bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nuevos sistemas robóticos de inspección e intervención en rehabilitación de fachadas = New robotic systems of inspection and intervention in façade rehabilitation
Authors: Riobo J. , Espelosín J. , Montano L. , Mené J. , Diez D. , Lalana J.
Published: September 2018

Resumen La construcción de edificios cada vez más altos, la puesta en marcha de la ITV de edificios de más de 50 años y los avances tecnológicos son tres factores que hacen cada vez más interesante, e incluso necesario, el desarrollo de nuevos sistemas de inspección que faciliten dichas actuaciones. La robotización en estas tareas debe dar lugar a una optimización de los procesos (menor tiempo, menor coste), disminución de riesgos laborales, así como la minimización de las afecciones en el tráfico y las molestias a los viandantes en torno al edificio. Este artículo, generado dentro del proyecto ROBIM financiado por Centro de Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial en la Convocatoria CIEN 2016, presenta los avances tecnológicos producidos en los últimos años en las labores de inspección de fachadas yendo desde los procesos más manuales y costosos en tiempo y dinero hasta las últimas novedades existentes donde la automatización del proceso de inspección empieza a cobrar peso. En especial, el estudio se focaliza en analizar los diferentes robots existentes en el panorama internacional en tareas de inspección de superficies verticales, el conocer que tecnologías de fijación utilizan y cómo se trasladan a lo largo de la fachada. Abstract The construction of increasingly higher buildings, the implementation of the ITV of buildings over 50 years and technological advances are three factors that make it increasingly interesting, and even necessary, the development of new inspection systems that facilitate said actions. The robotization in these tasks must lead to an optimization of the processes (less time, lower cost), reduction of occupational risks, as well as the minimization of traffic conditions and the inconvenience to pedestrians around the building. This article, generated within the ROBIM project funded by the Center for Industrial Technological Development in the CIEN 2016 Call, presents the technological advances produced in recent years in the inspection of facades from the most manual and costly processes in time and money to the latest news where the automation of the inspection process begins to gain weight. In particular, the study focuses on analyzing the different existing robots in the international landscape in vertical surface inspection tasks, knowing which fixing technologies they use and how they move along the façade.
Construction site layout optimization and 3D visualization through BIM tools = Visualización 3D y optimización a través de herramientas BIM aplicado a los planos de proyecto
Authors: Olugboyega Oluseye , Wemimo Olorunfemi Timothy
Published: September 2018

Abstract Site layout plan is required for the management of the construction site and operations. A well-developed site layout has positive impact on workers, working environment, productivity and eventual success of a project. Moreover, the proposed construction methods for a project have the most significant impact on productivity, quality and cost of construction projects. This paper proposes a site layout model through BIM and construction methodology integration. An illustrative case study method was adopted for the study, where the assumptions and processes adopted in the site layout model were expounded and illustrative example was presented. The study substantiated the need to incorporate construction methods for projects in the BIM-based modelling of construction site layout plan; and the need to reinforce the possibility of re-thinking the processes of planning, construction, and management of projects. Resumen Es preciso planificar la implantación y ejecución de la construcción para una adecuada gestión de la construcción. La implantación y distribución de los espacios de acopios y servicios tiene un impacto positivo en los trabajadores, en el ambiente de trabajo, en la productividad y en el éxito del Proyecto. Tener en cuenta en la planificación de la construcción los métodos y soluciones constructivas definidos en el Proyecto de Ejecución tienen un gran impacto en la productividad, calidad y coste del Proyecto. En este estudio se propone utilizar las herramientas BIM integrando metodología de construcción para desarrollar la planificación de la implantación y ejecución de la construcción. Para ello se utiliza un caso de estudio ilustrativo en el que se exponen los supuestos y los procesos adoptados. El estudio confirma la necesidad de tener en cuenta e incorporar los métodos y soluciones constructivas en el modelo BIM de la implantación de la construcción para estudiar con antelación la planificación, la ejecución y la gestión del proyecto.
Assessment of the implementation of Tourism Indicator Systems for Sustainable Destinations in Italy
Authors: Capocchi Alessandro , Modica Patrizia , Zenga Mariangela , Foroni Ilaria
Published: September 2018

The European system of indicators is the result of the European Union sustainable development strategy, based on the objectives of economic prosperity, social equity, cohesion and environmental protection. In 2010 the EC defined four strategic priorities: encourage competitiveness in the tourism sector, promote sustainable high-quality tourism, strengthen the image of Europe as a tourism destination, and finally, improve EU financial policies and instruments. This paper aims to analyze in a positive critical perspective the experience done during the period 2013-2014 in the Italian destination Visit South Sardinia. This experience is in one hand an important primacy in Italy and in Europe, but in the other hand has not reached the expected objectives. Many difficulties were encountered both for data collection and for stakeholder involvement. Also the complexity of the indicators tool kit is relevant. Even if the experience of VSS did not produce the expected results, we believe that the analysis carried out in this paper can help and support other countries and or other destination in Europe in the process of implementation of the ETIS indicators tool kit in order to adapt the system itself to the needs that are encountered locally.
Impact of Maternal Air Pollution Exposure on Children’s Lung Health: An Indian Perspective
Authors: Saha Pritam , Johny Ebin , Dangi Ashish , Shinde Sopan B , Eapen Mathew , Sohal Sukhwinder , Naidu VGM , Sharma Pawan
Published: September 2018

Air pollution has become a growing invisible killer in recent years and is major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. India stands 10th among the highly polluted countries with an average PM10 level of 134μg/m3 per year. It is also reported that 99% of India's population comes across air pollution level that exceed the World Health Organization Air Quality Guideline (AQG), PM2.5 permissible levels of 10 μg/m3. Maternal exposure to air pollution has a serious health outcome to the offspring because it can affect embryonic phases of development during the gestation period. Fetus is more prone to air pollution effect during embryonic developmental phases due to oxidative stress as antioxidant mechanisms are lacking at that stage. Any injury during this vulnerable period (embryonic phase) will have long-term impact on offspring health both in early and later in life. Epidemiological studies have revealed that maternal exposure to air pollution increases the risk of developing airways disease in offspring due to impaired lung development in utero. In this review, we discuss cellular mechanisms involved in maternal exposure to air pollution and how it can impact development of airways disease in offspring. Better understanding of these mechanisms in context of maternal exposure to air pollution can offer newer avenue to prevent development of airways disease in offspring.
Global, Non-Parametric, Non-Iterative Optimization of Time-Averaged Quantities under Small, Time-Varying Forcing: An Application to a Thermal Convection Field
Authors: Ishida Hideshi , Ihara Shiho , Okema Chiharu , Yamada Shohei , Kawahara Genta
Published: September 2018

This study demonstrates a global, non-parametric, non-iterative optimization of time-mean value of a kind of index vibrated by time-varying forcing. It is based on the fact that the (steady) forced vibration of non-autonomous ordinary differential equation systems is well approximated by an analytical solution when the amplitude of forcing is sufficiently small and its base state without forcing is stable and steady. It is applied to optimize a time-averaged heat-transfer rate on a two-dimensional thermal convection field in a square cavity with horizontal temperature difference, and the globally optimal way of vibrational forcing, i.e. the globally optimal, spatial distribution of vibrational heat and vorticity sources, is first obtained. The maximized vibrational thermal convection corresponds well to the state of internal gravity wave resonance. In contrast, the minimized thermal convection is weak, keeping the boundary layers on both sidewalls thick.
LDAS-Monde Sequential Assimilation of Satellite Derived Observations Applied to the CONtiguous US: An ERA-5 Driven Reanalysis of the Land Surface Variables
Authors: Albergel Clément , Munier Simon , Bocher Aymeric , Bonan Bertrand , Zheng Yongjun , Draper Clara , Leroux Delphine J. , Calvet Jean-Christophe
Published: September 2018

LDAS-Monde, an offline land data assimilation system with global capacity, is applied over the CONtiguous US (CONUS) domain to enhance monitoring accuracy for water and energy states and fluxes. LDAS-Monde ingests satellite-derived Surface Soil Moisture (SSM) and Leaf Area Index (LAI) estimates to constrain the Interactions between Soil, Biosphere, and Atmosphere (ISBA) Land Surface Model (LSM) coupled with the CNRM (Centre National de Recherches Météorologiques) version of the Total Runoff Integrating Pathways (CTRIP) continental hydrological system (ISBA-CTRIP). LDAS-Monde is forced by the ERA-5 atmospheric reanalysis from the European Center For Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) from 2010 to 2016 leading to a 7-yr, quarter degree spatial resolution offline reanalysis of Land Surface Variables (LSVs) over CONUS. The impact of assimilating LAI and SSM into LDAS-Monde is assessed over North America, by comparison to satellite-driven model estimates of land evapotranspiration from the Global Land Evaporation Amsterdam Model (GLEAM) project, and upscaled ground-based observations of gross primary productivity from the FLUXCOM project. Also, taking advantage of the relatively dense data networks over CONUS, we also evaluate the impact of the assimilation against in-situ measurements of soil moisture from the USCRN network (US Climate Reference Network) are used in the evaluation, together with river discharges from the United States Geophysical Survey (USGS) and the Global Runoff Data Centre (GRDC). Those data sets highlight the added value of assimilating satellite derived observations compared to an open-loop simulation (i.e. no assimilation). It is shown that LDAS-Monde has the ability not only to monitor land surface variables but also to forecast them, by providing improved initial conditions which impacts persist through time. LDAS-Monde reanalysis has a potential to be used to monitor extreme events like agricultural drought, also. Finally, limitations related to LDAS-Monde and current satellite-derived observations are exposed as well as several insights on how to use alternative datasets to analyze soil moisture and vegetation state.
Structural Safety Analysis of the Aqueducts "Coll De Foix" and "Capdevila" of the Canal of Aragon and Catalonia
Authors: de la Fuente Albert , Alegre Vicente , Blanco Ana , Cavero Teresa , Quintilla Roberto
Published: September 2018

The Canal of Aragon and Catalonia (CAC) is 134 km long and irrigates 105,000 ha (131 irrigation user communities) and it is own by the River Ebro’s Water Agency. The aqueducts are located between km 67 and 71 of the canal and were designed by the Civil Engineer Félix de los Ríos Martín in 1907. The cross-section of both aqueducts, Coll de Foix and Capedevila, was extended within the framework of the project by Fernando Hué Herrero in 1962 in order to reach design flows of 26.1 m3/s and 25.7 m3/s, respectively. The structural performance of the aqueducts has been satisfactory, nevertheless the hydraulic capacity has reduced over the years. As a result, the irrigation user communities have expressed the need to extend the cross-section of the aqueducts to meet the irrigation demands. Given the age of the structure and the different design considerations at the time, it is paramount to verify the structural reliability of the aqueducts in the new load configuration. Therefore, the objective of the paper is to present the structural safety analysis conducted and describe the new extended cross-section for both aqueducts (maintaining the original structural typology).
Growth Response and Root Characteristics of Lettuce Grown in Aeroponics, Hydroponics and Substrate Culture
Authors: Li Qiansheng , Li Xiaoqiang , Tang Bin , Gu Mengmeng
Published: September 2018

Aeroponics is a relatively new soilless culture technology, which may produce food in space limited cities or non-arable land with high water use efficiency. The shoot and root growth, root characteristics, mineral contents of two lettuce cultivars were measured in aeroponics, as compared with hydroponics and substrate culture. The results showed that aeroponics remarkably improved the root growth with a significant greater root biomass, root/shoot ratio, and several times higher total root length, root area and root volume. However, the greater root growth did not lead to a better shoot growth compared with hydroponics, due to the limited availability of nutrients and water. It can be concluded that aeroponics systems may be better for high value true root crops production. Further research is necessary to figure out the suitable pressure, droplet size, and misting interval in order to improve the continuously availability of nutrients and water in aeroponics, if it is used to grow crops like lettuce for harvesting above-ground parts.
Response of Carbon Exchange and Growth Analysis in Tropical Pastures to Distinct Irrigation Levels
Authors: Pereira-Flores Milton E. , Justino Flavio , Boehringer Davi , Martins Melo Anderson Adriano , Gazolla Cursi Andressa , da Costa Pereira Vagna , Gomes Pereira Odilon , Ruiz-Vera Ursula M.
Published: September 2018

This study explores the effect of seasonality on soil carbon efflux and pasture growth based on field and lysimeter experiments during summer-fall and winter-spring in two years. Focus is also pointed on irrigation strategies to alleviate the crop response to seasonal fluctuations in precipitation and surface temperatures. Soil respiration, soil and air temperature, leaf photosynthesis, plant dry weight and leaf area index were quantified and analyzed. It has been found significant differences in the CO2 efflux between the two growing season. Emission of soil CO2 allowed to characterize and to prioritize the temperature and rain influence in seasonal brachiaria response. During the seasons, the transient variation of CO2 efflux was highly correlated with rainfall (r = 0.87, P < 0.05), and poorly correlated with soil temperatures (r = 0.5, P < 0.05). The CO2 efflux and plant response to different level of reposition of evapotranspiration demonstrated that irrigation during fall mitigates the reduction of growth conditioned by drying soil and the lower temperatures. The lower temperatures are limiting only when the soil moisture is below 32% of the field capacity. Thus, we propose to keep the soil moisture around 50% during the fall as a key practices for mitigating the effect of seasonality and its intensification with the climate change, even more if added to management routine practices the soil and water conservation.
A 3D Printable Thermal Energy Storage Crystalline Gel Using Mask-Projection Stereolithography
Authors: Mao Yuchen , Miyazaki Takuya , Sakai Kohei , Gong Jin , Zhu Meifang , Ito Hiroshi
Published: September 2018

Most of the phase change materials (PCMs) have been limited to use as functional additions or sealed in containers, and extra auxiliary equipment or supporting matrix is needed. The emergence of 3D printing technique has dramatically advanced the developments of materials and simplified production processes. This study focuses on a novel strategy to model thermal energy storage crystalline gels with three-dimensional architecture directly from liquid resin without supporting materials through light-induced polymerization 3D printing technique. A mask-projection stereolithography printer was used to measure the 3D printing test, and the printable characters of crystalline thermal energy storage P(SA-DMAA) gels with different molar ratios were evaluated. For the P(SA-DMMA) gels with small fraction of SA, the 3D fabrication was realized with higher printing precision both on mili- and micro-meter scales. As a comparison of 3D printed samples, P(SA-DMAA) gels made by other two methods, post-UV curing treatment after 3D printing and UV curing using conventional mold, were prepared. The 3D printed P(SA-DMAA) gels shown high crystallinity. Post–UV curing treatment was beneficial to full curing of 3D printed gels, but did not lead to the further improvement of crystal structure to get higher crystallinity. The P(SA-DMAA) crystalline gel having the highest energy storage enthalpy that reached 69.6 J·g−1 was developed. Its good thermoregulation property in the temperature range from 25 to 40 °C was proved. The P(SA-DMAA) gels are feasible for practical applications as one kind of 3D printing material with thermal energy storage and thermoregulation functionality.
Fast Atmospheric Correction Method for Hyperspectral Data
Authors: Ivanov Dimitry , Katkovsky Leonid , Martinov Anton , Siliuk Volha , Kokhanovsky Alexander
Published: September 2018

Atmospheric correction is a necessary step in image processing data and spectra recorded by spaceborne sensors for pure cloudless atmosphere, primarily in the visible and near-IR spectral range. We have present a fast and sufficiently accurate method of atmospheric correction based on the proposed analytical solutions describing with high accuracy the spectrum of outgoing radiation at the top boundary of the cloudless atmosphere. This technique includes the model of the atmosphere and its optical parameters that are important in terms of radiation transfer. The solution of the inverse problem for finding unknown parameters of the model is carried out by the method of non-linear least squares (Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm) for an individual selected pixel of the image (its spectrum), taking into account the adjacency effects. Using the found parameters of the atmosphere and the average surface albedo, assuming homogeneity of the atmosphere within a certain area of the hyperspectral image (or the whole frame), the spectral albedo at the Earth's surface is calculated for all other pixels. It is essential that the procedure of the numerical simulation with non-linear least squares of the direct transfer problem is based on using analytical solutions, which provides a very short calculation time of the atmospheric parameters (seconds or less) and the ability to perform atmospheric correction "on-fly." Testing methods of atmospheric correction was performed using the synthetic outgoing radiation spectra at the top of the atmosphere (TOA), obtained by numerical simulation in the LibRadTran code, as well as spectra of real space images of the Hyperion hyperspectrometer. A comparison with the results of atmospheric correction in module FLAASH of ENVI package has been performed. Finally, to validate our data obtained by the SHARK method, a comparative analysis with ground-based measurements of Radiometric Calibration Network (RadCalNet) was carried out.
Fibonacci-Mann Iteration for Monotone Asymptotically Nonexpansive Mappings in Modular Spaces
Authors: Bin Dehaish Buthinah A. , Khamsi Mohamed A
Published: September 2018

In this work, we extend the fundamental results of Schu to the class of monotone asymptotically nonexpansive mappings in modular function spaces. In particular, we study the behavior of the Fibonacci-Mann iteration process defined by $$x_{n+1} = t_n T^{\phi(n)}(x_n) + (1-t_n)x_n,$$ for $n \in \mathbb{N}$, when $T$ is a monotone asymptotically nonexpansive self-mapping.
Aadhar Card – Perspectives on Privacy
Authors: Ghangare Ajay , Ranade Anup
Published: September 2018

With an aim to issue unique identification number to its every individual and to avail them with different schemes like gas subsidy, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) like benefits, Government of India initiated the process of Aadhar. However it has come across some privacy issues from different strata of society. This paper attempts to investigate the perspectives of people, legal and Government on leakage of privacy thereby trying to conclude whether there is an infringement of the privacy as raised by some dignities. For identifying people perspectives, 150 respondents from different class group, gender category, different occupations, etc were considered. After analyzing people’s perspective, it has been found that the population who are being asked to link their personal documents, identity and information to their Aadhar Card are wary about the possible loss of privacy. They are aware of the advantages of ALP to the Society. They are hence willing to join the ALP, and thus are ready to sacrifice their privacy. While according to the legal perspective, successive judges in their judgments have dealt with different aspects of privacy with regards to Aadhar and its linking. These judgments would help as a stepping stone for evolution of the idea of protection of privacy of the people of this nation state, within the framework of a secured and socially justified environment attained because of ALP. The third perspective that is of Government concluded that it argues that the fundamental right status does not make privacy the absolute right and hence is superseded by other major concerns of the nation state viz national security of its people, frauds and fake registrations.
Six Fractal Codes of Biological Life:perspectives in Exobiology, Cancers Basic Research and Artificial Intelligence Biomimetism Decisions Making
Authors: Perez Jean Claude
Published: September 2018

The discovery of a simple numerical formula for the projection of all the atomic mass of life-sustaining CONHSP bioatoms leads to the emergence of a set of Nested CODES unifying all the biological, genetic and genomic components by unifying them from bioatoms up to 'to whole genomes. In particular, we demonstrate the existence of a digital meta-code common to the three languages ​​of biology that are RNA, DNA and amino acid sequences. Through this meta-code, genomic and proteomic images appear almost analogous and correlated. The analysis of the textures of these images then reveals a binary code as well as an undulatory code whose analysis on the human genome makes it possible to predict the alternating bands constituting the cariotypes of the chromosomes. The application of these codes to perspectives in astrobiology, in Cancers basic research and the emergence of binary codes and regions of local stability (voting process), whose fractal nature we demonstrate, is illustrated.
Gestão e Gerenciamento de Resíduos Sólidos no Japão: História e Atualidade
Authors: Silva Tamires Raquel , Venâncio Taís Mota , Britto Júnior Antônio Olívio Silveira , De Carvalho Junior Francisco Humberto
Published: September 2018

O Japão é um país que possui densidades demográficas altas e diversificadas em cada província. Esse fato é preocupante quando se trata de disposição de resíduos sólidos (RS), já que um dos tratamentos mais utilizados no mundo e menos oneroso é o aterro sanitário, que exige grandes áreas para sua implantação. Porém, foi procurando solucionar esse revés que o país se tornou referência mundial em gerenciamento de resíduos e reciclagem de materiais. Antes de alcançar o nível de gestão atual, houve disposições dos resíduos no mar e no solo, o que causou diversos prejuízos à saúde da população e ao ambiente. O poder público trabalhou em diversas legislações para sanar a problemática dos resíduos no país, utilizando como principal tratamento a incineração. O presente trabalho visa estudar a gestão e o gerenciamento de resíduos a fim de dar subsídios para a melhoria da gestão e gerenciamento dos resíduos no Brasil. Para isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa investigativa e qualitativa em periódicos e arquivos do próprio governo japonês, analisando sua legislação e seus programas de gestão, a fim de criar um subsídio para implantação desse modelo no Brasil. Foi notável que o Japão investiu muito e ainda investe na participação da população e do setor privado nos processos de gestão, gerando a chamada responsabilidade compartilhada. Apesar das diversas tecnologias de gerenciamento que o país possui, ainda há incineração de materiais recicláveis por seu valor quase irrisório para o mercado. Foi possível concluir que, para o Brasil alcançar a competência do Japão em termos de reciclagem e tratamento de RS, será preciso investir muito mais em educação ambiental.
Modelo de intervención para prevenir la demanda de drogas de síntesis
Authors: Espinal Bedoya Silverio , Patiño Gaviria Carlos Darío
Published: September 2018

Objetivo: desarrollar un modelo de prevención e intervención frente al consumo de drogas de síntesis. Metodología: investigación de tipo cualitativo ejecutada en tres fases: a) rastreo de la literatura sobre drogas de síntesis; b) conformación y realización de un grupo focal con expertos y otro con consumidores universitarios de la ciudad de Medellín, de los que se generaron los focos problema; c) generación de líneas estratégicas de las cuales se derivaron frentes de acción, definiendo un modelo comprensivo de prevención de drogas de síntesis. Resultados: se presentan en dos direcciones, una orientada a comprender el fenómeno de consumo y otra dirigida al diseño del modelo de prevención de drogas, que busca intervenir los factores asociados más significativos, teniendo en cuenta sus dimensiones simbólicas y culturales. Conclusión: se hace necesaria la comprensión del fenómeno en sus aspectos de riesgo, culturales y de salud, orientando un modelo preventivo que integre esta complejidad.
O. Kasper Drużbicki SJ (1590-1662) i jego nauka o doskonałości chrześcijańskiej
Authors: Mandziuk Józef
Published: September 2018

At their beginnings, Jesuits had a huge impact on the Catholic Church in Poland. They introduced the Council of Trent reform and stopped the spread of Protestanism. Amongst them, there were many mystics, great theologians, missionaries, saints and priests. One of them was Father Kasper Druzbicki, theologian, ascetic writer, preacher and administrator.One of his many theological works is a treaty about the shortest way to Christian perfection, which is God’s will fulfillment. The book is not just designed for those in consecrated life, but also in secular life who strive toward holiness.
Chlorambucil Cytotoxicity Reduction in Rats Through Bone Marrow, An In vivo Study
Authors: Nafie Ebtesam H.O. , Khater Eman , Awwad Mohamed , Zowail Mohamed , Hegazy Kholud
Published: September 2018

Background:

Bone Marrow (BM) has the self-renovation capacity and has been used recently in tumor
medicine. Chlorambucil [CHB] is ordinarily utilized chemotherapy to treat varieties of malignancy patients. This
investigation intended to gauge the effectiveness of BM as an in-vivo antimutagenic against CHB.

Methods:

The experimental design relies upon four classes; each class contains ten adult male albino rats as follows:
control, rats infused orally with CHB for fourteen days, rats intravenously infused with BM through a tail vein one
time, rats infused the mix of CHB and BM.The Anticancer capability of BM was assessed by cytogenetic assay and
mitotic index. The declarations of the apoptosis- related genes were examined by RT-qPCR examination.

Results:

The present experiment demonstrated a curative effect of BM against the cytotoxic impact of CHB. Infusion
of BM after chemotherapy helps to diminish the chromosomal aberration; increment mitotic index and decline the
Bax/Bcl2 proportion compared with [CHB] class gather that prompts expanding the survival rate of influenced cells
with chemotherapy cytotoxicity.

Conclusion:

The present study shows that bone marrow transplantation together after CHB infusion helps to increase
genomic stability by diminishing structural chromosome abnormalities, diminishing the Bax/Bcl2 proportion and
increasing the mitotic index.
A Comparison of the Inhibitory Effects of Anti-Cancer Drugs on Thioredoxin Reductase and Glutathione S-Transferase in Rat Liver
Authors: Ozgencli Ilknur , Kilic Deryanur , Guller Ugur , Ciftci Mehmet , Kufrevioglu Omer I. , Budak Harun
Published: September 2018

Background:

While Thioredoxin Reductase (TrxR) plays an important role in regulation of the
intracellular redox balance and various signalling pathways, Glutathione S-Transferase (GSTs) enzymes belong to
the detoxification family that catalyse the conjugation of glutathione with various endogenous and xenobiotic
electrophiles. Since TrxR and GSTs are overexpressed in many cancer cells, they have been identified as potential
targets to develop chemotherapeutic strategies.

Method:

The mitochondrial TrxR (TrxR2) enzyme and the cytosolic GST enzyme was purified from rat liver via
affinity chromatography. After the purification, the in vitro inhibition effects of some anticancer drugs (cisplatin,
calcium folinate, carboplatin, epirubicin hydrochloride, doxorubicin hydrochloride, paclitaxel, etoposide,
fluorouracil, and methotrexate) were investigated on both enzymes. Since only methotrexate inhibits both enzymes
among all the anticancer drugs, a molecular docking study was performed to determine the binding site and the
binding affinity of methotrexate to the enzymes.

Results:

Firstly, TrxR2 and GST were found to have a specific activity of 0.436, 1765 EU/mg proteins with a yield
of 39.20%, 31.28% and 207.6, 3516.6 of purification fold, respectively. While TrxR2 was strongly inhibited by all of
the anticancer drugs, GST was not inhibited by any of the anticancer drugs except methotrexate.

Conclusion:

Both enzymes were inhibited by only methotrexate in rat liver, and methotrexate was well placed in the
active sites of both proteins. Therefore, it may be argued that methotrexate may be a more effective anticancer drug
than all other drugs used in this study against the multi drug resistance that will occur during chemotherapy.
Parathyroid Carcinoma Causing Mild Hyperparathyroidism in Neurofibromatosis Type 1: A Case Report and Systematic Review
Authors: Triggiani Vincenzo , Castellana Marco , Basile Paolo , Renzulli Giuseppina , Giagulli Vito Angelo
Published: September 2018

Background:

Neurofibromatosis type 1 is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by an increased incidence of tumors, including endocrine ones. Primary hyperparathyroidism can be rarely caused by a parathyroid carcinoma; these patients are generally characterized by severe symptoms, large neck lesions and high levels of PTH and calcium. We report a case of hyperparathyroidism due to parathyroid carcinoma in a patient affected by neurofibromatosis type 1. A systematic review of the literature was also conducted.

Patient Findings:

A 56-year-old woman was referred for a 13 mm-nodular lesion of the neck incidentally discovered on ultrasound examination and mild hyperparathyroidism. A 99mTctetrofosmin/ pertechnetate subtraction scintigraphy was negative for parathyroid disease. Given the absence of suspicious ultrasound finding, a fine-needle aspiration cytology was performed with iPTH determination in the aspirate, confirming the parathyroid origin of the lesion. The patient underwent left inferior parathyroidectomy with intraoperative monitoring of iPTH and became normocalcemic. On histopathological examination, parathyroid carcinoma presenting at the resection margin was diagnosed, thus a surgery revision was requested.

Conclusion:

Even if literature does not support a syndromic association between neurofibromatosis type 1 and primary hyperparathyroidism, the benefit of precociously diagnosing and treating this condition may outweigh costs associated with screening. This case report moreover demonstrates that sometimes clinical, laboratory and imaging aspects suspicious for cancer may be missing. A prompt referral to a high-volume center is crucial for the management of those cases of incidental histopathological diagnosis.
Clinical Characteristics, Treatment Outcomes and Predictive Factors in Optic Neuritis
Authors: Hansapinyo Linda , Vivattanaseth Chayanee
Published: September 2018

Background:

The causes, clinical presentations and treatment outcomes of optic neuritis are distinct among different populations. Early diagnosis based on clinical presentations plays an important role in treating optic neuritis patients.

Objective:

The study aimed to determine clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes and predictive factors of treatment outcomes in optic neuritis patients with and without demyelinating disease.

Methods:

A retrospective descriptive study of optic neuritis patients carried out between January 2009 and December 2016 was done. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the predictive factors of treatment outcomes.

Results:

Among 150 patients with optic neuritis, 58 patients were diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disease (NMOSD), 23 patients were diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and 69 patients were idiopathic. The age at presentation in the NMOSD group was significantly younger than the MS group and the idiopathic group. The female:male ratio was significantly lower in the idiopathic group than in the NMOSD group. The initial Best Corrected Visual Activity (BCVA) of 20/20-20/60 (p = 0.001) and the idiopathic group (p =0.030) was associated with good visual outcomes. Initial BCVA of < 20/200 (p = 0.009) and the NMOSD group (p < 0.001) was associated with poor visual outcomes.

Conclusion:

NMOSD is a more common cause of optic neuritis than MS in Thai population. Female patients with poor initial VA, poor response to steroids treatment, and presenting recurrent attacks are highly suspicious for NMOSD. Optic neuritis without associated demyelinating disease has a better visual outcome and lower recurrence rate.
PREPARATION OF CHITOSAN-TPP NANOPARTICLES: THE INFLUENCE OF CHITOSAN POLYMERIC PROPERTIES AND FORMULATION VARIABLES
Authors: Al-nemrawi N. K. , Alsharif S. S. M. , Dave R. H.
Published: September 2018

Objective: The aim of this work was to prepare chitosan nanoparticles (CS NPs) using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) as crosslinker and to study the effect of chitosan polymeric properties and experimental conditions on the properties and stability of NPs.Methods: CS NPs were prepared by ionic gelation method, using TPP as a crosslinker. The particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP) and the morphologies of the NPs were studied. CS NPs prepared by varying the concentration of TPP, Chitosan molecular weight and its degree of deacetylation, the stirring speed, the rate of TPP addition and the freeze-drying method to study the effect of these variables on the NPs. The stability of the CS NPs was evaluated by storing aqueous suspensions of NPs and comparing the PS, PDI and ZP at the beginning and the end of the experiment.Results: This study shows that the PS, ZP and dispersity of the NPs depend on the chitosan polymeric properties and experimental conditions. The NPs sizes range between 145.73 and 724.23 nm. They all carried positive charges ranging between+4.32 and+43.67 mV. Most of the NPs have the same sizes after freeze-drying, but showed higher monodispersity and ZP, indicating higher stability. After twenty days of studying the stability, the NPs that had low ZP showed a large increment in size in comparison to the highly charged NPs.Conclusion: In conclusion, the polymeric properties and formulation variables in the ionic gelation method have a great influence on the CS NPs formed.
RECENT PROGRESS OF DENDRIMERS IN DRUG DELIVERY FOR CANCER THERAPY
Authors: Anitha P. , Bhargavi J. , Sravani G. , Aruna B. , S. Ramkanth
Published: September 2018

With the recent advances of nanotechnology, dendrimers are emerging as a highly attractive class of drug delivery vectors for cancer therapy. Dendrimers are multifunctional smart Nanocarriers to deliver one or more therapeutic agent safely and selectively to cancer cells. The high level of control over the synthesis of dendritic architecture makes dendrimers a nearly perfect (spherical) nanocarrier for site-specific drug delivery. The presence of functional groups in the dendrimers exterior also permits the addition of other moieties that can actively target certain diseases which are now widely used as tumor targeting strategies. Drug encapsulation, solubilization and passive targeting also equally contribute to the therapeutic use of dendrimers. Dendrimers are ideal carrier vehicles on cytotoxicity, blood plasma retention time, biodistribution and tumor uptake. In this review we highlight the advantages of dendrimers over conventional chemotherapy, toxicity and its management, following anti-cancer drugs delivered by using dendrimers and recent advances in drug delivery by various types of dendrimers as well as its diagnostic applications.
ABSOLUTE AND RELATIVE BIOAVAILABILITY STUDY FOR THE NEWLY DEVELOPED NASAL NANOEMULSION IN SITU GEL OF ONDANSETRON HCl IN COMPARISON TO CONVENTIONALLY PREPARED IN SITU GEL AND INTRAVENOUS DOSAGES FORMS
Authors: Maraie Nidhal K. , Almajidi Yasser Q. , Alshadher Ahmed
Published: September 2018

Objective: The aim of the work was to study the absolute and relative bioavailability (using rabbits) of ondansetron HCl (ONH)from our newly prepared intranasal mucoadhesive nanoemulsion in situ gel (NIG) in comparison to intranasal mucoadhesive in situ gel (IG) prepared by the conventional method and intravenous injection.Methods: Six male rabbits weighing 2.5-3 kg were used in this study, where the dose of ondansetron HCl (ONH) was calculated based on the body surface area (BSA) which is equivalent to 140μl (containing 10 mg/ml) of NIG and IG and 700μl of intravenous Zofran® injection (containing 2 mg/ml) were given to the rabbits, separated with one week washout period. Serial blood samples were withdrawn and analyzed for simultaneous determination of the drug using HPLC (Knaure; 150 ×4.6 mm; 5 μm particle size; 25 cm length) supported by guard column C18-4 mm diameter.Results: The pharmacokinetics parameters for NIG; Cmax, Tmax, AUC0-t, AUC0-∞were found to be greater than conventional in situ gel (IG). In vivo pharmacokinetic studies in rabbits showed a significant increase in Cmax and AUC 0-α(P<0.001) with shorter Tmaxusing NIG compared to IG containing the same NIG excipients, while the absolute bioavailability for NIG and IG (was 80.541 and 51.068 respectively).Conclusion: The present studies ratify the bioavailability enhancement potential of NE used to prepare NIG for the drug and significantly high absolute bioavailability to be used as a successful alternative route to the IV injection and improve patient compliance.
PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF MICROEMULSION CONTAINING ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUG
Authors: Yadav Vishal , Jadhav Prakash , Kanase Kishor , Bodhe Anjali , Dombe Shailaja
Published: September 2018

Objective: The aim of the present study was to design novel drug delivery system containing ramipril microemulsion. Ramipril is an antihypertensive drug having very low aqueous solubility and bioavailability. Ramipril microemulsion could be used as a possible alternative to the traditional oral formulation to improve dissolution rate and hence its bioavailability with avoidance of the first-pass metabolism.Methods: The microemulsion existence region was determined by constructing pseudoternary phase diagram and prepared by using four components orange oil, tween 80 as a surfactant, propylene glycol as co-surfactant and distilled water as the aqueous phase. The water titration method was employed for its determination. All formulated microemulsion were subjected for visual inspection, centrifugation and stability test. The all stable formulations were selected for further study.The optimized microemulsion formulation B-9 was subjected for various evaluation parameters such as, visual inspection, stability studies, pH, viscosity measurements, electrical conductivity, content uniformity and dye solubility test.Results: Results revealed that construction of phase diagram and use of phase titration method was a suitable technique for the preparation of microemulsion as most of the formulations were transparent. It was found that the best microemulsion result was found for ratio 2:1. The results of stress tests conclude that the optimized formulation was both physically and chemically stable for 8 mo. Also, The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) radiation measurement and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of optimized formulation indicate the compatibility of ramipril with orange oil, surfactant-tween 80 and cosurfactant-propylene glycol. From electrical conductivity 0.283 σ and staining test the prepared optimized formulation B-9 was found to be o/w type of microemulsion. The optimized B-9 formulation showed good viscosity 13.52±0.01cps and pH 3.21±0.02 with highest drug content uniformity was found to be 84.98±0.02 %.Conclusion: In the present study a satisfactory attempt was made to formulate a novel o/w microemulsion of ramipril which improves the gastrointestinal absorption by raising its water solubility and hence oral bioavailability is also enhanced.
BIO-FABRICATION OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES USING CHRYSANTHEMUM CORONARIUM FLOWER EXTRACT AND IT’S IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY
Authors: Haqq Shyla M. , Pandey Himanshu , Gerard Manju , Chattree Amit
Published: September 2018

Objective: In the present research work silver nanoparticles were synthesized using the flower extract of Chrysanthemum coronarium and their in-vitro antibacterial activity was evaluated against both the gram-positive S. aureus and gram-negative bacteria E. coli. The flower extract acted both as a reducing as well as a capping agent.Methods: Silver nanoparticles were verified using various spectroanalytical techniques such as visible ultraviolet spectroscopy, zeta potential, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and particle size analyser. The antibacterial activity was evaluated against both the gram-positive bacteria S. aureus and gram-negative bacteria E. coli using the agar well diffusion method.Results: The silver nanoparticles synthesized were confirmed by the visual colour change. The ultraviolet, visible spectroscopy showed a surface plasmon resonance at 430 nm. Zetapotential was found to be around-15.6mV where the negative value indicated that the synthesized silver nanoparticles are stable. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed the functional groups responsible for the stabilization of the nanoparticles. Particle size analyser showed that the size of the nanoparticles ranged from 5-50 nm. The antibacterial activity of the silver nanoparticles which was performed against S. aureus and E. coli showed good inhibition against both the bacteria. Better antibacterial activity was found for E. coli in comparison to S. aureus as the zone of inhibition for E. coli was found to be at 12 mm at 50ug/ml whereas the zone of inhibition against S. aureus was found to be at 10 mm.Conclusion: The silver nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using a green approach and can be used as a potential resource for therapeutic purpose.
POLARIMETRIC RESEARCH OF PHARMACEUTICAL SUBSTANCES IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS WITH DIFFERENT WATER ISOTOPOLOGUES RATIO
Authors: Syroeshkin A. V. , Pleteneva T. V. , Uspenskaya E. V. , Levitskaya O. V. , Tribot-laspiere M. A. , Zlatsky I. A. , Khodorovich N. A. , Nikifirova M. V. , Zaytseva S. A.
Published: September 2018

Objective: Methodology development for quality control of optically active pharmaceutical substances based on water isotopologues.Methods: Solutions of L-ascorbic acid, glucose, galactose and valine stereoisomers were prepared using deuterium depleted water (DDW-«light» water, D/H=4 ppm), natural deionized high-ohmic water (BD, D/H=140 ppm), heavy water (99.9% D2O). The optical rotation was observed using an automatic polarimeter Atago POL-1/2. The size distribution of giant heterogeneous clusters (GHC) of water was recorded by low angle laser light scattering (LALLS) method.Results: The infringement of Biot’s Law was found for solutions of ascorbic acid, expressed in the absence of a constant value of the specific optical rotation  at a concentration of below 0.1%, depends on the D/H ratio. The inequality was established in absolute values of optical rotation for L-and D-isomers of valine in solutions with different ratios of hydrogen isotopologues. The mutarotation of glucose confirmed the first-order kinetics, and the activation energies were statistically distinguishable for BD and DDW. The mutarotation of the natural galactose D-isomer proceeded with a lower energy consumption compared to the L-isomer. In heavy water, the mutarotation of monosaccharides had different kinetic mechanisms. Polarimetric results correlated with the number and size of GHC, which confirmed the possibility of chiral solvent structures induction by optically active pharmaceutical substances.Conclusion: In the optically active pharmaceutical substances quality control there should be considered the contribution of induced chiral GHC of water to the optical rotation value that depends on the isotopic D/H ratio, the substance nature and the form of its existence at a given pH.
STUDI PENDAHULUAN PENERAPAN TEKNOLOGI STIMULAN GAS ETILEN (C2H4) DI TANAMAN KARET PADA SAAT HARGA RENDAH
Authors: Rouf Akhmad , Rinojati Nofitri Dewi
Published: September 2018

Salah satu inovasi untuk meningkatkan produksi karet adalah penerapan teknologi stimulan gas etilen (C2H4).Pada kondisi harga jual karet yang rendah dan stimulan gas etilen relatif mahal, diperlukan kajian dari segi agronomis dan finansial terhadap penerapan teknologi tersebut.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh penerapan teknologi stimulan gas etilen terhadap produksi karet dan analisis finansialnya ketika harga karet rendah.Penelitian telah dilakukan pada bulan Oktober 2013 hingga Januari 2014 di Perkebunan Kalimas, PT Karyadeka Alam Lestari.Analisis data menggunakan uji t berpasangan (paired t-test) terhadap perolehan produksi sebelum dan setelah perlakuan.Selanjutnya dilakukan analisis finansial dengan indikator BEP dan R/C ratio. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perlakuan stimulan gas etilen mampu meningkatkan produktivitas sangat signifikan (481,0% terhadap kontrol), yang awalnya hanya 34,7 gram/pohon/sadap menjadi 166,9 gram/pohon/sadap. Dengan asumsi harga karet rendah yaitu US$1,1/kilogram,meskipun kenaikan produktivitas karet sudah tergolong tinggi seperti hasil pada penelitian ini, tetapi belum mencapai BEP dan masih mengalami kerugian (R/C ratio 0,97). BEP dapat dicapai jika produktivitas mencapai 178,0 gram/pohon/sadap, atau harga jual karet sebesar Rp15.025/kilogram (setara US$1,14/kilogram). Syarat BEP juga dapat dicapai jikabiaya komponen investasi alat dan bahan gas etilen senilai Rp21.300 pohon/tahun.