bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Pattern of Skin & Venereal disorders among patients attending in the OPD of Dermatology & Venereology Department of a tertiary care private hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Authors: Alam Mohd Nurul , Husain Md Anwar , Quarashi Md Shafiul Alam
Published: June 2017

Background :It is generally agreed that pattern of skin & venereal diseases differ in different countries and within various regions of a country depending upon social, economic , racial & environmental factor. The morbidity associated with skin and venereal diseases makes them an important public health problem. Very scanty literature is found on the problem which is either disease based, community based or specified population group based.Objective : To assess the pattern of skin and venereal diseases in patients in urban Bangladesh and to determine their relation with demographic character.Materials and method: It is a descriptive study conducted at dermatology and venereology OPD in Ibn Sina Medical College Hospital, Dhaka for the period from 1st January, 2015 to 31st December 2015. Six thousand and two hundred and three patients were enrolled during the study period. The study population comprised of newly diagnosed cases as well as relapsing cases presenting in the outpatient irrespective of gender and age. Diagnosis was made on clinical basis. Lab investigations were restricted to the cases where it carried diagnostic importance. The data was collected through pre-designed questionnaire and analyzed through Microsoft SPSS.Results: Study was conducted on 6203 patients comprising 3373 (54.38%) males and 2830 (45.62%) females, who attended skin and VD OPD of Ibn Sina Medical College during the period of one year. Males were found to be most commonly affected. Male female ratio is 1.2 : 1. Age group between 15 to 29 years carried maximum incidence (43.79%). All disorders were broadly classified into noninfective (63.5%), infective (20.2%) and miscellaneous dermatoses (16.2%) . Eczema 1721 (27.7%) and fungal infections 694 (11.2%) came out to be the two top most common cause for OPD attendances.Conclusion: Our study found a higher prevalence of non-infective dermatoses than infective dermatoses. Eczema and fungal infections formed the largest group in their respective categories.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.16(3) 2017 p.354-357
A comparative clinical study to evaluate the effectof premedication with Ibuprofen, Tramadol and combination of Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen on success of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block in patients with Asymptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis.
Authors: Mahajan Pardeep , Singh Gurbant , Kaur Roopinder , Monga Prashant , Vanita - , Bhandari Shikha Baghi
Published: June 2017

Introduction: Aim of this study was to evaluate the effective of premedication and to determine the difference between non steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs and centrally acting opioids like tramadol on success rate of inferior alveolar nerve block in patients with asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis.Methods: This double blind clinical study was conducted on 60 patients with asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis in first or second mandibular molar with normal periapical radiographic findings. Three medications i.e., ibuprofen (600mg), tramadol (50 mg) and combination of ibuprofen (400 mg) + acetaminophen (325) were compared and lactose powder capsules were taken as placebo. All patients received IANB and teeth were examined with a cold pulp test using endofrost. Then, endodontic access cavity preparation was initiated. In case of pain during treatment, patients were asked to rate their pain on the visual analog scale.Results: The tramadol group showed significantly higher success rates but ibuprofen and combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen groups were not significant with placebo (p>05). No Significant differences were there regarding sex of the patients.Conclusion: Premedication with tramadol increased the success rate of IANB.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.16(3) 2017 p.370-374
Pattern of lipid levels of subjects seeking laboratory services in an established laboratory in the Dhaka city
Authors: Afrin Syeda Fahmida , Mahmood Abu Kholdun Al , Bari Kaniz Fatima , Rahman Ferdousi , Hassan Zahid
Published: June 2017

Background: Dyslipidemia is linked to the risk for coronary ischemic and cardiovascular disease. Considering the absence of national reference level for lipids in Bangladesh the present study was undertaken to look into the pattern of lipid levels among patients seeking laboratory services in a private medical college hospital.Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in Ibn Sina Medical College Hospital in Dhaka city. Patients with antilipid and other medication which might affect the outcome were excluded. Consenting and eligible subjects seeking laboratory services were included in the study. Total 970 subjects finally entered in the study. Total cholesterol [TC], triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol [HDL-c] were measured by enzymatic colorimetric method. LDL-cholesterol [LDL-c] was derived using Friedewald equation. Data were expressed mean±SD, number (percent) as appropriate. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS version 17 tool. A p value <0.05 was taken as level of significance.Results: Male female ratio of the total subjects was 53.9:46.1. Of the total participants 27.1% were between 41-50 age group and 71% were between 31-60 years. Mean (SD) triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-c and LDL-c level for all participants was 182±134, 194±44, 38.4±11.5 and 119±37 respectively. Mean value of HDL-c for all subjects was 38.4mg/dl where as its cutoff value is 40 mg/dl and 50 mg/dl for male and female respectively suggesting relatively large number of subjects had HDL-c dyslipidemia of the study subjects. Percent subjects with isolated abnormal lipid component were 51%, 41%, 73.2% and 33.3% for triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-c and LDL-c respectively. Of the total subjects 22% had abnormal level of lipid for all four components.Conclusions: The data showed pattern of lipid levels of the subjects seeking laboratory services of a tertiary care hospital which might be taken a trend in the Bangladeshi population. Dyslipidemia appeared to be relatively high among the subjects studied of which HDL-c dyslipidemia was more prominent.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.16(3) 2017 p.375-379
Assessment of Lifestyle in rural youth using Simple Lifestyle Indicator Questionnaire (SLIQ)
Authors: Shekhar Ravi , Aslami Ahmad Nadeem , Jha Ravi Ranjan
Published: June 2017

Background: Youths are precious human resources of every country. An unhealthy lifestyle among youth is a serious and often unnoticed problem which can lead to various Noncommunicable diseases. This study was done in a rural area of Bihar with the objective to assess their lifestyle using Simple Lifestyle Indicator Questionnaire (SLIQ).Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study done in a rural nursing college of Bihar. A validated SLIQ was used to assess the lifestyle which included dietary consumption, physical activity, and self perceived stress, tobacco and alcohol consumption. Life style was assessed by calculating SLIQ score.Results: Study included 151 rural students with a male female ratio of 0.78:1 and age group ranging from 18-31 years. 53.7% consumed green leafy salad more than six times per week and 67.5% had fresh fruits less than three times per week although 66.9% ate high fibre cereals twice or more times per day. Light, moderate and strenuous exercise was preferred by 71.6%, 33.8% and 16.5% respectively. Alcohol abuse was observed in 15.2% while 13.9% consumed tobacco. Self perceived stress scoring showed stressful lifestyle among 27.1% of students. Mean SLIQ score was 5.31 (SD=2.37).Discussion: Rural students consumed more of green leafy salad and high fibre cereals as compared to fresh fruit intake. Most of them were engaged in light exercise. Substance abuse like alcohol and tobacco was almost similar. About one fourth students showed stressful lifestyle.Lifestyle and health promotion policies are required for youth to decrease NCDs.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.16(3) 2017 p.401-406
Anticancer Mechanism of Melia azedarach, Doxorubicin and Cyclosphamide Combination against Breast Cancer in Mice
Authors: Sumarawati Titik , Israhnanto - , Fatmawati Dina
Published: June 2017

Background: Previous studies show that Mindi (Melia azedarach) has a potent cytotoxicity effect on MCF-7 via induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. However its mechanism has not been established. This study was performed to determine the anti-cancer activity of Melia azedarach, doxorubicin, and cyclosphamide combination and to elucidate the underlying mechanism of this activity in mice.Study design and methods: This was an experimental study with a posttest control group design. Twenty four C3H mice inoculated with adenocarsinoma mammary were divided into four groups receiving one of the following treatment: Aquadest,combination of doxorubicin and cyclosphamide (dox-cyc); Melia azedarach, doxorubicin, cyclosphamide (MA-dox-cyc) combination; Melia azedarach alone (MA) respectively. BAX expression was determined by Immunohistochemistry.Results and conclusion: A significant decrease in tumor volume was found in combination group. This decrease might have been due to the significant increase is in BAX expression and decrease in AgNOR expression compared with that of control (p <0.05). In conclusion, the combination of Melia azedarach, doxorubicin, cyclosphamide can decrease volume of adenocarsinoma mammary tumors in C3H mice via BAX expression increasing and decreasing AgNOR expression.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.16(3) 2017 p.428-432
Reliability of Diaphragmatic Mobility Assessment Using a Real Time Ultrasound Among Non-Specific Low Back Pain.
Authors: Mohan Vikram , Hashim Ummi Farhana , Md Dom Sulaiman , Sitilerpisan Patraporn , Paungmali Aatit
Published: June 2017

Background and Objective: Ultrasound measurement of Diaphragmatic Mobility (DM) has been shown to be a reliable measurement tool among healthy subjects. However, the measures of reliability are needed prior to clinical use of this device among Non-Specific Low Back Pain (NS-LBP). Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the relative and absolute reliability of DM using Real Time Ultrasound (RTUS) among subjects with NS-LBP.Materials and Methods: Nine subjects with NS-LBP (23.33 ± 1.58) years old were recruited. A qualified examiner performed measurement of DM using RTUS by placing transducer on the right subcostal region in semi-fowlers position with 30 degree elevation of the trunk. The test-retest measures were re-assessed with 24 hour interval between sessions.Results: There was no systematic errors between the test-retest measures (p>0.05). Intra rater reliability showed ICC value of 0.92, which indicates an excellent reliability. The SEMs of the measurement was 2.56 mm and the MDC of 7.09mm.Conclusion:The RTUS for assessing DM provides an excellent intra-rater reliability which may be used as an assessment technique for clinical evaluation of DM in adults with NS-LBP. The SEMs and MDC reported may also allow for accurate interpretation of DM assessments in NS-LBP.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.16(3) 2017 p.443-447
Unilateral rhinolith in an adult man: a case report
Authors: Mohd Yusof Asfa Najmi , Salahuddin Zulkiflee
Published: June 2017

Foreign bodies in the nose are rarely seen among adults. Rhinoliths are uncommon intranasal foreign bodies that have a very low incidence. They are often asymptomatic may be up to many years and subsequently present with nasal symptoms. We reported a case of an adult man with unilateral rhinolith, who complained of unilateral nasal blockage and foul-smelling nasal discharge. He was diagnosed with rhinolith endoscopically and successfully removed under general anaesthesia.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.16(3) 2017 p.448-451
Asynchronous bilateral ovarian torsion due to corpus luteum hemorrhage
Authors: Alka Sehgal , Pratiksha Gupta
Published: June 2017

Asynchronous bilateral ovarian torsion is uncommon, but a potential possibility. Delayed intervention of the same may even result in castration. Being torsion conscious helps early diagnosis before necrosis of the ovary and permits conservative management. Bilateral ovarian fixation at initial surgery may prevent recurrence on either side.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.16(3) 2017 p.452-454
Acute viral hepatitis B complicated by acute pancreatitis.
Authors: Ahmad Mohammad Mushtaque , Malik Praveen Kumar , Jain Abhinav , Dwivedi Shridhar
Published: June 2017

Majority of acute viral hepatitis cases resolve spontaneously in due course of time. Few cases that develop acute liver failure are prone to develop various complications, including acute pancreatitis. However, development of acute pancreatitis in patients with uncomplicated acute viral hepatitis is very rare and extremely rare in case of Acute Hepatitis B. In this case, a young boy with acute non-fulminant hepatitis B developed acute moderately severe pancreatitis, diagnosed by clinical, enzymatic and radiological features. He was managed conservatively and improved. Acute pancreatitis must be considered in patients with acute viral hepatitis who develop abdominal pain.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.16(3) 2017 p.455-457
Controlled temperature chain: Reaching the unreached in resource-limited settings
Authors: Mani Geetha , Danasekaran Raja , Annadurai Kalaivani
Published: June 2017

Geographical distance from health centre and the costs and constraints involved in cold chain maintenance are important factors influencing poor immunization coverage in remote areas of resource-limited countries. Controlled temperature chain (CTC) is an approach which uses the innate heat stability specific to certain vaccines, to reduce the dependency on cold chain and has been accepted for potential use in situations where cold chain maintenance is not feasible and limits immunization programme effectiveness. In 2012, MenAfriVac, Meningitis A conjugate vaccine became the first vaccine to be pre-qualified by World Health Organization for use under CTC. Various existing vaccines are being approved for CTC use in low-resource settings. Proper CTC labelling and effective temperature monitoring are important considerations. While cold chain is critical and should be maintained as always, CTC is a useful alternate option which needs to be explored to reach the unreached in limited-resource settings.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.16(3) 2017 p.477-479
An epidemiological study of injury in a rural community in Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury Md. Shahabul Huda , Karim Md Nazmul , Rahman Md. Ridwanur , Faiz Md. Abul , Ahmed Farhana , Selim Shahjada
Published: June 2017

Injuries are a focus of public health practice because they pose a serious health threat, occur frequently and are preventable. The evidence regarding injury, its contributing factor and its consequence in rural population of Bangladesh is scarce. Present study aimed to assess the epidemiology of injury in a rural area. The study was conducted in the Bairag Union of Anwara upazilla in Chittagong district of Bangladesh. Data of 6256 individuals were collected from 1016 households. Three structured and standardized questionnaires were used for data collection. The questionnaires were pretested and validated prior to final survey. Severity of injury was assessed based on the number of days with restricted activity and consequences of injury were considered as a measure of severity of injury. A total of 6 people died due to injury in last one year in the survey, the death tolls to 0.096% (95% CI 0.037%-0.199%). A total of 392 experienced an injury that at least hampered one days routine activity. Crude prevalence of injury over last one year is calculated to be 6.27% (95% CI 5.69%-6.89%). Of injured subjects majority (77.2%) were aged between 10 to 59 years, 73% were male, 55.6% were of lower class and among them 7.9 % suffered multiple injuries. More than 80% of the incident leading to injury happened during the day, (8 am to 6 pm). Daytime injury mostly occurs in afternoon. The mechanism of injury of 30% subjects were road accident, of 29.5% subjects was slip, trip or fall. In 17.9 % victims mechanism of injury was collision with a person or object. Around 10% had deep cut, 1.4% had superficial cut, and 3.3 % patient had burn through contact with heat. Among the injured only 19.2% escaped any physical consequence, 27.2% suffered from decrease in work capacity, 48.1% developed temporary disability, 3.8% developed permanent disability, and 1.2% suffered disfiguration.
Biochemical Bone Markers for Early Detection of Osteopaenia of Prematurity
Authors: Jahan Ismat , Mannan MA , Dey Sanjoy Kumer , Moni Sadeka Choudhury , Shahidullah Mohammod
Published: June 2017

Osteopaenia of prematurity (OOP) imposes the risk of fractures and growth failure to premature infants. Studies have investigated the validity of biochemical markers of osteopaenia but till date it is not established. So, this study was intended to examine the diagnostic performance of biochemical markers in early detection of osteopaenia of prematurity. This prospective study was conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Department of Neonatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University during June 2013 to February 2014. A total of 100 premature infants with gestational age ? 34 weeks were consecutively included over 9 months period. Serum alkaline phosphatase, serum calcium and serum inorganic phosphates were measured from 1 week of chronological age until corrected term age. At corrected term age, radiologic examination was done for the assessment of osteopaenia. Of the enrolled infants, 36/78 (46%) developed radiological evidence of osteopaenia. Serum inorganic phosphate level was significantly less in osteopaenic infants than non-osteopaenic infants throughout first two months of life (p <0.001). The area under ROC curve for serum inorganic phosphate was 85% (p = 0.001). If the cut off value of serum inorganic phosphate was set at 3.6 mg/dl, then a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 49% were obtained. Low serum inorganic phosphate at 3 weeks of life can be used as a marker for early detection of osteopaenia of prematurity.
Socio-demographic Determinants of Water Treatment in Cholera Patients and Clinical Presentation of Disease: A Decade of Observation from a Large Urban Diarrhoeal Disease Hospital in Bangladesh
Authors: Ali Mohammad Fahad , Faruque Abu Syed Golam , Malek Mohammad Abdul
Published: June 2017

Cholera remains a health problem around the globe including Bangladesh, and  claims thousands of lives and places a substantial strain on public health resources. Data collected from 4,894 cholera patients who presented to Dhaka Hospital of icddr,b between 2004 and 2013, and were analysed to assess the socio-demographic determinants of water treatment and their impact on cholera, and examine the possible influence of water treatment on changing clinico-pathologic predictors in cholera patients. Results of this study consistently showed strong association between water treatment and male sex, family income, slum residence and hygiene. Stool characteristics, vomiting, concomitant infection with ETEC, dehydration and rehydration with IV fluids were clinically significant factors. Although socio-demographic factors remain strong determinants of water treatment among cholera patients, increasing severity of the clinical manifestations of cholera as indicated by this study suggest greater burden of inoculation or more possibly increased virulence of these organisms.
Physicians' Role in Combating Obesity
Authors: Biswas Subrata Kumar , Haque Nasimul
Published: June 2017

Abstract not availableFaridpur Med. Coll. J. Jul 2016;11(2): 43
Induction Chemotherapy for Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Patients: Outcomes of A Quasi-Experimental Study.
Authors: Haque Md Nizamul , Chowdhury ASM Jahangir , Ali Md Yusuf , Biswas Nripendra Nath , Rahman Md Shafiqur , Biswas Swapan Kumar , Uddin Md Maiyeen
Published: June 2017

A quasi experimental study was conducted on outcomes of Induction Chemotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer patients from October 2015 to September 2016 at Faridpur Medical College Hospital, Faridpur. A total of 40 patients with Stages T3/T4, N0-N3, M0 and histological proved Squamous cell carcinoma of the head & neck (SCCHN) were selected to receive three cycles of chemotherapy prior to loco-regional primary concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). The induction chemotherapy regimen was a combination of Inj. paclitaxel and Inj cisplatin. The primary end point of study was clinical outcome of the patients. The response rate to induction chemotherapy was 55% for the primary tumor (CR: 12% and PR: 43%). Complete disappearance of the primary tumor occurred more often than that of the lymph node metastases. The response rate to induction chemotherapy for lymph node metastases was 24% (CR: 10% and PR: 14 %).Faridpur Med. Coll. J. Jul 2016;11(2): 54-57
Evaluation of Results of Fixation of Unstable Distal Radial Fractures by Volar Locking Plating System
Authors: Uddin Md Maiyeen , Mondal Anadi Ranjan , Karmakar Narayan Chandra , Rahman Md Masudur , Alam Syed Asif Ul
Published: June 2017

Distal radial fractures are most common fractures accounts 15% of whole skeletal injuries, as high as 40% to 49% are considered to be unstable that requires surgical fixation. The purpose of the study was to ascertain good functional hand by using volar locking plate & screws, as with locking system, distal screws are locked to the plate, which stabilized the screws against lateral movement (toggle effect), thus providing a "single bone-plate-screws construct" which producing a scaffold in the mostly cancellous distal radial metaphysis, so preventing from collapse. This study was done from January 2007 to December 2008 at National Institute of Traumatology & Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR). Total numbers of cases were 17. All patients were admitted in hospital & most of them returned home within 4 days. Most patients were managed early within 1-10 days of injury. Most patients were Fernandez type 1, type 2, and type 3. Most patients were in the age group of 4th decade. All patients were followed up for a period of at least 3 months, mean follow up period was 6 months. Results showed that wrist pain, wrist stiffness, reduced grip strength were minimum with volar locking plate & screws as there is minimal radial shortening, radial angulation, volar tilt & ulnar variance and wrist flexion, wrist extension, ulnar deviation, supination, pronation were very good. So, the trauma surgeons can safely use this procedure.Faridpur Med. Coll. J. Jul 2016;11(2): 62-66
Assessment of Ovarian Reserve in Infertile Patients
Authors: Begum Poly , Shaha Dipti Rani , Sanjowal Lipika , Barua Ripon , Hassan Md Kamrul
Published: June 2017

Reduced ovarian reserve is a condition characterized by a reduced competence of the ovary to produce oocyte due to advanced age or congenital, medical, surgical and idiopathic causes. Age is considered to be the principal factor in determining the reduction of ovarian reserve, especially in woman over 40 years of age, but it's well known that a premature reduction of ovarian reserve can also occur in young patients. Management of patients with diminished ovarian reserve is challenging for fertility experts and frequently the only option to conceive is represented by assisted reproduction technologies. Here we review the aetiology, presentation and diagnosis of reduced ovarian reserve both in advanced and in young age and we discuss recent advances in the management of infertility of these women.Faridpur Med. Coll. J. Jul 2016;11(2): 74-80
Diagnosis and Planning in the Management of Musculoskeletal Tumors - A Review
Authors: Rahman Md Hafizur , Uddin Md Maiyeen
Published: June 2017

The prognosis of patients with musculoskeletal tumors has improved markedly because of the advent of new chemotherapeutic drugs and regimens and as a result of advances in imaging and surgical techniques. Limb-salvage operations can currently be performed with better outcomes, while in the past; limbs with tumors were treated only with amputation. Accurate preoperative surgical staging of musculoskeletal tumors is currently possible because imaging techniques provide prognostic information and aid clinicians in choosing the most appropriate treatment option for the patient. The aim of this article is to outline the presentation, imaging, and staging of the primary and metastatic bone and soft tissue tumors. Some of the image-guided interventions for these tumors are also presented.Faridpur Med. Coll. J. Jul 2016;11(2): 81-85
Vivax Malaria Presenting with Fever and Tender Hepatomegaly
Authors: Tarafder Binoy Krishna , Islam Mohammad Tanvir , Roshed Md Mahabubur , Siddique Mohammad Abu Bakar , Hossain Ahmed Manadir , Sarker Karzan Dey
Published: June 2017

Malaria caused by vivax is more common than those caused by falciparum. We report here a patient of vivax malaria presented with tender hepatomegaly. A 30 year old male from a rural area was admitted with high grade irregular fever for 5 days with severe right hypochondriac pain for 2 days. Patient was toxic and agonizing with pain. He had tender hepatomegaly. His cardiovascular and respiratory examination findings were normal. ICT for malaria and blood film revealed presence of P. vivax. His hepatic enzymes and viral markers were negative and ultrasonogram of hepatobiliary system excluded features of hepatitis or any abscess cavity. Echocardiogram showed no cardiac abnormality. Presence of tender hepatomegaly in the absence of other co-morbidity is rare in vivax malaria and not well documented in adults, which makes this presentation.Faridpur Med. Coll. J. Jul 2016;11(2): 90-92
APPLICATION OF A CONTINUOUS WAVELET TRANSFORMS AND ANFIS TO FAULT DIAGNOSIS OF A GEARBOX OF TRACTOR
Authors: Bahrami Mostafa , Javadikia Hossein , Ebrahimi Ebrahim
Published: June 2017

This study proposes a technique based on continuous wavelet transform added by adaptive-neural-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) for fault diagnosis of gearbox of MF285 tractor. Varying fault can cause changes in a measured gearbox vibration signal. A gear motion vibration signal in speed of 1500 r/min is analyzed as source data. Energy of coefficients wavelet is proposed to evaluate tractor gear fault by ANFIS. We found that this technique can correctly indicate early gear fault.
Non-Revenue Water (NRW) is a challenge for Global Water Supply System Management: A case study of Dhaka Water Supply System Management
Authors: Farok G. M. G
Published: June 2017

Non-revenue Water (NRW) is an important component of commercial water system management. NRW is the result of pipelines leakage, improper, illegal service connections and theft water. NRW contributes system loss that is a buzzword. Actually, NRW is uncounted water that has been produced but it is confirmed to be lost before it consumes the customer. This matter agitates for all concern and specially it affects the whole economy. Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) is one of the main utilities in Dhaka City and it is the mostimportant sector of the Government of Bangladesh. The potable water distribution network has been installed at the whole area of the city and it covers periphery of the city and its extension is going from N. Gonj to Tongi as well as surrounding area of this city. Non-revenue water surveys were conducted on specific fields and areas that were selected randomly. It would be gradually becoming a serious issue affecting the interest of all concerned andwould be one of the major crises to be solved with techno-managerial concept.
INVESTIGATIONS FOR ENHANCING THE APPLICATION DOMAIN OF FUSED DEPOSITION MODELLING PROCESS
Authors: Singh Rupinder , Singh Sunpreet
Published: June 2017

In the recent past, various studies have been reported on the development of in-house fused deposition modelling (FDM) filament, in order to increase the application domain of the process. But hitherto very less have reported on the effect of reinforcement type (such as: SiC, Al2O3 and Fe powder etc.) on the melt flow index (MFI) of the polymer matrix composite (PMC) to be used as FDM filament. In the present research work, an effort has beenmade to investigate the effect of selected proportions of filler, matrix (nylon-6) and extrusion load on the MFI of reinforced FDM filament. Experimental study was conducted on melt flow indexer (MFIer) as per ASTM-D1238-95 standard and signal to noise ratio was calculated to find out the effect of input process parameters on MFI of hybrid filament. It has been found that proportion of filler in matrix, type of filler material and extrusion load contributed about 16.62%, 1.23% and 76.72% respectively.
EFFECT OF DRILLING PARAMETERS ON THRUST FORCE AND TORQUE DURING DRILLING OF ALUMINIUM 6061 ALLOY - BASED ON TAGUCHI DESIGN OF EXPERIMENTS
Authors: Sreenivasulu Reddy , Rao Chalamalasetti Srinivasa
Published: June 2017

Hole generating process with drill bit called as drilling, which is very important because large portion of overall machining of any component in production industry needs assemble of parts to make a final shape with rivets and fasteners. It is well known that the drill point geometry has a significant effect on thrust force exerted by a drill bit while drilling. In this study, experimentally investigate the influence of drilling parameters such as pointangle, clearance angle, cutting speed, feed rate and drill diameter on the thrust force and torque in drilling. Drilling experiments have been conducted over a wide a range of machining conditions such as cutting speed varied in the range 500 rpm to 1000 rpm in 3steps, feed rate varied from 0.3 to 0.6mm /min in three steps using two flutesuncoated conventional twist drills of three different diameters (8, 10 and 12mm) with 1180 point and 450 helix angles. Drill bits tool geometry altered by tool&cutter grinder and obtained 1100, 1000 point angles also clearance angles varied by 40, 60 and 80. Holes are performed on Aluminium 6061 alloy material of rectangular cross section having dimensions 300mmx50mmx10mm as per taguchi technique. A kistler (type 9272), four components drill tool dynamometer was used to measure thrust force (Th) and torque (M) exerted by the drill bit during hole making on a work material further the signal was processed to a computer by a multichannel signal amplifier (Kistler 5070 type) was used to record the thrust force and torque. Finally, ANOVA test have been carried out to confirm thesignificance of factors considered during drilling and compare the predicted values with the experimental values on influence of factors on responses.
PERFORMANCE OF NI3AL AND TIO2 COATINGS ON T22 BOILER TUBE STEEL IN SIMULATED BOILER ENVIRONMENT IN LABORATORY
Authors: Singh Simranjeet , Goyal Khushdeep , Goyal Rakesh
Published: June 2017

The corrosion of boiler steel tube in coal fired boiler is main matter during design and operation of thermal power plant and it leads to both direct and indirect cost and energy lost, including losses due to plant shut down time and inefficiency of operation. One of the feasible solution to solve the problem is providing surface coating on boiler steel tube, which on one hand protect the tube from highly corrosive flue gaseous and on other hand increase their operating life. Ni3Al and TiO2 and coatings were sprayed on ASTM SA213-T22 steel by using the HVOF process. Hot corrosion studies were conducted on the uncoated as well as coated sprayed specimens in molten salt environment of Na2SO4-60%V2O5 at 900ºC for 50 cycles. In the experiment each cycle consist of 1 hr of heating in tube furnace followed by 20 minute of cooling in air. The thermo-gravimetric technique was used in order to establish the kinetics of corrosion. XRD, SEM/EDS testing were used to examine the corrosion specimens. Theresult shows that both the coated samples are beneficial to corrosion resistance over uncoated samples. TiO2 coating was found to be most protective followed by the Ni3Al coating.
Exploring a Model for the Semantics of Medieval Legal Charters
Authors: Bradley John , Broun Dauvit , Rio Alice , Hammond Matthew
Published: June 2017

This paper describes several aspects of a formal digital semantic model that expresses some issues presented by medieval charters. Surprisingly, perhaps, this model does not deal directly with a charter's text and is not mark-up based. Instead, it draws on the authors’ experience with the construction of three highly structured factoid-oriented prosopographical databases that drew heavily on charter sources, and that also did not explicitly contain a digital representation of the charter texts. The paper explains the way in which the structured data model thus derived differs from text-oriented approaches such as TEI/CEI work that has been done so far on charters. It presents a view on why this factoid-based model seems to capture more readily some of the complexity in the apparent meanings of the charters, and suggests that this is because it is also more likely to relate to a richer conception of the broader medieval world in which these charters were created than text-oriented work does. Finally, drawing on recent work on the ChartEx project, it explores how a combined approach, that takes the best of both text-markup and structured data modelling techniques, could evolve in the future.
Konrad Zuse and his Plankalkül: The Hope to Emerge from the Sleep of Sleeping Beauty
Authors: Petrocelli Carla
Published: June 2017

Germany, 1935: the engineer Konrad Zuse (1910–1995), in the living room of his Berlin house, devotes himself to the design and construction of a binary, programmable machine, the Z1, capable of processing data in a fast and efficient way. While building his machines, he also started to devise a conceptual and notational system for writing ‘programs’ to execute applications much more complex than the basic arithmetic calculations. He delved deep into the study of formal logic in order to work out his “computation plan”, the Plankalkül. Although the Plan Calculus didn't exercise much impact on German post-World War hardships, it displays all the traits currently recognized as standard features of modern programming languages. The aim of the present study is to highlight the general purpose and technical specifics of this language, its historical and scientific background, and the philosophical inspiration leading Konrad Zuse to employ the predicate logic in the formalization of the “computation projects” for his machines.
Lærings- og arbeidsvaner hos lærlinger
Authors: Garmannslund Per E. , Witsø Hilde
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we present a study that focuses on the vocational education and train-ing (VET) system in Norway and the part of the training undertaken in training es-tablishments. The purpose of the study is to examine whether the use of an electronic monitoring tool improves the apprentices’ learning- and work habits as well as their professional awareness. The study is twofold. Firstly, we used a quantitative design to illuminate the phe-nomenon of ‘volition’, as an expression of learning and work habits. In this part of the study 64 apprentices answered a questionnaire. Secondly, we conducted a quali-tative study in which three apprentices were interviewed about their experiences with the electronic monitoring tool and what it entails in terms of their learning and work habits, as well as their professional awareness. Findings indicate that the electronic monitoring tool helps to reinforce communi-cation between the apprentices and instructors. In addition, findings indicate that apprentices reflection and effort increases, which can be an important contribution to appropriate learning and work habits. In sum, our findings suggest that an electronic monitoring tool appears to con-tribute positively to both appropriate learning and work habits, as well as manage-ment of apprentices’ understanding of their future professional responsibilities.
Research on the Robustness of Interdependent Networks under Localized Attack
Authors: Wang Junde , Lao Songyang , Ruan Yirun , Bai Liang , Hou Lvlin
Published: June 2017

Critical infrastructures (CI) are the cornerstone of modern society, and they are connected with each other through material, energy, or information. The robustness of interdependent CI systems under attack has been a hot topic in recent years, but previous studies mainly focused on malicious attacks or random failure. To analyze the impact of some natural disasters whose destructive force is mainly related to distance with respect to interdependent CI systems, we present a new localized attack mode considering destructive force decays with distance, and carry out simulations on several interdependent networks constructed by artificial and real world networks. Furthermore, this article analyzes the influence of coupling strength and coupling pattern on the robustness of interdependent system. The results show that dependency links between networks decrease the robustness of interdependence networks, but the robustness under failure probability degradation is not vulnerable like that under malicious attack or random failure. In addition, the coupling preference has little effect on the robustness of interdependent networks under the new localized attack strategy; when the average degree of subnetworks is large, the same conclusion can be obtained for the coupling strength.
A Statistical Model Updating Method of Beam Structures with Random Parameters under Static Load
Authors: Wu Zhifeng , Huang Bin , Li Yejun , Pu Wuchuan
Published: June 2017

This paper presents a new statistical model updating method of beam structures with random parameters under static load. The new updating method considers structural parameters and measurement errors to be random. To reduce the unmeasured degrees of freedom in the finite element model, a static condensation technique is used in this method. A statistical model updating equation with respect to element updated factors is established afterwards. The element updated factors are expanded as random multivariate power series. Using a high-order perturbation technique, the statistical model updating equation can be solved to obtain the coefficients of the power series expansions of the element updated factors. The results of two numerical examples show that for the solution of the statistical model updating equation, the accuracy of the proposed method agrees with that of the Monte Carlo simulation method very well. The static responses obtained by the updated finite element model coincide with the measured results very well. Finally, a series of static load tests of the concrete beam are conducted to testify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Improving Residential Wind Environments by Understanding the Relationship between Building Arrangements and Outdoor Regional Ventilation
Authors: You Wei , Gao Zhi , Chen Zhi , Ding Wowo
Published: June 2017

This paper explores the method of assessing regional spatial ventilation performance for the design of residential building arrangements at an operational level. Three ventilation efficiency (VE) indices, Net Escape Velocity (NEV), Visitation Frequency (VF) and spatial-mean Velocity Magnitude (VM), are adopted to quantify the influence of design variation on VE within different regional spaces. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method is applied to calculate VE indices mentioned above. Several residential building arrangement cases are set to discuss the effect of different building length, lateral spacing and layouts on four typical space patterns under wind directions oblique or perpendicular to the main (long) building facade. The simulation results prove that NEV, VF and VM are useful VE indices, which can reflect different features of flow pattern in studied regional domains. Preliminary parametric studies indicate that wind direction might be the most important factor for improving spatial ventilation. When the angle between main building facade and wind direction is more than 30°, ventilation of different exterior spaces could improve evidently. When wind direction is perpendicular to main building façade, decreasing building length can increase NEV of the middle space by 50%, while decreasing lateral spacing would decrease NEV of the intersection space by 35%.
Joint Characteristic Timescales and Entropy Production Analyses for Model Reduction of Combustion Systems
Authors: Porras Sylvia , Bykov Viatcheslav , Gol’dshtein Vladimir , Maas Ulrich
Published: June 2017

The reduction of chemical kinetics describing combustion processes remains one of the major topics in the combustion theory and its applications. Problems concerning the estimation of reaction mechanisms real dimension remain unsolved, this being a critical point in the development of reduction models. In this study, we suggest a combination of local timescale and entropy production analyses to cope with this problem. In particular, the framework of skeletal mechanism is in the focus of the study as a practical and most straightforward implementation strategy for reduced mechanisms. Hydrogen and methane/dimethyl ether reaction mechanisms are considered for illustration and validation purposes. Two skeletal mechanism versions were obtained for methane/dimethyl ether combustion system by varying the tolerance used to identify important reactions in the characteristic timescale analysis of the system. Comparisons of ignition delay times and species profiles calculated with the detailed and the reduced models are presented. The results of the application show transparently the potential of the suggested approach to be automatically implemented for the reduction of large chemical kinetic models.
Model-Based Approaches to Active Perception and Control
Authors: Pezzulo Giovanni , Donnarumma Francesco , Iodice Pierpaolo , Maisto Domenico , Stoianov Ivilin
Published: June 2017

There is an on-going debate in cognitive (neuro) science and philosophy between classical cognitive theory and embodied, embedded, extended, and enactive (“4-Es”) views of cognition—a family of theories that emphasize the role of the body in cognition and the importance of brain-body-environment interaction over and above internal representation. This debate touches foundational issues, such as whether the brain internally represents the external environment, and “infers” or “computes” something. Here we focus on two (4-Es-based) criticisms to traditional cognitive theories—to the notions of passive perception and of serial information processing—and discuss alternative ways to address them, by appealing to frameworks that use, or do not use, notions of internal modelling and inference. Our analysis illustrates that: an explicitly inferential framework can capture some key aspects of embodied and enactive theories of cognition; some claims of computational and dynamical theories can be reconciled rather than seen as alternative explanations of cognitive phenomena; and some aspects of cognitive processing (e.g., detached cognitive operations, such as planning and imagination) that are sometimes puzzling to explain from enactive and non-representational perspectives can, instead, be captured nicely from the perspective that internal generative models and predictive processing mediate adaptive control loops.
Safety Requirements for Transportation of Lithium Batteries
Authors: Huo Haibo , Xing Yinjiao , Pecht Michael , Züger Benno J. , Khare Neeta , Vezzini Andrea
Published: June 2017

The demand for battery-powered products, ranging from consumer goods to electric vehicles, keeps increasing. As a result, batteries are manufactured and shipped globally, and the safe and reliable transport of batteries from production sites to suppliers and consumers, as well as for disposal, must be guaranteed at all times. This is especially true of lithium batteries, which have been identified as dangerous goods when they are transported. This paper reviews the international and key national (U.S., Europe, China, South Korea, and Japan) air, road, rail, and sea transportation requirements for lithium batteries. This review is needed because transportation regulations are not consistent across countries and national regulations are not consistent with international regulations. Comparisons are thus provided to enable proper and cost-effective transportation; to aid in the testing, packaging, marking, labelling, and documentation required for safe and reliable lithium cell/battery transport; and to help in developing national and internal policies.
Ecological Niche Modeling Identifies Fine-Scale Areas at High Risk of Dengue Fever in the Pearl River Delta, China
Authors: Li Qiaoxuan , Ren Hongyan , Zheng Lan , Cao Wei , Zhang An , Zhuang Dafang , Lu Liang , Jiang Huixian
Published: June 2017

Dengue fever (DF) is one of the most common and rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral diseases in tropical and subtropical regions. In recent years, this imported disease has posed a serious threat to public health in China, especially in the Pearl River Delta (PRD). Although the severity of DF outbreaks in the PRD is generally associated with known risk factors, fine scale assessments of areas at high risk for DF outbreaks are limited. We built five ecological niche models to identify such areas including a variety of climatic, environmental, and socioeconomic variables, as well as, in some models, extracted principal components. All the models we tested accurately identified the risk of DF, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were greater than 0.8, but the model using all original variables was the most accurate (AUC = 0.906). Socioeconomic variables had a greater impact on this model (total contribution 55.27%) than climatic and environmental variables (total contribution 44.93%). We found the highest risk of DF outbreaks on the border of Guangzhou and Foshan (in the central PRD), and in northern Zhongshan (in the southern PRD). Our fine-scale results may help health agencies to focus epidemic monitoring tightly on the areas at highest risk of DF outbreaks.
How Social Reactions to Alcohol-Related Facial Flushing Are Affected by Gender, Relationship, and Drinking Purposes: Implications for Education to Reduce Aerodigestive Cancer Risks
Authors: Newman Ian , Ding Lanyan , Shell Duane , Lin Lida
Published: June 2017

Alcohol-related facial flushing is a sign of compromised alcohol metabolism and increased risk of certain cancers. This project examined how facial flushing might be used to reduce alcohol use to lower cancer risks. Interviews with Chinese university students identified gender, friendship, and drinking purpose as important variables related to whether someone would encourage a person who flushes when drinking alcohol to stop or reduce their drinking. A questionnaire was developed that incorporated these variables into 24 drinking scenarios in which someone flushed while drinking. Students responded whether they would (a) encourage the flusher to stop or drink less; (b) do nothing while wishing they could; or (c) do nothing because there was no need. Analysis of survey responses from 2912 university students showed a three-way interaction of the variables and implied that the probability students will intervene when a drinker flushes was highest when the flusher was a female, a close friend, and the drinking purpose was for fun and lowest if the flusher was a male, the friendship was general, and the drinking purpose was risky. The results provide important details about the social factors affecting how other people respond to a person who flushes when drinking alcohol. This information is useful for those considering ways to reduce and prevent aerodigestive cancers through education and information programs.