bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrophysiological Patterns of Diabetic Polyneuropathy: Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital of Bangladesh
Authors: Islam Md Rashedul , Rahman Tanbin , Habib Rumana , Irfan SM Rezaul , Rahman Aminur , Bhowmik Nirmalendu Bikash , Haque Md Amirul
Published: May 2017

Background: Complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) represent the major cause of morbidity and mortality in the modern era, diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) being one of the most frequents. Nerve conduction study is employed to detect neuropathy. This study is done to see the electrophysiological pattern of diabetic polyneuropathy in a tertiary care setting.Methods: Study was carried out in 100 diagnosed DM patients attending department of neurology, BIRDEM General Hospital from July, 2015 to June, 2016. Diabetic patients with good glycaemic control were grouped in group A and that with poor glycaemic control in group B. Clinical questionnaire and neurological examination were administered, and nerve conduction study (NCS) were performed using standard techniques.Results: Among the 100 patients studied, 54 (54%) patients were Male and 46 (46%) patients were Female. 39% patients who had normal HbA1C was designated as group A and 61% patients having high HbA1c was designated as group B. Mean age of patients in group A was 55.02±10.45 years and group B was 54.94±11.13 years. Mean duration of diabetes in group A was 10.49±4.43 years and group B was 12.44±5.14years. Alterations in NCS included lowered amplitudes and slowed conduction velocities. Most common axonal pattern was found in peroneal nerves and most common demyelinating pattern was found in sural nerves. Sensory conduction velocity in significantly reduced in all sensory nerves in group B in comparison to group A. Compound motor action potential (CMAP) is significantly reduced on peroneal nerve in group B.Conclusion: Risk of neuronal involvement is increased as Diabetes mellitus progresses further which can be accelerated by poor glycaemic control. NCS is used to as an important tool to diagnose the peripheral neuropathy. Early diagnosis of neuropathy can be done by routine NCS and complications of neuropathy can be prevented by controlling Diabetes mellitus more meticulously.Birdem Med J 2017; 7(2): 114-120
Role of Serum Transferrin Receptor in Diagnosing and Differentiating Iron Deficiency Anemia from Anemia of Chronic Disease in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Latif Abdul , Alam Muhammad Rafiqul , Khanam Asia , Hoque Farhana , Rahim Muhammad Abdur , Islam Rafi Nazrul
Published: May 2017

Background: Anemia is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and this is generally anemia of chronic disease, but iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is also common. Soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) is a useful marker for IDA. Present study was undertaken to assess the utility of sTfR as a marker of IDA in selected group of Bangladeshi patients with CKD.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Nephrology, BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2013 to December 2014. Patients with anemia admitted in nephrology department whether on hemodialysis or not and medicine department of BSMMU were taken for study. The study population was further divided into two groups; Group A, patients who are having IDA and Group B, patients with ACD and a control group was also selected. Data were collected by face to face interview and laboratory investigations with a self-administered questionnaire.Results: The mean age of the patients in two study groups were 38.40±13.23 and 34.85±10.52 years respectively and male-female ratio were 0.5:1 and 1:0.5. Mean sTfR level was higher (4.81± 1.64 ?g/ml) in patients with IDA than (2.89±1.40 ?g/ml) in patients with ACD (p <0.0001). In our study mean ferritin level was 599.59± 449.15?g/L in ACD patients whereas 101.23±119.42 in IDA patients (p<0.0001). Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) was more in ACD patients with sTfRe3?g/ml as compared to ACD patients with sTfR<3?g/ml. Transferrin saturation (TSAT) level was significantly decreased in ACD patients with sTfR ?3?g/ml as compared to ACD patients with sTfR<3?g/ml.Conclusion: sTfR has a comparable ability to S. ferritin in diagnosing IDA and ACD. However, sTfR and serum ferritin alone cannot definitely exclude co-existing iron deficiency in ACD. As sTfR is not affected by infection and/or inflammation, thus providing a non-invasive alternative to bone marrow study.Birdem Med J 2017; 7(2): 132-137
Parathyroid Adenoma - Surgical Challenge in a Crippling Condition
Authors: Dey Badhon Kumar , Amin Zaheer Al
Published: May 2017

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is associated with either an adenoma or hyperplasia of chief cells of the parathyroid gland. It may occur sporadically, as a single autosomal dominant familial disorder, or as a part of the autosomal dominantly transmitted complex of multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN). PHPT is relatively rare in children and adolescents. It is a condition characterized by an inappropriate excess of parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion.Method: This study was carried out in the Department of Otolaryngology and Head-Neck Surgery, BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2009 to June 2015. A total 35 patients of different age group of both sex were included in this study. Preoperative localization test, including sestamibi scan, ultrasound or both were done for all patients.Result: The total number of patients were 35 which included 19 males (54.29%) and 16 females (45.71%). The age of the patients varied from 18 to 65 years (average 40.90 years). All of these patients underwent operative removal of the adenoma. Serum PTH levels were above normal (>53 pg/ml) in all patients and ranged from 65 to 700 pg/ml. Serum calcium levels were above normal (>11 mg%) in most cases and ranged from 10.4 to 14.8 mg%. In our study, 25 patients (71.42%) had high calcium levels with the ten cases were at upper normal. Serum phosphate (PO4) levels were on an average 1.8 (lower normal). In view of the raised calcium levels, the PTH was estimated followed by either sonography or CT scan. Serum PTH levels (85-700 pg/ml) were very high in 18 cases, high in 11 cases (65-85 pg/ml) and upper normal in 6 cases (59-64). In our study after operation, 13 patients developed hypocalcaemic state and required intravenous calcium at operation day and first post operative day, and rest of the patients hypocalcaemic state corrected by oral calcium supplement. In our study temporary hypocalcaemia was very common and reported recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was less than one percent.Conclusion: In parathyroid adenoma bone resorption causes recurrent bone fractures leading to a crippling condition. Preoperative localization of parathyroid adenoma with the help of sestamibi scan, surgical expertise need to remove the tumor and post operative calcium level management with the help of endocrinology department are necessary for successful management of parathyroid adenoma.Birdem Med J 2017; 7(2): 138-142
Frequency and Risk Factors of Diabetic Complications among Selected Group of Diabetic Patients: Real-life Scenario from a Developing Country, Bangladesh
Authors: Haque Hasna Fahmima , Afroz Farhana , Afroze Samira Rahat , Mitra Palash , Rahim Muhammad Abdur , Ahmed AKM Shaheen , Musa AKM
Published: May 2017

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major global public health problem and its complications like coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, amputations, nephropathy and retinopathy are alarming public health issues. These complications result in significant morbidity, mortality and huge economic burden for the patient and society. This current study aimed to evaluate the frequency of different diabetic complications and their risk factors in a real-life setting.Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in BIRDEM General Hospital from July to December 2015. Diagnosed adult diabetic patients of either sex irrespective of duration and type of diabetes were consecutively and purposively included in this study. Enrolled patients were evaluated clinically and by laboratory investigation.Results: Total patients were 400 with female predominance (57.8%). Mean age was 54.5±10.9 years. Majority (57.5%) were from urban areas, 82% had hypertension and 37.5% had dyslipidaemia. Mean duration of diabetes was 11.6±7.6 years, mean body mass index was 24.6±4.5 kg/m2, mean HbA1c was 9.1±2.0%. Nephopathy (42.5%) was the commonest complication followed by retinopathy (37.8%), neuropathy (29.8%), CAD (25.8%), peripheral vascular disease (14%) and stroke (11%). Long duration (?5 yrs) and poor control of diabetes (HbA1c?7%), family history of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and male sex were significant risk factors for diabetic complications.Conclusions: Complications of diabetes are common. Glycaemic control and control of hypertension, dyslipidaemia and weight management may halt or delay the development of complications of diabetes. Patient education is of paramount importance in this regard.Birdem Med J 2017; 7(2): 143-147
Frequency, Risk Factors and Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Causing Urinary Tract Infection: Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital of Bangladesh
Authors: Rahim Muhammad Abdur , Samad Tabassum , Mitra Palash , Zaman Shahana , Habib Samira Humaira , Afroze Samira Rahat , Ul Haque Wasim Md Mohosin , Uddin Khwaja Nazim
Published: May 2017

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) due to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing organisms are increasing. This study was designed to evaluate the frequency of ESBL-positive Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae causing UTI, their antibiotic sensitivity pattern and possible risk factors.Methods: This case-control study was done in BIRDEM General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January to March 2016. Patients with UTI due to ESBL-positive E. coli and K. pneumoniae were cases and non-ESBL organisms were controls.Results: Total 98 patients with UTI due to E. coli (84) and K. pneumoniae (14) were eligible for analysis. Twothirds of E. coli (56/84, 66.7%) and two-fifths of K. pneumoniae (6/14, 42.9%) were ESBL-positive (cases, 62) and rest 36 patients were controls (UTI due to non-ESBL E. coli or K. pneumoniae). There was no significant difference in relation to age (p=0.757), sex (p=0.548), presence (p=0.696), duration (p=0.050) or control of diabetes (p=0.448) between cases and controls. Regarding risk factors responsible for UTI due to ESBLpositive organisms, long duration (?5 years) of diabetes was significant (OR=6.87, 95% CI=2.34-20.16, p=0.0004). On multivariate logistic regression, presence (p=0.002) and long duration of diabetes (p=0.002), past history of UTI (p=0.004) and history of hospitalization due to UTI (p=0.005) appeared as significant risk factors for UTI due to ESBL-positive E. coli or K. pneumoniae. Imipenem, amikacin, gentamycin and nitrofurantoin were among the most sensitive antibiotics.Conclusion: Almost two-thirds of the UTI cases were due to ESBL-positive organisms in this study. Imipenem, aminoglycosides and nitrofurantoin were among the most sensitive antibiotics. Long duration of diabetes, past history of UTI and hospitalization due to UTI were significant risk factors for ESBL-positivity.Birdem Med J 2017; 7(2): 155-159
Medical Quiz: Single Best Answer (SBA) Vol.7(2)
Authors: Ahmed Jamal Uddin
Published: May 2017

Abstract not availableBirdem Med J 2017; 7(2): 173
Quality of water and sediment of different cottage industries water bodies: A case study
Authors: Yasmin Farzana , Khanom Sayma , Ferdous Md Sunjid Sultan
Published: May 2017

This study was carried out in order to assess the effect of industrial effluents on the surface water and sediment around BSCIC industrial area, Narayanganj. Different parameters such as TDS, DO, pH, EC, Turbidity, BOD, COD, and heavy metals such as Pb, Zn, Cd, Mn, Cr and Ni were investigated. The results showed that, different industries inside the BSCIC area discharge effluents composed of various chemicals at considerably higher levels compared to pollution limits of inland surface water standard given by DoE. Significantly higher levels of EC (3540 ?S/cm), TDS (3862 mg/l), BOD (143.71 mg/l) and COD (396.30 mg/l) were found in the water. Also a higher level of heavy metals along with high pH was found both for the water and sediment around the BSCIC area. A significant correlation was found between the pH, EC and heavy metal concentration of the collected water samples. The above findings point out that the water around the studied area is quite polluted by the industrial activities of the BSCIC area and malicious for surrounding environment.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 29(2): 133-141, December-2016
Growth and yield performance of selected wheat varieties under water deficit conditions
Authors: Zaman Erin , Karim M Abdul , Bari Md Nasimul , Akter Nurunnaher , Ahmed Jalal Uddin
Published: May 2017

Effect of water deficit stress on growth and yield of three wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties, viz. BARI Gom 25, BARI Gom 26 and Sourav was studied. Water deficit lowered the light interception at anthesis in wheat. Under water deficit condition, the highest amount of PAR interception was recorded in BARI Gom 26. The reduction of leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) were less in BARI Gom 26. Water deficit conditions lowered the SPAD values in all the three wheat varieties. BARI Gom 26 showed less reduction, while BARI Gom 25 reflected the highest reduction in SPAD value under water deficit condition. Under water deficit condition the maximum number of spikelets/spike, 1000- grain weight and HI were recorded in BARI Gom 26 and the minimum in BARI Gom 25. Under both control and water deficit conditions BARI Gom 26 gave the highest grain yield, while the lowest grain yield was obtained from BARI Gom 25.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 29(2): 163-172, December-2016
Droplets, Evaporation and a Superhydrophobic Surface: Simple Tools for Guiding Colloidal Particles into Complex Materials
Authors: Sperling Marcel , Gradzielski Michael
Published: May 2017

The formation of complexly structured and shaped supraparticles can be achieved by evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) starting from colloidal dispersions deposited on a solid surface; often a superhydrophobic one. This versatile and interesting approach allows for generating rather complex particles with corresponding functionality in a simple and scalable fashion. The versatility is based on the aspect that basically one can employ an endless number of combinations of components in the colloidal starting solution. In addition, the structure and properties of the prepared supraparticles may be modified by appropriately controlling the evaporation process, e.g., by external parameters. In this review, we focus on controlling the shape and internal structure of such supraparticles, as well as imparted functionalities, which for instance could be catalytic, optical or electronic properties. The catalytic properties can also result in self-propelling (supra-)particles. Quite a number of experimental investigations have been performed in this field, which are compared in this review and systematically explained.
Compression Properties and Electrical Conductivity of In-Situ 20 vol.% Nano-Sized TiCx/Cu Composites with Different Particle Size and Morphology
Authors: Zhang Dongdong , Bai Fang , Sun Liping , Wang Yong , Wang Jinguo
Published: May 2017

The compression properties and electrical conductivity of in-situ 20 vol.% nano-sized TiCx/Cu composites fabricated via combustion synthesis and hot press in Cu-Ti-CNTs system at various particles size and morphology were investigated. Cubic-TiCx/Cu composite had higher ultimate compression strength (σUCS), yield strength (σ0.2), and electric conductivity, compared with those of spherical-TiCx/Cu composite. The σUCS, σ0.2, and electrical conductivity of cubic-TiCx/Cu composite increased by 4.37%, 20.7%, and 17.8% compared with those of spherical-TiCx/Cu composite (526 MPa, 183 MPa, and 55.6% International Annealed Copper Standard, IACS). Spherical-TiCx/Cu composite with average particle size of ~94 nm exhibited higher ultimate compression strength, yield strength, and electrical conductivity compared with those of spherical-TiCx/Cu composite with 46 nm in size. The σUCS, σ0.2, and electrical conductivity of spherical-TiCx/Cu composite with average size of ~94 nm in size increased by 17.8%, 33.9%, and 62.5% compared with those of spherical-TiCx/Cu composite (417 MPa, 121 MPa, and 40.3% IACS) with particle size of 49 nm, respectively. Cubic-shaped TiCx particles with sharp corners and edges led to stress/strain localization, which enhanced the compression strength of the composites. The agglomeration of spherical-TiCx particles with small size led to the compression strength reduction of the composites.
Dynamic Changes in Neutral and Acidic Ginsenosides with Different Cultivation Ages and Harvest Seasons: Identification of Chemical Characteristics for Panax ginseng Quality Control
Authors: Liu Zhi , Wang Chong-Zhi , Zhu Xing-You , Wan Jin-Yi , Zhang Jing , Li Wei , Ruan Chang-Chun , Yuan Chun-Su
Published: May 2017

In this study, dynamic changes in ginsenoside content and ratios in the Panax ginseng root were investigated with different cultivation ages and different collection months, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Our data indicate that changes in ginsenoside Ro and malonyl ginsenosides content were dependent on the ginseng cultivation age (p < 0.05); especially, the Ro content varied from 0.16 to 4.91 mg/g, with a difference about 30-fold. Further, we found that the samples of 5 and 6-year-old P. ginseng had high Ro/Re ratio, whereas two and three-year-old P. ginseng possessed low Ro/Re ratio. Thus, the Ro/Re ratio can be used as a characteristic marker for differentiating the age of the root. The relative content of ginsenosides Rg1 and Re were affected by the ginseng’s harvest season. The Re content was higher than the Rg1 content in May and June, but lower than the Rg1 content from August to October. Thus, the Rg1/Re ratio can be used as a characteristic marker for differentiating the ginseng’s harvest seasons. These results indicate that the chemical characteristics of P. ginseng at different cultivation ages and harvest seasons are clearly different, which may cause differences in pharmacological activities and therapeutic effects. In addition, we developed HPLC coupled with hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis methods to identify the cultivation age and harvest season of P. ginseng using characteristic ginsenosides. Our results showed that this method can be used to discriminate the cultivation age and harvest season of P. ginseng.
Pathogenesis and Inhibition of Flaviviruses from a Carbohydrate Perspective
Authors: Kim So , Li Bing , Linhardt Robert
Published: May 2017

Flaviviruses are enveloped, positive single stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses with various routes of transmission. While the type and severity of symptoms caused by pathogenic flaviviruses vary from hemorrhagic fever to fetal abnormalities, their general mechanism of host cell entry is similar. All pathogenic flaviviruses, such as dengue virus, yellow fever virus, West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, and Zika virus, bind to glycosaminglycans (GAGs) through the putative GAG binding sites within their envelope proteins to gain access to the surface of host cells. GAGs are long, linear, anionic polysaccharides with a repeating disaccharide unit and are involved in many biological processes, such as cellular signaling, cell adhesion, and pathogenesis. Flavivirus envelope proteins are N-glycosylated surface proteins, which interact with C-type lectins, dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN) through their glycans. In this review, we discuss both host and viral surface receptors that have the carbohydrate components, focusing on the surface interactions in the early stage of flavivirus entry. GAG-flavivirus envelope protein interactions as well as interactions between flavivirus envelope proteins and DC-SIGN are discussed in detail. This review also examines natural and synthetic inhibitors of flaviviruses that are carbohydrate-based or carbohydrate-targeting. Both advantages and drawbacks of these inhibitors are explored, as are potential strategies to improve their efficacy to ultimately help eradicate flavivirus infections.
Unsupervised Change Detection for Multispectral Remote Sensing Images Using Random Walks
Authors: Liu Qingjie , Liu Lining , Wang Yunhong
Published: May 2017

In this paper, the change detection of Multi-Spectral (MS) remote sensing images is treated as an image segmentation issue. An unsupervised method integrating histogram-based thresholding and image segmentation techniques is proposed. In order to overcome the poor performance of thresholding techniques for strongly overlapped change/non-change signals, a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) with three components, including non-change, non-labeling and change, is adopted to model the statistical characteristics of the different images between two multi-temporal MS images. The non-labeling represents the pixels that are difficult to be classified. A random walk based segmentation method is applied to solve this problem, in which the different images are modeled as graphs and the classification results of GMM are imported as the labeling seeds. The experimental results of three remote sensing image pairs acquired by different sensors suggest a superiority of the proposed approach comparing with the existing unsupervised change detection methods.
Large-Scale Assessment of Coastal Aquaculture Ponds with Sentinel-1 Time Series Data
Authors: Ottinger Marco , Clauss Kersten , Kuenzer Claudia
Published: May 2017

We present an earth observation based approach to detect aquaculture ponds in coastal areas with dense time series of high spatial resolution Sentinel-1 SAR data. Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing animal food production sectors worldwide, contributes more than half of the total volume of aquatic foods in human consumption, and offers a great potential for global food security. The key advantages of SAR instruments for aquaculture mapping are their all-weather, day and night imaging capabilities which apply particularly to cloud-prone coastal regions. The different backscatter responses of the pond components (dikes and enclosed water surface) and aquaculture’s distinct rectangular structure allow for separation of aquaculture areas from other natural water bodies. We analyzed the large volume of free and open Sentinel-1 data to derive and map aquaculture pond objects for four study sites covering major river deltas in China and Vietnam. SAR image data were processed to obtain temporally smoothed time series. Terrain information derived from DEM data and accurate coastline data were utilized to identify and mask potential aquaculture areas. An open source segmentation algorithm supported the extraction of aquaculture ponds based on backscatter intensity, size and shape features. We were able to efficiently map aquaculture ponds in coastal areas with an overall accuracy of 0.83 for the four study sites. The approach presented is easily transferable in time and space, and thus holds the potential for continental and global mapping.
The Contribution of China’s Outward Foreign Direct Investment (OFDI) to the Reduction of Global CO2 Emissions
Authors: Ding Tao , Ning Yadong , Zhang Yan
Published: May 2017

Under economic globalization, with the intensification of China’s reform and opening up, China’s outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) has continuously gained momentum, but CO2 emissions caused by the OFDI have not been given due attention. As one China is of the world’s leading CO2 emitters, it is necessary to conduct thorough research into the CO2 emission problem caused by China’s OFDI. Thirty-four host countries were selected as the objects of this study, including some European countries, Australia, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, and the USA. Their CO2 emissions as caused by China’s OFDI were calculated using the input-output model with non-competitive imports, the data of China’s OFDI flows, and their own energy consumption and CO2 emissions from 2000 to 2011. Then a comparative analysis was performed taking China as the comparative object. CO2 emission transfer of China’s OFDI was studied quantitatively. Finally, CO2 emissions from China’s OFDI were discussed from the perspective of industry selection and location selection. The results showed that China’s OFDI could achieve the aim of reducing global carbon emissions with reasonable industry and location selection.
Sustainability Features of Iran’s Vernacular Architecture: A Comparative Study between the Architecture of Hot–Arid and Hot–Arid–Windy Regions
Authors: Sahebzadeh Sadra , Heidari Abolfazl , Kamelnia Hamed , Baghbani Abolfazl
Published: May 2017

Vernacular architecture has evolved over time to reflect and sustainably comply with the environmental and cultural contexts in which it exists. This kind of architecture possesses a variety of original and clever practices and technologies to satisfy various necessities imposed by context. Iran’s vernacular architecture has mastered the art of adaptation to context by developing different architectures in different regions of the country. Despite their different appearances, these architectures follow the same logic in spirit: sustainable adaptation to context. This original research work surveys this logic in two regions, one hot-arid and the other hot-arid-windy, in Iran (represented by the city of Yazd and the region of Sistan, respectively) through a comparative study. This paper studies different elements and techniques of sustainability in these areas, reasons for their existence and the factors that have shaped them into the specific way that they are. The main elements that were studied through this survey include: fabric and orientation, sidewalks, facades, materials, entrances, courtyards, basements and cellars, porches, roofs, wind-catchers, and openings. In conclusion, links that connect different specifications of context to different aspects of construction are discovered and their role in overall character of two region’s architecture is illustrated so they can be used as guidelines for future designs and constructions.
Because My Friends Insist or Because It Makes Sense? Adolescents’ Motivation towards the Environment
Authors: Boeve-de Pauw Jelle , Van Petegem Peter
Published: May 2017

We present the results of a study that focuses in on issues of validity of the motivation towards the environment scale (MTES) in the context of Flanders (the Flemish-speaking community in Belgium). The instrument was developed almost two decades ago in Canada, and is designed to measure the self-determined motivation of people for performing pro-environmental behaviors, but has not yet been applied widely to different contexts. Here, we use a sample of 1730 grade 12 students from 71 schools across Flanders, to focus on specific issues concerning the validity of the MTES in the context of Flanders. We deal with its construct validity, through the estimation of a confirmatory factor analysis. Next, we test the reliability of the MTES and the hypothesized simplex structure by calculating intercorrelations between all six MTES subscales. External validity of the MTES is addressed by correlating the subscales to well-established environmental psychological constructs, such as the models of two major environmental values, the connectedness to nature scale, and the general ecological behavior scale. Finally, we also look at the discriminative validity of the MTES by testing gender differences in self-determined motivations towards the environment. Overall, our results confirm that the MTES is a valid and reliable instrument that can also be used outside the cultural context within which it was developed, to measure the diverse motivations of (young) people to engage in environmental behavior.
Lemaître Class Dark Energy Model for Relaxing Cosmological Constant
Authors: Dymnikova Irina , Dobosz Anna , Sołtysek Bożena
Published: May 2017

Cosmological constant corresponds to the maximally symmetric cosmological term with the equation of state p = − ρ . Introducing a cosmological term with the reduced symmetry, p r = − ρ in the spherically symmetric case, makes cosmological constant intrinsically variable component of a variable cosmological term which describes time-dependent and spatially inhomogeneous vacuum dark energy. Relaxation of the cosmological constant from the big initial value to the presently observed value can be then described in general setting by the spherically symmetric cosmology of the Lemaître class. We outline in detail the cosmological model with the global structure of the de Sitter spacetime distinguished by the holographic principle as the only stable product of quantum evaporation of the cosmological horizon entirely determined by its quantum dynamics. Density of the vacuum dark energy is presented by semiclassical description of vacuum polarization in the spherically symmetric gravitational field, and its initial value is chosen at the GUT scale. The final non-zero value of the cosmological constant is tightly fixed by the quantum dynamics of evaporation and appears in the reasonable agreement with its observational value.
Envelhecer com futuro
Authors: Quaresma Maria de Lourdes
Published: May 2017

Um novo olhar sobre o envelhecimento tem enfoque na componente oportunidade-conquista das sociedades contemporâneas, desconstruindo o paradigma centrado na variável idade. A partir de estudos nacionais e internacionais procura-se contribuir para a análise dos modelos de transição actividade profissional/reforma, relevando diferentes factores que influenciam e diferenciam estes processos. As políticas de envelhecimento activo são tratadas numa óptica de promoção de igualdade de oportunidades, com especial atenção para os percursos a montante da reforma, designadamente no acesso à formação. A garantia do direito a envelhecer com dignidade e segurança, projecto de uma vida adulta prolongada, incluindo as pessoas em situação de maior dificuldade constitui um outro eixo de análise, enquadrado nas recomendações e orientações internacionais neste âmbito.
Envelhecimento activo e estilos de vida saudáveis : a actividade física
Authors: Pinto Paulo Ferreira , Fernandes Ana Alexandre , Botelho Maria Amália
Published: May 2017

Uma das grandes preocupações sobre a população mundial para os próximos 50 anos é o processo de envelhecimento da população, a sua repercussão sobre os problemas de saúde, a vigência de uma transição epidemiológica em concomitância com novas doenças, a busca de avanços científicos e tecnológicos para responder à procura emergente e a adopção e consolidação de modelos de saúde centrados na prevenção. A ênfase em novos paradigmas constitui ponto convergente das abordagens dos órgãos oficiais (inter)nacionais, havendo incentivo para a realização de investigações nas áreas biomédicas e nas ciências sociais. As políticas públicas implantadas têm como preocupação maximizar a melhoria da qualidade dos anos vividos da população, numa perspectiva interdisciplinar, integrada, articulada e individualizada, que percorra todo o curso de vida e seja capaz de consolidar estratégias de estilos de vida saudáveis, enfatizando, entre outras, a prática regular da actividade física.
Viver cada vez mais : um “retorno ao Éden” ? – Impactos do envelhecimento demográfico na qualidade de vida dos mais velhos
Authors: Oliveira Paulo
Published: May 2017

Este artigo constitui uma reflexão, pelo enfoque da Ecologia Humana, sobre os impactos do envelhecimento demográfico ao nível da saúde dos idosos. Dados os ganhos que o ser humano conseguiu alcançar em relação ao tempo de vida, que se prolonga, impõe-se a interrogação de saber-se se esta dinâmica nos estará a impelir como que para uma espécie “retorno ao Éden”.Partindo da caracterização do envelhecimento populacional à escala mais global (o mundo) para uma escala local (Portugal) e dos cenários futuros relativos à tendência de envelhecimento populacional acelerado, procuramos salientar os ganhos que, todavia, faltam adquirir para vencer o novo desafio – agora que já vivemos mais – que é o de vivermos sempre com mais qualidade.
Da Ecologia Geral à Ecologia Humana
Authors: Carvalho Francisco
Published: May 2017

Apesar da ancestralidade e perenidade das relações Homem-Ambiente o seu tratamento científico tardou, sendo preciso chegar-se ao início do século passado para que tal começasse a alterar-se. Desde então, tolerada, nuns casos, senão mesmo quase ignorada ou rejeitada, noutros casos, condicionada não raro pelo biologismo e o antropocentrismo extremados, umas vezes identificada com a Geografia e outras com a Sociologia, designadamente, outras ainda como capítulo ou extensão da Ecologia Geral, a Ecologia Humana foi interessando cientistas das várias disciplinas, suscitando convergências e, por aí, objecto de reorientação. Assim, após a década 70 do século XX, retomada a ideia de ponte que já tinha ocorrido no início desse século, encarado em definitivo o Homem na sua globalidade biocultural, clarificado o objecto de estudo no contexto do diálogo Homem-Homem, Homem-Ambiente e introduzidos aperfeiçoamentos de metodologia, chega-se aos dias de hoje em que a Ecologia Humana é entendida como uma nova disciplina, um novo nível de pensamento, que procura interpretar os comportamentos da biosfera e da sociosfera. Neste artigo equaciona-se o porquê da Ecologia Humana, a lenta maturação que conheceu até ao seu entendimento na actualidade.
Potencialidades e limitações no trabalho em parceria
Authors: Carrilho Tiago
Published: May 2017

O trabalho em parceria revela potencialidades que induzem a proximidade de actores, ou seja, cultura de parceria, visão sistémica da realidade e visão territorial das acções. Observam-se igualmente limitações inerentes à concepção da parceria, à cultura organizacional e ao ambiente externo a este tipo de processos. Estas formas de acção conjunta induzem uma determinada combinação de recursos e respectiva produção de resultados em termos de sustentabilidade dos projectos, abordagem de cidadania e articulação de acções de inserção e inclusão.
La importancia del capital social y la participación ciudadana en los planes de rehabilitación : los casos de Ferrol Vello y la Magdalena
Authors: Prado-Fernández Romina
Published: May 2017

A lo largo de los últimos veinte años han sido desarrollados varios proyectos de rehabilitación urbana en España, con el fin de proteger el patrimonio arquitectónico de nuestras ciudades. En este artículo presentaremos algunos datos preliminares que han sido obtenidos en el contexto de un proyecto de investigación colectivo sobre políticas urbanas de rehabilitación en los barrios históricos de Ferrol Vello y la Magdalena.Nuestra hipótesis es que este plan de rehabilitación está alcanzando notables éxitos en la persecución de sus objetivos fundamentales, debido en gran medida a la existencia de un importante capital social, como resultado y precondición de la participación ciudadana. La adopción de una metodología basada en la combinación de técnicas cualitativas y cuantitativas – intentando ir más allá de la presentación de meros datos, aportando una mayor profundidad en las interpretaciones – nos permite argumentar a favor del relativo éxito del mencionado plan de rehabilitación.
Concomitant Disruption of CD4 and CD8 Genes Facilitates the Development of Double Negative αβ TCR+ Peripheral T Cells That Respond Robustly to Staphylococcal Superantigen
Authors: Chowdhary Vaidehi R. , Krogman Ashton , Tilahun Ashenafi Y. , Alexander Mariam P. , David Chella S. , Rajagopalan Govindarajan
Published: May 2017

Mature peripheral double negative T (DNT) cells expressing αβ TCR but lacking CD4/CD8 coreceptors play protective as well as pathogenic roles. To better understand their development and functioning in vivo, we concomitantly inactivated CD4 and CD8 genes in mice with intact MHC class I and class II molecules with the hypothesis that this would enable the development of DNT cells. We also envisaged that these DNT cells could be activated by bacterial superantigens in vivo as activation of T cells by superantigens does not require CD4 and CD8 coreceptors. Because HLA class II molecules present superantigens more efficiently than murine MHC class II molecules, CD4 CD8 double knockout (DKO) mice transgenically expressing HLA-DR3 or HLA-DQ8 molecules were generated. Although thymic cellularity was comparable between wild type (WT) and DKO mice, CD3+ αβ TCR+ thymocytes were significantly reduced in DKO mice, implying defects in thymic-positive selection. Splenic CD3+ αβ TCR+ cells and Foxp3+ T regulatory cells were present in DKO mice but significantly reduced. However, the in vivo inflammatory responses and immunopathology elicited by acute challenge with the staphylococcal superantigen enterotoxin B were comparable between WT and DKO mice. Choric exposure to staphylococcal enterotoxin B precipitated a lupus-like inflammatory disease with characteristic lympho-monocytic infiltration in lungs, livers, and kidneys, along with production of anti-nuclear Abs in DKO mice as in WT mice. Overall, our results suggest that DNT cells can develop efficiently in vivo and chronic exposure to bacterial superantigens may precipitate a lupus-like autoimmune disease through activation of DNT cells.
Using Visualization of t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding To Identify Immune Cell Subsets in Mouse Tumors
Authors: Acuff Nicole V. , Linden Joel
Published: May 2017

High-dimensional flow cytometry is proving to be valuable for the study of subtle changes in tumor-associated immune cells. As flow panels become more complex, detection of minor immune cell populations by traditional gating using biaxial plots, or identification of populations that display small changes in multiple markers, may be overlooked. Visualization of t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (viSNE) is an unsupervised analytical tool designed to aid the analysis of high-dimensional cytometry data. In this study we use viSNE to analyze the simultaneous binding of 15 fluorophore-conjugated Abs and one cell viability probe to immune cells isolated from syngeneic mouse MB49 bladder tumors, spleens, and tumor-draining lymph nodes to identify patterns of anti-tumor immune responses. viSNE maps identified populations in multidimensional space of known immune cells, including T cells, B cells, eosinophils, neutrophils, dendritic cells, and NK cells. Based on the expression of CD86 and programmed cell death protein 1, CD8+ T cells were divided into distinct populations. Additionally, both CD8+ T cells and CD8+ dendritic cells were identified in the tumor microenvironment. Apparent differences between splenic and tumor polymorphonuclear cells/granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells are due to the loss of CD44 upon enzymatic digestion of tumors. In conclusion, viSNE is a valuable tool for high-dimensional analysis of immune cells in tumor-bearing mice, which eliminates gating biases and identifies immune cell subsets that may be missed by traditional gating.
Privacy and Information Disclosure: An Economic Analysis of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
Authors: Walrath David
Published: May 2017

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley (GLB) Act is one of many laws passed in the United States and around the world that is designed to protect private information. One of the main directives in this law requires financial institutions to provide customers with a privacy notice that explains how they share their customers’ private information with nonaffiliated third parties. This paper uses the GLB Act as a case study to analyze the arguments for and against a policy that requires firms to issue privacy notices to their customers. The arguments for this policy are based on theories and principles that are fundamental aspects of neoclassical and information economics— namely, complete information, unbounded rationality, and asymmetric information. The arguments against this policy are based on two central principles of behavioral economics—present bias and bounded rationality. This paper also presents an alternative policy and examines its shortcomings before recommending that Congress consider adopting the European Union’s policy on privacy and information disclosure.
Examining the Gap in the Earned Income Tax Credit
Authors: Lewis Jennifer
Published: May 2017

One of the largest federal anti-poverty programs, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), is implemented through the tax code and helps lift millions of workers above the poverty threshold. The EITC provides workers with increased financial flexibility and in many cases incentivizes saving among those who would not otherwise be able to set money aside. However, a large disparity exists in the size of the credit for workers with and without dependents, as workers with children receive more than six times the amount a childless worker receives. Because of the benefits associated with the EITC, including its poverty-reduction capabilities and labor supply incentives, many policymakers are calling for an expansion of the program to mitigate this gap. In addition to analyzing the EITC in its current form and several proposed expansions, this article also examines an evaluation of a pilot expansion program occurring in New York and Atlanta.
Investigating Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy; Initial Cross Speciality Experience with Use of the Extended Myositis Antibody Panel
Authors: O'Connor Antoinette , Mulhall Jennifer , Harney Sinead M. J. , Ryan John G. , Murphy Grainne , Henry Michael T. , Annis Peter , Tormey Vincent , Ryan Aisling
Published: May 2017

The discovery of unique autoantibodies has informed and altered our approach to the diagnosis and management of the inflammatory myopathies. This study reports the initial clinical experience of use of the Extended Myositis Antibody (EMA) panel in the largest university teaching hospital in Ireland. We conducted a retrospective review of all patients who had serum samples tested for myositis specific antibodies and myositis associated antibodies from April 2014 to March 2015. A positive EMA panel was of significant clinical utility in facilitating decisions on appropriate investigations, and need for onward referral to other physicians. Furthermore, this paper highlights the diversity of possible presentations of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy with subsequent need for multi-speciality involvement, and serves to heighten awareness among clinicians of the diagnostic use of extended myositis antibody testing in these cases.
Uganda’s disability journey: Progress and challenges
Authors: Abimanyi-Ochom Julie , Mannan Hasheem
Published: May 2017

No abstract available.
Perceptions of psychosocial disability amongst psychiatric service users and caregivers in South Africa
Authors: Brooke-Sumner Carrie , Lund Crick , Petersen Inge
Published: May 2017

Background: In many parts of South Africa there is little support for people with psychosocial disability caused by schizophrenia, beyond provision of psychotropic medications. Appropriate community-based psychosocial rehabilitation interventions are a crucial element of mental health service development.Objectives: This study aimed to use an explanatory model of illness framework to document experiences of illness, disability and recovery amongst service users with schizophrenia and their caregivers in a poorly resourced area in the North West Province. Data were used to provide recommendations for a contextually appropriate non-specialist facilitated group psychosocial rehabilitation intervention.Method: Eighteen in-depth individual interviews were conducted: nine with schizophrenia service users and nine with caregivers. Interviews were conducted by two trained field researchers; both clinical psychologists fluent in the first language of participants. All interviews were recorded, translated and transcribed. Data were thematically analysed using NVivo 9.Results: Participants linked the illness to witchcraft, poverty and stress. Family conflict was recognised in the course of the illness, causing stress and challenges for emotional well-being. Knowledge of diagnosis and biomedical treatment was minimal. Key factors recognised by service users as promoting recovery were the ability to work, and the support of traditional healers and religious structures.Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, a group psychosocial rehabilitation intervention emerged as a recommendation, with the incorporation of psycho-education, adherence support, coping skills, and opportunities for income generation and productive activity. The importance of also enlisting the support of religious leaders and traditional healers in supporting recovery is emphasised.
Acnowledgement to reviewers
Authors: Office Editorial
Published: May 2017

No abstract available.
Pull-back of Quasi-Log Structures
Authors: Fujino Osamu
Published: May 2017

We prove that the pull-back of a quasi-log scheme by a smooth quasi-projective morphism has a natural quasi-log structure. We treat an application to log Fano pairs. This paper also contains a proof by Kento Fujita of the simple connectedness of log Fano pairs with only log canonical singularities.
Non-Cocycle-Conjugate E$_0$-Semigroups on Factors
Authors: Margetts Oliver T. , Srinivasan R.
Published: May 2017

We investigate E

_0

-semigroups on general factors, which are not necessarily of type I or II

_1

. We show several families on the hyperfinite II

_\infty

factor, which arises as tensor products, consists of mutually non-cocycle-conjugate E

_0

-semigroups. Using CCR representations associated with quasi-free states, we exhibit, for the first time, uncountable families consisting of mutually non-cocycle-conjugate E

_0

-semigroups on all type III

_\lambda

factors, for

\lambda \in (0,1]

. They are not cocycle conjugate to the E

_0

-semigroups constructed using CAR representations.
Upper and lower estimates of multicomponent convection instability threshold via auxiliary Bénard problems
Authors: Rionero Salvatore
Published: May 2017

The onset of convection in a

m

-component Navier–Stokes fluid mixture, filling a horizontal layer

\texttt L

heated from below and salted partly from above and partly from below,

\forall m \in \mathbb N

, is investigated. The difficulties of handling this nonlinear problem, grow drastically with

m

and only under special circumstances the instability threshold can be given in algebraic simple closed form. Then the problem of finding, in simple algebraic closed forms, suitable lower and upper estimates of the instability threshold arises. In the present paper, for any type of boundary (rigid-rigid, one rigid-one free, free-free), it is shown that: 1) a linearization principle in the energy norm holds; 2) upper and lower estimates of the instability threshold can be obtained via auxiliary classical Bénard problems. The estimates obtained appear to be of interest not only for theoreticians but also for experimentalists investigating natural phenomena and/or industrial processes related to the onset of convection.