bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound Assisted Casting of an AM60 Based Metal Matrix Nanocomposite, Its Properties, and Recyclability
Authors: Dieringa Hajo , Katsarou Lydia , Buzolin Ricardo , Szakács Gábor , Horstmann Manfred , Wolff Martin , Mendis Chamini , Vorozhtsov Sergey , StJohn David
Published: September 2017

An AM60 magnesium alloy nanocomposite reinforced with 1 wt % of AlN nanoparticles was prepared using an ultrasound (US) assisted permanent-mould indirect-chill casting process. Ultrasonically generated cavitation and acoustic streaming promoted de-agglomeration of particle clusters and distributed the particles throughout the melt. Significant grain refinement due to nucleation on the AlN nanoparticles was accompanied by an exceptional improvement in properties: yield strength increased by 103%, ultimate tensile strength by 115%, and ductility by 140%. Although good grain refinement was observed, the large nucleation undercooling of 14 K limits further refinement because nucleation is prevented by the formation of a nucleation-free zone around each grain. To assess the industrial applicability and recyclability of the nanocomposite material in various casting processes, tests were performed to determine the effect of remelting on the microstructure. With each remelting, a small percentage of effective AlN nanoparticles was lost, and some grain growth was observed. However, even after the third remelting, excellent strength and ductility was retained. According to strengthening models, enhanced yield strength is mainly attributed to Hall-Petch strengthening caused by the refined grain size. A small additional contribution to strengthening is attributed to Orowan strengthening.
Further Investigations on Simultaneous Ultrasonic Coal Flotation
Authors: Ozkan Safak Gokhan
Published: September 2017

This study investigates the flotation performance of a representative hard coal slime sample (d80 particle size of minus 0.2 mm) obtained from the Prosper-Haniel coal preparation plant located in Bottrop, Germany. Flotation was carried out with a newly designed flotation cell refurbished from an old ultrasonic cleaning bath (2.5 L volume) equipped with a single frequency (35 kHz) and two different power levels (80–160 W) and a sub-aeration-type flotation machine operating at a stable impeller speed (1200 rpm) and air rate (2.5 L/min). The reagent combination for conventional and simultaneous ultrasonic coal flotation tests was Ekofol-440 at variable dosages (40–300 g/t) with controlling water temperature (20–25 °C) at natural pH (6.5–7.0). The batch coal flotation results were analyzed by comparing the combustible recovery (%) and separation efficiency (%) values, taking mass yield and ash concentrations of the froths and tailings into account. It was found that simultaneous ultrasonic coal flotation increased yield and recovery values of the floated products with lower ash values than the conventional flotation despite using similar reagent dosages. Furthermore, particle size distribution of the ultrasonically treated and untreated coals was measured. Finely distributed coal particles seemed to be agglomerated during the ultrasonic treatment, while ash-forming slimes were removed by hydrodynamic cavitation.
Synthesis of 2,4-Diaminopyrimidine Core-Based Derivatives and Biological Evaluation of Their Anti-Tubercular Activities
Authors: Ouyang Yifan , Yang Hao , Zhang Peng , Wang Yu , Kaur Sargit , Zhu Xuanli , Wang Zhe , Sun Yutong , Hong Wei , Ngeow Yun , Wang Hao
Published: September 2017

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic, potentially fatal disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The dihyrofolate reductase in Mtb (mt-DHFR) is believed to be an important drug target in anti-TB drug development. This enzyme contains a glycerol (GOL) binding site, which is assumed to be a useful site to improve the selectivity towards human dihyrofolate reductase (h-DHFR). There have been previous attempts to design drugs targeting the GOL binding site, but the designed compounds contain a hydrophilic group, which may prevent the compounds from crossing the cell wall of Mtb to function at the whole cell level. In the current study, we designed and synthesized a series of mt-DHFR inhibitors that contain a 2,4-diaminopyrimidine core with side chains to occupy the glycerol binding site with proper hydrophilicity for cell entry, and tested their anti-tubercular activity against Mtb H37Ra. Among them, compound 16l showed a good anti-TB activity (MIC = 6.25 μg/mL) with a significant selectivity against vero cells. In the molecular simulations performed to understand the binding poses of the compounds, it was noticed that only side chains of a certain size can occupy the glycerol binding site. In summary, the novel synthesized compounds with appropriate side chains, hydrophobicity and selectivity could be important lead compounds for future optimization towards the development of future anti-TB drugs that can be used as monotherapy or in combination with other anti-TB drugs or antibiotics. These compounds can also provide much information for further studies on mt-DHFR. However, the enzyme target of the compounds still needs to be confirmed by pure mt-DHFR binding assays.
Separation and Enrichment of Lectin from Zihua Snap-Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Seeds by PEG 600–Ammonium Sulfate Aqueous Two-Phase System
Authors: Jiang Bin , Yuan Yongqiang , Zhang Xiaoqing , Feng Zhibiao , Liu Chunhong
Published: September 2017

A fast and efficient method based on a polyethylene glycol (PEG) 600/(NH4)2SO4 aqueous two-phase system for extracting lectin from Zihua snap-bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seeds was established. According to a Box–Behnken design (BBD), involving four factors at three levels each subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and response surface analysis, the protein recovery and the purification factor of lectin in the top phase were used as the response values of the variance analysis to acquire the multivariate quadratic regression model. SDS–PAGE electrophoresis and the hemagglutination test were used to detect the distribution of lectin in the aqueous two-phase system (ATPS). The obtained data indicated that lectin was preferentially partitioned into the PEG-rich phase, and the ATPS, composed of 15% (NH4)2SO4 (w/w), 18% PEG 600 (w/w), 0.4 g/5 g NaCl and 1 mL crude extract, showed good selectivity for lectin when the pH value was 7.5. Under the optimal conditions, most of the lectin was assigned to the top phase in the ATPS, and the hemagglutination activity of the purified lectin in the top phase was 3.08 times that of the crude extract. Consequently, the PEG 600/(NH4)2SO4 aqueous two-phase system was an effective method for separating and enriching lectin directly from the crude extract of Zihua snap-bean seeds.
Sarcopenia Impairs Prognosis of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Role of Liver Functional Reserve and Tumor-Related Factors in Loss of Skeletal Muscle Volume
Authors: Imai Kenji , Takai Koji , Watanabe Satoshi , Hanai Tatsunori , Suetsugu Atsushi , Shiraki Makoto , Shimizu Masahito
Published: September 2017

Sarcopenia impairs survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to clarify the factors that contribute to decreased skeletal muscle volume in patients with HCC. The third lumbar vertebra skeletal muscle index (L3 SMI) in 351 consecutive patients with HCC was calculated to identify sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was defined as an L3 SMI value ≤ 29.0 cm2/m2 for women and ≤ 36.0 cm2/m2 for men. The factors affecting L3 SMI were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis and tree-based models. Of the 351 HCC patients, 33 were diagnosed as having sarcopenia and showed poor prognosis compared with non-sarcopenia patients (p = 0.007). However, this significant difference disappeared after the adjustments for age, sex, Child–Pugh score, maximum tumor size, tumor number, and the degree of portal vein invasion by propensity score matching analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age (p = 0.015) and sex (p < 0.0001) were significantly correlated with a decrease in L3 SMI. Tree-based models revealed that sex (female) is the most significant factor that affects L3 SMI. In male patients, L3 SMI was decreased by aging, increased Child–Pugh score (≥56 years), and enlarged tumor size (<56 years). Maintaining liver functional reserve and early diagnosis and therapy for HCC are vital to prevent skeletal muscle depletion and improve the prognosis of patients with HCC.
Wall Vegetation Characteristics of Urban and Sub-Urban Areas
Authors: Yalcinalp Emrah , Meral Alperen
Published: September 2017

Unfortunately, we live in a greedy little world and horizontal areas are often too expensive to leave to nature on them. Therefore, creating gardens on vertical surfaces of urban areas has recently been very important to supporting sustainability because these surfaces are still found to be commercially useless compared with green areas which are generally under pressure from commercial demands and politics. However, these artificial vertical green surfaces are still too far from being common, while too many ordinary walls are spontaneously covered with vegetation already. In this study, we try to address the dynamics of wall vegetation as it has a great potential to make the cities more sustainable. Totally 70 walls (35 in urban and 35 in sub-urban areas) in Trabzon city were examined regarding their ecological, physical and vegetation characteristics. Having identified 1540 plant samples collected from the walls during a year-round intensive field study, we performed statistical analyzes to enumerate the wall vegetation depending on the ecological characteristics; to evaluate if there are different wall vegetation compositions in urban and sub-urban areas; and finally to evaluate growth conditions and basic challenges for the wall vegetation.
Impact of Urban Climate Landscape Patterns on Land Surface Temperature in Wuhan, China
Authors: Wang Yasha , Zhan Qingming , Ouyang Wanlu
Published: September 2017

Facing urban warming, mitigation and adaptation strategies are not efficient enough to tackle excessive urban heat, especially at the local scale. The local climate zone (LCZ) classification scheme is employed to examine the diversity and complexity of the climate response within a city. This study suggests that zonal practice could be an efficient way to bridge the knowledge gap between climate research and urban planning. Urban surfaces classified by LCZ are designated as urban climate landscapes, which extends the LCZ concept to urban planning applications. Selecting Wuhan as a case study, we attempt to explore the climatic effect of landscape patterns. Thermal effects are compared across the urban climate landscapes, and the relationships between patch metrics and land surface temperature (LST) are quantified. Results indicate that climate landscape layout is a considerable factor impacting local urban climate. For Wuhan, 500 m is an optimal scale for exploring landscape pattern-temperature relationships. Temperature contrast between surrounding landscape patches has a major influence on LST. Generally, fragmental landscape patches contribute to heat release. For most climate landscape types, patch metrics also have a significant effect on thermal response. When three metrics are included as predictive variables, 53.3% of the heating intensity variation can be explained for the Large Lowrise landscape, while 57.4% of the cooling intensity variation can be explained for the Water landscape. Therefore, this article claims that land-based layout optimization strategy at local scale, which conforms to planning manner, should be taken into account in terms of heat management.
HD 49798: Its History of Binary Interaction and Future Evolution
Authors: Brooks Jared , Kupfer Thomas , Bildsten Lars
Published: September 2017

The bright subdwarf-O star (sdO) HD 49798 is in a 1.55 day orbit with a compact companion that is spinning at 13.2 s. Using the measurements of the effective temperature (

), surface gravity (

), and surface abundances of the sdO, we construct models to study the evolution of this binary system using Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA). Previous studies of the compact companion have disagreed on whether it is a white dwarf (WD) or a neutron star (NS). From the published measurements of the companion’s spin and spin-up rate, we agree with Mereghetti and collaborators that an NS companion is more likely. However, since there remains the possibility of a WD companion, we use our constructed MESA models to run simulations with both WD and NS companions that help us constrain the past and future evolution of this system. If it presently contains an NS, the immediate mass transfer evolution upon Roche lobe filling will lead to mass transfer rates comparable to that implied in ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs). Depending on the rate of angular momentum extraction via a wind, the fate of this system is either a wide (

day) intermediate-mass binary pulsar (IMPB) with a relatively rapidly spinning NS (≈0.3 s) and a high mass WD (

), or a solitary millisecond pulsar (MSP).
C-Reactive Protein Concentrations Among Crop and Dairy Farmers with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Stoleski Sasho , Minov Jordan , Karadzinska-Bislimovska Jovanka , Mijakoski Dragan , Tutkun Lütfiye
Published: September 2017

AIM: To assess the mean serum C-reactive protein concentrations among farmers and office controls, and further examined its relation to exposure duration, smoking habit, as well as presence or absence of COPD.METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed including examined group (EG), composed of agricultural workers (87 crop - EG1 and 83 dairy farmers - EG2), and control group (CG) composed by 80 office workers. Evaluation of subjects included a questionnaire on chronic respiratory symptoms, lung function tests, COPD diagnostics, and measurement of CRP serum concentrations.RESULTS: Serum CRP concentrations were raised in stable COPD patients independent of smoking habit or exposure duration. The mean CRP serum concentrations were higher in the subjects of EG1 and EG2 compared with those in CG, but without statistical significance. This count for mean CRP serum concentrations in subjects of EG1 and EG2 exposed more than 20 years and for those in smokers in all three groups as well. The mean CRP serum concentrations were significantly higher in subjects with COPD within EG1 (P=0.049) and EG2 (P=0.040), while those in CG were not.CONCLUSION: Data obtained suggest that systemic inflammation is present in farmers with COPD and CRP is an important biomarker in COPD in means of reflecting disease severity and prognosis of exposed farmers.
Le corps comme discord. Le corps comme discorps
Authors: Lévy Alexandre
Published: September 2017

Cette étude propose d’aborder la question du corps à travers les différents registres de l’imaginaire, du symbolique et du réel afin de concevoir le corps non comme support de la pensée et de l’esprit, mais comme partie intégrante et fondamentale de la position subjective. Aussi nous proposons la notion de discorps pour souligner cette dimension du corps parlant, tout en mettant en lumière les phénomènes de dissonances et de discords. Ce travail permet d’aborder une clinique du corps, à travers différents cas, venant interroger leurs positions subjectives : du surgissement de l’affect, en passant par les actes de mutilations, le corps apparaît comme le lieu où tente de s’inscrire le sujet.
Comment survivre ? Une approche phénoménologique de la situation de crise à partir de Maldiney et Pankow
Authors: Bastiani Flora
Published: September 2017

Afin d’étudier ce qui advient lorsqu’un événement traumatique a lieu, cet article s’appuie sur une question centrale : comment survivre ? Cette question signifie que, lorsque la structure du sujet est sur le point de perdre son unité, comme Henri Maldiney l’écrit, le sujet « est contraint d’être lui-même ou d’être détruit » (1991, p. 321). Nous essaierons de comprendre quelle stratégie peut être adoptée pour faire face à cette nécessité de surpasser l’impossible posé par l’événement. Finalement, les réponses à l’événement qui sont considérées comme pathologiques seront abordées ici comme autant de stratégies de survie.
L’Indien, personne misérable. Considérations historiographiques sur le statut des peuples indigènes dans l’empire hispanique
Authors: Cunill Caroline
Published: September 2017

La colonisation de l’Amérique supposa l’intégration des peuples autochtones à un nouvel ensemble politique, l’empire hispanique. Attribuer à ces populations un statut juridique constitua donc un enjeu politique majeur, dont les acteurs furent pleinement conscients. Par conséquent, la définition de la condition légale des Indiens mobilisa différents secteurs sociaux et donna lieu à des débats théoriques, très étroitement liés aux intérêts en jeu. Dans ce contexte conflictuel, la Couronne espagnole dut prendre rapidement position. En s’appuyant sur une série d’études récentes qui abordent la question depuis la perspective de l’histoire des idées, du pouvoir et des institutions, le présent travail s’interroge sur le processus qui conduisit la Couronne espagnole à attribuer aux peuples autochtones la condition juridique de personae miserabiles .
Clapotis , murmures et autres manifestations sonores : les méandres de l’approximation catégorielle
Authors: Gerhard-Krait Francine , Vassiliadou Hélène
Published: September 2017

Résumé L’objectif de cet article est de tester la pluralité des lectures taxinomique et approximative en général et de préciser la question des effets approximatifs produits par l’application de noms comme espèce , forme , genre , sorte grâce à l’étude d’un échantillon de noms de bruits ( bruit , clapotis , murmure , hurlement , etc.). Notre travail aborde en premier lieu certains noms généraux autres que bruit ( odeur , couleur , mouvement , etc.) pour lesquels on observe un refus assez net de l’approximation, puis des noms qui ont une propension assez nette à accepter une lecture catégorielle claire, mais également plusieurs lectures par approximation ( teckel , lynx , etc.), et enfin quelques noms abstraits pour lesquels la possibilité de lectures plurielles doit être discutée. Nous analysons ensuite les propriétés sémantico-référentielles de noms de bruits et la structuration de leur champ lexical. Une explication en termes de sous-détermination sémantique est apportée pour décrire la saisie de leur pluralité sémantique.
Impact of using lightweight eco-bricks as enclosures for individual houses of one story on zones of high seismicity
Authors: Dominguez D. , Muñoz V. P. , Muñoz V. L.
Published: September 2017

Fired clay bricks are widely developed by focusing on the use of several wastes with the aim of obtaining lightweight materials. Despite research having provided positives experiences, most of these showed an important reduction of compression strength. This issue must be highlighted in particular, when seismic areas are considered. However, despite compression strength decreases in some cases the energy that can be absorbed by the brick might be increased. Hence, this paper tests and shows physical and mechanical properties of newly fired clays made by adding different percentages of sawdust. Results are used for calculating the response of an individual one-story house to medium intensity earthquakes. It is concluded that the use of bricks, with up to 5% sawdust added, is an ecological way for recycling these agro-wastes, while its behaviour against earthquakes performs better than other solutions, such as common perforated bricks.
Development of Physiological Parameters Monitoring System using the Internet of Things
Authors: Li Haoran , Pan Tianhong
Published: September 2017

To meet the requirements of high quality of people’s life, a remote healthcare service with Internet of things (IoTs) is developed in this paper. The proposed system includes microcomputer, physiological sensors and corresponding signal preprocessing circuit, and wireless transmitting module etc. Sensors are used to detect the various vital signals. The collected data is transmitted to mobile device using Bluetooth. The doctors get patient’s physiological parameters through the GPRS which connects the mobile device and medical center. As a result, doctor can give diagnostic message to the patient without face to face. The detecting device is designed as a watch form which is wrist-worn enclosure, unobtrusive and low power consumption. An android mobile app is also designed to transmit data as well as display the collected data. The experiment validates the performance of the proposed system.
Kerkwees in die voetspore van Christus volgens Efesiërs 4 en 5
Authors: Dreyer Wim A.
Published: September 2017

This contribution contains a sermon delivered as opening address to the 71st General Assembly of the Nederduitsch Hervormde Kerk van Afrika (NHKA). For the last twenty years the NHKA had been involved in a process of ecclesial transformation, based on fundamental shifts in ecclesiology. This opening address reflects on the nature and calling of the church in light of Ephesians 4 and 5, with the specific focus on ‘being church in the footsteps of Christ’. Much emphasis is placed on the verb ‘peripateo’ which appears five times in these two chapters. It is suggested that it could be translated as ‘following in the footsteps of someone’ and that this has very specific implications for being church in the 21st century. Ephesians 4 and 5 articulate being church in the footsteps of Christ in terms of unity, holiness, love, light and wisdom.
Considering the relationship between quantitative parameters and prognostic factors in breast cancer: Can mean standardized uptake value be an alternative to maximum standardized uptake value?
Authors: Köroglu Reyhan , Köksal İsmail , Şimşek Fikri , Gezer Fatma , Kekilli Ersoy , Ünal Bülent
Published: September 2017

It was aimed to investigate the correlation between maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), mean standardized uptake value (SUVmean), and retention index (RI), which represents the quantitative evaluation of the uptake of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) used in positron emission tomography (PET) and clinicopathologic as well as biologic prognostic factors. Forty-one women with breast cancer who were histopathologically diagnosed were included in this study. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was applied to all patients before PET/computed tomography (CT). After FDG injection, PET/CT screening was applied within the 1st h (PET-1) and in the 2nd h (PET-2). SUVmax, SUVmean, SUVmax RI, and SUVmean RI of every image were calculated qualitatively and semiquantitatively. The correlation between quantitative and semiquantitative PET parameters and biologic as well as clinicopathologic prognosis factors was evaluated. Statistically, significant positive correlation was found between lymph nodes (LNs), which were evaluated by clinical picture, clinical stage as well as histopathologically and quantitative PET parameters (SUVmax1, SUVmax2, , RImax, SUVmean1, SUVmean2, RImean) (P < 0.05). While statistically significant correlation with RImax was detected only by LN (histopathological), correlations with RImean were detected by clinical picture, clinical stage, metabolic stage, and LN (histopathological). Statistically, significant correlation was found between RImax and estrogen receptor in patients who were histopathologically diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma (n = 34) (P < 0.05). We detected correlations between biologic and clinicopathologic prognostic factors and SUVmax as well as SUVmean values in breast carcinoma. SUVmean values may provide important knowledge when the correlation between prognostic factors and PET parameters is investigated even if they are not used routinely.
The role of fluorodeoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in nodal staging of nonsmall cell lung cancer in sequential surgical algorithm
Authors: Zhang Yuyang , Elam Yolanda , Hall Patricia , Williams Hadyn , Pucar Darko , Patel Vijay
Published: September 2017

With nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), accurate mediastinal nodal staging is crucial to determine whether a patient is or is not a surgical candidate. Traditionally, computed tomography (CT) and fluorodeoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT are the initial steps followed by tissue sampling through mediastinoscopy and/or thoracotomy, which are invasive procedures. There is controversy regarding the possibility of omission of the invasive diagnostic procedures and solely relying on noninvasive presurgical staging CT and FDG PET/CT results. Eighty-three patients who had PET/CT, mediastinoscopy, and thoracotomy for NSCLC were analyzed. For all lymph nodes that may be sampled by mediastinoscopy, PET/CT sensitivity was 80%, specificity was 86%, positive predictive value was 47%, and negative predictive value (NPV) was 97%; and for those in this group whose clinical stage was T1/T2 M0, sensitivity was 100% and specificity was 84%. For lymph nodes accessible only at thoracotomy, sensitivity was 42% and specificity was 88%. FDG PET/CT is accurate in assessing stations 2R/L, 4R/L, and 7 nodes and has the potential to replace mediastinoscopy in the treatment algorithm of T1/T2 M0 disease. A negative PET/CT may potentially prevent the patient from invasive mediastinoscopy given its high NPV. However, a patient with positive PET/CT should undergo tissue biopsy with pathology confirmation.
Postoperative intraperitoneal bladder rupture detected by renal scintigraphy: The importance of postvoid imaging
Authors: Kang Bryan , Eisenberg Daniel , Sistrun Nikki , Son Hongju
Published: September 2017

Iatrogenic intraperitoneal bladder rupture is an entity that may present in a patient with idiopathic ascites. Nuclear scintigraphy is an unusual modality for the diagnosis of this etiology, and in particular, the postvoid imaging demonstrates critical findings. We present a case report, pertinent imaging, and a review of literature.
Diagnostic accuracy and impact of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in preoperative staging of cutaneous malignant melanoma: Results of a prospective study in Indian population
Authors: Chandra Piyush , Purandare Nilendu , Shah Sneha , Agrawal Archi , Puri Ajay , Gulia Ashish , Rangarajan Venkatesh
Published: September 2017

The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in staging patients with primary cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). We further compared the performance of PET/CT with conventional imaging (CI) (CT and ultrasonography [USG]) and assessed the impact of PET/CT on disease management. This was a single institution, prospective, double-blinded study, recruiting a total of 70 treatment naïve patients. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) of PET/CT for N staging were 86%, 96%, 80%, and 97%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, NPV, and PPV of PET/CT for M staging were 87%, 100%, 93%, and 100%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of the PET/CT was superior to CI for N staging (90% vs. 84% for CT and 80% for USG) and M staging (95% vs. 90% for CT). No statistically significant difference was noted between PET/CT and CI for N staging (PET/CT vs. CT, P = 0.125; PET/CT vs. USG, P- 0.063) or M staging (PET/CT vs. CT, P = 0.125). PET/CT upstaged 23% of patients with clinically localized disease and 58% of patients with clinically palpable regional nodes. To conclude, fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT is a highly sensitive and specific imaging modality for preoperative staging of primary CMMs. PET/CT impacts disease management in significant number of patients and should be especially recommended in all patients with clinically palpable regional nodes.
Regional liver disorder with differences in the accumulation of 99mTc-phytate and 99mTc-galactosyl human serum albumin
Authors: Kotani Kohei , Kawabe Joji , Higashiyama Shigeaki , Shiomi Susumu
Published: September 2017

We report a 56-year-old woman with regional liver disorder due to acute hepatitis. Computed tomographic images showed low signal density at a plain phase and prolonged contrast effect at a late phase in the left hepatic lobe, in which an accumulation of 99mTc-phytate increased, whereas that of 99mTc-galactosyl human serum albumin (GSA) decreased. Meanwhile, in the right lobe, an accumulation of 99mTc-GSA showed more increased than that of 99mTc-phytate. Liver biopsy showed massive hepatocyte necrosis and interface hepatitis in the left lobe, and moderate hepatitis in the right lobe. Differences in the accumulation between these scintigrams were helpful for understanding rapid necrosis in the left lobe, resulting in a compensatory enlargement of the right lobe. Clinicians should be aware that some cases of acute hepatitis cause regional liver disorder although most cases show homogeneous inflammation.
Fluorine-18-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography masquerading as a case of sporadic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of lower extremity presenting as massive lower limb edema
Authors: Singh Deepa , Kumar Rajender , Das Ashim , Varma Subhash , Mittal Bhagwant
Published: September 2017

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are rare neuroectodermal tumors resulting from the malignant transformation of benign plexiform neurofibromas. The sporadic form of these tumors is rare than familial variants (seen in neurofibromatosis Type 1) and making the diagnosis difficult. We are presenting a case of 40–-year-old female with the complaint of progressive swelling of lower limb with initial suspicion of lymphedema and underwent lymphoscintigraphy, magnetic resonance imaging, and finally fluorine-18-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans were done to rule out mitotic etiology and extent of the disease. The patient underwent below-knee amputation, and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of sporadic MPNST.
Incremental value of single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography for characterization of skeletal lesions in breast cancer patients
Authors: Mahaletchumy Thanuja , AbAziz Aini
Published: September 2017

The incremental value of single-photon emission computed tomography-computed tomography (SPECT-CT) over planar bone scintigraphy and SPECT in detecting skeletal lesions in breast cancer patients and its effect on patient management is assessed in this study. This is a prospective study which was conducted over 1-year duration. Whole-body planar scintigraphy, SPECT, and SPECT-CT were performed in 85 breast cancer patients with total of 128 lesions. Correlative imaging and clinical follow-up was used as the reference standard. McNemar's multistep analysis was performed for each patient and each lesion. On patient-wise analysis, 47 patients had equivocal diagnosis on planar bone scintigraphy, 28 on SPECT, and eight on SPECT-CT. On lesion-wise analysis, there were 72 equivocal lesions on planar bone scintigraphy, 48 on SPECT, and 15 on SPECT-CT. Overall, SPECT-CT resulted in a significant reduction in the proportion of equivocal diagnosis on both patient-wise (P < 0.004) and lesion-wise basis (P < 0.004), irrespective of the skeletal region involved. The sensitivity on a per-patient basis was 43%, 58%, and 78% for planar bone scintigraphy, SPECT, and SPECT-CT, respectively. Similarly, the specificity was 85%, 92%, and 94% for planar bone scintigraphy, SPECT, and SPECT-CT, respectively. Patient management was correctly altered in 32% of the patients based on SPECT-CT interpretation. Our data suggest that adding SPECT-CT to whole-body imaging significantly improves sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing bone metastases and significantly reduces the proportion of equivocal diagnosis in all regions of the skeleton. The most important outcome is derived from the accurate alteration in patient management clinically by down- and up-staging of patients and a more precise identification of metastatic extent.
The effects of oil palm leaf meal-based diets on the growth performance and haematological indices of red Sokoto goats
Authors: Ukanwoko A.I. , Alfred C.T.
Published: September 2017

An experiment was carried out to determine the growth performance and haematological indices of Red Sokoto goats placed on oil palm leaf meal (OPLM)-wheat offal based diet. Six goats aged 12-18 months, weighing 15 – 20kg were randomly assigned to three treatments,comprising two animals each in a Completely Randomized Design. Each animal received 1kg of the diet daily for 56 days and weighed weekly. Results showed that final body weight was significant (P<0.05) with goats on T3 having the highest (21.50kg). The feed intake, body weight gain and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were significantly different (P<0.05). T3 had the highest feed intake (305.35g/d), highest body weight gain (90.84g/d) and the best FCR (3.36). Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in the Red Blood Cell (RBC), Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and Haemoglobin (Hb) counts, ranging between 3.12 - 4.20x106ml; 23.00 -30.50% and 7.70 - 10.15g/dl respectively with goats on T3 having the highest. This enhanced the health status of Red Sokoto goats fed with the experimental diets.The inclusion of OPLM enhanced body weight gain, FCR, RBC, PCV, and Hb counts of the goats. Therefore the oil palm leaf meal diets are recommended for better goat production.Keywords: Body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cells
Biodiversity: role of non-timber forest products in food security
Authors: Ayodele A.A. , Oyelowo O.J. , Ine I.E. , Oloketuyi A.J. , Olatidoye O.R.
Published: September 2017

Biodiversity has been identified as key solution to improving food security and sustainability in the areas of food and agriculture. The global food crisis in 2008 has brought about the demand to increase food production that will feed the populations of the world which leads to utilization of other food sources other than agricultural food produce. Non-timber forest products (NTFPS) are biological materials from the ecosystem which range from plants, parts of plants, fungi, animals and animal products that are consumed either as food, condiments, spices or medicine. NTFPS have been identified to play an important role in providing primary health and nutritional needs for people living in rural areas. Their roles in ensuring food security is beyond basic consumption but is also a means of financial empowerment to people who trade in the resources and hence ability to purchase quality, safe and nutritious food at all times which is the main aim of food security.Keywords: Biodiversity, food security, non-timber food products
Assessment of environmental awareness among secondary school teachers in Ibadan metropolis
Authors: Ine I.E. , Oyelowo O.J. , Oloketuyi A.J. , Jeminiwa O.R. , Olaoti Laoro S.O.
Published: September 2017

The present study is focused on the assessment on environmental awareness among secondary school teacher in some selected schools in Ibadan. Simple random sampling technique was used for the selection of sample. The investigators developed a questionnaire on assessment of environmental awareness. Statistical techniques like percentage analysis and chi square analysis were used to analyze the data. The major finding of study reveals that teachers possessed positive attitudes towards both environmental issues and environmental education. We found that contrary to a number of findings from studies in other parts of the world, male respondents were the most concerned about the environment and more knowledgeable than female individuals about environmental issues.Keywords: Environmental Education, Teacher’s Awareness, Ibadan
Effect of land use on some soil chemical properties and P fractions in south-western Nigeria
Authors: Ojo A.O. , Adelana A.O. , Are K.S. , Uthman A.C.O.
Published: September 2017

Land use directly or indirectly affects the soil chemical properties and phosphorus fractions. Two different land use types were studied. Soil chemical analysis and phosphorus fractionation of the soils was then done and the results were highly significant (p<0.001). Total C, N and P were low under the arable land use as compared to the tree crop while exchangeable Ca and Mg was higher under the arable land use than in the tree crop farmland. Micronutrients were generally low irrespective of the land use. The loosely bound P i.e. saloid bound P was more under arable farmland as compared to the tree crop farmland while there was more residual P in the tree crop farmland than the arable farmland. A positive relationship existed between the soil chemical properties and P fractions under the arable land use but a negative relationship was observed between the soil chemical properties and P fractions under the tree crop land use. In other words, cultivation as practiced in on arable lands significantly increased the labile P fractions as evident in increase in the loosely bound P and the secondary nutrients while P tends to be bound i.e. residual P in soils cropped with trees and rich in the macronutrients. . Although, irrespective of the land use type,an equilibrium reaction existed between the readily and non-readily available P fractionsin order to increase P in soils and make the essential macronutrients available, it is recommended that the land be cultivated.Keywords: Soil phosphorus, P fractions, soil chemical parameters, arable land use, tree crop land use
Beans
Authors: Albala Ken
Published: September 2017

This is the story of the bean, the staple food cultivated by humans for over 10,000 years.

From the lentil to the soybean, every civilization on the planet has cultivated its own species of bean. The humble bean has always attracted attention - from Pythagoras’ notion that the bean hosted a human soul to St. Jerome’s indictment against bean-eating in convents (because they “tickle the genitals”), to current research into the deadly toxins contained in the most commonly eaten beans.

Over time, the bean has been both scorned as “poor man’s meat” and praised as health-giving, even patriotic. Attitudes to this most basic of foodstuffs have always revealed a great deal about a society. Featuring a new preface from author Ken Albala, Beans: A History takes the reader on a fascinating journey across cuisines and cultures.
Brazilian Food
Authors: Fajans Jane
Published: September 2017

Brazil is a nation of vast expanses and enormous variation from geography and climate to cultures and languages. Within these boundaries are definable regions in which certain customs, history, and shared views help define an identity and cohesion. In many cases, the pattern of settlement and immigration has influenced the culinary culture of Brazil.

This book explores the role that food and cuisine play in the construction of identity on both the regional and national levels in Brazil through key case examples. It explores the way in which food has become an important element in attracting tourists to a region as well as a way of making aspects of a culture known beyond its borders as cookbooks, ingredients and restaurants move outward in our globalized world.
The Handbook of Food and Anthropology
Authors: Klein Jakob A. , Watson James L.
Published: September 2017

Interest in the anthropology of food has grown significantly in recent years. This is the first handbook to provide a detailed overview of all major areas of the field.

Twenty original essays by leading figures in the discipline examine traditional areas of research as well as cutting-edge areas of inquiry. Divided into three parts – Food, Self and Others; Food Security, Nutrition and Food Safety; Food as Craft, Industry and Ethics – the book covers topics such as identity, commensality, locality, migration, ethical consumption, artisanal foods, and children's food. Each chapter features rich ethnography alongside wider analysis of the subject.

Internationally renowned scholars offer insights into their core areas of specialty. Examples include Michael Herzfeld on culinary stereotypes, David Sutton on how to conduct an anthropology of cooking, Johan Pottier on food insecurity, and Melissa Caldwell on practicing food anthropology. The book also features exceptional geographic and cultural diversity, with chapters on South Asia, South Africa, the United States of America, post-socialist societies, Maoist China, and Muslim and Jewish foodways.

Invaluable as a reference as well as for teaching, The Handbook of Food and Anthropology serves to define this increasingly important field. An essential resource for researchers and students in anthropology and food studies.
Implementation of envelope detection based Wake-Up Receiver for IEEE 802.15.4 WPAN from off-the-shelf components
Authors: Arndt Josua , Krystofiak Lukas , Bonehi Vahid , Wunderlich Ralf , Heinen Stefan
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Power consumption in wireless networks is crucial. In most scenarios the transmission time is short compared to the idle listening time for data transmission, the most power is consumed by the receiver. In low latency systems there is a need for low power wake-up receivers (WuRx) that reduce the power consumption when the node is idle, but keep it responsive. This work presents a WuRx designed out of commercial components to investigate the needs of a WuRx when it is embedded in a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) system in a real environment setup including WLAN and LTE communication and considering interferer rejection. The calculation necessary for the attenuation of those interferers is explained in detail. Furthermore, a system design is presented that fulfills the requirements for this environment and is build from off-the-shelf components.
Comparison of non-convex cost functionals for the consideration of phase differences in phaseless near-field far-field transformations of measured antenna fields
Authors: Knapp Josef , Paulus Alexander , Lopez Carlos , Eibert Thomas F.
Published: September 2017

Abstract. This work introduces two methods which extend the non-convex minimization problem arising in phaseless (NF) far-field (FF) transformations. With the new extensions, knowledge about phase differences between measurement points can be incorporated into the minimization problem. The additional information helps to avoid stationary points of the minimization cost functional which would otherwise compromise the result of the near-field far-field transformation. The methods are incorporated into the Fast Irregular Antenna Field Transformation Algorithm (FIAFTA), analyzed and compared. Their effectiveness is shown by transforming synthetic near-field data sets with partial knowledge of phase differences to the far-field.
Single waveguide silicon-organic hybrid modulator
Authors: Hoppe Niklas , Rothe Christian , Celik Arda , Rosa María Félix , Vogel Wolfgang , Widmann Daniel , Rathgeber Lotte , Ruiz Delgado M. Carmen , Villacampa Belén , Ludwigs Sabine , Berroth Manfred
Published: September 2017

Abstract. We present a novel silicon-organic hybrid modulator based on an integrated dual-mode interferometer. The modulator offers a compact, simplified design and enhanced robustness to on-chip fluctuations of temperature compared to conventional Mach-Zehnder based systems. A prototype modulator showing a voltage dependent transmission spectrum is obtained by cladding a dual-mode waveguide in a 250 nm silicon-on-insulator technology with a customized organic electro-optic layer. Estimated phase shifts and corresponding figures of merit are discussed in this contribution. The used organic layer is based on the guest-host approach with customized donor-π-acceptor chromophore embedded and poled in a poly(methylmethacrylate) matrix. The presented prototype is to the best of the authors' knowledge the first integrated single waveguide silicon-organic hybrid modulator.
Impact evaluation of conducted UWB transients on loads in power-line networks
Authors: Li Bing , Månsson Daniel
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Nowadays, faced with the ever-increasing dependence on diverse electronic devices and systems, the proliferation of potential electromagnetic interference (EMI) becomes a critical threat for reliable operation. A typical issue is the electronics working reliably in power-line networks when exposed to electromagnetic environment. In this paper, we consider a conducted ultra-wideband (UWB) disturbance, as an example of intentional electromagnetic interference (IEMI) source, and perform the impact evaluation at the loads in a network. With the aid of fast Fourier transform (FFT), the UWB transient is characterized in the frequency domain. Based on a modified Baum–Liu–Tesche (BLT) method, the EMI received at the loads, with complex impedance, is computed. Through inverse FFT (IFFT), we obtain time-domain responses of the loads. To evaluate the impact on loads, we employ five common, but important quantifiers, i.e., time-domain peak, total signal energy, peak signal power, peak time rate of change and peak time integral of the pulse. Moreover, to perform a comprehensive analysis, we also investigate the effects of the attributes (capacitive, resistive, or inductive) of other loads connected to the network, the rise time and pulse width of the UWB transient, and the lengths of power lines. It is seen that, for the loads distributed in a network, the impact evaluation of IEMI should be based on the characteristics of the IEMI source, and the network features, such as load impedances, layout, and characteristics of cables.
Eine selbstkonsistente Carleman Linearisierung zur Analyse von Oszillatoren
Authors: Weber Harry , Mathis Wolfgang
Published: September 2017

Abstract. Die Analyse nichtlinearer dynamischer Schaltungen ist bis heute eine herausfordernde Aufgabe, da nur selten analytische Lösungen angegeben werden können. Daher wurden eine Vielzahl von Methoden entwickelt, um eine qualitative oder quantitative Näherung für die Lösungen der Netzwerkgleichung zu erhalten. Oftmals wird beispielsweise eine Kleinsignalanalyse mit Hilfe einer Taylorreihe in einem Arbeitspunkt durchgeführt, die nach den Gliedern erster Ordnung abgebrochen wird. Allerdings ist diese Linearisierung nur in der Nähe des stabilen Arbeitspunktes für hyperbolische Systeme gültig. Besonders für die Analyse des dynamischen Verhaltens von Oszillatoren treten jedoch nicht-hyperbolische Systeme auf, sodass diese Methode nicht angewendet werden kann Mathis (2000). Carleman hat gezeigt, dass nichtlineare Differentialgleichungen mit polynomiellen Nichtlinearitäten in ein unendliches System von linearen Differentialgleichungen transformiert werden können Carleman (1932). Wird das unendlichdimensionale Gleichungssystem für numerische Zwecke abgebrochen, kann bei Oszillatoren der Übergang in eine stationäre Schwingung (Grenzzyklus) nicht wiedergegeben werden. In diesem Beitrag wird eine selbstkonsistente Carleman Linearisierung zur Untersuchung von Oszillatoren vorgestellt, die auch dann anwendbar ist, wenn die Nichtlinearitäten keinen Polynomen entsprechen. Anstelle einer linearen Näherung um einen Arbeitspunkt, erfolgt mit Hilfe der Carleman Linearisierung eine Approximation auf einem vorgegebenen Gebiet. Da es jedoch mit der selbstkonsistenten Technik nicht möglich ist, das stationäre Verhalten von Oszillatoren zu beschreiben, wird die Berechnung einer Poincaré-Abbildung durchgeführt. Mit dieser ist eine anschließende Analyse des Oszillators möglich.