bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Palmomental Reflex a Relevant Sign in Early Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis?
Authors: Gabelle Audrey , Gutierrez Laure-Anne , Dartigues Jean-François , Ritchie Karen , Touchon Jacques , Berr Claudine
Published: December 2015

Background: Sophisticated and expensive biomarkers are proposed for the diagnostic of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The amyloid process seems to be early in AD, and brain amyloid load affects the frontal lobe. Objective: To determine if certain simple clinical signs, especially frontal-related signs, could help reach an earlier and better diagnosis. Methods: In the frame of the 3-City cohort, we conducted a nested case-control study comparing incident cases of AD to controls matched for age, gender, and education. The standardized neurological exam included extrapyramidal signs (akinesia, rigidity, rest tremor), pyramidal symptoms (spastic rigidity, Babinski reflex), primitive reflexes (snout, palmomental reflex grasping), and tremor (essential, intentional, head) at the time of diagnosis and two years before. Results: We compared 106 incident AD subjects (mean age at diagnosis 82.2 (SD = 5.9); median MMSE at diagnosis = 23) to 208 matched controls. In patients younger than 80, palmomental reflexes were more frequent in AD than controls, two years before diagnosis (25.0 versus 7.0% , p = 0.03) and at time of diagnosis (30.3 versus 12.3% , p = 0.02). No difference was observed for other signs two years before diagnosis or for patients older than 80. Conclusion: Before diagnosis, the clinical examination of AD patients is not strictly normal; the primitive reflexes appear to be pathological. It might be in connection with the frontal amyloid load at an early stage of the disease. Clinical examination can reveal simple and interesting signs that deserve consideration as well as the other more invasive and expensive biomarkers.
Changes in Brain Volume with Bapineuzumab in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Novak Gerald , Fox Nick , Clegg Shona , Nielsen Casper , Einstein Steven , Lu Yuan , Tudor Iulia Cristina , Gregg Keith , Di Jianing , Collins Peter , Wyman Bradley T. , Yuen Eric , Grundman Michael , Brashear H. Robert , Liu Enchi
Published: December 2015

Background: Bapineuzumab, an anti-amyloid-β monoclonal antibody, was evaluated in two placebo-controlled trials in APOE*ɛ4 carriers and noncarriers, respectively, with Alzheimer’s disease. Objectives: A volumetric magnetic resonance imaging substudy was performed to determine if bapineuzumab altered brain volume rate of change. Methods: Bapineuzumab dosages included 0.5 mg/kg in carriers and 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg in noncarriers, every 13 weeks for 78 weeks. Volumetric outcomes included annualized brain, ventricular, and mean hippocampal boundary shift integrals (BBSI; VBSI; HBSI) up to Week 71. Treatment differences were estimated using mixed models for repeated measures. Results: For BBSI and HBSI, there were no significant treatment-related differences within either study, but, compared to pooled carriers and noncarriers receiving placebo, noncarriers receiving1.0 mg/kg bapineuzumab had greater increases in these measures. Bapineuzumab-treated patients showed significantly greater VBSI rates compared with placebo for 0.5 mg/kg in carriers and 1.0 mg/kg (but not 0.5 mg/kg) in noncarriers. Conclusions: Bapineuzumab produced an increase in ventricular volume compared with placebo. Etiology for this increase is unclear but may be related to amyloid-β clearance or its consequences.
Efficacy and Safety of MMFS-01, a Synapse Density Enhancer, for Treating Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Liu Guosong , Weinger Jason G. , Lu Zhong-Lin , Xue Feng , Sadeghpour Safa
Published: December 2015

Background: Cognitive impairment is a major problem in elderly, affecting quality of life. Pre-clinical studies show that MMFS-01, a synapse density enhancer, is effective at reversing cognitive decline in aging rodents. Objective: Since brain atrophy during aging is strongly associated with both cognitive decline and sleep disorder, we evaluated the efficacy of MMFS-01 in its ability to reverse cognitive impairment and improve sleep. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-designed trial in older adult subjects (age 50–70) with cognitive impairment. Subjects were treated with MMFS-01 (n = 23) or placebo (n = 21) for 12 weeks and cognitive ability, sleep quality, and emotion were evaluated. Overall cognitive ability was determined by a composite score of tests in four major cognitive domains. Results: With MMFS-01 treatment, overall cognitive ability improved significantly relative to placebo (p = 0.003; Cohen’s d = 0.91). Cognitive fluctuation was also reduced. The study population had more severe executive function deficits than age-matched controls from normative data and MMFS-01 treatment nearly restored their impaired executive function, demonstrating that MMFS-01 may be clinically significant. Due to the strong placebo effects on sleep and anxiety, the effects of MMFS-01 on sleep and anxiety could not be determined. Conclusions: The current study demonstrates the potential of MMFS-01 for treating cognitive impairment in older adults.
Social Cognition Deficits: The Key to Discriminate Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia from Alzheimer’s Disease Regardless of Amnesia?
Authors: Bertoux Maxime , de Souza Leonardo Cruz , O’Callaghan Claire , Greve Andrea , Sarazin Marie , Dubois Bruno , Hornberger Michael
Published: December 2015

Relative sparing of episodic memory is a diagnostic criterion of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). However, increasing evidence suggests that bvFTD patients can show episodic memory deficits at a similar level as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Social cognition tasks have been proposed to distinguish bvFTD, but no study to date has explored the utility of such tasks for the diagnosis of amnestic bvFTD. Here, we contrasted social cognition performance of amnestic and non-amnestic bvFTD from AD, with a subgroup having confirmed in vivo pathology markers. Ninety-six participants (38 bvFTD and 28 AD patients as well as 30 controls) performed the short Social-cognition and Emotional Assessment (mini-SEA). BvFTD patients were divided into amnestic versus non-amnestic presentation using the validated Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) assessing episodic memory. As expected, the accuracy of the FCSRT to distinguish the overall bvFTD group from AD was low (69.7% ) with ∼50% of bvFTD patients being amnestic. By contrast, the diagnostic accuracy of the mini-SEA was high (87.9% ). When bvFTD patients were split on the level of amnesia, mini-SEA diagnostic accuracy remained high (85.1% ) for amnestic bvFTD versus AD and increased to very high (93.9% ) for non-amnestic bvFTD versus AD. Social cognition deficits can distinguish bvFTD and AD regardless of amnesia to a high degree and provide a simple way to distinguish both diseases at presentation. These findings have clear implications for the diagnostic criteria of bvFTD. They suggest that the emphasis should be on social cognition deficits with episodic memory deficits not being a helpful diagnostic criterion in bvFTD.
Cognitive Impairment after Mild Stroke: Development and Validation of the SIGNAL2 Risk Score
Authors: Kandiah Nagaendran , Chander Russell Jude , Lin Xuling , Ng Aloysius , Poh Yen Yeong , Cheong Chin Yee , Cenina Alvin Rae , Assam Pryseley Nkouibert
Published: December 2015

Background: Post stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI), an important complication of strokes, has numerous risk factors. A scale adequately classifying risk of cognitive impairment 3–6 months after mild stroke will be useful for clinicians. Objective: To develop a risk score based on clinical and neuroimaging variables that will be useful in identifying mild ischemic stroke patients at high risk for PSCI. Methods: The risk score development cohort comprised of a retrospective dataset of 209 mild stroke patients with MRI confirmed infarcts, without pre-stroke cognitive impairment, and evaluated within 6 months post-stroke for PSCI. Logistic regression identified factors predictive of PSCI and a risk score was developed based on regression coefficients. The risk score was checked for stability using 10-fold cross-validation and validated in an independent prospective cohort of 185 ischemic mild stroke patients. Results: Within 6 months post-stroke, 37.32% developed PSCI in the retrospective dataset. A 15-point risk score based on age, education, acute cortical infarcts, white matter hyperintensity, chronic lacunes, global cortical atrophy, and intracranial large vessel stenosis was highly predictive of PSCI with an AUC of 0.829. 10.11% with low scores, 52.69% with moderate scores, and 74.07% with high scores developed PSCI. In the prospective validation cohort, the model had an AUC of 0.776, and exhibited similar accuracy and stability statistics at both 6 and 12 months. Conclusion: The seven item risk score adequately identified mild stroke patients who are at an increased risk of developing PSCI.
Prevalence and Risk Factor of Cognitive Impairment were Different between Urban and Rural Population: A Community-Based Study
Authors: Tang Hui-Dong , Zhou Yi , Gao Xiang , Liang Liang , Hou Miao-Miao , Qiao Yuan , Ma Jian-Fang , Chen Sheng-Di
Published: December 2015

Background: China is facing a continuously rising numbers of people with cognitive impairment (CI). Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of CI among elderly people living in rural and urban communities. Methods: We conducted a face-to-face survey of CI on 7,900 individuals aged 50 years or older meeting inclusion criteria in the Malu (rural community, n = 4,429) and Wuliqiao (urban community, n = 3,471) communities of Shanghai. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to evaluate the cognitive function. Information on demographic features and potential risk factors for CI was collected during the interview. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors associated with CI. Results: Based on the education modified MMSE score, we identified 329 CI cases in rural community and 227 in urban community. The prevalence of CI was 7.43% in rural population and 6.54% in urban population (p = 0.13). In the urban population, risk of having CI was associated with age (OR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01–1.08), lack of physical activities (OR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.11–4.57), presence of diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.04–3.07), and having three or more children (OR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.27–4.50). In contrast, factors associated with rural populations included female gender (OR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.08–3.82), age (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03–1.08), exposure to pesticides (OR = 4.68; 95% CI: 1.27–17.21), history of encephalitis or meningitis (OR = 6.02; 95% CI: 1.92–18.85) and head trauma (OR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.10–3.24). Conclusions: Urban rural and populations showed different risk factors for CI, suggesting that different preventive strategies in these areas should be performed.
Activities of Daily Living and Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Subjective Cognitive Decline, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Stogmann Elisabeth , Moser Doris , Klug Stefanie , Gleiss Andreas , Auff Eduard , Dal-Bianco Peter , Pusswald Gisela , Lehrner Johann
Published: December 2015

Background: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) may be an early indicator for an increased risk of dementia. The exact definition of SCD remains unclear and has recently become a major research interest. Objectives: To determine impairments in activities of daily living (ADL) and depressive symptoms in elderly individuals with SCD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: We included 752 consecutive patients suffering from SCD, non-amnestic (naMCI) or amnestic MCI (aMCI), AD, and 343 healthy controls into this prospective cohort study. A neuropsychological test battery, B-ADL and BDI-II was performed. Results: SCD patients showed a decreased performance in ADL compared to controls. Performance in ADL declined concurrently with cognitive abilities along the controls−SCD−naMCI−aMCI−AD continuum. Individuals with cognitive complains, no matter if SCD, MCI, or AD patients, reported more often depressive symptoms compared to healthy controls without complaints. Within all five cognitive subgroups, patients with depressive symptoms reported more difficulties in ADL in comparison to patients without depressive symptoms. Adjusting for depressive symptoms, there was no significant group difference between the control versus the SCD group (OR 1.1, CI 0.6–1.7). Conclusions: SCD is a heterogeneous clinical condition. Specific features such as slightly impaired ADL and depressive symptoms are associated with SCD. Clinical markers may serve as an indicator for preclinical AD and in combination with biomarkers guide to an early diagnosis of a progressive neurodegenerative disease.
Self-Consciousness in Patients with Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia
Authors: Arroyo-Anlló Eva Mª , Bouston Adèle Turpin , Fargeau Marie-Noëlle , Orgaz Baz Begõna , Gil Roger
Published: December 2015

Self-consciousness (SC) is multifaceted and considered to be the consciousness of one’s own mental states. The medial prefrontal cortex may play a critical role in SC. The main aim of this paper was to examine SC in patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia, who are characterized more by changes in personal, social, and emotional conduct and loss of insight than by cognitive disturbances. Control and patient groups of 21 subjects each, matched by age, educational level, gender, and nationality were assessed using a SC questionnaire. It measures several aspects: Personal identity, Anosognosia, Affective state, Body representation, Prospective memory, Introspection, and Moral judgments. The most disturbed ones in patients were Anosognosia, Affective state, and Moral judgments, and the least disturbed aspects were awareness of identity and of body representation. No significant correlations were found between the SC score and any clinical or demographical characteristics. The core deficiency of SC in patients was related to behavioral SC aspects, which are more dependent on orbito-frontal functioning.
Editors’ introduction: Spygate and sports law analytics
Authors: Rodenberg Ryan M. , Feustel Elihu D.
Published: December 2015

The purpose of our editors’ introduction is three-fold. First, we provide a primer on sports law analytics for this special issue of the Journal of Sports Analytics. Second, we briefly summarize the papers accepted for inclusion in the special issue following double-blind peer review. Third, we present original research on one of the most vexing sports law analytics questions in the past decade— Is there evidence that the New England Patriots gained a competitive advantage from recording and analyzing opponents’ signals in contravention of NFL rules?
Hackers strike out: Recent cases of alleged sports analytics IP theft
Authors: Frankel Matthew J.
Published: December 2015

This article discusses recent cases of alleged misappropriation, infringement, and/or theft of sports analytics intellectual property. First, it discusses the federal court case National Football Scouting v. Rang and analyzes the copyright and trade secret disputes at issue in that case. Second, it discusses the recent hacking of and theft from the Houston Astros’ proprietary database and analyzes the potential legal ramifications of the same under trade secret law and the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
Typification of ten species of Litsea Lam. (Lauraceae) endemic to India
Authors: Singh Rajeev Kumar , Garg Arti , Singh Paramjit
Published: December 2015

This paper deals with the lectotypification of eight binomials of seven recognized species of Litsea Lam. endemic to India, namely Litsea assamica (Meisn.) Hook. f., L. coriacea (B. Heyne ex Nees) Hook. f., L. membranifolia Hook. f., L. oleoides (Meisn.) Hook. f., L. stocksii (Meisn.) Hook. f., L. venulosa (Meisn.) Hook. f., and L. wightiana (Nees) Hook. f. Types of three other endemic species, viz. L. beddomei Hook. f., L. mishmiensis Hook. f. and L. oreophila Hook. f. are also specified.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 22(2): 77-81, 2015 (December)
Diospyros udaiyanii (Ebenaceae), a new species from Western Ghats, India
Authors: Udayan P.S. , Raghu A.V. , Begum S. Noorunisa , Pradeep A.K.
Published: December 2015

Diospyros udaiyanii, a new species from Kakkayam forest of Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats of Kerala, India is described and illustrated. It is closely allied to D. pilosiusculata G. Don. in its stunted habit, smaller, glabrous leaves and large broad 4 or 5 glabrous calyx lobes with long pedicel, the absence of tomentose hairs on twigs, petiole, pedicel, calyx and leaf margin.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 22(2): 83-86, 2015 (December)
Pollen morphology of Iranian Dracocephalum L. (Lamiaceae) and its taxonomic significance
Authors: Naderifar Maryam , Sonboli Ali , Gholipour Abbas
Published: December 2015

Pollen morphology of 11 Iranian Dracocephalum L. species was investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate their taxonomic significance for the infrageneric classification of the genus. Pollen grains of all examined taxa were isopolar, hexacolpate, circular in polar view and spheroidal to prolate in equatorial view (P/E = 1.0?2.0). The smallest pollen grains were observed in D. aucheri (P = 29.7 ?m, E = 22.6 ?m), while the largest pollen was found in D. lindbergii (P = 45.1 ?m, E = 33.7 ?m). The highest and lowest apocolpium index (AI) were measured in D. aucheri (AI = 0.27) and D. surmandinum (AI = 0.08), respectively. Colpus membrane was egranulate in all examined species except for D. multicaule and D. ghahremanii. The main exine ornamentation type was characterized as bireticulate including five different subtypes. The results revealed that the exine ornamentation is a diagnostic character useful for the classification of Dracocephalum.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 22(2): 99-110, 2015 (December)
Integrated management of cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii on roof-planted eggplant, Solanum melongena
Authors: Alim Md Abdul , Naher Habibun , Habib AHM Shafiullah , Islam Md Aminul
Published: December 2015

Prevalence and integrated management of cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae) were studied on four varieties of roof planted eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Along the sixteen weeks study period highest incidence of aphids (1959.17.17±172.44/plant) on eggplant variety of Blackboy were recorded at 16th week (last week of February, 2013) and the lowest incidence (12.83±8.68/plant) was recorded on the eggplant variety Singnath at 13th week (first week of February, 2013). The treatment having combination of 2g Neem seed kernel extract (NSKE) + ½gm detergent+100ml water) was most effective followed by a treatment of 2g NSKE+100ml water and 1g NSKE+100ml water in reducing the rate of aphid infestation. Eggplant variety Green round showed comparatively higher resistance in all aspects (from leaf and fruit infestation) followed by variety Muktakeshi and Black boy.Bangladesh J. Zool. 43(1): 19-26, 2015
Abundance of aquatic insects in relation to physico-chemical parameters of two highly polluted Rivers Sitalakkhya and the Buriganga
Authors: Hossain Sanjida , Aslam Abu FM , Saha Badhan , Howlader Abdul Jabber
Published: December 2015

Diversity of aquatic insects in relation to the physicochemical parameters of the river Buriganga and Shitalakhya were studied from January to December 2013. A total of 9,891 individuals of aquatic insects representing 22 families under 6 orders were collected and identified. Higher number of insects were recorded from the river Shitalakhya (5,493) than the river Buriganga (4,398). Representatives of the family Culicidae were found to be dominant in the river Buriganga (23.28%) than Shitalakhya (20.70%). Specimens under the order Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera were found only in the river Shitalakhya. The highest diversity of Shannon Weiner Index (2.98), Evenness (0.98) and Taxa Richness (0.98) were recorded in the river Shitalakhya than the river Buriganga. This indicated the less pollution and presence of higher diversity of aquatic insects in the Shitalakhya river. The highest temperature, pH, EC, TDS, COD was observed in Buriganga in dry season and highest DO was observed in Shitalakhya in monsoon. From the present investigation it may be concluded here that the river Buriganga was more polluted than the river Shitalakhya.Bangladesh J. Zool. 43(1): 63-72, 2015
Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in some shell fishes and soil from polluted in chaktai khal of karnafully River, Chittagong
Authors: Sultana Tania , Rahman Mizanur , Ali Md , Ahmed Abu Tweb Abu
Published: December 2015

Abstract not availableBangladesh J. Zool. 43(1): 145-151, 2015
Delayed Surgical Site Infection by Tuberculosis  A Rising Cause of Concern ?
Authors: Mazid MA , Rahim MM , Rahman MM , Sultana N
Published: December 2015

Background: Surgical site infections causes significant morbidity and mortality of patients and causes more difficult to treat if unexpected cause behind the infection like tuberculosis. Delayed surgical site infection after initial healing are uncomfortable for both surgeons and patient.Methods: Wound tissue from 18 patients with delayed surgical site infection not responding to antibiotics used for pyogenic infection were collected and examined histopathologically.Results: Of the 18 patients, 9 revealed histologically tuberculosis, 7 non-specific chronic inflammation and others showed foreign body granulomma. Association between histopathological report and incidence of tuberculosis is significant (p<0.001) and association between onset of infection and incidence of tuberculosis also significant (p<0.05).Conclusion: A high degree of suspicion is required in case of delayed or recurrent surgical site infection to diagnose tuberculosis as a cause.J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2014; 32: 186-189
Obituary 32(4)
Authors: Chowdhury AKM Nazimuddowla
Published: December 2015

Abstract not availableJ Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2014; 32: 252
Biological control of anthracnose of soybean
Authors: Jahan Akida , Jahan Nushrat , Yeasmin Farjana , Hossain Mohammad Delwar , Hossain Muhammed Ali
Published: December 2015

Soybean (Glycine max L. Meril) is one of the most important and well recognized oil seed and grain legume crops of the world. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the efficacy of BAU-Biofungicide (Trichoderma harzianum), Trichoderma based IPM Lab bio-pesticide and Bavistin against anthracnose of soybean. Five soybean cultivars viz. Sohag, BARI Soybean-6, BINA Soybean-1, BINA Soybean-2 and BINA Soybean-3 were used in this experiment. The field experiment was carried out following Randomized Complete Block Design in the field laboratory of the Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. Anthracnose infections were found initially lower at 80 DAS, moderate infections were found at 95 DAS and the highest infections were recorded at 110 DAS in case of all the tested five soybean varieties. The highest percent reduction of anthracnose infected plants/plot over control was observed in Bavistin treated plot (76.25%) that was near to BAU Biofungicide treated plots. All the growth parameters of soybean plants such as plant height, number of pods/plant, seed weight/plant, yield/plot and yield/ha were increased significantly in BAU-Biofungicide treated plots that showed best performance in compare to IPM Lab bio-pesticide (2%) and Bavistin @ 0.2% when these treatments were applied two times with 15 days interval. However, anthracnose incidence was reduced significantly when all the treatments applied in this experiment and the effect of BAU-Biofungicide was found almost similar to Bavistin in reduction of anthracnose of soybean.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.2(3): 419-426, December 2015
Corruption and the agricultural production efficiency of the European countries during the recent economic crisis
Authors: Hasan Mohammad Monirul , Tóth József
Published: December 2015

This paper examines the association between controls of corruption and the agricultural production efficiency of 23 European Union Member States during the recent economic crisis. Production efficiency, measured in terms of technical efficiency, is the effectiveness of a given set of inputs that is used to produce an output. Owing to climate and geographical location agriculture in European countries is diverse. The economic downturn led by the financial crisis which started in mid-2007, is still prevailing across European countries. Control of corruption along with the existing economic crisis of the member states are affecting agriculture production efficiency. This study used the national level production data for the period of 2003-2009. It shows that the technical efficiency of most Member States have declined over the years and that it was significantly lower in austere economic crisis time 2007-09 than 2003-06 for all countries. It is also found that the declining trend of technical efficiency is significantly lower for central and eastern European countries than for the western European countries. Study finds that the control of corruption in the presence of high government effectiveness, decreases the technical efficiency of agricultural production in the Member States.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.2(3): 427-437, December 2015
Impact of fifteen days fishing ban in the major spawning grounds of hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha Hamilton 1822) on its spawning success
Authors: Rahman Md Anisur , Flura - , Ahmed Tayfa , Pramanik Md Mehedi Hasan , Alam Mohammad Ashraful
Published: December 2015

The present study was conducted to assess the impact of fifteen days fishing ban on breeding success of hilsa shad in the major spawning grounds of hilsa in the month of September and October, 2015. The study showed that fishing ban during spawning seasons have significant role in the successful reproduction of hilsa. In and around the spawning grounds among all the captured hilsa, male: female ratio was found 1: 1.86 and percent composition was 35% and 65% respectively. In 2015, percent composition of spent hilsa during major breeding period in the spawning grounds was found 36.60%. The eggs production of hilsa was calculated, in the year 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 about 336199Kg, 385500Kg, 380400Kg, 447100Kg, 417765Kg and 494365Kg respectively, hilsa eggs could have been produced indicating a positive impact of 15 days fishing ban in the spawning season. Comparatively higher percentages of gravid hilsa were found which were not available in the similar quantity and condition in the fishing ban period in other than spawning areas of hilsa. During the present investigation, fairly higher amount of spent hilsa and juveniles were observed in the spawning grounds. On the other hand, fewer juveniles and spent hilsa were observed in the adjacent areas of the spawning grounds indicating that in comparison to the recent reports there might have little or no changes of the spawning grounds of hilsa occurred. Along with the jatka fry, spawn and fries of other fishes were also found in higher quantity than the previous years and thus it is assumed that 15 days fishing ban also might have positive impact on the successful breeding of other fishes. Overall, the fishing ban was found effective for successful breeding of hilsa.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.2(3): 491-497, December 2015
Histo-architectural changes of intestinal morphology in Zebra fish (Danio rerio) exposed to Sumithion
Authors: Ahmed Sk Istiaque , Ahmmed Mirja Kaizer , Ghosh Subrata Kumar , Islam Md Moudud , Shahjahan Md
Published: December 2015

Organophosphorous pesticide sumithion, the O, O Dimethyl O- (3-methyl-4-nitrophenyl), is a widely used pesticide in agricultural land and in aquaculture to control some harmful pests. A study was conducted in laboratory condition with aquaria (36 inch × 10 inch × 12 inch) to evaluate the effects of sumithion on histo-architecture of intestine in zebrafish (Danio rerio). The experiment was carried out with three treatments (T1: 0.5 ppm, T2: 1.0 ppm, T3: 2.0 ppm) and a control (T0: 0ppm), each having three replications. Zebra fishes (Danio rerio) (4±1cm and 0.9±0.2g) were stocked for the experiment and sacrificed after 7 days of exposure of sumithion. During the study period, the temperature was almost constant (21- 22OC) but dissolved oxygen, pH and total alkalinity values were tended to decrease with the increase in concentrations of test chemicals. The histo-architectural changes in intestine suggested that the intestinal epithelial cells, lumen, villi and intestinal folding were varied significantly (P<0.05) in treatment groups rather than the control groups (T0). Disappeared mucosa (DM) along with abnormal lumen (AL) were found in case of T1, while destructed intestinal villi (DV), sloughing of superficial epidermal cells (SEC) and uneven intestinal folding (UF) were found in T2 and T3. The obtained result supports the toxic potentiality of sumithion. Therefore, the use of sumithion must be evaluated carefully in agriculture and aquaculture.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.2(3): 499-506, December 2015
Potentialities of pond fish farming in Kaliakair upazila under Gazipur district, Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Md Mahbubur , Mondal Md Nurunnabi , Shahin Jannatun , Fatema Jannatul , Fatema Mst Kaniz
Published: December 2015

Potentials and prospects of pond fish farming in improving aquaculture system in Kaliakair upazila under Gazipur district, Bangladesh were investigated. Data were collected from 60 selected fish farmers through questionnaire survey and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) during June to November, 2014. The research revealed that a highest number of pond fish farmers (61.67%) were out of training facilities and a good portion (23.33%) had no education. Pond water was found turbid seasonally (71.66%) and farmers did not exchange water during culture periods (66.67%). As a result water quality deteriorates day by day and depletion of oxygen occurs during pond farming. The average stocking density of fish was higher in the study area and the highest was found in monoculture of Climbing perch (Anabas testudineus ) (1200 individual/decimal) and lowest in carp polyculture system (195 individual/decimal). Fish production was higher in Pangus monoculture system (17.89 MT/ha/yr) and lower in Climbing perch monoculture system (10.78 MT/ha/yr), but profit was higher in Climbing perch monoculture produced 1318100 Tk./ha/yr and lower in Tilapia monoculture 397886 Tk./ha/yr. Benefit Cost Ratio was higher in Climbing perch (2.32) and lower in Pangus culture (1.34). The problems faced by the fish farmers were broadly categorized as financial, natural, technical and social. Therefore, necessary training facilities with institutional and organizational supports, credit facilities, extension services and awareness development are essential to improve aquaculture system as well as the fishers livelihoods in Kaliakair upazila of Gazipur district.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.2(3): 517-528, December 2015
Radial Artery Patency after Trans-radial Cardiac Catheterization in a Bangladeshi Population
Authors: Chowdhury Mashhud Zia , Kabir CM Shaheen , Nasrin Sahela , Gomes Hemanta I , Hakim Md Enamul , Khan Saidur Rahman , Haq M Maksumul
Published: December 2015

Background: Transradial cardiac catheterization (TCC) is now preferred method over trans-femoral approach globally including Bangladesh. But the incidence of radial artery occlusion (RAO) after TCC is not infrequent and it ranges from 1-18% in different studies. The aim of our study was to see the incidence of RAO after TCC in a population coming for coronary angiogram and/or coronary intervention and also to evaluate the factors responsible for RAO. Methods: The observational prospective study was performed in all consecutive patients coming for TCC. Pre and three month post-procedural modified Allens test, reverse Barbeau test & Duplex ultrasonography for radial artery diameter (RAD), peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistance index (RI) were measured. Results: 69 patients underwent TCC. Mean age was 54 years, 67% were male, 80% hypertensive, 65% diabetic. Follow-up at third month showed one total RAO (1.45%) and mean RAD of the remaining patients was significantly reduced from 2.2+0.03 mm to 2.1+0.03 mm (p=0.001) but none had any symptom or sign of ischemic hand. PSV, EDV & RI were not significantly altered. Reduction of RAD (to <2.0 mm) were significantly higher in female (p=0.032), but no association was found in presence of diabetes or its duration, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, smoking, peripheral vascular disease. The size & number of catheters used or duration of vascular access sheath kept in the artery did not affect the reduction of RAD.Conclusion: The mean RAD of the study was smaller than other study population, but incidence of RAO is very low. RAD was significantly reduced after procedure without any clinical evidence of ischemia or alteration of flow velocity. Female sex was the only factor found to be associated with reduction of RAD in this study.University Heart Journal Vol. 10, No. 2, July 2014; 66-72
Optimal Allocation of Thermal-Electric Decoupling Systems Based on the National Economy by an Improved Conjugate Gradient Method
Authors: Rong Shuang , Li Weixing , Li Zhimin , Sun Yong , Zheng Taiyi
Published: December 2015

Aiming to relieve the large amount of wind power curtailment during the heating period in the North China region, a thermal-electric decoupling (TED) approach is proposed to both bring down the constraint of forced power output of combined heat and power plants and increase the electric load level during valley load times that assist the power grid in consuming more wind power. The operating principles of the thermal-electric decoupling approach is described, the mathematical model of its profits is developed, the constraint conditions of its operation are listed, also, an improved parallel conjugate gradient is utilized to bypass the saddle problem and accelerate the optimal speed. Numerical simulations are implemented and reveal an optimal allocation of TED which with a rated power of 280 MW and 185 MWh heat storage capacity are possible. This allocation of TED could bring approximately 16.9 billion Yuan of economic profit and consume more than 80% of the surplus wind energy which would be curtailed without the participation of TED. The results in this article verify the effectiveness of this method that could provide a referential guidance for thermal-electric decoupling system allocation in practice.
Priority Queues with Fractional Service for Tiered Delay QoS
Authors: Chang Gary , Lee Chung-Chieh
Published: December 2015

Packet scheduling is key to quality of service (QoS) capabilities of broadband wired and wireless networks. In a heterogeneous traffic environment, a comprehensive QoS packet scheduler must strike a balance between flow fairness and access delay. Many advanced packet scheduling solutions have targeted fair bandwidth allocation while protecting delay-constrained traffic by adding priority queue(s) on top of a fair bandwidth scheduler. Priority queues are known to cause performance uncertainties and, thus, various modifications have been proposed. In this paper, we present a packet queueing engine dubbed Fractional Service Buffer (FSB), which, when coupled with a configurable flow scheduler, can achieve desired QoS objectives, such as fair throughputs and differentiated delay guarantees. Key performance metrics, such as delay limit and probability of delay limit violation, are derived as a function of key FSB parameters for each delay class in the packet queueing engine using diffusion approximations. OPNET simulations verify these analytical results.
Electronic Cigarettes on Hospital Campuses
Authors: Meernik Clare , Baker Hannah , Paci Karina , Fischer-Brown Isaiah , Dunlap Daniel , Goldstein Adam
Published: December 2015

Smoke and tobacco-free policies on hospital campuses have become more prevalent across the U.S. and Europe, de-normalizing smoking and reducing secondhand smoke exposure on hospital grounds. Concerns about the increasing use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and the impact of such use on smoke and tobacco-free policies have arisen, but to date, no systematic data describes e-cigarette policies on hospital campuses. The study surveyed all hospitals in North Carolina (n = 121) to assess what proportion of hospitals have developed e-cigarette policies, how policies have been implemented and communicated, and what motivators and barriers have influenced the development of e-cigarette regulations. Seventy-five hospitals (62%) completed the survey. Over 80% of hospitals reported the existence of a policy regulating the use of e-cigarettes on campus and roughly half of the hospitals without a current e-cigarette policy are likely to develop one within the next year. Most e-cigarette policies have been incorporated into existing tobacco-free policies with few reported barriers, though effective communication of e-cigarette policies is lacking. The majority of hospitals strongly agree that e-cigarette use on campus should be prohibited for staff, patients, and visitors. Widespread incorporation of e-cigarette policies into existing hospital smoke and tobacco-free campus policies is feasible but needs communication to staff, patients, and visitors.
Annoyance from Road Traffic, Trains, Airplanes and from Total Environmental Noise Levels
Authors: Ragettli Martina , Goudreau Sophie , Plante Céline , Perron Stéphane , Fournier Michel , Smargiassi Audrey
Published: December 2015

There is a lack of studies assessing the exposure-response relationship between transportation noise and annoyance in North America. Our aims were to investigate the prevalence of noise annoyance induced by road traffic, trains and airplanes in relation to distance to transportation noise sources, and to total environmental noise levels in Montreal, Canada; annoyance was assessed as noise-induced disturbance. A telephone-based survey among 4336 persons aged >18 years was conducted. Exposure to total environmental noise (A-weighted outdoor noise levels—LAeq24h and day-evening-night equivalent noise levels—Lden) for each study participant was determined using a statistical noise model (land use regression—LUR) that is based on actual outdoor noise measurements. The proportion of the population annoyed by road traffic, airplane and train noise was 20.1%, 13.0% and 6.1%, respectively. As the distance to major roads, railways and the Montreal International Airport increased, the percentage of people disturbed and highly disturbed due to the corresponding traffic noise significantly decreased. When applying the statistical noise model we found a relationship between noise levels and disturbance from road traffic and total environmental noise, with Prevalence Proportion Ratios (PPR) for highly disturbed people of 1.10 (95% CI: 1.07–1.13) and 1.04 (1.02–1.06) per 1 dB(A) Lden, respectively. Our study provides the first comprehensive information on the relationship between transportation noise levels and disturbance in a Canadian city. LUR models are still in development and further studies on transportation noise induced annoyance are consequently needed, especially for sources other than road traffic.
Serum Deprivation-Induced Human GM3 Synthase (hST3Gal V) Gene Expression Is Mediated by Runx2 in Human Osteoblastic MG-63 Cells
Authors: Yoon Hyun-Kyoung , Lee Ji-Won , Kim Kyoung-Sook , Mun Seo-Won , Kim Dong-Hyun , Kim Hyun-Jun , Kim Cheorl-Ho , Lee Young-Choon
Published: December 2015

Serum deprivation (SD) is well known to induce G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in various cells. In the present study, we firstly found that SD could induce G1 arrest and the differentiation of human osteoblastic MG-63 cells, as evidenced by the increase of osteoblastic differentiation markers, such as bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), osteocalcin and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2). In parallel, gene expression of human GM3 synthase (hST3Gal V) catalyzing ganglioside GM3 biosynthesis was upregulated by SD in MG-63 cells. The 5′-flanking region of the hST3Gal V gene was functionally characterized to elucidate transcriptional regulation of hST3Gal V in SD-induced MG-63 cells. Promoter analysis using 5′-deletion constructs of the hST3Gal V gene demonstrated that the −432 to −177 region functions as the SD-inducible promoter. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that the Runx2 binding sites located side-by-side at positions −232 and −222 are essential for the SD-induced expression of hST3Gal V in MG-63 cells. In addition, the chromatin immunoprecipitation assay also showed that Runx2 specifically binds to the hST3Gal V promoter region containing Runx2 binding sites. These results suggest that SD triggers upregulation of hST3Gal V gene expression through Runx2 activation by BMP signaling in MG-63 cells.
Vaccination of Silver Sea Bream (Sparus sarba) against Vibrio alginolyticus: Protective Evaluation of Different Vaccinating Modalities
Authors: Li Jun , Ma Siyuan , Woo Norman
Published: December 2015

In order to develop more effective immunological strategies to prevent vibriosis of farmed marine fish in Hong Kong and southern China, various vaccine preparations including formalin-, phenol-, chloroform- and heat-killed whole cell bacterins and subcellular lipopolysaccharides (LPS), as well as different administration routes, were investigated. Fish immunized with the subcellular LPS exhibited the best protection [Relative Percent of Survival (RPS) = 100], while fish immunized with whole cell bacterins displayed varying degrees of protection (RPS ranged from 28 to 80), in descending order: formalin-killed > phenol-killed > heat-killed > chloroform-killed bacterins. Regarding various administration routes, fish immunized with two intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections exhibited the best protection, and the RPS values were 100 or 85 upon higher or lower doses of pathogenic V. alginolyticus challenges. Both oral vaccination and a combination of injection/immersion trial were also effective, which achieved relatively high protection (the RPS values ranged from 45 to 64.3). However, two hyperosmotic immersions could not confer satisfactory protection, especially when fish were exposed to the severe pathogenic bacteria challenge. Marked elevations of serum agglutinating antibody titer were detected in all immunized fish. Macrophage phagocytosis was enhanced significantly, especially in the fish immunized by formalin- and phenol-killed bacterins through various administration routes. Both adaptive (specific antibody) and innate (phagocytic activity) immunity elicited by different immunization strategies were in parallel with the degree of protection offered by each of them. Although all vaccination trials had no significant effect on the serum hematocrit and hemoglobin levels, the circulating lymphocyte counts were significantly elevated in the fish immunized with LPS, formalin- and phenol-killed bacterins. Serum cortisol levels appeared to be reduced in all immunized fish except the trial of hyperosmotic immersion, which indicated the stressful impact on vaccinated fish.
Towards Independent Control of Multiple Magnetic Mobile Microrobots
Authors: Chowdhury Sagar , Jing Wuming , Cappelleri David
Published: December 2015

In this paper, we have developed an approach for independent autonomous navigation of multiple microrobots under the influence of magnetic fields and validated it experimentally. We first developed a heuristics based planning algorithm for generating collision-free trajectories for the microrobots that are suitable to be executed by an available magnetic field. Second, we have modeled the dynamics of the microrobots to develop a controller for determining the forces that need to be generated for the navigation of the robots along the trajectories at a suitable control frequency. Next, an optimization routine is developed to determine the input currents to the electromagnetic coils that can generate the required forces for the navigation of the robots at the controller frequency. We then validated our approach by simulating an electromagnetic system that contains an array of sixty-four magnetic microcoils designed for generating local magnetic fields suitable for simultaneous independent actuation of multiple microrobots. Finally, we prototyped an m m -scale version of the system and present experimental results showing the validity of our approach.
Scale Effect of Premixed Methane-Air Combustion in Confined Space Using LES Model
Authors: Wang Liang , Que Sisi , Tien Jerry , Aouad Nassib
Published: December 2015

Gas explosion is the most hazardous incident occurring in underground airways. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques are sophisticated in simulating explosions in confined spaces; specifically, when testing large-scale gaseous explosions, such as methane explosions in underground mines. The dimensions of a confined space where explosions could occur vary significantly. Thus, the scale effect on explosion parameters is worth investigating. In this paper, the impact of scaling on explosion overpressures is investigated by employing two scaling factors: The Gas-fill Length Scaling Factor (FLSF) and the Hydraulic Diameter Scaling Factor (HDSF). The combinations of eight FLSFs and five HDSFs will cover a wide range of space dimensions where flammable gas could accumulate. Experiments were also conducted to evaluate the selected numerical models. The Large Eddy Simulation turbulence model was selected because it shows accuracy compared to the widely used Reynolds’ averaged models for the scenarios investigated in the experiments. Three major conclusions can be drawn: (1) The overpressure increases with both FLSF and HDSF within the deflagration regime; (2) In an explosion duct with a length to diameter ratio greater than 54, detonation is more likely to be triggered for a stoichiometric methane/air mixture; (3) Overpressure increases as an increment hydraulic diameter of a geometry within deflagration regime. A relative error of 7% is found when predicting blast peak overpressure for the base case compared to the experiment; a good agreement for the wave arrival time is also achieved.
A Herbal Formula, Atofreellage, Ameliorates Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions in an NC/Nga Mouse Model
Authors: Kim Won-Yong , Kim Hyeong-Geug , Lee Hye-Won , Lee Jin-Seok , Im Hwi-Jin , Kim Hyo-Seon , Lee Sung-Bae , Son Chang-Gue
Published: December 2015

We evaluated the anti-atopic dermatitis (AD) effect of Atofreellage (AF), a herbal formula composed of 10 medicinal plants. AD was induced on the dorsal skin areas of NC/Nga mice (male, seven weeks old) by daily application of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) for five weeks. After three weeks of DNCB application, 200 μL of AF (0, 25, 50 or 100 mg/mL) was applied to the skin lesions. Histological findings, blood cell populations, serum levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), histamine, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and inflammatory signaling in the skin tissue, and T-helper cell type 2 (Th2)-related cytokines in splenocytes were analyzed. Histopathological findings showed AF treatment notably attenuated the thickness of dorsal skin, and eosinophil infiltration. AF treatment (especially 100 mg/mL) also demonstrably ameliorated the blood cell population abnormalities, as the notable elevation of serum concentrations of IgE, histamine, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β were remarkably normalized by AF treatment. Western blot analysis evidenced the apparent normalization of inflammatory signals (ERK, p38 MAP kinase, JNK, and NF-κB) in the skin tissue. Additionally, AF treatment notably attenuated the activation of Th2-dominant cytokines (IL-13, IL-4, and IL-5) in Con A-treated splenocytes in an ex vivo assay. In conclusion, this study provides experimental evidence for the clinical relevance of Atofreellage.