bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Team Care—The Preferred Approach to Diabetes Treatment
Authors: Siminerio Linda ,   Chair, National Diabetes Education Program; Professor of Medicine; Executive Director, University of Pittsburgh Diabetes Institute, Pennsylvania, US
Published: November 2015

Diabetes requires the person living with the disease to make daily healthcare decisions. Research shows that a team approach is an effective way to help people better manage their diabetes. Teams that include a diabetes educator offer access to education, improved glycemic control, quality of life, and decreased risk for complications and healthcare costs. The provision of team care and self-management education offers a solution and can be a viable model in overcoming the barriers associated with the complexities of diabetes care.
The Dhaka Declaration— Bringing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) to Center Stage
Authors: Pathan Faruque , Bajaj Sarita , Shrestha Dina , Raza Syed Abbas , Somasundaram Noel , Ahmed Tofail , Sahay Rakesh , Kalra Sanjay ,   President, South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies,   Founder President, South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies,   Vice Presidents, South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies,   Vice Presidents, South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies,   Vice Presidents, South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies,   Founder Secretary, South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies,   Secretary, South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies,   Vice Presidents, South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies
Published: November 2015

This special report covers The Dhaka Declaration, an initiative of the five-nation South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies (SAFES). Involving Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, this endocrine association aims to bring gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) to the center stage of clinical medicine as well as public health. The Dhaka Declaration provides guidance for advocacy, research, and guideline formation in the field of GDM. Through these activities, SAFES hopes to bring about universal screening, uniformity in diagnosis, optimal management, and regular follow-up of GDM.
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis in Adolescents
Authors: Santos Liliana R , Fonseca Paulo , Cardoso Rita , Soares Paula ,   Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, I3S, Universidade do Porto, Portugal,   Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal,   Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Porto, Porto, Portugal,   Hospital Pediátrico de Coimbra – Centro Hospitalar de Coimbra, EPE, Coimbra, Portugal,   Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,   Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal,   Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, I3S, Universidade do Porto, Portugal,   Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto (IPATIMUP), Porto, Portugal,   Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Porto, Porto, Portugal,   Departamento de Patologia e Oncologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Portugal
Published: November 2015

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in adolescence and mainly affects females. Being the archetype of an organ-specific T-cell-mediated disease, it is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid gland, damage to the thyroid follicular cells, and impaired ability to produce thyroid hormones. It may be associated with other autoimmune diseases and may arise in the context of congenital chromosomal aberrations. Symptoms of hypothyroidism develop insidiously. In adolescents the most common manifestation is the increase of the glandular volume. Hypothyroidism manifestations (asthenia, intolerance to cold, constipation, and/or skin and dry hair) are less common. The diagnosis is based on the presence of thyroid antibodies and characteristic imaging abnormalities on thyroid ultrasound. The treatment relies on the administration of synthetic thyroid hormones for patients with overt hypothyroidism or subclinical hypothyroidism and significant goiter.
Role of innate immunity in tolerance induction
Authors: Dolgikh M.S.
Published: November 2015

This review considers the role of innate immunity in mechanisms of transplant tolerance and rejection, analyse the role of innate immunity cells (dendritic cells-DC, NK, must and other cells) in these processes, and the pathes of creation of tolerogenic DC for transplant rejection therapy and tolerance.
Qualidade de sementes de algodão submetidas ao condicionamento hídrico
Authors: Queiroga Vicente De Paula , Durán José Maria , Santos José Wellington dos , Queiroga Diego Antonio Nóbrega
Published: November 2015

No presente trabalho se determinou os efeitos dos tratamentos pré-germinativos de hidratação sobre a germinação e vigor de sementes de algodão. Um ensaio foi conduzido no Laboratório de Fitotecnia da Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Espanha, no período de março a setembro de 2006. Utilizou-se sementes deslintadas quimicamente da cultivar Panton e aplicou-se dois tipos de condicionamento hídrico: sem e com renovação de água, em função dos tempos de imersão de 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 e 24 horas. As sementes de algodão da cultivar Panton foram provenientes dos campos irrigados de produção de sementes certiﬁcadas da empresa Monsanto de Sevilla, Espanha. Os resultados indicam que o condicionamento hídrico foi mais efetivo para incrementar o vigor das sementes de algodão, mas não foi eﬁciente para elevar seu potencial germinativo.
Efeito da modificação atmosférica em goiabas var. Paluma na redução de danos mecânicos em pós-colheita
Authors: Grigio Maria Luiza , Neves Leandro Camargo , Tosin Jessica Milanez , Nascimento Cássia Rejane , Chagas Edvan Alves , Vieites Rogério Lopes
Published: November 2015

No manejo pós-colheita, os frutos podem estar expostos a injúrias que depreciam sua qualidade e vida útil. Assim, avaliou-se o efeito da atmosfera modificada em goiabas var. Paluma submetidas a diferentes tipos de danos mecânicos. Depois de colhidos, os frutos foram selecionados, sanitizados e submetidos aos tratamentos: T1 (testemunha) - sem injúrias nem acondicionamento em sacolas de polietileno de baixa densidade (PEBD); T2 - sem injúrias + PEBD; T3 - queda de 1 m + PEBD; T4 - compressão de 9 N + PEBD; T5 - queda de 1 m + compressão de 9 N + PEBD e T6 - queda de 1 m + compressão de 9 N + sem PEBD. Os tratamentos foram frigoarmazenados a 10 ± 1oC e 94 ± 2% de U.R. As análises da produção de CO2/etileno, atividade enzimática, pectina total/solúvel, firmeza de polpa, acidez titulável (AT), sólidos solúveis (SS), açúcares redutores e ácido ascórbico foram realizadas a cada 10 dias de refrigeração mais um dia fora da câmara frigorífica (22 ± 1 oC e 75 ± 3% de U.R.), durante 30 dias. As goiabas acondicionadas em sacolas de PEBD, não submetidos às injúrias mecânicas, apresentaram os melhores padrões de qualidade. Os frutos submetidos apenas a um tipo de injúria, quando embalados, apresentavam qualidade satisfatória em comparação aos frutos sem embalagem e não submetidos às injúrias. Na aplicação dos dois tipos de injúria, simultaneamente, o uso da embalagem não foi suficiente para reduzir a velocidade metabólica desses frutos, tornando-os inaptos à comercialização.
Efeito da aplicação de fungicida sobre caracteres agronômicos e severidade das doenças de final de ciclo na cultura da soja
Authors: Finoto Everton Luis , Carrega Willians Cesar , Sediyama Tuneo , Alves de Albuquerque José Anchieta , Cecon Paulo Roberto , Reis Múcio Silva
Published: November 2015

Nas últimas safras, um complexo de doenças, chamadas de doenças de final de ciclo da soja (DFC), vem provocando reduções consideráveis no rendimento da cultura. Atualmente, não há variedades resistentes a todos os patógenos causadores das DFC. Objetivou-se no presente trabalho avaliar o efeito da aplicação de fungicida em diferentes estádios reprodutivos, nos caracteres agronômicos e severidade das DFC em três cultivares de soja de diferentes grupos de maturação. O trabalho foi conduzido em área experimental da Universidade Federal de Viçosa. Foram realizados quatro tratamentos com fungicida sendo três aplicações em estádios reprodutivos diferentes (R5, R5,5 e R6) e a testemunha sem aplicação. As cultivares utilizadas foram: BRSMG Liderança, UFVS 2001 e UFVS 2003. Foi avaliado: altura da planta, altura da inserção da primeira vagem, número de nós por planta, número de vagens por planta, peso total da planta e peso de sementes. A severidade das DFC foi avaliada no estado R6 através de escala de notas. Os dados das avaliações foram submetidos aos testes de normalidade e homogeneidade não sendo necessário usar transformações. Realizou-se as análises de variância e as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey, a 5% de probabilidade de erro. Na avaliação da severidade das doenças, foi constatada a presença dos seguintes patógenos: Septoria glycines, Cercospora kikuchii e Peronospora manshurica. Para a avaliação das características agronômicas foi observado que a cultivar UFVS 2001 apresentou maiores alturas de planta. A cultivar UFVS 2003 apresentou maior número de nós e também maior produtividade de grãos, seguida pela cultivar Liderança. A aplicação de fungicida proporcionou o controle satisfatório de Septoria glycines no folíolo, quando realizada no estádio R5. A aplicação do fungicida proporcionou também aumento na produtividade de grãos, sendo os melhores resultados obtidos quando realizada no estádio R5 ou R5,5.
Isolamento, armazenamento e determinação da colonização por fungos “dark septate” a partir de plantas de arroz
Authors: Ribeiro Karen Gonçalves , Pereira Gilmara Maria Duarte , Mosqueira Cátia Aparecida , Baraúna Alexandre Cardoso , Vital Marcos José Salgado , Silva Krisle , Zilli Jerri Édson
Published: November 2015

Os fungos endofíticos conhecidos como DSEF ou “dark septate” podem ser promotores de crescimento vegetal. Com o objetivo de aperfeiçoar uma metodologia para o isolamento, armazenamento e determinação da colonização de raízes de arroz por fungos “dark septate” desenvolveu-se um estudo a partir da obtenção destes microrganismos em plantas de Oryza glumaepatula coletadas em ambientes amazônicos. As raízes das plantas de doze amostras de O. glumaepatula foram seccionadas, desinfestadas e dispostas em placas com o meio ágar-malte adicionado de cloranfenicol, sulfametazol e trimetropina. Os isolados obtidos foram avaliados quanto às características de “dark septate” e armazenados em água destilada com e sem a adição de glicerol. Cinco isolados fúngicos considerados “dark septate” foram reinoculados em plantas de O. glumaepatula e em O. sativa e, também, caracterizados molecularmente através da amplificação e sequenciamento da região ITS1-5.8S-ITS2. O meio de cultura ágar-malte foi eficiente para a obtenção de “dark septate”, obtendo-se mais de 50 isolados. O armazenamento em água destilada e em água destilada adicionada de glicerol mostrou-se eficiente para a manutenção das culturas fúngicas por pelo menos 12 meses. Os cinco isolados fúngicos reinoculados foram capazes de colonizar tanto raízes O. glumaepatula quanto O. sativa, não desencadeando sintomas de patogenicidade. A análise molecular mostrou que estes fungos apresentam baixa similaridade entre eles e não possuem similaridade com fungos “dark septate” já descritos, indicando que a metodologia empregada permitiu a obtenção de espécies fúngicas diversas e que a espécie O. glumaepatula abriga alta diversidade deste grupo de fungos.
Caracterização e identificação de clones de mandioca produzidas em Roraima para o consumo in natura.
Authors: Oliveira Natália Trajano de , Alves José Maria Arcanjo , Uchôa Sandra Cátia Pereira , Rodrigues Guilherme Silva , Melville Cirano Cruz , Albuquerque José De Anchieta Alves de
Published: November 2015

Objetivou-se com esse trabalho caracterizar e identificar clones de mandioca produzidas em Roraima para o consumo in natura. Fez-se o plantio de seis clones de mandioca (Aciolina, Pão, Pão-do- Chile, Água Morna, Enxuta e Amazonas), em fileiras duplas, obedecendo ao espaçamento de 2,0 m x 0,8 m x 0,8 m, totalizando 8.928 plantas ha-1. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Aos oito meses após o plantio realizou-se a colheita das raízes tuberosas, sendo avaliadas quanto ao teor de ácido cianídrico, teor de amido pelo método da balança hidrostática, teor de amido pelo método artesanal, capacidade de soltar a película e entrecasca, cor da entrecasca e cor da polpa crua. Os clones de mandioca foram classificados quanto ao teor de HCN em: Mansas (Enxuta e Pão-do-Chile), intermediárias (Aciolina e Água Morna) e Brava (Pão e Amazonas). O teor de amido obtido pelo método da balança hidrostática superestima o teor de amido pelo método artesanal. O clone Aciolina destacou-se entre os clones para consumo in natura, sendo também recomendado para uso industrial. Os clones Pão e Amazonas apresentam restrições tanto para o consumo in natura quanto para uso industrial.
Desempenho agronômico de genótipos de girassol no norte de Minas Gerais.
Authors: Nobre Danúbia Aparecida Costa , Resende José Carlos Fialho de , Brandão Junior Delacyr Da Silva , Costa Cândido Alves da , Morais Danielle De Lourdes Batista
Published: November 2015

O girassol (Helianthus annuus L.) encontra-se entre as quatro culturas de maior produção de óleo comestível no mundo, e destaca-se pela sua adaptação a diferentes condições edafoclimáticas. Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o desempenho agronômico de dez genótipos de girassol no norte de Minas Gerais. O estudo foi conduzido nas Fazendas Experimentais da Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais (Epamig), nos municípios de Jaíba, distrito de Mocambinho e Nova Porteirinha. Fez-se a avaliação do desempenho agronômico destes genótipos analisando as seguintes características: floração inicial, altura das plantas, diâmetro da haste, número de folhas, circunferência do capítulo, estande final e rendimento de grãos. Os dados coletados foram submetidos à análise de variância e ao teste de Scott-Knott a 5% de probabilidade. Houve variação em todos os parâmetros avaliados no comportamento agronômico dos genótipos, os quais apresentaram bom desempenho quando cultivados em Mocambinho e Nova Porteirinha, no norte de Minas Gerais. Os genótipos avaliados apresentam ciclo precoce, exceto o SYN 039A, com ciclo médio. Com a redução do ciclo da cultura, observa-se também redução na maioria das variáveis avaliadas.
Evapotranspiração da cultura da cebola
Authors: Oliveira G. M. , Silva M. W. , Daamen M. N. , Cavalcante E. C. S. , Leitão M. M. V. B. R.
Published: October 2015

A determinação da quantidade de água necessária para as culturas é um dos principais fatores para o correto planejamento, dimensionamento e manejo de qualquer sistema de irrigação. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo, comparar medida da evapotranspiração da cultura (ETc) da cebola com estimativa obtida a partir da evapotranspiração de referência (ETo) determinada por diferentes métodos e Kc proposto na literatura. O experimento foi conduzido no campo experimental do Departamento de Tecnologia e Ciências Sociais da Universidade do Estado da Bahia - UNEB, em Juazeiro, no período de junho a setembro de 2011. As medidas da ETc foram obtidas em evapotranspirômetros e as estimativas, a partir de ETo determinada pelos métodos: Penman-Monteith (padrão FAO), Penman-Monteith modificado por Villa Nova et al. (2004), Hargreaves & Samani, Makkink e Jensen & Haise e Kc proposto por Marouelli et al. (2005), para a cultura da cebola. É fundamental a avaliação de métodos de estimativa da evapotranspiração de referência antes de sua aplicação, pois erros consideráveis podem ser cometidos na determinação da quantidade de água a ser aplicada a uma cultura, o que repercutirá certamente, na produtividade.

Evapotranspiration crop onion

Abstract: The determination of the amount of water needed for crops is a major factor for the correct planning, sizing and management of any irrigation system. This study aimed to compare measure of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) onion with estimates obtained from the reference evapotranspiration (ETo) determined by different methods and Kc proposed in the literature. The experiment was conducted in the experimental field of the Department of Technology and Social Sciences, University of the State of Bahia, in Juazeiro, from June to September 2011. The ETc measurements were obtained in evapotranspirometers and estimates, from ETo determined by the methods: Penman-Monteith (FAO standard), Penman-Monteith modified by Villa Nova et al. (2004), Hargreaves & Samani, Makkink and Jensen & Haise and Kc proposed by Marouelli et al. (2005), for the cultivation of onion. It is critical to evaluation of reference evapotranspiration estimation methods before their application because considerable mistakes can be made in determining the amount of water to be applied to a culture, which resonate certainly in productivity.
Simulador em Tempo Real para Motor Síncrono com Ímã Permanente Baseado em Dispositivos Lógicos Programáveis
Authors: Fernandes Eisenhawer de M. , Huller Denis R. , Oliveira Alexandre C. , Corrêa Maurício B. de R. , Santos Welflen Ricardo Nogueira
Published: November 2015

Este trabalho apresenta uma plataforma de simulação em tempo real com interface “Hardware-in-the-Loop” (HIL) para o motor síncrono a imã permanente com fcem senoidal (Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motor-PMSM). A plataforma é composta por um dispositivo FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) que simula em tempo real o motor e um processador digital de sinais (DSP TMS320F28335) que implementa o sistema de controle de velocidade. Os resultados de simulação em tempo real são comparados com simulações do modelo em um software comercial. O simulador em tempo real proposto é validado a partir da comparação com os resultados obtidos em uma plataforma experimental montada em laboratório.
Cigarette Smoking, Tooth Loss, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Findings From the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Authors: Cunningham Timothy J. , Eke Paul I. , Ford Earl S. , Agaku Israel T. , Wheaton Anne G. , Croft Janet B.
Published: November 2015

Background: Cigarette smoking and tooth loss are seldom considered concurrently as determinants of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study examines the multiplicative effect of self‐reported tooth loss and cigarette smoking on COPD among United States adults aged ≥18 years.

Methods: Data were taken from the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (n = 439,637). Log‐linear regression–estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) are reported for the interaction of combinations of tooth loss (0, 1 to 5, 6 to 31, or all) and cigarettes smoking status (never, former, or current) with COPD after adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, educational attainment, employment, health insurance coverage, dental care utilization, and diabetes.

Results: Overall, 45.7% respondents reported having ≥1 teeth removed from tooth decay or gum disease, 18.9% reported being current cigarette smokers, and 6.3% reported having COPD. Smoking and tooth loss from tooth decay or gum disease were associated with an increased likelihood of COPD. Compared with never smokers with no teeth removed, all combinations of smoking status categories and tooth loss had a higher likelihood of COPD, with adjusted PRs ranging from 1.5 (never smoker with 1 to 5 teeth removed) to 6.5 (current smoker with all teeth removed) (all P <0.05).

Conclusions: Tooth loss status significantly modifies the association between cigarette smoking and COPD. An increased understanding of causal mechanisms linking cigarette smoking, oral health, and COPD, particularly the role of tooth loss, infection, and subsequent inflammation, is essential to reduce the burden of COPD. Health providers should counsel their patients about cigarette smoking, preventive dental care, and COPD risk.
New model of understanding income distribution through graduation of normalized Gini Mean Difference
Authors: Sсhmerling Dmitry S.
Published: October 2015

This work covers such a topical problem as the study of income and wealth inequality. It introduces the notion of “graduation”, i.e. rate of wage rate scale customary at time wage system. Graduation means introduction of the index m as a degree of the polynomial based on which the wage rate scale is distributed. In other words, using m allows to graduate Gini mean difference (0<G<1) by assigning integral number or fraction m, 0<m<∞ to every value of Gini index. Similarly, for each m we can calculate and estimate corresponding normalized Gini mean difference (the analog of Gini index used for simplicity of calculations).
Note that in this case we are not talking about distribution in real society, but in the simplest model of this society – a metaphoric community with only one person at each income level. This way we get the most distinct impression of the mechanism of income distribution that gives us the chance to assess scale of inequality. To some extent it clarifies the wide-spread Gini coefficient and “the nature of populations’ wealth”.
Degradation effects of the output electrical characteristics of Si solar cells as a result of ionizing radiation under low light conditions
Authors: Stojanovic Nebojsa , Simic Biljana , Stankovic Koviljka , Lazarevic Djordje
Published: November 2015

This paper presents results of radiation resistance of different types of
commercially available single- and poly-crystalline silicon solar cells.
Sample cells were subjected to gamma radiation from gamma radiation source
60Co. Characteristic parameters of solar cells were extracted from obtained
I-V curves: open circuit voltage, short circuit current, maximum power point
voltage and current, efficiency, fill factor, and series resistance. Obtained
results show the level of parameters' degradation with purpose of increasing
solar cells applications in radiation environments.
Efficient homotopy perturbation method for fractional non-linear equations using Sumudu transform
Authors: Zhang Ming-Feng , Liu Yan-Qin , Zhou Xiao-Shuang
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we propose an efficient modification of the homotopy
perturbation method for solving fractional non-linear equations with
fractional initial conditions. Sumudu transform is adopted to simplify the
solution process. An example is given to illustrate the solution process and
effectiveness of the method.
Highly aligned electrospun nanofibers by hot-drawing
Authors: Liu Hong-Ying , Xu Lan , Sun Qi-Long
Published: November 2015

Aligned polyacrylonitrile nanofibers were prepared by a modified
electrospinning. Hot-drawing was used to improve the properties of the
obtained nanofibers. Experiment revealed great changes in degree of
alignment, crystallization, exothermic peak, and mechanical properties of
nanofibers.
Fabrication of unsmooth bamboo-like nanofibers
Authors: Liu Zhi , Sun Qi-Long , He Ji-Huan
Published: November 2015

Effect of post drawing on morphology of bubbfil-spun polyvinyl alcohol
nanofibers was firstly investigated. Bamboo-like nanofibers were observed
after drawing. The increase of surface area of the unsmooth fibers has many
potential applications in various fields.
High temperature resistant nanofiber by bubbfil-spinning
Authors: Li Ya , He Ji-Huan , Sun Qi-Long , Wanga Ping
Published: November 2015

Heat-resisting nanofibers have many potential applications in various
industries, and the bubbfil spinning is the best candidate for
mass-production of such materials. Polyether sulfone/zirconia solution with a
bi-solvent system is used in the experiment. Experimental result reveals that
polyether sulfone/zirconia nanofibers have higher resistance to high
temperature than pure polyether sulfone fibers, and can be used as
high-temperature-resistant filtration materials.
Tick-borne encephalitis in north-east Italy: a 14-year retrospective study, January 2000 to December 2013
Authors: Rezza Giovanni , Farchi Francesca , Pezzotti Patrizio , Ruscio Maurizio , Lo Presti Alessandra , Ciccozzi Massimo , Mondardini Valeria , Paternoster Claudio , Bassetti Matteo , Merelli Maria , Scotton Pier Giorgio , Luzzati Roberto , Simeoni Josef , Mian Peter , Mel Rosanna , Carraro Valter , Zanin Alessandra , Ferretto Roberto , Francavilla Ermenegildo ,   TBE Virology Group
Published: November 2015

Italy is considered at low incidence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), and the occurrence of human cases of TBE appears to be geographically restricted to the north east of the country. However, most information to date derives from case series, with no systematic data collection. To estimate incidence rates (IR) and spatial distribution of TBE cases, we conducted a retrospective study in north-eastern Italy. Data were collected through the infectious disease units and public health districts of three regions (Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trentino Alto Adige and Veneto) between 2000 and 2013. Overall, 367 cases were identified (IR: 0.38/100,000). The cases’ median age was 56 years and 257 (70%) were male. Central nervous system involvement was reported in 307 cases (84%). Annual fluctuations in case numbers occurred, with peaks in 2006 and in 2013, when 44 and 42 cases were respectively observed. A strong seasonality effect was noted, with the highest number of cases in July. In terms of geographical location, three main endemic foci with high TBE IR (> 10/100,000) were identified in three provinces, namely Belluno (Veneto region), Udine (Friuli Venezia Giulia) and Trento (Trentino Alto-Adige). When investigating the whole study area in terms of altitude, the IR between 400 and 600 m was greater (2.41/100,000) than at other altitudes (p< 0.01). In conclusion, the incidence of TBE in Italy is relatively low, even considering only the three known affected regions. However, three endemic foci at high risk were identified. In these areas, where the risk of TBEV infection is likely high, more active offer of TBE vaccination could be considered.
Isolation of an NDM-5-producing ST16 Klebsiella pneumoniae from a Dutch patient without travel history abroad, August 2015
Authors: Bathoorn Erik , Rossen John W , Lokate Mariëtte , Friedrich Alexander W , Hammerum Anette M
Published: November 2015

A New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase-5 (NDM-5)-producing ST16 Klebsiella pneumoniae strain was isolated from a Dutch patient in a long-term care facility without recent travel history abroad. Core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) revealed that the Dutch isolate was clonally related to isolates detected in four patients in Denmark in 2014. Public health experts and clinicians need to be informed; repetitive screening may be needed in patients without known risk factors for carbapenemases-producing Enterobacteriaceae who have undergone antibiotic treatment.
Effective Teacher Retention Bonuses
Authors: Springer Matthew G. , Swain Walker A. , Rodriguez Luis A.
Published: October 2015

We report findings from a quasi-experimental evaluation of the recently implemented US$5,000 retention bonus program for effective teachers in Tennessee’s Priority Schools. We estimate the impact of the program on teacher retention using a fuzzy regression discontinuity design by exploiting a discontinuity in the probability of treatment conditional on the composite teacher effectiveness rating that assigns bonus eligibility. Point estimates for the main effect of the bonus are not different from zero. However, for teachers of tested subjects and grades, the program has a consistently positive effect that is both statistically and substantively significant. We hypothesize that the null finding for the main effect is driven by teachers of untested subjects and grades given the amount of weight Tennessee’s teacher evaluation system attributes to school-level performance. This creates a strong incentive to exit the Priority Schools that are by definition low performing. Implementation concerns, including the timing of application process and observed noncompliance in bonus distribution, present obstacles for both the program’s effectiveness and its evaluation.
Distracted Motor Vehicle Driving at Highway–Rail Grade Crossings
Authors: Tung Li-Wei , Khattak Aemal
Published: November 2015

Distracted driving of a motor vehicle increases a driver's susceptibility to crash involvement. Such driving in the vicinity of highway–rail grade crossings (HRGCs) is especially perilous because the distracted driver may not be aware of the presence of an approaching train. Train-involved motor vehicle crashes invariably cause more severe injuries and greater property damage than other motor vehicle crashes. Because distracted driving at HRGCs is somewhat underresearched, the objectives of this research were to (a) investigate the occurrence of distracted motor vehicle driving at HRGCs, (b) identify characteristics of those distracted motorists, and (c) ascertain empirically factors associated with distracted driving at HRGCs. Data were collected with video recordings at six HRGCs in Nebraska and were statistically analyzed. Results showed that about one-third of drivers observed at HRGCs were distracted. The presence of intersecting roads near the crossings increased distracted driving. Drivers of multiunit trucks at HRGCs were less often distracted than other drivers at HRGCs. The presence of front-seat passengers in vehicles significantly contributed to driver distraction. Findings from the research support the need for driver education about distracted driving at HRGCs. Enforcement of distracted driving laws at HRGCs as well as strengthening of existing laws may also reduce instances of distracted driving at HRGCs.
Growth, Yield and Quality of Wheat Varities as Affected by Different Levels of Nitrogen
Authors: Mondal H , Mazumder S , Roy SK , Mujahidi TA , Paul SK
Published: November 2015

A field experiment was conducted at the experimental field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh during November 2012 to March 2013 to evaluate the response of three (3) wheat varieties viz., BARI Gom23, BARI Gom24 and BARI Gom25 under four levels of nitrogen fertilizer i.e, 75, 100, 125 and 150 kg N ha-1. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Results showed that plant height, number of leaves plant-1, leaf length and dry matter content were significantly affected due to varieties and/or nitrogen levels. Grains ear-1, number of fertile grains plant-1, 1000-grain weight, grain yield and harvest index were also significantly influenced by varieties and/or nitrogen levels. The value of all parameters studied in this experiment increased with increasing nitrogen levels up to 125 kg N ha-1 and thereafter decreased with fertilizer increasing level. Combination results showed that BARI Gom-24 with application of 125 kg N ha-1 gave the maximum grain yield (4.71 t ha-1), harvest index (49.37 %) and protein content (10.88%).Bangladesh Agron. J. 2015, 18(1): 89-98
Antibacterial potentiality of antiulcer and antispasmodic drugs with selected antibiotics against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus: In vitro and in silico studies
Authors: Akilandeswari Krishnan , Ruckmani Kandasamy
Published: October 2015

In the present study, the antispasmodic drug mebeverine hydrochloride and the antiulcer drug troxipide were tested for their possible antibacterial properties in vitro. The antimicrobial assays of the above drugs were determined with ampicillin, penicillin and ciprofloxacin against sensitive and resistant strains and their resistance were confirmed through Polymerase Chain Reaction by identifying the presence of the mecA gene. A computer-aided method was used for screening the effectiveness of the drug interactions. Mebeverine and  troxipide inhibited most of the sensitive and resistant strains tested in vitro from 32.5 to 125 µg/mL. The loss of structural alterations of the cell wall was analyzed by atomic force microscopy. In docking studies, troxipide and mebeverine were found to have substantial inhibition against penicillin binding protein 2a (IVQQ) and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 1-carboxyvinyltransferase (2YVW) receptor proteins that seem to have interacted with most of the residues.

 

Video Clips

Set up                2 min 27 sec

Broth and drug     4 min 40 sec

Inoculation          2 min 29 sec

Incubation and result     46 sec

 

 
Comparative studies on nutritional quality of commercial wheat flour in Bangladesh
Authors: Saeid A , Hoque S , Kumar U , Das M , Muhammad N , Rahman MM , Ahmed M
Published: November 2015

Cereal industry and its derived products have a large economic and social importance worldwide. Baking industries are extensively using wheat flour to produce various baked products. Therefore, in this investigation it is intended to study and determine proximate, physicochemical, functional properties of six brand of wheat flour in Bangladesh. The entire brand had moisture contents: 9.90-12.48%, protein: 8.67-12.47%, fat: 0.893-1.387% and ash content: 0.387-0.707%. The ACI brand had the highest amount of protein of 12.47% whereas Romoni brand had highest fat of 1.387%, fiber: 0.26%, gluten content: 15.34% and water absorption index of 1.9 g/g as compared to other brands. In addition, sodium and calcium content were higher in ACI brand whereas potassium content was higher in Romoni brand. Results showed that wheat flour from all brand could be used to make various type of baked products.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 50(3), 181-188, 2015
Sudden Withdrawal or Introduction of Drugs and their Clinical Consequences
Authors: Banday Tanveer Hassan , Bashir Sadaf
Published: November 2015

Abstract not availableJ MEDICINE July 2015; 16 (2) : 103-104
Primary Biliary Cirrhosis in a Male: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Afroze Samira Rahat , Rahim Muhammad Abdur , Hasan Md Mehedi , Afroz Farzana , Haque Hasna Fahmima , Ahmed Jamal Uddin , Ahmed AKM Shaheen , Hossain Md Delwar , Rahman Md Raziur , Musa AKM , Uddin Khwaja Nazim
Published: November 2015

A middle aged woman presenting with fatigue, pruritus, xanthelesma and hepatomegaly remains the typical presentation of primary biliary cirrhosis. Here, we present a case of primary biliary cirrhosis occurring in a male patient, who presented with fatigue and pruritus, had hepato-splenomegaly, raised serum alkaline phosphatase, positive anti-mitrochondrial antibody and negative antinuclear antibody.J MEDICINE July 2015; 16 (2) : 128-131
Primary Gastric Lymphoma- A Case Report
Authors: Biswas Sarmistha , Sufian ABM Abu , Sarker Prodip Kumar , Rashid Md Harun-Ur , Chowdury Mostofa Kamal , Sarkar Md Mahfuze , Bala Chandra Shekhar , Minnat Baharul , Kamal Mohammed , Ahasan HAM Nazmul
Published: November 2015

Primary gastric lymphoma accounts for less than 5% of gastric cancers. They are usually non-Hodgkinslymphomas (NHL), but have been considered as a separate entity from NHLs of peripheral nodes. The diagnosis of primary lymphoma of stomach requires histological confirmation without any evidence of peripheral lymphadenopathy or organomegaly. Secondary gastric lymphoma indicates the involvement of the stomach by a diffuse lymphoma developed elsewhere. Here we report a 50 year old male presented with abdominal pain and intermittent vomiting and diagnosed as primary gastric lymphoma.J MEDICINE July 2015; 16 (2) : 132-134
A Cluster of CO2 Change Characteristics with GOSAT Observations for Viewing the Spatial Pattern of CO2 Emission and Absorption
Authors: Liu Da , Lei Liping , Guo Lijie , Zeng Zhao-Cheng
Published: November 2015

Satellite observations can be used to detect the changes of CO2 concentration at global and regional scales. With the column-averaged CO2 dry-air mole fraction (Xco2) data derived from satellite observations, the issue is how to extract and assess these changes, which are related to anthropogenic emissions and biosphere absorptions. We propose a k-means cluster analysis to extract the temporally changing features of Xco2 in the Central-Eastern Asia using the data from 2009 to 2013 obtained by Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT), and assess the effects of anthropogenic emissions and biosphere absorptions on CO2 changes combining with the data of emission and vegetation net primary production (NPP). As a result, 14 clusters, which are 14 types of Xco2 seasonal changing patterns, are obtained in the study area by using the optimal clustering parameters. These clusters are generally in agreement with the spatial pattern of underlying anthropogenic emissions and vegetation absorptions. According to correlation analysis with emission and NPP, these 14 clusters are divided into three groups: strong emission, strong absorption, and a tendency of balancing between emission and absorption. The proposed clustering approach in this study provides us with a potential way to better understand how the seasonal changes of CO2 concentration depend on underlying anthropogenic emissions and vegetation absorptions.
Power Quality Issues of a Battery Fast Charging Station for a Fully-Electric Public Transport System in Gothenburg City
Authors: Thiringer Torbjörn , Haghbin Saeid
Published: November 2015

An automatic fast charger station with a power level of 120 kW is developed for city Bus Line 60 in Gothenburg, Sweden. There are some power quality issues towards the utility grid during the charger operation. The aim of this paper is to explain the project and to present the measurement results with respect to power quality issues. The main specifications of the battery, charger, charging infrastructure and bus route are explained. The measurement results show that the harmonic emission is within the prescribed limit despite the high amount of low-frequency harmonics because of a passive diode rectification. It is suggested to replace the passive diode rectifier with an active front-end converter to eliminate low order current harmonics and to obtain a unity power factor operation. The main contribution of this work is to demonstrate a practical example of an electric charging system for an electric public transport system in Gothenburg.
A Memristor-Based Complex Lorenz System and Its Modified Projective Synchronization
Authors: Wang Shibing , Wang Xingyuan , Zhou Yufei
Published: November 2015

The aim of this paper is to introduce and investigate a novel complex Lorenz system with a flux-controlled memristor, and to realize its synchronization. The system has an infinite number of stable and unstable equilibrium points, and can generate abundant dynamical behaviors with different parameters and initial conditions, such as limit cycle, torus, chaos, transient phenomena, etc., which are explored by means of time-domain waveforms, phase portraits, bifurcation diagrams, and Lyapunov exponents. Furthermore, an active controller is designed to achieve modified projective synchronization (MPS) of this system based on Lyapunov stability theory. The corresponding numerical simulations agree well with the theoretical analysis, and demonstrate that the response system is asymptotically synchronized with the drive system within a short time.
Software-Controlled Next Generation Optical Circuit Switching for HPC and Cloud Computing Datacenters
Authors: Imran Muhammad , Collier Martin , Landais Pascal , Katrinis Kostas
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we consider the performance of optical circuit switching (OCS) systems designed for data center networks by using network-level simulation. Recent proposals have used OCS in data center networks but the relatively slow switching times of OCS-MEMS switches (10–100 ms) and the latencies of control planes in these approaches have limited their use to the largest data center networks with workloads that last several seconds. Herein, we extend the applicability and generality of these studies by considering dynamically changing short-lived circuits in software-controlled OCS switches, using the faster switching technologies that are now available. The modelled switch architecture features fast optical switches in a single hop topology with a centralized, software-defined optical control plane. We model different workloads with various traffic aggregation parameters to investigate the performance of such designs across usage patterns. Our results show that, with suitable choices for the OCS system parameters, delay performance comparable to that of electrical data center networks can be obtained.
Natural Germacrane Sesquiterpenes Inhibit Osteoclast Formation, Bone Resorption, RANKL-Induced NF-κB Activation, and IκBα Degradation
Authors: Qin Shengnan , Ang Estabelle , Dai Libing , Yang Xiaohong , Ye Dongping , Chen Honghui , Zhou Lin , Yang Mingli , Teguh Dian , Tan Renxiang , Xu Jun , Tickner Jennifer , Pavlos Nathan , Xu Jiake
Published: November 2015

Osteolytic bone diseases are commonly presented with enhanced osteoclast formation and bone resorption. Sesquiterpene lactone natural compounds have been found to possess anti-inflammatory and immune-modulation effects. Here, we identified three germacrane sesquiterpenes using computer-based virtual screening for the structural similarity with sesquiterpene lactone, parthenolide. We showed that natural germacrane sesquiterpene compounds A, B, and C inhibit osteoclast formation and bone resorption in a dose-dependent manner, with relative potency compound A > compound C > compound B based on their equimolar concentrations. Mechanistic studies by Luciferase reporter gene assay and Western blot analysis showed that germacrane sesquiterpene compound A inhibits RANKL-induced activation of NF-κB and IκBα degradation. This study reveals that natural germacrane sesquiterpene compounds are inhibitors for osteoclast formation and bone resorption, and provides evidence that naturally-occurring compounds might be beneficial as alternative medicine for the prevention and treatment of osteolysis.
Validation of PDE9A Gene Identified in GWAS Showing Strong Association with Milk Production Traits in Chinese Holstein
Authors: Yang Shao-Hua , Bi Xiao-Jun , Xie Yan , Li Cong , Zhang Sheng-Li , Zhang Qin , Sun Dong-Xiao
Published: November 2015

Phosphodiesterase9A (PDE9A) is a cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific enzyme widely expressed among the tissues, which is important in activating cGMP-dependent signaling pathways. In our previous genome-wide association study, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (BTA-55340-no-rsb) located in the intron 14 of PDE9A, was found to be significantly associated with protein yield. In addition, we found that PDE9A was highly expressed in mammary gland by analyzing its mRNA expression in different tissues. The objectives of this study were to identify genetic polymorphisms of PDE9A and to determine the effects of these variants on milk production traits in dairy cattle. DNA sequencing identified 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and six SNPs in 5′ regulatory region were genotyped to test for the subsequent association analyses. After Bonferroni correction for multiple testing, all these identified SNPs were statistically significant for one or more milk production traits (p < 0.0001~0.0077). Interestingly, haplotype-based association analysis revealed similar effects on milk production traits (p < 0.01). In follow-up RNA expression analyses, two SNPs (c.-1376 G>A, c.-724 A>G) were involved in the regulation of gene expression. Consequently, our findings provide confirmatory evidences for associations of PDE9A variants with milk production traits and these identified SNPs may serve as genetic markers to accelerate Chinese Holstein breeding program.
Molecular Characterization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Oxidoreductin 1 from Bombyx mori
Authors: Seo Minchul , Ryou Hee-Joo , Yun Eun-Young , Goo Tae-Won
Published: November 2015

We isolated a complementary DNA (cDNA) clone encoding endoplasmic reticulum oxidoreductin 1 (bERO1, a specific oxidant of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI)) from Bombyx mori. This protein has a putative open reading frame (ORF) of 489 amino acids and a predicted size of 57.4 kDa. Although bERO1 protein shares less than 57% amino acid sequence homology with other reported ERO1s, it contains two conserved redox active motifs, a Cys-X-X-X-X-Cys motif of N-terminal and Cys-X-X-Cys-X-X-Cys motif of C-terminal. Both motifs are typically present in ERO1 protein family members. The bEro1 mRNA expression was highest in posterior silk gland on the sixth day of the 5th instar larvae. Expression of bEro1 mRNA also markedly increased during endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced by stimulation with antimycin, calcium ionophore A23187, dithiothreitol, H2O2, monencin, and tunicamycin. In addition, expression levels of bEro1 exactly coincided with that of bPdi. This is the first result suggesting that bERO1 plays an essential role in ER quality control through the combined activities of bERO1 and bPDI as a catalyst of protein folding in the ER and sustaining cellular redox homeostasis.
New Lanthanide Alkynylamidinates and Diiminophosphinates
Authors: Sroor Farid , Hrib Cristian , Edelmann Frank
Published: November 2015

This contribution reports the synthesis and structural characterization of several new lithium and lanthanide alkynylamidinate complexes. Treatment of PhC≡CLi with N,N′-diorganocarbodiimides, R–N=C=N–R (R = iPr, Cy (cyclohexyl)), in THF or diethyl ether solution afforded the lithium-propiolamidinates Li[Ph–C≡C–C(NCy)2] S (1: R = iPr, S = THF; 2: R = Cy, S = THF; 3: R = Cy, S = Et2O). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 1 and 2 showed the presence of typical ladder-type dimeric structures in the solid state. Reactions of anhydrous LnCl3 (Ln = Ce, Nd, Sm or Ho) with 2 in a 1:3 molar ratio in THF afforded a series of new homoleptic lanthanide tris(propiolamidinate) complexes, [Ph–C≡C–C(NCy)2]3Ln (4: Ln = Ce; 5: Ln = Nd; 6: Ln = Sm; 7: Ln = Ho). The products were isolated in moderate to high yields (61%–89%) as brightly colored, crystalline solids. The chloro-functional neodymium(III) bis(cyclopropylethynylamidinate) complex [{c-C3H5–C≡C–C(NiPr)2}2Ln(µ-Cl)(THF)]2 (8) was prepared from NdCl3 and two equiv. of Li[c-C3H5–C≡C–C(NiPr)2] in THF and structurally characterized. A new monomeric Ce(III)-diiminophosphinate complex, [Ph2P(NSiMe3)2]2Ce(µ-Cl)2Li(THF)2 (9), has also been synthesized in a similar manner from CeCl3 and two equiv. of Li[Ph2P(NSiMe3)2]. Structurally, this complex resembles the well-known “ate” complexes (C5Me5)2Ln(µ-Cl)2Li(THF)2. Attempts to oxidize compound 9 using trityl chloride or phenyliodine(III) dichloride did not lead to an isolable cerium(IV) species.
Reducing Reliability Uncertainties for Marine Renewable Energy
Authors: Weller Sam , Thies Philipp , Gordelier Tessa , Johanning Lars
Published: November 2015

Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) are a widely used metric of technology maturity and risk for marine renewable energy (MRE) devices. To-date, a large number of device concepts have been proposed which have reached the early validation stages of development (TRLs 1–3). Only a handful of mature designs have attained pre-commercial development status following prototype sea trials (TRLs 7–8). In order to navigate through the aptly named “valley of death” (TRLs 4–6) towards commercial realisation, it is necessary for new technologies to be de-risked in terms of component durability and reliability. In this paper the scope of the reliability assessment module of the DTOcean Design Tool is outlined including aspects of Tool integration, data provision and how prediction uncertainties are accounted for. In addition, two case studies are reported of mooring component fatigue testing providing insight into long-term component use and system design for MRE devices. The case studies are used to highlight how test data could be utilised to improve the prediction capabilities of statistical reliability assessment approaches, such as the bottom–up statistical method.