bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling enzyme CHD7 regulates pro-neural gene expression and neurogenesis in the inner ear
Authors: Hurd Elizabeth A. , Poucher Heather K. , Cheng Katherine , Raphael Yehoash , Martin Donna M.
Published: August 2010

Inner ear neurogenesis is positively regulated by the pro-neural bHLH transcription factors Ngn1 and NeuroD, but the factors that act upstream of this regulation are not well understood. Recent evidence in mouse and Drosophila suggests that neural development depends on proper chromatin remodeling, both for maintenance of neural stem cells and for proper neuronal differentiation. Here, we show that CHD7, an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling enzyme mutated in human CHARGE syndrome, is necessary for proliferation of inner ear neuroblasts and inner ear morphogenesis. Conditional deletion of Chd7 in the developing otocyst using Foxg1-Cre resulted in cochlear hypoplasia and complete absence of the semicircular canals and cristae. Conditional knockout and null otocysts also had reductions in vestibulo-cochlear ganglion size and neuron number in combination with reduced expression of Ngn1, Otx2 and Fgf10, concurrent with expansion of the neural fate suppressor Tbx1 and reduced cellular proliferation. Heterozygosity for Chd7 mutations had no major effects on expression of otic patterning genes or on cell survival, but resulted in decreased proliferation within the neurogenic domain. These data indicate that epigenetic regulation of gene expression by CHD7 must be tightly coordinated for proper development of inner ear neuroblasts.
Moesin1 and Ve-cadherin are required in endothelial cells during in vivo tubulogenesis
Authors: Wang Ying , Kaiser Mark S. , Larson Jon D. , Nasevicius Aidas , Clark Karl J. , Wadman Shannon A. , Roberg-Perez Sharon E. , Ekker Stephen C. , Hackett Perry B. , McGrail Maura , Essner Jeffrey J.
Published: August 2010

Endothelial tubulogenesis is a crucial step in the formation of functional blood vessels during angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. Here, we use in vivo imaging of living zebrafish embryos expressing fluorescent fusion proteins of β-Actin, α-Catenin, and the ERM family member Moesin1 (Moesin a), to define a novel cord hollowing process that occurs during the initial stages of tubulogenesis in intersegmental vessels (ISVs) in the embryo. We show that the primary lumen elongates along cell junctions between at least two endothelial cells during embryonic angiogenesis. Moesin1-EGFP is enriched around structures that resemble intracellular vacuoles, which fuse with the luminal membrane during expansion of the primary lumen. Analysis of silent heart mutant embryos shows that initial lumen formation in the ISVs is not dependent on blood flow; however, stabilization of a newly formed lumen is dependent upon blood flow. Zebrafish moesin1 knockdown and cell transplantation experiments demonstrate that Moesin1 is required in the endothelial cells of the ISVs for in vivo lumen formation. Our analyses suggest that Moesin1 contributes to the maintenance of apical/basal cell polarity of the ISVs as defined by adherens junctions. Knockdown of the adherens junction protein Ve-cadherin disrupts formation of the apical membrane and lumen in a cell-autonomous manner. We suggest that Ve-cadherin and Moesin1 function to establish and maintain apical/basal polarity during multicellular lumen formation in the ISVs.
Axolotl Nanog activity in mouse embryonic stem cells demonstrates that ground state pluripotency is conserved from urodele amphibians to mammals
Authors: Dixon James E. , Allegrucci Cinzia , Redwood Catherine , Kump Kevin , Bian Yuhong , Chatfield Jodie , Chen Yi-Hsien , Sottile Virginie , Voss S. Randal , Alberio Ramiro , Johnson Andrew D.
Published: August 2010

Cells in the pluripotent ground state can give rise to somatic cells and germ cells, and the acquisition of pluripotency is dependent on the expression of Nanog. Pluripotency is conserved in the primitive ectoderm of embryos from mammals and urodele amphibians, and here we report the isolation of a Nanog ortholog from axolotls (axNanog). axNanog does not contain a tryptophan repeat domain and is expressed as a monomer in the axolotl animal cap. The monomeric form is sufficient to regulate pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells, but axNanog dimers are required to rescue LIF-independent self-renewal. Our results show that protein interactions mediated by Nanog dimerization promote proliferation. More importantly, they demonstrate that the mechanisms governing pluripotency are conserved from urodele amphibians to mammals.
German Jewish Reading Cultures, 1815–1933
Authors: Roemer Nils
Published: August 2010

This article traces the development of German Jewish reading cultures from the Napoleonic wars to the demise of the Weimar Republic. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, Jewish reading clubs promoted works of Bildung, but by the second half of the nineteenth century, they provided access to books about Jewish religion, history, literature, and philosophy as well. Whereas the institutions of the Jewish public initially emerged outside of established religious communities as part of bourgeois sociability, the end of the nineteenth century saw public and religious institutions intermingling. Moreover, reading was increasingly represented as a cultural practice that was compatible with religious tradition in times of profound cultural and religious changes and as an example of the educated middle class's ideal of Bildung.
Zukunftserwartungen der deutsch-jüdischen Gesellschaft im langen 19. Jahrhundert
Authors: Zimmermann Moshe
Published: August 2010

Future expectations expressed by societies of the past help the historian to develop better insight into their state of mind and understand their modus operandi. The article is one in a series of articles dealing with future expectations of the German Jews and is dedicated to their expectations during the long 19th century. An important source are articles that appeared in the German-Jewish press towards the end of a year, the time for making prognoses. The main objects of collective expectation change over time and vary in the different groups within Judaism (assimilationists, Zionists, Orthodox). The main issues dealt with are the challenge of modernity, assimilation, demographic revolution, anti-Semitism and Zionism. With World War I the pattern of approaching the future changes radically.
›Drei Hochzeiten und ein Todesfall‹. Zwischen jüdischem Eherecht und Zivilehe
Authors: Gotzmann Andreas
Published: August 2010

Reflecting on the differing historical approaches to Jewish history from ›within‹ or ›outside‹, this article argues in favor of an integrated approach. Taking a scandal that occurred in Hamburg in the middle of the 19th century as an example, the article shows how closely intertwined both sides – the Jewish and the Christian – were. In contrast to the often used conceptual approaches with distinct polarized ideas of clearly differing entities, the discussions about the religious reinterpretation of Jewish religious law, the recognition of religious law by the state and the definition of a civil marriage law prove how intensely involved both sides were. The differing, interchanging and overlapping political interests during these decisive years forced both sides into intense negotiations about the relationship between church and state, Judaism and general society. While both parts still perceived themselves as distinct, the character of these ambivalent processes clearly shows quite the opposite. Instead of clear-cut and stable religious and political positions, the ongoing debates and their dynamics forced all the parties into a process of mutual social negotiations that generated a close interrelation.
Juden in der Wiener Kultur. Zur (Un-)Angemessenheit dichotomer Kategorisierungen
Authors: Hödl Klaus
Published: August 2010

The article questions dichotomous differentiations, such as Jews vs. Non-Jews, Eastern vs. Western Jews, etc. Rather than clearly identifiable groups, they represent categorizations whose boundaries are fluid. Affiliations change according to the context in which they are brought to expression, and thus articulate themselves in many and varying ways. From this conceptual framework arises the thesis that Jews and non-Jews in finde- siècle Vienna both participated in the shaping of society. Jews did not solely adapt to its culture, but took part in its constitution. Examples to confirm this thesis are taken from the synagogue service, the Yiddish theatre, and popular culture at the turn of the century.
Combination of polymorphisms within the HDAC1 and HDAC3 gene predict tumor recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma patients that have undergone transplant therapy
Authors: Yang Zhe , Zhou Lin , Wu Li-Ming , Xie Hai-Yang , Zhang Feng , Zheng Shu-Sen
Published: August 2010

Background: Histone deacetylases (HDACs) have been reported to be poor prognostic indicators in patients with cancer. However, no data are available for the role of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of class I HDAC in hepato-cellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, we investigated the association of class I HDAC isoforms genomic polymorphisms with risk of HCC and tumor recurrence following liver transplantation (LT).

Methods: One hundred and ninety-six Chinese subjects consisting of 97 HCC patients and 99 controls were enrolled in this study. Nine polymorphisms of the HDAC1,
HDAC2, and HDAC3 gene (rs2530223, rs1741981, rs2547547, rs13204445, rs6568819, rs10499080, rs11741808, rs2475631, rs11391) were examined using Applied Biosystems SNaP-Shot and TaqMan technology.

Results: We found no significant difference in genotype frequencies between the HCC cases and controls. In terms of tumor recurrence following LT, patients carrying the T allele of HDAC1 SNP rs1741981 showed a favorable outcome for recurrence free survival when compared with patients homozygous for CC. In addition, the same significant trend was observed in HDAC3 SNP rs2547547. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the combination of the T variant allele (CT+TT) of HDAC1 SNP rs1741981 and the homozygous TT variant allele of HDAC3 SNP rs2547547 was the most favorable prognostic factor. The risk for postoperative tumor recurrence was about 2.2-fold lower for patients with this genotype combination compared with carriers of the HDAC1 SNP rs1741981 CC and HDAC3 SNP rs2547547 CT genotype combination (hazard ratio: 2.235, p=0.003).

Conclusions: Our data suggest that combined analysis of HDAC1 SNP rs1741981 and HDAC3 SNP rs2547547 may be a potential genetic marker for HCC recurrence in LT patients.

Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:1785–91.
Effects of vitamin D replacement therapy on serum FGF23 concentrations in vitamin D-deficient women in short term
Authors: Kubat Uzum Ayse , Salman Serpil , Telci Aysegul , Boztepe Harika , Tanakol Refik , Alagol Faruk , Colak Ozbey Nese
Published: August 2010

Objective

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), a phosphatonin, inhibits renal phosphate reabsorption and suppresses 1-α hydroxylase activity. Calcitriol stimulates FGF23 synthesis in bone. We aimed to determine the effect of vitamin D replacement therapy on serum FGF23 concentrations in vitamin D-deficient women and to compare the FGF23 concentrations of vitamin D-deficient patients with healthy subjects and patients with genetically determined hypophosphatemic rachitis.

Design and methods

The study group was composed of vitamin D-deficient females (n=18, mean age 29.1±9.9 years), vitamin D-sufficient healthy females (control group;n=19, mean age 28.5±5.2 years), and patients with genetically determined hypophosphatemic rachitis (n=13, mean age 26.5±15.1 years). The groups were compared for serum FGF23, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D), calcium, phosphate, bone turnover markers, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), and urinary excretion of calcium and phosphate. The vitamin D-deficient group was re-evaluated after a standard treatment regimen.

Results

Serum FGF23 concentrations were significantly lower in vitamin D-deficient patients than in vitamin D-sufficient women and hypophosphatemic rachitis group. Serum FGF23 and phosphate concentrations further decreased significantly during replacement of vitamin D (P<0.05). A significant negative correlation was evident between FGF23 and PTH before vitamin D replacement in the patients (r=−0.469,P<0.05).

Conclusion

Decreased FGF23 concentrations, which further decline during vitamin D replacement therapy, may have favorable action on bone mineralization by counterregulatory effect on phosphate homeostasis. Lower 1,25(OH)2D concentrations at baseline and hypophosphatemia during treatment may have dominating effects on FGF23 concentrations in vitamin D deficiency, leading to decreased FGF23 concentrations at baseline and during replacement therapy.
Media Literacy Education for Elementary School Substance Use Prevention: Study of Media Detective
Authors: Kupersmidt Janis B. , Scull Tracy M. , Austin Erica Weintraub
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVES:

Media Detective is a 10-lesson elementary school substance use prevention program developed on the basis of the message interpretation processing model designed to increase children's critical thinking skills about media messages and reduce intent to use tobacco and alcohol products. The purpose of this study was to conduct a short-term, randomized, controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of Media Detective for achieving these goals.

METHODS:

Elementary schools were randomly assigned to conditions to either receive the Media Detective program (n = 344) or serve in a waiting list control group (n = 335).

RESULTS:

Boys in the Media Detective group reported significantly less interest in alcohol-branded merchandise than boys in the control group. Also, students who were in the Media Detective group and had used alcohol or tobacco in the past reported significantly less intention to use and more self-efficacy to refuse substances than students who were in the control group and had previously used alcohol or tobacco.

CONCLUSIONS:

This evaluation provides evidence that Media Detective can be effective for substance use prevention in elementary school–aged children. Notably, media-related cognitions about alcohol and tobacco products are malleable and relevant to the development and maintenance of substance use behaviors during late childhood. The findings from this study suggest that media literacy–based interventions may serve as both a universal and a targeted prevention program that has potential for assisting elementary school children in making healthier, more informed decisions about use of alcohol and tobacco products.
Pentavalent Rotavirus Vaccine and Prevention of Gastroenteritis Hospitalizations in Australia
Authors: Field Emma J. , Vally Hassan , Grimwood Keith , Lambert Stephen B.
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE:

A publicly funded, universal infant pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) program was implemented in Queensland, Australia, in mid-2007. We sought to assess vaccine effectiveness (VE) of 3 doses of RV5 at preventing rotavirus and nonrotavirus acute gastroenteritis (AGE) hospitalizations in the first birth cohort and impact on hospitalizations in all age groups.

METHODS:

Hospitalization rates for rotavirus and nonrotavirus AGE in all age groups before and after RV5 introduction were compared. Population vaccine coverage, hospitalization data, and individual vaccination status were obtained from routinely collected, publicly funded state- and nationally based data sets. Data linkage was performed to calculate 3-dose VE for preventing hospitalization in the eligible age group.

RESULTS:

RV5 coverage in the first eligible birth cohort was 89.6% for at least 1 dose and 73.1% for 3 doses. Three-dose VE for preventing nonrotavirus AGE hospitalization was 62.3% to 63.9% (any/primary diagnosis) and 89.3% to 93.9% (any/primary diagnosis) for rotavirus hospitalizations. After program implementation, there were immediate and sustained reductions in rotavirus hospitalizations for those who were younger than 20 years and nonrotavirus AGE-coded hospitalizations for those who were younger than 5 years.

CONCLUSIONS:

RV5 is highly effective at preventing rotavirus hospitalizations in a developed country setting, confirming efficacy figures from the pivotal clinical trial. Additional direct and indirect effects are substantial and include reductions in nonrotavirus AGE hospitalizations in vaccinated age groups and rotavirus and nonrotavirus AGE hospitalization rates in older age groups.
Chemical synthesis and characterization of MnO2-coated Co nanoparticles
Authors: An Jing , He Jun , Zhao Dongliang , Liu Zhongyuan
Published: August 2010

Co/MnO2 particles are synthesized by a simple two-step chemical process. It includes the reduction of Co2+ cations to Co nanoparticles with sodium borohydride (NaBH4) in aqueous solution, followed by coating the sample with a surface layer of MnO2. The coating is accomplished using a simple decomposition reaction, in aqueous KMnO4 solution with acid environment at room temperature. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis demonstrates that the core of the particles is composed of Co clusters that have a narrow size distribution. The strong interface effect of the Co/MnO2 particles is also studied by the detection of exchange bias phenomena of hysteresis curves.
Secondary ion mass spectrometry study of photorefractive-damage-resistant locally Er/Mg-doped near-stoichiometric Ti:Mg:Er:LiNbO3 strip waveguides
Authors: Zhang De-Long , Hua Ping-Rang , Qi Li , Chen Bei , Pun Edwin Yue-Bun
Published: August 2010

Secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) was used to study the profile characteristics and diffusion properties of Mg, Ti, and Er ions in photorefractive-damage-resistant locally Er/Mg-diffused near-stoichiometric (NS) Ti:Mg:Er:LiNbO3 strip waveguides fabricated on two Z-cut initially congruent, undoped LiNbO3 substrates in sequence by local Er doping at 1100 °C or 1130 °C in air, Mg/Ti pre-diffusion at 1100 °C in wet O2, and post Li-rich vapor transport equilibration (VTE) treatment at 1100 °C. For comparison, a SIMS study was also carried out on the waveguides fabricated without the post-VTE treatment. In order to compensate for the refractive index decrease arising from both the Mg doping and the post-VTE treatment, and hence to get a positive net index increment profile in the Ti-diffused layer, a thicker Ti-film of around 170 nm was coated. Nevertheless, SIMS results show that the Ti diffusion reservoir, as well as the Er and Mg reservoirs, was exhausted. From the SIMS profiles, characteristic diffusion parameters such as the 1/e diffusion width (for Ti only) and depth, diffusivity, and surface concentration of the Mg, Ti, and Er ions are obtained. It is interesting that the Mg distribution in the NS waveguide layer is desirably homogeneous with a concentration [(1.7–2.0) ± 0.3 mol%] higher than the optical damage concentration threshold. The Ti profile follows a sum of two error functions along the lateral direction of NS waveguides with a diffusion width of (12–13) ± 0.5 μm, and a Gaussian function in the depth direction with a 1/e depth of (5.1–6.0) ± 0.2 μm. The Er profile follows also a Gaussian function with a 1/e depth of (3.7–4.4) ± 0.3 μm. In the NS waveguide layer, the mean diffusivity is (7.1 ± 2.2) to (8.3 ± 2.8) μm2/h for Mg, (3.5 ± 0.3) to (4.5 ± 0.4) μm2/h in the lateral direction and (0.54 ± 0.04) to (1.13 ± 0.08) μm2/h in the depth direction for Ti, and (4.1 ± 0.4) to (5.5 ± 0.5) × 10−2 μm2/h for Er. The effects of Li outward diffusion in the initial Er doping procedure, and the Mg codiffusion and post-VTE treatment on the mean Mg, Ti, and Er diffusivities are discussed in comparison with the previously reported results on single Mg, Ti, or Er diffusion and Mg/Ti codiffusion in a pure or homogeneously MgO-doped congruent LiNbO3 crystal. Finally, the keys to the success of the fabrication procedure adopted are discussed.
Distribution of alloying elements and the corresponding structural evolution of Mn–Sb alloys in high magnetic field gradients
Authors: Liu Tie , Wang Qiang , Gao Ao , Zhang Hongwei , Wang Kai , He Jicheng
Published: August 2010

The distribution of alloying elements and the corresponding structural evolution of Mn–Sb alloys in magnetic field gradients were investigated in detail. It was found that a high magnetic field gradient could control the distribution of solute element in the alloys during the solidification process and therefore resulted in the coexistence of both primary MnSb and Sb phases or the aggregation of the primary MnSb with a continuous change in morphology. The positions where these primary phases located depended on the direction of field gradient. The control of the solute element distribution by a high magnetic field gradient was realized through the magnetic buoyancy force that could drive the migration of Mn element in the melt, originating from the difference in the magnetic susceptibility between Mn and Sb. The effectiveness of this control depends on the alloy composition, specimen dimension, cooling rate, and |BdB/dz| value.
The structural stabilities of the intermetallics and the solid-state phase transformations induced by lattice vibration effects in the Al–Zr system by first-principles calculations
Authors: Zhang Hui , Wang Shaoqing
Published: August 2010

We investigated the structural stabilities of the intermetallics and the solid-state phase transformations induced by lattice vibration effects in the Al–Zr system by first-principles calculations. The calculated lattice parameters of all the phases and the phonon dispersion relations for pure Al and Zr are in good agreement with the experimental data. AlZr(oC8), Al4Zr5 (hP18), and Al3Zr5 (tI32) are predicted to be the high-temperature phases. To study the structural stabilities at high temperatures, the thermodynamic properties of the intermetallics are calculated via the linear response approach within the harmonic approximation. Thanks to the calculated enthalpies of formation at high temperatures, Al3Zr5 is predicted to be stabilized above 1163 K with respect to AlZr2 and Al2Zr3, in good agreement with the phase transformation temperature (1273 K) in the experimental phase diagram.
MUTED: Multi‐user 3‐D display
Authors: Brar Rajwinder Singh , Surman Phil , Sexton Ian , Hopf Klaus
Published: August 2010

Abstract— Research described in this paper encompasses the design and building of glasses‐free (autostereoscopic) displays that utilize a direct‐view liquid‐crystal display whose backlight is provided by a projector and novel steering optics. This is controlled by the output of a multi‐user head‐position tracker. As the displays employ spatial multiplexing on a liquid‐crystal‐display screen, they are inherently 2‐D/3‐D switchable with 2‐D being achieved by simply displaying the same image in the left and right channels. Two prototypes are described in this paper; one incorporating a holographic projector and the other a conventional LCOS projector. The LCOS projector version addresses the limitations of brightness, cross‐talk, banding in the images, and laser stability that occur in the holographic projector version. The future development is considered and a comparison between the prototypes and with other 3‐D displays is given.
Projection‐type integral 3‐D display with distortion compensation
Authors: Kawakita Masahiro , Sasaki Hisayuki , Arai Jun , Okui Makoto , Okano Fumio , Haino Yasuyuki , Yoshimura Makoto , Sato Masahito
Published: August 2010

Abstract—Our research is aimed at developing a spatial‐imaging‐type integral three‐dimensional (3‐D) display based on an integral photography method using an extremely high‐resolution projector. One problem with the projection‐type integral 3‐D display is that geometrical distortion in projected elemental images causes spatial deformation of the displayed 3‐D image. In this study, a general relationship between the geometric distortion of elemental images and the spatial deformation of reconstructed 3‐D images were analyzed. A projection‐type integral 3‐D display with a distortion compensator which corrects the geometrical distortions of projected images in real‐time have been developed. The deformation of the displayed 3‐D images was significantly reduced by the distortion compensation, and the displayed 3‐D images had a resolution of 182 (H) × 140 (V) pixels and a viewing angle of 24.5°.
Moiré‐reduction methods for integral videography autostereoscopic display with color‐filter LCD
Authors: Koike Takafumi , Utsugi Kei , Oikawa Michio
Published: August 2010

Abstract— Moiré‐reduction methods for integral videography displays are proposed. Integral videography is based on the principles of integral photography and extended real‐time video processing. There are two moiré‐reduction methods that can be used for integral videography displays that have a lens array and a liquid‐crystal display. The first is color moiré, and the second is intensity moiré. To reduce color moiré, an optimized color‐filter layout in the liquid‐crystal display was used. To reduce intensity moiré, a defocusing method was used. Adesign of a viewing area for the integral videography display is also presented. To control the viewing area, the lens pitch and the shape of the integral videography elemental image was changed. A 5‐in. integral videography display was implemented by using the proposed methods, and an integral videography display was evaluated.
Rapid ecosystem recovery from diffuse pollution after the Great Irish Famine
Authors: Donohue Ian , Leira Manel , Hobbs William , León-Vintró Luis , O'Reilly Jennifer , Irvine Kenneth
Published: August 2010

Remarkably little is known about the effectiveness or rates of recovery of aquatic ecosystems from reductions in human‐associated pressures at landscape scales. The retention of anthropogenic contaminants within ecosystems can retard rates of recovery considerably, while the trajectories of recovery processes vary with the extent of disturbance and the resilience of biotic assemblages. The Great Irish Famine of 1845–1850 comprised one of the most significant human disasters of the 19th century, causing the death of approximately one million people and the emigration of a further two million from the country between 1845 and 1855. We found, through analysis of detailed historical census data combined with paleolimnological investigation of sedimentary nutrient concentrations, stable isotope ratios, and diatom assemblages, that the trophic level of Lough Carra, a largely shallow calcareous lake in the west of Ireland with no urban areas or point sources of any significance in its catchment, reduced considerably during and immediately after the Great Famine, shifting to new equilibria within just 2–10 years. Our results demonstrate that the reduction of human pressures from diffuse sources at landscape scales can result in the rapid and monotonic recovery of aquatic ecosystems. Moreover, the recovery of ecosystems from diffuse pollution need not necessarily take longer than recovery from pollution from point sources.
Impact of Separating Dairy Cattle Excretions on Ammonia Emissions
Authors: Vaddella V. K. , Ndegwa P. M. , Joo H. S. , Ullman J. L.
Published: August 2010

About 80% of dairy cattle N intake is excreted in urine and feces. Urinary–N is about 75% urea, whereas fecal–N is mostly organic. Urinary–N (urea) can only be volatilized when it is hydrolyzed to ammonia (NH3) in a process catalyzed by urease, which is predominantly found in feces. Minimizing contact between urine and feces may be an effective approach to reducing urea hydrolysis and subsequent NH3 emissions. Previous studies have reported 5 to 99% NH3 emissions mitigation within barns from separation of feces and urine. The objective of this study was to compare NH3 emissions mitigation via separation of urine and feces in postcollection storage to a conventional scrape manure handling method where urine and feces are comingled. Laboratory scale studies were conducted to evaluate NH3 emissions from simulated postcollection storage of three waste streams: (i) idealistically separated feces and urine (no contact between urine and feces), (ii) realistically separated urine and feces (limited contact of urine and feces), and (iii) conventionally scraped manure (control). From the results of these studies, NH3 losses ranking in descending order was as follows: aggregate of realistically separated waste streams (3375.9 ± 54.8 mg), aggregate of idealistically separated urine and feces (3047.0 ± 738.0 mg), and scrape manure (2034.0 ± 106.5 mg), respectively. Therefore, on the basis of these results, the extra effort of separating the waste streams would not enhance mitigation of NH3 losses from postcollection storage of the separated waste streams compared to the conventional scrape manure collection system.
Comparison of Selected Nutrients and Bacteria from Common Contiguous Soils Inside and Outside Swine Lagoon Effluent Spray Fields after Long‐Term Use
Authors: McLaughlin Michael R. , Brooks John P. , Adeli Ardeshir , Read John J.
Published: August 2010

Swine (Sus scrofa domestica) lagoon effluent is a valuable resource. In the U.S. Mid‐South it is applied from April to September to fertilize grass hay in spray‐irrigated fields. Lagoon levels of nutrients and bacteria, and soil levels of nutrients have been documented, but little was known of effluent bacterial levels in soil. The present study examined levels of selected effluent bacteria and nutrients in soils inside and outside spray fields after >15 yr of effluent irrigation. Samples were collected February to March 2009 from contiguous soils spanning adjacent irrigated and nonirrigated areas. Separate soil cores for bacterial and nutrient tests were collected in pairs <10 cm apart. Five cores each were collected at 15‐m intervals and combined, respectively, to comprise inside and outside samples from each of 20 soils (four each from five farms/spray fields). Analyses of data combined across all soils showed higher pH and Mehlich‐3‐extractable (M3‐) P, Mg, K, Na, Cu, and Zn inside than outside spray fields, while total N, total C, M3‐Ca, and M3‐Mn did not differ. Bacterial levels were higher inside than outside spray fields for heterotrophic plate counts, thermotolerant coliforms, Staphylococcus spp., and Clostridium perfringens, but levels of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. were not different. Cultural presence/absence tests for three pathogens (Listeria spp., Campylobacter spp., and Salmonella spp.) detected only Listeria spp., which did not differ inside (23% positive samples) and outside (28% positive). Molecular tests detected all three pathogens at low levels that were not different inside and outside. We found no evidence of cumulative buildup of Campylobacter spp., Listeria spp., or Salmonella spp. in spray field soils.
A Note on the Multidimensional Monopolist Problem and Intertemporal Price Discrimination
Authors: Runco Mariano G
Published: August 2010

This note analyzes a model of a monopolist selling multiple goods to a continuum of heterogeneous consumers. The implementation of Direct Revelation Mechanisms is analyzed in that setting, finding that it is possible for the monopolist to implement all Stochastic Incentive Compatible Mechanisms by committing to post a decreasing sequence of prices. The posted prices depend on time and have the desirable property of being step functions. When the optimal mechanisms are stochastic, it is optimal for the monopolist to price discriminate over time, contrary to the conventional wisdom that a single-good monopolist committed to an ex-ante price strategy will not price discriminate.
A tabular steganography scheme for graphical password authentication
Authors: Lin Tsung-Hung , Lee Cheng-Chi , Tsai Chwei-Shyong , Guo Shin-Dong
Published: August 2010

Authentication, authorization and auditing are the most important issues of
security on data communication. In particular, authentication is the life of
every individual essential closest friend. The user authentication security
is dependent on the strength of user password. A secure password is usually
random, strange, very long and difficult to remember. For most users,
remember these irregular passwords are very difficult. To easily remember
and security are two sides of one coin. In this paper, we propose a new
graphical password authentication protocol to solve this problem. Graphical
password authentication technology is the use of click on the image to
replace input some characters. The graphical user interface can help user
easy to create and remember their secure passwords. However, in the
graphical password system based on images can provide an alternative
password, but too many images will be a large database to store issue. All
the information can be steganography to achieve our scheme to solve the
problem of database storage. Furthermore, tabular steganography technique
can achieve our scheme to solve the information eavesdropping problem during
data transmission. Our modified graphical password system can help user
easily and friendly to memorize their password and without loss of any
security of authentication. User?s chosen input will be hidden into image
using steganography technology, and will be transferred to server security
without any hacker problem. And then, our authentication server only needs
to store only a secret key for decryption instead of large password
database.
Expression of human growth hormone gene in Pleurotus eryngii
Authors: Kim Seung , Sapkota Kumar , Choi Bong-Suk , Kim Sung-Jun
Published: August 2010

Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been widely used in many medical applications. Large scale production of rhGH is important for a wider application of this molecule in the field of proteomics. This investigation reports a modified Agrobacterium-mediated method for transfer and expression of human growth hormone gene in the popular edible mushroom Pleurotus eryngii. A binary vector pCAMBIA1304 containing the hGH2 gene was constructed and introduced into Pleurotus eryngii via Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Integration of hGH2 into mushroom genome was detected by PCR and expression was confirmed by Western blot assay. The successful expression of the human growth hormone gene in mushroom suggests that the proposed modified transformation system is probably useful for the production of transgenic mushrooms.
Using Talking Mats to support communication in persons with Huntington's Disease
Authors: Ferm Ulrika , Sahlin Anna , Sundin Linda , Hartelius Lena
Published: August 2010

Background: Many individuals with Huntington's disease experience reduced functioning in cognition, language and communication. Talking Mats is a visually based low technological augmentative communication framework that supports communication in people with different cognitive and communicative disabilities.

Aims: To evaluate Talking Mats as a communication tool for people in the later stages of Huntington's disease.

Methods & Procedures: Five individuals with Huntington's disease participated in the study. Three conditions were compared: unstructured communication, verbally structured communication, and communication using Talking Mats. The conversations were videotaped and analysed quantitatively and qualitatively.

Outcomes & Results: Talking Mats increased communicative effectiveness for all participants. Verbally structured conversation resulted in higher effectiveness than the unstructured counterpart and effectiveness differed depending on the type of conversational topic.

Conclusions & Implications: Talking Mats could be a valuable resource for people with Huntington's disease and their conversation partners. It could be used for social purposes, for understanding a person's opinions and for making decisions. Additional research is necessary in order to generalize the results to the population of individuals with Huntington's disease and to understand better the mechanisms behind the positive effects observed.
Trekking as a metaphor for medicine and medical education
Authors: Shankar PR , Malhotra V
Published: August 2010

Nepal is a favored trekking destination. Over the years a number of trekking styles have emerged and the author sees similarities between trekking styles and methods of medical education. Problem-based learning strategies make students more involved in their own learning and teachers act as facilitators. Trekkers and medical students mostly concentrate on the immediate trail or different subjects and are able to obtain an integrated and holistic view only occasionally. The nature of the doctor-patient relationship is changing with patients wanting to play a more active role in their treatment. Workers in the trekking industry and doctors slowly rise through the ranks. Often people take up jobs with more responsibilities and challenges which pay better. Technology has invaded both trekking and healthcare and most of the money is made by middlemen. In addition to other areas medicine is focusing on preparing patients for the final exist Key Words: Problem-based learning; doctor-patient relationship; medicine. DOI: 10.3126/jcmsn.v6i1.3607 Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2010, Vol. 6, No. 1, 67-69
Children’s fracture: an experience from a zonal hospital in Nepal
Authors: Paudel KP , Thapa SK
Published: August 2010

A retrospective study of all paediatric fractures presenting to Bharatpur hospital in two years was undertaken. The aim of this study is to find out incidence of fractures in children attending Bharatpur Hospital, their risk factors, problem magnitude and problem areas, preventability, disease burden socio-economically, so that it will be helpful in formulations of plans and policies at national or regional level to prevent or to decrease the injury incidences among children in populations in Nepal. Details are collected from children with fractures attending Bharatpur hospital in emergency, outdoor and indoors including their variables, geographical distribution, injury mechanism and pattern, time of seeking treatment and places etc. the study period is from January 2008 to December 2009. 1216 children were treated ranging in age from 0 to 14 year. 35% of cases were from Chitwan district. Incidence of fracture increases with age. Left sided limbs had more fractures as they assume the role of protection. 67% of children's fractures occurred in males. The majority of fractures in children involve the upper limb i.e. 80%. Supracondylar fractures of humerus predominate all incidences. Mode of injury in majority of the cases was fall. Key words: Children; fractures; humerus DOI: 10.3126/jcmsn.v6i2.3611   Journal of college of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2010, Vol.6, No-2, 14-17
Prevalence of hyperuricemia in Chitwan District of Nepal
Authors: Kumar S , Singh AR , Takhelmayum R , Shrestha P , Sinha JN
Published: August 2010

The prevalence of hyperuricemia has been increasing in both developed and developing countries. The purpose of present study was to know the prevalence of hyperuricemia in the population of Chitwan district as well as to compare the prevalence of hyperuricemia between Mongolian and non-Mongolian races of Chitwan district, who had attended the College of Medical Sciences and Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur, Nepal during the period of January 1999 to December 2003. In this study 3794 subjects were investigated for serum uric acid level (SUA). Hyperuricemia is defined as SUA more than 7mg/dl for males and menopausal women and 6mg/dl for pre-menopausal females. SUA was estimated by Caraway method in digital colorimeter. Overall prevalence was 21.42%; the condition was more common in men than women (26.78% vs. 16.82%; p<0.001). The prevalence was higher in Mongolian than non Mongolian both in males and females (24.50 % Vs 21.06%; p>0.05). Key words: Hyperuricemia; SUA; digital colorimeter DOI: 10.3126/jcmsn.v6i2.3612   Journal of college of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2010, Vol.6, No-2, 18-23
A rapid screening test by the latex antistreptolysin O test for streptococcal infections in CMS Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur, Nepal
Authors: Dewasy BL , Singh YI , Jha BK , Kapil J
Published: August 2010

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococci) infection is diagnosed by either bacterial culture or serological test. For the serodiagnosis, antistreptolysin O (ASO) and antideoxyribonuclease B (DNAase B) are the most widely accepted tests. To measure the antibodies (ASO) of Streptococcus with the help of Rapitex antistreptolysin as a screening test is widely used in cases of suspected streptococcal infections and its sequelae. There were 4230 serum samples of rheumatic fever, glomerulonephritis, rheumatic heart disease and rheumatic arthritis. They were tested for Antistreptolysin O (ASO) antibodies by latex agglutination test. The test is very simple, cheap, rapid, convenient and reliable. Correlation with the clinical diagnosis is possible for routine use. Key Words: ASO; rheumatic fever; latex agglutination DOI: 10.3126/jcmsn.v6i2.3613 Journal of college of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2010, Vol.6, No-2, 24-28
Role of exfoliative cytology in oral lesions: with special reference to rule out malignancy
Authors: Singh A
Published: August 2010

Oral malignancy is quite common in country like India because of tobacco chewing and smoking. Cytology is cheaper and easy procedure that can be carried out at outdoor patient department to diagnose malignancy at early stage. The present study carried out to detect cancer pre-invasive stage by use of exfoliative cytology and to explore the possibility of using this technique in diagnosis of other oral lesions considered as premalignant ones. A total 102 patients referred from OPD and surgery department of J.A. Group of Hospital, Madhav Dispensary and Cancer Hospital, Gwalior, between July 2004 to October 2005, were included in this study. Two smears by scrap method, from each patient were prepared and after air dried stained with RAPID PAP stain. The smear were evaluated along with clinical, epidemiological data and classified in group I to IV according to the Papanicolaou classification. In our result 25 cases were normal. 47 were Leukoplakia with mean age 47.5 years, 85% male. Smear show anucleated squames predominantly 53%. Six cases were submucous fibrosis 66.7% female with mean age 38.3 years and, smear revealed rarification of nuclei in 66% cases. Two cases of mucosal hyperemia (Erythema), one-one case of traumatic ulcer and granular buccal mucosa included. Out of Twenty cases of malignancy, male were 75% with mean age of 46 year. Cheek and tongue were the common site with incidence of 60%. The smear revealed inflammatory cells in 100%, malignant cells in 75% cases either in groups or in singles. The third type of cells 60%, the undifferentiated cells 37%, and Tadpole cells in 5% cases. In study 75% cases were positive for cancer, 10% were suspicious for cancer and remaining 15% were given as negative for cancer. Cytology is reliable diagnostic tool in diagnosis of presence or absence of malignancy in a lesion with high accuracy rate. The oral cytologic technique is easy to do and can provide the help of surgeon/physician, where he/she might hesitate to perform an invasive procedure, like a biopsy, or desire more information regarding a lesion before referring the patient. Key words: Cancer; exfoliative cytology; leukoplakia; oral malignancy. DOI: 10.3126/jcmsn.v6i2.3614 Journal of college of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2010, Vol.6, No-2, 29-37
Variant insertion of coracobrachialis muscle-morphological significance, embryological basis and clinical importance
Authors: Guha R , Satyanarayana N , Reddy CK , Jayasri N , Nitin V , Praveen G , Sunitha P , Datta AK
Published: August 2010

The coracobrachialis muscle in the arm is morphologically the sole representative of adductor group muscle in the arm, but such function during the process of evolution became insignificant in man. It is more important morphologically than functionally. Variant insertion of the coracobrachialis muscle was found during routine dissection of an adult male cadaver in the Department of Anatomy, College of Medical Sciences, and Bharatpur, Nepal. Normally the coracobrachialis muscle is inserted into the middle of the medial border of the humerus. In the present case an additional slender tendon passed inferiorly, crossing anterior to the median nerve and brachial artery, before attaching to the medial epicondyle of the humerus. Most of the proximal part of the tendon gave rise to an aponeurotic expansion that inserted into the distal medial border of the humerus. The tendinous insertion and aponeurotic expansion may represent a variant of the coracobrachialis longus (Wood's) muscle and the internal brachial ligament or the ligament of Struthers. The ulnar nerve was found to be traversing below the aponeurotic expansion. This type of anomalous insertion of coracobrachialis muscle may lead to compression of median nerve, brachial artery and ulnar nerve. Key words: Coracobrachialis muscle; ligament of Struthers; median nerve; brachial artery; ulnar nerve. DOI: 10.3126/jcmsn.v6i2.3616 Journal of college of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2010, Vol.6, No-2, 42-46
Dapsone induced exfoliative dermatitis: A case report
Authors: Roy Rajat , Bhattarai Anil , Shrestha Prativa , Paudel Upama , Parajuli Sudip
Published: August 2010

One 11 year old female attended dermatology OPD of College of Medical Sciences, Bharatpur. She was undergoing treatment with Dapsone for one month for Borderline lepromatous leprosy. There was history of dry scales for 3 weeks over trunk, buttock, face, back and lower extremities suggestive of Exfoliative Dermatitis. The patient was treated with Prednisolone with supportive therapy for one month. Recovery is good. Key words: Dermatology; lepromatous leprosy; exfoliative dermatitis. DOI: 10.3126/jcmsn.v6i2.3621 Journal of college of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2010, Vol.6, No-2, 64-66
Pharmacological Analyses of Protein Kinases Regulating Egg Maturation in Marine Nemertean Worms: A Review and Comparison with Mammalian Eggs
Authors: Stricker Stephen A. , Escalona Jose R. , Abernathy Samuel , Marquardt Alicia
Published: August 2010

For development to proceed normally, animal eggs must undergo a maturation process that ultimately depends on phosphorylations of key regulatory proteins. To analyze the kinases that mediate these phosphorylations, eggs of marine nemertean worms have been treated with pharmacological modulators of intracellular signaling pathways and subsequently probed with immunoblots employing phospho-specific antibodies. This article both reviews such analyses and compares them with those conducted on mammals, while focusing on how egg maturation in nemerteans is affected by signaling pathways involving cAMP, mitogen-activated protein kinases, Src-family kinases, protein kinase C isotypes, AMP-activated kinase, and the Cdc2 kinase of maturation-promoting factor.
Asymmetric Synthesis of α-Aminophosphonates Using the Inexpensive Chiral Catalyst 1,1’-Binaphthol Phosphate
Authors: Xu Weiming , Zhang Sha , Yang Song , Jin Lin-Hong , Bhadury Pinaki S. , Hu De-Yu , Zhang Yuping
Published: August 2010

Asymmetric addition under mild conditions of dialkyl phosphites on aldimines derived from cinnamaldehyde catalyzed by the inexpensive chiral organocatalyst (R)-3,3’-[4-fluorophenyl]2-1,1’-binaphthol phosphate has been found effective to give new α-amino-phosphonates 9 in moderate yields (30–65%) and enantiomeric excess (8.4%–61.9%).
Alternative Water Allocation in Kyrgyzstan: Lessons from the Lower Colorado River Basin and New South Wales
Authors: Karimov Akmal , Yakubov Murat , Noble Andrew , Jumabaev Kahramon , Anarbekov Oyture , Kazbekov Jusipbek , Mirzaev Nazir , Alimdjanov Ahmad
Published: August 2010

Focus group discussions and a modeling approach were applied to determine policy and regulatory refinements for current water allocation practices in Kyrgyzstan. Lessons from the Lower Colorado River basin, Texas and New South Wales, Australia were taken into consideration. The paper analyzes the impact of adopting some of these interventions within the socio-environmental context that currently prevails in Kyrgyzstan. The optimization model for water distribution at the river-basin scale was developed using GAMS 2.25 software. Application of the model to the Akbura River basin indicated efficiencies in the proposed institutional rules especially in low water years.