bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Jean-François Bladé ou l’art de l’auto-collecte dans la forme brève
Authors: Heiniger-Casteret Patricia
Published: June 2015

J-F. Bladé (1827-1900), historien et folkloriste de la Gascogne, a laissé une oeuvre qui nous place toujours devant des interrogations. Greffier scrupuleux de la parole populaire, appliquant à la lettre la méthodologie élaborée par les frères Grimm, en relation avec ce que compte le monde de la recherche en littérature populaire en cette fin de XIXe siècle laisse voir quelques failles de son irréprochable portrait lui échappent dans les notes de bas de page qui accompagne chacune des pièces orales éditées.Des trois tomes consacrés aux contes, seul le troisième nous intéressera car c’est là qu’on le voit apparaître, beaucoup plus souvent que dans les deux premiers tomes, comme greffier de sa propre mémoire. Sa signature s’appose au bas de récits brefs, anecdotiques et souvent scatologiques. De même afin de saisir au mieux sa « réécriture » des récits, nous nous pencherons sur son recueil de proverbes afin de souligner les liens qui se tissent entre l’une et l’autre de ces deux publications.***J. F. Bladé (1827-1900), historiador i folklorista de la Gascunya, va deixar una obra que ens omple encara d’interrogants. Enregistrador escrupolós de la parla popular, aplicant al peu de la lletra la metodologia elaborada pels germans Grimm, en relació amb allò que compta al món de la recerca en literatura popular en aquesta fi del segle XIX, deixa veure alguns errors en el seu impecable retrat a les notes a peu de pàgina que acompanya cadascuna de les peces orals editades.Dels tres volums dedicats a les rondalles, només el tercer ens interessa, perquè és on el veiem aparèixer, molt més sovint que als dos primers volums, com a documentalista de la seva pròpia memòria. Signa a sota de relats breus, anecdòtics i sovint escatològics. De la mateixa manera, per tal de captar millor la seva «reescriptura» dels relats, ens abocarem al seu recull de proverbis per assenyalar els vincles que s’estableixen entre les dues publicacions.
L’exemple moral: una forma breu de narrativa oral
Authors: Villalba Arasa Laura
Published: June 2015

L’estudi pretén donar notícia de l’existència de trenta-dos relats localitzats en el fons personal de Rossend Serra i Pagès a l’Arxiu Històric de la Ciutat de Barcelona. Els textos —manuscrits inèdits—, d’una extensió molt breu, van ser recollits en diverses poblacions de Catalunya en data desconeguda per quatre alumnes del mestre folklorista a l’Escola d’Institutrius i Altres Carreres per a la Dona [EIACD]: Adelaida Ferré, Mercè Ventosa, Manela Fina i Glòria Pla.L’exemple moral no ha fet fortuna en les classificacions de gèneres narratius orals dins de la cultura catalana, almenys no sota aquesta denominació. Seguint Josep M. Pujol, es pot parlar de la denominació «rondalla exemplar», i considerar-la un quasi-gènere situat a mig camí entre el mode realista, el meravellós i el numinós.La transcripció crítica dels textos i la seua anàlisi posterior miraran de donar una mica més de llum a la definició d’aquesta forma breu de la narrativa oral.
Imaxes de muller
Authors: Samper Prunera Emili
Published: June 2015

Noia, Camiño (ed.): Imaxes de muller: representación da feminidade en mitos, contos e lendas. Vigo: Universidade de Vigo, 2012, 330 p.
Set estudis de literatura oral
Authors: Valriu Llinàs Caterina
Published: June 2015

Serrà Campins, Antoni: Set estudis de literatura oral. Palma: Lleonard Muntaner Editor, 2012, 336 p.
Danish Folkloristics: between Philology and Ethnology
Authors: Simonsen Michèle
Published: June 2015

Aquest article ofereix una visió general dels estudiosos més importants del folklore danès —Svend Grundtvig, Axel Olrik, Evald Tang Kristensen, Bengt Holbek, Iørn Piø— i sosté que, encara que la majoria d’ells van ser formats originalment en filologia i sobretot es van interessar per la literatura oral, estaven tots, cadascú a la seva manera, d’acord amb l’«ecologia» del folklore: és a dir, la seva interacció amb l’entorn. Què era el «poble» (folk) i què era la «saviesa» (lore) per a aquests erudits? L’article també tracta d’avaluar com els folkloristes danesos van tractar el canvi de paradigma des dels estudis folklòrics als culturals.
Contes et légendes étiologiques dans l’espace européen
Authors: Noia Campos Camiño
Published: June 2015

Kabakova, Galina (ed.): Contes et légendes étiologiques dans l’espace européen. París: Pippa / Flies France, 2013, 304 p.
Presentació
Authors: Samper Prunera Emili
Published: June 2015

Amb aquest número de la revista encetem el primer monogràfic realitzat en homenatge a Josep M. Pujol (Barcelona, 1947–2012). Temàticament, cada número se centrarà en un dels àmbits d’estudi en els quals ell era especialista i aquest es dedica a la «Teoria i història del folklore». La lectura dels articles d’aquest número no només permet aprofundir en aspectes ben actuals de la teoria del folklore i en episodis poc estudiats de la seva història, sinó quetambé ens fa veure com el llegat de Josep M. Pujol és ben viu.
Rumors i folkore: Guerriglia per un morto che non c’è
Authors: Roviró Alemany Ignasi
Published: June 2015

El treball descriu el naixement d’un rumor que va fer posar en peus de guerra un estadi de futbol. El diumenge 21 de març del 2004 s’enfrontaven l’equip de la Roma i del Lazio, els dos equips de la ciutat de Roma. Les dues aficions estan enfrontades. Tradicionalment són enemigues i per això era un partit d’alt risc. Hi havia uns 80.000 assistents i el partit es retransmetia per la RAI, la televisió italiana. La primera part va transcórrer amb la duresa pròpia d’un derbi. Durant la mitja part va córrer la notícia que la policia havia mort un nen en els enfrontaments a fora del camp de futbol. Tant els seguidors de la Roma com del Lazio van unir-se i es van enfrontar contra la policia. De l’enfrontament entre tifosi i policia hi va haver 167 ferits (153 policies i 14 tifosi) i 18 detinguts. Dels 153 membres de l’ordre públic ferits, 95 eren policies, 35 de l’arma dels carabinieri i 23 de la guàrdia de finances. Les pèrdues materials es van comptabilitzar en uns 200.000 euros.
Female preponderance in atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia, but no sex related electrophysiological differences
Authors: Bergfeldt Lennart , Williamsson Claes , Schwieler Jonas
Published: June 2015

The mechanism behind the female preponderance for atrio-ventricular node reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) is not clear.
We compared baseline electrophysiological measurements and clinical data in 141 consecutive patients (96 women) who
underwent successful AVNRT ablation at their fi rst therapeutic procedure. Women had on average 9% higher resting
heart rate than men (p<0.05), but were similar in all measures of AV node function. Isoproterenol infusion was required
for AVNRT induction in 69 cases (49%), and the need for isoproterenol was associated with lower resting heart rate and
longer anterograde and retrograde AV node refractory periods (p<0.05 for comparisons), but not with sex. We conclude
that the spectrum of baseline AV node physiology in AVNRT patients is wide, and is similar in men and women. The female
preponderance for AVNRT cannot be explained from comparisons of baseline AV node electrophysiological properties.
Comparative assessment of non-invasive imaging in detecting coronary artery disease
Authors: Hamoudi Z
Published: June 2015

Coronary artery disease (CAD) has an important impact on the morbidity and mortality in the West and health service
resources worldwide. It is therefore crucial to accurately diagnose CAD early, in an attempt to limit its burden on patients
and society, potentially by optimum risk stratification, accurate diagnosis and management. Invasive coronary angiography
(ICA) is the conventional gold standard imaging investigation for the coronary circulation and assessment of disease severity.
However, it is an invasive procedure and is associated with risks, although rare. In addition, it detects luminal stenosis but
not the functional importance of those anatomical lesions. Therefore, a wide variety of non-invasive imaging developed
to evaluate the presence and severity of CAD, including anatomical techniques e.g. coronary CT that assesses coronary
stenosis, and quantifies coronary calcium, hence the burden of atherosclerotic plaques and functional imaging e.g. stress
echocardiography, nuclear imaging by SPECT and PET and stress CMR. Selection of the most appropriate imaging,
therefore, is challenging and requires knowledge of patients’ pre-test probability and prevalence of disease, their advantages
and limitations, cost and availability. This review attempts to provide an overview of the current supporting evidence of the
role of non-invasive imaging in diagnosing CAD, in addition to its prognostic value, limitations and advantages.
Calidad de empleo con enfoque de género: Propuesta de un marco conceptual
Authors: Becerra Claudia Jessenia
Published: June 2015

Las mujeres se encuentran en peores condiciones que los hombres en la mayoría de esferas de la vida. Además de esto, ciencias como la economía, con enfoque androcéntrico, invisibilizan la problemática. El análisis de la calidad de vida laboral (CVL) con enfoque de género tiene un abordaje escaso, por esta razón, en el presente artículo se presenta un marco conceptual para su análisis del cual surgen dos instrumentos de medición, uno para los trabajadores y otro para la empresa. Estos instrumentos se basan, tanto en percepciones subjetivas como en datos objetivos, los cuales permiten por un lado, analizar la CVL dentro de una empresa y por otro, comparar los niveles con enfoque de género.
La emergencia de la violencia obstétrica como modelo de mundo contra-hegemónico
Authors: Calafell Sala Núria
Published: June 2015

En el año 2004, en Argentina, se sanciona y se promulga la Ley de Parto Humanizado (Ley 25.929). Diez años después, ésta sigue sin reglamentarse, lo que ha posibilitado la aparición de una serie de prácticas y discursos contradictorios y en constante tensión. Uno de ellos es el que concierne a lo que se ha dado en llamar “violencia obstétrica”, una expresión muy nueva y reciente que pretende dar cuenta de las prácticas y los discursos médicos que ejercen algún tipo de violencia –física, psíquica o verbal- sobre las mujeres y las niñas en el ámbito de la salud reproductiva, en especial durante los períodos del embarazo, el parto y el postparto.

 
Experiencias de maternidad adoptiva en Argentina: diálogos con el ideal normativo
Authors: Pena Mariela
Published: June 2015

Este artículo aborda la problemática de la adopción focalizando en la categoría de maternidad. Recuperando algunas elaboraciones feministas se ponen en tensión relatos de madres adoptivas con el ideario prevaleciente en torno a la maternidad y su asociación con la “naturaleza” de las mujeres. Se sugiere para el contexto estudiado la persistencia de un ideal normativo que prescribe la centralidad de los aspectos biológicos de la maternidad. En relación a él, exploramos modalidades variables en las cuales diferentes mujeres “resuelven creativamente” sus experiencias, señalando la continuidad de un diálogo con dicho modelo. Asimismo, consideramos algunos entrelazamientos entre los sentidos observados y las influencias del “discurso psi” en la normativización de la crianza y la construcción del ideario de “buena madre”.
La ausencia de democracia paritaria en la democracia interna de los partidos políticos
Authors: Macías Jara María
Published: June 2015

El principio de presencia equilibrada en el marco de la Ley Orgánica 3/2007, para la igualdad efectiva de mujeres y de hombres, supone una importante estrategia para la consecución de un nuevo modelo de representación democrática. Este ideal viene caracterizado por la noción de Democracia paritaria, de modo que sólo se podrá hablar de él cuando la igualdad se considere por todos los poderes públicos, los agentes sociales y los ciudadanos y ciudadanas no sólo un valor jurídico y social, sino, también, un valor democrático. Por lo tanto, la paridad, en tanto presupuesto esencial de ciudadanía y de existencia, supone llevar al máximo extremo la igualdad jurídica y real, modificando transversalmente las estructuras y los modelos de poder, incluyendo las bases de los partidos políticos para consensuar un nuevo pacto y acabar con la jerarquía de género, una de las grandes lagunas de la configuración actual de la democracia representativa.

 
La participación política de las mujeres: La Ley de Igualdad 3/2007 de 22 de Marzo como punto de partida para alcanzar la igualdad efectiva entre hombres y mujeres en el ámbito político
Authors: Alonso García Nieves
Published: June 2015

En el presente trabajo se analiza la participación política de las mujeres, centrándose en el estudio de la Ley Orgánica 3/2007, de 22 de marzo para la igualdad efectiva entre mujeres y hombres y en la normativa electoral autonómica en materia de igualdad. Dentro de la Ley de Igualdad se realiza un estudio, fundamentalmente, de la modificación de la Ley Orgánica del Régimen Electoral General encaminada a conseguir el objetivo de alcanzar una democracia paritaria en la que hombres y mujeres accedan en igualdad de condiciones a los órganos decisorios.

 
Indian and Persian swordsmanship: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Kurochkin Aleksey , Khorasani Manouchehr Moshtagh
Published: June 2015

The existing cultural interconnection between Iran and North India, which existed and developed over a long period of time, is known today as “Indo-Iranian” or “Indo-Persian”, which could be applied to the region, culture, literature, weapons and other spheres of intercultural interference. The cultural cooperation between these two countries was bilateral and marked by trade routes. This paper is aimed at analyzing the interrelation, similarities and differences between the martial and military cultures of India and Persia. More precisely, the article describes the field of individual training in military skills, methods of their acquisition and retention, as well as the usage of the related weapons. For this purpose, we carried out a comparative analysis based on historical sources as well as on contemporary literature on the topic. First, the paper focuses on general principles and weapon traditions in both cultures. The next section deals with a description of some techniques of Persian swordsmanship as described in Persian manuscripts. The next part describes some aspects of Indian swordsmanship. Then the last part describes some similarities and differences related to techniques of swordsmanship in both traditions. However, one should stress that although there are many extant Persian manuscripts on warfare and fighting techniques, no related Indian manuscripts have been found so far. This article is only at an intial stage of research.
World Food System Disruptions in the Early 2000s: Causes, Impacts, and Cures
Authors: von Braun Joachim , Algieri Bernardina , Kalkuhl Matthias
Published: June 2015

The rapidly rising and more‐volatile food prices of recent years are a significant indication of changes in global markets and a signal of resource scarcity. They pose new challenges in terms of food and nutrition security at the worldwide level. This article traces the main drivers and impacts of food price increases, and proposes institutional changes in the world food system to help overcome chronic supply constraints through enhanced productivity, combined with actions to address new causes of food price volatility, such as financialization of commodity markets and linkages to energy markets. The price crises of 2008 and 2011, and to a lesser extent in 2012, have been met with often, uncoordinated national policy adjustments with international implications. To prevent such collective actions failures in the international food system, comprehensive institutional changes are proposed.
Removal of humic acid from composted hog waste by the white-rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium
Authors: Liu Junying , Song Yunmeng , Ruan Roger , Liu Yuhuan
Published: June 2015

The potential hazards of humic acid (HA) associated with hog waste effluent, coupled with increasing awareness of environmental problems, have prompted many countries to control disposal of effluents into water bodies and to maximize removal of HA. Here we employed the white-rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, to degrade the HA in composted hog waste effluent, evaluated by the response surface method. Preliminary experiments demonstrate that pH, temperature and quantity of inoculum are significant variables determining success of the fungus. In total, 13 experiments were conducted with three variables designated as A (pH), B (temperature) and C (inoculum amount). The optimal conditions for reduction of HA by P. chrysosporium are pH 6, 31.5°C and an inoculum quantity of 5.86 g. Predicted and experimental results exhibit strong agreement, indicating efficiency in the model obtained by response surface method. Therefore, P. chrysosporium is an effective micro-organism for removal of HA from composted hog waste effluent.
Analysis of suspended solids transport processes in primary settling tanks
Authors: Patziger Miklós , Kiss Katalin
Published: June 2015

The paper shows the results of a long-term research comprising FLUENT-based numerical modeling, in situ measurements and laboratory tests to analyze suspended solids (SS) transport processes in primary settling tanks (PSTs). The investigated PST was one of the rectangular horizontal flow PSTs at a large municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of a capacity of 500,000 population equivalent. Many middle-sized and large WWTPs are equipped with such PSTs. The numerical PST model was calibrated and validated based on the results of comprehensive in situ flow and SS concentration measurements from low (5 m/h) up to quite high surface overflow rates of 9.5 and 13.0 m/h and on settling and other laboratory tests. The calibrated and validated PST model was also successfully used for evaluation of some slight modifications of the inlet geometry (removing lamellas, installing a flocculation ‘box’, shifting the inlet into a ‘bottom-near’ or into a ‘high’ position), which largely affect PST behavior and performance. The investigations provided detailed insight into the flow and SS transport processes within the investigated PST, which strongly contributes to hydrodynamically driven design and upgrading of PSTs.
Influence of pH on hexavalent chromium reduction by Fe(II) and sulfide compounds
Authors: Chen Juan , Chen Ri , Hong Mei
Published: June 2015

Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of pH on Cr(VI) reduction with Fe(II), sulfide and mixtures of Fe(II) and sulfide at pH 3.0–12.0. The results showed that Fe(II) could reduce Cr(VI) with a high removal of nearly 100% in the pH range of 3.0–9.0, while the reduction of Cr(VI) decreased to approximately 60% considering the oxygenation of Fe(II) at pH 12.0. The reaction between Cr(VI) and sulfide, however, was largely pH dependent. H2S was the main sulfide species with the Cr(VI) removal of ∼80% at pH < 7.0, while sulfide mainly existed in the forms as HS− or S2− at pH ≥ 7.0, which had very limited removal of Cr(VI) (no more than 10%). The Cr(VI) removal by the mixtures of Fe(II) and sulfide was also compared with the sum of separate ones at different pH values. The sum of Cr(VI) removal by single Fe(II) and S(-II) was similar to that by the mixtures at pH 3.0–5.0 and pH 12.0, while the removal of Cr(VI) by the mixtures was observed to be more effective than the sum of the single-species removals at pH 7.0–9.0; the promoting effect was primarily attributed to the catalysis of ferric ion generated during the reduction process.
Ammonia and phenol removal in an internal-circulate sequencing batch airlift reactor
Authors: Liu Qifeng , Du Cong , Yang Ting , Fu Zhimin
Published: June 2015

An internal-circulate sequencing batch airlift reactor (IC-SBAR) has been developed to evaluate the efficiency of phenol and ammonia removal in treating synthetic wastewater. This study examined the effect of operation cycle on this system. Results showed that above 97.0% removal efficiencies of ammonia and phenol were achieved, which indicated that ammonia and phenol removals were not related to operation cycle. The average removal efficiency of 91.7% for chemical oxygen demand (COD) was achieved when the static/aerobic/settling time was 240 min/440 min/40 min. It was found that COD removal efficiency increased due to the time of operation cycle being prolonged. The average removal efficiencies of total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) were 65.8, 69.3 and 68.9% when average TIN concentrations were 78.0, 97.6 and 88.4 mg/L, respectively, in the influent. A cycle study showed that most phenol was degraded by aerobic microbes. Increasing the static time from 120 to 240 min resulted in the accumulation of NO2−-N, which indicated that the structures of the nitrifying bacterial community were changed.
The use of palm kernel shell (PKS) as substrate material in vertical-flow engineered wetlands for septage treatment in Malaysia
Authors: Jong Valerie Siaw Wee , Tang Fu Ee
Published: June 2015

In this study, the treatment of septage (originating from septic tanks) was carried out in a pilot-scale, two-staged, vertical-flow engineered wetland (VFEW). Palm kernel shells (PKS) were incorporated as part of the VFEW's substrate (B-PKS), to compare its organic matter (OM) and nitrogen (N) removal efficiency against wetlands with only sand substrates (B-SD). The results revealed satisfactory OM removal with >90% reduction efficiencies at both wetlands B-PKS and B-SD. No increment of chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration was observed in the effluent of B-PKS. Ammonia load removal efficiencies were comparable (>91% and 95% in wetland B-PKS and B-SD, respectively). However, nitrate accumulation was observed in the effluent of B-SD where PKS was absent. This was due to the limited denitrification in B-SD, as sand is free of carbon. A lower nitrate concentration was associated with higher COD concentration in the effluent at B-PKS. This study has shown that the use of PKS was effective in improving the N removal efficiency in engineered wetlands.
Modelling GAC adsorption of biologically pre-treated process water from hydrothermal carbonization
Authors: Fettig J. , Liebe H.
Published: June 2015

Granular-activated carbon (GAC) adsorption of biologically pre-treated process waters from hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of different materials was investigated. Overall, isotherms showed that most of the dissolved organic substances are strongly adsorbable while the non-adsorbable fractions are small. The equilibrium data were modelled by using five fictive components to represent the organic matter. Mean film transfer coefficients and mean intraparticle diffusivities were derived from short-column and batch kinetic test data, respectively. Breakthrough curves in GAC columns could be predicted satisfactorily by applying the film-homogeneous diffusion model and using the equilibrium and kinetic parameters determined from batch tests. Thus, the approach is suited to model GAC adsorption of HTC process water under technical-scale conditions.
High strength domestic wastewater treatment with submerged forward osmosis membrane bioreactor
Authors: Aftab Bilal , Khan Sher Jamal , Maqbool Tahir , Hankins Nicholas P.
Published: June 2015

Forward osmosis membranes are less prone to fouling with high rejection of salts, and the osmotic membrane bioreactor (OMBR) can be considered as an innovative membrane technology for wastewater treatment. In this study, a submerged OMBR having a cellulose triacetate membrane, with the active layer facing the feed solution configuration, was operated at different organic loading rates (OLRs), i.e., 0.4, 1.2 and 2.0 kg-COD/(m3·d) with chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations of 200 mg/L, 600 mg/L and 1,000 mg/L, respectively, to evaluate the performance on varying wastewater strengths. High organic content with sufficient amount of nutrients enhanced the biomass growth. High OLR caused more extrapolymeric substances production and less dewaterability. However, no significant differences in fouling trends and flux rates were observed among different OLR operational conditions.
Leptin Suppresses Mouse Taste Cell Responses to Sweet Compounds
Authors: Yoshida Ryusuke , Noguchi Kenshi , Shigemura Noriatsu , Jyotaki Masafumi , Takahashi Ichiro , Margolskee Robert F. , Ninomiya Yuzo
Published: June 2015

Leptin is known to selectively suppress neural and behavioral responses to sweet-tasting compounds. However, the molecular basis for the effect of leptin on sweet taste is not known. Here, we report that leptin suppresses sweet taste via leptin receptors (Ob-Rb) and KATP channels expressed selectively in sweet-sensitive taste cells. Ob-Rb was more often expressed in taste cells that expressed T1R3 (a sweet receptor component) than in those that expressed glutamate-aspartate transporter (a marker for Type I taste cells) or GAD67 (a marker for Type III taste cells). Systemically administered leptin suppressed taste cell responses to sweet but not to bitter or sour compounds. This effect was blocked by a leptin antagonist and was absent in leptin receptor–deficient db/db mice and mice with diet-induced obesity. Blocking the KATP channel subunit sulfonylurea receptor 1, which was frequently coexpressed with Ob-Rb in T1R3-expressing taste cells, eliminated the effect of leptin on sweet taste. In contrast, activating the KATP channel with diazoxide mimicked the sweet-suppressing effect of leptin. These results indicate that leptin acts via Ob-Rb and KATP channels that are present in T1R3-expressing taste cells to selectively suppress their responses to sweet compounds.
Analysis of safety parameters for the MINERVE reactor
Authors: Ateya A. E. , Amin E. H. , Nagy M. E. , Abou-Gabal H. H.
Published: June 2015

The present study aims to show the effect of different cross section libraries on MINERVE reactor safety parameters. The MCNP5 calculation model of the MINERVE reactor facility is used to determine core and safety parameters such as axial and radial fission rate distributions, control rod worth and spectral indices. Different neutron spectra were achieved by changing the experimental lattice within the MINERVE reactor. MINERVE provides a large experimental basis for the improvement of the cross section databases. The current study calculates these parameters by MCNP5 code using three different cross section libraries (the continuous energy cross sections of the ENDFB-VI, T16-2003, and ENDF/B-VII.1 libraries). Neutronic calculations were performed for R1UO2, R1MOX, R2UO2, and R2MOX core configurations, representative of a LWR loaded with UO2, mixed oxide matrix, over moderated UO2 and over moderated MOX, respectively. The study aims to determine the most suitable cross section library to be used with MCNP5 reactor calculation code for light water reactor fuel lattice. The MCNP5 results were compared with the experimental results.
Neutronic performance of (ReprocessedU/Th)O2 fuel in CANDU 6 reactor
Authors: Gholamzadeh Z. , Mirvakili S. M. , Feghhi S. A. H.
Published: June 2015

Utilization of thorium-based fuel in different reactors has been under investigation for several decades. In fact, excellent breeding features, rather flattened distribution of power as well as proliferation resistance of such fuel cycle draws the attention towards utilization of this type of fuel in nuclear power technology. In the present study, the neutronic performance of a typical thorium core loading is addressed. In this configuration, a mixed uranium and thorium oxide is loaded in CANDU 6 reactor. The obtained results determine a total peaking factor of 2.73 for the proposed configuration. The values obtained for the β and the βeff are 332 and 303 pcm respectively. The core reactivity coefficients were more negative comparing the CANDU 6 loaded with natUO2. The initial fissile material loaded in the core increased by a factor of 1.5 after 730 GWd burn-up. The obtained burn-up results show the core reactivity variations were highly positive after 6 and 12 h shut down because of considerably high buildup of 233Pa after 1-year core operation at 2000 MW power.
Modelling study on production cross sections of 111In radioisotopes used in nuclear medicine
Authors: Kara A. , Korkut T. , Yiğit M. , Tel E.
Published: June 2015

Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive drugs used for diagnosis or treatment in a tracer quantity with no pharmacological action. The production of radiopharmaceuticals is carried out in the special research centers generally using by the cyclotron systems. Indium-111 is one of the most useful radioisotopes used in nuclear medicine. In this paper, we calculated the production cross sections of 111In radioisotope via 111–114Cd(p,xn) nuclear reactions up to 60 MeV energy. In the model calculations, ALICE/ASH, TALYS 1.6 and EMPIRE 3.2 Malta nuclear reaction code systems were used. The model calculation results were compared to the experimental literature data and TENDL-2014 (TALYS-based) data.
Evaluation of Recently Developed Regression Equation with Direct Measurement of Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in a Bangladeshi Population
Authors: Sha Md Fazley Rabbi , Siddique Abdul Hai , Saiedullah Muhammad , Khan Md Aminul Haque
Published: June 2015

Background: Meaningful underestimation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is an important shortcoming of Friedewalds formula (FF) at higher triglyceride (TG) levels. Recently a regression equation (RE) has been developed using lipid profiles in one setting and validated externally for the calculation of LDL cholesterol. This newly developed RE requires more studies in different settings.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the regression equation against direct measurement.Materials and Methods: Lipid profiles of 600 subjects attending a tertiary healthcare center were included in this study. Specimens were collected and lipid profiles were measured by standard methods. Sixty two lipid profiles with TG above 400 mg/dL were excluded. Calculated LDL cholesterol values using FF and RE were compared with measured LDL cholesterol by Pearsons correlation test, Passing & Bablok regression, accuracy within ±5% and ±12% of measured LDL cholesterol and two-tailed paired t test at various TG ranges.Results: The mean value of LDL cholesterol was 148.6 ± 37.2 mg/dL for direct measurement, 146.9 ± 42.4 mg/dL for FF and 148.6 ± 34.7 mg/dL for RE. The correlation coefficients of calculated LDL cholesterol values with measured LDL cholesterol were 0.949 (p<0.001) for FF and 0.959 (p<0.001) for RE. Passing & Bablok regression equation against measured LDL cholesterol was y = 0.897x + 16.2 for FF and y = 1.0842x  13.1 for RE. Accuracy within ±5% of measured LDL cholesterol was 45% for FF, 57% for RE and within ±12% of measured LDL cholesterol was 84% for FF, 93% for RE. When calculated LDL cholesterol was compared with measured LDL cholesterol at different TG ranges, FF significantly underestimated LDL cholesterol at TG concentrations above 200 mg/dL whereas no significant difference was observed for RE.Conclusion: This study reveals that RE equation has similar performance to direct measurement for calculation of LDL cholesterolJ Enam Med Col 2015; 5(2): 75-79
Association of Streptococcus with Plaque Type of Psoriasis
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Akram , Khondker Lubna
Published: June 2015

Background: Guttate psoriasis has a well-known association with streptococcal throat infections, but the effects of these infections in patients with chronic plaque type of psoriasis remains to be evaluated. In Bangladesh several studies were done on psoriasis but no data about association between streptococcal throat infection and plaque type psoriasis are available so far. Considering the co-morbidities of psoriasis patients, it might be justifiable to find out the events that provoke the initiation or exacerbation of psoriatic disease process.Objective: To observe the association of streptococcus with plaque type of psoriasis.Materials and Methods: This observational study was conducted in the department of Dermatology and Venereology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka. Forty seven patients clinically and histopathologically diagnosed as having plaque psoriasis were selected as cases and patients with skin diseases other than psoriasis were selected as controls.Results: In this study majority of subjects (55%) were diagnosed as chronic plaque psoriasis. Among the subjects with guttate flare of chronic plaque psoriasis 64.2% gave a positive history of sore throat. ASO titer was raised (>200 IU/mL) in 28 (59.5%) patients of chronic plaque psoriasis and 7 (17.9%) patients of non-psoriatic respondents. The difference between two groups was significant (p<0.05). Streptococcus pyogenes was found in 12 (25.5%) in chronic plaque psoriasis patients versus in 4 (10.2%) in controls (p>0.05).Conclusion: This study shows that streptococcal throat infections are associated with plaque psoriasis and early treatment of throat infections may be beneficial for plaque type of psoriasis patients.J Enam Med Col 2015; 5(2): 99-103
Pregnancy Located below the Internal Os ? Cervical and Caesarean Scar Ectopics
Authors: Bari Sumia , Ara Gulshan , Nessa Kamrun
Published: June 2015

Cervical pregnancy is an extremely rare condition with potential grave consequences if not diagnosed early and treated properly. Here we report two cases of early cervical ectopic pregnancy with a history of previous one caesarean section. One case severely bled during evacuation and curettage and was successfully treated by hysterotomy followed by digital separation of product of conception. Another case was managed conservatively by medical method with injectable methotrexate.J Enam Med Col 2015; 5(2): 118-121
Emphysematous Pyelonephritis in a 32-Year-Old Diabetic Female
Authors: Rahim Muhammad Abdur , Ananna Mehruba Alam , Samad Tabassum , Chowdhury Tufayel Ahmed , Haque Wasim Md Mohosinul , Iqbal Sarwar
Published: June 2015

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare, severe, necrotizing renal parenchymal infection characterized by gas accumulation in kidney(s) with or without involving surrounding tissues. Patients with diabetes mellitus are the usual sufferers. Here we describe a case history of a young Bangladeshi diabetic lady who presented with dysuria, fever and abdominal pain. Investigations confirmed left sided emphysematous pyelonephritis. She responded to and recovered with intravenous antibiotics.J Enam Med Col 2015; 5(2): 122-124
Gastric Transposition in Long- Gap Esophageal Atresia
Authors: Jafor Md Abu
Published: June 2015

Abstract not availableJ. Paediatr. Surg. Bangladesh 3(1): 1-3, 2012 (January)
Short Term Outcome of Palliative Measures Taken for Clinically Labeled Unresectable Carcinoma Pancreas
Authors: Farooq Md Abdullah Al , Rahman MA Mushfiqur , Tajreen Tania , Ali Mohammad
Published: June 2015

Background: At the time of diagnosis most of the pancreatic caner is well advanced and curative resection becomes impossible. These are labeled as unresectable carcinoma pancreas where only palliative medical or surgical measures could be done.Objectives: To observe the various types of palliations with their early result.Methods: This retrospective study was carried out in the department of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery in BIRDEM hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2004 to June 2006. After careful check 50 patients were labeled as unresectable carcinoma pancreas. Surgical intervention was thought impossible in 10 patients and these patients took only chemotherapy. Laparotomy was carried out in the rest 40 patients with the plan to take open biopsy along with surgical palliation. Curative resection was seemed not to be possible in any patient. After abdominal exploration resectability of the pancreatic lesion was assessed and compared with prior plan. Post operative histopathology revealed pancreatic carcinoma in 35 patients. Postoperative treatment modalities used like chemotherapy, chemoradiation were assessed. Overall outcome of all the palliations were noted and compared with initial presentations.Result: Among 50 patients male were 28 (n1) & female were 22 (n2) with male female ratio was 1.27:1. Eighty percent (80%) patients presented between 51 to 70 years of age. Preoperative plan of surgical palliation noted to be changed significantly after laparotomy. Curative resections were possible in 2 patients. No palliative surgery was possible in 2 patients with gross disease and only biopsy was taken. Palliative surgeries along with biopsy were done in 36 patients. Only biliary bypass carried out in 04 patients, choledochojejunostomy with gastrojejunostomy were performed in 18 patients and hepatico- jejunostomy with gastrojejunostomy were performed in 12 patients. Only gastrojejunostomy were carried out in 02 patients to relieve duodenal obstruction. For pain control chemical splanchnicectomy done in 07 patients.There was no perioperative mortality. Early post operative complications were wound infection in 6 (15%) patients, haemorrhage in 2 (5%) patients and bilioenteric anastomotic leakage in 1(2.5%) patient. Post operative histopathology reports revealed pancreatic carcinoma in 35 patients. After one year follow up it was noted that jaundice again developed in 02 patients (4.6%) underwent choledochojejunostomy and gastrojejunostomy. Control of pain was satisfactory in 31 patients (72.1%) by multimodal analgesia. Chemical splanchnicectomy was satisfactory in 4 (56%) patients to control pain. Twenty seven patients (54%) had died within a year. Only 16 (36%) patients were alive after one year. Seven patients (14%) had lost from follow up.Conclusion: Surgical palliation along with other medical palliations is recommended for unresectable carcinoma pancreas.J. Paediatr. Surg. Bangladesh 3(1): 18-25, 2012 (January)
Subcutaneous Emphysema: A Rare Postoperative Complication after Tonsillectomy
Authors: Litu Manilal Aich , Chowdhury Nurul Karim , Hossain Mohammad Amzad , Mamun Abdullah Al , Mahmud Mashuque , Bishwas Dipali , Dutta Utpal Kumar , Alam Md Zahedul
Published: June 2015

Tonsillectomy is considered as a relatively safe procedure. This report aimed at describing an uncommon complication of this surgical procedure - subcutaneous emphysema. A 12 years old girl admitted for tonsillectomy operation. After routine preoperative assessment her operation was performed under general anesthesia. Surgery was uneventful. 7-8 hours after surgery, during follow-up in postoperative room progressing subcutaneous emphysema was noticed which initially involved the neck. But later on, it extended upper chest, upper arms, face & back. Crepitus swelling of neck and bilateral parotid region, typical of subcutaneous emphysema was noted. Chest X ray showed free air in the cervical regions reaching upper mediastinum. There was no airway obstruction and patients general condition was stable. Emphysema was no longer clinically evident 3 days after & patient was released. Subcutaneous emphysema is an uncommon complication of tonsillectomy, appearing almost ever after deeper dissections of the pharyngeal mucosa, when a porous surface is created, thus providing a route for the entry of air. Increased upper airway pressure may contribute to this injury.J. Paediatr. Surg. Bangladesh 3(1): 51-53, 2012 (January)
Study of Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) Activity in LPS-Induced Tolerance Using Fluorescence-Based and Immunoprecipitation-Aided Methodology
Authors: Sun Lei , Pappy Adlai , Pham Tiffany , Shanley Thomas
Published: June 2015

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is one of the most abundant intracellular serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) phosphatases accounting for 1% of the total cellular protein content. PP2A is comprised of a heterodimeric core enzyme and a substrate-specific regulatory subunit. Potentially, at least seventy different compositions of PP2A exist because of variable regulatory subunit binding that accounts for various activity modulating numerous cell functions. Due to the constitutive phosphatase activity present inside cells, a sensitive assay is required to detect the changes of PP2A activity under various experimental conditions. We optimized a fluorescence assay (DIFMU assay) by combining it with prior anti-PP2A immunoprecipitation to quantify PP2A-specific phosphatase activity. It is also known that prior exposure to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induces “immune tolerance” of the cells to subsequent stimulation. Herein we report that PP2A activity is upregulated in tolerized peritoneal macrophages, corresponding to decreased TNF-α secretion upon second LPS stimulation. We further examined the role of PP2A in the tolerance effect by using PP2ACαl°xl°x;lyM-Cre conditional knockout macrophages. We found that PP2A phosphatase activity cannot be further increased by tolerance. TNF-α secretion from tolerized PP2ACαl°xl°x;lyM-Cre macrophages is higher than tolerized control macrophages. Furthermore, we showed that the increased TNF-α secretion may be due to an epigenetic transcriptionally active signature on the promoter of TNF-α gene rather than regulation of the NFκB/IκB signaling pathway. These results suggest a role for increased PP2A activity in the regulation of immune tolerance.
High-Resolution Respirometry for Simultaneous Measurement of Oxygen and Hydrogen Peroxide Fluxes in Permeabilized Cells, Tissue Homogenate and Isolated Mitochondria
Authors: Makrecka-Kuka Marina , Krumschnabel Gerhard , Gnaiger Erich
Published: June 2015

Whereas mitochondria are well established as the source of ATP in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), it is debated if they are also the major cellular sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here we describe the novel approach of combining high-resolution respirometry and fluorometric measurement of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, applied to mitochondrial preparations (permeabilized cells, tissue homogenate, isolated mitochondria). The widely used H2O2 probe Amplex Red inhibited respiration in intact and permeabilized cells and should not be applied at concentrations above 10 µM. H2O2 fluxes were generally less than 1% of oxygen fluxes in physiological substrate and coupling states, specifically in permeabilized cells. H2O2 flux was consistently highest in the Complex II-linked LEAK state, reduced with CI&II-linked convergent electron flow and in mitochondria respiring at OXPHOS capacity, and were further diminished in uncoupled mitochondria respiring at electron transfer system capacity. Simultaneous measurement of mitochondrial respiration and H2O2 flux requires careful optimization of assay conditions and reveals information on mitochondrial function beyond separate analysis of ROS production.
Biomolecules and Biomarkers Used in Diagnosis of Alcohol Drinking and in Monitoring Therapeutic Interventions
Authors: Nanau Radu , Neuman Manuela
Published: June 2015

Background: The quantitative, measurable detection of drinking is important for the successful treatment of alcohol misuse in transplantation of patients with alcohol disorders, people living with human immunodeficiency virus that need to adhere to medication, and special occupational hazard offenders, many of whom continually deny drinking. Their initial misconduct usually leads to medical problems associated with drinking, impulsive social behavior, and drunk driving. The accurate identification of alcohol consumption via biochemical tests contributes significantly to the monitoring of drinking behavior. Methods: A systematic review of the current methods used to measure biomarkers of alcohol consumption was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar databases (2010–2015). The names of the tests have been identified. The methods and publications that correlate between the social instruments and the biochemical tests were further investigated. There is a clear need for assays standardization to ensure the use of these biochemical tests as routine biomarkers. Findings: Alcohol ingestion can be measured using a breath test. Because alcohol is rapidly eliminated from the circulation, the time for detection by this analysis is in the range of hours. Alcohol consumption can alternatively be detected by direct measurement of ethanol concentration in blood or urine. Several markers have been proposed to extend the interval and sensitivities of detection, including ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulfate in urine, phosphatidylethanol in blood, and ethyl glucuronide and fatty acid ethyl esters in hair, among others. Moreover, there is a need to correlate the indirect biomarker carbohydrate deficient transferrin, which reflects longer lasting consumption of higher amounts of alcohol, with serum γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, another long term indirect biomarker that is routinely used and standardized in laboratory medicine.
Novel Mesoporous Carbon Supports for PEMFC Catalysts
Authors: Banham Dustin , Feng Fangxia , Fürstenhaupt Tobias , Pei Katie , Ye Siyu , Birss Viola
Published: June 2015

Over the past decade; a significant amount of research has been performed on novel carbon supports for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Specifically, carbon nanotubes, ordered mesoporous carbon, and colloid imprinted carbons have shown great promise for improving the activity and/or stability of Pt-based nanoparticle catalysts. In this work, a brief overview of these materials is given, followed by an in-depth discussion of our recent work highlighting the importance of carbon wall thickness when designing novel carbon supports for PEMFC applications. Four colloid imprinted carbons (CICs) were synthesized using a silica colloid imprinting method, with the resulting CICs having pores of 15 (CIC-15), 26 (CIC-26), 50 (CIC-50) and 80 (CIC-80) nm. These four CICs were loaded with 10 wt. % Pt and then evaluated as oxygen reduction (ORR) catalysts for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. To gain insight into the poorer performance of Pt/CIC-26 vs. the other three Pt/CICs, TEM tomography was performed, indicating that CIC-26 had much thinner walls (0–3 nm) than the other CICs and resulting in a higher resistance (leading to distributed potentials) through the catalyst layer during operation. This explanation for the poorer performance of Pt/CIC-26 was supported by theoretical calculations, suggesting that the internal wall thickness of these nanoporous CICs is critical to the future design of porous carbon supports.
Nonlinear Passive Control of a Wave Energy Converter Subject to Constraints in Irregular Waves
Authors: Wang Liguo , Isberg Jan
Published: June 2015

This paper investigates a passive control method of a point absorbing wave energy converter by considering the displacement and velocity constraints under irregular waves in the time domain. A linear generator is used as a power take-off unit, and the equivalent damping force is optimized to improve the power production of the wave energy converter. The results from nonlinear and linear passive control methods are compared, and indicate that the nonlinear passive control method leads to the excitation force in phase with the velocity of the converter that can significantly improve the energy production of the converter.