bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aluminum reinforcement by gas tungsten arc welding
Authors: Sarajan Zohair
Published: June 2012

Aluminum is a light metal and is widely used in a variety of industries. Aluminum-silicon has good casting properties but does not offer any suitable tribological properties. Therefore, in this study surface composite coating was performed by the gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process, which increased hardness up to 34 HV, which is nearly two times compared to untreated specimens. This process is done by composite manufacturing with the silicon carbide reinforcement particles in the matrix of eutectic aluminum-silicon alloy. The mixed powder is deposited on the surface during melting by travelling the arc of GTAW. The desired optimum performance condition is achieved by arc current 75 amp, 1 g of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) binder, 65 wt.% of aluminum powder and 15 wt.% of silicon carbide.
Mechanisms governing cyclic fracture behavior of two high-strength steels: role of composition and microstructure
Authors: Srivatsan T. S. , Manigandan K. , Quick T. , Schmidt M. L.
Published: June 2012

In this article, the cyclic fatigue fracture behavior of two high-strength specialty steels denoted as Tenax 310 and 300 M, is presented and discussed. The two chosen specialty steels have noticeably improved properties to offer than most steels in this category and even other competing high-strength steels. The observed improvement can be ascribed to be because of the synergistic and mutually interactive influences of chemical composition and secondary processing technique used for the two steels. The two chosen high-strength steels, designated by the manufacturer as Tenax 310 and 300 M, were produced by initial melting using vacuum arc remelting and then casting to obtain ingots. The cast ingots were mechanically deformed by hot working to get the starting blocks. At the fine microscopic level, cyclic fatigue fracture of these two steels revealed features reminiscent of the occurrence of “locally” ductile and brittle failure mechanisms. Over the range of maximum stress and at the two different load ratios, the two steels were cyclically deformed. It was observed that the cyclic fatigue resistance of the candidate steels was noticeably higher than their high-strength steels counterparts for which data are available in the literature. The key mechanisms responsible for the observed fracture behavior of the two steels, cyclically deformed over a range of maximum stress, are presented and discussed.
Using Hopkinson pressure bar to perform dynamic tensile tests on SFRC at medium strain rates
Authors: Wang Zhiliang , Zhou Nianqing , Wang Jianguo
Published: June 2012

The dynamic tensile strength of steel fibre reinforced concrete is experimentally investigated. Cylindrical specimens are first fabricated with three different fibre volume fractions of 0, 0·75% and 1·5%. These specimens are then tested by using the Hopkinson pressure bar technique. Their dynamic tensile strengths are measured under medium strain rate impact. In these tests, the stress histories are recorded by way of the strain gauges symmetrically mounted on the specimen and the post-test fracture modes are photographed. The test results indicate that the superposition of waves induces first compressive stress and then tensile stress. Once the tensile stress reaches its critical value, a spalling phenomenon occurs. Both volume fraction of fibres and strain rate exert a significant influence on the dynamic tensile strength of concrete. Furthermore, the strain-rate-induced enhancement of tensile strength is related to the compressive strength of the concrete matrix.
Green and durable mortar produced with milled waste glass
Authors: Nassar Roz-Ud-Din , Soroushian Parviz
Published: June 2012

The concept of using milled waste glass as partial replacement for cement in cement paste and mortar was investigated to reduce the adverse environmental and energy impacts of cement and cement-based products. Based on the experimental investigations it was found that waste glass, when milled to micro-scale particle size, undergoes pozzolanic reaction with cement hydrates. These reactions bring about favourable changes in the structure, including pore system characteristics of the hydrated cement paste and mortar. Use of milled waste glass, as partial replacement of cement, produced significant gains in the resistance to moisture sorption, chemical stability and improvement in microstructure of the cementitious materials. Milled waste glass was also found to suppress alkali–silica reactions. Unlike normal pozzolanic reactions, those involving glass do not reduce the alkalinity of cement paste; this is favourable to the chemical stability of cement-based materials and the protection of reinforcing steel against corrosion in concrete.alues derived using available design codes.
Strength and deformability of heated confined fibrous concrete
Authors: Sharma Umesh Kumar , Zaidi Kaleem Afrough , Bhandari Navratan Mal
Published: June 2012

The objective of this study is to gain knowledge of the strength and deformability of confined fibre reinforced high-strength concrete (HSC) after exposure to a thermal cycle at high temperature. A total of 126 confined cylindrical specimens (150 mm diameter, 450 mm height) were cast and tested. The confined concrete specimens were reinforced with six 8 mm diameter bars as longitudinal reinforcement and 6 mm diameter hoops equally distributed along the height. After exposing the specimens to the desired elevated temperature ranging from room temperature to 800°C, they were allowed to cool naturally in the furnace before testing them under axial compression the next day. The variables considered in this experimental study included maximum exposure temperature, volume fractions of steel and polypropylene fibres and the use of hybrid fibres. The effects of temperature on confined fibre reinforced HSC were studied and quantified with respect to strength and ductility. Important observations have been made about the residual thermal and mechanical behaviour of confined fibre reinforced HSC. The results show that the residual post-fire strength and strain capacities of confined fibre reinforced concrete were better than those of comparable confined non-fibre concrete.
Stress–strain model for concrete under cyclic loading
Authors: Aslani Farhad , Jowkarmeimandi Raha
Published: June 2012

A hysteretic stress–strain model is developed for unconfined concrete with the intention of providing efficient modelling for the structural behaviour of concrete in seismic regions. The proposed model is based on the findings of previous experimental and analytical studies. The model for concrete subjected to monotonic and cyclic loading comprises four components in compression and tension – an envelope curve (for monotonic and cyclic loading), an unloading curve, a reloading curve and a transition curve. Formulations for partial unloading and partial reloading curves are also presented. The reliability of the proposed constitutive model is investigated for a reinforced concrete member using a non-linear finite-element analysis program. Comparisons with test results showed that the proposed model provides a good fit to a wide range of experimentally established hysteresis loops.
Segregation control of SCC with a modified L-box apparatus
Authors: Turgut Paki , Turk Kazim , Bakirci Hasan
Published: June 2012

In this study, a modified L-box apparatus was developed for testing the segregation resistance of self-compacting concrete (SCC). Extensive test programmes of concrete mixes were conducted using a modified L-box to determine segregation coefficient (SC) of SCC. The concrete mixes contained Portland cement replaced by different amounts of limestone powder, silica fume and fly ash, and they had different slump flow values. The SC was obtained by analysis of variance of the volumetric ratio of coarse aggregate to concrete in the sample and original mixture. The test results show that the developed apparatus and method are useful for a rapid assessment of the segregation resistance of SCC exposed to obstacles or confined flows.
Economic benefits of controlled tile drainage: Watershed Evaluation of Beneficial Management Practices, South Nation River basin, Ontario
Authors: Crabbé Philippe , Lapen David R. , Clark Harvey , Sunohara Mark , Liu Yuan
Published: June 2012

Controlled tile drainage (CTD) is an agricultural beneficial management practice that can boost crop yields and reduce water and nutrient export from fields to surface water systems. This study examined on-farm incremental net benefits resulting from retrofitting existing tile drainage systems with inline water level control structures that control tile drainage. Corn and soybean yields (2005–2009) were respectively about 3 and 4% higher from CTD fields relative to conventionally drained fields at an experimental watershed associated with the Watershed Evaluation of Beneficial Management Practices (WEBs) program located in the South Nation river basin in eastern Ontario. The marginal cost of CTD employed in this experimental watershed was ∼Can (2006) $30 ha−1. The benefit–cost ratio was 2.6 for corn and 1.6 for soybean. A crude estimate of a payback period (without cost share) was from 3 to 4 years. Assuming all cropland in the entire South Nation river watershed where CTD is suitable, will be under CTD, the net present value of this practice is estimated to yield on farm annually about $(2006) 4 million for both crops. A crude estimate of non-user off-farm benefits of implementing CTD in this manner was ∼$0.4 million per year.
An evaluation of rainwater runoff quality from selected white roof membranes
Authors: Cupido Anthony , Baetz Brian , Guo Yiping , Robertson Anna
Published: June 2012

While there has been research on rainwater quality and quantity from green roofs and some conventional roof systems, there does not appear to be any significant study regarding the quality of rainwater harvested from selected white membrane roof systems and subsequently treated for potable use in an urban, institutional setting. A new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Canada Gold facility on the campus of McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada offered an excellent opportunity to analyze the quality of rainwater from different roof assemblies. Field research was undertaken on the evaluation of three white roof membranes: modified bitumen finish ply, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO); and their effects on the runoff water quality were studied. An analysis of the quality of runoff was performed from each of these three membranes and compared with Ontario provincial drinking water standards. This paper provides the results of runoff quality testing on these membranes and their suitability for future institutional green building applications.
Study of natural adsorbent chitosan and derivatives for the removal of caffeine from water
Authors: Sanford Serena , Singh Kripa S. , Chaini Sahil , LeClair Gaetan
Published: June 2012

The adsorption of caffeine was evaluated using natural adsorbent chitosan and three derivates of the material. Raw, H2O2 pre-treated, and a chemically altered chitosan were compared to activated carbon. Activated carbon was found to have a high affinity for caffeine (98% removal) while raw chitosan performed poorly with an average adsorption of 15.9%. Batch tests in acidic and basic conditions as well as increasing dosage did not have an effect on the performance. Chemical modifications to chitosan included calcinated mesoporous materials and non-calcinated materials, both of which increased chitosan adsorption of caffeine to 29 and 40%, respectively. Hydrogen peroxide pre-treated chitosan performed best of chitosan-based adsorbents, and reached a 46% removal of caffeine in batch adsorption tests. The majority of the adsorbents had low correlation to the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich–Peterson isotherm models. However, data were sufficient to compare adsorption capacity for caffeine among activated carbon, chitosan, and chitosan derivatives.
Fish tainting in the Alberta oil sands region: a review of current knowledge
Authors: Tolton Janelle L. , Young Rozlyn F. , Wismer Wendy V. , Fedorak Phillip M.
Published: June 2012

The Athabasca oil sands in northeastern Alberta, Canada represent the second largest petroleum reserve in the world. The process of extracting bitumen from the oil sands uses huge volumes of water, drawn from sources in the Athabasca River basin, and numerous mining companies operate adjacent to the river. Oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) from open pit mining is placed in large settling basins or tailings ponds that have the potential to leak. The goal is to eventually reclaim the tailings ponds to become functional ecosystems. Natural outcrops of oil sands in contact with surface waters also occur, and there are anecdotal reports in the media that fish caught near the Athabasca oil sands have an unusual flavor or odor. Several analytical and sensory studies have been undertaken to address this issue. Two major questions related to fish tainting arise: (1) Do the current oil sands mining, extraction and upgrading processes cause fish tainting in surrounding waters? (2) What is the tainting potential for fish that become established in reclaimed waters in the future? This review examines the types of compounds in OSPW that might contribute to tainting and the sensory science literature available related to fish tainting and the oil sands.
Removal of individual sterols during secondary treatment of pulp mill effluents
Authors: Mahmood-Khan Zahid , Hall Eric R.
Published: June 2012

Analysis of plant sterols in pulp mill effluents is complex and several investigations have combined wood extractives with sterols or have reported total sterols collectively. The present study exclusively focuses on the fate of individual sterols generated in pulp and paper manufacturing as they pass through activated sludge biotreatment system. Before secondary treatment the pulp mill effluents contained 33% ß-sitosterol, 26% campesterol, 22% ß-sitostanol, 17% stigmasterol and 2% ergosterol (1,000–1,800 μg/L mean total sterols). After treatment, the effluents contained 44% ß-sitosterol, 22% campesterol, 18% ß-sitostanol, 14% stigmasterol and 2% ergosterol (176–428 μg/L mean total sterols). Each sterol fraction showed different removal efficiency. ß-Sitosterol, the major fraction, was removed relatively poorly (65%) while campesterol was removed most efficiently (81%) compared with the removal of other fractions (ß-sitostanol 74% and stigmasterol 64%). The differential removal of sterol fractions altered the sterol profile during different stages of the secondary treatment. Owing to its poor removal, ß-sitosterol is the most persistent fraction in treated/untreated pulp mill effluents. Typically, 21% of the incoming sterols were contained in secondary effluents and 23% in waste sludge without biodegradation. Optimizing the design/operation of treatment systems for removal of ß-sitosterol and stigmasterol would improve the performance of effluent treatment facilities.
Uncertainty analysis of WWTP control strategies made feasible
Authors: Benedetti Lorenzo , Batstone Damien J. , De Baets Bernard , Nopens Ingmar , Vanrolleghem Peter A.
Published: June 2012

The control of wastewater treatment plants can help to achieve good effluent quality, in a complex, highly non-linear environment. A key but time-demanding component of such modelling studies is uncertainty analysis (UA). The general aims of this paper are (a) to evaluate methods for reduction of the time necessary to conduct an UA, and (b) to evaluate the sensitivity of parameters and model subsystems. Two UA studies on the Benchmark Simulation Model no. 2 (BSM2) are used to illustrate how the above mentioned aims can be achieved: (1) robustness of performance evaluations against changing operation and design conditions; and (2) uncertainty of performance evaluations for a given plant layout and operation. The main conclusions are: (1) solver settings have a large impact on simulation speed and require proper attention; (2) to reach convergence in Monte Carlo simulations with Latin Hypercube Sampling, the number of simulations should be at least 50 times the number of sampled parameters, which is more than what is reported in similar studies; and (3) the number of uncertain parameters that needs to be considered to make a proper uncertainty assessment of a model can be reduced significantly by omitting parameters that have little influence.
Confectionery industry: a case study on treatability-based effluent characterization and treatment system performance
Authors: Ozgun H. , Karagul N. , Dereli R. K. , Ersahin M. E. , Coskuner T. , Ciftci D. I. , Ozturk I. , Altinbas M.
Published: June 2012

Source-based wastewater characterization and stream segregation provide effective management of industrial wastewaters. The characterization of wastewater sources from a confectionery factory was presented and performance of the wastewater treatment plant was evaluated in this study. All of the wastewater sources in the factory, except the vacuum water line, can be characterized by high concentrations of soluble pollutants and low pH. High organic content of the wastewater generated from the confectionery industry promoted the application of anaerobic technology as a pre-treatment before the conventional aerobic treatment. The average chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and biogas production for expanded granular sludge bed reactor were 88% and 1,730 Nm3/day, respectively. The effluent from the investigated facility can be used for irrigation provided that conductivity values are within acceptable limits.
Phosphonated cross-linked polyethylenimine for selective removal of uranium ions from aqueous solutions
Authors: Saad Dalia M. G. , Cukrowska Ewa M. , Tutu Hlanganani
Published: June 2012

Among many remediation techniques for metal ion removal, polymeric adsorbents are efficient and widely applied. This has made them comparable with other remediation techniques in terms of technical and economic efficiency, feasibility as well as green technology. This study was dedicated to the development of an insoluble modified chelating polymer for use as an adsorbent for abstraction of uranium from wastewaters. Cross-linked polyethylenimine (CPEI) was phosphonated by phosphorous acid for selective removal of uranium ions. The binding affinity of the phosphonated cross-linked polyethylenimine (PCPEI) to uranium ions was assessed as well as its ability to be regenerated for reuse. It exhibited high removal percentage for uranium ions up to 99% with high selectivity even in the presence of competing ions (Mn, Ni, As). The Freundlich isotherm was found to be the best fit describing the adsorption process of uranyl ions onto the PCPEI. The pseudo-second-order equation was found to better explain the adsorption kinetics, implying chemisorption. The thermodynamic study of the adsorption revealed high activation energies which confirmed the chemisorption as the mechanism of adsorption.
Comparison between ozonation and the OSA process: analysis of excess sludge reduction and biomass activity in two different pilot plants
Authors: Torregrossa Michele , Di Bella Gaetano , Di Trapani Daniele
Published: June 2012

The excess biomass produced during biological treatment of municipal wastewater represents a major issue worldwide, as its disposal implies environmental, economic and social impacts. Therefore, there has been a growing interest in developing technologies to reduce sludge production. The main proposed strategies can be categorized according to the place inside the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) where the reduction takes place. In particular, sludge minimization can be achieved in the wastewater line as well as in the sludge line. This paper presents the results of two pilot scale systems, to evaluate their feasibility for sludge reduction and to understand their effect on biomass activity: (1) a pilot plant with an ozone contactor in the return activated sludge (RAS) stream for the exposition of sludge to a low ozone dosage; and (2) an oxic-settling-anaerobic (OSA) process with high retention time in the anaerobic sludge holding tank have been studied. The results showed that both technologies enabled significant excess sludge reduction but produced a slight decrease of biomass respiratory activity.
Decolorization and mineralization of reactive dyes by a photocatalytic process using ZnO and UV radiation
Authors: Almeida Guerra Wilson N. , Teixeira Santos Joana M. , Raddi de Araujo Lucia R.
Published: June 2012

Reactive dyes are one of the major pollutants in textile wastewater and a concern because they are not easily degraded by conventional wastewater treatments. Heterogeneous photocatalysis has been considered an effective option for treating wastewater containing those dyes. This research work assesses the photocatalytic degradation of reactive dyes using UV irradiation and pure or impregnated ZnO. In addition to photocatalysis, separate photolysis and adsorption experiments were conducted but showed low efficiency. The dye degradation was monitored by UV–Vis spectroscopy and mineralization was determined by total organic carbon (TOC) analyses. Total color removal was achieved after 30 min of irradiation using pure ZnO. The Black 5 dye photocatalytic decolorization reaction followed first-order kinetics, while Yellow 145, Red 4 and Blue 21 dyes followed zero-order kinetics. TOC removals in the range of 70–80% were achieved after 240 min of individual photocatalytic treatment with ZnO. The performance of each photocatalyst was also compared when the four dyes were mixed together and the order of efficiency in the mineralization process was as follows: Fe/ZnO > ZnO > Co/ZnO. This result was explained by the crystal field theory.
Determination and occurrence of organic micropollutants in reverse osmosis treatment for advanced water reuse
Authors: Gomez Veronica , Majamaa Katariina , Pocurull Eva , Borrull Francesc
Published: June 2012

The growing demand on water resources has increased the interest in wastewater reclamation for multiple end-use applications such as indirect and direct potable reuse. In these applications, the removal of organic micropollutants is of a greater concern than in conventional wastewater treatment. This article presents a collection of data of trace organic micropollutants in an urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in North East Spain using reverse osmosis (RO) membrane treatment. The RO rejection values of the organic molecules studied with a wide range of solute size and hydrophobicity were determined. Several chromatographic methods monitoring different endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) were used. Results indicated that secondary effluents from this Spanish WWTP contained most of the studied organic compounds indicating incomplete removal of organics in the conventional treatment of the plant. However, the rejection of most micropollutants was high for all three RO membrane types (low energy, high rejection, fouling resistant) tested. It was observed that some selected micropollutants were less efficiently removed (e.g. the small and polar and the more hydrophobic) and the molecular weight and membrane material influenced removal efficiencies.
The importance of measuring the sludge filterability at an MBR – introduction of a new method
Authors: Thiemig C.
Published: June 2012

Sludge properties have a strong impact on the operational aspects of membrane bioreactors (MBRs). Poor sludge properties cause stronger membrane fouling and reduce the filtration performance of MBRs. Up to now there is no general method used to measure the fouling or filtration relevant sludge properties in MBRs. The aim of this work was to develop a simple but reliable method to supply operators a tool to monitor the important sludge properties for their application and to compare this method with existing techniques. Through extensive research a new method called the sludge filtration index (SFI) has been developed to indicate the appropriate sludge parameters for MBR systems in a cheap and easy manner. The SFI can be measured with simple laboratory equipment and offers operators a powerful tool to monitor the conditions of their sludge, independent of the membrane conditions.
Development of hospital treatment of persons with mental disorders
Authors: Nenadovic Milutin
Published: June 2012

Discordances of harmonic mental functioning are as old as the human kind.
Psychopathological behaviour of an individual in the past was not treated as
an illness. That means that psychopathology was not considered an illness. In
all past civilizations discordance of mental harmony of an individual is
interpreted from the physiological aspect. Psychopathologic expression was
not considered an illness, so social attitudes about psychiatric patients in
the past were non-medical and generally speaking inhuman. Hospitals did not
follow development of medicine for admission of psychiatric patients in past
civilizations, not even in the antique era. According to historic sources,
the first hospital that was meant for mental patients only was established in
the 15th century, 1409 in Valencia (Spain). Therefore mental patients were
isolated in a special institution-hospital, and social community rejected
them. Only in the new era psychopathological behavior begins to be treated as
an illness. Therefore during the 19th century psychiatry is developed as a
special branch of medicine, and mental disorder is more and more seen
according to the principals of interpretation of physical illnesses. By the
middle of the 19th century psychiatric hospitals are humanized, and patients
are being less physically restricted. Deinstitutialisation in protection of
mental health is the heritage of reforms from the beginning of the 19th
century which regarded the prevention of mental health protection. It was
necessary to develop institutions of the prevention of protection in the
community which would primarily have social support and characteristics.
Pharmacotherapeutical possibilities in mental disorders: Current status in Serbia
Authors: Djukic-Dejanovic Slavica , Lecic-Tosevski Dusica , Mihajlovic Goran , Borovcanin Milica , Simic-Vukomanovic Ivana
Published: June 2012

The new therapeutical approaches have direct implications on living in order
to accomplish remission, stop further progression of illnesses or improve the
quality of life. The life expectancy has been increased up to10 years in the
last 55 years, probably owing to the innovative drugs. The innovative drugs
application in our everyday clinical practice should be analyzed, related to
economical aspects and to the transitional status of a country, but also in
the context of fears and misconceptions of therapists. The cost of therapy is
not equal to the cost of prescribed drugs, however it also includes direct
and indirect costs and medical and nonmedical burden. Countries in our region
spend 4-7.3% of the total budget for antipsychotic drugs, while the costs in
Serbia are about 1.5%. The new antipsychotics and the new formulations of the
available antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia are
pharmacoeconomically justified. On the other side, the substance abuse needs
other strategies, including new substitution treatments. In our country only
methadone maintenance therapy is available. It is necessary to provide
adequate legislation to improve the process of drug registration. In the
European Union it takes from 0 to 400 days for a drug to be registered, but
in Serbia the process last longer than 3 years. Important laws approved in
2006 and 2009, are only a part of the destigmatiazation of patients with
mental disorders. Treatment guidelines also help in resolving these issues.
Taking all of the above into consideration, the treatment of mental disorders
with innovative drugs is financially justified, but still unreachable for
patients in Serbia. The voice of the professionals should be heard in these
matters in order to provide the adequate treatment of people with mental
health problems.
Reasons and conditions for involuntary hospitalization with special emphasis on detention without consent of mentally disordered person who voluntarily started hospital treatment
Authors: Simonovic Perisa , Nenadovic Milutin , Momcilovic Dragana
Published: June 2012

The nature of some mental illness is such that persons affected by their
conduct endangering life, health and safety, as well as life, health and
safety of others from their surroundings. These persons, because of their
mental condition, are often unable to properly assess their own interest.
Because of the above it is permitted for these persons, under certain
circumstances, to be forcibly hospitalized against their will. However, the
problem of involuntary hospitalization of persons with mental disorders
remains a controversial and complex ethical and legal problem, because it is
characterized by a conflict of opposing interests and moral values. The main
reason is the fact that involuntary hospitalization is an act of deprivation
of liberty and intervention into the personal integrity, which at that the
measure is taken against the individual who has not committed any crime. In
order to provide restricted approach to the application of compulsory
hospitalization, it is necessary to pass a legislation on the protection of
persons with mental disorders that would more closely define the undertaken
proceedings, reasons and conditions for involuntary detention and involuntary
hospitalization in a psychiatric institution, forced detention of voluntarily
hospitalized persons and penal policy violation of this law. It is necessary
to initiate the procedure for amending the Law on Contested Procedure, which
would reform the procedure for compulsory hospitalization, as an important
segment of mentally disordered persons? rights, in order to be in accordance
with international and European standards within this field.
Changing the structure of the hospitalized patients at the Psychiatric clinic Vrapce
Authors: Bilic Petar , Ivanis Ana , Vidovic Domagoj , Jukic Vlado
Published: June 2012

Introduction. Psychiatric treatment in developed countries has significantly
changed in the last few decades, with a significant shortening of the
duration of hospitalization. Numerous West European countries are undertaking
health system reforms to improve treatment efficiency. Objective. The aim of
the study was to present the structure of hospitalized patients according to
diagnostic categories of International Classification of Diseases and Related
Health Problems - 10th Revision (ICD-10), and average duration of
hospitalization from 2001 till 2010. Methods. Data was collected from
hospital medical charts for the period from 2001 till 2010 on the number of
hospitalized patients, diagnosis and duration of hospitalization. Results.
Number of hospitalized patients increased by 27% (6309 vs. 8032). Average
duration of hospitalization decreased for 45.1% (72.3 vs. 39.7 days), while
the number of hospitalized patients decreased from 1284 (20.4%) in 2001 to
995 (12.4%) in 2010, the number of patients hospitalized because of
depressive disorder increased from 309 (4.9%) in 2001 to 994 (12.4%) in 2010.
The number of patients hospitalized because of enduring personality changes
increased from 104 (1.7%) in 2001 to 449 (5.6%) in 2010. Conclusion. In the
last decade the number of hospitalized patients suffering from schizophrenia
at the Psychiatric Clinic Vrapce decreased, while the number of those
suffering from depression and enduring personality change increased. The
number of hospitalizations in the observed period increased overall. Observed
changes can be explained by new therapeutic approaches, but also by objective
social and economic factors and organization of the healthcare system.
Lamotrigine augmentation in delirium tremens
Authors: Djokic Gorica , Lazic Dijana , Nenadovic Milutin , Zivkovic Nebojsa , Pavicevic Dragana , Zoric Katarina , Klidonas Nikolaos
Published: June 2012

Introduction. Delirium tremens (DT) is most severe neurological complication
of alcohol withdrawal with high mortality rate. DT is related to an altered
balance of excitatory and inhibitory amino-acid neurotransmitters, which is
basically due to upregulation of glutaminergic neurotransmission induced by
chronic ethanol exposure. Lamotrigine (LTG) is believed to act by reducing
excitatory glutamate release due to inhibition of Na (+) channels. Objective.
The aim of this study was to investigate efficiency of the LTG therapy in the
treatment of delirium tremens. Methods. This prospective clinical study
included 240 patients with ICD-10 criteria for DT, who were randomly divided
into control and experimental group. The patients were observed within 28
days at the Intensive Care Unit of the Centre for Urgent Psychiatric
disorders, according to a specific protocol, which included CIWA- Ar and MDAS
clinical scales. Control and experimental group were treated according to the
NIAAA protocol for 2004, and experimental group with adding of LTG according
to a specific program. Results. CIWA and MDAS scores in the experimental and
control group has statistical significant differences after the third day
(p>0.1), and especially after the fifth day
(ECIWA5/KCIWA5=8.36?}6.782/32?}5.562; EMDAS5/KMDAS5=4.89?}3.408/26.33?}1.497)
(p>0.5). Conclusion. LTG is significantly efficient in the treatment of
delirium tremens, but it does not decrease mortality rate.
Differentiation between opiate addicts in relation to judicial problems
Authors: Vasic Goran , Mihajlovic Goran , Jovanovic-Mihajlovic Natalija , Rafajlovic Milosav , Barisic Jasmina , Djukic-Dejanovic Slavica , Jankovic Slobodan , Radonjic Katarina
Published: June 2012

Introduction. Some research results point to significant benefit in the use
of methadone substitution treatment in reduction of criminogenic activities
in opiate addicts, as in positive affect on their somatic and mental state.
Objective. The objective of the study was to indicate factors which lead to
criminogenic activities in addicts with judicial problems before entering
substitute, methadone program. Methods. Addicts were divided into two groups:
addicts who had judicial problems before they entered substitution methadone
program (group A-46 addicts) and addicts without judicial problems (group
B-20 addicts). A questionnaire containing basic data about the addicts in the
treatment program (Pompidou questionnaire) was for questioning. Results. A
statistically significant difference was recorded related to the way of
taking PAS. The largest number of examinees from the group A took primal PAS
intravenously (41; 89.1%), while from the group B 11 took it intravenously
(55.0%). The majority of examinees in the group A committed the first
criminal act before taking PAS (psychoactive substances) (19; 41.3%), then
after taking so-called harder PAS (16; 34.8%), and finally after taking the
so-called lighter PAS (11; 23.9%). In somewhat over half of the examinees in
the group A (24; 52.2%) the measure of juvenile court was imposed. A
suspended sentence was passed upon 19 (41.3%) examinee, then prison sentence
in 16 (34.8%), multiple prison sentences in 6 (13.0%) and misdemeanour in 4
(8.7%). Conclusion. Future research at our centre should show the efficiency
of methadone program in a decrease of risky behaviour, degree of criminogenic
activity and judicial problems, improvement of life quality, as well as show
the ways for preventive acting.
Aggression in adolescents: characteristics and treatment
Authors: Ristic-Dimitrijevic Radmila , Lazic Dijana , Nenadovic Milutin , Djokic-Pjescic Katarina , Klidonas Nikolaos , Stefanovic Vesna
Published: June 2012

Introduction. Vulnerability of young people and frustration of their basic
biological, emotional, cognitive and social needs can induce a series of
psycho-pathological manifestations, including aggression. Objective. Aim of
this study is to examine the manifestations of aggressiveness in young people
and to establish the difference between aggressive responses of two age
groups; adolescents aged 16-19 years and older adolescents aged 20-26 years.
Methods. The sample consists of 100 young people aged 16-19 years (46
adolescents) and 20-26 years (54 adolescents). For the purposes of this
study, we have constructed a questionnaire in which we entered the data
obtained on the basis of a standard psychiatric examination, auto- and
hetero-anamnesis data, and data obtained using the standard battery of
psychological tests. Results. Statistically significant association was found
between verbal aggression and physical aggression (p=0.002), verbal
aggression and suicide attempts (p=0.02), verbal aggression and substance
abuse (p=0.009), verbal aggression and low frustration tolerance (LFT)
(p=0.007), suicide attempt and LFT (p=0.052). The younger group was
significantly more verbally aggressive compared to the older group (p=0.01).
Conclusion. Verbal aggression, which was significantly associated with
physical aggression, suicide attempts, substance abuse and LFT, indicates the
need for timely interventions for the prevention of more serious and
malignant forms of aggression.
Most common diagnoses requiring physical restriction of psychiatric patients: Humanity at the test
Authors: Nenadovic Milutin , Katanic Marija , Tocilovac-Nina Mirjana , Kostic Vesna , Perunicic Mira , Simonovic Perisa , Radomirovic Miroslav , Vicentic Sreten
Published: June 2012

Introduction. Attitude about physical restriction has been changing through
history. It has always been multidimensional approach, including ethic,
medical and judicial aspect. Objective. The main aim was establishing
distribution of physical restrictions of patients for the following years:
2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11. Methods. The research
included patients that were hospitalized in the Special Hospital for
Psychiatric Disorders ?Dr. Laza Lazarevic? in Belgrade from June 1, 2006 to
June 1, 2011. Retrospective review of illness history of hospitalized female
patients was done (350 in total) and records were formed containing data on
physically restrained patients. Results. The largest number of referral
diagnoses belonged to groups F20, F23 and F29; it was established that the
number of physical restrictions was associated with referral diagnoses on the
level of highly statistically significant difference (p<0.001). The average
number of restrainees per hospitalized patient which was growing in the
studied period, which was also shown by the trend line (y=0.5x+1.06;
R2=0.7242). Conclusion. Physical restrictions of psychiatric patients must
backed up by benevolence, and it is not by any means the doctor?s
arbitrariness, which is strongly criticized and represents breach of ethical
norms, human rights and the rights of the patient as guaranteed by law. This
topic, which, indeed, refers to modern psychiatry, deserves more attention by
public discussions, as well as by legislative regulations.
The Financial Performance of Global Information and Communication Technology Companies
Authors: Bauer Tim D. , Dehning Bruce , Stratopoulos Theophanis C.
Published: June 2012

This study examines the cross-sectional financial performance among firms from the global information and communication technology (ICT) sector over the period 1998–2007. Using a pooled linear regression, the results show that U.S.-based ICT companies are on average underperforming the rest of the world after controlling for firm-specific variables known to affect firm financial performance. The results also show that characteristics of the firm's host country explain a statistically significant portion of the variation in firm performance, incremental to firm-level characteristics. More specifically, firms located in countries with attractive tax environments and high-government subsidies outperform their competitors in countries with less attractive tax environments and subsidies. Firms in financial markets that provide ICT firms with relatively favorable cost of capital underperform those in markets with a cost of capital less conducive to business development, which may suggest the cost of capital attracts new market competition that reduces overall profit. Countries with the best performing ICT firms are those with the highest industry focus, where a few industries dominate rather than an even distribution of firms across a broad range of industries. The findings have important implications for policymakers, business strategists, and investors.
Floristic analysis of a high-speed railway embankment in a Mediterranean landscape
Authors: Filibeck Goffredo , Cornelini Paolo , Petrella Paolo
Published: June 2012

- We analyzed the floristic composition of a 4.5 km-long segment of a high- -speed railway in Lazio, central Italy, which travels on an artificial embankment through an intensively-farmed landscape. In total, 287 vascular plant species were recorded. The life-form distribution was found to be similar to that of the regional species pool, with high percentages of therophytes (38%) and phanerophytes (13%). In the chorological spectrum the Mediterranean floristic element prevailed (44%), while alien species were 8% of the flora. The phytosociological spectrum showed a high diversity of characteristic species from the class Stellarietea mediae or its subordinate syntaxa (26%), and in particular from the order Thero-Brometalia (Mediterranean, sub-nitrophilous annual communities). Species from forest syntaxa had a relatively high diversity (9%). These results suggest that the ecological filtering provided by the Mediterranean regional climate controlled species assemblage even in a completely artificial habitat, preventing floristic homogenization: the flora of the studied railway section is only partially »ruderalized«, while it keeps strong links with the regional (semi-) natural plant communities. However, in contrast to what is observed in central and north Europe, the railway sides studied in the present paper do not seem to represent a refugial habitat for rare species from grassland communities, mainly because in Italy semi-natural dry grasslands are still widely represented.
Soil seed bank of the invasive Robinia pseudoacacia in planted Pinus nigra stands
Authors: Cseresnyés Imre , Csontos Péter
Published: June 2012

-Pinus nigraandRobinia pseudoacaciaare exotic trees used for afforestation in Hungary.Pinus nigrawas non-invasive, howeverR. pseudoacaciaescaped from cultivation and invaded several vegetation types including pine plantations. It has recently been planned to cutP. nigraplantations and replace them by native tree stands, especially in nature reserves. The scattered presence ofR. pseudoacaciaspecimens in pine stands might place constraints on planned tree replacement because of their vegetative resprouting and recolonization from an established seed bank. The aim of this study was to investigate the soil seed bank under the canopy of solitaryR. pseudoacaciaspecimens found inP.nigraplantations. Altogether 250 soil samples were collected from the 0-6 and 6-12 cm soil layers under solitaryRobiniatrees of varying ages (with basal areas between 62.4 and 1089.3 cm2). Seeds were separated by sieving then scarified and germinated. Seed bank density ranged between 640 and 2285 seedsm-2 with an average distribution of 82.7% and 17.3% in the upper and lower soil layer, respectively. Total density of the seed bank and also the seed bank ratio of the lower soil layer increased with tree age. The accumulated seed bank ofR. pseudoacaciashould be considered in the careful planning of tree replacement operations inPinus nigrastands.
Distribution of Buxbaumia viridis (Moug. ex Lam. et DC.) Brid. ex Moug. et Nestl. (Bryophyta) in Montenegro
Authors: Dragićević Snežana , Papp Beáta , Erzberger Peter
Published: June 2012

- The present paper is a contribution to the knowledge of the distribution of the moss species Buxbaumia viridis in Montenegro. The records are from 14 known sites at elevations over 1300 m a.s.l. in the northern and north-eastern parts of the country. Population size is remarkable in Durmitor National Park at Crno jezero lake, where sporophytes can be found on ca 50 tree trunks.
Assessment of the Intraobserver and Interobserver Reliability of a Communicating Vessels Volumeter to Measure Wrist-Hand Volume
Authors: de Carvalho Rogério Mendonca , Perez Maria del Carmen Janerio , Miranda Fausto
Published: June 2012

Background

Traditional volumetry based on Archimedes' principle is the gold standard for the measurement of limb volume, but the routine use of this technique is discouraged because of several disadvantages.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate intraobserver and interobserver reliability of direct measurements of wrist-hand volume using a new communicating vessels volumeter based on Pascal's law.

Design

A reliability study was conducted.

Methods

To evaluate the reliability of the communicating vessels volumeter in generating measurements, 30 hands of 15 participants (9 women, 6 men) were measured 3 times each by 3 observers, totaling 270 volumetric results.

Results

Measurement time was short (X̄ =3 minutes 42 seconds). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was .9977 for observer 1 and .9976 for observers 2 and 3. The interobserver ICC was .9998. The standard error of measurement was about 3 mL for all observers; the interobserver result was 1 mL. The interrater coefficient of variance (CV) was 1.15% for the series of 9 measurements collected for each segment; the intrarater CV was 1.20%.

Limitations

No swollen hands were measured, and measurements were not compared with the gold standard technique. Thus, accuracy of the new volumeter was not determined in this study.

Conclusion

A new device has been developed for plethysmography of the extremities, and the results of its use to measure the volume of the wrist-hand segment were reliable in both intraobserver and interobserver analyses.
Shifting The Paradigm: Nepal as a Potential Leader in The Field of Medical Education
Authors: Karmacharya Dr Biraj Man
Published: June 2012

No abstract available.http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i1.6247 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(1):1-2
Standard Setting in Health Professions Education
Authors: Bhandary Shital
Published: June 2012

No abstract available.http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i1.6248 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(1):3-4
Evolving Experience in The Management of Empyema Thoracis
Authors: Shrestha K , Shah S , Shrestha S , Thulung S , Karki B , Pokhrel D P
Published: June 2012

Background Empyema thoracis a disease of significant morbidity and mortality, especially in the developing world. However, the optimal management of empyema thoracis remains controversial. Objective To analyse evolving experience in clinical presentation, management, outcome and factors contributing to adverse morbidity in empyema thoracis. Methods This is hospital based retrospective study of patients who were diagnosed with empyema thoracis in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery (CTVS) unit, Bir Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal over a period of one year (July 2009 to June 2010). A total of forty-six adult cases were categorized into two treatment groups: (i) thoracotomy for decortication (ii) segmentectomy, lobectomy and redo-thoracotomy for pneumonectomy. The median duration of illness prior to hospital admission was compared. The presence of loculated pleural fluid determined the need for thoracotomy. Results Out of forty-six cases, twenty- nine (63.04%) who had early thoracotomy (<22 days) had prompt symptomatic recovery. Forteen out of seventeen (82.35%) of the patients who were initially treated with thoracocentesis or tube thoracostomy eventually needed thoracotomy. There was a positive shift in management towards early thoracotomy resulting in prompt symptomatic recovery. Significant complications were noted in eight patients who had delayed thoracotomy. Complications included recurrent empyema with lung abscess (n = 3), restrictive lung disease (n = 3), bronchopleural fistula (n = 1) and scoliosis (n=1). Conclusion Early thoracotomy and decortication was found to be an excellent surgical procedure with good functional results and high patient satisfaction rate.http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v9i1.6253 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2011;9(1):5-7