bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multicenter Cohort Study of Histologic Findings and Long-Term Outcomes of Kidney Disease in Women Who Have Been Pregnant
Authors: Webster Philip , Webster Louise M. , Cook H. Terence , Horsfield Catherine , Seed Paul T. , Vaz Raquel , Santos Clara , Lydon Isabelle , Homsy Michele , Lightstone Liz , Bramham Kate
Published: December 2016

Background and objectives

For many women pregnancy is the first contact with health services, thus providing an opportunity to identify renal disease. This study compares causes and long-term renal outcomes of biopsy-proven renal disease identified during pregnancy or within 1 year postpartum, with nonpregnant women.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Native renal biopsies (1997–2012), in women of childbearing age (16 to <50 years), from 21 hospitals were studied. The pregnancy-related diagnosis group included those women with abnormal urinalysis/raised creatinine identified during pregnancy or within 1 year postpartum. Pregnancy-related and control biopsies were matched for age and ethnicity (black versus nonblack).

Results

One hundred and seventy-three pregnancy-related biopsies (19 antenatal, 154 postpregnancy) were identified and matched with 1000 controls. FSGS was more common in pregnancy-related biopsies (32.4%) than controls (9.7%) (P<0.001) but there were no differences in Columbia classification. Women with a pregnancy-related diagnosis were younger (32.1 versus 34.2 years; P=0.004) and more likely to be black (26.0% versus 13.3%; P<0.001) than controls, although there were no differences in ethnicities in women with FSGS. The pregnancy-related group (excluding antenatal biopsies) was more likely to have a decline in Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration eGFR in the follow-up period than the control group (odds ratio, 1.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 2.71; P=0.04), and this decline appeared to be more rapid (−1.33 versus −0.56 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year, respectively; P=0.045). However, there were no differences between groups in those who required RRT or who died.

Conclusions

Pregnancy is an opportunity to detect kidney disease. FSGS is more common in women who have been pregnant than in controls, and disease identified in pregnancy or within 1 year postpartum is more likely to show a subsequent decline in renal function. Further work is required to determine whether pregnancy initiates, exacerbates, or reveals renal disease.
Relationship between CEO pay and total shareholder return: An empirical analysis in the Italian context
Authors: Cucari Nicola , Giuseppe Mazza , Costantini Martina , Sancetta Giuseppe
Published: December 2016

This study examines the relationship between CEO Pay and total shareholder return, using data between 2008-2014 from Italian listed firms (FTSE MIB). We perform panel data regression analysis of CEO compensation on financial performance, and in this way we refer to research made by Gigliotti (2013), but we extend it considering the Total Shareholder Return instead of accounting based performance. TSR has become a crucial measure in a pay-for-performance approach for different reasons. Our results indicate that there is not a significant relationship between CEO compensation and corporate performance during 2008-2014. These results contribute to our understanding of the pay for performance mechanism in times of financial disturbance, highly relevant to the existing debate considering CEO compensation
Ultimate ownership structure and capital structure: evidence from Chinese listed companies
Authors: Lingmin Xie
Published: December 2016

This study investigates the impact of the ultimate corporate ownership structure, particularly the divergence of ultimate controlling shareholder’s control rights and cash flow rights, on the capital structure decisions among firms listed in Chinese market where the legal protection for creditors and minority shareholders is weak. I find that firms with a wider divergence between the ultimate controlling shareholder’s control rights and cash flow rights have significantly higher leverage level of capital structure. I also identify factors that affect this relation, including state ownership, institutional ownership, the presence of large tradable shareholders and NTS reform. My results suggest that leverage-increasing motivation of ultimate controlling shareholders with the risk of expropriation dominates in Chinese market and raising debt is a tool for them to maintain control over resources and corporate decisions to facilitate their self-dealing expropriation
Determinants of profit ability in banking: an international comparative study of islamic, conventional and socially responsible banks
Authors: Alharthi Majed
Published: December 2016

This study aims to find the determinants of profitability in Islamic, conventional, socially responsible banks covering the period 2005-2012. This paper applies profitability’s indicators as the return on assets (ROA), return on equities (ROE) and net interest margin (NIM) ratios. The statistical approach to find factors of profitability is OLS. The highest ROA and ROE were attained by conventional banks, whereas, SRBs scored the lowest ROA and ROE. By contrast, the SRBs scored the highest NIM measures, while conventional banks have the minimum NIM ratios. Based on Islamic banks’ results, Islamic banking was affected positively by size and z-score while, capital ratio, GDP and inflation decreased earnings significantly. Also, conventional banks were more profitable with higher size, capitalisation, loans and z-score. Finally, SRBs earnings have positive and significant relationships with z-score and market capitalisation growth. On the other side, foreign, domestic and public ownerships impacted the profits badly. According to industry-specific variables, market capitalisation development supported the profitability ratios whereas, GDP growth reduced the profits. This study helps managers and policy makers in banking sector to increase the profits with lower risks by concentrating on positive factors.
Technological innovations performance and public-private-partnerships
Authors: Saruchera Fanny , Phiri Maxwell Agabu
Published: December 2016

The research institutes’ dilemma in successfully bringing their breakthrough technological innovations to the market has remained major concern in most developing economies. Zimbabwe is no exception. The theory of Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs) and their increasing applicability in especially the provision of public facilities and services has commanded some research interest worldwide. However, not much attempts have been made to unlock the value in the PPP’s capability in enhancing commercialization of technological innovations, worst still from a developing economy’s perspective. This paper explores the role of PPPs in ensuring successful Research and Development, and Commercialization (R & D-C) of research outcomes. Guided by a systematic literature review on key success factors of PPPs, cases of two forms of PPPs (a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) PPP, and a concession contract) were studied and their operations were monitored and evaluated, in comparison to institutes not engaged in any partnership – to supplement data obtained through key informant interviews. The study established that research institutes engaged in PPPs had relatively fewer commercialization challenges for their output as compared to those who were not engaged. However, it emerged that there are limitations regarding observance of the critical success factors, thereby hindering progress of the prevailing PPPs. The findings of this study imply that there are limited understandings surrounding the value that could be unlocked in commercializing research institutes’ innovations through PPPs. To the few existing PPPs, there is lack of integrative frameworks for the management of, and success of the PPPs. Anchored on promoting ideal collaborations in which all key values are honoured, the study proposes a framework that emphasizes a collaboration in which the public research institute concentrates on research and development, while the private firm partner uses her market analytics to focus on getting the product to the market.
Reasons for and implications of the presence of institutional investors in the ownership structure of Brazilian companies
Authors: de Andrade Lélis Pedro , Angel Bressan Aureliano , Iquiapaza Robert Aldo , Mendes-Da-Silva Wesley
Published: December 2016

Using 3,057 observations from 2000 to 2012, we found the risk of expropriation of minority shareholders by controlling shareholders is positively associated with participation of institutional investors in equity funding. There is no evidence that these investors increase the likelihood of substituting the chief executive officer or increase the company’s value or its financial performance. However, the presence of institutional investors is associated with higher company debt. This study suggests that institutional investors assume a function not fully explained by agency theory, such as enabling greater access to debt markets, but accentuate the agency conflict between controlling and minority shareholders. The main results show that the presence of institutional investors mitigates agency conflicts between shareholders and creditors, but increases the risk of expropriation of minority shareholders.
The effects of entrepreneurial intention on business performance
Authors: Radipere Simon , Ladzani Watson
Published: December 2016

The study examined the relationship between entrepreneurial intention and business performance using 500 small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in Gauteng province, South Africa. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The findings from the survey were modelled through a categorical regression model with business performance as a dependent variable. The level of significance of eight out of twelve variables suggests that entrepreneurial intention be classified as the strongest predictor of business performance. These findings, depicting the magnitude of the business environment in the study area, clearly confirm the positive impact of entrepreneurial intention on business performance.
Theoretical interpretation of e-government implementation challenges in South Africa: A case study of a selected provincial government
Authors: Twum-Darko Michael , Noruwana Nimrod , Sewchurran Kosheek
Published: December 2016

This paper discusses factors influencing e-Government initiatives by African Governments to improve services to their citizens, businesses and their constituent. It further discusses, as a socially constructed phenomenon, the degree of readiness of governments to implement e-Government initiatives to improve services. The discussion uses Actor Network Theory (ANT) and in particular the concepts of moments of translation and irreversibility as a lens through which to understand and interpret the social phenomenon. Although a number of e-Government researchers have argued that strong leadership and clear vision is required to implement e-Government initiatives, the view is that Governments have continuously failed to achieve the intended results. E-Government potentials and benefits which are well documented in Information Systems and e-Government research literature have not been realised by governments due to limited capabilities in the administration of the public service. The study applied a deductive approach where semi-structured interviews were used for data collection in a selected Provincial Government in South Africa. The outcome is a general framework to determine the readiness of South Africa government and generally, African governments for e-Government initiatives to achieve the intended results.
The implication of governance in the management of public enterprises in Africa.
Authors: Edoun Emmanuel Innocents
Published: December 2016

This article set out to explore the impact that governance has on the developmental role of Public Enterprises in Africa. However initial findings revealed that, the recurrent failure is related to lack of leadership, maladministration and corruption which are the enemies of good governance, the State and of National Development Plan (NDP) as these impede any development initiative. This paper is divided into five major parts. The first part introduces the problematic of the research; the second part argues about the concept of governance, the third part discusses public enterprises reforms and the justification for decentralisation as a tool for the sustainability of public enterprises. The fourth part explains the impact of decentralisation on SOEs. The Fifth part concludes and presents a set of recommendations for future research.
An extensive exploration of theories of foreign direct investment
Authors: Makoni Patricia Lindelwa
Published: December 2016

The purpose of this study was to identify and examine the key foreign direct investment theories. The history and origins of FDI theories were considered, prior to dwelling in-depth on the theories themselves. FDI theories were classified under macroeconomic and microeconomic perspectives. Macroeconomic FDI theories emphasize country-specific factors, and are more aligned to trade and international economics, whereas microeconomic FDI theories are firm-specific, relate to ownership and internalisation benefits and lean towards an industrial economics, market imperfections bias. FDI theories are fairly complex to explain and apply. This paper is purely qualitative in nature, and attempted to explain the different FDI theories by providing an analyisis of the key theories used in many scholarly works.
Traditional music of Prizren Gora in the shadow of the Ottoman empire
Authors: Rankovic Sanja
Published: December 2016

Located at the southernmost part of Kosovo and Metohija, on the slopes of the
Sharr Mountains, Gora represents a place once inhabited by the Serbian
Orthodox population, who converted to Islam under the Turkish occupation of
the Balkans. The faith conversion began in the 16th and ended in the 19th
century, at which point there had still been some remains of Orthodox
churches left on the territory of Gora. The acceptance of the new religion
and other values passed on by the Ottoman Empire brought about changes in
terms of identity, so, nowadays, inhabitants identify themselves as the
Goranci/Gorani people. To this very day, their cultural matrix reflects a
combination of musical creations which probably preceded the change of
religion as well as those variations established by the Turkish domination.
These phenomena can be tracked on the level of both their context and the
musical text. The Gorani celebrate Christian holidays (Christmas and St
George?s Day), and keep those holidays that are part of Islamic practice
(Sunnah and Bayram). As an example of an older, traditional manner of musical
expression, the two-part ?aloud? (na glas) singing has a dominant second
interval in a narrow tonal ambitus and a free metro-rhythmical organization.
This form of singing is usually shaped into octosyllable and it is
characterized by text improvisation which happens simultaneously with a
certain action. Its interpretation is associated with St George?s Day,
wedding, Sunnah, and other holidays. Songs that accompany the dance are sung
in a heterophonic manner or in unison, accompanied by the tambourine (emic
term: daire or def). Unlike the two-part ?aloud? singing, performing the
songs in unison with the tambourine and dance has wider tonal systems with a
periodical case of an excessive second. However, the very emergence of
numerous instruments such as the tambourine, kaval, tambura and zurla, shows
a considerable Turkish-Eastern influence. This influence is especially
noticeable in the Romani ?musicking? using zurla, which typically involves a
combination of traditional music of different nations, predominantly Turkish
and Albanian. Turkish influence tied to instrumental music was conveyed to
the vocal singing, particularly to singing songs together with using the
tambourine while dancing, as well as to singing to the accompaniment of the
tambura. Within these modes of musical performance, asymmetrical rhythms are
used, along with the augmented second, which ethnomusicological literature
often cites as an element of Oriental culture. By overviewing the Gorani
musical practice and the ?otherness? in diachrony, it is evident that what
was known as otherness in the past now represents an integral part of the
identity. The practices established before Islam, as well as those brought by
this religion, are manifested in terms of context and text. It is obvious
that the Gorani people have created their own musical uniqueness throughout
the centuries of cultural turmoil.
Psychological wellbeing and self-esteem in students across the transition between secondary school and university: A longitudinal study
Authors: Malinauskas Romualdas , Dumciene Audrone
Published: December 2016

This longitudinal study investigated the psychological wellbeing and
self-esteem of students during the transition between secondary school and
university. The sample comprised 197 students (82 male; 115 female). The mean
age of the students at the start of the study was 18.54 years (SD = 0.78).
Students completed measures of psychological wellbeing (Ryff Psychological
Wellbeing Scale) and self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale) during their
final year of secondary school and again at the start of their university
studies. Repeated measures (RM) multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA)
was used to investigate how transition status and gender affected aspects of
psychological wellbeing and self-esteem. Multivariate analysis showed main
effect of the transition from school to university on psychological wellbeing
and self-esteem. Univariate analysis indicated that psychological wellbeing
was higher at the start of university studies than during the final year of
secondary school, but failed to confirm the effect of the transition on
self-esteem. Gender by transition status interactions for two psychological
wellbeing dimensions (autonomy and purpose in life) were found.
Contribution of Dry Needling to Individualized Physical Therapy Treatment of Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Pérez-Palomares Sara , Oliván-Blázquez Bárbara , Pérez-Palomares Ana , Gaspar-Calvo Elena , Pérez-Benito Marina , López-Lapeña Elena , de la Torre-Beldarraín Maria Luisa , Magallón-Botaya Rosa
Published: December 2016

Study Design

Multicenter, parallel randomized clinical trial.

Background

Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) are implicated in shoulder pain and functional limitations. An intervention intended to treat MTrPs is dry needling.

Objectives

To investigate the effectiveness of dry needling in addition to evidence-based personalized physical therapy treatment in the treatment of shoulder pain.

Methods

One hundred twenty patients with nonspecific shoulder pain were randomly allocated into 2 parallel groups: (1) personalized, evidencebased physical therapy treatment; and (2) trigger point dry needling in addition to personalized, evidence-based physical therapy treatment. Patients were assessed at baseline, posttreatment, and 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome measure was pain assessed by a visual analog scale at 3 months, and secondary variables were joint range-of-motion limitations, Constant-Murley score for pain and function, and number of active MTrPs. Clinical efficacy was assessed using intention-to-treat analysis.

Results

Of the 120 enrolled patients, 63 were randomly assigned to the control group and 57 to the intervention group. There were no significant differences in outcome between the 2 treatment groups. Both groups showed improvement over time.

Conclusion

Dry needling did not offer benefits in addition to personalized, evidencebased physical therapy treatment for patients with nonspecific shoulder pain.

Level of Evidence

Therapy, level 1b. Registered February 11, 2009 at www.isrctn.com (ISRCTN30907460). J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(1):11–20. Epub 9 Dec 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.6698
Bacillus cereus-induced food-borne outbreaks in France, 2007 to 2014: epidemiology and genetic characterisation
Authors: Glasset Benjamin , Herbin Sabine , Guillier Laurent , Cadel-Six Sabrina , Vignaud Marie-Léone , Grout Joel , Pairaud Sylvie , Michel Valérie , Hennekinne Jacques-Antoine , Ramarao Nalini , Brisabois Anne
Published: December 2016

The aim of this study was to identify and characterise Bacillus cereus from a unique national collection of 564 strains associated with 140 strong-evidence food-borne outbreaks (FBOs) occurring in France during 2007 to 2014. Starchy food and vegetables were the most frequent food vehicles identified; 747 of 911 human cases occurred in institutional catering contexts. Incubation period was significantly shorter for emetic strains compared with diarrhoeal strains A sub-panel of 149 strains strictly associated to 74 FBOs and selected on Coliphage M13-PCR pattern, was studied for detection of the genes encoding cereulide, diarrhoeic toxins (Nhe, Hbl, CytK1 and CytK2) and haemolysin (HlyII), as well as panC phylogenetic classification. This clustered the strains into 12 genetic signatures (GSs) highlighting the virulence potential of each strain. GS1 (nhe genes only) and GS2 (nhe, hbl and cytK2), were the most prevalent GS and may have a large impact on human health as they were present in 28% and 31% of FBOs, respectively. Our study provides a convenient molecular scheme for characterisation of B. cereus strains responsible for FBOs in order to improve the monitoring and investigation of B. cereus-induced FBOs, assess emerging clusters and diversity of strains.
Going Inside: The New-Old Practice of Embedded Criticism
Authors: Fricker Karen
Published: December 2016

The past five years have seen the rise of a practice variously called embedded criticism, behind-the-scenes reporting, and the critic-in-residence, in which a writer observes the making of a theatrical production from a privileged vantage point close to the creative process and blogs about it. This is a serial, web-based form of writing that tends to involve reflection on the critic’s evolving understanding of and response to the work. As the practice develops, numerous questions arise: Does the word criticism accurately describe this form of writing, since it tends to involve description and analysis but not the final piece of the critical triumvirate—judgment? What is the relationship of embedded criticism to dramaturgy, and to publicity and marketing? How free are embedded critics to comment on the work they are observing; how is the reader to understand the nature of the writing such encounters produce? In this piece Karen Fricker offers an overview of this emerging field and a critical reflection on her experiences of embedding (as a pedagogue and critic) and explores the questions arising from this form of engagement.
Critical pedagogy and Socially Responsible Investing (SRI): Questioning our post-secondary institutions’ investment strategies
Authors: Thomas David P.
Published: December 2016

This article explores the use of critical pedagogy in addressing the important issue of Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) in the postsecondary context. I argue that tools of critical pedagogy – in this case student-centred learning and sharing power in the classroom – provide a productive avenue for post-secondary students to engage with SRI. In addition, analysing current debates and trends in SRI offers an excellent opportunity to encourage active, engaged, student-centred learning, with the ultimate goal of producing citizens who are capable of questioning the world around them. The article presents a case study of a course on SRI at a small liberal arts university in Canada to illustrate the potential of critically teaching and learning about SRI.
From rite of passage to a mentored educational activity: Fieldwork for master’s students of anthropology
Authors: Bundgaard Helle , Rubow Cecilie
Published: December 2016

This article discusses the teaching of anthropological fieldwork during a period of comprehensive educational reforms in Danish universities. We trace widely held conceptions of fieldwork among master’s students of anthropology and the efforts they make to live up to what they assume to be classic fieldwork. We argue that the ideals of classic fieldwork too often fail to support the learning process when fieldwork is squeezed into the timeframe of the curriculum and show how fieldwork as part of an educational programme can be mentored by online feedback. Our suggestion is that cooperative reflection during fieldwork can improve the quality of the empirical material and the analytical process significantly.
The effect of postoperative infection on survival in patients with glioblastoma
Authors: Chen Yi-Ren , Ugiliweneza Beatrice , Burton Eric , Woo Shiao Y. , Boakye Maxwell , Skirboll Stephen
Published: December 2016

OBJECTIVE

Glioblastoma is a primary glial neoplasm with a median survival of approximately 1 year. There are anecdotal reports that postoperative infection may confer a survival advantage in patients with glioblastoma. However, only a few case reports in the literature, along with 2 retrospective cohort studies, show some potential link between infection and prolonged survival in patients with glioblastoma. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of postoperative infection in patients with glioblastoma using a large national database.

METHODS

The linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)–Medicare database was searched to identify patients 66 years of age and older with glioblastoma, with and without infection, from 1997 to 2010. The primary outcome was survival after diagnosis. The statistical analysis was performed with a graphical representation using Kaplan-Meier curves, univariate analysis with the log-rank test, and multivariate analysis with proportional hazards modeling.

RESULTS

A total of 3784 patients with glioblastoma were identified from the database, and from these, 369 (9.8%) had postoperative infection within 1 month of surgery. In patients with glioblastoma who had an infection within 1 month of surgery, there was no significant difference in survival (median 5 months) compared with patients with no infection (median 6 months; p = 0.17). The study also showed that older age, increased Gagne comorbidity score, and having diabetes may be negatively associated with survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Infection after craniotomy within 1 month was not associated with a survival benefit in patients with glioblastoma.
Etiology of Portal Hypertension in Children-An Experience in a Tertiary Centre of Bangladesh
Authors: Mahmud Salahuddin , Ahmed Syed Shafi , Gulshan Jahida , Tasneem Farhana
Published: December 2016

Background: Portal hypertension is defined by a pathological increase in portal venous pressure. Any condition that interfere with blood flow at any level within the portal system can lead to portal hypertension. For better management, it is important to determine the underlying cause.Objective: To evaluate the etiology of portal hypertension in children admitted in a tertiary care centre of Bangladesh.Materials & Methods: This cross sectional study was done in the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh on 40 consecutive cases of portal hypertension enrolled from April 2014 to March 2015. Results: Age of the children was 2-12 years with mean age of 7.2±4.3 years and male:female ratio was 1.5:1. Out of 40 children, 32 (80%) developed portal hypertension due to pre-hepatic causes and 8 (20%) hepatic causes. In pre-hepatic causes of portal hypertension, out of 32 children, portal vein thrombosis was found in 20 (62.5%) cases, splenic vein thrombosis in 4 (12.5%) & 8 (25%) were idiopathic. On the other hand hepatic causes of portal hypertension, out of 8 children, cryptogenic was found in 4 (50%) cases, wilsons disease, chronic hepatitis B virus infection, biliary cirrhosis & autoimmune hepatitis each was found in 1 (12.5%) case. In pre-hepatic cases first variceal bleed much earlier than hepatic cases (4.4±3.6 Vs 7.6±4.6 years).Conclusion: Extra-hepatic diseases were the most common etiology of portal hypertension in studied children. Portal venous thrombosis in extra-hepatic cases & cryptogenic liver disease in intra-hepatic cases were the most common causesBangladesh J Child Health 2015; VOL 39 (1) :14-17
HIV/AIDS in Children: Current Update
Authors: Islam Mirza Md Ziaul , Rahman M Mizanur
Published: December 2016

Human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection leading to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has been a major cause of illness and death among children, teens and young adults worldwide. In recent years, HIV infection rates have been increasing rapidly among teens and young adults. The three main ways HIV is passed to a very young child are: intrauterine, at the time of birth and during breast feeding. Among the teens, the virus is most commonly spread through unprotected sex, sharing needles or in very rare cases by direct contact with an open wound of an infected person or through blood transfusion. A baby born with HIV infection most likely will appear healthy. But within 2 to 3 months after birth, an infected baby might begin to appear sick, with poor weight gain, repeated infections, and enlargement of lymph nodes, liver or spleen and neurological problems. Every pregnant woman should be tested for HIV to have a better chance of preventing transmission to her unborn child. Older kids, teens and adults are tested for HIV infection and if found positive should undergo protocolized treatment. There is no vaccine to prevent HIV and AIDS although researchers are working to develop one. Thus, prevention of HIV remains of worldwide importance.Bangladesh J Child Health 2015; VOL 39 (1) :30-37
Management of Biliary Atresia: A Review
Authors: Nahid Khan Lamia , Rokonuzzaman Md , Karim ASM Bazlul , Fatema Kaniz , Sultana Azmeri
Published: December 2016

Biliary atresia (BA) is a rare neonatal disease of unknown etiology, where obstruction of the biliary tree causes severe cholestasis, leading to biliary cirrhosis and death in the first years of life, if the condition is left untreated. It is the most common cause of neonatal cholestasis and most common indication for liver transplantation in children. Biliary Atresia clinically presents with jaundice, pale stool, dark urine and hepatomegaly. The treatment of biliary atresia is surgical and is recommended as a sequence of, eventually, two interventions. During the first months of life a hepatoportoenterostomy (Kasai operation) should be performed, in order to restore the biliary flow to the intestine and lessen further damage to the liver. If this fails and/ or the disease progresses towards biliary cirrhosis and life-threatening complications, then liver transplantation is indicated. Age at surgery had a progressive and sustained deleterious effect on the results of the Kasai operation until adolescence. So early detection of biliary atresia is necessary for optimum management and overall survival of the patient.Bangladesh J Child Health 2015; VOL 39 (1) :38-45
Effect of acid leaching of bamboo and hardwood chips on kraft pulping and pulp bleaching
Authors: Jahan M Sarwar , Islam S , Moniruzzaman M , Quaiyyum MA
Published: December 2016

Acid leaching of chips prior to pulping is a proven method to reduce non-process elements in kraft pulping process. In this paper, acid leaching of bamboo and hardwood chips was carried out at pH 2 for 1h at 80 °C prior to kraft pulping. Calcium removal in acid leaching from wood chips was 52.6% while for bamboo was only 17.4%. Acid leaching also reduced potassium (K) from 1258 mg/kg to 495.7 mg/kg for bamboo and 928 mg/kg to 562.5 mg/kg for wood chips. The effects of acid leaching on pulping, pulp bleaching, and papermaking characteristics were also determined. Acid leaching of both kinds of chips prior to kraft cooking resulted in a significant increase in the rate of delignification. Acid leached chips showed higher screen pulp yield and lower rejects at any kappa number. There was no significant difference of papermaking properties between pulps obtained from acid leached and non-leached chips. Using same ClO2 charge, acid leaching improved pulp brightness by 1% and 1.1% for hardwood and bamboo, respectively. Acid leaching improved pulp viscosity from 10.1 mP.s to 12.1 mP.s for hardwood.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 51(4), 247-252, 2016
Effect of magnesium-salts on hydrogen peroxide bleaching of non-wood pulps
Authors: Das N , Bose SK , Biswas D
Published: December 2016

Transition metal ions present in pulp, cause wasteful decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, a pulp brightener, and thus significantly affect the delignification selectivity of hydrogen peroxide bleaching. The metal ions also affect the brightness and optical properties of pulp. The free radicals generated during the decomposition degrade carbohydrates resulting in lower viscosity and yield. It is reported in the literature that magnesium sulfate successfully adsorbs transition metal ions and thus decrease their activity. This study dealt with the effect of Mg salts in hydrogen peroxide bleaching of jute caddies pulp. It was observed that prior bleaching treatments like chelation and acid washing of pulp were efficient in removing transition metal ions as indicated by lower consumption of hydrogen peroxide. However EDTA chelation seemed better compared to acid washing. The inclusion of Mg salts improved pulp brightness. The pulp viscosity was the highest with 0.3% Mg addition for both treated kraft and soda-AQ pulps. Considering both pulp viscosity and pulp brightness, it appeared that a 0.3% Mg dose on EDTA chelated pulp, was enough in hydrogen peroxide bleaching of pulps obtained from jute caddies. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 51(4), 291-296, 2016
Taxonomic record and distribution pattern of the freshwater apple snail, Pila globosa (Swainson, 1822) (Mesogastropoda : Pilidae)
Authors: Saha BK , Jahan M Sarwar , Hossain MA
Published: December 2016

A study was carried out on taxonomic record and distribution pattern of the freshwater apple snail, Pila glogosa from January 1995 to December 1996 in different waterbodies of Rajshahi University Campus. In total, 27 generic and 21 species names were recorded including the valid name Pila globosa (Swaindon, 1822). The shell of P. gloosa is thick and globose. The spire is not acuminate and shorter than the body whorl. The apple snail was found to occur in tanks, ponds, ditches and irrigated paddy fields of Rajshahi University Campus, Rajshahi. The apple snail prefered littoral zones of ponds and ditches but shore lines of canals and irrigated paddy fields. Aestivation of the apple snsails took place with the total water loss of the habitats.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 51(4), 313-318, 2016
Prevalence and haematological parameters for bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) in south Bengal areas in Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury MMR , Afrin F , Saha SS , Jhontu S , Asgar MA
Published: December 2016

A total of 94 blood samples were collected from commercial dairy farms, from 6 Upazillas of Barisal division. The prevalence of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) in south Bengal areas was 51.1%, the maximum prevalence was in Ujirpur Upazilla (Sub-district; 100%) and the lowest in Pirojpur Upazilla (13.6%). There was significant (P<0.05) variation in the prevalence between farms. Prevalence was highest (61.3%) in animals between 3 and 5 years of age, and lowest (31.8%) in 0-1 year-old animals. Animals with low body condition score (BCS-2) had higher (63.6%) prevalence in comparison to animals of high BCS-3.5. Haemoglobin (Hb) was 8.7 ± 0.1 gm% compared to 8.6 ± 0.1 gm%. Lymphocyte count was significantly (P<0.05) higher (64.1 ± 0.3%) in BVD-positive animals than negative animals (41.8 ± 1.2%). The neutrophil count was significantly (P<0.05) higher in BVD-positive animals (22.1 ± 0.5%) compared to negative animals (16.9 ± 0.5%). Other haematological parameters were not significantly different.Bangl. vet. 2015. Vol. 32, No. 2, 48-54
A Quest for Idyllic Beauty in the Land of Mystery: A Comparative Discussion of Rabindranath Tagores ÒAimless JourneyÓ (ÒNiruddesh YatraÓ) and Robert Frosts ÒStopping by Woods on a Snowy EveningÓ
Authors: Ahmed Mohammad Kaosar , Jahan Sultana
Published: December 2016

A study in poetic affinities between Rabindranath Tagore and Robert Frost seems a bit strange to the reader as both the poets belong to two different nations. Apparently there is no connection between the two great poets  one belongs to America and the other belongs to India with a poetic career spanning the last four decades of the 19th century and the first four decades of the 20th century. The affinities between Tagore and Frost are clearly seen in their works. In respect of their poetic vision, their attitude to nature, the world, sense of beauty and wonder, yearning for the ideal, both the poets share a considerable portion of similarities. However, a sense of divergence from each other prevails beneath the similarities as Tagore is a devotee and his appreciation, particularly in the West, refers to him as a mystic poet, while Frost is an agnostic. This paper attempts to make a comparative study of Frosts Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening and Tagores Aimless Journey with a view to unfolding the astonishing similarities and differences between the poets.IIUC Studies Vol.12 December 2015: 27-40
Strengthening the Marginalized from Within: Derek Walcotts Poetic Mission
Authors: Uddin Md Abu Saleh Nizam
Published: December 2016

Caribbean poet Derek Walcott , in his commitment to the Caribbean and, of course, with artistic excellence, disappointingly finds his nation still confined to marginalization which is self-imposed, though it was colonially imposed during the colonial period. The issues contributing to this self-imposed marginalization, an otherwise colonial legacy, are the exigent factors Walcotts relentless poetic efforts address. This paper aims at exploring how Walcott s unalloyed poetic dedication of epistemological siginificance, with a view to strengthening the Antillean from within, concentrates on the marginalized nations unconscious, imprudent and self-centred thoughts and measures in the issues of Caribbean self, tourism, urbanization, governance, literary tradition and uniqueness of literature in a post-colonial context of agressive Euro-American economy and culture.IIUC Studies Vol.12 December 2015: 87-100
Satisfaction towards Banking Profession: A Comparative Study on Male and Female Executives
Authors: Uddin Mohd Kamal , Kabir Mohammad Jonaed
Published: December 2016

Banking sector in Bangladesh is recruiting women more in number than ever before. Women are now viewed by planners and policy makers as equal partners in the process of development and great contributors to state economy. Banks, as development catalysts, need to evaluate both the male and female employees, in a timely manner to enhance their effort to work. This paper attempts to evaluate job satisfaction of bank officers considering sex differences to determine a fruitful comparison. The research work was conducted through JDI administered questionnaire on a sample of 210 employees from six banks (Two public and four private banks). A popular measure of job satisfaction - the Job Descriptive Index (JDI) - measure satisfaction in terms of five aspects of a persons job: pay, promotion, supervision, the work itself and co-workers (Hellriegel and Woodman, 1995). As the two gender groups were not normally distributed, a Mann-Whitney U test was applied to test relationship between gender and job satisfaction with each facet. The findings of the study show that higher satisfaction among females for three of the five job facets while male officers dominate the rest two factors. The present study attempts to enrich the existing knowledge base in the area of job satisfaction in banking sector adding a new dimension of HRM-issues.IIUC Studies Vol.12 December 2015: 127-138
Effect of aqueous extracts of some indigenous medicinal plants on sheath blight of rice
Authors: Islam MM , Monjil MS
Published: December 2016

Aqueous extract of some indigenous plant parts were evaluated for its efficacy to control sheath blight of rice. Six treatments were applied, viz. T1- control (water spray), T2- Tulsi (Ocientific tenuiflorum) extract (1:10), T3- Nishinda (Vitex negundu) extract (1:10), T4- Thankuni (Centella asiatica) extracts (1:10), T5- Biskatali (Polygonum hydropiper) extract (1:10) and T6- Proud (Propiconazole @ 0.2%) as a positive control. Effect of these plant extracts on percent tiller infection and percent relative lesion height of sheath blight of rice cultivar BRRI dhan 49 was determined at 55, 75 and 95 day after transplanting (DAT). Number of infected tillers per hill differed significantly among the different treatments. The highest number of infected tillers was observed in control treatment. The lowest and statistically similar number of infected tillers was found in fungicide, Proud (Propiconazole)- and Biskatali- treated plots. Reduced number of infected tillers was observed in Tulsi, Thankuni and Nishinda. Highest percent tiller infection was recorded in control and lowest percent tiller infection was recorded in Proud and Biskatali, which were statistically similar. Nishinda, Tulsi and Thankuni had reduced tiller infection in compare to control. Percent reduction of tiller infection over control was achieved by proud followed by Biskatali. The highest lesion height was observed in control and lowest lesion height was found in Proud followed by Biskatali. The highest percent relative lesion height was recorded in control followed by Thankuni. The lowest percent relative lesion height was recorded in Proud preceded by Biskatali. Highest percent reduction of relative lesion height over control was achieved by proud followed by Biskatali. Thus, plant extracts of Biskatali, Tulsi, Nishinda and Thankuni are effective to control sheath blight of rice. Among the plant extracts, Biskatali showed highest control of sheath blight disease of rice.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 14(1): 7-12, June 2016
Yield attributes and yield of okra as influenced by cultivars at Sylhet region
Authors: Saha SR , Islam AFMS , Hasan MM , Rob MM
Published: December 2016

An experiment was conducted at the field laboratory of Sylhet Agricultural University from May to October 2013 comprising of 8 okra cultivars viz. BARI Dherosh-1 (control), Orka Onamika, Bankim, Durga, JO (Japanese okra)-1, JO-2, JO-3 and JO-4. This study was intended to select the superior okra cultivar(s) based on yield performance in acidic soil conditions. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications and all the cultivars were evaluated in relation to yield and yield attributes. Significant variations were observed in almost all parameters. Results revealed that high yielding cultivars JO-3 and Bankim produced largest fruits, however maximum number of fruits and fruit setting (%) were exhibited by the latter. The cultivars JO-1 and JO-4 showed maximum fruit weight but JO-4 provided highest fruit diameter. The cultivars Bankim followed by JO-3 & JO-4 were evaluated to be promising cultivars at Sylhet regions considering overall performances regarding yield and yield attributes.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 14(1): 13-16, June 2016
Effect of weed management practices on the performance of transplanted aman rice varieties
Authors: Ferdous J , Islam N , Salam MA , Hossain MS
Published: December 2016

A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of weed management practices on the performance of transplanted aman rice varieties. The experimental treatments comprised three varieties viz. BR11, BRRI dhan39 and Binadhan7 and seven weeding treatments viz., weedy check, hand weeding at 15 and 35 DATs, application of early post-emergence herbicide Manage (Pyrazosulfuron ethyl), application of pre-emergence herbicide Rifit (Pretilachlor), Manage + one hand weeding at 35 DAT, application of Rifit + one hand weeding at 35 DAT and weed free. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results reveal that varieties should significant variation on plant height, number of total tillers hill-1, number of effective tillers hill-1, number of non-effective tillers hill-1, panicle length, number of grains panicle-1, number of sterile spikelets penicle-1, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield and harvest index. Grain yield was the highest in BRRI dhan39. Weeding regime had also significant effect on all the studied crop parameters except 1000-grain weight. The highest grain yield was obtained from weed free condition followed by hand weeding at 15 and 35 DATs. Interaction between variety and weeding regime had significant influence on all the studied crop parameters except 1000-grain weight. The highest grain yield was obtained from the interaction of BRRI dhan39 × weed free condition which was statistically identical (5.50 t ha-1) with interaction of variety BR11 × two hand weedings at 15 and 35 DATs. Therefore it may be concluded that BR11 rice could be cultivated using two hand weedings at 15 and 35 DATs for obtaining higher yield.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 14(1): 17-22, June 2016
Field performance and genetic analysis of selected tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) genotypes
Authors: Mitul RY , Haque MA , Rima SA , Begum SN
Published: December 2016

The study was carried out in the field laboratory of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding of Bangladesh Agricultural University in order to evaluate varietal performance and genetic variability of fourteen tomato genotypes based on morphological and biochemical characteristics. Tomato genotypes were collected from Genetics and Plant Breeding farm, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The field experiment was conducted from October 2014 to March 2015 with Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) including three replications. Data for genetic analyses were collected on seven traits viz. days to first flowering, pollen grain fertility, days to first fruit maturity, individual fruit weight, plant height, ascorbic acid content and yield per plant. ANOVA showed significant variation among the tomato genotypes for all the traits. Wide range existed between minimum and maximum mean values for all the genotypes whereas genotype World champion had the maximum individual fruit weight with the highest yield. On the other hand, genotype CI-170-0-20-2-0 gave poor performance. Yield exhibited a positive significant correlation with individual fruit weight; and in path coefficient analysis, maximum positive direct effects were found through individual fruit weight followed by plant height, ascorbic acid content and days to first fruit maturity. In principal component analysis, the main three components contributed approximately 79.14% of total variability. Genotypes were classified into five clusters by Wards method including late maturing and low yielder genotypes in cluster I, early flowering genotypes in cluster II, high yielder with large fruited genotypes in cluster III, genotypes containing low ascorbic acid in cluster IV and genotypes having early maturity with small fruit but minimum pollen grains fertility rate in cluster V. Based on the present findings, World champion and Big cherry were considered as superior varieties among the fourteen genotypes and individual fruit weight might be considered as an important criteria for yield improvement.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 14(1): 31-36, June 2016