bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Burns in the domestic environment: characteristics and circumstances of accidents
Authors: Vendrusculo Tatiane Meda , Balieiro Carmem Roberta Baldin , Echevarría-Guanilo Maria Elena , Farina Junior Jayme Adriano , Rossi Lídia Aparecida
Published: August 2010

This study characterizes burn accidents in the domestic environment and identifies the circumstances of accidents affecting children, adults or elderly people who need supervision or care. Demographic data and burn characteristics of 61 domestic environment burn victims were collected. The family members of 13 children and one aged adult, who needed supervision or special care, were selected to answer a semi-structured interview. Two thematic groups were identified: social and environmental factors that might have contributed to the burn accidents and circumstances involving the accidents. Risk factors were: low socioeconomic and educational levels of mothers and those responsible for the children at the moment of the accident, small houses considering the number of occupants and unsafe kitchen equipment. Although cases of domestic violence were not identified there was neglect from caregivers. Health professionals should be attentive and investigate the circumstances of accidents involving vulnerable individuals.
O discurso sobre álcool na Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem: 1932-2007
Authors: Oliveira Gislene Farias de , Luchesi Luciana Barizon
Published: August 2010

Este é um estudo de revisão de literatura que analisou o tema álcool nos artigos da Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, de 1932 a 2007. Realizou-se busca manual, utilizando as palavras-chave: álcool, alcoolismo, drogas e substâncias psicoativas. O discurso sobre álcool, utilizado pelos autores, foi analisado segundo o referencial metodológico de Bardin. Foram encontrados oito artigos que evidenciaram três categorias: aspectos biopsiquicossociais, concepções do álcool e do alcoolismo e imagem do alcoolista. O estudo demonstra a evolução no discurso sobre o álcool e alcoolismo de senso comum para a cientificidade, correspondendo ao momento histórico de sua produção.
Depressive symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Mella Lucas Francisco Botequio , Bértolo Manoel Barros , Dalgalarrondo Paulo
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (a chronic inflammatory disease) in comparison to a control group with osteoarthritis (a chronic non-inflammatory degenerative disease) and to identify the sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with depressive symptoms in these patients. METHOD: Sixty-two rheumatoid arthritis patients and 60 osteoarthritis patients participated in the study. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Disability Index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire were applied. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was of 53.2% in rheumatoid arthritis and 28.3% in osteoarthritis (p = 0.005). The prevalence of anxiety symptoms was of 48.4% in rheumatoid arthritis and 50.0% in osteoarthritis (p = 0.859). The mean (and standard deviation) scores in the Disability Index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire were 1.4 (0.8) in rheumatoid arthritis and 1.4 (0.6) in osteoarthritis (p = 0.864). Rheumatoid arthritis patients with depressive symptoms had lower education and higher disease activity and functional disability. CONCLUSION: Although these two rheumatic diseases are similar in terms of the pain and functional disability that they cause, a significantly higher prevalence of depressive symptoms was found in rheumatoid arthritis patients. This difference might be explained by the hypothesis of a neuroimmunobiological mechanism related to cytokines in inflammatory diseases, which has been considered as a candidate to the development of depressive symptoms.
Validity of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire in a Brazilian psychiatric population
Authors: Castelo Milena S. , Carvalho Eduardo R. , Gerhard Emília S. , Costa Carlos Maurício C. , Ferreira Eduardo D. , Carvalho André F.
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE: Bipolar spectrum disorders are prevalent and frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated. This report describes the development and validation of the Brazilian version of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire, a screening instrument for bipolar spectrum disorders, in an adult psychiatric population. METHOD: A total of 114 consecutive patients attending an outpatient psychiatric clinic completed the Brazilian version of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire. A research psychiatrist, blind to the Mood Disorder Questionnaire results, interviewed patients by means of the mood module of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV ('gold standard'). RESULTS: The internal consistency of the Brazilian Mood Disorder Questionnaire, evaluated with Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.76 (95% CI; 0.69-0.92). Principal component analysis with varimax rotation indicated an 'irritability-racing thoughts' factor and 'energized-activity' factor, which explained 39.1% of variance. On the basis of the SCID, 69 (60.5%) individuals received a diagnosis of bipolar disorders. A Brazilian Mood Disorder Questionnaire screening score of 8 or more items yielded sensitivity of 0.91 (95% CI; 0.85-0.98), specificity of 0.70 (95% CI; 0.62-0.75), a positive predictive value of 0.82 (95% CI; 0.75-0.88) and a negative predictive value of 0.84 (95% CI; 0.77-0.90). CONCLUSION: The present data demonstrate that the Brazilian Mood Disorder Questionnaire is a valid instrument for the screening of bipolar disorders. The instrument needs to be validated in other settings (e.g., in general practice).
Bushkiller (Cayratia japonica) Growth in Interspecific and Intraspecific Competition
Authors: West Amanda M. , Richardson Robert J. , Arellano Consuelo , Burton Michael G.
Published: August 2010

Bushkiller was evaluated under inter- and intraspecific competition. In experiment 1, bushkiller, trumpetcreeper, and wild grape were greenhouse-grown alone and in two or three species mixtures in pots. Of the three species, bushkiller grew the tallest and had the greatest final biomass when grown alone. When all three species were grown together, bushkiller grew over twice the height of trumpetcreeper, over three times the height of wild grape, and over four times the biomass of either competing species. Plots of height over time showed that competition did not affect bushkiller or wild grape growth rate, but trumpetcreeper growth was reduced when grown with bushkiller. In experiment 2, bushkiller was grown in cultures of one, two, and three plants per pot to determine intraspecific competition effects on growth. Final height of bushkiller was not affected by intraspecific competition; however, bushkiller biomass decreased with increasing competition.
Cover-Crop Roller–Crimper Contributes to Weed Management in No-Till Soybean
Authors: Davis Adam S.
Published: August 2010

Termination of cover crops prior to no-till planting of soybean is typically accomplished with burndown herbicides. Recent advances in cover-crop roller–crimper design offer the possibility of reliable physical termination of cover crops without tillage. A field study within a no-till soybean production system was conducted in Urbana, IL, from 2004 through 2007 to quantify the effects of cover crop (cereal rye, hairy vetch, or bare soil control), termination method (chemical burndown or roller–crimper), and postemergence glyphosate application rate (0, 1.1, or 2.2 kg ae ha−1) on soybean yield components, weed–crop interference, and soil environmental variables. Biomass of weeds surviving management within a soybean crop following either a vetch or rye cover crop was reduced by 26 and 56%, respectively, in the rolled system compared to the burndown system. Soybean yield loss due to weed interference was unaffected by cover-crop termination method in soybean following a rye cover crop, but was higher in the rolled than burndown treatment in both hairy vetch and bare soil treatments. In soybean following a rye cover crop, regardless of termination method, yield loss to weed interference was unaffected by glyphosate rate, whereas in soybean following a vetch cover crop or bare soil, yield loss decreased with glyphosate rate. Variation in soybean yield among cover crops and cover-crop termination treatments was due largely to differences in soybean establishment, rather than differences in the soil environment. Use of a roller–crimper to terminate a cover crop preceding no-till soybean has the potential to achieve similar yields to those obtained in a chemically terminated cover crop while reducing residual weed biomass.
Vineyard Weed Seedbank Composition Responds to Glyphosate and Cultivation after Three Years
Authors: Steenwerth K. , Baumgartner K. , Belina K. , Veilleux L.
Published: August 2010

This research compared effects of the weed control practice, soil cultivation, and the conventional practice, glyphosate application on weed seedbank, in a vineyard system. The experiment was conducted in a commercial wine-grape vineyard in the Napa Valley of northern California from 2003 to 2005. The annual treatments were “winter–spring glyphosate,” “spring cultivation,” “fall–spring cultivation,” and “fall cultivation–spring glyphosate,” and were applied “in-row,” under the vine. Composition of the weed seedbank collected in 2002 before treatment establishment did not differ among treatments. After 3 yr of weed treatments, detrended correspondence analysis indicated that the composition of spring cultivation and winter–spring glyphosate tended to differ from each other, but the remaining two treatments showed little differentiation. As determined by linear discriminant analysis, the specific weed species were associated with seedbanks of certain treatments. These were Carolina geranium, annual bluegrass, brome grasses, California burclover, and scarlet pimpernel, which do not pose problems with regard to physical aspects of grape production. Although ‘Zorro’ rattail fescue was ubiquitous among treatments, its distribution between depths in the cultivated treatments indicated that tillage provided some homogenization of seedbank along the vertical soil profile. The seedlings from the seedbank study were not congruent with those measured aboveground in the field, suggesting that both treatment and microclimatic effects in the field may have influenced germination, and thus, aboveground composition.
Interference of Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) in Sweetpotato
Authors: Meyers Stephen L. , Jennings Katherine M. , Schultheis Jonathan R. , Monks David W.
Published: August 2010

Field studies were conducted in 2007 and 2008 at Clinton and Faison, NC, to evaluate the influence of Palmer amaranth density on ‘Beauregard’ and ‘Covington’ sweetpotato yield and quality and to quantify the influence of Palmer amaranth on light interception. Palmer amaranth was established at 0, 0.5, 1.1, 1.6, 3.3, and 6.5 plants m−1within the sweetpotato row and densities were maintained season-long. Jumbo, number (no.) 1, and marketable sweetpotato yield losses were fit to a rectangular hyperbola model, and predicted yield loss ranged from 56 to 94%, 30 to 85%, and 36 to 81%, respectively for Palmer amaranth densities of 0.5 to 6.5 plants m−1. Percentage of jumbo, no. 1, and marketable sweetpotato yield loss displayed a positive linear relationship with Palmer amaranth light interception as early as 6 to 7 wk after planting (R2= 0.99, 0.86, and 0.93, respectively). Predicted Palmer amaranth light interception 6 to 7, 10, and 13 to 14 wk after planting ranged from 47 to 68%, 46 to 82%, and 42 to 71%, respectively for Palmer amaranth densities of 0.5 to 6.5 plants m−1. Palmer amaranth height increased from 177 to 197 cm at densities of 0.5 to 4.1 plants m−1and decreased from 197 to 188 cm at densities of 4.1 to 6.5 plants m−1; plant width (69 to 145 cm) and shoot dry biomass plant−1(0.2 to 1.1 kg) decreased linearly as density increased.
Management Filters and Species Traits: Weed Community Assembly in Long-Term Organic and Conventional Systems
Authors: Ryan Matthew R. , Smith Richard G. , Mirsky Steven B. , Mortensen David A. , Seidel Rita
Published: August 2010

Community assembly theory provides a useful framework to assess the response of weed communities to agricultural management systems and to improve the predictive power of weed science. Under this framework, weed community assembly is constrained by abiotic and biotic “filters” that act on species traits to determine community composition. We used an assembly approach to investigate the response of weed seed banks to 25 yr of management-related filtering in three different row-crop management systems in southeastern Pennsylvania: organic manure-based, organic legume-based, and conventional. Weed seed banks were sampled in April of 2005 and 2006 and quantified by direct germination in a greenhouse. We also assessed the filtering effects of weed management practices and relationships between assembled seed bank and emergent weed communities by allowing or excluding weed control practices within each management system and measuring emergent weed community response. Germinable weed seed bank densities and species richness in the final year of the study were over 40% and 15% higher, respectively, in the organic systems relative to the conventional system. Seed bank community structure in the organic systems was different from the conventional system, and the relationships between assembled seed banks and the emergent flora varied. Primary tillage, weed control, timing of planting, and fertility management appeared to be the main filters that differentiated weed seed banks in the three systems. Weed life history, emergence periodicity, seed size, and responsiveness to soil fertility and hydrology appeared to be the most important functional traits determining how weed species responded to management-related filters. Our results suggest that management systems can exert strong filtering effects that can persist over relatively long (greater than one growing season) time scales. Legacy effects of community-level filtering might be more important than previously assumed, and should be incorporated into predictive models of weed community assembly.
Factors Affecting Differential Sensitivity of Sweet Corn to HPPD-Inhibiting Herbicides
Authors: Williams Martin M. , Pataky Jerald K.
Published: August 2010

Mutation of a cytochrome P450 (CYP) allele on the short arm of chromosome 5 affects sensitivity in sweet corn to mesotrione and to tembotrione plus isoxadifen applied POST. Hybrids that are homozygous for the functional allele (i.e.,CYPCYP) are rarely injured at registered use rates, hybrids that are homozygous for mutant alleles (i.e.,cypcyp) are frequently injured, and hybrids that are heterozygous for a functional and mutant allele (i.e.,CYPcyp) have more variable responses over trials. The objectives of this work were (1) to conduct side-by-side comparisons of sweet corn hybrid responses to mesotrione, tembotrione plus isoxadifen, and topramezone under field conditions; and (2) to compare dose–response relationships amongCYPCYP,CYPcyp, andcypcyphybrids. Among 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitors used POST in sweet corn, topramezone was safe on the 746 hybrids tested. When environmental conditions favored crop growth, mesotrione injured the largest number of hybrids, and these hybrids were almost exclusivelycypcyporCYPcyp. The safener isoxadifen added to the tembotrione product greatly reduced occurrence of injury to theCYPcypgenotypic class but not to thecypcyphybrids. Despite a common genetic basis for herbicide metabolism, genotypic classes of sweet corn hybrids did not have identical field responses to mesotrione, tembotrione plus isoxadifen, and topramezone.
Relative Importance of Shoot and Root Competition in Dry-Seeded Rice Growing with Junglerice (Echinochloa colona) and Ludwigia (Ludwigia hyssopifolia)
Authors: Chauhan Bhagirath S. , Johnson David E.
Published: August 2010

Two separate studies were conducted to determine the relative importance of root and shoot competition in dry direct-seeded rice growing with junglerice and ludwigia. By growing rice in pots placed within larger pots such that the roots of the plants were either separated from or free to mingle with those of neighboring weeds, or by growing rice in the same pots but in the absence of weeds, the relative importance of shoot and root competition can be described. When rice was grown together with either weed species, shoot competition reduced the growth and yield of rice more than root competition. Results suggest that shoot competition for light may be the primary mechanism determining competitive outcomes between dry direct-seeded rice and junglerice or ludwigia. Junglerice was more competitive than ludwigia, which may reflect the C4 metabolism efficiency of junglerice compared to the C3 metabolism of ludwigia. Rice grain yield was highly correlated with above- and belowground biomass. The results also suggest the importance of measuring the whole plant when seeking to understand differences in the competitive ability of dry direct-seeded rice.
Acetolactate Synthase (ALS) Target-Site Mutations in ALS Inhibitor-Resistant Russian Thistle (Salsola tragus)
Authors: Warwick Suzanne I. , Sauder Connie A. , Beckie Hugh J.
Published: August 2010

ALS inhibitor-resistant biotypes are the fastest growing class of herbicide-resistant (HR) weeds. A Canadian ALS inhibitor-resistant biotype of Russian thistle was first reported in 1989. The molecular basis for ALS-inhibitor resistance is unknown for Canadian populations of this polyploid weed species, and was determined in this study for one Alberta and two Saskatchewan HR Russian thistle populations. HR plants survived spray application of the ALS-inhibitor mixture thifensulfuron : tribenuron in the greenhouse. All three HR Russian thistle populations were heterogeneous and contained both HR and herbicide-susceptible (HS) individuals. The molecular basis for resistance was determined by sequencing theALSgene and/or conducting a TaqMan genotyping assay for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) for the Trp574Leu mutation. Two target-site mutations were observed: Trp574Leu in all three biotypes (554 individuals) and Pro197Gln in one biotype (one individual), suggesting multiple-founding events for Russian thistle HR populations in western Canada. Segregation patterns among F1 and F2 progeny arrays of HR lines sprayed under greenhouse conditions varied; some segregated (i.e., had HR and HS progeny), whereas other lines were exclusively HR. In contrast, no segregation of molecular types, i.e., Trp574, Trp/Leu574and Leu574, as would be expected with heterozygosity at a single locus Trp/Leu574, was observed. Such lack of segregation is consistent with the polyploid genome structure of Russian thistle and the presence of two copies of theALSgene. The presence of more than oneALSgene confounded the ability of the molecular techniques to accurately identify “true” heterozygotes in this study.
Wetland ecosystem services in California's Central Valley and implications for the Wetland Reserve Program
Authors: Duffy Walter G. , Kahara Sharon N.
Published: August 2010

Primary ecosystem services provided by freshwater wetlands in the California Central Valley, USA, include water quality improvement, biodiversity support, and flood storage capacity. We describe these services for freshwater marshes, vernal pools, and riparian wetlands and the implications for wetlands restored under USDA programs in the Central Valley. California's Central Valley is a large sedimentary basin that was once covered by grasslands, extensive riparian forests, and freshwater marshes that today have been converted to one of the most intensive agricultural areas on earth. Remaining freshwater wetlands have been heavily altered, and most are intensively managed. Nitrogen loading from agriculture to surface and groundwater in the Central Valley was estimated to be 34.7 × 106 kg N/yr. Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen in the Central Valley was estimated to be 44.3 × 106 kg N/yr, of which ∼1.5 × 106 kg N/yr was introduced directly to wetlands. Our analysis indicates that wetlands enrolled in the USDA Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) may potentially denitrify the NO3‐N load from relatively unpolluted source water in <18 days, but the potential to denitrify the NO3‐N load from highly polluted source water is uncertain.

Water management strongly influences use, diversity, and abundance of avian fauna as well as other biota. Freshwater marshes in the region continue to support important populations of breeding and wintering waterfowl and shorebirds whose populations fluctuate seasonally. Avian diversity in the little remaining area of Central Valley's riparian wetlands is also high and influenced by stand maturity, heterogeneity, and diversity. USDA conservation practices that promote these characteristics may support avian diversity. Effects of USDA conservation practices on non‐avian fauna are poorly understood and warrant further study.
Adjustment of Community College Students at a Four-Year University: Role and Relevance of Transfer Student Capital for Student Retention
Authors: Laanan Frankie Santos , Starobin Soko S. , Eggleston Latrice E.
Published: August 2010

Community colleges play a critical role in the pathway to a baccalaureate degree for millions of students, especially among women and ethnic minorities. This study investigates the complexity of the transfer experience among students who began their postsecondary education at a 2-year college and transferred to a large 4-year university. Specifically, the goal of this study was to move beyond the “transfer shock” concept by examining the role and relevance of “transfer student capital” for student retention. Using the L-TSQ instrument, the 133-item online survey reported data from over 900 students regarding their demographic characteristics, community college experiences, and university experiences. Two hypotheticals were employed to understand the factors that influence academic and social transfer adjustment. The findings of this study inform student affairs professionals, admissions oficers, retention programs, students, and faculty.
The Difference a Cohort Makes: Understanding Developmental Learning Communities in Community Colleges
Authors: Wathington Heather D. , Pretlow Joshua , Mitchell Claire
Published: August 2010

Learning communities, a small cohort of students enrolled together in two or more linked courses, have become a popular intervention to help under-prepared students succeed in college. Though learning communities abound in practice, the key structural feature of a learning community—the cohort—may not be fully understood. Authors posit that a cohort needs both a structural and communal component to function well. This study examines qualitative data from a pilot site and four community colleges that participated in a random assignment evaluation. Authors observed differences between learning community and non-learning community experiences in terms of classroom climate and academic support networks for students. Differences can be attributed to both the structural nature of the cohort as well as emergent social group dynamics. As such, the cohorts within learning communities appeared to act as mechanisms for increasing student interaction and interdependence. The authors anticipate that these gains in the student experience will enhance student retention.
Propagation Characteristics of Partial Discharge Signals
Authors: Pei Cheng , Jiang Xiuchen , Song Fang
Published: August 2010

With the increased use of partial discharge tests to assess the conduction of shielded distribution cable, PD signal frequency properties of such cables have become increasingly important. It is desirable to detect and locate the PD in the cable before breakdown occurs. Understanding the propagation phenomena of the PD signal in XLPE cable is important to detect and locate the PD signal. In this paper, transmission properties of PD signal were measured and analyzed on a 30m length and 15m length of 11 kV XLPE cable in the laboratory . The experimental results show a good agreement with the theoretical analysis. The paper describes the test results and discusses the PD signal attenuation in time and frequency domain and discusses this with reference to practical PD detection.
Application of Fuzzy Set Theory for Risk Assessment
Authors: Pokorádi László
Published: August 2010

Application of Fuzzy Set Theory for Risk Assessment

In our age safety, reliability and security are essential issues in modern engineering. Modern technical systems should meet technical, safety and environmental protection requirements. The risk can appear as personal injury or death, mission degradation, property technical damage or destruction. The risk is a measure of harm or loss associated with the human activity. It is the combination of the probability and the consequence of a specified hazard being realized. For decision making the experts need the opinions of other sciences, sometimes they have to consider moral questions. To make reliable decision, the risk of the given system or process should be known correctly. Fuzzy set theory is a relatively new mathematical tool to depict and model inaccuracy and uncertainty of the real world and human thinking. The paper and presentation will give a short overview of risk assessment and illustrates the possibility of use of proposed fuzzy set theory based method by a case study.
Reliability Model of Motorway Toll Collection System
Authors: Siergiejczyk Mirosław , Kasprzyk Zbigniew
Published: August 2010

Reliability Model of Motorway Toll Collection System

In the paper, a methodology and a concept for establishment of a predictive reliability model of toll collection system at motorway section are presented. Markov processes and methods for projecting exploitation reliability have been used for modelling reliability. Elaboration of the model will allow for defining a projectable availability index of the system and its individual elements. The indices will allow for determining to what extent the system meets specific requirements and for preparing relevant exploitation strategy.
Violation of The Steady-State Friction behaviour of A Precise Hydraulic Pair Due To Imbalanced Radial Hydrostatic Force
Authors: Ułanowicz Leszek
Published: August 2010

Violation of The Steady-State Friction behaviour of A Precise Hydraulic Pair Due To Imbalanced Radial Hydrostatic Force

W hat has been presented in the paper is a question of violation of the steady-state friction behaviour of a sliding hydraulic pair due to imbalanced radial hydrostatic force that affects the pair. The origins of hydrostatic radial forces in a sliding pair and the effect of this imbalance have been discussed. Computations have been outlined to illustrate how radial hydrostatic forces affect the cylindrical slide. Reasons for the cylindrical slide getting wedged in the sleeve have also been shown. Qualitative assessment of radial forces on the cylindrical slide located in the sleeve has been carried out, and the amounts of imbalance - shown. The qualitative assessment of radial forces in the precise hydraulic pair included a few characteristic variants of a non-uniform distribution of pressure of the working liquid in the annular clearance between the slide and the sleeve. The ways of reducing the imbalance of radial forces from liquid's pressure that affect the cylindrical slide of the hydraulic pair.
Measuring climate change vulnerability: a comparison of two indexes
Authors: Urothody AA , Larsen HO
Published: August 2010

Climate change is predicted and currently observed to especially affect the rural poor,and some sort of support for adaptation is relevant. This paper tests two vulnerabilityassessment indexes in Lete and Kunjo VDCs in Mustang District: the LivelihoodVulnerability Index (LVI) and the Livelihood Effect Index (LEI). The indexes are completedbased on primary data from 60 randomly selected respondents and the vulnerabilities atVDC and household levels are assessed. The figures resulting from the vulnerabilityassessments correspond with contextual information from the area elicited during keyinformant interviews and the methods are concluded useful in a Nepalese context. Bothindexes validly reflect the relative differences between the two VDCs in terms of vulnerabilityto climate change impacts and factors contributing to it and both could therefore usefullyform the basis for a nationally applicable index to identify and prioritise mitigation needs.However, a number of challenges to using indexes and basing them on respondents’perceptions are recognised.Key words: Climate change; livelihoods; Mustang; vulnerabilityDOI: 10.3126/banko.v20i1.3503Banko Janakari, Vol. 20, No. 1 pp.9-16
Assessing the causes of conflict and its effect on livelihoods: a study from Bardia National Park and Khata Corridor, Nepal
Authors: Nepali SC
Published: August 2010

The ten-year conflict in Nepal can be viewed as the result of ignoring and failing tostrengthen the state and nation building through political, economic and social integration.This study aimed to understand and assess the causes of conflict and their effects onlivelihoods in and around Bardia National Park, Nepal. Crotty's model has been used tocollect the information and conduct non parametric Wilcoxon test. Chi-square test withdescriptive tables has been used for data analysis. Causes of conflict based on people'sperception revealed that 78% and 45% of the respondents agreed that weak governancewas the cause of conflict before and after. 79% and 52% attributed economical instabilityas a cause while 78% and 49% believed disparity in resource use and distribution as thecause of conflict before and after. The overall impact on livelihoods due to the conflict hada weighted mean range 2.0-2.3, suggesting the medium impact on all the assets. Theconditions of livelihood were better before and were negatively affected after the conflict.Studying patterns of armed conflict and their impact in a country like Nepal is not just ofhistorical interest, but also a matter of current concern for development.Key words: Conflict; instability livelihoods; non parametric testDOI: 10.3126/banko.v20i1.3507Banko Janakari, Vol. 20, No. 1 pp.37-43
Phase equilibria in the Fe–Ti–V system
Authors: Massicot Blaise , Joubert Jean-Marc , Latroche Michel
Published: August 2010

In order to study the phase diagram of the ternary Fe–Ti–V system, the isothermal sections at 1 000 °C and 1 200 °C have been determined. The nature and composition of the phases involved in the different equilibria were investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction and electron probe microanalysis. More than 15 at.% Fe could be substituted in the body centered cubic Ti–V solid solution at both temperatures. The C14, Fe2Ti-derived phase extends to the composition Ti33V33Fe33. A linear regression between the lattice parameter and the composition of the studied body centered cubic phase is proposed. The data provided by the isothermal sections, together with the differential thermal analysis measurements, highlighted the presence of a quasi-peritectic reaction U, and a tentative liquidus projection is presented, based on a metallographic analysis.
Carrying Religion into a Secularising Europe
Authors: Wood Matthew
Published: August 2010

Migrants to Europe often perceive themselves as entering a secular society that threatens their religious identities and practices. Whilst some sociological models present their responses in terms of cultural defence, ethnographic analysis reveals a more complex picture of interaction with local contexts. This essay draws upon ethnographic research to explore a relatively neglected situation in migration studies, namely the interactions between distinct migration cohorts - in this case, from the Caribbean island of Montserrat, as examined through their experiences in London Methodist churches. It employs the ideas of Weber and Bourdieu to view these migrants as 'religious carriers', as collective and individual embodiments of religious dispositions and of those socio-cultural processes through which their religion is reproduced. Whilst the strategies of the cohort migrating after the Second World War were restricted through their marginalised social status and experience of racism, the recent cohort of evacuees fleeing volcanic eruptions has had greater scope for strategies which combat secularisation and fading Methodist identity.
Measuring the Sacred
Authors: Hall Dorota
Published: August 2010

The essay presents exemplary cases for the use of scientific accessories, such as a specialist vocabulary and sophisticated technical tools, in Polish holistic milieus. It analyses editorials published in the esoteric monthly Nieznany Świat, and refers to materials gathered during ethnographic fieldwork among vendors and customers of alternative medicine fairs and esoteric shops in Warsaw, as well as visitors to the Węsiory village, considered to be one of Earth's 'power places'. The work goes on the claim that references to science, and especially to various measurements, besides their legitimating function, appeal to sensitivity related to traditional folk religiosity. Therefore, the Nieznany Świat magazine might be considered a continuer of the folk tradition.
Discussions of Astrology in Early Tafsīr
Authors: Morrison Robert G.
Published: August 2010

Judicial astrology, predicting future events on the basis of celestial positions, has been a fraught topic in Islamic literature. On one hand, the spectre of humans knowing their future with certainty would weaken the principle of human responsibility. On the other hand, given God's omnipotence, it would be entirely possible that the heavens were a means for God's control over the earth. Previous research on religious reactions to astrology in Islamic civilisation has used Ḥadīth and Kalām texts to conclude that the prevailing attitude was one of disapproval.

My current research uses Tafsīr literature to argue that this attitude of disapproval was far more nuanced. This paper will first survey what early Tafsīr has said about astrology and, second, present late antique Jewish and Christian texts that could be the sources or context for the views on astrology found in early Tafsīr. To help explain some of the differences between early Tafsīr's view of astrology and early Kalām's view of astrology, the third section of this article covers certain statements made in early astrology texts in Islamic civilisation, texts composed, most likely, after the discussions of astrology in early Tafsīr. Fourth, I will present some early reactions of mutakallimūn to astrology. I will conclude that discussions of astrology in early Tafsīr, as well as most Islamic literature dating from before 287/900, were not concerned with astrology's causal framework, or even with predictions in principle, but rather with a defense of prophecy. I will also argue that the discussions of astrology in early Tafsīr were not as critical as the reactions of the early mutakallimūn to astrology.
The qamīṣ in Sūrat Yūsuf: A Prolegomenon to the Material Culture of Garments in the Formative Islamic Period
Authors: Greifenhagen F.V.
Published: August 2010

Garments both reveal and cover. The recurring appearance of Yūsuf's qamīṣ, or shirt, in the twelfth sura of the Qur'an clearly functions as a literary device unifying the plot and signifying, in this case, the revelation of truth. However, behind the qamīṣ lies a material object, an actual article of clothing. This paper enquires into the relationship between the qamīṣ as a literary trope in the Qur'an and as a material object in first/seventh-century Arabia. By exploring a variety of comparative etymological, ethnographic, archaeological, iconographic and textual data, an attempt is made to ground the qamīṣ in the cultural and physical environment of the late antique world and as an element in the cultural imaginaire of the original audience of the story of Joseph in the Qur'an. While highly explorative and tentative, this paper strives to contribute to the evocation of the material world of the Qur'an.
Dimensions in the Construction of National Identity in Nigeria
Authors: Williams Dodeye U.
Published: August 2010

Identifying the most influential dimension in the construction of national identity poses a huge challenge. Keillor et al. (1996) identify four key dimensions as being important in shaping national identity. This article examines these dimensions, namely national heritage, cultural homogeneity, ethnocentrism and belief structure within the Nigerian context and attempts to measure which of these is the most influential. In addition to the historical information contained in existing literature, a survey is carried out to provide an empirical basis for this analysis.
Cultural Diversity as a Concept of Global Law: Origins, Evolution and Prospects
Authors: Burri Mira
Published: August 2010

“Cultural diversity” has become one of the latest buzzwords on the international policymaking scene. It is employed in various contexts—sometimes as a term close to “biological diversity”, at other times as correlated to the “exception culturelle” and most often, as a generic concept that is mobilised to counter the perceived negative effects of economic globalisation. While no one has yet provided a precise definition of what cultural diversity is, what we can observe is the emergence of the notion of cultural diversity as incorporating a distinct set of policy objectives and choices at the global level. These decisions are not confined, as one might have expected, to cultural policymaking, but rather spill over to multiple governance domains because of the complex linkages inherent to the simultaneous pursuit of economic and other societal goals that cultural diversity encompasses and has effects on. Accounting for these intricate interdependencies, the present article clarifies the origins of the concept of cultural diversity as understood in global law and traces its evolution over time. Observing the dynamics of the concept and the surrounding political and legal developments in particular in the context of trade and culture, the article explores its justification and overall impact on the global legal regime, as well as its discrete effects on different domains of policymaking, such as media and intellectual property. While the analysis is legal in essence, the article is also meant to speak to a broader transdisciplinary public.
Comparative Assessment of Soil Contamination by Lead and Heavy Metals in Riparian and Agricultural Areas (Southern Québec, Canada)
Authors: Saint-Laurent Diane , Hähni Marlies , St-Laurent Julien , Baril Francis
Published: August 2010

Soils contaminated with hydrocarbons (C10–C50), PAHS, lead and other heavy metals were recently found in the banks of two major rivers in southern Québec. Alluvial soils are contaminated over a distance of 100 kilometers. Eight sampling sites, including some located in agriculture areas (farm woodlots) have been selected to compare air pollution (aerosol fallout and rainout) and river pollution values. The concentrations detected in soil profiles for As, Cd and Pb vary between 3.01 to 37.88 mg kg−1 (As), 0.11 to 0.81 mg kg−1 (Cd) 12.32 to 149.13 mg kg−1 (Pb). These metallic elements are considered highly toxic and can harm wildlife and human health at high levels. The maximum concentration of Pb (149.13 mg kg−1) in soils of the riparian zone is twelve times higher than the average Pb concentration found in a natural state evaluated at 15.3 mg kg−1 (SD 17.5). Pb concentrations in soils of agricultural areas (woodland control sites) range between 12 and 22 mg kg−1, and given that these values are recorded in surrounding cultivated land, the issue of the quality of agricultural products (crops and forage) to feed livestock or destined for human consumption must be further addressed in detail.
1-(2,5-Dimethyl-3-thienyl)-3-(2,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one
Authors: Asiri Abdullah , Khan Salman
Published: August 2010

The title compound, 1-(2,5-dimethyl-3-thienyl)-3-(2,4,5-trimethoxy­phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (3) was synthesized in high yield by an aldol condensation reaction of 3-acetyl-2,5-dimethythiophene and 2,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde in methanolic NaOH at room temperature. Its structure was fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and EI-MS spectral data.
STM, SECPM, AFM and Electrochemistry on Single Crystalline Surfaces
Authors: Wolfschmidt Holger , Baier Claudia , Gsell Stefan , Fischer Martin , Schreck Matthias , Stimming Ulrich
Published: August 2010

Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques have had a great impact on research fields of surface science and nanotechnology during the last decades. They are used to investigate surfaces with scanning ranges between several 100 mm down to atomic resolution. Depending on experimental conditions, and the interaction forces between probe and sample, different SPM techniques allow mapping of different surface properties. In this work, scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in air and under electrochemical conditions (EC-STM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) in air and scanning electrochemical potential microscopy (SECPM) under electrochemical conditions, were used to study different single crystalline surfaces in electrochemistry. Especially SECPM offers potentially new insights into the solid-liquid interface by providing the possibility to image the potential distribution of the surface, with a resolution that is comparable to STM. In electrocatalysis, nanostructured catalysts supported on different electrode materials often show behavior different from their bulk electrodes. This was experimentally and theoretically shown for several combinations and recently on Pt on Au(111) towards fuel cell relevant reactions. For these investigations single crystals often provide accurate and well defined reference and support systems. We will show heteroepitaxially grown Ru, Ir and Rh single crystalline surface films and bulk Au single crystals with different orientations under electrochemical conditions. Image studies from all three different SPM methods will be presented and compared to electrochemical data obtained by cyclic voltammetry in acidic media. The quality of the single crystalline supports will be verified by the SPM images and the cyclic voltammograms. Furthermore, an outlook will be presented on how such supports can be used in electrocatalytic studies.
Charge-Transfer Interactions in Organic Functional Materials
Authors: Lin Hsin-Chieh , Jin Bih-Yaw
Published: August 2010

Our goal in this review is three-fold. First, we provide an overview of a number of quantum-chemical methods that can abstract charge-transfer (CT) information on the excited-state species of organic conjugated materials, which can then be exploited for the understanding and design of organic photodiodes and solar cells at the molecular level. We stress that the Composite-Molecule (CM) model is useful for evaluating the electronic excited states and excitonic couplings of the organic molecules in the solid state. We start from a simple polyene dimer as an example to illustrate how interchain separation and chain size affect the intercahin interaction and the role of the charge transfer interaction in the excited state of the polyene dimers. With the basic knowledge from analysis of the polyene system, we then study more practical organic materials such as oligophenylenevinylenes (OPVn), oligothiophenes (OTn), and oligophenylenes (OPn). Finally, we apply this method to address the delocalization pathway (through-bond and/or through-space) in the lowest excited state for cyclophanes by combining the charge-transfer contributions calculated on the cyclophanes and the corresponding hypothetical molecules with tethers removed. This review represents a step forward in the understanding of the nature of the charge-transfer interactions in the excited state of organic functional materials.
An Update on the Therapeutic Role of Alkylglycerols
Authors: Iannitti Tommaso , Palmieri Beniamino
Published: August 2010

Scandinavian folk medicine used shark liver oil for the treatment of cancers and other ailments based on the rarity of tumors in sharks and their ability to resist infections. Shark liver oil is a source of alkylglycerols which have been studied as anti-cancer agents in several clinical trials. Moreover, alkylglycerols have been investigated for the treatment of radiation induced side effects and for their ability to boost the immune system. Several experimental studies have shown the ability of alkylglycerols to open the blood brain barrier to facilitate the access of therapeutic drugs to the central nervous system. This review covers the most important studies of alkylglycerols in both animals and humans.
Simultaneous Determination of Flavonoids in Different Parts of Citrus reticulata ‘Chachi’ Fruit by High Performance Liquid Chromatography—Photodiode Array Detection
Authors: Sun Yinshi , Wang Jianhua , Gu Shubo , Liu Zhengbo , Zhang Yujie , Zhang Xiaoxia
Published: August 2010

Flavonoids are important polyphenolic secondary metabolites in plant. Citrus reticulata ‘Chachi’ fruit are rich in flavonoids and are being used as functional antioxidant ingredients for the treatment of atherosclerosis and cancer, etc. A high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection system was used to analyze five flavonoids, namely, naringin, hesperidin, didymin, tangeretin and nobiletin, in different parts of C. reticulata ‘Chachi’ fruit. The chromatographic analysis was performed on a C18 column with a gradient elution of acetonitrile and water at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Detection was carried out using a photodiode array detector at 280 nm. The calibration curves for the determination of all analytes showed good linearity over the investigated ranges (R2 > 0.9995). Precision and reproducibility were evaluated by six replicated analyses, and the R.S.D. values were less than 0.9% and 2.7%. The recoveries were between 98.37 and 103.89%. This method is promising to improve the quality control of different parts of C. reticulata ‘Chachi’ fruit.