bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pre-Conception Characteristics Predict Obstetrical and Neonatal Outcomes in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Christ Jacob P , Gunning Marlise N , Meun Cindy , Eijkemans Marinus J C , van Rijn Bas B , Bonsel Gouke J , Laven Joop S E , Fauser Bart C J M
Published: December 2018

Context

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk for obstetric and perinatal complications. At present, it is unknown how characteristics of PCOS relate to the likelihood of these complications.

Objective

To evaluate which preconception features are associated with obstetric and perinatal disease among infertile women with PCOS.

Design

Data from two prospective cohort studies completed from January 2004 until January 2014 were linked to Dutch Perinatal national registry outcomes.

Setting

Two Dutch university medical centers.

Participants

2768 women diagnosed with PCOS were included. Participants underwent an extensive standardized preconception screening. Exclusion criteria included: age <18 years or >45 years, language barrier, or failure to meet PCOS criteria.

Interventions

None.

Main Outcome Measures

Outcome measures were obtained from the Dutch Perinatal national registry and included: preeclampsia, preterm delivery, small for gestational age (SGA), low Apgar score, and any adverse outcome.

Results

1715 (62% of participants) women with PCOS were identified as undergoing a pregnancy with live birth after screening. In fully adjusted models, prepregnancy free androgen index was associated with subsequent preeclampsia [OR (95% CI), 1.1 (1.0 to 1.1)]. Fasting glucose [1.4 (1.2 to 1.7)] and testosterone [1.5 (1.2 to 1.7)] predicted preterm delivery. Fasting insulin [1.003 (1.001 to 1.005)], and testosterone [1.2 (1.1 to 1.4)] predicted any adverse outcome. SGA was only predicted by features nonspecific to PCOS.

Conclusions

Primary disease characteristics of PCOS, chiefly hyperandrogenism and impaired glucose tolerance, predict suboptimal obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Increased surveillance during pregnancy should focus on women with PCOS and these features to help mitigate disease risk.
Molecular characterization and overexpression of mnp6 and vp3 from Pleurotus ostreatus revealed their involvement in biodegradation of cotton stalk lignin
Authors: Wang Yan , Li Guoqing , Jiao Xiaoyu , Cheng Xi , Abdullah Muhammad , Li Dahui , Lin Yi , Cai Yongping , Nie Fan
Published: December 2018

Fungal secretory heme peroxidase (Class II POD) plays a significant role in biomass conversion due to its lignin-degrading activity. In this study, genome-wide identification and bioinformatics were performed to analyze Pleurotus ostreatus peroxidases (PoPODs). A total of six manganese peroxidases (MnPs) and three versatile peroxidases (VPs) were obtained. Bioinformatics analysis and qRT-PCR showed that P. ostreatus mnp6 (Pomnp6) and P. ostreatus vp3 (Povp3) could be involved in lignin degradation. Both Pomnp6 and Povp3 transgenetic fungi showed significantly increased lignin degradation of cotton stalks. 1H-NMR revealed that Pomnp6 and Povp3 may preferentially degrade S-lignin in cotton stalks and mainly break β-O-4′ bond linkages and hydroxyl. These results support the possible utility of Pomnp6 and Povp3 in natural straw resources and development of sustainable energy.
Analysis of NT-proBNP and uric acid due to left ventricle hypertrophy in the patients of aortic valve disease
Authors: Jan Muhammad Ishtiaq , Khan Riaz Anwar , Sultan Aneesa , Ullah Anwar , Ishtiaq Ayesha , Murtaza Iram
Published: December 2018

Objective: To evaluate the concentration of N terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) and partially the serum uric acid in the severe condition of aortic valve dysfunction for assessment of left ventricle hypertrophy.

Methods: The study was conducted in the signal transduction lab department of biochemistry Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad from September 2013 to February 2017. NT-proBNP and serum uric acid were measured in one hundred patients of aortic valve dysfunction. The patients were divided into three main groups: 1) Aortic stenosis, 2) Aortic regurgitation, and 3) Aortic stenosis with Aortic regurgitation. The results were compared between disease and controls groups.

Results: High level of plasma NT-proBNP was detected in all the three disease groups of aortic valve (stenosis, p<0.001), (regurgitation, p<0.001) and (stenosis with regurgitation, p<0.001). In addition, non-significantly increased level of serum uric acid was also observed in left ventricle hypertrophy in all the three respective disease groups of aortic valve.

Conclusion: Increased secretion of NT-proBNP during cardiac remodeling can be related to the severity of left ventricle hypertrophy due to aortic valve abnormality in all the disease groups of severe stenosis, severe regurgitation, and combine disease condition of severe stenosis and severe regurgitation. However, non-significant increase in uric acid concentration is also identified which may be due to one of the factors involved in left ventricle hypertrophy in all the three disease groups of aortic valve. The interaction of uric acid with NT-proBNP during cardiac remolding due to aortic valve dysfunction is still not clear.

How to cite this:Jan MI, Khan RA, Sultan A, Ullah A, Ishtiaq A, Murtaza I. Analysis of NT-proBNP and uric acid due to left ventricle hypertrophy in the patients of aortic valve disease. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(1):183-188. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.1.148

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Frequency and causes of anemia in Lymphoma patients
Authors: Yasmeen Tahira , Ali Jamshed , Khan Khadeeja , Siddiqui Neelam
Published: December 2018

Objective: Purpose of this study was to find out frequency of anemia and its causes in newly diagnosed treatment naive lymphoma patients.

Methods: We retrospectively studied all lymphoma patients (> 18 years age) diagnosed and treated at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, from January 2016 till January 2017. The data was collected from electronic Hospital Information System. Descriptive statistics were done by using summary measures for categorical variables as well as continuous variables.

Results: Out of a total 408 patients, 272 were males and 136 females. Median age of patients was 33 years (18-76). Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) were the diagnosis in 201 and 134 patients respectively; rest of the patients had low grade lymphomas. Anemia was present in 184 (45%) patients. Anemia of chronic disease was the commonest cause of anemia and was present in 61 (33.1%) patients. Remaining patients had anemia secondary to marrow involvement 50(27.17%); iron deficiency anemia, Vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia and hemolytic anemia were the causes in 7.6, 1.6%, % and 0.54% respectively.

Conclusion: Anemia is a common feature in newly diagnosed lymphoma patients with anemia of chronic disease as the commonest cause. It is more frequent in patients with higher stages of lymphoma especially when bone marrow is involved by lymphoma. Since anemia is an important adverse prognostic factor for the outcome of lymphoma patients, work up for anemia prior to initiation of chemotherapy should be done in every lymphoma patient in order to help improve the management of these patients.

How to cite this:Yasmeen T, Ali J, Khan K, Siddiqui N. Frequency and causes of anemia in Lymphoma patients. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(1):61-65. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.1.91

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Effects of anterior chamber depth and axial length on corneal endothelial cell density after phacoemulsification
Authors: Khalid Muhammad , Ameen Sameer Shahid , Ayub Nauman , Mehboob Mohammad Asim
Published: December 2018

Objective: To evaluate mean decrease in Corneal Endothelial cell Density (CED) after phacoemulsification in patients with different Anterior Chamber Depths (ACDs) and Axial Lengths (ALs).

Methods: This prospective stratified controlled study was conducted at PNS Shifa Hospital, Karachi. One hundred eyes of 90 patients, scheduled to undergo phacoemulsification surgery, were included. AL and ACD of each patient were calculated preoperatively using IOL Master. Cataracts were classified according toLens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III) giving nuclear opalescence (NO) grades on slit lamp examination and only patients with grades NO2 and NO3 were included.Eyes were divided into two groups according to ACD and AL: Group-I: ACD 2.0mm – 3 mm and AL 22mm – 23.5mm; Group-II: ACD 3.1 mm -4.0 mm and AL 23.6mm – 25mm. CED measurements were done preoperatively and 2 month postoperatively using specular microscopy. The difference in CED change (Endothelial Cell Loss) between the two groups after surgery was analyzed using SPSS, v 22; IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY.

Results: Differences in gender, laterality, age and preoperative CED between two groups were not significant. Difference in postoperative CED was also not significant, however difference in mean change and mean frequency change in CED between two groups was found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion: ACD and AL affect the CED during phacoemulsification and Intraocular Lens(IOL) implantation and can be considered as risk factors of peroperative endothelial cell loss.

How to cite this:Khalid M, Ameen SS, Ayub N, Mehboob MA. Effects of anterior chamber depth and axial length on corneal endothelial cell density after phacoemulsification. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(1):200-204. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.1.92

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Novel deleterious mutation in MYO7A, TH and EVC2 in two Pakistani brothers with familial deafness
Authors: Sabiha Bibi , Ali Johar , Yousafzai Yasar Mehmood , Haider Syed Adnan
Published: December 2018

Objective: In Pakistan, 74% of consanguineous marriages are among the first cousins. Continuity of consanguineous marriages over generations increases the risk of recessive diseases such as deafness. The objective of this study was to investigate genetic origin of Pakistani deaf brothers with parents of consanguineous marriage.

Methods: DNA was extracted from the blood through Qiagen kit. Paired-end sequencing library was prepared according to protocol of Illumina’s TruSight Rapid Capture kit and TruSight Inherited Disease Panel. Library was normalized and used for Next Generation Sequencing through MiSeq. NGS data were analyzed using various bioinformatics tools.

Results: Both brothers were found to have novel deleterious mutation in MYO7A (c.2476G>A) while the younger brother had additional novel deleterious mutation in TH (c.43C>T) and EVC2 (c.2614C>T) genes.

Conclusion: It is concluded that in addition to novel mutations in MYO7A, TH and EVC2, the CDH23 and GJB2 can also be responsible for deafness in the family with consanguineous marriages.

How to cite this:Sabiha B, Ali J, Yousafzai YM, Haider SA. Novel deleterious mutation in MYO7A, TH and EVC2 in two Pakistani brothers with familial deafness. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(1):17-22. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.1.98

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Sharing health research data – the role of funders in improving the impact
Authors: Terry Robert F. , Littler Katherine , Olliaro Piero L.
Published: December 2018

Recent public health emergencies with outbreaks of influenza, Ebola and Zika revealed that the mechanisms for sharing research data are neither being used, or adequate for the purpose, particularly where data needs to be shared rapidly.

A review of research papers, including completed clinical trials related to priority pathogens, found only 31% (98 out of 319 published papers, excluding case studies) provided access to all the data underlying the paper - 65% of these papers give no information on how to find or access the data. Only two clinical trials out of 58 on interventions for WHO priority pathogens provided any link in their registry entry to the background data.

Interviews with researchers revealed a reluctance to share data included a lack of confidence in the utility of the data; an absence of academic-incentives for rapid dissemination that prevents subsequent publication and a disconnect between those who are collecting the data and those who wish to use it quickly.  The role of the funders of research needs to change to address this. Funders need to engage early with the researchers and related stakeholders to understand their concerns and work harder to define the more explicitly the benefits to all stakeholders.  Secondly, there needs to be a direct benefit to sharing data that is directly relevant to those people that collect and curate the data. Thirdly more work needs to be done to realise the intent of making data sharing resources more equitable, ethical and efficient.  Finally, a checklist of the issues that need to be addressed when designing new or revising existing data sharing resources should be created. This checklist would highlight the technical, cultural and ethical issues that need to be considered and point to examples of emerging good practice that can be used to address them.
Clinical characteristics of migraine: A prospective cross-sectional study over nine years
Authors: Almohammadawi Khalid Obiad Mohsin , Alhilfi Haider Saadoon Qasim , Alkhalidy Rafid Adil Abood
Published: December 2018

Background: Migraine is the most common primary headache. This study aimed to describe clinical observations about migraine in outpatients in Iraq, including migraine types and subtypes, duration and frequency of acute attacks, severity, disability, effects on the quality of life, and complications.

Methods: This is an outpatient-based prospective cross-sectional study, conducted in the Misan province, Iraq over nine years, and included 1412 patients aged 12 to 50 years. The data was collected from clinical records of patients who attended outpatient clinics.

Results: The study included 1100 women (77.9%) and 312 men (22.1%); the women/men ratio being 3.5:1. The median age and standard deviation (SD) was 21 ± 5.42 years. The mean age at first attack of migraine was 17 ± 4.91 years. Migraine without aura was the most common type, accounting for 68% of the cases. The mean frequency of the attacks was (2 ± 4.63) days/month. In general, acute attacks were moderate to severe.

Conclusions: In our study, we observed that migraine causes a headache resulting in episodes of temporary functional disability and women suffered more than men (ratio of 3.5:1). The mean age at first attack was a young age, and a family history of migraine highly altered distribution. Migraine without aura was the most common type, and symptoms including nausea and vomiting and photophobia were experienced by patients, which were used to diagnose migraines. Experienced aura was the most common migraine with aura, but also aura without a headache and aura with migraine were prevalent; therefore, it is important to differentiate between migraine subtypes. Visual aura was the most common aura, while motor symptoms were very rare. Chronic persistent headaches were a common complication recorded. These features provide evidence for the creation of screening tools in migraine prevention migraine.
Knowing the Body: Seeing it Through “Their” Eyes
Authors: Pal Sulagna
Published: December 2018

This paper is based on my understanding and analysis of a number of ideas related with the body with the sole intention of over viewing the diverse understanding of the body and its functioning. Buddhaghosa’s (who is a Buddhist scholar) understanding of the body seems to be negative to many. I have viewed the body from the perspective of Buddhaghosa within his work The Path ofPurification. Buddhaghosa points out the reality of the body and its underlying foulness and the human tendency to camouflage its foulness under the veil of superficial make up, which are altogether temporary by nature. I will also be dealing with the concept of donation of the body, from the perspective of the Buddhist school of thought. Within the other part of this work I will be dealing with the understanding of the body viewed from the perspective of the feminists. Within this part of the paper, I will make an effort to re-reflect upon Buddhaghosa’s understanding of the body, which seems to have an essence of the “gendered” notion within itself.Keywords: Body, Understanding of body, Donation, Buddhism, Feminist
‘Forget the fidget spinners’
Authors: Allingham Sue
Published: December 2018

While it seems that some policy makers and practitioners are constantly looking for the next magic potion that will infallibly raise standards, it is important to look beyond the gimmicks and the fads.
How imaginative resources ‘motivate’ home learning
Authors: Lee Maureen
Published: December 2018

Find out how one setting sent ‘borrow bags’ home with children to help parents understand how they could support their ‘fundamental movements’ as a precursor to skills used in games and specific sports.
Being able to understand the child's perspective
Authors: Campbell-Barr Verity , Georgeson Jan
Published: December 2018

Discover how a series of observations in international settings has enabled an exploration of the different ways in which educators enact child-centredness, and how this can support diverse groups.
As cute as can be…
Authors: Brown Paula
Published: December 2018

What makes children ‘cute’ and how do our perceptions influence our practice? It is important to reflect on this and ensure that each child we work with receives the same amount of attention, warmth and support.
Find new ways of thinking, seeing and doing
Authors: Moss Peter
Published: December 2018

In this extract from his latest book, Alternative Narratives in Early Childhood, Peter Moss focuses on the French philosopher Michel Foucault to explore how his perspectives on power in relationships can inform reflective and innovative practice in the early years.
Make changes for the better!
Authors: Tanuku Purnima
Published: December 2018

The beginning of a new year is always a good time to take stock and decide what needs to change. There are lots of ways in which practitioners can improve their practice without spending money.
Set the scene – and give your celebrations pizzaz!
Authors: Chapman Ailsa
Published: December 2018

Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day are seasonal themes which can be refreshed every year. The key is to provide imaginative resources and home in on the aspects that most excite children.
Take a very Big Breath!
Authors: Ulatowski Tony
Published: December 2018

Controlled breathing exercises can help to provide focus and wellbeing for even very young children. Try this step-by-step guide to achieving the Big Breath, which can be both calming and energising.
Floating through the air
Authors: Roberts Ann R
Published: December 2018

You don't need bought resources to set up a session of parachute play. Simply use a scarf, sarong or sari to experiment with objects floating down through the air and have fun testing different weighted items.
Pelvic floor investigations for bowel dysfunction (part 1): endoanal ultrasound
Authors: Hibberts Fiona , Deschamps Nadine , Williams Andrew B
Published: December 2018

Endoanal ultrasound is the gold-standard diagnostic tool for assessing the anal sphincter musculature. It is most frequently used to establish the cause of faecal incontinence symptoms, which often result from obstetric anal sphincter injuries. Visualised patterns of echogenicity reveal the texture of different kinds of muscle, potentially showing atrophy, defects and/or fragmentation. These can be examined in light of the patient's clinical history for signs of infection, scarring or anal cancers, as well as haemorrhoids, abscesses or fistulae. Different depth-of-field settings make it possible to view the subepithelium, longitudinal muscle and internal and external anal sphincters at different depths. Technological developments include three-dimensional imaging. Endoanal ultrasound is a valuable investigative modality for colorectal nurse specialists to be able to use and interpret to benefit the patient and improve their symptoms.
Clinical nurse specialist role in setting up a joint hepatocellular carcinoma clinic at a specialist liver unit
Authors: O'Donoghue Pamela , O'Beirne James , Malago Massimo , Woodrow Lisa , Imber Charles , Sharma Dinesh
Published: December 2018

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing. Notably, the majority of these patients have two potentially life-threatening conditions (cirrhosis and HCC), and management requires close working between several specialties. Treatment of HCC is also an active area of research, and the last decade has seen an increase in the number of complex treatment strategies that can be applied in this disease. When the author started working at the Royal Free Hospital, London, in 2010 as the hepato-pancreato-biliary oncology clinical nurse specialist, it soon became apparent that the HCC service was growing rapidly. However, the service appeared fragmented; HCC patients were being managed solely by hepatologists, oncologists or surgeons, and they had different treatment pathways. Given the dual pathology of HCC patients, and with the increasing number of treatment options available, the team decided on a more central way of managing them, which was to set up a joint HCC clinic. This article describes the evolution of the clinic, including the role played by the dedicated HCC clinical nurse specialist.
Dying from liver disease: the importance of end-of-life discussions
Authors: Watson Sharan , Mortimore Gerri
Published: December 2018

Over the past 50 years, deaths from liver disease have risen dramatically, whereas deaths from many other major diseases have fallen. Liver disease is now the third largest cause of premature death in the UK, with alcohol-related liver disease accounting for nearly 40% of these deaths. With advanced liver disease comes the associated complications of varices, hepatic encephalopathy and ascites, and death from liver disease can be sudden and catastrophic. Supportive and palliative care needs in people with liver disease often go unrecognised and unaddressed. End-of-life care and wishes can be a difficult subject to broach to patients and their loved ones, but it is one that nurses are often best placed to undertake. Therefore, when considering the overall care of patients with liver disease, it is necessary to incorporate anticipatory and concordant end-of-life plans.
Our Farmer Abraham: The Binding of Isaac and Willing What God Wills
Authors: Worsley David
Published: December 2018

In The Philosophy of Hebrew Scripture, Yoram Hazony suggests that it is part of Rabbinic tradition that in the Akedah, Abraham never intended to sacrifice Isaac (2012, 115-118). In a recent paper, Sam Lebens (2017, 501) argued that in making this claim, Hazony is misrepresenting Rabbinic tradition. In this paper, I show that Hazony can concede to Lebens’s argument and still have something interesting to say about the Akedah, namely, that it provides an opportunity to reflect on what might happen when a ‘Shepherd’ is commanded by God to violate what they understand to be a principle of natural law.
Cartesian Aseity in the Third Meditation
Authors: McBrayer Landon
Published: December 2018

The notion that something can exist a se (of/through itself) is central to Descartes’s overall metaphysics of causation.  In the Meditations, divine aseity plays the role of explaining not only God’s existence but ultimately the existence of everything else apart from God.  Yet in the Meditations proper, as well as in the early Replies, Descartes does little to clarify (much less defend) exactly what his view of divine aseity is and how it might differ from the sort of aseity commonly posited by the Scholastics.   Despite Descartes’s later attempts to assuage this worry and clarify his position, the positive aseity charge has not gone away. (For example, John Carriero, in his recent lengthy commentary on the Meditations, repeats the charge in his analysis of the Third Meditation.) Here I shall argue that the charge is unjustified on all counts.  Baldly stated, Descartes’s notion of aseity is no different (with one slight but important qualification) than the negative sense of aseity endorsed by his Scholastic predecessors - especially Aquinas.  Understanding this not only helps in clarifying the overall picture of Cartesian causality but also aids in seeing how commentaries on the Meditations, old and new, have obscured it.
Physico-chemical characterization of olive-oil mill wastewaters of Ben Karrich area (Tetouan province, North of Morocco) and optimization study of their treatment using activated carbon
Authors: Bouharat Dorsaf , EL Yousfi Farida , Ellaghdach Anas , Souhail Badr Dine , Slimani Alaoui Nabila
Published: December 2018

A physio-chemical characterization of olive oil mill wastewater (OMW) obtained from a continuous two-phases olive oil extraction process is presented. High organic load of OMW from Ben Karrich region has been registered. The values of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total phenolic compounds were 84.5 g of O2/L and 3.79 g/L, respectively. In this sense, a treatment using activated carbon as adsorbent was proposed. Results have shown high removal percentages in total phenolic compounds (98%) and COD (90%). The optimal operating conditions were 4 g of activated carbon and adsorbing time equal to 5 minutes.
BOMD study on the reaction among one amaranth dye molecule and one chitosan repetitive unit
Authors: Zaragoza Irineo-Pedro , Reyes Rosario Suárez , Sánchez Juan Horacio Pacheco
Published: December 2018

The interaction between the reactants formed by a repeating unit of chitosan (adsorbent) and an amaranth dye molecule (adsorbate) is calculated using Born Oppenheimer Molecular Dynamics (BOMD) to determine possible adsorption. The attack of the adsorbent to the adsorbate is oriented between NH2 and OH of the functional group of C14H24N2O9 chitosan repetitive unit and the functional group of SO3Na sodium sulfonate dye. The electronic effects in the calculation of the dynamics are useful to determine the way these molecules interact. In the first model, it is observed the breakage of a sodium-oxygen bond and another of sulfur-oxygen, belonging to the dye molecule with a reorganization of hydrogens in the chitosan repetitive unit functional group. This shows that there are changes in the site where dye adsorption is predicted on chitosan assuming that the molecules are at neutral pH. For the second model it is observed that the collision of the dye molecule shows repulsive effects by the chitosan repetitive unit forming a deviation angle less than 90°. For this study, DFT was used with exchange and correlation using DZVP basis set function.
Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of Methyl (2R)-2-benzamido-2-{[(1R)-2-methoxy-2-oxo- 1-phenylethyl]amino}acetate
Authors: Karai Oumaima , Aouine Younas , Faraj Hassane , Anouar Alami , Kabbour Mohammed Rachid , El Hallaoui Abdelilah , Bouksaim Mohamed
Published: December 2018

The present work covers the recent synthetic of methyl (2R)-2-benzamido-2-{[(1R)-2-methoxy-2-oxo-1-phenylethyl]amino}acetate, via N-alkylation of methyl a-azido glycinate N-benzoylated with methyl 2-amino-2-phenylacetate in methylene chloride and in presence of triethylamine as basic catalyst. The structure of the prepared compound was determined by spectroscopic methods: 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, MS data, elemental analysis and confirmed by X-Ray diffraction. This compound was screened in vitro for its antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enteric). The MIC values confirmed that the title compound had a bactericidal effect against the strains tested.
Hydroxylated boswellic and glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives: synthesis and cytotoxicity
Authors: Serbian Immo , Wolfram Ratna Kancana , Fischer Lucie , Al-Harrasi Ahmed , Csuk René
Published: December 2018

Oxidation of 2,3-dehydro-11-keto--boswellic acid gave derivatives holding extra hydroxyl groups at positions C-1, C-2 or C-1 and C-9, respectively. The synthesis of 2,3-dehydro-1,9-dihydroxy-11-keto--boswellic acid represents the first partial-synthetic access to this class of compounds. The synthetic strategy can be expanded easily, and a corresponding analogue derived from glycyrrhetinic acid was accessed by the same synthetic scheme in good overall yield. Boswellic and glycyrrhetinic acid 1,9-endoperoxides are intermediates for the synthesis of the 1,9-dihydroxylated compounds. These 1,9-endo-peroxides were highly cytotoxic for several human tumor cell lines but only diminished cytotoxicity was observed in SRB assays for the 1,9-dihydroxylated compounds.
New polyoxygenated polyketide from pathogenic fungus Cylindrocarpon destructans with α-glycosidase inhibitory activity
Authors: Khan Dilfaraz , Khan Shahid Ullah , Niaz Shah Iram , Haroon Muhammad , Badshah Syed , Khan Shafiullah , Din Salahud , Lan Lui
Published: December 2018

Phytochemical investigation on pathogenic fungus Cylindrocarpon destructans isolated form Meconopsisgrandis plant led to the isolation of one new polyoxygenated polyketides, namely cylindrocarpolide A along with five known compounds. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectroscopic data analysis. The isolated compounds were evaluated for α-glycosidase inhibition activity. The compounds isolated compounds were found to have strong to weak inhibition against the α-glycosidase enzymes
Editorial: Beatific Vision
Authors: Efird David , Worsley David
Published: December 2018

‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God’ (Matthew 5.8; NRSV), so says Christ at the beginning of his greatest sermon, the Sermon on the Mount. But just what it is to be pure in heart and what it is to see God, he never explains. Following this beatitude, Christian writers in Scripture, and in the subsequent Christian tradition, have developed the doctrine of the beatific vision, according to which a person who is completely sanctified (is pure in heart) has immediate knowledge of God (sees him). While this doctrine has exerted considerable influence on the Christian tradition, it has received scant philosophical attention. In this issue, we begin to sketch what a philosophy of the beatific vision would look like.
Rise and be surprised: Aspectual profiling and mirativity in Odia light verb constructions
Authors: Lemmens Maarten , Sahoo Kalyanamalini
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we present our Construction Grammar account of light verb constructions in the Indo-Aryan language Odia (earlier known as Oriya). These light verb constructions are asymmetric complex verb predicates that combine a main verb (MV) with a light verb (LV). While the LVs are form-identical with a lexical verb, they are “light” because they have lost their lexical content as well as their argument structure. We argue that LV constructions present a coherent system: (i) they all modulate the interpretation of the event encoded by the main verb by adding a particular aspectual (phasal) profile on the event (i.e. profiling the ONSET, DURATION or COMPLETION of the event) and (ii) some of these light verbs further add a mirative interpretation. The present paper focuses on this subset of “aspectuo-mirative LVs” which can be characterised as non-parasitic expressions of mirativity; in particular, it presents new work on the light verb -uʈh‘-rise’ that combines a profile on ONSET with mirativity. The constructional view that we present here offers an account of light verbs that is both descriptively and theoretically innovative. Its descriptive value resides in its systematic and fine-grained corpus-based analysis of the formal and semantic features of LVs beyond what is found in the existing literature. The theoretical contribution of our paper not only resides in offering a better understanding of the status of LVs in the grammar, but by situating the semantic value of some of these in the complex category of mirativity, it offers a more unified answer of quite disparate observations in the literature. Finally, we also address the question of whether this mirative value of the aspectuo-mirative LVs is semantic or pragmatic. As we will show, such a strict dichotomy cannot be maintained, which gives further support for a constructional approach.
Isolation of pure pinosylvins from industrial knotwood residue with non-chlorinated solvents
Authors: Poljanšek Ida , Oven Primož , Vek Viljem , Raitanen Jan-Erik , Hemming Jarl , Willför Stefan
Published: December 2018

The aim of the study was to find appropriate non-chlorinated solvent systems for the extraction and separation of pure pinosylvin (PS) and pinosylvin monomethylether (PSMME) from Scots pine/Norway spruce wood residues. The extraction was performed in a pressurized solvent extractor and the purification and isolation of pure substances was done by flash chromatography. More precisely, pure PS was isolated via sequential flash chromatography in two repetitions in the gradient mode of the mobile phase, with cylcohexane (CX) and ethylacetate (EtOAc), beginning with 100% CX and ending up with 100% EtOAc. The extractives were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed in terms of PS and PSMME contents by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy.
Christopher Columbus and Juana Azurduy: Revising and Revisiting Historical Monuments in Argentina
Authors: Lerer Marisa
Published: December 2018

This article examines the recent disputed, intertwined re-sitings of Arnaldo Zocchi’s Monument to Christopher Columbus (1910) and Andrés Zerneri’s Monument to Juana Azurduy (2015) in Buenos Aires. It analyzes issues of commissioning and political motivation in President Kristina Fernandez de Kirchner’s call to remove the Columbus monument and the resulting backlash by civil society groups. The intervention by a head of state to uproot a monument dedicated to the Genovese navigator is just one of many ways in which distinct approaches to the legacy of Columbus is addressed in the transnational public sphere. This study will also consider the lack of memorials dedicated to women and First Nations in public space.
INA – An Augmented TV
Authors: Veyrat-Masson Isabelle
Published: December 2018

This paper describes the extraordinary tool available for the French, in the field of the preservation and provision of audiovisual archives (news, television, radio and Internet). Created in 1974, the National Audiovisual Institute (INA), a public service, was commissioned to collect from radio and television stations archives and programs broadcast by state radio and television for professionals. In a second phase, INA opened its collections to researchers and academics, and more recently, to the general public. INA has also built documentary and research tools. Therefore it can be said that the availability of this audiovisual heritage not only promotes the quality of research on the content of radio and television, but also that the possibility for citizens to consult – through the Internet – a part of these archives might modify the memorial heritage of our contemporaries.
Cooking the Books: Contested Colonial Commemorations in Australia
Authors: Ireland Tracy
Published: December 2018

Controversy around the celebration of Captain Cook as a founding father of the Australian nation is not new, but dates back to the nineteenth century when his first statues were raised. The latest plans made by Australia’s government to celebrate the 250th anniversary of his so-called discovery of the continent has sparked renewed controversy which is linked to global debates about the contemporary value and meaning of civic statues to heroes associated with Indigenous dispossession, colonialism and slavery.
Recognition and Protection of Personality Rights: Classification and Typology
Authors: Neethling Johann
Published: December 2018

In this article the premise is that personality interests exist in factual reality independently of any legal recognition. This emphasis on the pre-legal existence of individual personality interests is not merely of philosophical interest, but of cardinal jurisprudential and practical significance as it brings to the fore the fact that the qualities of personality interests are not determined by legal principles, but primarily by their nature in the sphere of factual reality. A jurisprudential definition and delineation of personality interests, which is essential to enable protective measures to be properly applied in practice, does not detract from this. This classification and typology therefore take account of factual reality, supplemented on a comparative law approach by the personality rights identified and delimited by jurists, the courts and legislatures, as well as typical examples of infringements of personality sanctioned by the different legal systems. Accordingly, the following classification and typology of personality rights are proposed: the right to life, the right to physical integrity, the right to physical liberty, the right to reputation, the right to dignity, the right to feelings, the right to privacy, and the right to identity.
Slow Light Investigation on Power Consumption of Lithium Niobate Phc Switch Based on Linear Electro-Optic Effect
Authors: Gharsallah Zaineb , Najjar Monia , Janyani Vijay
Published: December 2018

In this work, an optical switch based on electro-optic effect is reported. We used defect mode in two-dimensional photonic crystal made of Lithium Niobate. Under an applied voltage of 3 V, a refractive index change of −0.0702 is obtained which has led to a transmittance contrast about 60% for the ON state and a high extinction ratio of about 20 dB. Moreover, Slow light structure performance is investigated to optimize proposed optic switch. Due to elliptic shape of holes, the applied voltage is decreased to 0.5 V. Also, a refractive index change decrease around −0.0481, a transmittance contrast increase 65 %, and an extinction ratio increase by 5 dB have been observed. We used plan wave expansion and finite difference time domain methods to analyze the structures performances. It is seen that a defect mode shift about 40 nm and a switching length of 6.48 μm are obtained with drive voltage of 3 V for simple structure and only 0.5 V for slow light structure.
New record of Hipposideros speoris (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) from Myanmar hidden in the National Zoological Collections of the Zoological Survey of India
Authors: Dar Tauseef Hamid , Kamalakannan Manokaran , Venkatraman Chinnadurai , Chandra Kailash
Published: December 2018

Hipposideros speoris is a small-sized leaf-nosed bat and was thought to be restricted to India and Sri Lanka. Based on a single museum specimen preserved in alcohol housed in the National Zoological Collections of the Zoological Survey of India, we report and confirm the presence of H. speoris for the first time in Pyay, Myanmar.
Crystal structure of 7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-4,6-dimethylisobenzofuran-1(3H)-one, C11H12O4
Authors: Chen Pei-Wen , Tao Yi-Wen
Published: December 2018

C11H12O4, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 7.1609(3) Å, b = 4.6329(2) Å, c = 30.0028(14) Å, β = 96.635(4)°, V = 988.70(8) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0708, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1761, T = 100.01(10) K.
Thermal Radiation on Mixed Convective Flow in a Porous Cavity: Numerical Simulation
Authors: Hidayathulla Khan B.M.D. , Ramachandra Prasad V. , Bhuvana Vijaya R.
Published: December 2018

In this paper, the influence of mixed convection in a porous square enclosure under the effect of radiation is numerically examined. The top and bottom walls are maintained at uniform temperature θc while some portion of the vertical walls is partially heated with temperature θh and rest of the vertical walls are thermally insulated, with θh > θc. The non-dimensional governing equations are solved by MAC (Marker and Cell) method. The effect of various parameters (thermal Grashof number, Darcy number, Prandtl number, Reynolds number) on flow patterns and heat transfer has been presented.
Stereochemistry of electrophilic and nucleophilic substitutions at phosphorus
Authors: Kolodiazhnyi Oleg I.
Published: December 2018

Nucleophilic and electrophilic substitutions are the most often applied reactions in organophosphorus chemistry. They are closely interrelated, because in a reacting pair always one reagent is an electrophile, and another nucleophile. The reactions of electrophilic and nucleophilic substitutions at the phosphorus center proceed via the formation of a pentacoordinated intermediate. The mechanism of nucleophilic substitution involves the exchange of ligands in the pentacoordinate phosphorane intermediate, leading to the more stable stereomer under the thermodynamic control. Electrophilic substitution proceeds with retention of absolute configuration, whereas nucleophilic substitution with inversion of configuration at the phosphorus center.
Palladium-catalyzed microwave-assisted Hirao reaction utilizing the excess of the diarylphosphine oxide reagent as the P-ligand; a study on the activity and formation of the “PdP2” catalyst
Authors: Henyecz Réka , Mucsi Zoltán , Keglevich György
Published: December 2018

The microwave-assisted Hirao reaction of bromobenzene and diarylphosphine oxides was performed at 120 °C using triethylamine as the base, and 5% of palladium acetate as the catalyst in ethanol. 5% Excess of the >P(O)H reagent served as the reducing agent, while another 10% as the preligand (in the >POH tautomeric form). It was found that the P–C coupling reaction was significantly faster with (2-MeC6H4)2P(O)H (A) and (3,5-diMeC6H3)2P(O)H (B), than with Ph2P(O)H (C) and (4-MeC6H4)2P(O)H (D). Moreover, species A and B could be applied as selective P-ligands in the reaction of bromobenzene with C or D. Dependence of the effectiveness of “PdP2” catalysts with diarylphosphine oxide preligands on the methyl substituents followed a reversed order as the reactivity of the diarylphosphine oxide species in the P–C coupling itself. Formation of the “PdP2” catalyst from palladium acetate and diarylphosphine oxide has never been studied, but now it was evaluated by us at the B3LYP level of theory applying 6-31G(d,p) for C,H,P,O and SDD/MW28 for Pd including the explicit-implicit solvent model. The novel mechanism requiring three equivalents of the >P(O)H species for each of the palladium acetate molecule was in agreement with the preparative experiments. The ligation of palladium(0) with different P(III) species comprising the >POH form of the >P(O)H reagent was also studied, and the critical role of the steric hindrance on the ligation, and hence on the activity of the “PdP2” catalyst was substantiated. Last but not least, the influence of the Me substituents in the aromatic ring of the P-reagents on the energetics of the elemental steps of the Hirao reaction itself was also evaluated.
Integrability analysis of the partial differential equation describing the classical bond-pricing model of mathematical finance
Authors: Aziz Taha , Fatima Aeeman , Khalique Chaudry Masood
Published: December 2018

The invariant approach is employed to solve the Cauchy problem for the bond-pricing partial differential equation (PDE) of mathematical finance. We first briefly review the invariant criteria for a scalar second-order parabolic PDE in two independent variables and then utilize it to reduce the bond-pricing equation to different Lie canonical forms. We show that the invariant approach aids in transforming the bond-pricing equation to the second Lie canonical form and that with a proper parametric selection, the bond-pricing PDE can be converted to the first Lie canonical form which is the classical heat equation. Different cases are deduced for which the original equation reduces to the first and second Lie canonical forms. For each of the cases, we work out the transformations which map the bond-pricing equation into the heat equation and also to the second Lie canonical form. We construct the fundamental solutions for the bond-pricing model via these transformations by utilizing the fundamental solutions of the classical heat equation as well as solution to the second Lie canonical form. Finally, the closed-form analytical solutions of the Cauchy initial value problems for the bond-pricing model with proper choice of terminal conditions are obtained.
The Greek parameters of a continuous arithmetic Asian option pricing model via Laplace Adomian decomposition method
Authors: Edeki Sunday O. , Motsepa Tanki , Khalique Chaudry Masood , Akinlabi Grace O.
Published: December 2018

The Greek parameters in option pricing are derivatives used in hedging against option risks. In this paper, the Greeks of the continuous arithmetic Asian option pricing model are derived. The derivation is based on the analytical solution of the continuous arithmetic Asian option model obtained via a proposed semi-analytical method referred to as Laplace-Adomian decomposition method (LADM). The LADM gives the solution in explicit form with few iterations. The computational work involved is less. Nonetheless, high level of accuracy is not neglected. The obtained analytical solutions are in good agreement with those of Rogers & Shi (J. of Applied Probability 32: 1995, 1077-1088), and Elshegmani & Ahmad (ScienceAsia, 39S: 2013, 67–69). The proposed method is highly recommended for analytical solution of other forms of Asian option pricing models such as the geometric put and call options, even in their time-fractional forms. The basic Greeks obtained are the Theta, Delta, Speed, and Gamma which will be of great help to financial practitioners and traders in terms of hedging and strategy.
Synthesis and applications of carbon nanofibers: a review
Authors: Ruiz-Cornejo Juan C. , Sebastián David , Lázaro Maria J.
Published: December 2018

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have shown great potential in multiple applications. Their versatility is derived from the possibility of tuning their physical and chemical properties. CNFs can be synthesized using two main methods: the catalytic decomposition of carbon precursors or the electrospinning and carbonization of polymers. The most appropriate method relies on the desired characteristics of the CNFs. Some of their applications include the synthesis of catalysts and catalytic supports, as electrodes for fuel cell devices, in hydrogen storage systems, and in functional nanocomposites. In this review, recent advances in the synthesis and potential applications of CNFs are examined.
Fibromyalgia in biblical times
Authors: Mazokopakis Elias E. , Karagiannis Christos G.
Published: December 2018

Although fibromyalgia (FM) is now a recognized clinical entity, an early description of this clinical syndrome is found in the Old Testament. In this Letter, biblical passages which are mentioned to the main symptoms of FM (e.g. chronic and disabling pain, unrefreshing sleep and physical exhaustion), actually associated with chronic stress and depression, are presented indicatively.