bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dostoevsky and the Novel-Tragedy: Genre and Modernity in Ivanov, Pumpyansky, and Bakhtin
Authors: Kliger Ilya
Published: March 2011

The early-twentieth-century Russian debate on the place of tragedy in Dostoevsky's novels included interventions by the leading figure of the symbolist movement in Russia, Vyacheslav Ivanov; by the philosophically minded literary historian Lev Pumpyansky; and by the author of the most formidable analysis of Dostoevsky's poetics to date, Mikhail Bakhtin. From the perspective of a certain widespread vision of modernity, the project of thinking the modern novel and tragedy together is paradoxical. It is thus noteworthy that such a project seemed urgent to major Russian intellectuals in the 1910s and 1920s and that it frequently relied on the articulation of an implicitly exceptionalist narrative about Russian modernity and its proper forms. Additionally, staging the three-way debate among Ivanov, Pumpyansky, and Bakhtin allows us to see that Bakhtin's reading of Dostoevsky as a modern novelist par excellence is conceptually tied to the largely occluded theory of the tragic.
Ethical Self-Evidence and the Principle of Proportionality: Two Fundamental Ethical Principles Applied to a Psychiatric Case Report
Authors: Andrade Barbara , Ugalde Oscar
Published: March 2011

When confronting ethical problems, clinicians generally feel both unprepared as well as in need of orientation. Ethical norms issued by medical associations are necessary and helpful but insufficient: by definition, codes and norms arepreethical; that is, they establish guidelines before the truly ethical question even arises. To arrive at a clear ethical formulation and to bridge the gap between a set of rules and their application in particular cases are essential. This article discusses some problems with ethical systems and then demonstrates that it is possible to formulate two fundamental ethical principles—ethical self-evidence and the principle of proportionality—applicable to treatment situations in a process of effective practical reasoning. Such a process forms an integral part of the doctor–patient relationship and can be practiced individually, and in staff and treatment sessions. The principles and the reasoning process are valid in all medical and mental health fields. The example shown here is their application in psychiatry, specifically, in a case of Huntington’s disease.
Where Do Drill Cuttings Go in Offshore Drilling?
Authors: Guo Boyun , Li Jun , Lin Shuhua
Published: March 2011

In offshore drilling operations, most water-base mud (WBM) and synthetic-based mud (SBM)-associated cuttings are discharged to the seabed whenever feasible. Although SBM is less toxic and biodegrade in marine sediments faster than oil-base mud, discharge of SBM associated with cuttings is still an environmental concern. It is highly desirable to know where the drill cuttings go during and after offshore well drilling. This paper presents an analytical method to predict the transport and settling of drill cuttings in seawater.

Starting from Newton’s second law of motion, a mathematical model has been developed in this study to predict the transport and settling of drill cuttings in seawater. It can forecast the location, configuration, and characteristics of cuttings piles in flowing seawater. Factors affecting the cuttings transport include water depth, current velocity, cuttings properties (size distribution, density, and sphericity), and water properties (density and viscosity). This mathematical model has been computerized. It provides a useful tool for predicting the characteristics of cuttings piles that can be used for evaluating the potential impact of drill cuttings on subsea environment.
Produced Water Management Using Wetlands: A Progress Report on the Installation of the First Commercial Wetland Application in the Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Breuer R. S. , Schlicht T.
Published: March 2011

A wetland based water treatment plant is being constructed combining a three stage treatment process starting with an Oil/Water Separator followed by a Constructed Wetland and a Water Evaporation and Salt Crystallization Facility to receive initially 45,000 m3 produced water per day.

For such a natural system climate data and local soil conditions are essential design parameters. Initial given data had to be verified during the construction phase to prove all used design parameters by recording and determine temperature, evaporation and evapotranspiration data as well as soil characteristics and infiltration data of the used mineral sealing layer.

Although the implementation of the treatment facility is influenced by the new data acquisition the construction works covering more than 600 ha are on schedule. A Reed Bed area of 195 ha out of 234 ha has been completed and the plantation of 1,200,000 locally produced Phragmites australis plants has been started on schedule. The current program will allow the full wetland to be operational by the commissioning date in January 2011.
A Combination of Biodegradation and Microfiltration for Removal of Oil and Suspended Solids from Polymer-Containing Produced Water
Authors: Wang Z. , Lin B. , Sha G. , Zhang Y. , Yu J. , Li L.
Published: March 2011

Produced water from polymer flooding in Daqing oilfield was investigated and the typical characteristic includes: (1) high concentration of polymer (polyacrylamide, 120-190 mg/l), (2) very stable oil-colloid emulsion at presence of polymers (suspended colloid, 50-100 mg/l), and (3) increased concentration of dissolved hydrocarbon and silica (oil, 160-800 mg/l). To overcome the economic and environmental challenges of reusing the produced fluid from polymer flooding, a combined biological/microfiltrating process with capacity of 1500 m3/day was field tested for removing oil and suspended solids. The purified water met the quality criteria proposed by Daqing oilfield for reinjection: < 8 mg/l oil concentration, < 3 mg/l suspended solids, and < 2.0μm of median particle size of suspensions.

This paper investigates the bench scale study of biodegradation of polymer-containing produced water including bacterial selection and enrichment. The enriched bacteria from local produced water pond, including Bacillus, Halomonas, and Arhodomonas, were investigated by DNA sequencing. Kinetics of biodegradation of different combination was identified and influences of additives, such as nutrient and oil suspensions, were optimized for enhancing biodegradation efficiency. According to the bench scale study, a pilot test of biodegradation/filtration for produced water purification was carried on for one year. The fully operational field demonstration suggests that the combined biological/filtratiing process can significantly reduce the hydrocarbon content and break the polymer-oil-colloid emulsions for more efficient oil/water separation. The oil concentration was reduced from 689 mg/l to 3.51 mg/l. The suspended solid was reduced from 164 mg/l to 4.9 mg/l and the average median particle size of suspensions was reduced to 1.5 μm. The operating cost of the biological process is estimated at 26 cents/m3. Other economical factors including capital investment, land use, and operating cost were discussed.
Mortality Statistics for the US Upstream Industry: An Analysis of Circumstances, Trends, and Recommendations
Authors: Retzer K. D. , Hill R. D. , Conway G. A.
Published: March 2011

Introduction

The U.S. oil and gas extraction industry has an elevated occupational fatality rate when compared to other industries, and this rate is correlated to the level of activity in the industry. This paper presents an analysis of worker fatalities in the U.S. oil and gas extraction industry for the years 2003-2008 and suggests strategies to prevent fatalities among the groups of workers most at risk of being killed on the job.

Description of Processes

Fatality rates were calculated by year, company type, and company size. The frequency of fatal events onshore and offshore, by occupation, age group and contributing factors are also reported.

Results

There were 648 fatalities in the oil and gas extraction industry during 2003-2008; the majority (91%) occurred to onshore workers. Transportation-related events were the leading cause of death for all workers. Drilling contractors and companies that employed fewer than 20 workers had the highest fatality rates.

Conclusions

This study found that the fatality rate in the oil and gas extraction industry remained elevated through 2008. Many of the fatalities were associated with three risk factors: seat belt non-use, workers being employed by small companies, and workers having been employed less than one year by their current company. Concentrating attention on these three risk factors could significantly decrease the number and rate of occupational fatalities in the oil and gas extraction industry. The recommendations made in this paper can be implemented by companies at low or no cost and can be incorporated into existing safety and health policies and procedures.
Is It Hardware, Software, or Both?
Authors: O’Grady B. , Shafer D.
Published: March 2011

New technology on platforms and late-generation drilling rigs has become more integrated and more complex. As a result, it is increasingly difficult to identify the root cause of systems failures – is a given failure caused by hardware, software or both? Determining the correct answer is a prerequisite for the prevention of future failures and ensuing health, safety and environmental incidents, non-productive time, and project delays.

In this paper, we will address the components of effective root cause analysis and will provide information on practices proven to help drilling contractors and operators leverage incident investigation in order to improve drilling operations and identify future QHSE initiatives and investments. We will focus on:

Properly assessing the extent to which hardware, software, people and processes can contribute to a drilling systems failure Implementing corrections to the appropriate drilling operation components Using root cause analysis results to develop effective incident investigation, response and mitigation plans
Waxy Oil Behavior and Environmental Risk Assessment for Offshore Areas
Authors: Viana A. R. , de Goes Monteiro G. G
Published: March 2011

El Paso Óleo e Gás do Brasil Ltda. intends to develop Pinaúna Field, a crude production project, in northeast Brazil shallow waters. Crude to be produced has high pour point and wax appearance temperature due to its high paraffin content. Considering Pinaúna Field location and oil characteristics, understanding the oil behavior on seawater and its associated environmental risks is essential.

In order to properly assess these risks, focusing on Pinaúna oil characteristics and the crude properties over time after a spill, El Paso performed a few experiments to verify waxy oil behavior into seawater and response to weathering. These tests included quantitative physical properties evaluation and qualitative observations of oil spilled into seawater.

They indicated that Pinaúna’s crude oil would not behave as typical oil when in contact with seawater below pour point temperature. It is most likely that the oil would behave as a ―solid‖ rather than liquid, including very low solubility in seawater.

These results consist in really important information for the company, not only because it helped the company to more accurately understand the risks to the environment in case of oil spill, but also will help to develop the spill response plan strategies and equipment more adequate to this type of oil.
Consequences of Macondo: A Summary of Recently Proposed and Enacted Changes to US Offshore Drilling Safety and Environmental Regulation
Authors: McAndrews K. L.
Published: March 2011

Changes to U.S. offshore drilling safety and environmental regulations have been enacted post-Macondo and further changes are possible. New prescriptive rules for deepwater drilling will have a significant impact on drilling engineering, operations, and costs. Performance-based regulations that require all operators in the Outer Continental Shelf to implement a Safety and Environmental Management System have become law. This paper summarizes the BP Macondo blowout, including the response of government agencies and BP. Changes to U.S. Government regulations are then summarized, including a discussion of prescriptive versus performance-based regulation. It is concluded that the enacted and proposed changes to offshore drilling safety and environmental regulations should deliver the desired benefit of reducing the likelihood of future deepwater blowouts.
The Value of Elderly Disease Prevention
Authors: Goldman Dana P , Cutler David M , Shang Baoping , Joyce Geoffrey F
Published: March 2011

Approximately 100 million elderly will enter Medicare over the next 25 years. We consider the potential benefits of interventions that would reduce or eliminate the most important risk factors for disease and spending. Effective control of hypertension could reduce health care spending $890 billion for these cohorts while adding 75 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Eliminating diabetes would add 90 million life-year equivalents at a cost of $2,761 per DALY. Reducing obesity back to levels seen in the 1980's would have little effect on mortality, but yields great improvements in morbidity (especially heart disease and diabetes) with a cost savings of over $1 trillion. Smoking cessation will have the smallest impact, adding 32 million DALYs at a cost of $9.045 per DALY. While smoking cessation reduces lung disease and lung cancer, but these are relatively low prevalence compared to the other diseases. Its impact on heart disease is negligible. The effects on overall social welfare are unknown, since we do not estimate the costs of these interventions, the costs of any behavioral modification, or the welfare loss due to providers from lower medical spending.
Should We Put a Thin Subsidy on the Policy Table in the Fight against Obesity?
Authors: Lordan Grace , Quiggin John
Published: March 2011

The idea of using 'fat taxes’ to curb obesity rates has been raised by many. In particular, the idea of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has received considerable attention in the United States and has recently been discussed by President Obama. Rather less attention has been given to the alternative of 'thin subsidies’, that is, subsidies for the consumption of foods or beverages likely to be associated with reduced incidence of obesity. This commentary examines the case for a subsidy for artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) or 'diet soft drinks’. In this commentary, we outline the evidence on the relationship between health outcomes, most notably obesity, and the consumption of SSBs and ASBs. In the light of the evidence we consider the economic effects of taxing SSBs, and the way in which those effects would be modified by the adoption of the alternative 'thin subsidy’ based on subsidising ASBs.
High Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Its Association with Renal Function among Nondialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients in Japan
Authors: Sakaguchi Yusuke , Shoji Tatsuya , Kawabata Hiroaki , Niihata Kakuya , Suzuki Akira , Kaneko Tetsuya , Okada Noriyuki , Isaka Yoshitaka , Rakugi Hiromi , Tsubakihara Yoshiharu
Published: March 2011

Background and objectives

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects one of five adults in the general population. Although a high prevalence of OSA has been reported among dialysis patients, the association between nondialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) and OSA has not been fully investigated. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of OSA among nondialysis CKD patients in Japan and the association between renal function and OSA.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Consecutive nondialysis CKD patients hospitalized mainly for CKD educational program, regardless of their sleep complaints, were enrolled. The diagnosis of OSA and its severity were measured using a type 3 portable monitor.

Results

Overall (n = 100, 68.0% male, median age 66.5 years, body mass index [BMI] 23.1 kg/m2, estimated GFR [eGFR] 28.5 ml/min per 1.73 m2), 65% were diagnosed as OSA: mild OSA (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] 5.0 to 14.9) in 32%, moderate OSA (AHI 15.0 to 29.9) in 25%, and severe OSA (AHI ≥ 30.0) in 8%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a 10-ml/min per 1.73 m2 decrease in eGFR was associated with a 42% increased odds of OSA after adjustment for age, BMI, and diabetes mellitus. Moreover, in a generalized linear model, eGFR was inversely correlated with AHI after adjustment for covariates.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated a high prevalence of OSA among nondialysis CKD patients in Japan and that the increased risk of OSA was significantly associated with decreased GFR among these patients. Further investigations are warranted to determine OSA's direct influence on cardiovascular disease.
Chemical reaction effect on an unsteady MHD free convection flow past an infinite vertical porous plate with constant suction
Authors: Anand Rao , Shivaiah S.
Published: March 2011

This paper focuses on the effects of chemical reaction on an unsteady magneto
hydrodynamic free convection fluid flow past an infinite vertical porous
plate with constant suction has been analyzed. The dimensionless governing
equations are solved numerically by a finite element method. The effects of
the various parameters on the velocity, temperature and concentration
profiles are presented graphically and values of skin-friction coefficient,
Nusselt number and Sherwood number for various values of physical parameters
are presented through tables.
Effect of variable frequency electromagnetic field on deposit formation in installations with geothermal water in Sijarinjska spa (Serbia)
Authors: Stojiljkovic Dragan , Mitic Nebojsa , Smelcerovic Andrija , Kalicanin Biljana , Tasic-Kostov Marija , Djurovic-Petrovic Maja
Published: March 2011

In this paper we have examined the effect of variable frequency
electromagnetic field generated with a homemade device on deposit formation
in installations with geothermal water from Sijarinjska Spa. The frequency
alteration of the electromagnetic field in time was made by means of the
sinusoidal and saw-tooth function. In laboratory conditions, with the flow of
geothermal water at 0.015 l/s and temperature of 60 ?C for 6 hours through a
zig-zag glass pipe, a multiple decrease of total deposit has been achieved.
By applying the saw-tooth and sinusoidal function, the decrease in contents
of calcium and deposit has been achieved by 8 and 6 times, respectively. A
device was also used on geothermal water installation in Sijarinjska Spa
(Serbia), with the water flow through a 1'' diameter non-magnetic prochrome
pipe at 0.15 l/s and temperature of 75 ?C in a ten-day period. A significant
decrease in total deposit and calcium in the deposit has also been achieved.
Primary carcinoid of the ovary
Authors: Djurovic Marina , Damjanovic Svetozar , Tatic Svetislav , Micev Marjan , Cetkovic Aleksandar , Petakov Milan , Djukic Vladimir , Miljic Dragana , Pekic Sandra , Doknic Mirjana , Stojanovic Marko , Vuksanovic Aleksandar , Popovic Vera
Published: March 2011

Background. Carcinoid tumors are distinct neuroendocrine neoplasms commonly
located within the gastrointestinal tract and bronchopulmonary system. The
aim of this case report was to present a patient with carcinoid tumor of the
ovary as a less common form of this neoplasm. Case report. A 49 year old
woman was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of diarrhea and abdominal
pain and suspicion of neuroendocrine neoplasm, 4 month after bilateral
salpingo-oophorectomy and total hysterectomy for ovarian tumor. Pathological
diagnosis was typical for carcinoid tumor. At admission the patient had
slightly eleveated levels of tumor marker CA 125 and highly elevated levels
of 5- HIAA. Abdominal CT showed suspicious rest tumor in the pelvis.
Relaparotomy was done and retroperitoneal fibrosis was found. Six months
after the intervention the levels of 5-HIAA and CA 125 were normal, and NMR
of the abdomen showed no signs of rest tumor. Conclusion. Carcinoid tumor of
the ovary is rare form of ovarian tumors and less than 0.1% had malignant
potential. Surgical therapy associated with a long-term follow up was the
treatment of choice. Consideration of unusual sites of carcinoid tumors
facilitates appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Synthesis and molecular structure of a novel barium arylspiroboronate ester
Authors: Halcovitch Nathan , Geier Michael , Vogels Christopher , Decken Andreas , Westcott Stephen
Published: March 2011

The compound barium bis{bis-(4,6-di-tert-butyl[1,2-benzenediolato(2-)-O,O′]borate)} has been prepared by the addition of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol to a solution of boric acid and Ba(OH)2 and characterized by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The title compound crystallized in the triclinic space group P-1, with cell parameters a = 13.280(2) Å, b = 15.755(3) Å, and c = 16.980(3) Å, α = 71.691(2)o, β = 79.528(3)o, γ = 80.741(3)o, Z = 1, and V = 3296.1(10) Å3. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to a final R = 0.0459 for 14370 reflections with I > 2σ(I). One of the arylspiroboronate ester counterions is bound to the barium atom in a rare example of the η1 bonding mode via a single oxygen of one of the catecholato groups. The coordination sphere around the barium is complemented by four molecules of water, one molecule of acetone and two bridging water molecules, connecting to an adjacent barium atom.
Two staged pattern formation and spontaneous wave breakup in the ferroin-bromate-pyrocatechol reaction
Authors: Harati Mohammad , Wang Jichang
Published: March 2011

This report investigated nonlinear spatiotemporal behavior in the ferroin-bromate-pyrocatechol reaction, in which two stages of wave formation, separated by several hours of quiescent period, were observed. In addition to its great photosensitivity, the second stage wave activity could undergo spontaneous breakups at broad reaction conditions. Analysis based on one-dimensional space-time plot suggests that the breakup was caused by propagation slowdown of the leading wave. Due to the presence of coupled autocatalytic reactions, the propagation of the initial and the second stage waves exhibited different and subtle responses to the variation of the concentration of each reagent.
Competitive adsorption of toxic metals on activated carbon
Authors: Šváb Marek , Sukdolová Kateřina , Švábová Martina
Published: March 2011

Competitive adsorption of zinc and copper on activated carbon is studied in this article. Main aim was to suggest an advanced model for competitive adsorption of both metals considering pH influence and precipitation. A surface-complexation approach was employed for the modeling. Two models were considered: simple adsorption and ion exchange. System “The Geochemists Workbench” was used for calculation of both static and dynamic adsorption tasks. From the batch experiments, concentration of four types of sorbing sites on the carbon surface and its protonation and sorption constants were deduced. Then, batch competitive adsorption experiments were compared with the models’ results. Finally, a column experiment (fixed bed adsorption) was carried out. It was observed that the model of ion exchange can satisfyingly predict both chromatographic effect and increase of zinc concentration in effluent over its initial value, although a quantitative agreement between the model and the experiment was not totally precise.
The effect of alloying on the H-atom adsorption on the (100) surfaces of Pd-Ag, Pd-Pt, Pd-Au, Pt-Ag, and Pt-Au. A theoretical study
Authors: Matczak Piotr , Romanowski Stanisław
Published: March 2011

The effect of alloying on the adsorption of atomic hydrogen was studied using density functional theory (DFT). In the study the (100) surfaces of Pd-Ag, Pd-Pt, Pd-Au, Pt-Ag, and Pt-Au alloys were considered by means of a cluster model. The structural and energetic properties of the H atom adsorbed on the Pd4Me (Me = Ag, Pt, Au) and Pt4Me (Me = Pd, Ag, Au) clusters were calculated and compared with the H-atom adsorption on monometallic clusters. The effect of alloying on the H-atom adsorption is evident for all the investigated bimetallic systems. However, it strongly depends on the second metal atom, Me, is placed in the surface layer or in the subsurface one. In general, the H atom adsorbed in a site containing the second metal exhibits different properties from those characteristic of its adsorption on Pd(100) and Pt(100). Hence, the modified interaction between atomic hydrogen and the alloyed surfaces may increase the selectivity of the catalytic hydrogenation reactions on such surfaces.
Glaucoma Management: A Puzzle
Authors: Dulal S
Published: March 2011

DOI: 10.3126/hren.v8i2.4416Health Renaissance, May-Aug 2010; Vol 8 (No.2):83-84
Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT): In the Eyes of Nurses of a Tertiary-Care Hospital
Authors: Shakya Dhana Ratna , Lama Sami
Published: March 2011

Background:Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) is frequently viewed negatively, even among health professionals. Such a view might have adverse consequences. Objective: To explore how nursing students and nursing staff view ECT. Methodology: This is a semi-qualitative attitudinal study and the views were compared between nursing .student. and .staff. groups. A questionnaire prepared to assess views about different aspects of ECT was distributed among nursing students and staff of a tertiary-care hospital with a psychiatric service, after an explanation. The questionnaire focused mainly on effectiveness, safety, use, acceptance and some local issues. Results: A total of 108 subjects included 54 nursing staff and students each. Average student age was 21 and staff 29 years. Nearly one-third of students were interested in psychiatry for career versus only 13% staff. The majority of students had seen ECT being given, compared with 40% of staff. Depression was stated as an indication by 62% students versus 40% of staff. More staff thought ECT was more expensive than drugs. More staff indicated adverse effects as a main obstacle while using ECT than students. More students thought it .very effective. versus staff. Regarding safety, both had comparable views, but more staff viewed it as dangerous. More students than staff felt it should be promoted and public awareness should be raised. More students expressed readiness to use ECT if needed for themselves or relatives. Conclusion: Nursing students had more favorable views towards ECT than nursing staff. Keywords: Electroconvulsive therapy; knowledge attitude; nurse; psychiatric morbidity DOI: 10.3126/hren.v8i2.4417 Health Renaissance, May-Aug 2010; Vol 8 (No.2):85-89
Epidemiological Study of Fatal Head Injury in Road Traffic Accident Cases: A Study from BPKIHS, Dharan
Authors: Jha S , Yadav BN , Karn A , Aggrawal A , Gautam AP
Published: March 2011

Setting: Study was performed in mortuary of B P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), Dharan. Objectives: 1. To know the various epidemiological factors related to road traffic accident cases. 2. To know the relationship of head injury in road traffic accidents with the factors like helmet use, type of vehicle involved in accident. Study design: longitudinal descriptive study. Study unit: 77 Dead bodies with fatal head injury from RTA coming to BPKIHS mortuary, a focal point in eastern Nepal Study variables: Demographic characteristics of the victims, time, day and month of accidents, type of accidents, vehicle involved in accidents etc. Statistical analysis: Proportion. Results: There were approximately 78% male and 22% female road traffic accident victims with head injury. Students were the highest (20.7%) among the victims. The highest number of accidents took place in the month of June (11.7%) and on Saturdays (24.6%). The pedestrians were the largest (45%) group of the victims. Among the motorized vehicles, two wheeler drivers were more (34%) victims in accidents. Out of 77 fatalities, 22% were found to have consumed alcohol. Conclusion: Due to bad and mismanaged roads and poor road traffic knowledge to the citizens, road traffic accidents are the most common cause of unnatural deaths in this region. Minimal use of helmet is the main cause of fatal head injury in two wheeler occupants. Keywords: Head injury; Road traffic accident; Epidemiological study; Trauma; Injuries DOI: 10.3126/hren.v8i2.4420 Health Renaissance, May-Aug 2010; Vol 8 (No.2):97-101
Indications for Induction of Labour: A Prospective Analysis
Authors: Regmi Rijal P , Regmi MC , Agrawal A , Uprety D , Katwal B
Published: March 2011

Setting: Department of Gynaecology & Obstetrics, B P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal. Objective: The study was conducted to find out the different indications of induction of labour as well as cesarean delivery rate, fetal and neonatal morbidity associated with induction of labour. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted at obstetric unit of B.P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, a tertiary care centre in eastern Nepal .The study enrolled 262 consecutive patients from April2008 to august 2008 recruited to induction of labour according to the standard practiced in the institute. Dinoprostone gel was used as induction agent in all the cases, the patients were monitored in labour according to hospital protocol, cesarean was performed for routine indications. Fetal morbidity was assessed in terms of NICU admissions & 5 min Apgar scores. Results: 62% of patients were unbooked. Prolonged pregnancy (62.8%) and hypertensive disorders (18.7%) were the common indications for induction of labour. Cesarean delivery rate was 47.2% and NICU admission was 5.3%. Conclusion: Prolonged pregnancy and hypertensive disorders are the common indications for induction of labour. Standard labour management protocol has to be followed to avoid unnecessary cesarean delivery and have a better neonatal outcome. Keywords: induction of labour; cesarean delivery; post dated pregnancy DOI: 10.3126/hren.v8i2.4423 Health Renaissance, May-Aug 2010; Vol 8 (No.2):114-116
Establishment of Reference Intervals for Blood Urea Levels in Young Prospective Medical Students Undergoing Health Checkup at BPKIHS, Dharan, Nepal
Authors: Mehta KD , Nepal AK , Jha AK , Das BK Lal , Lamsal M , Majhi S , Baral N
Published: March 2011

Background: Reference values or reference intervals are set of values of a certain type of quantity obtainable from a single individual or a group of individuals corresponding specific description.Objective: This study highlights the approach for determining the reference intervals for blood urea in a healthy population and establishes its upper and lower reference limits.Subjects and methods: A descriptive study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences from June 2009 to August 2009. International federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) priori sampling technique was used. Blood urea was estimated by diacetyl monoxime (DAM) and Glutamate Dehydrogenase (GLDH) kinetic methods. Reference intervals were defined as mean ± 1.96 SD. Mean and standard deviation for blood urea values were expressed as descriptive statistics.Results: The study included 60 individuals (36) 63% males and (24) 37 % females. Blood urea values by GLDH kinetic and DAM methods were 22.07 ± 5.6 mg/dl and 27.1 ±8.79 mg/dl respectively. Reference values of blood urea by GLDH kinetic and DAM methods were 16-28 mg/dl and 18-36 mg/dl respectively.Conclusions: This study highlights the establishment of reference intervals of blood urea levels from a healthy population. The reference intervals would enable the laboratory personnel and the clinicians to interpret the medical data.Health Renaissance, May-Aug 2010; Vol 8 (No.2):126-129
Agenesis of Gall Bladder
Authors: Rai BK
Published: March 2011

Congenital absence of gall bladder is a very rare abnormality which is usually identified accidentally. Ultra sonography is the main diagnostic tool. It has good prognosis.Health Renaissance, May-Aug 2010; Vol 8 (No.2):130-132
Synthesis of 6,8-Diarylimino-7H-Pyrano[3,2-c:5,6-c’]Dicoumarins; Chemoselective Hydrolysis of the Ether- and Imino-Functions
Authors: Maiti Sourav , Panja Suman Kalyan , Bandyopadhyay Chandrakanta
Published: March 2011

POCl3-induced dehydration of 3,3'-methylenedi(2-arylamino-4 H-chromen-4-ones) gives 6,8-diarylimino-7 H-pyrano[3,2- c:5,6- c’]dicoumarins, which undergo chemoselective hydrolysis of the imino function to form 7 H-pyrano[3,2- c:5,6- c’]dicoumarins by heating with HCl in methanol However, cleavage of the ether function occurs upon heating in acetic acid to give 3,3'-methylenedi(2-arylamino-4 H-chromen-4-ones).
Protective effects of the dietary supplementation of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) on sodium arsenite-induced biochemical perturbation in mice
Authors: Karim Md Rezaul , Haque Abedul , Islam Khairul , Ali Narshad , Salam Kazi Abdus , Saud Zahangir Alim , Hossain Ekhtear , Fajol Abul , Akhand Anwarul Azim , Himeno Seiichiro , Hossain Khaled
Published: March 2011

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of turmeric powder on arsenic toxicity through mice model. Swiss albino male mice were divided into four groups. The first group was used as control, while groups 2, 3, and 4 were treated with turmeric powder (T, 50mg/kg body weight/day), sodium arsenite (Sa, 10mg/kg body weight/day) and turmeric plus Sa (T+Sa), respectively. Results showed that oral administration of Sa reduced the weight gain of the mice compared to the control group and food supplementation of turmeric prevented the reduction of weight gain. Turmeric abrogated the Sa-induced elevation of serum urea, glucose, triglyceride (TG) level and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity except the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Turmeric also prevented the Sa-induced perturbation of serum butyryl cholinesterase activity (BChE). Therefore, ameliorating effect of turmeric on Sa-treated mice suggested the future application of turmeric to reduce or to prevent arsenic toxicity in human. DOI: 10.3329/bmrcb.v36i3.7287Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2010; 36: 82-88
A Scent of Lemon—Seller Meets Buyer with a Noisy Quality Observation
Authors: Voorneveld Mark , Weibull Jörgen W.
Published: March 2011

We consider a market for lemons in which the seller is a monopolistic price setter and the buyer receives a private noisy signal of the product’s quality. We model this as a game and analyze perfect Bayesian equilibrium prices, trading probabilities and gains of trade. In particular, we vary the buyer’s signal precision, from being completely uninformative, as in standard models of lemons markets, to being perfectly informative. We show that high quality units are sold with positive probability even in the limit of uninformative signals, and we identify some discontinuities in the equilibrium predictions at the boundaries of completely uninformative and completely informative signals, respectively.
Evaluating the Measurement of Activated Sludge Foam Potential
Authors: Fryer Martin , O’Flaherty Eoghan , Gray Nicholas F.
Published: March 2011

The most widely used technique for assessing the propensity of activated sludge to suffer from biological foaming is to measure foam potential. This involves measuring the amount of foam produced from sludge under conditions of controlled aeration. Two approaches have been adopted: (1) Air is passed through specially designed columns from fine porous diffusers at a fixed rate to form uniform sized bubbles or (2) employing Alka-Seltzer™ tablets which effervesce when added to the sludge. Both tests generate foam formation which can then be quantified. Foam assessment in activated sludge is reviewed. A sintered disc aeration column was compared with the Alka-Seltzer™ test method and both methods examined under a range of different environmental conditions. Foam potential measured by the sintered disc method displayed better repeatability compared to the Alka-Seltzer test. The use of a wire cage placed over the tablets greatly improved the precision of the Alka-Seltzer test. A positive linear correlation was also found between foam potential and temperature (4–20 °C). Sludge solids concentration was also shown to influence foaming potential making comparisons between reactors problematic. Recommendations on how to improve the repeatability of foam potential measurements are given.
Le Koussougol, un « atlantique lacustre »
Authors: Touchart Laurent
Published: March 2011

Le Koussougol se singularise par la petitesse de son bassin-versant eu égard à la grandeur du lac lui-même. La cause de cette particularité est l'origine tectonique récente de la dépression fermée, entièrement remplie d'eau. Tous les traits du modelé lacustre du Koussougol (faiblesse des deltas, importance des littoraux d'ablation lacustre et rôle de l'émissaire dans la reprise de l'érosion, grande extension des talus sous-lacustres), de son hydrologie (phénomène d'abri, accentuation du microclimat lacustre, régime hydrologique masqué par l'importance de l'action de l'émissaire) et de sa biogéographie (absence d'influence des affluents dans les apports de nutriments pour la production primaire et dans la localisation des frayères pour les poissons, rôle inha- bituellement important de l'émissaire) sont liés à cette spécificité. Au total, les affluents exercent sur le Koussougol une influence beaucoup plus faible que sur la plupart des lacs, cependant que l'émissaire en acquiert une importance d'autant plus grande.
Sur l'urbanisation du Grand Vendôme
Authors: Yvard Jean-Claude , Loisel J.J.
Published: March 2011

As for Vendôme, a bipolar town (with an ancient part, another inherited from the seventies) but cut by rail tracks doubled with industrial area, the authors propose several approaches of urbanization. The plan bends to realize a larger Vendôme strightly combining (as for road networks and the distribution of various equipments) the present urban center with villages and outlying districts.
L'évolution récente des systèmes fordistes : l'exemple des villes moyennes des Pays de la Loire
Authors: Dodier Rodolphe
Published: March 2011

Dans les années 1970, les villes moyennes des Pays de la Loire pouvaient être considérées comme des systèmes fordistes. Leur rôle essentiel dans la division spatiale du travail est l'accueil des fonctions de production, alors que leur organisation spatiale et leurs différenciations socio-spatiales étaient également caractéristiques d'espaces «fordistes ».

Dans la période récente, les transformations des structures d'activité mais aussi l'apparition de nouvelles formes de fragmentation sociale remettent en cause le fonctionnement des villes moyennes, de plus en plus difficile à caractériser, ce qui explique en partie leur perte de dynamisme.
Tribenzotriquinacenes bearing three peripheral or bridgehead urea groups stretched into the 3-D space
Authors: Tellenbröker Jörg , Kuck Dietmar
Published: March 2011

The syntheses of tribenzotriquinacenes (TBTQ) bearing three phenylurea groupings at either the arene periphery or at the benzhydrylic bridgeheads of the rigid, convex–concave, C3v-symmetrical molecular framework are reported. 1H NMR data point to supramolecular aggregation of these TBTQ derivatives in low-polarity solvents.
Lopinavir Exposure is Insufficient in Children Given Double Doses of Lopinavir/Ritonavir during Rifampicin-Based Treatment for Tuberculosis
Authors: McIlleron Helen , Ren Yuan , Nuttall James , Fairlie Lee , Rabie Helena , Cotton Mark , Eley Brian , Meyers Tammy , Smith Peter J , Merry Concepta , Maartens Gary
Published: March 2011

Background

Coadministration of rifampicin dramatically reduces the concentrations of protease inhibitors. A pharmacokinetic study in healthy adults showed that doubling the dose of coformulated lopinavir/ritonavir was able to overcome the inducing effect of rifampicin. We evaluated this strategy in children treated with rifampicin-based antituberculosis therapy attending antiretroviral clinics in South Africa.

Methods

Plasma concentrations of lopinavir were measured in children (aged 0.64–2.43 years) established on antituberculosis treatment who commenced antiretroviral therapy comprising double the usual recommended dose of lopinavir/ritonavir oral solution (460/115 mg/ m2 twice daily) plus two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Control children (0.57–4.23 years old) without tuberculosis received standard doses of lopinavir/ritonavir (230/57.5 mg/m2 twice daily).

Results

Pre-dose lopinavir concentrations were reduced by >80% in children with tuberculosis (median 0.7 mg/l, IQR 0.1–2.0) compared with controls (4.2 mg/l, IQR 3.4–8.1; P<0.001) and were below the minimum recommended concentration of 1 mg/l in 12 of 20 (60%) children with tuberculosis versus 2 of 24 (8%) controls ( P<0.001).

Conclusions

Double doses of coformulated lopinavir/ ritonavir results in inadequate lopinavir concentrations in young children treated concurrently with rifampicin. Suitable regimens are urgently needed for treating young children with HIV-associated tuberculosis.
Natural Polymorphisms Associated with Resistance to New Antivirals against HCV in Newly Diagnosed HIV–HCV-Coinfected Patients
Authors: Treviño Ana , de Mendoza Carmen , Parra Patricia , Rodríguez Carmen , Madejón Antonio , Plaza Zulema , del Romero Jorge , Poveda Eva , Soriano Vincent
Published: March 2011

Background

Direct acting antivirals (DAA) targeting the HCV serine protease and RNA polymerase have recently entered clinical development. Information about primary resistance to these compounds in HIV–HCV-coinfected patients is scarce.

Methods

All individuals newly diagnosed with HIV-1 at several clinics in Madrid between 2000 and 2010 were tested for serum HCV antibody and HCV RNA. The NS3 protease and NS5B polymerase genes were sequenced in all HCV viraemic patients with genotype 1 (G1).

Results

From 1,684 individuals newly diagnosed with HIV-1 during the 10-year study period, 141 (8.4%) were positive for serum HCV RNA. Overall, 58% were infected with G1, being 1a in 64.2% of them. Altogether, 62% of G1a and 30% of G1b harboured HCV drug-resistant changes, with the most common being prQ80K ( n=9), prV55A ( n=2), polC316Y/N ( n=3) and polV499A ( n=24). Although no primary resistance mutations were identified for HCV protease inhibitors or nucleoside analogues, mutations C316Y/N and V499A conferring resistance to some non-nucleoside analogues were found in 6% and 51% of G1 patients, respectively.

Conclusions

Natural DAA resistance-associated mutations are frequently seen in HIV–HCV-coinfected individuals. Changes polV499A and prQ80K seem to be natural polymorphisms and their effect on treatment outcomes warrants further examination. However, drug resistance testing in HCV drug-naive individuals coinfected with HIV currently does not seem to be warranted before using HCV protease inhibitors and nucleoside analogues. More information is needed for HCV non-nucleoside analogues.
Le cas exemplaire du Portugal : drogues et toxicodépendances
Authors: de Menezes Ferreira João
Published: March 2011

Résumé Un ancien député portugais qui s’était beaucoup investi dans la lutte pour le changement de législation au Portugal, livre les clés de la réussite du « cas portugais » : une situation de départ insoutenable, un discours très sélectif, une conjoncture politique propice, et un lobby très efficace qui permirent de mettre en place une loi bonne et praticable. Aujourd’hui toutes les institutions en place travaillent de conserve : Commissions pour la Dissuasion de la Toxicodépendance, tribunaux, hôpitaux et autres établissements de traitement du réseau public ou privé conventionné, institutions pour le contrôle et minimisation des risques et des dommages, institutions pour la prévention et la réinsertion, etc. et sont garantes de la réussite de cette expérience.
L'univers des drogues, une réalité simple et complexe
Authors: Beauverie Patrick
Published: March 2011

Résumé Cet article s’ouvre sur deux conseils, l’emploi d’une boussole ou l’usage d’une grille de lecture et ensuite, garder le cap sur trois horizons : le produit, le contexte et la personne. Ainsi, nous l’espérons, vous découvrirez des facettes inconnues ou des prismes de lecture nouveaux pour un voyage riche en rebonds : au-delà du monde ordonné des drogues, dans son rapport aux drogues, l’humanité offre à nouveau sa diversité, ses errements et ses avancées. Bon voyage…
L'image blindée
Authors: Martins Marcos
Published: March 2011

Résumé Dans les médias contemporains, des signes photographiques et pictographiques sont mélangés et nivelés par la retouche digitale. Cette hybridation produit des images qui semblent exhiber intentionnellement un degré d’artificialité. Le présent essai prétend discuter de quelle façon la reterritorialisation des statuts traditionnels de la photographie et de la peinture dans la culture du pixel peut, aussi, nous informer sur nos représentations de l’hybride humain/synthétique.
Interview with Sandy and Rache ("The Clucking Belles")
Authors: Coppa Francesca
Published: March 2011

Interview with Sandy and Rache ("The Clucking Belles"), conducted by Francesca Coppa.
archive of one's own: Subcultural creativity and the politics of conservation
Authors: Lothian Alexis
Published: March 2011

In response to a rapidly changing scene of intellectual property in digital media, activist fans have mobilized to develop a communal, nonprofit group to provide fans with an "archive of their own", protecting fan works from deletion by server hosts who believe those works to be in breach of copyright. In 2008, the Organization for Transformative Works (OTW) incorporated as a nonprofit, and the Archive of Our Own went live in 2009. I am a paid-up member of the OTW—and publishing in the journal it sponsors, after being part of the editorial team for the first five issues—because I believe in the artistic and cultural importance of fan works and I want them to be preserved. But I also believe we must look critically at the meaning-making projects that are encompassed within the OTW's goal of legitimatizing and preserving fan works for the future.
Comparison of ultrastructure among sibling species of Ostrinia (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) from China
Authors: Yang Zhaofu , Zhang Yalin
Published: March 2011

Scanning electron microscopy on the ultrastructure of scales on the forewings and labial palpi suggests species-diagnostic differences among six sibling species of the genus Ostrinia Hübner. Among four species with small mid-tibiae, O. furnacalis (Guenée) and O. nubilalis (Hübner) show similar ultrastructure of the distal forewing scales, which is distinctly different from that of O. orientalis Mutuura and Munroe and O. dorsivittata (Moore). The diameter of windows between longitudinal ridges and cross ribs of forewing scales in O. dorsivittata is the largest among examined species, and clearly different from that in the other three small mid-tibiae species. Scales of the labial palpi of O. orientalis have indistinct vestigial windows; windows of O. nubilalis are more numerous and larger than in the other three small mid-tibiae species. Among two species with massive mid-tibiae, window diameter of forewing scales is larger in O. zealis (Guenée) than in O. scapulalis (Walker). Moreover, the number and diameter of windows in scales of the labial palpi differs between these two species. In addition to other known morphological differences, these ultrastructural differences provide further evidence that closely related Ostrinia species are distinct.
Revision of Hodostates (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Ctenopelmatinae), with a discussion of tribal placement
Authors: Cameron Mika D. , Wharton Robert A.
Published: March 2011

Hodostates Foerster is revised, representing the first comprehensive comparison of Nearctic and European species. Three species are recognized as valid, and the Nearctic Hodostates rotundatus (Davis) is recorded from Canada for the first time. Hodostates schaffneri Hinz is transferred to Lethades Davis, based largely on ovipositor morphology, and is redescribed. Placement in the tribe Pionini is discussed, given the presence of a deep subapical notch in the ovipositor of both New and Old World species of Hodostates. Host records for Hodostates are reviewed.