bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complexity from Simple Building Blocks: Engineering Large-scale Information-processing Networks from Molecules
Authors: Benenson Yaakov
Published: June 2016

Complexity in molecular systems can manifest itself either structurally or functionally. One of the more complex functions encountered in the natural world is that of information processing, or computation. Similarly, artificial cells will require this capacity to fully exploit their
potential. Here I review the state of the art in the field, describe our contribution to this challenge in the framework of NCCR Molecular Systems Engineering, and propose an outlook for future efforts.
Surveying the Delivery Methods of CRISPR/Cas9 for ex vivo Mammalian Cell Engineering
Authors: Kelton William J. , Pesch Theresa , Matile Stefan , Reddy Sai T.
Published: June 2016

The simplicity of the CRISPR/Cas9 technology has been transformative in making targeted genome editing accessible for laboratories around the world. However, due to the sheer volume of literature generated in the past five years, determining the best format and delivery method of CRISPR/Cas9
components can be challenging. Here, we provide a brief overview of the progress that has been made in the ex vivo genome editing of mammalian cells and summarize the key advances made for improving efficiency and delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 in DNA, RNA, and protein form. In particular,
we highlight the delivery of Cas9 components to human cells for advanced genome editing applications such as large gene insertion.
On the Brink of Shifting Paradigms, Molecular Systems Engineering Ethics Needs to Take a Proactive Approach
Authors: Heidari Raheleh , Elger Bernice S. , Stutzki Ralf
Published: June 2016

Molecular Systems Engineering (MSE) is a paradigm shift in both engineering and life sciences. While the field is still in its infancy the perspectives of MSE in revolutionising technology is promising. MSE will offer a wide range of applications in clinical, biotechnological and engineering
fields while simultaneously posing serious questions on the ethical and societal aspects of such technology. The moral and societal aspects of MSE need systematic investigation from scientific and social perspectives. In a democratic setting, the societal outcomes of MSE's cutting-edge technology
need to be consulted and influenced by society itself. For this purpose MSE needs inclusive public engagement strategies that bring together the public, ethicists, scientists and policy makers for optimum flow of information that maximizes the impact of public engagement. In this report we
present an MSE consortium and its ethics framework for establishing a proactive approach in the study of the ethics of MSE technology.
Harvest of female moose at high density: modelling the impacts of harvest on population size and biomass yield
Authors: Doak Patricia , Carroll Cameron J. , Kielland Knut
Published: June 2016

Management of harvested mooseAlces alcespopulations at or above ecological carry capacity risks habitat degradation, nutritional limitation, and increased population vulnerability during severe winters. Selective female harvests have the potential to curb population growth while providing hunting opportunities. Using a female‐only, stage‐structured population model parameterized from an Interior Alaska moose population, we examined numbers of harvested individuals and biomass yield associated with reducing a population from 14 500 to 10 000 individuals over 3, 5 and 8 years. We compared harvest of cow—calf pairs versus unaccompanied females. The higher potential for adult female survival compared with calf survival to impact population growth rate resulted in higher yields from cow—calf harvests. Achieving the population objective required the mean annual harvest of 889, 626 and 477 cow—calf pairs or 1161, 805 and 605 unaccompanied females, for the three harvest durations, respectively. Over a five‐year period, cow—calf harvests yielded approximately 56% more individuals and 17% greater biomass, an estimated difference of 130 metric tonnes. The two harvest scenarios resulted in similar stage distributions and population growth rates following the termination of harvest. While the cow—calf harvests can provide higher yields, they also require substantially higher hunter effort to achieve population objectives. The harvest of unaccompanied females will result in greater population reduction per individual harvested and will therefore be the preferable strategy when hunter effort is limited. In addition, the large harvest numbers necessary to achieve the modelled management goal, suggest that some moose populations may escape the range where they can be easily be controlled through female harvest, especially when harvest is limited by hunter interest or access.
Dynamic group size and displacement as avoidance strategies by eiders in response to hunting
Authors: Laursen Karsten , M⊘ller Anders Pape , Holm Thomas Eske
Published: June 2016

Hunting by humans constitutes a major source of mortality that selects for avoidance strategies. Group formation in eiders Somateria mollissima in response to hunting from motorboats was studied in the Danish Wadden Sea as an avoidance strategy to humans. In autumn the birds' food demand and energy consumption are relatively low and the need for optimal feeding opportunities are not as essential as during winter. We tested the hypothesis that eiders aggregate in groups of variable size dependent on predation risk (hunting), season and site. During autumn at the preferred feeding sites eiders occur in small numbers and group size increase together with hunting activity. Opposite during winter, eiders occur in large numbers and group size decrease when hunting activity increase. Hunting activity displaced eiders to adjacent sites with no or low hunting intensity and low food availability where group size of eiders increase during both autumn and winter in relation to the overall hunting activity. The formation into larger groups when hunting activity increase is probably due to increasing effects of vigilance and dilution, whereas formation into smaller groups is assumed to reduce the eiders conspicuousness to hunters. This change in group size made it possible for eiders to forage in areas with high food availability and high hunting intensity, while minimizing the risk of being detected by hunters. When the largest numbers of hunters were present at the preferred feeding site, group sizes during both autumn and winter were 110–125 eiders, indicating an optimal group size in relation to hunting density. Eiders located outside preferred feeding sites were in poorer body condition, suggesting that displacement was a suboptimal decision caused by hunting. We conclude that eiders adopted regrouping and displacement as two different strategies during hunting. Both strategies are tradeoffs between the risks of being detected by hunters and killed, and the benefits of feeding on mussel stocks thereby increasing body condition and hence fitness.
Public Opinion towards Cannabis Control in Ontario: Strong but Diversified Support for Reforming Control of Both Use and Supply
Authors: Fischer Benedikt , Ialomiteanu Anca R. , Russell Cayley , Rehm Jürgen , Mann Robert E.
Published: June 2016

In Canada, cannabis control has long been controversially debated, yet recreational cannabis use and supply remain criminally prohibited. Recently, there has been an increased “normalization” of cannabis use as well as debates about how cannabis should best be controlled under public health approaches; increasing proportions of Canadians have indicated support for liberalizing cannabis control. The present study is based on the 2014 CAMH Monitor, an annual representative, cross-sectional, telephone interview–based survey of Ontario adults aged 18 years and over. In 2014, the CAMH Monitor assessed public opinion on several items related to the control of recreational cannabis use, production, and distribution among a sample of 2,004 respondents. Results indicate that the majority of Ontario adults support reforming the – currently criminal – control of recreational cannabis use. However, preferences for how this control should be reformed are split between decriminalization with a fine, legalization with mandatory education and/or treatment, and categorical legalization. Further, the strongest support was expressed for production and distribution regimes that are tightly regulated by the state. More liberal preferences regarding control were observed, in some instances, among male and younger respondents. Current public opinion among Ontario adults overall supports liberalizing cannabis control, yet concrete reforms would require choosing among options that are not universally supported by the population.
New Wine and Old Wineskins? Novel Ecosystems and Conceptual Change
Authors: Larson Brendon M. H.
Published: June 2016

The concept of novel ecosystems (CNE) has been proposed as a way to recognize the extent and value of ecosystems that have been irreversibly transformed by human activity. Although the CNE has recently been subject to critique, existing critiques do not appear to seriously engage with the extent of anthropogenic change to the world’s ecosystems. Here, I seek to provide a deeper, philosophical and constructive critique, specifically arguing that the usefulness of the CNE is limited in the following three ways: (1) it is too static, (2) it is too vague, and (3) it is too dualistic. Although the CNE provides some conceptual advance (“new wine”), some of its conceptualization and packaging weakly support this advance (“old wineskins”), so I consider some ways to further develop it, in part to encourage more widespread recognition and appreciation of novel ecosystems.

Co-address: Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Isthmus in the World: Elements for an Environmental History of Panama
Authors: Castro Guillermo H.
Published: June 2016

This article proposes a framework for the study of interactions between human societies and the natural world in the Isthmus of Panama, and the consequences of these interactions over time. It also wants to encourage a new reading of the best-known sources and authors associated with this issue – from the reports of early Spanish travelers to the writings of contemporary specialists such as Dolores Piperno, Richard Cooke, Omar Jaén Suárez, and Alfredo Castillero Calvo –, as well as the adoption of a new perspective on the deep origins of the environmental problems the country faces today. After a general characterization of the Isthmus’ ecoregions, the author proposes a historical periodization reflecting successive human strategies of interaction with the natural world, differentiated in terms of the technologies employed and the corresponding social relations; the expression of these strategies in environmental culture and values; modes of land management; and the impact of all this on the natural world. Special attention is given to the ecological footprint of interoceanic transit from the 16th century onward, and to the search of alternatives allowing more sustainable ways of relating to nature in Panama.
Controlling Nature and Transforming Landscapes in the Early Modern Caribbean
Authors: Hollsten Laura
Published: June 2016

In the seventeenth century, the Caribbean islands were increasingly incorporated into the international trade network, the core of which was constituted by the European colonial powers. The growth of markets and buying power in Europe stimulated investments in sugar plantations. Consequently, sugar cane agriculture in the Caribbean developed into a considerable apparatus, consisting of land, people, animals and buildings. Agricultural methods and techniques, as well as well-organised routines in sugar production, were developed with a view to managing the sugar plantations as efficiently as possible. The results were in many cases deforestation, impoverished soils and erosion. The changes in the landscapes were noticed and commented upon by visitors who wrote travel accounts of the English and French islands. By the end of the seventeenth century, new agricultural methods and techniques had been developed, based on the growing body of experiences of the sugar planters. The aim of the strict regime on the plantations was to control nature in order to produce sugar as efficiently as possible. In some cases experience taught planters to use resources in a more sustainable manner. The ambition to control nature created the solutions to the problems caused by overexploitation. Conservationist measures were taken to keep the sugar production apparatus in as good a shape as possible.
Environmental History, Traditional Populations, and Paleo-territories in the Brazilian Atlantic Coastal Forest
Authors: de Oliveira Rogério Ribeiro
Published: June 2016

This article examines the long-run anthropogenic factors that have affected the Atlantic Coastal Forest, where human activities was one of the ecological factors that influenced the biome, which formerly covered almost the entire Brazilian coast. The author proposes the concept of “paleo-territories” as part of this analysis of sucessional processes. The expression refers to the spatialization of influences of past ecosystem usage by a specific traditional population or economic cycle. A paleo-territory is the anthropogenic portion of the biotic and abiotic processes that affect the regeneration of forests, in which both the culture and technology of traditional human populations play a determining role. As such, the Atlantic Coastal Forest exhibits ecological attributes that reflect the long history of the co-existence of these populations within the regional ecosystem, and may hence not be a fully “natural” biome. The major impact of humans on the Atlantic Coastal Forest makes it imperative for any study of forest ecology to take account of human activity.
Nationalized Nature on Picture Postcards: Subtexts of Tourism from an Environmental Perspective
Authors: Winiwarter Verena
Published: June 2016

Tourism is an important part of many national economies in Europe and beyond. Tourism imagery is a reflection of national environmental values and national claims upon nature. Postcards are a good example for the use of images in environmental history, and an important medium of tourist discourse. They are designed to sell tourist dreams about landscapes. In some ways, they are very uniform. They depict blue skies, green meadows, mountains, snow, whatever is to be sold as typical to the paying user. This uniformity is paradoxical, as what tourist destinations are striving to sell is their uniqueness. Upon close study, differences are revealed within the uniformity. Cards are full of national symbols and make claims about national natures. National styles of depicting nature have developed alongside increasingly targeted destination marketing. At a recent environmental history conference, a panel asked if nations had a place in environmental history. This paper argues, as did Ted Steinberg in his book on the history of the lawn in the U.S.A., that, for some topics, national boundaries do matter in environmental history. National styles are part of the socio-cultural legacies of different countries. Humans play a special role in picture postcards, being either sold as decorative “natives” to enhance the card’s picturesque appeal, or depicted as model tourists showing the proper use of the landscape portrayed, be it eating shrimp, mountaineering, or boating and fishing. The present paper uses postcards from several European countries to discuss national natures in comparison. The development of statements about national natures over time is interesting, as picture postcards do echo environmental values in different countries. The paper employs picture postcards to show how the environment was and is constructed for tourist use and for purposes of national interest. Postcards transmit environmental values. Since these are also national values, looking at cards reveals what may be a hidden agenda of difference within a politically but not culturally unified Europe.
The Loss of Territorial Efficiency: An Ecological Analysis of Land-Use Changes in Western Mediterranean Agriculture (Vallès County, Catalonia, 1853-2004)
Authors: Marull Joan , Pino Joan , Tello Enric
Published: June 2016

This study introduces a new concept, that of ‘landscape efficiency’, understood as the state in which the economic flows of social metabolism in a land matrix are improved while maintaining the patterns and processes of landscape ecology as healthy as possible. This concept is used to explore the hypothesis that a serious reduction in this efficiency, typified by significant landscape degradation, underlies the increase observed in external inputs and the corresponding loss of energy efficiency that the agrarian system has undergone over the last 150 years. In the present article, a structural and functional analysis of the landscape changes experienced by an area in the Vallès county (Barcelona Metropolitan Area in Catalonia, Spain) is conducted, employing an innovative methodology that combines two indicators taken over from landscape ecology (land cover diversity and ecological fragmentation) with two new socio-ecological indices recently developed by two of the authors of this study (landscape metrics and ecological connectivity). Our results point to an increase in land cover heterogeneity, ecological fragmentation and anthropogenic barriers, as well as to a growth in landscape diversity. All these changes are associated with a substantial reduction in the ecologically functioning areas and the county’s ecological connectivity, and have resulted in a severe loss of landscape functionality and efficiency in the study area. The changes have gone hand-in-hand with a sharp reduction in agrarian energy returns on energy inputs, suggesting the need for a more in-depth cross-disciplinary dialogue between the natural and social sciences to develop, from a common historical background, new criteria and methods to ensure more sustainable types of energy and land-use planning.
A Month in the Life of José Salud, Forester in the Spanish Philippines, July 1882
Authors: Bankoff Greg
Published: June 2016

The discovery of a monthly work schedule for José Salud, a district forester on the island of Panay, provides us with an unique insight into the operations and workings of the Inspección general de Montes, the Spanish colonial forestry service in the Philippines. The records of this agency were mainly lost in fire and war but the fortuitous preservation of a personal report for July 1882 provides us with a tantalising glimpse into the operations and methods of forestry in the archipelago at that time. For one month, we are able to follow an assistant forester on his daily rounds about Capiz and in so doing come to realise how the forest was being transformed from a resource and a refuge into an arena where state management practices and indigenous customary rights competed alongside those who saw trees as nothing more than a commercial enterprise. This paper charts a social and environmental history of scientific forestry during the last decades of the nineteenth century through the lens of one man’s activities. Rather than being separate inquiries, these two perspectives reinforce and complement one another, providing greater insight into both colonial social dynamics and the state of the environment.
Urban Trees and Urban Environmental History in a Latin American City: Belo Horizonte, 1897-1964
Authors: Duarte Regina Horta
Published: June 2016

This article deals with the city of Belo Horizonte, founded in 1897 in south-eastern Brazil, and designed after European models of what would constitute a “civilized” town in terms of sanitation and hygiene. Over the decades, however, its inhabitants have been confronted with challenges and obstacles determined by the specific historical context of Latin America. I focus here on an emblematic event, viz. the cutting down of 350
Ficus benjamina
planted along the principal avenue of Belo Horizonte, just before the 1964 military coup d’état. This decision split the inhabitants and took on emotional, urban, social and, above all, political significance. Rather than restricting myself to an analysis of this case study, I want to use it as a springboard for a discussion on the relationship between nature and society in Latin American urban environments. The case of Belo Horizonte exemplifies how studies of this theme must necessarily take into account the political and historical peculiarities of Latin American societies, and how these societies are enmeshed in transnational networks whose political and social significance is manifested in phenomena such as the acclimatization of ficus trees, the introduction of sparrows, and the attack of thrips.
Ecological and Poverty Impacts of Zimbabwe’s Land Struggles: 1980 to Present
Authors: Kwashirai Vimbai C.
Published: June 2016

Literature on Zimbabwe’s land struggles is dominated by a particular perspective emphasizing the historical rooting of inequitable land distribution and ownership in British colonial rule from 1890 onward. This view is informed by the imperative of redressing a historical injustice wherever British people alienated prime land from, among others, the indigenous Shona, Ndebele and Tonga. The key element in this perspective has been the science of land management, and particularly the protection of wooded areas, the soil and wildlife. The discourse on ecological calamity stresses the harmful consequences of unregulated agriculture, mining and hunting, the threats posed by degradation, and the need to control methods of resource exploitation. This study examines the debates on, and processes of, land reform in Zimbabwe in the independence era (1980-present), exploring the social, economic and political contexts of perceptions of land redistribution and management. Zimbabwe’s major land reform programme was carried out between 2000 and 2002. An estimated 300,000 small-holder farmers were provided with land holdings ranging between 5 and 10 hectares. In addition, land was set aside for 54,000 black commercial farmers. Of the original 5,000 white farmers in 2000, only 600 were estimated to have remained in full production on their farms. Much of this period has been characterised by both local and global debates about land reform and environmental problems, generating in their wake politically charged and emotive argumentations about issues such as poverty, deforestation, soil erosion and threats to wildlife.
Peasant Protest as Environmental Protest. Some cases from the 18th to the 20th century
Authors: González de Molina Manuel , Herrera Antonio , Ortega Santos Antonio , Soto David
Published: June 2016

This article analyzes peasant conflicts from an environmental perspective. First, we show a general theory about the environmental conflicts making a clear differentiation between environmental, environmentalist conflicts and green movements. We realize this differentiation using as criterion the goals of the actors in relation to the sustainability of the agroecosystems and depending on the types of discourses used on the protests. Second, we analyze the peasant use of agroecosystems and the differences between the agricultural systems based on organic energy in contrast with those based on fossil energy. Finally, we try to sort in several types the environmental conflicts of the peasant that took place between 18th and 20th centuries. In this sense, we analyze, using different bibliography, some examples of environmental peasant protests in the Mediterranean Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa. We discuss about conflicts produced around different resources like water, common goods or conflicts against pollution, Land Reform, reactions opposite to environment policies or defence of indigenous territories. These examples show that we have to pay attention to the environmental dimension of the peasant protest in order to understand the conflicts, although sometimes it is mixed with gender and class dimensions.
Netting the Global Forest: Attempts at Influence
Authors: Dargavel John
Published: June 2016

This paper looks at the history of attempts to influence the conservation and management of the world’s forests through the creation of international organisations since the 1890s. The attempts are seen in the context of changes in the world political economy, changes to the forests themselves, and changing ideas about how forests should be conserved and managed. The turning points between stages of increasing organisational complexity were the Second World War, the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment, and the 1992 UN ‘Earth Summit’ Conference on Environment and Development. The numerous organisations and their inter-relationships have created a network of influence that spans the world’s forests in the twenty-first century. It is a phenomenon of globalisation that is regarded as an additional layer to the forms of forest conservation and management.
Pattern of Bacterial Pathogens Causing Urinary Tract Infection and Their Antibiotic Sensitivity: A Tertiary Care Hospital Experience
Authors: Rahman Raziur , Rahim Muhammad Abdur , Afroze Samira Rahat , Mitra Palash , Samad Tabassum , Tareqe Ashfaqe , Ahmed Jamal Uddin , Musa AKM , Afroz Farhana , Haque Hasna Fahmima , Ananna Mehruba Alam , Ahmed AKM Shaheen , Hossain Md Delwar
Published: June 2016

Background and Aims: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common illness. The spectrum of bacteria causing UTI and their antibiotic sensitivity is not uniform. This study was designed to describe the bacteriological spectrum causing UTI and their antibiotic sensitivity.Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in the Department of Internal Medicine, BIRDEM General Hospital from January to June, 2013.Results: Total number of patients was 103 with females predominance (F:M ratio 2:1). Mean age was 57.5 years. Most (91.3%) of the study population were diabetic with poor glycaemic control (mean HbA1c 9.9%). Common symptoms were fever, dysuria, increased urinary frequency, suprapubic pain, vomiting and loin pain. Neutrophilic leukocytosis was common (94.2%). E. coli (79.6%) was the commonest aetiological agent followed by Klebsiella (9.7%), Citrobacter (3.9%), Acinetobacter (1.9%), Enterobacter (1.9%), Enterococcus (1.9%) and Pseudomonas (0.9%). Imipenem (100%), aminoglycosides e.g. amikacin and gentamycin and nitrofurantoin were among the most sensitive antibiotics.Conclusion: E. coli is the commonest organism causing UTI and imipenem, amikacin and nitrofurantoin are the most sensitive antibiotics.Birdem Med J 2015; 5(1): 20-23
Medical Quiz: Single Best Answer (SBA) Vol.5(1)
Authors: Saha Debasish Kumar
Published: June 2016

Abstract not availableBirdem Med J 2015; 5(1): 55
Blood Cholesterol Treatment: The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) Guideline
Authors: Editor The
Published: June 2016

Abstract not availableBirdem Med J 2015; 5(2): 68-72
Glycemic Status of Type 2 Diabetic Patients Treated with Different Single Anti-diabetic Agents
Authors: Shefin Sultana Marufa , Qureshi Nazmul Kabir , Khandker Sazzad Hossain , Afsana Faria , Faruque Omar , Ferdous HS , Pathan Md Faruque , Latif Zafar Ahmed
Published: June 2016

Objective: The study was aimed to describe the patterns of single anti-diabetic agents used by type 2 diabetic patients and their glycemic status during hospital admission.Study design and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in BIRDEM among hospitalized type 2 adult diabetic patients of different ages and both sexes. Data were collected during admission that included detailed history, medical records review, clinical examination and laboratory investigations.Results: Subjects (n=253; 174 female, 79 male) had age (years) as mean ± SD: 55.28 ±13.45 (15- 90 years), BMI (kg/m2) as mean ±SD: 24.67±4.97 and HbA1c (%) as mean ±SD: 10.56±2.98. Use of pre-mixed insulin 90 (35.57%) and split-mixed insulin 70 (27.66%) were more common than other drugs. Glycaemic control was poor in all age groups as evidenced by raised HbA1c, significantly higher in patients <40 years age group. Blood glucose profiles were also high among the all age groups. HbA1c and blood glucose profiles both were high irrespective of type of anti-diabetic agents used during admission. It was also found that patients with increasing age groups were using insulin more frequently. BMI categorization had no significance within treatment groups. (p=0.453).Conclusion: There was no significant difference in blood glucose control among the different single anti-diabetic drug users, that might be due to treatment of diabetes includes medical nutrition therapy with judicious and individualized dietary plan, lifestyle modification, effective exercise plan, and individualized target oriented use of anti-diabetic agents. Along with proper selection of anti-diabetic agents, patients self-management education and disease-specific awareness is essential to achieve good glycemic control.Birdem Med J 2015; 5(2): 92-97
Hyperparathyroidism due to Parathyroid Adenoma with Co-existing Vitamin D Deficiency  A Case Report
Authors: Rahman Md Raziur , Hannan Mohammad Abdul , Afroze Samira Rahat , Shefin Sultana Marufa , Rahim Muhammad Abdur , Uddin Khwaja Nazim
Published: June 2016

Primary hyperparathyroidism is often asymptomatic, may be detected during routine investigations or may present with features of hypercalcaemia. Vitamin D deficiency causing secondary hyperparathyroidism presents with musculoskeletal symptoms. Studies have shown an association between primary hyperparathyroidism and vitamin D deficiency. It has also been observed that when co-exist, these two conditions contribute to each others disease presentation and severity. This case report depicts initial asymptomatic hyperparathyroidism developing symptoms due to co-existing parathyroid adenoma and vitamin D deficiency in a 26-year-old muslim Bangladeshi female who responded well to adequate pre, per and post parathyroidectomy medical managementBirdem Med J 2015; 5(2): 104-106
Ruptured Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm Complicating Infective Endocarditis: A Case Report
Authors: Haque Hasna Fahmima , Afroz Farhana , Afroze Samira Rahat , Amin Gaffar , Musa AKM , Ahmed AKM Shaheen , Rahim Muhammad Abdur , Datta Nandini
Published: June 2016

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is an uncommon cardiac anomaly, usually congenital but may be acquired & rarely ruptures. A 24- year- old male presented with a history of prolonged fever, loss of appetite and significant weight loss along with exertional dyspnoea, palpitation and mild chest pain together with clubbed fingers and toes, mild splenomegaly and a continuous machinery murmur over the left sternal edge with associated thrill. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm with shunt from aorta to right atrium (RA) and vegetation. He was diagnosed as infective endocarditis with rupture of sinus of Valsalva aneurysm and treated with antibiotics and referred to the cardiothoracic surgeon for repair of ruptured SVA.Birdem Med J 2015; 5(1) Supplement: 52-55
Medical Quiz: Images Vol.5
Authors: Samad Tabassum , Haque Hasna Fahmima , Haque Wasim Md Mohosinul
Published: June 2016

Abstract not availableBirdem Med J 2015; 5(1) Supplement: 63
A Case of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma with Nodular Skin Lesions, Third Nerve Palsy and Peripheral Vascular Disease: Can It Be a Case of Angiocentric Lymphoma?
Authors: Rahaman Mohammad Ferdous Ur , Chowdhury Mohammad Mainul Hasan , Bhuiyan AKM Motiur Rahman , Chowdhury MA Jalil
Published: June 2016

Angiocentric lymphoma is a subtype of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, characterized by occlusion of vessels by lymphoid infiltrate. Here, we report a case of biopsy confirmed cutaneous T-cell lymphoma who presented with third cranial nerve palsy, peripheral vascular disease and nodular skin lesions in the right thigh. All these findings of this case can be explained by mechanism of vascular infiltration and tissue destruction in angiocentric lymphoma which is a rare disorder.Birdem Med J 2016; 6(1): 40-42
Anti-Bacterial Activity of Natural Plants on Fish Pathogens Isolated from Different Ponds of Dhaka City
Authors: Das Kamal Kanta , Abedin Ayesha , Noor Rashed
Published: June 2016

In aquaculture, the incidence of bacterial resistance towards synthetic antibiotics has become a serious problem. Therefore, current research has been focused on detecting the presence of pathogenic bacteria in water bodies and finding a novel therapy against pathogens imparted by the natural products replacing the use of synthetic antibiotics. A total of 10 pond water samples were analysed to determine the pathogenic load employing conventional cultural and biochemical tests. Anti-bacterial activities of natural plants on fish pathogens were determined using the agar-well-diffusion method. All the water samples studied high heterotrophic bacteria counts, which were upto 109 cfu/ml. Among bacterial pathogens, Pseudomonas spp. and Vibrio spp. were found to be present in 6 samples and Aeromonas spp. in 2 samples. The in vitro anti-bacterial activity of the herbal plant extracts against the bacterial pathogens revealed that most of the plant extracts are effective against the pathogenic bacterial isolates.Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 31, Number 1-2,June-Dec 2014, pp 9-12
Characterization of Arsenite Resistant Escherichia coli Isolated from Tubewell Water of Singair, Manikganj, Bangladesh
Authors: Sanyal Santonu Kumar , Chakrabarty Ram Prosad , Hossain M Anwar , Sultana Munawar
Published: June 2016

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid present in the natural environment and arsenite is more toxic form than arsenate. Bacterial species have evolved multiple defense mechanisms to tolerate and transform the toxic forms of arsenic. In this study, arsenic contaminated tubewell water (90 meter depth with arsenic concentration of 47 ?g/l) was collected from Singair Upazilla under Manikganj District in Bangladesh. Among a total of 17 arsenite resistant bacteria, a lactose fermenting isolate Sn26 showed high resistance to sodium arsenite up to 25 mM under our laboratory conditions. Sn26 possesses arsB gene conferring arsenite transporter pump mediated arsenic resistance, confirmed by PCR and sequencing. PCR and sequencing of 16S rRNA gene (approximately 1450 bp) confirmed Sn26 isolate as Escherichia coli. The isolate contained a large plasmid of ~34 kb. It is necessary to analyze further the affiliation of this single plasmid with high arsenite tolerance.Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 31, Number 1-2,June-Dec 2014, pp 13-17
Abundance of helminth parasite in Channa striatus (Bloch, 1793) from Punarbhaba and Atrai rivers
Authors: Kundu Sujon , Bhuiyan Aminul I
Published: June 2016

The study was conducted to determine the impact of seasons, host size and sexes on the incidence of helminth community infecting Channa striatus (Bloch, 1793) from Punarbhaba and Atrai rivers of Dinajpur district. Four helminths were identified: one Cestoda, Bothriocephalus cuspidatus (Cooper, 1917); two Nematoda, Ascaridia spp. (Dujardin, 1845) and Camallanus intestinalus (Bashirullah, 1974); one Acanthocephala, Pallisentis ophiocephali (Thapar, 1930). Out of 75 hosts examined 52 were infected by 326 helminth parasites. Nematoda was the most dominant group (48.0%), followed by Acanthocephala (46.67%) and Cestoda (8.0%). The larger hosts were more infected than the smaller ones. A significant positive correlation was observed between the length of the host with respect to the abundance and prevalence of parasite for C. intentinalus and P. ophiocephali. Regarding the effect of seasonal changes, the prevalence of B. cuspidatus (14.81%) and Ascaridia spp. (22.22%) was highest in the rainy season. The highest prevalence of C. intestinalus (73.91%) was observed in winter. The prevalence of P. ophiocephali was high (84.0%) in summer. Except the abundance of B. cuspidatus (p = 0.147) all parasite species, Ascaridia spp. (p = 0.003), C. intestinalus (p < 0.01) and P. ophiocephali (p < 0.01) varied significantly among seasons. Overall prevalence of infection of male and female were 53.8% and 77.6%, respectively. A significant difference in the abundance of the parasite species with respect to host sex was observed only in C. intestinalus (Z = 2.886, p = 0.004).Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 25(1): 39-46, 2016
Effects of Conduction Variation on MHD Natural Convection Flow Along a vertical Flat Plate
Authors: Islam AKM Safiqul , Alim MA , Karim Md Rezaul , Rahman ATM M
Published: June 2016

This paper reports free convection flow along a vertical flat plate with conduction variation on magneto hydrodynamic (MHD) effects. The governing equations with associated boundary conditions reduce to local non-similarity boundary layer equations for this phenomenon are converted to dimensionless forms using a suitable transformation. The transformed non-linear equations are then solved using the implicit finite difference method together with Keller-box technique. Numerical results of the velocity and temperature profiles, skin friction and surface temperature profiles for different values of the magnetic parameter, the Prandtl number and the conduction variation parameters are presented graphically. Detailed discussion is given for the effect of the aforementioned parameters.GANIT J. Bangladesh Math. Soc.Vol. 34 (2014) 63-73
The Tower of Hanoi Problem and its Variants
Authors: Majumdar AAK
Published: June 2016

The Tower of Hanoi is a popular mathematical puzzle, which appeared in 1885. During the past years, the problem has seen many variations. This paper reviews the Tower of Hanoi and its different variants. Some 3-peg variants are given in §2, §3 treats some 4-peg variants, §4 deals with the multi-peg generalization, and §5 gives some open problemsGANIT J. Bangladesh Math. Soc.Vol. 35 (2015) 145-163
Re-emergence of the Death Instinct in Wilhelm Reich's Last Experiment
Authors: Gramantieri Riccardo
Published: June 2016

In 1956 Wilhelm Reich published ‘Re-emergence of Freud's “Death Instinct” as “DOR” Energy’. The scientist reverted to psychoanalysis in what proved to be his last theoretical article, in which he reassessed the Freudian theory of the death drive, the very thesis he had rejected in the 1930s, and whose rejection had made him unpopular with the psychoanalytic movement. In that article, not only did Reich intend to pay homage to his old master Sigmund Freud, but also to partly revise his theories on the Eros-Thanatos instinct duality. After summarizing his own theories on the OR orgone life energy and its DOR negative equivalent, and continuing to claim that there was no clinical evidence to support the death instinct, Reich cautiously stated that Freud had had his legitimate reasons to classify that duality: the libido and the death instinct would actually be the psychological correlates of physical phenomena that he was able to observe both in the neurotics’ character armour and in the weather phenomena and climatic events affecting the environment.
Fuzzy Case-Based Reasoning System
Authors: Lu Jing , Bai Dingling , Zhang Ning , Yu Tiantian , Zhang Xiakun
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we propose a fuzzy case-based reasoning system, using a case-based reasoning (CBR) system that learns from experience to solve problems. Different from a traditional case-based reasoning system that uses crisp cases, our system works with fuzzy ones. Specifically, we change a crisp case into a fuzzy one by fuzzifying each crisp case element (feature), according to the maximum degree principle. Thus, we add the “vague” concept into a case-based reasoning system. It is these somewhat vague inputs that make the outcomes of the prediction more meaningful and accurate, which illustrates that it is not necessarily helpful when we always create accurate predictive relations through crisp cases. Finally, we prove this and apply this model to practical weather forecasting, and experiments show that using fuzzy cases can make some prediction results more accurate than using crisp cases.
Aberrant Glycosylation of Anchor-Optimized MUC1 Peptides Can Enhance Antigen Binding Affinity and Reverse Tolerance to Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes
Authors: Pathangey Latha , Lakshminarayanan Vani , Suman Vera , Pockaj Barbara , Mukherjee Pinku , Gendler Sandra
Published: June 2016

Cancer vaccines have often failed to live up to their promise, although recent results with checkpoint inhibitors are reviving hopes that they will soon fulfill their promise. Although mutation-specific vaccines are under development, there is still high interest in an off-the-shelf vaccine to a ubiquitous antigen, such as MUC1, which is aberrantly expressed on most solid and many hematological tumors, including more than 90% of breast carcinomas. Clinical trials for MUC1 have shown variable success, likely because of immunological tolerance to a self-antigen and to poor immunogenicity of tandem repeat peptides. We hypothesized that MUC1 peptides could be optimized, relying on heteroclitic optimizations of potential anchor amino acids with and without tumor-specific glycosylation of the peptides. We have identified novel MUC1 class I peptides that bind to HLA-A*0201 molecules with significantly higher affinity and function than the native MUC1 peptides. These peptides elicited CTLs from normal donors, as well as breast cancer patients, which were highly effective in killing MUC1-expressing MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Each peptide elicited lytic responses in greater than 6/8 of normal individuals and 3/3 breast cancer patients. The CTLs generated against the glycosylated-anchor modified peptides cross reacted with the native MUC1 peptide, STAPPVHNV, suggesting these analog peptides may offer substantial improvement in the design of epitope-based vaccines.
Optimizing the Detection of Circulating Markers to Aid in Early Lung Cancer Detection
Authors: Murlidhar Vasudha , Ramnath Nithya , Nagrath Sunitha , Reddy Rishindra
Published: June 2016

Improving early detection of lung cancer is critical to improving lung cancer survival. Studies have shown that computerized tomography (CT) screening can reduce mortality from lung cancer, but this involves risks of radiation exposure and can identify non-cancer lung nodules that lead to unnecessary interventions for some. There is a critical need to develop alternative, less invasive methods to identify patients who have early-stage lung cancer. The detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a promising area of research, but current technology is limited by a low yield of CTCs. Alternate studies are investigating circulating nucleic acids and proteins as possible tumor markers. It is critical to develop innovative methods for early lung cancer detection that may include CTCs or other markers that are low-risk and low-cost, yet specific and sensitive, to facilitate improved survival by diagnosing the disease when it is surgically curable.
The Performance of Electron-Mediator Modified Activated Carbon as Anode for Direct Glucose Alkaline Fuel Cell
Authors: Li Zi , Liu Xianhua , Liu Peng , Zhang Pingping
Published: June 2016

Six different electron mediators were immobilized on the activated carbon (AC) anode and their effects on performance of a direct glucose alkaline fuel cell were explored. 2-hydroxy-1, 4-naphthoquinone (NQ), methyl viologen (MV), neutral red (NR), methylene blue (MB), 1, 5-dichloroanthraquinone (DA) and anthraquinone (AQ) were doped in activated carbon (AC), respectively, and pressed on nickel foam to fabricate the anodes. NQ shows comparable performance with MV, but with much lower cost and environmental impact. With NQ-AC anode, the fuel cell attained a peak power density of 16.10 Wm−2, peak current density of 48.09 Am−2, and open circuit voltage of 0.76 V under the condition of 1 M glucose, 3 M KOH, and ambient temperature. Polarization curve, EIS and Tafel measurements were also conducted to explore the mechanism of performance enhancement. The high performance is likely due to the enhanced charge transfer and more reactive sites provided on the anode.
Performance Analysis of a Reciprocating Piston Expander and a Plate Type Exhaust Gas Recirculation Boiler in a Water-Based Rankine Cycle for Heat Recovery from a Heavy Duty Diesel Engine
Authors: Latz Gunnar , Erlandsson Olof , Skåre Thomas , Contet Arnaud , Andersson Sven , Munch Karin
Published: June 2016

The exhaust gas in an internal combustion engine provides favorable conditions for a waste-heat recovery (WHR) system. The highest potential is achieved by the Rankine cycle as a heat recovery technology. There are only few experimental studies that investigate full-scale systems using water-based working fluids and their effects on the performance and operation of a Rankine cycle heat recovery system. This paper discusses experimental results and practical challenges with a WHR system when utilizing heat from the exhaust gas recirculation system of a truck engine. The results showed that the boiler’s pinch point necessitated trade-offs between maintaining adequate boiling pressure while achieving acceptable cooling of the EGR and superheating of the water. The expander used in the system had a geometric compression ratio of 21 together with a steam outlet timing that caused high re-compression. Inlet pressures of up to 30 bar were therefore required for a stable expander power output. Such high pressures increased the pump power, and reduced the EGR cooling in the boiler because of pinch-point effects. Simulations indicated that reducing the expander’s compression ratio from 21 to 13 would allow 30% lower steam supply pressures without adversely affecting the expander’s power output.
Design, Simulation and Experimental Investigation of a Solar System Based on PV Panels and PVT Collectors
Authors: Buonomano Annamaria , Calise Francesco , Vicidomini Maria
Published: June 2016

This paper presents numerical and experimental analyses aimed at evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) collectors. An experimental setup was purposely designed and constructed in order to compare the electrical performance of a PVT solar field with the one achieved by an identical solar field consisting of conventional photovoltaic (PV) panels. The experimental analysis also aims at evaluating the potential advantages of PVT vs. PV in terms of enhancement of electrical efficiency and thermal energy production. The installed experimental set-up includes four flat polycrystalline silicon PV panels and four flat unglazed polycrystalline silicon PVT collectors. The total electrical power and area of the solar field are 2 kWe and 13 m2, respectively. The experimental set-up is currently installed at the company AV Project Ltd., located in Avellino (Italy). This study also analyzes the system from a numerical point of view, including a thermo-economic dynamic simulation model for the design and the assessment of energy performance and economic profitability of the solar systems consisting of glazed PVT and PV collectors. The experimental setup was modelled and partly simulated in TRNSYS environment. The simulation model was useful to analyze efficiencies and temperatures reached by such solar technologies, by taking into account the reference technology of PVTs (consisting of glazed collectors) as well as to compare the numerical data obtained by dynamic simulations with the gathered experimental results for the PV technology. The numerical analysis shows that the PVT global efficiency is about 26%. Conversely, from the experimental point of view, the average thermal efficiency of PVT collectors is around 13% and the electrical efficiencies of both technologies are almost coincident and equal to 15%.