bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Avaliação do ruído através do SPBI (Statistical Pass-By Index) em diferentes pavimentos
Authors: Specht Luciano Pivoto , Callai Sérgio C. , Khatchatourian Oleg A. , Kohler Raquel
Published: April 2010

O transporte rodoviário causa grande impacto no meio ambiente, tanto pelo grande consumo de energia quanto pela infra-estrutura física necessária a sua operação. A emissão de gases e os ruídos causados pelo tráfego causam danos irreversíveis ao meio ambiente e têm sido alvo de inúmeros estudos e pesquisas. Sabe-se que o atrito pneu/pavimento e as propriedades acústicas dos revestimentos influenciam de sobremaneira a geração e a propagação do ruído. Essa pesquisa tem como objetivo avaliar o ruído causado pelo tráfego de veículos em quatro diferentes pavimentos implantados em diferentes rodovias através do SPBI (Statistical Pass-By Index). A metodologia adotada seguiu as prescrições da norma ISO 11819-1, a qual determina que um decibelímetro seja instalado na lateral da via para medir o ruído máximo causado pela passagem de um veículo. O revestimento em CBUQ foi o pavimento cujas maiores medidas foram observadas (86,84dBA) seguido do CCP (83,28dBA), do TSD (83,26dBA) do MICRO (81,14dBA) e da CPA (81,03dBA). Os resultados indicam que a escolha adequada do revestimento pode atenuar de maneira expressiva o ruído causado pelo tráfego rodoviário.
Childbearing Intentions of HIV-Positive Women of Reproductive Age in Soweto, South Africa: The Influence of Expanding Access to HAART in an HIV Hyperendemic Setting
Authors: Kaida Angela , Laher Fatima , Strathdee Steffanie A. , Janssen Patricia A. , Money Deborah , Hogg Robert S. , Gray Glenda
Published: April 2010

Objectives. We investigated whether the intention to have children varied according to HIV status and use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) among women in Soweto, South Africa.

Methods. We used survey data from 674 women aged 18 to 44 years recruited from the Perinatal HIV Research Unit in Soweto (May through December 2007); 217 were HIV-positive HAART users (median duration of use = 31 months; interquartile range = 28, 33), 215 were HIV-positive and HAART–naive, and 242 were HIV negative. Logistic regression models examined associations between HIV status, HAART use, and intention to have children.

Results. Overall, 44% of women reported intent to have children, with significant variation by HIV status: 31% of HAART users, 29% of HAART-naive women, and 68% of HIV-negative women (P < .001). In adjusted models, HIV-positive women were nearly 60% less likely to report childbearing intentions compared with HIV-negative women (for HAART users, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.23, 0.69; for HAART-naive women, AOR = 0.35; 95% CI = 0.21, 0.60), with minimal differences according to use or duration of HAART.

Conclusions. Integrated HIV, HAART, and reproductive health services must be provided to support the rights of all women to safely achieve their fertility goals.
US Pharmaceutical Innovation in an International Context
Authors: Keyhani Salomeh , Wang Steven , Hebert Paul , Carpenter Daniel , Anderson Gerard
Published: April 2010

Objectives. We explored whether the United States, which does not regulate pharmaceutical prices, is responsible for the development of a disproportionate share of the new molecular entities (NMEs; a drug that does not contain an active moiety previously approved by the Food and Drug Administration) produced worldwide.

Methods. We collected data on NMEs approved between 1992 and 2004 and assigned each NME to an inventor country. We examined the relation between the proportion of total NMEs developed in each country and the proportion of total prescription drug spending and gross domestic product (GDP) of each country represented.

Results. The United States accounted for 42% of prescription drug spending and 40% of the total GDP among innovator countries and was responsible for the development of 43.7% of the NMEs. The United Kingdom, Switzerland, and a few other countries innovated proportionally more than their contribution to GDP or prescription drug spending, whereas Japan, South Korea, and a few other countries innovated less.

Conclusions. Higher prescription drug spending in the United States does not disproportionately privilege domestic innovation, and many countries with drug price regulation were significant contributors to pharmaceutical innovation.
The Death of Socrates: A Holistic Re-Examination
Authors: Silverman Sam
Published: April 2010

Socrates' death, as portrayed by Plato, and commonly accepted, is seen as the virtuous choice of a philosopher of death in preference to ignominiously evading an unjust verdict of the jury. Xenophon's portrayal, the only other contemporaneous account, shows Socrates as being tired of life, seeing nothing worthwhile in hanging on to a continuously declining life, and deliberately choosing death. In more recent years I. F. Stone has discussed in depth the political context surrounding the trial of Socrates. In this article I discuss the various personal factors, his awareness of aging, his vision of declining relationships with others, his marriage and family life, the political context of the times, and his disbelief in democracy, at a time when the Athenian democracy had only recently been restored, but was still under threat by the oligarchs; and the influence of his daimon, a personal spirit who spoke to him only when opposing an action he was considering. The sum of these various factors presents a fuller and more complete picture of Socrates' choice of death over life.
A Narrative Review of the Relationships among Imagery, Exercise, and Self-Efficacy
Authors: Ross-Stewart Lindsay , Short Sandra E , Terrance Cheryl A
Published: April 2010

We all know physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, yet many people still live sedentary lifestyles. It is, therefore, important to develop theoretically based interventions that may serve to increase physical activity and exercise. This narrative review focuses on the relationships among imagery, self-efficacy and exercise, and makes a case for future researchers to investigate the effectiveness of exercise imagery interventions.
Are You Paying Your Employees to Cheat? An Experimental Investigation
Authors: Cadsby C. Bram , Song Fei , Tapon Francis
Published: April 2010

We compare, through a laboratory experiment using salient financial incentives, misrepresentations of performance under target-based compensation with those under both a linear piece-rate and a tournament-based bonus system. An anagram game was employed as the experimental task. Results show that productivity was similar and statistically indistinguishable under the three schemes. In contrast, whether one considers the number of overclaimed words, the number of work/pay periods in which overclaims occur, or the number of participants making an overclaim at least once, target-based compensation produced significantly more cheating than either of the other two systems. While earlier research has compared cheating under target-based compensation with cheating under non-performance-based compensation, which offers no financial incentive to cheat, this is the first study that compares cheating under target-based schemes to cheating under other performance-based schemes. The results suggest that cheating as a response to incentives can be mitigated without giving up performance pay altogether.
Removal of Cu(II) from wastewater by waste tire rubber ash
Authors: Mousavi Hassan , Hosseinifar Abdorrahman , Jahed Vahdat
Published: April 2010

The influence of pH, adsorbent dose, initial Cu(II) concentration and contact time on the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution by the batch adsorption technique using waste tire rubber ash as a low-cost adsorbent was investigated. The adsorption equilibrium was achieved after 2 h at pH 4-6, the optimum for the adsorption of Cu(II) ions. A dose of 1.5 g/L of adsorbent was sufficient for the optimum removal of copper ions. The experimental data were analyzed by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and the corresponding sorption constants were evaluated. The adsorption kinetics data were fitted by a first-order equation. The cost of removal is expected to be quite low, as the adsorbent is cheap and easily available in large quantities. The present study showed that waste tire rubber ash was capable of removing copper ions from industrial wastewater samples.
Some aspects of the taxonomy, biology, possible evolution and biogeography of nematodes of the spirurine genus Rhabdochona Railliet, 1916 (Rhabdochonidae, Thelazioidea)
Authors: Moravec František
Published: April 2010

At present the nematode genus Rhabdochona Railliet, 1916 (Rhabdochonidae) comprises 92 possibly valid species, mostly intestinal parasites of freshwater fishes in all zoogeographical regions. Because of the absence of any phylogenetic studies using molecular methods in this nematode group, an attempt to evaluate affinities among these parasites and their zoogeography on the basis of morphological features and host-parasite relationships has been carried out. Only true definitive hosts should be considered for such evaluation. It appears that, during the evolution of Rhabdochona spp., there occur an increase in the number of anterior prostomal teeth, loss of lateral alae, the right spicule attains a boat-like shape and a dorsal barb develops on its distal tip, and the distal tip of the left spicule attains gradually a more complex structure; the eggs with a smooth surface are considered to be more primitive. Nematodes of this genus most probably originated in the region of present southern Asia at the beginning of Tertiary. Closest to the initial type appear to be members of the subgenus Globochona Moravec, 1972, from which lineages leading to the subgenera Globochonoides Moravec, 1975, Rhabdochona Railliet, 1916 and Sinonema Moravec, 1975 can be derived. The morphology of Rhabdochona spp. indicate a close relationship between the Palaearctic fauna of these nematodes with the Nearctic species, and the Oriental fauna with the Ethiopian fauna. The Neotropical species can be derived from Nearctic members of the subgenus Rhabdochona; the latter probably penetrated, along with leuciscine hosts into North America from Palaearctic Eurasia at the end of Tertiary. The distribution of Palaearctic species of Rhabdochona corresponds to faunistical complexes in the conception of ichthyologists.
Heterocotyle tokoloshei sp. nov. (Monogenea, Monocotylidae) from the gills of Dasyatis brevicaudata (Dasyatidae) kept in captivity at Two Oceans Aquarium, Cape Town, South Africa: Description and notes on treatment
Authors: Vaughan David , Chisholm Leslie
Published: April 2010

Heterocotyle tokoloshei sp. nov. is described from the gills of a single Short-tail stingray, Dasyatis brevicaudata, kept in captivity at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, South Africa. The stingray exhibited laboured gill ventilation and deteriorating health on exhibit and was removed to the quarantine area for parasitological study and treatment. A 12 h bath treatment of praziquantel at 20mg/l, pre-dissolved in ethanol, removed 3084 parasites from the gills of the ray. However, the presence of a large number of eggs 24 h post-treatment indicated that viable egg laying adults remained on the gills and that the treatment was not 100% effective. Praziquantel was subsequently administered orally by intubation to the same ray at 150 mg/kg under anaesthetic (2-phenoxyethanol at 0.15 ml/l for approximately 1 h), which resulted in the removal of approximately 392 000 parasites from the gills 12 h post-oral treatment. Twenty-four h post-oral treatment, 3383 worms, but no eggs were recovered. No worms or eggs were recovered 48 h to 10 days post-oral treatment. The ray died approximately 30 days after the completion of the treatment. Heterocotyle tokoloshei sp. nov. is the first Heterocotyle species described from South Africa and represents the first record of a pathogenic Heterocotyle species. The new species can be distinguished from the other 16 species in the genus by the distal region of the male copulatory organ which has distinct small spines and by the morphology of the male copulatory organ accessory piece. Eggs of H. tokoloshei sp. nov. are laid singly and hatch spontaneously between 5 and 8 days at 18°C.
A new genus and new species of microbothriid monogenean (Platyhelminthes) with a functionally enigmatic reproductive system, parasitic on the skin and mouth lining of the largetooth sawfish, Pristis microdon, in Australia
Authors: Kearn Graham , Whittington Ian , Evans-Gowing Richard
Published: April 2010

Dermopristis paradoxus gen. et sp. nov., a microbothriid monogenean parasite from the skin and mouth lining of the largetooth sawfish, Pristis microdon (Elasmobranchii, Pristidae) in Australia, is described. The parasite has 2 juxtaposed testes and differs from other microbothriids in possessing a unique and unusual terminal male reproductive tract comprising a proximal and a distal tube, the latter with a conspicuous opening on the ventral surface and lacking a recognisable male copulatory organ. The smalltooth sawfish, P. pectinata, also has a skin-parasitic microbothriid, Dermophthirioides pristidis Cheung et Nigrelli, 1983, but this parasite species has a prominent copulatory papilla. Dermopristis paradoxus also has parallel ridges with broad tops running in a roughly transverse direction across the ventral surface of the body. The ventral ridges are prominent from the level of the pharynx to the posterior region of the body. The function of the ridges is unknown. Reproductive biology, attachment and feeding in D. paradoxus are discussed. In the absence of unmounted parasite specimens for sectioning, a mounted specimen of D. paradoxus was released from the slide and successfully processed to provide serial, stained, resin sections. This useful technique is recommended to provide anatomical information in situations where only specimens on slides are available for study.
Prevalence and habitat preference of quill mites (Acari, Syringophilidae) parasitizing forest passerine birds in Poland
Authors: Skoracki Maciej , Michalik Jerzy , Sikora Bozżena
Published: April 2010

We surveyed the prevalence of quill mites in wild passerines captured in Wielkopolski National Park, Poland. A total of 438 birds of 12 species were mist-netted during three consecutive spring seasons from 2006–2008. Eight bird species were infested with syringophilid mites: Erithacus rubecula (L.) (index of prevalence, IP = 16.2%), Turdrus merula L. (IP = 22.4%), T. philomelos Brehm (IP = 10.5%), Fringilla coelebs L. (IP = 36.2%), Coccothraustes coccothraustes (L.) (IP = 7.4%), Sturnus vulgaris L. (IP = 53.6%), Sylvia atricapilla (L.) (IP = 6.1%) and Troglodytes troglodytes (L.) (IP = 7.1%). In four cases, multiple infestation was observed, where one bird species was parasitized by 2–3 species of quill mites occupying separate niches in the plumage of the host.
New data on the occurrence of Acanthocephala in Antarctic Amphipoda
Authors: Laskowski Zdzisław , Jeżewski Witold , Zdzitowiecki Krzysztof
Published: April 2010

In total, 6401 amphipods, including 5707 Cheirimedon femoratus, caught at the Galindez Island (Argentine Islands, Western Antarctica) were examined for the presence of cystacanths and advanced acanthellae of Acanthocephala. Two parasite species, Corynosoma pseudohamanni Zdzitowiecki, 1984 and Metacanthocephalus johnstoni Zdzitowiecki, 1983, were found in the haemocoeloma of C. femoratus. Total prevalence was 1.19%, that of C. pseudohamanni 0.68% and of M. johnstoni 0.51%. Additionally, 8 of 1416 C. femoratus caught in the Admiralty Bay (South Shetland Islands) were found to be infected with C. pseudohamanni and free of M. johnstoni. The representative of the genus Metacanthocephalus was found in the intermediate host for the first time. C. pseudohamanni was more abundant at the Galindez Island (prevalence 0.68%) than in the Admiralty Bay (prevalence 0.42% in previous investigations and 0.56% in present ones). Amphipods harboured usually one or rarely two acanthocephalans of one species. Both parasites were more abundant in amphipods caught in the polluted water closely to the Vernadsky Station than in the Mick Channel, farther from the station (prevalence 0.77% vs. 0.51% for C. pseudohamanni and 0.64% vs. 0.26% for M. johnstoni).
Resurrection and redescription of Globocephaloides wallabiae Johnston et Mawson, 1939 (Nematoda, Trichostrongyloidea) from macropodid marsupials in north-eastern Australia
Authors: Fazenda Inês , Gasser Robin , Carvalho Luís , Beveridge Ian
Published: April 2010

Globocephaloides wallabiae Johnston et Mawson, 1939, is resurrected as a valid species and is redescribed. G. wallabiae is distinguished from its closest congener, G. macropodis Yorke et Maplestone, 1926, by the spicules (length and tip) and pattern of the bursal rays. G. wallabiae occurs commonly in Macropus dorsalis (Gray, 1837) in north-eastern Queensland, but is also present in Petrogale mareeba Eldridge et Close, 1992 and P. assimilis Ramsay, 1877. By contrast, G. macropodis is found commonly in M. agilis (Gould, 1842) and P. persephone Maynes, 1982 in the Northern Territory and north-eastern Queensland, and occurs incidentally in other hosts, probably as a result of host-switching ((Aepyprymnus rufescens (Gray, 1837), P. brachyotis (Gould, 1841), P. inornata Gould, 1842, M. dorsalis, M. parryi Bennett, 1835, M. giganteus Shaw, 1790 and Largochestes conspicillatus Gould, 1842)). This morphological study, with additional host and geographical distributional data, provides support for the resurrection of the species.
Subulura (Murisubulura) tanjinensis sp. nov. (Nematoda, Subuluroidea) from Eutamias sibiricus (Laxmann) (Rodentia) in Tianjin, China
Authors: Ming Zhu , Zhang Luping
Published: April 2010

Subulura (Murisubulura) tanjinensis sp. nov. was collected from the Siberian chipmunks, Eutamias sibiricus (Laxmann) at Jixian County, Tianjin, China. The new species can be distinguished from all species of subgenus Murisubulura by the structures of labia lobes, by having a telamon and by the numbers of caudal papillae.
Teacher Study Group
Authors: Gersten Russell , Dimino Joseph , Jayanthi Madhavi , Kim James S. , Santoro Lana Edwards
Published: April 2010

Randomized field trials were used to examine the impact of the Teacher Study Group (TSG), a professional development model, on first grade teachers’ reading comprehension and vocabulary instruction, their knowledge of these areas, and the comprehension and vocabulary achievement of their students. The multisite study was conducted in three large urban school districts from three states. A total of 81 first grade teachers and their 468 students from 19 Reading First schools formed the analytic sample in the study. Classroom observations of teaching practice showed significant improvements in TSG schools. TSG teachers also significantly outperformed control teachers on the teacher knowledge measure of vocabulary instruction. Confirmatory analysis of student outcomes indicated marginally significant effects in oral vocabulary.
Adolescents’ Perceptions of School Environment, Engagement, and Academic Achievement in Middle School
Authors: Wang Ming-Te , Holcombe Rebecca
Published: April 2010

This short-term longitudinal research examined the relationships among middle school students’ perceptions of school environment, school engagement, and academic achievement. Participants were from a representative, ethnically diverse, urban sample of 1,046 students. The findings supported the theoretical conceptualization of three different, but related, dimensions of school engagement: school participation, sense of identification with school, and use of self-regulation strategies. The results also indicated that students’ perceptions of the distinct dimensions of school environment in seventh grade contribute differentially to the three types of school engagement in eighth grade. Finally, the authors found that students’ perceptions of school environment influenced their academic achievement directly and indirectly through the three types of school engagement. Specifically, students’ perceptions of school characteristics in seventh grade influenced their school participation, identification with school, and use of self-regulation strategies in eighth grade that occur therein and, in turn, influenced students’ academic achievement in eighth grade.
Selecting and Supporting the Use of Mathematics Curricula at Scale
Authors: Stein Mary Kay , Kaufman Julia H.
Published: April 2010

This article begins to unravel the question, “What curricular materials work best under what kinds of conditions?” The authors address this question from the point of view of teachers and their ability to implement mathematics curricula that place varying demands and provide varying levels of support for their learning. Specifically, the authors focus on how teacher capacity (their level of education, experience, and knowledge) and their use of curriculum influence instruction. The study sample is 48 teachers implementing two standards-based mathematics curricula— Everyday Mathematics and Investigations—in two school districts. The data include interviews and surveys with teachers, as well as observations of instruction, over a 2-year period. Findings indicate that teachers’ implementation of Investigations was considerably better than teachers’ implementation of Everyday Mathematics in terms of maintaining high levels of cognitive demand, attention to student thinking, and mathematical reasoning. These implementation measures were not correlated to measures of teacher capacity across school districts. However, implementation measures were significantly correlated with teachers’ lesson preparation that took into account the big mathematical ideas within curriculum. Further qualitative analysis indicated that the Investigations curriculum provided more support to teachers for locating and understanding the big mathematical ideas within lessons compared to Everyday Mathematics.
Tripartite Growth Trajectories of Reading and Math Achievement
Authors: Lee Jaekyung
Published: April 2010

This study examines trends in American students’ growth trajectories in reading and math achievement over the past three decades. Drawing upon multiple sources of national assessment data, cohort analyses provide new evidence on the stability and change of national academic growth curves. The emerging trends imply a tripartite pattern where American students are gaining ground at the pre/early primary school level, holding ground at the middle school level, and losing ground at the high school level. National progress in reading and math achievement at the pre/early primary school level appears to be offset by declines at the high school level. The study discusses the limitations and challenges of tracking academic growth trajectories across all different levels of education over the long term. It also calls for national P-16 education policy and research efforts toward sustainable academic growth and seamless educational transition.
Grade Retention, Postsecondary Education, and Public Aid Receipt
Authors: Ou Suh-Ruu , Reynolds Arthur J.
Published: April 2010

Using data from the Chicago Longitudinal Study (CLS), an ongoing investigation of a panel of low-income minority children growing up in an inner city, this study investigated whether retention is associated with participation in postsecondary education and public aid receipt. The study sample included 1,367 participants whose data were available for grade retention and educational attainment by age 24. Findings from both regression and propensity score matching indicated that grade retention was associated significantly with lower rates of participation in postsecondary education. Late retention (between fourth and eighth grades) was linked more strongly to lower rates of post-secondary education than early retention (between first and third grades). There was no significant association between retention and public aid receipt.
Minority Student Academic Performance Under the Uniform Admission Law: Evidence From The University of Texas at Austin
Authors: Niu Sunny X. , Tienda Marta
Published: April 2010

The University of Texas at Austin administrative data between 1990 and 2003 are used to evaluate claims that students granted automatic admission based on top 10% class rank underperform academically relative to lower ranked students who graduate from highly competitive high schools. Compared with White students ranked at or below the third decile, top 10% Black and Hispanic enrollees arrive with lower average standardized test scores yet consistently perform as well or better in grades, 1st-year persistence, and 4-year graduation likelihood. A similar story obtains for top 10% graduates from Longhorn high schools versus lower ranked students who graduate from highly competitive feeder high schools. Multivariate results reveal that high school attended rather than test scores is largely responsible for racial differences in college performance.
National forest resource assessment commences in Nepal
Authors: Editor The
Published: April 2010

DOI: 10.3126/banko.v19i2.2977Banko Janakari, Vol. 19, No.2 2009 pp.1-2
Change assessment of forest cover in Ghodaghodi lake area in Kailali district of Nepal
Authors: Khanal S
Published: April 2010

Ghodaghodi Lake in Far-West Nepal has been listed as a Ramsar Site due to its significance as a habitat for several endangered species of flora and fauna. The wetland and its surrounding area is facing deforestation, forest degradation and encroachment. In this case study, unsupervised and finally supervised classification of multi-temporal Landsat imagery covering the wetland area was applied. A post-classification comparison approach was used to derive forest cover change maps. The results depicted the loss of forest cover over a thirty- one year period, in three time slices. The highest rate of loss was observed in the 1990 to1999 time slice. Keywords: Change detection; forest cover; Ghodaghodi lake; Landsat DOI: 10.3126/banko.v19i2.2980 Banko Janakari, Vol. 19, No.2 2009 pp.15-19
Modelling the growth of Shorea robusta using growth ring measurements
Authors: Sapkota P , Meilby H
Published: April 2010

This paper presents distance-independent diameter growth models for Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn. f.) in Kankali Community Forest, Chainpur VDC, Chitwan. As the basis for modelling, stem discs were cut 0.3 m above-ground for a sample of 80 trees that had recently been felled. Growth rings were measured along four radii and, except for the outer part of a few discs originating from old trees, individual growth rings could be distinguished without major difficulty. Supplementary data were gathered as a basis for preparing models relating [i] diameter under bark to diameter on bark and [ii] diameter 0.3 m above-ground to diameter 1.3 m above-ground. Based on these data, auxiliary models were developed and used to convert growth ring measurements into diameter increment at breast height. The mean diameter increment was 0.87 cm/year (n = 1514) and the standard deviation was 0.33 cm/year. The relationships between diameter increment and current diameter, stem age, growth in previous years, rainfall and temperature were modelled. Four different models were presented. Rainfall during the growth season, particularly the months of May-July, proved to influence growth considerably and suggests a scope for dendroclimatological studies in Sal. Key words: Climate change; community forestry; diameter growth models; effect of rainfall; growth ring measurements DOI: 10.3126/banko.v19i2.2982 Banko Janakari, Vol. 19, No.2 2009 pp.25-32
Value chain analysis of non-timber forest products in Baglung district, Nepal
Authors: Paudel A , Subedi BP , Gyawali S , Thapa GK , Sharma MB
Published: April 2010

This study was carried out in five Village Development Committees of Baglung district, Nepal. The main objective was to assess the constraints and opportunities to run the non-timber forest products based enterprises, and to design business solutions to make their value chains more efficient and competitive with the best utilization of the available resources. Primary data were collected through group discussions, key informants interview, informal meetings and direct observations, using open-ended questionnaires and checklists. Similarly, secondary data were gathered from reports and records of community forest user groups, District Forest Office and other organizations. The data were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative tools. The identified major constraints concerning the selected value chains are: absence of detailed resource inventory; inadequate knowledge and skills with local people about modern technology and product quality parameters, local resource management policy and sustainable resource harvesting; insufficient finance with local processors; lack of sufficient information about market; and poor infrastructure development. In addition, the study also identified a number of opportunities such as the resource potential and monetary benefits to the local people; financial access through community forest user groups' fund and financial institutions; growing market demand for quality products; involvement of service providers in forest resource management; and supportive policy for employment generation from locally available natural resources. This paper has suggested some business solutions for the effective value chain of selected products. Key words: Business solution; constraints; non-timber forest products; opportunities; value chain DOI: 10.3126/banko.v19i2.2983 Banko Janakari, Vol. 19, No.2 2009 pp.33-41
Dendrochronology and climate change study in Nepal: a preview
Authors: Chhetri PK , Shrestha KB
Published: April 2010

DOI: 10.3126/banko.v19i2.2984 Banko Janakari, Vol. 19, No.2 2009 pp.42-43
Palestine in an International Historical Perspective on Genocide
Authors: Martin Shaw
Published: April 2010

This article discusses what may be involved in treating the 1948 destruction of a large part of Arab society in Palestine as ‘genocide’. It argues that genocide is a general sociological concept which can be applied to many historical cases varying in scale, murderousness, ideological motivation, etc., so applying genocide analysis does not imply a comparison to any other specific case. The article analyses the Palestinian case in the context of an international perspective on the historical development of genocide, and discusses the significance of differences over the historical explanation of the 1948 events for a genocide perspective.
Theologies of Liberation in Latin America and Palestine-Israel in Comparative Perspective: Contextual Differences and Practical Similarities
Authors: Kuruvilla Samuel J.
Published: April 2010

This article concerns the development of a theology of Christian liberation and contextual polity from its early origins in Latin America to one of its present manifestations as part of the Palestinian people's struggle for justice and freedom from the state of Israel. This article will be primarily dedicated to a historical and political analysis of the theological context, which includes three different strands. First, there was the development of theologies of liberation, as they are made manifest in Latin America and elsewhere. Next, there was the theology of other Palestinian Christians, and particularly that of the Al-Liqa group that contributed to the development of a contextual Palestinian theology of liberation within the ‘occupied’ context that is Palestine today. And finally there was the case of Palestinian Protestant Christian theologians such as the Rev. Dr Naim Ateek and the Rev. Dr Mitri Raheb who have raised definitional issues regarding liberation theology and Palestinian contextual Christianity.
De/Racinated Transcendental Conversions: Witchcraft, Oracle and Magic among the Israeli Feminist Left Peace Camp
Authors: Lavie Smadar
Published: April 2010

Drawn from the ethnography of Mizrahi feminist activism, my essay partakes of Michael Selzer's 1967 monumental The Aryanisation of the Jewish State. It analyses the oratory process through which Israel's feminist ‘Peace Camp’ racinates the question of Palestine. While this camp – which is almost 100 percent upper middle class Ashkenazi – opens up for the Palestinian nationalist feminist, allowing her space between her ‘nation’ and ‘race’, it manages to transcend its colonialist deracination of the Mizrahim, Israel's demographic non-European majority. The essay argues that the racinated Mizrahi is not allowed to enter either the peace-club or any sites of the tight-knit Israeli cultural-economic elites promoting the Oslo Peace Process. Such deracinated peace-witchcraft is rarely practised to improve the disenfranchised lived realities of most (poor) Mizrahim, who often resort to charities, right-wing and/or ultra-orthodox by default. Paradoxically, however, these progressive feminists admit their bounds of race through the appropriation of postmodern-queer-multicultural-border postures to apologise for their domination of the public peace sphere.
Integrating New Technologies and Existing Tools to Promote Programming Learning
Authors: Santos Álvaro , Gomes Anabela , Mendes António José
Published: April 2010

In recent years, many tools have been proposed to reduce programming learning difficulties felt by many students. Our group has contributed to this effort through the development of several tools, such as VIP, SICAS, OOP-Anim, SICAS-COL and H-SICAS. Even though we had some positive results, the utilization of these tools doesn’t seem to significantly reduce weaker student’s difficulties. These students need stronger support to motivate them to get engaged in learning activities, inside and outside classroom. Nowadays, many technologies are available to create contexts that may help to accomplish this goal. We consider that a promising path goes through the integration of solutions. In this paper we analyze the features, strengths and weaknesses of the tools developed by our group. Based on these considerations we present a new environment, integrating different types of pedagogical approaches, resources, tools and technologies for programming learning support. With this environment, currently under development, it will be possible to review contents and lessons, based on video and screen captures. The support for collaborative tasks is another key point to improve and stimulate different models of teamwork. The platform will also allow the creation of various alternative models (learning objects) for the same subject, enabling personalized learning paths adapted to each student knowledge level, needs and preferential learning styles. The learning sequences will work as a study organizer, following a suitable taxonomy, according to student’s cognitive skills. Although the main goal of this environment is to support students with more difficulties, it will provide a set of resources supporting the learning of more advanced topics. Software engineering techniques and representations, object orientation and event programming are features that will be available in order to promote the learning progress of students.
The NK-1 Receptor Antagonist L-732,138 Induces Apoptosis and Counteracts Substance P-Related Mitogenesis in Human Melanoma Cell Lines
Authors: Muñoz Miguel , Rosso Marisa , González-Ortega Ana , Coveñas Rafael
Published: April 2010

It has been recently demonstrated that substance P (SP) and neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor antagonists induce cell proliferation and cell inhibition in human melanoma cells, respectively. However, the antitumor action of the NK-1 receptor antagonist L-732,138 on such cells is unknown. The aim of this study was to demonstrate an antitumor action of L-732,138 against three human melanoma cell lines (COLO 858, MEL HO, COLO 679). We found that L-732,138 elicits cell growth inhibition in a concentration dependent manner in the melanoma cells studied. Moreover, L-732,138 blocks SP mitogen stimulation. The specific antitumor action of L-732,138 occurred through the NK-1 receptor and melanoma cell death was by apoptosis. These findings indicate that the NK-1 receptor antagonist L-732,138 could be a new antitumor agent in the treatment of human melanoma.
Efficiently Harvesting Sun Light for Silicon Solar Cells through Advanced Optical Couplers and A Radial p-n Junction Structure
Authors: Lee Hsin-Cheng , Wu Shich-Chuan , Yang Tien-Chung , Yen Ta-Jen
Published: April 2010

Silicon-based solar cells (SCs) promise to be an alternative energy source mainly due to: (1) a high efficiency-to-cost ratio, (2) the absence of environmental-degradation issues, and (3) great reliability. Transition from wafer-based to thin-film SC significantly reduces the cost of SCs, including the cost from the material itself and the fabrication process. However, as the thickness of the absorption (or the active) layer decreases, the energy-conversion efficiency drops dramatically. As a consequence, we discuss here three techniques to increase the efficiency of silicon-based SCs: (1) photonic crystal (PC) optical couplers and (2) plasmonic optical couplers to increase efficiency of light absorption in the SCs, and (3) a radial p-n junction structure, decomposing light absorption and diffusion path into two orthogonal directions. The detailed mechanisms and recent research progress regarding these techniques are discussed in this review article.
Comments on “Simoens, S. Health Economic Assessment: A Methodological Primer. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6, 2950-2966”—New Zealand in Fact Has No Cost-Effectiveness Threshold
Authors: Metcalfe Scott , Grocott Rachel
Published: April 2010

The Journal recently incorrectly ascribed cost-effectiveness thresholds to New Zealand, alongside other countries. New Zealand has no such thresholds when deciding the funding of pharmaceuticals. As we fund pharmaceuticals within a fixed budget, and cost-effectiveness is only one of nine decision criteria used to inform decisions, thresholds cannot be inferred or calculated. Thresholds inadequately account for opportunity cost and affordability, and are incompatible with budgets and maximising health gains. In New Zealand, pharmaceutical investments can only be considered ‘cost-effective’ when prioritised against other proposals at the time, and threshold levels must inevitably vary with available funds and the other criteria.
Public Health Nutrition: The Accord of Dietitian Providers in Managing Medicare Chronic Care Outpatients in Australia
Authors: Cant Robyn P.
Published: April 2010

Medicare Australia: Chronic Disease Management program subsidizes allied health consultations for eligible outpatients with chronic disease or complex needs. In an evaluation study, private practice dietitians (n = 9) were interviewed to explore their patient management strategies including consultation time-allocation and fees. Time allocation was fee-based. Short first consultations were seen as meeting patients’ needs for low-cost services but were regarded by dietitians as ineffective, however longer initial consultations increased cost to patients. No strategy in use was optimal. There is a need for change in Medicare policy to meet the needs of both dietitians and patients in achieving the behaviour change goals of patients.
Tris{4-[(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene]-41-aminobiphenyl}amine
Authors: Veettil Sandhya P. , Haridas Karickal R.
Published: April 2010

Tris{4-[(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene]-41-aminobiphenyl}amine was synthesized from N-(4-bromophenyl)-N-[(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene]amine and tris(4-bromophenyl)amine based on Ullmann coupling reaction. The synthesized compound was characterized by NMR, IR, MS and elemental analysis.
Conversion of Aryl Iodides into Aryliodine(III) Dichlorides by an Oxidative Halogenation Strategy Using 30% Aqueous Hydrogen Peroxide in Fluorinated Alcohol
Authors: Podgoršek Ajda , Iskra Jernej
Published: April 2010

Oxidative chlorination with HCl/H2O2 in 1,1,1-trifluoroethanol was used to transform aryl iodides into aryliodine(III) dihalides. In this instance 1,1,1-trifluoroethanol is not only the reaction medium, but is also an activator of hydrogen peroxide for the oxidation of hydrochloric acid to molecular chlorine. Aryliodine(III) dichlorides were formed in 72–91% isolated yields in the reaction of aryl iodides with 30% aqueous hydrogen peroxide and hydrochloric acid at ambient temperature. A study of the effect that substituents on the aromatic ring have on the formation and stability of aryliodine(III) dichlorides shows that the transformation is easier to achieve in the presence of the electron-donating groups (i.e. methoxy), but in this case the products rapidly decompose under the reported reaction conditions to form chlorinated arenes. The results suggest that oxidation of hydrogen chloride with hydrogen peroxide is the initial reaction step, while direct oxidation of aryl iodide with hydrogen peroxide is less likely to occur.
Greatly Improved Small Inductance Measurement Using Quartz Crystal Parasitic Capacitance Compensation
Authors: Matko Vojko , Jezernik Karel
Published: April 2010

Generally, quartz crystal inductance frequency pulling in oscillators is very low and therefore is not often used in practice. The new method of improving frequencypullability uses inductance to compensate for quartz stray capacitances. To this end, a special AT fundamental quartz crystal working near the antiresonance frequency is selected. By modifying its equivalent circuit with load inductance and series tuning capacitance, the magnetic sensing of the circuit can be highly improved. The experimental results show that the new approach using the quartz crystal stray capacitance compensation method increases the frequency pulling range (from ≅ 2 kHz/mH to ≅ 600 kHz/mH) by × 300 depending on the type of oscillator, making possible the measurement of nano-magnetic changes.
Spectral Identification of Lighting Type and Character
Authors: Elvidge Christopher D. , Keith David M. , Tuttle Benjamin T. , Baugh Kimberly E.
Published: April 2010

We investigated the optimal spectral bands for the identification of lighting types and the estimation of four major indices used to measure the efficiency or character of lighting. To accomplish these objectives we collected high-resolution emission spectra (350 to 2,500 nm) for forty-three different lamps, encompassing nine of the major types of lamps used worldwide. The narrow band emission spectra were used to simulate radiances in eight spectral bands including the human eye photoreceptor bands (photopic, scotopic, and “meltopic”) plus five spectral bands in the visible and near-infrared modeled on bands flown on the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM). The high-resolution continuous spectra are superior to the broad band combinations for the identification of lighting type and are the standard for calculation of Luminous Efficacy of Radiation (LER), Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) and Color Rendering Index (CRI). Given the high cost that would be associated with building and flying a hyperspectral sensor with detection limits low enough to observe nighttime lights we conclude that it would be more feasible to fly an instrument with a limited number of broad spectral bands in the visible to near infrared. The best set of broad spectral bands among those tested is blue, green, red and NIR bands modeled on the band set flown on the Landsat Thematic Mapper. This set provides low errors on the identification of lighting types and reasonable estimates of LER and CCT when compared to the other broad band set tested. None of the broad band sets tested could make reasonable estimates of Luminous Efficacy (LE) or CRI. The photopic band proved useful for the estimation of LER. However, the three photoreceptor bands performed poorly in the identification of lighting types when compared to the bands modeled on the Landsat Thematic Mapper. Our conclusion is that it is feasible to identify lighting type and make reasonable estimates of LER and CCT using four or more spectral bands with minimal spectral overlap spanning the 0.4 to 1.0 um region.
In Situ Roughness Measurements for the Solar Cell Industry Using an Atomic Force Microscope
Authors: González-Jorge Higinio , Alvarez-Valado Victor , Valencia Jose Luis , Torres Soledad
Published: April 2010

Areal roughness parameters always need to be under control in the thin film solar cell industry because of their close relationship with the electrical efficiency of the cells. In this work, these parameters are evaluated for measurements carried out in a typical fabrication area for this industry. Measurements are made using a portable atomic force microscope on the CNC diamond cutting machine where an initial sample of transparent conductive oxide is cut into four pieces. The method is validated by making a comparison between the parameters obtained in this process and in the laboratory under optimal conditions. Areal roughness parameters and Fourier Spectral Analysis of the data show good compatibility and open the possibility to use this type of measurement instrument to perform in situ quality control. This procedure gives a sample for evaluation without destroying any of the transparent conductive oxide; in this way 100% of the production can be tested, so improving the measurement time and rate of production.
Ochratoxin A and Aflatoxins in Liquorice Products
Authors: Pietri Amedeo , Rastelli Silvia , Bertuzzi Terenzio
Published: April 2010

The occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) and aflatoxins (AFs) in liquorice products made in Italy was surveyed. Twenty-eight samples of dried liquorice extract and fifty-four of liquorice confectionery (liquorice content between 2 and 10%) were collected from retail outlets located in northern Italy. After extraction and purification through an immunoaffinity column, OTA and AFs were analysed using both HPLC-FLD and HPLC-MS/MS. OTA occurred in all samples of dried liquorice extract and in 61% of samples of liquorice confectionery, showing very high values for the former (mean 89.6 µg kg-1, maximum value 990.1 µg kg-1), and relatively low levels for the latter (mean 0.96 µg kg-1, maximum value 8.3 µg kg-1). The contribution of dried liquorice extract to OTA intake appears to be non-negligible for children, who are potentially high consumers. AF contamination resulted very low: AFB1 was detected only in 15.8% of samples (maximum value 7.7 µg kg-1, mean 0.38 and 0.41 µg kg-1 for dried liquorice extract and liquorice confectionery, respectively); the other AFs were not detected. To our knowledge, it is the first time that AFB1 has been detected in liquorice extract samples.