Physical Inactivity, Sedentary Behavior and Chronic Diseases

Karimé González,Jorge Fuentes,José Luis Márquez 대한가정의학회 2017 Korean Journal of Family Medicine Vol.38 No.3

New research into physical activity suggests that it is no longer sufficient just to meet minimum levels recommend-ed by health guidelines in order to reduce cardiovascular risk. Both physical inactivity and sedentary behavior have their own health hazards and need to be addressed separately, in order to explore their different deleterious mech-anisms. The aim of this review was to define and to characterize both concepts, and their relationship with major non-communicable chronic diseases. A PubMed database search was undertaken, using the following key words: physical activity, physical inactivity, sedentarism, sedentary behavior, and non-communicable chronic disease. This literature review provides an updated view on physical inactivity and sedentary behavior, and reevaluates their prevalence and association with major non-communicable chronic disease.

Amplified Pixel Architectures in Amorphous Silicon Technology for Large Area Digital Imaging Applications

Karim S. Karim,F. Taghibakhsh,G. Sanaie-Fard Sanaie-Fard,M. H. Izadi,T. Ottaviani 한국물리학회 2006 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.48 No.I

On-pixel amplifiers in amorphous silicon (a-Si) technology can offer increased pixel signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) compared to traditional switch based imaging pixels. Experiments reveal a reduction in readout noise and indicate that a-Si pixel amplifiers can meet the stringent requirements for digital X-ray fluoroscopy. However, larger input voltages can introduce non-linearities thereby reducing the pixel dynamic range. In this research, we investigate amplified pixel architectures that exhibit large signal linearity and consequently higher dynamic range. Gain, linearity, noise, metastability and area estimations of the amplified pixels indicate their applicability in large-area medical Xray imaging applications that require switching between low-exposure, real-time fluoroscopy and high-exposure chest radiography modes at a region of interest.

Effect of Pollination Technique on Agronomic and Physicochemical Characteristics of Date Palm Fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cv. ‘Deglet Nour ’

Kadri Karim,Aounallah Karim,Hammadi Hamza,Abdelhafidh Manar,Chahine Karmous,Taoufik Bettaieb 한국원예학회 2022 원예과학기술지 Vol.40 No.2

UV-curing synthesis of sulfonated polyaniline-silver nanocomposites by an in situ reduction method

Karim, Mohammad Rezaul,Yeum, Jeong Hyun,Lee, Min-Young,Lee, Mu Sang,Lim, Kwon Taek John Wiley Sons, Ltd. 2009 Polymers for advanced technologies Vol.20 No.7

<P>Sulfonated polyaniline-silver (SPAni-Ag) hybrid nanocomposites have been synthesized by the in situ reduction using a UV-curing polymerization method without using any reducing or binding agent. An aqueous solution of aniline and orthoanilinic acid (OA) comonomers, a free-radical oxidant and silver metal salts were irradiated by UV rays. Reduction of the silver salt in aqueous aniline and OA leads to the formation of silver particles which in turn catalyze the oxidation of comonomers to sulfonated polyaniline (SPAni). The resultant SPAni-Ag nanocomposites were characterized by using different spectroscopy analyses like UV–visible (UV–Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy. The absorption bands were revealed to be optically active and the peaks blue-shifted due to the presence of metallic silver within the SPAni matrix. The XRD patterns displayed both the broad amorphous polymeric and sharp metallic peaks. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy of the nanocomposites showed a uniform size distribution with spherical and granular morphology. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the nanocomposites had a better thermal stability than the bulk SPAni. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</P>

On Position Control using GMS-Model-Based Friction Compensation and Velocity Reduced-Order Observer for Servo-Systems - LMI Approach

Karim Khayati 제어로봇시스템학회 2008 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2008 No.10

This paper is devoted to a stabilization problem for a servo-system under the inuence of friction. The proposed approach is based on a multi-objective control design using a reduced-order velocity observer, a generalized Maxwell-slip (GMS) model-based friction compensation and a linear time invariant (LTI) compensator simultaneously. Stabilization conditions on interconnected systems are investigated with strictly positive real (SPR) condition on linear closed-loop dynamics of hierarchical systems using linear matrix inequality (LMI) frameworks. The appeal of this proven theoretical design is further demonstrated by numerical results.

Epidemiology and Clinical Burden of Malaria in the War-Torn Area, Orakzai Agency in Pakistan

Karim, Asad Mustafa,Hussain, Irfan,Malik, Sumera Kausar,Lee, Jung Hun,Cho, Ill Hwan,Kim, Young Bae,Lee, Sang Hee Public Library of Science 2016 PLoS neglected tropical diseases Vol.10 No.1

<▼1><P><B>Background</B></P><P>Military conflict has been a major challenge in the detection and control of emerging infectious diseases such as malaria. It poses issues associated with enhancing emergence and transmission of infectious diseases by destroying infrastructure and collapsing healthcare systems. The Orakzai agency in Pakistan has witnessed a series of intense violence and destruction. Military conflicts and instability in Afghanistan have resulted in the migration of refugees into the area and possible introduction of many infectious disease epidemics. Due to the ongoing violence and Talibanization, it has been a challenge to conduct an epidemiological study.</P><P><B>Methodology/Principal Findings</B></P><P>All patients were sampled within the transmission season. After a detailed clinical investigation of patients, data were recorded. Baseline venous blood samples were taken for microscopy and nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) analysis. <I>Plasmodium</I> species were detected using nested PCR (nPCR) and amplification of the small subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid (ssrRNA) genes using the primer pairs. We report a clinical assessment of the epidemic situation of malaria caused by <I>Plasmodium vivax</I> (86.5%) and <I>Plasmodium falciparum</I> (11.79%) infections with analysis of complications in patients such as decompensated shock (41%), anemia (8.98%), hypoglycaemia (7.3%), multiple convulsions (6.7%), hyperpyrexia (6.17%), jaundice (5%), and hyperparasitaemia (4.49%).</P><P><B>Conclusions/Significance</B></P><P>This overlooked distribution of <I>P</I>. <I>vivax</I> should be considered by malaria control strategy makers in the world and by the Government of Pakistan. In our study, children were the most susceptible population to malaria infection while they were the least expected to use satisfactory prevention strategies in such a war-torn deprived region. Local health authorities should initiate malaria awareness programs in schools and malaria-related education should be further promoted at the local level reaching out to both children and parents.</P></▼1><▼2><P><B>Author Summary</B></P><P>The malaria epidemic and endemic in Pakistan is a present and ongoing threat to public health which could have an impact in the nearby regions as well. For the first time, we report a clinical assessment of malaria endemicity in the Orakzai Agency, which is Pakistan’s most neglected area due to Talibanization and war in Afghanistan. Febrile patient blood samples of the area were investigated to report the clinical assessment of malaria caused by <I>Plasmodium vivax</I> and <I>P</I>. <I>falciparum</I> infections. The nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) examination detected 154 (86%) and 21 (12%) <I>P</I>. <I>vivax</I> and <I>P</I>. <I>falciparum</I> infections, respectively. We found worsening hygiene conditions in FATA, likely caused by poor socioeconomics and the collapse of the public health infrastructure. Decompensated shock was a common and prominent clinical feature of malaria among all the clinical presentations caused by both <I>P</I>. <I>vivax</I> (53%) and <I>P</I>. <I>falciparum</I> (42.9%). Our results have significant implications for both public health and malaria control in FATA and Pakistan. Our findings illustrate higher prevalence of malaria in children compared to other age groups. Further research on sensible estimates of refugees is required, as well as resistance to anti-malarials.</P></▼2>

In situ intercalative polymerization of conducting polypyrrole/montmorillonite nanocomposites

Karim, Mohammad Rezaul,Yeum, Jeong Hyun Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2008 Journal of polymer science. Part B, Polymer physic Vol.46 No.21

<P>Conducting polypyrrole (PPy)-montmorillonite (MMT) clay nanocomposites have been synthesized by the in situ intercalative polymerization method. The PPy-MMT nanocomposites are characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. XRD patterns show that after polymerization by the in situ intercalative method with ammonium persulfate and 1 M HCl, an increase in the basal spacing from 1.2 to 1.9 nm was observed, signifying that PPy is synthesized between the interlayer spaces of MMT. TEM and SEM micrographs suggest that the coexistence of intercalated MMT layers with the PPy macromolecules. FTIR reveals that there might be possible interfacial interactions present between the MMT clay and PPy matrix. The study also shows that the introduction of MMT clay results in thermal stability improvement of the PPy. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 2279–2285, 2008</P>

Conducting polyaniline-titanium dioxide nanocomposites prepared by inverted emulsion polymerization

Karim, Mohammad Rezaul,Lee, Hyun Woo,Cheong, In Woo,Park, Sung Min,Oh, Weontae,Yeum, Jeong Hyun Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 2010 Polymer Composites Vol.31 No.1

<P>Conducting polyaniline (PAni)-titanium dioxide (TiO<SUB>2</SUB>) nanocomposites have been synthesized by the inverted emulsion polymerization method. Aqueous mixtures of aniline, a free-radical oxidant, and/or TiO<SUB>2</SUB> nanoparticles (∼25 nm in diameter; mixture of anatase and rutile) are utilized to synthesize the hybrid nanocomposites. The polymerization is carried out in an organic solvent (chloroform, CHCl<SUB>3</SUB>) in the presence of a protonic acid (hydrochloric acid, HCl) as a dopant and an emulsifier (cetyl trimethylammonium bromide). The resultant PAni-TiO<SUB>2</SUB> nanocomposites are characterized with their structural, morphological, conducting, and optical properties. SEM and TEM images represent the PAni-TiO<SUB>2</SUB> nanocomposites with the diameter range of 50–200 nm. Electrical conductivities are checked by standard four-point probes method and found to be 0.38 S/cm for bulk PAni and 0.11 S/cm for PAni-TiO<SUB>2</SUB> nanocomposites. UV–visible absorption shows two electronic bands at about 320 and 596 nm for bulk PAni and the blue-shifted bands with the intensity changes due to the formation of PAni-TiO<SUB>2</SUB> composites. Thermogravimetric analysis reveals that the composites have a higher degradation temperature than the PAni alone. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers</P>

Analysis of Marginal Count Failure Data by using Covariates

Karim, Md.Rezaul,Suzuki, Kazuyuki The Korean Reliability Society 2003 International Journal of Reliability and Applicati Vol.4 No.2

Manufacturers collect and analyze field reliability data to enhance the quality and reliability of their products and to improve customer satisfaction. To reduce the data collecting and maintenance costs, the amount of data maintained for evaluating product quality and reliability should be minimized. With this in mind, some industrial companies assemble warranty databases by gathering data from different sources for a particular time period. This “marginal count failure data” does not provide (i) the number of failures by when the product entered service, (ii) the number of failures by product age, or (iii) information about the effects of the operating season or environment. This article describes a method for estimating age-based claim rates from marginal count failure data. It uses covariates to identify variations in claims relative to variables such as manufacturing characteristics, time of manufacture, operating season or environment. A Poisson model is presented, and the method is illustrated using warranty claims data for two electrical products.

Analysis, Design and Implementation of an Improved ZVZCS-PWM Forward converter

Karim Soltanzadeh,Majid Dehghani,Hosein Khalilian 대한전기학회 2014 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.9 No.1

In this paper an Improved Zero Voltage Zero Current Pulse Width Modulation Forward converter which employs a simple resonance snubber circuit is introduced. A simple snubber circuit consists of a capacitor, an inductor and two diodes. In proposed converter, switch Q1 operates at ZCS turn-on, and ZVS turn-off conditions and all-passive semiconductor devices operate at ZVZCS turn-on and turn-off state. The proposed converter is analyzed and various operating modes of the ZVZCSPWM forward converter are discussed. Analysis and design considerations are presented and the prototype experimental results of a 100w (40 V/2.5A) proposed converter operating at 30 KHz switching frequency confirm the validity of theoretical analysis.