bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AKI in Hospitalized Children
Authors: Sutherland Scott M. , Ji Jun , Sheikhi Farnoosh H. , Widen Eric , Tian Lu , Alexander Steven R. , Ling Xuefeng B.
Published: July 2013

Background and objectives

Although AKI is common among hospitalized children, comprehensive epidemiologic data are lacking. This study characterizes pediatric AKI across the United States and identifies AKI risk factors using high-content/high-throughput analytic techniques.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

For the cross-sectional analysis of the 2009 Kids Inpatient Database, AKI events were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Demographics, incident rates, and outcome data were analyzed and reported for the entire AKI cohort as well as AKI subsets. Statistical learning methods were applied to the highly imbalanced dataset to derive AKI-related risk factors.

Results

Of 2,644,263 children, 10,322 children developed AKI (3.9/1000 admissions). Although 19% of the AKI cohort was ≤1 month old, the highest incidence was seen in children 15–18 years old (6.6/1000 admissions); 49% of the AKI cohort was white, but AKI incidence was higher among African Americans (4.5 versus 3.8/1000 admissions). In-hospital mortality among patients with AKI was 15.3% but higher among children ≤1 month old (31.3% versus 10.1%,P<0.001) and children requiring critical care (32.8% versus 9.4%,P<0.001) or dialysis (27.1% versus 14.2%,P<0.001). Shock (odds ratio, 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.95 to 2.36), septicemia (odds ratio, 1.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.32 to 1.43), intubation/mechanical ventilation (odds ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.16 to 1.25), circulatory disease (odds ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.32 to 1.65), cardiac congenital anomalies (odds ratio, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.13 to 1.23), and extracorporeal support (odds ratio, 2.58; 95% confidence interval, 2.04 to 3.26) were associated with AKI.

Conclusions

AKI occurs in 3.9/1000 at-risk US pediatric hospitalizations. Mortality is highest among neonates and children requiring critical care or dialysis. Identified risk factors suggest that AKI occurs in association with systemic/multiorgan disease more commonly than primary renal disease.
On the nullity of connected graphs with least eigenvalue at least -2
Authors: Zhou Jiang , Sun Lizhu , Yao Hongmei , Bu Changjiang
Published: July 2013

Let L (resp. L+) be the set of connected graphs with least adjacency
eigenvalue at least -2 (resp. larger than -2). The nullity of a graph G,
denoted by ?(G), is the multiplicity of zero as an eigenvalue of the
adjacency matrix of G. In this paper, we give the nullity set of L+ and an
upper bound on the nullity of exceptional graphs. An expression for the
nullity of generalized line graphs is given. For G ? L, if ?(G) is
sufficiently large, then G is a proper generalized line graph (G is not a
line graph).
Novel Measurements in Primary Settling Tanks of Large Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants
Authors: Kiss Katalin , Patziger Miklós
Published: July 2013

This paper shows the in situ analysis of a primary settling tank (PST) at the Graz Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant (500 000 PE). The study aims at the deeper understanding of primary settling tanks behaviour by measurement of flow pattern within the tank and suspended solids (SS) separation.

Measurement campaigns were carried out at different surface overflow rates (a main measure of PST load), that ranged from low to even higher values than recommended ones by design guidelines. During the measurements the inflowing and outflowing SS concentrations and loads were registered on-line. The flow pattern (3D velocity measurements, turbulence characteristics) was measured by using Acoustic - Doppler - Velocimetry (ADV) in raster [1]. The settling function was carried out by laboratory test at Budapest Central Wastewater Treatment Plant, which was investigated at representative concentration of PST.

The measurements provided detailed insight into the flow and mass transport processes within the PST and valuable calibration and verification data for further CFD modelling.
1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition between substituted phenyl azide and 2,3-dihydrofuran
Authors: Bekhradnia Ahmad , Arshadi Sattar , Siadati Seyed
Published: July 2013

A theoretical study was performed on the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between 2,3-dihydrofuran and substituted phenyl azide using Density Functional Theory (DFT) in combination with a 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The optimum geometries for reactant, transition state and product, as well as the kinetic data, rate constants and reaction constant (ρ) were investigated to rationalise the substitution effects and reaction rates of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition process in various solvents. The DFT calculation and Frontier Molecular Orbital (FMO) theory as well as the atomic Fukui indices show that the electron-withdrawing substituents enhance the reaction constant (ρ > 0), especially in polar aprotic solvents. Consequently, small changes in the rate constant of the reaction in various solvents and geometric similarity between reactants and transition state structures were suggested as the early transition state mechanism for electron-withdrawing substituents. In addition, the slope of the Hammett plot and susceptibility of the reaction to electron-withdrawing substituents in various solvents confirmed the mechanism.
Vanadium dodecylamino phosphate: A novel efficient catalyst for synthesis of polyhydroquinolines
Authors: Rajini Anumula , Nookaraju Muralasetti , Reddy Ingala , Narayanan Venkatathri
Published: July 2013

A novel vanadium dodecylamino phosphate was synthesised by an instant reaction between phosphoric acid and vanadyl acetylacetonoate using dodecylamine as the structure-directing agent at ambient temperature. The physicochemical characteristics of the material were investigated by a variety of analytical techniques. XRD studies revealed the presence of vanadium phosphate and hydrated vanadium phosphate phases in the framework of the material. The catalytic application of this material toward in the synthesis of polyhydroquinolines via Hantzsch condensation was investigated at ambient temperature. This method affords high yields within short reaction times. The influence of various reaction parameters such as different solvents, catalyst dosage, effect of aldehydes, and reusability was studied and a plausible mechanism proposed.
Mobility, Marginality and Tenure Transformation in Kenya: Explorations of Community Property Rights in Law and Practice
Authors: Musembi Celestine Nyamu , Kameri-Mbote Patricia
Published: July 2013

Community land rights were officially recognized for the first time in Kenya's 2010 Constitution on the basis of 'ethnicity, culture or similar community of interest'. It remains to be seen whether this will begin to reverse the trend of over-emphasis on individual tenure and sedentary agricultural land uses. Against this background, this article interrogates the various narratives around defining 'community' that have emerged in national and local discourses on entitlement to resources. The article draws on a case study of a Kenyan community - the Ogiek in the Rift Valley - in which tenure and land use are changing rapidly and where tension exists between individual and communal tenure, and among contending visions of future community land rights.
Tenure in Mystery: The Status of Land under Wildlife, Forestry and Mining Concessions in Karamoja Region, Uganda
Authors: Rugadya Margaret A. , Kamusiime Herbert
Published: July 2013

In the 1960s, 94.6 per cent of the region of Karamoja was allocated to wildlife conservation. In 2002, the Ugandan Parliament approved the change in status of land use and tenure of about half of that land. More than a decade later, the local communities remain very little the wiser about the changed status of their land rights. People find their access to land is blocked and feel powerless against suspected land grabbing. Decisions on land - for conservation or for exploitation of natural resources - are being taken over the heads of the communities who live and work there and no adequate information is passed down to them. This article collates information on land given over to conservation, forestry and mining to provide a factual basis for interventions regarding communal tenure. Findings show that communities are vulnerable to internal and external loss of land and its resources - they do not have the information that would otherwise empower them to protect, negotiate and participate in ownership, use and management of their land.
Socioeconomic and Ecological Viability of Pastoralism in Loitokitok District, Southern Kenya
Authors: Seno Simon K. Ole , Tome Salaton
Published: July 2013

Pastoralism is experiencing a renewal of interest by those searching for livelihood strategies that are compatible with wildlife conservation and sustainable development. However, in the Amboseli ecosystem in southern Kenya, pastoralism is threatened by sedentarization, environmental degradation, changing weather patterns, labour constraints as children embrace education and an increase in conflict with other land uses. These factors may in turn necessitate drastic changes in policies that shape access to land and land use. This study assessed the current trends in pastoralist lifestyles, as well as the economic and environmental viability of pastoralism in the light of these changes. Overall the study found that the pastoralists' ability to adapt and cope has been severely compromised by the current changes which restrict their ability to move with their herds to follow scarce resources. However, due to various ecological and socio-cultural reasons, there still remains a chance to make pastoralism viable.
The Dawn of Uhuru? Implications of Constitutional Recognition of Communal Land Rights in Pastoral Areas of Kenya
Authors: Odote Collins
Published: July 2013

Despite large portions of land being communally owned in Kenya for centuries, the legal and policy framework on land tenure has, since 1954, focused on private ownership as the best way of managing land. This article assesses the impact that this dominant approach has had on pastoral land uses. Based on the case study of the Northern Rangelands Trust, a registered trust that provides a framework for community involvement in conservation and other livelihood options in the arid and semi-arid parts of northern Kenya, the article looks at the innovations that communities have made to provide legal support for communal land practices. The article argues that the recent land-policy changes heralded by the 2010 Constitution promise greater recognition and support for pastoralism but that, on their own, they are insufficient.
A Society in Motion: The Tuareg from the Pre-Colonial Era to Today
Authors: Alesbury Andrew
Published: July 2013

The Tuareg of the West African Sahara and Sahel have lived for centuries in an environment that has promoted lifestyles adapted to a sparsely populated, arid and harsh climate. Fostering their own variations on nomadism and developing unique societal institutions, the Tuareg forged their societal base through the cultivation of specific livelihoods particular to their environments. However, the arrival of colonial elements in the Tuareg homeland beginning in the late 1800s and the events that have unfolded since have obliged Tuareg lifestyles to adapt to radically different circumstances. This article explores when and in what ways such transformations have occurred and what impacts they have had on Tuareg livelihoods. By focusing on the prevailing means the Tuareg have employed in securing livelihoods before and after the advent of colonialism, the creation of independent states, the devastating droughts of the 1970s and 1980s and the recurrence of rebellions since the 1960s (including the presently unresolved one in Mali), this article endeavours to elucidate the transformation of Tuareg livelihoods over the past century and a half, revealing which practices have faded and which have endured.
Réflexion Sur L'évolution De La Mobilité Des Pasteurs Nomades Au Tchad: Sédentarisation Ou Transhumance?
Authors: Aubague Serge , Grimaud Patrice
Published: July 2013

Chad stretches, longitudinally, between two distinct ecological poles. Historically, transhumant herders have profited from this diversity that enabled them to gain complementary advantages at different times of the year. Public policies aimed at diversifying production in each of these zones are impacting on this large-scale system, breaking down specialization and increasing competition. On the other hand, the newly promoted 'agro-pastoral' model is not proving a viable option. A new orientation in development policies is needed to reduce the risk of conflict among producers now depending on the same resources. There is a need to deconstruct the negative image of 'contemplative pastoralism' and identify the real responsibilities in these conflicts. Policy makers need new tools for recognizing the high economic value of pastoral production. More efforts should be directed to slow down the pace of transhumance to the south at the approach of the dry season, while securing the journey to the north at the beginning of the wet season. This short report proposes new ways of managing livestock mobility to achieve these goals.
Bed roughness beneath the Greenland ice sheet
Authors: Rippin David M.
Published: July 2013

The roughness of the bed beneath ice streams exerts an important control on their dynamics. Here the first in-depth analysis of roughness beneath the Greenland ice sheet is presented. Much of the interior is underlain by a smooth bed, while the margins are much rougher; this is particularly pronounced in the east where more mountainous topography dominates and fast-flow features are laterally constrained in deep narrow valleys. In contrast, fast flow in the west is much less laterally constrained and areas of high roughness are less extensive and pronounced. It is proposed that there is a major geological control on the distribution of bed variability since a significant thrust-fault coincides approximately with the boundary between rough terrain in the east and the smooth central region. Furthermore there is an abrupt change in roughness approximately coinciding with the crossing of this fault line. This suggests a limiting factor on the extent of fast flow in the east, which is lacking in the west. The size of many glaciers draining Greenland makes their local bed conditions difficult to determine with great confidence. However, the much larger Petermann Glacier lies in a deep trough characterized by a smooth bed that extends some distance into the ice sheet. The smooth bed may be due to deformable marine sediments which facilitate faster flow, although smoothing could also result from ice dynamics and subglacial erosion. That the smooth bed of Petermann Glacier extends some considerable distance raises concerns about the possible stability of this feature, and perhaps others in Greenland too.
Genetic divergence in bitter gourd (Momordica charntia L.)
Authors: Kundu BC , Hossain MM , Mian MA Khaleque , Mian IH
Published: July 2013

The genetic divergence among 36 genotypes of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) was determined through PCA, PCO, CVA, Cluster analysis (CLSA) and Mohalanobiss D2 analysis. Through multivariate analysis based on 22 characters 36 genotypes were grouped into six distant clusters. Cluster VI includes maximum genotypes (12) followed by cluster I (6) and cluster II (6). Cluster V, cluster III and cluster I comprised 5, 4 and 3 genotypes respectively. The inter-cluster distances were higher than the intra-cluster distances. The inter-cluster distance was maximum between cluster III and IV (28.71) followed by the distance between cluster I and cluster IV (23.61). The intra-cluster distances in all the 6 clusters were more or less low indicating the closeness of genotypes within the same cluster. The highest intra-cluster distance was observed for cluster III (1.84) followed by the cluster I (1.38). The genotypes within the same clusters were collected from different places and genotypes collected in the same place fall in different cluster, which indicated that genetic divergence are not dependent on its geographical position from where the genotypes were collected. The genetic diversity of 36 genotypes was also assessed through PCA. The first three components accounted for 60.04% of the total variation. Days to first male flower opening, number of primary branches per vine, fruit yield per vine, days to green fruit maturity, seed weight per fruit mature seed width had the highest contribution towards the divergence. Cluster diagram exhibited that the genotypes include in the cluster III were far diverse from the genotypes of cluster IV while the genotypes belonging to the cluster II and VI were least diversed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v38i2.15593 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 38(2): 125-134, December 2012 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 38(2): 125-134, December 2012
Effects of caryophyllaeid cestode infestations of Clarias batrachus (Linn.)
Authors: Laboni NN , Chandra KJ , Chhanda MS
Published: July 2013

Effects of caryophyllaeid cestode infestations on Clarias batrachus was conducted during the period from August 2010 to July 2011. Fish samples collected from K.R. market, BAU campus came from various waterbodies. Sex, total length (cm), standard length (cm), head length (cm) and weight (g) were recorded. Five different species of caryophyllaeid namely Djombangia penetrans, Lytocestus indicus, L. birmanicus, L. parvulus and Bovienia serialis were identified from the host. Severe infestations of caryophyllaeid cestodes were found in C. batrachus. Changes in the nature of growth and loss of weight as a result of parasitic infestation were noticed. Accordingly length, weight and condition factors were found to be greatly affected. Loss of total length (8.73%) and the highest loss of mean head length (4.49%) were found in smaller infested length group fish. Loss of weight (1.63%) and the highest percentage loss of weight (26.38) were noticed in the small length group while it was 7.44 in large length group. The highest condition factor (1.13) was found in uninfested fish and lowest (0.85) in infested fish. Suggestions were made for further investigation on blood composition and gonadal development of infested host. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v38i2.15594 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 38(2): 135-144, December 2012
Elemental analysis of old mortar used in various archaeological sites of Bangladesh by SEM and EDAX
Authors: Khanom Achia , Saha DK , Rahaman SM , Mamun Al
Published: July 2013

Morphological characterization and mineralogical studies were performed on fifteen mortar samples collected from three ancient archaeological sites (Wari-Bateshwar, Lalmai-Mainamati, and Paharpur) of Bangladesh. Many cracks and pores were found in the mortar samples of Buddhist Lotus temple of Wari-Bateshwar. Energy dispersive analytical x-ray analysis confirmed the presence of C, O, P, K, Al, Fe, Na, Mg, Mn, Si and Ti in the mortar samples. The absence of Ca in the samples indicates that the clay was used in the architecture as binding materials. In the clay mortar, Si played an important role and with the presence of O2, SiO2 was formed, which strengthened the binder. K, Al, Fe, Na, Mg, Mn, Si and Ti might form compounds like SiO2, Fe2O3, K2O, Al2O3, MgO, MnO, Na2O3, and TiO2 with O2. The oxidation of Fe+2 produced Fe2O3 which was responsible for breaking down the bonding of mortars. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v38i2.15595 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 38(2): 145-153, December 2012
Bacterial status and pollution level in the sediment of Gulshan Lake, Dhaka
Authors: Karim Md Abdul , Akhter Nazneen , Hoque Sirajul
Published: July 2013

Gulshan-Baridhara lake located in and around Gulshan, Banani and Baridhara, has always been Dhakas most exclusive residential area mainly because of the pristine lake. The lake is elongated in a north south direction and surrounded mainly by residential areas and some industrial units as well. To evaluate the pollution level of the sediment of the lake, samples were collected from 4 selected locations in 4 different seasons. Four different media were used to study the aerobic heterotrophic, enteric and related bacterial count. Aerobic heterotrophic bacterial count was in the range of 1.1 × 104 to 1.2 ×106 cfu/g in sediment sample, while enteric and related bacterial count in 3 different media (SS agar, MacConkey agar and Cetrimide agar) were 1×100 to 1.5×104 cfu/g, 1×100 to 6×104, and 1×100 to 1.1×103 cfu/g in sediment, respectively. Out of 23 bacterial isolates 18 were Gram-positive and 5 were Gram-negative. Among the Gram-positive, all were rod shaped spore former and under the genus Bacillus. Out of 5 Gram-negative isolates 2 were the member of Pseudomonas, remaining 3 strains were Escherichia, Aeromonas and Enterobacter. Total nitrogen and phosphorus level along with the presence of different bacterial strains clearly indicated that Gulshan lake sediment was polluted with the chemical and bacterial pollutants. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v38i2.15596 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 38(2): 155-161, December 2012
Transport behavior of particulate organic matter in river water during snow melting in the Ishikari, Tokachi, Teshio and Kushiro Rivers, Japan
Authors: Alam M Jahangir , Nagao S , Quayum M Emran
Published: July 2013

Both ?14C and ?13C were used to study the transport behavior of particulate organic matter (POM) in the Ishikari, Tokachi, Teshio and Kushiro rivers in Japan. Water samples were collected once a month in April and May in 2004 and 2005 during snow melting. Positive correlations were found between ?14C and particulate organic carbon (POC) content. Negative correlations were found between ?14C and increased water level. These results indicate that the river systems showed similar transportation behavior during snow melting because of the variation of water level and water discharge. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v38i2.15597 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 38(2): 163-173, December 2012
Status and distribution of Rhesus Macaque, Macaca mulatta in metropolitan Dhaka City
Authors: Sultana Rukshana
Published: July 2013

A field study was conducted on the status and distribution of the population of rhesus macaque, Macaca mulatta (monkeys) between June 2005 to September 2005. The population survey was made in 10 study sites of old Dhaka city employing transect census technique. I found a total of 178 rhesus macaques ranging in 10 individual troops in old part of Dhaka city. A good number of rhesus population was noted in three places, among them the highest population was seen in Shadhana Awshadhalaya Factory area (59 individuals) and the lowest was (4 individuals) in Radhika Mohan Bosak lane. Population study of rhesus macaques and investigation of their distribution is extremely important as they become part of the ecosystem of those areas. Hence, appropriate conservation measures should be taken to protect the monkeys. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v38i2.15606 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 38(2): 175-181, December 2012
Effect of gamma radiation on the sensory, chemical and microbiological changes in two strains of climbing perch (Anabas testudineus, Bloch 1792)
Authors: Chakraborty Soumitra , Mustafa Md Ghulam , Alam Md Zahangir , Jannat Meshkatul
Published: July 2013

The quality of gamma irradiated climbing perch was assessed in respect of sensory (organoleptic score), biochemical (TMA and TVN) and microbiological (TBC, TMC, TYC, TCC and Salmonella) tests. Two different doses of gamma irradiation (2 kGy and 6 kGy) were applied while preserving at -20°C. The quality changes were observed for 60 days storage period at six time intervals (1, 7, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days). It was found that the quality of all fish deteriorated with the progress of storage period. The values of all the parameters assessed were higher in non-irradiated fish than that of irradiated fish. No significant differences were observed among the parameters of Thai and Indigenous strain. The most desirable condition for both strains was found in samples treated with 6 kGy irradiation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v38i2.15608 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 38(2): 183-188, December 2012
Multiple Myeloma - A hospital based cross sectional study in Bangladesh
Authors: Choudhury Subhagata , Sultana Tanvira A , Islam M Sirazul , Islam M Aminul , Khanam Parvin A
Published: July 2013

Bone marrow morphological examination was performed on 835 patients either admitted in the inpatient departments of BIRDEM General Hospital or examined on outpatient basis. 760 of them were adults and 75 of them were children. 74 of the patients were diagnosed as suffering from a blood cancer known as Multiple Myeloma (MM). The age range of MM in our study was 40 to 85 years with a mean age of 63.25 years. Male to female ratio was 5:2 with a slight male preponderance. The median age of presentation was lower in females (60 years) than in males (65 years). MM was the second most frequent haematological disorder among all the patients examined, the most frequent one being leukemia. The frequency of MM was slightly higher among patients admitted in BIRDEM Hospital (10.4%) than those examined on outpatient basis (8.3%) although the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.379 by Pearsons Chi square test). The highest frequency of MM was found in patients admitted in the department of Orthopaedic Surgery (20.8%) followed by the Department of Nephrology (16.7%). This data represents a cross sectional picture of the prevalence of MM in elderly population. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v38i2.15609 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 38(2): 189-198, December 2012
Study of some soils of the Himalayan piedmont plain of Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin MJ , Hasan MK , Mohiuddin ASM , Ahmed SU , Hassan MM
Published: July 2013

Results of four representative pedons of the Old Himalayan piedmont, collected horizonwise from Thakurgaon district, revealed that the color of the topsoil was dark grayish brown to dark yellowish brown and that of the subsoils was dark yellowish brown to light olive-brown and light brownish grey when moist. The soils have moderately well drained conditions except Baliadangi soils which are imperfectly drained. Prismatic to subangular blocky structure has been developed in subsurface horizons of all the profiles, whereas massive structure was found in the surface horizons. Sand was by far the dominant fraction in the soils. The texture of the soils varied from clay loam to sandy loam. The irregular vertical distribution patterns of sand/silt ratio in the profiles indicate the heterogeneous nature of the parent materials. The pH of the soils ranged from 5.4 to 6.26. The organic matter contents as well as total nitrogen of these soils were, in general, low. The C/N ratios of the soils varied from 4.3 to 10.3. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) in most of the studied soils were low. Calcium and magnesium were the dominant cations in all the soils. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v38i2.15610 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 38(2): 199-206, December 2012
Water use efficiency, biomass production, nitrogen and potassium uptake and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Ratan) Planta grown under surface drip and flood irrigation
Authors: Ali AHMZ , Rahman MK
Published: July 2013

An experiment was conducted in wooden boxes to evaluate water use efficiency, biomass production, nitrogen and potassium uptake and yield of tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum) grown under flood irrigation (FI) and surface drip irrigation (SDI). Leaf area, leaf area index, biomass production and yield of tomato plants were significantly (P<0.05) higher in SDI than FI treatment. Biomass production (g/plant) was 53.3 and 42.2 and yield of tomato (kg/plant) was 1.27 and 0.99 in SDI and FI treatments, respectively. Surface drip irrigation increased water use efficiency (Kgm-3) of tomato plants by two fold (37.88) compared to flood irrigation ( 19.88). Significantly (P<0.05) higher concentrations of nitrogen in leaf (3.22%) and stem (2.62 %) were measured for tomato plants grown under SDI than FI (2.63 and 2.19 %). Potassium concentrations on the other hand, showed no significant differences. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v38i2.15611 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 38(2): 207-215, December 2012
Histopathological changes in the gill, liver and intestine of Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) treated with three dry seed extracts
Authors: Nasiruddin Munira , Azadi Mohammad Ali , Jahan Aklima
Published: July 2013

Acute toxicity tests were carried out with aqueous and ethanolic extracts of three botanicals Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers, Dipterocarpus turbinatus Gaertn and Hevea brasiliensis (Willd. Ex Juss) on Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) under normal laboratory conditions. Extracts of L. speciosa were more potent than the extracts of D. turbinatus and H. brasiliensis. Histopathological changes in gill, liver and intestine of exposed fishes caused subtle cellular damages like disintegration of gill filaments and lamellae, degeneration of hepatocytes and blood vessels and necrosis of the intestinal epithelia. Different seed extracts showed histopathological variations in the different organs depending on the toxicity of the plant extracts. On the basis of histopathology, effectivity of the extract was in the order: Absolute ethyl alcohol > 50% ethyl alcohol > distilled water and the effectivity of the seed extracts on the studied organs was: L. speciosa > D. turbinatus > H. brasiliensis seed extracts. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v38i2.15612 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 38(2): 217-226, December 2012
Tissue distribution of esterase isozymes and their responses to cypermethrin in three macrobrachium species
Authors: Rashid Md Abdur , Begum Rowshan Ara , Shahzahan Reza Md
Published: July 2013

In recent times prawn grounds are getting contaminated with an increased use of agricultural pesticides. Esterases play an intermediary role in conferring or in contributing to insecticide resistance. Hence, Esterase isozyme variability was studied in three Macrobrachium species (M. rosenbergii, M. malcolmsonii and M. lamarrei) on 7.5% PAGE with ? and ? naphthyl acetate as substrate in terms of number of bands, staining intensity and toxicity effects. Expression of esterase isozymes was studied in five different tissues (eye, muscle, nerve cord, stomach and hepatopancreas) where four esterase bands (Est-1, Est-2, Est-3 and Est-4) were observed in M. rosenbergii and M. lamarrei and two bands (Est-1 and Est-4) in M. malcolmsonii. Bands in the hepatopancreas of M. rosenbergii, in the eye of M. lamarrei and in the nerve cord of M. malcolmsonii were highly intense indicating higher esterase activity. It was also noticed that the slowest bands with higher molecular weight were more expressed than the others and spreading area of a particular band was not fixed in all the tissues. To observe the impact of insecticide on esterases all five tissues were exposed to 1000 ppm of cypermethrin for 24 hours and was subjected to PAGE, it was found that treated samples showed less esterase expression. Only the muscle tissues from three species were exposed to a range of doses (0.078-1000 ppm), species specific fluctuation of esterase activity was observed in an irregular fashion. Bioassay conducted with cypermethrin on M. lamarrei indicated that LC50 was 0.05ppm at 2 hours. Fluctuation of esterase activity was observed with time and dose concentrations in post mortal electrophoretic assay. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v38i2.15614 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 38(2): 227-235, December 2012
Reproductive biology of the Green Barb, Puntius chola (Hamilton) (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from the Kangsa River, Netrakona, Bangladesh
Authors: Saha Bimal Kanta , Saha Aparna
Published: July 2013

An investigation was conducted on gonadal maturation and fecundity of the Green barb, Puntius chola (Hamilton) over a period of one year from January to December 2006.The overall fecundity was recorded as 1,184.73 ± 1,117.35. Relationships between fecundity and other body parameters were found to be linear, positive and highly significant. Five methods were applied to determine gonadal maturation. The overall GSI level was recorded as 7.05 ± 4.95. The overall GLI level was recorded as 30.43 ± 10.41.The overall percentage of gravid females was calculated as 90.47 ± 16.18. The average ova diameter was determined as 0.44 ± 0.22 mm. The colour of ovary of the Green barb was found to be orange from April to July and September. The monsoon (April to July) and pre winter (September) were found to be the spawning season of the Green barb. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v38i2.15615 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 38(2): 237-245, December 2012
Diallel cross analysis of filament length in the silkworm, Bombyx mori L.
Authors: Rashid HA , Rahman SM , Ahsan MK
Published: July 2013

A diallel analysis for filament length in six varieties of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. having a wide range of variability has been genetically analysed by means of 6×6 diallel cross. The results indicated that both additive and non-additive genetic variations were important for determining the expression of this trait. Besides the dominance, deviation of genes present in this diallel existed predominantly in one direction and they were independent of reciprocal effect and some of the parents contained more dominant than recessive alleles in S-1 and S-3. The presence of specific dominance effect which were peculiar to individual crosses and a significant part of it was independent of reciprocal effect. The regression of filament length is deviated significantly from unity in majority of the seasons (except S-4) giving a contrasting result implying the presence of nonallelic interaction. The distribution of genes for two seasons (S-2 and S-3) was not symmetrical, while the rest two seasons (S-1 and S-4) showed symmetrical distribution of positive and negative among the parents. In narrow sense heritability was found to be medium to high and the broad sense heritability was high among the studied varieties. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jasbs.v38i2.15616 J. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 38(2): 247-255, December 2012
Cannabinoids: Well-Suited Candidates for the Treatment of Perinatal Brain Injury
Authors: Fernández-López David , Lizasoain Ignacio , Moro Maria , Martínez-Orgado José
Published: July 2013

Perinatal brain injury can be induced by a number of different damaging events occurring during or shortly after birth, including neonatal asphyxia, neonatal hypoxia-ischemia and stroke-induced focal ischemia. Typical manifestations of these conditions are the presence of glutamate excitoxicity, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, the combination of which can potentially result in apoptotic-necrotic cell death, generation of brain lesions and long-lasting functional impairment. In spite of the high incidence of perinatal brain injury, the number of clinical interventions available for the treatment of the affected newborn babies is extremely limited. Hence, there is a dramatic need to develop new effective therapies aimed to prevent acute brain damage and enhance the endogenous mechanisms of long-term brain repair. The endocannabinoid system is an endogenous neuromodulatory system involved in the control of multiple central and peripheral functions. An early responder to neuronal injury, the endocannabinoid system has been described as an endogenous neuroprotective system that once activated can prevent glutamate excitotoxicity, intracellular calcium accumulation, activation of cell death pathways, microglia activation, neurovascular reactivity and infiltration of circulating leukocytes across the blood-brain barrier. The modulation of the endocannabinoid system has proven to be an effective neuroprotective strategy to prevent and reduce neonatal brain injury in different animal models and species. Also, the beneficial role of the endocannabinoid system on the control of the endogenous repairing responses (neurogenesis and white matter restoration) to neonatal brain injury has been described in independent studies. This review addresses the particular effects of several drugs that modulate the activity of the endocannabinoid system on the progression of different manifestations of perinatal brain injury during both the acute and chronic recovery phases using rodent and non-rodent animal models, and will provide a complete description of the known mechanisms that mediate such effects.
Health Inequalities among Workers with a Foreign Background in Sweden: Do Working Conditions Matter?
Authors: Dunlavy Andrea , Rostila Mikael
Published: July 2013

Employment and working conditions are key social determinants of health, yet current information is lacking regarding relationships between foreign background status, working conditions and health among workers in Sweden. This study utilized cross-sectional data from the 2010 Swedish Level of Living Survey (LNU) and the Level of Living Survey for Foreign Born Persons and their Children (LNU-UFB) to assess whether or not health inequalities exist between native Swedish and foreign background workers and if exposure to adverse psychosocial and physical working conditions contributes to the risk for poor health among foreign background workers. A sub-sample of 4,021 employed individuals aged 18–65 was analyzed using logistic regression. Eastern European, Latin American and Other Non-Western workers had an increased risk of both poor self-rated health and mental distress compared to native Swedish workers. Exposure to adverse working conditions only minimally influenced the risk of poor health. Further research should examine workers who are less integrated or who have less secure labor market attachments and also investigate how additional working conditions may influence associations between health and foreign background status.
Protective Mechanisms of Guanosine from Solanum lycopersicum on Agonist-Induced Platelet Activation: Role of sCD40L
Authors: Fuentes Eduardo , Alarcón Marcelo , Astudillo Luis , Valenzuela Claudio , Gutiérrez Margarita , Palomo Iván
Published: July 2013

In the past 30 years, only three natural products have been sources of new drugs with antiplatelet activity. In this study, we have demonstrated for the first time that guanosine from Solanum lycopersicum possesses antiplatelet (secretion, spreading, adhesion and aggregation) activity in vitro and inhibition of platelet inflammatory mediator of atherosclerosis (sCD40L). According to ADP-induced platelet aggregation inhibiting, the total extract residue was fractionated by liquid chromatography/phase separation, affording an aqueous fraction. This fraction was subjected to repeated permeation over Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative TLC. The isolated compound finally obtained was identified as guanosine on the basis of its UV-spectra, HPLC and 1H-NMR data. Guanosine concentration dose-dependently (1 to 4 mmol/L) inhibited platelet secretion and aggregation induced by ADP and collagen. Spread of human platelets on collagen in the presence of guanosine was fully inhibited. After incubation of whole blood with guanosine, the platelet adhesion and aggregation under flow conditions was inhibited concentration dependently (0.2 to 2 mmol/L). At the same concentrations that guanosine inhibits platelet aggregation, levels of sCD40L were significantly decreased. Guanosine is thus likely to exert significant protective effects in thromboembolic-related disorders by inhibiting platelet aggregation.
Breadth-First Search-Based Single-Phase Algorithms for Bridge Detection in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Akram Vahid , Dagdeviren Orhan
Published: July 2013

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are promising technologies for exploring harsh environments, such as oceans, wild forests, volcanic regions and outer space. Since sensor nodes may have limited transmission range, application packets may be transmitted by multi-hop communication. Thus, connectivity is a very important issue. A bridge is a critical edge whose removal breaks the connectivity of the network. Hence, it is crucial to detect bridges and take preventions. Since sensor nodes are battery-powered, services running on nodes should consume low energy. In this paper, we propose energy-efficient and distributed bridge detection algorithms for WSNs. Our algorithms run single phase and they are integrated with the Breadth-First Search (BFS) algorithm, which is a popular routing algorithm. Our first algorithm is an extended version of Milic’s algorithm, which is designed to reduce the message length. Our second algorithm is novel and uses ancestral knowledge to detect bridges. We explain the operation of the algorithms, analyze their proof of correctness, message, time, space and computational complexities. To evaluate practical importance, we provide testbed experiments and extensive simulations. We show that our proposed algorithms provide less resource consumption, and the energy savings of our algorithms are up by 5.5-times.
Model-Based Reinforcement of Kinect Depth Data for Human Motion Capture Applications
Authors: Calderita Luis , Bandera Juan , Bustos Pablo , Skiadopoulos Andreas
Published: July 2013

Motion capture systems have recently experienced a strong evolution. New cheap depth sensors and open source frameworks, such as OpenNI, allow for perceiving human motion on-line without using invasive systems. However, these proposals do not evaluate the validity of the obtained poses. This paper addresses this issue using a model-based pose generator to complement the OpenNI human tracker. The proposed system enforces kinematics constraints, eliminates odd poses and filters sensor noise, while learning the real dimensions of the performer’s body. The system is composed by a PrimeSense sensor, an OpenNI tracker and a kinematics-based filter and has been extensively tested. Experiments show that the proposed system improves pure OpenNI results at a very low computational cost.
Sakīna: contribución a su estudio
Authors: Tornero Emilio
Published: July 2013

Estudio del término sakīna en su evolución postcoránica en el que se muestra, en primer lugar, lo que la investigación ha dicho sobre él, para, a continuación, presentar, traducir y analizar cinco textos pertenecientes al ámbito islámico y al filosófico en donde aparece dicho término y que no habían sido tenidos en cuenta hasta ahora. Estos textos proceden de: Ibn Ḥabīb, al-Tawḥīdī, traducción árabe de los Versos áureos, y Comentarios de Jámblico y de Proclo a estos Versos áureos. La sakīna coránica evoluciona en estos autores pasando a connotar una pacificación en los animales violentos en Ibn Habib y un estado cercano a la divinidad de caracteres próximos al de los sufíes en al-Tawhidi, mientras que en los Versos áureos se emplea sakīna para traducir daímōn, con sus efectos de eliminación de los males originados por la discordia innata a los hombres. En los Comentarios a los Versos áureos se dan explicaciones, de corte religioso y racionalista a la vez, de dicho término.
Musulmanes retóricos: el Islam como testigo en la polémica cristiana anti-judía en occidente
Authors: Szpiech Ryan
Published: July 2013

Aunque los escritores del s. XII como Pedro Alfonso y Pedro el Venerable de Cluny atacaron las ideas musulmanas sobre Jesús y María, los autores polémicos de los ss. XIII y XIV a veces presentaron las mismas ideas de manera positiva y describieron al musulmán como un 《testigo》 de las ideas cristianas ante los judíos. En los textos del dominico Ramon Martí, el Corán mismo sirve como una 《prueba》 de las doctrinas cristianas sobre Jesús y María y en textos como el Mostrador de justicia de Abner de Burgos/Alfonso de Valladolid, a los musulmanes se los describe como 《nazarenos》. El estudio de estas imágenes permite distinguir entre la representación de los musulmanes en los textos anti-judíos y su representación en los textos anti-islámicos. Este artículo sugiere que, en los textos anti-judíos de los ss. XIII y XIV, son más determinantes las normas de la polémica anti-judía que el juicio sobre el islam que se observa en la polémica anti-musulmana.
Molecular Classification of 5-Amino-2-Aroylquinolines and 4-Aroyl-6,7,8-Trimethoxyquinolines as Highly Potent Tubulin Polymerization Inhibitors
Authors: Torrens Francisco , Castellano Gloria
Published: July 2013

Algorithms for classification and taxonomy are proposed based on criteria as information entropy and its production. It is classified a series of 5-amino-2-aroylquinolines (AAQs) and 4-aroyl-6,7,8-trimethoxyquinolines (TMQs) combretastatin analogues for anti-cancer activity. 5-Amino-6-methoxy-2-aroylquinoline AAQ showed anti-proliferative activity more potent as compared to combretastatin A-4 (CA4), against various human cancer cell lines and a multidrug resistance (MDR) cancer cell line. On the basis of AAQ/TMQ structure–activity relationship new derivatives are designed. The AAQs/TMQs are classified using nine characteristic chemical properties in molecules. Many classification algorithms are based on information entropy. When applying the procedures to sets of moderate size, an excessive number of results appear compatible with data and suffer a combinatorial explosion. However, after equipartition conjecture, one has a selection criterion between different variants resulting from classification between hierarchical trees. A classification of anti-cancer agents is obtained. The features denote positions R2–8 on the quinoline bicycle.
(Liquid + Liquid) Equilibrium for Ternary System of (Water + Phenol + Cyclohexane) at T = 298.2 K
Authors: Ghanadzadeh Hossein , Sangashekan Milad , Asan Shahin
Published: July 2013

Experimental solubility curves and tie-line data for the (water + phenol + 2-ethyl-1-hexanol) system was obtained at T = 298.2 K and atmospheric pressure. The tie-line data was determined by techniques karl-fischer and refractometry. This ternary system exhibits type-2 behavior of LLE. Distribution coefficients and separation factors were measured to evaluate the extracting ability of the solvent. The consistency of the experimental tie-line data was determined through the Othmer–Tobias and Bachman equations. The data were correlated with the NRTL (a = 0.25) and UNIQUAC models and the parameters estimated present root mean square deviations below 0.50%.
Domain Ontology and Hermann Brain Dominance Instrument Model for Personalized E-Learning Hypermedia System
Authors: Lamia Mahnane , Tayeb Laskri Mohamed
Published: July 2013

A number of adaptive e-learning hypermedia systems (AEHS) have been developed to support learning styles as a source for adaptation. However, these systems suffer from several problems, namely: lack of maintenance adaptation to learning style, less attention was paid to thinking styles and the insertion of specific teaching strategies into learning content. This paper proposes an AEHS model based on thinking styles and domain ontology. The experiment was completed in three phases for both experimental and control groups. In the first phase all the students were informed that they will participate in an experimental process. The students received a short introduction on how to use the system and to create a user account for login purposes into the system. Then, information about thinking styles categories were given to the experimental group and were asked to complete the questionnaire. In the second phase, the students followed regularly the lessons until the completion of the course; meanwhile taking a quiz at the end of each lesson. In the third phase, learners followed a link to do the post-test.