bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-syndromic congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: clinical presentation and genotype–phenotype relationships
Authors: Brioude Frédéric , Bouligand Jérôme , Trabado Séverine , Francou Bruno , Salenave Sylvie , Kamenicky Peter , Brailly-Tabard Sylvie , Chanson Philippe , Guiochon-Mantel Anne , Young Jacques
Published: March 2010

Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) results from abnormal gonadotropin secretion, and it is characterized by impaired pubertal development. CHH is caused by defectiveGNRHrelease, or by a gonadotrope cell dysfunction in the pituitary. Identification of genetic abnormalities related to CHH has provided major insights into the pathways critical for the development, maturation, and function of the reproductive axis. Mutations in five genes have been found specifically in Kallmann's syndrome, a disorder in which CHH is related to abnormalGNRHneuron ontogenesis and is associated with anosmia or hyposmia.

In combined pituitary hormone deficiency or in complex syndromic CHH in which gonadotropin deficiency is either incidental or only one aspect of a more complex endocrine disorder or a non-endocrine disorder, other mutations affectingGNRHand/or gonadotropin secretion have been reported.

Often, the CHH phenotype is tightly linked to an isolated deficiency of gonadotropin secretion. These patients, who have no associated signs or hormone deficiencies independent of the deficiency in gonadotropin and sex steroids, have isolated CHH. In some familial cases, they are due to genetic alterations affectingGNRHsecretion (mutations inGNRH1,GPR54/KISS1RandTAC3andTACR3) or theGNRHsensitivity of the gonadotropic cells (GNRHR). A minority of patients with Kallmann's syndrome or a syndromic form of CHH may also appear to have isolated CHH, but close clinical, familial, and genetic studies can reorient the diagnosis, which is important for genetic counseling in the context of assisted reproductive medicine.

This review focuses on published cases of isolated CHH, its clinical and endocrine features, genetic causes, and genotype–phenotype relationships.
Anti-Müllerian hormone and polycystic ovary syndrome: a mountain too high?
Authors: Pellatt Laura , Rice Suman , Mason Helen D
Published: March 2010

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) was initially thought to be produced solely by the foetal male during sexual differentiation to promote regression of the Müllerian ducts. Over the last decade, however, a new and interesting role has emerged for AMH in the ovary. In human ovaries, AMH is produced by granulosa cells from 36 weeks of gestation until menopause, with the highest expression being in small antral follicles. AMH production gradually declines as follicles grow; once follicles reach a size at which they are dominant, it has largely disappeared. Its removal from these larger follicles appears to be an important requirement for dominant follicle selection and progression to ovulation as AMH has an inhibitory role in the ovary, reducing both primordial follicle initiation and follicle sensitivity to FSH by inhibition of aromatase. It is for this reason that AMH is a focus of interest in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Serum levels are doubled, and granulosa cell production is greatly increased. Interestingly, there appear to be two groups of women with PCOS who can be distinguished by their AMH level: one group consists of those who have high levels which do not reduce with treatment and who respond less well to induction of ovulation, and a second group consists of those in whom the level is less elevated and reduces on treatment and who seem to respond rather better. Understanding the reason for the raised AMH in PCOS may give clues as to the mechanism of anovulation. To conclude, AMH appears to have a major inhibitory role during folliculogenesis, which may contribute to anovulation in PCOS.
Oocyte development in bovine primordial follicles is promoted by activin and FSH within a two-step serum-free culture system
Authors: McLaughlin Marie , Telfer Evelyn E
Published: March 2010

Quiescent follicles of large mammals initiate growth within cultured pieces of ovarian cortex. Systems capable of sustainingin vitrodevelopment from this early stage until oocyte maturation would allow investigation of mechanisms regulating oocyte development in its entirety. The aims of this study were 1) to determine whether bovine follicles initiated to growin vitrocould be isolated from the cortical environment, and could undergo further development and 2) to evaluate the effect of activin and FSH on the development of secondary follicles derived from primordial follicles. Fragments of bovine ovarian cortex were cultured in serum-free medium for 6 days; thereafter, secondary follicles were isolated for further culture. After a maximum total of 21 daysin vitro, follicles were either processed for histological assessment or opened to release the oocyte–cumulus complexes for inspection by light microscopy. Compared with control, significant follicle and oocyte growth were observed in activin-exposed follicles, with or without FSH, with some oocyte diameters measuring over 100 microns following a totalin vitroperiod of 15 days. Significant oestradiol secretion was observed in follicles cultured in activin alone after a total of 9 daysin vitrocompared with other treatment groups; however, this effect was not sustained. In summary, this study demonstrates the promotion of primordial bovine follicle development within a two-step serum-free culture system with oocyte diameters >100 μm achieved over 15 daysin vitro. Further development of this system is needed to support complete oocyte growth and thereafterin vitromaturation.
Creating Efficient Portfolios that Match Competing Corporate Strategies
Authors: Willigers B.J.A. , Majou F.
Published: March 2010

The process of portfolio optimization provides guidance to decision makers on how to manage an asset base given corporate objectives, market conditions, and organizational capability. Many applications in the oil and gas industry are based upon Markowitz’s efficient portfolio theory. In the standard implementation of this framework, an efficient portfolio is defined as one that yields the highest value given a specific degree of risk.

A corporate decision maker will aim, however, to select a portfolio that meets several often competing objectives, i.e., maximize portfolio value while minimizing capital expenditure. The optimal portfolio choice given one constraint is typically not optimal given one of the competing constraints. This requires the portfolio manager to identify and select those portfolios that best meet all corporate constraints. Deciding which portfolio to develop is often compounded by there being several portfolios having similar economic characteristics. However, these portfolios can generally be differentiated by strategy, which may depend on non-financial attributes such as the geographic location of the assets or on geological settings that might require different engineering expertise.

In this study, a large set of exploration portfolios and their attributes have been simulated. Through applying a series of simple and transparent filters, a few portfolios can be identified that meet all the corporate constraints. After a shortlist has been created, the portfolios can easily be characterized by strategy and the tradeoffs between them can be assessed.
An Update on the Use of Reservoir Analogs for the Estimation of Oil and Gas Reserves
Authors: Sidle R.E. , Lee W. J.
Published: March 2010

Since a prior paper on analogy for estimating petroleum reserves (Hodgin and Harrell 2006), new dimensions of this topic have emerged. This paper provides updated guidance for analogy use and explains new concepts for the application of analogy in reserves estimation and classification.

Reserves evaluators using engineering and geoscience techniques now have new petroleum reserves rulesthat include the use of analogy. In 2007, the SPE finalized the Petroleum Resource Management System (PRMS) instructions and, in late 2008, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published updated regulations on reserves reporting. Recent papers (Lee 2009 and Etherington 2009) provide good summaries of the updated SEC rules and a comparison to PRMS. This paper will provide guidance to aid understanding of and compliance with these rules as related to the use of analogs.

The paper provides interpretations of new analogy-related terminology and the related reserves rules. It also gives examples of how these interpretations can be applied to common reserves estimation situations where analogy is used. The paper also addresses new concepts of how analogies can be shown as valid and adjusted for minor differences in the comparison of target field to analogy field.

The recent publication of the US SEC reserves reporting rules, which draw partially from the SPE PRMS, has increased interest in deeper understanding of both these SEC rules and PRMS. This paper will assist those who develop and use petroleum reserves data in understanding how the use of analogy can contribute to reliable reserves estimates and proper classification.
A Survey of Stranded Gas Resources and Estimates of Development and Production Costs
Authors: Attanasi Emil D. , Freeman Philip A.
Published: March 2010

Two important factors in the expected future growth of global gas markets are (1) the move by many industrialized countries from coal-fired electricity generation to natural gas in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and (2) the industrialization of the heavily populated Asian countries of India and China. This paper surveys discovered or known gas in stranded gas accumulations and provides estimates of the cost of developing and producing stranded gas in selected countries likely to supply the growing European import market via pipeline and/or liquefied natural gas. Gas supplies to this market can be significantly augmented by the development of stranded gas. Globally, the distribution of stranded gas is uneven, with a handful of countries endowed with a disproportionate share of the gas. The cost component of the paper focuses on stranded conventional gas accumulations in Africa, and South America that have at least 50 billion cubic feet of recoverable gas. The results of the analysis are presented as resource cost quantity functions. The delivered cost of the identified gas is found to depend critically on the natural gas liquids content, the prevailing prices of liquids, size of gas accumulation, and its location. The implications of the analysis are discussed in terms of the projected increase in gas import demands of European gas markets. Finally the diversity of the geographical distribution of stranded gas provides one obstacle to the exertion of market power by the Gas Exporting Countries Forum and reduces the probability of the formation of a gas-producing country cartel similar to OPEC.
Hydrocarbon Maturation: Integrating Reserves Management and Corporate Planning
Authors: MacDonald Doug , McVean Jason
Published: March 2010

This paper discusses the relationship between the reserves management and corporate planning components of a company's business processes, and the techniques that can be implemented to facilitate better decision making and more accurate reporting.

Reserves and resources management and corporate planning are related in two major aspects: Reserve volumes and replacement ratios are important key performance indicators (KPIs) for most corporations. As such, decisions regarding corporate planning should take the reserve volumes, as well as the resource volumes that may become reserves in the future, into consideration.Once these corporate plans have been made, the reserves volumes (both current and projected) should reflect the impact of the corporate plan, for example, volume changes from acquisitions, divestitures, and exploration and development plans.

A changing reserves profile might have impacts on financial aspects of the business such as contracts, loans, and other accounting items. Using the reserves forecast in these calculations instead of the static, current reserves volumes would result in more accurate calculations and an improved planning process.

In order to model changes in reserves volumes over time, a stage gate type of process can be used. As certain events occur in the development plan, for example project approval, capital expenditure, or production start, this process would flag a predetermined change in the categorization of certain volumes. If the projected reserves volumes do not meet the corporate goals, a review of the corporate strategy may be needed.

Knowing the reserve and resource volume profile expected in the future is important for supporting better decision making today. This is especially true when considering volumes that, although they can not be reported as proved reserves today, may well be ready for reporting as proved reserves in the future. This is relevant whether or not a company is required to report its reserves to a regulatory body, for example, The Security Exchange Commission (SEC), as all stakeholders have an interest in understanding the status and certainty of a company’s resources.

Companies that employ robust planning techniques and integrate hydrocarbon maturation into their planning process should be able to clearly demonstrate their improved planning efficiency and are likely to deliver improved financial results.
Case Study: Resource Play Risked Evaluation Approach for the Full Life Development of a South Texas Opportunity
Authors: Kechemir Kossila , Tyler Peter
Published: March 2010

Deriving a risked development plan for a resource play has typically involved looking at several development scenarios and well counts separately and then tying these together in some form of decision tree approach to come up with the total risked evaluation. This approach often causes problems for the infrastructure and midstream groups as they are asked to provide strategies for various reservoir options that are not easily visualized. A new approach described in this Case Study involves the use of an integrated toolset that allowed for several completely different development scenarios to be analyzed that were based on a risked evaluation of the play. The ease in which the development scenarios are combined allowed the team to quickly determine a range of possible outcomes and clearly understand the medium to long-term capital requirements of the opportunity. The visual nature of the outcome improved the decision makers’ overall understanding of the development.

For this specific South Texas resource play opportunity, the extent of the formation was poorly defined and only seismic and analogy data were available to define a range of possible reservoir characteristics. Based on analogous data, several different potential reservoir production models were defined and the extent of the reservoir estimated. These assumptions were then turned into various realizable development options including their economic values.

The process and workflow of how the production options were turned into economic models is the focus of this paper. By creating a network flow diagram of the options, decision makers were able to better understand the range of possible outcomes; including the capital and infrastructure requirements of the options. This approach significantly improved the communication with the team and significantly reduced the development option preparation time. By facilitating more engaged discussions around the development options, the entire team was able to better evaluate the opportunity and the capital requirements. Although this was a relatively small opportunity (9 wells maximum), the same approach is equally applicable to the major unconventional resources being developed worldwide.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of gallic acid in Alchemilla vulgaris, Allium ursinum, Acorus calamus and Solidago virga-aurea by chip-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Condrat Dumitru , Mosoarca Cristina , Zamfir Alina , Crişan Florin , Szabo Maria , Lupea Alfa
Published: March 2010

This study presents the results obtained from qualitative and quantitative analysis of gallic acid from hydro-alcoholic extracts (methanol, ethanol) of plants from Plantae regnum. Plant qualitative analysis was performed using a novel mass spectrometric (MS) method based on fully automated chip-nanoelectrospray ionization (nanoESI) high capacity ion trap (HCT) while quantitative analysis was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). These methods were applied to Alchemilla vulgaris — common lady’s-mantle (aerial part), Allium ursinum — bear’s garlic (leaves), Acorus calamus — common sweet flag (roots), Solidago virga-aurea — goldenrod (aerial part). Obtained results indicated that methanol extracts (96%, 80%) have a gallic acid content ranging between 0.0011–0.0576 mg mL−1 extract while the ethanol extracts (96%, 60%) exhibit a gallic acid concentration that varies between 0.0010–0.0182 mg mL−1 extract.
Efficient Lewis acid-assisted Brønsted acid (LBA) catalysis in the iron-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation reaction of indoles
Authors: Jiang Zhen-Yu , Wu Ji-Rong , Li Li , Chen Xi-Huai , Lai Guo-Qiao , Jiang Jian-Xiong , Lu Yixin , Xu Li-Wen
Published: March 2010

Lewis acid-assisted Brønsted acid (LBA) catalysis was proposed for the iron-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with chalcones. This proposal was supported by the ESI-MS and cyclic voltammetry. The addition of acac to the iron-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with chalcones created a powerful catalytic system, which makes the alkylation reactions occur easily under mild conditions.
First-principles study of electronic and optical properties of BaS, BaSe and BaTe
Authors: Feng Zhenbao , Hu Haiquan , Lv Zengtao , Cui Shouxin
Published: March 2010

The optimized crystal structure, energy band structures, density of states (DOS) and optical properties of BaX (X=S, Se and Te) were investigated by the full potential linearized augmented plane wave plus local orbitals method (FP-LAPW+lo). The exchange-correlation potential was treated using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). We have used also Engel and Vosko GGA (EV-GGA) formalism to improve the band gap results. The calculated results such as band gaps, dielectric constants and reflectivity spectra showed good agreement with the experimental data. The effect of the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) on the optical properties was also studied and found to be very small, especially in the low-energy region.
Generalized and potential symmetries of the Rudenko-Robsman equation
Authors: Boldea Afrodita
Published: March 2010

The paper presents a concrete study of the existence of generalized and potential symmetries for the 1+1 dimensional version of the Rudenko-Robsman equation, an interesting fourth-order partial differential equation that describes the evolution of nonlinear waves in a dispersive medium. As the main results, the existence of a two-parameter algebra of generalized symmetries and of an infinite-dimensional algebra when potential symmetries are taken into account is proven.
The efficiency of immunoenzyme assay in the diagnosis of lambliosis
Authors: Miladinovic Tasic Natasa , Tasic Suzana , Tasic Ivan
Published: March 2010

The aim of this study is to determine the difference in efficiency of direct immunoenzyme-linked assay (EIA) and conventional microscopy (CM) plus conventional concentration technique (CCT) using comparative analysis in the diagnosis of symptomatic and asymptomatic lambliosis when only one stool sample is to be tested. The study enrolled 577 examinees: 208 patients and 369 asymptomatic examinees. Lambliosis was diagnosed using CM plus CCT (three stool samples) and direct EIA (the first sample). All statistical parameters of the EIA method were 100% in the patients with symptoms of infection. In addition to that, in the group of asymptomatic carriers of Giardia lamblia (G. lamblia) some very high values of these parameters were recorded too, with sensitivity and negative predictive value being both at 100%. In contrast to the EIA method, CM plus CCT of the first stool sample demonstrated significantly lower sensitivity (66.67%) compared to the reference standard. The study did not demonstrate any statistically significant differences in diagnostic efficiancy between the EIA testing of one stool sample and CM plus CCT (p<0.05). However, the observed difference in diagnostic efficiency between the methods was very close to the cut-off value for statistical significance (p=0.06).
Molecular systematics: A synthesis of the common methods and the state of knowledge
Authors: San Mauro Diego , Agorreta Ainhoa
Published: March 2010

The comparative and evolutionary analysis of molecular data has allowed researchers to tackle biological questions that have long remained unresolved. The evolution of DNA and amino acid sequences can now be modeled accurately enough that the information conveyed can be used to reconstruct the past. The methods to infer phylogeny (the pattern of historical relationships among lineages of organisms and/or sequences) range from the simplest, based on parsimony, to more sophisticated and highly parametric ones based on likelihood and Bayesian approaches. In general, molecular systematics provides a powerful statistical framework for hypothesis testing and the estimation of evolutionary processes, including the estimation of divergence times among taxa. The field of molecular systematics has experienced a revolution in recent years, and, although there are still methodological problems and pitfalls, it has become an essential tool for the study of evolutionary patterns and processes at different levels of biological organization. This review aims to present a brief synthesis of the approaches and methodologies that are most widely used in the field of molecular systematics today, as well as indications of future trends and state-of-the-art approaches.
Spectrophotometric quantification of fluoxetine hydrochloride: Application to quality control and quality assurance processes
Authors: Amin Alaa , Ahmed Ibrahim , Dessouki Hassan , Mohamed Hassan
Published: March 2010

Simple and rapid spectrophotometric methods have been developed for the microdetermination of fluoxetine HCl. The proposed methods are based on the formation of ion-pair complexes between fluoxetine and bromophenol blue (BPB), bromothymol blue (BTB), bromocresol green (BCG), and bromocresol purple (BCP) which can be measured at optimum λmax. Optimization of reaction conditions was investigated. Beerșs law was obeyed in the concentration ranges of 0.5–8.0 μg mL−1, whereas optimum concentration as adopted from the Ringbom plots was 0.7–7.7 μg mL−1. The molar absorptivity, Sandell sensitivity, and detection limit were also calculated. The most optimal and sensitive method was developed using BCG. The correlation coefficient was 0.9988 (n = 6) with a relative standard deviation of 1.25, for six determinations of 4.0 μg mL−1. The proposed methods were successfully applied to the determination of fluoxetine hydrochloride in its dosage forms and in biological fluids (spiked plasma sample) using the standard addition technique.
Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Erodium species: E. ciconium L., E. cicutarium L., and E. absinthoides Willd. (Geraniaceae)
Authors: Stojanović-Radić Zorica , Čomić Ljiljana , Radulović Niko , Dekić Milan , Ranđelović Vladimir , Stefanović Olgica
Published: March 2010

The present study gives results of chemical composition analyses and antimicrobial activity testing of three Erodium species: E. ciconium L., E. cicutarium L., and E. absinthoides Willd. Essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation from air-dried entire plants and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. A total of 209 different compounds were identified: 162 for E. cicutarium, 107 for E. ciconium, and 79 for E. absinthoides. Antimicrobial activity (broth microdilution method) of the oils was screened against a panel of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and a number of fungi. Moderate susceptibility of all tested strains was observed. Determined MIC values were 0.156–5 mg mL−1 (bacterial strains) and 0.039–0.325 mg mL−1 (fungal strains). Major component of the most active oil, palmitic acid, was also tested for activity together with stearic and myristic acids.
Kidney Damage in Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Cojocaru Manole , Cojocaru Inimioara , Silosi Isabela , Vrabie Camelia
Published: March 2010

Kidney Damage in Autoimmune Diseases

Renal involvement in autoimmunity has many facets. Glomerular, tubular and vascular structures are targeted and damaged as a consequence of autoimmune processes. Immunologically mediated kidney diseases represent the third most common cause of end-stage renal failure (after diabetic and hypertensive nephropathies). Appropriate evalution of patients with immune-mediated kidney diseases requires a meticulous history and physical examination, with particular attention to the urinalysis, tests of renal function and often renal biopsy. The thorough clinician should personally review microscopic urinalysis in any case in which there is a reasonable index of suspicion of immune-mediated renal disease. In this article we propose to highlight recent developments, with particular reference to renal autoimmunity. Systemic lupus erythe-matosus affects many parts of the body: primarily the skin and joints, but also the kidneys. Goodpasture's syndrome involves an autoantibody that specifically targets the kidneys and the lungs. IgA nephropathy is a form of glomerular disease that results when immunoglobulin A (IgA) forms deposits in the glomeruli, where it creates inflammation. Future research could look for how the disease occurs, and how to easily test for its presence so that early treatment could be started.
Beta-Trace Protein as a Marker of Renal Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Comparison with Other Renal Markers
Authors: Dajak Marijana , Ignjatović Svetlana , Stojimirović Biljana , Gajić Snežana , Majkić-Singh Nada
Published: March 2010

Beta-Trace Protein as a Marker of Renal Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Comparison with Other Renal Markers

Beta-trace protein (BTP), also known as prostaglandin D synthase, is a low-molecular-mass protein which belongs to the lipocalin protein family. It was found to be increased in the serum of patients with renal diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical usefulness of serum levels of beta-trace protein for the detection of renal dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with levels of other renal markers: creatinine, cystatin C and β2-microglobulin (B2M). The study included 134 patients with a wide range of renal dysfunction that encompassed all five CKD stages. Obtained data showed that beta-trace protein highly correlated (Spearman test) with creatinine (r = 0.890), cystatin C (r = 0.904) and B2M (r = 0.933) and its levels in serum significantly increased from CKD stage 1 to 5. Furthermore, the values of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated from a BTP-based formula significantly correlated with GFR calculated from creatinine-based and cystatin C-based formulas. ROC analyses showed that BTP had similar diagnostic accuracy for detection of reduced renal function in CKD stages as other renal markers, for estimated GFRs of < 30, < 60 and < 90 mL/min/1.73 m2. The areas under the ROC curves (AUC) for BTP, for these GFR limits, were from 0.983 to 0.917 and they were not significantly different from AUCs for other renal markers. The results of this study showed that BTP may be a useful and reliable serum marker for identifying the magnitude of renal dysfunction in patients with CKD and may have its place beside serum cystatin C and creatinine as an alternative endogenous GFR marker.
Spine flexibility and the prevalence of contractures of selected postural muscle groups in junior male football players
Authors: Grabara Małgorzata , Kołodziej Grzegorz , Wójcik Marcin
Published: March 2010

Spine flexibility and the prevalence of contractures of selected postural muscle groups in junior male football players

Study aim: To assess spine flexibility and possible muscle contractures at shoulder and hip joints in boys practicing football and in their untrained mates.

Material and methods: Two groups of boys aged 10 - 13 years were studied: football players (n = 176) and untrained boys (n = 137). Warm-up stretching exercises were applied at every training session. Spine mobility was determined by measuring differences between standing and bent postures in the forward (thoracic and lumbar regions), backward and lateral bends and in axial rotation (body twist). Muscle contractures were detected by applying Thomas', Dega's (wall test) and pseudo-Laseque's (for sciatic-tibial muscles) tests.

Results: Boys training football had significantly (p<0.01 - 0.001) better mobility of the thoracic spine and in the transversal plane, that latter being age-related. Muscle contractures (by pseudo-Laseque's test) were significantly (p<0.05) less frequent in football players than in untrained boys, especially in the older ones.

Conclusions: Stretching exercises ought to be recommended as elements of warm-ups and of physical education classes in order to improve spine flexibility and reduce the incidence of muscle contractures (thoracic and sciatictibial muscles and hip flexors).
The dialectics of media’s role in the public sphere
Authors: Lee Jae-won , Jeffres Leo W
Published: March 2010

DOI: 10.3126/bodhi.v3i1.2807Bodhi Vol.3(1) 2009 p.1-9
Oral tradition and communication
Authors: Aryal Deepak
Published: March 2010

Oral tradition has become a domain of great interest to scholars of different disciplines of knowledge such as literature, psychology, anthropology, and philosophy. It has a huge scope for the discipline of communication too. This article presents an appraisal of oral tradition as a means of communication from one generation to another. While doing so, it deals with following issues: Can history be narrated based on oral traditions just as it is done with ‘written documents'? Are the oral traditions only the sources of historiography or do they have other implications too? It also discusses whether oral traditions can be taken as valid historical sources, and, if not, whether there are means for testing its reliability. DOI: 10.3126/bodhi.v3i1.2813 Bodhi Vol.3(1) 2009 p.61-68
A little of Nepal: Nepali diaspora in the US in an age of globalization
Authors: Nath Lopita
Published: March 2010

This article, while examining the Nepalis' efforts to negotiate between two worlds (hostland and homeland) through the striking realities of belonging to both, also examines issues of identity, assimilation, adjustment and notions of home expressed in their struggles to create a new sense of themselves in the process of self-construction which immigrants commonly encounter in the USA. The study is exploratory in nature and is expected to fill an important gap in scholarship of the South Asian as well as the Nepali diaspora in the United States. DOI: 10.3126/bodhi.v3i1.2817   Bodhi Vol.3(1) 2009 p.106-119
Unique Fixed Point Theorem for Weakly C-Contractive Mappings
Authors: Choudhury Binayak S
Published: March 2010

In this work we introduce the class of weakly c-contractive mappings. We establish that these mappings necessarily have unique fixed points in complete metric spaces. We support our result by an example. Our result also generalises an existing result in metric spaces. Key words: Metric space; Fixed point; Weak C-contraction. M S C (2000): 54H25   DOI: 10.3126/kuset.v5i1.2842 Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol.5, No.1, January 2009, pp 6-13
Thermoregulation through Skin at Low Atmospheric Temperatures
Authors: Gurung DB
Published: March 2010

The metabolic heat generation decreases exponentially if the persistence of cooling in human body is sustained. This phenomena is under consideration in dermis and subcutaneous tissue to study the exact solution of temperature distribution in dermal layers at low atmospheric temperatures. Other suitable variable physiological conditions are taken and the solution has been obtained using laplace tranform in one dimensional case. Key words: Thermoregulation; Human dermal part; Laplace transform. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 92 C 35.   DOI: 10.3126/kuset.v5i1.2843 Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol.5, No.1, January 2009, pp 14-22
Thermal Induced Microstructures of KOH Etched Silicon Surface
Authors: Lamichhane Shobha Kanta
Published: March 2010

Anisotropic KOH etching of silicon for the fabrication of Micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) part is based on surface finish and angular dependence of etch rate, creating thin diaphragm. The absolute values of orientation dependent etch rate is found to vary with thermal agitation. In this work, experimental results of etch rate is found quite consistent with simulated and are justify with their unusual values of activation energy along different planes. The various sites that an atom can occupy are not equivalent of their energy; some are more favorable to removal than others. In this paper attention is given to demonstrate thermal activation energy is the prime parameter that influences the behavior of etching mechanism as well as AFM surface morphology. Low-voltage contact mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been employed to analyze the morphology of the etched silicon surface at relevant different temperature. A systematic variation in morphological growth leads to stabilized surface structure under the influence of associated activation energy is concluded. Key words: Etching; Anisotropy; Etch rate; diaphragm; MEMS; LPCVD; SOI; AFM DOI: 10.3126/kuset.v5i1.2847 Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol.5, No.1, January 2009, pp 62-70
Comparative Analysis of Solasodine from in vitro and in vivo Cultures of Solanum nigrum Linn.
Authors: Yogananth N , Bhakyaraj R , Chanthuru A , Parvathi S , Palanivel S
Published: March 2010

An efficient protocol was devised for rapid callus induction of Solanum nigrum Linn. from young leaves. MS medium supplemented with different concentrations IAA (1-3 mg/l) with BAP (0.5 mg/l) and NAA (1-3 mg/l) with BAP (0.5 mg/l) for callus initiation. The growth of the calli derived from leaves increased with time of incubation and remained almost constant after 30 days. For solasodine estimation, the field grown plant part of young leaves and in vitro callus (0.5 g each) were weighed and extracted thrice with methanol and subjected to HPLC. The solasodine content of field grown leaves extracts was 0.0798 mg g-1 whereas the solasodine content in the in vitro callus extracts were 0.142 mg g-1 in 2.5 mgL-1 IAA + 0.5 mgL-1 BAP, followed by 0.1162 mg g-1 in 2 mgL-1 NAA + 0.5 mgL-1 BAP. Key words: Callus induction; Solasodine; Solanum nigrum; medicinal plant DOI: 10.3126/kuset.v5i1.2850 Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol.5, No.1, January 2009, pp 99-103
Traditional Knowledge on Wild Fiber Processing of Allo in Bhedetar of Sunsari District, Nepal
Authors: Deokota Rajeev , Chhetri RB
Published: March 2010

In Bhedetar village in the eastern Sunsari district, rai, magar and tamang people, indigenous to the eastern hills of Nepal, have found an ingenious use for the allo plant (Girardiana diversifolia). They have culturally and socially determined uses for the plant as food, fodder and medicine, but they have also been earning their livelihood by making fabric and clothing from this plant. At the local level, they derive allo fibers from the plant to make sacks, bags, coarse clothes, fishnets and namlo (headstraps to carry load) which is sold in the local market or in some cases is bartered for food or other necessary items in some rural communities. On a more macro level, the allo fibers are outsourced to the capital city of Kathmandu where various items made from allo fiber are prepared and exported from Nepal as handlooms and handicrafts. Keywords: Handloom; allo; fibers; Sunsari district; Nepal. DOI: 10.3126/kuset.v5i1.2853 Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol.5, No.1, January 2009, pp 136-142
Antibacterial Property of Different Medicinal Plants: Ocimum sanctum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Xanthoxylum armatum and  Origanum majorana
Authors: Joshi Bishnu , Lekhak Sunil , Sharma Anuja
Published: March 2010

Countries like Nepal and India have been using crude plants as medicine since Vedic period. A major part of the total population in developing countries still uses traditional folk medicine obtained from plant resources (Farnsworth 1994). With an estimation of WHO that as many as 80% of worlds population living in rural areas rely on herbal traditional medicines as their primary health care, the study on properties and uses of medicinal plants are getting growing interests. In recent years this interest to evaluate plants possessing antibacterial activity for various diseases is growing (Clark and Hufford, 1993). Based on local use of common diseases and Ethnobotanical knowledge, an attempt has been made to assess the antibacterial properties of selected medicinal plants.VIZ. Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Origanum majorana (Ram Tulsi), Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Dalchini), and Xanthoxylum armatum (Timur), for potential antibacterial activity against 10 medically important bacterial strains, namely Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas spp, Proteus spp, Salmonella Typhi, Escherichia coli, Shigella dysentriae, Klebsiella pneumoniae. The antibacterial activity of ethanol extracts was determined by agar well diffusion method. The plant extracts were more active against Gram-positive bacteria than against Gram-negative bacteria. The most susceptible bacteria were B. subtilis, followed by S. aureus, while the most resistant bacteria were E.coli, followed by Shigella dysenteriae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella typhi. From the screening experiment, Origanum majorana showed the best antibacterial activity; hence this plant can be further subjected to isolation of the therapeutic antimicrobials and pharmacological evaluation. The largest zone of inhibition was obtained with Xanthoxylum armatum against Bacillus subtilis (23mm) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) value of 2.5 mg/l was obtained. Key words: Antibacterial property; Gram positive bacteria; Gram negative bacteria; zone of inhibition; minimum bactericidal concentration DOI: 10.3126/kuset.v5i1.2854 Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol.5, No.1, January 2009, pp 143-150
Amberlyst-15 Catalysed Synthesis of N-Tosyl-α-Aminonitriles through Strecker Reaction
Authors: Sudhakar Dega , Rao Vallabhaneni Madhava , Suresh Maddila , Rao Chunduri Venkata
Published: March 2010

N-Tosyl-α-aminonitriles have been synthesised by a Strecker reaction of various N-tosyl aldimines with trimethylsilyl cyanide in the presence of catalytic amount of Amberlyst-15 polymer at room temperature under heterogeneous conditions.
Synthesis of 7,8-Methylenedioxy-4′-Methoxyisoflavone from Indigofera Linnaei and Two New Related Flavonoids
Authors: Menezes Jose C.J.M.D.S. , Kirtany Janardan K. , Kamat Shrivallabh P.
Published: March 2010

The synthesis of naturally occurring 7,8-methylenedioxy-4′-methoxyisoflavone and 7,8-methylenedioxy-4′-methoxy-flavone from 2′-hydroxy-3′,4′-methylenedioxy-4-methoxychalcone via the intermediacy of 7,8-methylenedioxy-4′-methoxyflavanone using thallium(III) acetate and catalytic amount of perchloric acid is reported. The products flavanone and the flavone are new flavonoids characterised by spectral analysis.
One pot Synthesis of 3-[2-(Arylamino)Thiazol-4-yl]Coumarins in a three-Component Synthesis and a Catalyst and Solvent-Free Synthesis on Grinding
Authors: Chunduru Venkata Sreenivasa Rao , Rao Rajeswar Vedula
Published: March 2010

An efficient synthesis of 3-[2-(arylamino)thiazol-4-yl]coumarins in excellent yields are described. Reaction of 3-(2-bromoacetyl)coumarin with potassium thiocyanate and arylamines, in alcohol resulted in the formation of title compounds in one pot. The same compounds were also prepared by grinding these coumarins and arylthiourea together.
Solvent-Free Synthesis of Indole-Based Thiosemicarbazones under Microwave Irradiation
Authors: Liu Lingling , Yang Jie , Zhao Zhigang , Shi Peiyu , Liu Xingli
Published: March 2010

A rapid, efficient and environmentally friendly methodology has been developed for the synthesis of indole-3-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazones by using aluminum oxide as the solid support under microwave assisted solvent-free conditions. Compared with the conventional heating method, this method gave the target products in good yield.
Representing Entropy with Dispersion Sets
Authors: Kolarczyk Bernhard
Published: March 2010

A novel representation of entropy is introduced, based on the heuristic concept of heat dispersion. To this end dispersion sets are defined, which describe both the heat transferred to a system and the associated entropy change. Some applications are discussed.
Entropy Transport Equation in Large Eddy Simulation for Exergy Analysis of Turbulent Combustion Systems
Authors: Safari Mehdi , Sheikhi M. Reza H. , Janbozorgi Mohammad , Metghalchi Hameed
Published: March 2010

The transport equation of entropy is introduced in large eddy simulation to perform exergy analysis of turbulent combustion systems. The sources of exergy destruction can be evaluated by analyzing entropy generation terms, which appear in unclosed forms in this equation. The closure is based on the filtered density function (FDF) methodology. The primary advantage of FDF is that chemical reaction and its entropy generation effects appear in closed forms. This methodology involves a stochastic model, which is being developed to account for the subgrid scale transport of entropy.
New Development in the Preparation of Micro/Nano-Wires of Molecular (Magnetic) Conductors
Authors: Sugimoto Toyonari , Tanaka Hisashi , De Caro Dominique , Valade Lydie
Published: March 2010

A lot of molecular (magnetic) conductors are prepared largely using charge-transfer (CT) salts of donor molecules with acceptor molecules or nonmagnetic or magnetic anions such as metal halides and oxides; their CT salts are usually obtained as bulk crystals, which are used to elucidate the electrical conducting (magnetic) properties. In contrast, a small number of micro/nano-crystals of the molecular (magnetic) conductors, especially micro/nano-wires, are known, of which highly conducting nanowires are necessary as a key component in the development of the next generation of nano-size transistors and spin-transistors. Very recently, we succeeded in preparing highly conductive micro/nano-wires of CT salts between bent donor molecules developed by one of the author’s group and magnetic FeX4– (X = Cl, Br) ions: (1) by electrochemical oxidation of the bent donor molecules with a silicon wafer electrode coated with a phospholipid multi-lamellar structure as well as, (ii) by electrochemical oxidation of the bent donor molecules with a large arc structure, in the presence of NBu4FeX4 supporting electrolytes. This article reviews template-free and template-assisted methods developed so far for the preparation of micro/nano-wires of molecular (magnetic) conductors along with our new methods. The conducting properties of these micro/nano-wires are compared with those of the corresponding bulk crystals.
Crystal and Electronic Structures, Photoluminescence Properties of Eu2+-Doped Novel Oxynitride Ba4Si6O16-3x/2Nx
Authors: Li Yuanqiang , Fang Yuan , Hirosaki Naoto , Xie Rong-Jun , Liu Lihong , Takeda Takashi , Li Xiaoyun
Published: March 2010

The crystal structure and the photoluminescence properties of novel green Ba4-yEuySi6O16-3x/2Nx phosphors were investigated. The electronic structures of the Ba4Si6O16 host were calculated by first principles pseudopotential method based on density functional theory. The results reveal that the top of the valence bands are dominated by O-2p states hybridized with Ba-6s and Si-3p states, while the conduction bands are mainly determined by Ba-6s states for the host, which is an insulator with a direct energy gap of 4.6 eV at Γ. A small amount of nitrogen can be incorporated into the host to replace oxygen and forms Ba4-yEuySi6O16-3x/2Nx solid solutions crystallized in a monoclinic (space group P21/c, Z = 2) having the lattice parameters a = 12.4663(5) Å, b = 4.6829(2) Å, c = 13.9236(6) Å, and β = 93.61(1)°, with a maximum solubility of nitrogen at about x = 0.1. Ba4Si6O16-3x/2Nx:Eu2+ exhibits efficient green emission centered at 515–525 nm varying with the Eu2+ concentration when excited under UV to 400 nm. Furthermore, the incorporation of nitrogen can slightly enhance the photoluminescence intensity. Excitation in the UV-blue spectral range (λexc = 375 nm), the absorption and quantum efficiency of Ba4-yEuySi6O16-3x/2Nx (x = 0.1, y = 0.2) reach about 80% and 46%, respectively. Through further improvement of the thermal stability, novel green phosphor of Ba4-yEuySi6O16-3x/2Nx is promising for application in white UV-LEDs.
Synthesis of Lysophospholipids
Authors: D’Arrigo Paola , Servi Stefano
Published: March 2010

New synthetic methods for the preparation of biologically active phospholipids and lysophospholipids (LPLs) are very important in solving problems of membrane–chemistry and biochemistry. Traditionally considered just as second-messenger molecules regulating intracellular signalling pathways, LPLs have recently shown to be involved in many physiological and pathological processes such as inflammation, reproduction, angiogenesis, tumorogenesis, atherosclerosis and nervous system regulation. Elucidation of the mechanistic details involved in the enzymological, cell-biological and membrane-biophysical roles of LPLs relies obviously on the availability of structurally diverse compounds. A variety of chemical and enzymatic routes have been reported in the literature for the synthesis of LPLs: the enzymatic transformation of natural glycerophospholipids (GPLs) using regiospecific enzymes such as phospholipases A1 (PLA1), A2 (PLA2) phospholipase D (PLD) and different lipases, the coupling of enzymatic processes with chemical transformations, the complete chemical synthesis of LPLs starting from glycerol or derivatives. In this review, chemo-enzymatic procedures leading to 1- and 2-LPLs will be described.
The Cationic Ring-Opening Polymerization of Tetrahydrofuran with 12-Tungstophosphoric Acid
Authors: Aouissi Ahmed , Al-Deyab Salem S. , Al-Shahri Hassan
Published: March 2010

The cationic ring-opening polymerization reaction of tetrahydrofuran at 20 ºC was catalyzed by H3PW12O40·13H2O as solid acid catalyst. The effect of the proportions of acetic anhydride and catalyst, reaction time and support on the polymerization reaction was investigated. It has been found that the yield and the viscosity of the polymer depend on the proportion of acetic anhydride, the presence of the latter in the reactant mixture being required for the ring-opening. The catalytic activity of the alumina-supported heteropolyacid results showed that Brønsted acid sites are more effective than Lewis ones for the cationic ring-opening polymerization.