bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel and versatile solid-state chemiluminescence sensor based on TiO2-Ru(bpy)32+ nanoparticles for pharmaceutical drugs detection
Authors: Al-Hetlani Entesar , Amin Mohamed O. , Madkour Metwally
Published: January 2018

This work describes a novel and versatile solid-state chemiluminescence sensor for analyte detection using TiO2-Ru(bpy)32+-Ce(IV). Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization, optimization and application of a new type of hybrid nanoparticles (NPs). Mesoporous TiO2-Ru(bpy)32+ NPs were prepared using a modified sol-gel method by incorporating Ru(bpy)32+ into the initial reaction mixture at various concentrations. The resultant bright orange precipitate was characterized via transmission electron microscopy, N2 sorpometry, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES), Raman and UV-Vis spectroscopy techniques. The concentration of Ru(bpy)32+ complex in the NPs was quantified using ICP-OES, and its chemiluminescence (CL) response was measured and compared with the same concentration in the liquid phase using oxalate as model analyte. The results showed that this type of hybrid material exhibited a higher CL signal compared with the liquid phase due to the enlarged surface area of the hybrid NPs (~149.6 m2/g). The amount of TiO2-Ru(bpy)32+ NPs and the effect of the analyte flow rate were also investigated to optimize the CL signal. The optimized system was further used to detect oxalate and two pharmaceutical drugs, namely, imipramine and promazine. The linear range for both drugs was 1–100 pm with limits of detection (LOD) of 0.1 and 0.5 pm, respectively. This approach is considered to be simple, low cost and facile and can be applied to a wide range of analytes.
Computational insight into magnetic behavior and properties of the transition metal complexes with redox-active ligands: a DFT approach
Authors: Minkin Vladimir I. , Starikov Andrey G. , Starikova Alyona A.
Published: January 2018

Various aspects related to the use of DFT method for the study of magnetic, geometry and energetic properties of transition metal complexes with redox-active ligands are considered. Particular attention is given to the correct choice of model compounds and methodology of the calculations.
Effect of carbon fiber as secondary filler on the electrical, thermal and rheological properties of carbon fiber/polypropylene composites
Authors: Shaikh Hamid M.
Published: January 2018

In this study, hybrid composites based on carbon fiber (CF) and polypropylene (PP) were fabricated by melt mixing techniques. The composite with optimum fiber length (8 mm) was chosen as a reference material, and to it, CF of various lengths (6 mm, 100 μm, 60 μm and 100 nm) were added as secondary filler. To understand the synergism effect of these fibers, electrical, rheological, thermal and morphological properties of composites were studied. The surface resistivity of the neat PP is in the order of 1017 ohm/square. It is observed that surface resistivity of a single fiber filled composite is in the range of 104 ohm/square, while it further decreased by three-fold (101 ohm/square) in the case of secondary fiber filled composites, indicating that the electrical network remains intact. Thermal analysis shows variation in crystallization of hybrid composites that can correlate to the lengths of secondary fibers. The rheological analysis shows that the frequency dependence of storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) in the lower frequency region indicates an elastic solid like behavior of these composites. The morphological behavior showed that the CFs are well dispersed and form a good adhesion with the polymer matrix.
Neurotrophic factors hold promise for the future of Parkinson’s disease treatment: is there a light at the end of the tunnel?
Authors: Nasrolahi Ava , Mahmoudi Javad , Akbarzadeh Abolfazl , Karimipour Mohammad , Sadigh-Eteghad Saeed , Salehi Roya , Farhoudi Mehdi
Published: January 2018

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and is characterized by a spectrum of clinicopathologic signs and a complex etiology. PD results from the degeneration of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the substantia nigra. Current therapies for PD are only able to alleviate symptoms without stopping disease progression. In addition, the available therapeutic strategies do not have long-lasting effects. Furthermore, these therapies cause different ranges of adverse side effects. There is great interest in neurotrophic factors (NTFs) due to their ability to promote the survival of different neural cells. These factors are divided into four families: neurotrophins, neurokines, the glial cell line-derived NTF family of ligands, and the newly recognized cerebral DA NTF/mesencephalic astrocyte-derived NTF family. The protective and therapeutic effects of these factors on DAergic neurons make them suitable for the prevention of progressive cell loss in PD. Based on the above premise, we focus on the protective effects of NTFs, especially CDNF and MANF, on nigrostriatal DAergic neurons in PD.
Quality Management in the Higher Education of the Republic of Moldova as a Framework for University Performance
Authors: Prisacaru Veronica , Litvin Aurelia
Published: January 2018

This investigation is focused on two objectives: 1) explaining the relationship between quality management and performance management in higher education; 2) evaluating the existing quality management systems in the higher education institutions of the Republic of Moldova. In order to accomplish the first objective, a comparative theoretical analysis of the quality management and performance management was carried out in terms of common aspects and distinctive peculiarities. Consequently, it was reasoned that the performance management system of a higher education institution is created and functions on the basis of the quality management system by extending the area of the quality objectives to the level at which they will ensure performance or, in other terms, by moving towards excellence. In order to achieve the second objective, an opinion survey for the teaching and managerial staff from 6 universities was carried out. As a consequence of processing the obtained results, there were identified problems related to the functioning of the quality management systems. The investigation resulted in the formulation of a set of recommendations for the higher education institutions of the Republic of Moldova in order to increase the efficiency of the quality management systems functioning and thus to ensure an efficient management.
Educating for Sustainability: Perspectives and Critical Notes on Accounting Scholars’ Role in Higher Education
Authors: del Baldo Mara , Baldarelli Maria-Gabriella
Published: January 2018

Education for sustainable development represents a relevant issue that allows Universities to lead and respond to social needs towards a more sustainable life and a complete change in the global paradigm of education and involvement of society. A crucial point for developing a culturally sensitive vision is to deepen the scholars’ genuine commitment to sustainability. A pillar of sustainability education should rest on authenticity, intended as coherence between the scholars’ research and teaching arguments relative to sustainability and the concrete behaviors held in their professional and personal spheres of life. Starting from this premise, the papers aims to inquire if there is a decoupling between the concepts scholars contribute to promote within the sustainability discourse and the real practice of sustainability in their personal and professional experience. “Is there a missing link between what scholars teach and study, thereby contributing to sustainability research and their daily choices and style of life?” After having presented the research design and the methodological approach adopted to empirically investigate the phenomenon the attention has been focused on the social and environmental accounting research literature, where some contributions claim for the presence of “blue meanies” that invade the world of scholarship, reflection, collegiality and hinder the development of challenges toward sustainability. The preliminary results of the explorative study suggest that a lot of tension related to education for sustainability improve the transfer of sustainable values and attitudes within the scientific community and the students, while several factors hinder sustainable behaviors in the daily professional and personal life of scholars, thus undermining relationships which are a pillar of sustainability.
Increasing postural deformity trends and body mass index analysis in school-age children
Authors: Kapo Safet , Rađo Izet , Smajlović Nusret , Kovač Siniša , Talović Munir , Doder Ivor , Čović Nedim
Published: January 2018

Introduction

The aim of the study was to analyse the deviations of the body posture and to assess the occurrence of spine deformities. Additionally, Body Mass Index in school children was related to the trend in postural deformities for different age groups (5-8 years old, n=112; 9-11 years old, n=205; 12-14 years old, n=212) as part of the project “Spine Lab”, granted from the European Commission IPA founds, investigating the importance of public health issues.

Methods

Body posture was measured using Contemplas 3D software analyser, based on video image trajectory and BIA weight scale (Tanita BC 420). Overall, 17 variables were assessed, and differences were confirmed using MANOVA analysis.

Results

The results showed that there is a significant difference between age groups for the measured variables (F=9.27; p<0.01; η

Conclusion

The study results showed that there is a negative trend of increasing Body Mass Index within the first and youngest age group. The fact is that the trend of increasing deformity of the shoulder belt has been noted, often inclining towards the formation of milder forms of kyphotic posture. Other forms of deformity that are accentuated in the survey results are the negative trend of increasing pelvic rotation and pelvis rotation which inclines towards the formation of lordotic posture for all three age groups.
The Loss of Grammatical Gender and Case Features Between Old and Early Middle English: Its Impact on Simple Demonstratives and Topic Shift
Authors: Jurczyk Rafał
Published: January 2018

In this paper we examine the relation between the loss of formal gender and Case features on simple demonstratives and the topic shifting property they manifest. The examination period spans between Old English and Early Middle English. While we argue that this loss has important discourse-pragmatic and derivational effects on demonstratives, we also employ the Strong Minimalist Hypothesis approach (Chomsky 2001) and feature valuation, as defined in Pesetsky & Torrego (2007), to display how their syntactic computation and pragmatic properties have come about. To account for the above innovations yielding the Early Middle Englishϸe(‘the’), we first discuss the formal properties of the Old English demonstratives which distinguish number, gender, and Case features. This inflectional variety of forms allows the Old English demonstratives to be used independently and to show the anaphoric and discourse-linking properties of topics. Crucially, the same properties characterise also German and Dutch demonstratives that manifest Case and/or gender morphology overtly, which shows that the syntactic distribution of LIs and their morphological richness should be considered as intertwined. The above properties are then confronted with the determiner system in Early Middle English, whose forms undergo inflectional levelling producing the invariantϸe/ðeform that loses its distributional independence and acquires the article status. The levelling process in question is argued to stimulate the shift of the [+ref/spec] feature from the formal to the semantic pole. This suggests that the Early Middle Englishϸeform no longer counts as an appropriate anaphor in topic shift contexts owing to its indeterminacy of Case, gender, and φ-features, which means that it cannot satisfy the Full Interpretation requirement at the interfaces.
“Dig, What Makes Your Mouth So Big?”: Off-Modern Nostalgia, Symbolic Cannibalism, and Crossing the Border of the Universal Language in Clarence Major’s “The Slave Trade: View from the Middle Passage”
Authors: Kamionowski Jerzy
Published: January 2018

African American literature on the Middle Passage has always challenged white supremacy’s language with its power to define and control. This article demonstrates how the border of such a “Universal Language” is challenged and trespassed in Clarence Major’s ekphrastic poem “The Slave Trade: View from the Middle Passage” in order to communicate – through the implementation of the voice of a disembodied water spirit Mfu – the black perspective on understanding the slave trade and effectively resist the symbolic cannibalism of Western Culture. The trope of antropophagy often appears in Middle Passage poems in the context of (mis)communication (which results in the production of controlling, racist images of blacks) and stands as a sign of Euro-American power to create the historical, hierarchical, racial reality of the Atlantic slave trade in its economic and symbolic dimensions. The strategy implemented by Major in his poetic confrontation with representation of historical slave trade in European and American Fine arts may be classified as “off-modern” (to use Svetlana Boym’s (2001) nomenclature), which immediately places his poem in a “tradition of critical reflection on the modern condition that incorporates nostalgia” as a means of a critical analysis of the heritage and limitations of a given culture. My claim is that the poem’s “off-modern nostalgia” perspective is a version of textualist strategy which Henry Louis Gates (1988) identifies as Signifyin(g). Major/Mfu successfully perforates and destabilizes the assumed objectivity and neutrality of the images of blacks and blackness created and circulated within the realm of the visual arts of the dominant Western Culture. In “The Slave Trade: View from the Middle Passage” Signifyin(g) takes the form of what could be called an ekphrastic (re)interpretation of actual works of art and joins in the critique of essentialist views often associated with understanding of meaning.
Method for Determining Volumetric Efficiency and Its Experimental Validation
Authors: Ambrozik Andrzej , Kurczyński Dariusz , Łagowski Piotr
Published: January 2018

Modern means of transport are basically powered by piston internal combustion engines. Increasingly rigorous demands are placed on IC engines in order to minimise the detrimental impact they have on the natural environment. That stimulates the development of research on piston internal combustion engines. The research involves experimental and theoretical investigations carried out using computer technologies. While being filled, the cylinder is considered to be an open thermodynamic system, in which non-stationary processes occur. To make calculations of thermodynamic parameters of the engine operating cycle, based on the comparison of cycles, it is necessary to know the mean constant value of cylinder pressure throughout this process. Because of the character of in-cylinder pressure pattern and difficulties in pressure experimental determination, in the present paper, a novel method for the determination of this quantity was presented. In the new approach, the iteration method was used. In the method developed for determining the volumetric efficiency, the following equations were employed: the law of conservation of the amount of substance, the first law of thermodynamics for open system, dependences for changes in the cylinder volume vs. the crankshaft rotation angle, and the state equation. The results of calculations performed with this method were validated by means of experimental investigations carried out for a selected engine at the engine test bench. A satisfactory congruence of computational and experimental results as regards determining the volumetric efficiency was obtained. The method for determining the volumetric efficiency presented in the paper can be used to investigate the processes taking place in the cylinder of an IC engine.
ADS-B Satellite Communication Channel Based on IEEE 802.16 Standard
Authors: Kharchenko Volodymir , Grekhov Andrii , Kondratiuk Vasyl , Nagorna Karina
Published: January 2018

Original models of “Aircraft-Satellite-Ground Station” communication channel based on IEEE 802.16 standard were built by using MATLAB Simulink. The influence of aircraft transmitter nonlinearity for different types of fading in the channel (Rayleigh and Rician) was studied and the possibility of correcting nonlinearity by using pre-distortion was revealed. The impact of space-time diversity (MISO 2 × 1) for different types of fading in channels was investigated. The effect of the Doppler frequency shift on the operation of communication channels was analyzed.
Aerodynamic Research of the Experimental Prototype of the Variable Geometry Wind Turbine
Authors: Urbahs Aleksandrs , Urbaha Margarita , Carjova Kristīne
Published: January 2018

The aim of this research is to develop a vertical rotation axis variable geometry wind turbine (WT). The experimental prototype is being manufactured with the help of CAM (Computer-aided manufacturing) technologies – computer-based preparation of the product manufacturing process. The Institute of Aeronautics of Riga Technical University is using CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines for manufacturing the innovative WT and its components. The aerodynamic research has been done in T-4 wind tunnel at an air flow rate from 5 m/s to 30 m/s. The power increase of the variable geometry WT is a topical issue. Installation of such WTs in wind farms is possible and is subject to further research.
Some Theoretical Aspects of the Air Traffic Controller Training Group Formation, in Accordance to Obtain a Certain Level of Professional Qualities
Authors: Andersone Silva , Šestakovs Vladimirs
Published: January 2018

A technique is proposed to enhance the professionally important qualities of air traffic controllers at the stage of training on the basis of training group formation. The methodology is based on cluster analysis. The proposed criteria are based on the measure of the similarity of student qualities.
Wing and Engine Sizing by Using the Matching Plot Technique
Authors: Glīzde Nikolajs
Published: January 2018

The research focuses on the development of an Unmanned Aircraft System. For design purposes, a rather new design method called Systems Engineering Approach is used. Development of the whole system takes much time and effort. This paper contains a concise description of the research on the preliminary development phase of Unmanned Aircraft System air vehicle. The method was first introduced by NASA and later developed by authors of books on aircraft design used for information purposes for design and are mentioned in references. The obtained results are rather realistic and promising for further design process. The method is simple and understandable, and it should be used more often to make it more steady and reliable.
Research achievements in transition: German scholars’ contribution to economic geographies of knowledge, innovation and new technologies
Authors: Fromhold-Eisebith Martina
Published: January 2018

The 2018 Global Conference on Economic Geography in Cologne provides the occasion to take stock of research achievements especially of German geographers in selected fields. This paper reviews, based on a broad range of academic milestone publications, how German scholars have moved forward research frontiers in the field of knowledge, innovation and technology geographies. Which marks did this country’s economic geographers leave on the advancement of conceptual ideas, yet which topics were neglected? And how have they engaged in producing convincing empirical evidence for conceptualized developments? In which ways have German researchers ventured towards informing and supporting effective policies of innovation oriented regional or national development? Conclusively, which qualities can be discerned that specifically mark a ‘German’ approach towards economic geography research on knowledge, innovation and new technologies, telling about strengths and weaknesses with respect to being noticed internationally? Exploring these questions, the paper offers a structured review of exemplary works published in German or English language and points out some distinctive nation-specific features and topical achievements of economic geography research.
Redox reactive (RNC)CuII species stabilized in the solid state via halogen bond with I2
Authors: Bulatova Margarita , Melekhova Anna A. , Novikov Alexander S. , Ivanov Daniil. M. , Bokach Nadezhda A.
Published: January 2018

The crystal structure of [Cu2(μ-O)(μ-I)2(CNXyl)4]·I2 (2·I2) was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The adduct 2·I2 represents the first example of structurally characterized isocyanide-copper(II) complexes. In the structure of 2·I2, 2 forms independent chains connected through molecular iodine via I···I–I···I halogen bonding. The DFT calculations and topological analysis of the electron density distribution within the formalism of Bader’s theory (QTAIM method) were performed for model complex 2·I2 and the obtained results allowed the attribution of these contacts to moderate strength (3.8–5.3 kcal/mol) non-covalent contacts exhibiting some covalent character.
β-Ca11B2Si4O22: six-fold twinning, crystal structure and thermal expansion
Authors: Volkov Sergey N. , Yukhno Valentina A. , Bubnova Rimma S. , Shilovskikh Vladimir V.
Published: January 2018

The low-temperature polymorphβ-Ca11B2Si4O22crystallizes as a monoclinic structure [space group isP21/c,a=14.059(9),b=6.834(5),c=10.597(7) Å,β=100.735(8)°]. The crystal investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction was a twin composed of six individuals. The crystal structure is similar to that of mineral spurrite, Ca5(SiO4)2CO3, and can be described as a framework of [CaO5] and [CaO6] polyhedra, the cavities of which are filled with [SiO4] and [BO3] groups. The orientation relationship of twin domains was investigated by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Thermal expansion was studied by high-temperature X-ray powder diffraction. It is slightly anisotropic:α11=10,α22=16,α33=12×10−6°C−1at 200°C.
Synthesis, IR spectroscopy and crystal structure of [(UO2)2{Be(H2O)2(PO4)2}]·(H2O), the first compound with a trimer beryllophosphate anion
Authors: Dal Bo Fabrice , Aksenov Sergey M. , Hatert Frédéric , Burns Peter C.
Published: January 2018

The first uranyl beryllophosphate, [(UO2)2{Be(H2O)2(PO4)2}]·(H2O), has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions at 200°C. The monoclinic unit-cell parameters are: a=9.3361(1), b=8.8545(4), c=9.6592(10) Å, β=93.211(1)°, V=797.21(6) Å3, space group P2/n, Z=2. The crystal structure has been solved by direct methods and refined to final R
1=4.92% using 1294 I>3σ(I) reflections in the anisotropic approximation. The structure consists of sheets of UrO5 pentagonal bipyramids and PO4 tetrahedra. UrO5 bipyramids are linked by edge-sharing to form infinite chains. Adjacent chains of UrO5 bipyramids are connected by sharing alternating edges of uranyl bipyramids with PO4 tetrahedra. The resulting sheets are based on the well-known uranophane anion-topology. Be atoms are tetrahedrally coordinated by two oxygen atoms of PO4 tetrahedra and two water molecules in the interlayer space. One isolated water molecule also occurs in the interlayer space, where it is held in position by H bonds. The connection between the phosphorus and beryllium tetrahedra leads to formation of an unbranched trimer [BeP2O8(H2O)2]4− observed for the first time in inorganic oxysalts.
Ladders of information: what contributes to the structural complexity of inorganic crystals
Authors: Krivovichev Sergey V.
Published: January 2018

Complexity is one of the important characteristics of crystal structures, which can be measured as the amount of Shannon information per atom or per unit cell. Since complexity may arise due to combination of different factors, herein we suggest a method of ladder diagrams for the analysis of contributions to structural complexity from different crystal-chemical phenomena (topological complexity, superstructures, modularity, hydration state, etc.). The group of minerals and inorganic compounds based upon the batagayite-type [M(TO4)ϕ] layers (M=Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Zn, Co; T=P, As; ϕ=OH, H2O) is used as an example. It is demonstrated that the method allows for the quantitative estimates of various contributions to the complexity of the whole structure.
The incommensurately modulated crystal structure of roshchinite, Cu0.09Ag1.04Pb0.65Sb2.82As0.37S6.08
Authors: Makovicky Emil , Stöger Berthold , Topa Dan
Published: January 2018

The Pb–Ag–Sb sulfide roshchinite, Cu0.09Ag1.04Pb0.65Sb2.82As0.37S6.08, is a lillianite homologue N=4 with a complex incommensurate superstructure in the 8.46 Å direction of the orthorhombic crystal lattice with a 19.0804(1) Å, b 8.4591(2) Å and c 12.9451(3) Å, superspace group Pbcn(0σ
20)00s, q=0.41458(3)b*. A structure solution and refinement in (3+1) superspace, based on 10,019 observed reflections and 437 refined parameters was terminated at Robs (wR) equal to 7.27 (8.07)% using satellites up to second order; Robs is 4.82 for main reflections only. The Pb atoms in trigonal coordination prisms on planes of unit-cell twinning are semiperiodically replaced by antimony. The marginal columns of (311)PbS slabs of the Sb–Ag based structure which is based on PbS-like topology contain Sb, Ag(Cu) and mixed Ag/Sb sites in a complicated sequence. Central portions of the slabs are occupied by Sb–S crankshaft chains, best exposed on the (100)PbS planes, which run diagonally across the slabs. In these planes, in their majority the chains display Sb3S4 form and two opposing orientations, zig-zagging along the [010] direction. Every six chains, a parallel configuration of two chains occurs, but occasionally this interval is reduced to five chains. This, together with related compositional changes in the Pb– and Ag–Sb column, explains the one-dimensionally incommensurate character of roshchinite. Modestly elevated contents of As replacing Sb are the probable reason of modulation and non-commensurability in roshchinite.
The Electronic Structure Signature of the Spin Cross-Over Transition of [Co(dpzca)2]
Authors: Zhang Xin , Mu Sai , Liu Yang , Luo Jian , Zhang Jian , N’Diaye Alpha T. , Enders Axel , Dowben Peter A.
Published: January 2018

The unoccupied electronic structure of the spin crossover molecule cobalt (II) N-(2-pyrazylcarbonyl)-2-pyrazinecarboxamide, [Co(dpzca)2] was investigated, using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and compared with magnetometry (SQUID) measurements. The temperature dependence of the XAS and molecular magnetic susceptibility χmT are in general agreement for [Co(dpzca)2], and consistent with density functional theory (DFT). This agreement of magnetic susceptibility and X-ray absorption spectroscopy provides strong evidence that the changes in magnetic moment can be ascribed to changes in electronic structure. Calculations show the choice of Coulomb correlation energy U has a profound effect on the electronic structure of the low spin state, but has little influence on the electronic structure of the high spin state. In the temperature dependence of the XAS, there is also evidence of an X-ray induced excited state trapping for [Co(dpzca)2] at 15 K.
Effect of Mesoporous Diatomite Particles on the Kinetics of SR&NI ATRP of Styrene and Butyl Acrylate
Authors: Khezri Khezrollah , Ghasemi Moosa , Fazli Yousef
Published: January 2018

Mesoporous diatomite particles were employed to prepare different poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate)/diatomite nanocomposites. Diatomite nanoplatelets were used for in situ copolymerization of styrene and butyl acrylate by SR&NI ATRP to synthesize well-defined poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate) nanocomposites. Nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm is applied to examine surface area and structural characteristics of the diatomite nanoplatelets. Evaluation of pore size distribution and morphological studies were also performed by SEM and TEM. Conversion and molecular weight determinations were carried out using gas and size exclusion chromatography respectively. Addition of 3 wt% pristine mesoporous diatomite nanoplatelets leads to increase of conversion from 73 to 89%. Molecular weight of poly(styrene-co-butyl acrylate) chains increases from 17,115 to 20,343 g·mol−1 by addition of 3 wt% pristine mesoporous diatomite; however, polydispersity index values increases from 1.14 to 1.37. Increasing thermal stability of the nanocomposites is demonstrated by TGA. Differential scanning calorimetry shows an increase in glass transition temperature from 35.26 to 39.61°C by adding 3 wt% of mesoporous diatomite nanoplatelets.
Extraction of K2CO3 from Low Concentration [K+] Solutions with the Aid of CO2: A Study on the Metastable Phase Equilibrium of K2CO3-Na2CO3-H2O Ternary System
Authors: Miao Shiding , He Shuai , Xue Yuli , Nian Hongen , Wang Jian , Zhang Peng , Zhu Fujie , Wen Wanglin
Published: January 2018

Food grade (K2CO3 wt.%>99.0%, GB/T 25588-2010) potassium carbonate (K2CO3) has been extracted from low concentration [K+] solutions of K2CO3-Na2CO3-H2O, which refers to a subsystem of brine water in the Lop Nor Lake in West China. Procedures of the isothermal evaporation, crystallization, CO2 acidification, filtration, and calcination were employed to prepare the K2CO3. This research focuses on the phase study of metastable equilibria between K2CO3-Na2CO3-H2O and KHCO3-NaHCO3-H2O. The solubility, density, conductivity, and pH values were determined. Phase diagrams were plotted at temperatures of 298.2 and 313.2 K. At 298.2 K the ternary system of K2CO3-Na2CO3-H2O was found to have double salts in form of solid solutions Na2CO3·K2CO3·(6–12)H2O, which would hinder the process of getting pure K2CO3 by the means of isothermal evaporation. In this protocol the high-pressure CO2 was charged to the ternary carbonate solution, and the K2CO3-Na2CO3-H2O was moved to bicarbonate system KHCO3-NaHCO3-H2O. This quaternary system is of a simple co-saturation type of diagram, in which a solid solution (KHCO3·NaHCO3) was found to be greatly affected by temperatures. This finding affords efficient separation of KHCO3 from the KHCO3-NaHCO3-H2O solutions.
Addressing Estrangement from Nature with a Night Class in the Forest
Authors: Brenner Jacob C. , Hamilton Jason G. , Stork Anne , Jordan Jed , Drake Tim
Published: January 2018

Young people today spend relatively little time in natural environments, and this can lead to problems when they enter college degree programs in environmental studies or sciences. We designed a field course to reconnect undergraduates with nature through focused exercises in wilderness survival. This course integrates multiple learning domains, with a primary focus on the affective. In this case study, we narrate the story of one exercise deployed in this course, a night class in the forest, which has proven valuable for helping our students develop an affective connection with the natural surroundings. The success of the exercise hinges on careful choreography and the authenticity of the nighttime forest setting. Oral testimonies and written reflections following a daytime return visit reveal profound impacts on students, both in their awareness of the environment around them and their sense of connection to it. This article concludes with several questions to help faculty and students critically consider their own teaching and learning in environmental studies, as well as the potential applicability of these exercises in other academic situations.
Environmental Impact Assessments and Hydraulic Fracturing: Lessons from Two U.S. States
Authors: Aczel Miriam R. , Makuch Karen E.
Published: January 2018

Although the United States has been stimulating well production with hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”)1 since the 1940s [1], high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) combined with horizontal drilling is a relatively recent [2, 3] development with potential to adversely impact human health [4], environment [5], and water resources [6], with uncertainty about impacts and gaps in the data on HVHF compared to conventional drilling techniques [7]. Part of protecting environmental and public health is identifying potential risks before licenses are issued and drilling operations proceed. To this end, two case studies, focusing on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedures of California and New York, are analyzed in this paper. Both states have histories of strong environmental protection law and policy [8–10] and legally require an EIA to be conducted before development of HVHF sites [11, 12], an outgrowth of the 1969 federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). New York State conducted what appears to be a thorough EIA [13] and concluded that as there were too many gaps in the data on HVHF, fracking could not proceed. California’s EIA, which was less extensive, and did not consider health impacts [14], concluded that HVHF could proceed, relatively unabated. A comparison of these cases illustrates that the processes designed to ensure adequate identification, monitoring, and assessment of environmental impacts are prone to differences [15]—an outcome of the fact that laws governing HVHF in the US are not consistent across, nor controlled at, the federal level [16, 17].
Simple and Complex Centromeric Satellites in Drosophila Sibling Species
Authors: Talbert Paul B , Kasinathan Sivakanthan , Henikoff Steven
Published: January 2018

Centromeres are the chromosomal sites of assembly for kinetochores, the protein complexes that attach to spindle fibers and mediate separation of chromosomes to daughter cells in mitosis and meiosis. In most multicellular organisms, centromeres comprise a single specific family of tandem repeats—often 100–400 bp in length—found on every chromosome, typically in one location within heterochromatin. Drosophila melanogaster is unusual in that the heterochromatin contains many families of mostly short (5–12 bp) tandem repeats, none of which appear to be present at all centromeres, and none of which are found only at centromeres. Although centromere sequences from a minichromosome have been identified and candidate centromere sequences have been proposed, the DNA sequences at native Drosophila centromeres remain unknown. Here we use native chromatin immunoprecipitation to identify the centromeric sequences bound by the foundational kinetochore protein cenH3, known in vertebrates as CENP-A. In D. melanogaster, these sequences include a few families of 5- and 10-bp repeats; but in closely related D. simulans, the centromeres comprise more complex repeats. The results suggest that a recent expansion of short repeats has replaced more complex centromeric repeats in D. melanogaster.
Assessment Of The Anxiety, Depression And Coping Strategies In Diagnosed Cancer Patients
Authors: Jose Jincy , Antony Blessy , Ukande Usha
Published: January 2018

Across the world, there are people who suffer from different types of cancers. These patients suffer problems of anxiety and depression as the commonest psychological problems. Therefore, an exploratory study was conducted to assess the anxiety, depression and coping strategies in diagnosed cancer patients in selected hospital of Indore. Samples of 50 patients both males and females were taken for the study using non-probability purposive sampling technique. Assessment of data was done using standardized tools i.e. Hamilton's anxiety scale, Beck's Depression inventory and a set of 5 open ended questionnaire for the patients. Statistical findings revealed that there was no association between the level of anxiety and the socio demographic variables. The findings of the study revealed that majority of the cancer patients suffer from symptoms of anxiety (23 out of 50 patients, 46%) and depression (19 out of 50 patients, 38%) in their daily life. To adapt to these stressful conditions patients can use a wide range of diversional methods or coping strategies. In the study, it was found that patients used different coping strategies like watching television, engaged in spiritual activities and spending time with friends being the commonest methods.
Study On Risk Taking Behavior To HIV/AIDS Among Injecting Drug User's In Easter Region Of Nepal
Authors: B Bhatta , SD Shah , N Koirala
Published: January 2018

Drug abuse is the Universal Problem and Nepal is not the exception. Different study and report have reported high prevalence of HIV/AIDS among the IDUs in Nepal. According to the estimated data, there are eighty thousands drug addicts in Nepal and 50 % of them inject drugs through syringe. In Morang district, there are 1316 reported IDUs and 5000 to 7000 estimated IDUs. To assess the risk talking behavior among IDUs with respect to needle syringe exchange and unprotected sex.Cross sectional study design was applied to study the risk talking behavior among IDUs users in eastern region of Nepal. A non-probability, snowballing sampling technique was adopted. SPSS and Epi-Info was used to analyze the data of the study. Majority of injecting drug users in eastern region were from the age group 21-30 years (62.7 %), unmarried (64.9 %) and living in nuclear family (80 %). Despite of the fact that most of the IDUs were unmarried most of them were sexually active (72.7 %). The study revealed that condom use during sexual intercourse was high(87.5%)the consistent and regular use was low(57.5%). Sharing of syringe and reuse of needle was high among the IDUsi.e.40 % of the respondent. In general the study had revealed that the harm reduction approaches among IDUs were low.The findings suggest that the majority of injecting drug users in eastern region were from the age group 21-30 years, unmarried and living in nuclear family. The study had further highlight that unsafe sex, sharing of syringe and needle and improper cleaning of needle and syringes before sharing is indication of unsafe behavior practices by IDUs. Finally, the study highlighted statistically significant relationship between HIV/AIDS knowledge and uses of condom during sexual intercourse and high rate of syringe sharing among married respondents.
Can Controlled Vestibular Stimulation Delay Brain Aging?
Authors: Sai Sailesh Kumar , Usha Rose , Padmanabha Padmanabha , Abraham Jobby , J K Mukkadan
Published: January 2018

Aging is believed to be a first-order risk factor for most neurodegenerative disorders. Brain changes do not occur to the same extent in all brain regions.7 Men and women may also differ with frontal and temporal lobes most affected in men compared with the hippocampus and parietal lobes in women. The neurotransmitters most often discussed with regard to ageing are dopamine, serotonin and acetyl-choline. Vestibular stimulation modulates the neuro-transmitters which are involved in brain aging and delay aging. Hence we recommend controlled vestibular stimulation to all. This in the need of time to identify the importance of vestibular system and to start translational research in this area.
Premenstrual Symptoms And Academic Performance Among Adolescent Girls
Authors: Padmavathi P. , Raja Sankar S. , Kokilavani N.
Published: January 2018

Premenstrual syndrome is a psychophysiological stress induced disorder. Stress disturbs the balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Changes in heart rate and blood pressure are the most important physiological response following stress.To correlate the premenstrual symptoms and academic performance among adolescent girls. A correlational survey was adopted for the study Setting: Higher secondary school, NamakkalDistrict. 60adolescentgirlsfulfillingtheinclusioncriteriawereselectedbysimplerandomsamplingtechnique.Allparticipantsweregiven a questionnaire to complete; questions were related to Baseline Proforma of adolescent girls, rating scale on the common premenstrual symptoms, Student life stress Inventory, Academic Demand Distress were given 40 minutes to complete the questionnaire. The findings revealed that, there was significantly higher numbers of symptoms perceived 8.46±2.9 follicular and 7.14±2.8, luteal, p=.001 and higher distress (1.25±0.41 follicular and 1.52±0.31 luteal, p=.003) in the follicular phase than in the luteal phase. The academic demand component of academic stress measured daily frequency and distress associated with assignments, papers, projects/presentation and time studying. Within the follicular phase number of assignments due was significantly correlated to symptom perception and distress (.41, .31, respectively) and the number of projects/presentations due was correlated to symptom distress (.29) at p<.05. There were significant correlations between follicular phase symptom perception and distress, and luteal phase symptom distress with academic demand distress. There was significant correlation between premenstrual symptoms and academic performance.
Prevalence Of Low Calorie Intake By Rural Families In Palpa District Of Nepal
Authors: Madhusudan Ghimire , Moushami Ghimire
Published: January 2018

Healthy population is indispensable for national development. Adequate food intake by people is the key determinant to keep up their health. Malnutrition nevertheless remains pervasive in developing countries, undermining people's health, productivity, and often their survival. Food insecurity and hunger remain persistent in Nepal, prevalence of low calories intake by rural family is widespread throughout the country population. Mainly marginalized communities, ethnic group with poor economic status, traditional societies and lower cast people are exposed to food deficit. The cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the prevalence of low calories intake by rural families and its associated determinants in Palpa district of Nepal at 2012. A random sample of 339 families was selected from rural areas (DUMRE, DAMKADA and TELGHA villages) of this district. Data were analyzed by using the SPSS software for Windows (version 16.0). The existence of inadequate food calorie intake among rural families was most common. Most of them were fall under the malnutrition. The study concluded that calorie intake of ethnic group was significantly higher than other group.
Effectiveness Of Topical Application Of Chlorhexidine And Prevailing Practices On Episiotomy Wound Among Postnatal Mothers
Authors: Michael Rincy , N Toppo Soney , Hariharan Varsha
Published: January 2018

Puerperium is a period when the mother experiences intense physical and emotional stress due to exhaustion, anxiety and excitement. Each mother has to adjust to physical changes in her own body due to involution and lactation as well as cope up with the new demands on her time and emotions made by the new born baby. Episiotomy, despite evidences that it is an unnecessary intervention, is one of the most common surgical procedures performed during the second stage of labour, especially in primigravida woman. Thus, a randomized controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of topical application of chlorhexidine and prevailing practices on episiotomy wound among postnatal mothers at selected hospital of Indore was undertaken. True experimental approach with pre test post test research design was adopted. Simple random sampling was taken to select 40 postnatal mothers with episiotomy wound and three days postpartum hospital stay in Choithram Hospital & Research Centre, Indore as per the inclusion criteria. Data was collected with help of questionnaire for socio demographic data and obstetrical data and the wound healing was assessed by REEDA wound healing assessment scale. Samples in the experimental group were applied with chlorhexidine on episiotomy wound and the samples in the control group received routine care with betadine or nadoxin. Post assessment score was taken on third day (evening) by REEDA wound assessment scale. Finding of the study related to effectiveness of chlorhexidine among postnatal mothers in experimental group revealed that there was a significant difference in the healing of episiotomy wound by the application of chlorhexidine among postnatal mothers in experimental group at t19 = 11.40 at the level of p< 0.001. Hence it was inferred that topical application of chlorhexidine on episiotomy wound promotes wound healing.
Medical Student's Perception And Preferences About Peer Physical Examination (PPE)
Authors: H Manjunath , D Venkatesh , R H Taklikar , Vijayanath Vijayanath
Published: January 2018

There is greater emphasis on clinically oriented teaching and early clinical exposure for medical students. There is limitation to practice and perfect the skills on sick patients. Hence, standardized patients are used for practice of clinical skills. However non-availability of trained standardized patients, high cost of employing them poses a challenge to training medical students. The viable alternative is to use the peers for skill training. It can be a potential area of student discomfort or inappropriate behavior by classmates or tutors. Present study assesses the attitude of students towards Peer Physical Examination (PPE). Fifty three third term medical students (23 males and 30 females) were administered a structured and validated questionnaire with 15 questions to assess elements of comfort, professionalism, appropriateness and value of PPE. Students responded to questions using a five-point Likert scale, where 1 = strongly agree, and 5 = strongly disagree.The pattern of response was similar for male and female students. 81.82% were comfortable with PPE for practice of clinical skills. 32.90% were comfortable examining peers of opposite sex. 18.04% felt it was appropriate to perform breast, genital and rectal examinations on peers. 2.17% agreed to volunteer for such examination.Majority of students preferred PPE to standardized patients for practice of clinical skills. PPE was preferred as it provided valuable feedback, better learning experience, and felt examining classmates was comfortable & appropriate. However they felt inappropriate to volunteer or examine breast, inguinal, genital regions of classmate as a part of PPE.
Ectopic Pregnancy, Still A Life Threatening Emergency - A Clinical Study Of 100 Cases
Authors: B Kavitha , L Geetha , T Usha Rani , A Rama Devi , K Madhuri , Y Rama Devi
Published: January 2018

Ectopic pregnancy is still a major challenge & its incidence is on the rise due to changes in lifestyle & advances in medical practice. The objective was to study incidence, clinical presentation, risk factors & management of cases that presented in our hospital over a four -year period. A Prospective study of 100 cases presenting as ectopic pregnancy from 15-1-2010 to 15-1-2014.During this period total of 3176 deliveries & 1347 gynaecological surgeries were recorded. 100 patients had ectopic gestations accounting for 3.1% of all deliveries & 7.4% of gynaecological surgeries. Peak age group was 20-29y in 59cases(59%). Gestational age at presentation was 6-8weeks for most of the cases (62%). 59 cases (59%) were multiparous & 41(41%) were nulliparous. All had symptoms suggestive of ectopic pregnancy (amenorrhea, abdominal pain, giddiness, bleeding pervaginum). Diagnosis was confirmed by urine pregnancy test & USG. Common risk factors present were previous surgery ie LSCS-30(30%), Tubectomy-19(19%); Abortions-32(32%); Infertility-36(36%); PID-16(16%).Out of 100cases, 93 (93%) were ruptured & 7(7%) unruptured. Unruptured cases were treated medically using Methotrexate. Laparotomy was done for ruptured cases. Commonest site of Ectopic was ampulla (60%). Salpingectomy was done for most cases (73%).Although case-fatality has decreased, ruptured Ectopic gestation continues to be a common life-threatening emergency making tubal conservation inapplicable. This is of concern in a society with high premium on child-bearing.