bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A small basic protein from the brz-brb operon is involved in regulation of bop transcription in Halobacterium salinarum
Authors: Tarasov Valery , Schwaiger Rita , Furtwängler Katarina , Dyall-Smith Mike , Oesterhelt Dieter
Published: September 2011

Background

The halophilic archaeon Halobacterium salinarum expresses bacteriorhodopsin, a retinal-protein that allows photosynthetic growth. Transcription of the bop (b acterioop sin) gene is controlled by two transcription factors, Bat and Brz that induce bop when cells are grown anaerobically and under light.

Results

A new gene was identified that is transcribed together with the brz gene that encodes a small basic protein designated as Brb (b acteriorhodopsin-r egulating b asic protein). The translation activity of the start codon of the brb gene was confirmed by BgaH reporter assays. In vivo site-directed mutagenesis of the brb gene showed that the Brb protein cooperates with Brz in the regulation of bop expression. Using a GFP reporter assay, it was demonstrated that Brb cooperates with both Brz and Bat proteins to activate bop transcription under phototrophic growth conditions.

Conclusions

The activation of the bop promoter was shown to be dependent not only on two major factors, Bat and Brz, but is also tuned by the small basic protein, Brb.
Label-free quantitative proteomics reveals regulation of interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 3 (IFIT3) and 5'-3'-exoribonuclease 2 (XRN2) during respiratory syncytial virus infection
Authors: Ternette Nicola , Wright Cynthia , Kramer Holger B , Altun Mikael , Kessler Benedikt M
Published: September 2011

A large quantitative study was carried out to compare the proteome of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infected versus uninfected cells in order to determine novel pathways regulated during viral infection. RSV infected and mock-infected HEp2 cells were lysed and proteins separated by preparative isoelectric focussing using offgel fractionation. Following tryptic digestion, purified peptides were characterized using label-free quantitative expression profiling by nano-ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry with collision energy ramping for all-ion fragmentation (UPLC-MSE). A total of 1352 unique cellular proteins were identified and their abundance compared between infected and non-infected cells. Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed regulation of several central cellular metabolic and signalling pathways during infection. Selected proteins that were found regulated in RSV infected cells were screened by quantitative real-time PCR for their regulation on the transcriptional level. Synthesis of interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 3 (IFIT3) and 5'-3'-exoribonuclease 2 (XRN2) mRNAs were found to be highly induced upon RSV infection in a time dependent manner. Accordingly, IFIT3 protein levels accumulated during the time course of infection. In contrast, little variation was observed in XRN2 protein levels, but different forms were present in infected versus non-infected cells. This suggests a role of these proteins in viral infection, and analysis of their function will shed further light on mechanisms of RNA virus replication and the host cell defence machinery.
Long-Term Results of Tumor Necrosis Factor α– and Melphalan-Based Isolated Limb Perfusion in Locally Advanced Extremity Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Authors: Deroose Jan P. , Eggermont Alexander M.M. , van Geel Albertus N. , Burger Jacobus W.A. , den Bakker Michael A. , de Wilt Johannes H.W. , Verhoef Cornelis
Published: September 2011

Purpose

Because there is no survival benefit of amputation for extremity soft tissue sarcomas (STSs), limb-sparing surgery has become the gold standard. Tumor size reduction by induction therapy to render nonresectable tumors resectable or facilitate function-preserving surgery can be achieved by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF) –based and melphalan-based isolated limb perfusion (TM-ILP). This study reports the long-term results of 231 TM-ILPs for locally advanced extremity STS.

Patients and Methods

We analyzed 231 TM-ILPs in 208 consecutive patients (1991 to 2005), who were all candidates for functional or anatomic amputation for locally advanced extremity STS. All patients had a potential follow-up of up to 5 years. TM-ILP was performed under mild hyperthermic conditions with 1 to 4 mg of TNF and 10 to 13 mg/L of limb-volume melphalan. Almost all patients (85%) had intermediate- or high-grade tumors.

Results

The overall response rate (ORR) was 71% (complete response, 18%; partial response, 53%). Multifocal sarcomas had a significantly better ORR of 83% (P = .008). The local recurrence rate was 30% (n = 70); local recurrence rates were highest for multifocal tumors (54%; P = .001) and after previous radiotherapy (54%; P < .001). Five-year overall survival rate was 42%. Survival was poorest in patients with large tumors (P = .01) and with leiomyosarcomas (P < .001). Limb salvage rate was 81%.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that TM-ILP results in a limb salvage rate of 81% in patients with locally advanced extremity STS who would otherwise have undergone amputation. Whenever an amputation is deemed necessary to obtain local control of an extremity STS, TM-ILP should be considered.
In Favor of Rigor and Relevance: A Reply to Mark Blaug
Authors: Kurz Heinz D. , Salvadori Neri
Published: September 2011

Mark Blaug has written another paper in which he attacks “Sraffian” economics. He characterizes his piece as “a new version of an earlier effort [that] extends and hopefully deepens the argument.” A careful scrutiny of the paper shows that Blaug reiterates once again his previous criticisms, adds a few new ones, but does not enter into a serious discussion of the replies to his earlier efforts. We provide an overall assessment of Blaug's various attacks on “Sraffians” and draw readers' attention to a significant change in direction in his recent one. In addition, we refute a number of contentions and remarks by Blaug. We conclude with a plea for rigor and relevance.
The Social-Invisibility Narrative in Filipino-American Feature Films
Authors: Pisares Elizabeth H.
Published: September 2011

If social invisibility is defined as the derivation of a social identity through nonvisible characteristics, Filipino-American social invisibility is the derivation of an ethnic identity given character by its chronic misrecognition and effaced representation in U.S. culture. Filipino-American social invisibility emerges from the culture of U.S. imperialism, specifically the historical legacies of colonialism and the racial ideology of orientalism that shut them out from the social processes producing institutional knowledge about race. Consequently, Filipino Americans experience the culture of U.S. imperialism as their exclusion from racial discourse.

The absence of a Filipino-American racial discourse necessitates that their stories take a shape different from those who are acknowledged in the U.S. racial imaginary. Filipino-American social invisibility sets the conditions for a new genre—the invisibility narrative. This social-invisibility narrative addresses the discursive absence itself and explores its effect on Filipino-American communities and identities. It possesses three distinct features: the triangulation of Filipino-American identity in relation to visible racial identities, an instance of misrecognition for a visible racial identity that turns and/or propels the plot, and the retrieval of Filipino culture through family members or a romantic interest. The article closes with a discussion of the invisibility narrative in three recent Filipino-American feature films: The Debut (2000), The Flip Side (2001), and Slow Jam King (2004).
Comparing Arab Diasporas: Post-9/11 and Historical Perspectives on Hadhrami and Syro-Lebanese Communities in Southeast Asia and the Americas
Authors: Slama Martin , Heiss Johann
Published: September 2011

This introductory article discusses comparative approaches and research topics explored by contributors to the issue’s special section “Comparing Arab Diasporas.” The article reassesses debates about early meanings of the term diaspora that reveal the potentials of comparative research in the study of diasporas. The article also reviews the body of contemporary work on diasporas and its use of comparative analytical approaches. It discusses in more detail the contributions to this special section with regard to major topics in the field of comparative diaspora studies, including the complex relations between diasporas and host countries, their majority populations, and the identity politics involved in these processes. Based on the case studies assembled in this special section, the article contrasts internal divisions in the Hadhrami and Syro-Lebanese diasporas, their institutionalization in formal organizations, and the role of trade in their integration into host societies and examines how relations to their homelands changed over time. Finally, the article pays special attention to Hadhrami and Syro-Lebanese diasporas after 9/11, analyzing forms of othering, discrimination, and stereotyping in various (inter)national and local contexts. By comparing the Hadhrami and Syro-Lebanese cases located in the Americas and Southeast Asia, this introductory article traces the spread of the global war on terror to different corners of the world and thus demonstrates how this war became a genuine “global” military and ideological venture.
The Significance of the Rediscovery of Arabs in the Malay World
Authors: Mandal Sumit K.
Published: September 2011

This article explores how Arabness has been rediscovered in the Malay world—in this instance Indonesia and Malaysia and, to some extent, Singapore—from the early 1990s to the present. Arabs, mostly of Hadhrami descent, are an intimate part of local culture, given the shared faith of Islam, and yet remain a measure apart because of historical and cultural differences. They constitute significant communities in the region whose histories have been elusive if not altogether suppressed. It is against these elusive narratives that I consider the recent accentuation of Arabness—through writing in print and on the Internet, conferences, and public occasions—to be a rediscovery. The article focuses on two areas, namely, the accentuation of Arabness and the concurrent identification of Arabs as a link in what some see as a global chain of political extremism. I delve into these areas by asking the following questions: What is significant about the present assertions of Arab identity in comparison to developments more than a century earlier? How have these assertions developed in Indonesia and Malaysia, respectively? And what, if anything, is shared between the two cases that may hark back to the fluid identities of the precolonial Malay world?
Autobiography and Authority in the Writings of the Iranian Diaspora
Authors: Motlagh Amy
Published: September 2011

The proliferation of popular memoirs by Iranian American women that began in 2003 engendered a vigorous debate in the scholarly community, particularly among Iranian American scholars. Much of the debate has centered on the perception that the memoirists are offering a personal story that is frequently misinterpreted by its popular readership as a national story, thereby distorting the more accurate picture that can be offered by scholarly research and writing. Critics argue that this is particularly dangerous at this critical juncture in the history of American–Middle East relations, when the American reader is particularly hungry for information about Iran and the Middle East. Ironically, though most of the critics of the memoirs have established scholarly records, they have responded to the memoirs in forms that emphasize their own autobiographical experience. Why this insistence on the autobiographical by scholars to legitimate information about Iran? Heretofore an immigrant group largely absent from public discourse as such, I argue that the debate over the memoir has made the Iranian diaspora community produce (and reproduce) itself by publicly staging textual debates over autobiography, scholarship, and the limits of authenticity and authority.
Policy Watch: The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act
Authors: Addison John T , Blackburn McKinley L
Published: September 2011

With the passage of the 1988 Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the United States belatedly joined the large number of industrialized nations that require employers to provide affected workers with advance notice of a plant closing or mass layoff. The authors review the legislation, and consider the possible effects of the mandate on workers’ postdisplacement outcomes. Their examination of the impact of the law reveals that the quantity of notice has not increased since the act went into effect. The authors conclude by considering possible reasons why the law has been ineffective.
China's Macroeconomic Performance and Management During Transition
Authors: Yusuf Shahid
Published: September 2011

Since reforms started in 1978, China has combined rapid growth with moderate price stability. This paper analyzes China's macroeconomic performance over the past fifteen years with special attention to factors responsible both for the pace of economic expansion and the periodic fluctuations. Regarding the former, the author identifies four sources of stimuli: administrative decentralization, high levels of fixed capital investment, the elastic supply and quality of the labor force, and the increasing volume of savings supplemented in recent years by a large inflow of foreign direct investment. Future growth with stability calls for controlling and implementing banking and fiscal reform.
Issues Every Plan to Reform Health Care Financing Must Confront
Authors: Aaron Henry J
Published: September 2011

This paper focuses on three main issues of fundamental health care reform. First, should experience rating--the linkage of premiums to actual loss experience--be retained? Despite widespread support for experience rating among economists, the paper argues that it should be abandoned for reasons of efficiency and equity. Second, would abandonment of experience rating cause much redistribution? The paper shows that redistribution among industries could require significant transitional adjustments. Third, should companies or individuals be subject to an insurance mandate? The paper calls for combining individual mandates, which have long-term advantages, with employer mandates, which have short-run pluses.
Data Warehouses in Bioinformatics: Integration of Molecular Biological Data
Authors: Kormeier Benjamin , Hippe Klaus , Hofestädt Ralf
Published: September 2011

This paper surveys the area of biological data integration and data warehousing, which has become a major focus of the data integration research field in the last few decades. The challenges in biological data integration are caused by several factors such as the variety and amount of available data, the heterogeneity of the data in different sources, and the autonomy and different capabilities of the sources. This paper gives insight into a small selection of important biological databases and the problems in biological data integration. We would like to focus on data warehouses that have become a popular approach in bioinformatics and life sciences. We will also introduce major existing integration systems that have been developed such as SRS, DiscoveryLink, BioWarehouse and ONDEX. Finally, this paper presents an in-house data warehouse approach for biological data.
Code-injection Vulnerabilities in Web Applications — Exemplified at Cross-site Scripting
Authors: Johns Martin
Published: September 2011

Cross-site Scripting (XSS) is one of the most prevalent vulnerability types that affect Web applications. This article provides an overview of a dissertation, which addresses the problem XSS as a whole: It starts with a systematic deduction of causes and consequences of XSS, proceeds with presenting countermeasures to mitigate potential XSS-based attacks, and finally provides a type-based methodology that guarantees the creation of XSS-free applications.
Doing out-group by doing in-group in Russian and Ukrainian women’ conflict style
Authors: Thielemann Nadine
Published: September 2011

The paper analyses several means and strategies to interactively construe an in-group identity and, thereby, co-construct and exclude an out-group, which are used in the context of Russian and Ukrainian women’s high involvement conflict style. The strategies are verbal, pragmatic and regarding contents. They apply on the level of phrasing, the content level and the level of interaction. The in-group and in effect also the out-group they conceptualise vary. Some devices establish a locally defined in-group which is mostly associated with the opponent in the discussion. Others create an in-group which is wider and culturally or socially defined. Accordingly, their potential to exclude an out-group also varies. It is shown how these strategies interact in the context of the analysed conflict communication.
Buchbesprechung
Authors: Kośny Witold
Published: September 2011

Keil, Rolf-Dietrich, Pukin- und Gogol′- Studien, Köln; Weimar; Wien: Böhlau Verlag, 2011. 429 S. (Bausteine zur slavischen Philologie und Kulturgeschichte Reihe A: Slavistische Forschungen; 69) ISBN 978-3-412-20565-2
A Child With Mild X-Linked Intellectual Disability and a Microduplication at Xp22.12 Including RPS6KA3
Authors: Tejada María-Isabel , Martínez-Bouzas Cristina , García-Ribes Ainhoa , Larrucea Susana , Acquadro Francesco , Cigudosa Juan-C , Belet Stefanie , Froyen Guy , López-Aríztegui Maria-Asun
Published: September 2011

Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and array- comparative genomic hybridization analysis have been proven to be useful in the identification of submicroscopic copy-number imbalances in families with nonsyndromic X-linked intellectual disability (NS-XLID). Here we report the first description of a child with mild intellectual disability and a submicroscopic duplication at Xp22.12 identified by MLPA with a P106 MRX kit (MRC-Holland, Amsterdam, Netherlands) and further confirmed and characterized with a custom 244-k oligo-array, fluorescence in situ hybridization, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and immunoblotting. This 1.05-megabase duplication encompasses 7 genes, RPS6KA3 being the only of these genes known to be related to ID. The proband was an 8-year-old boy referred to the genetics unit for psychomotor retardation and learning disabilities. Both maternal brothers also showed learning difficulties and delayed language during childhood in a similar way to the proband. These boys also carried the duplication, as did the healthy mother and grandmother of the proband. The same duplication was also observed in the 5-year-old younger brother who presented with features of developmental delay and learning disabilities during the previous year. Increased RPS6KA3/RSK2 levels were demonstrated in the proband by qPCR and immunoblotting. To our knowledge, this is the first family identified with a submicroscopic duplication including the entire RPS6KA3/RSK2 gene, and our findings suggest that an increased dose of this gene is responsible for a mild form of NS-XLID.
Czochralski Growth of Indium Iodide and other Wide Bandgap Semiconductor Compounds
Authors: Nicoara I. , Nicoara D. , Bertorello C. , Slack G.A. , Ostrogorsky A. G. , Groza M. , Burger A.
Published: September 2011

The Czochralski pulling process is the most valuable and cost efficient method for producing large oriented single crystals of the group IV and III-V semiconductors. However, there have been only a small number of reported attempts to use the Czochralski process for growing the wide bandgap compound semiconductors, needed for the room temperature operated gamma-ray detectors. The main difficulty is in the low chemical stability and high vapor pressure of the group II, V and VI elements, leading to off-stoichiometric composition, and various related defects. Among the heavy metal halides, indium iodide and indium bromide present an interesting exception. InI has a high molecular disassociation energy and a low vapor pressure, allowing for Czochralski pulling. We will describe the procedures used and the results obtained by Czochralski growth and characterization of indium iodide and the related ternary compounds that appear to be quite encouraging.
Synthesis, Fabrication, and Characterization of Multidimensional Nanoparticle Based Thermoelectric Materials Composed of Bismuth, Antimony, and Tellurium.
Authors: Mott Derrick , Mai Nguyen T. , Thuy Nguyen T. B. , Sakata Teruyoshi , Koyano Mikio , Maenosono Shinya
Published: September 2011

With the event of nanotechnology, the field of thermoelectric (TE) materials has been re-invigorated with many recent advances towards materials with high thermoelectric efficiency (dimensionless figure of merit, ZT). The realization of such materials opens up new avenues to the creation of devices that can be used in freon-less refrigeration, micro-electronic cooling, or for harnessing lost heat energy from sources such as car engines. In our own research work, we have successfully devised a synthetic technique towards nanoparticles composed of bismuth, antimony, and tellurium that has proven highly versatile in tuning both the composition and shape/structure of the resulting nanoparticles. The ability to control the nanoparticle composition and shape/structure are highly important as these are critical parameters that dictate the resulting devices TE activity. In a modified polyol synthetic technique, it was found that many complex composition, shape, and structure combinations could be obtained for the nanoparticles including Bi-Sb nanodiscs with controllable size, a heterostructure composed of Sb2Te3 nanodiscs deposited on Te nanowires, or small particles deposited on a (Bi0.5Sb0.5)2Te3 wire, just to name a few. By simply changing the capping ligands used in the synthesis, the nanoparticles resulting composition, morphology and structure could be changed, leading to a straightforward route towards TE nanoparticles with interesting properties. This presentation focuses on our recent study of the synthesis of bismuth, antimony, and tellurium composite nanoparticles with applications in thermoelectric materials in terms of understanding the underlying mechanisms of the synthetic technique, and characterization of the resulting nanomaterial properties.
Nonlinear Micro-Processing of Silicon by Ultrafast Fiber Laser at 1552 nm
Authors: Ito Yoshiro , Tanabe Rie , Tada Kozo
Published: September 2011

Processing of transparent materials by non-linear absorption mechanisms induced by short pulse lasers has been applied in many fields. Silicon (Si) is widely used materials in microelectronics, MEMS and photonics. It is, however, not transparent for commonly used processing lasers in near infrared to ultraviolet spectral range and has not been a subject for the non-linear processing by lasers so far. In this paper, possibilities and capabilities of non-linear processing of Si by 900 fs, 1552nm laser radiation are described with special emphasis on application to frequency adjustment of a crystal oscillator in a package made from Si.
Thin and Robust Encapsulation of Silver and Gold Nanoparticles with Dithiocarbamate-anchored Polyelectrolytes
Authors: Jao Chih-Yu , Chen Kai , Lee Yong-Woo , Robinson Hans D.
Published: September 2011

A robust, stable and thin primary amine functionalization is applied to gold and silver nanoparticles from poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) by converting a fraction of the amine groups in the polymer to dithiocarbamate (DTC) ligands, which absorb strongly onto noble metal surfaces. We observe marked improvements in the properties of gold nanospheres with a DTC-anchored rather than physisorbed PAH cap. The same level of improvement is not seen in silver nanoparticles, although it is clear from a distinct change in the plasmon spectrum in silver nanocubes that the DTC ligand does interact with the silver surface. In spite of their amine functionalization, both silver and gold particles show low cytotoxicity, possibly due to absorption of serum proteins forming a protective coating on the positively charged particle surface.
Enhanced Electroluminescence of CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dot Light–emitting Diodes with Phosphorescent Donors
Authors: Zhang Yiqiang , Cao X. A.
Published: September 2011

We demonstrated the enhancement of electroluminescence (EL) from green CdSe/ZnS QDs in hybrid QD/organic light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) by employing blue phosphorescent dyes Bis(4,6-difluorophenylpyridinato-N,C2)picolinatoiridium (FIrpic) as efficient exciton harvesters and energy transfer donors. Precise control of the concentration of the FIrpic donors doped in a 4,4’-N, N’-dicarbazole-biphenyl (CBP) host and their distance from the QD layer led to complete triplet exciton energy transfer and EL enhancement by a factor of 2.5. The Förster distance between FIrpic molecules and green CdSe/ZnS QDs was determined to be ∼ 8 nm, which is in a good agreement with the value calculated using the Förster model. Our study shows that integrating colloidal QDs with phosphorescent organic dyes provides an effective means for improving the quantum efficiency of QD-based hybrid LEDs.
Ultrafast X-ray Lasers Illuminate Airborne Nanoparticle Morphology
Authors: Bogan Michael J.
Published: September 2011

The world’s first hard x-ray FEL (XFEL), the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is operational, steadily producing mJ energy, <75 fs pulses of 1.5 Å x-rays (1012 photons per pulse), a billion times more intensity than any other X-ray source. XFELs have stimulated the shift from the use of x-rays to probe periodic structures, such as crystals, to imaging non-periodic structures using ultrabright x-ray pulses shorter than the time for required for the onset of damage. The international community has embraced the potential as additional XFELs are currently being constructed in Japan, Italy and Germany with many more already planned or in construction elsewhere. Here the recent efforts to extend x-ray microscopy to the nanoscale for airborne particles using diffract-and-destroy methods are reviewed. Projecting current experimental results to future facilities suggests that gains of more than 104 in data acquisition rates are possible by 2020. This projection emphasizes the need for the development of fast x-ray detectors, infrastructure investments to handle the rapid data rate and storage requirements, as well as the appropriate training of scientists to handle data interpretation. Further improvements in particle delivery methods are also necessary, in particular to reduce sample consumption and to provide orthogonal data channels for each individual particle imaged. The projected growth of single particle CXDI data rates show great promise for the field. However, to achieve the resolution required to solve many scientific problems tractable with single-shot imaging, improvements in the absolute number of photons per pulse in a given area are still necessary.
Ultrafast Laser Processing of Hybrid Micro- and Nano-structures in Silicate Glasses
Authors: Mardilovich Pavel , Fletcher Luke , Troy Neil , Yang Lihmei , Huang Huan , Risbud Subhash , Krol Denise M.
Published: September 2011

This study describes the fabrication of hybrid micro- and nanostructures of semiconductor nanocrystals arranged in microscopic lines inside of a borosilicate glass doped with CdSxSe1-x. This was performed using a two step process of (1) ultrafast laser modification and (2) heat treatment. The glass was photomodified using focused sub-picosecond infra-red pulses with 1 MHz repetition rate to create linear domains with local compositional variations. Heat treating the sample at temperatures near glass transition preferentially precipitated semiconductor in the modified regions, as evidenced by confocal fluorescence microscopy. The optical properties of the precipitated nanocrystals varied with heat treatment duration.
Occurrence of the Indo-Pacific freshwater prawn Macrobrachium equidens Dana 1852 (Decapoda, Palaemonidae) on the coast of Brazilian Amazonia, with notes on its reproductive biology
Authors: Maciel Cristiana R , Quadros Manoel L , Abrunhosa Fernando , Bastos Sandra , Schneider Horacio , Sampaio Iracilda
Published: September 2011

The freshwater prawn Macrobrachium equidens, which is native species of the Indo-Pacific Region, was recorded for the first time on the Amazon coast of Brazil. This species was found to inhabit the same environment as two native Macrobrachium species, M. amazonicum and M. acanthurus, and is morphologically very similar to the latter. The identification of the species was confirmed by the genetic analysis of sequences of the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase (COI) gene. A detailed description of the morphological features and reproductive biology of M. equidens in this new environment is presented.
Constitution of ethnozoological semantic domains: meaning and inclusiveness of the lexeme "insect" for the inhabitants of the county of Pedra Branca, Bahia State, Brazil
Authors: Santos-Fita Dídac , Costa-Neto Eraldo M , Schiavetti Alexandre
Published: September 2011

This article deals with the sociocultural construction of the 'insect' and 'animal' domains by the inhabitants of the county of Pedra Branca (municipality of Santa Terezinha, Bahia State, Brazil). The fieldwork was performed from September 2006 to July 2007. The data was obtained by means of open-ended interviews of 74 individuals of both genders whose ages ranged from 4 to 89 years old. The results show that the interviewees were unable to say in an accurate and secure way a specific definition for each domain. Depending on how a given animal is culturally interpreted, it could belong to the semantic domain 'animal' or 'insect', being representative of one or another group. However, in practice, such a distinction between these two semantic domains appears as something tenuous and ambiguous. Researchers who carry out biodiversity inventories should pay attention to the ethnocategory 'insect' during their studies, especially if these involve the participation of traditional community representatives
Human mobility on the Brazilian coast: an analysis of strontium isotopes in archaeological human remains from Forte Marechal Luz Sambaqui
Authors: Bastos Murilo Q. R , Souza Sheila M. F. Mendonça de , Santos Roberto V , Lima Bárbara A. F , Santos Ricardo V , Rodrigues-Carvalho Claudia
Published: September 2011

This study investigated strontium isotopes in the dental enamel of 32 human skeletons from Forte Marechal Luz sambaqui (shellmound), Santa Catarina, Brazil, aiming at identifying local and non-local individuals. The archeological site presents pot sherds in the uppermost archeological layers. Dental enamel was also examined from specimens of terrestrial fauna (87Sr/86Sr = 0. 71046 to 0. 71273) and marine fauna (87Sr/86Sr = 0. 70917). The 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio for individuals classified as locals ranged from 0. 70905 to 0. 71064 and was closer to the isotope ratio of the seawater than to the ratio of the terrestrial fauna, indicating a strong influence of marine strontium on the inhabitants of this sambaqui. The results indicate the existence of three non-local individuals (87Sr/86Sr = 0. 70761 to 0. 70835), buried in both the level without pottery and the layer with pottery, possibly originated from the Santa Catarina Plateau, close to the municipality of Lages, or from the Curitiba Plateau. The occurrence of a slight difference between the isotope ratios of local individuals buried in the archeological layer without pottery, when compared to those in the layer with pottery, suggests a possible change in dietary patterns between these two moments in the site's occupation
Ciclo diário da precipitação estimada através de um radar banda S e pelo algoritmo 3B42_V6 do projeto TRMM durante a estação chuvosa de 1999 no sudoeste da Amazônia
Authors: Silva Cláudio Moisés Santos e , Freitas Saulo Ribeiro de , Gielow Ralf
Published: September 2011

Neste artigo apresenta-se uma avaliação da precipitação estimada através do radar S-POL (banda S) e pelo algoritmo 3B42_V6 do satélite TRMM, durante o experimento do período chuvoso de 1999 do projeto TRMM-LBA na Bacia Amazônica, enfocando-se a variabilidade diária. Para tal, utilizam-se técnicas estatísticas baseadas em tabela de contingência e índices, bem como a análise harmônica. Demonstra-se que precipitação determinada com o radar é coerente com as observações de rede de pluviômetros. O ciclo diário exibe um máximo principal no final da tarde, e um pico secundário à noite, que é associado à propagação de Linhas de Instabilidades no interior da Bacia Amazônica. O algoritmo 3B42_V6 reproduz características importantes do ciclo diário de precipitação: (i) o máximo intenso às 2100 UTC (1700 HL); (ii) precipitação noturna mais intensa durante o regime de Oeste. Uma importante aplicação deste estudo é o uso dos resultados para avaliação de modelos numéricos de simulação do tempo e do clima, principalmente no que concerne à representação da convecção sobre a região.
Postoperative follow up Challenge in Paediatric Cataract Surgery in Nepal
Authors: Shrestha UD
Published: September 2011

Introduction: Paediatric ophthalmology is a branch of specialty care for the health of the eyes of children. It focuses on the removal of paediatric cataracts and management of refractive error, strabismus etc. Perioperative and post-operative challenges related to paediatric cataract are known to all ophthalmologists worldwide. However, in a developing country like Nepal the main challenge of these patients are the post-operative follow up. The aim of the study is to find out the ways to reduce the post-operative follow up challenges in paediatric cataract surgery. Hence the ophthalmic assistants in the community eye centers need to be trained to examine the eyes of children. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study. A review of patient records, operated from July 2006 to December 2007, at Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology was done. One hundred eyes of 69 patients were operated during the study period. Results: Follow-up assessment of visual acuity was available for 19 eyes only at the end of six weeks. Conclusion: At the end of six postoperative weeks, refractive status is important. This helps to prescribe the glasses to children as per need. If the post-operative visual status is not known, it is as equal as not performing the surgery. Ophthalmic assistants at community eye centers need to be trained to evaluate and record postoperative visual status of the paediatric age group. For this regular training and refreshers course on the pediatric eye care service is being conducted at the tertiary level for the ophthalmic assistants. This is more practical in the developing countries like Nepal. Key words: Cataract; Intraocular lens; Pediatric cataract surgery DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v31i3.4062 J Nep Paedtr Soc 2011;31(3):198-201
Apple Peel Small Bowel, A Review of Four Cases: Surgical and Radiographic Aspects
Authors: Akinola RA , Osuoji RL
Published: September 2011

Background: Although apple peel intestinal atresia is rare and is associated with a high mortality and morbidity, there is a dearth of its report in African literature. This study reviews four of the cases seen in a state teaching hospital in Lagos, considering the radiographic findings, surgical management and outcome. A brief review of literature is also undertaken. Aims and Objectives: To correle the plain radiographic findings with the surgical findings of neonates gathered over a six year period and to evaluate their surgical management, hoping to further help improve management of such neonates’ in future in resource limited regions such as ours. Methodology: It was a retrospective case series of four neonates who were brought in over a period of six years and operated after an initial plain abdominal X-ray. They were done as emergency cases, consent was obtained from their parents and the study was approved by the research and ethics committee. Operative findings were subsequently correlated with their radiographic findings and the surgical outcomes and follow up were documented. Conclusion: This study revealed that “the triple bubble sign” is a common radiographic finding in Apple Peel deformities, as well as gangrene of the jejunum and ileum at surgery. Key words: Apple peel atresia; Jejunoileal atresia; Plain Abdominal Radiography; Parenteral nutrition; Short Bowel Syndrome. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v31i3.5037 J Nep Paedtr Soc 2011;31(3): 227-234
Salmonella Typhi Infections and Effect of Fluroquinolones and Third Generation Cephalosporins in Clinical Outcome
Authors: Singh UK , Neopane AK , Thapa M , Aryal N , Agrawal K
Published: September 2011

Background: Enteric fever is a common public health problem in Nepal. The emerging fluoroquinolone resistance to Salmonella typhi is a major concern in every hospital and is a public health problem these days. Continuous antibiotic susceptibility patterns surveillance and standard treatment policies need to be established to control MDR typhoid. Objective: To detect the increasing pattern of fluoroquinolone resistant Salmonella typhi and to correlate its clinical response to third generation cephalosporins. Materials and Method: This is a cross- sectional prospective study conducted in the pediatric ward of Birendra Hospital, Kathmandu, from September 2009 to August 2010. Forty seven children aged between 3-14 years with the diagnosis of suspected, probable and confirmed cases of Enteric fever were enrolled in the study. Data was collected and statistical analysis was done using SPSS program. Result: Culture positive enteric fever was found in 21 cases (44.68%) and positive Widal test in 18 (38.29%). Among the culture positive cases, antibiotic sensitivity was highest for Ofloxacin (95.23%), followed by third generation Cephalosporins (Ceftriaxone, Cefixime) (90.47%). A significant number of isolates were resistant to Nalidixic acid (71.42%). All cases were successfully treated with parenteral antibiotics followed by oral third generation cephalosporins without any complications and/or mortality. Conclusion: There is an increasing trend to fluoroquinolone resistant Salmonella typhi. Third generation cephalosporin can be the appropriate antibiotic for treatment.of clinically suspected cases of Enteric fever and to minimize the risk of increasing emergence of MDR enteric fever including Nalidixic acid resistant Typhoid.(NARST). Key words: Cephalosporin; drug resistance; Enteric fever; Fluoroquinolone; Salmonella typhi. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v31i3.5361 J Nep Paedtr Soc 2011;31(3): 216-221
Familial Brachydactyly in an Indian Family: A case report
Authors: Halder SK , Khan I , Paira SK , Mukherjee R
Published: September 2011

Brachydactyly or short digit is a rare deformity involving fingers and toes. We present a rare family with 6 known members affected with similar pattern of brachydactyly, affecting only bilateral index fingers. The knowledge of this entity is important and a thorough clinical and radiological evaluation is mandatory for any patient with digital deformities. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v31i3.5364 J Nep Paedtr Soc 2011;31(3): 241-243
Assessing Bioenergy Harvest Risks: Geospatially Explicit Tools for Maintaining Soil Productivity in Western US Forests
Authors: Kimsey Mark , Page-Dumroese Deborah , Coleman Mark
Published: September 2011

Biomass harvesting for energy production and forest health can impact the soil resource by altering inherent chemical, physical and biological properties. These impacts raise concern about damaging sensitive forest soils, even with the prospect of maintaining vigorous forest growth through biomass harvesting operations. Current forest biomass harvesting research concurs that harvest impacts to the soil resource are region- and site-specific, although generalized knowledge from decades of research can be incorporated into management activities. Based upon the most current forest harvesting research, we compiled information on harvest activities that decrease, maintain or increase soil-site productivity. We then developed a soil chemical and physical property risk assessment within a geographic information system for a timber producing region within the Northern Rocky Mountain ecoregion. Digital soil and geology databases were used to construct geospatially explicit best management practices to maintain or enhance soil-site productivity. The proposed risk assessments could aid in identifying resilient soils for forest land managers considering biomass operations, policy makers contemplating expansion of biomass harvesting and investors deliberating where to locate bioenergy conversion facilities.
Change of Land Use Patterns in the Areas Close to the Airport Development Area and Some Implicating Factors
Authors: Swangjang Kanokporn , Iamaram Visut
Published: September 2011

This paper presents the description of land use change in the suburbs near Suvarnabhumi International Airport, with a focus on land use patterns before and during airport development. According to geographic information system (GIS), land use patterns are categorized into three main groups, namely intensive urban development land, areas developed under environmental conditions, and natural land. Steps of land use changes, land use planning and related factors concerning number of population, dwelling units and factories were analyzed. In the short term, urban development dramatically increases by 39.97% whereas the areas developed under environmental conditions decreased by 37.52%, with significant correlation (P < 0.05). The natural land which is typically grassland and watercourses changed insignificantly (P > 0.05). Urbanization of the areas where the airport is located increased between 10.07% and 15.57%. The changes of land use comply with the Integrated Town and Country Planning. The areas where urbanization is small are under the area designated as the green area. Urban expansion is mainly a result of increase in residential areas which is closely related to number of population. Such changes indicate a need for more effective urban development planning and management to conserve environmental quality.
BIDDING DECISION MAKING FOR CONSTRUCTION COMPANY USING A MULTI-CRITERIA PROSPECT MODEL / STATYBOS ĮMONĖS APSISPRENDIMAS DALYVAUTI KONKURSE NAUDOJANT DAUGIAKRITERINĮ PERSPEKTYVŲ MODELĮ
Authors: Cheng Min-Yuan , Hsiang Chia-Chi , Tsai Hsing-Chih , Do Hoang-Linh
Published: September 2011

Two critical decisions faced by bidders in competitive bidding include, firstly, whether or not to submit a bid, and secondly (if the answer to the first is ‘yes’) what markup value should be used on the submitted bid. In the construction industry, government agencies and private sector clients typically adopt competitive bidding to determine contract awards. Contractors also apply the same approach to bidding decisions. There are many variables that affect contractor decisions regarding whether to bid and the markup scale, which complicate the bidding decision process. This study proposes a Multi-Criteria Prospect Model for Bidding Decision (BD-MCPM) to assist contractors to make decisions on bid/no bid and markup scale. Key factors of influence that impact bidding decisions were identified first. Second, Fuzzy Preference Relations (FPR) was employed to assess factor weights and determine bid/no bid. Finally, if a decision to bid is given, then the Multi-Criteria Prospect Model (MCPM), which links Fuzzy Preference Relations (FPR) and Cumulative Prospect Theory (CPT), is deployed to determine the markup scale that best conforms to primary decision maker (PDM) preferences. The applicability of this model was demonstrated in a real case study. Santrauka Ketinantiems dalyvauti konkurse reikia priimti du lemiamus sprendimus: ar teikti pasiūlymą ir kokį antkainį nurodyti pasiūlyme. Statybų sektoriuje valstybės įstaigos ir klientai iš privačiojo sektoriaus paprastai konkursus skelbia siekdami išrinkti laimėtoją, su kuriuo pasirašoma sutartis. Rangovai sprendimus dalyvauti konkurse vertina taip pat. Rangovų apsisprendimą dalyvauti konkurse ir pasirinktą antkainį lemia ne vienas kintamasis, ir tai apsunkina apsisprendimo dalyvauti konkurse procesą. Šiame tyrime pristatomas daugiakriterinis perspektyvų modelis apsisprendimui dalyvauti konkurse (BD-MCPM), kuris rangovams padės apsispręsti, ar dalyvauti konkurse ir kokį antkainį pasirinkti. Pirmiausia buvo nustatyti pagrindiniai veiksniai, kurie daro įtaką apsisprendimui dalyvauti konkurse. Po to, naudojant neraiškiuosius prio- ritetinius ryšius (angl. Fuzzy Preference Relations, FPR), buvo įvertinti veiksnių reikšmingumai ir nustatyta, dalyvauti ar nedalyvauti konkurse. Pagaliau, jeigu nusprendžiama dalyvauti konkurse, naudojant daugiakriterinį perspektyvų modelį (MCPM), kuris neraiškiuosius prioritetinius ryšius susieja su kaupiamaja perspektyvos teorija (angl. Cumulative Prospect Theory, CPT), nustatomas antkainio lygis, kuris labiausiai atitinka pagrindinio sprendimus priimančio asmens pageidavimus. Praktinis šio modelio naudingumas pademonstruotas atliekant atvejo tyrimą.
Transformation of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) into particulate organic carbon (POC) in the lower Xijiang River, SE China: an isotopic approach
Authors: Sun H. G. , Han J. T. , Zhang S. R. , Lu X. X.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. The sources and dynamics of riverine carbon have been discussed extensively, but knowledge about the transformation from DIC into organic carbon (OC) is still poorly understood. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive investigation on the riverine carbon, stable carbon isotopic components and C/N ratios for different seasons, including an extreme flood event, in the lower Xijiang and its three tributaries. Detailed analyses are also performed for soil samples across the study region. Downstream increase in δ13CDIC and downstream decrease in both δ13CPOC and C/N have been observed for all the tributaries. Meanwhile, positive shift of δ13CDIC and negative shift of δ13CPOC are also observed from summer to winter. These observations likely indicate that the isotopic compositions of both DIC and POC are significantly affected by in-river primary production that converts DIC into organic matter through photosynthesis. It is estimated that the percentage contribution of the riverine aquatic primary production to the riverine POC in the Xijiang and three tributaries of Guijiang, Hejiang and Luoding is respectively 7.1%, 43.2%, 36.4% and 9.9% in rainy season, and 35.6%, 47.3%, 50.3% and 40.1% in dry season. Based on the stoichiometry involved in chemical weathering of the bedrocks, the transformation of the carbonate-sourced DIC to POC is further quantified to be 3.4–20.5% in rainy season, and 12.3–22.1% in dry season. This may suggest an important sink of atmospheric CO2 in river systems that was largely ignored previously.