bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diversity in chemical composition and yield of essential oil from two Iranian landraces of sweet basil
Authors: Ghasemi Pirbalouti
Published: September 2014

Ocimum basilicum L. belongs to the family Lamiaceae is an herb that is
extensively cultivated in some countries. Areal parts, especially leaves of
sweet basil are widely used to enhance the flavour of foods such as salads,
pasta, tomato products, vegetables, pizza, meat, soups, marine foods,
confectioneries and other products. Essential oil yield and chemical
components of two Iranian landraces of sweet basil including ?Purple? and
?Green? grown south-central of Iran (Isfahan province) were investigated. The
hydro-distillated oils were analyzed by GC-MS. The oil yields were obtained
from the aerial of Purple with 0.56 ml/100 g dry matter and the aerial of
Green with 0.48 ml/100 g dry matter. Results indicated significant
differences (p < 0.01) among the aerial for the main constituents in the
essential oil from two Iranian landraces of sweet basil. The major
constituents of the essential oil from the aerial of Purple landrace were
methyl chavicol or estragol (63.32%) and linalool (7.96%). The main
compositions of the essential oil from the aerial of Green landrace were
methyl chavicol (31.82%), geranial (24.60%) and neral (22.65%). Genarlly, a
comparison of our results with the previous reports suggests differences in
the essential oil compositions and oil yield of the plant material could be
attributed to genetic diversity in two Iranian landraces of sweet basil.
Biological traits of cornelian cherry genotypes (Cornus mas L.) from territory of Montenegro
Authors: Jacimovic Vuceta , Bozovic Djina
Published: September 2014

In this paper are presented three years data (2009-2011) of biological traits
of 30 cornelian cherry genotypes selected from the natural population of the
region Upper Polimlje in Montenegro. Time of maturity, cropping, fruit and
stone weight, size, fruit shape index and peel colour, content of flesh in
total fruit mass and the soluble solids continent are presented. The aim of
this paper is selection and preservation of cornelian cherry genotypes from
natural population of Upper Polimlje that deserve attention due to their
biological traits and recommendation of these genotypes for future
propagation in present agricultural conditions or as a starting material in
breeding of this fruit species. Genotypes BA 70, BP 04, BP 17 and BP 44 with
high cropping coefficient from 0.34 to 0.50 are worthy of attention as a big
biological potential. For table consumption genotypes BA 70 and BP 21 are
interesting, with fruit weight above 4 g, and genotypes PL 98, BP 44, PL 99,
BP 36 and BP 22 with content of flesh in total fruit mass above 89% for
processing. High content of soluble solids in the fruit, above 19%, are
characteristic for genotypes BP 01, BP 06, BA 13, BP 38 and BP 40.
The role of single nucleotide polymorphism of IL-6 and IL-10 cytokine on pain severity and pain relief after radiotherapy in multiple myeloma patients with painful bone destructions
Authors: Rudzianskiene Milda , Inciura Arturas , Juozaityte Elona , Gerbutavicius Rolandas , Simoliuniene Renata , Ugenskiene Rasa , Raulinaityte Danguole , Rudzianskas Viktoras , Kiavialaitis Greta
Published: September 2014

Multiple myeloma (MM) cells interact with bone marrow stromal cells
stimulating transcription and secretion of cytokines like IL-6 and IL-10,
which are implicated in the progression and dissemination of MM. Regulation
of cytokines secretion is under genetic control through genetic polymorphisms
in their coding and promoter sequences. It seems that single nucleotide
polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter region of various genes may regulate the
plasma concentrations of cytokines. Cytokines could be also hypothesized to
function as pain modulators as peripheral nociceptors are sensitized by
cytokines. The aim was to determine if the SNP of IL-6 and IL-10 cytokines
could influence the analgesic response of radiotherapy in the treatment of
painful bone destructions in MM patients. 30 patients (19 women and 11 men,
median age: 67 years) with MM and painful bone destructions were treated with
palliative radiotherapy. Pain was evaluated according to the visual analogue
scale and analgesics intake. Pain scores and analgesics use were measured
prior to radiotherapy as well as 4, 12 and 24 weeks afterward. Opioid
analgesics were converted to the morphine-equivalent daily dose (MEDD).
Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes and IL-6 and IL-10
gene promoter polymorphisms were analysed with polymerase chain reaction. 60%
of patients reported severe pain prior to radiotherapy, which decreased to
13% at the first follow-up visit (p <0.001). The MEDD on admission to the
hospital was 75 mg/day which decreased to 46 mg/day at the first follow-up
visit (p = 0.033). A significant parameter in pain relief was: age < 65 years
(p=0.029). We analysed 6 SNPs in the gene promoter region of IL-6 (-597 G/A,
-572 G/C, -174 G/C) and IL-10 (-592 A/C, -819 C/T, -1082 A/G) as well as
their relation with pain severity and analgesic consumption. Patients who are
IL-10 -1082 A/G carriers are prone to respond better to radiotherapy than
other patients (p<0.05). A borderline association was noted for patients who
are IL-6 -597 A/A and G/G carriers - assumed to be at higher risk for severe
pain prior to radiotherapy (p=0.07) while for patients who are IL-10 - 1082
A/A carries: the median pain score decreased faster (p=0.08). Patients with
genotypes IL-6 -597 A/A and IL-6 -174 C/C required a smaller dose of opioids
(p=0.06). SNP of IL-6 and IL-10 cytokines can influence the analgesic
response of radiotherapy. Patients with genotype IL-10 -1082 A/G respond
better to radiotherapy.
Study of red clover wild populations from the territory of Serbia for the purpose of pre-selection
Authors: Petrovic Mirjana , Dajic-Stevanovic Zora , Sokolovic Dejan , Radovic Jasmina , Milenkovic Jasmina , Markovic Jordan
Published: September 2014

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the agronomic value of red clover
(Trifolium pratense L.) wild populations. The analyzed material was gathered
on the territory of Serbia and it was estimated which populations could be
involved in the breeding program. 17 red clover populations were included in
the research. Investigation was carried out at the experimental field of the
Institute for forage crops, Krusevac, Serbia. The field trial was performed
during three years (2008 - 2010) when data about morphological (green mass,
dry mater, plant height, number of stems, number of lateral branches, number
of internodes, length and width of a middle leaf lamina) and basic chemical
parameters (quantity of crude proteins, crude fiber, ash, fat, NFE) were
collected. In this paper, results of the research were processed by
application of analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariation methods.
Cluster analysis based on morphological traits resulted in formation of three
clusters and the traits with the largest influence on grouping were: green
mass, plant height, length and width of a leaf. Principal component method
confirmed this separation and resulted in even more clear grouping of
populations. Cluster analysis and PCA method were also applied to the traits
of dry matter quality, when four clusters were formed, and the traits with
the largest influence on grouping were percentages of protein, fat and fiber.
Using both set of traits and several types of analyses contribute to grouping
of populations which promise most and whose positive traits such as: high
green mass yield, number of stems as well as the percentage of proteins can
be combined for the purpose of getting synthetic varieties.
In vitro plant regeneration of two cucumber (Cucumis sativum L.) genotypes: Effects of explant types and culture medium
Authors: Grozeva Stanislava , Velkov Nikolay
Published: September 2014

The effect of different phytohormone concentrations on callusogenesis and
organogenesis in two cucumber genotypes were studied. It was established that
the rate of plant regeneration depends on genotype, explant type and culture
medium. Hypocotyls were found to be more responsive than cotyledons in
morphogenesis. In vitro planlet-regenerants have been obtained in hypocotyls
explants on culture medium with 1.0 and 2.0 mgL-1 BA for cultivar Gergana
and in 1.0 and 3.0 mgL-1K-line 15B. Induction of regeneration in
cotyledons were established only in cultivar Gergana on culture medium
supplemented with 3.0 mgL-1 BA and in combination of 0.5 mgL-1IAA.
Shoot and root dry weight in drought exposed tomato populations
Authors: Brdar-Jokanovic Milka , Girek Zdenka , Pavlovic Suzana , Ugrinovic Milan , Zdravkovic Jasmina
Published: September 2014

This research was conducted with the aim to among forty-one tested tomato
(Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) populations distinguish those tolerant to
limited water supply. Tolerance assessments were performed by using sixteen
drought stress selection indices calculated on the basis of tomato shoot and
root dry weight yields determined at water stress and non-stress conditions.
Populations were differentiated in groups using the method of cluster
analysis. The pot experiment was set in controlled greenhouse conditions and
comprised optimally irrigated control and drought treatment (35.0 and 20.9%
volumetric soil water content, respectively), imposed at the phase of
intensive vegetative growth. The experiment was conducted at the Institute
for Vegetable Crops in Smederevska Palanka, Serbia. The analyzed tomatoes
exhibited significant differences in terms of response to limited irrigation,
which had more pronounced effect on shoot dry weight than on the roots
(average decrease of 64.4 and 35.7%, respectively). Consequently, root
fraction in the total dry weight increased at drought for 68.2% on average.
Shoot and root dry weights were positively correlated at optimal irrigation
but not in drought, implying genotypic differences in terms of root
adjustments to stress conditions. As for the calculated selection indices,
substantial variation was found among the populations enabling their ranking
in terms of drought tolerance. Since ranking was not the same in all cases,
clustering the populations was performed taking into account all sixteen
selection indices. The results of this analysis indicate that populations
designated with numbers 126, 124, 131, 125, 128, 105, 101, 138, 110, 132 and
109 in Institute for Vegetable Crops germplasm collection exhibit
satisfactory level of drought tolerance at vegetative phase and therefore may
be used as parents in breeding programs.
Identification of citrullinaemia carrier and detection of a new silent mutation at 240bp position in ASS1 gene of normal Holstein cattle
Authors: Kotikalapudi Rosaiah , Patel Rajesh , Kushwah Richa , Sunkara Phani
Published: September 2014

The autosomal recessive genetic disorders are regularly investigated
especially in Indian Holstein and Holstein Crossbred bulls before they
entered in semen collection so that a defective gene should not be
transmitted to future generations. Bovine citrullinaemia first reported in
Australia is a metabolic disorder as one of the enzymes, Argininosuccinate
synthetase (ASS) involved in urea cycle is impaired in function. The mutation
responsible for citrullinemia has been characterized as a single-base
substitution at 256bp (C>T) in coding exon 3 of argininosuccinate synthetase
1 (ASS1) gene, which converts the CGA (arginine) at 86 codon to TGA (stop
codon). A Holstein bull during routine molecular screening was found to be
carrier for Citrullinaemia that was confirmed by sequencing. This is a fresh
case of Citrullinaemia carrier in addition to three cases reported earlier in
India. Partial sequencing of coding exon 3 of a normal Holstein revealed a
new silent polymorphism at 240bp position that does not change amino acid
(Sarine AGC>AGT) at 80 codon within exon 3 of ASS1 gene. The sequence of exon
3 of ASS1 gene in a normal Holstein exhibiting a new polymorphism was
submitted to NCBI with accession No. KF933365. The presence of citrullinaemia
carriers in Indian Holstein, though in very low frequency, emphasizing to
continue the investigation of mutant gene in cattle population.
Genetic and biochemical characterization of parental inbred lines in marker assisted selection for quality protein maize
Authors: Kostadinovic Marija , Ignjatovic-Micic Dragana , Stankovic Goran , Vancetovic Jelena , Ristic Danijela , Mladenovic-Drinic Snezana
Published: September 2014

Maize protein is deficient in two essential amino acids, lysine and
tryptophan. Naturally occurring opaque2 (o2) mutation which increases the
levels of tryptophan and lysine in the grain also confers an undesirable
phenotype leading to low yields and more susceptible, soft and chalky
kernels. Quality Protein Maize (QPM) is agronomically acceptable and
nutritionally improved opaque2 maize. Marker assisted selection increases
reliability and efficiency, reduces time and costs taken to obtain QPM. The
results presented in this paper are a part of the Maize Research Insitute
project on conversion of normal maize lines to QPM lines adapted for growing
in temperate regions trough marker assisted backcross (MAB). Genetic and
biochemical variability was analyzed between normal (ZPL 5) and QPM (CML 144)
parental inbred lines and the efficiency of the three opaque2 specific SSR
markers was examined. Markers phi057 and umc1066 can discriminate homozygous
and heterozygous backcross progeny, thus can be used as foreground selection
markers for the opaque2 gene. The genetic similarity between analyzed lines
was 0.05, which confirmed good selection of parental lines for the creation
of hybrids. Tryptophan content was 0.093 and QI was 0.85 in CML 144,
approximately twice as high compared to 0.054 and 0.48 in ZPL 5. Both
tryptophan and QI values for CML 144 were above the QPM treshold, i.e.
tryptophan for 24% and QI for 0.625%, making it a suitable donor line of o2.
These results represent the framework for marker assisted introgression of
the quality protein trait into local maize genotype.
Higher Gestational Weight Gain Is Associated With Increasing Offspring Birth Weight Independent of Maternal Glycemic Control in Women With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Secher Anna L. , Parellada Clara B. , Ringholm Lene , Ásbjörnsdóttir Björg , Damm Peter , Mathiesen Elisabeth R.
Published: September 2014

OBJECTIVE

We evaluate the association between gestational weight gain and offspring birth weight in singleton term pregnancies of women with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

One hundred fifteen consecutive women referred at <14 weeks were retrospectively classified as underweight (prepregnancy BMI <18.5 kg/m2; n = 1), normal weight (18.5–24.9; n = 65), overweight (25.0–29.9; n = 39), or obese (≥30.0; n = 10). Gestational weight gain was categorized as excessive, appropriate, or insufficient according to the Institute of Medicine recommendations for each BMI class. Women with nephropathy, preeclampsia, and/or preterm delivery were excluded because of restrictive impact on fetal growth and limited time for total weight gain.

RESULTS

HbA1c was comparable at ∼6.6% (49 mmol/mol) at 8 weeks and ∼6.0% (42 mmol/mol) at 36 weeks between women with excessive (n = 62), appropriate (n = 37), and insufficient (n = 16) gestational weight gain. Diabetes duration was comparable, and median prepregnancy BMI was 25.3 (range 18–41) vs. 23.5 (18–31) vs. 22.7 (20–30) kg/m2 (P = 0.05) in the three weight gain groups. Offspring birth weight and birth weight SD score decreased across the groups (3,681 [2,374–4,500] vs. 3,395 [2,910–4,322] vs. 3,295 [2,766–4,340] g [P = 0.02] and 1.08 [−1.90 to 3.25] vs. 0.45 [−0.83 to 3.18] vs. −0.02 [−1.51 to 2.96] [P = 0.009], respectively). In a multiple linear regression analysis, gestational weight gain (kg) was positively associated with offspring birth weight (g) (β = 19; P = 0.02) and birth weight SD score (β = 0.06; P = 0.008) when adjusted for prepregnancy BMI, HbA1c at 36 weeks, smoking, parity, and ethnicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher gestational weight gain in women with type 1 diabetes was associated with increasing offspring birth weight independent of glycemic control and prepregnancy BMI.
Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Report From an ADA Consensus Conference
Authors: Tuttle Katherine R. , Bakris George L. , Bilous Rudolf W. , Chiang Jane L. , de Boer Ian H. , Goldstein-Fuchs Jordi , Hirsch Irl B. , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar , Narva Andrew S. , Navaneethan Sankar D. , Neumiller Joshua J. , Patel Uptal D. , Ratner Robert E. , Whaley-Connell Adam T. , Molitch Mark E.
Published: September 2014

The incidence and prevalence of diabetes mellitus have grown significantly throughout the world, due primarily to the increase in type 2 diabetes. This overall increase in the number of people with diabetes has had a major impact on development of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), one of the most frequent complications of both types of diabetes. DKD is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), accounting for approximately 50% of cases in the developed world. Although incidence rates for ESRD attributable to DKD have recently stabilized, these rates continue to rise in high-risk groups such as middle-aged African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics. The costs of care for people with DKD are extraordinarily high. In the Medicare population alone, DKD-related expenditures among this mostly older group were nearly $25 billion in 2011. Due to the high human and societal costs, the Consensus Conference on Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes was convened by the American Diabetes Association in collaboration with the American Society of Nephrology and the National Kidney Foundation to appraise issues regarding patient management, highlighting current practices and new directions. Major topic areas in DKD included 1) identification and monitoring, 2) cardiovascular disease and management of dyslipidemia, 3) hypertension and use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade and mineralocorticoid receptor blockade, 4) glycemia measurement, hypoglycemia, and drug therapies, 5) nutrition and general care in advanced-stage chronic kidney disease, 6) children and adolescents, and 7) multidisciplinary approaches and medical home models for health care delivery. This current state summary and research recommendations are designed to guide advances in care and the generation of new knowledge that will meaningfully improve life for people with DKD.
Monographic Purchasing Trends in Academic Libraries: Did the ‘Serials Crisis’ Really Destroy the University Press?
Authors: Jones Elisabeth A. , Courant Paul N.
Published: September 2014

This article describes an exploratory study examining one contentious aspect of the relationship between university presses and academic libraries: the trends in purchases of university press books by academic libraries. The study provides an empirical basis for evaluating the frequent claim that the declining fortunes of university presses can be blamed primarily on declines in monographic purchasing by academic libraries. Our analysis indicates that this relationship is not clear-cut for at least three reasons: first, to the extent that purchasing reductions have occurred, they have occurred much more recently than many accounts have suggested; second, purchasing trends vary significantly between different sizes of libraries; and third, purchasing trends for university press books are very different from those for monographs in general. These findings cast substantial doubt on the proposition that changes in university library purchasing behaviour dating to the 1990s ‘serials crisis’ are principally responsible for the current economic malaise of university presses.
How to Be an Effective Peer Reviewer: Some Personal Thoughts
Authors: Donovan Stephen K.
Published: September 2014

Peer review is an essential component of modern academic publishing, but it is a task that is commonly learnt by trial and error rather than a published set of rules or principals. To review a research paper requires a close knowledge of the subject area, but contrasting reviews by a generalist and an expert in the field may provide a better appreciation of a paper's merits to an editor than those of two experts. Reviews are there for the edification and information of the editor and to be passed on to the author; do your best to provide a constructive response.
The stripping of the trust: A study in legal evolution
Authors: Hofri-Winogradow Adam S
Published: September 2014

The law of trusts has spent the last twenty years rapidly shedding many traditional requirements, forms, and restrictions which imposed liability on negligent trustees, protected vulnerable beneficiaries, and prevented the use of trusts to avoid the claims of settlors’ and beneficiaries’ creditors, including their spouses, their children, and their governments. This article studies seven aspects of this ‘stripping of the trust,’ examines its consequences from both a distributive justice and a corrective justice point of view, and inquires whether the resulting stripped-down model coheres with the traditional functionality of donative private trusts. I found that most of the current reforms have welfare-reducing distributive consequences, in some cases inflicting externalities on all except the parties to a given trust, in others transferring value from settlors and beneficiaries to the trust service providers serving them. Most of the reforms discussed also create potential for infringements of corrective justice which either did not exist, or was less significant, pre-reform. I conclude that all but one of the seven reforms I examine should be reversed.
Methodological Approach to Spatiotemporal Optimization of Rural Freeway Enforcement in Florida
Authors: Carrick Grady , Bejleri Ilir , Ouyang Yiqiang
Published: September 2014

For years, scientists and safety advocates have used various statistical methods to understand when, where, and why traffic crashes happen. Improved traffic crash data systems, including the geographic information system (GIS), are helping to identify when, where, and why traffic crashes occur. Because the vast majority of motor vehicle traffic crashes are attributed to some type of driver error, the need for traffic law enforcement is evident. Traffic law enforcement holds the promise of being an effective part of regulating and modifying the behavior of drivers, and, therefore, it is part of an effective countermeasure strategy. GIS and other methods have been used to identify problem locations or hot spots, but networkwide crashes and enforcement have not traditionally been considered. If a general deterrent effect is derived from visible traffic law enforcement, then when and where the countermeasure is applied become prominent. This research used GIS to spatially relate nearly 10,000 crashes and more than 179,000 citations issued on approximately 800 mi of rural freeways in Florida. Traffic volume data were used to normalize the data set and were analyzed with descriptive statistics and enforcement-to-crashes ratios. When historical crash data and historical enforcement data were related, significant spatial and temporal misalignment was apparent. Opportunities to optimize the time and place of traffic enforcement were identified through this analysis.
Sustaining Seat Belt Use in a High-Use State
Authors: Kim Karl , Yamashita Eric , Pant Pradip , Ghimire Jiwnath
Published: September 2014

Hawaii has been a high-use state for seat belts since 1985. For the past decade, the state has averaged well over 95% overall compliance. Efforts to maintain or even increase this exceptional use rate are challenging. Hawaii has a large tourist population. Nonusers may come from demographic and social groups that are difficult to reach. This paper summarizes two decades of monitoring, research, and evaluation of programs in Hawaii and suggests several aspects of the state's success in promoting seat belt use. A key component involves understanding the geography of seat belt use and the relationships between enforcement activities and public outreach and education. Although it may be difficult or impossible to attain universal use, some directions for further effort in promoting seat belt use in high-use communities are clearly possible. This research will be increasingly important as other communities achieve higher use rates and transition to efforts geared toward sustaining seat belt use. Enforcement is part of an overall program for increasing seat belt use and traffic safety.
Restraint Use and Injury Patterns of Young Drivers and Passengers Admitted to Hospitals in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Brown Julie , Senserrick Teresa , Bilston Lynne
Published: September 2014

Australians aged 17 to 25 years who travel in cars have a high risk of death and injury in crashes despite mandatory seat belt laws, graduated licensing programs for young drivers, and stringent enforcement. This analysis examined characteristics and injury outcomes of occupants aged 17 to 25 years injured in crashes in New South Wales, Australia. The study focused on restraint use. A linked hospital and police record data set for car occupants admitted to hospitals between 2005 and 2007 was used. Descriptive techniques were used to compare the characteristics of injured occupants of ages 17 to 25 years with those of older occupants and logistic regression was used to test the associations. Only 87% of injured young adults were wearing seat belts. Young adults were more likely than were their older counterparts to be in severe crashes, crashes that involved loss of control, crashes that involved single and older vehicles, and crashes when they were seated in the rear. Young adults also had more head, abdominal or lower torso, and neck injuries and fewer thoracic injuries than did older occupants. Young females were more likely to have been in newer vehicles and less likely to have been in more severe crashes than were young males. Young females also had fewer head injuries and more abdominal or lower torso injuries than young males had. Greater effort is required to increase the use of restraints and modern vehicles among young adults, to encourage industry to improve rear passenger protection, and to increase understanding of the factors that underpin the high involvement of young people in single-vehicle and loss-of-control crashes.
Roof Damage Patterns and Serious Head Injuries in Pure Rollover Crashes
Authors: Mattos Garrett , Grzebieta Raphael H. , Bambach Mike , McIntosh Andrew
Published: September 2014

This study evaluated the association between the pattern of roof damage resulting from a pure rollover crash and the incidence of serious head injuries (SHIs) for contained, restrained occupants. As part of a larger project with the goal of developing a dynamic crash test protocol for rollover occupant protection, these associations will help to define the initial conditions of a rollover test that produce the damage patterns that are most likely to result in SHI. Pure rollover crashes from the U.S. National Automotive Sampling System's Crashworthiness Data System were used in the study. The roof damage pattern above the seat position of each occupant in the data set was identified by the photographs included in each case file and coded to one of eight specified patterns; 1,151 cases in which the damage pattern could be determined for a relevant rollover occupant were identified. SHIs were observed only for cases with evidence of a roof-to-ground impact. Although the results indicated that this pattern of roof damage was associated with the occurrence of SHI, the pattern was rarely more significant than other crash outcome parameters.
Demonstrating a Bottom-Up Framework for Evaluating Energy and Emissions Performance of Electric Rail Transit Options
Authors: Gbologah Franklin E. , Xu Yanzhi , Rodgers Michael O. , Guensler Randall
Published: September 2014

Current frameworks for analyzing emissions performance of public transportation systems use top-down approaches that can often provide useful information at the network level but can be uninformative at the project level at which the influence of route and vehicle characteristics can significantly impact emission profiles of candidate transit options. This paper describes an alternative bottom-up framework that uses second-by-second travel activity data to estimate total power consumption and related emissions for propulsion purposes with application to electric rail transit systems. The model was developed and calibrated with data from Portland, Oregon, and was supplemented with activity data from Chicago, Illinois. The results showed a predicted 1% to 8% difference in expected power consumption relative to estimates derived from the national transit database. In addition, the results highlighted how the speed profile, configuration of the train in number of cars, and mix of power generation sources could significantly vary emissions performance across different service routes. The developed framework can serve as an important tool for a transit planner or policy maker to evaluate the emissions performance of electric rail transit options. This framework has the advantage of relevance at both the network and project levels. At the project level, users can easily perform detailed sensitivity analysis on aspects of transit services such as vehicle and fuel technologies, passenger loading profiles, train size, and track profile. This framework gives transportation planners a flexible and efficient tool for emissions performance analysis.
Modeling Impact of Traffic Conditions on Variability of Midblock Roadside Fine Particulate Matter
Authors: Moore Adam , Figliozzi Miguel , Bigazzi Alex
Published: September 2014

The objective of this study was to examine the concentration variation of midblock roadside particulate matter less than 2.5 Μm (PM2.5) as a function of very high resolution meteorological and traffic data. Morning peak period measurements were taken at a midblock roadside location on an urban arterial commuter roadway. For the impact of dynamic traffic conditions to be captured, data were analyzed at 10-s intervals, a substantially higher resolution than that used in typical roadside air quality study designs. Particular attention was paid to changes in traffic conditions, including fleet mix, queuing, and vehicle platooning over the course of the study period, and the effect of these changes on PM2.5. Significant correlations were observed between vehicle platoons and increases in PM2.5 concentrations. Traffic state analysis was employed to determine median PM2.5 levels before and after the onset of congestion. A multivariate regression model was estimated to determine significant PM2.5 predictors while controlling for autocorrelation. Significance was found not only in the simultaneous traffic variables but also in lagged traffic variables; in addition, the effects of vehicle types and wind direction were quantified. Modeling results indicated that traffic state (e.g., congestion) and vehicle type had a significant impact on roadside PM2.5 concentrations. This study serves as a demonstration of the abilities of very-high-resolution data to identify the effects of relatively minute changes in traffic conditions on air pollutant concentrations.
Comparison of Fine Particulate Matter and Carbon Monoxide Exposure Concentrations for Selected Transportation Modes
Authors: Jiao Wan , Frey H. Christopher
Published: September 2014

Daily commutes may contribute disproportionately to overall daily exposure to urban air pollutants such as particulate matter less than 2.5 Μm (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO). PM2.5 and CO concentrations were measured and compared across pedestrian, bus, and car modes during lunchtime and the afternoon peak hour within a 3–week time period on preselected round-trip routes. Variability in the concentration ratios of PM2.5 and CO for the selected transportation modes was quantified, and factors affecting variability in concentrations were identified. Exposure concentrations of transportation modes were sensitive to mode and were affected by factors such as vehicle ventilation and proximity to on-road emission sources. In general, pedestrian and bus modes had higher PM2.5 concentrations than did the car mode. However, the car mode had the highest average CO concentrations among the selected modes. Near-road pedestrian PM2.5 concentrations generally covaried with fixed site monitor (FSM) measurements, but there was little correlation between pedestrian CO concentrations and FSM data. Field studies such as this one are needed to develop input data for simulation models of population-based exposure to predict more accurately exposure concentrations for transportation modes.
Forgiveness and Personality Type among Men and Women Suffering from Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Foroozandeh Elham
Published: September 2014

Background: Role of personality and some components of behaviors, traits and emotions as effective factors on coronary heart diseases (CHD) were presented nearly 50 years ago with the concept of type A behavior, a compound of hostility, impatience, competitiveness and dominance. Later studies showed crucial role of other traits and behaviors like anger, introversion, depression and forgiveness. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare personality type and forgiveness in the patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases based on gender. Materials and method: The cross sectional study was designed and sample was collected from men and women referred to cardiologists (within the age range of 23-75 years old) from the patients of Shahid Rajaee Heart Hospital of Tehran, Iran from December 2010 to March 2011. Total 87 subjects were selected using random method. The study subjects were given two questionnaires: personality type A (with two factors: TA1, pathologic behaviors of type A personality and TA2, non pathologic behaviors of type A personality) and Interpersonal Forgiveness Inventory (IFI), with three subscales namely reestablishment of relationship, control of revenge and realistic perception. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Mean(±SD) age of men was 50.5±11.6 years (n=33) and 55.7±14.4 years in women (n=54). Mean duration of suffering from cardiovascular diseases in men was 7.8 years and in women was 9.10 years. The study found high mean scores of type A pathologic but not non pathologic type A among women compared to men (p<0.038) and no statistically significant differences in forgiveness subscales. Conclusion: The study revealed significant difference between women and men suffering from cardiovascular disease in pathologic type A (TA1) and negative relationship between pathologic type A and forgiveness. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dmcj.v2i2.20523 Delta Med Col J. Jul 2014; 2(2): 48-52
Antioxidant Vitamin (E&C) Contents in Colostrum of Bangladeshi Women
Authors: Haque Rubena , Ferdousi Shahnila , Islam Sk Nazrul , Sultana Razia , Ferdousi Shammi Sultana
Published: September 2014

Background: Colostrum is the first product of lactation and can be considered as first vaccine for newborns. It contains numerous nutrients as well as antioxidant vitamins necessary for newborns. Objective: The aim of the study was to measure the antioxidant vitamin (vitamins E and C) contents in colostrum and to compare them with the nutritional status, age and parity of the lactating mothers and birth weight of the babies. Materials and method: In this cross sectional study antioxidant vitamins E and C of colostrum of seventy six post-partum mothers were estimated irrespective of their age, parity, socioeconomic and nutritional status. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was employed to analyze the colostral content of vitamin E and spectrophotometric method was used for estimation of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) level. These levels were then compared against maternal and fetal characteristics. Results: The mean concentration (±SD) of vitamin E and C were 519.809(±1.16) ?gm/dl and 1.33(±0.076) mg/dl respectively. No significant relationship was found between maternal age, parity, BMI or birth weight of the baby and the colostral content of vitamin E and C. Conclusion: Colostrum of Bangladeshi women are rich in antioxidant vitamins and not dependent on sociodemographic variables of mothers and / or birth weight of baby. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dmcj.v2i2.20524 Delta Med Col J. Jul 2014; 2(2): 53-57
Study of Hartmanns Pouch of the Gallbladder
Authors: Khan Laila Farzana , Naushaba Humaira , Begum Jahanara , Chowdhury Md Shahjahan , Ara Jubaida Gulshan
Published: September 2014

Background: The gall bladder is a hollow pear shaped sac lying within a fossa on the visceral surface of the right lobe of the liver. In the junction of neck of the gallbladder and the cystic duct, there is a pouch present called Hartmans pouch or infundibulum of the gallbladder which is a frequent but inconstant feature of the normal gallbladder. It is the common site of lodged gallstones. Objective: To determine the proportion of presence of Hartmans pouch in our population so that the concerned personnel might have a thought in mind that common pathologies of gall bladder may also involve this pouch. Materials and method: This cross sectional study was carried out in the department of Anatomy, Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from July 2010 to June 2011. The number of sample was 62 postmortem human gallbladders which were collected from unclaimed dead bodies. Results: Hartmanns pouch of the gallbladder was found in 45 (72.58%). Conclusion: Hartmans pouch is present in a good proportion of our population. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dmcj.v2i2.20527 Delta Med Col J. Jul 2014; 2(2): 68-70
Perioperative Management of Diabetes: A Review
Authors: Kayes Md Nazmul , Prodhan NMN Kabir , Malik Refat Hossain
Published: September 2014

Diabetes increases the requirements of surgery as well as perioperative morbidity and mortality. Careful preoperative evaluation and treatment of cardiac and renal diseases, intensive intraoperative and postoperative management are essential to optimize the best outcome. Stress hyperglycemia in response to surgery, osmotic diuresis and hypoinsulinemia can lead to life threatening complications like ketoacidosis or hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome. Wound healing is impaired by hyperglycemia and chance of postoperative wound infection is more in diabetics. Therefore aseptic precautions must be taken. Adequate insulin, glucose, fluid and electrolytes should be provided for good metabolic control. Though some current study reveals that oral hypoglycemic agents can be used for the effective management of perioperative diabetes; the adverse effects of newly introduced agents need more clinical observations. Subcutaneous administration of insulin as in Sliding Scale may be a less preferable method, because of unreliable absorption and unpredictable blood glucose. Intravenous administration of rapid onset soluble (short acting) insulin as in Alberti (GIK) regimen, is safe and effective method controlling perioperative hyperglycemia. Patient with type 1 diabetes needs frequent monitoring of glucose, electrolytes and acid-base balance as chance of high hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis is more. In case of emergency surgery assessment for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and meticulous management is essential. Postoperative pain and hyperglycemia should be treated carefully to avoid complications. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dmcj.v2i2.20528 Delta Med Col J. Jul 2014; 2(2): 71-76
Treatment of Comminuted Intra-articular Fractures of Distal Radius by External Fixator
Authors: Alamgir MH Mohammad , Islam Md. Monowarul , Haque M Ershadul , Islam M Nazrul , Kader Abdul
Published: September 2014

Background: Treatment of comminuted intra-articular fractures of distal radius by external fixator is an important. Objective: The aim of study was to investigate the usefulness of external fixator as a treatment option for displaced comminuted intra-articular fractures of distal radius. Methodology: This case series was conducted in the Department of orthopaedic Surgery at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College& Hospital, Dhaka during the period of November 2011 to July 2013.  All the patients having comminuted intra-articular distal radial fractures were being treated with mini uniaxial external fixator under brachial plexus block. The average follow up was performed in about 6 month.Result: A total number of fifteen patients were enrolled for this study. The mean age with SD was 50.21±9.473. Patient outcomes were measured by modified Knirk and Jupiter score and were categorized as satisfactory and unsatisfactory groups. In this study satisfactory outcome was found in 86.0%. All fractures (100.0%) were united nicely. Few complications were encountered. Postoperative osteoarthritis was not found during follow up.Conclusion: The use of external fixator for treating the comminuted intra-articular distal radial fractures produces satisfactory result.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jcamr.v1i2.20516 Journal of Current and Advance Medical Research Vol.1(2) 2014: 30-34
Different Diagnostic Procedure of Typhoid Fever: A Review Update
Authors: Sattar AFM Arshedi , Yusuf M Abdullah , Islam M Bodrul , Jahan Waseka Akhter
Published: September 2014

Typhoid fever is diagnosed by using a combination of the clinical presentation, the isolation of Salmonella typhi from body fluids and by Widal test. In the first week of illness, the diagnosis may be more difficult because in this invasive stage with bacteraemia; the symptoms are those of generalized infections without localizing feature. Cultures of stool, urine, rose spots, bone marrow, gastric and intestinal secretions can all be useful for diagnosis. The efficacy of culture varies with the specimen being tested. In addition, the prehospital antibiotic therapy frequently used in developing countries complicates the isolation of infectious agents from clinical specimens especially from blood. Bone marrow appears to be the most suitable specimen because bone marrow culture has a higher sensitivity than blood culture. The methods of bacterial isolation are inherently slow and take more than 48 hours. That is why, serologic analysis becomes more important. The Widal test has got limitations such as the difficulty in interpretation, the need to demonstrate a fourfold rise after a week and necessity of knowing the endemicity of the area and is useful only in selected patients. The available methods of diagnosis of typhoid fever are either time consuming or are not absolutely reliable. An accurate diagnosis of typhoid at an early stage is important not only for an etiological diagnosis of the patient but also to identify individuals who may serve as a source of infection. The outer membrane protein on the surface of Gram negative bacteria has been considered as important antigens to induce host immune response. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) have been considered an alternative approach for the diagnosis of typhoid fever. Therefore, this present review has been designed to describe the different diagnostic procedure of typhoid fever.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jcamr.v1i2.20517 Journal of Current and Advance Medical Research Vol.1(2) 2014: 35-41
Estimation of Emissions from Sugarcane Field Burning in Thailand Using Bottom-Up Country-Specific Activity Data
Authors: Sornpoon Wilaiwan , Bonnet Sébastien , Kasemsap Poonpipope , Prasertsak Praphan , Garivait Savitri
Published: September 2014

Open burning in sugarcane fields is recognized as a major source of air pollution. However, the assessment of its emission intensity in many regions of the world still lacks information, especially regarding country-specific activity data including biomass fuel load and combustion factor. A site survey was conducted covering 13 sugarcane plantations subject to different farm management practices and climatic conditions. The results showed that pre-harvest and post-harvest burnings are the two main practices followed in Thailand. In 2012, the total production of sugarcane biomass fuel, i.e., dead, dry and fresh leaves, amounted to 10.15 million tonnes, which is equivalent to a fuel density of 0.79 kg∙m−2. The average combustion factor for the pre-harvest and post-harvest burning systems was determined to be 0.64 and 0.83, respectively. Emissions from sugarcane field burning were estimated using the bottom-up country-specific values from the site survey of this study and the results compared with those obtained using default values from the 2006 IPCC Guidelines. The comparison showed that the use of default values lead to underestimating the overall emissions by up to 30% as emissions from post-harvest burning are not accounted for, but it is the second most common practice followed in Thailand.
Editorial Comment on the Special Issue of “Information in Dynamical Systems and Complex Systems”
Authors: Bollt Erik , Sun Jie
Published: September 2014

This special issue collects contributions from the participants of the “Information in Dynamical Systems and Complex Systems” workshop, which cover a wide range of important problems and new approaches that lie in the intersection of information theory and dynamical systems. The contributions include theoretical characterization and understanding of the different types of information flow and causality in general stochastic processes, inference and identification of coupling structure and parameters of system dynamics, rigorous coarse-grain modeling of network dynamical systems, and exact statistical testing of fundamental information-theoretic quantities such as the mutual information. The collective efforts reported here in reflect a modern perspective of the intimate connection between dynamical systems and information flow, leading to the promise of better understanding and modeling of natural complex systems and better/optimal design of engineering systems.
Cognitive Spectrum Sensing with Multiple Primary Users in Rayleigh Fading Channels
Authors: Al-Juboori Salam , Hussain Sattar , Fernando Xavier
Published: September 2014

Accurate detection of white spaces is crucial in cognitive radio networks. Initial investigations show that the accurate detection in a multiple primary users environment is challenging, especially under severe multipath conditions. Among many techniques, recently proposed eigenvalue-based detectors that use random matrix theories to eliminate the need of prior knowledge of the signals proved to be a solid approach. In this work, we study the effect of Rayleigh multipath fading channels on spectrum sensing in a multiple primary user environment for a pre-proposed detector called the spherical detector using the eigenvalue approach. Simulation results show interesting outcomes.