bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for treatment failure in multidrug resistant tuberculosis in Tunisia: An analytic study
Authors: Tritar Fatma , Ben Saad Soumaya , Ferchichi Mariem , Ben Mansour Amani , Slim Azza , Naffati Othmen , Bellali Hedia , Slim Leila , Daghfous Hafaoua
Published: March 2024

Introduction-Aim:
The emergence of multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a threat to global public health. The aim of our study was to determine risk factors for treatment failure in MDR-TB.
Methods:
Retrospective study conducted between January 2000 and March 2019 including patients with MDR-TB. Characteristics of patients with therapeutic failure were compared to cured ones. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for treatment failure.
Results:
Our study included 140 patients aged of 42±13 years (18-80).  Fifty-seven percent of patients had treatment success and 12% had treatment failure. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, treatment failure was associated with age over 45 years (OR=1.05; 95%CI, 1.024-7.736;p=0.014), primary education level and illiteracy (OR=5.022; 95%CI, 1.316-19.161;p=0,018), history of incarceration (OR=3.291; 95%CI, 1.291-21.083;p=0.016), undernutrition (OR=4.544; 95%CI, 2.304-54.231;p=0,027), extensive TB (OR=6.406; 95%CI, 1.761-23.922; p=0.038), initial high grade positive smears (OR=1.210; 95%CI, 1.187-32.657; p=0.045), positive smear culture at 90 days of treatment (OR=6.871, 95%CI, 3.824-23.541; p=0.003), poor adherence (OR=6.110; 95%CI, 2.740-12.450; p=0.021) and occurrence of psychiatric adverse events (OR=3.644 95%CI, 2.560- 27.268; p=0.041).
Conclusion:
Therapeutic education, nutritional and psychological support and close follow-up are strongly recommended to optimize the prognosis of MDR-TB.
Cribriform plate dehiscence with encephalomeningocele revealed by recurrent meningitis: a case report
Authors: Soyah Najla , Ben Belgacem Hajer , Brahem Donia , Mama Nadia , Kebaili Raoudha , Tilouche Samia , Abdelberi Marwa , Jaballah Nesrine , Bouguila Jihene , Boughamoura Lamia
Published: March 2024

Introduction. Meningitis is a potentially life threatening illness. It requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Recurrent meningitis needs detailed investigations to identify the underlying cause.
Observation. We report a case of recurrent pneumococcal meningitis in a 9-year-old boy with an underlying congenital skull base abnormality. Brain computed tomography (CT) scan showed no obvious skull base defects. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed a dehiscence of the cribriform plate with encephalomeningocele. The patient underwent an endoscopic repair of the bony defect and had not developed any new infections ever since.
Conclusion. This case highlights the need to investigate recurrent bacterial meningitis with CT scan and MRI of the brain and skull base. Repair of these congenital skull base defects are mandatory to prevent the recurrence of meningitis.
The effect of therapeutic education program on quality of life among type 2 diabetic North-African patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Turki Imen , Mnif Mouna , Zedini Chekib
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic non-communicable disease with major impact on health in general and quality of life (QoL) in particular. The ultimate goal of all health interventions is to reduce the burden of this disease.
Aim: To evaluate the effect of therapeutic education program on the QoL among patients with T2DM.
Methods: Between May 2021 and July 2022, 320 outpatients were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial in Sfax, Tunisia. The experimental group received the therapeutic education program, whereas the control group received only standard care. For data collection, the Arabic version of the Diabetes Quality of Life (DQoL-Arabic) questionnaire was used.
Results: In total, 263 patients completed the intervention, 132 in the experimental group and 131 in the control group. In terms of the main baseline characteristics, the two groups were comparable. After the intervention, there was a significant difference in all domains of QoL scores (median [interquartile]) between the experimental and control groups: satisfaction (3.14 [2.64-3.36] vs. 3.57 [3.43-3.71], p<0.001, respectively), impact (2.09 [1.91-2.36] vs. 2.45 [2.27 2.64], p<0.001, respectively) and worries (2.50 [2.25-2.75] vs. 3.00 [2.75 3.14], p<0.001, respectively). The QoL improves over time in the experimental group (3.01 [2.79-3.17] vs. 2.59 [2.21-2.80], p<0.001, respectively) and remains comparable in the control group (2.99 [2.81-3.14] vs. 3.01 [2.81-3.15], p=0.724, respectively).
Conclusions: The benefits of implementing an educational program among patients with T2DM are observed in terms of all QoL domains.
Anchor Heave-Up Failure of MV. Warih Mas in Palu Bay
Authors: Prayogi Lilik , Siregar Muhammad Sapril , Nurmala Eka
Published: March 2024

Shipping safety is important not only when docked at the port or when the ship is sailing but also when the ship is at anchor. This study aims to determine the cause of the anchor heave-up failure of MV Warih Mas in Palu Bay and to explore factors, strategies, and maintenance practices related to anchor equipment on the ship. The study uses a qualitative approach, and the data will be presented through descriptive analysis. The study participants include the ship's master and crew. Data collection methods include direct observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation studies, while data analysis consists of three stages: data reduction, data presentation, and verification. The results indicate that the cause of the failure was corrosion of the anchor chain due to prolonged exposure to water in the chain locker. Three strategies were attempted, but only one was successful: Inserting iron into the chain link of the anchor on the windlass drum to allow the chain to rotate. The crew did not carry out maintenance on the anchor equipment, possibly due to a lack of skills and training.
DASAR PERTIMBANGAN HAKIM DALAM MEMUTUS PERKARA NARKOTIKA (Studi Atas Putusan Pengadilan Negeri Bale Bandung Kelas 1A Pada Periode 1 Juli s/d 31 Agustus 2023)
Authors: Charisa Adena Putri , Hidayah Sherly Nur , Ayuni Sri , Kusman  , Syihabuddin  , Hadiana Ujang Irfan , Syafiq Ahmad
Published: March 2024

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui bagaimana pertimbangan hakim dalam memutus perkara narkotika terhadap pelaku penyalahgunaan narkotika dan untuk mengetahui kendala atau hambatan yang dialami hakim dalam memutus hukuman bagi pelaku penyalahgunaan narkotika.  Metode penelitian yang digunakan penulis adalah metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan yuridis sosiologis yang bersifat deskriptif dengan menggunakan sumber data yang terdiri atas data primer berupa wawancara dan data sekunder berupa sumber hukum primer, sekunder, dan tersier. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pertimbangan hakim dalam menerapkan pidana penjara atau rehabilitasi terhadap pelaku penyalahgunaan Narkotika didasarkan pada pertimbangan yuridis dan pertimbangan non yuridis hakim. Pertimbangan yuridis hakim berkaitan dengan peraturan perundang-undangan, khususnya UU Narkotika, sedangkan pertimbangan non yuridis mempertimbangkan apakah terdakwa mengakui kesalahan dan penyesalan terhadap perbuatannya, serta apakah terdakwa merupakan tulang punggung keluarga. Dan dalam menjatuhkan hukuman, hakim memiliki beberapa kendala yaitu sulitnya mengetahui motif, tujuan, serta cara terdakwa melakukan tindak pidana penyalahgunaan Narkotika, serta harus mempertimbangkan riwayat dan keadaan sosial ekonomi terdakwa.
Perancangan Aplikasi Monitoring Tumbuh Kembang Anak Usia Dini Berbasis WEB (Studi Kasus PAUD AL-BAROKAH)
Authors: Sopian Sani , Senubekti Mamok Andri , Dewi Lies Anggi Puspita
Published: March 2024

Pada fase perembangan anak terdapat istilah “Golden Age” yang artinya adalah fase emas, oleh sebab itu orang tua memiliki peran penting dan juga perlu memperhatikan bukan hanya pertumbuhan fisik saja akan tetapi, wajib mencermati pertumbuhan motorik halus, motorik kasar, kognitif, bahasa, emosi, serta perilaku sosial anak. Sekarang ini telah banyak bermunculan lembaga pendidikan anak dibawah 6 tahun yaitu pendidikan anak usia dini (PAUD). Berdasarkan hasil wawancara dan observasi, proses pelaporan hasil monitoring tumbuh kembang anak di PAUD AL-BAROKAH masih dilakukan secara manual (paper base), sehingga akan relatif menyita banyak waktu dan tenaga. Untuk meningkatkan keselarasan monitoring sekolah dan orang tua, perlu didukung oleh teknologi yang dapat mempermudah dalam melakukan pelaporan, berdasarkan permasalahan di atas, maka dibuatlah pendekatan solusi berupa aplikasi monitoring perkembangan anak usia dini berbasis web yang diharapkan dapat memberikan kemudahan untuk sistem tersebut dapat memantau perkembangan anak PAUD secara real time.
Pembuatan Desain UI/UX Aplikasi Pemesanan Depot Kurnia Water Dengan Metode Prototyping Dengan Tools Adobe XD
Authors: Widjaya Reza , Senubekti Mamok Andri , Dewi Lies Anggi Puspita
Published: March 2024

Aplikasi pemesanan galon telah menjadi solusi yang semakin dicari dalam memenuhi kebutuhan air bersih dan berkualitas bagi masyarakat. Dalam rangka meningkatkan kualitas layanan dan pengalaman pengguna, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melakukan pembuatan prototyping UI/UX design untuk aplikasi pemesanan galon. Selanjutnya, tim pengembang melakukan proses prototyping UI/UX design untuk menciptakan desain antarmuka yang optimal dan sesuai dengan karakteristik pengguna aplikasi pemesanan galon. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa prototyping UI/UX design mampu memberikan visualisasi yang jelas tentang konsep dan alur penggunaan aplikasi. Prototyping UI/UX design membantu tim pengembang dalam mendapatkan umpan balik dari pengguna, sehingga perbaikan dan penyesuaian dapat dilakukan untuk meningkatkan kualitas desain sebelum implementasi penuh aplikasi. Kesimpulannya, pembuatan prototyping UI/UX design untuk aplikasi pemesanan galon merupakan langkah awal yang efektif dalam meningkatkan kualitas layanan dan pengalaman pengguna.
The positioning mechanics of microtubule asters in Drosophila embryo explants
Authors: de-Carvalho Jorge , Tlili Sham , Saunders Timothy E , Telley Ivo A
Published: March 2024

Microtubule asters are essential in localizing the action of microtubules in processes including mitosis and organelle positioning. In large cells, such as the one-cell sea urchin embryo, aster dynamics are dominated by hydrodynamic pulling forces. However, in systems with more densely positioned nuclei such as the early Drosophila embryo, which packs around 6000 nuclei within the syncytium in a crystalline-like order, it is unclear what processes dominate aster dynamics. Here, we take advantage of a cell cycle regulation Drosophila mutant to generate embryos with multiple asters, independent from nuclei. We use an ex vivo assay to further simplify this biological system to explore the forces generated by and between asters. Through live imaging, drug and optical perturbations, and theoretical modeling, we demonstrate that these asters likely generate an effective pushing force over short distances.
Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Auto Mechanics in Aba Metropolis, South East, Nigeria Who Were Exposed to Petrol and Petroleum Products
Authors: Anthony Waribo Helen , Hannah Anya Ojiugo , Samuel Bartimaeus Ebirien-Agana
Published: March 2024

Background: Every day, humans come into contact with heavy metals in the environment. These metals are widespread throughout the world and are known to affect and create specific biological changes that may be detrimental to the body. Auto mechanics are known to come in contact with these hazardous substances during vehicle maintenance and repair activities, which may lead to the release of heavy metals into the body as well as the environment.
Aim: To evaluate the levels of heavy metals that auto mechanics are exposed to from petroleum and petroleum products in mechanic workshops in Aba Metropolis.
Study Design: A cross sectional study with a total of 204 participants, 123 of whom were auto mechanics and 81 of whom were non auto mechanics (controls), had blood samples taken from them.
Place and Duration of Study: The blood samples were taken from auto mechanic working in mechanic workshop spread around four locations of Aba Metropolis during the period of May 2022 to November, 2022. Samples were analyzed at Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Abia State and Laboratory Department, JAROS Inspection Services Limited, Port Harcourt, Rivers State,
Methods: The levels of heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr, and As) in blood were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The Statistical Analysis System (SAS), STAT 15.1 was used to analyse the data from the study.
Results: The serum concentration of heavy metals in reducing order, were Cr > Pb > As > Hg > Cd in the exposed individuals while in the control subjects, the order from the highest concentration was; Cr > Pb >As > Cd > Hg.  The blood of auto mechanics had a significantly higher level of Pb and Hg than that of non-auto mechanics (p<0.05). Duration of exposure of the auto mechanics to petrol and its product showed an adverse effect from the results gotten in this study.
Conclusion:  Heavy metal contamination still poses a threat to health and well-being of the auto mechanics in Aba Metropolis.
Review on Organic and Chemical Farming in Agricultural Sector
Authors: Panda Subhranshu , Priyadarsini Padmini , Kumara Ujju , Mishra Saket , Ekka Shashi Kant , Kushwaha Akhilesh , Kujur Reena
Published: March 2024

Present day healthy food is very important but farmers and market people are using more chemicals so that total recourses are polluted. Mainly farmers using more chemical fertilizer so that it is affected to soil, resource, human health, animals and plants. These all are polluted due to inorganic farming. The main objective of the study is to reduce chemical fertilizers for growing yields and also not use chemicals in marketing. So, that reduces diseases like cancer, heart attack, stroke and many other type of diseases. Improvement of organic yields is very important in that way to involve government and take initiative towards motivate the farmer to use organic fertilizers and also provide separate marketing for organic products and also encourage for government site to give more subsidies to organic farmer and also provide free certification. The paper explained what is the differences between organic and chemical farming and the main advantage of using organic farming and how organic farming save the environment and climate.
Analysis of Soil Chemical Properties to Application of Poultry and Cow Manure from Different Housing and Stacking Types Following Telfairia occidentalis (HOOK F.) Production
Authors: Odulate L. O.  , Olugbemi, P. W.  , Salako, Y. A.  , Oludipe, B. B.  , AbdulAzeez, S. A.
Published: March 2024

This study examines response of different housing and stacking types of poultry and cow manure on soil chemical properties. Soil chemical analysis were examined before and after manure application in order to assess whether manure from different housing and stacking types affected the soil chemical properties. The findings of the study shows manure from different housing and stacking types had significant effect on chemical properties of the soil. Poultry manure was observed to have more significant impact on the chemical properties of the soil than cow manure, and the housing and stacking type of the manure played a role in regulating the levels of nutrients produced as well as total organic carbon levels. The findings suggest that poultry and cow manure application from different housing and stacking types could significantly enhance the organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and potassium content in the soil. This study consequently conclude that manure from different housing and stacking types play significant role in affecting soil chemical properties which in turn improve soil fertility and sustain soil productivity.
Impact of Thermal Stress on Biological Parameters of Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi (Esben Petersen) under Laboratory Conditions
Authors: Rajareddy G  , Shashikala M  , BV Jayanth , Udaykumar E  , Paul Bishwajeet
Published: March 2024

Aphid lions (Chrysoperla zastrowi sillemi, Esben-Petersen) are important predators in integrated pest management for field crops and vegetables (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). It is found in almost every environment on Earth, except temperate ones. One of the most significant environmental variables influencing an insect species' growth rate is temperature. Five consistent temperatures were observed: 20±1°C, 25±1°C, 30±1°C, 35±1°C, and 40±1°C. The impact of temperature on biological parameters and developmental phases of Aphid lions feeding on rice moth eggs was noted. The development time of C. zastrowi sillemi was found to be 47.26 days at 20°C and 22.18 days at 40°C. The lifespan of adult males and females was more than twice as long at the lower temperature range as it was at the higher one. The temperature of 25°C produced the greatest duration of oviposition (55.12 days), the highest percentage of pupils (91.43%) and adults’ emergence (90.25%), the maximum fecundity (903.33 eggs/female), and the maximum degree of hatchability (90.84%) of eggs, suggesting that this temperature regime was more suited for the C. zastrowi sillemi that originated in Delhi. The results demonstrate significant variations in the developmental cycle of the immature stages at five distinct temperatures, with a negative relation between temperature increase and developmental duration.
A Concept Analysis in Cultural Competency among Nurses Based on Walker and Avant Method
Authors: Salinda Ma. Theresa , Moraño Glenda T. , Jasmin Reggie Mae D. , Wilfredo D. Quijencio, Jr  , Torres Myracle Isip-de , Paez Jacqueline Joy S. , Jesus Gian Carlo P. De , Dimaunahan Orlane Marybhell D. , Fornolles Daryl Jake S. , Padual Jennifer C. , Mirafuentes Ephraim C.
Published: March 2024

Background: Nursing serve as frontline in the delivery of care. Health care services focus on the complexity of cultural diversity to meet the multicultural clients therefore it necessary to have cultural competency in providing quality care from diverse background. Nurses must have that confidence in performing their duties, this includes plan of care that appropriate base on their patient beliefs or practices. Nurses with transcultural competency can overcome any challenges in serving the patient. Cultural skills showcase competency. In contrast, Nurses with low cultural competency tend to be avoidant to the patient in clinical assessment due to barriers like communication, lack of awareness and sensitivity in patient beliefs and practices.
Purpose: The objective of this study is to investigate nurses in providing culturally congruent care for the patient with diverse background. Tailored with cultural competency in understanding patient situation in rendering services.
Methods: The study utilize method by Walker and Avant in studying literature of different concepts of nurses pertaining to their nursing competency.  The process of concept analysis as follows [1] selection of concept [2] establishing the purpose [3] concept confirmation [4] identification of concept attributes [5] presentation of model case [6] provide constructing borderline, and other cases [7] identification of antecedent and consequences [8] Identification of empirical references. [1].
Results: The research shows that nurses adhere responsibilities in providing care. It highlights knowledge and skills in the improvement of cross cultural health care. The use of concept such as cultural health, cultural education and cultural care serve as foundation in the concept of culturally competency. Nurses’ attributes such as cultural awareness, cultural knowledge and cultural communication skills in providing quality of care to the patient sharing  common goals and  creating meaningful partnership in health the  care plan.
Conclusion: Cultural competence is an ability that is being developed gradually and that those who have already gained more experiences have been proven to be more aware and culturally competent than those with only some to little experiences.
RESILIENCE AND CONFLICT: THE ROLES OF COPRENEURSHIP, TRANSGENERATION, AND DARK SIDE OF FAMILY BUSINESS
Authors: Purwanto Purwanto , Sutanto Eddy Madiono , Kustiningsih Nanik
Published: March 2024

The present study aimed to examine the role of copreneurship, transgeneration, and the dark side with conflicts in and continuity of family-managed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or family businesses. Data was derived from 178 owners of batik SMEs, consisting of both those managed by spouses and those inherited. Data analysis was done using SEM-AMOS.22 and showed that (1) copreneurship positively related to family business conflicts; (2) transgeneration positively related to business management conflicts; (3) member family’s dark side positively related to conflicts; and (4) conflicts occurred due to tenuous family social identity (decreased co­pre­ne­urship bond, transgenerational process failure and dark side) positively related to family bu­si­ness resilience. The present study also included control variables for business size and gene­ra­ti­onal order in order to determine the extent and resilience of business continuity.
The Study of Instagram Account of PCU Visual Communication Design Study Program and Its Competitor
Authors: Sutanto Ryan P.
Published: March 2024

The goal of this research is to get a general content overview from the Instagram account of Petra Christian University (PCU) Visual Communication Design (VCD) Study Program, and its competitor. The content of the Instagram accounts is analyzed with content analysis then compared. Instagram is seen as one of the media that can influence and reach greater target audiences. Nowadays, Instagram also closely relates to teenagers. The covid-19 pandemic has been hitting hard for every sector, including the educational sector. During the height of the pandemic, traditional marketing tools such as billboards and print ads became obsolete because people stayed at home and used their digital devices more than usual. The result of this research is meant to be a benchmark and strategy guide for the PCU VCD Study Program to manage their Instagram account.
In Search of Public Support Toward Cultural Pluralism Enacted by Chinese “Potehi” Puppetry Acculturation
Authors: Suarmini Ni Wayan , Nuswantara Kartika , Ratu Aurelius , Prasetyawati Niken , Agustin Dyah Satya Yoga
Published: March 2024

Indonesia is a country built from cultural pluralism and multi ethnicities. “Bhineka Tunggal Ika” is a paradigm propagated to build community’s mindset to build understanding among people from different traits, cultures, and religions. Diversities have potentials to increase social tensions, crises, and extremism that are all threatened the community resilience. At the same time, diversities continue to increase together with the increased number of migrations. As such, cultures embedded to migrated people and acculturate into the local people and cultures. One of the products of acculturation is Chinese Glove Puppetry, or Wayang Potehi. There have been so many studies investigating the acculturation process and the efforts of the enthusiasts to make this culture accepted by the local people. This is a good phenomenon as the understanding multiculturalism leading to strong resilience. However, there is a lack of data of how the commitment of public either from a group of local people and Chinese descendants in Indonesia accepting this acculturation and accepting this as a part of cultural pluralism. The present study surveyed 102 respondents revealing their commitment toward pluralism. The findings revealed driving and inhibiting factors. National ideology, the urge to unite, and external dangers are driving forces, while inadequate appreciation of pluralism, tolerance, and social disparity are inhibiting forces.
Die akute untere gastrointestinale Blutung
Authors: Vorburger  , Candinas  , Egger
Published: May 2006

Neuere Methoden zur Darstellung und Therapie von unteren Gastrointestinal-Blutungen (uGB) können die Rate chirurgischer Interventionen senken und auch das Ausmaß allfälliger Resektion limitieren helfen. In dem von uns vorgeschlagenen Algorithmus zum Management der uGB steht an erster Stelle die Stratifizierung in sogenannte Risikogruppen. Dabei spielen Voraussage-Instrumente, die zum Teil noch validiert werden müssen, eine immer wichtigere Rolle. Neben den Endoskopien (Gastro-Duodenoskopie, Kolonoskopie) kommt auch anderen diagnostischen Maßnahmen, wie der Angiographie und Radionuklid-Szintigraphie, eine bedeutende Rolle zu. Als neueres Tool hat sich, insbesondere bei hämodynamisch stabilen Patienten, die Kapselenteroskopie bewährt, und möglicherweise wird in naher Zukunft die Angio-Computertomographie sowohl die Szintigraphie wie auch die diagnostische Angiographie größtenteils ersetzen. Mit der superselektiven angiographischen Mikroembolisation hat sich zudem eine Therapie-Modalität ergeben, die chirurgische Interventionen in vielen Fällen vermeiden lässt. Die Art einer allfällig chirurgischen Intervention hängt stark von den Resultaten der erfolgten Lokalisationsdiagnostik ab. Segmentale Darm-Resektionen sollen dabei nur bei erfolgreicher Lokalisation der Blutungsquelle durchgeführt werden. Die diagnostische Laparoskopie kann dabei als Lokalisationstool bzw. diagnostische Maßnahme eingesetzt werden. Ist eine chirurgische Intervention nicht zu umgehen, sollte auch mittels intraoperativer Entero- und Kolonoskopie eine Lokalisierung der Blutungsquelle angestrebt werden. Bei akuter nicht zu lokalisierender Blutung aus dem Kolon stellt die totale Kolektomie mit Ileorektostomie nach wie vor das chirurgische Verfahren der Wahl dar.
Die akute «schwierige» gastrointestinale Blutung
Authors: Renzulli  , Candinas  , Seiler
Published: May 2006

Gastrointestinale Blutungen, welche ihren Ausgangspunkt außerhalb des durch die konventionelle Gastro- und Koloskopie einsehbaren Intestinaltraktes haben, stellen eine besondere diagnostische und therapeutische Herausforderung dar. Es handelt sich dabei um Blutungen des Dünndarms distal des Treitzschen Bandes (mittlere gastrointestinale Blutungen) sowie um Blutungen im Bereich der Gallenwege (Hämobilie) und des Pankreasgangsystems (Haemosuccus pancreaticus). Diese seltenen Blutungen sind häufig intermittierend und werden durch eine Vielzahl diverser Pathologien verursacht. Die Angiographie ist die Methode der Wahl in der weiteren Diagnostik. Sie erlaubt einerseits die sichere Blutungslokalisation als auch die gleichzeitige interventionelle Therapie (Embolisation/Coiling). Der Stellenwert weiterer diagnostischer Verfahren wie Szintigraphie, Kapselendoskopie, Push-Enteroskopie und Doppelballon-Enteroskopie wird dargestellt.
Supernovae and gamma-ray bursts: Relativistic plasma physics in the Einstein centennial
Authors: Wheeler J. Craig
Published: May 2006

Supernovae and gamma-ray bursts are violent explosive events that require both the heritage of Einstein and complex plasma physics to understand. Core collapse supernovae raise issues of astrophysical dynamos and the dynamics of magnetic fields under exotic conditions to account for the ubiquitous asymmetries, frequently axisymmetric, that are observed. Gamma-ray bursts are extreme examples of this phenomenon involving flows with Lorentz factor of order 100 and again fundamental issues of plasma physics in the production of the flow and the acceleration of radiating particles to high velocities. Other types of explosions, those involving thermonuclear combustion in white dwarf stars, have been used to discover the acceleration of the Universe, once more invoking the spirit of Einstein to challenge physics at the deepest levels.
Turbulence, magnetic fields, and plasma physics in clusters of galaxies
Authors: Schekochihin A. A. , Cowley S. C.
Published: May 2006

Observations of galaxy clusters show that the intracluster medium (ICM) is likely to be turbulent and is certainly magnetized. The properties of this magnetized turbulence are determined both by fundamental nonlinear magnetohydrodynamic interactions and by the plasma physics of the ICM, which has very low collisionality. Cluster plasma threaded by weak magnetic fields is subject to firehose and mirror instabilities. These saturate and produce fluctuations at the ion gyroscale, which can scatter particles, increasing the effective collision rate and, therefore, the effective Reynolds number of the ICM. A simple way to model this effect is proposed. The model yields a self-accelerating fluctuation dynamo whereby the field grows explosively fast, reaching the observed, dynamically important, field strength in a fraction of the cluster lifetime independent of the exact strength of the seed field. It is suggested that the saturated state of the cluster turbulence is a combination of the conventional isotropic magnetohydrodynamic turbulence, characterized by folded, direction-reversing magnetic fields and an Alfvén-wave cascade at collisionless scales. An argument is proposed to constrain the reversal scale of the folded field. The picture that emerges appears to be in qualitative agreement with observations of magnetic fields in clusters.
Interpretation of core localized Alfvén eigenmodes in DIII-D and Joint European Torus reversed magnetic shear plasmas
Authors: Kramer G. J. , Nazikian R. , Alper B. , de Baar M. , Berk H. L. , Fu G.-Y. , Gorelenkov N. N. , McKee G. , Pinches S. D. , Rhodes T. L. , Sharapov S. E. , Solomon W. M. , van Zeeland M. A. , Contributors JET EFDA
Published: May 2006

Reversed shear Alfvén eigenmodes (RSAE) that were observed in the Joint European Torus (JET) [P. H. Rebut and B. E. Keen, Fusion Technol.11, 13 (1987)] and DIII-D [J. L. Luxon, Nucl. Fusion42, 614 (2002)] are studied with the ideal magnetohydrodynamic code NOVA-K [C. Z. Cheng, Phys. Rep.211, 1 (1992)]. It was found that the frequency behavior of the RSAEs can be described accurately by the NOVA-K code when plasma compressibility effects and toroidal plasma rotation are taken into account. For the mode activity on JET, the calculated drive exceeds the mode damping rate, consistent with experimental observations, while on DIII-D the growth rate from neutral beam ions for modes with high toroidal mode numbers is insufficient to account for the excitation of the modes and a major part of the drive comes from the background plasma.
Search for global-minimum geometries of medium-sized germanium clusters. II. Motif-based low-lying clusters Ge21–Ge29
Authors: Yoo S. , Zeng X. C.
Published: May 2006

We performed a constrained search for the geometries of low-lying neutral germanium clusters GeN in the size range of 21⩽N⩽29. The basin-hopping global optimization method is employed for the search. The potential-energy surface is computed based on the plane-wave pseudopotential density functional theory. A new series of low-lying clusters is found on the basis of several generic structural motifs identified previously for silicon clusters [S. Yoo and X. C. Zeng, J. Chem. Phys. 124, 054304 (2006)] as well as for smaller-sized germanium clusters [S. Bulusu et al., J. Chem. Phys. 122, 164305 (2005)]. Among the generic motifs examined, we found that two motifs stand out in producing most low-lying clusters, namely, the six/nine motif, a puckered-hexagonal-ring Ge6 unit attached to a tricapped trigonal prism Ge9, and the six/ten motif, a puckered-hexagonal-ring Ge6 unit attached to a bicapped antiprism Ge10. The low-lying clusters obtained are all prolate in shape and their energies are appreciably lower than the near-spherical low-energy clusters. This result is consistent with the ion-mobility measurement in that medium-sized germanium clusters detected are all prolate in shape until the size N∼65.
A new energy method for the Boltzmann equation
Authors: Yang Tong , Zhao Hui-Jiang
Published: May 2006

An energy method for the Boltzmann equation was proposed by Liu, Yang, and Yu [Physica D 188, 178–192 (2004)] based on the decomposition of the Boltzmann equation and its solution around the local Maxwellian. The main idea is to rewrite the Boltzmann equation as a fluid-type dynamics system with the nonfluid component appearing in the source terms, coupled with an equation for the time evolution of the nonfluid component. In this paper, we will elaborate this method and our main observation is that the microscopic projection of the local Maxwellian with respect to a given global Maxwellian is not linear but quadratic. Based on this and by analyzing the fluid-type system using the analytic techniques for the system of conservation laws, we can indeed control the conserved quantities ρ,ρu, and ρ(12u2+E) of the Boltzmann equation by the microscopic projection of the solution of the Boltzmann equation with respect to the global Maxwellian, which is sufficient to deduce the energy estimates for the solution of the Boltzmann equation. The main purpose here is to show that there is no need to perform two sets of energy estimates with respect to the local and a global Maxwellian as in the previous works. In fact, one set of energy estimates with respect to the global Maxwellian is sufficient for closing the energy estimates. Therefore, it not only simplifies the analysis in the previous works, but also shed some light on the stability analysis in some complicated systems, such as the Vlasov-Poisson-Boltzmann and Vlasov-Maxwell-Boltzmann systems.
Sulfate desorption from representative soils of the São Paulo State, Brazil
Authors: Alves M. E. , Lavorenti A.
Published: May 2006

We determined the sulfate desorption in representative soils of the São Paulo State, Brazil, and related it to the soil affinity for sulfate ions as estimated by the parameters kL and nF of the Langmuir and Freundlich equations, respectively. Although the parameters kL and nF were well correlated, the nonlinear decay of the sulfate desorption with the increase in the soil affinity by sulfate was better defined when the affinity was estimated by the parameter kL. Despite this, results of multiple regression linear analyses carried out for both kL and nF were quite similar and allowed us to verify that sulfate desorption tends to increase in subsurface soil layers as they become less acidic and/or have their phosphate-extractable sulfur contents increased trough successive fertilisations and/or amendments with S-containing products. At the same time, sulfate desorption in these soils tends to be restrained by the advance of weathering.
Using synthetic polymers as soil conditioners to control runoff and soil loss in arid and semi-arid regions—a review
Authors: Ben-Hur Meni
Published: May 2006

Runoff and soil erosion are serious and widespread land degradation problems in arid and semi-arid regions. Soils in these regions are characterised by relatively high levels of salinity and sodicity, and low structural stability. One means to increase the stability of soil structure is the use of synthetic polymers as soil conditioners. Polymers consist of repeated small identical units (monomers) coupled together to form extended chains. The present review paper addresses the properties of synthetic polymers, their interactions with clays and soil particles, and their effects on infiltration rates, runoff, and soil erosion in arid and semi-arid soils exposed to rainfall and sprinkler irrigation. Because polymers increase the stability of the soil structure, they reduce the tendency of soils to form seals, thereby preventing decline in infiltration rates, reducing runoff and soil losses. The beneficial effects of various polymers with different molecular weights, charge types, and densities applied over a wide range of conditions, i.e. dryland and irrigated soils, soils of varying physical and chemical properties, and rainfall with different kinetic energies, are reviewed in the present manuscript. The addition of small amounts of the polymers, with their low cost and their high efficiency in preventing seal formation, infiltration rate reduction, and runoff and soil loss increases, suggest that the polymers can be considered as successful stabilising agents for soils that are sensitive to seal formation. However, further study on handling and field application of the synthetic polymers is needed.
Minor neurological dysfunction, cognitive development and somatic development at the age of 3 to 11 years in very‐low‐birthweight infants with transient periventricular echodensities
Authors: KUTSCHERA JOERG , TOMASELLI JOHANNA , MAURER UTE , PICHLER GERHARD , SCHWANTZER GEROLD , URLESBERGER BERNDT
Published: May 2006

Aim: To determine, using strict exclusion criteria, whether transient periventricular echodensities (TPE) in very‐low‐birthweight infants lead to minor neurological dysfunction and problems in cognitive and somatic development in children without major neurological impairments. Methods: 23 children with TPE were matched to 23 children without TPE. Exclusion criteria were small for gestational age, microcephaly at birth, diplegia, asphyxia, psychomotor retardation, intraventricular haemorrhage grade III/IV, major surgical interventions and malformations. The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, Draw‐a‐Man Test and neuropaediatric examination were used for evaluation. Results: There were no differences in demographic data, growth and socio‐economic status. Significant differences with lower results in the TPE group were found in fine motor skills and in the Draw‐a‐Man Test. In the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, all subscales were below average in the TPE group, except the sequential processing scale. In the control group, all subscales were within the average range.

Conclusion: By using strict exclusion criteria to eliminate other risk factors for minimal neurological dysfunction and poor cognitive development, we were able to focus on the effect of TPE. TPE seem to affect cognitive development and cause minor neurological dysfunction.
Progressive and Persistent Atrial Inexcitability
Authors: SANDERS PRASHANTHAN , KALMAN JONATHAN M.
Published: May 2006

Sinus node disease is characterized by the presence of significant sinus bradycardia or prolonged sinus pauses, and is attributed to either primary failure of sinus node automaticity or sino‐atrial conduction disturbance. We present two patients with symptomatic bradycardia due to idiopathic global atrial inexcitability.
A HOLOMORPHIC REPRESENTATION OF THE JACOBI ALGEBRA
Authors: BERCEANU STEFAN
Published: May 2006

A representation of the Jacobi algebra 𝔥1 ⋊ 𝔰𝔲(1, 1) by first-order differential operators with polynomial coefficients on the manifold [Formula: see text] is presented. The Hilbert space of holomorphic functions on which the holomorphic first-order differential operators with polynomials coefficients act is constructed.
CHARM DECAYS WITHIN THE STANDARD MODEL AND BEYOND
Authors: ARTUSO MARINA
Published: May 2006

The charm quark has unique properties that make it a very important probe of many facets of the Standard Model. New experimental information on charm decays is becoming available from dedicated experiments at charm factories, and through charm physics programs at the b-factories and hadron machines. In parallel, theorists are working on matrix element calculations based on unquenched lattice QCD, that can be validated by experimental measurements and affect our ultimate knowledge of the quark mixing parameters. Recent predictions are compared with corresponding experimental data and good agreement is found. Charm decays can also provide unique new physics signatures; the status of present searches is reviewed. Finally, charm data relevant for improving beauty decay measurements are presented.
POLARIZATION IN QCD
Authors: LE GOFF JEAN-MARC
Published: May 2006

We first deal with the muon anomalous magnetic moment which is found to differ from the standard model prediction by 2.7 σ. A new proposal will aim at reducing the error by a factor 2. The main part of the paper then deals with the spin structure of the nucleon which can be studied in terms of quark and gluon helicity distributions, quark transversity distributions and generalized parton distributions. The main recent results are first indications that the total gluon spin in the nucleon might be small and a first measurement of the Collins fragmentation function which is needed to extract transversity distributions from semi-inclusive DIS data.
ATMOSPHERIC AND ACCELERATOR NEUTRINOS
Authors: SUZUKI YOICHIRO
Published: May 2006

Recent results from the atmospheric neutrino measurements are discussed. The best constraint oscillation parameters of Δm2=2.5×10-3eV2 and sin 22θ=1.0 was obtained by a new treatment of the atmospheric neutrino data. An evidence for the ντ appearance in the atmospheric neutrino events was shown by statistical methods. The long baseline oscillation experiment using man-made neutrinos has confirmed the atmospheric neutrino oscillation and obtained consistent parameter regions. The prospects for future accelerator experiments are presented.
SAGAXSEARCH: AN XML INFORMATION RETRIEVAL MECHANISM USING SELF ADAPTIVE GENETIC ALGORITHMS
Authors: SRINIVASA K. G. , SHARATH S. , VENUGOPAL K. R. , PATNAIK M.
Published: May 2006

The XML technology, with its self-describing and extensible tags, is significantly contributing to the next generation semantic web. The present search techniques used for HTML and text documents are not efficient when retrieving relevant XML documents. In this paper, Self Adaptive Genetic Algorithms are presented to learn about the tags, which are useful in indexing. The indices and relationship strength metric are used to extract fast and accurate semantically related elements in the XML documents. The Experiments are conducted on the DataBase systems and Logic Programming (DBLP) XML corpus and are evaluated for precision and recall. The proposed SAGAXsearch outperforms XSEarch3 and XRank20 with respect to accuracy and query execution time.
Contractile activity of lymphatic vessels is altered in the TNBS model of guinea pig ileitis
Authors: Wu Theresa F. , Carati Colin J. , MacNaughton Wallace K. , von der Weid Pierre-Yves
Published: May 2006

The ability of the lymphatic system to actively remove fluid from the interstitium is critical to the resolution of edema. The response of the lymphatics to inflammatory situations is poorly studied, so we examined mesenteric lymphatic contractile activity in the 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) model of guinea pig ileitis, a well-accepted animal model of intestinal inflammation, by videomicroscopy in vivo and in vitro 1, 3, and 6 days after induction of ileitis. Lymphatic function (diameter, constriction frequency, amplitude of constrictions, and calculated stroke volume and lymph flow rate) of isolated vessels from TNBS-treated guinea pigs were impaired compared with sham-treated controls. The dysfunction was well correlated with the degree of inflammation, with differences reaching significance ( P < 0.05) at the highest inflammation-induced damage observed at day 3. In vivo, significantly fewer lymphatics exhibited spontaneous constrictions in TNBS-treated than sham-treated animals. Cyclooxygenase (COX) metabolites were suggested to be involved in this lymphatic dysfunction, since application of nonselective COX inhibitor (10 μM indomethacin) or a combination of COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors (1 μM SC-560 and 10 μM celecoxib) markedly increased constriction frequency or induced them in lymphatics from TNBS-treated animals in vivo and in vitro. The present results demonstrate that lymphatic contractile function is altered in TNBS-induced ileitis and suggest a role for prostanoids in the lymphatic dysfunction.
Chronic metabolic acidosis stimulated transcellular and solvent drag-induced calcium transport in the duodenum of female rats
Authors: Charoenphandhu Narattaphol , Tudpor Kukiat , Pulsook Naritsara , Krishnamra Nateetip
Published: May 2006

Chronic metabolic acidosis results in a negative calcium balance as a result of bone resorption and renal calcium loss. However, reports on the changes in intestinal calcium transport have been controversial. The present investigation therefore aimed to study the effects of chronic metabolic acidosis induced by 1.5% NH4Cl administration on the three components of duodenal calcium transport, namely, solvent drag-induced, transcellular active, and passive paracellular components, in rats using an in vitro Ussing chamber technique. The relative mRNA expression of genes related to duodenal calcium transport was also determined. We found that 21-day chronic metabolic acidosis stimulated solvent drag-induced and transcellular active duodenal calcium transport but not passive paracellular calcium transport. Our results further demonstrated that an acute direct exposure to serosal acidic pH, in contrast, decreased solvent drag-induced calcium transport in a pH-dependent fashion but had no effect on transcellular active calcium transport. Neither the transepithelial resistance nor duodenal permeability to Na+, Cl−, and Ca2+via the passive paracellular pathway were altered by chronic metabolic acidosis, suggesting that widening of the tight junction and changes in the charge-selective property of the tight junction did not occur. Thus the enhanced duodenal calcium transport observed in chronic metabolic acidosis could have resulted from a long-term adaptation, possibly at the molecular level. RT-PCR study revealed that chronic metabolic acidosis significantly increased the relative mRNA expression of duodenal genes associated with solvent drag-induced transport, i.e., the β1-subunit of Na+-K+-ATPase, zonula occludens-1, occludin, and claudin-3, and with transcellular active transport, i.e., transient receptor potential vanilloid family Ca2+channels 5 and 6 and plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase isoform 1b. Total plasma calcium and free ionized calcium and magnesium concentrations were also increased, whereas serum parathyroid hormone and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3levels were not changed. The results indicated that 21-day chronic metabolic acidosis affected the calcium metabolism in rats partly through enhancing the mRNA expression of crucial duodenal genes involved in calcium absorption, thereby stimulating solvent drag-induced and transcellular active calcium transport in the duodenum.
Toughening Mechanism of Epoxy Resins with Micro/Nano Particles
Authors: Zhao Qi , Hoa S. V.
Published: May 2006

The toughening mechanism of epoxy resin mixed with micro/nano particles is investigated in this study. The effects of particle size on maximum stresses are studied. Analytical cell models of fracture are proposed to probe the toughening mechanism. These models are based on the assumption that increase of fracture surface area is a main factor to improve the toughness of the material. These models give the correlation of parameters (material properties, volume fraction, size, and amount of particles and epoxy resin) and the fracture toughness, and build the upper limit of toughness improvement. Some significant results are obtained for understanding the toughening mechanism of epoxy resin with micro/nano particles.
Gradient-dependent Model for Moisture Diffusion in a Polymer Matrix Composite Laminate
Authors: Tsai Cho-Liang , Cheng Ming-Chang , Chang Shing-Lin
Published: May 2006

This study presents a new diffusion model named the gradient-dependent model. It is based on the strain-dependent model, a modification of Fick’s diffusion model, and is employed to solve penetrant diffusion in a 2D-infinite plate with finite thickness. An immersion test is performed and analyzed for studying moisture diffusing through the surfaces of a polymer matrix composite laminate into the material and the induced in-plane expansion is measured. The hygric expansion is proportional to the moisture concentration, which can be derived from the gradient-dependent model involving parameters standing for the hygric property of the material. By fitting the theoretical solution of the hygric expansion to the data, the parameters for locating the penetrant front can be obtained and they are very important in describing the hygric behavior of the material.