bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mineralogy of Duné s Sand of Missan Dune Fields Southeastern Iraq
Authors: Al-Shammery Thamer Abbas , Jasim Hasan Kattoof
Published: March 2018

The aim of this study is to define the mineralogical composition of Missan dune fields South Eastern of Iraq, and try to determine the origin or the source of these dunes .

Three main types of dunes were recognized in the studied area, these are: barchanoid ridge, barchans and nabkha dunes. The direction of these dunes is northwest to southeast.

The dunes in Missan dune fields were divided into three fields according to the vari- eties in the composition and geographical position in the studied area, these three fields are: Al-Manziliyah, Middle Chailat, and Said Subair dune fields.

9 samples were collected from these fields, the samples were separated into light and heavy fraction by heavy liquids. The light fraction composed from quartz, feldspar, and rock fragments, the rock fragments composed mainly of carbonate, chert, igneous, and metamorphic rock fragments .

The heavy minerals are mostly opaques, chlorite, pyroxenes, amphiboles, epidotes, zircon, garnet, muscovite, biotite, kyanite, staurolite, and rutile .

The percentages of heavy minerals fraction to light minerals fraction was very vari- able in which the percentage of heavy minerals in Sayid Subair field are higher than the percentage in Al-Manziliyah field.The source area of these sediments is the recent sed- iment that deposited in the flood plain and traces of the Tigris river and the outcrops    of upper Miocene-Pliocene rocks in the eastern of studied area (Himreen Anticline and Zagros Mountain).
Territorialidade e biografia: ao redor de Tia Eva
Authors: Machado Myleide Meneses Oliveira , Maciel Josemar De Campos
Published: March 2018

Na investigação da história das comunidades quilombolas no Brasil, urge redimensionar conceitos como “identidade” e “territorialidade” mostrando que as comunidades produzem ressignificações, em suas relações com o espaço num sistema de representação político territorial. Este artigo focaliza a Comunidade Quilombola São Benedito, no Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, cidade de Campo Grande, formada no início do século XX. O artigo explora teoricamente o auto-reconhecimento e identificação da Comunidade, com formas próprias de organização social, ocupando e usando territórios e recursos como condição para sua ancestral reprodução cultural, social, religiosa e econômica, negociando conhecimentos, inovações e práticas com a tradição e na sua inserção no município.
Política e desenvolvimento: uma visão a partir de jovens universitários da Unespar, Brasil
Authors: Milanés Olga Alicia Gallardo , Pátaro Cristina Satiê de Olivera , Mezzomo Frank Antonio
Published: March 2018

Os jovens que estudam em universidades são importantes atores sociais, sendo sua participação crucial para o desenvolvimento. Assim, a pesquisa tem como objetivo problematizar o papel de jovens estudantes da Unespar como agentes de desenvolvimento, buscando compreender suas percepções sobre política e desenvolvimento, valorizá-los a partir da diversidade de suas concepções e verificar a influência do contexto em suas ideias. Foram utilizadas abordagens qualitativas e quantitativas, a partir da metodologia de Investigação Apreciativa. Os resultados mostram que a participação política dos estudantes se dá principalmente por formas não convencionais, e que os mesmos apresentam uma ampla visão de desenvolvimento, reconhecendo a inter-relação entre as dimensões econômica, política, social e ambiental, embora atribuam relevância aos recursos econômicos, entendendo-os como suporte para alcançar as garantias sociais.
Estratégias individuais e institucionais e o avanço da reforma luterana no Norte Europeu: o caso da Livônia
Authors: Muceniecks André Szczawlinska
Published: March 2018

Este artigo analisa os processos que conduziram à instituição do Luteranismo na Europa do Norte, em particular na Confederação da Livônia. Apresentaremos de início um panorama da reforma sueca de Gustav Vasa, como evento exemplar de adoção da reforma por um monarca em processo de fortalecimento, seguido por um estudo de caso mais detalhado da Reforma na Livônia, que destoa das linhas gerais estudadas nos movimentos reformadores luteranos e permite a observância de elementos notavelmente populares. For fim, demonstramos a necessidade de se considerar as Reformas religiosas do século XVI como eventos levados a cabo por agentes diversos, motivados por razões igualmente diversas, que vão de motivações espirituais e religiosas às de ordem política e econômica e acabam por convergir em estratégias de benefício mútuo.
"Lidere como Jesus" – liderança e autoajuda na mídia evangélica nos Estados Unidos e no Brasil (1980-2010)
Authors: Bellotti Karina Kosicki
Published: March 2018

O texto versa sobre os livros de liderança baseados na figura de Jesus Cristo e no modelo de liderança servidora, escritos por autores norte-americanos, com tradução para o público brasileiro. Nossa abordagem segue a análise das relações entre religião e mídia, utilizando uma perspectiva histórica do desenvolvimento da literatura de liderança secular e religiosa ao longo do século XX. Fizemos uma revisão histórica e bibliográfica sobre a literatura de liderança e suas relações com determinados valores espirituais, morais e mitológicos da sociedade capitalista ocidental no século XX. Por fim, analisamos quais representações de Jesus Cristo são tomadas neste tipo de literatura, para analisar o modelo de liderança servidora em duas produções – a pioneira “The servant as leader”, de Robert K. Greenleaf (1970), e “Lidere como Jesus” (2007), de Ken Blanchard e Phil Hodges. A literatura reforça uma narrativa mitológica advinda da literatura secular de liderança, confortando seus leitores com a possibilidade de exercer uma influência positiva sobre as pessoas a partir de um modelo considerado inquestionável de bondade e retidão, ao mesmo tempo em que prescreve conselhos para atingir a excelência no mundo capitalista.
Cartographie feminine d’affections et de plaintes dans le roman africain: des complicites aux questions des identites postcoloniales
Authors: Afonso Maria Fernanda
Published: March 2018

RÉSUMÉSurgit dans le continent noir one écriture féminine, attentive aux relations de powvoir dans un monde fracturé et en transformactions. Les femmes veulent participer à la dé construction et à la (re)construction d’identités post coloniales. Les écrivaines Mariana Bô et Paulina Chiziane brigent les formes canoniques et inaugurent une littérature qui illustre de toute évidence leur façon de considéres le mariage, les traditions, l’identité féminine et l’identité de la Nation. Cet article a commu but réflechir sen l’ocuvre de les deux romanciéres africaines et le rôle qu’ elles developpent au sein des questions des identités postcoloniales. MOTS-CLÉS: écriture féminine; identités postcoloniales; roman africain.Palavras-chaveécriture féminine; identités postcoloniales; roman africain.
NECİP FAZIL KISAKÜREK’İN SİNEMA HAKKINDAKİ DÜŞÜNCELERİ
Authors: Çetin Cemile
Published: March 2018

Türk edebiyatı
tarihinde bazı yazar ve şairlerin edebî üretimlerinin yanı sıra fikirleriyle
topluma yön verdikleri de görülmektedir. Necip Fazıl Kısakürek de bu
yazarlarımızdan biridir. O, Cumhuriyet döneminde edebî eserlerinin yanı sıra fikrî
mücadelesiyle kitleleri arkasından sürükleyen bir düşünür olarak da karşımıza
çıkmaktadır. Necip Fazıl düşünce eserlerinin yanında tiyatro, şiir, hikâye,
senaryo türlerindeki eserleriyle de düşüncelerini halka ulaştırmaya çalışan çok
yönlü bir şahsiyettir. Necip Fazıl’ın şiiri, tiyatroları, hikâyeleri hakkında
pek çok akademik çalışma yapılmıştır. Ama “Senaryo Romanlarım” dediği senaryo
çalışmaları gölgede kalmıştır. Biz de bu çalışmamızda Necip Fazıl’ın senaryo
romanlarına da değinerek sinema hakkındaki düşüncelerini ele alacağız.
12. ORPHEUS Kongresi- Sağlık Bilimlerinde Doktora Eğitimi Standartları: Litvanya’ dan İzlenimler
Authors: KEÇELİ Sema
Published: March 2018

12. ORPHEUS kongresi izlenimleri aşağıda verilmiştir.
2014-2017 Yılları Arasında Samsun Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Hastanesi'nde Kan Kültüründen İzole Edilen Staphylococcus aureus Suşlarının Antimikrobiyal Ajanlara Duyarlılıklarının Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: Tanrıverdi Yeliz , Hasli Figen , Bilgin Kemal , Birinci Asuman
Published: March 2018

Amaç: Kan dolaşımı infeksiyonlarının en önemli nedenlerinden biri Staphylococcus aureus' tur. İzole edilen mikroorganizmaların sıklığının ve antimikrobiyal duyarlıklarının belirlenmesi, klinisyene ampirik tedaviye ilişkin bilgi sağlayabilmektedir. Çalışmamızda kan kültürlerinde izole edilen S.aureus izolatların antimikrobiyal duyarlılıkları MRSA-MSSA retrospektif olarak ele alınmıştır.Yöntem: Ocak 2014- Eylül 2017 yılları arasında labaratuvarımıza 468 S.aureus izolatı tespit edilmiştir. Kan kültürü örneklerinin inkübasyonu tam otomatize BacT/ALERT 3D cihazı ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. İdentifikasyon Vitek MS (Biomeriux, Fransa) ve antimikrobiyal duyarlılıkları Vitek2 Compakt (Biomeriux, Fransa) otomatize sistem ile belirlenmiştir. İzolatların antimikrobiyal duyarlılıkları EUCAST (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) standartlarına uygun değerlendirilmiştir.Bulgular: MRSA izolatlarının penisilin, eritromisin, klindamisin, trimetoprim, gentamisin, vankomisin, teikoplanin, siprofloksasin ve linezolide karşı direnç oranları MSSA izolatlarına göre anlamlı derecede yüksek bulunmuştur. Dahiliye servisinde yatan, invaziv girişim yapılan, idrar sondası olan ve oral yol dışında beslenen hastalarda MRSA bakteriyemi oranları, MSSA’dan daha yüksek saptanmıştır.Sonuç: Antimikrobiyallerin kontrolsüz kullanımları direnç gelişimlerini artırmaktadır. Antimikrobiyallerin kontrollü bir şekilde kullanılması, her merkezin kendi direnç profilini periyodik olarak değerlendirip ilgili komitelere iletmesi direnç gelişimini engelleyebilir.
Baş Ağrısının Nadir Bir Nedeni: Dev Serebral Kist Hidatid
Authors: Reşorlu Mustafa , Adam Gürhan , Uysal Fatma , Baş Serçin , Ayvaz Erdal , Özdemir Hüseyin
Published: March 2018

Kist hidatik özellikle hayvancılığın yaygın olduğu ülkelerde görülen ve sıklıkla karaciğeri tutan parazitik bir hastalıktır. Parazitin insanlarda en sık hastalığa neden olan altgrubu Echinococcus granulosus'tur. Klinik bulgular tutulan organa ve kistin boyutuna göre değişkenlik gösterebilir. Kistin beyne yerleşimi oldukça nadirdir ve etkilenen olgularda daha çok orta serebral arter sulama alanında görülür. Tanıda serolojik testler ve görüntüleme yöntemleri kullanılmaktadır. Radyolojik değerlendirmede ayırıcı tanısında; porensefalik ve araknoid kistler, piyojenik apse, kistik tümörler ve nöroglial kistler bulunmaktadır. En etkili tedavi kistin rüptüre edilmeden cerrahi olarak çıkarılmasıdır. Biz bu makalemizde 23 yaşında başağrısı nedeniyle hastanemize başvuran ve fizik muayenesinde papil ödem saptanan olgumuzu görüntüleme bulguları eşliğinde sunuyoruz.
Ülkemizde Doktora (PhD) Eğitiminin Geliştirilmesi İçin Bazı Öneriler
Authors: Ateş Nurbay
Published: March 2018

Ülkemizde Doktora (PhD) Eğitiminin Geliştirilmesi İçin Bazı Öneriler
ORPHEUS Tarihine Kısa Bir Bakış
Authors: Taşkıran Yavuz
Published: March 2018

ORPHEUS Tarihine Kısa Bir Bakış
GÜNCEL VİRAL ETKENLER; ZİKA, CHİKUNGUNYA, EBOLA, ENTEROVİRUS D68, MERS CoV, İNFLUENZA
Authors: Aslan Ferhat Gürkan , Altındiş Mustafa
Published: March 2018

Bu derlemede, sadece dünyanın kısıtlı bölgeleri için değil bölgemiz için de önemi artmaya başlayan ve sağlığı tehdit eden güncel viral etkenlerden olan Zika, Chikungunya, Ebola, Enterovirus d68, MERS CoV ve Influenza virüslerden kısa kısa bahsedilmiştir.
Brusella Enfeksiyonları: Değerlendirme Ve Yönetim
Authors: Öncel Selim
Published: March 2018

Brusella enfeksiyonunun etkeni, 1887'de Malta'daki Britanya askeri birliklerinde bir hekim olarak çalışan David Bruce tarafından saptanmıştır. Bruselloz, dünyadaki en yaygın zoonoz olup her yıl 500 000 vaka bildirilmektedir. Türkiye'deki insidansı 12-50/100 000'dir. Brusella bütünlüğü bozulmuş ciltten, mukozadan, plasentadan geçerek ve solunum yoluyla bulaşabilir. Bulaşma araçları hayvanlardan insana, pastörize edilmemiş çiğ süt ve ürünleri ile az pişmiş et; insandan insana ise kan, eksuda, genital salgılar (cinsel ilişki, doğum kanalından geçiş sırasında) ve anne sütüdür. Brusella, makrofajların lizozomal enzimlerinden hücre içi ortamını değiştirerek korunur ve yüksek ateşten davranış değişikliklerine uzanan geniş bir yelpazede klinik bulgulara neden olur. Bütün organlar tutulabilir. Brusellozun tanısı, brusellozla uyumlu bulguları olan bir hastada bakteri kültürü veya serum aglütinasyon testi gibi doğrulayıcı testlerle konur. Tedavide tetrasiklinler, kotrimoksazol, aminoglikozitler ve rifampinin çeşitli kombinasyonları kullanılmaktadır. Laboratuar çalışanlarının brusellaya yanlışlıkla maruz kalmaları durumunda kemoprofilaksi önerilmektedir. Potansiyel bir biyosilah olan brusellanın şu an için yeterince etkili ve güvenli bir aşısı yoktur.
Hemşirelerin Kişilik Özellikleri İle İş Performansları Arasındaki İlişkinin Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: Gözel Gülnur , Atmaca Gümrah Duygu , Durat Gülgün
Published: March 2018

Amaç: Çalışanların kişilik özelliklerini bilmek, mesleklerinde sergilemiş oldukları performansı tespit etmeye yardımcı olabilmektedir. Bu çalışmada hemşirelerin kişilik özellikleri ile bireysel performans standartları arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır.Yöntem: Araştırma tanımlayıcı tiptedir. Araştırmanın örneklemini araştırmaya katılmayı kabul eden 171 hemşire oluşturmuştur. Görüşme Formu, Eysenck Kişilik Anketi-Gözden Geçirilmiş Kısaltılmış Formu (EKA-GGK) ve Hemşirelik İş Yaşamı Kalitesi Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Tanımlayıcı istatistikler sayı, yüzde, ortalama, standart sapma, en küçük ve en büyük olarak verilmiştir. Non parametrik karşılaştırmalarda Mann Whitney U ve Kruskal Wallis testi kullanılmıştır. İstatistiksel anlamlılık değeri p < 0.05 kabul edilmiştir.Bulgular: İş/ çalışma ortamı ve nörotisizm alt boyutları arasında anlamlı negatif yönde ve zayıf korelasyon bulunmuştur (p=0,05, r=-0,145). Destek hizmetler ile psikotisizm alt boyutları arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı negatif yönde zayıf ilişki olduğu görülmüştür(p=0,01,r= -0,187).Sonuç: Bu araştırma, kişilik özellikleri ve iş performansının birbirlerinden etkilendiğini göstermiştir.
Hemifacial Microsomia - A Case Report With Review Of Literature
Authors: Buch Sajad Ahmad , Babu Subhas , Castelino Renita Lorina , Rao Shruthi , Rao Kumuda
Published: March 2018

Hemifacial microsomia (HFM) is a congenital deformity characterised by unilateral deficiency in the volume of hard and soft tissue of face. It is a syndrome predominantly affecting first branchial arch featuring poorly developed temporomandibular joint, mandibular ramus, muscles of mastication and ear. People with HFM may present with an underdeveloped ear (microtia) or absent ear (anotia) on the affected side of the face. The incidence of this disorder is 1:3000-26,000, which is usually seen at birth. Here we present a case of hemifacial microsomia in a 12-year-old girl with hearing difficulties on the affected side with review of literature.
Obezitenin Kadın Sağlığına Etkileri
Authors: Yanıkkerem Emre , Yanıkkerem Emre
Published: March 2018

Obezite ve fazla kiloluluk son 10 yıl içinde küresel bir sorun haline gelmiştir. Dünya Sağlık Örgütü obeziteyi vücutta yağ dokusunun anormal veya aşırı artması olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Günümüzde obezitenin kadın sağlığına olumsuz etkileri üzerine kanıtlar önemli bir durumdur. Obezite ve fazla kilolu olma diyabet, koroner arter hastalıkları, hipertansiyon, hiperlidemi, inme, enfarktüs, osteoartrit, endometrial, meme ve kolon kanseri riskini arttırmaktadır. Maternal obezite olumsuz gebelik sonuçlarına (spontan düşük, gestasyonel diyabet, hipertansif hastalıklar) ve emzirmeye başlama ve devamın azalmasına yol açmaktadır. İntrapartum komplikasyonlar (indüksiyon ve sezeryan) obez gebelerde daha fazla bulunmuştur. Obezite kontraseptif yöntem kullanımını ve fertiliteyi de olumsuz etkilemektedir. Bu makalede obezitenin kadın sağlığına etkileri literatür doğrultusunda özetlenmiştir.
Ultrasonic Studies of Cu(II) Soaps Derived from Mustard and Soya Bean Oils
Authors: Sharma Arun Kumar , Saxena Meenakshi , Sharma Rashmi
Published: March 2018

Ultrasonic velocities have been measured in ternary mixtures containing copper soaps derived from mustard and soya bean in 20% and 40% methanol-benzene mixture to access the effect of polarity of solvent on the micellar features of surfactant. The studies suggest that predomination of benzene (higher percentage of non-polar solvent) play a significant role in compacting the molecular organization of the micelles. From these values, the specific acoustic impedance Z, adiabatic compressibility βad, intermolecular free length Lf, apparent molar compressibility ϕk, molar sound velocity R, primary solvation number Sn have been calculated. The data clearly indicate that the values of u, Z, Sn and R increase whereas the values of βad and Lf decrease consistently with increase of the soap concentration. The critical micelle concentration CMC has also been determined and it has been found that CMC is dependent on the composition of the solvent mixture and composition of the edible oil. The Masson equation has also been applied. The results have been explained on the basis of intermolecular interactions between solvent and solute.
Synergistic Effect of Saponin and Rhamnolipid Biosurfactants Systems on Foam Behavior
Authors: Hajimohammadi Reza , Johari-Ahar Safa
Published: March 2018

In this study, the synergistic effect of saponin and rhamnolipid biosurfactant on foam properties at an air-water interface was investigated. In order to reach the optimum hydrophilic lipophilic balance (HLB) value, samples of 2 wt% of rhamnolipid and saponin biosurfactants with different HLB values (9.6, 10, 10.4, 10.8, 11.2, 11.6, and 12) in 5 ml of DI water were prepared. Results showed that the optimum HLB value of the microemulsion system was 10.8 for the mixture of 84% rhamnolipid and 16% saponin. At that optimum HLB value and a total surfactant concentration of 2 wt%, the maximum foaming ability and foam stability of the mixed system was 48 mm and 72 min respectively. During the experiment, it was observed that at optimum HLB value the foaming ability of the system increased by increasing the concentration of rhamnolipid and saponin. Comparing the foaming ability and foam stability of biosurfactant system with the properties of SDS, Tween80 and Span80 showed that the biosurfactants have a good foaming ability. The CMC value of the biosurfactant mixtures at the optimum HLB value was lower than that of other synthetic surfactants. The results show that, the biosurfactant mixtures had a synergistic effect on foaming ability and foam stability compared to the individual biosurfactants and synthetic surfactants. Therefore, the mixture of rhamnolipid and saponin is proposed as a potential alternative for detergent, cosmetic and petroleum industry.
Destabilization and Separation of Gas Condensate from Wastewater using Different Surfactant Demulsifiers
Authors: Esmaeili Hossein , Esmaeilzadeh Feridun , Mowla Dariush
Published: March 2018

An emulsion of hydrocarbon components in water is usually found in the wastewater of refineries. These emulsions may be broken by adding a suitable demulsifier at the proper concentration with the minimum stability. In this study, different surfactant demulsifiers including hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups with different HLB values (KENON 20, KENON 10, KENON 4, KENON 2, MBG, CTAB, SDS, Span 80, Span 60, PEG, polyamide, polyacrylamide and an EO/PO block copolymer of dodecan-1-ol) were employed for the destabilization and separation of gas condensate droplets in water emulsion. The results revealed that the demulsifiers KENON 2, polyamide, EO/PO block copolymer of dodecan-1-ol and polyacrylamide were effective materials for the destabilization of the emulsion. Additionally, the addition of these demulsifiers leads to growing gas condensate droplets from 5 to about 25 μm showing a very good growth. Moreover, the results showed that the maximum separation of gas condensate from the emulsion were obtained using polyamide and dodecan-1-ol which was approximately 45 vol.% after 2 h at a concentration of 300 ppm of demulsifiers. Furthermore, the maximum gas condensate separation of 70 vol.% was obtained using dodecan-1-ol and KENON 2 after 24 h.
The Calculation of the Fuel Cost for a Car
Authors: Ildarkhanov Radik
Published: March 2018

The proposed formula derived considering the physical phenomena which occur during truck operation makes it possible to calculate fuel cost during the operation more accurately. The results of comparison of calculations by the proposed formula with test results tractors parties “TransEuroTest” are presented. The results of the calculation with the help of new formula differ from the experimentally obtained values of the fuel consumption of vehicles for not more than 1%. The average fuel consumption of tractors at an average speed is shown. The proposed formula for calculating the cost makes it easy to compare the fuel consumption of different vehicle options. The formula can also be used when evaluating the effect of vehicle weight on fuel consumption, which is impossible according to the well-known formulas.
The Reliability Evaluation of Antiskid Valve of CRH2 EMUs Based on Bayes Method
Authors: Yang Jianwei , Qiu Xinghui , Chen Zhan
Published: March 2018

This paper takes the antiskid valve of braking system as the object of the research. Two parameter Weibull distribution is established through analyzing the operational principle of antiskid valve. According to the Bayesian Reliability, the cumulative failure probability of antiskid valve is calculated. Meanwhile, the posterior distribution is obtained through Markov Chain Monte Carlo. By contrast with these two methods that the reliability of antiskid valve is obtained. According to the least square method, the undetermined parameters of the two parameter Weibull distribution were solved. Then, through the sensitivity analysis, the mathematical model is proved more robust. This paper provides a certain theoretical basis for the assessment of antiskid valve’s reliability, and it provides the reference to the other valve in braking system of rail transit vehicle. At the end of the paper, the reliability of the whole antiskid system is calculated through GO method on the basis of the parts' reliability is obtained by Bayes method.
Elastography-One Step Ahead
Authors: Yasmeen BH Nazma
Published: March 2018

Abstract not availableNorthern International Medical College Journal Vol.9(1) July 2017: 243-244
Outcome of microbiologically proven pneumonia by nasopharyngeal aspirate of infant attending in a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Begum Marium , Saha Dipa , Hasan Mahmuda , Hasin Wahida , Sultana Nadira , Saha Chinmoy Kumar
Published: March 2018

Background : In Bangladesh, recent estimates suggests that 22% of under-five death and 13.1% of neonatal death is due to pneumonia. Its etiology usually remains unknown and problems is increasing with drug resistant infections.Objective : The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of microbiologically proved pneumonia of the infant by nasopharyngeal aspirate culture.Methods : This prospective study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Addin Medical college hospital, Dhaka from January to July 2015. A total of 30 hospitalized infants of either sex with pneumonia fulfilling the WHO criteria and radiologically confirmed were enrolled in the study. Child with congenital heart disease or chronic respiratory disease, who did not give consent were excluded from the study. The study cases were divided into three groups on their final outcome as improved, not improved (prolonged hospital stay) and expired.Results : Among 30 study cases mean age was 39.7±45 days, most of them were male 19 (63%); case fatality rate was 10%. Organisms were isolated from 47.3% cases of nasopharyngeal aspirate culture, among them Gram-ve bacteria were 10 (34%), gram +ve 3 (10%) and fungal 1(3.3%). Mixed bacterial growth were 4(13%) and no growth were 12(40%) cases. Acinetobacter was found in 8 (26.7%), Coagulase negative staphylococcus 2(6.7%). Additionally, MRSA, pseudomonas and E.coli species were identified in 1 (3.3%), 1 (3.3%), and 1 (3.3%) of the cases respectively. All infant who had gram +ve 3(100%) and fungal 1(100%) growth on their nasopharyngeal culture were improved. On the other hand, among the gram –ve cases mortality rate was high 2(20%) and also required prolonged hospital stay 2(20%). Among the cases who had mixed organism 2(50%) of them were improved and 2(50%) required prolonged hospital stay. Majority of the cases were improved 10(83%) those who had no growth on their NPA culture followed by 1(8.3%) had prolonged hospitalization and 1(8.3%) was died.Conclusion : Infant with severe pneumonia having younger age were at greater risk of mortality. Gram – ve organism in nasopharyngeal aspirate culture indicated poorer outcome and required prolonged hospital stay.Northern International Medical College Journal Vol.9(1) July 2017: 267-270
Epilepsy Surgery for Skull-Base Temporal Lobe Encephaloceles: Should We Spare the Hippocampus from Resection?
Authors: Bannout Firas , Harder Sheri , Lee Michael , Zouros Alexander , Raghavan Ravi , Fogel Travis , De Los Reyes Kenneth , Losey Travis
Published: March 2018

The neurosurgical treatment of skull base temporal encephalocele for patients with epilepsy is variable. We describe two adult cases of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with spheno-temporal encephalocele, currently seizure-free for more than two years after anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) and lesionectomy sparing the hippocampus without long-term intracranial electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring. Encephaloceles were detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and confirmed by maxillofacial head computed tomography (CT) scans. Seizures were captured by scalp video-EEG recording. One case underwent intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) with pathology demonstrating neuronal heterotopia. We propose that in some patients with skull base temporal encephaloceles, minimal surgical resection of herniated and adjacent temporal cortex (lesionectomy) is sufficient to render seizure freedom. In future cases, where an associated malformation of cortical development is suspected, newer techniques such as minimally invasive EEG monitoring with stereotactic-depth EEG electrodes should be considered to tailor the surrounding margins of the resected epileptogenic zone.
Experimental Electron Density Distribution in Two Cocrystals of Betaines with p-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
Authors: Owczarzak Agata , Kubicki Maciej
Published: March 2018

Experimental determination of electron density distribution in crystals by means of high-resolution X-ray diffraction allows, among others, for studying the details of intra- and inter-molecular interactions. In case of co-crystals, this method may help in finding the conditions of creating such species. The results of such analysis for two co-crystals containing betaines, namely trigonelline (TRG: nicotinic acid N-methylbetaine, IUPAC name: 1-methylpyridinium-3-carboxylate) and N-methylpiperidine betaine (MPB: 1-methylpiperidinium-1-yl-carboxylate) with p-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) are reported. TRG-HBA crystallizes as a hydrate. For both of the co-crystals, high-quality diffraction data were collected up to sinθ/λ = 1.13 Å−1. Hansen-Coppens multipolar model was then applied for modelling the electron density distribution and Atoms-In-Molecules approach was used for detailed analysis of interactions in crystals. A number of intermolecular interactions was identified, ranging from strong O-H···O hydrogen bonds through C-H···O to C-H···π and π···π interactions. Correlations between the geometrical characteristics of the contacts and the features of their critical points were analyzed in detail. Atomic charges show that in zwitterionic species there are regions of opposite charges, rather than charges that are localized on certain atoms. In case of MPB-HBA, a significant charge transfer between the components of co-crystal (0.5 e) was found, as opposed to TRG-HBA, where all of the components are almost neutral.
Centuries-Old DNA from an Extinct Population of Aesculapian Snake (Zamenis longissimus) Offers New Phylogeographic Insight
Authors: Allentoft Morten , Rasmussen Arne , Kristensen Hans
Published: March 2018

The Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus) is distributed in Central and Southern Europe, the Balkans, Anatolia, and Iran, but had a wider mid-Holocene distribution into Northern Europe. To investigate the genetic affinity of a Danish population that went extinct in historical times, we analysed three ethanol-preserved individuals dating back to 1810 using a silica-in-solution ancient DNA extraction method, combined with next-generation sequencing. Bioinformatic mapping of the reads against the published genome of a related colubrid snake revealed that two of the three specimens contained endogenous snake DNA (up to 8.6% of the reads), and this was evident for tooth, bone, and soft tissue samples. The DNA was highly degraded, observed by very short average sequence lengths (<50 bp) and 11–15% C to T deamination damage at the first 5′ position. This is an effect of specimen age, combined with suboptimal, and possibly damaging, molecular preservation conditions. Phylogeographic analyses of a 1638 bp mtDNA sequence securely placed the two Danish Aesculapian snakes in the Eastern (Balkan glacial refugium) clade within this species, and revealed one previously-undescribed haplotype. These results provide new information on the past distribution and postglacial re-colonization patterns of this species.
Game Theoretic Approach for Systematic Feature Selection; Application in False Alarm Detection in Intensive Care Units
Authors: Afghah Fatemeh , Razi Abolfazl , Soroushmehr Reza , Ghanbari Hamid , Najarian Kayvan
Published: March 2018

Intensive Care Units (ICUs) are equipped with many sophisticated sensors and monitoring devices to provide the highest quality of care for critically ill patients. However, these devices might generate false alarms that reduce standard of care and result in desensitization of caregivers to alarms. Therefore, reducing the number of false alarms is of great importance. Many approaches such as signal processing and machine learning, and designing more accurate sensors have been developed for this purpose. However, the significant intrinsic correlation among the extracted features from different sensors has been mostly overlooked. A majority of current data mining techniques fail to capture such correlation among the collected signals from different sensors that limits their alarm recognition capabilities. Here, we propose a novel information-theoretic predictive modeling technique based on the idea of coalition game theory to enhance the accuracy of false alarm detection in ICUs by accounting for the synergistic power of signal attributes in the feature selection stage. This approach brings together techniques from information theory and game theory to account for inter-features mutual information in determining the most correlated predictors with respect to false alarm by calculating Banzhaf power of each feature. The numerical results show that the proposed method can enhance classification accuracy and improve the area under the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve compared to other feature selection techniques, when integrated in classifiers such as Bayes-Net that consider inter-features dependencies.
Gaussian Processes and Polynomial Chaos Expansion for Regression Problem: Linkage via the RKHS and Comparison via the KL Divergence
Authors: Yan Liang , Duan Xiaojun , Liu Bowen , Xu Jin
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we examine two widely-used approaches, the polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) and Gaussian process (GP) regression, for the development of surrogate models. The theoretical differences between the PCE and GP approximations are discussed. A state-of-the-art PCE approach is constructed based on high precision quadrature points; however, the need for truncation may result in potential precision loss; the GP approach performs well on small datasets and allows a fine and precise trade-off between fitting the data and smoothing, but its overall performance depends largely on the training dataset. The reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS) and Mercer’s theorem are introduced to form a linkage between the two methods. The theorem has proven that the two surrogates can be embedded in two isomorphic RKHS, by which we propose a novel method named Gaussian process on polynomial chaos basis (GPCB) that incorporates the PCE and GP. A theoretical comparison is made between the PCE and GPCB with the help of the Kullback–Leibler divergence. We present that the GPCB is as stable and accurate as the PCE method. Furthermore, the GPCB is a one-step Bayesian method that chooses the best subset of RKHS in which the true function should lie, while the PCE method requires an adaptive procedure. Simulations of 1D and 2D benchmark functions show that GPCB outperforms both the PCE and classical GP methods. In order to solve high dimensional problems, a random sample scheme with a constructive design (i.e., tensor product of quadrature points) is proposed to generate a valid training dataset for the GPCB method. This approach utilizes the nature of the high numerical accuracy underlying the quadrature points while ensuring the computational feasibility. Finally, the experimental results show that our sample strategy has a higher accuracy than classical experimental designs; meanwhile, it is suitable for solving high dimensional problems.
A Parameterization Approach for the Dielectric Response Model of Oil Paper Insulation Using FDS Measurements
Authors: Yang Feng , Du Lin , Yang Lijun , Wei Chao , Wang Youyuan , Ran Liman , He Peng
Published: March 2018

To facilitate better interpretation of dielectric response measurements—thereby directing numerical evidence for condition assessments of oil-paper-insulated equipment in high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) transmission systems—a novel approach is presented to estimate the parameters in the extended Debye model (EDM) using wideband frequency domain spectroscopy (FDS). A syncretic algorithm that integrates a genetic algorithm (GA) and the Levenberg-Marquardt (L-M) algorithm is introduced in the present study to parameterize EDM using the FDS measurements of a real-life 126 kV oil-impregnated paper (OIP) bushing under different controlled temperatures. As for the uncertainty of the EDM structure due to variable branch quantity, Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) is employed to determine the model orders. For verification, comparative analysis of FDS reconstruction and results of FDS transformation to polarization–depolarization current (PDC)/return voltage measurement (RVM) are presented. The comparison demonstrates good agreement between the measured and reconstructed spectroscopies of complex capacitance and tan δ over the full tested frequency band (10−4 Hz–103 Hz) with goodness of fit over 0.99. Deviations between the tested and modelled PDC/RVM from FDS are then discussed. Compared with the previous studies to parameterize the model using time domain dielectric responses, the proposed method solves the problematic matching between EDM and FDS especially in a wide frequency band, and therefore assures a basis for quantitative insulation condition assessment of OIP-insulated apparatus in energy systems.
Model Predictive Control (MPC) for Enhancing Building and HVAC System Energy Efficiency: Problem Formulation, Applications and Opportunities
Authors: Serale Gianluca , Fiorentini Massimo , Capozzoli Alfonso , Bernardini Daniele , Bemporad Alberto
Published: March 2018

In the last few years, the application of Model Predictive Control (MPC) for energy management in buildings has received significant attention from the research community. MPC is becoming more and more viable because of the increase in computational power of building automation systems and the availability of a significant amount of monitored building data. MPC has found successful implementation in building thermal regulation, fully exploiting the potential of building thermal mass. Moreover, MPC has been positively applied to active energy storage systems, as well as to the optimal management of on-site renewable energy sources. MPC also opens up several opportunities for enhancing energy efficiency in the operation of Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems because of its ability to consider constraints, prediction of disturbances and multiple conflicting objectives, such as indoor thermal comfort and building energy demand. Despite the application of MPC algorithms in building control has been thoroughly investigated in various works, a unified framework that fully describes and formulates the implementation is still lacking. Firstly, this work introduces a common dictionary and taxonomy that gives a common ground to all the engineering disciplines involved in building design and control. Secondly the main scope of this paper is to define the MPC formulation framework and critically discuss the outcomes of different existing MPC algorithms for building and HVAC system management. The potential benefits of the application of MPC in improving energy efficiency in buildings were highlighted.
Relationships between Tree Age and Climate Sensitivity of Radial Growth in Different Drought Conditions of Qilian Mountains, Northwestern China
Authors: Zhang Lingnan , Jiang Yuan , Zhao Shoudong , Jiao Liang , Wen Yan
Published: March 2018

The response of radial growth to climate and the climate sensitivity of tree growth at different ages in different drought conditions are essential for predicting forest dynamics and making correct forest management policies. In this study, we analyzed the growth responsiveness of Picea crassifolia Kom. to climate and explored the relationship between age and climate sensitivity of radial growth at the individual tree scale in the wetter eastern area and drier western area of the Qilian Mountains. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between the chronology of each tree and climatic factors to examine the climate-growth relationships. Linear fitting, quadratic polynomial fitting and exponential fitting were used to test the relationships between age and mean sensitivity, standard deviation and radial growth’s response to climate. Trees in the wetter eastern area showed a weaker response to climate than those in the drier western area and were significantly correlated with precipitation and mean temperature in the previous and current mid-late summer. Trees in the drier western area were mainly limited by precipitation of the previous August, the current May and June, as well as limited by temperature in the previous and current early-middle summer. In the wetter area, the younger trees were more sensitive to both precipitation and temperature than the older trees. In the drier area, younger/older trees showed a stronger sensitivity to precipitation in the current August and September/May, whereas trees 120–140 years old showed a stronger correlation with temperature factors in the summer. It was determined that mature trees in the drier area were more strongly influenced by the climate, especially in the context of increasing temperature. These trees should be paid special attention in forest management.
Impact of Low and Moderate Salinity Water on Plant Performance of Leafy Vegetables in a Recirculating NFT System
Authors: Niu Genhua , Sun Youping , Masabni Joseph
Published: March 2018

Two greenhouse experiments were conducted to examine the growth and mineral nutrition of four leafy vegetables in a nutrient film technique (NFT) system with water with low to moderate salinity. In Expt. 1, a nutrient solution was prepared using reverse osmosis (RO) water and treatments consisted of supplementing with RO water, tap water, or nutrient solution. In Expt. 2, nutrient solution was prepared using three different water sources (treatments), namely, RO water, tap water, or tap water, plus sodium chloride (NaCl), and supplementing solution was prepared using the same three water sources at one third strength. For both of the experiments, seeds of pac choi ‘Tokyo Bekana’, ‘Mei Qing Choi’, and ‘Rosie’ (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) and leaf lettuce ‘Tropicana’ (Lactuca sativa) were sown and were grown in a growth chamber. Two weeks after sowing, seedlings were transplanted to the NFT systems. Expt. 1 was conducted from 19 April to 19 May 2016 and Expt. 2 from 6 September to 12 October 2016. In Expt. 1, nitrate (NO3−) and phosphorus (P) levels in the tanks decreased, and potassium (K+) levels reached almost zero at the end of the experiment when supplemented with RO or tap water. However, calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), and sulfate (SO42−) either did not decrease or increased over time. Supplementing water type did not affect the growth of leaf lettuce and ‘Mei Qing Choi’ pac choi; however, fresh weight of ‘Rosie’ pac choi and both fresh and dry weight of ‘Tokyo Bekana’ pac choi were reduced when supplemented with RO water. Leaf sap NO3− was reduced in ‘Tokyo Bekana’ pac choi, but not in other varieties, when supplemented with RO or tap water. Leaf sap K+ decreased in ‘Tokyo Bekana’, but not in other varieties. The supplementing water type did not impact leaf sap Ca2+, regardless of vegetable varieties. In Expt. 2, NO3− in all of the treatments, P in RO water, and K+ in RO or tap water decreased in the last week of the experiment. Other macronutrients did not change substantially over time. The addition of NaCl significantly reduced the growth of all the vegetables. ‘Tropicana’ leaf lettuce was the least tolerant to NaCl, followed by ‘Rosie’ pac choi. Water source did not affect leaf Ca2+, K+, P, SO42−, and Mg2+ except for ‘Tokyo Bekana’ where NaCl addition decreased Ca2+ and Mg2+. Our results indicated that the tested leafy vegetables differed in response to various types of water used as supplementing or as source water. N, P, and especially K, should be supplemented in the late stage of the experiment, while replacing the whole tank nutrient solution is only necessary when Na+ and/Cl− build up to harmful levels.
Food Sources of Energy and Macronutrient Intakes among Infants from 6 to 12 Months of Age: The Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) Study
Authors: Lim Shan-Xuan , Toh Jia-Ying , Van Lee Linde , Han Wee-Meng , Shek Lynette , Tan Kok-Hian , Yap Fabian , Godfrey Keith , Chong Yap-Seng , Chong Mary
Published: March 2018

Adequate nutrition during complementary feeding is important for the growth, development and well-being of children. We aim to examine the energy and macronutrient intake composition and their main food sources in a mother–offspring cohort study in Singapore. The diets of infants were assessed by 24 h dietary recalls or food diaries collected from mothers when their offspring were 6 (n = 760), 9 (n = 893) and 12 (n = 907) months of age. Food sources of energy and macronutrients were determined using the population proportion methodology. Energy intakes per day (kcal; mean (standard deviation, SD)) of these infants were 640 (158) at 6 months, 675 (173) at 9 months, and 761 (208) at 12 months. Infant formula, breastmilk and infant cereals were the top three food sources of energy and macronutrient intakes in infants through the period 6 to 12 months. Other main energy and carbohydrate sources at 9 and 12 months of age were rice porridge, infant biscuits and fresh fruits, while fish, red meat and eggs were the other main protein and total fat sources. Breast-fed and mixed-fed infants had a more varied diet as compared to formula-fed infants. Formula-fed infants had consistently higher protein and lower total fat consumption compared to those who were breastfed. An understanding of these main food sources during complementary feeding can inform local dietary recommendations and policies.
Strengthening Preparedness for Arbovirus Infections in Mediterranean and Black Sea Countries: A Conceptual Framework to Assess Integrated Surveillance in the Context of the One Health Strategy
Authors: Dente Maria , Riccardo Flavia , Nacca Gloria , Ranghiasci Alessia , Escadafal Camille , Gaayeb Lobna , Jiménez-Clavero Miguel , Manuguerra Jean-Claude , Picard Marie , Fernández-Pinero Jovita , Pérez-Ramírez Elisa , Robert Vincent , Victoir Kathleen , Declich Silvia
Published: March 2018

In the context of One Health, there is presently an effort to integrate surveillance of human, animal, entomological, and environmental sectors. This aims to strengthen the prevention of, and preparedness against, arbovirus infections, also in the light of environmental and climate changes that could increase the risk of transmission. However, criteria to define integrated surveillance, and to compare different systems, still need to be identified and tested. We conducted a scoping review to identify and examine surveillance systems for West Nile virus (WNV), chikungunya virus (CHKV), dengue virus (DENV), and Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), which involve human, animal, entomological, and environmental sectors. We analyzed findings using a conceptual framework we developed for this purpose. The review highlights that the criteria proposed in the conceptual framework to describe integrated surveillance are consistently reported in the context of studies and programs related to integrated surveillance of the selected arboviral diseases. These criteria can facilitate the identification and description of operationalized One Health surveillance.
Copycats in Pilot Aircraft-Assisted Suicides after the Germanwings Incident
Authors: Laukkala Tanja , Vuorio Alpo , Bor Robert , Budowle Bruce , Navathe Pooshan , Pukkala Eero , Sajantila Antti
Published: March 2018

Aircraft-assisted pilot suicide is a rare but serious phenomenon. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in pilot aircraft-assisted suicide risks, i.e., a copycat effect, in the U.S. and Germany after the Germanwings 2015 incident in the French Alps. Aircraft-assisted pilot suicides were searched in the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident investigation database and in the German Bundestelle für Flugunfalluntersuchung (BFU) Reports of Investigation database five years before and two years after the deliberate crash of the Germanwings flight into the French Alps in 2015. The relative risk (RR) of the aircraft-assisted pilot suicides was calculated. Two years after the incident, three out of 454 (0.66%) fatal incidents were aircraft-assisted suicides compared with six out of 1292 (0.46%) in the prior five years in the NTSB database. There were no aircraft-assisted pilot suicides in the German database during the two years after or five years prior to the Germanwings crash. The relative aircraft-assisted pilot suicide risk for the U.S. was 1.4 (95% CI 0.3–4.2) which was not statistically significant. Six of the pilots who died by suicide had told someone of their suicidal intentions. We consider changes in the rate to be within a normal variation. Responsible media coverage of aircraft incidents is important due to the large amount of publicity that these events attract.