bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacteremia caused by an Acinetobacter junii strain harboring class 1 integron and diverse DNA mobile elements
Authors: Traglia German M , Almuzara Marisa , Vilacoba Elisabet , Tuduri Alicia , Neumann Gabriela , Pallone Elida , Centron Daniela , Ramirez Maria Soledad
Published: May 2014

Introduction: Infections caused by Acinetobacter junii are rarely reported. However, some outbreaks of septicemia in neonates and pediatric oncology patients, as well as meningitis, peritonitis, and ocular infection have been described. Since it is highly infrequent to find the molecular characterization of A. junii strains in literature, in this study we described the molecular characterization of A. junii isolates recovered from blood samples of a renal transplant patient. Methodology: The case was defined as a catheter-related bacteremia caused by A. junii. The patient responded favorably after catheter removal and treatment with ciprofloxacin. Results and Conclusion: The complete molecular characterization of the isolate showed that it harbored a class 1 integron and diverse DNA mobile elements. This explains its genomic plasticity for acquiring antimicrobial resistance determinants and for adapting to a nosocomial niche.
Comparison of artesunate and quinine in the treatment of severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria at Kassala hospital, Sudan
Authors: Abdallah Tajeldin M , Elmardi Khalid A , Elhassan Asama H , Omer Mona B , Elhag Mousab S , Desogi Mohamed A , Siddig Mohammed F , Adam Ishag
Published: May 2014

Introduction: There is a need to investigate the treatment (artesunate and quinine) of severe malaria, as this will influence the outcome of morbidity and the mortality of the disease. Methodology:  An open randomized trial conducted at Kassala, Sudan. Patients with severe P. falciparum malaria were randomly assigned to either intravenous artesunate at 2.4 mg/kg at 0, 12, and 24 hours, then daily, or intravenous quinine at a 20 mg/kg loading dose, then 10 mg/kg three times a day. Fever and parasite clearance and coma resolution time were compared between the two groups . Results: The two groups (47 in each group) were well matched in the clinical and biochemical characteristics. Hypotension, convulsions, severe anemia, hypoglycemia, cerebral malaria, and jaundice were the predominant manifestations of severe malaria. The mean (SD) of the fever clearance (10.8 [5.5] vs. 14.0 [8.1] hours, p = 0.028) and the parasite clearance time (16.5 [6.4] vs. 21.7 [11.3] hours, p = 0.007) were significantly shorter in the artesunate-treated patients. In comatose patients, there was no difference between the two groups in coma resolution time. Following quinine infusion, ten patients developed tinnitus (p < 0.001), and four had hypoglycemia (p = 0.033). Tinnitus and hypoglycemia were not detected in the artesunate group. One patient in the artesunate group died. Conclusions: Artesunate is more effective than quinine, in term of parasite and fever clearance time, in the treatment of P. falciparum malaria in eastern Sudan. The study found no difference between artesunate and quinine in coma resolution time.
Diagnostic-test evaluation of immunoassays for anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies in a random sample of Mexican population
Authors: Caballero-Ortega Heriberto , Castillo-Cruz Rocío , Murieta Sandra , Ortíz-Alegría Luz Belinda , Calderón-Segura Esther , Conde-Glez Carlos J , Cañedo-Solares Irma , Correa Dolores
Published: May 2014

Introduction: There are few articles on evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii serological tests. Besides, commercially available tests are not always useful and are expensive for studies in open population. The aim of this study was to evaluate in-house ELISA and western blot for IgG antibodies in a representative sample of people living in Mexico. Methodology: Three hundred and five serum samples were randomly selected from two national seroepidemiological survey banks; they were taken from men and women of all ages and from all areas of the country. ELISA cut-off was established using the mean plus three standard deviations of negative samples. Western blots were analysed by two experienced technicians and positivity was established according to the presence of at least three diagnostic bands. A commercial ELISA kit was used as a third test. Two reference standards were built up: one using concordant results of two assays leaving the evaluated test out and the other in which the evaluated test was included (IN) with at least two concordant results to define diagnosis. Results: the lowest values of diagnostic parameters were obtained with the OUT reference standards: in-house ELISA had 96.9% sensitivity, 62.1% specificity, 49.6% PPV, 98.1% NPV and 71.8% accuracy, while western blot presented 81.8%, 89.7%, 84.0%, 88.2% and 86.6% values and the best kappa coefficient (0.72-0.82). Conclusions: The in-house ELISA is useful for screening people of Mexico, due to its high sensitivity, while western blot may be used to confirm diagnosis. These techniques might prove useful in other Latin American countries.
Are bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) serum levels correlated with development of hepatic fibrosis?
Authors: Aktug Demir Nazlim , Kolgelier Servet , Inkaya Ahmet Cagkan , Sumer Sua , Demir Lutfi Saltuk , Pehlivan Fatma Seher , Arslan Mahmure , Arpaci Abdullah
Published: May 2014

Introduction: Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) is a key protein in organogenesis and liver development. The protein has been studied in the context of liver fibrosis and regeneration. The aim of the present study was to explore any possible association between fibrosis levels (as revealed by liver biopsy) and serum BMP-7 levels. Methodology: A total of 189 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 51 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Results: The study group contained 120 (63.5%) males and 69 (36.5%) females, and the control group contained 25 males (49.0%) and 26 females (51%). In general, serum BMP-7 values of patients were higher than those of controls (p = 0.001). Serum BMP-7 values of patients with liver fibrosis of stages 1, 2, 3, or 4 were higher than control values (all p values = 0.01), but the serum BMP-7 levels of patients with stage 5 fibrosis were similar to that of controls. Associations between fibrosis stage and the serum levels of BMP-7, ALT, HBVDNA, platelets, and albumin were all statistically significant (p = 0.001). The AUROC for the BMP-7 level in advanced stage fibrosis was found to be 0.23. The data were analyzed using the binary logistic regression analysis (backward stepwise method) and BMP-7, HBVDNA, and platelet levels were found to be risk factors associated with fibrosis (p values 0.031, 0.040, and 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: BMP-7 may play anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrogenic roles in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B infection.
Awareness of antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance in the Iraqi community in Jordan
Authors: Darwish Dana A , Abdelmalek Suzanne , Abu Dayyih Wael , Hamadi Salim
Published: May 2014

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance is a serious global health concern. It has considerable implications on societies' health and resources. In Jordan, there is a large Iraqi community due to the ongoing turmoil in Iraq. Unfortunately, health awareness and practices of this community are under-investigated due to scarcity of research. This paper assesses the awareness of antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance in the Iraqi community residing in Amman, Jordan. Their level of interaction with health care professionals regarding antibiotics and differences in their antibiotic use between Iraq and Jordan are also discussed. Methodology: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey involving randomly selected Iraqis residing in Amman, Jordan was conducted. Results: The study involved 508 participants. Sixty-two percent of participants agreed with buying antibiotics without a prescription, 29% agreed with obtaining antibiotics from friends or relatives, and 46% agreed with keeping leftover antibiotics for future use. Furthermore, 60% disagreed with not completing an antibiotic course and almost 90% of the sample listed viral diseases as an indication for antibiotics. Forty-four percent of participants abided by physicians’ instructions on antibiotic use. Half of the participants believed that pharmacists provided instructions on antibiotics all the time, whereas physicians were perceived to do so by 29% of participants. Conclusions: Gaps exist in knowledge of antibiotic use and reasons for antimicrobial resistance among Iraqis residing in Jordan. These gaps should serve in planning educational campaigns to raise the community’s awareness of responsible antibiotic use. Law enforcement to restrict access to antibiotics is also pivotal to tackle their misuse.
Increased quinolone resistance among typhoid Salmonella isolated from Egyptian patients
Authors: Saleh Fatma O.I. , Ahmed Hazem A , Khairy Rasha M.M. , Abdelwahab Sayed F.
Published: May 2014

Introduction: Typhoid fever is endemic in Egypt; and quinolones are the empirical treatment of choice. There are very limited data reporting quinolone resistance among Egyptian typhoidal Salmonella isolates. We previously reported that all typhoidal Salmonella were sensitive to quinolones. This study aimed to isolate and identify typhoidal Salmonella from cases suffering from enteric fever at Minia Governorate, Egypt, determine their quinolone resistance patterns, compare them to those reported 20 years ago, and test gyrA mutation as a possible mechanism for quinolone resistance. Methodology: Stool samples from Widal-positive subjects were screened by culture on suitable media and were identified biochemically. The identified isolates were tested for resistance against three representatives of the first three quinolone generations, namely nalidixic acid (NAL), levofloxacin (LEV), and norfloxacin (NOR). The gyrA gene was amplified and sequenced to detect point mutation(s) conferring quinolone resistance. Results: Out of 230 stool samples (from patients with Widal anti-O titers of ≥ 1/160), 40 isolates were S. enterica serovar Typhi (97.5%) and Paratyphi A (2.5%). Six (15%) isolates were resistant to at least one of the quinolones, compared to 0% in 1993. In this regard, 15%, 7.5%, and 2.5% of the isolates were resistant to NAL, both NAL and LEV, and all three quinolones tested, respectively. Sequencing of the gyrA gene revealed point mutations at position 83 and/or 87 of the gyrA gene only among the resistant isolates. Conclusion: There has been an increase in quinolone-resistant typhoidal Salmonella in Egypt over time.
Characteristics and risk factors of candidemia in pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care children's hospital in Egypt
Authors: Hegazi Moustafa , Abdelkader Alaa , Zaki Maysaa , El-Deek Basem
Published: May 2014

Introduction: This study was conducted to determine characteristics of Candida colonization and candidemia in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary care children's hospital. Methodology: Patients between 6 months and 15 years of age consecutively admitted to the PICU of Mansoura University Children’s Hospital in Mansoura, Egypt, during one year period, were evaluated for Candida colonization and candidemia. Susceptibility of Candida species isolated from blood to fluconazole and amphotericin B was determined by Etest. Results: Sixty-six patients without prior fluconazole prophylaxis had 88 episodes of candidemia, representing 19% of all cases with blood stream infections (BSIs).  Candida albicans (CA) and non-albicans Candida (NAC) species accounted for 40% and 60% of candidemia episodes respectively. C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. glabrata accounted for 25%, 17%, and 8% of NAC candidemias respectively. Fluconazole resistance was detected in 11.4% and 18.9% of CA and NAC isolates respectively. Of the fluconazole resistant NAC isolates, four were C. krusei. Amphotericin B resistance was detected in 17% of NAC isolates. Candida colonization was detected in 78.8% of patients. Compared to CA candidemia, higher risk for NAC candidemia was associated with age older than 1 year, Candida isolation from endotracheal tube (ETT) and from central venous catheter. Mortality rate was 42.4%, attributable mortality of candidemia was 16.7%. Regression analysis showed that the most significant independent predictors of death were ETT and mechanical ventilation (MV), MV longer than 7 days, and candiduria. Conclusions: This study presents important epidemiological features of Candida BSIs in a non-neonatal population.
Gram-negative bacilli causing infections in an intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital in Istanbul, Turkey
Authors: Senbayrak Akcay Seniha , Inan Asuman , Cevan Simin , Ozaydın Ayse Nilufer , Cobanoglu Naz , Ozyurek Seyfi Celik , Aksaray Sebahat
Published: May 2014

Introduction: This study aimed to demonstrate the changing epidemiology of infecting microorganisms and their long-term resistance profiles and to describe the microbiological point of view in anti-infective management of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Methodology: A total of 5,690 isolates of Gram-negative bacilli were included in this study. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested using the disk diffusion method and Vitek 2 system. Chi-square tests were used for hypothesis testing. Results: The most frequently isolated organisms were A. baumannii (37.3%), P. aeruginosa (30.3%), Enterobacter spp. (10.4%), E. coli (10.4%), and Klebsiella spp. (8.9%). A. baumannii was the most frequently isolated organism from the respiratory tract (43.4%); the susceptibility rates for imipenem and meropenem decreased to 7% and 6% (p < 0.0001), respectively. The percentage of multidrug-resistant (MDR) A. baumannii isolates continuously increased from 18.7% in 2004 to 69% in 2011 (p < 0.0001), whereas MDR P. aeruginosa isolates increased from 1.5% to 22% (p < 0.0001). Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella isolates emerged in 2010 and increased to 20% in the next year. The rates of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in the ICU was very high in 2011 – 50% for E. coli and 80% for Klebsiella strains. Conclusion: The most common isolated Gram-negative bacillus in our study was A. baumannii and that the prevalence of MDR isolates has increased markedly over. Accordingly, the comparison of antibiotic resistance of other pathogens in 2004 and 2011 displayed an increasing trend. These data imply the urgent need for new and effective strategies in our hospital and in the region.
Estudio cinético, en condiciones no-isotérmicas, de la desorción térmica del mercurio en suelos contaminados
Authors: López Félix A. , Sierra María José , Rodríguez Olga , Millán Rocío , Alguacil Francisco J.
Published: May 2014

El distrito minero de Almadén (Ciudad Real, España) tiene la mayor mina de cinabrio (sulfuro de mercurio) del mundo. Sus suelos tienen altos niveles de mercurio como consecuencia de su litología natural, pero a menudo su contenido en mercurio es mucho más alto debido a la historia minera de la zona. Este trabajo examina la desorción térmica de dos suelos contaminados procedentes de Almadén bajo condiciones isotérmicas en atmósfera de N2, empleando calorimetría diferencial de barrido (DSC). La calorimetría se llevó a cabo a diferentes velocidades de calentamiento desde temperatura ambiente hasta 600 °C. Se determinaron las diferentes temperaturas de desorción de las especies de mercurio presentes en los suelos. Para determinar la cinética de reacción a partir de los datos de DSC se utilizaron los métodos de Friedman, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa y Coasts–Redfern. Además se calcularon las energías de activación y los factores pre-exponenciales para la desorción del mercurio.
Corrosión galvánica de aleaciones de magnesio AM50 y AZ91D modificadas con tierras raras en contacto con acero y aleaciones de aluminio
Authors: Mohedano Marta , Arrabal Raúl , Pardo Angel , Paucar Karín , Merino M. Concepción , Matykina Endzhe , Mingo Beatriz , Garcés Gerardo
Published: May 2014

Se emplearon medidas electroquímicas y gravimétricas para examinar el efecto de la adición de neodimio y gadolinio en el comportamiento a la corrosión galvánica de las aleaciones AM50 y AZ91D en contacto con acero al carbono A 570 Gr 36 y aleaciones de aluminio AA2011 y AA6082. Las aleaciones modificadas con tierras raras mostraron intermetálicos Al2Nd/Al2Gd y Al-Mn-Nd/Al-Mn-Gd, menor fracción de fase β-Mg17Al12 y un incremento de la resistencia a la corrosión debido al aumento de la pasividad de la superficie y a la eliminación de micro pares galvánicos. Las adiciones de neodimio y gadolinio mejoraron la resistencia a la corrosión galvánica de la aleación AM50, pero fueron menos efectivas en el caso de la aleación AZ91D. La aleación AA6082 fue el material más compatible y la aleación AA2011 el menos compatible.
Fabricación y caracterización de materiales Ag-Cd/CdO producidos mediante incorporación de partículas de CdO en aleaciones Ag-Cd líquidas
Authors: Equihua-Guillén Fabián , Ruíz-Mondragón José , Servín-Castañeda Rumualdo , Orozco-González Pilar , Zaldívar-Cadena Antonio , Martínez-Villafañe Fernando , Villarreal-Garza Eduardo de Jesús
Published: May 2014

En el presente trabajo se investigó el comportamiento cinético del proceso de oxidación interna de láminas del material Ag-Cd/CdO fabricado mediante adición de partículas de CdO con tamaño de 5 y 20 μm en aleaciones Ag-Cd en estado líquido. Se ha establecido el mecanismo metalúrgico que controla la formación del espesor cubierto con partículas de CdO producido por oxidación interna del material Ag-Cd/CdO. Se desarrolló con éxito una técnica de preparación metalográfica para caracterizar el tamaño y distribución de partículas de CdO producidas por oxidación interna sobre la superficie de cada lámina en función de la distancia a partir de la superficie original hasta el límite de partículas de CdO dispersas. Las placas del material fueron desbastadas secuencialmente sobre su superficie y se midió el espesor desbastado en la sección transversal de cada nueva superficie para determinar el número de partículas por unidad de área y el tamaño promedio de partícula.
A model for determination of effective permeability from acoustic wavespeed and attenuation in a rigid two‐phase porous medium
Authors: Greenhalgh Stewart , Xu Liu , Zhou Bing
Published: May 2014

We propose a two‐phase permeability spherical inclusion model of mesoscopic heterogeneity for a rigid, porous acoustic medium, and apply the non‐self‐consistent theory to the scattered wave field from a single spherical inclusion to obtain the dispersion curves of phase velocity and attenuation factor (inverse quality factor) for the composite. We then determine the effective permeability from the wave frequency, complex velocity and other effective material parameters such as bulk modulus, porosity and fluid viscosity. Unlike other rigid double porosity models, our model shows that the host material and its volume fraction determine the acoustic velocity and attenuation, but there are additional attenuation peaks (we call them resonance peaks) in the inverse quality factor responses which are a possible indicator of the size of inclusions. Since the thermal relaxation frequency of the inclusion material actually does not affect the wave behaviour of the composite, the effective dynamic permeability is easily calculated from the velocity and attenuation. This result is compared with other measures of effective dynamic permeability, deduced from the effective hydraulic permeability by replacing the permeability of the components with their dynamic values as determined from the Johnson model. We find that for frequencies lower than the resonance frequency, this dynamic permeability model is very similar to that determined from the scattering model of this paper. However, the model which uses the arithmetic mean of the constituents is not valid for inclusions having higher permeability than the host phase whereas the model which uses the harmonic mean is not valid for inclusions having lower permeability than that of the host material. We have checked the validity of the effective dynamic permeability and its applicability to rocks encountered in both near surface and petroleum seismic exploration.
Comparative study of different inversion techniques applied on Rayleigh surface wave dispersion curves
Authors: Kritikakis George , Vafidis Antonis , Papakonstantinou Konstantinos , O’Neill Adam
Published: May 2014

This study examines the performance of different inversion techniques applied on Rayleigh surface wave dispersion curves. The kriSIS algorithms implement the Quasi‐Newton method, the L1 norm minimization, smoothness, damping and minimum gradient constraints and their combinations, as well as weighted inversion. Furthermore, any a priori geophysical or/and geotechnical information can be taken into account during the inversion. The proposed methodology is applied on two synthetic dispersion curves as well as two synthetic seismic records. Eight inversion parameters were tested per examined model resulting in 7680 tests. Three of them were tested on real data. The main outcome of this comparative study indicates that, for the tested models and real data, the Least Squares (L2 norm) inversion, using smoothness constraint and calculating the Jacobian matrix from analytical relationships or arithmetic differentiation, leads to the most reliable and accurate inversion results.
Examples of Concept Mapping in a School Setting
Authors: Goldberg Cristine G.
Published: May 2014

Through discussions with colleagues at several different institutions and teachers from all levels in my home state, it became apparent that classroom teachers have little or no exposure to good concept mapping practices. Background information about why concept mapping should be a primary tool in everyone's “toolbox” for learning and performance success is not common knowledge. Secondly, practicing teachers need concrete ideas for using concept mapping by and with students. After a couple of years of conversations at conferences and informally surveying my own undergraduate and graduate students, I decided to make an attempt to fill in this void. In this chapter I have presented relevant information about where, when, and how to use concept mapping as well as critical “how-to” tips for implementation by interested parties.
Self-Inquiry and Group Dynamics
Authors: González Katia , Frumkin Rhoda , Montgomery John
Published: May 2014

In this chapter, the authors discuss ways in which pedagogical considerations involved in using a theoretical framework for self-inquiry and socially constructed knowledge led to the selection and implementation of mapping as a tool to (1) activate prior knowledge and scaffold content and process for pre-service educators working with students and families who are at risk and (2) assist adult learners in organizing multiple perspectives during small and large group discussion, while developing critical thinking and shared leadership skills through meaningful connections and action. A case study on how the utilization of a multidisciplinary approach informed the type of curriculum decisions to engage learners is provided. The case study also illustrates when and why instructional techniques and strategies were introduced and embedded to encourage both interactions and discussions focusing on modeling the ongoing use of skills for critical thinking and how each mapping strategy/tool served as a formative and summative assessment plan to improve verbal and written communication.
Teaching Critical Thinking to First-Year Medical Students through Concept Mapping
Authors: Sadik Amina
Published: May 2014

Helping students learn the basic sciences and demonstrating their importance in the practice of medicine presents a challenge for the majority of medical science educators. A curriculum change of medical biochemistry was implemented to include concept mapping as a visual strategy to enhance the analytical and critical thinking skills during clinical case-based workshops. A rubric was used to give detailed feedback and provide guidance to students. A number of clinical cases were judiciously selected to illustrate specific topics. Students meet with a faculty member to discuss the concept map prior to the workshop. During such meetings, all members are asked to participate in explaining their reasoning and decision-making and to thereby justify the flow of the concept map. This activity gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their capacity to visualize their knowledge using the concept map construction.
Concept Maps, VoiceThread, and Visual Images
Authors: Snyder Kristen M.
Published: May 2014

The context of this chapter has its roots in an educational movement that recognizes the importance of preparing youth for living and working in a global community. Central to this is a belief in 1) engaging students in collaborative learning, 2) developing cultural sensitivity, 3) using digital media for communication and creativity, and 4) transforming pedagogical practice to foster reflection, divergent thinking, and creativity. The question addressed in this chapter is how teachers can use digital media and visual images to spawn divergent thinking and dialogue in a global learning context. This chapter presents a case analysis to examine evidence of inquiry-based collaborative learning and three-dimensional thinking among students when using digital images and collaborative software in a global partnership project.
Mapping the Doctorate
Authors: Howson Camille B. Kandiko , Kinchin Ian
Published: May 2014

This chapter reports on the results of a four-year longitudinal study of PhD students and their supervisors, from which the evidence gained suggests that the students tend to focus on the PhD in terms of a product to be completed (in terms of writing a thesis and peer-reviewed journals), whilst the supervisors tend to concentrate more on the process of learning and scientific development, placing the student's contribution into the wider disciplinary discourse. The structural observations from the concept maps generated within this research are that the students perceive the PhD as a linear structure, whereas the supervisors are more likely to generate a cyclic structure to illustrate the dynamic, iterative processes of research more generally. Further structural elements emerge from the analysis of the maps, indicating the need for holistic understanding of the content, structure, and meanings in concept maps and their relationship with safe spaces for the development of critical thinking.
Archival Legislation and Archival Services in Africa
Authors: Mnjama Nathan
Published: May 2014

The chapter provides conceptual underpinnings and experience of archival legislation and archival services in Africa. General perspectives of archival legislation and the development of archival services in Africa are outlined. Thereafter, the chapter links the concepts discussed to e-Government therefore accentuating the important role that archival services play even in emerging digital archiving environments.
The Future of Library Services in the Digital Economy
Authors: Chipembele Matuka
Published: May 2014

Libraries may be on the verge of a revolutionary phase of integrating technology in all their services in order for them to become effective information providers in the digital economy. In much of the literature on the potential of ICTs in academic libraries, it is argued that advancements in ICTs are changing the way people are accessing and using information. Hence, integration of ICTs in library services is necessary if libraries are to effectively provide information at anytime and anywhere. This chapter seeks to address this issue with a focus on the Copperbelt University library in Kitwe, Zambia. The chapter reviews various similar sources that looked at technology and its impact on library services. Additionally, in the African context, there has been massive adoption of Internet-enabled technologies. For example many people have smart phones such as Blackberries, Samsung, Nokia and Apple iPhones, which enable them access Internet ubiquitously. The emergence of these technologies and their abilities to provide tailor made applications for pervasive access to information resources entails that even library content may now be provided on electronic platforms. Whereas the rest of the world has done a substantial amount towards electronic library systems, not much has been done in Africa. Despite such challenges, libraries are taking steps in modernizing their services in an effort to fully satisfy the ever-changing needs of their information users. Additionally, recommendations on what libraries ought to do in order for them to bridge the widening gap in terms of how people are accessing and using information are given.
Towards a Regional Ontology for E-Participation
Authors: Ochara Nixon Muganda
Published: May 2014

This chapter shows the need to enhance global understanding of how the transformational government artifact is unfolding as the concept of e-Government continues to gain greater visibility in developing countries of Africa. The interest in this chapter is not to question the global commitments to the notion of transformational government but to bring to the fore inadequacies of universal conceptualization and interpretation of e-government, evidenced through the various evolutionary models and frameworks, and argue that a focus on regional ontologies is inevitable in realizing transformational government. The authors see the quest for a regional ontology as urgent, since most African governments are currently involved in e-Government initiatives as part of a broader set of governance reforms that date back to the 1980s. Therefore, the aim of the chapter is to provide a rationale for a transformational government vision for developing nations, rooted in an ecological perspective, particularly taking into account the socio-cultural context.
Adoption of E-Government in Africa
Authors: Jain Priti , Akakandelwa Akakandelwa
Published: May 2014

Increasingly, the importance of e-government is growing owing to higher quality delivery of government services, improved citizen empowerment through access to e-information, and better interactions between governments and their stakeholders. Despite all this recognition and appreciation of e-government, there is slow uptake and high failure of e-government in developing countries. A huge imbalance still remains between developed and developing countries, specifically in Africa because of numerous impediments. Africa lags far behind all other regions in the world. Some African countries have initiated e-government, such as Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa, yet others have not taken any initiative or are very slow in realizing its full take off, for instance, Tanzania, Botswana, and Zambia. In light of the above background, the main purpose of this chapter is to determine the challenges and based on the findings make recommendations for adoption of E-Government in Arica. The chapter reviews the theoretical underpinning of E-Government as a tool for modernizing public administration; examines the present state of e-government in Africa; highlights the challenges and barriers African countries encounter in their quest to develop E-Government; reviews the role of public libraries in E-Government, and finally, makes recommendations for E-Government adoption in Africa and other developing countries.
A Critique of Legal Framework Facilitating Access to Government Information in Tanzania
Authors: Ubena John
Published: May 2014

This chapter provides a critical analysis of the legal framework for access to information particularly information held by government in Tanzania. The analysis intends to establish whether the existing Right To Information (RTI) legal framework and ICT development in Tanzania facilitates universal and requisite access to government information. In order to do that, the chapter utilises a literature review to understand contemporary trends in both theory and practice. In addition, journal articles, books, reports, case law, and pieces of legislation focusing on RTI are visited to obtain deeper insights in the topic under scrutiny. The findings indicate that, despite Tanzania's efforts to embrace democracy virtues, good governance, and technology, the country lacks adequate legal framework to facilitate universal access to government information and ensure that the Right To Information (RTI) is observed in all the socio-economic contexts. To rectify this problem, there is need to enact the RTI law with clear focus of encouraging access to government information. Although two bills (the Media Service Bill [MSB] and the 2011 RTI) are currently being debated, it is not clear yet when they will become law and subsequently practiced.
Botswana's e-Government Development Trajectory
Authors: Tsholofelo Sethibe , Bwalya Kelvin Joseph
Published: May 2014

Effective development of e-Government takes place when there is a balance between the supply side (interventions towards promotion of e-Government) and the demand side (consumers' willingness to engage in e-Government). Botswana presents a case where e-Government is nearly rhetorical despite the major interventions that are being put in place to accelerate its development. Meaningful proliferation of e-Government can be achieved if there is universal (global) adoption of ICTs by citizens and businesses in their interaction with the government departments. Although there are some applications which potential e-Government consumers can use to interact with the government departments, this facility is not universally accessible to most citizens, especially at the community (and village) level. This chapter highlights the experience of local authorities in Botswana towards promoting the use of e-Government in a bid to bring it to the doorsteps of the people. This conceptual chapter discusses the experience of local authorities in Botswana in promoting the use of e-Government to bring it to the doorstep of the people. It highlights how the country's e-Government interventions at the local authority level are intertwined with the national efforts, and discusses what strategies are in place to encourage global citizen and businesses' utilization of e-Government applications. Further, the chapter posits that there is a huge chance that e-Government will succeed in Botswana if concerted efforts are amalgamated towards its development.
E-Guidelines for the Effectiveness of E-Government Process
Authors: Şentürk Burçak
Published: May 2014

Computers, the Internet, smart phone technology and other innovations have come about through the developments in technology which have helped to increase the type and number of facilities available to mankind. E-government applications have led the way in the development of these facilities. Today, transactions that used to take a great deal of time can be done in hours, even minutes, with the aid of e-government applications. In e-government processes it is essential that citizens, especially those who are of a certain age and not very familiar with the Internet, can carry out the relevant e-government applications with ease. At this point, e-guidelines that explain the e-government process and applications take on a strategic importance. In this chapter, e-guidelines in the e-government process will be examined; to date, this topic has not been examined in many studies. By emphasizing the importance of developing e-guidelines, the characteristics, usage areas and importance of e-guidelines will be examined and an example e-guideline for the Turkish e-government process, which provides 562 different services from 70 different institutions, will be examined.
Contextual Analysis of the Organizational Knowledge Systems in Turkey
Authors: Külcü Özgür
Published: May 2014

Today digital information sources and digital records are an indispensable part of our personal and business environments. The basic components that affect information systems which are used as a means for productivity and efficiency in organizations are organization culture, organizational information management systems, the procedures for organizational work, and information technologies. This chapter aims to analyze the existing conditions of knowledge and communication systems in 118 organizations that take part in different service sectors in Turkey depending on the InterPARES 3 Project methodology and similar studies carried out in the field. Thus, it is intended to investigate where the conditions that affect the functioning of information systems adversely stem from, what kind of improvements need to be done and what the good and weak sides of the information systems are.
Botswana's e-Government Programme
Authors: Sebina Peter Mazebe II Mothataesi , Zulu Saul F. C.
Published: May 2014

Although Botswana has realised the importance of e-Government, its acceptance by citizens, the private sector, Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) is essential. The acceptance will be an indication whether these three stakeholders have trust on e-Government. Trust, which is seen as critical to the acceptance of e-Government, normally centres on citizen trust and overlooks other key stakeholders in the e-Government process. Using Botswana as a case study, this chapter proposes a multi-stakeholder e-Government trust model which focuses on citizen trust and trust perspectives from the government, private sector, CBOs and CSOs. The multi-stakeholder trust model stimulates governments to be mindful of trust and how it permeates the acceptance of e-Government.
Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS) Implementation in a Developing World Context
Authors: Olefhile Mosweu , Athulang Mutshewa , Bwalya Kelvin Joseph
Published: May 2014

This chapter presents a case study of back-end information system implementation geared towards encouraging e-Government development in Botswana. The case is an in depth analysis of the implementation of the Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS) at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI). The focus of this chapter is two-fold: 1) it highlights the factors that influence the adoption and usage of EDRMS by Action Officers and Records Officers at MTI and correspondingly outline EDRMS' facilitatation of information access in the realm of e-Government; and 2) aims to understand the initiatives that have been implemented to facilitate robust e-Government development in the public sector of Botswana. This chapter culminates from a pilot that was done prior to an on-going study hinged on unison objectives. The indicative list of factors explaining the adoption of EDRMS might explain the global perception of ICTs in the public sector in Botswana. The limitation of the study is that its sample space may not be representative of the actual situation in Botswana's public sector given the heterogeneity in different line ministries and departments. Therefore, the results from this study might not guarantee statistical generalizations. The chapter is hinged on extensive literature reviews compounded by anecdotal evidence. This focus is novel because it aims to understand adoption and usage of ICT platforms by employees. Other research endeavours have probed citizens' and businesses' adoption of ICTs before considering institutional and employees' readiness hence investigating macro factors influencing technology adoption.
E-Government Strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Mutula Stephen M. , Olasina Gbolahan
Published: May 2014

E-government if well implemented has the potential to reduce administrative bureaucracy and enhance development and service delivery. This chapter discusses strategies of e-government implementation in Sub-Saharan Africa and the implications for good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, accountability, integrity, and transparency. E-government in Sub-Saharan Africa is being undertaken in different administrative contexts and rationalities such as the need for reform, efficiency, and citizen-focus. An e-government implementation approach that facilitates and engenders the sharing of best practices, experiences, methods, and standards while reducing turnaround times and cost in project delivery would be desirable. This chapter is underpinned by UN e-government framework.
Essential Role of Elmo1 in Dock2-Dependent Lymphocyte Migration
Authors: Stevenson Catherine , de la Rosa Gonzalo , Anderson Christopher S. , Murphy Patrick S. , Capece Tara , Kim Minsoo , Elliott Michael R.
Published: May 2014

Elmo1 and Elmo2 are highly homologous cytoplasmic adaptor proteins that interact with Dock family guanine nucleotide exchange factors to promote activation of the small GTPase Rac. In T lymphocytes, Dock2 is essential for CCR7- and CXCR4-dependent Rac activation and chemotaxis, but the role of Elmo proteins in regulating Dock2 function in primary T cells is not known. In this article, we show that endogenous Elmo1, but not Elmo2, interacts constitutively with Dock2 in mouse and human primary T cells. CD4+ T cells from Elmo1−/− mice were profoundly impaired in polarization, Rac activation, and chemotaxis in response to CCR7 and CXCR4 stimulation. Transfection of full-length Elmo1, but not Elmo2 or a Dock2-binding mutant of Elmo1, rescued defective migration of Elmo1−/− T cells. Interestingly, Dock2 protein levels were reduced by 4-fold in Elmo1−/− lymphocytes despite normal levels of Dock2 mRNA. Dock2 polyubiquitination was increased in Elmo1−/− T cells, and treatment with proteasome inhibitors partially restored Dock2 levels in Elmo1−/− T cells. Finally, we show that Dock2 is directly ubiquitinated in CD4+ T cells and that Elmo1 expression in heterologous cells inhibits ubiquitination of Dock2. Taken together, these findings reveal a previously unknown, nonredundant role for Elmo1 in controlling Dock2 levels and Dock2-dependent T cell migration in primary lymphocytes. Inhibition of Dock2 has therapeutic potential as a means to control recruitment of pathogenic lymphocytes in diseased tissues. This work provides valuable insights into the molecular regulation of Dock2 by Elmo1 that can be used to design improved inhibitors that target the Elmo-Dock-Rac signaling complex.
Free IL-12p40 Monomer Is a Polyfunctional Adaptor for Generating Novel IL-12–like Heterodimers Extracellularly
Authors: Abdi Kaveh , Singh Nevil J. , Spooner Eric , Kessler Benedikt M. , Radaev Sergei , Lantz Larry , Xiao Tsan Sam , Matzinger Polly , Sun Peter D. , Ploegh Hidde L.
Published: May 2014

IL-12p40 partners with the p35 and p19 polypeptides to generate the heterodimeric cytokines IL-12 and IL-23, respectively. These cytokines play critical and distinct roles in host defense. The assembly of these heterodimers is thought to take place within the cell, resulting in the secretion of fully functional cytokines. Although the p40 subunit alone can also be rapidly secreted in response to inflammatory signals, its biological significance remains unclear. In this article, we show that the secreted p40 monomer can generate de novo IL-12–like activities by combining extracellularly with p35 released from other cells. Surprisingly, an unbiased proteomic analysis reveals multiple such extracellular binding partners for p40 in the serum of mice after an endotoxin challenge. We biochemically validate the binding of one of these novel partners, the CD5 Ag-like glycoprotein, to the p40 monomer. Nevertheless, the assembled p40-CD5L heterodimer does not recapitulate the biological activity of IL-12. These findings underscore the plasticity of secreted free p40 monomer, suggesting that p40 functions as an adaptor that is able to generate multiple de novo composites in combination with other locally available polypeptide partners after secretion.
Microalbuminuria
Authors: Bhadade RR , deSouza R , Harde MJ , Sridhar B
Published: May 2014

Background:

The outcome of sepsis is significantly affected by early institution of goal-directed therapies and hence, the search for an early marker of sepsis continues.

Aims and Objectives:

To observe microalbuminuria levels between patients with sepsis and those without sepsis s admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) of a tertiary referral centre (primary) as also to assess the change in microalbuminuria levels in the first 24 hours as a predictor of mortality and morbidity relative to the APACHE II and SOFA scores.

Materials and Methods:

This was a prospective observational study where 125 patients with sepsis and 38 without were assessed. Trend of microalbuminuria was assessed from the change of ACR value within 6 hours of admission (ACR1) to the ACR value at 24 hours (ACR2) in both groups of patients. Results and

Conclusion:

Significantly higher levels of microalbuminuria were found among patients with sepsis as compared to those without sepsis. The levels decreased in survivors with sepsis after 24 hours, whereas they continued to remain almost at the same levels among those without sepsis. The change in microalbuminuria levels over 24 hours can be used to measure the effectiveness of therapy. Persistence of high levels or increasing trend of microalbuminuria levels over 24 hours was found to be a predictor of a poor outcome. A high level of microalbuminuria at 24 hours and increasing trend of microalbuminuria also predicted mortality better than APACHE II and SOFA scores.
Gastrointestinal bleeding under dabigatran
Authors: Stöllberger C , Lindner K , Finsterer J
Published: May 2014

Dabigatran-absorption is dependent on the intestinal P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-system, and P-gp activity is modulated by several drugs. We report an 83-old female with atrial fibrillation who developed gastrointestinal bleeding. She was under a therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and P-gp-modulating drugs and renal function was impaired. We conclude that NSAID and P-gp-modulating drugs should be avoided in dabigatran-treated patients. If renal function deteriorates the dabigatran-dosage should be reduced or the therapy should be stopped. There is an urgent need to increase knowledge about drug interactions with dabigatran.
Diagnostic role of capsule endoscopy in patients of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding after negative CT enterography
Authors: Sodhi Jaswinder Singh , Ahmed Ajaz , Shoukat Abid , Khan Bashir Ahmed , Javid Gul , Khan Mushtaq Ahmed , Singh Manjeet , Shaheen Feroz , Nazir Shaheen , Kawoosa Zaffar Iqbal
Published: May 2014

Background and Objectives: Computed tomographic enterography (CT-EG) has emerged a useful tool for the evaluation of small bowel in patients of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). However, CT-EG may be negative in about 50-60% of patients. We aimed to see the efficacy of capsule endoscopy (CE) in patients of OGIB, who had initial negative CT-EG. Materials and Methods: All consecutive patients of OGIB after initial hemodynamic stabilization were subjected to CT-EG. Those having negative CT-EG were further evaluated with CE. Results: Fifty-five patients of OGIB with mean standard deviation age, 52.7 (19.0), range 18-75 years, women 31/55 (56.4%) were subjected to CT-EG. Nine (17.6%) patients had positive findings on CT-EG, which included mass lesions in six, thickened wall of distal ileal loops, narrowing, and wall enhancement in two and jejunal wall thickening with wall hyperenhancement in one patient. Forty-two patients had negative CT-EG of which 25 underwent CE for further evaluation. CE detected positive findings in 11 of 25 (48%) patients which included vascular malformations in three, ulcers in seven, and fresh blood without identifiable source in one. The diagnostic yield of CE in overt OGIB was more compared to occult OGIB ((7/14, 50%) vs (4/11, 36.4%) P = 0.2) and was higher if performed within 2 weeks of active gastrointestinal (GI) bleed (P = 0.08). Conclusions: In conclusion, CE is an additional tool in the evaluation of obscure GI bleed, especially mucosal lesions which can be missed by CT-EG.
Coexistence of adenocarcinoma colon with pseudomembraneous colitis
Authors: Somani Sanjay Kumar , Kapoor Shalini , Shukla Anju
Published: May 2014

We report a 62 year old man who had coexistence of pseudomembraneous colitis and adenocarcinoma sigmoid colon in the absence of any antibiotic therapy. This is the first report of coexistence of both these conditions in the same patient.