bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Clonidine and Isoflurane on the Myocardial Contractility Behavior of Isolated Rat Hearts
Authors: Dupin Jo�o Bosco , Fiorelli Alfredo In�cio , Dupin Jo�o Henrique , Dupin Ana Elisa , Dupin Isabela Maria , Gomes Otoni M.
Published: February 2010

Isoflurane is chosen as an anesthesia drug for cardiac surgeries, and its effectiveness and safety have been proved in countless clinical studies. Clonidine, a central -agonist, has recently been added to isoflurane to attenuate sympathetic hyperactivity by acting directly on its site of origin in the central nervous system. The ability of 2-adrenoceptor agonists to inhibit central sympathetic outflow may benefit patients at risk of myocardial damage by improving myocardial oxygen demand and the supply ratio and contributing to hemodynamic stability. We investigated the effects of clonidine and isoflurane, alone and in combination, on the myocardial contractility of isolated rat hearts and found that use of clonidine plus isoflurane decreased the systolic pressure somewhat, but use of the drugs separately did not exhibit this effect. Clonidine plus isoflurane did not affect +(dP/dt)max, but it did decrease -(dP/dt)max significantly compared with the use of isoflurane alone. These results indicate that clonidine and isoflurane have the capacity to interact with each other. The capacity of clonidine to decrease isoflurane's inotropic effect could theoretically contribute to improving the myocardial oxygen demand and the supply ratio, decreasing surgical stress, and benefiting patients at risk of myocardial damage.
Plasma progesterone profiles in Beagle bitches with and without the whelping experience
Authors: Seki Makoto , Watanabe Norio , Ishii Kenyo , Kinoshita Yoh-ichi , Aihara Takehiro , Takeiri Shuji , Otoi Takeshige
Published: February 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate differences between the progesterone profiles of Beagle bitches with (multiparous) and without (nulliparous) the whelping experience and to examine whether the selection of bitches by progesterone analyses before the programmed mating improved the whelping rates. In the first experiment, the progesterone profiles of nulliparous and multiparous bitches were evaluated from Days 1 to 13 (onset of prooestrus = Day 0). The mean duration of the elevation in progesterone levels (> 2 ng/mL) after the onset of prooestrus tended to be approximately 1 day shorter in nulliparous bitches (7.7 days) than in multiparous bitches (8.5 days). In the second experiment, progesterone analyses in the bitches were carried out once on Days 4, 5 or 6. Bitches with progesterone levels of > 10 ng/mL were excluded from mating because it was unclear when the progesterone levels reached > 10 ng/mL considering the optimal date for mating. No significant differences were observed in the percentages of bitches excluded from mating and in the whelping rates of the mated bitches between the groups, irrespective of the day of progesterone analysis and the type of bitch. In conclusion, the initial elevation of progesterone levels was of shorter duration in nulliparous bitches. The selection of bitches by the measurement of progesterone levels once before mating was not effective for the programmed mating.
Phytotherapy of ulcerative dermatitis induced by Aeromonas hydrophila infection in goldfish ( Carassius auratus )
Authors: Harikrishnan Ramasamy , Balasundaram Chellam , Moon Young-Gun , Kim Man-Chul , Kim Ju-Sang , Dharaneedharan Subramanian , Heo Moon-Soo
Published: February 2010

Goldfish (
Carassius auratus
) weighing 13 ± 2 g were administered intramuscularly a sublethal dose (1.8 × 10
3
cfu/ml) of
Aeromonas hydrophila
to induce ulcerative dermatitis. On day 3 and day 6 after infection the fish were dip-treated (for 5 min/day) with a tri-herbal concoction of
Curcuma longa, Ocimum sanctum
and
Azadirachta indica
(1%). The LD
50
value was recorded at a concentration of 2.3 × 10
4
between 30 and 36 days after infection. In the infected untreated group the cumulative mortality was higher, while in the early-treated group (day 3) there was no mortality. In the late-treated group (6th day) the mortality increased to 23.3% on day 36. In the infected group the size of ulcers progressively increased from 43.3% of the body length on day 18 to 86.7% on day 36. In the early-treated fish the size of ulcers was 23.3% of the body length on day 18; by day 36 after treatment the ulcer had completely healed. In contrast, there was only a moderate recovery in the late-treated group. From the results it can be concluded that early tri-herbal treatment ensures successful recovery from ulcerative dermatitis induced by
A. hydrophila
.
Molecular evidence of natural infection with Babesia canis canis in Croatia
Authors: Brkljačić Mirna , Matijatko Vesna , Kiš Ivana , Kučer Nada , Foršek Jadranka , Rafaj Renata , Grden Darko , Torti Marin , Mayer Iva , Mrljak Vladimir
Published: February 2010

The aim of the present study was to detect and characterise the species and subspecies of
Babesia
spp. that cause canine babesiosis in Croatia. Twenty-eight dogs with typical signs of babesiosis (lethargy, anorexia, fever, dark urine and thrombocytopenia) were included in this study. Their blood smears showed the presence of
Babesia canis
. The results showed the detection of one subspecies, namely
Babesia canis canis
using PCR, and subsequent sequence analysis demonstrated portions of the nss rRNA gene in 27 out of 28 samples. Sequence analysis of the isolates showed 100% identity in 11 samples, 99.7% identity (one nucleotide difference) in 11 samples and 99.4% identity (two nucleotides difference) in 5 samples with
B. canis canis
. The results of this study confirm the presence of
B. canis canis
in infected dogs in Croatia and demonstrate a slightly new genetic variant of
Babesia
subspecies.
Cystatin C analysis in the dog: A comparison of turbidimetric and nephelometric assay results
Authors: Jonkisz Paweł , Kungl Krisztina , Sikorska Agnieszka , Kurosad Agnieszka , Nicpoń Józef
Published: February 2010

Cystatin C is a serum protein with low molecular mass, which has been suggested as a marker to assess renal function in the dog. This protein is regularly assessed using particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay (PETIA) and particle-enhanced nephelometric immunoassay (PENIA), in which rabbit anti-human cystatin C antibodies are used. The purpose of this work was to compare the results of cystatin C analysis obtained by PETIA and PENIA assays in the dog. Forty dogs of different genders and breeds were classified into four groups of 10 animals each based on serum creatinine concentrations (4 stages of chronic kidney disease). Serum cystatin C concentration was measured using PETIA and PENIA assays, the results were compared, and correlation with serum urea and creatinine concentrations was established. The correlation coefficient for results obtained using PETIA and PENIA assays was r = 0.706. Serum cystatin C concentrations obtained in PETIA had a lower correlation coefficient with creatinine concentrations than those found in PENIA (r = 0.614 and r = 0.904, respectively); similarly, serum cystatin C was less correlated with serum urea concentration in PETIA than in PENIA (r = 0.463 and r = 0.636, respectively). The results obtained in this study suggest that the nephelometric assay is more sensitive and was shown to be more closely correlated with other renal function indicators than the PETIA assay.
Women’s knowledge about cervical cancer
Authors: Hegyaljay Réka , Paál Adrienn , Langmár Zoltán , Sobel Gábor , Bánhidy Ferenc
Published: February 2010

A humán papillomavírus-fertőzés az egyik leggyakoribb szexuális úton terjedő betegség. Csaknem minden méhnyakrákos megbetegedés esetén kimutatható a humán papillomavírus jelenléte. A méhnyakrák előfordulási gyakorisága sajnos még napjainkban is magas.
Célkitűzés:
Tanulmányunk célja a nők tudásszintjének felmérése a humán papillomavírussal és a méhnyakrákkal kapcsolatban, továbbá összefüggések keresése a gyakoribb halálozás, a szűréseken való alacsony részvételi arány és a méhnyakrákkal kapcsolatos ismeretek között.
Módszer:
A 18 kérdésből álló kérdőívet, amelyet több városban (illetve faluban) osztottunk szét, 422 nő töltötte ki. A kitöltött kérdőíveket korcsoport, lakhely, illetve iskolai végzettség alapján osztályoztuk, további szempont volt még, hogy van-e a nőnek gyermeke, valamint részesült-e humán papillomavírus elleni védőoltásban.
Eredmények:
Az eredmények alapján a nők közel fele alapkérdésekben ugyan tájékozottnak mutatkozott, azonban a gyakorlatias kérdésekre (például: Hogyan csökkenthető a fertőzés veszélye?) adott helyes válaszok aránya a nemzetközi irodalomban közölteknél alacsonyabb volt. A nők 56%-a tudta, hogy elsősorban vírus okozza a méhnyakrákot, de a lehetséges rizikófaktorok helyes kombinációját csupán 17%-uk adta meg pontosan. A középiskolások körében ez az arány még alacsonyabb volt. A nők 42%-a gondolta úgy, hogy férfiak is megfertőződhetnek a humán papillomavírussal. A megkérdezettek csupán 44%-a vesz részt évente nőgyógyászati szűrővizsgálaton, és 43%-uk gondolta úgy, hogy a méhnyakrák, illetve a rákmegelőző állapotok nem jelentenek komoly veszélyt. A nők 80%-a tudta, hogy a szűrővizsgálat részben egy kenet levételéből áll. A különböző csoportok között meglévő tájékozottságbeli eltérések szignifikanciájának megítélésére a χ
2
-próbát alkalmaztuk.
Következtetések:
Az eredmények alapján az általunk megkérdezettek feléről bebizonyosodott, hogy alapvető kérdésekben viszonylag tájékozottak. Véleményünk szerint ez részben az elmúlt évek felvilágosító kampányainak is köszönhető. Sajnos azonban számos olyan kérdés volt, amelyek esetében a helyes válaszok aránya még a 20%-ot sem érte el.
Island Colonization of Carabidae: Neutrality or Habitat Choice?
Authors: Zalewskia Marcin , Ulrich Werner
Published: February 2010

Carabidae of 15 island and two forested mainland sites from the largest archipelago in Poland, the Mazurian Lake Mamry, were sampled to infer whether island colonization can be linked to habitat heterogeneity and island isolation or whether a previously applied neutral model explains observed spatial distributions best. Kruskall-Wallis rank tests and regression analysis did not point to wing development (a proxy for dispersal ability), island isolation, and heterogeneity as significant factors that influence occupancy. Subsequent analysis of species co-occurrences and nestedness pointed to random pairwise species associations. Co-occurrence analysis of all species pairs found many fewer significantly non-random species pairs (at the 5% error benchmark) than expected by chance. These results do not point to habitat selection by ground beetles but rather favor the view that island colonization is a random process that is best modeled from a neutral perspective.
Yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) Interference in Soybean
Authors: Nelson Kelly A. , Smoot Randall L.
Published: February 2010

Field research was conducted in 2000 and 2001 to determine the effect of yellow nutsedge emergence timing and plant density on soybean yield and on yellow nutsedge propagation the following year. Yellow nutsedge tubers were planted at 0-, 7.5- (13/m2), 15- (8.6/m2), 30- (4.3/m2), 60- (2.2/m2), and 90-cm (1.5/m2) in-row spacings with soybean. Yellow nutsedge densities from 2.2 to 13 plants/m2in a high-yield year (2000) and 4.3 to 13 plants/m2in a low-yield year (2001) reduced grain yields 9 to 34%. In a separate experiment, tubers were planted 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 wk after planting at a 15-cm (8.6/m2) in-row spacing. Seedlings that emerged with the crop and until 2 wk after planting reduced yield 9 to 11%. Yellow nutsedge densities from 1.5 to 13 plants/m2contributed to significant aboveground biomass production, even with a competitive crop, such as soybean. For every gram of aboveground yellow nutsedge biomass produced in the fall, there were more than four shoots present the following spring.
Evaluation and Economics of a Machine-Vision Guided Cultivation Program in Broccoli and Lettuce
Authors: Fennimore Steven A. , Tourte Laura , Rachuy John S. , Smith Richard F. , George Christina
Published: February 2010

Machine-vision cultivator guidance systems are commercially available to growers, but little work has been done to determine if these guidance systems can improve integrated weed management systems in vegetable crops. Studies were conducted in 2005 and 2006 in broccoli and lettuce to evaluate band-applied DCPA or pronamide, respectively, and four noncultivated bands ranging from 5.1 to 12.7 cm. DCPA or pronamide were applied in bands centered on the seed line at 0, 7.6 or 12.7 cm wide. A commercial machine-vision system was used to guide a commercial cultivator. Generally, weed densities and hand-weeding times were less where the DCPA band in broccoli or the pronamide band in lettuce were 7.6 or 12.7 cm wide compared to no herbicide. Weed densities were lowest in both crops where the noncultivated band width was 5.1 cm compared to 12.7-cm noncultivated bands. For broccoli in both 2005 and 2006, net returns above production costs were generally higher in the 7.6- and 12.7-cm-wide DCPA bands compared with the no-herbicide band. In lettuce in both years, the no-pronamide treatment had higher net returns, when compared with the 7.6- and 12.7-cm pronamide bands. Lettuce yields and higher net returns in the no-pronamide treatment compared to the 7.6- and 12.7-cm pronamide bands may be due to slight yield reduction from pronamide. Results suggest that pronamide was not needed during the dry months of the year when weed management tools such as hand-weeding and cultivation work very well. However, in periods of rainy weather when cultivation and hand-weeding are not possible, then pronamide would likely provide the greatest economic benefit. Given the large impact of cultivation on vegetable weed management programs, the greatest potential benefit of machine-vision guided cultivators is if they facilitate more timely and effective cultivation.
Effect of Nitrogen Addition and Weed Interference on Soil Nitrogen and Corn Nitrogen Nutrition
Authors: Lindquist John L. , Evans Sean P. , Shapiro Charles A. , Knezevic Stevan Z.
Published: February 2010

Weeds cause crop loss indirectly by reducing the quantity of resources available for growth. Quantifying the effects of weed interference on nitrogen (N) supply, crop growth, and N nutrition may assist in making both N and weed management decisions. Experiments were conducted to quantify the effect of N addition and weed interference on soil nitrate-N (NO3-N) over time and the dependence of corn growth on NO3-N availability, determine the corn N nutrition index (NNI) at anthesis, and evaluate if relative chlorophyll content can be utilized as a reliable predictor of NNI. Urea was applied at 0, 60, and 120 kg N/ha to establish N treatments. Season-long weedy, weed-free, and five weed interference treatments were established by delaying weed control from time of crop planting to the V3, V6, V9, V15, or R1 stages of corn development. Soil NO3-N ranged from 20 kg N/ha without N addition to 98 kg N/ha with 120 kg N/ha added early in the season, but crop and weed growth reduced soil NO3-N to 10 kg N/ha by corn anthesis. Weed presence reduced soil NO3-N by up to 50%. Average available NO3-N explained 29 to 40% of the variation in corn shoot mass at maturity. Weed interference reduced corn biomass and NNI by 24 to 69%. Lack of N also reduced corn NNI by 13 to 46%, but reduced corn biomass by only 11 to 23%. Nondestructive measures of relative chlorophyll content predicted corn NNI with 65 to 85% accuracy. Although weed competition for factors other than N may be the major contributor to corn biomass reduction, the chlorophyll meter was a useful diagnostic tool for assessing the overall negative effects of weeds on corn productivity. Further research could develop management practices to guide supplemental N applications in response to weed competition.
OUTLINE: Issues on the Surface Integrity of Case Hardened Steel Materials
Authors: Alagumurthi N.
Published: February 2010

The Utilization of surface engineered materials in various engineering applications has increased tremendously in recent
years. This in turn, has enthused many researchers to identify the right surface engineering process with right processing
variables for the right application. Surface heat treatment is one such surface engineering process which has been in vogue for
long time. But, unlike the other heat treatment processes – full hardening processes, surface heat treatment process requires
further research to obtain tailor made characteristics on the materials used. Because of the complexity and condition under
which the surface heat treatment process has to take place, it is difficult to conduct the study and fully understand and control
the process. For the requirements and difficulties expressed above, finding out the ways and means of obtaining appropriate
surface characteristics on the metallic (steel) components used in various applications, like automobiles and aerospace
engineering remains an active area of research.

This supplement issue is aimed at providing a recent update on the various issues related to surface integrity of Gas
carburized and Induction hardened Steel materials. It also covers the Modeling of Phase transformation in Induction Hardening.
Search for Optimal Design of Multiproduct Batch Plants under Uncertain Demand using Gaussian Process Modeling Solved by Heuristics Methods
Authors: El Hamzaoui Youness , Hernandez J. A. , Cruz-Chavez M A , Bassam A
Published: February 2010

This work deals with the problem of the search for optimal design of multiproduct batch chemical plants found in a chemical engineering process with uncertain demand. The aim of this work is to minimize the investment cost and find out the number and size of parallel equipment units in each stage. For this purpose, it is proposed to solve the problem in two different ways: the first way is by using Monte Carlo Method (MC) and the second way is by Genetics Algorithms (GAs). This GAs consider an effective mixed continuous discrete coding method with a four- point crossover operator, which take into account simultaneously, the uncertainty on the demand using Gaussian process modeling with two criteria maximization the Net Present Value (NPV) and Flexibility Index (FI). The results (number and size of equipment, investment cost, production time (Hi), NPV, FI, CPU time and Idle times in plant) obtained by GAs are better than the MC. This methodology can help the decision makers and constitutes a very promising framework for finding a set of "good solutions."
Novel PCA-Based Technique for Identification of Dominant Variables for Partial Control
Authors: Nandong Jobrun , Samyudia Yudi , Tadé Moses O.
Published: February 2010

The control structure problem which has been considered the central issue in modern process control has attracted large research attentions in the last three decades. There are various methods which have been developed but only a handful of them can really provide a practical solution to such an open-ended problem. The concept of partial control structure which has long been adopted in process industries has to a certain extent provided the engineers with sound theoretical foundation upon which this issue can be tackled in a systematic way. One major limitation of partial control preventing its effective adoption to solving this problem is due to its heavy reliance on engineering experiences and process knowledge in finding the dominant variables. In this paper, we propose a novel PCA-based technique to identify the dominant variables, which avoids the need for extensive experience and process knowledge. Various criteria and conditions forming the backbone of the technique are also proposed. The effectiveness of the technique is demonstrated based on its application to the continuous extractive alcoholic fermentation system.
Orbital complications of rhinosinusitis
Authors: Stojanovic J. , Ilic N. , Belic B. , Zivic Lj. , Stankovic P.D. , Erdevicki Lj.V. , Jovanovic S.
Published: February 2010

Introduction: Orbital complications were observed in 53 patients (1.35%, n=53/3912 of all treated patients; 11.04% , n= 53/480 of hospitalized patients). Complications in the orbit can occur in 3 - 5% of adults with the inflammatory condition of sinuses, while the percentage in children ranges from 0.5 - 8%. Objective: The objective of our work was to determine the frequency of the occurrence of orbital complications of the rhinosinal inflammatory origin in a group of adults and children. Method: The retrospective analysis of patients treated of rhinosinusitis in the period 1992 to 2007, in the Clinical Center in Kragujevac. Results: In the period of 15 years, a total number of 3912 patients were treated for inflammatory conditions of paranasal cavities. Orbital complications were found in 53 patients (1.35%, n=53/3912 of all treated patients). The number of children showing orbital complications caused by rhinosinusitis was 0.79%, while the number of adults was 1,88%. Acute rhinosinusitis in children was manifested as orbital complication in 14 patients (n=14/15, 93.33%), while 33 adults (n=33/38, 86.84%) had the exarcerbation of the chronic rhinosinusitis at the time of diagnosis of orbital complication. 80% of examined children had the maxillary and ethmoid sinus infected (n=12/15), while the adults most often had polysinusitis (n=22/38, 57.89%). In the juvenile age the most frequent complication was the cellulitis of the orbite (n=7/15 , 46.66%), while in the adults it was the subperiostal absces (n=14/38, 36.84%). The adults were mostly treated surgically (n=31/38, 81.58%), while the children were treated by using conservative treatment (n=13/15, 86.67%). There were no cases of mortality. Conclusion: The prevention of complications is based on the adequate and timely treatment of acute sinusitis in children, as well as the curative treatment of chronical processes in adults.
Postoperative morbidity and quality of live in patients after radical and modified radical neck dissection
Authors: Trivic A.S. , Djukic V.B. , Krejovic-Trivic S.B. , Milovanovic J.P. , Stankovic P.D. , Milovanovic A.P.
Published: February 2010

Useful of radical neck dissection would not be questioned if the effects would be perfect. When postoperative morbidity is associated with oncological shortage of radical neck dissection in functional and cosmetics disfunction, looking for a new therapeutics procedures are justify. In our study were 319 patients. They were treated in period from 01. January 2000. to 31. December 2002. The follow-up was 5 year. We tried to consolidate distribution of n. accesorius operative injuries in modified radical neck dissection and relationship between shoulder pain and shoulder droop after modified and radical neck dissection. Injured n.accseorius in modified radical neck dissection was significantly decreased in patients with modified radical neck dissection. The frequency of patients is significantly different (?m 2= 26.662; df = 1; p<0.01) in categories of complications of n.accesorius (shoulder pain, shoulder droop). Shoulder pain and shoulder droop were significantly decreased in modified radical neck dissection (p<0.01).
Whole abdomen irradiation in epithelial ovarian cancer: A single institution study
Authors: Gocheva Lilia , Slavchev Bojidar
Published: February 2010

Background: The examination of the use of whole abdomen irradiation open field technique in optimally debulked patients with no residual disease with epithelial ovarian cancer (OC). Methods: Between 1993 and 2007, 20 patients with optimally cytoreduced epithelial OC were treated with WAI. The stage distribution was stage I in 15 patients, stage II in 1, and stage III in 4. The grade distribution was grade 1 in 10 patients, grade 2 in 4, and grade 3 in 6. WAI consisted of 30 Gy, delivered in daily fractions, mainly of 1.5 Gy (95%), 5 days/weekly, in 14 patients. After abdominal irradiation, in 75% of the patients a pelvic boost, and in 7 a boost to other risk sites was given to reach 45 - 50 Gy. Nine patients received platinum based chemotherapy (CT). Median follow-up was 7.96 years. Results: The overall survival (OS) rate was 82% and 70% at 5 and 10 years. A tendency to better survival was found in patients with age ? 40 than in those with > 40 years (100%:100% vs. 68%:51%; p=0.03). Patients with grade 1-2 tumors had significantly better 5- and 10-year survival rate than those with grade 3 tumors (100%:100% vs. 40%:20%; p<0.00). The 5- and 10-year OS for the patients 'with' and 'without' a pelvic boost turned to be in favor of the patients 'with' the boost (91%:91% vs. 60%:40%; p=0.02). In 15 patients (75%) RT was transiently interrupted because of acute gastrointestinal and hematological toxicity. Neither grade 4 acute complications nor was mortality observed. Late gastrointestinal effect developed in 1 patient, presented with grade 4 complications. The development of second primary malignancy was not observed during the follow-up period. Conclusion: WAI achieves a quite favorable 5- and 10-year survival rate with an acceptable risk of acute and late side effects in properly selected patients with epithelial OC.
Transforming growth factor-β: Biology and application to cancer therapy
Authors: Ivanovic Vesna
Published: February 2010

Transforming growth factor-? (TGF-?), an extensively investigated cytokine, plays a very important role in promoting the spread of cancers in the body, and can play a direct role in facilitating metastasis. Consequently, TGF-? is currently explored as a prognostic candidate biomarker of tumor invasiveness and metastasis. Therefore, in clinical scenarios involving increased TGF-? activity, attempts to decrease or abrogate TGF-? signaling could be used as a therapy for advanced or metastatic disease. It follows that TGF-? signaling offers an attractive target for cancer therapy. Several anti-TGF-? approaches, such as TGF-? antibodies, antisense oligonucleotides and small molecules inhibitors of TGF-? type 1 receptor kinase, have shown great promise in the preclinical studies. These studies, coupled with progressing clinical trials indicate that inhibition of TGF-? signaling may be indeed a viable option to cancer therapy. This review summarizes the TGF-? biology, screening cancer patients for anti-TGF-? therapy, and several strategies targeted against TGF-? signaling for cancer therapy. The next several years promise to improve our understanding of approaching cancer therapy by further evaluation of TGF-? signaling inhibitors for clinical efficacy. The complexity of TGF-? biology guarantees that many surprises lie ahead.
Ocular malignant melanoma in pregnancy: Is a happy ending possible?
Authors: Grgic Zorka , Oros Ana , Rasic Dejan , Popovic Lazar , Popovic Milica
Published: February 2010

Uveal, especially choroidal melanoma is the most common ocular melanoma. There is no clear evidence that pregnancy impacts its development. Enucleation is generally indicated for advanced tumors. Five-year mortality rate is 53% in patients with large melanomas (>8 mm).
Lie group analysis for the effect of viscosity and thermophoresis particle deposition on free convective heat and mass transfer in the presence of suction/injection
Authors: Sivagnana Prabhu , Kandasamy R. , Saravanan R.
Published: February 2010

An analysis has been carried out to study heat and mass transfer characteristics of an incompressible and Newtonian fluid having temperature-dependent fluid viscosity and thermophoresis particle deposition over a vertical stretching surface with variable stream condition. The Rosseland approximation is used to describe the radiative heat flux in the energy equation. The vertical surface is assumed to be permeable so as to allow for possible wall suction or injection. The governing differential equations are derived and transformed using Lie group analysis. The transformed equations are solved numerically by applying Runge-Kutta Gill scheme with shooting technique. Favorable comparisons with previously published work on various special cases of the problem are obtained. Numerical results for the velocity, temperature and concentration profiles for a prescribed temperature-dependent fluid viscosity and thermophoresis particle deposition parameters are presented graphically to elucidate the influence of the various physical parameters.
An approach to analysis of dynamic crack growth at bimaterial interface
Authors: Nikolic R. , Djokovic Jelena
Published: February 2010

In this paper is presented the new approach to asymptotic analysis of the stress and strain fields around a crack tip that is propagating dynamically along a bimaterial interface. Through asymptotic analysis the problem is being reduced to solving the Riemann-Hilbert's problem, what yields the strain potential that is used for determination of the strain field around a crack tip. The considered field is that of a dynamically propagating crack with a speed that is between zero and shear wave speed of the less stiffer of the two materials, bound along the interface. Using the new approach in asymptotic analysis of the strain field around a tip of a dynamically propagating crack and possibilities offered by the Mathematica programming package, the results are obtained that are compared to both experimental and numerical results on the dynamic interfacial fracture known from the literature. This comparison showed that it is necessary to apply the complete expression obtained by asymptotic analysis of optical data and not only its first term as it was done in previous analyses.
Cyber socializing and victimization of women
Authors: Halder Debarati , Jaishankar Karuppannan
Published: February 2010

Web 2.01 has redefined the virtual life of ordinary individuals and has given wide opportunities to internet users including women to exchange ideas, interact with like minded people and participate in the development of virtual societies as per one's own choices. Social networking websites (SNWs), a segment of Web 2.0 is very popular among the internet users. However, there is a dark side of these SNW's too. They have become havens for offenders to victimize women, the most vulnerable targets in the internet, after children. In this paper, we examine the victimization of women in the social networking websites in general, analyze the trends of such victimization from socio - legal - victimological angle and ascertain the reasons for the growth of such victimization.
Comparative effect of amidated pectin and psyllium on cholesterol homeostasis in rats
Authors: Marounek Milan , Volek Zdeněk , Skřivanová Eva , Tůma Jan , Dušková Dagmar
Published: February 2010

The effects of amidated pectin and psyllium on serum, hepatic and faecal cholesterol concentration were compared in female rats fed diets supplemented with palm fat and cholesterol at 50 and 10 g/kg, respectively. Control rats were fed a diet supplemented with cellulose at 60 g/kg. In treated rats, cellulose was replaced with either amidated pectin or psyllium. Amidated pectin and psyllium intake significantly decreased serum cholesterol from 3.41 μmol/ml (control) to 1.68 and 2.04 μmol/ml, respectively, and hepatic cholesterol from 31.9 μmol/g (control) to 7.2 and 9.0 μmol/g, respectively. Histology with lipid-staining Sudan Black B revealed that liver tissue from control rats was infiltrated with lipids, but staining was absent in livers of treated rats. No hepatic pathophysiology was apparent in treated rats. Amidated pectin and psyllium intake significantly increased faecal fat content. Faecal cholesterol content was significantly increased in rats that were fed amidated pectin, and non-significantly increased in rats that were fed psyllium. Body weight and food intake did not differ among treatment groups. In conclusion, amidated pectin, a novel sequestrant of sterols, demonstrated a similar effect on rat serum and hepatic cholesterol concentration to psyllium, which is a well-established hypocholesterolaemic agent.
Ostwald ripening of nanoislands in semiconductor heterosystems and its influence on optical properties
Authors: Vengrenovich R. , Ivanskii B. , Moskalyuk A.
Published: February 2010

Influence of the Ostwald ripening on character of the size distribution in semiconductor heterosystems with quantum dots as island films consisting of cylindrical, disclike islands of constant height is studied. Size distribution function and formulae for temporal changes of average island size are derived. Calculations are carried out within the LSW theory, in assumption of joint action of two (diffusion and Wagner) growing mechanisms. Comparison of the calculating results with experimental data proves validity of the accepted model approximations. Expectancy of correlation of the distribution function, growing mechanisms and properties of heterosystems is discussed.
Spectral properties of naphthalimide dyes mixed with 4-heptyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (7CB) in Langmuir-Blodgett films
Authors: Bielejewska N. , Chrzumnicka E. , Stolarski R. , Bauman D.
Published: February 2010

Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films formed of some fluorescent dyes, namely derivatives of 4-aminonaphthalimide, and their binary mixtures with the liquid crystal 4-heptyl-4′-cyanobiphenyl (7CB) have been studied. The electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra were recorded. On the basis of these spectra, the spectral properties of the dyes and the intermolecular interactions in ultrathin ordered films were determined. The conclusions about the tendency to the creation of aggregates by dye molecules in LB films have been drawn. The measurements of absorption by using linearly polarised light have allowed us to determine the arrangement of the dye and liquid crystal molecules on the air-solid substrate interface.
Comparative analysis of interferogram noise filtration using wavelet transform and spin filtering algorithms
Authors: Zielinski B. , Patorski K.
Published: February 2010

The aim of this paper is to analyze 2D fringe pattern denoising performed by two chosen methods based on quasi-1D two-arm spin filter and 2D discrete wavelet transform (DWT) signal decomposition and thresholding. The ultimate aim of this comparison is to estimate which algorithm is better suited for high-accuracy measurements by phase shifting interferometry (PSI) with the phase step evaluation using the lattice site approach. The spin filtering method proposed by Yu et al. (1994) was designed to minimize possible fringe blur and distortion. The 2D DWT also presents such features due to a lossless nature of the signal wavelet decomposition. To compare both methods, a special 2D histogram introduced by Gutman and Weber (1998) is used to evaluate intensity errors introduced by each of the presented algorithms.
Macroeconomic conditions of pay in Polish economy in 1990-2007
Authors: Nyk Mariusz
Published: February 2010

Remuneration is a crucial element of economic processes. What it means is that the processes of production, distribution, exchange and consumption are not possible without a well planned pay strategy. There are many factors which influence salaries. The aim of this survey is to present salary stimulants of macroeconomic character. Those include GDP, inflation rate, unemployment rate, cost of work, protective package (unemployment benefit), efficiency, legislation protecting employees' rights and legislation regulating employment relations. Each of these macroeconomic issues determine the level of salaries to a different extent. While analysing relations between those stimulants we should not jump to wrong conclusions explaining salary levels.
Greenwashing as an Example of Ecological Marketing Misleading Practices
Authors: Marciniak Adam
Published: February 2010

Nowadays, world-wide recognized corporations seek methods and instruments which enable them an effective flow of information concerning their actions as far as environment and sustainable development issues are concerned. It seems that marketing tools work well within this field. That is how ecological marketing (EM) originated with its advantages and drawbacks including greenwashing. The paper is committed to the analysis of this phenomenon, used to describe the unjustified appropriation of environmental virtue by a company to create a pro-environmental image. The article also presents common mechanisms of EM, shows how greenwashing works in practice and shares research results concerning purchasing habits (focusing on environmental issues) in China, USA and Great Britain
CEOs Remuneration in Corporate Governance Codes in EU Member Countries
Authors: Urbanek Piotr
Published: February 2010

Over the past two decades corporate governance has become one of the key issues in business and academic debates. The appropriate standards of corporate governance constitute important components of successful market economies. At the same time it is widely emphasized that contemporary mechanisms by which enterprises are directed and controlled are seriously defective. There is a need for profound reforms in corporate governance mechanisms. The growing interest in corporate governance codes among OECD countries is a very important component of these reforms.

The purpose of the paper is to compare regulations in corporate governance codes in 27 EU countries concerning remuneration of top executives. It enables identifying two main mechanisms which are implemented in CG codes – market mechanism based on high level of remuneration transparency and hierarchical mechanism based on setting rules according to which corporate boards establish a formal procedure for fixing the remuneration packages of executives. The paper presents the discussion on determinants of these two mechanisms.
Sovereign Wealth Funds - new players on global financial markets
Authors: Urban Dariusz
Published: February 2010

The objective of this paper is analysis of Sovereign Wealth Funds, which are becoming increasingly important players in the international monetary and financial system. Those funds are attracting growing attention not only due to last investment activities in brand-name global firms, but also due to lack of transparency and information about themselves. The article consists of two part. In the first part of the paper based on the latest literature the author presents definitions of Sovereign Wealth Funds and main factors responsible for the rise and growth of those funds. The second part of the paper deals with investment characteristics made by the largest of them. The main conclusion of this paper is that empirical analysis do not prove the thesis that investment made by SWF's has a political background. The latest available data suggest that those funds avoid investing in sensitive sectors like defense, aerospace, high technology and transportation.
To Medicate Or Not to Medicate, When Diagnosis Is In Question: Decision-Making in First Episode Psychosis
Authors: Malhi Gin , Adams Danielle , Moss Beverley , Walter Garry
Published: February 2010

Objective: This paper reports on a brief survey of clinicians' judgements when making treatment decisions in the context of diagnostic uncertainty. Specifically, attitudes and opinions were sought from practising consultant psychiatrists regarding two key areas of clinical decision-making in first episode psychosis (FEP), namely, when to initiate medication and, how long to continue treatment.

Method: Interviews were conducted with consultant psychiatrists using a combination of structured and semi-structured questions that examined and explored pharmacological treatment decisions in FEP.

Results: Twenty-three consultant psychiatrists participated in the interviews. The threshold to initiate pharmacological treatment was lower when a risk to self or others is present, when symptoms are primarily positive, when the patient is in distress, or where there is a family history of mental illness. Atypical antipsychotics are routinely used as front-line medication in FEP and the choice of medication is determined largely by their likely side effect profile. However, the greater the perceived efficacy, the greater the anticipated tolerability burden. The ideal duration of treatment is considered to be 1–2 years in instances of full remission, and 5 years where only a partial response has been achieved or where recovery has not been sustained.

Conclusions: The ‘first episode’ represents a unique period in the management of psychosis where by definition there is no history of pattern of illness, diagnostic certainty is rare, and the patient usually does not have any prior exposure to medications. Therefore, each management decision needs to be considered following a risk benefit analysis which takes into account the context of the individual.
Time to ‘Get Real’: Preliminary Insights into the Long-Term Management of Schizophrenia
Authors: Malhi Gin , Adams Danielle , Bernardi Elsa , Miller Marta , Mulder Roger , Walter Garry , Smith Brendan
Published: February 2010

Objective: A brief file and medication chart review was undertaken to examine the ‘real world’ treatment of schizophrenia, with a particular focus on long-term treatment strategies that extend beyond existing evidence-based guidelines.

Method: Treatment strategies were identified through an audit of patient files and their medication charts for patients admitted 2–5 years in a non-acute psychiatric hospital.

Results: Twenty-nine file reviews and 20 medication chart audits were conducted. High levels of diagnostic heterogeneity were identified with the presence of psychosis and mood-related diagnoses (primarily schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder) and high rates of comorbidity (86%). Functional impairment, poor insight and high levels of risk were present in most patients. Treatments largely consisted of combination strategies with 75% of patients prescribed two or more antipsychotics and an average of 3.4 psychotropic medications in total. While clozapine was commonly prescribed (65%), this was often in combination with, on average, two other psychotropic agents.

Conclusions: Notwithstanding the limited sample, these findings provide a valuable glimpse into the management strategies employed in the long-term management of schizophrenia. Evidence-based guidelines are largely of limited value for this cohort that often has complex presentations and further research is urgently needed to provide guidance into management strategies that extend beyond 5 years, with particular emphasis on the utility of medication combinations.
Preface to Vol.1
Authors: Editor The
Published: February 2010

DOI: 10.3126/init.v1i0.2669 The Initiation Vol.1 2007
Messages Vol.1
Authors: Editor The
Published: February 2010

DOI: 10.3126/init.v1i0.2670 The Initiation Vol.1 2007
Acknowledgement Vol.1
Authors: Gotame Bharat
Published: February 2010

DOI: 10.3126/init.v1i0.2671 The Initiation Vol.1 2007
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: A Growing Commercial Sector of Nepal
Authors: Sharma Uday R
Published: February 2010

DOI: 10.3126/init.v1i0.2673The Initiation Vol.1 2007 p.4-8
High Altitude Ramsar Sites of Nepal: Criteria and Future Ahead
Authors: Karki Jhamak B , Siwakoti Mohan , Pradhan Neera Shrestha
Published: February 2010

DOI: 10.3126/init.v1i0.2674The Initiation Vol.1 2007 p.9-15
GIS and Remote Sensing Applications for Resource Mapping
Authors: Shrestha HL
Published: February 2010

Key words: Remote sensing; GIS; GPS; Resource mapping; ForestDOI: 10.3126/init.v1i0.2681The Initiation Vol.1 2007 p.56-61
Can Community Managed Grasslands Help Maintain Globally Threatened Bird Populations?
Authors: Baral Hem Sagar
Published: February 2010

DOI: 10.3126/init.v1i0.2682The Initiation Vol.1 2007 p.62-64
The Kyoto Protocol and Clean Development Mechanism
Authors: Sada Rajesh
Published: February 2010

DOI: 10.3126/init.v1i0.2686The Initiation Vol.1 2007 p.79-83
A Soft Corner Approach to Think/Act for Conservation Defining Wildlife Conservation and Law Enforcement Initiatives of Nepal Police
Authors: Subedi Devendra
Published: February 2010

DOI: 10.3126/init.v1i0.2687The Initiation Vol.1 2007 p.84-87
Climate Change and Environmental Consequences in Nepal
Authors: Paudel Shambhu
Published: February 2010

DOI: 10.3126/init.v1i0.2690The Initiation Vol.1 2007 p.100-103
Nepalese Snakes
Authors: Thapa Saroj
Published: February 2010

DOI: 10.3126/init.v1i0.2692The Initiation Vol.1 2007 p.111
Fruit and Vegetable Intake In Canadian Ethnic Populations
Authors: Quadir Tanvir , Akhtar-Danesh Noori
Published: February 2010

Purpose: We explored whether Canada's diverse ethnic population consumes an adequate daily amount of fruit and vegetables. We also examined the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and long-term diseases.

Methods: The Canadian Community Health Survey, Cycle 2.2 (CCHS 2.2), was used to determine the fruit and vegetable intake (FVI) of 13 racial groups, as well as of the entire population. Specifically, we determined median intake and proportions of the group consuming five or more daily servings. Multiple pairwise comparisons among the proportions were performed to detect ethnic groups with significantly low FVI. Logistic regression was also used to describe the risk of longterm diseases associated with FVI and ethnicity.

Results: The percentages of Southeast Asian, Aboriginal (offreserve), and Chinese people who consumed five or more daily servings of fruit and vegetables were significantly lower than percentages in all other ethnic groups surveyed. Aboriginal people with the lowest FVI demonstrated the highest propensity for developing most of the long-term diseases.

Conclusions: The majority of Canada's ethnic groups identified in the CCHS 2.2 fell short of the recommended FVI target. This low-intake status might be a risk factor for common long-term diseases.
Identification and Treatment ofProtein-energy Malnutrition in Renal Disease
Authors: Mcknight Kari , Farmer Anna , Zuberbuhler Lyn , Mager Diana
Published: February 2010

A web-based cross-country survey of renal registered dietitians (RRDs) was launched. It was used to assess whether or not their clinical practice in identifying and treating proteinenergy malnutrition (PEM) in adults with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and dialysis was based on current nutrition practice guidelines (NPGs). The survey included questions on strategies, timelines, and markers used for the identification and treatment of PEM. Fifty-nine RRDs responded (21%). Sixty-seven percent did not base clinical practice on NPGs, while 33% indicated they followed the guidelines. Of those who followed guidelines, 76% use the National Kidney Foundation— Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative nutrition guidelines. Strategies used to identify and treat PEM were not related to duration of RRD experience in nephrology, but were significantly different between guidelines users and non-users. Guideline users commonly used key nutrition treatment strategies that included enteral/parenteral nutrition and medication therapy. The clinical practice of RRD is typically based on expert opinion/consensus, rather than on evidence-based practice guidelines (EBPG). It remains unclear if differences in RRDs’ adoption of clinical guidelines influences patient outcomes, particularly in the treatment of PEM. Up-to-date EBPG need to be developed for the identification and treatment of PEM in patients with ESRD.