bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Difficulties in Residency: An Examination of Clinical Rotations and Competencies Where Family Medicine Residents Most Often Struggle
Authors: Svystun Orysya , Ross Shelley
Published: September 2018

Background and Objectives: Remediation in residency is expensive; however, most research has focused on general approaches to remediation, with minimal investigation into whether there are patterns to the competencies or rotations that are most difficult for residents. Acquiring this information may improve future physician training and potentially reduce the frequency of resource-intensive remediation. We aimed to determine the competencies and rotations most challenging for family medicine residents, as defined by the number of assessments with flags (one or more competencies indicated as less than satisfactory).
Methods: A secondary data analysis of archived resident files from a large Canadian family medicine residency program was conducted. Residents from six cohorts were reviewed (N=393) and flags on the in-training evaluation reports (ITERs) and summative periodic progress reports were recorded and summarized with descriptive statistics.
Results: One hundred forty-one residents (36%) received at least one flag during training. Rotations where learners received the most flags were: internal medicine (average 1.52±4.82 flags), urban family medicine (average 1.48±4.18), and obstetrics (average 1.07±3.80). For residents having at least one flag, competencies causing most difficulty included: professionalism (21.4%), clinical decision making (17.8%), and teamwork and communication (15.5%).
Conclusions: The file review identified coronary care unit, internal medicine, obstetrics, and general surgery as those rotations (adjusted for length) where family medicine residents most often struggled. Furthermore, deficient clinical knowledge was not one of the main reasons that residents are flagged. These findings may inform programs about where to target resident supports and resources.
Can we hear the sounds of quantum superpositions?
Authors: Vedral Vlatko
Published: September 2018

In this article I explore the possibility of being able to hear the sound of
a quantum superposition of two sounds. What would it mean and is it feasible
to explore performing an experiment that would allow us to test this notion?
Programming gate-based hardware quantum computers for music
Authors: Kirke Alexis
Published: September 2018

There have been significant attempts previously to use the equations of
quantum mechanics for generating sound, and to sonify simulated quantum
processes. For new forms of computation to be utilized in computer music,
eventually hardware must be utilized. This has rarely happened with quantum
computer music. One reason for this is that it is currently not easy to get
access to such hardware. A second is that the hardware available requires
some understanding of quantum computing theory. This paper moves forward the
process by utilizing two hardware quantum computation systems: IBMQASM v1.1
and a D-Wave 2X. It also introduces the ideas behind the gate-based IBM
system, in a way hopefully more accessible to computerliterate readers. This
is a presentation of the first hybrid quantum computer algorithm, involving
two hardware machines. Although neither of these algorithms explicitly
utilize the promised quantum speed-ups, they are a vital first step in
introducing QC to the musical field. The article also introduces some key
quantum computer algorithms and discusses their possible future contribution
to computer music.
The quantum vibes of atoms and ichthyosaurs
Authors: Mølmer Klaus
Published: September 2018

The quantum mechanical description of microscopic phenomena treats minuscule
particles as waves and explains why atoms and molecules absorb and emit
radiation at particular frequencies. This article reviews the physical
theory of waves and discusses similarities between atoms and musical
instruments. In particular, it describes how we may identify new musical
scales and harmonies and play atomic music by translating and scaling the
frequencies in the atomic world to the audible spectrum.
Following the records of Theophylact Simocatta
Authors: Djekic Djordje , Pavlovic Milos
Published: September 2018

The earliest record that testifies to the South Slavic music is the one left
by the Byzantine chronicler Theophylact Simocatta in his History. It is said
that in 592, the emperor Maurice captured three Slavic men near Enaton, who
did not have any weapons on them, but had only musical instruments, most
probably lyres. Some written sources also mention the horns. Implementing
the knowledge obtained through etymological analyses and the extant
ethnological practice, as well as archaeological artefacts, it may be said
that the Slavs of the said period used jingle bells, flutes and bagpipes.
The music, both instrumental and vocal, was common to religious as well as
entertainment purposes.
‘Emerging contrary result’ phenomenon and scientific realism
Authors: Maziarz Mariusz
Published: September 2018

The article is aimed at reconsidering the question if the project of econometrics can be read in line with scientific realism. Previously, the methodological literature focused on the philosophy of econometrics, voices criticizing realist interpretations of econometrics were raised. The criticism was aimed at showing that econometric models lack robustness. The use of slightly different methods leads to obtaining different and often contrary models what supposedly undermine the project of econometrics. In this article, I aim at offering a new argument in defence of the current practice of the economists devoted to the empirical branch of macroeconomics. To do so, I apply Uskali M?ki?s (2009) model of representation to three case studies of contradictory pairs of econometric models and argue that contrary results are not necessarily a drawback of econometrics. Instead, the seemingly contradictory pairs of models are useful in various contexts constituted by their purpose and audience.
A review of multiphase flow and deposition effects in film-cooled gas turbines
Authors: Wang Jin , Vujanovic Milan , Sunden Bengt
Published: September 2018

This paper presents a review of particle deposition research in film-cooled gas turbines based on the recent open literature. Factors affecting deposition capture efficiency and film cooling effectiveness are analyzed. Experimental studies are summarized into two discussions in actual and virtual deposition environments. For investigation in virtual deposition environments, available and reasonable results are obtained by comparison of the Stokes numbers. Recent advances in particle deposition modeling for computational fluid dynamics are also reviewed. Various turbulence models for numerical simulations are investigated, and solutions for treatment of the particle sticking probability are described. In addition, analysis of injecting mist into the coolant flow is conducted to investigate gas-liquid two-phase flow in gas turbines. The conclusion remains that considerable re-search is yet necessary to fully understand the roles of both deposition and multi-phase flow in gas turbines.
Particulate matter emission from a heavy duty diesel engine with three binary blends
Authors: Wang Shuli , Sprengers Simon , Somers Bart , De Goey
Published: September 2018

Low temperature combustion using gasoline-like fuels has the potential to pro-vide high efficiencies and extremely low NOx and soot emissions. In this study, different volume percentages (30%~70%) of iso-octane, toluene, and n-butanol are blended with n-heptane separately. These blends with different composition ratios are tested on a modified single-cylinder research engine. Also, simulations are performed using a homogeneous reactor method to know the fuel-chemical effects on particulate matter emissions. Thirdly, a composition ratio of 70% is selected to perform further experiments based on the results from the initial composition ratio experiments with a focus on the particle size distributions. It was found that if the test fuel can provide sufficient ignition delay to allow fuel to premix with air fully, the soot emissions will be low and particle size is small even if the test fuel contains a lot of aromatic compounds.
Investigation on improving the thermal efficiency of a mini boiler fired with straight vegetable oils
Authors: Punnaivanam Maran , Krishnan Arumugam
Published: September 2018

In the present work, straight sunflower oil and rice bran oil blended with diesel have been used as fuel diesel in a mini boiler. The thermal efficiency of the boiler and emission levels in the exhaust gases have been investigated by burning the oil blends of varying proportions ranging from 0-50%. An additional air supply system and compressed air atomization of fuel with a new burner have been used to improve the thermal efficiency of the mini boiler. Results revealed that the addi?tional air supply improved the thermal efficiency up-to 7% and reduced the CO and HC emission up-to 40%. The use of compressed air atomization further increased the thermal efficiency up-to 4% and reduced the CO and HC emission up-to 70%.
Determination of drying behaviour in industrial type convectional dryer and mathematical modelling
Authors: Akan Ahmet , Ozkan Derya
Published: September 2018

In this study, the performance of a stenter (ram machine) that enables the drying of textile products with hot air is theoretically modelled with a diffusion model derived from Fick?s second law. The experimental study was conducted in a 10 chamber stenter with three different drying temperatures (110-130-150?C) and three different fabric speeds (10-20-30 m per minute.) by using a fabric consisting of 95% cotton + 5% lycra. The drying behaviour of the dryer was determined by utilizing the data obtained from the studies. With the help of the utilized model, the values of diffusion coefficients and activation energies were obtained, the conformity of data between the model and the experimental studies were compared by using regres
Analysis of a flat capillary evaporator with a bi-layered porous wick
Authors: Santos Paulo , Alves Thiago , Oliveira Amir , Bazzo Edson
Published: September 2018

A numerical evaluation of the heat and mass transfer concerning a flat capillary evaporator provided by a bi-layered porous wick is presented. The wick has a shape of a flat disc and is assembled between the liquid feeding channel and the vapor chamber. An external heat input is applied into the upper surface of the bi-layered wick, where the working fluid evaporates. The mass and heat transfer are modeled using the mass and energy conservation equations. The model allows to verify the effect of design variables, such as working fluids, dimensions, permeability, average pore radius and thermal conductivity of the wick, in the performance of the capillary evaporator. It can be used as a predictive tool to design similar capillary pumping systems for thermal control of satellite or electronics systems in general.
The non-linear regression - the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm for assumption the energy losses of hydraulic transport in a case of the mine "Trepca"
Authors: Mihajlovic Slavica , Savic Ljubinko , Radosavljevic Dragana , Savic Ljiljana , Ignjatovic Miroslav , Blagojev Marina
Published: September 2018

The main problem of hydraulic transport is the resistance generated during the mixture transport through the pipe-line. Testing the flow characteristics of mixtures, shown in this paper, are based on the principles of determining the unit energy losses by a mathematical calculation using the non-linear regression ? the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. Such obtained results allow determining a transport rate in the horizontal pipe-line, depending on the mixture bulk density and pipe-line diameter. The flotation tailings is mainly used as a filling material in the mine ?Trepca? - Stari Trg. According to the grain size distribution, it is a fine-grained material of a size of 0.074 mm to 1.2 mm. It is a multicomponent material containing pyrite, pyrrhotine and other heavy metals, and therefore, has a high bulk mass. The average rate of the hydromixture, in which the energy losses reach the minimum value, depends on the pipe-line diameter and kinetic bulk density of the mixture. For the test interval of change in the pipe-line diameter, shown in this paper (0.168 mm, 0.176 mm, 0.193 mm, and 0.225 mm), and kinetic bulk density of the hydraulic mixture (1-1.6 kg/m3), this rate ranges from 3-5.5 m/s. The increase of the energy losses in the hydraulic mixture transport increases proportionality with the increase of its kinetic bulk density. The results, presented in this paper, show that the required bulk density of 1.6 kg/m3 should be accepted as a limit from a point of view of the hydraulic transport cost-efficiency.
Complement protein and Immunoglobulins Serum levels in Normal Pregnant and Spontaneous Aborted Women
Authors: Abdulrahman Ahmad Hiwa , Muhammd salih Mehri Mirhaj , Ahmed Khidir Kamal
Published: September 2018

Disorder of maternal immune responses during pregnancy triggers immunological rejection of fetus antigens by maternal immune components, contribute to spontaneous abortion or miscarriage. The study was designed to concentrated on immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG and IgA) and complement elements (C3 and C4)   serum levels changes in normal pregnant and abortion women. Study groups were classified into normal pregnant women (20), spontaneous abortion (30) and non-pregnant women (16) as a control group, attending to Shahid Dr. Khalid Hospital/Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics/Koya city. Serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, and IgA), complement proteins (C3 and C4) were determined and analyzed for normal pregnant, abortion and control groups by using Single Radial Immunodiffusion (SRID) technique. The results demonstrated that concentration of IgG levels in abortion differed significantly in compare to normal pregnancy (p ≤0.05), while there were no significant differences in IgM and IgA serum levels among groups (p >0.05). Also, statistical analysis revealed that serum levels of C3 and C4 significantly decreased in abortion group compared to normal pregnant and non-pregnant groups (p ≤0.05). Concluded that complement proteins (C3 andC4) are a good defense line during normal pregnancy, sometime activation (hyper-consuming) of complement elements may provoke spontaneous abortion, while immunoglobulins are a little role in inducing of miscarriage in pregnant women.
Cardiovascular Risk Assessment among Adults in Primary Health Care Settings in Sulaimani Using WHO Risk Prediction Charts
Authors: Najim Edeen Vian , Salah Ramzi Zhian
Published: September 2018

WHO adopted World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH) risk charts to predict cardiovascular disease risk in low and middle income countries. The aim of this study was to estimate the cardiovascular risk in adults ≥40 years old by using the two versions of the WHO/ISH risk prediction charts “with and without cholesterol”, and to find out the risk by other parameters not found in the chart; also, to evaluate concordance between the two approaches. A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2016 to February 2017 in two primary health care centers in Sulaimani City among 500 persons aged 40-82 years. The desired information was collected by using a pretested questionnaire; anthropometric measurements and laboratory investigations were also carried out for the participants. Cardiovascular risk was assessed by the WHO/ISH risk prediction charts for the Eastern Mediterranean region in category D. Mean age of the participants was 52.5(±9.55) years and 70.4% of the participants were females. Only 260 participants had the results of total cholesterol and triglycerides. The results revealed that, using the risk assessment charts with and without cholesterol, 22.3% and 19.2% respectively of the study population were in the ten-year cardiovascular risk category of ≥20%. Risk categories were concordant in 86.2% of the population; and when we applied single risk factor approach 51.5% would require drug treatment. The WHO/ISH risk chart is an affordable and simple tool to estimate cardiovascular disease risk. Nearly one fifth of adults aged ≥ 40 years in Sulaimani City are at high-very high risk of developing cardiovascular event in the next ten years as assessed by WHO/ISH risk prediction charts. The use of the without cholesterol version of the chart to estimate cardiovascular disease risk could be useful is settings where cholesterol cannot be measured.
MEDICAL AND GENETIC COUNSELING OF HEREDITARY BREAST AND OVARIAN CANCER
Authors: Laptiev S. A. , Korzhenevskaia M. A. , Sokolenko A. P. , Iyevleva A. G. , Imyanitov E. N.
Published: September 2018

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer is one of the most common genetic pathology. Medical and genetic counseling of patients with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and their families plays the important role in cancer care, as it helps to develop the set of diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic measures aimed at monitoring healthy individuals and to create personalized approaches to the treatment of patients.
Development of Academic Assessment Management Information System (Case Study: KB & TK Permata Iman)
Authors: Antono Firnanda Ifitah Dewi , Wicaksono Satrio Agung , Pinandito Aryo
Published: September 2018

Education becomes an important thing to advance a nation. Therefore, everyone must follow the education level. One of education level is early childhood education. KB & TK Permata Iman which was established in 2005 is a private educational institution and focus on early childhood education. In learning evaluation, KB & TK Permata Iman still use conventional method. The conventional method takes much time because teachers need to collect daily grade until the end of a semester for final grade calculation and prepare the results in grade book. The semester learning evaluation process can be shortened and simplified using a web-based academic assessment management information system. The system can store, directly perform calculations when teachers add studentsâ€™ grade and make grade book from saved grade. From the testing result, the time efficiency increased to 94.94% when evaluating semester learning using the system and it can help the teacher to save time and do another task.
A INCONVENCIONALIDADE DA PEC Nº 36/2016 POR VIOLAÇÃO AOS DIREITOS DE PARTICIPAÇÃO POLÍTICA: UMA ANÁLISE DAS CLÁUSULAS DE BARREIRA A PARTIR DO CASO YATAMA VS. NICARÁGUA
Authors: Leal Mônia Clarissa Hennig , Alves Felipe Dalenogare
Published: September 2018

O presente trabalho expõe o resultado de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, concebida a partir do método fenomenológico-hermenêutico, para fins de abordagem, e monográfico, a título procedimental, acerca do desenvolvimento da democracia e dos direitos de participação política, tendo por objetivo principal aferir a compatibilidade da PEC nº 36/2016 (que busca instituir as denominadas “cláusulas de barreira”) com Convenção Americana sobre os Direitos Humanos (CADH) e a interpretação dada a ela pela Corte Interamericana de Direitos Humanos (CIDH). No decorrer do trabalho, buscou-se o esclarecimento de pontos importantes que permeiam a temática, como o seguinte problema: essas cláusulas atentam ao estabelecido nas normas internacionais e na interpretação dada a elas pela CIDH? Para tanto, foram estudados temas essenciais à compreensão da noção de democracia e seu desenvolvimento, com o reconhecimento e proteção aos direitos de participação política, para, ao final, analisar-se a necessidade de proteção desses direitos, principalmente dos grupos desavantajados (minorias), fazendo-se uma análise comparativa entre os dispositivos da proposta de emenda e a decisão proferida pela CIDH no caso Yatama Vs. Nicarágua. Dentre os resultados encontrados, em sede de considerações conclusivas, verificou-se que as cláusulas de barreira contidas na PEC são inconvencionais, por afrontarem os direitos de participação política elencados na CADH e a interpretação dada a ela pela CIDH, resultante da falta de observância por parte do Estado brasileiro (neste caso por ato do Poder Legislativo) do que tem sido estabelecido pela CIDH.
A COLONIZAÇÃO DAS UTOPIAS E OUTRAS CONSEQUÊNCIAS DA ASSIMILAÇÃO ACRÍTICA DOS PRINCIPAIS DISCURSOS OCIDENTAIS SOBRE DEMOCRACIA E DIREITOS HUMANOS
Authors: Vitória Paulo Renato
Published: September 2018

Este ensaio descreve, através de uma revisão bibliográfica, algumas das mais importantes consequências de uma apropriação acrítica dos discursos, práticas e instituições dominantes sobre democracia e direitos humanos por movimentos e indivíduos que, de posições subalternas, lutam por um mundo mais justo. Assumo que tais perspectivas hegemônicas – construídas desde a modernidade/colonialidade ocidental capitalista, racista e patriarcal, no âmbito de um paradigma individualista, patrimonialista e universalista/abstrato – servem para legitimar, naturalizar e justificar diversos discursos e práticas sociais que contribuem para aumentar as desigualdades sociais e perpetuar diferentes relações de dominação, exploração e opressão entre os seres humanos, individual e/ou coletivamente. Além disso, defendo que tais discursos e práticas representam um risco à própria possibilidade de preservar a humanidade como espécie, ao legitimar a apropriação e a acumulação dos recursos naturais. Ademais, servem para condenar inexoravelmente todas as formas de resistência armada contra o sistema dominante, colonizando os horizontes utópicos de indivíduos e grupos em luta, além de criminalizar e estigmatizar suas demandas e práticas. Nesse sentido, o artigo reivindica a necessária ressignificação desses importantes conceitos desde outras gramáticas pluriversais, críticas e decoloniais, coerentes com um mundo onde caibam muitos mundos, em que o acesso a bens materiais e imateriais que todos nós precisamos viver, incluindo o poder político, seja distribuído de maneira mais igualitária e democrática.
Study of the samples of polymer composite materials with an uneven surface using hydrostatic weighing
Authors: Dushin M. I. , Donetski K. I. , Karavaev R. Yu. , Platonov A. A.
Published: September 2018

An increase in the size and the number of the elements of the aircraft structures made of polymer composite materials (PCM) required the search for new energy-saving and less expensive non-autoclave technologies. The use of one of them, vacuum infusion, inevitably leads to formation of an uneven surface, thus inhibiting determination of the true thickness by standard methods, and, in turn, affects determination of the physical and mechanical properties of the material. The results of measuring density of carbon plastics by hydrostatic weighing are presented to calculate the true thickness of materials, volume content of binder and porosity. The developed method is also suitable for PCMs based on combustible reinforcing materials like organic plastics, hybrid and other materials that cannot be subjected to burning-off to determine the binder content.
Nanostructured composites based on graphene and nanoparticles of cobalt in the composition of monoamine oxidase biosensors for determination of antidepressants
Authors: Medyantseva E. P. , Brusnitsyn D. V. , Varlamova R. V. , Konovalova O. A. , Budnikov H. K.
Published: September 2018

Amperometric monoamine oxidase biosensors based on screen-printed graphite electrodes modified with nanostructured reduced graphene oxide (RGO) composites and cobalt nanoparticles (CoNPs) were developed to determine antidepressant drug substances: tianeptine, thioridazine, and fluoxetine. Combinations of carbon nanomaterials with metal nanoparticles (nanocomposites) along with retaining the properties of individual components, also provide a new quality of the developed devices due to their joint contribution. The nanomaterial-modifier was applied to the surface of screen-printed graphite electrodes using dropwise evaporation. Fixing of RGO on the surface of the screen-printed graphite electrodes occurs due to electrostatic interaction between RGO carboxyl groups and amine groups of the amine derivative on the platform of polyester polyol (H20–NH2). The CoNPs were obtained electrochemically by the method of chronoamperometry at a potentialE= – 1.0 V and different time of their accumulation (about 50 – 60 sec) on the electrode surface. According to the data of atomic force microscopy, the predominant size of CoNPs is (40 ± 2) and (78 ± 8) nm, depending on the time of electrochemical deposition of NPs. Data of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy show that nanocomposites RGO-chitosan/CoNPs and RGO-amine derivative on the polyester polyol (H20–NH2)/CoNPs platform are characterized by the lowest values of the charge transfer resistance. The use of those nanocomposites modifying the electrode surface significantly improved the analytical characteristics of the developed biosensors providing a wider range of operating concentrations from 1 × 10–4to 5 × 10–9mol/liter, greater sensitivity coefficient, better correlation coefficient, and lower limit of the detectable concentrations. A possibility of using biosensors to control the quality of antidepressants upon determination of the main active substance in medicinal drugs and biological fluids is shown. The lower limit of detectable concentrations (7 – 9) × 10–10mol/liter is attained when using tyramine as a substrate for determination of fluoxetine, thioridazine and tianeptine, respectively.
Device for plastic compression of long-dimensional cylindrical samples in linear stress conditions
Authors: Khvan A. D. , Khvan D. V. , Voropaev A. A. , Rukin Yu. B.
Published: September 2018

A design of the device for studying plastic compression of long cylindrical specimens under conditions of a linear stress state is presented. The device is developed to study the properties of metals under plastic deformation in conditions of nonmonotonic loading. The goal of getting the accurate experimental data entails the necessary of carrying out tests using one long-length cylindrical sample, with the calculated length being more than five diameters. To prevent flexure of the long-length sample upon compression, the support conical sectors made by cutting truncated cone shaped blank into 6 or 8 equal parts with a central longitudinal hole having a diameter equal to the diameter of the test sample are used. The sectors are coupled by two pairs of semirings. A transcendental equation is obtained for determination of the taper angle of those sectors on the basis of kinematic analysis of the mobile links. This angle depends on the total weight of the sectors and sliding friction coefficients in the corresponding kinematic pairs of the device. For the considered device, the taper angle of the sectors is 36°. This device is designed and manufactured for compression testing of the samples with a diameter of 16.5 mm and a gaged length of 135 mm. Samples from steel 45 are tested with a goal of the flow curve construction and experimental verification of the strain diagrams under conditions of cyclic tensile-compression. Comparison of the calculated and experimental data proved the satisfactory accuracy of the stress determination, which makes it possible to recommend this device as a testing tool to be used in mechanical laboratories of the universities and research institutes.
Trends and determinants of antimicrobial susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the Netherlands, 2007 to 2015
Authors: Hofstraat Sanne HI , Götz Hannelore M , van Dam Alje P , van der Sande Marianne AB , van Benthem Birgit HB
Published: September 2018

Background

Neisseria gonorrhoeae antibiotic resistance surveillance is important to maintain adequate treatment. We analysed 2007–15 data from the Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance (GRAS), which currently includes 19 of 25 sexually transmitted infection (STI) centres in the Netherlands. Methods: From each patient with a gonorrhoea culture, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for several antibiotics was determined. Time trends were assessed by geometric means and linear regression of logarithmic MIC. Determinants for decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone (MIC > 0.032 mg/L) and resistance to cefotaxime (MIC > 0.125 mg/L) and azithromycin (MIC > 0.5 mg/L) were assessed using stratified logistic regression. Results: 11,768 isolates were analysed. No ceftriaxone resistance was found. In 2015, 27 of 1,425 isolates (1.9%) were resistant to cefotaxime and 176 of 1,623 (10.9%) to azithromycin. Ceftriaxone susceptibility showed no trend (p = 0.96) during the study period, but cefotaxime MIC decreased (p < 0.0001) and azithromycin MIC increased (p < 0.0001) significantly. Concerning ceftriaxone, isolates of men who have sex with men (MSM) from 2013 (p = 0.0005) and 2014 (p = 0.0004) were significantly associated with decreased susceptibility. Significant determinants for cefotaxime resistance were having ≥ 6 partners for women (p = 0.0006). For azithromycin, isolates from MSM collected in 2012 (p = 0.0035), 2013 (p = 0.012), and 2014 (p = 0.013), or from non-Dutch (p < 0.0001) or older (≥ 35 years; p = 0.01) MSM were significantly associated with susceptibility. Resistance in heterosexual men was significantly associated with being ≥ 25 years-old (p = 0.0049) or having 3–5 partners (p = 0.01). Conclusions: No ceftriaxone resistance was found, but azithromycin MIC increased in 2007–15. Resistance determinants could help with focused intervention strategies.
European CEN-CENELEC Standardization on Material Efficiency for longer lifespan within Circular Economy
Authors: Cormenier Thierry , Patra Martial , Garnier Christophe
Published: September 2018

The European standardization organizations (CEN, CENELEC & ETSI) agreed on the request from the European Commission for drafting a series of horizontal and generic standards in the field of Material Efficiency aspects supporting the Circular Economy. This paper will describe the EU regulation context, the CEN-CENELEC standardization structure and membership, the organization setup for managing the work already started. It will describe the objectives of the 10-standard series that will be possibly for direct use by manufacturers or by CEN-CLC product Committees in charge of drafting product oriented standards as regards requirements from the EU Ecodesign Directive.

A summary of the expected requirements issued from these draft documents will be presented for the different topics developed for the Material Efficiency of Energy related Products (ErPs), that will apply to equipment and systems. The general topics are the durability, the ability to re-manufacture, the ability to repair, upgrade and reuse, the recyclability and recoverability, the proportion of re-used components and recycled material, the declaration of critical raw materials, the information provided to the users of ErPs. Beyond these topics mainly covered by the standards dealing with dependability domain, a focus from functional approaches to durability assessment methods aiming how longer lifespan of products would be assessed will be presented inside this paper.

Based on examples some additional information will highlight the industries and organizations to prepare the inputs optimization that could be implemented in product oriented Material Efficiency standards that would be derived from the current standardization work in process.
Study on infant feeding practices among mothers in rural areas of Faizabad District (U.P.), India
Authors: Gupta Vandana , Bala Neeru , Bose Deepak Kumar , Kumari Jyoti
Published: September 2018

The present study was undertaken to find out socio-demographic profile of respondents and to estimate the current feeding practices including breastfeeding, pre-lacteal feeding and complementary feeding. A cross-sectional study was conducted in four blocks namely Haringtonganj, Amaniganj, Bikapur and Sohawal of Faizabad District in 2015. Total 352 lactating mother having children’s aged from 6 months to 2 years were interviewed to collect information on pre designed and pretested proforma. The data was tabulated on Microsoft Excel sheet and analysed using chi-square test. Study findings showed that mostly 43.75% were in the age range of 20-25 years. More than half (58.51%) of the mothers were literate and majority 96.87% mothers were housewives. All mothers had done breastfeeding in which 73.58% mothers continued breastfeeding after 6 months at the time of study. Majority 89.49% responding mothers were given exclusive breastfeeding, 81.82% had given colostrum and 38.64% gave pre-lacteal feed to their baby. Most of the children (80.11%) were taking weaning food but majority 89.36% mothers did not prepare any special food for their children. The association between education of mothers and infant feeding practices was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). The study showed that mostly mothers adopted correct feeding practices at some extent and these practices were much influenced by education of mothers. So it is very necessary to imparting nutrition and health education to the mothers.
Egg laying pattern and the egg morphology of an ischnoceran louse, Goniocotes jirufti (Ansari, 1947) parasitizing black partridges, Francolinus francolinus (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera)
Authors: Ahmad Aftab
Published: September 2018

The present report furnishes information on the egg laying sites, the pattern of egg laying and the nature of egg shells of an ischnoceran louse Goniocotes jirufti parasitizing black partridges, Francolinus francolinus. The louse prefers to lay eggs on the feathers belonging to back and breast region of the host. The eggs are laid on lateral plumulacious portion of the vane. The egg shell is ovoid in shape and the egg chorion is free from sculpturing and apophyses.
Intra-specific morphological and morphometric variability of Radopholus similis (Cobb, 1893) Thorne, 1949
Authors: Roy S. , Roy K , Sarkar S. , Rathod A , Hore J.
Published: September 2018

All the root inhabiting migratory endoparasitic nematode populations of Radopholus procured from banana crop of Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala were identified as Radopholus similis. Heat killed females were straight to slightly ventrally curved posteriorly. Female’s head was low, rounded, continuous or slightly setoff with the body contour. Females were 500-660 µm long and were comparatively longer than males. Males had button shaped head set off by a constriction; female with three to five lip annuli, four crenate and areolated lateral incisures, stylet 14-18 µm long with rounded knobs, vulva post-equatorial (58%), sometimes with slight protuberant lips, ovary paired and equally developed, oesophageal gland overlapped the intestine dorsally, tail elongate-conoid with narrowly rounded terminus. The stylet length (µm), width of stylet knob (µm), distance of excretory pore from anterior end (µm), distance from head to basal bulb (µm), lateral field structure, shape of stylet knob, head region, position of phasmid, tail shape with its terminus, morphometric values like m%, o% and v% and a, c and c´ ratios of females were stable (CV<12%) features. There is an existence of intra-specific variability in the morphological and morphometric features of R. similis. The main morphological diversity was observed with P% of male and female, b ratio of female and stylet length, distance of DEGO from stylet base, o% and T% of male. All the root inhabiting migratory endoparasitic nematode populations of Radopholus Thorne, 1949 procured from banana of Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala were identified as Radopholus similis (Cobb, 1893) Thorne, 1949. A high degree of intra-specific morphometric variability was observed with regard to the total body length (µm), body width (µm), stylet length (µm), distance of dosrsal oesophageal gland orifice (DEGO) from stylet base (µm), number of lip annuli, lip height (µm), distance from head to basal bulb (µm), distance of anus from anterior end (µm), tail length (µm), anal body width (µm), distance of phasmid from tail terminus (µm), number of lateral lines, width of lateral field (µm), b ratio and P % among females of R. similis. Morphometric features like m%, o% and v% of females of R. similis showed least variability. These can be considered as the stable morphometric characters for discrimination of females of R. similis. Ratios like ‘a’ and ‘c’ of females of R. similis were found moderately variable. The morphometric feature and of male i.e. distance from head to basal bulb (µm) was found least variable; while number of lip annuli and spicule length (µm) were moderately variable.
Mass screening of Trichoderma spp. for their antagonism against some plant pathogenic oomycetes fungi
Authors: SL Erayya , Shukla Nandani , Arzoo Kahkashan , Kumar J.
Published: September 2018

In vitro efficacy of twenty five Trichoderma isolates (twenty were TCMS series viz., TCMS 2, 4, 5, 12, 14a, 14b, 15, 16, 24, 32, 34, 36, 43, 60, 62, 64, 65, 72, 85 and 93, and five Th series; Th 1, 3, 14, 19 and 32) were ascertained for their antagonistic activity against few major plant pathogenic oomycetes namely, Phytophthora infestans, P. parasitica and Pythium aphenidermatum using dual culture technique. P. infestans was isolated from infected potato leaves and Pythium aphenidermatum from infected brinjal. P. parasitica culture was collected from Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Simla. The present study was conducted at Biological Control Laboratory, Department of Plant Pathology, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar. All the 25 Trichodrma isolates were found significantly effective against the test pathogens. TCMS-36 and TCMS-72 were found highly effective against P. aphinidermatum with 59.57 per cent inhibition of radial growth of the fungus. Maximum reduction in mycelial growth of P. infestans was recorded with isolate TCMS-64 (60.40%) followed by TCMS-65 (59.41%), TCMS-34 (58.42%), TCMS-24, TCMS-43 and TCMS-93 with 57.43 per cent inhibition. While, maximum inhibition of P. parasitica was recorded with TCMS-4 (92.75%) followed by TCMS-36 (92.23%), TCMS-2 (91.71%), TCMS-14a (91.17%) and TCMS-32 (90.67%). The selected potential isolates may be applied to sustainable and eco-friendly management of many major crop diseases caused by the oomycetes and other fungi.
Nutraceutical potential of Ficus roxburghii an underutilized fruit of Sikkim Himalayas
Authors: Pandey Yamuna , Upadhyay S. , Manivannan S. , Sharma L. , Bhatt S.S.
Published: September 2018

Ficus roxburghii, “Elephant ear fig “or wild fig is one of very popular fruits found growing wild in the hills of North Eastern and North Western Himalayan region. The fruit of wild fig has also been used as medicine by the tribal people of Sikkim and other states of India. Keeping this in view, the present study was conducted at Laboratory of Department of Horticulture, Sikkim University, Sikkim to access the different nutraceuticals properties as nutritional constituent like protein, fat, fibre, carbohydrate and energy value, mineral content viz.Ca, K, Mg, Na, Zn, Co, Mo, Fe, Mn and phytochemical content such as total phenols, flavonoid, ascorbic acid, anthocyanin and total carotenoids of F. roxburghii. The results of present study revealed that fruit of F. roxburghii contains significant amount of nutritional, mineral and phytochemical properties viz. protein (3.00±0.06%), fat (0.13±0.04%), fibre (3.06±0.02%), carbohydrate (90.81±0.44 %), energy value (376.45±1.44), Ca (23.69 ± 1.7), Mg  (73.09 ± 2.1), K (819.64 ± 12.54), Mo (0.58 ±  0.06), Na (6.73 ± 1.2), Zn (0.34 ± 0.10). Fe (26.55 ± 2.8), Cu (4.22 ± 0.20), Mn (7.11 ± 0.11), total phenols (4.13±0.52 mg GAE/ G), total flavonoid (3.10±0.09 mg GAE/ G), ascorbic acid (3.36±0.27 mg GAE/ G), anthocyanin (1.13±0.15 mg GAE/ G) and total carotenoids (0.68±0.10 mg GAE/ G). It may be concluded that the fruit of F. roxburghiiis rich in nutraceuticals and must be incorporated in our balanced diet.
Allelopathic effect of Dendrocalamus stocksii (Munro.) on growth and yield of ground nut (Arachis hypogaea)
Authors: Rawat Pravin , Narkhede S S , Rane A D , Mhaiske V M , Dalvi V V
Published: September 2018

The present study was conducted to assess allelopathic effect of Dendrocalamus stocksii (Munro.) on the growth and yield of ground nut (Arachis hypogaea). Bamboo leaf leachate was prepared by soaking the dry leaves in tap water for 24 hours in a ratio of 1:10 w/v.  Using prepared leachate as stock solution the leachate of various concentrations viz., control (0%), 25, 50 and 75 and 100 per cent were prepared by adding tap water accordingly. The results revealed the concentration-dependent significant (p=0.05) inhibitory effect of bamboo leaf leachates on the germination, radicle and plumule length of groundnut in laboratory condition. The leaf leachate of 100% concentration reduced down the germination percentage (56%), radicle length (3.00 cm) and plumule length (5.36 cm) as compared to control treatment where the germination percentage (86.66%), radicle length (5.02 cm) and plumule length (12.08 cm) were maximum. Similarly, the allelopathic effect of leaf leachate on transplanted seedlings of groundnut in prepared beds inside the poly house were significantly (p=0.05) inhibitory for the test seed weight and straw yield/ha. Minimum test seed weight (430.33 g) was recorded in the treatment of 25 % concentration as compared to control (601.33 g) and straw yield per hectare in the treatment of 100 % concentration (2421.1 kg/ha) as compared to control (4729.4 kg/ha). However, the non- significant effect of leaf leachate was observed on other yield parameters i.e., number of tillers per plant, number of pods / plant, test seed weight, seed yield per plant, number of seeds per pod and grain yield per ha. Finally, it is concluded that the harmful effect of leaf leachates of Dendrocalamus stocksii is more prominent in early stage of germination, emergence of radicle and plumule etc., rather than after transplanting; it is recommended to avoid the effect of these allelochemicals in early growth stage in field condition.
Impact of biotic and abiotic factors on lac production and peoples’ livelihood improvement in India-An overview
Authors: Sarvade S , Panse R K , Rajak S K , Upadhyay V B
Published: September 2018

In India, Madhya Pradesh is the third largest lac producing state after Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, as they contribute 12, 16 and 60%, respectively in total country’s lac production. Lac is produced in ten out of eleven agro-climatic zones of Madhya Pradesh. In total lac production of the state, Baisakhi (Butea monosperma, inoculated in October-November) crop contributes 76% followed by 19% by Katki (Butea monosperma, inoculated in June-July), 3% by Aghani (Schleichera oleosa, inoculated in June-July) and 2% by Jethwi (Schleichera oleosa, inoculated in January-February). Ranchi was leading lac producing district followed by Simdega, Gumla, Khunti of Jharkhand and Seoni district of Madhya Pradesh. Increasing summer temperature up to 45 ?C, the country’s lac production was declined from 20,050 tons in 2003-04 to 16978 tons in 2014-15. In case of biotic factors, Tachardiaephagus tachardiae and Tetrastichus purpureus are the most abundant lac associated parasites and Eublemma amabilis and Pseudohypatopa pulverea are the most destructive key predators of lac insects. By combating these hindrances, lac cultivation generated an employment for 16-160 man days. Lac cultivation produces maximum gross return (Rs. 9,77,600) from 100 Kusum host plants, and the highest Benefit-Cost (6.80) ratio was recorded for Ber-kusumi (Ziziphus mauritiana- Schleichera oleosa) crop in Ranchi, Jharkhand. In this context, the study finds out obstacles in lac production of India and suggests some control measures to improve lac producing peoples’ livelihood.
Identification of microbial contaminants in drinking water samples of Ahmedabad using PCR
Authors: Bhatt Rohi T , Nagwadiya Manisha A , Chandran Sheji , Yagnik Bhupesh N
Published: September 2018

Quality of drinking water is one of the greatest anxiety of water consumers with contamination of different pathogenic microorganisms especially fungi and bacteria. Water-borne pathogen contamination in water resources and related diseases are a major water quality concern throughout the world. A motivation for this study was the numerous reports about these contaminations of drinking water and the associated diseases. Water samples were collected from various locations of Ahmedabad in February 2017. The samples were analyzed by 16S rDNA PCR and ITS rDNA PCR since the DNA sequence polymorphisms in the 16S ribosomal DNA and ITS rDNA can be used for the identification of bacterial and fungal species respectively. The PCR amplicons were obtained for each water samples, were sequenced and the species identity was determined using NCBI-BLAST. Bacterial species of Aeromonas, Citrobacter and E. coli along with two fungal species were obtained from municipal water supplies and parab waters. Species of Aspergillus and Penicillium represented the most common fungi in municipal water supplies. This is the first report of molecular study from drinking water facilities of Ahmedabad. This study has clearly revealed that currently, the microbiological quality of the water is inferior for drinking purpose due to bacterial and fungal contamination. This study also showed the potential PCR based identification as a rapid technique for identifying microorganisms in drinking water samples.
Effect of nutrient levels and schedule of nutrient application on the grain quality of upland rice intercropped in coconut
Authors: Raj Sheeja K , Suman B.M. , Prathapan K.
Published: September 2018

Field experiment was conducted at Coconut Research Balaramapuram, during Kharif 2017 to study the effect of nutrient levels and schedule of application on the quality parameters of upland rice intercropped in coconut. The experiment was conducted in randomized block design (RBD) with four different nutrient levels and four different schedules of nutrient application. Quality parameters like crude protein and starch content were significantly influenced by nutrient levels. The crude protein content was found to increase with increase in N level, however starch content was found to increase up to 70 kg N and 35 kg K ha-1 and after that a decline in trend was observed.  The highest crude protein content (8.38 per cent) was recorded with highest nutrient level, NPK @ 120:30:60 kg ha-1.  However, lower nutrient level, NPK @ 70:30:35 kg ha-1 recorded higher starch content (85.03 per cent).  Among the schedule of nutrient application, N applied in three equal splits (15 days after sowing (DAS), active tillering and panicle initiation stage), P as basal and K in two equal splits (15 DAS and panicle initiation stage) along with foliar application of 0.2 per cent zinc sulphate and 0.04 per cent sodium borate at 45 DAS recorded the highest crude protein (7.50 per cent) and starch content (84.17 per cent). The study clearly indicated that the increased level of N and K increased the protein content due to the active role of N and K in protein synthesis. However, high rate of N application decreased the starch content. In addition to the application of NPK, foliar nutrition of zinc sulphate and sodium borate at 45 DAS considerably improved the quality of grain by increasing the starch and protein content.
Eco-dyeing of wool yarn with Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (Ber) and its colour fastness properties
Authors: Chungkrang Liza Moni , Phukan Ava Rani , Kalita Binita
Published: September 2018

In search of eco-friendly processes for dyeing with natural dyes research has been focused on identification and standardization of natural dyes. Considering the growing importance of natural colourants all over the world, the present work was undertaken with on aim to study the colour fastness properties of wool yarn dyed with bark of Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (ber). The dyed wool samples had good to excellent colour fastness to washing, crocking perspiration and sunlight. Different shades of brown colour of rust, candy pink, biscuit brown, nut brown and light brown were obtained using different mordants. This type of eco-dyeing process may be helpful in increasing the variety of colours in the field of textiles.