bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Educational reform in Greece: Central concepts and a critique
Authors: Gounari Panayota , Grollios George
Published: February 2013

The case of Greece as the most recent neoliberal experiment can provide valuable insights not only about a generalized attack on the welfare state and the public good, but also about the radical changes in public education that are altering its public mission, vision, and goals. In this paper first we trace the educational landscape in Greece as it emerges both from the reform in primary and secondary education and from the new law 4009 on higher education. The ongoing government discourse on education is shaped and constructed along the lines of a market- driven society and unapologetically espouses the neoliberal dogma that aims to convert education into training, universities into corporations, knowledge into a service or commodity, and students into clients. We further examine the official public discourse as illustrated in government documentation in an attempt to map out the marked shift from the university as a public good to the university as corporate entity, and highlight the particular ways in which this is done. The new educational legislation sets the stage for an education where the individual will thrive through relentless competition, where collectivity is abolished, where only “useful” knowledge counts and where “quality” and “excellence” serve as the excuse for a corporate standardization of the university and the academic life and thought.
Influence of the Flow Rate of Oxidising Atmosphere on the Flame Spread Rate on the Surface of Organic Setlled Dust
Authors: Martinka Jozef , Balog Karol , Hrušovský Ivan , Valentová Veronika
Published: February 2013

The presented paper deals with determining the influence of the flow rate of oxidising atmosphere on the flame spread along the surface of the organic settled dust layer. We determined the rate of the flame spread on the surface of the organic settled dust layer (whole grain rye and spelt flour) with absolute moisture of 10 % wt., for the flow rates of oxidising atmosphere 1, 3, 5 and 10 cm/s. Pure oxygen was used as an oxidising atmosphere. The obtained results suggest that there exists a power relationship of the flame spread rate along the surface of organic settled dust layer to the flow rate of the oxidising mixture. The method described is suitable for the relative comparison of the organic settled dust layer from the point of its ability to spread the flame and the influence of the air flow rate on this process.
From Candidate to President: Obama’S Discourse Two Years Later
Authors: Bran Ramona , Pele Andreea
Published: February 2013

The article explores Barack Obama’s most notable speeches after becoming president. The authors intend to write a sequel to their 2009 paper Yes We Can: A New American Identity in the Speeches of Barack Obama, which looked at Obama’s campaign discourse, and investigate if his rhetoric has changed in the first half of his mandate.
I’m Lovin’ it
Authors: Cehan Anca
Published: February 2013

The paper presents the special meanings and many-sided implications that can be conjectured from the use of a stative verb in the progressive, and the linguistic difficulties encountered in analysing McDonald’s slogan. It reviews the behaviour of to love when tested for stativeness and concludes that as a “progressive stative” verb it can be cleverly exploited for fresh emotional implications.
Prosody in Elicitations: A Study of Intonation in BBC Talk Radio Shows
Authors: Herczeg-Deli Ágnes
Published: February 2013

The paper is concerned with the prosodic features of non-literal language use in indirect elicitations in radio talk. It will be demonstrated how intonation becomes mirror of some contextual factors, and how the prosodic features of elicitations can corroborate the speaker’s meaning manifested through certain lexico-grammatical elements in the discourse.
An Eastern European Traveler to Paradise. Los Angeles in Petru Comarnescu’s American Travelogue From 1934
Authors: Lolea Georgiana
Published: February 2013

Published in 1934, Petru Comarnescu’s American journal offers both a fresh take on the Californian milieu of the late 20s and the beginning of the 30s, and open-minded perspectives on the New World. The present paper analyzes how the Romanian intellectual put together the historical, social and cultural pieces of the complex city puzzle in his bold attempt at recreating the atmosphere of the chameleonic metropolis of Los Angeles.
Quality of Systematic Reviews on Specific Spinal Stabilization Exercise for Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors: Haladay Douglas E. , Miller Sayers J. , Challis John , Denegar Craig R.
Published: February 2013

Study Design

Systematic literature review.

Objective

To evaluate the quality of systematic reviews (SRs) on specific stabilization exercises for chronic low back pain (LBP).

Background

Multiple SRs regarding the effectiveness of lumbar stabilization exercises for people with chronic LBP have been published. As more SRs are published, the more it is recognized that, like other forms of research, methodological quality affects the validity of, and conclusions drawn from, the data.

Methods

A search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Embase was completed. Additionally, the PEDro database was screened and hand searching was completed. Included SRs had to contain randomized controlled trials examining a specific stabilization exercise program for the treatment of chronic LBP. Additionally, the assessed outcome measures had to include pain and/or disability measures. Literature reviews and clinical practice guidelines were excluded. Three reviewers independently assessed each SR for methodological quality.

Results

The search produced 665 SRs for review, of which 8 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Consensus quality assessment scores ranged from 13/26 to 26/26, with an average of 20.7 points. Percent agreement and kappa values for individual criteria scores ranged from 50% to 92% and 0.25 to 0.85, respectively. Agreement was moderate to substantial across individual items, except for criterion 1. The intraclass correlation coefficient for overall score was 0.98 (95% confidence interval: 0.96, 0.99).

Conclusion

This review of SRs identified several high-quality reviews that indicated some benefit of specific stabilization exercise programs for patients with nonspecific chronic LBP.

Level of Evidence

Therapy, level 1a. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2013;43(4):242–250. Epub 14 January 2013. doi:10.2519/jospt.2013.4346
Falls Among Patients Who Had Elective Orthopaedic Surgery: A Decade of Experience From a Musculoskeletal Specialty Hospital
Authors: Mandl Lisa A. , Lyman Stephen , Quinlan Patricia , Bailey Tina , Katz Jacklyn , Magid Steven K.
Published: February 2013

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Objective

To evaluate falls among elective orthopaedic inpatients at a musculoskeletal hospital.

Background

Falls are the most commonly reported hospital incidents. Approximately 30% of in-hospital falls result in minor injury, and up to 8% of falls result in moderate to severe injury. Given the projected rise in elective orthopaedic procedures, it is important to better understand fall patterns in this population.

Methods

A retrospective review of electronic medical records and patient charts (2000–2009) was conducted to identify falls in patients admitted for elective orthopaedic procedures.

Results

There were 868 falls among orthopaedic patients older than 18 years. The fall rate was 0.9% of admissions, or 2.0 falls per 1000 inpatient days. The average age of the patients who had fallen was 68 years, and 57.6% were women. Knee replacements (38.2%), spine procedures (18.5%), and hip replacements (14.7%) were the procedures most commonly associated with falls. Three hundred eighty-six falls (45.8%) involved bathroom usage. One hundred ten first falls (13.1%) resulted in injuries. Twenty-eight falls (3.3%) resulted in serious events, including 5 returns to the operating room, 3 transfers to a higher level of care, 14 prosthesis dislocations, 6 fractures, 2 intracranial bleeds, and 1 hemorrhage. Patients with serious injuries were more likely to fall earlier (mean postoperative days, 2.7 versus 4.1; mean difference, 1.4 days; 95% confidence interval: 0.51, 2.3; P = .003) and to have had hip replacement (odds ratio = 3.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.7, 8.2). Serious injuries were not associated with body mass index, age, gender, hospital location, day, or fall history.

Conclusion

Falls are avoidable events that are poorly described among orthopaedic patients having elective procedures. This large series identifies hip replacement patients as being at almost 4-fold risk of having a serious adverse event after falling. Larger prospective trials are needed to confirm results and to inform prevention strategies. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2013;43(2):91–96. doi:10.2519/jospt.2013.4349
Risk Factors for Persistent Problems Following Acute Whiplash Injury: Update of a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Walton David M. , MacDermid Joy C. , Giorgianni Anthony A. , Mascarenhas Joanna C. , West Stephen C. , Zammit Caroline A.
Published: February 2013

Study Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective

To update a previous review and meta-analysis on risk factors for persistent problems following whiplash secondary to a motor vehicle accident.

Background

Prognosis in whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) has become an active area of research, perhaps owing to the difficulty of treating chronic problems. A previously published review and meta-analysis of prognostic factors included primary sources up to May 2007. Since that time, more research has become available, and an update to that original review is warranted.

Methods

A systematic search of international databases was conducted, with rigorous inclusion criteria focusing on studies published between May 2007 and May 2012. Articles were scored, and data were extracted and pooled to estimate the odds ratio for any factor that had at least 3 independent data points in the literature.

Results

Four new cohorts (n = 1121) were identified. In combination with findings of a previous review, 12 variables were found to be significant predictors of poor outcome following whiplash, 9 of which were new (n = 2) or revised (n = 7) as a result of additional data. The significant variables included high baseline pain intensity (greater than 5.5/10), report of headache at inception, less than postsecondary education, no seatbelt in use during the accident, report of low back pain at inception, high Neck Disability Index score (greater than 14.5/50), preinjury neck pain, report of neck pain at inception (regardless of intensity), high catastrophizing, female sex, WAD grade 2 or 3, and WAD grade 3 alone. Those variables robust to publication bias included high pain intensity, female sex, report of headache at inception, less than postsecondary education, high Neck Disability Index score, and WAD grade 2 or 3. Three existing variables (preaccident history of headache, rear-end collision, older age) and 1 additional novel variable (collision severity) were refined or added in this updated review but showed no significant predictive value.

Conclusion

This review identified 2 additional prognostic factors and refined the estimates of 7 previously identified factors, bringing the total number of significant predictors across the 2 reviews to 12. These factors can be easily identified in a clinical setting to provide estimates of prognosis following whiplash.

Level of Evidence

Prognosis, level 1a. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2013;43(2):31–43. Epub 14 January 2013. doi:10.2519/jospt.2013.4507
Biophysical and socio-economic tools for assessing soil fertility: A case of western hills, Nepal
Authors: Tripathi BP , Jones JE
Published: February 2013

The middle mountain region of Nepal, which occupies some 30% of the total land, is the homeland of 45% of the total population, with agriculture being the main source of their livelihoods. Hill farming is primarily based on organic manure with livestock, forest and crops being major components of an integrated system. The aim of this study is to develop and promote improved methods for research and development organizations to identify cost-effective and appropriate soil fertility management strategies through; providing an improved understanding of the biophysical and socio-economic factors affecting the adaptability of sustainable soil management strategies in hillside systems, developing methodologies for evaluating soil fertility technologies and management systems for differently resource farmers in different farming systems, and strengthening the capability of local professionals in collaborating institutions to provide useful information to farmers. The work is placing emphasis on promoting cost-effective methods of soil fertility management, building on farmers' own knowledge and systems. Participatory techniques have been used for gaining a better understanding of fertility indicators, trends and existing soil management practices during 2000/01 in the western hills of Nepal. Farmers are now concerned that increasing amounts of chemical fertilizer at increasingly higher cost have to be applied, soils are becoming “harder” and production is declining. As a result farmers in four agro-ecological zones opted to either test methods for “improving” the quality of farm yard manure (FYM), or “improve” crop residue management. Early results show that through covering the FYM with black plastic sheets, yield increases of over 30% can be achieved. The use of participatory farm management techniques is providing a basis for local NGOs and farmers to evaluate their own experiments and develop soil fertility technologies and systems for their environments.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajn.v1i0.7536 Agronomy Journal of Nepal (Agron JN) Vol. 1: 2010 pp.1-9
Evaluation and promotion of resource conservation technologies in low land rice-wheat ecosystem
Authors: Tripathi J
Published: February 2013

The rice-wheat cropping system is critically important for food security, employment and livelihood of the people in the country. This cropping system is generally practiced in lowland ecosystem where heavier soil texture and excess soil moisture cause serious problems in the establishment of winter crops. Consequently, it increases tillage and land preparation cost and delays planting that resulted into very low yield and income. Conventional tillage and crop establishment methods require more resources, time, labor and energy which are increasingly becoming scarce and expensive. This paper illustrates the results of farmer participatory research on resource conservation technologies (RCTs) implemented in the farmers field of Rupendehi district for two successive years (2006/07 and 2007/08) with the purpose of enhancing adoption of such technologies that would sustain higher and more stable yields with the use of less resources and costs. The results of different RCTs such as zero tillage (ZT), reduced tillage with power tiller seed drill (PTSD) and power tiller rotary (PTR) and surface seeding (SS) revealed great saving in seed, land preparation/ seeding and irrigation costs with significant increment in yield and income indicating their suitability and superiority over conventional tillage (CT) in the given ecosystems. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajn.v1i0.7540 Agronomy Journal of Nepal (Agron JN) Vol. 1: 2010 pp.28-39
Simulations of nitrogen dynamism in maize and rice by using CSM-CERES-maize and rice models under Chitwan, Nepal
Authors: Bhusal TN , Lamsal A , Amgain LP
Published: February 2013

Crop modeling is being popular in the field of agriculture as a precision tool for resources allocations and their effective utilizations. Two separate field and simulation studies were accomplished in maize and rice that were laid out in the two factor factorial randomized complete block design at Agronomy Farm of Institute of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Rampur, Chitwan Nepal during spring and rainy season of 2007 and 2008, respectively. CERESmaize and rice models were calibrated using the best performing treatments (7.41 x 104 plants /ha for all 3 varieties of maize i.e. Rampur Composite, Upahar and Arun 4 and 160 kg N /ha for Prithivi and Sunaulo Sugandha, and 120 kg N /ha for Masuli varieties of rice). Models were validated using the remaining treatments (6.36, 5.56 and 4.76 x 104 plants /ha for all varieties in maize and 40, 80 and 120 kg N /ha for Prithivi and Sunaulo Sugandha and 40, 80 and 160 kg N /ha for Mansuli in rice) to predict growth and productivity of different varieties of maize and rice. Model calibration was done with the determination of genetic coefficients and validation was accomplished with the comparison of observed and simulated values on anthesis days, maturity days, leaf area indices, above ground biomass at maturity, unit weight, and grain yields for both maize and rice. The simulation results on nitrogen dynamics revealed that the nitrification and leaching losses were higher under the conditions of non-flooded maize whereas ammonia volatilization and denitrification losses were higher in the conditions of alternately wetting and drying flooded rice field. The degree and magnitude of N-loss is higher when the N-level is advancing under both field conditions. However, volatilization was almost nil in the non-flooded maize. Results indicated that CERESmaize and rRice models could be applied in simulating the agronomic management options including the efficiency of N-application under the conditions of availability of complete datasets required to run the Cropping System Models (CSM)-CERES-maize and rice models embedded under Decision Support System for Agro Technology Transfer (DSSAT) ver 4.2 in the coming days. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajn.v1i0.7548 Agronomy Journal of Nepal (Agron JN) Vol. 1: 2010 pp.94-102
Chemical control of rice whitefly (Aleurocybotus occiduus Maria) in Chitwan, Nepal
Authors: Pokhrel S , Pokhrel SP
Published: February 2013

Effectiveness of five common insecticides was evaluated against a newly established rice insect, Whitefly (Aleurocybotus occiduus Maria) on main season rice (var: Sabitri) at Bharatpur-10, Chitwan (350 m) in 2005. The insecticides tested were: Noorani (Chloropyrifos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC) @ 2ml/litre of water, Rogar @ 1.5ml/litre of water, Phoskil (monocrotophos) @ 2ml/litre of water, Furadan @ 1kg a.i/ha and Anumida (Imidacloprid 17.8% SL) @ 1ml/4 litre of water. The plant growth parameters: plant height, number of yellow and green leaves, active and dead tillers and the grain yield were recorded. Anumida (Imidacloprid 17.8% SL) provided perfect control of Whitefly and gave the highest plant height (60 vs 50 cm), highest leaf number (46.7 vs 3.7), highest tillering (4.4 folds), highest green infertile tillers (16.3 vs6.7) with highest number of ears (3.0 vs 0.0) and grain number (26.3 vs 0.0)/hill. Anumida (Imidacloprid 17.8% SL) also provided comparatively lower leaf yellowing and drying (8.5 vs 22.5) then the control. Anumida (Imidacloprid 17.8% SL) @ 1ml/ 4 liter of water is recommended against rice Whitefly however, Rogar @ 1.5 ml/litre of water, Phoskil (monocrotophos) @ 2ml/litre of water, Noorani (Chloropyrifos 50% + Cypermethrine 5% EC) @ 2ml/liter of water and Furadan @ 1kg a.i./ha also can serve the purpose. The hills not using insecticide were completely failure to produce ears and grains. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajn.v2i0.7520 Agronomy Journal of Nepal (Agron JN) Vol. 2: 2011 pp.42-55
Prospects and constraints of formal rice seed systems in Nepal
Authors: Sapkota S , Regmi PP , Pandey S , Tripathi B , Sah SK
Published: February 2013

Rice (Oryza sativa) is the main crop of Nepal. Farmers in Nepal mostly use seed from their stock in the form of informal seed systems which is around 92.3% of total seed requirements. In Nepal, formal seed of rice is distributed mostly by public institutions and very nominal amount by private seed dealers. Unavailability of quality seed of preferred variety is the key issue for rice seed systems. This study tries to attempt to address existing rice seed supply systems in Nepal thereby understanding its opportunities and constraints. The study was undertaken by collecting information from various documented sources and primary data from the household survey done at Chitwan and some seed related institutions during 2010/11. Formal and the informal are the two dimensions of the seed system for rice. Farm saved seed and farmers- to- farmers exchange of seed are informal seed system whereas private seed dealers and public institutions’ involvement in the seed sector are formal seed systems. Due to dominant of informal seed systems, there is the low seed replacement rate of 8.7% for rice. Nevertheless, breeder seed is solely produced by different Research Centers of Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC), whereas foundation seed is produced by NARC Research Centers and other institutes as well. This amount of source seed does not seem enough to cover rice areas of the country. To tackle problem of seed insufficiency, quality of source seed should be maintained by public institutions aside from creating awareness to farmers by service providers about the importance of producing certified seed by using foundation seed in farmers’ field. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajn.v2i0.7531 Agronomy Journal of Nepal (Agron JN) Vol. 2: 2011 pp.157-167
Retrospective Analysis of 52 Cases of Enteric Fever in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Dhaka City
Authors: Mutanabbi M , Islam KA , Helal MA , Mamun HA , Quader M , Ahmed S
Published: February 2013

Enteric fever remains a serious problem in developing countries. School aged children and young adults are mainly the sufferer. Salmonella typhi infection results in a clinical syndrome that varies widely in presentation; especially in new antibiotic era. Records of 52 enteric fever cases who were admitted to BSMMU, from July 2007 to June 2008 was reviewed and information was recorded in a prescribed form. Descriptive analysis was done through SPSS. Mean age was 6.7±4 years and male: female ratio was 1.2: 1. Most common presenting features were fever in 100% cases, abdominal pain 40% cases, vomiting 35% and diarrhea, constipation 10%cases. Hepatomegaly was present in 71% and splenomegaly in 52% cases. In our study32% of children were under 5 years; and the result is similar with some other studies. Typhoid fever is still a disease which is difficult to diagnose. In some cases of delayed response antibiotic may be required for longer duration where patients became afebrile after 10 days or more from starting antibiotic. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmed.v21i2.13614 Bangladesh J Medicine 2010; 21: 71-73
Pre and Postmenopausal Changes of Bone Mineral Density: A Comparative Study done by Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry
Authors: Begum M , Patwary MI , Ahbab MA , Khan MH , Chowdhury AI , Bari F
Published: February 2013

Background: Accelerated decline of bone mass occurs in women after the menopause, and might lead to excessive bone resorption and eventually to osteoporosis. To find out the changes of bone mineral density (BMD) before and after menopause, the shown was undertaken. Materials and Methods: This comparative study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Sylhet M A G Osmani Medical College Hospital, Sylhet during July 2008 to June 2009. Forty postmenopausal women; monthly income and BMI matched 40 premenopausal women were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. BMD of lumber vertebrae and femoral neck was determined using Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) method (Norland XR 46, Pencil beam). Results: The parity of the postmenopausal women was significantly higher than that of premenopausal women (6.9 ± 2.6 vs 3.1± 1.5; p<0.01). The body weight was significantly lower in postmenopausal women than that of premenopausal women (54.1 ± 8.3 kg vs 61.0 ± 9.7 Kg; p<0.01). The height was significantly lower in postmenopausal women than premenopausal women (148.2 ± 5.7cm vs 153.4 ± 6.4cm; p<0.01). The BMD was lower in postmenopausal women than premenopausal women in lumber vertebrae (0.68 ± 0.13 gm/cm2 vs 0.94 ± 0.03 gm/cm2; p <0.01) and also in femoral neck (0.63 ± 0.12 gm/cm2 vs 0.84 ± 0.14 gm/cm2; p < 0.01). A significant positive correlation was present between BMD and height (r=0.512; p<0.05); and weight (r=0.489; p<0.05); and a negative correlation between BMD and age (r=-0.408; p<0.05); parity (r=-0.456; p<0.05) and years since menopause (r=-0.350; p<0.05). Conclusion: The BMD was significantly lower in postmenopausal women than that of premenopausal women and negative correlation was present between BMD and age, parity and years since menopause.   DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmed.v22i1.13592 Bangladesh J Medicine 2011; 22: 1-7
Presentation and Outcome of Acute Kidney Injury in a Tertiary Military Hospital of Bangladesh
Authors: Mostafi Mamun , Nessa MAJ Azizun , Fakir Md Amzad Hossain , Bhuiyan Md Abdul Quddus , Rahman AKM Mijanur
Published: February 2013

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common condition and its incidence is increasing . No study has been done so far on this subject in the Armed Forces. This retrospective study is therefore, to find out the incidence, etiology , predisposing factors, diagnostic approach, clinical course and finally outcome of the patients with AKI in this country, in a selected group of patients. Methods: This retrospective cross sectional study was conducted in Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka, from July 2007 to July 2011. Total 105 cases were included in this study. All were adult and their age of distribution was 18-80 years. Cases were studied in terms of etiology, mode of presentation, laboratory findings, management and response to treatment or outcome. Results: Mean age was 47.24+ 18.35 years. Male, female ratio was 3:2. Hypovolemia was the major (23.8%) etiological factor of AKI in this study due to acute gastroenteritis, 14.28% cases were due to different non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), 9.52% cases due to rhabdomyolysis following physical assault and vigorous exercise, 7.61% cases were due to septicaemia, 8.57% cases were due to glomerulonephritis and 6.66% cases due to acute pyelonephritis.6.66% cases developed AKI due to falciparum malaria and 5.71% due to obstructive uropathy. Other causes of AKI in this study are contrast induced nephropathy 3.8%,postoperative AKI 4.76%,AKI due to vasculitis 3.8%,2.85% cases due to HELLP syndrome,0.95% case due to snake bite and 0.95% case due to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura(TTP). Oliguria (66.66%) and oedema (64.76%) were the commonest presentation in this study. Mean blood urea and serum creatinine level on admission being 9134 mg/dl and 4.292.55 mg/dl respectively. Haemodialysis was done in 44 cases, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT- continuous venovenous haemodialysis) was given in 6 patients, peritoneal dialysis in 5 patients and 49 cases were managed with conservative therapy alone. Complete recovery occurred in 88 patients, 8 had recovery with residual renal impairment, 6 patients developed end stage renal disease (ESRD) and 3 patients died due to septicaemia and multi-organ failure (MOF). Conclusion: Most of the cases of AKI are preventable if we can take due care of some common health problems like gastroenteritis and at the same time outcome can be rewarding if we can ensure early reporting, quick diagnosis and appropriate management DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmed.v22i2.13587 Bangladesh J Medicine 2011; 22: 35-40
Study of Correlation of Severity of Hepatic Cirrhosis with Severity of Bone Changes Measured by BMD (Bone Mineral Density)
Authors: Alam Md Ashraful , Ahmed Nooruddin , Alam Sahinul , Mahtab Mamun Al
Published: February 2013

Background & Aim Metabolic bone disease is common among patients with chronic liver disease and still it is underestimated complication in liver cirrhosis. The prevalence and presentation of bone disease in chronic liver diseases have been poorly described except for cholestatic liver diseases. This study aims at evaluation of the prevalence and degree of bone changes in patients with cirrhosis and to correlate severity of hepatic cirrhosis with the severity of bone changes. Patients and Methods Bone mineral density (BMD) was studied using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in 60 subjects of 15-45 years old. Of them 30 subjects are patients with liver cirrhosis and rest of the 30 subjects were control group without having liver disease or any other chronic disease. The diagnosis of cirrhosis was based on clinical, biochemical, and ultrasonographic findings. Patients with renal impairment, cholestatic liver disease, chronic lung disease, prolonged bed ridden patients or deformity of spine, pelvis or wrist were excluded from the study. Results of BMD were then correlated with the Child score. Results Eighteen (60%) patients had decreased bone mineral density (BMD). Of which 15 (50%) patients have got osteopenia and 3 (10%) patients have got osteoporosis. No correlation was found between the T-score and Child Paugh score (p =0.236). Significant correlations were found between BMD and serum bilirubin. Conclusion Liver cirrhosis is a risk factor for the development of bone loss and there is a high prevalence of BMD disorders in cirrhotic patients. The severity of bone loss is not related to the severity of liver disease. Hyperbilirubinemia and low albumin is a contributing factor to altered bone mineral density in patients with liver cirrhosis DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmed.v22i2.13588 Bangladesh J Medicine 2011; 22: 41-46
Isolation of astaxanthin from marine yeast and study of its pharmacological activity
Authors: Ushakumari Uma Nath , Ramanujan Ravi
Published: February 2013

The aim of the present study was to isolate and study about the antibacterial activity of astaxanthin from marine yeast. Astaxanthin a carotenoid present in marine yeast and crustaceans posses a wide range of pharmacological activity. Yeast strain was isolated from the marine sediments collected from Cochin, Kerala during the month of August 2012. The samples were collected in sterile plastic covers and brought to the laboratory without exposing to the external environment further. The marine sediment samples were directly inoculated in yeast malt. After effective screening the strains containing astaxanthin was refrigerated for further use. The strains were purified by TLC using petroleum hexane: acetone (3:1). A spectrophotometric assay was carried out by measuring absorbance at 200-500nm. The antibacterial activity was studied on several organisms like Bacillus Subtilis, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeroginosa. The extracts showed excellent antibacterial activity than the standard chloramphenicol. Among this, Pseudomonas aeroginasa showed maximum inhibition.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v2i3.13584 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, February 2013, 2(3): 67-69
The Film Theories of Bazin and Epstein: Shadow Boxing in the Margins of the Real
Authors: Jefferson Kline T.
Published: February 2013

When in 1958 André Bazin published the first volume of What is Cinema?, he was already recognized as French film's pre-eminent thinker. His position at Cahiers du cinéma and his influence on the young directors who were to launch the New Wave guaranteed his centrality and his influence. What is nevertheless surprising about this unparalleled success is how fundamentally conservative his writing was. His belief that ‘true realism’ constituted the ontology and the essence of cinema was remarkably out of step with the major philosophical movements of his time. Paradoxically, it was not Bazin but Jean Epstein who best explained and defined the modernity of cinema. A reading of Epstein's Le Cinéma du diable will allow us to appreciate just how paradoxical it was that it was Bazin and not Epstein who was ‘selected’ to present cinema to a France immersed in existential and post-existential thought.
The Oak That Wished It Were a Reed: Georges Sadoul and André Bazin
Authors: Marie Laurent
Published: February 2013

The two leading French film writers and critics of the post-war period were André Bazin and Georges Sadoul. Their relationship has often been reduced to the controversy that followed the publication of Bazin's article on ‘Soviet Cinema and the Myth of Stalin’ in 1950. While the ensuing polemic undeniably drove them apart, the prevailing critical emphasis on this episode fails to do justice to either their critical work or its wider context. Indeed, the heartfelt tribute Sadoul paid to Bazin after the latter's death testifies to a much richer and more complex relationship between the two critics. Drawing on both published and archival sources, this article sets out to throw a new and more comprehensive light on this historically critical relationship and its context by examining the reactions of both critics to the ‘Stalin Myth’ controversy, post-war American cinema, and the form and content debate of the later 1940s.
Search and Rescue: An Annotated Checklist of Translations of Gray's Elegy
Authors: Turk Thomas N.
Published: February 2013

This is a checklist of the more than 260 known published translations of Gray's poem, without restriction as to language or period, with supplementary information on the trasnslators, where their work may be found, etc. Forty different languages are involved, with Latin (44 translations), French (39), and Italian (28) numerically leading the list. Known translations peak in the Romantic era and continue to the present day. It has been claimed that all English and American poets owe something to the Elegy, but it has also been a singular influence on other languages, especially Indian, Japanese, and the languages of Eastern Europe.
Dubins Traveling Salesman Problem with Neighborhoods: A Graph-Based Approach
Authors: Isaacs Jason , Hespanha João
Published: February 2013

We study the problem of finding the minimum-length curvature constrained closed path through a set of regions in the plane. This problem is referred to as the Dubins Traveling Salesperson Problem with Neighborhoods (DTSPN). An algorithm is presented that uses sampling to cast this infinite dimensional combinatorial optimization problem as a Generalized Traveling Salesperson Problem (GTSP) with intersecting node sets. The GTSP is then converted to an Asymmetric Traveling Salesperson Problem (ATSP) through a series of graph transformations, thus allowing the use of existing approximation algorithms. This algorithm is shown to perform no worse than the best existing DTSPN algorithm and is shown to perform significantly better when the regions overlap. We report on the application of this algorithm to route an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) equipped with a radio to collect data from sparsely deployed ground sensors in a field demonstration of autonomous detection, localization, and verification of multiple acoustic events.
Who Needs to Fit in? Who Gets to Stand out? Communication Technologies Including Brain-Machine Interfaces Revealed from the Perspectives of Special Education School Teachers Through an Ableism Lens
Authors: Diep Lucy , Wolbring Gregor
Published: February 2013

Some new and envisioned technologies such as brain machine interfaces (BMI) that are being developed initially for people with disabilities, but whose use can also be expanded to the general public have the potential to change body ability expectations of disabled and non-disabled people beyond the species-typical. The ways in which this dynamic will impact students with disabilities in the domain of special education is explored. Data was drawn from six special education school teachers from one school in Calgary, Alberta. Five sub-themes (social acceptance, not adding to the impairment, fear of judgement by society, pursuing “normality” and meeting the demands of society) were identified that fit under the main identified theme of “fitting in by not standing out”. Findings demonstrate a dichotomy in participant views of non- or socially acceptable communication devices. The perception of BMI technology was also explored among special education school teachers, revealing benefits and challenges with the uptake of this technology for students with disabilities. Perceptions of people with disabilities and ableism are presented as conceptual frameworks to interpret the influence and impact of the findings.
Wind Farm Wake: The Horns Rev Photo Case
Authors: Hasager Charlotte , Rasmussen Leif , Peña Alfredo , Jensen Leo , Réthoré Pierre-Elouan
Published: February 2013

The aim of the paper is to examine the nowadays well-known wind farm wake photographs taken on 12 February 2008 at the offshore Horns Rev 1 wind farm. The meteorological conditions are described from observations from several satellite sensors quantifying clouds, surface wind vectors and sea surface temperature as well as ground-based information at and near the wind farm, including Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) data. The SCADA data reveal that the case of fog formation occurred 12 February 2008 on the 10:10 UTC. The fog formation is due to very special atmospheric conditions where a layer of cold humid air above a warmer sea surface re-condensates to fog in the wake of the turbines. The process is fed by warm humid air up-drafted from below in the counter-rotating swirl generated by the clock-wise rotating rotors. The condensation appears to take place primarily in the wake regions with relatively high axial velocities and high turbulent kinetic energy. The wind speed is near cut-in and most turbines produce very little power. The rotational pattern of spiraling bands produces the large-scale structure of the wake fog.
“Hike up yer Skirt, and Quit.” What Motivates and Supports Smoking Cessation in Builders and Renovators
Authors: Bondy Susan , Bercovitz Kim
Published: February 2013

Construction-related occupations have very high smoking prevalence rates and are an identified priority population for efforts to promote cessation. This study sought to identify the smoking cessation supports and services which best suited this workforce group, and to identify gaps in reach of preventive health services. We performed qualitative text analysis on pre-existing conversations about smoking cessation among workers in this sector. The material appeared on a discussion forum about residential construction from 1998 and 2011. Roughly 250 unique user names appeared in these discussions. The qualitative analysis addressed knowledge, motivation, environmental influences, and positive and negative experiences with supports for cessation. Self-identified smokers tended to want to quit and described little social value in smoking. Actual quit attempts were attributed to aging and tangible changes in health and fitness. Peer-to-peer social support for cessation was evident. Advice given was to avoid cigarettes and smokers, to focus on personal skills, personal commitment, and the benefits of cessation (beyond the harms from smoking). Many discussants had received medical support for cessation, but behavioural counselling services appeared underutilized. Our findings support efforts toward more complete bans on workplace smoking and increased promotion of available behavioural support services among dispersed blue-collar workers.
Structure Formation of Ultrathin PEO Films at Solid Interfaces—Complex Pattern Formation by Dewetting and Crystallization
Authors: Braun Hans-Georg , Meyer Evelyn
Published: February 2013

The direct contact of ultrathin polymer films with a solid substrate may result in thin film rupture caused by dewetting. With crystallisable polymers such as polyethyleneoxide (PEO), molecular self-assembly into partial ordered lamella structures is studied as an additional source of pattern formation. Morphological features in ultrathin PEO films (thickness < 10 nm) result from an interplay between dewetting patterns and diffusion limited growth pattern of ordered lamella growing within the dewetting areas. Besides structure formation of hydrophilic PEO molecules, n-alkylterminated (hydrophobic) PEO oligomers are investigated with respect to self-organization in ultrathin films. Morphological features characteristic for pure PEO are not changed by the presence of the n-alkylgroups.
The Reaction Mechanism of Claisen Rearrangement Obtained by Transition State Spectroscopy and Single Direct-Dynamics Trajectory
Authors: Iwakura Izumi , Kaneko Yu , Hayashi Shigehiko , Yabushita Atsushi , Kobayashi Takayoshi
Published: February 2013

Chemical bond breaking and formation during chemical reactions can be observed using “transition state spectroscopy”. Comparing the measurement result of the transition state spectroscopy with the simulation result of single direct-dynamics trajectory, we have elucidated the reaction dynamics of Claisen rearrangement of allyl vinyl ether. Observed the reaction of the neat sample liquid, we have estimated the time constants of transformation from straight-chain structure to aromatic-like six-membered ring structure forming the C1-C6 bond. The result clarifies that the reaction proceeds via three steps taking longer time than expected from the gas phase calculation. This finding provides new hypothesis and discussions, helping the development of the field of reaction mechanism analysis.
A Fluorescent One-Dimensional Photonic Crystal for Label-Free Biosensing Based on Bloch Surface Waves
Authors: Frascella Francesca , Ricciardi Serena , Rivolo Paola , Moi Valeria , Giorgis Fabrizio , Descrovi Emiliano , Michelotti Francesco , Munzert Peter , Danz Norbert , Napione Lucia , Alvaro Maria , Bussolino Federico
Published: February 2013

A one-dimensional photonic crystal (1DPC) based on a planar stack of dielectric layers is used as an optical transducer for biosensing, upon the coupling of TE-polarized Bloch Surface Waves (BSW). The structure is tailored with a polymeric layer providing a chemical functionality facilitating the covalent binding of orienting proteins needed for a subsequent grafting of antibodies in an immunoassay detection scheme. The polymeric layer is impregnated with Cy3 dye, in such a way that the photonic structure can exhibit an emissive behavior. The BSW-coupled fluorescence shift is used as a means for detecting refractive index variations occurring at the 1DPC surface, according to a label-free concept. The proposed working principle is successfully demonstrated in real-time tracking of protein G covalent binding on the 1DPC surface within a fluidic cell.
An Image Reconstruction Algorithm for Electrical Capacitance Tomography Based on Robust Principle Component Analysis
Authors: Lei Jing , Liu Shi , Wang Xueyao , Liu Qibin
Published: February 2013

Electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) attempts to reconstruct the permittivity distribution of the cross-section of measurement objects from the capacitance measurement data, in which reconstruction algorithms play a crucial role in real applications. Based on the robust principal component analysis (RPCA) method, a dynamic reconstruction model that utilizes the multiple measurement vectors is presented in this paper, in which the evolution process of a dynamic object is considered as a sequence of images with different temporal sparse deviations from a common background. An objective functional that simultaneously considers the temporal constraint and the spatial constraint is proposed, where the images are reconstructed by a batching pattern. An iteration scheme that integrates the advantages of the alternating direction iteration optimization (ADIO) method and the forward-backward splitting (FBS) technique is developed for solving the proposed objective functional. Numerical simulations are implemented to validate the feasibility of the proposed algorithm.
Sensors Best Paper Award 2013
Authors: Passaro Vittorio , Seitz W. , Melesse Assefa , Star Alexander , Han Ophelia
Published: February 2013

Since 2011, Sensors has instituted an annual award to recognize outstanding papers that are related to sensing technologies and applications and meet the aims, scope and high standards of this journal [1,2]. [...]
Cell-Gazing Into the Future: What Genes, Homo heidelbergensis, and Punishment Tell Us About Our Adaptive Capacity
Authors: Andrews Jeffrey , Davidson Debra
Published: February 2013

If we wish to understand how our species can adapt to the coming tide of environmental change, then understanding how we have adapted throughout the course of evolution is vital. Evolutionary biologists have been exploring these questions in the last forty years, establishing a solid record of evidence that conventional, individual-based models of natural selection are insufficient in explaining social evolution. More recently, this work has supported a growing consensus that our evolution, in which we have expressed extra-ordinary adaptive capacities, can best be explained by “Multi-level Selection”, a theory that includes the influence of both genes and culture to support unique adaptive capacities premised on pro-social behaviours and group selection, not individual-level competition for survival. Applying this scholarship to contemporary concerns about adapting to environmental change may be quite fruitful for identifying sources of vulnerability and adaptive capacity, thereby informing efforts to enhance the likelihood for sustainable futures. Doing so, however, requires that we bridge the gap between evolutionary biology, and the social sciences study of sustainability.
Radical zinc-atom-transfer-based carbozincation of haloalkynes with dialkylzincs
Authors: Chemla Fabrice , Dulong Florian , Ferreira Franck , Pérez-Luna Alejandro
Published: February 2013

The formation of alkylidenezinc carbenoids by 1,4-addition/carbozincation of dialkylzincs or alkyl iodides based on zinc atom radical transfer, in the presence of dimethylzinc with β-(propargyloxy)enoates having pendant iodo- and bromoalkynes, is disclosed. Formation of the carbenoid intermediate is fully stereoselective at −30 °C and arises from a formal anti-selective carbozincation reaction. Upon warming, the zinc carbenoid is stereochemically labile and isomerizes to its more stable form.
Le totalitarisme par l'espace
Authors: Monod Jean-Claude
Published: February 2013

Résumé Le livre de Timothy Snyder, Terres de sang. L’Europe entre Hitler et Staline , est un événement. Il fait l’histoire d’un espace qui s’est trouvé au carrefour de deux totalitarismes. Les régimes nazi et soviétique ont utilisé ces terres de Pologne et d’Ukraine comme grenier, champ de bataille et outil de leur politique impériale. Voilà une invitation à regarder autrement les crimes du xx e siècle.
Après le colbertisme, quelle politique industrielle ?
Authors: Cohen Élie , Chérèque François , Padis Marc-Olivier , Mongin Olivier , Béja Alice
Published: February 2013

Résumé Le modèle des grands projets portés par un État opérateur, qui a si bien fonctionné entre 1945 et 1974, n’est plus d’actualité, mais il n’a jamais été remplacé. Après des années de réformes et de créations de nouveaux outils de pilotage et de stratégie, il faut cesser le saupoudrage, et faire des choix clairs.
Portraits d'adonaissants dans la douleur
Authors: Guiouillier Bertrand
Published: February 2013

L’adolescence est cette seconde phase du processus de séparation-individuation, au cours de laquelle, le jeune tente de se détacher de l’autorité parentale et de ses objets infantiles, mais il va aussi perdre l’objet œdipien, chargé d’amour, de haine et d’ambivalence. À travers des exemples cliniques, nous discutons de l’influence d’un divorce des parents pour un adolescent. Nous nous inspirons d’une cure d’une adolescente pour envisager les difficultés de séparation et de construction d’un Moi autonome lorsque l’enfant n’a pas été reconnu et que la lignée paternelle est absente.