bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphological fruit characters and nutritional food value of different jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) cultivars in Rajshahi region of Bangladesh
Authors: Ibrahim M , Islam MS , Helali MOH , Alam AKMS , Shafique MZ
Published: March 2014

Morphological fruit characters and nutritional food value of different jackfruit cultivars were studied during May to July 2012 to find out the superior ones in terms of the standard variables. The different cultivars of jackfruit were collected from Rajshahi, Natore, Noagoan and Chapai Nawabgonj. These cultivars showed variability in morphological fruit characters and nutritional food values. Among them the percentage of pulp (38.60-47.37%), percentage of rind (15.67-20.00%), percentage of skin (14.86-23.68%), percentage of seed (09.46-19.33%), moisture content (63.39-76.62%), TSS (18.80-27.37%), total sugar (11.84-17.01%), vitamin C content (17.82-31.55 mg/100gm) and acidity (0.037-0.075% as citric acid) were estimated. The findings show that, evaluation of these promising cultivars have identified them as superior ones. The data provide important information in improving the quality characteristics of jackfruit for plantation and processing industry. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v48i4.18280 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 48(4), 287-292, 2013
Effects of heavy metals toxicity on the biochemical response in tomato plants grown in contaminated silt-soil
Authors: Saeed A , Sohail M , Rashi N , Iqbal Muhammad
Published: March 2014

Toxic effects of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+ in tomato plants were the reduction in vegetative growth of seedlings and also in flowering and fruiting. Toxicity of these heavy metals resulted in a reduction in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and soluble sugars, but in an increase in proline. Toxic metal stress caused a 71.71, 77.70 and 11.90% increase in the activities of peroxidase, catalase and ascorbic acid oxidase, respectively. With respect to the total uptake of Cd2+, the biggest sink for the metal was provided by roots with 72.80% retention followed by 22% in the stem. Accumulation of Cd2+ and Zn2+ gradually increased in the order of root, stem and leaves, but for Cu2+ that was reversed, that is, it increased in the order of leaf, stem and root. A new consideration of metals bioavailability is discussed in terms of their respective solubility product constants, pH of precipitation, and metal complexation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsir.v48i4.9754 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 48(4), 229-236, 2013
Selection of an optimal method for the preparation of dual loaded flavono polymeric nanoparticle using analytical hierarchy process
Authors: Chinnamaruthu Senthil Kumar , Sellappan Mohan
Published: March 2014

In this study, analytical hierarchy process was used to select an optimal method for the preparation of dual loaded flavono polymeric nanoparticles. Analytical hierarchy process involves structuring multiple choice criteria into a hierarchy, assessing the relative importance of criteria, comparing alternatives for each criterion and determining an overall ranking of the alternatives. Hierarchy model was developed with the goal in the first level, 10 criteria in the second level and methods for the preparation of polymeric nanoparticles in the third level. To assess the relative importance of criteria, all criteria were compared with each other using Saatys scale. To compare the methods, all the methods for the preparation of polymeric nanoparticles were compared with each other for each criterion using Saatys scale, which leads to the formation of pair-wise comparison matrixes and consistency ratio was calculated for the each pair-wise comparison matrix. The study result showed that the consistency ratio of each pair-wise comparison matrix were well within acceptable limits. Of 10 criteria, reproducible results received the maximum overall priority weight followed by desirable size. Of 10 methods, nanoprecipitation method received the maximum overall priority weight followed by supercritical fluid technology. Analytical hierarchy process has identified reproducible results as criteria preference and nanoprecipitation as an optimal method for the preparation of dual loaded flavono polymeric nanoparticles. The study concludes that the analytical hierarchy process has played a vital role in selecting an optimal method for the preparation of dual loaded flavono polymeric nanoparticles.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v3i4.18264 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, March 2014, 3(4): 247-253
Evaluation of anaphylactic reaction as an adverse event for perindopril erbumine tablets
Authors: Krishnan Kiran , Krishnasamy Kathiresan
Published: March 2014

Perindopril erbumine is a tert-butylamine salt of perindopril used in the treatment of stable coronary artery disease and hypertension. The present study was aimed to evaluate the anaphylactic reaction as an adverse event for perindopril erbumine tablets. Electronic extraction of data from the safety database for this report includes all cases of anaphylactic reaction where perindopril was a primary or co-suspect drug. The study result have shown that there were overall 205 case reports for perindopril in the database, of which 200 cases were assessed as (potentially) perindopril and 05 were assessed as non-perindopril product. From the 200 case reports, 141 were serious and 59 were non-serious. Out of the 141 serious cases, 137 cases were medically confirmed while remaining 04 cases were consumer reports. Of the total 205 case reports there were five cases wherein the patient experienced anaphylactic reaction. The study concludes that three out of five cases entered in the drug safety database suggestive of a possible association between perindopril and anaphylactic reaction.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v3i4.18265 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, March 2014, 3(4): 254-258
Editorial Notes Vol.8(1-2)
Authors: Alam Mahmudul
Published: March 2014

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbt.v8i1-2.18282 Journal of Business and Technology (Dhaka) Vol.8(1-2) 2013
An Empirical Study on Dispute Resolution Methods (DRM) from the Perspective of Employee and Employer: Special Emphasis on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Authors: Ferdous Syed Robayet
Published: March 2014

In recent times, most of the parties involved in dispute resolution process are favoring Alternative Dispute Resolution or ADR over the formal adjudication process due to ADRs distinguished benefits. In order to reduce the backlog and pressure of workload, courts randomly select alternative ways to settle dispute. Therefore, a question can be raised how well ADR is working in reality? If a dispute is in existence between a company and an individual, the individual might not get a proper redress against an esteemed company. Moreover, there is a possibility of bias in favor of those who is in the superior positions. Though it was a courageous effort from the legislature and the judiciary to make the dispute resolution system compatible with the changing society, a question remains: how much upshot is there in the legal field? To what extent does the ADR process elude or ensure justice? DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbt.v8i1-2.18283 Journal of Business and Technology (Dhaka) Vol.8(1-2) 2013; 1-16
Green Banking in Bangladesh: A Commitment towards the Global Initiatives
Authors: Masukujjaman Md , Aktar Serena
Published: March 2014

Banks usually provide dedicated public services for profits. It is believed that profit should not be earned at the expense of the world's most pressing environmental problems. Thus the concept of green banking is evolved in response to the global initiative to save environment. It is a kind of welfare banking for the society at large, it responses to be green in daily operations and financing of nature conservation projects. The present paper aims to highlight the green banking road map in Bangladesh and the status of its implementation. Further, an attempt has been made to explore activities of commercial banks in comparison with global green banking initiatives. The study utilized secondary data available from related websites, published reports and articles. The study concluded that Bangladesh is far behind their counterparts from the developed countries. But the general picture presents a transition to green banking in a consistent manner for most banks. By taking care of its infrastructure development and accelerating its existing green movements, banks can ensure sustainability for itself and greener world for communities. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbt.v8i1-2.18284 Journal of Business and Technology (Dhaka) Vol.8(1-2) 2013; 17-40
Womens Economic Empowerment through Micro-credit program: A Case of Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Sangha (TMSS) in Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Md Mahbubur , Kabir Kazi Shahdat , Al Helal Md Abdullah
Published: March 2014

The paper is an endeavor to assess womens economic empowerment through micro-credit program by evaluating different activities in various economic spheres in the rural area of Bangladesh. The study has been done utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods. Using role of women in different economic spheres like household level, community level and broader arenas, a survey questionnaire was designed to collect data from 152 women following snow-ball sampling procedure and different statistical methods were applied to analyze the collected data. In addition, qualitative techniques like FGD and case study were used to validate the analyzed data. Finally, applying multiple regression method, the study revealed that different factors of household and community level e.g. ability of establishing rural cooperative banks, control of own poultry farm and its utilization, control of own jewelry and enjoyment, decision-making in land or equipment selling in an emergency and independent savings have been found significantly associated with the womens economic empowerment in the studied area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbt.v8i1-2.18285 Journal of Business and Technology (Dhaka) Vol.8(1-2) 2013; 41-62
Strategy for Maximizing Customer Lifetime Value: A Study on Fairness Cream Users of Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Fayez , Kamal Mohammad Afsar
Published: March 2014

Customer lifetime value is one of the most important concepts in marketing on which lots of scholarly writings have been done to analyze this concept. In this study, we have used this concept to study fairness cream market of Bangladesh. Through this study we have tried to find out the factors that increase customer lifetime value in fairness cream market. To conduct the study, we have used simple random sampling technique where 300 respondents have been interviewed. We have utilized multiple regression technique to analyze the data. The findings that have been generated from the analysis is that fairness cream companies can increase customer usage months of fairness cream product or customer lifetime value through proper application of three factors which are creating fear that experimentation may be dangerous for skin, strong positioning that users brand is the best brand in the market and marketers brand has international recognition. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbt.v8i1-2.18286 Journal of Business and Technology (Dhaka) Vol.8(1-2) 2013; 63-78
Technical Entrepreneurship in Small Repairing Firms: A Study on Motorbike Repairing Workshops in Sylhet City
Authors: Latif Abdul , Islam Khandaker Dahirul , Chowdhury Touheda Yasmin
Published: March 2014

This research straightforwardly dilates the real scenario with an attempt to deal with all issues regarding motorbike workshops in Sylhet City, Bangladesh. Though analyzing the managerial activities appears as one of the core concerns of the research, it identifies the opportunities of entrepreneurial development for innovative and technically skilled persons. Through the observation of the formation and operational activities of such kind of workshops, the research attempts identifying problems faced by those firms, and eventually tries to produce solutions in that problem domain in the form of suggestions. The work has an endeavor to find out the historic pattern of the establishment of this kind of enterprise that helps understand whether the entrepreneurs are chronically affected by their families. The empirical study of the research also approaches to examine whether assistance from the government and NGOs to setup and to operate this type of entrepreneurship is required. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbt.v8i1-2.18287 Journal of Business and Technology (Dhaka) Vol.8(1-2) 2013; 79-94
Career Development Services (CDS) at the University Level: A Study on Two Private Universities in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Mohammad Masudur
Published: March 2014

In this paper an attempt has been made to analyze the importance of educating students through various missions of professional development activities of a university. Through its focus on teaching and learning, research and discovery, and outreach and engagement, the university creates, conveys, and applies knowledge to expand personal growth and opportunity, advance social and community development, foster economic competitiveness, and improve quality of life. Bangladesh, as a developing nation, experiences one of the most acute unemployment situations in the world. Getting a suitable job or building right career in the expected way has now-a-days become very difficult. Emphasis has been given on building skilled human resources by undertaking job oriented academic programs, arranging internship, job placement, workshop and facilitating opportunities to study abroad for higher education. Because, without imparting qualitative education and proper counseling a fresh graduate may lose the right way to approach in getting a better livelihood and build healthier career. The university, where the students are taught, can play a pivotal role in guiding them and building their professional skills in the way of achieving the goal. This article will analyze how a university can take part with students professional development activities and prepares its students for job market at home and abroad. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbt.v8i1-2.18288 Journal of Business and Technology (Dhaka) Vol.8(1-2) 2013; 95-113
Interrelationships of Land Use/Cover Change and Topography with Soil Acidity and Salinity as Indicators of Land Degradation
Authors: Manandhar Ramita , Odeh Inakwu
Published: March 2014

As soil is the basis of all terrestrial ecosystems, degraded soil means lower fertility, reduced biodiversity and reduced human welfare. Therefore the focus of this paper is on elucidating the influence of land use and land cover (LULC) change on two important soil quality indicators that are fundamental to effective measures for ameliorating soil degradation; namely soil acidity and soil salinity in the Lower Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia. First, Analysis of Variance was used to elucidate the effects of LULC categories on soil acidity and salinity. The results indicate that soils under Vineyard have significantly higher pH. In contrast there is no significant effect of LULC or its change on soil salinity. To further elucidate the complex interactions of these soil quality indicators with landscape attributes over 20 years and other terrain attributes, multivariate ordination techniques (correspondence analysis and canonical correspondence analysis) were used. The results show that elevation exerted a more dominant influence on pH than the LULC types and their dynamics. In comparison, salinity of the soil appears to be higher in subsoil layers under woodland than under other LULC categories. The environmental implications of these interactions, as evidenced by this study, provide some insights for future land use planning in the region.
Toward a Theory of Game-Media Literacy
Authors: Caperton Idit Harel
Published: March 2014

This paper discusses varied ideas on games, learning, and digital literacy for 21st-century education as theorized and practiced by the author and James Paul Gee, and their colleagues. With attention to games as means for learning, the author links Gee’s theories to the learning sciences tradition (particularly those of the MIT Constructionists) and extending game media literacy to encompass “writing” (producing) as well as “reading” (playing) games. If game-playing is like reading and game-making is like writing, then we must introduce learners to both from a young age. The imagining and writing of web-games fosters the development of many essential skill-sets needed for creativity and innovation, providing an appealing new way for a global computing education, STEM education, for closing achievement gaps. Gee and the author reveal a shared aim to encourage researchers and theorists, as well as policymakers, to investigate gaming with regard to epistemology and cognition.
Computer Gaming Scenarios for Product Development Teams
Authors: Wodehouse Andrew J. , Ion William J.
Published: March 2014

In this paper, computer gaming approaches are introduced as a viable means to structure the interaction of a product development team during concept generation. During concept generation, teams gather large amounts of information before generating new ideas and concepts. Digital technologies mean that relevant information can be sourced faster than ever, but this does not necessarily migrate into the activity of concept creation. It is suggested that cues from computer games can help integrate information as well as individuals more effectively, resulting in better conceptual output. A range of game types are evaluated with a view to their possible utilization in support of concept design. Two scenarios for the implementation of gaming methods are proposed, and one refined scenario identified as having potential for further development.
Evaluating User Experience of Actual and Imagined Movement in BCI Gaming
Authors: van de Laar Bram , Reuderink Boris , Bos Danny Plass-Oude , Heylen Dirk
Published: March 2014

Most research on Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) focuses on developing ways of expression for disabled people who are not able to communicate through other means. Recently it has been shown that BCI can also be used in games to give users a richer experience and new ways to interact with a computer or game console. This paper describes research conducted to find out what the differences are between using actual and imagined movement as modalities in a BCI game. Results show that there are significant differences in user experience and that actual movement is a more robust way of communicating through a BCI.
An Investigation into the Success Factors of Small Software Companies
Authors: Reen J.J. , Lang Michael
Published: March 2014

This chapter is concerned with the study of success factors in small software firms. The decision to focus specifically on the software sector, as opposed to high technology firms or the generic small firm, is because the authors believe that there are elements in the operation of a software business that are unique to that domain and do not have equivalents in other industries. Interviews were carried out with six owner/managers of small to medium software firms. The interview data was interpreted using a qualitative analysis approach based on the principles of grounded theory. A number of factors emerged from this analysis, a few of which have parallels in the generic small firm literature (e.g. market positioning, export orientation, distribution channel), as well as a few others which appear to be specific to the software industry (e.g. remote accessibility, ability to demonstrate/trial at global reach with minimal expense, software reuse, etc.).
Implementing a Pervasive Real-Time Intelligent System for Tracking Critical Events with Intensive Care Patients
Authors: Portela Filipe , Gago Pedro , Santos Manuel Filipe , Machado José , Abelha António , Silva Álvaro , Rua Fernando
Published: March 2014

Nowadays, it is increasingly important to utilize intelligent systems to support the decision making process (DMP) in challenging areas such as Intensive Medicine. In Intensive Care Units (ICU), some of the biggest challenges relate both to the number and the different types of available data sources. Even though in such a setting the values for some variables are easy to collect, data collection is still performed manually in particular instances. In order to improve the DMP in ICU, a Pervasive Intelligent Decision Support System, called INTCare was deployed in the ICU of Centro Hospitalar do Porto in Portugal. This system altered the way information is collected and presented. Moreover, the tracking system deployed as a specific module of INTCare – Electronic Nursing Record (ENR) is made accessible anywhere and anytime. The system allows for the calculation of the critical events regarding five variables that are typically monitored in an ICU. Specifically, the INTCare tracking system characterizes a grid that shows the events by type and duration, empowers a warning system to alert the doctors and promotes intuitive graphics that allow care providers to follow the patient care journey. User acceptance was measured through a questionnaire designed in accordance with the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and results of implementing the INTCare tracking system, and its interface are reported.
Learning Goes Hi-Tech
Authors: Jadhav Pralhad
Published: March 2014

The need for usage of technologies which removes the boundaries of time and location increases day by day today when information and accession to information gains importance. The evolution in education and training at a distance can be characterised as a move from dLearning (distance learning) to eLearning (electronic learning) to mLearning (mobile learning). Though the environment in which a student and a teacher interact has considerably changed, the basics of a student-teacher relationship remain the same. The avenues for obtaining information for students are plenty now. The study concludes on four major concerns with regard to implementing m-Learning into an educational environment that is Cost factor, Accessibility, Usability and Compatibility.
A Scalable Graph-Based Semi-Supervised Ranking System for Content-Based Image Retrieval
Authors: Qi Xiaojun , Chang Ran
Published: March 2014

The authors propose a scalable graph-based semi-supervised ranking system for image retrieval. This system exploits the synergism between relevance feedback based transductive short-term learning and semantic feature-based long-term learning to improve retrieval performance. Active learning is applied to build a dynamic feedback log to extract semantic features of images. Two-layer manifold graphs are then built in both low-level visual and high-level semantic spaces. One graph is constructed at the first layer using anchor images obtained from the feedback log. Several graphs are constructed at the second layer using images in their respective cluster formed around each anchor image. An asymmetric relevance vector is created for each second layer graph by propagating initial scores from the first layer. These vectors are fused to propagate relevance scores of labeled images to unlabeled images. The authors’ extensive experiments demonstrate the proposed system outperforms four manifold-based and five state-of-the-art long-term-based image retrieval systems.
Music Control in an Interactive Conducting System Using Kinect
Authors: Chen Yi-Shin , Toh Leng-Wee , Liu Yi-Lan
Published: March 2014

Music conducting is the art of directing musical ensembles with hand gestures to personalize and diversify a piece of music. Although the ability to successfully perform a musical piece demands intense training and coordination for the conductor and the orchestra, preparing a practice session is expensive and time-consuming. Hence, there is a genuine need for alternatives capable of providing adequate training for conductors at all skill levels. The potential use of virtual and augmented reality technology holds particular promise. The goal of this research is to examine the mechanics of music conducting and to develop a system capable of closely simulating the experience of conducting a piece of music. After extensive discussions with professional and nonprofessional conductors, in addition to wide-ranging research regarding music conducting materials, several key features of conducting were identified. A set of lightweight algorithms exploring these features was developed to enable tempo control, volume adjustment, and instrument emphasis, which are core components of conducting. Such a system would be a helpful training tool for students, an experiential tool allowing professional conductors and composers to shape music at a low cost, or an entertainment tool for nonprofessional music lovers. In this paper, we propose a real-time interactive conducting system using Microsoft Kinect. The proposed system overcomes the limitation of Kinect's design, which is generally designed for large body movements. In this system, delicate conducting signals can be correctly recognized without referencing any prior knowledge. Evaluation of the algorithms in real-world scenarios reveals promising results. The system was evaluated by conductors of all skill levels and provided a high level of accuracy and a low latency. Users of the final system expressed satisfaction with the virtual experience.
Social User Mining
Authors: Eltaher Mohammed , Lee Jeongkyu
Published: March 2014

In recent years, the pervasive use of social media has generated huge amounts of data that starts to gain a lot of attentions. Each social media source utilizes different data types such as textual and visual. For example, Twitter1 is for a short text message, Flickr2 is for images and videos, and Facebook3 allows all of these data types. It is highly desired to find patterns of social media users from such different data formats. With the use of data mining techniques, the social media data opens a lot of opportunities for researchers. Despite of its short history, social media mining has become very active research area. This paper provides a comprehensive survey on recent research on social user mining. In particular, the survey focuses on two aspects: (1) social user mining based on data types, such as textual, visual, and both textual and visual information, and (2) social user mining based on mining techniques. In addition, we present our current research on social user mining as well as its future directions.
Personal Knowledge Integrators
Authors: White David C.
Published: March 2014

This paper discusses, in the context of personal learning environments, the need for Personal Knowledge Integrators – PKI’s or Knowers. It first illustrates and establishes the need for Knowers with usage scenarios and people’s requirements. It then describes the elements required to make a Knower which can exchange information with other Knowers, regardless of different platforms or technologies. Knowers will provide a person with a knowledge hub synchronising with learning management systems, personal learning environments, file systems and other sources and sinks of information. A design science approach is described with iterative cycles of design and prototyping.
Differential Role of Th1 and Th2 Cytokines in Autotoxicity Driven by CD19-Specific Second-Generation Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells in a Mouse Model
Authors: Cheadle Eleanor J. , Sheard Victoria , Rothwell Dominic G. , Bridgeman John S. , Ashton Garry , Hanson Vivien , Mansoor A. Wasat , Hawkins Robert E. , Gilham David E.
Published: March 2014

T cells engrafted with chimeric AgRs (CAR) are showing exciting potential for targeting B cell malignancies in early-phase clinical trials. To determine whether the second-generation CAR was essential for optimal antitumor activity, two CD28-based CAR constructs targeting CD19 were tested for their ability to redirect mouse T cell function against established B cell lymphoma in a BALB/c syngeneic model system. T cells armed with either CAR eliminated A20 B cell lymphoma in vivo; however, one construct induced a T cell dose-dependent acute toxicity associated with a raised serum Th1 type cytokine profile on transfer into preconditioned mice. Moreover, a chronic toxicity manifested as granuloma-like formation in spleen, liver, and lymph nodes was observed in animals receiving T cells bearing either CD28 CAR, albeit with different kinetics dependent upon the specific receptor used. This phenotype was associated with an expansion of CD4+CAR+ T cells and CD11b+Gr-1+ myeloid cells and increased serum Th2-type cytokines, including IL-10 and IL-13. Mouse T cells engrafted with a first-generation CAR failed to develop such autotoxicity, whereas toxicity was not apparent when T cells bearing the same receptors were transferred into C57BL/6 or C3H animals. In summary, the adoptive transfer of second-generation CD19-specific CAR T cells can result in a cell dose–dependent acute toxicity, whereas the prolonged secretion of high levels of Th2 cytokines from these CAR T cells in vivo drives a granulomatous reaction resulting in chronic toxicity. Strategies that prevent a prolonged Th2-cytokine biased CAR T cell response are clearly warranted.
Functional Characterization of Ocular-Derived Human Alphaherpesvirus Cross-Reactive CD4 T Cells
Authors: Ouwendijk Werner J. D. , Geluk Annemieke , Smits Saskia L. , Getu Sarah , Osterhaus Albert D. M. E. , Verjans Georges M. G. M.
Published: March 2014

Intraocular varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and HSV type 1 (HSV-1) infections cause sight-threatening uveitis. The disease is characterized by an intraocular inflammatory response involving herpesvirus-specific T cells. T cell reactivity to the noncausative human alphaherpesvirus (αHHV) is commonly detected in the affected eyes of herpetic uveitis patients, suggesting the role of cross-reactive T cells in the disease. This study aimed to identify and functionally characterize intraocular human alphaherpesvirus cross-reactive T cells. VZV protein immediate early 62 (IE62), which shares extensive homology with HSV ICP4, is a previously identified T cell target in VZV uveitis. Two VZV-specific CD4 T cell clones (TCC), recovered from the eye of a VZV uveitis patient, recognized the same IE62918–927 peptide using different TCR and HLA-DR alleles. The IE62918–927 peptide bound with high affinity to multiple HLA-DR alleles and was recognized by blood-derived T cells of 5 of 17 HSV-1/VZV-seropositive healthy adults but not in cord blood donors (n = 5). Despite complete conservation of the IE62 epitope in the orthologous protein ICP4 of HSV-1 and HSV-2, the TCC recognized VZV and HSV-1– but not HSV-2–infected B cells. This was not attributed to proximal epitope-flanking amino acid polymorphisms in HSV-2 ICP4. Notably, VZV/HSV-1 cross-reactive CD4 T cells controlled VZV but not HSV-1 infection of human primary retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. In conclusion, we report on the first VZV/HSV-1 cross-reactive CD4 T cell epitope, which is HLA-DR promiscuous and immunoprevalent in coinfected individuals. Moreover, ocular-derived peptide-specific CD4 TCC controlled VZV but not HSV-1 infection of RPE cells, suggesting that HSV-1 actively inhibits CD4 T cell activation by infected human RPE cells.
ORMDL3 Transgenic Mice Have Increased Airway Remodeling and Airway Responsiveness Characteristic of Asthma
Authors: Miller Marina , Rosenthal Peter , Beppu Andrew , Mueller James L. , Hoffman Hal M. , Tam Arvin B. , Doherty Taylor A. , McGeough Matthew D. , Pena Carla A. , Suzukawa Maho , Niwa Maho , Broide David H.
Published: March 2014

Orosomucoid-like (ORMDL)3 has been strongly linked with asthma in genetic association studies. Because allergen challenge induces lung ORMDL3 expression in wild-type mice, we have generated human ORMDL3 zona pellucida 3 Cre (hORMDL3zp3-Cre) mice that overexpress human ORMDL3 universally to investigate the role of ORMDL3 in regulating airway inflammation and remodeling. These hORMDL3zp3-Cre mice have significantly increased levels of airway remodeling, including increased airway smooth muscle, subepithelial fibrosis, and mucus. hORMDL3zp3-Cre mice had spontaneously increased airway responsiveness to methacholine compared to wild-type mice. This increased airway remodeling was associated with selective activation of the unfolded protein response pathway transcription factor ATF6 (but not Ire1 or PERK). The ATF6 target gene SERCA2b, implicated in airway remodeling in asthma, was strongly induced in the lungs of hORMDL3zp3-Cre mice. Additionally, increased levels of expression of genes associated with airway remodeling (TGF-β1, ADAM8) were detected in airway epithelium of these mice. Increased levels of airway remodeling preceded increased levels of airway inflammation in hORMDL3zp3-Cre mice. hORMDL3zp3-Cre mice had increased levels of IgE, with no change in levels of IgG, IgM, and IgA. These studies provide evidence that ORMDL3 plays an important role in vivo in airway remodeling potentially through ATF6 target genes such as SERCA2b and/or through ATF6-independent genes (TGF-β1, ADAM8).
Efficacy of pralidoxime in organophosphorus poisoning
Authors: Banerjee I. , Tripathi SK , Roy Sinha A
Published: March 2014

Context:

Poisoning with organophosphorus (OP) compounds constitutes a global public health problem. Standard treatment of OP poisoning involves use of atropine and pralidoxime. While efficacy of atropine is well-established, clinical experience with pralidoxime in management of OP poisoning is controversial.

Aims:

To explore the efficacy of add-on pralidoxime with atropine over atropine alone in the management of OP poisoning.

Settings and Design:

An open-label, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial was conducted in a tertiary care district hospital in West Bengal.

Materials and Methods:

Patients presenting with features of OP poisoning were randomly allocated to receive atropine or atropine-plus-pralidoxime. Efficacy was assessed by analyzing mortality, requirement for ventilator support and the duration of stay in hospital.

Statistical analysis:

Chi-square test was done to compare the efficacy parameters between the two groups. A two-tailed P-value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results:

During the study period, 150 patients were screened following which 120 patients were randomized to either of the treatment arms. Add-on pralidoxime therapy did not offer any appreciable benefit over atropine alone in terms of reducing mortality (18.33% (11/60) versus 13.33% (8/60)) and ventilator requirement (5% (3/60) versus 8.33% (5/60)). However, patients randomized in the add-on pralidoxime arm experienced longer duration of hospital stay (7.02 ± 1.12 days) than those receiving atropine-alone therapy (5.68 ± 1.87 days) (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

The present study suggested that add-on pralidoxime with atropine therapy did not offer any appreciable benefit over atropine alone in management of OP poisoning. However, further trials are needed to explore different dosing regimens of pralidoxime in order to determine its efficacy in OP poisoning.
Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D profile after single large oral doses of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) in medical staff in North India
Authors: Priyambada L , Bhatia V , Singh N , Bhatia E
Published: March 2014

Background:

Vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent in India and subjects who have almost no exposure to sunlight are severely deficient. Daily oral doses of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) are costly as compared to stoss doses and further, take a long time for the serum levels to reach a plateau. Compliance to supplementation may also be better if a regimen involves single oral doses of vitamin D at specified intervals rather than daily doses. Evidence-based guidelines regarding the dosing and the frequency of dosing for prophylactic intermittent supplementation (stoss doses) in severely-deficient subjects are few.

Materials and Methods:

In a prospective intervention study, we serially assessed 30 asymptomatic healthy medical staff for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and parathyroid hormone (PTH); (a) at baseline; (b) monthly for 3 months after single oral 60,000 units (U) cholecalciferol; (c) monthly for 3 months after 120,000 (or 180,000 for those with elevated alkaline phosphatase) U cholecalciferol; and, (d) subsequently, at 3 months after a repeat dose of 60,000 U cholecalciferol by repeated measures analysis of variance.

Results:

The baseline serum 25(OH)D was 7.1 ± 5.4 ng/mL (< 10 ng/mL in 85% subjects) which increased to 18.7 ± 8.9 ng/mL at 1 month after 60,000 U of cholecalciferol (P < 0.001) and decreased to 11.1 ± 5.3 ng/mL by the 3 rd month. The higher dose of 120,000 (or 180,000) U increased mean 25(OH)D to 28.9 ± 9.9 ng/mL at the end of 1 st month, declining to 17.9 ± 4.9 ng/mL (P < 0.001) at 3 months. With the subsequent 60,000 U the serum 25(OH)D was 18.4 ± 3.9 ng/mL at 3 months. PTH showed a corresponding negative trend. No hypercalcemia was observed.

Conclusions:

Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent amongst medical staff in Northern India. An initial dose of 120,000-180,000 U of cholecalciferol is required to elevate 25(OH)D out of the deficiency range. Maintenance dose is needed at 2 months.
Prevalence and Pattern of Smoking among Bus Drivers of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Goon Shatabdi , Bipasha Munmun S.
Published: March 2014

Background

Smoking is an increasingly prevalent habit in Bangladesh, particularly among men with low socioeconomic status.

Aim

The aim of this study was determining the prevalence and pattern of smoking among bus drivers of Dhaka city, Bangladesh.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out from 15 to 26 March 2013 among four hundred bus drivers of Dhaka city, Bangladesh aged between 18 and 50 determining the prevalence, pattern, and socioeconomic determinants of smoking. Data were input into a pre-designed access database with data management and analysis using standard statistical tools (SPSS-15) to assess significance through cross-tabulation.

Results

The overall prevalence of smoking among bus drivers was 93%, and 20% of their daily income was spent on smoking. Though most (32.3%) of the drivers started smoking before involving in driving profession, but excessive smoking had been promoted by occupational and environmental stress experiencing hectic work schedule. Individuals with no education were three times (odds ratio (OR) 2.8; 95% CI 1.2–6.13) more likely to be smoker. Smoking was detected among 53.2% of smokers aged 26 or above (χ 2 = 8.30, P < 0.05), and they showed significantly high prevalence. The reasons behind smoking were almost exclusively habit (38.1%), peer influence (26.8%), and thinking of stress relief (25.3%). Smoking can also worsen poverty among users and their families because most of the drivers reported chest pain (34.4%), heart disease (25.8%), and other health complications caused by smoking depriving families of much-needed income and imposing additional costs of health care.

Conclusion

Interventions and preventions by policy makers, public health experts, and other stakeholders should be introduced considering high prevalence of smoking among Bangladeshi bus drivers with detrimental health sequel.
Molecular Characteristics of Rotavirus Isolated from a Diarrhea Outbreak in October 2008 in Bintuni Bay, Papua, Indonesia
Authors: Pratiwi Eka , Setiawaty Vivi , Putranto Rudi Hendro
Published: March 2014

Background

Viral diarrhea continues to be a health problem in Indonesia that often causes outbreaks; in particular, acute viral diarrhea in young children. Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrhea in children under two years of age. This study aimed to determine the genotypes of rotavirus in Bintuni Bay, Papua.

Methods

Stool specimens from 15 patients were collected and analyzed for rotavirus using an enzyme immunosorbent assay (EIA) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Subsequently, we sequenced the genetic material of rotavirus positive samples by RT-PCR and analyzed the results using Mega-4 software.

Results

Two rotavirus serotypes were identified from the diarrhea outbreak in Bintuni, Papua in October 2008: serotype G1 with G1P[6] (50%) and G1P[8] (16.7%) strains, and serotype G2 with G2P[4] (23.3%) strain. Phylogenetic tree analyses of VP7 protein showed that rotavirus-infected diarrhea in Bintuni Bay, Papua at that time was dominated by the G1 serotype (83%).

Conclusion

The laboratory results showed that G1 serotype rotavirus was a cause of the outbreak of diarrhea in October 2008 in Bintuni, Papua.
Beef cattle grazing behaviour differs among diploid and tetraploid crested wheatgrasses (Agropyron cristatumandA. desertorum)
Authors: Iwaasa Alan D. , Jefferson Paul G. , Birkedal Edward J.
Published: March 2014

Iwaasa, A. D., Jefferson, P. G. and Birkedal, E. J. 2014. Beef cattle grazing behaviour differs among diploid and tetraploid crested wheatgrasses (Agropyron cristatum and A. desertorum). Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 851–855. A study was conducted over 4 yr (1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003) at Swift Current to evaluate the forage preferences of steers grazing five different crested wheatgrass (CWG) cultivars: Kirk (2n=28), Fairway (2n=14) and Parkway (2n=14) [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.], Hycrest (2n=28) (A. cristatum×A. desertorum) and Nordan (2n=28) [(A. desertorum (Fisch. Ex Link) Schult.)]. Animal grazing frequencies for each CWG cultivar patch were converted to percentages (Grazing%) for each grazing time period. Grazing% for Kirk and Hycrest CWGs were similar with Nordan having higher (P<0.05) Grazing% compared with the hybrid and diploid CWGs. Contrasts revealed no differences (P=0.48) in Grazing% between diploid versus hybrid cultivars, while higher (P<0.01) Grazing% were observed for tetraploid compared with diploid and hybrid CWG cultivars. For forage nutritive values, significant Cultivar (P<0.01) and Year (P<0.0001) main effects were observed. Overall mean values for percent crude protein (%CP) and percent acid detergent fibre (%ADF) for Nordan, Kirk, Hycrest, Fairway and Parkway were 10.6±0.3 and 29.2±0.4, 11.0±0.3 and 28.7±0.4, 10.4±0.3 and 29.7±0.4, 9.9±0.3 and 28.5±0.4, and 10.0±0.3 and 28.7±0.4, respectively (± SE). Correlation coefficients between Grazing% and all nutritive value constituents were low and not significant. This study observed grazing preference differences among different CWG cultivars that may lead to grazing management strategies to improve pasture utilization potential and animal production.
Pharmacokinetics of Artesunate Alone and in Combination with Sulfadoxine/Pyrimethamine in Healthy Sudanese Volunteers
Authors: Matar Kamal M. , Awad Abdelmoneim I. , Elamin Sakina B.
Published: March 2014

Artesunate (AS) in combination with sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) is the first-line therapy for management of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Sudan. The objective of this study was to assess the potential impact of SP on the pharmacokinetics of AS and its active metabolite, dihydroartemisinin (DHA), in healthy adults. A single-dose, randomized, open-label, crossover study design with a washout period of three weeks was performed with 16 volunteers. After oral administration of AS alone or in combination with SP, Tmax values of AS and DHA were significantly prolonged in the combination group (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant effect on the other pharmacokinetic parameters (P > 0.05). The t1/2 values of AS and DHA were significantly higher in females than in males (P < 0.05). The present findings suggest that co-administration of SP with AS has no clinically relevant impact on the pharmacokinetics of AS or DHA in healthy persons.
Formação de educadores de jovens e adultos do campo: quase tudo por fazer
Authors: Ribeiro Marlene
Published: March 2014

O objeto deste artigo situa-se na confl uência de três temáticas, do que decorrem as difi culdades para abordá-lo. São elas: educação de jovens e adultos, formação de educadores e educação do campo, cada uma com as suas especifi cidades que precisam ser articuladas na unidade de formação de educadores de EJA do campo, com o objetivo de promover uma análise das questões que se colocam a essa formação. A subdivisão do artigo corresponde às temáticas articuladas nessa unidade, e permitirá, ao fi nal, uma abordagem a respeito do que as une, apontando algumas conclusões. Sobre cada uma dessas temáticas há uma razoável produção de artigos, pesquisas, ensaios, documentos, mas sobre a unidade acima proposta não há registros ou, se existem, são raros. Por isso, acrescenta-se o quase tudo por fazer, que completa o título dado a esta refl exão e, ao mesmo tempo, reforça a importância da abordagem proposta.
Recensies
Authors: Goud Marco , De Smedt Marcel , Muyres Jos
Published: March 2014

J.D.F. van Halsema, Vrienden & visioenen. Een biografie van Tachtig. Groningen, Historische Uitgeverij, 2010. ISBN 978- 90-6554-033-1. 495 pp. € 39,95.; Arthur van Schendel, Drie Hollandse romans. De waterman – Een Hollands drama – De grauwe vogels. Bezorgd door Hans Anten, Wilbert Smulders en Joke van der Wiel. Amsterdam: Athenaeum - Polak & van Gennep, 2010. ISBN 978 90 253 6741 1. € 34,95; Lars Bernaerts, Hans Vandevoorde en Bart Vervaeck (red.), Jan Walravens en het experiment. Gent (Academiapress) 2011, 229 bladzijden, ISBN 9789038217079, € 25,00.
Het verleden dichterbij brengen - Literatuur als bron van historische kennis?
Authors: Pardon Sarah , Pieters Jürgen
Published: March 2014

During the last three decades, the question as to what extent historiography makes use of literary techniques and conventions has given serious food for thought. However, this article will try to invert that question: can literature also be a valuable means of acquiring historical knowledge? It is often assumed that a literary text can readily provide access to an ‘experience’ of the past. We want to ask how this works and whether the textual mechanisms that underlie this experience function differently in so-called non-literary texts. In our attempt at answering these questions, we bring together a variety of texts: a newspaper article, two memoirs, a historiographical work and a fairy tale – all of which cover a particular episode of the French Revolution. This entails moving away from traditional distinctions between these texts as literary versus non-literary or fictional versus non-fictional and instead analysing how each of them makes use of narratological effects, such as focalization strategies and narrative voices, in order to reconstruct the past. Accordingly, this article seeks to demonstrate that these texts’ engagements with the past, regardless of their form and associated expectations, consist of a complicated dialectics between distantiation and proximity. The theoretical inspiration behind this approach is historian Mark Salber Phillips’ recent work on textual constructions of historical distance. In presenting this article, we aim to elaborate on Phillips’ work by bringing literature into the methodological field that his work on conventional historiography has opened.