bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Effects of Signal Countdown Timers on Queue Discharge Characteristics at Signalized Intersections in China
Authors: Liu Pan , Yu Hao , Wang Wei , Ma Jiahua , Wang Shuchun
Published: October 2012

A study evaluated the effects of signal countdown timers on queue discharge characteristics of protected left-turn and through movements at signalized intersections in China. Using data collected from 13 approaches at seven signalized intersections, the research team evaluated the effects of countdown timers on saturation headways and start-up lost time for both through and protected left-turn movements. Countdown timers had a positive but generally limited impact on the capacity of signalized intersections. Signal countdown timers significantly affected driver starting response time and start-up lost time for both protected left-turn and through movements. On average, countdown timers reduced the start-up lost time by 0.6 s per cycle for protected left-turn movements and 2.25 s per cycle for through movements at selected sites. Signal countdown timers had little effect on saturation headways. On average, signal countdown timers resulted in a saturation headway 0.11 s higher for protected left-turn movements and a saturation headway 0.15 s higher for through movements at selected sites. The difference in saturation headways was statistically significant for through movements, but not for left-turn movements. The study also looked extensively at the impact of countdown timers on the compression of discharge headways at the end of each queue. The presence of countdown timers resulted in headway compressions at the end of each queue. For protected left-turn movements, headway compression usually started when 5 s remain in the left-turn green arrow time. For through movements, headway compression may start as early as when 14 s remain in the green time.
Correlation of expression levels of ANXA2, PGAM1, and CALR with glioma grade and prognosis
Authors: Gao Huasong , Yu Bin , Yan Yaohua , Shen Jianhong , Zhao Sanhu , Zhu Jianhong , Qin Wenxin , Gao Yilu
Published: October 2012

Object

Biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of gliomas are lacking. To elucidate new diagnostic and prognostic targets, a routine method is used to evaluate differences between the protein profile of normal and tumor cells. The object of the current study was to investigate novel differentially expressed proteins and their roles in gliomas.

Methods

Differences in the protein profile were compared using 2D polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using C6 glioma cells and rat astrocytes. The mRNA and protein expression of ANXA2, PGAM1, and CALR were analyzed in glioma tissues and normal brain tissues. The expression of ANXA2 in the U87 glioma cell line was interrupted using short interfering RNA duplexes, and the role of ANXA2 in the migration and invasiveness of glioma cells was assessed. The expression of ANXA2, PGAM1, and CALR was examined further by immunohistochemical analysis using 130 glioma samples obtained in patients, and their prognostic roles in gliomas were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses.

Results

Significantly higher expression levels of ANXA2 and PGAM1 and a lower level of CALR were found in glioma samples than in the normal brain samples. ANXA2, PGAM1, and CALR expression correlated with the grade and survival of patients with gliomas. Multivariate analysis further revealed that ANXA2 was an independent prognostic marker for glioma. After ANXA2 expression was suppressed using short interfering RNA, U87 cells had decreased migratory and invasive capabilities in vitro.

Conclusions

Protein expression alterations in ANXA2, PGAM1, and CALR were found in gliomas, and ANXA2 provided a novel prognostic value.
Effect of acetylsalicylic acid usage and platelet transfusion on postoperative hemorrhage and activities of daily living in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Li Xiaowei , Sun Zhaosheng , Zhao Wangmiao , Zhang Jinrong , Chen Jianchao , Li Yongqian , Ye Yanqiao , Zhao Jinlian , Yang Xuehui , Xiang Yi , Li Guangjie , Mao Jianhui , Zhang Wenchao , Zhang Mingzhe , Zhang Wanzeng
Published: October 2012

Object

The authors evaluated the effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) usage and transfusion of previously frozen apheresis platelets on postoperative hemorrhage, activities of daily living (ADL) score, and mortality rate in patients with acute hypertensive basal ganglia hemorrhage undergoing craniotomy.

Methods

This was a prospective, double-blind, parallel, randomized controlled trial in patients with acute hypertensive basal ganglia hemorrhage, who had either not received ASA therapy (control) or received ASA therapy. The patients who received ASA therapy were divided according to the results of a platelet aggregation test into ASA-resistant, ASA-semiresponsive, and ASA-sensitive groups. All patients required an emergency craniotomy for hematoma removal after hospitalization. The patients who were sensitive to ASA were randomized to receive one of the following transfusion regimens of previously frozen apheresis platelets: no transfusion, 1 therapeutic dose before surgery, or 2 therapeutic doses (1 before surgery and 1 after 24 hours of hospitalization). The postoperative hemorrhage rate and the average postoperative hemorrhage volume were recorded and the ADL scores and mortality rate were measured during a 6-month follow-up period.

Results

The rate of postoperative hemorrhage, average postoperative hemorrhage volume, and mortality rate were significantly higher in the ASA-sensitive patients who received ASA therapy compared with patients who did not receive ASA therapy (all p < 0.005). The ADL scores were grouped into different grades and the number of cases in the lower grades was higher and the overall scores were poorer in patients who received ASA therapy compared with those who did not (all p < 0.005). After transfusion of previously frozen apheresis platelets, the postoperative hemorrhage rate, average postoperative hemorrhage volume, and mortality rate of the ASA-sensitive patients were significantly lowered (all p < 0.005), and the ADL scores and their classification level were better than those of patients who did not undergo transfusion (all p < 0.005).

Conclusions

Transfusion of previously frozen apheresis platelets reduces the rate of postoperative hemorrhage, average postoperative hemorrhage volume, disability rate, and mortality rate in ASA-sensitive patients with acute hypertensive basal ganglia hemorrhage undergoing craniotomy.
Metachronous, multicentric glioma of pilocytic astrocytoma with oligodendroglioma-like component and oligodendroglioma through distinct genetic aberrations
Authors: Kanoke Atsushi , Kanamori Masayuki , Kumabe Toshihiro , Saito Ryuta , Watanabe Mika , Tominaga Teiji
Published: October 2012

This patient presented with a rare case of metachronous, multicentric gliomas first manifesting as headache and nausea in 1983 when he was an 8-year-old boy. Computed tomography revealed a cerebellar tumor and the tumor was subtotally resected. The histological diagnosis was pilocytic astrocytoma, and radiation therapy to the posterior fossa and chemotherapy consisting of nimustine hydrochloride and fluorouracil were performed. In 1989, at age 14 years, the patient presented with local recurrence. He underwent gross-total resection of the tumor, and histological examination revealed that the tumor consisted of classic pilocytic astrocytoma with a biphasic pattern and a small oligodendroglioma-like component. In 2011, at age 36 years, he presented with seizure. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass lesion in the right middle frontal gyrus. Gross-total resection of the tumor was performed, and the histological diagnosis was oligodendroglioma. Genetic analyses revealed amplification of the BRAF gene in both the primary cerebellar pilocytic astrocytoma and the recurrent tumor with biphasic features, as well as a BRAF V600E missense mutation in the oligodendroglioma-like component. On the other hand, the IDH1 R132H mutation, instead of aberrations of the BRAF gene, was identified in the oligodendroglioma arising in the right frontal lobe. Different types of aberrations of the BRAF gene in the classic and oligodendroglioma-like component in the recurrent pilocytic astrocytoma suggest that they had different cell origins or that amplification of BRAF was negatively selected under the de novo BRAF V600E mutation. In addition, the aberration profiles of IDH1 and BRAF suggest that the oligodendroglioma arose independent of cerebellar pilocytic astrocytoma.
Cerebrospinal fluid volume–depletion headaches in patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury
Authors: Hébert-Blouin Marie-Noëlle , Mokri Bahram , Shin Alexander Y. , Bishop Allen T. , Spinner Robert J.
Published: October 2012

Object

Patients with brachial plexus injury (BPI) present with a combination of motor weakness/paralysis, sensory deficits, and pain. Brachial plexus injury is generally not believed to be associated with headaches. However, CSF leaks may be associated with CSF volume–depletion (low-pressure) headaches and can occur in BPI secondary to nerve root avulsion. Only a few cases of headaches associated with BPI have been reported. It is unknown if headaches in patients with BPI occur so rarely, or if they are just unrecognized by physicians and/or patients in which the focus of attention is the affected limb. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CSF volume–depletion headaches in patients with BPI.

Methods

All adult patients presenting at the Mayo brachial plexus clinic with traumatic BPI were asked to complete a questionnaire addressing the presence and quality of headaches following their injury. The patients' clinical, injury, and imaging characteristics were subsequently reviewed.

Results

Between December 2008 and July 2010, 145 patients completed the questionnaire. Twenty-two patients reported new onset headaches occurring after their BPI. Eight of these patients experienced positional headaches, suggestive of CSF volume depletion. One of the patients with orthostatic headaches was excluded because the headaches immediately followed a lumbar puncture for a myelogram. Six of the other 7 patients with positional headaches had a clear preganglionic BPI. The available imaging studies in these 6 patients revealed evidence of CSF leaks: pseudomeningoceles (n = 5), CSF tracking into soft tissues (n = 3), CSF tracking into the intraspinal compartment (n = 3), CSF tracking into the pleural space (n = 2), and low-positioned cerebellar tonsils (n = 2).

Conclusions

In this retrospective study, 15.2% of patients (22 of 145 patients) with traumatic BPI suffered from a new-onset headache. Seven of these patients (4.8%) experienced postural headaches clearly suggestive of CSF volume depletion likely secondary to a CSF leak associated with the BPI, whereas the other 15 patients (10.3%) suffered headaches that may have represented a variant of CSF depletion headaches without a postural characteristic or a headache from another cause. These data suggest that CSF volume–depletion headaches occur in a significant proportion of patients with BPI and have been underrecognized and underreported.
Potentiation of response to low doses of levodopa in MPTP-injected monkeys by chemical unilateral subthalamotomy
Authors: Jourdain Vincent A. , Grégoire Laurent , Morissette Marc , Morin Nicolas , Parent Martin , Di Paolo Thérèse
Published: October 2012

Object

Subthalamotomy is a stereotactic surgery performed in patients with disabling dyskinesias due to Parkinson disease. The authors set out to model this human condition in MPTP monkeys and determine if subthalamotomy allowed a reduction of levodopa for similar benefit.

Methods

The authors performed unilateral subthalamotomy in 4 parkinsonian dyskinetic monkeys by stereotactic injection of ibotenic acid. An optimal dose, defined as the highest dose of levodopa improving parkinsonian motor symptoms while inducing low or no dyskinesias, was established in these animals. Each monkey was scored for the antiparkinsonian and dyskinetic effects of the optimal dose of levodopa, as well as suboptimal and dyskinesia-inducing doses (60% and 140% of the optimal dose, respectively), and these scores were compared with those obtained at baseline before and after subthalamotomy. Bradykinesia was assessed by a prehension task.

Results

Unilateral subthalamotomy had a positive effect on the antiparkinsonian response for all doses of levodopa as well as the baseline. There were no differences in the antiparkinsonian response between the suboptimal dose postsurgery and the optimal dose presurgery. Dyskinesias were increased at the suboptimal and the optimal doses. After surgery, the duration of response to levodopa increased between 20% and 25% in the suboptimal dose, whereas it remained unchanged with higher doses. Bradykinesia was significantly reduced after surgery only at the suboptimal dose.

Conclusions

Subthalamotomy potentiated the response to suboptimal doses of levodopa. Thus, levodopa can be reduced by 40% after surgery for similar beneficial antiparkinsonian response and less dyskinesia than with an optimal dose before surgery.
Occurrence of metachronous pure germinomas long after treatment of a mixed germ cell tumor containing yolk sac tumor and germinoma
Authors: Jinguji Shinya , Okamoto Kouichirou , Yoshimura Junichi , Yoneoka Yuichiro , Ogura Ryousuke , Saito Akihiko , Fujii Yukihiko
Published: October 2012

The authors report a rare case involving the occurrence of metachronous pure germinomas long after treatment of a mixed germ cell tumor (GCT) categorized as having a poor prognosis. A neurohypophysial germinoma occurred 4 years and 6 months after the initial treatment of a mixed pineal GCT containing a yolk sac tumor and a germinoma. Furthermore, intramedullary germinomas occurred 21 years after the initial treatment of the mixed GCT and 15 years after the second treatment of the neurohypophysial germinoma. The neurohypophysial germinoma was not confirmed histopathologically, but the intramedullary germinoma was histopathologically diagnosed as a pure germinoma. Serum α-fetoprotein levels at the second neurohypophysial and third intramedullary occurrences of the germinomas were less than 10 ng/ml. Therefore, no yolk sac components seemed to be contained in the tumors. The second neurohypophysial and third intramedullary germinomas might be recurrences of the germinoma component of the pineal mixed GCT, which consisted of a yolk sac tumor and a germinoma. However, it seems very unlikely that only the germinoma, categorized in the good prognosis group, would be the only one to recur. Hence, it seems plausible that both the second and the third occurrences of pure germinoma were de novo metachronous GCTs arising after the pineal mixed GCT was cured. The authors' case indicates the possibility of multicentric GCTs in the CNS.
Five-year adjacent-level degenerative changes in patients with single-level disease treated using lumbar total disc replacement with ProDisc-L versus circumferential fusion
Authors: Zigler Jack E. , Glenn Jamieson , Delamarter Rick B.
Published: October 2012

Object

The authors report the 5-year results for radiographically demonstrated adjacent-level degenerative changes from a prospective multicenter study in which patients were randomized to either total disc replacement (TDR) or circumferential fusion for single-level lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD).

Methods

Two hundred thirty-six patients with single-level lumbar DDD were enrolled and randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups: 161 patients in the TDR group were treated using the ProDisc-L (Synthes Spine, Inc.), and 75 patients were treated with circumferential fusion. Radiographic follow-up data 5 years after treatment were available for 123 TDR patients and 43 fusion patients. To characterize adjacent-level degeneration (ALD), radiologists at an independent facility read the radiographic films. Adjacent-level degeneration was characterized by a composite score including disc height loss, endplate sclerosis, osteophytes, and spondylolisthesis. At 5 years, changes in ALD (ΔALDs) compared with the preoperative assessment were reported.

Results

Changes in ALD at 5 years were observed in 9.2% of TDR patients and 28.6% of fusion patients (p = 0.004). Among the patients without adjacent-level disease preoperatively, new findings of ALD at 5 years posttreatment were apparent in only 6.7% of TDR patients and 23.8% of fusion patients (p = 0.008). Adjacent-level surgery leading to secondary surgery was reported for 1.9% of TDR patients and 4.0% of fusion patients (p = 0.6819). The TDR patients had a mean preoperative index-level range of motion ([ROM] of 7.3°) that decreased slightly (to 6.0°) at 5 years after treatment (p = 0.0198). Neither treatment group had significant changes in either ROM or translation at the superior adjacent level at 5 years posttreatment compared with baseline.

Conclusions

At 5 years after the index surgery, ProDisc-L maintained ROM and was associated with a significantly lower rate of ΔALDs than in the patients treated with circumferential fusion. In fact, the fusion patients were greater than 3 times more likely to experience ΔALDs than were the TDR patients. Clinical trial registration no.: NCT00295009.
MECHANICAL PULPING.Effect of long fibre concentration on low consistency refining of mechanical pulp
Authors: Anderssou Stefan , Sandberg Christer , Engstrand Per
Published: October 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of lang fibre concentration on Ioadability and pulp properties during LC refming of mechanical pulp. Lang fibre concentration was adjusted to three different Ievels by screen fractionation of the pulp. The three pulps were refined in a single disc pilot scale LC refiner at simi1ar process conditions. Increased lang fibre concentration suppmied a larger refiner gap and resulted in less fibre . cutting at a given specific energy consumption. The higher lang fibre concentration probably contributed to a stronger fibre network that maintained a !arger refining gap at certain specific energy consumption. Increased long fibre concentration also enabled a higher tensile index increase in the LC refmer at certain fibre length reduction. The study supports a process combining LC refining with screen fractionation, where the lang fibre fraction is recycled to the refiner feed. This enables a . higher Ioadability and a more effective utilisation of the LC refiner. By using this technology, overall specific energy consumption can be reduced if a !arger share of the refining is performed in LC rather than HC refining.
PRINTING.Natural zeolite as filler in base ink jet paper sheet
Authors: Gregor-Svetec Diana , Rozic Mirela , Muck Tadeja , Lozo Branka
Published: October 2012

The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of natural zeolite clinoptilolite used as a filler on the printabi1ity of paper and its print quality. Paper handsheets were prepared with the addition of 20% of fillers, where natural zeolite was added to calcium carbonate in different u.w.% (i.e. 20, 40, 60). Zeolite originates from the sedimentary deposit in Donje Jesenje, Croatia. Zeolite tuff is mainly composed of clinoptilolite. lts particle size distribution is broad and the structure is micro- and mezzo-porous. The addition of natural zeolite as a filler resulted in higher bulk of paper sheets and a more porous structure. Moreover, the absorption capacity and the absorption rate slightly increased. The surface roughness increased, leading to a more hydrophobic surface. Natural zeolite with its broad particle size distribution, higher amount of large particles and yellowgreen colour resulted in slightly lower opacity and ISO brightness of sheets. When used for ink jet printing, the increased amount of zeolite showed a positive influence on the print quality. Smaller wicking and bleeding effects were noticed. Paper hue did not influence the colour density of CMYK prints.
PRINTING.Paper and printer effects on xerographic print quality
Authors: Chen Siying , Farnood Ramin , Yan Ning , Risio Sabina Di , Song Jay
Published: October 2012

This study examines the impact of paper and printer type on the quality of xerographic prints. Ten different uncoated paper substrates were printed using three different commercial xerographic printers. The print quality of the samples (print microgloss, print microgloss nonuniformity, print density, print and gloss mottle, and visual ranking) and the physical and surface characteristics of the papers were measured. It was found that relationship between print mottle and print gloss nonuniformity was dominated by the printer type. While for some printers, these two parameters were positively correlated, in other cases printer appeared to "mask" variations in the paper properties. Multivariate analysis also showed that brightness, opacity, basis weight, 7 5 ° Tappi gloss, and roughness were the top five paper properties that had the most significant effect on the visual ranking and print mottle. Finally, as expected, print roughness was found to be a better predictor of the perceived print quality, however, paper roughness was poorly correlated with the visual ranking of printed samples (R2 0.5).
PAPER INK INTERACTIONS. Impact of oil-binder interaction on pore structure in paper coating as studied by internal reflectance Part 1 : implications of pore volume loss for print drying
Authors: Kolvunen Kimmo , Gane Patrick A.C.
Published: October 2012

The absorption of liquid into a pore network structure depends on porosity, pore size distribution, surface free energy of the involved phases, and external pressure. In the case of ink setting on coated paper, significant decrease of accessible pore volume can take place due to swelling of latex binder particles when contacted with the vehicle of oil-based ink. The reduction in pore network connectivity can be detected by an optical retlectance measurement procedure based on the refractive index differences between the coating components and the surrounding medium present in the interparticle pores. In this study, GCC mode l coatings with latices displaying differing oil uptake and swelling characteristics were exposed to liquid supersource imbibition without external pressure. Effects of both linseed oil and minerat oil were studied. In the case of free liquid propagation, i.e. in coatings with low content of binders, a linearly increasing trend of logarithmic retlectance gradient in the coating thickness is observed as a function of time, indicating deceleration of the wetting front propagation in consequence of the establishment of the flow resistive viscous factors at long timescales, and the subsequent approach of the saturation point at the wetting front. In contrast, in the case of restricted propagation, due to high binder content of swelling Iatex particles, a deviation of the logarithmic retlectance gradient from the linear trend is observed as saturation is approached. However, the relationship between spatial logarithmic retlectance gradient and liquid uptake per unit cross-sectional porosity continues to follow linear trends irrespective of the binder if the porosity is corrected for the loss due to swelling, thus enabling the effect of the binder on the structure to be studied in isolation.
PAPER PHYSICS .The effect of newsprint furnish composition and sheet structure on wet pressing efficiency
Authors: Hii Collin , Gregersen Øyvind W. , Chinga-Carrasco Gary , Eriksen Øyvind
Published: October 2012

The dewatering ability and wet sheet structure after pressing was studied using a dynamic wet pressing simulator in combination with electron microscopy and image analysis. Deinked pulp (DIP) that contains 5% ash dewaters more easi ly than thermomechanical pulp (TMP) when pressed with single roll pulse. The in-plane moisture flow ( crushing) in DIP samples started at higher peak pressure and higher solids content compared to TMP samples. The TMP sample showed higher springback after wet pressing compared to DIP samples. When both TMP and DIP samples were designed to have a higher amount of small pores at the dewatering side surface layers, the samples with coarser TMP pulp could achieve similar dryness as DIP samples when pressed with higher nip pressure. In addition, the DIP samples with higher number of small pores in the outermost I 0 11m thick surface layer in the dewatering side resulted in lower dryness after pressing with a single roll pulse. The effect of filler distribution in paper zdirection on dryness and sheet structure after wet pressing using an 8 milliseconds roll pulse was also studied. In this study the distribution of filler does not affect the maximum achievable dryness (4 1 %) after wet pressing when the total amount of filler in the sheets remains constant, 1 3 .5%. In addition, the samples with more filler in the dewatering layer dewater more easily and yield the maximum achievable dryness ( 40%) after wet pressing at lower nip pressure (2 . 5 MPa) when compared to samples made from TMP (3 6% at 4.4 MPa) and DIP pulps (40% at 4 . 9 MPa).
PAPER PHYSICS. Analytical Prediction of Package Collapse Loads-Basic considerations
Authors: Ristinmaa Matti , Ottosen Niets Saabye , Korin Christer
Published: October 2012

Calculation of Box Compression Resistance (BCR) is a challenging task and here the possibility of an engineering approach is considered. The strive has been towards obtaining a simple and generat predictive tool with as few parameters as possible and still obtaining an accurate estimate of the BCR. The model proposed is based on the concept of dividing the package into panels and corner panels. With these remarkably few structural elements it is possible to obtain simple explicit formulas where the only material parameters are given by standard tests in terms of short span compression test and bending resistance. The BCR for different packages is then obtained by a simply summation of the load from the panels and corner panels. A validation agairrst experimental data indicates that, despite its remarkably simplicity, the predictions are very accurate for a wide range of package types, package dimensions, board qualities and loading directions.
PAPER PHYSICS. Paper-based device for pre-concentration of target analytes
Authors: Leung Vincent , Johnstone Sean C. , Xu Yaqin , Pelton Robert , Filipe Carlos D. M.
Published: October 2012

In this paper, we demoostrate proof-ofprinciple for a low cost paper-based Chromatographie device capable of pre-concentrating a target analyte by a factor of three thousand fold (assessed using confocal Iaser scanning microscopy (LSCM)). The device consists of a capture zone and a passive pump. The capture zone was created by immobilizing biotinylated microgel particles onto a selected area of filter paper. Due to the presence of biotin on their surface, these particles have the ability to specifically bind streptavidin, which was the target analyte selected for this study. With the incorporation of a superabsorbent passive pump, created using cross-linked poly(acrylic acid), partial sodium saltgra. fi-poly(ethylene oxide), the paper-based device was able to process a volume of dilute solution much larger than that associated with paper porosity. Flow through the device, including the passive pump, could be modeled using Darcy' s law. A simple equation was also developed to relate the concentration in the pre-concentration device to the concentration in the dilute sample. This type of device can be useful for sample pre-concentration before analysis using other methods, such as mass spectrometry.
"Obesity" A challenge of 21st century
Authors: Rahman Md Shamsur
Published: October 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jdnmch.v18i1.12222 J. Dhaka National Med. Coll. Hos. 2012; 18 (01): 3
Reproductive and Child Health Related Contents at undergraduate medical level in the Community Medicine - Teachers view
Authors: Jahan Sharmin , Talukder Md Humayun Kabir
Published: October 2012

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the views of teachers regarding the reproductive and child health related contents at the medical undergraduate level in Bangladesh. Methodology: A descriptive type of cross-sectional study was carried out from January 2009 to June 2009 among 30 teachers of government and non government medical colleges in Bangladesh. Data were collected by pre tested self administered semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Results of the study shows that a total of 58% of the teachers feel that topics such as maternal health, infant and child care, family planning and adolescent health might be useful in future life. They have shown more interest towards problem solving class with scenario exercises, group discussions and brain storming sessions. They also feel that clinical oriented topics should be included more. It was also revealed that more than 65% of the teachers feel that RCH related contents are the most important or one of the most important topics in the Community Medicine. Conclusion and recommendation: Some of the non-traditional teaching methods like problem solving class with scenario exercises, group discussions and brain storming sessions may be practiced to improve the teaching and assessment in reproductive and child health related contents at the undergraduate medical level in Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jdnmch.v18i1.12236 J. Dhaka National Med. Coll. Hos. 2012; 18 (01): 29-33
Mental illness as a contributor to intentional self inflicted suicidal burn injury
Authors: Shahana Nahid , Turin Tanvir Chowdhury , Rumana Nahid , Rahman AFM Mohibur , Hossain Sharmin , Nahar Saifun
Published: October 2012

Self inflicted burn injuries are infrequent but very much distressing. It is a result of social, environmental and individual factors. Self-inflicted burns are usually an outcome of mental illness, and acute phase schizophrenia is considered as one of the major precipitating factor. The aim of this study was to find out and summarize the existing findings of different studies regarding mental illness as a contributor to suicide and/or intentional self inflicted injury. Literature review of some of previous studies from journals and databases were performed. Electronic database (Medline) was searched and twenty four studies were found to be related to the present objective. Among the 10 studies were randomly selected. The studies ranged from 1991-2005. The literature review suggested that quite a good number of incidents of self inflicted burns are committed by people having mental disorder. Among the self inflicted burns patient, the males were seen to be higher in number in most of the studies provided information. The range of the age was 14 to 90 years collectively. And among them a significant number of people are suffering from schizophrenia. Depression, substance abuse, personality disorder, psychosis were among the other mental health illness contributing to the incidence of self inflicting burns injury. Specific attention should be given in this aspect as for the vulnerable group depends heavily on their care givers. Since a number of inter-related risk factors may be involved, solving the problem from a new perspective-the safety promotion perspective should be initiated. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jdnmch.v18i1.12242 J. Dhaka National Med. Coll. Hos. 2012; 18 (01): 49-57
Mushroom is an Ideal Food Supplement
Authors: Kakon AJ , Choudhury Md Bazlul Karim , Saha Shusmita
Published: October 2012

Mushroom, a nutrient-dense versatile food can share some of the benefits of fruits and vegetable and complement almost any everyday meal. Mushroom cultivation also requires low technology, low investment and can be grown in very little space. Due to culinary, nutritional and health benefits, the mushroom market is expected to grow as a food, a tonic and a medicine. In the study food value of mushroom was found comparatively higher than that of other vegetables, fruits, meat and fish. This discussion suggests that the potentiality of mushroom cultivation could be a possible offer to alternate food and develop the life style of the people. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jdnmch.v18i1.12243 J. Dhaka National Med. Coll. Hos. 2012; 18 (01): 58-62
SUPPLIER PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT IN DISCRETE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY-EMPIRICAL STUDY ON INDIAN MANUFACTURING SECTOR
Authors: Mohanty Manoj Kumar , Gahan Padmabati
Published: October 2012

Suppliers are the value creators for the organizations and have emerged as value-adding partners in industrial relationships since last two decades. These values can be derived effectively given the buying organizations keep a long-term strategic relationship with high performing suppliers. To measure the performance organizations have to decide the performance parameters depending on the nature of business and their specific needs from the supply base. The current discrete manufacturing industries of India judging the performance of the suppliers based on technical capability, cost, delivery, quality & regulatory adherence for safety and environment. But from the larger interest of the manufacturing industry more relevant attributes are needs to be considered, which are explored from our research are responsiveness of the supplier, effectiveness of the aftersales service, delivery flexibility, documentation ability, trust & commitments. All these performance measurement attributes will drive effectiveness and efficiency of the supply chain.
L'Afrique du Sud et la Chine
Authors: Lafargue François
Published: October 2012

Résumé Les liens entre l’Afrique du Sud et le monde chinois sont anciens et commencent lors de l’arrivée des premiers migrants au xvii e  siècle. L’histoire entre l’Afrique du Sud et la Chine a connu de nombreuses vicissitudes, puisque l’Afrique du Sud, alliée de Taiwan à l’époque de l’apartheid, a été ensuite, dans les années 1990, l’un des contempteurs les plus actifs de la présence chinoise en Afrique. Mais, aujourd’hui, l’Afrique du Sud est l’un des rares pays d’Afrique à entretenir avec la République populaire de Chine une relation politique et économique équilibrée où les intérêts communs sont nombreux.
Quel statut constitutionnel pour le chef de l'État africain ?
Authors: Hourquebie Fabrice
Published: October 2012

Résumé Les questionnements autour du statut du chef de l’État en Afrique francophone accompagnent régulièrement le constat des progressions de l’État de droit ou des régressions démocratiques dans cet espace. Renouveler l’analyse 1 est un pari difficile tant l’histoire de ces pays, de la plus ancienne à la plus récente, est intimement liée à la personnalité du chef de l’État et aux espoirs qu’il peut apporter. Aussi, pour ne pas tomber dans un factualisme qui confinerait plus à la description des trajectoires constitutionnelles qu’à une véritable analyse, Fabrice Hourquebie propose d’identifier quelques grands traits caractéristiques qui pourraient constituer les principes directeurs d’une « théorie » du chef de l’État en Afrique francophone.
La naissance de la fonction ‘risk manager' en France
Authors: Aubry Caroline
Published: October 2012

Résumé Notre recherche s’intéresse à la naissance de la fonction ‘risk manager’. Nous proposons de montrer pourquoi et comment émerge et se construit cette fonction dans les grandes entreprises industrielles françaises. Dresser l’histoire récente de la gestion des risques nous permet de dater et expliquer la création de la fonction, d’identifier les acteurs de l’émergence et de mettre en perspective les évolutions à venir.
Une étude exploratoire des inférences de contrôle du consommateur face à l'atmosphère du point de vente
Authors: Lunardo Renaud , Saintives Camille , Roux Dominique
Published: October 2012

Résumé Le consommateur en contact avec des facteurs d’ambiance peut-il inférer être sous le contrôle du distributeur ? Une enquête qualitative menée auprès de 21 répondants explore cette question. Les résultats mettent en évidence que l’authenticité perçue de l’environnement et de ces stimuli est vue par les consommateurs comme autant de moyens à la disposition du distributeur pour contrôler son comportement. Ils montrent également que les consommateurs, selon deux modérateurs individuels, adoptent des stratégies d’ajustement différentes aux tentatives de contrôle par l’atmosphère, allant du simple laisser-faire à la résistance.
Le mentoring à la française : un processus informel, silencieux mais efficient
Authors: Ivanaj Silvester , Persson Sybil
Published: October 2012

Résumé En France, on parle peu de mentoring qui figure pourtant en bonne place dans les pratiques anglo-saxonnes de développement RH. Une enquête conduite auprès de 402 managers montre que les apports enregistrés par les bénéficiaires français d’un mentoring informel existent bel et bien. Le mentoring informel constitue un gisement d’avenir qui s’inscrit dans un processus écologique et efficient de socialisation organisationnelle.
Discours managériaux et analyse sémiotique. Comparaison de guides d'entretien dans des contextes culturels différents
Authors: Thivant Eric , Ientile-Yalenios Jocelyne , Roger Alain
Published: October 2012

Résumé Cet article s’intéresse aux guides d’entretien individuel des systèmes d’évaluation du personnel. En nous appuyant sur une analyse sémiotique comparée de deux guides d’entretien individuel mis en place dans deux contextes différents, l’un dans une PME du secteur privé français, le second dans une grande entreprise étrangère et sa filiale, nous faisons apparaître le genre particulier d’écriture propre à ces guides d’entretien professionnel et constitutif d’un mode discursif spécifique à ce type de procédure.
Foreign language skills and intercultural abilities : Operationalization with a large population
Authors: Grin François , Faniko Klea
Published: October 2012

Résumé Dans cet article, nous présentons un échantillon de 6434 jeunes hommes suisses ayant rempli un questionnaire sur leurs compétences en langues étrangères et leurs aptitudes interculturelles. L’instrument combine des échelles classiques et inédites. Le papier met l’accent sur l’opérationnalisation des variables grâce au Cadre Commun Européen de Référence pour les Langues (CCERL) et le Multicultural Personality Questionnaire (MPQ). Il présente aussi des résultats préliminaires, qui révèlent une relation significative entre trois dimensions du MPQ (ouverture d’esprit, empathie culturelle et initiative sociale) et les compétences linguistiques. Aucune relation significative n’apparaît entre les compétences linguistiques et les deux autres dimensions (flexibilité et stabilité émotionnelle). Nous constatons aussi une relation significative entre les secondes langues des répondants et l’ouverture d’esprit, l’initiative sociale, la stabilité émotionnelle et la flexibilité.
Language use in establishing rapport and building relations : implications for international teams and management education
Authors: Cohen Linda , Kassis-Henderson Jane
Published: October 2012

Résumé En s’appuyant sur des recherches en sociolinguistique portant sur les interactions en contexte multilingue, cet article analyse les stratégies linguistiques à l’œuvre dans la construction des relations interpersonnelles pour favoriser et consolider l’interaction dans les équipes internationales dans les entreprises.
Les enseignants agressés dans les établissements scolaires : une lecture qualitative et managériale
Authors: Trébucq Stéphane , Bourion Christian
Published: October 2012

Résumé L’analyse de 42 retours d’expérience concernant la violence subie par les enseignants à l’école, a été effectuée successivement avec 2 logiciels d’analyse textuelle, Alceste et Nvivo. Elle révèle que la stratégie du « surtout pas de vagues » des chefs d’établissement qui découle de la crainte ministérielle et des médias, agit auprès des élèves comme un signal permissif d’acquiescement des agressions qu’ils pratiquent à l’égard des enseignants. Cela appelle à la mise en place de nouveaux indicateurs.
A Quantitative Methodological Approach for the Definition of the Urban Systems of Benevento and Salerno
Authors: Bencardino Massimiliano
Published: October 2012

The aim of this chapter is to define two urban systems in the Campania region: The urban system of Salerno and that of Benevento. An analytical-descriptive method has been employed based on the geographical-territorial analysis of the urban fabric; clusters of indicators (indicators of urbanity) have also been used in order to reach, through the study of the relative thematic cartographies, a definition of urban space.
Cultural Heritage Management at the Local Level
Authors: Rocca Lorena , Chiabai Aline , Chiarullo Livio
Published: October 2012

In a virtual space conveniently chosen, citizens of the Web can interact and develop social capital and empowerment, intended as the consciousness of possibilities to influence the social context and to improve it, by increasing capacity of taking reasoned decisions on problems and of adopting adequate behaviour to face them. The Web can be seen in this sense as an innovative decisional system where it is possible to activate processes of electronic governance (e-governance) to make notions and expectations appear for a self-promoted and self-sustained local development. From this basis, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei has taken part to the research project ISAAC (Integrated e-Services for Advanced Access to Heritage in Cultural Tourist Destinations)1, with the objective of designing, experiencing, and testing innovative forms of participation by taking advantage of the potential of the New Technologies for Information and Communication (NTIC) to support and promote e-governance processes.
On the MDBSCAN Algorithm in a Spatial Data Mining Context
Authors: Schoier Gabriella
Published: October 2012

The rapid developments in the availability and access to spatially referenced information in a variety of areas, has induced the need for better analysis techniques to understand the various phenomena. In particular, spatial clustering algorithms, which group similar spatial objects into classes, can be used for the identification of areas sharing common characteristics. The aim of this chapter is to present a density based algorithm for the discovery of clusters of units in large spatial data sets (MDBSCAN). This algorithm is a modification of the DBSCAN algorithm (see Ester (1996)). The modifications regard the consideration of spatial and non spatial variables and the use of a Lagrange-Chebychev metrics instead of the usual Euclidean one. The applications concern a synthetic data set and a data set of satellite images
Wiki-Planning
Authors: Murgante Beniamino
Published: October 2012

Today, 2.0 information technologies undoubtedly represent the most important media. The main innovation is the transition from a one-way approach where citizens are only informed, to a two-way approach where citizens can express their opinion in a wiki-way, where a strong interaction among citizens can lead to a production of important ideas and opinions substantially influencing choices. Great part of planning documents are produced adopting hidden agendas, favouritisms, unclear agreements, ambiguous administrative acts; thus, citizens are not able to find a suitable location to denounce responsibilities and to seek for remedies. Generally, citizens do not believe in participatory activities, because they have poor trust in institutions, especially in this period; they suppose that decisions have been already taken before a meeting. The typical approach to participation generally can be located at the lower levels of Arnstein Ladder. In this field, social platforms played a crucial role in the experience of Basento park in Potenza (Basilicata, southern Italy). Starting from a project designed by architects and engineers, Facebook and Twitter blogs were the means to discuss among citizens and between citizens and administrator in order to improve the project and to better explain its basic idea.
A SWOT Analysis for B2C E-Commerce
Authors: Ratnasingham Pauline
Published: October 2012

A key challenge for e-commerce firms is how to attract customers in business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce. Forrester research predicts that the growth of B2C e-commerce in the U.S. will grow from $95.7 billion in 2003 to $229.9 billion in the year 2008. Although the overall growth of B2C e-commerce has been promising, its full potential has not been fully realized. This case examines factors that impact of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of Amazon.com a giant online book retailer. We first discuss the rationale for applying the SWOT analysis followed by the growth of Amazon.com. We then provide an in depth description of the background information of Amazon.com. While serving as a valuable teaching case, this study contributes to the theory of B2C e-commerce as we discuss factors that impact the SWOT framework. The practical significance is derived from the lessons learned from Amazon.com thereby contributing to strategic vision as it increases the awareness for other B2C firms.
Reverse Auction Impact on Mining Company
Authors: Delina Radoslav , Lavrin Anton
Published: October 2012

The case describes the initial implementation and evaluation of an e-procurement system, using reverse auctions, for a large manufacturer of brown coal in the Slovak Republic. One of the biggest problems when making decisions on e-business investments is unclear return on investment (ROI) and uncertainty about what method should be used for measuring the results. An outline of the reverse auction process is provided, followed by the presentation of a number of metrics that evaluate the current performance of the system versus intended future performance matrix. Specifically, it focuses on the ROI and other performance indicators that have been adjusted according to e-commerce specifics, particularly to procurement with dynamic pricing transactions. The case results proved that the investment into the e-commerce solution is highly effective in reducing input costs.