bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Elderly Respond to Antimony Therapy for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Similarly to Young Patients but Have Severe Adverse Reactions
Authors: Lago Alexsandro Souza do , Nascimento Maurício , Carvalho Augusto M. , Lago Neuza , Silva Juliana , Queiroz José Roberto , Carvalho Lucas P. , Schriefer Albert , Wilson Mary , Machado Paulo , Carvalho Edgar M.
Published: March 2018

There is evidence that elderly patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) have more mucosal and disseminated diseases than young patients and their cells produce less antigen-induced interferon (IFN)-γ. Herein, we compared the roles of interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-15 as modulators of antigen-induced immune responses and the incidence of adverse reaction and response to therapy in young versus elderly patients with CL. Study participants included 35 senior (60–85 years) and 35 young (18–40 years) patients who had a diagnosis of CL documented by typical cutaneous lesions containing Leishmania braziliensis DNA. Elderly patients had less lymph node enlargement. Antigen-induced blood cell cytokine responses were studied in the absence or presence of IL-10 antibody or exogenously added recombinant IL-15. The ratio of IFN-γ/IL-10 was lower in elderly patients, and IFN-γ production was enhanced by either neutralization of IL-10 or exogenous recombinant IL-15 in blood cells from elderly but not young patients. Patients were treated three times weekly with antimony at 20 mg/kg/day for 20 doses. Although there was no difference in response to therapy between the two groups, two young patients needed rescue therapy with amphotericin B. Ventricular arrhythmias and ventricular overload were more frequent in elderly patients. We conclude that elderly patients have alterations in the immune response that may influence clinical manifestations, but we did not find that they had a higher failure rate than young subjects to antimony therapy. However, because of the high rate of electrocardiographic abnormalities during therapy, antimony should not be used in elderly patients with CL.
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A Virus, Hepatitis E Virus, and Helicobacter pylori in Rural Communities of the Bolivian Chaco, 2013
Authors: Campolmi Irene , Spinicci Michele , Mayaregua David Rojo , Barahona Herlan Gamboa , Mantella Antonia , Lara Yunni , Roselli Mimmo , Strohmeyer Marianne , Corti Giampaolo , Tolari Francesco , Pinckert Joaquín Monasterio , Dalton Harry R. , Bartoloni Alessandro
Published: March 2018

In the Bolivian Chaco, south-east of Bolivia, studies conducted over the past three decades reported hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Helicobacter pylori seroprevalences above 90% and 60%, respectively. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) prevalence was previously found to be 6–7% but is probably an underestimate because of the poor sensitivity of the assays used. In November 2013, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 263 healthy volunteers from two rural communities of the Bolivian Chaco, aiming to reassess HAV, HEV, and H. pylori seroprevalence 10–20 years following the previous surveys. Hepatitis A virus seroprevalence was 95%, with universal exposure after the first decade of life; HEV seroprevalence was considerably higher (31–35%) than that previously reported; H. pylori seroprevalence was 59%, with an age-dependent distribution. The high prevalence of these infections suggests that major efforts are still needed to reduce fecal–oral transmission and to improve human health in the Bolivian Chaco.
Knowledge of Norovirus and Attitudes toward a Potential Norovirus Vaccine in Rural Guatemala: A Cross-Sectional Exploratory Survey
Authors: Olson Daniel , Krager Steven , Lamb Molly M. , Rick Anne-Marie , Asturias Edwin J.
Published: March 2018

Given limited data on norovirus vaccine acceptance, we performed an exploratory survey in a rural Guatemalan community on knowledge, interest, and willingness to pay (WTP) for a norovirus vaccine. Cluster-randomized households with children aged 6 weeks to 17 years were enrolled into one of two norovirus surveillance studies: 1) a prospective cohort (N = 207 households) and 2) two separate, community-based, cross-sectional surveys (N = 420 households). After completion of the surveillance study, vaccine surveys were completed by 564 (90%) of 627 households. Most households correctly answered questions regarding norovirus symptoms and transmission; 97% indicated interest in a hypothetical norovirus vaccine. Households with higher education had greater WTP for a vaccine (prevalence ratios = 2.2, 95% confidence interval: 1.2–3.1) and households with lower WTP were more likely to use pharmacies, the Ministry of Health, and radios for health care and information. These results suggest that a future norovirus vaccination program could be acceptable and feasible even in rural areas.
Bariatric Surgery as a Treatment for Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Cordero P , Li J , Oben JA
Published: March 2018

Obesity is the pandemic of the 21st century. Obesity comorbidities, including hypertension, dyslipidaemia and glucose intolerance define metabolic syndrome, which increases mortality risk and decreases the quality of life. Compared with lifestyles (diet and physical activity) and pharmacological interventions, bariatric surgery is by far the most effective treatment for obesity and its comorbidities. This minimally invasive surgical treatment is based on an increase of satiety (by hormonal regulation and decreasing stomach volume) or a decrease in nutrient retention (gastric and/or intestinal resection). Bariatric surgery has widely demonstrated a beneficial effect on excess body weight loss, cardiovascular risk, dyslipidaemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or glucose homeostasis, among other obesity-related metabolic diseases. This review describes current efforts for the implementation of bariatric surgery in metabolic syndrome, which are mainly focused on the formulation of key definition criteria for targeting the most suitable population for this therapeutic approach. Patients should undergo appropriate nutritional and psychological follow up in order to achieve and maintain weight loss milestones and a healthy metabolic status.
James Lind and the Disclosure of Failure
Authors: Justman S
Published: March 2018

Though James Lind is renowned as a pioneer of the clinical trial, he records the 1747 trial aboard the Salisbury in passing, never followed up on it, never campaigned for clinical trials as a means of medical discovery, and eventually pronounced scurvy an insoluble enigma. The case can be made that in confessing his lack of an unfailing remedy for scurvy and his trouble making sense of the disease's behaviour, Lind did medicine a greater service than by conducting his now-famous trial. At the time, medical progress was hindered by the all-too-common practice of proclaiming success and concealing failure. With his ethos of candour Lind challenged this practice by example; he may have been among the first to do so. Within a few years of the publication of the third and final edition of his A Treatise of the Scurvy, medical tracts began to appear in which the authors (some of whom knew Lind's treatise) took issue with the practice of concealing failure. A concerted attack on the suppression of evidence vivified the concept of evidence itself. Today, with the selective publication of findings distorting the medical literature, Lind's story of admitted failure holds great meaning.
Sir Winston Churchill: Treatment for Pneumonia in 1943 and 1944
Authors: Vale JA , Scadding JW
Published: March 2018

This paper reviews Churchill's illnesses in February 1943 and August/September 1944 when he developed pneumonia; on the first occasion this followed a cold and sore throat. Churchill was managed at home by Sir Charles Wilson (later Lord Moran) with the assistance of two nurses and the expert advice of Dr Geoffrey Marshall, Brigadier Lionel Whitby and Colonel Robert Drew. A sulphonamide (sulphathiazole on the first occasion) was prescribed for both illnesses. Churchill recovered, and despite his illnesses continued to direct the affairs of State from his bed. On the second occasion, Churchill's illness was not made public.
Antiasthmatic Potential of Shirisha (Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth)
Authors: Kaushik Raman , Subhose Varanasi , Londhe Deepak , Prakash Om
Published: March 2018

Background:

Medicinal plants or their preparations play a major role in the prevention, treatment of various diseases as well as improve quality of life with maintenance of health. Bronchial asthma is a common respiratory disease that affects about 18% of world's population. In Ayurveda perspective, bronchial asthma along with other conditions related to difficulty in breathing is described under shwasa roga. Numerous herbs have been described in Ayurveda treatises that are useful in shwasa roga, and shirisha (A. lebbeck) is one among them.

Aim:

To critically analyze the antiasthmatic activity of Medicinal plants shirisha (Albizia lebbeck) and its importance in the management of shwasa roga.

Results:

This review study mainly focuses on the shwasahara karma, i.e., antiasthmatic action of a popular Medicinal plants, specifically Shirisha. Various research papers and studies have been reviewed and referred in the present study to establish the antiinflammatory, hepatoprotective, eosinophil lowering, mast cell stabilizing, immunomodulatory, antihistaminic, and antiasthmatic action of shirisha. Other than its use as a single drug, there are different ayurvedic formulations indicated in shwasa roga that have shirisha as one of their main contents.

Conclusion:

Despite various uses of shirisha in different disease conditions, shirisha has very effective antiasthmatic action. Several research studies (both in vitro and in vivo) have been done that establishes antiasthmatic, antiinflammatory, antihistaminic, etc. activity of shirisha. It is concluded that shirish (A. lebbeck) is a very competent medicinal plant that can be used as a single herb or in formulation in the management of bronchial asthma.

Clinical significance:

Shirish is an excellent Medicinal plant that possesses promising bronchodilation, antiinflammatory, and antiasthmatic activity. Shirisha can be used as a single herb or in compound formulation in asthmatic patients. Including such kind of medicinal plants can minimize the dependency on inhalers, reduces the frequency as well as duration of acute or chronic cases of asthma.
Morphophysiological dormancy, germination, and cryopreservation in Aristolochia contorta seeds
Authors: Voronkova Nina M. , Kholina Alla B. , Koldaeva Marina N. , Nakonechnaya Olga V. , Nechaev Vitaliy A.
Published: March 2018

Background and aims – Aristolochia contorta is a valuable medicinal plant, a relict of the Tertiary flora. Little is known about the germination biology of Aristolochia. The specific objectives of the present study were to (1) determine the type of dormancy in seeds of A. contorta, (2) describe the embryo development, and (3) explore the influence of deep freezing of the seeds in liquid nitrogen on their germinability.Methods – Seeds were germinated in Petri dishes in sand previously sterilised at high temperature; germination experiments were carried out at 27±2°C under natural light. All measurements of seeds and embryos were done using light microscopy (LM). For cryopreservation, fresh seeds were placed in aluminium foil bags, immersed into liquid nitrogen (-196°С), and stored for twelve months.Key results – The seeds of Aristolochia contorta have non-deep simple morphophysiological dormancy. A variety of embryo forms were revealed for Aristolochia species for the first time. Two cases of polyembryony were noted in A. contorta. The seeds of A. contorta are resistant to cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen.Conclusions – High variability in dormancy depth and the extended germination period of A. contorta seeds can be considered as adaptive strategies for survival in unfavourable conditions and renewal of germination under optimal conditions. Cryopreservation helped maintain the viability of A. contorta seeds but did not lead to the breaking of the dormancy; hence, for successful germination, it is necessary to use methods of breaking dormancy after freezing.
Conspectus of Palicourea section Potaroenses (Rubiaceae), with a new species from French Guiana and a new combination
Authors: Delprete Piero G. , Lachenaud Olivier
Published: March 2018

Context – The species of Psychotria subgen. Heteropsychotria have recently been transferred to Palicourea, following the results of molecular studies showing that they form a monophyletic group with the latter. This paper presents a conspectus of Palicourea sect. Potaroenses (formerly Psychotria subgen. Heteropsychotria sect. Potaroenses), discusses the characters of the section, and provides a key to the species. A new species recently collected in French Guiana is described and illustrated, and one new combination is included.Methods – This paper is based on direct study of herbarium material from BR, CAY, F, K, L, NY, U and US, and additional type specimens from F, K, MO, P, RB, and VEN were consulted online. Two of the species, including the new one, have also been studied in the field. Common practices of herbarium taxonomy have been applied.Results – Palicourea sect. Potaroenses is characterized by the capitate inflorescences surrounded by an involucre of 4–20 elliptic, yellow to red bracts, the leaves with lateral veins strongly ascending and almost reaching the margin, the long tubular calyx, the unusually long corolla tube for the genus, and the peculiar stipules, consisting of an internal sheath and two interpetiolar pieces connate to the sheath by their central part. The section includes eight species: Palicourea aetantha (Sandwith) Delprete & J.H.Kirkbr., P. fanshawei (Standl.) Delprete & J.H.Kirkbr., P. formosissima (Steyerm.) Delprete & O.Lachenaud, P. phaneroneura (Standl.) Borhidi, P. potaroensis (Sandwith) Delprete & J.H.Kirkbr., P. psittacina (Steyerm.) Delprete & J.H.Kirkbr., P. spectabilis (Steyerm.) Borhidi, and the new species P. aurantiosplendens O.Lachenaud & Delprete. The latter is most similar to P. psittacina, from which it can be separated by the dense patent indumentum of the stems, calyx lobes, and inner side of the bracts, and the smaller size of the latter; it also resembles P. spectabilis and P. formosissima, but differs in having the stipules with four lobes on each side (vs. two), the bracts nearly glabrous outside (vs. densely hirsute on both sides) and the calyx lobes much more pubescent than the tube (vs. the calyx uniformly hairy). It is only known from a small area on the upper Sinnamary River, north-central French Guiana, and is evaluated as Endangered (EN D1) according to IUCN criteria.
Genetic diversity of the extremely rare Habenaria dentata and the rare Habenaria linearifolia (Orchidaceae) in South Korea: implications for population history and conservation
Authors: Chung Mi Yoon , Quynh Le Hoa Thi , Son Sungwon , Tian Huai Zhen , Chung Myong Gi
Published: March 2018

Background and aims – Since historical events often leave an indelible mark on levels of genetic diversity of plant populations, one may indirectly infer their evolutionary history with the help of current patterns of genetic diversity. The terrestrial orchid Habenaria dentata, an element of warm-temperate/subtropical vegetation, reaches its northernmost limits in the Korean Peninsula, and thus it is extremely rare there. As H. dentata was absent from the Peninsula during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), it is likely to be of post-glacial origin having arrived from either a single refugium or multiple refugia. However, its rare, temperate/boreal congener H. linearifolia might have persisted in situ in either macrorefugia or microrefugia on the Peninsula during the LGM.Methods – To test which hypothesis is most appropriate for each species, we investigated levels of allozyme-based (17 loci) genetic diversity and population genetic structure in the two only known populations of H. dentata and in 12 populations of H. linearifolia.Key results – No allozyme diversity was found in H. dentata (He = 0.000), whereas H. linearifolia exhibited low within-population variation (He = 0.060) and high among-population differentiation (FST = 0.237). We found little association between populations in relation to their geographic location; several populations presented individuals belonging to different clusters.Conclusions – Our results suggest that H. dentata likely originated from a single ancestral population (perhaps from southern Japan or southern China) through post-glacial dispersal, whereas H. linearifolia probably survived the LGM in situ in microrefugia situated at low to mid-elevated regions. We further suggest that separate conservation strategies for each species should be employed, given that the two taxa have different ecological and demographic traits and harbour different levels of genetic diversity.
Evaluation of modeling NO2 concentrations driven by satellite-derived and bottom-up emission inventories using in situ measurements over China
Authors: Liu Fei , van der A Ronald J. , Eskes Henk , Ding Jieying , Mijling Bas
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Chemical transport models together with emission inventories are widely used to simulate NO2 concentrations over China, but validation of the simulations with in situ measurements has been extremely limited. Here we use ground measurements obtained from the air quality monitoring network recently developed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of China to validate modeling surface NO2 concentrations from the CHIMERE regional chemical transport model driven by the satellite-derived DECSO and the bottom-up MIX emission inventories. We applied a correction factor to the observations to account for the interferences of other oxidized nitrogen compounds (NOz), based on the modeled ratio of NO2 to NOz. The model accurately reproduces the spatial variability in NO2 from in situ measurements, with a spatial correlation coefficient of over 0.7 for simulations based on both inventories. A negative and positive bias is found for the simulation with the DECSO (slope  =  0.74 and 0.64 for the daily mean and daytime only) and the MIX (slope  =  1.3 and 1.1) inventories, respectively, suggesting an underestimation and overestimation of NOx emissions from corresponding inventories. The bias between observed and modeled concentrations is reduced, with the slope dropping from 1.3 to 1.0 when the spatial distribution of NOx emissions in the DECSO inventory is applied as the spatial proxy for the MIX inventory, which suggests an improvement of the distribution of emissions between urban and suburban or rural areas in the DECSO inventory compared to that used in the bottom-up inventory. A rough estimate indicates that the observed concentrations, from sites predominantly placed in the populated urban areas, may be 10–40 % higher than the corresponding model grid cell mean. This reduces the estimate of the negative bias of the DECSO-based simulation to the range of −30 to 0 % on average and more firmly establishes that the MIX inventory is biased high over major cities. The performance of the model is comparable over seasons, with a slightly worse spatial correlation in summer due to the difficulties in resolving the more active NOx photochemistry and larger concentration gradients in summer by the model. In addition, the model well captures the daytime diurnal cycle but shows more significant disagreement between simulations and measurements during nighttime, which likely produces a positive model bias of about 15 % in the daily mean concentrations. This is most likely related to the uncertainty in vertical mixing in the model at night.
Towards a global database of rainfall-induced landslide inventories: first insights from past and new events
Authors: Marc Odin , Stumpf André , Malet Jean-Philippe , Gosset Marielle , Uchida Taro , Chiang Shou-Hao
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Rainfall-induced landslides are a common and significant source of damage and fatality worldwide. Still, we have very little understanding of the quantity and properties of landsliding that can be expected for a given storm and a given landscape, mostly because we have very few datasets of rainfall-induced landslides. Here we present six new comprehensive landslide inventories associated to well identified rainfall events. Combining these datasets, with two previously published datasets, we study their statistical properties and their relations to topographic slope distribution and storm properties. Landslide metrics (such as total landsliding, peak landslide density or landslide distribution area) vary across 2 to 3 order of magnitudes but strongly correlate with the storm total rainfall, varying over almost 2 orders of magnitude for these events. Correlation increases when we apply a normalization on the landslide runout distances. The non-linear scaling with total rainfall should be further constrained with additional cases and incorporation of landscape properties such as regolith depth, typical strength or permeability estimates. We also observe that, for storm with longer duration, landslides do not occur preferentially on the steepest slopes of the landscape, contrarily to observations from earthquake-induced landslides, suggesting preferential failures of larger drainage area patches with intermediate slopes. The database could be used for further comparison with spatially resolved rainfall estimates and with empirical or mechanistic landslide event modeling.
Optimizing UV Index determination from broadband irradiances
Authors: Tereszchuk Keith A. , Rochon Yves J. , McLinden Chris A. , Vaillancourt Paul A.
Published: March 2018

Abstract. A study was undertaken to improve upon the prognosticative capability of
Environment and Climate Change Canada's (ECCC) UV Index forecast model. An
aspect of that work, and the topic of this communication, was to investigate
the use of the four UV broadband surface irradiance fields generated by
ECCC's Global Environmental Multiscale (GEM) numerical prediction model to
determine the UV Index. The basis of the investigation involves the creation of a suite of routines
which employ high-spectral-resolution radiative transfer code developed to
calculate UV Index fields from GEM forecasts. These routines employ a
modified version of the Cloud-J v7.4 radiative transfer model, which
integrates GEM output to produce high-spectral-resolution surface irradiance
fields. The output generated using the high-resolution radiative transfer
code served to verify and calibrate GEM broadband surface irradiances under
clear-sky conditions and their use in providing the UV Index. A subsequent
comparison of irradiances and UV Index under cloudy conditions was also
performed. Linear correlation agreement of surface irradiances from the two models for
each of the two higher UV bands covering 310.70–330.0 and 330.03–400.00 nm
is typically greater than 95 % for clear-sky conditions with associated
root-mean-square relative errors of 6.4 and 4.0 %. However,
underestimations of clear-sky GEM irradiances were found on the order of
∼ 30–50 % for the 294.12–310.70 nm band and by a factor of
∼ 30 for the 280.11–294.12 nm band. This underestimation can be
significant for UV Index determination but would not impact weather
forecasting. Corresponding empirical adjustments were applied to the
broadband irradiances now giving a correlation coefficient of unity. From
these, a least-squares fitting was derived for the calculation of the UV
Index. The resultant differences in UV indices from the high-spectral-resolution irradiances and the resultant GEM broadband irradiances are
typically within 0.2–0.3 with a root-mean-square relative error in the
scatter of ∼ 6.6 % for clear-sky conditions. Similar results are
reproduced under cloudy conditions with light to moderate clouds, with a
relative error comparable to the clear-sky counterpart; under strong
attenuation due to clouds, a substantial increase in the root-mean-square
relative error of up to 35 % is observed due to differing cloud radiative
transfer models.
An improved method for calculating regional crop water footprint based on hydrological process analysis
Authors: Luan Xiao-Bo , Yin Ya-Li , Wu Pu-Te , Sun Shi-Kun , Wang Yu-Bao , Gao Xue-Rui , Liu Jing
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Fresh water is consumed during agricultural production. With the shortage of water resources, assessing the water use efficiency is crucial to effectively managing agricultural water resources. The water footprint is a new index for water use evaluation, and it can reflect the quantity and types of water usage during crop growth. This study aims to establish a method for calculating the region-scale water footprint of crop production based on hydrological processes. This method analyzes the water-use process during the growth of crops, which includes irrigation, precipitation, underground water, evapotranspiration, and drainage, and it ensures a more credible evaluation of water use. As illustrated by the case of the Hetao irrigation district (HID), China, the water footprints of wheat, corn and sunflower were calculated using this method. The results show that canal water loss and evapotranspiration were responsible for most of the water consumption and accounted for 47.9 % and 41.8 % of the total consumption, respectively. The total water footprints of wheat, sunflower and corn were 1380–2888 m3/t, 942–1774 m3/t, and 2095–4855 m3/t, respectively, and the blue footprint accounts for more than 86 %. The spatial distribution pattern of the green, blue and total water footprint for the three crops demonstrated that higher values occurred in the eastern part of the HID, which had more precipitation and was further from the irrigating gate. This study offers a vital reference for improving the method used to calculate the crop water footprint.
Water ages in the critical zone of long-term experimental sites in northern latitudes
Authors: Sprenger Matthias , Tetzlaff Doerthe , Buttle Jim , Laudon Hjalmar , Soulsby Chris
Published: March 2018

Abstract. As northern environments undergo intense respond due to a warming climate and altered land use practices, there is an urgent need for improved understanding of the impact of atmospheric forcing and vegetation on water storage and flux dynamics in the critical zone. We therefore assess the age dynamics of water stored in the upper 50 cm of soil, and in evaporation, transpiration or recharge fluxes at four soil-vegetation units of podzolic soils in the northern latitudes with either heather or tree vegetation (Bruntland Burn in Scotland, Dorset in Canada, and Krycklan in Sweden). We derived the age dynamics with the physically based SWIS (Soil Water Isotope Simulator) model, which has been successfully used to simulate the hydrometric and isotopic dynamics in the upper 50 cm of soils at the study sites. The modelled subsurface was divided into interacting fast and slow flow domains. We tracked each day's infiltrated water through the critical zone and derived forward median travel times (which show how long the water takes to leave the soil via evaporation, transpiration or recharge), and median water ages (to estimate the median age of water in soil storage or the evaporation, transpiration and recharge fluxes). Resulting median travel times were time-variant, mainly governed by major recharge events during snow melt in Dorset and Krycklan or during the wetter winter conditions in Bruntland Burn. Transpiration travel times were driven by the vegetation growth period with longest travel times (200 days) for waters infiltrated in early dormancy and shortest travel times during the vegetation period. However, long tails of the travel time distributions in evaporation and transpiration revealed that these fluxes comprised waters older than 100 days. At each study site, water ages of soil storage, evaporation, transpiration and recharge were all inversely related to the storage volume of the critical zone: water ages generally decreased exponentially with increasing soil water storage. During wet periods, young soil waters were more likely to be evapotranspired and recharged than during drier periods. While the water in the slow flow domain showed long-term seasonal dynamics and generally old water ages, the water ages of the fast flow domain were generally younger and much flashier. Our results provide new insights into the mixing and transport processes of soil water in the upper layer of the critical zone, which is relevant for hydrological modelling at the plot to catchment scales as the common assumption of a well-mixed system in the subsurface neither holds for the evaporation, transpiration nor recharge.
Isolated sensor networks for high-voltage environments using a single polymer optical fiber and LEDs for remote powering as well as data transmission
Authors: Fischer Jakob , Schuster Timo , Wächter Christian , Luber Michael , Vinogradov Juri , Ziemann Olaf , Engelbrecht Rainer
Published: March 2018

Abstract. Many applications in high voltage or explosive environments require sensors which are electrically isolated from other components of a system. These sensors need remote powering as well as wireless or isolated data transmission links. A possible solution can be based on optically powered optical sensor links. These typically employ four different photonic components: for the data communication a fast LED as a transmitter and a photo diode as a receiver, furthermore for sensor powering a high-power light source and a photonic power converter. Additionally, two optical fibers are required for optical remote powering and the optical data link. In this paper we demonstrate an optically powered optical sensor link using only low-cost high-brightness LEDs and a single polymer optical fiber (POF) for all of these tasks. Coupling efficiencies, power transmission and modulation bandwidths are analyzed for LEDs with different colors. Potentials for many mW of electrical remote powering and Mbit s−1 sensor data links are demonstrated over 10 m of POF. This approach can be used for almost any electronic sensor with moderate power requirements.
Estudo de recursos genéticos vegetais para fins medicinais em áreas de transição no estado do Maranhão, Brasil
Authors: Loch Vivian Do Carmo , Marques Georgiana Eurides de Carvalho , Rocha Ariadne Enes , Nascimento Dayany Sampaio Barros , Costa Martha Cristina Conde de Almeida
Published: March 2018

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo verificar recursos genéticos vegetais para fins medi­cinais em áreas de transição no estado do Maranhão, Brasil. A pesquisa foi realizada nos municípios de Morros, Cachoeira Grande e Rosário, situados na área de transição Amazônia-Cerrado, Nordeste do Bra­sil. Analisou-se o risco de uso dos recursos genéticos vegetais utilizados por populações locais para fins medicinais. Foram aplicadas entrevistas semiestruturadas, conversas informais e listagens livres, para obtenção dos dados, que englobaram uso e manejo dos recursos naturais, atividades econômicas e de subsistência. Foram citadas 126 espécies, divididas em 47 famílias botânicas. Destacaram-se quatro es­pécies lenhosas nativas com maior importância local e maior diversidade de uso: Janaúba (Himatanthus sp.), Aroeira (Astronium sp.), Mapá (Parahancornia sp.), Jatobá (Hymenaea sp.) O município de Rosário apresentou o maior número de espécies citadas e o maior número de espécies exclusivas. Em comum entre os três municípios, foram citadas 20 espécies. Quando analisado o Risco de Utilização (RU) destas espécies, observou-se que Himatanthus sp. apresentou alto RU em todos os três municípios; Parahan­cornia sp. apresentou RU alto em Rosário e Cachoeira Grande, e Astronium sp., apenas em Rosário; Hymenaea sp., apesar de não ter atingido valores de alto risco, está na lista de plantas da flora brasileira com risco de extinção. As espécies citadas na pesquisa merecem maior atenção e estudos sobre o uso e manejo, a fim de evitar a sua vulnerabilidade em seus ambientes naturais.
Standard Quality Banking Services of Islamic Banks
Authors: Al-Khawaja Haneen A. , Bardai Barjoyai
Published: March 2018

This research discusses in detail the theoretical aspect of the quality standards of banking services of traditional Islamic banks. The criterion of "Shari'ah Compliance" was added by the researcher to the importance and role of dealing with Islamic banks, the definition of this standard and its importance, how to test it for banks as well as how, without the legitimate commitment of these banks to what is classified as Islamic from the foundation, we focus on the importance of the existence of a legal commitment to any Islamic bank to achieve the quality of Islamic banking services of high quality in accordance with Islamic law and laws to achieve a high confidence in the customers who belong to him and deal with his Conspiracy.
Characteristics of Tropical Drained Peatlands and CO2 Emission under Several Land Use Types
Authors: Wigena I Gusti Putu , Husnain . , Susanti Erni , Agus Fahmuddin
Published: March 2018

Converting of tropical rain forest into plantation and agriculture land uses has been claimed as a main factor that affects to global warming and climate change. In order to provide a comprehensive information of the issue, a field observation on  peat properties in relation to CO2 emission under several land use types had been done  at Lubuk Ogong Village, Pelalawan District, Riau Province from May 2011-April 2012. Five land use types, namely A. mangium, bare land, oil palm, rubber, and secondary forest have been selected in the study site. Observations were made for chemical and physical properties, above and below ground C-stock and CO2 emissions. The results showed a higher variation of peat depth and a below ground C-stock was almost linearly with a peat depth. Below ground C-stock for each land use was around 2848.55 Mg ha-1, 2657.08 Mg ha-1 5949.85 Mg ha-1,  3374.69 Mg ha-1, 4104.87 Mg ha-1 for secondary forest, rubber, oil palm, bare land, and A. mangium, respectively. The highest above ground C-stock observed on a secondary forest was 131.5 Mg ha-1, followed by the four years A. mangium 48.4 Mg ha-1, the 1-2 years A. mangium 36.6 Mg ha-1, and the 4 years A. mangium 34.4 Mg ha-1. While, CO2 emissions in the study sites were 66.58±21.77 Mg ha-1yr-1, 66.17±25.54 Mg ha-1yr-1, 64.50±31.49 Mg ha-1yr-1, 59.55±18.30 Mg ha-1yr-1, 53.65±16.91 Mg ha-1yr-1 for bareland, oil palm, secondary forest, A. mangium, and rubber, respectively. [How to Cite: IG Putu Wigena, Husnain, E Susanti, and F Agus. 2015. Characteristics of Tropical Drained Peatlands and CO2 Emission under Several Land Use Types. J Trop Soils 19: 47-57. Doi: 10.5400/jts.2015.20.1.47][Permalink/DOI: www.dx.doi.org/10.5400/jts.2015.20.1.47]
Effect Various Combination of Organic Waste on Compost Quality
Authors: Hapsoh . , Gusmawartati . , Yusuf Muhammad
Published: March 2018

Municipal solid waste and agricultural waste have different ratio C/N and nutrients contents. They can be used as compost row materials. The purpose of the research was to get an optimum combination of both wastes to improve compost quality, to meet the Indonesian National Standard 19-7030-2004. Composting process use pots. The treatments were twelve combination of municipal solid waste (garbage market, household waste, restaurant waste) and agricultural waste (rice straw, empty fruit bunches of oil palm, cassava peel, banana skin) with a ratio of 1:1 and enriche by chicken manure, cow manure, wood ash and cellulolytic microorganisme. The treatment were replicated three times. The results showd that the nutrients content of compost were 0.77 to 1.19% nitrogen,  0.23 to 0.30% phosphorus, 0.46 to 0.69% potassium and 15.48 to 34.69% organic matter. The combination of agricultural waste and municipal solid waste affected the quality of compost. Compost that meets SNI 19-7030-2004 is a combination of rice straw+market waste that contains 1.12% nitrogen, 0.28% phosphorus, 0.63% potassium, ratio C/N 19.50, pH 7.42, and organic matters 37.65%. [How to Cite: Hapsoh, Gusmawartati, and M Yusuf. 2015. Effect Various Combination of Organic Waste on Compost Quality. J Trop Soils 19: 59-65. Doi: 10.5400/jts.2015.20.1.59][Permalink/DOI: www.dx.doi.org/10.5400/jts.2015.20.1.59]
A Comparative Study of Profitability of Selected Pharma Companies of India
Authors: Swadia Bhavik U.
Published: March 2018

The Indian pharmaceutical industry is growing rapidly in the number of production, value, quantity, units and there are two main things that appear to conform to the story of the full growth of the Indian economy. Second, there has been a major change in the very basic system of pharmaceutical business in India. By issuing a patent ordinance, India fulfills WTO's commitment to identify foreign product patents from January 1, 2005, the culmination of the 10-year process. In this new scenario, Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers will not be able to manufacture patented drugs, which they have been doing for a long time, though by another process. This study has been done for important evaluation of India's pharmaceutical industry. This study focus on to analyse the profitability of the selected pharmaceutical companies of India and to study the relation between the pharmaceutical companies for various measures of profitability. The study period is ten years from 2007-08 to 2016-17. Based on the study it can be seen that pharmaceutical companies had a very good profitability in 2008, while the weakest profitability of all time in year 2015.
The education and training needs of advanced clinical practitioners: An exploratory, qualitative study
Authors: Bench Suzanne , Baker Edward , Dover Nicola , Garry Brendan , Nwosu Winifred , Peacock Shelley , Trenchard-Turner Natasha , Whaley Sue , Worth Timothy , Lee Geraldine A.
Published: March 2018

Advanced clinical practitioners increasingly provide patient care in a variety of settings across the world. This paper reports a qualitative study exploring the training and education needs of these healthcare professionals in England. Four focus group discussions and one individual interview were conducted with a total sample of 17 people. Participants were adults enrolled on an Advanced Practice Masters programme at one Higher Education Institution or advanced clinical practitioners from across two large London National Health Service hospitals. Data collection took place March-April 2017. Following transcription, audio-recorded data were imported into Nvivo11 and subjected to a standard process of inductive thematic analysis. Three key themes were identified: Recognising advanced practice; Education for Advanced Practice; Programme delivery. Findings highlight the huge variation in titles, practice responsibilities and management structure, which make the development of a generic education programme challenging and the importance of flexibility key to success. At a time when public services are experiencing significant financial constraints, the need for improved collaborative practices, shared resources and a practice focus is considered vital for educating future advanced clinical practitioners worldwide.
Early experience with topical meloxicam and lidocaine combination for the treatment of vulvodynia
Authors: Kim Rufina , Kelly Kerri-Lynn , Olson Merle , Nickel J. Curtis
Published: March 2018

Introduction: We report our early clinical observations on the use of topical meloxicam and lidocaine gel for patients with vulvodynia.Methods: This is an early experience in participants with a history of vulvodynia evaluated and treated at the Queen’s University Pelvic and Bladder Pain Clinic. Combination meloxicam 0.3% and lidocaine 5% were provided to the participants and they were instructed to apply 5 cc to the vulvar area twice daily. Standardized assessment was conducted for each participant before the start of the topical therapy and again at one week, and included Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI), Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index (ICPI), and pain scoring (Likert) for vulvar pain, in addition to a subjective global assessment after a week of treatment.Results: Of the eight participants, six had a subjective improvement in their symptoms with the use of the combination gel. They reported between one- and four-point reductions on the Likert pain scale and mild to moderate improvement of symptoms. Common side effects reported were burning and stinging.Conclusions: The results from this early experience are promising for a potentially effective topical treatment for vulvodynia.
Recurrence and upstaging rates of T1 high-grade urothelial carcinoma of the bladder on repeat resection in a Canadian, resource-limited, healthcare system
Authors: Kinnaird Adam , Dromparis Peter , Evans Howard
Published: March 2018

Introduction: Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer is the most expensive malignancy to treat. Current Canadian guidelines recommend repeat transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) within six weeks after initial resection of T1 high-grade (T1HG) urothelial carcinoma, prior to initiation of intravesical bacillus Calmette- Guerin treatment. This is a burden on operating room usage and adds further cost and risk of complications. Internationally, major cancer centres report significant rates of recurrence and upstaging on repeat resection, however, minimal Canadian data is available. We aimed to determine the rate of recurrence and upstaging in a resource-limited, Canadian healthcare system.Methods: A retrospective review of patients receiving TURBT between November 2009 and November 2014 was performed. Patients were included if they had all three of the following: a pathological diagnosis of T1HG, adequate muscularis propria present in the specimen, and a repeat resection.Results: We reviewed 3166 patients who underwent TURBT and found 173 to meet our inclusion criteria. The overall recurrence and upstaging rates were 57.2% and 9.2%, respectively. Tumour recurrence and upstaging occurred more often in patients who had repeat resection after 12‒24 weeks compared to those patients whose repeat resection occurred within 12 weeks.Conclusions: Although recurrence rates are similar, we have found upstaging rates to be three- to four-fold lower than those previously reported. Despite this, one in 10 patients will be upstaged, justifying use of this resource within our healthcare system. Finally, timely repeat resection, within 12 weeks appears to be associated with preventing disease progression.
The Nature of Horror Reconsidered
Authors: Yeung Lorraine ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: March 2018

There is a growing interest in the role of non-cognitive affective responses in the philosophical literature on fiction and emotion. This flurry of scholarly interest is partly a reaction to cognitivist accounts of fiction and emotion that have been found to be inadequate. The inadequacy is particularly salient when this approach is employed to account for narrative horror. Cognitivist conceptions of the emotion engendered by narrative horror prove to be too restrictive. Cognitivist accounts also fail to give the formal devices and stylistic elements deployed in narrative horror a proper place within the spectator’s emotional engagement with it. In this paper I propose an alternative conception of the emotion “horror” that incorporates non-cognitive affective responses. I argue that this conception of “horror” is more fine-grained than the one characterized as a cognitivist approach. It captures more literary examples of the horror experience and it accommodates better the fear of the unknown. It also makes possible an aesthetics of horror in which formal devices and stylistic elements are given their proper place.
Three new species of Entomobrya (Collembola: Entomobryidae) from China
Authors: Ma Yitong , Shi Shidi
Published: March 2018

Three new species of Entomobrya Rondani, 1861 from China are described: E. leviseta sp. nov. and E. polychaeta sp. nov. from Shaanxi Province and E. dingi sp. nov. from Yunnan Province. This is the first report of Entomobrya from Shaanxi Province. Entomobrya leviseta sp. nov. is characterised by prelabral smooth chaetae on the labrum; E. polychaeta sp. nov. by three pairs of longitudinal dark blue stripes from Th. II to Abd. III and eight lateral mac on Abd. III; and E. dingi sp. nov. by only a little pigment on the body and 5 central mac on And. II & III. A key to all Chinese species of Entomobrya is given.
Factors Impacting the Performance Characteristics of Bile Duct Brushings: A Clinico-Cytopathologic Analysis of 253 Patients
Authors: Hacihasanoglu Ezgi , Memis Bahar , Pehlivanoglu Burcin , Avadhani Vaidehi , Freedman, Alexa A. , Goodman Michael M. , Adsay N. Volkan , Reid Michelle D.
Published: March 2018

Context.—

Literature on factors impacting bile duct brushings (BDBs) performance characteristics remain limited.

Objective.—

To capture the current state of daily practice with BDB sign-out.

Design.—

Two hundred fifty-three of 444 BDBs signed out by more than 7 cytopathologists, with histopathologic and/or clinical follow-up of at least 18 months, were examined.

Results.—

One hundred thirty-five of 253 BDBs (53%) had histologically confirmed malignancies, 22 (9%) had cancer-related deaths, and 96 (38%) were benign. Cytologic diagnoses in the 444 BDBs were nondiagnostic (11 [2.5%]), negative (284 [64%]), atypical (62 [13.9%]), suspicious (34 [7.7%]), and malignant (53 [11.9%]). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of malignancy detection were 35%, 100%, 100%, 58%, and 66%, respectively. When atypical, suspicious, and malignant (ASM) categories were combined, sensitivity increased (58%), specificity and PPV dropped (97%), and accuracy increased (73%). Carcinoma type (bile-duct versus pancreatic-ductal) had no effect on accuracy (P = .60) or diagnostic class (P = .84), nor did time of performance (first 7.5 versus latter 7.5 years, P = .13). Interestingly, ThinPrep + cell block (n = 41) had higher sensitivity (61%) and lower specificity (80%) than ThinPrep only (versus 51% and 100%, respectively). Sensitivity and specificity were higher (47% and 100%) in nonstented than stented specimens (59% and 97%). Relative risk of malignancy for “suspicious” (2.30) and “atypical” (2.28) categories was lower but not very different from that of “malignant” category (2.41).

Conclusions.—

Bile duct brushings had fairly low sensitivity but high specificity and PPV with no false positives. Sensitivity almost doubled and specificity dipped minimally when ASM categories were combined, highlighting the need for better classification criteria for atypical/suspicious cases. Higher specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy but lower sensitivity in stented BDBs suggest that they be called malignant only when evidence is overwhelmingly convincing.
Logique du stagiaire dans son rapport à l’évaluation
Authors: PORTELANCE Liliane , CARON Josianne
Published: March 2018

En contexte de stage en enseignement, l’évaluation vise avant tout le développement professionnel du futur enseignant (Gervais et Correa Molina, 2004). Dans une logique de formation, l’étudiant analyse sa pratique et cherche à expliciter ce qu’il a appris (Perrenoud, 1998); il peut par ailleurs viser la performance ou la simple réussite (Maunier, 2015). Pour comprendre la logique du stagiaire dans son rapport à l’évaluation, une recherche qualitative interprétative a été réalisée. Les résultats mettent en évidence que les stagiaires manifestent un souci d’apprendre, de progresser et de développer les compétences professionnelles. Les modalités d’évaluation peuvent expliquer ce résultat.