bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Del desarrollo político-económico y la proyección internacional de Egipto tras la Guerra Fría: estrategias de una potencia subregional en Medio Oriente
Authors: Íñiguez-Torres Lourdes Patricia
Published: December 2018

Este artículo se concentrará en tres aspectos mediante los cuales se dará cuenta de la evolución de Egipto como potencia subregional en el periodo posterior a la Guerra Fría: 1) Las estrategias político-económicas de desarrollo; 2) las relaciones exteriores: alianzas y proyección internacional; y 3) sus capacidades, cuya combinación genera en un primer momento la posición estructural de Egipto. Se analizará principalmente el comportamiento de Egipto como una potencia subregional en el Medio Oriente (o Asia Sudoccidental): La relación entre el desarrollo socioeconómico, su proyección internacional y su posicionamiento estructural en el sistema internacional. Se hará hincapié en el segundo aspecto, porque es el que permite ver las acciones concretas del Estado egipcio en el sistema internacional, la expresión o el uso de sus diferentes capacidades.
La crisis económica de la Unión Europea y los movimientos separatistas + Brexit
Authors: Arce Rodríguez Lourdes
Published: December 2018

Los movimientos separatistas europeos recientes, en el contexto de la crisis económica y sus consecuencias en la política social y económica, han fortalecido las expresiones separatistas nacionales y regionales; asimismo, han cuestionado el éxito y la integración europeas al fortalecer diversas manifestaciones políticas soberanistas.
La construcción de políticas públicas como mecanismo de impulso para el bienestar social
Authors: Cerda Carrillo Maleny
Published: December 2018

El objetivo principal de este artículo es presentar de forma general las herramientas fundamentales para la construcción de políticas públicas, que se ubican desde la comprensión de la problemática social existente, hasta la actuación del quehacer gubernamental en materia de comunicación sólida entre los actores clave, como: las autoridades gubernamentales, los ciudadanos y la iniciativa privada.Además, se hace hincapié en la importancia de analizar cada una de las etapas que integran el proceso de políticas públicas, para poder observar los cambios graduales que estén surgiendo y así mejorar el entorno estabilizador.Para la implementación de políticas públicas es indispensable contar con recursos económicos que brinden viabilidad efectiva al programa que se requiere iniciar; asimismo la evaluación es una de las fases con mayor peso dentro de este procedimiento, porque se valora el esfuerzo mediante la generación de impacto positivo en el escenario exterior.
La competitividad en el marco de políticas para ciudades sostenibles: Caso Cartagena, Colombia
Authors: Amézquita López Julio
Published: December 2018

Este texto expone un análisis crítico sobre las dificultades conceptuales y empíricas del abordaje de lineamientos de la política pública para el desarrollo de ciudades sustentables, partiendo de una iniciativa de armonizar políticas públicas en 2015 para Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, focalizando en los componentes relacionados con discursos que definen la métrica de la competitividad en ciudades-puerto consideradas intermedias en Latinoamérica.El marco interpretativo sobre sustentabilidad para este análisis hace referencia a tres enfoques nacionales e internacionales: la Iniciativa Ciudades Emergentes y Sostenibles (ICES), del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo; el Programa Cidades Sustentáveis y su guía GPS Gestão Pública Sustentável y la norma ISO 37120 relativa a Desarrollo Sostenible en Comunidades (Indicadores para servicios de la ciudad y calidad de vida). El marco de sustentabilidad resultante se presupone coherente y de mayor jerarquía que las demás políticas públicas para las ciudades; sin embargo, se revisan a partir de las reflexiones de actores sociales y expertos que participaron en los talleres de análisis de políticas públicas, y se evalúa la prevalencia en el discurso estatal colombiano del enfoque de competitividad a la hora de establecer políticas de desarrollo territorial y sus efectos en la ciudad estudiada.Se exponen las principales dificultades, los hallazgos y las consideraciones metodológicas y prácticas que se revelaron al intentar este ejercicio de consenso. Dicho ejercicio estuvo sustentado en análisis sistémico del comportamiento, influencia y potencial de desarrollo de cada subcomponente y tema clave del sistema territorial de Cartagena de Indias. El recorrido propuesto por este artículo termina con la reflexión sobre los aportes de este caso, en cuanto a proceso y resultados, que pueden resultar de interés para aquellas ciudades-puerto de Latinoamérica que procuran la sustentabilidad y la competitividad.
Políticas públicas para el desarrollo sustentable: indicadores de gestión ambiental
Authors: Emaides Ana , Salerno María Liliana , Paredes María Daniela
Published: December 2018

Los indicadores de aplicación y cumplimiento de la normativa ambiental, llamados de desempeño de la gestión ambiental, permiten dar seguimiento y monitoreo a las normas ambientales vinculadas al estado de recursos y regulaciones de la actividad productiva. Los indicadores son importantes para el uso sostenible y el manejo de los recursos ambientales, y pueden orientar la formulación de políticas públicas al proporcionar una valiosa información acerca del estado actual de los recursos a evaluar y de la intensidad y la dirección de los posibles cambios. Contar con un sistema de indicadores sobre el estado y tendencias del desarrollo sostenible en el país, aplicables a distintos niveles y escalas, debe constituirse en elemento esencial para la generación de políticas públicas. Por ello, en el año 2008 evaluamos parte de la realidad institucional ambiental, en la Ciudad de Villa María. Realizamos una evaluación del estado de situación de los indicadores de gestión ambiental, pasados nueve años de la anterior.
La sustentabilidad urbana: un compromiso local
Authors: Ameriso Claudia
Published: December 2018

Las ciudades son uno de los principales fundamentos del régimen democrático. Están investidas de competencias efectivas que permiten una administración eficaz y próxima al ciudadano, mediante una amplia autonomía en cuanto a competencias, modalidades de ejercicio y medios necesarios para el cumplimiento de su misión.Una ciudad sustentable nace del pensamiento de cada uno de sus habitantes de la adopción de pautas, normas y reglas jurídicas, económicas, organizativas y técnicas capaces de encaminarla hacia un desarrollo sostenible.Los gobiernos municipales ven limitadas las posibilidades de fortalecer su capacidad de gestión ambiental mediante la obtención de mayores asignaciones presupuestarias tradicionales, y deben examinar otras opciones para financiar los avances en esa dirección.Los instrumentos económicos fiscales surgen como una buena oportunidad, aportando mayor flexibilidad mediante incentivos basados en precios/costos, así como también para obtener ingresos para financiar la gestión y las inversiones ambientales.
Políticas públicas para pessoas em situação de rua no Brasil: ações para o exercício da cidadania?
Authors: Felix da Silva Patrícia Marília
Published: December 2018

A existência de pessoas em situação de rua em centros urbanos apresenta-se como um fenômeno antigo, denotando sinais de pobreza e desigualdade social, mesmo em países com alto Produto Interno Bruto (pib). Constituindo-se num grupo extremamente heterogêneo, torna-se difícil, inclusive, definá-las e contabilizá-las, o que dificulta ainda mais as possibilidades de ações eficazes. Como tentativa de resolver este problema, diferentes países têm elaborado políticas públicas direcionadas a esta população. Este artigo, portanto, objetiva analisar a realidade das pessoas em situação de rua no Brasil no que se refere às iniciativas do Estado em resolver esta problemática, tomando como foco analítico a política nacional para a inclusão social da população em situação de rua. Além de discussões teóricas, este trabalho baseará suas análises em dados oriundos de minha monografia de bacharelado em Psicologia, a qual colabora para uma análise de ações, ou omissões, do Estado, em implementar políticas públicas de interesse a essa população em Recife, capital de Pernambuco.
La izquierda griega: el futuro como nostalgia
Authors: Cortes Lozano Karla
Published: December 2018

Lejos de la demonización de la experiencia soviética, pero sin pretender que la Revolución rusa sea la medida de todos los cambios revolucionarios ni el modelo a imitar por las izquierdas marxistas, el texto que sigue propone una reflexión cruzada para pintar algunas luces y sombras del legado soviético en relación con la izquierda radical griega.
Hacia la estación de Finlandia: una revisión de la necesaria vigencia de los principios del socialismo en los movimientos sociales y partidos políticos del siglo XXI
Authors: Gil Fons Antonio
Published: December 2018

A cien años de la revolución que asombró al mundo, hoy es más necesario que nunca recordar las causas y principios socialistas que motivaron aquellos acontecimientos. Los problemas que la Rusia zarista vivía en aquel principio de siglo XX están hoy más que presentes en nuestra sociedad de un modo globalizado, en forma diferente quizá pero con una raíz muy similar: la exclusión de grandes masas de la población mundial de la prosperidad, el desarrollo integral y la dignidad como seres humanos y ciudadanos. Así, el presente texto pretende evidenciar la importancia de no olvidar los principios y las lecciones —buenas y malas— emanadas de la revolución socialista acaecida en Rusia en 1917, especialmente ante la imperiosa necesidad y conveniencia que tiene el mundo actual de un rearme ideológico de las fuerzas de izquierda con base a la cultura, la historia, la reflexión y la tan necesaria —y tantas veces ausente— autocrítica.
El problema de las nacionalidades en la temprana Rusia revolucionaria. Una mirada histórica
Authors: Forero Hidalgo Jymy Alexander
Published: December 2018

En los albores del siglo XX largo, el mundo presenciaba la expansión colonial por parte de las metrópolis europeas en todo el territorio africano donde habitaban múltiples pueblos y naciones, las monarquías e imperios europeos se erigían incorporando y sometiendo diversas nacionalidades a su interior. En el caso de América Latina la configuración de los Estados-nación construidos bajo el modelo europeo se desarrollaba desde una lógica uninacional dominante. La noción de autodeterminación de los pueblos ocupó un lugar destacado en la arena internacional con el triunfo de los bolcheviques. La construcción del socialismo en la urss, partiendo del principio que la revolución sería nacional en su forma e internacional por su contenido, tuvo que hacer frente a la existencia de no menos 54 naciones y nacionalidades entre repúblicas federadas y autónomas, regiones autónomas y comarcas ¿Cuál fue la política de nacionalidades que emprendió el temprano poder soviético? ¿Cómo manejó sus contradicciones? ¿Qué tipo de lecciones históricas se pueden discutir de cara a una época en que el imperialismo no ha desaparecido, y en la cual, luego de 100 años de la gesta revolucionaria, se continúa rechazando el carácter plurinacional de los estados e impidiendo la autodeterminación de los pueblos? Estos son algunos de los interrogantes que serán objeto de análisis en el presente trabajo desde una perspectiva de la historia crítica.
La Cláusula Democrática México-Unión Europea: su importancia en el campo de los derechos humanos
Authors: Campos Orozco Francisco Javier
Published: December 2018

Los Tratados internacionales o Acuerdos que firman los Estados a fin de traer beneficios sociales o políticos a sus naciones, han ido evolucionando desde lo meramente comercial hasta áreas más modernas donde la cooperación cobra gran importancia en materia de desarrollo, democracia y, especialmente, derechos humanos. Entre los años ochenta y finales de los noventa, México adquirió diversos compromisos internacionales los cuales requerían, necesariamente, de un nuevo paradigma en referencia a los derechos humanos. Uno de estos compromisos fue el adquirido con la Unión Europea mediante la firma de un acuerdo global, el cual contenía una novedosa figura denominada “cláusula democrática”, misma que tiende a buscar la paz y el respeto a los derechos humanos entre las naciones firmantes tanto en su interior como en su acción internacional. La aceptación de dicha cláusula debe entenderse como una expresión más del Estado mexicano en su tarea de defensa, promoción y difusión de los derechos humanos.
SYNTACTIC CATEGORY AND ITS FUNCTIONS
Authors: Constantino Soares Antonio
Published: December 2018

This research described about the“Syntactic Category and its Functions” of English language which only implemented on the “present tense”. This research was more focused on some certain sentences elements and expanded into some type of verbs such as ordinary intransitive, complex-intransitive, semitransitive, ordinary monotransitive,complex-transitive, ditransitive and prepositional partial of ditransitive. This research was intended to increase the English learners and teachers’ abilities to have a better understanding related to the sentence elements of English language in the future time. The theories of syntax proposed by Huddleston and Pullum (2005) and Verhaar (2012) were appliedto determine the syntax category and its functions in this research.The introspective reflexsive method was applied to gain the data in this research, however the qualitative descriptive method was applied to analyse the data in this research.
Elements of project cost management
Authors: Olifer O.V.
Published: December 2018

The article identified and analyzed the cost factors in innovation projects on the optimization of the production structure in the forestry   enterprises. On this basis the model POV needs to consider the impact of cost and factors of the external and internal environment in which it is planned and implemented each project. In addition to these factors, the cost of the project is affected by other factors that are difficult subject to formal identification, but can affect both positively and negatively. However, to achieve project goals, it is possible only with the application of such well-known management approaches, as the classic approach, it combines such basic management functions as: planning, organization, implementation, control and guidance.
Forecasting resource requirements for implementation of centralized milk procurement projects
Authors: Sidorchuk O.V. , Triguba A.M.
Published: December 2018

A description of the current system of centralized milk provision is considered. The shortcomings of forecasting methods of resource requirements for project implementation are presented. The method of forecas-ting the need for resources for the implementation of centralized milk provision projects has been developed and its features have been described. The order of determination of periods of life cycle of projects of centralized milk provision is substantiated. The results of determination of characteristic periods of the life cycle of centralized milk provision projects for various resource parameters are presented. On the basis of the performed researches, it was established that for a given project environment (conditions of the PJSC «Brody factory of skimmed milk powder» (Brody, Lviv region), the duration of characteristic    periods of the life cycle of centralized milk provision projects and the need for resources (the number and number involved in transportation cars) depend on its parameters and volume of milk provision.
Analysis of projects initialization processes of production-processing complexes
Authors: Flys Ihor M.
Published: December 2018

The study describes the background and General concept of modeling of processes of initialization of innovative projects for creation of production and processing complexes for production and material-technical base of agricultural enterprises.

The article presents a conceptual model of the development process of initializing the implementation of innovative projects of production and pro-cessing facilities for agro-industrial production in Ukraine. The proposed conceptual model reveals the sequence and interdependence of these processes of initialization of innovative projects. The obtained results allow to start the construction of the algorithm and mathematical program of simulation of pro-cesses of initialization of innovative projects, the introduction of production and processing facilities.

Further studies are aimed at development of methodology and creating tools for the effective management of the processes of initialization of innovative projects of introducing production and processing complexes to improve agricultural production in Ukraine.
Choice of vehicles for transportation of agricultural production
Authors: Timochko V.O. , Padiuka R.I.
Published: December 2018

Agricultural cargoes, by their physical and mechanical pro-perties, loading and unloading methods; conditions of transportation and sto-rage, the possibility of using the load carrying capacity of the rolling stock, their preservation during transportation, the degree of danger during loading, unloading and transportation cover the entire range of variation. This entails the need to attract practically all types of transportation means for their transportation.

The structure of the order for transportation is substantiated, the types of agricultural cargoes analyzed and a matrix of the choice of the type of the vehicle according to the characteristics of the cargo is constructed, which enables us to substantiate the expediency of using the vehicles. A block diagram of the algorithm for choosing the types of vehicles for the transportation of agricultural cargoes has been developed to take into account the main constraints, namely the characteristics of the cargo, the restrictions imposed by the road conditions of the route and the peculiarities of loading, the urgency of transportation and the size of the consignment. To execute a pre-ordered order, a vehicle is selected that satisfies the constraints and ensures a minimum freight cost.
Development of technology for manufacture of bimetal camps of ship diesels
Authors: Stalnichenko O. , Smazhylo B. , Kotenko R.
Published: December 2018

The results of the development of the technology for the manufacture of bimetallic fuselage washers of marine ICE, which assumes the basis of the washer to be made from low-cost steels with the application of a high-hardness surface layer on the cams instead of cementation.

To implement the idea, a number of mechanisms and devices have been developed and manufactured that have enabled the application of wear-resistant coatings and mechanical treatment of paddles.
Analisis Faktor Penyebab Penumpukan Pencairan Dana APBN pada Akhir Tahun Anggaran
Authors: Zaenudinsyah Fandi
Published: December 2018

Central government expenditures as the largest component of state expenditures have an important role in determining national output and affecting allocation and efficiency of economic resources. The increase of state expenditures, both for central government expenditures and transfer to local governments, are ideally followed by responsive budget absorption pattern. The high remaining budget at the end of the year indicates that the budget implementation is not optimal, which could lead to economic losses. This low budget absorption pattern has also occurred at the spending units at the State Treasury Service Office (KPPN) Jakarta V. This study aims to determine the factors that cause a low budget absorption pattern of the state budget (APBN) at the end of the fiscal year at KPPN Jakarta V. This study used method of data analysis in the form of factor analysis. The results show that the low budget absorption pattern of the state funds at the end of the fiscal year is caused by eight factors, namely treasury administration, procurement implementation, budget planning, technical support requirements, procurement schedule, human resources, competencies, and job rotation. This study uses method of data analysis in the form of factor analysis. The results showed that the buildup of disbursement of state funds by the end of the fiscal year at the working units within KPPN Jakarta V caused by the eight factors, namely the treasury administration, procurement implementation, planning, supporting technical requirement, procurement scheduling, human resources, competencies, and mutation of officers in charge. Abstrak Belanja pemerintah pusat sebagai komponen terbesar belanja negara memiliki peran penting dalam menentukan output nasional dan mempengaruhi alokasi dan efisiensi sumber daya ekonomi. Peningkatan belanja negara, baik belanja pemerintah pusat maupun transfer ke daerah, idealnya diikuti dengan pola penyerapan yang responsive. Penyerapan anggaran yang masih menumpuk pada akhir tahun mengindikasikan bahwa pelaksanaan anggaran belum optimal, bahkan dapat menyebabkan kerugian negara secara ekonomis. Penumpukan pencairan dana tersebut juga terjadi pada Satuan Kerja lingkup Kantor Pelayanan Perbendaharaan Negara (KPPN) Jakarta V. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui faktor-faktor penyebab penumpukan pencairan dana APBN pada akhir tahun anggaran. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode analisis data berupa analisis faktor. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penumpukan pencairan dana APBN pada akhir tahun anggaran pada Satuan Kerja lingkup KPPN Jakarta V disebabkan oleh delapan faktor, yaitu administrasi perbendaharaan, pelaksanaan pengadaan, perencanaan anggaran, persyaratan teknis pendukung, jadwal pengadaan, sumber daya manusia, kompetensi, dan  mutasi pejabat.
Viscosity Measurement of Silver Based Nano-inks
Authors: Lukacs Peter , Pietrikova Alena , Rovensky Tibor
Published: December 2018

The paper deals with the analysis and viscosity measurement of five commonly available silver based nano-inks at different temperatures. The kind of solvent, dimension of nano-particles and temperature play a key role for the viscosity of nano-inks. For the controlling of the deposition process of nano-inks by inkjet printing technology, knowledge of the rheological properties of applied nano-inks are necessary. For this reason, this paper offers the theoretical description of applied test method as well as practical results from the viscosity measurements, which were done by rheometer MCR 502 Anton Paar. Furthermore, the paper offers the comparative study of the viscosity measurements of different kind of silver based nano-inks. The twin gap method was applied due to achieving of high accuracy of measurements.
Study of Gas Resources Utilization of Tangguh, Masela, and Kasuri Blocks for East Indonesia Regional Development
Authors: Ariadji Tutuka , Yusgiantoro Luky , Susanto D , Sunarjanto D , Sismartono D , Akbar W A , Taher Wisnu P , Arsegianto A
Published: December 2018

This study is intended to evaluate, analyze and give recommendations for prudently utilizing gas production to maximize regional economic developments. A method to relate sectors and inter-regions, i.e., Inter-regional Input-Output (IRIO) Model, is employed to predict the impact of the upstream potential on the down stream. This techno-economic study examines the allocated gas from three gas field blocks altogether at Maluku and West Papua Provinces, i.e., Tangguh, Masela, and Kasuri, to supply the demands of (1) power plants; (2) fertilizer industries, and (3) petrochemicals industries. This study identifies development processes, investment parameters from pre-construction to operation, implementation parameters, and output parameters, both for the upstream and downstream sectors during 2016-2035. The IRIO model uses the 2010 IRIO Table published by BAPPENAS which consists of 35 sectors and 35 provinces. The shock data used to estimate the economic impacts include those data on infrastructure (CAPEX, OPEX, and supporting facilities), energy consumption (per kWh, per ton fertilizer, and per petrochemical product), workforce, and investments at a particular time. Six simulation modeling scenarios were developed to forecast the future performance of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)/Regional Gross Domestic Products (GRDP), Community Income, and Employment of 4 provinces in Eastern Indonesia. The results indicate that the regional economy could grow significantly by providing electricity first. Hence, the Petrochemical Industry gives more contribution than the Fertilizer Industry. The contribution (compared to BAU condition) increases sharply before taking a peak period and then declines in the year 2025. The best scenario results in a rise of the regional GDP at about 19 percent, wages at about 20 percent, and employment at about 55 percent. Maluku Province deserves the most economic improvement followed by West Papua Province. North Maluku and Papua provinces are not as well-off as those two provinces although there has been an indication of some employment in North Maluku Province.

JEL Classification: E23Keywords: Gas resources, Input-Output, techno-economic, East Indonesia
Investigation of the price linkage between Asian LNG spot and Far East Asian LNG prices and its implications
Authors: Pradipta Muhammad Anas
Published: December 2018

For so many times, Far East Asian liquid natural gas (LNG) buyers have been using price linked to crude oil-indexed, now they need to find another alternative pricing formula for their crucial energy supply as a better price structure that could reflect the market is needed. LNG spot price is expected to be the pillar for the future LNG trading, especially for Far East Asia Market. As less and less long-term contracts are signed in the Far East Asia Market, this creates an additional demand for the LNG in the spot market, while it raises some issues about the presence of different LNG pricing mechanisms. Most of the LNG spot prices in Asia are indexed to the relatively low natural gas prices in Atlantic Basin. Furthermore, the advancement of drilling technology in the US drives down its natural gas prices, resulting in price discrepancies between Asian LNG spot and East Asian LNG prices. This study investigates whether there is a price linkage between Asian LNG spot and East Asian LNG prices. This study comprehends 91 observations collected from January 2010 to July 2017. Johansen co-integration tests were carried out to examine the existence of long-run relationship on the spot, Japanese and South Korean LNG prices. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF), Phillip-Perron (PP), and Kwiatkowski-Phillips-Schmidt-Shin (KPSS) unit root tests were conducted first before proceeding to the co-integration tests. The results showed that Asian LNG spot prices did not have price linkage for monthly averages of Japanese and South Korean LNG prices. The analyses also indicated that Taiwan LNG markets move together with Asian LNG spot markets. As a conclusion, the results inferred that supply dependency on LNG spot cargoes governed the price linkage among these Asian LNG markets. The use of gas indexed LNG price mechanism did not reflect the economic fundamentals in Asia-Pacific Basin.

JEL Classification: Q41Keywords: Price linkage, Johansen co-integration, augmented Dickey-Fuller, Phillip-Perron, and Kwiatkowski-Phillips-Schmidt-Shin, unit root tests, Far East Asian LNG spot prices, LNG spot and short-term cargoes, long-term contracts, spot prices, energy: demand and supply, prices
A tes
Authors: Manager IJE
Published: December 2018

In the past century, fossil fuels have dominated energy supply in Indonesia. However, concerns over emissions are likely to change the future energy supply. As people become more conscious of environmental issues, alternatives for energy are sought to reduce the environmental impacts. These include renewable energy (RE) sources such as solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. However, most RE sources like solar PV are not available continuously since they depend on weather conditions, in addition to geographical location. Bali has a stable and long sunny day with 12 hours of daylight throughout the year and an average insolation of 5.3 kWh/m2 per day. This study looks at the potential for on-grid solar PV to decarbonize energy in Bali. A site selection methodology using GIS is applied to measure solar PV potential. Firstly, the study investigates the boundaries related to environmental acceptability and economic objectives for land use in Bali. Secondly, the potential of solar energy is estimated by defining the suitable areas, given the technical assumptions of solar PV. Finally, the study extends the analysis to calculate the reduction in emissions when the calculated potential is installed. Some technical factors, such as tilting solar, and intermittency throughout the day, are outside the scope of this study. Based on this model, Bali has an annual electricity potential for 32-53 TWh from solar PV using amorphous thin-film silicon as the cheapest option. This potential amount to three times the electricity supply for the island in 2024 which is estimated at 10 TWh. Bali has an excessive potential to support its own electricity demand with renewables, however, some limitations exist with some trade-offs to realize the idea. These results aim to build a developmental vision of solar PV systems in Bali based on available land and the region’s irradiation.
Development of Low Cost Miniature USB Based Data Acquisition System for Biomedical Instrumentation
Authors: Amin Abdullah Al , Rabbani K Siddique E
Published: December 2018

In biomedical instrumentation, computer based data acquisition system is required for recording of physiological parameters and bioelectric signals, which allows signal processing, display, analysis and storage in digital media. However, Most of the commercially available PC based Data Acquisition systems are of very high cost and requires specific commercial software, again at a very high cost. Moreover, if the data is not stored in raw binary or known format, it is not possible for the user to use the data in other system or software of their own choice. Therefore, a low cost, simple and open source PC based data acquisition system for biomedical application would be very useful for biomedical instrument developers and researchers in the low resource countries. In this work, we present such development of data acquisition system. The developed system utilizes an 8-bit ordinary low cost microcontroller and some electronic circuit component to develop the data acquisition system and implementation of USB 1.1 (Universal Serial Bus) interface to PC. The onboard 10-bit ADC of the microcontroller was used for analog data sampling. Two sampling and data transfer mode is implemented, (i) Continuous mode with low sampling rate (800 sample/sec) and practically real time plotting and (ii) Batch mode, with high sampling rate (76.9 k sample/sec) but with batch type plotting. To evaluate the system, PC side GUI (Graphical User Interface) software was also developed. The GUI of system shows that a test sinusoidal signal is reproduced very nicely without any amplitude and phase distortion within the frequency band of 1 to 10 KHz. The system is suitable for low frequency bioelectric signals like ECG, EEG etc. and as well as high frequency signal like EMG, NCV etc. The system is low cost, miniature, simple, and efficient and being used in several indigenously developed medical devices like ECG, EMG, NCV and FIM [Rabbani et al, 1999] at the authors’ department with excellent satisfactory results.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.10 No.1 2017 1-11
Real-Time Classification of Multi-Channel Forearm EMG to Recognize Hand Movements using Effective Feature Combination and LDA Classifier
Authors: Alam Muhammad Sabbir , Arefin ASM Shamsul
Published: December 2018

Electromyography (EMG) signals acquired from surface of arms can be crucial in recognizing nature of hand gestures. The concept is used in current highly demanding fields such as controlling prosthetic limbs, diagnosing neuromuscular disorders, manipulation of robotic arm etc. The purpose of the work was to classify a set of hand motions from corresponding multi-channel surface EMG signals by developing MATLAB tools. The research focused on extracting multiple signal features and finding the appropriate combination of extracted intelligible features to get the best classification accuracy for the specific set of hand gestures. For dynamic and fast classification purpose, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) classifier was employed. Effect of feature dimensionality reduction on classification accuracy was also investigated via Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in this research. Finally, the research analyzed different electrode placements by comparing classification accuracy for each of the set of motions and proposed a simple and compact data acquisition instrumentation having less number of electrodes while maintaining high classification accuracy.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.10 No.1 2017 25-39
A Feasibility Study of Employing EOG Signal in Combination with EEG Based BCI System for Improved Control of a Wheelchair
Authors: Amin Abdullah Al
Published: December 2018

For a fully paralysed person, EEG (Electroencephalogram) based Brain Computer Interface (BCI) has a great promise for controlling electromechanical equipment such as a wheelchair. Again EOG (Electrooculography) based Human Machine Interface system also provides a possibility. Individually, none of these methods is capable of giving a fully error free reliable and safe control, but an appropriate combination may provide a better reliability, which is the aim of the present work. Here we intend to use EEG data to classify two classes, corresponding to left and right hand movement, and EOG data to classify two classes corresponding to left and right sided eyeball movement. We will use these classifications independently first and then combine these with different weightage to find if a better and reliable control is possible. For this purpose offline classification of motor imaginary EEG data of a subject was carried out extracting features using Common Spatial Pattern (CSP) and classifying using Linear Discriminative Analysis. The independent EEG motor imaginary data classification resulted in 89.8% of accuracy in 10 fold one leave out cross validation. The EOG eyeball movement produces distinctive signals of opposite polarities and is classified using a simple discriminant type classification resulting in 100% accuracy. However, using EOG solely is not acceptable as there always will be unintentional eye movement giving false commands. Combining both EEG and EOG with different weightage to the two classifications produced varied degrees of improvement. For 50% weightage to both resulted in 100% accuracy, without any error, and this may be accepted as a practical solution because the chances of unintentional false commands will be very rare. Therefore, a combination of EOG and BCI may lead to a greater reliability in terms of avoidance of undesired control signals.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Physics Vol.10 No.1 2017 47-58
Opendoor laminoplasty is good Surgical treatment for multilevel cervical spinal canal stenosis
Authors: Islam Md Anowarul , Iqbal Ahmed Asif , Parvez Md Qumruzzaman , Goni Md Fahad , Rana Md Masud , Islam Md Amirul
Published: December 2018

Background : Expansive open-door laminoplasty is widely accepted as a reliable procedure for cervical myelopathy. However, one acknowledged complication is spring-back complication or closure of the door which may result in re-stenosis of cervical canal and neurologic deterioration. The study aimed for addressing our cervical open-door laminoplasty technique with plate and screw and subsequently the follow-up outcomes.Methods: Thirty consecutive patients who underwent open-door laminoplasty with the novel technique were included and followed for minimum 5 years from July 2011 to June 2016. Antero-posterior diameter (APD) of the vertebral canal of C4 was measured in lateral cervical radiographs. Neurologic scenarios were assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores.Results: Twenty-five males (83.3%) and five (16.7%) females with an average follow-up of 68 months were enrolled. The preoperative APD was 13.22 mm (±1.15), whereas the postoperative APD increased to 31.23 mm (±2.43) with an expansion ratio of 136.23% (P < 0.05). The JOA score increased from 8.5 preoperatively to 13.45 postoperatively with a recovery rate of 58.2% (P < 0.05). The elevated laminas were maintained open during the follow-up period.Conclusions: Our technique with plate and screw for laminoplasty is a simple and efficient method for maintaining the decompression of cervical canal and neurologic improvement.TAJ 2016; 29(1): 33-38
Gossypiboma- A rare case of breast fistula
Authors: Islam B , Mortuza MG , Ahmed I , Alom A
Published: December 2018

Breast fistula is an uncommon disease usually occurs in young women. Most of the fistula is mammary duct fistula. Foreign body causing fistula in breast is very rare. Here a 50 years old female suddenly developed pain and swelling in her right breast, initially diagnosed as breast abscess and drained in a local clinic by a qualified surgeon, then the patient was improved but after 2 months another abscess was developed in opposite side of same breast which was burst spontaneously and fistulous tract formed and persist for 2 years. Then the patient was admitted in RMCH. FNAC report reveals granulomataous inflammation cytologically tuberculosis. Tubercular Chemotherapy was given for 2 months but no improvement. Finally surgery was decided, a retained surgical gauze (Gossypiboma) was found within the fistulous tract and fistulectomy was done and the wound laid open. Foreign body usually causes chronic discharging sinus but fistulous formation is very rare.TAJ 2016; 29(1): 58-60
Topical Isotretinoin in Acne Vulgaris
Authors: Rahman M Moksedur , Abdullah M , Hossain M Moazzem , Siddique MA , Nessa M , Rahman MK , MMR Khan , Rahman M Zillur , Taher SMA , AfzalUddin SM
Published: December 2018

This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy, safety and adverse effects of topical isotretinoin 0.05% gel in the treatment of acne vulgaris. This prospective study was undertaken in Skin & VD outpatient department of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Rajshahi. One hundred patients with mild tomoderate acne vulgaris were enrolled and were instructed to apply isotretinoin 0.05% gel once daily at night for 12 weeks. Patients were followed up at 2,4,8 and 12 weeks for efficacy and tolerability. Efficacy was measured by counting facial inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions and by grading acne severity. Cutaneous tolerance was assessed by determining erythema, scaling and burning with pruritus.Response was excellent in 80%of cases.None of the cutaneous reactions was severe, all were mild and well tolerated.Nobody had to discontinue the therapy for side effects. This study confirms that isotretinoin 0.05% gel is safe and effective topical therapy for mild to moderate acnevulgaris.TAJ 2016; 29(2): 1-5
Components Analysis of Metabolic Syndrome in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients
Authors: MMR Khan , NK Sana , Basak PM , Sarker BC , Islam M Akhtarul , Jahan KI , Rahman MK , Rashid MHO , Sarker A , Das CK , Majumder SC
Published: December 2018

Background: Metabolic syndrome confers the risk of developing acute myocardial infarction which is the most common form of coronary heart disease and the single most important cause of premature death worldwide. The frequency and association of different components of metabolic syndrome on AMI are not well understood and has not been well evaluated.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the components of the metabolic syndrome and its association with AMI patients. This study will help in awareness building in reducing AMI by early detection of components of metabolic syndrome.Patients and methods: This was a prospective observational study consisted of 325 AMI patients who were aged >20 years. Patients with first time AMI arriving in CCU of Rajshahi medical college during the period of 2012-2014, were included. Data were collected through interview, clinical examination, and laboratory tests within 24 hrs of AMI. Five components of metabolic syndrome were defined according to criteria set by modified NCEP ATP III (according to ethnic variation).Results: In AMI patients (n=325), no metabolic components were in 24 (7.4%) patients, one in 53 (16.3%), 2 components in 91(28.0%), 3 components were in 61(18.8%), 4 in 67(20.6%) and all 5 components were in 29 (8.9%) patients. In this study, there was no component in 7.4% of AMI patients, at least 1 component was 92.6%, at least 2 components were 76.3%, at least 3 components were 48.3%, at least 4 components were 29.5% and at least 5 components were 8.9%. The Metabolic syndrome was 48.3% (n=157). Among metabolic syndrome (≥3 components) in AMI (n=157, 48.3%) 4 components (20.6%) were more, next was 3 components (18.8%) and than 5 components (8.9%). Overall frequencies of components in acute myocardial infarction (n=325) were in order of abdominal obesity (54.8%) > high blood pressure (54.5%) > high FPG (54.2%) > Triglyceride (46.2%) and low HDL-C (46.2%) in acute myocardial infarction. Highest percentage was observed in abdominal obesity (54.8%) followed by high blood pressure (54.5%) and FPG (54.2%).TAJ 2016; 29(2): 6-10
Risk of Thyroid Malignancy in Non-Toxic Multi-nodular Goitre: Experience in Rajshahi
Authors: Sarker MM , Sarker MK , Perveen NA
Published: December 2018

Non-Toxic multi-nodular goitre is one of the common presentations of various thyroid diseases. A sizable portion of multi-nodular goitre turns into malignancy over time. This cross-sectional study was conducted in RMCH and different clinics of Rajshahi City to determine the incidence and types of various thyroid malignancies in non-toxic multi-nodular goitres. Among the total cases, 43% of the patients were in the age group of 31-40 years and majority (81%) of whom were female. 52% of the patients had a history of thyroid swelling for 1-5 years and 55% of the patients had goitre size ≤ 15 cm2. Sub-total thyroidectomy was the commonest operation performed and all the resected specimens were sent for histopathological examinations, which demonstrates that 13% of the multi-nodular goitres had malignancies with papillary and follicular carcinoma ratio 5:1. This study did not reveal any significant association of malignancies with age and sex and goitre size also not influence the presence of malignancy. However, it was observed that the mean duration of thyroid swelling in patients who developed malignancy was significantly higher (8.6 years) than that of patients who did not experience any malignant change (5.7 years).TAJ 2016; 29(2): 16-20
Ultrasonographic Findings of Brain in Perinatal Asphyxiated Babies
Authors: Rahman M Luthfor , Shah Kabiruzzaman , Paul Parimal K , Haq Sanaul , Uddin M Belal , Bari Iqbal
Published: December 2018

Perinatal asphyxia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among the newborns in developing countries like Bangladesh. The CNS lesions following perinatal asphyxia can be detected by ultrasonography before closure of fontanels which is easier, cost-effective, and convenient than other methods like CT scan and MRI. This cross-sectional type of descriptive study was conducted on 99 perinatal asphyxiated babies in the Paediatric department of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital during the period of July 2008 to June 2010 to assess CNS lesions in different grades of HIE in term and preterm babies. A non-random purposive sampling method was adopted to select the sample unit. Ultrasonography of the brain of each patient was done at the Centre for Nuclear Medicine & Ultrasound, Rajshahi only once within first 28 days of life when the baby became clinically stable. Ultrasonographic findings showed that 13.1% term babies had abnormal findings of which cerebral edema occupied the major portions (54.54 %). About 20.0% preterm babies had abnormal ultrasonographic findings of which ventriculomegaly without IVH (66.6%).The study also showed that the prevalence of intracranial abnormality was higher (78.6%) among the perinatal asphyxiated babies with HIE stage-2 in comparison to that of the HIE stage-3 (14.3%) and HIE stage-1(7.1%).So, this study provided evidences in favour of role of ultrasonography of brain in the evaluation of perinatal asphyxiated babies and designing appropriate management.TAJ 2016; 29(2): 21-25
Prevalence and risk factors of Type 2 diabetes in an urbanizing rural community of Bangladesh
Authors: Islam M Akhtarul , MMR Khan , Basak PM , Khanam MM , Masum AA
Published: December 2018

This cross-sectional study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its’ risk factors in an urbanizing rural community of Bangladesh. This study was carried out in my private practice chamber at Rohonpur, Chapai Nawabgonj District of Bangladesh. Rohonpur is an unbanning rural community of Bangladesh. Total 975 subjects (>20 years), were included following simple random procedure. This study was carried out in between 1st July2015 to 31st December 2016. Capillary blood glucose levels, fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and 2- hour after 75 g oral glucose load (OGTT) were measured. Height, weight, waist and hip circumferences and blood pressure were measured. The study population was lean with mean body mass index (BMI) of 20.48. The total prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 8.5%, men showed higher prevalence (9.4%) compare to women (8.0%). Increasing age and higher BMI were found to be significant risk factors following both FBG and OGTT. The study has shown that prevalence of diabetes has increased in the populations who are in transitional stage of urbanization, and may indicate an epidemiological transition due to fast expanding urbanization.TAJ 2016; 29(2): 26-30
Knowledge and Awareness on Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases among Commercial Sex Workers
Authors: Haque MR , Ghosh K , Sultana H , Saha E , Kafi A , Roy P
Published: December 2018

Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess the level of awareness on prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases among 120 sex workers.Material and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted for one year. Data were collected through face to face interview using Bengali questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS 17.0 software.Place and Period of Study: The study was conducted from January 1st to December 31st of 2014 among 120 sex workersliving in brothel of Daulodia,Rajbariin Bangladesh.Results: More than half (58.7%) of the respondents had children in the brothels. All the respondents (100%) heard about the sexually transmitted diseases. Majority (86.7%) of the respondents had knowledge on AIDS. Only a few (4.2%) respondents had knowledge on AIDS and Gonorrhea. Majority (91.7 %) of the respondents had knowledge on STD transmission from pregnant women. Almost all (97.5%, 98.3%)) of the respondents had the knowledge about STD transmissionnot from toilet or shaking hands respectively.Almost all of the (95.8%, 94.2%, 94.2%, 85.8% )respondents had the knowledge on STD transmission through sexual intercourse,injection,through mosquito,sharing same razor respectively. Most of them (81.7%) had good level of knowledge on STD transmission. Only above one tenth (11.7%) had moderate and poor level of knowledge.Almost all of them (96.7%, 95.9%, 95.9%) were found touse condom, agreed to keep one partner at a time,to reduce the number of sex partner respectively.Most of them (89.3%)did not knowthe HIV status of partner before sex,almost all (97.5%, 94.2% and 97.5%) agreed to avoid risky sex,to screen blood during transfusion, to avoid sharing needles & blade respectively. All (100%)of the respondents agreed for need of sexuality education for preventing STD.Almost all (98.30%)of the respondents had good awareness on Prevention and Control of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. There was no association between level of education and level of awareness (P> 0.005), between age and level of awareness (P> 0.005) and between duration of work and level of awareness (P> 0.005).Conclusion: Education is the most consistent and important determinant for prevention of STDs among all classes of people.TAJ 2016; 29(2): 47-56