bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accounting Policy And Carbon Credits
Authors: Kerr Stephen G.
Published: February 2016

In 1996 the Kyoto Protocol established a global policy aimed at reducing green house gas (GHG) emissions.  In response, slow steady steps are being taken to implement carbon emission limits.  Markets are being established so that companies can exchange carbon allowances.  Turning the environment, a public good, into private property presents many economic challenges.  This paper explores the implications of the policy direction established in the Kyoto accord.  Several changes to corporate accounting policy are recommended.  The anticipated benefit is that socially responsible professionals will prepare their institutions cost and financial accounting systems to encourage success as carbon emissions become more regulated.
Taxation, Public Borrowing And Economic Development: A Metropolitan Area Analysis
Authors: Palumbo George , Rogers Craig
Published: February 2016

Despite a substantial body of evidence to the contrary, state and local fiscal policy variables loom to many political leaders as important determinants of economic growth.  Using instrumental variables regression analysis reveals that prior population growth has a strong and significant influence on subsequent job growth.  Differential factor costs, such as earnings per worker and electricity costs, have a statistically significant effect on employment growth. The results for total employment growth and for manufacturing employment growth suggest that factor costs are more important statistically for growth in the 1980s than they were during the 1970s.   The degree of labor unionization has had mixed effects on economic growth.  Fiscal variables, however, are not generally statistically significant except for the limited effects of per capita state non-property taxes on the change of total employment. There is no demonstrable long term effect of public expenditures on growth patterns over the 20 year period analyzed.  Finally, per capita private purpose public bonds do not influence employment growth.  The results reveal that, if anything, metropolitan areas with declining employment are more likely to use economic development bonds in unsuccessful attempts to stem employment decline.
A Cognitive Style Perspective to Handheld Devices: Customization vs. Personalization
Authors: Hsieh Chen-Wei , Chen Sherry Y.
Published: February 2016

Handheld devices are widely applied to support open and distributed learning, where students are diverse. On the other hand, customization and personalization can be applied to accommodate students’ diversities. However, paucity of research compares the effects of customization and personalization in the context of handheld devices. To this end, we developed a customized digital learning system (CDLS) and personalized digital learning system (PDLS), which were implemented on the handheld devices and tailored to the needs of students with diverse cognitive styles. Furthermore, we conducted two empirical studies to examine the effects of cognitive styles on the use of the CDLS and PDLS. More specifically, Study 1 identified the preferences of each cognitive style group, which were employed to develop the PDLS in Study 2, which investigated how students with different cognitive styles react to the CDLS and the PDLS.  The results from these two studies showed that student in the CDLS and those in the PDLS obtained similar task scores and post-test scores. However, Serialists with the PDLS could more efficiently complete the tasks than those with CDLS. Additionally, Holists more positively perceived the PDLS than Serialists.
Evaluation of Online Log Variables that Estimate Learners’ Time Management in a Korean Online Learning Context
Authors: Jo Il-Hyun , Park Yeonjeong , Yoon Meehyun , Sung Hanall
Published: February 2016

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between the psychological variables and online behavioral patterns of students, collected through a Learning Management System (LMS). Test was attempted of a structural equation model representing the relationships among Time and Study Environment Management (TSEM), one of the sub-constructs of MSLQ, influencing a set of time-related online log variables: login frequency, login regularity, and total login time. Data were collected from 188 college students in a Korean university. Employing structural equation modeling, a hypothesized model was tested for measuring the model fit. The results presented a criterion validity of online log variables to estimate their time management.  The structural model including TSEM, online variable, and final score with a moderate fit indicated that learners’ time related online behavior mediates their psychological functions and their learning outcome. Based on the results, the final discussion includes the recommendations for further study and the meaningfulness in regard to the expantion of  Learning Analtyics for Performance and Action (LAPA) model.
Voting in Local Political Elections by Urban Chinese Middle Class: Does Housing Matter?
Authors: Wu Liyun , Wang Gang
Published: February 2016

This paper examines the impact of types of housing on the tendency to engage in neighborhood-level political participation among urban residents in China, using 2005 China General Social Survey. Four types of housing were discussed: commercial housing; previously state-owned (work unit) housing; old neighborhood; and other types of housing (i.e. migration housing). Two indicators of local political participation were presented in the form of Local People’s Congress elections and Residents’ Committee elections. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, the authors found that types of housing had strong implications for voting in local elections among Chinese urban residents. First, the likelihood of voting in two local elections was lowest among residents living in commercial housing, and the highest in old neighborhoods. Second, participation in community-led venues (i.e. cultural events) enhanced the voting rate among residents living in commercial housing. Results highlight the importance of the sweeping housing reform in urban neighborhoods to local political participation in contemporary China, and the changing relationship between state and society. Although rapid economic reform has diversified and alienated the neighborhood, community-led civic activities can reunify the residents and enhance their local political participation. This effect was more significant among the young, college-educated, high-income middle class. 
Who Wants Democracy in China? An Empirical Analysis of Chinese Democratization in Perspective
Authors: Wang Gang
Published: February 2016

The modernization theory suggests that the entrepreneurs and the middle class have a strong demand for democracy with a country’s economic development. Yet this conventional wisdom has been challenged in the Chinese context. In the debate on China’s democratization, the social groups demanding for democracy in the economic reform have not been well identified. By employing the 2006 China General Social Survey, this empirical research has two interesting findings. First, the members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) especially the CCP members of the working class as well as the social elites show a stronger demand for democracy. Second, these groups in favor of democratic principles oppose various democratization activities. These findings imply that the demand for democracy in China is more likely to be an expression of discontent with the current political system rather than the democratic impulses, and the Chinese democratization is not optimistic in the near future. 
Waterborne microorganisms and biofilms related to hospital infections: strategies for prevention and control in healthcare facilities
Authors: Capelletti Raquel Vannucci , Moraes Ângela Maria
Published: February 2016

Water is the main stimulus for the development of microorganisms, and its flow has an important role in the spreading of contaminants. In hospitals, the water distribution system requires special attention since it can be a source of pathogens, including those in the form of biofilms often correlated with resistance of microorganisms to various treatments. In this paper, information relevant to cases of nosocomial infections involving water circuits as a source of contaminants is compiled, with emphasis on the importance of microbiological control strategies to prevent the installation, spreading and growth of microorganisms in hospitals. An overview of the worldwide situation is provided, with emphasis on Brazilian hospitals. Different approaches normally used to control the occurrence of nosocomial infections due to waterborne contaminants are analyzed, and the use of the polysaccharide chitosan for this specific application is briefly discussed.
Water, sanitation and hygiene for homeless people
Authors: Uddin Sayed Mohammad Nazim , Walters Vicky , Gaillard J. C. , Hridi Sanjida Marium , McSherry Alice
Published: February 2016

This short communication provides insights into water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for homeless people through a scoping study conducted in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It investigates homeless access to WASH through the lens of a rights-based approach. It demonstrates that homeless people's denial of their right to WASH reflects their marginal position in society and an unequal distribution of power and opportunities. The study ultimately suggests a rights-based approach to work toward dealing with the root causes of discrimination and marginalisation rather than just the symptoms. For the homeless, who not only lack substantive rights, but also the means through which to claim their rights, an integrated rights-based approach to WASH offers the possibility for social inclusion and significant improvements in their life conditions. Given the unique deprivation of homelessness it is argued that in addressing the lack of access to adequate WASH for homeless people the immediate goal should be the fulfilment and protection of the right to adequate shelter.
Transport of enterococci and F+ coliphage through the saturated zone of the beach aquifer
Authors: de Sieyes Nicholas R. , Russell Todd L. , Brown Kendra I. , Mohanty Sanjay K. , Boehm Alexandria B.
Published: February 2016

Coastal groundwater has been implicated as a source of microbial pollution to recreational beaches. However, there is little work investigating the transport of fecal microbes through beach aquifers where waters of variable salinity are present. In this study, the potential for fecal indicator organisms enterococci (ENT) and F+ coliphage to be transported through marine beach aquifers was investigated. Native sediment and groundwaters were collected from the fresh and saline sections of the subterranean estuary at three beaches along the California coast where coastal communities utilize septic systems for wastewater treatment. Groundwaters were seeded with sewage and removal of F+ coliphage and ENT by the sediments during saturated flow was tested in laboratory column experiments. Removal varied significantly between beach and organism. F+ coliphage was removed to a greater extent than ENT, and removal was greater in saline sediments and groundwater than fresh. At one of the three beaches, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the attenuation of F+ coliphage and ENT down gradient of a septic leach field. ENT were detected up to 24 m from the leach field. The column study and field observations together suggest ENT can be mobile within native aquifer sediments and groundwater under certain conditions.
Procedure for rapid determination of δ15N and δ18O values of nitrate: development and application to an irrigated rice paddy watershed
Authors: Yada Saeko , Nakajima Yasuhiro , Itahashi Sunao , Asada Kei , Yoshikawa Seiko , Eguchi Sadao
Published: February 2016

The dual isotope approach using the stable isotope ratios of nitrate nitrogen (δ15NNO3) and oxygen (δ18ONO3) is a strong tool for identifying the history of nitrate in various environments. Basically, a rapid procedure for determining δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3 values is required to analyze many more samples quickly and thus save on the operational costs of isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). We developed a new rapid procedure to save time by pre-treating consecutive samples of nitrous oxide microbially converted from nitrate before IRMS determination. By controlling two six-port valves of the pre-treatment system separately, IRMS determination of the current sample and backflush during the next sample pre-treatment period could be conducted simultaneously. A set of 89 samples was analyzed precisely during a 25-h continuous run (17 min per sample), giving the fastest reported processing time, and simultaneously reducing liquid nitrogen and carrier helium gas consumption by 35%. Application of the procedure to an irrigated rice paddy watershed suggested that nitrate concentrations in river waters decreased in a downstream direction, mainly because of the mixing of nitrate from different sources, without distinct evidence of denitrification. Our procedure should help with more detailed studies of nitrate formation processes in watersheds.
Comparative effectiveness research in the USA: when will there be an impact on healthcare decision-making?
Authors: Westrich Kimberly D , Wilhelm Jess A , Schur Claudia L
Published: February 2016

Five annual surveys of healthcare decision-makers potentially affected by comparative effectiveness research (CER) indicate sustained recognition of its importance and potential impact. Initial expectations of immediate CER impact have over time turned to stakeholder assessments of little short-term impact. In successive surveys, they project a continuous horizon of 3–5 years for CER to have a moderate or substantial improvement in decision making. The prominence of Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute in CER is highlighted by stakeholders, but greater emphasis on translating and disseminating research findings is needed, a role in which Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is expected to contribute. Stakeholders, including patients, must be engaged throughout to ensure that findings provide the flexibility for decision makers to apply them to their patient populations.
Kinetic investigation of AISI 304 Stainless Steel boronized in indirect heated fluidized bed furnace
Authors: Topuz P. , Çiçek B. , Akar O.
Published: February 2016

In this study, kinetic examinations on boronized AISI 304 Stainless Steel
samples were described. Samples were boronized in indirect heated fluidized
bed furnace consists of Ekabor 1? boronizing agent at 1123, 1223 and 1323 K
for 1,2 and 4 hours. Morphologically and typically examinations of borides
formed on the surface of steel samples were studied by optical microscope,
scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-Ray diffraction (XRD). Boride layer
thickness formed on the steel X5CrNi 18-10 ranges from 12 to 176 ?m. The
hardness of the boride layer formed on the steel X5CrNi 18-10 varied between
1709 and 2119 Hv0,1. Layer growth kinetics were analyzed by measuring the
extent of penetration of FeB and Fe2B sublayers as a function of boronizing
time and temperature. The kinetics of the reaction has been determined with
K=Ko exp (-Q/RT) equation. Activation energy (Q) of boronized steel X5CrNi
18-10 was determined as 244 kj/mol.
Coexisting diseases modifying each other’s presentation - lack of growth failure in Turner syndrome due to the associated pituitary gigantism
Authors: Dragovic Tamara , Djuran Zorana , Jelic Svetlana , Marinkovic Dejan , Kikovic Sasa , Kuzmic-Jankovic Snezana , Hajdukovic Zoran
Published: February 2016

Introduction. Turner syndrome presents with one of the most frequent
chromosomal aberrations in female, typically presented with growth
retardation, ovarian insufficiency, facial dysmorphism, and numerous other
somatic stigmata. Gigantism is an extremely rare condition resulting from an
excessive growth hormone (GH) secretion that occurs during childhood before
the fusion of epiphyseal growth plates. The major clinical feature of
gigantism is growth acceleration, although these patients also suffer from
hypogonadism and soft tissue hypertrophy. Case report. We presented a girl
with mosaic Turner syndrome, delayed puberty and normal linear growth for the
sex and age, due to the simultaneous GH hypersecretion by pituitary tumor. In
the presented case all the typical phenotypic stigmata related to Turner
syndrome were missing. Due to excessive pituitary GH secretion during the
period while the epiphyseal growth plates of the long bones are still open,
characteristic stagnation in longitudinal growth has not been demonstrated.
The patient presented with delayed puberty and primary amenorrhea along with
a sudden appearance of clinical signs of hypersomatotropinism, which were the
reasons for seeking medical help at the age of 16. Conclusion. Physical
examination of children presenting with delayed puberty but without growth
arrest must include an overall hormonal and genetic testing even in the cases
when typical clinical presentations of genetic disorder are absent. To the
best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of simultaneous
presence of Turner syndrome and gigantism in the literature.
Histomorphometric evaluation of bone regeneration using autogenous bone and beta-tricalcium phosphate in diabetic rabbits
Authors: Zivadinovic Milka , Andric Miroslav , Milosevic Verica , Manojlovic-Stojanoski Milica , Prokic Branislav , Prokic Bogomir , Dimic Aleksandar , Calasan Dejan , Brkovic Bozidar
Published: February 2016

Background/Aim. The mechanism of impaired bone healing in diabetes mellitus
includes different tissue and cellular level activities due to micro- and
macrovascular changes. As a chronic metabolic disease with vascular
complications, diabetes affects a process of bone regeneration as well. The
therapeutic approach in bone regeneration is based on the use of
osteoinductive autogenous grafts as well as osteoconductive synthetic
material, like a ?-tricalcium phosphate. The aim of the study was to
determine the quality and quantity of new bone formation after the use of
autogenous bone and ?-tricalcium phosphate in the model of calvarial
critical-sized defect in rabbits with induced diabetes mellitus type I.
Methods. The study included eight 4-month-old Chincilla rabbits with
alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus type I. In all animals, there were
surgically created two calvarial bilateral defects (diameter 12 mm), which
were grafted with autogenous bone and ?-tricalcium phosphate (n = 4) or
served as unfilled controls (n = 4). After 4 weeks of healing, animals were
sacrificed and calvarial bone blocks were taken for histologic and
histomorphometric analysis. Beside descriptive histologic evaluation, the
percentage of new bone formation, connective tissue and residual graft were
calculated. All parameters were statistically evaluated by Friedman Test and
post hock Wilcoxon Singed Ranks Test with a significance of p < 0.05.
Results. Histology revealed active new bone formation peripherally with
centrally located connective tissue, newly formed woven bone and well
incorporated residual grafts in all treated defects. Control samples showed
no bone bridging of defects. There was a significantly more new bone in
autogeonous graft (53%) compared with ?-tricalcium phosphate (30%), (p <
0.030) and control (7%), (p < 0.000) groups. A significant difference was
also recorded between ?-tricalcium phosphate and control groups (p < 0.008).
Conclusion. In the present study on the rabbit grafting model with induced
diabetes mellitus type I, the effective bone regeneration of critical bone
defects was obtained using autogenous bone graft.
Validation of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Vocational Rehabilitation From the Perspective of Physical Therapists: International Delphi Survey
Authors: Kaech Moll Veronika M. , Escorpizo Reuben , Portmann Bergamaschi Ruth , Finger Monika E.
Published: February 2016

Background

The Comprehensive ICF Core Set for vocational rehabilitation (VR) is a list of essential categories on functioning based on the World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), which describes a standard for interdisciplinary assessment, documentation, and communication in VR.

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the content validity of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for VR from the perspective of physical therapists.

Design

A 3-round email survey was performed using the Delphi method.

Methods

A convenience sample of international physical therapists working in VR with work experience of ≥2 years were asked to identify aspects they consider as relevant when evaluating or treating clients in VR. Responses were linked to the ICF categories and compared with the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for VR.

Results

Sixty-two physical therapists from all 6 WHO world regions responded with 3,917 statements that were subsequently linked to 338 ICF categories. Fifteen (17%) of the 90 categories in the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for VR were confirmed by the physical therapists in the sample. Twenty-two additional ICF categories were identified that were not included in the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for VR.

Limitations

Vocational rehabilitation in physical therapy is not well defined in every country and might have resulted in the small sample size. Therefore, the results cannot be generalized to all physical therapists practicing in VR.

Conclusion

The content validity of the ICF Core Set for VR is insufficient from solely a physical therapist perspective. The results of this study could be used to define a physical therapy–specific set of ICF categories to develop and guide physical therapist clinical practice in VR.
Prevalence of Wheelchair and Scooter Use Among Community-Dwelling Canadians
Authors: Smith Emma M. , Giesbrecht Edward M. , Mortenson W. Ben , Miller William C.
Published: February 2016

Background

Mobility impairments are the third leading cause of disability for community-dwelling Canadians. Wheelchairs and scooters help compensate for these challenges. There are limited data within the last decade estimating the prevalence of wheelchair and scooter use in Canada.

Objective

The aims of this study were: (1) to estimate the prevalence of wheelchair and scooter use in Canada and (2) to explore relevant demographic characteristics of wheelchair and scooter users.

Design

This study was a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional national survey.

Methods

The Canadian Survey on Disability (2012) collected data on wheelchair and scooter use from community-dwelling individuals aged 15 years and over with a self-identified activity limitation on the National Household Survey. Prevalence estimates were calculated as weighted frequencies, with cross-tabulations to determine the number of wheelchair and scooter users in Canada, by province, and demographic characteristics (ie, age, sex) and bootstrapping to estimate the variance of all point estimates.

Results

There were approximately 288,800 community-dwelling wheelchair and scooter users aged 15 years and over, representing 1.0% of the Canadian population. The sample included 197,560 manual wheelchair users, 42,360 powered wheelchair users, and 108,550 scooter users. Wheelchair and scooter users were predominantly women, with a mean age of 65 years. Approximately 50,620 individuals used a combination of 2 different types of devices.

Limitations

The results are representative of individuals living in the community in Canada and exclude individuals in residential or group-based settings; estimates do not represent the true population prevalence.

Conclusion

This analysis is the first in more than 10 years to provide a prevalence estimate and description of wheelchair and scooter users in Canada. Since 2004, there has been an increase in the proportion of the population who use wheelchairs and scooters, likely related to an aging Canadian population. These new prevalence data have potential to inform policy, research, and clinical practice.
Autologous Serum Skin Test in Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
Authors: Pokhrel Kumar , Subedi S. , Acharya S.
Published: February 2016

Background: Urticaria is a short-lived swelling of skin and mucosa due to plasma leakage by immune and non immune mediated activation and released of mediators from mast cell and basophil. Autoimmune urticaria tends to have a high itch and wheal score than other type of urticaria. Its diagnosis is practically relied upon clinical suspicion and autologous serum skin test. Autologous serum skin test (ASST) is the simple and cost effective test to differentiate autoimmune urticaria from the bulk of chronic urticaria patients. Objective: To compare the features of chronic urticaria in patients having positive versus negative autologous serum skin test (ASST).Materials and methods: Cross-sectional hospital based study was conducted among 90 chronic urticaria patients (CIU) attending the outpatient dermatology department of Nepalgunj Medical College, Nepalgunj, during one year period. The study was conducted after ethical approval from the institutional committee. The patients were diagnosed on the basis of the appearance of continuous or recurrent hives with or without angioedema for more than 6 weeks. Patients who suffered from either acute urticaria or urticarial vasculitis or physical urticaria or other systemic diseases known to cause urticaria were excluded. Standard tools and techniques were used to prepare antilogous serum and injection of the serum and interpretation of the result. The test result was Interpreted as positive and negative autologous serum skin test.Results: ASST was positive in 42% of the patients and negative in 58% of the patients. The ASST-positive patients had a higher mean urticaria activity score and median duration of wheals in comparison with the ASST-negative patients. Wheals lasted for significantly longer duration in patients with positive ASST. Patients with positive ASST had more frequent attacks which was statistically significant compared to the ASST-negative group. The mean urticaria activity score was significantly higher in the ASST-positive patients than that in the ASST-negative patients.Conclusions: Autologous serum skin test may be a useful screening test for autoimmune urticaria and may be used as a simple and cost-effective test for the classification of chronic urticaria.JNGMC Vol. 12 No. 2 December 2014, page: 6-10
Comparison of Propofol-Ketamine Combination with Propofol-Butorphanol Combination for Total Intravenous Anaesthesia on Short Surgical Procedures
Authors: Regmi Nabin Kumar , Khatri Santosh , Datta Prashanta Kumar
Published: February 2016

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare propofol-ketamine combination with propofol-butorphanol combination for short surgical procedures in terms of hemodynamic and respiratory stability, postoperative sedation, postoperative nausea and vomiting and effect of abolishing pain on injection with propofol.Methods: This was a randomized double blinded study conducted in 60 patients belonging to ASA I &II, aged between 16 - 60 years. Patients were divided into two groups: Group-B: Propofol- Butorphanol combination (n=30) and Group-K: Propofol-Ketamine combination (n=30). The baseline values for the heart rate, mean arterial pressure and SPO recorded and every 5 minutes after induction of anesthesia.Results: In Butorphanol group MAP at 5, 10, 2 15, 20, 25 and 30 minutes after induction was significantly lesser but heart rate at 10, 15, 20, 25 and30 minutes after induction was significantly greater than in the Ketamine group with the p value of < 0.05. From 20-30 minutes post induction, SPO in Butorphanol 2 group was significantly less than in the Ketamine group with the p value of < 0.05. Pain after injection of propofol was significantly greater in Ketamine group with the p value of 0.008. There was no statistically significant sedation and post operative nausea and vomiting among the groups.Conclusion: Propofol-Ketamine combination provided better hemodynamic and respiratory stability than Propofol-Butorpanol combination however pain on injection with propofol was greater in Propofol-ketamine combination.JNGMC Vol. 12 No. 2 December 2014, Page: 34-39
Where Are All the Women? Equity, Post-Feminism, and Canadian Theatre
Authors: MacArthur Michelle
Published: February 2016

Equity in Theatre (EIT) was launched in 2014 to respond to the enduring and urgent question of women’s disappearance from Canadian stages. This article summarizes the findings from the research phase of the initiative, which resulted in the publication of “Achieving Equity in Canadian Theatre: A Report with Best Practice Recommendations” in April 2015, and it explores the ongoing challenges for increasing the visibility of women in the theatre industry. The current post-feminist climate, which conceptualizes feminism as a movement that has achieved its goals and is therefore no longer necessary, is identified as one of the central causes of the barriers to women’s access and advancement in Canadian theatre. Post-feminism displaces attention from the inequities underlying the industry, focusing instead on the minority of women who have achieved success and visibility within it; excuses those in power from any sense of responsibility; and ultimately perpetuates discrimination and inaction. The article concludes by recommending a wide-ranging, multi-pronged, collaborative approach to redress inequity.
The Danger of a Single Story
Authors: Turner Valerie Sing
Published: February 2016

Gender parity in Canadian theatre is an important issue that requires immediate and critical action. But any discussion, initiative, or action about gender parity cannot be considered separately and in isolation from racial parity and representation. Thus, it is an unfortunate reality that while it admittedly sucks to be a white female actor, director, designer, or playwright, it is six times harder to be a theatre artist of colour, regardless of gender. Theatre is about telling stories, yet Canadian theatremakers continue to tell what is basically the same story from the same perspective: the story of how white men either dominate or perceive the world. Most of what we see on Canadian stages is little more than a variation on this theme. The danger of the single story is that we fail to see the possibility of other stories that have been ignored or erased from history because they were deemed unimportant or uninteresting by the dominant demographic who recorded that history. After all, it’s called his-story for a reason. Unless we recognize and address the white affirmative action and sexism embedded in our systems, the danger is that Canadian theatre will become even more irrelevant to our ever-increasing visible majority.
Disability Arts and Equity in Canada
Authors: Decottignies Michele
Published: February 2016

A national survey of Deaf, mad, and disability arts in Canada reveals a clear relationship between the politics of disability theatre and higher levels of equity. However, while gender equity and diversity are extremely high in the disability arts domain, disability equity remains far too low.
Keys
Authors: Johnson Falen
Published: February 2016

In Keys by Falen Johnson, a woman discusses the behaviour she has learned in order to keep herself safe in the city. Shoe choice, headphones, and keys as weapons all come into play. This piece was the author’s written response to the #yesallwomen social media campaign.
Ms. Canadian Reality
Authors: Bowen Leah-Simone
Published: February 2016

Written as part of the #yesallwomen Wrecking Ball 16 in Toronto, Ms. Canadian Reality by Leah-Simone Bowen explores female archetypes. Set up as a game show where the stakes are high, this dark comedy peers into the policies and laws that affect everyday Canadian women.
Lipid Profile of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital of Dhaka City
Authors: Laila Rona , Mahmud Nusrat , Nargis Monnujan , Chowdhury TA
Published: February 2016

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the common disorders in women at child bearing age. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the lipid profile in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. A total of 103 women with PCOS of 15-36 years of age were included in the present study. Of the 103 PCOS women, 50% were overweight or obese, 29.1% had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 4.9% had type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The mean BMI was generally higher (25.8±5.5 kg/m2). The mean serum cholesterol levels ranged from182 mg/dl to 236 mg/dl in all groups of women. The results of our study showed that women with PCOS had altered lipid profile and glycemic status. Therefore, evaluation of metabolic status is necessary for better management of women with PCOS.Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2014; 8(2): 47-49
Is Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) a Better Predictor than Creatinine Cutoff to Detect Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
Authors: Khanam Parvin Akter , Begum Tanjima , Khan Md Morshed Alam , Iqbal Sarwar , Banu Akhter , Rhaman Mir Masudur , Sayeed M Abu
Published: February 2016

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) with diabetes mellitus is one of the most common and major public health problems globally. In Bangladesh, several studies indicate an increasing prevalence of diabetes though very few studies are available on CKD. For CKD, diagnostic method, criteria or cutoffs still remained undecided. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CKD among the hospitalized patients and to compare the diagnostic approach practiced in the hospital. Methods: All patients admitted to the Department of Nephrology at BIRDEM from May 1 to July 31, 2012 were selected for investigation. An almost equal number of patients were also selected from other units of Medicine. The information included were age, sex, social class, blood pressure, height, weight, blood glucose, creatinine, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins and electrolytes. The CKDcreat was diagnosed based on creatinine (>1.2mg/dl) and the CKDgfr based on estimated GFR (<60 ml/min/1.73m2) following Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) guideline. The comparisons of characteristics were made between CKDcreat and non- CKDcreat (? 1.2 vs.>1.2 mg/dl) groups. Similar comparisons were also made between CKDgfr and non-CKDgfr (>60 vs. ? 60 ml/min/1.732) groups. Results: A total of 4172 patients got admitted in the study period of 90 days; and 442 patients (m / f = 256 / 186) were investigated. Of the total (n=4172), 241 (5.8%) had CKDcreat and 272 (6.5%) had CKDgfr. Of the investigated 442 patients, 241 (54.5%) had CKDcreat and 272 (61.5%) had CKDgfr. The differences of characteristics between CKDcreat and non-CKDcreat groups were almost similar to the differences between CKDgfr and non-CKDgfr groups. Higher age, higher social class and higher blood pressure showed significant (p<0.001) and similar associations with both CKDcreat and CKDgfr. Interestingly, if the cut-off of eGFR is taken at <90 ml/min/1.732, as suggested by K/DOQI, the prevalence of CKDgfr increases to 86.7%. This indicates a wide variation (32.2%) between the two criteria (CKDcreat: creat >1.2 mg/dl and CKDgfr: <90 ml/min/1.732). Thus, a large proportion remained either under- or over-diagnosed depending on the criterion used. Conclusion: The prevalence of CKD among the hospitalized patients was found not negligible. The comparisons of two diagnostic criteria did differ and eGFR (K/DOQI) could detect higher proportion of CKD, which might be an over-diagnosis. Further study taking microalbuminuria, gross proteinuria, albumin-creatinine ratio and cystatin C may validate the method for the diagnostic accuracy of CKD, which my help assessing the prevalence of CKD accurately.Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2014; 8(2): 50-55
Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Gall Bladder: A Case Report
Authors: Ferdousi Shamima , Khan Sadia Armin
Published: February 2016

Squamous cell carcinoma of the gall bladder is rare. It accounts for less than 12.7 % of all cases of gall bladder cancer. Pure squamous cell carcinoma is even less common with a reported incidence of 3.3%. We present a case of 70 years-old man with decreased appetite, vomiting and fever associated with right upper quadrant pain for two months. Ultrasonography of the abdomen revealed a distended gallbladder with multiple calculi along with large hyperechoic area of sludge. Provisional diagnosis was cholelithiasis with empyema of gall bladder. Cholecystectomy was done. Histopathological examination revealed well to moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the gall bladder without evidence of metastasis.Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2014; 8(2): 61-63
Quantification of Temozolomide in Nonhuman Primate Fluids by Isocratic Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry to Study Brain Tissue Penetration Following Intranasal or Intravenous Delivery
Authors: Peer Cody , Ronner Lukas , Rodgers Louis , McCully Cynthia , Warren Katherine , Figg William
Published: February 2016

A sensitive and selective ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method was developed for the quantification of temozolomide (TMZ) in nonhuman primate (NHP) plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and brain extracellular fluid (ECF) following microdialysis. Ethyl acetate was used to extract the plasma and CSF samples, using theophylline as the internal standard (IS). ECF samples were diluted with acetonitrile prior to analysis. TMZ was separated on a Waters UPLC® BEH C18 column with an isocratic mobile phase of ammonium acetate (10 mM)-0.1% formic acid/acetonitrile (30:70, v/v) in a positive-ion multiple reaction monitoring mode (m/z 195.5→137.6 for TMZ; m/z 181.5→124.2 for IS). The retention time of TMZ and theophylline was 0.45 min with a total run time of 2.5 min. The method was validated over the range from 5–2000 ng/mL in NHP plasma, CSF, and ECF with respect to linearity, accuracy, precision, selectivity, and stability. This method was successfully applied toward the measurement of pharmacokinetic samples following various routes of drug administration.
Comparison of Spot and Time Weighted Averaging (TWA) Sampling with SPME-GC/MS Methods for Trihalomethane (THM) Analysis
Authors: Parkinson Don-Roger , Barter David , Gaultois Robert
Published: February 2016

Water samples were collected and analyzed for conductivity, pH, temperature and trihalomethanes (THMs) during the fall of 2014 at two monitored municipal drinking water source ponds. Both spot (or grab) and time weighted average (TWA) sampling methods were assessed over the same two day sampling time period. For spot sampling, replicate samples were taken at each site and analyzed within 12 h of sampling by both Headspace (HS)- and direct (DI)- solid phase microextraction (SPME) sampling/extraction methods followed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). For TWA, a two day passive on-site TWA sampling was carried out at the same sampling points in the ponds. All SPME sampling methods undertaken used a 65-µm PDMS/DVB SPME fiber, which was found optimal for THM sampling. Sampling conditions were optimized in the laboratory using calibration standards of chloroform, bromoform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, 1,2-dibromoethane and 1,2-dichloroethane, prepared in aqueous solutions from analytical grade samples. Calibration curves for all methods with R2 values ranging from 0.985–0.998 (N = 5) over the quantitation linear range of 3–800 ppb were achieved. The different sampling methods were compared for quantification of the water samples, and results showed that DI- and TWA- sampling methods gave better data and analytical metrics. Addition of 10% wt./vol. of (NH4)2SO4 salt to the sampling vial was found to aid extraction of THMs by increasing GC peaks areas by about 10%, which resulted in lower detection limits for all techniques studied. However, for on-site TWA analysis of THMs in natural waters, the calibration standard(s) ionic strength conditions, must be carefully matched to natural water conditions to properly quantitate THM concentrations. The data obtained from the TWA method may better reflect actual natural water conditions.
Low-Temperature Mobile Phase for Peptide Trapping at Elevated Separation Temperature Prior to Nano RP-HPLC-MS/MS
Authors: Schöbinger Matthias , Klein Oskar-James , Mitulović Goran
Published: February 2016

Nano HPLC-MS/MS separation and detection of peptides for proteomic analysis is usually performed upon tryptic digest of proteins and peptide pre-concentration on trap columns. Pre-concentration on trap columns is needed for sample wash (removal of salts and impurities), sample focusing prior to separation, and volume reduction. Usually, trap columns are mounted on selection valves close to the separation column in order to keep the void volume low and to enable injection of large sample amounts onto nano-separation column. Since separation columns are operated at elevated temperature of ≥45 °C and they are mounted on the same valve as the trap column (in the column oven); loading samples at elevated temperature will result with significant loss of analytes. A method for loading samples on a trap column at 60 °C was developed and optimized. No sample loss was observed when the optimized method was used for analysis of standards and of complex biological samples.
Computation of the Likelihood of Joint Site Frequency Spectra Using Orthogonal Polynomials
Authors: Vogl Claus , Bergman Juraj
Published: February 2016

In population genetics, information about evolutionary forces, e.g., mutation, selection and genetic drift, is often inferred from DNA sequence information. Generally, DNA consists of two long strands of nucleotides or sites that pair via the complementary bases cytosine and guanine (C and G), on the one hand, and adenine and thymine (A and T), on the other. With whole genome sequencing, most genomic information stored in the DNA has become available for multiple individuals of one or more populations, at least in humans and model species, such as fruit flies of the genus Drosophila. In a genome-wide sample of L sites for M (haploid) individuals, the state of each site may be made binary, by binning the complementary bases, e.g., C with G to C/G, and contrasting C/G to A/T, to obtain a “site frequency spectrum” (SFS). Two such samples of either a single population from different time-points or two related populations from a single time-point are called joint site frequency spectra (joint SFS). While mathematical models describing the interplay of mutation, drift and selection have been available for more than 80 years, calculation of exact likelihoods from joint SFS is difficult. Sufficient statistics for inference of, e.g., mutation or selection parameters that would make use of all the information in the genomic data are rarely available. Hence, often suites of crude summary statistics are combined in simulation-based computational approaches. In this article, we use a bi-allelic boundary-mutation and drift population genetic model to compute the transition probabilities of joint SFS using orthogonal polynomials. This allows inference of population genetic parameters, such as the mutation rate (scaled by the population size) and the time separating the two samples. We apply this inference method to a population dataset of neutrally-evolving short intronic sites from six DNA sequences of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and the reference sequence of the related species Drosophila sechellia.
The Indispensability of the Humanities for the 21st Century
Authors: Habibi Don
Published: February 2016

This essay surveys the state of the humanities at this critical time. What will be the role of the humanities at the end of this century and beyond? I discuss the “crisis of the humanities” by examining the current challenges of globalization, economic shifts, and extensive budget cuts. I also discuss the social and political divisions that contribute to a crisis within the humanities. Since the culture wars that began in the 1960’s, the content, scope, and focus of the humanities have changed dramatically, and this has impacted how the humanities are perceived and valued by the general public. The second half of the essay makes the case for the vital importance of the humanities. I argue that the fate of the humanities is inseparable from the future of human beings. I highlight the current problems of war, environmental degradation, and mass surveillance that must be managed before they overwhelm and derail the potential for dramatic progress. Following recent scholarship and research trends, I explain how technological advancements will lead to the most significant evolutionary changes to the human being in aeons. Through technologies such as bionics, transgenesis, robotics, genetic engineering, and artificial intelligence, Homo sapiens might be enabled to transcend its former limits and usher in an era of transhumanism. The relevant question is: What do we want to be? I argue that enhancement technologies will make their beneficiaries more robotic and less human, and explain why we must treasure the advantages of our distinctly human capacities and resist the prospect of empowering ourselves to become automatons. My underlying thesis is that developing an understanding of the most insightful ideas and cultivating an appreciation for the greatest creative works that humankind has produced will be crucial for maintaining our humanity. The humanities thus make a unique and indispensable contribution to defining what and who we want our descendants to be.
An Assessment of Urban Surface Energy Fluxes Using a Sub-Pixel Remote Sensing Analysis: A Case Study in Suzhou, China
Authors: Liu Kai , Fang Jun-yong , Zhao Dong , Liu Xue , Zhang Xiao-hong , Wang Xiao , Li Xue-ke
Published: February 2016

Urban surface energy fluxes are closely associated with land-cover types (LCTs) and critical biophysical compositions. This study aims to assess the contribution of LCTs, vegetation fractional coverage (VFC) and percentage of impervious surface area (ISA%) to urban surface energy fluxes using remote sensing. An advanced urban surface energy flux algorithm was used to combine satellite imagery and meteorological station data to investigate the thermal environments in the city of Suzhou, China. The land cover abundances retrieved by multiple endmember spectral unmixing analysis (MESMA) were used to retrieve the per-pixel sensible heat flux (H) and latent heat flux (LE). The resultant heat fluxes were assessed using evaporation pan data collected from meteorological stations and ratios of the heat fluxes to the net radiation (Rn). Furthermore, spatial patterns of urban heat energy were investigated using an integrated analysis among land surface temperature (LST), heat fluxes, LCTs, VFC and ISA%. The high values of H and LST were found over the urbanized areas, which also had low values of LE. Conversely, the vegetated area was characterized with high LEs, as well as low LSTs and Hs. Moreover, a statistically-significant correlation (p < 0.05; R2 = 0.88) was observed between LE and VFC at the zonal level, and a statistically-significant correlation (p < 0.05; R2 = 0.90) was exhibited between H and ISA%. It is concluded that VFC, ISA% and LCTs are promising for delineating urban heat fluxes. Overall, this study indicates that remote sensing techniques can be used to quantify urban thermal environments.