bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formal protocol for emergency treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms to reduce in-hospital rebleeding and improve clinical outcomes
Authors: Park Jaechan , Woo Hyunjin , Kang Dong-Hun , Kim Yong-Sun , Kim Min Young , Shin Im Hee , Kwak Sang Gyu
Published: November 2014

OBJECT

While the incidence of a recurrent hemorrhage is highest within 24 hours of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and increases with the severity of the clinical grade, a recurrent hemorrhage can occur anytime after the initial SAH in patients with both good and poor clinical grades. Therefore, the authors adopted a 24-hour-a-day, formal protocol, emergency treatment strategy for patients with ruptured aneurysms to secure the aneurysms as early as possible. The incidences of in-hospital rebleeding and clinical outcomes were investigated and compared with those from previous years when broadly defined early treatment was used (< 3 days of SAH).

METHODS

During an 11-year period, a total of 1224 patients with a ruptured aneurysm were managed using a strategy of broadly defined early treatment between 2001 and 2004 (Period B, n = 423), a mixture of early or emergency treatment between 2005 and 2007, and a formal emergency treatment protocol between 2008 and 2011 (Period A, n = 442). Propensity score matching was used to adjust the differences in age, sex, modified Fisher grade, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) clinical grade at admission, size and location of a ruptured aneurysm, treatment modality (clip placement vs coil embolization), and time interval from SAH to admission between the two time periods. The matched cases were allotted to Group A (n = 280) in Period A and Group B (n = 296) in Period B and then compared.

RESULTS

During Period A under the formal emergency treatment protocol strategy, the catheter angiogram, endovascular coiling, and surgical clip placement were started at a median time from admission of 2.0 hours, 2.9 hours, and 3.1 hours, respectively. After propensity score matching, Group A showed a significantly reduced incidence of in-hospital rebleeding (2.1% vs 7.4%, p = 0.003) and a higher proportion of patients with a favorable clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0–3) at 1 month (87.9% vs 79.7%, respectively; p = 0.008). In particular, the patients with good WFNS grades in Group A experienced significantly less in-hospital rebleeding (1.7% vs 5.7%, respectively; p = 0.018) and better clinical outcomes (1-month mRS score of 0–3: 93.8% vs 87.7%, respectively; p = 0.021) than the patients with good WFNS grades in Group B.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with ruptured aneurysms may benefit from a strategy of emergency application of surgical clip placement or endovascular coiling due to the reduced incidence of recurrent bleeding and improved clinical outcomes.
Farmers Participatory Site Specific Nutrient Management in Tidal Flooded Soil for High Yielding Aus Rice
Authors: Islam M Sh , Mahmud MNH , Rahman F , Saleque MA
Published: November 2014

Experiments were conducted in farmers fields at Bakergonj, Barisal and Kathaltoli, Potuakhali districts to develop site-specific nutrient management package for high yielding aus rice. The participating farmers delineated soil fertility as the most fertile (grade I), medium fertile (grade II) and the least fertile (grade III) soil. Omissions of N, P, and K were compared with added NPK fertilizers in different fertility grades. At Bakergonj, the NPK treat plots yielded 4.29, 4.36 and 2.09 t ha1 in soil grade I, II and III, respectively. Omission of N, P and K reduced grain yield by 0.76, 0.95 and 0.29 t ha-1 in grade I, 1.53, 0.87 and 1.25 t ha-1 in grade II and 0.64, 0 and 0.28 t ha-1 in grade III, respectively. At Kathaltoli, the grain yield (6.21 t ha1) in grade I was higher than grade II (5.58 t ha1) and grade III (5.11 t ha1). Omission of N, P and K reduced grain yield by 0.93, 0.18 and 0.09 t ha-1 in grade I, 1.30, 0.37 and 0.93 t ha-1 in grade II and 1.86, 1.30 and 1.30 t ha-1 in grade III, respectively. For Bakergonj, the calculated optimum doses of N were 34, 69 and 29 kg ha1, P were 4.0, 4.0 and 0.0 kg ha-1 and K were 7.0, 31.0 and 7.0 kg ha1 for fertility grade I, II and III, respectively. For Kathaltoli, the calculated optimum doses of N were 42, 59 and 84 kg ha1, P were 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0 kg ha-1 and K were 2.0, 23.0 and 33.0 kg ha1 for fertility grade I, II and III, respectively. The application of predicted fertilizer dose might increase rice yield in all fertility grades of soil in both the locations.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/brj.v17i1-2.20838Bangladesh Rice j. 2013, 17(1&2): 1-6
Effect of Nutrient Management on Population Growth of Brown Planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)
Authors: Rashid MM , Jahan M , Islam KS , Bari MN , Haque SS
Published: November 2014

Brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål) is a major insect pest of rice in Bangladesh. Nutrient management in rice received little attention on BPH population. The present study evaluated the consequences of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) application on population build up and weight of BPH in the laboratory and net-house at Entomology Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute. Three levels of soil nitrogen (0, 100, 200 kg N ha-1), phosphorus (0, 20, 40 kg P2O5 ha-1) and potassium (0, 60, 120 kg K2O ha-1) were compared for individual and combined effects. Interactions of N, P and K demonstrated no significant effect on population growth and weight of BPH. However, interaction of N and P showed significant effect on population growth of BPH. Fertilization with nitrogen increased population and dry weight of BPH. Phosphorus fertilization markedly increased the population growth while high potassium application decreased population build up and dry weight of BPH.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/brj.v17i1-2.20900Bangladesh Rice j. 2013, 17(1&2): 38-48
Distribution and Interrelationship of Differentiated, Degenerated and Surviving Spikelets on Panicle Branches in Rice (Oryza sativa)
Authors: Ansari TH , Yoshida T , Yamamoto Y , Miyazaki A
Published: November 2014

The present investigation evaluated distribution pattern of differentiated, degenerated and surviving spikelets and interrelationship of spikelets on the basis of their position on rachis branches in a panicle of both japonica and indica cultivars. Distribution of differentiated spikelets on primary brances (PBs) and secondary brances (SBs) followed 1:1 ratio in the japonica cultivars and 1:2 or more than 2 in the indica ones irrespective of plant types revealed the genetic factor had the more influence on the observed distribution pattern in both japonica and indica cultivars. The percentage of degenerated spikelets to the differentiated ones on PBs was slightly higher in the japonica (4.2%?8.3%) than in the indica (0.5%?6.6%) cultivars. The degenerated percentage of differentiated spikelets on SBs varied more widely in the indica (11.9%?56.2%) than in the japonica (26.1%?48.2%) cultivars, although average was almost the same (37.7% in the japonica and 38.9% in the indica cultivars). Correlation coefficients showed that the increase of differentiated spikelets on PBs strongly increase the number of surviving spikelet per panicle or on PBs per panicle in both cultivar groups. But this was not significantly increase the number of degenerated spikelets on PBs but showed possibility of increase the number of degenerated spikelets on SBs per panicle in both cultivar groups. Increased number of differentiated spikelets on SBs substantially increased the numbers of both surviving and degenerated spikelets on SBs per panicle and showed weak negative (in japonica) and positive (in indica) significant correlation with the percentage of degenerated spikelets on SBs. The number of surviving PBs was highly correlated with the surviving spikelets on PBs per panicle. Therefore, above results imply that the increase of differentiated spikelets on PBs of both cultivar groups and on SBs in the japonica group could sustain the survivility of spikelets with higher number of differentiated PBs per panicle.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/brj.v17i1-2.20901Bangladesh Rice j. 2013, 17(1&2): 49-63
Water and Fertilizer Productivity in Dry Season Irrigated Rice at Farmers Field
Authors: Maniruzzaman M , Biswas JC
Published: November 2014

Two on-farm experiments were conducted during dry seasons, 2001-04 at Kurigram and Pirgonj in Thakurgaon districts to select the best water management practices and to find out the suitable and economically viable combination of irrigation scheduling and fertilizer dose for maximizing irrigated rice yield. In alternate irrigation at saturation (AIS) treatment, about 28% water was saved compared to continuous flooding (CF), but it was needed to apply water frequently. However, alternate wetting and drying (AWD) method saved 31% and 39% water in Kurigram and Pirgonj, respectively compared to CF. In both the sites, there was no significant yield difference among the water treatments, though the applied water varied from 836-1046 mm in Kurigram and 802-1092 mm in Pirgonj. The water productivity in Kurigram ranged from 0.62 to 0.89 kg m-3, whereas in Pirgonj it varied from 0.54 to 0.75 kg m-3. Besides, AWD had the highest water productivity irrespective of locations and farmer can follow AWD practices for achieving competitive rice yield with reduced irrigation cost. The soil test based (STB) fertilizer management gave the highest grain yield followed by BRRI recommend dose irrespective of water managements. About 33-35% less amount of water was required in AWD compared to farmers practice (FP) in both the sites having 0.5-1.0 t ha-1 yield advantage. In both the locations, the water productivity was the highest with STB fertilizer in combination with AWD water management which required additional fertilizer cost of Tk. 2800 ha-1, but resulted in added benefit of Tk. 8400 ha-1 compared to FP. In STB fertilizer treatment, nutrient uptake was more compared to BRRI recommendation and FP. It was concluded from the study that AWD water management practice was the best option for water saving and improving water productivity. The combination of AWD with STB fertilizer management is suitable for maximum return from rice cultivation in light textured soils.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/brj.v17i1-2.20902Bangladesh Rice j. 2013, 17(1&2): 64-74
Diversity and Seasonal Fluctuations of Arthropod Fauna in Bangladesh Deepwater Rice
Authors: Catling David , Islam Zahirul
Published: November 2014

An intensive study of the diversity of arthropod fauna in Bangladesh deepwater rice ecosystem from 1977 to 1980 revealed: 139 phytophages, 75 predators, 75 parasitoids and 44 scavengers identified to species level. Adding those forms identified to family/subfamily brought the total to 375 species. Insecta comprised 354 species belonging to more than 100 families. This is a conservative estimate since the main sampling methods used, sweepnetting and the rearing of parasitoids, is fairly effective for mid- and upper canopy forms, but is not effective for collecting fauna in the benthos, neuston and lower plant canopy for which a suction sampler is necessary.There was a marked seasonal fluctuation in numbers and composition of the fauna due mainly to the nature of the deepwater rice plant and the annual flooding pattern. The preflood period was conducive to moderate buildups of some canopy-living insects. In the flooding period the numbers of many arthropods crashed precipitously and never recovered (eg leafhoppers and planthoppers). Those forms adapted to deep flooding continued at moderate levels (eg acridids, green leafhopper), while a few arthropods were able to increase their numbers (eg tettigonids, yellow stem borer and spiders). Spiders, the most abundant predator group, were numerous at all times even during deep flooding and they probably limited the numbers of leafhoppers, planthoppers and some other pests. In addition, 75 parasitoids formed part of the faunal community and attacked many phytophages.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/brj.v17i1-2.20903Bangladesh Rice j. 2013, 17(1&2): 75-104
Epidemiological Study on Bronchial Asthma at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Dhaka
Authors: Barua Uttam Kumar , Saha Santosh Kumar , Ghosh Dilip Kumar , Ruble Md. Mesbahul Karim
Published: November 2014

Background: In Bangladesh more than 100 million people are suffering from cough and shortness of breath. Still people are getting unplanned treatment and taking unscientific, indigenous and sometimes harmful products to get relief.Objective: The present study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of different types of bronchial asthma in Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital.Methodology: One hundred patients from respiratory medicine out patient department were included in this study using a well designed questionnaire, clinical examination by physician which was carried out from January, 2012 to June, 2012. The key questions were related to the type of asthma, family history, presence of atopic dermatitis and diabetes, information on smoking and alcoholic habits, domestic cooking fuel used, dwelling area, age, religion, socioeconomic status and age of onset of disease.Result: Out of 100 subjects surveyed, 42 were females and 58 were males. The type of asthma is distributed as cough-variant-asthma (8%), intermittent asthma (52%), persistent asthma (16%), seasonal asthma (22%) and occupational asthma (2%). Regarding family history, 26% showed genetic predisposition irrespective of sex. Among asthmatics, 6% were having atopic dermatitis. Forty percent were smokers, 5% were alcoholics and 28% were with diabetics. Advancing age, usual residence in urban area and lower socio-economic status were associated with significantly higher odds of having asthma.Conclusion: It showed that cough- variant-asthma, diabetes and smoking habit increase the incidence of asthma attacks.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v5i2.20759J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, 2013;5(2):77-80
Association of Streptococcus with Guttate Psoriasis: An Observational Study at Two Tertiary Care Hospitals in Dhaka
Authors: Hossain Md Akram , Ali Md. Eakub , Bhuiyan Ishrat , Hossain Md. Shahadat , Shahin Biswas
Published: November 2014

Background: Psoriasis is multifactorial in origin. Streptococcal infection, sore throat has been claimed to be an  infectious  cause.Objective: The  purpose  of  the  present  study  was  to  observe  the  association  of Streptococcus with guttate psoriasis.Methodology: This was an observational case-control study which was conducted in the Department of Dermatology & Venereology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), & Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College hospital (ShSMCH) in Dhaka city of Bangladesh during the period of February 2012  to October 2012. Patients clinically and histopathologically diagnosed as psoriasis were selected as case group and patients with skin diseases other than psoriasis were selected as control group.Results: A total of 115 patients were included in this study of which 64 patients were in case group and the rest 51 patients were designated as control group. The mean age was 30.73±14.69 years and 26.47±12.64 years in cases and control groups respectively (p>0.05). About 66.6% patients gave a positive history of sore throat. ASO titer was raised (>200 IU/ml) in 25(83.3%) patients of guttate psoriasis and 5(23.8%) in patients of their non-psoriatic controls (p<0.05). Streptococcus pyogenes was found in 9(30.0%) patients of case group and only 2(9.5%) patients were found in their control group.Conclusion: Streptococcal throat infections are associated with guttate psoriasis patients.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v5i2.20763J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, 2013;5(2):91-94
Prognostic Value of Biochemical and Hematological Parameters in Children with Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Roy Ranjit Ranjan , Islam Md. Rafiqul , Jesmin Tahmina , Matin Abdul , Islam Md. Reazul
Published: November 2014

Background: Nephrotic syndrome causes a great morbidity and mortality among the children.Objective: The purpose of the present study was to compare the biochemical and hematological parameters and their prognostic value in steroid resistant (SRNS), frequent relapse and steroid dependent (FRNS+SDNS) and infrequent relapse (IFRNS) groups.Methodology: A prospective study of 43 children with idiopathic  nephrotic syndrome (INS) selected randomly out of 480 children admitted with the disease at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka from January 2003 to January 2005. There were 24 steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) and 19 steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), of SSNS group 13 were infrequent relapse (IFRNS) and 11 were frequent relapse steroid dependent (FRNS+SDNS).Result: SRNS has low serum total protein (STP), albumin and hemoglobin compared to SSNS (P<0.01, P<0.001). SRNS also has high cholesterol, creatinine and urinary total protein (UTP) than SSNS (P<0.01, P<0.001). Higher difference was observed between SRNS and IFRNS (P<0.001). High serum cholesterol, UTP and low hemoglobin were found in FRNS+SDNS compared to IFRNS (P<0.01, P<0.05).Conclusion: STP, albumin, creatinine were equally low in SRNS and FRNS+SDNS.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v5i2.20764J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll 2013;5(2):95-98
Etiological Factors, Diagnoses, and Treatments of Halitosis: A Review update
Authors: Kabir Md. Humayun , Sarwar A.F.M. , Hossain Motaher , Ahmed Ikramul
Published: November 2014

Halitosis is known as bad breath that emanates from the oral cavity either intra-oral and/or extra-oral origins with different nomenclature such as oral malodor, foetor ex ore, bad breath, foul smell or in Bengali durgondha. Fifty percent of people worldwide view themselves as having halitosis, with (85.0-90.0%) of the etiology being intra-oral. Oral causes include basically tongue coating and other various causes like tooth decay, periodontitis, chronic gingivitis, oral infections, pericoronitis, calculus deposition, oral mucosal ulceration (bacterial and/or fungal), impacted food particles, orthodontic problems and poor oral hygiene practice. These sorts of foul smell of the oral cavity most often results from the bacterial degradation of oral organic substrates as volatile sulfur compounds (VSC). The source of halitosis may be related both to oral and systemic condition, but majority of cases are commonly related to oral factors. So far knowledge goes there have been a few studies evaluating the prevalence of bad mouth breath (BMB) in general population. The aim of this reviews are the classification of halitosis, assessment, diagnosis, intra-oral and systemic contributing factors, treatment, management and clinical application.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v5i2.20767J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll 2013;5(2):106-110
Dyke-Davidoff-Masson-Syndrome Manifested by seizures and learning difficulties: A Case Report
Authors: Khalil Mohammad Ibrahim , Hakim Maliha , Momin Afzal , Nayeem Abu , Islam Md. Mohitul , Das Priyatosh Chandra
Published: November 2014

Dyke-Davidoff-Masson Syndrome (DDMS), also known as cerebral hemiatrophy, is a rare clinical condition characterized by seizures, facial asymmetry, contralateral spastic hemiplegia or hemiparesis, with learning difficulties and behavioral changes. It is commonly diagnosed in presence of clinical feature associated radiological findings which include cerebral hemiatrophy with homolateral hypertrophy of the skull and sinuses. In this present case report a 12 year old teenager female patient was diagnosed as DDMS with recurrent generalized seizures, learning difficulties and right sided hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed hemiatrophy involving the left cerebral hemisphere and EEG showed generalized epileptiform discharged. An X-ray of the paranasal air sinuses was normal.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v5i2.20768J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll 2013;5(2):111-113
Lymphangitic Carcinomatosis of Unknown Primary: A Case Report
Authors: Shahin Md. Abu , Rahman Matiur , Dewan Gourab , Saeed Atia , Shazzad M. Nahiduzzaman , Chowdhury M.R.
Published: November 2014

Lymphangitic carcinomatosis is an uncommon manifestation of metastasis to lung. Its presentation can mimic several disorders of the lungs. A case is presented here where patient presented with progressive dyspnoea, dry cough, weight loss and fever. The patient was amenorrheic for the last 2 years. Her physical findings were unremarkable initially other than the weight loss and evidence of pulmonary hypertension. Subsequently her dyspnoea rapidly worsened and the patient became bed bound. Investigations revealed neutrophilic leucocytosis, normal Hb with high ESR. ANA, anti Cetromere and anti Scl 70 was negative. Serum  calcium  was  normal.  Liver  function  test  was  normal  other  than  raised  alkaline  phosphatase. Tuberculin test was negative. Chest X-ray revealed increased bilateral symmetrical streaks and reticulation with peripheral and lower distribution which is consistent with pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis. HRCT of Lungs has shown diffuse infiltrations, reticulo-nodular and ground glass opacities, centrilobular emphysema with accentuation of broncho-vascular densities in both lung fields. There were enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes, bilateral pleural effusion. Doppler Echo revealed mild pulmonary hypertension with fair EF. Tumor markers were done. CA125, CA 19.9 and AFP were ten times higher than normal. Fibreoptic nasopharyngoesophagoscopy was normal. Diagnosis of PLC was made on clinical feature, radiological finding and elevated tumor markers. Symptomatic treatment was given during the period of evaluation. Ultimately the patient succumbed to death.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v5i2.20769J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, 2013;5(2):114-116
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on Soft Tissue Healing: A Case Report with Literature Review
Authors: Islam Md. Nazrul , Zakaria Golam Abu , Sirazee FH , Debenath Paritosh Chandra , Shamimuzzaman Kazi , Akhter SM Quamrul , Khan Ashraf Uddin , Islam Sayed Shaheedul
Published: November 2014

Variety of skin wounds are difficult to treat. Cutaneous lesions are representing the dilemma due to high morbidity. To treat these lesions low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is currently available. Experimental in vitro and in vivo studies have been under development. LLLT is an effective method to modulate tissue repair. In this case report LLLT was applied to a women presenting with wound healing and the result was excellent.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jssmc.v5i2.20770J Shaheed Suhrawardy Med Coll, 2013;5(2):117-121
Maryse Condé’s Victoire: Thinking Back through Her Mothers
Authors: Green Mary Jean
Published: November 2014

In Le Cœur à rire et à pleurer (1999), Maryse Condé’s first admittedly autobiographical work, there appears a photograph of a grandmother, but the woman it pictures remains a mysterious presence. It is to the life of this unknown grandmother that Condé devotes her attention in her 2006 publication, Victoire, les saveurs et les mots. In understanding the life of this maternal grandmother, she hopes to learn more about her own enigmatic mother, and thus about herself.

Condé’s text is a reconstitution of the life of Victoire Élodie Pridal, a household servant, and of the time in which she lived, when the black population of Guadeloupe was finally able to assert its right to education and political power. It is also a work of imagination, as the narrator imagines her unknown grandmother's life, comparing her own ability as a writer to the creative imagination displayed by Victoire in her legendary creole cuisine.
The Copula Function-Based Probability Characteristics Analysis on Seasonal Drought & Flood Combination Events on the North China Plain
Authors: Mu Wenbin , Yu Fuliang , Xie Yuebo , Liu Jia , Li Chuanzhe , Zhao Nana
Published: November 2014

Drought & flood events, especially the drought & flood combination events (DFCEs) on the North China Plain (NCP), known as an important grain production region in China, constitute a serious threat to China’s food security. Studies on DFCEs in this region are of great significance for the rational allocation of water resources and the formulation of integrated response strategy for droughts and floods. In this study, L-moments theory and bivariate copula method were used to evaluate the probability characteristics of seasonal DFCEs (continuous drought, continuous flood, and alternation between drought and flood) on the NCP, based on the daily precipitation data (1960–2012) at 19 meteorological stations. Results indicate the following: (1) On the NCP, the precipitation in summer accounts for 56.45%–72.02% of mean annual precipitation, and the precipitation in autumn and spring come second. The winter precipitation is the smallest (less than 4%); (2) The best-fit distribution for precipitation anomaly percentages in spring, summer and autumn are Generalized Normal (GNO), Generalized Logistic (GLO) and Pearson III (P-III) in sub-region I, respectively. While in sub-region II, they are respectively the P-III, P-III and Generalized Extreme-Value (GEV); (3) Compared with the Gumbel copula and Clayton copula, Frank copula is more suitable for spring-summer and summer-autumn precipitation anomaly percentage sequences on the NCP; (4) On the time scale, continuous drought respectively dominate in spring-summer DFCEs and in summer-autumn DFCEs on the NCP. Summer-autumn DFCEs prevail in sub-region I with the average probability value 0.34, while spring-summer DFCEs dominate in sub-region II, of which average probability value is 0.42; (5) On the spatial scale, most areas where the probability of continuous drought in spring-summer and spring drought & summer flood is relatively high are located in the northwest, northeast, and coastal parts of sub-region II; all the events with high probability of continuous drought in summer-autumn and summer flood & autumn drought occurred at the central part in the northwest of sub-region II.
Water Resource Management in Dry Zonal Paddy Cultivation in Mahaweli River Basin, Sri Lanka: An Analysis of Spatial and Temporal Climate Change Impacts and Traditional Knowledge
Authors: Withanachchi Sisira , Köpke Sören , Withanachchi Chandana , Pathiranage Ruwan , Ploeger Angelika
Published: November 2014

Lack of attention to spatial and temporal cross-scale dynamics and effects could be understood as one of the lacunas in scholarship on river basin management. Within the water-climate-food-energy nexus, an integrated and inclusive approach that recognizes traditional knowledge about and experiences of climate change and water resource management can provide crucial assistance in confronting problems in megaprojects and multipurpose river basin management projects. The Mahaweli Development Program (MDP), a megaproject and multipurpose river basin management project, is demonstrating substantial failures with regards to the spatial and temporal impacts of climate change and socioeconomic demands for water allocation and distribution for paddy cultivation in the dry zone area, which was one of the driving goals of the project at the initial stage. This interdisciplinary study explores how spatial and temporal climatic changes and uncertainty in weather conditions impact paddy cultivation in dry zonal areas with competing stakeholders’ interest in the Mahaweli River Basin. In the framework of embedded design in the mixed methods research approach, qualitative data is the primary source while quantitative analyses are used as supportive data. The key findings from the research analysis are as follows: close and in-depth consideration of spatial and temporal changes in climate systems and paddy farmers’ socioeconomic demands altered by seasonal changes are important factors. These factors should be considered in the future modification of water allocation, application of distribution technologies, and decision-making with regards to water resource management in the dry zonal paddy cultivation of Sri Lanka.
Image Fusion Based on the \({\Delta ^{ - 1}} - T{V_0}\) Energy Function
Authors: Xie Qiwei , Ma Chao , Guo Chunzhao , John Vijay , Mita Seiichi , Long Qian
Published: November 2014

This article proposes a \({\Delta^{-1}}-T{V_0}\) energy function to fuse a multi-spectral image with a panchromatic image. The proposed energy function consists of two components, a \(TV_0\) component and a \(\Delta^{-1}\) component. The \(TV_0\) term uses the sparse priority to increase the detailed spatial information; while the \({\Delta ^{ - 1}}\) term removes the block effect of the multi-spectral image. Furthermore, as the proposed energy function is non-convex, we also adopt an alternative minimization algorithm and the \(L_0\) gradient minimization to solve it. Experimental results demonstrate the improved performance of the proposed method over existing methods.
CFD Study on Aerodynamic Power Output Changes with Inter-Turbine Spacing Variation for a 6 MW Offshore Wind Farm
Authors: Choi Nak , Nam Sang , Jeong Jong , Kim Kyung
Published: November 2014

This study examined the aerodynamic power output change of wind turbines with inter-turbine spacing variation for a 6 MW wind farm composed of three sets of 2 MW wind turbines using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The wind farm layout design is becoming increasingly important as the use of wind energy is steadily increasing. Among the many wind farm layout design parameters, the inter-turbine spacing is a key factor in the initial investment cost, annual energy production and maintenance cost. The inter-turbine spacing should be determined to maximize the annual energy production and minimize the wake effect, turbulence effect and fatigue load during the service lifetime of wind turbines. Therefore, some compromise between the aerodynamic power output of wind turbines and the inter-turbine spacing is needed. An actuator disc model with the addition of a momentum source was not used, and instead, a full 3-dimensional model with a tower and nacelle was used for CFD analysis because of its great technical significance. The CFD analysis results, such as the aerodynamic power output, axial direction wind speed change, pressure drop across the rotor of wind turbine, and wind speed deficit due to the wake effect with inter-turbine spacing variation, were studied. The results of this study can be applied effectively to wind farm layout design and evaluation.
Game-Theoretic Energy Management for Residential Users with Dischargeable Plug-in Electric Vehicles
Authors: Gao Bingtuan , Zhang Wenhu , Tang Yi , Hu Mingjin , Zhu Mingcheng , Zhan Huiyu
Published: November 2014

The plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) has attracted more and more attention because of the energy crisis and environmental pollution, which is also the main shiftable load of the residential users’ demand side management (DSM) system in the future smart grid (SG). In this paper, we employ game theory to provide an autonomous energy management system among residential users considering selling energy back to the utility company by discharging the PEV’s battery. By assuming all users are equipped with smart meters to execute automatic energy consumption scheduling (ECS) and the energy company can adopt adequate pricing tariffs relating to time and level of energy usage, we formulate an energy management game, where the players are the residential users and the strategies are their daily schedules of household appliance use. We will show that the Nash equilibrium of the formulated energy management game can guarantee the global optimization in terms of minimizing the energy costs, where the depreciation cost of PEV’s battery because of discharging and selling energy back is also considered. Simulation results verify that the proposed game-theoretic approach can reduce the total energy cost and individual daily electricity payment. Moreover, since plug-in electric bicycles (PEBs) are currently widely used in China, simulation results of residential users owing household appliances and bidirectional energy trading of PEBs are also provided and discussed.
Introducing Textiles as Material of Construction of Ethanol Bioreactors
Authors: Osadolor Osagie , Lennartsson Patrik , Taherzadeh Mohammad
Published: November 2014

The conventional materials for constructing bioreactors for ethanol production are stainless and cladded carbon steel because of the corrosive behaviour of the fermenting media. As an alternative and cheaper material of construction, a novel textile bioreactor was developed and examined. The textile, coated with several layers to withstand the pressure, resist the chemicals inside the reactor and to be gas-proof was welded to form a 30 L lab reactor. The reactor had excellent performance for fermentative production of bioethanol from sugar using baker’s yeast. Experiments with temperature and mixing as process parameters were performed. No bacterial contamination was observed. Bioethanol was produced for all conditions considered with the optimum fermentation time of 15 h and ethanol yield of 0.48 g/g sucrose. The need for mixing and temperature control can be eliminated. Using a textile bioreactor at room temperature of 22 °C without mixing required 2.5 times longer retention time to produce bioethanol than at 30 °C with mixing. This will reduce the fermentation investment cost by 26% for an ethanol plant with capacity of 100,000 m3 ethanol/y. Also, replacing one 1300 m3 stainless steel reactor with 1300 m3 of the textile bioreactor in this plant will reduce the fermentation investment cost by 19%.
Exergy Destruction in Pipeline Flow of Surfactant-Stabilized Oil-in-Water Emulsions
Authors: Pal Rajinder
Published: November 2014

Exergy destruction in adiabatic pipeline flow of surfactant-stabilized oil-in-water emulsions is investigated in five different diameter pipes. The dispersed-phase (oil droplets) concentration of the emulsions is varied from 0% to 55.14% vol. The emulsions are Newtonian in that the viscosity is independent of the shear rate. For a given emulsion and pipe diameter, the exergy destruction rate per unit pipe length increases linearly with the increase in the Reynolds number on a log-log scale in both laminar and turbulent regimes. However the slope in the turbulent regime is higher. The exergy destruction rate increases with the increase in the dispersed-phase concentration of emulsion and decreases with the increase in the pipe diameter. New models are developed for the prediction of exergy destruction rate in pipeline flow of surfactant-stabilized oil-in-water emulsions. The models are based on the single-phase flow equations. The experimental data on exergy destruction in pipeline flow of emulsions shows excellent agreement with the predictions of the proposed models.
The Causes and Circumstances of Drinking Water Incidents Impact Consumer Behaviour: Comparison of a Routine versus a Natural Disaster Incident
Authors: Rundblad Gabriella , Knapton Olivia , Hunter Paul
Published: November 2014

When public health is endangered, the general public can only protect themselves if timely messages are received and understood. Previous research has shown that the cause of threats to public health can affect risk perception and behaviours. This study compares compliance to public health advice and consumer behaviour during two “Boil Water” notices issued in the UK due to a routine incident versus a natural disaster incident. A postal questionnaire was sent to 1000 randomly selected households issued a routine “Boil Water” notice. Findings were then compared to a previous study that explored drinking water behaviour during a “Boil Water” notice issued after serious floods. Consumers affected by the routine incident showed a significant preference for official water company information, whereas consumers affected by the natural disaster preferred local information sources. Confusion over which notice was in place was found for both incidents. Non-compliance was significantly higher for the natural disaster (48.3%) than the routine incident (35.4%). For the routine incident, compliance with advice on drinking as well as preparing/cooking food and brushing teeth was positively associated with receiving advice from the local radio, while the opposite was true for those receiving advice from the water company/leaflet through the post; we suggest this may largely be due to confusion over needing boiled tap water for brushing teeth. No associations were found for demographic factors. We conclude that information dissemination plans should be tailored to the circumstances under which the advice is issued. Water companies should seek to educate the general public about water notices and which actions are safe and unsafe during which notice, as well as construct and disseminate clearer advice on brushing teeth and preparing/cooking food.
Structure–Biological Function Relationship Extended to Mitotic Arrest-Deficient 2-Like Protein Mad2 Native and Mutants-New Opportunity for Genetic Disorder Control
Authors: Avram Speranta , Milac Adina , Mernea Maria , Mihailescu Dan , Putz Mihai , Buiu Catalin
Published: November 2014

Overexpression of mitotic arrest-deficient proteins Mad1 and Mad2, two components of spindle assembly checkpoint, is a risk factor for chromosomal instability (CIN) and a trigger of many genetic disorders. Mad2 transition from inactive open (O-Mad2) to active closed (C-Mad2) conformations or Mad2 binding to specific partners (cell-division cycle protein 20 (Cdc20) or Mad1) were targets of previous pharmacogenomics studies. Here, Mad2 binding to Cdc20 and the interconversion rate from open to closed Mad2 were predicted and the molecular features with a critical contribution to these processes were determined by extending the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) method to large-size proteins such as Mad2. QSAR models were built based on available published data on 23 Mad2 mutants inducing CIN-related functional changes. The most relevant descriptors identified for predicting Mad2 native and mutants action mechanism and their involvement in genetic disorders are the steric (van der Waals area and solvent accessible area and their subdivided) and energetic van der Waals energy descriptors. The reliability of our QSAR models is indicated by significant values of statistical coefficients: Cross-validated correlation q2 (0.53–0.65) and fitted correlation r2 (0.82–0.90). Moreover, based on established QSAR equations, we rationally design and analyze nine de novo Mad2 mutants as possible promoters of CIN.
Hydrologic and Water Quality Model Development Using Simulink
Authors: Bowen James , Perry David , Bell Colin
Published: November 2014

A stormwater runoff model based on the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) method and a finite-volume based water quality model have been developed to investigate the use of Simulink for use in teaching and research. Simulink, a MATLAB extension, is a graphically based model development environment for system modeling and simulation. Widely used for mechanical and electrical systems, Simulink has had less use for modeling of hydrologic systems. The watershed model is being considered for use in teaching graduate-level courses in hydrology and/or stormwater modeling. Simulink’s block (data process) and arrow (data transfer) object model, the copy and paste user interface, the large number of existing blocks, and the absence of computer code allows students to become model developers almost immediately. The visual depiction of systems, their component subsystems, and the flow of data through the systems are ideal attributes for hands-on teaching of hydrologic and mass balance processes to today’s computer-savvy visual learners. Model development with Simulink for research purposes is also investigated. A finite volume, multi-layer pond model using the water quality kinetics present in CE-QUAL-W2 has been developed using Simulink. The model is one of the first uses of Simulink for modeling eutrophication dynamics in stratified natural systems. The model structure and a test case are presented. One use of the model for teaching a graduate-level water quality modeling class is also described.
Magnetic Shape Memory Microactuators
Authors: Kohl Manfred , Gueltig Marcel , Pinneker Viktor , Yin Ruizhi , Wendler Frank , Krevet Berthold
Published: November 2014

By introducing smart materials in micro systems technologies, novel smart microactuators and sensors are currently being developed, e.g., for mobile, wearable, and implantable MEMS (Micro-electro-mechanical-system) devices. Magnetic shape memory alloys (MSMAs) are a promising material system as they show multiple coupling effects as well as large, abrupt changes in their physical properties, e.g., of strain and magnetization, due to a first order phase transformation. For the development of MSMA microactuators, considerable efforts are undertaken to fabricate MSMA foils and films showing similar and just as strong effects compared to their bulk counterparts. Novel MEMS-compatible technologies are being developed to enable their micromachining and integration. This review gives an overview of material properties, engineering issues and fabrication technologies. Selected demonstrators are presented illustrating the wide application potential.
High Resolution Cell Positioning Based on a Flow Reduction Mechanism for Enhancing Deformability Mapping
Authors: Sakuma Shinya , Kuroda Keisuke , Arai Fumihito , Taniguchi Tatsunori , Ohtani Tomohito , Sakata Yasushi , Kaneko Makoto
Published: November 2014

The dispersion of cell deformability mapping is affected not only by the resolution of the sensing system, but also by cell deformability itself. In order to extract the pure deformability characteristics of cells, it is necessary to improve the resolution of cell actuation in the sensing system, particularly in the case of active sensing, where an actuator is essential. This paper proposes a novel concept, a “flow reduction mechanism”, where a flow is generated by a macroactuator placed outside of a microfluidic chip. The flow can be drastically reduced at the cell manipulation point in a microchannel due to the elasticity embedded into the fluid circuit of the microfluidic system. The great advantage of this approach is that we can easily construct a high resolution cell manipulation system by combining a macro-scale actuator and a macro-scale position sensor, even though the resolution of the actuator is larger than the desired resolution for cell manipulation. Focusing on this characteristic, we successfully achieved the cell positioning based on a visual feedback control with a resolution of 240 nm, corresponding to one pixel of the vision system. We show that the utilization of this positioning system contributes to reducing the dispersion coming from the positioning resolution in the cell deformability mapping.
Preparation of Rotenone Derivatives and in Vitro Analysis of Their Antimalarial, Antileishmanial and Selective Cytotoxic Activities
Authors: Upegui Yulieth , Gil Juan , Quiñones Wiston , Torres Fernando , Escobar Gustavo , Robledo Sara , Echeverri Fernando
Published: November 2014

Six derivatives of the known biopesticide rotenone were prepared by several chemical transformations. Rotenone and its derivatives showed differential in vitro antiparasitic activity and selective cytotoxicity. In general, compounds were more active against Plasmodium falciparum than Leishmania panamensis. Rotenone had an EC50 of 19.0 µM against P. falciparum, and 127.2 µM against L. panamensis. Although chemical transformation does not improve its biological profile against P. falciparum, three of its derivatives showed a significant level of action within an adequate range of activity with EC50 values < 50.0 µM. This antiplasmodial activity was not due to red blood cell hemolysis, since LC50 was >>400 µM. On the other hand, all derivatives displayed a non-specific cytotoxicity on several cell lines and primary human cell cultures.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitory Constituents of Propolis: Kinetics and Mechanism of Inhibition of Recombinant Human MAO-A and MAO-B
Authors: Chaurasiya Narayan , Ibrahim Mohamed , Muhammad Ilias , Walker Larry , Tekwani Babu
Published: November 2014

Propolis is the resinous material that bees gather from leaf buds, flowers and vegetables. Propolis extracts contain constituents with a broad spectra of pharmacological properties and are important ingredients of popular dietary supplements. Propolis extracts were evaluated in vitro for inhibition of recombinant human monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A and MAO-B. The dichloromethane extract of propolis showed potent inhibition of human MAO-A and MAO-B. Further fractionation identified the most active fractions as rich in flavonoids. Galangin and apigenin were identified as the principal MAO-inhibitory constituents. Inhibition of MAO-A by galangin was about 36 times more selective than MAO-B, while apigenin selectivity for MAO-A vs. MAO-B was about 1.7 fold. Apigenin inhibited MAO-B significantly more potently than galangin. Galangin and apigenin were further evaluated for kinetic characteristics and the mechanism for the enzymes’ inhibition. Binding of galangin and apigenin with MAO-A and -B was not time-dependent and was reversible, as suggested by enzyme-inhibitor binding and dissociation-dialysis assay. The inhibition kinetics studies suggested that galangin and apigenin inhibited MAO-A and -B by a competitive mechanism. Presence of prominent MAO inhibitory constituents in propolis products suggests their potential for eliciting pharmacological effects that might be useful in depression or other neurological disorders. The results may also have important implications in drug-dietary supplement interactions.
TOMBU and COMBU as Novel Uronium-Type Peptide Coupling Reagents Derived from Oxyma-B
Authors: Jad Yahya , Khattab Sherine , De la Torre Beatriz , Govender Thavendran , Kruger Hendrik , El-Faham Ayman , Albericio Fernando
Published: November 2014

Here we describe two novel uronium salts, TOMBU and COMBU, derived from the recently described Oxyma-B for use in peptide bond synthesis. These coupling reagents are more stable than COMU in DMF. Furthermore, using various peptide synthetic models in solution and solid-phase synthesis, we reveal that they show better performance than HBTU in terms of preserving chiral integrity and coupling yields, but slightly worse performance than COMU.
Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Artemisinin-Indoloquinoline Hybrids as Potent Antiproliferative Agents
Authors: Wang Li , Świtalska Marta , Wang Ning , Du Zhen-Jun , Fukumoto Yuta , Diep Nguyen , Kiguchi Ryo , Nokami Junzo , Wietrzyk Joanna , Inokuchi Tsutomu
Published: November 2014

A series of artemisinin-indoloquinoline hybrids were designed and synthesized in an attempt to develop potent and selective anti-tumor agents. Compounds 7a–7f, 8 and 9 were prepared and characterized. Their antiproliferative activities against MV4-11, HCT-116, A549, and BALB/3T3 cell lines in vitro were tested. Nearly all of the tested compounds (7–9, except for compounds 7d and 7e against HCT-116) showed an increased antitumor activity against HCT-116 and A549 cell lines when compared to the dihydroartemisinin control. Especially for the artemisinin-indoloquinoline hybrid 8, with an 11-aminopropylamino-10H-indolo[3,2-b]quinoline substituent, the antiproliferative activity against the A549 cell line had improved more than ten times. The IC50 value of hybrid 8 against A549 cell lines was decreased to 1.328 ± 0.586 μM, while dihydroartemisin showed IC50 value of >20 µM in the same cell line. Thus, these results have proven that the strategy of introducing a planar basic fused aromatic moiety, such as the indoloquinoline skeleton, could improve the antiproliferative activity and selectivity towards cancer cell lines.