bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Option Pricing Under a Mixed-Exponential Jump Diffusion Model
Authors: Cai Ning , Kou S. G.
Published: August 2011

This paper aims to extend the analytical tractability of the Black–Scholes model to alternative models with arbitrary jump size distributions. More precisely, we propose a jump diffusion model for asset prices whose jump sizes have a mixed-exponential distribution, which is a weighted average of exponential distributions but with possibly negative weights. The new model extends existing models, such as hyperexponential and double-exponential jump diffusion models, because the mixed-exponential distribution can approximate any distribution as closely as possible, including the normal distribution and various heavy-tailed distributions. The mixed-exponential jump diffusion model can lead to analytical solutions for Laplace transforms of prices and sensitivity parameters for path-dependent options such as lookback and barrier options. The Laplace transforms can be inverted via the Euler inversion algorithm. Numerical experiments indicate that the formulae are easy to implement and accurate. The analytical solutions are made possible mainly because we solve a high-order integro-differential equation explicitly. A calibration example for SPY options shows that the model can provide a reasonable fit even for options with very short maturity, such as one day.

This paper was accepted by Michael Fu, stochastic models and simulation.
Bystander Antiprejudice: Cross-Cultural Education, Links With Positivity Towards Cultural ‘Outgroups’ and Preparedness to Speak Out
Authors: Pedersen Anne , Paradies Yin , Hartley Lisa Kathryn , Dunn Kevin M.
Published: August 2011

This article describes a 12-week intervention targeting positivity towards asylum seekers, Indigenous Australians and Muslim Australians. The study also assessed change in the intention to engage in bystander activism in four different scenarios: two Indigenous (old-fashioned and modern prejudice), one Muslim and one asylum seeker. There was a significant increase in positivity towards asylum seekers, Indigenous Australians and Muslim Australians. There was also a significant increase in ‘speaking out intention’, a form of bystander anti-prejudice, in three of the scenarios, but not in response to the Indigenous old-fashioned prejudice scenario. The study indicates that structured education on cross-cultural issues can improve attitudes to perceived ‘outgroups’ and, for the most part, increase participants' intention to speak out against prejudice.
Fragile X family members have important and non-overlapping functions
Authors: Winograd Claudia , Ceman Stephanie
Published: August 2011

The fragile X family of genes encodes a small family of RNA binding proteins including FMRP, FXR1P and FXR2P that were identified in the 1990s. All three members are encoded by 17 exons and show alternative splicing at the 3′ ends of their respective transcripts. They share significant homology in the protein functional domains, including the Tudor domains, the nuclear localization sequence, a protein-protein interaction domain, the KH1 and KH2 domains and the nuclear export sequence. Fragile X family members are found throughout the animal kingdom, although all three members are not consistently present in species outside of mammals: only two family members are present in the avian species examined, Gallus gallus and Taeniopygia guttata, and in the frog Xenopus tropicalis. Although present in many tissues, the functions of the fragile X family members differ, which are particularly evident in knockout studies performed in animals. The fragile X family members play roles in normal neuronal function and in the case of FXR1, in muscle function.
On the cutting edge of proprotein convertase pharmacology: from molecular concepts to clinical applications
Authors: Couture Frédéric , D'Anjou François , Day Robert
Published: August 2011

There is increasing interest in the therapeutic targeting of proteases for the treatment of important diseases. Additionally new protein-based therapeutic strategies have the potential to widen the available treatments against these pathologies. In the last decade, accumulated evidence has confirmed that the family of proteases known as proprotein convertases (PCs) are potential targets for viral infections, osteoarthritis, cancer and cardiovascular disease, among others. Nevertheless, there are still many unanswered questions about the relevance of targeting PCs in a therapeutic context, especially regarding the anticipated secondary effects of treatment, considering the observed embryonic lethality of some PC knockout mice. In this review, the benefits of PCs as pharmacological targets will be discussed, with focus on concepts and strategies, as well as on the state of advancement of actual and future inhibitors.
Graft copolymerization of granular starch maleate with acrylamide for enhancing grafting efficiency
Authors: Zhu Zhifeng , Zhang Longqiu , Li Manli
Published: August 2011

Graft copolymerization of granular starch maleate with acrylamide using Fenton’s initiator in aqueous dispersion was investigated for increasing grafting efficiency of the copoly­merization. The graft copolymerization was characterized in terms of grafting efficiency, grafting ratio, and conversion of monomer to polymer. Effects of maleate modification of starch on the efficiency, ratio, and conversion were explored. Influences of reaction variables such as pH value, molar ratio of H2O2 to Fe2+, initiator concentration, monomer concentration, polymerization temperature, and time on the copolymerization were investigated. It was observed that the modification of starch markedly increased grafting efficiency and ratio. The graft copolymerization should be carried out under the protection of nitrogen gas at 30°C–45°C for 3 h using H2O2/Fe(NH4)2(SO4)2 as initiator. Preferred molar ratio of H2O2/Fe(NH4)2(SO4)2/anhydroglucose was 20:1:1000 and optimal value of pH was in a range of 3–4. The condition could make grafting efficiency and conversion of monomer to polymer higher than 65% and 95%, respectively.
Genetic Analysis of Desiccation Tolerance inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Calahan Dean , Dunham Maitreya , DeSevo Chris , Koshland Douglas E
Published: August 2011

Desiccation tolerance, the ability to survive nearly total dehydration, is a rare strategy for survival and reproduction observed in all taxa. However, the mechanism and regulation of this phenomenon are poorly understood. Correlations between desiccation tolerance and potential effectors have been reported in many species, but their physiological significance has not been established in vivo. Although the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae exhibits extreme desiccation tolerance, its usefulness has been hampered by an inability to reduce tolerance more than a few fold by physiological or genetic perturbations. Here we report that fewer than one in a million yeast cells from low-density logarithmic cultures survive desiccation, while 20–40% of cells from saturated cultures survive. Using this greatly expanded metric, we show that mutants defective in trehalose biosynthesis, hydrophilins, responses to hyperosmolarity, and hypersalinity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and DNA damage repair nevertheless retain wild-type levels of desiccation tolerance, suggesting that this trait involves a unique constellation of stress factors. A genome-wide screen for mutants that render stationary cells as sensitive as log phase cells identifies only mutations that block respiration. Respiration as a prerequisite for acquiring desiccation tolerance is corroborated by respiration inhibition and by growth on nonfermentable carbon sources. Suppressors bypassing the respiration requirement for desiccation tolerance reveal at least two pathways, one of which, involving the Mediator transcription complex, is associated with the shift from fermentative to respiratory metabolism. Further study of these regulators and their targets should provide important clues to the sensors and effectors of desiccation tolerance.
Cellular Morphogenesis Under Stress Is Influenced by the Sphingolipid Pathway Gene ISC1 and DNA Integrity Checkpoint Genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Tripathi Kaushlendra , Matmati Nabil , Zheng W Jim , Hannun Yusuf A , Mohanty Bidyut K
Published: August 2011

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, replication stress induced by hydroxyurea (HU) and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) activates DNA integrity checkpoints; in checkpoint-defective yeast strains, HU treatment also induces morphological aberrations. We find that the sphingolipid pathway gene ISC1, the product of which catalyzes the generation of bioactive ceramides from complex sphingolipids, plays a novel role in determining cellular morphology following HU/MMS treatment. HU-treated isc1Δ cells display morphological aberrations, cell-wall defects, and defects in actin depolymerization. Swe1, a morphogenesis checkpoint regulator, and the cell cycle regulator Cdk1 play key roles in these morphological defects of isc1Δ cells. A genetic approach reveals that ISC1 interacts with other checkpoint proteins to control cell morphology. That is, yeast carrying deletions of both ISC1 and a replication checkpoint mediator gene including MRC1, TOF1, or CSM3 display basal morphological defects, which increase following HU treatment. Interestingly, strains with deletions of both ISC1 and the DNA damage checkpoint mediator gene RAD9 display reduced morphological aberrations irrespective of HU treatment, suggesting a role for RAD9 in determining the morphology of isc1Δ cells. Mechanistically, the checkpoint regulator Rad53 partially influences isc1Δ cell morphology in a dosage-dependent manner.
Retroareolarisan elhelyezkedő emlőtumorok onkoplasztikai műtéte: centrális quadrantectomia és Grisotti-féle inferior dermoglandularis lebennyel való rekonstrukció
Authors: Bognár Gábor , Novák András , Barabás Loránd , Lóderer Zoltán , Ondrejka Pál
Published: August 2011

Absztrakt

Az emlőrákos esetek 5–20%-át teszik ki a centrálisan elhelyezkedő emlőmalignomák, melyek kezelésében hosszú időn át nem volt elfogadott az emlőmegtartó műtét. E daganatoknál a hagyományos sebészi megoldás a mastectomia volt. A centrális emlődaganatoknál gyakori az emlőbimbó és bimbóudvar együttesének érintettsége, melynek sebészi kezelése szükségessé teszi annak teljes eltávolítását a tumor körüli megfelelő nagyságú biztonsági zónával, ami sok esetben megfelelő rekonstrukció nélkül kifogásolható kozmetikai eredményhez vezet. Az onkoplasztikai sebésztechnikák alkalmazásával ezekben az esetekben az onkológiai biztonság mellett jó kozmetikai eredménnyel végezhető el az emlőmegtartó műtét. Közleményünkben a centrális quadrantectomiát és az ezt követő inferior dermoglandularis Grisotti-lebennyel való emlőrekonstrukciót értékeljük.
A betegek kor és nem szerinti eloszlása a laparoscopos cholecystectomia szövődményei és a műtét utáni felépülés szempontjából
Authors: Siddiqui Muhammed RS , Barry JA , Lodha K , Parker M , Hasan F
Published: August 2011

Objectives:Database review to analyse age and sex differences in complication and conversion rates and influence on return to normal daily activities and work after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).Methods:658 patients had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy for proven gallstones between 9/4/2001 and 15/2/2006 under the care of one surgeon (F. H.) at Benenden hospital, Kent, UK.Results:We had a 65.5% response rate with 431 replies at a mean follow up of 22.4 months (2.3–52.8). There was a male to female ratio of 5:23 with a mean age of 54.2 years (22–83). Using linear regression we found no significant correlation with operative time and variables of age and sex (df= 2, 251,R2= 0.03,F= 0.574,p< 0.564). No significant correlation with number of complications and age or sex (df= 2, 334,R2= 0.004,F= 1.615,p< 0.200). Age (Exp(B) = 1.040,p< 0.51) and sex (Exp(B) = 0.863,p< 0.855) had no effect on conversion. No difference was found in relation to age and sex with return to normal daily activities (df= 2, 307,F= 0.904,p< 0.406). Age was a non-significant predictor of return to work (Beta = 0.040,p< 0.572) however men return to work significantly sooner (Beta = 0.191,p< 0.007).Conclusions:Operative time, number of complications, conversion to open and return to normal daily activities may not be affected by age or sex of patients. Hospital stay may be longer in older patients. Men appear to return to work sooner. Further analysis with validated questionnaires are required.
Videothoracoscopos módon, a jobb mellüreg felől elvégzett csecsemőmirigy-eltávolítás – új műtéti eljárás klinikánk gyakorlatában
Authors: Furák József , Géczi Tibor , Wolfárd Antal , Lantos Judit , Lázár György
Published: August 2011

Absztrakt

Célkitűzés: A szerzők bemutatják a klinikai gyakorlatukba bevezetett, jobb mellüreg felől, minimálisan invazív módon elvégzett csecsemőmirigy-eltávolítás műtéti technikáját és eredményeit. Anyag és módszerek: 2009. június 1. és 2011. március 31. között a Szegedi Tudományegyetem Sebészeti Klinika Mellkassebészeti Osztályán 27 betegnél (22 nő és 5 férfi; átlagéletkor 35,1 [17–84] év) történt csecsemőmirigy-eltávolítás minimálisan invazív módszerrel. A műtéti indikáció 24 betegnél myasthenia gravis, három alkalommal csecsemőmirigy-daganat volt. A behatolás a jobb mell áthajlási redőjében egy-egy 1,5 cm-es és a hónalji területen egy 3 cm-es metszésből történt, nyaki feltárás és a szegycsont átvágása nélkül. A csecsemőmirigy mobilizálása és eltávolítása hagyományos és endoscopos eszközökkel történt, majd a műtéti terület a jobb mellüreg felől került becsövezésre. Eredmények: Az átlagos műtéti idő 119 perc (45–285) volt, konverzió és vérátömlesztés nem történt. Műtéti halálozás nem volt, sebészi szövődmény nem alakult ki. A mellüregi cső átlagosan 2,1 (1–3) nap után került eltávolításra, és a betegek átlagosan 4,6 (4–7) nappal a műtét után távoztak a klinikáról. Két beteg került intenzív osztályra a myasthenia gravis tünetei miatt. A myastheniás betegek 91,6%-ánál észlelték az alapbetegség javulását. Következtetések: A szerzők gyakorlatában a minimálisan invazív csecsemőmirigy-eltávolítás biztonságosan elvégezhető és jó kozmetikai eredményt nyújtó beavatkozásnak bizonyult, ami a myastheniás betegek tüneteinek csökkenését az irodalomban jelzetteknek megfelelően biztosította.
Questions in diabetology to be elucidated
Authors: Simon Kornél , Dobó Edit , Szépvölgyi Anikó , Szalczer Estilla , Kazup Szilvia , Papp László , Varga Erika
Published: August 2011

Despite advances in the management of cardiovascular diseases, the incidence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing both in developed and developing world. This phenomenon is associated with the worldwide pandemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes; both are related to the life style of urbanization. The association between life conduct of civilization and chronic stress resulting in augmentation of cardiovascular risk is detailed. Therapeutic policy practiced nowadays (polypill administration, achieving target values) in order to reduce cardiovascular risk is criticized. Primary causal role of chronic stress and life style, and secondary resultant nature of cardiovascular risk factors are stressed out in the pathogenesis of increased cardiovascular risk; therefore, limited value of an approach focusing on the management of cardiovascular risk factors, instead of targeting the primary cause, i.e. chronic stress and life conduct is emphasized. A short account is given about the similarities and dissimilarities in the pathogenesis of macro- and microangiopathy. The primary causal role of chronic stress in fetal and adult diabetes, furthermore possible triggers evoking chronic stress is discussed. Supportive experimental and clinical data are reported about the nature of basic metabolic dysregulation (dysmetabolism) in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Besides the well documented significance of ischemic clinical manifestations of diabetes, the role of non-ischemic diabetic cardiomyopathy as an independent risk factor in evoking the total burden of cardiovascular risk in diabetes is emphasized. In reducing the cardiovascular risk in diabetics the management of high blood pressure and dyslipidemia is more effective compared to that of hyperglycemia. Besides managing cardiovascular risk factors, the successful treatment of dysmetabolism is importantly needed to eliminate the total excessive cardiovascular risk in diabetes. In order to achieve this goal the potential role of metabolic promoters is stressed out. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 1353–1361.
On convergence sets of conditionally convergent series
Authors: Gerencsér Balázs
Published: August 2011

For a given convergent series we consider the set of permutations of ℤ+ which leave the series convergent. This is called the convergence set of the series. We characterize these sets, describe the relationship of convergence sets of different series, and investigate the possibility of reconstructing the series given its convergence set. In particular, we give a surprising extension of a result of Agnew, [2]: we show that the permutations preserving the summability of all conditionally convergent series also preserve their sums, see Theorem 3.2. We also prove in Theorem 3.7 that the convergence sets of two conditionally convergent series are either equal or not comparable when ordered by set inclusion.
Matrix transformations on fields of absolute weighted mean summability
Authors: Sarigöl Mehmet
Published: August 2011

In the present paper, we characterize the classes of all triangular matrices, \documentclass{aastex}
\usepackage{amsbsy}
\usepackage{amsfonts}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\usepackage{bm}
\usepackage{mathrsfs}
\usepackage{pifont}
\usepackage{stmaryrd}
\usepackage{textcomp}
\usepackage{upgreek}
\usepackage{portland,xspace}
\usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra}
\usepackage{bbm}
\pagestyle{empty}
\DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6}
\begin{document}
$(|\bar N_p |,|\bar N_q^\theta |_k )$
\end{document} and \documentclass{aastex}
\usepackage{amsbsy}
\usepackage{amsfonts}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\usepackage{bm}
\usepackage{mathrsfs}
\usepackage{pifont}
\usepackage{stmaryrd}
\usepackage{textcomp}
\usepackage{upgreek}
\usepackage{portland,xspace}
\usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra}
\usepackage{bbm}
\pagestyle{empty}
\DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6}
\begin{document}
$(|\bar N_p^\theta |_k ,|\bar N_q |)$
\end{document} for the case k ≧ 1, where \documentclass{aastex}
\usepackage{amsbsy}
\usepackage{amsfonts}
\usepackage{amssymb}
\usepackage{bm}
\usepackage{mathrsfs}
\usepackage{pifont}
\usepackage{stmaryrd}
\usepackage{textcomp}
\usepackage{upgreek}
\usepackage{portland,xspace}
\usepackage{amsmath,amsxtra}
\usepackage{bbm}
\pagestyle{empty}
\DeclareMathSizes{10}{9}{7}{6}
\begin{document}
$|\bar N_p^\theta |_k = \left\{ {a = (a_n ):\sum\limits_{n = 1}^\infty {\theta _n^{k - 1} } \left| {\frac{{p_n }}{{p_n p_{n - 1} }}\sum\limits_{v = 1}^n {P_{v - 1} a_v } } \right|^k < \infty } \right\},$
\end{document} i.e., the set of series summable by absolute weighted mean summability method, and so extend the some well known results.
Topological monoids of monotone injective partial selfmaps of ℕ with cofinite domain and image
Authors: Gutik Oleg , Repovš Dušan
Published: August 2011

In this paper we study the semigroup ℐ
∞↗
(ℕ) of partial cofinal monotone bijective transformations of the set of positive integers ℕ. We show that the semigroup ℐ
∞↗
(ℕ) has algebraic properties similar to the bicyclic semigroup: it is bisimple and all of its non-trivial group homomorphisms are either isomorphisms or group homomorphisms. We also prove that every locally compact topology τ on ℐ
∞↗
(ℕ) such that (ℐ
∞↗
(ℕ); τ) is a topological inverse semigroup, is discrete. Finally, we describe the closure of (ℐ
∞↗
(ℕ); τ) in a topological semigroup.
Briefing: Vehicle strikes to historic canal bridges
Authors: Tegg Andrew
Published: August 2011

The majority of Britain’s canal network dates from the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century and contains many examples of the vision and skills of the engineers of that period. One notable feature of the network is the hundreds of simple bridges that cross the canals. Constructed over 200 years ago, these bridges were designed to carry, at most, small-scale horse-drawn traffic. However, with both vehicle size and dependence on satellite navigation systems increasing, these historic structures are suffering impact damage that is eroding the historic fabric and costing British Waterways an estimated £2·5 million each year to repair. This paper considers the issue of bridge strikes on the Lancaster canal in the north west of England, and outlines how British Waterways are seeking to promote partnerships with communities and regulatory authorities to minimise damage. When such repairs are completed they are often required to be undertaken at short notice, in inclement weather and under pressure to secure reopening. The paper thus also details how British Waterways has worked to develop and trial processes and specifications that allow the sympathetic repair of such historic structures using traditional materials and methods under the constraints mentioned above.
John Rennie and the Rochdale canal, UK
Authors: Clarke Mike
Published: August 2011

John Rennie was appointed surveyor/engineer for the Rochdale canal in June 1791, a position he had already held on a number of other proposed canals. His assistant on the Rochdale was William Crosley from Halifax, and it was Crosley and his assistants who seem to have undertaken much of the groundwork with Rennie providing an outline for their work, and approval and adaptation of the end result. Of particular importance during this phase of setting out the canal were the water supplies, and it may have been here that Rennie’s knowledge was most required. The water supply to the Rochdale canal was particularly difficult, given the number of existing water mills in the area. Rennie’s correspondence tells much about the state of hydraulic engineering, as well as his capabilities, at the time.
John Rennie and his resident engineers
Authors: Cross-Rudkin Peter S. M.
Published: August 2011

This paper gives brief details of the careers of a number of men who worked as resident engineers on projects of the leading early nineteenth century engineer John Rennie. As a consulting engineer based in London, Rennie relied on having a corps of competent people on the ground, able to take decisions on the spot yet reporting regularly to him so that he could maintain control. Although not directly employed by him, it shows that many of these men were happy to work continuously with him over several jobs.
Framework to improve the application of theory in ecology and conservation
Authors: Driscoll Don A. , Lindenmayer David B.
Published: August 2011

Ecological theory often fails applied ecologists in three ways: (1) Theory has little predictive value but is nevertheless applied in conservation with a risk of perverse outcomes, (2) individual theories have limited heuristic value for planning and framing research because they are narrowly focused, and (3) theory can lead to poor communication among scientists and hinder scientific progress through inconsistent use of terms and widespread redundancy. New approaches are therefore needed that improve the distillation, communication, and application of ecological theory. We advocate three approaches to resolve these problems: (1) improve prediction by reviewing theory across case studies to develop contingent theory where possible, (2) plan new research using a checklist of phenomena to avoid the narrow heuristic value of individual theories, and (3) improve communication among scientists by rationalizing theory associated with particular phenomena to purge redundancy and by developing definitions for key terms. We explored the extent to which these problems and solutions have been featured in two case studies of long‐term ecological research programs in forests and plantations of southeastern Australia. We found that our main contentions were supported regarding the prediction, planning, and communication limitations of ecological theory. We illustrate how inappropriate application of theory can be overcome or avoided by investment in boundary‐spanning actions. The case studies also demonstrate how some of our proposed solutions could work, particularly the use of theory in secondary case studies after developing primary case studies without theory. When properly coordinated and implemented through a widely agreed upon and broadly respected international collaboration, the framework that we present will help to speed the progress of ecological research and lead to better conservation decisions.
Motivation Predictors of College Student Academic Performance and Retention
Authors: Friedman Barry A. , Mandel Rhonda G.
Published: August 2011

College student retention and performance in higher education are important issues for educational institutions, educators, and students. The purpose of this study was to determine if student needs for achievement, affiliation, autonomy, and dominance measured by the Needs Assessment Questionnaire (Heckert et al., 2000) could predict academic performance and retention beyond traditional measures (high school grade point average and Scholastic Aptitude Test scores) to predict college student academic performance and retention. After controlling for demographics, high school grade point average, and SAT scores, students' needs for achievement and autonomy at the start of college significantly predicted cumulative GPA at the end of their first year. Students' high school grade point average, SAT scores, or motivation did not predict retention after 1 year. Study implications are discussed with a focus on improving the prediction of positive college student outcomes.
Predicting Student Attrition with Data Mining Methods
Authors: Delen Dursun
Published: August 2011

Affecting university rankings, school reputation, and financial well-being, student retention has become one of the most important measures of success for higher education institutions. From the institutional perspective, improving student retention starts with a thorough understanding of the causes behind the attrition. Such an understanding is the basis for accurately predicting at-risk students and appropriately intervening to retain them. In this study, using 8 years of institutional data along with three popular data mining techniques, we developed analytical models to predict freshmen student attrition. Of the three model types (artificial neural networks, decision trees, and logistic regression), artificial neural networks performed the best, with an 81% overall prediction accuracy on the holdout sample. The variable importance analysis of the models revealed that the educational and financial variables are the most important among the predictors used in this study.
Greek Membership: The Relationship with First-Year Academic Performance
Authors: DeBard Robert , Sacks Casey
Published: August 2011

Much has been written about the need for student involvement to build a sense of belonging on college campuses. However, when it comes to membership in Greek social organizations, such involvement has been largely cast as negative. Unlike many of the anecdotal articles critical of the influence joining a Greek social organization can have on student success in college, this article offers the largest study ever conducted on the impact of Greek membership on the academic performance of first-year students, involving more than 45,000 student records from 17 different institutions. This study provides information regarding grades, credit hours earned, and retention. The findings offer not only a collective view in judging the efficacy of maintaining Greek life on our college campuses, but encourage individual institutions to use the methodology to inform policy at the institutional level.
Process Evaluation of a Three-Year Community-Based Peer Education Intervention for HIV Prevention among Yemeni Young People
Authors: Al-Iryani Buthaina , Al-Sakkaf Khaled , Basaleem Huda , Kok Gerjo , van den Borne Bart
Published: August 2011

This community process evaluation highlights key enabling factors that facilitated the implementation of a community peer education program for youth HIV prevention in four poor and vulnerable areas of Aden, Yemen. It also explains the implementation process and provides a deeper understanding of the impact evaluation outcomes, which revealed improved HIV knowledge and risk perception and decreased stigma and risky behavior. This process evaluation was based on qualitative methodologies, where five focus group discussions and 15 in-depth interviews were conducted among 52 participants: community peer educators, community focal points, targeted young people, and local councils. The results revealed that contributing factors to implementing the peer education program had been community participation, mobilization of targeted communities, and capacity building of all those included in the intervention. Existing community-based organizations like the Social Service Centre played a key role in building trust with the targeted communities and linking HIV peer education intervention to other existing community services. This process evaluation could provide lessons learned for replicating similar youth peer education programs in conservative communities.
“I Have Lost Sexual Interest …”—Challenges of Balancing Personal and Professional Lives among Nurses Caring for People Living with HIV and AIDS in Limpopo, South Africa
Authors: Sofolahan Yewande , Airhihenbuwa Collins , Makofane Daisy , Mashaba Ephraim
Published: August 2011

As part of a capacity-building research project, this study examined the extent to which caring for people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) affects both professional and personal relationships of nurse caregivers. The data were collected using focus group interviews with 17 female nurses at two Limpopo hospitals. The PEN-3 cultural model was used as a theoretical framework for exploring how nurses balance job demands with family responsibilities. The results generated three themes: the multiple identities nurses experience within their family and professional lives; nurse attitudes related to patient gender; and stigma experienced by nurses who care for PLWHA. Caring for PLWHA influences nurses' personal and professional lives by interfering with their perceptions and emotions as they relate to spousal, parental, and gendered relationships. The findings offer insight into factors requiring consideration when designing interventions to help nurses cope with the stress associated with caring for PLWHA while simultaneously managing family responsibilities.
Incidences of Cross-Generation Sexual Activities in Nigeria: Implications for HIV/AIDS Control
Authors: Adegbenro Caleb A. , Fabiyi Amos K. , Esimai Olapeju A. , Aluko M. O. A.
Published: August 2011

A national baseline survey of mass media in Nigeria was carried out for 4 weeks in the month of July 2009. The objective was to design an intervention strategy to increase the knowledge of the country's population on the risk-factors associated with the practice of cross-generational sex (CGS) as well as changing perception toward the practice. The survey showed that the practice of CGS is now on the increase and that young girls are the victims. The major reason given by the older perpetrators of CGS was the advice by a native doctor to go and have sex with a young girl as a cure for HIV/AIDS and other STIs. There is an urgent need to carry out an intervention program in order to arrest the alarming rate of CGS in Nigeria.
Tomato Molecular Markers
Authors: Szczechura Wojciech , Staniaszek Mirosława , Habdas Hanna
Published: August 2011

Tomato Molecular Markers

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the most popular vegetable grown in many regions of the world. Due to its high taste quality and nutritional value increase interest in the cultivation of this species and its consumption. Using the latest achievements in fields of genetics, molecular biology and biotechnology, breeders can create new varieties with improved useful traits. Introduction of DNA markers, especially those based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has led to breakthrough in the plants genetic research, including tomato. They are successfully used for plant genomes mapping, phylogenetics studies, selection of parental forms in plant breeding, and above all to identify the genes of important traits. For tomato have been identified and mapped 9309 molecular markers. High-density genetic maps development gives an opportunity to use them in genetic research and breeding programs. Identification of DNA markers closely linked to studied gene can significantly facilitate the identification of desirable traits in material breeding, or accelerate the plants selection for elimination of genotypes with undesirable genes. Material breeding selection using molecular markers, defined as MAS (marker-assisted-selection) is increasingly being used in tomato breeding programs, contributing to facilitated identification of genes or QTL and their transfer into the cultivated species from wild form.
The Effect of Storage in Modified Atmosphere on Changes in Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Coleslaw Salad
Authors: Radziejewska-Kubzdela Elżbieta , Biegańska-Marecik Róża
Published: August 2011

The Effect of Storage in Modified Atmosphere on Changes in Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Capacity of Coleslaw Salad

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of different compositions of modified atmospheres and packaging film's microperforation density on changes in the levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity in a cole-slaw mix stored for 12 days at 4°C. The salad was made up of 80% shredded head cabbage cv. Galaxy F1 and 20% carrot cv. Perfekcja. The samples were packaged in modified atmospheres with the following concentration (%) of O2/CO2/N2: 20/25/55, 50/30/20 and 70/30/0, as well as in normal air. Trays with samples of the prepared mix were sealed with a packaging film with oxygen permeability of 2500 cm3/m2/24h* bar. The film was microperforated using one (1×10) or two (2×10) cylinders 7 cm in diameter with 10 needles 70 μm in diameter. The levels of total and free phenols in the product, and the product's antioxidant capacity were determined after 0, 9 and 12 days of storage.

After 12 days of storage, the total phenolic content and the antioxidant capacity of the tested samples were significantly higher than those of the fresh salad. In the case of free phenolic compounds, their level was significantly lower than in the salad before storage.

The salad samples packaged in the film with 2×10 microperforations contained higher levels of total phenols and had a higher antioxidant capacity than the samples sealed with the film with 1×10 microperforations.
Effects of Vermicompost, Fertilizer and Mulch on Plant Growth, Nodulation and Pod Yield of French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Authors: Singh B. , Pathak K. , Verma A. , Verma V. , Deka B.
Published: August 2011

Effects of Vermicompost, Fertilizer and Mulch on Plant Growth, Nodulation and Pod Yield of French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Integration of vermicompost and organic mulch as elements of vegetable production system sustain soil fertility and crop productivity. A field experiment was conducted with the objective to investigate the effects of vermicompost, NPK fertilizer and organic mulch on crop growth, nodulation and pod yield of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with an ultimate aim of optimizing water and nutrient requirement in mild-tropical climate during dry season. The shoot growth traits, namely shoot length, number of primary branches, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight were increased by 28-63% through application of N P2O5 K2O 8:13:10 kg·ha-1 + vermicompost 3.75 t·ha-1 and by 5-50% in organic mulching treatments. Application of vermicompost reduced nodule fresh weight and nodule dry weight by 44.9 and 44.5%, respectively. Likewise, corresponding nodule number, nodule fresh weight and nodule dry weight were reduced by 8.6, 11.1 and 14.1% with organic mulching. Poor nodulations might be due to reduced oxygenation of the soils under vermicompost and organic mulch which is ultimately impeding the nitrogenase activity and biological nitrogen fixation. Mulching of French bean with dried grasses and crop residues are also led to higher single pod weight, pod length, pod weight/plant and pod yield by 10.9, 12.8, 20.1 and 20.2%, respectively. Present study shows that application of N P2O5 K2O fertilizer 8-15:13-25:10-20 kg·ha-1, vermicompost 2.50-3.75 t·ha-1, 4 cm thick mulch of dried crop residues and 50% irrigation is the most suitable and sustainable strategy to improve plant growth, pod formation and pod yield of French bean, and soil health of mild-tropical climate during dry season.
Impact of Moisture Content and Density on Stiffness-Based Acceptance of Geomaterials
Authors: Pacheco Lourdes G. , Nazarian Soheil
Published: August 2011

Modulus-based quality management of compacted layers has been considered by a number of highway agencies. Although simple in concept, the paradigm shift from density to modulus has generated some technical challenges. For a given density, for example, the modulus can vary, depending on the moisture content at the time of compaction and at the time of testing. The results of a systematic laboratory study to qualify and to quantify the effect of compaction moisture content, moisture content at the time of testing, and density on the modulus of four diverse geo-materials are reported. For specimens compacted to maximum dry density but with a 2% to 3% variation in compaction moisture content, the changes in modulus at the time of testing can vary by a factor of two or more, depending on the index properties of the material. These changes are exaggerated as the time between compaction and testing increases. Specifying densities less than maximum dry densities has a significant impact on the modulus of the material at the time of testing. Although the findings of this study have been only marginally validated in the field, some preliminary recommendations are provided for consideration in modulus-based specifications.
Long-Term Monitoring of Culvert Load Reduction Using an Imperfect Ditch Backfilled with Geofoam
Authors: Sun Liecheng , Hopkins Tommy C. , Beckham Tony L.
Published: August 2011

Rigid culverts resting on unyielding foundations are frequently required in Kentucky for routing streams beneath highway embankments because of shallow depths to bedrock, rolling terrain, numerous streams, and the need to use high fills, which create large vertical stresses. Expensive structures are usually required. To find a way to reduce large vertical pressures, ultralightweight geofoam was placed in a 2-ft-thick trench above a reinforced, rigid concrete box culvert resting on an unyielding foundation at a roadway site in Kentucky. In situ measurements of stresses, strains, and geofoam settlements obtained over 5 years showed that geofoam was an ideal compressible material to use in the imperfect trench. At two culvert sections where geofoam was used, vertical pressures were reduced to about 10% of the normal pressures measured at the top of a culvert section where geofoam was not used. Stresses on top of two culvert sections where geofoam was used remained relatively stable after final grade elevation was reached. Earth pressures on the sidewalls of all three sections of the culvert did not change significantly after completion of the fill and were much lower than the vertical pressures measured in the culvert section without geofoam. Geofoam settlement of 60% has been recorded. Settlement behavior of the geofoam showed that movement of the soil prism above the imperfect trench was rapidly decreasing with increasing time and suggested that the reduced vertical stresses observed under the geofoam culvert sections could remain throughout the culvert design life.
Influence of Mineralogy and Plasticity Index on the Stabilization Effectiveness of Expansive Clays
Authors: Pedarla Aravind , Chittoori Srinivas , Puppala Anand J.
Published: August 2011

Stabilization with additives such as lime and cement has been practiced for many years and has proved effective in improving the behavior of expansive soils. Stabilizer design based on plasticity index (PI) and soil gradation is also a widely accepted method. However, some subsoils treated by this methodology have exhibited premature failures. Clay mineralogy plays an active and important role in the chemical reactions between soil and additives. A research study was conducted on six natural expansive soils with known clay mineralogy to evaluate the effectiveness of stabilization by using existing PI-based design charts. Engineering performance of treated soils was studied for long-term durability by exposing these soils to wetting and drying cycles and measuring both the volume change and the unconfined compressive strength during and at select wetting and drying cycles. Treated soil specimens containing high percentages of montmorillonite failed in durability tests when the treatments used PI-based design methods. A few treated soils did not survive the 21 wetting and drying cycles or experienced higher volumetric strains of more than the limiting value. Additional durability studies showed that soils with higher montmorillonite contents could be effectively stabilized with higher dosages of lime and cement additives. A new design chart incorporates the percentage montmorillonite content of a soil. This design chart provides an approach in selecting the optimum dosage of stabilizer to stabilize montmorillonite-dominant soils.
Ten Years of Sustainable Safety in the Netherlands
Authors: Weijermars Wendy , Wegman Fred
Published: August 2011

In the 1990s, the Institute for Road Safety Research (SWOV) in the Netherlands introduced the vision of sustainable safety. In a sustainably safe traffic system, crashes are prevented as much as possible, and when prevention is not possible, the probability of severe injury is reduced to almost zero. In 1998, implementation of the vision commenced with the start-up program. Ten years after the start-up program, there was an investigation of how implementation of the measures that emanated from or were in line with the vision of sustainable safety had progressed and what effects these measures have had on safety. The assessment indicated that a substantial number of traffic safety measures were implemented from 1998 through 2007. Many actions taken within the framework of the start-up program were aimed at improving infrastructure safety; the most important actions were categorization of the road network and traffic calming measures such as the construction of 30- and 60-km/h zones. In addition, traffic enforcement increased as a result of the establishment of dedicated regional traffic enforcement teams. The crashworthiness of vehicles also improved. These measures had a positive effect on traffic safety. Each individual measure prevented casualties. Moreover, the fatality rate decreased from 7.3 fatalities per billion kilometers traveled in 1998 to 4.7 per billion in 2007. It is estimated that together the measures prevented 300 to 400 fatalities in 2007 (32% to 34% fewer than expected) and 1,600 to 1,700 fatalities from 1998 through 2007. Finally, a benefit-cost analysis indicates that the measures were also cost beneficial (benefit-cost ratio 3.6:1).
A Priori Assessment of Safety Impacts of Traffic Management Operations
Authors: Princeton Judith F. , Cohen Simon
Published: August 2011

The number of accidents that occur on a road is often linked to traffic flow, whereas the severity is related to mean speed. The method developed in this paper links the level of service–described by both traffic mean flow and speed–to the number of accidents observed on a road section. The objective is to use this relationship in a priori assessment of traffic management strategies by using traffic simulation tools. Flows and speeds represent the main outputs of such models and are assumed to be influenced by other parameters such as road geometry, lighting, and weather conditions. Four levels of service are considered according to the classification used in several European countries. The levels define traffic conditions from free flow to congestion. The study uses accident and traffic data collected for a 9-year period on a 17-km stretch of the A1 motorway in the Paris region. An accident rate is computed for each level of service. The results confirm the existence of a relationship between accident rates and levels of service, with more accidents observed during congestion. An application example of a real case study illustrates the use of the proposed method for a priori assessment of traffic management strategies.
Integrating Trip and Roadway Characteristics to Manage Safety in Traffic Analysis Zones
Authors: Abdel-Aty Mohamed , Siddiqui Chowdhury , Huang Helai , Wang Xuesong
Published: August 2011

A transportation network is a conglomeration of road-traffic-environment modules and features multicategories of interdependent factors. This mix makes the management of safety in traffic analysis zones (TAZs) explicitly challenging. This study investigated the association between crash frequencies and various types of trip productions and attractions in combination with the road characteristics of 1,349 TAZs of four counties in the state of Florida. Crash safety management of these TAZs is emphasized through prioritizing them by examining the effects of trip and roadway factors on the aggregated crash frequencies. Models were developed separately for total crashes, severe crashes (fatal and severe injury crashes), total crashes during peak hours, and pedestrian- and bicycle-related crashes on the basis of various groups of estimators. It was found that the total crash model and the peak-hour crash model were best estimated by total trip productions and total trip attractions. The severe crash model was best fit by trip-related variables only, and the pedestrian- and bicycle-related crash model was best fit by road-related variables only. The results from this study pave the way for better safety management and the incorporation of safety measures in travel and network planning.
(ARTICLE RETRACTED) Diagnostic value of VIA comparing with conventional Pap smear in the detection of colposcopic biopsy proved CIN
Authors: Hegde D , Shetty H , Shetty PK , Rai S , Manjeera L , Vyas N , Hegde A , Mallya H , Rajesh A
Published: August 2011

This article has been retracted because it has already been published in the Nepal Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Vol.6(1) 2011 pp.7-12. http://www.nepjol.info/index.php/NJOG/article/view/5245