bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An opportunity not to be missed – immunisation as an entry point for hygiene promotion and diarrhoeal disease reduction in Nepal
Authors: Velleman Yael , Greenland Katie , Prasad Gautam Om
Published: August 2013

Diarrhoea is a leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age, due mostly to failures to increase access to safe water and improve sanitation and hygiene practices (WASH). Rotavirus vaccines are a useful addition to existing diarrhoeal disease control measures. Recommendations are to introduce the vaccine in low-income settings. A study was conducted in Nepal to examine whether immunisation programmes offer a useful entry point for hygiene promotion as part of a comprehensive approach for diarrhoea control. Service-provider and recipient perspectives on integration were explored in focus group discussions with Female Community Health Volunteers and caregivers of infants in Kaski district, Western Region. Key health, WASH and disease surveillance informants (government, I/NGOs and donors) were interviewed at national, regional and district level. Incorporating hygiene promotion into the immunisation programme was acceptable and fits with the recommendations of the National Committee on Immunisation Practice. Implementation through routine immunisation was preferred over a vaccination campaign approach. Discussions concluded that this approach should be piloted as a next step to ensure the development of a strategy that can optimise hygiene promotion delivery and uptake, and ultimately contribute to the reduction of the burden of diarrhoeal diseases in Nepal.
Sanitation in developing countries: a review through a gender lens
Authors: Tilley E. , Bieri S. , Kohler P.
Published: August 2013

Sanitation has evolved from a purely technical discipline to one that includes social, environmental, economic and, increasingly, gender considerations. However, blurry notions of gender are frequently offered in the sanitation literature. Although it has been recognized that gender-responsive sanitation does not mean ‘toilets for women’, substantial alternatives are rarely debated. We structure our review of sanitation in developing countries along three lines: we start by fine-tuning the concept of gender both from the academic and the practitioner's perspective, analyse relevant developments in gender-specific policies and programming, and finally review the most appropriate toilet room and menstrual hygiene technologies. We argue that strategies to make technologies gender-responsive need to be based upon a thorough analysis of the social arrangements of the intimate, and how these are negotiated and institutionalized in a specific context. A lack of robust gender-segregated data on sanitation policies and technologies, along with reductionist framings of gender are to blame for limited progress in verifying the need for, and impact of, gender-responsive sanitation. Technology and policy development and implementation would benefit from gender-considerate interpretations of shame, dignity, safety and status. Further progress could be achieved by improving the translation process between different academic framings of the sanitation crisis.
Mitigation of naturally occurring fluoride in drinking water sources in rural areas in India: an overview
Authors: Shrivastava Brajesh K.
Published: August 2013

This paper provides updated status of fluoride affected rural habitations in all the States in India and explains the initiatives of Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India, in tackling fluoride affected habitations since year 2000. It also analyses the impact of these initiatives and identifies challenges in tackling excess fluoride in drinking water in India. The paper is intended primarily for policy formulators and programme managers working in drinking water sector to tackle fluoride and fluorosis problem in rural areas.
Water safety planning: adapting the existing approach to community-managed systems in rural Nepal
Authors: Barrington Dani , Fuller Kathryn , McMillan Andrew
Published: August 2013

Water Safety Plans (WSPs) improve the quality and secure the quantity of drinking water supplies, and hence improve public health outcomes. In developing countries such as Nepal, thousands of residents die each year as a result of poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services and WSPs show great promise for improving both health and livelihoods. The Nepali Non-Governmental Organisation Nepal Water for Health (NEWAH) has been working in partnership with Engineers Without Borders Australia and WaterAid Nepal to develop a WSP methodology suited to rural, community-managed water supply systems. Three pilot projects were undertaken incorporating community-based hazard management into the standard World Health Organization and Nepali Department of Water Supply and Sewerage WSP approaches. The successes and challenges of these pilots were assessed, and it was determined that community education, behaviour change, and the distribution of simplified WSP documentation to households and managers were essential to implementing successful WSPs within this context. This new WSP methodology is currently being mainstreamed throughout all of NEWAH's WASH projects in rural Nepal, as well as being shared with the wider Nepali WASH sector.
Antibacterial and mechanical properties of propolis added to glass ionomer cement
Authors: Hatunoğlu Erdem , Öztürk Fırat , Bilenler Tuğça , Aksakallı Sertaç , Şimşek Neslihan
Published: August 2013

Objective:

To investigate whether adding ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) might influence the antibacterial and mechanical (shear-peel band strength [SPBS]) properties of conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) used in orthodontic band cementation.

Materials and Methods:

The cement was divided into four groups: one using the original composition and three with 10%, 25%, and 50% EEP added to the liquid and then manipulated. An antimicrobial assay, broth-dilution method was used to determine the antibacterial capacity of the GIC containing EEP. Eighty teeth were used for the mechanical assay, and an Instron testing machine was used to evaluate the SPBS. Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analyses.

Results:

GIC with the addition of 25% and 50% EEP activated inhibition of Streptococcus mutans (ATCC 25175) growth, but this effect did not occur in the group to which 10% EEP was added or in the control GIC group. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of SPBS (P > .05).

Conclusions:

The addition of EEP may increase antibacterial properties without negatively modifying the mechanical properties of conventional GIC.
Effect of post–orthognathic surgery condylar axis changes on condylar morphology as determined by 3-dimensional surface reconstruction
Authors: An Soo-Bum , Park Soo-Byung , Kim Yong-Il , Son Woo-Sung
Published: August 2013

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of postoperative condylar axis changes on mandibular condylar remodeling by comparing the condylar head in three-dimensional (3D) surface reconstructions before and after surgery in skeletal Class III deformities (one-jaw [mandibular setback] or two-jaw surgery), and also to determine the relationship between condylar inward rotation and condylar surface remodeling after orthognathic surgery.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective analysis was conducted of 30 patients with skeletal Class III deformities who had received orthognathic surgery. Group 1 underwent one-jaw surgery (10 men, five women, age 22.4 ± 3.3 years), and group 2 underwent two-jaw surgery (10 men, five women, age 22.3 ± 2.2 years). Sixty condyles were reconstructed and superimposed pre- and postoperatively to compare the changes of condylar surfaces. The relation between the condylar axis change and the surface change using the Pearson correlation were investigated from the 3D image software.

Results:

Condylar surface changes before and after the surgery were significant. The postoperative inward rotation of the condyles was correlated with the average absolute deviation of the condyles, regardless of the surgery type (one- or 2-jaw surgery; r  =  .70, P < .05).

Conclusion:

After orthognathic surgery, condylar surface changes occurred, and condylar inward rotation was closely related to changes of condylar surface.
Mediterranean Diet Reduces the Adverse Effect of the TCF7L2-rs7903146 Polymorphism on Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Stroke Incidence
Authors: Corella Dolores , Carrasco Paula , Sorlí Jose V. , Estruch Ramón , Rico-Sanz Jesús , Martínez-González Miguel Ángel , Salas-Salvadó Jordi , Covas M. Isabel , Coltell Oscar , Arós Fernando , Lapetra José , Serra-Majem Lluís , Ruiz-Gutiérrez Valentina , Warnberg Julia , Fiol Miquel , Pintó Xavier , Ortega-Azorín Carolina , Muñoz Miguel Ángel , Martínez J. Alfredo , Gómez-Gracia Enrique , González José I. , Ros Emilio , Ordovás José M.
Published: August 2013

OBJECTIVE

Transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) polymorphisms are strongly associated with type 2 diabetes, but controversially with plasma lipids and cardiovascular disease. Interactions of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) on these associations are unknown. We investigated whether the TCF7L2-rs7903146 (C>T) polymorphism associations with type 2 diabetes, glucose, lipids, and cardiovascular disease incidence were modulated by MedDiet.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A randomized trial (two MedDiet intervention groups and a control group) with 7,018 participants in the PREvención con DIetaMEDiterránea study was undertaken and major cardiovascular events assessed. Data were analyzed at baseline and after a median follow-up of 4.8 years. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for cardiovascular events.

RESULTS

The TCF7L2-rs7903146 polymorphism was associated with type 2 diabetes (odds ratio 1.87 [95% CI 1.62–2.17] for TT compared with CC). MedDiet interacted significantly with rs7903146 on fasting glucose at baseline (P interaction = 0.004). When adherence to the MedDiet was low, TT had higher fasting glucose concentrations (132.3 ± 3.5 mg/dL) than CC+CT (127.3 ± 3.2 mg/dL) individuals (P = 0.001). Nevertheless, when adherence was high, this increase was not observed (P = 0.605). This modulation was also detected for total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides (P interaction < 0.05 for all). Likewise, in the randomized trial, TT subjects had a higher stroke incidence in the control group (adjusted HR 2.91 [95% CI 1.36–6.19]; P = 0.006 compared with CC), whereas dietary intervention with MedDiet reduced stroke incidence in TT homozygotes (adjusted HR 0.96 [95% CI 0.49–1.87]; P = 0.892 for TT compared with CC).

CONCLUSIONS

Our novel results suggest that MedDiet may not only reduce increased fasting glucose and lipids in TT individuals, but also stroke incidence.
A Comparison of Oral Health Status in Active-, Occasional- and Non- Smoker Patients Versus Students
Authors: Benedek (Bukhari) Csilla , Kovács Mónika , Pop M , Balog Anita
Published: August 2013

Objective The aim of this case-control study was to assess the smoker and non-smoker patients’ oral health status versus students.

Methods: The study was based on a clinical examination of 210 young adults (118 women, 92 men) aged between 22-32 years. 105 of these were students in the 5th and 6th grade of the Faculty of Dentistry in Tîrgu Mureș and the control group was represented by patients. Patients and students were classified into three groups: non-smokers, occasional- and active smokers. The clinical examination evaluated the dental caries, fillings, extractions, crowns, root remnants and dental plaque. DMF-S index scores were calculated, and with its help the index of treatment need, dental care index and intensity of caries were determined.

Results: The dental treatment need index, DMF-S index and intensity of caries showed increased values in patients. Root remnants (p <0.0001), decay (p = 0.0473) and dental plaque (p = 0.0363) were much higher in the group of active smoker students as in the non-smoker students. Among active smoker patients the incidence of dental calculus (p = 0.0005), of root remnants (p = 0.0022) and of fillings (p = 0.0441) showed a higher value than in the non-smokers.

Conclusions: This study showed that compared with non-student patients, in dental students, a better oral hygiene was coupled with healthier teeth and periodontal. Poor oral hygiene together with smoking seems to worsen the oral health status.
Serum Interleukin Profile in Patients with Graves Orbithopathy
Authors: Réti Zsuzsánna , Kun Iz , Radu Pop Corina Cristina
Published: August 2013

Background: Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is considered an autoimmune condition in close relationship with Graves’ disease (GD) affecting the thyroid. Several similarities exist between the two conditions, sharing the common antigen and the characteristics of the inflammation mediated by a number of cytokines. The result of the immune reactions will lead to the expansion of adipose tissue, production of glycosaminoglycans and soft tissue inflammation.

Material and methods: In our study we examined the serum level of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in correlation with the activity of disease and smoking habits in 25 patients with GD and GO.

Results: We found that smokers had higher serum IL-6 and lower serum MCP-1, IL-8 and TNF-α level compared to non-smokers. Also, we found a weak positive correlation between serum IL-10, IFN-γ and disease activity (clinical activity score, CAS) and negative correlation between serum IL-1 and activity.

Conclusion: Our findings support the fact that some cytokines (IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-1) play a role in active disease, while others are influenced by environmental factors, such as smoking (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α). The discrepancy of cytokine profiles may reflect different patient characteristics, such as disease stage and disease activity and determination of serum cytokines would be useful in selecting patients who need more aggressive treatment protocols.
Household Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Risk of Allergic Sensitization Among Children with Asthma
Authors: Căpîlna Brîndușa , Baghiu Maria Despina
Published: August 2013

Background: Exposure to cigarette smoke is causing health problems, its components are known to possess carcinogenic, mutagenic, cytotoxic or irritant properties. Prevalence of smoking in pregnant women is between 17% and 35% worldwide. Passive smoking is identified as a factor with negative impact on health, and children are especially vulnerable. Children raised in families with smokers have a higher incidence of respiratory infections, recurrent wheezing, bronchitis, nocturnal cough and asthma. The aim of this study was determination of sensitization to various allergens in children exposed to cigarette smoke compared with children not exposed to cigarette smoke.

Material and method: One-hundred eighty children treated in Pediatric Clinic 1 of Tîrgu Mureș were included in the study between 2008- 2011. The patients were divided into two groups: 50 children exposed to cigarette smoke and 130 children not exposed. Measurement of lung function was performed in children over 4 years using a spirometer. Serum specific IgE was analyzed to inhalatory and food allergens. Wheezing phenotype was determined in children younger than 4 years and exposure to cigarette smoke was evaluated based on parents' responses to questionnaires.

Results: There was a significantly greater likelihood of developing sensitivity in children exposed to tobacco smoke than in those not exposed to dermatophagoides pteronissimus, dermatophagoides farinae, milk and grass pollen.

Conclusions: During early childhood both pre- and postnatal tobacco smoke exposure has an adjuvant effect on allergic sensitization inhalatory and food allergens.
Lower Lip Reconstruction Using Unilateral Nasolabial Gate Flap (Fujimori Technique)
Authors: Iacob Alina , Bögözi Bálint
Published: August 2013

Background: In the medical literature there are multiple reconstructive procedures for small and medium size defects of the lower lip, but only a few methods for larger defects involving the whole lower lip. Choosing the repairing procedure for larger lower lip defects must take into account two aspects: flap or flaps used should be local flaps, and suture lines should correspond to the natural facial creases or follow the functional lines of different facial aesthetic units. Finally, the flap or flaps should be large enough to restore the entire postexcisional defect. However, the more tissue is lost from the lower lip, the more challenging the reconstruction is from a functional and cosmetic point of view.

Material and methods: During the last 2 years in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the County Emergency Clinical Hospital in Tîrgu Mureș, the unilateral Fujimori technique has been successfully used for the reconstruction of large lower lip defects in 4 patients with extended, neglected squamous cell carcinomas involving almost the whole lower lip tissue. These patients underwent complex surgical and oncological treatment. Surgery was performed in two stages: first, excision of the tumor and immediate lip reconstruction, and then removal of submandibular lymph nodes (level I), in the second stage.

Results: The aesthetic and functional recovery of these patients was very good, with no need of other subsequent surgical corrections.

Conclusions: The postoperative reconstruction of large defects of the lower lip is far from optimal, but it is very important to restore an adequate muscle function, the lip continence and a satisfactory facial appearance.
Simultaneous Determination of Atorvastatin and Amlodipine in Industrial Tablets by Apparent Content Curve and HPLC Methods
Authors: Imre Silvia , Kacsó Klára , Muntean Daniela-Lucia
Published: August 2013

Introduction: This study proposes the simultaneous determination of atorvastatin and amlodipine in industrial tablets by a quantitative spectrophotometric method, named the apparent content curve method, test method, and by an HPLC method with UV detection as reference method.

Materials and methods: A synthetic mixture and two fixed medicinal combinations containing amlodipine and atorvastatin were investigated by the apparent content curve method, a simple and relatively inexpensive UV-VIS spectrophotometric method based on a mathematical approach derived from the Lambert-Beer law. The results were compared with those obtained by an HPLC method.

Results: A good correlation of the results was obtained, the difference between the pair results was not significant (p >0.05).

Conclusions: The proposed spectrophotometric method is an easier and cheaper alternative for the quantitative determination of amlodipine and atorvastatin in industrial fixed-dose combinations.
The Superiority of the Micrographic Surgery Technique in the Surgical Treatment of Facial Basal Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Hârceagă Olimpiu , Baican Corina , Cosgarea Rodica
Published: August 2013

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the benefits and disadvantages of using micrographic surgery in the treatment of basal cell carcinomas (BCC) of the face. We compared the classic surgery with the micrographic surgery by using a prospective randomized comparative study for two groups of patients.

Methods: Patients included in the study were divided into two groups. The first group was treated by Mohs Surgery. A number of 49 patients who presented 52 tumors were included in this group. In the second group were included 52 patients with 53 tumors. These patients were treated by classic surgery. Patients were scheduled for follow-up and evaluation of efficacy of the two surgical methods.

Results: The mean follow-up was one year for the micrographic surgery group and 1.1 years for the classic surgery group. For the micrographic surgery group we noted zero recurrences and for the classic surgery group we had two (3.7%) recurrences in two different patients. Treatment time (surgical excision) was 21 minutes for the classic surgery group and 47 minutes for the micrographic surgery group.

Conclusions: Micrographic surgery remains the gold standard for the treatment of BCC at the head level. Micrographic surgery is the only treatment method which is reporting healing rates over 95% in the majority of studies. A good selection of the cases is mandatory; micrographic surgery should be used for aggressive tumors in difficult location and especially on the face.
The Management of Cryptorchidism at the Pediatric Surgery Clinic of Tîrgu Mureș
Authors: Gozar H , Prișcă R , Derzsi Zoltán
Published: August 2013

Introduction: Cryptorchidism is the most common abnormality of the male sexual development and one of the most common diagnoses in children hospitalized in the Pediatric Surgery Clinic. The diagnosis is mainly clinical: the testis cannot be seen or palpated in the scrotum. For this malformation, the treatment is always surgical: the orchiopexy.

Material and method: This is a retrospective study performed in 2012 in our clinic. The purpose of the study is to report our experience during a year in the management of this abnormality.

Results: There is a standard technique with two incisions (inguinal and scrotal) which was used in 77.12% of cases and a newer technique (Bianchi), with a single incision (scrotal), used in 22.88% of cases.

Conclusion: The results after surgery for cryptorchidism in every case were good, with both techniques.
Approaches to Scoring Translation in the PROFEX EMP Exam
Authors: Hegedűs Anita
Published: August 2013

Introduction: This paper undertakes to investigate the connection between two approaches to scoring translation by examining 115 test papers of the translation component of the C1 level PROFEX English for Medical Purposes (EMP) exam. The main objective of the study is to reveal whether, and to what extent, the method of assessment influences the score.

Material and method: The test papers were scored independently by two experienced raters according to the marking scale of the PROFEX EMP exam, then holistic scoring was carried out by a third rater, who was uninformed of the official scores for the test papers. Correlations were calculated, first between the holistic scores and the official scores based on the combined holistic and discrete point approach, then between other components of the written part of PROFEX EMP exam (reading comprehension and writing) and the holistic scores and the scores reached with the combined method, respectively.

Results: A strong correlation has been revealed between the scores achieved by the purely holistic method and those assessed with the combined holistic and discrete point approach. The holistic method was shown to be slightly more reliable than the combined approach.

Conclusion: The study has revealed that the method of assessment does not significantly influence the score in the evaluation of translation in the PROFEX EMP exam.
Study of Cyclodextrin/Fluoroquinolone Inclusion Complexes by Capillary Electrophoresis
Authors: Székely-Szentmiklósi Blanka , Tőkés B
Published: August 2013

Introduction: In the present work we evaluated the complexation role of cyclodextrins toward fluoroquinolones in an attempt to assess their potential as new formulation additives for more efficient fluoroquinolone delivery and as selectors in capillary electrophoresis.

Material and method: Guest-host interactions of two second generation quinolones, ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin with four cyclodextrins, beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD), gamma-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) and two beta-cyclodextrin derivatives, 2-hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and randomly methylated beta-cyclodextrin (RAMEB), were tested by capillary electrophoresis in borate running buffer. Experimental parameters like buffer concentration, pH, organic modifier, voltage and cyclodextrin concentration have been varied for a better resolution.

Results: In capillary zone electrophoresis ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin are migrating together, a difference in their migration times and thus separation occured by the addition of cyclodextrins.

Conclusion: Our results suggest formation of inclusion complexes between fluoroquinolones and cyclodextrins. Differences in their affinity to host molecules resulted in separation of the two fluoroquinolones
A Comparison Between Numerical Differentiation and Kalman Filtering for a Leo Satellite Velocity Determination
Authors: Sharifi M.A. , Seif M.R. , Hadi M.A.
Published: August 2013

The kinematic orbit is a time series of position vectors generally obtained from GPS observations. Velocity vector is required for satellite gravimetry application. It cannot directly be observed and should be numerically determined from position vectors. Numerical differentiation is usually employed for a satellite’s velocity, and acceleration determination. However, noise amplification is the single obstacle to the numerical differentiation. As an alternative, velocity vector is considered as a part of the state vector and is determined using the Kalman filter method. In this study, velocity vector is computed using the numerical differentiation (e.g., 9-point Newton interpolation scheme) and Kalman filtering for the GRACE twin satellites. The numerical results show that Kalman filtering yields more accurate results than numerical differentiation when they are compared with the intersatellite range-rate measurements.
Stress of Make-Up Torque on the Gas Storage Well Bore and Coupling Connecting Thread
Authors: Liu Peiqi , Zhang Liming , Xu Siyuan , Duan Zhixiang , Chen Zuzhi , Zhao Wenjing
Published: August 2013

The structure of wellbore and coupling is connected by thread, it is the position where fatigue failure accidents are happened in gas storage well, and the make-up torque of thread is the key factor that influences the mechanical properties of this structure. In this pa- per, a finite element method was established to discuss the calculation method of make-up torque and the influence law on the stress of coupling in the gas storage well. Results show that the make-up torque cannot be simply ignored due to its great impact on internal stress distribution of gas storage well. Experimental results showed the correctness of the model. Under the action of the make-up torque, the overall stress level inside the wellbore is higher than the external coupling. However the maximum stress exists in the external coupling. The overall stress grad- ually increases with the increase of interference rotation number (abbr. RN) between coupling and wellbore, but the overall distribution trend is almost the same. The first thread on the left of the connection part is the area where fatigue failure is most likely to occur. The make-up torque between threads increases linearly with the increase of RN between cou- pling and wellbore.
Applied Study on Mechanics of Nanocomposites with Carbon Nanofillers
Authors: Petrova I. , Ivanov E. , Kotsilkova R. , Tsekov Y. , Angelov V.
Published: August 2013

The incorporation of small amount of hard and soft carbon nanofillers, such as nanoscale diamond, carbon ash and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) have different effect on the surface properties of the neat polyester resin and polypropylene. The soft nanofiller, carbon ash did not influence the wear properties of the polyester resin up to 5 wt% filler content. In contrast, 0.5-5 wt% hard nanodiamond strongly decreased the wear mass loss of the polyester resin. The scratch resistance and the coefficient of friction of the polypropylene is improved significantly while there is 0.1-3 wt% MWCNT. Small amount of MWCNTs change significantly the molecular structure of the polypropylene, producing a nucleation effect. This was found to assist in the changes of surface prop- erties by increasing the hardness, friction and wear of polypropylene.
Quantum continuous measurements: The stochastic
Schrödinger equations and the spectrum of the output
Authors: Barchielli Alberto , Gregoratti Matteo
Published: August 2013

The stochastic Schrödinger equation, of classical or quantum
type, allows to describe open quantum systems under measurement
in continuous time. In this paper we review the link
between these two descriptions and we study the properties
of the output of the measurement. For simplicity we deal
only with the diffusive case. Firstly, we discuss the quantum
stochastic Schrödinger equation, which is based on quantum
stochastic calculus, and we show how to transform it into
the classical stochastic Schrödinger equation by diagonalization
of suitable commuting quantum observables. Then,
we give the a posteriori state, the conditional system state
at time t given the output up to that time, and we link its
evolution to the classical stochastic Schrödinger equation.
Moreover, the relation with quantum filtering theory is shortly
discussed. Finally, we study the output of the continuous
measurement, which is a stochastic process with probability
distribution given by the rules of quantum mechanics. When
the output process is stationary, at least in the long run, the
spectrum of the process can be introduced and its properties
studied. In particular we show how the Heisenberg uncertainty
relations give rise to characteristic bounds on the possible
spectra and we discuss how this is related to the typical
quantum phenomenon of squeezing. We use a simple
quantum system, a two-level atom stimulated by a laser, to
discuss the differences between homodyne and heterodyne
detection and to explicitly show squeezing and anti-squeezing
of the homodyne spectrum and the Mollow triplet in the fluorescence
spectrum.
Chronology of red dune aggradations of South India and its Palaeo-environmental significance
Authors: Alappat Linto , Seralathan Palaniandy , Shukla Anil , Thrivikramji Kyth , Singhvi Ashok
Published: August 2013

Red sand dunes occur in the coastal plains of south east and west of Tamil Nadu, India between the coordinates of 8°00′ to 9°30′ N; 77°18′ to 79° 00′ E. OSL dating of these sands indicated aggradations between ∼16-9 ka and ∼9-3 ka in the west and east coasts respectively. Dating results from inland red dunes at the foothills of Western Ghats show a break in deposition at ∼6 ka and aggradation since ∼2 ka. The sand aggradations in the west coast occurred during the transition period when SW monsoon in the area was reestablishing. The dunes attained their stability by 9 ka. In the coastal region, the aggradations were controlled by sea level changes and a local recycling of earlier dunes (in the east coast). In the inland areas, the dune building was controlled by sand supply from fluvial sources.
The Changes of Russia’s Business Strategies and their Influences on Mutual Foreign Trade with the EU during the Economic Crisis
Authors: Drieniková Kristína , Kašťáková Elena
Published: August 2013

The paper analyses the economic situation in Russia during the economic crisis, with a focus on foreign trade relations and changes that have occurred in this period and try to direct the country towards modernization type of economic growth. The change to Russia’s foreign trade policy and investment climate associated with its accession to the WTO play an important part. This membership influenced not only tariff reduction, but at the same time it is a prerequisite for gradual improvement of country’s investment and business environment as well as increasing of its attractiveness. It is also expected to increase the effectiveness of the above mentioned processes of modernization and diversification of the Russian economy. The presented solution is the evaluation of these matters´ impacts on mutual cooperation and on Russia’s foreign trade relations with the EU.
Algebraic and Set-Theoretical Properties of Some Subsets of Families of Convergent and Divergent Permutations
Authors: Wituła Roman
Published: August 2013

The paper presents a few basic algebraic and set-theoretical properties of some subsets of families of convergent and divergent permutations of ℕ, especially the compositions of families of the so-called one-sided convergent and one-sided divergent permutations.
Pointwise Density Topology with Respect to Admissible σ-Algebras
Authors: Górajska Magdalena , Hejduk Jacek
Published: August 2013

The paper presents a pointwise density topology with respect to admissible σ-algebras on the real line. The properties of such topologies, including the separation axioms, are studied
Anomaly in thermal characterization of CaxMg1-xNb2O6 (x =0,0.4,0.6,1) towards LTCC applications
Authors: Satapathy Jyotirmayee , Reddy M.V.Ramana
Published: August 2013

Low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC), being the most advantageous technology related to the multilayer substrates for various applications, demands an extensive study of raw materials. In the present work, a series of CaxMg1−xNb2O6 (x =0, 0.4, 0.6, 1.0) were prepared using sol-gel synthesis route and sintered at a temperature of 900°C to study its applicability for LTCC technology. The phase formation has been confirmed using X-ray diffraction. Thermal properties like thermal conductivity and thermal expansion, which are very important aspects as the former defines the heat flow to avoid thermal instability in the layers and the latter provides the dimensional congruency of the dielectric material and the conductors, are studied here over high temperature range up to the firing temperature. Although the values are quite satisfactory from the application point view, the results have showed an anomaly over temperature. The anomalous thermal behavior was further analyzed using TG-DTA.
Dielectric and structural properties of iron- and sodium-fumarates
Authors: Skuban Sonja , Džomié Tanja , Kapor Agneš , Cvejić Željka , Rakic Srđan
Published: August 2013

The behaviour of dielectric parameters such as the relative dielectric constant (ε''), the relative loss factor (ε'') and the ac conductivity of well known pharmaceutical materials Fe(II)-fumarate and Na-fumarate were studied as a function of temperature (in the range from 303K to 483 K) and frequency (in the range from 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz). The values of the conductivity are in the range of 10−5 Ω−1m−1 to 10−9 Ω−1m−1 for Fe(II)-fumarate and 10−6 Ω−1m−1 to 10−11 Ω−1m−1 for Na-fumarate. The conductivity of both materials increases with the increase in temperature and frequency. It was found that both ε' and ε'' decrease with increasing frequency and increase with increasing temperature for both materials. The highest changes are in the low frequency range. The obtained values of the dielectric parameters and conductivity suggest that these materials are dielectric with similar structure, most probably polymeric, with the mechanism of ionic conductivity.
The Culture of Multiculturalism and Racialized Art
Authors: Kılıç Zeynep , Petzen Jennifer
Published: August 2013

This article invites scholars of race and migration to look at the visual arts more closely within the framework of comparative race theory. We argue that within a neoliberal multicultural context, the marketing of art relies on the commodification and circulation of racial categories, which are reproduced and distributed as globalized racial knowledge. This knowledge is mediated by the racial logic of neoliberal multiculturalism. Specifically, we look at the ways in which the global art market functions as a set of racialized and commodified power relations confronting the “migrant“ artist within an orientalizing curatorial framework.
Alevi-Zaza Belongings Beyond Borders: Insider/Outsider Attributions and Identity Empowerment Strategies in Transnational and Multigenerational Family Spaces between Turkey and Diaspora
Authors: Can Halil
Published: August 2013

Building on a long-term, multi-sited ethnographic research project, this article illustrates and interprets the transformation processes and empowerment strategies pursued by an originally Zazaki-speaking, multigenerational Alevi family in the Turkish-German transnational context. The family, which includes a number of Alevi priests (seyyid or dede), hails from the Dersim4 region of eastern Anatolia, and their family biography is closely bound up with a traumatic mass murder and crime against humanity that local people call “Dersim 38“ or “Tertele.“ Against the background of this tragedy, the family experienced internal migration (through forced remigration and settlement) thirty years before its labor migration to Germany. This family case study accordingly examines migration as a multi-faceted process with plural roots and routes. The migration of people from Turkey neither begins nor ends with labor migration to Germany. Instead, it involves the continuous, nonlinear, and multidirectional movement of human beings, despite national border regimes and politics. As a result, we can speak of migration processes that are at once voluntary and forced, internal and external, national and transnational. 5 In this particular case, the family members, even the pioneer generation labor migrants who have since become shuttle migrants, maintain close relationships with Dersim even as they spend most of their lives in a metropolitan German city. At the same time, they confront moments of everyday in- and exclusion in this transnational migration space that define them as both insiders and out- siders. Keeping these asymmetrical attributions in mind, I examine the family's sociocultural, religious, and political practices and resources from a transna- tional perspective, paying close attention to their conceptualization of identity and belonging as well as their empowerment strategies.
1st International & 2nd National Orthodontic Conference of Bangladesh Orthodontic Society (BOS) - Brief Report
Authors: Hossain Md Zakir
Published: August 2013

Abstract not found DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjodfo.v2i2.16167 Ban J Orthod & Dentofac Orthop, April 2012; Vol-2, No.2, 48-54
The Effect of Steps to Promote Higher Levels of Farm Animal Welfare across the EU. Societal versus Animal Scientists’ Perceptions of Animal Welfare
Authors: Averós Xavier , Aparicio Miguel , Ferrari Paolo , Guy Jonathan , Hubbard Carmen , Schmid Otto , Ilieski Vlatko , Spoolder Hans
Published: August 2013

Information about animal welfare standards and initiatives from eight European countries was collected, grouped, and compared to EU welfare standards to detect those aspects beyond minimum welfare levels demanded by EU welfare legislation. Literature was reviewed to determine the scientific relevance of standards and initiatives, and those aspects going beyond minimum EU standards. Standards and initiatives were assessed to determine their strengths and weaknesses regarding animal welfare. Attitudes of stakeholders in the improvement of animal welfare were determined through a Policy Delphi exercise. Social perception of animal welfare, economic implications of upraising welfare levels, and differences between countries were considered. Literature review revealed that on-farm space allowance, climate control, and environmental enrichment are relevant for all animal categories. Experts’ assessment revealed that on-farm prevention of thermal stress, air quality, and races and passageways’ design were not sufficiently included. Stakeholders considered that housing conditions are particularly relevant regarding animal welfare, and that animal-based and farm-level indicators are fundamental to monitor the progress of animal welfare. The most notable differences between what society offers and what farm animals are likely to need are related to transportation and space availability, with economic constraints being the most plausible explanation.
The European Market for Animal-Friendly Products in a Societal Context
Authors: Ingenbleek Paul , Harvey David , Ilieski Vlatko , Immink Victor , De Roest Kees , Schmid Otto
Published: August 2013

This article takes a future focus on the direction in which social forces develop the market for animal-friendly products in Europe. On the basis of qualitative data gathered in the context of the European EconWelfare project, the differences across eight European countries are studied. The findings suggest that, given international trade barriers that prevent an improvement of animal welfare through legislation, many stakeholders believe that the market is the most viable direction to improve farm animal welfare. Economic productivity of the chain remains, however, an issue that on a fundamental level conflicts with the objective to improve animal welfare. With the help of a deeper conceptual understanding of willingness to pay for animal welfare, the paper finds that the European market for animal-friendly products is still largely fragmented and that the differences between European countries are considerable. A more animal-friendly future that is achieved through the market will therefore need substantial policy attention from stakeholders in society.
Synchronization of a Class of Fractional-Order Chaotic Neural Networks
Authors: Chen Liping , Qu Jianfeng , Chai Yi , Wu Ranchao , Qi Guoyuan
Published: August 2013

The synchronization problem is studied in this paper for a class of fractional-order chaotic neural networks. By using the Mittag-Leffler function, M-matrix and linear feedback control, a sufficient condition is developed ensuring the synchronization of such neural models with the Caputo fractional derivatives. The synchronization condition is easy to verify, implement and only relies on system structure. Furthermore, the theoretical results are applied to a typical fractional-order chaotic Hopfield neural network, and numerical simulation demonstrates the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method.
Endogenous Protease Nexin-1 Protects against Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Mirante Osvaldo , Price Melanie , Puentes Wilfredo , Castillo Ximena , Benakis Corinne , Thevenet Jonathan , Monard Denis , Hirt Lorenz
Published: August 2013

The serine protease thrombin plays a role in signalling ischemic neuronal death in the brain. Paradoxically, endogenous neuroprotective mechanisms can be triggered by preconditioning with thrombin (thrombin preconditioning, TPC), leading to tolerance to cerebral ischemia. Here we studied the role of thrombin’s endogenous potent inhibitor, protease nexin-1 (PN-1), in ischemia and in tolerance to cerebral ischemia induced by TPC. Cerebral ischemia was modelled in vitro in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures from rats or genetically engineered mice lacking PN-1 or with the reporter gene lacZ knocked into the PN-1 locus PN-1HAPN-1-lacZ/HAPN-1-lacZ (PN-1 KI) exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD). We observed increased thrombin enzyme activity in culture homogenates 24 h after OGD. Lack of PN-1 increased neuronal death in the CA1, suggesting that endogenous PN-1 inhibits thrombin-induced neuronal damage after ischemia. OGD enhanced β-galactosidase activity, reflecting PN-1 expression, at one and 24 h, most strikingly in the stratum radiatum, a glial cell layer adjacent to the CA1 layer of ischemia sensitive neurons. TPC, 24 h before OGD, additionally increased PN-1 expression 1 h after OGD, compared to OGD alone. TPC failed to induce tolerance in cultures from PN-1−/− mice confirming PN-1 as an important TPC target. PN-1 upregulation after TPC was blocked by the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor, L-JNKI1, known to block TPC. This work suggests that PN-1 is an endogenous neuroprotectant in cerebral ischemia and a potential target for neuroprotection.
Small-Scale Morphological Features on a Solid Surface Processed by High-Pressure Abrasive Water Jet
Authors: Kang Can , Liu Haixia
Published: August 2013

Being subjected to a high-pressure abrasive water jet, solid samples will experience an essential variation of both internal stress and physical characteristics, which is closely associated with the kinetic energy attached to the abrasive particles involved in the jet stream. Here, experiments were performed, with particular emphasis being placed on the kinetic energy attenuation and turbulent features in the jet stream. At jet pressure of 260 MPa, mean velocity and root-mean-square (RMS) velocity on two jet-stream sections were acquired by utilizing the phase Doppler anemometry (PDA) technique. A jet-cutting experiment was then carried out with Al-Mg alloy samples being cut by an abrasive water jet. Morphological features and roughness on the cut surface were quantitatively examined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical profiling techniques. The results indicate that the high-pressure water jet is characterized by remarkably high mean flow velocities and distinct velocity fluctuations. Those irregular pits and grooves on the cut surfaces indicate both the energy attenuation and the development of radial velocity components in the jet stream. When the sample is positioned with different distances from the nozzle outlet, the obtained quantitative surface roughness varies accordingly. A descriptive model highlighting the behaviors of abrasive particles in jet-cutting process is established in light of the experimental results and correlation analysis.
Bandwidth Optimization Design of a Multi Degree of Freedom MEMS Gyroscope
Authors: Si Chaowei , Han Guowei , Ning Jin , Yang Fuhua
Published: August 2013

A new robust multi-degree of freedom (multi-DOF) MEMS gyroscope is presented in this paper. The designed gyroscope has its bandwidth and amplification factor of the sense mode adjusted more easily than the previous reported multi-DOF MEMS gyroscopes. Besides, a novel spring system with very small coupling stiffness is proposed, which helps achieve a narrow bandwidth and a high amplification factor for a 2-DOF vibration system. A multi-DOF gyroscope with the proposed weak spring system is designed, and simulations indicate that when the operating frequency is set at 12.59 kHz, the flat frequency response region of the sense mode can be designed as narrow as 80 Hz, and the amplification factor of the sense mode at the operating frequency is up to 91, which not only protects the amplification factor from instability against process and temperature variations, but also sacrifices less performance. An experiment is also carried out to demonstrate the validity of the design. The multi-DOF gyroscope with the proposed weak coupling spring system is capable of achieving a good tradeoff between robustness and the performance.
Gyroscope-Driven Mouse Pointer with an EMOTIV® EEG Headset and Data Analysis Based on Empirical Mode Decomposition
Authors: Rosas-Cholula Gerardo , Ramirez-Cortes Juan , Alarcon-Aquino Vicente , Gomez-Gil Pilar , Rangel-Magdaleno Jose , Reyes-Garcia Carlos
Published: August 2013

This paper presents a project on the development of a cursor control emulating the typical operations of a computer-mouse, using gyroscope and eye-blinking electromyographic signals which are obtained through a commercial 16-electrode wireless headset, recently released by Emotiv. The cursor position is controlled using information from a gyroscope included in the headset. The clicks are generated through the user’s blinking with an adequate detection procedure based on the spectral-like technique called Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD). EMD is proposed as a simple and quick computational tool, yet effective, aimed to artifact reduction from head movements as well as a method to detect blinking signals for mouse control. Kalman filter is used as state estimator for mouse position control and jitter removal. The detection rate obtained in average was 94.9%. Experimental setup and some obtained results are presented.