bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparisons of Paraboloidal Shells and Sinusoidal-Shaped Shells in Natural Frequencies
Authors: Yang Yeong-Bin , Kang Jae-Hoon
Published: November 2019

Natural frequencies and mode shapes are obtained for a sinusoidal-shaped shell of revolution by using the Ritz method from a three-dimensional (3-D) analysis instead of a mathematically two-dimensional (2-D) thin shell theory or high order thick shell theory. The present analysis uses circular cylindrical coordinates instead of 3-D shell coordinates, which have been used in traditional shell analyses. Convergence studies can analyze the first five frequencies to four-digit exactitude. Results are given for a variety of shallow and deep sinusoidal-shaped shells with different boundary conditions. The sinusoidal-shaped shells are very similar to paraboloidal shells in shape. The frequencies of the sinusoidal-shaped shells from the present 3-D method are compared with those from 2-D thin shell theories for paraboloidal shells. The present 3-D method is applicable to very thick as well as thin shells.
DETERMINATION OF ROLLER BEARING INNER RACE DEFECT BASED ON VIBRATION SIGNAL
Authors: El Morsy Mohamed , Achtenova Gabriela
Published: November 2019

The present article’s intent is to measure and identify the roller bearing inner race defect width and its corresponding characteristic frequency based on filtered time-domain vibration signal. In case localized fault occurs in a
bearing, the rolling elements encounter some slippage as the rolling elements enter and leave the bearing load
zone. As a consequence, the incidence of the impacts never reproduce exactly at the same position from one cycle
to another. Moreover, when the position of the defect is moving with respect to the load distribution zone of the
bearing, the series of impulses are modulated in amplitude in time-domain and the conforming Bearing Characteristic Frequencies (BCFs) arise in frequency domain. In order to verify the ability of time-domain in measuring
the fault of rolling bearing, an artificial fault is introduced in the vehicle gearbox bearing: an orthogonal placed
groove on the inner race with the initial width of 0.6mm approximately. The faulted bearing is a roller bearing
quantification of the characteristic features relevant to the inner race bearing defect. It is located on the gearbox
input shaft—on the clutch side. To jettison the frequency associated with interferential vibrations, the vibration
signal is filtered with a band-pass filter based on an optimal daughter Morlet wavelet function whose parameters
are optimized based on maximum Kurtosis (Kurt.). The residual signal is performed for the measurement of defect
width. The proposed technique is used to analyse the experimental signal of vehicle gearbox rolling bearing. The
experimental test stand is equipped with two dynamometer machines; the input dynamometer serves as an internal
combustion engine, the output dynamometer introduces the load on the flange of the output joint shaft. The Kurtosis and Pulse Indicator (PI) are selected as the evaluation parameters of the de-noising effect. The results show
the reliability of the proposed approach for identification and quantification of the characteristic features relevant
to the inner race bearing defect.
Thermal Vibrations of a Graphene Sheet Embedded in Viscoelastic Medium based on Nonlocal Shear Deformation Theory
Authors: Zenkour Ashraf M. , Al-Subhi A. H.
Published: November 2019

The nonlocal first-order shear deformation plate theory is used to present the thermal vibration of a single-layered
graphene sheet (SLGS) resting on a viscoelastic foundation. The viscous damping term is added to the elastic
foundation to get a three-parameter visco-Pasternak medium. The nonlocal shear deformation theory is applied
to obtain the equations of motion of the simply-supported SLGSs. The effects of the nonlocal parameter as well
as the length of the SLGS, mode numbers, three-parameters of the foundation, and the thermal parameter are
discussed carefully for the vibration problem. The validation of the present frequencies is discussed with excellent
comparison to the existing literature. For future comparisons, additional thermal vibration results of SLGSs are
investigated to take into consideration the effects of thermal, nonlocal, and visco-Pasternak mediums.
Study of Static and Dynamic Stability of an Exponentially Tapered Circular Revolving Beam Exposed to a Variable Temperature Grade under Several Boundary Arrangements
Authors: Chand Rakesh Ranjan Chand , Behera Pravat Kumar , Pradhan Madhusmita , Dash Pusparaj
Published: November 2019

This research work is concerned with the static and dynamic stability study of an exponentially tapered revolving
beam having a circular cross-section exposed to an axial live excitation and a variable temperature grade. The
stability is analysed for clamped-clamped, clamped-pinned, and pinned-pinned end arrangements. Hamilton’s
principle is used to develop the equation of motion and accompanying end conditions. Then, the non-dimensional
form of the equation of motion and the end conditions are found. Galerkin’s process is used to find a number of
Hill’s equations from the non-dimensional equations. The parametric instability regions are acquired by means
of the Saito-Otomi conditions. The consequences of the variation parameter, revolution speed, temperature grade,
and hub radius on the instability regions are examined for both static and dynamic load case and represented by
a number of plots. The legitimacy of the results is tested by plotting different graphs between displacement and
time using the Runge-Kutta fourth-order method. The results divulge that the stability is increased by increasing
the revolution speed; however, an increase in the variation parameter leads to destabilization in the system and for
same parameters, the stability is less in the case of a variable temperature grade than that of a constant temperature
grade condition.
Pulsation Attenuation Analysis of Double-Chamber Composite Hydraulic Suppressors with Inserted Conical Tubes
Authors: Yang Fan , Deng Bin
Published: November 2019

A one-dimensional analytical approach is developed to predict the pulsation attenuation performance of doublechamber compound hydraulic suppressors. The theoretical insertion loss agreed well with experimental results.
The need for broadband pressure pulsation attenuation has led to extensive research on the structure improvement.
In the present work, the straight-through tube has been replaced by a conical tube and two improved hydraulic
attenuator configurations are presented. A parametric study to investigate the effects of different parameters on the
research frequencies is included as well. The validity of the models of the improved structures is demonstrated
theoretically and experimentally.
Achieving More Stringent Levels of Comfort via
an Adaptive Fuzzy Controller Optimized by the
Gravitational Search Algorithm for a Half-Body
Car Model
Authors: Javanbakht Mohammad , Mahmoodabadi Mohammad Javad
Published: November 2019

An optimal adaptive fuzzy controller is designed to achieve more stringent levels of comfort for a half-body car
model. This aim will be fulfilled by reducing road disturbances and decreasing the acceleration of the body. The
proposed controller consists of two adaptive fuzzy controllers with two fuzzy systems. Each one has two inputs,
one output and twenty five linguistic fuzzy IF-THEN rules. Every input has five Gaussian membership functions
and uses the product inference engine, singleton fuzzifier and the centre average defuzzifier. In order to determine
the optimal parameters for the Adaptive Fuzzy Controller (AFC), the Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA) is
applied. The relative displacement between spring mass and tire, along with the acceleration of the body, are the
two objective functions being applied in the optimization algorithm. The results illustrate the superiority of the
proposed optimal adaptive fuzzy controller in comparison with traditional controllers.
Airworthiness and Conceptual Design Optimization Considerations of the Environmental Impact Assessment of a Supersonic Business Jet Aircraft
Authors: Lappas Ilias , Pergamalis Nikolaos
Published: November 2019

In recent years, the anticipation of sustainable supersonic passenger jet operations has elevated again. The progress achieved in propulsion together with the increased usage of composite materials favour the potential of sustained and cost efficient supersonic commercial operations. However, obstacles remain with regards to the certification of the new supersonic aircraft platforms, while the two main certification bodies EASA and FAA are under pressure to develop certification requirements which will reassure that the supersonic operations are going to have the least possible environmental impact. From a design perspective, past and current research suggests that there is a trade-off between the aircraft performance and the environmental impact, which should be balanced. The current study attempts to balance this trade-off and to conceptually design a SuperSonic Business Jet (SSBJ) by taking into account environmental concerns of the supersonic flight together with design methods that facilitate a sustained supersonic cruise. An environmental impact assessment is undertaken for the SSBJ design and its results are compared to a typical commercial subsonic airliner.
The Halogen-Bond Nature in Noble Gas-Dihalogen Complexes from Scattering Experiments and Ab-Initio Calculations
Authors: Nunzi Francesca , Di Erasmo Benedetta , Tarantelli Francesco , Cappelletti David , Pirani Fernando
Published: November 2019

In order to clarify the nature of the halogen bond (XB), we considered the prototype noble gas – dihalogen molecule (Ng-X2) systems, focusing on the nature, range and strength of the interaction. We exploited data gained from molecular beam scattering experiments with the measure of interference effects to obtain a suitable formulation of the interaction potential, with the support of high-level ab initio calculations, and charge displacement analysis. The essential interaction components involved in the Ng-X2 adducts have been characterized, pointing at their critical balance in the definition of the XB. Particular emphasis is devoted to the energy stability of the orientational Ng-X2 isomers, the barrier for the X2 hindered rotation, and the influence of the X2 electronic state. The present integrated study returns reliable force fields for molecular dynamics simulations in Ng-X2 complexes that can be extended to systems with increasing complexity and whose properties depend on the selective formation of XB.
Time to viral load suppression and its associated factors in cohort of patients taking antiretroviral treatment in East Shewa Zone, Oromiya, Ethiopia, 2018
Authors: Ali Jemal H
Published: November 2019

Background A key goal of ART is to achieve and maintain durable viral suppression. Thus, the most important use of the viral load measurement is to monitor the effectiveness of therapy after initiation of ART. The main objective of the study was to determine the time for virological suppression and its associated factors among people living with HIV taking antiretroviral treatments in East Shewa Zone, Oromiya, Ethiopia. Methods: Patients diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus presenting to the study health centers between October 3, 2011 and March 1, 2013 were included in the study given the following criteria: age 18 years or greater, eligible to start ART. All patients with baseline viral load measurement were included in the study. Interaction between explanatory variables with the response variable was analyzed by using cross tab features of SPSS, IBM Inc. Significance group comparison was done by Kaplan Meier log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard model was used to select significant factors to the variability between groups. Result : Plasma viral load was suppressed below the detection level in 72% of individuals taking different regimen of ART. The median HIV-1 plasma viral load in the cohort was estimated to be log 5.3111 copies/ml. Survival curve difference was observed in the category of marital status (p- value 0.023) and baseline CD4 value (p- value 0.023). The estimated median time to PVL suppression was 181days (CI: 140.5-221.4) with the age group of 30-39years having minimum time to achieve suppression with 92 days (CI: 60.1-123.8) and the maximum time required to reach the level was found among the age group between 50-59 years. Conclusion : The estimated time to achieve PVL after taking ART was found to be 181 days. Factors affecting time to suppression level was marital status and baseline CD4. Keywords: Viral load, ART, Ethiopia, Suppression, HIV
Recombinant cold shock domain containing protein is a potential antigen to detect specific antibody during early and late infections of Haemonchus contortus in goat
Authors: Naqvi Muhammad Ali-ul-Husnain , Aimulajiang KaLiBiXiaTi , Memon Muhammad Ali , Hasan Muhammad Waqqas , Naqvi Sana Zahra , Lakho Shakeel Ahmed , Chu Wen , Xu Lixin , Song Xiaokai , Li XiangRui , Yan RuoFeng
Published: November 2019

Background: Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) is the most abundant nematode causing haemonchosis with major economic losses to the small ruminant industry farming worldwide. Effective prognosis and treatment depend upon the early diagnosis of H. contortus infection. To date, no widely-approved methods are available to identify prepatent H. contortus infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic potential of recombinant cold shock H. contortus protein (rHc-CS) during early and late infections of H .contortus in goat. Results: Purified rHc-CS exhibited a clear band, with a molecular weight about 38 kDa. Fecal egg count technique was unable to detect H. contortus eggs in feces collected between 0 and 14 days post infection. Eggs were detected at 21, 28 and 35 days post infection. However, Specific anti rHc-CS antibodies were detectable in sera of all infected goats during early stage (2nd week of infection) and late stage (3rd to 14th week of infection) using immunoblotting assay. Furthermore, no cross reactivity was observed against most commonly found helminths (Trichinella spiralis, Fasciola hepatica, and Toxoplasma gondii) and uninfected goats. The format variables for rHc-CS indirect-ELISA were optimized. The optimum antigen coating concentration was found 0.28μg/well at 37℃ 1h and overnight at 4°C. Optimum dilution ratio of serum and rabbit anti-goat IgG was recorded 1:100 and 1:4000 respectively. The best blocking buffer was 5% bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the best time for blocking, serum incubation and TMB reaction was recorded as 60, 120 and 10 minutes respectively. The cut-off value for positive and negative interpretation was determined as 0.352 (OD450). The diagnostic specificity and sensitivity of the rHc-CS, both were recorded 100%. Conclusion: These results demonstrated that rHc-CS is a potential immunodiagnostic antigen to detect specific antibodies at early and late H. contortus infections in goat.
Seroprevalence of Brucella Infection and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Receiving Antenatal Care around Human, Wildlife and Livestock Interface in Ngorongoro Ecosystem, Northern Tanzania. A Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Makala Robert , Majigo Mtebe Venance , Bwire George M. , Kibwana Upendo , Mirambo Mariam M. , Joachim Agricola
Published: November 2019

Background Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, animal products or consumption of infected dairy products. Brucella infection during pregnancy is of special interest due to associated adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study determined the seroprevalence and factors associated with Brucella infection among pregnant women around the human-wildlife-livestock interface area in Ngorongoro Ecosystem, Northern Tanzania. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted between May and June 2018 at six health facilities that provide antenatal services. Pregnant women receiving antenatal care were invited to participate. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics in addition to behavior and practices related to the occurrence of human brucellosis. The presence of serum immunoglobulin against Brucella was determined using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT). The positive samples were further assayed for the presence of IgG and IgM using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent assay. Bivariate analysis was conducted to determine the variables associated with Brucella seropositivity. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the factors independently associations with Brucella seropositivity after adjustment for other explanatory variables. Results A total of 313 participants were enrolled in the study. The overall seroprevalence of Brucella infection was 10.9 % (34/313) determined by RBPT. Of 34 positive individuals, 27(79.4%) and 8(23.5%) were positive in the ELISA specific for IgG and IgM Brucella antibodies respectively. Preference for raw animal blood (AOR 4.45, 95 % CI 1.5–12.9, p = 0.01), raw meat (AOR 7.59, 95 % CI 1.6 – 35.4, p = 0.01) and fresh milk (AOR 3.76, 95 % CI 1.2–11.5, p = 0.02), increased the odds of being infected with Brucella. Regular contact with manure and contact with the placenta were not statistically associated with Brucella seropositivity after adjustment. Conclusion This study has found that brucellosis is an important public health problem among pregnant women in areas with interactions of humans; livestock and wildlife. The risk of infection increased with the preference of raw foodstuffs like animal blood, meat, and milk. We emphasize the need for interventional strategies to reduce the risk of exposure
Nutrition knowledge and Attitude in Medical Students of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2017-2018
Authors: Dolatkhah Neda , Aghamohammadi Dawood , Khalili Azizeh Farshbaf , Hajifaraji Majid , Hashemian Maryam , Esmaeili Sepideh
Published: November 2019

Objectives: In this cross-sectional study among 220 medical students we aimed to determine the nutritional knowledge and attitude of medical students through clinical training courses (externship and internship) of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. A nutritional knowledge questionnaire included 51 questions was used to determine the correct, perceived and accuracy of knowledge of the participant in different aspects of nutrition sciences. The nutrition attitude questionnaire included 30 questions. Both questionnaires were confirmed in terms of the validity and reliability for assessing nutritional knowledge and attitude in this sample of Iranian medical students. Nutritional knowledge and attitude were calculated as percentage of correct or appropriate responses. Results: The correct knowledge was not significantly different among externs and interns (68.20±7.50% and 67.87±6.04% respectively, p=0.729). Results showed that most of the participants (49.61% of externs and 57.14% of inters) had a poor nutritional knowledge, significantly varied by age (p=0.035). The attitude index of the subjects was not significantly different among externs and interns (73.36±9.42% and 74.59±9.20%, p=0.335). Most students (92.7%) had a very appropriate attitude toward nutrition, significantly varied by sex (p=0.010). These findings indicate that there are multiple deficiencies in nutrition knowledge of medical students.
Surgical Workflow Simulation for the Design and Assessment of Operating Room Setups in Orthopedic Surgery
Authors: Neumann Juliane , Angrick Christine , Höhn Celina , Zajonz Dirk , Ghanem Mohamed , Roth Andreas , Neumuth Thomas
Published: November 2019

Background: The design and internal layout of modern operating rooms are influencing the team’s collaboration and communication, ergonomics, as well as intraoperative hygiene substantially. Nevertheless, there is no objective method for the assessment and design of the personnel and table positions for different surgical disciplines and intervention types available. The aim of this work is to establish an improved OR setup for common procedures in arthroplasty. Methods: With the help of computer simulation techniques, a method for the objective design and assessment of enhanced OR setups was developed. In this work, new OR setups were designed, analyzed in a computer simulation environment and evaluated in the actual intraoperative setting. Results: The implementation of improved OR setups reduces the instrument handover time between the surgeon and the scrub nurse, the travel paths of the OR team as well as shortens the procedure duration. Additionally, the ergonomics of the OR staff were improved. Conclusion: The developed simulation method was intraoperatively evaluated and proved its benefit for the design and optimization of OR setups for different surgical intervention types. As a clinical result, enhanced setups for total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty surgeries were established in daily clinical routine and the OR efficiency was improved.
Characterizing the ribosomal tandem repeat and its utility as a DNA barcode in lichen-forming fungi
Authors: Bradshaw Michael , Grewe Felix , Thomas Anne , Harrison Cody H. , Lindgren Hanna , Muggia Lucia , Clair Larry L. St. , Lumbsch H. Thorsten , Leavitt Steve
Published: November 2019

Regions within the nuclear ribosomal operon are a major tool for inferring evolutionary relationships and investigating diversity in fungi. In spite of the prevalent use of ribosomal markers in fungal research, central features of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) evolution are poorly characterized for fungi in general, including lichenized fungi. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nrDNA has been adopted as the primary DNA barcode identification marker for fungi. However, little is known about intragenomic variation in the nrDNA in symbiotic fungi. In order to better understand evolution of nrDNA and the utility of the ITS region for barcode identification of lichen-forming fungal species, we generated nearly complete nuclear ribosomal operon sequences from nine species in the Rhizoplaca melanophthalma species complex using short reads from high-throughput sequencing. Results: We estimated copy numbers for the nrDNA operon, ranging from nine to 48 copies for members of thiscomplex, and found low levels of intragenomic variation in the standard barcode region (ITS). Monophyly of currently described species in this complex was supported in phylogenetic inferences based on the ITS, 28S, IGS, and some intronic regions; however, a phylogenetic inference based on the 18S provided much lower resolution. Phylogenetic analysis of concatenated ITS and intergenic spacer sequence data generated from 496 specimens collected worldwide revealed previously unrecognized lineages in the nrDNA phylogeny. Conclusions: The results from our study support the general assumption that the ITS region of the nrDNA is an effective barcoding marker for fungi. For the R. melanophthalma group, the limited amount of potential intragenomic variability in the ITS region did not correspond to fixed diagnostic nucleotide position characters separating taxa within this species complex. Previously unrecognized lineages inferred from ITS sequence data may represent undescribed species-level lineages or reflect uncharacterized aspects of nrDNA evolution in the R. melanophthalma species complex.
Reliability of residents’ assessments of their postgraduate medical education learning environment: an observational study
Authors: Brand Paul L P , Rosingh H Jeroen , Meijssen Maarten A C , Nijholt Ingrid M , Dünnwald Saskia , Prins Jelle , Schönrock-Adema Johanna
Published: November 2019

Background. Even in anonymous evaluations of a postgraduate medical education (PGME) program, residents may be reluctant to provide an honest evaluation of their PGME program, because they fear embarrassment or repercussions from their supervisors if their anonymity as a respondent is endangered. This study was set up to test the hypothesis that current residents in a PGME program provide more positive evaluations of their PGME program than residents having completed it. We therefore compared PGME learning environment evaluations of current residents in the program to leaving residents having completed it. Methods. This observational study used data gathered routinely in the quality cycle of PGME programs at two Dutch teaching hospitals to test our hypothesis. At both hospitals, all current PGME residents are requested to complete the Scan of Postgraduate Education Environment Domains (SPEED) annually. Residents leaving the hospital after completion of the PGME program are also asked to complete the SPEED after an exit interview with the hospital’s independent residency coordinator. All SPEED evaluations are collected and analysed anonymously. We compared the residents’ grades (on a continuous scale ranging from 0 (poor) to 10 (excellent)) on the three SPEED domains (content, atmosphere, and organization of the program) and their mean (overall department grade) between current and leaving residents. Results. Mean (SD) overall SPEED department grades were 8.00 (0.52) for 287 current residents in 39 PGME programs and 8.07 (0.48) for 170 leaving residents in 39 programs. Neither the overall SPEED department grades (t test, p=0.53, 95% CI for difference -0.16 to 0.31) nor the department SPEED domain grades (MANOVA, F(3, 62)=0.79, p=0.51) were significantly different between current and leaving residents. Conclusions. Residents leaving the program did not provide more critical evaluations of their PGME learning environment than current residents in the program. This suggests that current residents’ evaluations of their postgraduate learning environment were not affected by social desirability bias or fear of repercussions from faculty.
Oral health of children and adolescents with or without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) living in residential care in rural Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Authors: Ehlers Vicky , Callaway Angelika , Wantzen Sophia , Patyna Michael , Deschner James , Azrak Birgül
Published: November 2019

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is defined as childhood neurobehavioural disorder. Due to short attention span, oral hygiene and dental treatment of such individuals can be challenging. Aim of this study was to evaluate the oral health of children and adolescents with and without ADHD living in residential care in rural Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Methods: Included in the study were 79 participants (male/female:58/21, age 9-15 years) living in residential care: 34 participants with ADHD and 45 participants without ADHD (control). Oral examination included the following parameters decayed, missing, filled teeth in the primary dentition (dmft), decayed, missing, filled surfaces/teeth in the secondary dentition (DMFS/DMFT), approximal plaque index (API), bruxism and orthodontic treatment. Additionally, oral hygiene, last dental visit and treatment performed, and dietary habits were assessed by questionnaire. Results: There were no significant differences in dmft, API, bruxism and oral hygiene habits between groups. However, participants with ADHD tended to have higher DMFS/DMFT values than the control group. Ongoing orthodontic treatment was found more often in the control group. The ADHD group tended to consume acidic/sugary beverages and sweet snacks more often than the controls. Different treatments (control visit/prophylaxis, dental therapy, orthodontic treatment) were performed at the last dental visit in the two groups. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study , oral health was similar in children and adolescents with or without ADHD from the same residential care setting. Parents/guardians need instructions for better supervision of oral hygiene and dietary habits to improve the poor oral health of children with or without ADHD.
Molecular Cloning and Chartacterization DNA Polymerase I from thermophilic Geobacillus SBS 4S strain
Authors: aslam farheen , Bajwa Saima Iftikhar
Published: November 2019

Thermostable DNA polymerases are extensively used in biotechnology and life science applications. DNA Polymerase I was isolated from a hyperthermophile bacteria Geobacillus SBS 4S. Primers were designed using the template sequence of DNA Polymerase I gene of Geobacillus kaustophilus HTA26 strain. Nco 1 and Hind III sites were introduced on the forward and reverse primers respectively. Polymerase I gene of 2.6 Kb was cloned in pTZ57/ RT vector. Cloned gene of Polymerase I was restricted with Nco 1 and Bam H1, and ligated to pET 22b vector. Nco 1 site was used to insert twenty two N-terminal aminoacids (pelB) leader sequence at the start of the gene, which lead the recombinant protein in the periplasmic space, which increases the half life of recombinant protein. pelB fused with DNA Polymerase I produces soluble protein, which was detected after sonication. Sequencing shows that DNA polymerase I consists of 2499 bp with encodes for 832 amino acids, showed 99 % similarity with Geobacillus Kaustophillus .

The expression of pelB fused DNA Polymerase I was optimized at different concentrations of IPTG and lactose. Highest expression was observed with 0.5mM IPTG and 20mM lactose. After Harvesting and sonication of BL21 codon plus cells, Polymerase I was produced in the soluble fraction. The supernatant containing the protein of interest, was separated after centrifugation at 10,000 rpm for 20 min. The protein was purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation and cation exchange column. The activity of purified DNA Polymerase I was checked by PCR reaction.
Effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on anxiety and depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Zhang Xuemei , Yi Changchun , Tian Wuguo , Lu Dongbing , Yang Xiumu
Published: November 2019

Symptoms such as depression and anxiety are common psychiatric symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is still controversial in the treatment of anxiety and depression in patients with COPD. We conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review to evaluate the effect of CBT on anxiety and depression in patients with COPD, with a view to providing some guidance for clinical application.Materials and Methods Computer search Web of Science, EMbase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, search time limit from the establishment of the library to August 2019.Collect the randomized controlled trial (RCT) for this topic. Two investigators independently screened the literature according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data, and assessed the risk of bias in the included studies. Meta analysis using RevMan5.3 software.Results A total of 10 studies were included in a total of 1278 patients. Meta-analysis shows that cognitive behavioral therapy can improve depression and anxiety in patients with COPD. Subgroup analysis showed that intervention time ≥ 8 weeks had significant differences in improving anxiety, while intervention time <8weeks had significant differences in improving depression.Conclusion Cognitive-behavioral therapy can improve depression in COPD patients in a short period of time, and it takes longer to improve anxiety. Therefore, clinical practice can choose the appropriate intervention time according to the patient's psychological condition.
Preventing Peterson’s space Hernia Using a Bio Synthetic Mesh
Authors: Skidmore Adam Peter , Aarts Edo O
Published: November 2019

Introduction Up to 30% of all Bariatric procedures performed worldwide still are Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypasses (RYGB). Internal hernia’s occur when small bowel herniates into the intermesenteric spaces created when the roux limb is mobilised for anastomosis to the gastric pouch. To prevent internal hernia’s to occur many surgeons nowadays close the mesenteric defects during primary RYGB. Using a non-resorbable double layered suture, this risk can be significantly reduced from 8.9 to 2.5% in the first three postoperative years. However the technique of closure seems to be related to these reduced internal hernia risks outcomes while for example closure with staples does reduce the amount of internal hernia’s but in a much lesser extent. Setting Two large private hospitals specialized in bariatric surgeryMethods All patients receiving a RYGB for (morbid) obesity between 2014 and 2018 were included in this retrospective study. In the first year Peterson’s space was closed using glue, the years hereafter it was closed using a double layered non absorbable suture combined with a piece of glued BIO Mesh.Results The first group of glued RYGB patients showed 15% of patients with an internal hernia through Peterson’s space compared to 0% of patients (p<0.001) who had a combined sutured and BIO Mesh Closure of their Peterson’s space defect. Although an ideal technique for Peterson’s space, it led to 1% of entero-enterostomy kinking due to firm adhesions.Conclusion Closing this defect with clips or sutures partially reduces the chances on herniation, but not completely. Gluing this defect is not beneficial, but placing a BIO Mesh in Peterson’s space is a promising new technique to induce local adhesions. It is at least safe, effective and led to a complete reduction of Peterson’s internal herniations. In the future, a randomized controlled trial comparing this technique to a double layered, non-absorbable suture would give more insights in which is the optimal closure technique.
Observational study for laryngeal mask anesthesia combined with nerve block in internal fixation for rib fractures
Authors: Cao Jun , Zhang Junfeng , Gao Xiaoyun , Zhang Xiaoli , Li Jing
Published: November 2019

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of laryngeal mask(LMA) anesthesia combined with nerve block in rib fractures internal fixation, twenty patients with unilateral isolated rib fractures were observed during the anesthesia prospectively.Methods Thoracic paravertebral block(TPB) and/or erector spinae plane block(ESPB) were carried out before LMA anesthesia. The vital signs(HR, BP, SpO 2 ) and parameters of breath were recorded during the operation. The arterial blood gas analysis and chest radiograph were performed preoperatively and on the next day after operation. Patient-controlled analgesia contained with 500mg of tramadol and 16mg of lornoxicam was routinely used after the operation, and 50mg of flurbiprofen was infused intravenously Bisindie in the ward. Postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV) within 48 hours after surgery and NRS pain score at 6(T1), 12(T2), 24(T3) hours after surgery were assessed as well.Results Thirteen males and seven females(mean age 54 years) were enrolled in this trial. 6(30%) had a flail chest, 9(45%) had Haemothorax, 2(10%) had a pulmonary contusion. The vital signs and spontaneous breathing were kept stable. End-tidal carbon dioxide concentration(EtCO 2 ) was acceptable(no more than 63 mmHg in all cases). PaO 2 of post-operation was significantly increased than that of pre-operation(P<0.001), PaCO 2 of pre-operation and post-operation had no significant difference. NRS at T3 was significantly lower than that at T1 and T2(p < 0.001), while the score at T2 was slightly lower than that at T1 (p < 0.005). Furthermore, no one suffered from PONV.Conclusions We demonstrated that laryngeal mask anesthesia combined with nerve block was feasible in the internal fixation for rib fractures.
Patterns of access to reproductive health services in Ghana and Nigeria: results of a cluster analysis
Authors: Ogundele Oluwasegun Jko , Pavlova Milena , Groot Wim
Published: November 2019

Background To understand differences in access to reproductive healthcare services, the use of family planning and maternal care by women in Ghana and Nigeria is examined.Methods We used population-level data from the Ghana and Nigeria Demographic Health Surveys of 2014 and 2013 in two-step cluster analysis followed by multinomial logistic regression analysis.Results The initial two-step cluster analyses on family planning identify three groups of women in Ghana and Nigeria: women with high, medium and poor access to family planning services. The subsequent two-step cluster analyses identify five distinct groups: higher, high, medium, low and poor access to maternal health services in Ghana and Nigeria. The multinomial logistic regression shows that education and occupation are associated with access to family planning and maternal health services. Women without education often have poor access to reproductive health services in both countries. In Nigeria, household wealth is strongly associated with access to maternal health services but household wealth does not explain access in Ghana. Not having insurance in Ghana is associated with low access to family planning service, while this is not the case in Nigeria.Conclusions These differences confirm the importance of a focused context-specific approach towards reproductive health services, particularly to reduce inequality in access resulting from socioeconomic status.
Relationship between probable sarcopenia and nutritional disorders as evaluated using the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and serum phosphorus concentration in maintenance dialysis patients: A cross-sectional study
Authors: KONO Kenichi , MORIYAMA Yoshihumi , HARA Ayaka , YABE Hiroki , NISHIDA Yusuke , YAMADA Tetsuya
Published: November 2019

Background To explore the relationship between sarcopenia and nutritional disorders, as evaluated using the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and serum phosphorus concentration (P). Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed 909 Japanese maintenance hemodialysis patients from a multicenter hemodialysis unit. The nutritional indices (GNRI and P) and sarcopenia indices [grip strength and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)] were evaluated in all patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed with the sarcopenia indices as dependent variables and GNRI only, P only, and combined GNRI and P as independent variables adjusted for patient attributes. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the reference value were calculated by setting the category reference value to GNRI ≥90 and P to 3.6-5.0 mg/dL. The main outcome measure was presence of probable sarcopenia. Results: Grip strength was associated with decreased GNRI only (OR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.64-3.16) and decreased GNRI and P (OR: 3.77, 95% CI: 1.49-9.53). In addition, SPPB was associated with decreased GNRI only (OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.30-2.44) and decreased GNRI and P (OR: 8.82, 95% CI: 3.52-22.12). Conclusions: Nutritional disorders, in which both GNRI and P are decreased, are strongly related to sarcopenia compared with nutritional disorders in which only GNRI or only P is decreased.
Lack of Progression of Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Premature Infants: Implications for Head Ultrasound Screening
Authors: Rhein Lawrence , Daigneault Jaclyn , Dube Alexandra , White Heather , Shi Qiming , Gauguet Jean-Marc
Published: November 2019

Background: Premature infants are known to be at increased risk for intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in the first week of life. IVH may be “mild” (grade I or II) or “severe” (grade III or IV). A classification of mild is less frequently associated with later morbidity. Severe grade IVH may be associated with death or severe neurodevelopmental disability. Mild IVH is generally considered a static, non-progressive disease. Thus, infants that do not present with IVH or who present with mild IVH are unlikely to advance to severe IVH. Consequently, after initial imaging demonstrates a normal result, subsequent head ultrasounds (HUS) may be unnecessary.Methods: This is a retrospective, single-center study. We identified all preterm infants with birth gestational age </= 32 0/7 weeks admitted to the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2016 who received a head ultrasound (HUS) during hospitalization. Each individual ultrasound was classified according to the attending radiologist’s documentation. Grades of IVH were defined per the Papile classification. Initial HUS was defined as HUS performed on day of life 3-10. Every subsequent HUS throughout hospitalization was read and recorded.Results: We identified 682 eligible preterm infants. Of these, 88 were excluded for lack of HUS data, 237 had initial HUS out of inclusion timing window (day of life 3-10), and 4 were excluded for other conditions associated with intraventricular hemorrhage, leaving 353 infants for analysis. Initial findings of severe IVH were relatively rare in this cohort. Of the 343 (97%) infants who had mild IVH (grade II or less) at time of initial screening, only 4 (1.2%) progressed to severe (grade III or IV). Each of these infants required mechanical ventilation for at least 40 days.Conclusions: Based on the results of this analysis, premature infants who have a normal (no IVH) HUS or mild IVH (grade I or II) on initial routine screening HUS without other risk factors may not require follow-up HUS. Infants with prolonged mechanical ventilation may require further screening despite reassuring initial HUS findings.
The Mummy Trappings in the National Museum in Belgrade: A Reconstruction and Typological Assessment
Authors: Anđelković Branislav , P. Elias Jonathan
Published: November 2019

In July 2009 the National Museum in Belgrade received – as a donation – two elements of a funerary assemblage: a fragmented mask and a conjoined collar-breast covering. Although heavily damaged, those ancient Egyptian mummy trappings furnish modern analysts with valuable information about their fabrication and ritual employment. The mask is of helmet-type, made of gessoed linen which had been decorated with paint and gilded upon the face. The front of the mask is in relatively fair condition, but the top and rear have suffered considerably, being reduced to small fragments whose original position is difficult to determine. The mask is heavily affected by staining caused by deliberately over-poured resin, i.e. the traces of a ritual unguent pouring. The collar-breast covering is a conjoined type forming a single rectangular or rather slightly trapezoidal plaque. The collar design consists of a system of schematized floral decoration arranged in seven semicircular bands around a single semi-lunate zone. A decorative grid containing funerary motifs extends below the collar field. It consists of four horizontal registers separated by polychrome bands of colored rectangles. The whole forms a complex tapestry of protective imagery: deities, amuletic symbols and magical vignettes. The mask and the breast cover are datable to the late Ptolemaic Period (ca. 100 – 50 B.C.). The most likely place of origin is site of Hawara at the entrance to the Fayum region.
Fieldwork and Public Archaeology (or: Why Even the Seemingly Clear Connections Should Be Examined?)
Authors: Cvjetićanin Tatjana
Published: November 2019

Public archaeology and community archaeology are some of the terms denoting various ways in which archaeologists, convinced that archaeology should not act in isolation, reach out to the public or include it into disciplinary practices. The public is principally educated and enabled to embrace the social relevance of archaeology.

Archaeologists are primarily visible in the public as the ones excavating and discovering the past. When we inform the public, educate or include it in our activities, work with or for the public – or when the public is dealing with archaeology on its own – archaeological fieldwork is not only the most recognizable and the most popular image of archaeology, but also undoubtedly the basic area of our activities. In Serbia, the field excavations are perceived as almost the only way of approaching the past, and the field directors, participants in excavations and interpreters of fieldwork are recognized as reliable (and often the only) public faces of the discipline. Authority is generated through discovery, and visibility is the result of popularisation. Public archaeology is mainly understood as public relations, or even as media relations.

Collective anxiety, neoliberalism, and the political populism of the moment, all result in the trend of increase in discourse of memory and musealization of society. This contemporary politics of memory is an answer to the current space and time, with accelerated changes and endangered traditional values. Additionally, the new political reality from the 1990s on has dissolved the symbolic capital of the supra-nation, so the establishment of a new collective memory and cultural identity became necessary. The narrative of the “(celestial) people with history” is chosen, on the soil with a special spiritual axis, and the celebration of the unique homogenous nation is embraced. The construction of the new identity is helped by the disciplines dealing with the past, and various institutions –including the archaeological ones – go a step further in “imprinting upon heart and soul” the new cultural/political memory. This step further demonstrates that they recognize the public only in the structures of power. The institutional and ethic crisis is apparent: even in the places where the professional community (including conservators, custodians, academic community, as well as archaeologists) emphatically opposes excavations, they will be conducted nevertheless.

More often than not, the sensational, unique or luxurious is emphasized, mainly to secure the social, political and financial support for projects, as well as prestige. The authorized narratives of the past and the pre-packaged heritage corrupt the image of archaeology and contribute to the misconception of the past.

The paper treats both the examples of good and bad practice, with the intention to demonstrate that the need to promote must be supplemented by responsibility, and the public archaeology in Serbia broadened by new aims.
Archaeological Stratigraphy, Flat Ontology and Thin Description. A Note on (Inter)Disciplinary Dialogue
Authors: Babić Staša
Published: November 2019

Over the last decades, some archaeologists have adopted the approaches from philosophy and anthropology that may loosely be denoted by the term new materialism. The key assumptions are that archaeological investigation, regardless of the theoretical stance applied, has always been burdened by the modern mode of thinking and dichotomies such as nature/culture or subject/object, wherefrom stems the anthropocentric approach to the study of objects, primarily in respect to humans. It is suggested that the reality consists of a plethora of diverse elements, all deserving equal attention and all their existences being of equal relevance. Objects, animals, plants, all have the potential to act in a network of equal actors. A researcher must therefore respect the flat ontology, where none of the actors has primacy.

The paper problematizes some of the (un)intentional implications of the ontological turn for the theory and practice of archaeology. First of all, the proposed flattening destabilizes the key disciplinary distinction – study of the human past through its material remains. The downplaying of the importance of human actions in the formation of networks of mutually equal actors at the same time downplays the human responsibility. In this way, various forms of inequality among humans as research priorities and the potential of social engagement of archaeology are neglected. Similar critique of new materialism is raised in the fields of philosophy and anthropology as well. This brings about the issue of interdisciplinary transfers of thin descriptions – selective adoption of concepts whose full implications remain neglected.