bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial Analysis of Factors Influencing Birth Patterns in the States of India: 1985-2011
Authors: Pandey R. , Kaur C.
Published: January 2017

Over the past six decades, numerous demographers have studied fertility patterns of the states of India. These analyses portray a fertility decline  rapid in some states and low or moderate in others. The present paper seeks to examine the potential factors responsible for regional demographic heterogeneity in the states of India based on empirical analysis of the birth counts for the period 1985-2011.This article establishes the interactive linkages between observed fertility and the changes in four principal potential causal forces such as literacy of parents and welfare initiatives by the government in the form of public expenditure and urbanisation drive. Among the individual effects female literacy is found to promote births significantly while higher male literacy is accompanied by lower occurrences of births. Government interventions and controls such as high infrastructure spending and urbanization process result in significantly reduced births. We utilize various spatial models to determine the diffusion effect of these factors on the fertility outcomes in the neighbouring interconnected regions and interpret them.
Bayesian Estimation under Different Loss Functions Using Gamma Prior for the Case of Exponential Distribution
Authors: Hasan M. R. , Baizid A. R.
Published: January 2017

The Bayesian estimation approach is a non-classical estimation technique in statistical inference and is very useful in real world situation. The aim of this paper is to study the Bayes estimators of the parameter of exponential distribution under different loss functions and compared among them as well as with the classical estimator named maximum likelihood estimator (MLE). Since exponential distribution is the life time distribution, we have studied exponential distribution using gamma prior. Here the gamma prior is used as the prior distribution of exponential distribution for finding the Bayes estimator. In our study we also used different symmetric and asymmetric loss functions such as squared error loss function, quadratic loss function, modified linear exponential (MLINEX) loss function and non-linear exponential (NLINEX) loss function. We have used simulated data using R-coding to find out the mean squared error (MSE) of different loss functions and hence found that non-classical estimator is better than classical estimator. Finally, mean square error (MSE) of the estimators of different loss functions are presented graphically.
Design, Analysis and Performance Study of PV-Wind-Diesel Generator Hybrid Power System for a Hilly Region Khagrachari of Bangladesh
Authors: Prodhan M. M. H. , Talukder A. B. M. H. , Huq M. F. , Aditya S. K.
Published: January 2017

In this research paper, a hybrid power generation system considering Photovoltaic (PV), Wind Turbine and Diesel generator, has been proposed for a hilly region application. The method of this study was the assortment of the elementary data of wind speed, solar radiation and additional requisite input data. The electric renewable energy software hybrid optimization model of renewable energy (HOMER) has been used for design, analysis and performance study of the system. The model has been designed to deliver an optimum pattern based on hour-by-hour data for energy convenience and loads. A number of various performance studiy like sustainability, sensitivity, cost, feasibility is performed in this research. 24 h primary AC loads, yearly wind speed and PV radiation were analyzed. Analysis divulges that this proposed hybrid power generation system would be feasible alternatives for stand alone application at rural and detached hilly localities.
Evaluation of Phytochemical, Nutritional and Antioxidant Activity of Indigenously Grown Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam)
Authors: Shafiq M. , Mehmood S. , Yasmin A. , Khan S. J. , Khan N. H. , Ali S.
Published: January 2017

The aim of present investigation was to explore dietary and health benefits of Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam (jackfruit). The nutritional profile of dried ripened jackfruit showed that it is a rich source of carbohydrates (13.08± 0.31%) as well as considerable amount of crude fiber (6.32±0.72 %), crude fat (5.63±0.18 %) and protein (1.48±0.11%) were found. The moisture value and ash content of ripened jackfruit pulp was 71.60±0.75% and 1.89±0.19%, respectively. Among the extracts of ripened jackfruit, in five different solvent systems, methanolic extract exhibited the highest total phenolic (239.87± 0.2 mg GAE/100g dry wt) and flavonoid content (109.94±2.16 mg QE /100g dry wt). Maximum ascorbic acid value (22.47±1.95 mg/100g of dry fruit) was observed in acetone extract of ripened jackfruit pulp. The antioxidant activity of extracts was assessed through DPPH radical scavenging assay. The acetone extract showed higher radical scavenging activity (89.31±0.78%) than remaining extracts. Results of present study enlighten that A. heterophyllus comprising significant nutritional value and high antioxidant potential may be utilized as functional food with towering therapeutic benefits.
Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) Practices by Rural Mothers of Bangladesh
Authors: Saizuddin Md , Hasan Md Shahidul , Islam Md Rashidul , Alfazzaman Md , Rahman MM Mafizur , Rahman Md Mujibur
Published: January 2017

A descriptive type of cross sectional study was carried out to assess the pattern of infant & young child feeding practices by the rural mothers of Bangladesh with a sample size of 450 during the months of January, 2015 to December, 2015. Out of 450 children, 51.1% are female & 48.9% are male. The proportions of infants with early initiation of breastfeeding (13.6%) and exclusive breastfeeding fewer than six months (57.3%) and infants who received complementary feeding at the age of 6-8 months (55.7%) were low. It showed that 90.4% of mothers have knowledge on exclusive breast feeding but only 57.3% of them have practiced it for 4-6 months. It further revealed that only 8.4% of mothers & 13.6 % of fathers are illiterate. The main problems revealed from the study were late initiation of breastfeeding, low rates of exclusive breastfeeding and inappropriate complementary feeding practices. It further revealed that 69.3% of the respondents had two or less children and only 30.7% had three or more children.Medicine Today 2016 Vol.28(1): 1-5
Outcome of Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients Admitted in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Islam Mona , Bhattacharjee Biplob , Chowdhury Md Abu Yusuf , Siddique Abu Naser , Karim Abul Mansur Md Rezaul
Published: January 2017

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common non - communicable disease prevailing in developed as well as in developing countries like Bangladesh, causing a great number of mortality and morbidity and impart a huge economic burden to family as well as to society. This study was designed to see the various complications and outcome of the patients of AMI, admitted in a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. In this observational study, 100 patient of AMI admitted in Cardiology ward of CMCH were enrolled. Clinical diagnosis was made from history and clinical examination and confirmed by ECG and biochemical markers. Informed written consent was taken from the patient or from the patient's attendant. Among the 100 cases of AMI, 89% were suffering from STEMI and 11% were from NSTEMI. Most of the patients (39%) were in 50-59 years age group. Majority of patient had chest pain (52%), followed by dyspnoea (23%), palpitation 10%, syncopal attack 7% and cardiac arrest 8% respectively. Important risk factors were history of smoking (37%), Diabetes (33%), Hypertension (31%), Dyslipidaemia (21%) and family history of IHD (16%). ECG showed ST-elevation in 80% of patients. It has been revealed that the important complications were cardiogenic shock(31%) followed by acute LVF(21%), bradyarrythmia (12%), tachyarrhythmia (10%), cardiac arrest(8%) and 12% patients died within 24 hours of admission. Patients with AMI have a substantially increased risk of death after hospitalization when shock, LVF or arrhythmias occur during their hospital stay. These complications should have to be treated promptly to achieve a good outcome.Medicine Today 2016 Vol.28(1): 6-8
Maternal Mortality and Morbidity due to Obstetric Haemorrhage: A One Year Review in a Tertiary Hospital
Authors: Sultana Naireen , Sultana Nahid , Sultana Rabeya , Begum Rowshan Ara
Published: January 2017

Bangladesh is a developing country where maternal death due to obstetric haemorrhage is very high. This study was carried out at Dhaka medical college hospital from January 2013 to December 2013. The aim of this study was to identify the different life threatening complications due to obstetric haemorrhage and also to identify the major causes of maternal death due to obstetric haemorrhage. From total 8500 obstetric admissions during 2013, 597 cases were of obstetric haemorrhage, giving the incidence of 7.02%. PPH was the most common cause of maternal death (75%). Those who survived among them (49.50%) women had PPH. The women who experienced several severe morbidities were in the age group between 20-24year (61.38%). Those who died their age group was 25-29 years (39.28%). Both in morbid cases and death cases most of the women belonged to lower middle class (62.37% and 60.71%). In both groups those who had life threatening complications and those who died most of them came from sub urban area (52.47% and 53.57%). About 42.85% in morbid cases had no regular antenatal check up and those who died among them 42.85% patient also did not take any antenatal checkup . 67.85 % of the death cases had circulatory failure and 59.40% of the severely morbid women also had circulating failure . Next to circulatory failure other morbidities were pulmonary edema ( 29.70%), septicemia ( 4.95%) & DIC (1.98%). Hence the result of the study clearly indicated that low socioeconomic states, irregular antenatal cheek up influence the outcome of obstetric hemorrhage. All death from obstetric hemorrhage are not preventable but regular antenatal check up by well trained health personals can recognize the high risk group or any complications at an early stage and appropriate measures can be taken.Medicine Today 2016 Vol.28(1): 9-11
Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis- Challenges of Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Roy Sharmistha , Mondal Samiron Kumar , Amin Md Ruhul , Khan Indira Sufia
Published: January 2017

Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis (IGM) is a benign breast disease. Owing to its unknown aetiology, rareness,variation of presentation - diagnosis and treatment is still a challenge. This is a retrospective review of clinical presentation and investigation finding of all patients histopathologically diagnosed as IGM from February 2010 to January 2014. Treatment outcome and follow up information were recorded. 6(42%) patient presented with breast abscess, 5(35.7%) patient had features of mastitis without abscess, 3(21.4%) patient had painful firm to hard lump. Diagnosis confirmed by excisional/ incisional biopsy. 9(64%) patients needed more than one surgical intervention. Mean follow up period was 27months. Standardization and optimization of treatment is yet to be achieved.Medicine Today 2016 Vol.28(1): 14-16
Measurement of Blood Pressure as Cardiovascular Risk in Stable COPD Patients
Authors: Pervin Magfura , Begum Noorzahan , Ali Taskina , Hussain Dilroze , Hossain Mohammad Emran
Published: January 2017

COPD is one of the major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Among the extra pulmonary effects of COPD cardiovascular disorders are significant. Although its silent involvement is known, but little attention paid to this major comorbidity while treating these group of patients. To assess the cardiovascular risk even in stable COPD patients their systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) were observed and correlated these with the severity of airflow limitation (FEV1). This crosssectional study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka from January to December, 2010. For this purpose 60 (sixty) male, smoker (5-10 pack year) patients of stable COPD (FEV1/FVC% <0.70; FEV1?80%; without any exacerbation for last 4 weeks) were randomly selected from the Out Patient Department (OPD) of the Cardiovascular unit of the Department of Cardiology, BSMMU and also from a private clinic in Dhaka. On the basis of spirometric (group B2) of COPD patients with age 35-45 years were included in this study. In addition, 30 age, BMI, serum lipid profile and smoking status matched apparently healthy male persons were studied as control (group A). SBP, DBP, PP and MAP (by sphygmomanometer and stethoscope) were measured and calculated. Data were expressed as mean±SD. For statistical analysis Independent sample t-test and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient test were performed, as applicable and p<0.05 was accepted as significant. Significantly (p<0.001) higher SBP, DBP, PP and MAP were found in moderate stage (group B2) than those of control and mild stage (group B1) of COPD patients. In addition, 4 types of BP were negatively correlated with FEV1 in moderate stage and were statistically significant for SBP (p<0.01), PP and MAP (p<0.05). This study reveals that, cardiovascular function status may be altered even in stable COPD and this alteration is inversely related to the severity of the disease.Medicine Today 2016 Vol.28(1): 17-21
Abdominal Tuberculosis
Authors: Ismail Md , Azam Golam
Published: January 2017

Abdominal tuberculosis constitute up to 12% of extrapulmonary TB and is sixth frequent site of extrapulmonary involvement. The most common sites of involvement is the ileocaecalregion. Other site of involvement in descending order are ascending colon jejunum, appendix, duodenum, stomach, esophagus, sigmoid colon and rectum. Abdominal TB has diagnostic dilemma due to its diverse and non-specific clinical presentation and has no single most specific, sensitive diagnostic test. A high index of suspicion, common and rare clinical feature, adequate imaging study, endoscopy, enteroscopy, laparoscopy, laparotomy, biopsy with histopathology, Mycobacterial isolation, Quantiferon-TB Gold, GeneXpert Assay, MULTIPLEX PCR and clinical response to anti TB therapy are considered for early diagnosis to reduce morbidity and mortality. Six month antiTB regime is effective as nine or 12month therapy. MDR TB and frequent interruption of therapy should considered in nonresponder to standard therapy. Surgery is required for minority cases that developed complications not responding to medical therpy.Medicine Today 2016 Vol.28(1): 39-45
A Short Non-Saline Sprinkling Increases the Tuber Weights of Saline Sprinkler Irrigated Potatoes
Authors: Stevens Rob , Pech Joanne , Grigson Gary
Published: January 2017

Previous work has shown that a short non-saline sprinkling, following saline sprinkling, increased crop growth. We incorporated this finding into an investigation of two approaches to the conjunctive use of saline and non-saline water sources for sprinkler irrigation of potatoes viz., (i) mixing waters prior to application, and (ii) keeping waters temporally separate, that is commencing each irrigation with saline water and finishing it with non-saline sprinkling. The latter approach delayed canopy senescence and increased tuber weight by at least 150%. Under both approaches, soil salinities and leaf and tuber concentrations of Na+ and Cl− were similar. Thus, the advantages of a non-saline sprinkling cannot be explained in terms of its effect on either soil osmotic potential or bulk tissue concentrations of putatively toxic ions Na+ and Cl−. We propose that the positive effect of finishing irrigations with a non-saline sprinkling may be attributed to either dilution, and hence increase in osmotic potential, of the water film that remains on the leaf after each irrigation or its effect on the distribution of the putatively toxic ions Na+ and Cl− within tissue.
Overcurrent Abuse of Primary Prismatic Zinc–Air Battery Cells Studying Air Supply Effects on Performance and Safety Shut-Down
Authors: Larsson Fredrik , Rytinki Antti , Ahmed Istaq , Albinsson Ingvar , Mellander Bengt-Erik
Published: January 2017

Overcurrent abuse has been performed on commercial 48 Ah primary prismatic zinc (Zn)–Air battery cells with full air supply as well as with shut-off air supply. Compared to other battery technologies, e.g., lithium-ion batteries, metal–air batteries offer the possibility to physically stop the battery operation by stopping its air supply, thus offering an additional protection against severe battery damage in the case of, e.g., an accidental short circuit. This method may also reduce the electrical hazard in a larger battery system since, by stopping the air supply, the voltage can be brought to zero while maintaining the energy capacity of the battery. Measurements of overdischarge currents and current cut-off by suffocation have been performed to assess the safety of this type of Zn–air battery. The time to get to zero battery voltage is shown to mainly be determined by the volume of air trapped in the cell.
In Vitro Methodologies to Evaluate the Effects of Hair Care Products on Hair Fiber
Authors: Da Gama Robson , Baby André , Velasco Maria
Published: January 2017

Consumers use different hair care products to change the physical appearance of their hair, such as shampoos, conditioners, hair dye and hair straighteners. They expect cosmetics products to be available in the market to meet their needs in a broad and effective manner. Evaluating efficacy of hair care products in vitro involves the use of highly accurate equipment. This review aims to discuss in vitro methodologies used to evaluate the effects of hair care products on hair fiber, which can be assessed by various methods, such as Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, Optical Coherence Tomography, Infrared Spectroscopy, Raman Spectroscopy, Protein Loss, Electrophoresis, color and brightness, thermal analysis and measuring mechanical resistance to combing and elasticity. The methodology used to test hair fibers must be selected according to the property being evaluated, such as sensory characteristics, determination of brightness, resistance to rupture, elasticity and integrity of hair strain and cortex, among others. If equipment is appropriate and accurate, reproducibility and ease of employment of the analytical methodology will be possible. Normally, the data set must be discussed in order to obtain conclusive answers to the test.
With Socrates on Your Heels and Descartes in Your Hand: On the Notion of Conflict in John Dewey’s Democracy and Education
Authors: Pouwels Jan , Biesta Gert
Published: January 2017

This paper is about the notion of conflict in the work of John Dewey. Special attention is given to Democracy and Education (1916) because of its centennial and its acclaimed status of “magnum opus”. After depicting “conflicts as gadflies” that stir thinking—reflection and ingenuity—and relating it to Socrates, in particular, we present a definition of conflict that guides our research. From then on a detailed analysis is carried out on the different notions of conflict in Democracy and Education. It is concluded that Dewey spends considerable attention to the place of conflict in education in Democracy and Education. We identified 14 distinct references to conflict. The notions range from conflicts between traditional and modern education, retrospective and prospective aims of education, the conflict between closing off and opening up of education, social and national aims of education, conflicts between certain knowledge and thinking, between ready-made and problem-posing education, between holding to customs and tradition or aiming at social change, between easy to chew education or allowing to make mistakes, between researching contrary beliefs or following proclaimed truth, conflicts between individual aims or the aim of society, and vocational versus intellectual education. Conflicts are conditional for “reflection and ingenuity” is Dewey’s most iconic conception of conflicts. Conflicts challenge thought by questioning and doubting certain knowledge. The act involves a risk. We ask two questions at the end of this paper. The first is about the nature of contradictions and the second is about the use of conflicts in education. We propose that Dewey was too engaged in resolving contradictions and dualism to understand the positive, constructive, and conditional nature of conflicts for education. We need our opponents to grow and we suggest that we probably do not use them enough in education. Concerning the practical use of conflicts in education, Dewey expects a lot from dialogical cooperation and communication which will bring agreement and certainty. Dewey does not engage in confronting power, though he has a clear view on injustice in society, neither does he give prolific directions for including conflicts as a teaching method in education.
Economic Harmony: An Epistemic Theory of Economic Interactions
Authors: Suleiman Ramzi
Published: January 2017

We propose an epistemic theory of micro-economic interactions, termed Economic Harmony. In the theory, we modify the standard utility, by changing its argument from the player’s actual payoff, to the ratio between the player’s actual payoff and his or her aspired payoff. We show that the aforementioned minor epistemic modification of the concept of utility is quite powerful in generating plausible and successful predictions of experimental results, obtained in the standard ultimatum game, and the sequential common pool resource dilemma (CPR) game. Notably, the cooperation and fairness observed in the studied games are accounted for without adding an other-regarding component in the players’ utility functions. For the standard ultimatum game, the theory predicts a division of φ and 1 − φ, for the proposer and responder, respectively, where φ is the famous Golden Ratio (≈0.618), most known for its aesthetically pleasing properties. We discuss possible extensions of the proposed theory to repeated and evolutionary ultimatum games.
Is a Perceived Activity-Friendly Environment Associated with More Physical Activity and Fewer Screen-Based Activities in Adolescents?
Authors: Kopcakova Jaroslava , Dankulincova Veselska Zuzana , Madarasova Geckova Andrea , Bucksch Jens , Nalecz Hanna , Sigmundova Dagmar , Van Dijk Jitse , Reijneveld Sijmen
Published: January 2017

Background: The aim of this study is to explore if perception of an activity-friendly environment is associated with more physical activity and fewer screen-based activities among adolescents. Methods: We collected self-reported data in 2014 via the Health Behavior in School-aged Children cross-sectional study from four European countries (n = 13,800, mean age = 14.4, 49.4% boys). We explored the association of perceived environment (e.g., “There are other children nearby home to go out and play with”) with physical activity and screen-based activities using a binary logistic regression model adjusted for age, gender, family affluence and country. Results: An environment perceived as activity-friendly was associated with higher odds that adolescents meet recommendations for physical activity (odds ratio (OR) for one standard deviation (SD) change = 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–1.18) and lower odds for excessive screen-based activities (OR for 1 SD better = 0.93, 95% CI 0.88–0.98). Conclusions: Investment into an activity-friendly environment may support the promotion of active life styles in adolescence.
New Trends in Paracoccidioidomycosis Epidemiology
Authors: Martinez Roberto
Published: January 2017

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic fungal disease occurring in Latin America and more prevalent in South America. The disease is caused by the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides spp. whose major hosts are humans and armadillos. The fungus grows in soil and its infection is associated with exposure to the rural environment and to agricultural activities, with a higher risk in coffee and tobacco plantations. Population studies assessing the reactivity to Paracoccidioides spp. antigens by intradermal reaction or serological tests have detected previous subclinical infections in a significant proportion of healthy individuals living in various endemic countries. Paracoccidioidomycosis-disease is manifested by a small minority of infected individuals. The risk of developing the disease and its type of clinical form are related to the personal and life style characteristics of infected individuals, including genetic background, age, sex, ethnicity, smoking habit, alcohol drinking, and eventual cellular immunosuppression. Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, and Ecuador have endemic areas that had already been defined in the 20th century. The incidence of paracoccidioidomycosis can be altered by climate phenomena and mainly by human migration and occupation of poorly explored territories. In Brazil, the endemy tends to expand towards the North and Center-West around the Amazon Region.
Novel Dental Adhesive with Biofilm-Regulating and Remineralization Capabilities
Authors: Ge Yang , Ren Biao , Zhou Xuedong , Xu Hockin , Wang Suping , Li Mingyun , Weir Michael , Feng Mingye , Cheng Lei
Published: January 2017

The mechanical properties and anti-caries effect of a novel anti-caries adhesive containing poly (amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM) and dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate (DMADDM) were investigated for the first time. Microtensile bond strength and surface charge density were measured for the novel anti-caries adhesives. Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Streptococcus gordonii were chosen to form three-species biofilms. Lactic acid assay, MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, exopolysaccharide staining and live/dead staining were performed to study anti-biofilm effect of the adhesive. The TaqMan realtime polymerase chain reaction was used to study the proportion change in three-species biofilms of different groups. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to observe the remineralization effect of PAMAM and DMADDM. The results showed that incorporating PAMAM and DMADDM into adhesive had no adverse effect on the dentin bond strength. The 1% PAMAM and 5% DMADDM adhesive group showed anti-biofilm properties and developed a healthier biofilm with a lower chance of inducing dental caries. Combination of 1% PAMAM and 5% DMADDM solution maintained remineralization capability on dentin, similar to that using 1% PAMAM alone. In conclusion, the adhesive containing PAMAM and DMADDM had strong antimicrobial properties and biological remineralization capabilities, and is promising for anti-caries clinical applications.
Numerical Prediction of the Mechanical Failure of the Intervertebral Disc under Complex Loading Conditions
Authors: Casaroli Gloria , Villa Tomaso , Bassani Tito , Berger-Roscher Nikolaus , Wilke Hans-Joachim , Galbusera Fabio
Published: January 2017

Finite element modeling has been widely used to simulate the mechanical behavior of the intervertebral disc. Previous models have been generally limited to the prediction of the disc behavior under simple loading conditions, thus neglecting its response to complex loads, which may induce its failure. The aim of this study was to generate a finite element model of the ovine lumbar intervertebral disc, in which the annulus was characterized by an anisotropic hyperelastic formulation, and to use it to define which mechanical condition was unsafe for the disc. Based on published in vitro results, numerical analyses under combined flexion, lateral bending, and axial rotation with a magnitude double that of the physiological ones were performed. The simulations showed that flexion was the most unsafe load and an axial tensile stress greater than 10 MPa can cause disc failure. The numerical model here presented can be used to predict the failure of the disc under all loading conditions, which may support indications about the degree of safety of specific motions and daily activities, such as weight lifting.
Physico-Chemical, In Vitro, and In Vivo Evaluation of a 3D Unidirectional Porous Hydroxyapatite Scaffold for Bone Regeneration
Authors: Tanaka Manabu , Haniu Hisao , Kamanaka Takayuki , Takizawa Takashi , Sobajima Atsushi , Yoshida Kazushige , Aoki Kaoru , Okamoto Masanori , Kato Hiroyuki , Saito Naoto
Published: January 2017

The unidirectional porous hydroxyapatite HAp (UDPHAp) is a scaffold with continuous communicated pore structure in the axial direction. We evaluated and compared the ability of the UDPHAp as a three-dimensional (3D) bone tissue engineering scaffold to the interconnected calcium porous HAp ceramic (IP-CHA). To achieve this, we evaluated in vitro the compressive strength, controlled rhBMP-2 release behavior, adherent cell morphology, cell adhesion manner, and cell attachment of UDPHAp. As a further in vivo experiment, UDPHAp and IP-CHA with rhBMP-2 were transplanted into mouse calvarial defects to evaluate their bone-forming ability. The Results demonstrated that the maximum compressive strengths of the UDPHAp was 7.89 ± 1.23 MPa and higher than that of IP-CHA (1.92 ± 0.53 MPa) (p = 0.0039). However, the breaking energies were similar (8.99 ± 2.72 vs. 13.95 ± 5.69 mJ, p = 0.055). The UDPHAp released rhBMP-2 more gradually in vivo. Cells on the UDPHAp adhered tightly to the surface, which had grown deeply into the scaffolds. A significant increase in cell number on the UDPHAp was observed compared to the IP-CHA on day 8 (102,479 ± 34,391 vs. 32,372 ± 29,061 estimated cells per scaffold, p = 0.0495). In a mouse calvarial defect model, the percentages of new bone area (mature bone + trabecular bone) in the 2x field were 2.514% ± 1.224% for the IP-CHA group and 7.045% ± 2.055% for the UDPHAp group, and the percentage was significantly higher in the UDPHAp group (p = 0.0209). While maintaining the same strength as the IP-CHA, the UDPHAp with 84% porosity showed a high cell number, high cell invasiveness, and excellent bone formation. We believe the UDPHAp is an excellent material that can be applied to bone regenerative medicine.
Computer-Aided Drug Design Using Sesquiterpene Lactones as Sources of New Structures with Potential Activity against Infectious Neglected Diseases
Authors: Herrera Acevedo Chonny , Scotti Luciana , Feitosa Alves Mateus , Formiga Melo Diniz Margareth , Scotti Marcus
Published: January 2017

This review presents an survey to the biological importance of sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) in the fight against four infectious neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)—leishmaniasis, schistosomiasis, Chagas disease, and sleeping sickness—as alternatives to the current chemotherapies that display several problems such as low effectiveness, resistance, and high toxicity. Several studies have demonstrated the great potential of some SLs as therapeutic agents for these NTDs and the relationship between the protozoal activities with their chemical structure. Recently, Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) studies have helped increase the knowledge of SLs regarding their mechanisms, the discovery of new lead molecules, the identification of pharmacophore groups and increase the biological activity by employing in silico tools such as molecular docking, virtual screening and Quantitative-Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) studies.
Neuroprotective Effects of Aged Garlic Extract on Cognitive Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation Induced by β-Amyloid in Rats
Authors: Nillert Nutchareeporn , Pannangrong Wanassanun , Welbat Jariya , Chaijaroonkhanarak Wunnee , Sripanidkulchai Kittisak , Sripanidkulchai Bungorn
Published: January 2017

Neuroinflammation is pathological evidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) that likely starts as a host defense response to the damaging effects of the β-amyloid (Aβ) deposits in the brain. The activation of microglia may promote the neurodegenerative process through the release of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), which may lead to neuronal damage and eventual death. Aged garlic extract (AGE) has been reported to have multiple biological activities, including anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of AGE on Aβ (1-42)-induced cognitive dysfunction and neuroinflammation. Adult male Wistar rats were given AGE (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg BW, body weight), orally administered, daily for 56 days. They were then injected with 1 μL of aggregated Aβ (1-42) into the lateral ventricles; bilaterally. Seven days later, their recognition memory was evaluated using a novel object recognition (NOR) test. Then the rats were sacrificed to investigate the alteration of microglia cells, IL-1β and TNFα in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. The results indicated that AGE at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg BW significantly improved short-term recognition memory in cognitively impaired rats. In addition, AGE significantly minimized the inflammatory response by reducing the activation of microglia and IL-1β to the levels found in the control, which is similar to the results found in Celebrex-treated rats. In conclusion, AGE may be useful for improving the short-term recognition memory and relieve the neuroinflammation in Aβ-induced rats.
The Alphabet Effect Re-Visited, McLuhan Reversals and Complexity Theory
Authors: Logan Robert
Published: January 2017

The alphabet effect that showed that codified law, alphabetic writing, monotheism, abstract science and deductive logic are interlinked, first proposed by McLuhan and Logan (1977), is revisited. Marshall and Eric McLuhan’s (1988) insight that alphabetic writing led to the separation of figure and ground and their interplay, as well as the emergence of visual space, are reviewed and shown to be two additional effects of the alphabet. We then identify more additional new components of the alphabet effect by demonstrating that alphabetic writing also gave rise to (1) Duality, and (2) reductionism or the linear sequential relationship of causes followed by effects. We then review McLuhan’s (1962) claim that electrically configured information reversed the dominance of visual space over acoustic space and led to the reversals of (1) cause and effect, and (2) figure and ground. We then demonstrate that General System Theory first formulated by Ludwig von Bertalanffy (1968), which also includes chaos theory, complexity theory and emergence (aka emergent dynamics) and Jakob von Uexküll’s (1926) notion of umwelt also entail the reversal of many aspects of the alphabet effect such as the reversals of (1) cause and effect, and (2) figure and ground.
Improving Spectral Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Content through Semi-Supervised Regression
Authors: Liu Huizeng , Shi Tiezhu , Chen Yiyun , Wang Junjie , Fei Teng , Wu Guofeng
Published: January 2017

Visible and near infrared (VIS-NIR) spectroscopy has been applied to estimate soil organic carbon (SOC) content with many modeling strategies and techniques, in which a crucial and challenging problem is to obtain accurate estimations using a limited number of samples with reference values (labeled samples). To solve such a challenging problem, this study, with Honghu City (Hubei Province, China) as a study area, aimed to apply semi-supervised regression (SSR) to estimate SOC contents from VIS-NIR spectroscopy. A total of 252 soil samples were collected in four field campaigns for laboratory-based SOC content determinations and spectral measurements. Semi-supervised regression with co-training based on least squares support vector machine regression (Co-LSSVMR) was applied for spectral estimations of SOC contents, and it was further compared with LSSVMR. Results showed that Co-LSSVMR could improve the estimations of SOC contents by exploiting samples without reference values (unlabeled samples) when the number of labeled samples was not excessively small and produce better estimations than LSSVMR. Therefore, SSR could reduce the number of labeled samples required in calibration given an accuracy threshold, and it holds advantages in SOC estimations from VIS-NIR spectroscopy with a limited number of labeled samples. Considering the increasing popularity of airborne platforms and sensors, SSR might be a promising modeling technique for SOC estimations from remotely sensed hyperspectral images.
New Insights into the Inter-Individual Variability in Perspective Taking
Authors: Bukowski Henryk , Samson Dana
Published: January 2017

This study aimed to test whether individual differences in perspective taking could be explained with two underpinning cognitive dimensions: The ability to handle the conflict between our egocentric perspective and another person’s perspective and the relative attentional focus during processing on the egocentric perspective versus another person’s perspective. We conducted cluster analyses on 346 participants who completed a visual perspective-taking task assessing performance on these two cognitive dimensions. Individual differences were best reduced by forming four clusters, or profiles, of perspective-takers. This partition reflected a high heterogeneity along both dimensions. In addition, deconstructing the perspective-taking performance into two distinct cognitive dimensions better predicted participants’ self-reported everyday life perspective-taking tendencies. Altogether, considering attentional focus and conflict handling as two potential sources of variability allows forming a two-dimensional space that enriches our understanding of the individual differences in perspective taking.
Research on the Influencing Factors of Comprehensive Water Consumption by Impulse Response Function Analysis
Authors: Fang Shibiao , Jia Renfu , Tu Wenrong , Sun Zhilin
Published: January 2017

Jiangsu is a major province located in the east of China, consuming a large amount of water resources. It is considered that improving the comprehensive water use efficiency has an important significance to achieve sustainable development of the economy in Jiangsu. Through extensive literature research and investigation of Jiangsu Province, this paper establishes comprehensive water use efficiency index system using water consumption per ten thousand dollar gross domestic product (WC/$104 GDP) as the research target. In the index system, resource factors such as surface water resources (SW), groundwater resources (GW), precipitation (PT), water resources per capita (PW), water consumption per capita (PC) and irrigation area per capita (PI) cannot be artificially altered. Furthermore, the variation amplitude of resource factors is very small. It shows that the linear regression model is not suitable to analyze the resource factors by changing the independent variables. In view of this situation, this paper introduces impulse response function on the basis of vector autoregressive model (VAR) to investigate the intrinsic link between resource factors and WC/$104 GDP in Jiangsu Province. The results show that resource factors have a great impact on WC/$104 GDP in Jiangsu, and the per capita water resources (PW) has the most significant impact.
The Power of Words at Mega-Event Opening Ceremonies
Authors: Gorenak Mitja , Topler Jasna Potočnik
Published: January 2017

This article analyzes the opening speech of John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The main idea here is the great importance of a speech at the opening ceremony of a mega-event.
The characteristics of the speech were analyzed through the speaker's choice of words (figures of speech and rhetorical devices). The role of the speech was analyzed to show how the main event concept is promoted. The research is divided into two parts. The first presents a review of the literature
and of other relevant resources such as video material and web pages as a basis for preparing the theoretical part of the article. In the second, more empirically oriented part of the article, we conducted a linguistic analysis involving an indepth discourse analyses of John Furlong's speech
and the analyses of syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. Through the review of the literature and of other resources, we have established the importance of an additional Olympic theme along with the main sport-related theme. The empirical research that is based on the discourse analyses shows
that, despite its brevity, John Furlong's speech stresses the theme and the values of the mega-event, and it is also highly communicative, incorporating the various significant semantics and pragmatics of a good speech: Brevity, simple words and sentences, colloquial language, relating to
the audiences, employing stylistic and grammatical devices, appealing to the audience's feelings and emotions, and the delivery with appropriate rhythm, emphasis, and pauses. When conducting the research, we were unable to identify any other studies that have undertaken a detailed analysis
of this speech. There are numerous analyses of how the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games were prepared and also staged. We have also found some that focused on the theme of the event, but none focused on how the message of the event was delivered to the general public and the residents of
host communities. This strengthens the originality and importance of our research.
Conceptualizing Spiritual Tourism: Cultural Considerations and A Comparison with Religious Tourism
Authors: Willson Gregory Brian
Published: January 2017

Scholarly and consumer interest in spiritual tourism has increased rapidly in recent years. However, confusion remains about the conceptual differences between spiritual and religious tourism and how the conceptualizations are impacted by cultural and personal factors. It may be argued
that while some researchers provided some insights into the “spirituality puzzle,“ most have failed to provide a holistic picture. By conducting a multidisciplinary literature review, this article explores the conceptual and cultural constructs of religion and spirituality to provide
a platform for future scholars to explore the phenomena of religious and spiritual tourism.
Tourists in Hotels Versus Holiday Homes: Economic Impact and Characterization
Authors: Fuentes Rafael , Navarrete Lourdes
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this article is to show the segmentation, coincidences, and the more significant differences between tourists who stay in a private dwelling used for tourists and those who stay in a hotel, and to know the economic effects that both types of tourist have in a tourist
destination such as the Costa del Sol. In this article two research techniques are applied. First, relating to surveys as a segmentation technique in the tourism market (tourists staying in private homes vs. tourists staying in hotels), and then using this information, and based on an input–output
analysis, the economic effects generated by tourist spending, are approximated. We can observe significant differences in the profile of both types of tourist with the rental tourist being younger, traveling with friends or family, having a longer stay, and spending less in the destination.
The research results allow us to state that the amount tourists spend on hotel accommodation has a greater impact on the gross domestic product (GDP) than those tourists who opt to rent a property. Also, spending by hotel tourists generates more employment in the destination. It is an innovative
analysis because it is not customary to conduct a study by type of accommodation. There is a recent type of legislation in Andalusia (February 2016), but currently there is little specific knowledge regarding operating structure, supply and demand, or even economic importance.
Managing Recreational Marijuana in Southwest Colorado
Authors: Taylor Lorraine L.
Published: January 2017

This study is an early contribution to the understanding of the relationship between tourism and the recreational marijuana industry, which has only been legal in Colorado since 2014. The results of qualitative interviews revealed that business owners and managers of recreational marijuana
operations in southwest Colorado encounter diverse challenges in general business areas—such as industry regulations, maintaining competitive advantage, staffing and training, safety and security, marketing, and community support—as well as contending with marijuana tourism as
a new and unique niche market. As more states may vote to legalize marijuana in the future, the pioneers in the industry from Colorado will be considered leaders and will be looked to for guidance and best practices. Future research must continue to investigate the management of legal marijuana
tourism in the US as the industry grows and changes.
Stakeholders' Perceptions of Tourism Development In Appalachian Forest Heritage Area
Authors: Deng Jinyang , McGill David , Arbogast Douglas , Maumbe Kudzayi
Published: January 2017

This study uses social exchange theory and stakeholder theory to investigate governmental officials' and local residents' perceptions of tourism development benefits and costs in the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area (AFHA). Results show that respondents are largely congruent on what
their communities possess and generally positive toward tourism development in the region. They are also consistent in their perceptions of tourism's economic benefits. However, attitudes held by tourism-related residents are more positive than nontourism-related residents, supporting the
social exchange theory. In addition, interaction effects exist between tourism status or stake (tourism respondents vs. nontourism respondents) and social status or power (officials vs. residents) in a way that tourism-related residents are the most positive. They are more positive than nontourism-related
officials, who are more positive than nontourism-related residents. No differences exist between tourism-related officials and nontourism-related officials, holding sociodemographic variables constant. This finding not only indicates individuals' interests or stakes in tourism are more predicable
of their attitudes toward tourism than sociodemographic variables, but also contributes to the existing literature on how tourism status or stake interacts with social status or power when attitudes toward tourism are compared between governmental officials and residents. Research limitations
and future research needs are discussed.
THE W. M. KECK OBSERVATORY INFRARED VORTEX CORONAGRAPH AND A FIRST IMAGE OF HIP 79124 B
Authors: Serabyn E. , Huby E. , Matthews K. , Mawet D. , Absil O. , Femenia B. , Wizinowich P. , Karlsson M. , Bottom M. , Campbell R. , Carlomagno B. , Defrère D. , Delacroix C. , Forsberg P. , Gonzalez C. Gomez , Habraken S. , Jolivet A. , Liewer K. , Lilley S. , Piron P. , Reggiani M. , Surdej J. , Tran H. , Catalán E. Vargas , Wertz O.
Published: January 2017

An optical vortex coronagraph has been implemented within the NIRC2 camera on the Keck II telescope and used to carry out on-sky tests and observations. The development of this new L′-band observational mode is described, and an initial demonstration of the new capability is presented: a resolved image of the low-mass companion to HIP 79124, which had previously been detected by means of interferometry. With HIP 79124 B at a projected separation of 186.5 mas, both the small inner working angle of the vortex coronagraph and the related imaging improvements were crucial in imaging this close companion directly. Due to higher Strehl ratios and more relaxed contrasts in L′ band versus H band, this new coronagraphic capability will enable high-contrast, small-angle observations of nearby young exoplanets and disks on a par with those of shorter-wavelength extreme adaptive optics coronagraphs.