bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbon accumulation and nitrogen pool recovery during transitions from savanna to forest in central Brazil
Authors: Pellegrini Adam F. A. , Hoffmann William A. , Franco Augusto C.
Published: July 2013

The expansion of tropical forest into savanna may potentially be a large carbon sink, but little is known about the patterns of carbon sequestration during transitional forest formation. Moreover, it is unclear how nutrient limitation, due to extended exposure to fire‐driven nutrient losses, may constrain carbon accumulation. Here, we sampled plots that spanned a woody biomass gradient from savanna to transitional forest in response to differential fire protection in central Brazil. These plots were used to investigate how the process of transitional forest formation affects the size and distribution of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools. This was paired with a detailed analysis of the nitrogen cycle to explore possible connections between carbon accumulation and nitrogen limitation. An analysis of carbon pools in the vegetation, upper soil, and litter shows that the transition from savanna to transitional forest can result in a fourfold increase in total carbon (from 43 to 179 Mg C/ha) with a doubling of carbon stocks in the litter and soil layers. Total nitrogen in the litter and soil layers increased with forest development in both the bulk (+68%) and plant‐available (+150%) pools, with the most pronounced changes occurring in the upper layers. However, the analyses of nitrate concentrations, nitrate : ammonium ratios, plant stoichiometry of carbon and nitrogen, and soil and foliar nitrogen isotope ratios suggest that a conservative nitrogen cycle persists throughout forest development, indicating that nitrogen remains in low supply relative to demand. Furthermore, the lack of variation in underlying soil type (>20 cm depth) suggests that the biogeochemical trends across the gradient are driven by vegetation. Our results provide evidence for high carbon sequestration potential with forest encroachment on savanna, but nitrogen limitation may play a large and persistent role in governing carbon sequestration in savannas or other equally fire‐disturbed tropical landscapes. In turn, the link between forest development and nitrogen pool recovery creates a framework for evaluating potential positive feedbacks on savanna–forest boundaries.
A Two-Level Strategy to Realize Life-Cycle Production Optimization in an Operational Setting
Authors: van Essen G.M. M , Van den Hof P.M.J.. M.J. , Jansen J.-D.. -D.
Published: July 2013

We present a two-level strategy to improve robustness against uncertainty and model errors in life-cycle flooding optimization. At the upper level, a physics-based large-scale reservoir model is used to determine optimal life-cycle injection and production profiles. At the lower level, these profiles are considered as set points (reference values) for a tracking control algorithm, also known as a model predictive controller (MPC), to optimize the production variables over a short moving horizon on the basis of a simple data-driven model. In the process industry such a two-level approach is a well-known strategy to correct for small local disturbances that may have a negative (cumulative) effect on the long-term production strategy. We used a conventional reservoir simulator with gradient-based optimization functionality to perform the life-cycle optimization. Next, we applied this long-term strategy to a reservoir model, representing the truth, with somewhat different geological characteristics and near-wellbore characteristics not captured in the reservoir model used for the longterm optimization. We compared the performance (oil recovery) of this truth model when applying the life-cycle strategy with and without the corrections provided by the data-driven algorithm and the tracking controller. In this theoretical study we observed that the use of the lower-level controller enabled successful tracking of the reference values provided by the upper-level optimizer. In our example, a performance drop of 6.4% in net present value (NPV), caused by differences between the reservoir model used for life-cycle optimization and the true reservoir, was successfully reduced to only 0.5% when applying the two-level strategy. Several studies have demonstrated that model-based life-cycle production optimization has a large scope to improve long-term economic performance of waterflooding projects. However, because of uncertainties in geology, economics, and operational decisions, such life-cycle strategies cannot simply be applied in reality. Our two-level approach offers a potential solution to realize life-cycle optimization in an operational setting.
The Viscosity of Silica Nanoparticle Dispersions in Permeable Media
Authors: Metin Cigdem , Bonnecaze Roger T. , Nguyen Quoc P.
Published: July 2013

The potential application of nanoparticle dispersions as formation-stimulation agents, contrast agents, or simply as tracers in the upstream oil and gas industry requires knowledge of the flow properties of these nanoparticles. The modeling of nanoparticle transport in hydrocarbon reservoirs requires a comprehensive understanding of the rheological behavior of these nanofluids. Silica nanoparticles have been commonly used because of their low-cost fabrication and cost-effective surface modification. The aqueous silica-nanoparticle dispersions show Newtonian behavior under steady shear measurements controlled by a rheometer, as discussed by Metin et al. (2011b). The viscosity of nanoparticle dispersions depends strongly on the particle concentration, and that this correlation can be depicted by a unified rheological model (Metin et al. 2011b). In addition, during flow in permeable media, the variation of shear associated with complex pore morphology and the interactions between the nanoparticles and tortuous flow channels can affect the viscosity of nanoparticle dispersion. The latter is particularly important if the concentration of nanoparticles in dispersion may change because of nanoparticle adsorption on mineral/fluid and oil/water interfaces or by mechanical trapping of nanoparticles. In this paper, the flow of silica-nanoparticle dispersions through different permeable media is investigated. The rheological behaviors of the dispersions are compared with those determined by use of a rheometer. We established a correlation between the nanoparticle concentration and dispersion viscosity in porous media for various nanoparticle sizes. The effects of pore structure and shear rate are also studied. We have confirmed that the concept of effective maximum packing fraction can be applied to describe the viscosity of aqueous nanoparticle dispersions in both bulk flow and flow in porous media with high permeability and regular pore structures, but not at low permeability because of mechanical trapping. Our work provides new insight to engineering nanoparticle rheology for subsurface applications.
The Use of Statistical Analysis To Optimize Pioneer Natural Resources' Vertical Spraberry-Trend Portfolio
Authors: Nelson Scott L. , Hudson Jeffery W. , Hooker Andrew
Published: July 2013

Prompted by the need to fully characterize a 10,000-plus undrilled vertical-well inventory, Pioneer Natural Resources began using a statistical system to evaluate its Spraberry-trend portfolio. The system incorporated methods advocated in the recently published Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers (SPEE) Monograph 3, "Guidelines for the Practical Evaluation of Undeveloped Reserves in Resource Plays." This paper reviews the tools and processes used to statistically value Pioneer's undeveloped potential across its Spraberry-trend acreage. Clearly defining the entire well inventory enabled Pioneer to economically optimize the development of its entire Spraberry-trend portfolio.

Evaluating opportunities with a statistical process enables the historical production performance to be analyzed over a broad test area as opposed to being confined to a location's "direct offsets." The Spraberry trend has a large existing well count that can be used for statistical analysis. However, its complex development history and variability in vertical-well production horizons can make this difficult. To adjust for these impedances, analog well sets were defined by generating standardized multizone production groups and categorizing the increased-density drilling by well vintage. Several unique tools and an extensive individually forecasted well data set were created to increase the efficiency of the process.

A robust statistical definition of Pioneer's entire Spraberry asset facilitated the optimization of the entire Pioneer portfolio through the allocation of the 36-rig program on the basis of economics and land requirements, comparison of potential acquisitions to the current portfolio, and increase in clarity of the net asset value of the Spraberry.

Methods reviewed in this paper have applications beyond vertical portfolio optimization; Pioneer has already modified these statistical evaluation methods to book proved vertical reserves across its acreage position in the Spraberry Trend and is currently using similar techniques to evaluate its active Horizontal portfolio in the Permian Basin. Additionally, other operators could employ similar techniques for economic assessments of their portfolios in other resource plays.
Is the Stay‐Green Trait in Sorghum a Result of Transpiration Sensitivity to Either Soil Drying or Vapor Pressure Deficit?
Authors: Choudhary Sunita , Mutava Raymond N. , Shekoofa Avat , Sinclair Thomas R. , Prasad P. V. Vara
Published: July 2013

Persistence of green leaves during seed fill, referred to as a stay‐green trait, has been investigated in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] as an approach to increasing yields under water‐limited conditions. An hypothesis to explain the observation of stay green in some sorghum genotypes and not in others is that the genotypes expressing the trait employ mechanisms to increase availability of soil water during seed fill. In this study, the expression of two mechanisms resulting in soil water conservation to allow greater water availability during seed fill was explored among 12 sorghum genotypes. One mechanism is an earlier decrease in transpiration with soil drying so that the rate of soil water loss is decreased earlier in the soil drying cycle. The second mechanism is a limitation on transpiration rate at high vapor pressure deficit (VPD) so that soil water is conserved on days when midday VPD is high. Field studies were undertaken to identify seven genotypes that consistently expressed the stay‐green trait and five genotypes that did not exhibit this trait. The range of the threshold for the decrease in transpiration rate with soil drying was similar among the two sets of genotypes. Similarly, the expression of the limited transpiration rate under high VPD was found for both sets of genotypes. There was no evidence in these studies that the stay‐green trait was closely linked with either mechanism of water conservation.
Use of Pyrosequencing Technology to Genotype Imidazolinone‐Tolerant Wheat
Authors: Ellison Mackenzie T. , Fischinger Frank , Zemetra Robert S. , Kuhl Joseph C.
Published: July 2013

Cultivars of several cereal crops have been developed with acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) insensitivity to imidazolinone herbicides and are now an important tool for weed management. Options for screening for imidazolinone resistant lines include direct herbicide application, biochemical assays for AHAS activity, and DNA‐based methods. Herbicide and biochemical assays for AHAS activity provide limited information as to mutation copy number and provide no information as to the genome on which the mutation is located without extensive test crossing. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) can have between one and six copies of the resistant acetohydroxyacid synthase on any of three genomes. A novel DNA‐based screening protocol is described here in which pyrosequencing is used to screen for the S653N imidazolinone tolerant mutation in wheat. One assay is shown to successfully detect zero to four copies of the S653N mutation, while additional assays can detect the presence of S653N in individual wheat genomes. All of these assays are based on a single 298‐bp polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fragment and can be easily scaled up or down depending on the number of lines that need to be screened. Potential applications include detection of mutant copy number in segregating populations, and the selection of parental lines with genome specific mutant composition.
Maize Physiological Responses to Heat Stress and Hormonal Plant Growth Regulators Related to Ethylene Metabolism
Authors: Cicchino Mariano A. , Rattalino Edreira Juan I. , Otegui María E.
Published: July 2013

Hormonal plant growth regulators (HPGRs) have been evaluated in field grown maize (Zea mays L.), but never as a tool for prevention or mitigation of heat stress. We analyzed grain yield determination of maize crops exposed to contrasting temperature regimes (nonheated control plots [TC]; heated plots [TH]) and the application of HPGRs associated with ethylene metabolism (ethephon [ETH]; MCP [1‐MCP]). Heating extended over daytime hours between V11 and tasseling (VT), and products were sprayed immediately before (V11) and/or during (V16) heating. Plants treated with ETH always had reduced height (10–21%) and leaf area (3–10%), but these trends usually had no effect on light interception during treatment period. Biomass production was markedly affected by heating, but a significant interaction effect (P < 0.01) indicated that HPGRs caused (i) no effect among TH plots, and (ii) a decrease (13–19% for ETH and 3.8–9.4% for MCP) among TC plots. The interaction effect computed for grain yield highlighted that ETH had mild negative effects (≤ 18%) among TC plots and large positive effects among TH plots (up to 73%), whereas MCP had no effect among the former and mild positive (V16) or negative (V11) effects among the latter. Variations in grain yield were due to variations in kernel numbers (r2 ≥ 0.92), which were explained by ear growth rate around flowering (r2 ≥ 0.97). Timely application of HPGRs was critical for improving biomass allocation to the ear (ETH) and having adequate blockage of ethylene receptors (MCP).
Hormesis and Paradoxical Effects of Wheat Seedling (Triticum Aestivum L.) Parameters upon Exposure to Different Pollutants in a Wide Range of Doses
Authors: Erofeeva Elena A.
Published: July 2013

Chlorophyll and carotenoid content (ChCar), lipid peroxidation (LP) and growth parameters (GP) in plants are often used for environmental pollution estimation. However, the nonmonotonic dose-response dependences (hormesis and paradoxical effects) of these indices are insufficiently explored following exposure to different pollutants. In this experiment, we studied nonmonotonic changes in ChCar, LP, GP in wheat seedlings ( Triticum aestivum L.) upon exposure to lead, cadmium, copper, manganese, formaldehyde, the herbicide glyphosate, and sodium chloride in a wide range from sublethal concentration to 102−105 times lower concentrations. 85.7% of dose-response dependences were nonmonotonic (of these, 5.5% were hormesis and paradoxical effects comprised 94.5%). Multiphasic dependences were the most widespread type of paradoxical effect. Hormesis was a part of some multiphasic responses (i.e. paradoxical effects), which indicates a relationship between these phenomena. Sublethal pollutant concentrations significantly increased LP (to 2.0–2.4 times, except for manganese and glyphosate) and decreased GP (to 2.1–36.6 times, except for glyphosate), while ChCar was reduced insignificantly, normalized or even increased. Lower pollutant concentrations caused a moderate deviation in all parameters from the control (not more than 62%) for hormesis and paradoxical effects. The seedling parameters could have different types of nonmonotonic responses upon exposure to the same pollutant.
Induction of MRSA Biofilm by Low-Dose β-Lactam Antibiotics: Specificity, Prevalence and Dose-Response Effects
Authors: Ng Mandy , Epstein Samuel B. , Callahan Mary T. , Piotrowski Brian O. , Simon Gary L. , Roberts Afsoon D. , Keiser John F. , Kaplan Jeffrey B.
Published: July 2013

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a leading cause of hospital- and community-associated infections. The formation of adherent clusters of cells known as biofilms is an important virulence factor in MRSA pathogenesis. Previous studies showed that subminimal inhibitory (sub-MIC) concentrations of methicillin induce biofilm formation in the community-associated MRSA strain LAC. In this study we measured the ability sub-MIC concentrations of eight other β-lactam antibiotics and six non-β-lactam antibiotics to induce LAC biofilm. All eight β-lactam antibiotics, but none of the non-β-lactam antibiotics, induced LAC biofilm. The dose-response effects of the eight β-lactam antibiotics on LAC biofilm varied from biphasic and bimodal to near-linear. We also found that sub-MIC methicillin induced biofilm in 33 out of 39 additional MRSA clinical isolates, which also exhibited biphasic, bimodal and linear dose-response curves. The amount of biofilm formation induced by sub-MIC methicillin was inversely proportional to the susceptibility of each strain to methicillin. Our results demonstrate that induction of biofilm by sub-MIC antibiotics is a common phenotype among MRSA clinical strains and is specific for β-lactam antibiotics. These findings may have relevance to the use of β-lactam antibiotics in clinical and agricultural settings.
The Modern Spectrum of Renal Biopsy Findings in Patients with Diabetes
Authors: Sharma Shree G. , Bomback Andrew S. , Radhakrishnan Jai , Herlitz Leal C. , Stokes Michael B. , Markowitz Glen S. , D'Agati Vivette D.
Published: July 2013

Background and objectives

Renal biopsies performed in diabetic patients are increasing in number and complexity. This study sought to determine the usefulness of renal biopsy in patients with diabetes and the predictability of diagnosing diabetic nephropathy (DN) versus nondiabetic renal disease (NDRD) from clinical and laboratory data.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

To assess modern trends, a retrospective study was performed of clinical-pathologic findings in all patients with diabetes who had a biopsy in 2011. Among 2642 native kidney biopsies, 620 (23.5%) were from patients with diabetes.

Results

The cohort included 371 men (60.7%) aged a median (interquartile range) 62 years (52–69) with 10-year (5–15) duration of diabetes mellitus (DM). Median serum creatinine was 2.5 mg/dl (1.6–4.4), and 52% of patients had stage 4–5 CKD. On biopsy, 37% of patients had DN alone, 36% had NDRD alone, and 27% had DN plus NDRD. In NDRD alone, FSGS (22%), hypertensive nephrosclerosis (18%), acute tubular necrosis (ATN) (17%), IgA nephropathy (11%), membranous GN (8%), and pauci-immune GN (7%) comprised 80% of diagnoses, compared with ATN (43%), hypertensive nephrosclerosis (19%), FSGS (13%), and IgA nephropathy (7%) for DN plus NDRD. In multivariate analyses, longer duration of DM was associated with a greater likelihood of DN and a lower likelihood of NDRD: each added year of DM reduced the odds of NDRD by 5% (odds ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.91 to 0.98; P=0.004). DM duration ≥12 years was the best predictor (58% sensitivity, 73% specificity) of DN alone.

Conclusions

Approximately one-quarter of all renal biopsies are performed in patients with DM. Judicious use of renal biopsy has uncovered NDRD alone or superimposed on DN in the majority of such biopsies. ATN is emerging as an important category of NDRD, which has not been reported previously.
A Patient with Nephrotic-Range Proteinuria and Focal Global Glomerulosclerosis
Authors: Fervenza Fernando C.
Published: July 2013

A young male is evaluated for nephrotic-range proteinuria, hypercalciuria, and an elevated serum creatinine. A renal biopsy is performed and shows focal global glomerulosclerosis. The absence of nephrotic syndrome suggest that glomerulosclerosis was a secondary process. Further analysis of the proteinuria showed it to be due mainly to low-molecular weight proteins. The case illustrates the crucial role of electron microscopy as well as evaluation of the identity of the proteinuria that accompanies a biopsy finding of focal and global or focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis.
Education financing and growth using an overlapping generations model: A theoretical perspective
Authors: Ayed Zambaa , Ben Hassen
Published: July 2013

This paper proposes an overlapping generations model along the lines of the
papers by Glomm and Ravikumar (1997). Its aim is to provide a theoretical
extension in which we establish, in an original framework, a comparison of
public and private educational financing systems in terms of economic growth.
The results provide a critique of the literature that suggests that private
expenditure will inevitably lead to greater economic growth than a policy of
public education.
The Feldstein-Horioka puzzle and transition economies
Authors: Petreska Despina , Mojsoska-Blazevski Nikica
Published: July 2013

The objective of this paper is to investigate the existence of the Feldstein
and Horioka puzzle in transition countries, divided into three groups of
countries: South-East Europe (SEE), Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), and
the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Central to this puzzle is the
? coefficient, which measures the relationship between domestic savings and
investment. In their seminal paper from 1980 Feldstein and Horioka estimated
a value of the ? coefficient close to 1, which in their opinion indicates
low capital mobility as opposed to the theory and the conventional wisdom of
perfect capital mobility. We use annual data for the period 1991-2010 and
panel cointegration econometric technique to examine this relationship in
three panels of countries (SEE, CEE, and CIS). We find that the puzzle of
Feldstein and Horioka exists in all three panels, but the connection between
savings and investment is generally lower than 1. As we move towards a panel
composed of the larger and richer countries the value of the ? coefficient
increases. Moreover, the coefficient of adjustment of the disequilibrium
between domestic savings and investment is positive in all cases, indicating
that any imbalance between savings and investment is not corrected
immediately.
The contribution of the Kakum Rural Bank to poverty reduction in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality in the central region, Ghana
Authors: Enu-Kwesi Francis , Koomson Frederick , Baah-Mintah Richard
Published: July 2013

The study was designed to examine the contribution of Kakum Rural Bank (KRB)
to poverty reduction in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Municipality (KEEA).
The study employed descriptive and evaluative designs. All four agencies in
the KEEA municipality were included in the study. The systematic random
sampling technique was used to draw 370 customers and 14 members of staff of
Kakum Rural Bank who were purposively sampled for the study. Questionnaires
were principally used to collect data from respondents. Graphs and tables
were used to present descriptive aspects of the results while non-parametric
inferential procedure was used to present the evaluative aspect. The results
of the study revealed that KRB, with its financial and non-financial
services, has helped in poverty reduction in the KEEA Municipality. Data
gathered from the respondents showed a significant improvement in most of the
poverty indicators, with the exception of provision of potable water and
clothing for families. Judging by the potential that KRB has for reducing
poverty, it is recommended that the bank should expand its coverage in the
municipality.
Physical Therapy Interventions for Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Systematic Review
Authors: Macedo Luciana Gazzi , Hum Abraham , Kuleba Laura , Mo Joey , Truong Linda , Yeung Mankeen , Battié Michele C.
Published: July 2013

Background

Physical therapy is commonly prescribed for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS); however, little is known about its effectiveness.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled trials, and cohort studies evaluating the effectiveness of physical therapy for LSS.

Data Sources

Studies were searched on electronic databases to January 2012.

Study Selection

Inclusion criteria were: clinical diagnosis of LSS with confirmatory imaging, evaluation of physical therapy treatment, presence of a comparison group, and outcomes of pain, disability, function, or quality of life.

Data Extraction

Outcomes were extracted and, when possible, pooled using RevMan 5, a freely available review program from the Cochrane Library.

Data Synthesis

Ten studies were included: 5 RCTs, 2 controlled trials, 2 mixed-design studies, and 1 longitudinal cohort study. Pooled effects of 2 studies revealed that the addition of a physical therapy modality to exercise had no statistically significant effect on outcome. Pooled effects results of RCTs evaluating surgery versus physical therapy demonstrated that surgery was better than physical therapy for pain and disability at long term (2 years) only. Other results suggested that exercise is significantly better than no exercise, that cycling and body-weight–supported treadmill walking have similar effects, and that corsets are better than no corsets.

Limitations

The limitations of this review include the low quality and small number of studies, as well as the heterogeneity in outcomes and treatments.

Conclusions

No conclusions could be drawn from the review regarding which physical therapy treatment is superior for LSS. There was low-quality evidence suggesting that modalities have no additional effect to exercise and that surgery leads to better long-term (2 years) outcomes for pain and disability, but not walking distance, than physical therapy in patients with LSS.
Exploring Differences in Pain Beliefs Within and Between a Large Nonclinical (Workplace) Population and a Clinical (Chronic Low Back Pain) Population Using the Pain Beliefs Questionnaire
Authors: Baird Andrew J. , Haslam Roger A.
Published: July 2013

Background

Beliefs, cognitions, and behaviors relating to pain can be associated with a range of negative outcomes. In patients, certain beliefs are associated with increased levels of pain and related disability. There are few data, however, showing the extent to which beliefs of patients differ from those of the general population.

Objective

This study explored pain beliefs in a large nonclinical population and a chronic low back pain (CLBP) sample using the Pain Beliefs Questionnaire (PBQ) to identify differences in scores and factor structures between and within the samples.

Design

This was a cross-sectional study.

Methods

The samples comprised patients attending a rehabilitation program and respondents to a workplace survey. Pain beliefs were assessed using the PBQ, which incorporates 2 scales: organic and psychological. Exploratory factor analysis was used to explore variations in factor structure within and between samples. The relationship between the 2 scales also was examined.

Results

Patients reported higher organic scores and lower psychological scores than the nonclinical sample. Within the nonclinical sample, those who reported frequent pain scored higher on the organic scale than those who did not. Factor analysis showed variations in relation to the presence of pain. The relationship between scales was stronger in those not reporting frequent pain.

Limitations

This was a cross-sectional study; therefore, no causal inferences can be made.

Conclusions

Patients experiencing CLBP adopt a more biomedical perspective on pain than nonpatients. The presence of pain is also associated with increased biomedical thinking in a nonclinical sample. However, the impact is not only on the strength of beliefs, but also on the relationship between elements of belief and the underlying belief structure.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Upper Cervical Spine Instability Tests: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hutting Nathan , Scholten-Peeters Gwendolijne G.M. , Vijverman Veerle , Keesenberg Martin D.M. , Verhagen Arianne P.
Published: July 2013

Background

Patients with neck pain, headache, torticollis, or neurological signs should be screened carefully for upper cervical spine instability, as these conditions are “red flags” for applying physical therapy interventions. However, little is known about the diagnostic accuracy of upper cervical spine instability tests.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of upper cervical spine instability screening tests in patients or people who are healthy.

Data Sources

PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and RECAL Legacy databases were searched from their inception through October 2012.

Study Selection

Studies were included that assessed the diagnostic accuracy of upper cervical instability screening tests in patients or people who are healthy and in which sensitivity and specificity were reported or could be calculated using a 2 × 2 table.

Data Extraction and Quality Assessment

Two reviewers independently performed data extraction and the methodological quality assessment using the QUADAS-2.

Data Synthesis

Depending on heterogeneity, statistical pooling was performed. All diagnostic parameters (sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and likelihood ratios) were recalculated, if possible.

Results

Five studies were included in this systematic review. Statistical pooling was not possible due to clinical and statistical heterogeneity. Specificity of 7 tests was sufficient, but sensitivity varied. Predictive values were variable. Likelihood ratios also were variable, and, in most cases, the confidence intervals were large.

Limitations

The included studies suffered from several biases. None of the studies evaluated upper cervical spine instability tests in patients receiving primary care.

Conclusions

The membranes tests had the best diagnostic accuracy, but their applicability as a test for diagnosing upper cervical spine instability in primary care has yet to be confirmed.
Historical and Cultural Roots in Anil's Ghost
Authors: Shrivastwa Bimal Kishore
Published: July 2013

Michael Ondaatje’s Anil's Ghost narrates the forgotten history and cultural root of those who were massacred in the mindless violence of Sri Lankan Civil War, particularly the common and downtrodden people. Presenting the central character, Anil, beyond the mainstream culture, political and social scenarios, Ondaatje confirms his affinity to the unprivileged people. The pain agony of war victims is clearly examined through the reconstruction of skeletons. The suppressed and unidentified past comes into existence which is the best way to renovate native history within the literary text. Ondaatje historicizes those people who exist on the margin of canonical history. With this novel, he gives voice to those who were unheard in the official history, records them in art and literature as Sri Lankan artist, Anand reconstructs statue of Buddha. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/researcher.v1i1.8370 Researcher: A Research Journal of Culture and Society Vol.1(1) 2013
Impact of Micro Credit Program on Social Mobility of Women
Authors: Prasai Dilli R
Published: July 2013

The term development is defined various ways by different social scientist. For an example: Hugo Slim defines it, as "Development is not a commodity to be weighted or measured by gross national products. It is the process of change that enables to take changes of their own destinies and realize their full potential. It requires building up the confidence among the people. For this, the skill, assets and freedoms are necessary conditions to achieve this goal". The process of development crosses number of turns and bends as we see its historical tracks. Its starting point can be considered from mercantilism. The state led strategy is followed as an alternative option of mercantilism. Since the decade of 90, the community-based strategy has become one of the best options. In the later day, the NGO-led strategy is also standing as a strong alternative option in the development arena. It is quite impossible to distinctly differentiate the strategy wise policy of any government but the development by mobilizing the NGO came to be indispensable in the present world. The involvement of the women fluctuates in its dimension. At present, the government/donors and some INGOs and the women-specific National-level NGOs have moved faster to the development adopting gender approach-GAD. Other civil society institutions such as media and trade unions, local NGOs seem still to be grappling with the WAD approach. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/researcher.v1i1.8371   Researcher: A Research Journal of Culture and Society Vol.1(1) 2013
Multiple Wives, Co-wives and Female Status: Example on Contemporary Change from Manipur (India)
Authors: ManiBabu Mayanglambam
Published: July 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/researcher.v1i1.8372   Researcher: A Research Journal of Culture and Society Vol.1(1) 2013
Post Partum Depression among Rajbansi Women in Nepal
Authors: Sabba Nawa Raj
Published: July 2013

This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study which uncovered and described Postpartum Depression and its contributing factors among Rajbansi mothers in Nepal. Methodology: quantitative tools semi-structured questionnaires, check lists used covering 375 samples of Morang, Jhapa and Sunsari districts of Nepal. Findings: Prevalence of Postpartum Depression (PPD) was 12.27% in Rajbansi mothers. PPD was associated with sleeplessness (p= <0.0001) in the study. Mental stress was associated with sleeplessness (p= <0.0001). Habit of alcohol use by husband was associated with sleeplessness in wife or mothers (p= <0.0001). Habit of tobacco use or smoking by husband was associated with sleeplessness in wife or mothers (p= 0.005). Conclusion: Economic conditions, education, habits of husband were associated with mental stress in mothers and mental stress in mothers was also associated with Postpartum Depression of mothers in Rajbansi was statistically significant. Mothers with labour occupation or very poor, uneducated and those wives of alcohol taking and smoking husbands were vulnerable to PPD. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/researcher.v1i1.8374 Researcher: A Research Journal of Culture and Society Vol.1(1) 2013
Pindeshwor: The place of Linga and Mahantas
Authors: Baral Sanat Kumar
Published: July 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/researcher.v1i1.8377  Researcher: A Research Journal of Culture and Society Vol.1(1) 2013
Unusual presentation of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease
Authors: Santos Marcelo Volpon , Gallo Pasquale , Roked Fozia , Nicklaus-Wollenteit Ina , Rodrigues Desiderio
Published: July 2013

The authors report the case of a 13-year-old girl with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease who presented with features of raised intracranial pressure due to subdural effusions. A biopsy revealed dural involvement in the disease process. The authors review the medical literature of this rare disease and highlight the paucity of documented cases with CNS involvement.
Extraventricular choroid plexus papilloma in the brainstem
Authors: Xiao Anqi , Xu Jianguo , He Xin , You Chao
Published: July 2013

Choroid plexus papilloma (CPP) is extremely rare in the brainstem. The authors report the case of a 10-year-old boy with a lesion in the pons that was misdiagnosed as a glioma preoperatively. The boy underwent partial resection of the lesion, which was diagnosed as a CPP based on histopathological findings. The authors review the MRI findings in this case and conclude that the presence of a well-defined boundary and no obvious cerebral edema are valuable features for distinguishing brainstem CPP from glioma. Although previous reports of parenchymal CPPs have described enhancement on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MR images, the lesion in this case did not demonstrate significant enhancement. The authors note that the diagnosis of extraventricular CPP cannot be ruled out in a case of brainstem tumor without marked enhancement.
Cervical stenosis in adults undergoing thoracolumbar deformity surgery: incidence, treatment, and complications
Authors: Singh Devender , Truumees Eeric , Hawthorne Dana , Stokes John K. , Geck Matthew J.
Published: July 2013

Object

The goals of this study were to determine the incidence of occult cervical stenosis in patients over 50 years old with thoracolumbar deformity and to assess the risk of progressive cervical myelopathy after complex thoracolumbar reconstruction in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients with cervical stenosis.

Methods

Charts and cervical imaging for patients who were over 50 years old when they had undergone thoracolumbar deformity surgery between 2005 and 2008 were reviewed. Patients with primary neurological disorders were excluded from the study.

Results

Seventy-three patients (56 women and 17 men) met the study inclusion criteria. The minimum follow-up time was 2 years. Fifty-eight percent of patients (42 of 73) had cervical stenosis on advanced imaging. Thirty-three patients had mild or moderate stenosis; only 3 of these patients had clinical myelopathy. Nine patients (12%) had critical cervical stenosis, as determined from imaging; among these patients, 3 had moderate or severe myelopathy. Patients with noncritical stenosis and no or mild myelopathy underwent thoracolumbar reconstruction without any postoperative progression of myelopathy. Patients with critical stenosis and/or moderate or severe myelopathy were offered cervical decompression prior to thoracolumbar reconstruction; those who accepted this offer did not have progression of myelopathy. One patient underwent thoracolumbar reconstruction first despite critical cervical stenosis. At 20 months, her cervical myelopathy had progressed, and she ultimately required cervical decompression.

Conclusions

Cervical stenosis, even critical stenosis in some cases, was seen in more than one-half of the patients. Most presented without obvious cervical complaints. In those with mild to moderate stenosis and no or mild myelopathy, lengthy thoracolumbar reconstruction procedures were not associated with progression of the myelopathy. The authors recommend that all adults with thoracolumbar deformity undergo a detailed upper- and lower-extremity neurological examination prior to major thoracolumbar reconstruction.
Liver transplantation in children
Authors: Yasmeen BHN
Published: July 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/nimcj.v4i2.15831 Northern International Medical College Journal Vol.4(2) 2013: 259-260
Body Fat Distribution and Metabolic Syndrome in Bangladeshi Urban Adults
Authors: Zinia SN , Karim N
Published: July 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/nimcj.v4i2.15832 Northern International Medical College Journal Vol.4(2) 2013: 261-264
Characteristics of Injectable Contraceptive Users among Rural Women of a Selected Area of Bangladesh
Authors: Begum N , Rahman M , Afroz S , Rahman MM , Jabbar MA
Published: July 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/nimcj.v4i2.15834 Northern International Medical College Journal Vol.4(2) 2013: 269-272
Clinico-pathological profile of Hodgkin's lymphoma in children
Authors: Islam F , Ahmed S , Yasmeen BHN , Mannan MA , Parvin R , Parvin R
Published: July 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/nimcj.v4i2.15835 Northern International Medical College Journal Vol.4(2) 2013: 273-276
Pyoderma gangrenosum - a rare skin disease
Authors: Raja,am MM , Siddique MRU , Islam MA , Parvez MZ
Published: July 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/nimcj.v4i2.15838 Northern International Medical College Journal Vol.4(2) 2013: 277-279
Nephrotic syndrome induced Hypothyroidism - A case report
Authors: Alam ABMM , Hasan ANMS , Khan AH , Banik SK , Begum SA , Hossain D , Quader MMU , Begum R
Published: July 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/nimcj.v4i2.15839 Northern International Medical College Journal Vol.4(2) 2013: 280-282
Management of Paediatric Hypertension: An Update
Authors: Jesmin T , Muinuddin G , Rahman MH , Huque SS
Published: July 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/nimcj.v4i2.15840 Northern International Medical College Journal Vol.4(2) 2013: 283-286
Development of a Scale for Measuring Event Attendees' Evaluations of a Sporting Event to Determine Loyalty
Authors: Petrick James F. , Bennett Gregg , Tsuji Yosuke
Published: July 2013

The purpose of the current study was to determine if different evaluative measures (in this case, motivation, importance, transaction satisfaction, quality, value, and word of mouth) form one construct when examining specific attractions (in this case, the festival village, music/concerts,
and athletes/competition) of an event, or if subjects are able to differentiate between these constructs when examining specific attractions of an event. Additional purposes of the study included: to develop a scale for measuring event attendees' evaluation of the event, and to examine the
relationships between these evaluations and their overall satisfaction and loyalty. It was found that evaluation items loaded strongly on the attraction they were measuring instead of on similar items and that these factors help to explain event attendees' satisfaction and loyalty to the event.
Specific theoretical, managerial, and methodological implications are discussed.
Conceptualizing Sport Event Legacy
Authors: Thomson Alana , Schlenker Katie , Schulenkorf Nico
Published: July 2013

Events legacies have become a common feature in the public policy rhetoric surrounding sport events of all sizes. Public policy planners and event organizers are increasingly promoting the legacies of sport events to justify significant investments required to host them. Within the
context of special events, legacy is most often recognized as the long-term or permanent outcomes for a host city from staging an event. These outcomes include potential economic, tourism, social, physical, and/or environmental factors. However, the justification of legacies from events remains
complicated due to inconsistent conceptualizations of legacy across academic and industry practice. While legacy is an increasing component of event bids as well as funding justifications and postevent reports, the concept itself has attracted limited critical analysis. This article puts forth
a comprehensive review of literature that has sought to define legacy, from 1991–2008, drawing on event management, sport management, and urban planning contexts. An inductive interpretive analysis of definitions was undertaken, in which key considerations were identified and definitions
assessed against these. The analysis revealed five key considerations of legacy in application to the sport event management context. In doing so, this article contributes to both theoretical debate and improved strategic practice surrounding the emergence of “legacy” as justification
for staging sport events.
Differences in Perceived Destination Image and Event Satisfaction Among Cultural Visitors: The Case of the European Biennial of Contemporary Art “Manifesta 7”
Authors: Pechlaner Harald , Bò Giulia Dal , Pichler Sabine
Published: July 2013

The destination image reflects the impressions and ideas tourists have of a holiday region and strongly influences visitors' behavior. Visitors to cultural events have differing images of destinations according to their interest in seeing the event itself. Destination managers can exploit
the factors that influence the destination image and customer satisfaction with a cultural event in order to successfully position the destination and improve communication. Destination image, quality of event, and customer satisfaction are highly related, and this study analyzes these factors
for three differently motivated groups of visitors. An empirical investigation of visitors at 2008 Manifesta 7, the European Biennial of Contemporary Art, was conducted in order to ascertain differences among groups according to these variables. The results show that differentiation of promotion
measures is needed depending on the single items that influence satisfaction with cultural event and tourist offerings.
The “Right” Person for the Job: Exploring the Aesthetics Of Labor Within the Events Industry
Authors: Dashper Katherine L.
Published: July 2013

The events industry is an underresearched section of the service sector and can be usefully understood as a “customer-orientated bureaucracy” (Korczynski, 2002). The dual, and often contradictory, logics of customer orientation and bureaucratization coexist and place heavy
demands on employees. The concept of aesthetic labor, first conceived by Warhurst, Nickson, Witz, and Cullen (2000), has been usefully applied to recruitment processes in other parts of the service sector, notably hospitality and retail, in order to understand better the complex and embodied
demands required of employees in contemporary service organizations. This article presents an exploratory study into the recruitment process in the events industry in the UK. Through an analysis of online event management job advertisements, the implicit embodied attributes required of successful
candidates are explored, and the underlying gendered and class-based assumptions of these corporeal dispositions are considered.
Acne vulgaris, probiotics and the gut-brain-skin axis: from anecdote to translational medicine
Authors: Bowe W. , Patel N.B. , Logan A.C.
Published: July 2013

Acne vulgaris has long been postulated to feature a gastrointestinal mechanism, dating back 80 years to dermatologists John H. Stokes and Donald M. Pillsbury. They hypothesised that emotional states (e.g. depression and anxiety) could alter normal intestinal microbiota, increase intestinal permeability, and contribute to systemic inflammation. They were also among the first to propose the use of probioticLactobacillus acidophiluscultures. In recent years, aspects of this gut-brain-skin theory have been further validated via modern scientific investigations. It is evident that gut microbes and oral probiotics could be linked to the skin, and particularly acne severity, by their ability to influence systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, glycaemic control, tissue lipid content, and even mood. This intricate relationship between gut microbiota and the skin may also be influenced by diet, a current area of intense scrutiny by those who study acne. Here we provide a historical background to the gut-brain-skin theory in acne, followed by a summary of contemporary investigations and clinical implications.
The development of probiotic treatment in obesity: a review
Authors: Mekkes M.C. , Weenen T.C. , Brummer R.J. , Claassen E.
Published: July 2013

Recent studies suggested that manipulation of the composition of the microbial ecosystem in the gut might be a novel approach in the treatment of obesity. Such treatment might consist of altering the composition of the microbial communities of an obese individual by administration of beneficial microorganisms, commonly known as probiotics. Here, we intend to contribute to the developmental process of probiotic treatment of human obesity. The aim is to review the evidence regarding the potential effect of probiotic strains on reduction of weight and body fat. A literature study was conducted focusing on clinical trials that examined the effect of specific microorganisms on body weight control. Analysis of the eligible articles pointed out that Lactobacillus gasseri SBT 2055, Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103, and the combination of L. rhamnosus ATCC 53102 and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 may reduce adiposity, body weight, and weight gain. This suggests that these microbial strains can be applied in the treatment of obesity. Furthermore, short chain fatty acid production and low grade inflammation were found as the underlying mechanisms of action that influence metabolism and affect body weight. These findings might contribute to the development of probiotic treatment of obesity. Further research should be directed to the most effective combination and dosage rate of probiotic microorganisms.