bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
OPTIMIZATION OF ULTRASONICATION EXTRACTION FOR DETERMINATION OF 16 POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN AIR PARTICLE
Authors: Hanh Duong Thi , Trinh Ha Thu , Thang Phan Quang , Dung Nguyen Trung , Dien Nguyen Tran 
Published: June 2018

The aim of this study is to develop the quick ultrasonication extraction procedure for determination of 16 typical polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in air particles. The determination and quantification of PAHs in air particles samples were performed using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with the aid of deuterated PAH internal standards. 1ug mixture of PAHs was spiked to a quarter of quartz fiber filter and extracted with four different solvents/solvent mixtures (methanol:dichloromethane, acetone:dichloromethane; acetone:hexane; dichloromethane). Ultrasonication extraction was carried out in dark at uncontrolled and controlled ultrasonication temperature (25-28oC). The unique extraction time (20 minutes) was applied for all experiments. The results showed that high recovery rate of PAHs (82-108%) were obtained with dichloromethane (as extraction solvent) in dark at ultrasonication temperature of 25 to 28oC, while generally low recovery rate of PAHs, especially naphthalene (57%) were obtained with methanol:dichloromethane (1:1). The ultrasonication extraction method with dichloromethane showed good reproductively and repeatability with relative standard deviation of 16 PAHs below 6,14%, confirming that samples analyses were precise. Analytical results of PAHs in air particles collected in Hanoi using the developed ultrasonication extraction procedure showed that 15 out of 16 PAHs were detected, in which high molecular weight (MW) PAHs (>5 rings) were abundance compared to low molecular weight PAHs (< 3 rings). This developed ultrasonication extraction method is quick, easy and sufficient for determination of PAHs in air particle
SUPERHEATED STEAM TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR BOILER USING ADAPTIVE DYNAMIC FEEDFORWARD COMPENSATORS
Authors: Ha Nguyen Trong , Hoa Nguyen Le , Vinh Doan Quang 
Published: June 2018

This paper proposes a new control strategy for improving the performance of the superheated steam temperature control system in thermal power plants. Based on the analysis of the limitations of the static feedforward compensators (SFC) for temperature and boiler load disturbances in the existing control system of the auxiliary boiler in Dung Quat refinery, two adaptive dynamic feedforward compensators (ADFC) for temperature and boiler load disturbances were proposed to replace the SFCs. In addition, a method for predicting the tube wall temperature of the superheater using an autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model was also proposed. The simulation results for the two typical cases of the boiler load change indicate that the control system incorporated with the proposed ADFCs improves significantly the performance of the control system
Effect of Barium Carbonate Addition on the Properties of Porcelain Ceramic Tile
Authors: KAFTELEN ODABAŞI Hülya , ANIL Ümit Engin , ODABAŞI Akın , KOCABIYIK Battal Kadir 
Published: June 2018

In
this study, six different recipes (0%, 2-10 wt.% with barium carbonate) of
porcelain tile were fabricated using the firing temperature of 1210 °C. The effects of barium carbonate as a
secondary flux material on the linear shrinkage, bulk density and water
absorption properties of ceramics were investigated. Microstructure and
chemical analysis of ceramics were examined using SEM and XRD analysis
instruments, respectively. Addition of barium carbonate between 2-6 wt.% on the
ceramics did not affect water absorption value (zero) which was recommended for
porcelain tiles. However this was found to dramatically increase up to 6.65%
after addition of 8 wt.% and 10 wt.% barium carbonate.
Prevalence and risk factors for dysmenorrhoea among nursing student and its impact on their quality of life
Authors: Karanth Shashikala , Liya S. R. 
Published: June 2018

Background: Dysmenorrhea is an important health problem of adolescent girls, that affects their quality of life and it is one of the leading causes of repeated school absenteeism. The purposes of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for dysmenorrhea among nursing students and its impact on their quality of life.Methods: A prospective study was carried out in St Johns Nursing College, Bengaluru.200 nursing students aged between 18-20 years were included. Standardized questionnaires were used to obtain relevant data. Data was analysed using Chi-sq. test, correlation and regression analysis by SPSS version 23.Results: The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 62.5%. The mean age, age at menarche and, the mean PABC of the students were 18.7±0.48, 13.3±1.20 and 74.96±16.14 respectively, which is not significant. The average length of menstrual cycle was between 28-30 days, duration of bleeding as 3-5 days. Duration of sleep, regular menstrual cycle and low BMI exhibited positive correlation (p<0.05) while Family history and exercising habits did not exhibit significant effect. Dysmenorrhea was significantly associated with repeated school absenteeism (16%).Conclusions: Dysmenorrhoea is found to be highly prevalent among nursing students and is one of the leading causes of absenteeism. Regular cycle, duration of sleep and low BMI were significant risk factors for dysmenorrhea. Findings of present study suggest the need for educating adolescent girls on appropriate and effective management of dysmenorrhea.
Risk factors for the conversion of laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy
Authors: Paidipelly Kiran Kumar , . Sangamitra 
Published: June 2018

Background: Gall stones is one of the most common diseases in man. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferred procedure, mainly due to lower morbidity and mortality, thus returning to the normal activity sooner, lesser number of hospital days and lesser pain post-surgery. However, around 2-15% of the patients need to convert from laparoscopic to open surgery due to different reasons.Methods: 357 patients who came in for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included into the study. Details such as age, height, weight, BMI, mode of surgery i.e. emergency or elective, physical and clinical examination including Ultrasound, lab results, previous history of surgery and other co morbidities were noted.Results: Out of the 357 patients, 31(8.7%) were converted to open cholecystectomies, of which, 61.3% females and 38.7% males. 58% in the open cholecystectomy group were above 60 years. 67.7% of the patients who converted to open surgery had a BMI of over 25, while it was 39.6% in case of laparoscopic surgery. 74.2% among the patients who had undergone conversion to the open surgery had pain in the right hypochondrium, 67.7% had increased WBC levels.Conclusions: Increased age, obesity, tenderness in the RHC, increased WBC levels, acute cholecystitis are the predisposing factors for the conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open cystectomy.
Prevalence and risk factors of hearing impairment among neonates admitted in NICU in a tertiary care centre in South India
Authors: Nair Varsha S. , Das Prarthana , Soundararajan Palanisamy 
Published: June 2018

Background: Present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of hearing impairment using measurements of Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) in newborns admitted to NICU and to determine the risk factors predictive of hearing impairment in these newborns.Methods: The study was conducted from January 2016 to June 2017 in the NICU under the Department of Pediatrics. All neonates admitted for more than 48 hours in the NICU were included. Neonates who died during the study period were excluded. All candidates underwent hearing loss in a sound treated room in the department using Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE) test at the time of discharge. Babies who failed this initial screening underwent another OAE test within 1 month after discharge, and those who failed the test again were referred to an Otologist for comprehensive audiological assessment at 3 months.Results: Of the 200 neonates included in the study, 101cases (50.5%) failed the initial screening. 1 case (0.5%) failed the second OAE screening and moderate hearing loss was diagnosed in this child using BERA. Risk factors included mechanical ventilation (p=0.01), prematurity (p=0.01), low Apgar scores (p<0.01) and multiple gestation (p<0.05). Other conditions predominating in neonates who failed hearing screening included TTN, MAS, LBW and neonatal jaundice.Conclusions: Newborn infants admitted to the NICU are at a higher risk for hearing impairment due to exposure to multiple risk factors. The two staged screening protocols with DPOAE is a useful protocol for detecting hearing loss in newborns and can be implemented as a national program.
Direct Numerical Simulation of Flow on Pore-Scale Images Using the Phase-Field Method
Authors: Frank Florian , Liu Chen , Alpak Faruk O. , Berg Steffen , Riviere Beatrice 
Published: June 2018

SummaryAdvances in pore-scale imaging, increasing availability of computational resources, and developments in numerical algorithms have started rendering direct pore-scale numerical simulations of multiphase flow on pore structures feasible. In this paper, we describe a two-phase-flow simulator that solves mass- and momentum-balance equations valid at the pore scale (i.e., at scales where the Darcy velocity homogenization starts to break down). The simulator is one of the key components of a molecule-to-reservoir truly multiscale modeling work flow.A Helmholtz free-energy-driven, thermodynamically based diffuse-interface/phase-field method is used for the effective simulation of numerous advecting interfaces, while honoring the interfacial tension (IFT). The advective Cahn-Hilliard (CH) (mass-balance, energy dissipation) and Navier-Stokes (NS) (momentum-balance, incompressibility) equations are coupled to each other within the phase-field framework. Wettability on rock/fluid interfaces is accounted for by means of an energy-penalty-based wetting (contact-angle) boundary condition. Individual balance equations are discretized by use of a flexible discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method. The discretization of the mass-balance equation is semi-implicit in time using a convex/concave splitting of the energy term. The momentum-balance equation is split from the incompressibility constraint by a projection method and linearized with a Picard splitting. Mass- and momentum-balance equations are coupled to each other by means of operator splitting, and are solved sequentially.We discuss the mathematical model and its DG discretization, and briefly introduce nonlinear and linear solution strategies. Numerical-validation tests show optimal convergence rates for the DG discretization, indicating the correctness of the numerical scheme and its implementation. Physical-validation tests demonstrate the consistency of the phase distribution and velocity fields simulated within our framework. Finally, two-phase-flow simulations on two real pore-scale images demonstrate the usefulness of the pore-scale simulator. The direct pore-scale numerical-simulation methodology rigorously considers the flow physics by directly acting on pore-scale images of rocks without remeshing. The proposed method is accurate, numerically robust, and exhibits the potential for tackling realistic problems.
Impact of Polymer EOR and Salinity on Barium Sulphate Scale Risk
Authors: Al Kalbani M. M. , Mackay E. J. , Sorbie K. S. , Nghiem L. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
Barium Sulphate (BaSO4) scale deposition is a serious problem encountered in oilfield operations. The precipitation of BaSO4 scale has been studied mainly for fields under water flooding. On the other hand, polymer flooding is a mature Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) method that has been applied successfully in many fields. This study investigates the effect of polymer flooding and salinity variations on oil Recovery Factor (RF) and on brine mixing and BaSO4 precipitation in porous media and the scale risk in producers.
Reservoir simulation has been used to carry out the study. We have performed simulations using a reactive transport simulator and heterogeneous 2D areal and vertical models and a field scale 3D model. Data from literature have been utilized to define parameters that control polymer viscosity, polymer adsorption and barium (Ba2+) and sulphate (SO42-) concentrations. We have also studied the effect of injecting a low salinity water as the make-up brine for the polymer slug to see its impact on oil recovery and BaSO4 precipitation.
The study shows that the injection of a viscous polymer slug reduces the mixing between injected and formation brines and so reduces the amount of BaSO4 deposition in the reservoir compared to a normal water flood. This reduction is not large and its effect on reservoir permeability is marginal. However, importantly the viscous polymer delays the breakthrough of injected water and hence the precipitation of BaSO4 at the wellbore. Including the effect of polymer adsorption makes the polymer front move slower than the SO42- front, and this accelerates BaSO4 precipitation at the wellbore and increases the total precipitation compared to the case without adsorption. A low salinity polymer slug, which contains low SO42- concentration, improves polymer viscosity, which enhances oil recovery, and reduces and delays the amount of BaSO4 deposition in the formation and in the producers.
The behaviour of brine mixing is different under polymer flooding compared to normal water flooding. This work shows for the first time that this impacts the amount of BaSO4 scale that precipitates in the reservoir, and thus the timing and amount of potential scale deposition in the wellbore.
Michael Squire (ed.) (2016). Sight and the Ancient Senses. The Senses in Antiquity. London/New York: Routledge. 313 pp.
Authors: Calabrese Claudio César 
Published: June 2018

Michael Squire (ed.) (2016). Sight and the Ancient Senses. The Senses in Antiquity. London/New York: Routledge. 313 pp.
Evaluation of changes in streamflow and the underlying causes: a perspective of an upstream catchment in Haihe River basin, China
Authors: Wan Sicheng , Zhang Jianyun , Wang Guoqing , Zhang Lu , Cheng Lei , Elmahdi Amgad , Liu Yanli 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
Investigating long-term streamflow changes pattern and its response to climate and human factors is of crucial significance to understand the hydrological cycle under a changing environment. Caijiazhuang catchment located within Haihe River basin, north China was selected as the study area. To detect the trend and changes in streamflow, Mann–Kendall test was used. Elasticity and hydrological simulation methods were applied to assess the relative contribution of climate change and human activities on streamflow variability under three periods (baseline (1958–1977), impact I (1978–1997), and impact II (1998–2012)). The long-term hydro-climatic variables experienced substantial changes during the whole study period, and 1977 was the breaking year of streamflow change. Attribution analysis using the two methods showed consistent results: for impact I, climate change impacts explained 65% and 68% of streamflow reduction; however for impact II, it only represented 49% and 56% of streamflow reduction. This result indicated that human activities were intensifying over time. Various types of human activities presented significant effects on streamflow regimes including volumes and hydrographs. The findings of this paper could provide better insights of hydrological evolution and would thus assist water managers in sustainably managing and providing water use strategies under a changing environment.
Pretreatment of spiramycin fermentation residue using hyperthermophilic digestion: quick startup and performance
Authors: Awad Mohammed , Tian Zhe , Gao Yingxin , Yang Min , Zhang Yu 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of hyperthermophilic anaerobic digestion at 70 °C in the pretreatment of spiramycin fermentation residue. By feeding municipal excess sludge under a solid retention time of 5 days, the hyperthermophilic digester was successfully started up within 3 days from mesophilic digestion by a one-step temperature increase from 35 to 70 °C. MiSeq sequencing showed the fast establishment of thermophilic fermenting bacterial communities in 3 days immediately after the temperature increase, with increases in abundance of Coprothermobacter, Spirochaetaceae_uncultured and Fervidobacterium from &lt;0.001%, 1.06% and &lt;0.001% to 33.77%, 11.65% and 3.42%, respectively. The feasibility of hyperthermophilic digestion for spiramycin residue was evaluated in batch experiments for 7 days. Hyperthermophilic digestion considerably reduced antibiotic concentrations, with removal efficiencies of 55.3% and 99.0% for the spiramycin residue alone and its mixture with hyperthermophilic sludge, respectively. At the same time, the abundances of four macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin resistance genes were also reduced within 7 days, due to the decrease of their corresponding hosts. These results suggest that hyperthermophilic digestion could easily be started up from mesophilic digestion and might be a suitable pretreatment approach for spiramycin residue.
Outdoor flat-panel membrane photobioreactor to treat the effluent of an anaerobic membrane bioreactor. Influence of operating, design, and environmental conditions
Authors: González-Camejo J. , Barat R. , Ruano M. V. , Seco A. , Ferrer J. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
As microalgae have the ability to simultaneously remove nutrients from wastewater streams while producing valuable biomass, microalgae-based wastewater treatment is a win–win strategy. Although recent advances have been made in this field in lab conditions, the transition to outdoor conditions on an industrial scale must be further investigated. In this work an outdoor pilot-scale membrane photobioreactor plant was operated for tertiary sewage treatment. The effects of different parameters on microalgae performance were studied including: temperature, light irradiance (solar and artificial irradiance), hydraulic retention time (HRT), biomass retention time (BRT), air sparging system and influent nutrient concentration. In addition the competition between microalgae and ammonium oxidising bacteria for ammonium was also evaluated. Maximum nitrogen and phosphorus removal rates of 12.5 ± 4.2 mgN·L−1·d−1 and 1.5 ± 0.4 mgP·L−1·d−1, respectively, were achieved at a BRT of 4.5 days and HRT of 2.5 days, while a maximum biomass productivity of 78 ± 13 mgVSS·L−1·d−1 (VSS: volatile suspended solids) was reached. While the results obtained so far are promising, they need to be improved to make the transition to industrial scale operations feasible.
Oncolytic Tanapoxvirus Expressing Interleukin-2 is Capable of Inducing the Regression of Human Melanoma Tumors in the Absence of T Cells
Authors: Zhang Tiantian , Kordish Dennis H. , Suryawanshi Yogesh R. , Eversole Rob R. , Kohler Steven , Mackenzie Charles D. , Essani Karim 
Published: June 2018

Background:
Oncolytic viruses (OVs), which preferentially infect cancer cells and induce
host anti-tumor immune responses, have emerged as an effective melanoma therapy. Tanapoxvirus
(TANV), which possesses a large genome and causes mild self-limiting disease in humans, is potentially
an ideal OV candidate. Interleukin-2 (IL-2), a T-cell growth factor, plays a critical role in activating
T cells, natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages in both the innate and adaptive immune system.

Objective:
We aimed to develop a recombinant TANV expressing mouse IL-2 (TANVΔ66R/mIL-
2), replacing the viral thymidine kinase (TK) gene (66R) with the mouse (m) mIL-2 transgene resulting
in TANVΔ66R/mIL-2.

Methods:
Human melanoma tumors were induced in female athymic nude mice by injecting SKMEL-
3 cells subcutaneously. Mice were treated with an intratumoral injection of viruses when the
tumor volumes reached 45 ± 4.5 mm3.

Results:
In cell culture, expression of IL-2 attenuated virus replication of not only TANVΔ66R/
mIL-2, but also TANVGFP. It was demonstrated that IL-2 inhibited virus replication through intracellular
components and without activating the interferon-signaling pathway. Introduction of mIL-2
into TANV remarkably increased its anti-tumor activity, resulting in a more significant regression
than with wild-type (wt) TANV and TANVΔ66R. Histopathological studies showed that extensive
cell degeneration with a significantly increased peri-tumor accumulation of mononuclear cells in the
tumors treated with TANVΔ66R/mIL-2, compared to wtTANV or TANVΔ66R.

Conclusion:
We conclude that TANVΔ66R/mIL-2 is potentially therapeutic for human melanomas in the absence of T cells, and IL-2 expression resulted in an overall increase of therapeutic efficacy.
Prevalence of Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Associated Factors Among HIV Positive Patients Attending Antiretroviral Therapy Clinic at Arba Minch General Hospital, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Mama Mohammedaman , Manilal Aseer , Tesfa Haile , Mohammed Hawa , Erbo Endeshaw 
Published: June 2018

Background:
Tuberculosis (TB) is an extremely contagious disease detrimentally affecting virtually every organ, most importantly the lungs. Pulmonary complications have been one of the commonest causes of morbidity and mortality since the advent of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) pandemic. The AIDS virus has considerably reshape the epidemiology of TB by widening the risk of reactivating latent TB, increasing the possibility of TB infection once contracted to tubercle bacilli (re-infection) and by elevating the risk of rapid progression instantly after the infection. In this background, this study is intended to understand the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and associated factors amongst Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients attending antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic in Arba Minch General hospital during the study period (March to May, 2016).

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was carried out at Arba Minch Hospital from March to May, 2016. To assess the associated factors, a pre-tested structured questionnaire has been used. Sputum samples were collected and examined microscopically by using acid fast staining. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Services, version 20.

Results:
Totally, 291 HIV positive patients were included in this study of which 71.5% were females and 28.5% were males. It was found that 42.3% of respondents were in the age ranged between 31-40 years. Of the 291 patients screened, 21 were positively diagnosed with pulmonary TB making the overall prevalence rate of 7.2%. From this study, it was revealed that CD4 count, previous history of tuberculosis and smoking were the significant predictors of tuberculosis (p˂0.05) in HIV patients.

Conclusion:
The results of the present study envisaged that the prevalence of HIV/TB co-infection was 7.2%. Previous history of TB, CD4 count less than 200/μl, and smoking habit were the possible risk factors elucidated. Therefore, TB screening among HIV-positive patients, public awareness, and community mobilization should be encouraged.