bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between Haemoglobin A1c and Uric Acid Levels among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 at a Primary Health Care Clinic in North Sumatera, Indonesia
Authors: - Rusdiana , Widjaja Sry Suryani , Syahputra Muhammad , Savira Maya
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND: Haemoglobin A1c (Hba1c) levels and uric acid levels may be associated.
AIM: This study aimed to determine Hba1c, and uric acid levels are associated among patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 who attend a primary health care clinic in North Sumatera, Indonesia.
METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among patients was conducted on 70 type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients who attended Primary Health Care in Binjai. Patients with age > 40 years old attend a primary health care clinic in Binjai city, North Sumatera with diabetes mellitus type 2. In each subject demographics, age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure, post health history, fasting blood sugar, Hba1c and uric acid levels were checked and recorded. A student’s t-test was used to determine if there was an association between Hba1 and uric acid levels. A total of 70 were included in this study.
RESULTS: The mean age of study subjects was 58.33. The mean Hba1c level was 8.743, and standard deviation (SD) was 1.80. The mean of uric acid was 6.31, and standard deviation (SD) was 1.58. The statistical analysis using T-test found that there was no significant association between Hba1c and uric acid levels among study subjects (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSION: We found no significant association between Hba1c and uric acid levels among the study subjects.
Complete Rectal Prolapse in Children: Case Report, Review of Literature, and Latest Trends in Management
Authors: Meshram Girish Gulab , Kaur Neeraj , Hura Kanwaljeet Singh
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND: Complete rectal prolapse is the circumferential descent of all the layers of the rectum through the anus. It often leads to bleeding, obstructed defecation, incarceration or fecal incontinence.
CASE REPORT: We present a rare case of a 4-year-old child with complete rectal prolapse of 12 cm in length. The prolapsed rectum was manually repositioned after reducing the oedema. The precipitating factor was identified as excessive straining while passing stools. A change in position while passing stools was advised along with a high fibre diet and a stool softener. Recurrence was not observed in the 3 month of follow-up.
CONCLUSION: Most cases of pediatric rectal prolapse are managed conservatively by addressing the associated and precipitating etiological factors. Surgical intervention may be required for recurrent or persistent cases.
High Il-1β Serum as a Predictor of Decreased Cognitive Function in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Patients
Authors: Purwa Samatra Dewa Putu Gede , Pratiwi Ni Made Dwita , Widyadharma I Putu Eka
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) exerts a significant impact on society with regards to physical, affective, and cognitive impairment. The consequent cognitive sequelae include a problem in memory, attention, concentration, and processing speed. Following traumatic brain injury, inflammatory response developed, characterised by increased interleukin 1-β (IL-1β) levels in the blood. IL 1-β at pathophysiological concentration has been reported to cause an inhibition of the expression of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the areas CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus.
AIM: This study aims to determine whether high IL-1β serum is a predictor of decreased cognitive function in mild TBI.
METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study conducted at the emergency room, surgical and neurologic ward at Sanglah Hospital from November 2017 until January 2018. As many as thirty-five mild TBI with normal IL-1β serum (< 0.0565 pg/ml) and thirty-five of those with high IL-1β serum (≥ 0.0565 pg/ml) subjects were included within the corresponding period. The decrease of cognition after trauma was measured seven days later.
RESULTS: This study demonstrated that group with high IL-1β serum levels were at higher risk of suffering from cognitive impairment after TBI when compared with the group with normal IL-1β serum levels (RR = 2.6; 95% CI 1.49-4.55, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Mild TBI with high serum IL-1β levels were more than twice likely to experience decreased cognitive function than those with normal IL-1β levels.
Performance of 2 Polymerization Protocols Targeting Cloned Toxoplasma Parasites
Authors: Hanafy Nihal A. , Badr Mohamed S. , Nasr Ghada M.
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasitic infection of humans. Infection is usually mild. Serious complications can occur in pregnant and immunocompromised patients.
AIM: The present study aims to investigate the performance of 2 different PCR protocols; real-time quantitative molecular assays (qPCR) and conventional molecular assays (cPCR), using 2 different sets of primers and by using cloned purified Toxoplasma genomic substances to be evaluated as reference samples.
METHODS: The target DNA was provided in 8 different quantities.
RESULTS: Amplification failure was reported only with the cPCR in samples of low concentrations using both primer sets. Quantitative PCR detected the 8 different dilutions of the purified Toxoplasma gondii using the 2 sets of primers while cPCR was sensitive to detect only 6 different dilutions.
CONCLUSION: Generally real-time quantitative molecular assays, is easy to use method compared to conventional PCR assay and produces more reliable results within only one hour time but still the possible application of qPCRs in routine diagnosis necessitates analysis of a large number of clinical samples in further studies to make the proper choice.
A new species and a key to the species of Corticarina from Guatemala (Coleoptera, Latridiidae)
Authors: Otero Jose Carlos , Pereira José Manuel
Published: September 2018

A new species of Corticarina Reitter, 1881 (Coleoptera: Latridiidae), Corticarinaoscargloriorumsp. n. from Guatemala is described and illustrated. The differential diagnosis is established in relation to a group of other species of the genus.
Fêtes urbaines en Afrique
Authors: Mbodj Mohamed
Published: September 2018

Cet article s’intéresse à la première célébration de l’Indépendance de la Gambie sous l’angle du rituel politique. Il part du fait que l’acte fondateur de la Fête de l’Indépendance, la toute première célébration, vise à fixer un ensemble de signifiants et de signifiés rituels, de préférence pour l’éternité. Plus intéressante encore, est l’improbabilité même de la naissance du pays pour beaucoup, et donc a fortiori de la célébration de son Indépendance. Or la pérennité de la Gambie est mise en exergue tout au long des cérémonies tandis qu’est soulignée la prééminence des relations forgées autour de l’histoire coloniale et de la langue anglaise. Mais une nouvelle réalité se profile avec l’avènement d’une majorité Mandinka autour du nouveau premier ministre, D. Jawara. Les symboles abondent comme lorsqu’il remplace la reine Elisabeth sur les nouveaux billets de banque et les tissus. Il veut aller plus loin en passant d’un régime parlementaire à un système présidentiel. Son second objectif est de confirmer sa prééminence personnelle dans la conquête de l’Indépendance. La célébration permet aussi de demander et d’obtenir des Gambiens le renouvellement de l’allégeance acquise lors des élections de 1962. Il en a besoin pour mener à bien ses projets, mais aussi et surtout pour asseoir son autorité sur la capitale Bathurst, ancien site de la prééminence des Wolof et Aku anglicisés. Jawara est ainsi au centre de la manipulation de plusieurs ambiguïtés dans l’interprétation des symboles. La première est que la Gambie se détache de l’Angleterre pour mieux se garder du Sénégal tout en maintenant des relations privilégiées avec les deux. La deuxième est que cette première célébration du régime parlementaire est aussi l’occasion de lancer l’offensive contre un système qu’il veut remplacer par une république présidentialiste. La dernière ambiguïté est constituée par le fait que si l’union sacrée lors de la liturgie de la célébration consacre la domination des Mandinka et du P.P.P, elle marque aussi le début d’une compétition interne acharnée pour l’accès aux ressources de l’Etat. Le triomphe de Jawara marginalise donc l’opposition parlementaire traditionnelle, mais il laisse libre cours à une opposition radicale qui se place en dehors du jeu politique conventionnel et qui finira par l’emporter.
De l’oubli à la diversité des traces mémorielles. Le cas d’une organisation en changement
Authors: Bretesché Sophie
Published: September 2018

La succession des changements et le mouvement continue posent avec force ce qui s’oublie et ce qu’il reste comme traces vivantes du passé. En effet, si vitesse et oubli constituent les deux faces de notre rapport au présent, la mémoire s’avère constituer un point d’interface entre ces deux processus. Interroger la mémoire au travers la diversité des traces invite à analyser les dispositifs d’effacement et d’oubli du passé et à réinterroger les modalités d’articulation entre passé et avenir. A partir d’une enquête longitudinale conduite dans un organisme d’habitat social, les résultats montrent comment la pluralité des formes de mémoire illustre la richesse des cultures professionnelles.
Négociation et résistance au changement due à l’application des normes internationales dans un contexte local : cas de la gouvernance bancaire au Liban
Authors: Takieddine Abir Riad
Published: September 2018

Cette recherche propose que l’application des normes internationales dans un contexte local donne naissance à des résistances face au changement. Le processus de négociation est présenté comme une solution pour sortir de l’impasse à laquelle conduisent ces résistances. Une étude empirique est réalisée pour analyser l’application des principes de Bâle de bonne gouvernance dans le secteur bancaire libanais. La méthodologie de recherche interprétative exploratoire abductive qualitative basée sur des entretiens réalisés avec des acteurs dans le secteur bancaire libanais est utilisée. Elle servira pour dévoiler et analyser ce processus de négociation qui a abouti à la création d’une version libanaise des normes. Les acteurs locaux présentent 4 limites factuelles à l’application des normes au Liban d’où la nécessité d’une application modifiée. La recherche dévoile que derrière cela se cachent des résistances subtiles à un changement qui met en risque une tradition bancaire très ancienne au Liban.
Les débuts du cinéma au Togo
Authors: Forest Claude
Published: September 2018

À la naissance du cinématographe, le Togo venait juste d’être occupé par les Allemands et, en 1895, l’actuelle capitale, Lomé, n’était alors qu’un bourg de pêcheurs qui comptait environ 3000 habitants dont 67 blancs. Si l’absence de culture de l’écrit en cette région, et la faible présence occidentale durant deux décennies encore, compliquent la tâche du chercheur, il semble avéré que les premiers films tournés sur ce territoire le seront par un Allemand, Hans Schomburgk, au cours de deux expéditions des années 1913 et 1914. Le financement de ses prises de vues sera assuré par un Autrichien, Anton Codelli. Il assurera également en octobre 1913 des projections non commerciales auprès des populations, et privées en faveur des autorités allemandes, mais il faudra attendre 1916 pour que deux Français, exploitants ambulants longeant la côte, y assurent les premières projections publiques payantes de cinéma.
Restauration des films : le principe de la documentationet le rôle de la recherche
Authors: Deniozou Iris
Published: September 2018

En repartant des débats toujours vifs concernant les notions d'original et de recréation d'une œuvre dans le processus de sa « restauration » – tels que Cesare Brandi les a posés et qui sont discutés de nos jours parmi les archivistes de films –, cet article veut mettre en lumière l'importance de la documentation (interne et externe à l'œuvre) et donc de la dimension de recherche scientifique à laquelle sont désormais voués les restaurations de films, de la nécessité d'établir une charte de restauration et de définir des protocoles précis définissant une déontologie. Le contexte de mutations technologiques que connaît le cinéma décuple, en effet, les dangers d'altération que comportent l'idéologie de « l'amélioration » et la recherche d'une « perfection ». Il appelle enfin à une collaboration accrue entre archivistes, chercheurs universitaires théoriciens qui loin de se situer dans deux mondes différents appartiennent au même, l'histoire du cinéma.
Preparation of Nano-TiO2 Modified Temperature-Responsive Chromatographic Materials for Enrichment of Phosphopeptides
Authors: Pang Xin Zhu , Feng Jin Sheng , Wang Di , Li Bo , Li Xiao Qiong , Deng Yu Lin , Dai Rong Ji
Published: September 2018

Chromatographic stationary phases with specific capturing phosphoproteins is widely used in biological sample pretreatment. However, when captured protein is released, it is required to change the pH of the mobile phase or to use an eluent. Usually, the mobile phase or eluent are salt solutions with high concentration and extreme pH or toxic organic reagents. In this situation, these reagents will destroy the activity and structure of phosphorylated proteins. In addition, the mobile phase after switching the column takes longer time to restore the balance, reducing the experimental efficiency. In order to solve the these problems, we introduce temperature-reponsive materials into the chromatographic stationary phase to achieve the capture and release of phosphorylated proteins by changing the temperature only, in which we use water as the mobile phase. This approach overcomes the drawbacks of traditional methods, and makes the separation process safe and simple. Based on the surface initiated Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization (SI-RAFT) method, silica@pNIPAAm-nanoTiO2, a kind of Metal Oxide Affinity Chromatography, was synthesized by the rapid introduction of functional groups. The synthesis of silica@pNIPAAm-nanoTiO2was confirmed by infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The grafting rate and the lowest critical temperature were measured by TG and DSC. The results showed that the material had qualified temperature-sensitive properties. The grafting conformation and mobile phase pH of the material were optimized before testing the properties and found that when the material grafting ratio was 10% -15%, the graft density was 30%, and the mobile phase pH was 6, it had the best separate effect. Finally, the material successfully achieved the capture and release of adenosine triphosphate and casein phosphopeptides.
Research on the Repair Performance of Self-Healing Aluminum Material Based on the Low Melting Point Slicker Solder Alloy
Authors: Sun Wei , Yan Rong Xin , Sun Li Chen , Li Zheng , Lang Guan Qing , Zhang Qiang , Wang Yong
Published: September 2018

It is great significance to study self-healing aluminum alloy materials for spacecraft the structure protection from high energy space weapon attack and debris impact in future. In this paper, Using aluminum alloy (6063) as matrix material with low melting point alloy (Sn60Pb40, the melting point of 183°C) as repairing materials, the self-healing Aluminum Alloy material was designed and manufactured by the smelting and casting method. The crack damage repair performance of the self-healing Al alloy was researched through the experiment. The results show that the self-healing aluminum alloy has certain self-healing ability without help, when the temperature reaches the melting point temperature of Sn60Pb40. The repair time is about 20min, the crack filling rate can reach 84%. The research conclusion can provide a reference for the development of metal self-healing material technology.
Influence of Cold Spraying Process on the Bonding Strength of Ni-Al2O3-Zn Coating
Authors: Meng Xiang Gai , Li Xiao Yang , Sun Lian
Published: September 2018

In this study the Ni-Al2O3-Zn coating was prepared on the surface of Q345R steel by cold spraying technique. The gas temperature, the content of Zn and the thickness of the coating were changed during spraying. The relationship between coating bond strength and three variables were studied. The results show that the bonding strength is the highest when the temperature is 400°C, the Zn content is 20% and the coating thickness is 0.5mm. It is found that the addition of Zn can significantly improve the bonding strength of the coating.
Marshall and Rotterdam Computed Tomography scores in predicting early deaths after brain trauma
Authors: Mohammadifard Mahyar , Ghaemi Kazem , Hanif Hamed , Sharifzadeh Gholamreza , Haghparast Marzieh
Published: September 2018

Trauma is one of the most important issues of most healthcare systems accompanying with head trauma in the most cases. We sought to determine the scoring system and initial Computed Tomography (CT) findings predicting the death at hospital discharge (early death) in patients with traumatic brain injury based on Marshall and Rotterdam CT scores. This is a cross sectional study on traumatic neurosurgical patients with mild-to-severe traumatic brain injury admitted to the emergency department of Emam Reza Hospital, Birjand University of Medical Sciences. Patients≥18 years old with TBI during last 24 hours with GCS≤13 were included and exclusion criteria were multiple trauma, penetrating injuries, previous history of anticoagulant therapy, pregnancy, not willingness for participation. Their initial CT and status at hospital discharge, one and three months (dead or alive) were reviewed, and both CT scores were calculated. We examined whether each score is related to death using SPSS11 by The Mann–Whitney U at the level of p≤0.05. Overall, 98 patients were included. Mean age was 43.52±21.29. Most patients were male (63.3%). Mean Marshall and Rotterdam CT scores were 3.2±1.3 and 2.5±1. The mortality at two weeks, one moth and three months were 19.4%, 20.4%, and 20.4%. Rotterdam CT score was significantly different based on type of hematoma. Median GCS score in alive and dead patients on 2 weeks were 10 and 4 (p=0.0001), at one month were 10 and 4 (p=0.0001), and at three months were 10 and 4 (p=0.0001). The median Marshall CT score on 2 weeks were 2 and 4 (p=0.0001), at one month were 2 and 4 (p=0.0001), and at three months were 2 and 4 (p=0.0001). The median Rotterdam CT score on 2 weeks were 2 and 4 (p=0.0001), at one month were 2 and 3 (p=0.001), and at three months were 2 and 3 (p=0.001). The Rotterdam CT score was significantly correlated with mortality at two weeks, one month and three months (p=0.004, p=0.001, and p=0.001, respectively). The Marshall CT score was not significantly correlated with mortality at any time. The Rotterdam CT score was more accurate for prediction of mortality on 2 weeks (ROC80.9), at one month (ROC80.7), and at three months were (ROC80.7) than The Rotterdam CT score (ROC 76, 74.1, and 74.1, respectively). This study concluded that The Marshall CT score was more accurate for prediction of mortality on 2 weeks, at one month, and at three months were than The Marshall CT score with higher ROC. The correlation of the Rotterdam CT score with mortality was significant.
How effective is information on soil-landscape units for determining spatio-temporal variability of near-surface soil moisture?
Authors: Nasta Paolo , Sica Benedetto , Mazzitelli Caterina , Di Fiore Paola , Lazzaro Ugo , Palladino Mario , Romano Nunzio
Published: September 2018

In the last decades, a growing interest in fostering advanced interdisciplinary studies is leading to the establishment of observatories in pilot catchments for long-term monitoring of hydrological variables and fluxes. Nevertheless prior to sensor network installation, this investment necessitates preliminary surveys on key-variables such as near-surface soil moisture in order to prevent risks of erronously distributing sensors by missing sufficient spatial information for understanding hydrological processes within the landatmosphere interactions. The availability of maps describing areas with similar morphological, topographical, soil, and vegetation characteristics enable preliminary surveys to be organized for capturing spatio-temporal variability of soil moisture as best as possible. The soil-landscape classification can be considered as an interesting approach for grouping mapping units with similar hydrological behavior. Therefore, we assume the soil-landscape units as hydrotopes or hydrological similar units. Six transects were established along two hillsides of the Upper Alento River catchment (southern Italy) which is a proper candidate to become a Critical Zone Observatory. In this paper we use a soil-landscape map to infer spatial and temporal dynamics of soil moisture measured along these transects, whereas quantitative analyses were obtained by using multivariate techniques. The effectiveness of available information on soil-landscape mapping units is evaluated with respect to different observed patterns of soil moisture: wetter- and drier-than average observation points belong to agricultural and forested hillslopes, respectively. Soil texture and topographical controlling factors, especially clay content and slope gradient, are found to explain approximately 70% of the observed spatial variations in soil moisture along the forested hillslopes. The spatial structure explained by the environmental controlling factors decreases to 45% in the cases of the agricultural hillslopes mainly due to perturbations induced by grazing and tillage practices.
A critical analysis of conflicts between herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria: Causes and socioreligious and political effects on national development
Authors: Ndubuisi Christopher I.
Published: September 2018

The Fulani herdsmen attack on Nigerian citizens has taken on an alarming dimension this day. Hardly a week passes without one rumour of attack or another in one part of the country. In each of these attacks property worth millions of naira and lives are destroyed on a large scale. The huge human loss is the most worrisome of all. The objective of this study is to discuss the causes, as well as the socio-economic, political and religious implications of these attacks for sustainable development. The study adopted qualitative and phenomenological approaches in its investigation and analysis of data drawn from existing literature and oral interviews with selected individuals. The study discovered that many people have lost their property and lives; that many people have been displaced from their homes; and that the peace, security and unity of the country as a federation are being seriously threatened.
Comparison of the histology of the skin of the Windsnyer, Kolbroek and Large White pigs
Authors: Moyo Davison , Gomes Monica , Erlwanger Kennedy H.
Published: September 2018

The skin is a protective barrier, and an endocrine, sensory and thermoregulatory organ. We investigated whether the skin of local pigs had beneficial anatomical traits compared to exotic pigs to withstand the increased heat loads predicted under future climate change scenarios. Full-thickness skin specimens were obtained from the dorsal interscapular, lateral thoraco-abdominal and ventral abdominal regions of intact boars (age 6–8 months) of two local breeds of pigs (Windsnyer [n = 5] and Kolbroek [n = 4]) and an exotic pig breed (Large White [n = 7]). The skin sections were stained with a one-step Mallory–Heidenhain stain and Fontana stain (melanin). Sweat gland perimeter was measured using Image J software. The Windsnyer breed had the thinnest dermis layer while the Large White had the thickest dermis layer across all the three body regions (analysis of variance [ANOVA]; p  0.001). The Windsnyers had widely spaced dermal pegs compared to the other breeds. The Windsnyers had significantly more superficial and larger (~1 mm depth; 4.4 mm perimeter) sweat glands than the Kolbroek (~3 mm depth; 2.2 mm perimeter) and Large White (~4 mm depth; 2.0 mm perimeter) pigs (ANOVA; p  0.001). The Windsnyers had visibly more melanin in the basal layer, the Kolbroek pigs had very little and the Large Whites had none. The functionality of the sweat glands of the Windsnyer breed needs to be established. The skin from the Windsnyer breed possesses traits that may confer a protective advantage for the increased solar radiation and ambient temperatures predicted with climate change.
Smokeless tobacco taxation
Authors: John Rijo M. , Yadav Amit , Sinha Dhirendra N.
Published: September 2018

Southeast Asia accounts for nearly 86 per cent of the smokeless tobacco (SLT) consumers in the world. The heterogeneous nature of SLT is a major impediment to using taxation as a tool to regulate SLT. This study was aimed to review issues around fiscal policies on SLT with the objective of providing clarity on the use of taxation as an effective policy instrument to regulate SLT use. Descriptive statistics and graphical representations were used to analyze published data from different sources. An analysis of prices and tax between smoke and SLT products was done to understand the impact of tax policies on SLT consumption. India, Bangladesh and Myanmar together account for 71 per cent of the world SLT users. The retail prices (PPP$) and tax were lower for SLT in low- and lower-middle-income countries and higher in high-income countries, on an average, suggesting a direct relationship between the two. Evidence from India and Bangladesh suggested that taxation had significantly reduced SLT use among adults. The compounded levy scheme used in India to tax SLT was found effective after incorporating speed of packing machines into the assessment of deemed production and tax on SLT products. The current analysis shows that taxation can be an effective instrument to regulate SLT consumption if tax rates are harmonized across SLT products and in a manner not to encourage substitution with other tobacco products. It is also imperative to set a minimum floor price on all tobacco products including SLT.
Regulation of toxic contents of smokeless tobacco products
Authors: Kumar Amit , Bhartiya Deeksha , Kaur Jasmine , Kumari Suchitra , Singh Harpreet , Saraf Deepika , Sinha Dhirendra Narain , Mehrotra Ravi
Published: September 2018

Effective regulation of contents of tobacco products is one of the primary milestones to reduce negative health effects associated with the use of smokeless tobacco (SLT) products. As per the available sources, testing of some SLT products has been done on ad hoc basis, but there is a lack of comprehensive and periodic analysis of these products. In addition, the available results indicate huge variations among the levels of pH, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone, N-nitrosonornicotine, benzo[a]pyrene, heavy metals and nicotine within different products as well as within different brands of the same product. This review was aimed to throw light on the variations and gaps in testing of SLT products and emphasize the need for strong policy regulation for monitoring the chemical constituents of these products.
A review of trade practices of smokeless tobacco products in terms of prohibition on sale, manufacturing & importation in Framework Convention on Tobacco Control ratified Parties
Authors: Saraf Deepika Singh , Mehrotra Ravi , Chandan Kumar , Sinha Dhirendra N. , Yadav Amit
Published: September 2018

Background & objectives:

Over the past decade, the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) has served as a powerful tool to initiate and advance global tobacco control efforts. However, the control strategies have mainly targeted demand-side measures. The goal of a tobacco-free world by 2040 cannot be achieved if the supply-side measures are not addressed. This analysis was undertaken to examine the tobacco control legislations of various Parties ratifying WHO FCTC with an objective to ascertain the status of prohibition of importation, sale and manufacturing of smokeless tobacco products.

Methods:

All 180 Parties to WHO FCTC were included for the study. A comprehensive database of all the parties to FCTC was created and tobacco control legislations and regulations of all parties were studied in detail.

Results:

Overall, the sale of smokeless tobacco (SLT) products was prohibited in 45 Parties. Eleven Parties prohibited manufacturing of SLT products and six Parties imposed a ban on importation of SLT products. Australia, Bhutan, Singapore and Sri Lanka banned all three.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Comprehensive tobacco control strategy with effective tobacco cessation programme should complement strong legal actions such as prohibition on trade in SLT products to meet the public health objective of such laws and regulations. In addition, multisectoral efforts are needed for effective implementation of such restrictions imposed by the governments.
Smokeless tobacco control
Authors: Yadav Amit , Singh Arpita , Khadka Badri Bahadur , Amarasinghe Hemantha , Yadav Nisha , Singh Ranjit
Published: September 2018

Recourse to litigation and positive judicial interventions is one of the most effective tools to meet public health objectives. The present review envisions compiling litigation and judicial measures in Southeast Asia Region (SEAR) while assessing their role in advancing smokeless tobacco (SLT) control, and equally highlighting, how tobacco industry has used litigation to undermine tobacco control efforts in the Region. The litigation, especially from the SEAR, up to 2017, that have facilitated SLT control or have been used by the tobacco industry to challenge an SLT control policy decision were reviewed. Most of the litigation related to SLT control from the Region are on pictorial health warnings. Bhutan has imposed a complete prohibition on sale, manufacture and import of all kinds of tobacco products and the litigation there relates to the prosecution of offenders for violating the ban. Judiciary in the Region is well informed about the ill-effects of tobacco use and remains positive to tobacco control initiatives in the interest of public health. In India, several SLT-specific litigation helped in better regulation of SLT products in the country. Litigation has compelled governments for effective enforcement of the domestic tobacco control laws and the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). Parties to the WHO FCTC must now use Treaty Article 19 to strengthen their legal procedures and make the tobacco industry liable, for both criminal and civil wrongs.
Molecular Identification of Leishmania spp. DNA from Archived Giemsa-Stained Slides of Patients from Salta, Argentina
Authors: Almazán María Cristina , Hoyos Carlos Lorenzo , Krolewiecki Alejandro Javier , Cajal Silvana Pamela , Copa Griselda Noemí , Fleitas Pedro Emanuel , Barroso Paola Andrea , Marco Jorge Diego , Nasser Julio Rubén , Gil José Fernando
Published: September 2018

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in Salta province, which belongs to the northwest of Argentina. Leishmania spp. DNA from Giemsa-stained slides of up to 12 years in storage of patients from Salta was characterized through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). One hundred smears positive for microscopy, classified in a semiquantitative scale for amastigote density, were analyzed. Also, Leishmanin skin test (LST) results were included. DNA extraction was carried out applying lysis buffer with proteinase K, and then DNA was amplified with ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 primers. PCR products were digested with HaeIII enzyme. All PCR-positive smears (74/100) belonged to Viannia subgenus. A statistically significant, directly proportional relationship between semiquantitative microscopy and PCR results was detected. All patients had LST-positive results (induration ≥ 5 mm), and the smears of those with smaller induration (LST < 19 mm) gave a higher proportion of positive PCR results. This study determined that smear age did not affect PCR positivity, which allows retrospective analyzes and suggests smears might be useful for molecular complementary diagnosis. Because Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis is the main circulating species in the study area, determining Viannia subgenus in all analyzed samples confirms previous findings. PCR positivity showed statistically significant differences according to semiquantitative microscopy, highlighting the importance of parasite burden in the diagnostic sensitivity of the method. Considering that smears of patients with smaller LST induration were more positive in PCR, a negative smear from patients with positive LST response, but < 19 mm, could actually represent a false-negative result.
Validation of Decision Groups in Patients with Dengue Fever: A Study during 2015 Outbreak in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Wei-Ta , Hsu Chien-Chin , Su Shih-Bin , Lin Hung-Jung , Huang Chien-Cheng
Published: September 2018

The management of dengue fever (DF) has been suggested to be categorized into decision groups A, B, and C; however, its usefulness in predicting mortality is still unclear, and hence we conducted this study to clarify this issue. We conducted a study by recruiting 2,358 patients with DF from the 2015 outbreak in the Chi-Mei Medical Center. Demographic data, vital signs, clinical symptoms and signs, coexisting morbidities, laboratory data, decision groups categorized according to World Health Organization for clinical management of dengue in 2012, and 30-day mortality rates were included for analysis. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 1.4%. The 30-day mortality rates in decision groups A, B, and C were 0%, 0.5%, and 46.2%, respectively. Compared with Group A, there was a higher mortality risk in Group C (odds ratio [OR]: 1,480, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 195–11,200). The area under the curve of the variable of Group C was excellent (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.85–0.99). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for predicting 30-day mortality in Group C were 88.2%, 98.5%, 46.2%, and 99.8%, respectively. This study showed that decision Group C has a good predictive value for 30-day mortality. Further studies including validation in other nations are warranted.
90 movimientos sobre Technogym G6508D: el gimnasio como espacio para la práctica artística
Authors: Bonfim Carolina
Published: September 2018

El ensayo visual que aquí se presenta es parte de un proyecto de inspiración etnográfica que se produjo en un gimnasio. Durante 90 días, corrí en una cinta de modelo TECHNOGYM G6508D y desde una observación activa, me puse a imitar a la gente que corría delante de mí. En este estudio quise poner el foco en la acción ‘correr’ y llevarla al extremo: fragmentarla, archivarla, incorporarla y evidenciar lo que hay de único y propio en cada forma de moverse.
Investigación Estética
Authors: Vilar Gerard
Published: September 2018

Algunos artistas prefieren usar la expresión ‘investigación estética’ en lugar de la usual ‘investigación artística. ¿En qué sentido puede hacerse esta distinción? Para clarificar esta cuestión es inevitable aclarar qué se entiende por la palabra ‘estética’ y revisitar brevemente la relación del arte con la estética, un viejo problema de la teoría y la práctica del arte. Una vez realizada esta clarificación, parece lógica la conclusión de que la investigación estética es una subclase de entre los muchos tipos de investigación artística que se distingue por estar centrada en aquellos ámbitos en los que la dimensión estética del proyecto se convierte en crucial para la generación de espacios de inteligibilidad. Hay ejemplos de este tipo de investigación en proyectos sobre percepción del espacio y / o el tiempo. Mi ejemplo favorito sería el proyecto Arquitectures of Embodiement del artista catalano-alemán Alex Arteaga, una investigación sobre las formas en las que el sonido interactúa con el espacio arquitectónico para generar sentido. El análisis de este ejemplo muestra que es importante poder distinguir la investigación estética de las demás clases de investigación artística por tratar con el fenómeno originario de la generación de inteligibilidad mediante la experiencia de un cuerpo.
Improving air quality model predictions of organic species using measurement-derived organic gaseous and particle emissions in a petrochemical-dominated region
Authors: Stroud Craig A. , Makar Paul A. , Zhang Junhua , Moran Michael D. , Akingunola Ayodeji , Li Shao-Meng , Leithead Amy , Hayden Katherine , Siu May
Published: September 2018

Abstract. This study assesses the impact of revised volatile organic compound (VOC) and organic aerosol (OA) emissions estimates in the GEM-MACH (Global Environmental Multiscale–Modelling Air Quality and CHemistry) chemical transport model (CTM) on air quality model predictions of organic species for the Athabasca oil sands (OS) region in Northern Alberta, Canada. The first emissions data set that was evaluated (base-case run) makes use of regulatory-reported VOC and particulate matter emissions data for the large oil sands mining facilities. The second emissions data set (sensitivity run) uses total facility emissions and speciation profiles derived from box-flight aircraft observations around specific facilities. Large increases in some VOC and OA emissions in the revised-emissions data set for four large oil sands mining facilities and decreases for others were found to improve the modeled VOC and OA concentration maxima in facility plumes, as shown with the 99th percentile statistic and illustrated by case studies. The results show that the VOC emission speciation profile from each oil sand facility is unique and different from standard petrochemical-refinery emission speciation profiles used for other regions in North America. A significant increase in the correlation coefficient is reported for the long-chain alkane predictions against observations when using the revised emissions based on aircraft observations. For some facilities, larger long-chain alkane emissions resulted in higher secondary organic aerosol (SOA) production, which improved OA predictions in those plumes. Overall, the use of the revised-emissions data resulted in an improvement of the model mean OA bias; however, a decrease in the OA correlation coefficient and a remaining negative bias suggests the need for further improvements to model OA emissions and formation processes. The weight of evidence suggests that the top-down emission estimation technique helps to better constrain the fugitive organic emissions in the oil sands region, which are a challenge to estimate given the size and complexity of the oil sands operations and the number of steps in the process chain from bitumen extraction to refined oil product. This work shows that the top-down emissions estimation technique may help to constrain bottom-up emission inventories in other industrial regions of the world with large sources of VOCs and OA.
Impact of low-pressure systems on winter heavy air pollution in the northwest Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Ning Guicai , Wang Shigong , Yim Steve Hung Lam , Li Jixiang , Hu Yuling , Shang Ziwei , Wang Jinyan , Wang Jiaxin
Published: September 2018

Abstract. The cities of Chengdu, Deyang, and
Mianyang in the northwest Sichuan Basin are part of a rapidly developing
urban agglomeration adjoining the eastern slopes of the Tibetan Plateau.
Heavy air pollution events have frequently occurred over these cities in recent
decades, but the effects of meteorological conditions on these pollution
events are unclear. We explored the effects of weather systems on winter
heavy air pollution from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2012 and from
1 January 2014 to 28 February 2017. A total of 10 heavy air pollution events occurred
during the research period and 8 of these took place while the region was
affected by a dry low-pressure system at 700 hPa. When the urban
agglomeration was in front of the low-pressure system and the weather
conditions were controlled by a warm southerly air flow, a strong
temperature inversion appeared above the atmospheric boundary layer acting as
a lid. Forced by this strong inversion layer, the local secondary circulation
was confined to the atmospheric boundary layer, and the horizontal wind
speed in the lower troposphere was low. As a result, vertical mixing and
horizontal dispersion in the atmosphere were poor, favoring the formation of
heavy air pollution events. After the low-pressure system had transited over
the region, the weather conditions in the urban agglomeration were controlled
by a dry and cold air flow from the northwest at 700 hPa. The strong
inversion layer gradually dissipated, the secondary circulation enhanced and
uplifted, and the horizontal wind speed in the lower troposphere also
increased, resulting in a sharp decrease in the concentration of air
pollutants. The strong inversion layer above the atmospheric boundary layer
induced by the low-pressure system at 700 hPa thus played a key role in the
formation of heavy air pollution during the winter months in this urban
agglomeration. This study provides scientific insights for forecasting heavy
air pollution in this region of China.
Measuring turbulent CO2 fluxes with a closed-path gas analyzer in a marine environment
Authors: Honkanen Martti , Tuovinen Juha-Pekka , Laurila Tuomas , Mäkelä Timo , Hatakka Juha , Kielosto Sami , Laakso Lauri
Published: September 2018

Abstract. In this study, we introduce new observations of sea–air fluxes of carbon
dioxide using the eddy covariance method. The measurements took place at the
Utö Atmospheric and Marine Research Station on the island of Utö in the
Baltic Sea in July–October 2017. The flux measurement system is based on a
closed-path infrared gas analyzer (LI-7000, LI-COR) requiring only occasional
maintenance, making the station capable of continuous monitoring. However,
such infrared gas analyzers are prone to significant water vapor interference
in a marine environment, where CO2 fluxes are small. Two LI-7000 analyzers were run in parallel to test the effect of a sample air
drier which dampens water vapor fluctuations and a virtual impactor,
included to remove liquid sea spray, both of which were attached to the
sample air tubing of one of the analyzers. The systems showed closely similar
(R2=0.99) sea–air CO2 fluxes when the latent heat flux was low, which
proved that neither the drier nor the virtual impactor perturbed the CO2
flux measurement. However, the undried measurement had a positive bias that
increased with increasing latent heat flux, suggesting water vapor
interference. For both systems, cospectral densities between vertical wind speed and CO2
molar fraction were distributed within the expected frequency range, with a
moderate attenuation of high-frequency fluctuations. While the setup equipped
with a drier and a virtual impactor generated a slightly higher flux loss, we
opt for this alternative for its reduced water vapor cross-sensitivity and
better protection against sea spray. The integral turbulence characteristics
were found to agree with the universal stability dependence observed over
land. Nonstationary conditions caused unphysical results, which resulted in
a high percentage (65 %) of discarded measurements. After removing the
nonstationary cases, the direction of the sea–air CO2 fluxes was in good
accordance with independently measured CO2 partial pressure difference
between the sea and the atmosphere. Atmospheric CO2 concentration changes
larger than 2 ppm during a 30 min averaging period were found
to be associated with the nonstationarity of CO2 fluxes.
Cloud classification of ground-based infrared images combining manifold and texture features
Authors: Luo Qixiang , Meng Yong , Liu Lei , Zhao Xiaofeng , Zhou Zeming
Published: September 2018

Abstract. Automatic cloud type recognition of ground-based infrared
images is still a challenging task. A novel cloud classification method is
proposed to group images into five cloud types based on manifold and texture
features. Compared with statistical features in Euclidean space, manifold
features extracted on symmetric positive definite (SPD) matrix space can
describe the non-Euclidean geometric characteristics of the infrared image
more effectively. The proposed method comprises three stages: pre-processing,
feature extraction and classification. Cloud classification is performed by a
support vector machine (SVM). The datasets are comprised of the zenithal and
whole-sky images taken by the Whole-Sky Infrared Cloud-Measuring System
(WSIRCMS). Benefiting from the joint features, compared to the recent two
models of cloud type recognition, the experimental results illustrate that
the proposed method acquires a higher recognition rate with an increase of
2 %–10 % on the ground-based infrared datasets.
Extending the Coverage Area of Regional Ionosphere Maps Using a Support Vector Machine Algorithm
Authors: Kim Mingyu , Kim Jeongrae
Published: September 2018

Abstract. The coverage of regional ionosphere maps is determined by the distribution of ground monitoring stations, e.g. GNSS receivers. Since ionospheric delay has a high spatial correlation, ionosphere map coverage can be extended using spatial extrapolation methods. This paper proposes a support vector machine (SVM) to extrapolate the ionospheric map data with solar and geomagnetic parameters. One year of IGS ionospheric delay map data over South Korea is used to train the SVM algorithm. Subsequently, one month of ionospheric delay data outside the input data region is estimated. In addition to solar and geomagnetic environmental parameters, the ionospheric delay data from the inner data region are used to estimate the ionospheric delay data for the outside region. The accuracy evaluation is performed at three levels of range – 5°, 10°, and 15° outside the inner data regions. The estimation errors are 0.33 TECU for the 5° region and 1.95 TECU for the 15° region. These values are substantially lower than the GPS Klobuchar model error values. Comparison with another machine learning extrapolation method, the neural network, shows a substantial improvement of up to 26.7 %.