bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Drying shrinkage cracking characteristics of ultra-high-performance fibre reinforced concrete with expansive and shrinkage reducing agents
Authors: Park Jung-Jun , Yoo Doo-Yeol , Kim Sung-Wook , Yoon Young-Soo
Published: January 2013

Ultra-high-performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) exhibits remarkable compressive strength and ductility which, when applied to structural members, enable significant reduction of the cross-section. However, the very low water-to-binder ratio and high fineness admixture used for the fabrication of UHPFRC provoke large shrinkage strain at early age. If such shrinkage strain is restrained by the form or the internal reinforcement, UHPFRC may become highly vulnerable to the occurrence of shrinkage cracks caused by the subsequent reduction of the section. Therefore, this study intends to propose a solution for reducing the risk of shrinkage cracks in UHPFRC by mixing a combination of expansive and shrinkage reducing agents. The appropriateness of such a solution is estimated by evaluating the mechanical and restrained shrinkage behaviour. The experimental results show that the admixing of 7·5% of expansive agent and 1% of shrinkage-reducing agent reduces the total free shrinkage by approximately 80% after 1 day. The results of the drying shrinkage crack test indicate that the admixing of expansive and shrinkage reducing agents prevents the occurrence of shrinkage cracks. Accordingly, it appears that significant reduction of the risk of shrinkage cracking in UHPFRC can be achieved by increasing the section of the member or by adopting a combination of expansive and shrinkage reducing agents.
An Approach to Encouraging and Evaluating Learner's Knowledge Contribution in Web-Based Collaborative Learning
Authors: Lan Yu-Feng , Lin Pin-Chuan , Hung Chun-Ling
Published: January 2013

Although previous research has demonstrated learning benefits for both instructors and students in the web-based collaborative learning environments, one of the major difficulties is the lack of a practical approach to assist teachers in evaluating the knowledge contribution of learners. A novel method of merging multi-modes of assessment and reward mechanism in a collaborative learning system was examined in this study. The developed system has been applied to a learning activity of a web programming and design course and 102 2nd-year college students from two classes were invited to participate in this research. The system logs and assessment results were analyzed through system use over 6 weeks. The experimental results showed not only could the proposed approach provide instructors with feedback, it could also evaluate and improve learning. In addition, learners could easily and efficiently manage their learning outcomes, share knowledge with one another, reflect on and notify others of learning outcomes and learning status, and engage in high-level reflective practices.
Identity and the Transition from School to Work in Late Modern Japan: Strong Agency or Supportive Communality?
Authors: Inui Akio , Kojima Yoshikazu
Published: January 2013

This article examines the precarious transition from school to work, considers its relation to young people's identity formation in late modern Japan, and rethinks the theory of identity formation in late modernity. Although Japan's transition system had been efficient and stable over many years, since the late 1990s this has been replaced by an increasing precariousness. The Japanese government has responded with a Career Education promotion policy to foster young people's work aspirations and attitudes in the form of an employability enhancement policy. This policy discourse coincides with a late modernist theory (as put forward by Giddens and Cote & Levine) that emphasises the importance of personal agency for young people's transitions. However, in our longitudinal qualitative study, we found that the ‘transitional communities and networks' that young people encounter in their transition from school to work have an important supportive role to play. These transitional communities are important in young people's transitions from the school/college community to the workplace community. Those who had a strong sense of agency but no helpful community experienced serious depression and did not make a successful transition into work. Our case studies support Erikson's argument that community (communality) is indispensable for young people's identity formation. We conclude that both community and agency are important for successful transition in late modernity.
Education Reform in Bolivia: Transitions Towards Which Future?
Authors: Arrueta José Antonio , Avery Helen
Published: January 2013

This article concerns the impact of educational reforms on young people in Bolivian society as they transition into adulthood, against the backdrop of globalisation and far-reaching structural changes. Ethnicity and cultural capital are linked in complex ways with social stratification in Bolivia. In a pluricultural society, the language of instruction and curricular content are among the most fundamental conditions that determine which social or linguistic groups will be excluded or disadvantaged during formal education. Language and content are particularly significant in identity formation and in the shaping of cultural capital. Each contributes to the formation of specific intercultural skills and opportunities for communication within national or international communities. Additionally, each of these components helps determine which educational paths are open for young people, and which activities they can engage with later in life. In Bolivia, various education reforms have attempted to reshape these parameters. Intercultural Bilingual Education and other key aspects of the reforms will be described along with the historical context in which they emerged. Some conclusions are put forward related to their implementation.
Transition and Tertiary Education: A Case Study of Mzuzu University, Malawi
Authors: Zozie Paxton Andrew , Kayira Peter Benwell
Published: January 2013

This article reviews the role of guidance and counselling in Malawi in reducing dropout and easing the transition of students to tertiary education, as well as in helping them during their time in tertiary education. It begins by identifying key success factors in guidance and counselling services for learners in both developed and developing countries. The article argues that the provision of viable secondary school careers guidance and changes to the university counselling programme could reduce the dropout rate and create a smoother transition for students during tertiary education with a positive impact on learning progression. The rationale for integrating guidance and counselling between school and tertiary provision is then explored. Drawing on case-study research carried out at Mzuzu University (MZUNI), the article presents findings on the preparation of students at secondary school for university education, the relationship of subjects offered at secondary school to courses pursued at university and the challenges faced by students as they start university and progress through the levels. The article concludes with some recommendations for enabling smoother transitions through the integration of school guidance and counselling in learning institutions.
Conceptualising a Transition: The Case of Vocational and Academic Learning in England, Scotland and the USA
Authors: Doyle Lesley
Published: January 2013

The contention of this article is that the potentially productive developmental learning experience of the transition which young people in secondary school make between concurrent vocational and academic courses is largely unrecognised and thus unexploited. To support this contention, and to suggest a more productive way forward, understandings of, and attitudes towards, vocational learning and the rationales behind them are analysed. Following on from this, findings are presented from three related empirical studies on the experiences of young people, and their teachers, as they transition between vocational and academic courses. The findings are then conceptualised through the lens of theoretical approaches which privilege and highlight the importance of supported developmental learning, as distinct from the current focus on societal and policy rationales. Particular attention is paid to Beach's notion of ‘consequential transitions’. The article concludes with an outline of the opportunities that an approach based on symbiosis between vocational and academic learning can offer for the improved acquisition of skills, knowledge and understanding by young people.
Intercultural Space as Transitional Space: Movements, Transformations and Dialectical Relations
Authors: Teräs Marianne
Published: January 2013

This article reports on research into an intervention called a ‘Culture Laboratory’, based on a generic ‘Change Laboratory’ method within developmental work research and cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT). Within the Culture Laboratory, transitions can be viewed as movements, transformations and reciprocal relations, undertaken as participants attempt to improve their training in a process of observing, comparing and creating. The 17 participants in this study were students from eight different countries of origin, their teachers, other school staff and researchers. Experiences from this study would suggest that transitions are not outright movements that follow a certain path, but are rather complicated back-and-forth movements and tension-rich in-between spaces, which can enrich development and learning through creative actions.
Learning in Global Settings: Developing Transitions for Meaning-Making
Authors: Nordén Birgitta , Avery Helen , Anderberg Elsie
Published: January 2013

Global teaching and learning for sustainable development reaches from the classroom to the world outside, and is therefore a particularly interesting setting for practising transition skills. The article suggests a number of features perceived as crucial in developing young people's capability to act in a changing world and under circumstances that are difficult to predict. The suggestions are based on an empirical study of the Lund Calling project, which aimed at implementing a web-based international programme for teaching preventive environmental strategies in Swedish secondary schools. The article first presents some of the conditions in Sweden that particularly impact on young people's transition to adulthood. Related research in sustainability education is also briefly outlined. Knowledge capability theory is used to discuss results from the empirical study of the Lund Calling project, where interviews were conducted with secondary school students, teachers and headmasters. Based on these interviews, features that appear to be particularly relevant as transition skills in global learning for sustainable development include transdisciplinary action, democratic collaborative action, as well as self-directed and independent initiative. The article concludes that young people today cannot, as in earlier periods of history, base their actions entirely on the traditions of the family or community. Instead, they also need to learn to form their own communities, capable of acting at both local and global levels. Education here plays an important role in developing the necessary transition skills that enable young people to be prepared for a rapidly changing and uncertain world.
Institutional Habitus and Secondary School Transitions: Comparative Study of Ireland and Estonia
Authors: Darmody Merike
Published: January 2013

This article explores secondary school transitions from a comparative perspective. It focuses on a stage at which a major institutional transition takes place in two different educational systems. Over the years a number of international studies have explored different learning environments and their impact on student educational outcomes. Much of this research explores the impact of school choice and the transition from one level of schooling to another. In general, these studies refer to school transitions as a time when students are particularly vulnerable due to structural and environmental differences between different levels of schooling. In other words, the new learning environments generally have a different ‘institutional habitus’. While seamless and unproblematic transition from one level of schooling to another is seen to ensure students' success at the subsequent level of schooling and beyond, negative experiences and difficulties around adjustment, on the other hand, are shown to result in disengagement and becoming at risk of early school leaving, with detrimental consequences for the individual concerned. Furthermore, different pathways within the educational systems have been found to reproduce unequal life chances. To discuss and re-theorise school transitions, the article draws on a large-scale comparative study of the transitions in secondary school in Ireland and Estonia, and utilises a conceptual tool called ‘institutional habitus' to gain better understanding of the processes involved. While the article discusses similarities and differences between children's transition experience in two different countries, it also calls for a careful approach to ‘direct borrowing’ of practices from other countries.
Deglutitive tongue movement after correction of mandibular protrusion
Authors: Fujiki Tatsuya , Deguchi Toru , Nagasaki Toshikazu , Tanimoto Keiji , Yamashiro Takashi , Takano-Yamamoto Teruko
Published: January 2013

Objective:

To investigate any change in deglutitive tongue movement following the correction of malocclusion by orthognathic surgery.

Materials and Methods:

The subjects were nine patients with mandibular protrusion. A control group consisted of 10 individuals with a similar age range and normal occlusion. Swallowing events before and after mandibular setback via sagittal split ramus osteotomy were recorded by cineradiography, and the tongue movement was analyzed. Time and linear measurements were compared before and after surgical treatment by the Wilcoxon signed rank test; control and test subjects were compared with the Mann-Whitney U-test.

Results:

Tongue-palate contact and the tongue-tip position changed after orthognathic surgery and became similar to those of the controls. Movements of the anterior and middorsal regions of the tongue did not change after orthognathic surgery and remained different from those of the controls.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that tongue-palate contact and tongue-tip position during deglutition adapted to the corrected oral and maxillofacial morphology, but the anterior and middorsal regions of the tongue during deglutition may have been affected by pharyngeal constrictors rather than by the oral and maxillofacial morphology.
Modelling of GaN quantum dot terahertz cascade laser
Authors: Asgari A. , Khorrami A.
Published: January 2013

In this paper GaN based spherical quantum dot cascade lasers has been modelled, where the generation of the terahertz waves are obtained. The Schrödinger, Poisson, and the laser rate equations have been solved self-consistently including all dominant physical effects such as piezoelectric and spontaneous polarization in nitride-based QDs and the effects of the temperature. The exact value of the energy levels, the wavefunctions, the lifetimes of electron levels, and the lasing frequency are calculated. Also the laser parameters such as the optical gain, the output power and the threshold current density have been calculated at different temperatures and applied electric fields.
Barriers to Exercise in People With Parkinson Disease
Authors: Ellis Terry , Boudreau Jennifer K. , DeAngelis Tamara R. , Brown Lisa E. , Cavanaugh James T. , Earhart Gammon M. , Ford Matthew P. , Foreman K. Bo , Dibble Leland E.
Published: January 2013

Background

Exercise is known to reduce disability and improve quality of life in people with Parkinson disease (PD). Although barriers to exercise have been studied in older adults, barriers in people with chronic progressive neurological diseases, such as PD, are not well defined.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to identify perceived barriers to exercise in people with PD.

Design

The study had a cross-sectional design.

Methods

People who had PD, dwelled in the community, and were at stage 2.4 on the Hoehn and Yahr scale participated in this cross-sectional study (N=260; mean age=67.7 years). Participants were divided into an exercise group (n=164) and a nonexercise group (n=96). Participants self-administered the barriers subscale of the Physical Fitness and Exercise Activity Levels of Older Adults Scale, endorsing or denying specific barriers to exercise participation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to examine the contribution of each barrier to exercise behavior, and odds ratios were reported.

Results

Three barriers were retained in the multivariate regression model. The nonexercise group had significantly greater odds of endorsing low outcome expectation (ie, the participants did not expect to derive benefit from exercise) (odds ratio [OR]=3.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.08–7.42), lack of time (OR=3.36, 95% CI=1.55–7.29), and fear of falling (OR=2.35, 95% CI=1.17–4.71) than the exercise group.

Limitations

The cross-sectional nature of this study limited the ability to make causal inferences.

Conclusions

Low outcome expectation from exercise, lack of time to exercise, and fear of falling appear to be important perceived barriers to engaging in exercise in people who have PD, are ambulatory, and dwell in the community. These may be important issues for physical therapists to target in people who have PD and do not exercise regularly. The efficacy of intervention strategies to facilitate exercise adherence in people with PD requires further investigation.
Faecal sampling along trails: a questionable standard for estimating red fox Vulpes vulpes abundance
Authors: Güthlin Denise , Kröschel Max , Küchenhoff Helmut , Storch Ilse
Published: January 2013

In most studies that estimate abundance of foxes from faeces counts, scanning is done along trails and roads or along linear features such as hedges, because it is supposed that foxes defecate mainly along these structures. As a consequence, only part (i.e. trails or linear features) of the total habitat is searched and results are possibly biased if usage by foxes of these searched features is subject to spatial or temporal variation. We therefore investigated three methods for counting red fox Vulpes vulpes faeces, that differ in the shape of the sampling units: trails and two alternatives; i.e. transects and squares. We searched for faeces using these three methods in two study areas (the Upper Rhine Valley and the Black Forest valleys) at 61 study plots and found a total of 257 fox faeces. Methods for estimating abundance should ideally have high accuracy and high precision. As actual fox densities in the areas were unknown, we were unable to assess the accuracy of our sampling methods and thus focused on method precision. We fit separate negative binomial regression models for each method with the number of faeces found as the dependent variable and a set of landscape variables as possible explanatory variables. The transect method detected significant differences in the number of faeces found between the study areas and was most precise. Even though we did find more faeces with the trail method, the precision of this method was lower than that of the transect method. For the methods trail and square, variance in the number of faeces found was large in comparison to their mean. Bias caused by methods that only sample part of the habitat is not limited to faecal counts and red fox studies, but can also occur with other species and methods.
Landscape factors affecting relative abundance of gray foxes Urocyon cinereoargenteus at large scales in Illinois, USA
Authors: Cooper Susan E. , Nielsen Clayton K. , McDonald Patrick T.
Published: January 2013

Evaluation of wildlife‐habitat relationships at the landscape level provides insight into how habitat connectivity, fragmentation and land‐use changes may affect wildlife populations. Although previous studies have demonstrated that habitat composition and configuration at large scales may affect the presence, survival and movement of carnivore species, no such analyses have been conducted for the gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus. We used a generalized correlative mapping approach to investigate the relationship of gray fox relative abundance to landscape variables at the county scale in Illinois, USA. Relative abundance of gray foxes was high in 37 of 102 (36%) counties. Four models were competitive based on ΔAICc scores, and these models indicated that standard deviation of the perimeter‐area ratio of agricultural patches, interspersion and juxtaposition index of grassland patches, coefficent of variation of the proximity index of forest patches and relative patch richness of the landscape affected gray fox relative abundance. The variables occurring in our competing models indicate that the relative abundance of the gray fox is higher in counties containing a high level of fragmentation of preferred habitat types (i.e. forests and grasslands) and lower dispersion of less preferred habitat types (i.e. agriculture). Our results reflect gray fox habitat use at smaller scales, and at the landscape scale, gray fox abundance is influenced by how cover‐type patches are configured.
Establishing a monitoring baseline for threatened large ungulates in eastern Cambodia
Authors: Gray Thomas N.E. , Phan Channa , Pin Chanrattana , Prum Sovanna
Published: January 2013

Monitoring ungulate populations is an essential part of wildlife management with ungulates performing essential ecosystem roles including structuring populations of large carnivores. A number of ungulate species in Southeast Asia are also globally threatened and are therefore important conservation targets in their own right. We estimated large (> 15 kg) ungulate densities in two protected areas, i.e. Mondulkiri Protected Forest and Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary, in eastern Cambodia using distance‐based line transect sampling. During the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 dry seasons, we surveyed 110 line transects (randomly distributed across 3,406 km2) for a total of 1,310 km. We used DISTANCE 6.0 to model detection functions from observations of bantengBos javanicus, wild pigSus scrofaand red muntjacMuntiacus muntjakgenerating estimates of group density, cluster size and individual density. Estimated densities ± SE were 1.1 ± 0.2 individual banteng/km2, 1.4 ± 0.4 individual wild pig/km2and 2.2 ± 0.2 individual red muntjac/km2giving an overall density of approximately 4.7 large ungulates/km2. Although wild pig and red muntjac densities were within the range of estimates reported from ecologically similar protected areas in tropical Asia, overall large ungulate density is much lower than the intrinsic carrying capacity of deciduous dipterocarp forest. This appears largely to be due to the scarcity of large deer (i.e. hog deerAxis porcinus, samburCervus unicolorand Eld's deerCervus eldii) as a result of extensive historic hunting. Current large ungulate densities appear too low to support a viable tigerPanthera tigrispopulation in the long term, and ungulate recovery, driven by strong protected area management, needs to be achieved before tiger populations can be restored.
An evaluation of a mitigation strategy for deer‐vehicle collisions
Authors: Bissonette John A. , Rosa Silvia
Published: January 2013

High mule deer Odocoileus hemionus mortality in southwestern Utah led to the establishment of a mitigation strategy with two major objectives: 1) reduction of wildlife‐vehicle collisions and 2) restoration of landscape connectivity to facilitate wildlife movement across the roaded landscape. During our study, we assessed the effectiveness of the mitigation measures in reducing mule deer mortality in the following ways: 1) we compared the number of deer‐vehicle collisions in the newly fenced area with a control area without fencing; 2) we analyzed the ‘end‐of‐the‐fence’ problem, defined here as increased mortality of mule deer at the ends of the 2.4‐m high exclusion fences; and 3) we evaluated the frequency of animal crossings of the new underpasses using remotely‐sensed cameras and compared them with crossing frequency rates for a 20‐year‐old control underpass. We compared six years of pre‐construction mortality (during 1998‐2003) with two years of post‐construction data on mortality (during 2005‐2006) and found a 98.5% decline in deer mortalities in the treatment (i.e. fenced, jump‐outs and underpasses) vs a 2.9% decline in the control (i.e. no fences, no jump‐outs and no underpasses). We detected no end‐of‐the‐fence problems related to deer mortality. Migratory movements during fall and spring were clearly reflected in the use of underpass. Overall results demonstrated that the mitigation strategy was effective and reduced the number of deer‐vehicle accidents, while allowing wildlife movement across the landscape.
Invasive North American beaver Castor canadensis in Eurasia: a review of potential consequences and a strategy for eradication
Authors: Parker Howard , Nummi Petri , Hartman Göran , Rosell Frank
Published: January 2013

Seven North American beavers Castor canadensis (Cc) were introduced into Finland in 1937 to supplement an ongoing reintroduction of the nearly extinct Eurasian beaver C. fiber (Cf). At that time, many zoologists recognised only one species. However, in 1973, chromosome counts (Cf = 48, Cc = 40) acknowledged two species, and Cc became an invasive alien. Recently, expanding populations of both species have converged on two fronts in Finland and northwestern Russia. According to Gause's competitive exclusion principle, two species with identical niches cannot coexist indefinitely. The imminent question is whether coexistence or competitive exclusion will ultimately result, with the possible regional extirpation or eventual extinction of Cf. We reviewed published cases of interspecies contact and compared their life history, ecology and behaviour. The few published incidences of contact were inconclusive with respect to competitive advantage. Body size is similar, but Cc litter size is slightly greater. Only minor differences in life history, ecology and behaviour were found to exist, suggesting nearly complete niche overlap. Though competitive exclusion resulting in the extinction of a native mammal by an alien congener at the continental landscape scale has been rare, the process may be difficult to detect due to potential time lags of centuries. Thus, there is a distinct risk that Cc may eventually competitively exclude Cf at all landscape scales. As no country in Eurasia obviously wants an invasion of Cc, and as most national conservation laws and international treaties forbid the spread of alien species, we advocate that the precautionary principle be adhered to and an attempt to eradicate Cc from Eurasia be seriously considered. Successful eradication is still possible if the will to do so exists. Here, we outline an eradication strategy.
Epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases and Its Control
Authors: Bhattarai MD
Published: January 2013

Kathmandu University Medical Journal | Vol.10 | No. 2 | Issue 38 | Apr – June 2012 | Page 1-3 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i2.7333
Analysis of Ear, Nose and Throat Foreign Bodies in Dhulikhel Hospital
Authors: Shrestha Inku , Shrestha BL , Amatya RCM
Published: January 2013

Background Foreign body in ear nose and throat are commonly encountered by otolaryngologists, pediatricians and primary care physicians. Objective The aim of this study is to analyze different types of foreign bodies and socio-demographic correlates of self-inflicted foreign body insertion in ear–nose–throat. Method This was a two year hospital based cross sectional descriptive study performed in the Department of ear nose and throat (ENT), Dhulikhel Hospital - Kathmandu University from June 2009 to June 2011 after verification from the Institutional Review Committee. Using a predesigned questionnaire, socio-demographic data was collected prospectively by examining clinically all patients attending with foreign body and interviewing the caregivers of pediatric patients after removal of foreign body. The data collected from 312 patients was entered and analyzed by using descriptive and analytical statistical methods using SPSS version 16.0. Results The mean age was 21.26 years with majority between 0-10 years (50.6%). Male predominance was noted (58.97%). Most patients or caregivers were illiterate (35.1%) or literacy up to primary level(21.12%).Foreign body of the ear was found to be most frequent ( 47.4%) and mostly they were non-living (96.1%). Most patients presented late (80%) and had history of prior attempted removal (67%). Pearsons chi square test between education level and duration of time was significant (p value- 0.0000). One way ANOVA test between type of foreign body and age was significant (p value- 0.001). Conclusion Foreign bodies are common in adult and pediatric ear, nose and throat. They can potentially be associated with significant complications if not taken care of immediately. Kathmandu University Medical Journal | Vol.10 | No. 2 | Issue 38 | Apr – June 2012 | Page 4-8 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i2.7334
Association Between Selected Socio Demographic Variables and Musculoskeletal Symptoms Experienced By Dentists in a Southern Karnataka District
Authors: Shaik AB , Rao BH Sripathi , Husain A , D'Sa JL
Published: January 2013

Background The majority of working dentists experience some type of musculoskeletal discomfort during the course of their professional career. The prevalence and location of musculoskeletal symptoms are influenced by work habits, postures adopted by dentists while performing their professional work and socio demographic variables. Objectives The current study was carried out to find the association between musculoskeletal symptoms experienced by dentists and selected socio demographic variables in a southern Karnataka district. Methods For this study 300 dentists were selected by using convenience sampling method among post graduate dental students, faculty members and private practitioners with more than one year of experience from in and around Mangalore city. In order to find the association, a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire - Musculoskeletal Disorder Rating Scale was used. Results The study showed that there was statistically significant association between frequency of pain and average patient(s) treated per day. The association between intensity of pain and average patient(s) treated per day was highly significant. Further there was a significant association between intensity of pain and field of dental practice. With regard to the field of dental practice, frequency of stiffness was significantly associated with the age. The association between frequency of stiffness and no. of year(s) in profession was highly significant. Conclusion The study revealed a significant association between musculoskeletal symptoms experienced by the dentists and socio demographic variables like; age, field of dental practice, no. of years in profession and average patients treated per day. Kathmandu University Medical Journal | Vol.10 | No. 2 | Issue 38 | Apr – June 2012 | Page 9-13 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i2.7335
Morphometry of Acromion Process of Human Scapulae and Its Clinical Importance Amongst Nepalese Population
Authors: Mansur DI , Khanal K , Haque MK , Sharma K
Published: January 2013

Background Morphometry of the acromion process of the scapula is an important factor implicated in impingement syndrome of the shoulder joint. Authors who have studied this process have tried to classify it according to the standard Bigliani classification viz., type 1, 2 and 3. Objectives To analyze and classify the acromion process of human scapulae. Methods The present study was observational, cross-sectional and descriptive in nature. The present study was conducted on 68 adult human scapulae (30 right and 38 left) of unknown age and sex in the Department of Anatomy, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences, Dhulikhel, Nepal. The length and breadth of the acromion process and the distances from the tip of the acromion process to the uppermost point of the glenoid cavity and to the tip of the corocoid process were measured with a help of caliper and measuring tape. Results The average length of acromion process on the right and left scapulae were 46.46 ± 5SD mm and 45.57 ± 5.21 SD mm respectively. The average breadth of acromion process of right and left scapulae were 26.63 ± 3.55 SD mm and 27.23 ± 3.06 SD mm respectively. The acromio-coracoid distance on the right and left side were 39.03 + 6.20 mm and 39.39 +5.32 mm respectively. The acromio-glenoid distance was also measured which was 31.83 +3.66 mm & 31.97 +3.96 mm on right and left side respectively. The acromion process was classified in the present study into 3 types, based on the shape as: Triangular - 36.76%, Quadrangular - 52.94% and Tubular - 10.29%. Conclusions Knowing the data on the shape and various distances of acromion may not only help the orthopaedicians during surgical repair around the shoulder joint but also may be of interest to the anthropologists when studying about the evolution of the bipedal gait. The morphometric analysis of the acromion should be used like an auxiliary to promote a better knowledge about the disease that appears in this area. Kathmandu University Medical Journal | Vol.10 | No. 2 | Issue 38 | Apr – June 2012 | Page 33-36 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i2.7340
Knowledge of Emergency Management of Avulsed Teeth Among General Dentists in Kathmandu
Authors: Upadhyay Sumita , Rokaya D , Upadhyaya C
Published: January 2013

Background An avulsed permanent tooth is one of the most emergency situations in dentistry. Dentists handling the situation should have adequate knowledge in this field. Objective To assess the level of knowledge of emergency management of avulsed teeth among general dentists in Kathmandu. Methods A questionnaire containing 10 close ended questions about emergency management of avulsed teeth was distributed among 102 general dental practitioners working in different private dental hospitals and clinics of Kathmandu. The dental hospital and clinics were randomly selected. This cross sectional study was conducted between January 2012 to February 2012. Results Among the studied group, almost all of the participants, 98(96.1%) said that an avulsed permanent tooth cannot be replanted in all cases. Majority of them, 63 (61.8%) said that the critical time for the replantation is within 20 minutes. General dentists of Kathmandu did not have adequate knowledge about emergency management of avulsed teeth. Conclusion An education program should be conducted to increase the knowledge of general dentists in the management of traumatic injuries to teeth. Kathmandu University Medical Journal | Vol.10 | No. 2 | Issue 38 | Apr – June 2012 | Page 37-40 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i2.7341
Q-Switched Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Laser Therapy for Pigmented Skin Lesions: Efficacy and Safety
Authors: Karn D , KC S , Amatya A , Razouria EA , Timalsina M , Suwal A
Published: January 2013

Background Nepalese population with Fitzpatrick skin types III-V has high prevalence of pigmentary disorders and it is a growing cosmetic concern. Q-Switched Neodymium- Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (QS Nd-YAG) laser is an efficacious tool in the treatment of pigment disorders. Objective To highlight the efficacy and safety profile of various pigment disorders. Methods A prospective study done in Dhulikhel Hospital, Kathmandu University Hospital from January 2009 to January 2011. Patients undergoing laser for pigmented skin lesions were followed for response and safety profile. We included total 270 patients in the study with various disorders especially nevus, tattoos and melasma. Settings were repeated at 3-4 weeks interval and response was evaluated on clinical basis. Efficacy was then evaluated according to various parameters. Results For nevus, total 840 treatment sessions had been performed with an average of 6.88 sessions (range 3-11). Nd: YAG laser was very efficacious in removal of blue and black colored tattoos with an average of 7.9 and 9.5 sessions respectively. However, red mixed with blue and or green tattoos were relatively resistant to treatment and required average 10.33 treatment sessions. Melasma and freckles both responded to the therapy but recurrence rate was high. Conclusion Our results indicate that QS Nd: YAG laser is an effective modality for pigment disorders among Nepalese population. Nevus and melasma respond well but recurrence rate of melasma is high. Blue tattoos respond well while mixed colored tattoos are quite resistant to Nd: YAG laser alone. Transient pain and temporary hyperpigmentation are common side effects. Kathmandu University Medical Journal | Vol.10 | No. 2 | Issue 38 | Apr – June 2012 | Page 46-50 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i2.7343
Anticipated Pain and Pain Experience Among Orthodontic Patients: Is there any Difference?
Authors: Kafle Dashrath , Rajbhandari A
Published: January 2013

Background Orthodontic treatment is taken as a painful procedure by most of the patients. The pain can be experienced during different procedures like separator placement, banding, bonding, extraction as well as arch wire activation and debonding. There are very few studies done on the anticipated pain and pain experienced among mentioned orthodontic procedures. Objectives To compare the anticipated pain and pain experience among the patients going for comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Methods Total 45 patients going for comprehensive orthodontic therapy are enrolled into the study. They are given a 100mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain. The anticipated pain as well as perceived pain after different orthodontic procedures are recorded on the VAS by patients and returned back to orthodontic office. The data are analyzed by SPSS 16.00 software by paired and independent t-test for the statistical significance. Results The result showed that there is significant difference between the anticipated pain before orthodontic treatment and the pain experienced following orthodontic treatment. It also showed that perception of pain between two sexes is significantly different. The comparison of anticipated pain among male and female does not show any significant difference, however the pain felt after separator placement as well as after orthodontic bonding is significantly different in two sexes. Conclusion The level of anticipated pain before orthodontic treatment is higher than the real pain experienced after orthodontic procedures. So it is better to counsel and explain the patients about the orthodontic treatment and procedures. Kathmandu University Medical Journal | Vol.10 | No. 2 | Issue 38 | Apr – June 2012 | Page 71-73 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i2.7348
Acute Intermittent Porphyria with SIADH and Fluctuating Dysautonomia
Authors: Nabin A , Thapa LJ , Paudel R , Rana PVS
Published: January 2013

Three cases of acute intermittent porphyria are reported. While in first case severe pain in abdomen with intermittent exacerbation was the only presentation, the second patient presented as accelerated hypertension and acute abdominal crises in whom the clinical course was characterized by development of deep coma due to inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone before she made complete recovery. The third patient, initially manifested as acute encephalitic syndrome. After initial improvement, she developed features of acute intermittent porphyria i.e. acute abdomen, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and rapidly progressing acute motor neuropathy leading to respiratory and bulbar paralysis. In addition, she developed severe and fluctuating dysautonomia leading to cardiac arrest and fatal termination. The importance of early diagnosis, recognition of autonomic disturbances, prompt treatment and counseling for avoidance of precipitating factors is stressed. Kathmandu University Medical Journal | Vol.10 | No. 2 | Issue 38 | Apr – June 2012 | Page 96-99 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i2.7354
Apocrine Carcinoma Developing in a Naevus Sebaceous of Scalp
Authors: Paudel Upama , Jha A , Pokhrel DB , Gurung D , Parajuli S , Pant A
Published: January 2013

Apocrine skin carcinoma is an aggressive cutaneous tumour. We report a case of apocrine carcinoma developing in a naevus sebaceous of scalp in a 45 years old male. Malignant transformation of Naevus sebaceous is a rare complication usually found in elderly patients. Most of these tumours are basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Only few cases of apocrine carcinoma on naevus sebaceous have been previously reported. This report highlights the potential of naevus sebaceous for malignant transformation. Kathmandu University Medical Journal | Vol.10 | No. 2 | Issue 38 | Apr – June 2012 | Page 103-105 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v10i2.7356
Estimation of electron temperature in atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge using line intensity ratio method
Authors: Shrestha R , Tyata RB , Subedi DP
Published: January 2013

Dielectric Barrier Discharge was produced by applying high voltage AC source of frequency (10-30 KHz) and potential difference of (0-20) kV across two parallel plate electrodes with glass as dielectric barrier. Optical emission spectroscopy was used for the characterization of the discharge produced at atmospheric pressure. The emission spectra in the range of 200 nm to 850 nm have been analyzed to estimate the electron temperature by line intensity ratio method. The results showed that the electron temperature is about 0.9 eV. Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol. 8, No. II, December, 2012, 37-42 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kuset.v8i2.7323
Generalized regular fuzzy biclosure spaces
Authors: Tapi UD , Navalakhe R
Published: January 2013

The purpose of this paper is to introduce new notion of regular fuzzy biclosure space called generalized regular fuzzy biclosure space and investigate some of their characterizations. Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol. 8, No. II, December, 2012, 43-47 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kuset.v8i2.7324
A common fixed point theorem on fuzzy metric space
Authors: Srinivas V , Reddy BVB , Rao R Umamaheshwar
Published: January 2013

The purpose of this paper is to prove a common fixed point theorem in a fuzzy metric space using the concept of weakly compatible mappings. Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol. 8, No. II, December, 2012, 77-82 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kuset.v8i2.7328
Structural and optical investigation of CdSe quantum dots
Authors: Dipesh Neupane
Published: January 2013

CdSe semiconducting Quantum dots were prepared by a chemical method at a room temperature. X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscope measurements conformed a hexagonal cubic crystalline phase of Cdse semiconducting Quantum dots of about 15 nm average size with nearly spherical shape. The absorption and photoluminescence spectra of the CdSe quantum dots were strongly shown blue shifted due to size quantization. The present study describes a simultaneous and highly reproducible large scale synthesis of highly luminescent CdSe Quantum dots. Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol. 8, No. II, December, 2012, 83-88 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kuset.v8i2.7329
Herpes simplex encephalitis following microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia
Authors: Tang Hon , Falcone Francisco , Eljamel Sam
Published: January 2013

The authors present the first reported case of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) precipitated by trigeminal nerve microvascular decompression (MVD). The presentation of this specific case together with the pathogenesis and management of HSE are discussed, with a relevant literature review.

This 29-year-old woman with treatment-resistant trigeminal neuralgia underwent a successful elective MVD of the right trigeminal nerve. She was discharged but was readmitted 1 week postoperatively with clinical signs and symptoms of meningitis. A CSF sample was obtained through lumbar puncture before she was treated initially with ceftriaxone. The polymerase chain reaction test of CSF was later positive for herpes simplex virus Type 1, at which point the patient was switched to a 2-week course of intravenous acyclovir before being discharged.

Although this disease is rare, to avoid a delay in antiviral treatment the authors suggest that HSE should be considered in any patient presenting with a meningoencephalitic picture following MVD.
Surgical correction of severe cervical kyphosis in patients with neurofibromatosis Type 1
Authors: Kawabata Soya , Watanabe Kota , Hosogane Naobumi , Ishii Ken , Nakamura Masaya , Toyama Yoshiaki , Matsumoto Morio
Published: January 2013

Severe cervical kyphosis requiring surgical treatment is rare in patients with neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1). When it occurs, however, dystrophic changes in the vertebrae make surgical correction and fusion of the deformity extremely difficult.

The authors report on 3 cases of severe cervical kyphosis associated with NF1 that were successfully treated with combined anterior and posterior correction and fusion. All patients underwent halo-gravity traction for approximately 1 month prior to surgery to correct the deformity gradually. Posterior correction and fusion were performed with segmental spinal instrumentation consisting of lateral mass screws, lamina screws, pedicle screws, and polyethylene tape for sublaminar wiring. Anterior spinal fusion was performed using a fibula strut to induce solid bone fusion. All patients used a halo vest for postoperative external fixation.

Preoperative CT scans showed dystrophic cervical spine changes, and MR images demonstrated extensive neurofibromas outside the cervical spine in all 3 patients. The preoperative kyphotic angles were as follows: Case 1, 140°; Case 2, 81°; and Case 3, 72°; after halo-gravity traction, the kyphosis angles improved to 50°, 55°, and 51°, respectively; and after surgery, they were 50°, 15°, and 27°, respectively. Solid bone union was observed in all patients at the latest follow-up. All three patients experienced postoperative complications consisting of superficial infection, severe pneumonia, and partial dislocation of the distal fibula graft after removing the halo vest, in one patient each.

Although dystrophic cervical vertebral changes in these patients with NF1 complicated the correction of severe cervical kyphosis, the use of preoperative halo-gravity traction, a combination of spinal instrumentations, an anterior strut bone graft, and postoperative halo-vest fixation made it possible to correct the kyphosis, maintain the correction, and achieve solid bone fusion.