bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taxonomic composition and body-mass distribution in the terminal Pleistocene mammalian fauna from the Marmes site, southeastern Washington State, U.S.A.
Authors: Lyman R. Lee
Published: March 2013

Mean adult body mass of mammal taxa is a fundamental ecological variable. Variability in the distributions of body masses of a mammal fauna suggest variability in habitat structure. Mammal remains from the Marmes archaeological site in southeastern Washington State date between 13,200 and 10,400 b.p., during the Pleistocene–Holocene transition (PHT). Known environmental history prompts the expectations that the Marmes PHT mammal remains should represent greater species richness and a larger array of body-mass sizes than modern faunas in the Marmes locale and in open shrub-steppe habitats, and lower species richness and a smaller array of body-mass sizes than modern faunas in closed forest habitats; species richness and the array of body-mass sizes should be similar to that for a mixed habitat of cool shrub-steppe with scattered conifers. The Marmes PHT cenogram meets these expectations. Body-mass clumps displayed by the Marmes PHT mammal fauna fall between those of closed forests and open shrub-steppe habitats in terms of clump richness and breadth, and in terms of gap width. Marmes PHT body-mass clumps are very similar to those for the mixed habitat. Cenograms and body-mass clumps confirm conclusions drawn 40 years ago that the Marmes PHT habitat was much like that of today but cooler and with more plant biomass and greater structural diversity than today.
Structure, Function and Regulation of Outer Membrane Proteins Involved in Drug Transport in Enterobactericeae: the OmpF/C – TolC Case
Authors: Masi Muriel , Pagès Jean-Marie
Published: March 2013

Antibiotic translocation across membranes of Gram-negative bacteria is a key step for the activity on their specific intracellular targets. Resistant bacteria control their membrane permeability as a first line of defense to protect themselves against external toxic compounds such as antibiotics and biocides. On one hand, resistance to small hydrophilic antibiotics such as ß-lactams and fluoroquinolones frequently results from the « closing » of their way in: the general outer membrane porins. On the other hand, an effective way out for a wide range of antibiotics is provided by TolC-like proteins, which are outer membrane components of multidrug efflux pumps. Accordingly, altered membrane permeability, including porin modifications and/or efflux pumps’ overexpression, is always associated to multidrug resistance (MDR) in a number of clinical isolates.

Several recent studies have highlighted our current understanding of porins/TolC structures and functions inEnterobacteriaceae. Here, we review the transport of antibiotics through the OmpF/C general porins and the TolC-like channels with regards to recent data on their structure, function, assembly, regulation and contribution to bacterial resistance.

Because MDR strains have evolved global strategies to identify and fight our antibiotic arsenal, it is important to constantly update our global knowledge on antibiotic transport.
Multidrug Efflux Pumps in Staphylococcus aureus: an Update
Authors: Costa Sofia Santos , Viveiros Miguel , Amaral Leonard , Couto Isabel
Published: March 2013

The emergence of infections caused by multi- or pan-resistant bacteria in the hospital or in the community settings is an increasing health concern. Albeit there is no single resistance mechanism behind multiresistance, multidrug efflux pumps, proteins that cells use to detoxify from noxious compounds, seem to play a key role in the emergence of these multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria. During the last decades, experimental data has established their contribution to low level resistance to antimicrobials in bacteria and their potential role in the appearance of MDR phenotypes, by the extrusion of multiple, unrelated compounds. Recent studies suggest that efflux pumps may be used by the cell as a first-line defense mechanism, avoiding the drug to reach lethal concentrations, until a stable, more efficient alteration occurs, that allows survival in the presence of that agent.

In this paper we review the current knowledge on MDR efflux pumps and their intricate regulatory network inStaphylococcus aureus, a major pathogen, responsible from mild to life-threatening infections. Particular emphasis will be given to the potential role thatS. aureusMDR efflux pumps, either chromosomal or plasmid-encoded, have on resistance towards different antimicrobial agents and on the selection of drug - resistant strains. We will also discuss the many questions that still remain on the role of each specific efflux pump and the need to establish appropriate methodological approaches to address all these questions.
Social Anxiety among Young Adult Drinkers: The Role of Perceived Norms and Drinking Motives
Authors: Linden Ashley N. , Lau-Barraco Cathy , Braitman Abby L.
Published: March 2013

The aim of the study was to examine the separate and combined influence of perceived norms, negative reinforcement drinking motives, and social anxiety on alcohol outcomes. Participants ( N = 250) completed measures of injunctive norms, social anxiety, drinking motives, alcohol use, and alcohol-related problems. Data collection occurred in 2010. When examined separately, motives emerged as a stronger predictor of alcohol outcomes over norms. When tested jointly, findings suggest that for drinkers higher in social anxiety, normative perceptions are relevant and to such a degree that norms actually supersede their motivation to drink to conform. Implications and limitations are discussed.
Inhalant Initiation and the Relationship of Inhalant Use to the Use of other Substances
Authors: Shamblen Stephen R. , Miller Ted
Published: March 2013

Conventional wisdom suggests that inhalant use is primarily isolated to youthful experimentation; however, a growing body of evidence suggests that inhalant use (a) occurs after use of common substances of experimentation (e.g., alcohol, marijuana), (b) can persist into later life, and (c) is associated with severe consequences. The current study examined the sequencing of substances relative to inhalants and the post-initiation correlates of inhalant use between youth and young adulthood in nationally representative Add Health data. Analyses examined the relationship of substance of initiation to use of other substances, as well as an examination of the relationship between substance use and consequences. The analyses suggest that (a) those initiating their substance use careers with inhalants often go on to use hard drugs, (b) inhalant use likely occurs after alcohol and marijuana use, and (c) inhalant use during adolescence was associated with health and criminal consequences in both adolescence and young adulthood.
A TLC Study of the lipophilicity of thirty-two acetylcholinesterase inhibitors — 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine and 2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]quinoline derivatives
Authors: Szymański Paweł , Skibiński Robert , Liszka Małgorzata , Jargieło Izabela , Mikiciuk-Olasik Elżbieta , Komsta Łukasz
Published: March 2013

The lipophilicity of thirty-two novel acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors — 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine and 2,3-dihydro-1H-cyclopenta[b]quinoline derivatives was studied by thin layer chromatography. The analyzed compounds were chromatographed on RP-18, RP-8, RP-2, CN and NH2 stationary phases with dioxane — citric buffer pH 3.0 binary mobile phases containing different proportions of dioxane. RM values for pure water were extrapolated from the linear Soczewiński-Wachtmeister equation and six compounds with known literature log P values were used as reference calibration data set for computation of experimental log P values.

The obtained results were compared with computationally calculated partition coefficients values (AlogPs, AClogP, AlogP, MlogP, KOWWIN, XlogP2, XlogP3) by PCA and significant differences between them were observed.
Comparative studies of Pd, Ru, Ni, Cu/ZnAl2O4 catalysts for the water gas shift reaction
Authors: Mierczynski Pawel , Maniukiewicz Waldemar , Maniecki Tomasz
Published: March 2013

The activity of monometallic Pd, Ru, Ni and Cu catalysts supported on spinel ZnAl2O4 for water gas shift reaction (WGS) was investigated. The physicochemical properties of each catalyst was studied by XRD, TPR, BET and chemisorption methods. The highest activity was obtained for Cu/ZnAl2O4 among the catalysts tested. The activation process carried out in a reducing atmosphere 5%H2-95%Ar in the case of Cu/ZnAl2O4 system lead to the catalytic activity improvement. In the case of copper catalysts, the water gas shift reaction proceeded by the redox surface mechanism between Cu0/Cu+. The PdZn alloy formation after reduction at 350°C was shown.
Synthesis and characterization of 2CuCN·DMSO and [CuII(DMSO)6][CuI
6(CN)8] 3-D framework compounds
Authors: Vakulka Andrii , Goreshnik Evgeny
Published: March 2013

Two novel complexes of CuCN were characterized by using a single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique and Raman spectroscopy. In the structure of 2CuCN·DMSO ligand molecule demonstrates unique bridging mode, being bound to two CuI centers via oxygen and sulfur atoms. The bridging role of both CN groups and DMSO molecules results in the formation of (CuCN·DMSO)n framework. Along the channels of the network are running infinite zig-zag (CuCN)n chains, which are bound to the framework by elongated Cu…(CN) bonds. A mixed-valence [CuII(DMSO)6][CuI
6(CN)8] compound is composed of 3-D [CuI
6(CN)8]n anionic framework and located in the channels of partially disordered [CuII(DMSO)6]2+ cations.
Organoruthenium(II) thiosemicarbazone complexes: synthesis, spectral characterization, DNA binding and DNA cleavage studies
Authors: Raja Gunasekaran , Jayabalakrishnan Chinnasamy
Published: March 2013

A series of new ruthenium(II) complexes were synthesized with Schiff bases derived from salicylaldehyde / o-hydroxyacetophenone/ o-vanillin / 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde with thiosemicarbazide and acetyl furan. They are characterized by elemental analysis, IR, electronic, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectral studies. The elemental analysis suggests the stoichiometry to be 1:1 (metal:ligand). Four of these complexes were tested for its binding with CT-DNA using absorption spectroscopic studies and two of these complexes exhibit efficient DNA cleavage activity.
Maps between Banach function algebras satisfying certain norm conditions
Authors: Hosseini Maliheh , Sady Fereshteh
Published: March 2013

Let A and B be Banach function algebras on compact Hausdorff spaces X and Y, respectively, and let \(\bar A\) and \(\bar B\) be their uniform closures. Let I, I′ be arbitrary non-empty sets, α ∈ ℂ\{0}, ρ: I → A, τ: l′ → a and S: I → B T: l′ → B be maps such that ρ(I, τ(I′) and S(I), T(I′) are closed under multiplications and contain exp A and expB, respectively. We show that if ‖S(p)T(p′)−α‖Y=‖ρ(p)τ(p′) − α‖x for all p ∈ I and p′ ∈ I′, then there exist a real algebra isomorphism S: A → B, a clopen subset K of M B and a homeomorphism ϕ: M B → M A between the maximal ideal spaces of B and A such that for all f ∈ A,

where \(\hat \cdot\) denotes the Gelfand transformation. Moreover, S can be extended to a real algebra isomorphism from \(\bar A\) onto \(\bar B\) inducing a homeomorphism between \(M_{\bar B}\) and \(M_{\bar A}\) . We also show that under an additional assumption related to the peripheral range, S is complex linear, that is A and B are algebraically isomorphic. We also consider the case where α = 0 and X and Y are locally compact.
Variations on a theme of rationality of cycles
Authors: Karpenko Nikita
Published: March 2013

We prove certain weak versions of some celebrated results due to Alexander Vishik comparing rationality of algebraic cycles over the function field of a quadric and over the base field. The original proofs use Vishik’s symmetric operations in the algebraic cobordism theory and work only in characteristic 0. Our proofs use the modulo 2 Steenrod operations in the Chow theory and work in any characteristic ≠ 2. Our weak versions are still sufficient for existing applications. In particular, Vishik’s construction of fields of u-invariant 2r + 1, for r ≥ 3, is extended to arbitrary characteristic ≠ 2.
Dipole-exchange spin excitations in a thin ferromagnetic nanoshell
Authors: Gorobets Yuri , Kulish Volodymyr
Published: March 2013

In this paper spin excitations in spherical ferromagnetic nanoshells are investigated. The magnetic dipoledipole interaction, the exchange interaction and the anisotropy effects are taken into consideration. For such spin excitations, an equation for the magnetic potential perturbation is obtained. For a nanoshell that is thin compared to its size, the dispersion relation for nonzero spin excitation modes and the only possible frequency for zero-mode spin excitations are found. Limitations on the mode numbers are derived.
Exact and approximate solutions to Schrödinger’s equation with decatic potentials
Authors: Brandon David , Saad Nasser
Published: March 2013

The one-dimensional Schrödinger’s equation is analysed with regard to the existence of exact solutions for decatic polynomial potentials. Under certain conditions on the potential’s parameters, we show that the decatic polynomial potential V (x) = ax
10 + bx
8 + cx
6 + dx
4 + ex
2, a > 0 is exactly solvable. By examining the polynomial solutions of certain linear differential equations with polynomial coefficients, the necessary and sufficient conditions for corresponding energy-dependent polynomial solutions are given in detail. It is also shown that these polynomials satisfy a four-term recurrence relation, whose real roots are the exact energy eigenvalues. Further, it is shown that these polynomials generate the eigenfunction solutions of the corresponding Schrödinger equation. Further analysis for arbitrary values of the potential parameters using the asymptotic iteration method is also presented.
Acoustic field and the entropy mode induced by it in a waveguide filled with some non-equilibrium gases
Authors: Perelomova Anna
Published: March 2013

The non-linear propagation of an acoustic beam in a rectangular waveguide is considered. The medium of sound propagation, is a gas where thermodynamically non-equilibrium processes take place: such as exothermic chemical reactions or excitation of vibrational degrees of a molecule’s freedom. The incident and reflected compounds of the acoustic field do not interact in the leading order in the case of periodic weakly nonlinear sound with zero mean value of velocity. The acoustic heating or cooling in a waveguide is discussed.
Oscillation criteria for a class of nonlinear fourth order neutral differential equations
Authors: Tripathy A.
Published: March 2013

In this paper, sufficient conditions are obtained for oscillation of a class of nonlinear fourth order mixed neutral differential equations of the form (E)$$\left( {\frac{1}
{{a\left( t \right)}}\left( {\left( {y\left( t \right) + p\left( t \right)y\left( {t - \tau } \right)} \right)^{\prime \prime } } \right)^\alpha } \right)^{\prime \prime } = q\left( t \right)f\left( {y\left( {t - \sigma _1 } \right)} \right) + r\left( t \right)g\left( {y\left( {t + \sigma _2 } \right)} \right)$$ under the assumption $$\int\limits_0^\infty {\left( {a\left( t \right)} \right)^{\tfrac{1}
{\alpha }} dt} = \infty .$$ where α is a ratio of odd positive integers. (E) is studied for various ranges of p(t).
On (strong) α-favorability of the Vietoris hyperspace
Authors: Piątkiewicz Leszek , Zsilinszky László
Published: March 2013

For a normal space X, α (i.e. the nonempty player) having a winning strategy (resp. winning tactic) in the strong Choquet game Ch(X) played on X is equivalent to α having a winning strategy (resp. winning tactic) in the strong Choquet game played on the hyperspace CL(X) of nonempty closed subsets endowed with the Vietoris topology τ
V. It is shown that for a non-normal X where α has a winning strategy (resp. winning tactic) in Ch(X), α may or may not have a winning strategy (resp. winning tactic) in the strong Choquet game played on the Vietoris hyperspace. If X is quasi-regular, then having a winning strategy (resp. winning tactic) for α in the Banach-Mazur game BM(X) played on X is sufficient for α having a winning strategy (resp. winning tactic) in BM(CL(X), τ
V), but not necessary, not even for a separable metric X. In the absence of quasi-regularity of a space X where α has a winning strategy in BM(X), α may or may not have a winning strategy in the Banach-Mazur game played on the Vietoris hyperspace.
Graphic representation of MV-algebra pastings
Authors: Chovanec Ferdinand
Published: March 2013

We deal with a construction of some difference posets via a method of a pasting of MV-algebras. We generalize Greechie diagrams used in MV-algebra pastings. We give necessary and sufficient conditions under which the resulting pasting of an admissible system MV-algebras is a lattice-ordered D-poset.
Who is corrupt? Anthropological reflections on the moral, the criminal and the borderline
Authors: Pardo Italo
Published: March 2013

Drawing on historical and contemporary evidence from Great Britain and Italy, this article examines actions that fall under official definitions of corruption and actions that are not illegal but are widely regarded as morally corrupt. As a social anthropologist, I argue that when dealing with the complexity of corruption and abuses of power, we need to identify what aspects of the system encourage or generate illicit practices (illegal and legal) and what aspects could instead generate real change. It is imperative to assess the precise identity of the dividing line between the legitimate and the illegitimate and between the legal and the moral, and to address both the exact relationship of the protagonists in public life to formal law and its production and their perceived legitimacy in the broader society. Empirical evidence suggests that the production of the law must take into account the moralities which inform the definition of legitimacy at the grassroots, for legislation that enjoys such legitimacy is authoritative-therefore effective-legislation, and thus is governance that benefits from and abides by such legislation.
Political science approaches to integrity and corruption
Authors: Rose Jonathan , Heywood Paul
Published: March 2013

Integrity ought logically to be a particularly important concept within political science. If those acting within the political system do not have integrity, our ability to trust them, to have confidence in their actions, and perhaps even to consider them legitimate can be challenged. Indeed, the very concept of integrity goes some way towards underwriting positive views of political actors. Yet, despite this importance, political science as a discipline has perhaps focused too little on questions of integrity. Where political science has looked at the subject of integrity, it has often done so without using the specific linguistic formulation “integrity”. Most commonly, the focus has instead been on “corruption”—a strand of research which has produced results that cannot always be translated into discussions of integrity, by virtue of its narrower focus upon the “negative pole” of public ethics. Other measures, such as “Quality of Government”, focus on positive attributes, notably impartiality, but this also fails fully to capture the notion of integrity: dishonesty can be impartial. Specific formal “codes” used within public life and among political practitioners can be much more nuanced than the most widely used measures, and can be much closer to what we understand—academically—as “integrity”. This paper argues that the hard conceptual and empirical work of elaborating integrity into a fully operationalizable concept offers the potential reward of an analytical concept that is more closely aligned with political reality.
The perception of corruption as social and institutional pressure: A comparative analysis of cultural biases
Authors: Torsello Davide
Published: March 2013

This study is an empirical approach to answering the question: are there any universal factors that account for the origin, diffusion and persistence of corruption in human societies? The paper enquires whether the perception of corruption in politics and economics can be tackled as a form of cultural adaptation, driven by exogenous and endogenous forces. These are respectively: freedom of access and management of economic resources, and the pressures towards human grouping. Following the analytical insights of cultural theory, developed by Mary Douglas and later Aaron Wildavsky, variation is introduced through the ways in which corruption is perceived through the different behavioral and cultural biases that prevail in societies. This research introduces a cross-country comparative analysis of 57 countries attempting to test quantitatively whether institutional pressure and emphasis towards social grouping are correlated with corruption perception at country levels.
Trust, clientelism and state intervention in disaster relief policy: The case of Southern Italy
Authors: Caruso Teresa
Published: March 2013

The aim of this article is to describe the consequences of state intervention at the local level after a destructive earthquake hit the south of Italy in 1980. The kind of intervention adopted, the amount of financial investment and the way in which it was distributed affected the social and economic equilibrium of the local community in terms of perceptions of trust, patronage and effects on development.
High School Socioeconomic Segregation and Student Attainment
Authors: Palardy Gregory J.
Published: March 2013

Using data from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002, this study examines the association between high school socioeconomic segregation and student attainment outcomes and the mechanisms that mediate those relationships. The results show that socioeconomic segregation has a strong association with high school graduation and college enrollment. Controlling for an array of student and school factors, students who attend high socioeconomic composition (SEC) schools are 68% more likely to enroll at a 4-year college than students who attend low SEC schools. Two mediating mechanisms were examined, including socioeconomic-based peer influences and school effects. The results indicate the association between SEC and attainment is due more to peer influences, which tend to be negative in the low SEC setting. However, school practices that emphasize academics also play a major role, particularly in mediating the relationship between SEC and 4-year college enrollment. These findings suggest that integrating schools is likely necessary to fully addressing the negative consequences of attending a low SEC school.
Evaluation of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness parameters in myopic population using scanning laser polarimetry (GDxVCC)
Authors: Dada Tanuj , Aggarwal A , Bali SJ , Sharma A , Shah BM , Angmo D , Panda A
Published: March 2013

Introduction: Myopia presents a significant challenge to the ophthalmologist as myopic discs are often large, tilted, with deep cups and have a thinner neuroretinal rim all of which may mimic glaucomatous optic nerve head changes causing an error in diagnosis. Objective: To evaluate the retinal fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in low, moderate and high myopia using scanning laser polarimetry with variable corneal compensation (GDxVCC). Subjects and methods: One hundred eyes of 100 emmetropes, 30 eyes of low myopes (0 to - 4 D spherical equivalent(SE), 45 eyes with moderate myopia (- 4 to - 8D SE), and 30 eyes with high myopia (- 8 to - 15D SE) were subjected to retinal nerve fiber layer assessment using the scanning laser polarimetry (GDxVCC) in all subjects using the standard protocol. Subjects with IOP > 21 mm Hg, optic nerve head or visual field changes suggestive of glaucoma were excluded from the study. The major outcome parameters were temporal-superior-nasal-inferiortemporal (TSNIT) average, the superior and inferior average and the nerve fibre indicator (NFI). Results: The TSNIT average (p = 0.009), superior (p = 0.001) and inferior average (p = 0.008) were significantly lower; the NFI was higher (P < 0.001) in moderate myopes as compared to that in emmetropes. In high myopia the RNFL showed supranormal values; the TSNIT average, superior and inferior average was significantly higher(p < 0.001) as compared to that in emmetropes. Conclusion: The RNFL measurements on scanning laser polarimetry are affected by the myopic refractive error. Moderate myopes show a significant thinning of the RNFL. In high myopia due to peripapillary chorioretinal atrophy and contribution of scleral birefringence, the RNFL values are abnormally high. These findings need to be taken into account while assessing and monitoring glaucoma damage in moderate to high myopes on GDxVCC. Nepal J Ophthalmol 2013; 5(9):3-8 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v5i1.7814
Assessment of tear secretion and tear film instability in cases with pterygium and normal subjects
Authors: Roka Narayani , Shrestha SP
Published: March 2013

Introduction: Dry eye is a common disorder affecting a significant percentage of the population. Materials and methods: This study is a prospective, hospital-based, case-controlled study conducted between January 2009 and May 2010. Seventy-six pterygium cases and 152 age-and- sex matched controls presenting to the OPD of Manipal Teaching Hospital were included. The TBUT Schirmer’s test and basal tear secretion were estimated in all patients. A TBUT of less than 10 seconds and a Schirmer’s test of less than 10 mm were considered abnormal. Results: Pterygium was bilateral in 15 (19.7 % ) and unilateral in 61 (80.3 %) patients. Ninety-two (92.1 %) pterygium patients reported either one or more of the six dry eye symptoms. Redness was the most common (67 %) symptom reported. The mean Schirmer’s test I, mean basal secretion and mean TBUT values were 16.19 mm, 10.01 mm and 10.56 seconds in pterygium cases and 20.22 mm,13.25 mm and 26.25 seconds in the control group respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the dry eye results between the pterygium cases and the control group (p value < 0.05). The odds ratio between pterygium and dry eye was 3.28. Dry eye was present in 26 % of the normal patients and in 54 % of the pterygium cases. Conclusion: There is a strong relationship between dry eye and pterygium. Nepal J Ophthalmol 2013; 5(9):16-23 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v5i1.7816
Conjunctival impression cytology in computer users
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Bansal R , Khare A , Malik KPS , Malik VK , Jain K , Jain C
Published: March 2013

Introduction:It is known that the computer users develop the features of dry eye. Objective: To study the cytological changes in the conjunctiva using conjunctival impression cytology in computer users and a control group. Materials and methods: Fifteen eyes of computer users who had used computers for more than one year and ten eyes of an age-and-sex matched control group (those who had not used computers) were studied by conjunctival impression cytology. Results: Conjunctival impression cytology (CIC) results in the control group were of stage 0 and stage I while the computer user group showed CIC results between stages II to stage IV. Among the computer users, the majority ( > 90 %) showed stage III and stage IV changes. Conclusion: We found that those who used computers daily for long hours developed more CIC changes than those who worked at the computer for a shorter daily duration. Nepal J Ophthalmol 2013; 5(9):33-37 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v5i1.7819
Prevalence of amblyopia and patterns of refractive error in the amblyopic children of a tertiary eye care center of Nepal
Authors: Sapkota K , Pirouzian A , Matta NS
Published: March 2013

Introduction: Refractive error is a common cause of amblyopia. Objective: To determine prevalence of amblyopia and the pattern and the types of refractive error in children with amblyopia in a tertiary eye hospital of Nepal. Materials and methods: A retrospective chart review of children diagnosed with amblyopia in the Nepal Eye Hospital (NEH) from July 2006 to June 2011 was conducted. Children of age 13+ or who had any ocular pathology were excluded. Cycloplegic refraction and an ophthalmological examination was performed for all children. The pattern of refractive error and the association between types of refractive error and types of amblyopia were determined. Results: Amblyopia was found in 0.7 % (440) of 62,633 children examined in NEH during this period. All the amblyopic eyes of the subjects had refractive error. Fifty-six percent (248) of the patients were male and the mean age was 7.74 ± 2.97 years. Anisometropia was the most common cause of amblyopia (p < 0.001). One third (29 %) of the subjects had bilateral amblyopia due to high ametropia. Forty percent of eyes had severe amblyopia with visual acuity of 20/120 or worse. About twothirds (59.2 %) of the eyes had astigmatism. Conclusion: The prevalence of amblyopia in the Nepal Eye Hospital is 0.7%. Anisometropia is the most common cause of amblyopia. Astigmatism is the most common types of refractive error in amblyopic eyes. Nepal J Ophthalmol 2013; 5(9):38-44 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v5i1.7820
63 Short term results of intra-vitreal bevacizumab for the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Thapa R , Paudyal G
Published: March 2013

Introduction: Macular edema (ME) is the leading cause of visual impairment in retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech) on ME secondary to RVO. Materials and methods: A prospective, interventional study was conducted among patients with ME due to RVO from June 2008 to February 2010. Intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 ml) was given at 4 to 6 weekly intervals until the ME subsided. Complete ophthalmic evaluation and measurement of central retinal thickness (CRT) by optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed at baseline and follow up visits. Results: Thirty four eyes (18 CRVO and 16 BRVO) were included in the study. The mean duration of visual symptoms and follow up period were 5.1 months (range 0.3 - 24 months) and 7.5 ± 4.8 months respectively. In CRVO, the CRT improved from 652 ± 206 ?m at the baseline to 257 ± 132 ?m (p < 0.0001) at the final follow up, and in BRVO, the CRT improved from 540 ±197 ?m to 219 ± 135 ?m (p < 0.0001). The improvement in BCVA was significant at each follow up interval for BRVO; in CRVO, there was only a significant improvement between the baseline and the 6 weeks’ follow up. BCVA was improved in 75 % cases of BRVO and in 61.6 % in CRVO at the final follow up. There were no ocular or systemic adverse effects. Conclusion: Intravitreal bevacizumab is an effective and safe drug for reducing ME and improving visual acuity secondary to RVO in the short term follow up. Nepal J Ophthalmol 2013; 5(9):63-68 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v5i1.7824
Retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria
Authors: Reddy SC , Khin YM , Nurjahan MI , Ramli A
Published: March 2013

Objective: To determine the prevalence of retinopathy in type 2 diabetic patients with micoalbuminuria and to evaluate the association of risk factors with prevalence of retinopathy in these patients. Material and methods: A fundus examination of 137 patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus with microalbuminuria was done, with direct ophthalmoscope/ binocular indirect ophthalmoscope after dilating the pupils with 1 % tropicamide eye drops. Retinal changes were graded as no retinopathy, non-proliferative retinopathy, proliferative retinopathy and maculopathy. The association of the duration of diabetes, control of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, obesity and peripheral neuropathy was assessed with the prevalence of retinopathy in these patents. Results: The mean age of the patients was 58 years (range 35 - 79 years); 62 % were females, and 49.6 % were Chinese. Diabetic retinopathy was seen in 36.5 % of the patients — non proliferative in 29.2 %, proliferative in 7.3 % and maculopathy in 5.1 % of patients. A longer duration of diabetes (p = 0.002), poor control of diabetes (p = 0.002), presence of hypertension (p = 0.03), and presence of peripheral neuropathy (p = 0.001) were significantly associated with the prevalence of retinopathy; while hyperlipidemia (p = 0.29), smoking (p = 0.43) and obesity (p = 0.43) were not associated with retinopathy. Conclusion: Retinopathy was seen in 36.5 % of type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria; 7.3 % had proliferative retinopathy and 5.1 % maculopathy (both sight threatening changes). All diabetic patients with microalbuminuria should be screened for retinopathy so that treatment can be instituted in the required patients to prevent ocular morbidity/ blindness. Nepal J Ophthalmol 2013; 5(9):69-74 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v5i1.7830
Lamellar ichthyosis presenting as bilateral spontaneous corneal perforation
Authors: Chaudhary M , Shrestha GB , Keyal A
Published: March 2013

Introduction: Lamellar Ichthyosis is an autosomal recessive, inherited skin disorder characterized by thickening, fissuring and scaling of the skin. Objective: To report a case of lamellar icthyosis and highlight the importance of monitoring corneal health in these patients. Case: We report a rare case of bilateral spontaneous corneal perforation in a patient with lamellar ichthyosis .The patient presented with complaints of diminution of vision, foreign body sensation, watering and discharge in both of his eyes for the last three months followed by pain and redness for one week. Visual acuities were light perception in both the eyes. Cicatricial ectropion was seen in both the lower eyelids. Corneal perforation was seen in both the eyes. Lamellar ichthyosis was diagnosed on the basis of scaling and excessive dryness of the entire body skin and was confirmed by skin biopsy. Peneterating keratoplasty of both eyes was done with cataract surgery of the right. The systemic anti-ichthyosis therapy was started. Ectropion of the right eye was corrected, and on follow-up at three months, the patient had a visual acuity of 4 /60 and CFCF in the right and the left eye respectively. Conclusion: In patients with cicatricial ectropion and dry eye secondary to ichthyosis, corneal health should be closely monitored because of the perforation risk. Nepal J Ophthalmol 2013; 5(9):117-119 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v5i1.7838
Bilateral retinoblastoma in early infancy
Authors: Saiju R , Duwal S
Published: March 2013

Introduction: Retinoblastoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy of childhood. It is usually diagnosed before the age of 5 years. In spite of its early onset in most children, retinoblastoma is rarely diagnosed congenitally or even within the first 3 months of life. Objective: To report a case of retinoblastoma in early infancy. Case: This was a case of the earliest presentation of retinoblastoma in a female child 20 days after birth. The presenting complaint was of leucokoria noticed by the mother 13 days after birth. The father of the child was also found to have a suspicious lesion of retinocytoma in one eye and regressed retinoblastoma in the other eye. Conclusion: For early diagnosis of the disease, awareness and knowledge about the modes of presentation of the disease are very important. Similarly, the ophthalmic examination of the parents and siblings with retinoblastoma should always be done to exclude the disease. Nepal J Ophthalmol 2013; 5(9):124-128 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v5i1.7840
Temporal sutureless vitrectomy in infectious scleritis with retinal detachment
Authors: Khanduja S , Venkatesh P , Garg S , Sinha S
Published: March 2013

Nepal J Ophthalmol 2013; 5(9):138 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nepjoph.v5i1.7844
The Canada Foundation for Innovation, Sociology of Knowledge, and the Re-engineering of the University
Authors: Guppy Neil , Grabb Edward , Mollica Clayton
Published: March 2013

Dans cet article, nous montrons, en prenant comme exemple la Fondation canadienne pour l’innovation (FCI), comment les politiques canadiennes en matière de sciences engendrent des formes de « stratifications » à l’intérieur des universités et entre celles-ci. Il existe des différences importantes dans les fonds qu’accorde la FCI selon les champs de connaissances, et cela a entraîné des inégalités croissantes dans le soutien financier dont disposent les chercheurs pour réaliser leurs travaux. Ces inégalités ont de plus renforcé certains modèles de changements, aux plans financier et organisationnel, qui sont en train de refaçonner le fonctionnement des universités. Nous concluons en discutant certaines implications importantes de ce rôle que joue la FCI en imposant une réorganisation de l’enseignement supérieur au Canada.
Opportunism and Election Timing by Canadian Provincial and Federal Governments
Authors: Dickson Vaughan , Farnworth Mike , Zhang Jue
Published: March 2013

Dans cet article, nous examinons les dates, de 1975 à 2008, que les gouvernements (fédéral et provinciaux) du Canada ont choisies pour tenir des élections, en lien avec les conditions économiques qui prévalaient alors. Nous faisons des régressions à partir de données mensuelles. Au plan provincial, nos résultats indiquent que, quand le taux de chômage est faible et qu’une hausse du chômage est prévisible, les gouvernements ont tendance à déclencher des élections. Au plan fédéral, nos résultats indiquent que, quand le taux de chômage est faible, le gouvernement a tendance à déclencher des élections; de plus, ce lien est plus important au plan fédéral qu’au plan provincial. Nous montrons également que les taux de chômage mensuels aux États- Unis sont plus faibles avant des élections fédérales canadiennes (à dates variables), mais pas avant des élections aux États-Unis (à dates fixes). Nous concluons que les gouvernements canadiens ont utilisé le système d’élections à dates variables afin de profiter de conditions favorables pour tenter de se faire réélire.
Against Invisibility: Negritude and the Awakening of the African Voice in Theology
Authors: Clark Adam
Published: March 2013

This paper discusses the emergence of Negritude and its contribution to the early development of African theology. The Negritude movement of the 1930s and 40s understands itself as a literary and philosophical movement that responds to colonial domination. It awakened a cultural voice African priests used to become legible in the discipline of Christian theology. Negritude was a contested category. For some, it was nothing more than a nativist philosophy that promoted a metaphysic of race; for others, Negritude was an initiative to recover African cultural values. This paper traces the Senghorian tradition of Negritude that began as a philosophy of black identity but evolved into a mode of thought that inspired blacks to reimagine African alternatives to the colonial state. Senghor's proposal of African socialism was a component of the broader struggle that influenced the development of a theology of liberation in Africa.
Microbial Competition in Polar Soils: A Review of an Understudied but Potentially Important Control on Productivity
Authors: Bell Terrence , Callender Katrina , Whyte Lyle , Greer Charles
Published: March 2013

Intermicrobial competition is known to occur in many natural environments, and can result from direct conflict between organisms, or from differential rates of growth, colonization, and/or nutrient acquisition. It has been difficult to extensively examine intermicrobial competition in situ, but these interactions may play an important role in the regulation of the many biogeochemical processes that are tied to microbial communities in polar soils. A greater understanding of how competition influences productivity will improve projections of gas and nutrient flux as the poles warm, may provide biotechnological opportunities for increasing the degradation of contaminants in polar soil, and will help to predict changes in communities of higher organisms, such as plants.
Compensating for Language Deficits in Amnesia II: H.M.’s Spared versus Impaired Encoding Categories
Authors: MacKay Donald , Johnson Laura , Hadley Chris
Published: March 2013

Although amnesic H.M. typically could not recall where or when he met someone, he could recall their topics of conversation after long interference-filled delays, suggesting impaired encoding for some categories of novel events but not others. Similarly, H.M. successfully encoded into internal representations (sentence plans) some novel linguistic structures but not others in the present language production studies. For example, on the Test of Language Competence (TLC), H.M. produced uncorrected errors when encoding a wide range of novel linguistic structures, e.g., violating reliably more gender constraints than memory-normal controls when encoding referent-noun, pronoun-antecedent, and referent-pronoun anaphora, as when he erroneously and without correction used the gender-inappropriate pronoun “her” to refer to a man. In contrast, H.M. never violated corresponding referent-gender constraints for proper names, suggesting that his mechanisms for encoding proper name gender-agreement were intact. However, H.M. produced no more dysfluencies, off-topic comments, false starts, neologisms, or word and phonological sequencing errors than controls on the TLC. Present results suggest that: (a) frontal mechanisms for retrieving and sequencing word, phrase, and phonological categories are intact in H.M., unlike in category-specific aphasia; (b) encoding mechanisms in the hippocampal region are category-specific rather than item-specific, applying to, e.g., proper names rather than words; (c) H.M.’s category-specific mechanisms for encoding referents into words, phrases, and propositions are impaired, with the exception of referent gender, person, and number for encoding proper names; and (d) H.M. overuses his intact proper name encoding mechanisms to compensate for his impaired mechanisms for encoding other functionally equivalent linguistic information.
Evaluation of a Low-Carbon City: Method and Application
Authors: Su Meirong , Li Ronghua , Lu Weiwei , Chen Chen , Chen Bin , Yang Zhifeng
Published: March 2013

Many cities around the World have established the development objective of becoming a low-carbon city. Evaluation of such a city is important for its progress. A new evaluation framework of urban low-carbon development level is proposed in this paper, which integrates synthetic evaluation based on a bottom-up idea and analytical diagnosis based on a top-down idea. Further, set pair analysis is combined for synthetic evaluation and analytical diagnosis by comparing urban low-carbon development levels of different cities, through which the comprehensive state of urban low-carbon development level can be obtained and limiting factors identified. Based on the proposed framework and set pair analysis, low-carbon development levels of 12 Chinese cities are compared. Some suggestions are provided, based on results of overall situations of urban low-carbon development level and concrete performances of various factors and specific indicators. We conclude that both synthetic evaluation and analytical diagnosis are important for evaluation of urban low-carbon development level. The proposed framework and method can be widely applied in the evaluation of different cities over a long-term period.
A Note on Forecasting the Rate of Change of the Price of Oil: Asymmetric Loss and Forecast Rationality
Authors: Pierdzioch Christian , Rülke Jan-Christoph
Published: March 2013

We study whether forecasts of the rate of change of the price of oil are rational. To this end, we consider a model that allows the shape of forecasters’ loss function to be studied. The shape of forecasters’ loss function may be consistent with a symmetric or an asymmetric loss function. We find that an asymmetric loss function often (but not always) makes forecasts look rational, and we also report that forecast rationality may have changed over time.
Trends in Nanopharmaceutical Patents
Authors: Antunes Adelaide , Fierro Iolanda , Guerrante Rafaela , Mendes Flavia , Alencar Maria
Published: March 2013

Investment in nanotechnology is now a given constant by governments, research centers and companies in both more developed countries and emerging markets. Due to their characteristics, such as high stability, ability to enable antigen identification on specific cells in the human body and controlling the release of drugs and, therefore, improving therapies, nanoparticles have been the subject of research and patent applications in the pharmaceutical field. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OCDE), patent data can be used as a source of information in order to measure science and technology activities. Thereby, this paper presents an analysis based on patent documents related to nanotechnology in the pharmaceutical sector. As a result, the analysis of patents demonstrate primarily that nanobiotechnology attracts high levels of R&D investments, including nanoparticle-based chemotherapeutic agents/drugs, monoclonal antibody nanoparticle complexes and their role in drug delivery or contrast agents with non-toxic effects.
Semantic Models for Scalable Search in the Internet of Things
Authors: Mietz Richard , Groppe Sven , Römer Kay , Pfisterer Dennis
Published: March 2013

The Internet of Things is anticipated to connect billions of embedded devices equipped with sensors to perceive their surroundings. Thereby, the state of the real world will be available online and in real-time and can be combined with other data and services in the Internet to realize novel applications such as Smart Cities, Smart Grids, or Smart Healthcare. This requires an open representation of sensor data and scalable search over data from diverse sources including sensors. In this paper we show how the Semantic Web technologies RDF (an open semantic data format) and SPARQL (a query language for RDF-encoded data) can be used to address those challenges. In particular, we describe how prediction models can be employed for scalable sensor search, how these prediction models can be encoded as RDF, and how the models can be queried by means of SPARQL.
Lithium Ion Battery Anode Aging Mechanisms
Authors: Agubra Victor , Fergus Jeffrey
Published: March 2013

Degradation mechanisms such as lithium plating, growth of the passivated surface film layer on the electrodes and loss of both recyclable lithium ions and electrode material adversely affect the longevity of the lithium ion battery. The anode electrode is very vulnerable to these degradation mechanisms. In this paper, the most common aging mechanisms occurring at the anode during the operation of the lithium battery, as well as some approaches for minimizing the degradation are reviewed.