bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new technique for deep in situ measurements of soil water retention behaviour
Authors: Rocchi Irene , Gragnano Carmine Gerardo , Govoni Laura , Mentani Alessio , Bittelli Marco , Castiglione Paolo , Buzzi Olivier , Gottardi Guido
Published: January 2018

In situ measurements of soil suction and water content in deep soil layers still represent an experimental challenge. Mostly developed within agriculture-related disciplines, field techniques for the identification of soil retention behaviour have been so far employed in the geotechnical context to monitor shallow landslides and seasonal volume changes beneath shallow foundations, within the most superficial ground strata. In this paper, a novel installation technique is presented, discussed and assessed, which allows extension of the use of commercially available low-cost and low-maintenance instruments to characterise deep soil layers. Multi-depth installations have been successfully carried out using two different sensor types to measure the soil suction and water content up to 7 m from the soil surface. Preliminary laboratory investigations were also shown to provide a reasonable benchmark to the field data. The results of this study offer a convenient starting point to accommodate important geotechnical works such as river and road embankments in the traditional monitoring of unsaturated soil variables.
Planar fault-tolerant quantum cellular automata full adder
Authors: Purkayastha Tamoghna , Chattopadhyay Tanay , De Debashis
Published: January 2018

In ‘More-than-Moore’ technological trends, designing new devices with quantum dot nanostructure has become an emerging domain of research. Quantum dot cellular automata are one of the major paradigm shifts in the field of nanoscale computing. Quantum cellular automata (QCA) are possible alternatives to technology based on complementary metal-oxide semiconductors (CMOS) due to their ultralow power and high speed of operation up to terahertz frequency. Furthermore, QCA technology takes up a smaller area than CMOS and is based on the charge confinement protocol, rather than the charge dissipation protocol. A planar design of a QCA-based full-adder circuit has been designed in this study. The proposed full adder is achieved with a delay of only 0·25 clock cycles, which is remarkably shorter than that for available designs. The functionality of the proposed full adder is verified using the QCA Designer software tool. Further, the defect analysis of the circuit confirms the robustness of the design. Moreover, the proposed QCA design is highly fault tolerant, which is proved by the stuck-at-fault analysis performed on the device.
Briefing: Waste management techniques and environmental solutions – a significant association
Authors: Tavri Purva
Published: January 2018

This briefing article presents the waste issues and concerns from a broader environmental perspective. In doing so, the briefing demonstrates a significant and complex relationship between environmental solutions and waste management techniques. Shedding light on such an association enables the author to argue about current dominant waste management solutions (recycling and recovery) and other technological solutions – rethinking problems rather than solving them. Simultaneously, the reader is directed towards the importance of reuse, which is currently overshadowed in the waste hierarchy by the term ‘preparing-for-reuse’.
“Iyambae”: en busca de una educación superior emancipadora en la UNIBOL Guaraní y Pueblos de Tierras Bajas
Authors: Delgadillo Zerda David Silvestre
Published: January 2018

En Latinoamérica (LA), hablar de las condiciones de posibilidad que den muestra de la construcción de una Educación propia en la educación superior como alternativa al proyecto pedagógico de la modernidad y del capitalismo hegemónico es referirse a experiencias educativas localizadas y concretas en la región. El contexto de diversidad corresponde al de las etnias indígenas de tierras bajas de Bolivia. Ahora bien, ¿Cuáles son los alcances y limitaciones que particularizan el abordaje de la diversidad étnica, cultural y lingüística del modelo de Universidad Indígena Boliviana (UNIBOL) Guaraní y de Pueblos de Tierras Bajas “Apiaguaki Tüpa” que permite hablar de la construcción de una educación propia orientada al posicionamiento de una pedagogía latinoamericana? Los pueblos indígena, originario, ancestrales (PIOAs) han impreso a esta institución las siguientes características: subversión de la configuración jerárquica, herencia del modelo de universidad colonial (Weinberg, 1995), establecimiento de relaciones horizontales en un contexto de verticalidad de la educación superior (ES). Así como, la transformación de la función jerarquizante, monocultural y hegemonizante en una práctica pluralizadora y preservadora de la diversidad destinada a la superación de las desigualdades a través de su valoración, rescate y fortalecimiento de elementos étnicos, culturales y lingüísticos propios. Además del tránsito de la suplantación de la presencia, voz y accionar de los PIOAs a un activo y efectivo protagonismo en la construcción de un modelo de ES constituido y constituyente de la visión histórica, política e identitaría de los pueblos indígenas de tierras bajas desempeñando una función emancipadora.
La educación superior intercultural en Tabasco. Una historia en construcción
Authors: Rojas Lozano Victoria Raquel , Navarro Martínez Sergio Iván , Escobar Potenciano Amelia
Published: January 2018

En el escrito se expone la experiencia educativa denominada: Universidad Intercultural del Estado de Tabasco (UIET) y los datos referidos abarcan un periodo de diez años (2005-2015).1 El texto refleja, desde una mirada crítica, el devenir histórico de la Universidad y las diversas maneras en la que se entiende a la educación intercultural en esta Institución de Educación Superior (IES). Se analiza el proceso de formación de la uiet y los actores que en ella se han involucrado, las diferentes etapas de construcción por las que ha atravesado, los obstáculos y retos a los que se ha enfrentado. La selección de fuentes se orientó bajo la búsqueda de dos tipos de insumos: documentos oficiales de la Universidad y mediante el uso de diversos métodos y técnicas de investigación en las que se reconoció, a partir de experiencias de profesores y estudiantes, la visión de los actores al respecto del devenir de la UIET.
Juego de Arena y Escritas de Si: revelando los itinerarios ecoformativos de una profesora
Authors: Schulz Luciane
Published: January 2018

Los estudios apuntan que el foco central que permea los cursos de formación de profesores está en una concepción esencialmente intelectual/conceptual. Por otro lado es necesario dar voz a este profesor en formación, con la creación de un ambiente pedagógico que favorezca la autoría, la autoconstrucción y la autorreflexión en el sentido de su subjetividad. Este artículo parte del referencial (auto)biográfico que se caracteriza como la búsqueda de la comprensión de sí mismo y de sus relaciones con el saber y tiene como objetivo presentar el itinerario de la ecoformación de la autora, por medio de la descripción y el análisis del Juego de Arena (Sandplay) y de las escrituras de sí. La metodología consistió en talleres que se realizaron en el Programa de Postgrado de Maestría y Doctorado del Centro de Educación de la Universidad Federal de Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil, culminando con la confección de escenarios imaginarios de los elementos agua, fuego, aire y tierra por medio del Juego de Arena y de las escrituras de sí. Esta apertura dada para la investigación (auto)biográfica y el Juego de Arena como recursos metodológicos autorreflexivos nos hizo tomar conciencia de que la ecoformación ha sido el motor inductor de toda nuestra trayectoria personal, docente y académica. Por lo tanto, el Juego de Arena y las escrituras de sí, son recursos metodológicos ecoformativos esenciales para la formación del profesor.
Determinación de la presión máxima de compresión de un MEP basado en una RNAR
Authors: Contreras Urgiles Wilmer Rafael , Arichávala Mauricio , Jérez Cristian
Published: January 2018

En la presente investigación se realiza la explicación de la metodología aplicada a la determinación de la presión máxima de compresión de un motor de combustión interna alternativo de encendido provocado (MEP), el cual se basa en un estudio que parte de la caracterización de las curvas del consumo de amperaje del motor de arranque. Se aplica un protocolo de adquisición de datos y su posterior análisis estadístico. Los valores estadísticos de la señal como energía, promedio, desviación estándar, varianza, kurtosis, asimetría, máximo, mínimo y factor de cresta son seleccionados en función al mayor aporte de información para la caracterización del experimento; estos valores generan bases de datos las cuales son aplicadas para la creación y entrenamiento de una red neuronal artificial recurrente (RNAR) en la cual se obtiene un error absoluto menor al 2 \%. En una primera instancia se aplica la metodología de pruebas en un motor ensamblado en un banco didáctico y luego se procede a la aplicación del método en motores aplicados en vehículos.
Análisis energético, exergético y económico de un sistema de cogeneración: Caso para una planta azucarera de San Pablo
Authors: LLerena Omar Rosendo
Published: January 2018

Los sistemas de cogeneración, debido a las numerosas ventajas que presentan, se han convertido en una tecnología bastante utilizada para la generación de energía. En estos procesos, la eficiencia es relativamente alta y las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero son bajas.En este trabajo se realiza un estudio técnico y económico de un sistema de cogeneración para una planta azucarera en San Pablo. La primera y segunda ley de la termodinámica son aplicadas para el análisis técnico. Los costos de producción de la energía eléctrica y vapor producido son determinados en el análisis económico. En el dimensionamiento se analizan cuatro turbinas de gas que están en paridad térmica con el proceso. Los resultados muestran que la planta tiene una capacidad para producir \linebreak[4]148 MW de electricidad y 147 MW de vapor. Por un lado el análisis energético revela que la eficiencia de la planta es de 67 \%, mientras que el análisis exergético muestra que esta eficiencia es de 56 \%. Los resultados del análisis económico expresan que los precios de la electricidad y vapor producido son de 0,105 y 0,068 US\$/kWh, respectivamente.
Análisis de medidas de ahorro de energía en una empresa de producción
Authors: Salazar Luisa , Guzman Victor , Bueno Alexander
Published: January 2018

Este trabajo analiza las medidas de ahorro de energía posibles en una empresa de producción, con la finalidad de establecer recomendaciones que contribuyan al uso eficiente de la energía. Esta investigación es de tipo descriptivo-documental, sustentada en un trabajo de campo, en donde se analizan los diferentes procesos de producción y servicios industriales. Utilizando datos suministrados de horas de trabajo, se realiza una estimación del consumo mensual para determinar el impacto de los procesos en la facturación de electricidad; el análisis se restringe al cálculo de índices de consumo (Ton/kWh) con lo que se puede priorizar el uso de los equipos más eficientes sobre otros que realicen las mismas funciones. El análisis de la característica de consumo arroja puntos óptimos de consumo con los cuales se establece un gráfico de energía vs. producción llamado meta. Se obtiene como resultado que aplicando todas las acciones propuestas, el consumo mensual disminuiría en 138 024,84 kWh, lo que representa un ahorro de energía del orden del 25 \% respecto con el consumo promedio actual.
Incentivo a la generación distribuida en el Ecuador
Authors: Muñoz-Vizhñay Jorge Patricio , Rojas-Moncayo Marco Vinicio , Barreto-Calle Carlos Raúl
Published: January 2018

La reducción de los costos de la infraestructura solar es una de las principales razones de su crecimiento mundial. En Ecuador se requiere realizar reajustes al marco jurídico que incentive la instalación de pequeños emprendimientos solares fotovoltaicos (de clientes del servicio eléctrico) conectados a las redes de distribución de baja tensión para consumo propio, y los excedentes sean inyectados a la red. Se plantean tres modelos de negocios para la microgeneración distribuida fotovoltaica, mismos que consideran dos sistemas de medición aplicables: el primero denominado \emph{netmetering} donde se determina el valor neto de la energía (diferencia entre la inyectada a la red y la consumida), y el segundo conocido como «\emph{Feed-in Tariff}» – FIT donde se determina la energía inyectada a la red a un precio especial como incentivo. El costo de la energía producida por un sistema fotovoltaico en el Ecuador es de USD/kWh 0,1342 con la tasa de descuento del 7 %, el CF (factor de capacidad) = 15 \%, mientras que con la tasa de descuento del 10 %, CF = 20 % el costo de la energía alcanza a USD/kWh 0,1229, valores que no contemplan el banco de baterías ni de los terrenos, estos valores son cada vez más competitivos en relación con las fuentes renovables no convencionales.
On the behaviour of spherical inclusions in a cylinder under tension loads
Authors: Montero Guarda Sebastian , Bustamante Plaza Roger , Ortiz Bernardin Alejandro
Published: January 2018

In the present paper the behaviour of a hyperelastic body is studied, considering the presence of one, two and more spherical inclusions, under the effect of an external tension load. The inclusions are modeled as nonlinear elastic bodies that undergo small strains. For the material constitutive relation, a relatively new type of model is used, wherein the strains (linearized strain) are assumed to be nonlinear functions of the stresses. In particular, it is used a function such that the strains are always small, independently of the magnitude of the external loads. In order to simplify the problem, the hyperelastic medium and the inclusions are modelled as axial-symmetric bodies. The finite element method is used to obtain results for these boundary value problems. The objective of using these new models for elastic bodies in the case of the inclusions is to study the behaviour of such bodies in the case of concentration of stresses, which happens near the interface with the surrounding matrix. From the results presented in this paper, it is possible to observe that despite the relatively large magnitude for the stresses, the strains for the inclusions remain small, which would be closer to the actual behaviour of real inclusions made of brittle materials, which cannot show large strains.
Obtención de ACS con energía solar en el cantón Cuenca y análisis de la contaminación ambiental
Authors: Calle - Sigüencia John , Tinoco - Gómez Oscar
Published: January 2018

En este documento se encuentra el análisis para determinar la factibilidad de implementación de calentadores solares para obtener Agua Caliente Sanitaria (ACS) en el Ecuador, en la provincia del Azuay, en el cantón Cuenca, con el fin de disminuir la contaminación ambiental provocada por el uso de combustibles fósiles. El proyecto considera la puesta en marcha de una red meteorológica y toma de datos de radiación solar global en 16 puntos ubicados zonas pobladas del cantón durante los años 2014 y 2015, posteriormente a través de un trabajo de campo se realiza un diagnóstico para establecer cuáles son los actuales sistemas usados para obtener ACS, también se analizan de manera teórica y práctica las eficiencias de dos tipos de calentadores solares de tubos de vacío para producción de ACS; con los datos de radiación medidos se modela aplicando las ecuaciones de transferencia de calor y se establece la factibilidad de implementación en función de la energía solar medida; finalmente, se realiza una comparación para determinar cuál sería la disminución de emanaciones de CO2 si se ejecutaría esta propuesta. Los resultados obtenidos indican que el 82 % de familias utiliza ACS y de estas el 65 % emplean sistemas a base de GLP y, que el 44 % de la demanda de energía para obtener ACS puede ser cubierta con energía solar necesitando utilizar sistemas auxiliares para garantizar un abastecimiento constante. La implementación de estos sistemas permitiría reducir 108 537 tn CO2 eq al año.
Cuantificación de la opacidad en motores electrónicos diésel usando diésel y biodiésel
Authors: Mafla Yépez Carlos Nolasco , Imbaquingo Navarrete Rommel , Melo Obando Jorge , Benavides Cevallos Ignacio , Hernández Rueda Eric
Published: January 2018

El presente estudio tiene la finalidad de determinar los niveles de opacidad con el uso de diésel fósil como de biodiésel a base de higuerilla al 15 \% (B15). Para la determinación de la opacidad se utilizó un banco de pruebas de motores diésel electrónico, se realizó las mediciones de opacidad usando un opacímetro debidamente calibrado. El Opacímetro consta de una sonda la cual se le instala en el extremo del tubo de escape, captando los gases y arrojando valores propios por cada prueba, considerando los tipos de combustibles fósil o biocombustible y el régimen del motor, sometiendo a varias revoluciones por minuto que van de 1200 a 3000 por cada combustible. Al concluir las pruebas el opacímetro permitió obtener una opacidad de 11.1 \% con diésel fósil y 0.386 con biodiésel B15 obteniendo una reducción del 96 \% de opacidad, a la vez se obtuvo un promedio de opacidad de las pruebas por cada tipo de combustible siendo este valor el que se comparará con las normas nacionales e internacionales concernientes a este estudio. Con estos resultados se contribuye a la mejor conservación del ambiente ya que se emana menor cantidad de hollín, de igual manera se disminuye las enfermedades respiratorias y de corazón de las personas según la organización mundial de la salud.
Discursos y prácticas alrededor de la muerte. Reflexiones al hilo de 40 años de historiografía moderna en España
Authors: Pascua M.ª José de la
Published: January 2018

RESUMENEn este estudio se realiza un estado de la cuestión de la producción española sobre la historia de la muerte reflexionando acerca de sus modelos historiográficos y metodológicos, la orientación de sus objetivos y su ubicación en un eje histórico básico: las coordenadas tiempo y espacio. Más que un recorrido exhaustivo por autores y trabajos que pudiera sugerir un tema agotado, se plantea la necesidad de incorporar la perspectiva individual en el análisis de la vivencia histórica de la muerte y la utilización integral de la fuente testamentaria valorando su condición de documento personal, cuya inclusión permitiría una aproximación al tema más compleja y matizada.PALABRAS CLAVEActitudes y discursos ante la muerte, historia de la muerte, siglos XVI, XVII y XVIII, historiografía española, historia de las mentalidades, historia moderna. TITLEDiscourses and practices around death. Reflections about 40 years of modern historiography in SpainABSTRACTIn this study I discuss the matter of Spanish works about the history of death, reflecting on its historiographies and methodological models, the orientation of its aims and its location on a basic historical axis: the time-space axis. More than an exhaustive study of authors and works that might lead one to think about an over discussed topic, I bring to attention the need to incorporate individual perspective in the analysis of the experience of death and the integral use of the testamentary source, acknowledging its condition as a personal document, the recognition of which allows an approach to a most complex and nuanced subject.KEY WORDSAttitudes and Discourses to Death; History of Death; XVI, XVII and XVIII Centuries; Spanish Historiographic; Cultural History; Early Modern History.
Los Estatutos de la Real Sociedad Económica Matritense de Amigos del País de 1775 y sus intentos de reforma (1775-1808)
Authors: Martín-Valdepeñas Yagüe Elisa
Published: January 2018

RESUMENLa Real Sociedad Económica Matritense de Amigos del País se rigió durante cuarenta años por los estatutos fundacionales aprobados por el rey Carlos III en 1775. Hasta 1808 hubo diversos intentos de reforma integrales que no prosperaron, como el proyecto de estatutos de 1800. La propia dinámica de funcionamiento de la Sociedad puso en evidencia, con el paso del tiempo, aspectos importantes de su gobierno interior que las normas fundacionales no habían previsto, como las elecciones y el sistema de admisión de socios. La Sociedad pudo resolver algunos problemas de funcionamiento gracias a la reforma parcial de sus normas fundacionales.PALABRAS CLAVEReal Sociedad Económica Matritense de Amigos del País, Ilustración, Carlos III, Carlos IV, Estatutos de 1775. TITLEThe Statutes of the Royal Economic Society of Madrid and its reform efforts (1775-1808)ABSTRACTThe Royal Economic Society of Madrid was governed for forty years by the founding statutes that were approved by King Carlos III in 1775. There were several attempts at comprehensive reform, such as the draft rules of 1800, which did not succeed until 1808. The very working dynamics of the Society revealed during this time some key aspects of its governance that the statutes had not foreseen, such as elections and the admission of members. The Society was able to resolve some organizational problems due to the partial reform of its founding rules.KEY WORDSRoyal Economic Society of Madrid, Enlightenment, King Charles III of Spain, King Charles IV of Spain, Statutes of 1775.
Aproximación biográfica y literaria a Antonio Marqués y Espejo (1762-1818)
Authors: Rodríguez Morín Felipe
Published: January 2018

RESUMENAnte la gran escasez de datos sobre la vida del escritor y sacerdote ilustrado Antonio Marqués y Espejo, pretende el presente trabajo dar noticia de diversos sucesos de su existencia, para que puestos en conexión con sus publicaciones puedan contribuir a conocer, siquiera parcialmente, algo más de su persona, y de paso a añadir alguna luz sobre su obra, en mucha parte también desconocida. A este respecto, y en directa correlación con la anterior premisa, hemos querido aportar una imagen global de sus empresas literarias y, por lo mismo, necesariamente resumida, con el objetivo de tener una perspectiva panorámica de su obra y engranarla, así, con su biografía.PALABRAS CLAVEAntonio Marqués y Espejo, vida y obra, traducciones del francés, ganancia económica, educación de la mujer, arrepentimiento, hospitalidad. TITLEA biographical and literary approach to Antonio Marqués y Espejo (1762-1818)ABSTRACTDue to the notable lack of information regarding the life of the Enlightenment writer and priest Antonio Marqués y Espejo, this essay aims to give news of several events of his existence, which, put in connection with his publications, will contribute to knowing, at least partially, something about him, and thus shedding some light on his work, quite unknown too. In this regard, and directly related to the previous premise, we have wanted to provide a global and therefore necessarily summarised image of his literary works, with the objective of having a panoramic perspective of his work, and connecting it with his biography.KEY WORDSAntonio Marqués y Espejo, life and work, translations from French, financial gain, women’s education, remorse, hospitality.
Una carta inédita de G. M. de Jovellanos a J. A. Ceán Bermúdez (1 de septiembre de 1795)
Authors: Crespo Delgado Daniel
Published: January 2018

RESUMENTranscribimos una carta inédita, fechada en 1795, de Jovellanos a Ceán Bermúdez, en la que se constata la aportación del primero a las pesquisas histórico-artísticas de Ceán.PALABRAS CLAVEJovellanos, Juan Agustín Ceán Bermúdez, Valentín Cardedera, Carta, La Estrella, Fuenmayor. TITLEAn umpublished letter by G. M. de Jovellanos to J. A. Ceán Bermúdez (September 1, 1795)ABSTRACTWe transcribe an unpublished letter, dated in 1795, from Jovellanos to Ceán Bermúdez. This letter displays Jovellanos´ contribution to the artistic research of Ceán.KEY WORDSJovellanos, Juan Agustín Ceán Bermúdez, Valentín Cardedera, Letter, La Estrella, Fuenmayor.
Acción política cannábica en la ciber-realidad
Authors: Restrepo Parra Adrián
Published: January 2018

This article analyses the role of the Internet in general and Facebook in particular in the emergence and configuration of cannabis activists organized as Colombian Cannabis Community (CCC). The creation of profiles, groups and contacts on Facebook by the various activists constitute a constant communication space that strengthens the activist’s cannabis action as a whole. This space combines three central issues: 1) strengthens the organized confrontation of a situation of exclusion, 2) allows mutual knowledge and collective identification between activists of the cannabis movement and 3) enables the process of organization and collective action of cannabis users in Colombia.
Seguridad y control geopolítico: crónica de la iniciativa para la prosperidad del Triángulo Norte de Centroamérica
Authors: Villafuerte Solís Daniel
Published: January 2018

The purpose of this article is to present the general conception of the Plan Alliance for Prosperity of the Northern Triangle, one of several programs promoted by President Barack Obama to stop the migration of children and adolescents from Central America traveling unaccompanied by their family members, on the framework of a regional security global strategy, which includes the southern border of Mexico as a territory for the transit of migrants and drugs. The article also analyzes the changes in immigration matters that occurs with the arrival of President Donald Trump administration, whichemphasis the security and militarization of borders.
Anaesthetic antacids: a review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic efficacy
Authors: Parakh Rajendra Kumar , Patil Neelakanth S.
Published: January 2018

Anaesthetic antacids, combination of antacids (Aluminium hydroxide, Magnesium hydroxide) with an anaesthetic (oxethazaine), is becoming a choice of physicians and is re-emerging across all types of GI disorders (esophagitis, peptic ulcer, duodenal ulcer, heartburn, gastritis, functional dyspepsia), despite the discovery of potent and efficacious acid suppressants like H2 receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The reason being that anaesthetic antacids increase the gastric pH and provide relief from pain for a longer period of duration at considerably a lower dosage. Furthermore, it significantly increases the duration between the time of medication and the peak pH as compared to antacid alone. Oxethazaine, an anaesthetic component, produces a reversible loss of sensation and provides a prompt and prolonged relief of pain, thereby broadening the therapeutic spectrum of antacids. Antacids vary widely in their in vitro acid neutralizing capacity (ANC), which measures the potency. Among marketed brands in India, Digecaine has shown the highest potency with maximum mean ANC value (28.84 mEq). The expert panel has recommended the inclusion of oxethazaine-antacid/alginate-antacid as complementary to the proton pump inhibitors in the management algorithm of gastroesophageal reflux disease. The present review summarizes the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic of different components of anaesthetic antacids and its clinical use across different gastrointestinal indications, for generalists and specialists, based on existing evidences.
Study of acute febrile illness with thrombocytopenia in a tertiary care centre
Authors: Fawas N. Mohammed , Beevi B. Kadeeja , Valliyot Balakrishnan , Balakrishnan Sudha
Published: January 2018

Background: In the recent period there is an upsurge in the incidence of fever with thrombocytopenia in the Northern Kerala. This may be due to the several emerging and re emerging infections which causes frequent epidemics in the region. Early diagnosis and meticulous management will prevent fatal out come. Studies on fever with thrombocytopenia are very few in the Northern part of Kerala.Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted at Academy of Medical Sciences Pariyaram over a period of one year from November 2015 to October 2016. The study includes 251 cases attending outpatient and inpatients units in the department of medicine. All patients with a platelet count less than 150000 was included in this study and detailed clinical and laboratory evaluation was done and assessed for the etiology and outcome.Results: Among the 251 cases, Dengue fever accounts 54.5 % of cases and 26.2% are other viral fever where the exact causative organism was not detected. Leptospirosis, malaria were also important causes of fever with thrombocytopenia. Major incidence of hemorrhagic manifestation occurred in the age group of 20 to 30 years whose platelet count was in the range of 10000 to 40000/mm3.Conclusions: In this study more than 50 % had dengue fever and in 26.2% cases an exact etiology cannot be determined. This finding highlights the fact that there may be many unidentified infection which cause fulminant thrombocytopenia and there is a need for wider screening of infection.
Simple ligation versus stump inversion in open appendicectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cubas Vanessa , Karim Ahmed , Waterland Peter
Published: January 2018

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on post-operative complications after surgery for appendicitis comparing simple ligation with inversion of the appendix stump. PubMed, Medline and Embase databases were searched to identify studies comparing post-operative outcomes in appendicectomy following simple ligation and inversion of the appendix stump. A meta-analysis with a random-effects model was used to calculate pooled odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) for each outcome measure of interest. A total of 14 studies were included for meta-analysis, comprising a total of 4037 patients who underwent appendicectomy. There was an increased risk of small bowel obstruction following appendix stump inversion (OR = 4.18, CI = 1.31 – 13.41; p = 0.02; 9 studies). After excluding studies without antibiotic prophylaxis there was no difference between inversion or ligation of the appendix stump with respect to either total infective complications (OR = 1.03; 95% CI= 0.75 – 1.43, 10 studies) or surgical site infection (OR = 1.07; CI = 0.78 – 1.47; 10 studies). Inversion of the appendix stump during appendicectomy may increase risk post-operative small bowel obstruction whilst offering no reduction in post-operative infective complications.
Clinical outcome after liver resection for colorectal versus non-colorectal metastasis: a comparative study
Authors: El-Badry Ashraf M. , Abdelraheem Omar
Published: January 2018

Background: Liver resection is the only curative treatment option for specific types of metastatic neoplasms. Comparative studies on the clinical outcome of liver resection for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) and non CRLM (N-CRLM) in Egypt remain inadequate.Methods: Medical records of patients who underwent liver metastasectomy (April 2013-May 2017) at Sohag University Hospital were reviewed. Patients were categorized according to the origin of the primary tumor into CRLM versus N-CRLM. Demographic, clinical, operative and histopathologic data, postoperative surgical complications and survival were analyzed.Results: Twenty-six patients (15 CRLM and 11 N-CRLM) were retrospectively enrolled. N-CRLM group comprised metastatic gall bladder (6), pancreas (2), breast (1) lung (1) and recurrent ovarian (1) cancers. There was no significant difference regarding age or gender predilection. The complication score in CRLM group was not significantly different compared with N-CRLM patients. However, subgroups of multivisceral resections showed significantly higher grades of postoperative complications compared with sole liver resection in both groups. Elderly patients (>70-year-old) exhibited high risk of morbidity compared with younger patients. Early post-operative mortality within the first month was 7.7% (2 patients died, one per each group). After a mean follow up of 32 months, the overall survival rate among patients with CRLM and N-CRLM was 75% and 64% respectively.Conclusions: Liver resection for CRLM and N-CRLM can be safely accomplished. Multivisceral resection and advanced age were associated with increased severity of postoperative complications irrespective of the location of primary neoplasm.
Evaluation of retro muscular mesh repair technique for treatment of ventral hernia
Authors: Alkhayat Mohammad M. , Saleh Hatem A. , Shaker Mohammed N. , El-Balshy Mohammed Abd-El-Galil
Published: January 2018

Ventral hernias commonly encountered in surgical practice account for 15-20% of all abdominal wall hernias. Results of tissue repair have been disappointing. The optimal approach for abdominal incisional hernias is still under discussion. The aim of the study was to evaluate the retro muscular mesh repair technique in the treatment of ventral hernia as one of the standard techniques for treatment of such cases. This prospective study on 50 consecutive patients was performed from July 2016 to July 2017. Patients were prepared to be operated by the retro muscular mesh repair technique. All patients were evaluated with respect to operative time and postoperative complications. Results were documented and statistically analysed. In this study on 50 patients, there were 30 female patients (60%) and 20 male patients (40%). The age of the studied patients ranged between 26 and 65 years with mean age of 49.8 years. The mean operative time was 88.5±15.3 min. The mean period of drainage was 2.3±1.3 days. Seroma was encountered in one case only 2%. No recurrence was reported in the studied patients during the period of follow-up (12months). On the basis of this study, we conclude that retro muscular (sublay) mesh repair is the ideal technique for incisional hernia repair.
Study of clinical profile of tuberculosis patients admitted in respiratory medicine ward at a tertiary care hospital in Marathwada
Authors: B. Bilagi Rakesh , Deshmukh Hafiz
Published: January 2018

Background: Tuberculosis is one of the most important cause of most of the respiratory diseases. It is estimated that about one-third of the world's population is infected with mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is important to know about the clinical profile of these patients. There are many studies which are done among OPD patients but fewer among indoor patients hence, the current study was planned.Methods: Retrospective study of the patients admitted in the inpatient department of the study area were taken as the sample size from May 2016 to April 2017, who were diagnosed as TB patients.Results: a retrospective study was conducted among admitted patients, which included data of one year. There was male predominance with male: female ratio of 2.89. major cause of admission was extrapulmonary causes. The HIV patients were more predisposed to extrapulmonary and diabetes than pulmonary tuberculosis.Conclusions: There is male predominance for admission cases. There is also increased cases of extrapulmonary TB admitted than pulmonary cases.
Red cell alloimmunization in multitransfused chronic renal patients on haemodialysis in a tertiary care centre of Jammu region
Authors: Sawhney Vijay , Dutt Neeti , Sharma Sushil , Khajuria Kajal
Published: January 2018

Background: There is a high incidence of alloimunization in many patients with diseases that require repetitive blood transfusions. One such group is chronic renal failure patients as majority of them have severe anemia due to deficiency of erythropoietin. As many such patients are unable to afford erythropoietin, they are treated with blood transfusions. This study was thus undertaken to study alloimunization in such patients at our center.Methods: A total of 96 patients found eligible were enrolled in this cross-sectional study that was carried out from June 2016 to august 2016. After detailed history, antibody screening was done by using Immucor Panoscreen three vial set and if screening came out to be positive antibody identification was then done by using Immucor Panocell-10.Results: 96 patients including 76 male and 20 female patients recieved a total of 912 transfusions. Alloantibodies were detected in a total of 12 patients (12.5%). Of these 12 patients 8 patients had a single antibody whereas 4 patients developed two antibodies. The antibodies developed at a rate of 1.8% per transfusion (16/912). On alloantibody type identification, the most common type found was anti E (4/16) followed by both anti D and anti C in 3 patients each.Conclusions: Alloimmunization to minor erythrocyte antigens occurs in many patients of chronic renal failure. This results in frequent pre-and post-transfusion complications. Inclusion of antibody screening test in routine pretransfusion testing protocol for the patients who are at higher risk of alloimmunization and require long-term transfusion dependence is desirable.
24/7 Library Operations - Will They Actually Come?
Authors: Breakenridge Susan
Published: January 2018

No abstract.
Assessment of Information and Communication Technology for Selective Dissemination of Information and Current Awareness Services: A Case Study of University Libraries in the South-West Zone of Nigeria
Authors: Omeluzor Saturday U. , Oyovwe-Tinuoye Gloria O
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Objective – To assess the use of information and communication technology (ICT) for selective dissemination of information (SDI) and current awareness services (CAS) in university libraries in the South-West zone of Nigeria.

Methods – A descriptive research design was adopted. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire administered to a population consisting of 379 librarians, with 353 usable questionnaires retrieved.

Results – Findings revealed that most university libraries in the South-West zone of Nigeria do not use ICT in delivery of SDI and CAS. It is evident in this study that despite the known positive effects of ICT in library services, traditional methods were predominantly used for SDI and CAS to the library users. The study revealed that erratic Internet services, insufficient training, inadequate ICT skills, and low support for ICT were hindrances towards ICT use for SDI and CAS.

Conclusions – The integration of ICT features in library services for the delivery of CAS and SDI has been a challenge in university libraries in South-West Nigeria. Only a few libraries and a low percentage of librarians had adopted the use of ICT in the delivery of CAS and SDI, while a larger number of libraries resorted to the use of traditional methods. The level of ICT literacy among the librarians in this study is low, as a higher percentage of librarians did not have adequate ICT skill to use available online resources on the Internet and other ICT tools to deliver SDI and CAS in South-West, Nigeria. This is not unconnected to the fact that the training and technical support received by the librarians is inadequate, and the level of support that academic libraries received from their university managements in South-West Nigeria in terms of funding for ICT development is inadequate, which led to low Internet services.
Australian Academic Librarians’ Experience of Evidence Based Practice Involves Empowering, Intuiting, Affirming, Connecting, Noticing, and Impacting
Authors: Muellenbach Joanne Marie
Published: January 2018

A Review of:
Miller, F., Partridge, H., Bruce, C., Yates, C., & Howlett, A. (2017). How academic librarians experience evidence-based practice: A grounded theory model. Library & Information Science Research, 39(2), 124-130. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2017.04.003

Abstract

Objective – To explore and enhance the understanding of how Australian library and information science (LIS) practitioners experience or understand evidence based practice (EBP) within the context of their day-to-day professional work.

Design – Constructivist grounded theory methodology.

Setting – University libraries in Queensland, Australia.

Subjects – 13 academic librarians.

Methods – Researchers contacted academic librarians by email and invited each participant to take part in a 30-60 minute, semi-structured interview. They designed interview questions to allow participants to explain their process and experience of EBP.

Main results – This study identified six categories of experience of EBP using a constructivist grounded theory analysis process. The categories are: Empowering; Intuiting; Affirming; Connecting; Noticing; and Impacting. Briefly, empowering includes being empowered, or empowering clients, colleagues, and institutions through improved practice or performance. Intuiting includes being intuitive, or using one’s own intuition, wisdom, and understanding, of colleagues and clients’ behaviours to solve problems and redesign services. Affirming includes being affirmed through sharing feedback and using affirmation to strengthen support for action. Connecting includes being connected, and building connections, with clients, colleagues, and institutions. Noticing includes being actively aware of, observing, and reflecting on clients, colleagues, and literature within and outside of one’s own university, and noticing patterns in data to inform decision-making. Impacting includes being impactful, or having a visible impact, on clients, colleagues, and institutions. Together, these categories represent a model that explains the nature of academic librarians’ experiences of EBP. The theory describes academic librarians' experiences as complex and highly contextualized phenomena. There is no clear relationship between these categories, as data analysis did not generate a specific hierarchy of categories.

Conclusion – Based on the research findings the authors hypothesize that their study is one of a growing number of studies that has begun to establish an empirical basis for EBP in the LIS profession.
Call for Submissions: “New Research in Collection Management and Development” at the 2018 American Library Association Annual Conference
Authors: . .
Published: January 2018

No abstract.
Understanding Factors that Encourage Research Productivity for Academic Librarians
Authors: Hoffmann Kristin , Berg Selinda , Koufogiannakis Denise
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Objective – This project identifies the factors that contribute to the success of librarians as active researchers. Research success is generally aligned with productivity and output, and the authors are therefore interested in understanding the factors that encourage research productivity. This fills a gap in the literature on librarians as researchers, which has tended to focus on barriers rather than enablers.

Methods – For this quantitative study, we distributed an online survey to 1,653 potential participants across Canada and received 453 usable responses for a 27% response rate. The survey asked participants to report their research outputs and to answer questions that addressed three categories of factors: Individual Attributes, Peers and Community, and Institutional Structures and Supports. We then statistically analyzed participant responses in order to identify relationships between the research output variables (weighted output score and number of peer-reviewed articles) and the three categories, the factors within those categories, and the constituent components.

Results – Participants’ research output consisted largely of presentations, non-peer-reviewed articles, peer-reviewed articles, and posters. All three categories of factors were significantly related to research output, both for a calculated weighted output score and for number of peer-reviewed articles. All of the factors identified within those categories were also significant when tested against weighted output score, but Intrinsic Motivations was not a significant factor when tested against number of peer-reviewed articles. Several components of factors were also not significant for number of peer-reviewed articles. Age was the only significant component of Demographics. Three components of Education and Experience were significant: whether participants had received research training after completing their MLIS, whether they were working on an advanced degree, and the institution where they had obtained their MLIS.

Conclusions – Research productivity is significantly impacted by all three categories: Individual Attributes, Peers and Community, and Institutional Structures and Supports. Fostering an environment that focuses on all of these areas will be most likely to promote research output for librarians. At the same time, this study’s findings point to particular aspects that warrant further investigation, such as the nature and effect of institutional support and librarians’ motivations for doing research.
Library Anxiety Impedes College Students’ Library Use, but May Be Alleviated Through Improved Bibliographic Instruction
Authors: Wildemuth Barbara
Published: January 2018

A Review of:

Jiao, Q. G., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Lichtenstein, A. A. (1996). Library anxiety: Characteristics of ‘at-risk’ college students. Library & Information Science Research, 18(2), 151-163. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0740-8188(96)90017-1

Abstract

Objective – To identify the characteristics of college students that are related to their experiences of library anxiety.

Design – Survey, analyzed with multiple regression.

Setting – Two universities, one in the mid-south and one in the northeastern United States.

Subjects – 493 students from those two universities.

Methods – The students responded to two questionnaires: the Library Anxiety Scale developed by Bostick (1992), and a Demographic Information Form that included questions about students’ gender, age, native language, academic standing and study habits, library instruction received, and library use. Spearman’s rank correlation was used to identify those demographic characteristics that were correlated with library anxiety. Multiple regression analysis was used to develop a model for predicting library anxiety.

Main Results – The study found that age, sex, native language, grade point average, employment status, frequency of library visits, and reasons for using the library contributed significantly to predicting library anxiety. Library anxiety was highest among young male students who did not speak English as their native language, had high levels of academic achievement, were employed while in school, and infrequently visited the library. While the overall regression model was statistically significant and explained 21% of the variability in library anxiety, the individual correlations with library anxiety were generally weak (the strongest was a -0.21 correlation with frequency of library visits).

Conclusion – The authors conclude that many students experience library anxiety, and recommend that libraries make every effort to be welcoming. In addition, they recommend that library instruction should be introduced at the high school level and, in college, incorporated into the classes that require library research. In this setting, library anxiety should be addressed during the instruction, and classroom teachers should plan to assist students in the early stages of their research.
Reading Ghosts - Monitoring in-library usage of ‘unpopular’ resources
Authors: Astill Stacey , Webb Jessica
Published: January 2018

No abstract.