bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Present and New Treatment Strategies in the Management of Glaucoma
Authors: M Kolko
Published: June 2015

Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and axonal loss. It remains a major cause of blindness worldwide. All current modalities of treatment are focused on lowering intraocular pressure (IOP), and it is evident that increased IOP is an important risk factor for progression of the disease. However, it is clear that a significant number of glaucoma patients show disease progression despite of pressure lowering treatments. Much attention has been given to the development of neuroprotective treatment strategies, but the identification of such has been hampered by lack of understanding of the etiology of glaucoma. Hence, in spite of many attempts no neuroprotective drug has yet been clinically approved. Even though neuroprotection is without doubt an important treatment strategy, many glaucoma subjects are diagnosed after substantial loss of RGCs. In this matter, recent approaches aim to rescue RGCs and regenerate axons in order to restore visual function in glaucoma. The present review seeks to provide an overview of the present and new treatment strategies in the management of glaucoma. The treatment strategies are divided into current available glaucoma medications, new pressure lowering targets, prospective neuroprotective interventions, and finally possible neuroregenrative strategies.
Word Recall: Cognitive Performance Within Internet Surveys
Authors: Runge Shannon K , Craig Benjamin M , Jim Heather S
Published: June 2015

Background

The use of online surveys for data collection has increased exponentially, yet it is often unclear whether interview-based cognitive assessments (such as face-to-face or telephonic word recall tasks) can be adapted for use in application-based research settings.

Objective

The objective of the current study was to compare and characterize the results of online word recall tasks to those of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and determine the feasibility and reliability of incorporating word recall tasks into application-based cognitive assessments.

Methods

The results of the online immediate and delayed word recall assessment, included within the Women’s Health and Valuation (WHV) study, were compared to the results of the immediate and delayed recall tasks of Waves 5-11 (2000-2012) of the HRS.

Results

Performance on the WHV immediate and delayed tasks demonstrated strong concordance with performance on the HRS tasks (ρc=.79, 95% CI 0.67-0.91), despite significant differences between study populations (P<.001) and study design. Sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported memory demonstrated similar relationships with performance on both the HRS and WHV tasks.

Conclusions

The key finding of this study is that the HRS word recall tasks performed similarly when used as an online cognitive assessment in the WHV. Online administration of cognitive tests, which has the potential to significantly reduce participant and administrative burden, should be considered in future research studies and health assessments.
The Digital Distribution of Public Health News Surrounding the Human Papillomavirus Vaccination: A Longitudinal Infodemiology Study
Authors: Mahoney L Meghan , Tang Tang , Ji Kai , Ulrich-Schad Jessica
Published: June 2015

Background

New media changes the dissemination of public health information and misinformation. During a guest appearance on the Today Show, US Representative Michele Bachmann claimed that human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines could cause “mental retardation”.

Objective

The purpose of this study is to explore how new media influences the type of public health information users access, as well as the impact to these platforms after a major controversy. Specifically, this study aims to examine the similarities and differences in the dissemination of news articles related to the HPV vaccination between Google News and Twitter, as well as how the content of news changed after Michele Bachmann’s controversial comment.

Methods

This study used a purposive sampling to draw the first 100 news articles that appeared on Google News and the first 100 articles that appeared on Twitter from August 1-October 31, 2011. Article tone, source, topics, concerns, references, publication date, and interactive features were coded. The intercoder reliability had a total agreement of .90.

Results

Results indicate that 44.0% of the articles (88/200) about the HPV vaccination had a positive tone, 32.5% (65/200) maintained a neutral tone, while 23.5% (47/200) presented a negative tone. Protection against diseases 82.0% (164/200), vaccine eligibility for females 75.5% (151/200), and side effects 59.0% (118/200) were the top three topics covered by these articles. Google News and Twitter articles significantly differed in article tone, source, topics, concerns covered, types of sources referenced in the article, and uses of interactive features. Most notably, topic focus changed from public health information towards political conversation after Bachmann’s comment. Before the comment, the HPV vaccine news talked more often about vaccine dosing (P<.001), duration (P=.005), vaccine eligibility for females (P=.03), and protection against diseases (P=.04) than did the later pieces. After the controversy, the news topic shifted towards politics (P=.01) and talked more about HPV vaccine eligibility for males (P=.01).

Conclusions

This longitudinal infodemiology study suggests that new media influences public health communication, knowledge transaction, and poses potential problems in the amount of misinformation disseminated during public health campaigns. In addition, the study calls for more research to adopt an infodemiology approach to explore relationships between online information supply and public health decisions.
The biosorption potential of waste biomass young fruit walnuts for lead ions: Kinetic and equilibrium study
Authors: Markovic Dragana , Bojic Danijela , Bojic Aleksandar , Nikolic Goran
Published: June 2015

The biosorption potential of waste biomass young fruit walnuts (YFW) as a
low-cost biosorbent, processed from liqueur industry, for Pb(II) ions from
aqueous solution was explored. The structural features of the biosorbent were
characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, which indicates the possibility that the
different functional groups may be responsible for the binding of Pb(II) ions
from aqueous solution. The effects of relevant parameters such as pH (2 - 6),
contact time (0 - 120 min), biosorbent dosage (2 - 20 g), initial metal ion
concentration (10 - 120 mg dm-3), at a temperature of 25(C with stirring (120
rpm) and a constant ionic strength of 0,02 mol dm-3 were evaluated in batch
experiments. The sorption equilibrium of Pb(II) ion (when 84 % of metal ions
were sorbed at an initial concentration of 15 mg dm-3) was achieved within
the pH range 4 - 5 after 50 min. Kinetic data were best described by the
pseudo-second order model. Removal efficiency of Pb(II) ion rapidly increased
with increasing biosorbent dose from 2.0 to 8.0 g per dm-3 of sorbate.
Optimal biosorbent dose was set to 6.0 g per dm3 of sorbate. An increase in
the initial metal concentration increases the biosorption capacity. The
sorption data of investigated metal ion are fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich
and Temkin isotherm models. The equilibrium data were well fitted by the
Langmuir isotherm model (R2 ? 0.990). The maximum monolayer biosorption
capacity of waste biomass YFW for Pb(II) ion, at 25.0 ? 0.5?C and pH 4.5,
was found to be 19.23 mgg-1. This available waste biomass is efficient in the
uptake of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution and could be used as a low-cost
and an alternative biosorbent for the treatment of wastewater streams bearing
these metal ions.
Experimental investigation of thrust augmentation by ejectors on a pulse detonation engine
Authors: Huang Xi-Qiao , Li Moqi , Guo Zhuo , Zheng Longxi
Published: June 2015

Utilizing gasoline as the fuel, air as oxidizer, a series of multi-cycle
detonation experiments was conducted to study thrust augmentation by
PDE-driven ejectors. The straight cylindrical ejectors with different inner
diameter, length and inlet geometry were designed. The effects of the axial
location of the ejectors relative to the end of the detonation tube, ejector
length-to-diameter ratio on thrust augmentation were investigated, with the
operating frequency of 25 Hz. A peak thrust augmentation level of 80.5% was
achieved by adding an ejector to the exit of the detonation tube. Performance
measurements of the PDE-ejector system showed that thrust augmentation is a
strong function of the ejector axial position. The result indicated that
there exists a maximum thrust augmentation with ejector upstream of the
detonation tube exit at least. The exact location at which the maximum thrust
augmentation was obtained varies with the ejector-to-PDE diameter ratio and
the ejector inlet geometry. With the increase of the length-to-diameter
ratio, thrust augmentation was noticeably enhanced and finally tended to a
constant. There exists an optimum ejector length. In the present study, the
optimum length-to-diameter ratio of ejector was 4.58. Furthermore, the effect
of operating frequency on ejector thrust augmentation also investigated. The
operating frequency was varied from 15 Hz to 35 Hz.
Numerical simulation of the formation and the dripping of droplet in the Electroslag Remelting process
Authors: Liu Shuang , He Zhu , Hui Cai , Wang Qiang , Li Baokuan
Published: June 2015

Based on the magnetohydrodynamic module of the commercial computational fluid dynamics software FLUENT, a 3-D mathematical model was developed to describe the multi-field coupling phenomenon in the electroslag remelting process. The model predicted value is in good agreement with the experimental measurements. The simulation results show that, during the melt dripping process, the resistance of the electroslag remelting system is decreasing while the current density and velocity, as well as the temperature are increasing gradually. The maximum value of current density, electromagnetic force, and velocity appears when the melt droplet detaches and the quality of large droplets fall into the slag-metal interface. The maximum value of the current density is increased by almost one order of magnitude. The maximum value of the electromagnetic force and velocity increased by 2.5 and 4.7 times, respectively. The maximum value of Joule heating and temperature appears when the droplets fall into the slag-metal interface. The maximum value of the Joule heating and temperature increased for about 174.7% and 26.8%, respectively, when compared with the moment of the melt droplet formation.
Experimental investigation of convective heat transfer enhancement using alumina/water and copper oxide/water nanofluids
Authors: Mangrulkar Chidanand , Kriplani Vilayatrai , Dhoble Ashwinkumar
Published: June 2015

The nanofluids are widely used for heat transfer applications in the various
engineering applications. The nanoparticles dispersed uniformly in the base
fluid on proper mixing. In the present study, Al2O3 and CuO nanoparticles
were selected and the changes in the heat transfer coefficient were
investigated in the complete laminar and discrete points of transition fluid
flow through a copper tube with constant heat flux. The heat transfer
coefficient was investigated at different loading of Al2O3 and CuO
nanopowders ranging from 0.1% to 0.5% of volume concentration in each case
for the laminar and transition fluid flow zones, which is then compared with
the distilled water as a plain base fluid. It is found that the optimum
enhancement in heat transfer is observed at relatively lower volume fraction
of nanoparticles ranging between 0.2 to 0.3%.
Simulation of natural convection heat transfer using nanofluid in a concentric annulus
Authors: Fallah Keivan , Ghaderi Atena , Sedaghatizadeh Nima , Borghei Mohammad
Published: June 2015

In the present study, natural convection of nanofluids in a concentric horizontal annulus enclosure has been numerically simulated using the lattice Boltzmann method. A water-based nanofluid containing Al2O3 nanoparticle has been studied. Simulations have been carried while the Rayleigh number ranges from 103 to 105 and solid volume fraction varies between 0 and 0.04. The effects of solid volume fraction of nanofluids on hydrodynamic and thermal characteristics such as average and local Nusselt numbers, streamlines, and isotherm patterns for different values of solid volume fraction, annulus gap width ratio and Rayleigh number are investigated and discussed in detail.
Application of pulsed flash thermography method for specific defect estimation in aluminum
Authors: Tomic Ljubisa , Jovanovic Dalibor , Karkalic Radovan , Damnjanovic Vesna , Kovacevic Branko , Filipovic Dalibor , Radakovic Sonja
Published: June 2015

Nondestructive thermal examination can uncover the presence of defects via
temperature distribution profile anomalies that are created on the surface as
a result of a defect. There are many factors that affect the temperature
distribution map of the surface being tested by Infrared Thermography.
Internal defect properties such as thermal conductivity, heat capacity and
defect depth, play an important role in the temperature behavior of the
pixels or regions being analyzed. Also, it is well known that other external
factors such as the convection heat transfer, variations on the surface
emissivity and ambient radiation reflectivity can affect the thermographic
signal received by the infrared camera. In this paper we considered a simple
structure in the form of flat plate covered with several defects, whose
surface we heated with a uniform heat flux impulse. We conducted a
theoretical analysis and experimental test of the method for case of defects
on an aluminum surface. First, experiments were conducted on surfaces with
intentionally created defects in order to determine conditions and boundaries
for application of the method. Experimental testing of the pulsed flash
thermography (PFT) method was performed on simulated defects on an aluminum
test plate filled with air and organic compound n-hexadecane, hydrocarbon
that belongs to the Phase Change Materials (PCMs). Study results indicate
that it is possible, using the PFT method, to detect the type of material
inside defect holes, whose presence disturbs the homogeneous structure of
aluminum.
Influence of summer temperatures on basic economic and tourism indicators of the Middle Mediterranean
Authors: Vukovic Darko , Simeunovic Ivana , Zalesov Sergey , Yamashkin Anatoly , Shpak Natalia
Published: June 2015

The Middle Mediterranean is characterized by long, hot and dry summers,
significant historical and cultural values and the warm Mediterranean Sea,
making it attractive for coastal tourism. Given these characteristics, the
goal of our paper is to analyze the influence of summer temperatures in the
region of the Middle Mediterranean on the values of underlying economic and
tourism indicators. The method of simple linear correlation and regression
was used. Based on the results of testing, we came to the conclusion that the
temperatures in the summer months have no significant influence on selected
economic and tourism indicators. Also, we conclude that social factors have
the greatest influence on these indicators. The coefficients of variation are
calculated in the observed period to analyze the variability of the tested
values. It could not be identified a statistically significant relationship
of indicators with average temperatures.
Assessing grazing intensity plant frequency in Kordofan Region
Authors: Hamed Yousif Mohamed Zainelabdeen , Khatir Abdelrahman A , Mohamed MAM , Mohamed Khalid H , Eltome Ahmed IA
Published: June 2015

This study was conducted in Um "Nabag" (15km north of "Bara"), "Dilling" (160km south of "Elobeid") and "Eldemiokya" (30km east of "Elobeid"). The main objective of this study is to assess the effect of grazing on growth performance of natural rangelands in Kordofan region. The specific objectives: To assess the effect of grazing level on vegetation frequency. The results showed different levels of grazing intensity at different sites as indicated by plants frequency and biomass. Intensive grazing levels were found at Bara in the north, early and late in the rainy season but in Dilling it was not found in the late in the rainy season for both seasons (2008 and 2009) which indicated longer stay of herders in "Bara" area as a rainy season residences. Frequency of the species between non- grazed and grazed areas showed a decrease for the two seasons especially for preferred species at the different sites as in the case of Eragrostis termula and Cenchrus biflorus in (2008 ),Similar results were observed in (2009) with Fimbirsty dichotomo and Cenchrus biflorus. The study recommended that grazing level can be used as practical mean to assess utilization level as expressed by growth performance indicators including frequency. Level (II) is expected to result in negative impact on rangeland plants growth performance. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v4i2.12622 International Journal of Environment Vol.4(2) 2015: 27-37
Retention efficiencies of halogenated and non-halogenated hydrocarbons in selected wetland ecosystem in Lake Victoria Basin
Authors: Mule Shadrack , Nguta Charles , Kamau Geoffrey , Ongera Gilbert , Wangila Phanice , Kiplimo Joyce , Chirchir Dennis
Published: June 2015

The determination of retention efficiencies of halogenated and non-halogenated hydrocarbon in selected wetland ecosystems in Lake Victoria basin was carried out. Qualitative and quantitative determination of the presence of residual hydrocarbons in Kigwal/Kimondi, Nyando and Nzoia wetland ecosystems using Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) instrument indicated the presence of residual organochlorines, organophosphorus, carbamates and synthetic pyrethroid hydrocarbons in water, sediment and plant materials. In order to compare the retention efficiencies of the wetlands, the wetland ecosystems were divided into three different sections, namely: inlet, mid and outlet. Calculations of mass balances of residual halogenated and non-halogenated hydrocarbons at the respective sections was done taking into account the partition of the studied compounds in samples of water, sediments and papyrus reed plant materials and analyzed using validated Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) method. From the analysis, several residual hydrocarbons namely: bendiocarb, benzene hexachloride (BHC), carbaryl, cypermethrin, decis, deltamethrin, diazinon, dieldrin, DDT, DDD, DDE, malathion, propoxur, sumithion, 5-phenylrhodanine, 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene, 1-(2-phenoxybenzyl)hydrazine were detected and quantified. The levels of the selected residual hydrocarbons in water samples were used to calculate the retention efficiencies of a specific hydrocarbon and the values recorded. Generally, River Nyando wetland recorded mean percentage retention efficiencies of 76 and 94% for dry and rainy seasons respectively; Kigwal/Kimondi wetland had seasonal mean percentage retention efficiencies of 63 to 78%. River Nzoia also had calculated seasonal mean percentage retention efficiencies of between 56 to 88%. Dry season had lower mean percentages retention efficiencies as compared to rainy season in the three wetlands of interest during the period of study. The study observed that retention efficiencies of tropical wetland ecosystems is greatly affected by its concentration within the wetland tank systems, anthropogenic activities, physical properties of the hydrocarbon, and environmental conditions among others. There are several anthropogenic activities which contributed to the presence of hydrocarbons in the wetlands and they included: agricultural, municipal, industrial and public health activities. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v4i2.12623 International Journal of Environment Vol.4(2) 2015: 38-52
Farmers' perceptions towards agroforestry systems in North and South Kordofanstates, Sudan
Authors: Fadl Kamal Eldin Mohammed , Mahmoud Salah E , Hamad Zainab M
Published: June 2015

This study was conducted during 2010 and 2011 in North and South Kordofan States with objectives of to identify and assess the most important agroforestry systems, to characterize major tree species in different agroforestry system, to prioritize major constraints on agroforestry systems in the region, and to study the current status of gum Arabic trees and their contribution on farmers livelihood. Data were collected through community meeting, individual interviews and direct field observation. The common agroforestry systems in the region are scatter trees on farm land, followed by wind breaks and boundary planting. The important trees in the study area are Acacia senegal83%, followed by Fadherbia albida 46%, Ziziphus spina- christia43% and Balanites aegyptiaca 41%. The most important field crops that cultivated in agroforestry system are groundnuts, millet, sorghum, sesame and roselle. The environmental benefits of trees in farm which was identified by the respondents include protection of farm against wind erosion, improvement of the soil properties, improvement of the micro-climate and providing a source for income which was indicated by the majority of respondents. Across all sites 93% of respondents showed that gum Arabic have a significant contribution to their family income. The study recommended that a multi-purpose tree species such as Acacia senegal should be maintained for amelioration of soils fertility and increase crop productivity in the fragile ecosystems such as that of the study sites. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v4i2.12624 International Journal of Environment Vol.4(2) 2015: 53-67
Farmers’ perceptions towards agroforestry systems in Babanosa Area, West Kordofan State
Authors: Fadl Kamal Eldin Mohammed , Ahmed Ali Elamin Abdallah
Published: June 2015

This study was conducted in Eltemada, Boli and Umghoghai villages at Babanosa area in El-salam locality, South Kordofan State during 2012 and 2013. The objectives were to (1) identify and assess the most important agroforestry systems, (2) to investigate the main factors that affecting the sustainability of the systems, (3) to determine the important field crops that cultivated with trees and (4) to evaluate the effect of the agroforestry systems on the yield of the traditional field crops. For accomplishment of these study 80 questioners was designed and distributed in the selected villages. After the data collection data was analyzed by using descriptive statistic. The results showed that the most important agroforestry systems in the study area are parkland cropping system (58%), boundary planting (26%), wind-breaks (13%) and alley cropping (3%).The most important forest trees in the study area are Acacia senegal (32%), Ziziphus spina- christia (28%), Balanites aegeyptiaca (26%), Sclerocary birrea and Guera senegalensis (3%). The main field crops in the study area are groundnut (44%), sorghum (35%) and roselle (21%). The results showed that yield of groundnut and sorghum is higher under agroforestry systems compared with the mono-cropping system. The results showed that the majority of respondents (70%) prefer to cultivate field crops in agroforestry system, while (30%) prefer to cultivate the field crops in a mono-cropping system. The cultivation methods used in the study area include shifting cultivation (52%), mono-cropping (36%) and intercropping (12%).The majority of respondents (94%) showed that trees improve soil fertility in their farm land. The benefits from trees in farm land include improvement of soil properties (36%), protecting the farm land from wind erosion (28%), improvement of micro-climate (24%) and source of income which was indicated by (12%) of the respondents. The study recommended that modern agroforestry system such as improved fallow system and alley cropping should be introduced in the study area and multi-purpose trees such as Acacia senegal, Fedherbia albida and Sclerocarya birrea that improve soil fertility and diversify farmers income should be maintained. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v4i2.12633 International Journal of Environment Vol.4(2) 2015: 136-146
Growth and yield response of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) to phosphorus levels in sandy loam soil of Chitwan Valley, Nepal
Authors: Baral Bandhu Raj , Adhikari Parbati , Shrestha Jiban
Published: June 2015

To evaluate the phosphorus response on winter hybrid maize, a field experiment was conducted at farm land of National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal on 2012 and 2013. Seven levels of Phosphorus i.e. 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 kg P2O5 ha-1 were applied along with 160:40 kg N:K2O ha-1. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Hybrid maize RML 32 × RML 17 was used for this study. Analysis of variance showed that plant height (cm), dry matter accumulation (g), number of kernels per row, 1000 grain weight (g) and grain yield (ton ha-1) were significantly affected with Phosphorus level. The results showed that the trend of increment was positive for grain yield with increased P level from 0 to 80 kg P2O5 ha-1. The highest grain yield (10.77 ton ha-1) was measured when 120 kg P2O5 ha-1 is applied. It is concluded that 80 kg P2O5 ha-1 can be applied in winter season for hybrid maize RML-32 × RML-17 in Chitwan valley low land irrigated condition. Further studies are necessary on different soil types, seasons, management system and varieties to get more information about the most proper addition of P on maize. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v4i2.12634 International Journal of Environment Vol.4(2) 2015: 147-156
Bacteriological quality of sliced fruits sold at road site in Maiduguri, Borno State
Authors: Allamin IA , Borkoma MB , Abbas M Ibu , Wazin MA
Published: June 2015

The study was conducted to assess the bacteriological quality of sliced fruits, Fresh cut fruits collected from different stationary vendors in Maiduguri metropolis and were analysed to determine their bacteriological quality. All samples examined were contaminated with bacteria load. The Total aerobic plate count (TAPC) range from 1.8x105 – 3.4x105 for pawpaw, 1.9x105- 6.8x105 for pineapple and 1.5x105- 5.1x105 for watermelon, Likewise Total coliforms count range from 1.0x104 – 2.0x104 for pawpaw, 1.0x104- 3.8x104 for pineapple and 1.0x105- 4.6x104 for watermelon. The bacterial isolate were identified as Staphylococcus aureus, E.coli, Pseudomonas, Shigella sp. and Salmonella sp. The results obtained shows that sliced fruits sold in Maiduguri metropolis are habited by pathogenic bacteria. Therefore educating our fruit vendors on food hygiene, adequate packaging/covering of fruits on display for sale and washing of fruits before consumption is recommended. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v4i2.12645 International Journal of Environment Vol.4(2) 2015: 236-242
Phytodiversity and conservation of Nithypooja Kona Sacred Grove of Nallamala Hill Range, Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Basha SKM , Paul M John , Reddy P Siva Kumar
Published: June 2015

Sacred groves are climax forests and are the only representatives of natural or near-natural vegetation. These are dedicated to deities or ancestral spirits worshipped by local tribes along with surrounding plants and trees. These are ecosystems by themselves and perform all the ecological functions. Phytodiversity constitute a large segment of the flora which provides raw materials for use by numerous Pharmaceutical industries. The present study will be useful for researchers in the field of Ethan botany, Ethnomedicine, Taxonomy, and Pharmacology for further studies. Nithyapoojakona Sacred grove is one of the important sacred groves in Kadapa district. The present paper deals with the phyto-diversity of the above grove used by local tribes. This paper deals with the 181 species of probable medicinal potential belonging to 138 genera and 71 families. Significant flora are Cycas beddomei, Pterocarpus santalinus, Drosera burmaptonni, Orabanche cernua, Neptunia oleracea, Hugonia mystax, Caralluma adsendens , Gloriosa superba, Limnophila spp, Centella sasiatica etc. Word famous Red sanders population of the study area is being destroyed unethically and it is to be protected. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v4i2.12648 International Journal of Environment Vol.4(2) 2015: 271-288
Sheep and goat production practice in agroforestry systems of Gedio Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Debele Selamawit , Habta Matiwos
Published: June 2015

The study was conducted to describe sheep and goat production practice in three Agro-ecological Woredas of Gedio zone, southern Ethiopia. A set of semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information from 120 sheep and goat owners based on single-visit-interviews. 32.6% of them participate in crop production, 56.5% of them involved in both animal and crop production and 5% of them involved in crop production, animal production and off farm activity. Sheep flock in the study sites were significantly different; and were 5.63, 6.97 and 3.4 in Wenago, Dilla and Kochera sites, respectively. Major feed resources were grazing (33.5%). The highest mortality rate occurred in suckling flock (16.24% lambs; 16.3% kids), young flock (9.64% lambs; 13.24% kids) and breeding females (ewes 12.06% and does 14.1%) in all study sites. Sheep and goat production in the studied areas was constrained by different problems; where the major ones are availability and cost of feeds, limitation of land for the expansion of production and poor extension services. Sheep and goats are very important smallholder producers due to their biological factors such as short generation interval, twinning, have short growth periods and do not require much space. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v4i2.12658 International Journal of Environment Vol.4(2) 2015: 296-307
Biogas production from renewable lignocellulosic biomass
Authors: Gnanambal Venkatachalam Sundaresan , Swaminathan Krishnaswamy
Published: June 2015

Effect of raw and biologically treated lignocellulosic biomass using cow dung slurry for biogas production is reported. Biomass is an energy source. Water containing biomass such as sewage sludge, cow dung slurry and lignocellulosic waste, has several important advantages and one of the key feature is renewability. Cow dung slurry has the potential to produce large amounts of biogas. Four categories of bacteria viz., hydrolytic, fermentative, fermentative acidogenic and acidogenic-methanogenic bacteria are involved in the production of biogas. The different characteristics of the cow dung slurry were determined according to standard methods. Hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin content of the lignocellulosic waste were also determined in our earlier studies. The substrates were digested under anaerobic condition for 5 days. The total biogas and methane produced during anaerobic digestion were estimated on 5th day. The total biogas produced during digestion was estimated by water displacement method. Biological methane production was estimated by using Saccharometer. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v4i2.12662 International Journal of Environment Vol.4(2) 2015: 341-347
Advances in environmental science: a review of IJE papers (Vol. 3, Iss. 1 & 2)
Authors: Punati Naveen , Rao Ajith
Published: June 2015

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v4i2.12665 International Journal of Environment Vol.4(2) 2015: 374-393
International Journal of Environment: One of the fast growing journals of NepJOL
Authors: Bhandari Govinda
Published: June 2015

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ije.v4i2.12668 International Journal of Environment Vol.4(2) 2015: i-ii
The Importance of Being German: Narratives and Identities in the Berlin Republic
Authors: Sayner Joanne , Hertner Isabelle , Colvin Sarah
Published: June 2015

Anniversaries provide moments for taking stock. In the wake of the so-called Supergedenkjahr of 2014—the year of numerous significant commemorative events for Germany, including the fall of the Berlin Wall and of German unification—it seems particularly timely to engage with debates about what it means to be German. Such retrospection is now an established and widespread part of the German habitus, and the number of organized moments of contemplation—moments that say as much about the present as the past—has multiplied since unification. Within Germany and beyond, the question of what it means to be German is frequently being asked by those who want to define local, national and international agendas for the future and to redefine agendas of the past. Representing an individual, a community or a nation involves the construction of narratives and identities, a process now often informed by sophisticated understandings of image and audience, of beliefs and branding. In fact, the numerous facets that make up an image of “Germany” have, for the most part, been perceived affirmatively; in recent international polls Germany has been the country seen as most likely to have an overwhelmingly positive influence on the world.
Germany and its Eurozone Crisis Policy: The Impact of the Country's Ordoliberal Heritage
Authors: Hillebrand Rainer
Published: June 2015

This article looks critically at the widely held view that Germany has not done enough to help overcome the Eurozone crisis. According to this line of argument, Germany has refused to comprehensively bail out crisis countries, offer mutual support in order to counter speculative attacks or endorse demand-side growth policies. This is allegedly because of a more narrowly defined national self-interest, increased EU-skepticism, and hegemonic ambitions. This article takes the perspective that such criticisms are primarily rooted in a Keynesian reading of the Eurozone troubles, whereas German policies are informed by another rationale: the ideas of so-called ordoliberalism. Generally, this traditional German school emphasizes the importance of principles, rule-based behavior, and long-term goals—and it believes in the (microeconomic) functioning of markets. Consequently, ordoliberals perceive the crisis as resulting from unsustainable debt levels and a lack of competitiveness in southern Europe, concomitant with a failure of Eurozone institutions. Based on this diagnosis, policy proposals are primarily targeted at debt reduction, as well as structural and EU institutional reforms. While Germany's crisis policy thus appears rational from an ordoliberal perspective, it is considered to be at variance with, and inadequate from the viewpoint of a Keynesian approach.
Under Pressure? The Anglicisms Debate in Contemporary Germany as a Barometer of German National Identity Today
Authors: Dodd William
Published: June 2015

This article reports on contemporary debates in Germany on the extensive use of English in Germans' use of German. In particular, it focuses on the debate held at the University of Birmingham between Professor Jürgen Schiewe and Thomas Paulwitz on the question: “The influence of English on German today: Grounds for concern?” The rise of a nationalist discourse on language since the mid-1990s is traced with particular reference to the Verein Deutsche Sprache and the quarterly publication Deutsche Sprachwelt. The purist position represented by Paulwitz, editor of Deutsche Sprachwelt, and opposed by Schiewe, Professor of German Philology at the University of Greifswald, is found to represent a discourse on national identity that fails to engage with modern linguistic science.
Tendentiousness and Topicality: Buchenwald and Antifascism as Sites of GDR Memory
Authors: Peitsch Helmut , Sayner Joanne
Published: June 2015

This article examines two chapters from Martin Sabrow's 2009 edited volume Erinnerungsorte der DDR, one on antifascism and one on Buchenwald. These two case studies exemplify the complexities of the contemporary German memorial landscape. In particular, they thematize the remembrance of the Nazi past in the German Democratic Republic and how this GDR past has, in turn, been tendentiously remembered since unification. By examining the layering of memories in these two chapters, we argue that the theoretical models which often underpin contemporary German memory work, Sabrow's volume included, serve to obscure the role of the state as carrier of official memory. On the basis of this study, we show that concepts dominant in today's Germany promote a unified national narrative. In particular, terms such as the “culture of memory” (Erinnerungskultur) and cultural memory (kulturelles Gedächtnis) downplay conflicting, contentious and diverse memories relating to the GDR past. As such, the article provides a timely note of caution for memory studies and memory work, which increasingly applies these models to wider, non-German contexts.
Collecting Communism: Private Museums of Everyday Life under Socialism in Former East Germany
Authors: Bach Jonathan
Published: June 2015

Across former East Germany today there are more than two dozen private museums devoted to representing everyday life under socialism. Some are haphazard collections in cramped spaces, others marketable mainstays of their local tourist economy. Historians have criticized them as at best amateurish and, at worst, a trivialization of the GDR's repressive practices. Yet, this article argues how, as a social phenomenon, these museums form an important early phase in postunification efforts by public cultural institutions to incorporate the GDR everyday into working through the past. The article examines the museum's modes of representation and shows how the museums lay claim to authenticity through a tactile, interactive, and informal approach. Despite valid criticisms, the article argues that the museums can be seen as helping overcome, rather than reinforce, the binary of totalitarianism and everyday life as antagonistic frameworks for understanding the socialist past.
Neuroimaging findings in pediatric sports-related concussion
Authors: Ellis Michael J. , Leiter Jeff , Hall Thomas , McDonald Patrick J. , Sawyer Scott , Silver Norm , Bunge Martin , Essig Marco
Published: June 2015

OBJECT

The goal in this review was to summarize the results of clinical neuroimaging studies performed in patients with sports-related concussion (SRC) who were referred to a multidisciplinar ypediatric concussion program.

METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective review of medical records and neuroimaging findings for all patients referred to a multidisciplinary pediatric concussion program between September 2013 and July 2014. Inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) age ≤ 19 years; and 2) physician-diagnosed SRC. All patients underwent evaluation and follow-up by the same neurosurgeon. The 2 outcomes examined in this review were the frequency of neuroimaging studies performed in this population (including CT and MRI) and the findings of those studies. Clinical indications for neuroimaging and the impact of neuroimaging findings on clinical decision making were summarized where available. This investigation was approved by the local institutional ethics review board.

RESULTS

A total of 151 patients (mean age 14 years, 59% female) were included this study. Overall, 36 patients (24%) underwent neuroimaging studies, the results of which were normal in 78% of cases. Sixteen percent of patients underwent CT imaging; results were normal in 79% of cases. Abnormal CT findings included the following: arachnoid cyst (1 patient), skull fracture (2 patients), suspected intracranial hemorrhage (1 patient), and suspected hemorrhage into an arachnoid cyst (1 patient). Eleven percent of patients underwent MRI; results were normal in 75% of cases. Abnormal MRI findings included the following: intraparenchymal hemorrhage and sylvian fissure arachnoid cyst (1 patient); nonhemorrhagic contusion (1 patient); demyelinating disease (1 patient); and posterior fossa arachnoid cyst, cerebellar volume loss, and nonspecific white matter changes (1 patient).

CONCLUSIONS

Results of clinical neuroimaging studies are normal in the majority of pediatric patients with SRC. However, in selected cases neuroimaging can provide information that impacts decision making about return to play and retirement from the sport.
Vestibulo-ocular dysfunction in pediatric sports-related concussion
Authors: Ellis Michael J. , Cordingley Dean , Vis Sara , Reimer Karen , Leiter Jeff , Russell Kelly
Published: June 2015

OBJECT

The objective of this study was 2-fold: 1) to examine the prevalence of vestibulo-ocular dysfunction (VOD) among children and adolescents with acute sports-related concussion (SRC) and postconcussion syndrome (PCS) who were referred to a multidisciplinary pediatric concussion program; and 2) to determine if VOD is associated with the development of PCS in this cohort.

METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective review of all patients with acute SRC (presenting 30 days or less postinjury) and PCS (3 or more symptoms for at least 1 month) referred to a multidisciplinary pediatric concussion program between September 2013 and July 2014. Initial assessment included clinical history, physical examination, and Post-Concussion Symptom Scale assessment. Patients were also assessed for VOD, which was defined as more than one subjective vestibular and oculomotor complaint (dizziness, blurred vision, and so on) and more than one objective physical examination finding (abnormal smooth pursuits, saccades, vestibulo-ocular reflex, and so on). This study was approved by the local institutional ethics review board.

RESULTS

A total of 101 patients (mean age 14.2 years, SD 2.3 years; 63 male and 38 female patients) participated, including 77 (76.2%) with acute SRC and 24 (23.8%) with PCS. Twenty-two of the 77 patients (28.6%) with acute SRC and 15 of the 24 (62.5%) with PCS met the clinical criteria for VOD. The median duration of symptoms was 40 days (interquartile range [IQR] 28.5–54 days) for patients with acute SRC who had VOD compared with 21 days (IQR 13–32 days) for those without VOD (p = 0.0001). There was a statistically significant increase in the adjusted odds of developing PCS among patients with acute SRC who had VOD compared with those without VOD (adjusted OR 4.10; 95% CI 1.04–16.16).

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence of VOD was detected in a significant proportion of children and adolescents with acute SRC and PCS who were referred to a multidisciplinary pediatric concussion program. This clinical feature was a significant risk factor for the subsequent development of PCS in this pediatric acute SRC cohort.
Patterns of Tau and α-Synuclein Pathology in the Visual System
Authors: Rahimi Jasmin , Milenkovic Ivan , Kovacs Gabor G.
Published: June 2015

Background:

Spreading of misfolded proteins has been suggested for neurodegenerative diseases. The hierarchical distribution of protein deposits in Alzheimer‘s (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) supports this concept.

Objectives:

To evaluate α-synuclein and tau-deposition in the optic pathway as an excellent anatomical model, which follows a strict trajectory including a cortico-geniculate feedback connection.

Methods:

We immunostained the optic nerve, lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), and occipital cortex for AT8 (phosphorylated tau), α-synuclein, and disease-associated prion protein (PrP) in 47 cases with tau pathology (AD type, argyrophilic grain disease, or progressive supranuclear palsy), 16 PD, and 5 Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) cases, respectively.

Results:

We detected immunoreactivity for all proteins along the optic pathway. The optic nerve showed immunopositivity only in cases with tau (6/8, 75%) or α-synuclein (5/7, 71%) pathology. The LGN was involved also frequently (tau: 22/47, 46.8% ; α-synuclein: 15/16, 93.7% ; PrP 5/5, 100%). The occipital cortex was variably affected by tau or α-synuclein pathology, but always showed PrP immunoreactivity in the CJD cases. Tau pathology in the LGN correlated with tau immunoreactivity in the occipital cortex and Braak stages of neurofibrillary degeneration. In tauopathies, which do not involve the occipital cortex, like argyrophilic grain disease or progressive supranuclear palsy, tau pathology was more frequently astrocytic in the LGN.

Conclusions:

Our results have implications 1) for the understanding of disease spreading along neural pathways and 2) for the diagnostic evaluation of the visual system in neurodegenerative proteinopathies as a potential biomarker to evaluate disease progression or subgrouping of cases.
Local Change in Urinary Bladder Contractility Following CNS Dopamine Denervation in the 6-OHDA Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Mitra Reinika , Aronsson Patrik , Winder Michael , Tobin Gunnar , Bergquist Filip , Carlsson Thomas
Published: June 2015

Background:

Urinary problems, including urinary frequency, urgency, and nocturia are some of the non-motor symptoms that correlate most with poor quality of life in Parkinson’s disease. However, the mechanism behind these symptoms is poorly understood, in particular regarding peripheral bladder pathophysiology following dopamine degeneration.

Objective:

In this study, we compared the contractile responsiveness of urinary bladder from the 6-OHDA unilateral rat model of Parkinson’s disease with that of normal untreated animals.

Methods:

The contractility of the urinary detrusor muscle was evaluated in bladder strip preparations using electrical field stimulation, and muscarinic and purinoceptor stimulations in an vitro organ bath setup.

Results:

Our data show that the overall contractile response following electrical field stimulation was significantly higher (43% at maximum contraction by 20–40 Hz stimulation) in the 6-OHDA-lesioned rats as compared to control animals. This increase was associated with a significant increase in the cholinergic contractile response, where the muscarinic agonist methacholine produced a 44% (at 10 −4 M concentration) higher response in the 6-OHDA-treated rats as compared to controls with a significant left-shift of the dose response. This indicates an altered sensitivity of the muscarinic receptor system following the specific central 6-OHDA-induced dopamine depletion. In addition a 36% larger contraction of strips from the 6-OHDA animals was also observed with purinoceptor activation using the agonist ATP (5×10 −3 M) during atropine treatment.

Conclusions:

Our data shows that it is not only the central dopamine control of the micturition reflex that is altered in Parkinson’s disease, but also the local contractile function of the urinary bladder. The current study draws attention to a mechanism of urinary dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease that has previously not been described.