bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-invasive assessment of fatty liver
Authors: Egresi Anna , Lengyel Gabriella , Hagymási Krisztina
Published: March 2015

As the result of various harmful effects (infectious agents, metabolic diseases, unhealthy diet, obesity, toxic agents, autoimmune processes) hepatic damage may develop, which can progress towards liver steatosis, and fibrosis as well. The most common etiological factors of liver damages are hepatitis B and C infection, alcohol consumption and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Liver biopsy is considered as the gold standard for the diagnosis of chronic liver diseases. Due to the dangers and complications of liver biopsy, studies are focused on non-invasive markers and radiological imaging for liver steatosis, progression of fatty liver, activity of the necroinflammation and the severity of the fibrosis. Authors review the possibilities of non-invasive assessment of liver steatosis. The statistical features of the probes (positive, negative predictive values, sensitivity, specificity) are reviewed. The role of radiological imaging is also discussed. Although the non-invasive methods discussed in this article are useful to assess liver steatosis, further studies are needed to validate to follow progression of the diseases and to control therapeutic response. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(14), 543–551.
The Arctiini (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae) fauna of the Serra do Pardo National Park, Pará, Brazil
Authors: Teston José Augusto , Correa Danilo Do C. V.
Published: March 2015

This study evaluated the Arctiini fauna of the Serra do Pardo National Park (Pará, Brazil) between 22 September and 3 October 2011. Light traps were left one night in each sampling site (SS) from 18:00 h to 6:00 h of the next day. The following parameters were evaluated: richness (S), abundance (N), diversity index (H’), Shannon uniformity (U) index, and Berger-Parker dominance (BP). Richness was estimated using the non-parametric methods Chao1, Chao2, ACE, ICE, Jackknife1, Jackknife2 and Bootstrap. A total of 3,247 specimens were captured, belonging to 221 Arctiini taxa; 32 of these are new records for the state of Pará and, of these, six are new records for the Brazilian Amazon. The Arctiini fauna is very rich and uniform. The richness estimator and rarefaction curve indicated the need for increased sampling efforts in the area.
InGaN thin films grown by RF sputtering for HIT solar cells
Authors: Jakkala Pratheesh , Kordesch Martin E
Published: March 2015

The wide range of optical band gaps of InGaN thin films led to considerable research in increasing the efficiency of solar cells. In this study, we present electrical, optical and structural properties of InGaN thin films grown by in situ rf sputtering method. Several samples of InGaN were deposited on aluminosilicate glass and silicon(111) substrates at different temperatures and varying N2 flow ratio. Growth temperatures are 35 °C, 150 °C, 200 °C. Aluminum metal contacts are deposited using DC sputtering method. Resistivity, mobility, conductivity values and their changes with respect to temperature are recorded using hall-effect measurement system. Band gap values and their changes with respect to N2 flow ratio in ( Ar+N2) mixture were calculated using UV spectrophotometer and tauc plots. Atomic composition was calculated using Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. Amorphous/crystalline nature of the samples are verified using XRD analysis.
Effects of fluorine incorporation on the structural and electrical properties of Diamond-like carbon
Authors: Nakanishi Kento , Otsuka Jun , Hiratsuka Masanori , Du Chen Chung , Shirakura Akira , Suzuki Tetsuya
Published: March 2015

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) has widespread attention as a new material for its application to thin film solar cells and other semiconducting devices. DLC can be produced at a lower cost than amorphous silicon, which is utilized for solar cells today. However, the electrical properties of DLC are insufficient for this purpose because of many dangling bonds in DLC. To solve this problem, we investigated the effects of the fluorine incorporation on the structural and electrical properties of DLC.

We prepared five kinds of fluorinated DLC (F-DLC) thin film with different amounts of fluorine. Films were deposited by the radio-frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RF-PECVD) method. C6H6 and C6HF5 were used as source gases. The total gas flow rate was constant and the gas flow rate ratio R (=C6H6 / (C6H6 + C6HF5)) was changed from 0 to 1 in 0.25 ratio steps. We also prepared nitrogen doped DLC (F-DLC) on p-Si using N2 gas as a doping gas to form nitrogen doped DLC (F-DLC) / p-Si heterojunction diodes.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that fluorine concentration in the DLC films was controlled. Moreover, the XPS analysis of the C1s spectrum at R=2/4 showed the presence of CF bonding. At R=1, CF2 bonding was observed in addition to CF bonding. The sheet resistivity of the films changed from 3.07×1012 to 4.86×109 Ω. The minimum value was obtained at R=2/4. The current-voltage characteristics indicated that nitrogen doped F-DLC of 2/4 and p-Si heterojunction diode exhibited the best rectification characteristics and its energy conversion efficiency had been maximized. This is because of a decrease of dangling bonds density by ESR analysis and an increase of sp2 structures by Raman analysis. When the fluorine is over certain content, the sheet resistivity increases because chain structures become larger, which is due to the CF2 bonding in F-DLC prevents ring structures. Many C2F4 species were observed and it may become precursors of the chain structure domains, such as (CF2)n.

In this study, we revealed effects of fluorine incorporation on DLC and succeeded in increasing its conductivity and improving rectification characteristics of DLC/ p-Si hetero-junction diodes. Our results indicate that DLC fluorination is effective for the semiconducting material, such as solar cell applications.
Wealth, Pensions, Debt, and Savings: Considerations for a Panel Survey
Authors: Pence Karen M. , Bucks Brian
Published: March 2015

Several U.S. panel surveys measure household wealth. At the same time, many important questions about household wealth accumulation remain somewhat unresolved. We consider whether measurement error on the existing suite of longitudinal surveys hinders their usefulness for addressing these questions. We review the features of wealth data that make it difficult to collect and assess which assets and debts households are more likely to report accurately. We suggest several considerations in choosing between improving existing surveys and starting a new one.
USE OF COAGULANTS FOR THE TREATMENT OF WASH WATER HIGH-RATE TRICKLING FILTERS
Authors: BUTKO D. A. , LYSOV V. A , RODIONOVA A. B
Published: March 2015

The classification of reagent-free and reagent systems of wash water high-rate trickling filters is proposed. Optimal doses of the examined coagulants with the same values of Camp criterion are set.
INFLUENCE OF LANDFILL DEPOSITION OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE ON GROUND AND SURFACE WATERS
Authors: GUBANOV L. N , ZVEREVA A. Yu , ZVEREVA V. I
Published: March 2015

Most landfills dont meet the requirements for the terms of waste disposal and are just dumps without any engineering infrastructure protecting biosphere objects from polluting. Chemical and microbiological processes occurring in the municipal solidwaste mass lead to the formation of harmful substances polluting water objects.

The designs of landfills MSW should have a two-stage scheme of wastewater treatment. The first stage of treatment is done in ponds-regulators of high capacity by homogenisation, dilution and long-lasting settling of wastewater. The second stage of treatment is performed on plants of physical-chemical and biological treatment. Negative influence of the rest harmful substancesdecreases if there is a big enough natural biochemical barrier between the water wall and the nearest water-bearing level, i.e. if the basement of the landfill has rocks that can effectively prevent pollutants taking out to ground water levels.
INFLUENCE OF URBANIZATION ON THE SYSTEMS OF WATER DISPOSAL AND SURFACE DISCHARGE PURIFICATON (IN SAMARA)
Authors: STRELKOV A. K , GRIDNEVA M. A , KONDRINA E. E
Published: March 2015

The article focuses on surface type ratio in towns and cities and its effect on rainwater expenditures and load on sewer networks. Calculations are provided for different surface coefficients (based on the Belski sewer outlet in Samara). It has been discovered that the more the value of the surface coefficient zmid is, the more expenditures are. The sewer network mentioned above cannot cope with rainwater load. However, bigger pipe diameter or parallel pipe laying is not always possible and/or reasonable. Thus, planting of greenery ought to be considered as a subsidiary way to lift part of the load from the sewer network.
RESEARCH ON FREQUENCY OF OCCURENCE OF HYDROBIONTS IN BIOFILMS OF ROTATING BIOLOGICAL CONTRACTORS DURING SEWAGE TREATMENT
Authors: ShUVALOV M. V , STRELKOV A. K , ShUVALOV R. M
Published: March 2015

There is research on frequency of occurence of hydrobionts in biofilms of rotating biological contractors, which are used in stations of biological cleaning in small settlements. There are 19 types of organisms, among them are filamentary bacteria and Nematoda worms.
PROBABILITY ESTIMATE OF EARTH DAM SLOPES STABILITY
Authors: BAL'ZANNIKOV M. I , ShAKARNA S. M
Published: March 2015

The article considers various approaches to the estimation of earth dam slopes stability taking into account changeability and uncertainty of properties indices for materials in the structure and the ground base, as well as variability of effective loads. The necessity and the expediency of use of probability estimate methods are emphasized. The paradigm and the example of earth dam slopes stability analysis are provided.
THE NEW APPROACH TO INCREASING OF ECOLOGICAL SAFETY OF THE EXPLOITED EARTH HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING STRUCTURES
Authors: BAL'ZANNIKOV M. I , RODIONOV M. V , SELIVERSTOV V. A
Published: March 2015

The state of operated low-pressure hydroengineering complexes with earth dams constructed on small rivers is analyzed. It is shown that many of earth dams have poor condition and are in need of repair work. For increasing of ecological security it is offered to install crest and downstream slope in order to enable passing of rare floods at high-water years directly via an earth dam without the risk of its destruction. The design of earth water retaining structures is proposed. Its advantages are summarized.
UPGRADE OF URBAN AREA PROTECTION TECHNIQUES VS NEGATIVE IMPACT OF UNEQUIPPED CONSTRUCTION WASTE DUMPS
Authors: GALITsKOVA Yu. M
Published: March 2015

The problems of urban pollution with construction waste, formed in the course of repair, reconstruction and construction of different units are considered. The results of soil tests underneath unequipped dumps are provided. The means of construction waste dumps liquidation in urban areas ensuring minimal negative environmental impacts are described.
RESOURCE SAVING APPROACH TO RAW MATERIAL BASE OF BUILDING INDUSTRY
Authors: ChUMAChENKO N. G
Published: March 2015

An estimate of natural and technogenic raw material bases for construction materials production is given. These two groups of primary products are suggested to be considered as a united raw material base for building industry due to including industrial wastes. To be selected for an appropriate use every industrial waste sort must undergo several levels of estimation on the following criteria: toxic level; chemical and mineral composition; selection of wastes from ready-made construction materials or their components; selection of wastes from ready-made raw mixes for the production of building materials; estimation of aggregate state; estimation of the amount of formation. After such a multilevel estimation, waste is getting a certain status.
COMPOSITIONAL AND PLANNING FEATURES OF A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE AS AN OBJECT OF SPATIAL CROSSING
Authors: KOLESNIKOV S. A
Published: March 2015

This article concerns questions about reorganisation of the city environment with the help of integration communicational functional spatial elements in it. The publication covers compositional and planning features of a pedestrian bridge like an object of spatial crossing. Techniques of contacts with relief and geometrical configuration of communicational zone are defined.
PRINCIPLES OF INTELLIGENT URBANISM AS THE CONCEPTUAL BASIS OF FOREIGN TOWN PLANNING
Authors: MEL'NIKOVA V. M , MASTALERZh N. A
Published: March 2015

Article shows 10 principles of Intelligent Urbanism, that form the basis of contemporary town planning theory. Principles give the opportunity to work out strategies for urban development, that cover questions of historical heritage, social integration, safe streets, sustainability of engineering systems and context-appropriate architecture, effective redevelopment of brownfields and ecological balance. The institutional integrity (principle 10) is one of the most important criterions of achievement. Much attention is given to the problem of urban community creation (principle 4) and public space formation facilitating communication and interaction between citizens on different levels.
SERIALITY IN ART AND ARCHITECTURE DURING THE PERIOD OF INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: FEDOROVA M. A
Published: March 2015

In the article the development of seriality concept in the context of changes in science, technology, art and architecture during the period of industrial manufacture development is viewed. There is the necessity of search of new forms and means of expressiveness in connection with changes in art and architecture. At this stage seriality becomes the tool of development of authors methods and new directions in art and architecture. Simultaneously it is the basis for establishment of balance between mass and unique, during industrial manufacture of objects of art, architecture and design.
Cataract Surgery and the LenSx® Femtosecond Laser System—2015 Update
Authors: Makari Sarah , Potvin Richard ,   Clinical Research Scientist,   President, Science in Vision, Akron, 6197 Dye Road, Akron, NY 14001, US. E: rick@scienceinvision.com
Published: March 2015

Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery continues to gain popularity as clinicians adopt the technology with the desire to improve the safety and efficacy of cataract surgery. The technology continues to evolve as clinical experience points to improvements to better meet the needs of surgeons and patients. The effect of these system updates, and the increasing body of experience with femtosecond laser systems, has reduced complication rates and seen the technology applied to more challenging cases. This article provides an updated review of the LenSx® femtosecond Laser system, including recent system modifications and the most- recent published literature.
Femtosecond Laser-assisted Cataract Surgery—Challenging Cases, Successes, and Complications
Authors: Packer Mark ,   Medical Director, BoulderEyes, Boulder, Colorado, US; Clinical Associate Professor, Oregon Health and Science University, Oregon, 1400 Bluebell Ave, Boulder, Colorado, US. E: mark@markpackerconsulting.com
Published: March 2015

While femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) is evolving as an alternative to phacoemulsification, there are a lack of data on its use in challenging cases. This article discusses cases in which FLACS is particularly advantageous including subluxated cataracts, prior eye surgery, combined vitrectomy and FLACS, pediatric cataract surgery, small pupils, and nanophthalmos. However, FLACS does not produce superior outcomes in all cases and caution is needed in cases of posterior polar cataracts, glaucoma, and prior use of silicone oil.
Meta-analysis of Six Excimer Laser Platforms for Safety and Efficacy in Myopic Laser-assisted in situ Keratomileusis
Authors: Blanton Christopher L ,   President, Board of Directors; Chief Executive Officer, Inland Eye Institute Medical Group, Inc., Colton, 9481 Haven Ave, Suite 200, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730, US. E: Blanton007@aol.com; Adjunct Assistant Professor of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, US
Published: March 2015

Purpose:To compare excimer laser platform outcomes for myopic laser-assistedin situkeratomileusis (LASIK).Methods:A peer-reviewed literature search was conducted using the terms “myopia,” “LASIK,” and “outcomes.” Articles were selected based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Data regarding Snellen visual acuity, refractive error ± 0.5 and 1.0 diopter (D) and loss of best-corrected acuity were extracted. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval studies were used to fill in any data gaps. Statistical analysis was performed.Results:The Abbott laser outperformed the other five in multiple measures of visual acuity results at 1 and 3 months. The Nidek laser outperformed the other five lasers at the 20/16 level at 6 months. The Carl Zeiss/Meditec laser outperformed the other five at 6 months in terms of refractive outcome ± 0.5 D. The Abbott and Alcon lasers outperformed the other four lasers in the safety category (least amount of >2 line loss of best-corrected visual acuity [BCVA]) at the 1 month visit. There were no significant differences between the platforms, in the safety category, at all other time intervals.Conclusion:At all times, all lasers fell within the FDA guidelines for safety regarding loss of bestcorrected acuity.
Ophthalmic Imaging Tools to Detect Glaucoma Progression
Authors: Kostanyan Tigran , Wollstein Gadi ,   Research Fellow,   Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, UPMC Eye Center, Eye and Ear Institute, Ophthalmology and Visual Science Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 203 Lothrop St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, US. E: wollsteing@upmc.edu
Published: March 2015

Ocular imaging devices provide objective and reliable structural measurements and estimate structural progression that has important clinical implications in ocular pathologies such as glaucoma. This review describes the working principles and main methods for detection of glaucoma progression used in the leading commercially available ocular imaging. This information allows clinicians to better identify eyes that are suspicious of progression and adjust the clinical management as needed.
Pharmacologic Trabeculectomy—Modulation of Aqueous Humor Outflow Through the Trabecular Meshwork
Authors: Ahmad Syed Shoeb , Zia-ur-Rahman Syed , Ramli Norlina , Ghani Shuaibah Abdul ,   Specialist; Ophthalmology Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, 88586, Malaysia. E: syedshoebahmad@yahoo.com,   Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India,   Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,   Consultant, Department of Ophthalmology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Published: March 2015

“Pharmacologic trabeculectomy” is a term used to describe the modulation of aqueous outflow by the biochemical manipulation of the trabecular meshwork. Most of the medications currently in use either reduce aqueous production or increase its outflow through the ciliary body. However, there is a new group of agents being investigated, which can increase the facility of aqueous humor outflow through the trabecular meshwork. Thus, these agents will be able to provide a more physiologic means to control aqueous humor dynamics. This review sheds light on this concept of “medical trabeculectomy.”
Neighborhood diversity of large trees shows independent species patterns in a mixed dipterocarp forest in Sri Lanka
Authors: Punchi-Manage Ruwan , Wiegand Thorsten , Wiegand Kerstin , Getzin Stephan , Huth Andreas , Gunatilleke C. V. Savitri , Gunatilleke I. A. U. Nimal
Published: March 2015

Interactions among neighboring individuals influence plant performance and should create spatial patterns in local community structure. In order to assess the role of large trees in generating spatial patterns in local species richness, we used the individual species–area relationship (ISAR) to evaluate the species richness of trees of different size classes (and dead trees) in circular neighborhoods with varying radius around large trees of different focal species. To reveal signals of species interactions, we compared the ISAR function of the individuals of focal species with that of randomly selected nearby locations. We expected that large trees should strongly affect the community structure of smaller trees in their neighborhood, but that these effects should fade away with increasing size class. Unexpectedly, we found that only few focal species showed signals of species interactions with trees of the different size classes and that this was less likely for less abundant focal species. However, the few and relatively weak departures from independence were consistent with expectations of the effect of competition for space and the dispersal syndrome on spatial patterns. A noisy signal of competition for space found for large trees built up gradually with increasing life stage; it was not yet present for large saplings but detectable for intermediates. Additionally, focal species with animal‐dispersed seeds showed higher species richness in their neighborhood than those with gravity‐ and gyration‐dispersed seeds. Our analysis across the entire ontogeny from recruits to large trees supports the hypothesis that stochastic effects dilute deterministic species interactions in highly diverse communities. Stochastic dilution is a consequence of the stochastic geometry of biodiversity in species‐rich communities where the identities of the nearest neighbors of a given plant are largely unpredictable. While the outcome of local species interactions is governed for each plant by deterministic fitness and niche differences, the large variability of competitors causes also a large variability in the outcomes of interactions and does not allow for strong directed responses at the species level. Collectively, our results highlight the critical effect of the stochastic geometry of biodiversity in structuring local spatial patterns of tropical forest diversity.
An Overview of International Literature on School Interventions to Promote Mental Health and Well-being in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Carta Mauro Giovanni , Fiandra Teresa Di , Rampazzo Lorenzo , Contu Paolo , Preti Antonio
Published: March 2015

Introduction:

Mental disorders are the largest cause of the burden of disease in the world. Most of the burden affecting adult life has its onset during childhood and adolescence. The European Pact for Mental Health and Wellbeing calls for immediate action and investments in the mental health of children and adolescents. Schools may be the ideal location for promoting health and delivering healthcare services, since schools are a location where young people usually spend their daytime and socialize, schools are easily accessible to families, can provide non-stigmatizing health actions, and form links with the community.

Aims and Goals of this Special Issue:

This issue is developed within the framework of the Joint Action on Mental Health promoted by the European Commission. This special issue presents a set of systematic reviews on the evidence of the international literature on school interventions for the promotion of the mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents. It is focused on five topical main areas: promoting general health and wellbeing; programs targeting specific mental disorders and conditions and integration of adolescents with mental health problems; Bullying; Sport; Alcohol and Drugs. An additional paper on the results of the largest epidemiological study conducted in some European countries on the prevalence and relative risk factors of mental disorders in school-age completes the issue.

Conclusion:

These reviews are a first contribution to address future European research and interventions, in particular about the multiple ways through which European policies could support the schooling and wellbeing of children and adolescents.
Interventions on Bullying and Cyberbullying in Schools: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cantone Elisa , Piras Anna P , Vellante Marcello , Preti Antonello , Daníelsdóttir Sigrun , D’Aloja Ernesto , Lesinskiene Sigita , Angermeyer Mathhias C , Carta Mauro G , Bhugra Dinesh
Published: March 2015

Background :bullying (and cyberbullying) is a widespread phenomenon among young people and it is used to describe interpersonal relationships characterized by an imbalance of power. In this relationships often show aggressive behavior and intentional "harm doing" repeated over time. The prevalence of bullying among youth has been reported to vary widely among countries (5.1%-41.4%) and this behavior seems generally higher among student boys than girls. Several school interventions have been developed to reduce bullying, but reported inconsistent results possibly related to limitations in the study design or to other methodological shortcomings.Aims:evaluating randomized-controlled trials (RTCs) conducted between 2000 and 2013 to assess the effectiveness of school interventions on bullying and cyberbullying.Methods:a systematic search of the scientific literature was conducted on Pubmed/Medline and Ebsco online databases. We also contacted experts in the field of preventive bullying research.Results:17 studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies did not show positive effects in the long term; the interventions focused on the whole school were more effective in reducing bullying than interventions delivered through classroom curricula or social skills training alone.Conclusion:while there is evidence that programs aimed at reducing bullying can be effective in the short term, their long-term effectiveness has not been established, and there are important differences in the results based on gender, age and socio-economic status of participants. Internal inconsistency in the findings of some studies, together with the wide variability of experimental designs and lack of common standardized measures in outcome evaluation, are important limitations in this field of research.
A Systematic Review of School-Based Alcohol and other Drug Prevention Programs
Authors: Agabio Roberta , Trincas Giuseppina , Floris Francesca , Mura Gioia , Sancassiani Federica , Angermeyer Matthias C.
Published: March 2015

Background:

Alcohol use in adolescents constitutes a major public health concern. Europe is the heaviest drinking region of the world. Several school-based alcohol prevention programs have been developed but it is not clear whether they are really effective. The present study was aimed at identifying the typology with the best evidence of effectiveness in European studies.

Methods:

A systematic search of meta-analyses and/or randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on interventions school-based prevention programs aimed at preventing alcohol consumption or changing the attitudes to consume alcohol.

Results:

A meta-analysis published in 2011 and 12 RCTs more recently published were identified. The meta-analysis evaluated 53 RCTs but only 11.3% of them were conducted in Europe. Globally, 23 RCTs (43.4%) showed some evidence of effectiveness, and 30 RCTs (56.6%) did not find significant difference between the groups. According to the conclusions of the meta-analysis, the Unplugged program should be considered as a practice option in Europe. Among the other 12 RCTs, 42% were conducted in Europe. Globally, 7 studies (58.3%) achieved positive results, and 5 studies (41.7%) did not find significant differences or produced a mixed pattern of results. Three of the 5 European trials (60%) used the Unplugged program with positive results.

Conclusion:

Even if further studies should be conducted to confirm these results, Unplugged appears to be the prevention project with the best evidence of effectiveness in European studies.
The Validity and Reliability of an Arabic Version of the STOP-Bang Questionnaire for Identifying Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: BaHammam Ahmed S. , Al-Aqeel Alaa M. , Alhedyani Alanoud A. , Al-Obaid Ghaida I. , Al-Owais Mashail M. , Olaish Awad H.
Published: March 2015

Background:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common, serious, under-recognized and under-diagnosed medical disorder. Polysomnography (PSG) is the gold standard diagnostic test for OSA; however, the cost of testing and the shortage of sleep disorders laboratories limit access to this tool. Therefore, there is a need for a simple and reliable diagnostic tool to screen patients at risk of OSA.

Objective:

This study was conducted to evaluate the validity and reliability of an Arabic version of the STOP-Bang questionnaire (SBQ) as a screening tool for OSA.

Methods:

This study was conducted in three steps, as follows: Step 1: the SBQ was translated from English to Arabic (examining both forward and backward translations); Step 2: the test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was investigated; and Step 3: the questionnaire was validated against PSG data prospectively on 100 patients attending a sleep disorders clinic who were subjected to a full-night PSG study after completing the translated version of the SBQ. The validity of the test was tested against the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI).

Results:

The study group had a mean age of 46.6 ± 14.0 years and a mean AHI of 50.0 ± 37.0/hour. The study demonstrated a high degree of internal consistency and stability over time for the translated SBQ. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the 8-item tool was 0.7. Validation of the SBQ against the AHI at a cut-off of 5 revealed a sensitivity of 98% and positive and negative predictive values of 86% and 67%, respectively.

Conclusion:

The Arabic version of the SBQ is an easy-to-administer, simple, reliable and valid tool for the identification of OSA in the sleep disorders clinic setting.
Reduction in Dental Hypersensitivity with Nano-Hydroxyapatite, Potassium Nitrate, Sodium Monoflurophosphate and Antioxidants#
Authors: B. Low Samuel , Allen Edward P. , Kontogiorgos Elias D.
Published: March 2015

Objective:

This clinical study aimed to evaluate effectiveness of a commercially available toothpaste containing
potassium nitrate, sodium monoflurophosphate, and nano-hydroxyapatite as well as antioxidants phloretin, ferulic acid
and silymarin in reducing dental hypersensitivity in adults.

Methods:

The clinical trial enrolled patients with
a history of dentin hypersensitivity. A test toothpaste was introduced into the daily routine, which included initial instruction
on usage. Patients completed a five-question visual analog scale (VAS) at the inception/baseline, after two days and
after two weeks of using the toothpaste to determine their level of tooth sensitivity at baseline with the use of the
toothpaste over time.

Results:

Patients that had significant sensitivity at baseline had a range of 52% to 76 % improvement
after 48 hours and a range of 70% to 84% improvement after two weeks.

Conclusion:

A toothpaste containing potassium
nitrate, sodium monoflurophosphate, and nano-hydroxyapatite plus antioxidants phloretin, ferulic acid and silymarin
applied daily significantly decreased tooth pain of dentin hypersensitivity within a two-day and two-week time period.

Clinical Significance:

Based on the clinical study results, a daily application of a toothpaste containing potassium nitrate,
sodium monofluorophosphate, and nano-hydroxyapatite plus antioxidants phloretin, ferulic acid and silymarin can significantly
and quickly reduce tooth pain of dentin hypersensitivity.
Antimicrobial Evaluation of Leaf and Stem Extract of Cordia macleodii
Authors: Joshi Deepkumar , Patel Rinku , Patel Nupur , Patel Devendra , Pandya Chintan
Published: March 2015

The leaf and stem of cordia macleodii plant were investigated for evaluating antibacterial and antifungal properties.Different extracts of leaf and stem viz. double distilled water, methanol, ethyl acetate ane n-hexane were collectedand content was optimized for the maximum amount of extraction with varying time of 6 and 12 h. The extracts weretested for their antimicrobial activities against gram-positive bacteria (B. sutilis), gram-negative bacteria (E. coli) andfungi (A. niger). The extracts were found to be more active against bacteria as compared to fungi. It was also observedthat the antibacterial and antifungal potential of the water extracts were found to be excellent as 1A (38 mm) and 1B (22mm) compared to the other extracts.

Graphical Abstract:
Retraction: Radenovic L. Effect of 7-nitroindazole on superoxide production and MnSOD activity in the rat brain following kainate-induced neurotoxicity. Arch biol sci, 2008, 60(1):25-32. DOI: 10.2298/ABS0801025R
Authors: Editorial E
Published: March 2015

This is a notice of retraction of the article: Effect of 7-nitroindazole on
superoxide production and MnSOD activity in the rat brain following
kainate-induced neurotoxicity, published in the Archives of Biological
Sciences in 2008, Vol. 60, Issue 1. The Editor-in-Chief has been informed
that this paper plagiarizes an earlier paper: Radenovic L, Selakovic V,
Kartelija G, Todorovic N, Nedeljkovic M. Differential effects of NMDA and
AMPA/kainate receptor antagonists on superoxide production and MnSOD activity
in rat brain following intrahippocampal injection. Brain Res Bull, 2004,
64(1):85-93. The results in the article being retracted were presented as
findings obtained from novel research. Inspection of the results has revealed
that they were part of research already presented in the original article
without appropriate justification or cross-referencing. The Editor-in-Chief
considered publishing a notice of redundancy specifying the elements
published previously. However, since the original article had already been
autoplagiarized by the same corresponding author in the same journal
(retraction DOI:10.2298/ABS150318026E), the article is being retracted in
accordance with the publishing ethics of the Archives of Biological Sciences
in order to preserve the integrity of scientific research. We apologize to
the journal's readers that it took so long to notice this error and instigate
retraction of the paper. We request our readers to contact the editorial
office and editors of the journal directly should similar cases occur in the
future, so that the necessary action can be taken more promptly.

 Link to the retracted article <a
href="http://dx.doi.org/10.2298/ABS0801025R">10.2298/ABS0801025R
Effects of circular corners and aspect-ratio on entropy generation due to natural convection of nanofluid flows in rectangular cavities
Authors: Salari Mahmoud , Mohammadtabar Ali , Mohammadtabar Mohammad
Published: March 2015

In this paper, entropy generation induced by natural convection of cu-water
nanofluid in rectangular cavities with different circular corners and
different aspect-ratios were numerically investigated. The governing
equations were solved using a finite volume approach and the SIMPLE algorithm
was used to couple the pressure and velocity fields. The results showed that
the total entropy generation increased with the increase of Rayleigh number,
irreversibility coefficient, aspect ratio or solid volume fraction while it
decreased with the increase of the corner radius. It should be noted that the
best way for minimizing entropy generation is decreasing Rayleigh number.
This is the first priority for minimizing entropy generation. The other
parameters such as radius, volume fraction, etc are placed on the second
priority. However, Bejan number had an inverse trend compared with total
entropy generation. As an exception, Bejan number and total entropy number
had the same trend whenever solid volume fraction increased. Moreover,
Nusselt number increased as Rayleigh number, solid volume fraction or aspect
ratio increased whereas it decreases with the increase of corner radius.
Condensation inside smooth horizontal tubes: Part 1. Survey of the methods of heat-exchange prediction
Authors: Rifert Volodymyr , Sereda Volodymyr
Published: March 2015

Survey of the works on condensation inside smooth horizontal tubes published
from 1955 to 2013 has been performed. Theoretical and experimental
investigations, as well as more than 25 methods and correlations for heat
transfer prediction are considered. It is shown that accuracy of this
prediction depends on the accuracy of volumetric vapor content and pressure
drop at the interphase. The necessity of new studies concerning both local
heat transfer coefficients and film condensation along tube perimeter and
length under annular, stratified and intermediate regimes of phase flow was
substantiated. These characteristics being defined will allow determining
more precisely the boundaries of the flow regimes and the methods of heat
transfer prediction.
Numerical study of the combustion of conventional and biofuels using reduced and advanced reaction mechanisms
Authors: Abdalla Ibrahim , Alajmi Ayedh , Yang Zhiyin
Published: March 2015

Combustion process of conventional liquid fuels and BioFuels depend on many
factors including thermo - physicochemical properties associated with such
fuels, their chemical structure and the combustion infrastructure used. This
manuscript summarises the computational results of a steady cfd simulation
for reactive flows performed to validate advanced reaction mechanisms for
both conventional and BioFuels. The computational results have shown good
agreement with the available experimental data with the differences
thoroughly discussed and explained. An important observations and findings
reported in this work was that when comprehensive reaction models were used,
the injected fuels burned at a slower rate compared to the situation when
reduced models were employed. While such comprehensive models predicted
better flame structure and far better biproducts compared to the existing
experimental results, it has also led to over-predicting the temperature
field. The computational results have also shown that BioDiesel produces a
marginally higher rate of CO2 compared to Diesel. Such results are thought to
be due to the Oxygenated nature of the fuel and how such feature influences
the development of a comprehensive reaction mechanism for such fuels.
Urban transport energy consumption: Belgrade case study
Authors: Jovanovic Miomir
Published: March 2015

More than half of the global population now lives in towns and cities. At the
same time, transport has become the highest single energy-consuming human
activity. Hence, one of the major topics today is the reduction of urban
transport demand and of energy consumption in cities. In this article we
focused on the whole package of instruments that can reduce energy
consumption and transport demand in Belgrade, a city that is currently at a
major crossroad. Belgrade can prevent a dramatic increase in energy
consumption and CO2 emissions (and mitigate the negative local environmental
effects of traffic congestion, traffic accidents and air pollution), only if
it: 1) implements a more decisive strategy to limit private vehicles use
while its level of car passenger km (PKT) is still relatively low; 2) does
not try to solve its transport problems only by trying to build urban road
infrastructure (bridges and ring roads); and 3) if it continues to provide
priority movement for buses (a dominant form of public transport), while 4)
at the same time developing urban rail systems (metro or LRT) with exclusive
tracks, immune to the traffic congestion on urban streets.
An inspection to the hyperbolic heat conduction problem in processed meat
Authors: Liu Kuo-Chi , Chen Han-Taw , Wang Yan-Nan
Published: March 2015

This paper analyzes a hyperbolic heat conduction problem in processed meat
with the non-homogenous initial temperature. This problem is related to an
experimental study for the exploration of thermal wave behavior in biological
tissue. Because the fundamental solution of the hyperbolic heat conduction
model is difficult to be obtained, a modified numerical scheme is extended to
solve the problem. The present results deviate from that in the literature
and depict that the reliability of the experimentally measured properties
presented in the literature is doubtful.
Impact of new power investments up to year 2020 on the energy system of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Hasovic Zihnija , Cosic Boris , Omerbegovic-Arapovic Adisa , Duic Neven
Published: March 2015

This paper investigates current and planned investments in new power plants
in Bosnia and Herzegovina and impact of these investments on the energy
sector, CO2 emission and internationally committed targets for electricity
from renewable sources up to year 2020. Bosnia and Herzegovina possesses
strong renewable energy potential, in particular hydro and biomass. However,
the majority of energy production is conducted in outdated power plants and
based on fossil fuels, resulting in environment pollution. New major
investments The Stanari Thermal plant (300 MW) and the investment in Block 7
(450 MW) at the Thermal Plant Tuzla are again focused on fossil fuels. The
power sector is also highly dependent on the hydrology as 54% of current
capacities are based on large hydro power. In order to investigate how the
energy system of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be affected by these investments
and hydrology, the EnergyPLAN model was used. Based on the foreseen demand
for year 2020 several power plants construction and hydrology scenarios have
been modelled to cover a range of possibilities that may occur. This includes
export orientation of Stanari plant, impact of wet, dry and average year,
delayed construction of Tuzla Block 7, constrained construction of hydro
power plants, and retirement of thermal units. It can be concluded that
energy system can be significantly affected by delayed investments but in
order to comply with renewables targets Bosnia and Herzegovina will need to
explore the power production from other renewable energy sources as well.
Kandlikar third number map for flow boiling in micro-channels and micro-gravity
Authors: Awad M.M.
Published: March 2015

As an extension of the recent work of Baldassari and Marengo (Baldassari C.,
Marengo M., Flow Boiling in Microchannels and Microgravity, Progress in
Energy and Combustion Science 39 (2013) 1, pp. 1-36), this note presents
Kandlikar third number (K3) map for flow boiling in microchannels and
microgravity. Using several data points available in the literature,
Kandlikar third number (K3) map was plotted versus the hydraulic diameter
(dh) as the characteristic dimension for flow boiling in microchannels and
microgravity. The ranges of the Kandlikar third number (K3), calculated using
the hydraulic diameter (dh), are presented.
Massive retroperitoneal hematoma as a complication of anticoagulation therapy in a patient treated in a pulmonary intensive care unit
Authors: Stjepanovic Mihailo , Buha Ivana , Raljevic Snezana , Babic Uros , Savic Milan , Maskovic Jovana , Roksandic Marina , Maric Dragana
Published: March 2015

Introduction. Retroperitoneal hematoma may occur as a result of trauma, but
also from rupture of arterial aneurysms (aortic or iliac), surgical
complications, tumors or anticoagulation therapy. Case report. We presented a
patient on permanent anticoagulation therapy. On the day of admission to our
institution, the patient had the value of his INR 5.57 which required
immediate suspension of the therapy. The main symptom in this patient was
pain in the right inguinal canal with propagation along the right leg, which
was indicated in clinical picture of spontaneous retroperitoneal haematoma.
After three days the fall of hemoglobin occurred, so the additonal
diagnostics was done. A computed tomography of the abdomen was performed
showing well limited, large retroperitoneal hematoma (213 x 79 x 91 mm).
Transfusion of concentrated red blood cells was performed twice with
satisfactory correction of hemoglobin level, and four units of fresh frozen
plasma. The patient was hemodynamically stabilized and discharged after a
two-month long intensive care unit treatment, with the advice to use
low-molecular weight heparin 2 x 0.4 mg subcutaneusly, due to persistent
arrhythmia. Conclusion. In patients on anti-coagulation therapy regular
monitoring of the anticoagulant status is extremely important, because of the
possibility of fatal complications development, such as retroperitoneal
hematoma.
Bilateral hippocampal infarction and amnesia: A case report
Authors: Kostic Smiljana , Pasovski Viktor , Krsmanovic Zeljko , Boskovic Zeljko , Kostic Dejan , Jovanovski Aleksandar , Jovic-Stosic Jasmina
Published: March 2015

The hippocampus along with other structures of the medial temporal lobe plays
an important role in the process of learning and memory consolidation.
Bilateral hippocampal lesions lead to persistent anterograde amnesia while
unilateral damage results in milder, content-specific forms of amnesia.
Hippocampus may be affected by an acute or chronic pathologic process from a
wide spectrum of neurological disorders. Case report. A 61-year-old female
patient with a long history of hypertension, glucose intolerance,
hypercholesterolemia and depression was hospitalized for acute anterograde
amnesia, which led to repeated excessive drug taking. By further examinations
that included laboratory tests, electroencephalography, Doppler sonography of
intra- and extracranial vessels and neurovisualization methods [multislice
computed tomography (MSCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain]
bilateral hippocampal ischemia that occurred at different times was detected.
Cognitive and neuropsychological evaluation revealed an isolated severe
damage of episodic memory with the inability of retention of new information
which persisted at the control examination three months later. The assumed
mechanism of occurrence of ischemia in this case could be arterio-arterial
embolism. Conclusion. Although ischemic stroke is one of the most common
neurological diseases, ischemic stroke of the hippocampus is rare, the
isolated bilateral presentation with clinical signs of severe amnestic
syndrome in particular. Timely recognition and modern therapeutic approach
could have a favorable impact on the recovery from severe neurological,
cognitive deficit. It could be suggested that in patients with the clinical
image of acute anterograde amnesia and vascular risk factors the MSCT
examination of the brain with computed tomography perfusion and angiography
is performed immediately upon hospitalization.