bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Avaliação do website educacional em Primeiros Socorros
Authors: Mori Satomi , Whitaker Iveth Yamaguchi , Marin Heimar de Fátima
Published: December 2013

Avaliar a estrutura, a qualidade da informação e a navegabilidade do website em Primeiros Socorros. A avaliação foi realizada por profissionais de informática, da saúde e por estudantes, utilizando-se instrumentos específicos e validados. O método Kappa foi aplicado para avaliar a concordância das respostas e o coeficiente α de Cronbach , para avaliar a confiabilidade do instrumento. Nas respostas obtidas pelos profissionais, observou-se que não houve concordância das respostas dos profissionais de informática (0.047), indicando que a estrutura do website deve ser revisada. Na avaliação dos profissionais da saúde (-0.062), verificou-se que, apesar de não haver concordância, a qualidade da informação é adequada em razão dos escores positivos assinalados. Na avaliação da confiabilidade do instrumento de navegabilidade obteve-se α=0,974. Apesar de melhorias na estrutura do website serem indicadas, a qualidade da informação é boa e seu uso colaborou para o aprendizado dos estudantes.
A construção do conhecimento da enfermagem baseada no método construtivista
Authors: Heimann Candice , Prado Cláudia , Moraes Rose Reny Sousa Patricio de , Vidal Giselle Vieira , Liberal Diana , Oliveira Gésica Kelly da Silva , Barata Michele Viana
Published: December 2013

Este artigo teve o objetivo de realizar uma reflexão acerca da teoria de Vygotsky no processo de construção do conhecimento dos profissionais de enfermagem. Na abordagem vygotskyana, o homem é visto como alguém que transforma e é transformado nas relações que acontecem em uma determinada cultura, caracterizado por uma interação dialética desde o nascimento entre o ser humano e o meio social e cultural em que se insere. A proposta do construtivismo encaixa-se nesse contexto, pois busca explicar como se modificam as estratégias de conhecimento do indivíduo no decorrer da sua vida. As ideias construtivistas preconizadas por Vygotsky podem representar um método alternativo para os estudos teórico-práticos na área da saúde, especialmente quanto à dimensão subjetiva do processo de trabalho junto à equipe de enfermagem.
Care in a birth center according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization
Authors: Silva Flora Maria Barbosa da , Paixao Tais Couto Rego da , Oliveira Sonia Maria Junqueira Vasconcellos de , Leite Jaqueline Sousa , Riesco Maria Luiza Gonzalez , Osava Ruth Hitomi
Published: December 2013

Birth centers are maternal care models that use appropriate technology when providing care to birthing women. This descriptive study aimed to characterize intrapartum care in a freestanding birth center, in light of the practices recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), with 1,079 assisted births from 2006 to 2009 in the Sapopemba Birth Center, São Paulo, Brazil. Results included the use of intermittent auscultation (mean=7 controls); maternal positions during delivery: semi-sitting (82.3%), side-lying (16.0%), other positions (1.7%), oral intake (95.6%); companionship (93.3%); exposure to up to three vaginal examinations (85.4%), shower bathing (84.0%), walking (68.0%), massage (60.1%), exercising with a Swiss ball (51.7%); amniotomy (53.4%), oxytocin use during the first (31.0%) and second stages of labor (25.8%), bath immersion (29.3%) and episiotomy (14.1%). In this birth center, care providers used practices recommended by the WHO, although some practices might have been applied less frequently.
Intraclass reliability of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale in the Brazilian version
Authors: Silva Larissa Paiva , Maia Polyana Candeia , Lopes Marcia Maria Coelho Oliveira , Cardoso Maria Vera Lucia Moreira Leitao
Published: December 2013

This study had as its objective to analyze the intraclass reliability of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), in the Brazilian version, in preterm and term infants. It was a methodological study, conducted from November 2009 to April 2010, with 50 children receiving care in two public institutions in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Children were grouped according to gestational age as preterm and term, and evaluated by three evaluators in the communication laboratory of a public institution or at home. The intraclass correlation indices for the categories prone, supine, sitting and standing ranged from 0.553 to 0.952; most remained above 0.800, except for the standing category of the third evaluator, in which the index was 0.553. As for the total score and percentile, rates ranged from 0.843 to 0.954. The scale proved to be a reliable instrument for assessing gross motor performance of Brazilian children, particularly in Ceará, regardless of gestational age at birth.
Process and results of the development of an ICNP® Catalogue for Cancer Pain
Authors: Carvalho Marisaulina Wanderley Abrantes de , Nobrega Maria Miriam Lima da , Garcia Telma Ribeiro
Published: December 2013

This was a methodological study conducted to describe the process and results of the development of an International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP®) Catalogue for Cancer Pain. According to the International Council of Nurses (ICN), this catalogue contains a subset of nursing diagnoses, outcomes, and interventions to document the implementation of the nursing process in cancer patients. This catalogue was developed in several steps according to the guidelines recommended by the ICN. As a result, 68 statements on nursing diagnoses/outcomes were obtained, which were classified according to the theoretical model for nursing care related to cancer pain into physical (28), psychological (29), and sociocultural and spiritual (11) aspects. A total of 116 corresponding nursing interventions were obtained. The proposed ICNP® Catalogue for Cancer Pain aims to provide safe and systematic orientation to nurses who work in this field, thus improving the quality of patient care and facilitating the performance of the nursing process.
Content validation of the dimensions constituting non-adherence to treatment of arterial hypertension
Authors: Borges Jose Wicto Pereira , Moreira Thereza Maria Magalhaes , Rodrigues Malvina Thais Pacheco , Souza Ana Celia Caetano de , Silva Daniele Braz da
Published: December 2013

The objective of the study was to validate the content of the dimensions that constituted nonadherence to treatment of arterial systemic hypertension. It was a methodological study of content validation. Initially an integrative review was conducted that demonstrated four dimensions of nonadherence: person, disease/treatment, health service, and environment. Definitions of these dimensions were evaluated by 17 professionals, who were specialists in the area, including: nurses, pharmacists and physicians. The Content Validity Index was calculated for each dimension (IVCi) and the set of the dimensions (IVCt), and the binomial test was conducted. The results permitted the validation of the dimensions with an IVCt of 0.88, demonstrating reasonable systematic comprehension of the phenomena of nonadherence.
Comfort of the patient's family in an Intensive Care Unit related to welcoming
Authors: Gibaut Mariana de Almeida Moraes , Hori Luisa Mayumi Rocha , Freitas Katia Santana , Mussi Fernanda Carneiro
Published: December 2013

This study aimed to identify the level of comfort of families of patients in a critical health condition related to the welcoming practices performed by the hospital staff. Interviews were conducted with 250 relatives in hospitals of the state Bahia, using a Likert scale. Data were analyzed as percentages and quartiles. For nine of the 12 statements of the scale, most relatives scored their comfort level between very and totally comfortable, median of 4,revealing kindness, tranquility and friendly communication with family members. More than half of the sample scored its level as not at all to more or less comfortable, median of 3, for statements about demonstration of interest towards the relative by the staff and flexible visiting of the patient. The necessity of greater interest of the team in the condition and needs of the family was observed. Promoting comfort from the dimension of welcoming demands interdisciplinary actions grounded in humanistic philosophy, in which the nurse has an important role to play.
Burden in family caregivers of the elderly: prevalence and association with characteristics of the elderly and the caregivers
Authors: Loureiro Lara de Sa Neves , Fernandes Maria das Gracas Melo , Marques Sueli , Nobrega Maria Miriam Lima da , Rodrigues Rosalina A. Partezani
Published: December 2013

A cross-sectional, epidemiological study aimed to estimate the prevalence of burden among family caregivers of impaired elderly residents in the city of João Pessoa, and to identify associations between the mean burden and social and demographic characteristics of the elderly and the caregivers. A total number of 240 elderly residents in a previously drawn census tract participated in this research. The sample was composed of 52 elderly and their caregivers. For data collection, a questionnaire was applied with questions on social and demographic characteristics of elderly and caregivers, and the Burden Interview Scale was used. Results showed a high prevalence of burden among caregivers (84.6%), in which a statistically significant association was found with the following characteristics: retired elderly, elderly as head of family, spousal caregivers, and caregivers with less education. The findings of this study may contribute to the development of activities focused on formal and emotional support for the caregivers.
Patients' knowledge of Diabetes five years after the end of an educational program
Authors: Chagas Izabel Alves das , Camilo Josana , Santos Manoel Antonio dos , Rodrigues Flavia Fernanda Luchetti , Arrelias Clarissa Cordeiro Alves , Teixeira Carla Regina de Souza , Otero Liudmila Miyar , Zanetti Maria Lucia
Published: December 2013

We present a cross-sectional study that aims to describe the sociodemographic and clinical conditions of individuals with diabetes mellitus and to analyze their knowledge of treatment five years after the end of an educational program in which they took part. In 2010, 40 individuals who had participated in a diabetes educational program for 12 months in 2005 at a primary care service were interviewed. A form was used for data collection that included their knowledge of the notion, physiopathology, and treatment of the disease; exercise; nutrition; foot care; self-monitoring of capillary blood glucose at home; hypoglycemia; chronic complications; special situations; and family support. The results showed that the volunteers incorporated the information about the notion, physiopathology, and treatment of the disease; exercise; foot care; self-monitoring; care associated with hypoglycemia; chronic complications; and special situations. In contrast, nutrition and family support require further reinforcement. It is concluded that five years after the end of the educational program, the participants kept most of the information provided.
Stress among nurses: an examination of salivary cortisol levels on work and day off
Authors: Rocha Maria Cecilia Pires da , Martino Milva Maria Figueiredo De , Grassi-Kassisse Dora Maria , Souza Aglecio Luiz de
Published: December 2013

The present study evaluates the use of salivary cortisol concentration as a physiological index of the stress level among nurses on their work day and day off and correlates it with the questionnaire used to measure occupational stress in nurses (Inventário de Estresse em Enfermeiros - IEE). This is a comparative, cross-sectional descriptive study in which sociodemographic data, IEE results and salivary cortisol levels were used. Fifty-seven nurses participated in the study (80.7% females and a mean age of 37.1 years old). The IEE average score was 124.5. The average cortisol level was 564.1 ng/m on work day and 354.1 ng/mL on day off. Nurses who had double workdays presented high values of salivary cortisol during the work day (638.1 ng/mL). In conclusion, salivary cortisol identified the nurses’ stress level, and differences were found between a work day and day off. On the nurses’ day off, their salivary cortisol levels and stress scores were lower.
Political-ethical skill development in nursing undergraduates
Authors: Meira Maria Dyrce Dias , Kurcgant Paulina
Published: December 2013

This research aimed to identify political-ethical skills developed in a training process compatible with the expected profile set by the National Curriculum Guidelines for the Undergraduate Nursing Degree. A case study was conducted with units represented by 32 former students from a particular religious teaching institution who already were in the job market. The content of the interviews was analyzed using the thematic analysis technique, which resulted in the following categories: "Political-ethical skills in the formative process" and "Political-ethical skills as a product of the educational process." From the former students’ perspective, these categories reinforced the social role of the nurse and the need for students to be reflective, understanding and participative in the transformation of society.
Expansion of undergraduate courses in nursing: dilemmas and contradictions facing the labor market
Authors: Silva Kenia Lara , Sena Roseni Rosangela de , Grillo Maria Jose Cabral , Gandra Elen Cristiane , Silveira Marilia Rezende da
Published: December 2013

We sought to analyze, from the perspective of professors and students, the reasons and consequences of the expansion of undergraduate courses in nursing, discussing the dilemmas and the contradictions confronting the labor market. It was a qualitative study with data obtained from focus groups, conducted in 18 undergraduate nursing courses in the state of Minas Gerais, during the period of February to October of 2011. The narratives were submitted to critical discourse analysis. The results indicated that the education of the nurse was permeated by insecurity as to the future integration into the labor market. The insecurity translates into dilemmas that referred to employability and the precariousness of the working conditions. In this context, employment in the family health strategy emerges as a mirage. One glimpses the need for a political agenda with the purpose of discussion about education, the labor market and the determinants of these processes.
The Strategic Impact of Clinical Practice Guidelines in Nursing on the Managerial Function of Supervision
Authors: Romero Jose Antonio Vinagre , Heredero Carmen De Pablos
Published: December 2013

Clinical practice guidelines in nursing (CPG-N) are tools that allow the necessary knowledge that frequently remains specialist-internalised to be made explicit. These tools are a complement to risk adjustment systems (RAS), reinforcing their effectiveness and permitting a rationalisation of healthcare costs. This theoretical study defends the importance of building and using CPG-Ns as instruments to support the figure of the nursing supervisor in order to optimise the implementation of R&D and hospital quality strategies, enabling clinical excellence in nursing processes and cost-efficient reallocation of economic resources through their linear integration with SARs.
Using Wolbachia‐based release for suppression of Aedes mosquitoes: insights from genetic data and population simulations
Authors: Rašić Gordana , Endersby Nancy M. , Williams Craig , Hoffmann Ary A.
Published: December 2013

A novel strategy for suppressing disease transmission by Aedes aegypti, the main vector of dengue, uses releases of mosquitoes infected with the bacterium Wolbachia pipientis. Wolbachia are currently released to interfere with viral transmission, but there is also potential to use strains in mosquito suppression and elimination programs via the deleterious effects of the bacterium on the host. Mosquito suppression depends on target areas being relatively isolated to prevent reinvasion and on local climatic conditions. Here we explored the opportunity for suppression of A. aegypti in central Queensland, Australia, by using microsatellite data and simulations based on CIMSiM models of local weather conditions and breeding container data. Our results indicate that Wolbachia‐induced extinctions in central Queensland are possible, although they may eventually be compromised by ongoing mosquito migration between towns until these sources are also suppressed. The results highlight a novel use of deleterious Wolbachia infections to achieve ecological as well as disease‐related endpoints.
Marxism and sociopolitical engagement in Serbian musical periodicals between the two world wars
Authors: Vasic Aleksandar
Published: December 2013

Between the two World Wars, in Belgrade and Serbia, seven musical journals
were published: ?Musical Gazette? (1922), ?Music? (1928-1929), ?Herald of the
Musical Society Stankovic? (1928-1934, 1938-1941; renamed to ?Musical Herald?
in january 1931), ?Sound? (1932-1936), ?Journal of The South Slav Choral
Union? (1935-1936, 1938), ?Slavic Music? (1939-1941) and ?Music Review?
(1940). The influence of marxism can be observed in ?Musical Herald? (in the
series from 1938), ?Sound? and ?Slavic Music?. A Marxist influence is obvious
through indications of determinism. Namely, some writers (Dragutin Colic)
observed elements of musical art and its history as (indirect) consequences
of sociopolitical and economic processes. Still, journals published articles
of domestic and foreign authors who interpreted the relation between music,
society and economy in a much more moderate and subtle manner (D.Cvetko,
A.Schering). Editors and associates of these journals also had proscriptive
ambitions - they recommended and even determined regulations for composers
about what kind of music to write according to social goals and needs.
According to tendencies in Marxism, there was a follow up of musical work in
the Soviet Union. Editors tried not to be one-sided. There were writings
about the USSR by left orientated associates as much as emigrants from that
country, and articles of Soviet authors were translated. Also, there were
critical tones about musical development in the first country of socialism.
Serbian musical periodicals recognized the enormous threat from fascism.
Also, there were articles about influence of Nazi ideology and dictatorship
on musical prospects in Germany. Since Germany annexed Sudetenland in 1938,
?Musical Herald? expressed support to musicians and people of that friendly
country by devoting the October and November 1938 issue to Czechoslovak
music, along with an appropriate introduction by the editor, Stana
Djuric-Klajn.
Tax Uncertainty and Voluntary Real-Time Tax Audits
Authors: Beck Paul J. , Lisowsky Petro
Published: December 2013

This study examines the empirical relation between voluntary participation in the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Compliance Assurance Process (CAP) audit program, and tax uncertainty disclosed in financial statements pursuant to Financial Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48). Based on the findings of prior analytical and empirical research, we formulate and test hypotheses about the likelihood of voluntary CAP participation and the resulting effect on FIN 48 tax reserves. We find that firms with moderate-sized FIN 48 reserves are more likely to participate in CAP than firms with either small or large reserves, indicating an inverted U-shaped relation between CAP participation rates and firms' tax reserves. After controlling for non-random sample selection, we find that CAP firms significantly reduce their FIN 48 reserves by about 16.5 percent relative to non-CAP firms. However, this reduction is concentrated among firms with moderate-sized FIN 48 reserves. These cross-sectional differences are consistent with FIN 48 reserves reflecting both tax uncertainty and tax aggressiveness.

JEL Classifications: M41; M42; M48; H25.

Data Availability: FIN 48 data and confidential tax data on CAP participants are obtained from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Large Business & International (LB&I), Planning, Analysis, Inventory, and Research Division (PAIR). The CAP data are not publicly available; the FIN 48 data were compiled and validated by the IRS and made available to one of the authors. All other data are available from public sources identified in this treatise. Because tax data are confidential and protected by data nondisclosure agreements under the Internal Revenue Code, all statistics are presented in the aggregate; no statistics with three or fewer observations are disclosed. Any opinions are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IRS.
Application of the new approach of generalized (G' /G) -expansion method to find exact solutions of nonlinear PDEs in mathematical physics
Authors: Alam Md. Nur , Akbar M Ali
Published: December 2013

The exact solutions of nonlinear evolution equations (NLEEs) play a crucial role to make known the internal mechanism of complex physical phenomena. In this article, we construct the traveling wave solutions of the Zakharov-Kuznetsov-Benjamin-Bona-Mahony (ZK-BBM) equation by means of the new approach of generalized (G′ /G) -expansion method. Abundant traveling wave solutions with arbitrary parameters are successfully obtained by this method and the wave solutions are expressed in terms of the hyperbolic, trigonometric, and rational functions. It is shown that the new approach of generalized (G′ /G) -expansion method is a powerful and concise mathematical tool for solving nonlinear partial differential equations. BIBECHANA 10 (2014) 58-70 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v10i0.9312
Meckel’s Diverticulum with Multiple Ileal Ulcers as a Source of Massive Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage in a Three Year Old Child
Authors: Hamid Raashid , Wani Sajad A , Shera AH , Khurshid Sheikh , Bhat NA , Baba Aejaz A
Published: December 2013

Meckel’s Diverticulum (MD) is a frequent congenital anomaly of small bowel often difficult to diagnose. It is usually asymptomatic and can present as bleeding, obstruction and inflammation. We report a case of MD in a 3 year old male child, diagnosed by 99mTc pertechnetate scan and confirmed on laparotomy. Excised specimen revealed a large MD with multiple ileal ulcers, as a source of massive bleeding per rectum. The clinical features and need for early diagnosis and treatment are discussed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v33i3.7802   J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. 2013;33(3):227-229
Treacher Collins Syndrome
Authors: Kapoor Kanika , Batra Prerna , Saha Abhijeet
Published: December 2013

We present a rare case of Trecher Collins Syndrome.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v33i3.7896  J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. 2013;33(3):245
Scrub Typhus: An Uncommon Cause of Pyrexia without Focus
Authors: Yadav Dinesh , Chopra Abhishek , Dutta Ashok Kumar , Kumar Sandeep , Kumar Virendra
Published: December 2013

Scrub typhus is a rickettsial disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. Commonly reported from hilly and forest areas, it usually presents with fever, eschar, maculopapular rash, headache, gastrointestinal symptoms and lymphadenopathy. We report a seven year old male resident of Delhi, a non-endemic region, presenting with pyrexia without focus and fluid refractory hypotension, subsequently diagnosed as scrub typhus. Fever responded to doxycycline and child was discharged on day 5. To conclude, rickettsial infections can be seen in non-endemic, urban areas as well and should be suspected and investigated in children presenting with pyrexia without focus, not responding to usual antibiotics. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v33i3.8172   J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. 2013;33(3):234-235
Admission Hypothermia Among Neonates Presented to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Akter Shaheen , Parvin Rubiya , Yasmeen B.H. Nazma
Published: December 2013

Introduction: In developing countries, thermal protection of the newborn is not properly addressed. Neonates presented to Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for admission with various problems are frequently found to be hypothermic. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and associated risk factors for neonatal hypothermia on admission to NICU. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study carried over a period of three years at Enam Medical College and Hospital (EMCH) among the newborns admitted to NICU. Hypothermia has been defined as axillary temperature <36.5°C (<97.7° F). Temperature was measured at admission. Data were collected regarding perinatal and socio economic factors. Bivariate and multivariate analysis has been done to see the association of risk factors. Result: A total of 2310 babies between 0 and 680 h of age (mean 43± 12 hours) were studied. Thirty four percent (785) of the neonates had hypothermia. Mean gestation was 34±3 weeks and 42.5% were inborn. Significant determinants of neonatal hypothermia at admission included factors like preterm (p=0.03), low birth weight (p=0.005), normal delivery (p=0.012), birth asphyxia (p=0.001) below average socioeconomic status (p=0.001) and long distance (>10 km) travelled by the neonate (p=0.03). Independent variables are resuscitation at birth [p=.001, Odds Ratio (OR), 2.43; Confidence Interval (CI), 1.47 to 4.00], (p=0.001), age less than 24 hours (p=.02; OR 2.25; CI, 1.13 to 4.47), low birth weight (p=0.03; OR,2.0; CI, 1.06 to 3.82), caesarean section(C/S) delivery (p=.006; OR 1.35; CI, 1.18-2.12) and below average economic status (p=0.001; OR, 2.76; CI, 1.56 to 5.90). Conclusion: Incidence of admission hypothermia among neonates in our NICU was 34%. Independent risk factors are resuscitation at birth, very low birth weight, C/S delivery, age less than 24 hours and poor socio-economic condition. Proper thermal care should be provided for neonates both at home and hospitals. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v33i3.8312   J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. 2013;33(3):166-171
Do Infants and Children have Measurable Inguinal Canals?
Authors: Osuoji Roland I , Bankole Michael A
Published: December 2013

Introduction: Herniotomy is a common procedure performed by Paediatric Surgeons. However, opinions differ as to whether to open the inguinal canal when performing this procedure or not. Those who advocate performing herniotomy without opening the inguinal canal believe that in early childhood, the superficial inguinal ring is directly superimposed on the deep inguinal ring, there being no appreciable inguinal canal in this age group. Our study was planned to open the inguinal canal and simply measure the distance between the pubic tubercle medially and the inferior epigastric vessels laterally. Finding a measurable inguinal canal in all cases studies debunks the belief that the superficial inguinal ring frequently overlaps the deep inguinal ring. Materials and Methods: From October 2007 to September 2008 and from May 2012 to April 2013 the inguinal canals of 75 children from 1 day to 2 years old were measured during herniotomies and orchidopexies. Premature babies were excluded from this study. The inguinal canals were all opened. Using a simple sterilized metallic ruler, the distance between the ipsilateral inferior epigastric vessels and the ipsilateral pubic tubercle was measured. Results: The lengths of the inguinal canals ranged from 1cm to 4.5 cm (mean 2.88cm+/-.71cm SD). The shortest inguinal canal length was 1 cm while the longest inguinal canal was 4.5 cm. Conclusion: Children with inguinal hernia up to the age of 2 years have a measurable inguinal canal and we suggest the excision of the hearnial sac superficial to the external inguinal ring runs the risk of leaving substantial sac behind proximal to the transfixing suture, even when some traction is applied to the sac before applying the transfixing suture. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v33i3.8355   J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. 2013;33(3):182-185
Role of Diffusion Weighted MRI in Maple Syrup Urine Disease: Rare Cause of Neonatal Metabolic Encephalopathy
Authors: Shah Diva , Nirula Apoorv , Shah Dwiti
Published: December 2013

The newborn presenting with neurological symptoms such as seizures or lethargy due to inborn error of metabolism is an important problem. Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an inherited genetic disease, caused by a deficiency of the catalytic components of α-ketoaciddehydrogenase complex, which is responsible for the catabolism of branched-chain amino acids. The purpose of this case report is to show diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) MRI findings of acute phase of classic form of MSUD in a newborn although this imaging findings are rare but very typical, known as “MSUD oedema”. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v33i3.8365   J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. 2013;33(3):230-233
Clinical Profile and Outcome of Neonates Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at a Tertiary Care Centre in Eastern Nepal
Authors: Shah Gauri Shankar , Yadav Satish , Thapa Anil , Shah Lokraj
Published: December 2013

Introduction: Neonatal period is the most susceptible period of life due to different causes, which in most cases are preventable. Every year millions of neonates are born and a large proportion of them are admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for various indications. One of the Millennium Development Goals is to reduce under five mortality by two thirds by 2015. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the clinical profile, pattern of diseases and common causes of mortality and morbidity in neonates admitted to NICU. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at level III Neonatal NICU of a tertiary -care teaching hospital from January, 2012 to December, 2012. Results: Total of 361 neonates were admitted in NICU. Eighty six neonates (23.8%) were admitted due to prematurity and 73 (20.2%) with birth asphyxia. Among birth asphyxia, 40(54.8%)were in HIE III, 27.4% and 17.8% in HIE II and HIE I, respectively. One hundred eighteen (32.6%) cases were diagnosed as sepsis. The overall mortality was 20.2% during hospital stay. Conclusions: Sepsis, prematurity and birth asphyxia were major causes for admission in NICU. All these etiologies are preventable up to some extent and, if detected earlier, can be effectively treated in order to reduce morbidity and mortality. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v33i3.8447   J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. 2013;33(3):177-181
Assessment of Mental Health Problems of School Children Aged 11-17 Years Using Self Report Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire (SDQ)
Authors: Rimal Hem Sagar , Pokharel Archana
Published: December 2013

Introduction: It is now recognized that psychological disorders, among children and adolescents have high prevalence rate. Currently, there is limited data on the prevalence of mental health problems among adolescents especially in the developing country like Nepal. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of mental health issues among school children aged 11-17 years. Materials and Methods: The self rated version of Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire (SDQ-YR1) were given to the students and answers were collected and the data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.1. The questions were in the Likert scale 0(not true), 1(somewhat true) and 2(certainly true). The data collected also included parent’s educational and occupational status. Results: A total of 159 students participated in the study after receiving well informed consent from the parents. There were 96(60%) boys and 63 (40%) girls’ participants in the study. Among all the participants in this study 18.6% had a total-Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire (SDQ) score that can be classified as abnormal by published cutoffs. The emotional problems (24.5%) and peer relationship problem (22%) were the two common problems screened as an abnormal SDQ score. Girls were significantly more likely to have emotional problems than boys (p value <0.05) where as boys were significantly more likely to have Hyperactivity/inattention score in SDQ than girls (p value<0.05).Gender difference was also significant statistically as girls had higher abnormal total SDQ score than boys (p value < 0.05). Conclusion: There is high prevalence of mental health issues in children but a study in large sample is recommended. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v33i3.8752 J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. 2013;33(3):172-176
Orthogonality and Dimensionality
Authors: Brunet Olivier
Published: December 2013

In this article, we present what we believe to be a simple way to motivate the use of Hilbert spaces in quantum mechanics. To achieve this, we study the way the notion of dimension can, at a very primitive level, be defined as the cardinality of a maximal collection of mutually orthogonal elements (which, for instance, can be seen as spatial directions). Following this idea, we develop a formalism based on two basic ingredients, namely an orthogonality relation and matroids which are a very generic algebraic structure permitting to define a notion of dimension. Having obtained what we call orthomatroids, we then show that, in high enough dimension, the basic constituants of orthomatroids (more precisely the simple and irreducible ones) are isomorphic to generalized Hilbert lattices, so that their presence is a direct consequence of an orthogonality-based characterization of dimension.
An Exploratory Assessment of a Smartphone Application for Public Participation in Forest Fuels Measurement in the Wildland-Urban Interface
Authors: Ferster Colin , Coops Nicholas , Harshaw Howard , Kozak Robert , Meitner Michael
Published: December 2013

Wildfire management in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) protects property and life from wildland fire. One approach that has potential to provide information about the amount and location of fuels to forest managers and, at the same time, increase public knowledge and engagement in reducing wildfire threats is public participation in scientific research (PPSR)—also known as citizen science—where members of the public participate in the research process. In this exploratory study, residents of a wildfire-affected community tested a smartphone application to collect data about forest fuels and answered questions about wildfire, their community, and experiences using the application. In this paper, the application is introduced, the volunteers’ motivations, attitudes, and behaviors are considered, and the potential of using a PPSR approach for wildfire management discussed. Although there are practical challenges to applying PPSR approaches to wildfire hazard management, the participants in this study demonstrated the potential of PPSR to increase awareness and understanding of actions that can reduce the threat of wildfire. Wildfire managers may consider utilizing PPSR approaches to engage the community in wildfire preparedness.
Framework for Analyzing Android I/O Stack Behavior: From Generating the Workload to Analyzing the Trace
Authors: Jeong Sooman , Lee Kisung , Hwang Jungwoo , Lee Seongjin , Won Youjip
Published: December 2013

Abstract: The existing I/O workload generators and trace capturing tools are not adaptable to generating nor capturing the I/O requests of Android apps. The Android platform needs proper tools to capture and replay real world workload in the Android platform to verify the result of benchmark tools. This paper introduces Android Storage Performance Analysis Tool, AndroStep, which is specifically designed for characterizing and analyzing the behavior of the I/O subsystem in Android based devices. The AndroStep consists of Mobibench (workload generator), MOST (Mobile Storage Analyzer), and Mobigen (workload replayer). Mobibench is an Android app that generates a filesystem as well as SQLite database operations. Mobibench can also vary the number of concurrent threads to examining the filesystem scalability to support concurrency, e.g., metadata updates, journal file creation/deletion. MOST captures the trace and extracts key filesystem access characteristics such as access pattern with respect to file types, ratio between random vs. sequential access, ratio between buffered vs. synchronous I/O, fraction of metadata accesses, etc. MOST implements reverse mapping feature (finding an inode for a given block) and retrospective reverse mapping (finding an inode for a deleted file). Mobigen is a trace capturing and replaying tool that is specifically designed to perform the user experiment without actual human intervention. Mobigen records the system calls generated from the user behavior and sanitizes the trace for replayable form. Mobigen can replay this trace on different Android platforms or with different I/O stack configurations. As an example of using AndroStep, we analyzed the performances of twelve Android smartphones and the SQLite performances on five different filesystems. AndroStep makes otherwise time consuming I/O stack analysis extremely versatile. AndroStep makes a significant contribution in terms of shedding light on internal behavior of the Android I/O stack.
Characterising the Smoking Status and Quit Smoking Behaviour of Aboriginal Health Workers in South Australia
Authors: Maksimovic Lauren , Paquet Catherine , Daniel Mark , Stewart Harold , Chong Alwin , Lekkas Peter , Cargo Margaret
Published: December 2013

The study objectives were to characterise the smoking status and quit smoking behaviour of Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) in South Australia (SA), Australia; and identify the psychosocial, socio-demographic, and household smoking characteristics that distinguish smokers from quitters and never smokers. A self-reported cross-sectional survey was completed by AHWs in SA. Non-parametric statistics were used for inferential analyses. Eighty-five AHWs completed surveys representing a response rate of 63.0%. The prevalence of current smokers was 50.6%. Non-smokers (49.5%) included quitters (22.4%) and never smokers (27.1%). Smoking status did not differ by gender or geographic location. Of current smokers, 69.0% demonstrated a readiness to quit and 50.0% had made at least one quit attempt in the last 12 months. Compared to quitters and never smokers, current smokers expressed lower emotional wellbeing, and three times as many resided with another smoker. Quitters had the highest levels of perceived social support and part-time employment. A high proportion of AHWs who smoke desire, and are ready to quit. Individual, social and household factors differentiated smokers from non-smokers and quitters. Social support, and relationships and structures that favour social support, are implicated as necessary to enable AHWs who smoke to act on their desire to quit smoking.
Spatial Autocorrelation of Cancer Incidence in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Ahmadi Khalid , Al-Zahrani Ali
Published: December 2013

Little is known about the geographic distribution of common cancers in Saudi Arabia. We explored the spatial incidence patterns of common cancers in Saudi Arabia using spatial autocorrelation analyses, employing the global Moran’s I and Anselin’s local Moran’s I statistics to detect nonrandom incidence patterns. Global ordinary least squares (OLS) regression and local geographically-weighted regression (GWR) were applied to examine the spatial correlation of cancer incidences at the city level. Population-based records of cancers diagnosed between 1998 and 2004 were used. Male lung cancer and female breast cancer exhibited positive statistically significant global Moran’s I index values, indicating a tendency toward clustering. The Anselin’s local Moran’s I analyses revealed small significant clusters of lung cancer, prostate cancer and Hodgkin’s disease among males in the Eastern region and significant clusters of thyroid cancers in females in the Eastern and Riyadh regions. Additionally, both regression methods found significant associations among various cancers. For example, OLS and GWR revealed significant spatial associations among NHL, leukemia and Hodgkin’s disease (r² = 0.49–0.67 using OLS and r² = 0.52–0.68 using GWR) and between breast and prostate cancer (r² = 0.53 OLS and 0.57 GWR) in Saudi Arabian cities. These findings may help to generate etiologic hypotheses of cancer causation and identify spatial anomalies in cancer incidence in Saudi Arabia. Our findings should stimulate further research on the possible causes underlying these clusters and associations.
Effect of Ion Concentration Changes in the Limited Extracellular Spaces on Sarcolemmal Ion Transport and Ca2+ Turnover in a Model of Human Ventricular Cardiomyocyte
Authors: Hrabcová Dana , Pásek Michal , Šimurda Jiří , Christé Georges
Published: December 2013

We have developed a computer model of human cardiac ventricular myocyte (CVM), including t-tubular and cleft spaces with the aim of evaluating the impact of accumulation-depletion of ions in restricted extracellular spaces on transmembrane ion transport and ionic homeostasis in human CVM. The model was based on available data from human CVMs. Under steady state, the effect of ion concentration changes in extracellular spaces on [Ca2+]i-transient was explored as a function of critical fractions of ion transporters in t-tubular membrane (not documented for human CVM). Depletion of Ca2+ and accumulation of K+ occurring in extracellular spaces slightly affected the transmembrane Ca2+ flux, but not the action potential duration (APD90). The [Ca2+]i-transient was reduced (by 2%–9%), depending on the stimulation frequency, the rate of ion exchange between t-tubules and clefts and fractions of ion-transfer proteins in the t-tubular membrane. Under non-steady state, the responses of the model to changes of stimulation frequency were analyzed. A sudden increase of frequency (1–2.5 Hz) caused a temporal decrease of [Ca2+] in both extracellular spaces, a reduction of [Ca2+]i-transient (by 15%) and APD90 (by 13 ms). The results reveal different effects of activity-related ion concentration changes in human cardiac t-tubules (steady-state effects) and intercellular clefts (transient effects) in the modulation of membrane ion transport and Ca2+ turnover.
Effect of the GLP-1 Analog Exendin-4 and Oxaliplatin on Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Cell Line and Mouse Model
Authors: Chen Ben-Dong , Zhao Wen-Chao , Jia Qing-An , Zhou Wen-Yan , Bu Yang , Wang Zuo-Zheng , Wang Feng , Wu Wu-Jun , Wang Qi
Published: December 2013

The influence of Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and Exendin-4 on development of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is evaluated in the study. In vitro tests, including acute toxicity test, cell colony formation assays, cells proliferation and apoptosis, transwell assay, were performed. An ICC in situ tumor animal model was established. Then, animals were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): control, Exendin-4 treatment, oxaliplatin treatment and Exendin-4-oxaliplatin treatment. Animals in the Exendin-4 treatment and Exendin-4-oxaliplatin treatment groups received a subcutaneous injection of Exendin-4 (100 μg/kg/day) for 1 week, and then received oxaliplatin (10 mg/kg/week) by tail vein injection. Animals in the control group received PBS. Immunohistochemistry tests were used for PCNA, Ki67, Caspase 3 expression in tumor tissue. Results show that that, after incubation of human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines, HuCCTI and GLP-1, or HuCCTI and Exendin-4, colony formation number was sharply decreased. However, GLP-1, HuCCTI or Exendin-4 did not affect the colony of normal cells. Combination treatment with oxaliplatin and Exendin-4 can significantly inhibit tumor cells’ proliferation and promote apoptosis. The combined effect is stronger than that of oxaliplatin or Exendin-4. Combination treatment with oxaliplatin and Exendin4 can significantly decrease Ki67 and PCNA proteins’ expression in subcutaneous tumors of nude mice. The inhibitory effect of Combination treatment with oxaliplatin and Exendin4 is clearly stronger than that of oxaliplatin. In addition, Combination treatment with oxaliplatin and Exendin4 can significantly increase Caspase3 protein positive expression. In short, these results show that combination treatment with oxaliplatin and Exendin4 can inhibit tumor cells’ proliferation, and promote apoptosis.
Cbl-b Enhances Sensitivity to 5-Fluorouracil via EGFR- and Mitochondria-Mediated Pathways in Gastric Cancer Cells
Authors: Feng Dan , Ma Yanju , Liu Jing , Xu Ling , Zhang Ye , Qu Jinglei , Liu Yunpeng , Qu Xiujuan
Published: December 2013

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an essential component of anticancer chemotherapy against gastric cancer. However, the response rate of single drug is still limited. The ubiquitin ligase Cbl-b is a negative regulator of growth factor receptor signaling and is involved in the suppression of cancer cell proliferation. However, whether Cbl-b could affect 5-FU sensitivity remains unclear. The present study showed that Cbl-b knockdown caused higher proliferation concomitant with the decrease of apoptosis induced by 5-FU treatment in gastric cancer cell. Further mechanism investigation demonstrated that Cbl-b knockdown caused significant increase of phosphorylation of EGFR, ERK and Akt, decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential, and increase of expression ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. These results suggest that Cbl-b enhances sensitivity to 5-FU via EGFR- and mitochondria-mediated pathways in gastric cancer cells.
Maternal Methyl Donors Supplementation during Lactation Prevents the Hyperhomocysteinemia Induced by a High-Fat-Sucrose Intake by Dams
Authors: Cordero Paul , Milagro Fermin , Campion Javier , Martinez J.
Published: December 2013

Maternal perinatal nutrition may program offspring metabolic features. Epigenetic regulation is one of the candidate mechanisms that may be affected by maternal dietary methyl donors intake as potential controllers of plasma homocysteine levels. Thirty-two Wistar pregnant rats were randomly assigned into four dietary groups during lactation: control, control supplemented with methyl donors, high-fat-sucrose and high-fat-sucrose supplemented with methyl donors. Physiological outcomes in the offspring were measured, including hepatic mRNA expression and global DNA methylation after weaning. The newborns whose mothers were fed the obesogenic diet were heavier longer and with a higher adiposity and intrahepatic fat content. Interestingly, increased levels of plasma homocysteine induced by the maternal high-fat-sucrose dietary intake were prevented in both sexes by maternal methyl donors supplementation. Total hepatic DNA methylation decreased in females due to maternal methyl donors administration, while Dnmt3a hepatic mRNA levels decreased accompanying the high-fat-sucrose consumption. Furthermore, a negative association between Dnmt3a liver mRNA levels and plasma homocysteine concentrations was found. Maternal high-fat-sucrose diet during lactation could program offspring obesity features, while methyl donors supplementation prevented the onset of high hyperhomocysteinemia. Maternal dietary intake also affected hepatic DNA methylation metabolism, which could be linked with the regulation of the methionine-homocysteine cycle.
Performance Limits of Nanoelectromechanical Switches (NEMS)-Based Adiabatic Logic Circuits
Authors: Houri Samer , Poulain Christophe , Valentian Alexandre , Fanet Hervé
Published: December 2013

This paper qualitatively explores the performance limits, i.e., energy vs. frequency, of adiabatic logic circuits based on nanoelectromechanical (NEM) switches. It is shown that the contact resistance and the electro-mechanical switching behavior of the NEM switches dictate the performance of such circuits. Simplified analytical expressions are derived based on a 1-dimensional reduced order model (ROM) of the switch; the results given by this simplified model are compared to classical CMOS-based, and sub-threshold CMOS-based adiabatic logic circuits. NEMS-based circuits and CMOS-based circuits show different optimum operating conditions, depending on the device parameters and circuit operating frequency.