bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in Drinking Expectancies and Motives for Regular Education and Special Education High School Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders
Authors: Laurent Jeff , Harbke Colin R. , Blake Dawn , Catanzaro Salvatore J.
Published: June 2012

Alcohol expectancies and drinking motives were compared for regular education students ( n = 159) and students with emotional/behavioral disorders (EBD) receiving special education services ( n = 51). Differences existed between groups with respect to expected negative social consequences and emotional and physical outcomes associated with drinking. Across groups, drinkers reported more positive alcohol expectancies than non-drinkers, while non-drinkers reported more negative alcohol expectancies than drinkers. Differences also existed between the regular education and EBD students who drank with respect to coping, conformity, and social motives. Accounting for sample sizes differences, the relationship between alcohol use and negative physical effect was stronger for regular education students, while the relationship between alcohol use and conformity motives was stronger for the EBD group.
Healing Components of a Bereavement Camp: Children and Adolescents Give Voice to Their Experiences
Authors: McClatchey Irene Searles , Wimmer Jane S.
Published: June 2012

This qualitative study is the follow-up to a quantitative controlled study which showed a decrease in childhood traumatic grief and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in parentally bereaved children participating in a bereavement camp. The purpose of this study was to identify the healing components of this camp model. Semi-structured interviews with 19 children and 13 parents/guardians were conducted 3 to 9 months after participation in the bereavement camp. Therapeutic Interventions and Traditional Camp Activities emerged as themes. The themes are discussed in relation to previous research as are limitations of the study and the implications for theory, practice, and future research.
Electrophoresis as a method for characterization of protein changes in maize after pelleting process
Authors: Colovic Radmilo , Torbica Aleksandra , Ivanov Dusica , Tomic Jelena , Vukmirovic Djuro , Levic Jovanka , Levic Ljubinko
Published: June 2012

One of the most important crops used for feeding of animals is maize (Zea
mays L). Kernels of maize contain 7-13 g of protein/100 g of dry matter, and
they are protagonist of chemical and physical changes during the processing
of raw material. There are several methods for determination of protein
changes during thermal processing. The objective of this study was to
investigate application of Lab-on-a-Chip electrophoresis as a method for
qualitative and quantitative determination of maize protein modifications
during pelleting. Parameters which were varied during pelleting process were
diameter of sieve openings of the hammer mill and duration of steam
conditioning process. According to the results, conditioning retention time
of 5 min could be considered as mild in terms of protein changes for samples
ground to pass 3 and 4 mm sieve. Conditioning retention time of 10 min was
long enough for achieving of high level of protein modifications for all
samples. Regression analysis of obtained data showed that both independent
parameters had significant (p < 0.05) influence on response variable (protein
solubility). Protein electrophoregrams of investigated samples were
qualitatively nearly identical, but quantitative differences occurred,
especially in the range 18-85 kDa of protein molecular weight (MW). Results
in this paper have proven that Lab-on-a-Chip electrophoresis registered
changes in protein structure even when protein solubility was not changed,
unlike other conventional methods. This method can be used for determination
of degree of protein changes during pelleting process with remarkable
certainty.
A scale for crawler effectiveness on the client-side hidden web
Authors: Prieto Víctor , Álvarez Manuel , López-García Rafael , Cacheda Fidel
Published: June 2012

The main goal of this study is to present a scale that classifies crawling
systems according to their effectiveness in traversing the ?clientside?
Hidden Web. First, we perform a thorough analysis of the different
client-side technologies and the main features of the web pages in order to
determine the basic steps of the aforementioned scale. Then, we define the
scale by grouping basic scenarios in terms of several common features, and we
propose some methods to evaluate the effectiveness of the crawlers according
to the levels of the scale. Finally, we present a testing web site and we
show the results of applying the aforementioned methods to the results
obtained by some open-source and commercial crawlers that tried to traverse
the pages. Only a few crawlers achieve good results in treating client-side
technologies. Regarding standalone crawlers, we highlight the open-source
crawlers Heritrix and Nutch and the commercial crawler WebCopierPro, which is
able to process very complex scenarios. With regard to the crawlers of the
main search engines, only Google processes most of the scenarios we have
proposed, while Yahoo! and Bing just deal with the basic ones. There are not
many studies that assess the capacity of the crawlers to deal with
client-side technologies. Also, these studies consider fewer technologies,
fewer crawlers and fewer combinations. Furthermore, to the best of our
knowledge, our article provides the first scale for classifying crawlers from
the point of view of the most important client-side technologies.
The Old Deluder, Educational Salvation, and the Limits of Distributive Justice
Authors: Stillwaggon James
Published: June 2012

The first piece of educational legislation in the American colonies divides neatly into two parts: a local school funding policy that is familiar as the basis of current public school funding in the United States; and a preamble that identifies Satan as the enemy of the community and the justification for common schools. In this article, the author explores the relationship between a public enemy and public schools in the United States, demonstrating the continued influence of the Old Deluder Satan Act even as the relationship it proposes between access to schools and educational salvation has unraveled. While the Puritans based their distributive model of schooling on the formative power of the divine, the formative task of contemporary schooling remains dimly defined. In order to address the formative function of schooling, the author turns to Robbie McClintock's concept of ‘formative justice’ as a possible supplement to discussions of distribution.
Neuroadrenergic Dysfunction Along the Diabetes Continuum
Authors: Straznicky Nora E. , Grima Mariee T. , Sari Carolina I. , Eikelis Nina , Lambert Elisabeth A. , Nestel Paul J. , Esler Murray D. , Dixon John B. , Chopra Reena , Tilbrook Alan J. , Schlaich Markus P. , Lambert Gavin W.
Published: June 2012

Neuroadrenergic function in type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients without neuropathy is poorly characterized. We therefore compared sympathetic nervous system activity at rest and during an oral glucose tolerance test in obese metabolic syndrome (MetS) subjects classified as glucose intolerant (impaired glucose tolerance [IGT]; n = 17) or treatment-naive T2D (n = 17). Untreated subjects, matched for age (mean 59 ± 1 year), sex, BMI (32.4 ± 0.6 kg/m2), and family history of diabetes were studied. We measured resting muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) by microneurography, whole-body norepinephrine kinetics by isotope dilution, insulin sensitivity by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp (steady-state glucose utilization adjusted for fat-free mass and steady-state insulin concentration [M/I]), and MetS components. T2D subjects had higher resting MSNA burst incidence (67 ± 4 versus 55 ± 3 bursts per 100 heartbeats; P = 0.05) and arterial norepinephrine levels (264 ± 33 versus 167 ± 16 pg/mL; P = 0.02), lower plasma norepinephrine clearance (by 17%; P = 0.03), and reduced neuronal reuptake compared with IGT subjects (by 46%; P = 0.04). Moreover, norepinephrine spillover responses to glucose ingestion were blunted in T2D subjects. The M/I value independently predicted whole-body norepinephrine spillover (r = −0.47; P = 0.008), whereas fasting insulin level related to neuronal norepinephrine reuptake (r = −0.35, P = 0.047). These findings demonstrate that progression to T2D is associated with increased central sympathetic drive, blunted sympathetic responsiveness, and altered norepinephrine disposition.
Phosphoric Acid-Etching Promotes Bond Strength and Formation of Acid-Base Resistant Zone on Enamel
Authors: Li N , Nikaido T , Alireza S , Takagaki T , Chen J-H , Tagami J
Published: June 2012

This study examined the effect of phosphoric acid (PA) etching on the bond strength and acid-base resistant zone (ABRZ) formation of a two-step self-etching adhesive (SEA) system to enamel. An etch-and-rinse adhesive (EAR) system Single Bond (SB) and a two-step SEA system Clearfil SE Bond (SE) were used. Human teeth were randomly divided into four groups according to different adhesive treatments: 1) SB; 2) SE; 3) 35% PA etching→SE primer→SE adhesive (PA/SEp+a); (4) 35% PA etching→SE adhesive (PA/SEa). Microshear bond strength to enamel was measured and then statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and the Tukey honestly significant difference test. The failure mode was recorded and analyzed by χ2 test. The etching pattern of the enamel surface was observed with scanning electron microscope (SEM). The bonded interface was exposed to a demineralizing solution (pH=4.5) for 4.5 hours and then 5% sodium hypochlorite with ultrasonication for 30 minutes. After argon-ion etching, the interfacial ultrastructure was observed using SEM. The microshear bond strength to enamel of the SE group was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of the three PA-etched groups, although the latter three were not significantly different from one another. The ABRZ was detected in all the groups. In morphological observation, the ABRZ in the three PA-etched groups were obviously thicker compared with the SE group with an irregular wave-shaped edge.
The depopulation of the Bulgarian villages
Authors: Mladenov Chavdar , Ilieva Margarita
Published: June 2012

The depopulation of the Bulgarian villages

The depopulation process in Bulgaria, especially in rural areas, is intensifying due to deepening unfavourable trends in the dynamics of demographic processes. Depopulation is a typical process in the fourth phase of demographic transition in rural areas of Bulgaria. The death rates exceed birth rates in the rural areas in the mid-1970s. The size of rural population and the number of villages in the country has been decreasing in the last decades. A large part of the villages were affected by depopulation processes during the period 1985-2007. A high depopulation level is observed in border and mountainous regions. The depopulation generates an array of different negative trends in the spatial aspect - in socio-economic development, technical and social infrastructure, as well as the erasure of many small villages. The regional development plans need to embed measures for infrastructural development in order to attract and retain residents, utilise natural and cultural-historical heritage, and to stimulate economic activities and the development of various types of tourism, etc.
Trajectories of the demographic development of Poland after 1989
Authors: Parysek Jerzy , Mierzejewska Lidia
Published: June 2012

Trajectories of the demographic development of Poland after 1989

One of the major problems of contemporary Poland is its increasingly difficult and complicated demographic situation. This makes the identification of demographic trends of the recent years an important research task. The article presents an assessment of Poland's demographic situation after 1989, i.e. after the change of the country's socio-political system, using the graphic method of trajectories. It is one of the possible, though less popular, methods of studying time series, offering a new perspective on various processes, here demographic ones. The article has two aims: cognitive and methodological.
New Mississippian trilobite association from the Brno vicinity and its significance (Moravian Karst, Czech Republic)
Authors: Rak Štěpán , Kalvoda Jiří , Devuyst Francois-Xavier
Published: June 2012

New Mississippian trilobite association from the Brno vicinity and its significance (Moravian Karst, Czech Republic)

Eleven trilobite species (Archegonus (Archegonus) aequalis philliboloides R. Hahn, 1967, Bollandia persephone (Hahn & Hahn, 1970), Bollandia cf. megaira (Hahn & Hahn, 1970), Liobole (Panibole) cf. jugovensis (Osmólska, 1968), Liobole (Sulcubole) glabroides (Richter & Richter, 1949), Semiproetus (Macrobole) drewerensis latipalpebratus (Osmólska, 1973), Proliobole vigilax (Chlupáč, 1961), Cyrtoproetus (Cyrtoproetus) cracoensis cracoensis (Reed, 1899), Carbonocoryphe (Carbonocoryphe) bindemanni Richter & Richter, 1950, Tawstockia (Beleckella) milleri (Hahn & Hahn, 1971), Cummingella (Cummingella) cf. auge Hahn & Hahn, 1968) are described for the first time from the shales of the Březina Formation in Mokrá Quarry near Brno (Bohemian Massif, Moravian Karst). This typical trilobite association — comparable to that previously described from the Erdbacher Kalken of Steeden in Hessen (Germany) — was found during excavation in the Mokrá Quarry but they do not come from the exact Tournaisian-Visean boundary. Stratigraphical correlation and comparison of material is mentioned below, as is the history of the trilobite research from the Moravian Karst.
Nannofossil record across the Cenomanian-Coniacian interval in the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin and Tethyan foreland basins (Outer Western Carpathians), Czech Republic
Authors: Švábenická Lilian
Published: June 2012

Nannofossil record across the Cenomanian-Coniacian interval in the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin and Tethyan foreland basins (Outer Western Carpathians), Czech Republic

Nannofossil biostratigraphy and mutual correlation was worked out for the Cenomanian-Coniacian deposits of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin (BCB) and Outer Western Carpathians (OWC) in the territory of the Czech Republic. Similar assemblages of the BCB and from sediments deposited on the SE slopes of West European Platform, Waschbergždánice-Subsilesian Unit, OWC support the hypothesis that the two areas were connected by a sea way (nowadays the Blansko trough). The nannoflora of the Silesian Unit, OWC show more afinity to high latitudes as is documented by the presence ofMarthasterites furcatusin the Lower Turonian, UC6b and UC7 Zones. Turonian and Coniacian deep-water flysch sediments of the Silesian Unit and Magura Group of Nappes provide nannofossils on rare occassions. Strongly atched nannofossils dominated byW. barnesiaefrom Cenomanian black shales of the BCB are comparable to those of the Silesian Unit and reflect a similar shallow nearshore sea. In the BCB, uppermost Cenomanian is marked by the last occurrence (LO) ofAxopodorhabdus albianusand first occurrence (FO) ofQuadrum intermedium(6 and 7 elements) and lowermost Turonian by a sudden quantitative rise in nannoflora and by the FOEprolithus octopetalus.FirstEiffellithus eximiusand thus the base of the UC8 Zone was recorded in the upper part of ammonite ZoneCollignoniceras woollgariin the lower Middle Turonian.Lithastrinus grilliiis the stratigraphically youngest nannofossil species in this region and indicates the uppermost Coniacian. In the OWC, the Albian-Cenomanian boundary was recorded in the Silesian Unit and is marked by the LOCrucicribrum anglicumand FOPrediscosphaera cretaceaandCorollithion kennedyiin the uppermost Albian. The Turonian-Coniacian boundary found both in the BCB and Waschberg-Ždánice-Subsilesian Unit, OWC is indicated by the FOBroinsonia parca expansaand by the base of the interval with commonMarthasterites furcatus.In both areas, events were found closely below the FO inoceramid speciesCremnoceramus waltersdorfensis.The Coniacian-Santonian boundary interval (Waschberg-Ždánice-Subsilesian and Foremagura Units, OWC) is indicated byLithastrinus grilliioccasionally accompanied byLucianorhabdusex gr.cayeuxii, Hexalithussp. andArkhangelskiella specillata.
Modelling needle biomass in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands on former farmland and forest soils
Authors: Jelonek Tomasz , Pazdrowski Witold , Walkowiak Ryszard , Tomczak Arkadiusz
Published: June 2012

Model biomasy igliwia sosny zwyczajnej (Pinus sylvestrisL.) wyrosłej w warunkach gruntów porolnych i leśnych
Validation of GOCE global gravity field models using terrestrial gravity data in Norway
Authors: Šprlák M. , Gerlach C. , Pettersen B.
Published: June 2012

Validation of GOCE global gravity field models using terrestrial gravity data in Norway

The GOCE (Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer) satellite gravity gradiometry mission maps the Earth's gravity field. Harmonic analysis of GOCE observations provides a global gravity field model (GGFM). Three theoretical strategies, namely the direct, the space-wise and the time-wise approach, have been proposed for GOCE harmonic analysis. Based on these three methods, several GGFMs have been provided to the user community by ESA. Thereby different releases are derived from different periods of GOCE observations and some of the models are based on combinations with other sources of gravity field information. Due to the multitude of GOCE GGFMs, validation against independent data is a crucial task for the quality description of the different models.

In this study, GOCE GGFMs from three releases are validated with respect to terrestrial free-air gravity anomalies in Norway. The spectral enhancement method is applied to avoid spectral inconsistency between the terrestrial and the GOCE free-air gravity anomalies.

The results indicate that the time-wise approach is a reliable harmonic analysis procedure in all three releases of GOCE models. The space-wise approach, available in two releases, provides similar results as the time-wise approach. The direct approach seems to be highly affected by a-priori information.
Polyaxial figures of the Moon from the lunar reconnaissance orbiter laser altimetry and multi-mission synthesis of the lunar shape
Authors: Iz H. , Shum C. , Dai C.
Published: June 2012

Polyaxial figures of the Moon from the lunar reconnaissance orbiter laser altimetry and multi-mission synthesis of the lunar shape

Last decade witnessed a plethora of missions to the Moon by China (Chang'E-1 and Chang-E-2), Japan (SELenological and ENgineering Explorer, SELENE), India (Chandrayaan-1) and USA (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter), all carried out laser altimetry measurements. This study is a follow up to a series of earlier investigations that produced a number of new models to represent the gross geometric shape of the Moon using Unified Lunar Control 2005, Chang'E-1, and SELENE laser altimetry data using the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter laser altimetry measurements. The symmetric and asymmetric polyaxial geometric models derived from Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter laser altimetry data, namely, three, four and six-axial lunar figure parameters, are compared and contrasted with the corresponding model parameters estimated from the Chang'E-1 and SELENE laser altimetry. All solutions produced geometric shape, orientation parameters, and the parameters of the geometric center of lunar figure with respect to the center of mass of the Moon showing remarkable agreement with each other within 100 m. A combined solution by the fusion of uniformly sampled laser altimetry data from all three missions produced the best estimates for the lunar shape, orientation, and lunar center of figure parameters, and their realistic error estimates.
Review of Mathematical Models of Water Quality
Authors: Ziemińska-Stolarska Aleksandra , Skrzypski Jerzy
Published: June 2012

Review of Mathematical Models of Water Quality

Water is one of the main elements of the environment which determine the existence of life on the Earth, affect the climate and limit the development of civilization. Water resources management requires constant monitoring in terms of its qualitative-quantitative values. Proper assessment of the degree of water pollution is the basis for conservation and rational utilization of water resources. Water quality in lakes and dams is undergoing continuous degradation caused by natural processes resulting from eutrophication and due to anthropogenic reasons. One of the tools that are used to solve problems of surface water pollution is modelling of changes which take place in lake waters and associated water quality changes. In the last thirty years a rapid development of mathematical modelling of water resources quality has been observed. A number of computer models have been designed which are successfully applied in practice in many countries, including Poland. This paper presents an overview of mathematical models for assessment of water quality in dam reservoirs. Description of the WASP program which will be used for modelling water quality in the Sulejow Reservoir was the focal point.
Screening of the Spatial Distribution of Risk Metals in Topsoil from an Industrial Complex
Authors: Slavík Roman , Julinová Markéta , Labudíková Martina
Published: June 2012

Screening of the Spatial Distribution of Risk Metals in Topsoil from an Industrial Complex

For the sustainable development of urban areas, it is necessary to identify if environmental pollution exists and where hot spot pollution sources lie. In this study, 280 topsoil samples were collected from an industry estate in Zlin (the Czech Republic). In these samples, the presence of toxic metal was analyzed by energy dispersed X-Ray fluorescence (ED-XRF), and statistical analysis revealed that the major anthropogenic contaminants in the topsoil were Pb, Zn and Sn. Further contaminant analysis by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) determined the maximum contents of 28558.47 mg/kg for Pb, 1132.35 mg/kg for Sn and 2865.22 mg/kg for Zn in selected topsoil samples. According to soil pollution index results, the main proportion of topsoil is contaminated, with the possible sources of contamination being traffic and a nearby municipal heating plant. This study proves that the combination of preliminary ED-XRF topsoil analysis, a multivariative statistical approach, AAS analysis and the geographical information system (GIS) is effective and together form a powerful tool for mapping topsoil contamination and conducting an environmental risk assessment.
Theoretical Models for Magnetic Properties of Iron Pnictides Part II: Boson Formalism
Authors: Vujinović M. , Pantić M. , Pavkov-Hrvojević M. , Mali P.
Published: June 2012

Theoretical Models for Magnetic Properties of Iron Pnictides Part II: Boson Formalism

We analyze theJ1-J2-JcHeisenberg model Hamiltonian by using the Dyson-Maleev representation for spin operators and keeping the terms quadratic in Bose operators (linear spin wave theory). From the resulting Hamiltonian we find the ground state magnetisation and spin wave dispersion by employing the Green's function method. We compare the results with those of random phase approximation analysis from Part I and with experimental data for parent pnictide compounds. Neither of the two approaches gives a completely satisfactory description of the magnetic properties of iron pnictides. We conclude that alterations of the model Hamiltonian are needed to get a better agreement between the theory and experiments.
The Importance of Sludge Microorganisms in Nitrogen Transformations in Podzolic Soil Amended with Sewage Sludge
Authors: Joniec Jolanta , Furczak Jadwiga , Baran Stanisław
Published: June 2012

The Importance of Sludge Microorganisms in Nitrogen Transformations in Podzolic Soil Amended with Sewage Sludge

The laboratory experiment was set up on a podzolic soil in two variants. In one of them non-sterile sewage sludge was introduced into the soil, and in the second - the same sludge but subjected previously to the process of sterilisation. In both variants the same doses of the sludge were applied: 30 (1%), 75 (2.5%), 150 (5%), 300 (10%) and 600 Mg·ha-1(20%). Then, after 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 months, the soil of both experimental variants was analysed for the numbers of bacteria and fungi decomposing proteins, the rate of the process of ammonification, the rate of the process of nitrification, and for proteolytic activity. The results obtained revealed a stimulating effect of the sludge, both sterile and non-sterile, on the numbers of the microbial groups under study and on the rate of nitrification and protease activity. Only the process of ammonification was subject to inhibition. The observed effects of the sludge were the most pronounced in the case of the higher sludge doses. Significantly greater numbers of protein-decomposing fungi and higher activity of almost all (except for ammonifcation) analysed biochemical parameters in the soil with non-sterile sludge compared to that with sterile sludge indicate an effect of microorganisms from the sludge on the microbiological transformations of nitrogen in soil amended with sewage sludge.
The Activity of Selected Disinfectants Towards Endospores of Bacteria of the Bacillus Genus
Authors: Olesiak Paulina , Smyłła Aleksandra , Krupa Piotr , Kostecki Maciej
Published: June 2012

The Activity of Selected Disinfectants Towards Endospores of Bacteria of theBacillusGenus

Disinfectants are commonly used in households, hospitals, in drug manufacturing, in food processing. With the ever-increasing antibiotic-resistance of microorganisms, it is crucial to rationally apply disinfectants in suitable concentrations, with proper active substance, as not all substances affect various organisms in the same way. Among the microorganisms that are particularly difficult to kill, there are bacteria producing spores - forms that have different structure and sensitivity to disinfectants than the vegetative forms. The aim of the study has been to examine the influence of frequently used disinfectant compounds upon the spores of bacteria of theBacillusgenus:B. cereus, B. mycoides, andB. subtilis.In the study of disinfectants the findings showed that the disinfectants with the best results against spores are: peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide in concentrations of 30% as well as 5%, and Lysoformin 3000. The least efficient in fighting spores proved to be Isopropanol and Promanum N. Differentiation has been found to exist in the reaction of specific species to the preparation Rafasept, asB. subtilisoccurred to be very sensitive to that compound, whereas Rafasept turned out to be ineffective in the case ofB. mycoidesandB. cereus.
Novel gut bacterial fauna of Gryllotalpa africana Beau. (Orthoptera : Gryllotalpidae)
Authors: Desai Ashok E , Bhamre Pramila R
Published: June 2012

Gryllotalpa africana (Beauvois) is a successful group of detritus feeder therefore it is an important both for their roles in carbon cycling in the environment and converting organic decaying material in to biofuel. Hence, bacterial diversity and relationship were explored from the mole cricket G.africana (Beau) to show ideal symbiotic association. The analysis and characterization of gut micro biota of G.africana (Beau) revealed the presence of 10 species and two genera of bacteria viz. Acidiphilium rubrum, Dienococcus proteolyticus, Sporosarcina ureae, Micrococcus varians, Micrococcus kristinae, Acetobactrium, Alcaligenes eutrophus, Micrococcus roseus, Micrococcus lylae, Sporosarcina, Citrobacter amalonaticus and Corynebacterium xerosis. All the species and genera were confirmed by observing their morphological features of the colony and various biochemical tests. These results indicate that the presence of mole cricket specific bacterial lineages implies relationship of gut microbes and their host mole cricket. The outcome of this work indicted that the gut bacterial fauna of G.africana shows the species-rich with greater diverse communities which might be providing resistance to invasion of pathogenic bacteria. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v6i1.5949
Changing scenario of postgraduate medical education in Nepal
Authors: Nepal B P
Published: June 2012

No abstract available.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v8i3.6213 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2010;8(3):290-91
A study on awareness about eye health care and eye donation among secondary level students of North Kolkata, India
Authors: Biswas J , Bandyopadhyay S , Das D , Mondal K K , Saha I , Ray B
Published: June 2012

Background Corneal blindness is one of the important types of blindness that can be prevented by proper health care education and conventionally cured by corneal transplantation for which awareness regarding eye donation is essential. Objectives The aim of the study is to assess the awareness of eye health care and eye donation among secondary level school students of North Kolkata. Methods It was a cross-sectional study. Settings: Eight Government aided schools of North Kolkata, West Bengal, India. A total of 1525 students of standard VIII, IX and X of Government aided schools of North Kolkata participated in this study. A pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was administered on eye health care and eye donation. Results 1284 (84.2%) participants opined that awareness on eye health care can prevent most of the blindness and 1206 (79.1%) students knew that Vitamin A has important role in prevention of childhood blindness. Majority, 1235 (81.0%) students were aware of eye donation after death while only 489 (32.1%) participants knew that the ideal time for eye donation is within 6 hours of death. 802 (52.6%) participants mentioned printed and electronic media (like newspaper and television) as the major source of information on eye donation. ConclusionsMedia publicity to increase awareness of eye donation and eye health care is not enough. Strategies have to be developed to educate the students, so that they can act as motivators for enhancing eye donation and increasing eye health care awareness in the community.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v8i3.6219 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2010;8(3):317-20
Metabolic disease in Nepal: A perspective
Authors: Pandey A S
Published: June 2012

Inborn errors of metabolism or metabolic diseases, are a group of genetically determined metabolic disorders that result in mental retardation or early death. The prevalence of IEM in various countries shows a prevalence varying between 1 in 800 to 1 in 5000. As the technology for detecting metabolites has become more advanced, studies utilizing more modern methods report a higher prevalence. There have been reports of a few Inborn errors of metabolisms in Nepal, but studies to gauge the prevalence of these disorders in the Nepalese population are lacking. With conflicting statistical numbers from different sources regarding mental retardation cases in Nepalese population and a substantial rate of consanguinity and inter caste marriages, it would be prudent to initiate some pilot studies to estimate the prevalence of a group of disorders that can be diagnosed through simple laboratory tests, to be followed by a screening programme depending upon the results. The presented review discusses the need for and the possibilities of screening for these errors for early intervention in Nepal.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v8i3.6224 Kathmandu Univ Med J 2010;8(3):333-40
‘The Catholic Mahdi of the North West’: Louis Riel and the Metis Resistance in Transatlantic and Imperial Context
Authors: Read Geoff , Webb Todd
Published: June 2012

Abstract:

The authors examine the transatlantic press coverage of the Metis resistance in Saskatchewan in 1885. The article documents that there was extensive international coverage of this ostensibly Canadian conflict and traces the evolution of narratives about it from their origins in French and English Canada to the United States, Great Britain, and France. The article resituates Riel and the Metis resistance within this international framework, demonstrating how the story of Riel and the Metis was reshaped by commentators in the transatlantic world to suit local, national, and imperial contexts.
‘Every boy ought to learn to shoot and to obey orders’: Guns, Boys, and the Law in English Canada from the late Nineteenth Century to the Great War
Authors: Brown R. Blake
Published: June 2012

Abstract:

Firearms became a key part of boy and male youth culture in English Canada before the Great War. By the 1890s, imperialist sentiments had infused the growing interest in hunting, advocates of which celebrated the value of rifle shooting by suggesting that it made boys into ideal British men. As well, emerging worries about the feminization of urban youth led to calls for military drill and rifle training. At the same time, businesses heavily marketed cheap, mass-produced arms to young people by asserting that firearms could inculcate manly virtues. Businesses also attempted to redefine some weapons as acceptable consumer items. The use of weapons by young people led to a number of apprehended social ills, including accidental shootings, environmental destruction, and militarizing a generation of young people. However, legislative efforts to limit access to firearms were modest. In 1892 and 1913, the Canadian government placed limitations on to whom certain weapons could be sold, but the widespread assumption that certain kinds of arms were acceptable for most boys and youth meant that these measures frequently went unenforced.
Performance as an Act of Survival
Authors: Bernal Claudia , Moran Meg
Published: June 2012

Montreal performance artist CLAUDIA BERNAL examines how performance prevents complacency; in its polysemy of gestures, its metaphoricity, and its symbolic power, it allows the truth to emerge.
Naturwaldreservate: welche, wo und wofür? (Essay)
Authors: Bollmann Kurt , Müller Jörg
Published: June 2012

Natural forest reserves: selection criteria, where and what for? (Essay)

The question “How large should the total extent of strict natural forest reserves be?” dominates the current debate about the need of unmanaged forests for biodiversity conservation in Central Europe. However, within a system of close-to-nature forest management, the quality, location, composition and distribution of natural forest reserves might have higher impacts on the diversity of species, communities and natural processes than the reserves' extent alone. Strictly speaking, the correct answer about the minimal required surface is directly related to the superior conservation objectives. In addition, the required ratio of forest reserves in relation to the total forest area is influenced by other factors such as the abundance and distribution of forests pirmarily managed for conservation objective, protected forest biotopes and old-growth stands as well as the general standards for an integrative, close-to-nature silviculture. Since concrete, superior objectives for forest biodiversity conservation are still missing in Central Europe, we put the focus of this article on the criteria that influence the conservation-specific impact and quality of strict natural forest reserves. These are amongst others the extent and compactness of a reserve, its habitat continuity and connectivity, the representativeness of forest types, their species composition and biogeographic distribution, a reserve's site heterogeneity and naturalness of its vegetation as well as the abundance of key structures and target species.
Waldreservatspolitik der Schweiz: Zwischenbilanz und Perspektiven aus Sicht des Bundes (Essay)
Authors: Bolliger Markus , Imesch Nicole , Schnidrig Reinhard
Published: June 2012

Forest reserve policy of Switzerland: stock-taking and prospects from the point of view of the Swiss Confederation (Essay)

This essay takes stock of the forest reserve policy of the Swiss Confederation and the Cantons, based on a historical perspective that follows the development of the ideas underlying the reserve concept. Today, forest reserves cover an area of 61,000 ha, 53,000 ha of which are actually covered by forest, which corresponds to 4.6% of the Swiss forest area. Thus, the aim of 10% of the forest area having reserve status by 2030 seems realistic. However, regional differences are quite large. Total area, density and the average size of the reserves vary considerably between the 14 economic regions of the Swiss National Forest Inventory. In most regions there is a lack of strict forest reserves of large size (> 150 ha), in which the widespread typical forest formations can develop naturally. Thirty-three of 48 forest reserves larger than 150 ha are concentrated in the economic regions of the western Jura mountains, the eastern Pre-Alps region, the southwestern, southeastern and southern Alps. In the other regions, small reserves dominate – especially on the Swiss Plateau, where 80% of the reserves are smaller than 20 ha. Finally, based on this stock-taking and taking into account additional considerations, we formulate seven focal points of future activities. Considering the regionally very different overall status of forests, gaps in the forest reserve network shall be filled in a targeted manner. Thereby also new, unconventional solutions must be pursued, and especially on the Swiss Plateau and in the western Jura an extra effort must be made.
Totholzvolumen und -qualität in ausgewählten Schweizer Naturwaldreservaten
Authors: Herrmann Steffen , Conder Malgorzata , Brang Peter
Published: June 2012

Deadwood volume and quality in selected swiss natural forest reserves

Deadwood is structurally and functionally important for forest ecosystems. To date, there are hardly any data on the amount of deadwood in Swiss natural forests which can serve as reference value for deadwood management in managed forests. In this study, deadwood volumes and qualities (sizes, broadleaf/conifer ratios, decomposition stages) from six natural forest reserves were analysed and compared with data from managed forests as well as from natural and virgin forests. An average of 69 m3/ha with a broadleaf proportion of 66% was calculated for the six reserves. Deadwood volume in relation to the total volume was 12% on average. Overall the volume of lying deadwood was double the volume of standing deadwood. The average proportion of large deadwood (diameter >30 cm) was 48% and was higher in snags (52%) than in lying deadwood (46%). Advanced stages of decomposition made up 53% of the lying deadwood. The volumes, sizes and decomposition stages varied greatly within the reserves. In comparison, in the Swiss forests altogether, there is less deadwood (21.5 m3/ha, 5% of total volume), the deadwood is thinner (35% large deadwood proportion) and less decayed (proportion of advanced stages of decomposition 10%). However, deadwood volumes in the reserves are considerably lower than those in European natural beech forests and beech virgin forests. The investigated reserves are therefore, 40 to 92 years after the last silvicultural intervention, only at the beginning of the process of acquiring a virgin forest character.
The Combination of In vivo 124I-PET and CT Small Animal Imaging for Evaluation of Thyroid Physiology and Dosimetry
Authors: El-Ali Henrik H. , Eckerwall Martin , Skovgaard Dorthe , Larsson Erik , Strand Sven-Erik , Kjaer Andreas
Published: June 2012

Objective: A thyroid rat model combining functional and anatomical information would be of great benefit for better modeling of thyroid physiology and for absorbed dose calculations. Our aim was to show that 124I-PET and CT small animal imaging are useful as a combined model for studying thyroid physiology and dose calculation. Methods: Seven rats were subjects for multiple thyroid 124I-imaging and CT-scans. S-values [mGy/MBqs] for different thyroid sizes were simulated. A phantom with spheres was designed for validation of performances of the small animal PET and CT imaging systems. Results: Small animal image-based measurements of the activity amount and the volumes of the spheres with a priori known volumes showed a good agreement with their corresponding actual volumes. The CT scans of the rats showed thyroid volumes from 34–70 mL. Conclusions: The wide span in volumes of thyroid glands indicates the importance of using an accurate volume-measuring technique such as the small animal CT. The small animal PET system was on the other hand able to accurately estimate the activity concentration in the thyroid volumes. We conclude that the combination of the PET and CT image information is essential for quantitative thyroid imaging and accurate thyroid absorbed dose calculation.
Role of Helicity on the Anticancer Mechanism of Action of Cationic-Helical Peptides
Authors: Huang Yi-Bing , He Li-Yan , Jiang Hong-Yu , Chen Yu-Xin
Published: June 2012

In the present study, the 26-residue amphipathic α-helical peptide A12L/A20L (Ac-KWKSFLKTFKSLKKTVLHTLLKAISS-amide) with strong anticancer activity and specificity was used as the framework to study the effects of helicity of α-helical anticancer peptides on biological activities. Helicity was systematically modulated by introducing D-amino acids to replace the original L-amino acids on the non-polar face or the polar face of the helix. Peptide helicity was measured by circular dichroism spectroscopy and was demonstrated to correlate with peptide hydrophobicity and the number of D-amino acid substitutions. Biological studies showed that strong hemolytic activity of peptides generally correlated with high hydrophobicity and helicity. Lower helicity caused the decrease of anti-HeLa activity of peptides. By introducing D-amino acids to replace the original L-amino acids on the non-polar face or the polar face of the helix, we improved the therapeutic index of A12L/A20L against HeLa cells by 9-fold and 22-fold, respectively. These results show that the helicity of anticancer peptides plays a crucial role for biological activities. This specific rational approach of peptide design could be a powerful method to improve the specificity of anticancer peptides as promising therapeutics in clinical practices.
Strong Inhibition of Celastrol Towards UDP-Glucuronosyl Transferase (UGT) 1A6 and 2B7 Indicating Potential Risk of UGT-Based Herb-Drug Interaction
Authors: Zhang Yong-Sheng , Tu Yan-Yang , Gao Xing-Chun , Yuan Jun , Li Gang , Wang Liang , Deng Jian-Ping , Wang Qi , Ma Ru-Meng
Published: June 2012

Celastrol, a quinone methide triterpene isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F., has various biochemical and pharmacological activities, and is now being developed as a promising anti-tumor agent. Inhibitory activity of compounds towards UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) is an important cause of clinical drug-drug interactions and herb-drug interactions. The aim of the present study is to investigate the inhibition of celastrol towards two important UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isoforms UGT1A6 and UGT2B7. Recombinant UGT isoforms and non-specific substrate 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU) were used. The results showed that celastrol strongly inhibited the UGT1A6 and 2B7-mediated 4-MU glucuronidation reaction, with 0.9 ± 0.1% and 1.8 ± 0.2% residual 4-MU glucuronidation activity at 100 μM of celastrol, respectively. Furthermore, inhibition kinetic study (Dixon plot and Lineweaver-Burk plot) demonstrated that celastrol noncompetitively inhibited the UGT1A1-mediated 4-MU glucuronidation, and competitively inhibited UGT2B7-catalyzed 4-MU glucuronidation. The inhibition kinetic parameters (Ki) were calculated to be 0.49 μM and 0.045 μM for UGT1A6 and UGT2B7, respectively. At the therapeutic concentration of celastrol for anti-tumor utilization, the possibility of celastrol-drug interaction and celastrol-containing herbs-drug interaction were strongly indicated. However, given the complicated nature of herbs, these results should be viewed with more caution.
Pristimerin, a Triterpenoid, Inhibits Tumor Angiogenesis by Targeting VEGFR2 Activation
Authors: Mu Xianmin , Shi Wei , Sun Lixin , Li Han , Jiang Zhenzhou , Zhang Luyong
Published: June 2012

Pristimerin is a triterpenoid isolated from Celastrus and Maytenus spp. that has been shown to possess a variety of biological activities, including anti-cancer activity. However, little is known about pristimerin’s effects on tumor angiogenesis. In this study, we examined the function and the mechanism of this compound in tumor angiogenesis using multiple angiogenesis assays. We found that pristimerin significantly reduced both the volume and weight of solid tumors and decreased angiogenesis in a xenograft mouse tumor model in vivo. Pristimerin significantly inhibited the neovascularization of chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) in vivo and abrogated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced microvessel sprouting in an ex vivo rat aortic ring assay. Furthermore, pristimerin inhibited the VEGF-induced proliferation, migration and capillary-like structure formation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) in a concentration-dependent manner. Mechanistic studies revealed that pristimerin suppressed the VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGF receptor 2 kinase (KDR/Flk-1) and the activity of AKT, ERK1/2, mTOR, and ribosomal protein S6 kinase. Taken together, our results provide evidence for the first time that pristimerin potently suppresses angiogenesis by targeting VEGFR2 activation. These results provide a novel mechanism of action for pristimerin which may be important in the treatment of cancer.
Dot Immunobinding Assay Method with Chlorophyll Removal for the Detection of Southern Rice Black-Streaked Dwarf Virus
Authors: Chen Zhuo , Liu Jiaju , Zeng Mengjiao , Wang Zhenchao , Yu Dandan , Yin Chengjun , Jin Linhong , Yang Song , Song Baoan
Published: June 2012

Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV), a new virus from Fiji, has seriously damaged rice crops in southern China and northern Vietnam in recent years. This virus is difficult to diagnose in the early stages of infection, and is very destructive at the late stage. In the present study, a dot immunobinding assay (DIBA) that has a high sensitivity for diagnosing SRBSDV was developed. Two kinds of treatment for the DIBA were evaluated to determine the most effective one for removing chlorophyll interferences via rice extraction. The first included several reagents to remove chlorophyll, namely, the alkaline reagents like magnesium oxide and alumina oxide, the adsorbent reagents like activated carbon and bentonite, as well as the extraction agent acetone. The second and third treatments, which were used to remove chlorophyll in blot membrane-nitrocellulose and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), included several organic solvents containing methanol, ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, and diethyl ether. The results showed that activated carbon and methanol yielded the best contrasting purple color for the infected samples by decreasing the chlorophyll content.
Hydrotalcite Intercalated siRNA: Computational Characterization of the Interlayer Environment
Authors: Zhang Hong , Ouyang Defang , Murthy Vinuthaa , Wong Yunyi , Xu Zhiping , Smith Sean C.
Published: June 2012

Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we explore the structural and dynamical properties of siRNA within the intercalated environment of a Mg:Al 2:1 Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticle. An ab initio force field (Condensed-phase Optimized Molecular Potentials for Atomistic Simulation Studies: COMPASS) is used for the MD simulations of the hybrid organic-inorganic systems. The structure, arrangement, mobility, close contacts and hydrogen bonds associated with the intercalated RNA are examined and contrasted with those of the isolated RNA. Computed powder X-ray diffraction patterns are also compared with related LDH-DNA experiments. As a method of probing whether the intercalated environment approximates the crystalline or rather the aqueous state, we explore the stability of the principle parameters (e.g., the major groove width) that differentiate both A- and A'- crystalline forms of siRNA and contrast this with recent findings for the same siRNA simulated in water. We find the crystalline forms remain structurally distinct when intercalated, whereas this is not the case in water. Implications for the stability of hybrid LDH-RNA systems are discussed.