bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Yield and Nitrogen Management of Irrigated Switchgrass Systems in Diverse Ecoregions
Authors: Pedroso Gabriel M. , Hutmacher Robert B. , Putnam Daniel , Wright Steven D. , Six Johan , van Kessel Chris , Linquist Bruce A.
Published: January 2013

Climate trends and foreign oil dependency have led to a search for alternative sources of energy, such as biomass energy crops. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has shown promise as a high yielding energy crop in the United States. The objectives of this study were to evaluate cultivar Trailblazer switchgrass adaptability, biomass yield potential, and response to N fertilization in different ecoregions. Experiments were established in four ecoregions of California in 2007, with five N fertilizer treatments (0 to 300 kg N ha−1 yr−1) imposed from 2008 through 2010. The northern‐most and coolest temperate continental climate location was terminated after 2009 due to appreciable winter mortality. Yields ranged from 13 to 27.1 Mg ha−1 yr−1 across locations and years, with greatest yields in the warmer Mediterranean and semiarid climates of the Central Valley and the Desert climate region. Yield response to N was limited in 2008. However, in 2009 and 2010, yields increased linearly in three of four locations, indicating that greater yields could have been possible with greater N fertilization rates. On average across locations, the greatest N rate increased yields by 9.7 and 13 Mg ha−1 yr−1 and agronomic N use efficiency averaged 30 and 44 kg biomass kg−1 N applied in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Average crop N removal was 150 kg N ha−1 yr−1 for multi‐harvest systems, with the first harvest representing 70% of annual yields and 75% of crop N removal. Our results showed that in warm ecoregions with greater yield potential Trailblazer switchgrass required great N fertilization to sustain yields.
Soil Aggregate Stability as Affected by Fertilization Type under Semiarid No‐Tillage Conditions
Authors: Plaza-Bonilla Daniel , Álvaro-Fuentes Jorge , Cantero-Martínez Carlos
Published: January 2013

Agricultural management practices play an important role in soil organic carbon (SOC) protection within soil aggregates. However, there is a lack of information on the effects of N fertilization on C protection within aggregates under no‐tillage (NT) systems. The effects of organic fertilization (with pig [Sus scrofa] slurry and poultry manure) and mineral N fertilization on soil aggregation and physical C protection dynamics under NT soils were investigated. Two experiments were established in a semiarid area of northeastern Spain. In the organic fertilization experiment, treatment with pig slurry at two N rates (100 and 200 kg N ha−1), poultry manure (100 kg N ha−1), and a control (0 kg N ha−1) treatment were compared. In the mineral fertilization experiment, increasing rates of N fertilizer (0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 kg N ha−1) were compared. Water‐stable macroaggregates (>0.250 mm) and their C concentration, the distribution of dry‐sieved aggregates, total SOC and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) were quantified in the soil surface in two cropping seasons. Organic fertilizers slightly increased the proportion of water‐stable macroaggregates but caused no differences in MBC, SOC, or water‐stable macroaggregate C concentration. In the mineral N fertilization experiment, similar water‐stable macroaggregate, water‐stable macroaggregate C and SOC concentrations were observed among N fertilizer doses. Overall differences in water‐stable macroaggregates between sampling dates were greater than differences between fertilization treatments. Our study demonstrates that, in the short‐term, the use of organic or mineral N fertilizers hardly improves the stability of the macroaggregates and their C protective capacity when NT is performed. This finding could be related to the limitations imposed by water in the Mediterranean areas and the buffering effect of long‐term NT adoption on soil aggregate stability and C protection.
Life Cycle Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Emission Analysis for a Water Resource Recovery Facility in India
Authors: Miller‐Robbie Leslie , Ramaswami Anu , Kumar Prasanna
Published: January 2013

This paper quantifies life cycle energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) in India versus water quality improvements achieved from infrastructure investments. A first such analysis is conducted using operating data for a WRRF, which employs upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors and oxidation. On‐site operations energy use, process GHG emissions, and embodied energy in infrastructure were quantified. The analysis showed energy use and GHG emissions of 0.2 watt‐hours (Wh) and 0.3 gram carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents per liter (gCO2e/L) wastewater treated, and 1.3 Wh and 2.1 gCO2e/gBOD removed, achieving 81% biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and 99% fecal coliform removal annually. Process emissions of WRRFs contributed 44% of life cycle GHG emissions, similar in magnitude to those from electricity (46%), whereas infrastructure contributed 10%. Average WRRF‐associated GHG emissions (0.9gCO2e/L) were lower than those expected if untreated wastewater was released to the river. Investments made by WRRFs in developing world cities improve water quality and may mitigate overall GHG emissions.
Numerical Simulation of Dissolved Oxygen Concentration in Water Flow over Stepped Spillways
Authors: Cheng Xiangju , Chen Xuewei
Published: January 2013

This study developed an improved Eulerian model for the simulation of an air‐water flow field over stepped spillways. The improved drag model applied different drag coefficients for bubbles and for free surface flows or gas cavities. Void fraction and turbulence correction were used in determining the bubble drag coefficient. The calculated air entrainment and air‐water velocity could be adapted using these parameters. With the improved drag model, the Eulerian simulations predicted the location of the inception point, the distributions of air void fraction, velocity distributions, and pressure distributions. The change in the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration from upstream of the stepped spillways, to downstream, was simulated based on the improved computational fluid dynamics model and the transport equation for DO transferring. The numerical DO concentration coincided with the experimental results. Therefore, the improved CFD model and the numerical methods presented here can provide possible optimization tools for strong air entrainment flows.
Audit Sampling Research: A Synthesis and Implications for Future Research
Authors: Elder Randal J. , Akresh Abraham D. , Glover Steven M. , Higgs Julia L. , Liljegren Jonathan
Published: January 2013

While research has influenced auditing standards for audit sampling, academic research provides limited insights into the current use of audit sampling. We synthesize relevant research based on a sampling decision framework and suggest areas for additional research. Important judgments include determining if sampling applies, what type of sampling to apply (e.g., attribute or monetary sampling), whether to use statistical or nonstatistical techniques, appropriate inputs to determine sample size, and evaluation of results, particularly when errors are observed in the sample. Several of these judgments may be influenced by environmental factors, such as regulation, litigation, competition, culture, and technology, and there are a number of research opportunities available in exploring how these environmental factors influence audit sampling decisions. Research indicates that auditors may underestimate risks and required assurance in order to reduce the extent of testing, although some of this research predates current risk assessment standards, as well as recent regulatory changes. Research also indicates auditors sometimes fail to project sample errors, and are prone to decision biases when evaluating nonstatistical samples. More recent research finds low rates of sample errors in many sampled populations, indicating that some sampling concerns may be mitigated in the post-Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) environment.

Data Availability: Please contact the authors.
Pertraction of cadmium and zinc ions using a supported liquid membrane impregnated with different carriers
Authors: Peydayesh Mohammad , Esfandyari Gholam , Mohammadi Toraj , Alamdari Eskandar
Published: January 2013

An experimental study on the removal of Cd2+ and Zn2+ through a supported liquid membrane using a mixture of mono-(2-etylhexyl) ester of phosphoric acid (M2EHPA) and bis-(2-etylhexyl) ester of phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) as carriers is presented. Parameters affecting the Cd2+ and Zn2+ pertraction such as feed concentration, carrier concentration, pH of the stripping phase, and TBP (tributyl phosphate) concentration were analyzed using the Taguchi method. Optimal experimental conditions for Cd2+ and Zn2+ pertraction were obtained using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) after a 6 h separation with the initial feed concentration of 8.9 × 10−4 mol L−1, carrier concentration of 20 vol. %, TBP concentration of 4 vol. %, and pH of 0.5. Then, under optimum conditions, a comparison of M2EHPA, D2EHPA, and bis-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)monothiophosphinic acid (Cyanex 302) was performed. Effective pertraction of Cd2+ and Zn2+ using these carriers was observed in the following order: mixture of M2EHPA and D2EHPA, D2EHPA, Cyanex 302. It was also found that the presence of one metal ion in the feed solution reduces the pertraction rate of the other one.
Canadian Economics in Decline: Implications for Canada’s Economics Journals
Authors: Simpson Wayne , Emery J.C. Herbert
Published: January 2013

Dans cet article, nous analysons le nombre d’articles publiés par un échantillon aléatoire de professeurs de facultés de sciences économiques au Canada; nous analysons également le contenu de ces articles, pour déterminer s’ils traitent ou non de sujets relatifs au Canada. Pour cela, nous avons recours à la fois à des preuves descriptives et à modèles de régression de séries chronologiques de données. Nos résultats appuient dans une certaine mesure l’hypothèse d’Anthony Scott (1993), selon laquelle les économistes ne publient sur des sujets relatifs au Canada que quand leur carrière est bien avancée; nous notons également que l’intérêt pour des articles traitant du contexte canadien a diminué parmi les plus jeunes professeurs (engagés depuis les années 1990) et parmi ceux des meilleures facultés canadiennes. Les universitaires canadiens ont tendance à publier dans la Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d’économique (CJE/RCE) au début de leur carrière, puis dans Canadian Public Policy/Analyse de politiques (CPP/Adp) arrivés à mi-carrière; toutefois, le nombre d’articles publiés par professeurs engagés depuis 1990 diminue dans les deux revues. Les professeurs des facultés les mieux cotées continuent de publier dans la CJE/RCE rendus à mi-carrière, mais moins s’ils possèdent un doctorat obtenu à l’étranger; les professeurs des facultés ne faisant pas partie des meilleures du Canada ont plutôt tendance à publier dans CPP/Adp. La diminution du nombre d’articles traitant de sujets relatifs au Canada et présentés aux deux grandes revues canadiennes (CPP/Adp en particulier) semble avoir été accentuée par des décisions qu’ont prises récemment des facultés afin d’engager et de retenir des professeurs dans le but d’améliorer leur cote grâce à des articles publiés dans les meilleures revues universitaires.
Income Replacement Rates among Canadian Seniors: The Effect of Widowhood and Divorce
Authors: LaRochelle-Côté Sébastien , Myles John , Picot Garnett
Published: January 2013

Dans cet article, à partir d’une base de données longitudinales et en utilisant des modèles à effets fixes, nous évaluons l’effet que produit un divorce ou le décès du conjoint ou de la conjointe, après l’âge de 55 ans, sur les taux de remplacement du revenu pendant la retraite. Nos résultats montrent que, chez les femmes, la séparation et le divorce ont un effet négatif plus important que le veuvage. L’effet de la séparation et du divorce est plus important chez les femmes des familles à revenu élevé, où les régimes privés de retraite et les revenus de placement jouent un rôle plus important. Et, chez les femmes à faible revenu, le fait d’avoir un revenu qui dépend des régimes de pension publics réduit l’effet du divorce sur les taux de remplacement. À l’opposé, chez les hommes, la séparation et le divorce ont peu d’effet sur les taux de remplacement, et le veuvage accroît les taux de remplacement chez ceux qui ont un revenu moyen ou élevé.
The Relationship between Food Banks and Household Food Insecurity among Low-Income Toronto Families
Authors: Loopstra Rachel , Tarasuk Valerie
Published: January 2013

Étant donné l’absence de politiques publiques précises face au problème de l’insécurité alimentaire des ménages au Canada, les banques alimentaires restent la solution la plus courante, malgré les questions qui se posent au sujet de leur efficacité. En effet, parmi 371 familles à faible revenu de Toronto que nous avons interviewées dans le cadre de cette étude, 75 % avaient vécu de l’insécurité alimentaire, mais seulement 23 % avaient eu recours à une banque alimentaire; et, pour la plupart des utilisateurs de banque alimentaire, l’insécurité alimentaire était un problème chronique grave. Parmi les raisons qui font que les familles vivant de l’insécurité alimentaire n’ont pas recours à une banque alimentaire, notons une certaine réticence à demander la charité, mais aussi un accès difficile à ces banques pour diverses raisons. Ces résultats remettent en question le rôle que les gouvernements fédéral, provinciaux et territoriaux semblent donner aux organismes caritatifs comme moyens de réduire l’insécurité alimentaire, et soulignent la nécessité de politiques publiques claires en cette matière.
Utilization of General Practitioners: A Comparison of Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Older Canadians
Authors: Latif Ehsan , Miles Stan
Published: January 2013

Dans cet article, nous comparons, à partir de données de l’Enquête nationale sur la santé de la population, l’utilisation des services d’omnipraticiens que font deux groupes de personnes âgées: les immigrants et les Canadiens nés au pays. Nous avons recours à des méthodes de régression avec données chiffrées pour tenir compte du fait que le nombre de rendez-vous chez un omnipraticien est une variable entière non négative. Nous estimons les modèles pour l’échantillon dans son ensemble ainsi que pour les hommes et les femmes séparément. Nos résultats indiquent qu’il n’y a aucune différence notable entre les immigrants et les Canadiens nés au pays en matière d’utilisation des services d’omnipraticiens chez les personnes âgées.
La primavera de las rebeliones populares árabes
Authors: Conde Gilberto
Published: January 2013

Las rebeliones populares árabes de 2011 constituyen uno de esos raros acontecimientos que sacuden al mundo y de los que se seguirá hablando durante décadas. A menudo nos acostumbramos a situaciones cómodamente cotidianas olvidando que el cambio, lo impermanente, es lo único continuo. Los recientes movimientos árabes son una prueba de ello. Quizás se popularizó llamar “primavera árabe” a estos sucesos por lo refrescante y agradable que resultaba ver desde fuera lo que acontecía en una región en la que se pensaba que el tiempo se había congelado, en sociedades que se pensaban inmutables. Todos los autores aquí reunidos, especialistas en estudios del Medio Oriente, consideramos importante estudiar, entender estas rebeliones, y analizar qué es lo que cambia y lo que permanece. ¿Una región pulsante, activa, es una región cohesionada? Queremos averiguarlo; por ello este número especial de Regiones y Cohesión y mis siguientes reflexiones a manera de introducción.
Protest continuum in the Arab countries: Social movements, civil society, and citizenship El continuum contestatario en los países árabes movimientos sociales, sociedad civil y ciudadanía Le continuum contestataire dans les pays arabes: Mouvements sociaux, société civile et citoyenneté
Authors: Bajo Isaías Barreñada
Published: January 2013

The popular demonstrations triggered by the so-called Arab Spring can be explained by a combination of the multiple reasons of political, social, cultural, and economic orders. But previous mobilizations become relevant as a precedent to the Arab Spring protests given their scope; in several countries in recent years, an unusual intensification of the protest was experienced. The massive character of the protests would not have been possible without the intervention of certain experienced actors that served as catalysts and facilitators of these dynamics. Regardless of their achievements and singularities, the 2011 demonstrations have to be regarded as part of a protest continuum, being the inheritors of previous resistance, and protest movements, as well as of preceding organizational experiences and constituting a turning point in collective action. This continuum goes on.

Spanish
Las movilizaciones populares que desencadenaron las llamadas “primaveras árabes“ se explican por la combinación de múltiples razones de orden político, social, cultural y económico. Pero las dimensiones adquiridas por las protestas ponen de relieve cómo éstas tenían antecedentes; en varios países en los últimos años se vivió una intensificacioacute;n inusitada de la contestación. El carácter masivo de las protestas no hubiera sido posible sin la intervención de determinados actores que contaban con experiencia y que lograron actuar como catalizadores y facilitadores de esta dinámica. Independientemente de sus logros y de sus singularidades nacionales, las manifestaciones del 2011 se inscribieron así en un continuum contestatario, siendo herederas de experiencias de resistencia, protesta y organización previas, y constituyeron un punto de inflexión en el proceso. Este continuum prosigue en las transiciones políticas en curso.

French
Les mobilisations populaires déclenchées par les dénommés “printemps arabes“ s'expliquent par la combinaison de multiples raisons d'ordre politique, social, culturel et économique. Mais les dimensions a eintes par les protestations me ent en relief leurs antécédents; dans plusieurs pays, durant ces dernières années, a eu lieu une intensification inusitée de la contestation. Le caractère massif des protestations n'aurait été a eint sans l'intervention de certains acteurs qui comptaient avec de l'expérience y qui purent jouer un rôle de catalyseurs et de facilitateurs de ce e dynamique. Indépendamment de leurs réussites et de leurs singularités nationales, les manifestations de 2011 se sont ainsi inscrites dans un continuum contestataire, étant héritières d'expériences de résistance, de protestation et d'organisations antérieures, et elles constituèrent un moment d'inflexion dans le processus. Ce continuum se prolonge dans les transitions politiques en cour.
Fostering peace through dialogue The international social democratic movement and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Authors: Väänänen Pentti
Published: January 2013

The Socialist International (SI), the worldwide forum of the socialist, social democratic, and labor parties, actively looked for a solution to the Jewish-Palestinian conflict in the 1980s. At that time, the Israeli Labour Party still was the leading political force in Israel, as it had been historically since the foundation of the country. The Labour Party was also an active member of the SI. The Party’s leader, Shimon Peres, was one of its vice-presidents. At the same time, the social democratic parties were the leading political force in Western Europe. Several important European leaders, many of them presidents and prime ministers, were involved in the SI’s work. They included personalities such as Willy Brandt of Germany; former president of the SI, Francois Mitterrand of France; James Callaghan of Great Britain; Bruno Kreisky of Austria; Bettini Craxi of Italy; Felipe Gonzalez of Spain; Mario Soares of Portugal; Joop de Uyl of the Netherlands; Olof Palme of Sweden; Kalevi Sorsa of Finland; Anker Jörgensen of Denmark; and Gro Harlem Brudtland of Norway—all of whom are former vice-presidents of the SI. As a result, in the 1980s, the SI in many ways represented Europe in global affairs, despite the existence of the European Community (which did not yet have well-defined common foreign policy objectives).
Book Reviews
Authors: Ruiz Marisol , Castro Méndez Evelyn N.
Published: January 2013

Mesa Delmonte, Luis (Ed.). (2012). El pueblo quiere que caiga el régimen: Protestas sociales y conflictos en África del norte y en Medio Oriente.
Review by Marisol Ruiz

Wright, Robin. (2011). Rock the Casbah: Rage and rebellion across the Islamic world.
Reseña por Evelyn N. Castro Méndez
Comment on Martin Drenthen's Article, ‘Ecological Restoration and Place Attachment: Emplacing Non-Places?’
Authors: Note Nicole
Published: January 2013

I analyse Drenthen's article ‘Ecological restoration and place attachment: emplacing non-places?’ ( Environmental Values 18(3): 285-312), focusing in particular on his use of the notions of ‘appropriation’ and ‘estrangement’ from the perspective of meaningfulness. I show that, for deeper meaningfulness as place attachment, within the appropriable there is always a tension with the non-appropriable; there is a successful connection between both. Estrangement and loss of meaning occur the moment the non-appropriable resides outside the familiar. Drenthen unintentionally causes confusion by failing to take this subtlety into account systematically.
Landscapes Devoid of Meaning? A Reply to Note
Authors: Drenthen Martin
Published: January 2013

Even though artists and philosophers sometimes succeed in finding words for the meaning that places can have for us, we can never fully identify the meaning that places have for us. Nicole Note is right in arguing (using the work of Arnold Burms) that the ineffable plays a key role in the meaningful relations we have with the world, and that the experience of meaning can only emerge if there is a real risk that it fails to appear. Therefore, meaning cannot be ‘produced’. I have argued, however, that we can be confronted with a far more radical loss of meaning when most at first meaningful interpretations of place appear to be consciously produced by marketeers and lobbyists. Yet, even this very feeling of estrangement can lead us to a sensitivity for the otherness of nature as a transcendental source of meaning.
Lose Less Instead of Win More: The Failure of Decoupling and Perspectives for Competition in a Degrowth Economy
Authors: Mauerhofer Volker
Published: January 2013

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive explanation for the likely failure in the decoupling of economic growth from environmental degradation, and also intends to offer perspectives on the new role of competition in a steady state or a degrowth economy. The analysis is based on five different scenarios, and uses the European Union as an example. It is concluded that we must prepare ourselves for a potential incompatibility between sustainability and economic growth. In this respect one can say that the current EU situation is in some ways already quite close to an economic system without growth, although far from sustainable as yet. Two of the four perspectives developed, regarding the new role of competition in an economy without growth, indicate an increase of direct and indirect competition over resources. The other two perspectives point out that regulatory public intervention as well as financial intervention will increase in order to ensure that - despite the revised role of competition - the poorest are still given a chance to develop (e.g. through basic minimum incomes), even in a degrowth economy.
Environmentally Sustainable National Income: Indispensable Information for Attaining Environmental Sustainability
Authors: Hueting Roefie
Published: January 2013

Environmental functions are defined as the possible uses of the non-human-made physical surroundings on which humanity is entirely dependent. Competing functions are by definition economic goods, indeed the most fundamental humanity disposes of. Environmental sustainability is defined as the dynamic equilibrium by which vital environmental functions remain available for future generations. Environmentally sustainable national income (eSNI) is defined as the maximum attainable production level by which vital environmental functions remain available for future generations. Thus the eSNI provides information about the distance between the current and a sustainable situation. In combination with the standard national income (NI), the eSNI indicates whether the part of the production that is not based on sustainable use of the environment is increasing or decreasing in the course of time. Calculation of the eSNI involves the use of environmental models and a static general economic equilibrium model. It is shown that asymmetric entries are obscuring what is happening with both environment and production and that there is no conflict between employment and safeguarding the environment.
Delivering Environmental Education in Kazakhstan through Civic Action: Second-Wave Values and Governmental Responses
Authors: Soltys Dennis , Orynbassarova Dilara
Published: January 2013

The severity of Kazakhstan's ecological problems impels civic activists and state agencies to build public support for ecological rehabilitation in the country, through a comprehensive national programme of environmental education.

This paper is a qualitative analysis whose main focus is the relations of civic groups and NGOs with the national government, occurring in the delivery of programmes for environmental education during the post-glasnost era.

Provisional successes of civic groups in establishing environmental education programmes, and useful steps by the government to facilitate civic environmental activism, give reasons for optimism for improved environmental governance.
World Health Statistics 2011: How does Bangladesh compare with other South-East Asian countries?
Authors: Majumder Md Anwarul Azim
Published: January 2013

The World Health Statistics 2011 compiles the health and related data of its member states including a summary of the progress made towards achieving the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and associated targets. This analysis examined data for Bangladesh and compares with the other ten member states of the WHO South-East Asia region. From the analysis, it is evident that considerable progress is being made to improve the health of the people of Bangladesh. Nevertheless, there remain many areas of concern over health development and provision of healthcare delivery and financing. In Bangladesh, annual population growth rate and adolescent fertility rate are higher than regional averages. Life expectancy and mortality rates are not impressive in comparison to other regional countries. Overall burden of cause-specific mortality and morbidity is higher; however reported cases of selected infectious diseases are lower than regional average. In terms of health service coverage, in one hand some real concerns were noted (e.g. poor antenatal coverage and availability of skilled health personnel etc.) and on the other hand some achievements were accomplished (e.g. vaccination of measles, DTP3 etc.). Increasing number of underweight children and smoking among male adults are also the key areas of concerns. Bangladesh ranks in the bottom quartile of healthcare spending in the region; the percentage of GDP allocation for health is 3.3% which is far below the level needed to scale up essential health interventions. The country has also relatively few healthcare personnel and hospital beds, and health inequality is observed in the provision of health care delivery which is most prominent in lower socio-economic groups. With regards to health-related MDGs, except child mortality, other target may not be met. Findings from these cross-national comparisons can inform national policy, highlight areas where Bangladesh could improve, and yield benchmarks for improved healthcare performance.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v1i1.13206 South East Asia Journal of Public Health 2011:1(1)
Study on the pattern of prescriptions available at rural households in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Md Mahfuzar , Huq Mazaherul , Rahman Md Atiqur
Published: January 2013

This was a descriptive type of cross-sectional study conducted in October, 2010, in three villages of Shahjadpur Upazila of Sirajganj district in Bangladesh. Among the rural households, those who visited medical practitioners in the last three months, were included in the study. The present study aimed to examine the pattern of prescriptions available at rural households of Bangladesh, to analyze the prescriptions whether diagnoses and/or lifestyles advice were mentioned, and to find out number of drugs and antibiotics (including their dose and duration of use) prescribed. During last three months, 68% respondents had attended a doctor's chamber; however, prescriptions were available for 57% of the respondents. More than three quarters of the prescriptions (77.6%) included 3-5 medicines, and antibiotics were prescribed to 194 (61%) respondents which constituted 21.4% of the total number of drugs prescribed. The average number of drugs and antibiotics prescribed per prescriptions was 3.8 and 1.3 respectively. Only about 23% of the respondents received antibiotics for 3-6 days, 30% for 2 days, and 46% for one day. Advice on lifestyles and diagnoses were mentioned only to 32% and 52% prescriptions respectively. The study also found that 22.6% of the prescriptions were made by unqualified doctors. Specific programs should be implemented to motivate and train medical students, practitioners and allied health professionals to provide rational prescriptions to the consumers in regards to the number of drugs as well as clarity of instructions given in the prescriptions.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v1i1.13207 South East Asia Journal of Public Health 2011:1:12-16
Common microbial aetiology of abnormal vaginal discharge among sexually active women in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Yusuf Md Abdullah , Chowdhury Mahmuda , Islam KM Shahidul , Eva Eliza Omar , Sharif Ahmad Raihan , Rahman Md Khalilur , Talukder Abdur Rabban , Begum Sahin Ara
Published: January 2013

Abnormal vaginal discharge is a common symptom of genital infection in women. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the various causes of vaginal discharge in sexually active females. A cross-sectional study was undertaken among women aged 15 to 45 years with abnormal vaginal discharge, with or without itching attended at Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka for a period of 6 months. After making the clinical diagnosis, appropriate tests for diagnosing candidiasis, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea and bacterial vaginosis were done. Among all patients, organisms responsible for abnormal vaginal discharges were found in 94.8% of the cases, of which vaginal candidiasis (53.6%) was the most common, followed by bacterial vaginosis (29.2%), trichomoniasis (10.8%), gonorrhea (1.2%) and non-specific other urogenital causes (5.2%). The most common age groups affected by vaginal candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis were 26-35 years (64.9%), 26-35 years (27.6%) and 15-25 years (52%) respectively. Gonorrhea was recorded in the age group of 15-25 years (66.7%). Most of the organisms were isolated in the age group of 30-40 years. The causative agent of vaginal candidiasis was the leading cause of vaginal discharge in the age group of sexually active women and next to it was the bacterial vaginosis. A lower rate of Trichomonas vaginalis was found in our study in comparison to other studies. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v1i1.13211 South East Asia Journal of Public Health 2011:1:35-39
Development and validation of an instrument assessing Health System Responsiveness of family planning services in Sri Lanka
Authors: Perera WLSP , Seneviratne Rohini , Fernando Thushara
Published: January 2013

Health System Responsiveness (HSR) has been described by the World Health Organization (WHO) as how health systems meet non-medical expectations of its service seekers. It is a multi-domain concept where assessment of responsiveness is made by service seekers. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a Health System Responsiveness Assessment Questionnaire (HESRAQ) in relation to family planning (FP) services in Sri Lanka. Both qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used in the FP delivery settings. Focus group discussions (FGD), in-depth interviews and a modified Delphi method were used. Cross sectional surveys were conducted to carryout exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA and CFA). Literature reviews, eight FGDs and 45 in-depth interviews were conducted where 15 domains were generated. Eight domains were finalized using a modified Delphi method. A total of ninety two items were generated in the finalized domains. However, 28 items were finalized with expert opinion and EFA with the ratings of 255 respondents. The 28 item instrument was validated with CFA with the rating of 200 respondents, with the six domain model being the most valid (?2=1272, df=335, p<0.000, GFI=0.69) The HESRAQ also showed a high level of reliability for all domains (Cronbach's alpha >0.877). The HESRAQ is a valid and reliable tool to assess HSR of family planning services in Sri Lanka. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v1i1.13220 South East Asia Journal of Public Health 2011:1:46-52
Career choices in preventive and social medicine and other non-clinical specialties among medical students: Bangladesh perspective
Authors: Ahmed SM Moslehuddin , Majumdar Md Anwarul Azim , Karim Rezina , Rahman Sayeeda , Rahman Nuzhat
Published: January 2013

The main aims of the study were to identify the career choices in preventive and social medicine and non-clinical specialties along with the intended practice locations of medical students of Bangladesh. First, third and fifth year students of Bangladesh Medical College and Uttara Adhunik Medical College completed a self-reported questionnaire and were asked to choose three long-term choices from the given specialties. A small number of students opted for preventive and social medicine (3%), medical administration and management (3%), and basic medical science specialties. The popular choices among male and female were medical and surgical specialties (6%). More than 67% of respondents wanted to join private services and about 90% chose major cities as practice locations. As the majority of the students intended to specialize in established clinical specialties and subsequently practice in major cities, Bangladesh will suffer a chronic shortage of health personnel in those specialties and in rural areas. Major reforms are needed in medical education and healthcare to attract and retain a health workforce in those fields and to ensure equitable and high quality healthcare for those people who have little to no access to medical services. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v1i1.13224 South East Asia Journal of Public Health 2011:1:64-67
Present status of implementation of undergraduate curriculum of Bangladesh in selected private medical colleges: Teachers perspectives
Authors: Mosaddek Abu Syed Md , Islam Md Zakirul , Rahman Md Faizur , Chaudhury Habib S , Parvin Roksana , Khanom Matira
Published: January 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v1i1.13227South East Asia Journal of Public Health 2011:1:73-74
Supplements in Human Islet Culture: Human Serum Albumin is Inferior to Fetal Bovine Serum
Authors: Avgoustiniatos Efstathios S. , Scott William E. , Suszynski Thomas M. , Schuurman Henk-Jan , Nelson Rebecca A. , Rozak Phillip R. , Mueller Kate R. , Balamurugan A. N. , Ansite Jeffrey D. , Fraga Daniel W. , Friberg Andrew S. , Wildey Gina M. , Tanaka Tomohiro , Lyons Connor A. , Sutherland David E. R. , Hering Bernhard J. , Papas Klearchos K.
Published: January 2013

Culture of human islets before clinical transplantation or distribution for research purposes is standard practice. At the time the Edmonton protocol was introduced, clinical islet manufacturing did not include culture, and human serum albumin (HSA), instead of fetal bovine serum (FBS), was used during other steps of the process to avoid the introduction of xenogeneic material. When culture was subsequently introduced, HSA was also used for medium supplementation instead of FBS, which was typically used for research islet culture. The use of HSA as culture supplement was not evaluated before this implementation. We performed a retrospective analysis of 103 high-purity islet preparations (76 research preparations, all with FBS culture supplementation, and 27 clinical preparations, all with HSA supplementation) for oxygen consumption rate per DNA content (OCR/DNA; a measure of viability) and diabetes reversal rate in diabetic nude mice (a measure of potency). After 2-day culture, research preparations exhibited an average OCR/DNA 51% higher ( p < 0.001) and an average diabetes reversal rate 54% higher ( p < 0.05) than clinical preparations, despite 87% of the research islet preparations having been derived from research-grade pancreata that are considered of lower quality. In a prospective paired study on islets from eight research preparations, OCR/DNA was, on average, 27% higher with FBS supplementation than that with HSA supplementation ( p < 0.05). We conclude that the quality of clinical islet preparations can be improved when culture is performed in media supplemented with serum instead of albumin.
Survival and Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neural Precursors Grafted Spinally in Spinal Ischemia-Injured Rats or in Naive Immunosuppressed Minipigs: A Qualitative and Quantitative Study
Authors: Kakinohana O. , Juhasova J. , Juhas S. , Motlik J. , Platoshyn O. , Galik J. , Hefferan M. , Yuan S. H. , Vidal J. G. , Carson C. T. , Van Gorp S. , Goldberg D. , Leerink M. , Lazar P. , Marsala S. , Miyanohara A. , Keshavarzi S. , Ciacci J. D. , Marsala M.
Published: January 2013

In previous studies, we have demonstrated that spinal grafting of human or rat fetal spinal neural precursors leads to amelioration of spasticity and improvement in ambulatory function in rats with spinal ischemic injury. In the current study, we characterize the survival and maturation of three different human embryonic stem (ES) cell line-derived neural precursors (hNPCs) once grafted into ischemia-injured lumbar spinal cord in rats or in naive immunosuppressed minipigs. Proliferating HUES-2, HUES-7, or HUES-9 colonies were induced to form embryoid bodies. During the nestin-positive stage, the rosettes were removed and CD184+/CD271-/CD44-/CD24+population of ES-hNPCs FAC-sorted and expanded. Male Sprague–Dawley rats with spinal ischemic injury or naive immunosuppressed Gottingen–Minnesota minipigs received 10 bilateral injections of ES-NPCs into the L2–L5 gray matter. After cell grafting, animals survived for 2 weeks to 4.5 months, and the presence of grafted cells was confirmed after staining spinal cord sections with a combination of human-specific (hNUMA, HO14, hNSE, hSYN) or nonspecific (DCX, MAP2, CHAT, GFAP, APC) antibodies. In the majority of grafted animals, hNUMA-positive grafted cells were identified. At 2–4 weeks after grafting, double-labeled hNUMA/ DCX-immunoreactive neurons were seen with extensive DCX+processes. At survival intervals of 4–8 weeks, hNSE+neurons and expression of hSYN was identified. Some hSYN-positive terminals formed putative synapses with the host neurons. Quantitative analysis of hNUMA+cells at 2 months after grafting showed comparable cell survival for all three cell lines. In the presence of low-level immunosuppression, no grafted cell survival was seen at 4.5 months after grafting. Spinal grafting of proliferating pluripotent HUES-7 cells led to consistent teratoma formation at 2–6 weeks after cell transplantation. These data show that ES-derived, FAC-sorted NPCs can represent an effective source of human NPCs to be used in CNS cell replacement therapies.
Emergence of a Broad Repertoire of GAD65-Specific T-Cells in Type 1 Diabetes Patients with Graft Dysfunction after Allogeneic Islet Transplantation
Authors: Chujo Daisuke , Foucat Emile , Takita Morihito , Itoh Takeshi , Sugimoto Koji , Shimoda Masayuki , Yagi Kunimasa , Yamagishi Masakazu , Tamura Yoshiko , Yu Liping , Naziruddin Bashoo , Levy Marlon F. , Ueno Hideki , Matsumoto Shinichi
Published: January 2013

Islet transplantation is one of the most promising therapies for type 1 diabetes (T1D). A major issue in islet transplantation is the loss of graft function at late phase. Several studies suggested the involvement of islet-specific T-cells in such islet graft dysfunction. In this study, we investigated the breadth and type of glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65)-specific T-cells in T1D patients after allogeneic islet transplantation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from islet-transplanted T1D patients during insulin-independent period and cultured for 7 days with pools of GAD65 overlapping peptides in the presence of IL-2. Cytokine secretion profiles of peptide-reactive T-cells were analyzed after a short-term restimulation with the same peptides by a multiplex bead-based cytokine assay and by an intracytoplasmic cytokine detection assay. Robust GAD65-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses were detected in patients who eventually developed chronic graft dysfunction. Multiple GAD65 peptides were found to induce specific T-cell responses in these patients, indicating that the repertoire of GAD65-specific T-cells was broad. Furthermore, GAD65-specific CD4+ T-cells were composed of heterogeneous populations, which differentially expressed cytokines including IFN-γ and type 2 cytokines, but not IL-10. In contrast, patients who showed only marginal GAD65-specific T-cell responses maintained substantially longer graft survival and insulin independence. In conclusion, our study suggests that the emergence of islet-specific T-cells precedes the development of chronic graft dysfunction in islet-transplanted patients. Thus, our observations support the hypothesis that these islet-specific T-cells contribute to the development of chronic islet graft dysfunction.
Endothelial Progenitor Cell-Based Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Yang Jin-Xiu , Pan Yan-Yun , Zhao You-Yang , Wang Xing-Xiang
Published: January 2013

A growing body of evidence in animal models and clinical studies supports the concept that endothelial progenitor cell (EPC)-mediated therapy ameliorates pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and thus may represent a novel approach to treat it. Conversely, several experimental findings suggest that EPCs may be involved in PAH pathogenesis and disease progression. These discrepant results confuse the application of EPC transplantation as an effective treatment strategy for PAH. To improve the study of EPC transplantation in PAH therapy, it is high time that we resolve this dilemma. In this review, we examine the pathobiological changes of PAH, the characteristics of EPCs, and the underlying mechanisms of EPC effects on PAH.
Polar reactions of acyclic conjugated bisallenes
Authors: Stamm Reiner , Hopf Henning
Published: January 2013

The chemical behaviour of various alkyl-substituted, acyclic conjugated bisallenes in reactions involving polar intermediates and/or transition states has been investigated on a broad scale for the first time. The reactions studied include lithiation, reaction of the thus formed organolithium salts with various electrophiles (among others, allyl bromide, DMF and acetone), oxidation to cyclopentenones and epoxides, hydrohalogenation (HCl, HBr addition), halogenation (Br2 and I2 addition), and [2 + 2] cycloaddition with chlorosulfonyl isocyanate. The resulting adducts were fully characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods; they constitute interesting substrates for further organic transformations.
Andes-Virus-Induced Cytokine Storm is Partially Suppressed by Ribavirin
Authors: Khaiboullina Svetlana F , Rizvanov Albert A , Lombardi Vincent C , Morzunov Sergey P , Reis Helton J , Palotás András , Jeor Stephen St
Published: January 2013

Background

Microbe-induced over-activation of cytokines, especially tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, is key to the pathogenesis of hantavirus infection leading to severe inflammation with high mortality rate. Although ribavirin showed promise in inhibiting viral replication in vitro, its clinical efficacy remains controversial.

Methods

Various concentrations of ribavirin were used to determine its effect on cytokine activation in our infectious model system.

Results

Ribavirin decreased the virus load and dose-dependently inhibited the accumulation of RANTES messenger RNA in Andes-virus (ANDV)-infected human endothelial cells, but failed to suppress TNF-α-induced activation of RANTES and interleukin-6 in ANDV-inoculated cultures. This report also shows, for the first time, that the deleterious over-stimulation by TNF-α is mediated by nuclear factor-κB, and describes the effect of ribavirin on cytokine production following ANDV infection.

Conclusions

Although highly effective in preventing ANDV replication and suppressing activation of select inflammatory mediators, the therapeutic efficacy of ribavirin is limited due to its inability to fully inhibit cytokine outburst triggered by hantavirus infection.
Psychologie communautaire de la santé, arts et changement social. Panorama dans le monde anglo-saxon
Authors: Murray Michael
Published: January 2013

Résumé L’approche communautaire, en psychologie de la santé, a évolué durant ces dix dernières années, s’inspirant de différents courants inscrits dans la psychologie critique, dans l’activisme social et dans la santé publique. L’approche communautaire s’intéresse aux travaux avec des groupes et des communautés, et se focalise sur la transformation de leurs conditions de vie et de travail. Cet article retrace le développement de cette approche dans le monde anglo-saxon en mettant l’accent sur le rôle de l’art et des activités artistique dans le cadre d’un pouvoir d’action des sujets.
L'analyse du discours dans les pays anglo-saxons
Authors: McVittie Chris , McKinlay Andy
Published: January 2013

Résumé Cet article présente, de façon succincte, l’intérêt de l’analyse de discours pour les chercheurs en sciences humaines et, plus spécifiquement, en psychologie. L’analyse du discours, dans ses différentes applications, offre, au psychologue, un outil de recherche particulièrement précieux pour l’étude des thèmes majeurs dans ce domaine. Nous exposerons ici, principalement, les courants anglo-saxons moins connus en France. Nous nous intéressons à l’analyse du discours en tant que mode de travail avec des données verbales, écrites et orales. Nous présentons les caractéristiques de trois méthodes d’analyse de discours, « micro », « macro » ainsi qu’un « modèle-mixte ». Chacune d’entre elles envisage l’étude du discours d’une manière particulière, se distinguant, ainsi, d’autres méthodes de recherche en psychologie. Appliquées de manière exclusive ou combinées à d’autres outils méthodologiques, ces méthodes offrent, à la psychologie, différentes façons d’exploiter des thèmes majeurs de la recherche actuelle.
Entre Pavlov, Freud et Janet, itinéraire d'un gentilhomme russe émigré en France : Wladimir Drabovitch (1885-1943)
Authors: Ohayon Annick
Published: January 2013

Résumé Dans l’histoire de la psychologie, un certain nombre de personnages ont joué un rôle important, mais méconnu. Tel est le cas du psychologue russe Wladimir Drabovitch. Élève de Pavlov, il est arrivé en France juste avant la première guerre mondiale, et y est demeuré jusqu’à sa mort en 1943. Polygraphe abondant, il a mené de front des activités de journaliste politique, de vulgarisateur scientifique, et ses propres recherches de psychologue. Il a servi de pont entre la science russe et la science française, dans les domaines de la physiologie et de la psychologie. D’un autre côté, dans les années 1930, il a tenté d’éclairer l’opinion française, en particulier ses collègues psychologues, sur ce qui se passait alors en Union soviétique, dans un contexte de répression stalinienne terrible. Dans cet article, l’auteur présente ces deux dimensions, et s’interroge sur les raisons de l’oubli dans lequel a sombré cette œuvre.