bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What Is The New and Sensitive Tumor Marker for Detection of Different Kidney Tumors? Modern Study to Isolation, Purification and Characterization of N-Acetyl Galactosamine Binding Lectin From Sera Of Patients With Kidney Cancer
Authors: Jasim Rasha Hasan , Hasan Dr. Hathama Razooki , Husain Dr. Majed Khadum
Published: May 2018

The present study was designed to investigate lectins in sera of patients with kidney tumors, in addition to non tumoral kidney disease patients. Fifty five patients of malignant kidney tumors were enrolled in addition to 23 patients of benign kidney tumors, and 18 patients of non tumoral kidney diseases used as control groups, in addition to 46 healthy individuals were also investigated. The age of patients and healthy individuals were 10-90 years. The measurement of total serum proteins revealed significant (p < 0.001) decrease in patients of malignant tumors when compared with those of benign, non tumoral diseases, and healthy individuals. The conditions of the hemagglutination assay of serum lectin activity were optimized. They were Tris buffer of 20 mM and pH 7.4, 60 mM CaCl2, 800 µg of defatted serum, 30 ˚C for serum samples, 60 minutes for serum samples, and human blood of group A+ suspension with 1.4 optical density. The measurement of the specific hemagglutination activity of lectins demonstrated significant (p < 0.001) elevation in patients of malignant tumors when compared with those of other patients and healthy individuals. Lectin activity was pointed out to be significantly (r = 0.767 at p < 0.0005) positively correlated with stage of malignancies. The cutoff value of the specific hemagglutination activity was found to equal 6 SHU for discriminatory malignant kidney tumors. Serum lectins activity were indicated to be inhibited by galactose, mannose, lactose, and N-acetyl galactosamine. Purification of lectin from sera of patients with malignant kidney tumors by affinity chromatography with the use of silver stain revealed N-Acetyl Galactosamine Binding Lectin (GalNAcBL). The purified folds and the yield was 178 with 32.4%. The polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of purified lectin demonstrated one band consisted lectin activity. The approximate molecular weight of GalNAcBL was determined and found to be 63.83. Purified lectin was characterized through the assessment of the capability to agglutinate RBCs, inhibition by EDTA, pH dependency, thermal dependent, and carbohydrate contents. GalNAcBL were observed to be calcium dependence lectins (C-type). These results suggest that the diagnosis of the specific hemagglutination activity of lectin is promising biomarker for discrimination of malignant kidney tumor patients and the purified lectin could be introduced in the field of biomarkers.
Preparation of activated carbon from date palm trunks for removal of eosin dye
Authors: Alzahrani Eman , El-Mouhty N. R. A.
Published: May 2018

Date palm trees are abundant and cheap natural resources in Saudi Arabia. In this study, an activated carbon was prepared from palm trunks by chemical processes. The chemical activation was performed by impregnation of the raw materials after grinding with H3PO4 solution (63%), followed by placing of the sample solution on a muffle furnace at 400 ºC for 30 min, and then at 800 ºC for 10 min. The morphology of the fabricated material was checked using scanning electron microscopy that showed the rough surfaces on the carbon samples. The use of fabricated activated carbon for removal of eosin dye from aqueous solutions at different contact time, initial dye concentration, pH and adsorbent doses was investigated. The experimental results show that the adsorption process attains equilibrium within 20 min. The adsorption isotherm equilibrium was studied by means of the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, and it was found that the data fit the Langmuir isotherm equation with maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 126.58 mg g-1. The results indicated that the home made activated carbon prepared from palm trunks has the ability to remove eosin dye from aqueous solution and it will be a promising adsorbent for the removal of harmful dyes from waste water.
Characteristic analysis of De-Ionised water and Ethylene Glycol based Aluminium Oxide Nanofluid
Authors: Gopalsmy Vijayan , Rajasekaran Karunakaran
Published: May 2018

Abstract - In this work, we have prepared the nanofluid contains de-ionized water + ethylene glycol + aluminium oxide at difereent concentration (weight %) by both ultrasonic and magnetic stirrer method seperately. Various experiments were carried out to determine the thermo-physical properties of nanofluid and comparison were made to evaluate the effectiveness of fluid preparation method.
The Present Status and Prospect of Research on Rapid Freeze-drying Food in China
Authors: Li Hua , Jiao Xingli , Geng Longgang
Published: May 2018

The basic principles, process, features, technology advances, mechanistic modelling of the phenomena involved and present status of freeze-dried food were introduced in this paper, in which the main problems of the freeze-dried food in our country were proposed, and its main development trend was also analyzed.
Bio-conjugated silver nano-materials and shape-directing role of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide
Authors: Khan Zaheer , Faisal Qamer , Ahmad Rabia
Published: May 2018

Conventional UV-visible spectrophotometric and transmission electron microscopic technique were used to determine the morphology of silver nanoplates (AgNP) using Alstonia scholaris aqueous leaves extract for the first time. The visible spectra showed the presence of three well defined surface plasmon absorption (SRP) bands at 500, 550 and 675 nm which attributed to the anisotropic growth of Ag-nanoplates. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis of AgNP showed formation of truncated triangular, polyhedral with some irregular shapes nanoplates in the size range 7-20 nm. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) has no significant effect on the shape of the spectra, position of SRP bands, size and the size distribution of AgNP. Effects of various [CTAB] were also discussed in the green extra-cellular synthesis of AgNP using Alstonia scholaris leaves extract.
Myths and verities in protein folding theories Part I: Anfinsen hypothesis and the search for the global minimum in the Gibbs energy landscape
Authors: Naim Arieh Ben
Published: May 2018

Anfinsen’s thermodynamic hypothesis may be interpreted in two ways: One, that the native 3D structure of the protein, resides in the absolute minimum in the Gibbs energy landscape (GEL). The second, that the Gibbs energy functional, has a single (hence absolute) minimum at the equilibrium distribution of all accessible conformations of the protein. The second is equivalent to the Second Law of Thermodynamics. The first does not follow from the Second Law, and has no theoretical justification. Therefore, the search for an absolute minimum in the Gibbs energy landscape is not necessarily equivalent to a prediction of the native structure of the protein.
Myths and verities in protein folding theories Part II: From Kauzmann’s conjecture to the dominance of the hydrophobic effect
Authors: Naim Arieh Ben
Published: May 2018

We start with Kauzmann’s conjecture regarding the factor which is most likely to determine the stability of the 3D structure of the proteins. We show first that Kauzmann’s model-process, on which the original conjecture was based is inadequate for the process of protein folding. The main reason for this is that protein folding involves the change in the conditional solvation of non-polar groups, not the solvation itself. The “condition” here is the presence of the protein backbone. Secondly, it is argued that various hydrophilic effects, both solvation and interactions are more likely to be dominant both in stabilizing the 3D-structure of proteins, as well as in determining the speed and the specificity of the folding process.
ab initio X-ray structure determination of NaAl(SO4)2
Authors: Boujelbene Mohamed , Mhiri T.
Published: May 2018

The sodium aluminium disulphate NaAl(SO4)2 has been obtained after calcinations at 300 °C of NaAl(SO4)2.12H2O alum. The structure of this compound has been refined from powder       X-ray diffraction data using the Rietveld method. This compound crystallises in trigonal system       P 3 2 1 with the following parameters: a = 4.749(12) Å, c = 8.314 (4) Å (Z = 1).  The final refinement led to RF = 6.3 %, RB = 4.12 %. In the proposed model the sulfate ions is in disorder between two nonequivalent crystallographic sites with probabilities p1/p2= 0.30/70. The atomic arrangement of NaAl(SO4)2 is characterised by two different alternating layers parallel to (001): the first layer is composed of corner-linked AlO6 octhahedra and SO4 tetrahedra, the second layer is built from monovalent Na+ .
Prototropic and metallotropic migration of isolobal fragments on indol rings. Theoretical study and NBO analysis
Authors: Jameh-Bozorghi Saeed , Javanshir Zahra , Shargh D. Nori
Published: May 2018

Molecular structures, energies, NBO analysis and sigmatropic behaviour of 1-Indenyl(dihydro)borane (1) and 1-Indenyl-threecarbonylcobalt(I) (2) were investigated using DFT and ab initio molecular orbital methods. In these compounds BH2 and Co(CO)3 fragments areisolobal. The Results of calculations using B3LYP, HF and MP2methods [Basis set 6-311+G**] showed that -BH2 and -Co(CO)3 had similar behaviour in sigmatropic shifts. Prototropic shifts in compounds 1 and 2 have similar mechanisms too. Results showed that metallotrotropic shift is faster than Prototrpic shift in compounds 1 and 2. The activation energies (Ea) of Prototropic shift in compounds 1 and 2 are 18.83 and 17.38 kcal.mol-1. These energies are higher than -BH2 shifts in compound 1 (10.11 kcal.mol-1) or migration of -Co(CO)3 fragment in compound 2 (12.39 kcal.mol-1). Lower amount of activation energy in borotropic shift and cobalt`s fragment shift show that rotation of boron and cobalt on the indol ring can happen in the ambient temperature. Calculation results revealed that migration of proton and Co(CO)3 was carried out via suprafacial[1,2]-sigmatropic mechanism while -BH2 shift took place via antrafacial [1,3]-rearangment.
Lupane Type Triterpene Isolated from the Leaves of Thecacoris Annobonea (Euphorbiaceae)
Authors: Poumale Herve Martial Poumale , Guedem Alphonsine Nkapwa , Sandjo Louis Pergaud , Ngadjui Bonaventure Tchaleu , Shiono Yoshihito
Published: May 2018

A new lupane type triterpene (1), together with betulinic acid (2), friedelin (3), aristolochic acid I (4), alpinumisoflavone (5) and 4’-O-methylepinumisoflavone (6) have been isolated from the leaves of Thecacoris annobonea. The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of 1 and 2D NMR experiments. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their phytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity. 1 exhibited significant antimicrobial activity at 30 μg/ml and compounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 inhibited root growth lettuce at 100 μg/ml.
Structural Study of Microporous Xerogels Prepared by Polycondensation of Pyrogallol with Formaldehyde
Authors: Moussaoui Rebeh , Mosbah Mongi Ben , Moussaoui Younes , Elaloui Elimame
Published: May 2018

Microporous xerogels were prepared by polycondensation of pyrogallol with formaldehyde catalyzed by perchloric acid in aqueous medium. The samples were characterized by FTIR absorption spectra. The micro-porosity and the specific surface area are characterized by nitrogen adsorption - desorption isotherms. The obtained characteristics depend on the conditions of polycondensation.
Structural Study of a new Compound Based on Acid 1,4-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic (1,4-CDC)
Authors: Halouani Manel , Dammak M. , Audebrand N. , Ktari L.
Published: May 2018

One nickel 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate coordination polymers, Ni2 [(O10C6H4)(COO)2].2H2O  (I), was hydrothermally synthesized from an aqueous solution of Ni (NO3)2.6H2O, (1,4-CDC) (1,4-CDC = 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid) and tetramethylammonium nitrate. Compound (I) crystallizes in the monoclinic system with the C2/m space group. The unit cell parameters are a = 20.1160 (16) Å, b = 9.9387 (10) Å, c = 6.3672 (6) Å, β = 97.007 (3) (°), V= 1263.5 (2) (Å3) and Dx= 1.751g/cm3. The refinement converged into R= 0.036 and RW = 0.092. The structure, determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, consists of two nickel atoms Ni (1) and Ni (2). Lots of ways of which is surrounded by six oxygen atoms, a carboxyl group and two water molecules.
Egyptian Propolis Alleviates Gentamicin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats
Authors: Atta Attia H. , Nasr Soad M. , Mouneir Samar M. , Abdel-Aziem4 Sekena H. , Nassar Somia A.
Published: May 2018

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of oral administration of ethanol extract of propolis against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Oral administration of ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) at doses 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg.b.wt. orally/daily for 7 days) against gentamicin- (GM) at dose 100 mg/kg b.wt., i.p./daily for 7days) induced nephrotoxicity in six equal groups of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Blood was collected 24 h after the last injection for determination of serum creatinine, urea, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity. Rats were euthanized and kidney tissue specimens were collected for determination of oxidative/antioxidative biomarkers, gene expression for antioxidative enzymes and DNA fragmentation. Significant increase in serum creatinine, urea and AST activity at the same time, and a depletion of aspartate aminotransferase activity was recorded in renal homogenate of GM only–treated rats compared to control group. Lipid peroxidation in renal tissue showed significant elevation in GM-only treated group, however, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase and its gene expression were markedly decreased. DNA fragmentation was significantly increased in renal tissue of GM- only treated rats. Oral administration of EEP exhibited curative effects by reversing GM-induced alterations in serum biochemical and renal tissue oxidative stress biomarkers. In conclusion, propolis is effective in preventing or ameliorating oxidative stress of gentamicin.
1-Hydroxy Ethylidene 1,1-Diphosphonic Acid (HEDP) as a Corrosion Inhibitor for Aluminium
Authors: Hakeem M. , Rajendran S. , Regis Peter Pascal
Published: May 2018

The present study is to use 1-hydroxy ethylidene 1, 1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) as corrosion inhibitor for aluminium in aqueous solution containing 60 ppm Cl- ion was chosen as the inhibitor. Zn2+ is selected as the synergist, as Zn2+ ions in association with HEDP inhibitor is considered environmental friendly inhibitor for aluminium corrosion in alkaline (pH=11) media. The environment chosen is aqueous solution containing 60 ppm Cl- ions. To investigate the nature of the protective film, surface analytical techniques such as, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) have been put to use in the present study. The formation of protective film has been confirmed using the electrochemical techniques such as polarization study and AC impedance spectral study. The above studies support the weight loss study.
Analytical Study for the Charge-Transfer Complexes of Risperidone in Pure and Dosage Forms
Authors: Ibrahim F. , El-Enany N. , Shalan Sh. , Elsharawy Rasha Mostafa
Published: May 2018

Two simple, accurate and sensitive spectrophotometric methods were carried out to investigate through charge-transfer reactions of risperidone (RIS) as n-electron donor with various π acceptors: 7, 7, 8, 8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and p-chloranilic acid (pCA). The absorbance of reaction product was measured at 842 and 520 nm for TCNQ and pCA reagents respectively. Different experimental parameters affecting the reactions were carefully studied. The reaction pathway was postulated. The proposed spectrophotometric method was utilized for the analysis of RIS in pure form as well as in its pharmaceutical preparations. Under the optimum reaction conditions, Beer’s law is obeyed over the concentration range of 1-12 µg mL-1 and 10-180 µg mL-1 for TCNQ and pCA respectively. The limit of assays detection (LOD) is 0.114 µg mL-1 and 2.55 µg mL-1 for TCNQ and pCA respectively. The mean recovery percentage was 99.72 ± 1.06 and 100.50 ± 1.07 for TCNQ and pCA respectively. The results were compared favorably with those obtained by comparison method. The proposed method was validated statistically according to ICH guidelines.
Investigating the effects of different collectors on sulfide minerals kinetic flotation of Miduk copper mine
Authors: Atashi Hossein , Ebrahimian Farzane
Published: May 2018

Miduk has sulfide copper mine and produces copper concentrate with an alloy of more than 30 percent. Flotation tests have been conducted using Sodium isobutyl ditiophosphate collectors (A3477) and sodium isopropyl xanthate (Z11) and thionocarbamate (X231). Denver cell flotation tests in laboratory scale are performed by injecting a type of collector at a dose of 35 gram/tone. Parameters such as recovery, alloy, using mineralogy results, kinetics constant in flotation reaction were measured for sulfide copper minerals (chalcopyrite chalcosite, covellite and pyrite). By comparing and analyzing the obtained results, it was determined by that collector A3477 with kinetics constant of 1.2285 (min-1) has been more effective in floating copper and also has resulted in most alloy percentage; and with kinetic constant of 1.09878 (min-1) had the highest kinetics constant for chalcopyrite mineral; and with kinetic constant of 1.6347 (min-1 (it has been the most effective collector in floating covellite comparing to Z11 and X231. X231 collector with kinetic constant of 1.42074 (min-1) is the most effective collector in floating chalcosite mineral. Z11 collector has achieved a greater recovery of 95 percent. X231 and A3477 collectors had a better performance in pyrite abatement and have showed less selective properties toward flotation of pyrite.
Inhibitive Action of Artemisia Plant Extract on the Copper Corrosion in Phosphoric Acid.
Authors: Mounir F , Issami S El , Bazzi Lh.
Published: May 2018

Effect of Artemisia plant Extract (APE) on the copper corrosion as a corrosion inhibitor in an aerated acidic solution of in 2M H3PO4 containing 3.10-1 M NaCl has been investigated using gravimetric and electrochemical techniques. A significant decrease in the corrosion rate of copper was observed in the presence of the Artemisia plant extract. The potentiodynamic polarization data indicated that the inhibitor was of mixed type. Impedance measurements showed that the charge transfer resistance increased and double layer capacitance decreased with increase in the inhibitor’s concentration. Also, some thermodynamic data for the activation are calculated and discussed. The results obtained from potentiodynamic polarization, impedance measurements and gravimetric method are in good agreement.
Synthesis, Spectral Characterization and Antimicrobial Studies of Co(II) Complexes with Tetradentate Schiff bases Derived from Ortho-Phthalaldehyde
Authors: Sreenivas V. , Srikanth G. , Vinutha Ch. , Shailaja M. , Reddy P. Muralidhar , Vadde Ravinder
Published: May 2018

A series of cobalt (II) complexes have been synthesized with Schiff bases derived from ortho-phthalaldehyde and various amines in aqueous methanol solution. The newly synthesized Schiff bases and their Co (II) complexes have been characterized  by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, thermal, conductance measurements, mass, IR, electronic, 1H,13C-NMR spectral techniques. These ligands act as tetradentate species and coordinate to the metal center through the different potential donor atoms such as N, O and S. The probable octahedral structures have been assigned to these complexes. All the synthesized Schiff base ligands and Co(II) metal complexes have also been screened for their antimicrobial activities and metal complexes found to be more active than respective Schiff-base ligands.
Removal of Cationic Surfactants from Aqueous Solutions by Modified Cotton as a Novel High Capacity and Low Cost Adsorbent
Authors: Baghdadi Majid , Mazarji Mahmoud , Sabouhi Mohammad , Kang Abbass Jafari , Jafari Aghdas
Published: May 2018

Direct and indirect releases of large quantities of surfactants to the environment may result in serious health and environmental problems. Therefore, surfactants should be removed from water before release to the environment or delivery for public use. Using cotton-based adsorbent may be an effective technique to remove surfactants. In this study, the removal of cationic surfactants by modified cotton was investigated. N-Cetyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was selected as a cationic surfactant for the experiments. The results revealed that the modified cotton has a high affinity toward the cationic surfactants. Experiments were conducted to examine the effects of applied adsorbent dosage, initial concentration of adsorbate, pH, temperature, salt concentration on the removal efficiency. By increasing the salt concentration, removal efficiency was decreased slightly. The temperature had an adverse effect on removal efficiency. The adsorption of the CTAB increases with increasing pH of the solution. A series of batch experiments were performed to determine the sorption isotherms of modified cotton. Surfactant equilibrium data fitted very well to the Langmuir model. The Langmuir model showed that the maximum adsorption was 909 mg/g which is higher than the capacity of other adsorbents reported until now. The pseudo first-, second- order and corresponding rate equation kinetic models were investigated. Adsorption complies with a pseudo-second-order rate equation.
The Influence of Tobacco Blend Composition on Carbon Monoxide Formation in Mainstream Cigarette Smoke
Authors: Djulančić Nermina , Radojičić Vesna , Srbinovska Marija
Published: May 2018

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of three main tobacco types (flue-cured FC, air-cured AC and sun-cured SC) and two tobacco-based materials (reconstituted tobacco - recon RT and expanded stem) on the formation of carbon monoxide (CO) in the gas phase of mainstream cigarette smoke. The results showed that the type of tobacco examined had a significant impact on the amount of carbon monoxide production in the gas phase of cigarette smoke. AC and SC tobaccos had the most evident impact. The amount of tobacco in mixtures M1, M2 and M3 as well as the addition of expanded stems had an impact on the amount of CO formed in the cigarette smoke. There is weak correlation between CO content in the smoke and the chemical composition of the tobacco. Draw resistance had an impact on CO production. The research results are of great importance, since tobacco selection is the first step in the production of cigarettes with reduced emission of harmful elements contained in the smoke.
Anticancer and Antioxidant Properties of Terpinolene in Rat Brain Cells
Authors: Aydin Elanur , Türkez Hasan , Taşdemir Şener
Published: May 2018

Terpinolene (TPO) is a natural monoterpene present in essential oils of many aromatic plant species. Although various biological activities of TPO have been demonstrated, its neurotoxicity has never been explored. In this in vitro study we investigated TPO’s antiproliferative and/or cytotoxic properties using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test, genotoxic damage potential using the single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE), and oxidative effects through total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative stress (TOS) in cultured primary rat neurons and N2a neuroblastoma cells. Dose-dependent effects of TPO (at 10 mg L-1, 25 mg L-1, 50 mg L-1, 100 mg L-1, 200 mg L-1, and 400 mg L-1) were tested in both cell types. Significant (P<0.05) decrease in cell proliferation were observed in cultured primary rat neurons starting with the dose of 100 mg L-1 and in N2a neuroblastoma cells starting with 50 mg L-1. TPO was not genotoxic in either cell type. In addition, TPO treatment at 10 mg L-1, 25 mg L-1, and 50 mg L-1 increased TAC in primary rat neurons, but not in N2a cells. However, at concentrations above 50 mg L-1 it increased TOS in both cell types. Our findings clearly demonstrate that TPO is a potent antiproliferative agent for brain tumour cells and may have potential as an anticancer agent, which needs to be further studied.
The Turn to Precarity in Twenty-First Century Fiction
Authors: Morrison Jago
Published: May 2018

Recent years have seen several attempts by writers and critics to understand the changed sensibility in post-9/11 fiction through a variety of new -isms. This essay explores this cultural shift in a different way, finding a ‘turn to precarity’ in twenty-first century fiction characterised by a renewal of interest in the flow and foreclosure of affect, the resurgence of questions about vulnerability and our relationships to the other, and a heightened awareness of the social dynamics of seeing. The essay draws these tendencies together via the work of Judith Butler in Frames of War, in an analysis of Trezza Azzopardi’s quasi-biographical study of precarious life, Remember Me.
Delayed Behavioral Effects of SH–I–048A, a Novel Nonselective Positive Modulator of Gabaa Receptors, After Peripheral Nerve Injury in Rats
Authors: Obradović Lj. Aleksandar , Joksimović Srđan , M. Poe Michael , Timić Tamara , M.Cook James , M. Savić Miroslav
Published: May 2018

The complex clinical picture of mono-neuropathy following injury of peripheral nerve is often accompanied by changes in the patients’ affective states. It has been shown that positive allosteric modulators of GABAA receptors can decrease nociceptive transmission in animal pain models. However, recent findings suggest a possibility that at least some of the antinociceptive effects of benzodiazepines, related to neuropathic painful stimuli, may to a significant degree be a consequence of their anxiolytic action.

In this study we evaluated the possible delayed effects of SH-I-048A, a newly- synthesized high-efficacy nonselective positive modulator of GABAA receptors, on anxiety-like behavior and locomotor activity in Wistar rats with a previously induced peripheral nerve injury.

Assessment of behavioral parameters, using spontaneous locomotor activity and elevated plus maze tests, was performed 48h after completion of single-day threei. p. injections treatment consisting of zero, one, two or three doses of SH-I-048А (10 mg/kg).

In general, rats’ behavior observed 72 h after a moderate peripheral nerve injury did not indicate the persistence of sequelae of mono-neuropathic pain. The rats treated with three doses of SH-I-048А displayed an enhanced immobility time in the locomotor activity test, without concomitant decrease of the total distance traveled. On the other hand, in the group treated with two doses of SH- I-048А, a decrease in the emotional reactivity in the elevated plus maze test was observed. Subtle changes in the regimen of dosing of SH-I-048А affect locomotor activity and anxiety-related behavior in animals with peripheral nerve injury.
Molecular Study of the Prevalence of Brucella Abortus and Brucella Melitensis in the Blood and Lymph Node Samples of Slaughtered Camels by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in Iran
Authors: Khamesipour Faham , Rahimi Ebrahim , Shakerian Amir , Doosti Abbas , Momtaz Hassan
Published: May 2018

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease which is characterized by reduced fertility and abortion in several species of animals, as well as humans. Camel brucellosis is caused by Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis. To overcome the limitations posed by other techniques such as culture and serology, a sensitive technique (PCR) was employed for the detection of brucellosis in 123 camels. Findings from this PCR study indicated a total of 11.38% of blood samples as positive for Brucella spp. and 13.01% of the lymph node samples were positive for Brucella spp. In this study, 5 out of 123 (4.065%) and 3 out of 123 (2.439%) camel blood samples were positive for B. abortus and B. melitensis, respectively. Also, 4 out of 123 (3.252%) and 2 out of 123 (1.626%) camel lymph node samples were positive for B. abortus and B. melitensis, respectively. Young camels were the most commonly infected age group, while adult camels were the less often infected age group. Also, higher prevalence of brucellosis was observed in female camels. These results have indicated that PCR is a sensitive technique which could be used as a confirmatory test for the detection of brucellosis in live camels, at the same time with the lowest risk of infection of laboratory personnel. The obtained results suggest that control and eradication programs for Brucella spp. infection seem to be necessary in camels. Our findings support the power of PCR test for Brucella spp. detection in the blood and lymph node samples and it could be easily used for routine diagnosis.
Results of Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in Patients with Mucosal Contact Points Suffering From Chronic Daily Headache Non-Responding to Medications
Authors: Madani Seyyed Abdollah , Hashemi Seyyed Abbas , Morshedzadeh Seyyed Amirhosein
Published: May 2018

Pain is a worldwide health disorder causing depression and decrease in daily activities, as well as cognitive, memory and attention impairments. In this regard, mucosal contact headache is a second type of headache disorder in the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Some studies have reported that contact points may work as triggers in the initiation of chronic daily headache.

The aim of the paper was to evaluate the effects of surgical removal of contact points on relief of chronic daily headache.

In this prospective study, thirty patients underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery and the intensity of pain was examined by visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after a six-month follow-up.

Study population included 13 (43.3%) males and 17 (56.6%) females aged from 14 to 54 years, with mean age of 30 years. After surgical removal of contact points, the mean headache (days/month) was decreased from 8.3±6.5 to 1.5±1.7 days (P< 0.005). The length of daily headache was reduced from 3.5±3.1 hour/day to 36±0.8 minute/day. Based on the VAS pain rating scale, the severity of pain decreased from 5.2±1.8 (preoperative) to 1.47±1.3 (postoperative) (P:0.013). Nasal septal deviation was the commonest anatomical variation identified in these patients (21 subjects-70 %).

Surgical removal of contact points can improve the therapeutic outcomes in management of patients with chronic daily headache. These contact points may act as triggers for chronic daily headache.
Simple speed sensorless DTC-SVM scheme for induction motor drives
Authors: Abu-Rub H. , Stando D. , Kazmierkowski M.P.
Published: May 2018

The paper focuses on the development of a novel DSP based high performance speed sensorless control scheme for PWM voltage source inverter fed induction motor drives. Firstly, two generic torque and flux control methods the Field Oriented Control (FOC) and Direct Torque Control (DTC), are briefly described. For implementation the sensorless scheme DTC with Space Vector Modulation (DTCSVM) has been selected because it eliminates the disadvantages associated with the DTC while keeping the advantages of both FOC and DTC. Secondly, the simple flux vector observer allowing speed sensor elimination is given. The novelty of the presented system lays in combining the DTC-SVM structure with a simple observer for both torque/flux and speed sensorless control. Furthermore, the DTC-SVM structure which operates in speed sensorless and torque control mode is presented. Finally, the description of a 50 kW laboratory drive and experimental results illustrating properties of the system are given.
Controllability of dynamical systems. A survey
Authors: Klamka J.
Published: May 2018

The main objective of this article is to review the major progress that has been made on controllability of dynamical systems over the past number of years. Controllability is one of the fundamental concepts in the mathematical control theory. This is a qualitative property of dynamical control systems and is of particular importance in control theory. A systematic study of controllability was started at the beginning of sixties in the last century, when the theory of controllability based on the description in the form of state space for both time-invariant and time-varying linear control systems was worked out.

Roughly speaking, controllability generally means, that it is possible to steer a dynamical control system from an arbitrary initial state to an arbitrary final state using the set of admissible controls. It should be mentioned, that in the literature there are many different definitions of controllability, which strongly depend on a class of dynamical control systems and on the other hand on the form of admissible controls.

Controllability problems for different types of dynamical systems require the application of numerous mathematical concepts and methods taken directly from differential geometry, functional analysis, topology, matrix analysis and theory of ordinary and partial differential equations and theory of difference equations. In the paper we use mainly state-space models of dynamical systems, which provide a robust and universal method for studying controllability of various classes of systems.

Controllability plays an essential role in the development of modern mathematical control theory. There are various important relationships between controllability, stability and stabilizability of linear both finite-dimensional and infinite-dimensional control systems. Controllability is also strongly related to the theory of realization and so called minimal realization and canonical forms for linear time-invariant control systems such as the Kalmam canonical form, the Jordan canonical form or the Luenberger canonical form. It should be mentioned, that for many dynamical systems there exists a formal duality between the concepts of controllability and observability. Moreover, controllability is strongly connected with the minimum energy control problem for many classes of linear finite dimensional, infinite dimensional dynamical systems, and delayed systems both deterministic and stochastic.

Finally, it is well known, that controllability concept has many important applications not only in control theory and systems theory, but also in such areas as industrial and chemical process control, reactor control, control of electric bulk power systems, aerospce engineering and recently in quantum systems theory.
Oilless and frictionless compressor with double-sided rotationally oscillating piston
Authors: Chomczyk W. , Ostapski W. , Piotrowski J. , Tataj T.
Published: May 2018

The contents are concerned with a concept of an oilless and frictionless compressor operating without dead movement and having functional parameters superior to compressors of renowned manufacturers. The concept is based on patents No. 68220, 83060, P377851 by W. Chomczyk and patents P394072, P385733 by W. Chomczyk, W. Ostapski and J. Piotrowski. The proposed design of an oilless compressor ensures volumetric efficiency higher than that encountered in conventional compressors. It also generates pure compressed medium without necessity of filtering from oil particles, which is especially desired in food, pharmaceutical, medical, fragrance, chemical and automation industry.
Comparison of experimental and modelling results of thermal properties in Cu-AlN composite materials
Authors: Chmielewski M. , Weglewski W.
Published: May 2018

Copper-based composites could be widely used in automotive, electronic or electrical industry due to their very promising thermal properties. In the present paper, Cu-AlN metal matrix composites with ceramic volume fractions between 0.1 and 0.4 were fabricated by hot pressing method in vacuum. Dependence of the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and the thermal conductivity (TC) on the chemical composition of composites has been investigated. The measured values of the thermal expansion coefficient have been compared with the analytical models’ predictions. A numerical model based on FEAP 7.5 in 3D space has been used to evaluate the influence of the porosity on the thermal properties (thermal conductivity) of the composite. A fairly good correlation between the FEM results and the experimental measurements has been obtained.
Fatty Acid Profile of Milk - A Review
Authors: Markiewicz-Kęszycka Maria , Czyżak-Runowska Grażyna , Lipińska Paulina , Wójtowski Jacek
Published: May 2018

The article describes the recent data dealing with the fatty acid content in cow, goat, and sheep milk. A large body of evidence demonstrates that fatty acid profile in goat and sheep milk was similar to that of cow milk. Palmitic acid was the most abundant in milk. Goat milk had the highest C6:0, C8:0, and C10:0 content. Sheep milk was the richest source of conjugated linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid. Ewe’s milk had lower value of n-6/n-3 then goat and cow milk.
Effect of Storage and Preservation of Horse Faecal Samples on the Detectability and Viability of Strongylid Nematode Eggs and Larvae
Authors: Jagła Ewelina , Śpiewak Justyna , Zaleśny Grzegorz , Popiołek Marcin
Published: May 2018

The aim of the study was to assess selected methods of storage and preservation of horse faecal samples on the detectability of eggs and survival rate of larvae of strongylid nematodes. Physical and chemical factors were found to have a significant effect on the egg detectability and survival of the larvae. The comparison of control and variously preserved samples revealed that each storage method affected the reliability of the results to some extent. Short-lasting, three-day freezing resulted in a decrease of detectability from 100% to 94.1%, with an equally significant decrease in the mean number of eggs per one gram of faeces, from 1,238.97 to 983.82. Extending the freezing period from 3 to 14 d had a highly significant effect on the prevalence, which was then 85.3%, while the EPG (eggs per gram) value decreased more than twice, compared to control samples, and was 503.68. Thirty-day freezing had no further effect on the parasitological indices, which did not differ significantly from those obtained after a fortnight of freezing. Storing samples in 4% formalin and 40% ethanol had a significantly more negative effect on the detectability of strongylid eggs. The prevalence in alcohol-preserved samples was 91.2% and the EPG was 247.79; the values for formalin-preserved samples were 88.2% and 153.68. The way of preserving faecal samples was also found to affect the viability of strongylid larvae.
Typing of Listeria Monocytogenes Isolated from Slaughtered Cattle and Beef Meat
Authors: Dmowska Katarzyna , Wieczorek Kinga , Lynch Orla , Osek Jacek
Published: May 2018

A total of 135 L. monocytogenes strains isolated from slaughtered cattle and beef meat were tested by the pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The AscI restriction analysis revealed a genetic heterogeneity among investigated isolates since 31, 9, and 35 profiles were distinguished among hide, carcass, and meat strains, respectively. The PFGE profiles of the isolates were also analysed in relation to serotypes, virulence genes, and antimicrobial resistance. It was shown that strains displaying the same PFGE type were of the same serotype while correlation between pulsotype and antimicrobial resistance was poor. The obtained results suggest that a cross-contamination between bovine hides and carcasses may occur during the slaughter process. Moreover, identification of identical PFGE types among L. monocytogenes found during a study period may suggest a common source of contamination or presence of persistent strains able to survive for a long time. These results emphasise the importance of molecular subtyping methods, including PFGE, in monitoring and tracking pathogen contamination along food chain.
Influence of Docosahexaenoic Acid Obtained from New Generation of Eggs on the Repolarisation of Ventricles in Pigs with Experimental Tachycardiomyopathy
Authors: Noszczyk-Nowak Agnieszka , Pasławska Urszula , Nicpoń Józef , Janiszewski Adrian , Skrzypczak Piotr , Popiel Jarosław , Bobak Łukasz , Trziszka Tadeusz
Published: May 2018

The influence of docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid obtained from a new generation of eggs on ventricular electrical function of 24 pigs with experimentally induced tachycardiomyopathy was described. Two groups were formed, 12 pigs had experimentally evoked tachycardiomyopathy and were getting standard feed (control group TIC). Twelve pigs with tachycardiomyopathy received feed with an addition of a dietary supplement containing phospholipids isolated from new generation of eggs at a dose of 1,000 mg of DHA/animal/24 h (experimental group TIC). Electrophysiological study was carried out from an external programmer immediately after implantation of the pacemaker. All the tests were carried out in general anaesthesia. After 8 weeks of fast ventricular pacing at 170 bpm in pigs receiving phospholipids obtained from eggs, a statistically significant shortening of ventricular refraction time was observed during sinus rhythm and also during the ventricular pacing of 130 bpm, and 150 bpm in the group of pigs fed standard feed. The ventricular refraction time in the sinus rhythm was significantly longer after 12 weeks of fast pacing and in the pacing at 130 bpm and 150 bpm it was significantly longer after 8 weeks of fast pacing. Phospholipids containing high percentage of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) obtained from new generation of eggs may contribute to the shortening ventricular refraction period after its oral administration. The n-3 PUFA obtained from a new generation of hen eggs may be an alternative to fish oil source of DHA and other polyunsaturated fatty acids.
An Efficient Algorithm for Steady State Analysis of Fibre Lasers Operating under Cascade Pumping Scheme
Authors: Sujecki Sławomir
Published: May 2018

We derive an efficient algorithm for the steady state analysis of fibre lasers operating under cascade pumping scheme by combining the shooting method with the Newton-Raphson method. We compare the proposed algorithm with the two standard algorithms that have been used so far in the available literature: the relaxation method and the coupled solution method. The results obtained show that the proposed shooting method based algorithm achieves much faster convergence rate at the expense of a moderate increase in the calculation time. It is found that a further improvement in the computational efficiency can be achieved by using few iterations of the relaxation method to calculate the initial guess for the proposed shooting method based algorithm
LCLS – Large Laser Infrastructure Development and Local Implications
Authors: Romaniuk Ryszard S.
Published: May 2018

The most powerful now in the world, American Xray laser LCLS (Linac Coherent Light Source), has been working as a research and user facility since 2009. It is further developed to LCLS II machine at the Stanford National Accelerator Laboratory SLAC in Menlo Park CA. In a certain sense, LCLS II is a response to the EXFEL machine and a logical extension of LCLS. All these machines are light sources of the fifth generation. EXFEL is expected to open user facility in 2016, at a cost of over 1 mld Euro. LCLS II, which design started in 2010, will be operational in 2017. The lasers LCLS, LCLS II and EXFEL use SASE and SEED methods to generate light and are powered by electron linacs, LCLS by a warm one, and EXFEL by a cold one. The linacs have energies approaching 20 GeV, and are around 2 - 3 km in length. EXFEL linac uses SRF TESLA microwave cavity technology at 1,3GHz. A prototype of EXFEL was FLASH laser. SLAC Laboratory uses effectively over 50 years experience in research, building and exploitation of linear electron accelerators. In 2009, a part of the largest 3 km SLAC linac was used to build the LCLS machine. For the LCLS II machine a new infrastructure is build for two new laser beams and a number of experimental stations. A number of experts and young researchers from Poland participate in the design, construction and research of the biggest world linear and elliptical accelerators and FEL lasers like LCLS (Stanford), EXFEL (DESY) and CEBAF (JLab), and a few more. The paper concentrates on the development state-of-the-art of large laser infrastructure and its global and local impact, in the competitive world of R&D. LCLS infrastructure implications in Poland are considered.
A –5 dBm 400MHz OOK Transmitter for Wireless Medical Application
Authors: Yousefi M. , Koozehkanani D. , Jangi H. , Nasirzadeh N. , Sobhi J.
Published: May 2018

A 400 MHz high efficiency transmitter for wireless medical application is presented in this paper. Transmitter architecture with high-energy efficiencies is proposed to achieve high data rate with low power consumption. In the on-off keying transmitters, the oscillator and power amplifier are turned off when the transmitter sends 0 data. The proposed class-e power amplifier has high efficiency for low level output power. The proposed on-off keying transmitter consumes 1.52 mw at -5 dBm output by 40 Mbps data rate and energy consumption 38 pJ/bit. The proposed transmitter has been designed in 0.18μm CMOS technology.
Predicting Dropout Student: An Application of Data Mining Methods in an Online Education Program
Authors: Yukselturk Erman , Ozekes Serhat , Türel Yalın Kılıç
Published: May 2018

This study examined the prediction of dropouts through data mining approaches in an online program. The subject of the study was selected from a total of 189 students who registered to the online Information Technologies Certificate Program in 2007-2009. The data was collected through online questionnaires (Demographic Survey, Online Technologies Self-Efficacy Scale, Readiness for Online Learning Questionnaire, Locus of Control Scale, and Prior Knowledge Questionnaire). The collected data included 10 variables, which were gender, age, educational level, previous online experience, occupation, self efficacy, readiness, prior knowledge, locus of control, and the dropout status as the class label (dropout/not). In order to classify dropout students, four data mining approaches were applied based on k-Nearest Neighbour (k-NN), Decision Tree (DT), Naive Bayes (NB) and Neural Network (NN). These methods were trained and tested using 10-fold cross validation. The detection sensitivities of 3-NN, DT, NN and NB classifiers were 87%, 79.7%, 76.8% and 73.9% respectively. Also, using Genetic Algorithm (GA) based feature selection method, online technologies self-efficacy, online learning readiness, and previous online experience were found as the most important factors in predicting the dropouts.
The Temporal Perspective in Higher Education Learners: Comparisons between Online and Onsite Learning
Authors: Romero Margarida , Usart Mireia
Published: May 2018

Higher Education increases flexibility with online learning solutions. Nevertheless, dropout rates in online university are large. Among the reasons, one aspect deserving further study is students’ Time Perspective (TP), which has been studied in onsite HE. It is necessary to know the TP profile of the growing population of online students, and consider its relation with students’ preference and convenience factors for choosing online or onsite contexts. In this study, learners’ TP in an online and an onsite Catalan HE institutions are compared. Results show that HE students present a high future orientation in general, while online students showed a higher orientation to past negativism. Basic guides are given to help institutions and students in the choice of the better suited learning context according to their TP.