bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of sonographic fetal weight estimation in full-term singleton pregnant women
Authors: Tas Emre Erdem , Kir Edip Alptug , Yilmaz Gamze , Yavuz Ayse Filiz
Published: January 2019

Objectives: To investigate the factors which might influence the sonographic fetal weight estimation (SFWE) accuracy.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted among 949 singleton term pregnant women who delivered at a tertiary center, from January 2017 to December 2017. All participants’ maternal (i.e. parity, age, body mass index and gestational weight gain during pregnancy), fetal sonographic (i.e. fetal presentation, amniotic fluid index, localization of placenta and estimated fetal weight) and neonatal (birth weight and gender) characteristics were recorded. A p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The mean absolute percent error (APE) values of SFWE was 8.2±6.5 percent, and overall failure ratio (APE >10%) was 33%. In failure group, primiparous woman and cephalic presentation fetus were significantly more common compared to accuracy group (55.9% vs.44.8%; p=0.001 and 98% vs. 95.2%; p=0.03, respectively). In contrast, the mean neonatal birth weight (NBW) value was significantly lower in failure group compared to success group (3250±565 gr vs. 3404±410 gr; p=0.001). The correlation between SFWE and NBW was linear, however negative, and significant (p=0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that primiparous woman, cephalic presentation fetus and <3300 gr NBW were independent risk factors for the SFWE failure (relative risks were 1.6, 2.8 and 2.4 respectively, p<0.05).

Conclusion: SFWE has a high correlation with NBW, however it’s accuracy is still unsatisfactory, and depend on many unpredictable and inconsistent factors.

How to cite this:Tas EE, Kir EA, Yilmaz G, Yavuz AF. Accuracy of sonographic fetal weight estimation in full-term singleton pregnant women. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(1):34-38. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.1.373

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
The role of inflammatory markers following Ramadan Fasting
Authors: Mushtaq Rubina , Akram Ambreen , Mushtaq Rehana , Khwaja Sobia , Ahmed Shabbir
Published: January 2019

Objectives: The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of fasting during Ramadan on plasma adiponectin and TNF-α levels.

Methods: This is a cross sectional study, conducted at Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology (FUUAST), Karachi, comprising a total of 55 (50%) females and 55 (50%) males whose ages ranged between 20 and 40 years, and fasted during Ramadan (June-July 2014) were enrolled in the study. Subjects were separated into normal weight, overweight and obese males and females. Anthropometric measurements and Fasting venous blood samples were taken at first and last (29th) day of Ramadan. Plasma adiponectin and TNF-alpha levels were assayed with ELISA kits. All values were calculated and presented as mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM) and by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures. P values < 0.05 were accepted as significant.

Results: Body mass index (BMI) (Kg/m2) in over-weight and obese male subjects exhibited considerable reduction (P<0.05; P<0.05), post Ramadan when compared to their respective pre Ramadan fasting weights. Noticeable and significant reduction was also observed in BMI of obese females (P<0.05). Post Ramadan Overweight Males (P<0.05) and Post Ramadan Obese Males (P<0.001) exhibited significantly elevated plasma adiponectin (μg/mL) values. While plasma adiponectin mean concentration of only obese females were significantly improved at last week of Ramadan (P<0.01). Fasting in Ramadan significantly decreased TNF-α (pg/mL) levels of post obese males and females than Pre-Ramadan-groups (P<0.05; P<0.01) respectively.

Conclusion: The study reports of noticeable changes with Ramadan fasting resulting increase of plasma adiponectin and decrease of TNF-α levels as well as body weight. The study strongly suggests further investigations on larger sample sizes with possible association of dietary restrictions and weight loss on mechanism of enhanced adiponectin and reduced TNF-α in obese and overweight persons who fast on Ramadan pattern.

How to cite this:Mushtaq R, Akram A, Mushtaq R, Khwaja S, Ahmed S. The role of inflammatory markers following Ramadan Fasting. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(1):77-81. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.1.95

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Exposure to nickel from the metal equipment in the gym
Authors: Vinnikov Denis , Tulekov Zhangir , Dushpanova Anar , Romanova Zhanna , Sokolov Aleksandr , Sokolova Valeriya , Nurpeisov Tair
Published: January 2019

It remains unclear whether gym customers are exposed to any nickel from the metal equipment and if the exposure is associated with the duration of contact. Therefore, the aim of this study was to ascertain exposure to nickel measured through nickel concentration in the hair in those exercising in a fitness gym. We enrolled 100 amateur athletes in one of the gyms in Almaty, Kazakhstan (all men, median age 30 (interquartile range (IQR) 10) years), exercising from 2 to 7 days a week for 40 to 180 minutes and their age- and sex-matched controls who did not exercise. All subjects filled in the questionnaires on the exercising patterns, smoking and occupational exposure and then donated 0.25 g of head hair, in which nickel was measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Hair nickel concentration ranged from 0 to 8.5 µg/g with notable left-skewness towards low concentrations in both groups. Hair nickel concentration was not associated with age, smoking or occupation, but was significantly lower in amateur athletes compared to controls (median 0 (IQR 0.5) vs. 0.9 (IQR 1.4) µg/g). More days a week in a gym, longer workout history, longer workout duration or supplements use did not increase the probability of being stratified in a high-exposure subgroup (defined as 75th percentile of hair nickel concentration and higher); however, there were more smokers in a low-exposure group (p<0.05). With the mixed pattern of exposure, gym goers may be unlikely exposed to more nickel from the metal equipment in the gym, however the exposure may depend on the specific alloy composition.
Reading Islamophobia in Hindutva: An Analysis of Narendra Modi's Political Discourse
Authors: Waikar Prashant
Published: January 2019

This article analyzes the narratives of Islamophobia in Hindu Nationalism (Hindutva). Specifically, it analyzes how Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, from the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), articulates Islamophobia in his speeches, interviews, and podcasts. In total, a discourse analysis of 35 such documents has been conducted. Conceptually, this article applies the notion of language-games to understand how Modi articulates Islamophobia. The article contends that while Modi's Islamophobia is executed subtly, it is nonetheless a function of the way in which Hindutva conceives of Muslims as subordinate to Hindus. Two Islamophobic narratives in Modi's political discourse have been mapped out: (1) the erasure of Indian Muslim histories in Modi's economic development agenda, and (2) the characterization of Hinduism as having a taming effect on Islam in India. The article provides a conceptual overview of language-games and a review of how Hindutva defines Hindus and Muslims, before analyzing how Modi articulates Islamophobia. The article concludes by suggesting that a Hindutva-driven Islamophobia may have permeated into the Hindu mainstream.
Muslim Surveillance in Japan: A Narrative Aimed at Trivialization
Authors: Takahashi Saul J.
Published: January 2019

In 2010, it came to light through leaked internal documents that the Japanese police were engaging in sweeping, blanket surveillance of all foreign national Muslims in the country. The police deemed all Muslims to be potential terrorists, surveilled mosques and other establishments, and clandestinely gathered detailed personal information on 72,000 persons. Almost immediately after the leak, a narrative was created by the media and the authorities, whereby Muslims had been subjected to harm through the malicious leaking of their personal information. This narrative recognized the responsibility of the police insofar as they had been unable to adequately secure the information; however, it served to deflect attention from the fundamental human rights issues. This narrative was eventually accepted by the Japanese judiciary, in a judgment with potentially grave consequences for human rights protection in Japan in general.
Muslim Communities of Georgia: Old Problems and New Challenges
Authors: Sanikidze George
Published: January 2019

The aim of the article is to analyze the problems concerning the Muslim minorities in Georgia with a predominant Orthodox Christian majority of population and to discuss the Georgian society's perception of Islam and Muslims in Georgia. After the brief historical survey, the following questions are analyzed: how religion (Islam) affects the national identity of three Muslim groups in Georgia—Ajarians (native Georgians), Azerbaijanis and Kists (descendants of Chechens and Ingush emigrated from the North Caucasus); peculiarities of their religious practices, attitudes to each other and relations with other religious groups (mainly with orthodox Christians), degree of their integration in Georgian society, their international contacts; and activities of Foreign actors (Turkey, Iran and different transnational Muslim organizations) in the country.
Marxism and Its Sinicized Theory as the Guidance of the Chinese Model: The “Two Economic Miracles” of the New China
Authors: Cheng Enfu
Published: January 2019

This article first sets forward the multiple connotations, diversity, and holism of Marxism, with the stress on a correct understanding of the meaning of Sinicized Marxism. Based on objective facts and statistical data, it then explains the two economic miracles now incorporated into the Constitution, namely, the great economic achievements registered under the guidance of Mao Zedong Thought and the still greater economic achievements under the theoretical guidance of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The article then elaborates on the economic component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and the new ideas on productive forces and the economic system. It concludes by pointing out that in the new era, China's economy has attained a “quasi-center” status, and is drawing close to the countries at the “center.” In this process, the idea that Chinese socialism has nothing to do with Marxism is a clearly ungrounded assertion that reflects an inadequate understanding both of Marx's conception of history, and of the challenges facing the Chinese people.
From Classical Market View to Marxian Market View: Reinterpreting the Theory of Market Value
Authors: Ehara Kei
Published: January 2019

This article aims at reconstructing theoretical viewpoint of the market in Marxian economics. We usually assume that the asset of Marxian economics should be the theory of exploitation, which must be proved under the condition of the market equilibrium. In this article, however, we think Marxian economics should provide the whole set of apparatus to criticise capitalism as a social science. To construct Marxian economics as a general social science, we need to develop not only Marxian theory of production but also Marxian theory of market, which can be substituted for the equilibrating theory of market. Here we focus on the theory of market value in Capital Volume III and consider how technological factors affect the market in Marxian terms.
Which Way Forward for Marxist Value Theory? A Rejoinder to Moseley
Authors: Laibman David
Published: January 2019

Fred Moseley's reply to my review essay on his Money and Totality essentially repeats the argument that was criticized at length in that essay. It rests on a grave misinterpretation of my own position and does not achieve its objective: to build upon Marx's work and provide solid foundations for ongoing progress along Marxist lines. The crucial logical incoherence of the argument in Money and Totality remains and is an obstacle to the goal that Moseley and I share: to continue the work begun by Marx and to use that work in the service of progressive social transformation around the world.
Antibacterial activity and sensory properties of Heracleum persicum essential oil, nisin, and Lactobacillus acidophilus against Listeria monocytogenes in cheese
Authors: Ehsani A. , Rezaeiyan A. , Hashemi M. , Aminzare M. , Jannat B. , Afshari A.
Published: January 2019

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial and chemical effect of Heracleum persicum essential oil (EO), nisin, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and their combination against Listeria monocytogenes both in vitro and in Iranian white cheese model. Materials and Methods: Chemical compositions of H. persicum EO were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. After production of Iranian white cheese, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration of EO and nisin and agar spot test of L. acidophilus against L. monocytogenes were evaluated. Results: Hexyl butanoate (25.98%), octyl isobutyrate (17.82%), methyl butyrate (14.37%), and pentyl cyclopropane (12.77%) were the main components of the EO. MIC of the EO against L. monocytogenes was 2.5 mg/mL. Combination of nisin (5.3 IU/mL) and H. persicum EO (2500 μg/mL) showed increasing effect against L. monocytogenes (fractional inhibitory concentration = 0.9), while a higher concentration of EO and nisin showed undesirable effect on the cheese flavor. Furthermore, a combination of 1012 CFU/g L. acidophilus with H. persicum EO at the concentration of 2.5 mg/mL (T12) showed acceptable sensorial and also antibacterial results in Iranian white cheese. Conclusion: Combination of H. persicum EO, L. acidophilus, and nisin can be recommended as natural preservatives and flavoring agents in cheese.
OUTCOMES OF VERTEBROPLASTY FOR TREATMENT OF PATHOLOGIC VERTEBRAL FRACTURES AND HAEMANGIOMAS
Authors: Aksiks Igors , Vestermanis Viktors , Karklinsh Edmunds , Kupchs Karlis
Published: January 2019

Objective. To compare the intensity of pain-relieving effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) in patients with gemangiomas, osteoporotic vertebral fractures, and malignant metastases. Matherial and Methods. 210 percutaneous vertebroplasties (VP) were performed in 121 patients at the age of 18 to 87 years. Out of them 22 patients had metastases into vertebral body/bodies, 72 patients – osteoporotic fractures, and 27 patients – vertebral haemangiomas with high-grade pain syndrome. The levels of vertebroplasty were between T3 and S1, predominantly (178 cases) from T9 to L4 levels. Significant anatomic abnormalities in seven cases required CT-guidance of the percutaneous vertebroplasty. Pain syndrome intensity before and after PV was assessed by visualanalogue scale. Results. Percutaneous vertebroplasty resulted in significant pain relief in all patients. One hundred-and-one patients reported full satisfaction with treatment, 17 patients – partial satisfaction, and 3 patients were not satisfied. Vertebroplasty complicated by cement leakage into the spinal canal in two patients with multiple myeloma. One patient with osteoporotic fractures has developed L5 radiculopathy after four-level PV, which was eliminated in 5 days. Three patients had transient complications. Conclusion. The achieved results confirm a high painrelieving efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty. A choice of vertebroplasy technique depends on a nature of pathology and peculiarities of vertebral anatomy. Application of cement based on calcium phosphate, bioceramic and bone morphogenetic proteins improves the long-term outcomes of percutaneous vertebroplasty.
COMBINED ANTERIOR FUSION FOR CERVICAL SPINE INJURY
Authors: Matveyev Andrey Nikolayevich , Glukhikh Dmitry Leonidovich
Published: January 2019

Objective. Substantiation of combined fixation utilizing anterior cervical plates and porous implants for unstable cervical spine injury. Material and Methods. Sixty-five patients (mean age of 31.3 years) were operated on for complicated and noncomplicated cervical spine injuries. Out of them there were 53 (81.5 %) men and 12 (18.5 %) women. Patients were grouped according to mechanisms of injury and terms of admission to the hospital. Isolated interbody fusion or combined fusion with anterior plate was performed depending on the degree of instability. Outcome assessment included a dynamics of neurologic regression, reconstruction of a spine axis (according to X-ray and CT data), and in some cases the spinal cord was assessed with CT and MRI. Results. Complete spinal cord injury resulted in death of 5 patients despite complete decompression and rigid fixation of the injured segment, at discharge 14 patients had neurologic status of type A (ASIA scale), and 4 patients moved to type B. Patients with incomplete spinal cord injury demonstrated the following outcomes: in group of patients with type B neurologic deterioration 4 patients improved to type C and 2 – to type D; in type C group 5 patients improved to type D and 5 – to type E; in type D group 5 patients improved to type E. Conclusion. Combination of interbody fusion with anterior plate fixation significantly augments the reliability of fixation, permitting to avoid external immobilization and to activate patients earlier, which finally improves neurologic prognosis and provides favorable conditions for bone-metal block formation.
EVALUATION OF PECULIARITIES OF SPINAL BLOOD CIRCULATION, SPINAL ARACHNOID MICROCIRCULATION AND NEUROVEGETATIVE REGULATIONS IN SCOLIOSIS
Authors: Mironov Sergey Pavlovich , Vetrile Stepan Timofeyevich , Natsvlishvili Zurab Georgyevich , Morozov Aleksandr Konstantinovich , Krupatkin Aleksandr Ilyich , Kuleshov Aleksandr Alekseyevich , Khokhrikov Gennady Igorevich , Vetrile Marchel Stepanovich
Published: January 2019

Objective. To study aorta topography, spinal cord blood circulation, and spinal arachnoid microcirculation, as well as to evaluate thermographically microcirculation in soft tissues of the back and peculiarities of its neurovegetative regulation in scoliotic spine deformity. Material and Methods. Seventy four angiographies have been performed in 69 patients with scoliosis. In 21 patients laser doppler flowmetry was used intraoperatively to study spinal arachnoid microcirculation in red and infrared spectra before and after deformity correction. In 26 patients microcirculation and trophism of soft tissues of the back was studied in pre- and postoperative period. Results. Angiographic data show that in severe and extremely severe scoliosis the shape of aorta, but not its diameter, is changed. Examination of patients with secondary kyphoscoliosis showed a system of posterior arteries that was not visualized in patients with dysplastic scoliosis. Study of microcirculation in spinal arachnoid revealed that correction of relatively light scoliosis with CDI system improved the indices of microcirculation. In extremely severe scoliosis there is a tendency towards blood circulation disturbance in deeper layers of the arachnoid. Normalization of vegetative segmental regulation takes place in 2/3 of patients within a postoperative period. Conclusion. Spinal blood supply system in patients with scoliosis is a self-regulating mechanism of hemodynamic interactions, the compensation degree of which depends on localization of afferent spinal arteries, deformation of vertebral canal and permeability of anterior spinal artery system.
DIFFERENTIAL SURGICAL TREATMENT OF CERVICAL SPINE STENOSIS
Authors: Gushcha Artyom Olegovich , Shevelev Ivan Nikolayevich , Shakhnovich Aleksandr Romanovich , Safronov Vadim Aleksandrovich , Arestov Sergey Olegovich
Published: January 2019

Objectives. To determine the efficacy of various procedures of precise differentiated surgical decompression for elimination of prevailing clinical manifestations of degenerative stenosis depending on a character and localization of morphological changes (degenerative or posttraumatic) in the cervical spine, the expediency and necessity of application of various fixation and stabilization techniques. Material and Methods. Eighteen patients included in the study were examined for degenerative stenosis in the cervical spine. All of them underwent decompressive surgery. International representative scales were used to estimate results depending on basic clinical syndrome. Results. The increase in latency and central sensory conduction time (according to somatosensory evoked potentials data) indicates that ischemic compression lesion is mainly caused by dorsal compression. In this case a laminectomy according to Hirabayashi was performed. The increase in central motor latency time (according to central transcranial magnetic stimulation) greater by 30 % than a norm indicates that ischemic lesion is caused by anterior vertebral artery compression. In this case a corporectomy was performed. Conclusion. Compression lesions in cervical spine stenosis have local ischemic character and correspond to blood supply basin of compromised spinal or segmental artery. There is a correlation of ischemic compression focus localization with a character of electrophysiological conduction and responses. Differential character of surgical decompression provides observation of minimal invasive principles and better neurological restoration of patients.
Development of successive cambia and structure of the secondary xylem in some members of the family Amaranthaceae
Authors: Shelke Ravindra A. , Ramoliya Dhara G , Gondaliya Amit D , Rajput Kishore S.
Published: January 2019

Young stems of Aerva javanica (Burm.f.) Juss. ex Schult., A. lanata (L.) Juss. ex Schult, A. monsonia Mart., A. sanguinolenta (L.) Blume, Alternanthera bettzickiana (Regel) G. Nicholson, A. philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb., Gomphrena celosioides Mart., G. globosa L. and Telanthera ficoidea (L.) Moq., showed the renewal of small sectors of cambium by replacing with new segments. Therefore, the secondary phloem formed by earlier cambial segments form isolated islands of phloem enclosed within conjunctive tissues became embedded in the secondary xylem. As the stem grows older, complete ring of cambium is renewed; sometimes an anastomosing network of successive cambia may be seen due to the renewal of larger segments of the cambium. Renewal of the cambium takes place by repeated periclinal division in the parenchyma cells positioned outside to the phloem formed by the previous cambium. Functionally the cambium is bidirectional and exclusively composed of fusiform cambial cells. Differentiation of conducting elements of the secondary xylem and phloem remains restricted to the certain cambial cells while rest of the segments exclusively produce conjunctive cells. Accumulation of starch along with the presence of nuclei in the xylem fibers even after deposition of the secondary wall is consistent in all the species and it seems to be associated with the absence of rays in the secondary xylem and phloem of nine species from four genera. The significance of successive cambia, rayless xylem and nucleated xylem fibers were correlated with plant habit.
Novel strategies for clinical investigation and biomarker discovery: a guide to applied metabolomics
Authors: Carneiro Gabriel , Radcenco Andres Lopez , Evaristo Joseph , Monnerat Gustavo
Published: January 2019

Metabolomics is an emerging technology that is increasing both in basic science and in human applications, providing a physiological snapshot. It has been highlighted as one of the most wide ranging and reliable tools for the investigation of physiological status, the discovery of new biomarkers and the analysis of metabolic pathways. Metabolomics uses innovative mass spectrometry (MS) allied to chromatography or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The recent advances in bioinformatics, databases and statistics, have provided a unique perception of metabolites interaction and the dynamics of metabolic pathways at a system level. In this context, several studies have applied metabolomics in physiology- and disease-related works. The application of metabolomics includes, physiological and metabolic evaluation/monitoring, individual response to different exercise, nutritional interventions, pathological processes, responses to pharmacological interventions, biomarker discovery and monitoring for distinct aspects, such as: physiological capacity, fatigue/recovery and aging among other applications. For metabolomic analyses, despite huge improvements in the field, several complex methodological steps must be taken into consideration. In this regard, the present article aims to summarize the novel aspects of metabolomics and provide a guide for metabolomics for professionals related to physiologist and medical applications.
Imagination as a key factor in LMLS in transnational families
Authors: Wei Li , Hua Zhu
Published: January 2019

This article argues that imagination plays a key role in whether and how members of transnational families individually and collectively maintain or relinquish their heritage languages and adopt other languages as part of their multilingual repertoires. Imagination is defined here as the vision of where and what one might be or become at some future point in time. We base our argument on linguistic ethnography over two decades with transnational families of Chinese ethnic origin in the UK. Families that seem to have kept their heritage languages and families that have given them up were invited to talk about where, what and how they would see themselves in ten years’ time, and a selection of them are subsequently interviewed and observed after the ten-year period. Their responses are analysed in terms of their constructed experiences, environments and visions of the future; their perceptions and imaginations of different places and cultures; key moments in re-evaluation, or re-imagining, that led to major behavioural changes; and self-evaluation of their imaginations. Particular attention is given to the dynamics of differences and tensions between the imaginations of individuals of the same families, as well as changes to the imaginations over time. Theoretical and methodological implications of studying imagination as a key factor for language maintenance and language shift, and for bilingualism research generally, are discussed.
“Prétendre comme si on connaît pas une autre langue que le swahili”: Multilingual parents in Norway on change and continuity in their family language policies
Authors: Purkarthofer Judith , Steien Guri Bordal
Published: January 2019

In this article, we examine how parents explain their choices of transmitting certain languages to their children, a key element of family language policies (FLP), in light of their dynamic linguistic repertoires and biographic experiences. Contributing to the framework of FLP, we focus in particular on parents’ memories, their narratives of multilingual upbringing in the past, and how these are used to construct present FLP. We analyze conversations where six multilingual parents in Norway talk about their experiences and intentions regarding FLP, and in particular, their reasons for the transmission of (some of their) languages to their children. The parents of three of the families are from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and in three others at least one of the parents migrated from Germany. We find that the parents align their decisions with both prior and new experiences. They relate to their language(s), their past and their current family life, and express the wish for continuity across the lifespan. At the same time, they demonstrate a certain flexibility and willingness to adapt to the constantly changing environments that they and their children experience and in which they navigate. Through their complex accounts, their memories and lived language experiences, we can understand parents’ manifold positions as regards their children’s linguistic repertoires.
A Comprehensive Review on Fiber Bragg Grating and Photodetector in Optical Communication Networks
Authors: Kumar Suresh , Rathee Shiwani , Arora Payal , Sharma Deepak
Published: January 2019

The optical fiber communication offers a huge bandwidth for data transmission at higher data rates but to increase the throughput for long-haul networks, metro data links, and data centers, additional fiber is required which is not economical. For effective reception of signals at the receiver, the photo detector in optical communication requires higher efficiency, lower noise, ultrafast response and optimum received signal strength. The inherent dispersion and nonlinear impairments in optical fiber communication system can be overcome by using the Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) which is a Dispersion Compensating Module. FBG helps to improve the long-haul transmission by providing an efficient system performance. This paper presents a detailed review of FBG and photo detectors and their use in an Optical communication system. This paper will help the researchers to find useful material at a single platform.
Hydrogenation reaction pathways in chemistry of white phosphorus
Authors: Gafurov Zufar N. , Kagilev Alexey A. , Kantyukov Artyom O. , Sinyashin Oleg G. , Yakhvarov Dmitry G.
Published: January 2019

Approaches for preparation of P–H bond containing derivatives directly from white phosphorus are summarized in this microreview. Transfer hydrogenation of P4 involving the activation and reaction of white phosphorus in the coordination sphere of transition metal complexes is a convenient and powerful route to the hydrogenated compounds. Electrochemical methods have also become popular in modern synthetic chemistry; these provide easy access to highly reactive intermediates, which can be selectively generated in situ and used for subsequent synthetic processes. These electrochemical routes provide efficient and environmentally safe methods for preparation of phosphorus derivatives bearing P–H bond. The mechanisms of the proposed processes and the nature of the intermediates formed in the overall electrochemical process are disclosed. The methods elaborated operate under the principals of “green chemistry” and can be considered as efficient alternatives to some classical pathways.
Gamma radiation shielding properties of glasses within the TeO2-TiO2-ZnO system
Authors: Almatari M.
Published: January 2019

Radiations are widely used in hospitals and health services in radiotherapy and molecular imaging using x-ray and gamma radiation which considered as the most penetrating radiations and very difficult to shield. In this study, the radiation shielding properties of different zinc oxide (ZnO) concentrations of the (95-x)TeO2-5TiO2-xZnO (x=5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 40 mol%) glass system was investigated to be introduced as a new transparency effective shielding material. In order to study shielding properties, mass attenuation coefficients in the energy range of 0.015–15 MeV photon energies for the current glass system were calculated using ParShield software. Moreover, half value layer, mean free path and effective atomic number were evaluated using the obtained attenuation coefficient. The results indicated that if ZnO was added to the current glass system the mass attenuation coefficient will be decreased as well as effective atomic number values. The highest mass attenuation coefficient at all energies was found to be in TT5Z5 glass sample as well as the effective atomic number value.
MLML2R: an R package for maximum likelihood estimation of DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation proportions
Authors: Kiihl Samara F. , Martinez-Garrido Maria Jose , Domingo-Relloso Arce , Bermudez Jose , Tellez-Plaza Maria
Published: January 2019

Accurately measuring epigenetic marks such as 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) at the single-nucleotide level, requires combining data from DNA processing methods including traditional (BS), oxidative (oxBS) or Tet-Assisted (TAB) bisulfite conversion. We introduce the R package MLML2R, which provides maximum likelihood estimates (MLE) of 5-mC and 5-hmC proportions. While all other available R packages provide 5-mC and 5-hmC MLEs only for the oxBS+BS combination, MLML2R also provides MLE for TAB combinations. For combinations of any two of the methods, we derived the pool-adjacent-violators algorithm (PAVA) exact constrained MLE in analytical form. For the three methods combination, we implemented both the iterative method by Qu et al. [Qu, J., M. Zhou, Q. Song, E. E. Hong and A. D. Smith (2013): “Mlml: consistent simultaneous estimates of dna methylation and hydroxymethylation,” Bioinformatics, 29, 2645–2646.], and also a novel non iterative approximation using Lagrange multipliers. The newly proposed non iterative solutions greatly decrease computational time, common bottlenecks when processing high-throughput data. The MLML2R package is flexible as it takes as input both, preprocessed intensities from Infinium Methylation arrays and counts from Next Generation Sequencing technologies. The MLML2R package is freely available at https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=MLML2R.
Wittgenstein on Thinking as a Process or an Activity
Authors: Lin Francis Y.
Published: January 2019

In this paper I focus on a major aspect of the later Wittgenstein’s investigation of thinking – his discussion of the idea of thinking as a process or an activity. I shall show that Wittgenstein’s remarks, apart from some concerning the methodology and conception of philosophy, are grammatical remarks, meaning that they describe the use of the word “thinking” and can be agreed to by every competent speaker. I thus show that Wittgenstein’s investigation of thinking is a grammatical one, and hence that there is no inconsistency between his conception of philosophy and his philosophical practice. In the process of doing so, I shall also review previous studies on this topic and point out their deficiencies.
Möchte Chomsky erklären, was Wittgenstein beschreibt?
Authors: Uth Melanie
Published: January 2019

This article examines the relation between the philosophy of language proposed by the later Wittgenstein in his Philosophical Investigations, and his ambition to cure philosophy from the mapping of linguistic expressions to extra-linguistic entities, on the one hand, and Chomsky's statements regarding language, meaning, and thought, and regarding the sense and non-sense of different fields of linguistic research, on the other. After a brief descriptive comparison of both approaches, it is argued that Chomsky's criticism on Wittgenstein's theory of meaning (Chomsky 1974 – 1996), or on Wittgenstein's basic concepts such as e. g. rule-following (Chomsky 2000 onwards), respectively, is (a) unwarranted and (b) caused by a fundamental misconception. Moreover, it is argued that the hypothesis evoked by Grewendorf (1985: 126), according to which „Chomsky would like to explain what Wittgenstein describes“, is misleading since the objects of investigation of Chomsky and Wittgenstein are in complementary distribution one to the other.
Farbe und Raum
Authors: Ertz Timo-Peter
Published: January 2019

In his Remarks on Colour Wittgenstein repeatedly mentions that white glass is necessarily non-transparent. However, Wittgenstein does not provide convincing evidence for this thesis. He touches on several disanalogies between white and coloured glass, but the coherence of these disanalogies is occasionally somewhat overestimated.

Wittgenstein's remarks on transparent white glass appear incomplete and I am not aware of any philosophical works that closes the gaps in his remarks on transparent white. This paper will try to close at least one of these gaps and show to what extent there is a conceptual link between white and non-transparency.
Nonparametric Testing for Unknown Age (UBAL) Class of Life Distribution
Authors: Abu-Youssef S. E. , Ali Nahed S. A. , Bakr M. E.
Published: January 2019

In this article, a test statistic for testing exponentiality versus a used better than aged in Laplace transform ordering class of life distribution based on a U-statistic is proposed. Pitman’s asymptotic efficiencies of the test are calculated and compared to other tests. The percentiles of this test statistic are tabulated for censored and non-censored data, and the powers of this test are estimated for some famously alternative distributions in reliability, such as the Weibull, Makeham, linear failure rate, and Gamma distributions. Finally, examples in different areas are used as practical applications of the proposed test.
Challenges in Cardiovascular Risk Prediction and Stratification in Women
Authors: Henry Sonia , Bond Rachel , Rosen Stacey , Grines Cindy , Mieres Jennifer
Published: January 2019

There has been an appropriate focus, since the turn of the 21st century, on sex- and gender-specific cardiovascular disease (CVD) as increasing evidence suggests that there are substantial differences in the risk factor profile, social and environmental factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of ischemic heart disease in women compared with men. As a result of increased awareness, detection, and treatment of ischemic heart disease in women, there has been significant reduction (greater than 30%) in cardiovascular mortality, and in 2013, more US men than US women died of CVD. Nevertheless, continued efforts are required as CVD remains the leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and death of women in the Western world, and in women younger than 55 years there has been a rise in cardiovascular mortality. In this article, we review several of the contributing factors that continue to cause challenges in accurate risk prediction and risk stratification in women.
Diabetes Mellitus and Stable Ischemic Heart Disease
Authors: Schwartz Cody , Winchester David
Published: January 2019

More than 30 million Americans have diabetes mellitus (DM), and heart disease is the cause of death in 68% of them. Patients with DM are at increased risk of developing stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) by several mechanisms. While noninvasive testing for ischemia is an intuitive strategy to reduce cardiovascular events, trial data do not show a clear benefit. For the DM patient with no symptoms and no evidence of SIHD, two randomized trials found no benefit for either nuclear stress or cardiac computed tomography. While silent ischemia is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, on a population level, reducing ischemia does not appear to improve outcomes. Another important consideration in the management of SIHD in DM patients is that recent randomized trial data show no benefit from coronary revascularization for this population. In conclusion, the decision to test for ischemia may be a reasonable option in some DM patient groups; however, in many cases, revascularization for SIHD does not reduce mortality or the rate of myocardial infarction.
Qui sont les personnes trans* et pourquoi ne les voit-on pas davantage participer au marché du travail
Authors: Malo François Bernard
Published: January 2019

Cet article présente une définition large et inclusive de ce que sont les personnes trans*.Ancrée autour de quatre repères conceptuels majeurs (le sexe biologique, l’identité de genre, l’expressionde genre et l’orientation sexuelle), cette définition est par la suite contextualisée à l’aide de quatre indicateurssociaux que sont l’âge, l’origine nationale/couleur de la peau/religion, la strate sociale et l’apparencegénérale. La prise en compte de l’ensemble de ces éléments permet au lecteur de mieux comprendre lesraisons pour lesquelles les personnes trans* sont l’objet de tant d’incompréhensions et de violences.L’article se conclut enfin par la présentation d’un ensemble de propositions concrètes à l’intention desÉtats, des Employeurs et des Syndicats afin que les droits des personnes trans* soient davantage reconnussur le marché du travail et de l’emploi.
Le libre accès : nouveau paradigme de diffusion des savoirs
Authors: Levasseur Valérie
Published: January 2019

Le libre accès est un mouvement qui prône l’accès gratuit pour tous aux connaissances et auxrésultats issus de la recherche sans barrière d’utilisation. Dans un monde où une grande partie de la rechercheest subventionnée par des fonds publics, il s’avère logique et essentiel que les résultats de cette recherchepuissent profiter à l’ensemble de la population. Plusieurs voies s’offrent aux auteurs désirant diffuser en libreaccès les résultats de leurs recherches et, peu importe la voie empruntée, les avantages sont indéniables, autantpour les utilisateurs que pour les auteurs eux-mêmes. L’avantage majeur du libre accès aux savoirs est qu’ilpermet une plus grande mise en application des résultats de la recherche et stimule l’innovation.
Optogenetic Stimulation of the Superior Colliculus Confers Retinal Neuroprotection in a Mouse Glaucoma Model
Authors: Geeraerts Emiel , Claes Marie , Dekeyster Eline , Salinas-Navarro Manuel , De Groef Lies , Van den Haute Chris , Scheyltjens Isabelle , Baekelandt Veerle , Arckens Lutgarde , Moons Lieve
Published: January 2019

Glaucoma is characterized by a progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the eye, which ultimately results in visual impairment or even blindness. Because current therapies often fail to halt disease progression, there is an unmet need for novel neuroprotective therapies to support RGC survival. Various research lines suggest that visual target centers in the brain support RGC functioning and survival. Here, we explored whether increasing neuronal activity in one of these projection areas could improve survival of RGCs in a mouse glaucoma model. Prolonged activation of an important murine RGC target area, the superior colliculus (SC), was established via a novel optogenetic stimulation paradigm. By leveraging the unique channel kinetics of the stabilized step function opsin (SSFO), protracted stimulation of the SC was achieved with only a brief light pulse. SSFO-mediated collicular stimulation was confirmed by immunohistochemistry for the immediate-early gene c-Fos and behavioral tracking, which both demonstrated consistent neuronal activity upon repeated stimulation. Finally, the neuroprotective potential of optogenetic collicular stimulation was investigated in mice of either sex subjected to a glaucoma model and a 63% reduction in RGC loss was found. This work describes a new paradigm for optogenetic collicular stimulation and a first demonstration that increasing target neuron activity can increase survival of the projecting neurons.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTDespite glaucoma being a leading cause of blindness and visual impairment worldwide, no curative therapies exist. This study describes a novel paradigm to reduce retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration underlying glaucoma. Building on previous observations that RGC survival is supported by the target neurons to which they project and using an innovative optogenetic approach, we increased neuronal activity in the mouse superior colliculus, a main projection target of rodent RGCs. This proved to be efficient in reducing RGC loss in a glaucoma model. Our findings establish a new optogenetic paradigm for target stimulation and encourage further exploration of the molecular signaling pathways mediating retrograde neuroprotective communication.
Los campos de acción en la Universidad Santo Tomás. Resultados del estudio 2012 - 2018
Authors: Ostos Ortiz Olga Lucía , Cortés Gallego Mauricio Antonio
Published: January 2019

Como producto de este estudio se identificaron ocho apuestas nacionales. Así mismo, la metodología empleada permitió la identificación de dos campos de acción para la USTA: Sociedad y Ambiente. La identificación de los campos de acción USTA facilitará la cooperación interdisciplinaria para el abordaje de problemas complejos, la articulación de las funciones sustantivas, el desarrollo estratégico de programas académicos, centros e institutos de investigación, y estrategias de responsabilidad social, entre otros. Como estrategia pedagógica de socialización se realizó un video, disponible en: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1--Xkc3cPfz1ewBl0yMQw0GcHe3znvS8L/view
El uso educativo de las TIC
Authors: Aparicio Gómez Oscar Yecid
Published: January 2019

El presente artículo pretende describir y analizar los usos de las TIC en una Institución Educativa del Municipio de Chía, y la percepción de los estudiantes y profesores. Este estudio permite el acercamiento y percepción al uso de las TIC en los diversos espacios académicos, su relación con la investigación, el uso de las Plataformas que provee el Colegio en el proceso de aprendizaje, la relación entre las redes sociales y el aprendizaje, algunas percepciones que se tienen sobre las TIC y la necesidad de acceder de manera crítica a la información, la relación entre las TIC y la interdisciplinariedad, el uso que se les da a las TIC para buscar el acercamiento entre la escuela y la familia, y finalmente, se pretende conocer la apreciación de las TIC como herramienta para optimizar el proceso de aprendizaje e investigación.
Uso y apropiación de las TIC en educación
Authors: Aparicio Gómez Oscar Yecid
Published: January 2019

El presente artículo pretende describir y analizar los usos de las TIC en una Institución Educativa del Municipio de Chía, y la comprensión del uso de las TIC como herramientas cognitivas, así como proponer mejoras dirigidas a la integración de las TIC en la docencia de profesores y a la impregnación curricular de las TAC. Esta investigación recoge las impresiones generales y particulares de una comunidad educativa a través de la interpretación de los datos recogidos por medio del Instrumento seleccionado con respecto a cómo se desarrollaron procesos de Investigación usando las TIC, y procurando identificar particularmente cómo se usaron las TIC para la investigación en cada uno de los Grupos de Investigación de una Institución Educativa del Municipio de Chía (Colombia).
Resistencia adquirida a inhibidores de tirosina kinasa de tercera generación en cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas
Authors: Runciman Gozzer Thanya , Carracedo Gonzáles Carlos
Published: January 2019

La resistencia a inhibidores de tirosina kinasa (TKI) de tercera generación son un evento cada vez más frecuente en la práctica clínica, a pesar de ello, se desconoce aún los mecanismos exactos mediante los cuales las células tumorales desarrollan dicha resistencia permitiendo sus supervivencia. Se describe un caso de resistencia a osimertinib (AZD9291) en cáncer de pulmón de celulas no pequeñas, evidenciado por secuenciamiento genético (NGS) y su posible planteamiento terapéutico.
Shape Shifting Masculinities: Accounts of maleness in Indian man-to-animal transformation horror films
Authors: Dhusiya Mithuraaj
Published: January 2019

University of DelhiUnlike the werewolf myth, on which there is a significant corpus of takes in Hollywood cinema, Indian horror films abound in snake-, tiger- and gorillatransformations. Most of these shape-shifting monsters represent aberrant subjectivities that set in motion a cycle of destruction and redemption within these narratives. This article will explore how the male body in Indian horror films acts as a site of different bodily discourses that permits a reading of socio-cultural crises within the societal framework. Although there are almost a dozen Indian horror films to date that deal with such shape-shifting monsters, this article will limit itself to studying one Hindi film Jaani Dushman (1979, dir. Raj Kumar Kohli) and one Telugu film Punnami Naagu (1980, dir. A. Rajasekhar). The following core questions will be explored: do these narratives challenge the constructions of hegemonic masculinity? What departures from normative masculinity, if such a thing exists at all, take place? How do these narratives use horror codes and conventions to map the emergence of different types of masculinities? How can these bodily discourses be correlated with various contemporary socio-political issues of India?