bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ANALYSIS AND DEVELOPMENT POSSIBILITIES OF BUSINESS INCUBATORS IN LATVIA
Authors: Arbidāne Iluta , Tarasova Madara
Published: May 2016

The nature of business incubators and their historical development in the world and in Latvia, the role in the global and Latvia's economy, the requirements set by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) for the operators and enterprises of business incubators within the framework of the activity “Business Incubators” (implemented within the project “Development of Business Incubators in Latvia” co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund), as well as the results achieved by the business incubators and enterprises, and their future perspectives are covered in the research. The aim of the study is to explore and analyse the implementation and performance of the LIAA’s activity "Business incubators" in Latvia. The main issues analysed in the paper are the implementation conditions, the results, and analysis of the activity “Business Incubators” administered by the LIAA, as well as its effect upon the business activity in Latvia. Based on the obtained results, the authors conclude that the continuation of the business incubators' operation is a precondition for development of innovative business and growth of the economy of Latvia.
NECESSITY OF MAPPING AND ASSESSMENT OF ECOSYSTEMS AND THEIR SERVICES IN PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING PROCESS
Authors: Brūniņa Līga , Konstantinova Elīna , Peršēvica Aija
Published: May 2016

The EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 determines that “Member States, with the assistance of the Commission, will map and assess the state of ecosystems and their services in their national territory by 2014, assess the economic value of such services, and promote the integration of these values into accounting and reporting systems at EU and national level by 2020”. Mapping and assessment of ecosystem services provides several benefits, one of which is baseline data providing to measure net future gains or losses and data integration into spatial development process. The aim of the paper is to present and discuss the approach taken to assessing ecosystem services in order to introduce necessity of mapping and assessment of ecosystems and their services for planning and decision-making process in Latvia. The paper will focus on terminology interpretation of ecosystem services, introducing with set of developed indicators for assessment of ecosystem services and define appropriate for Latvia. The paper closes with estimation of potential benefits and necessity to integrate assessment of ecosystems services in spatial planning and decision-making process.
DESIGN THINKING MODELS IN DESIGN RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
Authors: Irbīte Andra , Strode Aina
Published: May 2016

Design thinking has become a paradigm that is considered to be useful in solving many problems in different areas:  both in development of design projects and outside of traditional design practice.  It raises the question - is design thinking understood as a universal methodology in all cases? How it is interpreted in design education? The analysis of theoretical and design related literature indicates different basic and contextual challenges facing design today: increasing scale of social, economic and industrial borders; complexity of environment and systems; requirements in all levels. As specialists and researchers in the field of design have concluded, here are multiple disconnects betweenwhat the graduate design schools are teaching at the level of methods and what skills is already needed. The problems have been found also in interdisciplinary cooperation and research. In the context of design thinking models and problem solving methods, the analysis shows that design education implementers in public higher education institutions in Latvia are ready for local and global challenges.
Asthma in Childhood – Future Research Directions
Authors: Benedictis Fernando Maria de ,   Salesi Children’s Hospital, Ancona, Italy, Attanasi Marina ,   Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti, Italy
Published: May 2016

Asthma is among the most common childhood illnesses and it presents a substantial burden to patients, their family and society. Currently, asthma is considered to be a disease comprising a variety of different phenotypes and endotypes. This heterogeneity explains why the standard treatment cannot achieve full symptom control in all cases. Future directions in asthma research should focus on identification of new biologic markers as well as on new approaches towards personalised medicine.
Employment officers' assessments of employment prospects for persons with physical disability: Structural discrimination on the basis of gender and country of birth
Authors: Dag Munir , Kullberg Christian
Published: May 2016

This article concerns employment officers' assessments of persons with physical disabilities. The aim was to investigate the assessments made by employment officers of the motivation and ability to obtain, keep, and successfully perform a job, when young women and men, of Swedish and foreign country of birth, seek employment. The study is qualitative and data were collected via interviews supported by the vignette method. The respondents were eight employment officers working in employment offices in a large and a medium-sized municipality in Sweden. The results show that the employment officers assess the job seekers born in a foreign country (Iran) as less motivated to find a job and less motivated to work compared to those born in Sweden. The results also show that the applicants born in a foreign country are recommended to seek less-qualified jobs, and that women born in Sweden are recommended for more professional assistance and support to further education than other applicants. The study reveals the existence of negative ethnic discrimination in employment officers' assessments of employment prospects for persons with physical disabilities and indicates that improvements may be needed in the officers' understanding of how unconscious stereotypical expectations concerning disabilities, gender and ethnicity can affect their assessments and decisions. It is suggested that careful consideration should be given to whether pedagogic models that have been used in other contexts, for instance education, could be used as a complement in the management of cases in order to detect biases in assessments.
Being Disoriented: Uncertain Encounters with Disability
Authors: Parrey Ryan C.
Published: May 2016

Disorienting encounter with disability are those in which the meaning of disability is an open question, and in which our relation to it is questionable. This essay explores the relationship between disability and disorientation on conceptual but also concrete levels. First, I examine the connection between disability and disorientation within disability studies. Second, I provide a preliminary sketch of disorientation through what I call ontic disruption and ontological disorientation. Third, I take up Leder's (1990) articulation of bodily disappearance and embodied dysappearance to address ableist violence. Finally, I develop the notion of dysorientation — a prolonged, persistent or recurrent sense of disorientation — as a useful concept for understanding experiences of ableism but also as a significant meeting point between impairment and disability.
En memoria: Dr. Lázaro Benavides Vázquez
Authors: Ballesteros del Olmo Julio César
Published: May 2016

Nace el 6 de marzo de 1914 en la Ciudad de Piedras Negras, Coahuila. Estudió High School en Eagle Pass, Texas, donde obtiene su grado. En 1930, obtiene el primer lugar para el Estado de Texas en el certamen anual del Foro Nacional de Estudiantes Americanos, correspondiendo esto, al 6º lugar en toda la Unión Americana.
Adaptación de la Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale en población mexicana
Authors: Aguilar-Navarro H G , Coronado-Castilleja A , Gómez-Hernández O J , Cobos- Aguilar H
Published: May 2016

INTRODUCCIÓN: la leche materna es el alimento ideal del neonato. Sin embargo, la frecuencia de la lactancia materna en México ha declinado en la última década hasta 14.4%. Una manera de enfrentar este problema es identificar las actitudes maternas hacia la lactancia, ya que es un factor modificable. La Escala de Actitudes hacia la Alimentación Infantil de Iowa (IIFAS) es utilizada para lograr este objetivo, aunque no se ha validado en México.OBJETIVO: adaptar la escala de actitudes hacia la alimentación infantil en México.MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: estudio transversal con traducción inversa y adaptación cultural, así como consenso entre expertos para la redacción y equivalencia conceptual de los ítems de la escala IIFAS al español, para determinar su validez y fiabilidad.RESULTADOS: la escala adaptada se aplicó a 385 mujeres grávidas, el 16.3% mostró actitud positiva hacia la lactancia materna. Se determinó la fiabilidad del Instrumento (α de Cronbach 0.65), así como la validez de constructo con Análisis Factorial Exploratorio.CONCLUSIONES: la escala de actitudes hacia la alimentación infantil IIFAS versión español (México) puede considerarse válida y confiable para su uso en nuestro medio.
Traumatic Conus Medullaris Syndrome
Authors: Bhandutia Amit K. , Winek Nathan C. , Tomycz Nestor D. , Altman Daniel T.
Published: May 2016

Case:

A twenty-six-year-old man was diagnosed with conus medullaris syndrome (CMS) after sustaining a traumatic L1 burst fracture. Surgical decompression and stabilization was performed within ninety-six hours of admission; postoperatively, normal bladder function rapidly returned.

Conclusion:

CMS is difficult to diagnose because of the clinically variable presentation. There is no consensus regarding the natural history of conus medullaris injury or regarding the necessity, approach, or timing for decompression. Higher-level evidence is needed to guide treatment for acute traumatic CMS.
Biofortification: High zinc wheat programme – The potential agricultural options for alleviating malnutrition in Pakistan
Authors: Baloch Qadir Bux , Makhdum Muhammad Iqbal , Mujahid Muhammad Yaqub , Noreen Sibgha
Published: May 2016

The deficiency of micronutrients (zinc, iron, iodine and vitamin A) is persistently afflicting millions of people living across Africa, Southern Americas, Asia and Pakistan. Among these, the zinc deficiency syndrome is occurring by 47.6, 41.3, and 39.2% in pregnant, non-pregnant and children under 5 years, respectively in Pakistan. The reason being that majority of the people subsists on cereal-based diets, i.e., wheat. The commercially grown wheat varieties contain zinc about 25 mg/g, whereas about 40 mg/g zinc is required in daily diet.

The potential risk of zinc deficiency could be mitigated through certain interventions i.e., mineral drugs, food supplements, diversity in diets, production of fortified foods, and genetic biofortification of staple food crops. Among these, quantum increase in zinc content in wheat grains through genetic manipulation would be basics to alleviate zinc deficiency in the malnourished communities. The objective of the programme is to enhance the concentration of zinc nutrient from 25 to 40 mg/g in wheat grains through conventional plant breeding techniques.
Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad in collaboration with Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and International Maize & Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) and HarvestPlus, Pakistan started R&D works to develop biofortified high zinc wheat varieties containing around 40 mg/g in the year 2009. The biofortified wheat crop is developed through conventional plant breeding techniques. The germplasm inherited with high zinc nutrient are crossed with high yielding and adopted to ecological conditions. The varieties are high yielding, and inheriting zinc around 40 mg/g in the grains under both irrigated and rainfed production environments. The Government of Punjab has also given high priority to develop and consume biofortified high zinc wheat in its multi-sectoral Nutrition Strategy Plan 2015, as potential agricultural option to address malnutrition in the Punjab province.
Effects of water extracts of apple and pomegranate peel on the quality of orange squash
Authors: Din Salah-ud , Akram Kashif , Farooq Umar , Shafi Afshan , Sarfraz Farkhandah , Rehman Hafeez ur , Sidhu Muhammad Asim Ijaz
Published: May 2016

Punica granatum (pomegranate) and Malus domestica (apple) are rich source of bioactive compounds i.e. phenolics components, anthocyanins and tannins that can be potential preservative agents. The aim of the present research plan was to evaluate the quality characteristics of orange squash after addition of aqueous extracts of apple and pomegranate peels. For this purpose aqueous extracts of pomegranate and apple peels were added in orange squash and then the final product was examined for physiochemical and sensory attributes during storage. Results of current study demonstrated that physico-chemical parameters of orange squash significantly changed with the storage period in all the treatments in such a way that total soluble solids (°Brix) were gradually decreased but the acidity increased. Sensory examination result of orange squash revealed that color, flavor and taste were decreased with the passage of time in all the treatments but preservative and 100% apple peel extract were upto acceptable level. Whereas 50% preservative and 50% pomegranate extract and 100% pomegranate extract were highly rejected.
Minerals and heavy metals in raw and ultra heat treated commercial milks in Pakistan
Authors: Akhtar Saeed , Ismail Tariq , Riaz Muhammad , Shahbaz Muhammad , Amin Khalid
Published: May 2016

The study was aimed at assessment of heavy metals in street vended raw and branded milk to identify possible gateways of milk toxicity. 15 samples of processed and 24 of raw milk were collected from Multan city. Atomic absorption spectrometry revealed milk offered for sale in the region to be potentially contaminated with higher levels of some most critical elements i.e. Pb (0.048 – 0.418mgL-1), Cd (0.0015 - 0.125 mgL-1), Ni (0.044 - 0.294 mgL-1), and Cu (0.0037 - 0.273 mgL-1). Exceptionally higher levels of Cd (0.102 mgL-1) were recovered in street vended raw milk as compared to processed branded milk (0.042 mgL-1). The study signified deleterious outcomes of industrial and agricultural revolution parallel to poor phyto-sanitory and sanitary measures during animal feeding and milking. The study suggest comprehensive and nationwide survey to identify the metal polluted red zones, their toxicity levels and milk intoxicating channels either from environment, animal feed or water.
Mitigation of heavy metals in different vegetables through biological washing techniques
Authors: Sattar Muhammad Umair , Anjum Faqir Muhammad , Sameen Aysha
Published: May 2016

Availability of nutritious and healthy food is the foremost challenging issue in all over the word. Vegetables are essential part in human diet and considered as natural reserves of nutrients gifted by Almighty Allah to human beings. Heavy metals are among the most toxic food pollutants and their intake through diet leads to several disorders. The sources of heavy metal contamination include waste water irrigation, industrial emissions, transportation and application of metal-based pesticides. In Pakistan this situation is more alarming as vegetables grown in peri-urban areas have shown high incidence of heavy metals accumulation. In this study effort was made to mitigate different heavy metals (Ar, Cd, Cr and Pb) in cauliflower, spinach, okra and brinjal collected from peri-urban areas through washing with different biological solutions. Heavy metals contents were determined by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Vegetable showed high load of heavy metals in unwashed form that reduced significantly by washing with different biological solutions. Among the different biological solutions, washing of vegetables with 8% ginger solution was found to be more effective.
Numerical Analysis Research of Jacking Method with the Rectification on Steel-Concrete Buildings
Authors: Shan Renliang , Zhang Xiaonan , Lu Man , Zhao Hongyu , Li Xuguang
Published: May 2016

This paper first analyzes the tilting reasons of a steel-concrete building in Zhangjiakou city in China. Then, a jacking rectification method which combines the pie-cutting method and the excavation of stress release trench was put forward. This analysis method uses the three-dimensional numerical simulation for soil settlement and vertical displacement and internal force of upper structure in order to assure the safety of the building in the process of rectifying. The analysis case showed that the inclination rate of the building was stable in the process of cutting pie, which proved the efficiency of the proposed method.
Subchronic exposure to acrylamide affects colon mucin secretion in juvenile wistar rats
Authors: Koledin Ivana , Kovac Renata , Rajkovic Vesna , Matavulj Milica
Published: May 2016

Acrylamide (AA) is an important industrial chemical worldwide. AA also forms
naturally in many high-carbohydrate foods (bread, French fries, coffee, etc.)
when they are heated. Since AA is ubiquitous in the human diet, and more than
one-third of the calories we take in each day come from foods with detectable
levels of acrylamide, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of
subchronic AA treatment on colon goblet cell mucin secretion. Male Wistar
rats were gavaged with AA for 5 days a week for 21 days. The animals were
divided into three groups that were gavaged with different AA concentrations
(0, 25, 50 mg/kg/day). Colon samples were processed for histochemical
(PAS-AB, HID-AB) and immunohistochemical (anti-rat MUC2 antibody) staining to
visualize mucins in the goblet cells. AA treatment showed an alteration in
mucin production and secretion in that the amount of all investigated mucin
types dropped. More prominent changes were detected in the upper crypt part
where a decreased number of goblet cell was observed. AA treatment elicited a
significant reduction in neutral mucins, while acidic mucins showed linearly
decreasing trend with respect to AA doses. Also, a linear reduction of MUC2
mucins was noticed. Sulfomucins were absent in the colon lower crypt in all
experimental groups, while in the upper crypt both sulfo- and sialomucins
were significantly decreased. The results of our study point to changes in
the synthesis, differentiation and distribution of mucins after AA treatment,
which can have adverse effect on colorectal health.
Use of three-dimensional accelerometers to evaluate behavioral changes in cattle experimentally infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus
Authors: Bayne Jenna E. , Walz Paul H. , Passler Thomas , White Brad J. , Theurer Miles E. , van Santen Edzard
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE To assess the use of 3-D accelerometers to evaluate behavioral changes in cattle experimentally infected with a low-virulent strain of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV).

ANIMALS 20 beef steers (mean weight, 238 kg).

PROCEDURES Calves were allocated to a BVDV (n = 10) or control (10) group. On day 0, calves in the BVDV group were inoculated with a low-virulent strain of BVDV (4 × 106 TCID50, intranasally), and calves in the control group were sham inoculated with BVDV-free medium (4 mL; intranasally). An accelerometer was affixed to the right hind limb of each calf on day −7 to record activity (lying, walking, and standing) continuously until 35 days after inoculation. Baseline was defined as days −7 to −1. Blood samples were collected at predetermined times for CBC, serum biochemical analysis, virus isolation, and determination of anti-BVDV antibody titers.

RESULTS All calves in the BVDV group developed viremia and anti-BVDV antibodies but developed only subclinical or mild disease. Calves in the control group did not develop viremia or anti-BVDV antibodies. Mean time allocated to each activity did not differ significantly between the BVDV and control groups on any day except day 8, when calves in the BVDV group spent less time standing than the calves in the control group. Following inoculation, calves in both groups tended to spend more time lying and less time walking and standing than they did during baseline.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that behavioral data obtained by accelerometers could not distinguish calves subclinically infected with BVDV from healthy control calves. However, subtle changes in the behavior of the BVDV-infected calves were detected and warrant further investigation.
Assessment of the attenuation of an intra-abdominal vein by use of a silicone–polyacrylic acid gradual venous occlusion device in dogs and cats
Authors: Wallace Mandy L. , Ellison Gary W. , Giglio Robson F. , Batich Christopher D. , Berry Clifford R. , Case J. Brad , Kim Stanley E.
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the closure rate and completeness of closure for a silicone–polyacrylic acid gradual venous occlusion device placed around an intra-abdominal vein to simulate gradual occlusion of an extrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

ANIMALS 3 purpose-bred cats and 2 purpose-bred dogs.

PROCEDURES The device was surgically placed around an external (cats) or internal (dogs) iliac vein. Computed tomographic angiography was performed at the time of surgery and 2, 4, and 6 weeks after surgery. Ultrasonographic examinations of blood flow through the vein within the device were performed at the time of surgery and at weekly intervals thereafter. Dogs were euthanized 6 weeks after surgery, and the external iliac veins were harvested for histologic examination.

RESULTS The prototype gradual venous occlusion device was successfully placed in all animals, and all animals recovered without complications following the placement procedure. The vessel was completely occluded in 2 cats by 6 weeks after surgery, as determined on the basis of results of CT and ultrasonography; there was incomplete occlusion with a luminal diameter of 1.5 mm in the other cat by 6 weeks after surgery. The vessel was completely occluded in both dogs by 6 weeks after surgery. Histologic examination of the external iliac veins obtained from the dogs revealed minimal inflammation of the vessel wall and no thrombus formation.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The prototype device induced gradual attenuation of an intra-abdominal vessel over a 6-week period. This device may provide another option for gradual occlusion of extrahepatic portosystemic shunts.
Effects of successive tracheal resection and anastomosis on tracheal diameter and position of lobar bronchi in dogs
Authors: de Mello Souza Carlos Henrique , Reinero Carol R.
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of successive large-segment tracheal resection and anastomosis on tracheal diameter and position of lobar bronchi in dogs.

ANIMALS 5 adult Beagles.

PROCEDURES Right lateral radiographs were obtained for all dogs and used to measure tracheal length. Dogs were then euthanized, and successive segmental tracheal resections (intervals of 10% from 20% to 50% of the tracheal length), each of which was followed by anastomosis, were performed in each cadaver. Tracheobronchoscopy was performed before the first tracheal resection and after each of the anastomoses to evaluate tracheal diameter and changes in position of lobar bronchi.

RESULTS Tracheal diameter was minimally affected by resections up to 50% of the tracheal length. Diameter of the trachea and position of bronchi were not affected by resection of 20% of the tracheal length. Changes in the position of various lobar bronchi were detected after resection of 30% of the tracheal length.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINCIAL RELEVANCE In this study, tracheal resections of 20% of the tracheal length were accommodated, possibly as a result of stretching of the annular ligament. Resections of ≥ 30% of the tracheal length altered the position of lobar bronchi. Clinical effects, if any, attributable to these changes in bronchial position remain to be elucidated.
Morphological and Anatomical Properties of Himalayan Herb Stellaria webbiana
Authors: Chandra Satish , Rawat D. S.
Published: May 2016

Stellaria webbiana is a Himalayan endemic herb, distributed in Central and Western Himalaya. The present study is based on the morphological properties, anatomical properties and seed microstructure of the species. Number of valves in mature fruit, anatomical properties, stomata type, trichomes, seed microstructure and Western most limit of the species in the Himalaya is described first in the present study.INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTVolume-5, Issue-2, March-May 2016, Page:26-35
Preliminary Evaluation of Some Elicited Apple Genotypes Candidate as Cultivars Using Morphological and Molecular Markers
Authors: Muzher Bayan , Al-Halabi Ola
Published: May 2016

Preliminary evaluation of 5 apple genotypes produced by seed selection in the germplasm of seed rootstocks in Sweida- Syria was carried out between 2005 and 2012, to study date of full flowering, maturity time, morphological characters of tree, shoots, leaves, flowers, and fruits, including chemical analysis. On the other hand, yield efficiency, fruit storability and the susceptibility to pests and physiological disorders were evaluated. Molecular characterization was achieved by using 8 pairs of SSR primers for the 5th genotypes in comparison with the two main commercial cultivars "Golden Delicious" and "Starking Delicious" to determine the genetic relationship between the studied genotypes and cultivars. The results divided the studied genotypes depending on the time of ripening into three groups: early, intermediate and late genotypes. All studied genotypes gave efficient and regular yield, and showed fixable fruit shape and size with variable storability due to maturity time. Molecular characterization reveled the ability of SSR technique to determine the genetic variation between the studied genotypes, the 8 primer pairs produced 22 alleles, 21 of them were polymorphic (95.45%). Cluster analysis divided the studied genotypes into 2 clusters, the first cluster included the two commercial cultivars Starking delicious and Golden delicious with one genotypes, while the second cluster contained the four remaining genotypes. Finally, the studied genotypes revealed high desired quantitative and qualitative traits, which assess to distribute these genotypes as new cultivars, and SSR technique was able to identify and revealed the genetic distance between the studied genotypes and commercial cultivars.INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTVolume-5, Issue-2, March-May 2016, page: 98-109
Studies on prevalence of ascariasis in indigenous chickens in Gaibandha district and treatment by pineapple leaves extract
Authors: Akter Mst Kamrunnaher , Uddin ABM Jalal , Rashid Maksudur , Aziz Fahima Binthe , Rashid Md Bazlar , Hasan Mahmudul
Published: May 2016

Ascariasis is very common in indigenous chicken causing retarded growth, low productivity and mortality. Considering the problem of Ascaridia galli in chickens, anthelmintic resistance, high cost and human health hazard of chemical anthelmintic the use of medicinal plant is an alternative choice. The study was conducted to determine the incidence of ascariasis in Polashbari upazilla of Gobindhaganj district during July to November 2012 and subsequently evaluated the efficacy of pineapple (Ananus comosus) leaves extract against ascariasis infected chickens. Out of 500 chickens examined for presence of A. galli infestation by faecal sample examination, 365 hens and 135 cocks. The 292 female (80%) and 119 male (88.15%) were found infected with A. galli. The highest infection rate 95.26% was found in 60 to 90 days of age group. Infected chickens were treated with pineapple leaves extract @ 1ml/kg body weight per OS for 7 consecutive days. The efficacy of anthelmintic treatment was evaluated by counting fecal egg per gram (EPG) compared with pretreatment values. Body weight and hematological changes of each chicken was recorded in pre and post treatment. In the untreated control chickens the average EPG increased from 300 ± 11.07 to 340 ± 13.96. The average EPG reduced from 300 ± 11.07 to 60 ± 7.40 within 28 days of pineapple treatment. The mean body weight gain in treated chicken was significantly (p<0.01) higher than the control. Pineapple leaves extract increased the TEC, Hb and PCV and decreased TLC and ESR values of chickens. But in control group TEC, Hb and PCV decreased and TLC and ESR values increased. It may be concluded that pineapple leaves extract treatment effectively reduced the ascariasis load in chicken and improved body weight.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.3(1): 157-163, April 2016
Monogenetic trematodes infestations in Indian major carps of Mymensingh region
Authors: Das David Rintu , Majumder Shankar , Chandra Kirtunia Juran
Published: May 2016

A study was conducted to investigate the infestations of monogenetic trematodes of juvenile carps of Mymensingh region. A total of eight (8) farms, four Government (Govt.) and four Private (Pvt.) fish farms were investigated of Indian major carps - Catla (Catla catla), Rui (Labeo rohita) and Mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus) during June, 2010 to May, 2012. Monthly samplings were carried out with 5 fishes of each species and each farm. Altogether 2880 fish host were examined of which 1424 hosts were found to be infested with monogenetic trematodes of which 626 from Govt. and 798 from Pvt. farms. The monogeneans were very common in gills of all fishes. Water quality parameters were taken and management practices were also noted. The risk of infestation by monogeneans of carp significantly (p<0.001) increased when the water quality parameters were deteriorated. Prevalence (%), mean intensity and abundance were found to be species specific and also varied with seasons and management systems practiced by different farmers. Prevalence (%) of monogeneans in carps was significantly (p< 0.001) higher in Pvt. farm than that of Govt. farms. The prevalence (%) of monogeneans were significantly (p< 0.01) higher in rainy season than dry season. Mrigal was more infected by monogeneans followed by Catla and Rui.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.3(1): 187-194, April 2016
Glass Fibre Strength—A Review with Relation to Composite Recycling
Authors: Thomason James , Jenkins Peter , Yang Liu
Published: May 2016

The recovery and reuse of glass fibres from manufacturing waste and end-of-life composites in an environmentally-friendly, cost-effective manner is one of the most important challenges facing the thermosetting polymer composites industry. A number of processes for recycling fibres from such materials are available or under development. However, nearly all options deliver recycled glass fibres that are not cost-performance competitive due to the huge drop in strength of recycled glass fibre compared to its original state. A breakthrough in the regeneration of recycled glass fibre performance has the potential to totally transform the economics of recycling such composites. This paper reviews the available knowledge of the thermally-induced strength loss in glass fibres, discusses some of the phenomena that are potentially related and presents the status of research into processes to regenerate the strength and value of such weak recycled glass fibres.
Antifungal Potential and Antioxidant Efficacy in the Shell Extract of Cocos nucifera (L.) (Arecaceae) against Pathogenic Dermal Mycosis
Authors: Khalid Thebo Nasreen , Ahmed Simair Altaf , Sughra Mangrio Ghulam , Ansari Khalil , Ali Bhutto Aijaz , Lu Changrui , Ali Sheikh Wazir
Published: May 2016

Background: Coconut is a tropical fruit well known for its essential oils that have been recognized for their biological activities since ancient times. There have been no previous investigations on the essential oils from coconut shells. Method: The shell extract of Cocos nucifera (L.) was prepared by the Soxhlet method and total phenolic content (TPC) in the extract was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu (FC) assay. The antioxidant potential of the coconut shell extract was evaluated by using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract was determined by the strip method against clinically isolated dermal mycosis of 20 infected patients. Result: Total antioxidant activity varied from 92.32% to 94.20% and total phenolic content was found at 5.33 ± 0.02 mg/g in the coconut shell extract. The extract was found to be most effective as an antifungal against human pathogenic fungi, including A. niger, A. flavus, T. rubrum, M. canis, M. gypseum, A. fumigates, T. mentagrophyte and T. vercossum. The crude shell extract was highly effective against all dermal mycosis tested with the MIC ranging from 62 mm to 90 mm, whereas all fungal samples showed good inhibitory effect. Conclusion: The results of the present study provide a potential cure for microbial infections.
Production of Fluconazole-Loaded Polymeric Micelles Using Membrane and Microfluidic Dispersion Devices
Authors: Lu Yu , Chowdhury Danial , Vladisavljević Goran , Koutroumanis Konstantinos , Georgiadou Stella
Published: May 2016

Polymeric micelles with a controlled size in the range between 41 and 80 nm were prepared by injecting the organic phase through a microengineered nickel membrane or a tapered-end glass capillary into an aqueous phase. The organic phase was composed of 1 mg·mL−1 of PEG-b-PCL diblock copolymers with variable molecular weights, dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (THF) or acetone. The pore size of the membrane was 20 μm and the aqueous/organic phase volumetric flow rate ratio ranged from 1.5 to 10. Block copolymers were successfully synthesized with Mn ranging from ~9700 to 16,000 g·mol−1 and polymeric micelles were successfully produced from both devices. Micelles produced from the membrane device were smaller than those produced from the microfluidic device, due to the much smaller pore size compared with the orifice size in a co-flow device. The micelles were found to be relatively stable in terms of their size with an initial decrease in size attributed to evaporation of residual solvent rather than their structural disintegration. Fluconazole was loaded into the cores of micelles by injecting the organic phase composed of 0.5–2.5 mg·mL−1 fluconazole and 1.5 mg·mL−1 copolymer. The size of the drug-loaded micelles was found to be significantly larger than the size of empty micelles.
The Effects of Al and Ti Additions on the Structural Stability, Mechanical and Electronic Properties of D8m-Structured Ta5Si3
Authors: Liu Linlin , Cheng Jian , Xu Jiang , Munroe Paul , Xie Zong-Han
Published: May 2016

In the present study, the influence of substitutional elements (Ti and Al) on the structural stability, mechanical properties, electronic properties and Debye temperature of Ta5Si3 with a D8m structure were investigated by first principle calculations. The Ta5Si3 alloyed with Ti and Al shows negative values of formation enthalpies, indicating that these compounds are energetically stable. Based on the values of formation enthalpies, Ti exhibits a preferential occupying the Ta4b site and Al has a strong site preference for the Si8h site. From the values of the bulk modulus (B), shear modulus (G) and Young’s modulus (E), we determined that both Ti and Al additions decrease both the shear deformation resistance and the elastic stiffness of D8m structured Ta5Si3. Using the shear modulus/bulk modulus ratio (G/B), Poisson’s ratio (υ) and Cauchy’s pressure, the effect of Ti and Al additions on the ductility of D8m-structured Ta5Si3 are explored. The results show that Ti and Al additions reduce the hardness, resulting in solid solution softening, but improve the ductility of D8m-structured Ta5Si3. The electronic calculations reveal that Ti and Al additions change hybridization between Ta-Si and Si-Si atoms for the binary D8m-structured Ta5Si3. The new Ta-Al bond is weaker than the Ta-Si covalent bonds, reducing the covalent property of bonding in D8m-structured Ta5Si3, while the new strong Ti4b-Ti4b anti-bonding enhances the metallic behavior of the binary D8m-structured Ta5Si3. The change in the nature of bonding can well explain the improved ductility of D8m-structured Ta5Si3 doped by Ti and Al. Moreover, the Debye temperatures, ΘD, of D8m-structured Ta5Si3 alloying with Ti and Al are decreased as compared to the binary Ta5Si3.
Metabolic Effect of Estrogen Receptor Agonists on Breast Cancer Cells in the Presence or Absence of Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
Authors: Belkaid Anissa , Čuperlović-Culf Miroslava , Touaibia Mohamed , Ouellette Rodney , Surette Marc
Published: May 2016

Metabolic shift is one of the major hallmarks of cancer development. Estrogen receptor (ER) activity has a profound effect on breast cancer cell growth through a number of metabolic changes driven by its effect on transcription of several enzymes, including carbonic anhydrases, Stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, and oncogenes including HER2. Thus, estrogen receptor activators can be expected to lead to the modulation of cell metabolism in estrogen receptor positive cells. In this work we have investigated the effect of 17β-estradiol, an ER activator, and ferulic acid, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, as well as ER activator, in the absence and in the presence of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide on the metabolism of MCF7 cells and MCF7 cells, stably transfected to express HER2 (MCF7HER2). Metabolic profiles were studied using 1D and 2D metabolomic Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) experiments, combined with the identification and quantification of metabolites, and the annotation of the results in the context of biochemical pathways. Overall changes in hydrophilic metabolites were largest following treatment of MCF7 and MC7HER2 cells with 17β-estradiol. However, the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide had the largest effect on the profile of lipophilic metabolites.
Characterization of New PEEK/HA Composites with 3D HA Network Fabricated by Extrusion Freeforming
Authors: Vaezi Mohammad , Black Cameron , Gibbs David , Oreffo Richard , Brady Mark , Moshrefi-Torbati Mohamed , Yang Shoufeng
Published: May 2016

Addition of bioactive materials such as calcium phosphates or Bioglass, and incorporation of porosity into polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has been identified as an effective approach to improve bone-implant interfaces and osseointegration of PEEK-based devices. In this paper, a novel production technique based on the extrusion freeforming method is proposed that yields a bioactive PEEK/hydroxyapatite (PEEK/HA) composite with a unique configuration in which the bioactive phase (i.e., HA) distribution is computer-controlled within a PEEK matrix. The 100% interconnectivity of the HA network in the biocomposite confers an advantage over alternative forms of other microstructural configurations. Moreover, the technique can be employed to produce porous PEEK structures with controlled pore size and distribution, facilitating greater cellular infiltration and biological integration of PEEK composites within patient tissue. The results of unconfined, uniaxial compressive tests on these new PEEK/HA biocomposites with 40% HA under both static and cyclic mode were promising, showing the composites possess yield and compressive strength within the range of human cortical bone suitable for load bearing applications. In addition, preliminary evidence supporting initial biological safety of the new technique developed is demonstrated in this paper. Sufficient cell attachment, sustained viability in contact with the sample over a seven-day period, evidence of cell bridging and matrix deposition all confirmed excellent biocompatibility.
Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Potential of Leaves from Selected Cotoneaster Medik. Species
Authors: Kicel Agnieszka , Michel Piotr , Owczarek Aleksandra , Marchelak Anna , Żyżelewicz Dorota , Budryn Grażyna , Oracz Joanna , Olszewska Monika
Published: May 2016

The antioxidant efficiency of 70% aqueous methanolic extracts from the leaves of twelve selected Cotoneaster Medik. species was evaluated using four complementary in vitro tests based on SET- (single electron transfer) and HAT-type (hydrogen atom transfer) mechanisms (DPPH, FRAP, O2•− and H2O2 scavenging assays). The samples exhibited the dose-dependent responses in all assays with activity parameters of EC50 = 18.5–34.5 µg/mL for DPPH; 0.9–3.8 mmol Fe2+/g for FRAP; SC50 = 27.7–74.8 µg/mL for O2•−; and SC50 = 29.0–91.3 µg/mL for H2O2. Significant linear correlations (|r| = 0.76–0.97, p < 0.01) between activity parameters and total contents of phenolics (5.2%–15.4% GAE) and proanthocyanidins (2.1%–15.0% CYE), with weak or no effects for chlorogenic acid isomers (0.69%–2.93%) and total flavonoids (0.28%–1.40%) suggested that among the listed polyphenols, proanthocyanidins are the most important determinants of the tested activity. UHPLC-PDA-ESI-QTOF-MS analyses led to detection of 34 polyphenols, of which 10 B-type procyanidins, 5 caffeoylquinic acids and 14 flavonoids were identified. After cluster analysis of the data matrix, the leaves of Cotoneaster zabelii, C. splendens, C. bullatus, C. divaricatus, C. hjelmqvistii and C. lucidus were selected as the most promising sources of natural antioxidants, exhibiting the highest phenolic levels and antioxidant capacities, and therefore the greatest potential for pharmaceutical applications.
Impact of Cocoa Consumption on Inflammation Processes—A Critical Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Ellinger Sabine , Stehle Peter
Published: May 2016

Background: Cocoa flavanols have strong anti-inflammatory properties in vitro. If these also occur in vivo, cocoa consumption may contribute to the prevention or treatment of diseases mediated by chronic inflammation. This critical review judged the evidence for such effects occurring after cocoa consumption. Methods: A literature search in Medline was performed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the effects of cocoa consumption on inflammatory biomarkers. Results: Thirty-three RCTs were included, along with 9 bolus and 24 regular consumption studies. Acute cocoa consumption decreased adhesion molecules and 4-series leukotrienes in serum, nuclear factor κB activation in leukocytes, and the expression of CD62P and CD11b on monocytes and neutrophils. In healthy subjects and in patients with cardiovascular diseases, most regular consumption trials did not find any changes except for a decreased number of endothelial microparticles, but several cellular and humoral inflammation markers decreased in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes and impaired fasting glucose. Conclusions: Little evidence exists that consumption of cocoa-rich food may reduce inflammation, probably by lowering the activation of monocytes and neutrophils. The efficacy seems to depend on the extent of the basal inflammatory burden. Further well-designed RCTs with inflammation as the primary outcome are needed, focusing on specific markers of leukocyte activation and considering endothelial microparticles as marker of vascular inflammation.
Snow Extent Variability in Lesotho Derived from MODIS Data (2000–2014)
Authors: Wunderle Stefan , Gross Timm , Hüsler Fabia
Published: May 2016

In Lesotho, snow cover is not only highly relevant to the climate system, but also affects socio-economic factors such as water storage for irrigation or hydro-electricity. However, while sound knowledge of annual and inter-annual snow dynamics is strongly required by local stakeholders, in-situ snow information remains limited. In this study, satellite data are used to generate a time series of snow cover and to provide the missing information on a national scale. A snow retrieval method, which is based on MODIS data and considers the concept of a normalized difference snow index (NDSI), has been implemented. Monitoring gaps due to cloud cover are filled by temporal and spatial post-processing. The comparison is based on the use of clear sky reference images from Landsat-TM and ENVISAT-MERIS. While the snow product is considered to be of good quality (mean accuracy: 68%), a slight bias towards snow underestimation is observed. Based on the daily product, a consistent time series of snow cover for Lesotho from 2000–2014 was generated for the first time. Analysis of the time series showed that the high annual variability of snow coverage and the short duration of single snow events require daily monitoring with a gap-filling procedure.
Defining Requirements and Related Methods for Designing Sensorized Garments
Authors: Andreoni Giuseppe , Standoli Carlo , Perego Paolo
Published: May 2016

Designing smart garments has strong interdisciplinary implications, specifically related to user and technical requirements, but also because of the very different applications they have: medicine, sport and fitness, lifestyle monitoring, workplace and job conditions analysis, etc. This paper aims to discuss some user, textile, and technical issues to be faced in sensorized clothes development. In relation to the user, the main requirements are anthropometric, gender-related, and aesthetical. In terms of these requirements, the user’s age, the target application, and fashion trends cannot be ignored, because they determine the compliance with the wearable system. Regarding textile requirements, functional factors—also influencing user comfort—are elasticity and washability, while more technical properties are the stability of the chemical agents’ effects for preserving the sensors’ efficacy and reliability, and assuring the proper duration of the product for the complete life cycle. From the technical side, the physiological issues are the most important: skin conductance, tolerance, irritation, and the effect of sweat and perspiration are key factors for reliable sensing. Other technical features such as battery size and duration, and the form factor of the sensor collector, should be considered, as they affect aesthetical requirements, which have proven to be crucial, as well as comfort and wearability.
A Methodology and Tool for Investigation of Artifacts Left by the BitTorrent Client
Authors: Venčkauskas Algimantas , Jusas Vacius , Paulikas Kęstutis , Toldinas Jevgenijus
Published: May 2016

The BitTorrent client application is a popular utility for sharing large files over the Internet. Sometimes, this powerful utility is used to commit cybercrimes, like sharing of illegal material or illegal sharing of legal material. In order to help forensics investigators to fight against these cybercrimes, we carried out an investigation of the artifacts left by the BitTorrent client. We proposed a methodology to locate the artifacts that indicate the BitTorrent client activity performed. Additionally, we designed and implemented a tool that searches for the evidence left by the BitTorrent client application in a local computer running Windows. The tool looks for the four files holding the evidence. The files are as follows: *.torrent, dht.dat, resume.dat, and settings.dat. The tool decodes the files, extracts important information for the forensic investigator and converts it into XML format. The results are combined into a single result file.
SELECTED ASPECTS OF MEASURING PERFORMANCE OF SMART CITIES IN SPATIAL MANAGEMENT
Authors: Hajduk Sławomira
Published: May 2016

This paper explains the meaning of the term smart in the context of city management through an approach based on relevant scientific literature review as well as official documents of international institutions. It also identifies key elements characterizing a smart city. Furthermore, the study shows how to measure and compare urban smartness for instance using ISO 37120 Standard. The test procedure used taxonomic methods such as Hellwig’s synthetic indicator. The main goal of the research is to analyze and evaluate of the smartness cities in Poland. The result of the study is the author’s ranking of Polish cities in view of their level of smartness. The most smartness cities proved Polish metropolises (Wrocław, Katowice, Poznan, Kraków), tourist cities (Sopot, Łeba, Jastarnia, Władysławowo), suburban cities (Podkowa Lesna, Zielonka, Pruszcz Gdanski) and post-mining cities (Chorzów, Gliwice, Siemianowice Slaskie).