bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the clinical effects of Prednisolone, Azathioprine and Oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) applications in experimentally induced endotoxin uveitis in rat
Authors: Yaºar Erkal Tuba Özge , Kýlýç Servet , Hatipoðlu Fatih , Terzi Funda
Published: July 2018

Clinical effects and pathological changes of synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN), prednol (PRD) and azathioprine (AZA) was compared on uveitis treatment in rats. A total of 28 Wistar Albino, female, adult rats were divided into Control (C), PRD, AZA and ODN groups. Uveitis was induced by 176 ìg/rat subcutan injection E. coli, LPS and observed in all animals after 48 hours. Then, 0.25 mg/rat/day AZA and 1.25 mg/rat/day of methylprenidolone was administered by gavage in AZA and PRD groups for ten days. In the ODN group, 178 ìg/rat ODN was administered IP totally four times. A numerical weight loss was seen in all groups in the course of the infection period, but dropped dramatically in the PRD group during the treatment period. Average value of right and left eye results showed that immunesuppressive effect of Prednol was higher in terms of IOP values compared to others whereas Shirmer test values were the lowest in the post-treatment period. Finally, Prednol was more effective with its immunesuppressive effect resulting in recovery of photophobia, vascularization and oedema in iris vessels.
Sylviculture en forêt dense africaine
Authors: Catinot René
Published: July 2018

Cet article représente la première partie d’une étude réalisée par l’auteur sur le développement des méthodes de la sylviculture appliquée aux forêts denses humides d’Afrique. L’étude compare les résultats obtenus par chaque méthode. Les articles suivants exposeront les aboutissements des recherches en foresterie menées ces dernières années, incluant une discussion à la lumière des résultats de ces recherches sur les méthodes utilisées au moment de la rédaction de l’article. L’auteur décrit aussi une nouvelle méthode rendant compte des expériences passées et de nouvelles idées. L’article apporte des éléments essentiels à l’heure où les gouvernements africains promeuvent des programmes de reforestation et de restauration forestière dans les forêts tropicales humides. Cela est désormais primordial en raison de l’augmentation et l’extension de l’exploitation forestière en Afrique, nécessaires pour stimuler les économies africaines, mais épuisant indéniablement le capital forestier.
Educación en diabetes; estrategias del profesional de salud en el cuidado del paciente con diabetes.
Authors: Arias-González Abraham , Guerrero-García Eduardo Zoram
Published: July 2018

La diabetes mellitus es una enfermedad crónico-degenerativa que se caracteriza por presentar niveles de hiperglucemia, y que lamentablemente no tiene cura, pero, afortunadamente, sí control. Una vez que el paciente es diagnosticado, y canalizado al servicio de educación en diabetes, el mismo es quien debe asumir la responsabilidad en la toma de decisiones de su nuevo estilo de vida (vivir con diabetes); el educador le proveerá las herramientas para conseguir controlar el nivel glucémico y la prevención de las posibles complicaciones. Objetivo: Brindar educación en diabetes al paciente con reciente diagnóstico para tener control glucémico y prevenir complicaciones. Presentación del caso (evidencias, diagnóstico), se utilizaron los 7 comportamientos de autocuidado para implementar objetivos de aprendizaje hacia el paciente en una institución especializada en el manejo integral del paciente con diabetes en Monterrey, México. Evaluación: se logró que el paciente disminuya en un 49% su nivel de HbA1c en un período de 120 días posteriores a su educación. Conclusión: el recibir información por medio de talleres de cocina saludable, demostración de uso de glucómetro y folletos sitúa al paciente en un mayor nivel de conocimientos sobre el manejo de su diabetes.
Detailed Analysis of 17β-Estradiol-Aptamer InteractionsAptamer Interactions: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study
Authors: Eisold Alexander , Labudde Dirk
Published: July 2018

Micro-pollutants such as 17β-Estradiol (E2) have been detected in different water resources and their negative effects on the environment and organisms have been observed. Aptamers are established as a possible detection tool, but the underlying ligand binding is largely unexplored. In this study, a previously described 35-mer E2-specific aptamer was used to analyse the binding characteristics between E2 and the aptamer with a MD simulation in an aqueous medium. Because there is no 3D structure information available for this aptamer, it was modeled using coarse-grained modeling method. The E2 ligand was positioned inside a potential binding area of the predicted aptamer structure, the complex was used for an 25 ns MD simulation, and the interactions were examined for each time step. We identified E2-specific bases within the interior loop of the aptamer and also demonstrated the influence of frequently underestimated water-mediated hydrogen bonds. The study contributes to the understanding of the behavior of ligands binding with aptamer structure in an aqueous solution. The developed workflow allows generating and examining further appealing ligand-aptamer complexes.
Advances and Challenges of Biodegradable Implant Materials with a Focus on Magnesium-Alloys and Bacterial Infections
Authors: Rahim Muhammad Imran , Ullah Sami , Mueller Peter P.
Published: July 2018

Medical implants made of biodegradable materials could be of advantage for temporary applications such mechanical support during bone-healing or as vascular stents to keep blood vessels open. After completion of the healing process the implant would disappear, avoiding long-term side effects or the need for surgical removal. Various corrodible metal alloys based on magnesium, iron or zinc have been proposed as sturdier and potentially less inflammatory alternative to degradable organic polymers, in particular for load-bearing applications. Despite the recent introduction of magnesium-based screws the remaining hurdles to routine clinical applications are still challenging, such as limiting mechanical material characteristics or unsuitable corrosion characteristics. Here, salient features and clinical prospects of currently investigated biodegradable implant materials are summarized with a main focus on magnesium alloys. A mechanism of action for the stimulation of bone growth due to the exertion of mechanical force by magnesium corrosion products is discussed. To explain divergent in vitro and in vivo effects of magnesium a novel model for bacterial biofilm infections is proposed which predicts crucial consequences antibacterial implant strategies.
Whole Body Vibration Therapy after Ischemia Reduces Brain Damage in Reproductively Senescent Female Rats
Authors: Raval Ami P. , Schatz Marc , Bhattacharya Pallab , d’Adesky Nathan , Rundek Tatjana , Dietrich W. Dalton , Bramlett Helen M.
Published: July 2018

A risk of ischemic stroke increases exponentially after menopause. Even a mild-ischemic stroke can result in increased frailty. Frailty is a state of increased vulnerability to adverse outcomes, which subsequently increases risk of cerebrovascular events and severe cognitive decline, particularly after menopause. Several interventions to reduce frailty and subsequent risk of stroke and cognitive decline have been proposed in laboratory animals and patients. One of them is whole body vibration (WBV). WBV improves brain hemodynamics and lessens frailty-related functional and cognitive deterioration. The goal of current study is to test the efficacy of WBV in reducing post-ischemic stroke frailty and brain damage in reproductively senescent female rats. Reproductively senescent Sprague–Dawley female rats were exposed to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) and randomly assigned to either WBV or control groups. Animals placed in the WBV group underwent 30 days of WBV (40 Hz) treatment performed twice daily for 15 min each session for 5 days each week. The motor functions of animals belonging to both groups were tested intermittently and at the end of treatment period. Brains were then harvested for inflammatory markers and histopathological analysis. The results demonstrate a significant reduction in inflammatory markers, infarct volume, and significant increases in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and improvement in functional activity after tMCAO in middle-aged female rats that were treated with WBV as compared to the control group. Our results may help faster translation of the WBV intervention for improved outcome after stroke, particularly among frail women.
On Total Vertex-Edge Domination
Authors: Şahin Bünyamin , Şahin Abdulgani
Published: July 2018

A novel domination invariant defined by Boutrig and Chellali in the recent: total vertex-edge domination. In this paper we obtain an improved upper bound of total vertex edge-domination number of a tree. If  is a connected tree with order , then  with  and we characterize the trees attaining this upper bound. Furthermore we provide a characterization of trees  with
Modeling and Analysis of Population Dynamics of Examination Malpractice Among Students
Authors: Obasi Chinedu , Obiora Collins , Mbah Godwin , Olawuyi Oluseye
Published: July 2018

While examination malpractice has been a recognized social problem among students, the control of the phenomenon remains a challenge. In this study, we formulate a mathematical model describing the population dynamics of examination malpractice among students. Initial insight into the dynamics of the model is gained by analyzing some important mathematical features of the model such as the basic malpractice number. The malpractice-free equilibrium and endemic equilibrium points of the model are shown to be locally asymptotically stable when the basic malpractice number is less than unity. This result implies that examination malpractice can be totally eradicated among students when the basic malpractice number is less than unity. To understand the impact of controlling this social problem, we extend the model to incorporate awareness campaign and disciplinary measure as control strategies in curtailing the act. Our analysis reveals that incorporating control strategies have some influence in reducing examination malpractice among students. Further analysis indicates that considering both control strategies simultaneously yields a better result in reducing examination malpractice and examination malpractice will grow faster when control strategies are not introduced.
First case of Conyza canadensis from Hungary with multiple resistance to glyphosate and flazasulfuron
Authors: Palma-Bautista Candelario , Tahmasebi Behroz Khalil , Fernández-Moreno Pablo Tomás , Rojano-Delgado Antonia María , Alcántara de la Cruz Ricardo , De Prado Rafael
Published: July 2018

Conyza canadensis is a species invading large agricultural areas throughout the world, mainly to its ability to evolve herbicide resistance. Specifically, in Hungary, extensive areas have been infested by this species due to the difficulty in controlling it with glyphosate. To corroborate this fact as resistance and not as an incorrect herbicide application, eight suspicious glyphosate-resistant C. canadensis populations from different Hungarian regions were studied. In dose-response assays with glyphosate, the LD50 and GR50 values indicated that populations 1 to 5 were resistant to this herbicide (H-5 population the most resistant). Besides, the shikimic acid accumulation tests corroborated the results observed in the dose-response assays. 11 alternative herbicides from 6 different mode of action (MOA) were applied at field doses as control alternatives on populations H-5 and H-6 (both in the same regions). The H-5 population showed an unexpected resistance to flazasulfuron (ALS-inhibitor). The ALS enzyme activity studies indicated that the I50 for H-5 was 63.3 fold higher compared to its correspondent susceptible population (H-6). Therefore, the H-5 population exhibited multiple-resistance to flazasulfuron and glyphosate, being the first case reported in Europe for this two MOA. For that reason, the other herbicides with different MOA have to be tested here.
What Can Zebrafish Teach Us About Fear?
Authors: Pyterson Maryana Pereira , Guedes Pedro de Tarcio , Ikeda Saulo Rivera , Dias Tainá , Nascimento Wilker , Maximino Monica Lima , Maximino Caio
Published: July 2018

Fear can sometimes paralyze us, and it can sometimes be exciting; for some people, fear is so crippling it can significantly mix up their lifes! We understand a little bit about how the brain acts when we are afraid, mainly by studying the brains of animals. Recently, surprising findings were made using a humble animal, the zebrafish – a small aquarium fish that in the past has helped scientists figure out how our organs develop. Zebrafish are useful because they develop quickly, reproduce richly, and have brains which are similar to ours. They also produce what we call an “alarm substance” that alerts shoalmates when one of them has been injured; when they smell this substance in the water they act as if they are very scared. When this happens, they release serotonin in their brains, a neurotransmitter that acts as a light switch, making them less afraid but more cautious – as if trying to figure out if a predator is there or not. Hopefully, finding more about how the zebrafish brains process this serotonin signal can help scientists develop better treatments for mental disorders that are associated with fear.
Hydrological Modeling in Tropical Regions via TopModel. Study Case: Central Sector of the Middle Magdalena Valley - Colombia
Authors: Arenas-Bautista Maria Cristina , Arboleda-Obando Pedro F. , Duque-Gardeazabal Nicolas , Saavedra-Cifuentes Edwin , Donado Leonardo D.
Published: July 2018

Hydrological modeling allows us to make a comprehensive assessment of the interaction between dynamics of the hydrological cycle, climate conditions, and land use.  These modeling results are relevant in water resources management field. We use TopModel (TOPography based hydrological MODEL for the hydrological modeling of an area of 17 000 km2 in the Middle Magdalena Valley (MMV), a tropical basin located in Colombia. This study is located in the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) which is characterized by special meteorological conditions and fast water fluxes over the year. This area has been subjected to significant land use changes, as a result of intense economic activities, e.g., agriculture, hydropower energy and oil & gas production (Avellaneda, 2003). The proposed model is based on a record of 12 years of: i.) daily precipitation data from observed gauges, ii.) daily evapotranspiration data from temperature data and iii.) daily streamflow data as observed data. A calibration process was performed using data from 2000 to 2008, and a validation was performed with data from 2009 to 2012. The Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient was used as an objective function to assess the quality of these processes (values of this metric are between 0.74 and 0.73 respectively, for model calibration and validation). The results show us an adequate performance of the model in areas of the tropical region and allow us to analyze the relationship between water storage capacity in the soils of the area with subsurface runoff. This conclusion is consistent with the characteristics of the region. The calibrated model provides an idea about the hydrological functioning of the basin and estimates an approximation of the groundwater recharge in the region. The estimation of the recharge is important to quantify the interaction of surface water and groundwater, especially during the dry season, due to its importance in the analysis of scenarios with climate variability.
Spectroscopic Determination of Water Salinity in Brackish Surface Water in Nandoni Dam, at Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa  
Authors: Nthunya Lebea N. , Maifadi Sebabatso , Mamba Bhekie B. , Verliefde Arne R. , Mhlanga Sabelo D.
Published: July 2018

The problem of limited water supply in the Vhembe District (Limpopo Province, South Africa) is exacerbated by a preponderance of dissolved salts, which cause disagreeable taste and odour in the water as reported by the communities using this water for drinking. The water treatment plant that supplies the treated water to the communities in the District sources this raw water from the Nandoni Dam at the Livhuvu river catchment. However, there are no scientific studies that have been reported in the literature which focused on determining the levels of water salinity from various water sources in the municipalities of the District. Water samples from various sites across the Nandoni Dam, a primary source of domestic water supply in the region, were collected during all the seasons basis over a period of twelve months in order to ascertain the concentrations of dissolved salts in the dam. Onsite analyses of the water samples were conducted using the YSI ProDSS multimeter, while the laboratory water analyses were conducted using the spectroquant and atomic absorption spectrometers. Although salinity tests seem to indicate that the water sampled across most of the Nandoni Dam is brackish during all seasons of the year with the highest being 750 mg/L, water samples from the dam mid-outlet and the treatment plant are slightly below the WHO brackish water bracket of 500 mg/L with unfavourable taste for drinking. Results from this study indicate that the water sourced from the Nandoni Dam is not suitable for human consumption and therefore requires integrated water resource management, as well as robust and cost-effective water desalination treatment.
Optical Pumping of TeH+: Implications for Search for Varying mp/me
Authors: Stollenwerk Patrick R. , Kokish Mark G. , Oliveira-Filho Antonio G. S. de , Ornellas Fernando R. , Odom Brian C.
Published: July 2018

Molecular overtone transitions provide optical frequency transitions sensitive to variation in the proton-to-electron mass ratio (μ = mp/me). However, robust molecular state preparation presents a challenge critical for achieving high precision. Here, we characterize infrared and optical-frequency broadband laser cooling schemes for TeH+, a species with multiple electronic transitions amenable to sustained laser control. Using rate equations to simulate laser cooling population dynamics, we estimate the fractional sensitivity to μ attainable using TeH+. We find that laser cooling of TeH+ can lead to significant improvements on current μ variation limits.
Co-, Cu- and Fe-Doped Ni/Al2O3 Catalysts for the Catalytic Decomposition of Methane into Hydrogen and Carbon Nanofibers
Authors: Torres Daniel , Pinilla José Luis , Suelves Isabel
Published: July 2018

The catalytic decomposition of methane (CDM) process produces hydrogen in a single stage and avoids the CO2 emission thanks to the formation of high added value carbon nanofilaments as by-product. In this work, Ni monometallic and Ni-Co, Ni-Cu and Ni-Fe bimetallic catalysts are tested in the CDM reaction for the obtention of fishbone carbon nanofibers (CNF). Catalysts, in which Al2O3 is used as textural promoter in their formulation, are based on Ni as main active phase for the carbon formation and on Co, Cu or Fe as dopants in order to obtain alloys with an improved catalytic behaviour. Characterization of bimetallic catalysts showed the formation of particles of Ni alloys with a bimodal size distribution. For the doping content studied (5 mol. %), only Cu formed an alloy with a lattice constant high enough to be able to favor the carbon diffusion through the catalytic particle against surface diffusion, resulting in higher carbon formations, longer activity times and activity at 750 °C, where Ni, Ni-Co and Ni-Fe catalysts were inactive. On the other hand, Fe also improved the undoped catalyst performance presenting a higher carbon formation at 700 °C and the obtention of narrow carbon nanofilaments from active Ni3Fe crystallites.
Developing Green Super Rice Varieties with High Nutrient Use Efficiency by Phenotypic Selection Under Varied Nutrient Conditions
Authors: Jewel Zilhas , Ali Jauhar , Pang Yunlong , Anumalla Mahender , Acero Bart , Hernandez Jose , Xu Jianlong , Li Zhikang
Published: July 2018

To develop green super rice varieties with high and stable yields under the rainfed conditions and improved nutrient use efficiency (NuUE), a modified backcross (BC) breeding approach was adopted using a high yielding and widely adaptable Xian variety, WTR1, as the recipient and a Geng variety, HAN, as the donor. Starting from the BC1F2 generation, the BC population had gone through one generation of selection under the IG, LI and RF conditions, followed by consecutive four generations of screening and selection for high GY under six different nutrient conditions, leading to the development of 230 BC1F6 introgression lines (ILs). The final evaluation of the 230 ILs under the six nutrient conditions identified many ILs with improved yields under various combinations of nutrient deficient conditions, including 12 promising lines that had significantly improved NuUE under two or more nutrient deficiency conditions. Our results demonstrated an efficient inter-subspecific BC breeding procedure with first round selection under the rainfed-drought condition followed by four generations of progeny testing for yield performances under six different nutrient conditions. The promising ILs were studied under replicated yield trials under 75N and -NPK conditions for developing high yield rice varieties with improved NuUE. Our results indicated that NuUE in rice was controlled by complex genetic and physiological mechanisms and the developed ILs provided useful materials for genetic and molecular dissection of NuUE in rice.
Synthesis, Growth and Optical Properties of 2-Aminopyridine Potassium Di-hydrogen Orthophosphate Crystal in Additive of Cadmium Chloride and Lithium Chloride
Authors: Sivavishnu D. , Srineevasan R. , Johnson J.
Published: July 2018

A good optical quality crystal of 2-aminopyridine (2AP) metal complex crystals was grown by slow evaporation technique at room temperature. The transparent and defect less bulk size of 2-aminopyridine potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate metal complex crystals have been grown by solution growth method. The molecular structure and morphology of grown crystals was drawn and planes are indexed using WINXMORPH software. A optical absorption spectrum, the UV cut-off wavelength, Band gap (Eg), Reflectance (R), Refractive Index (n), Extinction coefficient (K) and Electrical susceptibility (χc) are calculated for 2AP metal complex crystals.
4-Acetyl-antroquinonol B Suppresses SOD2-Enhanced Cancer Stem Cell-Like Phenotypes and Chemoresistance of Colorectal Cancer Cells by Inducing hsa-miR-324 Re-Expression
Authors: Bamodu Oluwaseun Adebayo , Yang Ching-Kuo , Tzeng David T.W. , Kuo Kuang-Tai , Huang Chun-Chih , Deng Li , Hsiao Michael , Lee Wei-Hwa , Yeh Chi-Tai
Published: July 2018

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in both sexes globally. This is not unconnected with the heterogeneity and plasticity of CRC stem cells (CRC-SCs) which stealthily exploit niche-related and (epi)genetic factors to facilitate metastasis, chemoresistance, tumor recurrence, and disease progression. Despite accumulating evidence of the role of dysregulated microRNAs in malignancies, the therapeutic efficacy of pharmacological-targeting of CRC-SC-associated microRNAs is relatively under-explored. Experimental approach: In this present study, we employed relatively new bioinformatics approaches, analyses of microarray data, western blot, RT-PCR, and functional assays to show that hsa-miR-324-5p expression is significantly suppressed in CRC cells, and inversely correlates with the aberrant expression of SOD2. Results: This converse hsa-miR-324-5p/SOD2 relationship is associated with enhanced oncogenicity, which is effectively inhibited by 4-AAQB as evidenced by inhibited cell viability and proliferation, as well as, attenuated migration, invasion and clonogenicity in 4-AAQB-treated DLD1 and HCT116 cells. We also showed that 4-AAQB-induced re-expression of hsa-miR-324-5p, akin to short-interfering RNA reduced SOD2 expression, correlates with the concurrent down-regulation of SOD2, N-cadherin, vimentin, c-Myc, and BcL-xL2, with concomitant up-regulation of E-cadherin and BAX2 proteins. Enhanced expression of hsa-miR-324-5p in the CRC cells suppressed their tumorigenicity in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, 4-AAQB synergistically potentiates FOLFOX anticancer effect by eliciting the re-expression of SOD2-suppressed hsa-miR-324 and inhibiting SOD2-mediated tumorigenicity. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the pre-clinical anti-CSC efficacy of 4-AAQB, with or without FOLFOX in CRC, and suggest a potential novel therapeutic strategy for CRC patients.
Heparanase: A Multitasking Protein Involved in Extarcellular Matrix (ECM) Remodeling and Cellular Signaling
Authors: Masola Valentina , Bellin Gloria , Gambaro Giovanni , Onisto Maurizio
Published: July 2018

Heparanase (HPSE) has been defined as a multitasking protein that exhibits a peculiar enzymatic activity towards HS chains but which simultaneously performs other non-enzymatic functions. Through its enzymatic activity, HPSE catalyzes the cutting of the side chains of heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans, thus contributing to the remodeling of the extracellular matrix and of the basal membranes. Furthermore, thanks to this activity, HPSE also promotes the release and diffusion of various HS-linked molecules as growth factors, cytokines and enzymes. In addition to being an enzyme HPSE has been shown to possess the ability to trigger different signaling pathways by interacting with transmembrane proteins. In normal tissue and in physiological conditions, HPSE exhibits only low levels of expression restricted only to keratinocytes, trophoblast, platelets and mast cells and leukocytes. On the contrary, in pathological conditions, such as in tumor progression and metastasis, inflammation and fibrosis, it is overexpressed. With this brief review, we intend to provide an update on current knowledge about the different role of HPSE protein exerted by its enzymatic and not-enzymatic activity.
Recent Advances in Nanoparticle Shape and Composition Regulation Based on Galvanic Replacement for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Shin Woojun , Kang Kyungtae , Jang Hongje
Published: July 2018

Owing to their unique physicochemical properties, nanoparticles are used in a variety of ways in the field of cancer treatment, including imaging, drug delivery, and photothermal and photodynamic therapies. The fascinating properties of nanoparticles are determined by their size, morphology, and constituent elements, and various synthetic methods and post-synthetic techniques have been applied to control these factors. Herein, we present examples of shape and composition control through galvanic replacement, a technique that exploits redox potential differences between elements to induce spontaneous ion-exchange and highlight its specific contributions to cancer treatment applications. The present article identifies the recent advances in nanoparticle formation techniques and discusses the future outlook of the field.
Design and Implementation of A Security Improvement Framework of Zigbee Network for Intelligent Monitoring in IoT Platform
Authors: Rana S M Sohel , Halim Miah Abdul , Kabir M Humayun
Published: July 2018

Internet of Things (IoT) opens new horizons by enabling automated procedures without human interaction using IP connectivity. IoT deals with devices, called things which are represented as any item from our daily life that is enhanced with computing or communication facilities. Among various mobile communications, Zigbee communication is broadly used in controlling or monitoring applications due to its low data rate and low power consumption. Securing IoT systems have been the main concern for the research community. In this paper, different security-threats of Zigbee networks in IoT platform have been addressed to predict the potential security threats of Zigbee protocol and a Security Improvement Framework (SIF) has been designed for intelligent monitoring in an office environment. Our proposed SIF can predict and protect various potential malicious attacks in the Zigbee network and respond accordingly through a notification to the system administrator. This framework (SIF) is designed to make automated decisions immediately based on real-time data which are defined by the system administrator. Finally, the designed SIF has been implemented in an office security system as a case study for real-time monitoring. This office security system is evaluated based on the capacity of detecting potential security attacks. The evaluation results show that the proposed SIF is capable of detecting and protecting several potential security attacks efficiently enabling more secure way of intelligent monitoring.
Plasma Expansion Dynamics in Ultra-High-Pure Hydrogen Gas
Authors: Gautam Ghaneshwar , Parigger Christian G.
Published: July 2018

Micro-plasma is generated in ultra-high-pure hydrogen gas filled inside a cell at a pressure of (1.08 ± 0.033) × 105 Pa (810 ± 25 Torr) by using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser device operated at 1064 nm wavelength and 14 ns pulse duration. Micro-plasma emission spectra of the hydrogen Balmer alpha line, Hα, are recorded with a Czerny-Turner type spectrometer and an intensified charge-coupled device. The spectra are calibrated for wavelength and corrected for detector sensitivity. During the first few tens of nanoseconds after initiating optical breakdown, significantly Stark-broadened and Stark-shifted Hα lines mark the well-above hypersonic outward expansion. The vertical diameters of the spectrally resolved plasma images are measured for time delays of 10 ns to 35 ns to determine expansion speeds of the order of 100 km/s to 10 km/s. For time delays of the order of 0.5 µs to 1 µs, the expansion decreases to the speed of sound of 1.3 km/s in the near ambient temperature and pressure hydrogen gas.
Measurements of Dynamic Contributions to Coherent Neutron Scattering
Authors: Jaksch Sebastian , Koutsioubas Alexandros , Mattauch Stefan , Holderer Olaf , Frielinghaus Henrich
Published: July 2018

In this manuscript we are investigating the contribution of dynamic membrane properties of phospholipid membranes to coherent scattering signals under grazing incidence. Spectroscopic measurements under grazing incidence can provide useful insight into the properties of biological membranes, however are often impeded by weak signals. By using grazing-incidence small-angle neutron scattering (GISANS) to identify a dynamic scattering contribution we are able to independently corroborate the existence of a previously found dynamic mode found by grazing-incidence neutron spin echo spectroscopy (GINSES). Additionally, by increasing the speed of measurement compared to GINSES from several days to hours we were able to explore the temperature behavior of this mode in phospholipid membranes. These dynamic modes of the membranes show a wavelength of around 700 Å in-plane of the membrane and are most pronounced around 37°C and strongly decrease at lower temperatures below 25°C before vanishing at 20°C. We therefore speculate that they may be linked to biologically relevant functions of the membranes themselves.
Nanocrystals of Poorly Soluble Drugs: Drug Bioavailability and Physicochemical Stability
Authors: Gigliobianco Maria Rosa , Casadidio Cristina , Censi Roberta , Di Martino Piera
Published: July 2018

Many approaches have been developed over time to counter the bioavailability limitations of poorly soluble drugs. With advances in nanotechnology in recent decades, science and industry have been approaching this issue through the formulation of drugs as nanocrystals, which consist of pure drugs and a minimum of surface active agents required for stabilization. They are carrier-free submicron colloidal drug delivery systems with a mean particle size in the nanometer range, typically between 10 and 800 nm. By reducing particle size to nanoscale, the particle surface area available for the molecule dissolution in the direction of dissolution medium is increased, and thus bioavailability is enhanced. This approach has proven successful, as demonstrated by the number of such drug products on the market. R&D and industry have offered many technological solutions to reduce the particle size to nanoscale, and also devised solutions for the handling of particle of nanodimensions, such as methods to accurately measure nanoparticle size and techniques to prevent physicochemical and stability related problems, such as aggregation. The present work provides an overview of the more recent achievements in improving the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs according to their administration route, and describes the methods developed to overcome physicochemical and stability related problems.
Ameliorative Effect of Natural and Synthetic Antioxidants on Arsenic Toxicity in Male Mice: Biochemical and Histological Perspectives
Authors: Amer Sayed , Al-Zahrani Yousif , AL-Harbi Mohammad
Published: July 2018

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of some natural and artificial antioxidants on the hepato-renal injuries induced by arsenic toxicity. Sixty adult male albino mice weighing 30-40 g were subjected to a sub-lethal dose of sodium arsenate (40 mg/kg body weight) to investigate hematological, biochemical and histopathological alterations resulting from arsenic-induced hepato-renal toxicity. Arsenic-exposed mice were also co-treated with different antioxidants including green tea, garlic and vitamin C to reveal their potential protective role. The antioxidants induced normalization of all blood parameters that showed significant declines by arsenic toxicity. ALT and AST activities were significantly increased in sodium arsenate treated group compared to all other groups. These enzymes did not acquire insignificant differences in antioxidants-treated groups compared to the control mice. Creatinine and urea were significantly increased in arsenate treated mice and become normal in mice co-treated with different antioxidants. Liver sections of arsenate treated mice showed venous congestion, sinusoidal dilatation, mononuclear cell infiltration and periportal fibrosis. Renal sections in the same groups revealed interstitial hemorrhages, mononuclear cell infiltration, glomerulonephritis and proximal tubular necrosis. Hepato-renal histopathology was greatly reduced, particularly, in groups received combined antioxidants. The used antioxidants, therefore, exhibited potential protection against hepato-renal induced arsenic toxicity.
A Hierarchical Association Framework for Multi-Object Tracking in Airborne Videos
Authors: Chen Ting , Pennisi Andrea , Li Zhi , Zhang Yanning , Sahli Hichem
Published: July 2018

Multi-object tracking (MOT) in airborne videos is a challenging problem due to the uncertain airborne vehicle motion, vibrations of the mounted camera, unreliable detections, size, appearance and motion of the moving objects as well as occlusions due to the interaction between the moving objects and with other static objects in the scene.To deal with these problems, this work proposes a four-stage Hierarchical Association framework for multiple object Tracking in Airborne video (HATA). The proposed framework combines data association-based tracking (DAT) methods and target tracking using a Compressive Tracking approach, to robustly track objects in complex airborne surveillance scenes. In each association stage, different sets of tracklets and detections are associated to efficiently handle local tracklet generation, local trajectory construction, global drifting tracklet correction and global fragmented tracklet linking. Experiments with challenging airborne video datasets show significant tracking improvement compared to existing state-of-art methods.
Tunable Metal-Organic Frameworks for Heat Transformation Applications
Authors: Chaemchuen Somboon , Xiao Xuan , Klomkliang Nikom , Yusubov Mekhman S. , Verpoort Francis
Published: July 2018

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are a subclass of porous materials that have unique properties such as varieties of structures from different metals and organic linkers, tunable porosity from a structure or framework design, etc. Moreover, modification/functionalization of the material structure could optimize the material properties and demonstrate high potential for a selected application. MOF materials exhibit exceptional properties and make these materials widely applicable including in energy storage and heat transformation applications. This review aims to give a broad overview of MOFs and their development as adsorbent materials having the potential for heat transformation applications. We summarize current investigations, developments, and possibilities of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) especially the tuning of the porosity and hydrophobic/hydrophilic design required for this specific application. These materials applied as adsorbent are promising in the thermal driven adsorption for heat transformation using water as working fluid and related application.
Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 Data Fusion for Mapping and Monitoring Wetlands
Authors: Kaplan Gordana , Avdan Ugur
Published: July 2018

Wetlands benefits can be summarized but are not limited to their ability to store floodwaters and improve water quality, providing habitats for wildlife and supporting biodiversity, as well as aesthetic values. Over the past few decades, remote sensing and geographical information technologies has proven to be a useful and frequent applications in monitoring and mapping wetlands. Combining both optical and microwave satellite data can give significant information about the biophysical characteristics of wetlands and wetlands` vegetation. Also, fusing data from different sensors, such as radar and optical remote sensing data, can increase the wetland classification accuracy. In this paper we investigate the ability of fusion two fine spatial resolution satellite data, Sentinel-2 and the Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite, Sentinel-1, for mapping wetlands. As a study area in this paper, Balikdami wetland located in the Anatolian part of Turkey has been selected. Both Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 images require pre-processing before their use. After the pre-processing, several vegetation indices calculated from the Sentinel-2 bands were included in the data set. Furthermore, an object-based classification was performed. For the accuracy assessment of the obtained results, number of random points were added over the study area. In addition, the results were compared with data from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle collected on the same data of the overpass of the Sentinel-2, and three days before the overpass of Sentinel-1 satellite. The accuracy assessment showed that the results significant and satisfying in the wetland classification using both multispectral and microwave data. The statistical results of the fusion of the optical and radar data showed high wetland mapping accuracy, with an overall classification accuracy of approximately 90% in the object-based classification. Compared with the high resolution UAV data, the classification results give promising results for mapping and monitoring not just wetlands, but also the sub-classes of the study area. For future research, multi-temporal image use and terrain data collection are recommended.
Length-weight relationship of dominant fish species of two medium reservoirs of Uttarakhand, India
Authors: Mishra Ashutosh , Chakraborty S. K. , Jaiswar A. K. , Sharma A. P.
Published: July 2018

Length-weight relationship of dominant fish species namely, Labeo rohita, Labeo gonius, Cirrhinus mrigala and Wallago attu of two medium reservoirs viz., Dhaura and Baigul located in Tarai region of Uttarakhand were studied. There was a positive correlation between length and weight among these fishes. The values of coefficient of determination (R2) and slope (b) in the length-weight relationship ranged from 0.7994 to 0.9591 and from 2.3089 to 3.0627 respectively for fishes from Dhaura Reservoir and from 0.7694 to 0.9843 and from 2.4272 to 3.2286 respectively for fishes of Baigul Reservoir. The condition of the fishes of Baigul Reservoir was better than Dhaura in relation to length and weight.
Taxonomic note on a rare fish infecting freshwater mould Achlya ambisexualis Raper 1939 (Achlyaceae) isolated from Chandraprabha dam, Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Dubey Manish Kumar , Zehra Andleeb , Meena Mukesh , Upadhyay Ram Sanmukh
Published: July 2018

Achlya spp. are oomycetous water moulds, responsible for freshwater fish diseases causing great economic losses. An Achlya sp. implicated in significant fungal infections of both live and dead fish as well as their eggs, has been isolated from the water and soil samples collected from Chandraprabha dam (Chandauli District, Uttar Pradesh, India) employing standard baiting method. Based on morphological characterisation, the strain was identified as Achlya ambisexualis Raper 1939 (Saprolegniales, Oomycetes). It is a dioecious species, characterised by the presence of an achlyoid type of spore dehiscence from both primary and secondary sporangia, differentiated by its oospheres predominantly maturing into eccentric oospores, generally 1-18 per oogonium and gemmae cylindrical in both antheridial and oogonial mycelia. In India, this species was recorded from a single collection in the past but lack proper description and illustrations. The present study describes and illustrates this species for the first time in India and hoped to be beneficial for ichthyopathologists and researchers as A. ambisexualis is known as a necrotroph or parasite of fishes and their eggs.
RISK OF INDONESIAN BANKS: APPLYING HISTORICAL EXPECTED SHORTFALL METHOD
Authors: Asmarani Tuti Eka
Published: July 2018

Asian and European Crises were witnesses of banks' vulnerable due to market risks. Basel Committee requires an internal risk assessment applying VaR. However, a replacement of VaR with expected Shortfall is suggested recently due to an excess loss produced by banks which are beyond VaR estimation. This paper studied the risk of Indonesian banks applying a historical expected shortfall. We used JIBOR (overnight) from 2009 – 2012 as a proxy of market risk. The assessment of a historical expected shortfall of the net position of 27 banks accounts for October 2012 showed that state owned banks placed among the five highest value of each component (net position) in the balance sheet, namely placement to Bank Indonesia, interbank placement, spot and derivatives claims, securities, and loans. It means that the state owned banks had the highest risk and the most aggressive among Indonesian banks. It might be due to carrying some of governments program, such as small enterprise loans. However, customers should not be worried since the government owns the banks. Keywords: Historical Expected Shortfall, Indonesian Banks, Banks' risk, Risk assessmentJEL Classification: G210
Efficacy of topical agents in the background therapy of atopic dermatitis in children
Authors: Danilova E. I. , Trusova O. Yu. , Sumenko V. V.
Published: July 2018

Atopic dermatitis (AtD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with complex etiopathogenesis, which begins in childhood. Purpose of the study: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Skin-cap cream as a topical background therapy in children with diabetes. Materials and methods: The study included 77 children aged 1 to 11 years with moderately severe AtD with a widespread lesion of the skin (33,5%), skin itching, inflammatory skin reaction and exacerbations occurring 3 to 4 times a year. During the study, two arms of children were formed: the treatment arm - 39 children with an average course of the disease (SCORAD index = 33,9 ± 2,2 points), who received the background therapy with the prescription of Skin-cap cream. Comparison arm: 38 children (SCORAD index = 34,2 ± 2,1 points), who received Afloderm cream as a background therapy. Results: Patients of the treatment arm showed a significant dynamics of relief of AtD symptoms as compared with the comparison arm. the differences in the duration of dermal manifestations were as follows: in the treatment arm, the time of reducing hyperaemia was 4,4 ± 1,2 days, in the comparison arm, hyperaemia was reduced at 5,7 ± 1,5 days (p< 0.05), the mean duration of alleviation of the skin itching was 3,0 ± 0,9 days and 5,8 ± 1,4 days (p< 0,05) at 6,8 and 7,3 days in the treatment arm and the comparison arm, respectively. Conclusions: The conducted study confirmed the high efficacy of the use of Skin-cap cream as a topical agent for background therapy of AtD, as compared to topical glucocorticosteroids.
Experience in clinical using normobact l sinbiotic in combination therapy of acute intestinal infections of virus etiology in children
Authors: Stekolshchikova I. A. , Voronova Yu. O. , Borovkova M. G. , Andreeva L. V. , Danilova Yu. V.
Published: July 2018

The article presents the results of using Normobact L Synbiotic for the treatment of acute intestinal infections (AII) in children. The study included 60 children aged between 6 months and 6 years with a clinical diagnosis of AII, acute gastroenteritis of viral etiology. The average age of patients enrolled was 2.6 years, with 46.7% (28/60) girls. The treatment of AII was carried out in accordance with the clinical guidelines for the management of acute intestinal infections and included pathogenetic and symptomatic therapy. In addition, the study groupa recieved the biologically active additive (BAA) Normobact L (manufacturer Akrikhin, Russia) containing a probiotic strain Lactodacillus rhamnosus GG. According to the ESPGHAN guidelines, this strain has the largest evidence base of efficacy in the treatment of AII [8]. Synbiotic Normobact L was used at a dose of 1 sachet once daily for 7 days. In the comparison group, the patients received Bifidumbacterin in the amount 15 doses divided into 3 daily intakes for 7 days in addition to pathogenetic and symptomatic therapy. The obtained data analysis showed that diarrheal syndrome ceased earlier in the group of children who received Normobact L. The stool became normal 1.19 days sooner than in the group of children receiving Bifidumbacterin. In general, the period of normalization of stools in Group 1 (Normobact L) was significantly less than in Group 2 (Bifidumbacterin): 3.24 ± 0.4 days and 4.43 ± 0.2 days, respectively. It was also found that the period of normalization of temperature in Group 1 (Normobact L) was significantly less than in Group 2 (Bifidumbacterin): 53.00 ± 1.98 and 78.3 ± 2.44 h respectively. The body temperature in 100% of patients in the group of children receiving Normobact L became normal on Day 5, in the group of children receiving Bifidumbacterin on Day 7.
History of breastfeeding: what has been preventing the natural way to feed infants from ancient times to modern day?
Authors: Zakharova I. N. , Osmanov I. M. , Machneva E. B. , Berezhnaya I. V. , Koltsov K. A. , Dedikova O. V. , Kuchina A. E. , Sazanova Yu. O. , Martynenko L. E.
Published: July 2018

Presently, there is solid evidence that breast-feeding is ideal for the nutrition, harmonious physical and psychosocial development of the infants. This postulate is confirmed not only by modern scientific data, but also by the entire history of humanity from ancient times. However, history also shows that at all times there were various factors besides medical ones that prevent the appropriate and widespread breastfeeding of infants. These factors were both religious and social, and even political; they changed from one era to another and from one nation to another, and unfortunately, take place in modern society. They often had a character of prejudice and reflected on the health state of both infants and their mothers. This article presents a historical overview of the factors preventing breastfeeding, which can help the paediatrician understand the current causes of the insufficient prevalence of natural feeding.