hyper cellular BM with marked hemophagocytosis. Patient was admitted in a pediatric ward for further general investigations and blood transfusion, but he passed few days later before starting chemotherapy. Usually this is the prognosis of this rare and fatal aggressive form of histiocytosis x.
Conclusion: A sick child with fever, anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, scaly scalp, and skin lesions should be investigated for LSD.
Conversor CC–CC Abaixador Elevador Trifásico Isolado em Alta Frequência
Authors: Kattel Menaouar B. El , Mayer Robson , Oliveira Sérgio V. G.
Published: September 2018

Este artigo apresenta um conversor CC-CC trifásico abaixador e elevador de tensão com isolamento em alta frequência e alimentado em corrente que opera em toda a faixa de razão cíclica. O conversor que o originou apresenta uma região de operação proibida quando a razão cíclica é menor que 1/3 e neste estudo esta restrição é solucionada. Portanto, com a operação nesta região, funções como partida suave e pré-carga do capacitor de saída são incorporadas para evitar elevados esforços de tensão e corrente no circuito. As principais características do conversor proposto são: frequência das ondulações da tensão de saída e da corrente de entrada é três vezes maior que a frequência de comutação em todas as regiões de operação; reduzida ondulação de corrente na fonte; isolamento galvânico em alta frequência; permite pré carga e partida suave para razão cíclica inferior a 1/3; cancelamento da ondulação de corrente na fonte de alimentação quando a razão cíclica é 1/3 ou 2/3. O conversor tem como principais aplicações, aquelas alimentadas por célula a combustível, baterias e painéis fotovoltaicos. O protótipo experimental implementado opera com frequência de comutação de 20 kHz, tensão de entrada de 70 V à 120 V, tensão de saída de 52 V à 625 V e potência de saída de 650 W até 4 kW
Ferramentas Computacionais Aplicadas ao Ensino de Sistemas Fotovoltaicos
Authors: Sampaio Leonardo P. , Brito Moacyr A. G. de , Canesin Carlos A.
Published: September 2018

Este trabalho apresenta um conjunto de ferramentas computacionais para o auxílio no ensino de temas relacionados às energias renováveis, envolvendo sistemas fotovoltaicos (FV). O comportamento estático e dinâmico do arranjo FV, suas funcionalidades e interações com as principais topologias de conversores de potência são abordadas e consideradas nas ferramentas propostas. As principais curvas características do arranjo FV, como corrente e potência por tensão (IxV e PxV) estão presentes e podem ser modificadas de forma dinâmica e interativa, auxiliando ambos, professores e estudantes no processo de ensino e aprendizagem. Adicionalmente, as ferramentas apresentam o funcionamento dinâmico dos sistemas FVs no seguimento da máxima potência extraível, a fim de permitir, de forma fácil e rápida, o completo estudo e análise de um sistema FV real. A partir de resultados experimentais e de simulação, os resultados provenientes da ferramenta proposta são comparados e confrontados, validando sua aplicabilidade. Finalmente, o conjunto de ferramentas educacionais para o ensino de sistemas FVs pode ser empregado tanto em sala de aula teórica, quanto em atividades práticas, auxiliando no aprendizado de sistemas FV.
Impact of Emotional Intelligence and Gender on Job Satisfaction: An Empirical Study amongst the Employees of HDFC Banks in Chandigarh Tricity, India
Authors: Kumar Vishal
Published: September 2018

Emotional intelligence is the most significant concept used in the present scenario of the work environment towards the job satisfaction. Nowadays, Emotional intelligence is used as a tool for measuring the organization’s performance and also playing a key role in stress management and job satisfaction of employees. Job dissatisfaction results in higher absenteeism, lower productivity, defensive behavior and lower performance. The study was organized on the employees’ of HDFC banks, working in Chandigarh Tricity to analyze the impact of emotional intelligence and gender on job satisfaction. A descriptive correlational research was conducted, by taking the population of all the employees of HDFC Banks, Chandigarh Tricity. Convenience sampling method was used to select the sample of the study which included 100 respondents from various branches of HDFC banks in Chandigarh Tricity. The inferences of the study were made with the help of statistical tools such as Karl Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient, Regression analysis, t-test, and ANOVA. In the study, it has been observed that both emotional intelligence and job satisfaction has a positive relationship. It also indicates that Gender has no significant impact on these variables.
E – Banking, Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction in Selected Nigerian Banks
Authors: Amin Hindu J. , Onyeukwu Pauline E. , Osuagwu Hope I.
Published: September 2018

Electronic banking is an important tool for all banks to survive in the competitive Nigerian Banking Industry. This study examines the relationship between the quality of service and customer satisfaction in the e-banking era. A sample of 398 respondents was selected, out of the total number of 66,895 customer population. Structured questionnaires and interview were used in collecting the data. Descriptive statistics was adopted in analyzing the data from the respondents. The results revealed that there is a significant relationship between quality of service and customer satisfaction. The paper concludes that E-banking has a positive impact on the quality of service in the Nigerian banking sector, but not on customer satisfaction. The study suggests that staff training and development should be enhanced in the banking industry in order to render quality and timely services to their customers.
A Study of the Effectiveness of Customer Co-Creation Through Personalization and Customer Co-Creation Through Innovation on Brand Experience
Authors: Werner Kelsey , 2016 Class of
Published: September 2018

The purpose of this article is to study the effect of two types of customer co-creation, co-creation through personalization and co-creation through innovation, on brand experience. Customer co-creation through personalization focuses on the act of improving or changing a standardized product to make it unique to the consumer, and customer co-creation through innovation occurs when the consumer helps the company create a brand new product. Studies have shown that positive brand experiences can lead to improved brand satisfaction and loyalty, so looking at co-creation’s impact on brand experience will point to how co-creation ultimately benefits a company. In order to measure the brand experience of different types of co-creation, the five dimensions of brand experience are used: sensory, affective, cognitive, behavioral, and relational. To test how the different types of co-creation affect the different levels of brand experience and consumers’ buying behavior, I conducted an experiment. In order to account for extraneous factors, I also took the brand name and product category into consideration when evaluating co-creation’s overall effect. I found that customer co-creation through personalization and customer co-creation through innovation have different effects on the various dimensions of brand experience. The cognitive and behavioral brand experience dimensions were changed the most by customer co-creation, and the affective and relational dimensions were not changed at all by customer co-creation. From this, I can conclude that companies should not use customer co-creation to induce feelings or an emotional bond with consumers, but they should use co-creation to stimulate consumers’ thinking and action. Results did vary, though, depending on the brand name and product category. Ultimately, if a company is planning to execute either version of customer co-creation, there are many factors to consider (such as brand name, product category, type of co-creation, industry, and customers) before putting the plan into action.
Current approaches to the morphological diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and prediction of their clinical course based on the analysis of our own database
Authors: Gurevich L. E. , Kazantseva I. A.
Published: September 2018

Aim:Combined clinical and morphological analysis of the pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) spectrum according to the new World Health Organization classification: patient distribution, hormonal status, morphological grading, somatostatin receptor 2 (SSR2) and 5 (SSR5) expression, the choice of tissue-specific markers for the differential diagnosis of primary NET in the pancreas based on metastases with unknown primary tumor.

Materials and methods:The study was performed with 472 tissue samples from pNETs taken from patients. Morphological analysis consisted of histological and immunohistochemical examination with a panel of antibodies to chromogranin A, synaptophysin, CD56, insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, gastrin, calcitonin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), serotonin, pancreatic polypeptide, cytokeratins (CK) of a wide spectrum, CK7 and CK19, p53, Ki-67, SSR 2 and SSR5, PDX-1, Isl-1, and NESP-55.

Results:In women, the prevalence of pNETS was 2.3 higher than in men (2.3:1). We were able to identify 299 (63.3%) insulinomas, 134 (28.4%) non-functioning NETs, 28 (5.9%) gastrinomas and 1.8% rare tumors (somatostatinomas, “calcitoninomas” and ACTH-producing). Metastatic tumors were found in 16.5% of the cases. Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 1 was confirmed in 11.9% of the pNET patients, and in 30.8% of those aged below 30 years. Multiple tumors (2 to 10) were found in 32 patients by the time of the diagnosis or occurred at 7 to 18 years after initial surgery. 28.3% of the tumors were CK19-positive, with 54.4% of them being metastatic. Insulinomas were least prone to metastasizing (5.7% of the cases), with 41.2% of them being CK19-positive. Metastases were found in 70.4, 66.7, 100, and 100% of gastrinomas, “calcitoninomas”, ACTH-producing, and somatostatinomas, respectively, with CK19-positivity found in 85.2, 66.7, 66.7, and 100% of these tumors. SSR2 expression was observed in all gastrinomas and “calcitoninomas”, in 90.5% of “glucagonomas”, 85.7% of PPomas, and 66.7% of somatostatinomas. SSR5 expression was significantly less frequent. 86.3% of the studied tumors were PDX-1-positive: all somatostatinomas, 97.4% of insulinomas, 92.3% of gastrinomas, 83.3% of PPomas, 80% of the non-functioning NETs. PDX-1-negativity was identified in all “calcitoninomas” and in 57.1% of the non-functioning “glucagonomas”. 83.3% and 90.9% of the pNETs were Isl-1 and NESP-55-positive, respectively.

Conclusion:Combined morphological and immunohistochemical examination of pNETs allows for the correct diagnosis, assessment of their prognosis and choice of the most effective treatment. The malignancy grade of pNETs depends on the cell immunophenotype and is higher in the cases with co-expression of the markers of neuroendocrine and ductal differentiation (CK19), as well as with ectopic hormonal production.
Introduction to resistant vine types : a brief history and overview of the situation
Authors: Yobrégat Olivier
Published: September 2018

Today’s breeding efforts applied to grapevines are mainly focused on the use of resistance to bio-aggressors, after beingmotivated, often unconsciously, for millennia by quantitative and qualitative concerns, and adaptations to environmentalconditions. Thanks to advances in genomic knowledge and use of molecular markers, it is now possible to envisage more andmore solutions against different pathogens (fungi, bacteria, viruses, insects), and in the near future, to ensure the durability ofthese resistances while combining them with resistance factors to abiotic stresses (drought, cold hardiness, soil conditions, etc.).This brief review presents the history and current situation of resistant vine types.
Assessing the Effect of ADS-B Message Drop Out in Detect and Avoid of Unmanned Aircraft System Using Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: Tabassum Asma , Semke William
Published: September 2018

This work analyzes the severity and risk associated with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) message drop out in Detect and Avoid (DAA) function of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). Performance assessment of the Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) ADS-B message implies that in some cases ADS-B fails to update within a specified update interval, which is referred to as drop out in this work. ADS-B is a fundamental surveillance sensor for both class 1 and class 2 DAA systems. Message loss or drop out has been found as one of the common limitations of the ADS-B system. The key feature of this study is incorporating the update rate of real ADS-B data transmitted from the manned aircraft. The data were received from the Grand Forks International Airport, North Dakota.  Monte Carlo method has been adopted to resolve encounter scenarios in the presence of drop out. The change in the alert triggered by the UAS DAA in the presence of ADS-B drop out has been investigated. Furthermore, the risk matrices are created to quantify the associated risk with drop out affected alerts. Simulation results depict that both the duration of drop out and DAA look-ahead time affect the alert-triggering function of UAS. With a small look- ahead window and longer duration of drop out, the number of warning alerts increases. Also, alerts are affected more during an overtaking encounter than that of a head-to-head encounter. A system-level analysis is also carried out to recognize the potential reasons behind the ADS-B drop out.
Separation of Negatively Charged TiO2-Coated Polystyrene Beads in Microfluidic Device
Authors: Phiphatanaphiphop Chalinee , Leksakul Komgrit , Phatthanakun Rungrueang , Busayaporn Wutthikrai , Saiyasombat Chatree , Phothongkam Pat , Anshori Isa , Rana MdMohosin , Suzuki Hiroaki
Published: September 2018

This research was presented the special designed microfluidic device generated for sperm separation based on assumption of different surface electrical charged of sperms X and Y. However, to avoid ethical problem, the microfluidic chip has been tested with the mimic electrical charged particles, TiO2-coated Polystyrene beads, (TiO2-coated Ps-beads), instead of spermatozoa. The work has been separated into three main parts. Firstly, the simply but efficient fabrication of negatively charged TiO2-coated Ps-beads has been presented. In addition, various characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Tungsten Scanning Electron Microscopy (W-SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mode, and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS), have been reported in this work to elucidate the reasons behind the persistence of negatively charged on the surface of TiO2-coated Ps-beads. Results show that  the fabricated TiO2-coated Ps-beads was partly coated in the mixed forms of amorphous Ti4+ and had caused a negatively charge to appear on the surface after fabrication and had sustained its electrical charged for long. Secondly, process of simulation and fabrication of microfluidic device was presented. Finally the negatively charged TiO2-coated Ps-beads were tested in this microfluidic devices. For design of microfluidic devices integrated with a couple of microelectrodes, the simulated structures were fabricated by photolithographic technique and tested with the Ps-beads. Percentage of validation for Ps-beads separation indicated that the 100 mm-distance-between-electrodes microfluidic device exhibits to be the highest performance prototype at 86.96%. For further confirmation, another model so called the single path prototype has been established. It is confirmed by 92.59% of validation for the utilization of the device. The successfully designed microfluidic devices can be examined with actual spermatozoa later. Furthermore, process to fabricate the negatively charged TiO2-coated Ps-beads can be established as testified samples for development of other microfluidic devices.
Biomarkers for Predicting Clinical Outcomes of Chemoradiation-Based Bladder Preservation Therapy for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer
Authors: Koga Fumitaka , Takemura Kosuke , Fukushima Hiroshi
Published: September 2018

Chemoradiation-based bladder preservation therapy (BPT) is currently a curative option for non-metastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) patients at favorable risk or an alternative to radical cystectomy (RC) for those who are unfit for RC. In BPT, only patients who achieve complete response (CR) after chemoradiation have favorable prognosis and quality of life with preserved functional bladder. Thus, predicting CR and favorable prognosis is important for optimal patient selection for BPT. We reviewed biomarkers for predicting clinical outcomes of chemoradiation-based BPT. Biomarkers studied were categorized into those related to apoptosis, cell proliferation, receptor tyrosine kinases, DNA damage response genes, hypoxia, molecular subtype, and others. Among these biomarkers, Ki-67 labeling index (Ki-67 LI) and meiotic recombination 11 may be used for selecting BPT or RC. Ki-67 LI and erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2 (erbB2) may be used for predicting both chemoradiation response and prognosis of patients on BPT. Concurrent use of trastuzumab and a combination of carbogen and nicotinamide can overcome chemoradiation resistance conferred by erbB2 overexpression and tumor hypoxia. Further studies are needed to confirm the practical utility of these biomarkers for progress on biomarker-directed personalized management of MIBC patients.
Principles of Instability and Stability in Digital PID Control Strategies and Analysis for a Continuous Alcoholic Fermentation Tank Process Start-up
Authors: Balbino Barbosa Filho Alexandre César
Published: September 2018

Some professionals in the industrial community are not as familiar with digital PID controllers as the analog one. So the art work of this present paper is to show properly conditions and aspects to reach stability in the process control, as also to avoid instability, through the use of digital PID controllers, with the objective of help the industrial community. The discussed control strategy used to reach stability is to manipulate variables that are directly proportional to their controlled variables. To validate and to put the exposed principles into practice, it was done two simulations of a continuous fermentation tank process start-up with the yeast strain S. Cerevisiae NRRL-Y-132, in which the substrate feed stream contains different types of sugar derived from cane bagasse hydrolysate. These tests were carried out through the resolution of conservation laws, more specifically mass and energy balances, in which the fluid temperature and level inside the tank were the controlled variables. The results showed that if the exposed proceedings are followed, the system stabilize without difficulties.
Measuring the Material Properties Related to Human Perceptions  
Authors: Pan Ning
Published: September 2018

Sensory evaluation has been widely applied in assessing the quality of many consumer products that directly serve human needs such as food, beverages, clothing, etc. This paper first examined the inherent deficiencies in this approach, due mainly to the essentially subjective nature of human sensory preference. It then argued that instinctively designating certain materials attributes as sensory perceptions is unnecessary; considering every scientific concept is in essence the processed results of our sensory organs/brains, i.e., all quantities were initially human perceptions.  Scientific advances have inevitably generated gradual transformation of such human perceptions as warmth and heaviness into objective parameters measurable in physical quantities like temperature and kilograms. Then using existing successful examples, it demonstrated firmly how the sensory attributes can be assessed by more reliable instrumental methods, and envisioned the key steps to turning a perception into scientifically measurable parameter(s).
Aromatic Profiles of Essential Oil from 5 Commonly Used Thai Basils
Authors: Tangpao Tibet , Chung Hsiao-Hang , Sommano Sarana Rose
Published: September 2018

The research objectives of this study are to analyse the volatile compositions of different basil types available in Thai markets and to descriptively determine their aromatic qualities.  Essential oils were hydro-distillated from fresh leaves of 2 Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) varieties namely, white and red and other basil species, including Tree basil (O. gratissimum), Sweet basil (O. basilicum var. thyrsiflorum) and Lemon basil (O. citriodorum).  Oil physicochemical characteristics and volatile chromatograms from Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to qualitatively and quantitatively describe the chemical compositions.  Methyl eugenol, estragole and eugenol were among the major chemicals found in the essential oils of these basil types.  Classification by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) advised that these Ocimum spp. samples are grouped based on either the distinctive anise, citrus aroma (estragole, geranial and neral) or spice-like aroma (β-methyl eugenol, caryophyllene and α-cubebene).  The essential oil was also used for descriptive sensorial determination by five trained panelists, using the following developed terms: anisic, citrus, herb, spice, sweet and woody.  The panelists were able to differentiate essential oil of white Holy basil from red Holy basil based on the intensity of the anisic attribute, while the anise and citrus scents were detected as dominant in the Lemon basil, Tree basil and Sweet basil essential oils.  The overall benefit from this research was the elucidation of aromatic qualities from Thai common Ocimum species in order to assess their potential as the raw materials for future food research and development.
Introduction. The Misleading Discovery of Japanese ‘National Cinema’.
Authors: Centeno Martín Marcos P.
Published: September 2018

The Western ‘discovery’ of Japanese cinema in the 1950s prompted scholars to articulate essentialist visions understanding its singularities as a result of its isolation from the rest of the World and its close links to local aesthetic and philosophical traditions. Recent approaches however, have evidenced the limitations of this paradigm of ‘national cinema’. Higson (1989) opened a critical discussion on the existing consumption, text andproduction-based approaches to this concept. This article draws on Higson´s contribution and calls into question traditional theorising of Japanese film as a national cinema. Contradictions are illustrated by assessing the other side of the ‘discovery’ of Japanese cinema: certain gendaigeki works that succeeded at the domestic box office while jidaigeki burst into European film festivals. The Taiyōzoku and subsequent Mukokuseki Action created a new postwar iconography by adapting codes of representation from Hollywood youth and western films. This article does not attempt to deny the uniqueness of this film culture, but rather seeks to highlight the need to reformulate the paradigm of national cinema in the Japanese case, and illustrate the sense in which it was created from outside, failing to recognise its reach transnational intertextuality.
Genome-wide Screens Reveal Escherichia Coli Genes Required for Growth of T1-like Phage LL5 and rV5-like Phage LL12
Authors: Piya Denish , Lessor Lauren , Koehler Brian , Stonecipher Ashley , Cahill Jesse , Gill Jason J.
Published: September 2018

Factors affecting the host-virus interaction must be understood for the effective application of bacteriophages to combat bacterial pathogens. Two novel E. coli phages, the T1-like siphophage LL5 and the rV5-like myophage LL12, were subjected to forward genetic screens against the Keio collection, a library of single non-essential gene deletions in E.coli str. BW25113. These genome-wide screens and subsequent experiments identified eight genes required for efficient propagation of phage LL5 and six genes required for propagation of LL12. The majority of the genes identified were involved in production of the phage receptors. E. coli mutants deficient in heptose II and the phosphoryl substituent of heptose I of the inner core lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were unable to propagate phage LL5, as were mutants deficient in the outer membrane protein TolC. Mutants lacking glucose I of the LPS outer core failed to propagate LL12. Two cytoplasmic chaperones, PpiB and SecB, were found to be required for efficient propagation of phage LL5 but not LL12. This approach may be useful for identifying phage receptors and required host factors in other phages, which would provide valuable information for their potential use as therapeutics and for phage engineering.
Origami Needle Guide for CT-Guided Interventions
Authors: Taylor Austin , Xu Sheng , Wood Bradford J. , Tse Zion Tsz Ho
Published: September 2018

The objective of this study is to preliminarily evaluate a new CT-biopsy guidance device, an origami needle guide. The device is created by laser cutting the structure from a sheet of cardboard, 3D printing two radiocontrast agent grids on to the surface and folding the structure into a rectangular prism with a viewing window. An abdominal imaging phantom was used to evaluate the device through CT imaging and the targeting of lesions for needle insertion. The lesion targeting trials resulted in a mean targeting error of 1.88 mm with a standard deviation of 0.73 mm. The device attaches to the patient and is rigid enough to adequately support standard biopsy needles, reducing the effect of gravity and the risk of laceration by the needles, making it potentially advantageous for biopsy of superficial lesions and lesions approached from a horizontal orientation. The device supports insertion of multiple needles at once, making it particularly suitable for composite ablation using multiple needles. Another advantage of the device is that it can guide off-axial needle insertion. The low-cost and disposability of the device make it well-suited for the minimally invasive image guided therapy environment.
Effects of Initial Water Content on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Lean Clay Soil Stabilized by Compound Calcium-Based Stabilizer
Authors: Yin Chenglong , Zhang Wei , Jiang Xun-li , Huang Zhi-yi
Published: September 2018

Initial water content significantly affects the efficiency of soil stabilization. In this study, the effects of initial water content on the compressibility, strength, microstructure and composition of a lean clay soil stabilized by compound calcium-based stabilizer were investigated by static compaction test, unconfined compression test, optical microscope observations, environment scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. The results indicate that as the initial water content increases in the range studied, both the compaction energy and the maximum compaction force decrease linearly and there are less soil aggregates or agglomerations, and smaller proportion of large pores in the compacted mixture structure. In addition, for specimens cured with or without external water supply and under different compaction degrees, the variation law of the unconfined compressive strength with initial water content is different and the highest strength value is obtained at various initial water contents. With the increase of initial water content, the percentage of oxygen element tends to increase in the reaction products of the calcium-based stabilizer, whereas the crystalline mineral of the soil did not change obviously.
Cell Cycle Arrest in Different Cancer Cell Lines “Liver, Breast, and Colon” Induce Apoptosis under the Influence of the Chemical Content of Aeluropus lagopoides Leaves Extracts
Authors: Saleh Kamel Ahmed , Asiri Tahani Hassan , Elbehairi Serageldin Ibrahim , Alshehry Mohammed Ali , Elfaifi Mohammad Yahya , Al-Ghazzwi Adel Mahmoud
Published: September 2018

Natural product especially secondary metabolites that produced by plants under the stressed condition shown to have a different pharmacological impact. Aeluropus lagopoides is one of the typical halophyte plants survivals under stressed conditions. It has been used for wound healing and as a painkiller. The bioactivity and the chemical composition of this plant have poorly investigated. Consequently, chemical components of A. lagopoides leaves were extracted using hexane (nonpolar), ethyl acetate (semi-polar), n-butanol (polar) to extract the most extensive variety of metabolites. The cytotoxicity and anticancer impact of extracted secondary metabolites evaluated against breast (MCF-7), colon (HCT-116), and liver (HepG2) cancer cell lines using SRB test. The mechanism of action verified by observing the appearance of apoptotic bodies using the fluorescent microscope while their antiproliferative impact had been evaluated using flow cytometer. Results revealed that secondary metabolites extracted using hexane and ethyl acetate were having the highest cytotoxicity and thus anticancer activity effect on HepG2 with IC50 (24.29 ± 0.85, 11.22 ± 0.679 µg/mL) respectively. Where apoptotic bodies observed, flow cytometer results exhibited that secondary metabolites can inhibit cell cycle in G0/G1 phase. Accordingly, A. lagopoides hexane and ethyl acetate extracts may consider as a candidate anti-cancer drug.