bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uma avaliação da volatilidade dos preços da soja no mercado internacional com dados de alta frequência
Authors: Simões Mario Domingues , Klotzle Marcelo Cabus , Pinto Antonio Carlos Figueiredo , Levrini Gabriel
Published: September 2012

Neste trabalho foram avaliados os ajustes de cinco modelos para previsão da variância, utilizando-se uma série de preços de soja, uma commodity negociada na bolsa de mercadorias de Chicago (CBOT), com dados de alta frequência. Os modelos utilizados foram do tipo GARCH, FIGARCH e ARFIMA. Foi possível observar características desta série de preços de uma commodity negociada globalmente que se apresentaram inteiramente diferentes daquelas de ativos financeiros anteriormente estudados, possivelmente em virtude da característica contínua dos preços observados, induzida pela sua negociação global independente de pregões com início e fim. Foi possível concluir que a série de dados de alta frequência encerra informações adicionais às séries de dados diários, também no caso estudado de preços da soja, e que o tradicional modelo GARCH(1,1) tem um bom desempenho também no caso dos dados de alta frequência, assim como aqueles da família ARFIMA. Recomenda-se mais investigação para o caso dos modelos FIGARCH, procurando um melhor ajuste.
Pretreatment Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Patients Treated With Ketoconazole: Association with Outcome and Predictive Nomogram
Authors: Keizman Daniel , Gottfried Maya , Ish-Shalom Maya , Maimon Natalie , Peer Avivit , Neumann Avivit , Rosenbaum Eli , Kovel Svetlana , Pili Roberto , Sinibaldi Victoria , Carducci Michael A. , Hammers Hans , Eisenberger Mario A. , Sella Avishay
Published: September 2012

Background.

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), an inflammation marker, is prognostic in several cancers. We assessed the association between the pretreatment NLR and outcome of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with the CYP17 inhibitor ketoconazole.

Methods.

This was an international, retrospective study of 156 mCRPC patients treated with ketoconazole. The independent effect of the pretreatment NLR and factors associated with treatment outcome were determined by multivariate analysis.

Results.

Seventy-eight patients (50%) had a ≥50% decline in prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 8 months. Excluded from the analysis were 23 patients without available data on their NLR and those with a recent health event or treatment associated with a blood count change. Sixty-two patients (47%) had a pretreatment NLR >3. Risk factors associated with the PFS outcome were a pretreatment NLR >3 and PSA doubling time (PSADT) <3 months and a prior response to a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist of <24 months or to an antiandrogen of <6 months. The number of risk factors was used to form a predictive nomogram by patient categorization into favorable (zero or one factor), intermediate (two factors), and poor (three or four factors) risk groups.

Conclusions.

In mCRPC patients treated with ketoconazole, the pretreatment NLR and PSADT, and prior response to androgen-deprivation therapy, may be associated with the PFS time and used to form a risk stratification predictive nomogram.
Decreasing Trend in Mortality of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Patients After Introduction of Imatinib in Japan and the U.S.
Authors: Chihara Dai , Ito Hidemi , Matsuda Tomohiro , Katanoda Kota , Shibata Akiko , Saika Kumiko , Sobue Tomotaka , Matsuo Keitaro
Published: September 2012

Purpose.

Although the impact of imatinib in improving survival outcomes in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients has been widely reported, its impact on mortality from CML has not been evaluated. A survival benefit demonstrated in clinical trials does not simply translate to a decrease in mortality. To evaluate the impact of imatinib on the public health, we estimated the age-standardized mortality rate of CML patients in Japan and the U.S. using vital statistics data for Japan and data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute for the U.S.

Patients and Methods.

The period covered in this analysis is 1993–2008, during which 64,203 patients in Japan and 26,888 patients in nine registries in the U.S. died as a result of CML. We used joinpoint regression analysis to evaluate the significance of trends in mortality.

Results.

Estimated age-standardized mortality rates decreased significantly in both countries after the availability of imatinib. The annual percent changes (95% confidence interval) in the U.S. were −12.3% (−14.8% to −9.7%) for men and −11.6% (−13.1% to −10.1%) for women. In Japan, these were −20.8% (−36.2% to −1.6%) for men and −15.6% (−18.8% to −12.2%) for women. The period of change in the mortality trend seems to correlate with the period in which imatinib appeared in the two countries. The CML mortality rate in 2008 was nearly 30% that of the 1993 level.

Conclusion.

This is one example of the advent of a single new drug changing the picture of a single disease, CML. These results may encourage further development of drugs based on the concept of molecular targeting.
The contributions of rare objects in correspondence analysis
Authors: Greenacre Michael
Published: September 2012

Correspondence analysis, when used to understand relationships in a table of counts (for example, abundance data in ecology), has been criticized as being too sensitive to objects (for example, species) that occur with very low frequency or in very few samples. Here I show that this criticism is generally unfounded. This is demonstrated in several data sets by calculating the actual contributions of rare objects to the results of correspondence analysis and canonical correspondence analysis, both to the determination of the ordination axes and to the chi‐square distance. It is a fact that rare objects are often positioned as outliers in correspondence analysis ordinations, which gives the impression that they are highly influential, but their low weight offsets their distant positions and reduces their effect on the results. An alternative scaling of the correspondence analysis solution, the contribution biplot, is proposed as a way of displaying the results in order to avoid the problem of outlying and low contributing rare objects. In this new scaling of the biplot (or triplot in canonical correspondence analysis), species points have coordinates that are directly related to their contributions to the solution.
SISAR: a sustainable management model for small rural decentralized water and wastewater systems in developing countries
Authors: Meleg Alejandro
Published: September 2012

Investments for basic rural sanitation programs should not only focus on the construction of new installations, but also on the necessity of implementing proper management models that guarantee the operational and financial sustainability of the investments. The integrated rural sanitation system (SISAR) is based on the idea of creating a confederation of local user groups which come together on a regional basis, and through an adequate institutional setup, are responsible for managing SISAR and assuring the adequate provision of water supply and in some cases, wastewater services. Financial sustainability is achieved by the implementation of tariffs for water consumption and provision of wastewater services generating revenue which is redistributed among all systems in order to cover all operational, maintenance and administration costs. Important stakeholders in the model include, besides the users, local and state government and international financing institutions responsible for financing the investments in the construction of rural water supply and wastewater systems. This document focuses on the experience and results achieved by SISAR in the Brazilian state of Ceará. In 2001 eight SISARs began providing improved water supply services in 66 settlements. Today, more than 560 settlements (more than 330,000 inhabitants) are supplied by SISARs.
Microbiological quality of chlorinated water after storage in ceramic pots
Authors: Null Clair , Lantagne Daniele
Published: September 2012

Household water treatment with sodium hypochlorite has been shown to reduce self-reported diarrheal disease in developing countries. Reported hypochlorite use, time since treatment, total chlorine residual (TCR), and E. coli concentration results from 589 household surveys in rural Kenya were analyzed to quantify the effect of exceeding recommended 24 hour post-treatment water storage time in ceramic pots. Exceeding storage time recommendations impacted treatment efficacy, as 87% of reported treaters with TCR ≥ 0.2 mg/L storing their water ≤ 24 hours met World Health Organization (WHO) E. coli guideline values, compared to 77% of reported treaters with TCR ≥ 0.2 mg/L storing water >24 hours (p = 0.024) and 7% of reported non-treaters. Implementing organizations face the trade-off between promoting treating water every 24 hours and accepting slightly compromised efficacy.
Life-cycle costs approach (LCCA) for sustainable water service delivery: a study in rural Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Ratna Reddy V. , Jayakumar N. , Venkataswamy M. , Snehalatha M. , Batchelor Charles
Published: September 2012

This paper illustrates the usefulness of the life-cycle costs approach (LCCA) framework and methodology in addressing slippage and sustainability issues in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in the State of Andhra Pradesh (AP), India. Source sustainability, poor operation and maintenance and water quality are the main reasons for slippage in India. The paper examines the actual cost of provision in 43 villages spread over two agro-climatic zones by cost components that cause slippage and identifies the gaps in (public) investments and how these gaps are responsible for poor, inequitable and unsustainable service delivery. The analysis brings out clearly that government expenditure on WASH is almost exclusively capital expenditure on infrastructure while other important cost components like planning and designing, capital maintenance, source sustainability, water quality, etc., receive little or no allocation. The key message of the paper is that allocations to rural drinking water sector are low at the design and implementation stage but more ends up being spent due to ad hoc interventions and funding allocations for rural water are distorted. It is argued that adoption of LCCA would enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of budget allocations to the drinking water sector.
Rainwater harvesting in rural Trinidad; a cross sectional, observational study
Authors: Dean Jonathan M. E. , Deare Fredericka , Kydd Keizel , Ward-Robinson Jennie , Hunter Paul R.
Published: September 2012

Rainwater harvesting is a well-established practice in many parts of the world. In the right environment it can provide a convenient, inexpensive and sustainable source of potable water. This study explored rainwater collecting system use within rural Trinidadian communities. Data regarding participants' demographic details, water practices, health- and water-related beliefs were collected from six separate regions late in 2009 using a purpose designed questionnaire. The findings, obtained from the 1,523 study participants resident in 292 households were analysed. Almost half (130) of the participating households utilised rainwater as their main supply although some found it necessary to switch to alternative sources during dry periods. The majority of participants (478) who harvested rainwater were very satisfied with the quality of their water and relatively few (212) were concerned that it may pose a risk to their health. Rainwater harvesting systems are well established in Trinidad and are well accepted by those who use them. Further research is needed to establish why more households do not adopt this technology as alternative sources remain inconsistent and inadequate in many respects. These findings will assist individuals and government agencies in making informed decisions when planning and managing water sources on the island.
Sachet drinking water in Ghana's Accra-Tema metropolitan area: past, present, and future
Authors: Stoler Justin , Weeks John R. , Fink Günther
Published: September 2012

Population growth in West Africa has outpaced local efforts to expand potable water services, and private sector sale of packaged drinking water has filled an important gap in household water security. Consumption of drinking water packaged in plastic sachets has soared in West Africa over the last decade, but the long-term implications of these changing consumption patterns remain unclear and unstudied. This paper reviews recent shifts in drinking water, drawing upon data from the 2003 and 2008 Demographic and Health Surveys, and provides an overview of the history, economics, quality, and regulation of sachet water in Ghana's Accra-Tema Metropolitan Area. Given the pros and cons of sachet water, we suggest that a more holistic understanding of the drinking water landscape is necessary for municipal planning and sustainable drinking water provision.
Moving Beyond Student Ratings: A Balanced Scorecard Approach for Evaluating Teaching Performance
Authors: Hughes K. E. (Skip) , Pate Gwen R.
Published: September 2012

This position paper proposes a viable alternative to higher education's current focus on student ratings as the primary metric for summative teaching evaluations (i.e., for personnel decisions). In contrast to the divergent opinions among educational researchers about the validity of student ratings, a strong consensus exists that summative measures derived from the student ratings process represent a necessary rather than a sufficient source for evaluating teaching performance (Cashin 1990; Berk 2005). Accordingly, to more completely describe annual teaching performance, we propose a multisource, multiple-perspective Teaching Balanced Scorecard (TBSC), fashioned from the “classic” Balanced Scorecard developed by Kaplan and Norton (1992a). The TBSC can guide academic administrators to expand their conceptual view of teaching performance beyond the boundaries of the classroom, while coherently communicating the department's teaching expectations to the faculty; consistent with this proposition, we provide supporting evidence from a successful TBSC implementation in an academic department.
Pancreatic Steatosis and Its Relationship to β-Cell Dysfunction in Humans
Authors: Szczepaniak Lidia S. , Victor Ronald G. , Mathur Ruchi , Nelson Michael D. , Szczepaniak Edward W. , Tyer Nicole , Chen Ida , Unger Roger H. , Bergman Richard N. , Lingvay Ildiko
Published: September 2012

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate racial/ethnic differences in pancreatic triglyceride (TG) levels and their relationship to β-cell dysfunction in humans.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We studied black, Hispanic, and white adults who completed three research visits: screening and an oral glucose tolerance test; frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests for evaluation of β-cell function and insulin resistance; and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy for evaluation of pancreatic and hepatic TG levels.

RESULTS

Pancreatic TG levels were higher in Hispanics and whites than in blacks (P = 0.006). Hepatic TG levels were highest in Hispanics (P = 0.004). Compensatory insulin secretion and disposition index were higher in blacks (P = 0.003 and P = 0.024, respectively). Insulin sensitivity was comparable between Hispanics and blacks and was lower than in whites (P = 0.005). In blacks, compensatory insulin secretion increased steeply with small increments in pancreatic TG levels (R2 = 0.45, slope = 247). In whites, the range of pancreatic TG levels was higher, and the slope was less steep than in blacks (R2 = 0.27, slope = 27). In Hispanics, pancreatic TG levels were similar to those of whites, but compensatory insulin secretion was described by a combination of pancreatic and hepatic TG levels and visceral fat mass ( R2 = 0.32).

CONCLUSIONS

In a multiethnic sample of adults with mild obesity and without diabetes, we found striking ethnic differences in the levels of pancreatic TGs and in the relationship between pancreatic TGs and β-cell dysfunction. Our data implicate pancreatic TG content measured by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy as a noninvasive novel biomarker for pancreatic β-cell dysfunction, especially in the Hispanic population.
Assessment of the sensitivity of the southern coast of the Gulf of Corinth (Peloponnese, Greece) to sea-level rise
Authors: Karymbalis Efthimios , Chalkias Christos , Chalkias George , Grigoropoulou Eleni , Manthos George , Ferentinou Maria
Published: September 2012

The eustatic sea-level rise due to global warming is predicted to reach approximately 18–59 cm by the year 2100, which necessitates the identification and protection of sensitive sections of coastline. In this study, the classification of the southern coast of the Gulf of Corinth according to the sensitivity to the anticipated future sealevel rise is attempted by applying the Coastal Sensitivity Index (CSI), with variable ranges specifically modified for the coastal environment of Greece, utilizing GIS technology. The studied coastline has a length of 148 km and is oriented along the WNW-ESE direction. CSI calculation involves the relation of the following physical variables, associated with the sensitivity to long-term sea-level rise, in a quantifiable manner: geomorphology, coastal slope, relative sea-level rise rate, shoreline erosion or accretion rate, mean tidal range and mean wave height. For each variable, a relative risk value is assigned according to the potential magnitude of its contribution to physical changes on the coast as the sea-level rises. Every section of the coastline is assigned a risk ranking based on each variable, and the CSI is calculated as the square root of the product of the ranked variables divided by the total number of variables. Subsequently, a CSI map is produced for the studied coastline. This map showed that an extensive length of the coast (57.0 km, corresponding to 38.7% of the entire coastline) is characterized as highly and very highly sensitive primarily due to the low topography, the presence of erosionsusceptible geological formations and landforms and fast relative sea-level rise rates. Areas of high and very high CSI values host socio-economically important land uses and activities.
Impact of the azores front propagation on deep ocean particle flux
Authors: Fründt Birte , Waniek Joanna
Published: September 2012

The Azores Current originating as a branch of the Gulf Stream is a highly dynamic system in the subtropical North Atlantic. The associated front forms the northeastern boundary of the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre. In this study we analyzed 42 years of assimilated modeled temperature fields to localize the position of the Azores Front at 22°W and observed a fast north- and southward propagation between 30°N and 37°N on monthly to decadal time scales. The North Atlantic Oscillation with correlated changes of the wind direction was identified as one driving mechanism. As the front is acting as a guide for Rossby waves, the signal of the front’s propagation is transferred to the western Atlantic and, among other atmospheric forcing mechanisms, induces a shifting of the Northern Wall of the Gulf Stream with one year delay. Shallower mixed layer depths in the northern frontal region of the Azores Current caused by the rise of the isotherms lead to nutrient supply and primary production different from those found in the southern frontal region of the current system. A high interannual variability is manifested in deep ocean particle flux, derived from a sediment trap in 2000 m water depth at the mooring site KIEL276 (33°N, 22°W) from 1993 to 2008, which is directly related to the phytoplankton bloom in the euphotic zone. This variability is explained by the propagation of the front and strong variations in the catchment areas of the sediment trap due to the associated eddy activity in the frontal region.
Morphology for Image Processing. Part I
Authors: Yamazaki Hiroshi , Byliński Czesław , Wasaki Katsumi
Published: September 2012

Morphology for Image Processing. Part I

In this article we defined mathematical morphology image processing with set operations. First, we defined Minkowski set operations and proved their properties. Next, we defined basic image processing, dilation and erosion proving basic fact about them [5], [8].
The Differentiable Functions from R into Rn
Authors: Narita Keiko , Korniłowicz Artur , Shidama Yasunari
Published: September 2012

The Differentiable Functions from R into Rn

In control engineering, differentiable partial functions from R into Rn play a very important role. In this article, we formalized basic properties of such functions.
Some Basic Properties of Some Special Matrices. Part III
Authors: Liang Xiquan , Wang Tao
Published: September 2012

Some Basic Properties of Some Special Matrices. Part III

This article describes definitions of subsymmetric matrix, anti-subsymmetric matrix, central symmetric matrix, symmetry circulant matrix and their basic properties.
Somatic measurements and their use in establishing reference values
Authors: Stupnicki Romuald
Published: September 2012

Somatic measurements and their use in establishing reference values

Reference values (norms) of many somatic variables are indispensable in diverse areas, e.g. medicine, sports, armed forces, etc. Such norms are usually presented as means and standard deviations or as lower/upper limits for various age categories of given sex and mostly represent population values instead of being related to body size.

The aim of this paper is to present the most common errors in the process of establishing norms, not only those related to somatic measurements. A set of rules is proposed that may greatly facilitate that process and make the resulting norms rational and reliable.
Compilation of the regional quasigeoid model for New Zealand using the discretised integral-equation approach
Authors: Abdalla A. , Tenzer R.
Published: September 2012

We evaluate the new regional quasigeoid model (OTG12) for New Zealand using the method which utilises the discretised integral equation approach for computing the near-zone contribution. The far-zone contribution is computed by modified spherical harmonics of the geopotential. Adopting the remove-compute-restore computation scheme, the near- and far-zone contributions are computed for the residual height anomalies, while the reference height anomalies are evaluated using a global gravitational model. For the numerical realisation, the GOCO-02S coefficients complete to degree 55 of spherical harmonics are used to generate the reference gravity field. The 1×1 arc-min grid data of terrestrial gravity anomalies are used to compute the near-zone contribution. The far-zone contribution is evaluated using the EGM2008 coefficients at the frequency bound between degrees 56 and 2160 of spherical harmonics. The newly-adjusted levelling data are used to validate the available regional geoid/quasigeoid models. The accuracy assessment of gravimetric solutions at GNSS-levelling testing network reveals that the accuracy of OTG12 is compatible with the existing regional geoid/quasigeoid models; the standard deviation (STD) of residuals between the geometric and gravimetric height anomalies is 13 cm (after applying the 3-parameter correction model).
Spectrum of diseases in a medical ward of a teaching hospital in a developing country
Authors: Pokharel BR , Humagain S , Pant P , Gurung R , Koju R , Bedi TRS
Published: September 2012

Communicable and respiratory tract diseases especially chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases are the main reasons of admission in medical ward of low and middle income countries. This is different from the developed countries where non communicable diseases are the main reasons of hospital admission. In developing countries the data of hospital admission are still lacking. Therefore this study will help us to assess the common patterns of diseases admitted in a medical ward, the average length of hospital stay etc. The record of 1040 hospitalized patients in medical ward was analyzed for the period of six months from Jan 2010 to Jun 2010. Patient’s medical records were retrieved and data analysis was done to obtain age, sex, common diagnosis, the affected system and the duration of the hospital stay. The data was analyzed by using SPSSV 16. After reviewing the data the most common age of patients being admitted were between 46-65 years (31.5%) followed by more than 65 years (25%) between 26-45 years (21.28%) and less than 25 years (21.28%). Among the admitted patients females were more than the males except in neurolog ward. The most effected system was respiratory (31.73 %),and the most common diagnosis was Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (23.17%). The next common system involved was gastroenterology including liver (18.64%) ,genitourinary (12.01%), cardiovascular ( 11.34%), neurology (9.23%), endocrine (4.80%) hematology (2.30%). The cause for hospital admission by infection in different system was (30.08%) The average duration of hospital stay of the patients was less than 7 days. The respiratory diseases and the infectious disease are the most common disease in Nepal. The communicable diseases still hold a greater position, while non communicable diseases are main reasons for admission to the medical wards in developed countries. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal,2012,Vol-8,No-2, 7-11 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v8i2.6831
Computed tomography scan in the evaluation of patients with stroke
Authors: Chhetri PK , Raut S
Published: September 2012

Cerebrovascular accident is a frequent cause of death and disability in most parts of the globe. The incidence of cerebrovascular diseases increases with age and the number of strokes is projected to increase as the elderly population grows. This study was undertaken to determine the type of stroke and also to relate the risks factors associated with stroke. Hundred consecutive patients presenting with stroke in the emergency department / neurology clinic were subjected to computed tomography scan of the brain. Sixty – four patients had ischemic infarct and 36 had intracranial hemorrhage which included 2 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and 1 with underlying cavernous angioma. Ischemic stroke was thus commoner than hemorrhagic stroke. Previous infarct or lacunes were noted in 25 % of the patients presenting with stroke. Risk factors were present in most (77 %) of the patients presenting with stroke. Among the various risk factors, the single most common was smoking seen in 38 cases, followed by hypertension in 28 cases, obesity in 8 cases and diabetes in 3 cases. Twenty- one patients had multiple combinations of the above risk factors. Among the multiple risk factors, combination of alcohol and smoking was the commonest seen in 11 cases, followed by hypertension and obesity in 8 cases and alcohol with obesity in 2 cases. Change in lifestyle and eating habits may thus help reduce the incidence of stroke. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal,2012,Vol-8,No-2, 24-31 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v8i2.6834
Early experience of laparoscopic varicocelectomy in College of Medical Sciences, Teaching Hospital, Bhartpur, Nepal
Authors: Agarwal A , Sigdel G , Lamichhane N , Belokar WK
Published: September 2012

Varicocele is dilatation of pampiniform plexus of veins in the scrotum. Laparoscopic varicocelectomy is gaining popularity since its introduction in 1990s. We present our experience of laparoscopic varicocelectomy in College of Medical sciences, Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur, Nepal. Ten patients underwent laparoscopic varicocelectomy between Jan 2009 to July 2010. The mean age of patients was 25.7 (range, 14 to 38) years. All varicoceles were detected clinically and confirmed by scrotal color Doppler ultrasonography. The varicocele was left sided in 6 (60%) and bilateral in 4 cases(40%). The surgical indications were scrotal pain and discomfort in 8, infertility in 1, and both in 1. Mean operation time was 50 ± 22 minutes (range, 35-110). Following operation 6 patients were symptom free immediately and remaining 2 patients also became asymptomatic on 15 days followup. Both patients of infertility, lost follow up, post operatively. Neither recurrent varicocele nor hydrocele was detected with a mean follow-up of 13 months. All patients were discharged within 24 hours postoperatively. Every attempt was made to preserve spermatic artery and lymphatic vessel. The procedure is safe and effective. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal,2012,Vol-8,No-2, 32-36 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v8i2.6835
A rare case of giant urethral calculus and multiple urethral diverticulum
Authors: Agarwal A , Sigdel G , Belokar WK
Published: September 2012

Urethral stones in adults are rare and usually encountered with urethral stricture or diverticulum. We report a 54 years old gentleman who presented with urinary retention due to a large urethral calculus impacted in bulbar urethra with multiple stones in anterior and posterior urethral diverticulum. On examination a mass of size 5.5cmx4cmx3cm was palpable at anterior perineum with a fistulous tract from which pus was oozing out. On retrograde urethrogram a large urethral calculus with bulbar diverticulum and multiple radio opacity in prostatic area were revealed. Patient was managed by suprapubic cystostomy initially and later on by external urethrotomy, diverticulectomy, urethroscopic removal of multiple stones in prostatic urethral diverticulum and urethroplasty. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal,2012,Vol-8,No-2, 46-48 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v8i2.6838
Cubitus varus in adults correction with lateral closing wedge osteotomy and fixation with posterior plating
Authors: Pandey S , Shrestha A , Dhakal S , Neupane G , Regmi AP
Published: September 2012

To share the result of lateral closing wedge osteotomy and fixation with posterior reconstruction plate in correction of cubitus varus in adults. It is a retrospective case analysis of 8 cases of cubitus varus in adult treated with lateral closing wedge osteotomy through posterior triceps retracting approach. Internal fixation was done with two posterior reconstruction plates. All cases were from 15 to 29 years of age (mean 22.3 ) with 3 female and 5 male. All had cubitus varus ranging from 15- 28 deg (mean 20.16 deg) due to childhood malunited supracondylar fracture of humerus. Indication for operation was cosmetic reason only. Follow up duration was 4-22 months (mean 12.5 months). All the osteotomy united clinically in mean duration of 9 weeks ( range 8-12 weeks) with mean carrying angle 8.33 degree in postoperative phase. There was no loss of motion, no loss of fixation, no surgical site infection, nonunion or neurovascular deficit. Lateral closing wedge corrective osteotomy and fixation with posterior reconstruction plate is easy technique with satisfactory result in correction of cubitus varus in adults. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal,2012,Vol-8,No-2, 49-53 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v8i2.6839
Catheter based renal sympathetic denervaton: treatment option for resistant hypertension
Authors: Dhital BM , Mao Ou Yang , Deep JP , Rauniyar VK
Published: September 2012

Essential hypertension being a major public health problem with an atrocious toll. Furthermore resistant hypertension has increased morbidity and mortality in spite of using three or more antihypertensive medication, including one diuretic at their optimal doses to achieve the target blood pressure. Renal artery with its sympathetic afferent and efferent nerve signaling has substantial role in elevating and sustaining blood pressure. Blunting the overt sympathetic activity, catheter based renal sympathetic nerve denervation has become new treatment approach for the treatment of resistant hypertension. So in this review we address the current aspect and development of renal sympathetic denervation in the management of difficult to control hypertension. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal,2012,Vol-8,No-2, 58-63 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v8i2.6841
Investigating Climate Change and Reproduction: Experimental Tools from Evolutionary Biology
Authors: Grazer Vera M. , Martin Oliver Y.
Published: September 2012

It is now generally acknowledged that climate change has wide-ranging biological consequences, potentially leading to impacts on biodiversity. Environmental factors can have diverse and often strong effects on reproduction, with obvious ramifications for population fitness. Nevertheless, reproductive traits are often neglected in conservation considerations. Focusing on animals, recent progress in sexual selection and sexual conflict research suggests that reproductive costs may pose an underestimated hurdle during rapid climate change, potentially lowering adaptive potential and increasing extinction risk of certain populations. Nevertheless, regime shifts may have both negative and positive effects on reproduction, so it is important to acquire detailed experimental data. We hence present an overview of the literature reporting short-term reproductive consequences of exposure to different environmental factors. From the enormous diversity of findings, we conclude that climate change research could benefit greatly from more coordinated efforts incorporating evolutionary approaches in order to obtain cross-comparable data on how individual and population reproductive fitness respond in the long term. Therefore, we propose ideas and methods concerning future efforts dealing with reproductive consequences of climate change, in particular by highlighting the advantages of multi-generational experimental evolution experiments.
Assessment of Seismic Vulnerability of a Historical Masonry Building
Authors: Ceroni Francesca , Pecce Marisa , Sica Stefania , Garofano Angelo
Published: September 2012

A multidisciplinary approach for assessing the seismic vulnerability of heritage masonry buildings is described throughout the paper. The procedure is applied to a specific case study that represents a very common typology of masonry building in Italy. The seismic vulnerability of the examined building was assessed after the following: (a) historical investigation about the building and the surrounding area, (b) detailed geometrical relieves, (c) identification of materials by means of surveys and literature indications, (d) dynamic in-situ tests, (e) foundation soil characterization, (f) dynamic identification of the structure by means of a refined Finite Element (FE) model. After these steps, the FE model was used to assess the safety level of the building by means of non-linear static analyses according to the provisions of Eurocode 8 and estimate of the q-factor. Some parametric studies were also carried out by means of both linear dynamic and non-linear static analyses.
Characterization of Erysiphe necator-Responsive Genes in Chinese Wild Vitis quinquangularis
Authors: Gao Min , Niu Jiao , Zhao Suping , Jiao Chen , Xu Weirong , Fei Zhangjun , Wang Xiping
Published: September 2012

Powdery mildew (PM), caused by fungus Erysiphe necator, is one of the most devastating diseases of grapevine. To better understand grapevine-PM interaction and provide candidate resources for grapevine breeding, a suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) cDNA library was constructed from E. necator-infected leaves of a resistant Chinese wild Vitis quinquangularis clone “Shang-24”. A total of 492 high quality expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were obtained and assembled into 266 unigenes. Gene ontology (GO) analysis indicated that 188 unigenes could be assigned with at least one GO term in the biological process category, and 176 in the molecular function category. Sequence analysis showed that a large number of these genes were homologous to those involved in defense responses. Genes involved in metabolism, photosynthesis, transport and signal transduction were also enriched in the library. Expression analysis of 13 selected genes by qRT-PCR revealed that most were induced more quickly and intensely in the resistant material “Shang-24” than in the sensitive V. pseudoreticulata clone “Hunan-1” by E. necator infection. The ESTs reported here provide new clues to understand the disease-resistance mechanism in Chinese wild grapevine species and may enable us to investigate E. necator-responsive genes involved in PM resistance in grapevine germplasm.
Does Patriline Composition Change over a Honey Bee Queen’s Lifetime?
Authors: Brodschneider Robert , Arnold Gérard , Hrassnigg Norbert , Crailsheim Karl
Published: September 2012

A honey bee queen mates with a number of drones a few days after she emerges as an adult. Spermatozoa of different drones are stored in her spermatheca and used for the rest of the queen’s life to fertilize eggs. Sperm usage is thought to be random, so that the patriline distribution within a honey bee colony would remain constant over time. In this study we assigned the progeny of a naturally mated honey bee queen to patrilines using microsatellite markers at the queen’s age of two, three and four years. No significant changes in patriline distribution occurred within each of two foraging seasons, with samples taken one and five months apart, respectively. Overall and pair-wise comparisons between the three analyzed years reached significant levels. Over the three-year period we found a trend for patrilines to become more equally represented with time. It is important to note that this study was performed with a single queen, and thus individual and population variation in sperm usage patterns must be assessed. We discuss long-term changes in patriline composition due to mixing processes in the queen’s spermatheca, following incomplete mixing of different drones’ sperm after mating.
Synthesis of Highly Substituted Oxazoles through Iodine(III)-Mediated Reactions of Ketones with Nitriles
Authors: Saito Akio , Hyodo Nao , Hanzawa Yuji
Published: September 2012

In the presence of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH) or bis(trifluoromethane-sulfonyl)imide (Tf2NH), iodosobenzene (PhI=O) efficiently promoted the reactions of dicarbonyl compounds as well as monocarbonyl compounds with nitriles to give 2,4-disubstituted and 2,4,5-trisubstituted oxazole in a single step under the mild conditions.
Cyclizations Producing Hydrindanones with Two Methyl Groups at the Juncture Positions Mediated by Samarium Diiodide and Electrolysis
Authors: Sono Masakazu , Ise Natsuko , Shoji Tsutomu , Tori Motoo
Published: September 2012

One-electron reductive intramolecular cyclization of enones with ketones or aldehydes mediated by samarium diiodide and electrolysis to afford cis-trimethyl- hydrindanolones. The reactions gave selectivities ranging from 1:1 to 100:0 depending on the conditions.
Emerging Churches in Post-Christian Canada
Authors: Studebaker Steven , Beach Lee
Published: September 2012

The traditional mainline and evangelical churches in Canada, as in most western countries, are either in decline or static. Taken as a measure of the future, the prospects for Christianity in Canada, and more broadly the West, are bleak. Post-Christian Canada, however, contains thriving alternative and innovative forms of church, often called ‘emerging’ churches. They take many forms of expression, but share common theological convictions. Based on site research and personal interviews, this article describes the various types and contexts of these churches in Canada. It then highlights three of their central theological characteristics. First, rejecting the ‘culture wars’ social involvement of Christendom churches, they embrace practices and initiatives that transform their local communities. Second, they embrace an incarnational and contextual understanding of Christian life and ministry. Eschewing mega-church franchise models, they endeavor to shape their ministry to the their local communities. Third, they adopt a comprehensive rather than compartmental spirituality.
Flux Measurements in Cairo. Part 2: On the Determination of the Spatial Radiation and Energy Balance Using ASTER Satellite Data
Authors: Frey Corinne Myrtha , Parlow Eberhard
Published: September 2012

This study highlights the possibilities and constraints of determining instantaneous spatial surface radiation and land heat fluxes from satellite images in a heterogeneous urban area and its agricultural and natural surroundings. Net radiation was determined using ASTER satellite data and MODTRAN radiative transfer calculations. The soil heat flux was estimated with two empirical methods using radiative terms and vegetation indices. The turbulent heat fluxes finally were determined with the LUMPS (Local-Scale Urban Meteorological Parameterization Scheme) and the ARM (Aerodynamic Resistance Method) method. Results were compared to in situ measured ground data. The performance of the atmospheric correction was found to be crucial for the estimation of the radiation balance and thereafter the heat fluxes. The soil heat flux could be modeled satisfactorily by both of the applied approaches. The LUMPS method, for the turbulent fluxes, appeals by its simplicity. However, a correct spatial estimation of associated parameters could not always be achieved. The ARM method showed the better spatial results for the turbulent heat fluxes. In comparison with the in situ measurements however, the LUMPS approach rendered the better results than the ARM method.
Classification of Fruits Using Computer Vision and a Multiclass Support Vector Machine
Authors: Zhang Yudong , Wu Lenan
Published: September 2012

Automatic classification of fruits via computer vision is still a complicated task due to the various properties of numerous types of fruits. We propose a novel classification method based on a multi-class kernel support vector machine (kSVM) with the desirable goal of accurate and fast classification of fruits. First, fruit images were acquired by a digital camera, and then the background of each image was removed by a split-and-merge algorithm; Second, the color histogram, texture and shape features of each fruit image were extracted to compose a feature space; Third, principal component analysis (PCA) was used to reduce the dimensions of feature space; Finally, three kinds of multi-class SVMs were constructed, i.e., Winner-Takes-All SVM, Max-Wins-Voting SVM, and Directed Acyclic Graph SVM. Meanwhile, three kinds of kernels were chosen, i.e., linear kernel, Homogeneous Polynomial kernel, and Gaussian Radial Basis kernel; finally, the SVMs were trained using 5-fold stratified cross validation with the reduced feature vectors as input. The experimental results demonstrated that the Max-Wins-Voting SVM with Gaussian Radial Basis kernel achieves the best classification accuracy of 88.2%. For computation time, the Directed Acyclic Graph SVMs performs swiftest.
A SPR Aptasensor for Detection of Avian Influenza Virus H5N1
Authors: Bai Hua , Wang Ronghui , Hargis Billy , Lu Huaguang , Li Yanbin
Published: September 2012

Rapid and specific detection of avian influenza virus (AIV) is urgently needed due to the concerns over the potential outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza in animals and humans. Aptamers are artificial oligonucleic acids that can bind specific target molecules, and show comparable affinity for target viruses and better thermal stability than monoclonal antibodies. The objective of this research was to use a DNA-aptamer as the specific recognition element in a portable Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) biosensor for rapid detection of AIV H5N1 in poultry swab samples. A SPR biosensor was fabricated using selected aptamers that were biotinylated and then immobilized on the sensor gold surface coated with streptavidin via streptavidin-biotin binding. The immobilized aptamers captured AIV H5N1 in a sample solution, which caused an increase in the refraction index (RI). After optimizing the streptavidin and aptamer parameters, the results showed that the RI value was linearly related (R2 = 0.99) to the concentration of AIV in the range of 0.128 to 1.28 HAU. Negligible signal ( < 4% of H5N1) was observed from six non-target AIV subtypes. The AIV H5N1 in poultry swab samples with concentrations of 0.128 to 12.8 HAU could be detected using this aptasensor in 1.5 h.
Contributions of Epstein–Barr Nuclear Antigen 1 (EBNA1) to Cell Immortalization and Survival
Authors: Frappier Lori
Published: September 2012

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) immortalizes host cells as part of its latent mode of infection. As a result of this ability to promote cell proliferation and survival, EBV infection contributes to the development of several kinds of B-cell lymphomas and epithelial tumours. The EBV Epstein–Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) protein is the only EBV protein expressed in all EBV-associated tumours and plays multiple important roles in EBV latency. In addition to its well-studied roles in viral DNA replication, segregation and transcriptional activation, several studies have identified roles of EBNA1 in manipulating cellular processes that result in reduced apoptosis and increased cell survival. This review discusses these cellular effects of EBNA1 and mechanisms by which they occur.
Filovirus Research in Gabon and Equatorial Africa: The Experience of a Research Center in the Heart of Africa
Authors: Leroy Eric , Gonzalez Jean Paul
Published: September 2012

Health research programs targeting the population of Gabon and Equatorial Africa at the International Center for Medical Research in Franceville (CIRMF), Gabon, have evolved during the years since its inception in 1979 in accordance with emerging diseases. Since the reemergence of Ebola virus in Central Africa, the CIRMF “Emerging Viral Disease Unit” developed diagnostic tools and epidemiologic strategies and transfers of such technology to support the response of the National Public Health System and the World Health Organization to epidemics of Ebola virus disease. The Unit carries out a unique investigation program on the natural history of the filoviruses, emergence of epidemics, and Ebola virus pathogenesis. In addition, academic training is provided at all levels to regional and international students covering emerging conditions (host factors, molecular biology, genetics) that favor the spread of viral diseases.
Bodegas subterráneas excavadas en tierra: Características de los suelos en la Ribera del Duero (España)
Authors: Cañas I. , Cid-Falceto J. , Mazarrón F. R.
Published: September 2012

Las propiedades de la tierra influyen de manera decisiva en las condiciones interiores, la integridad y la durabilidad de las bodegas subterráneas. El principal objetivo del presente artículo es determinar las características de los suelos donde se excavan las bodegas subterráneas. Los resultados demuestran que la mayoría de los suelos presentan unas características de plasticidad y expansibilidad muy similares. Se concentran en una región muy concreta de la carta de plasticidad o presentan plasticidad nula. Los suelos con alta plasticidad no son habituales, debido al mayor riesgo de sufrir expansiones y provocar problemas en las bodegas. En cuanto a granulometría predominan los limos y arenas menores de 0,4 mm, con un contenido en arcillas menor. No se han encontrado bodegas excavadas en terrenos con muy alta plasticidad, ni tampoco donde predominen gravas o arenas limpias. Recomendamos que las nuevas bodegas sean excavadas en terrenos de similares características.