bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review of Long-Acting β2-Agonists Versus Higher Doses of Inhaled Corticosteroids in Asthma
Authors: Castro-Rodriguez Jose A. , Rodrigo Gustavo J.
Published: August 2012

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus long-acting β2 agonist (LABA) versus higher doses of ICS in children/adolescents with uncontrolled persistent asthma.

METHODS:

Randomized, prospective, controlled trials published January 1996 to January 2012 with a minimum of 4 weeks of LABA+ICS versus higher doses of ICS were retrieved through Medline, Embase, Central, and manufacturer’s databases. The primary outcome was asthma exacerbations requiring systemic corticosteroids; secondary outcomes were the pulmonary function test (PEF), withdrawals during the treatment period, days without symptoms, use of rescue medication, and adverse events.

RESULTS:

Nine studies (n = 1641 patients) met criteria for inclusion (7 compared LABA+ICS versus double ICS doses and 2 LABA+ICS versus higher than double ICS doses). There was no statistically significant difference in the number of patients with asthma exacerbations requiring systemic corticosteroids between children receiving LABA+ICS and those receiving higher doses of ICS (odds ratio = 0.76; 95% confidence interval: 0.48–1.22, P = .25, I2 = 16%). In the subgroup analysis, patients receiving LABA+ICS showed a decreased risk of asthma exacerbations compared with higher than twice ICS doses (odds ratio = 0.48; 95% confidence interval: 0.28–0.82, P = .007, I2= 0). Children treated with LABA+ICS had significantly higher PEF, less use of rescue medication, and higher short-term growth than those on higher ICS doses. There were no other significant differences in adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS:

There were no statistically significant group differences between ICS+LABA and double doses of ICS in reducing the incidence of asthma exacerbations but it did decrease the risk comparing to higher than double doses of ICS.
A Systematic Review of Vocational Interventions for Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Taylor Julie Lounds , McPheeters Melissa L. , Sathe Nila A. , Dove Dwayne , Veenstra-VanderWeele Jeremy , Warren Zachary
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Many individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are approaching adolescence and young adulthood; interventions to assist these individuals with vocational skills are not well understood. This study systematically reviewed evidence regarding vocational interventions for individuals with ASD between the ages of 13 and 30 years.

METHODS:

The Medline, PsycINFO, and ERIC databases (1980–December 2011) and reference lists of included articles were searched. Two reviewers independently assessed each study against predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently extracted data regarding participant and intervention characteristics, assessment techniques, and outcomes, and assigned overall quality and strength of evidence ratings based on predetermined criteria.

RESULTS:

Five studies were identified; all were of poor quality and all focused on on-the-job supports as the employment/vocational intervention. Short-term studies reported that supported employment was associated with improvements in quality of life (1 study), ASD symptoms (1 study), and cognitive functioning (1 study). Three studies reported that interventions increased rates of employment for young adults with ASD.

CONCLUSIONS:

Few studies have been conducted to assess vocational interventions for adolescents and young adults with ASD. As such, there is very little evidence available for specific vocational treatment approaches as individuals transition to adulthood. All studies of vocational approaches were of poor quality, which may reflect the recent emergence of this area of research. Individual studies suggest that vocational programs may increase employment success for some; however, our ability to understand the overall benefit of supported employment programs is limited given the existing research.
Levels of Neonatal Care
Authors:   COMMITTEE ON FETUS AND NEWBORN, Barfield Wanda Denise , Papile Lu-Ann , Baley Jill E. , Benitz William , Cummings James , Carlo Waldemar A. , Kumar Praveen , Polin Richard A. , Tan Rosemarie C. , Wang Kasper S. , Watterberg Kristi L.
Published: August 2012

This Policy Statement was reaffirmed December 2021.

Provision of risk-appropriate care for newborn infants and mothers was first proposed in 1976. This updated policy statement provides a review of data supporting evidence for a tiered provision of care and reaffirms the need for uniform, nationally applicable definitions and consistent standards of service for public health to improve neonatal outcomes. Facilities that provide hospital care for newborn infants should be classified on the basis of functional capabilities, and these facilities should be organized within a regionalized system of perinatal care.
A First-Principles Study of Pd-Pt Nanoclusters and their Hydrogen Adsorption Properties
Authors: Tan Teck L. , Bai Kewu
Published: August 2012

To demonstrate the effects of particle size and alloying on hydrogen adsorption on metals, we explore stable configurations of Pd-Pt alloy using a 55-atom cubo-octahedron. Via first-principles based cluster expansion method, we obtained groundstate configurations and show how their hydrogen adsorption energies change with Pd-Pt composition. Comparison with surface adsorption energies further shows the effect of particle size.
Invasão biológica de Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam. (Moraceae) em um fragmento de Mata Atlântica no Nordeste do Brasil: impactos sobre a fitodiversidade e os solos dos sítios invadidos
Authors: Fabricante Juliano Ricardo , Araújo Kelianne Carolina Targino de , Andrade Leonaldo Alves de , Ferreira Jéssica Viviane Amorim
Published: August 2012

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar os impactos causados por A. heterophyllus sobre a riqueza e diversidade da vegetação e sobre os solos de um fragmento de Floresta Ombrófila Aberta, Município de Areia, PB. A área estudada localiza-se no Campus II da Universidade Federal da Paraíba. No fragmento, foram instaladas 10 pares de parcelas de 100 m². Metade destas unidades amostrais (AI - ambiente invadido) foi disposta de forma que apresentasse em seu centro um exemplar adulto de A. heterophyllus. Paralelamente a cada uma destas parcelas, outra unidade amostral (AN - ambiente natural) foi alocada. Foi avaliado o número de espécies, a abundância de indivíduos, a diversidade e a equabilidade, além da química dos solos. Foram amostrados 14.008 indivíduos pertencentes a 79 espécies, dos quais 12.369 indivíduos de 50 espécies no AI e 1.639 indivíduos de 75 espécies no AN. A diversidade e a equabilidade geral foram, respectivamente, 0,24 e 0,06 no AI e 3,42 e 0,79 no AN. Todas as variáveis apresentaram diferenças significativas demonstrando que A. heterophyllus modifica os ambientes onde se dispersa. Quanto aos solos, alguns elementos tiveram suas concentrações mudadas enquanto outros não. Constatou-se que A. heterophylus altera de forma contundente a riqueza de espécies, a diversidade da vegetação e os solos dos sítios invadidos, o que torna necessárias ações de mitigação para o controle da mesma.
Sediment dynamics in shallow Lake Markermeer, The Netherlands: field/laboratory surveys and first results for a 3-D suspended solids model
Authors: Kelderman P. , De Rozari P. , Mukhopadhyay S. , Ang'weya R. O.
Published: August 2012

In 2007/08, a study was undertaken on sediment dynamics in shallow Lake Markermeer, The Netherlands. Firstly, the sediment characteristics median grain size, mud content and loss on ignition showed a spatial as well as water depth related pattern indicating wind-induced sediment transport. Sediment dynamics were investigated in a sediment trap field survey at two stations. Sediment yields, virtually all coming from sediment resuspension, were significantly correlated with wind speeds. Resuspension rates for Lake Markermeer were very high, viz. ca. 1,000 g/m2day as an annual average, leading to high suspended solids (SS) contents, due to the large lake area and its shallowness (high ‘Dynamic Ratio’). Sediment resuspension behaviour was further investigated in preliminary laboratory experiments using a ‘micro-flume’, applying increasing water currents onto five Lake Markermeer sediments. Resuspension showed a clear exponential behaviour. Finally, a 3-D model was set up for water quality and SS contents in Lake Markermeer; first results showed a good agreement between modelled and actual SS contents. Construction of artificial islands and dams will reduce wind fetches and may be expected to cause a substantial decrease in lake water turbidity.
Anaerobic digestion of corn ethanol thin stillage in batch and by high-rate down-flow fixed film reactors
Authors: Wilkinson A. , Kennedy K. J.
Published: August 2012

Thin stillage (CTS) from a dry-grind corn ethanol plant was evaluated as a carbon source for anaerobic digestion (AD) by batch and high rate semi-continuous down-flow stationary fixed film (DSFF) reactors. Biochemical methane potential (BMP) assays were carried out with CTS concentrations ranging from approximately 2,460–27,172 mg total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) per litre, achieved by diluting CTS with clean water or a combination of clean water and treated effluent. High TCOD, SCOD and volatile solids (VS) removal efficiencies of 85 ± 2, 94 ± 0 and 82 ± 1% were achieved for CTS diluted with only clean water at an organic concentration of 21,177 mg TCOD per litre, with a methane yield of 0.30 L methane per gram TCODremoved at standard temperature and pressure (STP, 0 °C and 1 atmosphere). Batch studies investigating the use of treated effluent for dilution showed promising results. Continuous studies employed two mesophilic DSFF anaerobic digesters treating thin stillage, operated at hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 20, 14.3, 8.7, 6.3, 5 and 4.2 d. Successful digestion was achieved up to an organic loading rate (OLR) of approximately 7.4 g TCOD L−1d−1 at a 5 d HRT with a yield of 2.05 LCH4 L−1d−1 (at STP) and TCOD and VS removal efficiencies of 89 ± 3 and 85 ± 3%, respectively.
Biochemical methane potential (BMP) of agro-food wastes from the Cider Region (Spain)
Authors: Nieto P. P. , Hidalgo D. , Irusta R. , Kraut D.
Published: August 2012

An inventory of agro-food industry organic waste streams with a high potential for biogas transformation was studied in a logistically viable area (Cider Region, Asturias, Spain). Three industries were selected as the most viable ones: livestock, dairy and beverage. The potential for methane production from six wastes (beverage waste, BW; milled apple waste, MA; milk waste, MK; yogurt waste, YG; fats and oils from dairy wastewater treatment, F&O and cattle manure, CM) at five different substrate:inoculum ratios (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.50) was evaluated in laboratory batch assays. Obtained methane yields ranged from 202–549 mL STP CH4·g VS waste−1, and the methane content in biogas ranged from 58–76%. The ultimate practical biochemical methane potentials were slightly affected by the substrate:inoculum ratio. The estimation of the regional fluxes of waste and methane potentials suggests anaerobic digestion as a sustainable solution for the valorization of the organic wastes generated in this Region.
Removal of mercaptans from a gas stream using continuous adsorption-regeneration
Authors: Conti-Ramsden M. G. , Asghar H. M. A. , Hussain S. N. , Roberts E. P. L. , Brown N. W.
Published: August 2012

The removal of the mercaptan, 1-methyl-1-propanethiol, from aqueous solutions using a non-porous, electrically conducting carbon-based adsorbent (Nyex 1000) was investigated. The adsorption process was found to be rapid (equilibrium capacity achieved within 5 minutes) with low adsorptive capacity (of the order of 0.4 mg g–1) when compared with activated carbon. Electrochemical regeneration of the Nyex 1000 in a simple divided electrochemical cell within a sequential batch treatment unit restored 100% of the adsorbent's adsorptive capacity using treatment times as low as 20 minutes by passing a current of 0.5 A. The sorptive characteristics of a Nyex-water slurry were also modelled and investigated both in a bubble column and in a continuous adsorption-regeneration treatment system. It was demonstrated that the continuous removal-destruction system could achieve a step reduction in challenge gas concentration of approximately 75% for a period of 35 minutes with a current of 5 Amps. This was attributed to mass transfer enhanced by a combination of adsorption and chemical reaction with free chlorine species generated in the electrochemical process.
The usability of digestate in organic farming
Authors: Clements L. J. , Salter A. M. , Banks C. J. , Poppy G. M.
Published: August 2012

As organic farming prohibits the use of synthetic fertilisers, animal slurries and manures must be used. Digestate offers an alternative to these and this study reports on three experiments conducted to determine its usability in terms of: (1) the effect on earthworm populations, (2) its fertilising effects on Italian Ryegrass and wild Creeping Thistle, and (3) the suppression effects digestate has on weed emergence. The results for digestate application to field plots were intermediate between slurry and no treatment for earthworm attraction and wild thistle suppression. In glasshouse trials it led to increased ryegrass growth compared with undigested slurry. Analysis showed that the digestate had improved nitrogen availability, leading to increased plant growth, but a reduced organic matter content compared with the slurry, leading to a positive though less beneficial impact on the earthworms. Digestate therefore provides a suitable fertiliser for organic farming. This suitability could be improved by drying or separation to increase the OM content making its properties closer to those of slurry whilst still retaining the higher content of plant available nitrogen.
Seasonally loaded waste stabilisation ponds: a novel application for intermittent discharge
Authors: Whalley C. P. , Heaven S. , Banks C. J. , Salter A. M.
Published: August 2012

This research examined the use of a single facultative pond for treatment of an intermittent discharge from a UK campsite. The system was monitored over an 11-month period to determine the optimum time for discharge in terms of quality standards. The results showed that based on organic strength, discharge was possible in winter between November and March but February was the optimum to meet nutrient and suspended solids requirements. The pond showed rapid acclimatisation to the influent wastewater, with biochemical oxygen demand removal rates during the filling period of around 60 kg ha−1 day−1 and removal efficiencies of ∼95% after maturation. The system proved simple to operate. A major design factor is the requirement for storage of net incoming precipitation, which may provide dilution of residual pollutants but requires additional system capacity.
Performance evaluation and effect of biogas circulation rate of a bubble column for biological desulfurization
Authors: Kobayashi Takuro , Xu Kai-Qin , Li Yu-You , Inamori Yuhei
Published: August 2012

Biological desulfurization using a bubble column reactor was investigated in a continuous biogas treatment. Rapid biogas circulation between the digester and the bubble column for biological desulfurization was used to stimulate the gas–liquid mass transfer of H2S. A positive correlation between the biogas circulation rate and H2S removal rate was observed. Moreover, the increase in the circulation rate stimulated the O2 mass transfer, eventually translating into an increase in sulfate production from the oxidation of H2S. Throughout the continuous experiment, the reactor retained sufficient levels of sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. A comparison of the results of the continuous biogas treatment and batch tests suggests that the gas–liquid mass transfer rate of H2S was the rate-limiting step in the biological desulfurization in the reactor, indicating that the mass transfer efficiency of H2S needs to be improved to enhance the desulfurization performance.
Biofiltration of H2S with reclaimed water as a nutrient/moisture source at loading rates from 10 to 300 g H2S m−3 h–1
Authors: Fox Peter , Locher David
Published: August 2012

A biofilter was evaluated with two different media under field conditions using reclaimed water as a nutrient source. Evaluation with a single medium demonstrated that H2S could be efficiently removed at volumetric loading rates of up to 200 g H2S m−3 h−1. After an extended period of high loading rates, the performance began to deteriorate at loading rates greater than 150 g H2S m−3 h−1 possibly due to nutrient limitations. The reclaimed water served as a nutrient source even though the primary form of nitrogen was nitrate. The reclaimed water successfully supplied nutrients at the majority of loading rates observed in the study and this was verified by stoichiometric calculations. The biofilter was converted to a dual media filter and consistent performance was also observed with the dual media filter at loading rates up to 150 g H2S m−3 h−1. The biofilter was successfully operated at loading rates higher than previously reported under field conditions. The use of nitrate in reclaimed water as a nitrogen source was successful and demonstrated the potential to eliminate the need for a separate nutrient source at a water reclamation plant.
A horizontal flow biofilm reactor (HFBR) technology for the removal of methane and hydrogen sulphide at low temperatures
Authors: Kennelly C. , Clifford E. , Gerrity S. , Walsh R. , Rodgers M. , Collins G.
Published: August 2012

A novel horizontal flow biofilm reactor (HFBR) has been adapted and tested for its efficiency in treating hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and methane (CH4) gas. Six pilot-scale HFBR reactors were commissioned, three each treating CH4 and H2S respectively. The reactors were operated at 10 °C, often typical of ambient temperatures in Ireland, and were simultaneously dosed with an air mixture containing the gas in question and with synthetic wastewater (SWW). Three reactors (HFBR 1, 2 and 3), treating an air mixture containing CH4, were operated over three phases (Phases 1–3) lasting 180 days in total. During each phase the air mixture flow rate (AFR) and the plastic media top plan surface area (TPSA) loading rate to HFBR 1, 2 and 3 were 1.2 m3/m3/h and 0.6 m3/m2 TPSA/h respectively. In Phase 1 the reactors were operated in triplicate and were loaded with 8.6 g CH4/m3 reactor/h (4.3 g CH4/m2 TPSA/h) and a synthetic wastewater (SWW) similar to domestic sewage at 10 °C. During Phase 2 (reactors also operated in triplicate) the effect of temperature on the reactor performance was examined. During Phase 3 the reactors were operated independently in order to examine the effects of omitting organic carbon and adding additional nitrogen in the form of nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), rather than ammonium-nitrogen (NH4-N). During Phase 3, CH4 removal efficiencies (RE) of up to 92.8% were achieved at an empty bed retention time (EBRT) of 50 min, equating to a maximum removal of 8.0 g CH4/m3 reactor/h. Three additional reactors (HFBR 4, 5 and 6) were used to treat an air mixture containing H2S and were loaded at an AFR of 15 m3/m3 reactor/h (7.5 m3/m2 TPSA/h) with an average H2S loading rate of 3.34 g H2S/m3 reactor/h (1.67 g H2S/m2 TPSA/h). After 50 days of operation, the RE reached 100% for all three reactors at an EBRT of 4 min. In each reactor, profile samples of biofilm, air and liquid were taken periodically from various regions of the HFBR. These allowed detailed description of removal processes and optimisation of the reactors by detailing changes in air, liquid and biofilm composition as air moved through the reactor.
Exergy modeling and performance evaluation of pulp and paper production process of bagasse, a case study
Authors: Assari Mohammad , Basirat Tabrizi , Najafpour Ehsan , Ahmadi Ali , Jafari Iman
Published: August 2012

Pulp and paper production industries are known as a renewable energy
technology. In this research, exergetic analysis of pulp and paper production
is presented. The system performance is evaluated based on the data of Pars
Paper Industrial Group (PPIG), Iran, which is given as an illustrative
example. An exergy destruction as well as exergy efficiency relation is
determined for each section of the system components and the whole system to
indicate the largest exergy losses and possibilities of improvement. It is
found that the largest exergy losses occurred in the steam plant and soda
recovery and these sections are highly exergy inefficient. Further it is
observed that with decrease of excess air and preheating of inlet air the
exergy efficiency of boilers is increased.
Moral Intuitions and Political Orientation: Similarities and Differences between South Korea and the United States
Authors: Kim Kisok R. , Kang Je-Sang , Yun Seongyi
Published: August 2012

Koreans and Americans were compared in terms of political ideology and moral attitudes. The pattern found among U.S. participants is that liberals rated moral concerns about harm and unfairness higher than Korean conservatives, but conservatives rated moral concerns about betrayals of the ingroup and violations of social hierarchies and physical/spiritual purity higher. Compared with U.S. data (in which concerns about purity and disgust showed the strongest relation to ideology), Korean data revealed higher purity concerns overall, and a weaker relationship between purity concerns and ideology. Results suggested that while the patterns of ideological difference in moral concerns are the same, the magnitude of the differences depends upon the particular histories, traditions, and socioecological factors of these different cultures. They also emphasize a consistent pattern of overall moral structure: liberals discounted concerns related to group cohesiveness (rating them at best “slightly relevant”) and rated only individualistic concerns as “somewhat” to “very” relevant, while conservatives rated all moral concerns in the latter range, nearly equating individual and group moral concerns.
Brief Critiques on Chain of Command, Unity of Command, Span of Control and Leadership in Health Sector of Nepal
Authors: Nayak Shravan Kumar
Published: August 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hprospect.v10i0.5644Health Prospect Vol.10 2011, pp.27
Implication of Public Health Genomics for Low and Middle Income Countries
Authors: Neupane D , Khanal V
Published: August 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hprospect.v10i0.5646Health Prospect Vol.10 2011, pp.32-33
Non-HDL Cholesterol and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Zabeen S , Rahman MR , Mustafa TG , Eusufzai NH , Shermin S
Published: August 2012

Non-High density lipoprotein cholesterol reflects total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol and encompasses all cholesterol present in potentially atherogenic lipoprotein particles. It has been recently suggested that Non-HDL cholesterol might be a useful marker and a better predictor of  atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic subjects. The study was designed to explore the role of non- HDL cholesterol in diabetic population. It was a case-control study. 150 subjects irrespective of sex were selected. Of them 103 were diabetic and 47 were non-diabetic. The lipid profile including total cholesterol, TG and HDL-C were measured following standard method & procedure. LDL-C was calculated using Friedwald's formula. TG concentration of >400 mg/dl were excluded from the study. Non HDL-C is calculated by subtracting the level of HDL cholesterol from total cholesterol. Unpaired t test and chi square test were done to find out the level of significance. Non-HDL cholesterol was compared between the study groups and significant differences were observed (p value <0.001). Non-HDL cholesterol is elevated in type 2 diabetes mellitus and therefore should perform as a routine assessment in all diabetic subjects. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/akmmcj.v3i2.11688 AKMMC J 2012: 3(2): 15-18
Comparison of Angiographic Severity between Patients of Acute Myocardial Infarction & Chronic Stable Angina Pectoris
Authors: Safiuddin Mohammad , Uddin Mir Jamal , Islam Sirajul , Habib SM Ahsan , Kauser Mohammad Abu , Khan Md Saif Ullah , Choudhury Minhaj Rahim , Rahman Fazlur , Safi Shahnaj Binte
Published: August 2012

A prospective randomized cohort study was done in 100 patients and the study population consisted 50 patients with unheralded acute myocardial infarction and 50 with uncomplicated stable angina pectoris. The main objectives of the study were to compare the angiographic severity between the two clinical subsets of IHD. The study observed that regarding number of vessels diseased , the AMI group had 1.52±0.68 compared with 2.37±0.85 vessels for the angina group reflecting significantly higher diseased vessel in latter group (P<0.001). In comparison with unheralded AMI, the stable angina group had greater number of stenoses(4.16±1.9 vs 2.14±1.5, P<0.001) and also greater number of occlusions(0.80±0.65 vs 0.44±0.31, P<0.001 ). Thus from the above data it is clear that single vessel disease is more frequent in AMI group and double- and tripple vessel diseases are more prevalent in angina group and fewer stenoses and discrete type of lesions in the former and more number of diseased vessels, more stenoses, and diffuse type of lesions in the latter.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/uhj.v8i1.11659   University Heart Journal Vol. 8, No. 1, January 2012
Ischaemic Limb Changes in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Associated with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Authors: Habib SM Ahsan , Safiuddin Mohammad , Islam M Nazrul , Pasha Kamal , Alam Saleh Ahmed Nurul , Mohsin Khaled , Islam Khandakar Qamrul , Hashem Sabina , Parvin Tanjima , Rahman Fazlur , Khan M Saifullah
Published: August 2012

To correlate magnitude and distribution of coronary Artery Disease (CAD) with ischaemic limb changes in  patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) of lower limbs.Most common cause of PAD is atherosclerosis.  Atherosclerosis is a generalized disease and often atherosclerotic CAD is associated with PAD. Because of  ischaemic limb changes in patient with PAD they do not always experience angina even after having CAD.  This prospective observational study was conducted in National Institute of cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD)  Dhaka, Bangladesh during July 2004 to June 2005. Total 58 patients with PAD were included in the study.  Patients were classified as group I having normal coronary artery, group-II insignificant CAD (L M <50%  stenosis, others <70% stenosis) and group-III significant CAD (LMe 50% stenosis, others e 70%, stenosis).  Ischaemic limb changes was significantly higher in patients with CAD compare to non-coronary artery  disease (P = 0.047).This study suggests that ischaemic limb changes had significant relation with the presence  of CAD. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/uhj.v8i1.11660 University Heart Journal Vol. 8, No. 1, January 2012
Prevalence of Dyslipidemia and Associated Factors among the Sub-Urban Bangladeshi Population
Authors: Islam Nadira , Rahman Md Zillur , Choudhury Sadia , Afrin Lazina , Rahman Sonia , Aftabuddin Mohammad
Published: August 2012

Dyslipidemia is highly prevalent in the urban and rural areas of Bangladesh but information in the suburban,  is limited. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia in sample    population who live in the sub-urban area of Bangladesh. Random sampling of the volunteers aged > or = 18  years in Bhaluka upozilla of Mymensingh district was done. After 12-hour fasting, the blood sampling was  drawn for the analysis of fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. In the present study, we have shown that there is increasing trend of dyslipidemia even in the sub-urban community. Women had significantly higher body mass index, serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels than men after 40 years of age. Of the study population 16.9% had high TC (e240 m/dl), and 8.8% had low HDL-C (d40 mg/dl). The population with high (e160 mg/dl) LDL-C was 15.7%. In addition, 17.8% had high TG (e200 mg/dl) and 2.0% had very high TG (e350 mg/dl). Our findings also suggest a protective role of ordinary Bangladeshi diet such as fish cooked in mustard oil on dyslipidemia. Individually, both fish and the mustard oil are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, and biologically, their beneficial effects are related not only to reduction of blood pressure, but also to lowering of lipids and to their antithrombotic effects. In conclusion, prevalence of dyslipidemia was very high in Bangladeshi sub-urban region. Useful role of fish cooked in mustard oil, as a protective factor needs to be probed further in future longitudinal studies. The observed prevalence of dyslipidemia in this study suggests the need for a comprehensive national policy to control dyslipidemia in Bangladesh. Further surveillance in this population is essential in verifying the impact of dyslipidemia as a risk of cardiovascular  disease in Bangladeshi people. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/uhj.v8i1.11662 University Heart Journal Vol. 8, No. 1, January 2012
Chronic Venous Disease Management Update
Authors: Khan Md Saif Ullah , Safiuddin Mohammad , Rahman Md Mahbubur
Published: August 2012

Not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/uhj.v8i1.11666 University Heart Journal Vol. 8, No. 1, January 2012
Transposition of the Great Arteries
Authors: Sheikh Naveen , Hussain Mohd Zahid , Islam Md Tariqul , Bhuiyan Md Mostafizur Rahman
Published: August 2012

Not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/uhj.v8i1.116678 University Heart Journal Vol. 8, No. 1, January 2012
Iraq in 1939: British Alliance or Nationalist Neutrality toward the Axis?
Authors: Cole Juan
Published: August 2012

‘Iraq in 1939’ makes an argument that this pivotal year in the history of the Greater Mediterranean was also pivotal for Iraq. The European contest among fascism, communism and liberalism, had strong echoes in Iraq. Whereas the existing historiography paints Arab Iraq as deeply influenced by fascism, the author found no evidence for this allegation. Iraqis were reported in the British archives to have been disgusted by Hitler's invasion of Poland as a form of colonialism. Italy's own colonial enterprise in Libya tarnished its image among Arabs, and the Iraqi monarch expressed unease about a Yemeni arms deal with Italy. Germany was not at that point interested in Arab nationalism, and still hoped for a British alliance of Aryans. The reach of German radio broadcasts has been exaggerated, and prominent Iraqi poets and political societies roundly condemned fascism. The Communist movement in Iraq was still in its infancy in 1939, and a left-leaning military dictatorship had recently been overthrown in favor of a return to constitutional monarchy. The victor in 1939 was the relatively pro-British liberal government of Nuri al-Sa'id. The Arab nationalists in the officer corps, however, did wish to use the rise of the Axis as a lever to escape the onerous postcolonial British dominance stipulated in the 1930 treaty. Although they did not seek an Axis alliance, merely a neutrality as between it and Britain, this attempt to move away from London's embrace set them on a collision course with Britain, which reoccupied the country only two years later. The war-time British interpretation of Iraqi elites' flirtation with a Turkish-style neutrality as an embrace of Nazism has too long influenced later historians, and needs to be abandoned in light of the evidence in the British archives themselves.
Energy from Agricultural and Animal Farming Residues: Potential at a Local Scale
Authors: Fiorese Giulia , Guariso Giorgio
Published: August 2012

Animal wastes from high-density farming have severe impacts on the nitrogen cycle. According to current regulations, the disposal of manure on cropland is constrained by nitrogen content in the agricultural soils. On the contrary, anaerobic digestion (AD) of these wastes can produce energy and a digestate, which is easier to handle than manure and can be applied for agronomic uses. When herbaceous crops are co-digested with manure to increase the efficiency of biogas production, the nitrogen content in the digestate further increases, unless these larger plants are equipped with nitrogen stripping technologies. We propose a model to compare larger (cooperative) and smaller (single parcel) AD conversion plants. The whole process is modeled: from the collection of manures, to the cultivation of energy crops, to the disposal of the digestate. The model maximizes the energy produced on the basis of available biomass, road network, local heat demand and local availability of land for digestate disposal. Results are the optimal size and location of the plants, their technology and collection basins. The environmental performances of such plants are also evaluated. The study has been applied to the province of Forlì-Cesena, an Italian district where animal farming is particularly relevant.
2-[(4-Bromophenylimino)methyl]-5-pentadecylphenol
Authors: Naganagowda Gadada , Petsom Amorn , Thamyongkit Patchanita , Padmashali Basavaraj
Published: August 2012

2-[(4-Bromophenylimino)methyl]-5-pentadecylphenol has been synthesized by reaction of 2-hydroxy-4-pentadecylbenzaldehyde with 4-bromoaniline in 1,4-dioxane and its IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and MS spectroscopic data are presented.
Aulo Gelio y la literatura española del Siglo XVI: autor, texto, comentario y relectura moderna
Authors: García Jurado Francisco
Published: August 2012

Se analiza en este trabajo las referencias a Aulo Gelio en los autores españoles del siglo XVI, en particular Fray Antonio de Guevara, Pedro Mejía, y Cristóbal de Villalón. Asimismo, se recurre puntualmente a importantes comentarios sobre Gelio y la miscelánea que encontramos en Michel de Montaigne y Luis Vives. Se revisan los datos a la luz de las referencias al autor antiguo como tal, el interés temático de sus citas, los comentarios críticos a la obra y su relectura moderna, miscelánea o ensayística.
Neoclásica y disidente: La Fábula de Polifemo de Francisco Nieto Molina
Authors: Bonilla Cerezo Rafael
Published: August 2012

Este artículo resucita la figura de un olvidado ingenio gaditano de mediados del XVIII: Francisco Nieto Molina. Procuro ubicarlo en los principales debates literarios de la Ilustración: la estela del gongorismo y la tragicomedia lopista. Edito con amplio comentario su Fábula de Polifemo («No anuncios de Jano»), incluida en El Fabulero (1764). Ilumino, por último, en virtud de este romancillo, tanto las huellas del poeta cordobés como las claves que convierten a Nieto en un «neoclásico disidente».
Autorrepresentación en la obra de Torrente Ballester
Authors: Arroyo Redondo Susana
Published: August 2012

Con ocasión del centenario del nacimiento de Gonzalo Torrente Ballester (1910-1999), este artículo propone una exploración de su permanente búsqueda de nuevas formas de autorrepresentación literaria. A lo largo de su carrera, la preocupación de Torrente por dibujar la vida a través de la ficción le fue llevando lejos de los caminos del realismo, hacia nuevas concepciones sobre la representación literaria basadas en la autenticidad y la subjetividad (como puede verse en Don Juan y Dafne y ensueños). Su creciente irracionalismo resultó en un esfuerzo por reflexionar sobre los límites de la verosimilitud y el poder persuasivo de las palabras. Estos experimentos con la verdad y la ficción son analizados según aparecen en varios textos de Torrente, especialmente Yo no soy yo, evidentemente, un paródico homenaje a Fernando Pessoa.
Rivas y Verdi: Las trampas de la libertad en La fuerza del sino y La forza del destino
Authors: Egido Aurora
Published: August 2012

Un análisis comparativo entre Don Álvaro o la fuerza del sino del duque de Rivas y La forza del destino de Giuseppe Verdi demuestra, ya desde sus títulos, un viaje de y vuelta entre España e Italia que tiene como fondo la literatura del Siglo de Oro. Ambas obras plantean el viejo problema entre providencia y libertad, añadiendo nuevos relieves sociales y políticos sobre las diferencias de clase y raza que ponen en evidencia las estrecheces del código del honor. Las diferencias entre ambas —más allá de la mezcla genérica, el tratamiento costumbrista y el nacionalismo— se acentúan en la segunda versión de la ópera verdiana, que, al cambiar el desenlace, destruyó el sentido trágico del drama español.
‘Zou de wereldbol een beetje aan het leeglopen zijn?’ Herman de Coninck over het Afrikaans en Afrikaner maatschappij, cultuur en politiek
Authors: T’Sjoen Yves
Published: August 2012

In the institutional context of literature in Flanders Herman de Coninck (1944–97) was an important player (or “actor”). Theauthor is well known as a poet, a literary critic and editor of the Dutch Granta-like magazine Nieuw Wereldtijdschrift (NWT).Academics and essayists have paid much critical attention to de Coninck’s poetics and aesthetic views. In a recent anthology of Flemish poetry since the sixties, Hotel New Flandres (2008), he is called an innovative “paradigmatic poet” in the poetry system of Flanders. Much less known is his place in and relationship to the field of Afrikaans literature. Daniel Hugo published two anthologies with poetry of de Coninck in Afrikaans and Antjie Krog was invited by the Flemish editor to participate in NWT. Later on, these essays were rewritten and brought together in Krog’s Country of My Skull. Reading prose and poetry by de Coninck and focusing on references to South Africa, we can study his perspective on Afrikaans (language and literature), his points of view on social and political developments in the post-apartheid era. The purpose of this article is to present documentary material to illustrate and comment on de Coninck’s ideas on literature, language and society. This commentary on ideological and aesthetic opinions can form the basis for further discursive and institutional research with regard to the presence in and the image building of South Africa in the works by a canonized Flemish writer.
Contextuality and the transmission of trauma: Nightfather by Carl Friedman
Authors: Van den Berg J. P. C. , Van Coller H. P.
Published: August 2012

“Context” plays an important role in any discourse about trauma. Not only does it serve as a precondition for the manifestation of trauma in the first place, but also determines the way in which trauma is received, interpreted and represented. The sensitivity of the reception context towards the represented traumatic events also determines whether only knowledge about the events are mediated or whether the uncanny nature of trauma is transmitted. If the latter occurs, a secondary trauma manifests itself as result. In the Dutch novel Tralievader (translated as Nightfather) by Carl Friedman the transmission of the Holocaust trauma within a particular family is represented. This transmission can be seen as the result of the impact of one context on another— that of the parent on that of the child. With the complex issue of the transmission of trauma kept in mind, specific dangers in the interpretation and transmission of trauma in a collective sense are identified. Suggestions are also made on how to deal with trauma in a productive way.
Hugo Claus als meervoud. Pleidooi voor een wetenschappelijke documentaire varianteneditie van Claus’ verzamelde poëzie
Authors: T’Sjoen Yves
Published: August 2012

The selection of a base text for textual edition is not only a matter of literary-historical data or a consideration based on the genetic process or the publishing history of a work of art. Also the poetics or aesthetics of the editor are in some cases decisive for that (final/fundamental) choice. Depending on the poetical ideas of an editor one or another authorized text is chosen for the final edition. In that way the editor’s choice determines the image of a literary work for a cultural community and does so for several years, if not for ever. In some cases we deal with a variety of text versions in a literary archive. Each of these texts is written from an aesthetic point of view and represents a stage in the development of an author. From that perspective it is not only relevant but also necessary to present all full text versions and for instance not only the variants in a specific apparatus. For my article I want to consider the collected poems by Hugo Claus (1929–2008). Four years after his death it becomes necessary to discuss the way in which scientific editors will present the collected works of the Flemish author. I want to suggest an edition with all complete versions of the poems. Claus was a legendary re-writer of his own (and even other’s) literary texts. For instance, when he presented a new collection of his poems in the sixties and the nineties, he worked on a different version. From this point of view, each version represents another or a slightly different poetical vision by the author. The digital medium can provide an environment to present all full text (versions). Also in a published edition I would like to consider a publication of all different versions. Perhaps we have to make a difference between a scholarly edition, intended for researchers who work on the complete works by Claus, and an edition for an interested public (of non-scholars). Although these readers also deserve a complete works by Claus, including all versions of texts Claus worked on during different periods in his writing career.
Between women: The subtle voice of femininity in children’s stories
Authors: Dederen Jean-Marie
Published: August 2012

The purpose of this essay is to illustrate and explore the representation of women in a selection of eight African children’s stories from Vhembe, in the Limpopo Province. The discussion is shaped primarily by the shared knowledge of the female elders who provided the narratives and participated in their analysis. The argument put forward is plain and simple: storytelling is one of many stratagems by means of which rural women—far from being passive spectators, nor willing consumers of a patriarchal world view—have created an autonomous physical and symbolic space for themselves, in opposition to the “stronger sex”. By combining anthropological analysis with indigenous exegesis, it was established that some of the selected narratives reveal the voices of women’s “protest”, the nature of which is subtle and understated rather than rebellious or subversive.
L’hospitalité dans Le Roi de Kahel de Tierno Monénembo: de la construction identitaire peule à la consécration littéraire parisienne
Authors: De Meyer Bernard
Published: August 2012

Taking the notion of hospitality, as defined by Émile Benveniste, as a starting point, this article aims to situate the 2008 novel by Tierno Monénembo, Le Roi de Kahel (“The King of Kahel”) in the contemporary literary production from Francophone Africa. In a first part, hospitality is viewed as part of an exchange system between the Pullo aristocracy and a French explorer, Olivier de Sanderval, in the second half of the nineteenth century. The notion of pulaaku, as the social and moral code of conduct of the Pullo, seems central in this exchange and is a construct of Pullo identity. The second part aims to show that Monénembo’s novel enters in a dialogue with colonial writings and in particular with French ethnography of the twentieth century, being as such hospitable to this discourse. This “textual hospitality”, through the quotation of several sources and the description of some notions, including pulaaku, is a way to become accepted in the Parisian literary system. The final part, which is also the conclusion, shows the reciprocity between both conceptions of hospitality. I will argue here that Tierno Monénembo, having a perfect understanding of the prevalent literary field, takes advantage of this knowledge to promote his own writing. This is the reason why he is one of the most prominent postcolonial writers, leading the way for this literature to become integral part of the world republic of letters, as defined by Pascale Casanova.
Combining Thyroidectomy with Cardiac Surgery: Implications for the Endocrine Surgeon
Authors: Daniel Sudin Varghese , Lansdown Mark Reginald
Published: August 2012

The management of incidentally detected retrosternal goiter in patients with cardiac disease awaiting open heart surgery is controversial. Here, we present the case of a 79-year-old man; who had coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement and thyroidectomy for retrosternal goiter under a single anesthetic. A literature search was conducted to study patient demographics, thyroid symptomatology, pathology, complications and the risks and benefits of the combined procedures. Literature search revealed only a few similar cases of a combined surgical approach and these are from the perspective of the cardiac surgeon. The study is presented to highlight the implications of such combined procedures for the endocrine surgeon.

A medline search was conducted for combined procedures on heart and thyroid. Five case reports and two reviews, including one case of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was obtained. The mean age of the patients was 69 years (range, 55-79). Retrosternal goiter was the commonest indication (67%), half of them presenting with tracheal compression. Thyrotoxicosis was observed in 22%. Beinign multinodular goiter was the commonest pathology (89%). There was one case of Grave's disease. There were no reported malignancies. There were no reported complications from the endocrine surgery.

The various cardiac procedures in the combined operations were coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, a combination of these and a case of closure of atrial septal defect.

The review has looked into the anatomical and physiological implications of combined operations, operative risks and has upheld the safety of such combined procedures.

How to cite this article

Daniel SV, Lansdown MR. Combining Thyroidectomy with Cardiac Surgery: Implications for the Endocrine Surgeon. World J Endoc Surg 2012;4(2):43-46.
Characterizing Thyroid Disease and Identifying Barriers to Care and Treatment in Uganda
Authors: Kebebew Electron , Fualal Jane , Moses Willieford , Nalugo Margaret , Ozgediz Doruk , Gosnell Jessica
Published: August 2012

Thyroid disease in Uganda continues to be endemic, despite national salt iodinization. This study describes the local characteristics of thyroid disease and identifies potential barriers to surgical access. A prospective database was established for all patients with suspected thyroid disease who presented to the Endocrine Surgery Clinic at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda in 2008. A cross-sectional study collected and analyzed for presentation, diagnostics and the surgical plan. A total of 89 patients were included, with an average age of 40 years, and 88% were women. The most common presentation was compressive symptoms (39%, n = 35), signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism (30%, n = 27) and cosmetic concerns (16%, n = 14). Ultrasound, which is subsidized by the hospital, was performed in 85% of patients (n = 76). Thyroid function tests (TFTs), which are less subsidized, were done in 67% (n = 60). Of these, 27% (n = 16) were hyperthyroid and 7% (n = 4) were hypothyroid. Fine needle aspiration was done in 30% (n = 27) and were suspicious for malignancy in 27% of patients (n = 7). The most common diagnosis was multinodular goiter (n = 55) and tracheal compression or deviation and/or retrosternal extension was seen on imaging in 22 of 75 patients (29%). Thyroid disease in Uganda is more advanced, involves a different population than in Western countries and includes high rates of symptomatic multinodular goiter and cancer. Resource constraints limit the care of these clinically challenging conditions. Further evaluation of these potential barriers to surgical care needs to be conducted.

How to cite this article

Fualal J, Moses W, Jayaraman S, Nalugo M, Ozgediz D, Duh QY, Gosnell J, Kebebew E. Characterizing Thyroid Disease and Identifying Barriers to Care and Treatment in Uganda. World J Endoc Surg 2012;4(2):47-53.