Cerebral malaria admissions in Papua New Guinea may show inter-annual cyclicity: An example of about a 1.5-year cycle for malaria incidence in Burundi

Best available descriptions of malaria incidence and mortality dynamics are important to better plan and evaluate the implementation of programs to monitor (e.g., remote sensing) and control the disease, especially in endemic zones. This was stressed recently by Cibulskis et al (2007) in the view of completeness of monthly reporting for cerebral malaria admissions in Papua New Guinea (latitude 6 degree S, 1987-1996). Notably, regardless of the rate of its completeness, the temporal dynamics of admissions was preserved over the years, however, neither raw data nor results on further analyses about eventual inter-annual cyclic components (periods T>1 year) were provided despite obvious graphical patterns for such a specific time structure (chronome). Interestingly, in a recent analysis by Gomez-Elipe et al (2007) on monthly malaria notifications in Burundi, at almost the same latitude (province of Karuzi, >3 degree S, 1997-2001), the data have shown neither trend not periodic oscillations beyond a 6-month (0.5-year) period. Since the graphical representation of both data sets have indicated an eventual existence of inter-annual variations, and because both are located at the same latitude zone, we have further analyzed the data from Burundi for such periodic oscillations. By using a periodogram regression analysis, we discovered a multicomponent cyclic chronome with periods above 12 months (T=17.5-18.0, 27.5 and 65.0-65.5 months, all at p<0.05). Notably, the most strong cyclic pattern at p<0.002 in the periodogram of the detrended malaria rates in Burundi remained only that with a peak at about 1.5 years (period T=17.5-18.0 months, R=0.51, z=5.3). It is possible that likely inter-annual cyclic patterns might exist also in the time structure for cerebral malaria admissions in Papua New Guinea and, if confirmed, these may be found very useful in epidemic forecasting and programs implementation. We explored these cyclic variations and also discussed possible associations with environmental factors exhibiting alike cyclicity

PILOT STUDY ON ACID BURNS OF THE OESOPHAGUS IN GUINEA PIGS

Correct time determination for beginning of the first bougienage in cases with Stomatoesophagitis corrosiva is probably the most important step for successful outcome of treatment procedures. The aim of this study was to describe patterns of acid burns of the oesophagus in Guinea pigs. We tested 20 animals (mean initial weight of 520 g on average) divided into two groups: Group 1 (subjected to 98% H2S04) and Group 2 (15% H2S04). Changes in weight, pathohistological findings (biopsy), time and cause of death (after International Classification of Diseases - 9th revision) were analysed. The results revealed that animals from Group 1 died about the day 6 from ingestion of the acid with mean decrease of weight of 9.83% as the difference with the initial one was statistically significant (p<0.05) Peritonitis (ICD9 Dx:567) was the cause of death with highest frequency. During the study period of 1 month, Peritonitis and Mediastinids acuta (Dx:518) were pathohistological diagnoses with highest frequency. Only 3 animals from Group 2 died during the period of observation while the rest (n=7) survived afterwards. The relative risk of dying up to the day 9 included after ingestion of 98% against 15% H2SO4 was 9 (p<0.05). The histological analysis on the day 10 from ingestion revealed severe necrotic changes of all layers of the oesophageal wall. Our conclusion from these preliminary results was to sustain the idea to refrain from early bougienage in cases with massive damage of the oesophagus by concentrated acids. Above results might be found useful in planning larger experimental studies on acid burns of the oesophagus in the future

Modelling, analysis and verification of a resonant llc converter as a power supply for the electromagnetic driving mechanism of an electromagnetic contactor

The paper presents model based analysis and experimental verification of a half-bridge resonant LLC converter for suppling power to the electromagnetic driving mechanism of an electromagnetic contactor. In the proposed application the convertor - powered either by AC or DC voltage - supplies the coil of the contactor with DC voltage. Analytical and experimental results presented, show several important advantages of the proposed topology: versatility in terms of input voltages – both AC and DC are accepted; stability over wide voltage range; omission of overvoltages – common to electromagnetic systems; reduced power consumption

Impact of autonomic dysfunction on quality of life in Parkinson’s disease

The present study aims at investigating the impact of the most frequent autonomic symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD) on patients’ quality of life (QoL). Two hundred patients with Parkinson’s disease and autonomic symptoms were included, aged 45 to 76 years, distributed evenly by sex and Hoehn-Yahr stage of severity from I to IV. The most commonly reported symptoms, negatively influencing quality of life, were constipation (53%), urinary incontinence (41,5%), nicturia and hyperhydrosis (23% each). Ninety-eight patients (49%) graded their autonomic symptoms as mildly affecting QoL, 70 (35%) as moderate, and 32 (16%) as severe. Our results support the literature data about the frequency of autonomic disorders in PD and the distribution of symptoms affecting QoL. We found a clear tendency of increase of the frequency and intensity of dysautonomias with disease severity. This trend supports the predominant opinion that autonomic distur­bances in PD are mainly mild to moderate and become clinically significant usually in late stages. On the other hand, though mild to moderate in severity, they can appear even in the early stages of the disease. Widely uti­lized specific and generic questionnaires generally do not consider this subject, therefore the introduction of questions regarding the impact of autonomic symptoms in PD on quality of life is highly appropriate

The Cultural Phenomenology of Qualitative quantity - work in progress - Introduction autobiographical

This study is about the Quality. Here I have dealt with the quality that differs significantly from the common understanding of quality /as determined quality/ that arise from the law of dialectics. This new quality is the quality of the quantity /quality of the quantitative changes/, noticed in philosophy by Plato as “quality of numbers”, and later developed by Hegel as “qualitative quantity. The difference between the known determined quality and qualitative quantity is evident in the exhibit form of these two qualities. The exhibit form of the known determined quality from the law of dialectics /or it transformation/ is related with discreteness and abrupt changes. The exhibit form of the qualitative quantity /and it transformation/ is related with the continuity and gradual transition from one condition, to a different condition, without any abrupt changes. In my paper “Quality of the quantity”, I have argued that one of the most ancient implementation of quality of the number can be found in the dimensional mathematical model of point – line – surface – figure - introduced by Plato. The most whole presentation of the idea of quality of number in Plato is embeded in his teaching about the "eidical number". The quality of the quantity emerges as criteria for recognizing the difference between the eidical numbers and natural arithmetical number. The thesis concerning Plato is based on the The Unwritten Doctrine of Plato and one of the most original works in the history of philosophy written in the 20th century - “Arete bei Platon und Aristoteles” – “Arete in Plato and Aristotle” /Heidelberg 1959/ written by Hans Joachim Krämer. The new quality as the quality of the quantity /quality of the quantitative changes/, first noticed in philosophy by Plato as “quality of numbers” was developed in Hegel as “qualitative quantity”. Hegel proclaimed the Qualitative quantity, or Measure in the both of his Logics -The Science of Logic / the Greater Logic/ and The Lesser Logic/ Part One of the Encyclopedia of Philosophical Sciences: The Logic. In my paper I have offered the arguments that the concept of quality of the quantity should be enhanced with the adopted methodological approach of analogy with an implementation in the field of the Topology - Analysis Situs, developed by the Jules Henri Poincare. In the topology we could see homeomorphism as exhibit form of Quality on the Quantity. The explicit form of the quality of the quantity transformation is the continuous deformation – typically known in topology as homeomorphism. The concept of qualitative quantity is linked with the concept “structural stability” and nonequilibrum phase transition. The concept of structural stability is related with the topological homeomorphism. In his book “Synergetics: Introduction and Advanced Topics” /Springer, ISBN 3-540-40824/, in the Chapter 1.13. Qualitative Changes: General approach, p. 434-435, Hermann Haken explores and illustrate the structural stability with an example /figure 1.13, p.434/ given by of D'Arcy W. Thompson, the Scottish biologist, mathematician and classics scholar and pioneering mathematical biologist, Nobel Laureate in Medicine /1960/, the author of the book, On Growth and Form, /1917/. The quality of the quantity could be seen in the Herman Haken’s citation on the D'Arcy W. Thompson. My thesis is that the topological homeomorphism is the explicit form of the quality of the quantity transformation. The qualitative quantity change which becomes phenomenon, according to Émile Boutroux, is the subject of study in Cultural Phenomenology of Qualitative quantity. Our approach to this subject is Poincaré Model of the Subconscious Mind in Mathematics, which is the most suitable tool to unfold the arhetype of qualitative quantity

Modelling, analysis and comparison of heatsink designs with improved natural convection

The paper presents FEM based study of various heatsink designs. The main aim of the study is to determine and evaluate solutions with improved heat dissipation by utilization of natural convection. Seventeen different cases both classical and proposed by the authors are studied, where each case is examined under three different heat source (in the case with the proposed study a transistor) powers. Results for temperature of the power source and velocity magnitudes in the studied volume are presented and comparted. Experimental verification of the modeling is presented for selected cases

Magnetska i magnetootporna svojstva tankih slojeva NiFe–Si načinjenih radiofrekventnim rasprašivanjem

The galvanomagnetic properties and some structural peculiarities of rf-sputtered alloy films (NI80Fe20)100-xSix at 0<x<30 at. % were studied and compared with the corresponding properties of evaporated films of the same thickness and composition. The content of silicon increased with the increasing of the velocity of deposition and led to the amorphousation of the films. Coercivity decreased with the velocity of growth but it did not depend on the thickness and on the velocity of film deposition. The magnetoresistance ratio Δ g/g of the sputtered films was about three times higher then that of the evaporated films.Galvanometrijska svojstva i neke strukturalne osobenosti tankih slojeva legure (Ni80Fe20)100−xSix načinjenih radiofrekventnim rasprašivanjem sa 0 ≤ x ≤ 30 atomnih postotaka eksperimentalno su proučavani i usporedeni s odgovarajućima svojstvima naparenih slojeva jednake debljine i sastava. Sadržaj silicija je povećavan povećanjem brzine polaganja a slojevi su postajali amorfni. Koercitivnost slojeva se smanjivala s brzinom rasta, ali nije ovisila o debljini i o brzini polaganja sloja. Magnetootporni omjer Δ g/g rasprašenih slojeva bio je oko tri puta veći nego za naparene slojeve

Transyears Competing with the Seasons in Tropical Malaria Incidence

Communicable and non‐communicable diseases show coperiodisms (shared cycles) with the sun\u27s and earth\u27s magnetism. About 11‐year cycles and components with periods a few weeks or a few months longer than one year (near‐ and far‐transyears, respectively) are the cases in point. Published data on the incidence of malaria in Burundi, Papua New Guinea, and Thailand are analysed by the linear‐nonlinear cosinor to assess the relative prominence of transyears versus the calendar year. An about 2.3‐year component characterizes malaria incidence in Burundi and Papua New Guinea (Thailand data were only sampled yearly). Long‐term trends cannot be distinguished from the presence of an about 11‐year cycle found in a 100‐year long record from Chizhevsky on mortality from cholera in Russia, albeit its second harmonic is statistically significant in Burundi’s data. Whereas far‐ and near‐transyears characterize malaria incidence in Burundi more prominently than the calendar year, only a candidate near‐transyear of small amplitude is barely detected in Papua New Guinea, where the calendar year is most prominently expressed. Both regions are located near the equator. Selectively‐assorted geographic differences such as these, observed herein for a communicable disease, have been previously observed for non‐communicable conditions, such as sudden cardiac death