bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Discriminative host sanctions in a fig–wasp mutualism
Authors: Wang Rui-Wu , Dunn Derek W. , Sun Bao Fa
Published: November 2013

In some mutualisms, cooperation in symbionts is promoted by hosts sanctioning “cheats,” who obtain benefits but fail to reciprocate. In fig–wasp mutualisms, agaonid wasps pollinate the trees (Ficus spp.), but are also exploitative by using some flowers as larval food. Ficus can sanction cheats that fail to pollinate by aborting some un‐pollinated figs. However, in those un‐pollinated figs retained by trees, cheats successfully reproduce. When this occurs, wasp broods are reduced, suggesting sanctions increase offspring mortality within un‐pollinated figs. We investigated sanction mechanisms of abortion and larval mortality against wasp cheats in the monoecious Ficus racemosa by introducing into figs 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 female wasps (foundresses) that were either all pollen‐laden (P+) or all pollen‐free (P−). The abortion rates of P− figs were highest (∼60%) when single foundresses were present. Abortion declined with increased foundresses and ceased with seven or more wasps present, irrespective of pollination. In un‐aborted figs, wasp fitness (mean offspring per foundress) declined as foundress number increased, especially in P− figs. Reduced broods in P− figs resulted from increased larval mortality of female offspring as foundress number increased, resulting in more male‐biased sex ratios. Overall sanctions estimated from both abortion rates and reduced offspring production strengthened as the number of cheats increased. In a second experiment, we decoupled pollination from wasp oviposition by introducing one pollen‐free foundress, followed 24 h later by seven pollen‐laden ovipositor‐excised wasps. Compared with P+ and P− single‐foundress figs, delayed pollination resulted in intermediate larval mortality and wasp fitness, which concurred with patterns of female offspring production. We conclude that fig abortion reflects both pollinator numbers and pollen presence. Sanctions within P− figs initiate soon after oviposition and discriminate against female offspring, thus reducing the benefits to cheats from adaptively biasing their offspring sex ratios. We suggest that costs to cheats via these discriminative sanctions are likely to promote stability in this mutualism.
Niches drive peaked and positive relationships between diversity and disturbance in natural ecosystems
Authors: Tanentzap Andrew J. , Lee William G. , Schulz Katharina A. C.
Published: November 2013

A unified understanding of the relationship between disturbance and biodiversity is needed to predict biotic responses to global change. Recent advances have identified the need to deconstruct traditional models of disturbance into intensity and frequency to reconcile empirical studies that appear to generate contradictory associations between species diversity and disturbance. We integrate results from theoretical simulation modelling, field‐based surveys of 5176 vegetation plots from 48 transects across 6 sites, and experimental pot‐based manipulations of flooding to identify how disturbance drives species diversity within ephemeral wetlands in South Island, New Zealand. We find empirical, hump‐shaped and positive relationships between species diversity and both disturbance intensity and frequency, mirroring patterns from a simulation model in which species differed in their demographic responses to disturbance. More generally, our simulations show that the relationships between diversity and disturbance shift from positive to hump‐shaped to negative as species that are favored at low disturbance because of their resistance strategies, defined by low mortality and recruitment, decline within communities relative to resilient species. Resilient species with higher mortality and recruitment rates are instead favored as disturbance intensity and frequency intensify. Our theoretical findings suggest that sites must also have a third group of unique species with intermediate resilience and resistance. Analyses of community composition along our disturbance gradients support this prediction, emphasizing that shifts in community‐level resistance and resilience drive empirical associations between diversity and disturbance. Overall, terrestrial plants may be unable to resist intense and frequent flooding, even with specialized traits. Only fast‐growing species with high regeneration from seed may respond once flooding subsides and dominate community composition in these situations, especially on nutrient‐rich soils. However, different strategies can co‐occur at intermediate disturbance, ultimately increasing species richness. As disturbances become more pervasive globally, our results suggest that differences in the niches of species, rather than demographic stochasticity, drive biodiversity patterns. These niche‐based processes may especially prevail, without accompanying losses in species richness, where sites are initially dominated by resistant taxa or life history strategies that balance resistance and resilience.
Preparing for NICU Discharge: Mothers’ Concerns
Authors: Raines Deborah A.
Published: November 2013

Purpose: To quantify mothers’ concerns in anticipation of their infant’s discharge from the NICU

Design: An exploratory, cross-sectional survey design was used.

Sample: A convenience sample of 150 mothers

Main Outcome Variable: The focus was the mothers’ concerns about their infant’s impending discharge.

Results: The mothers expressed confidence in their ability as a caregiver but expressed concern about being tired, the need for readmission to the hospital, and missing a change in the infant’s conditions.
Mothers on Methadone: Care in the NICU
Authors: Maguire Denise J.
Published: November 2013

When women addicted to opioids seek prenatal care, the treatment of choice is methadone.1,2Methadone mediates the addiction by reducing fluctuations in maternal serum opioid levels and protecting the fetus from repeated withdrawal episodes.3Methadone maintenance is associated with increased maternal weight gain, decreased illegal drug use, and improved compliance with prenatal care.4Although the risks are less when compared with street drugs, the risk to the fetus is physical dependence. Despite the magnitude of this national problem, there is a dearth of literature to guide NICU nurses on how to best support mothers of infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in the care of their infants. The purposes of this article are to review what is known about women in methadone treatment who have a history of opioid addiction and apply that evidence to guide neonatal nurses to support mothers of infants with NAS in the NICU.
Hybrid Parameterization for Robust History Matching
Authors: Khaninezhad M. Reza , Jafarpour Behnam
Published: November 2013

Identification of reservoir connectivity is critical for reliable production predictions and field-development planning. Field-scale connectivity is particularly important at early stages when costly development decisions are made. However, in developing fields, knowledge about reservoir flow-property distribution is subject to significant uncertainty. In addition, initial measurements of the dynamic response of the reservoir are too limited to resolve reservoir properties at a high-enough resolution. Therefore, reservoir identification problems must account for the limited data resolution and significant geologic uncertainty, and emphasize the importance of field-scale reservoir connectivity estimation. Under such conditions, parameterization of reservoir properties should primarily describe the large-scale flow connectivity. Parameterization techniques that are derived from prior information, such as the principal component analysis (PCA) or Karhunen-Loeve transform (KLT), can be biased by errors in the prior knowledge, whereas prior-independent methods such as the Wavelet or Fourier-based image-compression techniques are robust but do not take advantage of prior knowledge. We propose an effective approach for describing reservoir continuity by combining prior-dependent and prior-independent parameterizations to form a hybrid technique that possesses the advantages of both methods. We introduce a robust hybrid parameterization approach that is less sensitive to possible errors in the prior model and yet quite effective in reproducing geologic features if the prior knowledge is reliable. We apply the new method with conventional parameter reduction and sparse history-matching methods and show that the proposed method can identify reservoir continuity from available dynamic data under both correct and incorrect prior knowledge. In identification of reservoir continuity from limited (low-resolution) available data (particularly at early stages of development), accounting for geologic uncertainty becomes imperative. Hybrid parameterization offers a robust parameterization option that incorporates the prior knowledge about reservoir connectivity when it is reliable and reduces the degrading effect of prior information when the prior model is incorrect.
Semianalytical Production Simulation of Complex Hydraulic-Fracture Networks
Authors: Zhou Wentao , Banerjee Raj , Poe Bobby , Spath Jeff , Thambynayagam Michael
Published: November 2013

The application of horizontal-well drilling and multistage fracturing has become a norm in the industry to develop unconventional resources from ultratight formations. A complex fracture network generated in the presence of stress isotropy and pre-existing natural fractures immensely extends reservoir contact and improves hydrocarbon production.

A semianalytical method is presented in this paper to simulate the production from such a complex fracture network. This method combines an analytical reservoir solution with a numerical solution on discretized fracture panels. The mathematics is briefly introduced. Numerous case studies are presented, from a simple planar fracture to a real-field example from the Barnett shale. Production behavior and the key flow regimes are discussed.

With its simplicity, yet capturing the physics of the transient-production performance, this approach provides an accessible tool for people from multiple disciplines in unconventional-resource development to rapidly evaluate treated-well productivity and stimulation effectiveness.
On the Stability of the Edge of a Steam-Assisted-Gravity-Drainage Steam Chamber
Authors: Irani Mazda , Gates Ian
Published: November 2013

Steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) is a successful thermal-recovery technique applied in oil-sand reservoirs in which the viscosity of the oil (bitumen) is typically in the hundreds of thousands to millions of centipoise. For the in-situ production from bitumen reservoirs, bitumen viscosity must be reduced to achieve the mobility required to flow toward the production well. Many factors influence the efficiency and rate at which bitumen is mobilized. The controlling feature of steam-based recovery processes is heat transfer from the steam chamber to the formation—the greater the heat flux, the larger the oil volume heated, and the higher the oil-drainage rate. Previous studies have demonstrated that instability at the steam-chamber edge can enhance heat transfer there by creating limited-amplitude steam fingers that enlarge the heat-transfer area, thus leading to greater thermal efficiency of the recovery process. This, in turn, increases oil production. At this point, stability studies have focused on the instability between steam and oil at the edge of the chamber—none has examined the case between steam condensate and oil. In the research documented here, the stability between steam condensate and bitumen at the edge of the chamber is explored. Here, a steam-pressure diffusion equation at the moving chamber interface is derived. The perturbations of the pressure and condensate velocity are substituted into the pressure diffusion equation and Darcy's law to realize a linear-stability equation governing the growth of disturbances at the interface. The results show that the stability is controlled by moving-interface velocity and reservoir water-phase hydraulic diffusivity.
CEO and CFO Equity Incentives and the Pricing of Audit Services
Authors: Billings B. Anthony , Gao Xinghua , Jia Yonghong
Published: November 2013

The alleged perverse role of managerial incentives in accounting scandals, and the distinctive role of auditors in identifying and intervening in attempted earnings manipulation, highlight the importance of explicitly considering executive incentive plans by auditors in the auditing process. By empirically testing auditors' responses to CEO/CFO equity incentives in planning and pricing decisions using data from 2002 through 2009, we document compelling evidence that CFO equity incentives are positively associated with audit fees and CEO equity incentives are not statistically related to audit fees, suggesting that auditors perceive heightened audit risk associated with CFO equity incentives. Our further analyses reveal that the positive association between CFO equity incentives and audit fees is more pronounced in firms with weak internal controls, indicating heightened risk associated with CFO equity incentives in this setting perceived by auditors.

JEL Classifications: G30, G34, M42, M52.
A Critical Role for Thioredoxin-Interacting Protein in Diabetes-Related Impairment of Angiogenesis
Authors: Dunn Louise L. , Simpson Philippa J.L. , Prosser Hamish C. , Lecce Laura , Yuen Gloria S.C. , Buckle Andrew , Sieveking Daniel P. , Vanags Laura Z. , Lim Patrick R. , Chow Renee W.Y. , Lam Yuen Ting , Clayton Zoe , Bao Shisan , Davies Michael J. , Stadler Nadina , Celermajer David S. , Stocker Roland , Bursill Christina A. , Cooke John P. , Ng Martin K.C.
Published: November 2013

Impaired angiogenesis in ischemic tissue is a hallmark of diabetes. Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) is an exquisitely glucose-sensitive gene that is overexpressed in diabetes. As TXNIP modulates the activity of the key angiogenic cytokine vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), we hypothesized that hyperglycemia-induced dysregulation of TXNIP may play a role in the pathogenesis of impaired angiogenesis in diabetes. In the current study, we report that high glucose–mediated overexpression of TXNIP induces a widespread impairment in endothelial cell (EC) function and survival by reducing VEGF production and sensitivity to VEGF action, findings that are rescued by silencing TXNIP with small interfering RNA. High glucose–induced EC dysfunction was recapitulated in normal glucose conditions by overexpressing either TXNIP or a TXNIP C247S mutant unable to bind thioredoxin, suggesting that TXNIP effects are largely independent of thioredoxin activity. In streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, TXNIP knockdown to nondiabetic levels rescued diabetes-related impairment of angiogenesis, arteriogenesis, blood flow, and functional recovery in an ischemic hindlimb. These findings were associated with in vivo restoration of VEGF production to nondiabetic levels. These data implicate a critical role for TXNIP in diabetes-related impairment of ischemia-mediated angiogenesis and identify TXNIP as a potential therapeutic target for the vascular complications of diabetes.
Bir devlet hastanesinde acil servis çalışanlarına yönelik şiddet: şiddetin rapor edilme sıklığı
Authors: Vural Fisun , Çiftçi Seval , Fil Şükran , Dura Ayşe , Vural Birol
Published: November 2013

Amaç: Son yıllarda sağlık sektörü çalışma ortamında sağlık çalışanlarına ve hekimlere yönelik şiddet eylemlerinde artış gözlenmektedir. Diğer iş alanlarına göre sağlık sektöründe çalışan insanların şiddete maruz kalma riskleri daha yüksektir. Bu çalışmada, bir devlet hastanesi acil servisinde görevli sağlık çalışanlanlarına yönelik şiddet ve şiddetin rapor edilip edilmediğini araştırmayı planladık.Yöntem: Acil serviste çalışan 50 sağlık çalışanı ile yapılan yüz yüze görüşmelerde anket uygulandı. şiddete maruz kalma, sebepleri ve şiddetin rapor edilip edilmediği sorgulanmıştır.Bulgular: Bu çalışmada acil çalışalanlarının %82’sinin şiddete maruz kaldığı ve şiddete maruziyetin cinsiyet, yaş ve mesleki kıdemden bağımsız olduğu bulunmuştur. şiddetin en sık karşılaşılan tipi sözel şiddettir, daha az oranda fiziksel şiddet ve cinsel taciz gelmektedir (p
LeanergyTM: How Lean Manufacturing Can Improve Energy Efficiency
Authors: Riche Jean-Pierre
Published: November 2013

Energy efficiency has become a competitive issue for industrial companies. The evolution of energy prices and regulation will make this issue even more important in the future. For several years, the energy-intensive chemical industry has been implementing corrective actions. Helped
by the absorption of base load energy consumption by larger production volumes, specific energy consumption (KWh per production unit) has been significantly reduced in recent years. However, most plants have reached the end of their first action plan based on improving the utilities performance.
The LeanergyTM method developed by the consultancy company Okavango-energy, is a structured approach based on lean manufacturing which widens the scope of saving sources to process and operations. Starting from the analysis of actual production requirements, Okavango is able to adjust consumption
to minimum requirements and so remove any energy consumption that does not contribute to the added value creation.
Novel Cathode Material for Rechargeable Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Gronwald Oliver , Garsuch Arnd , Panchenko Alexander
Published: November 2013

This article describes the synthesis and characterization of a novel crosslinked polymer with tricyanuric acid core bearing tetrasulfide bridges as a novel redox polymerization electrode material for rechargeable lithium–sulfur batteries. The new material was synthesized by reaction
of stoichiometric sulfur monochloride amounts with trithiocyanuric acid and the structure of the redox polymer proven by the means of elementary analysis, infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Electrochemical evaluation of the polymer as electroactive cathode component showed cycling
stability up to 140 cycles after initial capacity of 650 mAhg–1 with 73% utilization of the theoretical specific capacity (893 mAhg–1) regarding the electroactive tetrasulfide moieties. Cell operation with excess amounts of electrolyte did not accelerate the
cell degradation, indicating that the reduced sulfur species such as lower polysulfides (Li2S, Li2S2) and tris lithium salt of trithiocyanuric acid are efficiently immobilized on the cathode side.
Impact of Innovations on Future Energy Supply – Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery (CEOR)
Authors: Bittner Christian
Published: November 2013

The International Energy Agency (IEA) expects an increase of global energy demand by one-third during next 20 years together with a change in the global energy mix. A key-influencing factor is a strong expected increase in oil and gas production in the United States driven by 'new'
technologies such as hydraulic fracturing. Chemical enhanced oil recovery (CEOR) is another strong growing technology with the potential of a step change innovation, which will help to secure future oil supply by turning resources into reserves. While conventional production methods give access
to on average only one-third of original oil in place, the use of surfactants and polymers allows for recovery of up to another third of this oil. In the case of polymer flooding with poly acrylamide, the number of full field implementations has increased in recent years. In the meantime new
polymers have been developed to cover previously unmet needs – such polymers can be applied in fields of high salinity and high temperature. Use of surfactants is in an earlier stage, but pilot tests show promising results.
Ordnung in die Anorganik Nachdruck aus: Nachrichten aus der Chemie 2013, 61 [Oktober], 1013
Authors: Wild Ferdinand , Studer-Rohr Irene , Zerbe Oliver , Alberto Roger
Published: November 2013

Im Dezember jährt sich die Verleihung des Chemienobelpreises an Alfred Werner zum hundertsten Mal. Wer war der Mann, der die theoretischen Grundlagen der anorganischen Koordinationschemie legte?
Three Bronze Medals for Switzerland at the 45th International Chemistry Olympiad in Moscow, Russia
Authors: Wicky Basile I. M. , Keller Sebastian F. , Meier Lucia D. , Frei Michelle S.
Published: November 2013

A team of four students from Swiss high schools, selected in a national competition and accompanied by their mentors, represented their country at the 45th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) held in July 2013 in Moscow, Russia. The exceptional performances of Patrik
Willi, Boris Stolz and Mario De Capitani in both practical and theoretical chemistry were rewarded by three bronze medals at the international level, reflecting their efforts during the year-long preparation prior to the competition.
Ecodrive Application
Authors: Ahn Kyoungho , Rakha Hesham A. , Park Sangjun
Published: November 2013

The research presented in this paper develops and quantifies the fuel savings associated with an ecodrive system that combines an ecocruise control algorithm and state-of-the-art car-following models. The system makes use of topographic information provided from a high-resolution map, the spacing between the subject and lead vehicle that can be obtained from a radar system or some form of vehicle-to-vehicle communication, a desired (or target) vehicle speed, a minimum and maximum desired speed, and a cruise control spacing threshold. The study demonstrates that the proposed system can significantly improve vehicle fuel efficiency without significantly increasing the intervehicle spacing. Specifically, fuel savings in the range of 27% are achieved with an average vehicle spacing of 47 m along a study section of Interstate 81. The study also demonstrates that regular vehicles can benefit significantly by following a lead ecodrive vehicle.
Comparison of Locomotive Emissions Measured during Dynamometer versus Rail Yard Engine Load Tests
Authors: Graver Brandon M. , Frey H. Christopher
Published: November 2013

For environmental emissions certification, locomotive prime mover engines undergo rigorous measurements with the use of federal reference methods (FRMs). However, there are nonregulatory reasons for engine emissions measurement, such as to compare relative differences in fuel use and emissions as a result of engine rebuild or between engines in a fleet. Portable emissions measurement systems (PEMSs) are widely used for highway vehicle and nonroad construction equipment but have had limited locomotive applications. The objectives are to (a) demonstrate an approach for quantifying locomotive emission rates with a PEMS during dynamometer and rail yard engine load tests, (b) compare the emissions measured in dynamometer versus rail yard load tests, and (c) assess the relative change in fuel use and emissions from engine rebuild. Measurements were conducted on 3,000-hp prime movers, including an EMD 16-645 for a GP40 and two EMD 12-710s for F59PHs. Fuel use and PEMS-based emission rates for nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter were compared between dynamometer and rail yard load tests and with data from previous literature. Fuel use and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emission rates after engine rebuild were lower for the GP40 prime mover, and the fuel use and NOx emission rates for the F59PH rebuilt engines were lower than those of the rebuilt GP40 engine. PEMS is not a substitute for locomotive FRMs if compliance certification is needed but provides useful data for comparative assessment.
Environmentally Conscious Highway Design for Vertical Grades
Authors: Ko Myunghoon , Lord Dominique , Zietsman Josias
Published: November 2013

This paper provides guidelines and tools for quantitative evaluations by means of fuel consumption and emissions for various vertical grade design conditions. Detailed vehicle operation conditions were represented by second-by-second speed profiles generated with the truck dynamic model and nonuniform acceleration and deceleration models. The rates of fuel consumption and emissions based on vehicle-specific power and speeds were extracted by using the recently developed Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator. The generated speed profiles were matched with the extracted rates and aggregated during a trip on the grades. As a result, the design vehicle consumed more than five times the amount of fuel on a 3,000-m graded segment when the vehicle had a speed reduction of greater than 20 km/h, as opposed to the vehicle with a speed reduction of less than 10 km/h. For emissions—carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons, and particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less—there were up to fivefold increases on the segment. Thus, controlling a speed reduction of less than 20 km/h can minimize adverse environmental effects from vehicle movements. In addition, this study shows that environmentally conscious vertical grade design is feasible and economically beneficial throughout the life of the highway. The provided guidelines and tools can reduce uncertainty for designing environmentally conscious highways and can be used as part of the highway design process.
Feasibility Study of Fuel Consumption Prediction Model by Integrating Vehicle-Specific Power and Controller Area Network Bus Technology
Authors: Wu Yizheng , Yu Lei , Song Guohua , Xu Long
Published: November 2013

With the development of automobile technology, it becomes possible to estimate fuel consumption by using the driving parameters from the electronic control unit (ECU) and output the calculation results via the controller area network (CAN) bus. As a result, it is feasible to design an approach for estimating fuel consumption by integrating vehicle-specific power (VSP) and CAN bus technology because of the accessibility and stability of the CAN bus. To determine whether the CAN-based measured data can be used to build the relationship between VSP and fuel consumption to replace the traditional fuel consumption meter, a comparison of fuel consumption data collected from the ECU and the fuel consumption meter is conducted in this study. Results show that the relationship between the fuel consumption rate and VSP bin built by the CAN bus data is consistent with the relationship derived from the fuel consumption meter; this finding indicates that the CAN bus technology can be used to describe the relationship between vehicle activities and fuel consumption rates for light-duty vehicles. In addition, a comparison of CAN-based measured data with VSP-based predicted data shows that the prediction approach that integrates VSP and CAN bus technology needs an aggregation level of 60 s or longer, which thus can be used to estimate a long period of fuel consumption accumulation and a fuel consumption factor for various travel speeds and road types.
Comparisons of Discretionary Passenger Vehicle Idling Behavior by Season and Trip Stage with Global Positioning System and Onboard Diagnostic Devices
Authors: Dowds Jonathan , Sullivan James , Aultman-Hall Lisa
Published: November 2013

This study addresses the comparisons of discretionary passenger vehicle idling by using field data collected from 20 volunteers in Vermont. Each volunteer participated in two 2-week data collection periods, one in the summer and one in the winter. Overall, 15.6% of vehicle-operating time was spent idling, consistent with the limited existing data on this topic. In addition, the paper describes a processing method used with an in-vehicle Global Positioning System and onboard diagnostic data that allows discretionary idling at the start and end of trips to be separated from the in-travel idling related to traffic or traffic control. Discretionary idling accounted for more than 6.5% of vehicle operating time. Discretionary winter idling events were found to be longer than summer idling events and, for idling events greater than 60 s, trip-start idling was found to be longer than trip-end idling. Both of these results reaffirm previous findings suggesting that there are opportunities for behavioral changes to reduce idling. The method used to extract discretionary idling is promising for widespread use and large sample data collection efforts. This method will be critical for the many communities that lack robust idling data when considering the costs and benefits of idling behavior change initiatives.
Statistical Study of Variables Associated with Particulate Matter Exposure Levels at Bus Shelters
Authors: Moore Adam , Figliozzi Miguel A.
Published: November 2013

This study expands on previous work that examined differences in exposure to particulate matter in and around bus stop shelters for passengers waiting along a busy urban corridor in Portland, Oregon. An extensive body of literature has demonstrated the negative health effects of exposure to particulate matter. Although concentrations of particulate matter were known to be greater near busy roadways, little research has been conducted on exposure in and around bus stop shelters. Two sizes of particulate matter were examined in this study: fine particulate matter of less than 2.5 microns in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) and ultrafine particles. Pearson association tests were run between particulate concentrations and three categories of independent variables: location, traffic, and weather. Significant correlations were observed primarily between particulates and weather (temperature and relative humidity). With 1-min data intervals, a series of log-linear regression models with and without lagged variables was used to estimate the effects of location, traffic, and weather variables on particulate concentrations. The presence of a transit bus stopped at the shelter significantly increased both sizes of particulate matter concentrations. Wind, temperature, and shelter location also had significant effects on ultrafine and PM2.5 levels. The estimated models for particulate concentrations inside and outside the bus stop shelters were compared to demonstrate differences in particulate behavior. Suggestions are made for shelter configuration given environmental and traffic considerations.
Advantage of Crescent Knife in Making Excision of Pterygium
Authors: Hossain Khandaker Anowar , Rashid Md Abdur , Islam AKM Rafiqul
Published: November 2013

A pterygium is a triangular sheet of fibrovascular tissue which invades the cornea. In the management of pterygium surgical excision is needed. Common practices in pterygium surgery are simple excision, excision with post operative b- radiation or tropical thio-TEPA solution(1:2000) or mitomycin-C solution(0.4%), excision with peroperative use of mitomycin-C or conjunctival autograft or amneotic membrane graft or lamellar keratoplasty of the affected part of the cornea. Recurrence is high in pterygium surgery probably due to facing difficulty for easy and complete separation of fibrovascular growth. So this is a search for new technique where easy smooth and complete separation pterygial tissue can be done with minimum surgical trauma and a good cosmetic look. This study was carried out at Faridpur Medical College Hospital (FMCH) from January 2010 to December 2011. A total 50 cases were selected for study. Technique of operation in all the cases were excision of pterygium with conjunctival autograft. In 50% cases, the head of the pterygium removed from the cornea with crescent knife and in 50% cases the head of the pterygium removed with tooks knife. The follow up period was 12 to 24 months. In the group- A, recurrence occurred in two eyes i.e 8% and succeed in 23 eyes i.e 92%. In the group-B, recurrence occurred in 6 eyes i.e 24% and succeed in 19 eyes i.e. 76%. So, higher success rate and low recurrence rate with good cosmetic look and minimum surgical trauma for those where crescent knife were used. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v8i1.16888 Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2013;8(1): 05-06
Outcome of Upper Gastro Intestinal Haemorrhage - a Hospital Based Prospective Study
Authors: Alam Md Towhid , Islam MM Shahin Ul , Ali Md Yusuf , Howlader Md Anisur Rahman , Fattah SK Abdul , Hossain Ahmed Manadir , Barman Rakhal Chandra , Saha Radheshyam
Published: November 2013

Upper GI bleeding is a common medical emergency with a significant mortality, outcome of which depends upon the cause, appropriate and early intervention in a specialized center. This study was carried out to see the outcome of patient with Upper GI haemorrhage. Fifty cases with episode of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage, admitted into medicine units of Faridpur Medical College Hospital from January 2011 to December 2011, were studied. Duodenal ulcer was the commonest cause of haematemesis and melaena followed by oesophageal varices, gastric ulcer and erosive gastritis. The peak incidence was among 35 to 45 years of age. Over all male female ratio was 4.55:1 but in case of duodenal ulcer it was 9:1. During hospital stay recurrent bleeding was noted in 10% of patients and during subsequent follow up it was 10% of the total and 50% in case of variceal bleeding group. Over all hospital mortality was 4% . DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v8i1.16891 Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2013;8(1): 15-17
Study of Efficacy and Safety of Triple Combination Agent (4% Hydroquinone, 0.05% Tretinoin and 0.05% Clobetasone Butyrate) in the Treatment of Melasma
Authors: Khan Md Mesbah Uddin , Ahamed Abu Reza Sayem
Published: November 2013

Melasma is a very common disorder of hypermelanosis affecting face. The pigmented patches usually affect darker complexioned individual especially Asian. An interventional study was carried out to detect the efficacy and safety of triple combination agent (4% Hydroquinone, 0.05% Tretinoin and 0.05% Clobetasone butyrate) in the treatment of melasma. Total 50 clinically diagnosed cases of melasma attending in outpatient department of Dermatology and Venereology, Diabetic Association Medical College Hospital (DAMCH), Faridpur were evaluated. Maximum patients (40%) were between 31-35 years of age and 80% were female. Sun exposure (60%) and contraceptive pill (36%) were common precipitating factors. Of them 54% patients have skin type IV, 24% patients have skin type III. Centrofacial melasma (64%) was the commonest pattern of melasma. MASI score at base line was 9.45, and after 12th week were 4.62. After completion of therapy there was remarkable reduction (51.11%) of severity of melasma. The triple combination agent were well tolerated and commonly observed side effects were erythema (34%) and burning (22%). This study demonstrates that every night application of triple combination agents has significant lightening effect in the treatment of melasma.a DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v8i1.16893 Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2013;8(1): 22-25
The Role of SPECT-Guided CT for Evaluating Foci of Increased Bone Metabolism Classified as Indeterminate on SPECT in Cancer Patients
Authors: Rahman M Hafizur , Ali Md Yusuf , Ahmed Sk Abdul Momen
Published: November 2013

Planar and SPECT bone scintigraphy has played a major role in the staging of many cancers such as breast and prostate cancer, as well as in orthopedics. Integrated diagnostic CT combined with SPECT has helped improve localization and characterization of skeletal lesions, improving diagnostic confidence and helping management decisions, over traditional SPECT. A major advantage has been improved characterization of indeterminate bone lesions and differentiation of benign from malignant lesions due to additional CT information. In this treatise the role of SPECT-guided CT for evaluating foci of increased bone metabolism classified as indeterminate of SPECT in cancer patients is reviewed. Using this approach, the diagnostic confidence in differentiating malignant from benign bone lesions should better with the fused SPECT/CT image than with separate sets of bone scintigraphic and CT images. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v8i1.16895 Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2013;8(1): 31-33
Management of Inflammation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-Update
Authors: Barman Rakhal Chandra , Alam Md Towhid , Islam MM Shahin Ul , Ahmed Sk Abdul Momen , Biswas Gonopati , Howlader Md Anwar Anwar Rahman , Fattah Sk Abdul
Published: November 2013

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a systemic inflammatory condition, the earliest manifestation of which is airway obstruction which is only partially reversible and the treatment rationales are provided accordingly. Research has shown that COPD-inflammation involves multiple inflammatory cells and mediators and the underlying pathology differs from asthma inflammation.For these reasons, therapeutic agents that are effective in asthma patients may not be optimal in COPD patients. COPD exacerbations are intensified inflammatory events compared with stable COPD. The clinical and systemic consequences believed to result from the chronic inflammation observed in COPD, suggest that inflammation intensity is a key factor in COPD and exacerbation severity and frequency. Although inhaled corticosteroids are commonly used and are essential in asthma management, their efficacy in COPD is limited, with only a modest effect at reducing exacerbations. The importance of inflammation in COPD needs to be better understood by clinicians, and the differences in inflammation in COPD versus asthma should be considered carefully to optimize the use of anti-inflammatory agents. Current COPD management focuses predominantly on symptom relief by optimizing bronchodilatation. The role of phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitors (PDE4), statins, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, theophylline and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors in COPD management will be reviewed. Targeting COPD inflammation with the goal of reducing exacerbations is a major focus of current clinical practice & outcome research. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v8i1.16897 Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2013;8(1): 34-39
A Case of Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation in a 10 Years Old Boy
Authors: Saha Aloke Kumar , Fattah Sk Abdul , Parvin Salma Shahnawas , Hossen Md Monowar , Biswas Barun Kanti
Published: November 2013

Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation (CCAM) is a relatively rare congenital pulmonary cystic disease. By ultrasonography prenatal diagnosis can be made and most baby born without complication. Some babies need surgery at the first year of life for recurrent respiratory tract infection. Here a case of CCAM in a 10 year old boy is reported who presented with recurrent respiratory tract infection and underwent surgical resection successfully. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/fmcj.v8i1.16900 Faridpur Med. Coll. J. 2013;8(1): 46-47
Detection of Toxic Effects of Clostridial Crude Toxin in Experimental Rats
Authors: Miah MS , Asaduzzaman M , Siddika A , Popy N , Sufian MA , Hossain MM
Published: November 2013

The present study was conducted for the detection of toxic effects of clostridial crude toxin in experimental rats. The crude toxin of Clostridium perfringens was prepared and the rats were injected intraperitoneally (IP) 0.5 ml, 1.0 ml and 2.0 ml of crude toxin. The rats were observed for 24 hrs. The crude toxin inoculated rats showed the dose dependent clinical signs; depression, rough hair coat, respiratory distress, diarrhea and rapid heart beats, whereas PBS inoculated rats did not show any clinical sings. Necropsy changes were variable however, highly dilated and distended whole intestine with blood stained semifluid contents and gas along with congestion in all the affected rats were found dose dependently. Liver, lung and kidney were congested, hemorrhagic and swollen. More or less hydrothorax was seen during the postmortem of all affected rats. The peritoneal fat was frequently congested in all affected rats. Histopathological changes in intestine (0.5 ml inoculated rats) involved congestion, slightly swollen goblet cells and hemorrhages. The most severe lesions comprised of profuse hemorrhages in the mucosa and submucosa with complete necrosis, desquamation and intense leukocytic infiltration in 2 ml inoculated rats. Affected liver (1 ml inoculated rats) exhibited engorgement of central veins, sinusoidal spaces with blood and fatty change. The hepatocytes revealed swelling, granulation and vacuolation of cell cytoplasm, extensive hemorrhage and congestion were seen in 2 ml toxin inoculated rats. Congestion and sometimes extravasation were observed in the subepicardial region of heart. The myocardium revealed mild degenerative changes in the form of granularity of myocardial fiber. In lungs there was congestion, hemorrhage and leukocytes infiltration in the interstitial spaces around the bronchioles in both 1 and 2 ml toxin inoculated rats. Affected kidneys of different doses of crude toxin showed hemorrhage, congestion and inflammatory cells dose dependently. From the above findings, it may be concluded that clostridial crude toxin induced clinical signs, gross and histopathological lesions dose dependently in experimental rats.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v21i1-2.16753 Progress. Agric. 21(1 & 2): 65 - 72, 2010
Dietary Supplementation of Lipid and Inorganic Phosphorus to Develop Environment-Friendly Feed for Young Red Sea Bream, Pagrus major
Authors: Sarker MSA , Satoh S
Published: November 2013

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary lipid and inorganic phosphorus supplementation on growth, retention and loading of phosphorus and nitrogen in young red sea bream. Two levels of lipid (190 and 250 g/kg) and two levels of phosphorus (14 and 19 g/kg) in the dry diets were tested. Four practical diets were formulated and coded as L0P0, L0P1, L1P0 and L1P1, respectively. Diet L0P0 was the fish meal-based (50% fish meal) control diet without addition of lipid and phosphorus (P). Diet L0P1 was supplementation of 2 % mono sodium phosphate to the L0P0 for providing 0.5 % P. Diet L1P0 was supplemented with 5% soybean oil and L1P1 was formulated with the addition of 5% soybean oil and 0.5% P. All diets were fed four times a day until satiation to duplicate groups of 25 fish (mean initial body weight 70.0 ± 1.3g) during 12-week feeding trial. At the conclusion of the experiment, growth and feed performance were lowest in the fish fed control diet, and significantly (P<0.05) improved by supplementing with P. On the other hand, lipid supplementation did not show any statistical difference among the dietary groups. The P and nitrogen (N) retention values for P supplemented diets were significantly (P<0.01) greater and reduced (P<0.01) both N and P excretion. This study demonstrated that, diet with the addition of inorganic P significantly improved fish growth, FCR, nutrient retention, and reduced both N and P loading while no addition of lipid is necessary.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v21i1-2.16761 Progress. Agric. 21(1 & 2): 131 - 139, 2010
Relative Profitability of Maize Production under Different Farm Size Groups in Kishoregonj District of Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin H , Rashid MHA , Akhter S
Published: November 2013

This study was conducted to estimate the relative profitability of Maize production under different farm size groups. Data were collected from randomly selected 74 maize growing farmers of which 25 were small, 32 were medium and 17 were large considering the scope and potentials of maize production at Kishoregonj district. To achieve the objectives of the study, descriptive statistical techniques such as sum, average, standard deviation etc, were used. The major findings of the study showed that per hectare average total costs were Tk. 30,147.54, Tk. 31,892.00 and Tk. 34,059.00 for small, medium and large farmers, respectively. Per hectare gross return from maize production were Tk. 61,730.00, Tk. 79,716.00 and Tk. 75,707.00 for small, medium and large farmers, respectively. Per hectare gross margins from maize production was estimated at Tk. 36,836.00, Tk. 53,096.00 and Tk. 46,871.00 for small, medium and large farmers, respectively. Per hectare average net returns of maize were estimated at Tk. 31,583.00, Tk. 47,823.00 and Tk. 41,648.00 for small, medium and large farmers, respectively. The findings of the study revealed that medium farmers earned higher profit than those of small and large farmers.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v21i1-2.16781 Progress. Agric. 21(1 & 2): 247 - 252, 2010
Chris Phillipson (ed.) (2013). Ageing. Cambridge: Polity Press, 218 pp. ISBN 978 0 7456 3084 7 (hardback)
Authors: Gilleard Chris
Published: November 2013

Ageing is one in a series of books published by Polity Press under the general rubric of “key concepts.” Written by one of the leading figures in social gerontology, the book consists of ten chapters divided into three sections. The first section outlines the socio-demographic nature of ageing, the second social divisions and inequalities in later life, while the third section addresses “new” pathways for later life. The aim is to outline the major characteristics and consequences of contemporary ageing societies and the changes in the institutions that once secured a place for old age.
Robust Flight Control Design to Minimize Aircraft Loss-of-Control Incidents
Authors: Hess Ronald
Published: November 2013

A pseudo-sliding mode control synthesis procedure discussed previously in the literature is applied to the design of a control system for a nonlinear model of the NASA Langley Generic Transport Model. The complete vehicle model is included as an appendix. The goal of the design effort is the synthesis of a robust control system to minimize aircraft loss-of-control by preserving fundamental pilot input—system response characteristics across the flight envelope, here including the possibility of actuator damage. The design is carried out completely in the frequency domain and is described by a ten-step synthesis procedure, also previously introduced it the literature. Five different flight tasks are considered in computer simulations of the completed design demonstrating the stability and performance robustness of the control system.
Dynamic Experiments for Bioprocess Parameter Optimization with Extreme Halophilic Archaea
Authors: Lorantfy Bettina , Seyer Bernhard , Herwig Christoph
Published: November 2013

The to-date studies on extreme halophiles were focused on shake flask cultivations. Bioreactor technology with quantitative approaches can offer a wide variety of biotechnological applications to exploit the special biochemical features of halophiles. Enabling industrial use of Haloferax mediterranei, finding the optima of cultivation parameters is of high interest. In general, process parameter optimizations were mainly carried out with laborious and time-consuming chemostat cultures. This work offers a faster alternative for process parameter optimization by applying temperature ramps and pH shifts on a halophilic continuous bioreactor culture. Although the hydraulic equilibrium in continuous culture is not reached along the ramps, the main effects on the activity from the dynamic studies can still be concluded. The results revealed that the optimal temperature range may be limited at the lower end by the activity of the primary metabolism pathways. At the higher end, the mass transfer of oxygen between the gaseous and the liquid phase can be limiting for microbial growth. pH was also shown to be a key parameter for avoiding overflow metabolism. The obtained experimental data were evaluated by clustering with multivariate data analyses. Showing the feasibility on a halophilic example, the presented dynamic methodology offers a tool for accelerating bioprocess development.