bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Repair of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak After Functional Endoscopy Sinus Surgery
Authors: Sapta Mohamad I , Wargasetia Teresa L
Published: January 2018

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is one of Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)complications. Since 2001, it was reported that there is one case of CSF leak as FESScomplication in ENT-HN Department, Faculty of Medicine, Maranatha Christian University -Immanuel Hospital in Bandung. The purpose of this case report is present clinical findings andmanagement of CSF leak as FESS complication. A-45 year old male with headache as chiefcomplain after undergone FESS five days before. There was a clear rhinorrhea running frompatient’s right nose. In nasoendoscopic examination, it was showed there was a defect in laminacribrosa. The result of paranasal sinus computed tomography scanning showed an air columnin brain ventricular system. The defect in lamina cribrosa was repaired by transnasalendoscopic using materials such as surgicel, cartilages, and fat tissues. The conclusion is weroll out one case about repair of CSF leak as a FESS complication and it was done with a goodresult.Keywords: cerebrospinal fluid leak, functional endoscopic sinus surgery
The Effect of Tempe Dietary Intake on Plasma Glucose Level in Elderly Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Puspasari Grace , Dillon Drupadi , Budiman Budiman
Published: January 2018

The aim of the study was to investigate  the effect of daily intake of 100 grams tempe for four weeks on plasma glucose level in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study was a parallel randomized clinical trial. Subjects were 30 diabetic elderly living in four nursing homes in Jakarta. In the study subjects were assigned to two groups using block randomization. All subjects had to take diabetic regiment with calorie and macronutrient following diabetic recommendation diet. The treatment group (n=16) received tempe, while control group (n=14) received legumes other than tempe. Fasting plasma glucose level (FPG) was assessed before and after intervention. Unpaired t test and Mann Whitney were used to analyzed data with the 5% significance level. There were 27 subjects completed the study: 15 of treatment group and 12 of control group. Both group were comparable in age, gender, BMI, calorie and macronutrient intake before treatment. Fat, fiber, and isoflavone intake were significantly higher in treatment group compare to control group. Decrease in FPG after intervention were observed but were statisticaly insignificant. In conclusion daily intake of 100 grams tempe for four weeks did not decrease FPG.  Keywords: elderly, plasma glucose level, tempe, type 2 diabetes
Volume 1 Author Index
Authors: Team Editorial
Published: January 2018

Volume 1 Author Index
اتجاه معلمات المدارس الابتدائية نحو دمج التكنولوجيا في التعليم في مركز محافظة بابل
Authors: عبد جنان محمد , مسرهد سجى عبد
Published: January 2018

شهد عالمنا المعاصر عددا من الظواهر والتحديات , يأتي في مقدمتها ثورة المعرفة والمعلوماتية التي انطلقت بخطى متسارعة في المجال العلمي والتكنولوجي , اذ يهدف البحث الحالي الى معرفة اتجاه معلمات المدارس الابتدائية نحو دمج التكنولوجيا في التعليم في مركز محافظة بابل.

اعتمدت الباحثتان منهج البحث الوصفي للدراسات الارتباطية لمناسبته لظروف بحثهما الحالي .

واستخدمت الباحثتان استبانه لقياس اتجاه معلمات المدارس الابتدائية نحو دمج التكنولوجيا في التعليم في مركز محافظة بابل , اذ تكونت فقرات الاستبانة من 30 فقرة. وتم التأكد من صدق وثبات الاداة قبل تطبيقها.

وتم التوصل الى النتائج الاتية:

البحث عن المعرفة بصورة صحيحة

استخدام التكنولوجيا في التعليم تساعد التلميذات على التركيز والمشاركة

تساعد الوسائل التكنولوجية على اخراج ما لدى التلميذات من طاقة وامكانيات.
Epoxidation of Neral/Geranial Using a Jacobsen-Katsuki Mn catalyst by Chemical and Electrochemical Methods
Authors: Portilla-Zuñiga Omar , Mosquera-Ramírez Marco Fidel , Martín-Franco Jaime , Oyos-Saavedra Olga Lucía , Cuervo-Ochoa Germán
Published: January 2018

In this study, trans-(±)-N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-cyclo-hexanediaminemanganese(III) chloride ([Mn(t-salcn)]Cl) was synthe-sized and used as a catalyst for the epoxidation of citral. The  percentage of converted citral in two methods, chemical and electro-chemical, was determined and compared; in the former method, the oxidizing agent NaClO was directly and completely added at the start of the reaction, while in the latter, ClO− was progressively generated in situ. The reaction was monitored by the quantification of citral using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The results showed that in both cases, the major products correspond to epoxides from ci-tral isomers, although differences were observed in the value of per-centage of epoxides obtained, besides the generation of side reactions affecting the yield of the product of interest.
Magnetic Properties of Metal - Polymer Composites for Ac Applications at High Frequencies
Authors: Verduzco Jorge Alejandro , Borja Carlos Ernesto , López Víctor Hugo , Olmos Luis Rafael , Betancourt José Israel , Figueroa Ignacio Alejandro
Published: January 2018

This paper presents the soft magnetic properties of the Fe-, Ni-, Co- and Fe-Co-Ni polymer composites. The composites were ob-tained with Fe, Ni and Co powders (99.9% purity) with particle sizes of 150, 10 and 2 mm, respectively. Ring-shaped samples were ob-tained using uniaxial compaction at 91 MPa. The Fe-Co-Ni-polymer composite has the highest value of the magnetic permeability (μ=54) at 107 Hz and saturation magnetization (Ms=10000 Am2Kg-1) higher than the Ni-polymer composite (4100 Am2Kg-1).
Microstructural Evolution of Rapid Solidified Al-Ni Alloys
Authors: Martínez-Villalobos Manuel Alejandro , Figueroa Ignacio Alejandro , Suarez Miguel Angel , Lara Rodríguez Gabriel Ángel , Novelo Peralta Omar , González Reyes Gonzalo , López Ismeli Alfonso , Verduzco Martínez Jorge , Díaz Trujillo Cesar
Published: January 2018

In this study, Al-Ni alloy ribbons in hypoeutectic, euctectic and hypereutectic compositions were obtained by melt spinning. The microstructural changes of the samples, from the as-cast to rapid solid-ification processes at different Cu wheel tangential velocities were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The rapid solidification caused morphological transformation of the Al-Al3Ni microstructure from acicular in the as-cast condition to globular in the melt spun ribbons and the growth of the metastable Al9Ni2 intermetallic compound, which acted as reinforcing particles. Due to the increment of the Ni content and the presence of these intermetallic compounds, with size of ~5nm, distributed in the aluminum matrix, the hardness of the alloys significantly increased from the hypoeutectic (90 VHN) to the hypereutectic (205VHN) composition.
Structural and Electronic Characterization of CuxBi2Se3
Authors: Arévalo López Paola , Morales Leal Francisco , Escudero Derat Roberto
Published: January 2018

Topological insulator Bi2Se3 becomes superconductor when it is intercalated with copper. In this work, we present our studies related to the electronic and structural characterization of CuxBi2Se3 with Cu variation from x = 0.11 to 0.20. We show structural and chemical studies performed via X-ray diffraction and photoelectron spectroscopy. Cu insertion modifies the Bi and Se binding energies and induces superconductivity in the compound.
Development of a HPLC-DAD Method for the Simultaneous Quantification of 5-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-7-methoxy-3’,4’-dihydroxy-4-phenylcoumarin and its Aglycone in Feces
Authors: Cristians Sol , Rubio-Carrasco Kenneth , Díaz-Juárez Angélica Soledad , González-Covarrubias Vannesa , Fuentes-Noriega Inés
Published: January 2018

A sensitive and specific HPLC-DAD method was devel-oped and validated for the simultaneous quantification of 5-O-β-D-ga-lactopyranosyl-7-methoxy-3’,4’-dihydroxy-4-phenylcoumarin (4-PC) and its aglycone in rat feces. The 4-phenylcoumarins are important antidiabetic and gastroprotective bioactive metabolites of a highly commercialized medicinal plant complex in Mexico, the Copalchi complex. Both the sample preparation and the quantification method were developed; the methodology allows, for the first time ever, the simultaneous determination of the 4-PC (Rt= 2.4 min) and its metabo-lized aglycone (Rt= 7.5 min), aimed to their pharmacokinetic analysis, specially their elimination. Linearity was determined in the range, 0.09–4.5 µg/mL for both compounds (R2= 0.9999). Accuracy was <15.0% for 4-PC and aglycone with an interassay precision of maxi-mum %RSD of 6.1% for 4-PC and 2.7% for the aglycone. The intraassay precision was %RSD < 7.5 for 4-PC and < 3.5% for the aglycone. Analyte recovery from spiked samples was always > 98.02% for 4-PC and > 96.61% for its aglycone. The method was successfully applied to a single-dose preclinical pharmacokinetics preliminary study in rats.
Synthesis of Xanthene Derivatives using Template-containing Zn/MCM-41 as a Green and Reusable Catalyst; Effect of the Template
Authors: Pirouzmand Mahtab , Gharehbaba Adel Mahmoudi , Ghasemi Zarrin
Published: January 2018

Two approaches for metal ion incorporation were employed to introduce Zn into MCM-41; Direct Synthesis (DS) and Wet Impregnation (WI). The ionic template was removed by two different methods: calcination and solvent extraction. For comparison, a series of template-containing mesoporous Zn/MCM-41 was also synthesized without surfactant removal. The catalysts were examined in a three component reaction to afford benzoxanthene derivative. The templae-containing Zn/MCM-41 showed particularly the highest activity. This activity is due to both Lewis acid sites and the ionic template. This catalyst could be reused without loss of its catalytic activity because the organic template does not leach during the reaction. It is also very efficient for the synthesis of a hydroxanthene derivative.
Carbon Nitride Nanotube as a Chemical Sensor for Melamine: A Theoretical Study
Authors: Moradi Reza , Hosseini Javad Hosseini
Published: January 2018

The interaction of a melamine molecule with a carbon nitride nanotube (CNNT) was explored by means of dispersion-corrected density functional calculations. It was found that melamine prefers to be adsorbed on the porous site of the tube wall with the adsorption energy of -21.9 kcal/mol. This adsorption process significantly shifts the HOMO of the tube to higher energies, thereby reducing the gap of the tube from 3.97 to 2.65 eV. Moreover, the work function is slightly decreased which can facilitate the field electron emission from the tube surface. It is expected that CNNT can be a promising candidate for sensor devices in detecting the melamine molecule with short recovery time and high sensitivity.
Policy Proposal for Metals Speciation in Tailings Contaminated Soils: A Case Study in Chihuahua, Mexico
Authors: Gavilán García Irma Cruz , Fernández Villagómez Georgina , Menchaca Pérez Alejandro , Barraza Torres Luis Adrian , Gavilán García Arturo
Published: January 2018

This work is focused in studying the inclusion of chemical speciation in the characterization of mining tailings in Mexican regulation with a case study in Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico. In this site, high concentration of lead and arsenic in tailings located in the surroundings represent a high concern to the local population. The total concentration of Pb in the samples ranged from 78.03 ± 2.67 to 5748 ± 263.63 [mg kg-1] and from 5.49 ± 0.43 to 509.84 ± 40.18 [mg kg-1] for As. Chemical speciation was tested for samples that exceeded the limits of the Mexican Regulation using sequential extractions proposed by the Bureau Community of Reference (BCR) to obtain the distribution of lead and arsenic in four different fractions. The set of extractions consisted in the extractable/exchangeable fraction (F1), the reducible fraction (F2), the metals bound to organic matter and sulfides (F3) those under oxidizing conditions, and the residual fraction (RF). The results show that 70% of lead is found in F1 and F2 fractions while 20% is found in F3 fraction. In case of arsenic, 60% is found in residual fraction, 25% in fraction F3 and less than 15% in fractions F1 and F2.
Nano Fe3O4 as Green Catalyst for Beckmann Rearrangement under Ultrasound Irradiation
Authors: KarimKoshteh Mostafa , Bagheri Marziyeh
Published: January 2018

Nano-Fe3O4 particles were used as a green and heterogeneous catalyst for Beckmann rearrangement under ultrasound irradiation and protic solvent condition in excellent yields. The advantage of this method was simple, inexpensive, easy work-up procedure, suppression of any side product.
Divergent Reactivity of 2-Vinylpyridine and 1-Vinylpyrazole in Rhodium-Phosphine Systems: C-H Activation and Dinuclear Chemistry
Authors: Azpíroz Ramón , Passarelli Vincenzo , Castarlenas Ricardo , Pérez-Torrente Jesús J. , Oro Luis A.
Published: January 2018

The RhI-RhIII mixed valence dinuclear complex Rh2-Cl2(μ-H)(μ-η2,κ2-C,N-NC5H4-2-(Z)CH=CH)(PPhMe2)3 has been prepared by reaction of [Rh(μ-Cl)(η2-coe)2]2 with 2-vinylpyridine in the presence of dimethylphenylphosphine as a result of C-H activation of the terminal olefinic proton. The X-ray structure presents anagostic Rh···HC and π-π interactions between aromatic rings. In contrast, 1-vinylpyrazole does not undergo a C-H activation process, resulting in the formation of dinuclear species supported by 1-vinylpyrazole bridges. Anagostic Rh···HC interactions and CH···Cl hydrogen bonds are responsible for the 3D packing of the complex.
Metal–azasterol complexes: Synthesis, characterization, interaction studies with DNA and TrxR and Biological Evaluation
Authors: Visbal Gonzalo , Higuera-Padilla Angel Rubén , Pereira Borba-Santos Luana , De Souza Wanderley , Rozental Sonia , Navarro Maribel
Published: January 2018

A new azasterol 22-hydrazine-imidazolin-2-yl-chol-5-ene-3β-ol (AH3) and their derivatives [Au(AH3)Cl] (1) and [Cu(AH3)2(H2O)2](NO3)2 (2) were synthesized and characterized by a combination of elemental analyses, 1H and 13C -NMR, UV-vis and infrared spectroscopies. The interactions with two targets DNA and TrxR were investigated. The results from these studies suggested that these metal-azasterol complexes interact with DNA most probably by covalent binding. Complex 1 showed also the ability to strongly inhibit TrxR. Additionally, their activities against yeast cells of Sporothrix spp. were evaluated; finding that complex 1 was the most active, even better than itraconazole.
Reaction fabrication and wear performance of TiCx/(Cu–A1) bonded diamond composites
Authors: Liang Baoyan , Han Danhui , Zhang Wangxi , Wang Yanzhi
Published: January 2018

Cu–TiCx-bonded diamond composites were prepared by in-situ reaction sintering of Cu, Ti3AlC2, and diamond powders. The effect of Ti3AlC2 content on the phase composition, microstructure, and grinding properties was investigated. Ti3AlC2 was decomposed to TiCx and Al. Then, Al was dissolved into the crystal lattice of Cu to form a Cu(Al) solution. A carbon-rich transition layer was formed at the interface between the diamond and the matrix. Excess Al inhibited the formation of Cu solid solution and reacted with Cu to form Cu3Al2. Diamond may be damaged to some extent by adding excess Ti3AlC2 in the raw materials, which may deteriorate the grinding performance of the composites. The grinding ratio value of copper–diamond composite was only 132, whereas that of the composites containing higher Ti3AlC2 content in the raw materials was approximately 350.
Knowledge and attitude on cardiovascular diseases among women in selected areas of Dhaka city
Authors: Hoq Kazi Md Obaydul , Jerin Marufa , Uddin Md Shafayet , Khan Zahid Hasan
Published: January 2018

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality not only in Bangladesh but also all over the world. In Bangladesh, Women are more vulnerable group in all socio economic indexes. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 women from Dhaka City. Samples were chosen purposively Data were collected by semi structured self administered questionnaire. Questionnaire was based on Likert scale. Data analysis was performed by using Statistical Package for Social Science - 17.0 for windows. 75.4% respondent were in the age group of 18-35 years (Mean 30.56, Min:18 years and Max: 68 years). Majority (89%) were married & Muslim (99%) by religion, half of the participant (49.3%) were completed only primary education which indicate the poor status of women education in Bangladesh. The family size of most of the respondent (58%) are 4-6. Very few respondent have large family. It was found that 56.7 % of respondents had good knowledge, 8.3 percent had satisfactory knowledge, 1.7% had excellent knowledge and the remaining 29 percent had poor knowledge regarding cardiovascular diseases. The study revealed that among the total respondent, 99.7% women showed negative attitude & told that they would never involved in smoking. On the other hand 27.7% women show negative attitude & told that the take non smoke tobacco. Among women 56.67% respondent attitude were Moderately Favorable followed by 29% respondents were Favorable followed. Remaining 14.33% respondent attitude were favorable attitude. This study revealed that good knowledge as well as positive attitude towards major risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among the women is unsatisfactory. Socio-demographic factors for good knowledge and good knowledge for the development of positive attitude play vital role. The problem of cardiovascular diseases cannot be solved by Government alone. For effective prevention and control of cardiovascular disease, Govt. & private organization need to make integrated initiative in order to minimize the problem.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2017, 3(4): 426-431
Effects of chemotherapeutics against experimentally injured stinging catfish Heteropneustes fossilis
Authors: Neowajh Md Sharif , Rashid M Mamnur , Asif Abdulla Al , Zafar Md Abu , Hossain Amir
Published: January 2018

Effects of different chemotherapeutics were examined against experimentally infected stinging catfish Heteropneustes fossilis. Fish were collected from a fish market in Mymensingh, acclimatized for 7 days in laboratory condition from January to February, 2016 in aquaria at Fish Clinic of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, experimentally injured by using forceps and knife and waited seven days for the establishment of infection. Before starting chemotherapeutic trial, it was confirmed that the fish were infected with microorganisms by clinical diagnosis in laboratory condition. They showed hemorrhages and ulcerative lesions over the infected area. A total of 80 such experimentally infected stinging catfish having average body weight of 18 g were used for the experiment. Two chemotherapeutics: antibiotic, Eryvet (erythromycin thiocyanate INN, sulphadiazine (NaUSP) & trimithoprim BP) and antifungal, methylene blue were used in separate and combined treatment with three different doses of antibiotic. The same dose of methylene blue, 0.2 mg/l, was used for separate and combined treatment by antibiotic. Doses of antibiotic (Eryvet) were 0.8 g/10 kg body weight of fish, 1g/10 kg body weight of fish and 1.2 g/10 kg body weight of fish as lower dose, recommended dose and higher dose respectively. For combined treatment the above different doses of antibiotic and the same dose of antifungal were used. Water was exchanged regularly. The chemotherapeutic trial was conducted for 7 days and observation was continued for another 8 days to observe the effect of treatment. Combined treatment with the recommended dose of the antibiotic and methylene blue showed the best result where 90% fish were recovered. By the treatment with the higher dose of the antibiotic 70% fish were recovered. Antifungal treatment showed that 20% fish were recovered. All the fish in negative control aquarium died.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2017, 3(4): 476-487
Antibiotic resistance pattern of Salmonella spp. isolated from stool samples of hospitalized diarrheal patients in Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin Mohammad Sharif , Hoq Md Imranul , Ali Mohammad Shaokat , Rahman Md Mijanur , Islam KM Shariful
Published: January 2018

This study was carried out to investigate the drug resistance pattern of Salmonella spp. from diarrheal patients of under 5 years of age. Collected stool samples from the hospitalized diarrheal patients were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella spp. Among 350 stool samples from diarrheal patients, 15 (4%) were positive for the Salmonella spp. Antibiotic susceptibility test of the identified Salmonella spp. was performed according to Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Eight commonly used antibiotics including azithromycin (15 μg), chloramphenicol (30 μg), Sulphamethaxole-trimethoprim (25 μg), metronidazole (50 μg), tetracycline (30 μg), doxycycline (30 μg), erythromycin (15 μg) and ciprofloxacin (5 μg) used to determine drug resistance pattern of the identified Salmonella spp. Majority of the isolates were multidrug resistant showed resistance against more than three drugs. 73% of Salmonella spp. was resistant to 2-4 drugs and 20% showed resistance to more than 5 drugs. We found that 100% Salmonella showed resistance to metronidazole and 87% were resistant to erythromycin. 7% isolates were resistant to chloramphenicol and doxycycline and 20% were resistant to ciprofloxacin. Antibiotic resistance is a serious public health problem worldwide and a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. This kind of situation, leads to great socioeconomic losses from the perspective of the patient, the hospital, and the whole society. To get rid form the drug resistance problem unnecessary, over and misuse of antibiotics should immediately prohibited and policy of judicious use of antibiotics should be strengthened.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2017, 3(4): 534-538
Oriental Bloomsbury
Authors: Nadel Ira
Published: January 2018

The multiple and occasionally contradictory response of Bloomsbury to the Orient is the focus of this essay which also considers the reverse: the Orient's response to Bloomsbury and the promotion of their texts in the East. From Roger Fry to G. L. Dickinson, Virginia Woolf, and Vanessa Bell, the Orient became a source of aesthetic interest and problematized politics. French Orientalism and Proust initially corroborated the experiences of Woolf in Constantinople and Leonard Woolf in Ceylon, soon to be revised by new views of Imperial authority. Yet Bloomsbury and the Orient artistically depended on each other, at one point Fry scolding Bloomsbury and England that ‘we can no longer hide behind the Elgin marbles and refuse to look at the art of China’. And look they did, from attending museum shows to collecting Oriental art and furniture, while adopting Oriental fashions – and, when possible, traveling to China and Japan marked by visits by Bertrand Russell, William Empson, and Harold Acton. The response of individual Bloomsbury writers to the Orient mixes curiosity and jealousy. To her nephew Julian Bell, teaching at Wuhan University, Woolf wrote that ‘you are much to be envied. I wish I had spent three years in China at your age’.
Assessing the Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors of Human and Animal Health Students towards Antibiotic Use and Resistance: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study in the UK
Authors: Dyar Oliver , Hills Holly , Seitz Lara-Turiya , Perry Alex , Ashiru-Oredope Diane
Published: January 2018

The Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance highlights the importance of training all healthcare professionals. No study has assessed patterns of students’ knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning antibiotic use simultaneously across different healthcare course types. We conducted a cross-sectional multi-center survey among UK students. The survey was advertised through local survey coordinators at 25 universities. The online survey was accessible from 10th October to 17th November 2016 (before European Antibiotic Awareness Day). A total of 255 students from 25 universities participated, including students on medicine, pharmacy, nursing, physician associate, dentistry and veterinary medicine courses. Antibiotic resistance was considered to be a more important global challenge than climate change, obesity or food security (p < 0.001). Most students (95%) believed that antibiotic resistance will be a problem for their future practice, but fewer (69%) thought that the antibiotics they will prescribe, administer or dispense will contribute to the problem. A fifth of students felt they had sufficient knowledge of antibiotic use for their future work. Our exploratory study suggests that UK human and animal healthcare students are aware of the importance of antibiotic resistance, but many still have certain misconceptions. Campaigns and improved educational efforts applying behavioral insights methodology could address these.
A Review of the Catalytic Mechanism of Human Manganese Superoxide Dismutase
Authors: Azadmanesh Jahaun , Borgstahl Gloria
Published: January 2018

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are necessary antioxidant enzymes that protect cells from reactive oxygen species (ROS). Decreased levels of SODs or mutations that affect their catalytic activity have serious phenotypic consequences. SODs perform their bio-protective role by converting superoxide into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide by cyclic oxidation and reduction reactions with the active site metal. Mutations of SODs can cause cancer of the lung, colon, and lymphatic system, as well as neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. While SODs have proven to be of significant biological importance since their discovery in 1968, the mechanistic nature of their catalytic function remains elusive. Extensive investigations with a multitude of approaches have tried to unveil the catalytic workings of SODs, but experimental limitations have impeded direct observations of the mechanism. Here, we focus on human MnSOD, the most significant enzyme in protecting against ROS in the human body. Human MnSOD resides in the mitochondrial matrix, the location of up to 90% of cellular ROS generation. We review the current knowledge of the MnSOD enzymatic mechanism and ongoing studies into solving the remaining mysteries.
Adaptive Beamformer Combined with Phase Coherence Weighting Applied to Ultrafast Ultrasound
Authors: Mozumi Michiya , Hasegawa Hideyuki
Published: January 2018

Ultrafast ultrasound imaging is a promising technique for measurement of fast moving objects. In ultrafast ultrasound imaging, the high temporal resolution is realized at the expense of the lateral spatial resolution and image contrast. The lateral resolution and image contrast are important factors determining the quality of a B-mode image, and methods for improvements of the lateral resolution and contrast have been developed. In the present study, we focused on two signal processing techniques; one is an adaptive beamformer, and the other is the phase coherence factor (PCF). By weighting the output of the modified amplitude and phase estimation (mAPES) beamformer by the phase coherence factor, image quality was expected to be improved. In the present study, we investigated how to implement the PCF into the mAPES beamformer. In one of the two examined strategies, the PCF is estimated using element echo signals before application of the weight vector determined by the adaptive beamformer. In the other strategy, the PCF was evaluated from the element signals subjected to the mAPES beamformer weights. The performance of the proposed method was evaluated by the experiments using an ultrasonic imaging phantom. Using the proposed strategies, the lateral full widths at half maximum (FWHM) were both 0.288 mm, which was better than that of 0.348 mm obtained by the mAPES beamformer only. Also, the image contrasts realized by the mAPES beamformer with the PCFs estimated before and after application of the mAPES beamformer weights to the element signals were 5.61 dB and 5.32 dB, respectively, which were better than that of 5.14 dB obtained by the mAPES beamformer only.
Numerical Model and Experimental Analysis of the Thermal Behavior of Electric Radiant Heating Panels
Authors: Ferrarini Giovanni , Fortuna Stefano , Bortolin Alessandro , Cadelano Gianluca , Bison Paolo , Peron Fabio , Romagnoni Piercarlo
Published: January 2018

Electric radiant heating panels are frequently selected during the design phase of residential and industrial heating systems, especially for retrofit of existing buildings, as an alternative to other common heating systems, such as radiators or air conditioners. The possibility of saving living and working space and the ease of installation are the main advantages of electric radiant solutions. This paper investigates the thermal performance of a typical electric radiant panel. A climatic room was equipped with temperature sensors and heat flow meters to perform a steady state experimental analysis. For the dynamic behavior, a mathematical model was created and compared to a thermographic measurement procedure. The results showed for the steady state an efficiency of energy transformation close to one, while in a transient thermal regime the time constant to reach the steady state condition was slightly faster than the typical ones of hydronic systems.
Thermoelectric Cooling-Aided Bead Geometry Regulation in Wire and Arc-Based Additive Manufacturing of Thin-Walled Structures
Authors: Li Fang , Chen Shujun , Shi Junbiao , Zhao Yun , Tian Hongyu
Published: January 2018

Wire and arc-based additive manufacturing (WAAM) is a rapidly developing technology which employs a welding arc to melt metal wire for additive manufacturing purposes. During WAAM of thin-walled structures, as the wall height increases, the heat dissipation to the substrate is slowed down gradually and so is the solidification of the molten pool, leading to variation of the bead geometry. Though gradually reducing the heat input via adjusting the process parameters can alleviate this issue, as suggested by previous studies, it relies on experience to a large extent and inevitably sacrifices the deposition rate because the wire feed rate is directly coupled with the heat input. This study introduces for the first time an in-process active cooling system based on thermoelectric cooling technology into WAAM, which aims to eliminate the difference in heat dissipation between upper and lower layers. The case study shows that, with the aid of thermoelectric cooling, the bead width error is reduced by 56.8%, the total fabrication time is reduced by 60.9%, and the average grain size is refined by 25%. The proposed technique provides new insight into bead geometry regulation during WAAM with various benefits in terms of geometric accuracy, productivity, and microstructure.
Trends of Climate Change in Saudi Arabia: Implications on Water Resources
Authors: Tarawneh Qassem , Chowdhury Shakhawat
Published: January 2018

Climate change is an important factor for sustainable water resource management in the arid and semi-arid countries. In this study, future trends of temperature and rainfall were assessed for several regions in Saudi Arabia. The linear and Mann–Kendall analyses showed an increase of temperature in all regions and decrease of rainfall in many regions. Following trend analysis, the outputs of the NCAR Community Climate System Model were obtained for three emission scenarios (high: representative concentration pathways RCP8.5; high medium: RCP6; and low: RCP2.6) for the assessment periods of 2025–2044, 2045–2064 and 2065–2084 respectively, and compared with the average values from the reference period (1986–2005). In all emission scenarios, temperature showed an increase from 1986 to 2005 in all regions. For RCP8.5, increase of temperature are in the ranges of 0.8–1.6 °C, 0.9–2.7 °C and 0.7–4.1 °C during 2025–2044, 2045–2064 and 2065–2084 respectively. However, rainfall showed variable patterns with respect to emission scenarios and assessment periods. In most regions, the RCP6 showed decrease in rainfall from the reference period while the RCP8.5 and RCP2.6 showed variable patterns. The increase of temperature and variable pattern of rainfall may increase uncertainty in developing sustainable water resource management strategies.
Dislocation Structure and Mobility in Hcp Rare-Gas Solids: Quantum versus Classical
Authors: Sempere Santiago , Serra Anna , Boronat Jordi , Cazorla Claudio
Published: January 2018

We study the structural and mobility properties of edge dislocations in rare-gas crystals with the hexagonal close-packed (hcp) structure by using classical simulation techniques. Our results are discussed in the light of recent experimental and theoretical studies on hcp 4 He, an archetypal quantum crystal. According to our simulations classical hcp rare-gas crystals present a strong tendency towards dislocation dissociation into Shockley partials in the basal plane, similarly to what is observed in solid helium. This is due to the presence of a low-energy metastable stacking fault, of the order of 0.1 mJ/m 2 , that can get further reduced by quantum nuclear effects. We compute the minimum shear stress that induces glide of dislocations within the hcp basal plane at zero temperature, namely, the Peierls stress, and find a characteristic value of the order of 1 MPa. This threshold value is similar to the Peierls stress reported for metallic hcp solids (Zr and Cd) but orders of magnitude larger than the one estimated for solid helium. We find, however, that in contrast to classical hcp metals but in analogy to solid helium, glide of edge dislocations can be thermally activated at very low temperatures, T∼10 K, in the absence of any applied shear stress.
Recent Achievements on Photovoltaic Optoelectronic Tweezers Based on Lithium Niobate
Authors: García-Cabañes Angel , Blázquez-Castro Alfonso , Arizmendi Luis , Agulló-López Fernando , Carrascosa Mercedes
Published: January 2018

This review presents an up-dated summary of the fundamentals and applications of optoelectronic photovoltaic tweezers for trapping and manipulation of nano-objects on the surface of lithium niobate crystals. It extends the contents of previous reviews to cover new topics and developments which have emerged in recent years and are marking the trends for future research. Regarding the theoretical description of photovoltaic tweezers, detailed simulations of the electrophoretic and dielectrophoretic forces acting on different crystal configurations are discussed in relation to the structure of the obtained trapping patterns. As for the experimental work, we will pay attention to the manipulation and patterning of micro-and nanoparticles that has experimented an outstanding progress and relevant applications have been reported. An additional focus is now laid on recent work about micro-droplets, which is a central topic in microfluidics and optofluidics. New developments in biology and biomedicine also constitute a relevant part of the review. Finally, some topics partially related with photovoltaic tweezers and a discussion on future prospects and challenges are included.
Prediction of the ORC Working Fluid’s Temperature-Entropy Saturation Boundary Using Redlich-Kwong Equation of State
Authors: Groniewsky Axel , Imre Attila
Published: January 2018

The shape of the working fluid’s temperature-entropy saturation boundary has a strong influence, not only on the process parameters and efficiency of the Organic Rankine Cycle, but also on the design (the layout) of the equipment. In this paper, working fluids are modelled by the Redlich-Kwong equation of state. It is demonstrated that a limiting isochoric heat capacity might exist between dry and wet fluids. With the Redlich-Kwong equation of state, this limit can be predicted with good accuracy for several fluids, including alkanes.
Heartbeats Do Not Make Good Pseudo-Random Number Generators: An Analysis of the Randomness of Inter-Pulse Intervals
Authors: Ortiz-Martin Lara , Picazo-Sanchez Pablo , Peris-Lopez Pedro , Tapiador Juan
Published: January 2018

The proliferation of wearable and implantable medical devices has given rise to an interest in developing security schemes suitable for these systems and the environment in which they operate. One area that has received much attention lately is the use of (human) biological signals as the basis for biometric authentication, identification and the generation of cryptographic keys. The heart signal (e.g., as recorded in an electrocardiogram) has been used by several researchers in the last few years. Specifically, the so-called Inter-Pulse Intervals (IPIs), which is the time between two consecutive heartbeats, have been repeatedly pointed out as a potentially good source of entropy and are at the core of various recent authentication protocols. In this work, we report the results of a large-scale statistical study to determine whether such an assumption is (or not) upheld. For this, we have analyzed 19 public datasets of heart signals from the Physionet repository, spanning electrocardiograms from 1353 subjects sampled at different frequencies and with lengths that vary between a few minutes and several hours. We believe this is the largest dataset on this topic analyzed in the literature. We have then applied a standard battery of randomness tests to the extracted IPIs. Under the algorithms described in this paper and after analyzing these 19 public ECG datasets, our results raise doubts about the use of IPI values as a good source of randomness for cryptographic purposes. This has repercussions both in the security of some of the protocols proposed up to now and also in the design of future IPI-based schemes.
Feature Selection based on the Local Lift Dependence Scale
Authors: Marcondes Diego , Simonis Adilson , Barrera Junior
Published: January 2018

This paper uses a classical approach to feature selection: minimization of a cost function applied on estimated joint distributions. However, in this new formulation, the optimization search space is extended. The original search space is the Boolean lattice of features sets (BLFS), while the extended one is a collection of Boolean lattices of ordered pairs (CBLOP), that is (features, associated value), indexed by the elements of the BLFS. In this approach, we may not only select the features that are most related to a variable Y, but also select the values of the features that most influence the variable or that are most prone to have a specific value of Y. A local formulation of Shannon’s mutual information, which generalizes Shannon’s original definition, is applied on a CBLOP to generate a multiple resolution scale for characterizing variable dependence, the Local Lift Dependence Scale (LLDS). The main contribution of this paper is to define and apply the LLDS to analyse local properties of joint distributions that are neglected by the classical Shannon’s global measure in order to select features. This approach is applied to select features based on the dependence between: i—the performance of students on university entrance exams and on courses of their first semester in the university; ii—the congress representative party and his vote on different matters; iii—the cover type of terrains and several terrain properties.
Moderate Disturbance Has Similar Effects on Production Regardless of Site Quality and Composition
Authors: Sagara Benjamin , Fahey Robert , Vogel Christoph , Fotis Alexander , Curtis Peter , Gough Christopher
Published: January 2018

Moderate severity disturbances, which only kill a subset of canopy trees (e.g., via insects, pathogens, and windthrow), are increasingly widespread in North America, and can alter forest structure and production. Whether the net primary production (NPP) of forest stands differing in pre-disturbance site quality and composition respond similarly to moderate severity disturbance, however, is unknown, but critical to understanding the disturbance response dynamics of patchy landscapes. We experimentally disturbed three, 2-ha stands varying in pre-disturbance primary production and community composition, temporarily reducing live stand basal area by 38% to 66% through the stem girdling of all mature early successional aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx. and Populus grandidentata Michx.) and birch (Betula papyrifera Marshall). Disturbance significantly altered stand-scale physical and biological structure and prompted a similar decade-long pattern of wood NPP decline and recovery. All stands exhibited an initial reduction in wood NPP, followed by a recovery period and eventual return to pre-disturbance levels within eight years, with the most productive stand exhibiting an increase in primary production following recovery. Following wood NPP recovery, more biologically diverse forest canopies with higher leaf area indexes intercepted more light, and, consequently, had higher rates of wood NPP. We conclude that, despite substantial pre-disturbance differences in productivity and community composition, relative wood NPP recovery patterns can be similar, though long-term post-recovery primary production may trend higher in more productive and compositionally diverse stands. We suggest that improved mechanistic understanding of different forest ecosystems’ responses to disturbances remains critical to informing management decisions across diverse landscape mosaics.
Assessment of the Scales of Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata L.) by Image Analysis and Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Casado Francisco , Casado Santiago , Ceballos-Francisco Diana , Esteban María
Published: January 2018

Understanding the protective role of fish skin is critical to improving the development of aquaculture, since skin is the main surface that separates the animal from its always hazardous environment. Many techniques have been used for its study, but certain structural characteristics of fish skin still remain not clearly understood. That is the case with scales, which have always been attributed a mere protective role, but which are proving to have more functions than it was traditionally thought. To acquire a deeper knowledge, scales from six different regions of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) were studied and measured by image analysis. Results prove that scales from the base of the dorsal fin are larger than those in other parts of the fish body while scales from the peduncle are the smallest of the skin. Furthermore, a technique relatively new in this field, known as atomic force microscopy (AFM), was used to obtain representations of the ultrastructure of the scales and measure certain features such as the circuli and the lines in the basal layer. The data obtained allowed us to compare the height of circuli among the different scales, showing that they were higher in scales from the dorsum and the operculum. The present results introduce a nanostructural model of the scales of gilthead seabream that might serve as a useful guideline for future studies.
Autosomal Recessive NRL Mutations in Patients with Enhanced S-Cone Syndrome
Authors: Littink Karin , Stappers Patricia , Riemslag Frans , Talsma Herman , Van Genderen Maria , Cremers Frans , Collin Rob , Van den Born L.
Published: January 2018

Enhanced S-cone syndrome (ESCS) is mainly associated with mutations in the NR2E3 gene. However, rare mutations in the NRL gene have been reported in patients with ESCS. We report on an ESCS phenotype in additional patients with autosomal recessive NRL (arNRL) mutations. Three Moroccan patients of two different families with arNRL mutations were enrolled in this study. The mutation in the DNA of one patient, from a consanguineous marriage, was detected by homozygosity mapping. The mutation in the DNA of two siblings from a second family was detected in a targeted next-generation sequencing project. Full ophthalmic examination was performed, including best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, funduscopy, Goldmann kinetic perimetry, optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, and extended electroretinography including an amber stimulus on a blue background and a blue stimulus on an amber background. One patient carried a homozygous missense mutation (c.508C>A; p.Arg170Ser) in the NRL gene, whereas the same mutation was identified heterozygously in the two siblings of a second family, in combination with a one base-pair deletion (c.654del; p.Cys219Valfs*4) on the other allele. All patients had reduced visual acuity and showed a typical clumped pigmentary retinal degeneration (CPRD). Foveal schisis-like changes were observed in the oldest patient. An electroretinogram (ERG) under dark-adapted conditions showed absent responses for low stimulus strengths and reduced responses for high stimulus strengths, with constant b-wave latencies despite increasing stimulus strength. A relatively high amplitude was detected with a blue stimulus on an amber background, while an amber stimulus on a blue background showed reduced responses. The arNRL mutations cause a phenotype with typical CPRD. This phenotype has previously been described in patients with ESCS caused by NR2E3 mutations, and rarely by NRL mutations. Based on our findings in ERG testing, we conclude that S-cone function is enhanced in our patients in a similar manner as in patients with NR2E3-associated ESCS, confirming previous reports of NRL as a second gene to cause ESCS.
Factors Associated with Cigarette Smoking and Motivation to Quit among Street Food Sellers in Vietnam
Authors: Le Xuan , To Lien , Le Huong , Hoang Hanh , Do Khanh , Nguyen Cuong , Tran Bach , Do Huyen , Nguyen Luong , Latkin Carl , Zhang Melvyn , Ho Roger
Published: January 2018

Since 2013, smoke-free signs in public places, including in restaurants and food stores, have been introduced in Vietnam, aiming to prevent passive smoking. Although extensive research has been carried out on second-hand smoking among clients in public places (e.g., hospitals, restaurants) in Vietnam, no single study exists which captures the current practice of smoking among street food outlets. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of smoking and identify factors associated with smoking status and cessation motivation amongst food sellers in Vietnam. A cross-sectional study involving 1733 food providers at outlets was conducted in 29 districts in Hanoi capital, Vietnam, in 2015. The prevalence of smoking amongst food sellers was determined to be 8.5% (25% for men and 0.8% for women). The enforcement of the smoke-free policy remains modest, since only 7.9% observed outlets complied with the law, providing a room designated for smokers. Although approximately 80% of the participants were aware of the indoor smoke-free regulations in public places, such as restaurants and food stores, 40.2% of smokers reported no intention of quitting smoking. A percentage of 37.6% of current smokers reported that despite having intentions to quit, they did not receive any form of support for smoking cessation. Being male and having hazardous drinking habits and a poor quality of life were all factors that were significantly associated with smoking status. Additionally, having awareness of smoking’s adverse effects and being frequently supervised by the authority were associated with a greater motivation to quit. This study highlights the importance of an accompanying education and smoking cessation program in addition to the frequent inspection and reinforcement of smoke-free policy in food stores. This research extends on our knowledge of smoking prevalence and its factors related to smoking events and motivation to quit among street food outlets. Overall, this study strengthens the idea that more government efforts towards preventing passive smoking and smoking cessation education are necessary in restaurants and other street food outlets.