bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of a Healthy Media Use Intervention on Sleep in Preschool Children
Authors: Garrison Michelle M. , Christakis Dimitri A.
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND:

Although observational studies have consistently reported an association between media use and child sleep problems, it is unclear whether the relationship is causal or if an intervention targeting healthy media use can improve sleep in preschool-aged children.

METHODS:

We conducted a randomized controlled trial of a healthy media use intervention in families of children aged 3 to 5 years. The intervention encouraged families to replace violent or age-inappropriate media content with quality educational and prosocial content, through an initial home visit and follow-up telephone calls over 6 months. Sleep measures were derived from the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire and were collected at 6, 12, and 18 months after baseline; repeated-measures regression analyses were used.

RESULTS:

Among the 565 children analyzed, the most common sleep problem was delayed sleep-onset latency (38%). Children in the intervention group had significantly lower odds of “any sleep problem” at follow-up in the repeated-measures analysis (odds ratio = 0.36; 95% confidence interval: 0.16 to 0.83), with a trend toward a decrease in intervention effect over time (P = .07). Although there was no significant effect modification detected by baseline sleep or behavior problems, gender, or low-income status, there was a trend (P = .096) toward an increased effect among those with high levels of violence exposure at baseline.

CONCLUSIONS:

The significant effects of a healthy media use intervention on child sleep problems in the context of a randomized controlled trial suggest that the previously reported relationship between media use and child sleep problems is indeed causal in nature.
Culturally Tailored, Family-Centered, Behavioral Obesity Intervention for Latino-American Preschool-aged Children
Authors: Barkin Shari L. , Gesell Sabina B. , Po’e Eli K. , Escarfuller Juan , Tempesti Tommaso
Published: August 2012

OBJECTIVE:

To test the effect of a culturally tailored, family-centered, short-term behavioral intervention on BMI in Latino-American preschool-aged children.

METHODS:

In a randomized controlled trial, 54 parent–child dyads were allocated to the intervention and 52 dyads were allocated to an alternative school-readiness program as the control condition. Parent–child dyads were eligible if the parent self-defined Latino, was at least 18 years old, had a 2- to 6-year-old child not currently enrolled in another healthy lifestyle program, had a valid telephone number, and planned on remaining in the city for the next 6 months. The Salud Con La Familia (Health with the Family) program consisted of 12 weekly 90-minute skills-building sessions designed to improve family nutritional habits and increase physical activity. Both programs were conducted in a community recreation center serving an urban neighborhood of mostly Spanish-speaking residents.

RESULTS:

Forty-two percent of participating preschool-aged children were overweight or obese. Controlling for child age, gender, and baseline BMI, the effect of the treatment condition on postintervention absolute BMI was B = –0.59 (P < .001). The intervention effect seemed to be strongest for obese children.

CONCLUSIONS:

A skills-building, culturally tailored intervention involving parent–child dyads changed short-term early growth patterns in these Latino-American preschool-aged children. Examining long-term effects would be a prudent next step.
Haemophilus influenzae Type b Disease and Vaccine Booster Dose Deferral, United States, 1998–2009
Authors: Briere Elizabeth C. , Jackson Michael , Shah Shetul G. , Cohn Amanda C. , Anderson Raydel D. , MacNeil Jessica R. , Coronado Fatima M. , Mayer Leonard W. , Clark Thomas A. , Messonnier Nancy E.
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND:

Since the introduction of effective vaccines, the incidence of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease among children <5 years of age has decreased by 99% in the United States. In response to a limited vaccine supply that began in 2007, Hib booster doses were deferred for 18 months.

METHODS:

We reviewed national passive and active surveillance (demographic and serotype) and vaccination status data for invasive H. influenzae disease in children aged <5 years before (1998–2007) and during (2008–2009) the vaccine shortage years to assess the impact of the vaccine deferral on Hib disease. We estimated the average annual number of Hib cases misclassified as unknown (not completed or missing) serotype.

RESULTS:

From 1998 to 2007 and 2008 to 2009, the annual average incidence of Hib disease per 100 000 population was 0.2 and 0.18, respectively; no significant difference in incidence was found by age group, gender, or race. Among Hib cases in both time periods, most were unvaccinated or too young to have received Hib vaccine. During 2001 to 2009, there were <53 Hib cases per year, with an estimated 6 to 12 Hib cases misclassified as unknown serotype.

CONCLUSIONS:

The booster deferral did not have a significant impact on the burden of invasive Hib disease in children <5 years of age. Continued surveillance and serotype data are important to monitor changes in Hib incidence, especially during vaccine deferrals. Hib booster deferral is a reasonable short-term approach to a Hib vaccine shortage.
Thrombocytopenia in the First 24 Hours After Birth and Incidence of Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Authors: Sallmon Hannes , Weber Sven C. , Hüning Britta , Stein Anja , Horn Peter A. , Metze Boris C. , Dame Christof , Bührer Christoph , Felderhoff-Müser Ursula , Hansmann Georg , Koehne Petra
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND:

Experimental studies suggest that platelet-triggered ductal sealing is critically involved in definite ductus arteriosus closure. Whether thrombocytopenia contributes to persistently patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in humans is controversial. This was a retrospective study of 1350 very low birth weight (VLBW; <1500 g) infants, including 592 extremely low birth weight (ELBW; <1000 g) infants.

METHODS:

All infants who had a platelet count in the first 24 hours after birth and an echocardiogram performed on day of life 4 to 5 were included. The incidence of thrombocytopenia was analyzed in infants with and without PDA, and in those who did or did not undergo PDA intervention. The impact of thrombocytopenia, gestational age, birth weight, gender, and sepsis on PDA was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve, odds ratio, and regression analyses.

RESULTS:

Platelet numbers within the first 24 hours after birth did not differ between VLBW/ELBW infants with and without spontaneous ductal closure. Platelet numbers were not associated with subsequent PDA treatment. Low platelet counts were not related to failure of pharma-cologic PDA treatment and the need for subsequent surgical ligation. Lower gestational age or birth weight, male gender, and sepsis were linked to the presence of PDA in VLBW infants on day of life 4 to 5.

CONCLUSIONS:

Thrombocytopenia in the first 24 hours after birth was not associated with PDA in this largest VLBW/ELBW infant cohort studied to date. Impaired platelet function, due to immaturity and critical illness, rather than platelet number, might play a role in ductus arteriosus patency.
Fitoextração de cobre por espécies de plantas cultivadas em solução nutritiva
Authors: Zancheta Ariana Carramaschi Francato , Abreu Cleide Aparecida de , Zambrosi Fernando César Bachiega , Erismann Norma de Magalhães , Lagôa Ana Maria Magalhães Andrade
Published: August 2012

Dentre as tecnologias para remediação de solos contaminados, destaca-se a fitoextração. Uma etapa importante nesta estratégia é a seleção de plantas adequadas para áreas que necessitam de recuperação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial fitoextrator de cobre (Cu) por plantas de sorgo (Sorghum bicolor), milheto (Pennisetum glaucum), crotalária (Crotalaria juncea) e feijão-de-porco (Canavalia ensiformis). O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso e os tratamentos foram constituídos de quatro concentrações de Cu (0,8; 3,9; 19,7 e 98,4 µmol L-1) na solução nutritiva. Após 30 dias do início dos tratamentos, foram realizadas medidas de trocas gasosas em folhas completamente expandidas. Em seguida, as plantas foram coletadas, separadas em parte aérea e sistema radicular para avaliação de crescimento e acúmulo de Cu. O tratamento com 98,4 µmol L-1 de Cu na solução nutritiva inibiu marcadamente o acúmulo de massa seca da parte aérea das raízes das plantas. A condutância estomática, transpiração e assimilação de CO2 não foram alteradas até o tratamento com 19,7 µmol L-1 de Cu. O teor e acúmulo de Cu nas plantas foram proporcionais à adição do metal na solução nutritiva, porém, foram muito mais elevados no sistema radicular do que na parte aérea. O acúmulo preferencial de Cu nas raízes, embora diminua o transporte para a parte aérea e contribua para a tolerância das plantas ao metal, é limitante para o emprego da fitoextração. O feijão-de-porco teve maior concentração, acúmulo e transporte de Cu para a parte aérea, sendo uma espécie com potencial para ser utilizada em programas de fitorremediação de Cu.
Implications of the variability in soil penetration resistance for statistical analysis
Authors: Gubiani Paulo Ivonir , Reichert José Miguel , Reinert Dalvan José , Gelain Neiva Somavilla
Published: August 2012

Soil penetration resistance (PR) is a measure of soil compaction closely related to soil structure and plant growth. However, the variability in PR hampers the statistical analyses. This study aimed to evaluate the variability of soil PR on the efficiency of parametric and nonparametric analyses in indentifying significant effects of soil compaction and to classify the coefficient of variation of PR into low, medium, high and very high. On six dates, the PR of a typical dystrophic Red Ultisol under continuous no-tillage for 16 years was measured. Three tillage and/or traffic conditions were established with the application of: (i) no chiseling or additional traffic, (ii) additional compaction, and (iii) chiseling. On each date, the nineteen PR data (measured at every 1.5 cm to a depth of 28.5 cm) were grouped in layers with different thickness. In each layer, the treatment effects were evaluated by variance (ANOVA) and Kruskal-Wallis analyses in a completely randomized design, and the coefficients of variation of all analyses were classified (low, intermediate, high and very high). The ANOVA performed better in discriminating the compaction effects, but the rejection rate of null hypothesis decreased from 100 to 80 % when the coefficient of variation increased from 15 to 26 %. The values of 15 and 26 % were the thresholds separating the low/intermediate and the high/very high coefficient variation classes of PR in this Ultisol.
Carlos Chagas Filho: um articulador da história das ciências do Brasil
Authors: Domingues Heloisa Maria Bertol
Published: August 2012

Uma carta enviada em 1982 por um grupo de cientistas ao presidente do Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico reivindicava uma política de preservação da cultura científica brasileira. O nome Carlos Chagas Filho encabeçava a lista de assinaturas, a mostrar seu engajamento naquela proposta, cuja estrutura ideológica fez parte da sua vivência na política científica, no Brasil e no exterior. Esse documento remete à prática da história das ciências no Brasil e à criação de lugares de guarda e organização da memória científica, como o Museu de Astronomia e Ciências Afins, a Casa de Oswaldo Cruz e a Sociedade Brasileira de História da Ciência, cuja primeira diretoria Carlos Chagas Filho integrou.
Achieving sustainable resource networks
Authors: Baker Hannah , Clarke Barry , Owen Alice , Unsworth Rachael
Published: August 2012

The aim of achieving a sustainable society is partly dependent on providing an infrastructure to minimise resource flows and associated environmental damage in ways that enhance a community's aspirations and needs. This implies that civil engineers need to understand the impact of population growth and its changing aspirations, developing technology and means to limit environmental impact in order to maintain, enhance or create interdependent infrastructure systems that are multifunctional and operate within complex qualitative and quantitative systems. Developing an understanding of existing resource networks and the interventions and initiatives needed to create a sustainable future leads to a framework that permits political and business decisions to be taken. Such an understanding is essential for appropriate civil engineering solutions for the underlying economic infrastructure – an infrastructure that is now developed through the UK's national infrastructure plan. This paper reviews the interventions, initiatives and barriers that affect the transformation of the food network, as a case study, to a sustainable network. This is to highlight the need for the resource flows to be factored into the national infrastructure plan.
A new approach for simulation of non-Gaussian processes
Authors: Li Jing , Wang Xin
Published: August 2012

To realise the significant non-Gaussian features of the wind pressure acting on structures, such as high-rise buildings and roof structures, a new simulation approach is proposed for generating sample functions of multivariate stationary non-Gaussian processes. A standard cubic polynomial is proposed to represent the translation of a Gaussian process to a non-Gaussian wind pressure process. Then a set of non-linear equations is derived to determine the parameters of the polynomial. The relation for translation of correlation functions is obtained based on the properties of the Gaussian stochastic vector. Also, the weighted amplitude wave superposition method is employed to generate the underlying Gaussian processes. Further, the proposed new approach is demonstrated by simulation of the non-Gaussian wind pressure field acting on a large-span stadium roof. The numerical results show that the proposed approach is quite accurate and efficient. Hence the method is advantageous for wind pressure field simulation of structures with a large number of nodes.
Full‐Scale Investigation of the Influence of Flow Equalization and Prefermentation on Nitrification
Authors: Mikola A. , Rantanen P. , Vahala R. , Rautiainen J.
Published: August 2012

This article presents the findings on the effects of flow equalization and prefermentation on nitrification in a full‐scale municipal plant. Existing primary clarifiers in one process train were modified for diurnal flow equalization and for a low‐rate volatile fatty acid production. The performance of the biological process was compared with the parallel reference process train operated with conventional primary clarification. Only a few reports on the effects of equalization on nitrification have been published, but based on this limited knowledge, diurnal flow equalization was presumed to improve the nitrification performance. However, more constant flow conditions could not fully explain the improvements of autotrophic activity. The authors suggest that increased readily biodegradable organic matter played indirectly a role in nitrification performance. Moreover, stable flow conditions were reflected in improved sludge characteristics and offered, in addition to a levelling out of diurnal variations, a long‐term buffer capacity against high hydraulic loadings.
Phosphate Removal from Digested Sludge Supernatant Using Modified Fly Ash
Authors: Xu Ke , Deng Tong , Liu Juntan , Peng Weigong
Published: August 2012

The removal of phosphate in digested sludge supernatant by modified coal fly ash was investigated in this study. Modification of the fly ash by the addition of sulfuric acid could significantly enhance its immobilization ability. The experimental results also showed that adsorption of phosphate by the modified fly ash was rapid with the removal percentage of phosphate reaching an equilibrium of 98.62% in less than 5 minutes. The optimum pH for phosphate removal was 9 and the removal percentage increased with increasing adsorbent dosage. The effect of temperature on phosphate removal efficiency was not significant from 20 to 40 °C. X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope analyses showed that phosphate formed an amorphous precipitate with water‐soluble calcium, aluminum, and iron ions in the modified fly ash.
Effect of Artificial Aeration, Temperature, and Structure on Nutrient Removal in Constructed Floating Islands
Authors: Dunqiu Wang , Shaoyuan Bai , Mingyu Wang , Qinglin Xie , Yinian Zhu , Hua Zhang
Published: August 2012

To study the optimal performance characteristics and maximize the removal efficiency of contaminants by the constructed floating islands (CFIs), four kinds of parallel pilot‐scale CFIs with different structures were set up outdoors to treat eutrophic water for approximately 6 months. The contribution of artificial aeration to nutrient removal on the basis of gas‐water ratios was investigated, and the influences of the structure and temperature were evaluated simultaneously. It was noted that the nutrient removal rate of the multi‐medium CFI was greater than those of others. In the four kinds of units, aeration could significantly increase the nutrient removal efficiency, and a gas‐water ratio of 10 was adequate for the relatively high removal of nutrients. Using the aforementioned gas‐water ratio of 10 and a hydraulic residence time (HRT) of 2 days, the mean removal efficiencies of the multi‐medium CFI for NH3‐N and total phosphorus were 71.7% and 63.6%, respectively—approximately twice as great as those in the non‐aerated system. Furthermore, temperature was an important factor for nutrient removal in the multi‐medium CFI. With the water temperature of >13 °C and the HRT of 2.5 days, the mean removal efficiencies for NH3‐N and total phosphorus were 87.6% and 83.5%, respectively, whereas the removal efficiency decreased significantly when the temperature was lower than 13°C.
Influence of Near‐to‐Nature Stormwater Management on the Local Water Balance Using the Example of an Urban Development Area
Authors: Keßler Sabine , Meyer Berenike , Seeling Stephan , Tressel Elisabeth , Krein Andreas
Published: August 2012

Near‐to‐nature stormwater management aims at replicating the quasi‐natural local water balance and preserving the ecosystem's integrity of affected waters. Surface waters in the urban areas of Trier‐Petrisberg are managed by a separate sewer system in conjunction with a complex retention system. To investigate the effect of this alternative rainwater management practice on the local water balance, a differentiated discharge and groundwater monitoring network with a high spatio‐temporal measurement resolution has been implemented within the watershed. Additional information regarding the proportion and spatial distribution of discharge‐generating surfaces was provided through visual interpretation of aerial photographs. As a result of this analysis, groundwater levels were found to not be significantly affected by an increase of local sealed surfaces, and the ecologically‐justifiable maximum discharge in the tributary was infrequently exceeded. Regarding further building development and climate change, the hydrological load capacity of the retention basins will provide effective rainwater management, even with respect to increasing precipitation intensities and frequencies.
Overflow Risk Analysis for Designing a Nonpoint Sources Control Detention
Authors: Choi Chi Hyun , Cho Seonju , Park Moo Jong , Kim Sangdan
Published: August 2012

This paper presents a design method by which the overflow risk related to a detention for managing nonpoint pollutant sources in urban areas can be evaluated. The overall overflow risk of a nonpoint pollutant sources control detention can be estimated by inherent overflow risk and operational overflow risk. For the purpose of calculating overflow risk, the 3‐parameter mixed exponential distribution is applied to describe the probability distribution of rainfall event depth. As a rainfall‐runoff calculation procedure required for deriving a rainfall capture curve, the U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service runoff curve number method is applied to consider the nonlinearity of the rainfall‐runoff relation. Finally, the detention overflow risk is assessed with respect to the detention design capacity and drainage time. The proposed overflow risk assessment is expected to provide a baseline to determine quantitative parameters in designing a nonpoint sources control detention.
Possibilities of utilization of co-products from corn grain ethanol and starch production
Authors: Semencenko Valentina , Mojovic Ljiljana , Radosavljevic Milica , Terzic Dusanka , Milasinovic-Seremesic Marija , Jankovic Marijana
Published: August 2012

In recent decades, the expansion of alternative fuels production from crops
traditionally used for food and animal feed has led to significant changes in
the field of energy production, agriculture and food industry. Starch and
sugar feedstocks for ethanol production (corn, wheat, sugar beet, sugar cane,
etc.) require increasing arable land to meet market demands for the biofuel
production. Although intensive studies are being carried out in order to
identify improved and more cost-effective methods for the utilization of
lignocellulosic and communal waste in the production of alcohol fuel, the
possibility of using dry distillers? grains with solubles (DDGS), by-product
of bioethanol production from corn and wheat as well as alcoholic beverages
industry, is now in focus. Application of DDGS in livestock and poultry diets
in concentrations greater than traditional could positively affect the
economic viability of this biofuel production, but also stabilize the current
imbalance in the food and animal feed market. However, DDGS feedstuff should
not be treated as a perfect substitute for corn because the complexity of
ration formulation determined at the farm or feedlot level is driven by
energy and protein and other nutrient requirements, as well as their relative
costs in the ration. Nevertheless, processing of corn by wet milling provides
a multitude of co-products suitable for feedstuffs, food industry,
pharmaceuticals, chemistry etc. Some of the most important wet milling
co-products that have their use in feedstuffs are corn gluten feed and corn
gluten meal. The use of DDGS as a substitute for traditional feed could
prevent indirect land-use changes associated with biofuel production, and
therefore preserve the environmental destruction by saving the forests and
permanent pastures. The use of distiller?s grains can be beneficial to
biofuel growth as this is an additional, the second largest, source of income
accounting of 10-20% total income. In this paper, the possibilities of
by-products from corn grain bioethanol and alcoholic beverages production are
represented. Emphasis is placed on the dry distillers' grains with solubles,
which is the most abundant and for researchers currently the most attractive
co-product of bioethanol industry. Co-products from wet milling starch and
ethanol production have not yet been thoroughly investigated and therefore
represent an interesting subject for further research.
The costs of urinary tract infection therapy with implementation of pharmacoeconomic guidelines at the clinic for infectious diseases of the Clinical center of Vojvodina
Authors: Stefan-Mikic Sandra , Sevic Sinisa , Doder Radoslava , Cvjetkovic Dejan , Jovanovic Natasa , Ruzic Maja
Published: August 2012

Beckground/Aim. The Serbian health system does not have strict guidelines for
the treatment of bacterial infections. The choice of treatment is empirical
which is not necessarily the same compared to the treatment guidelines from
countries with a developed pharmacotherapeutic practice. In this study we
compared the difference between the current treatment and the treatment
taking into account the latest pharmacotherapeutic and pharmacoeconomic
guidelines in order to estimate clinical efficiency of antibacterial drugs
that were given as a therapy of urinary tract infections and to evaluate
pharmacoeconomic aspect of this therapy as well. Methods. Our study included
100 patients that were randomly chosen and divided into 2 groups. The first
group was treated in an ordinary way, while the second one was treated
strictly in accordance with the guidelines (British National Formulary - BNF,
and Senford Guide). In both groups of the patients we compared length of
hospitalization, combination of the used antibiotics, progress as a whole in
clinical picture, laboratory analyses and the price of the whole treatment.
Results. Analyzing these values independently and according to statistical
tests we proved that there were no significant differences between two groups
with regard to the progress in a clinical picture as a whole and the length
of hospitalization. According to this analysis, however suggested treatment
based on guidelines showed a saving of 34.48% in comparison with the usual
system of therapy. Conclusion. Efficacy of current treatment of urinary tract
infection and the treatment according to foreign guidelines is the same, but
the costs of the treatment are lower if the guidelines of developed health
care systems are applied.
Clinical and functional evaluation of patients with acute low back pain and radiculopathy treated with different energy doses of low level laser therapy
Authors: Jovicic Milica , Konstantinovic Ljubica , Lazovic Milica , Jovicic Vladimir
Published: August 2012

Background/Aim. The main clinical phenomena in acute low back pain (LBP) with
radiculopathy are pain and neurological disorders. Although some studies show
that low level laser therapy (LLLT) has the ability to modulate inflammatory
processes and relieve acute pain condition, the laser therapy dose protocol
has not been yet completely established. The aim of this study was to
investigate the effects of three different energy doses of LLLT in patients
with acute LBP and radiculopathy. Methods. The study included 66 patients
with acute LBP and radiculopathy who had been randomly divided into three
groups (22 patients each) received three different doses of LLLT. The
patients were treated 5 times weekly, for a total of 10 treatments, with the
following parameters: wave length 904 nm, frequency 3,000 Hz, average diode
power 25 mW; energy dose of 0.1 J per point in the first group, 1 J per point
in the second and 4 J per point in the third group; daily treatment time and
accumulated energy were 16 s and 0.4 J in the first group, 160 s and 4 J in
the second group and 640 s and 16 J in the third group, respectively. The
parameters of assessment before and after the therapy were: lumbar and leg
pain measured by visual analogue scale (VAS), local and general functional
changes (Schober test, manual muscle test, straight leg raise test and the
modified North American Spine Society-Low Back Pain Outcome Instrument-NASS
LBP). Results. Highly significant improvements (p < 0.01) were noted in all
the groups after LLLT with respect to all the investigated parameters. The
VAS scores were significantly lower in all the groups without a difference
between the groups (p > 0,05). Functional improvements were better in the
third group treated with the dose of 4 J per point than in other two groups
(p < 0.05). Conclusions. Three different energy doses of LLLT were equally
effective in alleviating lumbar and leg pain without side effects, but the
dose of 4 J per point seemed to be more effective in improving the activities
of daily living and lumbar mobility.
Responsibility of medical institutions for damages resulting from treatment
Authors: Mujovic-Zornic Hajrija , Petrovic Zdravko
Published: August 2012

nema
Severe acute caffeine poisoning due to intradermal injections: Mesotherapy hazard
Authors: Perkovic-Vukcevic Natasa , Babic Gordana , Segrt Zoran , Vukovic-Ercegovic Gordana , Jankovic Snezana , Acimovic Ljubomir
Published: August 2012

Introduction. Caffeine is indicated in the treatment of migraine headaches,
as well as neonatal apnea and bradycardia syndrome. In mild poisoning, the
most prevalent symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremor, anxiety and
headache. In more severe cases, symptoms consist of heart rythym
abnormalities, myocardial infarction and seizures. Due to its common
lipolytic effect, caffeine is used in mesotherapy, usually in combination
with drugs of similar effect. We presented a patient with acute iatrogenic
caffeine poisoning. Case report. A 51-year-old woman, with preexisting
hypertension and hypertensive cardiomyopathy was subjected to cosmetic
treatment in order to remove fat by intradermal caffeine injections. During
the treatment the patient felt sickness, an urge to vomit, and a pronounced
deterioration of general condition. Upon examination, the patient exhibited
somnolence, hypotension and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, which was
sufficient enough evidence for further hospitalization. On admission to the
intensive care unit the patient was anxious with increased heart rate,
normotensive, with cold, damp skin, and visible traces of injection sites
with surrounding hematomas on the anterior abdominal wall. Paroxysmal
supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) on electrocardiographic monitoring was
found. The laboratory analysis determined a lowered potassium level of 2.1
mmol/L (normal range 3,5 - 5.2 mmol/L), and a toxicological analysis (liquid
chromatography with ultraviolet detection) proved a toxic concentration of
caffeine in plasma - 85.03 mg/L (toxic concentration over 25 mg/L). On
application of intensive therapy, antiarrhythmics, and substitution of
potassium, as well as both symptomatic and supportive therapy, there was a
significant recovery. The patient was discharged without any sequele within
four days. Conclusion. A presented rare iatrogenic acute caffeine poisoning
occured due to massive absorption of caffeine from the subcutaneous adipose
tissue into the circulation when injected directly into the tiny blood
vessels, as evidenced by hematoma formation. Poisoning manifestations were
registered in gastrointestinal, CNS (anxiety, somnolence) and cardiovascular
(hypotension, ventricular tachycardia and nonsustained PSVT) system. In this
era of mesotherapeutic treatment promotion, one should keep in mind toxic
prevention, with application being carried out exclusively in a specialized
institution
Rapunzel syndrome
Authors: Petrovic Gordana , Nagorni Aleksandar , Bjelakovic Goran , Benedeto-Stojanov Daniela , Radovanovic-Dinic Biljana , Brzacki Vesna
Published: August 2012

Introduction. Trichobezoars are foreign bodies in gastrointestinal tract,
composed of hair. They occur mainly in children and adolescents suffering
from trichotillophagia. They commonly occur in the stomach, but as they
enlarge over time, they can extend through the pylorus into distal parts of
the small intestine resembling a tail. This rare form of trichobezoar is
named Rapunzel syndrome. Case report. We presented a 19-year-old female
patient, who suffered from trichotillomania and trichotillophagia, which led
to trichobezoar formation. Intra-abdominal tumour was suspected after initial
clinical examination. Abdominal echosonography, endoscopy and abdominal
computed tomography (CT scan) in the pre-operational period revealed
trichobezoar formation. The patient was operated on and subjected to further
psychiatric treatment. Conclusion. Trichobezoar should be differentially
diagnostically taken into consideration in younger women with abdominal pain,
nausea, vomiting, palpable abdominal mass and psychiatric disorders. Most
trichobezoar cases require surgical treatment, whereas the patients need
long-term psychiatric treatment and monitoring.
Paraganglioma: A cause of hypertension in a young patient
Authors: Rakonjac Natasa , Markovic Slobodan
Published: August 2012

Introduction. Collections of neuroendocrine cells dispersed throughout the
body are known as paraganglia and the tumor arising from these paraganglia
are known as paragangliomas. Paragangliomas located along side the aorta are
associated with the pheochromocytoma and they secrete and store
catecholamines. Case report. We reported a 29-year-old woman with episodes of
headache, palpitations, dizziness and sweats, associated with hypertension.
Elevated urine catecholamines were consistent with pheochromocytoma. Nuclear
magnetic resonance (NMR) was performed and the symptoms were caused by
associated mediastinal and retroperitoneal paragangliomas. The tumors were
surgically removed. In a 3-year follow-up period the patient had two
recidivate lesions, one of them was surgically removed, and for the last one
a 6- month follow-up was recommended, because urine cathecholamine level was
not significantly elevated and blood pressure was normal. Conclusion.
Clinical and imaging data of patients with extra adrenal paragangliomas are
not specific. Many of them may be asymptomatic even when the lesion is large,
but if tumor is functional, diagnosis may be easier. Patients should be
initially evaluated by determining catecholamine level, followed by
computerized tomography (CT) or NMR to locate the primary lesion. Since there
are no definite microscopic criteria for the distinction between benign and
malignant tumors, radical excision and prolonged follow-up is necessary.
KS0, Λ and ≡ production at intermediate to high pT from Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt {s_{NN} } $ = 39, 11.5 and 7.7 GeV
Authors: Zhu Xianglei
Published: August 2012

We report on the p
T dependence of nuclear modification factors (R
CP) for KS0, Λ, ≡ and the $\bar NK_S^0 $ ratios at mid-rapidity from Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt {s_{NN} } $ = 39, 11.5 and 7.7 GeV. At $\sqrt {s_{NN} } $ = 39 GeV, the R
CP data show a baryon/meson separation at intermediate p
T and a suppression for KS0 for p
T up to 4.5 GeV/c; the $\bar \Lambda K_S^0 $ shows baryon enhancement in the most central collisions. However, at $\sqrt {s_{NN} } $ = 11.5 and 7.7 GeV, R
CP shows less baryon/meson separation and $\bar NK_S^0 $ shows almost no baryon enhancement. These observations indicate that the matter created in Au+Au collisions at $\sqrt {s_{NN} } $ = 11.5 or 7.7 GeV might be distinct from that created at $\sqrt {s_{NN} } $ = 39 GeV.
Hydrophobization of epoxy nanocomposite surface with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyltrichlorosilane for superhydrophobic properties
Authors: Psarski Maciej , Marczak Jacek , Celichowski Grzegorz , Sobieraj Grzegorz , Gumowski Konrad , Zhou Feng , Liu Weimin
Published: August 2012

Nature inspires the design of synthetic materials with superhydrophobic properties, which can be used for applications ranging from self-cleaning surfaces to microfluidic devices. Their water repellent properties are due to hierarchical (micrometer- and nanometre-scale) surface morphological structures, either made of hydrophobic substances or hydrophobized by appropriate surface treatment. In this work, the efficiency of two surface treatment procedures, with a hydrophobic fluoropolymer, synthesized and deposited from 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyltrichlorosilane (PFOTS) is investigated. The procedures involved reactions from the gas and liquid phases of the PFOTS/hexane solutions. The hierarchical structure is created in an epoxy nanocomposite surface, by filling the resin with alumina nanoparticles and micron-sized glass beads and subsequent sandblasting with corundum microparticles. The chemical structure of the deposited fluoropolymer was examined using XPS spectroscopy. The topography of the modified surfaces was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The hydrophobic properties of the modified surfaces were investigated by water contact and sliding angles measurements. The surfaces exhibited water contact angles of above 150° for both modification procedures, however only the gas phase modification provided the non-sticking behaviour of water droplets (sliding angle of 3°). The discrepancy is attributed to extra surface roughness provided by the latter procedure.
Perception of Bank Customers about Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Service Quality
Authors: Dhungel Amar , Acharya Banodita , Upadhyay-Dhungel Kshitiz
Published: August 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bj.v2i2.6620Banking Journal, Volume 2 (Issue 2) 22-38
International Financial System and WTO in the Context of Economic Perspective
Authors: Regmi Suman Kumar
Published: August 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bj.v2i2.6621Banking Journal, Volume 2 (Issue 2) 39-47
Study on the Cost of Establishing Community Pharmacy in Lalitpur and the Role of Banks
Authors: Bajracharya Omi , Upadhyay-Dhungel Kshitiz
Published: August 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bj.v2i2.6622  Banking Journal, Volume 2 (Issue 2) 48-63
Is the Central Bank Gone Mad: Executive Compensation with Reference to the Nepalese Banking Industry
Authors: Bhatta Kiran Prasad
Published: August 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bj.v2i2.6623Banking Journal, Volume 2 (Issue 2) 64-96
Effect of molybdenum addition on fracture toughness and hardness of Fe2B in Fe–B–C cast alloy
Authors: Huang Zhifu , Xing Jiandong , Tao Xiang
Published: August 2012

The effect of molybdenum addition on the fracture toughness and micro-hardness of Fe2B in Fe-B-C alloy was investigated. The results indicate that, with the increase in molybdenum addition, the micro-hardness of Fe2B increases and its fracture toughness first increases and then decreases. Compared with the fracture toughness (3.8 MPa · m1/2) of Fe2B without molybdenum addition, its toughness at 2.14 wt.% molybdenum addition can be nearly doubled, achieving 7.4 MPa · m1/2. The wear result indicates that increasing the toughness of Fe2B may distinctly improve the wear resistance of Fe-B-C alloy and the wear resistance is improved by around 35% in this experimental condition.
Registration of ‘Dana’—A Bittering Hop Cultivar with a Pleasant Hoppy Aroma
Authors: Čerenak Andreja , Radišek Sebastjan , Luskar Monika O. , Košir Iztok J.
Published: August 2012

Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) is a perennial plant used mainly in the brewing industry because of its bitter and aromatic substances. Consequently, hop varieties are divided into two groups: those with aroma and those with high α‐acid content. Since the Slovenian varieties are all of the aroma type, the development of a variety with a high α‐acid content was our objective. ‘Dana’ (Reg. No. CV‐29, PI 665033), which was developed at the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing through screening and breeding techniques, expresses an aromatic hop character as well as a high α‐acid content. It has brewing characteristics that are comparable with other hop varieties that are well known worldwide, giving Dana the opportunity to be a very good substitute for them in the brewing industry. Dana is moderately resistant to primary downy mildew (caused by Pseudoperonospora humuli Miyabe and Takah. G.W. Wilson) infection, has resistance to secondary downy mildew infections of cones, and has established virus‐ and viroid‐free nuclear stock material. The release of Dana should increase the production of the α‐acid group in Slovenia, since it is the first high‐α‐acid‐content variety produced in Slovenia that is well adapted to Slovenian pedoclimatic conditions.
Release of Autumn‐Sown Pea Germplasm PS03101269 with Food‐Quality Seed Characteristics
Authors: McGee Rebecca J. , McPhee Kevin E.
Published: August 2012

PS03101269 (Reg. No. GP‐107, PI 663943) pea (Pisum sativum L.) germplasm was developed by the USDA‐ARS in cooperation with the Washington Agricultural Research Center, Pullman, WA and North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND. PS03101269 is an autumn‐sown pea with green cotyledons and a clear seed coat. It was bred specifically for high‐value, food‐quality seed characteristics and adaptation to harsh winter conditions. It was jointly released by the USDA‐ARS and North Dakota State University as a breeding line in 2011. PS03101269 was developed using a modified bulk pedigree system. It was identified as an F6 selection from the cross CAH‐61/‘Granger’ (cross number X98P096). PS03101269 was evaluated in autumn‐sown yield trials for a total of 12 location‐ years in Washington. Across all locations, the grain yield of PS03101269 averaged 2354 kg ha−1, and the plants reached maturity in approximately 250 d. PS03101269 is semileafless and has long internodes and white, unpigmented flowers. The average 100‐seed weight is 15.4 g. Due to its relatively small seed size, it is anticipated that the primary use of PS03101269 will be by breeders in the development of autumn‐sown food‐quality pea cultivars. Secondarily, it is expected that this germplasm will be used as a forage or cover crop variety.
Registration of ‘Ezra’ Alfalfa
Authors: Viands D. R. , Hansen J. L. , Crawford J. L.
Published: August 2012

‘Ezra’ (Reg. No. CV‐207, PI 664904) alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was developed by Cornell University for higher forage yield and multiple disease resistance. After evaluating it as experimental designation NY 0240, Ezra was released by the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station. This cultivar is the result of a cross between two populations. The first population was derived by completing one cycle of selection for resistance to Phytophthora root rot (caused by Phytophthora megasperma Drechs. f. sp. medicaginis Kuan & Erwin) in ‘Seedway 9558’. The second population traces back to a cross between ‘Magnum III’, which had been selected for resistance to anthracnose (Race 1) (caused by Colletotrichum trifolii Bain & Essary) and to Verticillium wilt (caused by Verticillium albo‐atrum Reinke & Berth.), and plants from multiple Cornell breeding populations related to ‘Oneida VR’, the resulting population which had been further selected for resistance to Verticillium wilt, anthracnose (Race 1), and Phytophthora root rot. Full‐sib crosses between the first and second populations were made by hand (125 plants per population) by crossing an individual plant from one population with one plant from the other population. Equal amounts of seed from each full‐sib cross were bulked to form Syn. 1 seed. Ezra is adapted to the North Central and Northeast regions of the United States and has fall dormancy similar to the FD3 check. Flower color is 78% purple and 22% variegated, with traces of yellow, cream, and white. Pod shape is 76% tightly coiled, 21% loosely coiled, and 3% crescent. Ezra has high resistance to anthracnose (Race 1) and Fusarium wilt [caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. f. sp. medicaginis (Weimer) Snyd. & Hans.] and resistance to Verticillium wilt, bacterial wilt, and Phytophthora root rot. It is susceptible to Aphanomyces root rot (Race 1) (caused by Aphanomyces euteiches Drechs.).
Registration of ‘Riley’ Winter Canola
Authors: Stamm M. , Berrada A. , Buck J. , Cabot P. , Claassen M. , Cramer G. , Dooley S. J. , Godsey C. , Heer W. , Holman J. , Johnson J. , Kochenower R. , Krall J. , Ladd D. , Moore J. , O'Neill M. K. , Pearson C. , Phillips D. V. , Rife C. L. , Santra D. , Sidwell R. , Sij J. , Starner D. , Wiebold W.
Published: August 2012

‘Riley’ (Reg. No. CV‐24, PI 663949), a canola‐quality winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), was developed and released by the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station. Riley is a selection from the cross with pedigree KS3580/‘Jetton.’ Riley was tested in regional yield trials as the experimental variety KS4158 and was an entry in the National Winter Canola Variety Trial from 2008 through 2010. Riley was released because of its disease tolerance, improved oil content, and superior yield compared with ‘Wichita’ and other check varieties. The fatty acid profile and glucosinolate content of the meal of Riley are excellent quality. Riley had significantly greater yield than all check cultivars (P < 0.05), yielding 113% of Wichita and 116% of ‘DKW46‐15’. Through 27 site‐years on the southern Great Plains and High Plains, Riley averaged 400 g kg−1 total oil compared with Wichita's average of 388 g kg−1 (P < 0.05). The performance record of Riley suggests an increase in yield and consistency among commercial cultivars. As winter canola is planted on more hectares, demand is growing for improved genotypes.
Registration of ‘Saluki 4411’ Soybean with Resistance to Sudden Death Syndrome and HG Type 0 (Race 3) Soybean Cyst Nematode
Authors: Kantartzi Stella K. , Klein James , Schmidt Michael
Published: August 2012

‘Saluki 4411’ (Reg. No. CV‐506, PI 665036), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], tested under the name LS05‐3229, was developed by Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. It was jointly released by Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, and the University of Missouri–Columbia in the spring of 2011. The main objective of the release of Saluki 4411 was to make available to producers and researchers a high‐yielding cultivar with disease resistance to soybean cyst nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) and sudden death syndrome (SDS; caused by Fusarium virguliforme O’ Donnell & T. Aoki, sp. nov.), the most important pest and disease of soybeans in the Midwest. Saluki 4411 is an F5–derived line developed from a cross between ‘LS93‐0375’ and ‘Ina’ and advanced from the F2 generation by the modified single‐seed descent method. In southern Illinois yield trials conducted over 4 yr (2007–2010) combining 20 tests, Saluki 4411 exhibited a yield of 3844 kg ha−1, 6.5% better than its parental line LS93‐0375. It also yielded 1.4% more than ‘LD00‐3309’ and 1.2% more than ‘LD00‐2817P’ from 2008 to 2010 in both the Uniform Soybean Tests, Northern Region (Uniform Tests) and the Northern Regional SCN Test. Saluki 4411 has a relative maturity of 4.4 and was released in the spring of 2011 because of its competitive seed‐yield performance and its high level of resistance to SCN HG Type 0 (Race 3) and to SDS.
Registration of ‘MSU E5024’ Wheat
Authors: Lewis Janet M. , Siler Lee , Ellis Donna , Souza Edward , Ng Perry K.W. , Dong Yanhong , Brown-Guedira Gina , Jiang Guo-Liang , Ward Richard W.
Published: August 2012

‘MSU E5024’ (Reg. No. CV‐1077, PI 664078) soft white winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed by Michigan State University (MSU) AgBioResearch and released in 2011 via exclusive licensing agreements through MSU Technologies. In addition to researchers at MSU, USDA‐ARS researchers at the Soft Wheat Quality Laboratory (Wooster, OH) conducted quality evaluations during the development of MSU E5024. Deoxynivalenol testing was performed at the University of Minnesota, and molecular marker analyses were performed at the USDA‐ARS Regional Small Grains Genotyping Laboratory (Raleigh, NC). The objective of the cross was to create a high‐yielding soft white winter wheat cultivar adapted to Michigan and the surrounding region with good agronomic performance, acceptable quality, and good disease resistance. Soft white winter wheat is used in many wheat‐related industries and is a large portion of the wheat market in Michigan. MSU E5024 (experimental number E5024) is an F7–derived line developed using pedigree breeding. MSU E5024 exhibits a stable and high level of performance, including good yield, high test weight, resistance to powdery mildew [caused by Blumeria graminis (DC.) E.O. Speer], and improved resistance to Fusarium head blight (caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe) and preharvest sprouting. MSU E5024 is short, white chaffed, and awned. MSU E5024 is well adapted to Michigan and to Ontario, Canada).
Registration of High‐Breeding‐Value Male Hop Germplasm USDA 21272M
Authors: Henning John A. , Haunold Alfred
Published: August 2012

USDA 21272M (Reg. No. GP‐34, PI 664286) was released to the public on 6 Dec. 2011. This germplasm has been utilized by USDA‐ARS for hop (Humulus lupulus L. var. lupulus) varietal development for several decades. Nonagency interest in this germplasm was expressed and release of this material is considered beneficial for the U.S. public. USDA 21272M originated as a cross, performed by USDA‐ARS at Corvallis, OR in 1973, between the hop cultivar Northern Brewer and male accession USDA 21110M. The unique characteristics of this germplasm are demonstrated superior breeding value as well as moderate resistance to downy mildew. USDA 21272M is used primarily as a male parent for α‐type hop variety development. The release of USDA 21272M will provide both public and private breeders with new germplasm for varietal development.