bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Different Policies on Unhealthy Dietary Behaviors in an Urban Adult Population: An Agent-Based Simulation Model
Authors: Zhang Donglan , Giabbanelli Philippe J. , Arah Onyebuchi A. , Zimmerman Frederick J.
Published: May 2014

Objectives. Unhealthy eating is a complex-system problem. We used agent-based modeling to examine the effects of different policies on unhealthy eating behaviors.

Methods. We developed an agent-based simulation model to represent a synthetic population of adults in Pasadena, CA, and how they make dietary decisions. Data from the 2007 Food Attitudes and Behaviors Survey and other empirical studies were used to calibrate the parameters of the model. Simulations were performed to contrast the potential effects of various policies on the evolution of dietary decisions.

Results. Our model showed that a 20% increase in taxes on fast foods would lower the probability of fast-food consumption by 3 percentage points, whereas improving the visibility of positive social norms by 10%, either through community-based or mass-media campaigns, could improve the consumption of fruits and vegetables by 7 percentage points and lower fast-food consumption by 6 percentage points. Zoning policies had no significant impact.

Conclusions. Interventions emphasizing healthy eating norms may be more effective than directly targeting food prices or regulating local food outlets. Agent-based modeling may be a useful tool for testing the population-level effects of various policies within complex systems.
Using Population Reach as a Proxy Metric for Intervention Impact to Prioritize Selection of Obesity Prevention Strategies in Los Angeles County, 2010–2012
Authors: Robles Brenda , Kuo Tony , Leighs Michael , Wang May Choo , Simon Paul
Published: May 2014

Recent federal initiatives have used estimates of population reach as a proxy metric for intervention impact, in part to inform resource allocation and programmatic decisions about competing priorities in the community. However, in spite of its utility, population reach as a singular metric of intervention impact may be insufficient for guiding multifaceted program decisions. A more comprehensive, validated approach to measure or forecast dose may complement reach estimates to inform decision makers about optimal ways to use limited resources.
Connecting Race and Place: A County-Level Analysis of White, Black, and Hispanic HIV Prevalence, Poverty, and Level of Urbanization
Authors: Vaughan Adam S. , Rosenberg Eli , Shouse R. Luke , Sullivan Patrick S.
Published: May 2014

Objectives. We evaluated the role of poverty in racial/ethnic disparities in HIV prevalence across levels of urbanization.

Methods. Using national HIV surveillance data from the year 2009, we constructed negative binomial models, stratified by urbanization, with an outcome of race-specific, county-level HIV prevalence rates and covariates of race/ethnicity, poverty, and other publicly available data. We estimated model-based Black–White and Hispanic–White prevalence rate ratios (PRRs) across levels of urbanization and poverty.

Results. We observed racial/ethnic disparities for all strata of urbanization across 1111 included counties. Poverty was associated with HIV prevalence only in major metropolitan counties. At the same level of urbanization, Black–White and Hispanic–White PRRs were not statistically different from 1.0 at high poverty rates (Black–White PRR = 1.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.4, 2.9; Hispanic–White PRR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.1, 1.6). In nonurban counties, racial/ethnic disparities remained after we controlled for poverty.

Conclusions. The association between HIV prevalence and poverty varies by level of urbanization. HIV prevention interventions should be tailored to this understanding. Reducing racial/ethnic disparities will require multifactorial interventions linking social factors with sexual networks and individual risks.
Family Structure and Child Food Insecurity
Authors: Miller Daniel P. , Nepomnyaschy Lenna , Ibarra Gabriel Lara , Garasky Steven
Published: May 2014

Objectives. We examined whether food insecurity was different for children in cohabiting or repartnered families versus those in single-mother or married-parent (biological) families.

Methods. We compared probabilities of child food insecurity (CFI) across different family structures in 4 national data sets: the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Birth Cohort (ECLS-B), the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS), the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K), and the Panel Study of Income Dynamics—Child Development Supplement (PSID-CDS).

Results. Unadjusted probabilities of CFI in cohabiting or repartnered families were generally higher than in married-biological-parent families and often statistically indistinguishable from those of single-mother families. However, after adjustment for sociodemographic factors, most differences between family types were attenuated and most were no longer statistically significant.

Conclusions. Although children whose biological parents are cohabiting or whose biological mothers have repartnered have risks for food insecurity comparable to those in single-mother families, the probability of CFI does not differ by family structure when household income, family size, and maternal race, ethnicity, education, and age were held at mean levels.
Influence of Material Properties on Automobile Energy-Absorbing Components Crashworthiness
Authors: Jie Liuyan , Lin Ding
Published: May 2014

In the present work, the simulation analysis of automobile energy-absorbing components was carried out using
Finite Element (FE) method. The numerical simulations were carried out using the software LS-DYNA. Automobile
energy-absorbing components usually were made of a metal thin walled tube. In the paper, several types of material
properties were studied and compared. Results show that the material properties have influence to automobile energy -
absorbing components crashworthiness.
Investigation on the Effects of Intake Grill in the Performance of Cooling
Module Under Vehicle Working Conditions
Authors: Chang He , Yu Xiumin , Lv Jing Hua
Published: May 2014

Air path model of cabin for cooling module simulation for vehicle has been constructed according to the test,
and the simulation results were compared with the test data to verify the authenticity of the module. This simulation
model provides an effective platform for vehicle thermal management analysis. The module is used to simulate the
different intake grills and to find how different grills affect the performances of the cooling module. The intake grill
effect significantly influences the performance of airflow into the cabin.
3D FEM Simulation of Water Vapor Jet Assisted Metal Cutting
Authors: Su Yu
Published: May 2014

Water vapor jet assisted metal cutting is a pollution-free green cutting technique. This paper has developed a
three-dimensional finite element model of water vapor jet assisted cutting in order to understand the influence of its
cooling and lubricating effect on cutting process. The cooling effect of water vapor jet is modeled with a convective heat
transfer coefficient. A window with the temperature and the heat transfer coefficient of water vapor jet, which can move at
the same speed as the tool, has been defined on the tool face so as to continuously simulate cooling process of the cutting
zone under water vapor jet condition. Friction contact between tool and chip is modeled by a constant shear model. The
shear friction factor with different values has been set to study the influence of lubricating effect of water vapor jet.
Simulation results show that compared with its cooling effect, the lubricating effect of water vapor jet is more effective to
reduce cutting force and tool temperature. A further improvement in the lubricating effect of water vapor jet also results in
an obvious reduction in cutting force and tool temperature. The findings obtained in this study may provide helpful
information for developing water vapor jet assisted cutting process.
Anatomical Localization of Lister’s Tubercle and its Clinical and Surgical
Importance
Authors: Ağır İsmail , Aytekin Mahmut Nedim , Küçükdurmaz Fatih , Gökhan Servan , Çavuş Umut Yücel
Published: May 2014

The dorsal tubercle of the radius, once called Lister’s tubercle, is used as a landmark in wrist arthroscopy, wrist
joint injections, and similar surgical and clinical procedures. However, there is no useful information in the reference
anatomy books and literature. The aim of this study was to identify the anatomical localization of Lister’s tubercle on the
dorsum of radius in relation to the radial styloid process and the ulnar notch of radius and to demonstrate the clinical and
surgical importance of these relationships. We studied 20 dried cadaver radius specimens. The distances from Lister’s
tubercle to the radial styloid process and to the ulnar notch were measured by using a digital micrometer caliber and the
ratio of the two measures was calculated. The dorsal tubercle of the radius is variable in position and can be either closer
to the radial styloid process or to the ulnar notch. The present study showed that in 11 of the radii the dorsal tubercle of
the radius was nearer to the radial styloid process than the ulnar notch, while in 9 subjects it was nearer to the ulnar notch.
This anatomical variation may be relevant for wrist injections, wrist artroscopy or wrist surgery.
Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Chondrogenic Differentiation in Three-Dimensional Culture
Authors: Elder Steven , Thomason John
Published: May 2014

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may have the potential to enhance articular cartilage regeneration through release of growth factors including transforming growth factor isoforms. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential for PRP to stimulate chondrogenic differentiation in three-dimensional PRP hydrogel constructs. Allogenic PRP was prepared using a double centrifugation protocol which resulted in a platelet concentration approximately 250% above baseline. Canine marrow stromal cells were encapsulated at 6.8×106cells/ml in either 2% sodium alginate or in a 3:1 mixture of freshly prepared PRP and 2% alginate. PRP and alginate beads were cultured in chemically defined chondrogenic medium with and without 10 ng/ml TGF-β3. PRP cultures were additionally supplemented with frozen-thawed PRP. In the absence of TGF-β3, PRP had a mild stimulatory effect on cell proliferation. PRP did not stimulate cell proliferation in the presence of TGF-β3. Cells exposed to TGF-β3 accumulated significantly more GAG/DNA than those which were not, but there was not a statistically significant difference between alginate and PRP. Total collagen content was greater in PRP than in alginate, regardless of TGF-β3. Chondrogenesis in PRP was qualitatively and spatially different than that which occurred in conventional alginate beads and was characterized by isolated centers of intense chondrogenesis. Overall the results demonstrate that PRP alone weakly promotes chondroinduction of marrow stromal cells, and the effect is greatly augmented by TGF-β3.
Ultrasonically Assisted Anchoring of Biodegradable Implants for Chevron Osteotomies – Clinical Evaluation of a Novel Fixation Method
Authors: Olms Kai , Randt Thorsten , Reimers Nils , Zander Nils , Schulz Arndt P.
Published: May 2014

Reconstructive osteotomies for the treatment of Hallux valgus are among the most prevalent procedures in foot and ankle surgery.

The combination of biodegradable materials with an innovative method for fixation by application of ultrasonic energy facilitates a new bonding method for fractures or osteotomies. As clinical experience is still limited, the aim of this study was to assess the safety and performance of the SonicPin system for fixation of Austin/Chevron osteotomies.

Chevron osteotomy was performed on 30 patients for the treatment of Hallux valgus. The used SonicPins were made from polylactide and are selectively melted into the cancellous bone structure during insertion by ultrasonic energy. Patients were followed for one year, which included X-ray and MRI examinations as well as evaluation of life quality by EQ-5D (EuroQol).

The MRI after three months showed adequate bone healing in all cases and no signs of foreign body reactions, which was again confirmed by MRI 12 months postoperatively. The bony healing after 12 months was uneventful without any signs of foreign body reactions.

In summary, based on the low complication rate and the significant improvement in health related quality of life (EQ-5D) reported in this study, fixation of an Austin/Chevron osteotomy with a SonicPin for treatment of Hallux valgus can be considered to be safe and efficient over the short term.

Level of Clinical Evidence:Therapeutic Level III.
Health Attitudes and Beliefs Among Hypertensive Subjects: A Study of the
Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society
Authors: Polychronopoulos Evangelos , Georgousopoulou Ekavi N. , Vassilakou Tonia , Pitsavos Christos , Chrysohoou Christina , Athyros Vassilios , Goudevenos John , Panagiotakos Demosthenes B.
Published: May 2014

Introduction:

Health attitudes and beliefs have long been associated with lower risk of various diseases, better
compliance to medication and less likelihood of relapsing. The aim of this work was to study health beliefs and attitudes
of hypertensive subjects in relation to the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.

Methods:

The Hellenic
Atherosclerosis Society ran a project where during 2006-2012, 10,141 individuals (39 ± 15 years, 47% men, i.e.,
0.01% of the Greek population), from all areas of the country, were voluntarily enrolled and participated into a face-toface
interview that gathered information about their beliefs and attitudes on diet, smoking and physical activity, as well as
management of CVD disorders.

Results:

Self-reported prevalence of hypertension was 16.7% in men and 13.2% in
women. Hypertensive subjects had lower educational level than non-hypertensive (11 ± 5 vs. 13 ± 4.5 years of school,
p<0.001). Hypertensive participants as compared to normotensive seemed not to accept that unhealthy diet which consists
of a major CVD risk factor (16.2% vs. 23.1%, p<0.001); and they believed more in the effect of pharmaceutical medication
than in healthy lifestyle.

Conclusion:

There is need for more effective health strategies in order to convince people,
especially those with cardiometabolic disorders, on the importance of the modifiable CVD risk factors.
Prevalence and dynamics of the etiological structure of leptospirosis in cattle in Ukraine
Authors: Ukhovskyi V.V. , Kucheryavenko O.О. , Kulykova V.V. , Alekseeva G.B. , Gerilovych A.P. , Nedosekov V.V. , Potkonjak A.
Published: May 2014

The data present the prevalence of leptospirosis in cattle on the territory
of Ukraine over the last eight years (2005-2012) and the dynamics of changes
of the etiological structure of the agent. Territorial diffusion of
leptospirosis outbreak has also been studied. The outbreaks? density map was
completed based on these data, depending on the number of cases in cattle.
All areas of the country were divided into risk of infection four zones: low,
medium, high and extra high risk.
Peripartal leukogram in cows with and without retained placenta
Authors: Luzajic Tijana , Danilovic Jelena , Katic Marko , Bozic Tatjana , Kovacevic-Filipovic Milica
Published: May 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate whether prepartal leukogram in cows
with retained placenta could indicate the presence of subclinical systemic
inflammatory response before the onset of disease. After calving, sixteen
highly pregnant Holstein cows, aged 3 to 9 years, without clinical signs of
the disease prior to calving were divided into two groups: the first group
(n=9) were animals without retained placenta, or any visible inflammation
after birth; the second group (n=7) were cows with retained placenta. Blood
was sampled three times before parturition, at intervals of one week, and
once 24 hours after birth. The number of total leukocytes, segmented and non
segmented neutrophilic granulocytes (NG), lymphocytes and monocytes were
determined by standard laboratory techniques. The results have shown that in
the group of cows with retained placenta the number of mature neutrophils was
slightly elevated in the third, second and last week before calving, and
equal number of non segmented neutrophils in regard to the group with no
retention. The results have also shown that, in both groups of cows, 24 hours
after calving, the number of total leukocytes and the number of segmented
neutrophils decreased, but the number of the non segmented neutrophils
increased. Based on this, we can conclude that cows with retained placenta
had no systemic inflammatory response during three weeks prepartal period,
but 24 hours after calving, systemic inflammatory response was documented in
all the cows. Moreover, the intensity of inflammatory response in cows with
retained placenta was not more pronounced in comparison to cows without
retained placenta.
The significance of fertile pigs vaccination against porcine parvovirus infection in the prevention of intrauterine infection and formation of colostrum piglets immunity
Authors: Stojanac Nenad , Gagrcin Mladen , Stevancevic Ognjen , Stancic Ivan
Published: May 2014

The aim of this study was to come closer to the knowledge of piglets
protection during intrauterine life, as well as formation of colostrum
immunity against Porcine Parvovirus Infection (PPV), on the basis of detailed
antibody titer analysis from the blood serum of pigs 7 days before previous
weaning, 30 days before mating and their piglets during first 3 days of life.
The research included 60 fertile pigs and 300 of their offspring. For that
purpose we have examined antibody titer specific for PPV in blood serum of
vaccinated fertile pigs on 70th and 113th day of gestation, and in the blood
serum of piglets originated from itemized fertile pigs during first day of
life, before colostrums consummation and also during 3rd day of life. On the
70th day of gestation, in the fertile pigs blood serum, average antibody
titer specific for PPV, value of 12.60 was determined, what represents
adequate level for solid protection against PPV infection. This was confirmed
undoubtedly by examination results of antibodies in the blood serum of
piglets before colostrum consummation, which was 100% negative. Titer drop in
the blood serum of fertile pigs, on 113th day of gestation (on the level of
8.7) came as a result of specific antibodies transfer from the mother?s blood
flow to the colostrum. The above-mentioned is supported by the fact that on
the 3rd day of life there was confirmed high average body titer level (13.37)
in newborn piglets body serum has been confirmed. The principle of fertile
pigs vaccination 7 days before weaning and one month before gilts
insemination is an efficient measure which prevents intrauterine infection
occurrence during the entire gestation process. The level of antibodies
specific for PPV which is determined in gilts blood serum after vaccination
can be a result of both primary and secondary immune response (animal
infected before first vaccination), as well as absence of gilts
revaccination, what is usually recommended by producers, may not always be
regarded as a failure.
Methods of detection and typing of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from animals
Authors: Radosavljevic V. , Zutic Jadranka , Pavlovic Ljiljana , Boskovic Tamara , Radanovic O. , Zutic M.
Published: May 2014

In this work there was evaluated the method of detection of methicillin
resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by using two molecular and three
phenotypic tests in investigation procedure of 70 strains of S.aureus
isolated from animals. Recent findings of the new mecA homologue, mecALGA251,
minimise the significance of mecA gene presence detection as a confirmation
method of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus identification. For
this reason, along with multiplex PCR set of primers(165rDNK, nuc, mecA) for
detection mecA gene, there was also used multiplex PCR set of primers (spa,
mecA, pvl, mecALGA251) for differentiation mecALGA251 from mecA, with
simultaneous detection of luk-PV and spa gene fragments. In all 70
investigated isolates there was detected the presence of specific 16 SrDNK
fragment and nuc gene which encodes a thermostable S. aureus nuclease, while
in 5 out of 70 S. aureus isolates, there was proven mecA gene presence using
two multiplex PCR tests. In the investigated strains there was determined
neither mecC (mecALGA251)gene presence, nor Panton Valentine Leukocidin
encoding gene. By application cefoxitin disk-diffusion, latex-agglutination
and two multiplex PCR tests, the identical results in identification 5
methicillin resistant out of 70 investigated S. aureus strains were obtained.
In our investigation there was determined a complete correlation between the
results of phenotypic and genotypic identification of methicillin resistant
S. aureus.
The effects of a postactivation potentiation warm-up on subsequent sprint performance
Authors: Smith Chad E. , Hannon James C. , McGladrey Brian , Shultz Barry , Eisenman Patricia , Lyons Brian
Published: May 2014

Purpose

Many strength and conditioning professionals propose that postactivation potentiation (PAP) warm-ups enhance power performance although there are few studies conducted in this regard on sprinting. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a PAP warm-up on sprint performance.

Methods

Twenty-four men and women completed a 40-yard (yd) sprint pretest on four nonconsecutive days followed by a PAP warm-up that included a sled resistance sprint at either 0%, 10%, 20%, or 30% of their body mass and concluded with a 40-yd dash posttest. Each resistance sprint was recorded for kinematic analysis.

Results

A 2 × 2 × 4 factorial mixed ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference between sexes in 40-yd dash times (p < 0.001). A significant main effect was found in pre- and post-40-yd dash measures regardless of sex (p < 0.001). The results indicated no significant differences in the post-40-yd dash times between sled loads and the load by time interaction. The participants’ 40-yd dash times improved 1.2% on average after the 10% load. Improvements in dash time for the 0%, 20%, and 30% loads were greater than 2%. Sprint kinematics analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences between lighter and heavier loads.

Conclusions

Regardless of the significant disruptions in sprint mechanics, there appears to be a potential for heavier sled resistances to affect acute improvements in 40-yd sprint performance. However, it is unclear whether heavier sleds loads may provide greater benefit than warming up with 0% resistance.
Prediction of VO2max based on age, body mass, and resting heart rate
Authors: Rexhepi Agron M. , Brestovci Behlul
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to develop a non-exercise regression model for predicting maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) using age, body mass, and resting heart rate as predictor variables.

Methods

The VO2max of 1502 active football players aged 16–35 years was measured using the Astrand Bike Test. The obtained data were analyzed by calculating basic statistical parameters and performing correlation and regression analysis.

Results

The results of regression analysis indicated that all three independent variables could significantly (p = 0.000) predict the VO2max of the studied athletes. Measured VO2max showed significant correlation (0.688) with predicted VO2max. Student’s paired samples t test indicated no significant differences between measured VO2max and predicted VO2max (p = 0.782).

Conclusions

The results suggest that the nonexercise variables of age, body mass, and resting heart rate, may significantly predict the endurance abilities of athletes (VO2max).
Preparation and physical properties of chitosan-coated calcium sulphate whiskers
Authors: Jiang Qing , Cheng Yun , Cao Xiu-Ying , Wei Rui , Zhao Min
Published: May 2014

To improve the performance of calcium sulphate whiskers (CSWs) in the papermaking industry, a series of chitosan-coated (CS) calcium sulphate whiskers (CS-CSWs) was prepared, with the aim of effectively reducing their solubility in aqueous solutions. The CS-CSWs were prepared by immersing CSWs in a chitosan acid solution and then cross-linking with alkaline gel via hydrogen-bonding interaction. The CS-CSWs were characterised in terms of water solubility, zeta potential, contact angle, scanning electron microscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that chitosan had a good effect on the surface modification of CSWs. Under optimal conditions, the water solubility of CS-CSWs decreased by 50 %, and the contact angle increased by 63 %. The XPS measurement indicated that the relative thickness of the chitosan coating was 9.8 nm.
Influenza at the animal–human interface: a review of the literature for virological evidence of human infection with swine or avian influenza viruses other than A(H5N1)
Authors: Freidl G S , Meijer A , de Bruin E , de Nardi M , Munoz O , Capua I , Breed A C , Harris K , Hill A , Kosmider R , Banks J , von Dobschuetz S , Stark K , Wieland B , Stevens K , van der Werf S , Enouf V , van der Meulen K , Van Reeth K , Dauphin G , Koopmans M , FLURISK Consortium
Published: May 2014

Factors that trigger human infection with animal influenza virus progressing into a pandemic are poorly understood. Within a project developing an evidence-based risk assessment framework for influenza viruses in animals, we conducted a review of the literature for evidence of human infection with animal influenza viruses by diagnostic methods used. The review covering Medline, Embase, SciSearch and CabAbstracts yielded 6,955 articles, of which we retained 89; for influenza A(H5N1) and A(H7N9), the official case counts of the World Health Organization were used. An additional 30 studies were included by scanning the reference lists. Here, we present the findings for confirmed infections with virological evidence. We found reports of 1,419 naturally infected human cases, of which 648 were associated with avian influenza virus (AIV) A(H5N1), 375 with other AIV subtypes, and 396 with swine influenza virus (SIV). Human cases naturally infected with AIV spanned haemagglutinin subtypes H5, H6, H7, H9 and H10. SIV cases were associated with endemic SIV of H1 and H3 subtype descending from North American and Eurasian SIV lineages and various reassortants thereof. Direct exposure to birds or swine was the most likely source of infection for the cases with available information on exposure.
Multidisciplinary investigation of a multicountry outbreak of Salmonella Stanley infections associated with turkey meat in the European Union, August 2011 to January 2013
Authors: Kinross P , van Alphen L , Martinez Urtaza J , Struelens M , Takkinen J , Coulombier D , Mäkelä P , Bertrand S , Mattheus W , Schmid D , Kanitz E , Rücker V , Krisztalovics K , Pászti J , Szögyényi Z , Lancz Z , Rabsch W , Pfefferkorn B , Hiller P , Mooijman K , Gossner C
Published: May 2014

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
Influence of Integrated Weed Management Practices on Dynamics and Weed Control Efficiency in Dry Direct Seeded Rice
Authors: Bhurer KP , Yadav DN , Ladha JK , Thapa RB , Pandey KR
Published: May 2014

Field experiment under dry direct seeded rice(Oryza sativa L.) was conducted during rainy season of 2010 and 2011 at Regional Agriculture Research Station (RARS), Parwanipur, Bara to develop appropriate weed management practices for dry direct- seeded rice. The trial was laid-out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated thrice. Observations were taken on weed, plant growth and yield attributing, yield, and socio-economic parameters. The weed density, dry weed weight and weed control efficiency resulted significantly different as influenced by integrated weed management practices. Low weed population density, low weed index and highest weed control efficiency resulted by pendimethalin followed by 2, 4- D followed by one hand weeding were at par with weed free check. Highest yield resulted from weed free plot followed by pendimethalin followed by two hand weeding and pendimethalin followed by 2, 4- D followed by one hand weeding. However, the net return per unit investment resulted highest in pendimethalin followed by 2, 4- D followed by one hand weeding. This proved that amid increasing wage rate and labour scarcity integrated weed management through pendimethalin 30 EC (Stomp) @1 kg a. i. /ha as pre- emergence herbicide application followed by 2, 4- D sodium salt 80 WP @ 0.5 kg a. i. /ha followed by one hand weeding or stale seed bed followed by pendimethalin 30 EC (Stomp) @1 kg a. i. /ha followed by bispyribac (Nominee gold) @25 g a. i. /ha 10% @200 ml/ha at 20 days of seeding resulted best alternative for manual hand weeding practices giving higher net return per unit investment. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v14i2.10413   Nepal Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 14, No. 2 (2013) 33-42
Protective Effects of N. sativa against the Adverse Effects of Aflatoxicosis in Ducklings
Authors: Karn SKL
Published: May 2014

Aflatoxin produced by Aspergillus flavus toxigenic strain was selected as a potent and widely distributed hepatotoxin that induces much health and economic hazards in animals and humans. A. flavus was cultivated on rice to produce the aflatoxin used in the present study. It was aimed to study the adverse effects of aflatoxin on some biochemical parameters in serum and liver of ducklings as well as to evaluate the possible protective effects of N.sativa crushed seeds against the adverse effects of this. Total proteins, albumin, globulins, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (EC 2.6.1.1) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (EC 2.6.1.2), cholesterol and triacylglycerols were measured in the serum of the test animal. The levels of hepatic malondialdhyde and glutathione level, glutathione S-transferase (GST) (EC: 2.5.1.18) activity, aflatoxin residues and histopathological changes were also measured. The obtained results suggest that the addition of N. sativa to duckling’s ration has a protective effect against aflatoxicosis. The result concluded that aflatoxin had hepatotoxic effects through decrease of total proteins, albumin, glutathione and glutathione S-transferase. In addition, aflatoxin induced histopathological changes of liver of the test animal and residues of aflatoxin were measured. So, we advice to use N. sativa as a feed additive for controlling aflatoxicosis in poultry farm   DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v14i2.10419   Nepal Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 14, No. 2 (2013) 81-90
Quercetin as a Protease (á-Chymotrypsin) Inhibitor
Authors: Bajracharya GB , Thapa DB
Published: May 2014

Quercetin, isolated from the skin of red onion bulb, was methylated to afford quercetin 3,3’,4’,7-tetramethyl ether in 83.3% yield. Quercetin has displayed α-chymotrypsin inhibitory effect (IC50 = 88.9 ± 2.5 ìg/ml), DPPH free radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 14.87 ìg/ml) and ferric reducing power (EC1 = 112.94 ìM/l equivalent to 1 mM/l FeSO4.7H2O), whereas no enhancement of these biological activities was observed using its tetramethyl ether derivative. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v14i2.10420   Nepal Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 14, No. 2 (2013) 91-96
Approximation of a Function Belonging to Lip ((α, r) Class by Np,q. C1 Summability Method of its Fourier Series
Authors: Kushwaha JP , Dhakal BP
Published: May 2014

In this paper, an estimate for the degree of approximation of a function belonging to Lip(α, r) class by product summability method Np.q.C1 of its Fourier series has been established. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v14i2.10424 Nepal Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 14, No. 2 (2013) 117-122
Bacteriological Study of Wound Infection and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of the Isolates
Authors: KC R , Shrestha A , Sharma VK
Published: May 2014

Wound infections result in sepsis, limb loss, long hospital stays, higher costs, and are responsible for significant human mortality and morbidity worldwide. The present study was conducted to isolate and identify the causative organisms of wound infection, to determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates and to study the risk factors for wound infection. The study was conducted for six months in which pus specimens collected from 244 patients were processed to investigate etiological agents using standard technique. Disc susceptibility of bacterial agents were then determined. A total of 244 pus samples were collected and 147 (60.20%) samples showed growth. A total of 150 bacterial isolates were isolated; of which 118 (78.67%) were Gram positive and 32 (21.33%) were Gram negative bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus (72.00%) was most common followed by Escherichia coli (6.67%), Citrobacter freundii (5.34%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (4.00%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.33%), Proteus mirabilis (2.00%), Enterococcus faecalis (1.33%), Acinetobacter spp. (1.33%), Klebsiella oxytoca (1.33%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (1.33%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (0.67%) and Streptococcus pyogenes (0.67%). The most effective antibiotic for Gram positive isolates was Gentamicin (77.97%). For Gram negative isolates (except Ps. aeruginosa), Amikacin (74.07%), for Ps. aeruginosa, Amikacin, Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin and Ofloxacin each with the susceptibility of 80.00% and for Staph. aureus, Cloxacillin (79.63%) were the most effective antibiotics. Hence, the most common isolate in wound infection was Staph. aureus followed by E. coli. Therefore, routine microbiological analysis of the wound specimens and their antibiotic susceptibility testing is recommended that will guide clinician for treatment of wound infection. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v14i2.10428   Nepal Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 14, No. 2 (2013) 143-150
Chemical Ordering in In-Sn Liquid Alloy
Authors: Adhikari D
Published: May 2014

Quasi-chemical expression has been used for weakly interacting compound forming binary alloy to obtain energy parameters and their temperature derivative for In-Sn liquid alloy at 700 K. These energy parameters have then been used to calculate thermodynamic functions, such as free energy of mixing, heat of mixing, entropy of mixing and microscopic functions, such as concentration fluctuation in long wavelength limit, Warren-Cowely short range order parameter. The analysis reveals that the energy parameters are temperature dependent and the In-Sn liquid alloy at 700 K is weakly interacting heterocoordination system. The observed thermodynamic properties of In-Sn alloy in molten state have been successfully explained by assuming 3 In Sn complex on the basis of the quasichemical formalism for weakly interacting system. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v14i2.10431   Nepal Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 14, No. 2 (2013) 161-164
Perturbation Theory and Dalgarno-Lewis (DL) Method in Presence of Multiple Laser Beams
Authors: Shrestha N
Published: May 2014

The evaluation of second and higher order perturbation of energy by iterative solution of Schrodinger’s equation, rather than evaluation of matrix element is described. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v14i2.10432   Nepal Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 14, No. 2 (2013) 165-170
Genotype-by-Irrigation Interaction in the Georgia Peanut Official Variety Test
Authors: Isleib T. G. , Day J. L. , Coy A. E. , Beasley J. P. , Branch W. D.
Published: May 2014

Entry means from 88 trials of runner- and virginia-type peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) conducted over 16 years and three locations in the state of Georgia with an irrigated and a non-irrigated test performed at each year-location combination were examined to determine the mean performance for cultivars and breeding lines and to determine if they exhibit interaction with water regimes. All lines responded positively to irrigation for pod yield, total sound mature kernels (TSMK), 100-seed weight, and estimated support price and dollar value. Runner cultivars generally performed better in Georgia than did virginias although some virginia cultivars developed in Georgia were competitive with superior runners. The runner cultivar with the greatest value per hectare in this study was Georgia-12Y; the virginia cultivars were Georgia-08V and Georgia-11J. There was interaction between water regimes and entries for all reported traits except estimated dollar value. For pod yield and 100-seed weight the interaction was solely between water regimes and market types, for TSMK and length of season it was solely between water regimes and entries within market types, and for estimated support price it was both. In general, the effect of irrigation was more substantial on grade of virginia market-types than it was on runners while runners responded more to irrigation for pod yield than did virginias (982 vs. 782 kg ha−1, P<0.0169). Interaction of water regimes with specific entries within market types was in the main a matter of varying degree of effect of irrigation on specific lines but all in the same general direction. The exception was length of season which actually increased under irrigation for the most recent Univ. of Georgia releases, Georgia-10T, Georgia-11J, and Georgia-12Y, while irrigation hastened the maturity of all other lines.
Compatibility of Acephate with Herbicides Applied Postemergence in Peanut
Authors: Chahal G. S. , Jordan D. L. , Eure P. M. , Brandenburg R. L.
Published: May 2014

Numerous agrochemicals can be applied in peanut to control pests. Field and laboratory experiments were conducted in North Carolina during 2009 and 2010 to determine peanut response to paraquat and tobacco thrips (Frankliniella fusca Hinds.) when acephate was applied in combination with chloroacetamide and contact herbicides. Experiments were also conducted during 2011 to determine peanut response to acephate applied alone or with paraquat when peanut was planted either without aldicarb or when aldicarb was applied in the seed furrow at planting. Visible peanut damage caused by tobacco thrips feeding was greater when chloroacetamide herbicides were applied without acephate compared with application with acephate regardless of paraquat treatment. Visible injury caused by paraquat was higher when chloroacetamide herbicides were included compared with paraquat alone in one of two years. Visible injury by paraquat was lower when applied with acephate compared to paraquat alone in one of two years. Acephate applied to peanut foliage and aldicarb applied in the seed furrow at planting protected peanut similarly from damage associated with tobacco thrips feeding. Acephate alone or with chloroacetamide herbicides changed solution pH from slightly acidic to highly acidic. Several combinations of pesticides formed either transient or permanent precipitates.
Reductive Amination of Acetals by Anilines in the Presence of Triethylsilane and Iodine
Authors: Zhang Xue-Lin , Yu Pan , Wu Yong-Wei , Wu Qin-Pei , Zhang Qing-Shan
Published: May 2014

A mild and efficient method for N-alkylation of aromatic amines with various acetals such as aryl, alkyl, cyclic and acyclic acetals was developed. A number of aromatic amines bearing electron-donating or electron-withdrawing substituents were directly alkylated by acetals with excellent yields. The method uses a catalytic amount of I2 and triethylsilane as the hydride source without a metal present. Monoalkylation with excellent chemoselectivity was observed.
Synthesis of Symmetrical Diaryl Sulfone by Homocoupling of Sodium Arylsulfinate
Authors: Peng Yao
Published: May 2014

An efficient practical homocoupling reaction of sodium arylsulfinate promoted by Cu(II) is reported whereby symmetrical diaryl sulfone derivatives are obtained with high selectivity and reactivity by intermolecular cross-coupling. This homocoupling reaction is tolerant to many functional groups and proceeds under mild conditions.
Diaryl Sulfones Synthesis with Aryltrifluoroborates and Aryl Sulfinic Salts under Mild Conditions
Authors: Zhang Wei , Li Ke , Zhao Baoli
Published: May 2014

CuI-catalysed cross-coupling reactions of various aryltrifluoroborates with aryl sulfinic salts have been achieved in good yields. A new efficient method is described for the conversion of potassium aryltrifluoroborates into diaryl sulfones. The reported reactions are tolerant to common functional groups regardless of whether they are electron-rich or electron-deficient, making this transformation an attractive alternative to traditional approaches.
Aqueous Reduction of Iodosteroids to Deoxysteroids
Authors: Liu Changsheng , Sun Lili , Li Chunbao
Published: May 2014

A new method for the reduction of iodosteroids to deoxysteroids has been developed using Zn, HCOOH and a catalytic amount of Aliquat 336 in water. In total, 13 iodosteroids were reduced in good to excellent yields. The higher solubilities of the substrates lead to the faster reactions, and the aqueous reaction was efficiently accelerated by granular polytetrafluoroethylene. The advantage of the aqueous system over eight organic solvents has also been demonstrated.
IceMole: a maneuverable probe for clean in situ analysis and sampling of subsurface ice and subglacial aquatic ecosystems
Authors: Dachwald Bernd , Mikucki Jill , Tulaczyk Slawek , Digel Ilya , Espe Clemens , Feldmann Marco , Francke Gero , Kowalski Julia , Xu Changsheng
Published: May 2014

There is significant interest in sampling subglacial environments for geobiological studies, but they are difficult to access. Existing ice-drilling technologies make it cumbersome to maintain microbiologically clean access for sample acquisition and environmental stewardship of potentially fragile subglacial aquatic ecosystems. The IceMole is a maneuverable subsurface ice probe for clean in situ analysis and sampling of glacial ice and subglacial materials. The design is based on the novel concept of combining melting and mechanical propulsion. It can change melting direction by differential heating of the melting head and optional side-wall heaters. The first two prototypes were successfully tested between 2010 and 2012 on glaciers in Switzerland and Iceland. They demonstrated downward, horizontal and upward melting, as well as curve driving and dirt layer penetration. A more advanced probe is currently under development as part of the Enceladus Explorer (EnEx) project. It offers systems for obstacle avoidance, target detection, and navigation in ice. For the EnEx-IceMole, we will pay particular attention to clean protocols for the sampling of subglacial materials for biogeochemical analysis. We plan to use this probe for clean access into a unique subglacial aquatic environment at Blood Falls, Antarctica, with return of a subglacial brine sample.
The Municipium of Brigetio. Roman Houses at Komárom / Szőny-Vásártér
Authors: Dobosi Linda , Borhy László
Published: May 2014

Although the overall topography of Brigetio is more or less clear, as some of the Roman ruins were still visible in the 19th century, not much was known about the civil town, the municipium of Brigetio. The research excavations of 1992-2011 have brought to light the remains of several Roman houses, workshops and two streets. This part of the town was inhabited by the Romans from the very beginning of the 2nd century AD to the second half of the 3rd century AD. At the end of the 2nd century AD the elongated dwelling houses were fit with hypocaust heating systems and richly decorated with wall-paintings. Like other cities in Pannonia, Brigetio also had its most prosperous times under the Severan dynasty. The paper presents the architectural results of the twenty years of archaeological investigation of the site.
Electromagnetic Properties of Graphene-like Films in Ka-Band
Authors: Voronovich Sofia , Paddubskaya Alesya , Batrakov Konstantin , Kuzhir Polina , Maksimenko Sergey , Kaplas Tommi , Svirko Yuri
Published: May 2014

We studied electromagnetic properties of pyrolytic carbon (PyC) films with thicknesses from 9 nm to 110 nm. The PyC films consisted of randomly oriented and intertwined graphene flakes with a typical size of a few nanometers were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at 1100 °C on a quartz substrate. The reflectance and transmittance of these films in Ka-band, 26–37 GHz, were studied both experimentally and theoretically. The discovered remarkably high absorption loss of up to 50% of incident power, along with chemical stability, makes PyC films attractive for electromagnetic (EM) interference shielding in space and airspace communication systems, as well as in portable electronic devices occupying this frequency slot. Since, in practical applications, the PyC film should be employed for coating of dielectric surfaces, two important issues to be addressed are: (i) which side (front or back) of the substrate should be covered to ensure maximum absorption losses; and (ii) the frequency dependence of absorbance/transmittance/reflectance of binary PyC/quartz structures in the Ka-band.
Electron-Impact Widths and Shifts of B III 2p-2s Lines
Authors: Duan Bin , Bari Muhammad , Wu Zeqing , Yan Jun
Published: May 2014

In this paper, we present results for the relativistic quantum mechanical calculations of electron-impact line widths and shifts of 2p-2s transitions in doubly ionized boron (B III) ions. We use the Dirac R-matrix methods to solve (N + 1)-electron colliding systems for the scattering matrices that are required. The line widths are calculated for an electron density 1:81 × 1018 cm-3 and electron temperature 10:6 eV. The obtained results agree well with all the semiempirical calculations and most of the semiclassical calculations, and are closer to the experimental results published by Glenzer and Kunze (Glenzer, S.; Kunze, H.-J. Stark broadening of resonance transitions in B III. Phys. Rev. A 1996, 53, 2225–2229). Our line widths are almost twice as large as the earlier quantum mechanical calculations for the set of particular plasma conditions.
Deterministic Greedy Routing with Guaranteed Delivery in 3D Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Xia Su , Yin Xiaotian , Wu Hongyi , Jin Miao , Gu Xianfeng
Published: May 2014

With both computational complexity and storage space bounded by a small constant, greedy routing is recognized as an appealing approach to support scalable routing in wireless sensor networks. However, significant challenges have been encountered in extending greedy routing from 2D to 3D space. In this research, we develop decentralized solutions to achieve greedy routing in 3D sensor networks. Our proposed approach is based on a unit tetrahedron cell (UTC) mesh structure. We propose a distributed algorithm to realize volumetric harmonic mapping (VHM) of the UTC mesh under spherical boundary condition. It is a one-to-one map that yields virtual coordinates for each node in the network without or with one internal hole. Since a boundary has been mapped to a sphere, node-based greedy routing is always successful thereon. At the same time, we exploit the UTC mesh to develop a face-based greedy routing algorithm and prove its success at internal nodes. To deliver a data packet to its destination, face-based and node-based greedy routing algorithms are employed alternately at internal and boundary UTCs, respectively. For networks with multiple internal holes, a segmentation and tunnel-based routing strategy is proposed on top of VHM to support global end-to-end routing. As far as we know, this is the first work that realizes truly deterministic routing with constant-bounded storage and computation in general 3D wireless sensor networks.