bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Construction of Novel Instrumentation for Low-Field MR Tomography
Authors: Gogola Daniel , Szomolanyi Pavol , Škrátek Martin , Frollo Ivan
Published: June 2018

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a very popular tool for diagnostic applications and research studies. Low-field MR scanners, usually with an open design, are suitable for claustrophobic and obese patients, as well as for children, who may be fearful in closed MR scanners. However, these types of scanners provide lower spatial resolution and a lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) if compared with the same examination performed at the same time at high field scanners. It is dominantly caused by the low field strength and other factors, such as radiofrequency noise. Therefore, a long measurement time is usually necessary. This research paper is focused on the development of novel probes and preamplifiers for low-field MR scanners to improve SNR, and thus, shorten the measurement time. In this study, we describe the design of a high impedance preamplifier and a high temperature superconductor (HTS) coil. This novel instrumentation was compared with uncooled and cooled copper coils. Improvement in SNR in the case of an HTS coil is reported.
Crystal structure of 1-{4-[(2-hydroxy-5-methyl benzylidene)amino]phenyl}ethanone O-ethyl-oxime, C18H20N2O2
Authors: Li Peng-Peng , Ma Jin-Xia , Li Qing-Lin , Zhao Ji-Xing , Zhao Li
Published: June 2018

C18H20N2O2, monoclinic, Pc (no. 7), a = 17.8843(15) Å, b = 7.1821(6) Å, c = 6.3086(6) Å, β = 98.487(3)°, Z = 2, V = 801.45(12) Å3, R
gt(F) = 0.0533, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1411, T = 296(2) K.
Crystal structure of bis{4-methyl-2-((E)-((4-((E)-1-(ethoxyimino)ethyl)phenyl)imino)methyl)phenolato-κ2
N,O)}copper(II), C36H38CuN4O4
Authors: Li Peng-Peng , Li Qing-Lin , Ma Jin-Xia , Zhao Ji-Xing , Zhao Li
Published: June 2018

C36H38CuN4O4, triclinic, P1̄, a = 8.492(2) Å, b = 9.574(2) Å, c = 10.512(2) Å, α = 100.170(7)°, β = 103.421(7)°, γ = 95.055(8)°, Z = 1, V = 810.8(3) Å3, R
gt(F) = 0.0418, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1193, T = 296(2) K.
Crystal structure of 5,5′-((3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)methylene)bis(1,3-diethyl-6-hydroxy-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydropyrimidin-4(1H)-one), C24H30N4O6S2
Authors: Altowyan Mezna saleh , Ali M. , AlRuqi Obaid S. , Al-Majid Abdullah Mohammed , Barakat Assem
Published: June 2018

C24H30N4O6S2, triclinic, P1̄ with a = 9.2557(4) Å, b = 10.2606(5) Å, c = 14.0972(7) Å, α = 71.949(2)°, β = 89.305(2)°, γ = 86.061(2)° V = 1269.84(10) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.058, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.142, T = 293(2) K.
A review of the analytical methodology to determine Radium-226 and Radium-228 in drinking waters
Authors: Abbasi Akbar
Published: June 2018

Radium-228 (228Ra) and Radium-226 (226Ra) isotopes in drinking water are significant from the aspect of radiation protection and human health. In this paper, the three most common preconcentration methods, i.e.coprecipitation, absorption and evaporation, were reviewed with emphasis on routinely measurement techniques. The reviewed measurement techniques include low background γ-spectrometry, α-spectrometry and liquid scintillation counting. The γ-spectrometry technique is the good selection, when the maximum sensitivity is considered. The Environmental Protection Agency guideline has provided the maximum concentration level 0.74 Bq/L for 226Ra and 228Ra. Also, the World Health Organization guideline limit is 1 Bq/L and 0.1 Bq/L for 226Ra and 228Ra, respectively.
Progress on the amendment in biochars and its effects on the soil-plant-micro-organism-biochar system
Authors: Kalakodio Loissi , Bakayoko Moussa , Kalagodio Adiara , Abo Bodjui Olivier , Muhoza Jean Pierre , Ismaila El Moctar
Published: June 2018

Biochar, coal produced by pyrolysis and used as an amendment, has several advantages and has proven to be a promising avenue for sustainable agriculture. However, the current manufacturing methods, the conditions of pyrolysis and the biomasses used produce biochars of very variable qualities which can differently affect the productivity of the ground and the outputs of plants. Currently, no study makes it possible to elucidate the influence of the physicochemical properties of the biochars on the structure and the microbial diversity of the soil. The aim of this review was to understand how the physicochemical properties of a biochar affect its capacity: to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases; to improve the growth of hothouse plants; to improve the effectiveness of the use of manures and water; and to modify the structure and the diversity of the bacterial communities in a horticultural substrate and a mineral soil. These biochars were produced under various conditions. The analyses show that the addition of biochar can stimulate certain groups of bacteria involved in carbon and nitrogen cycles and possibly those involved in the development of plants. This review identifies the important physicochemical properties of the biochars, which will be able to better guide agricultural producers and industries manufacturing substrates containing peat, in the choice of a biochar favorable to the growth of plants and a more durable agriculture.
Computational exploration of antiviral activity of phytochemicals against NS2B/NS3 proteases from dengue virus
Authors: Rasool Nouman , Ashraf Aisha , Waseem Muneeba , Hussain Waqar , Mahmood Sajid
Published: June 2018

Background

Dengue fever has emerged as a serious threat in Pakistan in the last few years with high morbidity rates and substantial mortality. In the present study, NS2B/NS3 protease from four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes have been targeted using 2350 phytochemicals from various medicinal plants.

Material and methods

The phytochemicals were subjected to docking against NS2B/NS3 proteases using AutoDock Vina focusing the binding site, and the binding energies were determined to screen the effectively docked phytochemicals. Pharmacological properties were also analyzed for all the phytochemicals using PreADMET web server.

Results

Binding affinities ranged from −4.0 to –9.8 kcal/mol and a threshold of −9.0 kcal/mol was applied for screening compounds. A total of 18 phytochemicals are screened for passing all evaluation criteria of a drug in which three were for DENV1-NS2B/NS3, five for DENV2-NS2B/NS3, six for DENV3-NS2B/NS3 and four for DENV4-NS2B/NS3. Erycristagallin and Osajin fromErythrina variegate, PapraineA fromFumaria indicaand Aloe-Emodin fromAloe veraare the most potent inhibitors of NS2B/NS3 protease from DENV1, DENV2, DENV3 and DENV4, having binding affinities of −9.6 kcal/mol, −9.6 kcal/mol, −9.6 kcal/mol and −9.2 kcal/mol, respectively.

Conclusion

The effective drug-like properties of all 18 phytochemicals demonstrate the inhibition potential against dengue virus replication in human beings.
Pressure and Strain Effects on the Structural, Electronic, and Optical Properties of K4 Phosphorus
Authors: Zhao Chenyang , Wei Qun , Zhang Meiguang , Yan Haiyan , Yang Xinchao , Zhou Yingjiao , Wei Bing , Ma Jianli
Published: June 2018

An investigation of the mechanical, electronic, and optical properties of the recently reported material K4 phosphorus was made in this work. K4 phosphorus has been proved to be mechanically and dynamically stable up to 7 GPa under hydrostatic pressure. We compared the elastic anisotropy, average acoustic velocity, and Debye temperature of K4 phosphorus at 0 and 7 GPa. The ideal tensile properties at large strains of K4 phosphorus were also examined, with the results showing that it would cleave under the tensile strength of 8.5 GPa with the strain of 0.3. In addition, the effect of tensile strain and pressure on optical properties and band gap were studied.
Human Motor Thalamus Reconstructed in 3D from Continuous Sagittal Sections with Identified Subcortical Afferent Territories
Authors: Ilinsky Igor , Horn Andreas , Paul-Gilloteaux Perrine , Gressens Pierre , Verney Catherine , Kultas-Ilinsky Kristy
Published: June 2018

Classification and delineation of the motor-related nuclei in the human thalamus have been the focus of numerous discussions for a long time. Difficulties in finding consensus have for the most part been caused by paucity of direct experimental data on connections of individual nuclear entities. Kultas-Ilinsky et al. (2011) showed that distribution of glutamic acid decarboxylase isoform 65 (GAD65), the enzyme that synthesizes inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid, is a reliable marker that allows to delineate connectionally distinct nuclei in the human motor thalamus, namely the territories innervated by nigral, pallidal, and cerebellar afferents. We compared those immunocytochemical staining patterns with underlying cytoarchitecture and used the latter to outline the three afferent territories in a continuous series of sagittal Nissl-stained sections of the human thalamus. The 3D volume reconstructed from the outlines was placed in the Talairach stereotactic coordinate system relative to the intercommissural line and sectioned in three stereotactic planes to produce color-coded nuclear maps. This 3D coordinate-based atlas was coregistered to the Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI-152) space. The current report proposes a simplified nomenclature of the motor-related thalamic nuclei, presents images of selected histological sections and stereotactic maps illustrating topographic relationships of these nuclei as well as their relationship with adjacent somatosensory afferent region. The data are useful in different applications such as functional MRI and diffusion tractography. The 3D dataset is publicly available under an open license and can also be applicable in clinical interventions in the thalamus.
Possible delayed diagnosis and treatment of metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer by adopting the 2015 ATA guidelines
Authors: Albano Domenico , Bertagna Francesco , Bonacina Mattia , Durmo Rexhep , Cerudelli Elisabetta , Gazzilli Maria , Panarotto Maria Beatrice , Formenti Anna Maria , Mazziotti Gherardo , Giustina Andrea , Giubbini Raffaele
Published: June 2018

Objective

According to the 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines, thyroid ablation by iodine-131 (I-131) therapy is absolutely recommended only in patients with high-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Often distant metastases are not recognized early and they can stay silent for long time. The aim of our study was to retrospectively analyze the prevalence of metastatic disease before and after I-131 and to evaluate the influence of the new ATA guidelines in the management of DTC.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 140 patients showing distant metastases. All metastases were detected by whole-body scan after I-131 and confirmed by histology and/or other imaging modalities.

Results

In 26/140 patients metastases were detected before I-131, while in 114/140 were discovered after I-131. Comparing patients with metastases detected before and after I-131, no differences were demonstrated considering age, sex, histotype, tumor size, multifocality of cancer and metastatic localization. Metastatic DTC discovered before radioiodine had higher thyroglobulin and received a higher radioiodine total activity and number of treatments. Considering patients with distant metastases, according to the 2015 ATA guidelines, 38 patients would have been categorized as high risk, 22 as low risk and 80 as intermediate risk. Among intermediate-risk patients, only in 25 cases (31%) I-131 treatment would have been appropriate according to 2015 ATA recommendations; in the remaining 56 cases (69%), I-131 would not have been recommended.

Conclusions

According to the 2015 ATA guidelines, most of metastatic patients would not have been treated after surgery, with the risk of late diagnosis and delayed treatment.
Carpal tunnel syndrome after an electrical injury: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Wong Yi-Sin , Ong Cheung-Ter , Hsieh Yi-Ying , Hung Tuey-Wen , Guo How-Ran
Published: June 2018

Introduction

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is prevalent in workers who utilize hand-held vibration tools, engage in tasks involving repetitive wrist movements, and suffer from wrist overuse. Although electrical injuries involving the median nerve are a relatively rare but plausible cause of CTS, the related literature is limited. Here, we report a case of CTS in which the symptoms developed after an electrical injury, and review the related literature.

Case summary

The patient was a right-handed male electrician who often used hand tools but had no symptoms of CTS before the injury, with the left hand as the point of entry. Typical symptoms of CTS manifested after the electrical injury, and a nerve conduction velocity test confirmed the presence of severe CTS in the left hand. Therefore, we believe that the symptoms can be largely attributed to the electrical injury.

Conclusions

The available literature supports the occurrence of delayed compressive neuropathy caused by scarring from substantial cutaneous burns in patients with electrical injuries. This case shows that electrical injuries may cause CTS in the absence of severe scarring through other mechanisms such as direct injuries to the nerve. Therefore, patients with electrical burns should be routinely examined for peripheral nerve compression symptoms in follow-ups, even when there are minimal cutaneous burns.
PM10 emission from crop production and agricultural soils
Authors: Péterfalvi Nóra , Keller Boglárka , Magyar Marianna
Published: June 2018

The emission of particulate matter from agricultural sources is a worldwide environmental issue due to health concerns.

The main factors influencing PM10 emission from crop production are the origin of particles, the physical and chemical properties of soils, meteorological conditions, and the mechanical impacts of farm operations. Several studies have been made to determine PM10 emission factors for tillage operations, but these emission factors varied depending on soil properties, especially soil texture and water content, and environmental conditions (e.g. relative humidity, and variability in wind speed and direction). This is why the use of a single emission factor for a given tillage operation is inadequate.

To estimate the yearly amount of PM10 emitted from agricultural soils and crop production, emissions originating from different sources at different temporal division must be summarized. Because 56 % of the total territory of Hungary is cropland, relatively high PM10 emission occurs from crop production and agricultural soils. If this is to be reduced, research should focus on the identification of soil and environmental properties related to PM10 emission on characteristic Hungarian soils.
Relationship between the 0.01 M CaCl2- and AL-soluble soil phosphorus contents
Authors: Szabó Emese , Huzsvai László , Kremper Rita , Loch Jakab
Published: June 2018

The traditional Hungarian method for determining soil phosphorus (P) status is ammonium-lactate acetic acid (AL) extraction. AL is an acidic solution (buffered at pH 3.75), which is also able to dissolve P reserves, so there is a need for extraction methods that also characterize the mobile P pool.

0.01 M CaCl2-P is considered to directly describe available P forms, because the dilute salt solution has more or less the same ionic strength as the average salt concentration in many soil solutions.

The amount of AL-P may be two orders of magnitude greater than that of CaCl2-P. Previous studies suggested that the relationship between AL-P and CaCl2-P was influenced by soil parameters. Regression analysis between AL-P and CaCl2-P showed medium or strong correlations when using soils with homogeneous soil properties, while there was a weak correlation between them for soils with heterogeneous properties.

The objective of this study was to increase the accuracy of the conversion between AL-P and CaCl2-P, by constructing universal equations that also take soil properties into consideration.

The AL-P and CaCl2-P contents were measured in arable soils (n=622) originating from the Hungarian Soil Information and Monitoring System (SIMS). These soils covered a wide range of soil properties.

A weak correlation was found between AL-P and CaCl2-P in SIMS soils. The amounts and ratio of AL-P and CaCl2-P depended on soil properties such as CaCO3 content and texture. The ratio of AL-P to CaCl2-P changed from 37 in noncalcareous soils to 141 on highly calcareous soils. CaCl2-P decreased as a function of KA (plasticity index according to Arany), which is related to the clay content, while the highest AL-P content was found on loam soils, probably due to the fact that a high proportion of them were calcareous.

The relationships between AL-P, CaCl2-P and soil properties in the SIMS dataset were evaluated using multiple linear regression analysis. In order to select the best model the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) was used to compare different models. The soil factors included in the models were pHKCl, humus and CaCO3 content to describe AL-P, and KA, CaCO3 content and pHKCl to describe CaCl2-P. AL-P was directly proportional to pHKCl, humus and CaCO3 content, while CaCl2-P was inversely proportional to KA, CaCO3 content and pHKCl. The explanatory power of the models increased when soil properties were included. The percentage of the explained variance in the AL-P and CaCl2-P regression models was 56 and 51%, so the accuracy of the conversion between the two extraction methods was still not satisfactory and it does not seem to be possible to prepare a universally applicable equation. Further research is needed to obtain different regression equations for soils with different soil properties, and CaCl2-P should also be calibrated in long-term P fertilization trials.
Spatial decision support for crop structure adjustment – a case study for selection of potential areas for sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) production
Authors: Jóvér János , Kovács Elza , Riczu Péter , Tamás János , Blaskó Lajos
Published: June 2018

One option for adaptation to climate change is to grow a wider variety of plant species. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is known to tolerate unfavourable environmental conditions, so it may be feasible to grow it on areas with extreme conditions to replace other species such as maize. Nowadays, spatial decision supporting systems primarily support the crop production process rather than crop structure adjustment. In this study, potential sorghum production sites in the Great Hungarian Plain were selected based on soil characteristics including genetic soil type, parent material, physical soil type, clay composition, water management, pH, organic matter content, topsoil thickness and fertility, as well as climatic data, particularly precipitation. For all the parameters the aim was to find the extreme values at which sorghum, which is less sensitive than maize, may still give an acceptable yield. By combining map layers of soil characteristics, it could be concluded that although the soil is suitable for sorghum on 40.46% of the Great Hungarian Plain, maize is generally a better choice economically. On the other hand, the soil conditions on 0.65% of the land are still suitable for sorghum but unfavourable for maize. As regards the precipitation demand of sorghum, May is the critical period; on 698,968 ha the precipitation required for germination was only recorded once in the period 1991-2010, so these areas cannot be considererd for sorghum. As a consequence, in an alternative crop rotation system sorghum could be competitive with maize, but both the soil and climate conditions and the demands of the crop need to be assessed. The lack of precipitation in critical phenophases significantly decreases the area where maize can survive. Sorghum, however, may produce an acceptable yield, as it is a drought-resistant species.
Comparison of biological and chemical properties of arable and pasture Solonetz soils
Authors: Gangwar R. K. , Makádi M. , Fuchs M. , Csorba Á. , Michéli E. , Demeter I. , Szegi T.
Published: June 2018

Soil samples were collected from salt-affected soils (Solonetz) under different land uses, namely arable (SnA) and pasture (SnP), to investigate the effects of land use on microbiological [basal soil respiration (BSR), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and phosphatase activity] and chemical properties [organic carbon (OC), humic ratio (E4/E6), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), available forms of phosphorus (P2O5), potassium (K2O), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), sodium (Na+)] and on the moisture content.

The results showed that the two sites, SnA and SnP, were statistically different from each other for all the microbiological and chemical parameters investigated except Na+ and moisture content. Higher values of MBC (575.67 μg g-1), BSR (9.71 μg CO2 g-1 soil h-1), DHA (332.76 μg formazan g-1 day-1) and phosphatase activity (0.161 μmol PNP g-1 hr-1) were observed for the SnP soil. Great heterogeneity was found in SnP in terms of microbiological properties, whereas the SnA plots showed more homogeneous microbiological activity due to ploughing. 75.34% of variance was explained by principal component one (PC1), which significantly separated SnA and SnP, especially on the basis of soil MBC and P2O5. Moreover, it was concluded that the pasture land (SnP) was microbiologically more active than arable land (SnA) among the Hungarian salt-affected soils investigated.
Influence of alternative plant nutrition methods on soil microbial characteristics in long-term experiments
Authors: Kátai János , Döring Thomas , Tállai Magdolna , Balla-Kovács Andrea , Henzsel István , Makádi Marianna , Sándor Zsolt , Vágó Imre
Published: June 2018

The size of the arable land is constantly decreasing all over the world due to severe anthropogenic disorders. Plant production therefore has to be adapted to changing environmental conditions along with the proper selection of crop varieties and the application of sustainable environmental technologies which also consider economic aspects. The investigations were carried out in the Westsik long-term fertilization experiment near Nyíregyháza, East Hungary, which was set up in 1929 (89 years ago). Alternative forms of nutrient supplies (A) (green manure, straw with and without fermentation, organic fertilizer with and without inorganic fertilizer supplements) were used in different crop rotations. The test plant was potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and the soil type sand with a low humus content (Arenosols). A further long-term experiment is located on calcareous chernozem soil (Chernozems) in Debrecen (set up in 1983, 35 years ago). In one part of this experiment, organic farming (OF) has been carried out with a pea, winter wheat and maize crop rotation for over 15 years with no inorganic fertilization. In another block in this experiment, changes in soil properties as a result of the medium and high doses of fertilizers applied in intensive farming (I) were evaluated with a maize (Zea mays L.) monoculture as the test plant.

The results obtained with alternative nutrient supplies (green manure, fermented and unfermented straw, farmyard manure, fertilization) proved that the soil organic carbon content increased to varying degrees in humus-poor, acidic sand soil. The organic matter content of the soils increased in response to the treatments, contributing to a significant enhancement in soil microbial parameters (MBC, saccharase, dehydrogenase and phosphatase enzyme activities).

The carbon dioxide production and saccharase enzyme activity in organic plots (OF) were significantly lower than in intensively farmed (I) soils. At the same time, in the case of organic farming (OF) the microbial biomass carbon, phosphatase and dehydrogenase activity were significantly higher in OF plots than in I plots. Compared to the control soil, MBC was 7-8 times higher in organic plots and 1.3-3.8 times higher in intensive plots.

Organic farming on chernozem soil generally resulted in higher microbial activity (MBC, phosphatase, saccharase and dehydrogenase enzyme activity) than in either intensively farmed chernozem or in the case of alternative farming (A) on sandy soil.
Potential impacts of climate change on soil properties
Authors: Gelybó G. , Tóth E. , Farkas C. , Horel Á. , Kása I. , Bakacsi Z.
Published: June 2018

Climate change is expected to have a vigorous impact on soils and ecosystems due to elevated temperature and changes in precipitation (amount and frequency), thereby altering biogeochemical and hydrological cycles. Several phenomena associated with climate change and anthropogenic activity affect soils indirectly via ecosystem functioning (such as higher atmospheric CO2 concentration and N deposition). Continuous interactions between climate and soils determine the transformation and transport processes. Long-term gradual changes in abiotic environmental factors alter naturally occurring soil forming processes by modifying the soil water regime, mineral composition evolution, and the rate of organic matter formation and degradation. The resulting physical and chemical soil properties play a fundamental role in the productivity and environmental quality of cultivated land, so it is crucial to evaluate the potential outcomes of climate change and soil interactions. This paper attempts to review the underlying long-term processes influenced by different aspects of climate change. When considering major soil forming factors (climate, parent material, living organisms, topography), especially climate, we put special attention to soil physical properties (soil structure and texture, and consequential changes in soil hydrothermal regime), soil chemical properties (e.g. cation exchange capacity, soil organic matter content as influenced by changes in environmental conditions) and soil degradation as a result of longterm soil physicochemical transformations. The temperate region, specifically the Carpathian Basin as a heterogeneous territory consisting of different climatic and soil zones from continental to mountainous, is used as an example to present potential changes and to assess the effect of climate change on soils. The altered physicochemical and biological properties of soils require accentuated scientific attention, particularly with respect to significant feedback processes to climate and soil services such as food security.
Promoting educational, classification, treatment, and policy initiatives
Authors: Gola Mateusz , Potenza Marc N.
Published: June 2018

The letter by Kraus et al. (2018) published recently in World Psychiatry presents diagnostic criteria for compulsive sexual behaviors (CSBs). Here, we discuss the potential impact of including CSB disorder in ICD-11 for four areas: educational efforts related to CSB (for both clinicians and patients), investigation of underlying mechanisms and subtypes, development of personalized treatment frameworks, and answering socially important questions and advancing important prevention efforts and effective policies. Each of these four areas has their own challenges that should be addressed, and we briefly describe and discuss them. We hope that this information will help continue a dialog and provide a framework for moving forward in this area.
What’s the problem, Mr. Smith? Shedding more light (than Heat) on Adam Smith’s view of man *
Authors: Boff Emmanoel de Oliveira
Published: June 2018

Abstract Why has the “Adam Smith Problem” recently been discussed in the literature? Although most historians of economic thought regard the problem solved, these discussions cast doubt on this apparent solution. This article suggests that the “Adam Smith Problem” may originate from the concept of the human being developed by Smith in the “Theory of Moral Sentiments”: in this book, human beings can be understood as composed of an empirical and a (quasi) transcendental side, in the form of the impartial spectator. It is argued that it is the tension between these two parts which creates supposed inconsistencies between aspects of the “Theory of Moral Sentiments” and the “Wealth of Nations” like, for example, the role of sympathy and self-interest in each of these books.
Reliability analysis of EN 1997 design approaches for eccentrically loaded footings
Authors: de Koker Nico , Day Peter W.
Published: June 2018

EN 1997-1:2004 provides a choice of three design approaches with various combinations of partial factors applied to loads, material properties and/or resistances. A modification to design approach 2 has been suggested in which actions are combined prior to being factored. The merits of this alternative, generally referred to as DA2*, are considered in the context of spread footings subject to vertical and horizontal loads (H and V), giving rise to inclined, eccentric loading at founding level. Evaluation of the reliability of strip and square footings designed according to design approaches DA1 to DA3, as well as DA2*, indicate that at high H/V the DA2* approach yields significantly lower reliability than the three recognised EN 1997-1:2004 options. In addition, the reliability of DA2* designs show a greater decrease with increasing H/V, as the approach does not meaningfully distinguish between favourable as opposed to unfavourable effects of vertical loads. It is shown that the approach effectively reduces the limit states design framework to a working stress design one. The approach is therefore considered to be less suitable for limit states design of eccentrically loaded shallow footings than the recognised options.
High-strength concrete mixture with calcined zeolite particles for shrinkage reduction
Authors: Zhang Jun , Ding Xiaoping , Wang Qing , Zheng Xuan
Published: June 2018

In this study, calcined zeolite particles with average size of 0·18 mm were used as an internal curing agent for high-strength concrete. The purpose of the study was to explore the mixture design of high-strength concrete with the addition of the calcined zeolite particles. Three high-strength concrete mixtures containing the same amount of pre-wetted calcined zeolite particles, but with varied replacement ratios of cement and sand in the mixture, were designed and the shrinkage and internal relative humidity of each concrete were measured simultaneously under sealed and surface-drying conditions. The test results show that the internal relative humidity of concrete is greatly increased after using pre-wetted calcined zeolite particles in concrete, while the autogenous and drying shrinkage of high-strength concrete are considerably reduced. The efficiencies in shrinkage decrease and humidity increase are influenced by the replacement ratio of zeolite to cement in the mixture. The durability test results show that the addition of porous zeolite increases the permeability of early-age high-strength concrete. Nevertheless, this negative effect is decreased with increasing age. At 90 d after casting, permeability of concrete with pre-wetted zeolite addition is already less than that of control concrete.
Characterization of drop-cast copper phthalocyanine thin films for ammonia sensing
Authors: Kaur Manjit , Kumar Rajesh , Dogra Rakesh , Arora Narinder , Sharma Navjeet
Published: June 2018

A cost-effective drop-cast technique has been used to deposit copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) films on a glass substrate. The obtained films have undergone structural, optical and electrical characterization after annealing at different temperatures – that is, 100, 150 and 200°C. The X-ray diffraction spectra confirm the formation of CuPc films. The absorption spectra of the drop-cast CuPc films show two dominant bands – Q-band and Soret band – within wavelengths of 300–800 nm, respectively. Phase transformations from the α-phase to β-phase have been observed from structural and optical characterization. The current–voltage parameters of the films show ohmic contact, and their activation energies lie in the range of 0·21–0·54 eV annealed within temperatures of 100–200°C. The vapor-sensing characteristics of the CuPc-based sensor toward ammonia at different concentrations (15–230 parts per million) have been evaluated. These measurements reveal that CuPc films are a good candidate as ammonia sensors.
Agir comunicativo e democracia: uma proposta para a legitimação da jurisdição constitucional
Authors: Da Silva Willy Potrich , Freire Jr. Américo Bedê
Published: June 2018

Enxergando o direito como o médium da integração social que outrora era relegada à religião ou a outros fundamentos transcendentais, Habermas buscará aplicar sua teoria do agir comunicativo ao momento de criação do direito positivo, inserindo no processo legislativo aspectos de uma moral e de uma democracia procedimentais, materializadas por seu princípio do discurso, tendo como pano de fundo os direitos fundamentais e a soberania popular. Conjugado o pensamento habermasiano com a sensível mudança na prática da jurisdição – especialmente a constitucional – a partir da aceitação dos princípios como espécie normativa, e em especial após a mudança do paradigma liberal para o paradigma do bem estar social (diagnóstico que é compartilhado por Habermas), propõe-se a reflexão acerca da possibilidade de transposição de sua teoria do agir comunicativo como resposta aos questionamentos frequentes a respeito da legitimidade democrática das cortes constitucionais na tomada de decisões que parecem complementar a atividade do legislador democrático.
O pacto de San José da Costa Rica e a jurisprudência interamericana em matéria de direito à saúde
Authors: Piovesan Flavia , De Freitas Daniel Castanha
Published: June 2018

O artigo analisa a jurisprudência interamericana em matéria de direito à saúde, com destaque aos casos julgados pela Comissão e Corte Interamericanas. Discorre-se acerca do sistema de proteção multinível dos direitos humanos, enfatizando sua importância para o estabelecimento de um arcabouço normativo plural quanto à sua origem, porém uníssono em relação aos objetivos perseguidos. Em seguida, aborda-se o impacto das decisões proferidas pela Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos no ordenamento jurídico brasileiro, em razão de sua submissão aos termos da Convenção Americana de Direitos Humanos de 1969. Finalmente, empreende-se estudo da jurisprudência da Corte e Comissão Interamericana de Direitos Humanos, permitindo-se sustentar a gradativa pavimentação de um constitucionalismo regional – ius commune social –, bem como a emergência de um Estado de Direito Internacional, pautado pelo primado da legalidade, por uma expansiva institucionalidade baseada em instrumentos e órgãos internacionais visando à dignidade humana, com ênfase na proteção dos direitos dos mais vulneráveis.
Multilayered reflections of a social justice bricoleur: Becoming more purposeful in my postgraduate pedagogy
Authors: Campbell Bridget
Published: June 2018

The aim of this narrative inquiry self-study project was to become more purposeful as a change agent in my postgraduate pedagogy. My objective was three-fold: I had a social justice agenda and also wanted to improve my pedagogy and my students' learning. My reflective pedagogic approach was designed to practice culturally responsive pedagogy and critical pedagogy from which I and my participant students would benefit. I practised reflective pedagogy and also asked that the students reflect on their teaching and learning experiences inside and outside of my lectures; a colleague who served as a critical friend conducted a peer-review exercise. My findings were that through multilayered analysis of my lecture reflections from previous years, my 2016 reflections, my students' reflections of my pedagogy and of their teaching and learning outside of my lecture, as well as the feedback from my critical friend, I was able to consider the nuances of the different voices and experiences and to adapt my practice in response to the needs of the students and their lived experiences.
"You can't write in Kaapse Afrikaans in your question paper. . . .The terms must be right": Race- and class-infused language ideologies in educational places on the Cape Flats
Authors: Cooper Adam
Published: June 2018

Language is integral to educational processes because it forms the basis for classroom communication and the medium for knowledge transfer. However, language is imbued with race- and class-related ideologies: ideas about "proper" and "educated" uses of language. Language ideologies are shaped by the linguistic norms of powerful groups and are based on political rather than linguistic factors. In this paper, I explore how language ideologies operated in three educational sites on the Cape Flats. Multisite ethnography was used to research language ideologies in classrooms, amongst a hip-hop group, and at a youth radio show. Participants in the study spoke a variety of Afrikaans known as Kaapse Afrikaans, which differs from the standard Afrikaans inscribed in the school curriculum. The research showed that language ideologies were perpetuated through semiotic processes known as iconicity, recursiveness, and erasure. Through iconicity, Rosemary Gardens youths' language was inextricably linked to colouredness-a mixed race and language with low status attributed to both. Whereas standard Afrikaans was described as "pure, high, proper, and real," Kaapse Afrikaans was recursively depicted as "low, deficient and slang." These semiotic processes functioned to erase young people's use of language at schools, particularly repressing Kaapse Afrikaans in its written form. On certain occasions, the hip-hop group used language freely as they commented on their local environments. Powerful linguistic ideologies will continue to denigrate marginalised youth, even if radical teachers and hip-hop culture dismiss them. Educators should, therefore, both endorse the linguistic resources youth bring to classrooms and arm them with powerful forms of language and knowledge that hold power elsewhere.
Cloning guides to lentiCRISPR v2 v1
Authors: Weiner Amit
Published: June 2018

I have been struggling with cloning guide RNA sequences to the lentiCRISPR vector (https://www.addgene.org/52961/) for months now and have finally figured out a method that consistently works for me, so I felt like I should share this information with whomever is struggling as much as I did!
ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF PROPELLANT TEMPERATURE ON INTERIOR BALLISTICS PROBLEM
Authors: EVCİ Celal
Published: June 2018

This study investigates the effect of conditioning
temperature of double base propellants on the interior ballistic parameters
such as burning gas temperature, barrel wall temperature, pressure and stresses
generated in the barrel. Interior ballistic problem was solved employing
experimental, numerical and analytical methods with a thermo-mechanical
approach. Double base propellants were conditioned at different temperatures
(52, 35, 21, 0, -20, -35, -54ºC). The maximum pressure in the barrel and
projectile muzzle velocity were measured for all the propellants by conducting
shooting tests with a special test barrel using 7.62x51 mm NATO ammunition.
Vallier-Heydenreich method was employed to determine the transient pressure
distribution along the barrel. The temperature of burnt gases was calculated by
using Noble-Abel equation. The heat transfer analysis was done using the
commercial software ANSYS to get the transient temperature and stress
distributions. Temperature distribution through the barrel wall thickness was
validated using a FLIR thermal imager. Radial, circumferential and axial
stresses and corresponding equivalent Von Misses stresses were determined
numerically and analytically.  The results of the analytical solution for
stress analysis validated the finite element solution of interior ballistic
problem. Increasing the initial temperature of the propellant resulted in
higher temperature and pressure inside the barrel which in turn increased the
stresses in the barrel.
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF MONOCRYSTALLINE AND POLYCRYSTALLINE SOLAR MODULES AT DIFFERENT INCLINATION ANGLES
Authors: ALİ Hafiz Muhammad
Published: June 2018

Photovoltaic
modules have a potential market for off-grid applications in rural context with
limited access to the electrical grid. For fixed photovoltaic systems, proper orientation
of photovoltaic modules at specific conditions plays a significant role to have
maximum performance. This paper presents the effects of different metrological
parameters on the performance of photovoltaic modules at three different
inclination angles (0°, 33.74° and 90°) with horizontal. Six 40W photovoltaic
modules (three monocrystalline and three polycrystalline) were exposed to sunlight
at three different inclination angles. Performance ratio, module efficiency,
fill factor were calculated for photovoltaic module at different inclination
angles and results presented. PV modules at 33.74° tilt angle received high
solar radiation and showed high output power. As solar radiation increases, the
radiation losses from the surface of the module increases and resultant
decrease the module efficiency and increase the module temperature at high
solar irradiance. During the winter months, the average efficiency of the monocrystalline
PV module at 0° and 90° was 4% and 2% higher respectively than the 33.74° tilt
angle. Similarly polycrystalline PV module showed 7% and 5% higher efficiency
at 0° and 90° respectively than the 33.74°. Moreover, Fill factor of PV module
at 33.74° tilt angle had the highest value as compared to other
tilt angles. 
Comparative effectiveness of sitagliptin and vildagliptin in the management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus undergoing haemodialysis: an Indian rural tertiary care centre experience
Authors: C. Suthakaran , S. Bhaskaran
Published: June 2018

Background: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease is increasing with diabetic nephropathy as the common underlying cause. Although numerous drugs are being used to improve glycaemic control, evidence in patients with diabetic nephropathy is sparse. The aim of the present was to evaluate the effectiveness of sitagliptin or vildagliptin addition on glycaemic control in patients with T2DM undergoing haemodialysis as part of their routine care in a rural tertiary care setting.Methods: Type 2 diabetic patients on maintenance haemodialysis as part of routine care and whose glycaemia was not controlled adequately and prescribed one of the oral gliptins once daily in addition to existing therapy for a period of 24 weeks were included in the present study. Effectiveness was assessed in terms of glycaemic control as measured by the change over time in glycated haemoglobin. Data analysis included glycated haemoglobin, body weight, serum creatinine, urine albumin creatinine ratio and the occurrence of hypoglycaemia.Results: Significant reduction in glycated haemoglobin values were noted after 24 weeks of therapy with gliptins similar to insulin glargine with a small weight loss. There was an insignificant decrease in the serum creatinine and urine albumin excretion levels after treatment with vildagliptin with Vildagliptin producing a slightly higher decrease but there was no correlation with changes in A1c levels. The overall incidence of adverse experiences was low and generally mild in both groups.Conclusions: In a group of Asian Indian patients with diabetic nephropathy due to T2DM undergoing haemodialysis in whom glycaemia was not controlled adequately, addition of gliptins helped to achieve glycaemic control to a similar extent as insulin glargine but with a marginal weight advantage.
Comparison of therapeutic effects of monotherapy of chlorpromazine, risperidone and their combination in newly diagnosed schizophrenic patients
Authors: Vijaywargia Tarun
Published: June 2018

Background: This study evaluates and compares how negative and positive symptoms of schizophrenia were influenced with monotherapy with a first-generation anti-psychotic medication (Chlorpromazine) and a second generation anti-psychotic medication (Risperidone) and by their combination, both of which are commonly used in clinical psychiatric practice.Methods: It was randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical study performed in Indian newly diagnosed schizophrenic patients in the Department of psychiatry from Feb 2003 to March 2004. Patients 18 (eighteen) patients aged 20 to 60 years diagnosed schizophrenics according to ICD-10 Criteria who visited in outpatient department of psychiatry during study period. Three groups of 6 Patient each, group-1 - was treated with oral Chlorpromazine 100 mg 12 hly, group -2 - was treated with oral Risperidone 2mg 12 hly group 3 -was treated with combination of oral Chlorpromazine 100mg 12 hly + oral Risperidone 2 mg 12 hly. How symptomatology in schizophrenic patients affected, is measured by applying various validated psychiatric scales like Brief psychiatric Rating Score (BPRS), Scale for assessment of positive symptom(SAPS), and Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS).Results: the study showed that the combination therapy of oral Chlorpromazine 100 mg 12 hly + Risperidone 2mg 12 hly had reduced the overall beneficial effects which were achieved with monotherapy of both the drugs.Conclusions: In this study, the therapeutic effects of combination of oral Chlorpromazine 100 mg 12 hly + Risperidone 2 mg 12 hly found to be reduced on positive symptoms and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, assessed on SAPS and SANS scoring scales when compared with beneficial effects which were achieved with monotherapy of both the drugs.
Epidemiology of Tuberculosis in Ardabil Province, 2011-2016
Authors: Amani Firouz , Zakeri Anahita , Sadeghnejad Mahin , Abbasi Vahid , Mohammadshahi Jafar
Published: June 2018

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic bacterial disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis that appears in 85% of cases by pulmonary form. Epidemiologic study of disease during the time can have important rule for evaluation strategy of diseases control and trend of health indices. Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of Tuberculosis in Ardabil province. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted on 797 TB patients who referred to health centers in Ardabil province. Information was collected from patients’ records and then analyzed by statistical methods in SPSS version 19. Results: The average age of patients was 44.3±18.1 (1-91 years). 46% of patients were male and the rest were female. 83% of patients were living in urban and 18% in rural areas. The mean of total incidence of TB in Ardabil province during study years was 10.26 per 100000. From all TB cases, 56.71% was pulmonary and rest was extra-pulmonary. The most common organs involved in extra-pulmonary TB were lymph nodes with 24.21%. Conclusion: More considering to the early known of Pulmonary Tb and starting treatment after confirmation and also considering to the lower age of TB cases, aassessment the barriers to implementation of control, therapeutic and educational programs about TB cases is essential.
A short duration high yielding culture - Barnyard millet ACM 10145
Authors: Vanniarajan C. , Anand G. , Kanchana S. , Arun Giridhari V. Veeranan , Renganathan V. G.
Published: June 2018

A short duration high yielding barnyard millet culture ACM 10145 was developed at the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Agricultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Madurai. The culture inflorescence is pyramidal shape, incurved compact raceme and yield on an average 1700 kg/ha and 2500 kg/ha grain under rain-fed and irrigated condition which was 22 % and 17.6 % improved yield over VL 172 and CO (Kv) 2 respectively.. The grains are yellowish grey, oval and bold in size (1.09 mm) with high iron content (16 mg/100g). The white rice recovery of the milled rice and good taste that well suits the consumer’s preferences and acceptance. The culture recorded the quality and average yield of fodder is also better than local check CO (Kv) 2.