bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accident et enjeux psychiques du soin
Authors: Girardon Nicolas , Bremare Amélie
Published: November 2016

À partir de leur expérience clinique complémentaire en service de Médecine Physique et Réadaptation, les auteurs proposent une analyse de l’impact physique, psychologique et familial des adolescents accidentés gravement. Toutes ces dimensions doivent être prises en compte suffisamment afin d’améliorer la contenance institutionnelle qui sera déterminante pour accompagner au mieux ces adolescents porteurs d’un handicap physique secondaire.
Cancer : une autre latence ?
Authors: Ricadat Élise , Fradkin Sophie , Araneda Marco
Published: November 2016

L’entrée dans la dynamique pubertaire marque généralement la fin de la latence. Qu’en est-il dans le contexte d’une atteinte cancéreuse dont les traitements provoquent un mouvement de désexualisation ? À partir d’expériences cliniques et d’entretiens de recherche menés dans le cadre d’un service hospitalier pour adolescents et jeunes adultes, les auteurs interrogent les effets de la maladie grave sur les modalités de sortie de la latence et l’avènement des réorganisations génitales.
Maladie chronique et subjectivation
Authors: Gilormini Graziella , Bernateau Isée
Published: November 2016

L’adolescence est le temps de la métamorphose, de la rencontre avec l’autre. Mais bien avant l’arrivée de la puberté, l’enfant à qui les médecins annoncent un diagnostic de maladie chronique grave est obligé de faire face à l’arrivée d’un étranger inquiétant qui lui tombe dessus : la maladie. Comment s’inscrit la puberté dans un corps déjà marqué par la maladie ? L’avènement du corps sexué ne serait-il pas alors un moyen de véritablement s’approprier son corps malade ?
Automutilation pubertaire
Authors: Boucherat-Hue Valérie
Published: November 2016

Chez une grande adolescente psychosomatique, le symptôme auto-sadique de trichotillomanie condense les carences du Moi-corps et ses tentatives d’appropriation auto-érotiques. Ces blessures traumatophiliques répétées entretiennent, à des fins de survie, l’excitation d’une absence maternelle déniée dont les traces mnémoniques colonisent la mémoire du corps malade. L’enjeu thérapeutique est la reprise transféro-contre-transférentielle de la fonction homo- et auto-réflexive primitive.
Selfies : narcissisme ou autoportrait ?
Authors: Korff-Sausse Simone
Published: November 2016

Les selfies adolescents interpellent le psychanalyste, et leur prolifération massive sur les réseaux sociaux amène à revisiter le stade du miroir. Ces images de soi sont-elles un miroir réflexif ou un miroir vide ? Même massivement narcissiques, les selfies procèdent d’une quête identitaire, voire d’une quête esthétique, où ils peuvent s’apparenter à l’autoportrait. Au-delà des aspects ludiques et narcissiques, ils sont liés aux questions fondamentales de l’identité, la sexualité et la mort.
Martinique, 1794 ou l’abolition manquée. Des libres de couleur abolitionnistes ?
Authors: Noël Érick
Published: November 2016

La première abolition de l’esclavage a été éclipsée dans la mémoire collective par la seconde, definitive, de 1848. Cette mesure sans précédent offre des contrastes saisissants entre Saint-Dominique, la Guadeloupe et la Guyane, qui ont connu une application brutale jusqu’au rétablissement, en 1802. La Martinique contraste avec ces colonies dans son évolution particulière face à la nouvelle loi de 1794. En raison de l’invasion anglaise, elle n’a découvert l’émancipation qu’en 1848, d’où l’idée d’une abolition manquée en 1794.
Au miroir de l’« autorité domestique » : la justice répressive des esclaves à l’île Bourbon (1815-1848)
Authors: Maillard Bruno
Published: November 2016

Que la coercition se trouve au cœur des sociétés serviles, nul ne peut en douter. Pourtant les études relatives à la répression judiciaire des esclaves dans les colonies françaises ont longtemps été circonscrites aux seules prérogatives exercées par l’autorité domestique. À travers l’analyse des arrêts et des jugements des tribunaux de droit commun de l’île Bourbon entre 1815 et 1848, émergent les mécanismes et les enjeux d’une justice répressive qui tente de conjuguer les principes garantis par la législation pénale métropolitaine et les intérêts des maîtres. En effet, titulaire de quelques attributs de la personnalité juridique quand il est renvoyé devant l’une de ces juridictions, l’esclave n’en reste pas moins toujours assimilé à un objet de droit.
Les relégués au pénitencier de Saint-Jean-du-Maroni durant le Second conflit mondial (1939-1943)
Authors: Sanchez Jean-Lucien
Published: November 2016

Internés à vie en Guyane française de 1887 à 1953, les relégués étaient installés sur le territoire pénitentiaire du Maroni, au pénitencier de Saint-Jean et dans ses camps annexes. Ils étaient considérés comme des « incorrigibles » par les autorités chargées de leur encadrement, et leur régime disciplinaire connut même un durcissement à partir des années 1930. Ces deux facteurs préexistants préparèrent et concoururent à la brusque radicalisation de leurs conditions de détention après le déclenchement du second conflit mondial. Ses conséquences se firent ressentir sur le régime des relégués, entraînant un taux de mortalité sans précédent dans les annales du bagne.
Les Algériens aux bagnes de Guyane
Authors: Pierre Michel
Published: November 2016

Les bagnes coloniaux du Second Empire et de la Troisième République ont surtout été considérés comme des lieux d’expiation implantés outre-mer (particulièrement en Guyane de 1852 à 1953) afin de punir des condamnés aux travaux forcés issus de France métropolitaine. En oubliant que ce processus de transportation a aussi concerné l’ensemble de l’Empire colonial français, et plus particulièrement l’Algérie où la mémoire de ce dernier exil est encore vivace. Par contre, la Guyane n’en a conservé nulle trace, et les chercheurs ont insuffisamment étudié le destin de ces milliers d’hommes pris dans l’étau d’une histoire tout à la fois pénale et coloniale.
Identification of a new small bioactive peptide from Lactobacillus gasseri supernatant
Authors: Zanfardino A. , Criscuolo G. , Di Luccia B. , Pizzo E. , Ciavatta M.L. , Notomista E. , Carpentieri A. , Pezzella A. , Varcamonti M.
Published: November 2016

Ten lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains, previously isolated from human ileal biopsy of healthy volunteers, were screened for production and secretion of molecules having anti-bacterial and anti-biofilm activities. Because many recent reports indicate that LAB secreted molecules may exert immune-modulatory action, we also tested the effect on human intestinal HCT116 cells challenged with bacterial lipopolysaccharides. One of the Lactobacillus gasseri strains, SF1109, strongly inhibited: (1) Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth; (2) Escherichia coli biofilm production; (3) LPS induction of P-ERK1/2 in HCT116 cells, and was selected for further characterisation of the secreted active molecule. Cell-free supernatant of the L. gasseri SF1109 was analysed and one 1.3 kDa peptide has been characterised. Eight out twelve amino acids of this peptide were identified allowing the synthesis of an octa-peptide which still presented the mentioned activities.
Precision of High-Resolution OCT for Anterior Chamber Measurement: Agreement With Scheimpflug Imaging
Authors: Domínguez-Vicent Alberto , Trussardi Clizia , Wogatai Ulrika , Montés-Micó Robert , Brautaset Rune
Published: November 2016

PURPOSE:

To assess the precision of the new high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) device to measure anterior segment distances and assess its agreement with a Scheimpflug camera.

METHODS:

Eighty patients with healthy and phakic eyes were included in this study, and only one eye per participant was analyzed. Each eye was measured three times with the Sirius topographer (Costruzione Strumenti Oftalmici, Florence, Italy) and the Cirrus HD-OCT 5000 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany).

RESULTS:

On average, the Sirius topographer measured statistically significantly (P < .05) deeper ACD (approximately 0.07 mm), larger angle-to-angle distance (approximately 0.30 mm), thicker pachymetry (approximately 11
µ
m), and wider temporal angle (approximately 6°) than the Cirrus OCT. Nevertheless, the Cirrus OCT measured statistically significantly (P < .05) wider nasal angle (approximately 2°) than the Sirius topographer. The repeatability and reproducibility metrics were similar between devices to measure the ACD (smaller than 0.05 mm), corneal pachymetry (smaller than 5
µ
m), and anterior chamber angles (smaller than 5 degrees). Nevertheless, the reproducibility of the Cirrus OCT to measure the angle-to-angle distance was worse than the Sirius topographer, which had values of 0.11 and 0.21 mm, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

The Cirrus OCT and Sirius topographer showed good precision outcomes to measure the anterior segment of the eye. Nevertheless, clinical criteria are needed to judge whether these devices could be used interchangeably.

[
J Refract Surg.
2016;32(11):766–772.]
Refractive Lenticule Transplantation for Correction of Iatrogenic Hyperopia and High Astigmatism After LASIK
Authors: Lazaridis Apostolos , Reinstein Dan Z. , Archer Timothy J. , Schulze Stephan , Sekundo Walter
Published: November 2016

PURPOSE:

To design a technique for intrastromal transplantation of stromal lenticules with specific refractive power for correction of post-LASIK induced hyperopia and astigmatism.

METHODS:

A 28-year-old patient was referred for consultation after complicated LASIK for moderate myopia and astigmatism. The refractive error of the right eye was severely overcorrected due to data entry error. Post-LASIK refraction showed high astigmatism (right eye: +6.50 −9.00 @ 84°) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of 20/32. The corneal thickness was 282
µ
m. A refractive lenticule transplantation was performed due to contact lens intolerance, poor visual acuity, and severe anisometropia. A toric and myopic lenticule, obtained from a donor using the femtosecond lenticule extraction technique, was implanted under the flap to reduce the refractive error, bring the refraction of the eye to the level correctable by phakic intraocular lens, and restore corneal volume.

RESULTS:

Six weeks postoperatively, the donor lenticule was spread smoothly in the interface with a minor temporal decentration in relation to pupil center. The refraction showed a reduction of astigmatism but a stronger myopization compared to preoperative calculations (right eye: −6.50 −4.00 @ 70°). At 3 months, the CDVA returned to the preoperative value of 20/32. One year postoperatively, corneal tomography showed no signs of ectasia and biomicroscopy revealed no signs of rejection. After implanting a toric myopic implantable collamer lens, the patient regained uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/40 and full stereopsis.

CONCLUSIONS:

The refractive lenticule transplantation technique offers a solution for rare cases of post-LASIK hyperopia and high astigmatism while restoring the volume of thin corneas. Moreover, it is a reversible procedure with low probability of rejection.

[
J Refract Surg.
2016;32(11):780–786.]
Changes to Corneal Aberrations and Vision After Monovision in Patients With Hyperopia After Using a Customized Aspheric Ablation Profile to Increase Corneal Asphericity (Q-factor)
Authors: Courtin Romain , Saad Alain , Grise-Dulac Alice , Guilbert Emmanuel , Gatinel Damien
Published: November 2016

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the visual outcomes and fourth-order Zernike spherical aberrations induced with a customized change in corneal asphericity (ΔQ) correction of presbyopia combined with monovision for hyperopic patients.

METHODS:

Consecutive hyperopic patients who underwent presbyopic LASIK between September 2013 and July 2014 were included. For the non-dominant eyes, the aspheric ablation profile associated with a myopic refraction was planned using the Custom-Q nomogram (Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX). Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), spherical equivalent refraction, ΔQ, and change in corneal spherical aberration coefficient (ΔC
4
0
) were analyzed. Postoperative data were collected at 1, 3, and 6 months.

RESULTS:

Sixty-five patients were included. The mean age was 56.5 ± 5.7 years (range: 47 to 70 years). At the 6-month follow-up, the spherical equivalent refraction for non-dominant and dominant eyes was −1.07 ± 0.74 and 0.32 ± 0.55 diopters (D), respectively. The mean binocular UDVA was 0.01 ± 0.04 logMAR (range: −0.12 to 0.30 logMAR); 91% of patients achieved 20/20 or better binocular UDVA and 83% of patients had Jaeger 3 (Parinaud 4) or better binocular UNVA. The ΔQ for non-dominant and dominant eyes was −0.61 ± 0.15 and −0.33 ± 0.25, respectively, for a 6-mm pupil diameter and was significantly higher for non-dominant eyes (
P
< .0001). The achieved ΔC
4
0
was −0.49 ± 0.23
µ
m for non-dominant eyes (for a theoretical ideal value of −0.40
µ
m) and −0.30 ± 0.18
µ
m for dominant eyes. For non-dominant eyes, the attempted ΔQ (−0.60) was close to the achieved value (−0.61 ± 0.15).

CONCLUSIONS:

For hyperopic patients, combining the customized corneal aspheric ablation profile with monovision is safe, effective, and reproducible, inducing intended changes in corneal spherical aberrations.

[
J Refract Surg.
2016;32(11):734–741.]
Robert Bazlen et le refus d'écrire.Approches du Stade de Wimbledon de Daniele Del Giudice
Authors: Aubry-Morici Marine , Esposito Manuel
Published: November 2016

In his first novel, Wimbledon Stadium (Lo stadio di Wimbledon, 1983), Daniele Del Giudice tries to understand the connections between the "knowledge of living" and the "knowledge of writing": he therefore shows the way to a new literary ethic. Del Giudice's novel is focused on creation itself; and this paper is an attempt to read it through the Aristotelian theory of Power as it appears in the work of Giorgio Agamben. We will above all try to understand Roberto Bazlen's function in Del Giudice's novel: Bazlen is certainly one of the oddest and most mysterious figures of 20th century Italian literature. The writer who doesn’t write leads us to question what is writing: in Wimbledon stadium, Del Giudice refuses the closure of meaning and proposes a literature of probability.
Œuvre absente, abstraction extrême, concrétude extrême : Les Détectives Sauvages à la lumière de Monsieur Teste
Authors: Warret Rémi
Published: November 2016

Cet article compare deux œuvres dont les protagonistes sont des écrivains qui cessent d’écrire : Monsieur Teste de Paul Valéry pour son personnage éponyme, Les Détectives Sauvages de Roberto Bolaño pour les poètes Arturo Belano et Ulisses Lima. On cherchera à montrer comment un même refus de l’écriture peut se vivre de manière radicalement opposée, tout en intériorité pour le premier et tout en extériorité pour les seconds.
Bel-Ami (1885) de Maupassant et L’Envers de Maïmouna (1958) d’Abdoulaye Sadji
Authors: Faye Bouna
Published: November 2016

La présente étude se propose d’établir un parallélisme sur la destinée des héros de Bel-Ami et de Maïmouna, appartenant à des époques et à des contextes littéraires différents : Georges Duroy, arriviste et opportuniste, parviendra à atteindre les hautes sphères de la société parisienne et imposer sa suprématie grâce à son ingéniosité et à son immoralité, tandis que Maïmouna, jeune fille ; naïve, campagnarde, succombera lamentablement à la ville en tombant enceinte ; et finissant ses jours dans le déshonneur. Ainsi, dans une perspective comparatiste, il s’agira de voir comment Maupassant et Sadji utilisent les procédés du roman d’apprentissage pour représenter la psyché de leurs contemporains afin de dévoiler les réalités sociales de leur temps, à travers un héros qu’ils mettent en avant.
Inner and Outer Resistance to China: The Pursuit of Freedom in A Free Life and The Dark Road
Authors: Codeluppi Martina
Published: November 2016

Ha Jin and Ma Jian are two amongst the most representative authors of the so-called Chinese ‘diaspora literature,’ whose dissident attitude towards the Mainland resulted in them living in exile. The two authors’ opposition to the Motherland took different shapes, which are not only displayed through overt criticism, but also translate into an interiorised conflict. This study aims to reveal how the issue of resistance to the Motherland concretises itself in the authors’ artistic choices. It will also illustrate how it is represented in their literary creations by comparing their novels A Free Life, by Ha Jin, and The Dark Road, by Ma Jian. Moving from Foucault’s reflections on power and resistance, this essay first analyses how Ha Jin and Ma Jian embody two ways of resisting China. It then compares the authors’ fictional representations of resistance to one’s Motherland, revealing the multiplicity of levels at which power can shape the individual’s identity.
A Comparative Study between English and Seereer Siin: the Case of the Quantifier MANY in English and MAYU in Seereer
Authors: Faye Jean Christophe
Published: November 2016

The present study deals with quantification in English and Seereer. More specific research questions concern the uses and functioning of the quantifier MANY in English and MAYU in Seereer. However, the study of these quantifiers is based on three main aspects: morphological, semantic and syntactic aspects. However, in relation to these aspects, English and Seereer work differently even if some similarities can be noticed.
Etude comparative des formes de courtoisie verbale et comportementales entre le wolof et l´espagnol
Authors: Ndao Dame , Bop Abdou Khadre
Published: November 2016

Le wolof et l’espagnol sont deux langues génétiquement éloignées qui présentent des systèmes d’expression différents. Cependant, comparativement, s’agissant de l’expression de la courtoisie, ces deux langues offrent des stratégies de communication intéressantes, contrairement aux études sur le français et l’espagnol. De manière générale, les pratiques de courtoisie sont présentées comme des rituels, c’est-à-dire une reproduction conforme à une norme sociale. Nous explorons dans cette réflexion les formes linguistiques de la courtoisie verbale mobilisées par les locuteurs wolofs et espagnols afin de faire apparaître les stratégies relevant de cette pratique qui permettent de gérer les rapports avec autrui. Dans ces deux sociétés, la production du discours est organisée et redistribuée par des procédures de courtoisie qui ont pour rôle de conjurer, d’esquiver et de respecter les règles sociales.Nous nous basons sur la compétence communicative en nous appuyant sur la dimension relationnelle pour dégager des régularités ou similitudes dans les comportements des locuteurs hispanophones et wolophones. Dans les deux contextes culturels, à savoir l’Espagne péninsulaire et le Sénégal, nous affichons les rituels de la courtoisie en exploitant les stratégies et manifestations. C’est ainsi que nous allons d’abord questionner les théories mises en place qui aideront à mieux appréhender la nécessité d’une approche qui caractérise la fluidité des usages de la courtoisie. Pour ce faire, nous allons nous inspirer du modèle développé par Brown et Levinson, qui est en linguistique le modèle le plus connu. Enfin, nous mettons en relief les différentes manifestations des stratégies discursives en vue d´étudier les contextes dans lesquels les locuteurs les utilisent.
Foundational Theory
Authors: Rush Penelope A.
Published: November 2016

Some of the fundamental concepts we use to frame our theories of online education have undergone a meaning shift since the advent of the computer age. As such, online educators need to update their understanding of such concepts in the light of the changes their meanings have undergone. This chapter examines the changes in three such concepts: ‘personalisation', ‘presence', and ‘communication' by examining the shifts in three of the more fundamental concepts upon which they depend: ‘mind', ‘self' and ‘others'. It outlines a framework based on a ‘discontinuous' theory of the latter notions; one in which the presumed continuity between these concepts and online reality is challenged. Thus the chapter works toward a new conceptualisation of the terms of our enquiry that responds directly to the way in which shifts in their presumed or default meanings may have led us astray over the past few decades.
Dynamic Virtual Machine Placement in Cloud Computing
Authors: Paul Arnab Kumar , Sahoo Bibhudatta
Published: November 2016

The aim of cloud computing is to enable users to access resources on demand. The number of users is continuously increasing. In order to fulfil their needs, we need more number of physical machines and data centers. The increase in the number of physical machines is directly proportional to the consumption of energy. This gives us one of the major challenges; minimization of energy consumption. One of the most effective ways to minimize the consumption of energy is the optimal virtual machine placement on physical machines. This chapter focuses on finding the solution to the problem of dynamic virtual machine placement for the optimized consumption of energy. An energy consumption model is built which takes into account the states of physical machines and live migration of virtual machines. On top of this, the cloud computing model is built. Unlike centralized approaches towards virtual machine placement which result in many unreachable solutions, a decentralized approach is used in this chapter which provides a list of virtual machine migrations for their optimal placement.
Real Time Task Execution in Cloud Using MapReduce Framework
Authors: Sahoo Sampa , Sahoo Bibhudatta , Turuk Ashok Kumar , Mishra Sambit Kumar
Published: November 2016

Cloud Computing era comes with the advancement of technologies in the fields of processing, storage, bandwidth network access, security of internet etc. The development of automatic applications, smart devices and applications, sensor based applications need huge data storage and computing resources and need output within a particular time limit. Now users are becoming more sensitive towards, delay in applications they are using. So, a scalable platform like Cloud Computing is required that can provide huge computing resource, and data storage required for processing such applications. MapReduce framework is used to process huge amounts of data. Data processing on a cloud based on MapReduce would provide added benefits such as fault tolerant, heterogeneous, ease of use, free and open, efficient. This chapter discusses about cloud system model, real-time MapReduce framework, Cloud based MapReduce framework examples, quality attributes of MapReduce scheduling and various MapReduce scheduling algorithm based on quality attributes.
Network Virtualization
Authors: Sahoo Kshira Sagar , Sahoo Bibhudatta , Dash Ratnakar , Tiwary Mayank , Sahoo Sampa
Published: November 2016

Cloud computing is a novel paradigm which relies on the vision of resource sharing over the Internet. The concept of resource virtualization, i.e. hiding the detail specification of the resources from the end users is the key idea of cloud computing. But the tenants have limited visibility over the network resources. The Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) framework integrates the cloud computing services with direct tenant access to the network infrastructure. The Network virtualization (NV) is such a platform that acts as a mediation layer to provide NaaS to tenants. NV supports the coexistence of multiple virtual networks, which is the collection of virtual nodes and virtual links on the same underlying physical infrastructure. Prior to set up a virtual network in an NV Environment, resource discovery and resource allocation are the primary job. In this chapter, we have discussed on basic NV architecture, surveyed the previous work on the resource allocation along with ongoing research projects on network virtualization.
Using the Business Ontology and Enterprise Standards to Transform Three Leading Organizations
Authors: von Rosing Mark , Fullington Nathan , Walker John
Published: November 2016

This case story covers the exciting journey of three growth organizations and how they applied the Global University Alliance developed Business Ontology and various enterprise standards to innovate and transform their organization. The paper does so by firstly elaborating on the theory, then it introduces the three organizations, discussed the challenges and issues at hand. Followed by a discussion of their journey and the solution description. Various details about the journey and how enterprise standards where used will be shared, including how these standards assisted these organizations in rethinking their business model, the operating model which effected both the value, revenue and service model as well as the performance and cost model. The case concludes with detailed lessons learned and how the business ontology and standards helped the organizations changed.
Biometric Technology Solutions to Countering Today's Terrorism
Authors: Fianyi Israel , Zia Tanveer
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relevance of biometric technologies in increasing the fight against terrorism and other related border security challenges such as identity dominance. Since the 11th September, 2001 catastrophe in USA the need for biometrics technology for identification purpose has become important. Consequently, the many ripostes that were renewed on identity management included enhanced use of biometrics to verify and authenticate travellers at various airports as well as the use of video surveillance equipped with facial recognition sensors. The growth in data and storage devices have also become a critical phenomenon in biometrics deployment, the swiftness and accuracy with which these biometrics details can be processed is a prevailing challenge. This paper provides an extensive review of literatures on prospects of biometric technologies and other interrelated technologies in the fight against terrorism. To date, there is relatively meagre academic research examining how biometric technologies enhance border security as well as individual security.
Detection of Breast Cancer by the Identification of Circulating Tumor Cells Using Association Rule Mining
Authors: Jananee S.  , Nedunchelian R.
Published: November 2016

Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) are cells that have shed into the vasculate from the primary tumor and circulate into the blood stream. In this proposed work, the major genes causing the breast cancer is identified by the principle of Association Rule. The trained set and training set is made to upload on the data store. By associating each row of a training set to all the rows of the trained data is done and the report is generated. The Baum welch process is called for the estimation of actual probabilities and emission probabilities by calculating its log likelihood factor which gives the high Priority gene values that are responsible for the cause of cancer. Based on this cell category is splitted into three clusters such as carcinoma level, metastasis level and Kaposi sarcoma. On each cluster it finds the highest priority value in it and classifies into high, low and medium values. On extraction of these higher gene values yields the major responsible genes causing breast cancer. Finally, the obtained results are validated through hierarchical clustering.
Socio-environmental and microbiological assessment of the river Piancó, Pombal, Brazil
Authors: Lacerda Eulina Kelly Guilherme , Silva Edevaldo Da , Medeiros Rosália Severo
Published: November 2016

The River Piancó in the municipality of Pombal on the western stretch of the state of Paraíba, Brazil, receives contaminated effluents. Current assay evaluates the microbiological quality of the river water and analyzes the social and environmental aspects of the riverine community with regard to the water and its use of the river. The water´s microbiological quality was verified at four sites on the river in five two-monthly collections throughout the year (totaling 20 samples) for the following analyses: Most Probably Number (MPN), Total (TC) and Fecal Coliform (FC) and identification of Escherichia coli. The social and environmental aspects were assessed by a 15-question questionnaire given to thirty homes. Results report Fecal Coliforms (> 240 to > 1,100 MPN 100 mL-1), Total (> 93 to > 1,100 MPN 100 mL-1) and high concentrations of E. coli (> 898 to > 1,100 UFC 100 mL-1) in all the sampling sites. The river is frequented by the riverine people for home consumption, recreation and fishing. Conditions of the River Piancó, especially in the stretch that margins the town of Pombal, are highly critical and exceed the limits of current Brazilian legislation with regard to drinking and swimming conditions.
Wettability and morphology of the leaf surface in cashew tree from the Amazon, Northern Brazil
Authors: Ramos Glenda Quaresma , Albuquerque Marta Duarte da Fonseca de , Ferreira José Luiz Pinto , Cotta Eduardo Adriano , Fonseca Filho Henrique Duarte da
Published: November 2016

Leaves surfaces, which represent an interface with plants and the environment, have several structures with specific functions. Some foliar properties, including wettability and mechanical containment, are inferred in terms of cellular adaptation and the presence or absence of cuticular wax. Various morphological parameters, ranging from macro- to nano scales, are analyzed and contribute to the study of taxonomy, pharmacognosy, and ecology of plants. The aim of this paper was to analyze the effect and influence of epicuticular wax granules on the hydrophobicity of Anacardium occidentale L. leaf surfaces. Leaf specimens were directly examined with an environmental scanning electron microscope without metal coating. Images revealed epidermis ornament, stomata type, was, and trichomes. Static contact angle between water and the surface was also measured on both sides. On the adaxial side, an angle of 104.09° ± 0.95° was found, suggesting that adaxial surface is hydrophobic. On the abaxial side, the angle was 62.20° ± 1.60°, which indicates a hydrophilic nature, probably because of the greater amount of epicuticular wax on the adaxial leaf surface. The present investigation provided an important contribution to morphological and ultrastructural characterization of leaves of cashew tree, which is a plant of great medicinal and economic importance.
Optimization of asparaginase production from Zymomonas mobilis by continuous fermentation
Authors: Menegat Francieli Bortoluzzi , Baldo Cristiani , Celligoi Maria Antonia Pedrine Colabone , Buzato João Batista
Published: November 2016

Asparaginase is an enzyme used in clinical treatments as a chemotherapeutic agent and in food technology to prevent acrylamide formation in fried and baked foods. Asparaginase is industrially produced by microorganisms, mainly gram-negative bacteria. Zymomonas mobilis is a Gram-negative bacterium that utilizes glucose, fructose and sucrose as carbon source and has been known for its efficiency in producing ethanol, sorbitol, levan, gluconic acid and has recently aroused interest for asparaginase production. Current assay optimizes the production of Z. mobilis asparaginase by continuous fermentation using response surface experimental design and methodology. The studied variables comprised sucrose, yeast extract and asparagine. Optimized condition obtained 117.45 IU L-1 with dilution rate 0.20 h-1, yeast extract 0.5 g L-1, sucrose 20 g L-1 and asparagine 1.3 g L-1. Moreover, carbon:nitrogen ratio (1:0.025) strongly affected the response of asparaginase activity. The use of Z. mobilis by continuous fermentation has proved to be a promising alternative for the biotechnological production of asparaginase.
Sensory Properties of Polysulfone Hydrogel for Electro-Analytical Profiling of Vanadium and Selenium in Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Muya Francis Ntumba , Ngema Xolani Terrance , Baker Priscilla Gloria Lorraine , Iwuoha Emmanuel Iheanyichukwu
Published: November 2016

Hydrogels have been a topic of extensive research because of their unique bulk and surface properties. They play a vital role in development of controlled release drug delivery systems. Polysulfone hydrogels are hydrophilic porous materials, which provide the advantage of biocompatibility and effective orientation of biomolecule in the design of the novel biosensors [1-2]. Polysulfone hydrogels may be prepared as water swellable powders or drop cast as thin films on screen printed carbon electrodes (SPCE). Polysulfone hydrogels produce electroactive thin films, characterized by 2 well resolved redox peaks, with a formal potential of 0.0867 V and diffusion coefficient in aqueous medium of 9.06e-9 Cm2/s. In this paper we report on the initial speciation studies and analytical performance of Selenium and Vanadium at the hydrogel electrodes, as evaluated by using cyclic voltammetry in a range of -0.7 V to +0.0 V versus Ag/AgCl. The morphology, adsorption and thin film integrity was evaluated using High resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopy.
Spectro-Electrochemical of Detection Anthracene at Electrodeposited Polyamic Acid Thin Films
Authors: Ngema Xolani Terrance , Ward Meryk , Hamnca Siyabulela , Baker Priscilla Gloria Lorraine , Iwuoha Emmanuel Iheanyichukwu
Published: November 2016

Polyamic acid (PAA) thin films were prepared by electrodepositing PAA onto indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode and characterized using electrochemical methods (cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry), Ultraviolet Visible spectroscopy and Ultraviolet Visible/Spectro-electrochemistry (UV/vis Spectro-electrochemistry). The electrodeposited PAA thin films were observed to have two redox couples with a formal of 118 mV and 274 mV. The diffusion coefficient (De) determined from cyclic voltammetry was found to be 7.9x10-6 cm2/s and provide a measure of how fast charge is transported through the thin film. PAA showed a broad absorption peak at 214 nm due to the carbonyl chromophores within the polymer and shoulder peak at 293 nm from a quinoid-type chromophore. The calculated band gap of 4.23 eV suggested the polymer was optically transparent between 300 nm to 800 nm. This indicated that the PAA thin films has emerged as a very promising and cost effective alternative material to ITO with good transparent and conductive properties. PAA thin films were further applied for the detection of anthracene. The analytical response of anthracene was studied at the ITO/PAA using spectro-electrochemistry. The characteristic analytical absorbance signal for anthracene was clearly identified at 375 nm when ITO/PAA electrode was polarised at -800 mV (vs Ag/AgCl). The calibration curve for anthracene showed a linear response from 4.95x10-4 to 1.15x10-2 M. The ITO/PAA showed a low detection limit of (0.0068 g/L) and high sensitivity for anthracene, making it a suitable platform for spectro-electrochemical analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Obeticholic Acid Protects against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Fetal Death and Intrauterine Growth Restriction through Its Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Authors: Chen Yuan-Hua , Hu Xiao-Guang , Zhou Yan , Yu Zhen , Fu Lin , Zhang Gui-Bin , Bo Qing-Li , Wang Hua , Zhang Cheng , Xu De-Xiang
Published: November 2016

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is expressed in human and rodent placentas. Nevertheless, its function remains obscure. This study investigated the effects of obeticholic acid (OCA), a novel synthetic FXR agonist, on LPS-induced fetal death and intrauterine growth restriction. All pregnant mice except controls were i.p. injected with LPS (100 μg/kg) daily from gestational day (GD) 15 to GD17. Some pregnant mice were orally administered with OCA (5 mg/kg) daily from GD13 to GD17. As expected, placental FXR signaling was activated by OCA. OCA pretreatment protected against LPS-induced fetal death. In addition, OCA pretreatment alleviated LPS-induced reduction of fetal weight and crown-rump length. Additional experiments showed that OCA inhibited LPS-evoked TNF-α in maternal serum and amniotic fluid. Moreover, OCA significantly attenuated LPS-induced upregulation of placental proinflammatory genes including Tnf-α, Il-1β, IL-6, Il-12, Mip-2, Kc, and Mcp-1. By contrast, OCA elevated anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in maternal serum, amniotic fluid, and placenta. Further analysis showed that OCA blocked nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and p50 subunits in trophoblast giant cells of the labyrinth zone. These results provide a mechanistic explanation for placental FXR-mediated anti-inflammatory activity. Overall, this study provides evidence for roles of FXR as an important regulator of placental inflammation.
Daphnia magna fitness during low food supply under different water temperature and brownification scenarios
Authors: Gall Andrea , Kainz Martin J. , Rasconi Serena
Published: November 2016

Much of our current knowledge about non-limiting dietary carbon supply for herbivorous zooplankton is based on experimental evidence and typically conducted at ~1 mg C L-1 and ~20°C. Here we ask how low supply of dietary carbon affects somatic growth, reproduction, and survival of Daphnia magna and test effects of higher water temperature (+3 °C relative to ambient) and brownification (3X higher than natural water color; both predicted effects of climate change) during fall cooling. We predicted that even at very low carbon supply (~5µg C L-1), higher water temperature and brownification will allow D. magna to increase its fitness. Neonates (<24 h old) were incubated with lake seston for 4 weeks (October-November 2013) in experimental bottles submerged in outdoor mesocosms to explore effects of warmer and darker water. Higher temperature and brownification did not significantly affect food quality, as assessed by its fatty acid composition. Daphnia exposed to both increased temperature and brownification had highest somatic growth and were the only that reproduced, and higher temperature caused the highest Daphnia survival success. These results suggest that even under low temperature and thus lower physiological activity, low food quantity is more important than its quality for D. magna fitness.
Scale and watershed features determine lake chemistry patterns across physiographic regions in the far north of Ontario, Canada
Authors: MacLeod Josef , Keller Wendel (Bill) , Paterson Andrew M. , Dyer Richard D. , Gunn John M.
Published: November 2016

Changes in the far north of Ontario (>50°N latitude), like climate warming and increased industrial development, will have direct effects on watershed characteristics and lakes. To better understand the nature of remote northern lakes that span the Canadian Shield and Hudson Bay Lowlands, and to address the pressing need for limnological data for this vast, little-studied area of Ontario, lake chemistry surveys were conducted during 2011-2012. Lakes at the transition between these physiographic regions displayed highly variable water chemistry, reflecting the peatland landscape with a mix of bog and fen watersheds, and variations in the extent of permafrost. In the transition area, Shield and Lowlands lakes could not be clearly differentiated based on water chemistry; peat cover decouples, to varying degrees, the lakes from the influences of bedrock and surficial deposits. Regional chemistry differences were apparent across a much broader area of northern Ontario, due to large-scale spatial changes in geology and in the extent of peatlands and permafrost.  Shield lakes in the far northwest of Ontario had Ca, Mg, and TP concentrations markedly higher than those of many Lowlands lakes and previously studied Shield lakes south of 50°N, related to an abundance of lacustrine and glacial end-moraine deposits in the north.
Cerebrovascular hemodynamics during pranayama techniques
Authors: Nivethitha L. , Mooventhan A. , Manjunath N. K. , Bathala Lokesh , Sharma Vijay K.
Published: November 2016

Background: Pranayama techniques are known to produce variable physiological effects on the body. We evaluated the effect of the two commonly practiced Pranayama techniques on cerebral hemodynamics. Materials and Methods: Fifteen healthy male volunteers, trained in Yoga and Pranayama, were included in the study. Mean age was 24 years (range 22–32 years). Study participants performed 2 Pranayamas in 2 different orders. Order 1 (n = 7) performed Bhastrika (bellows breaths) followed by Kumbhaka (breath retention) while order 2 (n = 8) performed Kumbhaka followed by Bhastrika. Both breathing techniques were performed for 1 min each. Continuous transcranial Doppler (TCD) monitoring was performed during the breathing techniques. TCD parameters that were recorded included peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), mean flow velocity (MFV), and pulsatility index (PI) of the right middle cerebral artery at baseline, 15, 30, 45, and 60 s. Results: Significant reductions in EDV (3.67 ± 6.48; P < 0.001) and MFV (22.00 ± 7.30; P < 0.001) with a significant increase in PI (2.43 ± 0.76; P < 0.001) were observed during Bhastrika. On the contrary, a significant increase in PSV (65.27 ± 13.75; P < 0.001), EDV (28.67 ± 12.03; P < 0.001), and MFV (43.67 ± 12.85; P < 0.001) with a significant reduction in PI (0.89 ± 0.28; P < 0.01) was observed only during Kumbhaka. Conclusion: Bhastrika and Kumbhaka practices of Pranayama produce considerable and opposing effects on cerebral hemodynamic parameters. Our findings may play a potential role in designing the Pranayama techniques according to patients' requirements.
Magnetic resonance imaging brain findings in a case of aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, presenting with intractable vomiting and hiccups
Authors: Garg Prerna , Rajasekaran Muthusubramanian , Pandey Salil , Gurusamy Gnanashanmugam , Balalakshmoji Devanand , Rathinasamy Rajakumar
Published: November 2016

Neuromyelitisoptica (NMO) and multiple sclerosis (MS) were once considered to be differing manifestation of same auto immune disease, NMO predominantly involving the optic nerve and cord. Now with discovery of NMO antibody the concept has changed and a spectrum of disorders with lesions in brain has been identified. Occasionally, brain may be the first or the only site of involvement in these disorders hence it is essential to be aware of this spectrum. The brain lesions in NMO/NMOSD may be located in characteristic regions and present with symptoms mimicking non neurological disease. We herein present a case of an adult female who was admitted with intractable vomiting and hiccups; subsequently on MRI brain found to have very tiny demyelinating foci in Area Postrema.
Complications in mechanically ventilated patients of Guillain–Barre syndrome and their prognostic value
Authors: Netto Archana Becket , Taly Arun B. , Kulkarni Girish B. , Uma Maheshwara Rao G. S. , Rao Shivaji
Published: November 2016

Introduction: The spectrum of various complications in critically ill Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) and its effect on the prognosis is lacking in literature. This study aimed at enumerating the complications in such a cohort and their significance in the prognosis and mortality. Materials and Methods: Retrospective case record analysis of all consecutive mechanically ventilated patients of GBS in neurology Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a tertiary care institute for 10 years was done. Demographic, laboratory, and treatment details and outcome parameters were recorded. Results: Among the 173 patients were 118 men and 55 women (2.1:1), aged 1–84 years. The average number of ICU complications per patient was 6.8 ± 1.8 (median = 7, range = 1–12). The most common complication was tracheobronchitis (128). Other pulmonary complications were found in 36 patients. The next was metabolic hyponatremia (115) hypokalemia (67), hypocalcemia (13), stress hyperglycemia (10), hyperkalemia (8), hypernatremia (9). Sepsis (40), UTI (47), dysautonomia (27), hypoalbuminemia (76), anemia (75), seizures (8), paralytic ileus (5), bleeding (4), anoxic encephalopathy (3), organ failures (12), deep vein thrombosis (7), and drug rashes (1) were also noted. The complications, considered significant in causing death, Hughes scale ≤ 3 at discharge, prolonged mechanical ventilation (>21 days) and hospitalization (>36 days) were pneumonia, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, urinary infection, tracheobronchial infections, hypoalbuminemia, sepsis, anemia dysautonomia. Conclusion: Active monitoring and appropriate and early intervention by the clinician will improve the quality of life of these patients and reduce the cost of prolonged mechanical ventilation and ICU stay.
Epileptic Patients are at Risk of Cardiac Arrhythmias: A Novel Approach using QT-nomogram, Tachogram, and Cardiac Restitution Plots
Authors: Al-Nimer Marwan S. , Al-Mahdawi Sura A. , Abdullah Namir M. , Al-Mahdawi Akram
Published: November 2016

Background: Sudden death is reported in patients who had a history of epilepsy and some authors believed that is due to cardiac arrhythmias. Objectives: This study aimed to predict that the epileptic patients are at risk of serious cardiac arrhythmias by QT-nomogram, tachogram (Lorenz), and cardiac restitution plots. Methods: A total number of 71 healthy subjects (Group I) and 64 newly diagnosed epileptic patients (Group II) were recruited from Al-Yarmouk and Baghdad Teaching hospitals in Baghdad from March 2015 to July 2015 and included in this study. The diagnosis of epilepsy achieved clinically, electroencephalograph record and radio-images including computerized tomography and magnetic image resonance. At the time of entry into the study, an electrocardiography (ECG) was done, and the determinants of each ECG record were calculated. The QT-nomogram, tachogram, and cardiac restitution plots were used to identify the patients at risk of cardiac arrhythmias. Results: Significant prolonged corrected QT corrected (QTc) and JT corrected intervals were observed in female compared with male at age ≥50 years while the TQ interval was significantly prolonged in males of Group II. Eight patients of Group II had a significant pathological prolonged QTc interval compared with undetectable finding in Group I. QT nomogram did not disclose significant findings while the plots of Lorenz and restitution steepness disclose that the patients of Group II were vulnerable to cardiac arrhythmias. Abnormal ECG findings were observed in the age extremities (≤18 years and ≥50 years) in Group II compared with Group I. Conclusion: Utilization of QT-nomogram, restitution steepness, and tachogram plots is useful tools for detection subclinical vulnerable epileptic patient with cardiac arrhythmias.
Tetanus in Southern Vietnam: Current Situation
Authors: Thuy Duong Bich , Campbell James I. , Thanh Tran Tan , Thuy Cao Thu , Loan Huynh Thi , Hao Nguyen Van , Minh Yen Lam , Tan Le Van , Boni Maciej F. , Thwaites C. Louise
Published: November 2016

In Vietnam, there are no accurate data on tetanus incidence to allow assessment of disease burden or vaccination program efficacy. We analyzed age structure of 786 tetanus cases admitted to a tertiary referral center in Vietnam for three separate years during an 18-year period to examine the impact of tetanus prevention programs, namely the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and the Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNT) initiative. Most cases were born before the initiation of EPI. Median age increased from 33 (interquartile range: 20–52) in 1994, to 46 (32–63) in 2012 (P < 0.001). Birth-year distribution was unchanged, indicating the same birth cohorts presented with tetanus in 1994, 2003, and 2012. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay measurements in 90 men and 90 women covered by MNT but not EPI showed 73.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 62.9–82.1%) of women had anti-tetanus antibody compared with 24.4% (95% CI: 15.9–34.7%) of men, indicating continued tetanus vulnerability in older men in Vietnam.