bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, risk factors, visual impairment and ocular status among patients with diabetes mellitus presenting to Berhan Aini National Referral Hospital, Eritrea: A hospital based study
Authors: Bastola P , Kahsay F , Zewengiel S , Muguleta M M
Published: February 2017

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is the most common ocular complication in the diabetic population and the leading cause of blindness amongst working age group. There is a paucity of data about DR and various factors in Eritrea. The study aimed to find the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy, risk factors, visual impairment and ocular status among patients with diabetes mellitus in Asmara, Eritrea. This was a hospital based, Mixed method, descriptive study, all the consecutive patients attending the retina clinic of the hospital were enrolled in the study from January, 2014 to October, 2016. Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) and Modified Airlie House classification were followed to evaluate the various stages of diabetic retinopathy and clinically significant macular edema (CSME). The guidelines developed by International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) were followed to determine the need for interventions. Of the 506 diabetic subjects attending Berhan Aini National Referral Hospital; 435 (86.0%) subjects had type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM). 425 (84.0%) subjects had diabetic retinopathy. Moderate visual impairment, severe visual impairment and blindness due to diabetic retinopathy was observed in 139 (27.1%), 57 (11.1%), 76 (15%) subjects respectively while 234 subjects (46.2%) had normal vision. Hypertension 309 (61%) was the most common risk factor followed by duration of diabetes, occupation and the level of glycosylated Hemoglobin. 481 (95%) of the literate subjects were aware about diabetic retinopathy (P=<0.01). 277 (54.7%) subjects needed prompt treatment. There is a high prevalence of DR in patients attending Berhan Aini National Referral Hospital (BANRH). Awareness about diabetic retinopathy was good still the knowledge about primary prevention was not good enough.
Evaluation of prescribing pattern of NSAIDs in south Indian teaching hospital
Authors: Kumar S , Thakur P K , Sowmya K , Priyanka S
Published: February 2017

The present study was aimed to appropriateness of NSAIDs use with secondary objectives of assessment of co-prescription with gastro-protective agents, the nature and severity of adverse drug reactions and drug-drug interactions with an intention to prevent the inappropriate use of NSAIDs. A prospective study was carried out in 400 In-patients of various departments of the hospital during the 6 months period. Results: Out of 400 patients, 237 were male and 163 were females, in which most of the patients (63.5%) were belonging to age group of 21-50years. The major complaint of the patient was arthritic pain (25.5%). Most of the patients (77%) were prescribed single NSAID as monotherapy in different dosage forms, although some patients were prescribed with combination of Aceclofenac + Paracetamol (13.75%). The preferential COX-2 inhibitors were widely prescribed (84.5%) as compared to non-selective COX inhibitor (15.5%). Among various NSAIDs prescribed, Diclofenac (45.90%) and Aceclofenac (15.96%) were mostly prescribed. NSAIDs were mostly prescribed by parenteral route (36.31%). Most of the patients were co-prescribed NSAIDs with gastro-protective agents (80.5%). In the study, moderate drug interactions were found between NSAIDs and antibiotics and no adverse drug reactions were reported during the study. The study concluded that, prescription of NSAIDs was found to be rational. Education program, counselling program, alertness of community pharmacy regarding OTC drugs can be helpful to minimize harmful effect of the drug to patients.
Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Response to Carfentrazone-ethyl and Pyraflufen-ethyl Applied Close to Harvest
Authors: Chaudhari Sushila , Jordan David , Jennings Katherine
Published: February 2017

Morningglory (Ipomoea spp.) and other weeds are often present at peanut harvest and can interfere with digging pods and inverting vines. Carfentrazone-ethyl and pyraflufen-ethyl control large morningglory and could be an effective strategy as harvest aids in peanut. However, crop response to these herbicides has not been determined for Virginia market type peanut cultivars in North Carolina. One experiment was conducted during 2012, 2013, and 2014 to determine peanut response to carfentrazone or pyraflufen-ethyl applied postemergence 1 and 2 weeks prior to digging peanut pods and inverting vines. In a second experiment conducted during 2014 and 2015, peanut response to carfentrazone-ethyl, diclosulam, pyraflufen-ethyl, lactofen, and 2,4-DB applied 4 wk before digging (WBD) was determined. Visible peanut injury from carfentrazone-ethyl and pyraflufen-ethyl did not exceed 40% regardless of application timing or rate, and peanut yield was not affected compared with non-treated peanut regardless of visible injury when applied 1 or 2 WBD. However, when applied 4 WBD, peanut yields were 9 to 10% lower when carfentrazone-ethyl or pyraflufen-ethyl were applied compared with non-treated peanut. Diclosulam, lactofen, and 2,4-DB did not adversely affect yield. These results show that carfentrazone-ethyl and pyraflufen-ethyl will not affect peanut yield within 2 WBD but can reduce yield when applied earlier in the season during pod fill.
Antinociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Combined Administration of a-Tocopherol and Morphine in Acetic Acid Induced Writhing Test
Authors: Habib Tamanna , Begum Shelina , Ali Taskina , Imtiaz Masud , Masood Shahriar
Published: February 2017

Background: Morphine represents the front line therapy for the clinical management of acute and chronic pain but has a number of side effects. So, to minimize the side effect of this tradition analgesic, this study is aimed to explore that combination of morphine and a-tocopherol (?T) are better analgesic as well as anti-inflammatory effect than that of morphine alone.Objective: to assess the effects of combination of morphine with a-tocopherol against nociceptive and inflammatory pain.Methods: This prospective experimental study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Shahbag, Dhaka from January 2013 to December 2013. For this purpose, 15 male Long Evans rats were studied. On the basis of vitamin and drug administrations, the rats were divided into three (3) groups (5 rats in each). Control group received normal saline, one experimental group received morphine sulphate (MS) at a dose of 3 mg/kg body weight and another experimental group received combination of DS with ?T at a dose of 3 mg/kg body weight and 500 mg/kg body weight, respectively. All the groups received single dose and equal volume (1 ml) through intraperitoneal route 1 hour before the test. Just one hour after administrations, they were subjected to acetic acid induced writhing test . The data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA followed by Bonferroni Post Hoc test.Results: combined administration of MS and ?T significantly lowered (p 0.05) the variables for visceral nociceptive pain and inflammatory pain than individual administration of MS. Conclusion: from this study it may be concluded that combined administration of morphine sulphate and a-tocopherol were more effective in lowering the nociceptive and inflammatory pain than individual administration of morphine.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 7, No. 2: Jul 2016, P 20-24
Study of Rhesus Genotype and Phenotype in Bangladeshi Population Attended in a Tertiary Care Hospital Transfusion Medicine
Authors: Shil Nittyananda , Sultana Nahid , Sormin Sonia
Published: February 2017

Background: The Rhesus Blood Group is one of the most important Blood Group like ABO. Exposure of Rhesus Negative individuals to Rhesus Positive Red Cells by Transfusion and/or Pregnancy is most likely to stimulate the production of Rhesus antibodies. These Antibodies may cause Haemolytic Diseases of Newborn (HDN) and Delayed Haemolytic Transfusion Reaction (DHTR.) Rh-antigens, mainly D, C ,E, e and small c are well developed before birth. d is not present or used hypothetically. The frequency of these antigens can be determined by using five different antisera; anti-D,-C, small c, -E and small e. Based on these Phenotype and Gene frequencies in a particular Population, the most probable Rh Genotype can be determined.Methodology: This cross sectional comparative study was carried out with 1,000 randomized samples of both patient and donors in the department of Transfusion Medicine of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). The eventual objective of the study was to determine the actual Rhesus phenotype-genotype frequency of Bangladeshi Native population. Sample was collected from both donor and patient. For each Test Saline and Anti Human Globulin Test (AHGT) were employed. Result: The most common genotype, we found, CDe/CDe i.e R1R1 (38.60%) which is the most vulnerable genotype to be immunized, the next group in our study was CDe/cde R1r(29.20%) and next category was CDe/Cde i.e. R1R2 (22.20%). Very rare genotype in our study detected was cDE/cde i.e. R2R (1.90%), cDE/cDE i.e. R2R2 (1.50%) CDE/cDE i.e.R1Rz (0.60%), cde/cde i.e. R0R0 (0.60%). Among Rh (D) Negative samples genotypes found is cde/cde i.e. rr (4.50%, and cde/cde i.e.r'r(0.8%) and Cde/cdE i.e. rr" (0.10%). Frequency distribution of genotype among male and female was also determined.Conclusion: The findings may be used in formulating Clinical Transfusion Practice and to fourmule strategies to prevent Rh Sensitization, may thus also be useful in disputed paternity and genetic study in Bangladesh.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 7, No. 2: Jul 2016, P 25-28
Prostate Cancer
Authors: Rahman Md Tahminur , Chowdhury ATM Mowladad
Published: February 2017

Prostate cancer is the number one cancer by incidence in males of increasing age & second by mortality throughout the world. Many known etiological factors are associated with increased risk of prostatic carcinoma including male hormone & its active metabolites, genetic predisposition (BRCA2, inherited polymorphism of some transcription factors), racial difference, environmental factors, food habits etc, Recently an association of importance has been given to molecular level changes; inflammatory cytokines, trace elements like zinc with prostate cancer. Diagnostic modalities & treatment facilities are important for better management & giving improved quality of life to the patients. The present review article highlights some of these findings on prostate cancer namely genetic factors, Highfatty diet, Hormone, medication, sexual activity, inflammatory cytokines, trace element zinc, PSA. These will lead to in hand better understanding of the pathophysiology of prostate cancer.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 7, No. 2: Jul 2016, P 36-44
From the Desk of Editor in Chief Vol.7(2)
Authors: Rahman Md Tahminur
Published: February 2017

Abstract not availableAnwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 7, No. 2: Jul 2016, P 63
A Retrospective Analysis of Efficacy and Toxicity of Bevacizumab in Combination with Chemotherapy for the Management of NSCLC in Bangladeshi Population
Authors: Hoque Md Ehteshamul , Hassan Md Rashidul , Karim Mrs Shanaz , Siddque Ashraful Alom , Siddiqui Md Mahmudur Rahman
Published: February 2017

Background: From the perspective of Bangladesh, it has been scrutinized that patients with advanced NSCLC diseases are being treated with conventional chemotherapy which is too main stream. In addition to this general practice, reports of several clinical trials of targeted therapy i.e. use of Bevacizumab dramatically showed the longest overall survival (OS) in patients.Methods: This is a cross sectional descriptive type of observational study to analyse the responses both positive and negative of metastatic NSCLCA patients treated with Bevacizumab in combination with preferable chemotherapy regimen admitted in Anwer Khan Modern Hospital in Dhaka Bangladesh. The record of the responses of patients from January 2009 to December 2015 was assessed.Results: A total of 35 patients were observed in this study. Patients received 6 cycles of Bevacizumab in combination with platinum based chemotherapy for every three weeks as an induction therapy. Maintenance therapy was given to patients at intervals for a certain period of time. A total of 35 patients were in the assessment who were intermittently checked on a consistent interlude for a median follow up on the basis of response criteria. It was astonishing that each of the patients underwent good tolerance as well as response of Bevacizumab except of 3 which is very sporadic. Despite the enhancement in efficacy and safety consequences with platinum-based chemotherapy, this typical cytotoxic approach has reached a therapeutic plateau, with the prognosis for this clinical condition remaining deplorable.Conclusion: So addition of Bevacizumab as a targeted therapy option along with traditional chemotherapy regimen provides excellent upshot to Bangladeshi Patients diagnosed with metastases NSCLC. These represent the first evidence of improvement in treatment outcomes of chemotherapy with targeted therapies in the first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 8, No. 1: Jan 2017, P 10-16
Successful Management of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Siddiqua Sehereen F , Abbasi Sharmin , Haque Harisul , Hasan Abrar Saqif
Published: February 2017

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare form of cardiac disorder of unknown origin associated with a high risk of mortality (50%). Echocardiogram confirms the diagnosis by typically reveals a left ventricular dialatation and a decreased ejection fraction (45%). Up to date, the treatment remains symptomatic. The prognosis is variable, ranging from complete recovery to worsening heart failure. Future pregnancy often discourge because of high mortality rate and risk of recurrence. Prognosis is related to recovery of ventricular fuction. Among many cases we report 3 more complicated cases of peripartum cardiomyopathy that managed successfully in our hospital.Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 8, No. 1: Jan 2017, P 67-70
H. G. Wells and the Wartime Imagination
Authors: Cole Sarah
Published: February 2017

No figure is more powerful as a symbol of mass warfare in the twentieth century than the civilian, whose vulnerability on a world scale challenges the moral life of our societies. The story of the civilian has recently become the focus of scholarship on the First World War. This paper discusses some of the wartime writings of H. G. Wells – arguably the most influential and widely-read civilian writer during and immediately after the war, who has been completely overlooked by literary critics and war scholars – to argue that in several wartime works with huge readerships, Wells took up the position of civilian in new and activist terms, first, as a matter of imagination, and second, as a matter of responsibility. Wells's textual efforts intersect in intriguing ways with more familiar war writings, but also depart quite radically from them, as he boldly assigns the role of world pacifist to those at home – out of combat, but sharing with soldiers a sense of rage and frustration, and a belief that such violence must not become the world's norm.
Mansfield Mobilised: Katherine Mansfield, the Great War and Military Discourse
Authors: Kelly Alice
Published: February 2017

This article examines the military discourse that Katherine Mansfield appropriated in her letters, focusing on three particular letter clusters from 1915, 1918, and 1919. I argue that the First World War and its accompanying rhetoric provided an important stimulus for Mansfield's writing and later functioned as a counter-trope for her own personally more serious battle with illness. Both Mansfield's deliberate and unintentional incorporation of military discourse in her correspondence resulted in a hybridized figurative language – an example of what Allyson Booth has called elsewhere ‘civilian modernism’ – which was significant for Mansfield's later literary development, and more broadly for our understanding of literary modernism.
Agonistic and Epistemic Pluralisms: A New Interpretation of the Dispute between Emilie du Châtelet and Dortous de Mairan
Authors: Rey Anne-Lise
Published: February 2017

The object of this article is to lay bare the consensualist presuppositions implicit within contemporary analyses of the controversies of the Classical Age by proposing an alternative model: agonistic pluralism. The convergence between this political reading of the controversies and an epistemological reading is reinforced by a discussion of Hasok Chang's work, which develops a model of epistemic pluralism that breaks away from studies in the history of science undertaken following the Kuhnian model of scientific revolutions. This makes it possible to question the theoretical convergence of two anti-hegemonic claims: one political, the other epistemological. I aim to put this new model of analysis to the test by applying it to a well known, oft-analysed dispute, that which erupted between Dortous de Mairan and Emilie du Châtelet following the publication of the Institutions de Physique (Foundations of Physics).
John Locke, Edward Stillingfleet and the Quarrel over Consensus
Authors: Carey Daniel
Published: February 2017

Philosophical antagonism and dispute — by no means confined to the early modern period — nonetheless enjoyed a moment of particular ferment as new methods and orientations on questions of epistemology and ethics developed in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. John Locke played a key part in them with controversies initiated by the Essay concerning Human Understanding (1690). This essay develops a wider typology of modes of philosophical quarrelling by focusing on a key debate — the issue of whether human nature came pre-endowed with innate ideas and principles, resulting in a moral consensus across mankind, or remained, on the contrary, dependent on reason to achieve moral insight, and, in practice, divided by diverse and irreconcilable cultural practices as a result of the force of custom and the limited purchase of reason. The essay ultimately concludes on the idea that we should not only attend to the genealogy of disputes but also to the morphology of disputation as a practice.
The Language of Quarrels
Authors: Tadié Alexis
Published: February 2017

This essay proposes to analyse the mechanisms of quarrels from a theoretical perspective largely informed by linguistics, and more specifically, by pragmatics. It connects with some of Jean-Jacques Lecercle's argument in the current issue, but takes the analysis in different directions. Looking at a number of examples of quarrels, this paper purports to identify the different participants and parameters in the development of a quarrel. These include speakers (authors), texts (more often than oral discourse), institutions that (might) adjudicate, an audience and rules, as well as material conditions under which disputes develop. These parameters provide a framework, rather than a rigid construction, within which speakers may change positions. Special attention is given to the beginnings of a quarrel (what counts as the start of a quarrel?) and to the ends of a quarrel (do they end, or simply cease to be of interest?). The essay concludes on the dynamic of quarrels, which precludes modellization.
Control of Triple-Shock Configurations and Vortex Structures Forming in High Speed Flows of Gaseous Media past an AD Body under the Action of External Energy Sources
Authors: Azarova Olga , Gvozdeva Ludmila
Published: February 2017

The problem of supersonic streamlining of an aerodynamic (AD) body, “a plate blunted by a cylinder”, by a flow with the freestream Mach number M = 4 containing an external energy source has been studied, taking into account physicochemical transformations. The results of the effect of the ratio of specific heats γ changing in the range from 1.1 to 1.4 on the dynamics of triple-shock configurations and vortex-contact structures are presented for the interaction of an energy source with the bow shock wave. The energy source is modeled via the heated rarefied layer (filament). The angles in the triple-shock configurations, the stagnation pressure, together with the frontal drag force, have been studied dependent on the specific heats ratio γ, the characteristics of the energy source, and also on the angle of the incident shock. Vortex-contact structures have been researched for the Mach numbers 7, 8, 9, as well as the generation of the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability accompanying the formation of a triple-shock configuration. The results show a strong influence of the specific heats ratio of the gas medium and the parameters of the energy source on the triple-shock configuration and aerodynamic characteristics of the body. This conclusion can be useful for aerospace applications in the area of the design of nozzles, intakes, and high speed flying vehicles. Additionally, the results show the possibility of flow control in the atmospheres of other planets using external energy deposition.
Molecular Regulation of Flowering Time in Grasses
Authors: Nuñez Fiorella , Yamada Toshihiko
Published: February 2017

Flowering time is a key target trait for extending the vegetative phase to increase biomass in bioenergy crops such as perennial C4 grasses. Molecular genetic studies allow the identification of genes involved in the control of flowering in different species. Some regulatory factors of the Arabidopsis pathway are conserved in other plant species such as grasses. However, differences in the function of particular genes confer specific responses to flowering. One of the major pathways is photoperiod regulation, based on the interaction of the circadian clock and environmental light signals. Depending on their requirements for day-length plants can be classified as long-day (LD), short-day (SD), and day-neutral. The CONSTANS (CO) and Heading Date 1 (Hd1), orthologos genes, are central regulators in the flowering of Arabidopsis and rice, LD and SD plants, respectively. Additionally, Early heading date 1 (Ehd1) induces the expression of Heading date 3a (Hd3a), conferring SD promotion and controls Rice Flowering Locus T 1 (RFT1) in LD conditions, independently of Hd1. Nevertheless, the mechanisms promoting flowering in perennial bioenergy crops are poorly understood. Recent progress on the regulatory network of important gramineous crops and components involved in flowering control will be discussed.
Biosynthesis of Inorganic Nanoparticles: A Fresh Look at the Control of Shape, Size and Composition
Authors: Dahoumane Si , Jeffryes Clayton , Mechouet Mourad , Agathos Spiros
Published: February 2017

Several methodologies have been devised for the design of nanomaterials. The “Holy Grail” for materials scientists is the cost-effective, eco-friendly synthesis of nanomaterials with controlled sizes, shapes and compositions, as these features confer to the as-produced nanocrystals unique properties making them appropriate candidates for valuable bio-applications. The present review summarizes published data regarding the production of nanomaterials with special features via sustainable methodologies based on the utilization of natural bioresources. The richness of the latter, the diversity of the routes adopted and the tuned experimental parameters have led to the fabrication of nanomaterials belonging to different chemical families with appropriate compositions and displaying interesting sizes and shapes. It is expected that these outstanding findings will encourage researchers and attract newcomers to continue and extend the exploration of possibilities offered by nature and the design of innovative and safer methodologies towards the synthesis of unique nanomaterials, possessing desired features and exhibiting valuable properties that can be exploited in a profusion of fields.
Measuring Experiential Avoidance: Evidence toward Multidimensional Predictors of Trauma Sequelae
Authors: Lewis Meaghan , Naugle Amy
Published: February 2017

The current study sought to investigate measurement discrepancies in self-report assessment of experiential avoidance (EA). Recent research indicates that EA may be more appropriately conceptualized as a multidimensional construct, operationally defined in terms of specific avoidance strategies. To test this notion, EA was measured using two self-report assessment instruments, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II) and the Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (MEAQ) in a convenience sample of university students. Measurement differences across measures and unique contributions to prediction of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and engagement in problematic behaviors were evaluated. Both the AAQ-II and MEAQ were found to significantly mediate the effect of childhood trauma exposure on PTSS. However, when levels of PTSS were dummy coded into dichotomies of those with a likely PTSD diagnosis and those without, the MEAQ was a stronger predictor of symptoms for those with a likely PTSD diagnosis than the AAQ-II. These results provide initial support for the discriminant validity of the MEAQ, which appears to be a more specific predictor of trauma-related symptoms.
Tie-Up Cycles in Long-Term Mating. Part II: Fictional Narratives and the Social Cognition of Mating
Authors: Lucchi Basili Lorenza , Sacco Pier
Published: February 2017

In the first part of this paper, we have introduced a novel theoretical approach to mating dynamics, known as Tie-Up Theory (TU). In this second part, in the context of the bio-cultural approach to literature, that assigns to fictional narratives an important valence of social cognition, we apply the conceptual tools presented in the first part to the analysis of mating-related interaction dynamics in some blockbuster Hollywood movies from WWII to today. The interaction dynamics envisioned by our theory accurately reflect, to a significant level of detail, the narrative development of the movies under exam from the viewpoint of the mating dynamics of the couple of main characters, accounting for the specific reasons that lead them to react to certain situations via certain behaviors, and for the reasons why such behaviors lead to certain outcomes. Our analysis seems thus to bring some further legitimacy to the bio-cultural foundation of the narrative structure of the movies that we analyze, and moreover to the idea that it is possible to ‘inquire’ characters about their choices according to the narratological-experimental lines suggested by some proponents of the bio-cultural approach.
Unraveling the Peculiarities in the Temperature-Dependent Structural Evolution of Black Phosphorus
Authors: Joseph Boby , Demitri Nicola , Lotti Paolo , Lausi Andrea , Dore Paolo
Published: February 2017

Black phosphorous (BP) is one of the important emerging two-dimensional systems. We have undertaken a structural investigation of BP in the temperature range of 320 K to 85 K using synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The XRD pattern of BP is heavily influenced by the preferred orientation effects. Collection of the diffraction pattern in a standard capillary geometry with controlled capillary rotations perpendicular to the X-ray direction permitted us to provide insights to the effects of the preferred orientation. In the range of 320 K to 85 K, BP remains in the so-called “A17” orthorhombic structure. Lattice parameters show a regular shrinkage with the lowering of the temperature as expected for any elemental metallic system. Dense temperature sampling permitted us to observe a small but clear deviation from the linear behavior in of one of the in-plane lattice parameters. This temperature-dependent structural evolution seems to provide some insights into the temperature dependence of the macroscopic properties of BP such as the Hall coefficient, thermal conductivity, etc.
Power Consumption Efficiency Evaluation of Multi-User Full-Duplex Visible Light Communication Systems for Smart Home Technologies
Authors: Niaz Muhammad , Imdad Fatima , Kim Hyung
Published: February 2017

Visible light communication (VLC) has recently gained significant academic and industrial attention. VLC has great potential to supplement the functioning of the upcoming radio-frequency (RF)-based 5G networks. It is best suited for home, office, and commercial indoor environments as it provides a high bandwidth and high data rate, and the visible light spectrum is free to use. This paper proposes a multi-user full-duplex VLC system using red-green-blue (RGB), and white emitting diodes (LEDs) for smart home technologies. It utilizes red, green, and blue LEDs for downlink transmission and a simple phosphor white LED for uplink transmission. The red and green color bands are used for user data and smart devices, respectively, while the blue color band is used with the white LED for uplink transmission. The simulation was carried out to verify the performance of the proposed multi-user full-duplex VLC system. In addition to the performance evaluation, a cost-power consumption analysis was performed by comparing the power consumption and the resulting cost of the proposed VLC system to the power consumed and resulting cost of traditional Wi-Fi based systems and hybrid systems that utilized both VLC and Wi-Fi. Our findings showed that the proposed system improved the data rate and bit-error rate performance, while minimizing the power consumption and the associated costs. These results have demonstrated that a full-duplex VLC system is a feasible solution suitable for indoor environments as it provides greater cost savings and energy efficiency when compared to traditional Wi-Fi-based systems and hybrid systems that utilize both VLC and Wi-Fi.
Research on the Combustion Characteristics and Kinetic Analysis of the Recycling Dust for a COREX Furnace
Authors: Wang Haiyang , Zhang Jianliang , Wang Guangwei , Zhao Di , Guo Jian , Song Tengfei
Published: February 2017

Thermogravimetric analysis of recycling dust (RD) from the melter gasifier of COREX, coke1 (C-1), coke2 (C-2) and coal char (CC) under 70% oxygen atmosphere was carried out using thermal balance. The chemical composition and physical structure of the samples were investigated. The characteristic temperatures and comprehensive combustion characteristic indexes were calculated and kinetic parameters during the combustion process were calculated as well using a distributed activation energy model (DAEM). The results show that the carbon in the recycling dust originates from unconsumed CC and coke fines, and the average stacking height of carbon in RD is larger than that of C-1, C-2 and CC. The conversion curves of RD are different from those of C-1, C-2 and CC, and there are two peaks in the RD conversion rate curves. The combustion profiles of RD moves to a higher temperature zone with increasing heating rates. The average activation energies of their combustion process for RD, C-1, C-2 and CC range from 191.84 kJ/mol to 128.31 kJ/mol. The activation energy for recycling dust increases as the fractional conversion increases, but the value for C-1, C-2 and CC decreases with increasing conversion, indicating different combustion mechanisms.
The Feasibility of Embedding Data Collection into the Routine Service Delivery of a Multi-Component Program for High-Risk Young People
Authors: Knight Alice , Havard Alys , Shakeshaft Anthony , Maple Myfanwy , Snijder Mieke , Shakeshaft Bernie
Published: February 2017

Background: There is little evidence about how to improve outcomes for high-risk young people, of whom Indigenous young people are disproportionately represented, due to few evaluation studies of interventions. One way to increase the evidence is to have researchers and service providers collaborate to embed evaluation into the routine delivery of services, so program delivery and evaluation occur simultaneously. This study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of integrating best-evidence measures into the routine data collection processes of a service for high-risk young people, and identify the number and nature of risk factors experienced by participants. Methods: The youth service is a rural based NGO comprised of multiple program components: (i) engagement activities; (ii) case management; (iii) diversionary activities; (iv) personal development; and (v) learning and skills. A best-evidence assessment tool was developed by staff and researchers and embedded into the service’s existing intake procedure. Assessment items were organised into demographic characteristics and four domains of risk: education and employment; health and wellbeing; substance use; and crime. Descriptive data are presented and summary risk variables were created for each domain of risk. A count of these summary variables represented the number of co-occurring risks experienced by each participant. The feasibility of this process was determined by the proportion of participants who completed the intake assessment and provided research consent. Results: This study shows 85% of participants completed the assessment tool demonstrating that data on participant risk factors can feasibly be collected by embedding a best-evidence assessment tool into the routine data collection processes of a service. The most prevalent risk factors were school absence, unemployment, suicide ideation, mental distress, substance use, low levels of physical activity, low health service utilisation, and involvement in crime or with the juvenile justice system. All but one participant experienced at least two co-occurring domains of risk, and the majority of participants (58%) experienced co-occurring risk across four domains. Conclusions: This is the first study to demonstrate that best-evidence measures can feasibly be embedded into the routine data collection processes of a service for high-risk young people. This process allows services to tailor their activities to the most prevalent risks experienced by participants, and monitor these risks over time. Replication of this process in other services would improve the quality of services, facilitate more high quality evaluations of services, and contribute evidence on how to improve outcomes for high-risk young people.
FKBP51 Immunohistochemical Expression: A New Prognostic Biomarker for OSCC?
Authors: Russo Daniela , Merolla Francesco , Mascolo Massimo , Ilardi Gennaro , Romano Simona , Varricchio Silvia , Napolitano Virginia , Celetti Angela , Postiglione Loredana , Di Lorenzo Pier , Califano Luigi , Dell’Aversana Giovanni , Astarita Fabio , Romano Maria , Staibano Stefania
Published: February 2017

Up-to-date, several molecular markers of prognosis have been studied in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC), but none entered in the clinical setting. Therapy of OSCC tumors mainly relies on surgery, radiotherapy and partially on chemotherapy; there is an urgent need for biomarkers able to better stratify OSCC patients’ risk to address targeted therapeutic strategies. The role of immune response in the pathogenesis and biological behavior of OSCC has been investigated by several authors, and promising results have been obtained with immune checkpoint inhibitors. We already investigated the role of the immune modulator FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51), a FK506-binding immunophilin, in cutaneous melanoma biology, and its expression in several human solid tumors. In the present study, we aimed to assess the value of FKBP51 expression in OSCC tumor cells as a marker of outcome. We collected clinical data from 72 patients who underwent surgery for Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue, floor, lips and palate. FKBP51 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded tumor tissues. In addition, we evaluated the human papillomavirus (HPV) status of primary tumors by immunohistochemistry, viral subtyping and In Situ Hybridization (ISH) assay. We found that high FKBP51-expressing tumors characterized the OSCCs with the worst prognosis: the high immunohistochemical expression of FKBP51 associated with death occurring within five years from the diagnosis with a sensitivity of 88.46% and a specificity of 91.67%. The estimated positive predictive value of the test was 88.45% and negative predictive value 91.67%. We tested FKBP51 mRNA presence, by RT-PCR assay, in a selected series of OSCC tumors, and we found that mRNA correlated well to the protein expression and to the clinical outcome. Applying the Bayes formula, we estimated an 88% probability of dying within five years from the diagnosis of OSCC patients with a high FKBP51 immunohistochemical (IHC) test result (>51% of FKBP51 positive tumor cells). On the basis of our analysis, we propose tumor tissue expression of FKBP51 protein as a reliable prognostic marker for OSCC tumors.
Exhaled Breath Metabolomics for the Diagnosis of Pneumonia in Intubated and Mechanically-Ventilated Intensive Care Unit (ICU)-Patients
Authors: Van Oort Pouline , De Bruin Sanne , Weda Hans , Knobel Hugo , Schultz Marcus , Bos Lieuwe ,   On Behalf of the MARS Consortium
Published: February 2017

The diagnosis of hospital-acquired pneumonia remains challenging. We hypothesized that analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath could be used to diagnose pneumonia or the presence of pathogens in the respiratory tract in intubated and mechanically-ventilated intensive care unit patients. In this prospective, single-centre, cross-sectional cohort study breath from mechanically ventilated patients was analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Potentially relevant VOCs were selected with a p-value < 0.05 and an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) above 0.7. These VOCs were used for principal component analysis and partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). AUROC was used as a measure of accuracy. Ninety-three patients were included in the study. Twelve of 145 identified VOCs were significantly altered in patients with pneumonia compared to controls. In colonized patients, 52 VOCs were significantly different. Partial least square discriminant analysis classified patients with modest accuracy (AUROC: 0.73 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.57–0.88) after leave-one-out cross-validation). For determining the colonization status of patients, the model had an AUROC of 0.69 (95% CI: 0.57–0.82) after leave-one-out cross-validation. To conclude, exhaled breath analysis can be used to discriminate pneumonia from controls with a modest to good accuracy. Furthermore breath profiling could be used to predict the presence and absence of pathogens in the respiratory tract. These findings need to be validated externally.
The Interplay of LncRNA-H19 and Its Binding Partners in Physiological Process and Gastric Carcinogenesis
Authors: Zhang Li , Zhou Yuhang , Huang Tingting , Cheng Alfred , Yu Jun , Kang Wei , To Ka
Published: February 2017

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), a novel and effective modulator in carcinogenesis, has become a study hotspot in recent years. The imprinted oncofetal lncRNA H19 is one of the first identified imprinted lncRNAs with a high expression level in embryogenesis but is barely detectable in most tissues after birth. Aberrant alterations of H19 expression have been demonstrated in various tumors, including gastric cancer (GC), implicating a crucial role of H19 in cancer progression. As one of the top malignancies in the world, GC has already become a serious concern to public health with poor prognosis. The regulatory roles of H19 in gastric carcinogenesis have been explored by various research groups, which leads to the development of GC therapy. This review comprehensively summarizes the current knowledge of H19 in tumorigenesis, especially in GC pathogenesis, with emphasis on the underneath molecular mechanisms depicted from its functional partners. Furthermore, the accumulated knowledge of H19 will provide better understanding on targeted therapy of GC.
Adsorption Behavior of High Stable Zr-Based MOFs for the Removal of Acid Organic Dye from Water
Authors: Zhang Ke-Deng , Tsai Fang-Chang , Ma Ning , Xia Yue , Liu Huan-Li , Zhan Xue-Qing , Yu Xiao-Yan , Zeng Xiang-Zhe , Jiang Tao , Shi Dean , Chang Chang-Jung
Published: February 2017

Zirconium based metal organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) have become popular in engineering studies due to their high mechanical stability, thermostability and chemical stability. In our work, by using a theoretical kinetic adsorption isotherm, we can exert MOFs to an acid dye adsorption process, experimentally exploring the adsorption of MOFs, their external behavior and internal mechanism. The results indicate their spontaneous and endothermic nature, and the maximum adsorption capacity of this material for acid orange 7 (AO7) could be up to 358 mg·g−1 at 318 K, estimated by the Langmuir isotherm model. This is ascribed to the presence of an open active metal site that significantly intensified the adsorption, by majorly increasing the interaction strength with the adsorbates. Additionally, the enhanced π delocalization and suitable pore size of UiO-66 gave rise to the highest host–guest interaction, which further improves both the adsorption capacity and separation selectivity at low concentrations. Furthermore, the stability of UiO-66 was actually verified for the first time, through comparing the structure of the samples before and after adsorption mainly by Powder X-ray diffraction and thermal gravimetric analysis.
Erratum: Hayakawa, M., et al. Influence of Asymmetry and Driving Forces on the Propulsion of Bubble-Propelled Catalytic Micromotors. Micromachines 2016, 7, 229
Authors:   Micromachines Editorial Office
Published: February 2017

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Hydrophilic Dogwood Extracts as Materials for Reducing the Skin Irritation Potential of Body Wash Cosmetics
Authors: Nizioł-Łukaszewska Zofia , Osika Paweł , Wasilewski Tomasz , Bujak Tomasz
Published: February 2017

A significant problem related to the use of surfactants in body wash cosmetics is their propensity to trigger skin irritations. Only scarce literature exists on the effect of plant extracts on the skin irritation potential. The present study is an attempt to determine the effect of hydrophilic dogwood extracts on the irritant potential of body wash gels. Extractants used in the study were water and mixtures of water with glycerine, water with trimethylglycine (betaine), and water with plant-derived glycol (propanediol). The basic biochemical properties, i.e., the ability to neutralize free radicals, and the content of polyphenols, anthocyanins and flavonoids, were determined. An attempt was undertaken to analyze the impact of the extract added to natural body wash gel formulations on product properties. The skin irritation potential was assessed by determining the zein number and the increase in the pH level of the bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution. The viscosity and foaming ability of the resulting products were evaluated. The studies revealed that an addition of dogwood extract contributes to an improvement in the properties of body wash gels and significantly increases the safety of product use through reducing the skin irritation effect.
Dynamic Method of Neutral Axis Position Determination and Damage Identification with Distributed Long-Gauge FBG Sensors
Authors: Tang Yongsheng , Ren Zhongdao
Published: February 2017

The neutral axis position (NAP) is a key parameter of a flexural member for structure design and safety evaluation. The accuracy of NAP measurement based on traditional methods does not satisfy the demands of structural performance assessment especially under live traffic loads. In this paper, a new method to determine NAP is developed by using modal macro-strain (MMS). In the proposed method, macro-strain is first measured with long-gauge Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors; then the MMS is generated from the measured macro-strain with Fourier transform; and finally the neutral axis position coefficient (NAPC) is determined from the MMS and the neutral axis depth is calculated with NAPC. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, some experiments on FE models, steel beam and reinforced concrete (RC) beam were conducted. From the results, the plane section was first verified with MMS of the first bending mode. Then the results confirmed the high accuracy and stability for assessing NAP. The results also proved that the NAPC was a good indicator of local damage. In summary, with the proposed method, accurate assessment of flexural structures can be facilitated.
Analyzing the Effects of UAV Mobility Patterns on Data Collection in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Rashed Sarmad , Soyturk Mujdat
Published: February 2017

Sensor nodes in a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) can be dispersed over a remote sensing area (e.g., the regions that are hardly accessed by human beings). In such kinds of networks, datacollectionbecomesoneofthemajorissues. Getting connected to each sensor node and retrieving the information in time introduces new challenges. Mobile sink usage—especially Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)—is the most convenient approach to covering the area and accessing each sensor node in such a large-scale WSN. However, the operation of the UAV depends on some parameters, such as endurance time, altitude, speed, radio type in use, and the path. In this paper, we explore various UAV mobility patterns that follow different paths to sweep the operation area in order to seek the best area coverage with the maximum number of covered nodes in the least amount of time needed by the mobile sink. We also introduce a new metric to formulate the tradeoff between maximizing the covered nodes and minimizing the operation time when choosing the appropriate mobility pattern. A realistic simulation environment is used in order to compare and evaluate the performance of the system. We present the performance results for the explored UAV mobility patterns. The results are very useful to present the tradeoff between maximizing the covered nodes and minimizing the operation time to choose the appropriate mobility pattern.
Brassica barrelieri (L.) Janka (Brassicaceae), plante nouvelle pour la France naturalisée dans le département de la Loire
Authors: Cornier Bruno , Girod Christophe
Published: February 2017

Brassica barrelieri (L.) Janka (Brassicaceae) newly found in France, acclimatized in the Loire department

Brassica barrelieri (L.) Janka is a plant originating from Spain and Portugal that has also been mentioned as originating from North Africa. Newly found in the Loire department, it was under so far unknown in France. In this article, we correct the first determination published in 1999 under the name of Brassica fruticulosa Cyr. We also give some descriptive elements to identify B. barrelieri and to avoid confusion with other species. We first indicate the localisations of the stations, the kind of soil it grows on and some information about the climate, then we indicate our information about the morphology and the phenology of the species and we give a floristic inventory. A study of the chromoso mical numeration is also present. Lastly, we try to give the origin of the implantation of B. barrelieri in the Loire department. To conclude, we think that this specie is acclimatized in France, we invite botanists to look for it in siliceous area and we suggest that some comparatives studies might be made in the French Herbariums.
Araignées des Iles Juan Fernandez (Chili)
Authors: Kovoor Jacqueline , Muñoz-cuevas Arturo. , Danton Philippe
Published: February 2017

Aranas de las Islas Juan Fernandez (Chile)

Se trata de la lista actualizada de las arañas del Archipiélago de Juan Fernández, como consequencia de las colectas de terreno de Ph. Danton en 1998-99. Primera mención de Loxosceles laeta en el archipiélago.
Inventaire des Hyménoptères Symphytes de la «Drôme des collines»
Authors: Chevin Henri , de Flaugergues Frédéric
Published: February 2017

L'inventaire des Hyménoptères Symphytes de la partie nord du département de la Drôme («Drôme des collines») s'élève à 200 espèces. Pour chacune d'elles nous indiquons la ou les plantes hôtes connues, le nombre et le sexe des individus collectés, les localités, les dates ou périodes de récolte. L'analyse de cet inventaire met en évidence les espèces rares au niveau national, méridionales, absentes ou rares dans cette région bien que communes sur l'ensemble de notre pays.