bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Improved Crosslinking Monomers for Molecularly Imprinted Materials
Authors: Spivak David A. , Sibrian-Vazquez Martha
Published: April 2017

Molecular imprinting involves the self-assembled complexation of a substrate to functional monomers to form a pre-polymer complex which is “locked-in” to place by copolymerization with an excess of crosslinking monomer. Removal of the template leaves binding or catalytic sites that are complementary in size, shape, and functionality to the template. Most of the research in molecularly imprinted materials has focused on choice of substrate or functional monomer of the pre-polymer complex. The cross-linking monomers have primarily been EGDMA or DVB, which are commercially available. Redirecting focus on the design of crosslinking monomers for molecular imprinting, we have developed new classes of crosslinked polymers to optimize the performance of molecularly imprinted polymers. The design of the new crosslinking monomers has followed two strategies: (1) development of new crosslinked materials for formation of the supporting matrix, and (2) development of crosslinking monomers that simultaneously serve as the functional monomer. The details of the design, synthesis, polymerization and performance of these new crosslinking monomers for molecularly imprinted polymers will be reported.
Molecularly Imprinted Ionomers
Authors: Murray George M. , Southard Glen E.
Published: April 2017

Ionomers have been defined as copolymers that have a certain proportion of ionic groups. The ionic groups have a significant effect on the mechanical properties of the copolymers. This is generally due to aggregation of ions in a low dielectric medium. The primary result is to restrict chain motion and raise the glass transition temperature. These attributes have relevance to molecular imprinting, since restricted chain motion should help preserve the integrity of the binding site. The connection between ionomers and molecular imprinting has come from the production of metal ion imprinted resins. Metal ions are used in the production of molecularly imprinted polymer ion exchange resins and ionically permeable membranes. The polymers have applications as separations media, sequestering media and as ion selective sensors. Metal ions are also being used to form imprinted polymers based on metal mediated imprint binding. We have prepared ion exchange resins, selectively permeable polymer membranes, ion selective electrodes and ion selective optical sensors using a modified version of the molecular imprinting technique. The modification is a reduction in the amount of covalent crosslinking used to form the polymers. This reduction may be justified by the presence of residual metal ion crosslinking in the immediate region of the imprinted binding site. The effects of metal ions on the thermal and mechanical properties of the polymers, as well their impact on binding selectivity are critical variables.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Models of Molecularly Imprinted Materials in Microfluidic Channels
Authors: Webber Cindy K. , Roberts M. Joseph
Published: April 2017

Current research will lead to rapid-prototyping of chemical sensors that utilize microfabricated molecularly imprinted (MI) materials. CFD/CAD software may be used to model flow and chemical binding properties of MI materials in microfluidic channels. Use of this type of software expedites results when changes in properties are made. The surface concentration of bound analyte on a monolithic molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) within microfluidic channels can be modeled using its experimental binding kinetics. The time necessary to reach a detection limit is calculated and optimized as a function of flow parameters. In this report, we discuss the unique issues associated with the modeling of chemical sensors that utilize MI materials.
Hot Embossing Lithography: Release Layer Characterization by Chemical Force Microscopy
Authors: Cameron Neil S. , Ott Arnaud , Roberge Hélène , Veres Teodor
Published: April 2017

Hot embossing lithography is a powerful method of replicating three-dimensional micro-and nano-structures (see Figure 1) using a stamp that is pressed into a heat-softened polymer resin. Cooling below the glass-transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer cures the motifs and the stamp and substrate are then separated. Successful replication is therefore contingent on interfacial interactions during the embossing phase and most importantly during the separation or release phase. Various organo- and perfluoro-silane release layers have been proposed and studied.

We have employed variable temperature chemical force microscopy (VT-CFM) using tips silanized with four different SAMs interacting with a thin-film of poly(cyclic olefin), (PCO). The silanized-tip/polymer interaction was studied over a temperature range spanning the Tg of the PCO (∼373 K). Adhesion between a saturated hydrocarbon-decorated tip (OTS) and PCO was comparatively strong (170 nN) 30 K above the Tg of the polymer. Adhesion among the perfluorinated tips was 20 to 50 nN lower at 373 K with a relative increase in perfluoromethyl groups (w/w).
An Optical Diffraction Microphone with Active Grating Diaphragm
Authors: Suzuki Kazuhiro , Funaki Hideyuki , Naruse Yujiro
Published: April 2017

We present a new conceptual active optical microphone based on complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) - micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) micromachining techniques. The diaphragm of the microphone has a diffracting grating fabricated by the CMOS process with only a small number of post-processes. The active microphone actuates the diaphragm on an arbitrary frequency by electrostatic force, and detects sound waves by the light waves. From the verification experiment result, this active microphone was able to perform advanced functions, such as the amplifier effect and the detection of phase information of sound waves.
Fabrication of a Bimodal Ferromagnetic Nanosystem in an Etched Silicon Structure and its Magnetic and Magneto-Optic Characterization
Authors: Granitzer P. , Rumpf K. , Pölt P. , Reichmann A. , Surnev S. , Krenn H.
Published: April 2017

Ni-nanowires are fabricated in a two-step electrochemical process. In the first step a porous silicon template with oriented pores perpendicular to the surface is produced. The electrochemical parameters for this etching procedure, like HF-concentration, current-density, etching-time and bath-temperature have to be chosen in a very small regime to obtain the favored structure in a good quality. This mesoporous silicon skeleton with highly oriented pores and homogeneous spatial distribution is filled in a further electrochemical step by a ferromagnetic metal, like Ni. This selforganized Ni-nanowire array is characterized by Auger-spectroscopy to evidence the loading of the pores over the full length. SEM and BSE are used to reveal the orientation of the pores and the homogeneous Ni-filling. By Fourier Transform image processing a predominant quadratic self-organized grouping of the (100) grown pores is identified. An additional investigation method is EDXS to show the element distribution in the sample. Furthermore magnetization measurements are used to generate a model for the Ni-loading in the channels. Not only wires but also granules in the size up to 200 nm are present. IR-spectroscopy investigations are used to compare the bare silicon wafer, the porous silicon (PS) sample and the PS with incorporated Ni at zero and finite magnetic fields.
Functionally Engineered Carbon Nanotubes-Peptide Nucleic Acid Nanocomponents
Authors: Singh Krishna V. , Wang Xu , Pandey Rajeev R. , Lake Roger , Ozkan Cengiz S. , Ozkan Mihrimah
Published: April 2017

Conjugation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with biomolecules having molecular recognition results in highly functionalized CNTs, which serve as the templates for self-assembly of novel nanomaterials. Here, we report the synthesis of novel nanocomponents by conjugating single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with peptide nucleic acid (PNA), an artificial DNA analogue by using carbodiimide coupling. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used as a primary tool for their characterization. SEM micrographs confirm the formation of desired structures. We also modeled and simulated the SWNT-PNA interface using the PM3 semi-empirical package in Gaussian03 RevB.03 program suite for electron transfer and found that there exists an extended set of orbitals.
In Vivo Biostability of CVD Silicon Oxide and Silicon Nitride Films
Authors: Maloney John M. , Lipka Sara A. , Baldwin Samuel P.
Published: April 2017

Low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) silicon oxide and silicon nitride films were implanted subcutaneously in a rat model to study in vivo behavior of the films. Silicon chips coated with the films of interest were implanted for up to one year, and film thickness was evaluated by spectrophotometry and sectioning. Dissolution rates were estimated to be 0.33 nm/day for LPCVD silicon nitride, 2.0 nm/day for PECVD silicon nitride, and 3.5 nm/day for PECVD silicon oxide. A similar PECVD silicon oxide dissolution rate was observed on a silicon oxide / silicon nitride / silicon oxide stack that was sectioned by focused ion beam etching. These results provide a biostability reference for designing implantable microfabricated devices that feature exposed ceramic films.
Multi-band Terahertz Imaging System Design
Authors: Popa-Simil Liviu
Published: April 2017

Developing visualization devices in far infrared reveals tremendous advantages and focused the research of space agencies, defense and security as well many other private companies oriented to science. The THz wave emitters and receivers are less developed, compared to its neighboring bands (microwave and optical). During the past decade, THz waves have been used to characterize the composition and properties of solid, liquid and gas phase materials to identify their molecular structures. At the base of this development stays the possibility of achieving microstructures from conductive or super-conductive materials able to select by resonant criteria the emerging photons and drive into specialized detection devices. The problem to be solved is the ratio S/N because the energy of a single 1THz photon is 4.1 meV equivalent to a 47K temperature.

A group of such highly selective micro-antenna can be grouped into a unit cell - called elementary multi-band detector. The development of resonant structures for frequency selectivity and directivity reasons coupled with the electrical field amplification and detection in low noise quantum transistors. Such an electronic system might be integrated in a modular structure and by multiplicity to create spatial sensors and phased arrays.
Development of Humidity Sensors using Layer-by-Layer nanoAssembly of Polypyrrole
Authors: Nohria R. , Su Y. , Khillan R.K. , Dikshit R. , Lvov Y. , Varahramyan K.
Published: April 2017

In this paper we demonstrate high sensitive and fast response humidity sensors using layer-by-layer (LbL) nano-assembled films of Polypyrrole (PPY). Spin coated PPY films were used for sensitivity and response time comparisons. The change in electrical sheet resistance of the sensing films was monitored as the device was exposed to humidity. For 5% change in relative humidity sensitivity measured from layer-by-layer based devices was 10% and 8% for the spin coated devices. The response time for LbL based and spin coated device was measured as 25 seconds and 57 seconds respectively. The LbL nano-assembled films of PPY showed the better response in terms of sensitivity, response time, linearity and degradation. An intended application for these LbL nano-assembled devices is in disposable handheld instruments to monitor the presence of humidity in humidity sensitive environments.
Multi-Technology Measurements of Amorphous Carbon Films
Authors: Leng Jingmin , Opsal Jon , Pois Heath , Sorkhabi Osman , Liu Xiaoping , Morris Stephen J.
Published: April 2017

We demonstrate that a multi-technology approach enables the accurate characterization of the thickness and optical properties of Amorphous Carbon (α-C) films used in semiconductor manufacturing. Because the material is found to be highly birefringent, with its measured refractive index and extinction coefficient depending strongly upon the polarization and angle-of-incidence of the optical probe beam that is used, conventional single angle-of-incidence Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE) has insufficient information-content to detect the ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices with sufficient accuracy. On the other hand, Beam Profile Reflectometry® (BPR®) is particularly strong in this case because it measures the actual reflectances for both polarization components (rather than just the difference between them) at multiple angles-of-incidence. Furthermore, the fact that BPR is a single-wavelength technique means that no assumptions must be made about the optical dispersion of the film and an absolute measurement can be made. It is then possible to combine this with other, spectral technologies to obtain ordinary and extraordinary n and k at all wavelengths. We show that, to first order, the birefringence can be modeled by assuming a single “anisotropy parameter”, the ratio between the ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices (or, more correctly, the complex dielectric functions). Using this approach in combination with a simple Bruggeman effective-medium dispersion model enables robust characterization of these films for production.
Anomalous Temperature dependence of Fermi-edge Singularity in Modulation-doped AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs hetero-structures
Authors: Naik K. Gopalakrishna , Rao K.S.R.K. , Srinivasan T. , Muralidharan R. , Mehta S. K.
Published: April 2017

The temperature and power dependence of Fermi-edge singularity (FES) in high-density two-dimensional electron gas, specific to pseudomorphic AlxGa1-xAs/InyGa1-yAs/GaAs heterostructures is studied by photoluminescence (PL). In all these structures, there are two prominent transitions E11and E21considered to be the result of electron-hole recombination from first and second electron sub-bands with that of first heavy-hole sub-band. FES is observed approximately 5 -10 meV below the E21transition. At 4.2 K, FES appears as a lower energy shoulder to the E21transition. The PL intensity of all the three transitions E11, FES and E21grows linearly with excitation power. However, we observe anomalous behavior of FES with temperature. While PL intensity of E11and E21decrease with increasing temperature, FES transition becomes stronger initially and then quenches-off slowly (till 40K). Though it appears as a distinct peak at about 20 K, its maximum is around 7 - 13 K.
In Search of Metallic Nanowires on Si(001)
Authors: Batra Inder P. , Gupta Bikash C. , Panjwani Aakanksha A.
Published: April 2017

Electronic structures of several atomic wires of metals like Al, Ga and In on hydrogen passivated Si(001):1×1 surface have been examined in search of nanowires with metallic properties. The dihydrogenated Si(001) is patterned by depassivating only one row of Si atoms along the [110] direction. Various structures of adsorbed metals and their electronic properties have been studied. With our present effort it was observed that Al and Ga nanowire configurations with metallic property are unstable towards the formation of buckled metal dimers leading to semiconducting behaviour. However, indium atomic wire is close to the metallic limit and shows marginal preference for the formation of symmetric dimers. It is encouraging that In metallic wires on a patterned dihydrogenated Si(001) may be realized.
Effects of Hydrogen Annealing Process Conditions on Nano Scale Silicon (011) Fins
Authors: Zaman Rownak J. , Xiong Weize , Quintanilla Rudy , Schulz Thomas , Cleavelin C. Rinn , Wise Rick , Pas Mike , Patruno Paul , Schruefer Klaus , Banerjee Sanjay K.
Published: April 2017

In this paper we present a comprehensive study of the impact of the Hydrogen (H2) annealing conditions on nano scale silicon fin structures. Hydrogen pressure was varied from 15Torr to 600Torr and anneal temperature was varied from 600°C to 900°C. We found H2 annealing can cause faceting, corner rounding and smoothing of the etched silicon surfaces. The degree of the fin transformation is a function of both pressure and temperature. Furthermore, low pressure and high temperature enhance the silicon movement and can cause damage to the nano scale fins.
DIAGNOSIS CEPAT TERHADAP PENYAKIT BAKTERIAL Aeromonas hydrophila DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE SEROLOGI
Authors: Supriyadi Hambali , Mangunwiryo Hariyadi , K Johan Effendi
Published: April 2017

Keterlambatan serta kurang tepatnya diagnosis suatu penyakit ikan merupakan salah satu faktor penyebab lambatnya dan salahnya tindakan pengobatannya. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mendapatkan cara diagnosis yang tepat dan cepat terhadap penyakit bakterial, khususnya yang disebabkan oleh bakteri Aeromonas hydrophilo dengan menggunakan metode serologi.
STUDI PENDAHULUAN PENGGUNAAN BAKTERI Flauimonos BY-9 SEBAGAI PROBIOTIK DALAM PEMELIHARAAN LARVA UDANG WINDU Penaeus monodon
Authors: Haryanti Haryanti , Lante Samuel , Tsumura S.
Published: April 2017

Mortalitas larva yang masih tinggi karena ketidakseimbangan kondisi lingkungan dan serangan penyakit rnenyebabkan renciahnya produksi dan mutu benur.
PENGARUH PEMBERIAN JENIS PAKAN ALAMI YANG BERBEDA TERHADAP SINTASAN LARVA ABALON (Haliotis asinina)
Authors: Yunus Yunus , Setiawati Ketut Maha , Setyadi Irwan , Arfah Rosliwati
Published: April 2017

Percobaan dalam skala laboratorirrm telah dilakukan untuk mengevaluasi pengaruhpemberian jenis pakan alami yang berbeda terhadap sintasan larva abalon pada masa stadia awal. Penelitian menggunakan sembilan buah akuarium. masing-masing diisi 50 L air laut (salinitas 33-34 ppt) yang telah disaring dengan kantong filter.
TINGKAT EFISIENSI PETANI SEBAGAI SALAH SATU INDIKATOR DAMPAK PENGEMBANGAN SISTEM USAHA TANI MINAPADI DI DESA NANGGERANG. BINONG, KABUPATEN SUBANG
Authors: Noor Mohammad
Published: April 2017

Survai untuk mengetahui dampak penerapan hasil penelitian dalam pengembangan sistem usaha tani minapadi yang telah dilakukan pada tahun 1993 terhadap tingkat efisiensi petani dan pendapatan di Desa Nanggerang, Kecamatan Binong, Kabupaten Subang, Jawa Barat.
ADOPSI TEKNOLOGI BUDIDAYA IKAN PATIN PADA MASYARAKAT TANI DI DESA MARIANA-SUMATERA SELATAN
Authors: Nasution Zahri , Dharyati Emmy , Rupawan Rupawan
Published: April 2017

Suatu penelitian yang bertujuan untuk mengetahui tingkat adopsi teknologi budidaya ikan patin pada masyarakat tani di Desa Mariana telah dilakukan dengan cara mensurvai seluruh (12 orang) petani ikan patin yang ada. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui kemampuan masyarakat tani di Desa Mariana dalam menyerap teknologi budidaya ikan patin.
PENGARUH PEREBUSAN, PENGGARAMAN DAN PENYIMPANAN TERHADAP PENURUNAN KANDUNGAN LISIN YANG TERDAPAT DALAM IKAN PINDANG
Authors: Basmal Jamal , Utomo Bagus S.B. , Taylor K.D.A.
Published: April 2017

Pengamatan penurunan kandungan lisin dalam ikan pindang telah dilakukan terhadapproduk yang disimpan dalam inkubator bersuhu 28oC dengan kelembaban relatif 100%. Bahan pindang adalah ikan sardine beku (Sordrna pilchardusjuv) dari Portugal yang dilelehkan terlebih dahulu sebelum diolah.
Pode-se falar, nestes anos 2000, de um modelo latino-americano de cidade ou metrópole? Ponto de vista de uma europeia
Authors: d?Arc Hélène Rivière
Published: April 2017

A partir da indagação sobre o que se pode entender por cidade neoliberal na América Latina nos anos 1990, o artigo apresenta algumas reflexões sobre eventos que pontuaram a história das cidades, identificando quais são as categorias do passado que esclarecem as atualmente em uso nas investigações e, principalmente, as referentes aos sistemas que organizam um domínio particular: a metrópole na América Latina. Como em qualquer parte, a cidade neoliberal é a cidade financeirizada, onde a construção sob todas as suas formas, em todo o território urbano que faz agora parte dos ativos bancários, conduz à privatização dos antigos serviços e à difusão de novos serviços quase exclusivamente privados. Esta definição abarca praticamente todas as cidades da América Latina, grandes e médias, e até mesmo cidades tão diversas quanto São Paulo e Tegucigalpa. O texto destaca seis paradigmas de análise, orientadores de importantes trabalhos de pesquisa sobre o processo de urbanização latino-americano, permitindo analisar a simultaneidade e a similaridade desse processo em diferentes países e em diferentes períodos de tempo.
Envision rating system applied to vehicle access restoration on a low-volume road in USA
Authors: Keaton Jeffrey R
Published: April 2017

An unpaved, 4·2 km, single-lane road provides access to fire department facilities in mountains adjacent to urban Los Angeles, California, USA. Severe storms in 2005 blocked the road in many places, with widespread shallow slides and a few major slope movements up to 90 m wide and 120 m high. Repair measures considered for restoring vehicle access were expensive and likely to be damaged by future slope movements. About two-thirds of the road is located on an ancient 280 ha landslide. Safety factors required for typical public works projects were unattainable, so the selected restoration objective was repairable deformation passable by field vehicles. The two worst locations were repaired in 2009 with gabion baskets and welded-wire walls. Material quantities from preliminary designs were used with field engineering during construction. Vehicle access to the remainder of the road was restored as routine maintenance by fire department personnel and equipment. Sustainability elements in all five categories of the 2011 Envision rating system were applied retrospectively to the restoration project, including preserving historic and cultural resources, addressing conflicting regulations, reducing excavated materials taken off-site, avoiding unsuitable development on steep slopes and preparing for long-term adaptability.
THE EDUCATIONAL CONTEXTS OF ISLAMIST ACTIVISM: ELITE STUDENTS AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS IN EGYPT*
Authors: Ketchley Neil , Biggs Michael
Published: April 2017

The literature on student activism finds that protesters come from prestigious universities and from the social sciences and humanities. Studies of political Islam, however, emphasize the prominence of engineering and medical students from secular institutions. Contributing to both literatures, this paper investigates Islamist students targeted by security forces in Egypt following the coup of 2013. Matching 1,352 arrested students to the population of male undergraduates, it analyzes how the arrest rate varied across 348 university faculties. We find that activists came disproportionately from institutions that provided a religiously inflected education. This contradicts the conventional emphasis on secular institutions. Most importantly, we find that Islamists tended to come from faculties that required higher grades and that admitted students who studied science in secondary school. Controlling for grades, engineering and medicine were not especially prominent. These findings suggest that Islamist students conform to the more general pattern: political activism attracts the academic elite.
PARTY SYSTEMS, PARTY-SOCIETY LINKAGES, AND CONTENTIOUS ACTS: CYPRUS IN A COMPARATIVE, SOUTHERN EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE*
Authors: Charalambous Giorgos , Ioannou Gregoris
Published: April 2017

Southern European countries are currently experiencing a dramatic economic slump and fully fledged austerity measures. Accordingly, the standard of living of the majority of southern European populaces has fallen significantly. Nevertheless, the dynamics of social contention in the form of strikes and demonstrations that accompany these experiences remain understudied. Why, in certain southern European countries, has collective upset arising from economic deprivation translated into frequent and large-scale contentious acts, while in others it has not? Drawing on the case of Cyprus from a comparative, southern European perspective, we seek to explain how relations within the party system, as well as between parties and civil society, can create the conditions that obstruct open social conflict. The intensity and nature of party-society linkages with causal roots in a country's history can be a sufficient condition for the relative absence of protest.
THE CLASTER ANALYSIS, AS A METHOD OF AN ESTIMATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF PERSONAL TYPOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS ON SUCCESS OF A PERSONAL ACTIVITY*
Authors: Lapkin M. M. , Karasev R. P. , Trutneva E. A. , Grigorenko T. M.
Published: April 2017

The expediency of use of methods of multivariate statistics, in particular of the claster analysis, for revealing of the individual personal properties influence of the person nervous system on productivity of his purposeful activity is proved.
THE TREATMENT OF THE CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASES OF INTESTINE WITH THE USE OF IMMUNOSUPRESSANT BIOLOGICAL DRUGS
Authors: Schwarz V. J. , Nogaller A. M.
Published: April 2017

Prevalence, gravity of current, complexity of treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases of intestine - the illnesses of Crone and the ulcer of colitis - cause the value of this problem in modern gastroenterology. Despite of intensive researches, its pathogenesis remains not clear. It influences develop owing the combination of many negative factors at the leading part of the during the treatment of genetic factors and the factors of an environment.
TO THE QUESTION CONCERNING THE CHOICE OF SURGICAL APPROACH AND «FORCED» SIMULTANEOUS OPERATIONS
Authors: Aristarhov V. G. , Gadzira A. N. , Birukov S. V.
Published: April 2017

Based on the analisis of history of two patiens diseases, operated on in the Ryazan municipal training hospital №11 in different time, an importance of rational choice of an operational access for the reducing the number of forced simultaneous operations is demonstrated.
Progress and Problems in Bone and Mineral Disorders
Authors: Gittoes Neil ,   Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham and University of Birmingham, UK
Published: April 2017

Anumber of new drugs are moving through the osteoporosis therapy pipeline. Some show great promise for patients while one has fallen by the wayside at the last hurdle. New, effective therapies are warmly welcomed but there are still uncertainties around management of osteoporosis with currently available drugs that are contributing to what is commonly being referred to as the ‘treatment gap’; a differential between those patients who would benefit from treatment versus those who actually are receiving it. Furthermore, in parallel to the common public health disease of osteoporosis, there have been tangible developments in therapies available for some rare bone and calcium diseases.
Recombinant Human Insulin in Global Diabetes Management – Focus on Clinical Efficacy
Authors: Mbanya Jean Claude ,   University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon and Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Unit at the Hospital Central in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Sandow Juergen ,   Centre of Pharmacology, Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany, Landgraf Wolfgang ,   Medical Affairs Diabetes Division, Sanofi-Aventis Frankfurt, Germany;, Owens David R ,   Diabetes Research Group, College of Medicine, University of Swansea, Wales, UK
Published: April 2017

Biosynthetic human insulin and insulin analogues are the mainstay of insulin therapy for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes although access to human insulin at affordable prices remains a global issue. The world is experiencing an exponential rise in the prevalence of diabetes presenting an urgent need to establish effective diabetes therapy in countries burdened by inadequate health care budgets, malnutrition and infectious diseases. Recombinant human insulin has replaced animal insulins and animal-based semisynthetic human insulin thereby available in sufficient quantities and at affordable prices able to provide global access to insulin therapy. In many patients, analog insulins can offer additional clinical benefit, although at a considerably higher price thus severely restricting availability in low income countries. The approval process for recombinant human insulins (i.e. biosimilars) and analogue insulins is highly variable in the developing countries in contrast to Europe and in North America, where it is well established within a strict regulatory framework. This review aims to discuss the future access to human insulin therapy in a global context with an ever increasing burden of diabetes and significant economic implications.
Modified purandare’s cervicopexy-a conservative surgery for genital prolapse: a retrospective study
Authors: R. Rameshkumar , Kamat Leena , Tungal Spoorthi , Moni Suma
Published: April 2017

Background: Purandare described a technique for the surgical treatment of genital prolapse in young women in 1965. This technique of cervicopexy is easy to perform and provides dynamic support to the uterus. The objective of study is to evaluate the role of modified Purandare’s cervicopexy in the treatment of genital prolapse in reproductive age group and to study the pregnancy outcome and fertility in patients who have undergone modified Purandare’s sling surgery.Methods: Between January 2007 and December 2015, 20 women in the reproductive age (mean age 30.5 years, range 24 to 37 years) underwent modified Purandare’s cervicopexy at Shree Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara (SDM) College of Medical Sciences, Dharwad, India. Of these, 2 (10%) patients were nulligravida, 7 (35%) were primipara and 11 (55%) were multigravida. Four (20%) women had associated infertility. Additional surgeries like tubectomy were performed in 4 (20%) women, tubal patency test in 3 (15%), ovarian drilling in 2 (10%) and myomectomy in 2 (22.2%) women, and cystocele repair was done in 4 women (20%).Results: All 20 patients were analysed for intraoperative and postoperative complications. All were followed up for mean duration of 12 months. There were no reported intra or post-operative complications. Out of 4 infertile women, 2 conceived spontaneously 6 months after the surgery. Of these, one delivered successfully at term by lower segment caesarean section and other by normal vaginal delivery. One woman conceived 8 months after the surgery spontaneously, antenatally followed for 3 months and then later was lost to follow-up. There was no recurrence of prolapse.Conclusions: Nulliparous prolapse can be treated by various surgical procedures, each having their own merits and de-merits. Our modification of Purandare’s cervicopexy is simple, effective and is less technically demanding.
Effectiveness of buffy coat leucoreduced packed red blood cells in decreasing febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions in thalassemic patients
Authors: Dutt Neeti , Sidhu Meena , Sharma Sushil , Parihar Ravi , Kumar Dinesh
Published: April 2017

Background: Blood transfusions have always been associated with a number of adverse outcomes which have steadily decreased over years owing to new discoveries and technical advancements. Thalassemic patients are more prone to transfusions related complications owing to repeated transfusions. Study of these reactions and correlating them with the leucodepletion status of the transfused packed red blood cells (PRBCs) reduces transfusion complications due to the transfused leukocytes.Methods: This is a prospective study carried out on 1750 transfusions in 138 thalassemic patients at our institute between August 2015 and March 2016. The total transfusions were classified into four categories depending on the leucodepletion status of the PRBC’s. The clinical records and the reaction workup done to rule out the hemolytic reactions were recorded.Results: Reactions were recorded in 17 (0.97%) out of a total of 1750 transfusions. 14 (4.1%) reactions were recorded on transfusions of non-leukoreduced PRBCs whereas only 2 (0.16%) reactions were recorded in leucoreduced (buffy coat) PRBCs. 1 (0.8%) reaction was recorded on transfusion of leucodepleted PRBCs done by bedside filter. No reaction was documented when buffy coat leucoreduced PRBCs were used along bedside filter.Conclusions: Elimination of WBCs from donor packed cells results in reduction of adverse reactions following blood transfusion. Various methods of leucoreduction have been successfully employed in the past and shown to reduce transfusion reactions in multi transfused thalassemic patients. In resource limited settings, leukoreduction using the buffy-coat method is an effective intervention in reducing the transfusion reactions.
Appendiceal neuroendocrine tumour presenting as bilateral ovarian and breast metastasis
Authors: Joseph Julie , S. Bindu C. , Reddy Saikiran , P. Sathi P.
Published: April 2017

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) of the appendix (formerly known 'carcinoids') are rare and are usually detected incidentally after appendectomy. The reported frequency of metastases from   appendiceal   carcinoids   is gradually increasing, may be due to the increased longevity of the patients with benign/malignant diseases. Here we report a case of NET of appendix in an 80 year old female who presented with bilateral ovarian mass, and later developed metastasis in the breast. Though uncommon, NETs producing bilateral ovarian metastasis is well described in literature, the commonest primary being ileum. Only few cases of neuroendocrine tumor metastasis to breast have been reported in the literature, but none from appendix as primary.
Clinical profile and outcome of acute nephritic syndrome in children from a tertiary care centre in south India: a descriptive study
Authors: Valiyat Shemeena , Valoor Harsha T.
Published: April 2017

Background: Acute nephritic syndrome (ANS) is major cause of morbidity in developing countries. This study is an attempt to evaluate the clinical characteristics, complications and outcome of acute nephritic syndrome.Methods:This hospital based descriptive study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Kerala, South India. 103 children with ANS were analysed. Detailed clinical examination and relevant laboratory investigations were done. These children were followed up for 1 year.Results: Out of 103 patients studied 64% were male and 36% were female. The peak age group was 6 to 8 years. Skin infection was the most common predisposing condition (68.9%). Hypertension was present in 60.1% of patients. 26.2% of patients developed complications. Of these Acute renal failures was the most commonly encountered complication (18.4%). Proteinuria (87.4%) and microscopic hematuria (80.6%) were the most consistent features.  82.5 % patients had low C3 at the time of diagnosis. Majority of patients with low C3 level had positive ASO titre. (p = 0.014). At 3month follow up C3 became normal in 95.2% of patients. At 3 months’ majority of patients with normal C3 had incomplete recovery. (p = 0.010). At the end of 12m, microscopic heamaturia was present in 4 patients, persistent hypertension in 2 patients, 11 patients had proteinuria. These patients are kept under long term follow up.Conclusions:Complications and morbidity is significantly high during the acute phase in ANS. This study highlights the need for long term follow up of these patients.
Ocular involvement in beta thalassemia major: a prospective study in an Indian cohort
Authors: Kumble Dhanalakshmi , Sekhon Prabhjot Kaur , C. Gayathri Devi
Published: April 2017

Background: Thalassemia is the commonest haemoglobinopathies worldwide. Repeated blood transfusions lead to hemosiderosis which affects all the organs in the body including eyes. This study aims to study Ocular manifestations in these children and its correlation with age and serum Ferritin level.Methods: 75 children diagnosed with B-Thalassemia major (BTM) and on regular transfusions underwent detailed Ocular examination between 2013 and 2015, including visual acuity, slit lamp bio microscopy, direct & indirect Opthalmoscopy).Results: Mean age for children was 9.73 years, with 77 % males and 23% females. Average S. Ferritin being 2701.96 ng/dl. The most common eye changes seen were in the Retina (32%, n=24), Iris (34.7%, n=26) and lens (32%, n=24). Retinal changes were temporal Retinal thinning (29.3%, n=22), retinal venous engorgement (21.3%, n=16), vessel tortuosity (17.3%, n=13), atrophy of disc (17.3%, n=13). Lens opacities were seen in 32 %, posterior sub capsular haze, streaks in posterior capsule, and heterochromia in 34.7%. Retinal changes correlated with duration of disease in children above 10 years and with increasing Serum Ferritin levels.Conclusions: Corneal dryness, lenticular opacities, disc atrophy and thinning were observed in children with B- Thalassemia and on blood transfusions. These changes increased with duration of disease. Hence there is need to screen BTM adolescents and follow up.
Acanthosis nigricans: a clinical marker of insulin resistance
Authors: Choudhary Sanjiv V. , Saoji Vikrant , Singh Adarshlata , Mane Shivani
Published: April 2017

Background: Very little information is available regarding the association of acanthosis nigricans with insulin resistance from rural areas of India. Therefore this study was carried out with the aim and objectives to study the association between acanthosis nigricans and insulin resistance and to evaluate correlation of acanthosis nigricans severity, neck severity and neck texture severity with fasting blood sugar & serum insulin especially in this rural part of central India.

Methods: In this cross sectional study with comparative group, total 162 age and sex matched subjects were divided into two groups of cases (81) with acanthosis nigricans and comparative subjects (81) without acanthosis nigricans. The severity acanthosis nigricans was assessed using the Burke’s quantitative scale. Fasting blood sugar and fasting insulin levels were estimated to know the Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values. Data was analyzed by using appropriate statistical tests.

Results: The age range was 20 to 55 years with the mean of 32.82 ± 10.19 years for cases and 33.67 ± 8.09 for comparative subjects. Univariate analysis which showed significant association of acanthosis nigricans with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR with significant odds ratios and p value (p =0.0001) respectively. Fasting blood sugar showed greater risk of association in cases but it was statistically insignificant with p-value of (p =0.32). Spearman rank coefficient correlation showed weak correlation of HOMA-IR with acanthosis nigricans severity, neck severity and neck texture severity, but showed positive correlation of fasting insulin with acanthosis nigricans severity, neck severity and neck texture severity, with statistically significant P-value (p <0.05).

Conclusions: Acanthosis nigricans was strongly associated with insulin resistance with significant odds ratio and statistical significant p value (P < 0.05). Acanthosis nigricans severity, neck severity and neck texture severity showed positive correlation with fasting serum insulin with statistically significant p value (P <0.05). 
Interaction of a Cationic Surfactant with an Oppositely Charged Polymer
Authors: Ghosh Soumen , Mal Arpan , Chakraborty Tanushree , De Gobinda Chandra , Marangoni Daniel Gerrard
Published: April 2017

The interactions between the cationic surfactant Dodecyltrimethylammonium Bromide (DTAB) and anionic polymer sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC) in aqueous medium were studied at 300K over different concentrations of Na-CMC by tensiometry, conductometry, viscometry, turbidimetry and fluorimetry. Aggregation of surfactant was attained in two steps, the first being the monomeric adsorption of surfactants on anionic sites of the polymer saturating at lower concentrations of surfactant and the second one being the formation of micelles by surfactants at higher concentrations. Mainly, two types of interactions prevailed throughout namely, electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. Due to the variation of the interactions depending on the concentrations of polymer, there has been considerable differences in the behavioural pattern of the profiles for the lower concentrations of polymer compared to that of the upper ones.
Influence of Specimen Temperature on Wear Characteristics of AA6063 Aluminium Alloy
Authors: Ilangovan S. , Shanmugasundaram A. , Arul Sanjivi
Published: April 2017

Dry sliding wear performance of aluminium alloy (AA 6063) was studied by varying applied normal load, sliding velocity and varying specimen temperatures from 50 to 150 °C. The results signify that the wear increases as the load increases from 10 to 20 N, while it decreases when the sliding velocity of the specimen increases from 1 to 2 m/s at room temperature. As the temperature of the specimen increases, the wear rate increases marginally at initial stage and then increases rapidly for a constant load and velocity. The specific wear was found to be decreased when load and sliding velocity were increased. However, in the case of varying specimen temperature condition, particularly at elevated temperature of the specimen, the specific wear showed an increasing trend. Coefficient of friction (COF) was nearly stable to both load and velocity, but it is marginally vary when temperature of the specimen increases from 50 to 100 °C and it decreases rapidly from 100 to 150 °C.
Sustainable knowledge transformation in and through higher education: A case for transdisciplinary leadership
Authors: Khoo Su-Ming
Published: April 2017

This article explores inter- and transdisciplinarity, given the need for more complex, relevant, and transformative knowledge to shift society towards more sustainable futures. It connects practical questions about economic, societal, and ecological limits to questions about the limitations
of academic knowledge. Transdisciplinarity involves co-constructing socially relevant, transformative knowledge with actors outside academia. In practice, transdisciplinary work requires clarity about intentions, along with inclusive and well-facilitated collaborative processes that accommodate
dissenting and transgressive perspectives. Higher education has begun to experiment with inter- and transdisciplinarity via sustainability-focused projects. However, it insufficiently addresses broader demands for transformation and cannot address these adequately without integral leadership.
Questioning the 'politicization of education': Development education and citizenship education in the context of Japanese education policies
Authors: Yumoto Hiroyuki
Published: April 2017

Japan's educational system has undergone a series of reforms over the past decade or so. Through these reforms, the ruling party has strengthened the involvement of the government and local authorities in education. At the same time, there has been a growing tendency for teachers to
avoid taking up political issues in classrooms, in order to comply with the idea of political neutrality in education. This article attempts to extract the present-day meaning of development education and its implications for citizenship education by critically examining certain aspects of
recent Japanese educational policy. Specifically, while pointing out that government-directed citizenship education has become increasingly 'patriotic', the article reaffirms that development education is a kind of political education. Finally, the article argues that development education
should be expanded to democratic citizenship education to nurture active citizens with global perspectives.
Elaboração de granola com adição de polpa e castanha de Bacuri para consumo com iogurte
Authors: Mendoza Viviane da Silva , De Leon dos Santos Luana , Sanjinez-Argadoña Eliana Janet
Published: April 2017

A granola e o iogurte são produtos alimentícios que trazem benefícios para a saúde. A adição de frutos não convencionais com características nutricionais e sensoriais diferenciadas pode aumentar esses benefícios. O objetivo com este estudo foi avaliar a influência da adição do fruto do bacuri (Attalea phalerata Mart.) na formulação de granola para ser consumida com iogurte. As características microbiológicas, nutricionais e físicas da granola com bacuri e do iogurte foram determinadas. O produto foi avaliado sensorialmente utilizando o teste de diferença do controle e intenção de compra em 50 julgadores. A avaliação microbiológica demonstrou que o produto atende à Legislação vigente. O conteúdo de lipídeos foi significativamente maior que o da granola comercial, fornecendo um produto com alto valor energético. Os carotenoides da polpa de bacuri contribuíram com 10% de Retinol na porção diária recomendada. A cor e a textura instrumental da granola também receberam influência do bacuri, resultando em um produto com tonalidade amarelo-laranja mais intensa e com maior crocância. Os testes sensoriais mostraram preferência pelo produto formulado com bacuri. Esses resultados permitem concluir que o fruto do bacuri é um ingrediente adequado para a elaboração de granola, uma vez que demonstrou melhoria nas propriedades de cor, textura e valor nutricional, e seu consumo com iogurte pode ser uma nova opção de alimento rápido e saudável.Palavras-chave: Cereal matinal. Attalea phalerata Mart. Cerrado.
Adesão e formação de biofilme de Escherichia Coli em poli(tereftalato de etileno) e resistência a sanificantes
Authors: Rech Chaiane Regina , Brabes Kelly Cristina da Silva , Buschinelli de Goes Rafael Henrique de Tonissi e , Aliatti Lujan Nunes Sanabria , Silva Kesia Esther , Ortolani Laís Gonçalves , Negrão Fábio Juliano
Published: April 2017

A compreensão do conceito de biofilmes e de aspectos inerentes a sua estrutura e composição é de fundamental importância para o desenvolvimento de novas estratégias de controle e erradicação de micro-organismos em estado séssil. Assim, o objetivo com este trabalho foi verificar a capacidade de adesão de Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 e de linhagem selvagem na formação de biofilmes em PET. Além disso, descrever e avaliar a eficiência dos sanificantes quaternário de amônia, ácido lático, digluconato de clorexidina e hipoclorito de sódio na redução microbiana das células em estado aderido e planctônico. Para análise da eficiência dos sanificantes em células planctônicas utilizou-se o método de disco-difusão e a Concentração Inibitória Mínima (CIM) e, para as células aderidas, o teste de CIM. Os resultados obtidos indicaram formação de biofilme pela linhagem padrão ATCC 25922 e isolado selvagem de origem clínica a partir do tempo de 4h. O hipoclorito de sódio não apresentou eficiência na redução populacional de células aderidas e planctônicas em relação aos demais sanificantes testados. O biofilme com isolado selvagem foi sensível a todas as concentrações de quaternário de amônia e inibiu o crescimento até a concentração de 0,002 mg/L no ácido lático, enquanto para o digluconato de clorexidina apresentou crescimento em todas as concentrações. A E. coli ATCC 25922 foi sensível somente às menores concentrações de quaternário de amônia, ácido lático e digluconato de clorexidina.Palavras-chave: Biofilme. Sanitizantes. Poli(tereftalato de etileno). Escherichia coli.