bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La legislación agraria posrevolucionaria y su impacto territorial. Ejido y caña en el estado de Veracruz (1917- 1940)
Authors: Thiébaut Virginie
Published: April 2019

Este trabajo busca demostrar que la legislación agraria ha tenido interpretaciones diversas y, en consecuencia, un impacto territorial diferenciado. Para tal fin, se estudió la evolución de la legislación relativa al sector cañero azucarero y su aplicación en el caso de dos ingenios veracruzanos. El trabajo evidencia que los territorios cañeros han sido poco afectados por el repartimiento agrario gracias a la protección legal. Sin embargo, la aplicación de la ley fue diferente en San Francisco y en Tuzamapan y evolucionó a lo largo de 1917-1940. El texto constituye una aportación para entender la situación específica de los complejos cañeroazucareros en el contexto de la reforma agraria. Se evidencia el vínculo indefectible entre agricultura e industria y las estrategias adoptadas para evitar la disolución del campo cañero.
STEM y Brecha de Género en Latinoamérica
Authors: Arredondo Trapero Florina Guadalupe , Vázquez Parra José Carlos , Velázquez Sánchez Luz María
Published: April 2019

El artículo tiene el objetivo de analizar la tendencia en la formación en disciplinas académicas de ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería y matemáticas de mujeres latinoamericanas. Para ello, se considera el efecto de su  inclusión educativa en el desarrollo de la región y la reducción de la brecha de género. Propone una reflexión a partir de reportes internacionales de desarrollo económico y humano para mostrar que la realidad de las mujeres en el desarrollo de este tipo de competencias sigue siendo desigual en comparación con los hombres. Aunque el  presente artículo no consigue abordar factores culturales relacionados, sí arroja luz sobre la necesidad de afrontar la falta de inclusión educativa en estas áreas. Como conclusión, se determina que la adquisición de competencias en las disciplinas académicas de ciencia,  tecnología, ingeniería y matemáticas resulta determinante para la reducción de la brecha de género en la región latinoamericana ante los requerimientos de la industria 4.0.
Closed Loop Duodenal Obstruction Secondary to Pancreatic Carcinoma: A Case Report
Authors: Shen Zhihong , Yu Jianhua , Tang Haijun , Lu Baochun
Published: April 2019

Background:

Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma may develop into duodenal
obstruction during the course of their disease. The diagnosis of obstruction can be generally
achieved by means of imaging technologies.

Case and Outcome:

We reported a rare case of pancreatic tumor with duodenal obstruction
accompanied by obstructive symptoms, which was finally confirmed by laparotomy. A 68-year-old
man was admitted to our department with a 3-day medical history of upper abdominal pain, nausea
and vomiting. The diagnosis of duodenal obstruction was established by means of various
imagings including computed tomography (CT) scan, gastroscopy and upper gastrointestinal
imaging. Upper gastrointestinal imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed extrinsic
tumor mass was noted at the second and third portion of the duodenum accompanied by duodenal
obstruction and dilatation, respectively. Laparotomy confirmed a tumor mass arising from the head
and uncinate process of pancreas, which had invaded the second and third portions of the
duodenum and caused closed loop obstruction. A pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure)
was performed followed by therapeutic trade-off according to intraoperative exploration.
Postoperative histopathology revealed pancreatic tumor only infiltrated duodenal wall, while
resection margins of pancreas, common bile duct and duodenum were all negative. The patient was
cured and discharged home 12 days after surgery.

Conclusion:

The present case indicated radical operation in our study appeared to be the first
choice treatment for patients with malignant duodenal obstruction.
Comparison of Clinical Efficacy and Complications Between Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgery for Low Rectal Cancer
Authors: Dai Jian , Yu Zhou
Published: April 2019

Aim:

To compare the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for lower rectal cancer
with open surgery.

Methods:

The multiple databases including PubMed, Springer, EMBASE, EMBASE, OVID were
adopted to search for the relevant studies, and full-text articles involving the comparison of
unilateral and bilateral PVP surgery were reviewed. Review Manager 5.0 was adopted to estimate
the effects of the results among the selected articles. Forest plots, sensitivity analysis and bias
analysis for the articles included were also conducted.

Results:

Finally, 1186 patients were included in the 10 studies, which eventually satisfied the
eligibility criteria, and laparoscopic and open surgery group were 646 and 540, respectively. The
meta-analysis suggested that there was no significant difference of the operation time between
laparoscopic and open surgery group, while the time to solid intake, hospital stay time, blood loss
and complication rate of laparoscopic group are much less than those of open surgery.

Conclusion:

Although both these two punctures provide similar operation time, we encourage the
use of the laparoscopic surgery as the preferred surgical technique for treatment of lower rectal
cancer due to less time to solid intake, hospital stay time, blood loss and lower complication rate.
Occurrence of Interleukin-2 (330 G/T) Promoter Polymorphism in ARV associated hepatotoxicity
Authors: Singh HariOm , Nambiar Nayana , Samani Dharmesh , Gangakhedkar Raman R.
Published: April 2019

Background:

IL-2 cytokine is involved in HIV replication and is also known to cause hepatic injury. Polymorphisms in the IL-2 gene are associated with altered interleukin-2 production.

Methods:

Hence, we assessed the prevalence of IL-2-303G/T polymorphism in 165 HIV patients (34 with and 131without hepatotoxicity) and 155 healthy controls using the PCR-RFLP method.

Results:

In patients with hepatotoxicity, IL-2-303GT, -303GT+TT genotypes were less prevalent as compared to without hepatotoxicity and healthy controls (29.4% vs. 42.7%, 58.8% vs. 69.5%; 29.4% vs. 40.6%, 58.8% vs. 66.5%, respectively). In patients with hepatotoxicity using tobacco and alcohol, IL-2-303GT,-303TT genotypes were distributed higher as compared to non-users (42.9% vs. 25.9%, OR=8.52, 42.9% vs. 25.9%, OR=9.09, and 28.6% vs. 29.6%, OR=1.63, 42.9% vs. 25.9%, OR=2.93), while IL-2-303TT genotype occurred more often in HIV patients consuming alcohol (34.1% vs. 23.0%). Nevirapine users with hepatotoxicity overrepresented the IL-2-303GT,-303TT genotypes as compared to efavirenz (34.8% vs. 18.2%, OR=4.64, 34.8% vs. 18.2%, OR=3.88). Among nevirapine users, IL-2-303GT genotype was associated with susceptibility to the acquisition of hepatotoxicity with borderline significance (OR=4.24, P=0.06). HIV patients using nevirapine majorly represented the IL-2-303TT genotype (26.9% vs. 25.0%, OR=2.35) while HIV patients with nevirapine + alcohol usage presented the IL-2 -330TT genotype at a higher frequency (34.2% vs. 23.5%, OR=1.51). In patients with hepatotoxicity using nevirapine + alcohol, the genotype IL-2 - 330TT was predominant (60.0% vs. 27.8%, OR=3.16).

Conclusion:

Thus, IL-2-303G/T polymorphism did not confer the susceptibility to ARV associated hepatotoxicity. However, IL-2-303G/T polymorphism with nevirapine usage may facilitate the risk for acquisition of ARV associated hepatotoxicity.
Thoughtful Insights into the Therapeutic Armamentarium of Chalcones: 10 Years of Glorious Journey
Authors: Rathore Swati , Mishra Shweta , Mahapatra Debarshi K. , Patil Shailendra , Patil Asmita G.
Published: April 2019

Background:

Naturally occurring chalcones afford diverse pharmacological activities such as
anticancer, anti-malarial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tubercular, anti-hypertensive, anti-arrhythmic, antidiabetic,
anti-angiogenic, anti-obesity, antiplatelet, anti-oxidant, hypolipidemic and anti-gout. They are
frequently being used by the various researchers to design and develop new synthetic chalcones and
many novel hybrid analogs as bioactive drugs. Many of these drugs are hybrid molecules, which are
designed through molecular hybridization theory, and have displayed multiple pharmacological and
medicinal aspects. This multi-effective feature of these hybrid derivatives makes them efficient and
ideal drug entities for the treatment of various dreadful diseases.

Methods:

A structured search of published research literature from recognized standard medical databases
such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Google Patents, Scopus, etc., over the defined period of 10
years (January 2009 to December 2018) have been performed. Various reported heterocyclic chalcone
hybrids, their synthesis methods, plausible mechanism(s) of action(s), and probable structure-activity
relationships for the therapeutic applications in cancer, malaria, tuberculosis, leishmaniasis, inflammation,
diabetes, microbial infection, and cardiovascular diseases remained the centre for attraction of this
article.

Results:

The present review article focuses on chalcone hybrids with different heterocyclic moieties and
categorizing them on the basis of their pharmacology and therapeutic significance in the last ten years
and has proposed their structure-activity relationships.

Conclusion:

Chalcone and their hybrids have largely been targeted for their anticancer, anti-malarial,
anti-inflammatory, anti-tubercular, antileishmaniasis, and anti-microbial activity. This comprehensive
study may assist the medicinal chemist to design and develop innovative chalcone hybrids with significant
therapeutic activity.
Deltamethrin-Induced Immunotoxicity and its Protection by Quercetin: An Experimental Study
Authors: Kumar Anoop , Gupta Meenakshi , Sharma Ruchika , Sharma Neelima
Published: April 2019

Background:

Deltamethrin (DLM) is a type 2 pyrethroid insecticide used in agriculture and home to control pests. However, emerging reports have indicated the immunotoxicity of DLM.

Objective:

Thus, in the current investigation, we have checked the immune-protective role of quercetin in DLM-induced immunotoxicity by using in silico and in vitro techniques.

Results:

In silico results have shown good interaction of quercetin towards immune cell receptors (T & B cell receptors). The findings of in vitro studies indicated the decrease in oxidative stress which is elevated by DLM in concentration & time-dependent manner. The increased caspases-3 activity was decreased by treatment of quercetin. The apoptosis induced by DLM in thymus and spleen was suppressed only at higher concentration (50μg/ml) of quercetin. Finally, the phenotypic changes due to DLM were restored by quercetin.

Conclusion:

Quercetin has strong binding affinity towards CD4, CD8 and CD28, CD45 receptors and protects the thymocytes and splenocytes against DLM-induced apoptotic signaling pathways.
Influence of Dimensionless Parameter on De-Ionized Water-alumina Nanofluid Based Parabolic Trough Solar Collector
Authors: Gopalsamy Vijayan , Rajasekaran Karunakaran , Kamaraj Logesh , Sivasaravanan Siva , Kok Metin
Published: April 2019

Background:

Aqueous-alumina nanofluid was prepared using magnetic stirrer and ultrasonication
process. Then, the prepared nanofluid was subjected to flow through the unshielded receiver
of the parabolic trough solar collector to investigate the performance of the nanofluid and the effects of
the dimensionless parameter were determined.

Methods:

The experimental work has been divided into two sections. First, the nanofluid was prepared
and tested for its morphology, dimensions, and sedimentation using X-Ray Diffraction and Raman shift
method. Then, the nanofluids of various concentrations from 0 to 4.0% are used as heat transfer fluid in
unshielded type collector. Finally, the effect of the dimensionless parameter on the performance was
determined.

Results:

For the whole test period, depending upon the bulk mean temperature, the dimensionless parameters
such as Re and Nu varied from 1098 to 4552 & 19.30 to 46.40 for air and 2150 to 7551 & 11.11 to
48.54 for nanofluid. The enhancement of thermal efficiency found for 0% and 4.0% nanoparticle concentrations
was 32.84% for the mass flow rate of 0.02 kg/s and 13.26% for the mass flow rate of 0.06 kg/s.

Conclusion:

Re and Nu of air depend on air velocity and ambient temperature. Re increased with the
mass flow rate and decreased with concentration. Heat loss occurred by convection mode of heat transfer.
Heat transfer coefficient and global efficiency increased with increased mass flow rate and volume
fraction. The thermal efficiency of both 0% and 4.0% concentrations became equal for increased mass
flow rate. It has been proven that at high mass flow rates, the time available to absorb the heat energy
from the receiver is insufficient.
Analysis of the Correlation Between Strength and Fractal Dimension of Gravelly Soil in Debris-flow Source Areas
Authors: Na He , Tao Li , Wei Zhong , Cosgrove Tom , Mei Zeng
Published: April 2019

Particle size distribution of gravelly soil plays a crucial role in debris flow initiation. For better understanding the mechanism of debris flow formation, two crucial mechanical property parameters of the gravelly soil are required to be studied meticulously: hydraulic conductivity and strength. With the aim of measuring the composition of the gravelly soil, 182 soil samples were taken from debris flow prone areas. With the aid of a sieve test, the particle size distribution of the samples can be obtained and analyzed. Then fractal theory was employed to compute the fractal dimension of the soil samples. By analyzing the results of sieve test (particle size distribution curves) and the results of the fractal theory calculations, the relationship between fractal dimension and particle size distribution can be explored. The results illustrate that the particle compositions of the gravelly soil tends to remain uniform as the fractal dimension increases. Moreover, as the coarse particle content increases, the fractal dimension decreases. To better understand the formation mechanism of debris flows, direct shear tests were conducted. Subsequently the experimental results were analyzed. By analysis, the following conclusions can be drawn: the soil strength decreases as the fractal dimension increases, and for soils with lower moisture content and identical dry density, a linear relationship between fractal dimension and cohesion force was identified. Moreover, cohesion force and internal friction force both decrease as the fractal dimension increases, but the internal friction angle decreases slightly while the cohesion force decreases greatly. Therefore we concluded that soil strength decreased mainly due to the reduction in cohesion force.
Pott’s Disease in a 3 Years Old Italian Child: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Porta Alessandro , Lizzoli Francesca , Racchi Elisabetta , Scaramuzza Cristina , Parola Luciana
Published: April 2019

Introduction:

Tuberculosis (TB) is currently a major health problem, in particular in developing countries and in HIV positive people. Tubercular spondylodiscitis is the most common type of skeletal TB, more frequent in children than adults. It is rarely reported in developed countries.

Case Report:

We describe a 3 years-old Italian girl who referred to our hospital with back pain and walking deficiency; she had a very good outcome with anti-tubercular treatment and orthopedic follow-up.

Conclusion:

Early recognition and treatment of this tubercular complication are very important due to its possible complications: bone destruction, spinal deformity, neurologic and orthopedic complications.
Effect of CaO and Fe2O3 on Partitioning of As and S within Ash Fractions from Fluidised-Bed Co-Combustion of Coal and Wastes
Authors: Bartoňová Lucie
Published: April 2019

Possible interaction of volatilized As and S with CaO and Fe2O3 (creating solid product) could efficiently improve coal combustion flue gas cleaning. For this reason, S-CaO, As-CaO, S- Fe2O3 and As- Fe2O3 relationships were evaluated in bottom ash and fly ash fractions from fluidised-bed co-combustion of coal and wastes (and limestone as desulphurization additive) through calculation of correlation coefficients and composition of magnetic concentrates. It was concluded that S exhibited a dominant association with CaO while As exhibited affinity to both CaO and Fe2O3 - the significance differed a little in bottom ash and fly ash. In the bottom ash, the affinity of As to CaO was more significant, while in the fly ash the association to Fe2O3 slightly prevailed.
Nevirapine Pharmaceutical Cocrystal: Design, Development and Formulation
Authors: Panzade Prabhakar , Somani Priyanka , Rathi Pavan
Published: April 2019

Background and Objective:

The top approach to deliver poorly soluble drugs is the use of a
highly soluble form. The present study was conducted to enhance the solubility and dissolution of a
poorly aqueous soluble drug nevirapine via a pharmaceutical cocrystal. Another objective of the study
was to check the potential of the nevirapine cocrystal in the dosage form.

Methods:

A neat and liquid assisted grinding method was employed to prepare nevirapine cocrystals in
a 1:1 and 1:2 stoichiometric ratio of drug:coformer by screening various coformers. The prepared cocrystals
were preliminary investigated for melting point and saturation solubility. The selected cocrystal
was further confirmed by Infrared Spectroscopy (IR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and Xray
Powder Diffraction (XRPD). Further, the cocrystal was subjected to in vitro dissolution study and
formulation development.

Results:

The cocrystal of Nevirapine (NVP) with Para-Amino Benzoic Acid (PABA) coformer prepared
by neat grinding in 1:2 ratio exhibited greater solubility. The shifts in IR absorption bands, alterations
in DSC thermogram, and distinct XRPD pattern showed the formation of the NVP-PABA cocrystal.
Dissolution of NVP-PABA cocrystal enhanced by 38% in 0.1N HCl. Immediate release tablets of
NVP-PABA cocrystal exhibited better drug release and less disintegration time.

Conclusion:

A remarkable increase in the solubility and dissolution of NVP was obtained through the
cocrystal with PABA. The cocrystal also showed great potential in the dosage form which may provide
future direction for other drugs.
Establecimiento de un método eficiente de estandarización de la germinación in vitro de Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae)
Authors: Luna Claudia Verónica
Published: April 2019

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Moringa oleifera es fuente de fitoquímicos con aplicación potencial en medicamentos. Su uso medicinal, sobre todo de las hojas, es reconocido mundialmente; se les atribuye la presencia de compuestos bioactivos funcionales. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estandarizar la germinación in vitro de M. oleifera en biorreactores de inmersión temporal utilizando distintos medios de cultivo.Métodos: Las semillas se sembraron con y sin testa, en medios basales líquidos compuestos de agua (control) y sales de Murashige y Skoog (MS) en su concentración original o diluido al 50 y 25%, con 0, 15 y 30 g l-1 de sacarosa. Se evaluaron los porcentajes de germinación, indicadores de vigor y crecimiento en plántulas.Resultados clave: En las semillas con testa se obtuvo un 23.33±5.77% de germinación en un solo tratamiento sin lograr evaluar los parámetros propuestos. Se complementaron estos resultados con la prueba de viabilidad de tetrazolio de las semillas no germinadas, registrando un 34.16±18.73% de viabilidad. La remoción de la testa y medio de cultivo líquido favorecieron la germinación. El mayor porcentaje de germinación, capacidad germinativa y coeficiente de uniformidad, así como mayor desarrollo foliar, relación de biomasa aérea y radical, incremento de peso seco de material vegetal por unidad de tiempo, al igual que la acumulación de masa seca, se obtuvieron con MS como medio basal.Conclusiones: Para la estandarización de la germinación in vitro de Moringa oleifera se recomienda la remoción de la testa y la utilización de MS como medio basal, ya que aceleran el proceso y posibilitan obtener plántulas que podrán ser utilizadas para experimentos de regeneración indirecta y/o directa para un escalado masivo de germoplasma.
Terrorism by the FARC-EP and public policies oriented towards national security in Colombia during 1990-2000
Authors: Cubides Cárdenas Jaime Alfonso , Sierra Zamora Paola Alexandra , Calixto Ortiz Diego Alexander , Pabón Caballero Nicolás
Published: April 2019

This article addresses the terrorist acts perpetrated by illegal armed actors during 1990-2000, as well as the policies related to national security. The role of a society in the relationship with terrorism is stressed as a coercive method used to gain control over government and groups of people. Terrorism and power relations based on violence and fear are used as a means of coercion to create states of anxiety. This study approaches three thematic axes. First, the general aspects of the concept of terrorism and the incidents in the Colombian system are studied. Then, public policies are analyzed, focusing on security in Colombia, opening the way to the third axis in which an analysis is carried out to determine their effectiveness and whether they are an asset to justice. This study seeks to determine the efficiency of public policies in matters of security related to transitional justice regarding the conflict with the FARC in the Colombian state. To conclude, brief conclusions are provided.
The Fever Coach Mobile App for Participatory Influenza Surveillance in Children: Usability Study (Preprint)
Authors: Kim Myeongchan , Yune Sehyo , Chang Seyun , Jung Yuseob , Sa Soon Ok , Han Hyun Wook
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Effective surveillance of influenza requires a broad network of health care providers actively reporting cases of influenza-like illnesses and positive laboratory results. Not only is this traditional surveillance system costly to establish and maintain but there is also a time lag between a change in influenza activity and its detection. A new surveillance system that is both reliable and timely will help public health officials to effectively control an epidemic and mitigate the burden of the disease.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the use of parent-reported data of febrile illnesses in children submitted through the Fever Coach app in real-time surveillance of influenza activities.

METHODS

Fever Coach is a mobile app designed to help parents and caregivers manage fever in young children, currently mainly serviced in South Korea. The app analyzes data entered by a caregiver and provides tailored information for care of the child based on the child’s age, sex, body weight, body temperature, and accompanying symptoms. Using the data submitted to the app during the 2016-2017 influenza season, we built a regression model that monitors influenza incidence for the 2017-2018 season and validated the model by comparing the predictions with the public influenza surveillance data from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC).

RESULTS

During the 2-year study period, 70,203 diagnosis data, including 7702 influenza reports, were submitted. There was a significant correlation between the influenza activity predicted by Fever Coach and that reported by KCDC (Spearman ρ=0.878; P<.001). Using this model, the influenza epidemic in the 2017-2018 season was detected 10 days before the epidemic alert announced by KCDC.

CONCLUSIONS

The Fever Coach app successfully collected data from 7.73% (207,699/2,686,580) of the target population by providing care instruction for febrile children. These data were used to develop a model that accurately estimated influenza activity measured by the central government agency using reports from sentinel facilities in the national surveillance network.
Web-Based Health Information Seeking Among Students at Kuwait University: Cross-Sectional Survey Study (Preprint)
Authors: Ashkanani Hasan , Asery Rabab , Bokubar Fajer , AlAli Noor , Mubarak Shahad , Buabbas Ali , Almajran Abdullah
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Owing to the revolution in technology, the internet has become an important aspect of people’s lives. Modern technology is enabling people from diverse educational backgrounds to use the internet for several purposes, one of which is health information seeking. Recently, Web-based health information has become more popular among patients all over the world and among the general public.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the use of Web-based health resources among undergraduate students from different faculties at Kuwait University.

METHODS

The study employed a cross-sectional design with students selected from 8 faculties of Kuwait University, 4 faculties of Literature and 4 faculties of Science. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, and analysis was done using a chi-square test and binary logistic regression to determine the factors associated with seeking health information on the Web.

RESULTS

The sample size obtained was 1132 with a response rate of 90.27% (1132/1254). Overall, the prevalence of students seeking Web-based health information was 92.66%. (1049/1132) The most significant factors associated with seeking health information on the Web were age, gender, faculty, year of study, primary source of internet, and level of experience with internet use. In total, 90.0% (325/361) of students who were aged older than 21 years used Web-based health information compared with 82.8% (275/332) of those who were aged 18 years. In addition, female students showed a higher prevalence (829/934, 88.8%) of Web-based health information seeking than males (210/270, 77.8%). Students who majored in faculties of Science were more likely to seek health information than those who majored in faculties of Literature. All the differences found in the study were statistically significant (P<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The study concluded that many people use the internet for seeking health information. Sociodemographic factors have a significant association with Web-based health information seeking. Therefore, doctors must educate the public about the health information websites that can be trusted.
Psychiatry Outpatients’ Willingness to Share Social Media Posts and Smartphone Data for Research and Clinical Purposes: Survey Study (Preprint)
Authors: Rieger Agnes , Gaines Averi , Barnett Ian , Baldassano Claudia Frances , Connolly Gibbons Mary Beth , Crits-Christoph Paul
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Psychiatry research has begun to leverage data collected from the patients’ social media and smartphone use. However, information regarding the feasibility of utilizing such data in an outpatient setting and the acceptability of such data in research and practice is limited.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to understand the outpatients’ willingness to have information from their social media posts and their smartphones used for clinical or research purposes.

METHODS

In this survey study, we surveyed patients (N=238) in an outpatient clinic waiting room. Willingness to share social media and passive smartphone data was summarized for the sample as a whole and broken down by sex, age, and race.

RESULTS

Most patients who had a social media account and who were receiving talk therapy treatment (74.4%, 99/133) indicated that they would be willing to share their social media posts with their therapists. The percentage of patients willing to share passive smartphone data with researchers varied from 40.8% (82/201) to 60.7% (122/201) depending on the parameter, with sleep duration being the parameter with the highest percentage of patients willing to share. A total of 30.9% of patients indicated that media stories of social media privacy breaches made them more hesitant about sharing passive smartphone data with researchers. Sex and race were associated with willingness to share smartphone data, with men and whites being the most willing to share.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that most patients in a psychiatric outpatient setting would share social media and passive smartphone data and that further research elucidating patterns of willingness to share passive data is needed.
Vascular Access for Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Allon Michael
Published: April 2019

This commentary critically examines key assumptions and recommendations in the 2006 Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative vascular access guidelines, and argues that several are not relevant to the contemporary United States hemodialysis population. First, the guidelines prefer arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) over arteriovenous grafts (AVGs), on the basis of their superior secondary survival and lower frequency of interventions and infections. However, intent-to-treat analyses that incorporate the higher primary failure of AVFs, demonstrate equivalent secondary survival of both access types. Moreover, the lower rate of AVF versus AVG infections is counterbalanced by the higher rate of catheter-related bloodstream infections before AVF maturation. In addition, AVFs with assisted maturation (interventions before successful AVF use), which account for about 50% of new AVFs, are associated with inferior secondary patency compared with AVGs without intervention before successful use. Second, the guidelines posit lower access management costs for AVFs than AVGs. However, in patients who undergo AVF or AVG placement after starting dialysis with a central venous catheter (CVC), the overall cost of access management is actually higher in patients receiving an AVF. Third, the guidelines prefer forearm over upper arm AVFs. However, published data demonstrate superior maturation of upper arm versus forearm AVFs, likely explaining the progressive increase in upper arm AVFs in the United States. Fourth, AVFs are thought to fail primarily because of aggressive juxta-anastomotic stenosis. However, recent evidence suggests that many AVFs mature despite neointimal hyperplasia, and that suboptimal arterial vasodilation may be an equally important contributor to AVF nonmaturation. Finally, CVC use is believed to result in excess mortality in patients on hemodialysis. However, recent data suggest that CVC use is simply a surrogate marker of sicker patients who are more likely to die, rather than being a mediator of mortality.
Pruritus and Patient Reported Outcomes in Non-Dialysis CKD
Authors: Sukul Nidhi , Speyer Elodie , Tu Charlotte , Bieber Brian A. , Li Yun , Lopes Antonio A. , Asahi Koichi , Mariani Laura , Laville Maurice , Rayner Hugh C. , Stengel Bénédicte , Robinson Bruce M. , Pisoni Ronald L. ,   on behalf of CKDopps and CKD-REIN investigators
Published: April 2019

Background and objectives

Among patients on hemodialysis, pruritus has been associated with poorer mental and physical quality of life, sleep quality, depression, and mortality. We evaluated patients with nondialysis CKD to describe the prevalence of pruritus, identify associated factors, and investigate associations with patient-reported outcomes.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Using cross-sectional data from patient questionnaires in the CKD Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (CKDopps), we asked patients with CKD stages 3–5 (nondialysis) from the United States, Brazil, and France to identify how much they were bothered by pruritus. Response options ranged from “not at all” to “extremely.” Log-Poisson regression, yielding prevalence ratios, was used to evaluate associations of moderate-to-extreme pruritus with patient characteristics, CKD stage, self-reported depression symptoms, and restless sleep. Mixed linear regression was used to examine associations between pruritus and physical and mental component summary scores, with lower scores indicating poorer quality of life.

Results

Of the 5658 CKDopps patients enrolled in the United States, Brazil, and France, 3780 (67%) answered the pruritus question. The prevalence of moderate-to-extreme pruritus was 24%, and more likely in older patients, women, and those with stage 5 CKD, lung disease, diabetes, and physician-diagnosed depression. In adjusted models, patients with moderate pruritus had physical and mental component summary scores 3.5 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], −4.6 to −2.3) and 2.3 (95% CI, −3.2 to −1.5) points lower, respectively, than patients without pruritus, and they also had a higher adjusted prevalence of patient-reported depression (prevalence ratio, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.58 to 2.11) and restless sleep (prevalence ratio, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.49 to 1.91) compared with patients without pruritus. These patient-reported outcomes were progressively worse with increasing severity of pruritus.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate high prevalence of pruritus in nondialysis CKD, as well as strong associations of pruritus with poor health-related quality of life, self-reported depression symptoms, and self-reported poor sleep.
Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Curvature Ratio on Heat Transfer in Double Pipe Helical Heat Exchanger
Authors: Hoshi Hisham Assi
Published: April 2019

Different parameters of double pipe helical coil were investigation experimentally. Four coils were used; three with a curvature ratio (0.037, 0.031, and 0.028) and 11mm diameter of the inner tube while the fourth with 0.033 curvature ratio and 13 mm diameter of the inner tube. The hot water flow in the inner tube whereas the cold water flows in the annulus. The inlet temperatures of hot and cold water are 50 0C and 18 0C respectively. The inner mass flow rate ranges from 0.0167 to 0.0583 kg/s. The results show the Nusselt number increase with increase curvature ratio. The Nusselt number of the coil with 0.037 curvature ratio increases by approximately 12.3 % as compare with 0.028 curvature ratio. The results also reveal that the Nusselt number of the coil with curvature ratio 0.033 increases by approximately 11.6 % as compare with 0.028 curvature ratio for 400 mm coil diameter.
Kinetic Study of the Leaching of Iraqi Akashat Phosphate Ore Using Lactic Acid
Authors: Eisa Mohammed Y. , Abdulmajeed Basma A. , Hawee C. K.
Published: April 2019

In the present work, a kinetic study was performed to the extraction of phosphate from Iraqi Akashat phosphate ore using organic acid. Leaching was studied using lactic acid for the separation of calcareous materials (mainly calcite). Reaction conditions were 2% by weight acid concentration and 5ml/gm of acid volume to ore weight ratio. Reaction time was taken in the range 2 to 30 minutes (step 2 minutes) to determine the reaction rate constant k based on the change in calcite concentration. To determine value of activation energy when reaction temperature is varied from 25 to 65 , another investigation was accomplished. Through the kinetic data, it was found that selective leaching was controlled by surface chemical reaction. The study showed that the reaction kinetics was specifically described by the shrinking core model (SCM). Regression analyses gave values of activation energy (Ea) and Arrhenius constant (ko) as 40.108 KJ/mole and (2.256 103 sec-1) respectively.
Creating Through Points in Linear Function with Parabolic Blends Path by Optimization Method
Authors: Saeed Al-khayyt Saad Zaghlul
Published: April 2019

The linear segment with parabolic blend (LSPB) trajectory deviates from the specified waypoints. It is restricted to that the acceleration must be sufficiently high. In this work, it is proposed to engage modified LSPB trajectory with particle swarm optimization (PSO) so as to create through points on the trajectory. The assumption of normal LSPB method that parabolic part is centered in time around waypoints is replaced by proposed coefficients for calculating the time duration of the linear part. These coefficients are functions of velocities between through points. The velocities are obtained by PSO so as to force the LSPB trajectory passing exactly through the specified path points. Also, relations for velocity correction and exact velocity solution are derived. Simulation results show that the engagement of modified LSPB trajectory with PSO to work well on the tested cases. This proposed method is very simple which can be used for on-line path planning, and not necessarily to use high acceleration magnitude.
Inverse Kinematics Solution for Redundant Robot Manipulator using Combination of GA and NN
Authors: Khaleel Hind Z.
Published: April 2019

A demonstration of the inverse kinematics is a very complex problem for redundant robot manipulator. This paper presents the solution of inverse kinematics for one of redundant robots manipulator (three link robot) by combing of two intelligent algorithms GA (Genetic Algorithm) and NN (Neural Network). The inputs are position and orientation of three link robot. These inputs are entering to Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN). The weights of BPNN are optimized using continuous GA. The (Mean Square Error) MSE is also computed between the estimated and desired outputs of joint angles. In this paper, the fitness function in GA is proposed. The sinwave and circular for three link robot end effecter and desired trajectories are simulated by MATLAB program. Joint angles and end effecter positions of robot results values of circular trajectory are better than joint angles end effecter positions of robot results values of NN work in another paper. Three link redundant robot workspace is also simulated. The outputs results of best three joint angles are evaluated for two trajectories sinwave and circular, with 50 generations the algorithm is fast. This paper presents the simulations results that are obtained based on MATLAB R2010b program.
Batch Sorption of Copper (II) Ions from Simulated Aqueous Solution by Banana Peel
Authors: Faisal M. Lahieb Faisal M.
Published: April 2019

This research presents the possibility of using banana peel (arising from agricultural production waste) as biosorbent for removal of copper from simulated aqueous solution. Batch sorption experiments were performed as a function of pH, sorbent dose, and contact time. The optimal pH value of Copper (II) removal by banana peel was 6. The amount of sorbed metal ions was calculated as 52.632 mg/g. Sorption kinetic data were tested using pseudo-first order, and pseudo-second order models. Kinetic studies showed that the sorption followed a pseudo second order reaction due to the high correlation coefficient and the agreement between the experimental and calculated values of qe. Thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy change (ΔH°), entropy change (ΔS°) and Gibbs free energy change (ΔG°) were also investigated. Free energy change showed that biosorption of Cu (II) was spontaneous and nature endothermic at all studied temperatures (25–45 °C).
Implementation of Transmitter Zigbee System based on Wireless Sensor Network of IEEE 802.15.4 Standard
Authors: Hamza Ekhlas K. , Hadi Russul H.
Published: April 2019

Abstract

 

Zigbee is considered to be one of the wireless sensor networks (WSNs) designed for short-range communications applications. It follows IEEE 802.15.4 specifications that aim to design networks with lowest cost and power consuming in addition to the minimum possible data rate. In this paper, a transmitter Zigbee system is designed based on PHY layer specifications of this standard. The modulation technique applied in this design is the offset quadrature phase shift keying (OQPSK) with half sine pulse-shaping for achieving a minimum possible amount of phase transitions. In addition, the applied spreading technique is direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) technique, which has the effect in getting better performance for the transmitter system in multipath environments. The system is developed through the use of MATLAB/Simulink to show the performance of the proposed system in response to the appliy modulation technique.

 

Keywords: DSSS technique, IEEE 802.15.4, MSK, OQPSK, Zigbee.
Programming a Pneumatic Processes Sequence based on PLC by Demonstration
Authors: Al-Mesaody Amer
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Pneumatic processes sequence (PPS) is used widely in industrial applications. It is common to do a predetermined PPS to achieve a specific larger task within the industrial application like the PPS achieved by the pick and place industrial robot arm. This sequence may require change depending on changing the required task and usually this requires the programmer intervention to change the sequence’ sprogram, which is costly and may take long time. In this research a PLC-based PPS control system is designed and implemented, in which the PPS is programmed by demonstration. The PPS could be changed by demonstrating the new required sequence via the user by following simple series of manual steps without having to change the PLC’s original program, which leads to decreasing the cost and time.

Keywords: FIFO function block, Programming by Demonstration (PbD), System Frame.
Delignification of Date Palm Fronds using Modified Organosolv Technique
Authors: Mahdi Yasmeen Salih , Mohammed Asem Hassan , Mohammed Alaa Kareem
Published: April 2019

Abstract

  In this study, modified organic solvent (organosolv) method was applied to remove high lignin content in the date palm fronds (type Al-Zahdi) which was taken from the Iraqi gardens. In modified organosolv, lignocellulosic material is fractionated into its constituents (lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose). In this process, solvent (organic)-water is brought into contact with the lignocellulosic biomass at high temperature, using stainless steel reactor (digester). Therefor; most of hemicellulose will remove from the biomass, while the solid residue (mainly cellulose) can be used in various industrial fields. Three variables were studied in this process: temperature, ratio of ethanol to water and digestion time. Statistical experimental design type Central Composite Design (CCD) has been used to find a mathematical relationship between the variables and the remaining lignin percent as dependent variable. The results obtained in this study were represented by a polynomial mathematical equation of the second degree.  The results showed that the best digestion time was (80 minutes), which gave the best percent remaining concentration of lignin (3%) at temperature of 185oC and ratio of ethanol: water equal to 50: 50 wt/wt. In order to reduce digesting time, the effect of using different catalysts have been studied such as (NaOH, H2SO4, Ca (OH) 2) at low concentration (0.025, 0.025, 0.05M) respectively. It was found that the best catalyst is sodium hydroxide at concentration (0.025) mol/L which gave the same percent of  lignin 3% but with low digestion time about 30 min.

Keywords: Biomass pre-treatment, delignification, lignin, organosolv, date palm fronds.
Antibacterial Activity of Electrospun Silver Nitrate /Nylon 6 Polymeric Nanofiber Water Filtration Mats
Authors: Jabur Akram Raheem , Abbas Laith Kais , Moosa Saja Aqeel
Published: April 2019

Bacterial water pollution is a genuine general wellbeing concern since it causes various maladies. Antimicrobial nanofibers can be integrated by incorporating nanobiocides, for example, silver nanoparticles into nanofibers. Nylon 6 was dissolved in formic acid at a concentration of (25 wt. %) and tough antibacterial (AgNO3/Nylon) nanofibers were produced utilizing electrospinning system. Polymer solution was tested before accomplishing electrospinning process to acquire its surface tension, electric conductivity and viscosity, where every one of those parameters increased relatively with increasing concentration of (AgNO3) additions. SEM and EDX spectra were utilized to focus on the morphology, surface elemental membrane, fibers and porosize diameters. The resulted nanofiber membrane has an average fiber diameter of 139 nm for pure nylon 6 and 247 nm for (1.2 wt. % AgNO3/Nylon). The resultant polymer membrane was then tested for their ability to destroy microorganisms in water; antimicrobial tests showed that the prepared nanofibers have a high bactericidal effect against Escherichia Coli Bacteria with inhibition zone (10 mm) and antibacterial activity (99%). Likewise, these results highlight the potential utilization of these nanofibrous mats as antimicrobial agents.
Experimental and Finite Elements Analysis Study of Warming Effect on Deboned Force for Embedded NiTinol Wire into Linear Low Density Polyethylene
Authors: Amin Samir Ali , Hassan Ali Yasser
Published: April 2019

هذا البحث يقدم دراسة نشوء الانسلاخ لسلك نيتينول مفرد سبيكة ذاكرة الشكل داخل بولي اثيلين خطي منخفض الكثافة مصفوفة مركبة دراسة  باستخدام فحص السحب. الهدف من هذا البحث دراسة فحص السحب لتحقق من قوة التداخل لمركب بوليميري في حالتين, مع تنشيط سلك النيتينول وبدون تنشيط . في هذا البحث سيكة ذاكرة الشكل سلك نيتينول قطر 2 مليمتر شكل مستقيم كامل التصليب قد استخدم. الدراسة شملت العملي وتحليل العناصر المحددة واخيرا المقارنة بينهم. يعد فحص السحب فحصاً اساسياً بسبب نتائجه لها علاقة بسلوك المواد المركبة الذكية. فحص السحب قد نفذه بواسطة آلة اختبار الشد العالمي نوع (لاري) , ذو سعة حمل 50 كيلو نيوتن, سرعة الفحص 1 ملم/دقيقة قد استخدمت. نفذت نمذجة العناصرالمحدد بوساطة انسيز الاصدار 15. نتائج فحص السحب اثبتت عند تنشيط سلك النيتينول المغمورداخل مصفوفة المضيف بولي اثيلين خطي منخفض الكثافة, قوة الانسلاخ حوالي 74 نيوتن, لكن في حالة بدون تنشيط حوالي 106 نيوتن. اجهاد قص الانسلاخ في التنشيط حوالي 0.73 ميكا باسكال, لكن بدون تنشيط حوالي 0.99 ميكا باسكال. خلال التنشيط النسبة لاجهاد قص الانسلاخ تقل بي 30.47% و 30.13%, على التوالي. نسبة الخطأ بين النتائج العملية والانسزز 8% في حالة التنشيط و 5.7% في حالة بدون تنشيط.
Effect of Using Combined Square Nozzle & winglet with Helical Tape on Thermal Characteristics in Tube Heat Exchanger
Authors: Hoshi Hisham Assi , Ahmed Israa S. , Abdulmunem Abdulmunem R.
Published: April 2019

تمت دراسة عملية تأثير اتحاد فوهة مربعة ذات جنيح مع شريط حلزوني مدرج في أنبوب ذي تدفق حراري ثابت على تحسين نقل الحرارة لتدفق هواء مضطرب ولعدد رينولدز يتراوح من 7000 إلى 14500.حيث تم استخدام ثلاث نسب خطوة مختلفة للفوهة المربعة وهي (5.8, 7.7 و11.6) على وفق ثلاثة أعداد مختلفة من الفوهات المربعة وهي (5, 4 و3)  واستخدامت نسبة ثابتة واحدة للشريط الحلزونية. ولاحظت النتائج أن عدد ناسلت وعامل الاحتكاك للاتحاد مع الفوهة ذات الجنيح وجد أنه يصل إلى 33.8% و 21.4% على التوالي أعلى من الفوهة وحدها لنسبة خطوة هي (5.8). كانت القيمة القصوى للأداء الحراري لاستخدام الاتحاد مع الفوهة ذات الجنيح حوالي 1.351 لنسبة خطوة هي ( 5.8). تم تطويرعلاقات تجريبية لعدد ناسلت ومعامل الأحتكاك للنتائج التجريبية ولجريان مضطرب.
Mechanical Properties of Burnished Steel AISI 1008
Authors: Kadhim Zeyad D. , Abdulrazzaq Mohammed Abdulraoof , Hussain Wassan Suheil
Published: April 2019

Burnishing improves fatigue strength, surface hardness and decrease surface roughness of metal because this process transforms tensile residual stresses into compressive residual stresses. Roller burnishing tool is used in the present work on low carbon steel (AISI 1008) specimens. In this work, different experiments were used to study the influence of feed parameter and speed parameter in burnishing process on fatigue strength, surface roughness and surface hardness of low carbon steel (AISI 1008) specimens. The first parameter used is feed values which were (0.6, 0.8, and 1) mm at constant speed (370) rpm, while the second parameter used is speed at values (540, 800 and 1200) rpm and at constant feed (1) mm. The results of the fatigue test showed that improvement in fatigue limit, where the highest fatigue limit was obtained at (1mm feed, 1200rpm speed) in burnishing process which was (169 Mpa). The hardness results, showed increasing feed and speed values lead to increasing the hardness. The burnishing process reduces surface roughness by producing accurate and better surface finish. The best surface fineness of metal at (1mm feed and 1200 rpm speed) was 0.11 μm.