bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decision Making in the Electricity Bureaucracy: Case of Budhi Gandaki
Authors: Paudyal Prabesh , Shrestha Bashanta
Published: January 2011

There is a power shortage in the Nepalese market and in the peaking demand as well. This clearly indicates the need for storage type hydropower stations. The Budhi Gandaki (storage) Project (BGP) was identified and studied in 1983. The project has been proposed with an installed capacity of 600 MW by constructing a 225 m high dam on Budhi Gandaki River in central Nepal. The main attraction of this project is its nearness to the load centers. The government of Nepal decided to implement the project for more than three times; but there were no seriously interested investor. It has been 25 years that we have been talking about this project; but why the project is not happening is a crucial question to be addressed. Only recently, six developers have shown interest to develop it in association with the Nepal Electricity Authority. It is also interesting to know about the status of this project that has been left untouched since early studies in the 1980s. Further, there is a proposal of a road construction network in the BGP site area which might ruin the project.Key words: Storage type hydropower projects; Downstream benefits; Private investment; Resettlement and rehabilitationDOI: 10.3126/hn.v6i0.4197Hydro Nepal Journal of Water, Energy and Environment Vol. 6, January 2010Page: 61-64Uploaded Date: 24 January, 2011
Assessment of Trophic State of Lakes: A Case of Mansi Ganga Lake in India
Authors: Sharma M. P. , Kumar Arun , Rajvanshi Shalini
Published: January 2011

Due to rapid growth of population coupled with urbanization, the water bodies, especially, rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs etc are deteriorating due to heavy pollutational stresses resulting in the scarcity of drinking water resources. The present paper attempts to review the work done on the development of TSI for assessment of trophic state of lakes and applicability of most important TSI methods for Indian lakes. The paper also deals with the revival of Mansi Ganga Lake in Mathura, especially, assessment of its trophic state based on the data collected for 2006-09. The results indicated that the lake was oligotrophic during 2006 which has become mesotrophic in the year 2008 showing increase in pollution. After the chemical treatment for the removal of algae, the lake water was drained and results of sampling done in 2009 (pre-monsoon) indicated it to be eutrophic. These calls for its immediate revival and accordingly, the conservation measure are suggested.Key words: Eutrophication; Trophic State Index (TSI); Total Phosphorus (TP); Secchi depth (SD); Chlorophyll ‘a’ (Chl’a’)DOI: 10.3126/hn.v6i0.4198Hydro Nepal Journal of Water, Energy and Environment Vol. 6, January 2010Page: 65-72Uploaded Date: 24 January, 2011
Information Theory in Scientific Visualization
Authors: Wang Chaoli , Shen Han-Wei
Published: January 2011

In recent years, there is an emerging direction that leverages information theory to solve many challenging problems in scientific data analysis and visualization. In this article, we review the key concepts in information theory, discuss how the principles of information theory can be useful for visualization, and provide specific examples to draw connections between data communication and data visualization in terms of how information can be measured quantitatively. As the amount of digital data available to us increases at an astounding speed, the goal of this article is to introduce the interested readers to this new direction of data analysis research, and to inspire them to identify new applications and seek solutions using information theory.
Recent Progress in Metal Borohydrides for Hydrogen Storage
Authors: Li Hai-Wen , Yan Yigang , Orimo Shin-ichi , Züttel Andreas , Jensen Craig M.
Published: January 2011

The prerequisite for widespread use of hydrogen as an energy carrier is the development of new materials that can safely store it at high gravimetric and volumetric densities. Metal borohydrides M(BH4)n (n is the valence of metal M), in particular, have high hydrogen density, and are therefore regarded as one such potential hydrogen storage material. For fuel cell vehicles, the goal for on-board storage systems is to achieve reversible store at high density but moderate temperature and hydrogen pressure. To this end, a large amount of effort has been devoted to improvements in their thermodynamic and kinetic aspects. This review provides an overview of recent research activity on various M(BH4)n, with a focus on the fundamental dehydrogenation and rehydrogenation properties and on providing guidance for material design in terms of tailoring thermodynamics and promoting kinetics for hydrogen storage.
Tobacco Use among Emergency Department Patients
Authors: Smith Patricia M.
Published: January 2011

This is the first study to systematically track the tobacco use prevalence in an entire emergency department (ED) population and compare age-stratified rates to the general population using national, provincial, and regional comparisons. A tobacco use question was integrated into the ED electronic registration process from 2007 to 2010 in 11 northern hospitals (10 rural, 1 urban). Results showed that tobacco use documentation (85–89%) and tobacco use (26–27%) were consistent across years with the only discrepancy being higher tobacco prevalence in 2007 (32%) due to higher rates at the urban hospital. Age-stratified outcomes showed that tobacco use remained high up to 50 years old (36%); rates began to decrease for patients in their 50’s (26%) and 60’s (16%), and decreased substantially after age 70 (5%). The age-stratified ED tobacco rates were almost double those of the general population nationally and provincially for all but the oldest age groups but were virtually identical to regional rates. The tobacco use tracking and age-stratified general population comparisons in this study improves on previous attempts to document prevalence in the ED population, and at a more local level, provides a “big picture” overview that highlights the magnitude of the tobacco-use problem in these communities.
MALDI Imaging Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-IMS)―Application of Spatial Proteomics for Ovarian Cancer Classification and Diagnosis
Authors: Gustafsson Johan O. R. , Oehler Martin K. , Ruszkiewicz Andrew , McColl Shaun R. , Hoffmann Peter
Published: January 2011

MALDI imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) allows acquisition of mass data for metabolites, lipids, peptides and proteins directly from tissue sections. IMS is typically performed either as a multiple spot profiling experiment to generate tissue specific mass profiles, or a high resolution imaging experiment where relative spatial abundance for potentially hundreds of analytes across virtually any tissue section can be measured. Crucially, imaging can be achieved without prior knowledge of tissue composition and without the use of antibodies. In effect MALDI-IMS allows generation of molecular data which complement and expand upon the information provided by histology including immuno-histochemistry, making its application valuable to both cancer biomarker research and diagnostics. The current state of MALDI-IMS, key biological applications to ovarian cancer research and practical considerations for analysis of peptides and proteins on ovarian tissue are presented in this review.
Development of Proteomics-Based Fungicides: New Strategies for Environmentally Friendly Control of Fungal Plant Diseases
Authors: Fernández Acero Francisco Javier , Carbú María , El-Akhal Mohamed Rabie , Garrido Carlos , González-Rodríguez Victoria E. , Cantoral Jesús M.
Published: January 2011

Proteomics has become one of the most relevant high-throughput technologies. Several approaches have been used for studying, for example, tumor development, biomarker discovery, or microbiology. In this “post-genomic” era, the relevance of these studies has been highlighted as the phenotypes determined by the proteins and not by the genotypes encoding them that is responsible for the final phenotypes. One of the most interesting outcomes of these technologies is the design of new drugs, due to the discovery of new disease factors that may be candidates for new therapeutic targets. To our knowledge, no commercial fungicides have been developed from targeted molecular research, this review will shed some light on future prospects. We will summarize previous research efforts and discuss future innovations, focused on the fight against one of the main agents causing a devastating crops disease, fungal phytopathogens.
Comparison of Antioxidant Effects of Honey, Glibenclamide, Metformin, and Their Combinations in the Kidneys of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Erejuwa Omotayo Owomofoyon , Sulaiman Siti Amrah , Wahab Mohd Suhaimi Ab , Salam Sirajudeen Kuttulebbai Nainamohammed , Salleh Md Salzihan Md , Gurtu Sunil
Published: January 2011

Hyperglycemia-induced increase in oxidative stress is implicated in diabetic complications. This study investigated the effect of metformin and/or glibenclamide in combination with honey on antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress markers in the kidneys of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg; intraperitoneal)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats were randomized into eight groups of five to seven rats and received distilled water (0.5 mL); honey (1.0 g/kg); metformin (100 mg/kg); metformin (100 mg/kg) and honey (1.0 g/kg); glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg); glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg) and honey (1.0 g/kg); metformin (100 mg/kg) and glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg); or metformin (100 mg/kg), glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg) and honey (1.0 g/kg) orally once daily for four weeks. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were significantly elevated while catalase (CAT) activity, total antioxidant status (TAS), reduced glutathione (GSH), and GSH:oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio was significantly reduced in the diabetic kidneys. CAT, glutathione reductase (GR), TAS, and GSH remained significantly reduced in the diabetic rats treated with metformin and/or glibenclamide. In contrast, metformin or glibenclamide combined with honey significantly increased CAT, GR, TAS, and GSH. These results suggest that combination of honey with metformin or glibenclamide might offer additional antioxidant effect to these drugs. This might reduce oxidative stress-mediated damage in diabetic kidneys.
Cloning, Expression, and Characterization of Thermotolerant Manganese Superoxide Dismutase from Bacillus sp. MHS47
Authors: Areekit Supatra , Kanjanavas Pornpimon , Khawsak Paisarn , Pakpitchareon Arda , Potivejkul Kajeenart , Chansiri Gaysorn , Chansiri Kosum
Published: January 2011

A superoxide dismutase gene from thermotolerant Bacillus sp. MHS47 (MnSOD47) was cloned, sequenced, and expressed. The gene has an open reading frame of 612 bp, corresponding to 203 deduced amino acids, with high homology to the amino acid sequences of B. thuringiensis (accession no. EEN01322), B. anthracis (accession no. NP_846724), B. cereus (accession no. ZP_04187911), B. weihenstephanensis (accession no. YP_001646918), and B. pseudomycoides. The conserved manganese-binding sites (H28, H83, D165, and H169) show that MnSOD47 has the specific characteristics of the manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) enzymes. MnSOD47 expressed an enzyme with a molecular weight of approximately 22.65 kDa and a specific activity of 3537.75 U/mg. The enzyme is active in the pH range 7–8.5, with an optimum pH of 7.5, and at temperatures in the range 30–45 °C, with an optimum temperature of 37 °C. Tests of inhibitors and metal ions indicated that the enzyme activity is inhibited by sodium azide, but not by hydrogen peroxide or potassium cyanide. These data should benefit future studies of MnSODs in other microorganisms and the biotechnological production of MnSOD47, and could also be used to develop a biosensor for the detection of antioxidants and free radical activity. In the future, this basic knowledge could be applicable to the detection of cancer risks in humans and therapeutic treatments.
Identification of a Male-Specific Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) and a Sequence Characterized Amplified Region (SCAR) Marker in Eucommia ulmoides Oliv.
Authors: Wang Da-Wei , Li Yu , Li Zhou-Qi
Published: January 2011

Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. is a dioecious species. Currently, there is no method to identify the sex during the juvenile stage that lasts a relatively long time. This study aimed to develop a sex specific Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) marker for Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. Of a total of 64 AFLP primer combinations screened, primer combination E-ACA/M-CTT produced a 350 bp male-specific marker. This 350 bp AFLP marker was converted into a 247 bp Sequence Characterized Amplified Region (SCAR) marker. Results suggest that the SCAR marker can be utilized for early sexual identification in Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., and it will greatly facilitate future breeding programs.
Masonry Columns Confined by Steel Fiber Composite Wraps
Authors: Borri Antonio , Castori Giulio , Corradi Marco
Published: January 2011

The application of steel fiber reinforced polymer (SRP) as a means of increasing the capacity of masonry columns is investigated in this study. The behavior of 23 solid-brick specimens that are externally wrapped by SRP sheets in low volumetric ratios is presented. The specimens are subjected to axial monotonic load until failure occurs. Two widely used types of masonry columns of differing square cross-sections were tested in compression (square and octagonal cross-sections). It is concluded that SRP-confined masonry behaves very much like fiber reinforced polymers (FRP)-confined masonry. Confinement increases both the load-carrying capacity and the deformability of masonry almost linearly with average confining stress. A comparative analysis between experimental and theoretical values computed in compliance with the Italian Council of Research (CNR) was also developed.
Purification and Characterization of a Bifunctional Alginate Lyase from Pseudoalteromonas sp. SM0524
Authors: Li Jian-Wei , Dong Sheng , Song Jie , Li Chun-Bo , Chen Xiu-Lan , Xie Bin-Bin , Zhang Yu-Zhong
Published: January 2011

An alginate lyase-producing bacterial strain, Pseudoalteromonas sp. SM0524, was screened from marine rotten kelp. In an optimized condition, the production of alginate lyase from Pseudoalteromonas sp. SM0524 reached 62.6 U/mL, suggesting that strain SM0524 is a good producer of alginate lyases. The bifunctional alginate lyasealy-SJ02 secreted by strain SM0524 was purified. Aly-SJ02 had an apparent molecular mass of 32 kDa. The optimal temperature and pH of aly-SJ02 toward sodium alginate was 50 °C and 8.5, respectively. The half life period of aly-SJ02 was 41 min at 40 °C and 20 min at 50 °C. Aly-SJ02 was most stable at pH 8.0. N-terminal sequence analysis suggested that aly-SJ02 may be an alginate lyase of polysaccharide lyase family 18. Aly-SJ02 showed activities toward both polyG (α-L-guluronic acid) and polyM (β-D-mannuronic acid), indicating that it is a bifunctional alginate lyase. Aly-SJ02 had lower Km toward polyG than toward polyM and sodium alginate. Thin layer chromatography and ESI-MS analyses showed that aly-SJ02 mainly released dimers and trimers from polyM and alginate, and trimers and tetramers from polyG, which suggests that aly-SJ02 may be a good tool to produce dimers and trimers from alginate.
Heterofucans from the Brown Seaweed Canistrocarpus cervicornis with Anticoagulant and Antioxidant Activities
Authors: Barros Gomes Camara Rafael , Silva Costa Leandro , Pereira Fidelis Gabriel , Duarte Barreto Nobre Leonardo Thiago , Dantas-Santos Nednaldo , Lima Cordeiro Sara , Santana Santos Pereira Costa Mariana , Guimaraes Alves Luciana , Oliveira Rocha Hugo Alexandre
Published: January 2011

Fucan is a term used to denominate a family of sulfated polysaccharides rich in sulfated L-fucose. We extracted six fucans from Canistrocarpus cervicornis by proteolytic digestion followed by sequential acetone precipitation. These heterofucans are composed mainly of fucose, glucuronic acid, galactose and sulfate. No polysaccharide was capable of prolonging prothrombin time (PT) at the concentration assayed. However, all polysaccharides prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Four sulfated polysaccharides (CC-0.3/CC-0.5/CC-0.7/CC-1.0) doubled aPTT with only 0.1 mg/mL of plasma, only 1.25-fold less than Clexane®, a commercial low molecular weight heparin. Heterofucans exhibited total antioxidant capacity, low hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, good superoxide radical scavenging efficiency (except CC-1.0), and excellent ferrous chelating ability (except CC-0.3). These results clearly indicate the beneficial effect of C. cervicornis polysaccharides as anticoagulants and antioxidants. Further purification steps and additional studies on structural features as well as in vivo experiments are needed to test the viability of their use as therapeutic agents.
Lipophilic Toxin Profile in Mytilus galloprovincialis during Episodes of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) in the N.E. Adriatic Sea in 2006
Authors: Nincevic Gladan Zivana , Ujevic Ivana , Milandri Anna , Marasovic Ivona , Ceredi Alfiero , Pigozzi Silvia , Arapov Jasna , Skejic Sanda
Published: January 2011

Dinophysis spp. blooms and related shellfish toxicity events of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) have been the most reported toxicity event through the Croatian National monitoring program. With the aim to characterize the DSP toxin profile in shellfish farmed in Croatia, for the first time a complete analysis of the toxin profile of Croatian mussels has been carried out using the LC-MS/MS technique. The obtained results showed okadaic acid (OA) as the main toxin contaminating Croatian mussels at that time. The maximum concentration of OA in shellfish tissue was recorded 12 days after the Dinophysis fortii bloom, thus suggesting that rapid growth of the toxin level in the shellfish occurred in the first week after the bloom while it was slower in the second week. Furthermore, the presence of only OA at concentrations which could endanger human health suggests D. fortii as the main organism responsible for the toxic event that occurred in Lim Bay. The presence of gymnodimine and spirolides in Croatian mussel has been detected for the first time, while the presence of yessotoxin and pectenotoxin-2 is confirmed.
X-Ray Supramolecular Structure, NMR Spectroscopy and Synthesis of 3-Methyl-1-phenyl-1H-chromeno[4,3-c]pyrazol-4-ones Formed by the Unexpected Cyclization of 3-[1-(Phenyl-hydrazono)ethyl]-chromen-2-ones
Authors: Padilla-Martinez Itzia I. , Flores-Larios Irma Y. , García-Baez Efren V. , Gonzalez Jorge , Cruz Alejandro , Martínez-Martinez Francisco J.
Published: January 2011

The molecular structures of nine 3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-chromeno[4,3-c]pyrazol-4-one isomers, obtained by the oxidative cyclization of the corresponding 1-phenylhydrazono chromen-2-ones with copper acetate as catalyst, are reported. The molecular and supramolecular structures of the 8-chloro, 8-bromo- and 8-nitro isomers 2b-d, were established by X-ray diffraction. The halogenated isomers 2b and 2c are isomorphs, they crystallize as a triclinic system, space group P-1 with two molecules in the asymmetric unit. Compound 2d crystallizes as a monoclinic system, space group P21/m with two molecules in the unit cell. The 1-phenyl ring [Cg(4)] is almost perpendicularly positioned to the chromene-pyrazole ring system. This conformation is in agreement with the anisotropic NMR shielding effect exerted by the phenyl ring over H-9 in solution. The supramolecular architecture is almost controlled by C―H···A (A = O, p) and face to face p-stacking interactions. The observed p-stacking trend between chromene and pyrazole rings is given by the overlapping between the best donor and acceptor rings in each compound.
Palladium Catalyzed Allylic C-H Alkylation: A Mechanistic Perspective
Authors: Engelin Casper Junker , Fristrup Peter
Published: January 2011

The atom-efficiency of one of the most widely used catalytic reactions for forging C-C bonds, the Tsuji-Trost reaction, is limited by the need of preoxidized reagents. This limitation can be overcome by utilization of the recently discovered palladium-catalyzed C-H activation, the allylic C-H alkylation reaction which is the topic of the current review. Particular emphasis is put on current mechanistic proposals for the three reaction types comprising the overall transformation: C-H activation, nucleophillic addition, and re-oxidation of the active catalyst. Recent advances in C-H bond activation are highlighted with emphasis on those leading to C-C bond formation, but where it was deemed necessary for the general understanding of the process closely related C-H oxidations and aminations are also included. It is found that C-H cleavage is most likely achieved by ligand participation which could involve an acetate ion coordinated to Pd. Several of the reported systems rely on benzoquinone for re-oxidation of the active catalyst. The scope for nucleophilic addition in allylic C-H alkylation is currently limited, due to demands on pKa of the nucleophile. This limitation could be due to the pH dependence of the benzoquinone/hydroquinone redox couple. Alternative methods for re-oxidation that does not rely on benzoquinone could be able to alleviate this limitation.
Efficacy of CMX001 as a Post Exposure Antiviral in New Zealand White Rabbits Infected with Rabbitpox Virus, a Model for Orthopoxvirus Infections of Humans
Authors: Rice Amanda D. , Adams Mathew M. , Wallace Greg , Burrage Andrew M. , Lindsey Scott F. , Smith Andrew J. , Swetnam Daniele , Manning Brandi R. , Gray Stacey A. , Lampert Bernhard , Foster Scott , Lanier Randall , Robertson Alice , Painter George , Moyer Richard W.
Published: January 2011

CMX001, a lipophilic nucleotide analog formed by covalently linking 3-(hexdecyloxy)propan-1-ol to cidofovir (CDV), is being developed as a treatment for smallpox. In the absence of human cases of smallpox, new treatments must be tested for efficacy in animal models. Previously, we demonstrated the efficacy of CMX001 in protecting New Zealand White rabbits from mortality following intradermal infection with rabbitpox virus as a model for smallpox, monkeypox and for treatment of adverse reactions to smallpox vaccination. Here we extend these studies by exploring different dosing regimens and performing randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled studies. In addition, because rabbitpox virus can be transmitted via naturally generated aerosols (animal to animal transmission), we report on studies to test the efficacy of CMX001 in protecting rabbits from lethal rabbitpox virus disease when infection occurs by animal to animal transmission. In all cases, CMX001 treatment was initiated at the onset of observable lesions in the ears to model the use of CMX001 as a treatment for symptomatic smallpox. The results demonstrate that CMX001 is an effective treatment for symptomatic rabbitpox virus infection. The rabbitpox model has key similarities to human smallpox including an incubation period, generalized systemic disease, the occurrence of lesions which may be used as a trigger for initiating therapy, and natural animal to animal spread, making it an appropriate model.
Frontispiece Architecture in Ngayogyakarta : Notes on Structure and Sources
Authors: Behrend Tim
Published: January 2011

Tim Behrend, University of Auckland, Nouvelle-Zélande

Frontispiece Architecture in Ngayogyakarta : Notes on Structure and Sources

Cet article considère le manuscrit javanais comme un objet codicologique. Il explore les diverses raisons pour lesquelles il est à la fois unique et relié aux produits d'autres traditions scripturaires en Asie du Sud-Est et au Moyen-Orient, en envisageant notamment les transformations radicales survenues avec l'islamisation. À travers un aperçu des aspects visuels et physiques de l'enluminure des manuscrits javanais (en particulier les frontispices, ou wadana) et une description minutieuse d'un manuscrit de 1829 créé par le fondateur du palais Pakualaman, cet article offre un modèle de traitement de la complexité formelle des manuscrits javanais ; il propose également une taxonomie de la description des wadana.
Kalu Muhammad Hilali, Sultan of the Maldives (1491-1528)
Authors: Dos Santos Alves Jorge
Published: January 2011

Jorge M. dos Santos Alves, Instituto de Investigaçào Cientifica Tropical/Fundaçâo para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Lisbonne

Kalu Muhammad Hilali, Sultan of the Maldives (1491-1528)

Sultan Kalu Muhammad fit la transition entre les deux siècles extraordinaires que furent les XVe et XVIe siècles, non seulement pour l'histoire des Maldives, mais pour celle de tout l'océan Indien. Cet article s'attache à réviser l'image historique de ce sultan, tout en la situant par rapport à l'histoire politique et socio-économique du sultanat des Maldives et de ses liaisons avec les réseaux maritimes asiatiques. D'une certaine façon, on peut dire que, pendant plus de trente ans, sultan Kalu Muhamad joua le jeu de la survivance politique.
L'halieutique maldivienne, une ethno-culture millénaire
Authors: Doumenge François
Published: January 2011

François Doumenge, Musée Océanographique de Monaco, Commission Internationale pour l'Exploration Scientifique de la Mer Méditerranée L'halieutique maldivienne, une ethno-culture millénaire

As early as the 10th century Arab navigators identified the Maldive Islands as a source of cowries as currency and coir as an indispensable material for the assembling of sewn hulls and rigs of fishing and commercial vessels. Later on, skipjack filets, once dried and smoked, provided the third specialty of these islands. The meeting of monsoon navigation networks brought the Maldive Archipelago in contact with the whole of Arab, Persian, Indian and Malay worlds. The shores of East Africa and South China could be reached from there too. The dynamics of the piscatorial ethno-culture, which flourished in a way of life entirely dominated by the sea, lay in the exclusive control of the barter system by the central power established in Male. In the cultural, political, and commercial sway of Salafi Sunnism, the Maldive Islands fully developed their potentialities, which flourished during the 15th century, and they were able to resist the Portuguese intrusions of the following century. Stranded there in the early years of the 17th century, Pyrard de Laval wrote an account of his stay and gave minute descriptions of lagoon and pelagic fishing techniques, related industries, and economic and commercial practices.

This socio-economy, unique because of its coherence based on marine life, was dismanteled in the 19 th century by the force of colonial imperialisms (demonetisation of the cowries, loss of political and commercial independence) and the constraints caused by the mutations of the industrial revolution (diversion followed by disappearance of the large sailing ships, industrialisation of the coir). The Maldive Islands had lived for one millenium by following a unique piscatorial way of life, associating a perfected art of navigation with the exhaustive exploitation of the sole resource of the islands, the coconut tree, and of the infinite variety of products of coral reef and nearby ocean.
Le rêve des jeunes filles portugaises du milieu du XIXe siècle : devenir « reine des Maldives »
Authors: Dos Santos Alves Jorge
Published: January 2011

Jorge M. dos Santos Alves, Instituto de Investigaçâo Cientffica Tropical/Fundaçào para a

Ciência e Tecnologia, Lisbonne

Le rêve des jeunes filles portugaises du milieu du XIXe siècle : devenir « reine des Maldives »

Popular memory in the Porto region, in the North of Portugal, has recorded the story of a young Portuguese girl who, in the 16th century, while staying in India, eventually married a "king" of the Maldives islands, thus becoming "queen of the Maldives". The success of this story led the famous writer Camilo Castelo Branco (1825-1890) to try for the first time, in his Cenas Inocentes da Comédia Humana (Innocent Scenes of the Human Comedy, 1st edition, Lisbon, 1863) to elucidate the "queen of the Maldives" mystery. This article endeavours to establish the historical events at the basis of this story, even though its most remarkable feature is none other than its longevity and its survival in popular memory as well as in literature.
Entre Calètes et Bellovaques, les établissements ruraux gallo-romains de Mauquenchy " Le Fond Randillon " (Seine-Maritime) : un modèle de la ferme antique
Authors: Guillier Gérard , Adrian Yves Marie , Doyen Dominique
Published: January 2011

Im Zusammenhang mit dem Bau eines Hippodroms in Mauquenchy, " Le Fond de Randillon " im Nord- Osten des Departements Seine-Maritime wurden Ausgrabungen erforderlich. Dabei ist man in einer noch sehr naturbelassenen Region, le Pays de Bray, auf zwei ländliche Gehäfte aus rômischer Zeit gestoßen. Sie wurden in der augusteisch-tiberischen Zeit gegrûündet, gegen Mitte des 2. Jahrhunderts scheinen sie zu verf alien, und werden dann zu Beginn des 3. Jahrhunderts unserer Zeitrechnung wohl endgültig auf gegeben. Die beiden Siedlungsplätze an der Grenze der Territorien der Caleti und der Bellovaci zeichnen sich durch Bauten mit tragenden Pfosten aus und durch Einfriedungen, die von geradlinig verlaufenden Gräben umgeben sind. Ihre morphologischen Merkmale sind sich sehr âhnlich und lassen auf ein gemeinsames Gehöftmodell aus gallischer Zeit schliefien.
L'approvisionnement et les structures en eau du château de Château-Thierry (Aisne) aux XIVe et XVe siècles
Authors: Blary François
Published: January 2011

Zusammenfassung: Bei den Ausgrabungen des beeindruckenden Küchentraktes des Schlosses von Château-Thierry (14.-16. Jahrhundert) konnte das hydraulische System freigelegt werden, das diesen Teil des Schlosses mit Wasser versorgte und es konnte untersucht werden, wie sich das System mit der Zeit verändert hat. Die Geschichte der hydraulischen Techniken und der dazugehörigen mittelalterlichen Strukturen ist noch wenig bekannt und kaum dokumentiert, insbesondere, im Fall befestigter Herrensitze. Die Analyse der archäologischen Fakten und der schriftlichen Quellen, die fur diesen Fundplatz zusammengetragen werden konnten, lassen den Bau und die Unterhaltung eines von einem sehr großen Brunnen gespeisten Versorgungsnetzes erkennen. Die Rohrleitungen aus Blei, die in einen Steinmantel eingebettet waren, speisten unterschiedliche Strukturen (Fischteiche, Becken, Küche...). Wie es scheint, war fur die Evakuation des Abwassers außerhalb der Schlossmauern ein befestigter Sammelkanal angelegt worden.
Work Organization and Health Issues in Long-Term Care Centers
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Flum Marian , Nobrega Suzanne , Blais Lara , Qamili Shpend , Punnett Laura
Published: January 2011

This qualitative study explored common and divergent perceptions of caregivers and managers regarding occupational health and safety, work organization, and psychosocial concerns in long-term care centers. Both common and differing issues were identified. Both groups agreed on the importance of ergonomic concerns, the high prevalence of stress, and receptiveness to participatory health promotion programs. However, numerous work organization issues and physical and psychosocial workplace hazards were identified by certified nursing assistants but were not mentioned by managers. The results suggest that different perceptions naturally arise from people’s varying positions in the occupational hierarchy and their consequent exposures to health and safety hazards. Improved systems of communication that allow frontline workers to express their concerns would make it possible to create solutions to these problems.
Taking on the Challenge of Clinical Teaching in Nursing Homes
Authors: Mueller Christine , Goering Mary , Talley Kristine , Zaccagnini Mary
Published: January 2011

While the goal of professional nursing programs is to ensure that students have a basic level of competency to care for older adults in a variety of care settings, the greatest challenge is to garner students’ enthusiasm about caring for older adults in nursing homes. To increase and strengthen the professional nursing workforce in nursing homes, schools of nursing must ensure that students have appropriately placed, well-designed, and innovative clinical experiences in nursing homes with faculty who are knowledgeable about the nursing home environment and the professional nursing care needs of its residents. Four factors identified as keys to success in developing exemplary clinical experiences for students in nursing homes include: (a) nursing homes with positive reputations and providing quality care, (b) faculty knowledgeable and enthused about nursing homes, (c) committed partnerships between schools of nursing and nursing homes, and (d) creative and innovative clinical teaching strategies.
Examining Nursing Practice with Older Adults Through a Historical Lens
Authors: Dahlke Sherry
Published: January 2011

Scholars have suggested that negative views toward older individuals are prevalent in Western society and that health care practices with older adults are influenced by these beliefs. In this article, a historical lens is used to examine health practices and social ideas about aging to provide a clearer understanding of the current challenges to nursing practice with an aging population. Parallels between nursing practices of the past and present are discussed. It is suggested that negative beliefs about older adults are related to social ideas that originated in antiquity and yet continue to influence social institutions and practices with an older population.
Functional Transitions of Nursing Home Residents with Middle-Stage Dementia
Authors: Slaughter Susan E. , Morgan Debra , Drummond Neil
Published: January 2011

Nurses and family members are key players responding to changes in the functional abilities of nursing home residents. This study compares families’ and nurses’ attributions and actions in the period immediately following the functional transitions of nursing home residents with middle-stage dementia. The walking and eating abilities of 120 residents were monitored every 2 weeks for a year. Observed functional losses triggered a total of 72 interviews with family members and nurses. Data were analyzed using quantitative description. Although both groups were more likely to attribute eating disability to dementia and walking disability to something other than dementia, there was less agreement in attributions for individual residents. Differences in attributions for functional losses can lead to disagreements about the appropriate course of action. Nurses working with family members toward a common understanding of the cause of functional decline will help inform a coordinated therapeutic response.
Promoting Continence in Individuals with Dementia
Authors: Specht Janet K.
Published: January 2011

Urinary incontinence (UI) is common in individuals with dementia as the disease progresses. The primary reasons for incontinence are often not related to pathology in the urinary system but are frequently attributed to losses associated with dementia. This article discusses the scope of the problem of UI in individuals with dementia, possible causes, and assessment methods, as well as interventions that can achieve improved outcomes.
Improvement in Visual Acuity Following Surgery for Correction of Head Posture in Infantile Nystagmus Syndrome
Authors: Kumar Anand , Shetty Shashikant , Vijayalakshmi P. , Hertle Richard W.
Published: January 2011

Purpose:

To report the effect of the abnormal head posture (AHP) correcting procedures on the visual acuity improvement in patients with infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS) and the visual acuity improvement outcomes in different AHP correcting surgeries in INS.

Methods:

This was a prospective, non-randomized, interventional study. Twenty-eight patients underwent the Anderson–Kestenbaum procedure or the modified Anderson procedure with or without tenotomy of at least one horizontal recti for correction of AHP. Best-corrected binocular null zone acuity and degree of AHP was recorded preoperatively and compared with those done 1 month postoperatively.

Results:

The average null zone logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution acuity was 0.42 preoperatively, which improved significantly to 0.33 postoperatively (
P
= .002). The AHP ranged from 10° to 40° (mean: 20.89°), which improved significantly to a mean of 3.21° (
P
= .000). No significant difference (
P
= .65) was found in the visual acuity improvement among patients who underwent the Anderson–Kestenbaum procedure or the modified Anderson procedure with or without tenotomy. No significant difference in the visual acuity improvement was seen in patients who underwent tenotomy of at least one horizontal rectus muscle along with the modified Anderson procedure compared to those who underwent the modified Anderson procedure alone (
P
= .28).

Conclusion:

The procedures used mainly for correction of AHP in INS do yield significant improvement in the visual acuity. This improvement is seen in patients undergoing surgery for both horizontal and vertical AHP.
Improving the Quality of Care of Veterans with Diabetes
Authors: Wynn Stephanie D.
Published: January 2011

The primary objective of this study was to provide and evaluate strategies beneficial in preparing psychiatric nurses to exercise clinical judgment needed for adequate assessment and care of veterans with diabetes. Psychiatric nurses completed a pretest evaluation of their knowledge of care for veterans with diabetes. During the intervention stage, a human patient simulator was used to create an interactive scenario for participants to propose a diagnosis and administer treatment. Clinical judgment attributes were evaluated during the simulation by instructors using a rubric. Participants then completed a posttest evaluation. In addition, data about medical transfer rates for veterans with diabetes were provided 1 month before and 1 month after project implementation. All participants (
N
= 20) demonstrated an increase on posttest scores. Medical emergencies decreased from 55% to 20% after project implementation, indicating improvement in the quality of care of veterans with diabetes.
The Development and Testing of an Instrument to Measure Successful Aging
Authors: Troutman Meredith , Nies Mary A. , Small Sara , Bates Amanda
Published: January 2011

This article reports the development and testing of the Successful Aging Inventory (SAI). Two hundred participants completed two versions of the SAI, a Likert format and dichotomous format. To test the validity of the SAI, participants also completed the Life Satisfaction Inventory-A, Purpose in Life Test, Mastery Scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Both versions of the SAI had acceptable psychometric properties. Principal components analysis resulted in five factors for the Likert version, accounting for 62.19% of the variance. The SAI shows promise as a measure of successful aging and also has the potential to be a useful method of tracking older adults’ overall progress and improvements in response to health promotion strategies. The next step is to evaluate its sensitivity and appropriateness for use with ethnic and racial minority older adults, and those with more varied health status.
La posición genealógica del ugarítico: la dimensión léxica. Isoglosas léxicas entre el ugarítico y otras lenguas semíticas. Conclusiones
Authors: Kogan Leonid
Published: January 2011

El presente artículo concluye una serie de publicaciones dedicadas al factor léxico en la clasificación genealógica de las lenguas semíticas. En el centro de la discusión están las isoglosas léxicas que reúnen el ugarítico con otras lenguas semíticas no cananeas: el árabe, el arameo y el acadio. En los dos primeros casos, tales isoglosas son poco numerosas, el que prácticamente excluye la posibilidad de una relación genealógica más o menos estrecha entre el ugarítico y el árabe o el arameo. En cambio, las relativamente numerosas coincidencias entre el ugarítico y el acadio parecen remarcables y necesitan una explicación diacrónica. En la sección final del artículo, se reafirma la afiliación cananea de la lengua ugarítica, enfatizando el probable nexo especial entre el ugarítico y el fenicio.
La obra astrológica de Abraham Ibn Ezra en dos códices castellanos
Authors: Alba Amparo , Sainz de la Maza Carlos , Sela Shlomo
Published: January 2011

En el presente artículo ofrecemos un estudio y comentario de las obras astrológicas de Abraham Ibn Ezra que han sido preservadas en dos manuscritos en castellano traducidos del hebreo en un entorno converso a finales de la Baja Edad Media.
¿Ante el primer diccionario monolingüe judeoespañol?
Authors: García Moreno Aitor
Published: January 2011

El presente artículo se dedica a estudiar las 131 entradas del vocabulario contenido en el texto sefardí El catecismo menor, traducido del inglés y publicado (Constantinopla, 1854) por la misión protestante escocesa de Alexander Thomson. En él, junto con la aclaración de formas en el contexto doctrinal del catecismo, encontramos no pocos casos en que la explicación dada en judeoespañol bien podría corresponder a la definición de cualquier diccionario al uso de la época.
Practical issues in the development of TTS and SR for the Sinhala language
Authors: Wickramasinghe RIP , Kumara KH , Dias NGJ
Published: January 2011

In this study,  discussed some issues that are arising in the development of Text-to-Speech (TTS) and Speech Recognition (SR) systems for the Sinhala language are discussed. There are numerous benefits of TTS and SR to Sinhala community. In the context of Sinhala language, the Natural Language Processing (NLP) technologies are in the primary stage in comparison with other languages such as English, French, German, Japanese etc. Since current TTS and SR development environments are far from being language independent, the existing systems cannot be adopted directly to the Sinhala language. This contribution outlines problematic areas that come across in the development of TTS and SR systems for Sinhala language. While discussing those problems, some of the possible solution strategies for both TTS and SR development have been formulated. Keywords: Text-to-Speech; Speech Recognition; Sinhala Language; Natural Language Processing.  DOI: 10.4038/josuk.v3i0.2739J. Sci. Univ. Kelaniya 3 (2007) : 63-72
Studies on antioxidant activity of Indian Gooseberry fruit and seed
Authors: Nadheesha MKF , Bamunuarachchi A , Edirisinghe EMRKBM , Weerasinghe WMSK
Published: January 2011

Fruits and seeds of Indian Gooseberry (Phylanthus emblica, S. Nelli) were investigated to evaluate their antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by the estimation of peroxide values (PV) of shark liver oil, treated with fruit and seed extracts incubated at 60°C for a period of nine days. Seed extracts showed higher antioxidant activity than fruit extracts. The ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of the fruit and all extracts of the seed were found to have higher antioxidant activity than the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT). Key words: antioxidant activity; peroxide value; synthetic DOI: 10.4038/josuk.v3i0.2741J. Sci. Univ. Kelaniya 3 (2007) : 83-92
PAR Genes: Molecular Probes to Pathological Assessment in Breast Cancer Progression
Authors: Uziely Beatrice , Turm Hagit , Maoz Myriam , Cohen Irit , Maly Bella , Bar-Shavit Rachel
Published: January 2011

Taking the issue of tumor categorization a step forward and establish molecular imprints to accompany histopathological assessment is a challenging task. This is important since often patients with similar clinical and pathological tumors may respond differently to a given treatment. Protease-activated receptor-1(PAR1), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), is the first member of the mammalian PAR family consisting of four genes. PAR1and PAR2play a central role in breast cancer. The release of N-terminal peptides during activation and the exposure of a cryptic internal ligand in PARs, endow these receptors with the opportunity to serve as a “mirror-image” index reflecting the level of cell surface PAR1&2-in body fluids. It is possible to use the levels of PAR-released peptide in patients and accordingly determine the choice of treatment. We have both identified PAR1C-tail as a scaffold site for the immobilization of signaling partners, and the critical minimal binding site. This binding region may be used for future therapeutic modalities in breast cancer, since abrogation of the binding inhibits PAR1induced breast cancer. Altogether, both PAR1and PAR2may serve as molecular probes for breast cancer diagnosis and valuable targets for therapy.
The Role of Imaging in the Management of Cardiorenal Syndrome
Authors: George Sajid Melvin , Kalantarinia Kambiz
Published: January 2011

Imaging of the kidney and the heart can provide valuable information in the diagnosis and management of cardiorenal syndromes. Ultrasound- (US-) based imaging (echocardiogram and renal US) is an essential component in the initial diagnostic workup of CRS. Echocardiography provides information on the structure and function of heart, and renal ultrasound is useful in differentiating between acute and chronic kidney disease and excluding certain causes of acute kidney injury such as obstructive uropathy. In this paper we overview the basic concepts of echocardiogram and renal ultrasound and will discuss the clinical utility of these imaging techniques in the management of cardiorenal syndromes. We will also discuss the role of other imaging modalities currently in clinical use such as computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging as well as novel techniques such as contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging.
Prevalence of Bovine Brucellosis in Organized Dairy Farms, Using Milk ELISA, in Quetta City, Balochistan, Pakistan
Authors: Shafee Muhammad , Rabbani Masood , Sheikh Ali Ahmad , Ahmad Mansoor din , Razzaq Abdul
Published: January 2011

A total of 200 milk samples from cattle () and buffalo () were evaluated using milk ring test (MRT) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA). The overall prevalence was found to be 3% and 8.5% in cattle and buffaloes using MRT and i-ELISA, respectively. The prevalence was 4.6% and 1.7% in cattle and buffalo using MRT, respectively, while i-ELISA exhibited 20% and 0% in cattle and buffalo, respectively. The prevalence was higher in government dairy farm, compared to privately owned dairy farm. This paper points out an alarming situation in the target area with respect to the public health significance.