bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research Quality Assessment: Intended and Unintended Consequences
Authors: Bridges David
Published: July 2011

Assessment, especially when linked to an infrastructure of rewards for successful performance, is a powerful driver of people's behaviour. In the context of publications it is therefore important that assessment tools focus on what is genuinely constitutive of the quality of educational research (i.e. intrinsic characteristics of quality) rather than on short cuts, which may be easier to quantify but which are only related to quality in highly contingent circumstances (i.e. extrinsic characteristics such as citation indices). Drawing on the European Educational Research Quality Indicators project, this article identifies some of the perhaps unwanted consequences of different approaches to quality assessment.
Through the Looking Glass: Publishing in Peer-Reviewed Academic Journals
Authors: Downs Yvonne
Published: July 2011

This article considers some of the issues of power embedded in publishing in academic journals. It asks questions about the way in which individual scholars and researchers might be empowered within a hierarchical system in which getting funding and getting published are closely allied. Four concepts borrowed from diverse sources (creative power, the power of disbelief, power as freedom and decisive preference) act as running stitches through an auto/biographical account of the author's return to the academy after an absence of several years. Showing how the author exercised power as a PhD student, the author concludes on a polemical but somewhat speculative note as a scholar who has yet to find a home.
A Comparison of Conventional and New Rubber Dam Systems in Dental Practice
Authors: Feierabend SA , Matt J , Klaiber B
Published: July 2011

Objective

Rubber dam is an important tool in dentistry—in the past as well as today. As a result of a lack of acceptance of the conventional system, introduced by Barnum in 1869, new systems were developed (eg, OptraDam® by Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein). This system was advertised as being very comfortable and easy to use, without distracting clamps. The aim of this study was to investigate if a new rubber dam system would be better accepted by patients and dentists than the conventional one.

Materials and Methods

Two hundred patients from the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology received at least one treatment with the conventional rubber dam (Dental Dam, Coltène Whaledent, Langenau, Germany) and one with the new rubber dam (OptraDam®, Ivoclar Vivadent). Staff/students and patients were asked to complete questionnaires with regard to the advantages and disadvantages of the particular system after every treatment.

Results

Among patients, students, and dentists in the dental school environment there is a high degree of acceptance of rubber dam in general. During the study there were only very few situations in which neither of the systems could be used. The conventional rubber dam was preferred by all patients, students, and dentists (p<0.0001).

Conclusion

Our study confirms that there is a high degree of acceptance of the rubber dam when it is compulsory to use. The reasons for the refusal during the daily workload of a practice remain unclear, but appear to be independent of the material or design available. A new design does not necessarily imply better acceptance.
Conservative Approach for Esthetic Treatment of Enamel Hypoplasia
Authors: Reston EG , Corba DV , Ruschel K , Tovo MF , Barbosa AN
Published: July 2011

Purpose

This article describes a minimally invasive technique for removal of intrinsic enamel stains and discoloration. The technique is based on enamel microabrasion with application of an acid-abrasive gel. Treatment may be complemented with composite resin to compensate for the effects of acid or to finish the masking effect.
Bonding of Restorative Materials to Dentin With Various Luting Agents
Authors: Peutzfeldt A , Sahafi A , Flury S
Published: July 2011

The aim was to compare eight types of luting agents when used to bond six indirect, laboratory restorative materials to dentin. Cylinders of the six restorative materials (Esteticor Avenir [gold alloy], Tritan [titanium], NobelRondo [feldspathic porcelain], Finesse All-Ceramic [leucite-glass ceramic], Lava [zirconia], and Sinfony [resin composite]) were ground and air-abraded. Cylinders of feldspathic porcelain and glass ceramic were additionally etched with hydrofluoric acid and were silane-treated. The cylinders were luted to ground human dentin with eight luting agents (DeTrey Zinc [zinc phosphate cement], Fuji I [conventional glass ionomer cement], Fuji Plus [resin-modified glass ionomer cement], Variolink II [conventional etch-and-rinse resin cement], Panavia F2.0 and Multilink [self-etch resin cements], and RelyX Unicem Aplicap and Maxcem [self-adhesive resin cements]). After water storage at 37°C for one week, the shear bond strength of the specimens (n=8/group) was measured, and the fracture mode was stereomicroscopically examined. Bond strength data were analyzed with two-factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Newman-Keuls' Multiple Range Test (α=0.05). Both the restorative material and the luting agent had a significant effect on bond strength, and significant interaction was noted between the two variables. Zinc phosphate cement and glass ionomer cements produced the lowest bond strengths, whereas the highest bond strengths were found with the two self-etch and one of the self-adhesive resin cements. Generally, the fracture mode varied markedly with the restorative material. The luting agents had a bigger influence on bond strength between restorative materials and dentin than was seen with the restorative material.
Streptococcus mutans Biofilm Adhesion on Composite Resin Surfaces After Different Finishing and Polishing Techniques
Authors: Pereira CA , Eskelson E , Cavalli V , Liporoni PCS , Jorge AOC , Rego MA do
Published: July 2011

This study evaluated Streptococcus mutans biofilm adhesion on the surface of three composite resins (nanofilled, Filtek Z350, 3M ESPE, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; nanohybrid, Vit-1-escence, Ultradent Products, South Jordan, UT, USA; and microhybrid, Esthet X, Dentsply, Milford, DE, USA) following different finishing and polishing techniques. Sixty standardized samples (6 × 3 mm) of each composite were produced and randomly divided into three finishing and polishing treatments (n=20): 1) control group: composite resin surface in contact with Mylar matrix strips with no finishing or polishing performed, 2) Sof-Lex aluminum oxide disc technique (3M ESPE, and 3) carbide bur finishing and Astrobrush polishing technique (Ultradent). Half the samples of each group were incubated in human saliva for 1 hour, and all the samples were subjected to S mutans (ATCC 35688) biofilm development. The mean log of CFU/mL present in the S mutans biofilm was calculated, and data were statistically analyzed by three-way analysis of variance and the Tukey test (p<0.05). Human saliva incubation promoted a significant increase of bacterial adherence on all three of the composites' surfaces, regardless of the polishing treatment performed (p<0.05). Of the three, the nanofilled composite (Filtek Z350) had the lowest bacterial adherence with each of the finishing and polishing techniques despite the presence or absence of human saliva (p<0.05). Mylar matrix strips (control group) promoted the lowest bacterial adhesion on the surface of the microhybrid and nanofilled composites in the absence of human saliva.
Corrosion and wear resistance study of Ni-P and Ni-P-PTFE nanocomposite coatings
Authors: Ankita Sharma , Singh Ajay
Published: July 2011

This article reports on the corrosion and wear resistance of Ni-P and Ni-P-PTFE nanocomposite coatings deposited on mild steel substrates using the electroless plating technique. The coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis of X-Ray (EDAX), and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The coatings were smooth and had thicknesses between 7 and 23 µm. They contained Ni, P, and additionally, F, in the case of the Ni-P-PTFE films. A broadening of the Ni peak in XRD was attributed to the amorphous nature and/or fine grain size of the films. Corrosion resistance was measured using immersion and electrochemical polarization tests in 3.5% NaCl solution whereas wear resistance was determined by the pin-on-disc method. Both Ni-P and Ni-P-PTFE coatings exhibited significant improvement in corrosion (in salty media) and wear behavior. Furthermore, the addition of PTFE in the coatings showed improvement in their corrosion resistance as well as a reduction in friction coefficient. Our testing revealed that the coatings’ wore out following the “adhesive type” mechanism.
Assessment of reliable fatigue life of orthotropic steel deck
Authors: Lukačević Ivan , Androić Boris , Dujmović Darko
Published: July 2011

The fatigue life assessment of orthotropic steel decks of highway bridges still hasn’t been sufficiently investigated. The inspection results of orthotropic steel decks have shown that their working life can be shorter than other members of steel highway bridges due to fatigue. This means that particular details of orthotropic decks can be critical regarding the service life of a bridge. The fatigue life of typical details of orthotropic steel decks for the real load models in Croatia and for the standardized load model of highway bridges in Eurocode has been analysed. The reliability indices have also been calculated for these details and they have been used to determine reliable fatigue life. The paper proposed the introduction of the reliable fatigue life concept which is not explicitly specified in the modern standards for structures. This concept has been offered as well as the guidelines for further probabilistic research on reliable fatigue life.
Age of Pension Eligibility, Gains in Life Expectancy, and Social Policy
Authors: Denton Frank T. , Spencer Byron G.
Published: July 2011

Canadians are living longer and retiring younger. When combined with the aging of the baby-boom generation, that means that the “inactive” portion of the population is increasing and there are concerns about possibly large increases in the burden of support on those who are younger. We model the impact of continued future gains in life expectancy on the size of the population that receives public pension benefits. We pay special attention to possible increases in the age of eligibility and the pension contribution rate that would maintain the publicly financed component of the retirement income security system.
“A Precise Instrument for Seeing”: Remembrance inBurning Visionand the Activist Classroom
Authors: Hargreaves Allison
Published: July 2011

Drawing upon my experience of teaching Marie Clements' Burning Vision in an undergraduate course on political theatre and social justice in Canada, this article explores the challenges posed by this play's intervention into conventional, linear forms of historical memory. Burning Vision dramatizes through non-realist means the actual historical role that Canada played in supplying the uranium used by the United States during World War II when it developed the first atomic weapon of warfare. In radically reframing authorized history, the play effectively undermines the narrative of Canadian progressivism by which some students seek to construct a consolatory distance between themselves and the violence of war. The article thus considers student discomfort and resistance as themselves opportunities for critical engagement in the classroom, and thinks through these challenges as instructing us toward more reflexive reckonings with history.
Building the Activist Classroom: Learning to Collaborate, Learning through Performance in English 2470: Canadian Drama
Authors: Beck Paige-Tiffany , Moore Lauren , Solga Kim
Published: July 2011

What does it take to build an “activist” classroom in practice? How do students learn what it means to collaborate, to make knowledge interdependently? How can performance assist in this process? UWO Associate Professor Kim Solga talks with former undergraduate students Paige Beck and Lauren Moore about the ways in which regular group performance work both helped and hindered their and their peers' experience in Canadian Drama: Performing An Intercultural Nation in winter 2010.
Creative Copying?: The Pedagogy of Adaptation
Authors: McKinnon James
Published: July 2011

While it may seem counterintuitive to promote creativity through “copying,” teaching drama and theatre through adaptation-based methods fosters creative and critical thinking. Learning how many of the great masterpieces of the dramatic canon are actually adaptations themselves pierces the mystique surrounding the creative process, making it less intimidating to students who have been led to believe that great art is created out of thin air by artists possessed of divine genius. Learning the tools and techniques of adaptation puts creativity within the grasp of “ordinary” students and motivates them to create works of their own by emulation, quotation, and parody – which is exactly how many of the great artists learned their trade. Moreover, studying and producing adaptations using the critical techniques of such authors as Anne-Marie MacDonald, Djanet Sears, and Tom Stoppard reveals how critical and creative process are related, not antithetical, and dispels the common fear that thinking critically about creative process somehow diminishes or damages one's creative faculty. This essay draws on current creativity theory and the author's recent dissertation on Canadian adaptive dramaturgy to illustrate some examples of their application to tertiary theatre teaching.
“Elder up!”: A Mentor/Mentee Memoir
Authors: Beagan Tara
Published: July 2011

In this memoir, Tara Beagan remembers her relationship with Yvette Nolan, playwright and former Artistic Director of Native Earth Performing Arts, and examines what it means to walk within the role of mentor – both for she who offers guidance, and for she who must learn, with humility and courage, to take that guidance up. As she moves from the role of mentee into the role of mentor herself, Beagan reflects on what it means to become an elder within the Indigenous theatre community in Canada and beyond – to guide the next generation of Indigenous artists, and to teach by continuing to learn.
Endovascular treatment of symptomatic intracranial stenosis with the Wingspan stent system and Gateway PTA balloon: a multicenter series of 60 patients with acute and midterm results
Authors: Costalat Vincent , Maldonado Igor Lima , Vendrell Jean-François , Riquelme Carlos , Machi Paolo , Arteaga Charles , Turjman Francis , Desal Hubert , Sedat Jacques , Bonafé Alain
Published: July 2011

Object

The limitations of the medical management of symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis (SIAS) have encouraged the development of new strategies, such as endovascular treatment. In this study, the authors report and analyze a series of 63 endovascular procedures in which the Wingspan stent system was used.

Methods

Data from 60 patients presenting with refractory SIAS, treated in 5 French neurointerventional centers between September 2006 and August 2009, were retrieved. An angiogram was systematically obtained 6 months after the procedure and yearly thereafter. The clinical neurological status was assessed and reported using the modified Rankin scale at 1-month, 6-month, and 1-year follow-up visits.

Results

A total of 63 stenotic lesions was treated. The mean age of the patients was 65.3 years, and the mean diameter of the stenosis was 80.2%. Technical success was achieved in 95.2% of cases. The overall incidence of procedural complications was 20.6%, with a 4.8% rate of permanent postoperative morbidity and death. In-stent restenosis (ISR)/occlusion occurred in 11 cases (17.4%), of which 10 were asymptomatic and 9 were detected less than 1 year from the endovascular treatment. In 1 case, the patient presented with a recurrent transient ischemic attack and was treated again with angioplasty. The mean follow-up was 13.2 months.

Conclusions

Endovascular treatment of SIAS demonstrates a moderate risk of neurological complication. Nevertheless, considering the critical natural history of severe refractory lesions, this may be considered the first alternative in cases of failed medical therapy. Technical failure, residual stenosis, or in-stent restenosis did not lead to systematic recurrent stroke in this series, which suggests the importance of plaque stabilization and neoendothelialization.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for glossopharyngeal neuralgia: preliminary report of 5 cases
Authors: Pollock Bruce E. , Boes Christopher J.
Published: July 2011

Object

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN) is a rare pain disorder characterized by severe, stabbing pain of the ear, posterior tongue, and throat. The authors report their early experience of using stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) as an alternative to posterior fossa surgery for patients with medically resistant GPN.

Methods

Five patients (3 men, 2 woman) with medically resistant GPN underwent Gamma Knife surgery. The radiosurgical target was the distal portion of the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves at the jugular foramen (glossopharyngeal meatus). The maximum radiation dose in all cases was 80 Gy. The median follow-up after radiosurgery was 13 months (range 2–19 months).

Results

Three patients became pain-free at 2 days, 3 days, and 2 weeks, respectively, and were able to discontinue the medications taken preoperatively for their pain. None of these patients have suffered recurrent pain since becoming pain free. Two patients experienced no benefit from the procedure and underwent posterior fossa surgery 2 and 5 months after SRS. Both of these patients continued to have pain after posterior fossa surgery. One of these patients was later discovered to have a head and neck cancer as the cause of his pain. No patient developed hoarseness or dysphagia after radiosurgery.

Conclusions

This preliminary experience demonstrates that SRS is an option for patients with medically resistant GPN. Additional follow-up and a larger number of patients are needed to demonstrate the long-term safety and optimal radiation dosimetry for this indication.
Primary holocord ganglioneuroblastoma
Authors: Miele William R. , Pfannl Rolf , Kryzanski James T.
Published: July 2011

The authors present a case of extensive primary intramedullary spinal CNS ganglioneuroblastoma (GNB) in a 23-year-old man. Central nervous system GNB is a poorly differentiated neuroepithelial tumor composed of neuroblasts and differentiated ganglion cells, and these lesions are extremely uncommon. Most previously reported primary intraaxial neuroblastic tumors were described in the brain. There has been only one other report of primary spinal cord CNS GNB published to date; the clinical course and prognosis for primary spinal cord tumors of this type are unknown. Similar tumor types demonstrate poor prognoses.

This 23-year-old man presented after 9 months of progressive myelopathy. Admission MR imaging showed an intraaxial enhancing mass extending from C-3 to the conus medullaris, with a holocord appearance in several areas. Due to the tumor size, operative intervention was initially limited to biopsy sampling. Chemotherapy resulted in histological maturation, but initial tumor regression was temporary. The patient suffered progressive quadriparesis, and neuroimaging demonstrated slow enlargement of the tumor and an associated syrinx. Nineteen months after diagnosis, the tumor was excised to gross-total resection in a 2-stage operation. One year following resection, the patient had no radiographic recurrence and was functional in a wheelchair with minimal paresis in the upper extremities. This case represents the most extensive example of primary spinal intramedullary CNS GNB reported to date. Holocord tumors present a significant challenge to the neurosurgeon, and resection bears substantial risk of morbidity. In spinal cord CNS GNB, chemotherapy followed by complete resection may be the most effective means of tumor control.
Management and prognosis of symptomatic patients with intramedullary spinal cord cavernoma
Authors: Liang Jian-tao , Bao Yu-hai , Zhang Hong-qi , Huo Li-rong , Wang Zhen-yu , Ling Feng
Published: July 2011

Object

The authors conducted a study to assess the clinical pattern, radiological features, therapeutic strategies, and long-term outcomes in patients with intramedullary spinal cord cavernomas (ISCCs) based on a large case series.

Methods

This retrospective study identified 96 patients (60 males, 36 females) surgically (81 cases) or conservatively (15 cases) treated for ISCCs between May 1993 and November 2007. Each diagnosis was based on MR imaging and spinal angiography evidence. For all surgically treated patients, the diagnosis was verified pathologically. The neurological outcomes pre- and postoperatively, as well as long-term follow-up, were assessed using the Aminoff-Logue Disability Scale.

Results

The mean age at the onset of symptoms was 34.5 years (range 9–80 years). Of the lesions, 68 (71%) were located in the thoracic spine, 25 (26%) in the cervical spine, and only 3 (3%) in the lumbar spine. The median symptom duration was 19.7 months. The clinical behavior of the lesion was a slow progression in 73 cases and an acute decline in 23 cases. Long-term follow-up data (mean 45.8 months, range 10–183 months) were available for 75 patients (64 surgical cases and 11 conservative cases). In the surgical group, a complete resection was achieved in 60 patients, and incomplete resection was detected in 4 patients after operation. At the end of the follow-up period in the operative group, 23 patients (36%) improved, 35 (55%) remained unchanged, and 6 (9%) worsened. In the nonoperative group, 5 patients improved, 6 patients remained unchanged, and none worsened.

Conclusions

For differential diagnosis, spinal angiography was necessary in some cases. For most symptomatic lesions, complete microsurgical resection of the symptomatic ISCC is safe and prevents rebleeding and further neurological deterioration. However, in patients whose lesions were small and located ventrally in the spinal cord, one can also opt for a rigorous follow-up, considering the high surgical risk.
Factors associated with delay to pituitary adenoma diagnosis in patients with visual loss
Authors: Jahangiri Arman , Lamborn Kathleen R. , Blevins Lewis , Kunwar Sandeep , Aghi Manish K.
Published: July 2011

Object

The duration of visual symptoms associated with a nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (NFA) is a predictive factor for chances of visual improvement. The authors investigated factors associated with increased duration of visual symptoms in patients with NFAs.

Methods

The authors retrospectively reviewed NFAs resected at their institution between 2004 and 2010 for duration of visual symptoms, postoperative improvement, and associated factors.

Results

Seventy-five patients underwent NFA resection with a median visual symptom duration of 6.5 months (range 1 week–15 years). A multivariate logistic regression showed that duration of symptoms (p = 0.04), but not age at surgery (p = 0.2), predicted postoperative normalization of vision. Univariate nonparametric analyses investigating age at symptom onset, sex, race, insurance type, ophthalmological conditions, income, marital status, emergency department admission, language, and medical provider found that age was the only variable significantly prolonging symptom duration (p = 0.04), a finding confirmed by a multivariate regression analysis. Patients 20–39, 40–59, and 60–79 years old had median durations of symptoms of 4, 7, and 9 months, respectively. Seven older patients had symptoms attributed to preexisting ophthalmological conditions for a median of 18 months before NFA diagnosis. Among age and race subgroups, the largest difference in median symptom duration was between white patients in the 60–79-year age range (duration of 5 months) and nonwhite patients in the 60–79-year age range (duration of 24 months) (p = 0.04).

Conclusions

The authors found that older age was associated with delayed NFA diagnosis in visually impaired patients. Contributing factors were the attributing of visual symptoms from NFAs to other ophthalmological conditions in these patients, and delayed presentation in elderly nonwhite patients. These findings highlight challenges associated with timely NFA diagnosis in visually impaired patients, a key factor for chances of improvement.
Spontaneous otogenic pneumocephalus presenting with occipital subcutaneous emphysema as primary symptom: could tension gas cause the destruction of cranial bones?
Authors: Zhao Ninghui , Wang Doris D. , Huang Xiaobin , Karri Surya K. , Wu Haiying , Zheng Mingxiu
Published: July 2011

The authors report, to the best of their knowledge, the first case of a spontaneous tension pneumocephalus with subcutaneous emphysema. Hyperpneumatization of the cranium and mechanical compression contributed jointly to the formation of a fistula, and air pressure caused a subsequent disruption of the suture and air leakage into the subcutaneous space. A minimally invasive otological procedure proved efficacious for resolution.
Effects of neem, betel leaf, devil's tree, jute and turmeric against gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep
Authors: Amin MR , Mostofa M , Islam MN , Asgar MA
Published: July 2011

Effects of neem, betel leaf, devil’s tree, jute and turmeric against natural gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep and on some hematological parameters (TEC, Hb and PCV) and body weight were studied. Thirty (30) naturally parasitized sheep were randomly divided into six groups(A, B, C, D, E and F), each consisting of five sheep. Ten percent water extract of leaves of neem, betel leaf, devil’s tree and jute were administered orally to the sheep of group A, B, C and D, respectively. Sheep of group E was treated orally with 10% water extract of rhizome of turmeric. Sheep of group F was kept as infected control group. Fecal samples, hematological parameters and body weight were examined before treatment and on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th day. A significant (p<0.01) reduction of EPG count was found following administration of neem (37.60-47.03%), betel leaf (6.43-14.00%), devil’s tree (3.04-11.04%), jute (0.50-5.26%) and turmeric (0.46-8.30) in sheep. The EPG count of the control group (F) were significantly (p<0.01) increased up to the last day of experimental period. After treatment with neem, betel leaf, devil’s tree, jute and turmeric total erythrocyte count (TEC), hemoglobin (Hb) content and packed cell volume (PCV) were increased significantly (p<0.01 and p<0.05) in sheep. The body weight was increased significantly (p<0.01 and p<0.05) in neem, betel leaf, devil’s tree, jute and turmeric treated sheep. On the other hand, body weight was decreased in untreated control group. The present study reveal that 10% water extract of neem was moderately effective and betel leaf, devil’s tree, jute and turmeric were relatively less effective against gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep. Keywords: Neem; Betel leaf; Devil’s tree; Jute; Turmeric; Gastrointestinal nematode DOI: 10.3329/jbau.v8i2.7935 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 8(2): 259-263, 2010
Economic analysis of Red Chittagong Cattle farming system in some selected areas of Chittagong district
Authors: Halim MA , Kashem MA , Ahmed JU , Hossain M
Published: July 2011

The study was carried out in 5 Upazilas under Chittagong district with a view to analyze the present socio-economic status of RCC farming practices on 100 RCC rearers (Potiya, Raujan, Chandanaish, Anowara and Satkania Upazila). The study showed that, about 39.00 percent of RCC farm owners were landless, 31.00 percent were small and marginal farmers, 17.00 percent were medium and 13.00 percent were large farmers according to their landholding sizes. The cost of rearing RCC per cattle per year was found to be Tk. 17503.76, Tk. 15540.27, and Tk. 33044.03 as cash cost, non cash cost and total cost respectively. The study also revealed that, average daily milk yield, lactation yield and lactation length of RCC were found to be 2.71 liters, 581.61 liters and 215.41 days, respectively. The average per year per cattle gross return of RCC was found Tk. 25390.41. The gross returns over cash cost and full cost basis of rearing per lactation per cattle of RCC were found at Tk 8058.642 and Tk.-7501.53, respectively. The benefit cost ratio on the basis of cash cost and full costs per year per cattle was found 1.47 and 0.77, respectively. The study also revealed that, the rural farmers prefer RCC farming than other breeds due to high conception rate, each year calving, disease resistance, high milk fat per cent and cost effective farming. Keyword: RCC; Cost; Return; Profitability; Disease Occurrences DOI: 10.3329/jbau.v8i2.7937 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 8(2): 271-276, 2010
Scenario of haor vulnerabilities and other obstacles for sustainable livelihood development in Nikli upazila
Authors: Sharma PK
Published: July 2011

The study was carried out in haor areas situated in Nikli upazila under Kishoregong district to explore the socioeconomic vulnerabilities status of the people residing near deep haor areas and their dependency on its natural resources. Total 110912 local residents who depend on the wetland for their survival are poor, with an annual average per capita income Tk 3175, a literacy rate is 20.5%.Total cultivable land 17912.75 hectares, fallow land 1007.59 hectares; single crop 79.32% and double crop land 20.68%; land under irrigation 90%.This paper also sheds light on the status of livelihood using resources and face problems are barriers to sustainable livelihood development. There haor based alternative activity is fishing (20%) followed by duck rearing (3%), Beef fating (6.6%), The study find 71% households were found effectively landless of which about 55% were absolutely landless and 17% households were migrated and 78.9% haor households are suffered from food insecurity mainly because of landlessness, mono-crop cultivation, seasonal unemployment and natural calamities. The study suggests that the avenues for prospective coping strategies are to put a stop to existing leasing system of haor water bodies, making proper arrangements for creating alternative income generating activities throughout the year. Change the money lending system and taking preventives and curative measures for natural calamities. Keywords: Socioeconomic; Indicator; Sustainable livelihood; Climate change DOI: 10.3329/jbau.v8i2.7939 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 8(2): 283-290, 2010
Harassment of women garment workers in Bangladesh
Authors: Begum F , Ali RN , Hossain MA , Shahid Sonia B
Published: July 2011

The study analyzed the different factors that are responsible for the harassment of women garment workers in Bangladesh. Three garment factories from Mirpur area under Dhaka district were selected purposively where garment factories are available. The sample consisted of 90 women workers taking 30 randomly from each of the three garment factories. Female workers are mostly employed at the lower category of jobs like operator, finishing helper, polyer etc. These jobs are very monotonous in nature. Because of the nature of their jobs, female workers sometimes lose interest in work and become depressed. A large number of female workers received low and irregular wages which create their job dissatisfaction. Only 22 female workers earned salary between Tk. 2700 to Tk. 3000 per month. Female workers are sexually harassed by their co-workers in the factory or by police or by mastans in the street. Communication problem is a major problem faced by most of the female garment workers. A long distance travel is not only physical strenuous but also mentally stressful. Their overtime rate is very low. Long working hours result in a number of illnesses and diseases like headache, eye trouble, ear ache, musculoskeletal pain etc. Women are exploited easily due to lack of technical knowledge and training. The employers do not pay any heed to this exploitation. Keywords: Garment industry; Women workers; Harassment DOI: 10.3329/jbau.v8i2.7940 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 8(2): 291-296, 2010
Effects of chickpea husk on the baking properties of chapattis
Authors: Inam AKMS , Haque MA , Shams-Ud-Din M , Easdani M
Published: July 2011

Chickpea husks were extracted by non-alkaline aqueous extraction process and then ground in flour mill. The unextracted husks were also ground in flour mill. The analysis of chickpea husk showed that extracted husk was lower in moisture, protein, ash and fat but higher in carbohydrate and crude fiber contents compared to unextracted husk. Chapattis were prepared incorporating different levels of extracted and unextracted chickpea husk and evaluated for various quality parameters as weight, width, thickness, spread ratio, and moisture content. The chapatti containing extracted husk had higher moisture, carbohydrate and crude fiber content but lower in protein and ash content than that of chapatti containing unextracted husk. Chapattis were also prepared incorporating various levels of salt, baking powder and water. The quality of chapattis was evaluated. Chapatti prepared from 5% extracted husk required 2.0% salt, 1.5% baking powder and 62% water for producing reasonably acceptable quality while chapatti from 5% unextracted husk required 1.5% salt, 1.5% baking powder and 60% water for achieving better quality. Chapattis were prepared with 5% extracted husk required higher salt and water than that of 5% unextracted husk. Chapattis were evaluated organoleptically by a taste testing panel. The overall acceptability of chapattis without husk was followed by chapattis incorporated with 5% extracted husk. Keywords: Chickpea; Extracted husk; Unextracted husk; Baking; Chapatti DOI: 10.3329/jbau.v8i2.7941 J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 8(2): 297-304, 2010
Prediction of Metastasis and Recurrence in Colorectal Cancer Based on Gene Expression Analysis: Ready for the Clinic?
Authors: Shibayama Masaki , Maak Matthias , Nitsche Ulrich , Gotoh Kengo , Rosenberg Robert , Janssen Klaus-Peter
Published: July 2011

Cancers of the colon and rectum, which rank among the most frequent human tumors, are currently treated by surgical resection in locally restricted tumor stages. However, disease recurrence and formation of local and distant metastasis frequently occur even in cases with successful curative resection of the primary tumor (R0). Recent technological advances in molecular diagnostic analysis have led to a wealth of knowledge about the changes in gene transcription in all stages of colorectal tumors. Differential gene expression, or transcriptome analysis, has been proposed by many groups to predict disease recurrence, clinical outcome, and also response to therapy, in addition to the well-established clinico-pathological factors. However, the clinical usability of gene expression profiling as a reliable and robust prognostic tool that allows evidence-based clinical decisions is currently under debate. In this review, we will discuss the most recent data on the prognostic significance and potential clinical application of genome wide expression analysis in colorectal cancer.
On Accuracy of PDF Divergence Estimators and Their Applicability to Representative Data Sampling
Authors: Budka Marcin , Gabrys Bogdan , Musial Katarzyna
Published: July 2011

Generalisation error estimation is an important issue in machine learning. Cross-validation traditionally used for this purpose requires building multiple models and repeating the whole procedure many times in order to produce reliable error estimates. It is however possible to accurately estimate the error using only a single model, if the training and test data are chosen appropriately. This paper investigates the possibility of using various probability density function divergence measures for the purpose of representative data sampling. As it turned out, the first difficulty one needs to deal with is estimation of the divergence itself. In contrast to other publications on this subject, the experimental results provided in this study show that in many cases it is not possible unless samples consisting of thousands of instances are used. Exhaustive experiments on the divergence guided representative data sampling have been performed using 26 publicly available benchmark datasets and 70 PDF divergence estimators, and their results have been analysed and discussed.
HTLV-3/STLV-3 and HTLV-4 Viruses: Discovery, Epidemiology, Serology and Molecular Aspects
Authors: Mahieux Renaud , Gessain Antoine
Published: July 2011

Human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus Type 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2), together with their simian counterparts (STLV-1, STLV-2), belong to the Primate T lymphotropic viruses group (PTLV). The high percentage of homologies between HTLV-1 and STLV-1 strains, led to the demonstration that most HTLV-1 subtypes arose from interspecies transmission between monkeys and humans. STLV-3 viruses belong to the third PTLV type and are equally divergent from both HTLV-1 and HTLV-2. They are endemic in several monkey species that live in West, Central and East Africa. In 2005, we, and others reported the discovery of the human homolog (HTLV-3) of STLV-3 in two asymptomatic inhabitants from South Cameroon whose sera exhibited HTLV indeterminate serologies. More recently, two other cases of HTLV-3 infection in persons living in Cameroon were reported suggesting that this virus is not extremely rare in the human population living in Central Africa. Together with STLV-3, these human viral strains belong to the PTLV-3 group. A fourth HTLV type (HTLV-4) was also discovered in the same geographical area. The overall PTLV-3 and PTLV-4 genomic organization is similar to that of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 with the exception of their long terminal repeats (LTRs) that contain only two 21 bp repeats. As in HTLV-1, HTLV-3 Tax contains a PDZ binding motif while HTLV-4 does not. An antisense transcript was also described in HTLV-3 transfected cells. PTLV-3 molecular clones are now available and will allow scientists to study the viral cycle, the tropism and the possible pathogenicity in vivo. Current studies are also aimed at determining the prevalence, distribution, and modes of transmission of these viruses, as well as their possible association with human diseases. Here we will review the characteristics of these new simian and human retroviruses, whose discovery has opened new avenues of research in the retrovirology field.
The Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxic Function Is Modulated by HIV-1 Accessory Proteins
Authors: Sowrirajan Bharatwaj , Barker Edward
Published: July 2011

Natural killer (NK) cells’ major role in the control of viruses is to eliminate established infected cells. The capacity of NK cells to kill virus-infected cells is dependent on the interactions between ligands on the infected cell and receptors on the NK cell surface. Because of the importance of ligand-receptor interactions in modulating the NK cell cytotoxic response, HIV has developed strategies to regulate various NK cell ligands making the infected cell surprisingly refractory to NK cell lysis. This is perplexing because the HIV-1 accessory protein Vpr induces expression of ligands for the NK cell activating receptor, NKG2D. In addition, the accessory protein Nef removes the inhibitory ligands HLA-A and -B. The reason for the ineffective killing by NK cells despite the strong potential to eliminate infected cells is due to HIV-1 Vpu’s ability to down modulate the co-activation ligand, NTB-A, from the cell surface. Down modulation of NTB-A prevents efficient NK cell degranulation. This review will focus on the mechanisms through which the HIV-1 accessory proteins modulate their respective ligands, and its implication for NK cell killing of HIV-infected cells.
Intramolecular hydroamination of alkynic sulfonamides catalyzed by a gold–triethynylphosphine complex: Construction of azepine frameworks by 7-exo-dig cyclization
Authors: Ito Hideto , Harada Tomoya , Ohmiya Hirohisa , Sawamura Masaya
Published: July 2011

The gold-catalyzed, seven-membered ring forming, intramolecular hydroamination of alkynic sulfonamides has been investigated. The protocol, with a semihollow-shaped triethynylphosphine as a ligand for gold, allowed the synthesis of a variety of azepine derivatives, which are difficult to access by other methods. Both alkynic sulfoamides with a flexible linear chain and the benzene-fused substrates underwent 7-exo-dig cyclization to afford the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic seven-membered rings, such as tetrahydroazepine and dihydrobenzazepine, in good yields.
A STORY OF SHANGHAI THROUGH THE CINEMA / PASAKOJIMAI APIE ŠANCHAJŲ KINE
Authors: Juzefovič Agnieška
Published: July 2011

This article analyzes the relationship between one of the most important cultural forms – cinema – and one of the most important forms of social organization – the city. Therefore, various thematic, formal and industrial relationships between city and cinema provide a great opportunity for research and discussion of key issues which are of common interest in the study of both – society (city) and culture (cinema) study. The author discusses various ways in which urban city (Shanghai) and cinema intersect, and while doing so, rely on different resources, methods and approaches from both film studies and urban studies. The article discusses various films, mostly those of contemporary Chinese, but also some of those created in Hollywood, the action of which takes place in Shanghai, and this city takes an important place. Analyzed films reflect and comment on urban issues of the dynamic Shanghai city. There will be analyzed both those films which show daily, front face of Shanghai, ant those which show these darksome faces of Shanghai which are beyond the usual everyday experience. Santrauka Straipsnyje nagrinėjamos sąsajos tarp kinematografijos, kuri yra viena iš svarbiausių kultūros raiškos formų, ir vieno iš pagrindinių socialinių darinių – miesto. Įvairūs teminiai, formalūs ir industriniai miesto bei kinematografijos santykiai suteikia galimybę tyrinėti ir svarstyti esmines problemas, bendras tiek visuomenės, tiek kultūros studijoms. Analizės objektu pasirinktas Šanchajaus miestas, kuris yra iš esmės fotogeniškas ir neatsiejamas nuo savo šalies kinematografijos, ten klestinčios nuo pat savo pirmų žingsnių. Straipsnyje analizuojami daugiausia kinų, tačiau taip pat ir holivudinės produkcijos filmai, kuriuose veiksmas vyksta Šanchajaus mieste, o pats miestas atlieka reikšmingą vaidmenį. Parodoma, kaip šiuose filmuose skirtingais aspektais perteikiamas šio dinamiško, unikalią istoriją ir perspektyvas turinčio miesto vaizdas. Nagrinėjant tiek filmus, kuriuose atsiveria įprastas, fasadinis Šanchajaus veidas, tiek ir tuos, kuriuose rodomas niūrus, under-groundinis, kasdienybėje neregimas miesto veidas, parodoma, kaip panaši erdvės samprata kinematografams leidžia įtikinamai parodyti ir netgi atgaivinti skirtingas miesto erdves, o patį miestą paverčia gyvenamuoju pasauliu, kuriame urbanistinės ir kūniškos plotmės tampa neatsiejamos vienos nuo kitų.
L'avenir de la musique après la révolution numérique : opportunités et contraintes pour l'industrie du disque
Authors: Janowska Anna Anetta
Published: July 2011

Résumé La révolution numérique est un phénomène assez récent, elle a cependant influencé fortement les industries créatives, parmi lesquelles l’industrie du disque. Assimilée souvent au piratage et donc considérée comme nocive aux productions musicales, elle a pourtant apporté des solutions positives aux auteurs, producteurs et distributeurs de la musique enregistrée. Dans le texte, à part le piratage, nous allons présenter quelques opportunités qui ont vu le jour sous la révolution numérique et qui se sont offertes aux acteurs de l’industrie du disque, devenant la source de profonds changements dans ce secteur du marché.
La thérapie familiale comme espaces narratifs pour les familles contemporaines Apport de la sémiotique à une anthropologie clinique des systèmes humains
Authors: Escots Serge
Published: July 2011

La thérapie familiale comme espaces narratifs pour les familles contemporaines. Apport de la sémiotique à une anthropologie clinique des systèmes humains.  – Les sciences sociales et humaines connaissent une crise épistémologique du statut ontologique de leurs objets. Entre renoncer à s’articuler aux sciences naturelles ou s’engager dans la voie d’un cognitivisme des représentations, l’auteur préconise la troisième voie de la sémiotique. Parallèlement, l’évolution des thérapies familiales a intégré les apports de la cybernétique, du constructivisme et du constructionnisme social, et rendu explicite le langage dans le processus thérapeutique, au prix d’une multitude de concepts qui aboutissent à des antagonismes. En adoptant la perspective d’une sémiotique des systèmes humains, l’article propose une continuité entre les épistémologies successives. Appliquée au processus thérapeutique, une meilleure compréhension du fonctionnement structurel sémiotique ouvre alors à des dispositifs thérapeutiques mieux adaptés aux configurations des familles d’aujourd’hui, que les transformations de l’idéologie contemporaine affectent au plus haut point. Des espaces pour d’autres constructions narratives deviennent ainsi possibles.
Enhancing Medical-Surgical Nursing Practice: Using Practice Tests and Clinical Examples to Promote Active Learning and Program Evaluation
Authors: DuHamel Martha B. , Hirnle Constance , Karvonen Colleen , Sayre Cindy , Wyant Sheryl , Colobong Smith Nancy , Keener Sheila , Barrett Shannon , Whitney JoAnne D.
Published: July 2011

In a 14-week medical-surgical nursing review course, two teaching strategies are used to promote active learning and assess the transfer of knowledge to nursing practice. Practice tests and clinical examples provide opportunities for participants to engage in self-assessment and reflective learning and enhance their nursing knowledge, skills, and practice. These strategies also contribute to program evaluation and are adaptable to a variety of course formats, including traditional classroom, web conference, and online self-study.
¿Qué es una norma social?. Una discusión de tres aproximaciones analíticas
Authors: Tena-Sánchez Jordi , Güell Ariadna
Published: July 2011

En el presente trabajo se comparan las definiciones del concepto de “norma social” ofrecidas por la teoría de la elección racional estándar, cristina Bicchieri y Jon Elster. Se trata de determinar en qué medida son o no asimilables. En la medida en que no lo son, se intenta establecer cuál de las aproximaciones captura mejor la naturaleza del fenómeno al que habitualmente denominamos norma social y cuál de ellas ofrece un concepto (o conceptos) más preciso y más fácil y fructíferamente utilizable en modelos explicativos.

Se sostiene que la distinción trazada por Jon Elster entre normas morales, cuasi-morales y sociales tiene más éxito que las otras dos en dicho cometido. Pese a que el autor no prevé el uso de sus conceptos en modelos matemáticos formales con potencial predictivo, no hay nada inherente a los mismos que impida ese uso. Por otra parte, la precisión en la definición de los mismos los convierte en especialmente adecuados para ser utilizados en modelos de mecanismos que permitan ofrecer explicaciones causales parsimoniosas e informativas de los casos concretos.