bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the association between iron deficiency and simple febrile seizure in children aged 6 months to 5 years: a case control study
Authors: Sharma Abhishek Kumar , Sharma Ruchira
Published: April 2018

Aim: The aim of our study was to determine association between iron deficiency and simple febrile seizure in children aged 6 months to 5 years.Methods: Both case and control group were analysed for biochemical tests including complete blood count for measurement of Hb., Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDW. Peripheral smear used for confirmation of microcytic, hypochromic picture of RBCs and confirmatory test for iron deficiency anaemia by serum ferritin level also included.Results: 22 out of 50 (44%) cases had iron deficiency anaemia whereas, 10 out of 50 (20%) controls were found to have iron deficiency anaemia. Odds ratio derived from these results was 3.14 (CI 1.29- 7.65, P-0.01).Conclusions: Screening for iron deficiency should be done in children presenting with simple febrile seizure.
Maternal tobacco consumption during pregnancy and risk of congenital heart diseases in offspring
Authors: Dev Deveshwar , Sharma Rambabu , Sharma Meenakshi
Published: April 2018

Background: Maternal tobacco consumption (both active and passive) during pregnancy as a risk factor for congenital heart diseases in off-springs has been studied by some workers with a small number of subjects hence requires to be evaluated through a study with a significant size of cohort. The objective of the study was to find out the association between maternal tobacco consumption and the risk of CHDs among their off springs.Methods: This is a hospital based, comparative, cross sectional, observational study. 518 children with CHDs, confirmed by echocardiography were included as cases and 240 children without any obvious congenital anomaly matched for age and sex were taken as controls. The following clinical observations were collected through questionnaires in a predesigned Performa: maternal and paternal tobacco consumption during pregnancy; maternal medical, gestational and obstetric history; and other birth defects.Results: Children from case and control groups were comparable with respect to age and sex at the inclusion in the study. Out of the total 758 study participants, 73 children (14.01%) with CHDs had history of maternal tobacco consumption (active consumption) during pregnancy and 86 children (16.6%) with CHDs had history of paternal smoking habit (P value was highly significant).Conclusions: Tobacco consumption during pregnancy (both active and passive) confer an increased risk of CHDs in their off springs (p value <0.001).
Outcomes of early surgical management of complicated appendicitis in children
Authors: S. Pramod , Kumar B. Revanth
Published: April 2018

Background: Appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency in children. Nearly 30% of children present with complicated appendicitis. Controversy exists between early or delayed surgery in complicated appendicitis. Present study was done to evaluate the outcome of early surgical management of complicated appendicitis in children and also to analyze risk factors for complicated appendicitis.Methods: A retrospective observational study conducted by the department of Paediatric Surgery, KIMS, hospital Bangalore. All children with complicated appendicitis (perforated, gangrenous and mass) from October 2014 to October 2017 were included in the study. Clinical, biochemical and imaging findings of these children were tabulated. Children underwent either open or laparoscopic appendectomy. Intra operative data regarding the type of complication, presence or absence of Fecolith, position of appendix was documented. Post operatively duration of stay and complications were analyzed.Results: 47 children were included in the study. Mean age of presentation was 10.38±2.84 years. Most common presentation was pain abdomen. 65% of the patient had pain abdomen for duration of three days or more. Total leucocyte count of more than 15000 was seen in about 50% of the children. 68% of children underwent laparotomy, 23.5% underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. Intra operatively, perforation of the appendix with generalized peritonitis was the commonest finding. Fecolith was present in 32% of the cases. Mean duration of stay was 7.46 days. Wound infection was seen in 15% of the children. Late complication in the form of adhesive obstruction was seen in 5 patients.Conclusions: Complicated appendicitis is associated with high morbidity. High leucocyte count, delayed presentation and Fecolith are possible indicators of complicated appendicitis. Early surgery in complicated appendicitis is safe, feasible. The complication rate is acceptable and most of them can be managed conservatively. Hence early surgery in complicated appendicitis is an option to be considered.
Comparison of sedation scores after nebulized and intravenous Midazolam in children
Authors: M. Mounika , R. Aswathy , A. Shriyan , A. O. Roshan
Published: April 2018

Background: An efficacious, reliable, and non-invasive route of administration for midazolam, a drug used for sedation and pre-anesthetic medication, would have obvious advantages. This study compares the sedation achieved by nebulized route and intravenous route as procedural sedation.Methods: A randomized double-blinded interventional study was designed to compare the effect of nebulized midazolam with intravenous midazolam as a sedative medication in 86 children undergoing imaging procedures like CT scan, MRI scan, EEG. Ramsay sedation scores and parameters of cardiovascular and respiratory function were measured over 20 min and summarized Results: The mean sedation score in both groups was comparable at baseline, 10 minutes and 20 minutes with p values of 0.1, 0.1, 0.09 respectively. Parameters of cardiovascular and respiratory function were comparable in both the groups. Conclusion: Present study showed that nebulized midazolam when given at a higher dose of 1 mg/kg was found to be as potent as intravenous midazolam, opening up a door for a sedative which is easier to administer, has better acceptance with lesser complication.
A rare case of tuberculous spinal arachnoiditis
Authors: Chaudhary Suman , Chaurasia Ankit , Mehrotra Gunjan Kela , Arora Kewalkishore , Patel Yogesh
Published: April 2018

Central nervous system tuberculosis represents approximately 10% of extra pulmonary tuberculosis. However, spinal tuberculous arachnoiditis is a rare complication of CNS tuberculosis that can result in severe peripheral neurological deficit. We are reporting a case of 7-year-old male child of disseminated tuberculosis (pulmonary and spinal arachnoiditis) with nutritional anemia. We aim to illustrate the difficulties in the diagnosis and management of this potentially curable disease by reviewing the literature.
Outcome of individualized task related circuit training program on walking ability in a 9 years old female child with Moya-moya disease: a case report
Authors: Sethy Damayanti
Published: April 2018

Walking difficulty of childhood stroke due to Moya-moya disease needs functional rehabilitation to recover to a normal state of walking. Task related circuit training program is one of the rehabilitation programs that improve functional strength of lower limb muscles to aid in improved walking ability. This case report aimed at investigating the effectiveness of task related circuit training on walking ability of a 9 years old female child diagnosed with stroke due to Moya-moya Disease. The child was attending Indoor rehabilitation services, Department of Occupational Therapy, National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities, Kolkata, West Bengal. Baseline measurement of the child’s lower limb muscle strength, 10m walk test, 6-minute walk test was done prior to the circuit training. After baseline measurement, the child was explained the sequence of tasks to be used in circuit training and was given individualized task related circuit training for a session of 45 minutes, 3 days per week for 08 weeks. Post training the child showed improvement in lower limb muscle strength, 10m walk test (walking speed) and 6-minute walk test (walking endurance), thereby an improved walking ability.
Patient education in bronchial asthma: analysis of feedback from parents
Authors: Taneja Sunil , Vohra Samarth , Agarwal Neha , Kundu Debasis
Published: April 2018

Bronchial asthma is the most common chronic illness encountered in day to day practice. In spite of a sound knowledge of its pathogenesis and availability of proper medications patient adherence to Asthma medications does not exceed fifty percent. A variety of patients, healthcare provider education programs have been conducted but none has been ideal and probably each centre or practicing pediatrician needs to develop his own education program as there is none which is ideal.
Psychological effects of retirement of retirees: implications for counselling
Authors: Abdulkadir Abdulrasaq , Rasaq Abdulkadir Olarewaju , Gafar Isıaka
Published: April 2018

Retirees who retire from many government and non-governmental organisations are increasing daily. The relocation from routine work to private life is likely to result in some psychological reactions of anger, anxiety, depression and stress. This paper identified the voluntary, compulsory and mandatory types of retirement as well as types of retiree. The paper also discussed pre-retirement planning and the implications for pre-retirement counselling, which is aimed at providing comprehensive guidance and information concerning the social, emotional, financial and other aspects of retirement. The paper recommended that for effective pre-retirement counselling, there is a need for pre-retirement talks on finance, adequate use of leisure time and social interaction.

 

Keywords: Retirement, psychology, retirees, counselling, stress.
PENGARUH THIN CAPITALIZATION, CAPITALINTENSITY, DAN PROFITABILITAS TERHADAP PENGHINDARAN PAJAK PADA PERUSAHAAN MANUFAKTUR YANG TERDAFTAR DALAM INDEKS SAHAM SYARIAH INDONESIA (ISSI)
Authors: Razif Razif , Vidamaya Rizq Al Aqibullah
Published: April 2018

The purpose of this research was to analyze the influence of Thin Capitalization, Capital Intensity and Profitability to the Tax Avoidance either partially or simultaneously at manufacturing companies on the Indonesia Islamic Stock Index(ISSI) in the period 2013-2015. The data used in this research was a secondary data with 42 manufacturing companies used as the sample. The method of data analysis was Purposive sampling. The research data was accessed on www.idx.com of each company. The technique in analyzing the relationship between the independent and dependent variables was multiple linear regression. The result indicated that Thin Capitalizatgeion, Capital Intensity, and Profitability influenced on to the Tax Avoidance.
ANALISIS PENGUKURAN KINERJA BERBASIS BALANCED SCORECARD PADA KANTOR PELAYANAN PAJAK PRATAMA SINGOSARI
Authors: Sari Nur Ita
Published: April 2018

Performance measurement is a necessary thing in an organization in order to improve the quality of products and services that are owned as well as public sector organizations such as the STO Singosari. This study used descriptive qualitative approach. The analytical method used to measure four balanced scorecard perspectives is financial perspective, customer, internal business processes and growth and development. Results from the study indicate that the financial perspective is measured from tax revenues provide good results, although not fully realized. The realization of tax revenue on STO Singosari decreased from 2014 to 2015 from 93.18% to 92.35%. From a customer perspective can be concluded that the performance of the service provided is good. Internal business processes perspective also showed that the STO Singosari is able to provide service innovations so it make the process faster process. And for the perspective of growth and development has shown good results for most employees already qualified and available information network system has supported the company's performance.
Workforce Diversity Management Strategies and Organisational Performance in the Food and Beverage Industries in Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Olusegun Oyedele Ola , Abdulraheem Issa , Nassir Brimah Aminu
Published: April 2018

Workforce Diversity Management is gradually being used and becoming acceptable as a significant organizational resource in esteems to whether the objective is to be an employer choice, to offer outstanding customer service, or to sustain a competitive advantage. It also has verified to have controlled to an opinion of being essential for organizational performance especially in the Food and Beverage Industry in Nigeria. This ultimate faith forces managers to hold and understand the theory of workforce Diversity, its benefits and challenges. As such, this study examined the effect impact of workforce diversity management towards organizational performance which focuses into the food and beverage industry within the larger manufacturing sector. The research also emphases on workforce diversity management which contains the employee communication(EC) as a mechanism in reducing conflicts and talent availability(TA) which are the utmost critical variables amongst the others. The study employed primary data mainly for revalidation of results and inferential information from secondary sources. Primary data was harnessed from the views of managers and employees of the foods and beverage industries through questionnaire. The study adopted cross sectional research design and considered 3 multinational corporations in the food and beverage sector in Nigeria based on random sampling technique. The sample size constituted the lower, middle and senior level staff of the multinational Corporations at their headquarters and plants to achieve the  objectives of this study based on the two hypotheses that were formulated. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were employed. The statistical tools used included cross tabulations, Mean, Regression and Correlation analysis with the aid of SPSS computer packages. The results showed that employee communication (EC) have significant effect on organizational effectiveness (OE) (at P=0.000). It was discovered that talent availability (TA), has significant relationship on employee retention (ER)(at P= 0.002), the study reflected that Workforce diversity represents both a challenge and an opportunity for business and corporate entity. Hence, no organization in this dispensation of Globalization can survive without workforce Diversity. The study recommends that; organization ought to accord due priority for optimum utilization of strength of workforce diversity and institute measures to enhance commitment among the employees for improvement of organizational performance. Organizations should make workforce diversity management a core business value because diverse work teams bring high value to organizations and respecting individual differences will benefit the workforce by creating a competitive edge and increasing work productivity.
Innovation pédagogique en cours de français à l'université et son impact sur les compétences en langue écrite : un apprentissage différent ?
Authors: Rohr Anne
Published: April 2018

Dans une formation à l’intention de futurs professeurs des écoles, nous avons comparé deux modes pédagogiques différents traitant d’un même contenu dans un enseignement de remise à niveau en français en Licence 1[1]. Nous cherchions à déterminer s’il existe un impact sur les apprentissages selon le mode innovant de la classe inversée et qui serait différent de celui obtenu avec un mode plus classique, non innovant. Les résultats de notre recherche font état de meilleures performances avec le mode inversé, ainsi que d’un profil d’erreur différent pour les deux groupes testés. Ces résultats sont interprétés dans le cadre de la théorie d’apprentissage de flexibilité représentationnelle ainsi que celui du changement conceptuel. [1]Le cursus de Licence correspond à celui du Baccalauréat canadien et Licence 1 (ou L1) fait référence à la première année de ce cursus.
Problems of staff training for the library local history
Authors: Taranenko L. G.
Published: April 2018

Training the local history specialists in libraries is an urgent problem of our time. The required core competencies for local history staff training are partially laid down in the educational and professional standards. The study objective is a comprehensive analysis of educational institutions that provide training, retraining and advanced training the library specialists. The research includes three stages: 1. Sites analysis of universities training according the direction «Library-information activities» (2016). The results have been presented earlier. 2. Sites analysis of secondary professional educational institutions training on the specialty «Library Science». 3. The analysis of institutions and organizations involved in retraining and advanced training staff for the library local history. The results of sites analysis of secondary professional institutions have revealed 15 institutions, which curricula include the disciplines of local history problematics. The analysis of database «Institutions of Library Education» generated by SPSTL SB RAS made it possible to determine the main list of organizations engaged in retraining and raising the professional skill level of library specialists. It was determined that information on the professional development of local history specialists is not available on official websites of educational organizations. The paper reveals the following significant problems in training the local history specialists: curricula closeness of secondary professional and higher educational institutions in providing the information on local history studies; lack of comprehensive information on institutions involved in direct retraining and professional development of such specialist; weak response of educational organizations of library education and structures of additional vocational education to the modern requirements of library practice in their training. The authors has concluded that it is necessary to coordinate the work between educational institutions, libraries and professional association - RLA.
Strain Ratio as a Quantification Tool in Strain Imaging
Authors: Havre Roald Flesland , Waage Jo Erling Riise , Mulabecirovic Anesa , Gilja Odd Helge , Nesje Lars Birger
Published: April 2018

1) Background: Ultrasound-based strain imaging is now available in several ultrasound (US) scanners. Strain ratio (SR) can be used to quantify strain recorded simultaneously in two different user-selected areas, ideally exposed to the same amount of stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate SR variability when assessed in an in-vitro setup with a tissue-mimicking phantom, on resected tissue samples and in live tissue scanning with endoscopic applications. 2) Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of SR for quantification of elastic contrasts in a tissue-mimicking phantom containing four homogenous inclusions, in 38 resected bowel wall lesions and in 48 focal pancreatic lesions examined in vivo. Median SR and the inter-quartile range (IQR) was calculated on all external and endoscopic US-applications. The IQR/median provides a measure of the SR variability focusing on the two percentiles of the data closest to the median value. 3) Results: The overall variability of SR was lowest in a tissue-mimicking phantom (mean QR/median SR: 0.07). In resected bowel wall lesions representing adenomas, adenocarcinomas or Crohn lesions, the variability increased (mean IQR/Median: 0.62). During an endoscopic examination of focal pancreatic lesions in vivo, the variability increased further (mean IQR/Median: 2.04). 4) Conclusion: SR variability increased when assessed on different targets with growing heterogeneity and biological variability as one moved from homogeneous media to live tissues and endoscopic application. This may indicate a limitation for the accuracy SR evaluation in clinical applications.
The Difference of Corrosion Behavior in Initial Period for the Hot-Rolled and Cold-Rolled 2205 Duplex Stainless Steel
Authors: Gao Tao , Wang Jian , Sun Qi , Han Peide
Published: April 2018

The precipitate phases often play an important influence on the corrosion resistance of 2205 Duplex stainless steel (DSS). In the presented paper, the microstructure and corrosion resistance in the hot-rolled and cold-rolled 2205 DSS aging for different time at 850 °C was investigated by XRD, SEM and potentiodynamic polarization. It has been found that the Chi(χ) phase and Sigm(σ) phase were precipitated in turn after aging treatment of hot-rolled and cold-rolled materials, but the precipitate amount in cold-rolled material is much more than that of hot-rolled samples. The corrosion resistance of the solution-annealed cold-rolled material is similar to the hot-rolled material, but the corrosion resistance of cold-rolled material with precipitate is weaker than that of hot-rolled material after aging treatment. Pitting initiates preferentially in the Cr-depleted region from σ phase in aged hot-rolled 2205, and severe selective corrosion occurs on sigma/ferrite interfaces aged for a long aged lime. However, the initiation of pitting corrosion may take place at the phase boundary, defect and martensite in the aged cold-rolled 2205. The σ phase is further selectively dissolved by electrochemical method to investigate the difference of microstructure and corrosion behavior in hot-rolled and cold-rolled 2205 duplex stainless steel.
A Graph Database Model for Knowledge Extracted from Place Descriptions
Authors: Chen Hao , Vasardani Maria , Winter Stephan , Tomko Martin
Published: April 2018

Everyday place descriptions provide a rich source of knowledge about places and their relative locations. This research proposes a place graph model for modeling this spatial, non-spatial, and contextual knowledge from place descriptions. The model extends a prior place graph, and overcomes a number of limitations. The model is implemented using the Neo4j graph database, and a management system has also been developed that allows operations including querying, mapping, and visualizing the stored knowledge in an extended place graph. Then three experimental tasks, namely georeferencing, reasoning, and querying, are selected to demonstrate the superiority of the extended model.
Modeling and Optimization of Gaseous Slip Flow Forced Convection in Rectangular Microducts Using Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Khan Waqar A. , Hamadneh Nawaf N.
Published: April 2018

In this study, pressure driven gaseous slip flow is investigated in microducts of rectangular cross-section. The range of Knudsen numbers Kn in the flow regime is taken as 0.001 ≤ Kn ≤ 0.1 and aspect ratio is taken as 0 ≤ ε ≤ 1. To incorporate rarefaction effects, the effects of slip velocity and temperature jump boundary conditions are taken in to account. The dimensionless momentum and energy equations are solved using MATLAB to obtain the dimensionless velocity and temperature gradients for different values of Knudsen numbers and aspect ratio. Using these gradients, the dimensionless shear stress and heat transfer rate are obtained numerically. The numerical solution can be validated for the special cases when there is no slip (continuum flow), ε = 0 (parallel plates) and ε = 1 (square microducts). An artificial neural network is used to develop separate models for dimensionless shear stress and heat transfer rate and particle swarm optimization algorithm is used to obtain optimum values for both parameters. Using these results, minimum dimensionless shear stress and maximum heat transfer rate can be determined in the microducts under consideration in the slip flow regime. The optimal values of P0 and Nu are found when ε = 1 and Kn = 0.001.
Stuck on a Plateau? A Model-Based Approach to Fundamental Issues in Visual Temporal-Order Judgments
Authors: Tünnermann Jan , Scharlau Ingrid
Published: April 2018

Humans are incapable of judging the temporal order of visual events at brief temporal separations with perfect accuracy. Their performance---which is of much interest in visual cognition and attention research---can be measured with the temporal-order judgment task, which typically produces S-shaped psychometric functions. Occasionally, researchers reported plateaus within these functions, and some theories predict such deviation from the basic S shape. However, the centers of the psychometric functions result from the weakest performance at the most difficult presentations and therefore fluctuate strongly, leaving existence and exact shapes of plateaus unclear. This study set out to investigate whether plateaus disappear if the data accuracy is enhanced, or if we are ``stuck on a plateau'', or rather with it. For this purpose, highly accurate data were assessed by model-based analysis. The existence of plateaus is confidently confirmed and two plausible mechanisms derived from very different models are presented. Neither model, however, performs well in the presence of a strong attention manipulation, and model comparison remains unclear on the question which of the models describes the data best. Nevertheless, the present study includes the highest accuracy in visual TOJ data and the most explicit models of plateaus in TOJ studied so far.
Sovereign Adaptive Risk Modeling and Implications on the Eurozone GREXIT Case
Authors: Escalera Morgan , Tarrant Wayne
Published: April 2018

In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) created a list of Systemically Important Financial Institutions (SIFIs) with the intention of determining which financial institutions were important enough to the global market that their failure would result in systemic collapse. In this work we create a model that modifies the BCBS's five indicators of size, interconnectedness, cross-jurisdictional activities, complexity, and substitutability and applies these measures of systemic stress to governments. The original application of the model is to track the systemic interdependence of the Eurozone, with particular emphasis on the case of Greece. We anticipate this model can be used in regional fiscal situations beyond the Eurozone.
Co-Simulation of Smart Distribution Network Fault Management and Reconfiguration with LTE Communication
Authors: Garau Michele , Ghiani Emilio , Celli Gianni , Pilo Fabrizio , Corti Sergio
Published: April 2018

Simulation tools capturing the interactions of communication and electrical system operation represent a powerful support for fully assessing the potential benefits and impacts of ICT in future smart power distribution network. A strong interest is upon the possibility of exploiting the last generation communication systems for supporting the transition of distribution network towards a smart grid scenario. Having in mind the above, the authors propose a numerical co-simulation tool useful to thoroughly understand the impact of the communication networks on the performance of whole power system dynamics. The co-simulation tool has been purposely developed to simulate the highly time-critical smart grid application of fault management and network reconfiguration and permits reproducing and evaluating the behavior of the public mobile telecommunication system 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE), as communication technology for smart grid applications. Results of the paper demonstrates that LTE provides good performances for supporting the data communication required to perform fault location, extinction and a subsequent network reconfiguration in smart power distribution networks.
An Integrated Approach to Water-Energy Nexus in Shale-Gas Production
Authors: Al-Aboosi Fadhil Y. , El-Halwagi Mahmoud M.
Published: April 2018

Shale gas production is associated with significant usage of fresh water and discharge of wastewater. Consequently, there is a necessity to create the proper management strategies for water resources in shale gas production and to integrate conventional energy sources (e.g., shale gas) with renewables (e.g., solar energy). The objective of this study is to develop a design framework for integrating water and energy systems including multiple energy sources, cogeneration process, and desalination technologies in treating wastewater and providing fresh water for shale gas production. Solar energy is included to provide thermal power directly to a multi-effect distillation plant (MED) exclusively (to be more feasible economically) or indirect supply through a thermal energy storage system. Thus, MED is driven by direct or indirect solar energy, and excess or direct cogeneration process heat. The proposed thermal energy storage along with the fossil fuel boiler will allow for the dual-purpose system to operate at steady-state by managing the dynamic variability of solar energy. Additionally, electric production is considered to supply a reverse osmosis plant (RO) without connecting to the local electric grid. A multi-period mixed integer nonlinear program (MINLP) is developed and applied to discretize operation period to track the diurnal fluctuations of solar energy. The solution of the optimization program determines the optimal mix of solar energy, thermal storage, and fossil fuel to attain the maximum annual profit of the entire system. A case study is solved for water treatment and energy management for Eagle Ford Basin in Texas.
Effects of a Novel Sympathy-Expression Method on Collaborative Learning Among Junior High School Students and Robots
Authors: Jimenez Felix , Yoshikawa Tomohiro , Furuhashi Takeshi , Kanoh Masayoshi ,   Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan,   School of Engineering, Chukyo University 101-2 Yagoto Honmachi, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8666, Japan
Published: April 2018

In recent years, educational-support robots, which are designed to aid in learning, have received significant attention. However, learners tend to lose interest in these robots over time. To solve this problem, researchers studying human-robot interactions have developed models of emotional expression by which robots autonomously express emotions. We hypothesize that if an educational-support robot uses an emotion-expression model alone and expresses emotions without considering the learner, then the problem of losing interest in the robot will arise once again. To facilitate collaborative learning with a robot, it may be effective to program the robot to sympathize with the learner and express the same emotions as them. In this study, we propose a sympathy-expression method for use in educational-support robots to enable them to sympathize with learners. Further, the effects of the proposed sympathy-expression method on collaborative learning among junior high school students and robots are investigated.
Shear Dispersion in a Rough-Walled Fracture
Authors: Dejam Morteza , Hassanzadeh Hassan , Chen Zhangxin
Published: April 2018

An expression is analytically presented for the shear dispersion, or Taylor (1953) and Aris (1956) dispersion, of a solute transporting in a coupled system, which consists of a matrix and a rough-walled fracture. To derive a shear-dispersion coefficient in a fracture with rough and porous walls, the continuities of solute concentrations and their fluxes are imposed at the fracture walls. The dispersion coefficient for the coupled system is obtained as a function of the Péclet number and relative roughness, where the latter parameter is defined as the ratio of the maximum height of the roughness to the minimum half-aperture of the fracture. Several models for fracture-roughness geometry, including periodically and randomly shaped roughness models, are applied to study the effect of fracture-aperture variation on dispersion. The dispersion coefficient for all rough-walled fractures identifies three different regions in terms of the degree of relative roughness. The results show that for small values of the relative roughness (0<ε≤0.1), the dispersion coefficient is at maximum for bell-shaped geometry and at minimum for triangular-shaped and randomly shaped geometries. When the relative roughness is within 0.1<ε<10, the dispersion is observed to be at maximum for rectangular-walled and at minimum for triangular-walled fractures. The results also reveal that for high values of the relative roughness (ε≥10), the dispersion is higher for bell-shaped roughness, whereas the triangular-walled fracture results in the lowest dispersion. It is found that for all roughness geometries an increase in either the Péclet number or relative roughness leads to an increase in the dispersion.
Investigation of Double Layer Expansion in Low-Salinity Waterflooding: Molecular Simulation Study
Authors: Mehana M. , Fahes M. M.
Published: April 2018

Double layer Expansion (DLE) is proposed as one of the mechanisms responsible for Improved Oil Recovery (IOR) during Low Salinity Water Flooding (LSWF). This expansion is triggered by the overlap between the diffuse double layers. We performed molecular simulation to study this phenomenon where both kaolinite and montmorillonite are used as substrates contacting water with varying concentration of monovalent and divalent ions. Our results, and several molecular simulations, have confirmed that the location of the adsorption planes is independent of the ionic strength. However, the potential developed on these surfaces and how it decays depends on both the ionic strength and ion nature. A shrinkage is observed in the double layer for the case of low salinity, supported by both film thickness estimations and interaction energy analysis. This shrinkage, which contradicts the prevailing assumption, is consistent with molecular simulation studies, and casts some doubts on the efficiency of DLE as a mechanism for explaining IOR observed during LSWF. This brings into question the role of double layer expansion in enhancing oil recovery, and raises the need to investigate other mechanisms that could be responsible for the experimental and field observations made in this area.
The market of flooring systems in Poland
Authors: Kisiołek Artur
Published: April 2018

The range of functions and the expectations of the users of flooring systems indicate that apart from purely construction-related (i.e. general construction) characteristics, floors used as partition elements have the potential to meet various customer needs on the construction market. Therefore, they constitute interesting research material not only for specialists in the building sector, but also for economists. The aim of this article is to present the results of a survey of the determinants of selection of flooring systems, the popularity of the specific systems on the Polish market, as well as to present the customer needs map as a universal tool in the customer service process on the example of flooring systems. The paper was prepared on the basis of the available literature, as well as the quantitative research carried out in the period from September 2015 to February 2016. The research results indicate that the influential factors taken into consideration in the process of selection of a given flooring system are construction parameters, the speed of assembly and the final cost. Among the key technical parameters influencing customers’ decisions one may list noise insulation, thermal insulation and lower surface finishing. In Poland, monolithic and multi-rib beam-and-block (Teriva-type) flooring systems prevail. Based on the factors and criteria set out in the survey, a special map of customer needs relevant for the process of selection of a flooring system has been created. Among other purposes, the map is supposed to enable more profound relation with customers, individualization, streamlining and unification of the customer service process, as well as better understanding of their needs.
Water insecurity among rural households of West Cameroon: lessons learned from the field
Authors: Nounkeu Carole Debora , Dharod Jigna Morarji
Published: April 2018

The objective of this study was to assess and compare water access and sanitation-related behaviors with self-reported water insecurity among women. The cross-sectional study involved household observations and in-person interviews with women living in rural areas of West Cameroon (n = 134). Water insecurity was prevalent with 37% of women having affirmative responses to the statement ‘being worried about household not having enough water.’ Only 7% of the women reported having any water source (well/pump) in the household compound, and water insecurity was more common among those who did not have an ‘on premise’ water source (p = 0.038). Additionally, women walking more than 10 minutes to reach the water source were more insecure than their counterparts (p = 0.022). Amount of water stored at home was lower in water insecure households (37.07 liters) compared to secure households (58.93 liters, p = 0.042). Sanitation rate was low in the study area, with 20% of women reporting open defecation for their children. Water insecurity is associated with long distance to water source and limited water availability at the household level. Future research is needed to understand the association between water insecurity and daily water intake and related dietary behaviors.
Viral Induced Oxidative and Inflammatory Response in Alzheimer’s Disease Pathogenesis with Identification of Potential Drug Candidates: A Systematic Review using Systems Biology Approach
Authors: Talwar Puneet , Gupta Renu , Kushwaha Suman , Agarwal Rachna , Saso Luciano , Kukreti Shrikant , Kukreti Ritushree
Published: April 2018

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is genetically complex with multifactorial etiology. Here, we aim to identify the potential viral pathogens leading to aberrant inflammatory and oxidative stress response in AD along with potential drug candidates using systems biology approach. We retrieved protein interactions of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and tau protein (MAPT) from NCBI and genes for oxidative stress from NetAge, for inflammation from NetAge and InnateDB databases. Genes implicated in aging were retrieved from GenAge database and two GEO expression datasets. These genes were individually used to create protein-protein interaction network using STRING database (score≥0.7). The interactions of candidate genes with known viruses were mapped using virhostnet v2.0 database. Drug molecules targeting candidate genes were retrieved using the Drug- Gene Interaction Database (DGIdb). Data mining resulted in 2095 APP, 116 MAPT, 214 oxidative stress, 1269 inflammatory genes. After STRING PPIN analysis, 404 APP, 109 MAPT, 204 oxidative stress and 1014 inflammation related high confidence proteins were identified. The overlap among all datasets yielded eight common markers (AKT1, GSK3B, APP, APOE, EGFR, PIN1, CASP8 and SNCA). These genes showed association with hepatitis C virus (HCV), Epstein– Barr virus (EBV), human herpes virus 8 and Human papillomavirus (HPV). Further, screening of drugs targeting candidate genes, and possessing anti-inflammatory property, antiviral activity along with a suggested role in AD pathophysiology yielded 12 potential drug candidates. Our study demonstrated the role of viral etiology in AD pathogenesis by elucidating interaction of oxidative stress and inflammation causing candidate genes with common viruses along with the identification of potential AD drug candidates.
Do we Need Maintenance Chemotherapy in Advanced NSCLC in the Era of Immune and Targeted Therapy?
Authors: Nagy Ahmed , Rahman Omar Abdel , Abdullah Heba , Negida Ahmed
Published: April 2018

Background:

Although well established for the effective management of hematologic
cancers, maintenance chemotherapy has only been recently incorportated as a treatment paradigm
for advanced non–small-cell lung cancer. Maintenance chemotherapy aims to prolong a clinically
favorable response state achieved after finishing induction therapy which is usually predefined in
number before startng treatment. There are 2 modalities for maintenance therapy; continuation
maintenance (involving a non-platinum component which was a part of the induction protocol or a
targeted agent) and switch maintenance therapy (utilizing a new agent which was not a part of the
induction regimen).

Methods:

The purpose of this article is to review the role of maintenance therapy in the treatment
of advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and provide a brief overview about induction
chemotherapy in NSCLC to address the basis of maintenance therapy as a treatment option. We
will also compare the impact of maintenance chemotherapy with the now evolving role of
immunotherapy in NSCLC.

Results:

There have been 4 maintenance studies to date showing prolonged PFS and OS with statistical
significance. However, Three out of the four studies (ECOG4599, JMEN, and PARAMOUNT)
did not report tumor molecular analysis. As regard Immunotherapy, current data is in
favour of strongly an increasing role for immunotherapy in NSCLC.

Conclusion:

Maintenance therapy in NSCLC continues to be an important therapeutic line to improve
outcome in patients with metastatic and recurrent disease.
Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Lipid Profile in Obese People: A Systematic Review
Authors: Severo Juliana S. , Morais Jennifer B.S. , Beserra Jessica B. , de Farias Luciana M. , dos Santos Loanne R. , de Sousa Melo Stéfany R. , do Nascimento Nogueira Nadir , do Nascimento Marreiro Dilina
Published: April 2018

Background:

Many studies have investigated the influence of minerals on the control of
changes in lipid metabolism in obese individuals. The objective of this study was to describe, in a systematic
review, the clinical trial outcomes of zinc supplementation and lipid profiles of obese participants.

Methods:

This review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic
Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. A survey was conducted for selecting clinical
trials related to the effects of zinc supplementation on lipid profiles in obese people, using the following
databases: PubMed, SciVerse ScienceDirect and Cochrane.

Results:

After the selection process, five articles were identified as eligible for this review and it was
observed that the clinical trials included adults and children of both sexes, in three different countries,
and with zinc supplementation doses ranging from 20 to 100 mg/day. None of the studies observed
changes in High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL-c) with zinc supplementation. On the other hand, three
studies observed a positive effect of zinc supplementation on triglycerides, and two found an effect on
Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL-c) and total cholesterol.

Conclusion:

The results of this systematic review provide evidence on the benefits of zinc supplementation
on lipid profiles in obese individuals. However, new intervention studies are needed to elucidate
the function of the nutrient in protection against disorders related to lipid metabolism, as well as the
standardization of the type, dose, and time of zinc supplementation.
Ultra-micronized Palmitoylethanolamide Effects on Sleep-wake Rhythm and Neuropathic Pain Phenotypes in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: An Open-label, Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Evangelista Maurizio , Cilli  , De Vitis R. , Militerno A. , Fanfani F.
Published: April 2018

Background:

Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome often suffer from fragmentary sleep.
This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of treatment with ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide
in reducing pain intensity and improving quality of sleep in patients with neuropathic pain
due to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Methods:

An open, controlled study was conducted on 42 patients awaiting carpal tunnel syndrome
surgery, suffering from sleep disorders and painful symptoms and randomized into two groups. One
group received ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide (600 mg twice daily) during the pre- and postsurgery
periods, while the other group did not receive any treatment except surgical therapy. The
primary outcome measure was sleep quality assessment by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, with
secondary outcome as painful symptomatology intensity evaluated by the Numeric Rating Scale.

Results:

At the end of the pre-surgery period (T1) there was a highly significant improvement
(p<0.0001) in overall sleep quality with an increase of continuous sleep time and a reduction of sleep
latency and disturbances as well as a significant mitigation (p<0.0001) of painful symptoms in favor of
the treated group.

Conclusion:

Disturbed sleep patterns are very common in patients suffering from neuropathic pain
due to carpal tunnel syndrome. Our results, albeit preliminary, suggest that ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide
administration favors a clear improvement of sleep quality, confirming a correlation
between sleep disorders and pain intensity.
Geometry optimization and charge density distribution of single layer of Zn-based metal-organic framework
Authors: Senkevich N.Y. , Vrubel I.I. , Polozkov R.G. , Shelykh I.A.
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe set of theoretical approaches were used to obtain the optimized geometries, electronic structure and charge density of single layer of metal-organic framework based on Zn [Zn_2(TBAP_ y )(H_2O)_2 · 3.5DEF]_ n (MOF-Zn). Infinite monolayer composed of the unit cell of the MOF-Zn was considered. Ground state properties were researched using density functional theory with BLYP and PBE exchange-correlation functionals. The influence of the type of these approaches on the spatial structure and charge density was discussed.
The features of GaAs nanowire SEM images
Authors: Soshnikov I.P. , Kotlyar K.P. , Bert N.A. , Kirilenko D.A. , Bouravleuv A.D. , Cirlin G.E.
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe detailed study of GaAs nanowires synthesized by molecular beam epitaxy performed by scanning electron microscopy allowed to reveal the presence of specific contrast in the images obtained. To understand the causes of the phenomenon the transmission electron microscopy of nanowire crystal structure was carried out. The results showed that it could be caused by the segments having polytypic crystal phase. It was also confirmed by the modelling of the electron beam scattering on such nanowire arrays.
GaAs wurtzite nanowires for hybrid piezoelectric solar cells
Authors: Alekseev P.A. , Sharov V.A. , Geydt P. , Dunaevskiy M.S. , Soshnikov I.P. , Reznik R.R. , Lysak V.V. , Lahderanta E. , Cirlin G.E.
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe properties of the hybrid energy sources “piezoelectric nanogenerator-solar cell” based on GaAs nanowires with the wurtzite crystal structure were investigated. Measurements were performed by the bending of the nanowire by the probe of the atomic force microscope with simultaneous recording of short circuit current in dark and illuminated conditions. We show that a piezoelectric current pulse of ~10 pA arises in the “nanowire-probe” circuit during the deformation of nanowire by the AFM probe. Under laser illumination, the value of the pulse increases by two orders of magnitude as a result of the piezophototronic effect. Deformation of the nanowire boosts the photocurrent by 40% up to 0.5 nA.
Molecular Beam Epitaxy of Materials Interfaces with Atomic Precision
Authors: Ploog Klaus H.
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn this contribution a few selected examples to engineer material interfaces in nanostructured solids with atomic precision by means of molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) are presented. The examples include 2D electron gas systems for quantum transport and mesoscopic physics, quantum cascade lasers, Sb-based materials, ferromagnet-semiconductor heterostructures, as well as oxide materials for electronics and quantum physics. Finally, the prospects to fabricate novel van-der-Waals heterostructures are briefly discussed.