bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public Forum Progress and Future of Business Continuity Management in Japan – Based on the Lessons Learnt After the Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Maruya Hiroaki ,   International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University  468-1 Aramaki Aza-Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan,   Business Continuity Advancement Organization  1-1-21 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Published: June 2016

Business Continuity Advancement Organization (BCAO)* and Tohoku University jointly organized a public forum on business continuity management (BCM) during the third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) in Sendai. From the experience of the 2011 great East Japan earthquake, Japan learned many ways to improve BCM. The progress and direction of BCM was discussed in this forum. Additionally, best practices of BCM and disaster management were awarded by BCAO in the latter part of the forum.

* Details of BCAO is available at http://www.bcao.org/ (August 31, 2005)
Evaluación de la adherencia de baldosas cerámicas aplicadas como revestimiento de fachada
Authors: Valentini P. , Kazmierczak C. S.
Published: June 2016

Evaluación de la adherencia de baldosas cerámicas aplicadas como revestimiento de fachadaRESUMENDentro de las manifestaciones patológicas que pueden ocurrir en azulejos de cerámica se encuentra la pérdida de adherencia considerada la más seria debido a los riesgos de accidentes por el efecto de las caídas y el costo de la reparación. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo evaluar la influencia de las propiedades de diferentes placas de cerámica aplicadas con dos tipos de mortero de pega y sometidos a tres diferentes condiciones de curado (establecidas por la norma ABNT 14.081-4:2012) en la resistencia de adherencia del sistema de revestimiento. Se observó que el tipo de curado es la variable que presenta la influencia más significativa en la resistencia de adherencia, seguida por el tipo de mortero de pega, ya que el azulejo de cerámica ejerce poca influencia una vez hecho un análisis global de los resultados.Palabras Clave: adherencia; azulejo de cerámica; mortero de pega. Evaluation of the adherence of ceramic tiles applied as facade liningABSTRACTThe most serious pathology in ceramic tile is detachment because of the risk of accidents due to fall and the cost of repair. This research aims to evaluate the influence of ceramic plates applied with two types of adhesive mortar subjected to three different curing conditions (established by the ABNT 14081-4:2012) on the adhesion to the coating system. It was observed that cure is the variable with higher influence on the adhesive strength, followed by the type of adhesive mortar, while the water absorption of ceramic plate have a little influence on the results.Keywords: adherence; ceramic tiles; adhesive mortar. Avaliação da aderência de placas cerâmicas aplicadas como revestimento de fachadaRESUMODentre as manifestações patológicas que podem ocorrer em revestimentos cerâmicos os descolamentos são considerados as mais sérias, devido aos riscos de acidentes em decorrência da queda de placas e por seu custo de reparo. Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a influência das propriedades de diferentes placas cerâmicas aplicadas com dois tipos de argamassa colante e submetidas a três diferentes condições de cura (estabelecidas pela norma ABNT 14.081-4:2012) na resistência de aderência do sistema de revestimento. Observou-se que o tipo de cura é a variável que apresenta influência mais significativa na resistência de aderência, seguida pelo tipo de argamassa colante, enquanto a placa cerâmica exerce pouca influência em uma análise global dos resultados.Palavras-chave: aderência; revestimento cerâmico; argamassa colante.
Evaluación de manifestaciones patológicas en edificios en función de la orientación geográfica
Authors: Mazer W. , Silva L. M. R. , Lucas E. , Santos F. C. M.
Published: June 2016

Evaluación de manifestaciones patológicas en edificios en función de la orientación geográficaRESUMENCon el propósito de evaluar la incidencia de manifestaciones patológicas en fachadas de edificios, correlacionadas con la dirección geográfica, se analizaron en este estudio 52 edificios de uso residencial y comercial distribuidos en varias partes de la ciudad de Curitiba – Brasil. Se observó que todos los edificios evaluados tuvieron algún tipo de manifestación patológica, y 25 de éstas en las fachadas. Se encontró que las manifestaciones patológicas en fachadas aparecen en diferentes cantidades y direcciones, habiéndose identificado una relación con la variación de la temperatura y la dirección del viento en función de la orientación geográfica.Palabras Claves: durabilidad; fachada; dirección geográfica; manifestación patológica. Evaluation of pathological manifestations in buildings in terms of geographical orientationABSTRACTIn order to evaluate the incidence of pathological manifestations in buildings facades, correlating with the geographic directions, this study analyzed 52 residential and commercial buildings distributed in various parts of the city of Curitiba - Brazil. It was observed that all the buildings surveyed had some kind of pathological manifestation, and 25 had problems on the facades. It was found that the pathological manifestations in facades appear in different amounts in different directions, having identified a relationship with temperature variation and the direction of the wind, according to geographical direction.Keywords: durability; facade; geographic direction; pathological manifestation. Avaliação de manifestações patológicas em edifícios em função da orientação geográficaRESUMOCom a finalidade de avaliar a incidência de manifestações patológicas em fachadas de edifícios, correlacionando com as direções geográficas, neste trabalho foram analisados 52 edifícios de uso residencial e comercial distribuídos em diversas regiões da cidade de Curitiba – Brasil. Foi observado que todos os edifícios vistoriados apresentaram algum tipo de manifestação patológica, sendo que 25 apresentaram problemas nas fachadas. Verificou-se que as manifestações patológicas nas fachadas aparecem em quantidades diferentes nas diferentes direções, tendo sido identificada uma relação com a variação de temperatura e com a direção dos ventos, conforme a direção geográfica.Palavras claves: durabilidade; fachadas; direção geográfica; manifestações patológicas.
Estimation of Ascaris lumbricoides egg inactivation by free ammonia treatment of ash-amended UDDT vault products using stored urine in Uganda
Authors: Trimmer John T. , Nakyanjo Neema , Ssekubugu Robert , Sklar Marc , Mihelcic James R. , Ergas Sarina J.
Published: June 2016

Urine-diverting dry toilets (UDDTs) are designed to recover nutrients and organic matter from human excreta for use as agricultural amendments, and have been promoted in many developing countries, including Uganda. Wider UDDT implementation could help address problems in areas where water scarcity limits sanitation coverage and/or declining soil fertility jeopardizes growing populations’ nutritional security. However, concerns have been raised regarding the safety of recovered UDDT vault products, which may contain persistent pathogens such as Ascaris lumbricoides eggs. A. lumbricoides eggs can be inactivated through elevation of free ammonia levels. This study assessed the feasibility of a secondary ammonia treatment strategy for UDDT ash-amended vault products using urine. Treatment parameters were measured in mixtures of urine, ash-amended vault products, and wood ash, a model was developed to account for temperature fluctuations, and A. lumbricoides egg inactivation times were estimated using a previously published model. A mixture containing two parts urine and one part ash-amended vault products was estimated to provide 2-log10 inactivation after 3 months of indoor storage (daily mean temperatures: 22.8 ± 0.3 °C) or 2 months of outdoor storage (25.9 ± 1.3 °C). This strategy could improve the safety of recovered products for agricultural use to improve the nutritional security of vulnerable populations.
Performance evaluation of a low-cost odour trap installed in waterless urinals
Authors: Ramesh Sakthivel S. , Azizurrahaman Md , Ganesh Prabhu V. , Chariar V. M.
Published: June 2016

Waterless urinals save precious fresh water normally used for flushing and reduce odour levels in restrooms. However, existing models of waterless urinals available on the market are expensive and maintenance costs of the odour traps of these urinals are also quite high. Experiments conducted using a low cost membrane-based waterless-urinal odour prevention trap available in India revealed a reduction of over 90.5% in ammonia gas concentration in the urinals. The ammonia levels observed, in the range of 0.22 to 0.30 ppm in waterless urinals fitted with the odour trap evaluated in this study, is comparable to values reported for the widely used sealant liquid based waterless urinals in the past. No sign of clogging was observed in the clogging tests conducted. Passage of particles up to 4 mm in size in the particle flow analysis tests conducted is somewhat higher than the 2 mm reported for sealant liquid and membrane odour traps in previous studies, and it reveals that the odour trap can perform in adverse conditions without getting clogged. Economics of installation and maintenance aspects of waterless urinals carried out here show that the odour trap evaluated in this study can really be a cost effective alternative.
Microbiological water quality of the Nišava River
Authors: Čučak D. I. , Marković N. V. , Radnović D. V.
Published: June 2016

Microorganisms are the ideal indicators of the organic pollution of the surface waters because of their ability to promptly respond to environmental changes. Due to poor economic situation and lack of law implementation, most wastewaters in Serbia are released directly into a surface water recipient without any, or a limited, treatment. This practice has created numerous highly polluted surface waters in the region. Therefore, we conducted seasonal monitoring of the bacteriological quality of the Nišava River located in southeastern Serbia in order to assess the extent of its organic and faecal pollution. A total number of heterotrophs, Escherichia coli and intestinal enterococci counts were determined by standard cultivation methods in samples from five locations along the river. In most instances, bacteriological quality of Nišava water belonged to the classes of low or moderate organic and faecal pollution. The samples taken downstream of the city of Niš were the most polluted. Intestinal enterococci and E. coli counts indicated a moderate faecal contamination. Since bacterial counts can reveal a presence of faecal pollution and therefore presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria, a proper microbiological monitoring of surface waters used as a source of drinking water, like the Nišava River itself, is critically important.
Adsorption of the harmful hormone ethinyl estradiol inside hydrophobic cavities of CTA+ intercalated montmorillonite
Authors: Burgos A. E. , Ribeiro-Santos Tatiana A. , Lago Rochel M.
Published: June 2016

Hydrophobic cavities produced by cetyltrimethylammonium cation (CTA+) exchanged and trapped in the interlayer space of montmorillonite were used to remove the harmful hormone contaminant ethinyl estradiol (EE2) from water. X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry, elemental analysis (carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen), Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller and contact angle analyses showed that the intercalation of 9, 16 and 34 wt% CTA+ in the montmorillonite resulted in the d001 expansion from 1.37 to 1.58, 2.09 and 2.18 nm, respectively. EE2 adsorption experiments showed that the original clay montmorillonite does not remove EE2 from water whereas the intercalated composites showed high efficiency with adsorption capacities of 4.3, 8.8 and 7.3 mg g−1 for M9CTA+, M16CTA+ and M34CTA+, respectively. Moreover, experiments with montmorillonite simply impregnated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide showed that the intercalation of CTA+ to form the hydrophobic cavity is very important for the adsorption properties. Simple solvent extraction can be used to remove the adsorbed EE2 without significant loss of CTA+, which allows the recovery and reuse of the adsorbent for at least five times.
A Thematic Synthesis of the Experiences of Adults Living with Hemodialysis
Authors: Reid Claire , Seymour Julie , Jones Colin
Published: June 2016

Background and objectives

Patients on in-center dialysis spend significant amounts of time in the dialysis unit; additionally, managing ESRD affects many aspects of life outside the dialysis unit. To improve the care provided to patients requiring hemodialysis, their experiences and beliefs regarding treatment must be understood. This systematic review aimed to synthesize the experiences of patients receiving in-center hemodialysis.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

We searched Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Google Scholar, and reference lists for primary qualitative studies published from 1995 to 2015 that explored the experiences of adult patients receiving treatment with in-center hemodialysis. A thematic synthesis was conducted.

Results

Seventeen studies involving 576 patients were included in the synthesis. Four analytic themes were developed. The first theme (a new dialysis–dependent self) describes the changes in identity and perceptions of self that could result from dialysis dependence. The second theme (a restricted life) describes the physical and emotional constraints that patients described as a consequence of their dependence. Some patients reported strategies that allowed them to regain a sense of optimism and influence over the future, and these contributed to the third theme (regaining control). The first three themes describe a potential for change through acceptance, adaption, and regaining a sense of control. The final theme (relationships with health professionals) describes the importance of these relationships for in-center patients and their influence on perceptions of power and support. These relationships are seen to influence the other three themes through information sharing, continuity, and personalized support.

Conclusions

Our synthesis has resulted in a framework that can be used to consider interventions to improve patients’ experiences of in-center hemodialysis care. Focusing on interventions that are incorporated into the established relationships that patients have with their health care professionals may enable patients to progress toward a sense of control and improve satisfaction with care.
Sleep disturbance in patients with chronic concussive effects
Authors: Hinds Andrea , Jungquist Carla R , Leddy John J , Seemant Fnu , Baker John G , Willer Barry
Published: June 2016

Aim: Sleep disturbance is relatively overlooked in concussion treatment although sleep disorders may prolong or exacerbate symptoms after a concussion. We looked at the incidence of both sleep disturbance and postconcussion symptoms in a sample of recently concussed individuals. Methods & results: We evaluated scores on the insomnia severity index (ISI) and postconcussion symptom scale (PCSS) in 96 participants with persistent symptoms. Sleep disturbance significantly contributed to the severity of postconcussive symptoms and length of recovery; this effect was less pronounced in athletes. Conclusion: These results suggest a relationship between sleep problems and the time course of recovery from concussive injury. Clinicians who regularly treat concussion would benefit from a more thorough consideration of sleep function in the assessment of postconcussive symptoms.
Nitric Oxide Produced by Macrophages Inhibits Adipocyte Differentiation and Promotes Profibrogenic Responses in Preadipocytes to Induce Adipose Tissue Fibrosis
Authors: Jang Jung Eun , Ko Myoung Seok , Yun Ji-Young , Kim Mi-Ok , Kim Jin Hee , Park Hye Sun , Kim Ah-Ram , Kim Hyuk-Joong , Kim Bum Joong , Ahn Young Eun , Oh Jin Sun , Lee Woo Je , Harris Robert A. , Koh Eun Hee , Lee Ki-Up
Published: June 2016

Fibrosis of adipose tissue induces ectopic fat accumulation and insulin resistance by inhibiting adipose tissue expandability. Mechanisms responsible for the induction of adipose tissue fibrosis may provide therapeutic targets but are poorly understood. In this study, high-fat diet (HFD)–fed wild-type (WT) and iNOS−/− mice were used to examine the relationship between nitric oxide (NO) produced by macrophages and adipose tissue fibrosis. In contrast to WT mice, iNOS−/− mice fed an HFD were protected from infiltration of proinflammatory macrophages and adipose tissue fibrosis. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) protein level was increased in adipose tissue of HFD-fed WT mice, but not iNOS−/− mice. In contrast, the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis factors was decreased in HFD-fed WT mice, but not iNOS−/− mice. In studies with cultured cells, macrophage-derived NO decreased the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis factors, and increased HIF-1α protein level, DNA damage, and phosphorylated p53 in preadipocytes. By activating p53 signaling, NO suppressed peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ coactivator 1α expression, which induced mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibited preadipocyte differentiation in adipocytes. The effects of NO were blocked by rosiglitazone. The findings suggest that NO produced by macrophages induces mitochondrial dysfunction in preadipocytes by activating p53 signaling, which in turn increases HIF-1α protein level and promotes a profibrogenic response in preadipocytes that results in adipose tissue fibrosis.
Idols of the Cave
Authors: Abbott J. Haxby
Published: June 2016

In this month's Viewpoint editorial, Drs Reiman, Thorborg, and Hölmich provide a timely critique of the escalating diagnosis and surgical management of femoroacetabular impingement. They deconstruct an enthusiasm fueled by the imperfect evidence of passive observation. While almost always well meaning and not invaluable, it is too often enchanted with data skewed by invisible distortions, and interpreted by the human mind blind to its own credulities.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(6):405. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.0109
Psychometric analysis and critical appraisal of the original, revised, and modified versions of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score in the assessment of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy
Authors: Furlan Julio C. , Catharine Craven B.
Published: June 2016

OBJECTIVE

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is the most common cause of nontraumatic spinal cord impairment and disability in the world. Given that the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score is the most frequently used outcome measure in clinical research and practice for treating patients with CSM, this review was undertaken to comprehensively and critically evaluate the psychometric properties of the JOA score.

METHODS

The authors identified studies (published in the period of January 1975 to November 2015) on the psychometric properties of the original, revised, and modified versions of the JOA score in Medline, PsycINFO, Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE), American College of Physicians Journal Club, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Additional publications were captured in a secondary search of the bibliographies in both original research articles and literature reviews identified in the original search. The JOA scores were evaluated for item generation and reduction, internal consistency, reliability, validity, and responsiveness. This review included all those versions of the JOA score whose psychometric properties had been reported in at least 2 published studies.

RESULTS

The primary search strategy identified 59 studies, of which 9 fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. An additional 18 publications were captured in the secondary search and included in the analysis. The key findings from the 27 studies analyzed indicated the following: 1) the original JOA score (1975) was the source for the revised JOA score (1994) and 3 modified versions (1991, 1993, and 1999 JOA scores) reported or used in at least 2 published studies; 2) the revised and modified versions of the JOA score are markedly different from each other; 3) only the revised JOA score (1994) was validated with the original JOA score; and 4) the 1975 JOA score is the most appropriate instrument for assessing patients in Asian populations (especially from Japan) because of its psychometric attributes, and the 1991 JOA score is the most appropriate version for use in Western populations.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors' results indicate that the original (1975), revised (1994), and modified (1991, 1993, and 1999) versions of the JOA score are substantially different from each other in terms of their content and have been incompletely examined for their psychometric properties and cultural sensitivity. Whereas the 1975 JOA score is the most appropriate version for assessing individuals from Asian populations (particularly those eating with chopsticks), the 1991 JOA score is most suitable for evaluating patients in Western populations. Nonetheless, further investigation of the psychometric properties of the 1975 and 1991 JOA scores is recommended because of a paucity of studies reporting on the responsiveness of these 2 scoring instruments.
Calvarial tuberculosis - a case report
Authors: Saha Debasish Kumar , Ahsan ASM Areef , Fatema Kaniz , Faruq Mohammad Omar , Saha Madhurima , Ahmed Fatema
Published: June 2016

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by acid fast bacilli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis that usually affects the lung although it may affect any organ. Tuberculous osteitis of the cranial bone is known as calvarial tuberculosis. The disease is considered secondary to an active or latent tuberculous lesion elsewhere in the body, but direct spread from orbit, paranasal sinuses and face has also been implicated. Though tuberculosis is endemic in Bangladesh, calvarial tuberculosis is very very rare. We report a case of a female, diabetic, hypertensive, chronic kidney disease(CKD), bronchial asthma patient presented with osteolytic lesion in skull with adjacent subcutaneous swelling. She was eventually diagnosed as calvarial tuberculosis on the basis of positive MTB- PCR from the pus aspirated from the swelling.Bangladesh Crit Care J March 2016; 4 (1): 41-43
Acquired Hepato Cerebral Degeneration  An Atypical Finding in MRI of Brain mimicking Bilateral Ischaemic Stroke
Authors: Shaikh Abdul Kader , Islam Mahjabin , Chowdhury Ahijit , Ahmed Ashraf Uddin , Dasgupta Utpal
Published: June 2016

Acquired Hepatocerebral Degeneration (AHD) produces a panel of neurological symptoms occurring in patients with chronic liver disease. These symptoms may mimic different neurological abnormalities e.g. abnormal movements, rigidity, parkinsonism, ataxia, neuropsychiatric and cognitive manifestations.[1] Acquired Hepatocerebral Degeneration is usually encountered in patients with CLD due to accumulation of manganese & other metabolic toxins in basal ganglia, following repeated episodes of liver failure[2] .The aim of this case report is to highlight the MRI finding of Acute Hepatocerebral Degeneration which often can be underappreciated owing to the possibility of diagnosing a relatively common condition that is Bilateral Ischemic stroke.[19].Bangladesh Crit Care J March 2016; 4 (1): 54-57
A Unique Case of Central Venous Sinus Thrombosis in Type 2 Diabetes with Severe Hypertriglyceridemia
Authors: Sanyal Debmalya , Bhattacharjee Kingshuk , Chaudhuri Soumyabrata Roy
Published: June 2016

We present a case of superior sagittal sinus thrombosis caused by uncontrolled type 2-diabetes and extremely high triglyceride. We believe this is the first report that demonstrates an association of CVST with uncontrolled type-2-diabetes and hypertriglyceridemia in an adult but in the absence of concomitant ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar state or any known pro-thrombotic conditions. Our case highlights the need for clinicians to consider CVST among patients with uncontrolled diabetes and hypertriglyceridemia. New diagnostic measures may become necessary which may also have an implication on the risk of recurrence and duration of anti-coagulant therapy in this group of patients.Bangladesh Crit Care J March 2016; 4 (1): 58-60
Colon Cutoff Sign
Authors: Anam Ahmad Mursel , Shumy Farzana , Nessa Shahzadi Sayeeda Tun , Rabbani Raihan
Published: June 2016

Abstract not availableBangladesh Crit Care J March 2016; 4 (1): 61
Photovoltaic Energy Harvesting Wireless Sensor Node for Telemetry Applications Optimized for Low Illumination Levels
Authors: Vračar Ljubomir , Prijić Aneta , Nešić Damir , Dević Saša , Prijić Zoran
Published: June 2016

This paper reports the design of a photovoltaic energy harvesting device used as a telemetry node in wireless sensor networks. The device draws power from the small solar cell, stores it into the primary energy buffer and backup supercapacitor, collects measured data from various sensors and transmits them over low power radio link at 868 MHz. Its design ensures reliable cold booting under very poor illumination conditions (down to 20 lx). The solar cell also enables indirect illumination level detection for the subcircuit that manages stored energy (day/night detector). The device is allowed to draw power from the backup supercapacitor only when it is not possible to gather enough energy from the solar cell during the sleep period. Short lasting and sudden drops of the illumination do not activate the backup power supply. A wireless sensor node design is adjusted to the proposed photovoltaic harvesting circuitry, so the overall power consumption in the sleep mode is less than 25 μW. Also, due to adaptive power consumption, proposed device topology ensures its autonomy time in the total darkness of 81 h. The device has been produced using commercially available components enabling versatile telemetric functionality by the implementation of different sensors.
An FPGA Scalable Software Defined Radio Platform Design for Educational and Research Purposes
Authors: Hervás Marcos , Alsina-Pagès Rosa , Salvador Martí
Published: June 2016

In a digital modem design, the integration of the Analog to Digital Converters (ADC) and Digital to Analog Converters (DAC) with the core processor is usually a major issue for the designer. In this paper an FPGA scalable Software Defined Radio platform based on a Spartan-6 as a control unit is presented, developed for both educational and research purposes, which can fit the different application requirements in terms of analog front-end performance, processing unit and cost. The resolution and sampling frequency of the analog front-end are its main adjustable parameters. The processing core requirements involve the FPGA and the communication ports. A multidisciplinary working group was required to design a high performance system for both analog front-end and digital processing core in terms of signal integrity and electromagnetic compatibility. The platform has 5 different peripheral ports ranging from 16 kbps to 2.5 Gbps. The communication ports allow our students to develop a high range of applications for both on-site and online courses applying teaching methodology based on learning by doing using a real system to help them to reach other transversal skills.
Increase in Suicide Rates by Hanging in the Population of Tabasco, Mexico between 2003 and 2012
Authors: Hernández-Alvarado Mervyn , González-Castro Thelma , Tovilla-Zárate Carlos , Fresán Ana , Juárez-Rojop Isela , López-Narváez María , Villar-Soto Mario , Genis-Mendoza Alma
Published: June 2016

Background: Worldwide, the suicide rate is decreasing. To examine changes in the rates of completed suicide in the Mexican population from 2003 to 2012, we analyzed these changes according to: (i) the method of suicide; (ii) age group and (iii) gender. Methods: The data analyzed were obtained from governmental organizations from the State of Tabasco, Mexico. The data provided 1836 cases of subjects born and residing in Tabasco, who completed suicide in this state. Results: Suicide by hanging was a common choice of suicide method for Mexicans. The rate of suicide by hanging increased from 5.80 to 6.49 per 100,000 persons between 2003 and 2012, a rate percentage increase of 11.89%. Conclusions: Hanging was found to be the most common choice of suicide in the Mexican population, probably because the materials required are easily available and the method does not require complicated techniques, especially in the 55–64 age group. Strategies for prevention and intervention should be developed for the Mexican population considering suicide rates by age group and gender.
Changes in the Arabidopsis thaliana Proteome Implicate cAMP in Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses and Changes in Energy Metabolism
Authors: Alqurashi May , Gehring Chris , Marondedze Claudius
Published: June 2016

The second messenger 3′,5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is increasingly recognized as having many different roles in plant responses to environmental stimuli. To gain further insights into these roles, Arabidopsis thaliana cell suspension culture was treated with 100 nM of cell permeant 8-bromo-cAMP for 5 or 10 min. Here, applying mass spectrometry and comparative proteomics, 20 proteins were identified as differentially expressed and we noted a specific bias in proteins with a role in abiotic stress, particularly cold and salinity, biotic stress as well as proteins with a role in glycolysis. These findings suggest that cAMP is sufficient to elicit specific stress responses that may in turn induce complex changes to cellular energy homeostasis.
Activation of DNA Damage Response Induced by the Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpes Virus
Authors: Di Domenico Enea , Toma Luigi , Bordignon Valentina , Trento Elisabetta , D’Agosto Giovanna , Cordiali-Fei Paola , Ensoli Fabrizio
Published: June 2016

The human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8), also known as Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV), can infect endothelial cells often leading to cell transformation and to the development of tumors, namely Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), and the plasmablastic variant of multicentric Castleman’s disease. KSHV is prevalent in areas such as sub-Saharan Africa and the Mediterranean region presenting distinct genotypes, which appear to be associated with differences in disease manifestation, according to geographical areas. In infected cells, KSHV persists in a latent episomal form. However, in a limited number of cells, it undergoes spontaneous lytic reactivation to ensure the production of new virions. During both the latent and the lytic cycle, KSHV is programmed to express genes which selectively modulate the DNA damage response (DDR) through the activation of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) pathway and by phosphorylating factors associated with the DDR, including the major tumor suppressor protein p53 tumor suppressor p53. This review will focus on the interplay between the KSHV and the DDR response pathway throughout the viral lifecycle, exploring the putative molecular mechanism/s that may contribute to malignant transformation of host cells.
Home-Processed Red Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) Products: Changes in Antioxidant Properties and Bioaccessibility
Authors: Guldiken Burcu , Toydemir Gamze , Nur Memis Kubra , Okur Sena , Boyacioglu Dilek , Capanoglu Esra
Published: June 2016

In this study, the effects of home-processing on the antioxidant properties and in vitro bioaccessibility of red beetroot bioactives were investigated. For this purpose, fresh red beetroot and six different home-processed red beetroot products—including boiled, oven-dried, pickled, pureed, juice-processed, and jam-processed—were analyzed and compared for their total phenolic (TP) and total flavonoid (TF) contents, total antioxidant capacities (TAC), and individual anthocyanin contents. In addition, bioaccessibility of red beetroot antioxidants was determined using an in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion method. Dried, pureed, and fresh red beetroot samples had the highest TP, TF, and TAC values, which were 347 ± 23 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g, 289 ± 53 mg rutin equivalent (RE)/100 g, 3889 ± 982 mg trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC)/100 g, respectively. The in vitro digestion method revealed the highest recovery for TP (16%) and TAC (1.3%) in jam. This study provides comparative data to evaluate the effects of various home-processing techniques on antioxidant potential of red beetroot products.
Stable Toll-Like Receptor 10 Knockdown in THP-1 Cells Reduces TLR-Ligand-Induced Proinflammatory Cytokine Expression
Authors: Le Hai , Kim Jae
Published: June 2016

Toll-like receptor 10 (TLR10) is the only orphan receptor whose natural ligand and function are unknown among the 10 human TLRs. In this study, to test whether TLR10 recognizes some known TLR ligands, we established a stable TLR10 knockdown human monocytic cell line THP-1 using TLR10 short hairpin RNA lentiviral particle and puromycin selection. Among 60 TLR10 knockdown clones that were derived from each single transduced cell, six clones were randomly selected, and then one of those clones, named E7, was chosen for the functional study. E7 exhibited approximately 50% inhibition of TLR10 mRNA and protein expression. Of all the TLRs, only the expression of TLR10 changed significantly in this cell line. Additionally, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced macrophage differentiation of TLR10 knockdown cells was not affected in the knockdown cells. When exposed to TLR ligands, such as synthetic diacylated lipoprotein (FSL-1), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and flagellin, significant induction of proinflammatory cytokine gene expression including Interleukin-8 (IL-8), Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Chemokine (C–C Motif) Ligand 20 (CCL20) expression, was found in the control THP-1 cells, whereas the TLR10 knockdown cells exhibited a significant reduction in the expression of IL-8, IL-1β, and CCL20. TNF-α was the only cytokine for which the expression did not decrease in the TLR10 knockdown cells from that measured in the control cells. Analysis of putative binding sites for transcription factors using a binding-site-prediction program revealed that the TNF-α promoter does not have putative binding sites for AP-1 or c-Jun, comprising a major transcription factor along with NF-κB for TLR signaling. Our results suggest that TLR10 is involved in the recognition of FSL-1, LPS, and flagellin and TLR-ligand-induced expression of TNF-α does not depend on TLR10.
Influence of Ionic Liquids on an Iron(III) Catalyzed Three-Component Coupling/Hydroarylation/Dehydrogenation Tandem Reaction
Authors: Muntzeck Maren , Wilhelm René
Published: June 2016

A three-component oxidative dehydrogenation tandem reaction via the coupling and hydroarylation of benzaldehyde, aniline and phenylacetylene to a quinoline derivate was catalyzed by an iron-containing ionic liquid. The reaction was air mediated and could be performed under neat conditions. The iron(III) of the ionic liquid was the oxidizing species.
Effect of Rolling Route on Microstructure and Tensile Properties of Twin-Roll Casting AZ31 Mg Alloy Sheets
Authors: Luo Dan , Pan Yue , Wang Hui-Yuan , Zhao Li-Guo , Liu Guo-Jun , Liu Yan , Jiang Qi-Chuan
Published: June 2016

Twin-roll casting AZ31 Mg alloy sheets have been fabricated by normal unidirectional-rolling, head-to-tail rolling, and clock-rolling, respectively. It has been demonstrated that head-to-tail rolling is the most effective to refine the microstructure and weaken the basal texture among the three rolling routes. Excellent integrated tensile properties can be obtained by the head-to-tail rolling. The yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and plastic elongation are 196 MPa, 301 MPa, and 28.9%, respectively. The strength can benefit from the fine grains (average value of 4.0 μm) of the AZ31 alloy processed by the head-to-tail rolling route, while the excellent plastic elongation is achieved owing to the weakened basal texture besides the fine grains. Results obtained here can be used as a basis for further study of some simple rolling methods, which is critical to the development of Mg alloys with high strength and plasticity.
Green Composites Made of Bamboo Fabric and Poly (Lactic) Acid for Packaging Applications—A Review
Authors: Nurul Fazita M.R. , Jayaraman Krishnan , Bhattacharyya Debes , Mohamad Haafiz M.K. , Saurabh Chaturbhuj , Hussin M. , H.P.S. Abdul
Published: June 2016

Petroleum based thermoplastics are widely used in a range of applications, particularly in packaging. However, their usage has resulted in soaring pollutant emissions. Thus, researchers have been driven to seek environmentally friendly alternative packaging materials which are recyclable as well as biodegradable. Due to the excellent mechanical properties of natural fibres, they have been extensively used to reinforce biopolymers to produce biodegradable composites. A detailed understanding of the properties of such composite materials is vital for assessing their applicability to various products. The present review discusses several functional properties related to packaging applications in order to explore the potential of bamboo fibre fabric-poly (lactic) acid composites for packaging applications. Physical properties, heat deflection temperature, impact resistance, recyclability and biodegradability are important functional properties of packaging materials. In this review, we will also comprehensively discuss the chronological events and applications of natural fibre biopolymer composites.
Hydrogen Bonding: Between Strengthening the Crystal Packing and Improving Solubility of Three Haloperidol Derivatives
Authors: Saluja Hardeep , Mehanna Ahmed , Panicucci Riccardo , Atef Eman
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this study is to confirm the impact of polar functional groups on inter and intra-molecular hydrogen bonding in haloperidol (HP) and droperidol (DP) and, hence, their effects on dissolution using a new approach. To confirm our theory, a new molecule: deshydroxy-haloperidol (DHP) was designed and its synthesis was requested from a contract laboratory. The molecule was then studied and compared to DP and HP. Unlike DHP, both the HP and DP molecules have hydrogen donor groups, therefore, DHP was used to confirm the relative effects of the hydrogen donor group on solubility and crystal packing. The solid dispersions of the three structurally related molecules: HP, DP, and DHP were prepared using PVPK30, and characterized using XRPD and IR. A comparative dissolution study was carried out in aqueous medium. The absence of a hydrogen bonding donor group in DHP resulted in an unexpected increase in its aqueous solubility and dissolution rate from solid dispersion, which is attributed to weaker crystal pack. The increased dissolution rate of HP and DP from solid dispersions is attributed to drug-polymer hydrogen bonding that interferes with the drug-drug intermolecular hydrogen bonding and provides thermodynamic stability of the dispersed drug molecules. The drug-drug intermolecular hydrogen bond is the driving force for precipitation and crystal packing.
Does the Australasian “Health Star Rating” Front of Pack Nutritional Label System Work?
Authors: Hamlin Robert , McNeill Lisa
Published: June 2016

This article describes an experiment to measure the impact of the Australasian “Health Star Rating” front of pack nutritional label system on consumer choice behaviour. This system presents a one-half to five star rating of nutritional quality via the front facings of food product packages. While this system has been recently rolled out across Australasia, no test of its impact on food choice has been conducted. A sample of 1200 consumers was recruited on exit from supermarkets in New Zealand. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used with two levels of cold cereal product nutritional status (high, five star/low, two star) and two levels of the Health Star Rating label (present/absent). The dependent variable was revealed choice behaviour. The results indicated that the presence of the label had a significant depressive effect on consumer preference, but that this impact was not moderated in any way by the nutritional status expressed by the label. The result represents a significant functional failure of the Health Star Rating label in this research environment. The nature of the failure is consistent with the consumers processing the label in much the same way as the nominal brand cues that dominate the retail food packaging.
Salvianolic Acid B Inhibits Aβ Generation by Modulating BACE1 Activity in SH-SY5Y-APPsw Cells
Authors: Tang Ying , Huang Dan , Zhang Mei-Hua , Zhang Wen-Sheng , Tang Yu-Xin , Shi Zheng-Xiang , Deng Li , Zhou Dai-Han , Lu Xin-Yi
Published: June 2016

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease in humans. The accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of AD. Previous studies indicated that Salvianolic acid B (SalB) could ameliorate Aβ-induced memory impairment. However, whether SalB could influence the generation of Aβ is unclear. Here, we show that SalB (25, 50, or 100 µM) reduces the generation of Aβ40 and Aβ42 in culture media by decreasing the protein expressions of BACE1 and sAPPβ in SH-SY5Y-APPsw cells. Meanwhile, SalB increases the levels of ADAM10 and sAPPα in the cells. However, SalB has no impact on the protein expressions of APP and PS1. Moreover, SalB attenuates oxidative stress and inhibits the activity of GSK3β, which might be related to the suppression of BACE1 expression and amyloidogenesis. Our study suggests that SalB is a promising therapeutic agent for AD by targeting Aβ generation.
Low Scale Saturation of Effective NN Interactions and Their Symmetries
Authors: Ruiz Arriola Enrique
Published: June 2016

The Skyrme force parameters can be uniquely determined by coarse graining the Nucleon-Nucleon (NN) interactions at a characteristic momentum scale. We show how exact V lowk potentials to second order in momenta are saturated with physical NN scattering threshold parameters at Center of Mass (CM) cut-off scales of about Λ = 250 MeV for the S-waves and Λ = 100 MeV for the P-waves. The pattern of Wigner and Serber symmetries unveiled previously and suggested by Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) large N c contracted symmetry emerges at these scales.
Einstein and Beyond: A Critical Perspective on General Relativity
Authors: Vishwakarma Ram
Published: June 2016

An alternative approach to Einstein’s theory of General Relativity (GR) is reviewed, which is motivated by a range of serious theoretical issues inflicting the theory, such as the cosmological constant problem, presence of non-Machian solutions, problems related with the energy-stress tensor T i k and unphysical solutions. The new approach emanates from a critical analysis of these problems, providing a novel insight that the matter fields, together with the ensuing gravitational field, are already present inherently in the spacetime without taking recourse to T i k . Supported by lots of evidence, the new insight revolutionizes our views on the representation of the source of gravitation and establishes the spacetime itself as the source, which becomes crucial for understanding the unresolved issues in a unified manner. This leads to a new paradigm in GR by establishing equation R i k = 0 as the field equation of gravitation plus inertia in the very presence of matter.
Modeling Irrigation Networks for the Quantification of Potential Energy Recovering: A Case Study
Authors: Pérez-Sánchez Modesto , Sánchez-Romero Francisco , Ramos Helena , López-Jiménez P.
Published: June 2016

Water irrigation systems are required to provide adequate pressure levels in any sort of network. Quite frequently, this requirement is achieved by using pressure reducing valves (PRVs). Nevertheless, the possibility of using hydraulic machines to recover energy instead of PRVs could reduce the energy footprint of the whole system. In this research, a new methodology is proposed to help water managers quantify the potential energy recovering of an irrigation water network with adequate conditions of topographies distribution. EPANET has been used to create a model based on probabilities of irrigation and flow distribution in real networks. Knowledge of the flows and pressures in the network is necessary to perform an analysis of economic viability. Using the proposed methodology, a case study has been analyzed in a typical Mediterranean region and the potential available energy has been estimated. The study quantifies the theoretical energy recoverable if hydraulic machines were installed in the network. Particularly, the maximum energy potentially recovered in the system has been estimated up to 188.23 MWh/year) with a potential saving of non-renewable energy resources (coal and gas) of CO2 137.4 t/year.
Elevated synovial fluid concentration of adenosine triphosphate in dogs with osteoarthritis or sodium urate-induced synovitis of the stifle
Authors: Jimenez David , Budsberg Steven , Torres Bryan
Published: June 2016

Adenosine triphosphate has been shown to stimulate nociceptive nerve terminals in joints. Elevated synovial fluid adenosine tri -phosphate concentrations as well as a correlation between synovial fluid adenosine tri -phosphate concentrations and osteoarthritic knee pain has been demonstrated in humans, but not yet in dogs. This study documented elevated synovial fluid adenosine triphosphate concentrations in the stifles of dogs with secondary osteoarthritis and urate-induced synovitis, as compared to normal stifles.
Development of microsatellite markers for Fargesia denudata (Poaceae), the staple‐food bamboo of the giant panda
Authors: Lv Yan , Yu Tao , Lu Sihai , Tian Cheng , Li Junqing , Du Fang K.
Published: June 2016

Premise of the study:

There is a need for microsatellite primers to analyze genetic parameters of Fargesia denudata (Poaceae), the staple‐food bamboo of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca).

Methods and Results:

Using next‐generation sequencing technology, we obtained a 75‐Mb assembled sequence of F. denudata and identified 182 microsatellites. Primer pairs for 70 candidate microsatellite markers were selected and validated in four individuals, and 42 primer pairs generated reliable amplicons. Fourteen of 16 tested markers were found to be polymorphic in 72 individuals from four F. denudata populations. The number of alleles ranged from two to 19 per locus; the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0 to 1 and from 0 to 0.87, respectively. The transferability of these 16 novel microsatellite markers was validated in five related species.

Conclusions:

These markers will be useful for examining the genetic diversity, genetic structure, and cloning of F. denudata, the staple‐food bamboo of the giant panda, and related bamboo species.
The role of alkyl substituents in deazaadenine-based diarylethene photoswitches
Authors: Sarter Christopher , Heimes Michael , Jäschke Andres
Published: June 2016

Diarylethenes are an important class of reversible photoswitches and often claimed to require two alkyl substituents at the carbon atoms between which the bond is formed or broken in the electrocyclic rearrangement. Here we probe this claim by the synthesis and characterization of four pairs of deazaadenine-based diarylethene photoswitches with either one or two methyl groups at these positions. Depending on the substitution pattern, diarylethenes with one alkyl group can exhibit significant photochromism, but they generally show poor stability towards extended UV irradiation, low thermal stability, and decreased fatigue resistance. The results obtained provide an important direction for the design of new efficient DNA photoswitches for the application in bionanotechnology and synthetic biology.