bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Adolescent With a Mediastinal Mass, Diagnosed With Graves Disease and Thymic Hyperplasia
Authors: Kubicky Rita Ann , Faerber Eric N. , de Chadarevian Jean-Pierre , Wu Shufang , Rezvani Iraj , De Luca Francesco
Published: January 2010

Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by thyroid enlargement and hyperthyroidism. Thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) autoantibodies bind the TSHR on the membrane of thyroid follicular cells and stimulate cell proliferation and thyroid-hormone synthesis. TSHR has also been identified in extrathyroidal organs, including the human thymus. Thus far, radiologically detectable thymic enlargement has only been reported in adults with Graves disease. We present here the case of a child with Graves disease and significant thymic hyperplasia. L. K. was a 15-year-old girl evaluated for cough and dyspnea on exertion. A chest radiograph was obtained, and it revealed a widened superior mediastinum. A computed-tomography scan of her chest identified a mass in the anterior mediastinum without associated lymphadenopathy. Because of these radiologic findings and her weight loss, she was referred to the oncology service; a biopsy of the mediastinal mass was obtained and revealed thymic reactive hyperplasia. Because of persistent tachycardia, thyroid studies were obtained, and the diagnosis of Graves disease was established. The child's physical examination revealed a minimally enlarged thyroid gland and no exophthalmos. One month after medical treatment was initiated, a repeat computed-tomography scan of her chest identified significantly reduced thymic size. To our knowledge, this is the first pediatric patient reported with Graves disease and significant thymic enlargement. Considering the diagnosis of Graves disease for a child with an anterior mediastinal mass and without the typical physical findings of autoimmune hyperthyroidism (goiter, exophthalmos) may prevent unnecessary diagnostic studies and their associated financial and emotional costs.
Injuries in Youth Soccer
Authors: Koutures Chris G. , Gregory Andrew J. M. ,   THE COUNCIL ON SPORTS MEDICINE AND FITNESS
Published: January 2010

Injury rates in youth soccer, known as football outside the United States, are higher than in many other contact/collision sports and have greater relative numbers in younger, preadolescent players. With regard to musculoskeletal injuries, young females tend to suffer more knee injuries, and young males suffer more ankle injuries. Concussions are fairly prevalent in soccer as a result of contact/collision rather than purposeful attempts at heading the ball. Appropriate rule enforcement and emphasis on safe play can reduce the risk of soccer-related injuries. This report serves as a basis for encouraging safe participation in soccer for children and adolescents.
Hospital Stay for Healthy Term Newborns
Authors:   COMMITTEE ON FETUS AND NEWBORN
Published: January 2010

The hospital stay of the mother and her healthy term newborn infant should be long enough to allow identification of early problems and to ensure that the family is able and prepared to care for the infant at home. The length of stay should also accommodate the unique characteristics of each mother-infant dyad, including the health of the mother, the health and stability of the infant, the ability and confidence of the mother to care for her infant, the adequacy of support systems at home, and access to appropriate follow-up care. Input from the mother and her obstetrician should be considered before a decision to discharge a newborn is made, and all efforts should be made to keep mothers and infants together to promote simultaneous discharge.
An Aspirin a Day: Are We Barking Up the Wrong Willow Tree?
Authors: Krantz Mori J. , Berger Jeffrey S. , Hiatt William R.
Published: January 2010

Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, is derived from a substance that accumulates in willow trees. Extracts from the bark and leaves contain salicylic acid, used since the time of the Egyptians for the relief of pain. Over the years, the expression, “an aspirin a day keeps the doctor away” has become embedded in our collective psyche, leading to countless individuals consuming this over‐the‐counter preparation on a daily basis without an adequate understanding of its risk‐benefit profile. The public has received the message for decades from numerous guidelines and the manufacturers of aspirin that aspirin should be taken by all adults at risk for cardiovascular disease events.
Mechanisms of Action of Hormonal Emergency Contraceptives
Authors: Leung Vivian W. Y. , Levine Marc , Soon Judith A.
Published: January 2010

Hormonal emergency contraceptives have been used to prevent unwanted pregnancy for more than 3 decades. The mechanisms of action of the regimen containing a combination of estrogen and progestin, known as the Yuzpe regimen, and those of the levonorgestrel regimen continue to be controversial, especially over the possibility that these regimens might act by interfering with implantation of the fertilized ovum. We performed a search of the PubMed (1949‐July 2009) and EMBASE (1980‐July 2009) databases to identify literature on the mechanisms of action of these contraceptive regimens, and data were extracted from pertinent English‐language studies. We classified studies according to the approach taken by the investigators to study the actions of emergency contraceptives on pregnancy: an indirect method that uses statistical models to determine whether emergency contraceptives would be as effective as reported if they act only by disrupting ovulation; direct observation of the effects of emergency contraceptives on surrogate outcomes, including ovulation, sperm activity, hormonal levels, and endometrial receptivity to implantation; and analysis of directly observed pregnancy outcomes against statistical data. Acceptability of emergency contraceptives by women and clinicians may depend on personal opinions about when life or pregnancy begins. The evidence strongly supports disruption of ovulation as a mechanism of action. The data suggest that emergency contraceptives are unlikely to act by interfering with implantation, although the possibility has not been completely excluded. The data also suggest that emergency contraceptives are ineffective after ovulation. Women and clinicians who consider implantation or later events to be the beginning of pregnancy should be aware that emergency contraceptives are likely nonabortive by this definition of pregnancy.
Amiodarone‐Induced Loculated Pleural Effusion: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Uong Vuong
Published: January 2010

Pleural effusion is an uncommon manifestation of amiodarone toxicity and is usually associated with amiodarone‐induced interstitial pneumonitis. We describe a 70‐year‐old woman who came to the emergency department with bilateral pleuritic chest pain and malaise 4 weeks after her amiodarone dose was increased from 200 mg/day to 600 mg/day. She had bilateral exudative pleural effusions without associated pneumonitis. She was diagnosed with amiodarone‐induced pleural effusions after a thorough workup during her hospitalization excluded other causes for the effusions. Due to intractable arrhythmias, the patient's amiodarone was not discontinued, and she was discharged home. Four days later at a follow‐up visit at the pulmonary clinic, the patient complained of worsening chest pain as well as dyspnea and cough. A computed tomography scan showed left‐sided pleural effusion with multiple loculations. She underwent a pulmonary vein isolation procedure, and amiodarone was discontinued. She was treated with prednisone 40 mg/day, tapered over the next 2 weeks. Three weeks after the amiodarone was stopped, the patient was asymptomatic, and a chest radiograph showed complete resolution of the effusions. Review of the patient's medical records revealed that she had experienced similar symptoms and exudative pleural effusions 2 years earlier after a similar dose escalation of amiodarone; the symptoms and pleural effusions resolved after the amiodarone dosage was reduced. Use of the Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale indicated that the association between the pleural effusions and amiodarone was highly probable (score of 9). This case report emphasizes that amiodarone should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with exudative effusions after a thorough workup has excluded other causes. Amiodarone should be replaced with alternative antiarrhythmic therapy if clinically feasible, and corticosteroids may be beneficial.
A new approach to decarbonising infrastructure projects
Authors: Pelly Lorna
Published: January 2010

A group of leading UK infrastructure organisations and Forum for the Future have just published a fresh new approach to managing and reducing carbon on major infrastructure projects. Sue Leckie of Atkins reports.
Construction management frameworks: 10 years of experience
Authors: Ansell Mary , Smith Stephanie
Published: January 2010

Ten years have passed since the Highways Agency launched the UK's first construction management framework pilot in 1999. Today's framework, which has delivered over £300 million of schemes without any contractual disputes, is generally seen as a success by those involved, creating a more enjoyable work environment and making it a preferred form of procurement. This paper reviews the initiatives that have been identified and practised during the life of the framework. The benefits and successes of these are discussed along with the lessons learned and recommendations for the future.
Response of stiff piles in sand to long-term cyclic lateral loading
Authors: LEBLANC C. , HOULSBY G.T. , BYRNE B.W.
Published: January 2010

The driven monopile is currently the preferred foundation type for most offshore wind farms. While the static capacity of the monopile is important, a safe design must also address issues of accumulated rotation and changes in stiffness after long-term cyclic loading. Design guidance on this issue is limited. To address this, a series of laboratory tests were conducted where a stiff pile in drained sand was subjected to between 8000 and 60 000 cycles of combined moment and horizontal loading. A typical design for an offshore wind turbine monopile was used as a basis for the study, to ensure that pile dimensions and loading ranges were realistic. A complete non-dimensional framework for stiff piles in sand is presented, and applied to interpret the test results. The accumulated rotation was found to be dependent on relative density, and was strongly affected by the characteristics of the applied cyclic load. Particular loading characteristics were found to cause a significant increase in the accumulated rotation. The pile stiffness increased with number of cycles, which contrasts with the current methodology where static load–displacement curves are degraded to account for cyclic loading. Methods are presented to predict the change in stiffness and the accumulated rotation of a stiff pile due to long-term cyclic loading. The use of the methods developed is demonstrated for a typical full-scale monopile.
Physical modelling of pile penetration in clay using transparent soil and particle image velocimetry
Authors: NI Q. , HIRD C.C. , GUYMER I.
Published: January 2010

A small-scale physical modelling method was developed to study the movement of clay during pile installation. The clay was simulated using a mixture of amorphous silica and mineral oil, which becomes almost transparent when the refractive indices of the oil and the silica are well matched. After adding reflective particles and consolidating the mixture in a transparent container, cylindrical model piles were driven vertically at the centre. A vertical section aligned with the pile centreline was illuminated by a laser light sheet, and a sequence of digital images was recorded. These were analysed using particle image velocimetry, and the complete displacement distribution during the pile installation was obtained. Notwithstanding some discrepancies at shallow depths, the observed displacements generally showed fairly good agreement with the theoretical predictions of the shallow strain path method (SSPM) once the effect of some soil trapped beneath the flat pile tip was taken into account. Normalisation of the horizontal and vertical components of movement employing both the pile length and radius, based on SSPM theory, was shown to be valid. The normalised vertical displacement contours were similar to those published by previous researchers. The results of this study could be used to assess the impact of disturbance due to pile installation on, for example, buried services or archaeology.
Evolution of microstructure in compacted London Clay during wetting and loading
Authors: MONROY R. , ZDRAVKOVIC L. , RIDLEY A.
Published: January 2010

The influence of fabric on mechanical behaviour is explicitly considered in some of the current constitutive models for unsaturated soils. These are based on assumptions regarding the interaction between different levels of structure, which still require experimental validation. A study has been carried out to investigate the evolution of fabric in a compacted natural clay during wetting and loading, and the results are presented in this paper. Samples of London Clay were statically compacted to the same initial conditions, dry of optimum moisture content in a Proctor plot, and subsequently taken along complex stress paths involving wetting, loading, or a combination of both. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) microstructure investigations were carried out to observe and quantify the change in fabric associated with each path. The soil fabric was observed to change from an aggregate to a matrix type structure along all wetting paths. This transition was found to take place only when the suction was reduced to a value close to zero kPa. Results also showed that fabric changes during yielding were stress path-dependent. It was not possible to find a correspondence between the volume of free porosity and the volume of intra-aggregate pores, as suggested by some authors. Finally, the volume of pore water was found to agree closely with the volume of intra-aggregate pores, providing support to the assumption that in an unsaturated aggregate microstructure the clay aggregations are saturated.
Permeability of high-performance concrete incorporating presoaked lightweight aggregates for internal curing
Authors: Liu X. , Zhang M.-H.
Published: January 2010

This paper presents an experimental study on the effect of presoaked lightweight aggregates (LWAs) for internal curing on water permeability, water absorption and resistance of concrete to chloride-ion penetration in comparison with those of a control concrete and a concrete with shrinkage reducing admixture (SRA) of similar water/cement ratios (w/c). In general, the concretes with LWA particles had initial water absorption, sorptivity and water permeability similar to or lower than those of the control concrete and the concrete with SRA. The charges passed, chloride migration coefficient and chloride diffusion coefficient of such concretes were in the same order as those of the control concrete and the concrete with SRA. However, the incorporation of the LWAs for internal curing reduced unit weight, compressive strength and elastic modulus of the concrete. Comparing the LWAs of different sizes for internal curing, finer particles were more efficient in reducing the shrinkage and generally resulted in less reduction in the unit weight, compressive strength, and elastic modulus. However, the increase in the more porous crushed LW particles in concrete seems to increase the penetration of chloride ions in the concrete. The concrete with SRA had initial water absorption, sorptivity, water permeability and resistance to chloride ion penetration comparable with those of the control concrete. The use of SRA in concrete does not affect the elastic modulus of the concrete, except for a minor influence on the compressive strength of the concrete.
Inorganic profiles of chemical phosphorus removal sludge
Authors: Carliell-Marquet C. , Smith J. , Oikonomidis I. , Wheatley A.
Published: January 2010

Iron dosing is commonly used to remove phosphorus from wastewater but little is known about how this changes the distribution of iron, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and trace metals in activated and digested sludge. This research compared the inorganic profiles of sludge from full-scale processes (activated sludge and anaerobic digestion) with and without iron dosing, with the aim of identifying changes in inorganic distribution resulting from iron dosing. Sludge phosphorus and metals were fractionated using sequential chemical extraction. Bioavailable iron was lower in iron-dosed activated sludge, as was bioavailable phosphorus (6·5 g/kg compared with 1·8 g/kg), with most of the iron and phosphorus bound as iron-hydroxy-phosphates. Similar results were found for anaerobically digested sludge after iron dosing; iron and phosphorus in the sludge increased by 4 and 1·35 times, respectively, but bioavailability was decreased. The ratio of chemical oxygen demand to bioavailable phosphorus in the digester was 840 : 1 after iron dosing. By contrast, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc were increasingly bioavailable in the digester after iron dosing. The reported changes were linked to the iron content of the sludge; hence the level of iron dosing is key to minimising changes in sludge inorganic profiles.
Conditionally averaged turbulent structures in 2D channel flow
Authors: Yang S.-Q.
Published: January 2010

This paper investigates conditionally averaged turbulent structures and the underlying mechanism of the wake law in two-dimensional (2D) uniform flow. By dividing the wall-normal velocity fluctuation into upward and downward conditions, conditionally averaged momentum equations are derived. The theoretical results show that the momentum flux caused by the conditionally upward/downward velocity leads to deviation of the conditional Reynolds shear stress from the expected linear distribution and consequently the conditionally turbulent intensities are affected; however, a self-similarity between the turbulent intensities and the Reynolds shear stress exists. It is found that in 2D flows, the wake function is also caused by the additional momentum flux. As the up/down movements of fluid particles are caused by intermittent decelerating/accelerating motions in the streamwise direction, the wake function is actually the result of an accelerating/decelerating process that causes fluctuations of pressure or water level. This study reveals that the frequency and conditional features of up/down motions rely on pressure fluctuations in pipe flow and water level variation in open-channel flows.
Modern Presidents and the Transformation of the Federal Personnel System
Authors: Lewis David E
Published: January 2010

In this paper I review the causes and consequences of key changes in the federal personnel system in the modern presidency. I first describe the contours of this system at the end of the Truman Administration and the problem the system created for presidents. I then detail three changes to this system that emerged in response to the insularity of the civil service at mid-century. I conclude by reviewing how changes in the personnel system influence presidential efforts to control and manage the administrative state. I note how the short-term incentives of presidents to get control can lead to long-term difficulties in controlling that state.
Bankruptcies, Bailouts and the Banking Bureaucracy: The Bush Agenda and the Capacity for Crisis
Authors: Khademian Anne
Published: January 2010

True crises, such as the recent failure of the financial markets, test the capacity of the permanent bureaucracy. Leadership, responsiveness, and creativity, as well as stability and practicality, were put to the test in the intense summer and fall months of 2008. Major financial institutions failed or sat on the brink of failure, liquidity froze, the credit market vanished, foreclosure rates soared, and the government struggled to prevent further economic collapse. Just as critically, the capacities of regulatory foresight and independence, along with long-standing regulatory procedures, had in effect been tested in the decade leading up to the crisis. What was the impact of the Bush Administration's management of the financial regulatory bureaucracy over his eight-year presidency? What was its impact in the midst of the crisis at the close of his last term? This paper examines the longer-term capacity of foresightthe expertise and independence to see a crisis on the horizon and to speak truth to power in the midst of economic boom timeand the short-term capacities of responsive competence in the form of policy and administrative answers to the immediate challenges of the crisis itself.
The Evolving American State: The Trust Challenge
Authors: Kamarck Elaine C
Published: January 2010

This essay looks at the low levels of trust in government within the American public. Through this lens, the essay examines how trust both limits and distorts modern policy making, how it has created new modes of policy implementation, and how these issues shape the nature of the American state.
Politicians Do Pander: Mass Opinion, Polarization, and Law Making
Authors: Quirk Paul J
Published: January 2010

The capabilities of the American state sometimes depend on the ability of policy-makers to act autonomously, on the basis of their own preferences and beliefs, in ways that serve broad societal and state interests but lack support from powerful constituencies. In a highly acclaimed book on the politics of health care reform in the Clinton administration, Jacobs and Shapiro (2000) argue that "politicians don't pander." Rather, they do indeed act on their own ideological and policy views, using polls mainly to guide rhetorical strategy, not to make policy decisions. I challenge their interpretation and bring to bear other considerations to argue for an increased influence of mass opinion, and to present a high-pandering, limited-autonomy account of the contemporary politics of law-making. In concluding, I comment briefly on this account's consistency with recent events and on the issues it poses for future research.
Overhead Agencies and Permanent Government: The Office of Management and Budget in the Obama Administration
Authors: Radin Beryl A.
Published: January 2010

Whenever a change of administration occurs in Washington, classic issues of public administration are brought out of the academic closet. The dichotomy between politics and administration moves from discussion in classrooms and textbooks to the pages of the Washington press. The role of the career bureaucracy is acknowledged as a way the new administration will translate its policy and political agenda to the machinery of government. During this stage, after election results are clear, the term permanent government" is used with the assumption that everyone knows what it means. But the concept of the permanent government is an idea borrowed from the British system, one that cannot be automatically applied to the American case, where a system of shared powers plus the structure and culture of the US career bureaucracy are quite different from the British Westminster model. This article focuses on two management efforts within one of the great overhead agencies of American Government, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). These involve the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) and the staff itself within the OMB Management office that has responsibility for performance assessment. They provide evidence of an inherent tension between aspirations of the Obama administration and the orientation of existing staff. Discussion of these two management efforts provides a glimpse of a set of decision processes that is usually absent from discussion of the permanent government." It indicates that permanent government" is more than just career-political interactions, and it is evidence that career staff operate differently in different contexts. To understand this role, it is important to look inside the detailed processes of government to determine how these actually operate within the Executive Office of the President.
A Field Test of the Influence of Pre-Game Imagery on Basketball Free Throw Shooting
Authors: Post Phillip G , Wrisberg Craig A , Mullins Stephen
Published: January 2010

This field study examined the influence of a pre-game imagery intervention implemented by a high school coach on the free throw shooting performance of his girls' basketball team. The coach conducted a systematic guided imagery exercise prior to half of the team's games over the course of an entire season. The coach employed the intervention with the whole team using a reversal design similar to the replication-reversal design used in some single-subject research (Hume, Martin, Gonzalez, Cracklen, & Genthon, 1985). A 2 x 2 chi-square analysis was used to evaluate the observed and expected frequencies of made and missed free throw shots under the two conditions (imagery and no-imagery). The results revealed a significantly higher than expected number of free throws made in games preceded by the intervention (p < .001). Social validation questionnaires completed by 11 of the 16 players suggested that the players devoted significant attention to the intervention and that they perceived it to be effective.
Negotiating a Fair Value under Accounting Uncertainty: A Laboratory Experiment
Authors: Wang Karl J.
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACT: Using two free-communication bargaining games, this study examines bargaining behavior in a setting analogous to one in which a manager and a verifier negotiate a fair value for an asset over a range of possible values. In the renewable-contract game, the manager and the verifier are allowed to form a long-term relationship and are offered mutually beneficial payoffs. In the one-period contract game, the negotiation pair has to part after each negotiation and the verifier’s payoff does not rely upon the cooperation from the manager. The results show a 90 percent agreement rate for the renewable-contract game and a 65 percent agreement rate for the one-period contract game. The terms of agreement in the renewable-contract (one-period contract) game favor the manager (verifier), resulting in agreed-upon values overstating (understating) actual asset values. Additional analyses suggest that the fair value context affects bargaining behavior in some unique ways. The results of this study have broad implications for accounting practice.
Healthy Lifestyle as a Coping Mechanism for Role Stress in Public Accounting
Authors: Jones Ambrose , Norman Carolyn Strand , Wier Benson
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACT: In this study, we examine the effects of healthy lifestyle for professionals in public accounting as a coping mechanism for role stress and resultant job outcomes. Prior research indicates that professionals in public accounting endure considerable stress, particularly during busy season, and as a result, many capable professionals leave public accounting. We collected data from accounting professionals in a large U.S. national public accounting firm and analyzed the causal relationships of role stressors and healthy lifestyle on job outcomes using a multidisciplinary research model. We found that role stress, mediated by job burnout and its effect on psychological well-being, has a negative impact on job outcomes. However, the negative effects of role stress and job burnout can be mitigated by a healthy lifestyle, mediated by its effect on vitality and psychological well-being.
The Effects of Aggregation and Timing on Budgeting: An Experiment
Authors: Nikias Anthony D. , Schwartz Steven T. , Spires Eric E. , Wollscheid Jim R. , Young Richard A.
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACT: We conduct an experiment to study the behavioral effect of aggregation and timing on budgetary reports. Subordinates submit budgets to superiors regarding two projects in a face-to-face setting. There are three treatments: (1) AGG, wherein subordinates privately observe each project’s cost and submit one budget regarding the aggregate cost of the two projects, (2) SEQ, wherein subordinates observe and submit individual budgets sequentially, so are uncertain about the second-project cost when they submit their first-project budget, and (3) DEL, wherein budgets are delayed, so that subordinates observe both costs before providing individual budgets. In all treatments superiors must approve the budget and subordinates can create more slack by submitting a larger budget. Based on image management, guilt alleviation, and preferences for honesty, we hypothesize that subordinates will (1) create more slack in AGG than in the other two treatments, (2) create more slack in DEL than in SEQ, and (3) decrease their slack creation from the first project to the second project more in SEQ than in DEL. Our results generally support all three hypotheses. However, analysis of the results does not support our a priori beliefs regarding the nonpecuniary motivations of subordinates. We argue, a posteriori, that a likely explanation for our findings is that increased face-to-face interactions in SEQ and DEL cause subordinates to care more about the welfare of the superior than in AGG. In general, the results indicate that frequent budget interactions may provide control benefits to superiors.
IGF-I Bioactivity in an Elderly Population
Authors: Brugts Michael P. , van Duijn Cornelia M. , Hofland Leo J. , Witteman Jacqueline C. , Lamberts Steven W.J. , Janssen Joseph A.M.J.L.
Published: January 2010

OBJECTIVE

There is a complex relationship between IGF-I, IGF binding proteins, growth hormone, and insulin. The IGF-I kinase receptor activation assay (KIRA) is a novel method for measuring IGF-I bioactivity in human serum. We speculated that determination of IGF-I bioactivity might broaden our understanding of the IGF-I system in subjects with the metabolic syndrome. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether IGF-I bioactivity was related to insulin sensitivity and the metabolic syndrome.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study embedded in a random sample (1,036 elderly subjects) of a prospective population-based cohort study. IGF-I bioactivity was determined by the IGF-I KIRA. Categories of glucose (in)tolerance were defined by the 2003 American Diabetes Association criteria. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by homeostasis model assessment. The Adult Treatment Panel III definition of the metabolic syndrome was used.

RESULTS

In subjects with normal fasting glucose and impaired fasting glucose, IGF-I bioactivity progressively increased with increasing insulin resistance, peaked at fasting glucose levels just below 7.0 mmol/l, and dropped at higher glucose levels. Mean IGF-I bioactivity peaked when three criteria of the metabolic syndrome were present and then declined significantly when five criteria of the metabolic syndrome were present.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed that IGF-I bioactivity was related to insulin sensitivity, insulin levels, and the metabolic syndrome. Our study suggests that there exists an inverse U-shaped relationship between IGF-I bioactivity and number of components of the metabolic syndrome. This observation contrasts with previous results reporting an inverse relationship between total IGF-I and components of the metabolic syndrome.
Preschoolers with autism show greater impairment in receptive compared with expressive language abilities
Authors: Hudry Kristelle , Leadbitter Kathy , Temple Kathryn , Slonims Vicky , McConachie Helen , Aldred Catherine , Howlin Patricia , Charman Tony ,   the PACT Consortium
Published: January 2010

Background: In early typical language development, children understand words before they are able to use them in speech. Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) generally show impairments in both the comprehension and the production of language. However, the relative degree of delay or impairment in each of these sub‐domains may also be atypical and remains less well‐understood.

Aims: Relative delay in receptive and expressive language skills was examined within a large sample of preschoolers with autism. Children's language abilities varied from pre‐verbal to fluent speech.

Method & Procedures: Scores on one direct clinician assessment and two parent‐report measures of language were obtained for 152 preschoolers with core autism.

Outcomes & Results: As expected, on average, the language ability of the children with autism was lower than typical age norms, albeit with substantial individual variability. On all three language measures, receptive ability was relatively more impaired than expressive ability. Higher non‐verbal ability was associated with such an atypical language profile.

Conclusions & Implications: Recognition of the marked receptive language impairment relative to expressive language, found to affect at least one‐third of preschoolers with autism in this sample, has important implications for interacting with these children and for informing appropriate targets in language and communication intervention.
Rhino-Fodders in Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary in Duars of West Bengal, India
Authors: Ghosh Chandrâ , Das AP
Published: January 2010

Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary is the second largest in situ conservatory in India for Rhinoceros unicornis L. As much as 57 species of Rhino-fodders have been recorded from the sanctuary and the list is dominated with the record of 34 species (i.e. 59.65 %) from Poaceae itself. It is followed by five species of Cyperaceae and three species of Euphorbiaceae. Another 13 families are represented with two or one species only. These plants have been categorised into three groups (1) Most Preferred, 15 spp., (2) Preferred, 38 spp. and (3) Stress-time fodders, 4 spp. Local names, habit and edible parts of these plants have been provided in this article. Keywords: Rhino fodder, Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary.doi:10.3126/on.v5i1.792Our Nature (2007)5:14-20
Assessment of Healthcare Waste Generated by Government Hospital in Agra City, India
Authors: Khajuria A , Kumar A
Published: January 2010

Health care wastes include anatomical, pathological and clinical infectious/ hazardous organic and inorganic waste. The waste is disposed off in unscientific manner. The study has been conducted in the government health care establishment only to reveal the per day waste generation on each patient, present mode of waste management within the units bed, our suggestions which have helped the units to improve their waste management practices, in the city of Agra. Keywords: Waste management, Health scare waste, Management, Government hospitaldoi:10.3126/on.v5i1.794Our Nature (2007)5:25-30
Some Euglenophycean Algae from Biratnagar, Nepal
Authors: Rai SK , Rai RK
Published: January 2010

A total 19 euglenophycean taxa (Euglena 4, Phacus 8, Trachelomonas 5, Lepocinclis 2) has been reported from ponds, pools and ditches of Biratnagar in the present communication. Among these, nine taxa viz., Euglena sanguinea Ehrenberg, E. tripteris (Dujardin) Klebs, Phacus birgei Prescott, P. helikoides Pochmann, P. pleuronectes (Mueller) Dujardin, P. spirogyra Drezepolski var. maxima Prescott, Trachelomonas armata (Ehrenberg) Stein var. steinii Lemmermann, T. similis Stokes and Lepocinclis ovum (Ehrenberg) Lemmermann are being reported for the first time from Nepal. Keywords: Algae, Euglenophyceae, Phacus, Biratnagar, Nepal.doi:10.3126/on.v5i1.799Our Nature (2007)5:60-66
Avian diversity during rehabilitation stage of Chimdi Lake, Sunsari, Nepal
Authors: Surana R , Subba BR , Limbu KP
Published: January 2010

Avian diversity of Chimdi Lake during rehabilitation stage was studied. 109 species of birds belonging to 34 families were recorded. Maximum 64 species were recorded in March 200 4 and 20 species recorded in July 2004.Out of total; bird species 33.94%were migratory, 25.68% were resident, 24.77% were winter visitors and 15.96%were summer visitors. On the basis of abundance, 41.28%were scarce, 22.9 % were occasional, 21.1%were fairly common and 14.6%were common. The Lake area was found to be rich in avian diversity although the Lake was not fully rehabilitated. Key words: Avian diversity, Chimdi Lake, seasonal statusdoi:10.3126/on.v5i1.802Our Nature (2007)5:75-80
Universal Features in the Singing of Birds Uncovered by Comparative Research
Authors: Bhattacharya Haimanti , Cirillo J. , Todt D.
Published: January 2010

Aside from some exceptions, songbird species differ in the structure of their singing and usually also in the size and performance mode their song repertoires. In the past, most studies concentrated on the species specific differences of singing, and thereby contributed to a better understanding of their diversity. In our approach, however, we focussed on the opposite perspective; i.e. we investigated whether and how far songbirds share structural song properties. To have a solid data base we focussed on four species of thrushes which were famous for their large vocal repertoires. The two Asian bird species were Oriental Magpie Robins (Copsychus saularis) and Shama Thrushes (Copsychus malabaricus), the two European species the Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) and the Thrush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia). The latter were incorporated into a sample 40 other European songbird species (Table 1) serving as a framework for our comparative approach (Figure 2, 4). Besides well-known differences among species, our analyses of song material yielded some remarkably similar relationships between structural and functional song properties, which often were shared even by unrelated species. In particular measures of song durations were usually related to song application during vocal interaction. And, individual variation of song duration was mainly a result of differences in syllable repetition within trilled song sections. Although some of these findings were predicted already by former studies (see Todt, 2004), their essentials can be based now on profound data sets of detailed measurement.Keywords: European Thrushes, Asian Thrushes, Copsychus saularis, C. malabaricus, song structure, signal lengths.doi: 10.3126/on.v6i1.1648Our Nature (2008)6:1-14
Study on Heavy Metal Resistant Bacteria in Guheswori Sewage Treatment Plant
Authors: Rajbanshi A.
Published: January 2010

Removal of heavy metals from wastewater needs advance chemical technology and is more expensive too. The cheaper alternative for this is the bioremediation using heavy metals resistant microorganisms. In this study, 10 heavy metal resistant bacteria were isolated from oxidation ditch of wastewater treatment plant of Bagmati Area Sewerage Project. These include chromium resistant Staphylococcus spp, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp; cadmium resistant Acinetobacter spp, Flavobacterium spp, Citrobacter spp; nickel resistant Staphylococcus spp, Bacillus spp; copper resistant Pseudomonas spp; and cobalt resistant Methylobacterium spp. All the isolates showed high resistance to heavy metals with Minimum Inhibitor Concentration (MIC) for heavy metals ranging from 150 mug/ml to 500 mug/ml. Six resistant isolates showed multiple tolerance to heavy metals. All the 10 isolates also showed antibiotic resistance of which 10% were resistant to single antibiotic and 90% were multi-antibiotic resistant. Heavy metal tolerance test showed maximum microbial tolerance to chromium and minimum tolerance to nickel in mixed liquor sample of oxidation ditch.Keywords: Heavy metal resistant bacteria, multiple tolerance, antibiotic resistance, Guheswori Sewage Treatment Plantdoi: 10.3126/on.v6i1.1655Our Nature (2008)6:52-57
Desmids from Bees-hazaar Lake, Chitwan, Nepal
Authors: Rai Shiva Kumar , Rai Ram Kumar , Paudel N.
Published: January 2010

A total 36 taxa belonging to 7 genera of desmids have been described and illustrated from Bees-hazaar lake of which 11 taxa are recorded for the first time for Nepal. This is a preliminary work on the desmids from this lake.Keywords: Algae, Bees-hazaar Lake, Desmids, Nepal.doi: 10.3126/on.v6i1.1656Our Nature (2008)6:58-66
Status and Conservation of Lowland Terai Wetlands in Nepal
Authors: Jha Sasinath
Published: January 2010

Known as "Simsar" in Nepal, wetlands are those areas which lie between the land and deepwater and remian waterlogged or submerged under water, seasonally or throughout the year. Generally the land is so muddy that one cannot easily walk over it, and water is so deep that one can neither swim nor get drowned. River floodplains, shallow margins of lakes and reservoirs, shallow and seasonal ponds, islands in rivers, deepwater paddy fields, and sea-coasts are typical examples of wetlands.Keywords: Lowland wetland, Nepaldoi: 10.3126/on.v6i1.1657Our Nature (2008)6:67-77
Conservation of the breeding population of Lesser Adjutant Stork
Authors: Subba Bharat Raj , Limbu Kul Prasad , Surana Ranjana
Published: January 2010

In and around Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Eastern Nepal Grantee: Bharat Raj Subba The Lesser Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilos javanicus), one of the eight species of storks found in Nepal, is globally threatened. The overall objective of the project is to ensure that the populations of Lesser Adjutant Stork found in the human-dominated landscape of eastern Nepal are conserved and the threats to their survival reduced. The study will determine the breeding success of the species in and around the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, document current threats and develop an awareness campaign for its survival. The project  is funded by CEPF and WWF.
An Evaluation of the Pigment Composition of Eighteen Marine Macroalgae Collected from Okha Coast, Gulf of Kutch, India
Authors: J.I. N. Kumar , Kumar R.N. , Bora A. , Amb M. Kaur , Chakraborthy S.
Published: January 2010

Marine algae are one of the most important marine living resources for food, feed and medicine since ancient times in the West. However, due to lack of awareness among the people especially in India, their multifunctional properties have not yet been exploited. This paper deals with the pigment composition and its significant variation found in eighteen different species of marine macroalgae belonging to Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta, collected from the coast of Okha, Gulf of Kutch, Gujarat, India. Chlorophyll and carotenoids extraction was done with 80% acetone as solvent while phycoerythrin pigment was extracted using 50mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The highest chlorophyll content was registered in Cladophora fascicularis while carotenoid content was found to be the highest in Sargassum polycustum. Similarly phycoerythrin content was recorded greater in Scinaia farcellata followed by Porphyra necnamessis and Acanthophora delilei Lamour respectively. In terms of chlorophyll content, the maximum chlorophyll a, b as well as total chlorophyll was registered in most of the species of Chlorophyta followed by Phaeophyta and ultimately Rhodophyta. However, carotenoids were registered to be the highest in most of the species of Phaeophyta group. The group wise distribution of carotenoid showed an order: Phaeophyta>Rhodophyta>Chlorophyta. Chl b/Chl a, Car/Chl a and Car/Chl b ratios were also calculated and high ratios were recorded in Liagora erecta, S.polycustum and Padina gymnospora, respectively. Besides, phycoerythrin content showed the following trend in the species of: Rhodophyta>Phaeophyta>Chlorophyta. Emphasis was made to know the variation of different pigments of all eighteen species of marine macroalgae in this paper.Key words: Marine macroalgae, Chlorophyll a, b, Carotenoid, Phycoerythrin.DOI: 10.3126/on.v7i1.2553Our Nature (2009) 7:48-55
Studies on Fecundity of a Hill Stream Loach Noemacheilus montanus (McClelland) in Relation to Total Length, Total Weight, Ovary Length and Ovary Weight
Authors: Bahuguna S.N. , Khatri S.
Published: January 2010

A total of forty mature specimens of Noemacheilus montanus collected from river Alaknanda and its tributaries ranging from 7.0 cm to 9.2 cm in length and from 2.31 g to 5.49 g in weight were used for the present study. The fecundity was calculated to be 500 to 1005. The relationships between fecundity and total length, total weight, ovary length and ovary weight were found to be linear. The coefficient of correlation ‘r’ for the above relationships was found to be 0.948, 0.906, 0.909 and 0.969 respectively. Key words: Noemacheilus montanus, Hill Stream Loach, Fecundity, Alaknanda river, OvarylengthDOI: 10.3126/on.v7i1.2558Our Nature (2009) 7:116-121
Ethno-medicinal Survey of Threatened Plants in Eastern Ghats, India
Authors: Pattanaik C. , Reddy C.S. , Reddy K.N.
Published: January 2010

An ethnobotanical study was conducted from 2004 to 2006 to investigate the uses of threatened medicinal plants by local tribal people in Eastern Ghats of India. Information on names of plants, part used and medicinal uses was gathered from 160 randomly selected respondents using semi-structured questionnaires. The results obtained revealed that 42 plants were used as a cure of 25 ailments belonging to 30 families. All the plants collected from the study area were either endemic or threatened. The need for the conservation of these threatened plants cannot be over emphasized as most tribal people in the study area depend mostly on herbs from these species. Proper conservation and management plans are suggested to conserve the medicinal plant resources before it lost forever.Key words: Conservation, Threatened medicinal plants, CAMP, Eastern Ghats, IndiaDOI: 10.3126/on.v7i1.2559Our Nature (2009) 7:122-128
Ex-Situ Study on Density Dependent Survival after Handling Yolk Sac Larvae of Snow Trout, Schizothorax plagiostomus Heckel
Authors: Bahuguna S.N. , Negi R.S. , Upadhyay M.K.
Published: January 2010

Snow trout, Schizothorax plagiostomus (Heckel) is most important commercial food fish of Garhwal Himalaya inhabited among the snow fed tributaries of river Ganga. In present study the induced breeding were carried out by stripping method and it was noticed that the survival of larvae were high, near (95-100%), at high density and the lowest survival rate was observed at the lowest density (less than 5%). The mechanism responsible for the observed density dependent survival was not under stood. It is possible that the concentration of substance secreted by larvae as well as change in larval behaviors is responsible factors for survival in higher concentration. Key words: Survival, Schizothorax plagiostomus, density, Garhwal HimalayaDOI: 10.3126/on.v7i1.2562Our Nature (2009) 7:146-150
Dimorphic Morphological Features between Sexes of Semiplotus semiplotus McClelland
Authors: Bagra K. , Laskar B.A. , Das D.N.
Published: January 2010

Understanding of secondary sexual dimorphism in fish is an uphill task and the phenomenon is paradoxical in different species. Considering the importance, a study was carried out to identify the distinguishing morphological characters between the sexes of Semiplotus semiplotus(McClelland). It is a hill-stream fish species endemic to Eastern Himalayas and also important as food. Statistical analysis of various morphological measurements and meristic counts of 30 numbers of freshly collected specimens was the tool of the study. Together, some morphological peculiarities have also been noted for the seasonal sexual dimorphism.  The females were found having longer anal fin height than the males by an average of 3.96 mm. Again, the formation of keratinized tubercles on the anal fin of males versus smooth anal fin in females was also observed during breeding season. However, meristic counts were similar in both the sexes. Key words: Sexual dimorphism, anal fin, tuberclesDOI: 10.3126/on.v7i1.2564Our Nature (2009) 7:158-162